Connect with us

Sports

Pacquiao takes on poverty as Marcos’ anti-poverty chief

Published

on


Boxing great Manny Pacquiao spent decades fighting opponents in the ring. Now, the Filipino sports icon is taking on a different and more enduring adversary: poverty.

Pacquiao joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet on Tuesday as head of the government’s anti-poverty agency, pledging to help Filipinos struggling with hardships he knows from personal experience.

The 47-year-old former senator was appointed lead convener of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, marking his first Cabinet post after a long political career that included service in Congress and the Senate.

His political journey has also included an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2022 and a failed attempt to return to the Senate in 2025 as part of a Marcos-backed ticket.

As NAPC chief, Pacquiao will coordinate government efforts to reduce poverty, an issue he said he understands firsthand.

“I came from poverty. I experienced sleeping on cardboard on the streets, drinking only water, having nothing to eat and saving loose coins just to help my family,” Pacquiao said in a statement.

Pacquiao, who grew up in poverty, worked as a ship stowaway and fought on the streets as a boy, earning $2 per fight. His net worth was estimated at $220 million last year, according to Sports Illustrated.

He takes over the anti-poverty agency as the Marcos administration seeks to reduce the poverty rate to 8% to 9% by 2028. Government data showed the rate fell to 9.7% in 2025, equivalent to about 11.08 million Filipinos living below the poverty line.

The only boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions, Pacquiao remains one of the Philippines’ most revered sporting figures. His biggest fights have drawn everyone from presidents and Hollywood stars to ordinary Filipinos, often bringing the nation of 119 million people to a standstill.

The southpaw retired in 2021 but returned to the ring in July 2025 to face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Barcelona launch 6th Champions League title bid against Feyenoord

Published

on


Barcelona open their 2026-27 Champions League campaign Wednesday against Feyenoord at the Olympic Stadium, beginning another attempt to reclaim the European crown they last won more than a decade ago.

Hansi Flick’s side have made a perfect start to the domestic season, winning their first four La Liga matches against Elche, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia while scoring 17 goals.

They enter the Champions League opener at the top of the Spanish league and with confidence building around a team that has made no secret of its ambitions in Europe.

Barcelona’s fifth and most recent European Cup triumph came in 2015, when they beat Juventus in the final. Their wait for another title has since grown longer, with the Catalan club suffering a quarterfinal exit to Atletico Madrid last season after reaching the semifinals the year before.

The defensive problems that contributed to their 2024-25 semifinal elimination remain one of the biggest questions surrounding Barcelona. Their attacking quality, however, is difficult to overlook, and Flick has several players competing for starting places as he looks to give his team the strongest possible start to their European campaign.

Barcelona and Feyenoord have met only twice, with both encounters coming in the last 16 of the 1974-75 European Cup. Barcelona won 3-0 on aggregate.

Feyenoord arrive in Spain knowing they face one of the toughest assignments in the opening round, but their early-season form offers some encouragement.

The Dutch side have gone unbeaten through their first five matches, winning three, and head into Wednesday’s game after a 3-1 victory over Nijmegen. They have also not lost in any competition, including friendlies, since the start of March.

Feyenoord have their own history of success in Europe’s premier club competition. They became the first Dutch club to win the European Cup in 1970, beating Celtic 2-1 in the final. Ove Kindvall scored the winning goal in extra time, while Ruud Geels and Kindvall were among Feyenoord’s leading scorers during their memorable run.

Their recent European record has been less impressive. Feyenoord failed to advance from the Europa League league phase last season after also falling in the Champions League third qualifying round. Their most recent appearance in the Champions League league stage came in 2024-25, when they advanced to the round of 16 before Inter Milan eliminated them 4-1 on aggregate.

Barcelona will be without Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji, both sidelined with knee injuries, while Eric Garcia is suspended.

Jesse Bisiwu is a doubt after suffering a contusion, although his return to training gives Flick some hope of having him available.

Flick also faces several selection decisions because of the depth and form within his squad. Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi are among those pushing for starting roles, although all three could begin on the bench.

Garcia’s suspension is expected to give Jules Kounde an opportunity at right-back. Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Fermin Lopez could also operate behind Raphinha as Barcelona look to use their attacking depth to put Feyenoord under pressure.

Feyenoord have several absentees of their own. Thomas Beelen is out with a broken leg, while Bart Nieuwkoop, Gjis Smal, Jakub Moder and Jordan Bos are also unavailable because of injuries.

One of their biggest threats will be Gjivai Zechiel, who has made an impressive start to the season with four goals and three assists in five appearances. He is expected to retain his place in central midfield.

Luciano Valente has also contributed three goals in five appearances and is in contention to start, while Nacho Ferri could lead the attack.

Shaqueel van Persie, the son of former Netherlands and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, is expected to begin among the substitutes.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Galatasaray look to overcome poor European away form at Sporting

Published

on


Galatasaray begin their UEFA Champions League campaign Wednesday against Sporting at José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, with the Turkish champions looking to build on last season’s run while trying to overcome a difficult recent record away from home in Europe.

Galatasaray earned direct entry after winning the 2025-26 Süper Lig title, their fourth consecutive championship.

They are appearing in the competition for the 19th time and will play in the 36-team league phase for the second straight season.

Sporting are also unbeaten this season and have home advantage, along with a strong record against Turkish opposition.

Another step forward

Galatasaray reached the Champions League round of 16 last season after collecting 10 points from eight league-phase matches against Eintracht Frankfurt, Liverpool, Bodø/Glimt, Ajax, Union Saint-Gilloise, Monaco, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

They then eliminated Juventus in the knockout playoff before losing to Liverpool in the round of 16.

Coach Okan Buruk’s team will hope to go further this season, but their European away record offers cause for concern. Galatasaray have won only one of their last 15 European away matches, a 3-0 victory over Ajax last season. They have drawn three and lost 11 during that stretch.

Their record against Portuguese clubs is also unfavorable. Galatasaray have faced Benfica, Porto and Braga nine times in UEFA competition, winning three, drawing one and losing five. They are winless in their last five meetings with Portuguese opposition, losing four.

Sporting have won five of their last six matches against Turkish clubs, including their last three.

Unbeaten start, but defensive concerns

Galatasaray have collected 10 points from their first four Süper Lig matches this season. They drew with Arca Çorum FK before beating Erzurumspor FK, Göztepe and Başakşehir, including a 3-2 victory away to Başakşehir in their latest match.

The results have put Galatasaray at the top of the league, but their defense has been vulnerable. They have conceded twice in three of their four matches, with set pieces a particular concern.

That could be costly against a Sporting side that has scored 14 goals in five league matches.

Osimhen among Galatasaray absentees

Galatasaray will be without several key players. Victor Osimhen is expected to miss the match with an adductor injury, while Mario Lemina and Wilfried Singo are also sidelined. Goalkeeper Günay Güvenç is expected to miss out because of a muscle problem.

Osimhen’s absence is especially significant. The Nigeria international has scored six goals in four league appearances, accounting for half of Galatasaray’s 12 goals.

Gabriel Sara and Lucas Torreira will be among those expected to provide more attacking production.

New signing El Chadaille Bitshiabu could make his Galatasaray debut after joining from RB Leipzig on loan. The 21-year-old defender began training with the team Sept. 5 and could provide an option in central defense with Lemina unavailable.

Leao faces his former club

Rafael Leao could make his return to Sporting, where he began his professional career.

The Portuguese forward joined Sporting’s academy in 2012 and reached the first team during the 2017-18 season, making five appearances and scoring twice. He moved to Lille in 2018 before later establishing himself at AC Milan.

Leão’s younger brother, Paulo Simao, remains with Sporting’s under-23 team.

Sporting enter in strong form

Sporting opened their Primeira Liga campaign with a 2-2 draw against Estrela Amadora but have since won four straight matches.

They beat Rio Ave 4-0 before defeating Nacional 2-0 at home, recording consecutive clean sheets. Sporting have scored at least twice in four of their five league matches and sit second with 13 points.

Luis Suarez leads their scoring with four league goals, while Flavio Gonçalves has three and Fotis Ioannidis has two.

Coach Rui Borges also has several promising young players at his disposal, including Gonçalo Inácio, Zeno Debast, Eduardo Quaresma, Maxi Araujo, Sergi Altimira and Rodrigo Zalazar.

Sporting reached the Champions League quarterfinals last season. They won five of eight league-phase matches to finish seventh, advanced directly to the round of 16 and eliminated Bodo/Glimt before losing to Arsenal in the quarterfinals.

First European meeting

Galatasaray and Sporting have never previously met in UEFA competition.

Sporting have faced Kocaelispor, Gençlerbirliği, Beşiktaş and Başakşehir 10 times, winning five, drawing three and losing two.

Sporting will become Galatasaray’s 114th different European opponent and their 341st European match. Galatasaray have won 121 of their previous 340 continental games, drawn 90 and lost 129, scoring 468 goals and conceding 518.

Galatasaray have also played 134 Champions League matches, winning 34, drawing 32 and losing 68.

Difficult Champions League starts

Galatasaray have won only one of their last 10 Champions League opening matches, drawing four and losing five. Their lone victory came in 2018-19, when they beat Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0.

They have also won only seven of their last 30 Champions League group or league-phase matches, alongside six draws and 17 defeats.

Despite those struggles, Galatasaray remain Türkiye’s most successful club in European competition. They won the UEFA Cup in 2000 by beating Arsenal in the final and followed it with the UEFA Süper Cup victory over Real Madrid.

They have also reached the European Cup semifinals once and the Champions League quarterfinals three times.

Galatasaray have scored in each of their last 39 European matches, with their last scoreless game coming in a 0-0 draw against Barcelona in the 2021-22 Europa League.

Buruk has overseen 38 European matches as Galatasaray coach, recording 15 wins, nine draws and 14 defeats.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Sultans of Net rally past Italy to retain European volleyball title

Published

on


Türkiye rallied from two sets down to beat Italy 3-2 in a dramatic final in Istanbul on Sunday, successfully defending their European women’s volleyball championship and securing a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Playing before a packed crowd at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, the Turkish women overcame Italy in a thrilling five-set final to claim their second consecutive European title and their second championship overall.

The victory capped a dominant 2026 campaign for the defending champions, who also secured the European crown on home soil after a tournament filled with tense matches and strong performances.

Türkiye reached the final for the fourth time in European Championship history. They finished second in Group A behind Poland with four victories and one loss, defeating Latvia, Slovenia, Hungary and Germany while falling to Poland.

The team then moved through the knockout stage without dropping a set against Azerbaijan, beating them 3-0 in the round of 16. Germany were next, with Türkiye winning 3-1 in the quarterfinals before sweeping Serbia 3-0 in the semifinals.

Türkiye's Melissa Teresa Vargas (2nd R) celebrates after winning a point during the Women's European Volleyball Championship EuroVolley final match against Italy at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, Istanbul, Türkiye, Sept. 6, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Türkiye’s Melissa Teresa Vargas (2nd R) celebrates after winning a point during the Women’s European Volleyball Championship EuroVolley final match against Italy at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, Istanbul, Türkiye, Sept. 6, 2026. (AFP Photo)

That set up a final against Italy, and the match lived up to its billing as one of the tournament’s most closely contested encounters.

Daniele Santarelli’s team ultimately prevailed 3-2 to retain the title and add another major trophy to a golden period for Turkish volleyball.

Back-to-back European champions

The championship marked Türkiye’s second straight European title.

The Turkish women won their first European Championship in 2023 and returned to the final this year as defending champions. Their previous appearances in the title match came in 2003 and 2019, when they finished with silver medals.

They also won bronze in 2011, 2017 and 2021.

The latest triumph further strengthened Türkiye’s status as one of the leading powers in international women’s volleyball.

Vargas leads individual honors

Türkiye dominated the tournament’s individual awards after their championship victory.

Melissa Vargas was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and also earned the award for best opposite hitter.

Türkiye's Melissa Teresa Vargas (C) celebrates after winning a point during the Women's European Volleyball Championship EuroVolley final match against Italy at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, Istanbul, Türkiye, Sept. 6, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Türkiye’s Melissa Teresa Vargas (C) celebrates after winning a point during the Women’s European Volleyball Championship EuroVolley final match against Italy at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, Istanbul, Türkiye, Sept. 6, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Derya Cebecioğlu was selected as one of the best outside hitters alongside Italy’s Myriam Sylla, while Zehra Güneş was named one of the tournament’s best middle blockers alongside Hena Kurtagic.

Gizem Örge was selected as the best libero, while Elif Şahin was praised for her contribution as the team’s setter.

Santarelli also received the award for best coach after guiding Türkiye to another European title.

Bak praises team’s comeback

Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak watched the final from courtside alongside Istanbul Gov. Davut Gül and Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) President Mehmet Akif Üstündağ.

Turkish women's volleyball team and Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak (C) celebrate winning the Women's European Volleyball Championship EuroVolley final match against Italy at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, Istanbul, Türkiye, Sept. 6, 2026. (IHA Photo)

Turkish women’s volleyball team and Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak (C) celebrate winning the Women’s European Volleyball Championship EuroVolley final match against Italy at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, Istanbul, Türkiye, Sept. 6, 2026. (IHA Photo)

Bak praised the team’s resilience after they fell behind twice in the final.

“We fell behind twice but knew how to win,” Bak said after the match. “We Turks have a saying: ‘It isn’t over until we say it is over.’ They put up a tremendous fight.”

Bak said the victory had given millions of Turkish fans another reason to celebrate and praised the atmosphere inside the arena.

He said about 17,000 spectators attended the final, describing the crowd as a record and saying CEV officials had told him they had never witnessed an atmosphere like it.

Bak also credited investments in volleyball and sports facilities across Türkiye, while praising the Turkish Volleyball Federation, coaching staff and players for their roles in the championship.

He singled out Vargas, Güneş, Şahin, captain Eda Erdem and Hande Baladın for their performances.

“Vargas being named the MVP is very important,” Bak said. “Zehra, Elif Şahin, our captain despite her age, Hande Baladın and all the other players made tremendous contributions.”

Bak also said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the team to congratulate them after the victory.

“Türkiye is a volleyball country,” Bak said. “We are proving that with our results.”

Fans celebrate across Türkiye

The championship sparked celebrations well beyond the Istanbul arena.

In Istanbul’s Kartal district, hundreds of fans gathered at Neyzen Tevfik Square to watch the final on a giant screen. Supporters waved Turkish flags, sang songs and cheered after every point as Türkiye battled Italy.

Similar scenes unfolded in Mersin, where hundreds of fans watched the final on a giant screen set up near the marina.

The crowd celebrated together after Türkiye completed their comeback, turning the waterfront into a celebration of the team’s latest international success.

“We held our breath watching the women’s success on the coast and celebrated the championship shoulder to shoulder,” Mersin officials said.

The celebrations reflected the growing popularity of women’s volleyball in Türkiye, where the national team has become one of the country’s most successful and closely followed sporting sides.

A bridge becomes a volleyball net

The team’s European triumph was also celebrated with a special visual display on Istanbul’s 15 July Martyrs Bridge.

Adidas, a sponsor of the Turkish national volleyball teams, released a CGI film depicting the iconic bridge transforming into a giant volleyball net.

A huge volleyball appeared in the sky and crossed the net, referencing the point that secured the championship. The film then showed the entire Turkish team alongside the message, “Congratulations, Filenin Sultanları.”

The European title also delivered another major reward for Türkiye: a direct place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The qualification means the Turkish women will compete at their fourth consecutive Olympic Games and their third in a row.

Türkiye previously competed at London 2012, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Infantino to seek FIFA re-election despite World Cup plan failure

Published

on


FIFA President Gianni Infantino will seek re-election despite growing calls for him to step down as head of world football’s governing body.

Infantino has come under increasing pressure following a controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup, which sparked a fierce backlash.

FIFA confirmed Sunday that Infantino intends to run in next year’s presidential election for a final term that would keep him in office through 2031.

“The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr. Infantino will be standing for re-election,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

Candidates have until Nov. 18 to enter the presidential race, exactly four months before the election.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, has led calls for Infantino to step down, saying it had lost confidence in him and previously threatening to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.

A number of national associations, including the English Football Association, have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election.

On Saturday, Infantino refused to comment on his future when he arrived for the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” he told Sky News.

FIFA apologized for errors in its controversial plan to sell future World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary and committed to “ensure they do not happen again.”

But that has not been enough to ease the pressure on Infantino.

UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Swiss courts over possible financial mismanagement related to his now-abandoned plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham added his weight to the debate last month, saying Infantino was not the right man to lead world football’s governing body.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Mourinho begins Madrid’s Champions League mission against Inter

Published

on


Jose Mourinho begins his latest Champions League campaign with Real Madrid against a familiar opponent Tuesday as Inter Milan visit the Santiago Bernabeu, 16 years after the Portuguese coach guided the Nerazzurri to European glory.

The meeting brings together two of Europe’s biggest clubs, both looking to rebound from disappointing Champions League campaigns last season.

Real Madrid were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, while Inter suffered a stunning playoff exit against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

For Mourinho, the occasion carries added significance. He returns to the competition with a club chasing a record-extending 16th European Cup, while facing the team he led to the Champions League title in 2010.

Real’s pursuit of another European crown has become more urgent after Paris Saint-Germain claimed the title last season. They have also been eliminated in the quarterfinals in each of the past two editions, leaving them determined to make a deeper run this time.

The path will not be easy.

Real face a demanding league-phase schedule that includes Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk, with the latter matchup taking place at Mourinho’s former home, Stamford Bridge.

History suggests Real should be comfortable getting their European campaign off to a fast start. They have won 17 of their last 19 Champions League opening-day matches, including each of their last five. Their most recent defeat came against Shakhtar in 2020.

Mourinho’s side also began the domestic season strongly, winning their first three La Liga matches against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Malaga. But concerns over their consistency surfaced again Friday when they lost 1-0 to Real Betis.

Kylian Mbappe’s missed penalty added to a frustrating night for Real, whose performance was criticized as overly selfish.

Inter arrive in Madrid with their own point to prove.

The Italian club have come closer than Real to winning Europe’s premier competition since Real’s 2024 triumph, reaching the final twice in their last four Champions League campaigns. But they remain unable to reproduce the success of Mourinho’s historic 2009-10 team.

Inter’s recent European record has also included some painful setbacks. They could take pride in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the 2023 final, but two years later they suffered a heavy 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain before being stunned by Bodo/Glimt in last season’s playoffs.

Cristian Chivu was in charge for that 5-2 aggregate defeat, but his team responded domestically by winning both Serie A and the Coppa Italia, completing the club’s first league and cup double since Mourinho’s celebrated 2009-10 campaign.

Inter have also made another strong start to their title defense, winning all three of their Serie A matches against Monza, Cagliari and Napoli.

The victory over Napoli was particularly dramatic. Inter surrendered a two-goal lead before Lautaro Martinez scored in stoppage time to complete a 3-2 comeback.

Yet one statistic continues to work against them ahead of their trip to Madrid.

Inter have not beaten Real since 1998 and have lost their last four meetings. They have also failed to score in each of their last three defeats against Los Blancos.

Real will have to cope with a lengthy list of absences.

Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva are suspended, while Aurelien Tchouameni is a major doubt because of muscular discomfort. His potential absence could force Jude Bellingham into a deeper midfield role alongside Federico Valverde.

Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Thiago Pitarch are also unavailable, while Raul Asencio, Endrick and Marc Cucurella face fitness checks.

Inter, by comparison, have a much healthier squad. New signing Djed Spence is the only notable concern as he continues to rebuild his fitness following an unspecified injury.

Chivu could also make changes after his substitutes helped transform the match against Napoli.

Curtis Jones impressed after coming off the bench and has received praise from the Italian media, raising the possibility that he could replace Petar Sucic in the starting lineup.

Marcus Thuram is another candidate for a starting role after scoring Inter’s equalizer against Napoli, potentially pushing Pio Esposito to the bench. Hakan Calhanoglu could also return to the XI at the expense of Piotr Zielinski.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Haaland defends Man City’s 100% record, Hull hold Aston Villa

Published

on


Manchester City maintained its perfect Premier League start with a hard-fought 1-0 win over promoted Coventry City on Saturday, but the narrow victory highlighted how much work remains after the club’s 450 million pound ($608.45 million) rebuild.

A third successive win was sealed in familiar fashion by Erling Haaland, with a little help from British-record-equaling signing ⁠Enzo Fernandez on his debut but City were made to sweat by ⁠a Coventry side still seeking a first point.

Crystal Palace earned their first league victory of the campaign as they twice came from a goal down to prevail 3-2 at Fulham, while four other games ended all square.

Newcastle United recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at home ​to Bournemouth who scored first for the third game in a row but are still without a victory.

Tottenham Hotspur ​picked ⁠up their first point of the season but failed to have a shot on target in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest who had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball.

Brighton & Hove Albion drew 1-1 at home to Leeds United, Brentford versus Sunderland also finished 1-1, while promoted Hull City held visitors Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw.

After Manchester City’s eye-watering splurge continued until Tuesday with the arrival of Argentina midfielder Fernandez from Chelsea and Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, Coventry may have feared the worst at The Etihad Stadium.

Maresca handed debuts to Fernandez and fellow deadline-day signing Ndiaye, while midfielder Elliott Anderson, whose club-record 115-million-pound arrival was surpassed by Fernandez, was also in the starting lineup.

Fernandez played a key role in Haaland’s 26th-minute opener, sliding a pass through for Antoine Semenyo, whose cross the Norway striker headed in. Haaland’s strike was his 300th goal in all competitions in his top-flight club career.

Haaland also had a goal ruled out but it was Coventry who finished strongly and an equalizer would not have flattered Frank Lampard’s side, who forced City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into a string of saves.

City completed 803 ⁠passes to ⁠Coventry’s 217 but there was some relief at the final whistle, although Enzo Maresca was happy enough with the nature of the performance.

“I really liked today for different reasons. First half we could have scored one or two more but we worked together to win so I am happy,” the Italian said.

“Anxiety from the fans is normal. Nine out of 10 of these games you end with a bad feeling but it’s important to win 1-0. Not all the performances are going to be nice, you also need ugly moments.”

City lead the table with nine points. Champions Arsenal and Chelsea, the other teams with a 100% record, meet Sunday at The Emirates Stadium.

Hull dropped their first points in an impressive start to life back in the top flight but have yet to concede a goal, while Villa’s struggles persisted as Unai Emery’s side still search for a first goal and have one point from three matches.

Craven Cottage entertainment

Coventry and Fulham remain without a point after three games, while Villa will hope to get their tally up and running when they travel to surprise package Hull.

The day’s real entertainment happened at Craven Cottage where Fulham’s new manager Alvaro Arbeloa suffered his third successive defeat as Ben Chilwell scored the winner for Palace.

Josh King put Fulham ahead after 11 minutes but Tyrick Mitchell ​leveled for the visitors before Cesar Palacios tucked in a rebound to restore the home side’s lead.

Mitchell equalized again for Pierre Sage’s side before Chilwell, who joined ​on a free transfer, latched onto a loose ball to drive home the winner in the 77th minute.

“It’s a good result but we have to be honest, our start has not been of the level expected. We did better with mentality in the second half,” Sage said.

Bournemouth made Premier League ⁠history by becoming the ‌first club to ‌score first in their opening three games of a season without winning any of them.

Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth an ⁠early lead before a Malick Thiaw own goal made it 2-0 after 35 minutes.

Harvey Barnes pulled ‌a goal back before halftime and Jacob Ramsey earned Newcastle a point with a late strike to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

“Two times already in the last two games, but it is what ​it is,” Bournemouth manager Marco Rose said. “It’s good that ⁠we are in situations to be able to win games … We have to talk about the negatives, get better and ⁠try to finish the games.”

Vitaly Janelt put Brentford ahead against the run of play just before the hour mark against Sunderland but Enzo le Fee’s late penalty ⁠earned the visitors a point. Brighton’s record ​signing Luka Vuskovic scored his side’s equalizer against Leeds.

Tottenham are yet to score in the league this season but at least emerged with a point from the City Ground, although Forest were left frustrated after Neco Williams’ second-half effort was ruled out for handball after some chaotic Spurs defending.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending