Month: January 2023

Gateshead gave their National League survival hopes a boost with a late comeback to earn a 2-1 win away at Wealdstone

Max Kretzschmar looked to have given the hosts a win to bolster their aspirations of reaching the play-offs, but an equalising goal from Daniel Elliot before an 83rd-minute winner from substitute Adam Campbell turned the game on its head to drag Gateshead to within three points of safety.

The hosts took the lead when midfielder Kretzschmar pounced to fire home following a goalmouth scramble in the 38th minute of a first half that Wealdstone largely dominated.

But, despite holding the lead into the final 20 minutes, Stuart Maynard’s team could not hold on and succumbed to a late rally from the visitors, with Elliot and Campbell striking with a late ambush to breathe life into their bid to avoid the drop.

Aaron Jarvis struck the winner as Torquay beat fellow National League relegation battlers Maidstone 1-0 at Plainmoor.

The Gulls went close to opening the scoring just after the interval when Shaun Donnellan’s header was pushed over by Dan Barden.

Jarvis then made the breakthrough in the 79th minute, hitting a shot past Barden having been set up by Tope Fadahunsi.

It sees the gap between third-bottom Torquay and safety reduce to three points, while basement boys Maidstone are seven points adrift after what was their ninth straight league defeat.

Marseille have struck a deal to sign Azzedine Ounahi after clubs from across Europe targeted the midfielder who dazzled in Morocco’s World Cup semi-final run.

Ounahi was pivotal as Morocco became the first African team to reach the last four at a World Cup, catching the eye as the Atlas Lions saw off Spain and Portugal before falling to France.

The 22-year-old will leave Angers to join fellow Ligue 1 outfit Marseille for a fee reportedly of around €10million, having previously been linked with the likes of Napoli, Leicester City and Leeds United.

Both clubs announced a deal was in place on Saturday.

Marseille, who sit third in the table, said in a short statement: “Olympique Marseille announces an agreement in principle with Angers for the permanent signing of Azzedine Ounahi.”

Ounahi has played 15 games in the French top flight this season, having also been a regular last season, and he will leave Angers just 18 months after arriving from minnows Avranches.

His arrival at Stade Velodrome could pave the way for Matteo Guendouzi to depart.

The France international is rumoured to be a target for Aston Villa and West Ham.

Maidenhead pulled seven points clear of the National League relegation zone after ending their winless run with a 2-1 victory away at York.

Goals in each half from Ashley Nathaniel-George and Cole Kpekawa put the visitors comfortably in control at the LNER Stadium before striker Lenell John-Lewis pulled one back to make for a nervous finish.

Maidenhead took the lead after 39 minutes when Nathaniel-George got forward and found space to tap home, before Adams doubled the lead with a fine free-kick on the hour mark.

John-Lewis halved the arrears with 14 minutes remaining when he got on the end of Manny Duku’s flick to prod past the goalkeeper, but the visitors held on to claim a first league win in eight matches.

Sky Bet League One high-flyers Ipswich held Championship leaders Burnley to 0-0 draw in a nail-biting FA Cup fourth-round encounter at Portman Road.

Town were on the front foot early on and nearly took the lead when George Hirst just failed to hit the target following a cross from Kayden Jackson and Marcus Harness struck the top of the bar.

Tricky footwork by Darko Churlinov led to him cutting the ball back to Jay Rodriguez and his shot was blocked by Janoi Donacien while at the other end a cross-cum-shot by Jackson was deflected and tipped over the bar by Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Vaclav Hladky had to be alert on two occasions when he first tipped an effort from Nathan Tella over the bar and then beat a shot away from Rodriguez.

Anass Zaroury’s fierce shot was deflected wide in the 77th minute and Hladky tipped the resultant corner over the bar while Conor Chaplin’s shot was tipped onto the bar by Peacock-Farrell but neither side were able to find a winner.

Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Inter came from behind to get back on track in Serie A with a 2-1 victory over lowly Cremonese.

Martinez netted either side of the interval in Saturday’s Lombardy derby at Giovanni Zini Stadium.

With a sharp finish having cancelled out David Okereke’s sensational opener in the first half, Martinez lashed home from inside the area in the 65th minute.

The victory took Inter onto 40 points and, temporarily at least, into second place, though runaway leaders Napoli hold a 10-point lead.

Inter’s bright start failed to produce a true chance, and they were stunned by an incredible 11th-minute opener when Okereke curled a sublime strike in off the underside of the crossbar.

Yet Cremonese’s lead lasted just 10 minutes, with Martinez reacting sharply to turn home after Marco Carnesecchi parried Edin Dzeko’s volley.

Andre Onana’s save prevented Marco Benassi’s close-range flick restoring Cremonese’s lead, before Martinez drilled just wide at the other end.

Martinez snatched at another chance before the break, sending a tame rebound at Carnesecchi following Federico Dimarco’s shot.

Carnesecchi was called into action again following the restart to ensure Dimarco’s cross did not find its way in, but Inter kept on the pressure and were rewarded with 25 minutes remaining – Dzeko slipping in Martinez, who hammered beyond Carnesecchi.

Martinez made way for Joaquin Correa soon after with his work done, though Matteo Darmian’s last-ditch block from Cristian Buonaiuto’s scuffed attempt was required to ensure Inter headed home with the three points.

What does it mean? More misery for winless Cremonese

Cremonese became only the second side since Serie A returned to a 20-team league (2004-05) to have failed to win a match in the first half of the season (after Hellas Verona in 2015-16) – and despite their best efforts, that victory still eludes them with 20 games of the campaign accounted for.

They did forge some chances, having 12 shots and getting four on target, but on the balance of play the result was a fair one. Inter finished with 2.5 expected goals (xG) and had 30 attempts, while home goalkeeper Carnesescchi made eight saves, including an excellent stop late on from Denzel Dumfries, as well as having to pick the ball out of his net twice.

Double figures for Martinez, again

With Romelu Lukaku desperately out of form – he has now failed to score in seven Serie A appearances after replacing Dzeko, his worst run in the competition – Inter at least have Martinez to call on.

Martinez’s double took him to 11 league goals for the season, making him the third foreign player in Inter’s history to hit double figures in Serie A in at least four seasons, after Stefano Nyers and Mauro Icardi.

The Argentina forward has now been involved in 13 goals in his last 10 Serie A games against promoted opponents, scoring 11 and setting up two more. He also netted in the reverse fixture back in August.

Okereke fades after stunning start

It was a quite superb opener from Cremonese forward Okereke, who gave Onana little chance with his excellent finish, catching Inter off guard.

However, the 25-year-old struggled to keep himself in the game from then on, and when he went off in the 72nd minute, that was the only shot he had managed, while he also conceded three fouls and lost possession 12 times.

Key Opta facts

– With his latest exploits, Martínez became the first player to score 10 or more goals in each of the last four Serie A campaigns.
– Inter have conceded 21 goals in 10 away matches in Serie A this season. They have never conceded more after the same number of games in a Serie A campaign, shipping 21 also in 1947-48, in 1931-32 and in 1930-31.
– Only Salernitana (25) have conceded more goals than Inter in away matches in Serie A this season. The Nerazzurri have conceded in each of their last 14 league away games, their longest such streak in Serie A since 1988 (18 games under Giovanni Trapattoni).

What’s next?

Inter host Atalanta in a Coppa Italia quarter-final on Tuesday, with Cremonese facing Roma in the same competition a day later.

Pedri is already one of the best players in the world in his position, according to Barcelona boss Xavi.

The 20-year-old midfielder marked his 100th appearance for the club on Saturday with the only goal as Barca edged past Girona to claim an eighth win in nine LaLiga games.

The result moved Barca six points clear at the league summit, although Real Madrid can reduce the deficit back to three when they host third-placed Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Pedri has scored with 72.7 per cent of his shots on target (8/11) since Xavi was appointed – the highest ratio of anyone who has scored at least six goals in this period – and the Barca boss was full of praise for the Spain international. 

“He’s already a big difference maker in games and if you also add assists and goals, we’re talking about one of the best in the world in his position at just 20 years of age,” he said.

“And he still has to do more in the last pass. But not only Pedri; also Gavi, [Frenkie] De Jong, [Sergio] Busquets, and [Franck] Kessie when he plays.”

Barca were far from their fluid best against Girona, who have now failed to win any of their five LaLiga matches against the Blaugrana, and Xavi wants his players to be more daring in attacking situations.

“We still don’t fully dare,” he added. “We give the correct pass, but not the decisive pass. We have to shoot from outside the area, look for good balls, make a cross.

“Girona put pressure on us and they surprised us, but sometimes we need to get out of the box and generate more. 

“The first half-hour of the second half is what we want; the victory and the goal come thanks to high pressure.

“I am satisfied with the victory, but we must be self-critical and we must improve in attacking situations.”

Pedri replaced the injured Ousmane Dembele in the 26th minute and Xavi confirmed the France international will be tested to determine the severity of the issue. 

“In a match like this it is even more important not to lose Dembele as he is the most important player in one-on-one situations and, of course, it upset our plans.

“They will test him and we will see, but he has noticed something and it seems that there is a quadriceps injury. It’s a shame because he is an important player.”

Barca are next in action on Wednesday when they visit Real Betis. 

Son Heung-min’s dazzling double and a debut goal from Arnaut Danjuma sent Tottenham through to the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-0 victory over Preston North End.

South Korea international Son curled the opening goal from 25 yards in the 50th minute to break Preston’s resistance at Deepdale.

Antonio Conte’s visiting side dominated throughout but mostly found clear-cut opportunities difficult to come by, though Son struck again in fine style to put them in control.

Danjuma, off the bench for his first Spurs game, rubbed salt in the wounds of the Championship side with a late third.

Tottenham dominated the early proceedings of Saturday’s game, with Son the most threatening outlet, twice forcing Freddie Woodman into action with attempts from outside the box.

For all their possession though, Conte’s players struggled to break down Preston’s resilient defensive line and were restricted to efforts from distance, Dejan Kulusevski firing a strike over the bar.

Five minutes after the restart, Spurs found the breakthrough as Son cut onto his left foot after receiving a pass from Japhet Tanganga and struck a fine effort beyond the reach of Woodman.

Preston responded well, with Ched Evans weaving his way through several markers to tee up Benjamin Whiteman, but his strike from just outside the area whistled wide of Fraser Forster’s right-hand post.

The fightback was quickly quelled though as Son struck again, with Ivan Perisic backheeling a pass into the area for the Spurs number seven to turn his markers and send a fine finish into the right corner.

Danjuma added icing on the cake in the 87th minute, scuffing Kulusevski’s pass into the Preston net to cap a comfortable win.

Bayern Munich were held to a third successive 1-1 Bundesliga draw after Randal Kolo Muani struck to earn Eintracht Frankfurt a point at Allianz Arena.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side drew with RB Leipzig and Cologne in their first two games back after the mid-season break, but Leroy Sane’s 34th-minute strike had them on course for victory on Saturday. 

That was until Kolo Muani fired home a little over 20 minutes from time to deny the reigning champions, whose lead at the top has now been cut to just one point.

Union Berlin’s win over city rivals Hertha Berlin earlier in the day leaves them hot on Bayern’s heels, while Leipzig and Freiburg are two and three points back respectively.

Kevin Trapp produced a double save to deny Joshua Kimmich and then Thomas Muller, but the latter pulled the ball back for Sane three minutes later to sweep home an opener.

Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano headed wide from close range and Trapp kept out Sane’s next effort as the hosts pressed for a second.

But unlike on the opening day of the season, when they were five goals up by half-time in a 6-1 win over Eintracht, Bayern lacked a finishing touch.

That proved costly as, from Eintracht’s first on-target attempt, Kolo Muani fired across Yann Sommer after powering past Upamecano.

Bayern brought on Serge Gnabry – among the substitutes after being criticised for attending Paris Fashion Week – but Eintracht looked the more likely to find a late winner late on as Rafael Santos Borre’s deflected effort flew just wide after Evan Ndicka’s close-range attempt was blocked.

What does it mean? Wide open at the top

Three points from a possible nine for Bayern to begin 2023 has opened the door for the chasing pack, and at least five sides – Eintracht among them – will consider themselves title contenders given the tight nature at the top.

This is the first time since 2007, during a run in which head coach Felix Magath was replaced by Ottmar Hitzfeld, that Bayern have gone three league games without a win to start a year.

Eintracht had just one shot on target, compared to five for Bayern, but that strike from Kolo Muani was enough to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches and keep them in both top-four and – say it quietly – title contention.

Muani the man of the moment

Kolo Muani has enjoyed quite the campaign, having impressed for France in their run to the World Cup final and starred for Eintracht in his first season outside of his homeland.

He has now been directly involved in 17 goals in his first 17 Bundesliga matches. Across Europe’s top five leagues, only Lionel Messi (18), Neymar (21) and Erling Haaland (28) have been involved in more this season.

Dayot’s off day

Bayern have now kept just one clean sheet in their past seven Bundesliga matches, their failure to keep out the opposition seeing their lead at the summit almost completely disappear.

While he had more touches (162), completed more passes (134) and won possession (13) more times than any other player on the field, Upamecano had a disappointing day on the whole as he missed a big chance and let Kolo Muani get away from him too easily for the leveller.

What’s next?

Bayern switch focus to the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday with a trip to Mainz in the last 16, while Eintracht host Hertha in their next Bundesliga outing.

Record-chasing Harry Kane was limited to a watching brief as Son Heung-min fired Tottenham into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory at Preston in a battle of the lilywhites.

Kane recovered from a midweek illness to take his place on the bench and was hoping for an opportunity to move clear of Jimmy Greaves’ all-time scoring record for the club, having matched his tally of 266 with the winner at Fulham on Monday.

But, although this was not always an easy night for Spurs against a side 26 places below them in the pyramid, the England captain was not needed as Son’s second-half double proved the difference at Deepdale before substitute Arnaut Danjuma marked his debut with a late third.

Son’s goals may not come with the weight of history attached but these were important strikes for the Korean, who had only one since October coming into the match. A push for the top four would be a much more realistic prospect if he is back firing again.

Kane had dropped to the bench as one of seven changes made by Antonio Conte, but even so Spurs’ Premier League pedigree was clear as they dominated the ball, were faster in their movement, stronger and quicker in battling for the ball.

But, as Preston, who have made it beyond the fourth round only once in the last 14 years, defended in numbers, the visitors struggled to carve out clear opportunities in the first half.

Dejan Kulusevski saw a shot deflected wide after Ivan Perisic sent a free-kick straight into the wall, while Son twice tested Freddie Woodman from range but earned nothing more than a corner.

Preston fed on scraps. Andrew Hughes had a shot charged down following a long free-kick, while Tom Cannon’s tenacity almost forced Davinson Sanchez into an error as he tried to shepherd the ball back to Fraser Forster, earning a roar of approval from the stands if nothing more.

Spurs’ best move of the half came two minutes before the break as Kulusevski exchanged passes with Son to create space for a shot inside the box, but Liam Lindsay slid in to block.

Spurs started the second half with more energy and got their rewards five minutes after the restart.

It was another shot from distance from Son but although Woodman had a clear sight the goalkeeper had no chance thanks to the power and accuracy on the left-footed strike.

Preston were forced out of their shells as the game suddenly became open. Ben Whiteman sprung forward and fed Cannon. The on-loan Everton forward tried to cut back inside the box and then went down as he anticipated a touch from Japhet Tanganga that never came, earning himself a yellow card.

But the home fans were on their feet and just after the hour Whiteman found space on the edge of the box but could not get the curl he needed to find the bottom corner of the net.

Spurs responded and Woodman had to palm over a dipping header from Perisic when he got in front of his defender to meet Clement Lenglet’s cross.

Moments later, Son had his second and the tie was effectively over. Perisic turned provider, his neat flick finding Son inside the area. The Spurs man had his back to goal but his quick movement took him away from Jordan Storey before he picked out the bottom right-hand corner.

There would be no hat-trick, with Son brought off inside the final 10 minutes, but Spurs were not done quite yet as Danjuma, who joined on loan from Villarreal on Wednesday, turned in Kulusevski’s cross in the 87th minute for a debut goal.