Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s hero, but under-pressure Aaron Ramsdale fails to impress
Kai Havertz stole the headlines with a late winner to lift Arsenal to the summit of the Premier League, but Aaron Ramsdale will be left relieved to walk away with a clean sheet after an unconvincing performance at Brentford. Brentford remained determined in their tactics and press, forcing the game to almost grind to a halt at times. It looked to be heading for a goalless draw before Havertz headed into the back of the net from close range to secure all three points for the Gunners in the 89th minute and ensure they finish the weekend top of the table for the first time this season. Lengthy stoppages accompanied every set piece and neither side imposed themselves on the match until the inspired decision to swap Gabriel Martinelli with Havertz paid off in the final minutes. Before the winner, much of the focus surrounded Ramsdale who had not started in goal since 7 September, but with David Raya ineligible to face his parent club, was handed a rare opportunity to impress. However, it was clear throughout the game that the pressure has been mounting on the shot-stopper, especially after Gareth Southgate’s statement saying that should he not establish himself for the Gunners, he may find himself out of the Euro 2024 squad. With less than 15 minutes on the clock, Ramsdale almost gifted Brentford their opening goal. He paused taking a goal kick, tried to let Gabriel Magalhaes take his place, but the defender fed it back to the goalkeeper who made an error. With Yoane Wissa closing him down and blocking the clearance it was only Declan Rice’s quick-thinking to race to the line and make a crucial block that kept the score level. Arguably Brentford should have pounced, but Bryan Mbeumo took slightly too much time setting up his curled effort and the follow-up from Wissa was wide of the target. Ramsdale had already been under pressure since the start of the match and made a slightly risky clearance early on that only spurred on the fans, who taunted him from the outset, comparing him unfavourably to Raya. That only increased pressure on the goalkeeper, who looked nervous every time he was called on to do something as straightforward as clear the ball. He made another error inside the first half, when he failed to release a throw, hurling the ball down at his toes and having to track backwards immediately as Brentford looked to capitalise. They consistently put up to six players surrounding Ramsdale any chance there was a corner which only put more stress on the 25 year old. Arsenal thought they had released the pressure on their goalkeeper when Leandro Trossard was on hand to nod the ball over the line, only for it to be ruled offside following a lengthy VAR debate. Trossard had squandered a couple of opportunities already but was in the right spot when Gabriel Jesus’s header was palmed upwards rather than away by Mark Flekken, but the fourth official ruled the Belgian offside and the scores were level at the break. In the second half, it was clear even Mikel Arteta was at least slightly concerned when his former number one was called upon, like making hand gestures for Ramsdale to calm down when he had to take a goal kick. But he looked to have settled down, at least slightly, while the game meandered along without any significant chances for either side, coming off his line to clear the ball in a decisive manner. Ramsdale’s opposite number almost repeated his first-half error, when he was almost caught in possession by Eddie Nketiah, but was just able to play a risky pass across the face of goal and the score remained goalless. The game which had been a drab affair, sparked into life in the final 15 minutes. Oleksandr Zinchenko had to repeat Rice’s first half effort, making a key block to deny substitute Neal Maupay’s header from crossing the line before Havertz’s winner. Arsenal will walk away at the top of the Premier League, but it was far from a complete performance. Read More Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘passed a test’ with comeback point at Man City Mauricio Pochettino angry as ‘soft’ Chelsea fall apart at Newcastle Brighton boss explains ‘big, big celebration’ and says no disrespect was meant Erik ten Hag: Schedule has already crossed limits of what players can handle Mikel Arteta hails Aaron Ramsdale despite errors in Arsenal’s win over Brentford Mauricio Pochettino angry as ‘soft’ Chelsea fall apart at Newcastle
2023-11-26 09:48
Alabama radio call of Iron Bowl-winning TD pass is now the anthem of Tuscaloosa
The Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Auburn Tigers on a storybook Hail Mary from Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond. Here's the glorious radio call.
2023-11-26 09:28
No. 4 Washington finishes perfect regular season with 24-21 win over Washington State in Apple Cup
Grady Gross made a 42-yard field goal on the final play, Rome Odunze caught two touchdown passes from Michael Penix Jr. and No. 4 Washington beat Washington State 24-21 in the Apple Cup for an undefeated regular season
2023-11-26 09:27
Milton throws 4 TD passes, runs for 2 scores to help No. 25 Tennessee beat Vanderbilt 48-24
Joe Milton III threw a career-high four touchdown passes and ran for two more scores to lead No. 25 Tennessee to a 48-24 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday
2023-11-26 09:25
Embiid has 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists as 76ers beat Thunder 127-123
NBA scoring leader Joel Embiid just missed what would have been Philadelphia’s first triple-double of the season with 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, and the 76ers ended the Oklahoma City Thunder’s six-game winning streak with a 127-123 victory on Saturday
2023-11-26 09:25
Alabama survives Auburn upset bid in another epic Iron Bowl: Best memes, tweets
Alabama will be talking about Jalen Milroe, Isaiah Bond and fourth-and-31 for a long time after stunning Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Auburn fans need brain bleach.
2023-11-26 09:21
Northwestern beats Illinois 45-43, ends Illini's bowl hopes
Ben Bryant completed 24 of 32 passes and 234 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a touchdown, and Cam Johnson caught seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown to lead Northwestern to a 45-43 victory Saturday over Illinois, ending the Illini’s hopes for a bowl berth
2023-11-26 09:18
Tagovailoa throws for 361 yards and sets Big Ten passing mark as Maryland beats Rutgers 42-24
Taulia Tagovailoa threw three touchdowns, ran for another and set the Big Ten Conferernce record for career passing yards in leading Maryland to a 42-24 victory over Rutgers on Saturday
2023-11-26 09:17
Eat Less Meat Is Message for Rich World in Food’s First Net Zero Plan
The world’s most-developed nations will be told to curb their excessive appetite for meat as part of the
2023-11-26 09:16
Rangers beat Bruins 7-4 in Eastern Conference showdown
NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Vesey put New York ahead late in the second period, Chris Kreider scored twice and Jonathan Quick made 27 saves to help the Rangers beat the Boston Bruins 7-4 on Saturday in a matchup of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
2023-11-26 09:00
Liberty finishes 1st perfect regular season in program's 50 years with 42-28 win over UTEP
No. 22 Liberty completed the first undefeated regular season in the program’s 50-year history, with Quinton Cooley rushing for three touchdowns in a 42-28 victory over UTEP
2023-11-26 08:57
Milroe's TD pass to Bond on fourth-and-31 rescues No. 8 Alabama in 27-24 win over Auburn
Jalen Milroe and Isaiah Bond rescued No. 8 Alabama’s playoff hopes, connecting for a last-minute touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 31 to beat Auburn 27-24
2023-11-26 08:54