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• Ali Al-Hamadi’s goalscoring ability was never doubted by Johnnie Jackson

  Johnnie Jackson never doubted the goalscoring capabilities of Ali Al-Hamadi, whose impressive hat-trick proved decisive in AFC Wimbledon’s 4-1 win over Tranmere.

  The Iraqi international bagged his first career treble, leading the charge as AFC Wimbledon came from behind to pick up their first home win of the Sky Bet League Two season and move into the play-off places.

  Prior to Saturday’s contest, Al-Hamadi had found trouble converting his chances and his goal tally for the season sat at just one.

  However, Jackson insisted that it was an inevitability that the 21-year-old would find his shooting boots for Wimbledon.

  Jackson said: “I always said it was coming, but no one said it more than him.

  “No one here was worried about him scoring goals because you’re seeing how well he’s playing, seeing how many chances we’re creating for him as a team, how many he’s creating for himself by his own devilment.

  “We knew they’d come for him. It’s ironic how in one week you get one, and then the next week you go and get your hat-trick.

  “Delight for Ali, it’ll do him the world of good.”

  For Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins, the heroics of Al-Hamadi only brought frustration as his side’s wait for a point on the road this season continues.

  Rovers had snatched an early lead through Connor Jennings, but after Armani Little brought AFC Wimbledon level, it all went wrong for the visitors.

  Defeat leaves Tranmere in the relegation zone, where they started the day, having won only two of their first 10 games this season.

  However, Adkins has nonetheless found encouragement by the start his team made to the game.

  He said: “We started both halves really, really well. The first half especially.

  “Our intensity, our passing, our movement, our identity, our understanding of what we wanted. For the first 20 minutes, it was spot on.

  “And then goals changed the complexion of the game.”

  A key moment of the game came eight minutes after the interval, when Josh Turnbull saw red after a rash challenge on Isaac Ogundere.

  The challenge was right under the nose of Adkins, who understood referee Daniel Middleton’s decision to dismiss Turnbull.

  “It’s a thunderous challenge going in, committed,” Adkins added.

  “We want committed challenges going in, but I think in the climate of today, maybe a follow through is just enough [to be a red card].

  “It’s a fraction harsh, but the referee had a decision to make and we went down to 10 men.”

• Mikel Arteta delighted to see Arsenal’s ‘human qualities’ after Kai Havertz goal

  Mikel Arteta hailed the “empathy” of his Arsenal players after what he hopes was a game-changing goal from Kai Havertz in their win at Bournemouth.

  The £65million summer signing from Chelsea had not registered a goal or assist in his first nine games for the Gunners but finally hit the target as he converted a penalty in a 4-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium.

  Arsenal were already two goals to the good through Bukayo Saka’s header and a Martin Odegaard penalty when an on-field decision handed responsibility for a second spot-kick of the afternoon to under-fire Havertz.

  He tucked away his chance to break his duck, as his team-mates and the away end greeted the goal with jubilant celebrations.

  “I’m really happy for the win, but I’m even happier to be part of a team that shows the human qualities that they did today,” Arteta said.

  “Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They’ve done it in a really natural way.

  “I’m delighted they made that decision. And so thankful as well to our supporters for the way they sung his name and made him feel today. If there’s a player who deserves that it’s Kai Havertz, so happy for him.

  “We have all tried to give him support and the right tools. He’s doing so many great things in the game. It was about that moment, that was the question that had to be resolved and today he has done it.

  “To show that level of empathy and understanding, worrying and caring for somebody is just great.”

  Arteta referenced Olympic champion Usain Bolt when discussing how Havertz deserved his moment in the south coast sunshine following his hard work in recent weeks.

  “Probably it will change everything,” the Spaniard replied when asked what the goal could do for Havertz.

  “If he had any question marks about how we feel about him, about what he does, I think they are out.

  “I think in sport – Usain Bolt said it once – ‘I have to train four years to run nine seconds’. Sometimes you have to do a lot and you don’t see that.

  “In that moment you see it. I think after everything he’s been through in the last few weeks that moment is worth all of it, so really happy for him.”

  The one sour note for Arsenal came as Saka limped off injured for the second game in a row, raising the possibility he could miss next Sunday’s showdown with champions Manchester City.

  Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain winless in the Premier League under new head coach Andoni Iraola.

  The Cherries have come close on previous occasions but that was not the case here, with Iraola admitting the hosts did not deserve a result.

  “It was the first time we were not at the level the competition required and we did not finish the game well,” he said.

  “For sure this game leaves the worse sensation for me. You can lose against this type of team because they are really good but it is the first game this season where I have felt that we were not at the level.

  “You have to be at your best to compete against these teams and we weren’t after the first goal. We cannot concede two penalties and also the first goal is a bit strange, we should be there but we lost the positioning of Saka.

  “We started really well, were doing well but after 1-0 I think they were better than us.”

• Scott Lindsey not taken by surprise as Crawley’s stunning start continues

  Crawley boss Scott Lindsey is not surprised his side are up to second in League Two after they beat rock-bottom Sutton 3-0.

  After suffering their worst campaign since promotion to the EFL last season, there has been a transformation at the Broadfield Stadium and the Reds are now boasting their best start since coming up in 2011.

  An early goal from Adam Campbell sent the hosts on their way and Laurence Maguire and Danilo Orsi added further goals in the second half as Crawley recorded a fourth straight league win.

  “We expect good results because of the work we put in,” Lindsey said.

  “Within the group, we felt we could do what we’ve done.

  “We feel we will always score goals but we do need to be stingier at the back.

  “This was our first clean sheet since the opening day and we have spoken about us needing around 20 over the season so we need to do better.

  “We know that football can kick you in the teeth.

  “So we must remain professional and I will not allow us to get complacent.”

  Sutton manager Matt Gray felt the turning point of the game arrived when Crawley added their second goal from a free-kick which he was convinced should have gone the way of his bottom-of-the-table side.

  “I’m not happy with that as it was a blatant free-kick to us,” Gray said.

  “But we should have taken one of our many chances to go in level or ahead at half-time.”

  Sutton, who lost keeper Dean Bouzanis to a hip injury shortly after the break, have now lost eight of their last nine league games, but Gray is convinced results will soon turn.

  He added: “Over the last two weeks I’ve been pleased with the performances and I was in parts today.

  “A little bit of fortune would be nice. A couple of decisions going for us, and a bit of rub of the green will help turn it.

  “I was disappointed with the second goal today, our disallowed goals and the penalty shouts.

  “We need to make sure we get that result and we can kick on from there.”