League Action from the Weekend
As the season gets closer to its end, games carry more weight than usual that one mistake can be catastrophic and hurts the chances of any team's quest for a title, a place in Europe or a relegation fight. Here are the highlights from the weekend.
United and Liverpool in rugged stalemate
Manchester United and Liverpool played to a goalless draw at Old Trafford in Sunday that took Liverpool back on top of the Premier League but by only one point. The game was massive for both sides. United in damaging the title hopes of their rivals and Liverpool in making a statement win in a ground where Liverpool have won just twice over the past decade. The first half was frantic with a lot of hard challenges coming from both teams but seems to affect United with Ole Gunnar Solskjær forced to make three substitution with Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard coming off while Marcus Rashford had to carry a knock throughout the game. Liverpool also had their injury troubles with Roberto Firmino forced to come off early due to injury. Very few chances came particularly for Liverpool having just one shot on target, which showed how poor the Reds were at the final third despite having more possession. United didn't really create chances themselves but had the better chances in the game even having a goal ruled out for offside. For both Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Jürgen Klopp, a draw wasn't the best result they wanted both they have to recover quickly with United playing away at Crystal Palace while Liverpool host Watford on Wednesday.
City wins Carabao Cup on penalties
Manchester City have completed one part of a potential quadruple having the Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea on Sunday at Wembley. Pep Guardiola's side went the showpiece as clear favourites with their recent form that including a 6-0 win against Chelsea while the Blues especially manager Maurizio Sarri needed a performance from his team in order to keep his job which hanging by a thread. The game didn't bring a lot of chances from both teams over the two hours of play with Sergio Agüero having the best chance of the game which he scored but was ruled out by VAR. There was more drama before the penalty shootout when Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to come off despite having a muscular problem, disrespecting the orders from the Chelsea coaching staff and stayed on for the shootout, angering the Chelsea fans and Sarri. In the shootout, Jorginho was the first penalty taker but missed. City scored their first three but Leroy Sané missed his penalty but David Luiz was unable to capitalize with Raheem Sterling scoring the winning penalty as City have won their first trophy of the season with more potentially to come.
Messi defeats Sevilla
Lionel Messi was at it again for Barcelona scoring his 50th career hat-trick as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Things didn't start well for the Blaugrana with Jesûs Navas opening the scoring for the hosts but Messi equalized four minutes later to get Barça back in the game. Four minutes before halftime, Sevilla restored their lead with Gabriel Mercado ending a good first half for the Andalusians. Barcelona came into life in the second half with Ousmane Dembélé brought but that half, it was all Messi. The Argentine equalized again after heavy pressure from the defending champions with all chance missed by Dembélé and a penalty appeal when Luis Suarez was brought down. Messi completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute before turning provider with Suárez sealing the win. It was a good three points for Barcelona but their heavy reliance on Messi is becoming more of problem with the likes of Suárez, Malcom and Coutinho not stepping up when needed and for Sevilla, their poor form continues.
BVB win despite late Bayer push
Borussia Dortmund restored their three point lead at the top of the Bundesliga after beating Bayer Leverkusen in a close 3-2 on Sunday at the Westfalonstadion. Dortmund knew they needed a win following their last five games in all competitions which included three Bundesliga draw which enabled Bayern Munich to close the gap on them and are without captain Mauro Reus due to injury. Dortmund took the lead in the 30th minute from Dan-Axel Zagadou but Leverkusen equalized seven minutes later through Kevin Volland but Dortmund restored their lead in under a minute through Jadon Sancho enabling Dortmund to take the lead at halftime. In the second half, Mario Götze gave Dortmund a two goal cushion which was a crucial when Jonathan Tah pulled one back with fifteen minutes remaining. In the end, Dortmund held on to an important win in the title race as well as ending their five game winless run but Bayern are behind them and are not slowing down.
Late Late Veretout denies Nerazzurri win
Jordan Veretout scored a penalty 11 minutes into added time to salvage a point for Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in a pulsating 3-3 draw on Sunday against Inter Milan. Inter Milan were still without striker Mauro Icardi with Laurato Martínez keeping his place upfront and things didn't start well for the Nerazzurri when defender Stefan de Vrij scored an own goal in just under a minute to give the Viola an early lead. Five minutes later, Inter were back in the game when Radja Nainggolan played a teasing ball for Matías Vecino to equalize. Matteo Politano scored a good goal five minutes from halftime to give Inter the lead at the break. In the second half, Ivan Perišić scored the third goal for Inter which was his first league goal this year. Luis Muriel scored for Fiorentina to reduce the deficit to one giving the home crowd a lot of encouragement in the final fifteen minutes. Six minutes in added time, the Viola were awarded a penalty angering the Inter Milan despite review from VAR which Jordan Veretout converts giving Fiorentina a good point with Inter disappointed losing a winning position and have their city rivals AC Milan now on their necks but with a game in hand.
Player of the Weekend: Lionel Messi
I mean, was there anyone else really? The Argentine pretty much took care of Sevilla by himself showing how much Barça rely on him. Messi's numbers from the game tells everything. 3 goals and an assist, 84 touches, 8 shots (4 on target), 1 key pass and 3 dribbles.
United and Liverpool in rugged stalemate
Manchester United and Liverpool played to a goalless draw at Old Trafford in Sunday that took Liverpool back on top of the Premier League but by only one point. The game was massive for both sides. United in damaging the title hopes of their rivals and Liverpool in making a statement win in a ground where Liverpool have won just twice over the past decade. The first half was frantic with a lot of hard challenges coming from both teams but seems to affect United with Ole Gunnar Solskjær forced to make three substitution with Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard coming off while Marcus Rashford had to carry a knock throughout the game. Liverpool also had their injury troubles with Roberto Firmino forced to come off early due to injury. Very few chances came particularly for Liverpool having just one shot on target, which showed how poor the Reds were at the final third despite having more possession. United didn't really create chances themselves but had the better chances in the game even having a goal ruled out for offside. For both Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Jürgen Klopp, a draw wasn't the best result they wanted both they have to recover quickly with United playing away at Crystal Palace while Liverpool host Watford on Wednesday.
City wins Carabao Cup on penalties
Manchester City have completed one part of a potential quadruple having the Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea on Sunday at Wembley. Pep Guardiola's side went the showpiece as clear favourites with their recent form that including a 6-0 win against Chelsea while the Blues especially manager Maurizio Sarri needed a performance from his team in order to keep his job which hanging by a thread. The game didn't bring a lot of chances from both teams over the two hours of play with Sergio Agüero having the best chance of the game which he scored but was ruled out by VAR. There was more drama before the penalty shootout when Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to come off despite having a muscular problem, disrespecting the orders from the Chelsea coaching staff and stayed on for the shootout, angering the Chelsea fans and Sarri. In the shootout, Jorginho was the first penalty taker but missed. City scored their first three but Leroy Sané missed his penalty but David Luiz was unable to capitalize with Raheem Sterling scoring the winning penalty as City have won their first trophy of the season with more potentially to come.
Messi defeats Sevilla
Lionel Messi was at it again for Barcelona scoring his 50th career hat-trick as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Things didn't start well for the Blaugrana with Jesûs Navas opening the scoring for the hosts but Messi equalized four minutes later to get Barça back in the game. Four minutes before halftime, Sevilla restored their lead with Gabriel Mercado ending a good first half for the Andalusians. Barcelona came into life in the second half with Ousmane Dembélé brought but that half, it was all Messi. The Argentine equalized again after heavy pressure from the defending champions with all chance missed by Dembélé and a penalty appeal when Luis Suarez was brought down. Messi completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute before turning provider with Suárez sealing the win. It was a good three points for Barcelona but their heavy reliance on Messi is becoming more of problem with the likes of Suárez, Malcom and Coutinho not stepping up when needed and for Sevilla, their poor form continues.
BVB win despite late Bayer push
Borussia Dortmund restored their three point lead at the top of the Bundesliga after beating Bayer Leverkusen in a close 3-2 on Sunday at the Westfalonstadion. Dortmund knew they needed a win following their last five games in all competitions which included three Bundesliga draw which enabled Bayern Munich to close the gap on them and are without captain Mauro Reus due to injury. Dortmund took the lead in the 30th minute from Dan-Axel Zagadou but Leverkusen equalized seven minutes later through Kevin Volland but Dortmund restored their lead in under a minute through Jadon Sancho enabling Dortmund to take the lead at halftime. In the second half, Mario Götze gave Dortmund a two goal cushion which was a crucial when Jonathan Tah pulled one back with fifteen minutes remaining. In the end, Dortmund held on to an important win in the title race as well as ending their five game winless run but Bayern are behind them and are not slowing down.
Late Late Veretout denies Nerazzurri win
Jordan Veretout scored a penalty 11 minutes into added time to salvage a point for Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in a pulsating 3-3 draw on Sunday against Inter Milan. Inter Milan were still without striker Mauro Icardi with Laurato Martínez keeping his place upfront and things didn't start well for the Nerazzurri when defender Stefan de Vrij scored an own goal in just under a minute to give the Viola an early lead. Five minutes later, Inter were back in the game when Radja Nainggolan played a teasing ball for Matías Vecino to equalize. Matteo Politano scored a good goal five minutes from halftime to give Inter the lead at the break. In the second half, Ivan Perišić scored the third goal for Inter which was his first league goal this year. Luis Muriel scored for Fiorentina to reduce the deficit to one giving the home crowd a lot of encouragement in the final fifteen minutes. Six minutes in added time, the Viola were awarded a penalty angering the Inter Milan despite review from VAR which Jordan Veretout converts giving Fiorentina a good point with Inter disappointed losing a winning position and have their city rivals AC Milan now on their necks but with a game in hand.
Player of the Weekend: Lionel Messi
I mean, was there anyone else really? The Argentine pretty much took care of Sevilla by himself showing how much Barça rely on him. Messi's numbers from the game tells everything. 3 goals and an assist, 84 touches, 8 shots (4 on target), 1 key pass and 3 dribbles.
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