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LOCAL AND NATIONAL COVERAGE... THE ENTIRE PICTURE

BY DAVID SAFFER Manchester City and Liverpool are on track for a Premier League title showdown at Etihad Stadium next month (April 10th).

City brushed aside neighbours Manchester United 4-1 at home whilst Liverpool overcame wannabee Champions League contenders West Ham 1- 0 in a tight encounter at Anfield last weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s team are six points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side having played one game more.

Chelsea are on track for third place in the top-four battle. Arsenal are in pole position for fourth though the Gunners are only five points adrift of Thomas Tuchel’s outfit with a match in hand. The Hammers and Tottenham Hotspur are still in the frame for a lucrative spot in the premier European tournament.

City demonstrated the chasm between the Manchester clubs nowadays with a demolition job on Ralf Rangnick’s side last Sunday.

Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez struck twice in a scintillating display. Jadon Sancho levelled briefly for the visitors but there was only ever one winner of this derby clash.

Guardiola to BBC Sport: “We played really well and had to be patient. Without the ball, we are a team with desire and passion to regain the ball from the first minute to the 90th.”

Liverpool claimed the spoils against West Ham with a Sadio Mane first half goal.

Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio had opportunities but the Reds are battle hardened and still in the hunt for four trophies this season after bagging the Carabao Cup last month.

Klopp told Sky Sports: “I know we can do much better but we brought this one over the line against a strong opponent.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich may be looking to sell the club but it was business as usual for the Blues who eased to a 4-0 win at Burnley. Kai Havertz (2), Reece James and Christian Pulisic scored the goals.

Arsenal were deserved 3-2 winners against a spirited Watford side.

Martin Odegaard opened the scoring only for Cucho Hernandez to level. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli struck before Moussa Sissoko hit back late on.

North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur thumped Everton 5-0 in the Monday night fixture.

Harry Kane struck twice as Spurs reignited their European dreams. Michael Keane scored an own goal, Son Heung-min and Sergio Reguilon also struck in a stellar display.

Crystal Palace dented Wolves Euro hopes with a 2-0 win at Molineux while Aston Villa enjoyed a 4-0 win over Southampton in a one-sided mid-table battle.

Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz opened up a comfortable half time lead, Phillipe Coutinho capped a superb performance with the third before Danny Ings completed the scoring before the hour.

In the scrap to avoid relegation Newcastle United and Brentford strengthened their chances with wins over Brighton and Norwich respectively.

Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar scored for the Geordies who are thriving under new boss Eddie Howe. Lewis Dunk scored for the Seagulls but Newcastle deserved the points.

Ivan Toney struck a hat-trick, including two second-half penalties, to claim a vital win against the bottom side at Carrow Road after a poor run of form for the Bees.

New Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch praised his teams’ performance despite a 1-0 defeat against Leicester City. Harvey Barnes scored for the hosts but Leeds wasted chances for a much-needed win.

Leeds, Everton and Burnley are separated by two points with Watford two points back. United are six points clear of Norwich.

Twists and turns will continue in an exciting season at both ends of the table. BY DAVID SAFFER Oakwood advanced to the Cyril Anekstein Cup semi finals in a resounding 7-0 triumph against London Athletico.

Sharpshooter Josh Cuby struck a hattrick. Maxim Green, Max Lever, Charlie Kasler and Dan Aluf also scored as the O’s look to land silverware this season. The defending Premier League champions are off the pace this time around but among the favourites to lift the cup.

HMH annihilated London Bears 11-1 in the sole league fixture with Oscar Wagner hitting four goals against the Premier new boys who are battling to stay up.

Adam Abadi and Alex Moss scored twice, Thomas Prais, Dom Feldman and Saul Norton also netted.

HMH boss Avi Goldberg was delighted with an “outstanding” performance.

“We showed no mercy putting Bears to the sword including a debut goal for Norton,” he said.

HMH are five points behind runaway league leaders Hendon United Sports who have a game in hand. Hendon’s clash with struggling Club de Chigwell was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Borussia Jewdinese closed the gap on Division One pacesetters Stoke Salmon to seven points with a thumping 8-0 win at Temple Fortune A.

Mitchell Gerber (2), Charlie Cohen (2), Zac Brin, Michael Kenley, Ollie Lewin and Ollie Shields scored.

Mill Hill Dons edged a third-place battle 3-2 at Brook Farm Rovers. But NWL Azzurri, who eased to a 5-0 win over bottom club Straw Hat Pirates, cannot be ruled out of edging out both teams.

Sam Morris and Aron Gale, who scored a brace apiece, and Josh Saffer scored for in form Azurri.

Coach Ben Rosen commented, “We got the job done, scored some great team goals and are looking forward to the remainder of the season with plenty up for grabs.”

Hampstead Ducks claimed the points against FC East London Bees who defaulted.

Division Two leaders Geez Park Rangers stay top after Temple Fortune B defaulted.

City thump United in Manchester derby

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 Oakwood chop Athletico to shreds in cup 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 Boca Chillers came out on top of a ninevictory would move them to within a point goal thriller against bottom club Brady FC. of Hendon with a match in hand. Jack David scored a brace in an exciting

Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, 5-4 victory. 10-man North London Galaxy made it a Real Madreidel hammered Redbridge three-way title race in the only Division One Jewish Care White 6-1 in a comfortable clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. win. Jake Salem (2), Joel Walters (2), Sam

Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy Keene and Nathan Davis scored. rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Ja- Real’s Gabriel Splater commented, “We cob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away were relentless as we looked to continue win. our great run of form.”

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in Ben Harris scored twice as Camden City the table by just one point after 10 matches, came away with a 2-1 win at Milbrook Park third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points be- Calcio a hard-fought victory. “It was imhind with two games in hand. portant for us to get back to winning ways,”

Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. said Joe Levi.

“It was a fantastic performance in a The clash between Oakwood Town and Hapoel Hampstead was waterlogged.

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

Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in the Manchester derby PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK