Benitez hails Rondon after striker’s double
Rafa Benitez paid tribute to Salomon Rondon after the striker’s first two Premier League goals for Newcastle United gave the side their second successive yesterday as they triumphed 2-1 against Bournemouth.
The Venezuelan struck twice in the first half as Newcastle, who had not won until last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Watford, took the points despite Jefferson Lerma pulling one back for the visitors.
Benitez said: “When we signed Rondon we were looking for a striker good in the air who can hold the ball up well. He did really well but there’s more to come.
“He’s very strong. He will get better physically through more games and more training sessions.”
Of his side’s performance, he said: “We knew that they would be difficult because they have had good form and are doing well. We have to give credit to our players, they were very good. They gave everything and the atmosphere was good.”
Meanwhile, Cardiff City also picked up their second victory of the season as Sol Bamba struck in stoppage time to give them a 2-1 win over 10-man Brighton and Hove Albion.
Brighton had led through a Lewis Dunk header, before Callum Paterson equalised for the Welsh club.
Brighton then had Dale Stephens sent off for a late lunge at Greg Cunningham and Cardiff’s late pressure was rewarded with a winner.
Huddersfield, who had won their first game of the season on Monday against Fulham, missed out on making it two in a row as Felipe Anderson’s goal 16 minutes from time earned West Ham United a 1-1 draw with them.
Lewis Pritchard had opened the scoring for Huddersfield and the side’s manager David Wagner said: “The good thing is four points in a week. I really can see the positives. We take this result even if I think we deserved more.”
Jose Holebas netted with a deflected effort nine minutes from time to deny Southampton a first league win since September 1.
Manolo Gabbiadini’s first goal of the season had given Southampton the lead, and they had a second goal by Charlie Austin controversially ruled out after Maya Yoshida was judged to be interfering with play from an offside position.
In today’s action, both Liverpool and will seek to maintain their respective unbeaten records going into the international break.
Liverpool go into their home game with bottom side Fulham on the back of an Uefa Champions League defeat at Red Star Belgrade, but Jurgen Klopp expects an immediate response from his side.
“I’m not in doubt about the reaction,” the German said. “We have 27 points, conceded five goals, done a lot of good things. It’s a very positive situation and if we had been in the same situation two years ago, people would have said it’s brilliant.”
Even though he played in Thursday’s Europa League win over BATE Borisov, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri does not expect Eden Hazard to feature for all 90 minutes against Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard has just returned from a back injury and Sarri said “it depends on the intensity of the match” as to how long the Belgian will play.
Arsenal are on a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions, stretching back to August, and they play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have lost their past three games.