Arsenal FC defended and extended their place at the top of the Premier League table on matchday 20 as World Cup winners Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker secured a 1-0 win at home to Newcastle United. Olivier Giroud headed Mesut Özil’s corner on to Laurent Koscielny, who finished from close range in the 72nd minute. Özil continued his superb form this season, feeding his teammates with his slick passes and creative vision, though Newcastle stood strong and defended well for most of the match until the opener. With Leicester City dropping points in the 0-0 draw against AFC Bournemouth, Arsenal now have a two-point lead ahead of the season’s surprise team.
It was also a good start to the year for Manchester United. Bastian Schweinsteiger and the Red Devils carved out a 2-1 win against Swansea City. Schweinsteiger was a leading figure for the home side and was involved in both of United’s goals. For the opener, the Germany captain fed the ball down the right for Ashley Young, whose cross from the right was headed in by Anthony Martial shortly after the break. Following Gylfi Sigurdsson’s equaliser, it was Schweinsteiger once again who feed Martial on the left, who took the ball to the touchline and squared it across for Wayne Rooney to back-heel into the back of the net.
Strong Can can’t prevent Liverpool defeat
Emre Can and Liverpool FC opened matchday 20, but suffered a blow in the battle for a European spot. The Reds suffered a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United, who subsequently climbed two points ahead in the table.
Having beating Leicester City 1-0 at the end of 2015, Jürgen Klopp’s side made it difficult for themselves from the start. Michail Antonio’s headed goal gave the home side the lead after ten minutes, before former Liverpool striker Andy Carrol put the Hammers out of sight ten minutes into the second half. Both goals were scored from close distance following crosses from the right. Christian Benteke, match winner in recent games against Leicester and Sunderland, couldn’t get into the game.
In spite of the defeat, Can put on an impressive performance. Just four minutes in, he set up Jordan Ibe with a wonderful one-two, but his teammate was unable to fire the Reds into the lead. His curling effort from the edge of the box just before the break was unfortunate, hitting the corner of the post and crossbar. Even at 2-0, Liverpool refused to give up, with Can setting up Lucas for an opportunity late on.
Espanyol frustrate Barca
FC Barcelona gave away an unexpected two points on matchday 18 in the Primera División. The deadly trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez were unable to find the net in the 0-0 draw in the derby against city rivals Espanyol. Marc-André ter Stegen sat on the bench.
Arsenal FC defended and extended their place at the top of the Premier League table on matchday 20 as World Cup winners Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker secured a 1-0 win at home to Newcastle United. Olivier Giroud headed Mesut Özil’s corner on to Laurent Koscielny, who finished from close range in the 72nd minute. Özil continued his superb form this season, feeding his teammates with his slick passes and creative vision, though Newcastle stood strong and defended well for most of the match until the opener. With Leicester City dropping points in the 0-0 draw against AFC Bournemouth, Arsenal now have a two-point lead ahead of the season’s surprise team.
It was also a good start to the year for Manchester United. Bastian Schweinsteiger and the Red Devils carved out a 2-1 win against Swansea City. Schweinsteiger was a leading figure for the home side and was involved in both of United’s goals. For the opener, the Germany captain fed the ball down the right for Ashley Young, whose cross from the right was headed in by Anthony Martial shortly after the break. Following Gylfi Sigurdsson’s equaliser, it was Schweinsteiger once again who feed Martial on the left, who took the ball to the touchline and squared it across for Wayne Rooney to back-heel into the back of the net.
Strong Can can’t prevent Liverpool defeat
Emre Can and Liverpool FC opened matchday 20, but suffered a blow in the battle for a European spot. The Reds suffered a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United, who subsequently climbed two points ahead in the table.
Having beating Leicester City 1-0 at the end of 2015, Jürgen Klopp’s side made it difficult for themselves from the start. Michail Antonio’s headed goal gave the home side the lead after ten minutes, before former Liverpool striker Andy Carrol put the Hammers out of sight ten minutes into the second half. Both goals were scored from close distance following crosses from the right. Christian Benteke, match winner in recent games against Leicester and Sunderland, couldn’t get into the game.
In spite of the defeat, Can put on an impressive performance. Just four minutes in, he set up Jordan Ibe with a wonderful one-two, but his teammate was unable to fire the Reds into the lead. His curling effort from the edge of the box just before the break was unfortunate, hitting the corner of the post and crossbar. Even at 2-0, Liverpool refused to give up, with Can setting up Lucas for an opportunity late on.
Espanyol frustrate Barca
FC Barcelona gave away an unexpected two points on matchday 18 in the Primera División. The deadly trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez were unable to find the net in the 0-0 draw in the derby against city rivals Espanyol. Marc-André ter Stegen sat on the bench.
