English Premier League
Manchester United 3 – 1 Everton
Marcus Rashford scored for a fifth successive game as Manchester United increased the pressure on Everton boss Frank Lampard with a deserved FA Cup victory at Old Trafford.
Everton was applauded by their traveling support for showing admirable character after their side suffered the shock of going behind after just three minutes when Antony turned home Rashford’s far-post cross but had the character to fight back.
Conor Coady rammed home a 13th-minute equalizer when David de Gea calamitously allowed Neal Maupay’s apparently harmless cross to roll through his legs as he appeared to think it was about to hit the outside of his post.
Even after Alex Iwobi was stretchered off in obvious pain after he suffered an ankle injury in a tackle with Tyrell Malacia, Lampard’s players continued to battle hard.
But once some brilliant approach play from Rashford had deceived Coady into turning the forward’s cross into his own net, the visitors’ character alone was not enough.
And after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a goal ruled out for offside, man-of-the-match Rashford kept his nerve to beat England international team-mate Jordan Pickford from the spot deep into injury time to score for the fifth successive game for the first time in his club career.
There was an irony in De Gea making such a huge blunder on the same day as United confirmed one-time England keeper Jack Butland had joined them on loan.
In the build-up to the game, Ten Hag had taken the unusual step of talking about Butland before his loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season had been completed. In doing so, the United boss said more than once it was clear De Gea was his first choice.
The goal was bad enough but De Gea, whose form this season has generally been excellent, almost gifted Everton a second equalizer deep into the second half when he dithered over a clearance outside his area and was fortunate Calvert-Lewin didn’t seize the opportunity.
The former Spain keeper is still in negotiations over an extension to his contract, which expires in the summer. Mistakes like those in this game will strengthen United’s position in believing he is not worth his current £375,000-a-week, although the belief is that a compromise position will eventually be reached.
In contrast, Rashford is in just the right form to think United’s hierarchy will want him to stay far longer than the end of next season, which his present deal has been extended until.
In addition to his goal and two assists, Rashford brought a superb fingertip save out of Pickford and provided by far the most potent attacking threat in a team that didn’t always hit the heights.
However, with 10 wins out of 11 in all competitions, United are in the good heart before a week that includes an EFL Cup quarter-final with League One Charlton before they entertain Manchester City on 14 January.
Given the mutinous atmosphere at the final whistle at Goodison Park on Tuesday as Everton collapsed to a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton, and the simmering discontent that led to three chants of ‘Sack the Board’ from the 9,500-strong visiting contingent in the 15 minutes before kick-off, conceding a goal so early must have been extremely worrying for Lampard.
For a short time afterward, it appeared Everton would be swept away as their hosts looked to build on their early success.
It is to the credit of Lampard’s players that they clung on and had started to play themselves into the contest before De Gea’s error gifted them an equalizer.
Coady’s personality is so positive and his influence so great, Gareth Southgate has taken the defender to two tournaments, even though he has not given him a game.
The man many at Wolves wish was still their captain epitomizes the fighting spirit Everton is desperate for in their current plight.
It was unfortunate he was responsible for United’s second but, typically, he refused to let the setback affect him.
The players’ collective contribution was recognised by the Everton fans after the final whistle but once more there were chants for those running the club to leave, rather than Lampard, who remains under pressure after two draws and six defeats in the past eight games.
As they celebrated their side’s second goal, a section of the Manchester United fans chanted ‘Sacked in the morning’ at Lampard and followed up with a familiar homophobic chant about Chelsea, the club he had a stellar playing career with.
In October, after a similar song was sung by United fans at Stamford Bridge, the club released a statement condemning the abuse, and after this latest incident, they reiterated their position.
“Homophobia, like all forms of discrimination, has no place in football. Manchester United is proud of our diverse fan base and the work we have done to reduce instances like we sadly heard today,” the club said.
“We will continue to campaign for inclusivity and to tackle discriminatory abuse whether inside stadiums or online. This includes working with fan groups to educate fans on the offense which discriminatory language causes.”
source – BBC
Aston Villa 3-2 Everton. Substitute Jhon Duran’s spectacular long-range strike secured Aston Villa a dramatic Premier League comeback victory as Everton once again faltered from a 2-0 lead, marking their second consecutive collapse.
Everton had been left stunned by a late meltdown against Bournemouth in their previous match, and on Saturday, they repeated the pattern, allowing a two-goal advantage to slip away and continuing their winless streak this season.
The game started with Villa on the front foot. Ollie Watkins had a header cleared off the line early on, but the visitors soon took the lead. Dwight McNeil seized possession from former Everton player Amadou Onana and surged forward to score with a precise finish into the far corner.
Despite their struggles, Sean Dyche’s team managed to double their lead in the 27th minute with a powerful header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, Villa responded before halftime, with former Everton full-back Lucas Digne delivering a cross for Watkins to head in his first goal of the season.
As Villa prepares for their Champions League debut on Tuesday, they showed resilience by leveling the score. Watkins scored again, converting from close range after Jack Harrison’s poor clearance.
The comeback was completed 14 minutes from time when Colombian striker Duran, picking up the ball from 25 yards out, unleashed a stunning shot that dipped and swerved into the top corner, leaving Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford helpless.
This fixture, the most played in English league history, provided a thrilling encounter, with Villa recovering impressively after initially struggling at home. Under Unai Emery, who took over in October 2022, Villa has transformed from a relegation-threatened side to a European contender, finishing fourth last season and set to compete in the Champions League.
Villa, who won the European Cup in 1982, are gearing up for their European campaign with a trip to Young Boys in three days. They struggled against Everton but managed to secure the win thanks to Watkins, who ended an eight-game goal drought with his two strikes. Although he missed a chance to complete his hat-trick, Duran’s goal was a fitting match-winner.
With this victory, Villa climbed to third in the table, their only defeat coming against title contenders Arsenal. In contrast, Everton remains at the bottom of the table after four losses, a feat not seen in 66 years.
Everton appeared poised to earn their first points of the season with McNeil and Calvert-Lewin scoring, but defensive vulnerabilities resurfaced. Dyche’s typically solid defenses have conceded 13 goals in four games this season, and the team faces a crucial clash against promoted Leicester next weekend.
Despite scoring twice away from home for the first time since December, Everton’s road woes continue, and they will need to address their issues quickly to avoid a prolonged struggle.
source – BBC
Crystal Palace 2-2 Leicester City. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stoppage-time penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw for Crystal Palace as they battled back from two goals down against Leicester City at Selhurst Park.
In the second minute of added time, Mateta coolly converted a penalty after Conor Coady fouled Ismaila Sarr inside the area, rolling the ball past Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Leicester took the lead midway through the first half when Jamie Vardy, receiving a pass from Wilfred Ndidi, rounded Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and slid the ball into the empty net. The Foxes doubled their advantage just 23 seconds into the second half. Ndidi capitalized on a poor clearance from Palace debutant Maxence Lacroix, setting up Stephy Mavididi, who finished confidently from close range.
Palace managed to pull one back when Mateta scored from Tyrick Mitchell’s low cross, a goal that survived a VAR review. Despite the late drama, it seemed Palace might fall short until Coady’s foul on Sarr gifted Mateta the chance to equalize.
Both teams remain winless this season, but Palace will feel more relieved, having narrowly avoided a third Premier League defeat.
Oliver Glasner’s side had hoped this match would kick-start their season after a draw at Chelsea and a strong finish to the transfer window. For much of the game, it appeared another frustrating day was on the horizon, though Palace’s second-half performance offered some solace.
Vardy’s 21st-minute goal means Palace have conceded first in all four of their league games this season. Under Glasner, they have yet to win a Premier League match after falling behind.
Palace debutant Eddie Nketiah, while not on the score sheet, showed promise with his movement. He was unlucky not to score after Mateta’s goal, with his powerful drive narrowly missing the far post.
Lacroix, in contrast, had a tough debut, his misjudged clearance leading to Leicester’s second goal. Palace captain Marc Guehi also had moments of defensive frailty in the first half, but Leicester could not capitalize fully.
Leicester, like Palace, entered the game without a league win. Jordan Ayew, back at Selhurst Park after his move from Palace to Leicester, missed a golden opportunity before Vardy’s opener. Unmarked at the far post, Ayew failed to connect properly with Mavididi’s cross after Mavididi had stolen the ball from Guehi.
Vardy, who had struggled in recent games, made no mistake here, showing great composure to score. He nearly set up another goal before halftime, but Mavididi’s effort was off target after Vardy’s assist.
Mavididi redeemed himself with a goal just after the break, but it wasn’t enough to secure Leicester’s first league win of the season. Despite a strong defensive effort in the second half, Coady’s costly tackle on Sarr allowed Palace to salvage a draw.
source – BBC
Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest. Callum Hudson-Odoi and the unbeaten Nottingham Forest delivered a shock to Liverpool at Anfield, ending Arne Slot’s perfect start as Reds boss.
Hudson-Odoi, who came on as a substitute, made a decisive impact by cutting in from the left and curling a stunning shot into the bottom corner—an effort that left goalkeeper Alisson helpless.
This victory marked Forest’s first win at Anfield in any competition since 1969.
Liverpool entered the match with high confidence, having won their previous three games without conceding a goal. They created the better chances, especially in the first half. Luis Diaz came close to scoring just before the break, chasing a ball and firing a shot against the near post from a tight angle.
Forest’s goalkeeper, Matz Sels, made a crucial save to deny an Alexis Mac Allister header and was fortunate not to concede moments later when Diaz’s effort nearly slipped into his own net.
After the break, Forest began to create more opportunities. Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga both missed chances before Hudson-Odoi’s brilliant strike.
Forest fans erupted in celebration, while Liverpool supporters tried to rally their team. Despite their efforts, Liverpool struggled to create clear-cut chances to equalize.
With this win, Forest moves up to fourth in the Premier League standings with two wins and two draws, while Liverpool sits two places and one point ahead of them. Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo deserves significant credit for their strong start to the season.
Slot, who previously managed Feyenoord, understood that the Premier League would pose challenges. His impressive early results, including a notable win against Manchester United before the international break, had drawn comparisons to Jurgen Klopp’s style.
Liverpool’s play focused on patience and build-up, but their efforts were thwarted. Diaz hit the post, several headers went off target, and Mohamed Salah had a shot well-saved by Sels.
Slot made tactical changes, bringing on Bradley, moving Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield, and introducing Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez in search of a winning goal. However, it was Bradley who was ultimately beaten by Hudson-Odoi’s goal.
Liverpool had a late opportunity to level the score when Virgil van Dijk headed over the bar, but many fans had already begun leaving Anfield before the final whistle confirmed the end of their unbeaten run.
While much of the focus had been on Liverpool’s unbeaten start under Slot, Forest also boasted an undefeated record in the Premier League—and they have now emerged as the ones maintaining that streak.
Forest’s first-half performance was solid but unspectacular, as they frustrated Liverpool without managing a shot on target. Nuno’s decision to introduce Hudson-Odoi and Elanga in the second half proved decisive. Elanga’s assist allowed Hudson-Odoi to cut inside and score the decisive goal with a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner.
Elanga nearly doubled Forest’s lead with a late shot that went straight at Alisson, but one goal proved sufficient. Forest’s victory at Anfield was their first since the Moon landing in 1969.
source – BBC
