Football: Haaland leads City to win the Manchester derby

Manchester City defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford (3-0) thanks to Erling Haaland, author of a brace and an assist, on Sunday at the end of the tenth day of the English Premier League. The Skyblues thus maintain their place on the podium ahead of Liverpool.

The Reds have overcome the heavy context around their winger Luis Diaz, who… Parents were kidnapped in ColombiaTo dominate without forcing Nottingham Forest (3-0) and remain ahead of Aston Villa, who easily won over promoted Luton (3-1).

One-way derby

Manchester City (third, 24 points) was under pressure before competing with its neighbor in poor condition, as leaders Tottenham (26 points) and runner-up Arsenal (24 points) won earlier in the weekend. But the current champions – deprived of Manuel Akanji, suspended after being sent off against Brighton last weekend – have a strong army around Haaland and have tormented the over-agile Red Devils, who have slipped to eighth in the Premier League. Had it not been for Andre Onana’s saves, the blow would have been greater.

Haaland first executed a penalty kick earned after a foul by Rasmus Hoglund on Rodri (26th minute, 1-0), before receiving a cross from Bernardo Silva, with a solo header at the far post (49th minute, 2-0). He completed his tally with an assist for Phil Foden (80th place, 3-0).

The former Dortmund striker tops the scoring charts with 11 goals in 10 matches, in line with last season (36 goals in 35 matches). This is three units more than Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah, the Tottenham and Liverpool strikers.

Liverpool win for Luis Diaz

Liverpool fans were delighted this week with a 5-1 win over Toulouse on Thursday in the Europa League, followed three days later by a controlled match – this time in the usual frames – against Nottingham (3-0).

There was only one major absence from the Reds’ ranks on Sunday: Luis Diaz, who was in agony after his parents were kidnapped in Colombia. The police released his mother, but the authorities are still searching for his father.

Portuguese Diogo Jota – his replacement on the left wing – opened the festival (31) and raised the flowing No. 7 shirt to show his support. “It is unimaginable that such a situation could happen. We can only support him and show that we are with him,” commented the Portuguese, who was joined on the scoreboard by Darwin Nunez (35) and Salah (77).

Jurgen Klopp’s side now have seven wins and 23 points in total, one less than Arsenal (2nd, 24 points) and three less than Tottenham (1st, 26 points). However, Manchester City (5th place, 21 points) could knock Liverpool off the podium if they win the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa also continues

One point ahead of Liverpool, Aston Villa continued their very good start to the season by beating promoted Luton (3-1). The team, coached by Unai Emery, is rooted in Group A (Fifth) with a good group, without a star player but with the best attack involved in the tournament (26 goals), tied with Newcastle.

Brighton, which tied with Fulham (1-1), reached seventh place after this fourth match without achieving any victory.

West Ham are also struggling. After losing 0-1 to Everton at home, the Hammers went through a third consecutive match without a win in the league. It ranks ninth, one point behind Brentford (10th). Saturday’s winner from Chelsea (eleventh). Everton, which on Monday mourned the death of its president, Bill Kenwright, at the age of 78, rose to 15th place, five points behind Luton, the first team to relegate, thanks to a goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

(AFP)