27 Sports Monday, February 24, 2020 Fernandes lifts Man Utd, Arsenal clinch victory against Everton

Jota double for Wolves pushes Norwich deeper into trouble

LONDON: Manchester United moved onto the shoul- behind United after a convincing 3-0 win against der of fourth-placed Chelsea yesterday after brush- bottom-club Norwich at Molineux. ing aside lowly Watford as Wolves and Arsenal also Diogo Jota scored twice and Raul Jimenez staked their claims for Champions League football poached his 21st of the campaign early in the second next season. period to leave Norwich seven points adrift of safety With runaway leaders Liverpool looking certain and looking doomed. to win the , attention has switched to Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said his side had the race for European places, with just 10 points managed the game well. When asked about challeng- separating fourth-placed Chelsea from ing for a Champions League spot, he said: “We’re Southampton, in 12th spot. going to stay focused because the difficulty is to sus- New signing Bruno Fernandes opened his tain your performances through the season. goalscoring account for United at Old Trafford from “After that, we’ll see, but it’s about building your the penalty spot before impressive second-half goals team and getting them ready to compete whenever, from Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood sealed wherever.” a 3-0 win. In the day’s late kick-off, Arsenal recovered from a It means United, who have struggled to find con- terrible start to hand Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton their sistency all season, are now in fifth place on 41 points, first Premier League defeat since New Year’s Day. just three adrift of Chelsea. Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished acrobatically after United paid tribute to the late Harry Gregg, hero Arsenal failed to deal with a free-kick in the first of the 1958 Munich air disaster, before kick-off at Old minute. Arsenal were level in the 27th minute when Trafford, where Fernandes calmed the nerves in a Eddie Nketiah finished expertly past Jordan Pickford superb individual display. from Bukayo Saka’s cross and six minutes later they Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his new signing, who were ahead when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang raced picked up the man-of-the-match award for his dis- clear and finished coolly. play against Watford, languishing second from bot- Everton equalised in first-half stoppage time when tom of the table. Richarlison got the faintest of touches to a header “He has done fantastic,” said the Norwegian boss. from Yerry Mina to poke past Bernd Leno but Arsenal “He has given everyone a boost. He wants the ball all retook the lead when Aubameyang scored his second the time, he wants to conduct the play. “I am very moments after the re-start. pleased for him. He has done something to the crowd. Arsenal survived a late scare to climb to ninth in MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s French striker Anthony Martial (R) competes with Watford’s Moroccan-born He shows the attributes of a Manchester United play- the table, two points behind Wolves. As it stands, fifth Italian defender Adam Masina (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United er. He is a great addition to the squad.” place could be enough to earn a Champions League and Watford at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, yesterday. —AFP Portugal midfielder Fernandes is under no illusions spot because second-placed Manchester City have over his task as United look to return to the lucrative been banned from Europe’s elite competition for two Champions League after a season away. seasons, pending an appeal. Celso did not deserve to be sent off for a stamp on City’s win at Leicester. “Everyone knows we want to get into the On Saturday, Chelsea strengthened their grip on a Cesar Azpilicueta that Chelsea boss Frank Lampard Elsewhere, there were wins for Crystal Palace and Champions League places. I am here to help the team top-four place by beating London rivals Tottenham 2- called a “leg breaker”. Southampton while high-flying Sheffield United drew conquer this place and keep winning games,” he told 1 on a day overshadowed by controversial VAR deci- There were also incidents involving the technology 1-1 with Brighton. Liverpool host struggling West the BBC. Wolves, in eighth place, are just two points sions. Officials ruled that Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo in Bournemouth’s defeat at Burnley and Manchester Ham at Anfield today. — AFP

Matches on TV Bordeaux’s bargain (Local Timings) Hwang Ui-jo takes Jesus strikes as ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE on PSG’s stars Man City beat Liverpool v West Ham United 23:00 beIN Sports BORDEAUX: When Bordeaux visit Paris Saint-Germain Leicester GERMAN BUNDESLIGA yesterday they will counter the home team’s costly collec- tion of stars with a player they picked up cheaply last summer. Hwang Ui-jo was approaching his 27th birthday LEICESTER: Gabriel Jesus struck late to give Eintracht Frankfurt v FC Union Berlin 22:30 when Bordeaux bought him from Gamba Osaka in Japan Manchester City a 1-0 win at Leicester on Saturday, beIN Sports for just two million euros last July. strengthening their hold on second place behind He has scored five goals and caught the eye with his champions-in-waiting Liverpool despite more woe technique and work rate. Hwang was not even in South GIRONDINS DE BORDEAUX: File photo taken on August from the penalty spot. Korea’s squad for the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Fans in 24, 2019 Bordeaux’s South Korean midfielder Ui-Jo Pep Guardiola’s men have endured a turbulent South Korea were disappointed when Hwang was named Hwang plays with the ball during the French L1 football week after they were banned from European club Women’s Euro one of three over age players for the Asian Games squad match between Dijon FCO and FC Girondins de Bordeaux competitions for two years for breaches of financial later that summer. Oh Jae-suk, a South Korean internation- at the Gaston Gerard stadium, central France. — AFP fair play rules. But a second-half winner from substi- 2021 to kick off al who was a team-mate in Osaka, defended Hwang. “Ui-jo tute Jesus after Sergio Aguero had failed to convert a is a striker with many strengths,” Oh told Korea Daily at penalty put them 17 points clear of fifth-placed the time. “He’s a style of player who runs a lot, and he problem. “The squad is fantastic with him, helps him a lot Tottenham and sends them into their midweek match at Old Trafford focuses a lot more when he’s given a chance to score. After with his integration and we are very happy with every- against Real Madrid in good spirits. he got added to the Asian Games team, he quit surfing the thing he’s doing.” Sousa said he is in contact with former City looked like they might have to settle for a Portugal team-mate Paulo Bento, the coach of South Korea draw after squandering their fourth penalty in a row LONDON: England will kick off the 2021 women’s web, has only been thinking about football and is hoping to help the team.” about Hwang. “He’s the player in the squad who makes the in the Premier League, with each being missed by a European Championship at Old Trafford as part of an The focus paid off. Hwang scored nine goals in seven most breaks, with the highest intensity, with early calls and different player. “We have missed four penalties in a ambitious target to sell 700,000 tickets for the event matches as South Korea won the tournament. He also good timing,” Sousa adding that there are areas where row but maybe we will shoot a penalty when we and smash previous attendance records. The final of the scored 31 goals in 71 matches in two seasons with Osaka Hwang could be better. need it to win something,” Guardiola told the BBC. 16-team tournament between July 7 and August 1 next and Bordeaux made their move. His first three goals for his “He needs to improve in the final area, either through “The keepers are good too, but the next one we are year will take place at Wembley with eight other stadi- new club were from outside the box each more beautiful dribbling, centring or shooting. He needs to be icier to going to score.” ums across England hosting the other 29 matches. than the last. His last two, including the opener in a 2-2 make the best decision. That’s the difference between a The City boss said his team were in good shape for their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie in “To kick-off at the Theatre of Dreams in Manchester draw with Amiens last week, with his head. good player and a top player.” Spain. “We are playing the kings of the competition, and to have the final at the iconic Wembley Stadium Not bad for player on a new continent, who hardly Former Bordeaux and France striker Philippe Fargeon speaks French and has not had a break since January last compared the work Hwang does when the opposition has we will see, we will try to enjoy it and do our game,” shows just how far the game has come,” said UEFA’s he added. head of women’s football and former German interna- year and has to fly half way round the world on every the ball with Edinson Cavani. “It’s always good for a team to see a striker doing that job,” Fargeon said. “Look at City, who still trail leaders Liverpool by 19 points, tional Nadine Kessler. international break to play for his country. The club have been quick to exploit the potential of a Cavani, who is a striker, who doesn’t necessarily take part bossed possession in a lively opening spell at the “This is what women’s football deserves. To play in new market. For their derby match against Nantes in in the development of the game but who is very popular King Power Stadium but the home side should have such stadia is what you strive for — as a player, coach, November, a match broadcast live in South Korea they with his colleagues because they know they can count on taken an early lead when was put referee and a fan.” England’s Football Association is added the players’ names in Korean on the back of the him as their first defensive line of defence.” Today, through. hoping to ride the momentum of the Lionesses’ run to shirts. Sales in South Korea have risen sharply. depending on how PSG shuffle their aces, Hwang could The pacy forward, who has not scored since the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup. Bordeaux Coach Paulo Sousa says language is not a even find himself going toe-to-toe with Cavani. — AFP December after an electric spell, was preparing to A UK television audience of 11.7 million watched celebrate but saw the ball rebound agonisingly off the base of the post to safety. A minute later, former England’s defeat in the last four to world champions the Leicester favourite Riyad Mahrez went close, striking United States. Attendances at Women’s Super League ond start since returning from three months out with a a left-footed shot from outside the box that was games have increased this season on the back of that Messi scores 4 as broken right foot. But the Belgian sat in the dug-out with palmed away by . success, with big crowds in particular for a number of an ice pack around the same foot after going off and Aguero had the ball in the net on the stroke of fixtures played at the likes of Stamford Bridge, Anfield, Zidane suggested it was a repeat injury after the match. half-time but the goal was ruled out for off-side. Both the Etihad and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Barca jump above “It can be weak where you’ve had an injury,” he said. sides maintained their intensity after the break and England’s 2-1 friendly defeat by Germany at “It’s sore now but we will see tomorrow after more tests.” Schmeichel produced a fine save, diving down to his Wembley fell just short of a European record for a defeated Madrid Madrid were shaken by Hazard’s departure and right to keep out a shot. women’s match as nearly 78,000 attended. Sheffield, Levante capitalised as Jose Luis Morales banged a shot The decisive moment appeared to come just into the top corner from the angle, even if Thibaut after the hour mark when Manchester City were Brentford, Brighton, Leigh, Rotherham, Milton Keynes, MADRID: scored four goals and Barcelona Courtois pulled out of a save he should have made. Southampton and Manchester City’s Academy stadium awarded a penalty after a VAR check confirmed reclaimed top spot in as Real Madrid suffered a For Madrid, playing catch-up again next weekend will that Leicester’s Dennis Praet had handled the ball will host 29 of the 31 matches with capacities ranging surprise defeat by Levante on Saturday, a week before the be a particularly heavy psychological blow, especially giv- in the area. from 4,700 to 32,000. Clasico. Madrid’s nightmare afternoon was made worse by en the series of off-field problems engulfing Barcelona in Aguero blasted the ball down the middle but The plan to sell 700,000 tickets is an ambitious one. another injury to , who was forced off in the recent weeks. Yet on the pitch, Messi showed no sign of Schmeichel kept it out with his legs, moments later At the 2017 Euros in the Netherlands, which the hosts second half of their 1-0 defeat in Valencia and is now distraction as the 32-year-old completed the second denying the Argentine hitman with his left foot. won to boost crowd numbers, only 240,000 tickets doubtful to face Manchester City on Wednesday in the fastest of his now 36 league hat-tricks, after less than 40 Guardiola replaced Aguero with Jesus with less than were sold. The largest attendance at last year’s World Champions League. “It doesn’t look good,” said Real minutes at Camp Nou. a quarter of an hour to go and the change paid quick Cup was 58,000 and the previous record for a match at coach Zinedine Zidane afterwards. “There’s nothing left to do but stand up and applaud,” dividends as the Brazilian stretched to poke the ball the women’s Euros is 41,000. Messi, meanwhile, ridiculed talk of a drought by scoring Eibar wrote on Twitter afterwards. “I won’t wash my kit past the diving Schmeichel after an assist from four goals against Eibar after four games without one, However, having witnessed the massive transforma- after hugging Messi,” said Braithwaite. Mahrez in the 80th minute. while emergency signing Martin Braithwaite made two Braithwaite’s arrival from Leganes drew criticism after Leicester manager said he was tion in the popularity of the women’s game in England, assists off the bench, teeing up Messi and then Arthur Barcelona capitalised on a curious La Liga rule that allows Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football is “bitterly disappointed” with the result, which leaves Melo in injury-time. clubs to sign outside of the transfer window if they have his side seven points adrift of City, and felt his side hopeful of “raising the bar” once again. Their 5-0 rout, coupled with Madrid’s defeat, means lost a player to serious injury. Leganes, without their top should have had a penalty of their own when De “We want with UEFA to make this the most success- Barca move back to the summit of La Liga, two points scorer, were beaten earlier by fellow strugglers Celta Vigo Bruyne appeared to block a free-kick with his hands ful tournament,” said Campbell. “Euro 2021 is an oppor- ahead of Zidane’s side ahead of next Saturday’s showdown but Braithwaite made the perfect start with his new team. in the first half. tunity to build on that platform and take it to another at the Santiago Bernabeu. “We’ve had good times this sea- Messi quickly got to work, scoring a brilliant first goal “We were always a threat in the game,” he told level. “What we hope for the tournament is to raise the son and now this is a bad time,” said Zidane. “Now we in the 14th minute after collecting the ball centrally, around Sky Sports. “Of course they have big quality, but I bar yet again for the women’s game in England. We have a week where everything is at stake.” 30 yards out. He had three Eibar defenders in front of him was so pleased with how we defended. “There’s thought we had raised it pretty high in the last few It amounts to a considerable shift in momentum, with but found a way through, nutmegging Anaitz Arbilla before no magic formula, you’ve just got to work hard. years but we want to lift it again. “More fans watching; Barcelona away at Napoli in the first leg of the Champions chipping delicately into the corner. The second came in The players gave everything tonight. We’re in a League last 16 on Tuesday. more women playing; more women coaching; more the 37th minute as found Arturo Vidal, great, great position in the league so it’s just stay- Madrid host City a day later and the plan had been for who feathered a flick into Messi’s path. Messi surged for- women refereeing.” — AFP ing positive.”—AFP Hazard to regain form and fitness in what was only his sec- ward, past his stumbling opponents, and fired in. —AFP