Telles signed on deadline day | Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that new signing Alex Telles has tested positive for Coronavirus.
When the Manchester United teamsheet hit Twitter on Wednesday evening quite a few eyebrows were raised due to Alex Telles’ exclusion from the squad – largely because, since his move to Old Trafford, he’s impressed the Red Devils’ faithful.
Following the Red Devils’ astonishingly impressive 5-0 over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League, Solskjaer has confirmed that Alex Telles was not included in the matchday squad due to the full back contracting COVID-19.
“Telles has tested positive for coronavirus, he’s been out for a few days. No symptoms, he’ll be fine, back soon.”
In Telles’ absence, Man Utd ran riot at Old Trafford. Goals from Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial, and marvellous Marcus Rashford hat trick, gave the Red Devils another shock three points in this season’s Champions League ‘group of death’.
The win moves them onto six points after two UCL matchdays, having already beaten group favourites Paris Saint-Germain away from home last week.
Speaking after the win, Solskjaer expressed his delight at Rashford’s performance (via the Guardian): “[Rashford] came on and did well. We want that from the subs. That’s only possible, though, when the others have laid the ground work. What a shift they put in, because Leipzig do make you work.
“We had to really dig deep and work hard for each other. Spaces open up when you’re winning. Today we had to rest a few because this season is relentless so we had to use the squad …. This group is coming together. The more quality and spirit you have, the better chance you have of [getting] a performance.”
“We made some changes today because of Sunday [against Arsenal in the Premier League] because we’ve played a game less than everyone else in the league and we need to pick up points.”
Manchester City made it two wins from two | Alex Caparros/Getty Images
The Champions League was back with a bang on Tuesday night, and threw up some classic 2020 football – unpredictable, entertaining, perhaps just a little bit mad.
Real Madrid were the headline act, clawing back a late, late point from 2-0 down against Borussia Monchengladbach. Elsewhere, there were wins for the Premier League’s Liverpool and Manchester City, while Bayern Munich managed three points of their own in one of the early kick offs.
Here’s your roundup of Tuesday’s action…
We have to start with Real. They fell 3-0 down in the first half of their opening game against Shakhtar, and failed to find their way back, though you’d have been forgiven for thinking they may have found their footing again for their trip to Germany after a weekend Clásico win over Barcelona.
For a long time on this night, you’d have been wrong. Two goals either side of half time from Marcus Thuram gave Gladbach a deserved lead, though Real left it very late to avoid two consecutive group stage defeats. Karim Benzema gave them some hope with minutes to play, before Casemiro hit an injury time equaliser.
Real still sit bottom of Group B after two games, with a double header against Inter next up…
Inter themselves haven’t enjoyed the greatest start, taking their second consecutive draw. They failed to score away at Shakhtar in an early kick off, despite the fact they rattled the bar a couple of times in the first half. Their trip to Madrid next week will be very interesting.
Check out the Nerazzurri ratings here.
Ferran Torres scored the 600th Manchester City goal under Pep Guardiola early in their Group C clash away at Marseille, and it was a relatively easy ride for the former Premier League champions.
Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling scored second half goals to seal their second straight win in the group, and it puts them in a commanding position. Porto and Olympiakos met in the other fixture in the group, with the former running out 2-0 winners.
It’s not difficult to see City sailing through this group.
Reigning champions Bayern made it two wins out of two in Group A, but it wasn’t quite as easy a night as they’d have hoped. Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich scored the goals to sweep Lokomotiv Moscow aside, though the German champions’ high line was exposed by the pace of Ze Luis on a number of occasions. Anton Miranchuk had equalised before Kimmich hit a sweet winner.
You can check the Bayern player ratings for the match here.
Elsewhere in the group, Atletico Madrid edged a thriller against RB Salzburg at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Joao Felix’s second half double ensuring they turned around a 2-1 deficit.
Marcos Llorente had given them the lead early on before Dominik Szoboszlai and Mergim Berisha turned the tables, with Diego Simeone’s side – led by their most expensive signing – fighting back to claim their first win. It could’ve been even better for Felix had an outrageous bicycle kick not cracked off the bar in the first half.
Diogo Jota scored Liverpool‘s 10,000th goal in a 2-0 win over FC Midtjylland of Denmark, with Mohamed Salah scoring a late penalty to seal the win. It wasn’t all good news though, as Fabinho was substituted off with a suspected injury to make their crisis in personnel in central defence even worse. They’re already without Virgil van Dijk for the season.
Liverpool’s ratings can be found at this link.
They are, however, top of their group, as Atalanta and Ajax battled out an open and entertaining 2-2 draw in Bergamo. The visitors didn’t quite manage 13 goals this time but were still 2-0 up at the break, with a penalty from Dusan Tadic and a scrappy one from Lassina Traore putting them in control.
Atalanta being Atalanta though fought back, scoring twice in six minutes through Duvan Zapata to earn a point.
Aguero has struggled for fitness this season and was withdrawn at half-time against West Ham | Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Manchester City have been dealt another injury blow as Pep Guardiola revealed he expects Sergio Aguero to be out of action for ‘two or three’ weeks – making the striker a doubt for the crunch match against Liverpool next month.
In only his second game back from a five-month layoff, Sergio Aguero was substituted at half-time during his side’s 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday.
Aguero joins Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho, Benjamin Mendy and Nathan Ake on the lengthy list of sidelined Manchester City stars.
The Argentine front man had been out of action since he hobbled off with a knee injury in his side’s 5-0 win against Burnley back in June. He enjoyed a 65-minute run out in the 1-0 win against Arsenal earlier this month and celebrated his return on social media.
However, Guardiola has now confirmed that Aguero picked up a muscular injury in the draw with West Ham, ruling him out of Champions League action against Marseille on Tuesday.
He said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game in France, via Sky Sports: “It will be two or three weeks.
“We tried to handle it [Aguero’s injury] as much as possible, just 50-55 minutes every game. But it was not possible.
“When you are out for four or five months with a knee problem you always have a risk when you come back.”
Gabriel Jesus now has a race for fitness to ensure City have a recognised striker for their upcoming clashes in the Champions League, as well as a trio of tough fixtures against Sheffield United (31/10),Liverpool (8/11) and Tottenham (21/11).
Pep was, however, positive about the return of Jesus, adding: ” Gabriel is close – one week to 10 days to come back.”
Pep also admitted that City had debated whether or not to bring in striking cover during the summer transfer window, but revealed why the club had ultimately opted against it.
He said: “You know when you decide to buy a striker they have to be at the level of Aguero and Jesus and we could not afford it. This is the reality.”
Unfortunately for Leicester, Jamie Vardy won’t be around forever | Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
If you’ve listened to the commentary of any Leicester game over the past 18 months, you will no doubt know that Harvey Barnes’ dad Paul was a journeyman striker back in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Barnes Snr would have been watching on proudly then, as his offspring lined up as a conventional number nine during the Foxes’ game against Arsenal on Sunday.
On paper, this seemed like a peculiar move from Rodgers. For starters, usual Jamie Vardy understudy Kelechi Iheanacho performed well in the Europa League on Thursday, registering two assists and a goal in his side’s 3-0 win over Zorya Luhansk.
Rodgers’ has previous with not trusting Iheanacho. It was the Nigerian’s removal at half time during the Foxes’ now infamous defeat to Bournemouth last July that gifted the Cherries a foothold in a game that Leicester were leading 1-0 at the time. This is the same result that ushered in the beginning of the end of the club’s Champions League hopes.
In Rodgers’ defence, Iheanacho was poor in Leicester’s most recent Premier League encounter against Aston Villa. His lack of desire to run in behind added further evidence to the theory that the former Manchester City man simply cannot operate as a lone striker in the current system.
Saying that, at least he is actually a striker by trade. This immediately makes him more qualified than the the man who did start up top against the Gunners.
The decision to exclude Iheanacho only looked more baffling when Barnes struggled to adapt to his new surroundings in the first half. In many ways, this was not his fault. The England international’s game is based around picking the ball up from deep and driving into the box.
To expect the 22-year-old to adjust so quickly to the ‘Vardy’ role was always an unreasonable request. Overall, Barnes had just over 10 touches in the entire first 45 minutes and did not managed to muster a single shot at goal.
It was properly tragic viewing at times. In a 3-4-2-1 formation that included four (that’s insane!) centre-midfielders, Leicester often had plenty of time in the middle of park. Even then Barnes stubbornly refused to make any runs behind the Gunners’ back line.
After the break, Rodgers gave James Maddison a crack of the striker’s whip, to equally poor effect.
In the end, Leicester were once again forced to call upon a 33-year-old with half a groin to bail them out.
A mere twenty minutes after coming on Vardy had already scored for the visitors, although he cannot take all of the credit. Youri Tielemans sumptuous ball to find Cengiz Under, as well as Under’s cross both deserve a special mention.
As glorious as the Foxes’ smash-and-grab win over the Gunners was, it did once again lay bare Rodgers’ worrying over-reliance on a goal scoring freak, whose body continues to defy all logic.
A man who has drunk as much Skittles vodka and strawpedoed as many Blue VKs as Vardy simply should not still be this good at football well into his thirties.
It’s a mightily depressing thought, but one day the Foxes will have to face up to life without the living legend. The centre-forward musical chairs that Rodgers seems to play every time he goes down with an injury suggests that his successor does not currently ply his trade at the King Power Stadium either.
It’s not an overstatement to say that this transfer will be one of the biggest in Leicester’s history. Players who possess anything close to Vardy’s combination of intelligence, pace, physicality, finishing and pressing are ludicrously hard to come by.
However, as the Foxes’ first half performance against Arsenal proved, it’s a decision they have to get right if Rodgers wants to continue to implement the Foxes’ current playing style.
Jota and Mane played crucial roles in Liverpool’s victory | Stu Forster/Getty Images
A penny for the thoughts of every Sheffield United player and supporter when they laid eyes upon Liverpool’s starting lineup for Saturday evening’s game. A sight that would strike fear into any side.
The absence of Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara from the team-sheet meant that the Reds were lacking a real passer of the ball in the midfield, someone who can create and invent while keeping the game moving.
And Jurgen Klopp clearly feels he now has no choice other than to sacrifice Fabinho from the base of his midfield, so that the Brazilian can shore up his back four, following the season-ending injury to talisman Virgil van Dijk.
So, changes were afoot. But who saw this radical switch in tactics and system coming?
The German coach clearly decided that if the Reds don’t possess the players to cut Sheffield United apart with intricate through balls or delicate play, they’ll have to blow them away with a bazooka, instead.
That bazooka came in the shape of a bold front four, with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota all starting together for the first time in the Premier League. This left Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum with the tough task of marshalling the midfield alone, against a dynamic and excellently drilled Chris Wilder team.
Would it be a step too far? Would the Reds lose control of the game?
Well, it was hardly vintage, but it worked. Like a tight-knit group of friends shiftily eyeing a newcomer into their midst, we were always bound to see a few teething problems, as the deadly trio became a fearsome quartet.
The change in style saw Firmino dropping even deeper than usual, taking on the role of playmaker and adding that eye for a pass to the midfield. However, the Brazilian has been desperate to get on the scoresheet for far too long, so when the moment arrived to bombard the penalty area, the number nine was regularly in pole position.
Firmino’s deeper role meant that Salah could tuck in and attack more centrally, often taking up positions on the right and then arrowing towards the penalty spot with his explosive runs. And that left space for Jota to have some fun.
The Portuguese star didn’t have the biggest of impacts in the first half, as he and his teammates readjusted to their new roles. His time would come, though.
A shaky start and a soft penalty meant that the pressure was well and truly thrust on this new system, with the microscope fixed on just how this forward line could create goals. From wide, would be the response.
The Reds came back into the game just like champions, first equalising through Firmino, and then a free header for Jota allowed him to grab the all-important winning goal. The two strikes came from pinpoint crosses in wide areas, the first of which forcing a great save and conversion on the rebound, and the second being an excellently directed header.
And there were chances for more. Salah took a stranglehold of the game, but couldn’t find that elusive goal, while Mane will also feel hard done by for not getting his name on the scoresheet. In the end though, it was enough.
It wasn’t only up top where these changes had drastic effects. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were forced to sit a touch deeper than they’d probably like, and their freedom to fly up and down the flanks had been temporarily clipped.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that Liverpool have been targeted in wide areas by their opponents of late, who often look to exploit the gaps left by the wing-backs and launch counter-attacks of their own. So, it’s proven to be a simple and efficient fix from the German coach, and while defending is actually not this pair’s most notable skill, they are excellent in that department, regardless.
Job done, then. Not a classic, and not entirely convincing. But this Liverpool side is finding new ways of winning, and that should be the most encouraging sign of all for Reds supporters.
Tottenham got their UEFA Europa League campaign off to a winning start | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/Getty Images
Tottenham beat LASK 3-0 on Thursday night to get their Europa League campaign off to a winning start, with Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min both on the scoresheet.
Moura dispatched the opening goal of the game after receiving the ball in the box from debutant Carlos Vinicius before Gareth Bale’s squared pass was diverted into his own net by LASK defender Andres Andrade.
Son added Spurs’ third towards the end of the game after being introduced from the bench.
Here are your Tottenham player ratings.
Joe Hart (GK) – 7/10 – Called into action to make a diving save to his right at the end of the first half to deny a curling effort. Overall, a quiet night for the goalkeeper.
Matt Doherty (RB) – 7/10 – The Irishman linked up well with Bale on the right side, with the pair providing constant overlapping runs which the LASK defence struggled to track.
Davinson Sanchez (CB) – 7/10 – The Colombian needed a quiet night after his own goal against West Ham and got it. Relatively untroubled.
Ben Davies (CB) – 7/10 – A comfortable night for the Welshman, who was given a central role away from his usual left-back position. Also captained the side.
Sergio Reguilon (LB) – 8/10 – Made an excellent driving run for Spurs’ second goal. The Spaniard’s brilliant crossing ability was on show yet again in another fine display.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) – 9/10 – A brilliant performance and he had the battle scars to prove it. The Dane continued his impressive form and provided solid cover for the Spurs defence.
Harry Winks (CM) – 7/10 – Gave away needless fouls throughout the game, some which led to free kicks near the touchline. Anyone who watched the Everton, Newcastle and West Ham games knows that’s something the team need to cut out.
Gareth Bale (RM) – 7/10 – A first start for Bale since his return to north London saw him withdrawn after an hour. The winger produced the cross which resulted in the own goal.
Erik Lamela (AM) – 6/10 – The Argentine was also substituted on the hour mark. Lamela struggled to make an attacking impact, but his intense pressing helped retain and regain possession on numerous occasions.
Lucas Moura (LM) – 8/10 – Netted the opening goal after linking up nicely with Vinicius. The winger showed excellent composure with his first time touches throughout the game.
Carlos Vinicius (ST) – 7/10 – Had a great opportunity to open the scoring with a free header in the ninth minute, but provided Lucas Moura with an assist for the opener soon after. The striker showed excellent ability to bring others into play throughout the game and assisted Son’s goal.
Romelu Lukaku scored twice on Wednesday night | Soccrates Images/Getty Images
Inter opened their Champions League campaign on Wednesday night by salvaging a draw against an impressive Borussia Monchengladbach at San Siro.
Antonio Conte’s side dominated possession for much of the game but had to wait until the 49th minute for the opener, with Romelu Lukaku scrambling in from close range.
Arturo Vidal offered the visitors a route back into the game by clipping Marcus Thuram in the box, allowing Bensebaini Ramy to fire home the equaliser from the penalty spot.
Monchengladbach took the lead late in the second half when Alassane Plea picked out Jonas Hoffman, who tucked his shot through Samir Handanovic’s legs. A lengthy VAR check ensued, but the goal was eventually given.
Lukaku bagged his second in the 90th minute to salvage a draw for the Nerazzurri, bumping the ball in off his knee on the line.
Samir Handanovic (GK)– 5/10 – Couldn’t stop the penalty and got nutmegged for Hoffman’s strike in the second half.
Danilo D’Ambrosio (CB) – 5/10 – Booked and never looked entirely convincing as part of the three man defence.
Stefan de Vrij (CB)– 6/10 – The more natural centre back among the starters in defence, De Vrij was relatively solid but little more than that.
Aleksandar Kolarov (CB) – 6/10 – Started in defence but moved into a more advanced role towards the end of the game.
Matteo Darmian (RWB) – 6/10 – Replaced Achraf Hakimi, who tested positive for coronavirus before the game. Provided width on the right without looking overly threatening.
Nicolo Barella (CM) – 6/10 – Lots of lovely twists and turns from the young Italian. Just needs to be a little more efficient going forward.
Arturo Vidal (CM) – 6/10 – Played his role in Lukaku’s strike with a lovely ping into the box, but also gave away the penalty which led to Monchengladbach’s equaliser with a lazy outstretched leg. Also caught out for the visitors’ second.
Ivan Perisic (LWB) – 6/10 – Sometimes he’s brilliant, sometimes not so much. A rather middling performance from the Croatian.
Christian Eriksen (AM) – 7/10 – A few early shots that were either blocked or easily gathered by Yann Sommer. Probably one of his better games for Inter since his move in January.
Alexis Sanchez (ST) – 6/10 – A few nice bits of interplay from the former Arsenal forward, but didn’t really impress before being hooked for Lautaro Martinez.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 8/10 – Came close to opening the scoring after some nice link-up play with D’Ambrosio and Sanchez. Wasn’t to be denied early in the second half, firing in from close range. Earned Inter a point with his late tap-in.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer changed things up in Paris | FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images
It was the events that unfolded at the Parc des Princes 19 months ago which forced BT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand to utter those infamous words which, on many occasions, have come back to haunt him.
Nevertheless, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains at the Manchester United wheel after guiding the Red Devils to an unthinkable second leg triumph in Paris two seasons ago.
It’s fair to say things haven’t been plain sailing since his permanent appointment, but Tuesday night’s victory in the French capital is exactly why the United hierarchy are reluctant to part ways with the Norwegian boss.
This was a tactical masterclass from the United boss. He got it spot on.
He was bold with his team selection, reverting to the 5-3-2 which brought so much success against superior opposition last season – thwarting Liverpool at Old Trafford and killing Manchester City in transition at the Etihad. Most significantly, Paul Pogba was named on the bench as Scott McTominay and Fred retained their places in midfield alongside skipper Bruno Fernandes.
PSG did have some early success and forced David de Gea into two fantastic saves, but after Abdou Diallo clumsily brought down Anthony Martial and Fernandes eventually converted from the spot, things were pretty comfortable in the first-half for the visitors.
With Thomas Tuchel faced with a plethora of injuries, the German boss was forced into deploying an incredibly defensive midfield trio. Danilo Pereira, Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye made up PSG’s triumvirate in the middle of the park, one that distinctly lacked any source of progression, penetration and control.
Les Parisiens’ midfield situation could be compared to their clash with Atalanta in last season’s Champions League quarter-final. On that occasion, Marquinhos partnered Herrera and Gueye with Tuchel wary of La Dea’s attacking prowess, but the drawbacks it brought about in regards to their own attacking efficiency were stark.
Nevertheless, Atalanta’s heavy man-marking approach meant Tuchel could rely on two of Europe’s supreme protagonists to get PSG out of jail. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe just had to win their respective one-on-one duels and they’d be in business. Against United, though, the dynamic of the contest was different.
United’s zonal approach meant this one wasn’t merely about ‘winning your individual battles’, there had to be patterns, combinations, innovation to break down a mightily disciplined United block. But they weren’t forthcoming.
Credit has to go to the visitors for sticking to their task; Fred – utterly brilliant, by the way – and McTominay were superb at blocking passing lanes into the front three and covered tremendously well in transition. Ole’s decision not to start Pogba was a masterstroke.
It’s important to emphasise, though, that this wasn’t merely United parking the bus and hitting the hosts on the counter, far from it. They pressed high in this shape, with Fernandes joining the front two and wing-backs advancing onto PSG’s full-backs – which thwarted their progression down the flanks.
There was certainly an avenue for PSG to exploit through Neymar dropping deep into pockets and embarking on sequences of supreme samba silk, but the Brazilian was a mere shadow of the superstar who wreaked havoc in Lisbon. He was a borderline embarrassment on Tuesday night, distinctly lacking any sort of intensity or desire.
Nevertheless, PSG’s attacking woes in the first half forced Tuchel into a change at the break. Moise Kean replaced Gueye with an alteration to a 4-2-3-1 arriving also. There seemed to be an emphasis on allowing the full-backs to advance with Neymar and Angel Di Maria drifting infield.
Tuchel’s switch did culminate in the hosts’ best period of the contest, in which they scored via an Anthony Martial own goal ten minutes into the second period. However, the PSG boss’ change in tack perhaps left the hosts a little bit short in defensive transition – with two as opposed to three midfielders now protecting the defence.
Thus, after the superb Axel Tuanzebe and irresistible Aaron Wan Bissaka denied Mbappe on several occasions, amid a period of sustained PSG pressure following the equaliser, Ole opted to alter things too.
Alex Telles was replaced for Pogba. A 4-4-2 diamond was now United’s poison. It was a courageous move and calculated risk. but a smart one nonetheless such was PSG’s vulnerability.
The switch completely altered the momentum of the contest once more, United were the aggressors thanks to Ole’s change; dominating the second phase and frequently picking PSG apart in transition. However, the wastefulness of their forwards meant it appeared that Solskjaer and the Red Devils weren’t going to receive the just reward for their immense display.
That was before Marcus Rashford, a particular culprit of spurning chances, drifted infield to receive Pogba’s pass before a rapid change of pace past Pereira opened up a shooting chance. His effort was crisp and pinpoint, darting in off Keylor Navas’ post to hand his side the lead and overwhelmingly deserved three points.
It was the perfect ending to a complete display. One that celebrated Solskjaer’s tactical acumen.
In the space of just over two weeks, the Norwegian has gone from a man under serious pressure following their 6-1 humiliation against Spurs, to once again being touted as the man to lead United forward – not necessarily by Ferdinand this time.
#PochIn is a hashtag of the past, people – that’s, of course, until Timo Werner scores a brace in a 2-1 victory for Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday. But for now, let’s celebrate Solskjaer and a fantastic United display. They’ve most certainly done the Premier League proud.
Leeds United 0-1 Wolves | Michael Regan/Getty Images
Wolves moved up to sixth in the Premier League with a narrow 1-0 victory over Leeds at Elland Road on Monday evening.
The pair played out a tightly fought contest, with Leeds having the better of the first half and Wolves edging it in the second. With so little to choose between the two, fittingly it was a slice of luck that decided proceedings as Raul Jimenez’s effort from the edge of the box fortuitously deflected in off the head of Kalvin Phillips.
Let’s get into some player ratings.
Illan Meslier (GK) – 7/10 – Made a fine save to keep out a stinging Podence effort on the stroke of half time, and another strong palm to keep the Wolves man out once more in the second.
Robin Koch (CB) – 6/10 – Comfortable in possession, bringing the ball out from the back confidently on a couple of occasions in the first half.
Pascal Struijk (CB) – 5/10 – Came in for Liam Cooper late on after the Leeds skipper was injured in the warm up. Put in a solid display, but slipped in the buildup to Wolves’ opening goal. Replaced after 75 minutes.
Luke Ayling (CB) – 7/10 – Operating as a right sided centre back but marauded forward like a wing back in the first half. Had fewer opportunities to drive forward in the second.
Jack Harrison (LM) – 7/10 – A real live wire down the left flank, giving Semedo a torrid time. So energetic, adventurous and exciting.
Kalvin Phillips (DCM) – 6/10 – Was unfortunate as Jiminez’s effort deflected off his head and into the net as Wolves opened the scoring. Not quite able to dictate play to such devastating effect as usual.
Stuart Dallas (CM) – 7/10 – Seamlessly stepped into midfield, dealt with Traore very competently when the Wolves man entered the fray.
Mateusz Klich (CM) – 7/10 – Really impressive. Such attention to detail and popped up everywhere. An absolute steal at £1.5m
Rodrigo (CM) – 6/10 – Grew into the game and looked dangerous when surging forward with the ball. So energetic, pouring into the box at every opportunity.
Hélder Costa (RM) – 6/10 – Looked really exciting in the first half as Leeds pinned the Wolves wingbacks back in their own half and created their best openings from wide areas, but was quieter in the second half and was replaced after 70 minutes.
Patrick Bamford (ST) – 6/10 – Sliced a half chance wide in the early exchanges and saw a header correctly ruled out for offside.
Ian Poveda – 5/10
Pablo Hernandez – 6/10
Raphinha – N/A
Rui Patrício (GK) – 6/10 – Very few saves to make but did what he had to do well, confidently collecting crosses and dictating play from the back.
Willy Boly (CB) – 7/10 – This was a Leeds side that had not drawn a blank all season, but Boly and the Wolves backline stood firm, restricting the Whites to half chances.
Conor Coady (CB) – 8/10 – Played a characteristic cross field pass in the buildup to Wolves’ disallowed goal – the first time he really showed off his passing range all evening. So solid and intelligent defensively.
Max Kilman (CB) – 9/10 – Made a crucial clearance to keep out Ayling’s goal bound effort in the first half and was an absolute rock at the back all evening.
Nelson Semedo (RWB) – 5/10 – Struggled against the vibrant Harrison all evening as cross after cross entered the Wolves’ box from their right hand side.
Leander Dendoncker (CM) – 8/10 – A very assured performance, flying into tackles and shielding the back four expertly. Probably should have been booked at some point.
João Moutinho (CM) – 6/10 – Enjoyed a good battle with Phillips but struggled to exert his influence on the game and was replaced just after the 80 minute mark.
Pedro Neto (CM) – 7/10 – Put in a real shift, harrying the Leeds midfield when out of possession and keeping the ball neatly. Was substituted on the stroke of full time.
Romain Saïss (LWB) – 7/10 – Demonstrated superb vision to pick out Podence with an intelligent cut back as Wolves almost opened the scoring. Thought he’d opened the scoring with a fabulous strike, but Podence was ruled offside in the buildup.
Raul Jimenez (ST) – 7/10 – Opened the scoring with a deflected effort off Phillips. It was a huge slice of fortune – but Jimenez worked so hard to create the shooting opportunity for himself. Could have been sent off for what looked like a kick out in the dying minutes.
Daniel Podence (ST) – 7/10 – Almost opened the scoring just before the break with a fizzing effort from close range. Produced fabulous poise, skill and balance in the buildup to Wolves’ disallowed goal – but he was fractionally offside.
Vivianne Miedema has become the WSL all-time leading scorer, after bagging a hat-trick in Arsenal’s crushing 6-1 win over north London rivals Tottenham.
Miedema signed for the Gunners back in 2017 and has not stopped scoring since. She started up front for her side in Sunday’s derby and helped put Spurs to the sword.
Katie McCabe got Arsenal off to the perfect start, netting inside four minutes before Miedema scored her first of the game just three minutes later. Caitlin Foord then converted in the 15th minute. Miedema added two more goals in the first half and Foord then grabbed another after the break.
The 24-year-old has now netted 52 times in 50 WSL appearances at an astounding rate of 83-minutes per goal (via BBC Sport).
Her derby day hat-trick saw her overtake Manchester City winger Nikita Parris at the top of the all-time scoring charts, the latest in a long line of career accolades. Miedema’s fine performances last season saw her awarded the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award and the previous campaign she won the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year.
She is also the Netherlands all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 89 appearances and has already won league titles in both Germany, for Bayern Munich, and England.
In terms of the WSL goal record, there are several competitors who could overtake her during the current campaign. Manchester City and England striker Ellen White is currently on 48 goals but has only netted once so far this season. Meanwhile, Miedema’s Arsenal teammate Jordan Nobbs has 44 to her name.
Chelsea forward Beth England is another contender. She currently sits on 42 goals but did not start in her side’s 3-1 victory over City on Sunday.
