Harry Kane scores twice on home Bundesliga debut as Bayern Munich beat Augsburg
Harry Kane scored twice on his home Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich as the German champions beat Augsburg 3-1 on Sunday. The England captain put Bayern into a 2-0 half-time lead with a 40th-minute penalty at the Allianz Arena before claiming his second of the game after 69 minutes. Bayern had initially gone in front when Felix Uduokhai inadvertently diverted into his own net after a Leroy Sane shot rebounded off a post. Dion Beljo scored the visitors’ late consolation. Kane’s goals rounded off a great week days after the striker’s wife gave birth to the couple’s fourth child. “Scoring goals is the main reason I’m here and it’s great to get a couple today,” said Kane in a post-match TV interview. “I had another chance I could have scored but, overall, I am delighted with the result and to have contributed as well.” Elsewhere, 10-man Frankfurt snatched a 1-1 draw at Mainz with an injury-time equaliser from Omar Marmoush. Ansgar Knauff had been sent off just after the hour. In Spain, LaLiga champions Barcelona fought back from 3-2 down to claim a dramatic 4-3 victory at Villarreal. Barca had led 2-0 early on after strikes from Gavi and Frenkie de Jong but they were stunned when the hosts hit back to lead at the Ceramica Stadium through Juan Foyth, Alexander Sorloth and Alex Baena. The Catalan giants were not to be denied, however, as substitute Ferran Torres levelled the contest after 68 minutes and Robert Lewandowski secured the points three minutes later. Nacho Vidal scored an injury-time winner as Osasuna grabbed a 2-1 win at Valencia. Hugo Duro had looked like claiming a point for the hosts at the Mestalla when he cancelled out Aimar Oroz’s first-half penalty 10 minutes from time. Reims maintained their unbeaten start in Ligue 1 as they climbed to third with a 3-1 win at Montpellier. Teddy Teuma struck twice with Yunis Abdelhamid also on the scoresheet. Clermont remain without a point after a 1-0 home loss to Metz. Italian champions Napoli continued their winning start in Serie A with a 2-0 home triumph over Sassuolo. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium with a 16th-minute penalty and Giovanni Di Lorenzo wrapped up the win after the visitors had Maxime Lopez sent off. Juventus needed a late equaliser from Dusan Vlahovic to secure a 1-1 draw against Bologna in Turin. The Serbian striker levelled 10 minutes from time to deny Bologna, who had led since Scotland international Lewis Ferguson struck in the 24th minute. Lecce fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina with second-half goals from Hamza Rafia and Nikola Krstovic. Fiorentina had led at the break through Nicolas Gonzalez and Alfred Duncan. Genoa won 1-0 at Lazio thanks to a Mateo Retegui header. In the late game in Spain, Athletic Bilbao recovered from a 2-0 deficit to beat Real Betis 4-2 at San Mames. Willian Jose and Isco scored inside the opening 10 minutes to get Betis off to a flying start but Bilbao hit back with two Mikel Vesga penalties. Gorka Guruzeta put the hosts ahead in first-half stoppage-time and Unai Gomez made victory certain in the closing moments. Read More The sporting weekend in pictures Juanma Lillo says Pep Guardiola’s drive improves ‘everyone that is around him’ Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou toasts as early birthday present Bayern Munich icon defends Spanish FA president at centre of kiss controversy Rangers strike twice but PSV Eindhoven hit back to leave tie in the balance Would a transfer to Man United or Liverpool suit Gravenberch most?
2023-08-28 17:27
Jurgen Klopp calls 10-man Liverpool’s win at Newcastle ‘rare and super-special’
Jurgen Klopp insisted he has never experienced anything like 10-man Liverpool’s dramatic comeback win at Newcastle in his long managerial career. The Reds were trailing 1-0 and were down to 10 men following skipper Virgil van Dijk’s first-half dismissal before substitute Darwin Nunez struck twice to claim all three points at St James’ Park. Asked what the stunning comeback said about the spirit of his team, Klopp said: “Absolutely everything. In my more than 1,000 games as a coach, I never had a game like this, that is the truth. “There have been other games, but with 10 men in an atmosphere like this against an opponent like this… It’s not that I can’t remember, I’m pretty sure it never happened because these moments are rare and super-special. “But I thought the boys deserved it today because with 10 men, we played better and gave Newcastle a proper game. “Three things were clear at half-time: Trent [Alexander-Arnold] cannot get another yellow card; we cannot concede a second and if that happens we have a chance, and that’s what the boys obviously did.” Nunez had been introduced as a 77th-minute replacement for Alexis Mac Allister – who was sent off against Bournemouth last weekend before his red card was rescinded – with the Reds resisting Newcastle’s efforts to kill the game off, twice with the help of the woodwork. The £85million Uruguay international endured a difficult first year on Merseyside, but he took his latest chance with both hands. Klopp said of Nunez: “Everything will be fine, it is just maybe it had to be like this. If he hadn’t been that angry and started the game today, he wouldn’t have scored in the last six minutes or whatever. “Let’s take it like that.” As the game reached the 80-minute mark, the Magpies looked to be heading for victory courtesy of former Everton man Anthony Gordon’s 25th-minute strike, with Van Dijk having departed prematurely shortly afterwards, sent off for felling Alexander Isak on his way to goal. Klopp said: “I don’t think it is a red card. There’s pretty much no contact, very little, but what can I say? The decision is like this and I cannot change it. “Would I whistle in a training game? Definitely not, but there are reasons why I am not a ref.” However, Nunez pounced on an uncharacteristic error by Sven Botman to level with nine minutes remaining and then repeated the dose in stoppage time from Mo Salah’s through-ball to clinch victory. Magpies boss Eddie Howe, who had earlier seen Alisson Becker pull off a spectacular save to turn Miguel Almiron’s shot on to the crossbar before the Paraguay international later fired against a post, admitted his team had been made to pay for not being ruthless enough. Howe said: “I thought we played really well today. The opening stages of the game can’t be forgotten by me in regards to the team’s performance and reflection on how the game went. I thought we were excellent, individual performances were really strong. “The sending-off almost harms us, really, in the match, although the chances were there for us to kill the game and I think the second goal changes everything. “We didn’t get it and when Nunez comes on, they’re looking for one moment – and they didn’t just get one, they get two and they took them.” Read More Better than Barcelona? Liverpool add another late winner to the Klopp mythology Newcastle vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and reaction Liverpool lucky with availability of centre-backs this season – Jurgen Klopp Liverpool are under pressure from Saudi Arabia – on and off the pitch Eddie Howe urges Bruno Guimaraes to learn from social media criticism He’s essential to Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp dismisses Mohamed Salah transfer talk
2023-08-28 17:19
Trent Alexander-Arnold hails Liverpool win for the ages
Trent Alexander-Arnold saluted one of the best performances of manager Jurgen Klopp’s reign after helping Liverpool clinch a “very, very special” victory at Newcastle. The Reds looked dead and buried at St James’ Park when skipper Virgil van Dijk was sent off three minutes after Anthony Gordon had fired the home side into a 25th-minute lead. However, they escaped further punishment to make it to the latter stages of the game still only one goal in deficit, and ultimately emerged with three points after substitute Darwin Nunez scored an unlikely late double. Alexander-Arnold told the club’s official website: “It’s unbelievable, to be honest. It was something very special out there today. “You come here with a game plan, you want to dictate possession, you want to control the game, you want to try to kill the atmosphere as quick as possible, as much as possible because you know that’s a big advantage for them. “But that wasn’t the case and we’ve had to do it the hard way, the very hard way. “I think we have made it difficult, but out there we dug deep, we all pulled in together. “It was something for the ages, to be honest, one of our best performances since the manager’s come in – and we’ve had some outstanding performances as a team, as individuals. “But I think we’ll look back on this game as something very, very special.” Things might have turned out differently for Alexander-Arnold in particular had referee John Brooks judged his sixth-minute challenge on Gordon seconds after he had been booked for kicking the ball away differently, but he survived that scare and the sternest of examinations at the hands of the former Everton striker to emerge victorious. Nevertheless, it took a superb save from keeper Alisson to deny Miguel Almiron before the break and a post to keep the Paraguay international at nay after it, but forgotten man Nunez took full advantage with a superb double, levelling in the 81st-minute before winning it three minutes into stoppage time. With the quality that we have in the team, we can do so many things. Liverpool keeper Alisson Alisson said: “You cannot underestimate [Liverpool], even in a game like that. But to be honest, even when we play against them here last season they had one player sent off and it was really hard to play against 10 men. “When you play as a unit, you can do so many things on the pitch. You can make the pitch be smaller. With the quality that we have in the team, we can do so many things. “We said in the changing rooms in half-time that we should believe, we’re going to have chances and we should believe that we are capable of doing something here tonight. “We did it. This is one of a kind.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Talking Points as Britain’s athletes match previous best at World Championships Ireland’s Johnny Sexton admits disciplinary process took a toll on his family Football rumours: Manchester United target Spanish replacements for Luke Shaw
2023-08-28 16:49
Football rumours: Manchester United target Spanish replacements for Luke Shaw
What the papers say Manchester United are targeting Spanish full-backs as a replacement for the injured Luke Shaw. The Daily Express says Marcus Alonso, 32, has “made his decision” on a move from Barcelona while Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella is also on United’s shortlist according to the Daily Star. Fellow Spaniard Sergio Reguilon is another potential target for United according to the Daily Telegraph. But Fulham are in prime position to take the 26-year-old from Tottenham. Everton are close to agreeing a move for Portuguese striker Beto, 25, from Udinese ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline. The i says the move from Serie A would cost around £24 million. Another Portuguese player could be on the move this week, according to the Daily Express. Manchester City are close to a deal for Matheus Nunes after lodging an improved offer to Wolves for the 25-year-old. Social media round-up Players to watch Timothy Castagne: Fulham are keen on taking the 27-year-old Belgian full-back from Leicester City. Brennan Johnson: Tottenham are expected to make a £50 million bid for the Wales forward, 22, from Nottingham Forest. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-28 14:16
College football fair catch rules: How are they different from the NFL?
College football fair catch rules aren't complicated but they have changed in recent years. Here's all you need to know for punts and kickoffs.
2023-08-28 09:27
Police investigate after brick attack on Aston Villa bus after win at Burnley
The Aston Villa team bus was damaged after being attacked on the motorway following the side’s victory at Burnley on Sunday, police have confirmed. A brick was thrown at the windscreen from a footbridge on the M65 in Lancashire as the Villa team began their journey home from Turf Moor. Nobody was hurt but the matter is being investigated by Lancashire Police and Burnley have said they are “saddened and dismayed” by the incident. Superintendent Melita Worswick, of Lancashire Police, said: “This incident occurred when a great deal of traffic was leaving the area following the football match between Burnley and Aston Villa. “It is nothing but good fortune that the brick didn’t cause more damage, or result in somebody being seriously injured or even killed. “We cannot say at this point whether this was a targeted attack but enquiries are ongoing and this will form part of our investigation. “We are now determined to find the person or people responsible and are asking for anyone with information to get in touch.” The incident is a further embarrassment for Burnley after Manchester City’s Rico Lewis was struck by an object thrown from the crowd in the season-opening match at Turf Moor earlier this month. Play was also halted briefly during that game due to a pitch invader. A statement from the club read: “Burnley Football Club are saddened and dismayed to learn about an attack on the Aston Villa team bus at junction 10 of the M65 after today’s match. “Having spoken with Villa we are relieved to hear nobody was hurt in the incident. We strongly condemn this behaviour and will support Lancashire Police in their efforts to find whoever was responsible.” Promoted Burnley were beaten 3-1 by Villa in what was their second Premier League match of the campaign. They are yet to collect a point.
2023-08-28 04:46
Ohio State football: Why is Ohio Stadium called The Horseshoe?
The Ohio State football team plays its home games at Ohio Stadium. Here is why the Buckeyes' famous football cathedral is often referred to as The Horseshoe.
2023-08-28 02:56
Darwin Nunez provides a rescue act and a reminder when Liverpool needed it most
Last August, it was Darwin Nunez who lost his head. A year on, as Liverpool’s captain and vice-captain led by the wrong sort of example and as they threatened to unravel at Newcastle, Nunez served as rescuer. A man down, a goal down, almost two adrift, a first loss in 14 league games beckoned for Liverpool. Enter Nunez, the £64m afterthought, the player sent off on his Anfield debut for headbutting Joachim Andersen. Now the fifth-choice forward, he clinched an improbable comeback; a swift brace turned a damaging setback into a seminal victory. Suddenly, the more costly of two meltdowns was Newcastle’s. They contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They can reflect on two moments to transform the mood at St James’ Park and the feel of their start to the season. The first, when Diogo Jota’s pass bounced off Sven Botman and Nunez drilled a shot past Nick Pope. The second, when Bruno Guimaraes lost the ball, Mohamed Salah provided a slide-rule pass and Nunez again turned executioner. His finishing can be erratic but twice it was unerring: this was what Liverpool paid what could become a club-record fee for. As it is, their record buy had long since departed: Virgil van Dijk, often the cool cat of defending, turned into a raging bull when he saw red. His choice of words to referee John Brooks and fourth official Craig Pawson may add to his sanction. And yet, on the day, it was Newcastle who were punished. The scale of the missed opportunity was huge: they finished the game facing Liverpool’s fourth- and fifth-choice centre-backs, with Jarell Quansah making a debut in the final stages. He was not the most significant substitute – that mantle rested with Nunez – but Liverpool won 2-0 with the rookie on the pitch. Indeed, they triumphed 2-0 in the time after Van Dijk’s dismissal. Newcastle twice almost doubled their lead, Alisson making a superb save to turn Miguel Almiron’s volley against the crossbar and then the Paraguayan striking the upright again after a mesmeric solo run. And yet they lost their impetus in the second half; Liverpool had mislaid their composure before the break and regained it as the game went on, leading to a credibility defying climax. The early excellence of Anthony Gordon became in vain, an Evertonian suffering his latest defeat to Liverpool. For Newcastle, Klopp’s side remain the final frontier: they have had flagship results against virtually everyone else but they have now suffered five home league defeats under Eddie Howe: three of them to Liverpool. This was the most illogical triumph of them all. It had shaped up as a chastening afternoon for the men promoted to replace the departed Jordan Henderson and James Milner. The new skipper Van Dijk was sent off, though only after his deputy, Trent Alexander-Arnold, could have been. Instead, his enduring presence on the pitch benefited Newcastle when his error allowed Gordon to open the scoring. The centre-back had one tackle to rue – or seethe about, given his reaction when he saw red; the right-back had a different kind of torment, failing his trial by Gordon. Alexander-Arnold could have been dismissed after six minutes: unfortunate to be cautioned, he was then fortunate to avoid a second yellow card. A blatant check on Gordon was a bookable offence, but he had already had his name taken. Gordon was a waspish irritant but he is an irregular scorer. Just the ninth goal of his senior career came with an unlikely provider. Salah was to add to his surfeit of assists for Liverpool. He inadvertently provided a goal for Newcastle, overhitting a pass to Alexander-Arnold. The right-back should still have controlled it: instead, it rolled away from him, into the path of Gordon, who slotted a shot past Alisson. Kissing the Newcastle badge may have gone down badly with both halves of Merseyside. He may yet prove popular on Tyneside, however. The agent provocateur proved he can play. This was the best performance of his brief Newcastle career and he supplied the pass to Alexander Isak when the striker was challenged by Van Dijk. The Dutchman argued he got the ball; referee Brooks thought he went through the striker first, rendering it a goalscoring opportunity. Exit – eventually, after his protests – Van Dijk, and Liverpool’s chances seemingly disappeared with him. Yet a second half offered a second chance. Liverpool were reconfigured in a 4-4-1 formation. Klopp’s changes made an impact. Howe may regret his own substitutions, particularly removing Gordon. Freed from his clutches, Alexander-Arnold got a hint of redemption with a pass in the move that led to Nunez’s equaliser. And, after a chaotic game, Nunez, the agent of chaos, may have been a strangely fitting match-winner. Read More Matty Cash brace sees Aston Villa win at Burnley Rodri strikes late on to send Man City top and break Sheffield United hearts Man City assistant Juanma Lillo did not enjoy stepping in for Pep Guardiola Matty Cash brace sees Aston Villa win at Burnley Rodri strikes late on to send Man City top and break Sheffield United hearts Man City assistant Juanma Lillo did not enjoy stepping in for Pep Guardiola
2023-08-28 02:52
Late Darwin Nunez double earns 10-man Liverpool comeback win at Newcastle
Forgotten man Darwin Nunez came off the bench to fire 10-man Liverpool to a sensational 2-1 win at Newcastle as they staged a late, late show. Trailing to former Everton striker Anthony Gordon’s opener and at a numerical disadvantage following Virgil van Dijk’s dismissal, the Reds refused to accept defeat and got their reward when the £85million Uruguay international levelled with nine minutes remaining and then snatched victory three minutes into stoppage time. The Magpies were left to reflect on missed chances – Alisson produced a stunning first-half save to deny Miguel Almiron, who later hit a post – but Jurgen Klopp’s men scrapped impressively to ensure their unbeaten run against the Tyneside club extended to 14 games. Klopp celebrated wildly in front of the home dugout and on the pitch after the final whistle as the home fans among a crowd of 52,214 trudged away barely able to believe what they had witnessed. The visitors made a lively start amid a raucous atmosphere as former Magpies target Dominik Szoboszlai forced an early corner, and it was they who set the tempo as the game unfolded. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold left himself walking a tightrope after picking up a needless sixth-minute booking for kicking the ball away, and he was perhaps fortunate to escape further punishment after Gordon went down under his challenge seconds later. Newcastle keeper Nick Pope, who was sent off in the corresponding fixture last season, endured a testing start and he came for, but failed to connect meaningfully with two early corners, although as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Almiron gradually worked their way into the game, the traffic towards his goal became less congested. Joelinton mustered the first attempt on Alisson’s goal, a reward for Guimaraes’ persistence, although the keeper was more than equal to the task, but opposite number Pope was extended much further to repel Luis Diaz’s near-post strike after a mazy 17th-minute run. Pope comfortably claimed Mo Salah’s curled 24th-minute effort after the striker had cut inside full-back Dan Burn, but Liverpool’s game-plan was torn apart seconds later. Alexander-Arnold mis-controlled Salah’s pass, allowing Gordon to steal in and race away before sliding a shot past the advancing Alisson, and worse was to come for the Reds when skipper Van Dijk felled Alexander Isak on the edge of the box three minutes later and was dismissed. Only Alisson’s brilliance prevented Newcastle from doubling their advantage nine minutes before the break when he somehow managed to claw Almiron’s stinging volley onto the underside of his crossbar. With defender Joe Gomez having replaced the sacrificed Diaz before the break, the Reds returned knowing they needed something special to force their way back into the game, but Gordon continued to terrorise Alexander-Arnold, and it was the Magpies who looked more likely to add to their tally. Almiron skied high over after Joelinton had surged into the penalty area before crossing, but with the 10 men largely sitting deep, Newcastle found themselves having to unpick the most steadfast of locks with midfield pair Guimaraes and Tonali the main protagonists. Szoboszlai and substitute Diogo Jota helped to ease Liverpool back into the contest as the home side were forced to defend, and although Gordon blazed a 64th-minute drive just wide of Alisson’s left post, it took a superb intervention by Sven Botman to prevent Salah from making the most of a delicious exchange with Jota. Almiron was unfortunate to see a 76th-minute shot come back off a post with Alisson beaten, and the Reds capitalised on that stroke of good fortune with nine minutes remaining when Nunez seized on Botman’s error to fire past Pope. With Newcastle pushing for a winner, the Uruguay international repeated the dose deep into injury time, running on to Salah’s through-ball to snatch an unlikely victory with a similar finish. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Steve Borthwick confident England will fix defensive issues ahead of World Cup Johnny Sexton regrets ‘mistake’ which saw him miss Ireland’s World Cup warm-ups Novak Djokovic says Carlos Alcaraz pushes him ‘to the limit’ ahead of US Open
2023-08-28 02:23
Man City assistant Juanma Lillo did not enjoy stepping in for Pep Guardiola
Assistant boss Juanma Lillo admitted he did not enjoy standing in for Pep Guardiola after Manchester City’s hard-fought 2-1 win at Sheffield United. Guardiola watched his side extend their 100 per cent start to go top of the Premier League from Barcelona, where he is recovering from back surgery. City turned in a dominant display at a sold-out Bramall Lane, but went close to letting two points slip when Blades substitute Jayden Bogle fired an 85th-minute equaliser. Bogle cancelled out Erling Haaland’s second-half header – the Norway striker had missed a penalty before the break – only for Rodri to rescue City by smashing home an 88th-minute winner. When asked if he enjoyed taking charge in Guardiola’s absence, Lillo said: “Not at all. I much prefer being with Pep. Especially when it’s a question of health, I don’t enjoy this at all. We miss his presence now more than ever. “I haven’t spoken to him after the match. During the match I spoke to him at some moments, but generally he was speaking to the other members of the technical staff. But he’s been totally present today.” City dominated possession throughout and were rarely troubled by the Blades, who produced a resolute and disciplined defensive display. Haaland steered his 37th-minute penalty on to a post after Blades skipper John Egan had handled, but made amends by heading his side in front in the 63rd minute. “Generally I thought we played really well today,” said Lillo, who confirmed Phil Foden had started on the bench due to an upset stomach. “It was a lot closer to what we wanted. “From the second half I thought we really found our rhythm and we were able to win the ball back a lot quicker. “We were able to find the new spaces created from winning the ball back quicker and we could have scored more before the first goal went in.” Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom feels his side, back in the top flight after a two-year absence, are also improving despite losing their first three matches. Heckingbottom said: “I’m pleased with the performance. You need a perfect performance to beat them because that wasn’t a below-par City. “We got punished for two things we should do better. The sickener for me is the nature of how Rodri has lashed it in. “It just comes after Phil (Foden) has mis-controlled the ball and just drops into his path. “It’s a kick in the teeth after all the good play they had had and they way we had dealt with it. We’ve lost a point, but we’ll focus on the performance I think. “Game on game we’ve got better and we certainly believe we’re going to have enough.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Novak Djokovic says Carlos Alcaraz pushes him ‘to the limit’ ahead of US Open Unai Emery praises ‘versatile’ Matty Cash after brace in Villa win at Burnley England confirm Jonny May as Anthony Watson’s replacement in World Cup squad
2023-08-28 01:23
Unai Emery praises ‘versatile’ Matty Cash after brace in Villa win at Burnley
Unai Emery praised the versatility of Matty Cash after the Poland international’s first Aston Villa goals in over a year helped them to a 3-1 win at Burnley. There was speculation Cash could be on his way out of Villa Park this summer, but the 26-year-old showed what an asset he can be with two goals in the opening 20 minutes of his 100th Villa appearance, twice threatening to make it a hat-trick. Cash replaced Leon Bailey on the right wing in the only unenforced change to the Villa side that beat Hibernian 5-0 in the Europa Conference League play-off in midweek – Robin Olsen replaced the injured Emi Martinez in goal – and caught the eye with an energetic display. “He’s versatile, he played before as a winger, he’s playing with us in a back four sometimes, sometimes lower, but we used him in pre-season playing higher, as a winger,” Emery said. “He helped us a lot today defensively and offensively and then he used the moment to remember when he played more at Nottingham Forest as a winger. His two goals were a good example for us but we know he can be versatile.” That versatility can be key for Villa at a time when injuries are limiting Emery’s options. The Spaniard named only eight players, two of them goalkeepers, on the bench, and admitted Villa could be active again before the transfer window closes. “There are still four days to finish the transfer window and we have to be ready,” Emery said. “We have to be ready in case someone is leaving, in case we have a good opportunity to add another player with us. “Always in my teams I was working and I am ready at the end if someone can come with us or someone can leave.” Villa’s biggest move in the market so far has been the signing of Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported £51million. The France forward combined with Cash to create Villa’s second of the afternoon before his 61st-minute strike, his second Villa goal, settled it after Lyle Foster got Burnley back into the match. Learning comes at a price in the Premier League Vincent Kompany “His adaptation is going fast but he needs this adaptation each match for him to know better his team mates and then where in our structure is his best position,” Emery said. “He is a player who is versatile as well. “It’s very important for him and for the team, his capacity to assist, to score goals.” Defeat leaves Burnley without a point after their opening two Premier League matches, both home defeats after the 3-0 loss to Manchester City a fortnight ago. “Learning comes at a price in the Premier League,” manager Vincent Kompany said. “I didn’t think we started the game badly, we had moments, we just didn’t manage to get a real grip on the game and there was always the threat of Aston Villa counters. “In the second half we built momentum, the goal helped us for that definitely, and just at the peak of that momentum we conceded the goal and that was a little bit the story of the game.” Kompany handed a debut to Hannes Delcroix, meaning six of the starting XI were new signings this summer. The manager admitted there will be a bedding-in period. “It’s a conscious choice,” he said. “You look at the bottom of the league and you find every flavour – teams that are settled and have not changed and teams that have changed. “For us, we want to move forward. I’ve seen enough in our team to know that we make a game out of games. Every game there is something for us, and if that continues I believe we’ll have enough results.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live England confirm Jonny May as Anthony Watson’s replacement in World Cup squad Danni Wyatt stars as Southern Brave beat Northern Superchargers in Hundred final Cian Healy left out of Ireland’s 33-man Rugby World Cup squad due to injury
2023-08-28 00:50
Rodri strikes late on to send Man City top and break Sheffield United hearts
Rodri’s late winner clinched Manchester City a hard-fought 2-1 win at Sheffield United and lifted them top of the Premier League. The City midfielder crashed home a shot from inside the area less than three minutes after Blades substitute Jayden Bogle had cancelled out Erling Haaland’s second-half header with an 85th-minute equaliser. It was a breathless finish to a game City had dominated – Haaland missed a first-half penalty – but Rodri’s strike finally ended the Blades’ brave resistance and sealed absent manager Pep Guardiola’s 200th win in the English top flight. With City assistant coach Juanma Lillo in charge of the visitors’ dugout as Guardiola recovers from back surgery in Barcelona, it took 12 minutes for his side to carve out their first chance as Haaland headed straight at Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham. The home side, forced to replace Ben Osborn with summer signing Yasser Larouci in the 17th minute, stuck resolutely to their task as City hogged the ball and patiently probed for an opening. Foderingham denied the visitors again in the 26th minute by deflecting Alvarez’s shot for a corner. City were gifted the chance to take a first-half lead when Alvarez’s cross struck John Egan on the arm as the Blades skipper slid in to block and referee Jarred Gillett pointed straight to the spot. But Haaland failed to convert as his low, left-footed penalty struck Foderingham’s left-hand post. Blades defender George Baldock was booked for his juddering challenge on Jack Grealish before the interval and the home fans gave their side a standing ovation at the half-time whistle with the score at 0-0. Lillo stepped out into the technical area for the first time shortly after the restart to see Haaland shank Kyle Walker’s cross inches wide. There was now more urgency to City’s approach play. Rodri pulled a low effort wide, Foderingham rescued the Blades again by palming Haaland’s dinked effort for a corner and Alvarez lashed Grealish’s lay-off just wide. Walker then blazed over before City made the breakthrough in the 63rd minute. Grealish was marshalled by Baldock on the left edge of the area, but made space to clip the ball to the far post and Haaland powered home his third league goal of the season with a towering header. The Blades responded as substitute Oli McBurnie headed wide from a corner and at the other end Foderingham kept out Mateo Kovacic’s free-kick. Bramall Lane erupted in the 85th minute when substitute Bogle arrowed a shot inside the far post to haul his side level following an earlier error by former Blade Walker. But before a crowd of 31,336 could catch breath, Walker made amends by out-muscling Larouci out wide and his cross was lashed home by Rodri after Phil Foden had mis-controlled. The Blades almost snatched another equaliser when Anel Ahmedhodzic just failed to latch on to McBurnie’s cross, but City held firm to maintain their 100 per cent start. Read More Juanma Lillo says Pep Guardiola’s drive improves ‘everyone that is around him’ Juanma Lillo in ‘continuous contact’ with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola Premier League clubs take summer spending to nearly £2billion with week to go Eddie Howe urges Bruno Guimaraes to learn from social media criticism Football rumours: Arsenal and Tottenham eye Ivan Toney once betting ban ends Manchester City sign Jeremy Doku from Rennes for more than £50m
2023-08-27 23:53