Premier League - The African Mirror

Dec

2023

Liverpool hit the top, Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth

LIVERPOOL climbed to the top of the Premier League as Mo Salah scored his 200th goal for the club in a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday but storm clouds returned to Manchester United as they lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth. Bottom club Sheffield United beat visiting Brentford 1-0 for only their second victory of the season while fellow strugglers Burnley and Nottingham Forest both drew. Arsenal can return to the top if they win later at third-placed Aston Villa who are bidding for a 15th successive home win in the Premier League. Liverpool was fully extended by…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Liverpool score two late goals in 4-3 thriller against Fulham

FOOTBALL

LIVERPOOL scored two late goals a minute apart including Trent Alexander-Arnold's winner in the 88th minute in their breathless 4-3 victory over Fulham in the Premier League. Wataru Endo scored in the 87th minute, while a debut strike from Alexis Mac Allister and an own goal by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Alexander-Arnold's spectacular free kick lifted Juergen Klopp's team into second in the standings on 31 points. "It's mental to be honest," Trent-Alexander told Sky Sports. "A game of massive ups and downs. Leading, then getting clawed back twice, then obviously losing with about five minutes to go, getting…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Gordon strikes as Newcastle overpower Man United

FOOTBALL

ANTHONY Gordon scored the winner as Newcastle held off a frenzied late push by Manchester United in a deserved 1-0 Premier League victory over their top-four rivals at a chilly St James' Park. Eddie Howe's team climbed above Manchester United into fifth in the table on 26 points after 14 games as Erik ten Hag's side dropped to seventh on 24. "I couldn't be happier with the players tonight," Howe told TNT Sports. "The performances we put in against three top teams were brilliant so that will give confidence, and when we get some players back we can push on…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Arsenal beat Wolves to go four points clear at top

FOOTBALL

ARSENAL moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League as early goals by Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard fired them to a 2-1 victory at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. In freezing temperatures, Arsenal made a lightning-fast start and the points always looked secure from the moment captain Odegaard doubled their advantage in the 13th minute. Saka had given Mikel Arteta's side the lead in the sixth minute after some intricate link-up play sent him clear. Wolves re-grouped and gradually began to make a few inroads although Arsenal were untroubled until Matheus Cunha shot powerfully past home keeper…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

FOOTBALL

RAMSDALE FAILS TO ANSWER ARTETA DOUBTS ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta refused to get drawn too deeply into Aaron Ramsdale's performance at Brentford on Saturday but the England goalkeeper can hardly be expected to keep David Raya out of the starting lineup after a nervy display. Raya could not play for Brentford, the club from whom the Spaniard is on loan, giving Ramsdale his first start in the Premier League since September but he failed to impress. He got away with two mad moments in the first half and, despite Arteta praising his courage, Raya is likely to be back between…

Nov

2023

By LORI EWING

Salah brace leads Liverpool to 3-0 win over Brentford at Anfield

FOOTBALL

MOHAMED Salah scored twice as Liverpool maintained their 100% winning record at Anfield this season with a 3-0 victory over Brentford, their sixth successive Premier League win at home. Salah - who now has 200 goals in English football - became the first player in history to score in each of Liverpool's first six home league games of a season as Juergen Klopp's side climbed over Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal into second in the table on 27 points after 12 games. "(Salah) is always there, is a goal threat, creates chances and is really important for us like everyone knows.…

Nov

2023

By MARTYN HERMAN

Nine-man Spurs miss out on top spot in chaotic 4-1 loss to Chelsea

FOOTBALL

TOTTENHAM Hotspur's hopes of returning to the top of the Premier League were dashed in extraordinary fashion as they lost 4-1 at home to Chelsea after a Nicolas Jackson hat-trick in a chaotic London derby that they finished with nine men. It was a triumphant return to Spurs for Mauricio Pochettino who got the biggest win of his short Chelsea tenure, though few could have imagined how it would be achieved on a mind-boggling night of VAR calls, hot tempers, disallowed goals and injuries. Previously unbeaten Tottenham went ahead after six minutes thanks to Dejan Kulusevski's deflected shot and minutes…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the 11th round of the Premier League season: MAGUIRE AND FERNANDES ANSWER CRITICS Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes have come in for more than their fair share of criticism this season but both stood up to be counted in a vital 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday. Maguire, who has been given a first-team reprieve largely because of injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, was a rock at the heart of United's defence, repelling numerous Fulham attacks and showing composure on the ball. Manager Erik Ten Hag described Maguire's display as massive but the…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Newcastle’s Bruno and Willock racially abused on social media after Arsenal game

FOOTBALL

NEWCASTLE United have condemned racist abuse sent to Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock on social media following Saturday's 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League. "Our message is clear. There is no room for racism in football or society," the club said. "We are providing support to Bruno and Joe and will work with relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify those responsible so that they can be held to account." Bruno escaped a booking for a late elbow on Arsenal midfielder Jorginho in a tense and fractious contest at St James' Park. Willock, a former Arsenal player, was involved…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Late Adebayo goal secures Luton 2-2 draw at Forest

FOOTBALL

LUTON Town's Elijah Adebayo scored in stoppage time to complete a late comeback and earn his side a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Forest, now without a win in five games, dropped to 15th in the table on 10 points while Luton remained in 17th place after picking up their fifth point of the season. After a scoreless first half, Chris Wood scored twice to give Forest a 2-0 lead. The opening goal came in the 48th minute after a counter-attack. Anthony Elanga played the final pass to Wood, whose first touch took him past Luton…