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Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Reece James Injury

Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth came at a cost as defender Reece James suffered another injury setback.

James, who missed England’s World Cup campaign because of a knee injury, limped out of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth early in the second half.

The talented fullback had returned to action for the first time since picking up the injury in a Champions League match in October.

First half goals from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount were enough to seal maximum points for eighth-placed Chelsea.

United cruise after Ronaldo exit

A goal and assist from Marcus Rashford were pointers to brighter days ahead for the England and Manchester United striker.

United, who severed ties with Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup break, were a class above Nottingham Forest who were beaten 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Rashford scored United’s opener and then set up Anthony Martial for the second goal. Fred completed the scoring in a victory that kept United fifth on the Premier League table.

Bajcetic seals Reds win

Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson achieved significant milestones but teenager Stefan Bajcetic grabbed the glory as Liverpool beat Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Salah scored his 172nd Liverpool goal in the 3-1 win, equalling club legend Kenny Dalglish’s tally, and Robertson provided a 54th Premier League assist – a record number for a defender.

But it was 18-year-old Bajcetic who had reason to be most excited as he finished off the scoring with his first goal in just his second Premier League appearance.

Spurs fightback – again

If only Tottenham Hotspur could work out how to start a game.

Spurs have now been behind at half-time in their past five Premier League matches but somehow still find themselves fourth in the Premier League.

They were at it again against Brentford, trailing at the break to Vitaly Janelt’s goal before Ivan Toney made it 2-0 to the Bees early in the second half.

But Spurs fought back through Harry Kane’s brilliant header and a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg goal to earn a 2-2 draw. Tottenham have now won 21 points from trailing positions in all competitions this season.

Almiron on fire

Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron has been a man on a mission since Jack Grealish joked that poorly performing Manchester City teammate Riyad Mahrez had been playing like the Paraguayan.

It was a throw away remark during City’s title celebrations on the final day of last season but seems to have been the motivation behind Almiron’s best form for Newcastle.

The lively Almiron scored his ninth goal of the season as Newcastle extended their winning streak to six games with a 3-0 win away to Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Before this season’s sensational form, Almiron’s best goals return at Newcastle was just four. He has now scored as many goals in the 2022-23 season as he did in his first four seasons combined.

Arsenal back in the groove

Any concerns the World Cup break would ruin Arsenal’s momentum were swept aside in a spirited second half against West Ham United.

Arsenal were the better side throughout the match but trailed to a first-half Said Benrahma penalty.

After Bukayo Saka drew the Gunners level at the Emirates Stadium, further goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

Mikel Arteta’s side are top of the table, seven points clear of second-placed Newcastle United and a further point above third-placed Manchester City, who take on Leeds United early tomorrow (Thursday, December 29).

Wolves snatch late winner

Julen Lopetegui made a sensational start to his managerial career at Wolverhampton Wanderers as Rayan Ait-Nouri fired home a late winner against Everton.

It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing in Lopetegui’s first game in charge as Yerry Mina headed Everton into an early lead. But Daniel Podence drew Wolves level before the break, and five minutes into stoppage time victory was secured.

Everton had been pressing for a winner of their own before they were caught on the counterattack and Ait Nouri fired home to lift Wolves off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Former Real Madrid and Spain coach Lopetegui will face a bigger challenge on New Year’s Eve when Wolves host
Manchester United.

Coming up

Premier League fixtures are coming thick and fast as the new year approaches. There’s action at the top and bottom of the table as team’s go in search of results that could define their season. Arsenal against Newcastle on January 4 is poised to be a cracker, while Chelsea against Manchester City in the early hours of January 6 could have a bearing on the title race.

Matches – December 29: Leeds United v Manchester City. December 31: West Ham v Brentford; Liverpool v Leicester; Wolves v Man Utd; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace; Fulham v Southampton; Man City v Everton; Newcastle v Leeds. January 1: Brighton v Arsenal; Spurs v Aston Villa. January 2: Nottingham Forest v Chelsea. January 3: Brentford v Liverpool. January 4: Arsenal v Newcastle; Everton v Brighton; Leicester v Fulham; Man Utd v Bournemouth. January 5: Southampton v Nottingham Forest; Leeds v West Ham; Aston Villa v Wolves; Crystal Palace
v Spurs. January 6: Chelsea v Manchester City.

Taggart back for Glory

Adam Taggart has re-joined Perth Glory and will resume playing for his hometown club in January.

Glory are bottom of the A-League table and hope Taggart’s knack for goals can help inspire a revival.

The Socceroos striker first played for Glory in 2011 and has returned for a third spell at the club, after a recent stint in Japan with Cerezo Osaka.

Glory have won two of their eight games this season and face fifth-placed Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium in their next fixture on January 2.




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