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Liverpool in seventh heaven after crushing Palace Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup

BY DAVID SAFFER Everton, meantime, made it three consecutive wins with a deserved triumph Defending champions Liverpool fired a against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Goodison warning shot to title pretenders in a crush- Park. Carlo Ancelotti has been at the helm ing 7-0 win against Crystal Palace at the BY DAVID SAFFER 12 months and his experience is having a weekend. huge impact on the club. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds produced a superb Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi The Toffees opened the scoring midway display of attacking football to move four London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the through the first half when Rob Holding depoints clear of Leicester City who stunned second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. flected Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s effort past Tottenham Hotspur away from home in the Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 keeper Bernd Leno. The Gunners are on a latest round of fixtures. win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley horrific run of form but equalised against Manchester United sit alongside Everton both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, Da- the run of play before half time from a Nicoa point back, the Toffees compounding vid Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali complet- las Pepe penalty after Tom Davies fouled Arsenal’s problems, whilst Ole Solksjaer’s ed the rout in a mismatch of a tie. Ainsley Maitland-Niles. However, the hosts outfit thumped Leeds United 6-2. Lions could have scored in the opening were not to be denied, Yerry Mina heading Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah, who minute of the clash but soon opened the home from a corner. came on as a second half substitute for a scoring and led 9-0 by half time. The Gunners have picked up just five disapproving Sadio Mane, bagged a brace Th e Division One team, though out- league points from a possible 30. Arteta’s at Selhurst Park. Takumi Minamino, Mane classed, battled away to the end. team are two points from the relegation and skipper Jordan Henderson also hit Lions boss was lost for words at full time zone and in desperate need for a change the target. Salah’s solo strike completed such was the display from his team who in fortunes. It seems an eternity when the scoring and was the pick of the goals gave every respect to the opposition. they won the FA Cup and Charity Shield at with Firmino’s counter attack effort a close “I’m not really sure there’s anything to Wembley after the lockdown. second. say, we are happy to make it through to the Chelsea returned to form after two sucThis was a statement victory. Liverpool next round of the cup,” he commented. cessive defeats with a 3-0 win over West have not been playing at full tilt and at Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors Ham at Stamford Bridge in the Monday times have been shorn of key players but against League One outfi t North London night fixture. appear fully recovered from a 7-2 wobble Raiders. 16-goal Maccabi London Lions Thiago Silva has impressed this seaPHOTO: DAVID SAFFER at Aston Villa in October and are moving Th e Premier side led early in the second son and opened the scoring early on. The through the gears to back up a 30-year wait half only for Raiders to equalise but struck must-win game,” commented Galaxy play- Hammers enjoyed plenty of possession but for another Premier League title. Just over a third of the season has gone but based on this display they will take some stopping. Brendon Rogers’ Leicester claimed a hard-fought win at Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham. The Foxes continue to surprise and passed a stern test. Jamie Vardy’s penalty deep into first half injury time set them on their way after reftwo late goals to book a place in round three of the competition. Hendon now turn their attentions to the league as they travel to Oakwood A for a crucial top of the table clash on Sunday (10am). Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league leaders last month when they won 2-0, a victory would move them to within a point er-manager Luke Lewis. “We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace. “Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the fi rst one into Cohen to fi nish, before slotting home himself. Up to fi rst we go.” lacked a cutting edge. Tammy Abraham settled the match on 78 minutes, diverting a Timo Weiner effort home, before notching a brace with a neat finish 10 minutes from time. Frank Lampard’s Blues sit alongside Tottenham with this victory one point off the top-four. Pep Guardiola’s City have been inconsist“It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.” eree Craig Pawson reviewed Serge Aurier’s nudge on Wesley Fofana on the pitchside of Hendon with a match in hand. Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood circumstances,” said delighted Fortune PHOTO: WIKIMEDIAMo Salah struck the goal of the game against Crystal Palace ent to date but ground out a solid win at inform Southampton courtesy of a Raheem one will enjoy.”monitor before awarding the spot kick. VAR 10-man North London Galaxy made it a Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple boss Simon Linden. Sterling strike early on at St Mary’s. Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to then ruled out a James Maddison effort on three-way title race in the only Division One Leicester in a few days was a tough reality Fortune. Lindelof increased the lead before Liam “We had a number of players out, Re- Saints began the day in third but slipped wish Rebuck well following his injury.the resumption before a Toby Alderweireld clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. check after an impressive run of form but Faithfold B have played a game more Cooper made it 4-1 at half time. Daniel buck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked to seventh after struggling to break down a “First and most importantly, everyone at own goal from a Vardy header on the hour Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy Mourinho and his charges will have a say in than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at James scored on a counter attack then Ferany more from the players. We wish Ben a resolute defence and had ‘keeper Alex McVale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper settled matters. Harry Kane and Son Heurallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Ja- this title race. North London Raiders Masters. nandes slotted in a penalty. Stuart Dallas speedy recovery. Carthy to thank for denying City a second a quick recovery, we hope to see him back ng-min went close for the hosts but Leicescob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away Solksjaer’s Reds have been exceptional Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who curled in the goal of the game for never-say“It was a proper old school performance, through Ilkay Gundogan. on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he ter almost grabbed a late third through win. on their travels and finally clicked into gear scored through leading scorer James Mil- die Leeds but the points were long gone. we battled and defended for the 90 minutes After two draws this was a welcome re-said. Youri Tielemans.Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in at Old Trafford against Marcelo’s Bielsa’s letwith his 17th goal of the season. Solksjaer was on the verge of being and took our chances. Experience proved turn to form for City who like their high-flyAs for the defeat, Emanuel commented, Vardy and co last won in the league at the table by just one point after 10 matches, gung-ho Leeds team. Th e result was all the more remarkable sacked according to pundits not so long to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will ing Manchester neighbours have a game in “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you Tottenham when they amazed the footballthird place Fairlop FC are fi ve points be- Scott McTominay made history by scoras Temple were down to 11 players with ago, should United win a game in hand they enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.” on Liverpool. A win will put them back in have, you can never account for unavail-ing world by winning the Premiership. Was hind with two games in hand. ing twice inside three minutes in a Premier ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder will be two points off the league leaders. As He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a the title mix. ability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team this clash an omen of things to come? Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. League match to set United on the way to a in the warm up. TV viewers of a certain vintage will recall, football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and Aston Villa have been the surprise packplayed in our recent win over FC Team, a

As for the hosts, defeats to Liverpool and “It was a fantastic performance in a thrilling win. Bruno Fernandes and Victor “Th is was a fantastic win given the ‘football is a funny old game’. everyone associated with the club from day age this season for many pundits and eased lack of togetherness and poor individual

Jamie Vardy fired home Leicester’s opener at Tottenham Hotspur

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

to a 3-0 win at West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Anwar El Ghazi opened the scoring from close range on five minutes as Villa bossed the game against Albion who went down to 10-men when referee Martin Atkinson dismissed Jake Livermore after viewing the pitchside monitor approaching half time. Villa struck twice late on, Grealish setting up Bertrand Traore on 84 minutes, before El Ghazi slotted in a penalty two minutes from time.

Baggies new boss Sam Allardyce has never been relegated from the top flight but this result showed him, not that he didn’t know, that the road to safety is long and will be a tough challenge.

Elsewhere, Burnley moved clear of the relegation spots with a deserved 2-1 over Wolves at Turf Moor.

Ashley Barnes headed home Charlie Taylor’s cross in the first half and Chris Wood struck from close range after the break to put Sean Dyche’s team in command. Wolves youngster Fabio Silva slotted in a penalty a minute from time but the hosts claimed a crucial win following a stuttering start.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s outfit remain in midtable whilst Burnley will feel they are on the right track.

Newcastle United and Fulham shared the spoils in a controversial encounter at St James’ Park.

Matt Ritchie opened the scoring for the visitors from a corner on half time but found themselves level just after the hour following a contentious incident when Joachim Andersen was dismissed for fouling Callum Wilson. Contact was outside the penalty area but Wilson fell in the box. Referee Graham Scott checked the incident on the pitchside monitor but stayed with his decision to the astonishment of Fulham boss Scott Parker who accused Wilson of diving. Wilson slotted the equaliser but the hosts could not find the winner against 10man Fulham who felt bitter at the result.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton are back in the top-four

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was likewise dismayed when midfielder John Lundstram saw red in a 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Lundstram was cautioned for a tackle on Joel Veltman in the first half only for referee Peter Bankes to show a straight red after viewing his pitchside monitor. Against all odds, 10-man Blades took the lead through Jayden Bogle and almost doubled the lead only for Danny Welbeck to poach a goal four minutes from time. And the hosts almost won it when Welbeck had a header cleared off the line before Alireza Jahanbakhsh headed against the crossbar in stoppage time. Defeat would have been cruel on Wilder’s team who are bottom, 10 points adrift of Brighton after 14 games.

Attention has now turned to the traditional festive fixtures where teams play three games in a week including a number of clubs lining up twice in three days stretching squads.

Pacesetters Liverpool will expect a home win against struggling West Brom before fixtures at Newcastle and Southampton when the Saints clash could be the toughest to claim the points.

Leicester face Manchester United at the King Power Stadium and is the standout

Tammy Abraham bagged a brace as Chelsea returned to winning ways

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA ‘Boxing Day’ fixture especially with the Reds stunning away form but it will be severely tested.

United are the fourth side in English topflight history to record 10 consecutive away league wins. The quartet includes Chelsea (2008) and Manchester City (2017) who are also the only teams to win their opening six away games in 2008/9 and 2017/18 respectively. Leicester then travel to Palace and Newcastle whilst United host Wolves and in-form Villa at Old Trafford.

Fourth-place Everton will be hot favourites against Sheffield before a huge test at home against Guardiola’s City then West Ham at Goodison.

Chelsea take a short trip to Arsenal where they could add to their woes prior to hosting Villa in what should be an entertaining clash then Manchester City, who start out with a clash at home to Newcastle before two beefy fixtures. Tottenham, meantime, travel to Wolves before a London derby against Fulham then Leeds when there could be goals galore for TV fans.

Down at the bottom, the Blades look doomed but will be going all out to get a win against Everton, Burnley or Palace. This could be a seminal period that defines their campaign.

Big Sam, meanwhile, has barely got his

Raheem Sterling scored the winner for Manchester City at Southampton

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA feet under table at West Brom. After their Anfield clash they welcome Leeds to the Hawthorns then Arsenal in a game that could see the Gunners drop into a relegation scrap if they fail to defeat Brighton in a huge game between two struggling sides.

The Seagulls are just behind Arsenal in the table and host them after a trip to West Ham before welcoming Wolves. Fulham are the other team in the bottom six. After hosting Saints they travel to Tottenham before a six-pointer at home to Burnley.

The seasonal fixtures are set to hit the headlines when there will be magical moments and surprises along the way.