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    Man Utd fans baffled by Uefa’s explanation for Marcus Rashford’s red card against Copenhagen

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left baffled by Uefa’s explanation of Marcus Rashford’s red card against Copenhagen.The Red Devils led 2-0 in Denmark, before the match turned on Rashford’s 42nd minute sending off.
    Marcus Rashford was sent off for a challenge on Elias JelertCredit: TNT SPORTS
    Uefa’s explanation confused fans

    The Man Utd forward was dismissed after catching Copenhagen defender Elias Jelert on the ankle with his studs.
    Rashford’s red proved to be controversial, with TNT Sports pundits Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes claiming the referee got it wrong, despite consulting the pitchside screen
    Adding to the confusion, Uefa provided a different explanation altogether.
    On their match blog, they wrote: “The forward is dismissed for catching Jelert with his arm.”
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    Fans were left bemused by this development.
    One called the decision “laughable”.
    While a second asked: “Wait, what?!”
    A third cried: “So basically making it up.”
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    Fans were left confused by Uefa’s explanation

    And another added: “Even Uefa struggling to understand the decision!!!”
    Uefa later edited their blog post, changing it to: “The forward is dismissed after catching Jelert.”
    The match hinged on the controversial decision, which enraged pundits.
    Asked if it was correct call, Hargreaves said: “No, not in a million years. Marcus is just trying to put his leg in front of the ball.
    “He’s not even looking at the ball. When you see a still as a referee, it looks horrendous. It’s not malicious, it’s not serious foul play.”
    Scholes then added: “I think that’s where the understanding of the referee has to come into it. It’s an accident.
    “He’s trying to plant his foot and protect the ball.”
    Ian Wright tweeted: “No chance that’s a red for Rashford.”
    No way is that a red card for Rashford!Jamie Carragher
    While Jamie Carragher wrote on social media: “No way is that a red card for Rashford!
    “Hate these slow motion replays & still images that make everything look 10 times worse.”
    Erik ten Hag’s side had led 2-0 courtesy of Rasmus Hojlund’s double.
    Following Rashford’s sending off, however, Copenhagen were level by half-time thanks to goals by Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves.
    Bruno Fernandes’ penalty later restored ten-man United’s lead.
    But late goals by Lukas Lerager and Roony Bardghji consigned the Red Devils to defeat.
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    Man Utd are now bottom of their Champions League group.
    And should they lose at Galatasaray next time out, they will be eliminated with a game to spare.
    Rashford was shown a straight red cardCredit: TNT SPORTS More

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    Arsenal ratings: Bukayo Saka runs the show with a goal and assist but Ben White lacks urgency

    BUKAYO SAKA ran the show as Arsenal beat Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday night.The England star grabbed a goal and an assist as Mikel Arteta’s side cruised to a 2-0 victory over their Spanish opponents.
    Bukayo Saka stole the show with a goal and assist against SevillaCredit: Reuters
    Ben White lacked urgency during a comfortable Gunners winCredit: EPA

    Arsenal are now on the brink of qualification for the last 16 with two group stage matches remaining.
    Although there was a blow as Saka hobbled off injured, whilst Ben White also lacked urgency in North London.
    Here is how SunSport’s Isabelle Barker rated the performances of the Arsenal players at the Emirates Stadium.
    David Raya – 7
    The Spanish stopper didn’t have much to do in either half but was calm and composed throughout.
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    He mopped up the damage when Mariano Diaz nearly set up a goal for the visitors in the second-half.
    Ben White – 6
    He sometimes lacked urgency and pressure on the ball. There was lots of overlapping with no real end product.
    There were social media shouts for him to be hauled off at half-time instead of Tomiyasu.
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    William Saliba – 8
    A brilliant performance at centre-back to show why he is currently one of the best defenders in not only the Premier League but also Europe.
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    He produced a jaw-dropping tackle by sliding in to take the ball off Adria Pedrosa who was bursting towards goal. It was a crucial tackle to stifle one of the only glimpses of the visitors’ attacking threat.
    Gabriel – 7
    The defender headed wide a free header from Saka’s corner – wasting a peach of a chance for the Gunners early on. Solid defensively though. 
    Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6
    Japan’s Tomiyasu was solid before coming off at half-time for Zinchenko but did give the ball away sloppily before the break. 
    Declan Rice – 8
    Ex-West Ham Rice looked every inch of the £105million player that Arsenal bought him for. He rarely puts a foot wrong and is so influential in midfield. 
    Jorginho – 8
    The Italian midfielder produced a beautiful through ball to unlock the Sevilla defence to reach Saka for the opener.
    Without that peach of a pass the Gunners wouldn’t have broken the deadlock. 

    Mikel Arteta’s side are on the verge of advancing in the Champions LeagueCredit: PA
    Kai Havertz – 6
    Once again Havertz missed an absolute sitter with a header three yards from goal less than a minute in. It proved once again that he isn’t clinical enough. 
    Bukayo Saka – 10
    Take a bow Saka. It was no surprise when he assisted Trossard’s opener with a cracking pass given that he was the beating heart of nearly every promising Gunners attack tonight.
    He produced an inch-perfect free-kick delivery early on but no one could make the crucial touch and constantly made a nuisance of himself throughout.
    Clearly he and Trossard are a match made in heaven, with the winger assisting all five of the Belgian’s goals this season.
    Made it 2-0 with a blistering run, cut back and redhot finish for his 44th Gunners goal at just 22-years-old. 

    Leandro Trossard opened the scoring on Wednesday nightCredit: EPA
    Gabriel Martinelli – 9
    Martinelli’s driving runs down the left wreaked havoc for Sevilla and he had Juanlu on toast, running him ragged. He even ran around him twice at one point.
    Sadly there was no Gunners striker to bury the many chances he created but he did produce a lovely link up with Saka for the second goal. 
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    Leandro Trossard – 9
    Buried a tap-in for the opener with an ice-cool finish to make it five goals across all competitions this season. Lively after the break too. 
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    Oleksandr Zinchenko – 8
    Injected pace and creativity when he came on and nearly made it 3-0 with a rasping Volley on 65 minutes. 
    Reiss Nelson – 6
    Jakub Kiwior – 6
    Fabio Vieira – 6
    Mohamed Elneny – 6 More

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    Copenhagen 4 Man Utd 3 LIVE RESULT: United lose choatic Champions League match which saw Rashford sent off

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S Champions League hopes hang by a thread after a chaotic loss in Copenhagen.Rasmus Hojlund’s double put United in a commanding position until Marcus Rashford was controversially sent off for a studded challenge.
    The hosts then pulled equalised with a quick-fire double before Fernandes put the visitors ahead with a superb penalty.
    But in a huge twist of events, Lerager Copenhagen level again and Roony Bardghji got the winner.

    RESULT: Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd
    Live stream: discovery+
    TV channel: TNT Sports 1
    Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Ankersen, Vavro, Diks, Jelert; Lerager, Falk, Goncalves; Elyounoussi, Claesson, Achouri
    Man Utd XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

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    Follow ALL the action from Parken Stadium with our live blog below…
    That’s all from Copenhagen
    After the relief and revelry of Saturday’s win at Fulham, it was back down to earth with a bump for Manchester United as they crashed to a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen in the Champions League.
    In truth, Erik ten Hag’s team played well for long periods in the Danish capital, but threw away 2-0 and 3-2 leads, both after Marcus Rashford has been sent off at the end of the first half.
    So, just like in the Premier League, it means that United have plenty of work to do in order to challenge at the right end of the table, and a lot fewer games in which to do it.
    It will be win or bust when they go to Galatasaray at the end of the month, but hey, there’s always the FA Cup.
    Thanks for joining us, and goodnight.
    Rash challenge or wrong decision?
    Debate continues to rage post-match regarding the decision to send Marcus Rashford off in the 42nd-minute of Manchester United’s 4-3 defeat at FC Copenhagen.
    Back in the team after missing Saturday’s win at Fulham with a knock, the forward was dismissed for a lunge on Elias Jelert after referee Donatas Rumsas was sent to the pitchside monitor.
    It was only Rashford’s second red card in 374 Manchester United appearances, and his first since September 2018 when sent off against Burnley.

    Ten Hag rues referee decisions
    Erik ten Hag revealed he was very pleased with his players’ performance, but was left frustrated by what he considered to be a number of contentious refereeing decisions that went against his side.
    The Manchester United manager was particularly aggrieved by Copenhagen’s first goal – 93 seconds after Marcus Rashford’s sending off – which he felt was offside, while he also takes issue with the handball that decision that led to their penalty.
    The Dutchman also believed the game swung on the red card, a judgement that he labelled ‘very harsh’.
    I think we were very good until the red card, but the red card changes everything. It becomes a different game, but then you concede two goals that never should count and that’s very disappointing. The first goal was offside, there is a player standing in front of Andre Onana, and the second, what can you even do about that? And I think the red card was a very harsh decision, [Rashford] was going for the ball. We are dealing with many decisions against us but that’s how it is. The season is long and I’m sure it will turn in our favour.Erik ten HagTNT Sports

    Rasmus shines bright on dark night
    Manchester United may have endured another defeat, but the performance of Rasmus Hojlund will at least offer hope for the future.
    At the tender age of 20 years and 277 days, the Danish striker became the youngest player to score twice in a Champions League away match for the Old Trafford club.
    Hojlund is now United’s top scorer in all competitions this season with five goals – all five of which have come in this competition.

    Devils unable to shake losing feeling
    Saturday’s win at Fulham proved to be a false dawn as Manchester United slipped to defeat once again.
    There once was a time when such outcomes were unthinkable, but now they have become the norm.
    Among current Premier League sides, only Burnley (10) have lost more games in all competitions than United (9) this season.
    In fact, nine defeats in their opening 17 matches of a season is the most that the club has endured since nine in 1973-74 under Tommy Docherty.

    United hit rock bottom
    With ten minutes remaining this evening, Group A had a very different look about it with Manchester United sitting pretty in second.
    But now, the Red Devils find themselves at the foot of the table and staring at the prospect of any early exit.
    Defeat at Galatasaray in the next round of the games will see Erik ten Hag’s men eliminated.
    Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have already sealed their place in the Last 16 with another win courtesy of a Harry Kane double.

    Bayern Munich 2-1 Galatasaray
    Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd

    Credit: uefa.com
    Match stats from Parken Stadium
    Manchester United have lost a Champions League match in which they led by two goals for the first time.
    The Red Devils survived Copenhagen’s 16 shots at Old Trafford two weeks ago and came out of the game with a win and a clean sheet.
    Copenhagen had 16 shots again tonight. This time United conceded four and lost.

    Full time – Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd
    What a night.
    Erik ten Hag heads straight down the tunnel as his players stay out on the pitch, completely bemused as to how they’ve lost in the Danish capital.
    Two-nil up, and then 3-2 up, the Premier League side crumbled under pressure, twice conceding two goals in quick succession.
    The sending off of Marcus Rashford didn’t help matters, of course, but this is another United performance that has brought about more questions than answers for the Old Trafford faithful.

    Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd
    90+4. Grabara takes two attempts to leap upon a Fernandes long-range effort, and that should be that.
    The Parken Stadium holds its breath and waits for the referee’s final whistle…
    Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd
    90+2. Stunning effort from Maguire! Off the crossbar!
    The United defender does brilliantly to win an aerial duel with Diks, and then responds to the bouncing ball by arrowing the most powerful half-volleys down the centre of Grabara’s goal.
    The Copenhagen goalkeeper has no chance of getting a hand to it – he’d be daft to even try – but he’s saved by the frame of his own goal.
    After all that, it turns out the referee had penalised Maguire for his jump.
    Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd
    90. The fourth official has signalled that there will be five minutes of time added on.
    Five minutes for Manchester United to save themselves.
    Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd
    89. The Parken Stadium is bouncing!
    On the touchline, Erik ten Hag stands stony-faced.
    As it stands, Manchester United are heading to the bottom of Group A, and who knows what the implications of that will be for the Dutchman.
    Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd
    87. The seventeen-year-old has done it!
    Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane try to play out from defence, but in the face of immense Copenhagen intensity, immediately give up possession.
    And when a quick cross back into the penalty area from the left is only half-dealt with by the recovering United centre-backs, there is Roony Bardghji.
    Cool and composed, the teenage substitute arrows his left-footed half-volley powerfully into the ground, and up beyond Andre Onana in the United goal.
    Cue wild scenes of celebration at the Parken Stadium, and, not for the first time, the name ‘Roony’ is being chanted at a Manchester United Champions League game.

    Teenage kicks!

    Copenhagen 3-3 Man Utd
    85. Seventeen-year-old Roony Bardghji is causing chaos for the Manchester United defence.
    He looks a real talent, and it’s all Copenhagen right now.
    Copenhagen 3-3 Man Utd
    83. With seven minutes remaining, Manchester United’s defence has finally been undone in this second half.
    The spotlight will be shone upon Diogo Dalot, who completely switched off and allowed Lukas Lerager to steal in at the back post and convert Rasmus Falk’s hopeful cross from the left.
    There’s little time for celebration too with the hosts rushing back to their own half. They believe they can still win this.

    Level again!

    Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd
    81. Harry Maguire bundles the ball into the back of the net from a corner, but the whistle had long gone for a foul by the United defender.
    Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd
    79. A chance for McTominay to seal it on the break, but the midfielder spoons his strike from Fernandes’ awkward pass high into the stands.
    Still, if he was wearing a Scotland shirt, he would have buried that.
    Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd – Copenhagen substitution
    77. Redemption time? After his penalty miss two weeks ago, Jordan Larsson is on to face Manchester United again.
    Henrik Larsson’s son is joined on the pitch by Nicolai Boilesen, with the pair replacing Denis Vavro and Elias Achouri.
    Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd
    75. Do you remember Sofyan Amrabat at the World Cup? That guy who was an absolute machine in midfield for Morocco. Where’s he these days?
    This guy with the same name just doesn’t seem to be cutting it.
    Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd
    73. The wind has been knocked out of Copenhagen’s sails, but there’s still plenty of time – assuming they don’t do anything daft.
    Like committing too many men forward, and leaving gaps for Garnacho and Hojlund to exploit on the break.
    Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd
    71. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Group A, Bayern Munich have taken the lead against Galatasaray thanks to a goal from Harry Kane.
    As things stand, United will be going second in the table.
    Copenhagen 2-3 Man Utd
    69. What. A. Penalty.
    Under immense pressure, Bruno Fernandes makes it look easy.
    Giving himself the shortest of run-ups, the skipper steps up and pulls his spotkick into the top left corner as Kamil Grabara throws himself the opposite way.
    The Manchester United captain stepped up with the winning goal at Fulham on Saturday. Has he done the same here?

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    Copenhagen fans rub salt into Man Utd wounds with brilliant chant after stunning late match-winner

    COPENHAGEN fans rubbed salt into Manchester United wounds with a brilliant chant after their last-gasp winner.The Danish champions stunned the Red Devils, coming back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to secure a memorable 4-3 victory at Parken Stadium.
    Copenhagen fans brilliantly chanted after their late winnerCredit: PA
    Roony Bardghji scored in the 87th minute to seal a 4-3 victoryCredit: Rex
    And Copenhagen’s 87th-minute goal to seal all three points was scored by a 17-year-old with a very fitting name.
    Roony Bardghji kept his composure to fire the loose ball into the back of the net, giving Andre Onana no chance.
    And that prompted a superb rendition of “Roony, Roony” around the 38,000-seater stadium – in a clear and brutal jibe at United and their record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
    Rooney netted a whopping 253 times for the Red Devils during his illustrious Old Trafford career.
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    That included a hat-trick against Fenerbahce on his debut to become the club’s youngest Champions League scorer aged 18 years 11 months and four days.
    But now Roony is also the youngest player to score against United in the competition – aged 17 years and 358 days.
    Sweden Under-21 star Bardghji – who made his Copenhagen debut six days after turning 16 and already has more than 50 senior appearances – delivered the crushing sucker-punch at the end of a bonkers Champions League tie.
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    Rasmus Hojlund put United 2-0 up either side of a fan emergency and Jonny Evans’ injury.
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    Marcus Rashford saw red on 42 minutes before Copenhagen scored twice before half-time as United conceded a fourth penalty in four matches.
    Bruno Fernandes also scored from the spot before Lukas Lerager equalised and Bardghji clinched it.
    And as well as the excellent, cheeky chanting from the Copenhagen supporters – hailing their teenage hero with a not-so-subtle dig at the United legend – the goal prompted a wave of hilarious comments on social media.

    Plenty referenced Clive Tyldesley’s famous “remember the name” commentary from Rooney’s sensational goal for Everton against Arsenal aged 16.
    One said: “It just had to be a player named Roony that scores to leave Man United bottom of their Champions League group
    Another wrote: “United fans hearing that Roony has scored in the Champions League…”
    A third added: “A 17-year-old Roony breaks MUFC hearts. Couldn’t write it if you tried.”
    Football Manager, the game on which Bardghji is a popular wonderkid, typed: “Roony scoring in the UCL. We’ve never been so proud,” with a tearful emoji.
    Meanwhile, one Red Devils fan quipped: “At least that’s our next RW sorted — Ten Hag better get on the phone ASAP and bring. Roony at United, it’s just meant to be.”
    Wayne Rooney scored 253 Manchester United goals including a treble against Fenerbahce aged 18Credit: Getty
    Bardghji broke United hearts and left their Champions League dream in tattersCredit: EPA
    The Red Devils are bottom of Group A with two games remainingCredit: Rex More

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    Copenhagen 4 Man Utd 3: Ten Hag’s side throw lead away TWICE after Rashford red to go bottom of Champions League group

    HALF an hour into this ludicrous game of football, Rasmus Hojlund was haring through on goal, looking to complete a hat-trick and propel Manchester United into a 3-0 lead.Yet there is one thing we know for certain about Erik ten Hag’s team – they never, ever do things the easy way.
    Man Utd twice threw away a lead to leave their Champions League hopes in tattersCredit: Alamy
    United stars were given a fiery welcome to DenmarkCredit: Getty
    As Hojlund’s shot was saved, VAR was pulling back play to the opposite end of the field where Marcus Rashford was found guilty of a red-card challenge on Elias Jelert.
    By half-time time, FC Copenhagen had levelled at 2-2 and despite Ten Hag’s ten men rallying to lead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty, they tossed away victory in a chaotic finale, ultimately losing to a bloke called Roony.
    You honestly couldn’t make this stuff up.
    Those of us in the Press box for Tottenham’s VAR-infested 4-1 defeat by Chelsea on Monday night, might at least have expected that to be the most chaotic game we covered this week.
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    Some hope – here we had two Copenhagen comebacks, two dodgy penalties, one sending-off, one pro-Palestinian pitch invader and one lengthy delay for a medical emergency.
    And at the end of all the bedlam, United were bottom of this Champions League group, staring elimination in the face and knowing they must defeat either Galatasaray in Istanbul or Harry Kane’s rampant Bayern Munich to stand any chance of making the knock-out stage.
    The Danish fans had promised ‘Welcome to the Theatre of Nightmares’ in a giant banner unfurled before kick-off.
    And in a nation where Hans Christian Andersen used to write tall tales, few could have been as fanciful as this one.
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    It’s on topsy-turvy nights like these when you wonder why UEFA have seen fit to scrap the current group-stage and replace it with an indecipherable ‘Swiss model’ next season.
    It started with Hojlund, the Dane playing in his homeland against his former club, giving United an ideal start.
    But Rashford’s controversial red card turned the match on its head before Roony Bardghji hammered in an 87th-minute winner.
    Copenhagen did their best to concoct the intimidating atmosphere they had promised.
    Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for UnitedCredit: AFP
    The striker celebrates with his team-matesCredit: Getty
    There was a blast of the Darth Vader theme tune during the warm-up, and that ‘Nightmares’ banner as well as another with a cartoon of a sleeping red devil dreaming about United’s 1-0 defeat here in 2006.
    “What the f***ing hell is that?” responded the travelling Reds.
    In truth, Danish people are pretty much the nicest in the world and it felt like the locals were trying a little too hard.
    Ten Hag restored Rashford to his starting line-up after an ‘unacceptable’ birthday party and a ‘minor knock’.
    Hojlund scored a secondCredit: Rex
    Hojlund kisses the United badge after grabbing his secondCredit: AP
    And before the sulphur clouds from the pre-match pyros had dispersed, United were in front thanks to a sweeping move the length and breadth of the field.
    Bruno Fernandes played a Hollywood cross-field ball to Rashford, who fed Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the full-back played a cut angled pass for Scott McTominay to centre low for Hojlund to tuck home.
    Soon, the match was twice delayed – first by a pitch invader with a Palestinian flag, who was bundled away by stewards.
    And then a fan close to the halfway line was treated by paramedics before being carried away on a stretcher, apparently conscious and ‘well in the circumstances’.
    Marcus Rashford was shown redCredit: Getty
    Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one backCredit: PA
    The game was back onCredit: PA
    During that stoppage, an injured Jonny Evans was replaced by Raphael Varane.
    The second goal came courtesy of a shocking error from Copenhagen centre-half Denis Vavro allowing Fernandes to release Alejandro Garnacho, who cut in and drilled a shot which Kamil Grabara spilled, leaving Hojlund to gobble up the chance.
    Within a minute, United’s Danish centre-forward might have completed his hat-trick, but his powerful left-footed shot was brilliantly pushed over by Grabara.
    This was looking like a rare, authentic Manchester United performance but the idea that nothing can ever go smoothly for Ten Hag’s side was confirmed minutes later when Rashford saw red.
    Diogo Goncalves levelled the gameCredit: Getty
    Copenhagen were back on level termsCredit: AFP
    Rashford was turning, trying to shield the ball from Elias Jelert when he appeared to tread on his opponent’s ankle and also make contact with his elbow.
    Lithuanian referee Donastas Rumsas was sent over to his monitor by his Polish VAR and an incredulous Rashford was walking.
    Copenhagen were instantly lifted and swiftly halved the deficit.
    Peter Ankersen centred, Diogo Goncalves volleyed a pass to former Southampton man Mohamed Elyanoussi, who fired past Andre Onana.

    Bruno Fernandes put United back in frontCredit: Rex
    Fernandes led the celebrationsCredit: Getty
    After 13 minutes of first-half injury-time were announced, United made a meal of defending a routine cross, the ball cannoning off Varane’s arm and then handled by Maguire as he tried to hold off Goncalves.
    Rumsas pointed to the spot and Goncalves sent Onana the wrong way.
    Ten Hag sent on Sofyan Amrabat for Christian Eriksen and United’s luck changed midway through the second half.
    A free-kick was pumped into the box and Maguire headed into the out-stretched arm of Lukas Lerager.
    The VAR pulled play back, Rumsas awarded the spot-kick and Fernandes drilled into the roof of the net.
    But just as we readied ourselves to praise United’s resilience, Lerager made amends by beating a dozing Diogo Dalot to Rasmus Falk’s far-post cross and poking past Onana.
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    Then it got even worse for the visitors as Bardghji hammered a shot into the floor and inside the post.
    There was something rotten in the state of Denmark and it was United’s defending.
    Lukas Lerager put the game level againCredit: Getty
    Copenhagen turned the tie around againCredit: AFP
    Roony Bardghji scored a stunning winnerCredit: Getty
    The late sub wheels off in jubilationCredit: Getty
    Harry Maguire was left head in handsCredit: Getty More

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    Arsenal 2 Sevilla 0 LIVE RESULT: Trossard and Saka goals help Gunners close in on Champions League last-16 spot

    ARSENAL are one step closer to sealing a Champions League last-16 spot after a 2-0 victory against Sevilla.Leandro Trossard’s sublime team goal fired Arsenal ahead in the first half.
    And Bukayo Saka’s brilliant finish wrapped up the points in north London.

    RESULT: Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    TV channel: TNT Sport 2
    Live stream: discovery+
    Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Havertz, Jorginho, Rice; Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz. 
    Sevilla XI: Dmitrovic; Juanlu, Bade, Gudelj, Salas; Fernando Jordan,Sow; Lamela, Pedrosa, En-Nesyri. 

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    Follow ALL the action from the Emirates with our live blog below…
    Doing the simple things well
    When Arsenal brought Jorginho in from Chelsea, Mikel Arteta will have been hoping his experience could bring something to his squad.
    He has done just that and his performance tonight underpins what he offers the side.
    With Rice breaking up play and winning the ball back, he was able to link play and get his side on the front foot.

    Gunners in control of Group B
    Sitting top of the table, one point clear of both Lens and PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal are in control of their own destiny.
    They will want to finish top of the group, so as not to face another group winner in the knockout phase.
    With Lens at home and PSV Eindhoven away, Mikel Arteta will be confident that his side can do what is needed of them to win the group.
    Midfielder covers every blade of grass
    Declan Rice continues to impress in the heart of the Arsenal midfield.
    He breaks up the opponent’s play, winning the ball back for The Gunners over and over again.
    The work Rice does lets the rest of the team express themselves and turn defence into attack.

    FT: Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    Considering they were without Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus, The Gunners coped well with the losses.
    Declan Rice controlled the midfielder for Arsenal and Leandro Trossard did a good job as centre forward.
    He linked well with Bukayo Saka for the first goal, with the winger scoring the second, set up by some good play by Gabriel Martinelli.
    FT: Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    It has been a solid victory for Arsenal in Group B.
    The Gunners dominated possession from start to finish.
    Sevilla didn’t have their first shot on target until the 97th minute.

    FT: Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    The referee brings the game to a close.
    It has been a comfortable victory for The Gunners tonight.
    Just what Mikel Arteta will have wanted from his side.
    The Emirates looks like there has been a fire drill as half of the home fans are already halfway home.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    90+4. Declan Rice has put in another impressive performance tonight.
    He really does the dirty work in this Arsenal midfield.
    Sevilla win their first corner of the game in the 94th minute which sums up their attacking intent tonight.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    90+2. This will be just what Arteta wanted after the weekend.
    Aside from seeing Saka limping off, it has been a good night in the office for Arsenal.
    Saying that, Sevilla have offered so little in terms of attacking threat this evening.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    90. The ground is starting to empty out in the home ends as Arsenal fans try and beat the traffic.
    They do love leaving early The Gunners’ fans.
    You thought they would have learnt from the Chelsea game.
    We are going to have six added minutes at The Emirates.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    88. Gabriel clips the ball forward to Havertz.
    He leaves it to Viera but the flag goes up as the German came back from an offside position.
    Havertz was preventing the defender from getting to the ball before the Arsenal substitute.
    Credit: AP
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    86. Kiwior is coming on for Saka.
    It says a lot about their attacking options on the bench that they need to bring a defender on for the winger.
    His introduction should cement a clean sheet for Arsenal this evening.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    84. Saka is limping around after landing awkwardly challenging for a header.
    Arteta may want to bring his star player off now with this game won.
    They cannot afford for the winger to spend any time out injured.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    82. Trossard and Martinelli come off for Viera and Nelson.
    Arteta sees it is time to give some of his players a rest now.
    Martinelli has probably been the best player on the pitch for Arsenal this evening.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    80. Arsenal continue to press, looking for more goals.
    Aside from the goals, The Gunners have struggled to breach the Sevilla defence with that final pass.
    They have got far more joy down the flanks but have lacked that presence in the box in the form of a striker.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    78. Martinelli is fouled by Ocampos who is shown a yellow card.
    Zinchenko whips it in from the touchline.
    It is a poor cross and all too easy for the keeper to come and collect.
    Credit: Reuters
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    76. Mikel Arteta would settle for this scoreline right now.
    They have barely been troubled defensively and are winning this game at a canter.
    More importantly, no VAR decisions to upset the Spaniard.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    74. First glimpse of a goal scoring opportunity for Sevilla.
    Raya comes out to the byline to confront the winger but he looks to square it En-Nesyri.
    Arsenal got numbers back and managed to cut out the pass.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    72. Juanlu is booked for a foul on Martinelli on the touchline.
    Soumare has gone down once again, it may be time for a replacement.
    Time is running out for the visitors if they hope to get anything out of this game.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    70. As it stands, this result will not see Arsenal qualify this evening.
    They needed Lens to beat PSV Eindhoven.
    It may take one more game to guarantee their progression.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    68. Soumare, who came on as a sub, has not had a good introduction.
    Booked after 30 seconds and hobbling off injured after 2 minutes.
    It looks like the Leicester City player’s evening is over.
    Credit: Reuters
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    66. Arsenal can try and turn the screw on the visitors now.
    They need to commit more players forward if they want anything from this game.
    Zinchenko volleys from the edge of the box but it is straight at the Sevilla keeper who parries it out.
    Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
    64. Martinelli does well in the middle of the park and spots the run of Bukayo Saka.
    As the winger runs towards goal, he checks back onto his left foot and bends it into the far corner.
    That goal should put this game to bed for The Gunners.
    Goal – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
    Arsenal 1-0 Sevilla
    62. Sevilla are getting ready to bring Rakitic on.
    He will offer more to them in the final third of the pitch.
    The longer this game stays at one-nil, they are still in this.
    Arsenal 1-0 Sevilla
    60. Rice comes striding forward for The Gunners.
    Arsenal are patiently playing the ball around.
    Martinelli finds Rice in the box, who lays it off to Trossard, but his effort is neither a cross or a shot.
    Credit: AP More

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    Arsenal 2 Sevilla 0: Trossard and Saka put Spaniards to the sword as Gunners take huge step to Champions League last 16

    SICK, embarrassed, ashamed? You need fast acting Saka for instant relief.Mikel Arteta found an immediate cure for his Arsenal ills to lead his team to within touching distance of the Champions League’s last 16.
    Leandro Trossard slots Arsenal into the leadCredit: Reuters
    The Belgian celebrates with Bukayo SakaCredit: Reuters

    And after all the emotional anguish brought on by his weekend meltdown at Newcastle, this was just about as stress-free an evening as the melodramatic Spaniard could possibly have asked for.
    Because if there’s one player who is not going to make a mountain out of a molehill, it’s Arsenal’s very own crisis manager Bukayo Saka.
    The England international has become so accustomed to being kicked from pillar to post by outclassed opponents that he barely raises an eyebrow whenever he is clattered these days.
    And last night he just picked himself up, dusted himself down and tore poor Sevilla a new one to deliver the perfect pick-me-up for his under-fire boss.
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    Now the Gunners just need a single point from their remaining two group games to guarantee their place in the knock-out rounds.
    And even if none of their sidelined stars are back in time for their next game at home to Lille, they still have more than enough in reserve to get the job done.
    Arteta had stressed the importance of scoring an early goal to allow his team to control the game and dictate the tempo.
    And they should have been ahead in the very first minute when Gabriel Martinelli’s deep corner picked out the unmarked Kai Havertz at the back post.
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    But with the goal at his mercy the £65million German sent a tame header into the side netting and left the entire Emirates once again wondering quite why Arteta had paid so much for him.
    Sevilla had made eight changes to the team which had been beaten on their own patch by Arsenal two weeks ago.
    Yet they were still more than aware of the threat posed by Saka to queue up and take turns to kick lumps out of the young England star.
    One of those myriad of fouls gave Saka the opportunity to swing over a free kick which Gabriel Magalhaes glanced wide when William Saliba might have been better positioned to finish off.
    With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both ruled out by injury, there was a fear among many Arsenal supporters that their team would struggle to fill the gaping hole at the heart of their attack.
    But those concerns were put to bed when Leandro Trossard showed that he can be a more than adequate replacement to fire Arsenal into a 29th minute lead.
    Stand-in skipper Jorginho won possession on the halfway line and split the Sevilla defensive line with a delicious through ball to Saka.
    Finally free of his markers, Saka rolled the ball square and Trossard did the rest with an emphatic finish which gave keeper Marko Dmitrovic no chance.
    Saka adds Arsenal’s second goalCredit: Getty
    The England winger makes a heart gesture towards the crowdCredit: Getty
    With Martinelli running riot down the left flank and Declan Rice calling all the shots in midfield, it was all the visitors could do to stay within touching distance.
    Even when they were finally able to mount their first attack of the evening shortly before half-time, Adria Pedrosa was stopped dead in his tracks by Saliba’s perfectly timed challenge on the edge of his area,
    And that was about as awkward as it got all night for Arsenal before Saka put poor Sevilla out of their misery with his team’s killer second goal in the 64th minute.
    Martinelli took possession on the left and immediately switched play after spotting his mate’s perfectly-timed run behind the Sevilla defensive line.
    Pedrosa thought he had got back to cover until he was sent for a hot-dog and a cup of tea by Saka’s sudden change of direction capped off by an unstoppable shot into the far corner.
    That was his sixth goal of the season and little wonder that he limped off to a standing ovation after taking one kick too many in the closing minutes.
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    Gareth Southgate, watching on ahead of naming his England squad tomorrow, will be hoping it is nothing serious.
    Arteta will be down on his knees praying for his well-being. Because if there is one Arsenal player who is irreplaceable, it’s Saka. More

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    Man Utd concede penalty for fourth Champions League game in a row and ref has TWO handballs to choose from

    RECORD-BREAKING Manchester United conceded a penalty for the FOURTH Champions League match in a row.And the referee had TWO handballs to decide between in Copenhagen.
    Raphael Varane was not penalised for handball as the ball bounced off his thighCredit: TNT Sports
    Harry Maguire struck it with his arm inside the areaCredit: TNT Sports
    A close up reveals where contact was madeCredit: TNT Sports
    The Red Devils were cruising in Denmark thanks to two Rasmus Hojlund goals inside 28 minutes.
    However, after Marcus Rashford saw red, Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for the Danish side in the Group A clash.
    And then deep into 13 minutes of first-half injury time, United gave away yet another spot-kick.
    A cross into the box from the right was flicked on by a Copenhagen forward before Diogo Goncalves got a boot to the ball.
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    That saw it deflect into sub defender Raphael Varane’s thigh and then up on to his hand.
    Varane – who replaced the injured Jonny Evans – was not penalised because the ball ricocheted off another body part before striking his arm, thus not constituting a handball.
    However, the ball immediately fell back to Goncalves’ feet and he flicked the ball up towards goal.
    But Harry Maguire blocked it with his outstretched arm and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot.
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    Goncalves then rolled the penalty home to make it 2-2 in the 54th minute of a drama-filled first half.
    Ironically, in the second half in Copenhagen, United won a controversial spot-kick thanks to another harsh handball – with Bruno Fernandes smashing the effort into the top corner.
    But Copenhagen fought back again and 17-year-old Roony Bardghji scored a dramatic 87th-minute winner to spark wild scenes and brilliant chanting from the home fans.
    However, the latest penalty conceded by United was their fourth in four games in the group stages this season.
    Last time out, in the reverse tie against Copenhagen, Scott McTominay was penalised for a high boot in 95th minute – but was bailed out by Andre Onana’s heroic save.
    Casemiro got sent off for sliding in on Dries Mertens of Galatasaray.
    Mauro Icardid did put his strike wide of the post but moments later got the last laugh when he dinked over Onana.
    And in the first game of the Champions League campaign, Christian Eriksen was on the end of a brutal handball call after a Dayot Upamecano header from point-blank range.
    Harry Kane made no mistake from 12 yards as Bayern sealed a crazy 4-3 victory in Germany.
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    Unsurprisingly, it is the first time since Opta collected stats in 2003-04 that a team have conceded a penalty in their opening four matches of a Champions League campaign.
    But both Leicester City in 2016-17 and Porto last season managed to give away spot-kicks in four consecutive matches in the competition.
    The United defenders appealed against the decisionCredit: Getty
    Diogo Goncalves sent Andre Onana the wrong wayCredit: PA More