Premier League
Key talking points from the English Premier League weekend
1. Rangnick has work to do to overhaul Man United
Manchester United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick can take some positives from their 1-0 wins against Crystal Palace and Norwich City in the Premier League under his tenure but a six-point haul from the two games flattered their performances.
United showed signs of defensive improvement after the German took charge, albeit against modest opposition, with his all-out pressing tactics consolidating a shaky rearguard which leaked goals under his predecessors.
However, United looked bereft of a cutting edge up front in both games and although Rangnick may argue the team showed the patience they had lacked, he will be aware that moving up a level will not be an easy task.
2. Sterling joins 100 club in timely manner
Raheem Sterling is not always the first name on the Manchester City team sheet, but he made the most of his chance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (Dec 11) to join an elite group of Premier League players.
The England international’s 66th-minute penalty was enough to earn his side a sixth successive league victory, as he showed great composure under pressure, slotting the spot kick down the middle.
City boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Sterling and his willingness to step forward and take the penalty, given he had missed his last three, with the strike crucial to earn a below-par City victory against a determined Wolves side.
3. Gerrard handles Anfield with style
“One club” players are such a rarity in the modern game that when they enter management with another team, there is a risk that the club’s fans can be sceptical of their commitment to them.
Few players are as connected with one club as much as Steven Gerrard was with Liverpool and with many observers feeling he would one day return to Anfield as manager, his move to Aston Villa was widely viewed as a “stepping stone” switch.
But Gerrard is astute enough to know that fans of a club with a rich history like former European champions Aston Villa, would not take kindly to their club being viewed as merely a stopping off point on the way to the “real job”.
So Gerrard was quite right to keep the focus of his return to Anfield on Saturday with his current club – refusing to be drawn into nostalgic talk of his time at Anfield and barely acknowledging the applause and chants from the Liverpool faithful.
After the game, he remained resolutely on message, ducking invitations to talk about the “emotions” of the occasion.
Gerrard may well end up as Liverpool manager one day but his chances of that appointment are much higher if he succeeds in his current role and that requires keeping the Villa fans behind him.
4. Everton home relief was all too brief
There was a glimmer of relief last Monday when Everton came from a goal down to beat Arsenal but manager Rafael Benitez is back in the firing line after Sunday’s loss at Crystal Palace.
While he might argue Everton had a chance to leave London with at least a point, they performed for only the last 20 minutes of the 3-1 defeat and dropped down to 14th in the standings.
Everton looked timid and bereft of confidence as Palace dominated the first half, going ahead at half-time and then 2-0 up after an hour thanks to Everton’s defensive frailties.
Benitez prides himself on his defensive work and will be mortified by their sloppiness at the back, and irritated by the petulant response of Richarlison to being substituted. It stoked up the travelling support.
But it was replacement Salomon Rondon who pulled one back and was involved in two more excellent chances to level.
But in the end, Palace slotted in one more – courtesy of another defensive slip – heaping pressure solidly back on the Everton manager.
It was always going to be tough for an ex-Liverpool boss to win over Everton supporters, even with his track record, and a run of one win in their past 10 matches means he is now feeling the heat.
-Reuters
Premier League
Manchester United tighten hold on third in the Premier League with win over Aston Villa
Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha buried a second‑half strike off a pinpoint through ball from Bruno Fernandes for a club-record 16th Premier League assist in a season to lift the hosts to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Casemiro and substitute Benjamin Sesko scored United’s other goals in a result that tightened United’s grip on third place in the standings on 54 points after 30 games, while fourth-placed Villa have 51 points.
United, who were playing their first game in 11 days, were keen for a victory after interim boss Michael Carrick’s seven-game unbeaten run ended in a 2-1 loss to 10-man Newcastle United on March 4.
With 22 points from a possible 27 under Carrick’s leadership, Sunday’s win will invariably lead to more questions about his chances of becoming United’s permanent manager.
“It was a slightly different game today going into it being so close in the league and making the small jump we could if we won, off the back of a defeat,” Carrick said. “It was a small test and we haven’t really had that.
“The boys dealt with it really well, had a really good week and applied themselves well. Everything is so so encouraging. We’ve got a lot to play for.”
The game looked headed for a draw before Cunha scored from the left side of the box in the 71st minute, with Fernandes recording his 100th assist for the club across all competitions.
With eight games left, Fernandes is also four shy of matching the Premier League record for assists in one season of 20 held by Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin de Bruyne (2019-20).
“He’s had so many big moments, to score a goal, to make a pass,” Carrick said of Fernandes. “Training or games, he’s always there. Really good with the corner. The pass to Matheus was fantastic to cap off a good performance all around.”
Sesko put the game out of reach 10 minutes later with a blistering shot from the centre of the box.
Casemiro put United ahead in the 53rd minute with a glancing header from a Fernandes corner.
Ross Barkley levelled in the 64th with a shot from the middle of the area. After a lengthy VAR check to determine whether the ball glanced off an offside Amadou Onana, the goal stood.
A better second half salvaged a decent game after a dreary first 45 minutes plagued by errant passes and slipping players.
United did have some decent first-half chances including a header from Amad Diallo that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stretched backwards to keep out of the net. Diogo Dalot had a terrific chance inside the box that he launched over the bar.
Leny Yoro’s block spoiled one of Villa’s best chances and led to a long-range shot from Fernandes at the other end that he sent just wide of the post.
Villa have not won a league game since February 11, and an animated manager Unai Emery spent much of the afternoon stomping his feet and waving his arms in frustration.
“How we are progressing after we did fantastic months in October, November, December, the last two months we are struggling,” Emery said. “It’s Manchester United here at home, and they are now in good moment. And of course, they played a very intelligent match.
“I think we can get better. The result at the end was a bad result for us. We must accept it and try to analyse now to get better for the next challenge.”
-Reuters
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England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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