Premier League
Manchester United headline Premier League talking points
HAVE UNITED TURNED THE CORNER?
After Manchester United lost their opening two games of the season, including a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at Brentford, their season was being written off before it had even begun.
But Erik ten Hag’s side have since won four straight games, including beating Liverpool and, on Sunday, league leaders Arsenal, who had a 100% record going into the game.
On top of the results, United have also invested around 140 million pounds ($160.76 million) to bring in Casemiro from Real Madrid in midfield and Antony on the wing from Ajax Amsterdam.
Brazilian Antony scored on his debut at Old Trafford and while compatriot Casemiro has yet to start, few doubt he will add some extra steel and experience to United’s midfield.
But what has been most noticeable in the run of wins has been the performances of two earlier close-season signings – central defender Lisandro Martinez and left back Tyrell Malacia.
They have given some much needed solidity and composure to a back-line that had so often been panicky and flaky.
The other addition, Christian Eriksen, gave his best display so far against Arsenal with his clever play and smart positional sense appearing to bring out the best in Bruno Fernandes.
With Cristiano Ronaldo’s future now settled, until January at least, there is suddenly an air of confidence around Old Trafford but have the club turned the corner?
The fans will be wary of any grand claims — there were moments under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when United looked to be heading in a positive direction before it all unravelled again.
Ten Hag was wise to dampen any talk of United being back among the best. “I understand fans are dreaming and the standards of Manchester United have to be good, but we’re at the start of a process, we’re still far away,” he said.
RICHARLISON OFFERS SPURS ATTACKING VARIETY
Tottenham Hotspur produced their best attacking display of the season in a 2-1 win over Fulham that should have been far bigger and Richarlison was behind much of their best work.
The Brazilian, signed to offer an alternative to the tried and tested formula of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, started with them in a three-way attack for the first time on Saturday.
The number nine linked superbly with both as well as giving the midfield passers another target.
He ended with an assist, a disallowed goal and also struck the post with a superb volley and looks set to have a big impact as the season progresses for the Londoners.
CONTROVERSIAL VAR CALLS CRITICISED
The use of the video assistant referee (VAR) was once again in the limelight as managers hit out at the controversial decisions made in Saturday’s matches.
West Ham United boss David Moyes said he was “embarrassed” for the VAR official after his team were denied a 90th-minute equaliser in their 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, while Eddie Howe was certain Newcastle United had a “perfectly good goal” chalked off in their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
Jesse Marsch accused officials of a “lack of respect” as Leeds United were denied a penalty in a 5-3 loss at Brentford and VAR did not ask the on-field referee to review the incident. He was later shown a red card for arguing with the officials.
The Premier League has reportedly asked the referees’ body PGMOL to look into those decisions.
TIME RUNNING OUT FOR RODGERS
One point from Leicester City’s first six games is a damning enough statistic, but just as worrying for manager Brendan Rodgers will be what a soft touch they have become.
The Foxes were torn apart on Sunday at Brighton & Hove Albion, who won 5-2 and could have inflicted more humiliation on the visitors had they been more clinical in front of goal.
The chasms of space afforded to Brighton in the Leicester box and the fact City continually gave away possession in midfield will be of huge concern to Rodgers, who is feeling the heat with fellow strugglers Aston Villa to come next weekend.
Leicester are playing like a team desperately low on confidence and belief and Rodgers must find a way to snap them out of it. On the evidence of Sunday, it will be a tall order.
-Reuters
Liverpool will have to wait for a few more days to be crowned Premier League champions despite a 1-0 victory at Leicester City after Arsenal kept their slender hopes just about alive with a 4-0 romp at 10-man Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to score Liverpool’s winner in the 76th minute at the King Power Stadium to restore their 13-point lead at the top with five games left.
While Liverpool can almost taste a record-equalling 20th English crown, Leicester’s defeat confirmed their relegation back to the Championship after just one season.
The Midlands club have now been relegated from England’s top flight a record 13 times.
Chelsea secured a massive win in their bid to qualify for the Champions League as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage with Pedro Neto scoring in stoppage time.
The win pushed Chelsea above Nottingham Forest in to fifth place, the last spot for qualification to the Champions League, although Forest play at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Chelsea have 57 points from 33 games, two behind third-placed Newcastle United and one behind Manchester City. Forest and Aston Villa are level with Chelsea on 57 points.
Wolverhampton Wanderers guaranteed their safety as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free kick wrapped up a fifth successive league win, the first time Wolves have achieved that in the top flight since 1970.
Liverpool were wasteful at Leicester with numerous chances going begging and Mohamed Salah suffering a frustrating afternoon including hitting both posts with an early shot.
Salah hit the woodwork again moments before the ball came out to Alexander-Arnold who fired a left-footed shot through the crowd to give his side the points — ripping off his shirt and celebrating wildly with the travelling fans.
“We just keep going, mentally we’re really strong,” manager Arne Slot, whose side could be crowned champions if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, told Sky Sports.
“They enjoy playing football and it helps when you are playing for something special. Today (Alexander-Arnold) knows when it matters most he can just bring a bit more which is something all the top, top players have.”
DISTANT SECOND
If Arsenal avoid defeat by Palace, Slot’s side will seal the title if they beat Tottenham Hotspur at home next Sunday.
“We will focus on Tottenham and looking forward again to a home game and I think the stadium will be full,” Slot, who can become the first Dutch manager to win the English title, said. “It’s a nice game to look forward to.”
Liverpool have 79 points with Arsenal a distant second on 66. Arsenal may have their eyes now on a Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain, but they showed against Ipswich they will not hand over the title to Liverpool.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring early on and Gabriel Martinelli made it 2-0 after a delightful flick by Mikel Merino.
Ipswich were reduced to 10 men before halftime as Leif Davis crudely raked his studs down the back of Bukayo Saka’s calf and the second half was academic.
Trossard grabbed his second in the 69th minute and Ethan Nwaneri added a late fourth to leave Ipswich stuck in 18th place on 21 points. They will be relegated if they drop points again or 17th-placed West Ham United pick up one more point from their remaining five games.
Chelsea were heading for a damaging defeat at neighbours Fulham as the hosts led with Alex Iwobi’s 20th-minute goal.
Substitute Tyrique George equalised with an instinctive shot in the 83rd minute, his first Premier League goal, before winger Neto swivelled and unleashed a thunderous strike in stoppage time to send the away fans wild.
Manchester United reached the Europa League semi-final with an astonishing comeback win against French club Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday but their Premier League woes returned against Wolves.
They are in 14th place and have now lost eight Premier League home games this season, their most defeats at Old Trafford in a league campaign since 1962-63.
“Wolves scored in the only opportunity they had. we had many chances, and we didn’t score. If you don’t score goals, you are not going to win games,” manager Ruben Amorim said.
-Reuters
Egyptian outlet, Ahram, has reported that Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract with Liverpool, extending his stay at Anfield beyond the 2024-25 season as he prepares for what could be the final chapter of a storied career with the club.
While the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, British media reports indicate the 32-year-old forward has signed a two-year extension, keeping him at the club until at least 2027.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, has become a modern-day icon at Anfield.
The Egyptian international has scored 243 goals in 394 appearances—third on the club’s all-time scorers list—and has helped the Reds secure seven major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League titles.
“I had my best years here,” Salah told the club’s website. “Hopefully it’s going to be 10. I signed because I believe we can still win big trophies together.”
He has maintained his prolific form this season, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. His 27 Premier League goals currently lead the division.
During his time with Liverpool, Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, and claimed two FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Now entering the latter stages of his career, Salah remains focused on adding more silverware to his collection and further cementing his legacy at Liverpool.
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Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, who became the second-youngest Premier League player when he made his senior debut in Monday’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle United, had to wear a blank shirt because it is sponsored by an online cryptocurrency gaming platform.
Britain’s Gambling Act 2005, which underwent a review in 2020, prohibits players under 18 from wearing kits displaying gambling sponsors. Monga, an England U16 international, made his senior debut at 15 years 271 days old.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri remains the youngest Premier League player in history, having debuted in the competition when he was 90 days younger than Monga.
Leicester, who suffered an eighth straight loss in the league without scoring a goal, are 19th in the standings, 15 points below the safety zone.
-Reuters
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