Sports

Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Rashford at the double

How quickly fortunes can change. Manchester United secured a fourth successive victory and ended Arsenal’s 100 percent record thanks largely to Marcus Rashford’s contribution in a 3-1 win.

The England international scored twice and new signing Antony was also on target, while Bukayo Saka scored for Arsenal.

United, who lost to Brighton and Brentford in their opening two games, have now beaten Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal to climb into fifth place.

Arsenal, who would have gone in front had Gabriel Martinelli’s goal not been ruled out for a foul in the build-up, stayed top of the table, a point above Manchester City.

Moyes rages at VAR

West Ham United manager David Moyes almost burst a gasket at a Video Assistant Referee call that cost his side a point against Chelsea.

On a weekend of VAR controversy, Moyes made the headlines when he described as “scandalous” a decision to award a foul against Jarrod Bowen rather than a goal to Maxwel Cornet. West Ham were beaten 2-1 after Ben Chillwell and Kai Havertz reversed a Hammers lead engineered by Michail Antonio.

At Brentford, Leeds manager Jesse Marsch was sent from the bench after he fumed that a foul on Crysencio Summerville hadn’t resulted in a penalty despite a VAR check. The American’s angst was understandable given Leeds had conceded a penalty after a VAR review earlier in the 5-2 loss.

And at St James’ Park, Newcastle United were dumbstruck when VAR ruled out a goal against Crystal Palace for a foul by Joe Willock on goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. Replays showed that Willock had been pushed by Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, who had then turned the ball into his own net. The game was drawn 0-0.

Mac Allister stunner ruled out

Alexis Mac Allister scored twice in Brighton’s 5-2 win over Leicester City but fans are more likely to remember his goal-that-never-was.

The Argentinian scored with a sizzling drive that almost ripped the net, only to be denied by, you guessed it, the Video Assistant Referee.

Mac Allister still left Brighton supporters with a goal to remember, firing home a stoppage time free-kick.

Defeat to Brighton increased the pressure on Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, whose team has lost five successive matches and is bottom of the league.

Haaland equals record

Erling Haaland equalled a Premier League goalscoring record but Manchester City dropped points.

Haaland volleyed home from close-range to put City in front against Aston Villa but Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa earned a point through Leon Bailey.

Haaland, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund, has now scored 10 goals in his first six Premier League games, equalling the record of Micky Quinn in 1992.

The draw against the Premier League champions ended a three-game losing streak for Villa, whose only win in six games was at home to Everton.

O’Neil inspiring Bournemouth

So much for the big money. Despite a significant outlay on players since last season, Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest blew a two-goal lead to lose to struggling Bournemouth.

The Cherries’ victory was good news for interim manager Gary O’Neil, who has been the architect of four points from two games since Scott Parker was sacked.

Bournemouth fans won’t forget in a hurry the 9-0 loss to Liverpool that preceded Parker’s exit and they were probably fearing the worse when Cheikhou Kouyate and Brennan Johnson scored for Forest.

But goals from Philip Billing, Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony’s first in the Premier League earned a much-need victory.

Despite a great start to his caretaker period, O’Neil isn’t sure if he wants the job permanently.

Pickford to the rescue for Everton

Jordan Pickford earned his first clean sheet of the season with a remarkable series of saves in a goalless Merseyside derby.

The Everton goalkeeper was in fine form until the very end, pushing Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time shot onto a post to preserve the stalemate. It was the third time in the game that Liverpool had hit the frame of the goal.

Everton were denied victory when Conor Coady’s goal was ruled out, leaving Frank Lampard’s side still without a win this season.

Liverpool have won just two of their first six games of the season.

Toney bags three

Ivan Toney has improved his chances of an England call up after scoring three times in a 5-2 win over Leeds United as Brentford continued their impressive start to the season.

Toney won and scored from an early penalty, before firing home a free-kick. Former Feyenoord striker Luis Sinisterra pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time with an excellent finish but Toney wasn’t done.

He completed his hat-trick by seizing the ball after goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s desperate clearance, maintaining his composure and chipping home from outside the box.

Shirt off, yellow card, no goal

When Richarlison pulled off his shirt to celebrate scoring his first Tottenham Hotspur goal, he would’ve known a yellow card was coming his way. But he wouldn’t have expected the double whammy of having his goal ruled out for offside.

It didn’t matter in the end because the former Everton front man was in great form as Spurs earned a 2-1 win over Fulham.

Pierre Hojbjerg and Harry Kane were on target for Tottenham, while Aleksandar Mitrovic bagged his sixth goal of the season for Fulham.

Celtic striding clear

Ange Postecoglou’s magic shows no sign of wearing off at Celtic as they won the first Old Firm match of the season, 4-0, at Celtic Park.

Celtic opened up a five-point gap over city rivals Rangers with a pulsating, non-stop victory that was all but secured by half-time.

A first-half double from Liel Abada and Jota’s delightful chip made it 3-0 before the break and David Turnbull sealed victory 12 minutes from the end.

AC Milan have the edge in derby

Rafael Leao was the man for Milan as the champions came from behind to beat Inter Milan 3-2 in Italy’s Serie A.

Marcelo Brozovic had put Inter ahead before Portugal striker Leao stamped his mark on the match.

After scoring the equaliser, he set up Olivier Giroud to put Milan in front and then made sure of the win with an
hour gone. Edin Dzeko scored a second goal for Inter but they were unable to complete the fightback.

Perfect Madrid

Real Madrid continued their perfect start to the season with a fourth successive victory, this time seeing off Real Betis, 2-1.

Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo scored either side of Sergio Canales’ goal for the visitors.

Barcelona are two points behind Real after goals from Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Eric Garcia earned a 3-0 win
away to Sevilla.




Recent Articles