Europa League

WIGAN legend Jordi Gomez scored a stunning free-kick from inside his OWN HALF in the Europa League for Omonia Nicosia against PSV Eindhoven.
The Spanish midfielder, 35, caught PSV napping with a sweetly struck quick free-kick after 29 minutes.

Jordi Gomez approaches the ball after a free-kick is givenCredit: BT Sport

Gomez sends his effort flying from inside his own halfCredit: BT Sport

The ball flies over everyone towards the goalCredit: BT Sport

PSV keeper Yvon Mvogo was stuck in no man’s landCredit: BT Sport

The ball landed perfectly over the line Credit: BT Sport

The former Latics ace’s wondergoal came just a week after Rangers’ Kemar Roofe bagged his own extraordinary strike from his own half.
Roofe’s effort was from open play against Standard Liege in the same competition – prompting boss Steven Gerrard to claim his strike was the best he has ever seen live.
Veteran Gomez – who won the FA Cup with Wigan in 2013 – used all his experience to slam the ball over the head of PSV’s stranded Swiss keeper Yvon Mvogo.
His goal flew in from a staggering 54 metres but PSV complained after the ball appeared to be still rolling when he struck it.

But the Dutch outfit put the set-back of going 1-0 down behind them.
Mario Gotze’s new side pulled off a last-gasp comeback to snatch a 2-1 win after Donyell Malen completed his double in stoppage time.
Some fans on social media weren’t happy the goal scored by Gomez – who had two stints with Wigan before leaving in 2017 – was allowed to stand.
One said: “Wasn’t even a dead ball it was moving. Surely this didn’t actually count.”

That is sensational! 😲A moment of magic from Kemar Roofe! ✨Rangers are off to the perfect start in Europe! ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/eHykkDWLYu
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 22, 2020

Another added: “Considering the balls still rolling when he hits it all he should be getting is goal disallowed shouts.”
A third tweeted: “Great strike but defo a moving ball. Having said it if it was in the prem they would have somehow given him offside in his own half.”
The debate raged online about whether Gomez’s finish was a better goal than Roofe’s stunner.
One supporter commented: “Roofe went past 3 players in shocking conditions and banged it in from the half way line with a non static ball so less control, Jordi gomez had the time and a dead ball situation… Still a mad goal though from gomez.”

Watch MLS star Hurtado score outrageous ‘Van Basten-esque’ goal to win game for Sporting KC vs Nashville More

MARCUS RASHFORD thought he would be the only Manchester United player to steal the limelight in Europe this week.
The striker came off the bench to grab a hat-trick and fire the Red Devils to a 5-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Diogo Dalot stole the show with a goal and assist for AC MilanCredit: Getty

But just 24 hours later his club-mate Diogo Dalot grabbed the headlines as well with a brilliant display in the Europa League.
The 21-year-old joined AC Milan on-loan during the last transfer window and was handed his second start for the Italian side tonight.
Playing in an unfamiliar left-back role, he went on to show Ole Gunnar Solskjaer exactly what he was capable of with a superb performance.

Brahim Diaz put Milan ahead against Sparta Prague before former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed a penalty.

But after that it would be Dalot that stole the show in the second half with a fine assist and goal.
He perfectly beat the offside trap and sent an outside-of-the-boot assist to Rafael Leao in the centre to convert.
Dalot then made the same run, making space behind the defence and then scoring from outside the box as the Sparta goalkeeper darted out towards him.
And that was enough to earn him the man of the match prize as Milan ran out 3-0 winners in Group H.

Dalot arrived at Old Trafford from Porto in 2018 as one of Jose Mourinho’s summer signings.
He made 23 appearances in all competitions that campaign to help the Red Devils finish second.
But he struggled for match time following the arrival of Solskjaer and only featured for 66 minutes in the top-light last season.

Rio Ferdinand compares Marcus Rashford’s performance to an older kid bullying younger kids and “taking their dinner money” More

MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI netted a brilliant double as Lille battled back from two goals down against Celtic.
The odds were firmly stacked against the Scottish champions getting any kind of result against big-spending opponents Lille following a dire week.

Celtic blew a two-goal lead away to LilleCredit: Reuters

Mo Elyounoussi thought he would be the hero for CelticCredit: Reuters

The Hoops could have walked away from the Stade Pierre Mauroy with all three points after storming into a sensational 2-0 first-half lead.
But the hosts managed to turn the game on its head with a magnificent second-half comeback in France.
Celtic can be proud of their performance against a team joint top of Ligue 1 with PSG but will be disappointed not to have held on to a famous victory.

Under-fire boss Neil Lennon made just one change to his team from the weekend’s goal fest at Pittodrie – with skipper Scott Brown replacing Tom Rogic in the engine room.
Scott Bain kept his place between the sticks and the Scotland squad man repaid Lennon’s faith in him with a brilliant penalty save to deny £27million striker Jonathan David his first goal for Lille.
Lille rested Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz and Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches as the French side made five changes from Sunday’s stalemate with Nice.
Celtic – who looked far more organised with four at the back – started positively with some early possession.

Ryan Christie flashed a free-kick from a dangerous area well wide inside five minutes.

The hosts then started to find their feet in the game as Bain pulled off a fine one-handed save to prevent Boubakary Soumare breaking the deadlock.
Swiss hitman Albian Ajeti had the ball in the net for Celtic just before the 20 minute mark but he strayed offside from Elyounoussi’s pass.
Ajeti vented his frustrations minutes later as he blazed a guilt-edged opportunity over the bar from just seven yards out after yet more clever play from Elyounoussi.
Elyounoussi was at the heart of every attack for the visitors – and soon opened the scoring with a moment of brilliance.
The Norway international glided inside from the left before curling an exquisite effort beyond rooted keeper Mike Maignan.
It was no more than Celtic deserved – and five minutes later the on-loan Southampton star found the net again.
Jeremie Frimpong drilled a low cross into the box and Elyounoussi kept his composure to finish first-time into the far corner.
As half-time neared, Lille were handed a controversial penalty after a clumsy tackle from Duffy on David, which appeared to be outside the box.

Scott Bain was the penalty hero for the HoopsCredit: AP:Associated Press

Celtic were 2-0 up at half-time and looking on course for the winCredit: AFP

Albian Ajeti missed a series of chances for the Scottish championsCredit: AFP or licensors
Canadian hitman David stepped up hoping to break his goal duck, but his strike down the middle was blocked by the feet of Bain.
It was a huge relief for Irish stopper Duffy, who has looked out of sorts in a green and white jersey.
Bain could have went from hero to zero moments later though after spilling a Lille free-kick.
The ball fell to Sven Botman but the Dutch defender crashed his shot off the crossbar in a huge slice of luck for Bain.
Celtic would have been relieved to have heard the half-time whistle as they went into the break with a two goal advantage.
However, they suffered a setback early in the second-half after Kris Ajer was forced off injured.

Kris Ajer was forced off injured early in the second-halfCredit: Reuters

Lille fought back from two goals down to claim a pointCredit: AP:Associated Press
The centre-back looked in real discomfort as he clutched his groin and was replaced by versatile Israeli Nir Bitton on 53 minutes.
Celtic had to cope with an onslaught as Lille piled on the pressure.
Lennon’s side were pinned inside their own half for large spells as they struggled to get a grip of the game.
Lille threw on star duo Yilmaz and Sanches as they chased a crucial goal, with penalty sinner David making way.
Odsonne Edouard replaced Ajeti as the French hitman made his comeback from Covid-19.

Lille celebrate after clawing back from two behindCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
But Celts soon caved in to Lille’s relentless pressure through Zeki Celik.
Christie lost the Turkish right-back at the back post as he stabbed the ball home from a corner on the 67th minute to reduce the deficit.
Celtic were hanging on by a thread and looked vulnerable following the loss of Ajer.
An equaliser was always coming – and it arrived through Jonathan Ikone.
The French forward scrambled the ball home following a stramash in the box as his strike deflected off Duffy and past Bain to get back on level terms.
It was backs against the wall for Celtic and a defeat would have been so cruel given their gallant efforts.
There were a couple of nervy moments as the clock ticked down.
But Lennon’s energy-sapped team eventually managed to see the game through to earn a valuable point against unbeaten Lille.

Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew takes a starring role in Olivia Meets Her Match More

DON’T turn your back on Alfredo Morelos – he’ll only do the Poznan.
To Lech’s horror that’s exactly what Thomas Rogne did.

Morelos celebrates his 21st European goal as Rangers get big winCredit: Reuters

Just six minutes after coming on as a sub Morelos ghosted in behind the former Celtic defender to head his way into the history books.
His goal was his 21st for Rangers in Europe, equalling Ally McCoist’s long standing club record.
It also secured back-to-back wins for Steven Gerrard’s side who are off to a dream start in Group D.
The Poznan fans are famous the world over for their stadium-shaking dance.

At times last night it seemed the players could waltz out of Ibrox with a point.
Instead, it was left to Morelos to leap off the bench and make his.
In 16 games, across all competitions, Rangers had lost just four goals.
That imperious defensive platform has allowed the Ibrox club to build up a head of steam both domestically and in Europe.

Ianis Hagi missed an early opening as Gers maintained their 100 per cent recordCredit: PA:Press Association
But in sharp contrast to previous campaigns, no one is getting carried away.
There is a focus and intensity about Rangers right now – two essential characteristics that have been lacking for some time.
While the Gers defence has been rightly lauded, Gerrard’s side haven’t been found wanting going forward either.
Their attack is the most potent in the country, capable of moments of magic like the one Kemar Roofe conjured last week.
His sensational 55 yard strike from inside his own half sealed a remarkable 2-0 win for Rangers in their Group D opener against Standard Liege.

Ryan Kent helped Steven Gerrard’s side earn six points from six in the Europa LeagueCredit: AFP or licensors
The fact it was the Belgian side’s first home defeat in Europe in six years was almost lost amid the euphoria of Roofe’s goal.
But the magnitude of the victory certainly wasn’t lost on Poznan coach Dariusz Zuraw who has installed Gers as favourites to progress from the group along with Benfica.
Last night the Poles were without playmaker Pedro Tiba, winger Jakub Kaminski and centre half Djordje Crnomarkovic.
Gerrard handed Roofe a start with Morelos making way. 
Borna Barisic was also reinstated with Leon Balogun lining up alongside Connor Goldson at the back.
New signing Bongani Zungu started on the bench.
Despite chances at both ends, the first half ended goalless.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was impressed with what he sawCredit: Reuters
With some better communication Rangers would surely have found themselves in front.
Twice the wrong player in the wrong place plumped for the wrong option.
With 13 minutes gone, Roofe spun his made superbly, darting the box before cutting the ball back.
Ianis Hagi lunged for it, but Gers had a man over. Either he never heard Tavernier’s screams to leave it or he’d imagined his name up in lights.
It was a golden chance gone. Another presented itself 25 minutes in, and again Roofe was involved.
Barisic’s deep cross was completely misjudged by the striker who only succeeded in heading it downwards.
But as the Poznan defence froze, Roofe attempted an acrobatic overhead kick.
After last week’s screamer against Standard he was probably entitled to do so, but again Rangers had someone much better place.
Ryan Kent was in the perfect position just to side foot home – the look of anguish on his face as Roofe’s effort dropped wide said it all.
A bizarre feature of the first half was the desire of both teams to play out from the back.
Poznan keeper Filip Bednarek was almost caught out at one end before Allan McGregor decided to join in the fun at the other.
Shipping a needless corner kick there was a heated exchange between him and Goldson.
Earlier, the Gers keeper had given Tavernier both barrels after he’d allowed  Tymoteusz Puchacz to run in behind him and cross.
 Daniel Ramirez had dragged a shot wide but it was Mikael Ishak who passed up the best chance for the visitors.

Ally McCoist watches on as Morelos equals his recordCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

Gerrard congratulates James Tavernier at full timeCredit: AFP or licensors
Coming just before half-time, the towering striker scooped his shot over the bar with Gers’ goal gaping.
Gerrard’s men, however, had undoubtedly created the better chances.
Roofe and Kent had linked well with Scott Arfield drawing a decent save from Bednarek with 20 minutes gone.
Arfield almost combined with Hagi before Steven Davis squandered two chances in the space of five seconds.
First, his attempted volley from the edge of the box was well blocked before he blasted the rebound high over the bar.
From the position he was in he had to hit the target.
Poznan were first to threaten after the break – Ramirez inches away from connecting with  Michał Skóraś’ cross.
The Poles were certainly on the front foot with former Celt Thomas Rogne going close with a glancing header.

Indeed, it took Gers a good ten minutes to get themselves going again – Arfield flashing a shot from distance past the post bang on the hour mark.
Gers were now firmly back in control of the match. 
Morelos had replaced Roofe and he went close with his first touch.
With his second, and with 67 minutes on the clock, he fired Rangers in front.

Morelos header breaks the deadlockCredit: Reuters
Barisic dug out his first decent cross of the match and there was the Colombian, in between the two Poznan to bullet home his milestone goal.
A brilliant run from Kent and cross from Tavernier almost teed up Joe Aribo as Gers looked to put the game to bed.
Poznan pushed hard in the final minutes, but McGregor was never troubled in Rangers’ goal.
Gerrard’s men continue to go from strength to strength.

Steven Gerrard reveals wife Alex wants him to quit as Rangers boss and escape pressure for family life More