Manchester City flexed their attacking might at the Etihad, thrashing a lethargic Liverpool 3-0 to commemorate Pep Guardiola’s 1000th managerial outing.
Man City dominate Liverpool 3-0 to pull within four points of Gunners
Manchester City flexed their attacking might at the Etihad, thrashing a lethargic Liverpool 3-0 to commemorate Pep Guardiola’s 1000th managerial outing. City looked dangerous from the start and should have taken the lead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute. But Giorgi Mamardashvili was up to the challenge, saving low to his right to record his 6th plenty save since the start of the 2023/2024 season (the most in Europe’s top five leagues). Haaland would eventually get his 99th Prem goal, rising above Konate to emphatically head City ahead in the 29th minute. Then we had the moment of controversy that will define the weekend, as VAR Michael Oliver controversially adjudged Andy Robertson to be obstructing Donnarumma’s view of Salah’s header. It was a bizarre decision that will unfortunately detract from City’s masterclass. Nico Gonzalez doubled the Citizen’s advantage just before the break, ricocheting a ball off Van Djik to give Guardiola a two-goal cushion. Jeremy Doku was a livewire throughout, sending Conor Bradley on several wild-goose chases before expertly finishing in the 63rd minute.
Arsenal clean-sheet machine ends
The result at the Etihad will have sent a few nervous reverberations through North London. The Gunners were uncharacteristically tepid, drawing 2-2 at high-flying Sunderland (who were captained by much-maligned ex-Gunner Granit Xhaka). The Black Cats gave the rest of the league some hope in the 36th minute, with Arsenal academy graduate Daniel Ballard smashing in from close range to end Arsenal’s 13-hour defensive vigil. Arsenal looked sharper in the 2nd stanza and deservedly drew level in the 54th minute, with Saka crashing it in with his wrong foot. Arsenal continued to press, with Martin Zubimendi shattering the frame of the goal with a technically astute volley. An invigorated Leandro Trossard appeared to have settled matters in the 74th minute, rocketing in a stunning strike that seemed destined to continue Arsenal’s winning streak. But Sunderland are not a team to be trifled with, forcing Davi Raya into some smart saves before nicking a point through Brian Brobbey’s opportunistic 94th minute strike.
Union Berlin end Bayern Munich’s winning streak
It had to come to an end at some point. I think most people expected Bayern’s insane winning streak to end during their midweek trip to reigning European champs PSG. Kompany’s side showed incredible resolve in the City of Light, hanging on for a 2-1 win despite being down to ten men for much of the 2nd half. I think the herculean effort took something out of the squad and Union Berlin exploited that. Bayern were slow out of the blocks and were fortunate not to go behind after a razor-thing offside decision denied Ilyas Ansah. But they did go behind in the 27th minute, with Manuel Neuer mishandling a powder-puff shot from Danilho Doekski. Champions League bad boy Luiz Diaz levelled matters in spectacular fashion, chasing down a lost cause before rifling in the ball from an acute angle. But that man Doekski struck again, capitalizing on a weak Harry Kane clearance to poke Union ahead in the final ten minutes. Who was going to be the man to rescue Bayern from their dire situation? Harry Kane, of course. The Englishman scored the equalizer in added time, latching onto a delicious cross from Tom Bischof to preserve Bayern’s unbeaten start to the season.
The tragic thing is that RB Leipzig and Dortmund failed to capitalize on Bayern’s rare blunder, losing and drawing respectively. At least Leverkusen returned to winning ways, bouncing back from their first defeat under Kasper Hjulmand to destroy Heidenheim 6-0.
Barca pull within three of Real with typically chaotic win
Barca’s 4-2 win at Celta Vigo typified Hansi Flick’s current squad, highlighting both their effervescent attacking flair and defensive vulnerabilities. Lewandowski started the night in decisive fashion, expertly finishing from the spot in the 10th minute. Celta responded immediately, exposing Barca’s tendency to switch off after scoring as Sergio Carreira slotted the ball past Szczesny. The Pole reestablished the lead in the 37th minute, squeezing the ball through Ionut Radu’s legs (picking up one of two assists from in-form Rashford). But Celta continued the scoreline whiplash, equalizing through Borja Iglesias just before the break. Lamine Yamal kept the schizophrenic tone alive, firing home at Radu’s near post to give Barca a slender halftime lead. Barca dominated 2nd half possession, with Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo recycling the ball effortlessly in midfield. Lewandowski put the game beyond doubt in the 73rd minute, glancing a Rashford corner in at the near post to complete his hat-trick and send a warning to arch-rivals Real (though De Jong’s needless red could have ramifications for a squad missing several key players).
Real Madrid had opened the door for Barca with a drab 0-0 draw at local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night. The 36-time Spanish champions failed to create many clean-cut chances in a game best resigned to the ash-heap of history. Alonso’s side- who were soundly beaten at Anfield midweek- will probably be relishing the prospect of this current international break.
Inter top standings after manic weekend of Serie A action
This Serie A campaign has already had enough twists and turns to make M. Night Shyamalan blush. Defending champions Napoli started the weekend with a slim lead in the Scudetto race but were brought down to earth with a 2-0 defeat at high-flying Bologna. AS Roma temporarily took charge at the summit, beating Udinese 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. Influential midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini- who kept things ticking in the middle of the park- calmly slotted home from the spot to give Roma the lead in the 42nd minute. Zeki Celik sealed all three points just past the hour mark, linking up beautifully with Celik down that right-hand side. Gasperini- who previously elevated Atalanta to European silverware- looks like the perfect man to inspire this talented group of Roma players. But Cristian Chivu’s Inter ended the weekend top of the Serie A table, pipping AS Roma by goal-difference following a comprehensive 2-0 win over Lazio. Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonn led the hosts to a fairly comfy win. Chivu has enjoyed a dream start to life in Milan, propelling Inter to a flawless start in Europe while maintaining pace in the Scudetto race.
Player of the Week- Antoine Griezmann
Evergreen Frenchman Antoine Griezmann created some history in Atletico’s 3-1 win over Levante, scoring within 28 seconds of coming on as a 2nd half substitute. That made him the quickest sub to score in La Liga since Borja Mayoral netted after just 26 secs for Getafe against Girona in 2015. The 34-year-old netted his 2nd in the 80th minute, alleviating any doubt in the result. Atletico have now won four successive La Liga matches, clawing to within six points of bitter city rivals Real.
