..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Arsenal 1: Locadia earns Seagulls a point

Arsenal's away-day troubles continued at the AMEX Stadium as Jurgen Locadia's first goal since his Premier League debut earned Brighton and Hove Albion a 1-1 draw.

The Gunners have failed to win four of their last five league matches on the road and they were guilty of throwing away two points on Wednesday as Locadia profited from Stephan Lichtsteiner's mistake to end a 17-game goalless run.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the Premier League's top goalscorer – had put the Gunners ahead, but holding onto all three points proved a step too far for Unai Emery's stuttering side.


Arsenal have now won two of their last five league outings and could find themselves two points off the top four if Chelsea beat Watford later on Boxing Day.

Aubameyang almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a cute lob from Matteo Guendouzi's pass, but Mat Ryan was able to tip his effort over the bar.There was nothing the Australia international could do three minutes later as Alexandre Lacazette shifted the ball to Aubameyang, who made no mistake in finding the top corner.

Eventually Brighton settled but Arsenal should have doubled their lead on the half hour, Aubameyang denied by a superb save from Ryan after collecting a Lucas Torreira pass on his chest.

Ryan's stop proved crucial as the hosts levelled soon after, Davy Propper launching a counter-attack following an Arsenal corner that Locadia pounced on to score – the forward helped by Lichtsteiner's inability to clear.

Propper could – and perhaps should – have given Brighton the lead in the early stages of the second half, the midfielder heading wide from Solly March's pinpoint cross.

Opportunities in the second half proved few and far between, with the March and Locadia wasting the chance to be Brighton's matchwinner in the final 15 minutes.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atalanta 2 Juventus 2: Substitute Ronaldo salvages a point

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to rescue a point for 10-man Juventus as they drew 2-2 with Atalanta to preserve their unbeaten run in Serie A.

Massimiliano Allegri rested Ronaldo for Wednesday's clash, but was forced to call on his star man when Duvan Zapata headed the hosts in front in the 56th minute.Berat Djimsiti's own goal had put Juve ahead early on, but Atalanta drew level through Zapata's 24th-minute strike, with Rodrigo Bentancur's dismissal making matters worse for Juve.

But Allegri's decision to bring on Ronaldo paid off when he nodded in from close range, with Leonardo Bonucci having a stoppage-time goal disallowed for offside as Juve had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Ronaldo's absence was not felt when Juve went in front inside two minutes – Djimisti's wild swing sending Alex Sandro's deflected cross into the back of Atalanta's net.Bentancur's excellent strike from 20 yards would have doubled Juve's tally three minutes later, if not for Etrit Berisha's touch taking the ball onto the crossbar.

Atalanta rallied, though, and after Giorgio Chiellini had spared them by heading wide at the other end, Zapata drilled across Wojciech Szczesny to haul the hosts level.

Having earlier picked up an early booking for a foul on Josip Ilicic, Bentancur handed Atalanta the advantage eight minutes into the second half when he lunged in on Timothy Castagne.And Atalanta made Juve pay, Zapata heading in from three yards out after the visitors failed to clear Alejandro Gomez's corner.

Allegri had little choice but to introduce Ronaldo to the action and the 33-year-old stepped up with 12 minutes remaining to spare his side's blushes by heading in from Mario Mandzukic's flick-on.

Bonucci thought he had wrapped up all three points in injury time when he nudged home from a free-kick, but his goal was correctly ruled out.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter 1 Napoli 0: Substitute Martinez snatches late victory

Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to earn Inter a hugely important 1-0 victory over nine-man Napoli in Serie A on Wednesday.

The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw before Martinez fired home from the centre of the box in additional time, with Kalidou Koulibaly having been sent off with 10 minutes remaining after picking up two bookings in quick succession.Napoli finished the game without Lorenzo Insigne too, the forward shown a straight red card for violent conduct following a confrontation with Keita Balde Diao.

The win is just Inter's second in five Serie A matches and eases the pressure on coach Luciano Spalletti.

The match almost got off to the most dramatic of starts – Mauro Icardi spotting goalkeeper Alex Meret off his line and going for goal from kick-off.

The crossbar came to Napoli's rescue on that occasion yet Inter continued to pose the greater threat before the break, Carlo Ancelotti's visitors not helped by the loss of captain Marek Hamsik with an apparent hamstring injury midway through the first half.

Ivan Perisic had the ball in the back of the net after half an hour, picking up the pieces of Joao Mario's blocked effort to rifle home, but the referee's assistant correctly flagged for offside.Joao Mario headed straight at Meret seven minutes from half-time while Icardi failed to sort his feet out in time to score from close range, with Koulibaly sliding in to make a crucial block.

Jose Callejon drew a save from Samir Handanovic with the first shot on target of the second half in the 66th minute, before Koulibaly was sent off for a pull on Matteo Politano that was quickly followed by a sarcastic clap – referee Paolo Mazzoleni brandishing his yellow card twice in a hurry to dismiss the defender.

Icardi then had a headed effort kept out by Meret and penalty appeals for a foul on Keita went unrewarded.A frantic finish saw Kwadwo Asamoah block a Piotr Zielinski strike on the line before the breakthrough finally arrived, Martinez sweeping home after good work down the left by Keita.

The drama was not done there, though, Insigne receiving his marching orders for an apparent kick on Keita, the Napoli forward continuing to squabble with the Inter substitute as he left the field.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Watford 1 Chelsea 2: Inspirational Hazard joins 100 club

Eden Hazard reached a century of goals for Chelsea to inspire them to a 2-1 victory over Watford in Wednesday's Premier League clash.The Belgium star moved onto 101 for the Blues, striking either side of Roberto Pererya's stunning volley to seal all three points for Maurizio Sarri's side at Vicarage Road.

The result puts Chelsea back in the driving seat in the race for the top four, with Arsenal having dropped points earlier in the day and champions Manchester City now only four points ahead in third place.


Willian dribbled past Ben Foster and shot wide with the best of the early chances, the incident forcing Watford to take off Christian Kabasele after he injured his arm when colliding with the post.

Hazard, again deployed as a false nine, failed to connect with Cesar Azpilicueta's cross with the goal at his mercy but made amends in first-half injury time, rounding Foster and finishing after Mateo Kovacic won back the ball in Watford's half.However, the lead did not last until half-time, Pereyra smashing home a volley from Jose Holebas' cross to restore parity.

Watford felt they deserved a penalty when David Luiz shouldered Gerard Deulofeu to ground shortly after the break, and their frustrations were compounded 58 minutes in when Hazard scored from the spot after being brought down by Foster.

Willian and N'Golo Kante each fired narrowly wide after more fine work by Hazard, but Chelsea's one-goal lead proved enough, with Troy Deeney missing Watford's best chance for a leveller as he prodded over the bar.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'He's happy now' - Solskjaer hints at change in Pogba after match-winning showing


Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed that Paul Pogba is 'happy now' after the France international put in a man of the match performance on Saturday afternoon.The 25-year-old struck twice as United eased to a 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town , with Solskjaer overseeing a second consecutive victory to continue the positive start to his tenure.

The win was Solskjaer’s first in the dugout at Old Trafford, with his reign starting with the comprehensive 5-1 dismantlement of Cardiff City in Wales last weekend.

Speaking after the game to BBC Sport, the United legend hinted that the midfielder was more pleased with his playing situation than he had been under Jose Mourinho.”Paul knows he can score more goals and create chances. He had a few assists last week. He’s happy now," the manager signalled.

Solskjaer went on to admit that he is still adjusting to being in charge at Old Trafford.He said: “I’ve not got used to it yet. It’s humbling knowing I’m leading this team out.

"Let’s see if I get used to it. I captained a couple of games but this was very different."They are the best fans in the world. I had such a great relationship with them. It was probably more emotional for my family in my box as I was focussed on the game.

"I was surprisingly calm all day. The lads have helped me settle in really quickly.”
The former striker also re-emphasised his commitment to recapturing the United philosophy made famous by Sir Alex Ferguson, and suggested that his first two wins were a good way to start.

“You need momentum. The next two games will be massive for us. Coming into those games with confidence is great," he stated."This is Manchester United. When you score a first, you want a second. When you score a second, you want a third. We wanted a clean sheet."Every team is built on that foundation. We've conceded from two set-pieces so far. We’ll make sure we get a clean sheet soon."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Every game is a final for table-toppers Liverpool, says Lovren


Dejan Lovren urged Liverpool to treat every Premier League match like a final after Jurgen Klopp's side extended their lead at the top of the table to six points.

Manchester City's surprise 2-1 loss at Leicester City on Boxing Day meant an Anfield demolition of Newcastle United, Liverpool winning 4-0, puts the Reds in a dominant position.It is the first time since 2002 that Liverpool have been so far clear at the summit, Tottenham having replaced City in second, although the trip to the Etihad Stadium on January 3 could remain a decisive day in the title race.

And Lovren, who opened the scoring for Liverpool against Newcastle with a super half-volley, called on his side to maintain their focus following an eighth straight Premier League win.

"We just focused on ourselves and it's game by game for us. Every game is a final for us," Lovren said."It was a tough opening first half - it's difficult to score against Newcastle but we showed patience and quality "We need to keep this momentum and after the next couple of games we will see where we are. Every game now matters.

"We just look at ourselves, how we perform and this is what the manager wants from us. The rest will happen. It's a good day for us, good for the fans and let's do it again against Arsenal [on Saturday]."It's not easy today to win 4-0."

Newcastle rested players, including Salomon Rondon, with an eye on a weekend trip to Watford. Matt Ritchie accepted conceding so early at Anfield destroyed the tactics of former Reds boss Rafael Benitez, with Lovren's opener arriving in just the 11th minute.

"We came here with a gameplan and you can't concede in the first 15 minutes at Anfield, so we're really disappointed," he said."We know how much quality they've got in their team but you need to keep a clean sheet in the first 15 minutes to settle the team down and we didn't do that."We've got another game in two days so hopefully we can rectify the result today."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mbappe inherits French Player of the Year crown from Kante


Kylian Mbappe’s remarkable rise to the top of the global game has now seen the Paris Saint-Germain forward crowned French Player of the Year for the first time.
The 20-year-old frontman has enjoyed a remarkable 2018.He had already enjoyed a stunning rise to prominence prior to entering the current calendar year.

After bursting onto the scene as a precociously-gifted teenager at Monaco, a big-money transfer had taken him to Parc des Princes.Another Ligue 1 title triumph was enjoyed in 2017-18, as PSG swept the board in terms of domestic honours.

Mbappe then headed to Russia with his country and a shot at World Cup glory.He helped Les Bleus to go all the way, with a fine individual effort netted in a 4-2 final triumph over Croatia.

His efforts were recognised with the Young Player Award, and his game has continued to go from strength to strength.Mbappe has hit 16 goals in 19 appearances for PSG this season, as they continue to chase down more trophies at home and abroad.

Alongside those heroics, he has also become the inaugural winner of the Kopa Trophy – the prize bestowed upon the finest under-21 player on the planet.He finished fourth in the vote for the 2018 Ballon d’Or, with that lofty standing placing him above five-time winner Lionel Messi.

Those in his native France have now recognised him as the country’s finest performer.Mbappe was awarded that gong by France Football, having edged out Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann.He inherits the title from Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, who came out on top in 2017.

While this is the first time that he has scooped the award, it is unlikely to be the last.More is expected of Mbappe in the years to come, with many tipping him to become the world’s best player and be involved in more high-profile transfers.

For the time being, though, a humble performer is merely seeking to remain on an upward career curve that has already carried him a long way in a very short space of time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 5 Arsenal 1: Reds go nine points clear as Firmino hat-trick inspires rout

Roberto Firmino was at his ruthless best as he scored his first Premier League hat-trick to inspire a 5-1 demolition of Arsenal at Anfield and put Liverpool nine points clear at the summit after Tottenham's defeat to Wolves.

The visit of Unai Emery's men was seen as a potentially troublesome fixture, but the Reds made light work of them, with all of their revered front three finding the net in a devastating performance.

A chaotic five-minute spell in the first half saw Ainsley Maitland-Niles put Arsenal ahead, before a quickfire Firmino brace turned the score around. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah ensured a rampant Liverpool went into the break 4-1 up.


Liverpool's pressure did not subside after half-time and Firmino completed his treble from the spot 25 minutes from time, rounding off a miserable day for the Gunners and increasing the heat on Manchester City ahead of their meeting with Southampton on Sunday.Arsenal went ahead in the 11th minute when Maitland-Niles tapped in Alex Iwobi's excellent left-wing cross.But within five minutes, they were trailing.

Firmino equalised from close range after Stephan Lichtsteiner played a clearance against Shkodran Mustafi.The Brazilian then brilliantly slalomed past two defenders and finished coolly into the bottom-right corner from 18 yards 90 seconds later.

Mane got in on the act just past the half-hour mark, emphatically slamming home after a squared pass from Salah.The Egyptian scored their fourth on the stroke of half-time, converting a penalty after referee Michael Oliver adjudged he had been tripped by Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Liverpool remained dominant after the interval, but Aaron Ramsey did go close to pulling one back – his shot deflecting away from the target, before an offside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comically put over from close range.

Firmino wrapped things up in the 65th minute, scoring from the spot after Sead Kolasinac appeared to nudge Dejan Lovren to the ground.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham 1 Wolves 3: Spurs slip up in title chase

Wolves dealt a huge blow to Tottenham’s title aspirations with a shock 3-1 Premier League victory on Saturday.A 5-0 Boxing Day win over Bournemouth lifted Spurs above Manchester City into second but it was their failure to put this match to bed while they were on top that ultimately cost them at Wembley.

Harry Kane gave the home side the lead with a wonderful strike midway through the first half and Spurs - after scoring 11 goals in their last two matches - might have expected to kick on and subject Wolves to another hammering.


But the home side could not add to their tally despite dominating possession and Wolves produced a stunning second-half revival, with Raul Jimenez and Helder Costa finding the net after Willy Boly had equalised with the visitors’ first shot on target, ending Spurs' five-match winning run in the league.

Pochettino's side have looked capable of scoring with every attack of late and, after Dele Alli sent an effort harmlessly over from the edge of the area, they drew a superb save from Patricio with a bending Christian Eriksen strike from 20 yards.

The opener arrived in the 22nd minute, when Kane curled a wonderful left-footed effort beyond the Portuguese keeper from outside the box, although Wolves will feel aggrieved that play was not stopped for a potential foul on Ivan Cavaleiro in the build-up.

Goalscoring opportunities were a rarity early in the second half but the match started to threaten an unlikely twist 20 minutes in, when Cavaleiro was sent clean through on goal only to be chased down and dispossessed by the backtracking Davinson Sanchez.

That opening came during a period of Wolves pressure, causing the nerves to jangle for Spurs.Those nerves proved well-founded when Boly headed home from a Joao Moutinho corner in the 72nd minute and Jimenez then squeezed a finish inside Lloris’ right-hand post to leave Pochettino's men stunned.

And things got worse for Spurs before the final whistle, with Costa curling a neat finish around Lloris three minute from time to complete a memorable triumph for Wolves, who climb to seventh in the Premier League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Empoli 0 Inter 1: Keita decisive late on for Spalletti's men


Keita Balde Diao scored late in the game to give Inter a 1-0 win away to struggling Empoli in the absence of their travelling fans following racist abuse aimed at Kalidou Koulibaly last time out.

On top of a two-match home ban for Inter fans, Empoli refused to sell tickets to away supporters following the abuse of Napoli's Koulibaly, but Luciano Spalletti's men did not let it impact them and went on to claim the points.Neither side offered much of an attacking threat in a generally dull first half, with creative ingenuity sorely lacking, particularly from the away side.

Keita had an effort chalked off early in the second half, and, although that hardly ushered in a period of great drama, the talented winger did make the difference with the decisive goal 18 minutes from time, moving Inter to within two points of second-placed Napoli, who host Bologna later on Saturday.

After a tepid start, the first chance presented itself in the 29th minute and Inter survived, as Miha Zajc headed Manuel Pasqual's cross over from close range.Inter responded by going straight up the other end and testing Ivan Provedel – Matteo Politano cutting in from the right and seeing his stinging drive palmed away.

The second period started much more brightly, with Samir Handanovic crucially saving at Francesco Caputo's feet and Keita having a goal disallowed for offside all within the opening two minutes.

Keita was not to be denied later in the half, however, as he met Sime Vrsaljko's pass with a scuffed effort on the edge of the box and it found its way into the bottom-left corner.

Mauro Icardi should have got Inter a second a few minutes from time when he shot straight at Provedel from 10 yards, but the miss did not matter as Empoli were unable to prevent a fourth successive league defeat.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 2 Sampdoria 1: Ronaldo at the double as champions saved by VAR

Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and a dramatic late VAR call gave Juventus a 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Saturday that extends their lead at the top of Serie A.Having rescued their unbeaten start to the league season with the equaliser against Atalanta last time out, Ronaldo struck in each half to secure a 17th win in 19 games heading into the mid-season break.

Sampdoria, who had levelled through Fabio Quagliarella's penalty and had an injury-time Riccardo Saponara strike disallowed by VAR, have now lost their last four away league games against Juve for the first time since 1968.


The only negative for Juve was the loss of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to an apparent injury in the warm-up.Samp's resistance lasted less than two minutes, Ronaldo gathering Paulo Dybala's pass, cutting inside and firing right-footed through the grasp of Emil Audero.

Juve seemed to relax after going ahead, though, and Samp levelled after 32 minutes through Quagliarella's spot-kick after a VAR review led to Emre Can being penalised for the ball striking his elbow.

Audero denied Ronaldo with a flying save as Juve stepped up the pressure after the break, but he could do nothing to stop the Portugal star from burying a penalty past him 65 minutes in, after Alex Ferrari was deemed to have handled in the box.

Saponara thought he had struck a sublime equaliser in injury time after a mistake by Mattia Perin, but a VAR check showed he was offside in the build-up, sparing the Juve keeper's blushes.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Everton 0: Locadia strike earns first win in five for Hughton's men


Jurgen Locadia scored his second goal in as many games to help Brighton and Hove Albion to a 1-0 home win over Everton as Chris Hughton's side claimed all three points in a Premier League game for the first time in five attempts.

Everton went into the game having thrashed Burnley 5-1 on Boxing Day, but struggled to break down a resolute Seagulls defence, despite having Richarlison back in their starting line-up.

The Brazilian forward missed the best chance of the first half after Brighton's second-choice goalkeeper David Button, playing in the absence of Mat Ryan,fumbled the ball in the box and the home side seemed to gain confidence from each failed Everton attack.


The visitors thought Locadia was offside when he stroked the ball in from close range, but referee Andrew Madley correctly allowed the goal to stand as Everton came unstuck as they aimed for back-to-back league wins for the first time since October.

Florin Andone had a chance to give Brighton the lead when Pascal Gross whipped in a dangerous cross, but Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford bravely charged the ball down and pushed it away before the Romanian could strike.

Button spilled a cross before the ball dropped to Richarlison to take a shot at Brighton's goal, but Shane Duffy was on hand to block the attempt, and Seamus Coleman missed another Everton chance from 15 yards moments later.

Kurt Zouma's superb sliding tackle on Andone denied the Brighton striker when he went through on goal four minutes into the second half and Pickford made a brilliant reaction save to keep the same player from scoring moments later.

Brighton, though, did take the lead just before the hour mark when a corner bounced off the legs of Everton's Andre Gomes and fell to Locadia, who gleefully swept it into the corner of the net from inside the six-yard box.

Richarlison hit the post with a low shot from 12 yards as Everton responded and Zouma crashed a header against the crossbar in the last five minutes, but there was to be no comeback for Marco Silva's below-par side as the points stayed on the south coast.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Solksjaer aims to tie Martial & De Gea down to new Man Utd deals


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes there is “no greener grass” than at Manchester United as he attempts to persuade Anthony Martial and David De Gea to renew their Old Trafford deals.

The pair are far from agreeing extensions to their current contracts despite United's best efforts, and the Norwegian is eager to leave the club in a stronger position than he found it following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

Solskjaer was himself the subject of interest from other clubs when he was a player at United, but chose to remain a part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad after the manager convinced him he was a part of his plans.

Now the caretaker manager, installed until the end of the current season, is taking inspiration from his old boss by trying to tie down the pair.

“I know the club want them [Martial and De Gea] to sign, of course, because they are top quality players,” said Solskjaer. “It’s down to the players, but when you’re at Man United there isn’t a lot of greener grass on the other side.“You are at the best place. It’s the biggest club in the world. For me, I would hope I can help or guide these players to maybe tip them over to thinking they want to stay at this club.”

Solskjaer was often brought off the bench during his playing days at Old Trafford, playing backup to the club’s supposedly bigger names, particularly Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.

And it was from the bench that he scored perhaps the club’s most famous goal, flicking out a boot to turn home a David Beckham corner in the final minute of the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

“I had loads of offers and possibilities to move but the manager sat me down and told me I was going to be an important part of his team, his squad and I was going to play enough games,” said Solskjaer.

“I felt privileged to play here. I am also stubborn. The club agreed to sell me to Spurs one time and I said ‘no, thank you.’ My agent wanted me to go, but I knew I was at the best place.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan 2 SPAL 1: Higuain ends drought to ease pressure on Gattuso

Gonzalo Higuain scored for the first time in 10 matches as AC Milan ended their winless run by beating SPAL 2-1 in Serie A to ease the pressure on coach Gennaro Gattuso.

There had been reports in Italy that Gattuso could be sacked if Milan failed to gain a positive result against SPAL, having overseen a run of five games without a win in all competitions.SPAL appeared to have a chance of extending that streak to six when former Rossoneri academy product Andrea Petagna put them ahead.

However, Samu Castillejo levelled in style before Higuain finally found the net and completed the turnaround for Milan, who, despite losing Suso to a late red card, moved into fifth, a point behind fourth-placed Lazio in the race to secure Champions League football.

Milan found no reward for a sustained spell of early pressure, Alessio Romagnoli correctly flagged for offside as he found the net before then finding himself at fault as SPAL broke the deadlock.Romagnoli was cleverly turned by ex-Milan striker Petagna, whose low effort deflected off the centre-back and into the bottom-left corner.

However, the visitors' lead lasted just three minutes as Lorenzo Dickmann failed to control Filippo Costa's poor clearance and Castillejo pounced to rifle a volley into the top-right corner.

Tiemoue Bakayoko blazed over with the goal at his mercy as a gilt-edged opportunity to complete the turnaround went begging amid more haphazard SPAL defending.

Yet they finally paid the price as Higuain silenced his critics, goalkeeper Alfred Gomis getting both hands to his effort but unable to keep it out after Hakan Calhanoglu had knocked the ball into the path of the former Napoli and Real Madrid forward.

Calhanoglu and Bakayoko each had chances to make it 3-1 before Thiago Cionek went close for SPAL, with Suso's second yellow card for an ill-advised foul on Mirko Valdifior then setting up a nervy finish that would have ended in heartbreak had Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma not produced a stunning diving save to deny Mohamed Fares.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.12.30

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.12.30

Crystal Palace Vs Chelsea

Burnley Vs West Ham

Southampton Vs Manchester City

Manchester United Vs Bournemouth

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ada thiyenneth must win match ekakaniwa win ekakata yannama one

Godak durata Lukaku / Sanchez ada match eka play karai.2nnama ayeth form ekata awoth nam godak hodai

Good luck Manchester United!
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[Michael]

Liverpool 5 Arsenal 1: Reds go nine points clear as Firmino hat-trick inspires rout

Roberto Firmino was at his ruthless best as he scored his first Premier League hat-trick to inspire a 5-1 demolition of Arsenal at Anfield and put Liverpool nine points clear at the summit after Tottenham's defeat to Wolves.

The visit of Unai Emery's men was seen as a potentially troublesome fixture, but the Reds made light work of them, with all of their revered front three finding the net in a devastating performance.

A chaotic five-minute spell in the first half saw Ainsley Maitland-Niles put Arsenal ahead, before a quickfire Firmino brace turned the score around. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah ensured a rampant Liverpool went into the break 4-1 up.


Liverpool's pressure did not subside after half-time and Firmino completed his treble from the spot 25 minutes from time, rounding off a miserable day for the Gunners and increasing the heat on Manchester City ahead of their meeting with Southampton on Sunday.Arsenal went ahead in the 11th minute when Maitland-Niles tapped in Alex Iwobi's excellent left-wing cross.But within five minutes, they were trailing.

Firmino equalised from close range after Stephan Lichtsteiner played a clearance against Shkodran Mustafi.The Brazilian then brilliantly slalomed past two defenders and finished coolly into the bottom-right corner from 18 yards 90 seconds later.

Mane got in on the act just past the half-hour mark, emphatically slamming home after a squared pass from Salah.The Egyptian scored their fourth on the stroke of half-time, converting a penalty after referee Michael Oliver adjudged he had been tripped by Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Liverpool remained dominant after the interval, but Aaron Ramsey did go close to pulling one back – his shot deflecting away from the target, before an offside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comically put over from close range.

Firmino wrapped things up in the 65th minute, scoring from the spot after Sead Kolasinac appeared to nudge Dejan Lovren to the ground.

Meh para title eka Liverpool gani no doubt!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Meh para title eka Liverpool gani no doubt!

Ow Mike...matath hithenne meh sare Liverpool thamai
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[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United Vs Bournemouth

Manchester United Starting Line-up

De Gea
Young
Lindelof
Bailly
Shaw
Herrera
Matic
Pogba
Lingard
Rashford
Martial

&

Bournemouth Starting Line-up

Begovic
Cook
Ake
Daniels
Ibe
Stanislas
Brooks
Surman
Rico
King
Wilson
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Manchester United!
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