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Chelsea top as ‘big four’ Sixteen-goal Lions lead the way rout Scrabble in Cup

BY DAVID SAFFER

Chelsea entered the international break top BY DAVID SAFFER of the Premier League by a solitary point after seven rounds of fixtures. Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi Liverpool are in second spot with ManLondon Lions thumped Scrabble A in the chester City and Manchester United just second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. behind level on points. Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 Everton and surprise team Brighton have win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley the same tally as the Manchester giants but both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, Daonly a diehard fan of either would back vid Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali completthem to keep pace with the ‘big four’. ed the rout in a mismatch of a tie.

Thomas Tuchel’s side needed two late Lions could have scored in the opening goals to account for Southampton in a 3-1 minute of the clash but soon opened the triumph at Stamford Bridge. scoring and led 9-0 by half time.

Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell scored the Th e Division One team, though outall-important goals after Saints had been classed, battled away to the end. reduced to 10 men when skipper James Lions boss was lost for words at full time Ward-Prowse saw red for a rash tackle on such was the display from his team who Jorginho. Trevoh Chalobah opened the gave every respect to the opposition. scoring for the Blues only for Ward-Prowse “I’m not really sure there’s anything to to slot home a penalty in the second half. say, we are happy to make it through to the Tuchel told BBC MOTD, “In the end we next round of the cup,” he commented. finally got the result right which is always Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors the challenge and the target. It was a late against League One outfi t North London one but a deserved one.” Raiders.

Kevin de Bruyne’s struck a late equaliser Th e Premier side led early in the second to earn Manchester City a deserved share half only for Raiders to equalise but struck of the spoils against Liverpool in an Anfield two late goals to book a place in round classic between the two title rivals. three of the competition.

City bossed the first half but rued missed Hendon now turn their attentions to the chances when Mo Salah set up Sadio Mane league as they travel to Oakwood A for a for a clinical finish. crucial top of the table clash on Sunday Phil Foden levelled from a tight angle but (10am). City’s joy was dashed and Anfield was in Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league raptures when Salah scored a ‘Goal for the leaders last month when they won 2-0, a Season’ contender with a solo effort on 76 victory would move them to within a point minutes. of Hendon with a match in hand.

De Bruyne’s deflected shot quietened the Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, Reds who were denied victory by a superb 10-man North London Galaxy made it a intervention from Rodri to deny Fabinho three-way title race in the only Division One the winner five minutes from time in a senclash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. sational game.Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy City manager Pep Guardiola was outrallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Jaraged Liverpool’s James Milner was not cob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away dismissed prior to Salah’s goal for a pro win. fessional foul on Bernardo Silva but overall Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in satisfied with the result. the table by just one point after 10 matches, Guardiola told Sky Sports, “What a game. third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points beThat’s why the Premier League is the best. hind with two games in hand. It was great, really great.” Regarding Milner, Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. he noted, “It’s clear. It’s Anfield, it’s Old “It was a fantastic performance in a 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 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

Trafford. In our situation a City player is sent off. It was a second yellow.”

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports, “We have to admit today the point is completely fine.” As for the Milner incident, Klopp said, “I didn’t see but I saw Pep’s reaction obviously but I didn’t know exactly why he did that. Milly did incredibly well first half and it is not easy to defend these guys.”

Manchester United and Everton drew 1-1 at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer surprisingly omitted Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting line up and received criticism for the decision especially when Andros Townsend deservedly equalised after Anthony Martial had opened the scoring just before half time. Ronaldo entered the fray but could not inspire his teammates to victory and the Toffees thought they had snatched the win but VAR ruled out a late winner from Yerry Mina for offside.

Solskjaer told BBC MOTD, “We should have done better and it’s a disappointing goal to concede.” 16-goal Maccabi London Lions

Everton manager Rafa Benitez told BT Sport, “Mentally it’s like a victory, with the players we had who were not playing.”

Brighton were left to rue missed opportunities against Arsenal as they maintained a fine start to the season.

Dan Burn, Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay wasted chances to claim a deserved win for the Seagulls.

Brighton boss Graham Potter told Sky Sports, “Today was as close to perfect as we can get and we have to keep going from that.”

Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta told BBC MOTD, “There is a lot of things we have to get better at.”

Brentford continued a stunning start to a first Premier season with a 2-1 triumph against West Ham at the London Stadium.

Yoane Wissa scored with an injury time winner against the Hammers. The Bees had led early on when Bryan Mbeumo struck from close range only for Jarrod Bowen to level to the relief of home fans. Wissa’s late strike though claimed the points in a terrific derby encounter.

Brentford’s Thomas Frank told MOTD, “Fantastic feeling away from home, a solid performance. It’s a massive win.”

David Moyes told Sky Sports, “It’s a missed opportunity, let’s hope we can take opportunities in the days to come.”

Tottenham Hotspur ended a three game losing spell with a 2-1 home victory against Aston Villa.

After a calamitous derby display at Arsenal this result was needed after their last league clash. Son Heung-min set up Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg before forcing Matt Targett into an own goal shortly after Oli Watkins for Villa in the second half.

Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports, “All the players did well, we have talented players and when they are confident, they are unstoppable.”

Aston Villa’s Dean Smith told BBC MOTD, “It feels like it got away from us. It is a disappointment. I didn’t think there was too much between the teams.”

Crystal Palace showed tremendous fighting spirit to come from 2-0 behind to draw against Leicester City in an exciting clash at Selhurst Park.

The Foxes struck against the run of play when Kelechi Iheanacho pounced on a mistake to fire home just past the half hour. And when Jamie Vardy clinically finished before the break the game appeared over.

But the Eagles have steel about them under new boss Patrick Viera and roared back with strikes from teenage substitute Michael Olise and Jeffrey Schlupp for a just point.

Vieira told BBC MOTD, “I am disappointed because I think we created enough chances to win the game.”

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports, “It is a disappointing result.”

Hwang Hee-chan scored twice for Wolves to claim a home win against Newcastle United at Molineux.

Hwang opened the scoring with a neat finish only for Jeff Hendrick to fire home a long range equaliser shortly after Francisco Trincao almost doubled the lead when he struck the crossbar for the hosts. Allan Saint-Maximin failed to beat Jose Sa from point-blank range but Hwang grabbed the headlines with the winner.

Wolves boss Bruno Lage told BBC MOTD, “This is the hardest competition. We are happy in the moment but we need to continue.

Leeds United picked up a first league victory thanks to a smart finish from defender Diego Llorente who was back in the side after injury against Watford at Elland Road.

The hosts should have wrapped up the game long before Illan Meslier’s fumbled the ball into his own net but his blushes were spared by the referee who spotted an infringement in the penalty box.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa told BBC Sport, “We should have scored more goals because we had a lot of chances. The difference could have been bigger.”

Watford manager Xisco Munoz was dismissed shortly after the game and has been replaced by Claudio Ranieri.

Norwich City picked up a first point of the season in a goalless draw against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Dwight McNeil missed a guilt-edged chance for the Clarets in second half, the visitors almost edged the match with a couple of efforts from Mathias Normann.

Liverpool’s Mo Salah scored a wonder PHOTOS: goal against Manchester City SHUTTERSTOCK

“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.”

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER