United ruin Rooney’s return
THE bold decision to book accommodation in Algeria, get visas to fly straight there from Casablanca and this win could see the Brazilians continue their favourite past-time in the CAF Champions League … tormenting North African giants.
Sundowns didn’t exactly wipe the floor with the 19-time Moroccan champions yesterday but this victory showed the Brazilians’ character to fight until the end, sending a strong message of intent in their bid to retain the Champions League.
Without the injured Anthony Laffor, Yannick Zakri came off the bench to play the most important cameo in his Sundowns’ career, giving the Tshwane side a cushion going into the second leg on Saturday.
Wydad might not have parked the bus but they strategically positioned it to frustrate Sundowns who struggled to penetrate them. Instead of the offensive 3-4-3 they played at home against FUS Rabat, Wydad played a 4-3-3, which turned to six at the back when they defended. The Brazilians tended to play with blinkers on, only seeing one side of the pitch – the one that was manned by Tebogo Langerman on the left while ignoring Thapelo Morena who had acres of space on the right flank.
The Moroccans had their eyes on Denis Onyango, ruffling his feathers and looking to get a response from the big man but the Ethiopian referee, Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, was quick to act to stop Wydad’s conduct.
Sundowns had most of the ball but Wydad’s defending managed to reduce that possession to nothing for the better part of this match as the Brazilians hardly troubled goalkeeper Zouheir Laaroubi. Just like Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane said, Wydad soaked up the pressure at first to read their opponents before playing a more open game in the second half.
A draw would have made Sundowns’ trip to Casablanca more daunting without a goal, luckily for them Zakri stepped and threaded the ball past Laaroubi. Sundowns will need to improve if they are to go to Algeria from Casablanca to take on USM Alger in the semifinals. The Algerians returned with a crucial away goal in the 1-1 draw with Ferroviario Beira in Mozambique.
MANCHESTER United kept pace with rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table yesterday as they beat Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Antonio Valencia, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku – against his old club – and Anthony Martial with a late penalty scored the goals to move United alongside City with identical records after five games.
Chelsea lost ground on the top two as they were held to a 0-0 draw by London rivals Arsenal, with David Luiz sent off late on.
United made the perfect start with the first goal on four minutes, Valencia providing an unstoppable finish with a sweetly-timed effort.
Everton were well in the game until Mkhitaryan capitalised on a mistake by Ashley Williams to make it 2-0 on 83 minutes. Former Everton striker Lukaku, who moved to Old Trafford in the summer, made it seven goals in seven games since his switch with the third one minute from the end of normal time.
Martial put an added gloss on the scoreline with the fourth in injury-time, converting from the spot after Morgan Schneiderlin had handled the ball.
Wayne Rooney, United’s record goalscorer, had Everton’s two best opportunities but once he left the pitch with nine minutes to go his former employers hit overdrive.
“We could have scored more in the first half,” Lukaku said.
“We weren’t clinical enough. Everton created problems in midfield and the manager gave us tips at half-time of how to sort it.
“In the second half, Everton had a lot of control but quality was the difference in the end.”
At Stamford Bridge the hosts were frustrated by a determined Arsenal side, who had the better chances to win it.
Chelsea still climbed to third while the Gunners, who had a goal ruled out for offside and hit the post through Aaron Ramsey, remain 12th.
“It was a good, open game with both teams trying to win,” Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said.
“Every game against Arsenal is always very tough, we knew very well what type of
EPL
Man United 4 Everton 0 Chelsea 0 Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 2 Stoke City 1 Liverpool 1 Burnley 1 Watford 0 Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1 Leicester City 1 West Bromwich Albion 0 West Ham 0 Crystal Palace 0 Southampton 1 Bournemouth 2 Brighton & Hove 1 Tottenham 0 Swansea City 0 ManCity .......... 5 ManUnited ....... 5 Chelsea ........... 5 Newcastle . . . . . . . . . 5 Tottenham . . . . . . . . 5 Huddersfield . . . . . . 5 Burnley . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Liverpool . . . . . . . . . . 5 Southampton . . . . . 5 West Bromwich . . . 5 Watford ........... 5 Arsenal ........... 5 Stoke City . . . . . . . . . 5 Swansea City . . . . . . 5 Leicester City . . . . . . 5 Brighton & Hove . . 5 West Ham . . . . . . . . . 5 Everton . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Bournemouth . . . . . 5 Crystal Palace . . . . . 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 5
F16 16 8 6 7 5 6 9 4 4 7 7 5 2 7 4 4 2 3 0 2 2 5 4 3 3 5 9 4 4 9 8 6 5 9 7 10 10 9 8 13 13 10 9 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 0
game to face. Both teams are great teams, it’s a good draw.”
Ramsey hit the post from close range and Alexandre Lacazette missed from a couple of yards out for Arsenal while Pedro went closest for Chelsea.
Luiz was then sent off for a second booking late on and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his side might have claimed all three points.
“We were focused and determined,” Wenger said. “We tried to play when we had the ball and we were close to winning the game. With a bit more freedom we would have won the game.”
Wenger was pleased with the mentality of his players, including Alexis Sanchez, who came on in the second half.
“We could have won it. It was an intense game,” he said. “The battle was total. We are not in a transfer period and on the day we played Liverpool that affected us. We are all human beings.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool playmaker Phillipe Coutinho has said he has no agreement to join Barcelona next season and is committed to helping the Merseyside club achieve their ambitions.
The 25-year-old Brazil international made his first start of the Premier League season but failed to help his side avoid a 1-1 draw against Burnley
Coutinho played 78 minutes with manager Jurgen Klopp confirming he was suffering from cramps. – dpa-Reuters