Man Utd stumble again in Arsenal stalemate

London (AFP) – Manchester United’s Premier League title challenge suffered a second setback in four days as they failed to breakdown an under-strength Arsenal in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates on Saturday.

United threw away top spot with a shock 2-1 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United in midweek and are now three points adrift of league leaders Manchester City having played a game more than their local rivals.

A point edges eighth-placed Arsenal to within six points of the top four and it was the Gunners who came closest to scoring when Granit Xhaka’s free-kick struck the bar in the second half.

Unlike the early days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, it is against their traditional top six rivals that the Red Devils’ challenge for a first league title since 2013 has faltered.

United have still yet to beat any of City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea or Arsenal in the league in six attempts this season.

After winning at Old Trafford three months ago, the Gunners went seven league games without a victory but have bounced back in recent weeks.

Mikel Arteta’s men are now unbeaten in seven to move back into contention for a top-four finish, but will rue missing their chances in the second half to take all three points despite a number of key absences.

Two of Arsenal’s most impressive performers this season, Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka, were missing through injury, while captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also absent for the third consecutive game due to his mother suffering from an illness.

After a tentative start from both sides, Bernd Leno made a brilliant save to deny Fred a clever opener for United as the Brazilian tried to lob the ball in from the edge of the box.

Arsenal had a number of half-chances before the break without testing David de Gea as Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe shot just wide from the edge of the box and a teasing cross from Gabriel Martinelli just evaded Alexandre Lacazette.

– Fernandes goes close –

It is exactly a year to the day since United signed Bruno Fernandes and the Portuguese nearly celebrated the anniversary with a curling effort that drifted inches wide.

Fernandes has had a transformative impact on United’s fortunes and came closer than anyone to breaking the deadlock before the break with a free-kick that was deflected inches over.

Willian has had the opposite effect since joining Arsenal in August, but the Brazilian was called upon by Arteta for the second half in place of Martinelli.

The former Chelsea winger’s lack of confidence was obvious as his weak effort was blocked behind when presented with a great chance two minutes into the second period.

Pepe then saw a goalbound shot blocked by Harry Maguire as Arsenal were the better side after the break.

Xhaka’s free-kick came even closer than Fernandes’s effort from a similar area on the field as the Swiss midfielder’s shot crashed back off the bar.

Moments later Emile Smith Rowe’s powereful effort was parried by De Gea.

Another swerving effort from Pepe just did not have enough curl to nestle in the far corner, but United could still have snatched a win to keep the pressure on City late on.

Edinson Cavani was quiet for 88 minutes, but the Uruguayan pounced on Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s dangerous cross only to see his volley fly inches wide.

A point does at least maintain United’s long unbeaten run away from home in the league, which now stands at 18 games, bettering the previous club record held by Alex Ferguson’s 1998/99 treble-winning team.

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Bayern Munich confirm interest in Leipzig’s Upamecano

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich on Saturday confirmed media reports they are in talks with RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano as a possible replacement for David Alaba and Jerome Boateng, whose contracts expire at the end of the season.

“We are having dealings with him, we have met with his agent and had good, professional discussions,” sports director Hasan Salihamidzic told Sky before Bayern’s 4-1 win over Hoffenheim.

Upamecano, 22, is committed to Leipzig until 2023, but reportedly has a buy-out clause in his contract for offers of around 45 million euros ($55 million).

Chelsea are also said to be tracking Upamecano, who is currently regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s best centre-backs.

Bayern have made no secret that they want to boost their defence.

Alaba, 28, has been linked to Manchester City and Real Madrid after repeatedly turning down Bayern’s extension offers.

Boateng, 32, has stated that he hopes to be offered an extension and a decision about his future is expected in March.

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Marseille match postponed after fans attack training ground

Marseille (AFP) – Marseille’s game against Rennes in France’s Ligue 1 on Saturday was postponed after hundreds of angry supporters broke into the club’s training ground in a violent protest.

“Given the incidents this afternoon at the Olympique de Marseille training ground, the game between OM and Rennes is postponed to a later date,” the French league (LFP) said in a statement posted on its website.

The fans, who were demonstrating against the club leadership and the team’s poor recent run of results, assembled in the afternoon in front of Marseille’s La Commanderie training ground, throwing smoke bombs and firecrackers.

“300 OM supporters violently attacked police officers present to secure La Commanderie,” local police in France’s Bouches-du-Rhone department tweeted, adding that they immediately sent reinforcements “to put an end to the damage” and saying they had made 25 arrests.

Marseille were second in Ligue 1 when last season ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, they have lost their last three league matches to slide to sixth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Lyon, albeit with two games in hand.

They have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions. They are due to visit Lens in midweek before hosting fierce enemies Paris Saint-Germain next weekend.

On Friday coach Andre Villas-Boas admitted he expected to leave at the end of the season.

“The place needs a clear out… I’m responsible for the results and right now they’re awful,” the Portuguese former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach said.

For several weeks supporters have organised protests before home matches, which are being played behind closed doors because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Saturday an increased number of banners attacking club leadership, including president Jacques-Henri Eyraud, were hung around the city on motorway bridges, roundabouts and even the Corniche overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

“Follow AVB, get out of here”, “Parisians, get out of here”, “Give us back OM”, read some of them.

Eyraud, who was born in Paris, was a frequent target after he angered fans during a conference on management when he talked about the “danger” of having too many Marseille residents or club supporters working at the club.

“JHE: No Marseille fans at OM? Get out of here”, said one banner unfurled above a motorway, and “JHE, Marseille vomits you out” said another at the Prado roundabout, a few metres from the Stade Velodrome.

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Real Madrid beaten by Levante to hand Atletico title boost

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid had Eder Militao sent off in a 2-1 defeat by Levante on Saturday, handing Atletico Madrid the chance to move 10 points clear at the top of La Liga.

Zinedine Zidane’s defending champions sit second in the table, seven points behind Atletico, who have two games in hand and face Cadiz on Sunday.

Militao was shown a red card in the ninth minute at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, with his team already without their injured captain Sergio Ramos and Covid-stricken coach Zinedine Zidane. 

Marco Asensio gave Madrid the lead four minutes later but Jose Luis Morales equalised before half-time before Roger Marti made up for missing a penalty by scoring the winner. 

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman had admitted earlier on Saturday his team “have to be realistic” about their chances of overturning Atletico’s considerable lead in the table. 

And with Real Madrid slipping up again, it will now take a seismic collapse for Atletico to miss out on repeating their incredible La Liga triumph in 2014. 

It also leaves the Champions League as Real Madrid’s only obvious chance of a trophy this season after they lost in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals and went out to Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey. Madrid face Atalanta next month in the Champions League’s last 16.

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Bayern punish Tolisso tattoo in football’s latest Covid breach

Berlin (AFP) – French World Cup winner Corentin Tolisso became the latest footballer to fall foul of Covid-19 quarantine regulations when he was dropped and fined by Bayern Munich on Saturday for getting a tattoo. 

He follows Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo who was criticised this week for leaving Turin to visit to a mountain resort and Newcastle’s record-signing Joelinton who was an unused substitute in Saturday’s win over Everton after posting a selfie of himself getting a haircut on social media on Friday.

“Corentin Tolisso has violated our guidelines… which is very annoying and cannot be tolerated,” Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

“We are very grateful that the Bundesliga games can currently take place despite the prevailing coronavirus situation.” 

The 26-year-old central midfielder, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, was dropped for Saturday’s home league game against Hoffenheim.

A video was posted on Friday which showed Tolisso getting a tattoo on his right forearm while not wearing a protective mask.

Tattoo parlours in Germany are currently closed due to the current lockdown.

According to the European champions, the Frenchman has been handed a “heavy fine”.

Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic told Sky that Tolisso “knows he made a mistake. He will receive a fine that we will donate to charity. It’s a fine he will feel.”  

In Tolisso’s absence, Marc Roca partnered Joshua Kimmich in the central midfield against Hoffenheim.

Bayern already have midfielders Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez in quarantine after contracting Covid-19.

– ‘Private life’ –

Ronaldo, who has already contracted the virus, appeared to break coronavirus rules with a 150 kilometre trip to a mountain resort on Tuesday evening after his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez posted a video of them on a snowmobile on Instagram. 

Under current Italian coronavirus rules, the couple should not have left the city of Turin. The multimillionaire player and his partner now risk a fine of up to 400 euros ($485) each.

Juventus, however, appeared not to be concerned by Ronaldo’s mountain jaunt.

“Ronaldo had the day off, he can do what he wants in his private life,” said coach Andrea Pirlo.

“Off the pitch they are free citizens and each one takes his own responsibility.”

The 35-year-old was also criticised in October for travelling to Portugal while Juventus were in isolation after two virus cases.

Newcastle said on Friday they were “disappointed” by a social media post showing Brazilian forward Joelinton having a haircut on Friday despite hairdressers being closed in England under the virus lockdown.

“There are clear Covid-19 protocols in place and the club continues to guide and educate its players on their responsibilities,” a Newcastle spokesman said.

“The club will be taking appropriate action internally.”

It is the latest blow for Joelinton who was left on the bench against Everton on Saturday. 

The 24-year-old has scored just one Premier League goal this season and has been a flop since his £40 million ($55 million) move from Hoffenheim in 2019.

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Man City move four points clear, Newcastle lift pressure on Bruce

Liverpool (AFP) – Manchester City opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United, while Everton’s bid for a top-four finish was dented by a shock home defeat by Newcastle.

Gabriel Jesus scored the only goal inside the first 10 minutes at the Etihad as City extended their winning run to 12 games in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola’s men thrashed West Brom 5-0 in midweek, but after beating Manchester United away on Wednesday, the Blades again belied their lowly position to put up a fight against the leaders.

Ferran Torres and Jesus were two of five changes made by Guardiola and they combined to make the breakthrough as the Brazilian tapped home for his first Premier League goal since November.

City failed to build on the lead, but comfortably held out for a 15th clean sheet in their last 19 games to pull clear of second-placed Manchester United, who visit Arsenal later on Saturday.

At the other end of the table, Newcastle were the big winners of the day as they pulled clear of the drop zone with a first win in 12 games, while two of the bottom three West Brom and Fulham played out a 2-2 draw.

Magpies manager Steve Bruce’s future was under the spotlight after a wretched run that plunged his side into the relegation dogfight.

But Callum Wilson scored twice in the final 17 minutes to earn a deserved 2-0 victory at Goodison Park on a bad day for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Everton could have moved to within a point of local rivals Liverpool in fourth with a win, but rarely looked like scoring and were finally punished for a poor performance when Wilson lost his marker at a Jonjo Shelvey corner and looped a header across Jordan Pickford and inside the far upright.

Wilson was then denied by the post after rounding Pickford, but the former Bournemouth striker made no mistake when Newcastle countered quickly in stoppage time.

Bruce’s men are now eight points clear of the relegation zone after a point each did little for West Brom or Fulham’s battle to beat the drop.

The visitors were dominant in the first half at the Hawthorns and were made to regret not building on Bobby Decordova-Reid’s opener.

Kyle Bartley levelled for the Baggies two minutes into the second half before new signing Mbaye Diagne teed up Matheus Pereira to turn the game around.

Ivan Cavaleiro’s equaliser ensured Fulham remain above West Brom in 18th and edged to within four points of safety.

Crystal Palace eased fears they could be dragged into a scrap for survival as Eberechi Eze’s winner earned the Eagles a 1-0 win over Wolves to move up to 13th.

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Jesus extends Man City’s lead at the top

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Gabriel Jesus sealed a 1-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side took an early lead through Jesus’s close-range strike at the Etihad Stadium.

City couldn’t add to that advantage against the bottom of the table Blades, but their rock-solid defence nailed down the points with a fifth successive league clean sheet.

Second-placed Manchester United would move back within one point of City if they win at Arsenal later on Saturday.

Regardless of United’s result, City have no reason to fear anyone at present.

Their winning run is now up to 12 matches in all competitions and they are unbeaten in 19 games since losing to Tottenham in November.

At that stage, it was easy to believe City would struggle to feature in the title race.

But, revitalised by Guardiola’s tactical tweaks, they are in the hunt for a third English title in four seasons despite the continued absence of star striker Sergio Aguero.

City’s winning streak is the ideal preparation for next Sunday’s trip to champions Liverpool, which comes after a visit to Burnley on Wednesday.

Guardiola made five changes from Tuesday’s win at West Bromwich Albion, with Jesus and Ferran Torres among the players to come in.

That pair played the key roles as City took the lead in the ninth minute.

Torres showed impressive determination to hold off challenges from two United defenders on the right edge of the penalty area as he stumbled to the turf.

Regaining his balance, Torres deftly flicked a pass through to Jesus, who took two touches to get the ball out from under his feet before slotting past Aaron Ramsdale from close range.

The Brazilian striker’s sixth goal of the season was his first in the Premier League since early November, ending a nine-game barren run in the competition.

Bernardo Silva should have doubled City’s lead when he headed straight at Ramsdale after a mistake from Ethan Ampadu.

For their territorial dominance, City couldn’t deliver the knockout blow and Ederson had to be alert to save Rhian Brewster’s effort for the Blades.

They kept pushing and Kyle Walker whipped in a cross that deflected off Jayden Bogle, forcing Ramsdale to tip over the bar.

Ruben Dias headed wide from Ilkay Gundogan’s corner, while Jesus was denied by Ramsdale’s block just before he could pull the trigger.

Chris Wilder’s team had enjoyed a shock win at Manchester United in midweek and they nearly equalised against the run of play on the other side of the city when Bogle volleyed over from Oli Burke’s cross.

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s 20-yard blast was pushed over by Ramsdale before the Blades keeper repelled Aymeric Laporte’s header.

As the tension mounted, John Fleck was inches away from shocking City in the final moments when he volleyed just wide from long range.

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