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Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Odegaard leads Gunners’ charge

All Arsenal can do is keep winning and hoping for some form of miracle.

Martin Odegaard’s 15th Premier League goal of the season and a Fabian Schar own goal got the job done at St James’ Park as Newcastle suffered just a second home defeat of the season.

Victory has kept Arsenal a point behind leaders Manchester City, although it’s difficult to see how Pep Guardiola’s side, with a game in hand, can really be caught from here.

Arsenal face Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves in their final three games of the campaign, while Manchester City take on Everton, Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford.

De Gea howler puts United at risk

A blunder by David De Gea has put Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League qualification hopes in doubt after West Ham United snatched an unlikely win at the London Stadium.

Said Benrahma celebrated his goal as if it had been a stunner, even though he couldn’t possibly have expected his weak shot to find its way past De Gea.

United’s second successive defeat – they lost to Brighton on Thursday – has left them hanging on to fourth place on the Premier League table, with Liverpool just a point behind.

The top four teams automatically qualify for the 2003-24 Champions league.

Allardyce happier than Pep?

It’s become so tight near the bottom of the English Premier League that Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of Leeds United might turn out to be useful in their push for survival.

Defeat to Manchester City was the expected outcome, although it wasn’t as bad as it might have been.

A 2-1 defeat meant Leeds’ goal difference didn’t suffer quite as much as it might have had City made more of their 81% of possession and 18 shots at goal.

Allardyce finished the game seemingly a little happier than Guardiola, who had a bone to pick with record-breaking striker Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian, who has scored 35 goals, the best return for a striker in a single Premier League season, gave up penalty-taking responsibilities to Ilkay Gundogan.

Gundogan had already scored twice but instead of completing a hat-trick his shot struck a post.

Reds milestones at both ends

Liverpool celebrated milestones at both ends of the pitch during a 1-0 win over Brentford that has the Reds knocking on the door of UEFA Champions League qualification.

Mo Salah set a Liverpool record by scoring in nine successive home games, while he also celebrated scoring his 100th Anfield goal.

At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Alisson registered his 100th clean sheet for Liverpool.

To be Frank… it’s quite a relief

At the seventh time of asking, Chelsea finally won a game during Frank Lampard’s second managerial spell.

Lampard was rushed back to the Chelsea helm last month and had overseen six successive defeats – including two Champions League losses to Real Madrid.

The task at the Vitality Stadium was far from straight forward, especially when Matias Vina cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s opener for the visitors.

But Lampard was finally able to celebrate victory with late goals from Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix.

Wolves all but safe

The value of a good manager has been perfectly illustrated at Wolverhampton Wanderers by Julen Lopetegui.

Appointed in November last year, when Wolves were rock bottom in the Premier League, the Spaniard has steered them to 40 points and almost certainly ensured they will remain in England’s top tier next season.

The fact that the 40-point mark was brought up in a Midlands derby victory over rivals Aston Villa was all the sweeter for Wolves. Toti scored the only goal of the game, which was his first in the Premier League.

Naples abuzz with Diego delight

The long wait is finally over for Napoli, who have claimed their first Serie A title in 33 years.

A 1-1 draw with Udinese last week was enough to secure Napoli’s first scudetto since Diego Maradona was the architect of their 1990 success).

It was fitting that Napoli’s new star, Victor Osimhen, scored the equalising goal, while he was also on target in Sunday’s win over Fiorentina, as Napoli celebrated with their home fans.

Napoli are 17 points clear of second-placed Juventus with four games to play.

Ange does it again

Former Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou has steered Celtic to successive Scottish Premier League titles and is in sight of a 2022-23 treble.

Celtic, who won the Scottish League Cup in February, wrapped up top spot in the SPL with a 2-0 win over Hearts.

Postecoglou, who cut his managerial teeth in Australia’s domestic competition before heading to Japan, will get the chance to claim a third trophy of the season when Celtic take on Inverness in the Scottish FA Cup in June.

Real ready for City challenge

Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey on Saturday but have a bigger scalp to claim this week.

A 2-1 win over Osasuna, courtesy of two goals from Rodrygo, either side of Lucas Torro’s goal for the underdogs, sealed victory in Seville.

But Carlo Ancelotti immediately switched his attention to this week’s Champions League semi-final clash against Manchester City.

Although Real are third in La Liga, a point behind Atletico Madrid and 14 adrift of Barcelona, Ancelotti has the nous – and the players – to spring a surprise against City.

Sydney leave Wanderers wondering

A goal and an assist from Robert Mak earned Sydney FC a come-from-behind victory in their derby finals clash with Western Sydney Wanderers.

Adam Le Fondre scored Sydney’s winner – extending his goal streak to five successive matches – after Mak had cancelled out Morgan Schneiderlin’s opener for the Wanderers from the penalty spot.

Sydney now face Melbourne City in the two-leg semi-finals on May 12 and 19.

Adelaide United eased aside Wellington Phoenix 2-0 to set-up a semi-final showdown with Central Coast Mariners on May 13 and May 20.




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