Match Reports
Arsenal win North London derby despite Lamela stunner
Arsenal came from behind to defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday. It was a quiet first 30 minutes, with Mikel Arteta’s side enjoying the bulk of the possession. Emile Smith Rowe hit a 25-yard cracker off the bar before teeing up Alexandre Lacazette, who sliced wide. By contrast, Spurs offered very little going forward and lost forward Heung-min Son to an injury early on. However, the visitors took the lead against the run of play with a moment of pure magic. Lucas Moura teed up substitute Erik Lamela, who pulled out a rabona into the far corner. Arsenal continued to dominate the rest of the half, providing most of the threat down the left. They came close to equalising through full-back Cedric Soares, who crashed a shot off the post from Smith Rowe’s cutback. Just b...
Messi misses penalty as PSG eliminate Barcelona from Champions League…again
Paris Saint-Germain reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League after seeing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at home to Barcelona, winning 5-2 on aggregate. It was a positive start from Ronald Koeman’s men. Ousmane Dembele had two good chances to open the scoring but converted neither, while Keylor Navas turned Sergino Dest’s effort onto the crossbar. On the half hour mark, PSG got the chance to take the lead on the night when VAR awarded a penalty for Clement Lenglet’s trip on Mauro Icardi. Kylian Mbappe stepped up and bagged his fourth of the tie. Dembele wasted another chance to get on the scoresheet after being played through by Antoine Griezmann, placing his strike straight at Navas. But it wasn’t long before Lionel Messi had his say. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner picked up the ...
Juventus knocked out by Porto in enthralling Champions League tie
Porto progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals after a breathless second leg against Juventus. Both sides had glorious chances to open the scoring in the first ten minutes. Alvaro Morata was first, seeing his header well saved by Agustin Marchesin after Juan Cuadrado’s inch-perfect cross. Shortly afterwards, Mehdi Taremi had his close range effort blocked by Leonardo Bonucci, and proceeded to head the rebound against the crossbar. But it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, and it was the away side who found the net. Taremi won his side a penalty following Merih Demiral’s challenge. Sergio Oliveira stepped up and placed his spot kick into the bottom corner. There was little in the way of goalmouth action before the break, with Porto looking solid at the back. Marchesin deni...
Alba and Moriba strike as Barcelona claim another three points in title race
Barcelona moved within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid following a 2-0 away victory over Osasuna on Saturday. The goalkeepers stole the spotlight in the early stages. Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced a fine stop to deny former West Ham United forward Jonathan Calleri from opening the scoring, before Sergio Herrera was shown a red card for handling the ball outside the box with Lionel Messi through on goal. However, the linesman’s flag went up, and replays confirmed that Messi was offside in the build-up. The visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark, with left-back Jordi Alba breaking the deadlock. Messi played a brilliant pass over the top for the Spaniard, who slammed into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Shortly afterwards, La Blaugrana were thankful to Ter Stegen ...
Twitter reacts to eventful draw between Burnley and Arsenal
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley on an eventful afternoon at Turf Moor on Saturday. Things started in ideal fashion for the Gunners. Willian fed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who slammed home at the near post via the hand of Nick Pope. It was the former Borussia Dortmund striker’s 15th goal in 29 appearances in all competitions, and fans were quick to react on Twitter. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has scored more goals (8) against Burnley than versus any other opponent. — Orbinho (@Orbinho) March 6, 2021 Aubameyang is back. Another Willian assist. — WelBeast (@WelBeast) March 6, 2021 Auba whenever he cuts in on his right… pic.twitter.com/wz8OJAgzQ8 — Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) March 6, 2021 However, Twitter wasn’t so kind towards Pope, who will be disappointed not to have kept it out. The E...
Tottenham Hotspur record second successive league win following controversial evening at Craven Cottage
Tottenham Hotspur collected an important three points in their bid for European football after grinding out a 1-0 win over relegation strugglers Fulham on Thursday. The Lilywhites dominated large parts of the first-half and should have taken the lead when Heung-min Son’s cross found an unmarked Harry Kane six yards out. However, the forward uncharacteristically nodded straight at Alphonse Areola. Just moments later, Spurs were ahead. Son’s low cross was flicked towards goal by Dele Alli, who found the net via a deflection off Tosin Adarabioyo. Replays showed that Alli’s effort was heading wide, meaning that the goal went down as an own goal. Fulham struggled to create anything of note until first-half injury-time. Josh Maja laid off for Mario Lemina, who blazed over from ten yards out. The...
Liverpool v Manchester City – Liverpool out of title race?
Liverpool v Manchester CityEnglish Premier LeagueAnfield, LiverpoolSunday, February 7, 202116:30 GMTReferee: Michael Oliver This Sunday, league leaders Manchester City face-off against defending champions Liverpool. This match is a must-win for Liverpool if they hope to retain their crown. Liverpool are currently fourth with 40 points. City are first with 47 points and a game in hand. Liverpool Preview: Liverpool’s horrendous season continues, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be defending their Premier League title. The Reds have been poor lately, having lost back-to-back games at Anfield after their historic 68-game unbeaten streak. On Wednesday against Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool were not up to scratch. This game should have been a walk in the park for the Reds, with Brigh...
Bengaluru FC 0-1 SC East Bengal: Report, Ratings & Reaction as the Red & Gold Brigade March to Another Victory
The only Saturday fixture of the Indian Super League was a very important clash, as 6th-placed Bengaluru FC faced 9th-placed SC East Bengal. The Blues had gone on their longest losing streak in ISL history, and coach Carles Cuadrat lost his job as a result of that, so Naushad Moosa was taking interim charge for the first time tonight. Meanwhile, the Red and Gold Brigade were resurgent as they were unbeaten in four, so they were arguably the favourites. An intriguing battle was set to ensue, and here’s what we made of it: Report Bengaluru FC pressed well early on, and nearly scored in the 15th minute when Parag Shrivas’ long throw reached Cleiton Silva in the six-yard box after Juanan flicked it on, but his low header just bounced over the crossbar. However, it was SC East Bengal who took t...
NorthEast United 2-4 Hyderabad FC: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Colaco’s Brilliance Helps the Nizams Past the Highlanders
The 11th matchday of the Indian Super League got underway tonight, and the first match saw 7th-placed NorthEast United face Hyderabad FC, who were a spot above them in the table. The Highlanders were winless in five, so they desperately needed three points, while Hyderabad FC had rediscovered their mojo in that 4-1 success over Chennaiyin FC, so they wanted to build on that momentum. An important clash was set to ensue, and here’s what we made of it: Report Within three minutes, Joel Chianese beat three defenders as he got to the byline on the right, turned inside and poked the ball across to Aridane Santana, who turned it in from close range. Took what four players out by dribbling from the wings till the 6 yard box and putting it on a plate, brilliant — Raghu (@Raghunandhanan_) January 8...
SC East Bengal 1-1 FC Goa: Report, Ratings & Reaction as the Red and Gold Brigade Battle to a Draw
The 10th matchday of the Indian Super League continued to provide exciting action as 10th-placed SC East Bengal faced 3rd-placed FC Goa. The technical home side had finally managed to bring up their first ISL win last time out, while the Gaurs were on a two-game winning run and wanted to cement their spot in the playoff spots. An important clash was set to ensue in Goa, and here’s what we made of it: Report Debjit Majumdar was called into action within five minutes as he had to make a diving save off James Donachie’s header following a Brandon Fernandes free-kick. East Bengal’s first chance of the match came in the 28th minute when Aaron Amadi-Holloway met Narayan Das’s free-kick near the six-yard box, but his header went wide. A minute later, Raju Gaikwad launched a long throw t...
VAR Once Again Under Scrutiny as Tottenham Defeat Brentford in Semi-Final
Tottenham Hotspur have reached the final of the Carabao Cup after defeating Brentford 2-0 in North London. It was a fairly straightforward first half for Jose Mourinho’s men, who went into the break leading without coming under much threat. The deadlock was broken by an unlikely source. Sergio Reguilon whipped in a beauty of a cross for Moussa Sissoko, who headed home unmarked from eight yards out in the 12th minute. Sissoko celebrates his first goal in over a year Spurs almost went two up shortly before half time, when Bees striker Ivan Toney almost turned the ball into his own net from Heung-min Son’s corner, only for goalkeeper David Raya to pull off a fine save. The second half was far more eventful. Spurs twice came close to doubling their lead, first when Serge Aurier fired over from...
Bengaluru FC 1-3 Mumbai City: Report, Ratings & Reaction as the Islanders Breeze Past the Brazen Blues
The headline clash of matchday 10 of the Indian Super League saw 5th-placed Bengaluru FC face 2nd-placed Mumbai City. Carles Cuadrat’s side had lost their last two matches and were keen to bounce back, but the Islanders were unbeaten since matchday 1 and had only dropped points once in that run, so they would be no pushovers. A battle of epic proportions was set to commence, and here’s what we made of it: Report Bengaluru FC had a presentable chance within two minutes as Cleiton Silva slipped Deshorn Brown through on the right following a bit of a mistake from Ahmed Jahouh, but the Jamaican striker skied his effort. Mumbai City took the lead in the 9th minute, though, as Hernán Santana headed the ball across the face of goal from a corner, leaving Mourtada Fall to power it home from close ...
