Rafa: Rondon’s no match for legend Shearer
Rafael Benitez admitted it would be “almost impossible” for Salomon Rondon to fill Alan Shearer’s boots after seeing him turn in a fine centre-forward display against Bournemouth. The Venezuela international scored two first-half goals, the second of them a Shearer-like header, to secure victory at St James’ Park.
The Spaniard said: “We are talking about different players, different times.
“To go close to Alan Shearer would be almost impossible for anyone here, there’s no doubt about that.” Rondon stabbed his side ahead from close range just seven minutes into the game and then headed home his second from Kenedy’s inviting cross five minutes before the break.
Jefferson Lerma pulled one back for the visitors. Neil Warnock took charge of his 100th game as Cardiff City manager and there was plenty to celebrate as Sol Bamba scored a 90th-minute winner to overcome 10-man Brighton 2-1. Warnock was among those jumping for joy as Bamba’s close-range effort – after Cardiff had twice struck the frame of the goal in a crazy sixyard box incident – took the Bluebirds out of the relegation zone before the later kick-offs.
Cardiff striker Callum Paterson had cancelled out Lewis Dunk’s early effort, before Brighton were handicapped by Dale Stephens’ dismissal for a studs-up challenge on Greg Cunningham. Brighton manager Chris Hughton insisted that Cardiff’s winner should not have stood.
Hughton said: “I don’t think it looked like Sol Bamba is offside, he WAS offside. Referees have difficult decisions to make, especially with Cardiff ’s style of play. “But what you want them to do is make the big decisions correctly.”
Felipe Anderson fired a second-half equaliser to rescue West Ham United a point in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town. Anderson notched his third goal in two games by smashing home a 74th-minute rebound after Alex Pritchard’s first of the season had given Huddersfield the lead.
Southampton failed to ease the pressure on manager Mark Hughes as their winless run stretched to eight games following a controversial 1-1 draw with Watford. Hughes looked set to taste Premier League success for the first time in more than two months thanks to Manolo Gabbiadini’s first-half finish. But Jose Holebas equalised with a deflected strike nine minutes from time. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino praised “fantastic” defender Juan Foyth after he scored the winning goal against Crystal Palace.
The 20-year-old Argentine headed in from close range when he reacted quickest after Harry Kane’s header had been partially blocked.