Premier League - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Premier League talking points

TALKING points from the latest round of Premier League games. ARSENAL SHOW GRIT TO PROVE DOUBTERS WRONG Defeats by Aston Villa and Bayern Munich in their last two matches called Arsenal's backbone into question but Mikel Arteta's side answered the doubters with a gritty 2-0 win at Wolves to show that their title challenge is not over yet. It was a dour affair and though the statistics might suggest that Arsenal had it easy, they had to grind it out, scoring late in each half to show a different side of themselves that might prove vital as the title race…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Everton grab 2-0 victory over Forest to boost survival hopes

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EVERTON secured three crucial points when they beat relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Goodison Park to improve their own Premier League survival hopes and move five points clear of the drop zone. With Everton and Forest being docked eight and four points respectively for financial breaches, Everton is 16th in the standings with 30 points, having played one game fewer than Forest, who sit four points below in 17th place. Forest was furious at being denied three penalty claims and issued a strongly worded complaint on social media immediately after the game. There was little to separate the two sides…

Apr

2024

By MITCH PHILLIPS

Chelsea coach fumes over African star’s penalty row

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CHELSEA coach Mauricio Pochettino should have been beaming after his team destroyed Everton 6-0 but rather than celebrating Cole Palmer’s remarkable four-goal display he instead fumed about his players arguing on the pitch. Chelsea were leading 4-0 after Palmer's first-half hat-trick and a goal for Nicolas Jackson when they were awarded a penalty after Noni Madueke was tripped in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge. Madueke and Jackson then wrestled each other for the ball as the referee awaited a VAR confirmation, with regular taker Palmer standing bemused alongside them. Eventually, captain Conor Gallagher had to intervene to shove the…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

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TALKING points from the weekend's Premier League matches. 'CHOKERS' TAG REARS ITS HEAD AFTER ARSENAL LOSS Arsenal's league form in 2024 has been scintillating, the side picking up 31 points from 11 games before a 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Sunday saw them lose ground on Manchester City. But the nature of the loss, squandering multiple chances in a dominant first-half display before conceding a late quickfire double, will revive questions about the Gunners' mentality after their title challenge petered out last season. This term Arsenal have largely answered those questions, displaying greater mental strength, and remain just two points behind…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Eze and Palace deal Liverpool big blow to title chances with 1-0 victory

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LIVERPOOL'S bid to win the Premier League title in manager Juergen Klopp's final season with the club suffered a huge blow as they were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield leaving them third in the table. Eberechi Eze scored in the 14th minute to stun the Anfield faithful in the third consecutive disappointing result for Liverpool. Klopp's men are level on 71 points with second-placed Arsenal, who suffered a 2-0 shock loss to Aston Villa later on Sunday but lead Liverpool on goal difference. Liverpool trail leaders Manchester City by two points. "I would say with the chances we…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Isak brace leads Newcastle to crucial 4-0 win over Spurs

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A dominant Newcastle United struck twice within 95 seconds as Alexander Isak's brace helped them secure a 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, a vital result in their bid to qualify for European competition. Newcastle, unbeaten at home since January, moved up to sixth place in the standings with 50 points from 32 matches, one ahead of Manchester United who have played a game less and visit Bournemouth later in the day. Spurs are fifth with 60 points. Isak scored at the half-hour mark when Anthony Gordon got hold of a long ball, shook off Destiny Udogie…

Apr

2024

By LORI EWING

Liverpool need late goal from Salah to draw 2-2 with Manchester United

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MOHAMED Salah scored a late equaliser from a penalty kick as Liverpool escaped Old Trafford with a single point in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United to climb to even on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal. Salah stroked home in the 84th minute for his sixth league goal at Old Trafford, the most of any visiting player in the league's history, overtaking Steven Gerrard's five. With seven games remaining in the neck-and-neck title race, Liverpool and Arsenal have 71 points with the Gunners leading on goal difference. Holders Manchester City are third with 70 points, while United are sixth…

Apr

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Premier League talking points

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TALKING points from the weekend in the Premier League: LIVELY LIVERPOOL SET UP FOR KLOPP SEND-OFF Liverpool's players showed against Brighton & Hove Albion they are ready and willing to do everything in their power to give coach Juergen Klopp a successful send-off as he enters his final months as manager. Sunday's comeback win featured everything that Klopp holds dear -- suffocating pressure high up the field, quick decisions and little skill from his attacking players turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win for the home side. The win put Liverpool back on top of the table and the…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Liverpool go top after 2-1 comeback win over Brighton

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STRIKER Mohamed Salah scored the winner as Liverpool came back from a goal down to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 and go top of the Premier League ahead of Manchester City's showdown with Arsenal. Salah's sublime second-half strike leaves Liverpool on 67 points, three ahead of second-placed Arsenal and four ahead of City on a pivotal day in the title race. The Egyptian striker tormented Brighton, taking 12 shots to notch up his highest total in a Premier League game and, even though only one of them found the back of the net, it was to prove vital. Danny…

Apr

2024

By LORI EWING

Man City and Arsenal draw 0-0 to hand Liverpool title-race advantage

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ARSENAL nullified reigning champions Manchester City in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, allowing Liverpool to take top spot on a pivotal day in the Premier League's three-way title race Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, in the hunt for their first league title in 20 years, are second in the table on 65 points with nine games remaining, while City are third with 64. Liverpool, on 67 points, claimed the lead with their 2-1 comeback victory over Brighton & Hove Albion earlier on Sunday. "No way can you be fully happy (with just a point)," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Listen, I think we…