லிவர்பூல் அதிரடி முகம்: ஃபுல்ஹாமை முதல் லெக்கில் 2-1 வெற்றியை அடைந்துவிட்டது

 

Image Source : SKY SPORT

லிவர்பூல் தனது கராபோ கோப்பை அரையிறுதியின் முதல் லெக்கில் ஃபுல்ஹாமுக்கு எதிராக 2-1 என்ற கோல் கணக்கில் வெற்றி பெற்றது. வில்லியனை கோல் அடிக்க விர்ஜில் வான் டிஜ்க்கின் பிழை காரணமாக ஆரம்பத்தில் பின்தங்கிய போதிலும், லிவர்பூல் இரண்டாவது பாதியில் தங்கள் தாளத்தைக் கண்டறிந்தது.

கர்டிஸ் ஜோன்ஸ் திசைதிருப்பப்பட்ட நீண்ட தூர முயற்சியுடன் ஸ்கோரை சமன் செய்தார், வேகத்தை லிவர்பூலுக்கு சாதகமாக மாற்றினார். மாற்று வீரர்களான டார்வின் நுனெஸ் மற்றும் கோடி காக்போ ஆகியோர் இணைந்து மென்மையாய் இரண்டாவது கோலைப் போட்டபோது, மூன்று நிமிட இடைவெளியில் திருப்பம் நிறைவடைந்தது.

மொஹமட் சலா மற்றும் காயமடைந்த ட்ரெண்ட் அலெக்சாண்டர்-அர்னால்ட் இல்லாதது ஆரம்ப பரிமாற்றங்களில் லிவர்பூலின் ஆதிக்கத்தை தடுக்கவில்லை. இருப்பினும், ஃபுல்ஹாம் வில்லியன் ஒரு சிறந்த கோல் மூலம் பார்வையாளர்களை ஆச்சரியப்படுத்தினார். லிவர்பூல் அமைதியை மீட்டெடுக்க போராடியது, வான் டிஜ்க் மஞ்சள் அட்டையைப் பெற்று மேலும் தண்டனையை எதிர்கொண்டார்.

ஃபுல்ஹாமின் கச்சிதமான பாதுகாப்பு சவாலானது, ஆனால் லிவர்பூல் இரண்டாவது பாதியில் மேம்பட்டது. ஃபுல்ஹாம் தங்கள் முன்னிலையை இரட்டிப்பாக்கும் வாய்ப்பை இழந்த போதிலும், லிவர்பூல் அந்த வாய்ப்பைப் பயன்படுத்திக் கொண்டது, ஜோன்ஸ் மற்றும் காக்போ முக்கிய கோல்களைப் பெற்றனர்.

இந்த வெற்றி ஜனவரி 24 அன்று க்ராவன் காட்டேஜில் நடைபெறும் இரண்டாவது லெக்கில் லிவர்பூலுக்கு ஒரு கோல் நன்மையை அளிக்கிறது. ஜூர்கன் க்ளோப்பின் அணி இந்த சீசனில் நான்கு கோப்பைகளை தொடரும் பாதையில் உள்ளது. இரண்டாவது லெக்கில் வெற்றி பெறும் அணி கராபோ கோப்பை இறுதிப் போட்டியில் மிடில்ஸ்பரோ அல்லது செல்சியை எதிர்கொள்ளும்.

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Liverpool's Thrilling 2-1 Comeback Against Fulham in Carabao Cup Semis

 

Liverpool staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-1 victory against Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Despite falling behind early due to a Virgil van Dijk error that allowed Willian to score, Liverpool found their rhythm in the second half.

Curtis Jones leveled the score with a deflected long-range effort, turning the momentum in Liverpool's favor. The turnaround was completed in a three-minute span when substitutes Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo combined for a slick second goal.

The absence of Mohamed Salah and the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't hinder Liverpool's dominance in the early exchanges. However, Fulham surprised the visitors with a well-taken goal by Willian. Liverpool struggled to regain composure, with Van Dijk receiving a yellow card and risking further punishment.

Fulham's compact defense proved challenging, but Liverpool improved in the second half. Despite Fulham missing a chance to double their lead, Liverpool capitalized on the opportunity, with Jones and Gakpo securing the crucial goals.

The victory gives Liverpool a one-goal advantage heading into the second leg at Craven Cottage on January 24. Jurgen Klopp's side remains on track in their pursuit of four trophies this season. The winner of the second leg will face either Middlesbrough or Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.

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Gunners beat devil

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Manchester United vs Arsenal

Man Utd1VArsenal2

• FT 90' +6
• HT 1-1

THE FA CUPDate: Monday, 9th MarchKick off: 19:45 GMTVenue: Old Trafford

Key events

• ArsenalGoalMonreal 25'
• Manchester UnitedGoalRooney 29'
• ArsenalGoalWelbeck 61'
• Manchester UnitedDismissalDi María 77'

CloseMatch details

FA Cup: Man Utd 1-2 Arsenal highlights

• Man Utd's last realistic chance of silverware ends
• Di Maria sent off for dive and grab at referee
• Welbeck scores winner against former club
• Arsenal 11-time FA Cup winners

Danny Welbeck returned to Manchester United as Arsenal's match-winner as the FA Cup holders sealed a semi-final place at Wembley.

England striker Welbeck joined Arsenal from United in a £16m deal on deadline day in September - and came back to score the goal that gave the Gunners their first win at Old Trafford since 2006.

It ensures Louis van Gaal, the manager who sanctioned his sale, will almost certainly end his first season empty-handed.

Nacho Monreal gave Arsenal a first-half lead but Wayne Rooney equalised with a flying header from Angel Di Maria's cross - the high point of the Argentine's night as he was later dismissed for two yellow cards after Welbeck had restored Arsenal's advantage.

And on a great night for manager Arsene Wenger after United had won 11 of the last 15 meetings between the sides in all competitions, Arsenal are now huge favourites to reach another FA Cup final after drawing either Reading or Bradford City in the semi-final.

The hero of the night, however, was Welbeck as he punished United, the club where he scored 29 goals in 142 appearances before switching to Arsenal after Van Gaal brought in Radamel Falcao.

Falcao was not even called from the bench amid United's increasing panic, which saw the great tactician Van Gaal end with the giant figures of Marouane Fellaini and Chris Smalling up front.

United have sailed close to the wind on many occasions on the back of average performances this season, digging out victories without looking convincing.

FA Cup: Wenger says Arsenal intensity key to Man Utd win

There was no reprieve here, though, and now a place in the Premier League's top four and a return to the Champions League is their sole aim for the rest of the campaign.

For Arsenal, this was a demonstration of the sort of resilience that saw them win at champions Manchester City this season and now ends that recent curse at Old Trafford.

And in a season when so much criticism has been aimed at referees, praise must be reserved for a magnificent performance by Michael Oliver, who remained calm and got the big decisions right in an increasingly frantic environment.

Old Trafford has been the scene of many low-key games this season - but there was a big-match atmosphere around the stadium as United and Arsenal produced a first 45 minutes to savour.

Arsenal's crisp passing had already caused United problems before they took the lead in the 25th minute. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the creator with a weaving run along the edge of the area before finding Monreal, who beat David De Gea at the near post with composure.

The lead lasted only four minutes, United replying with quality of their own as Di Maria's perfect delivery dropped between Arsenal's defenders to be met by the flying figure of Rooney, who directed a powerful header beyond Wojciech Szczesny.

Angel Di Maria has no excuse says Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

Di Maria was looking much more comfortable, as well as dangerous, on the flank and he stole in behind Arsenal to get in a low effort that Szczesny blocked with his legs at the near post.

Van Gaal made a double change at the interval, sending on Phil Jones and Michael Carrick for Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw - but there was no instant cure for the uncertainty that had plagued United's defence.

And it was in evidence again as Arsenal went back in front just after the hour. Antonio Valencia's backpass sold De Gea short and Welbeck reacted quickly to nudge the loose ball around the keeper and roll it into the unguarded net.

Welbeck received warm applause from large sections of United's support when he was replaced by Olivier Giroud. There were some jeers mixed in but he clearly remains a popular figure at Old Trafford.

Seconds after that switch De Gea produced a miraculous piece of goalkeeping to keep United in contention, somehow clawing out Santi Cazorla's shot from Alexis Sanchez's cross.

United's play, as well as the noise from their supporters, carried an air of desperation and their cause was not helped by a moment of madness from Di Maria that saw him sent off with 13 minutes left.

After being booked for diving, the frustrated Argentine then tugged at referee Oliver's shirt as he walked away, with inevitable consequences.

It was one of many lows on a night when the frustrations of United and their supporters bubbled to the surface - and their trophy hopes ended.

Nacho Monreal scored only his second goal in 76 appearances for Arsenal

Wayne Rooney has scored in each of his last three FA Cup games against Arsenal

Manchester United have made the most passes back to their goalkeeper in the Premier League this season

Danny Welbeck scored his first goal at Old Trafford since January 2014

There have now been five red cards in the last eight FA Cup matches between Arsenal and Manchester United

Source:  BBC Sport 

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Premier League Week 28 Result

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Arsenal Move to 3rd Place

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Arsenal vs Everton

Arsenal2VEverton0

• FT 90' +8
• HT 1-0

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUEDate: Sunday, 1st MarchKick off: 14:05 GMTVenue: Emirates Stadium

Key events

• ArsenalGoalGiroud 39'
• ArsenalGoalRosicky 89'

CloseMatch details

Olivier Giroud's opener was his ninth goal in 13 matches

• Arsenal bounce back from Champions League defeat
• Giroud scores fourth goal in four matches
• Wenger's side record third straight league win
• Everton six points above the bottom three

Olivier Giroud rewarded manager Arsene Wenger's support with a goal as Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 to climb back to third place in the Premier League.

Wenger kept the striker in his starting line-up even though he missed several chances duringWednesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat by Monaco.

Giroud volleyed in Mesut Ozil's corner six minutes before half-time.

Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Arsene Wenger happy with Gunners' response

Everton's Romelu Lukaku was denied by keeper David Ospina before Tomas Rosicky's late goal sealed the win.

The visitors were the better side for most of the second half but struggled to create clear chances, aside from Lukaku's near-post shot from Ross Barkley's cross, which Ospina tipped over brilliantly.

Roberto Martinez's side once again failed to transfer impressive European results to the Premier League, in which they have taken 11 points from their last 15 matches and could yet be dragged into a relegation battle.

Yet they could justifiably claim to have deserved something from the match against an Arsenal side who wobbled to victory.

Giroud's selection proved pivotal to that win, as did Wenger's decision to give centre-back Gabriel Paulista a first Premier League start in place of the out-of-form Per Mertesacker.

Gabriel was shaky at first, misjudging a long clearance and allowing Lukaku to get in behind him, with Ospina racing from his line to pat the ball clear.

But the Brazilian defender won applause from the home fans for a perfectly timed challenge as Everton's Belgium striker threatened to tear through and score eight minutes before half-time.

Everton were unlucky - Roberto Martinez

That lifted an Arsenal side who had been ponderous for the opening 35 minutes, and they were soon ahead.

Giroud, who had earlier planted a header wide from eight yards out, found a few inches of space inside a crowded penalty area to turn a lovely low volley into the corner of the net from Ozil's corner.

Arsenal had to survive a significant spell of Everton pressure after half-time, but aside from Lukaku's effort, the only chance came when substitute Aaron Lennon steered Seamus Coleman's low cross straight at Ospina.

Wenger's side did finish strongly, and only a magnificent saving tackle by Phil Jagielka stopped Ozil scoring from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's through-pass.

Rosicky eased the jitters of the home fans with a shot that was deflected past keeper Tim Howard by the unlucky Jagielka.

Olivier Giroud was defended in the match programme by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Giroud has scored nine Premier League goals for Arsenal this season

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Liverpool beat Manchester City, Near to Champions League spot

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Liverpool vs Manchester City

Liverpool2VMan City1

• FT 90' +4
• HT 1-1

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUEDate: Sunday, 1st MarchKick off: 12:00 GMTVenue: Anfield

Key events

• LiverpoolGoalHenderson 11'
• Manchester CityGoalDzeko 25'
• LiverpoolGoalCoutinho 75'

Close

Philippe Coutinho scored a stunning winner as Liverpool dented Manchester City's Premier League title defence with a narrow victory at Anfield.

Jordan Henderson's curling effort put the Reds ahead before Edin Dzeko finished off a slick move to equalise.

But Brazil midfielder Coutinho capped a fine display with the decisive goal when he struck from 25 yards.

The result leaves City five points behind Chelsea having played a game extra, while Liverpool move to fifth.

Liverpool's 3-2 victory in this fixture last Aprilwas seen as a pivotal moment for the Reds in last season's title charge, although ultimately it was City that went on to win the Premier League a month later.

With current league leaders Chelsea in League Cup final action against Tottenham, City manager Manuel Pellegrini had underlined the importance of this match and the need for his side to "keep fighting" in the title race.

City made a two-point gain on Chelsea last weekend but they were unable to make up further ground on Jose Mourinho's side after Coutinho scored the winning goal against them at Anfield for the second consecutive season.

For Liverpool, it kept their unbeaten record league in 2015 and having taken 26 points from a possible 30 momentum appears to be building in their bid to finish in one of the Champions League places.

Liverpool only arrived back at 4.30am on Friday following their penalty shootout defeat by Besiktas in the Europa League last week, and despite the physical toils of their travels Rodgers felt his players would be "mentally ready"(external) to face City.

They showed few signs of tiredness, although it was Coutinho, rested for last week's trip to Istanbul, who was at the heart of Liverpool's attacking play.

Coutinho's sharpness helped Liverpool take an 11th-minute lead when he stole the ball off Vincent Kompany, making his 200th league appearance for City, and Raheem Sterling slipped the ball out wide to Henderson.

The England midfielder, who wore the Liverpool captain's armband in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, cut inside onto his favoured right foot and curled a stunning shot past Joe Hart and into the top right corner of the net.

The goal brought greater urgency to City's play and they almost equalised when Sergio Aguero latched on to David Silva's through ball only for the Argentine forward's shot to rebound off the post.

City got themselves on level terms before the half-hour mark with a slick move that culminated in Aguero's clever pass into the area for Dzeko, and the Bosnia forward clinically dispatched a low shot past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.

Aguero headed over from a dangerous position shortly after half-time, while Liverpool's Adam Lallana had the ball in the net again when he glanced in a free-kick only for the officials to judge he did so from an offside position.

Coutinho always seemed Liverpool's most likely source of another goal and delivered the telling blow with a strike akin to the quality of the one he scored in their 2-0 win against Southamptonlast Sunday.

The playmaker jinked in from the left flank and curled a spectacular shot past Hart and into the top-right corner of the net in front of the Kop.

Jordan Henderson also scored his first league goal against Manchester City, for Sunderland in 2009

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany made his 200th Premier League appearance for the club at Anfield

Edin Dzeko now has four goals in the Premier League for City this season

Philippe Coutinho scored the winning goal in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over City last season

Brendan Rodgers has now won two and lost two of his four encounters with Manuel Pellegrini

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EPL Results Week 26

Liverpool : Manchester City's hunt to retain the Premier League title took a turn for the better on Saturday after Manuel Pellegrini's men battered Newcastle United following Chelsea's draw at home to relegation-threatenedBurnley.

The Citizens were unrelenting in a 5-0 victory against the struggling Magpies while Manchester United slipped to a 2-1 defeat at the Liberty Stadium to hand Swansea City their first league double over the Red Devils.

Arsenal found themselves on the winning side of a 2-1 result after travelling toSelhurst Park on Saturday, where DannyWelbeck played an important role in their victory over Crystal Palace.
Hull City and Stoke City each claimed 2-1 victories of their own, beating QPR and Aston Villa, respectively

Southampton and Liverpool will clash on Sunday in what should prove to be a crucial fixture for two teams looking to solidify form in their pursuits of European football next season.

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UEFA Europe League Result

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