Sports

Saka On Target As Arsenal Beat Watford To Leapfrog Manchester United

Published

4 years ago

March 6, 2022

Bukayo Saka starred as Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester United into the Premier League top four on Sunday with a 3-2 win at struggling Watford.

Martin Odegaard struck early for the visitors before Cucho Hernandez equalised with a stunning overhead kick minutes later but Nigerian-born England star, Saka, restored Arsenal’s lead in an entertaining first half.

Brazilian winger, Gabriel Martinelli, made it 3-1 early in the second half and the Gunners held out for a crucial win despite a late goal from Moussa Sissoko.

The victory lifted Mikel Arteta’s men into fourth place in the Premier League – one point ahead of Manchester United.

Arteta, whose team started the season with three straight league defeats, said it was “very pleasing” to be in the top four, although he felt the win should have been more comfortable.

“We know how difficult it is to be in this position in this league,” he told Sky Sports. “We’ve earned it – we have come a long way as a team.”

Arteta was asked about the role he played in the build-up to Arsenal’s third goal – he grabbed the ball when it went out of play and quickly passed it to Saka, who launched the ultimately decisive move with a throw-in.

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Arsenal jokingly awarded their manager an assist on their Twitter feed.

“I saw an advantage and I took it,” said Arteta. “We have to be alive and that is the way I live the game. I try to instil that in the team as well.”

Watford had the ball in the net a few seconds after kick-off but Nigeria striker, Emmanuel Dennis, had his effort ruled out for offside.

Arsenal settled quickly after their early fright and were in front in the fifth minute after neat work down the right, with Saka cutting back to Odegaard, who finished with his left foot.

But the Gunners’ advantage was cancelled out in the 11th minute when Colombian forward, Hernandez, produced an acrobatic overhead kick from near the penalty spot after a cross from Kiko Femenia.

Arsenal restored their advantage just after the half-hour mark with a cleverly crafted goal finished by the lively Saka.

The England man dispossessed Tom Cleverley just outside the Watford box before passing to Alexandre Lacazette, who held the ball up then backheeled it to Saka, who fired in.

Arsenal extended their lead early in the second half with a delightful third from Martinelli, who hammered home from the edge of the box after a neat layoff from Lacazette.

Watford still offered a threat despite Arsenal’s superiority and Dennis should have narrowed the gap but miscued a chance at the far post with about 20 minutes to go.

Arsenal substitute Eddie Nketiah hit the woodwork with 10 minutes left before Sissoko gave the visitors a late scare when he bundled the ball home in the 87th minute.

The win makes Arsenal strong favourites to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League – a competition they have not played in since the 2016/17 season.

They have 48 points after 25 games, one ahead of United, who had played two games more ahead of the Manchester derby.

Roy Hodgson’s Watford remain second from the bottom of the Premier League table, three points from safety.

(AFP)

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Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Published

17 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their maiden Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup triumph, delivering a masterclass in a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Argentina superstar orchestrated Miami’s attack, providing two assists and creating another goal to secure the historic win, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

Miami opened the scoring via an early own goal by Edier Ocampo, but Vancouver quickly fought back when Ali Ahmed equalised in the 60th minute. With the Whitecaps looking dominant, Messi struck again, assisting teammate Rodrigo De Paul to restore Miami’s lead. He then supplied the final pass to Tadeo Allende in injury time, sealing a 3-1 victory.

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The win fulfilled the dream of co-owner David Beckham, who had long envisioned bringing soccer success to Miami. Beckham praised the club’s journey: “We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”

Vancouver, led by Thomas Mueller, had seemed poised to snatch the trophy after leveling the match and nearly taking the lead when Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot struck both posts in the 62nd minute. However, Messi’s quick thinking and precision passing proved decisive, capitalising on a midfield error by Andres Cubas.

The victory marks a historic milestone for Inter Miami, which joined the league as an expansion team in 2020 and successfully attracted Messi in 2023. The MLS Cup triumph also coincides with the retirement of former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, key contributors to Miami’s rise.

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

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Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Published

17 hours ago

December 7, 2025

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Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has launched a stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing the club of “throwing him under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive matches. The outburst has sparked major speculation that the Anfield legend could be playing his final game for the club next weekend before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Salah, Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer with 250 goals in 420 games, was left out of the starting XI in Saturday’s 3–3 draw against Leeds and was not brought on at any point — a decision he said left him “very, very disappointed.”

Speaking in the mixed zone at Elland Road, the 32-year-old expressed shock at losing his place during Liverpool’s poor run, which has seen Slot’s side win just two of their last 10 Premier League matches and drop to eighth.

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“I have done so much for this club down the years… now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why,” Salah said. “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. Someone wants me to get all of the blame.”

The Egyptian star claimed he was given assurances last summer about his role, promises he believes have since been broken.
“I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship,” he added. “It seems to me someone doesn’t want me at the club.”

Salah revealed he has already told his family to attend next weekend’s match against Brighton, suggesting it may be his farewell appearance at Anfield.
“I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans before I go to the Africa Cup. I don’t know what will happen when I’m there,” he said.

Despite enduring a difficult season, Salah remains one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players. His rare public criticism marks a dramatic escalation in tensions ahead of his departure for international duty with Egypt.

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

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Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

Barcelona moved four points clear at the top of La Liga after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja, courtesy of a first-half hat-trick by Ferran Torres.

Betis took an early lead in just the sixth minute through former Manchester United winger Antony, who scored his fifth goal of the season. However, Barcelona responded quickly, with Torres equalizing from close range before putting his team ahead with a sublime volley two minutes later.

Swedish youngster Roony Bardghji then scored his first La Liga goal, converting Pedri’s assist to extend the Catalan side’s lead to 3-1 after 30 minutes. Torres completed his third goal of the match just five minutes before halftime with a spectacular long-range strike, making it 4-1.

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In the second half, Barcelona were awarded a controversial penalty after VAR ruled that Marc Bartra handled the ball. Lamine Yamal converted calmly, marking his sixth goal of the season. Betis fought back with goals from Diego Llorente and a penalty converted by Cucho Hernandez following a foul by Jules Kounde, but it wasn’t enough to stop Barcelona’s triumph.

The win strengthens Hansi Flick’s side’s position atop La Liga, keeping them ahead of Real Madrid and maintaining momentum in their title challenge.