Man City Beat Bournemouth To Go Five Points Clear

Manchester City had to work hard to see off a determined Bournemouth side before Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan secured the win that sends them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

City's victory maintains their 100% home record in the league this season, with eight wins out of eight, but this latest triumph was not as straightforward as the scoreline might suggest.

All seemed to be going to plan for Pep Guardiola's side when Bernardo Silva smashed them ahead early on, with the Portuguese midfielder following up after Asmir Begovic had denied Leroy Sane.

But the home side, with David Silva on the bench and top scorer Sergio Aguero absent altogether after he complained of a muscle discomfort, relaxed a little too much before half-time and were deservedly punished.

To the displeasure of the home fans, the Cherries were given far too much time and space to build outside the box and Simon Francis swung in a perfect cross for Callum Wilson to rise and head home.

Bournemouth threatened again after half-time when King's looping cross almost dropped in at the far post, while City looked surprisingly short of urgency or inspiration.

It was Sterling who supplied the spark they were missing, to continue his remarkable run of scoring against the Cherries.

The England forward followed up after Begovic could only parry Danilo's low shot and Nathan Ake failed to clear, firing into the roof of the net for his 10th goal in seven games against the Cherries.

Bournemouth, looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat, did not lie down and some dangerous balls into the box ensured some nervous moments for the Etihad faithful.

It took Gundogan's close-range finish to make sure of the points with 11 minutes remaining, with the impressive Sane providing the assist with a precise pull-back.

"[Bournemouth] are a good side, so strong up front, so we could not press," Guardiola said. "They played long balls, attacked the channels. They were taller than us and stronger than us.

"In the last 20 minutes we were flat, we did not have the rhythm we needed. Winning that way, we suffered a lot in the first half, especially in the last 20 minutes. That is why I am delighted to win in that way."

City must hope Aguero absence is a short one

This is the start of a punishing six-week schedule that sees City play 13 games in the space of 44 days, including every midweek and weekend in December.

So it was perhaps not surprising that Guardiola chose to shuffle his squad, with five changes from the midweek draw with Lyon. Although the omission of Aguero was forced upon him.

With seven goals in his past 10 games, the Argentina striker has been in prolific form in recent weeks, and he was the player City missed more than most here.

Guardiola revealed he might once again be without his leading striker for next Tuesday's match at Watford.

"I don't know if Aguero will be fit," the Spaniard said. "We will see. I base my decisions on doctors, physios, instinct and what I see."

Before Saturday, City's attack had been even more lethal than the same stage last season, with more shots and shots on sasaran than in 2017-18.

But their attacks were strangely short of an end product for almost an hour of this game, and the home crowd were beginning to voice their frustration until Sterling struck.

'Sterling is the best player in the Premier League right now'
BBC graphic showing the top six players who lead the goal involvement rankings since August 2017
Former England and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas hailed City's midfielder following his exceptional display on Saturday.

"We thought last season he was absolutely outstanding and he's kicked on again," Jenas told BBC's Match of the Day.

"There was no Sergio Aguero at all today, no David Silva, from the start - players the team would turn to. Sterling has now become one of them.

"He seems to enjoy it - he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half. He drove at the defence, he put the fear into defenders.

"He's the best player in the Premier League right now - the way he is playing, I don't think anybody will dispute that."

Bournemouth get their game-plan right

Bournemouth had been beaten heavily on each of their three previous visits to the Etihad, conceding a total of 13 goals.

But Cherries boss Eddie Howe did much better with his approach this time, with his side well organised at the back and frequently breaking forward dangerously too.

"I think it is the closest we have come [to matching Manchester City at the Etihad]," Howe said.

"I don't know if it is the best we have performed. I still don't think we have fully delivered a performance that we are truly capable of here but think that is the closest we have come."

They had already got in some good positions without finding the right akhir ball when Wilson rose to power his header home, and continued to look dangerous with the score at 1-1.

City are the only Premier League team not to have dropped any points this season from winning positions, but that scenario looked a distinct possibility until Sterling struck.

Even then, the Cherries did not crumble. Four successive defeats have taken the shine off Bournemouth's strong start to the season, but this performance should give them some belief that they can stay in the top half of the table.

"I think we limited them in terms of clear cut chances today and I think the goals came at bad times for us but don't think we looked too vulnerable," Howe added.

"Yes, they had a lot of the ball but it was in front of us and we were happy with that. But we had some good moments on the counter attack and a lot of opportunities from set-pieces.

"There were just a couple of moments that just went against us - it's the closest we have come."

Man of the match - Leroy Sane (Man City)

Involved in two of City's three goals and only denied one himself by Asmir Begovic's superb late stop, the German winger's desire did not dip even when his side let Bournemouth back in the game.

His all-round action-packed display was epitomised by his dash back to dispossess Joshua King as the Cherries threatened on the break.

Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy on MOTD:

Sane was incredible to watch, maybe he's had a point to prove, there have been question marks over his character and personality. What I saw is a player who is hungry, working hard both ways. He's devastating.

He has the desire to work hard, that's what Pep wants. Bournemouth couldn't cope with him. He was too good for them. We have eulogised over so many City players but I had to pick him out. He's so young there is more to come, it is incredible. He was fantastic.

Sane's spark for City - the stats

City have now gone 20 games unbeaten in the Premier League (W17 D3) since a 2-3 defeat by Manchester United in April

Bournemouth are yet to win a League match against Man City. In 13 meetings they've drawn twice and lost 11 times

Since the start of last season, Man City's Leroy Sane has provided more assists in the Premier League than any other player with 20

Raheem Sterling became the first Premier League player to score in his first six appearances for a club against a single opponent

Bournemouth's Callum Wilson has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 15 Premier League appearances (8 goals, 4 assists)

Man City's Bernardo Silva has been directly involved in six goals in his last eight Premier League games (three goals, three assists)

What's next?

City travel to Watford on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) looking for their seventh successive Premier League win.

Bournemouth host Huddersfield on the same night (19:45) looking for their first league victory since 27 October.


SOURCE

Gabby Agbonlahor Has Retired From Football,Aged 32

Gabby Agbonlahor: Former Aston Villa and England striker retires aged 32

Former Aston Villa and England striker Gabby Agbonlahor has retired from football aged 32.

Agbonlahor had been without a club since leaving Championship side Villa at the end of last season, his last appearance coming in December 2017.

He scored 86 goals in 391 appearances for Villa, while he also won three senior caps for England.

"The time has come to officially retire and watch Aston Villa as a fan," Agbonlahor posted on Instagram.

"If I would have been told at school I would play nearly 400 league games, be the record Premier League goalscorer for Aston Villa, captain the great club and represent England at senior level, I would have laughed.

"I want to say thank you to all the supporters, the staff I have worked with at a great club and my ex-team-mates.

"The thought of playing for another team or playing against Aston Villa was something I just couldn't do. I look forward to whatever the future holds."

Agbonlahor was a key part of the Villa team that finished sixth in the top flight for three consecutive seasons between 2007-08 and 2009-10.

He also played in their 2010 League Cup akhir loss to Manchester United and came off the bench in their 2015 FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal.



source  : www.bbc.com

Being 3-0 Up With Eight Minutes Left Means Nothing In The Championship

Aston Villa came from 3-0 down with eight minutes left to draw with Sheffield United as the Blades blew their chance to go top of the Championship table.

Billy Sharp had hit a classic goal-poacher's hat-trick to put the visitors in command and they looked set to leapfrog Norwich City and Leeds United to move top on goal difference.

But Tyrone Mings and Tammy Abraham scored twice in four minutes before substitute Andre Green headed an injury-time third.

Sharp won his personal duel with Abraham, the pair both having begun the night on 19 Championship goals. But that was scant consolation for the loss of two dropped points on a night when they had outplayed their hosts.

Captain Sharp ended it on 22, after scoring twice in nine minutes early in the second half to add to his 11th-minute opener - although both the first two had a whiff of controversy about them.

His opening goal was given by the all-seeing eye of technology, having only just crossed the line. And Villa also had cause to moan about his second, claiming that goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic had been fouled.

But there was no argument about his headed third - and that looked set to edge the Blades top before the rest of the weekend's fixtures.

However, on a ground that has now witnessed 67 goals in just 16 home Championship games this season, and seemingly no end of dramatic nights, Villa had a sensational sting in the tail.

Mings sparked the comeback when he marked his home debut by pulling the first one back on 82 minutes, before Abraham scored for the eighth successive home game, the second of two goals in four minutes.

And then, in the fourth minute of injury time, the Blades buckled under the pressure and Green latched on to John McGinn's floated right-wing cross to head home - by which time many of the Villa fans had already left the ground.

It has been some season for Aston Villa in front of their own fans, with goals and drama aplenty. Even before Friday's late mayhem, Villa Park has played host to several classic encounters in 2018-19...

11 August: W 3-2 v Wigan - Birkir Bjarnason's strike in the fourth minute of stoppage time grabs all three points after being 2-1 behind.

22 August: D 2-2 v Brentford - Jonathan Kodjia heads an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time against current manager Smith's then Bees.

2 October: D 3-3 v Preston - Loanee Yannick Bolasie saves Villa's blushes after they threw away a 2-0 lead against the Championship's bottom club. But it was to prove a game too far for manager Steve Bruce, who had a cabbage thrown at him by a home supporter on the night and then lost his job several days later.

25 November: W 4-2 v Birmingham City - A Second City derby full of goals and action that saw Villa trail 1-0, then give away a 2-1 lead before Alan Hutton stole the show with a mazy run for the fourth goal.

28 November: D 5-5 v Nottingham Forest - Just three days later, the game that had it all. Abraham scored four goals, but still did not finish on the winning side as - having been 2-0 down inside six minutes - Villa then spurned a 5-4 lead.

23 December: L 2-3 v Leeds United - From 2-0 up after just 17 minutes to being beaten in stoppage time 3-2, as Kemar Roofe netted the winner five minutes into added on time.

Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith told BBC Sport:

"Sheffield United will feel they've thrown that away but it was reward for the character and fight we showed.

"As soon as Tyrone Mings got that first goal, you could sense the mood change in the stadium and the lift it gave us.

"We certainly gave them a head start but for the last 15 minutes of the first half and at the start of the second, we were the better side.

"But the game was then turned on its head by their second goal. Billy Sharp was offside and then he's kicked it out of our keeper's hands and with his studs up too."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Sport:

"I never felt that was coming. I thought we looked really comfortable and the more likely side to score again.

"But this game is historically mad. Villa only turned up for the last eight minutes or so. And it was down to our individual errors that they got something.

"Dean (Henderson) made an error for the first goal and you could see them get a spring in their step.

"I look at the bigger picture and the way my team dominated his team. All the best players on that pitch were wearing yellow."


source : bbc.com

Arti Gelar Juara Barcelona Jikalau Madrid Kalah Di Final Liga Champions

Arti Gelar Juara Barcelona Jika Madrid Kalah di Final Liga Champions
Jum'at 11 Mei 2018

Gelandang Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic menyebut bahwa gelar juara timnya trend ini tidak akan terasa berbeda meskipun jikalau rival awet mereka, Real Madrid gagal menjuarai Liga Champions ekspresi dominan ini. Sebagaimana diketahui, Madrid akan bertanding melawan Liverpool di partai tamat di Kiev, 27 Mei mendatang.

Menukil marca, Rakitic terang-terangan menyampaikan bahwa dua gelar juara Barca isu terkini ini (La Liga dan Copa del Rey) sangat sulit diraih. Dan kesannya entah Madrid juara/tidak, nilai gelar juara tersebut tidak akan berkurang.

"Double ini tidak akan berarti lebih baik jikalau Real Madrid kalah di akhir Liga Champions. Nilainya tidak akan bertambah atau berkurang," tegas Rakitic.

Bahkan Rakitic menegaskan bahwa menjuarai La Liga jauh lebih sulit daripada Liga Champions, dan akibatnya ia menilai Barca sudah melakukan pekerjaan yang lebih baik daripada Madrid.

"Sangat sulit memenangkan dua gelar, alasannya adalah berkompetisi di La Liga jauh lebih berat daripada di Eropa (Liga Champions)."

Madrid sendiri memang kesulitan berprestasi di La Liga dalam beberapa tahun terakhir. Setelah berhasil menjadi juara demam isu lalu, musim ini justru Madrid terpuruk di peringkat ketiga klasemen.


sumber : bola.net

Kalah Dari Persebaya, Rahmad Darmawan Tanya Ke Wasit: Apa Kamu Tidak Kapok?

Kalah dari Persebaya, Rahmad Darmawan Tanya ke Wasit: Apa Kamu Tidak Kapok?

Laga yang digelar di Stadion Gelora Bung Tomo, Surabaya itu menciptakan Tira-Persikabo tersingkir dari Piala Presiden 2019.

Pertandingan Persebaya Surabaya vs Tira-Persikabo sebetulnya berjalan normal pada babak pertama sampai pertengahan babak kedua.

Namun berkelahi memanas pada menit-menit final pertandingan saat proses gol kedua dari Persebaya yang lahir melalui titik putih.

Setelah terjadinya gol ketiga untuk Persebaya, kemudian ada dua kartu merah diberikan wasit kepada pemain Tira-Persikabo yaitu untuk Rifad Marasabessy dan Manahati Lestusen.

Usai tubruk, Pelatih Tira-Persikabo, Rahmad Darmawan, buka bunyi terkait kinerja wasit.

"Mungkin sampai dengan penalti tidak ada emosi, anda lihat sendiri, pertandingan berjalan lancar dan baik," ujar Rahmad Darmawan saat jumpa pers sehabis langgar.

"Tetapi bagaimana terjadi proses gol kedua tadi, mungkin kita semua bisa lihat terjadi pelanggaran dan benar-benar pelanggaran, tetapi wasit mendiamkan pelanggaran itu dan sementara dia membiarkan bola ke arah gawang kita tanpa menghentikan pertandingan," tuturnya menambahkan.

Rahmad Darmawan menjelaskan ternyata dirinya mempunyai sejarah jelek dengan wasit tersebut.

"Saya rasa, saya kenal persis dengan wasit ini, karena saya juga pernah punya sejarah dengan ia, di Malang waktu Pelita lawan Arema."

"Saya ingat sekali. Wasit ini persis sama. Wasit asal Semarang namanya Kristanto," ucapnya.

Mantan pelatih Sriwijaya FC itu juga terlihat berlari ke arah wasit saat sabung selesai.

Dirinya mengaku tidak merasa murka, namun hanya bertanya mengapa wasit tidak kapok.

"Saya tadi waktu lari saya tidak murka, saya cuma tanya kenapa sih kau tidak kapok melakukan hal itu. Saya cuma mau dengar balasan dia mirip apa," kata Rahmad.



sumber : uc.bolasport.com