League Action from the Weekend
2018 is about to go past us as it has been an eventful year in the game. The Premier League and Serie A continued their league season with the final league matches of 2018 as the Serie A will have their winter break. Here are the highlights from the final weekend of 2018.
Arsenal annihilated at Anfield
Liverpool capped off their final league game of the year with a resounding 5-1 win against Arsenal at Anfield. Anfield was stunned when the Gunners opened the scoring from Ainsley Maitland-Niles but after five minutes, they were 2-1 down. Arsenal couldn't handle the speed of Liverpool plus the comical defending from Arsenal which made things a lot easier for Liverpool to exploit as they were awarded two penalties. Liverpool remain unbeaten after 20 games and now face their biggest test in this title race, playing Manchester City at the Etihad on Thursday.
Milik's brace downs Bologna
Napoli made it four wins in their last five and remain unbeaten at the San Paolo after beating Bologna 3-2. The Blues or Gli Azzuri dominated possession but Bologna were as efficient with the amount of possession they had generating 10 shots. Napoli were in front from Arkadiusz Milik but The Rossoblu equalized from Federico Santander before halftime. Milik scored again before Bologna equalized again from Danilo. Napoli were that found the winner as Dries Mertens scored two minutes from time to keep Napoli second in Serie A, nine points behind Juventus.
City end back-to-back defeats
Manchester City returned to winning ways and cut the gap from Liverpool to seven points after beating Southampton 3-1 at St. Mary's. Fernandinho and David Silva returned from injury and Silva put City in front but Ralph Hasenhüttl's side gave City a few scares before the Saints equalized from Pierre-Emile Højbjerd with a ferocious strike. City responded with James Ward-Prowse scoring an own goal and Sergio Agüero scoring his away goal in the Premier League in over a year. It was an important win for the defending champions with all eyes on them when they face Liverpool on January 3rd.
Milan win as Higuaín ends goal drought
AC Milan got their first win in five league games to go to 5th in the table, one point behind Lazio after beating SPAL 2-1. It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Rossoneri as they were behind in the first 13 minutes from Andrea Petagna but three minutes later, Samu Castillego equalized to get Milan back in. Back teams had opportunities to score but failed to capitalize on their mistakes. Milan eventually got that second goal from Gonzalo Higuaín, who scored for the first time in over two months. This keeps Milan in the race for the top 4 sandwiched between Lazio and Roma with Sampdoria and Atalanta behind them.
Wolves shock Spurs at Wembley
Tottenham Hotspur failed to put the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City as they fell prey to Wolves who continue to be the league's giant-killers this season beating Spurs 3-1 at Wembley. It was a game of two halves with Spurs dominating the first and going in front from Harry Kane, scoring his 13th goal of the season. However, in the second half Wolves performed better and killed off Spurs scoring 3 goals in 15 minutes with Willy Boly scoring the equaliser from a set-piece, Raúl Jiménez putting Wolves in front and Hélder Costa sealing the points for Wolves as Spurs drop to third, 9 points behind Liverpool.
Ronaldo brace gives Juve win
Cristiano Ronaldo looks to have found his feet in Serie A scoring a brace to keep Juventus unbeaten winning 2-1 against Sampdoria. CR7 wasted no time scoring after just two minutes in the clock after Paulo Dybala laying the ball for him. Sampdoria were awarded a penalty after a challenge from Emre Can on Albin Ekdal. Fabio Quagliarella equalized from the penalty spot putting the score level. In the second half, Juventus were awarded a penalty of their own in controversial circumstances which Ronaldo converted. Juve's unbeaten streak continues even though Sampdoria feel hard done by.
Fulham win relegation six-pointer
In the relegation dogfight, Fulham managed to get their second win under Claudio Ranieri beating relegation candidates Huddersfield Town 1-0. Both teams are bottom of the league in terms of recent form and need a win to boost their chances of survival. A dodged fight, Fulham were awarded a penalty but Aboubakar Kamara took the spot kick over Mitrović and missed angering the Fulham faithful. Mitrović eventually saved Kamara'a blemish as he scored the winner in the 91st minute taking Fulham one point behind 17th placed Southampton with Huddersfield without a win in their last six games.
Player of the Weekend: Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino has been ever reliable for Liverpool but hasn't lived up to the performances he had last season. Against Arsenal on Saturday, he brought out his goal-scoring touch netting a hat-trick. The Brazilian also had 63 touches, 5 shots (4 on target), 86.7% pass accuracy, 3 dribbles and 2 key passes. Bobby Dazzler.
Arsenal annihilated at Anfield
Liverpool capped off their final league game of the year with a resounding 5-1 win against Arsenal at Anfield. Anfield was stunned when the Gunners opened the scoring from Ainsley Maitland-Niles but after five minutes, they were 2-1 down. Arsenal couldn't handle the speed of Liverpool plus the comical defending from Arsenal which made things a lot easier for Liverpool to exploit as they were awarded two penalties. Liverpool remain unbeaten after 20 games and now face their biggest test in this title race, playing Manchester City at the Etihad on Thursday.
Milik's brace downs Bologna
Napoli made it four wins in their last five and remain unbeaten at the San Paolo after beating Bologna 3-2. The Blues or Gli Azzuri dominated possession but Bologna were as efficient with the amount of possession they had generating 10 shots. Napoli were in front from Arkadiusz Milik but The Rossoblu equalized from Federico Santander before halftime. Milik scored again before Bologna equalized again from Danilo. Napoli were that found the winner as Dries Mertens scored two minutes from time to keep Napoli second in Serie A, nine points behind Juventus.
City end back-to-back defeats
Manchester City returned to winning ways and cut the gap from Liverpool to seven points after beating Southampton 3-1 at St. Mary's. Fernandinho and David Silva returned from injury and Silva put City in front but Ralph Hasenhüttl's side gave City a few scares before the Saints equalized from Pierre-Emile Højbjerd with a ferocious strike. City responded with James Ward-Prowse scoring an own goal and Sergio Agüero scoring his away goal in the Premier League in over a year. It was an important win for the defending champions with all eyes on them when they face Liverpool on January 3rd.
Milan win as Higuaín ends goal drought
AC Milan got their first win in five league games to go to 5th in the table, one point behind Lazio after beating SPAL 2-1. It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Rossoneri as they were behind in the first 13 minutes from Andrea Petagna but three minutes later, Samu Castillego equalized to get Milan back in. Back teams had opportunities to score but failed to capitalize on their mistakes. Milan eventually got that second goal from Gonzalo Higuaín, who scored for the first time in over two months. This keeps Milan in the race for the top 4 sandwiched between Lazio and Roma with Sampdoria and Atalanta behind them.
Wolves shock Spurs at Wembley
Tottenham Hotspur failed to put the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City as they fell prey to Wolves who continue to be the league's giant-killers this season beating Spurs 3-1 at Wembley. It was a game of two halves with Spurs dominating the first and going in front from Harry Kane, scoring his 13th goal of the season. However, in the second half Wolves performed better and killed off Spurs scoring 3 goals in 15 minutes with Willy Boly scoring the equaliser from a set-piece, Raúl Jiménez putting Wolves in front and Hélder Costa sealing the points for Wolves as Spurs drop to third, 9 points behind Liverpool.
Ronaldo brace gives Juve win
Cristiano Ronaldo looks to have found his feet in Serie A scoring a brace to keep Juventus unbeaten winning 2-1 against Sampdoria. CR7 wasted no time scoring after just two minutes in the clock after Paulo Dybala laying the ball for him. Sampdoria were awarded a penalty after a challenge from Emre Can on Albin Ekdal. Fabio Quagliarella equalized from the penalty spot putting the score level. In the second half, Juventus were awarded a penalty of their own in controversial circumstances which Ronaldo converted. Juve's unbeaten streak continues even though Sampdoria feel hard done by.
Fulham win relegation six-pointer
In the relegation dogfight, Fulham managed to get their second win under Claudio Ranieri beating relegation candidates Huddersfield Town 1-0. Both teams are bottom of the league in terms of recent form and need a win to boost their chances of survival. A dodged fight, Fulham were awarded a penalty but Aboubakar Kamara took the spot kick over Mitrović and missed angering the Fulham faithful. Mitrović eventually saved Kamara'a blemish as he scored the winner in the 91st minute taking Fulham one point behind 17th placed Southampton with Huddersfield without a win in their last six games.
Player of the Weekend: Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino has been ever reliable for Liverpool but hasn't lived up to the performances he had last season. Against Arsenal on Saturday, he brought out his goal-scoring touch netting a hat-trick. The Brazilian also had 63 touches, 5 shots (4 on target), 86.7% pass accuracy, 3 dribbles and 2 key passes. Bobby Dazzler.
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