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Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Klopp sees red as City beaten

Jurgen Klopp went through a rollercoaster of emotions as he was sent off in Liverpool’s stunning win over Manchester City at Anfield.

The Liverpool manager, whose side had been struggling to find form this season, was delighted with Mohamed Salah’s 76th-minute goal but not so happy that a foul by Bernardo Silva on the goalscorer was ignored by referee Anthony Taylor.

Klopp’s infuriated reaction earned him a red card as Liverpool hung on for a 1-0 victory that could be the spark with which they reignite their season.

This was City’s first defeat of the campaign and the first time they had failed to score. However, they did have the ball in the net when Phil Foden fired home, but it was ruled out for a foul in the build-up by Erling Haaland.

Gunners still top

A goal from Bukayo Saka extended Arsenal’s lead to four points at the top of the Premier League as the Video Assistant Referee worked overtime at Elland Road.

The match against Leeds was delayed by 40 minutes after a power cut affected communication with VAR, which was given a serious workout in stoppage time.

After taking a closer look at the monitor, on-field referee Chris Kavanagh reversed a decision to send off Arsenal’s Gabriel for kicking out at Patrick Bamford, and also denied Leeds a penalty.

Bamford was bitterly disappointed not to have the opportunity from the spot to make up for his earlier penalty miss.

Arsenal’s win is their ninth from 10 games.

Ronaldo’s frustration made obvious

Cristiano Ronaldo made no effort to disguise his disappointment at being substituted with 20 minutes still to play in Manchester United’s clash against Newcastle United.

And he would’ve been furious when his replacement Marcus Rashford squandered a stoppage time opportunity to head home a winner.

Rashford headed wide and Ronaldo, who is known for his aerial ability, was quick to head down the tunnel as the match ended 0-0.

Real move clear of Barca

Real Madrid moved three points ahead of archrivals Barcelona after a comfortable 3-1 victory in the 250th El Clasico.

Unlike their previous encounter, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 victory, Real were in control from start to finish.

Karim Benzema was on target after just 12 minutes and Federico Valverde doubled the advantage before half-time.

Ferran Torres pulled a goal back for the visitors late in the game but Rodrygo made sure of the points with a stoppage time penalty.

Conte keeps Spurs rolling

The Antonio Conte train keeps rolling along as Tottenham Hotspur enjoy their best start to a top-flight season in almost 60 years.

A 2-0 win over Everton, courtesy of goals from Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, lifted Spurs to 23 points from their 10 games.

Conte’s side is not always convincing – and they took almost an hour to get the breakthrough against Everton thanks to Kane’s penalty – but only their North London rivals Arsenal have been able to beat them this season.

The only other Premier League blemishes on their record are draws against Chelsea and West Ham United.

Another big test looms on Wednesday when Conte’s side takes on Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Mitrovic fools and fires

Aleksandar Mitrovic used all the guile in the strikers’ handbook to earn a second-half penalty that salvaged a 2-2 draw for Fulham against Bournemouth.

Fulham’s Tim Ream had been fortunate not to concede a penalty when he pulled back a charging Ryan Fredericks, and the Cottagers got another dose of good luck when Mitrovic made the most of a tussle with Jefferson Lerma by falling dramatically to the ground.

Bournemouth’s caretaker manager Gary O’Neil, who was understandably disappointed with the decision to award a late penalty, has overseen a six-match unbeaten streak since he took over.

Dominic Solanke had opened the scoring for Bournemouth and Lerma put them back in front after Issa Diop’s equaliser.

Sa to Wolves’ rescue

It was a tale of two penalties as Wolverhampton Wanderers got the better of Nottingham Forest in a bottom-of-the-table Premier League clash.

Ruben Neves did the damage for Wolves with a second-half goal from the spot that earned them their first win in four matches.

But they might not have been celebrating if not for Jose Sa’s heroics in goal.

The Portuguese shot stopper saved Brennan Johnson’s 79th-minute penalty to earn caretaker manager Steve Davis a first win since Bruno Lage was sacked.

Glory hit on the counter

It’s hard to escape the feeling that Perth Glory are heading down a familiar avenue after a second defeat in two games.

With a string of new players, and Ruben Zadkovich anointed the new coach after last season’s run as caretaker, Glory are in danger of continuing a pattern of defeats that isn’t unfamiliar.

After an opening-round loss to Western Sydney Wanderers, Glory were sunk in stoppage time by Newcastle Jets, who had toiled for the final 20 minutes with only 10 men.

Jordan Elsey had headed home the Jets’ opener before he conceded a penalty and was sent off for a reckless challenge on David Williams.

Aaron McEneff fired home from the penalty spot and Glory appeared to be on track for a first point of the season. But they were caught on the counter and Beka Mikeltadze scored a winner for the Jets.

Glory won only four games last season including only one of their last 17 matches – a final round victory over Melbourne City.




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