Liverpool
Weekend recap: Kompany breaks Liverpool’s heart as City go top, Man Utd awful again
The second part of our weekend recap is here, with this article looking at how Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United did over the weekend.
The second part of our weekend recap is here, with this article looking at how Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United did over the weekend. The first part, looking at Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, is here.
Liverpool
Liverpool won again at the weekend, as they beat Newcastle 3-2 at St. James’ Park on Saturday. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring for the Reds after 13 minutes, but Christian Atsu equalised for Newcastle just seven minutes later. Liverpool regained their lead when Mo Salah finished well after 28 minutes, and it was 2-1 at half-time. Salomon Rondon equalised less than 10 minutes into the second half with a ferocious strike that Alisson had no chance with. And Newcastle held on for some time, as it looked like Liverpool wouldn’t score. The Magpies were also well in the game and threatened to score themselves.
But, with just four minutes to play, Liverpool won a free-kick out wide. Xherdan Shaqiri swung a great ball into the box, which Divock Origi connected with. It looked like it may have taken a nick off Jamaal Lascelles, but it went in anyway and Liverpool won it. It was a huge win for the Reds, who returned back to the top of the league, ahead of Manchester City. But they only stayed there until Monday night, and are now back down to second again. It looks like it’s going to be a season where they almost win the league, as City don’t look like slipping up. But Jurgen Klopp’s men have been amazing this season and should be admired.
Liverpool have 94 points now, which is enough to win the league almost every season. If they finish on 97 and come second, they can count themselves as being desperately unlucky. They’re so unfortunate that they’re competing with a team as good as Manchester City.
Manchester City
Manchester City had a huge game at home to Leicester on Monday night, where they knew they had to win or they would likely hand the title to Liverpool. They found it difficult for large parts of the game: Leicester started well and looked like they’d trouble City, before sitting back and putting in a really good defensive display. City were really struggling to break them down, with wave after wave of attack coming to nothing. It looked like Leicester may even hold on as the minutes ticked away.
With 20 minutes to play, Vincent Kompany picked the ball up around 35 yards from goal and advanced forward. It looked like he was lining up to shoot from 30 yards, but he decided to move closer to the goal. The Leicester defenders stood off him. “He won’t score from there,” they would have thought. And then Kompany unleashed an absolute rocket from around 25 yards which sailed perfectly into the top corner, giving Kasper Schmeichel no chance. It was a beaut from the Belgian – he’s probably never struck a ball like that in his life. It was a real captain’s contribution, and it could be the goal that hands City the title, as they may have never broken down Leicester’s stubborn defence. Kompany may even leave City this summer as his contract is up, but at least he’s made one last big contribution.
GOAL: Kompany
ASSIST: Laporte
Your CBs could never!
— City Chief ️ (@City_Chief) May 7, 2019
Man City, of course, returned back to the top of the Premier League with the win, where they lead Liverpool by one point. It’s hard to imagine them slipping up now, with a trip to Brighton to come on the final day. Brighton can also be stubborn defensively and can cause problems, but you’d fancy City to break them down. Then again, you never know! Pep Guardiola’s men are still on for a domestic treble, with the FA Cup final still to come against Watford. They’ve been pushed all the way by Liverpool and have had to be at their best, but they’ve shown their class.
Manchester United
Manchester United drew 1-1 at Huddersfield on Sunday. Scott McTominay opened the scoring after eight minutes, but Isaac Mbenza equalised after 60. It finished as a draw, and United stay sixth. They may finish fifth if Arsenal drop points on the final day and United can beat Cardiff at Old Trafford. That would be good for them.
There isn’t much else to say. There’s such a huge difference from the excitement of Liverpool and Manchester City and the disappointment of Manchester United. It’s deflating moving on to write about it, as I’m sure it is to read about. United have a lot of work to do this summer as they try to get back towards the top. They won’t be helped by Europa league football next season either. They’re going through a real rough patch, as they have been for the majority of the six seasons since Alex Ferguson left.
This article was written by PremPlace. You can see their website by clicking here.
