Kyogo Furuhashi earns Celtic the Old Firm bragging rights against Rangers
Kyogo Furuhashi’s late first-half strike gave Celtic a crucial 1-0 cinch Premiership win over Rangers at Ibrox to heap pressure on Gers boss Michael Beale. The Light Blues had the ball in the net twice in the first half but on both occasions the ‘goals’ were not allowed to stand – offside and a foul picked up by VAR – but Furuhashi could have scored twice before he fired the visitors in front just before the break. There were no travelling supporters – Celtic rejected the offer of around 700 tickets, citing safety concerns – but that seemed to hinder rather than help the home side at times as they tried in vain to get back on level terms. After just four league fixtures, leaders Celtic are already four points ahead of their Old Firm rivals going into the international break and the spotlight will be on Beale, who must have heard the boos ring out at the final whistle. For Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who was under some pressure himself after his team lost to Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup and then drew at home to St Johnstone, it was a return to the overwhelmingly positive derby results he enjoyed in his first spell as Parkhead boss. Rangers had been knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by PSV Eindhoven in midweek on a 7-3 aggregate, a result which brought the doom-mongers back to Beale’s door. Dujon Sterling took over from the injured left-back Borna Barisic in Rangers’ line-up while midfielder Ryan Jack and striker Kemar Roofe returned with Jose Cifuentes and John Lundstram dropping out, while winger Liel Abada replaced Yang Hyun-Jun in Celtic’s XI. There were only seconds on the clock when Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers set up Rabbi Matondo to knock the ball into the Celtic net, but the former was offside. An expected Rangers onslaught failed to materialise. Celtic were calmer in possession and in the 16th minute Hoops skipper Callum McGregor sent Abada down the right and his cross could not bring a clean connection from Furuhashi just yards from goal. When home defender John Souttar lost possession, Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley sent Furuhashi clear but his angled drive was blocked by a combination of Ibrox goalkeeper Jack Butland and Light Blues centre-back Connor Goldson. Moments later, Rangers had the ball in the net again. When Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke was challenged by Dessers just inside the Hoops half the ball broke clear for the Rangers attacker and he raced on before squaring the ball for Roofe, who took a touch before firing past Celtic keeper Joe Hart. When referee Don Robertson checked the pitchside monitor at the behest of the VAR, he ruled the goal out for a foul on the Parkhead defender, albeit it looked soft. Furuhashi eventually got on target seconds before the interval when O’Riley returned a Goldson header into the path of the Japan striker who confidently drove the ball past Butland to silence Ibrox. An early second-half mistake by Goldson gifted the ball to Abada and his angled shot was just missed at the back post by Daizen Maeda. Amid some huffing and puffing from Rangers, Butland had to save a decent drive from Holm on a Celtic break. As the Govan side kept pressing, Hart raced out to foil Sam Lammers before denying Danilo twice from close range as Celtic held on for the win. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Prop, scrum-half and full-back – the World Cup selection dilemmas facing England Wales centre Mason Grady has tough family act to follow at first Rugby World Cup Tributes paid to former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak after his death aged 49
2023-09-03 21:26
Aleix Espargaro wins Catalunya MotoGP after world champion Bagnaia crashes
Aleix Espargaro won the Catalunya MotoGP at Montmelo on Sunday marred by world champion Francesco...
2023-09-03 21:25
Latvia coach says players don't need him at Basketball World Cup
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2023-09-03 21:17
Erling Haaland admits Man City’s controversial second goal against Fulham was offside
Erling Haaland admits Fulham have a right to be angry over Manchester City’s controversial second goal in Saturday’s Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland scored a hat-trick as champions City ultimately ran out comfortable 5-1 winners over the Londoners but the game turned on a highly contentious incident just before half-time. Nathan Ake headed City 2-1 ahead but Fulham complained vociferously that Manuel Akanji, stood in an offside position, had attempted to kick the ball on its way past and hindered goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The protests, both on the field and the touchline, continued long after VAR had ruled the goal should stand and Haaland accepts the visitors had a point. “I think it was offside as well,” the Norwegian told beIN Sports. “I feel bad for them, I would be fuming after this as well. It must be a horrible feeling for them.” Prior to that, the game had been rather more sedate with few chances until Julian Alvarez scored a 31st-minute opener that was quickly cancelled out by Tim Ream. City did not dwell on the incident after the break, moving through the gears with Haaland typically coming to the fore. He finished clinically from an Alvarez pass, fired home a penalty and then turned in a Sergio Gomez cross to claim his seventh City hat-trick in stoppage time. “I’m back,” said Haaland, who scored 52 goals last season. “I am always hungry. It’s a new season and I am ready. “We started a bit sloppy but we ended in a good way. It was important to win – four out of four – and we go into the international break after a really good start.” City’s victory was their second without manager Pep Guardiola on the touchline as he continues his recovery from back surgery, but the Spaniard is expected to return for the trip to West Ham in a fortnight. “I think he misses us,” said Haaland. “We also miss him sometimes too, so we look forward to having him back.” Fulham go into the international break without a win since their season-opener at Everton, but veteran defender Ream expects the team to hit back. The American said: “That’s just the nature of the squad, the mentality (manager) Marco (Silva) has instilled in us. It’s just a shame that we have an international break and it’s two weeks between games for some guys. But we’ll come back. We’ll look at things we can improve upon and we go again when we come back.”
2023-09-03 21:12
How Man City could line up with Matheus Nunes
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2023-09-03 20:45
Ben Chilwell explains Chelsea's shock defeat to Nottingham Forest
Ben Chilwell has lamented Chelsea's lack of "ruthlessness" in front goal after the defeat to Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
2023-09-03 20:35
Bagnaia injured in horror crash at Montmelo
World champion Francesco Bagnaia was receiving medical treatment after a nasty crash at the start...
2023-09-03 20:31
Why isn’t Liverpool vs Aston Villa live on TV?
Both Liverpool and Aston Villa had a busy summer on the whole, with Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery both making significant additions to their squads during the transfer window. The last of those arrived at Anfield on deadline day as Ryan Gravenberch signed from Bayern Munich, completing an overhaul this summer following exits of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner, among others. The Reds have started the season with two wins and a draw, with a very late turnaround at Newcastle last time out coming courtesy of two Darwin Nunez goals off the bench. Meanwhile for Villa, the signing of Moussa Diaby adds some real star quality to their attacking ranks, while defeat to Newcastle at the start of the season has been followed up by wins over Everton and Burnley. The two clubs clash at Anfield ahead of the international break both harbouring ambitions to perform notably better than last term. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match; get the latest football and Premier League odds this weekend here. When is Liverpool vs Aston Villa? The Reds face the Villians at Anfield on Sunday 3 September, with the match set for a 2pm BST kick-off. Is the match being shown live on TV? This game isn’t set for live broadcast in the UK with any TV channel or live stream service. The fixture was not one selected for TV viewers by Sky or TNT and has only had the match kick-off day switched due to Aston Villa’s midweek involvement in their Europa League qualifier, as they beat Hibs to seal their place in the group stage – where Liverpool will also play this season. Both teams found out their opponents in the group stage draw. Team news Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is suspended after being sent off against Newcastle. Thiago Alcantara had a setback so remains out injured, while Ibou Konate is also sidelined until after the international break. Curtis Jones is back in training but probably won’t feature much yet. It leaves Jurgen Klopp likely turning to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip at centre-back, though the latter also had a fitness issue last week. Darwin Nunez will hope to displace Cody Gakpo up front after his match-winning brace in the previous match. Villa have a long list of long-term injury worries, including Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Alex Moreno. Leander Dendoncker, Jacob Ramsey and goalkeeper Emi Martinez have also been injured, though the latter may make it back for this match. Emery has usually fielded a narrow 4-4-2 system but switched to a back three for the win at Burnley and could stay that way here. Confirmed line-ups Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Jones, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Nunez, Diaz Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn, Diaby, Watkins Odds Liverpool 8/13 Draw 16/5 Villa 7/2 Prediction An end-to-end game of attack which the hosts end up winning through greater brute force and options. Liverpool 3-2 Aston Villa. Read More Liverpool determined to reject new Salah bids from Saudi side Al-Ittihad New signing Ryan Gravenberch says Liverpool one of ‘biggest clubs in the world’ Liverpool finally seal Ryan Gravenberch deal to complete midfield overhaul Deadline deals and Ricky Gervais plays hide-and-seek – Friday’s sporting social Liverpool reinvented as midfield shuffle hints at Jurgen Klopp’s past When does Saudi Pro League transfer window close?
2023-09-03 20:30
Sofyan Amrabat potential shirt numbers at Man Utd
Assessing the shirt numbers available to new Man Utd signing Sofyan Amrabat.
2023-09-03 20:15
Heisman Trophy Power Rankings 2023: Caleb Williams on course to repeat, Colorado stars break through
USC quarterback Caleb Williams looks to win the Heisman Trophy for the second year in a row. Here is the Week 1 edition of the Heisman Trophy Power Rankings.
2023-09-03 20:00
Japan's veterans prepare to scale World Cup Everest again
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2023-09-03 19:30
Iran's basketball great Haddadi retires from national team
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2023-09-03 19:23
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