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Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Rashford primed for big week

Marcus Rashford is a man on fire at exactly the right time of Manchester United’s season.

Rashford scored twice in United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City to take his season tally to 24 goals at the start of a big week for the club.

Victory over Leicester consolidated third place for United and was solid preparation for the second leg of their Europa League knockout round clash against Barcelona on Thursday.

Rashford was also on target in the first leg 2-2 draw against Barcelona and will fancy his chances of scoring again at Old Trafford.

United then face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday.

Saints give Chelsea the blues

James Ward-Prowse’s winning goal against Chelsea has given Southampton new hope that they can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

A typical Ward-Prowse free-kick was the difference as last-placed Saints secured victory in interim coach Ruben Selles’ first match following the sacking of Nathan Jones.

Chelsea, who have won just two of their last 13 Premier League matches, are down to 10th on the table.

They will be without defender Cesar Azpilicueta for Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur after the Spaniard was taken to hospital after being kicked in the face by Sekou Mara.

World Cup winner’s forgettable game

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will want to forget all about his side’s 4-2 defeat to Arsenal.

The Argentine World Cup winner scored an unfortunate stoppage-time own goal when Jorginho’s shot hit the crossbar and struck Martinez on the back before ending up in the net.

There was still time for Villa to draw level and in the eighth minute of injury time Martinez went forward to join in the attack during a corner.

Unfortunately for the keeper, he got nowhere near the ball, Arsenal counter-attacked and Gabriel Martinelli ran the ball into an empty net.

Wood in Forest fightback

Missed chances and Chris Wood’s first Nottingham Forest goal combined to knock Manchester City off their perch at the top of the Premier League.

City had chances galore to put the game to bed but even Erling Haaland had an off day, hitting the crossbar with one effort and sending the ball high into the stands when he seemed certain to score with another.

But Bernardo Silva’s goal was all City got for their efforts before Wood tapped in the equaliser with six minutes to play.

Arsenal returned to the top of the league and are two points clear of City with a game in hand.

Howe’s keeper headache

Newcastle United’s preparations for next Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final hit a major problem on Saturday in their 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool.

A red card to goalkeeper Nick Pope, who has been one of Newcastle’s stars of the season, has ruled him out of the clash with Manchester United.

Martin Dubravka was brought on after Pope’s dismissal, but the Slovak can’t play in the Cup Final because he featured in earlier rounds for Manchester United on loan. Ironically, Dubravka will receive a winner’s medal if Manchester United win the final

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will pick either Loris Karius or Mark Gillespie to start in goal as Newcastle chase a first major trophy since 1969.

Cummings spoils Khelifi’s return

What a return to action it was for Perth Glory’s Salim Khelifi.

The midfielder, who missed Glory’s previous three games through injury, scored a first-half free-kick and second-half penalty to give his side a 2-0 lead at home to Central Coast Mariners.

But Glory went from the cusp of victory to frustration after the Video Assistant Referee intervened to harshly award a penalty for handball against John Koutroumbis.

Jason Cummings scored from the spot and just seven minutes later he repeated the feat after Aaron McEneff brought down Christian Theoharous in the box.

Layouni’s debut magic

Amor Layouni took no time at all to settle into life in the A-League with a memorable debut for Western Sydney Wanderers.

In the lead-up to the match, coach Marko Rudan had spoken of giving the Sweden-born Tunisian time to adjust to the hot summer conditions and overcome jetlag following his move from Norway.

But the 30-year-old looked right at home as he darted between two defenders and fired home a stoppage-time equaliser in an incredible 4-4 draw.

Adelaide led three times but were pegged back each time – on two occasions thanks to terrific finishes from Brandon Borrello.

Pain for Spain as Matildas shine

The Matildas provided firm evidence that they’re on track for this year’s World Cup with a 3-2 win over Spain in the Cup of Nations yesterday.

Just five months before they kick-off their World Cup campaign in Sydney, the Matildas avenged a 7-0 thrashing by Spain last year.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson still has some work to do, judging by the last 20 minutes of this match, but a sixth successive victory was well deserved.

Goals from Cortnee Vine, Clare Polkinghorne and Caitlin Foord had given the Matildas a 3-0 lead before Olga Carmona and Alba Redondo made the score more respectable for the visitors.

Triple title threat in Germany

Germany’s Bundesliga is shaping up as a three-horse race after Borussia Dortmund took advantage of faltering Bayern Munich and Union Berlin at the weekend.

All three teams are on 43 points with Bayern occupying top spot on goal difference, ahead of Dortmund then Union.

Bayern, who were down to 10 men after just eight minutes, were beaten 3-2 by Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday,
while Union missed the chance to go top after being held to a goalless draw at home to Schalke.




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