Lookman’s Atalanta beat Roma to move second in Serie A

Atalanta continued their high-flying start in Serie A as they beat Roma to enter second.

Ademola Lookman struggled, but Atalanta coped without their starman shining as they beat Roma 2-0 to move within touching distance of league leaders Napoli.

Roma, seeking to revive their season after four losses in five league games, started brightly. Leandro Paredes’ early shot from outside the box forced Marco Carnesecchi into a sharp save, but the hosts’ promising start soon fizzled out. Clear-cut chances were scarce for both sides in the first-half, with Manu Kone’s strike from distance sailing narrowly wide.

Roma struggled to recover from this setback, and their fate was sealed when two former players combined to double Atalanta’s lead. Juan Cuadrado’s pinpoint delivery found Nicolo Zaniolo, who rifled a header into the back of the net, condemning Roma to another defeat.

Lookman’s Atalanta beat Roma to move second in Serie A

Liverpool beat Man City to go nine points clear at top

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points and heaped more misery on fading champions Manchester City with a fully deserved victory at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s pace-setters, fresh from beating Champions League holders Real Madrid, were in rampant mood and subjected City to a relentless barrage from the kick-off.

Liverpool were not flattered by the margin of victory, which leaves them 11 points clear of Man City, who not won for seven matches – losing their past four league games.

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Virgil van Dijk had headed against the post – while City keeper Stefan Ortega, in for the dropped Ederson, had already been in constant action – before Liverpool went ahead after 12 minutes.

Mohamed Salah showed perfect vision to pick out Cody Gakpo for a simple finish in front of the Kop as City were unable to cope with Liverpool’s relentless attacking intensity.

Van Dijk headed wide when it seemed easier to score and the Reds created more chances when, as City hinted at a belated recovery, the league leaders deservedly increased their lead with 12 minutes left.

The Reds substitute Darwin Nunez hustled Ruben Dias into an error. Luis Diaz cashed in and was brought down by Ortega, with Salah making no mistake from the spot after missing against Real Madrid in midweek.

Liverpool beat Man City to go nine points clear at top

Dozens killed in crush at Guinea football match – reports

Dozens of people have died in a crush following clashes at a football match in Guinea’s second-largest city, N’zérékoré, local media report.

Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah said a stampede at the event led to a number of victims on Sunday and called for calm.

One doctor, who did not want to be named, told AFP news agency that there were several bodies “lined up” in the local hospital, and the morgue was full.

Local media said police used tear gas after supporters of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee.

So far no official casualty figures have been given.

“It all started with a contested decision by the referee. Then fans invaded the pitch,” one witness told AFP.

Videos and images on social media appear to show chaotic scenes outside the stadium, with large crowds attempting to climb over walls and numerous bodies on the ground.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify these videos.

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Regional authorities are working to “restore calm”, Prime Minister Bah said in a statement, and added that hospitals are aiding the injured.

Thousands of spectators were present when the crush happened at a match between Guinean teams N’zérékoré and Labé, local news website MediaGuinee reported.

It said Sunday’s match was part of a tournament in honour of President Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in September 2021.

One of the worst massacres in Guinea’s history also took place in a stadium.

In 2009, 156 people were killed after troops opened fire at an opposition rally at a stadium in the capital, Conakry.

Many were shot, stabbed, beaten or crushed in a stampede as security forces fired teargas and charged into the stadium. Scores of women were also raped.

Former military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity in connection with the massacre.

Dozens killed in crush at Guinea football match – reports