Reds go top as Salah’s Minister passes ball resurgence continues on derby of death
● Sadio Mane scored twice as Liverpool took advantage of their title rivals’ inactivity to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 win at home to Cardiff yesterday as Bournemouth and Watford both continued their fine starts to the season.
Liverpool were the only club who started the weekend among the top five in action yesterday, with reigning champions Manchester City not facing Tottenham Hotspur until tomorrow.
Meanwhile midweek European commitments also meant that Chelsea, like City and Liverpool yet to lose in the Premier League this season, were playing Burnley today, when in-form Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace and Manchester United welcome Everton to Old Trafford.
Mohamed Salah, now putting a stuttering start to the season behind him, fired Liverpool into a 10th-minute lead.
From a cross into the Cardiff box, Mane’s shot was blocked by Sean Morrison but Egypt forward Salah pounced on the rebound for his 33rd goal in 35 games at Anfield. But as long as the lead was just 1-0, Cardiff were still in the game.
Mane, however, doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 66th minute when, running on to an Alberto Moreno pass, he smashed a shot into the top corner.
But Liverpool’s hopes of a club record 10th successive home clean sheet were dashed in the 77th minute when Callum Paterson turned in a cross deflected by Reds defender Virgil van Dijk.
However, two goals inside the final 10 minutes from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri and Mane put the result beyond doubt.
Bournemouth closed on fifth-placed Tottenham with a 3-0 win away to Fulham.
Callum Wilson won and then scored a 14th-minute penalty after he was brought down by Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
David Brooks then scored his third goal in four games to double the Cherries’ lead in the 72nd minute.
Minutes later, Fulham’s day went from bad to worse when captain Kevin McDonald was sent off for a second bookable offence following a late challenge on Brooks.
Wilson rounded out Bournemouth’s victory when he scored his second goal five minutes from time at Craven Cottage.
“Really pleased today,” said Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe. “We were defensively very good.”
Watford were far too strong for Huddersfield in a 3-0 win at Vicarage Road.
Elsewhere, Brighton striker Glenn Murray scored his 100th goal for the Seagulls in a 1-0 win at home to Wolves.
“Glenn Murray is a poacher, when the ball comes his way you are confident it will end up in the net,” said Brighton manager Chris Hughton of the forward’s 48th-minute goal.
In the late game West Ham United held Leicester City 1-1, despite having their captain, Mark Noble, sent off in the first half for a vicious tackle. ● The judicial commission of inquiry into the deaths of two fans during the Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium last year remains in limbo.
Sports minister Tokozile Xasa is waiting for a recommendation from her counterpart at the department of justice, Michael Masutha. It could then be decided whether an inquiry is necessary to examine the circumstances that led to the deaths of Johannes Nkosi and Prince Chauke during the Carling Black Label Cup.
Since the incident more than a year ago, there has been no formal investigation by authorities and a ministerial commission of inquiry was withdrawn by Xasa following a court challenge by Stadium Management SA (SMSA).
However, Xasa said the matter had not been swept under the carpet by her department and she had sought advice from Masutha.
Engagements
“We have made a request to the presidency and department of justice to advise us on the proper course going forward,” said Xasa.
“We have had engagements with them [the presidency and department of justice] so that they understand what we sought to do.
“We have given them all the information further to our submissions and the process now is such that we are waiting for the justice department to advise the president so that he is able to give us the final go ahead.”
Masutha’s spokesperson, Mukoni Ratshitanga, also confirmed that there have been discussions between the ministries of sport and justice on the tragedy.
“Both ministers have held discussions during which they have explored several options, including setting up a commission of inquiry to investigate the tragic incident,” Ratshitanga said.
“In this context, minister Masutha is mindful of the findings and recommendations on the 2001 Ellis Park disaster, chaired by Judge Bernard Ngoepe, which led to parliament passing legislation to regulate matters, among others, safety and crowd control during sporting events in stadia.”
SMSA CE Jacques Grobbelaar said his organisation welcomed the latest move by Xasa and would cooperate with the commission if it got off the ground.
“On July 2 2018 we wrote to the sports and recreation ministry confirming discussions between myself and our stakeholders in June 2018 relating to the importance of the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the Carling Black Label Cup tragedy,” said Grobbelaar.
Masutha is mindful of the findings and recommendations on the Ellis Park disaster
The director-general of sport, Alec Moemi, said Xasa sought advice from Masutha and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The minister has requested the president to appoint a judicial commission of inquiry in the light of the fact that there now exists an interdict by stadium management challenging her [Xasa’s] authority,” said Moemi.
“Stadium management has written to the minister to express its willingness to cooperate with the ministerial process, but because of the interdict, she [Xasa] has deemed it prudent that she will be in contempt of court if she proceeds with the ministerial inquiry.
“She has sought the authority of the president to be able to appoint a judicial inquiry,” said Moemi.