Anthony Gordon’s sixth goal of the season handed Newcastle a sixth-successive Premier League victory at St James’ Park as Manchester United became their latest victims.
The Magpies, who returned from Paris St Germain in midweek bitterly disappointed with a 1-1 Champions League draw, dominated for all but the final few minutes and perhaps should have secured the points in more emphatic fashion with Kieran Trippier seeing a first-half free-kick come back off the crossbar.
However, Gordon’s 55th-minute finish – the fourth-successive home league game in which he has scored – proved sufficient to clinch a 1-0 win and send Eddie Howe’s side above the Red Devils in the table, although his joy was tempered by a potentially-serious injury to goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Manchester United, who had thrown away a 3-1 lead at Galatasaray to draw 3-3 on Wednesday evening, created little of note – they saw a late goal ruled out after Antony’s shot had clipped Harry Maguire in an offside position – as their run of five wins in six league games came to an end in front of a crowd of 52,214.
Under-fire goalkeeper Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot got themselves in a tangle as they attempted to deal with a Gordon cross, although opposite number Pope had to repel Alejandro Garnacho’s 11th-minute attempt with a well-placed foot after Bruno Fernandes’ superb pass had played him in behind Trippier.
Garnacho became an increasing threat down the Magpies’ right as Manchester United started to impose themselves, but Luke Shaw had to block Alexander Isak’s 15th-minute effort after Trippier had fizzed the ball into his feet inside the penalty area.
Onana saved from Miguel Almiron following a neat one-two between Joelinton and Trippier, while Guimaraes smashed an 18th-minute shot over from distance after Tino Livramento had surged forward down the left and cut the ball back.
The visitors were creaking and Maguire had to be in the right place at the right time to deflect Isak’s goal-bound effort wide before Jamaal Lascelles headed over from the resulting corner.
Playmaker Fernandes did his best to drag Erik ten Hag’s men into the game, but too often the men ahead of him were not equal to the task and they continued to look less than certain at the back with Isak firing wide 12 minutes before the break after Aaron Wan-Bissaka had headed Fabian Schar’s long ball straight to him.
Almiron curled an attempt over the angle of post and crossbar after cutting inside Dalot from Trippier’s through-ball, but Onana enjoyed the kind of fortune which has eluded him in recent weeks when Trippier rattled the crossbar with a 39th-minute free-kick after Maguire had felled Schar 25 yards out.
Livramento, whose scything run led to Isak’s goal at Paris St Germain, almost repeated the dose two minutes after the restart when he set up Almiron, but saw the Paraguay international’s shot half-blocked to allow Onana to save comfortably.
The keeper was finally beaten seconds later when Guimaraes rolled the ball into Trippier’s path and he crossed low to the far post for Gordon to score.
Schar whistled a shot from distance a foot over Onana’s crossbar as the home side looked to kill the game off, and Ten Hag responded by replacing Marcus Rashford and Martial with Antony and Rasmus Hojlund.
Antony added vigour to a side in desperate need of inspiration, but to little real effect and Wan-Bissaka survived penalty appeals for handball after blocking Lewis Miley’s shot with 12 minutes remaining.
Schar had to throw his body into the path of Sergio Reguilon’s well-struck 82nd-minute volley, although Pope’s evening ended in agony as he was led from the pitch having suffered an injury as he dived in anticipation behind the defender.
Replacement Martin Dubravka was beaten with two minutes of normal time left on the clock, but an offside flag came to the tiring Magpies’ rescue and they safely negotiated nine minutes of stoppage-time to claim victory.
Luka Jovic opened his AC Milan account as the Rossoneri eased past Frosinone 3-1 at the San Siro.
Christian Pulisic also scored a superb individual effort and Fikayo Tomori put the seal on a comfortable victory before Marco Brescianini’s late consolation for the visitors.
Just one win in five Serie A matches had seen Milan drop off the title pace and Stefano Pioli’s side knew there was no room for error following Juventus’ last-gasp win at Monza on Friday.
Milan were without the likes of Malick Thiaw, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud, and full-back Theo Hernandez lined up in the middle of a badly depleted home defence.
A largely uninspiring first half was lit up by Jovic lashing home a superb left-footed volley two minutes before the break.
It was the Serbia striker’s first goal in 10 appearances since joining Milan from Fiorentina in September.
Frosinone, beaten 2-0 at the San Siro by Inter last month, started brightly but Milan had the first opportunity when Yunus Musah’s centre took a wicked deflection and Stefano Turati had to react sharply at his near post.
Milan slowly built up a head of steam and Alessandro Florenzi fired wide, while Samuel Chukwueze’s powerful drive was deflected to safety.
Frosinone full-back Anthony Oyono broke forward but his 25-yard effort went wide as his wait for a first senior goal continued.
The visitors should have taken the lead three minutes before the break after Marvin Cuni dispossessed Tomori.
Cuni had a clear run on goal but the Albania striker lacked conviction and Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan stood tall to save.
Frosinone were punished for their profligacy within 60 seconds as Simone Romagnoli’s poor pass was picked off by Pulisic, who spotted the unmarked Ruben Loftus-Cheek to his right.
Loftus-Cheek found Chukwueze quickly and, although Romagnoli got his head on the cross, Jovic was waiting to volley in from eight yards.
Milan doubled their lead five minutes after the interval in route-one style.
Maignan’s long punt was brilliantly brought down by Pulisic, who cut across three defenders to present himself with a shooting opportunity.
Turati rushed out to narrow the angle but the American showed great composure to lift the ball over him for his fifth goal of the season.
Tomori added a third after 74 minutes from a well-worked corner routine, the England defender latching on to Jovic’s far-post header to force home his second goal of the season from close range.
Frosinone gained some reward for their determination to keep going eight minutes from time.
Brescianini’s wide free-kick escaped everyone in a crowded penalty area and surprised Maignan, who had no chance of preserving his clean sheet.
France coach Didier Deschamps claimed "it's not as bad as 2021" after Les Bleus discovered their Euro 2024 group-stage opponents.
Deschamps' team were drawn into Group D during Saturday's draw in Hamburg.
France will face Austria, the Netherlands – who they beat twice in qualifying – and one of Poland, Wales, Finland or Estonia.
Les Bleus disappointed at the delayed Euro 2020 in 2021, going out to Switzerland on penalties in the last 16.
That was after they edged through a challenging group which included Hungary, Germany and Portugal.
"It's going to be difficult," Deschamps told TMC.
"The pot three team we'll be facing is the Netherlands. We won both our games against them [in qualifying] but it makes our group harder.
"We also faced Austria during the latest Nations League campaign and it was far from easy. We don't know yet our last opponent. But it's a difficult group.
"It's not as bad as in 2021. But we need to be ready from the start. If everything goes our way, we may able to manage our third game, it will be for the best."
Sean Dyche said Everton’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest has given the club and their fans a big lift after they were docked 10 points for breaching Premier League financial rules.
Dwight McNeil struck the only goal in the second half at the City Ground, slamming home his first of the season following Jack Harrison’s far-post cross.
It sealed Everton victory in their second match since being handed the punishment and a day after they submitted their formal appeal against the severity of it.
Dyche said: “We spoke to the players. They were very open about it. They all agreed they were ready to take it on and they have done so far.
“So to get that first win after that news is very pleasing. It blows belief into the fans, into the group, into the players because they still have to look at the league table at some point.
“We still have to wait and see what the appeal will bring, so in the meantime we’ve got to get on with business like we are doing.”
Everton’s third win in five league games lifted them to within two points of safety, having started the evening kick-off in bottom place after Burnley’s win against Sheffield United.
“People are suggesting it’s a good time to get 10 points taken,” Dyche added.
“Well if they are, I tell you what, I’ll do a deal. I’ll have their 10 points, they can have the ones we got taken off us and we’ll see where we all end up.
“I don’t think it’s quite as simple as that, but the key for us is to not really worry about all the different conjecture, all the stories, all the noise and stay focused on the bit we can control and that’s our performances.”
Forest have slipped to three straight league defeats and back-to-back home losses to crank up the pressure on boss Steve Cooper.
His side have won just one of their last 10 league games, but they struck a post through substitute Felipe’s second-half effort and created several other chances.
Cooper said: “The one real chance they’ve had, he’s taken it really well. The ones we’ve had, we’ve not shown enough of the quality you need at this level to score goals.”
Cooper felt his side had a good case for a penalty when Ryan Yates went down under Abdoulaye Doucoure’s challenge from the corner which led to Felipe’s effort.
He added: “The other real talking point is the difference in decision-making over penalties, with Doucoure on Yates compared to the one which was given against us last week.
“I won’t hide behind the decision with the result – just like I didn’t last week – but if last week was a penalty, then it has to be one today.
“We’ve had two very experienced referees in the last two games and they couldn’t be any further away from being consistent in those moments.”
Gianluigi Buffon believes Italy should be confident of going far at Euro 2024, despite being drawn into a difficult-looking group.
Reigning European champions Italy were placed into Group B during Saturday's draw in Hamburg.
That means Luciano Spalletti's team, who rather scraped through in qualifying, will go up against heavyweights Spain, 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia and Albania.
While acknowledging the draw might have been kinder, former Italy stalwart Buffon – the most-capped player in his nation's history – was bullish about the Azzurri's chances.
"It was wonderful putting that trophy back in the circle, as we feel pride and responsibility going into this competition as reigning champions," Buffon told RAI Sport, as reported by Football Italia.
"Seeing as we were in pot four, a tough draw was always going to be probable.
"This group is a bit like the one we had at Euro 2012 with Spain, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland. We went through second and reached the final.
"In the format this time, the four best third-placed sides qualify too, so that increases our chances. We are concerned, but the other teams won’t be jumping for joy at drawing Italy either.
"There will be time until June for this team to improve. In terms of individuals, there are three or four teams in the competition who have stronger squads, but when we are working as a single unit, with one mind, I don't know how many teams are really stronger than us."
Italy will open their campaign against Albania on June 15 in Dortmund, before facing Spain five days later and Croatia on June 24.
Coach Spalletti echoed Buffon's sentiments, albeit perhaps not with quite as much confidence.
"It could've gone better, but then we were in pot four. And never forget that we are Italy," he told RAI Sport.
"Anyone who loves this sport must enjoy the challenge, otherwise you lose all the pleasure of it.
"Within a match there are going to be various moments where the squad has to defend, even with 10 men around the edge of the box if necessary, but the intention is always to play attractive and attacking football."
Gareth Southgate insists England will head into Euro 2024 ready to handle the expectation that comes with being ranked one of the tournament favourites.
The England boss and his players were pitted against Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia in Group C for next summer’s finals in Germany in Saturday night’s draw in Hamburg.
Southgate has overseen a transformation of England’s fortunes since he took over in 2016, steering them to a first World Cup semi-final since 1990 at the 2018 tournament in Russia and a first-ever Euro final appearance in 2021.
There were further signs of progress in December’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals and the side are firm favourites to take the final step and claim silverware, thanks in no small part to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich sharpshooter Harry Kane.
“They are used to playing in big matches and have produced regularly,” Southgate said.
“They are used to playing in big matches together and individually, so we are excited and all looking forward to the summer.
“We feel the squad has been building for a period of time and England are going to be competitive for the foreseeable future as you look at the young players coming through. When we started at St George’s Park it is what we wanted to happen.
“If you are continually in those latter stages, most teams that win go close and then get there.”
Denmark were England’s opponents in a tense semi-final at Euro 2020, when Kane scored from a penalty rebound after a spot-kick was controversially awarded for a foul on Raheem Sterling in extra time.
But Southgate also well remembers a past encounter with Slovenia.
England faced them in his second match in charge as interim manager in October 2016, a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup. England clung on for a point that day in a 0-0 draw, and Southgate saw it as a turning point in his England tenure.
“Slovenia takes me back to one of my first games as manager where but for Joe Hart plucking out one of the best saves I’ve ever seen, I wouldn’t be standing here and I would probably still be a caretaker, but at something else,” he said.
Serbia are the opponents in the Arena AufSchalke opener on June 16, before England take on Denmark at the Frankfurt Arena on June 20.
England round off Group C against Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on June 25 at a tournament they intend to spend based in central Germany.
UEFA provided a team base camp catalogue to teams, but the PA news agency understands the Football Association plans to stay at an unlisted venue.
Weimarer Land in Blankenhain has been lined up – a remote spa and golf resort that has a 45-hole course and, most importantly, two training pitches.
Final Football Association visits are planned at the venue that is around 90 minutes from host venue Leipzig and a 30-minute drive from the city of Erfurt.
Asked about England finalising their team base and pre-tournament friendlies, Southgate told PA after the draw: “Today allows us to take those plans to the next stage.
“Definitely the friendlies we’ve got an idea on dates, but we can now look at the opponents with more detail.
“Similar with the base camp. We know now where our matches will be played, so we can start to cement those plans in the next few days.”
Dwight McNeil’s second-half goal clinched Everton a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest and lifted them off the foot of the Premier League table.
Everton had slipped to the bottom before the late kick-off at the City Ground after Burnley’s win against relegation rivals Sheffield United.
But McNeil lashed home the only goal to clinch Everton a morale-boosting victory one day after the club lodged their appeal against their 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.
Everton, who have not lost at the City Ground since 1995, notched their third win in five league matches to climb to within two points of safety while Forest slipped to a third straight defeat and back-to-back home losses.
Wayward finishing and heroic defending ensured a goalless first half as both sides spurned scoring chances.
Everton should have broken the deadlock in the 23rd minute, with Beto blazing over an empty net when he looked odds-on to register his first Premier League goal.
Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos dropped a cross after tangling with team-mate Willy Boly but Beto, back in the starting line-up for the first time since September in place of the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, fired off target.
Forest had made the better start but came under siege for a prolonged spell in the first period and were also indebted to Murillo. The Brazilian defender cleared McNeil’s angled shot off the goal line and needed treatment after falling awkwardly into the net.
Anthony Elanga had earlier pulled a low shot wide for Forest, who could have snatched the lead in first-half stoppage time through Morgan Gibbs-White but he fired into the side netting after being played in by Ibrahim Sangare.
Forest made a fast start to the second half, with substitute Felipe soon in the thick of the action.
His shot following a goalmouth scramble clipped a post and moments later the Brazilian was booked for hauling down McNeil outside his own area.
Ryan Yates had gone to ground under Doucoure’s challenge following the corner which had led to Felipe’s effort, but Forest’s penalty appeals were waved away and they fell behind soon after.
Jack Harrison’s cross from the right picked out McNeil at the far post and he took one touch before rifling his first goal of the season into the far corner.
McNeil raced in on goal shortly after but was thwarted by Serge Aurier’s last-ditch tackle and Forest went close to an equaliser when Elanga rounded Jordan Pickford only to shoot into the side netting from a tight angle.
Pickford rescued Everton in the 81st minute when racing out of his goal to deny Elanga and saved well again from Murillo’s fierce effort.
Forest poured forward in search of a late equaliser but Elanga’s shot curled inches wide and at the final whistle soon after, Everton’s travelling fans burst into a chorus of We Shall Not Be Moved.
Rodrygo continued his red-hot form as Real Madrid returned to the top of LaLiga following a routine 2-0 win over struggling Granada.
The Brazil forward rifled home his seventh goal in his last five Real appearances to seal victory at Santiago Bernabeu following Brahim Diaz’s first-half opener.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men kicked off on Saturday evening having slipped to second in the table due to Girona’s 2-1 success over Valencia earlier in the day.
Yet they swiftly regained first place, above the Catalan club on head-to-head-results, following a straightforward success over the division’s second-bottom side.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham once again impressed but was unable to add to his 15 goals this season and picked up a first-half yellow card for dissent.
Victory for the hosts stretched their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 13 matches, dating back to the 3-1 derby defeat at Atletico Madrid in September.
Real were back in domestic action after maintaining their 100 per cent Champions League record with Wednesday’s 4-2 success over Serie A champions Napoli.
Their early dominance was rewarded with a 26th-minute lead.
Toni Kroos split the visitors’ defence with a fine first-time pass, allowing former Manchester City man Diaz to claim his third goal of the season by calmly lifting the ball over Granada’s substitute goalkeeper Andre Ferreira.
Bellingham wanted a penalty in the final minute of the half when he went down under a robust lunging challenge from Ignasi Miquel but his animated appeals were waved away by the referee.
Real initially looked content with their slender advantage during a fairly subdued start to the second period.
However, their slow, patient play was rewarded with a second goal in the 57th minute.
Bellingham looked certain to score following a cut back from the lively Diaz but Ferreira, who replaced the injured Raul Fernandez after 10 minutes, pulled off an impressive save, only to see the in-form Rodrygo emphatically lash home the rebound.
Granada’s sole success this season came at home to Mallorca back in August.
The away side never looked likely to set up a grandstand finish and did not manage an attempt on target as the hosts continued to monopolise the ball.
Federico Valverde went close to adding to Real’s advantage but he was denied by a superb one-handed save from Ferreira following a delightful pass from Bellingham.
A new-look England will be looking to draw a line under a miserable World Cup as they take on the West Indies in a three-match ODI series.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the topics up for debate ahead of the series opener in Antigua on Sunday.
Keep calm and carry on
No longer the standard-bearers in ODIs after their crown dramatically slipped in India, the talk from outside the England camp is of a reset. Those inside the dressing room, however, argue that one bad campaign should not be followed by radical transformation. It is sound logic given how successful the blueprint created by Eoin Morgan then taken on by Jos Buttler was, enabling England to become the first nation to hold both limited-overs World Cups simultaneously.
Out with the old, in with the new
So a change in approach seems unlikely but only half a dozen of the World Cup squad have travelled out to the Caribbean, which might have been the case regardless of how well they fared. Many of England’s established stars are the wrong side of 30 and unlikely to be involved in the 2027 World Cup – some such as Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes might not play another ODI. Will Jacks and Phil Salt are set to form an explosive opening combination while teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and pacemen Gus Atkinson and the uncapped John Turner may be at the forefront of a new era.
Pressure on Buttler and Mott
As England’s World Cup title defence unravelled, scrutiny inevitably fell on the decision-making of captain Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott. They have been backed fully by director of men’s cricket Rob Key, who shouldered some of the blame for prioritising the Test team above all else. While Key expects the experience to strengthen Buttler-Mott as a partnership, he added the caveat: “If it isn’t, it isn’t and you move on.” Victory in this series and in the three T20s that follow – six months before returning here for the T20 World Cup – would go a long way to easing some concerns.
Cricket’s unrelenting schedule
Barely three weeks on from the final match of the World Cup, six travellers from a gruelling trip to India are in another continent preparing for a different series. Buttler, Atkinson, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Brydon Carse hardly had any time back in the UK before having to pack their suitcases again. A congested programme is frequently lamented and shows no sign of slowing down – although these are England’s last ODIs until September.
Rally round the West Indies
While England’s campaign in India went badly awry and they finished seventh out of 10 teams, the Windies were absent from the extravaganza, losing four of five matches and finishing below Scotland and Zimbabwe in the qualifiers. Shai Hope remains captain but the hosts will be without Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran because of their involvement in the Abu Dhabi T10, a reminder of the Windies’ talent drain to franchise competitions. Shane Dowrich was then named in the squad before immediately retiring from international cricket this week. Little-known players such as Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty and Gudakesh Motie therefore get a chance to show what they can do as the Windies look to rebuild.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are capable of pushing Manchester City close in what promises to be the most open Premier League title race in recent years.
That is the view of former Tottenham and England midfielder Darren Anderton, though he says Pep Guardiola's men are still the team to beat as they chase an unprecedented fourth successive English top-flight title.
Ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixtures, just two points separated leaders Arsenal and fourth-placed Aston Villa, with City and Liverpool nestled between that pair.
The 2015-16 season, when Leicester City stunned the football world by winning the title under Claudio Ranieri, is the only previous Premier League campaign to feature such a slender gap between first and fourth after 13 matchdays.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal moved four points clear at the summit, at least temporarily, by clinging on for a 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday, and Anderton believes they and Liverpool can keep things interesting at the top this season.
"Manchester City are going to be involved in it, there's no doubt about it," Anderton told Stats Perform when asked to name his title favourites.
"Arsenal are obviously still going well and Liverpool have come back this year, so I think it's going to be a little bit more open than it has been in recent years.
"If you had to ask me, I would expect that Manchester City are going to be the team to beat again. I love Pep, I love the football that they play.
"Obviously, with Haaland, they've got a goal machine and they're always going to create opportunities and they're always going to keep strengthening and getting better and better.
"Everyone's got to try and keep pace with them."
Some tipped Anderton's former club Spurs for a surprise title bid when new boss Ange Postecoglou led them to an unbeaten 10-game start to the season, but injuries to key men James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have taken their toll at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent weeks.
Tottenham approach Sunday's meeting with City looking to halt a three-game losing run, having gone down to Chelsea (1-4), Wolves (1-2) and Villa (1-2) despite opening the scoring in each match.
Anderton believes UEFA Champions League football should be the primary aim for Postecoglou's team this season, saying: "I think, with Spurs, we need to get that win to get us going again.
"If we do, then we can go on another run like we did at the start of the season. For Spurs, I'd love just to see them back in the Champions League. That's the first step.
"There's no reason why that's not achievable, in my opinion. You might need a little bit of luck and to get players back as soon as possible, but that's definitely a goal that can be achieved."
Morecambe manager Ged Brennan believes his side outclassed a lacklustre Wycombe to sail into the FA Cup third round with a 2-0 win.
Eli King and Tom Bloxham were on hand with goals either side of the break to send the League Two team into the next round of the Cup for the second year in a row.
And with victory fresh on his mind, Brennan admitted he was unfazed about his team’s potential top-flight opposition next time out.
“I’m absolutely delighted as I thought the lads were outstanding with the discipline they showed all over the pitch,” he said.
“I thought [Wycombe] ran out of ideas in the end because we were so well organised today.
“I don’t care who we get next or if it’s one of the big boys, as long as it’s good for the club and the fans.”
King opened the scoring in the 38th minute, capitalising on an Adam Mayor corner and heading it home to put his team in front.
Bloxham doubled their lead just before the hour mark, the youngster getting on the end of Michael Mellon’s cross to make it 2-0 and mark a “solid” performance according to Brennan.
“They were two great goals,” he said. “A set-piece, everyone in the box and great header by Eli and a great move for the second goal.
“I thought we played counterattack really well and when we got the ball, we kept possession.
“We looked a proper solid unit and that’s the way we’re going to go from now.”
Wycombe held firm in the opening half an hour of play but were unable to come up with any opportunities to get on top at Adams Park, something manager Matt Bloomfield put down to a lack of energy and intensity.
“There wasn’t enough energy, not enough intensity in our play and not enough personality with the way we want to play,” he said.
“The intensity is the main thing that was missing, which in turn looks lacklustre, looks lethargic.
“The first thing you expect from any football team is to go with intensity and enthusiasm and we didn’t today which was obviously bitterly disappointing.”
Since Wycombe’s 4-1 away demolition of Fleetwood in early October, Wanderers have only won three matches.
And with Brandon Hanlan and Luke Leahy suffering injuries at home to Stevenage last month, Bloomfield’s side have struggled with a lack of inspiration from the bench but are hoping to finally see some light.
“We’re missing some really key players for us who have been great for us this season,” added Bloomfield.
“I really believe that we had enough in the squad to cope with those losses, but results might suggest otherwise.
“We have to keep fighting to improve and we’re looking forward to having one shaft of sunlight for that way through the fog.”
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho was delighted with his side’s performance after they beat Northampton 3-0 to go back to the top of League One.
Pompey took full advantage of former leaders Bolton’s FA Cup commitments as Sean Raggett headed them into an early lead before Paddy Lane added a goal either side of half-time.
The commanding display wrapped up back-to-back victories following a first defeat of the season against Blackpool last weekend.
“I thought we were excellent from start to finish,” said Mousinho. “Coming off a really professional performance in the week, I thought it was more of the same in the first half.
“We were brave on the ball and we earned the right to play some really good football in the second half. It was a pleasure to watch.
“My only criticism was that we didn’t put the game further out of reach because we had chances and we had opportunities but we didn’t take them.
“I know I sound greedy but you have to be greedy in football and we’ve been there before. We have led 3-0 away from home and suffered a nervy finish so that was the only thing that could have been better.
“It was a really good afternoon and it’s so important to win these games, especially considering what happened this time last week against Blackpool.
“This was a big test because you saw what Northampton did to Blackpool on Tuesday – they won the game and they thoroughly deserved it.
“We knew they would be a good side, they have momentum and they have plenty of good players so to do what we did, in the style we did, was really pleasing.”
Northampton had won their last three games but they were off the pace against Pompey.
Cobblers boss Jon Brady said: “I felt we gifted them all three goals to be honest. The first one, the corner, we’re too loose and not aggressive enough and that’s not us.
“The second one comes from a goal-kick, which is really soft, and the third goal is another poor one so we didn’t do the basics right today.
“We tried to step on and at least in the first half we probed and looked dangerous, Sam (Hoskins) and Kieron (Bowie) went close with a few efforts, and our intention wasn’t to sit back or sit deep.
“We wanted to have a go but Portsmouth are very good side and they’re top for a reason. They haven’t lost an away game since March but unfortunately we didn’t do the basics right and we gave away soft goals.
“If you do that, you’ll find yourselves in a lot of trouble and we suffered today.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised his side as they scored two early goals to down Wolves and open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
With closest challengers and reigning champions Manchester City not in action until Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard struck in the opening 16 minutes before a nervy ending brought about by Matheus Cunha’s strike.
The Gunners ultimately ran out 2-1 winners on an afternoon where their early goals were the peak of a performance that promised more than it provided.
Having thrashed Lens here 6-0 on Wednesday to ensure safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League, Wolves proved they were made of sterner stuff and stayed in the contest until the last.
But despite seeing his side labour after racing ahead, Arteta was still left pleased with the performance.
“I can only praise the players,” he said.
“They were excellent. We played against a really good side and generated so much and conceded almost nothing. The scoreline should have been very different. We were very unlucky because we hit the post three times I think.
“At the end we made an error close to the goal – in the Premier League you get punished big time for that. Then at the end, it’s game on. Overall I’m really happy with how he performed again.”
Arteta also backed Oleksandr Zinchenko – the full-back having made a number of minor errors during the game, including losing possession for Cunha’s consolation.
The Ukraine international had earlier set up Odegaard for the crucial second and Arteta was in no mood to criticise the former Manchester City man.
“You have to love him, how he is,” added the Spaniard.
“Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Alex has many more strengths. This happened and it can happen to any player.
“We have to learn from it because there are certain areas where it’s a big no to play, especially after certain things in the previous phase. That’s it. We will get better.”
While Wolves left north London empty-handed, manager Gary O’Neil was pleased that his team did not capitulate after such a poor start.
“When you concede two early goals, you know it might be a long afternoon,” he said.
“We knew we’d suffer against Arsenal because everybody does.
“The first goal was disappointing. There were so many bodies around Saka. For him to wriggle through and for us to look hesitant in the penalty area is disappointing.
“The second goal was a great goal. We should have prevented it, but it happens. We stuck to the plan, tried to be aggressive and maybe didn’t carry as much of a threat as we would have liked, but not many teams do against Arsenal.
“We managed to hang in and create a bit of a scare, and the lads should take a lot from that.”
Thomas Frank said he is not surprised with Neal Maupay after the French striker scored for Brentford during their 3-1 home win over Luton in the Premier League.
Maupay scored his second goal of the season since his loan move from Everton in the summer when he finished from close range past Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski to open the scoring in the 49th minute.
Ben Mee and Shandon Baptiste also netted for the home side in the second half, either side of Jacob Brown’s 56th-minute reply for Luton.
Afterwards, Bees boss Frank lauded the influence of striker Maupay, who has returned to Gtech Community Stadium after leaving the club in 2019 for Brighton.
“For me I’m not surprised (about the goal),” Frank said. “We were sure that he’ll do well for us because we know him well and he can score goals.
“He’s had to get back into it and in the last weeks he’s played really good. I’m pleased it’s paying off for him.
“He scores goals. That’s a big thing. He’s a good pressing player and link up player when he drops down and finds a solution. As a mentality character he’s good for the group and drives the group.”
Frank’s injury issues continued, with Kristoffer Ajer replaced by Saman Ghoddos in the starting line-up after the central defender suffered a foot injury in the warm-up.
The Danish manager credited the players who stepped up after Brentford bounced back from last week’s late 1-0 home loss to Arsenal.
He continued: “I’m very happy with them. Vitaly Janelt is one of our flexible players (starting at left-back) but Saman stepped in and looked like he’d played at right-back for years.
“It’s incredible that we can turn around with the amount of injuries we have. We have four full-backs out. Big credit to the players.”
Luton manager Rob Edwards was disappointed with how his side started the second half.
He explained: “I felt we gave some early Christmas presents away in the second half and I feel they didn’t have to work too hard for their goals. They had control and they deserved the win.
“We had gone away from giving gifts away – and we had done that in the first couple games of the season.”
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