Liverpool equals record EPL win League to Chch Utd after finalround drama
AN explosion of goals led to some finalround drama in the Southern League at the weekend.
The title was at stake as heavyweight leaders Cashmere Technical and Christchurch United were equal on points — Tech on top courtesy of a slightly better goal difference — and both faced Dunedin teams in their quest for supremacy.
Tech had the harder task of facing the Dunedin City Royals away, while United took on bottomplaced Mosgiel.
And, while Tech managed to pip the Royals 54 in a thriller, it was not enough, as United destroyed Mosgiel 100 to win the league.
Both teams finished on 49 points, United claiming the title with a points difference of plus62 to Tech’s plus59.
United had a dream start in Christchurch when it was awarded a penalty in the opening minute — a shot hit a Mosgiel defender’s upraised arm — then went 20 up when a cross was deflected in for an own goal.
Meanwhile, at Logan Park, Cashmere took the lead against the Royals when Aiden BarbourRyan opened the scoring on 24 minutes.
United needed goals, and Eddie Wilkinson’s cross on 26 minutes was met at the near post by Will Pierce.
The title looked to have swung United’s way when Connor Neil equalised for the Royals with a penalty, and two goals late in the first half for United looked to have sealed the title for Paul Ifill’s team.
However, Tech was not ready to relinquish its title, and two goals in three secondhalf minutes to Kian Donkers and Garbhan Coughlan swung the pendulum back in its favour.
Mosgiel had stemmed United’s attack and, with 10 minutes remaining, Tech had one hand on the trophy as it extended its lead over the Royals to 52 following Lyle Matthysen’s 74thminute goal.
News of Neil’s 80thminute goal (and his hattrick) for the Royals filtered back to Christchurch.
That spurred United on, and Wilkinson showed superb technique to volley home United’s seventh goal with nine minutes remaining.
The title was still Tech’s, until two quick goals from corners for United in the 87th and 88th minutes gave the South Island’s biggest club the goal buffer it needed.
In Dunedin, Tech pushed for the goal it required but was caught on the counter, and En Watanabe scored the Royals’ fourth goal in injury time.
Tech won 54 but relinquished the crown, while United completed a rout in seven minutes of time added on as Mika Rabuka made it 100.
Cashmere Tech and Christchurch United now head to the National League to join Auckland City, Auckland United, Birkenhead, Melville United, Miramar Rangers, Napier City Rovers, Wellington Olympic and the Phoenix Reserves.
The Dunedin City Royals have one more game this Saturday at home to Nelson, and can still finish the season in third place.
Mosgiel’s defeat means it will be relegated.
Green Island looked good value to end the season with a point thanks to Adam Hewson’s brace but was desperately unlucky to concede a 94thminute goal to Ferrymead’s Daniel Metherall to lose 32.
MANCHESTER: Liverpool matched the record for the biggest English Premier League win with a 90 thrashing of Bournemouth yesterday, while Erling Haaland nabbed his first Manchester City hattrick and Manchester United ended a run of seven straight away league defeats.
But Arsenal remains the only team with a 100% record as it came from a goal down to beat Fulham 21 thanks to a late winner by Gabriel that kept the Gunners top of the table.
Liverpool had failed to win in its opening three games but it took a 20 lead within six minutes and added three more before the break.
Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino scored twice as Liverpool became the fourth Premier League team to win by a 90 margin.
Champion City was 20 down inside 21 minutes at home to Crystal Palace but, after some tactical adjustments from Pep Guardiola early in the second half, it roared to a 42 win as new signing Haaland provided a reminder of his goal threat.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward now has six goals from his opening four league games and Guardiola, whose side is level in second place on 10 points with Brighton & Hove Albion, said he was simply showing his ability.
A secondhalf goal from Bruno Fernandes was enough for United to win 10 at Southampton and earn a second straight victory.
But United was sloppy in the final halfhour and fortunate not to concede an equaliser versus a determined Saints side.
Arsenal had enjoyed overwhelming possession but a dreadful mistake by Gabriel allowed Aleksandar Mitrovic to give previously unbeaten Fulham a 56thminute lead courtesy of the Serb’s 100th goal for the club.
But eight minutes later, a deflected effort from Gunners captain Martin Odegaard levelled the score and it was former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno who had a key role in the winner five minutes from the end.
Leno fumbled an Arsenal corner and allowed Gabriel to make amends for his earlier error with a simple tapin.
Raheem Sterling’s first two goals for Chelsea led the 10man west Londoners to a 21 home win over Leicester City as Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame the early dismissal of Conor Gallagher. It is sixth in the standings on seven points.
Brighton set a club record of nine consecutive topflight matches without defeat as it handed Leeds United its first loss of the campaign to move up to second. Pascal Gross grabbed the goal in a 10 victory that leaves the side in third spot. — Reuters