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15 Sports Tuesday, November 10, 2020 : Rangers restore commanding lead, stun Hamilton 8-0 Elyounoussi nets hat-trick in Celtic win GLASGOW: Rangers restored their commanding Accies. Gerrard hailed his rampant team, who seen on his mobile phone after being substituted in weeks and their frailty from set-pieces was again nine-point lead at the top of the Scottish scored eight goals in the top flight for the first time midweek, but responded with a hat-trick at Fir Park exposed when Declan Gallagher’s header halved Premiership with an 8-0 humbling of Hamilton on since 1981. “It has been coming, we have threatened to ease the pressure on manager Neil Lennon. “I Motherwell’s deficit 18 minutes from time. Sunday as Celtic bounced back to form with a 4-1 to do that,” he said. “But the pleasing thing today thought we were really well motivated, we looked far However, Elyounoussi quickly responded with a win at Motherwell. ’s men have was that we were very clinical.” But he remained more like ourselves,” said Lennon. “The players towering header of his own at the back post to played two more matches than their Glasgow rivals cautious despite the thumping win. “Look, we are responded brilliantly, it’s a fantastic response and win. restore Celtic’s two-goal cushion. “That was a big but showed why they are now the bookmakers’ not at the stage yet where we can play with ego in “They know they can play a lot better than they’ve misunderstanding, I let my feet do the talking,” said favorites to end Celtic’s record-equaling run of nine any game or at any stage. We are trying to become showed. There was better body language about us Elyounoussi on the controversy over the phone. “It straight league titles. Hamilton shocked the hosts on a winning team, a successful team. We are in no today, better hunger. That’s what we are looking for, was a good day. We got goals, we showed charac- their last visit to Ibrox in March but Rangers are a position to disrespect any opponent or any team.” that’s a really good barometer for us now.” ter, responded from Thursday’s game and got the transformed side since Scottish football’s return in Elyounoussi settled any nerves among the visi- points.” France under-21 stars Odsonne Edouard August, unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions Celtic struggles tors early on as he pounced after ’s and have also failed to match their this season. In stark contrast to Rangers’ fine European form, strike came back off the post. then teed standards of previous seasons so far this campaign. , and all Celtic suffered a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to up the on-loan Southampton winger for his second But they came off the bench to combine for Celtic’s scored twice, while and Brandon Sparta Prague on Thursday. from close range. Celtic’s defense has been the fourth as Edouard teed up Ntcham to side-foot into Barker were also on target against the rock-bottom faced a backlash from ex-Celtic players for being source of most of Lennon’s problems in recent the bottom corner. — AFP Alario shines as Leverkusen win Guardiola, Klopp 7-goal thriller unite to fight for five-substitution BERLIN: Lucas Alario struck twice as Bayer Leverkusen climbed to fourth in the on MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Sunday with a 4-3 win over Borussia Klopp united to fight for a U-turn to the Moenchengladbach, who suffered their first defeat ’s three-substitution rule after since the opening day of the season. Alario now has Manchester City and Liverpool played out a seven goals in six league games after twice equaliz- 1-1 draw on Sunday. A share of the points LEVERKUSEN: Moenchengladbach’s Swiss defender Nico Elvedi (center) heads the ball during the German first division ing before Jamaica winger Leon Bailey and midfield- between the sides that have combined to win Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Moenchengladbach on November 8, 2020. — AFP er Julian Baumgartlinger netted second-half goals for the title for the past three seasons leaves Leverkusen. Liverpool in third just a point off the top, “It was a very intense game,” said Baumgartlinger. goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who mistimed his clearance, Casteels pushed away his spot kick attempt. It was while City sit five points further back in 11th “We put in a really good performance and can go to make it 2-2 at the break. Leverkusen sealed the win the second late penalty which went begging after but with a game in hand. A flying start from into the international break with a lot of self-confi- when Bailey fired home from a tight angle, then Wolfsburg’s Dutch striker Wout Weghorst fired his Liverpool was rewarded with Mohamed dence.” The 28-year-old Alario, who has scored two Baumgartlinger finished off a flowing move eight min- spot-kick attempt wide on 84 minutes. Wolfsburg Salah’s 13th-minute penalty, but Gabriel Jesus goals in each of his last three league games, is the utes from time. Arguably the best goal of the game raced into the lead when Swiss winger Renato levelled for Guardiola’s men before City cap- Bundesliga’s second highest scorer behind Bayern came in the 90th minute when Gladbach replacement Steffen scored after just six minutes, although the tain Kevin De Bruyne pulled a penalty wide Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who has 11. forward Valentino Lazaro used the back of his heel to VAR needed to check whether there was an offside three minutes before half-time. After a pul- Gladbach captain Lars Stindl converted a penalty volley a spectacular shot. “There were too many mis- in the build-up. sating first 45 minutes, the tempo eased off in after only 18 minutes when Leverkusen goalkeeper takes against a very good team, that’s not good A superb pass by Wolfsburg midfielder Xaver the second with Liverpool suffering an injury Lukas Hradecky upended striker in the enough,” admitted Gladbach keeper Sommer. Schlager then split the defence and put Steffen away blow when Trent Alexander-Arnold was area. Alario leveled by curling in a superb shot into with the towering Weghorst scoring on 26 minutes. forced off with a calf problem. the top far corner on 27 minutes. Stindl grabbed his Casteels saves Wolfsburg However, the 1.97m-tall Dutchman squandered the Guardiola and Klopp have been outspo- second when he snapped up a stray Leverkusen pass Earlier, Wolfsburg climbed to sixth after goal- chance to put the result beyond doubt when he fired ken advocates of the use of five substitutes, in the area and fired home with a half an hour gone. keeper Koen Casteels pulled off a late stunning his late penalty attempt wide. Hoffenheim finished which was used in the Premier League at Gladbach had clear first-half chances as defender penalty save to help seal a 2-1 home over the stronger. When Wolfsburg’s US defender John the end of last season and is being used in Ramy Bensebaini clattered the post and forward Hoffenheim, who have struggled since their shock Anthony Brooks failed to connect with a clearance all other major leagues in Europe and the Marcus Thuram had a shot saved. win over Bayern Munich. Hoffenheim were awarded a header, Hoffenheim’s replacement forward Sargis Champions League this season. However, Alario equalised for the second time when he out- penalty in the fourth minute of injury time, but their Adamyan smashed his shot into the net three minutes the Premier League’s top teams lost a vote leapt his marker and his header flew past Gladbach Israeli striker Munas Dabbur watched helplessly as from time. — AFP for it to remain for the 2020/21 season with fears it only serves to benefit the clubs with bigger squads. “We speak about how we have to fight again and again about five sub- Arteta frustrated; stitutions,” said Guardiola when asked about the subject of his post-match conversation with Klopp. Aston Villa thrash “All around the world there is five substi- tutions. Here we believe we are a special league with just three players, we don’t pro- Arsenal 3-0 tect the players. “Look at Trent Alexander- Arnold, an international English player, he is LONDON: Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal were injured. That’s why it is a disaster. “With this unrecognizable from the side that has made plenty of calendar which comes from a special year progress in his first year in charge as Aston Villa before, I will demand, if the people allow my stormed to a comprehensive 3-0 win at the Emirates voice, five substitutions have to come back on Sunday. ’s own goal and a double for the players, the managers, everyone to do from took Villa up to sixth, just three it. If not, it’s difficult to sustain it.” points off the top of the table with a game in hand. Klopp accused Premier League CEO Arsenal had beaten Manchester United at Old Richard Masters of a “lack of leadership” Trafford for the first time in 14 years last weekend in over the matter. “It’s not an advantage, it’s a what appeared to be the latest sign the Gunners are LONDON: Arsenal’s German goalkeeper Bernd Leno (right) attempts to punch the ball clear as Aston Villa’s English defender necessity,” added the Liverpool boss. heading in the right direction under Arteta. Tyrone Mings (center) and Aston Villa’s Dutch striker (2nd left) run in to head the ball during the English But the Spaniard suffered the joint heaviest defeat Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa on November 8, 2020. Aston Villa won the game 3-0. — AFP Klopp’s front four of his managerial career in a chastening evening for the Klopp’s brave team selection with Diogo hosts, who were second best from start to finish. A the first minute when John McGinn rifled into the roof look like a team lacking confidence as Arsenal strug- Jota joining Roberto Firmino, Salah and Sadio second consecutive home defeat for Arsenal sees them of the net from ’s pass. However, after a gled to cope with the movement of Grealish, Barkley Mane in a front four was rewarded with a slip to 11th, four points off their major target for the VAR review lasting over four minutes, the goal was and Watkins. “We’re a threat with them in the team. blistering start from the defending champi- season of a top-four finish. “We performed below our ruled out for Ross Barkley in an offside position They’re all blossoming really well but there’s more to ons. Salah smashed home from the penalty standards and I have to say it’s the first time I’ve seen standing in front of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno come from them,” said Smith. Barkley’s pass freed Matt spot to open the scoring after us play and we weren’t a team,” said Arteta. “We lost being ruled to be interfering with play. Targett down the left and his cross was turned into his upended Mane. “It was a super football game all the races, the duels and we were sloppy on the ball. own net by Saka as he desperately tried to stop form all points of view,” said Klopp. “Two top “It is a frustration. It takes a lot to build momen- Villa run riot Trezeguet from applying the final touch. Alexandre teams ready for a massive fight. The energy tum, to build a way of being, living and performing Villa had lost their last two matches after a stunning Lacazette wasted Arsenal’s best chance to get back of both teams tonight was incredible. After and when something like that comes up it’s a hard one start to the season that included a 7-2 thrashing of into the game when he wastefully headed over Kieran 10-15 minutes everybody was already to take.” Villa thought they had taken the lead inside Liverpool a month ago. But Dean Smith’s side did not Tierney’s cross just before half-time. — AFP breathing heavily.” City, though, managed to compose them- selves after going behind and pick the holes “We thought kick-off was going to be at 2p.m., we in the two-man Liverpool midfield that Lille suffer first defeat were wrong by an hour,” said Galtier. “When there’s Klopp’s attacking approach left exposed. such a difference between the first and second half, Jesus showed why City have missed a natural of season, Lyon grab there’s only one person responsible and that’s me. The striker for most of the season with both he starting XI was my choice and it didn’t work at all.” and Sergio Aguero sidelined by injury, pro- Lyon moved into fifth place by beating strugging rivals ducing a stunning finish to level on 31 min- derby bragging rights Saint-Etienne 2-1 with Tino Kadewere fulfilling a his utes. The Brazilian flicked De Bruyne’s driven pre-match prediction that he’d score twice. pass beyond Alexander-Arnold before prod- The 24-year-old Zimbabwean international scored ding beyond his international teammate PARIS: Ligue 1’s last unbeaten run was ended on Alisson Becker. City were now in the ascen- Sunday when Lille followed up their midweek triumph in the 65th and 74th minutes after Lyon had fallen behind in the first half. Saint-Etienne benefitted when dancy as De Bruyne drilled a low shot inches over AC Milan with a 3-2 defeat at Brest, while Lyon wide, but the normally brilliant Belgian let downed local rivals Saint Etienne 2-1. Lille remain sec- Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes managed to put through his own goal five minutes before the interval. Liverpool off the hook just before half-time. ond in the French top-flight five points behind Paris Joe Gomez was penalized for handling Saint-Germain and one above Rennes after suffering Lopes had saved well from a header by Denis Bouanga but then seconds later fumbled a cross from inside the area after a VAR review. But De their first loss since February. Bruyne missed his first penalty for four years the same player across his own line. Bouanga then The team that thumped Milan 3-0 at the San Siro when he pulled his spot-kick wide of the tar- missed a penalty in the 87th minute which would have on Thursday failed to leave enough in the tank to see get. The second period failed to match the off Brittany outfit Brest, who had lost three in a row. given Saint-Etienne a point. DECINES-CHARPIEU: Lyon’s French defender Sinaly thrilling end-to-end pace of the first, but it Ronael Pierre-Gabriel got his first professional goal For Rudi Garcia’s Lyon, it was a third win in four was City who had more control and the better with a header for the opener on 15 minutes and Brest games while their local rivals slumped to a sixth suc- Diomande (left) fights for the ball with Saint-Etienne’s French forward Romain Hamouma (right) during the openings. Jesus headed a golden opportunity raced to a 3-0 lead before half-time with goals from cessive loss. “I’m happy for Tino who is appreciated French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Saint- wide before De Bruyne saw another sighter Romain Perraud and Irvin Cardona. Christophe by everyone. He has the qualities of a finisher,” said Etienne (ASSE) on November 8, 2020. — AFP fail to dip in time from the edge of the box. “In Galtier’s side never gave up however and earned a Garcia. Kadewere added: “I believe very strongly in the second half we had a more clear chances penalty in first-half injury time with Turkish striker God. I knew this was going to happen. It went very but a draw is a fair result,” added Guardiola. Yilmaz Burak slotting home. well tonight for me and for the team.” Monaco are Nsoki to double the lead early in the second half. “Against teams like Liverpool if you concede He grabbed another goal on 57 minutes to set up sixth following a 2-1 victory at Nice. Axel Disasi head- Pierre Lees-Melou scored a consolation for Nice as a penalty you should avoid and miss a penalty, the eventually doomed chase as the home side were ed in a corner to put Monaco ahead on 23 minutes Patrick Vieira’s side were beaten for the first time in six it makes it more difficult.” — AFP cheered on by noisy neighbors in an adjacent building. and Sofiane Diop punished a mistake by Stanley matches. —AFP