Minute to win it home game

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United crushed Leeds United 6-2 while Leicester City handed Tottenham Hotspur a second straight defeat in the Premier League on Sunday. United's win, with two goals each for midfielders Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes, sent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side up to third on 26 points, above fourth-placed Everton on goal difference. Jamie Vardy's penalty and a Toby Alderweireld own goal gave Leicester victory in North London and left the Foxes in second place, five points behind leaders Liverpool who had won 7-0 at Crystal Palace on Saturday. Sam Allardyce's debut in charge of struggling West Bromwich Albion ended in a 3-0 home defeat by West Midlands rivals Aston Villa with Anwar El Ghazi on target twice. Bottom club Sheffield United ended their eight match losing streak, picking up just their second point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. Promoted Leeds have won admirers for their attacking approach under … [Read more...] about United hit Leeds for six, Leicester win at Spurs

LONDON: Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham scored a late opportunist double to secure a 3-0 home win for Chelsea over West Ham United in the Premier League on Monday (Dec 21) after Brazilian defender Thiago Silva had fired them in front with an early header. The result lifted Chelsea to fifth on 25 points from 14 games, a point behind fourth-placed Everton, while West Ham stayed 10th on 21 points after failing to rack up a third successive away win. It was a welcome victory for Chelsea after two successive defeats and Abraham acknowledged there was a rallying cry in the dressing room before the kick off. "The boys said we needed a performance and that's what we did today," the 23-year-old told Sky Sports. "As a striker, scoring goals gives you confidence, my team mates created a lot of chances and we defended well as a team. "It's something you do in the park, get in the right areas and be ready when the ball lands. It's still early doors to be looking at the table, we have to … [Read more...] about Football: Chelsea close in on top four with 3-0 win over West Ham

REUTERS: A brace from Anwar El Ghazi and a second-half Bertrand Traore strike gave Aston Villa a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Sunday, handing new Baggies boss Sam Allardyce a defeat in his first game in charge. Allardyce replaced the sacked Slaven Bilic in midweek but there was little he could do as his side went behind when El-Ghazi deftly steered home Traore's cross to the far post in the fifth minute. West Brom had captain Jake Livermore sent off following a VAR review for a reckless tackle on Jack Grealish and Allardyce's new charges barely threatened after that, managing a single shot in the whole game. Traore added a second six minutes from time and El Ghazi slotted home a late penalty to secure a win that lifts Villa to ninth spot on 22 points after 12 games, while West Brom remain second from bottom with seven points from 14 games. … [Read more...] about Football: Villa beat West Brom 3-0 as Allardyce gets off to losing start

LONDON: Arsenal's miserable season continued as they slumped to a 4-1 home defeat by holders Manchester City in the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday. City, who have won the trophy for the last three seasons, went in front after three minutes through Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who nodded home a fine Oleksandr Zinchenko cross. Mikel Arteta's struggling Arsenal side drew level in the 31st minute with a fine diving header from Alexandre Lacazette after an excellent cross from Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli but City took charge after the break. A mistake by Arsenal Icelandic goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson gifted the visitors a 2-1 lead in the 54th as he let a relatively harmless Riyad Mahrez free-kick through his arms. Phil Foden added a third, latching onto a ball into the box from Fernandinho and lifting it over the advancing Runarsson. Aymeric Laporte then headed in a Foden cross to wrap up the win for Pep Guardiola's side as they added to the troubles of the Gunners … [Read more...] about Football: More misery for Arsenal in 4-1 League Cup exit to Man City

LONODN: Champions Juventus suffered their first Serie A defeat of the season when they crashed 3-0 at home to lowly Fiorentina after having Juan Cuadrado sent off after 18 minutes on Tuesday. Fiorentina, who had failed to win any of their previous six league matches since the return of coach Cesare Prandelli, were also helped by some calamitous defending by the hosts, with Leonardo Bonucci in particular suffering an off-day. Dusan Vlahovic stunned the Turin side by giving the visitors the lead in the third minute before Alex Sandro put through his own goal and Martin Caceres added a third following more bad defending in the last quarter of an hour. The defeat, Juve's worst at the Allianz Stadium since it opened nine years ago, left them fourth with 24 points after 13 games, seven behind leaders AC Milan, and raises questions about their ability to extend their run of nine successive titles. Fiorentia are in 15th place on 14 points. Fiore got off to a flying start when … [Read more...] about Football: Fiorentina hand 10-man Juve first league defeat this season