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Tag: win courtesy

  • Ten-man Barcelona suffer upset defeat as stunning double-save rescues Arsenal in stalemate: Champions League Wrap

    Ten-man Barcelona suffer upset defeat as stunning double-save rescues Arsenal in stalemate: Champions League Wrap

    French club Monaco upset 10-man Barcelona by grinding out a 2-1 victory on Thursday in the Champions League, while a stunning David Raya double-save ensured Arsenal a goalless draw away to Europa League winners Atalanta.

    Barca have started the season with a perfect record after five La Liga matches but, hindered by a red card in the 11th minute for Eric Garcia, fell to defeat on the French Riviera.

    Maghnes Akliouche fired the French side into the lead five minutes after Garcia was dismissed for a last-man challenge on Takumi Minamino.

    Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal equalised in the 28th minute with an arrowed shot after cutting in from the right onto his favoured left foot, but George Ilenikhena grabbed the winner for Monaco inside the final 20 minutes.

    “After 10 minutes with the red card the game changed totally, but what I can see is really the positive thing,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told reporters.

    “We tried to defend as a team and also attack as a team, and we had chances, but today they deserve the 2-1 (win), so we have to accept that.”

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    Monaco’s French midfielder Maghnes Akliouche celebrates with teammates. Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFPSource: AFP

    In Italy, Arsenal goalkeeper Raya earned his side a point in a tough start to their campaign against Atalanta with a 0-0 draw.

    A tight match was lit up six minutes after the interval when Mateo Retegui saw Raya plunge down to his right to keep out his penalty, after a foul by Thomas Partey on Ederson.

    The ball rebounded up in the air and Retegui looked set to casually nod the dropping ball into the gaping net but the Spaniard sprang to his feet and hurled himself back across the goal-line to claw the ball to safety.

    “It’s just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way and save it,” Raya told TNT Sports.

    “I was unlucky to give the rebound straight back to him but I was quick enough to get up and save it.”

    A 90th-minute header by Jose Maria Gimenez sent Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone scuttling down the touchline in delight as his side edged visitors RB Leipzig 2-1.

    Benjamin Sesko had put the German side in front just four minutes in, but Antoine Griezmann equalised just prior to the half-hour with a controlled finish from inside the penalty area.

    The Frenchman then turned provider as he chipped a cross into the box, which Gimenez leapt highest to win at the back post and glance the ball back across Peter Gulacsi and into the Leipzig goal to spark wild celebrations in the Metropolitano Stadium.

    “It’s amazing, to get a last-minute goal like this is always fantastic and it’s good to give the fans something to cheer about,” Atletico’s former Leipzig striker Alexander Sorloth told DAZN.

    Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper David Raya. Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFPSource: AFP

    Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz enjoyed a dream Champions League debut as the Bundesliga champions thumped Dutch side Feyenoord 4-0 away from home.

    The 21-year-old scored a brace either side of an Alex Grimaldo strike before an own goal by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther ensured Leverkusen had the points wrapped up by half-time.

    “It may have looked pretty easy, but it’s really not,” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso told reporters.

    “Overall it was a very serious, very efficient performance from us, but it’s never easy.” French side Brest made a winning start in their first-ever appearance in European competition by seeing off Austria’s Sturm Graz 2-1.

    Playing at Brittany rivals Guingamp’s home ground as their own stadium does not meet UEFA standards, Brest took the lead midway through the first half through Hugo Magnetti.

    An own-goal by Edimilson Fernandes on the stroke of half-time levelled matters but Abdallah Sima’s smart finish in the 56th minute was enough to divide the sides.

    Benfica held on in Serbia against Red Star Belgrade to claim a 2-1 win courtesy of goals in the first half by Turkish duo Kerem Akturkoglu and Orkun Kokcu.

    The second matchday of the Champions League league phase will take place on October 1 and 2 with Arsenal hosting Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich travelling to Aston Villa and reigning champions Real Madrid visiting Lille.

    Champions League Results

    Benfica 2 (Akturkoglu 9, Kokcu 29) def. Red Star Belgrade 1 (Milson 86)

    Bayer Leverkusen 4 (Wirtz 5, 36, Grimaldo 30, Wellenreuther 44-og) def. Feyenoord 0

    Atalanta 0 drew Arsenal 0

    Atletico Madrid 2 (Griezmann 28, Gimenez 90) def. RB Leipzig 1 (Sesko 4)

    Monaco 2 (Akliouche 16, Ilenikhena 71) def. Barcelona 1 (Yamal 28)

    Brest 2 (Magnetti 23, Sima 56) def. Sturm Graz 1 (Fernandes (45+1-og)

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  • EPL Wrap: Chelsea’s new $228m recruit in ‘nightmare’ debut and injury drama as Everton crumbles

    EPL Wrap: Chelsea’s new $228m recruit in ‘nightmare’ debut and injury drama as Everton crumbles

    Mauricio Pochettino urged Chelsea to “believe in the process” after Michail Antonio’s superb strike and Enzo Fernandez’s penalty miss condemned the Blues to a 3-1 loss against West Ham.

    After last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool, Pochettino’s side wasted a lively performance as they paid the price for sloppy defending and wasteful finishing at the London Stadium.

    Antonio blasted West Ham’s decisive second goal after half-time and Lucas Paqueta added a late penalty to leave Pochettino still waiting for his first Premier League win since taking charge in the close-season.

    OTHER EPL GAMES

    Spurs’ statement in ‘landmark’ win over ‘embarrassing’ United

    Liverpool star’s reaction says it all after ‘shocking’ red card drama

    Impressive Hammers keep Chelsea winless | 00:55

    Chelsea teenager Carney Chukwuemeka had scored an eye-catching first half equaliser to cancel Nayef Aguerd’s early opener for West Ham.

    But the turning point came when Fernandez’s penalty was saved by Alphonse Areola just before the break.

    Antonio netted soon after the interval and Chelsea couldn’t respond despite Aguerd’s dismissal for a second booking midway through the half.

    Paqueta, reportedly the subject of an FA probe into betting breaches, applied the knockout blow in the final seconds.

    “Teams like us, we need to get the right balance. I think there were a few actions we didn’t manage well and we conceded,” Pochettino said.

    “We create many chances and should have won the game with our first half. It was the frustration when we miss the penalty. We were playing well and we didn’t get the reward.

    “Disappointed but this is only the beginning. We need to believe in the process.”

    Dating back to last season, Chelsea have won just five times in 31 league matches, while their only victory in their last 14 top-flight games came at Bournemouth in May.

    They have also lost four successive top-flight London derbies for the first time since 1990.

    Much of the blame for those dismal statistics lies with Pochettino’s predecessors Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, who struggled through a turbulent campaign that ended with Chelsea’s lowest finish since 1996.

    West Ham United’s players celebrate their third goal. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP

    Pochettino has been tasked with cleaning up the mess, but despite recent signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia taking Chelsea’s total spending under owner Todd Boehly to more than £850 million ($A1.69 billion), the squad remains a work in progress.

    Putting his faith in a largely youthful team is a gamble from Pochettino, whose side’s lack of experience was exposed in the seventh minute.

    James Ward-Prowse’s corner was whipped to the far post, where Morocco defender Aguerd easily evaded Conor Gallagher and Chukwuemeka to nod home from six yards.

    Dominating possession after that setback, Chelsea deservedly drew level in the 28th minute.

    Kurt Zouma miscued a weak clearance and Chukwuemeka cleverly shifted the ball away from Tomas Soucek before smashing a fine finish into the far corner from 12 yards.

    Chelsea were in command and Raheem Sterling’s driving run won them a 42nd minute penalty after the winger was sent tumbling by Soucek’s clumsy tackle.

    But Areola plunged to his right to make a superb save from Fernandez’s tentative spot-kick, denying the Argentine midfielder his first goal for Chelsea.

    Ange claims first EPL win against United | 02:46

    Antonio had just five touches in the first half but the West Ham striker made the most of a rare involvement in the 53rd minute.

    Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi were bullied by Antonio, who took Ward-Prowse’s pass and used his strength to manouevre into position for a ferocious strike that flashed past Sanchez from the edge of the area.

    With an hour gone, Ecuador midfielder Caicedo came on for his Chelsea debut after joining from Brighton for a British record fee of £115 million ($A228 million).

    Caicedo blazed over from distance with one of his first touches in a Chelsea shirt.

    Aguerd’s 67th minute red card, earned for a clumsy second booking when he chopped down Nicolas Jackson, handed Chelsea a potential lifeline.

    But the visitors laboured to mount a response and Caicedo’s debut to forget was complete when he fouled Emerson in stoppage-time, conceding a penalty that Paqueta fired past Sanchez.

    “Caicedo has had a nightmare since coming on. It’s a poor, lazy challenge,” Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports of the incident.

    While it was an underwhelming showing from Chelsea’s new signing, Jamie Redknapp gave Blues fans a reason to believe the best was yet to come from Caicedo.

    “Caicedo hasn’t had any minutes for 60 days and you can see that rustiness,” Redknapp said on Sky Sports.

    “Only the manager knows whether he was ready and he isn’t quite there yet. He will get better. As it can only get better after giving a penalty on your debut.”

    Moises Caicedo of Chelsea. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    INJURIES STRIKE AS EVERTON SLUMP TO NEW LOW

    Meanwhile, Aston Villa won for the first time this season as they routed Everton 4-0 to erase the bitter taste of last weekend’s thrashing at Newcastle.

    Tipped to improve on last season’s strong finish, Villa were hammered 5-1 on Tyneside in a shockingly bad start to their Premier League campaign.

    But Unai Emery’s side got back on track in the Villa Park sunshine as goals from John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey and Jhon Duran brushed aside woeful Everton.

    Emery will hope Villa’s biggest victory of his reign kick-starts a season in which they will compete in Europe for the first time in 13 years after qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

    “Today we were very, very angry to get our performance at home and to forget last week’s match,” Emery said.

    “We needed to react like we did. We did a lot of things good but there are some moments we can do better.”

    Everton have less lofty ambitions after narrowly avoiding relegation last season and Sean Dyche’s men already look destined for another grim fight for survival.

    Beaten 1-0 at home by Fulham last weekend, Everton have lost their opening two games in tame fashion.

    It is only the third time Everton have been beaten in their first two league matches without scoring a goal and the first since 1956.

    As if that wasn’t bad enough, Dyche also had to contend with the sight of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alex Iwobi both coming off injured.

    Aston Villa crush dreadful Everton | 00:30

    “I won’t make any excuses. Really soft goals changed the feel of the stadium and the feel of our performance,” Dyche said.

    “Villa had more edge. They were far better than us. That was not good enough. It was way off where we want to be.”

    Hampered by fitness and form issues, Calvert-Lewin had managed only four goals since August 2021 and scored just two last season.

    Incredibly, the striker’s injury woes resurfaced when he needed lengthy treatment on a facial cut following a collision with Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez early in the first half.

    Calvert-Lewin was able to continue but Everton fell behind in the 18th minute. Bailey sprinted onto Moussa Diaby’s pass and cut the ball back to Scotland midfielder McGinn, who emphatically volleyed home from close-range.

    Philippe Coutinho (C) walks off the pitch after getting injured. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)Source: AFP
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin receives medical attention. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)Source: AFP

    Villa doubled their lead six minutes later from the penalty spot after Everton keeper Jordan Pickford caught Ollie Watkins with his out-stretched arm as he tried to punch clear.

    Luiz stepped up to slot the spot-kick past Pickford, who was booked for trying to delay the penalty in an unsuccessful bid to distract the Brazilian.

    Looking tentative whenever the ball came near him, Calvert-Lewin finally came off before half-time with blood still scarring his cheek wound.

    Iwobi limped off to add to Everton’s problems and Villa added insult to injury with a third goal in the 51st minute.

    Mac Allister shown RED on Anfield debut | 00:37

    Dismal defending by Michael Keane allowed Bailey space to plant a powerful drive past Pickford from 12 yards.

    Many of Everton’s travelling fans had seen enough as they streamed towards the exits from Bailey’s goal.

    It proved a wise move as Duran scored 47 seconds after coming on to complete the demolition in the 75th minute.

    Keane was guilty of more sloppy defending, missing his kick to allow Duran to slot home.

    On an otherwise perfect day, the only frustration for Villa was a late injury to Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

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  • Liverpool win but star’s reaction says it all as red card drama divides opinion — EPL Wrap

    Liverpool win but star’s reaction says it all as red card drama divides opinion — EPL Wrap

    Tottenham showed there is life after Harry Kane with a 2-0 win over Manchester United as Liverpool shrugged off a red card for Alexis Mac Allister to beat Bournemouth 3-1.

    Spurs were playing for the first time at home since record goalscorer Kane departed for Bayern Munich.

    But in Ange Postecoglou’s first match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the home side showed promising signs of a new era as Pape Sarr’s strike and Lisandro Martinez’s own goal continued United’s sluggish start to the season.

    Ange claims first EPL win against United | 02:46

    Erik ten Hag’s men escaped with a 1-0 victory at home to Wolves on Monday despite being outplayed.

    This time United were punished as they faded after a bright start. Bruno Fernandes should have headed the visitors in front midway through the first-half.

    Spurs ended the opening period in the ascendency as Pedro Porro rattled the crossbar.

    And the Postecoglou’s men got their reward when Sarr smashed home his first goal for the club on 49 minutes.

    A comedy of errors summed up United’s day for the second goal as Ben Davies failed to connect with Ivan Perisic’s cross and Martinez could only turn it beyond the flat-footed Andre Onana.

    United’s decision not to rival Bayern with a bid for Kane will now face more scrutiny as they looked toothless without new striker Rasmus Hojlund due to injury.

    Kiwi Chis Wood the hero for Forest | 01:25

    LIVERPOOL OVERCOME HORROR START TO GET WIN

    Liverpool recovered from a terrible start and the controversial loss of Alexis Mac Allister to get their frist win of the season.

    Bournemouth had lost 9-0 on their visit to Anfield a year ago but led inside three minutes when Antoine Semenyo drilled into the far corner.

    Liverpool needed some inspiration to kickstart their season after a 1-1 draw at Chelsea last weekend.

    Luis Diaz provided it as he flicked up Diogo Jota’s cross and then acrobatically fired an overhead kick into the bottom corner.

    Jurgen Klopp’s men led nine minutes before half-time, but Mohamed Salah needed a second opportunity to tap in the rebound after Neto had saved his penalty.

    The Egyptian has now failed to score three of his last five penalties, but edged ahead of Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s fifth highest scorer of all time on 187.

    Momentum could have swung back Bournemouth’s way when Mac Allister was harshly shown a straight red card for leading with his studs on Ryan Christie, despite minimal contact with the Scotland international.

    “I saw the red card back and for sure we have to talk about it. I understand 100 percent how it looks for a ref in that moment, but when you see it back it is the inside of the foot and no power behind it,” Klopp said.

    Mac Allister was shown a red card. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)Source: AFP

    Former Premier League referee Mike Dean defended the call on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.

    “His foot’s raised, the guys cleared the ball and the lads caught him,” Dean said.

    “[He’s] probably caught him shin high, foots off the floor, I’ve got no issues with it. It was looked at by VAR, that’s been checked and cleared, it’s the right decision from Tom Bramall.”

    Arsenal legend Paul Merson though disagreed.

    “Because it’s slow motion and it hits his shin, when you look at it you go ‘ooh’. I see what Mac Allister was trying to do, he was trying to play a sidefoot pass but the lad was too quick for him,” he said in response.

    “Sometimes that we have to understand, sometimes if someone is too quick for someone, he didn’t mean it. I’ve seen people do people, I didn’t think it was. Best move before Mike [Dean] says anything.”

    BBC pundit and former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton said: “I thought the McAllister sending off was a shocking decision”.

    A 10-man Liverpool added to their lead within four minutes when Jota pounced after Neto could only palm Dominik Szoboszlai’s effort into his path.

    Japan captain Wataru Endo was then introduced after Liverpool finally landed a defensive midfielder on Friday after losing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

    HAALAND FIRES BLANKS BUT CITY STEP UP TO CHALLENGE

    Meanwhile, Manchester City laid down an early-season marker in the Premier League title race as Julian Alvarez’s stunning strike earned a 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Etihad.

    A club record 17th consecutive home victory for the treble winners was thoroughly deserved despite their exertions in lifting the UEFA Super Cup in midweek.

    Newcastle’s 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa last weekend had raised hopes on Tyneside they could be the pick of the challengers to City’s crown as English champions.

    But on this evidence, Pep Guardiola’s men will take some stopping in their quest to become the first side to ever win four consecutive English top-flight titles.

    Guardiola was furious at the Premier League for scheduling the game just three days after his side were forced to penalties to beat Sevilla under baking heat in Athens.

    City’s squad has also been stretched early on in the campaign by the absence of Bernardo Silva and John Stones, while Kevin De Bruyne will be out for up to four months with a hamstring injury.

    But dreams the Magpies could pose a challenge for their frist top-flight league title in 97 years were dampened by City’s dominance before tiredness crept in late on.

    City scored a crucial win. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    The visitors were happy to surrender possession before the break, but it took a moment of magic for City to find a way through.

    Alvarez could be one of the benefactors of De Bruyne’s lengthy lay-off. The Argentine scored 17 goals in his debut season in Manchester despite having to play largely second fiddle to Erling Haaland.

    Guardiola may now be forced to pair Alvarez with the Norwegian more often and he showed what he is capable of with a stunning finish into the top corner from Phil Foden’s pass on 31 minutes.

    Haaland was not as accurate moments later as he dragged a shot inches wide when played in by another Foden through ball.

    Newcastle’s more attacking intent in the second half only succeeded in leaving City more space to exploit in behind.

    Erling Haaland reacts after missing a goal opportunity. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Source: AFP

    However, a rare off night for Haaland in front of goal continued. Foden stepped up in the absence of De Bruyne and Silva to be the creative spark in the City midfield.

    The England international’s turn and pass picked out Haaland once more on his favoured left foot only for last season’s Golden Boot winner again fail to hit the target.

    Haaland went for raw power with his next effort, but was repelled by the legs of Nick Pope as City were made to wait for a second goal to kill the game off.

    The European champions were nearly made to pay when Rodri’s slack pass presented Callum Wilson with a huge opportunity.

    But 90-million-euro ($99 million) defender Josko Gvardiol showed his worth on his home debut to hold up Wilson and Harvey Barnes’ shot was comfortably held by Ederson.

    Despite his side’s fatigue, Guardiola refused to make a single substitution and told one City fan to take his place on the bench when urged to make some changes.

    But it all ended in smiles for the home side as City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season to sit second behind Brighton at the top of the table.

    BRIGHTON, BRENTFORD BANK WINS

    Brighton banked a British record transfer fee that could rise to £115 million ($146 million) for Caicedo.

    But the Seagulls continue to soar under Roberto De Zerbi despite seeing their best players picked off by the Premier League’s elite.

    Kaoru Mitoma may be the next big-money departure and the Japanese international opened the scoring in stunning style at Molineux as he slalomed past four Wolves defenders before producing a classy finish.

    In stark contrast to their performance at Old Trafford, Wolves had no answer to Brighton’s speed of passing and movement as the visitors scored three times in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

    Mitoma teed up Pervis Estupinan to smash home for 2-0 before Solly March scored twice from Julio Enciso assists.

    De Bruyne to miss 4 months with injury | 01:17

    Wolves pulled a goal back through Hwang Hee-chan, but a chastening afternoon for Gary O’Neil’s men was rounded off by a red card for Matheus Nunes in stoppage time.

    Brentford are also making light of the absence of the suspended Ivan Toney as they won 3-0 at Fulham.

    Yoane Wissa opened the scoring before Bryan Mbuemo scored twice after Fulham captain Tim Ream was sent off for a second yellow card.

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