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Tomas Soucek nets late winner as West Ham fight back to beat sorry Burnley
Tomas Soucek nets late winner as West Ham fight back to beat sorry Burnley
Tomas Soucek’s stoppage-time volley condemned Burnley to a seventh-consecutive home defeat as Vincent Kompany’s struggling side conceded two in the space of five minutes to lose 2-1 to West Ham. For much of the second half it seemed as though Jay Rodriguez’s 49th-minute penalty was going to earn the Clarets a vital win and lift them off the bottom of the Premier League table. But an 87th-minute own goal from Dara O’Shea, under pressure from West Ham teenager Divin Mubama, levelled it before Soucek volleyed home a second in the first of seven minutes added on. It was cruel on Burnley, who had largely contained a West Ham side devoid of inspiration without the injured Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, but just when their fans thought they could celebrate a first home league win since May, it all fell apart at the death. A side that broke records on their way to the Championship crown last term are now making too much unwanted history, with this loss seeing them match Newport’s 53-year-old record of starting a league campaign with seven home defeats. Burnley narrowly shaded a fairly dismal first half, but ended it frustrated after Luca Koleosho’s penalty appeals were waved away six minutes before the break. The teenager ran into the box and tumbled over the dangling leg of Vladimir Coufal but referee Sam Barratt, perfectly positioned, pointed for a goal-kick, deeming that Koleosho had run into the Czech defender, a view upheld by VAR Craig Pawson. Koleosho and Burnley would get their penalty just two minutes into the second half. The Italy youth international appeared to have hit a dead end as he faced four West Ham players but – as he tried to turn away – he was caught on the heel by Mohammed Kudus and this time Barratt pointed to the spot. Rodriguez had to hold his nerve through a VAR check but then fired his penalty under the dive of Alphonse Areola for his first goal of the season. West Ham were forced to wake from their slumbers as the game finally came to life. O’Shea blocked Soucek’s shot after a free-kick from deep, then Sander Berge got in the way of James Ward-Prowse’s shot following a long throw-in. Another set-piece came to Lucas Paqueta, but his powerful volley was still rising as it sailed over. Burnley had chances to score what would surely have been a decisive second. Zeki Amdouni won possession on the right and charged into the box, forcing Areola into a sharp save at his near post. Substitute Aaron Ramsey then went close to making an instant impact in the 73rd minute, springing forward down the right side and cutting in towards goal, only to send his shot over. West Ham fans had been singing the name of Mubama before he replaced the largely-anonymous Danny Ings just after the hour, and the 19-year-old helped as West Ham turned up the wick late on. Kurt Zouma blazed high and wide from Paqueta’s cross before substitute Said Benrahma failed to get enough bend on a curling shot, but the pressure was building. And it paid off when Kudus got to the byline and pulled the ball back towards Mubama, with the ball bouncing in off the unlucky O’Shea. Burnley were still reeling from that when West Ham won it at the death, as Soucek met another Kudus cross with a superb volley. Read More Jonathan Obika’s last-gasp equaliser earns Motherwell point at Celtic Brighton return to winning ways by edging Forest in thriller Opposing managers happy with a point as Manchester City and Liverpool draw Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Man Utd have reached ‘turning point’ ahead of crucial week – Erik ten Hag On This Day in 2020: Gunners welcome their fans back in style
2023-11-26 01:51
Marcus Tavernier’s brace sinks Sheffield United as Bournemouth continue winning run
Marcus Tavernier’s brace sinks Sheffield United as Bournemouth continue winning run
Marcus Tavernier fired a double as Bournemouth dismantled Sheffield United to win 3-1 at Bramall Lane and maintain their resurgence under Andoni Iraola. Tavernier struck early in both halves, his brace sandwiching Justin Kluivert’s first Premier League goal, while the impressive Cherries could have won by a bigger margin. Substitute Oli McBurnie headed a stoppage-time consolation for the Blades, who remain in the relegation zone. Bournemouth cruised to their first league win on the road this season and made it three victories in four top-flight matches to climb seven points clear of the bottom three. The Blades had followed up their recent first Premier League win of the season against Wolves with a 1-1 draw at Brighton before the international break but were a distant second best. Bournemouth bounced back from a 6-1 thrashing at Manchester City by beating Newcastle 2-0 at home in their previous match and their confidence was soon apparent as they were rewarded with a 12th-minute lead. Antoine Semenyo cut in from the right and his ball into the box found Tavernier, who evaded his marker with a neat first touch before burying a shot under Wes Foderingham. Tavernier went close to adding his second goal of the season moments later when he was foiled by Jack Robinson’s last-ditch tackle. Bournemouth continued to dominate and Kluivert, son of former Netherlands striker Patrick, was a fraction away when he fired into the side-netting following Tavernier’s clever step-over. The visitors threatened again as in-form striker Dominic Solanke flashed a near-post volley wide. The Blades became increasingly ragged and Tavernier, who could have had a first-half hat-trick, fired over after more good work from Semenyo. Paul Heckingbottom’s side regained a semblance of composure as half-time approached but that was undone in first-half stoppage time by Foderingham’s costly error. The Blades goalkeeper dallied as he collected a long punt forward outside his area and was dispossessed by Kluivert, who then stroked the ball into an empty net. The Blades were booed off at the interval and the home fans vented their frustration again six minutes after the restart when Bournemouth added their third goal to put the game to bed. Adam Smith clipped in an excellent cross from the right when left unopposed and Tavernier ghosted in at the far post to side-foot home. James McAtee fired wide for the Blades following a goalmouth scramble but Bournemouth threatened to add to their tally. Foderingham kept out further efforts from Semenyo, Kluivert, Ryan Christie and substitute Luis Sinisterra while tempers flared in the 69th minute, with George Baldock, Robinson and Bournemouth substitute Philip Billing all booked after a melee. McBurnie’s late header was scant consolation for the Blades, who slipped to their 10th league defeat of the season.
2023-11-26 01:49
Tomas Soucek breaks Burnley hearts with late winner as West Ham secure comeback win
Tomas Soucek breaks Burnley hearts with late winner as West Ham secure comeback win
Tomas Soucek’s stoppage-time volley condemned Burnley to a seventh-consecutive home defeat as Vincent Kompany’s struggling side conceded two in the space of five minutes to lose 2-1 to West Ham. For much of the second half it seemed as though Jay Rodriguez’s 49th-minute penalty was going to earn the Clarets a vital win and lift them off the bottom of the Premier League table. But an 87th-minute own goal from Dara O’Shea, under pressure from West Ham teenager Divin Mubama, levelled it before Soucek volleyed home a second in the first of seven minutes added on. It was cruel on Burnley, who had largely contained a West Ham side devoid of inspiration without the injured Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, but just when their fans thought they could celebrate a first home league win since May, it all fell apart at the death. A side that broke records on their way to the Championship crown last term are now making too much unwanted history, with this loss seeing them match Newport’s 53-year-old record of starting a league campaign with seven home defeats. Burnley narrowly shaded a fairly dismal first half, but ended it frustrated after Luca Koleosho’s penalty appeals were waved away six minutes before the break. The teenager ran into the box and tumbled over the dangling leg of Vladimir Coufal but referee Sam Barratt, perfectly positioned, pointed for a goal-kick, deeming that Koleosho had run into the Czech defender, a view upheld by VAR Craig Pawson. Koleosho and Burnley would get their penalty just two minutes into the second half. The Italy youth international appeared to have hit a dead end as he faced four West Ham players but – as he tried to turn away – he was caught on the heel by Mohammed Kudus and this time Barratt pointed to the spot. Rodriguez had to hold his nerve through a VAR check but then fired his penalty under the dive of Alphonse Areola for his first goal of the season. West Ham were forced to wake from their slumbers as the game finally came to life. O’Shea blocked Soucek’s shot after a free-kick from deep, then Sander Berge got in the way of James Ward-Prowse’s shot following a long throw-in. Another set-piece came to Lucas Paqueta, but his powerful volley was still rising as it sailed over. Burnley had chances to score what would surely have been a decisive second. Zeki Amdouni won possession on the right and charged into the box, forcing Areola into a sharp save at his near post. Substitute Aaron Ramsey then went close to making an instant impact in the 73rd minute, springing forward down the right side and cutting in towards goal, only to send his shot over. West Ham fans had been singing the name of Mubama before he replaced the largely-anonymous Danny Ings just after the hour, and the 19-year-old helped as West Ham turned up the wick late on. Kurt Zouma blazed high and wide from Paqueta’s cross before substitute Said Benrahma failed to get enough bend on a curling shot, but the pressure was building. And it paid off when Kudus got to the byline and pulled the ball back towards Mubama, with the ball bouncing in off the unlucky O’Shea. Burnley were still reeling from that when West Ham won it at the death, as Soucek met another Kudus cross with a superb volley. Read More Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Premier League result and reaction Declan Rice putting pressure of price tag behind him to pursue biggest prizes Declan Rice urges England to finish 2023 with a ‘bang’ in North Macedonia We’ve just thrown it away – Steve Cooper frustrated as Forest lose at West Ham Sean Dyche: Everton are starting to show belief on the road after latest win Newcastle show the value of a gameplan as Chelsea go back to square one
2023-11-26 01:45
Newcastle smash four past Chelsea after rousing second-half display
Newcastle smash four past Chelsea after rousing second-half display
Newcastle produced a stunning second-half display as the Magpies halted Chelsea’s Premier League momentum with a 4-1 win at St James’ Park. Jamaal Lascelles’ first-half error handed Raheem Sterling the chance to cancel out Alexander Isak’s opener with a superb free-kick, but the Newcastle skipper gave his side the lead with a bullet header on the hour. Joelinton then pounced on Thiago Silva’s blunder on the day he became the Blues’ oldest ever outfield player at 39 years and 64 days. The excellent Anthony Gordon produced a fine solo effort seven minutes from time to seal a thumping win, the perfect response to the Magpies’ 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth before the international break. That it was achieved without 13 senior players – Joe Willock and Emil Krafth joined the casualty list on the eve of the game – will have been a source of huge satisfaction for head coach Eddie Howe. The vast majority of a crowd of 52,227 left with smiles on their faces, but wondering what team Howe will be able to field at Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, who had seen his side score eight goals against Tottenham and Manchester City in their previous two games, looked on as a positive first half dissolved into chaos with full-back Reece James receiving his marching orders late on for two bookable offences. Newcastle were ahead with 13 minutes gone when Gordon recycled Kieran Trippier’s cross beyond the far post and picked out youngster Lewis Miley on the edge of the box via a deft touch from Joelinton. The 17-year-old slid a neat pass into Isak’s feet and the striker turned smartly before firing past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. However, the visitors were back in it within 10 minutes when, after Lascelles had been dispossessed inside the visitors’ half, Nicolas Jackson played Sterling into the space he had vacated and the winger’s run towards goal was halted illegally by Trippier. Sterling took charge of the resulting free-kick and curled it superbly over the wall and into the net with Pope rooted to the spot – the first league goal he had conceded at St James’ in 383 minutes of football. Pope had to be at his best to turn away Enzo Fernandez’s effort after a flowing counter-attack sparked by Conor Gallagher in which James was twice involved and defender Benoit Badiashile headed straight at the keeper from the resulting corner. But Pope was fortunate to escape when he scuffed a 36th-minute clearance straight to Gallagher and was relieved to see him make equally poor contact with his attempt at goal. Trippier very nearly matched Sterling’s brilliance with 43rd-minute free-kick which rattled the crossbar as a rousing half drew to its conclusion. The Magpies regained the lead on the hour when Trippier opted to play the latest in a series of free-kicks square to Bruno Guimaraes rather than into the box and he and Joelinton combined to feed Gordon, whose pinpoint cross was headed home by the unmarked Lascelles. Newcastle increased their lead within two minutes when Silva’s miskick presented Joelinton with a chance to run in on goal and smash the ball past the helpless Sanchez. James’ afternoon got worse with 17 minutes remaining when, having earlier been booked for dissent, he received a second yellow card for a foul on Gordon and was dismissed. Fabian Schar would have made it 4-1 but for a fine one-handed save by Sanchez, but there was nothing the Spain international could do to keep out Gordon’s inch-perfect 83rd-minute strike. Read More Opposing managers happy with a point as Manchester City and Liverpool draw Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Man Utd have reached ‘turning point’ ahead of crucial week – Erik ten Hag On This Day in 2020: Gunners welcome their fans back in style Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival
2023-11-26 01:18
Ryan Day reportedly linked to Texas A&M opening
Ryan Day reportedly linked to Texas A&M opening
Never say never in terms of any college football coach leaving for another job, and along that line Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is being linked to the job opening at Texas A&M.
2023-11-26 00:57
Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League score updates as James sent off after Lascelles and Joelinton goals
Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League score updates as James sent off after Lascelles and Joelinton goals
Newcastle take on Chelsea in the big clash of the 3pm kick offs. Eddie Howe’s injury-stricken side hope to close the gap on the top four as they kick off a busy schedule that involves Champions League action during the week. A 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last time out shocked the system but Howe will be hoping to respond positively and draw on the crowd at St. James’ Park to upset the Blues this afternoon. For their part, Chelsea are starting to gel under Mauricio Pochettino. That was evident in their 4-4 draw against Man City just before the international break. The London side are starting to click in front of goal with Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling providing the threat up top. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
2023-11-26 00:50
Brentford vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Martin Odegaard starts for Gunners
Brentford vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Martin Odegaard starts for Gunners
Arsenal travel to Brentford for a tricky outing as the Premier League resumes following the international break. Mikel Arteta’s men started the day one point off the lead but behind Manchester City and Liverpool in the table and will keep the pressure on the champions with a victory this evening. Brentford, having another stellar season, have already been successful against some of the top sides this year by drawing against Tottenham and beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Thomas Frank will be targeting a spot in the top 10 and potentially a place in Europe following the Bees’ great start and to achieve that they’ll need to continue taking points away from the bigger clubs. Aaron Ramsdale has another chance to impress his manager as he is confirmed to be starting in goal. David Raya, Arteta’s seeming first choice keeper, is unable to play against his parent club and a strong performance from Ramsdale will keep him in the thoughts of the Spaniard. The match is also Arteta’s 200th in charge in all competitions, and he has the most wins compared to all previous Arsenal managers to reach that milestone. Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
2023-11-26 00:50
Micah Richards labels Man City’s performance ‘very disappointing’ after draw with Liverpool
Micah Richards labels Man City’s performance ‘very disappointing’ after draw with Liverpool
Micah Richard’s labelled Manchester City’s performance against Liverpool ‘very disappointing’ after the Premier League champions let a one goal lead slip at the Etihad Stadium and had to settle of a share of the points in Saturday’s early kick off. City started the match on the front foot with Nathan Ake bringing a scuffed clearance from Alisson under control before driving past Trent Alexander-Arnold and slipping a fine pass into the box for Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker brought up his 50th Premier League goal with a quick touch and spin before slotting the ball past Alisson. The hosts had a second goal disallowed after Manuel Akanji was judged to have fouled Alisson before Ruben Dias tapped home from close range but City never fully took control of the game. Alexander-Arnold finished off a fine move in the 80th minute to equalise for the Reds and earn them a well-earned point. “I think City will be frustrated,” said Richards on Sky Sports after the match, “After Haaland scored that goal, you’re thinking can they kick on and go up a gear but that never happened. “Man City will be disappointed that they couldn’t go up another gear. Very disappointing.” Fellow Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool striker, Daniel Sturridge, agreed adding that Liverpool will be ‘delighted’ with securing a point against the league leaders. “[Liverpool] will be delighted with the result to be honest,” he said, “I thought that Manchester City were very good today but Liverpool continued to press on. In the second half they changed their mentality and there was an emphasis on pressing.” Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, believed that neither side did enough to win and claimed Liverpool were fortunate to secure a point following a couple of mistakes from their goalkeeper. He said: “They would have lost [the match] last year. We saw the performance [from Liverpool] last season and there’s no doubt that something is building. “I think both teams still lacked something, maybe on the back of the international break, it didn’t feel like either team really deserved to win the game. “Alisson didn’t have his best game on the ball today and could have cost Liverpool a couple of times with his clearances.” The 1-1 draw means Pep Guardiola’s side stay top of the table and lead Liverpool by a point. Read More Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
2023-11-26 00:30
Is Brentford vs Arsenal on TV? Kick off time, channel and how to watch Premier League fixture
Is Brentford vs Arsenal on TV? Kick off time, channel and how to watch Premier League fixture
Arsenal face a difficult first challenge as the Premier League returns following the international break, and a trip to Brentford awaits Mikel Arteta’s side. Brentford have already got the better of some of the top teams this season, drawing against Tottenham, and beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal will not want to drop any points in the title race and went into the weekend one point behind top-placed Manchester City. Follow Brentford vs Arsenal LIVE Arsenal will have a chance to overtake Pep Guardiola’s men, should they drop points against Liverpool in the early kick off on Saturday, but Brentford will not be a straightforward opposition. Saturday’s game will also be Arteta’s 200th in charge in all competitions, and he has the most wins compared to all previous Arsenal managers in that time period. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game; get the latest Brentford vs Arsenal odds and tips here. When is Brentford vs Arsenal? The match will take place at 5.30 pm GMT on Saturday 25 November at the Gtech Community Stadium in London. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports streamed through the Discovery + app, with coverage starting at 4.45 pm GMT. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and with the terms of their service provider. Team news Aaron Ramsdale will start with David Raya ineligible to face his parent club, while Arteta remains optimistic that both Martin Odegaard and Ben White can feature, although a late decision might be made following Friday training. Arteta also confirmed that Gabriel Jesus is fit and available for the match. Brentford defender Nathan Collins is ruled out after injuring ankle ligaments playing for the Republic of Ireland but Keane Lewis-Potter and Shandon Baptiste return after respective calf and shoulder injuries. Josh Dasilva and Mikkel Damsgaard remain out though. Predicted line-ups Brentford XI: Flekken, Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Mee, Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Mbeumo, Wissa Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Havertz, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli Odds Brentford 10/3 Draw 21/10 Arsenal 4/6 Full odds here. Prediction It might not be straightforward, but Arsenal will manage to win. Brentford 1-2 Arsenal
2023-11-26 00:25
Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League score and latest goal updates
Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League score and latest goal updates
Everton’s 10-point deduction has given Luton Town a real chance of staying in the Premier League this year as they are now one point clear of the relegation zone. They are not safe by any means but two draws in their last four matches, so they are starting to adapt to the rigours of the top-flight. They host Crystal Palace this afternoon hoping to pick up a second win of the season against the Eagles who only have one victory from their last five. However, Roy Hodgson’s men have won three of their six Premier League away games this season and have the bonus of Jordan Ayew and Jefferson Lerma returning from international duty yesterday. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
2023-11-26 00:25
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impact against Man City wasn’t just the one you see in highlights
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impact against Man City wasn’t just the one you see in highlights
Perhaps this was another hint, another example, another reason why Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to both want to play further up and why, eventually, he must. The early knockings of this fixture looked like it might be about who performed the switching six role better: the Liverpool man from right-back as usual, or Manchester City’s central defender Manuel Akanji, stepping forward to sit alongside Rodri. That rotation of position has become commonplace for both teams and continued here, albeit in different ways, and hinted that it might be a decisive factor early on. But it wasn’t; not really, not for a vast majority of the game. Until it was, and Alexander-Arnold secured a 1-1 draw with his late, bottom corner strike. On the one hand, the attacking technique, the precision, the increased proficiency in the final third and in open play, all show why there have long been calls for the No.66 to be deployed in a more advanced role. It’s why that’s where Gareth Southgate has finally found a way to get Alexander-Arnold into the England team, and it’s why this alteration was ultimately landed upon by Jurgen Klopp and his coaches last term, when the old approach fell so badly short. One of those assistants, Pepijn Lijnders, was a driving force behind the switch to this system of pushing one defender into midfield, having utilised Alexander-Arnold at the base of his own centre of the park when in charge of the Reds’ youth teams several years ago. But on the other hand, too many quickdraw conclusions about pushing Alexander-Arnold forward as a consequence of a single goal will doubtless have Klopp pointing out the remainder of this match, a game where he did still play right-back and did still contribute to a very disciplined, highly deliberate performance to contain Man City. Defensively, he wasn’t perfect. That’s a hard thing to attain against anyone, let alone the European champions. Alexander-Arnold - along with Kostas Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai, plus Alisson’s kicked clearance in the first place - were all culpable in City’s opener. They made it far too easy for Nathan Ake to waltz through unchallenged and play in Erling Haaland to score. So too is it true that Alexander-Arnold faced a tough time in keeping track of Jeremy Doku’s continual chop-backs, close control and dribbles. While he didn’t stop anywhere near all of those individual moments in City’s attacking play, he did hold the Belgian off at times, made a couple of vital tackles and followed the team plan of doubling up on the inside. Additionally, he made a big challenge to clear from inside the six-yard box in the first half with Haaland lurking, and defended his post well in the final knockings of the game as City sought a late winner. Winning possession nine times across the course of the game put Alexander-Arnold top of that particular defensive cover-all metric. No defender made more than his three tackles; no player on either side in any position made more than his two interceptions. It all adds up to show he more than played his part in a resolute showing, with Joel Matip alongside him outstanding, Virgil van Dijk continuing his recent excellent form and Kostas Tsimikas also improving on the left. Perhaps it’s as well for Liverpool that the back four were near pitch-perfect, given that behind them, Alisson was erratic and fortunate with a series of misplaced passes and one dropped corner, ruled as a foul as Ruben Dias thought he had scored. Alexander-Arnold was far more withdrawn, far less adventurous even when drifting infield to pair up with Alexis Mac Allister. He roved forward down the flank just twice in the first half; delivering a cross, winning a corner. Liverpool didn’t over-commit. They waited, they probed, they let Darwin Nunez create moments of possibility. And, as time began to run down, Alexander-Arnold it was who finally surged through from deep, finally got himself on the ball in a dangerous, central part of the final third - and who took a fine first touch from Mohamed Salah’s pass, and an even better second touch to score. A low, angled drive past Ederson into the bottom corner gave him a first goal of the season to go with three assists in all competitions. While not an outrageous tally yet by his own creative standards, he has already been disrupted by injury and needed a few games back on the pitch to hit top speed. There’s unquestionably more to come from Alexander-Arnold in an attacking capacity and he might yet become a vital man in the middle. But as he showed at the Etihad, the hardest ground Liverpool or any other team will go to this year, he still has a big part to play in the Reds’ defensive gameplan too - without stopping him shining at the other end. Read More Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
2023-11-25 23:46
Pragmatism hands Liverpool route to challenge Man City - both for one game and for 38
Pragmatism hands Liverpool route to challenge Man City - both for one game and for 38
The longer a run goes, Jurgen Klopp had said, the more likely it would end. And if it appeared like wishful thinking when he delivered the thought, a day earlier, events – and Trent Alexander-Arnold – made the Liverpool manager sound prophetic 24 hours later. Manchester City had won every game at the Etihad Stadium in 2023, every match since a rather less celebrated manager, Frank Lampard, earned a 1-1 draw with a rather less talented Everton team. Almost 11 months later, Klopp and Liverpool secured the same result, halting City’s winning run on their own turf at 23 matches – one short of the English record set by Sunderland in the 1890s – and keeping the gap between these two teams at one point. There still seems to be a title race whereas, if City had pulled four points clear of their perennial challengers, there was the danger they would disappear into the distance. And if Klopp had further proof of his side’s powers of recovery - the specialists in coming from behind this season got another point after trailing – he reaped a reward of sorts for his own pragmatism, an equaliser coming after Liverpool had looked uncharacteristically timid. This was not heavy-metal football, not the full-throttle gegenpressing that made this rivalry so compelling or which gave Liverpool a unique ability to eviscerate City. Instead, it was a cautious Klopp: perhaps scarred by a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in April, maybe fearful that, lacking a natural defensive midfielder, his team could be exposed if they afforded City space. And so Liverpool came to contain, looking to keep the game tight. The high press was often eschewed in favour of a lower block, the compactness coming from players grouped together in their own half. It meant there was an anomaly in the equaliser. There were times when Liverpool attacked only with their forwards, reluctant to commit players forward. But with the clock ticking down, Mohamed Salah found support from Alexander-Arnold, teed him up and the vice-captain connected with unerring precision, driving a shot in from the edge of the box. If a foray forward represented rare respite for him – the right-back had spent more time preoccupied by his duel with the irrepressible Jeremy Doku – he preserved Klopp’s winning record against Guardiola. After 29 meetings, the score remains 12-11 in the German’s favour. That he has not tasted victory at the Etihad in the Premier League in the Catalan’s reign is a sign of how welcome this result nevertheless was. And if it was a reminder that even great rivalries contain matches that fall some way short of greatness, the sense of anti-climax will be felt by City. They led for 53 minutes, could have doubled their advantage, had a goal disallowed and yet drew; as in their defeat at Arsenal, it indicated the absences of Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, one for half a season, the other permanently, may have deprived them of the extra quality that could make a difference in such defining clashes. They did, however, still have Erling Haaland. Even as City did not set a record, Haaland did. He became the quickest player to 50 Premier League goals, getting there 17 matches earlier than Andy Cole, the previous best; he is the fastest to many a landmark. But with the galaxy of attacking talent on display, there was something illogical that a Nathan Ake solo run would be pivotal to the breakthrough. So was an Alisson error, his second sliced kick of the afternoon; the first found Phil Foden, who shot tamely at the goalkeeper. The second went to Ake, who slalomed between three defenders and found Haaland. Alisson took the sting out of his shot, but it still rolled in. Briefly, City thought they had another goal. Alisson’s awkward afternoon continued when Ruben Dias had a goal disallowed after the goalkeeper fumbled Julian Alvarez’s corner as Manuel Akanji bundled into him. Yet there was redemption of sorts for Alisson. The Brazilian produced a fine save to tip Foden’s low drive wide. He made a brilliant point-blank block from Haaland, a minute before Alexander-Arnold equalised. There could have been a winner for Haaland, flashing a header wide in the 97th minute. But, with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk excelling defensively, Liverpool frustrated City for swathes of the game. There was one irrepressible exception. Doku was the outlet, with a jink and a trick. He was the supplier when Haaland perhaps should have scored a second. Perhaps predictably, it proved a turning point. Until then, only Darwin Nunez, who remains incapable of staying quiet, had posed a threat. Ederson had made a hat-trick of saves from the Uruguayan, clawing a header over, tipping two shots wide. But Alisson saved from Haaland, Alexander-Arnold went forward and, once again, Klopp had frustrated Guardiola. That irritation may have been apparent in a final-whistle altercation with Nunez. But Guardiola has long described Klopp’s Liverpool as his toughest opponent. Even as they changed tack and adopted a more restrained approach, they justified that billing. Read More Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Sheffield United vs Bournemouth LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
2023-11-25 23:29
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