Sports

Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Jesus firing without the goals

Gabriel Jesus was the best player on the pitch but failed to score as five-star Arsenal brought Nottingham Forest back to earth with a bang.

The former Manchester City stirker hasn’t scored in his last seven appearances but continues to be a shining light for the Gunners, who lost Bukayo Saka to injury in the first half.

Reiss Nelson was one of the beneficiaries of Gabriel Jesus’ work, the 22-year-old scoring twice, while Martin Odegaard scored the fifth goal thanks, in part, to Jesus.

Arsenal were good from start to finish, Gabriel Martinelli’s early header setting the tone that hit a peak when Thomas Partey scored a cracker in the second half.

The 5-0 defeat, which came just a week after Forest had beaten Liverpool, returned Steve Cooper’s side to the foot of the table.

Rashford brings up milestone

Marcus Rashford underlined his potential value to England at the World Cup with his 100th goal for Manchester United.

With England manager Gareth Southgate watching at Old Trafford, Rashford’s thumping first-half header sealed a 1-0 victory over West Ham United.

Rashford’s second goal in as many games – he was also on target in last week’s Europa League win over Sheriff – was his seventh in all competitions this season.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, who has 11 goals, is England’s first-choice number nine, while Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson is in form with six goals this season, including two in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

Dear, oh dear, Diego

Diego Costa earned himself a long holiday after headbutting Ben Mee during Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 draw with Brentford.

The former Brazil and Spain international has featured six times for Wolves since joining the club in September. But with no goals to his name, his clash with Mee was the biggest impact he’s had.

Costa will be suspended for Wolves’ next three matches meaning he won’t be available to play again until after the World Cup, which starts on November 20.

Potter embarrassed by Brighton

Graham Potter could not have dreamt of a worse return to his former club as Brighton and Hove Albion embarrassed Chelsea at the Amex Stadium.

Potter took Brighton to ninth place in the Premier League last season but joined Chelsea in September after Thomas Tuchel was sacked.

Unbeaten in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League since he took over, Potter was probably looking forward to returning to his old stamping ground.

But, after being booed before kick-off, Potter’s afternoon got worse. Leandro Trossard scored in the fifth minute before two own goals gave Brighton a three-goal half-time lead.

Kai Havertz pulled one back earlier in the second half but Pascal Gross compounded Potter’s woes with the final goal in a 4-1 Brighton win.

The two sides to Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur wrote another chapter in their Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde chronicles with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.

It was tough on Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil, whose side were two goals up thanks to Kieffer Moore’s opener and a brave header early in the second half.

You never really know what you’re going to get from Spurs, who are third in the Premier League but lost to Arsenal and Newcastle before facing Bournemouth.

Goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Ben Davies drew them level and Rodrigo Bentancur scored a last-gasp winner, to keep Spurs two points ahead of fourth-placed Newcastle.

Leeds inflict Reds’ misery

Just as Leeds United were heading into dangerous territory, Jesse Marsch’s side pulled off a victory that has settled the frayed nerves.

Leeds became the latest team to inflict defeat on Liverpool with goals from Rodrigo and Crysencio Summerville either side of Mohamed Salah’s goal for the Reds.

Leeds, who had dropped into the relegation zone after losing six and drawing two of their previous eight games, climbed to 15th.

A trip to Anfield wasn’t exactly a comfortable prospect and relief was evident in the animated reaction of Marsch and his men at the final whistle.

Defeat has left ninth-placed Liverpool eight points outside the top four.

MNM see off Troyes

The stars of Paris Saint Germain came out to play to snuff out the hopes of mid-table Troyes in France’s Ligue Un.

Troyes, a rank outsider against their cashed-up opponents, twice led through goals from Mama Balde before PSG’s MNM combination came to life.

Goals from Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe pulled PSG out of the mire, although Ante Palaversa scored late for Troyes to complete the scoring.

PSG’s 4-3 victory kept them top of the table and five points ahead of Lens, who beat Toulouse 3-0.

Napoli marching on

Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick as Napoli continued to dream of a first Serie A title in more than 20 years.

The Nigerian striker scored twice in the first half and grabbed a third goal late in the game as Napoli registered a 4-0 win over Sassuolo.

Napoli are top of Serie A, five points ahead of second-placed Atalanta and six ahead of defending champions AC Milan, who lost 2-1 against Torino.

There is a long way to go but Napoli are unbeaten in 17 matches this season, including five wins from as many matches in the UEFA Champions League.

This season’s form has revived memories of their only two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 when Diego Maradona inspired their success.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s lead at the top of Spain’s La Liga was cut to a single point after they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Girona.

Vinicius Junior gave Real a second-half lead but Cristhian Stuani scored from the penalty spot to earn Girona a point.

Second-placed Barcelona were indebted to Robert Lewandowski as he scored a late goal in a 1-0 win over Valencia.

Lewandowski has scored 18 goals in 17 appearances for Barcelona since his switch from Bayern Munich.

Colli’s wonder strike not enough

Giordano Colli might never again strike a ball quite like he did against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was invited to shoot as Adelaide backed off and his 25m shot flew past a static Joe Gauci in the Adelaide goal.

Glory were already two goals down before Colli’s strike and they were unable to find a way back into the game.

It was Adelaide’s first win of the season and lifted them to sixth. Glory are third from bottom.

Mariners rally to beat United

Premier League-bound Garang Kuol was in the thick of things as Central Coast Mariners came from two goals down to beat Western United 4-2 in the A-League.

Kuol, who is set to join England’s Newcastle United, was a second-half substitute with the Mariners trailing 2-0.

The teenager’s trickery drew a dangerous challenge from Nikolai Topor-Stanley, who was sent off, before Kuol’s deflected shot was turned in by Jason Cummings.

The goals kept coming for the Mariners with Beni Nkololo, Jacob Farrell and Paul Ayongo completing the turnaround, all assisted by Cummings.

Kuol and Cummings have both played for the Socceroos on just one occasion but could be in contention for a
place at the World Cup.




Recent Articles