Soccer Super Thread

[tiger_one]

@Harvey



Frank Lampard's Coventry City have lifted themselves out of relegation zone by beating struggling Sunderland 3-1, with the Black Cats remaining rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Taiwo Awoniyi and Jack Rudoni scored to secure the Sky Blues just their third league win of the season, meaning Enzo Le Fee's second-half penalty was a mere consolation for the out-of-form Black Cats.

Both sides came into the game occupying the bottom two places in the table with just six goals scored each.

Coventry boss Lampard made four changes from last weekend's defeat by Fulham, including dropping captain Matt Grimes, and it stirred a positive performance from his side.

They were helped by some poor defending from Sunderland as the Black Cats made a mess of a routine cross that saw the ball fall to Sakamoto, and he opened the scoring with a fine finish in the 17th minute from the edge of the area.

Awoniyi then nicked the ball off Sunderland's Luke O'Nien far too easily in the 37th minute before he scored via a deflection after coasting through the visitors' defence and past some weak challenges.

Other than a decent opportunity for Brian Brobbey, which he fired wide, Sunderland were ineffective at the other end in the first half.

Their chances of getting back into the game were realistically ended just seven minutes into the second half when Rudoni's shot deflected off Omar Alderete, who had stuck out a leg to try to block it, and it found the net.

Sunderland's Chemsdine Talbi missed a good chance before the visitors were awarded a penalty after referee Simon Hooper took an age to review a handball by Coventry defender Ethan Pinnock, whose arm was up to block O'Nien's shot.

Le Fee scored the resulting spot-kick in the 67th minute, but there would be no stirring comeback from the Black Cats as they suffered their sixth defeat in nine league games.

Their misery was compounded by Alderete getting sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence when he tripped Rudoni.

 

[tiger_one]

Julio Enciso's thumping strike salvaged a point for Ipswich in an entertaining 2 all Premier League draw at Hull.

The Paraguayan attacking midfielder rifled a left-foot shot into the top corner from 20 yards with 16 minutes remaining to equalise for Ipswich and deny Hull a first win since August.

Ipswich had led through Florentino Luis' powerful near-post strike as they dominated the first half at MKM Stadium.

After a dismal first-half showing, Hull were a different side in the second 45 minutes and levelled through Tim Iroegbunam before Oli McBurnie's free-kick found the bottom right corner to give them the lead.

The lead lasted only six minutes, though, and the Tigers have now gone seven league games without tasting victory, eight in all competitions.

Despite that run, Sergej Jakirovic's have lost only two league games and remain in the top half of the table, above Gary O'Neil's Ipswich on goal difference.

Having gone behind in the second half, Ipswich will be glad to come away with something, but their early dominance was such that they may still be frustrated not to take all three points.

They thoroughly deserved the lead by the time Abdoul Ouattara beat a man and slipped in Florentino to hammer home the opener.

Ipswich then briefly thought they had doubled their advantage from a corner, only for Enciso's header to be ruled out for a foul on McBurnie moments earlier.

The deficit stayed at one and a much-improved Hull levelled just before the hour as McBurnie found Iroegbunam, who beat the offside trap and was bizarrely given all the time in the world by the Ipswich defence to amble into the box and lash past Christian Walton for his first Premier League goal.

The Ipswich goalkeeper was beaten again 10 minutes later, albeit he may feel he could have done better, as McBurnie drove in a low free-kick from just outside the box.

Hull were buoyant and the crowd were with them, but Enciso's sizzling strike ensured the points would be shared.

 

[tiger_one]

@Tiger Woods
@Emile


Brighton gained quick revenge after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup in midweek by stunning Manchester City 1 nil overnight and condemning Enzo Maresca's side to back-to-back Premier League defeats.

Fabian Hurzeler's men had twice taken the lead at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday but were edged out on penalties. On Saturday, they held on to a highly impressive victory to move just two points behind City in third.

Brighton scored the winning goal just 11 minutes in courtesy of a major helping hand from right-back Matheus Nunes, whose miscued clearance fell nicely for Yasin Ayari to convert from close range.

City should have levelled 10 minutes later when Iliman Ndiaye rose to meet Elliot Anderson's cross but planted his header the wrong side of the post, before the Senegal international stung Bart Verbruggen's palms at the near post.

Ndiaye was proving to be City's brightest spark as they looked for a way back into the game in the second half and the ex-Everton man ran clear and thumped a strike which was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Verbruggen.

The Brighton goalkeeper was proving to be a difficult prospect to find a way past and he made another superb save to deny Nunes, while a weak header from Erling Haaland was more comfortable to deal with.

City's star striker Haaland was being starved of any real service and his side could well have fallen further behind at the other end – Maxim de Cuyper blazing over from 10 yards out and then forcing Donnarumma into a sharp save with a header.

But those missed opportunities from Brighton did not matter as they collected all three points to continue their exciting start to the season.

 

[tiger_one]

@Leck


Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki dropped the ball into his own net as Fulham had a helping hand in recovering to earn a 1 all Premier League draw at Villa Park.

Striker Nicolas Jackson had earlier continued his fine scoring form for the hosts, but his first-half goal was not enough for victory because of Suzuki's costly error.

The Japan international could not hold on to Alex Iwobi's inswinging corner midway through the second half and fumbled the ball narrowly over the line for an own goal.

Villa were in good shape when Jackson got his sixth goal in all competitions in October - more than any other top-flight player.

He raced on to Johan Manzambi's pass, evaded weak challenges from David Affengruber and Timothy Castagne, and slotted past Bernd Leno.

That goal came in the 39th minute, and Villa should have gone ahead 23 minutes earlier when they were awarded a penalty.

Leon Goretzka's header was handled by Sander Berge, with referee Sam Barrott originally missing the offence, only for video assistant referee Matthew Donohue to advise him to watch it on a pitchside monitor.

Barrott changed his decision, but Villa captain John McGinn could not capitalise as his penalty bounced away off the crossbar.

When it was goalless, Fulham nearly went ahead when Suzuki made a superb one-handed save to keep out Oscar Bobb's effort.

Suzuki also denied Gonzalo Garcia in the second half, but he badly blundered for the equaliser and it ultimately proved costly - and beneficial for the visitors.

 

[tiger_one]

@Halbrowne61
@Dr_Ice
@tiger_one
@jirskyr
@Harvey


Tottenham Hotspur increased the pressure on Crystal Palace coach Pierre Sage as they took advantage of Jean-Philippe Mateta's early red card to secure a third successive Premier League victory.
The final score to Spurs being 2 zip.

Palace are now in the bottom three with only two league wins in nine games under Frenchman Sage, whose cause was not helped when striker Mateta was sent off after only 13 minutes for an ugly lunge at Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.

Mateta was dismissed after a video assistant referee (VAR) review by Michael Oliver, and the Eagles' task made even harder when Archie Gray took advantage of poor marking from Mohammed Kudus' corner to head home after 25 minutes.

Palace showed plenty of spirit but the numerical advantage took its toll as Spurs dominated, although it took a crucial block from Dominic Solanke to deny Dwight McNeil when he had a big opportunity after the break.

Spurs sealed the win after 73 minutes when defender Jan Paul van Hecke showed swift reactions to head in from a prone position in the six-yard area after Palace keeper Dean Henderson had turned his first effort on to the bar.

It meant Roberto de Zerbi and Spurs have now moved into the top half of the table as confidence and self-belief returns after times of struggle.

De Zerbi's Tottenham transformation continued with a third win in a row to move his side into the top half of the Premier League table.

It was vital Spurs built on that crucial first win of the season at home to Coventry City, then an outstanding performance and result to record a rare victory at Chelsea.

Spurs were helped by Mateta's crude challenge on Van de Ven, which was only going to end one way once referee Oliver was sent to the screen.

Aside from the sending off, there are now clear signs that Spurs are achieving coherence and confidence under De Zerbi, while some of his big-name summer signings are now coming to the party.

Sandro Tonali may still represent eye-watering business at £100m, but there is no doubt the Italian has moved on to a new level in recent weeks after a slow start, providing a potent combination of running, physicality and creation.

And Mateus Fernandes, who also struggled initially, now looks full of confidence as Spurs finally show the self-belief that has been in such short supply in recent seasons.

In other words, things are now looking much brighter for Spurs and De Zerb1.

 

[tiger_one]

Just back from the game. Palace had a player red carded early early and never looked like scoring. Spurs had enough possession to score ten goals. The ground is like the SFS on steroids. The pitch is better than the greens I putt on at my golf course. The ground was a sellout around 65000 and getting in and out of the ground was a breeze. Atmosphere was brilliant. I think Spurs are building after a slow start to the season and will finish mid table or a tad better. Certainly a great experience but not sure it beats Leichhardt on a Sunday afternoon!!!

Champion @supercoach - mate, about where were you sitting (it all looks fabulous!)?

 

[tiger_one]

@Bellend
@happy_tiger
@Criz


London Stadium played host to a Hammers horror on Halloween as West Ham United were deservedly beaten 3-1 at home by West Brom to tumble down the Championship table.

The Irons' pattern of going behind early in games continued as Felix Horn Myhre capped a clinical break for the visitors with a close-range finish inside 20 minutes.

But after Isaac Price spurned a golden chance to double the lead soon after, Jarrod Bowen hauled the hosts level with an angled effort which deflected in off the near post.

However, the Hammers' defensive frailties returned after the break as Jimmy-Jay Morgan tucked home after an error from Airidas Golambeckis, and another slip from Morato 17 minutes from time allowed Callum Styles to lash home through a crowd.

It sealed a third win in four games for Albion but heaped further pressure on Irons boss Nuno Espirito Santo after four home games without a win in all competitions, losing three of them.

Nuno made three changes from the West Ham side which went down 3-2 to Southampton in their last home game, and they all impacted the game.

Konstantinos Mavropanos missed out after picking up a knee problem against the Saints with Golambeckis drafted in at centre-back, while Edvin Austbo replaced Manor Solomon and Pablo was handed a start in place of Taty Castellanos.

West Brom's James Morrison made two changes from the XI which drew 1-1 at Preston, with Rabby Nzingoula replacing Harry Whitwell and Morgan starting in place of Barney Stewart - that too, proved key.

Nuno spoke to his West Ham players during the week about starting games quicker, but while they won a corner after just 16 seconds the pace soon dropped off.

It was the visitors who looked more threatening on the break and they went ahead when Price's wonderful curling through ball sent Morgan racing into the box on the right and he unselfishly opted to put it on a plate for Horn Myhre in the middle, rather than have a shot himself.

Price might have had another within two minutes as the Hammers defence looked shaky again allowing Morgan to dart in.

But though he picked out his unmarked team-mate near the penalty spot, Price stumbled at the crucial moment and skewed his shot wide.

Boos rained down from the home fans and even more followed when Mads Hermansen hoofed the subsequent goal-kick clean out of play.

Those jeers turned to cheers when Mohamadou Kante spun and swept a first-time pass out to Bowen and the Irons skipper drove into the box, before lashing in a low cross-shot which took a slight deflection off Callum Styles and beat Max O'Leary via a kiss off the inside of his near post.

Bowen pointed to his temple in the celebrations, urging the fans to focus, but his team-mates were left lacking on that front three minutes into the second half when Price was given space to curl in a cross from the left.

Golambeckis tried to cut out the outswinger but missed the ball which was cushioned neatly by Horn Myhre to Morgan in the space behind the defender. Morgan steadied himself and slotted across the keeper and inside the far post.

The home side tried to mount a comeback. Divine Mukasa watched an 18-yard shot deflect wide off Chris Mepham and the subsequent corner was met by the head of Max Kilman, only for O'Leary to claw his effort round the post.

O'Leary also dived to his left to parry Kyle Walker-Peters' curling effort after being teed up by sub Solomon.

But the game was effectively up after 73 minutes when a deep Price corner from the left was deflected away tamely by Morato, with the ball falling to Styles 15 yards out to lash home through a crowd, giving the unsighted Hermansen little chance.

The hosts threw on Castellanos for Golambeckis in the closing stages, but the Argentine could only lash one effort off target, while an acrobatic effort in added time was straight at O'Leary.

 

[tiger_one]

@TIGERS


Will Lankshear continued his incredible scoring spree as Middlesbrough continued to set the pace at the top of the Championship by beating Charlton 3 zip at the Riverside.

Sebastian Berhalter put Boro in front and then turned provider with a perfectly weighted pass which allowed Lankshear to dink the ball over keeper Arthur Okonkwo.

Charlton won the majority of the aerial duels but lacked the quality in Middlesbrough's half to drag themselves back into the game and Lankshear added the clincher in the 82nd minute, powering home a superb strike to make it seven goals in five games, and 15 overall for the season so far.

The visitors failed to muster a single shot on target throughout and the Halloween win completed a highly successful October for Kim Hellberg's Boro, bringing them 13 points from five games and stretching their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

 

[tiger_one]

@Odessa
@Dr_Ice


Southampton proved their promotion credentials with an impressive victory over Championship top-eight rivals Queens Park Rangers.

The two sides started the game on the same amount of points on the edge of the play-off places but victory for Saints boosts them to fifth in the standings.

Kuryu Matsuki gave Tonda Eckert's side an early advantage when he struck Leo Scienza's deflected effort home from close range and Cameron Bragg then doubled the lead in the second half via the foot of QPR captain Jimmy Dunne.

Keven Schlotterbeck headed a corner high into the net at the back post to make it three before Richard Kone responded minutes later for the visitors with a thumping strike that flew in off the post.

Saints substitute Welington then added a fourth in injury time, the ball falling kindly to him in the area before he swept it into the net to seal the three points.

Southampton should have taken the lead after just four minutes when Leo Scienza's cross found an unmarked Matsuki who struck his effort high and over the crossbar from close range.

But missing that chance clearly did not faze the attacking midfielder who managed to open the scoring minutes later.

Scienza played a give-and-go with Finn Azaz on the edge of the box before letting off a shot that spun towards Matsuki.

The 23-year-old then let the ball run across his body before twisting and firing the ball across goal and into the net past Pierce Charles for his fourth goal of the season.

QPR then had a great chance to level when Kwame Poku was picked out inside the box, but his effort flew into the side netting.

Southampton thought that they had doubled their lead just before the break as Lewis Dobbin glanced Scienza's corner into the net, but in the process Jack Stephens was seen to be in an offside position and interfering with play.

Saints did find a second just before the hour mark when Ryan Manning pulled a low cross back for Bragg to strike at goal, taking a big deflection via the foot of Dunne on its way into the net.

Saints then scored a third when Manning's corner flew to Schlotterbeck at the back post who headed the ball high into the back of the net before running off to celebrate in the corner of the ground.

Just two minutes later the Hoops got a goal back when Richard Kone surged towards the Southampton box and unleashed an effort that flew into the net via the right-hand post.

But Tonda Eckert's side then sealed the deal when Welington followed up a Divin Mubama run, picking up the ball and slotting it past Charles to make it four.

 

[tiger_one]

West Ham fall to 8th place after the home loss to West Brom.
Middlesbrough and Southampton projected in Top 2, but only one team currently has >50% to make it.