MANCHESTER UNITED ENDS ARSENAL'S UNBEATEN RUN

 The Gunners have been on a fabulous run since the start of the season. the game against United was one to test the fortitude of the Gunner. Manchester United have won the last three games in a row.

Manchester United were on the front foot from the blow of the referee's whistle with 82% possession within the first five minutes of the game. Martinelli thought he had put Arteta's men in front after scoring in 12 minutes. A VAR review, unfortunately, revoked the goal due to a previous foul detected before the goal.

The momentum swung a little in favour of the Gunners but it was the Red Devils that found the back of the net through Anthony in the 35th minute: a debut goal for him in that regard.

The Red Devils held on to their lead for the halftime whistle. Arsenal came into the second half with everything to play for. Arteta's halftime team talk seems to have given the Gunners a boost. 

Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the equaliser in the 58th minute. It was all the Gunners from that point on. Arsenal controlled the game with 62% of possession as against United's 38. Manchester United had the lead once again against the run of play with Bruno Fernandes providing the assist for Rashford to score in the 66th minute. 

Mikel Arteta reacted to United's goal by introducing Smith-Rowe, Vieira, and Eddie Nketia for Odegaard, Lokonga, and Zinchenko respectively.  Marcus Rashford scored United's third goal and his double of the game in the 75th minute.

Manchester United held on to win their fourth game on the spin and end Arsenal's unbeaten run of the season. The Red Devils might have started the season on a bad foot but they are gradually metamorphosing into a force to reckon with this season. Erik Ten Hag seems to be cooking something special at Manchester United.

Arsenal will definitely bounce back against Everton but for now, it is all praise for Manchester United.

ARSENAL BEAT FULHAM TO STAY TOP OF THE LEAGUE

 

Fulham started the evening the brighter of the two with 54% possession in the first five minutes. Arsenal gradually warmed themselves into the game.

Arsenal were in total control of the game with their first chance of the game coming in the 15^th minute. It was all Arsenal in the first half with nothing to show for in terms of goals.

 

Ben White picks up the first yellow card of the evening after a tactical foul to prevent a Fulham counterattack. Close to the end of the first half, an incident between Jesus and Palhinha saw the two players picking up yellow cards.

Fulham created few chances in the early stages of the second half. They got their reward in the 56^th minute through a Mitrovic goal. Fulham were then happy to sit back and catch Arsenal on the counter.

The introduction of Eddie Nketiah in the 61^st minute and a little tweak in formation gave Arsenal numbers in the Fulham penalty area. Arsenal kept pressing and pressuring the Fulham defence until they had their equaliser via a Martin Odegaard's deflected shot in the 64^th minute. The home supporters were vociferously edging their team to go for the win.

 

Gabriel scored the winner for the gunners from a corner kick in the 85^th event though his celebration was halted for a VAR review. The goal stood and the league leaders went on to win their fourth game of the season.

 

Manchester City might be right behind Arsenal and may catch up but for now let’s seat back and enjoy what Mikel Arteta is cooking.

 

 

 

LIVERPOOL THRASH BOURNEMOUTH IN A NINE GOAL THRILLER

 Having drawn two and lost one of their first three games, Liverpool were under pressure to win at all cost if they are to compete for the prestigious premier league title.

                   Photo credit: Liverpool  FC

From the blast of the referee’s whistle, Liverpool were on the front foot. The Anfield crowd were behind the players front onset. The boost from the crowd, the sheer hunger from the player resulted in a blistering start from Liverpool.

The first goal was registered in the 3^rd minute by a Luis Diaz header. Three minutes later Harvey Elliot add to the tally with a beautiful curler. It was all Liverpool with the pressing, hunger, and zeal.

Alexander-Arnold made it three for Liverpool in the 28^th minute before Roberto Firmino added the fourth after three minutes. At this point, Bournemouth were no match for Liverpool. Van Dijk scored Liverpool’s fifth minutes before halftime. It was poetry in motion from Liverpool in the first half. The last time Liverpool led 5 nil at half-time at Anfield was in 1958.

 

The tempo of the game dwindled in the second half after Liverpool had scored their sixth goal kind courtesy an own goal. At this was a walk in the park for Liverpool. Firmino scored his second and Liverpool’s Seventh in the 62^nd minute.

Klopp introduced Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic and James Milner in the 70^th minute for Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino. 

Fabio Carvalho scored his first goal for Liverpool in the 81^st minute and Liverpool eighth. Luis Diaz scored his second of the game and Liverpool’s ninth in the 85^th minute and it was all Liverpool until the end of the game.

This was Liverpool’s first 9 nil win since 1989 when they beat Crystal Palace 9 nil.

SOUTHAMPTON VS MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH REPORT

 Southampton and Manchester United opened match day 4 of this weekend of premier league actions. United started the brighter side of the two but Southampton grew into the game as the play went on.

In the first half of the game, Manchester United created three chances but were unfortunate not to bury them. Southampton had bodies on the line to clear every shot on target. The superiority in possession in favour of Manchester United illustrated how superior they were in the first half even though Southampton had some threatening counterattacks.

In the second half, Manchester United continued where they left off. Their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute with a goal from Bruno Fernandes. United’s first away goal on the road since April this year.

Southampton upped their tempo after falling behind and there was an appeal for a penalty in the 58^th minute which was reviewed by VAR and was not deemed a penalty. Southampton looked the dangerous side in the second half. 

Erik Teng Hag’s introduction of Casemiero and Fred gave United numbers in midfield and behind the ball. Southhampton’s best chance was in the 93^rd minute but the effort was cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot.

Manchester United held on to win their second match of this season. Their first back-to-back win since February and United’s Second clean sheet since in fifteen games.

There were three yellow cards in the game all going to Manchester United.  Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes and Fred received were yellow carded.

WHERE IS IT GOING WRONG WITH LIVERPOOL?

In the past few years, Manchester City and Liverpool have set the pace in the English Premier League. Howbeit, this season appears to be indistinct for Liverpool. Even though, it is just three matches played.

Liverpool are seven points behind Arsenal and five behind City, a situation they will not be proud of I believe. Three things come to mind when looking at Liverpool’s horrendous performance this season; Klopp’s 433 formation, Mane’s exit, and the Midfield dilemma.    

The 433 formation has been Klopp’s preferred formation over the last three to four seasons even though there have been in-game formation changes.  Liverpool have thwarted teams with this formation and have won some titles with it. Nevertheless, I fear teams especially those in the premier league have figured it out and I believe it’s high time Klopp changed the formation.

Mane’s exit came as a surprise to many Liverpool supporters although I believe Klopp and Liverpool were in the known. Mane’s last two season at Liverpool was not one he could boast of as a player in terms of performance. There were highs and lows in his performances but Mane was key to the Liverpool attack. Last season for instance, when he was deployed as the false nine, he produced some astounding performances. Players do come to football clubs and go but clubs must prepare for the departure of instrumental players. As to whether Liverpool were prepared for Mane’s departure is a story that would unfold but with time.

Liverpool’s midfield has been under severe scrutiny for some time now. Their midfield options look depleted anything there is an injury. It is easy to admit Liverpool’s midfield is made up of talented players; most of them are injury prone. One can talk of Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita who are prone to injuries. Signing a midfielder should have been a priority, unfortunately; Klopp claims to be happy with his squad once again. Clearly, Liverpool’s midfield lacks creativity, and this has been proven in most of their games. Aside from Thiago, and largely Fabinho and Keita there is no creativity in midfield for Liverpool. Whether Klopp is satisfied with his squad or not he needs that creative midfielder who can change the fortunes of a game with incisive and instinctive passing.

The season is young and Liverpool would definitely improve on their abysmal performance. They would have to work their socks off to be in the title race. I am not writing them off the title race but to win the premier league requires more than just passing the ball around and from side to side. Liverpool have a good manager in Jurgen Klopp and their fans can trust in him to turn things around sooner than later.

DOUBTERS TO BELIEVERS

Liverpool fans, are you believers now?
Believe is trust. Trusting something will happen without proof. In Jurgen Klopp's message to Liverpool fans, he said "We must change from doubter to believers".
After taking over from Brendan Rodgers, Klopp led Liverpool to two consecutive finals of which they lost both.

    Klopp in his first season as Liverpool manager

 Achieving a top four feet after taking charge was difficult if not impossible a task for Liverpool. Liverpool ended the 2015/2016 season in eight position. Fast forward three years later Liverpool have qualified for the champions league successively and have been finalist on two consecutive occasions.

Looking at the status of Liverpool now pundits, journalists and football fans from all walks of life now rank Liverpool Football Club as an elite club in European football and the world at large, a force to reckon with.

Three years down the line Klopp's message of changing from doubters to believers has become the embodiment of Liverpool supporters across the globe. Even when Liverpool was down by three goals to Barcelona and all hope was lost, Liverpool supporters still believed and went to the stadium in their numbers to create a surreal and an unbelievable atmosphere.

 What happened after the game is something you don't need to be told of.

Liverpool FC won their first champions league trophy since 2005 and are on the brink of bringing more trophies to Anfield. The unity and camaraderie amongst the players, staff and the supporters is something to behold.

Everyone affiliated to the club is now a believer. There is a dawn of new era for Liverpool Football Club and everyone related to the club must embrace it and keep believing. Klopp has always been the missing piece of Liverpool Football Club all these while. Having him at the club has impacted everyone close to the club on and off the footballing field.

DOUBTERS TO BELIEVERS INDEED!!!!!!

DOUGLAS COSTA: FROM HERO TO ZERO

Football is a game loved by millions of people from all walks of life. It is a game watched by adults and children alike. Every kick and touch of  the ball either makes one happy or bored depending on the side the person supports. From the sublime save of a goalkeeper to the scintillating finish of a forward player.

I have watched footballers with skills and panache anytime they touch the ball and Douglas Costa is no exception. He is a enjoy to watch anytime he is in possession. His pace, fair and the ability to read the game makes him one of the best players on the planet.

Football fans especially children tend to mimic their icons, from how they play to their private lifestyles. This gives footballers a great responsibility of exhibiting good and acceptable attitudes not only on the field of play but also in their surroundings.

I have seen players evince bad attitudes on the field of play. Notable ones include the kicking of a fan by the Eric Cantona, the famous Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 world cup final and the Suarez bite in the 2014 World Cup.

For a player to elbow another and spit into the mouth of the same player is absurd, surreal and bizarre. In their game against Sassuolo, football fans all over the world were dismayed by the attitude and demeanour of  Douglas Costa.

Definitely there must some the opposing player did or said to him that was infuriating and led to such an unacceptable behaviour. A behaviour which has seen him banned for three months. Not only will his attitude affect him as a player, it is also going to affect his team and team mates as well.

I will not chastise him for what he did since I do not know what really transpired between them but will not also condone that kind of attitude.

Footballers and other sports icons must bare in mind that their actions are mimicked by adults as well as children therefore they must be cautious of what they do on and off the footballing pitch and other sporting arenas.