Cavalier break from Waterhouse’s stronghold
Cavalier’s coach Rudolph Speid was happier to get their 1-0 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) win over their fierce rivals Waterhouse, than taking over the top spot in the competition.
“Top of the table wasn’t important to us. What was happening is that Waterhouse owned us for the last couple of seasons. That was more important to be able to come here and defeat them, especially since they are getting into their strides and are into the top six,” Speid said at the Drewsland Stadium after the match on Sunday evening.
The last 21 JPL matches between the two had Waterhouse winning six, Cavalier five, and both teams drawing 10 times.
In a drama-filled matchup, Speid said the players did a good job overcoming the charge from Waterhouse to come away with all three points.
“This is one of those games where there wasn’t a lot of finesse. It was more gutsy than anything else, and that’s what we have to do in venues like this and the environment that we come in,” he stated.
Cavalier had to show stamina as well in the match, with six players returning from Trinidad and Tobago from an international assignment with Jamaica’s under-20 the night before.
“We have a game model. I’m sure they didn’t forget, so when they come back, they can fit right back in,” Speid said.
Their greatest challenge on the night was possibly in the first half when Waterhouse were awarded a penalty.
However, the penalty was denied by goalkeeper Jeadine White, who was later substituted in the second half because of an injury sustained after an awkward fall to
Phil Foden grabbed the spotlight from fit-again Manchester City superstars Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne yesterday by scoring a hat-trick in a come-frombehind 3-1 win at Brentford that moved the champions two points behind Liverpool in a congested English Premier League summit.
City’s opponents might be able to stop Haaland from scoring or close down the space for assist king De Bruyne, but there will always be a top-class player somewhere to inflict the damage. Foden was that player against Brentford as he led City’s recovery after deny Waterhouse another opportunity to get on the score sheet.
“He has been great. This is the 10th match that he has been keeping (and) we conceded two goals, and one is an own goal, so he is the form goalkeeper now in the league,” said Speid, who named White the Man of the Match.
Waterhouse’s coach, Marcel Gayle, congratulated Cavalier on their win, but lamented their failure to capitalise on their chances.
“Kudos to Cavalier. They did their game plan to get all three points. I think it was unfortunate today, (because) we got a little careless. We lost concentration and we gave up a soft goal. We deserved at least a point today,” the Waterhouse coach said.
Gayle said they would rebound in the next match to maintain their top-six position in the league.
Neal Maupay’s 21st-minute goal against the run of play for the hosts.
The England midfielder equalised in first-half stoppage time by pouncing on a poor defensive clearance, headed home the go-ahead goal in the 53rd, and completed his second career hat-trick in the 70th with a piercing run and composed finish.
“It’s probably the best form I’ve had in a City shirt for a long time, consistently. Long may that continue,” Foden said. His goal tally improved to 14 in all competitions.
Foden has won it all with his boyhood club, after coming through the academy, but hasn’t always been a regular. He is now, and is particularly enjoying playing in a central attacking-midfield role – where he is closer to the striker and more of a goal threat – rather than out on the wing.
“It’d help if I played in one position and learnt that position every game,” Foden said of his preference for a central role. “I’m a person that adapts and plays in a lot of positions when needed. I know in this Man City side, I’m going to do that – play in several positions – and I need to be ready.
City are putting together a familiar winning streak in the second half of the season – that’s five in a row in the league since December 27 and nine straight in all competitions – and has all of their key players back healthy, with top scorer Haaland making his first start after a nearly twomonth injury absence.
It makes City the favourite for the title again, with Pep Guardiola’s team having a game in hand over Liverpool and thirdplace Arsenal. Only two points separate the top three.
Arsenal are tied for points with City in third, but have an inferior goal difference.