Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United held his former team Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at St James’s Park on Sunday, a result that left the visitors seven points off the Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League.
The game encapsulated Liverpool’s season as they took the lead through a superb Philippe Coutinho strike from 25 metres on 29 minutes, only to concede seven minutes later after shambolic defending allowed Joselu to latch on to Jonjo Shelvey’s pass through the middle.
As the striker broke clear, Joel Matip’s attempted tackle only diverted the ball on to Joselu’s shin and past the diving Simon Mignolet.
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Juergen Klopp’s mood on the sidelines was not improved when Daniel Sturridge, who was starting in place of Roberto Firmino, squandered a chance from close range after a miskick from Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark.
The visitors looked hesitant at the back and tentative in front of goal with Sturridge too often caught offside. Firmino, Dominic Solanke and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all brought on but Newcastle held on as Benitez kept his unbeaten record in five games as a manager against Liverpool.
{{/usCountry}}The visitors looked hesitant at the back and tentative in front of goal with Sturridge too often caught offside. Firmino, Dominic Solanke and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all brought on but Newcastle held on as Benitez kept his unbeaten record in five games as a manager against Liverpool.
{{/usCountry}}Arsenal celebrates 21 years of Wenger by beating Brighton
Arsenal celebrated the 21st anniversary of Arsene Wenger’s appointment by easily beating Brighton 2-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.
Goals from Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches.
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Arsenal, without a league title since 2004, is six points adrift of the early pacesetters — Manchester rivals City and United.
Brighton is six points behind Arsenal in its first top-flight campaign in 34 years.
Burnley win piles pressure on Everton boss Koeman
Everton manager Ronald Koeman was set for an uncomfortable international break after Jeff Hendrick’s goal gave visitors Burnley a 1-0 win in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Defeat left the big-spending Toffees, who have won just twice in seven league matches so far this season, a mere two points above the relegation zone.
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The Dutch great’s side came into this match on the back of a disappointing 2-2 Europa League draw at home to Cypriot club Apollon Limassol on Thursday.
That result halted something of a mini-revival after Everton had won back-to-back matches against Sunderland in the League Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League after losing four in a row in a six-game winless streak.