Sports
Lethargic Arsenal Stumble At Brighton, Edge Liverpool Closer To EPL Crown
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge was dealt another seismic blow as Joao Pedro’s penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Brighton on Saturday to leave the Gunners five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s attacking options were limited by illness and injury but 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri took his chance to shine with a composed finish to put the visitors in front.
However, Arsenal saw two vital points slip away when William Saliba was harshly punished for a clash of heads with Joao Pedro and the Brazilian slotted home the resulting spot-kick.
Liverpool can now further extend their lead at the top and close in on a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title when they host struggling Manchester United on Sunday.
Already shorn of talisman Bukayo Saka for the next two months with a hamstring injury, Arsenal’s attacking options were further depleted by illness.
Kai Havertz failed to even make the matchday squad for the second consecutive game, while captain Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli were only fit enough for appearances as second-half substitutes.
Nwaneri was the beneficiary with a second consecutive start and showed why he is one of the Premier League’s rising stars with a clinical finish for the opening goal.
The teenager still had plenty to do as he raced onto Mikel Merino’s ball over the top but his pace took him beyond the Brighton defence before firing low into the far corner on 16 minutes.
Arsenal went on to control the remainder of the first half but lacked any penetration without their quartet of attacking stars to build on their lead.
Merino had the one big opportunity to double the Gunners’ advantage early in the second period when he skewed wide from Declan Rice’s free-kick.
Moments later the visitors were rocked by a controversial call that could have huge ramifications for the title race.
There was the slightest touch from Saliba’s head onto Joao Pedro’s but the Brighton forward went down clutching his face and got the reward of a spot-kick.
The Seagulls captain for the day, in the absence of Lewis Dunk, confidently stroked home the penalty to level.
Arteta responded immediately by summoning Odegaard from the bench, while Martinelli had replaced Nwaneri at the break.
However, it was Brighton who looked the most likely winners in the closing stages.
Yakuba Minteh wasted a great chance to end their now eight-game winless run when his shot across goal evaded both Yasin Ayari and Kaoru Mitoma and slid wide of the far post.
But a point is enough to edge Brighton back into 10th.
AFP
Ex- Brazil international Hulk has tied the knot with Camila Angelo, his ex-wife’s niece, in a religious ceremony on Friday, 3 January, 2025,
The couple had already formalised their union in a civil ceremony in 2020.
An ecstatic Hulk expressed his joy on Instagram as he shared photos from his wedding, writing, “Before God and the promises of our love, we unite in one heart, beginning our eternity together, life! I love you.”
The wedding took place in Hulk’s hometown of Campina Grande at The Diocesan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, which was adorned with a sea of white roses. A grand reception is planned for January 7 at a luxury resort in João Pessoa, involving 500 professionals, including chefs, floral designers, and lighting technicians.
Hulk was previously married to Iran Angelo, Camila’s aunt, for 12 years. Their marriage, which ended in 2019, produced three children: sons Ian and Tiago, and a daughter, Alice.
The relationship between Hulk and Camila became public in December 2019, just months after his split from Iran. The couple married in September 2020, and in 2021, they welcomed their first child, Zaya, followed by their second child, Aisha, in 2023.
The relationship has drawn criticism from Camila’s family and a cross section of people following the scenario. Rayssa, one of Iran’s sisters, condemned the union on social media, writing, “Today is a hard day to swallow, a day that reveals how far betrayal can go when it comes from the people we least expect. If my mother were alive, I am sure she would not be able to bear such monstrosity.”
Ousmane Dembele netted a last-gasp winenr as Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 1-0 to win the French Super Cup on Sunday.
It is the third consecutive year the Ligue 1 champions have won the trophy.
PSG, who had clinched both the league and the French Cup, have now won the competition for the 11th time in the last 12 years.
In a lively encounter at Doha’s Stadium 974, PSG had 27 chances but failed to break the deadlock.
But Dembélé ensured the game did not go to penalties, when he sealed the win two minutes into injury time.
The Frenchman netted inside the far post after Fabián Ruiz laid on a neat pass across the face of the goal.
PSG return to league action next Sunday when they host St Etienne while Monaco visit lowly Nantes on Friday.
Liverpool and Manchester United played to an exciting 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, sharing the spoils in a fast-paced encounter. Despite Liverpool being the favorites due to United’s recent struggles, the visitors showed resilience and a much-improved performance.
Manchester United started strong, managing to contain the pro-Liverpool crowd early on and creating several chances. Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Højlund were key in getting behind Liverpool’s defense. Amad Diallo missed a great opportunity from Dalot’s cross, and Højlund was denied by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson.
After a goalless first half, Manchester United came out to build momentum against Liverpool in the second. Lisandro Martínez broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish after a clever pass from Bruno Fernandes. However, Liverpool responded quickly, with Cody Gakpo equalizing through a stunning goal that left Matthijs de Ligt behind.
The game took another twist when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Manchester United’s De Ligt’s handball. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot, giving the home team the lead. But United fought back, and Amad Diallo’s cool finish leveled the score once more.
Both teams had chances to win the match in the dying moments. Harry Maguire had an opportunity in injury time, but the game ended in a draw, meaning Liverpool couldn’t take advantage of Arsenal’s draw against Brighton earlier in the weekend.
Player ratings for Liverpool saw Mohamed Salah earn a solid 7.7/10, while Cody Gakpo and Ibrahima Konaté both received 7.7/10 as well. For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes stood out with a performance rating of 8.7/10, followed by Lisandro Martínez with 8.2/10.
In the end, both teams earned a point, with the result being a fair reflection of a match full of excitement and attacking play.
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