Sports
Aston Villa Stun Bayern In Repeat Of 1982 European Cup Final
Aston Villa repeated their famous 1982 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich as Jhon Duran’s winner beat the German giants 1-0 on Wednesday.
The Colombian striker caught Manuel Neuer off his line 11 minutes from time to make it two wins from two games for Villa in their first experience of Champions League football for 41 years.
Bayern arrived at Villa Park unbeaten and in free-scoring form since Vincent Kompany took charge.
But the visitors were stifled by Unai Emery’s gameplan and caught out when Duran latched onto Pau Torres’ long pass and fired over Neuer from long range.
Prince William was among the over 40,000 Villa fans who inspired Emery’s men to shrug off the vast gulf in Champions League pedigree between the sides.
Just five years ago Villa were languishing in the second tier of English football, but they have enjoyed a meteoric rise since the Spaniard took charge under two years ago.
After a comfortable 3-0 win over Young Boys in Switzerland two weeks ago, the visit of the six-time European champions was the sort of glamour tie Villa fans had been relishing and it did not disappoint.
Harry Kane overcame an ankle injury that forced him off late on in Bayern’s 1-1 draw against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend.
Bayern had averaged over four goals a game in their opening seven matches under Kompany, including a 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb to open their Champions League campaign.
They dominated the ball early on, but Kane’s header from an offside position that was well saved by Emi Martinez was the closest they came to breaking through Emery’s well-organised defence.
Villa did have the ball in the net midway through the first half when Torres prodded in at the back post from a free-kick.
However, Jacob Ramsey had strayed offside in the build up and Villa’s jubilant celebrations were cut short.
Michael Olise was another of Bayern’s stars making a return to England and the former Crystal Palace winger was only denied the opener before half-time by a stunning save from Martinez.
Kompany had surprisingly left Jamal Musiala on the bench but the German international was summoned to make an impact at half-time.
Musiala nearly weaved a way through the Villa defence on the hour mark but his shot was blocked by Torres.
Instead, it was Villa’s own super sub that came on to win the game.
Five of Duran’s six goals this season have come as a substitute.
The 20-year-old showed his strength to hold off Dayot Upamecano and lift the ball over the stranded Neuer.
Villa still needed their own goalkeeper to make important interventions at the other end to seal a historic victory.
Musiala’s pass finally unlocked the home side’s defence but Serge Gnabry could not beat Martinez.
The Argentine then produced an even better save deep into stoppage time to turn Upamecano’s header to safety.
AFP
Sports
Osimhen fires brace in Galatasaray away win
Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray thrashed Kayserispor 5-1 in their Turkish Super Lig clash on Sunday.
Osimhen gave Okan Buruk’s side the lead from the penalty spot in the fourth minute.
The 25-year-old netted his side’s fourth goal of the day 19 minutes from time.
The powerful striker has now scored 12 goals and provided five assists across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds this season.
Baris Yilmaz (brace) and Yunus Akgun were the other goal scorers for Galatasaray in the game.
Galatasaray remain top of the standings with 44 points from 16 games.
Sports
Liverpool thrash Tottenham in nine-goal thriller
Liverpool swept four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah’s masterclass inspired a memorable 6-3 rout of Tottenham on Sunday.
Salah delivered a sublime performance featuring two goals and a pair of assists as Arne Slot’s side ran riot in north London.
Liverpool took advantage of second-placed Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Everton earlier in the day to cement their status as title favourites heading into the Christmas period.
Sports
Bournemouth humble Man United 3-0 at Old Trafford
Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday as Ruben Amorim lost for the fourth time in his nine games in charge of the troubled Old Trafford club.
United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his squad, is set for a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his brief reign.
Languishing in 13th place, United have suffered four defeats in nine matches in all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
United’s second successive loss after their League Cup exit at Tottenham on Thursday underlined Amorim’s belief that their road back to the top will be long and arduous.
United, who have conceded first in their last six games, were booed off at half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few fans who stayed until the bitter end.
While it is far too early to pass judge on Amorim, the Portuguese coach cannot afford many more results like this if he is to keep the players and fans on his side.
Amorim’s decision to play without Rashford for the third consecutive game will face fresh scrutiny after United’s wretched performance.
Amorim surprisingly omitted the 27-year-old England forward from the squad for United’s win at Manchester City last weekend, prompting Rashford to hint he was willing to leave the club for a “new challenge”.
Rashford was at Old Trafford wearing a United tracksuit amid his extended exile as Amorim made six changes from the line-up beaten 4-3 by Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals.
Again, United were exposed at set-pieces in the 29th minute when Bournemouth’s teenage defender Dean Huijsen punished poor marking at a free-kick to glance a header past Andre Onana.
There was even worse to come for Amorim in the second half as Justin Kluivert doubled fifth-placed Bournemouth’s advantage with a 61st minute penalty following Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on the forward.
Antoine Semenyo compounded United’s misery two minutes later with a cool finish from Dango Ouattara’s pass.
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