Weekend review: Arsenal suffer nightmare of a matchday; Barça future shines brightly

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Another topsy-turvy weekend of soccer is within the books and a few of Europe’s prime golf equipment are starting to look ominous.

Liverpool and Manchester City each eked out vital, carefully fought wins to steal a march on title-rivals Arsenal within the Premier League, whereas Real Madrid and Barcelona each ensured that they head into subsequent week’s Clasico (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET; stream reside on ESPN+) off the again of victories.

In Serie A, Antonio Conte’s Napoli beat Empoli 1-0 to remain two factors away from Inter Milan on the prime of the league, whereas in Germany it is Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig going stride-for-stride on the Bundesliga summit.

Yvan Neyou, Tim Kleindienst and John Stones all scored aim of the month contenders, but it surely was Harry Kane’s hat trick in Bavaria that actually stood out.

What else did you miss round Europe this weekend? ESPN’s Julien Laurens, Sam Marsden and Constantin Eckner recap all of the motion.

Premier LeaguePrime takeaway: Arsenal endure nightmare weekend

There could not have been a extra nightmarish weekend attainable for Arsenal. While title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool each received, at Wolverhampton Wanderers and in opposition to Chelsea, respectively, the Gunners misplaced their first sport of the season in all competitions at Bournemouth.

William Saliba was despatched off as Arsenal left Bournemouth with a 2-0 defeat on Saturday. Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

William Saliba was despatched off after simply half-hour, the north Londoners’ third purple card in eight league video games this season, and he’ll miss Liverpool’s journey to the capital subsequent weekend.

Without the injured Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta’s group by no means discovered their normal rhythm with the ball, whereas Bournemouth’s environment friendly press put the guests below a variety of stress. Despite conceding two objectives after the break, Arsenal nonetheless had their possibilities to return to London with one thing to point out for his or her efforts, Gabriel Martinelli letting slip a very attractive alternative with the match nonetheless scoreless.

After that defeat, Arsenal are actually three factors behind City and 4 behind Liverpool. Absolutely every little thing went in opposition to the Gunners this weekend.

Best match: Southampton 2, Leicester 3

For a conflict between two promoted sides, we acquired an absolute deal with on Saturday. Between them, Southampton and Leicester City had solely received as soon as this season in 10 mixed Premier League video games, the Foxes getting one of the best of Bournemouth two weeks in the past, so each groups knew how huge this encounter was. The Foxes had been 2-0 down inside a half hour, they trailed by the identical margin on the hour mark, and accomplished the 3-2 comeback win within the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time. It will undoubtedly be a turning level of their season.

Best aim: Stones vs. Wolves

It wasn’t essentially the most stunning of the weekend, however Stones’ winner for Manchester City at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday deserves our award for finest aim as a result of it sealed an enormous victory. After being the hero who earned the champions a late level in opposition to Arsenal final month, Stones gave his group three extra within the closing minute at Molineux on Sunday, a consequence Pep Guardiola’s group wanted to make the most of the Gunners’ slip-up on Saturday and to maintain tempo with Liverpool.

JOHN STONES WINS IT IN THE FINAL SECONDS FOR MANCHESTER CITY. INCREDIBLE. pic.twitter.com/JsO025yDeF

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 20, 2024

MVP of the weekend: Mohamed Salah

The large sport of the weekend between Liverpool and Chelsea did not disappoint on Sunday, regardless of a sluggish begin, and there was room for just one hero: Salah. The Egypt worldwide, whose type has been a bit inconsistent recently, scored and supplied a beautiful help for Curtis Jones within the Reds’ huge 2-1 win. The 32-year-old ahead has now 5 objectives and 5 assists in eight Premier League matches this season up to now. — Julien Laurens

LaLigaTop takeaway: Barça’s future shining brightly

Barcelona and Real Madrid each received forward of the season’s first Clásico; however whereas Madrid made arduous work of beating Celta Vigo — extra on that in a second — Barça recorded a confidence-boosting 5-1 win over Sevilla. There had been two extra objectives for the league’s prime scorer, Robert Lewandowski, making it 12 in 10 matches, and there have been encouraging performances from this season’s star man Raphinha and midfielder Pedri.

The finest information of the matchday was the return from damage of Gavi, 349 days since he final performed for Barcelona. His emergence to heat up acquired the loudest cheer of the evening at Montjuic, and he was handed the captain’s armband as he took to the sphere.

The overriding sensation, as Barça celebrated Pablo Torre’s second aim within the 88th minute, was simply how younger this group are. Torre, Pedri, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó and Fermín López are all of their early-20s. Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí are simply 17.. Barcelona’s future is vibrant; however earlier than getting too carried away, let’s have a look at how they get on in opposition to Madrid subsequent weekend.

Best match: Celta 1, Madrid 2

Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Celta Vigo had every little thing: a loud ambiance at a rain-soaked Balaidos, three excellent objectives from Mbappé, Williot Swedberg and Vinícius Júnior, an age-defying cameo from Luka Modric — who created the successful aim simply three minutes after approaching as an alternative — and an agonising, added-time miss from Celta’s Anastasios Douvikas. Madrid received the sport, however Celta confirmed their new group, filled with homegrown expertise, can compete with one of the best.

Best aim: Neyou vs. Atlético

Both Mbappé’s long-distance roller and Swedberg’s intricate group transfer for Celta — which got here after 4 first-time touches — deserve a point out, however let’s go for Yvan Neyou’s first LaLiga aim, which put Leganés 1-0 up at Atlético Madrid on Sunday. Atlético fought again to win 3-1, however that should not undo the enjoyment of Neyou’s first-half rocket previous Jan Oblak into the highest nook.

MVP of the weekend: Iñaki Williams

Williams wanted simply two minutes, and 4 touches, to stake his declare for efficiency of the weekend in Spain. His first aim in Athletic Club’s 4-1 victory over Espanyol at San Mamés was a masterclass in financial system of motion, turning and ending earlier than the defence had time to react. Seconds later, he had one other, thrashing the ball previous goalkeeper Joan García from an angle. Younger brother Nico Willians will get all of the headlines, however Iñaki has by no means regarded higher. — Alex Kirkland

BundesligaPrime takeaway: Title race is tight however Bayern are again

Bayern Munich had been in a little bit of a droop earlier than the worldwide break, going winless of their earlier three video games following a powerful begin into the season, however any doubts had been put to relaxation on Saturday because of a 4-0 win over VfB Stuttgart. The guests, managed by former Bayern reserve group coach Sebastian Hoeness, needed to make an announcement at Allianz Arena, however as a substitute Bayern steamrolled Stuttgart within the second half, with Kane scoring a hat trick.

Those who’ve accused Kane of failing to point out up in large video games could take a look at the opponent and see extra proof to help their principle, however Stuttgart had been final season’s runners-up. Nevertheless, the England worldwide could be comfortable to have his title on the rating sheet once more having gone goalless in his three earlier video games.

Bayern are sitting on the prime of the Bundesliga desk, with RB Leipzig in second place. These two groups, and probably defending champions Bayer Leverkusen, appear to have the general high quality to compete for the German championship this season. While the arrival of supervisor Vincent Kompany has been a breath of contemporary air for Bayern, and the document champions have each likelihood of reclaiming their throne, they will not escape from their rivals within the title race anytime quickly.

Best match: Gladbach 3, Heidenheim 2

Borussia Monchengladbach proceed to have a rollercoaster of a marketing campaign, and their 3-2 win over Heidenheim on Saturday was the embodiment of that. The sport at Borussia-Park became an thrilling back-and-forth, with Gladbach rising because the winners thanks to 2 objectives by Tim Kleindienst within the second half. No matter the three objectives or the three factors, head coach Gerardo Seoane nonetheless hasn’t managed to create the mandatory defensive stability to steer Gladbach within the higher third of the desk.

Best aim: Kleindienst vs. Heidenheim

Kleindienst’s first aim in Gladbach’s slender win over Heidenheim was one of many highlights of the matchday. The 29-year-old, who lately made his first look for Germany, transformed a cross from Alassane Pléa with a ravishing and equally troublesome back-heel strike, giving Gladbach the lead over his former group.

MVP of the weekend: Harry Kane

If you rating three objectives within the marquee sport of the weekend, you’ve gotten undoubtedly earned the MVP award. Kane continues to be an elite striker, even when he doesn’t all the time have the anticipated presence in video games. For years, Bayern relied on Lewandowski to sink defences, and now they’re relying on Kane to do the identical on a continuing foundation. — Constantin Eckner

What else you missed this weekendResurgent Napoli lead Serie A below Conte

Napoli’s 1-0 win at Empoli means Antonio Conte’s group are nonetheless prime of the Serie A desk, with nearest rivals Inter Milan two factors behind them because of their very own tight, 1-0 victory over AS Roma on the Stadio Olimpico. In truth, there was no change in any respect within the higher echelons of the desk, with all top-six groups recording victories, essentially the most emphatic being Fiorentina’s 6-0 thrashing of Lecce.

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Napoli and Inter had been each below stress to ship after Juventus, in third, had edged previous Lazio a day earlier. A win for Napoli was not at all assured, on condition that Juve and the Viola had each already dropped factors at Empoli this season. Conte wasn’t comfortable along with his group, calling them “spectators” in Sunday’s first half, however issues improved after the break, when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty was decisive.

Napoli completed an enormous 41 factors behind champions Inter final season. Under Conte, they’re now resurgent league leaders. — Kirkland

Cologne staring down one other yr in second tier

Cologne hope to solely keep for one yr within the 2. Bundesliga, however identical to Schalke and Hertha Berlin the yr earlier than, they need to realise that going up in opposition to the steadily evolving competitors in that league can pose a severe problem for any big-name membership. The three-time German champions, who’ve been considerably damage by a switch ban imposed by FIFA, which is able to finish on Jan. 1, and are managed by former New York Red Bulls boss Gerhard Struber, misplaced 5-1 at Darmstadt on Friday.

Cologne are actually tenth within the 18-team desk. Given their defensive shortcomings, the choice makers within the Rhine metropolis may have to just accept actuality and both make a splash within the January switch market or start planning for no less than one other yr in Germany’s second division, which has turn into the house of so lots of soccer’s fallen giants. — Eckner

Source: espn.co.uk