Football: Haaland embracing life out his 'comfort zone' in Premier League

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom -- Erling Haaland has warned the contenders to Manchester City's title that he will only improve in the competitive environment of English football as the Norwegian prepares for his Premier League debut away to West Ham on Sunday.

Haaland is the marquee arrival to the Premier League from over £1 billion ($1.2 billion) spent by the 20 top-flight English clubs so far this summer.

The 22-year-old had his pick of top clubs after scoring 86 goals in 89 games for Borussia Dortmund, but said the demands of playing under Pep Guardiola was behind his reason for choosing City.

"As a young player, playing for Pep Guardiola, playing for the best club in England, I have to keep developing and get better at a lot of things," Haaland told Sky Sports.

"That's what I like a lot about football, you can always develop, you can always get better at the game."

The English champions are already Haaland's fifth club after spells at Bryne, Molde and Red Bull Salzburg before joining Dortmund.

"Part of the game is to get out of your comfort zone which is something I've been doing and something I like because then you develop more as a human being as well," he added.

"I'm a player that's hungry for goals, that gives 100 per cent, that wants to win every single game. They are simple things but also really important things."

After the hype around his arrival, Haaland had a debut to forget, missing a glorious chance towards the end of City's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Community Shield on Saturday.

However, he said he will not let that affect him as he prepares to make his first Premier League appearance this weekend.

"You are a kind of entertainer. You get judged every single week for what you do on the pitch and you have to deliver and do your best," he said.

"For me as a striker, this is something I cannot stress about because if you think too much, you might end up doing things you don't want to do.

"It's going to be tough and this is the charming thing about the Premier League. It's a beautiful, hard competition, that's why it's the most popular league in the world."

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Football: Man City win Premier League title after epic fightback

LONDON -- Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City's "legends" as they won the Premier League for the fourth time in five seasons after staging an incredible comeback from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday.

Guardiola's side were teetering on the brink of blowing the title after falling 2-0 behind midway through the second half in the final chapter of their pulsating battle for supremacy with Liverpool.

But Ilkay Gundogan sparked an astonishing City revival at the Etihad Stadium as the German midfielder reduced the deficit before Rodri grabbed the equalizer.

Gundogan turned in City's third goal in the space of five minutes in the 81st minute, triggering wild celebrations and rendering second placed Liverpool's 3-1 victory against Wolves irrelevant.

City finished with 93 points, one ahead of Liverpool as they ended their rivals hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple.

On a breathtaking final day, Burnley were relegated as Leeds beat the drop, while Tottenham qualified for the Champions League at the expense of their north London rivals Arsenal.

It was City who hogged the spotlight on a day their fans will never forget.

Guardiola's men can rightly be called a dynasty after joining Manchester United as the only clubs in the Premier League era to have won four titles in five seasons, with Alex Ferguson's teams doing it on three separate occasions.

The eighth league title in City's history is Guardiola's ninth major trophy since arriving at the club in 2016.

"These guys are legends. When you win in this country four times in five years, it is because these guys are so special. They will be remembered forever," Guardiola said.

Fittingly, it was long-serving City captain Fernandinho who lifted the trophy in his last game before leaving the club.

"It feels like we came back from the dead to win the league. This is the Man City spirit. You never give up," Fernandinho said.

Once again, City saved the best until last as they edged Liverpool out on the final day of the season for the second time after beating them to the finish line in 2019.

It was 10 years since Sergio Aguero's famous last-second goal against QPR sealed City's first title since 1968 and this jaw-dropping success was almost as unlikely.

City were stunned in the 37th minute when Matty Cash got in front of Joao Cancelo to score with a bullet header.

Former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho doubled Villa's lead with a cool finish in the 69th minute.

The shell-shocked Guardiola slumped into his seat, but City would not surrender and Gundogan headed them back into contention in the 76th minute.

Rodri's low strike from the edge of the area two minutes later set up a nerve-jangling finale.

And in the 81st minute, Kevin de Bruyne's low cross reached Gundogan at the far post and the substitute tapped home to send City into ecstasy.

"After their second goal it was really difficult. It was 'get the first goal', then we had momentum and our people did the rest. Winning at home with our fans is the best," Guardiola said.

City's celebrations were tarnished when the club was forced to apologise after Villa keeper Robin Olsen was "assaulted" by fans during a post-match pitch invasion.

Having already won the FA Cup and League Cup, Liverpool can still enjoy a memorable season of their own if they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris on Saturday.

- Spurs back in Champions League -

Rocked by Pedro Neto's third minute opener for Wolves, Liverpool equalized through Sadio Mane in the 24th minute.

Mohamed Salah poked Liverpool ahead with six minutes left but by then news of City's extraordinary recovery had reached Anfield, which was in subdued mood by the time Andrew Robertson scored in stoppage-time.

"Congratulations to Man City and Pep Guardiola. It's not the result we wanted. Finishing second is the story of my life," Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said.

Tottenham's 5-0 rout of relegated Norwich secured fourth place at Carrow Road and ended their two-year absence from the Champions League.

Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min scored two each and Harry Kane also netted.

Tottenham's victory left Arsenal in fifth place despite their 5-1 win against Everton.

Burnley's six-season stay in the top tier ended with a 2-1 home defeat against Newcastle, with Leeds staying up after a 2-1 win at Brentford.

Leeds started the day below Burnley on goal difference, but the Clarets were beaten by Callum Wilson's brace, while Jesse Marsch's team escaped thanks to Raphinha's penalty and Jack Harrison's last-gasp strike. 

Manchester United lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace, but qualified for the Europa League thanks to West Ham's 3-1 defeat at Brighton.

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Football: Man City comeback keeps title in their hands, Tottenham into top four

LONDON -- Manchester City came from 2-0 down to salvage a vital point in a 2-2 draw at West Ham to keep the Premier League title in their hands as Tottenham moved into the top four on Sunday.

City travelled to the London Stadium knowing they needed a maximum of four points from their final two games of the season to guarantee a fourth title in five years.

However, the Hammers took full advantage of City's injury crisis at the back as the pace and poise of Jarrod Bowen put Liverpool right back in the title race.

Pep Guardiola was without Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker and a makeshift defense was easily cut open on the counter-attack.

Bowen burst onto Pablo Fornals' ball over the top to round Ederson and put City behind in a league game for the first time since February.

City did not learn their lesson as Bowen broke the offside trap once more in the final seconds of the first half to fire low past Ederson.

The champions were rattled but responded to keep the destiny of the title in their own hands.

Jack Grealish has failed to live up to his £100 million ($123 million) price tag, but came up with his biggest City goal four minutes into the second period to get the comeback started.

West Ham still had huge chances to restore their two-goal lead as Bowen hit the side-netting from a narrow angle and Michail Antonio's lob drifted wide with just Ederson to beat.

City had fortune on their side to get level when Vladimir Coufal turned Riyad Mahrez's free-kick into his own net.

But Guardiola's men missed the chance to complete the comeback and move to the brink of the title when Mahrez's penalty was saved by Lukasz Fabianski four minutes from time.

City move four points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table, but the quadruple-chasing Reds have a game in hand away to Southampton on Tuesday.

"Now there is no debate about goal difference, just win our game and we will be champions," said Guardiola.

"Our stadium will be sold out and we will give all our lives to do it. It's an incredible chance to win one game to be champions."

- Spurs apply pressure -

At the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Harry Kane's penalty moved Spurs into fourth with a nervy 1-0 win over Burnley.

Antonio Conte's men move two points ahead of north London rivals Arsenal, who travel to Newcastle on Monday, in the battle for a place in next season's Champions League.

Tottenham still need a slip up from the Gunners to return to the Champions League next season, but upped the pressure on Mikel Arteta's men.

"The situation is still in their hands because they have two games to play, but you know very well in England, it’s not simple to win," said Conte.

Defeat sees Burnley drop into the relegation zone after Leeds snatched a late 1-1 draw at home to Brighton.

A brave Burnley performance was undone by a stroke of misfortune deep into first half stoppage time.

Davinson Sanchez's flick brushed off the outstretched arm of Ashley Barnes.

There was barely an appeal inside the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in real time, but the incident was picked up by VAR and given after a review.

Kane was deadly as usual from the spot as the England captain converted his 23rd consecutive successful penalty.

- Leeds' late leveller -

Burnley now need something from their final two games to survive as Pascal Struijk's late leveller at Elland Road gave Leeds hope.

Danny Welbeck put in-form Brighton in front, but he then missed a glorious chance to double Brighton's lead and Struijk's stoppage time header earned a point.

"Nothing comes easy for us. We seem to dig holes and then have to find a way to dig out," said Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.

Everton are also still in a three-way battle to beat the drop after having two men sent off in a 3-2 home defeat to Brentford.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the Toffees in front before Jarrad Branthwaite was dismissed for pulling down Ivan Toney on 18 minutes. 

Seamus Coleman's own goal levelled for the Bees, but Everton led again at half-time thanks to Richarlison's penalty.

Two goals in two minutes from Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry turned the game around and Everton's misery was compounded by a late red card for Salomon Rondon.

Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes each scored twice as Leicester thrashed already-relegated Watford 5-1, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace played out a 1-1 draw.

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Football: Man City go three points clear after four-goal De Bruyne masterclass

LONDON -- Kevin De Bruyne produced a four-goal masterclass as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 5-1 to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Chelsea consolidated their top-four place and pushed Leeds deeper into relegation trouble on Wednesday.

City had seen second-placed Liverpool go level on points with them after a 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Tuesday.

But De Bruyne's brilliant display ensured Pep Guardiola's side responded emphatically as a thrilling title race enters the final furlong.

After De Bruyne put City ahead in the seventh minute from Bernardo Silva's pass, the leaders were briefly rocked by Leander Dendoncker's equaliser four minutes later.

But De Bruyne extinguished Wolves' hopes of a shock win as he completed his hat-trick with two more lethal finishes in the 16th and 24th minutes.

He bagged his fourth goal from close range in the 60th minute and Raheem Sterling put the seal on the demolition with an 85th-minute tap-in.

The Belgium midfielder's heroics mean City need four points from their last two games to be guaranteed a fourth Premier League title in the last five seasons.

Guardiola lavished praise on De Bruyne, saying: "Unstoppable, brilliant, awesome, outstanding, perfect!

"He has the ability to create the special things. He has to score goals and this season is the most prolific he has had since we are together."

If City can win at West Ham on Sunday, they will climb six points clear of Liverpool before Jurgen Klopp's quadruple-chasing team next play in the league at Southampton on Tuesday.

City's second goal spree in four days after the 5-0 rout of Newcastle on Sunday also gives them an important seven-goal advantage over Liverpool in the goal difference column.

"If we win these games we will be champions. Now recover the players and the next final for us is against West Ham," Guardiola said.

Their latest win was even more impressive given City are without injured defenders Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker for the rest of the season, with Aymeric Laporte limping off in the second half at Molineux.

While Liverpool have maintained a blistering pace in pursuit of City since January, Guardiola's team have been up to the challenge.

After drawing with Liverpool on April 10, City have won five successive league games, scoring 22 times and conceding only twice.

- Clinical Chelsea -

Chelsea moved to the brink of qualifying for next season's Champions League with a 3-0 victory at struggling Leeds.

Thomas Tuchel's side won for the first time since Todd Boehly's consortium agreed a deal to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich last week.

Mason Mount opened the scoring in the early stages at Elland Road and Leeds suffered another blow when Daniel James was sent off.

Christian Pulisic bagged Chelsea's second goal after half-time and Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the Blues' first win in four games.

Third-placed Chelsea are now eight points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham and will be guaranteed a top-four finish if Antonio Conte's team fail to beat fourth-placed Arsenal on Thursday.

Arresting their worrying recent slump was the ideal preparation for Chelsea ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.

"We accepted all the obstacles we'd have to face, a physical team and an emotional stadium. We were strong from the beginning and deserved to win," said Tuchel, who revealed Mateo Kovacic could miss the final with an ankle injury.

While Chelsea look to end the season on a high, Leeds are in grave danger of relegation.

Jesse Marsch's men sit third-bottom of the table, behind fourth-bottom Burnley on goal difference.

Burnley have three games left compared to only two for Leeds, who host Brighton and travel to Brentford in the matches that will decide if their two-season stay in the top flight is destined to end with a return to the Championship.

Everton moved two points clear of Leeds after a 0-0 draw at relegated Watford.

Frank Lampard's side have lost just once in their last six matches to climb out of the relegation zone.

They also have a game in hand on Leeds in the fight for survival.

Jamie Vardy scored twice and James Maddison also netted as Leicester beat relegated Norwich 3-0 at the King Power Stadium to end a run of seven games without a win.

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Football: Arsenal's top four bid rocked in 'unacceptable' Palace defeat

LONDON -- Mikel Arteta apologized for Arsenal's "unacceptable" performance in a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that dealt a significant blow to their bid to finish in the Premier League's top four.

Arteta's side were destroyed by first half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew at Selhurst Park on Monday.

Unable to muster a revival after the break, Arsenal's second defeat in their last three league games was sealed by Wilfried Zaha's late penalty.

Arsenal had gone into the weekend in fourth place, but Tottenham's 5-1 win against Newcastle on Sunday piled pressure on the Gunners and their response could not have been any less convincing.

The battle to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top four finish is heating up and Arsenal are in danger of wilting.

They sit in fifth place, behind Tottenham on goal difference having played a game less than their north London rivals.

West Ham and Manchester United, both three points behind Arsenal, will also fancy their chances after a result that blew the top four battle wide open.

"We made it impossible for ourselves with the way we competed. You have to be physical and run and then you earn the right to play. We were really inconsistent on the ball and that is unacceptable," Arteta said.

"We were poor, especially in the first half. I apologize to our supporters. We didn't have the presence or the composure to dominate the situation. That's what I'm most annoyed with."

It was an especially painful result for Arsenal fans given the presence in the Palace dug-out of Eagles boss Patrick Vieira, a Gunners legend after his trophy-filled playing career with the club.

How they could have done with the kind of tenacious performance that was Vieira's hallmark in midfield during Arsenal's glory days.

Vieira comfortably out-witted Arteta, who was voted the Premier League's manager of the month for March after masterminding his side's climb into contention for a top four berth.

Those Champions League ambitions don't look so believable now. 

"We need to put our hands up and get the criticism we deserve. Then we accept it, look ourselves in the mirror and look to the next game. This performance was not good enough," Arteta said.

- Arsenal in disarray -

Palace took the lead in the 16th minute after Ben White needlessly fouled Zaha.

Conor Gallagher swung his free-kick towards the far post, where Joachim Andersen headed it back across for Mateta to nod home from six yards for his sixth goal this term.

If that was a sloppy goal to concede, there was worse to come for Arteta eight minutes later.

Andersen's long pass should have been easy for the Arsenal rearguard, but Gabriel made a hash of his attempt to intercept, completely missing the ball as Ayew eluded the dozing Nuno Tavares to score with a composed finish from the edge of the area.

The Ghana forward's second goal this season left Arteta scratching his head in disbelief.

Without Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney due to a knee injury, Arsenal's defence was in disarray and Zaha swept through to tee up Mateta for a chance that Aaron Ramsdale saved at full stretch.

Out-fought and out-played in the first half, Arsenal needed an immediate response after the break but Bukayo Saka's penalty appeal was waved away after he was bundled over by Cheikhou Kouyate.

Although there was more urgency about Arsenal in the second half, they still lacked a cutting edge. 

Emile Smith Rowe shot straight at Vicente Guaita with the goal at his mercy before Martin Odegaard fired wastefully wide from Saka's cross.

Arsenal were punished for their profligacy in the 74th minute as Zaha's raid prompted Odegaard to concede a penalty as he clipped the forward's ankle.

Zaha dusted himself down and converted the spot-kick with ease, sending Ramsdale the wrong way to leave Arsenal's top four bid in the balance.

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Football: Chelsea shrug off sanction uncertainty, Yarmolenko strikes on West Ham return

LONDON -- Chelsea shrugged off uncertainty over the club's future to beat Newcastle 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz's late goal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while Ukrainian international Andriy Yarmolenko broke down in tears after scoring in West Ham's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

The European champions are still reeling from the impact of the sanctions placed on billionaire owner Roman Abramovich by the UK government for alleged close links to Vladimir Putin as the Russian president wages war on Ukraine.

Chelsea have only been allowed to keep operating thanks to a special license that still imposes a series of restrictions such as a ban on selling tickets and merchandise.

There was little immediate sign of change once the action got underway in front of a full house at Stamford Bridge with all the tickets already sold prior to Thursday's announcement of sanctions.

Prior to the match both Chelsea's technical and performance advisor Petr Cech and manager Thomas Tuchel could offer no guarantees the Blues can even afford to fulfil their fixtures for the rest of the season unless the restrictions of the license are eased.

In contrast to matches in recent weeks there was no chanting of Abramovich's name by the Chelsea fans, although there was still a banner with his image hailing the "Roman Empire".

The chaos caused by questions over where Abramovich amassed his wealth have also seen renewed criticism of the decision to allow Newcastle to be taken over earlier this season by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

The Magpies have seen immediate results from their first transfer window under new ownership as they were unbeaten in nine league games to climb away from the relegation zone.

Newcastle will rightly feel aggrieved that Havertz should not have been on the pitch to score the winner as he caught Dan Burn with an elbow in the first half, but escaped with just a yellow card.

The German then produced the one moment of real quality from a scrappy game when he controlled Jorginho's ball over the top beautifully before prodding home the winner in the 89th minute.

Victory solidified Chelsea's position in third place as they remain well on course for the much-needed financial boost of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

- Emotional Yarmolenko -

West Ham also have ambitions of a top-four finish as they closed to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United in emotional circumstances at the London Stadium.

Yarmolenko had been given time off following Russia's invasion of his homeland to help aid some of his family to safety.

Introduced as a second-half substitute, he fired home the opening goal 20 minutes from time and was overcome with emotion as he bent down on his knees in celebration.

Pablo Fornals quickly doubled the Hammers' lead before Jacob Ramsey pulled a late consolation goal back for Villa.

At the bottom of the table, Leeds and Watford secured big wins in their battle to beat the drop as Everton slipped even closer to the relegation zone.

Leeds secured their first win under new manager Jesse Marsch in dramatic fashion as Joe Gelhardt struck deep into stoppage time to beat bottom-of-the-table Norwich 2-1 at a relieved Elland Road.

Victory opened up a four-point gap for Leeds over Everton, who are now only out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Frank Lampard's men slipped to an eighth defeat in nine league games as Conor Coady's header earned Wolves a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.

Watford secured a much-needed win to keep alive their hopes of survival by beating Southampton 2-1 at St Mary's thanks to Cucho Hernandez's double.

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Football: Ronaldo makes history as treble sinks Spurs, Liverpool close gap on Man City

BRIGHTON -- Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time leading men's goalscorer in football history as his brilliant hat-trick inspired Manchester United's 3-2 win against Tottenham, while Liverpool closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City with a 2-0 victory at Brighton on Saturday.

Ronaldo had netted just once in his previous 10 games amid speculation that the Portugal striker was considering his future after less than a season of his second spell with United.

The 37-year-old's commitment was questioned when he reportedly jetted to Portugal last weekend rather than watch his team after being ruled out of their 4-1 defeat at Manchester City with a hip injury.

Even United interim boss Ralf Rangnick conceded he didn't know if Ronaldo was happy at the club.

But Ronaldo proved his commitment to the United cause with a superb display to single-handedly dispatch Tottenham at Old Trafford.

With recently retired NFL legend Tom Brady watching from the stands, Ronaldo bagged his first United treble since 2008.

His brilliant 25-yard drive put United ahead in the 12th minute before Harry Kane equalized with a 35th minute penalty awarded for Alex Telles' handball.

Ronaldo restored United's lead three minutes later from Jadon Sancho's cross, but Harry Maguire's 72nd minute own goal threatened to ruin his evening.

However, Ronaldo headed home from Telles' corner in the 81st minute to claim his 807th career goal, making him the top-scoring men's player in history, according to FIFA statistics, as he surpassed Josef Bican.

Ronaldo's heroics earned a standing ovation from Brady and lifted United into fourth place, while Tottenham are five points behind them in seventh.

"Today it was his best performance, at least since I arrived. He was good in training on Thursday and that is why I decided to start him," Rangnick said.

"A fantastic performance. It was not just the three goals, it was also he was part of the team when they were in possession of the ball.

"We showed the kind of reaction we were due after the bad second half at City."

At the Amex Stadium, Luis Diaz opened the scoring for Liverpool with a 19th minute header and Mohamed Salah netted with a 61st minute penalty awarded after Yves Bissouma's handball.

Jurgen Klopp's side have won their last eight league games, keeping the pressure on City, with the champions playing at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Salah has reached 20 goals in a Premier League season for the fourth time, with his latest strike coming at just the right time amid his tense contract negotiations.

Klopp said on Friday it is up to Salah whether he signs a new deal, a claim that was followed by the Egypt forward's agent tweeting a series of laughing emojis just minutes later.

Salah's long-term value to Liverpool is immense, but of more immediate concern to Klopp will be the knock that saw him replaced by Diogo Jota soon after his first goal in four games.

With a testing trip to Arsenal looming on Wednesday followed by an FA Cup quarter-final at Nottingham Forst, Klopp will hope his star makes a quick recovery.

"Something was not right. I think there was a situation where his foot got stretched. We'll have to see," Klopp said.

While City are in fine form, Liverpool's hot streak is equally impressive.

The Reds have scored 21 goals and conceded just twice in their winning run, while also keeping a third successive league clean sheet for the first time this term.

On the title race, Klopp said: "It's always the same, you expect Manchester City to win every game when you watch them play.

"The only thing we can do is as win as many football games as possible. We're ready, we don't need to call it a title race, we just want to win games."

Brentford boosted their bid to avoid relegation with a 2-0 home win against third bottom Burnley thanks to a pair of late goals from Ivan Toney.

Agence France-Presse

Football: Man Utd stumble again as Chelsea top Premier League

LONDON -- Manchester United were held at home by Everton on Saturday after Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped to the subs bench as Chelsea scored two late goals against Southampton to top the Premier League table.

Elsewhere, Brighton drew 0-0 with Arsenal to end the Gunners' recent winning streak while Leeds earned their first league win of the season.

United's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford continues an unimpressive run of home results including a League Cup defeat by West Ham and last week's shock Premier League loss at the hands of Aston Villa.

Ronaldo has scored five times in six games in all competitions since rejoining the club in late August but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he did not regret resting the 36-year-old -- who scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Villarreal in midweek.

"You make decisions throughout the season, you've got to manage the players' workload," said the Norwegian manager. "The decision was, for me, the correct one today.

"We have started better than last season, but it is still not what we wanted."

Everton created plenty of chances in the opening period but fell behind shortly before half-time when surprise pick Anthony Martial curled home his first Premier League goal since February from a Bruno Fernandes pass.

Solskjaer called on Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho 12 minutes after half-time as he looked to put the game beyond Rafael Benitez's men but Everton ruthlessly exposed United's frailty on the counter-attack.

Demarai Gray won the ball back on the left and freed Abdoulaye Doucoure into acres of space in midfield. Doucoure played in Andros Townsend to fire home his fifth goal in nine appearances.

Townsend performed a Ronaldo-style "Siuuu" goal celebration and said it was done in tribute to the Portuguese superstar, whom he said was his "idol".

Everton thought they had won it late on but Yerry Mina's close-range finish from a Tom Davies pass was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

- Chelsea strike late -

Chelsea ended a miserable week on a high, with Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell striking late in a 3-1 win against Southampton, who are still without a league victory this season.

The three points lifted the Stamford Bridge club to the top of the Premier League on 16 points, two clear of Liverpool, Manchester United, Everton and Brighton.

Thomas Tuchel's side, tipped by many to win the Premier League in the early weeks of the season, were well beaten by Manchester City last week and lost to Juventus in the Champions League in midweek.

But they returned to winning ways in London on Saturday, helped by a second-half red card for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

Trevoh Chalobah nodded Chelsea into an early lead but Ward-Prowse levelled from the penalty spot just after the hour mark before he was sent off in the 77th minute for a dangerous tackle on Jorginho after a VAR check.

Werner provided the decisive moment, sliding in from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross before Chilwell volleyed in from close range on 89 minutes to secure the victory.

"After two defeats we had to be careful that we didn't start being too sad or too worried because there was a chance to be on 16 points," Tuchel told the BBC.

"It was important to have a better performance than the last two games, that we sharpened our mindset so that we are not afraid to lose. It was nice to play the way we did and get a deserved win."

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal were bottom of the Premier League table after three matches before three consecutive wins lifted them to the comfort of mid-table.

But they found it tough to break down high-flying Brighton in a soggy evening contest on England's south coast and Arteta admitted his team did not deserve to win.

Earlier, Leeds beat Watford 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike by Diego Llorente while Hwang Hee-chan struck twice as Wolves beat struggling Newcastle 2-1.

Norwich stopped the rot against Burnley after six straight league defeats but they remain rock bottom of the Premier League table with just a single point from seven games after a 0-0 draw.

Liverpool host Manchester City in the pick of Sunday's Premier League matches.

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Football: Chelsea's Lukaku more 'complete' after Inter spell

LONDON -- Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku said on Monday believes he is now a "complete" striker as the club's record signing settles back into life at Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in a £98 million ($135 million) move from Inter Milan last week. 

The 28-year-old was unavailable for Chelsea's 3-0 win against Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on Saturday.

But Lukaku could make his debut in Sunday's trip to Arsenal and the Belgium forward plans to show how much he has developed since the last time he played for the Blues.

Almost 10 years after arriving in west London as an unknown teenager, Lukaku returns as one of the world's top strikers.

"I just feel more complete; I've tried to master all the facets that a striker needs and I just want to keep improving on the small details all the time and keep improving on my strengths as well," Lukaku told Chelsea's website.

"I just want to try to help the team win and be available for the manager as well as for my team-mates.

"I want to make sure that they feel comfortable and they can lean on me in whatever situation we're in.

"The two years in Italy helped me master all the facets of the game for a striker and now I'm ready."

Lukaku fired 27 goals and laid on 11 assists last term as Inter stormed to the Serie A title.

He also boasts vast Premier League experience after stints with West Brom, Everton and Manchester United.

Chelsea struggled for goals at times last season, but Lukaku is confident he can fill any role required by boss Thomas Tuchel.

"The conversation was really clear from him, that he wants me to be a presence and a leader in the team," Lukaku said.

"If he wants me to be a focal point or if he wants me to attack the spaces in behind, I can do it.

"It's not like I'm a new player coming in and not quite knowing what to expect. I know the league, I've scored a fair amount of goals here but the past is the past and now we have to look forward.

"I'm a new version of that player from before. I've evolved and the team that I'm joining is a very strong team so now we just have to prove it on the pitch by challenging for the Premier League."

Lukaku also revealed he continues to lean on former Chelsea and Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba for advice.

"Our relationship means the world to me. It's not like we talk once a month, I talk to the guy every few days!" Lukaku said.

"We have a group chat so we're constantly communicating and I've been on the phone with him a bit more in the past two weeks.

"I had a lot of questions to ask and he still knows a lot of people here so he really prepared me well with the last details."

Agence France-Presse 

Fabinho’s home burglarized while Liverpool celebrated title

LIVERPOOL, England— The home of Liverpool midfielder Fabinho was burglarized while he and his teammates celebrated their Premier League title.

The burglary occurred in the town of Formby, north of the city, either late Wednesday or early Thursday while Liverpool hosted Chelsea, Merseyside police said.


Jewelry and an Audi RS6 were stolen, although the car was later recovered 20 miles away in Wigan, police said. The occupants discovered the burglary when they returned home early Thursday.

Police said they are collecting security footage and have forensically examined the 26-year-old Brazil international’s home and car.

Liverpool beat Chelsea 5-3 at Anfield — their final home game of the season — before lifting the Premier League trophy to end a 30-year title drought. The team had clinched to title with seven games to spare.

Nine of the estimated 3,000 fans who gathered outside the stadium were arrested on charges ranging from assault to disorderly conduct, police said Thursday.


Fans were urged to stay home because of the coronavirus pandemic. Police said the “vast majority of the crowd were good natured and had dispersed by 2 a.m.”

Fabinho is the latest star athlete to be victimized. Tottenham player Deli Alli was held at knifepoint by burglars who stole jewelry from his London home during coronavirus lockdown in May.

The home of Sadio Mané, Fabinho’s teammate at Liverpool, has been targeted twice in recent years.

Associated Press

Liverpool recovers to beat Tottenham 2-1, takes 6-point lead

LIVERPOOL, England — Tottenham transformed its first-minute fortunes against Liverpool, just not the outcome.

A goal after 47 seconds by Tottenham captain Harry Kane at Anfield on Sunday contrasted with the misery of Madrid in June when a penalty was conceded 22 seconds into the Champions League final against the same team.

But just as Mohamed Salah netted the penalty that set Liverpool on its way to a sixth European Cup, the striker also scored from the spot again 148 days on against Tottenham to complete a domestic comeback.

With a 2-1 victory — aided by captain Jordan Henderson’s equalizer — Liverpool restored its six-point lead at the top of the league.

“We are very critical of ourselves,” Henderson said, “and always want to do better.”

Liverpool is chasing its first league title since 1990. For Tottenham, it is finding a way to rise from 11th place closer to the top four where it has finished for four consecutive seasons.

With 12 points from 10 games, the north London club is enduring its worst start since Mauricio Pochettino took charge in 2014.

“We have the belief and the confidence,” Pochettino said. “But we didn’t find a way to keep possession.”

At least Mousa Sissoko found some early redemption on Merseyside, having handled to concede that penalty in the 2-0 final loss.

Launching a counterattack after 30 seconds on Merseyside, Sissoko’s surging run left a trail of red shirts in his wake before he picked out Son Heung-min on the left wing.

The South Korea forward brushed past Henderson before his shot hit the bar, helped by a deflection off Dejan Lovren.

Kane was primed to connect with the rebound, sending a stooping header past Alisson Becker with only 47 seconds on the clock.

“The best thing about my team today was that you couldn’t see any influence of the goal to be honest. We weren’t nervous, anything,” Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said.

“We followed the plan and filled the plan with passion, emotion, everything in the right way.”

Just finding a way past Paulo Gazzaniga was a problem.

Even with first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris out until the new year with an elbow injury, the understudy more than lived up to the task.

There was a double save to deny Salah and Roberto Firmino before getting a fingertip to Virgil van Dijk’s header.

But not even the power of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot from outside the penalty area was enough to find a way past Gazzaniga approaching the half hour.

He was proving a frustrating barrier to the equalizer, scrambling away Firmino’s header and then Lovren’s attempt from the resulting corner at the start of the second half.

Having swarmed Tottenham since conceding in the first minute, Liverpool switched off again to allow Son to embark on a counterattack.

Rounding Alisson, Son reached a tight angle and could only hit the crossbar.

How costly it proved.

Danny Rose failed to clear the ball and then only helped Fabinho’s cross onto the unmarked Henderson, who volleyed the ball past the Tottenham left back into the net.

Gazzaniga was finally beaten, and he was again by Salah’s penalty after Aurier dispossessed Sadio Mane before fouling the Senegal forward as he tried to clear.

With Kane having a header blocked with almost the final move of the game, Tottenham remains firmly in midtable, without an away win in the league since January.

“We can say we were very competitive,” Pochettino said. “We scored early and then I think we suffered in the first half. They were better than us.

“In the second half we controlled more, I think we played more the game that we wanted to play.”

Liverpool, which was held by Manchester United last weekend, has 28 points from a possible 30. Klopp’s side is six points ahead of Manchester City ahead of the second-place champions’ visit to Anfield in two weeks.

source: sports.inquirer.net

‘It was breathtaking’: Man City crushes Watford 8-0 in EPL

With his team leading 5-0 after 18 minutes and threatening Premier League scoring records, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sat with his arms folded in his dugout and might even have looked a little guilty.

Whether it’s in the FA Cup final or just a run-of-the mill league game, Watford just does not know how to handle the most free-scoring team in England.

City ended up romping to an 8-0 win on Saturday, falling just short of the heaviest margin of victory in the Premier League era (since 1992) — Manchester United’s 9-0 win over Ipswich in 1995.

It came four months after City beat Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium to complete an unprecedented domestic treble last season. The previous season, Guardiola’s team won 6-0 at Watford’s Vicarage Road.

“If you let five in in 20 minutes, you fear the worst. You think cricket scores,” Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster said after the club’s heaviest league loss in its 138-year history. “They are without doubt the best team I have ever played against. We were poor, didn’t lay a glove on them but at times it was breathtaking watching them.”

Bernardo Silva scored his first professional hat trick and there were also goals for David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, Nicolas Otamendi and Kevin De Bruyne at Etihad Stadium.

Disappointingly for City’s fans or those hoping to see records tumble, City only scored once in the final half-hour of an embarrassingly one-sided match. It was the best goal of the match, though — a powerful drive from De Bruyne into the roof of the net.

In the final minutes, City’s fans urged their team forward, even roaring “Shoot!” when goalkeeper Ederson had the ball.

“What I like the most is normally when it’s 5-0 at halftime, the second half is not serious, it’s boring,” Guardiola said. “But we did the opposite and we were more aggressive and made a very good second half.”

It was the perfect reaction from the champions to last weekend’s surprising 3-2 loss at Norwich, the first defeat of their title defense which had left them five points behind Liverpool.

Consider this a warning to Liverpool, which visits Chelsea on Sunday.

MARGINAL CALLS

Tottenham was on the good side of a tight VAR call in a 2-2 draw at Man City this season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team was on the receiving end of one in a 2-1 loss against Leicester on Saturday.

Tottenham was ahead courtesy of a first-half strike by Harry Kane when Serge Aurier drove a deflected shot into the bottom corner, seemingly giving the visitors a 2-0 lead at King Power stadium.

However, after a lengthy stoppage as the video assistant referee took a forensic look at whether Son Heung-min was offside by millimeters in the buildup, the goal was ruled out.

In Leicester’s next attack, Ricardo Pereira scored with a deflected finish to make it 1-1 in the 69th minute and James Maddison completed Leicester’s comeback by scoring from outside the area in the 85th.

“It’s what happens with VAR — you have to get your head round it,” Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said.

Leicester moved up to third place, two points behind Man City.

NORWICH SLUMPS

While Man City was bouncing back from a shock loss, the team that inflicted it slumped to a miserable defeat of its own a week on.


Norwich conceded two goals in the first half to striker Chris Wood and lost 2-0 at Burnley

“We always knew this would be tougher than Manchester City,” Norwich defender Ben Godfrey said. “Burnley are tough to play against.”

BLADES CUT DOWN EVERTON

One shot on target. Two goals. Three points for Sheffield United.

They were the galling statistics Everton was staring at following a 2-0 loss at Goodison Park to a promoted club which hasn’t lost away since mid-January.

“It was just a ridiculous game,” Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said. “That’s possibly the worst we’ve played all season.”

Everton had a supposedly benign run of fixtures to start the season but has only come away with seven points from six games, with City visiting next week. Sheffield United has one point more.

CARROLL RETURNS

Andy Carroll came on for his first appearance for Newcastle in nearly nine years but couldn’t inspire the team to victory in a 0-0 home draw against Brighton.

The 30-year-old striker, who rejoined Newcastle in August after spells with Liverpool and West Ham, entered to a huge ovation in the 82nd minute and made his presence felt in a bustling cameo performance at St. James’ Park. He had not played since February because of an ankle injury that required an operation.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Big wins for Liverpool, City; more woe for United, Chelsea

A fourth straight win for Liverpool. Another big victory for Manchester City. More disappointment for Manchester United and Chelsea.

Oh, and the usual dose of VAR controversy.


Just a typical afternoon in this season’s Premier League.

By beating Burnley 3-0 on Saturday, Liverpool achieved a club-record 13th straight league victory and stayed in first place on a maximum 12 points heading into the two-week break for internationals. No other team in England’s four professional leagues has won all its games since the start of the season.

City is hot on Liverpool’s heels in second place, already seemingly reprising the northwest clubs’ duel for the title last season.

It is now 14 goals this season for the defending champions after a 4-0 home win over Brighton that included a double from Sergio Aguero, who is the top scorer in the league with six goals.


City’s win was marred by a first-half injury to arguably the team’s best defender, Aymeric Laporte, which according to manager Pep Guardiola could keep the center back out for “a while.”

Meanwhile, pre-season predictions that this will be a transitional year for United and Chelsea under inexperienced coaches are proving to be true, with the two teams already seven points off Liverpool before September with just one win apiece so far.

Both squandered leads Saturday, United failing to build on Daniel James’ early goal — his third of the season following his offseason arrival from second-tier Swansea — and drawing 1-1 at Southampton.

Chelsea will be even more unhappy, surrendering a two-goal lead at home to promoted team Sheffield United and drawing 2-2.

Every weekend has featured some sort of contentious issues with VAR, which is being used for the first time in the Premier League this season, and the latest dispute was at Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa.


Villa thought it had scored an equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time through Henri Lansbury, only for the goal to be ruled out because teammate Jack Grealish was adjudged to have dived in the build-up. Villa’s players were furious and it looked a tight call, with the video assistant referee choosing not to overturn the on-field decision of the referee.

EASY FOR LIVERPOOL

A touch of fortune and a defensive error helped Liverpool ease to a 13th straight win.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross from the right glanced off the back of Burnley striker Chris Wood and span high and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Nick Pope into the far corner of the net in the 33rd.

Four minutes later, Burnley defender Ben Mee passed the ball straight to Roberto Firmino in midfield and the Brazil forward played in Sadio Mane, who slotted home his finish.

Firmino added the third in the 80th from a counter-attack.

LAPORTE BLOW

Man City’s third victory in four matches might have come at a huge cost with the right knee injury to Laporte.

The French defender, who was called up by his national team on Friday for just the second time, punched the ground as soon as he made contact with Adam Webster as the Brighton center back charged down the right wing. Laporte held his hands behind his head and shook his head as he was carried off.

“It doesn’t look good,” Guardiola said. “I’m waiting for the doctor to call me. He (Laporte) might be out for a while.”


Any lengthy absence for Laporte would be a major blow to City, which released long-serving captain Vincent Kompany in the offseason and has John Stones currently out injured. Fernandinho, a center midfielder, filled in as a center back off the bench against Brighton.

Kevin De Bruyne and substitute Bernardo Silva were the other scorers for City.

POGBA INJURY

The sight of Paul Pogba hobbling away from St. Mary’s stadium was a further blow to United after its poor display against Southampton.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Pogba “got a bad knock on his ankle” but expected the midfielder to still turn up for international duty with France next week.

James’ goal was canceled out by Jannik Vestergaard’s header in the 58th minute. Kevin Danso was handed a second yellow card for a crude, high challenge on Scott McTominay, reducing Southampton to 10 men in the 73rd, but United couldn’t capitalize.

ABRAHAM’S DOUBLE DOUBLE

Tammy Abraham has now scored two goals in consecutive games for Chelsea, cementing his place as the team’s first-choice striker

His first-half double — after his brace against Norwich last weekend — was not enough to see off Sheffield United, which reduced the deficit through Callum Robinson less than a minute after the restart before Kurt Zouma’s own-goal in the 87th minute.

OTHER RESULTS

Jamie Vardy scored twice in Leicester’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth, West Ham beat Norwich 2-0 through goals by Sebastian Haller and Andriy Yarmolenko, while Watford collected its first point of the season by drawing 1-1 at Newcastle.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Arsenal starts its EPL season with 1-0 win at Newcastle

NEWCASTLE, England — Arsenal’s club-record signing Nicolas Pépé watched as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored to give his team a 1-0 win at Newcastle in their Premier League opening game on Sunday.

Aubameyang, who had been threatening intermittently in a game of few chances, finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when he stopped Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ cross with his first touch and dinked it past Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka with his next.

Substitute Pépé, who joined from French side Lille for 72 million pounds ($87 million) on Aug. 1, was given a warm welcome from Arsenal fans when he made his debut in the 71st.

“Physically he needs to get his best fitness to be ready to play 100% for 90 minutes. I think that today 20 minutes is good for him,” Arsenal coach Unai Emery said.


Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos came on in the 64th to make his Arsenal debut.

Newcastle made the better start in Steve Bruce’s first Premier League game in charge of his hometown club, albeit without creating a glut of goal chances. Club record signing Joelinton went close with a header in the 17th minute of his debut. Paraguay forward Miguel Almirón was booked for a dive shortly afterward, before Jonjo Shelvey had two efforts blocked and Joelinton another shot saved.


At the other end, Aubameyang, twice flagged offside already, finally stayed on to take Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s through ball and draw a smart save.

Aubameyang was denied early in the second half after a fine ball forward from Granit Xhaka, but there was little the goalkeeper could do to stop the Gabon forward grabbing the winner.

“Today we struggled but we deserved it,” Emery said. “I am happy but we calm down to train tomorrow.”

There was a buzz of excitement around St. James’ Park when Allan Saint-Maximin came on in the 67th for his Newcastle debut. The French forward, given the No. 10, immediately whipped in a dangerous cross, deflected out for a corner.

Jetro Willems also came on for his Newcastle debut, while Brazilian defender Gabriel Martinelli came on late for the visitors.


Arsenal midfielders Mesut Özil and Sead Kolasinac, who were targeted by armed thieves in north London last month, did not feature after the club said Friday there were “further security incidents.”

Emery said he didn’t yet know if the pair would be available for Arsenal’s next game at home to Burnley on Saturday.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Sterling shines as City beats Arsenal in Emery’s 1st game

LONDON — Pep Guardiola hopes to convince Raheem Sterling to stay at Manchester City for a long time.

The 23-year-old England forward scored his 50th Premier League goal as the champions began their Premier League title defense with a 2-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday.

Sterling has two years left to run on the five-year deal signed when he moved to City from Liverpool in July 2015.


“We are delighted with him and would like Raheem to stay,” Guardiola said. “We’ll do our effort to make him feel we count on him. And we count on him. We arrived after a difficult season and I told him I want to help him and would like him to be happy.

“In the end, the agents may not have agreements and that may not happen. But he knows, and his agent knows, we like him and want him a lot.”

Sterling’s finishing has been in the spotlight — it is almost three years since he scored for England — and he marked his goal after just 14 minutes with a cupped ear celebration at the Emirates Stadium.

“There’s been a lot of talking,” Sterling told broadcaster Sky Sports. “It’s just one of those things I get judged on. I’ve got to keep improving and getting more goals.”

Bernardo Silva struck in the second half as City exposed the size of the task facing new Arsenal manager Unai Emery. This was Arsenal’s first Premier League game since 1996 not being led by Arsene Wenger, who left the north London club in May.

source: sports.inquirer.net