Raheem Sterling

Jadon Sancho scores first England goals as sloppy England beat Kosovo at St Mary’s

September 10, 2019 by Paul Chan

England 5, Kosovo 3

Jadon Sancho scored twice as England beat Kosovo 5-3 with goals by Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, and an own goal by Mergim Vojvoda at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium.

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Valon Berisha had initially made headlines after scoring within 34 seconds as the feisty Kosovans showed why they had been unbeaten for 15 games.

Berisha scored his second and Vedat Muriqi netted a penalty in the second half before Harry Kane missed a spot kick himself but England couldn’t silence the visitors with a sixth goal with Sterling hitting the woodwork.

Entertaining though the game might have been, there will be concerns over England’s defensive solidity after the second half goals by Kosovo and wasted chances gave the visitors hope.

England have now scored 19 goals but conceded 4 in a relatively straightforward group including three goals in a home game for the first time since a 3-2 defeat at Wembley against Holland with Stuart Pearce at the helm.

One more qualifying win will send them to the finals but play like this in a European finals against top European opposition, though, and Gareth Southgate can forget abut football coming home.

Southgate had made just three changes from the side that had comfortably beaten Bulgaria, with Sancho, Ben Chilwell, and Trent Alexander-Arnold coming in for Marcus Rashford, Danny Rose, and Kieran Trippier.

Kosovo lined up with three English-based players in their side, with Aro Muric on loan at Nottingham Forest from Manchester City, and ex-City player Bersant Celina of Swansea playing in front of Huddersfield Town’s right back Florent Hadergjonaj.

England got off to a terrible start after just 34 seconds when Valon Berisha was handed the ball courtesy of a terrible pass by Michael Keane.

The Kosovan needed no second invitation to fire past Jordan Pickford to put the visitors into a shock 1-0 lead at St Mary’s – only the second goal that England had conceded in this qualifying tournament and the first goal in the first minute of an England game since May 2003 when Southgate scored against South Africa.

Lethal Sterling restored parity quickly, nodding in after Keane headed Ross Barkley’s corner back across the box less than 8 minutes later.

Harry Kane’s drilled shot put England into the lead after 19 minutes after Sterling turned and ran upfield with the ball and passed out wide to the England captain.

The ship was steadied but there was drama when Mergim Vojvoda went close with a long range effort before he turned the ball into his own net in the 38th minute after Jadon Sancho seized the loose ball and cut it back into the six yard box where only the Kosovan was waiting.

Sancho was handed a great chance to score when Sterling played the Borussia Dortmund winger in from the left and he couldn’t miss from 6 yards out as he came in from the right to score his first England senior goal in the 44th minute.

Moments later Sterling was feeding him again after roasting Hadergjonaj on the left flank and dinking the ball over Muric’s leg for another tap in by Sancho from just 3 yards out.

It was Sterling’s third assist of the game, to go with his goal, matching Manchester City team mate Kevin De Bruyne’s contribution for Belgium against Scotland this week.

He and Sancho make an irresistible wide pair either side of Kane but while England had few problems going forward, their defending let the side down.

Kosovo punish sloppy England with second half goals

Kosovo weren’t about to lay down and die, they scored 4 minutes into the second half after Declan Rice lost the ball.

Vedat Muriqi delivered it to Berisha who scored his second of the night and taking the ball down.

And things got really interesting when Muriqi was brought down by Harry Maguire for a soft looking penalty which the big man despatched himself after 55 minutes.

Ross Barkley won a penalty after being brought down by Amir Rrahmani soon afterwards but Muric guessed correctly and dived to his right to save Kane’s spot kick with 25 minutes to go despite a suspicion of being off his line as Kane struck the ball.

And Sterling’s shot was deflected against the post by Muric after Kane played him in as England tried to put the game to bed but couldn’t find a way past the reorganised visitors.

Substitute Marcus Rashford saw a shot saved while an offside Sterling blazed the rebound over as England continued to dominate but failed to score while Celina curled a late strike just past the back post.

Manchester City rack up the records with win at Bournemouth

August 25, 2019 by Paul Chan

BOURNEMOUTH 1, MANCHESTER CITY 3

David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne made history for Manchester City while helping the team to a 3-1 win at Bournemouth to send them up to second in the Premier League.

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De Bruyne’s miscued shot allowed Sergio Aguero to open the scoring while earning him his 50th Premier League assist in just 123 appearances.

City captain David Silva was making his 400th appearance for City and laid on Raheem Sterling’s goal and created Aguero’s second which was his 400th career goal for club and country.

In between those two goals was a world class free kick by on-loan Liverpool player Harry Wilson to reduce the deficit.

But there was more VAR controversy after Silva appeared to be fouled by Jefferson Lerma in the second half but there was no invitation to review referee Paul Marriner’s decision to take no action.

The score at the time was 2-1 to City and Aguero went on to make it 3-1 a minute later but the much maligned system was give short shrift again by travelling City fans.

City boss Pep Guardiola made just one change with Rodri stepping down to the bench to be replaced by David Silva – making his 400th appearance for City – with Ilkay Gundogan sitting deeper as Pep Guardiola went more attacking away at Bournemouth.

Aguero continued in the side as Gabriel Jesus was ruled out with a hamstring injury in training and his place on City’s bench was taken by Angelino.

The Cherries had the first shot on goal, though, as Joshua King robbed Kevin De Bruyne and tested Ederson with a tame shot.

City rode their luck in the early stages escaping a red card for two bad fouls by Kyle Walker while Ederson was similarly foolhardy in trying to beat Callum Wilson to a through ball but mistiming his challenge.

Raheem Sterling created space, drawing off a defender, allowing Oleksandr Zinchenko space to cross for Kevin De Bruyne who miskicked his attempt only to see it drop for the Aguero who coolly finished.

It might have been a miscue but De Bruyne’s assist broke Mesut Ozil’s record for swiftest to reach 50 Premier League assists – reaching the target in 123 games to beat Ozil’s 141.

Aaron Ramsdale saved a volley from David Silva after City had upped a gear after taking the lead.

Harry Wilson came on for the injured Charlie Daniels who went down off the ball with a serious looking knee injury – an attacking substitution.

Adam Smith was presented with a great chance to equalise after Nicolas Otamendi’s mistake but Ederson acrobatically made the save to tip the ball away.

And City were soon 2-0 up after Sterling poking the ball home from six yards after a brilliantly timed run to meet David Silva’s ball – his fifth goal of the season.

Harry Wilson with superb free kick to give Bournemouth hope against Manchester City

Bournemouth won a free kick in added time after Aymeric Laporte pushed Callum Wilson just outside the area and Harry Wilson’s free kick beat Ederson at full stretch to finish inside the top corner after dipping in off the woodwork.

Ederson blocked Callum Wilson’s second half shot and denied Wilson a shot on goal by intercepting a cross as Bournemouth chased an equaliser.

Guardiola steadied the ship by bringing on Rodri for Gundogan and soon afterwards Jefferson Lerma appeared to tread on David Silva’s foot in the Bournemouth area – contact which seemed to have been missed by Paul Marriner.

And there was more controversy after VAR seemed to agree with Marriner’s assessment of no penalty.

A minute later Aguero scored anyway after the ball fell to him and the Argentine snatched up the chance to score with the loose ball falling between defenders after David Silva had made his way into the box – his fourth goal of the season and 400th goal for club and country with 235 of those coming for City.

Sterling managed to hit both posts with a curling shot after De Bruyne had played him in but he was offside anyway.

Ederson saved from Dominic Solanke after Josh King had played him in before Joao Cancelo finally made his City bow at the end of the game, replacing Kyle Walker, as City saw out the win.

GOALS – Bournemouth 1, Manchester City 3

Man City 1, Bournemouth 0: 15. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s cross for Kevin De Bruyne was miskicked into the path of Sergio Aguero, who was unmarked, and the Argentine scored. It was De Bruyne’s 50th Premier League assist in 123 games – a record – for Aguero’s third goal in 3 games this season.

Man City 2, Bournemouth 0: 43. David Silva’s through ball was perfectly weighted for Raheem Sterling to poke home from 6 yards out – his 5th goal of the season.

Man City 2, Bournemouth 1: 45+3. Harry Wilson, on loan from Liverpool, pulled one back for Bournemouth with a superb free kick which arrowed into the top corner.

Man City 3, Bournemouth 1: 63. Sergio Aguero snatched up his second of the day after reacting first to a loose ball which fell between defenders after David Silva’s run into the box.

MATCH STATS – Bournemouth 1, Manchester City 3

Man City: Ederson, Walker (Cancelo 90), Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Gundogan (Rodri 58), David Silva, Bernardo Silva (Mahrez 79), Sterling, Aguero

Man City Subs not used: Bravo, Angelino, Fernandinho, Foden

Booked: Walker 11 (foul on Nathan Ake), Ederson 14 (foul on Callum Wilson), Otamendi 90 (diving in on Josh King)

Goal: Aguero 15, Sterling 43

Bournemouth: Ramsdale, Adam Smith (Ibe 68), Mepham, Steve Cook, Ake, Daniels (Harry Wilson 37), King, Lerma, Billing, Fraser, Callum Wilson (Solanke 69)

Bournemouth Subs not used: Boruc, Surman, Rico, Simpson

Booked: Lerma 57 (foul on Kevin De Bruyne)

Goal: Harry Wilson 45+3

Referee: Andre Marriner

Manchester City denied injury-time winner against Spurs as VAR rules out Gabriel Jesus goal

August 17, 2019 by Tony Bugby

MAN CITY 2, TOTTENHAM 2

Manchester City were denied a dramatic injury-time winner as substitute Gabriel Jesus’ goal was ruled out after VAR was used for the one and only time against Tottenham.

The match official based at Stockley Park ruled the ball had brushed the arm of City defender Aymeric Laporte before it reached Jesus.

It was a hugely controversial call as Spurs’ players did not appeal and City thought they had clinched a 16^th straight Premier League victory as they closed in on their own league record of 18.

City must still be wondering how they failed to win after they had an incredible 30 goal attempts to Spurs’ three.

They twice held the lead through Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero only each time to be pegged back by Erik Lamela and substitute Lucas Moura.

It was an enthralling game which had everything, even a spat between Pep Guardiola and Aguero after the striker was substituted and which was witnessed by a global audience as was the kiss and make up after what appeared a match-winning goal from Jesus.

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Guardiola praised his players, declaring: “The way we played was incredible and it was one of the best games in my time here.

“People may say we can play better but I don’t see how we can play better against the second best team in Europe and restricted them to two chances.

“It is just the beginning (of the season) and if we continue to play that way, we will have no regrets.”

Pep Guardiola on the latest VAR decision against his Man City side in their game against Spurs on Saturday August 17, 2019

Guardiola was frustrated by the inconsistencies of VAR after he claimed his side ought to been awarded a first-half penalty when Lamela appeared to wrestle Rodrigo to the ground.

“VAR was taking a coffee,” he joked while also referring to the goal scored by Fernando Llorente in last season’s Champions League quarter final which also brushed his arm.”

And of his spat with Aguero, Guardiola described emotion as being part of the game.

“I love him a lot. I know his feelings are a part of his performances.”

Mauricio Pochettino reacts to VAR advantage for Spurs again at Man City in the Premier League match played at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, August 17, 2019

Spurs’ manager Mauricio Pochettino praised the spirit of his side, saying: “I am pleased with the way we came back after twice falling behind.

“I happy with that, but we still need to improve. We will take a lot of confidence from a result like this.”

City made four changes from the side that started the season so well at West Ham.

John Stones was ruled out through a thigh strain while David Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Jesus also lost their places.

There were recalls for Nicolas Otamendi in defence, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield and Aguero up front.

Spurs had Son Heung-min and Serge Aurier suspended while Dele Alli was injured.

City made a bright start in which Sterling had a goalbound shot blocked by Kyle Walker-Peters while a penalty appeal was rejected after Lamela appeared to wrestle Rodrigo to the ground.

And it was no surprise when they made a 20^th minute breakthrough as Sterling scored his fourth goal of the season.

He stole in at the far post to head Kevin De Bruyne’s cross back across the face of goal from three yards, a well-executed goal.

It was his seventh goal in his last four games in all competitions and Sterling also became one of only four players in Premier League history to score four goals in the first two league games of the season.

City were still celebrating when Lamela equalised three minutes later, curling an exquisite low shot from 25 yards low to the right of Ederson.

In what was become a pulsating encounter, City regained the lead in the 35^th minute when Aguero, lurking at the near post, got on the end of a low cross from De Bruyne, flicking it low beyond goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. It was his 11^th goal in 15 Premier League appearances against Spurs.

City ought to have added a third goal towards the end of the half when Ilkay Gundogan shot agonisingly wide from a De Bruyne cross.

Oleksandr Zinchenko had terrific efforts either side of the break which again could have extended City’s lead but for Lloris’ alertness.

De Bruyne also fired wide and Aguero over while Bernardo Silva had an effort saved as City were in total command carving out chances at ease.

Spurs brought on Moura for Harry Winks in the 56^th minute and he scored with his first touch after 15 seconds heading home Lamela’s corner which looped over Ederson, a dramatic introduction.

City’s response after being pegged back for a second time was furious as Rodrigo forced a great save from Lloris, Bernardo Silva’s lob hit the bar and Otamendi’s header was cleared off the line by Danny Rose.

City made their first change mid-half when Aguero was replaced by Jesus and the striker and manager had an angry exchange in which assistant Mikel Arteta had to intervene as peacemaker.

And the second and third changes soon followed as David Silva and Mahrez came on for Rodrigo and Bernardo Silva.

There was drama in the second of four added minutes when City thought they had won the game.

Laporte looked to have headed on De Bruyne’s corner for Jesus to rifle home a close-range shot.

There were no appeals only for VAR to intervene for the first time in the match as it was ruled the ball had brushed the arm of Laporte to the dismay of City and their supporters.

And on the touchline there were incredible scenes when the ball hit the net as Aguero raced from the bench to embrace Guardiola as they had a lengthy reconcillation not long after their spat.

City will still be wondering how they did not win as they had an amazing 30 goal attempts to Spurs’ three and played some sumptuous football, but lacked a clinical cutting edge. That’s the beauty of the game or in City’s case frustration.

Manchester City 2, Tottenham 2 – Player Ratings

August 17, 2019 by Paul Chan

Manchester City 2, Tottenham 2

VAR controversy again for Manchester City as their late winner is chalked off again thanks to the new handball rule

Etihad Stadium before Man City 2, Tottenham 2 on Saturday, August 17, 2019

City players wore training tops with Leroy Sane’s number (19) on the back in solidarity with their injured team mate who suffered a an ACL injury in his right knee.

City were in their pomp in the first half and should have made more of their shots on target but for some smart saves by Hugo Lloris and a bit of luck with the crossbar.

Rodri was hauled down by Erik Lamela with no penalty given and no reaction from the VAR team.

Tottenham scored with their only two shots on target, the second one was a header converted by Lucas Moura 15 seconds after he came on as a substitute in the second half.

Sergio Aguero had a spat with Pep Guardiola after he was substituted in the second half. It was soon forgotten after Jesus scored, and the Argentine appeared to make up with his manager, but seconds later it was going to definitely knocked off the news agenda after VAR ruled Gabriel Jesus’ winner out.

Gabriel Jesus thought he had won the game with a 92nd minute injury time winner from 10 yards after Aymeric Laporte flicked on Kevin De Bruyne’s corner. The goal was ruled out for a handball by Laporte after a VAR check leaving the Etihad deflated yet again after a Spurs visit.

CHANGES FROM WEST HAM 0, MAN CITY 5

IN: Nicolas Otamendi, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Sergio Aguero

OUT: John Stones (thigh injury), David Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus

PLAYER RATINGS – Man City 2, Tottenham 2

Ederson: 6. Could do little with the surprise shot by Erik Lamela but was left wanting for the corner that was converted by Lucas Moura.

Kyle Walker: 6. Showed energy to get up the pitch and put crosses in but was culpable for missing Erik Lamela’s corner which was converted by Lucas Moura.

Nicolas Otamendi: 7. Little to do as Spurs toiled, comfortable with balls into the City area. Had a second half header hooked off the line by Danny Rose.

Aymeric Laporte: 6. Retreated and gave Erik Lamela space to shoot and score. Showed off his passing range but City were wasteful.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6. Spent a lot of time raiding up the left flank. Tested Hugo Lloris twice with efforts. Went down with a left hamstring issue very late in the game after City had made all three subs.

Rodri: 7. Better at the physical stuff early on, hauled down by Erik Lamela but no penalty. Linked midfield up with attack very well. Had a second half rising shot tipped away by Hugo Lloris.

Kevin De Bruyne: 8. Superb curling cross for Raheem Sterling’s opener and crossed for Aguero’s goal to put City in the lead again. Very difficult to pick up by Spurs and created several more chances and had a couple of shots go close himself.

Ilkay Gundogan: 6. Missed with great chance laid on by Kevin De Bruyne. Had to sit deeper after Rodri went off.

Bernardo Silva: 7. Harried the Spurs defence with pressing across the front three. Created space for De Bruyne. Had the crowd on its feet with show of trickery at the end of the first half. Game opened up for him in the second half and he hit the bar with a flick.

Raheem Sterling: 7. Dangerous coming in off the left flank, early shot blocked by Kyle Walker-Peters. Stole in for the opening goal off a header. Also tried to turn creator too with passes into dangerous areas.

Sergio Aguero: 7. Easy flick to convert Kevin De Bruyne’s cross to put City back in the lead but was given a lecture by an angry Pep Guardiola, who had to be restrained by Mikel Arteta, after he was substituted in the second half.

Gabriel Jesus (on for Sergio Aguero 66): 7. Incredible work rate after he came on with City chasing another goal. Headed just wide late in the game and a dramatic winner was chalked off for a handball by Aymeric Laporte.

David Silva (on for Rodri 78): Too late to mark

Riyad Mahrez (on for Bernardo Silva 80): Too late to mark

GOALS – Man City 2, Tottenham 2

Man City 1, Tottenham 0: 20. Kevin De Bruyne’s curling right wing cross met by Raheem Sterling who converted it with a header from 3 yards out #mcfc #mcitot

Man City 1, Tottenham 1: 23. Erik Lamela has a go from 25 yards out through a crowd of bodies after Sissoko’s cross and beats Ederson #thfc #mcitot

Man City 2, Tottenham 1: 35. Sergio Aguero with a flick to turn Kevin De Bruyne’s right wing cross into the goal from 5 yards out #mcfc #mcitot

Man City 2, Tottenham 2: 56. Erik Lamela’s corner was converted by Lucas Moura who had just come on as a substitute, with Kyle Walker failing to meet the ball #thfc #mcitot

MATCH STATS – Man City 2, Tottenham 2

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodrigo (David Silva 78), De Bruyne (C), Gundogan, Bernardo Silva (Mahrez 80), Sterling, Aguero (Jesus 66)

Man City Subs not used: Bravo, Fernandinho, Cancelo, Foden

Booked: Sterling 26 (grappling Harry Winks)

Goals: Sterling 20, Aguero 35

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker-Peters, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Rose, Winks (Moura 56), Ndombele, Sissoko, Eriksen (Skipp 90+1), Lamela (Lo Celso 85), Kane

Tottenham Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Vertonghen, Dier, Davies

Goals: Lamela 23, Moura 56

Referee: Michael Oliver

Raheem Sterling scores hat trick in VAR dominated game as Manchester City beat West Ham

August 10, 2019 by Paul Chan

WEST HAM 0, MANCHESTER CITY 5

Raheem Sterling scored a hat trick as Manchester City thrashed West Ham at the London Stadium to kick off their Premier League title defence in style.

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VAR came into operation in the Premier League for the first time and three correct marginal decisions saw Manchester City score twice and have a goal ruled out.

Raheem Sterling was involved twice with one goal ruled out and one given while Declan Rice was penalised for encroachment during a missed Sergio Aguero penalty.

City boss Pep Guardiola had earlier named Ederson in goal rather than Claudio Bravo with new signing Rodri starting in midfield, Gabriel Jesus starting instead of Sergio Aguero, and Riyad Mahrez taking the injured Leroy Sane’s place in the side.

New signing Joao Cancelo was named on the bench along with his fellow countryman Bernardo Silva.

Jesus had put a dominant City in the lead after 25 minutes when Walker raced up the right flank and his cross was converted by the Brazilian.

New Hammers striker Sebastien Haller gave Ederson something to think about with the home side’s only shot on target in the first half.

But City extended their lead when Raheem Sterling scored five minutes after the restart when Kevin De Bruyne sailed past Fabian Balbuena before picking out the England winger with a cross which he converted.

Jesus thought he had scored his second of the day after a dizzying move just two minutes later after Oleksandr Zinchenko, David Silva and Sterling pinged the ball between them before the Brazilian pounced but VAR ruled it out for a marginal offside on Sterling’s shoulder.

The Brazilian was replaced by Sergio Aguero in the 69th minute but it was West Ham who went close next.

VAR awards Sergio Aguero a penalty re-take after encroachment by Declan Rice

Ederson made a superb double save from Javier Hernandez and Manuel Lanzini to prevent the home side from getting on the scoresheet before City stepped up a gear and blew the Hammers away.

Sterling had the ball in the back of the net again with a lob over Lucasz Fabianski from 7 yards out with 15 minutes to go but had to wait for VAR to confirm the goal after more suspicion of offside following Mahrez’ ball down the channel for him.

De Bruyne and Silva made way for Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden with 11 minutes to go and city were awarded a penalty after Mahrez was felled by Issa Diop.

Despite Sterling being on a hat trick it was Aguero who stepped up but his poor penalty was scuffed and saved by Fabianski but the City striker was relieved to see referee Mike Dean order a retake.

It seemed the Polish goalkeeper had been penalised for being off his line and encroaching according to new penalty rules but it was Declan Rice who was penalised for entering the box as Aguero ran up to take his first spot kick.

The Argentine had another go which was emphatically finished to the left a second time for give City a 4-0 lead.

And Sterling finally got his hat trick in added time after another VAR stoppage when Mahrez released the England winger who made space for himself and fired into the bottom right corner of the goal.

MATCH STATS – West Ham 0, Manchester City 5

West Ham: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Wilshere (Snodgrass 56), Rice, Anderson (Hernandez 66), Lanzini, Antonio (Fornals 46), Haller

West Ham Subs not used: Jimenez, Zabaleta, C Sanchez, Ogbonna

Booked: Balbuena 61, Anderson 63

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko, De Bruyne (Gundogan 79), Rodri, David Silva (Foden 80), Mahrez, Sterling, Jesus (Aguero 69)

Man City Subs not used: Bravo, Bernardo Silva, Cancelo, Otamendi

Booked: Walker 87, Sterling 90+3

Goals: Jesus 25; Sterling 51, 75, 90+1, Aguero 86 pen

Referee: Mike Dean