Mansfield boss Nigel Clough hailed an incredible 40-yard volley from Aaron Lewis as Mansfield maintained their unbeaten start to the League Two campaign with a 3-0 win over Accrington.
Lewis got the ball straight from goalkeeper Toby Savin’s clearance on 75 minutes and hit it first time into the far corner of the net to complete the scoring as the Stags moved up to third place in the league.
Mansfield opened the scoring after 29 minutes when James Gale’s ball into the box was chested down by Davis Keillor-Dunn and his superb overhead kick found the top of the net.
It was two on 36 minutes when Keillor-Dunn turned provider, his low cross was fired home by George Maris from eight yards.
Stanley forced a couple of saves from Christy Pym but the Stags looked more likely to add to their tally.
“It was an incredible goal,” said Clough. “We were right behind it. We had thought about giving him a rollicking for not taking a touch but it was one of them where we could see it was on target but we didn’t know whether it would go just over or dip in time.
“It was one of those where everything stopped in the stadium, everyone froze, as it seemed to take its time to hit the back of the net. It was incredible in any football match, never mind at this level.
“They were all quality goals. Aaron was the stand-out one but Davis has got a goal and an assist and it was an excellent finish for the first.
“George’s was a good finish and while the other two goals were quality, I think the build-up to the second one was the best in terms of a team goal.
“The clean sheet is also important and, while it’s a brilliant result, there were aspects of the performance we can improve on.”
Stanley boss John Coleman had no complaints about the result.
He said: “Mansfield were better than us on the day. There wasn’t much in the shots on target but once they got the first goal they upped their game and I can have no complaints.
“You can’t fault our lads for effort, they gave everything, but they were just misguided at times and we were architects of our own downfall. We have to take responsibility for our own mistakes.
“We have got to focus on where we can improve. We didn’t deal with the body blow of conceding the first goal, we were opened up too easily for the second and we gifted them the third, although it was a great finish by their lad.
“We weren’t that bad as, apart from the goals, our goalkeeper only had one other save to make and I was disappointed we did not score, we had chances.
“Sometimes teams are just better than you.”
Dorival calls for patience over Neymar's Brazil return
Brazil head coach Dorival Junior called for Neymar to be given as much time as he needs to make a full recovery from a knee injury before returning to the national side.
Neymar ruptured his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while on international duty last October in a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay, missing the Copa America as a result.
The 32-year-old underwent surgery and returned to training with Al-Hilal in July, but he is yet to make his comeback, with head coach Jorge Jesus saying this week the Brazilian was not ready.
Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances and is 15 caps shy of breaking Cafu's record for the most outings for the Selecao.
But the forward is again missing from the Brazil squad for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru next month, with Dorival saying he will wait until the right moment to welcome Neymar back into the fold.
"We'll wait, we'll be patient, it doesn't matter if he can't come back in October, November or even February," Dorival said.
"He needs to be confident, he needs to play and above all he needs to be completely healed from this injury.
"We are starting to realise how important he is.
"If he returns in the coming years, we will have one of the greatest players in world football at a remarkable moment in his career and in our national team."
Dorival recalled Barcelona winger Raphinha and Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli for their upcoming fixtures next month.
Real Madrid trio Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Endrick were the other attacking options included for the five-time world champions.
Brazil have 10 points from eight qualifiers after losing four of their last five matches, leaving them fifth and just one point above Paraguay, who occupy the play-off spot.
Guardiola declares "war" on Arsenal in escalating rivalry
Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had been "provoked" into a "war" with Arsenal after the two sides drew 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium in a drama-filled clash.
City players John Stones and Kyle Walker suggested the Gunners used the "dark arts" as they sought to defend a 2-1 lead in the second half with 10 men.
Mikel Arteta's men had just one shot and 12.4% possession following the break, after Leandro Trossard had been sent off just before half-time.
While Stones salvaged a point with a late equaliser, Arsenal’s defensive approach led Guardiola to call into question what had previously been a cordial relationship with former protegee Arteta.
"Gabriel [Magalhaes] said it perfectly in the press after the match, so this is a war. We have to provoke the opponent, to push them, and at the end, what can you do? You provoke me, OK, I'm there," the City boss told the media.
"You want a war? Now we war."
Last Sunday's result means City have failed to beat Arsenal in their last four meetings in all competitions.
Arsenal had overturned a 1-0 deficit in the first half after an early Erling Haaland goal to lead 2-1 through Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel.
When asked about accusations of the "dark arts", Arteta reflected the claims back on his opponents in reference to the time he spent at City as Guardiola's assistant.
"I was there for four years. I have all the information, so I know, believe me," the Spaniard jibed.
The City boss responded: "Next time Mikel has to be more clear about exactly what he means.
"He said he was here four years and knows exactly what happened here. That can be related to the process now with 115 charges, maybe he knows information about that? Or maybe he had something like, I don't know?
"Hopefully, this question has been asked, and he can answer exactly what he means."
Arteta is still hugely respectful of his former mentor.
"I love him, I respect him, and I admire him. I admire his team and everything that he does," added Arteta.
Alisson and Ederson 'push each other to be better'
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has suggested that the form and ability of compatriot and Manchester City stopper Ederson pushes him to be better on the field.
Since making his Premier League debut in August 2018, the Brazilian has prevented more league goals than any other goalkeeper according to Opta's goals prevented metric.
He has also kept 89 clean sheets, with only Ederson (97) managing more in the same period.
"Ederson is a fantastic guy and in the national team, we have a really good relationship," said the 31-year-old, during an interview for BBC's Football Focus.
"I really like his composure… When I look at him, I can see that this is the way that I have to play. I have to be cooler with the ball at my feet even when I am under pressure.
"I think in a way we push each other because I see him doing well, and I know I have to do better.
"It's healthy competition, we push each other, and it's the best for the national team."
Since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2018, Alisson has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup, along with the 2019 Copa America with Brazil.
But he insists that while he has enjoyed the success he has achieved, they are not his main source of drive.
"My main motivation is not the prizes… my motivations come from inside," he added.
"My faith in God makes me work hard and better. I really believe that everything I do is a way to praise God.
"Winning trophies and awards makes me happy, but my motivation comes from inside, my family."
Alisson and Liverpool are aiming to emulate some of the success achieved by former manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed him, under the leadership of his replacement Arne Slot.
Slot has made a bright start to life at Anfield, winning six matches out of seven in all competitions, while they currently occupy second in the Premier League, one point behind leaders Man City.
The new ideas brought in by the Dutchman have been warmly embraced by the Liverpool players, according to Alisson.
"We were great before, but Arne is bringing us a new energy and knowledge," he said.
"He is a really smart manager, and he is helping us a lot. You can see from how we are playing now.
"We are committed to the plan and can see it is a good plan. We still have a lot to improve, but we are [going] in the right direction. We have a big gap to reach for our best, but we are doing well so far."
Following the departure of senior players such as Jordan Henderson and James Milner in recent seasons, Alisson is now one of the oldest and most experienced players within the Liverpool squad.
That has seen him take on more leadership responsibilities alongside other established players, having rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer.
"I am committed to this club 100% and that involves being part of the leadership group," he said.
"We have a lot of young players coming in, new players coming in, old players going out, there is a completely new staff.
"The challenge for us was to keep the good things, pass these onto the staff and the players coming in, and embrace the good stuff that the new staff are bringing.
"It was a big challenge for this leadership group and I really believe we are doing quite well. We are sharing the responsibility and telling young players they need to step up as well.
"This club is special and the people who work here are special."
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