We’ve compiled our summarised match reports for every Premier League team’s fixtures this week – as well as the Carabao Cup Final and every Champions League game.
UCL: Eintracht Frankfurt v SSC Napoli (0-2)
FRA: Trapp; Ndicka, Jakic, Tuta; Max, Sow, Kamada, Buta; Gotze, Lindstrom; Kolo Muani
NAP: Meret; Olivera, Min-jae, Rrahmani, Di Lorenzo; Zielinski, Lobotka, Zambo Anguissa; Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen, Lozano
Napoli started well in their trip to Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park, with long balls over the top to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia threatening the hosts early on. A sloppy pass in Frankfurt’s midfield allowed Lozano to break free on the counterattack – but the Mexican couldn’t find Osimhen and the ball was sent out for a corner.
For the most part, Kvaratskhelia’s progress down the left wing was impeded by Tuta and Aurelio Buta – leading to a notably reduced service for Victor Osimhen in the box. As a result, the majority of Napoli’s attacks revolved around Hirving Lozano on the right flank. The Mexican managed to beat the offside trap and unleashed a shot that rifled off the crossbar – rebounding into the path of Osimhen. Buta was deemed to have downed the Nigerian in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty.
Kvaratskhelia’s effort from the spot was sent to Kevin Trapp’s right – but the German keeper did well to anticipate the strike and keep his side level. Napoli didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring though, as Osimhen rifled home just four minutes later after Lozano’s cross fell to his feet. They replicated this exact move less than a minute later – but Osimhen was offside at the second time of asking.
Randal Kolo Muani saw red after 58 minutes – as he clipped Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa while surging into the box. Despite both players crashing to the ground, the Frenchman was dismissed, leaving Frankfurt down to ten. Napoli did well to capitalise on their newfound advantage, doubling their lead seven minutes after Kolo Muani’s dismissal – with Giovanni Di Lorenzo firing into the bottom corner. Kvaratskhelia’s backheeled assist was a beauty, and will be replayed for years to come.
Frankfurt produced a great chance in the final ten minutes, as Ansgar Knauff found Daichi Kamada with a cross into the box from the right flank – but the Japanese midfielder’s shot was directed straight into the arms of Alex Meret. Frankfurt will head to the Studio Diego Armando Maradona with a two-goal deficit, and Oliver Glasner will be hoping his side can claw back a result in Italy.
Read our full match report for this game here.
UCL: Liverpool v Real Madrid (2-5)
LIV: Alisson; Robertson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Henderson, Bajcetic; Gakpo, Nunez, Salah
RMA: Courtois; Alaba, Militao, Rudiger, Carvajal; Camavinga, Valverde, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Mo Salah found Darwin Nunez with just four minutes on the clock, and the Uruguayan fired home with a lovely flicked finish to send the Reds ahead early on. Jurgen Klopp’s side wouldn’t have to wait too long to double their lead, with Salah taking advantage of Thibaut Courtois’ poor clearance.
Liverpool’s two-goal advantage was halved by Vinicius Jr after 21 minutes, as the Brazilian cut inside form the left flank to fire past Alisson and nestle the ball into the bottom-right corner. Real Madrid broke through on the counter once again, as Camavinga found Vinicius Jr with a beautifully threaded ball – but Joe Gomez did well to clear the danger and preserve his side’s lead.
Real Madrid were forced into an early change with just 27 minutes played, as David Alaba was replaced by Nacho Fernandez after suffering what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The defensive change didn’t affect their attacking output though, as they floated a ball towards Vinicius Jr at the back post – but the Brazilian’s strike was saved by his international teammate.
Courtois’ early blunder was levelled out by a disastrous clearance from Alisson. Rather than making a simple pass, the ‘keeper opted to play the ball directly into the path of Vinicius Jr – and the winger duly sent the ball looping into the back of the net to level the scores ahead of half-time.
Real Madrid took the lead soon after the restart, with Luka Modric’s free-kick finding Eder Militao who send an uncontested header into the back of the net. The goals kept flowing for the visitors, who put themselves two goals clear of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds with an audacious effort on goal that nestled in the back of the net following a deflection off Joe Gomez.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side weren’t done there – and found a fifth goal through Benzema who found his way through the Liverpool defence before firing past Alisson to ensure los Blancos headed back to the Spanish capital with a comfortable three-goal lead. Liverpool will certainly have their work cut out for them in the return leg, and they’ll be keen to avoid an embarrassing scoreline.
Read our full match report for this game here.
UCL: RB Leipzig v Manchester City (1-1)
RBL: Blaswich; Halstenburg, Gvardiol, Orban, Klostermann; Schlager, Larmer; Werner, Forsberg, Szoboszlai; Silva
MCI: Ederson; Ake, Dias, Akanji; Rodri, B. Silva; Grealish, Gundogan, Mahrez, Walker; Haaland
As you’d expect, City dominated the first half and produced chances from the get-go – with Mahrez finding Ruben Dias from a corner early on, but the centre-back’s header was directed straight into the arms of Janis Blaswich. Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead in the 27th minute, as Riyad Mahrez fired a low shot into the bottom corner to cap off some great build-up play, taking advantage of a poor pass from Konraid Laimer.
Despite a late chance from Timo Werner, City headed into the break with a one-goal advantage that they’d seek to add to in the second half. However, Lukas Klostermann was replaced by Benjamin Henrichs at the interval, and this was a change that would go on to alter the course of the game. The substitute had two chances shortly after being introduced – though neither found the back of the net.
A chance for Andre Silva was saved well by Ederson – but Leipzig eventually found an equaliser through their Croatian defender, Josko Gvardiol. The youngster did well to rise above the City defenders following a corner, heading home to bring his side level.
Ilkay Gündoğan came close to restoring City’s lead – but a fine save from Blaswich at the near post was enough to deny the midfielder. City will hope they can produce a better performance in the second leg at the Etihad to avoid an embarrassing early elimination in Europe.
Read our full match report for this game here.
UCL: Inter Milan v FC Porto (1-0)
INT: Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, L. Martinez
FCP: D. Costa; J. Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Zaidu; Otavio, Uribe, Grujic, Galeno; Pepe Aquino, Taremi
Dimarco had the first chance of this game at the San Siro, which was shortly followed by an effort from Calhanoglu that tested the Porto keeper early on. Porto failed to trouble Onana for the first thirty minutes or so, with Grujic and Galeno combining to produce the visitors’ first real chance after half an hour. Diogo Costa was forced into action once again shortly before the break, producing a sublime stop to deny Bastoni’s headed effort after Dimarco’s free-kick into the box.
Despite a chance for Nicolo Barella shortly after the restart, Porto began a period of dominance – coming close with just under an hour played. Andre Onana made a great save to deny Uribe on the counterattack, before making a sensational double save to keep Zaidu and Teremi’s efforts from nestling in the back of the net.
The introduction of Brozovic was crucial to Inter regaining control of the midfield battle – and Porto didn’t help themselves, with Otavio seeing red in the 78th minute after picking up two yellow cards. The dismissal allowed Inter to overload the midfield and pile bodies forwards, and they finally got their reward in the 86th minute as Romelu Lukaku fired home on the rebound.
The Belgian had another chance five minutes later, but Diogo Costa did well to save the Belgian’s second effort. Inter head to Portugal with a one-goal advantage for the second leg, and Inzaghi’s men will feel it’s a tie they should wrap up comfortably.
There is no full match report for this game.
UEL: Manchester United v FC Barcelona (2-1) (4-3 AGG)
MUN: De Gea; Shaw, Martinez, Varane, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Fred; Rashford, Sancho, Fernandes; Weghorst
BAR: Ter Stegen; Balde, Christiansen, Araujo, Kounde; De Jong, Busquets, Kessie; S. Roberto, Lewandowski, Raphinha
United started strongly, with their first chance coming just a few minutes into this heated fixture at Old Trafford. Having been held to a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp a week prior, establishing an early lead was crucial for Erik Ten Hag’s side – but Bruno Fernandes’ early strike was directed straight at Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
It was Barcelona that put themselves ahead – with Robert Lewandowski finding the back of the net from the penalty spot after Alejandro Balde was hauled to the ground by Bruno Fernandes inside the area. Despite diving the right way, David De Gea’s fingertip save wasn’t strong enough, and the Spaniard tipped the ball into his own net.
The Blaugrana carried this one-goal lead into half-time, despite an opportunity to double their advantage just before the break – but Casemiro did well to pick up the pieces from an awful clearance by De Gea. Wout Weghorst was replaced by Antony at half-time, in a substitution that would alter the course of the game by allowing Marcus Rashford to return to his preferred central position.
Fred equalised for United shortly after the interval, having received the ball from Bruno Fernandes. The Brazilian midfielder fired home into the bottom corner, and although it wasn’t the cleanest strike, I don’t think he’ll mind all too much given the significance of the goal.
Antony’s introduction certainly upped the tempo of this game, though it still wasn’t quite to the calibre we’d seen in the first leg in Catalunya. A flurry of chances for Barcelona – including a header from Kounde and a strike from Kessie – came to nothing, and it was Erik Ten Hag’s United that found the next goal to take a crucial lead.
It was Antony that put the Red Devils ahead, firing home on the volley in the 73rd minute – finding the bottom-left corner with a first-time strike that Ter Stegen had no chance of saving. A back-heeled pass from Luke Shaw found Bruno Fernandes, who then played in Garnacho – but the youngster’s shot was blocked. Fred’s rebounded effort was also blocked, but Antony was able to find the back of the net at the third time of asking.
A late chance for Barcelona saw Ferran Torres curl a shot around De Gea, but Raphael Varane did well to recover and hook the ball off the line – though the linesman’s flag was raised for an offside against Lewandowski in the buildup. Manchester United progress to the next round thanks to a 4-3 aggregate win, and they’ll face Real Betis in the next round.
Read our full match report for this game here.
PL: Fulham v Wolves (1-1)
FUL: Leno; Robinson, Ream, Diop, Tete; Palhinha, Reed; Willian, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; C. Vinicius
WOL: Sa; Bueno, Kilian, Dawson, Semedo; Nunes, Lemina, Neves, Sarabia; Cunha, Jimenez
Fulham were punished for an uncharacteristically slow start, as Pablo Sarabia fired home in the 23rd minute to give Wolves the lead with a beautiful half-volley nestling into the bottom-left corner. The hosts did have chances throughout the first half – notably Carlos Vinicius’ headed effort, though that was saved quite comfortably by Jose Sa as the interval approached.
Manor Solomon came off the bench to rescue a point for Marco Silva’s side – with a spectacular curling effort finding the bottom corner from the edge of the box. The newfound confidence allowed Fulham to dominate the remaining 25 minutes, but they were unable to find a winner in that time.
A lack of quality chances forced both sides to settle for a point at Craven Cottage – but both managers will take pride in excellent defensive performances. Fulham remain in sixth, but they’re under considerable pressure from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. The result means Wolves now sit three points clear of the relegation zone.
There is no full match report for this game.
PL: Leeds v Southampton (1-0)
LEE: Meslier; Firpo, Wober, Koch, Ayling; McKennie, Adams; Gnonto, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford
SOU: Bazunu; Perraud, Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Maitland-Niles; Elyounoussi, Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong; Onuachu, Kamaldeen
A first-half relatively devoid of action saw Southampton produce the best chance through Paul Onuachu – despite the hosts’ impressive possession statistics in the opening 45 minutes of Javi Gracia’s tenure at Elland Road.
Both sides knew that they needed three points – and that triggered a sensational second half full of chances. Patrick Bamford was furious when Peter Bankes denied his appeals for a penalty less than a minute after the restart.
Southampton had dealt with Leeds’ biggest threat, Wilfried Gnonto, well – leading to Javi Gracia attempting to spice things up through the introduction of Crysencio Summerville. The Dutchman did well to find Junior Firpo – and the Spaniard fired an effort past Gavin Bazunu to give the Leeds faithful something to cheer about.
Javi Gracia’s side move out of the relegation places with that result, though they still sit just one point above the drop zone – something the new boss will be keen to change. Despite a shock three points at Chelsea last time out, Southampton were unable to pick up consecutive wins and remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
There is no full match report for this game.
PL: Leicester v Arsenal (0-1)
LEI: Ward; Kristiansen, Faes, Souttar, Castagne; Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidi, Praet; Barnes, Iheanacho, Tete
ARS: Ramsdale; Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Xhaka, Jorginho, Odegaard; Martinelli, Trossard, Saka
As expected, Arsenal dominated the opening thirty minutes or so – finding the back of the net through Leandro Trossard after 26 minutes. Saka’s corner was parried away by Danny Ward, but only as far as Granit Xhaka, who laid it off to Trossard. The Belgian sent a shot rifling into the top corner, though the goal was disallowed after a VAR check ruled Ben White had fouled the Leicester keeper.
Leicester surged forwards and slotted home soon after, with Zinchenko’s poor clearance finding Tete. The Brazilian played in Kelechi Iheanacho with a through ball, and the Nigerian forward chipped Aaron Ramsdale to put the Foxes ahead – but Iheanacho’s run was too early and the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
There was nothing to separate the two teams at the break, though Arsenal will feel they should have taken the lead. Leicester simply sat back, absorbed the pressure and countered – but against such an impressive Arsenal team, opportunities to do so are few and far between.
Gabriel Martinelli gave the visitors the lead less than a minute after the restart, with Trossard picking up the assist after working the ball through the legs of Harry Souttar before laying it off to the Brazilian. Martinelli did well to beat Timothy Castagne and surge into the box, curling his effort into the bottom corner.
Leicester had chance to equalise through Tete, who attempted to run onto the end of Barnes’ ball into the box – but there was too much pace on the cross and the Brazilian winger was unable to poke it into the back netting.
Saka though he’d doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 55th minute, as Gabriel Martinelli found the end of Martin Odegaard’s pass – but the Brazilian squared it to Saka who slid the ball into the back of the net. The Englishman’s celebrations were cut short though, as Martinelli had been in an offside position and the goal was ruled off.
Leicester improved after the introduction of Jamie Vardy, but even he was unable to break through Arsenal’s defence to rescue a point for the Foxes. The result sees the Gunners maintain their lead over Manchester City at the top of the table, while Leicester linger in 14th – just three points clear of relegation.
There is no full match report for this game.
PL: Everton v Aston Villa (0-2)
EVE: Pickford; Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Coady, Coleman; Gueye; McNeil, Onana, Doucoure, Iwobi; Maupay
AVL: Martinez; Digne, Mings, Konsa, Cash; Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, Kamara, McGinn; Watkins, Bailey
Everton’s high-press resulted in the Toffees picking up the first chance of the fame, as Alex Iwobi was in the path of Dwight McNeil’s cross into the box – but the Nigerian couldn’t get a good enough connection to threaten Emi Martinez. Jordan Pickford was forced into action at the other end of the pitch soon after, producing a great save to deny Ollie Watkins after a long ball over the top had split the Everton defence.
Alex Iwobi’s in-swinging corner just before the 30-minute mark provided an opportunity for Neal Maupay to head home the opener, but the Frenchman’s effort strayed just wide of the far post – keeping the scores level for the time being.
Martinez pulled off a sensational stop a few minutes later, as Amadou Onana rushed onto the end of Mykolenko’s cross – but the Belgian midfielder’s header was parried over the bar by the Argentine, who did remarkably well to prevent the hosts taking the lead before the break.
Dwight McNeil’s free-kick almost led to a goal for the Toffees – but Tyrone Mings recovered well to clear the ball off the line after a flurry of chances resulted in Neal Maupay’s goal-bound header. Jordan Pickford was called into action once again soon after, diving at full-stretch to tip Ollie Watkins’ headed effort onto the post.
Villa took the lead from the penalty spot with 63 minutes played, after Gueye dragged John McGinn to the ground inside the box. Ollie Watkins fired his strike down the middle of the goal – misleading Jordan Pickford who dived right.
Emiliano Buendia doubled their lead just shy of 20 minutes later – picking up the ball on the edge of the box and working his way past Mykolenko and Tarkowski before firing past Pickford at the near post.
Everton couldn’t find a way back into the game, and Aston Villa return to Villa Park with all three points thanks to Ollie Watkins’ penalty and Emi Buendia’s late strike. That result sees the winners hold on to 11th place in the standings, while Everton drop back into the relegation zone.
There is no full match report for this game.
PL: West Ham v Nottingham Forest (4-0)
WHU: Fabianski; Johnson, Ogbonna, Aguerd, Coufal; Paqueta, Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Ings, Bowen
NFO: Navas; Lodi, Felipe, Worrall, Williams; Colback, Shelvey, Freuler; Gibbs-White, Johnson; Wood
West Ham started well against Steve Cooper’s Forest side, knowing that three points could see them rise out of the relegation zone. The Hammers had a flurry of chances early on – with Bowen’s corner parried away by Keylor Navas, but only as far as Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian’s strike deflected off Ings, Felipe and the post before trickling out for another corner.
The Hammers certainly had their fair share of chances in the first half – but they failed to make them count, and headed into the break level with their opponents – despite a late appeal for a penalty by Forest.
Jarrod Bowen found the post shortly after the restart, after driving an effort across the face of goal – but despite beating Keylor Navas, his effort was denied by the woodwork. It wouldn’t matter all too much though, as the winger soon set up Danny Ings for the opener – Bowen’s scuffed shot managed to find its way to the striker, who found the back netting.
The Englishman wanted more – and bagged a second goal just two minutes later after a beautiful passage of play from the hosts. Paqueta was able to find Said Benrahma, who then fired a cross into the box which was diverted home by Ings once again.
David Moyes’ side were really starting to assert their dominance in this fixture, and Declan Rice joined in with the goalscoring action in the 78th minute – less than ten minutes after the Hammers had scored their first! A quick one-two with Benrahma opened up acres of space for the holding midfielder to unleash a sensational right-footed strike into the top corner from the edge of the box. Forest were 3-0 down, and they looked dead and buried.
West Ham found yet another goal in the 85th minute, with Michail Antonio heading home from Pablo Fornals’ cross. The pair had been on the pitch for mere minutes, but they’d had the desired impact on the scoreline – as goal difference could be crucial for the Hammers this season in their fight to avoid relegation.
Despite Bowen’s late appeal for a penalty, David Moyes’ side had to settle for four goals – earning them a resounding victory over 13th-placed Nottingham Forest. Three points at the London Stadium was enough for the hosts to progress out of the relegation zone, and they now sit in 16th ahead of their upcoming trip to a high-flying Brighton side.
There is no full match report for this game.
PL: Bournemouth v Manchester City (1-4)
BOU: Neto; Zemura, Senesi, Stephens, Mepham, Smith; Traore, Billing, Lerma, Outtara; Solanke
MCI: Ederson; Ake, Dias, Akanji; Rodri, Lewis; Grealish, Gundogan, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland
City took an early lead in the 15th minute through Julian Alvarez, who was able to tuck away the rebound after a frantic period of play that saw Foden and Haaland both have chances before the Argentine finally found the back netting.
Pep Guardiola’s side doubled their lead at the Vitality Stadium less than fifteen minutes later, as Erling Haaland poked home from a couple of yards out from Ilkay Gundogan’s cross. Phil Foden was the intended target of the German’s ball into the box, but the Englishman couldn’t get a shot off under pressure and instead found Haaland. That constitutes his 27th Premier League goal this season – and the Norwegian is surely still favourite to lift the Golden Boot.
Bournemouth thought they’d be awarded a penalty in the 37th minute – as they felt a City played had handled the ball in the box following a corner, but a brief VAR check found the visitors hadn’t done so. City found their third goal on the stroke of half-time, as Phil Foden capitalised on an error by Philip Billing that allowed him to rifle an effort into the bottom-right corner.
The visitors took a three-goal lead into the break – a result on the South Coast was vital if they were to close the gap to Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Arsenal. They continued to probe forwards in the second half – finding a fourth goal with 51 minutes on the clock. Phil Foden and Rico Lewis did well to break forwards on the right flank, but a poor clearance from the hosts’ defence played the ball to Julian Alvarez on the penalty spot. The Argentine’s shot found the back of the net, but a deflection from Chris Mepham mean it’ll officially be recorded as an own-goal.
Nathan Ake came close to netting against his former club ten minutes later, as he sent a thunderous strike towards goal – but his effort was directed straight into the arms of Neto to prevent Bournemouth any further embarrassment. City were the subject of yet another VAR check for handball, as the hosts thought Kalvin Phillips had handled the ball – but no penalty was given by VAR.
Bournemouth did find a consolation goal in the 83rd minute – but it was just that: a consolation. Jordan Zemura’s cross from the left found Jefferson Lerma in the box, and the Colombian midfielder sent his shot crashing into the top corner from ten yards out.
While that late goal for Bournemouth didn’t result in any points, it could still be crucial as the end of the season draws in – and the possibility of goal difference deciding the relegated teams lingers. For City, they return home with all three points – they now trail Arsenal by two points, though the Gunners do have a game in hand over Guardiola’s side.
There is no full match report for this game.
PL: Crystal Palace v Liverpool (0-0)
CRY: Guaita; Mitchell, Guess, Andersen, Clyne; S. Lokonga, Doucoure; Schlupp, J. Ayew, Olise, Mateta
LIV: Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Milner, Henderson, Keita; Jota, Gakpo, Salah
Liverpool had the first good chance of this clash at Selhurst Park, as Henderson found Cody Gakpo – with the Dutchman then playing it out to Mo Salah on the right flank, but the Egyptian’s strike curled into the side netting.
Jean Mateta was primed and ready to capitalise on a poor backpass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but his chipped effort was tipped wide by Alisson who did well to rush out and make himself as big as possible.
Andy Robertson’s free-kick into the area was cleared by Joachim Andersen – but only as far as Joel Matip. The centre-back floated a ball back across the face of the goal, finding Diogo Jota – but his header hit the woodwork from a tight angle.
Liverpool began to grow more comfortable in this game, and they broke free on the counterattack following a Palace corner – but Salah’s strike was saved comfortably by Guaita.
Alexander-Arnold nearly cost his side again at the back, as he was dispossessed on the edge of his own box by Schlupp – who played in Mateta. His first-time strike beat Alisson – but was sent out for a corner after skimming the top of the crossbar! Somehow, this was still goalless at the break!
Liverpool were quick to attack again after play resumed – Salah managed to beat Guaita with a curving shot, but his strike rattled off the crossbar to deny Klopp’s side the lead. The second half had plenty of chances – predominantly for Liverpool – but the Reds lacked that final touch and return to Anfield with just a point. They move into 7th, while Palace remain in 12th.
There is no full match report for this game.
PL: Tottenham v Chelsea (2-0)
TOT: Forster; Lenglet, Dier, Romero; Davies, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Emerson; Richarlison, Kulusevski, Kane
CHE: Kepa; Chilwell, Koulibaly, T. Silva, James; Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek; Sterling, J. Felix, Ziyech; Havertz
Spurs were without Antonio Conte for yet another game as the Italian recovers from surgery, meaning Cristian Stellini would take charge of this clash against the club’s London rivals.
Thiago Silva was forced off through injury after twenty minutes, with Wesley Fofana taking his place. The Frenchman was called into action soon after, making a crucial block to deflect Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s effort against the post.
Hakim Ziyech was shown red card shortly before the interval after he was deemed to have shoved a Spurs player in a bit of a scrap – but on second viewing, Stuart Attwell rescinded the red card, cueing chants of ‘You’re not fit to referee’ from the home fans. The two sides headed into the break level.
Spurs started well and took the lead almost immediately, with Oliver Skipp finding the back of the net in the 46th minute. Emerson’s low shot from the right was saved by Kepa – but the Spaniard’s clearance fell to the English youngster who duly fired home.
That lead would be doubled in the 82nd minute by Harry Kane. Son Heung-min’s corner found Eric Dier, who flicked it on towards Harry Kane, and the striker had no problems slotting his strike past Kepa.
Another loss for Chelsea once again raises more questions about Graham Potter’s ability to coach such a high-profile team. Stellini, on the other hand, will be relishing in his newfound success as interim head coach – picking up four wins from four games, conceding 0 goals.
There is no full match report for this game.
CC: Manchester United v Newcastle United (2-0)
MUN: De Gea; Shaw, Martinez, Varane, Dalot; Casemiro, Fred; Rashford, Fernandes, Antony; Weghorst
NEW: Karius; Burn, Botman, Schar, Trippier; Joelinton, B. Guimaraes, S. Longstaff; Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Almiron
Manchester United started slowly – as they have done in other games of late – and Newcastle sought to capitalise early on. Allan Saint-Maximin did well to cut inside and find Bruno Guimaraes, but play was halted after Fred went down injured following a challenge.
Perhaps against the run of play, Manchester United took the lead in the 33rd minute. After winning a free-kick on the left, Luke Shaw found Casemiro at the back post – and the Brazilian duly headed home to open the scoring. A relatively lengthy VAR check confirmed that the midfielder was onside, cueing a second round of celebrations in the capital.
They didn’t have to wait long for that lead to be doubled. Less than six minutes after the opener, Wout Weghorst played in Marcus Rashford. The Englishman’s strike was turned into the back of the net by Sven Botman – despite Loris Karius’ best efforts to make the save. The German was playing his first competitive game in over two years – replacing the suspended Nick Pope for this fixture.
Erik Ten Hag’s side nearly made it three before the break, as Wout Weghorst broke through on goal and unleashed a thunderous strike from distance – but Karius was able to produce a fine save at full-stretch. Still, Manchester United headed into the interval with a very comfortable 2-0 lead, despite a strong opening thirty minutes from the Magpies.
Both managers made a change at half-time, with Eddie Howe opting to replace Sean Longstaff with Alexander Isak – while Erik Ten Hag replaced Diogo Dalot with Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Antony attempted to add to his side’s lead immediately after the interval, as he tried to place a curling shot in the far bottom corner – but his strike was actually hit straight at Karius between the sticks.
Fabian Schar’s appeals for a penalty in the final ten minutes were quickly dismissed by the referee. Schar had felt that his collision with Bruno Fernandes inside the box warranted a chance from six yards, but a quick VAR check confirmed the referee’s initial decision.
There were still a handful of chances left in the game, notably for Jacob Murphy and Bruno Fernandes. Murphy received the ball on the edge of the centre circle and surged forwards before hammering a thunderous curling shot towards goal, but it bent just wide of the post – much to the relief of David De Gea. At the other end of the pitch, Bruno Fernandes managed to break through Newcastle’s defence – but opted to take on the shot himself rather than laying it off to Jadon Sancho, and Karius was able to make a great save.
United lifted their first silverware in six years, and they could still lift another three titles this season. For Newcastle, it’s heartbreak – but they’ll know they can come back stronger next season.
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