Juventus missed the chance to go top of Serie A after they slumped to a 4-2 defeat at Sassuolo.
The Bianconeri had claimed 10 points from an unbeaten start, but came unstuck at the Mapei Stadium as Sassuolo battled to a second league win.
After Juve midfielder Adrien Rabiot had fired an early shot wide, Sassuolo took the lead in the 12th minute when Armand Lauriente’s dipping shot squirmed past Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
The visitors, though, hit back to level within 10 minutes.
Federico Chiesa sent over a deep cross from the left towards the far post where Weston McKennie was sliding in and Sassuolo defender Matias Vina got the final touch as the ball dropped into the net.
Manuel Locatelli drilled a low shot just wide before at the other end, Szczesny made amends for his early error with a fine one-handed save from Ruan Tressoldi’s downward header.
The Polish keeper, though, could do little to prevent Domenico Berardi from putting Sassuolo back in front five minutes before half-time.
Matheus Henrique rolled the ball across the edge of the penalty area and Berardi curled a fine left-foot strike into the corner to mark his 300th Serie A appearance with a fine goal.
There were penalty appeals from the visitors when Federico Gatti’s cross struck Ruan Tressoldi on the arm, but the referee’s decision not to award a spot-kick was backed up following a VAR review.
Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri made two changes for the start of the second half as Nicolo Fagioli and Samuel Iling-Junior replaced Fabio Miretti and Filip Kostic.
England Under-21 international Iling-Junior looked to inject fresh life into the Juve attack, darting down the left before a deep cross dropped just past the far post.
Sassuolo remained a threat on the counter, and Berardi slid Lauriente into the penalty area, but his wild shot flew over.
At the other end, Dusan Vlahovic scuffed just wide of the far post before Juve eventually equalised again with 12 minutes left.
Iling-Junior flicked down a deep cross at the back post and Fagioli cushioned it into the path of Chiesa, whose deflected strike flew in.
However, Sassuolo were soon back in front in the 82nd minute. Lauriente’s fierce drive was punched out by Szczesny, and Andrea Pinamonti nodded in the rebound.
Sassuolo keeper Alessio Cragno kept out Chiesa’s angled shot at the near post before substitute Gregoire Defrel almost scored another for the hosts on the break when his effort cannoned back off the crossbar.
The fourth goal did arrive in bizarre fashion during stoppage time when Gatti, under pressure from Henrique, knocked the ball back into an empty net after receiving a quick free-kick from Szczesny, who was left stranded out near the corner flag.
Belize, Curacao end Gold Cup qualifiers on high
Belize and Curacao wrapped up their Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifying campaign with victories in Groups A and D of League C on Monday.
Aruba vs Belize
Group A winners Belize celebrated their accomplishment with a 1-0 victory against Aruba at the Guillermo P. Trinidad Stadium in Oranjestad, Aruba.
With the win, Belize ended unbeaten in six games and maximum 18 points, while outscoring opponents 20-1. Second-placed Aruba wrapped up their campaign with three wins and three loses, the nine points.
It was a very tight affair throughout the entire match, as both teams nullified each other's attacking prowess. As such, it wasn't until the 85th minute that Belize found the all-important strike, and it fittingly came from the right foot of Mikhaila Bowden.
Bowden's well-taken freekick lodged in the top right-hand corner of the goal, as she finished as one of the team’s top scorers on the campaign with five goals.
Turks and Caicos Islands vs Bonaire
Bonaire were also victorious in their Group A finale, as they blanked Turks and Caicos Islands 2-0 at the TCIFA National Stadium in Providenciales.
It was the second victory for Bonaire, who ended with two wins, one draw and three losses, and seven points. Turks and Caicos Islands finished in fourth.
Both Bonaire goals came in the first half. Vurgy-Ann Visers broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when she turned in a cross from the left wing from Jeanelle Thode.
Celine Van Loe then doubled the advantage in the 35th, with a thumping header off a corner kick to complete the day’s scoring for the visitors.
Curacao vs Cayman Islands
Curacao defeated Cayman Islands 6-1 at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao.
Curacao topped Group D with a perfect four wins in as many games, while Cayman Islands finished in third with a point.
The host raced out to an early 2-0 lead on the strength of goals from Jeleaugh Rosa in the fifth minute, and Kadisha Martina in the 19th.
But Cayman Islands responded in the 26th, courtesy of a Chelsea Brown free kick.
Cayman Islands almost pulled level in the 55th, as Molly Kehoe went on a stunning solo run, but Curacao goalkeeper Julainy Fanijten Thielman came up with a massive save.
Instead, it was Curacao that pushed further ahead, with Taisha Hansen finishing a 66th-minute right-footed effort.
Curaçao then added goals in the 81st, 86th and 90th from Martina, Sadeyah Rosa and Emily Pulido, who completed the rout.
From Diddly Squat to Stretford – Kaleb Cooper works on Old Trafford pitch
Kaleb Cooper said working on Manchester United’s pitch was a dream for him ahead of his favourite side’s meeting with Chelsea on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old farmer, who works alongside Jeremy Clarkson on the hit Amazon show ‘Clarkson’s Farm’, has been “adding the finishing touches” to the Old Trafford pitch ahead of the clash, which Amazon is broadcasting.
Amazon said Cooper had “swapped life on Diddly Squat for Stretford as he dons his wellies to ensure the hallowed turf of Old Trafford is pitch-perfect” to promote the fixture.
With Clarkson a Chelsea fan, Cooper said he knows he will not hear the end of it if things don’t go his way this week.
“I grew up dreaming of farming this pitch, it’s a long way from Chipping Norton to Manchester,” he said.
“I just hope it gives United the edge over Chelsea because I won’t hear the end of it on the farm from a certain someone if it doesn’t.”
What the papers say
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, 33, is keen on joining Newcastle United after first choice Nick Pope suffered a shoulder injury which will keep him out for four months, reports the Daily Telegraph. The Daily Mirror says Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, 25, could be another option in January.
Manchester United are eyeing a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, 28, according to The Sun via Foot Mercato. Andre Onana, who replaced de Gea in the summer, has yet to convince as United’s first-choice stopper.
One player who could be staying at Manchester United is Raphael Varane. The Manchester Evening News says the 30-year-old France defender is keen to stay at Old Trafford beyond the January transfer window.
Juventus could make a bid to sign England midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City in January, reports the Metro. The 28-year-old has also been linked with Newcastle
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Jake O’Brien: Everton are looking at Lyon’s Irish defender, 22, according to French outlet Footmercato.
Mathys Tel: Several Premier League teams are keen on Bayern Munich’s 18-year-old striker, reports Bild in Germany.
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