Sports

Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Relief for Ole as Nuno feels the heat

Two moments of class from Ronaldo – a thumping goal and an exceptional pass to set up Edinson Cavani – were the key ingredients in a Manchester United victory that brought relief for one manager and piled pressure on another.

After being thrashed by Liverpool last weekend, United’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham brought some respite for their under-fire manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and left Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo wondering about his own future.

Solskjaer’s tactical changes, which included pairing Ronaldo and Cavani in attack and switching to a back three, resulted in an improved performance that was helped greatly by lacklustre Spurs.

When Nuno, who has been in the Spurs job just four months, substituted Lucas Moura for Steven Bergwijn less than 10 minutes into the second half, a section of Spurs fans chanted: “You don’t know what you’re doing.”

While Nuno might be next to vacate a Premier League coaching position, the pressure on Solskjaer will also crank up again this week when United travel to Italy to take on Atalanta in a Champions League fixture on Wednesday before returning to the Premier League to face champions Manchester City.

One red, one yellow but why?

Two incidents in the English Premier League on Saturday made painfully clear that the search for consistent refereeing remains as elusive as ever, despite the introduction of Video Assistant Referees.

At the King Power Stadium, Jonny Evans was a lucky man when referee Michael Oliver deemed his wrestling move on Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be worthy of only a yellow card when it appeared he had denied the striker an obvious goal scoring opportunity. It mattered little in the end because the Gunners won 2-0.

A little later in the day, it was a different story when Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte was sent off by referee Andre Marriner for dragging down Wilfried Zaha in an almost identical challenge. Laporte’s dismissal on the stroke of half-time left the champions, who were already 1-0 down to Zaha’s early goal, undermanned in the second half and Conor Gallagher doubled Palace’s lead to earn a memorable win for Patrick Vieira’s team.

Spectacular Ramsdale earns Schmeichel praise

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was inspired during his side’s win over Leicester City, producing a string of exceptional saves, including a contender for save of the season.

Ramsdale, who was relegated with Bournemouth and Sheffield United before signing for Arsenal, made eight saves to preserve an important clean sheet.

But it was his one-handed stretch to keep out James Maddison’s free-kick that produced most plaudits, including high praise from Danish goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel, who described it as the best save he had seen for years.

Brighton accept Mane’s helping hand

Just a week after thrashing Manchester United 5-0, Liverpool looked on track for another handsome victory against Brighton.

Goals from Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson had already given Brighton that sinking feeling when Mane appeared to have scored his second of the match to make it 3-0. But when the goal was ruled out on review – the ball had struck Mane’s arm – Brighton took advantage of their reprieve.

The deficit was reduced before half-time through Enock Mwepu’s first Premier League goal before Leandro Trossard earned Graham Potter’s side a point.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will take cold comfort from the fact that his side has extended their unbeaten run to 24 games in all competitions.

The Reds are now three points adrift of leaders Chelsea, who swept aside Newcastle United 3-0 in a one-sided contest at St James’ Park.

Garcia makes simple Glory decision

Perth Glory coach Richard Garcia might have plenty on his mind ahead of the A-League season kick-off later this month but selecting a captain for the 2021-22 season was not the toughest decision he will ever make.

Brandon O’Neill, announced as skipper last week, has looked every bit a football leader since his very first games with the club.

Way back in 2012, O’Neill started a match for the first time when Glory, already assured of a place in the finals, took on Melbourne Victory in Perth. Although the game is most remembered for the four goals Shane Smeltz scored in Glory’s 4-2 win, 17-year-old O’Neill belied his youth with a brave, composed and impressive performance in the heart of midfield.

Since then, he has helped Sydney FC win two grand finals, including the 2019 victory against Glory, and had spells in Korea and Thailand. As O’Neill has pointed out, there are many others in the Glory ranks with the experience to lead – including fellow newcomers Brad Jones and Daniel Sturridge.

But O’Neill will be a central figure in Glory’s midfield engine room and his ability to lift those around him will be a critical factor in Perth’s hopes of success.

Kerr and Chelsea head to Wembley

Matildas captain Sam Kerr has helped Chelsea earn a place in the rescheduled Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley on December 5.

Chelsea beat holders Manchester City 3-0 to book their place against Arsenal, home to Kerr’s former Perth Glory teammate Caitlin Foord.

West Aussie striker Kerr, who made her Chelsea debut at Wembley in the Women’s Community Shield last year, has become a key figure in the Blues set-up, claiming the golden boot as the competition’s top scorer in her first full season.

Six of the best from the son of a gun

Giovanni Simeone might still be referred to as “the son of a footballing great,” but he is doing his very best to make a name of his own.

The Hellas Verona striker, whose dad Diego Simeone is a former Argentina international and current manager of Spanish side Atletico Madrid, has scored six times in his last two matches in Italy’s Serie A.

After scoring all four goals in a 4-1 crushing of Lazio last weekend, the 26-year-old scored twice on Saturday as Verona beat Juventus 2-1.

Aguero checked for heart problem

Sergio Aguero was taken to hospital after being substituted during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Alaves.

The former Manchester City striker complained of respiratory problems just before half-time and has undergone tests on his heart.

With caretaker coach Sergi Barjuán in charge following Ronald Koeman’s sacking last week, just 37,000 fans were at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s lowest attendance in 20 years.

More than 86,000 fans watched Barcelona’s previous match, a 2-1 loss to rivals Real Madrid.




Recent Articles