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Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

City back on top

What a way to go back to the top of the Premier League.

Of course, the usual suspect scored – Erling Haaland slotted home from the penalty spot to register his 50th goal this season – before Manchester City’s winner came in spectacular fashion from Julian Alvarez.

The Argentinian forward curled home a wonderful winner against Fulham, who had been level thanks to Carlos Vinicius’ goal.

Defending champions City are a point above second-placed Arsenal, who will have the chance to return to the Premier League summit when they take on Chelsea on Wednesday morning (WA time).

Sorry Spurs sunk by Jota

Brazilian striker Richarlison went from ecstatic celebrations to bemused onlooker after a dramatic conclusion to Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Anfield.

Liverpool had been 3-0 up in just 15 minutes before Spurs came firing back through Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.

When Richarlison drew Spurs level three minutes into stoppage time with his first Premier League goal for the club, he pulled off his shirt and was mobbed by his teammates.

But elation turned to despair in an instant when Diogo Jota cashed in on Lucas Moura’s mistake to score just 90 seconds later to seal a 4-3 win for Liverpool.

Wilson double sees off Saints

Substitute Callum Wilson scored twice – and was denied a hat-trick by the Video Assistant Referee – to rescue Newcastle United against bottom side Southampton at St James’ Park.

Newcastle’s 3-1 win kept them third, two points ahead of Manchester United, who beat Aston Villa 1-0 and who have played a game fewer than the Magpies.

The Saints had taken a shock first half lead through Stuart Armstrong and were in control at half-time before Wilson’s second-half introduction turned the match.

Denied a goal by VAR for offside, Wilson scored twice to take to 15 goals his Premier League total for the season.

Forest throw away points

Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium had all the hallmarks of a team heading back into the English Championship.

Forest led through Danilo’s first-half goal and looked to be on their way to a vital three points before the wheels fell off.

First, Ivan Toney became the first Brentford player in almost a century to score 20 goals in a season when his freekick bounced in off goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Then Josh Dasilva snatched an injury time winner to complete the turnaround in 12 late minutes.

It was typical of Forest, who have claimed just six points from a possible 51 on the road, and are just a point above the relegation zone.

Brighton shine after Cup heartbreak

The Brighton project started by Graham Potter has reached new levels under manager Roberto De Zerbi, as a smashing victory at the Amex Stadium showed on Saturday.

After a week in which Brighton lost an FA Cup semi-final on penalties and were then beaten by Nottingham Forest, the Seagulls put on a show against outclassed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Two goals each from Deniz Undav, Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck were at the heart of a 6-0 victory that took Brighton to a club record 52 points for the season with seven games still to play.

Palace party Roy’s reward

The party is in full swing in south London after Crystal Palace secured another season in the Premier League far sooner than anyone expected.

Not even manager Roy Hodgson, who was drafted in to rescue ailing Palace just six games ago, expected to be sitting pretty with four games to play.

But a 4-3 victory over West Ham United lifted Palace to 40 points and well clear of the relegation dogfight.

Former England manager Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira in March and has won four, drawn one and lost just one of his six games in charge.

Glory’s season ends in defeat

Perth Glory’s hopes of having a fighting chance to sneak into the finals were dashed even before they took to the field against Western United at HBF Park on Saturday.

Wellington Phoenix’s 1-0 win over Macarthur FC earlier in the day secured the sixth and last finals place for the New Zealand outfit.

In the end, it didn’t matter that Western United inflicted an eleventh defeat of the season on Glory, who had experienced defender Mark Beevers sent off with more than half an hour to play.

Keegan Jelacic’s second goal of the season was only a consolation for Glory in the 2-1 defeat. Ruben Zadkovich’s side finished ninth on the 12-team table, a slight improvement on last season’s wooden spoon performance.

Sydney to host finals showdown

Sydney FC and city rivals Western Sydney Wanderers will meet in the A-League finals for the first time after the Sky Blues beat Newcastle Jets in their final regular game of the season.

Sydney finished their season with three successive victories to claim fifth place and set-up the showdown with the fourth-placed Wanderers.

Goals from Adam Le Fondre and Patrick Wood secured victory over the Jets and extended to five games Sydney’s unbeaten streak.

Sydney and the Wanderers will meet at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, after the first Elimination Final between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix on Friday at Coopers Stadium.

League winners Melbourne City and second-placed Central Coast Mariners will join the action in week two of the
finals.

Celebrations start in Naples

Napoli’s title celebrations have started, even though lowly Salernitana denied them the opportunity to mathematically seal the Serie A title at the Diego Maradona Stadium on Sunday.

Mathias Olivera had scored for Napoli in the 62nd minute and they were on their way to a victory that would wrap up their first scudetto since Maradona helped them to the 1990 title.

But with six minutes left Boulaye Dia equalised for Salernitana to leave Napoli 18-points clear of second-placed Lazio with six games to play.

Napoli will take on Udinese in the early hours of Friday morning (WA time) when they need only a point to complete
a remarkable season.

Benzema hits first-half hat-trick

Karim Benzema’s first-half hat-trick moved him to within two goals of the LaLiga’s top scorer but it couldn’t take Real Madrid any closer to league leaders Barcelona.

Benzema’s goals eased Real to a 4-2 win over Almeria and took him to 17 goals for the season, two short of Robert Lewandowski, who was on target in Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Real Betis.

Barca look set for their 27th league title success as they hold an 11-point lead over defending champions Real Madrid with six games to play.

While Barcelona only have league games ahead of them, Real will take on Osasuna in the Copa Del Rey final on Saturday before meeting Manchester City in two UEFA Champions League semi-final matches.




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