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LOCAL AND NATIONAL COVERAGE... THE ENTIRE PICTURE
BY DAVID SAFFER Manchester City remain in pole position for the Premier League title after a 4-0 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as the Canaries dropped into the relegation zone.
Phil Foden scored City’s second goal as City stay 12 points clear of Liverpool who have games in hand of the league leaders. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in the league since October.
“Norwich were in their best moment of the season, our fans came here five or six hours by car or train and I am very happy we could win for them,” Guardiola told BBC MOTD.
Liverpool came through tricky wintry conditions at bottom-of-the-table Burnley where a Fabinho goal just before half-time secured the win at Turf Moor.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports, “The balls in the air were so tricky to defend because the wind came from all directions. We played the circumstances rather than suffered from them.”
Burnley boss Sean Dyche was not despondent, he told BBC MOTD, “Sometimes you have to forget where you are in the table because that performance will lead to more.”
Chelsea were not in league action as they picked up more silverware with a 2-1 triumph over Brazilian side Palmeiras after extra time to lift the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
A 117th minute Kai Havertz penalty after a clinical Romelu Lakaku header completed a clean sweep of every club trophy available for the Blues.
Manager Thomas Tuchel dedicated the win to owner Roman Abramovich.
In the race for Champions League places Manchester United moved into fourth spot with a 2-0 midweek win over Brighton. Cristiano Ronaldo and an injury time Bruno Fernandes goal sealed the points against the Seagulls who had skipper Lewis Dunk sent off.
The win was welcome following a disjointed display in a 1-1 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford at the weekend. Che Adams levelled for the Saints after Jadon Sancho opened the scoring. The Reds are two points clear of West Ham and four ahead of Arsenal who have games in hand on both sides.
The Hammers shared the spoils with Leicester City courtesy of a Craig Dawson injury-time header at King Power Stadium.
Jarod Bowen opened the scoring for the visitors, Youri Tielemans levelled from the penalty spot before Ricardo Pereira converted just before the hour prior to Dawson’s late goal.
West Ham boss David Moyes told BBC MOTD, “When you are not playing as well as you can do, we dug in deep and keep picking up the points.
Wolves are in the Champions League mix after a 2-0 away with a Tottenham Hotspur.
Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker scored inside 18 minutes to inflict a painful win over Antonio’s Conte’s team. Wolves are in seventh place four points adrift of fourth-placed Hammers.
In the battle to stay up Brentford picked up an important point at Crystal Palace while Everton eased to an impressive 3-0 win against Leeds United at Goodison Park.
Manager Frank Lampard was relieved after an important victory against Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Goals from captain Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Anthony Gordon moved Everton to within a point of Leeds and two of Brentford. Newcastle United are a point back from the Merseysiders after skipper Kieran Trippier fired home a free-kick to defeat Aston Villa at St James’ Park. The Geordies’ third consecutive win moved them out of the relegation zone. Trippier though suffered a broken foot in the game for his new team which is a huge blow in their battle to avoid relegation. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told BBC MOTD, “We defended heroically at times but I feel we have a lot to do still.” Watford remain deep in trouble a point ahead of Burnley after goals from Neal Maupay and Adam Webster at Vicarage Road solidified Brighton’s place in the top-ten.
Hornets boss Roy Hodgson called for “mental strength” from his relegation-threatened team.
“The only people who will get us out of this are the players,” Hodgson told BBC MOTD.
Among a number of attractive looking fixtures in the coming days Manchester City host Tottenham, Manchester United travel to Leeds and West Ham entertain Newcastle. BY DAVID SAFFER NWL Azzurri knocked out Premier Division Maccabi London FC in the Cyril Anekstein Trophy on penalties to advance into quarterfinals of the competition.
Aaron Shimoni fired home the winner in a stunning 5-4 shoot out triumph.
The Division One giantkillers led through Aaron Gale only for the top-flight outfit to set up the penalty drama following a 1-1 draw. But after Azzuri missed the first spot kick, Maccabi failed twice. Shimoni then sealed a famous win.
Redbridge Jewish Care White came through a physical cup tie 4-3 on penalties at Oakwood Town.
Saul Morris struck a brace for the visitors before half time but Oakwood hit back in a 2-2 draw.
Ryan Fellman saved two Town spot kicks, Barr Kroter put away the winner for the Essex team.
Borussia Jewdinese enjoyed a goal fest against Temple Fortune B in a 9-3 victory.
Zack Collins struck a hat-trick, Reiss Mogilner and Zac Brin bagged a brace each. Mitchell Gerber and Oliver Lewin also hit the target for the victors.
Oakwood eased to a 2-0 win against Faithfold White with goals from Dan Aluf and Louie Fisher.
Mill Hill Dons won 2-0 at Geez Park Rangers, Elliot Freer and Grant Waissel scoring. Stoke Salmon enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Temple Fortune A. James Barnett notched a brace, Jamie Smaje and Nick Barnett also scored.
Hendon United Sports moved into the next round as London Bears forfeited the clash.
Away from cup action, Brook Farm Rovers remain fourth in Division One after a 2-1 victory over FC London Bees. A late Bees penalty made it a nervy finish for Rovers. Player-boss Dan Cohen scored both goals. “We were not at our best but controlled much of the game and managed to hang on and take the points,” he said.
Hampstead Ducks are three points behind Rovers after a 4-0 victory over second bottom Scrabble. Jono Gaon fired home a hat trick in a comfortable win.
Sterling hat-trick keeps City clear of Reds BY DAVID SAFFER Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup.
Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, David Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali completed the rout in a mismatch of a tie.
Lions could have scored in the opening minute of the clash but soon opened the scoring and led 9-0 by half time.
Th e Division One team, though outclassed, battled away to the end.
Lions boss was lost for words at full time such was the display from his team who gave every respect to the opposition.
“I’m not really sure there’s anything to say, we are happy to make it through to the next round of the cup,” he commented.
Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors against League One outfi t North London Raiders.
Th e Premier side led early in the second half only for Raiders to equalise but struck two late goals to book a place in round Azurri KO Maccabi in shoot out drama 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 In Division Two, Boca Chillers stay third victory would move them to within a point following a fine 3-0 win at Real Madreidel. of Hendon with a match in hand. Mikey Elia and Josh Burchhardt scored
Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, early on, Jack Davis finished coolly for the 10-man North London Galaxy made it a third. three-way title race in the only Division One Boca boss Sammy Huberman was clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. pleased with the performance from front to
Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy back. “We came out firing and dominated rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Ja- the second half,” he said. “We were solid cob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away and Real hardly had a sniff.” win. Camden City picked up a third win in
Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in a row to defeat Hapoel Hampstead 3-2 the table by just one point after 10 matches, and move alongside Real in the table. Jothird place Fairlop FC are fi ve points be- hann Jordi, Rick Harris and Noah Barnett hind with two games in hand. scored.
Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. City boss Joe Levi said: “The boys deserve
“It was a fantastic performance in a credit for another good performance. We played well and deserved the win.”
must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-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.”
Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune.
Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters.
Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season.
Th e result was all the more remarkable as Temple were down to 11 players with ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder in the warm up.
“Th is was a fantastic win given the circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden.
“We had a number of players out, Rebuck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked any more from the players. We wish Ben a speedy recovery.
“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. It’s a big win, one we will enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.”
He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and everyone associated with the club from day
Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup “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.”
one will enjoy.” Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to wish Rebuck well following his injury. “First and most importantly, everyone at Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper a quick recovery, we hope to see him back on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he said. As for the defeat, Emanuel commented, “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you have, you can never account for unavailability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team played in our recent win over FC Team, a lack of togetherness and poor individual
16-goal Maccabi London Lions PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER
Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick keeps Manchester City top PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK