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Rediff.com  » Sports » EPL PIX: Haaland stars in City win; United lose to Brighton

EPL PIX: Haaland stars in City win; United lose to Brighton

Last updated on: August 08, 2022 00:41 IST
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Images from the English Premier League matches played on Sunday.

Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates with Phil Foden and Joao Cancelo on scoring their second goal against West Ham United at London Stadium in London

IMAGE: Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates with Phil Foden and Joao Cancelo on scoring their second goal against West Ham United at London Stadium in London. Photograph: Tony Obrien/Reuters

New Manchester City signing Erling Haaland marked a fine Premier League debut by scoring in each half as the champions began their title defence by strolling to a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.

 

Haaland converted a penalty after 36 minutes and wrapped up the points with a composed finish in the second period to cap an impressive display, with his father and former City player Alfie celebrating in the stands.

"It's nice that he saw both goals as it is a big moment for me as a debutant in this competition," the 22-year-old Haaland said.

"Also now it is almost 30 minutes since I scored the last goal so I have to keep going."

Haaland charged past the West Ham defence to latch onto a through ball and take it around Alphonse Areola before being fouled by the substitute goalkeeper, who had replaced the injured Lukasz Fabianski after 29 minutes.

West Ham were forced into the early change when Fabianski picked up a knock clearing a cross from Kevin De Bruyne as he clattered into team mate Aaron Cresswell and Haaland.

The Norwegian striker stepped up to convert the resultant spot kick, his cool finish sending Areola the wrong way to give City a deserved lead after an utterly dominant first half in which West Ham were rarely able to venture from their own box.

City, who had a first-half goal disallowed after Ilkay Gundogan was offside in the build-up, made a slightly disjointed start to the match but gradually strengthened their grip on the contest and doubled their lead after the hour mark.

West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen and Manchester City's Joao Cancelo battle for the ball 

IMAGE: West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen and Manchester City's Joao Cancelo battle for the ball. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne had defended a series of crosses before slipping through a delightful pin-point pass to Haaland, who timed his run to perfection and slotted home with a fine left-foot finish in the 65th minute.

West Ham forward Michail Antonio had headed wide in the opening stages and De Bruyne easily cleared Jarrod Bowen's free-kick just before halftime, but the hosts struggled to make their mark on the game in a largely toothless attacking display.

Manager David Moyes brought on Said Benrahma and new signing Gianluca Scamacca just before the hour mark in an attempt to change West Ham's fortunes but Haaland doubled City's lead minutes after and the visitors comfortably saw out the win.

City have a new look to them this season after the departure of four first team players but there has been no disruption to Guardiola's passing machine, with the club aiming to win a third straight league title.

Guardiola's side controlled 80% of possession in the first half and 76% overall but did not have to exert themselves against a passive West Ham side, who faded after a bright first few minutes.

City also scored with their only two shots on target in a clinical performance that presented an ominous prospect for their rivals, showing that they will once again be the team to beat in the title race.

They host Bournemouth next weekend while West Ham travel to Nottingham Forest.

IMAGE: Brighton & Hove Albion players celebrate after Pascal Gross scored the opening goal against Manchester United during the English Premier League match at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

New manager Erik ten Hag saw the depth of the crisis at Manchester United when his side fell to a 2-1 Premier League defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday, with German Pascal Gross scoring twice.

United fans' hopes that the off-season would mark a turning point have faded, with the club failing to make major moves yet in the transfer market and there was a grim familiarity to the club's opening match.

The former Ajax coach witnessed a performance that was every bit as disjointed as those produced under his predecessors Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season.

The sense that this was a continuation of last year's decline began before kick-off where there were yet more loud and angry protests against United's owners, the American Glazer family, under the South Stand.

IMAGE: Manchester United gave themselves a foothold in the 68th minute when a goalmouth scramble ended with Alexis Mac Allister turning the ball into his own net. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

If that felt familiar, then the sight of Scott McTominay and Fred in midfield as United laboured against Graham Potter's superbly drilled side was verging on deja vu.

United had been shambolic in their 4-0 loss at Brighton in May and, even with debuts for defender Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Christian Eriksen, little felt new or changed about the performance.

Brighton took the lead on the half-hour with Leandro Trossard finding former United forward Danny Welbeck who squared the ball to the back post for Gross to slot home.

Nine minutes later, Gross doubled the lead, with his sixth career goal against United, after David De Gea had poorly pushed out a Solly March drive right into the path of the German who again made no mistake.

Ten Hag introduced Cristiano Ronaldo in the 53rd minute and the Portugal forward, who is reported to want to leave the club, provided the spark for United's attempted comeback.

The home side gave themselves a foothold in the 68th minute when a goalmouth scramble ended with Alexis Mac Allister turning the ball into his own net but Brighton held on for a second straight win against United and their first ever at Old Trafford.

Brentford rally to draw at Leicester

IMAGE: Josh Dasilva celebrates after scoring the second goal for Brentford against Leicester City. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Substitute Josh Dasilva scored a superb equaliser with four minutes remaining as Brentford came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Leicester City in their Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Dasilva went on a mazy run on the edge of the box before curling a shot into the far corner, a goal of real quality to give Brentford a point they deserved for their second-half display.

Timothy Castagne and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had scored in either half to put Leicester into a dominant position early in the second period, but Ivan Toney netted to halve the deficit and swing the momentum in Brentford's favour.

It was the first time since 2003 that Leicester had failed to win a Premier League home game having been two goals ahead.

"Clearly disappointed not to win the game, having played well for 65 minutes," Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers told BBC Sport.

"Everything had what we wanted but then we lost too many balls, gave the ball away too easy and then we got loose in our organisation.

"It's first game of the season and there was a bit of fatigue kicking in. I think what happens is when you tire a bit, you suffer technically.

"They're a tough opponent. They showed last season that they're a dangerous team to play against."

Leicester went ahead just past the half-hour mark as James Maddison swung in a corner and Castagne headed in at the near post, totally unmarked with no Brentford player tracking his movement.

Youri Tielemans hit the frame of the goal with a shot from 25 metres, before Leicester doubled their advantage straight after halftime.

A poor touch from Brentford defender Ben Mee allowed Jamie Vardy to tee up Dewsbury-Hall to fire a low shot from 30 metres into the bottom corner of the net.

Brentford were much improved in the second period though and scored an excellent goal on 62 minutes as Rico Henry’s pinpoint pass into the box was controlled by Toney, who blasted the ball past home goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Leicester hit the post for a second time through Wesley Fofana’s header, before Dasilva produced his moment of magic to get Brentford a point.

Leicester travel to Arsenal in their next fixture on Saturday, while Brentford will host Manchester United later on the same day.

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Source: REUTERS
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