Football

MO SALAH produced the brilliant, signature strike that sent Liverpool to the top after a first half display that was strictly rock-bottom.For the first 45 minutes Fabian Hurzeler’s side ripped away all the gloss of Arne Slot’s start as Liverpool’s new manager.Mo Salah curls a trademark effort into the back of netCredit: PAThe Egyptian celebrates his brilliant effortCredit: ReutersFerdi Kadioglu grabbed a stunning opener, Brighton could have been at least three ahead and the Kop, along with boss Slot, looked on in disbelief for this game could easily have been all over by the break.But Slot’s players re-emerged as different animals.Cody Gakpo equalised with a deep cross, Darwin Nunez confusing the issue in the Seagulls box and two minutes later there was Salah, weaving into the box and delivering – just as he had done on 161 previous occasions in his glittering Prem career at Anfield.Plenty had believed going into this clash that Liverpool’s results since Slot came in had patched over deficiencies, especially in a newly-constructed midfield.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThose theories gained weight during a shockingly passive first-half as their opponents played through them time after time.They were also sloppy right from the start, Trent Alexander-Arnold carelessly conceding possession in only the third minute.True enough, Darwin Nunez could have put them ahead shortly afterwards thanks to a moment of individual brilliance.His spinning flick to get clear on the half-way line was pure Lionel Messi – seriously – and spurted 35 yards before cutting onto his favourite right foot.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCody Gakpo high-fives Darwin Nunez after equalisingCredit: ReutersHis strike was excellent, too, but Bart Verbruggen read the intent of the enigmatic forward.But that was about it in a first-half display that was miles below the levels that had taken them so high and so fast since Slot.Jamie Carragher and Theo Walcott have awkward ‘Thierry Henry moment’ live on Sky Sports after Arsenal vs LiverpoolThe Seagulls were slick, confident, highly organised and ever-ready to hit their opponents on the break.Exactly that tactic brought them the opener 15 minutes in as Kaoru Mitoma found himself with loads of space on the left flank.Danny Welbeck luckily flicked the ball across the face of the  box but there was nothing fortuitous about Ferdi Kadioglu’s shot.The Turkish right-back brought in from Fenerbache for £25m this summer ripped it beyond Caoimhin Kelleher to claim his first ever Prem strike.Even Slot’s attacking machine mainly malfunctioned, Alexander-Arnold over-hitting a simple pass from the edge of the Brighton box to Salah’s frustration.Brighton only wanted more Reds blood and came so close to spilling it again in the 27th minute.Midfielder Jack Hinshelwood sent forward a brilliant pass for Georginio Rutter who found himself one-on-one with Kelleher.The £40m buy from Leeds United stumbled slightly in the heat of the moment, his left footer lacking fire, Alisson’s Republic of Ireland understudy taking centre stage to block.Ferdi Kadioglu fires Brighton in frontCredit: AlamyKadioglu, 25, celebrates his openerCredit: PAKadioglu should then have grabbed his second, the defence all over the place again but he blazed over.A 20-yard Welbeck free-kick slipped a foot wide of Kelleher’s left hand post.Slot, surely will have been in shock.The Kop certainly were, especially when Alexis Mac Allister tripped former Manchester United striker Welbeck, VAR easing their increasing agonies a little by confirming the challenge was just outside the penalty area.The Argentinian was booked but if there was relief there, Ibrahima Konate picked up what looked like a bad shoulder injury of half-time, Joe Gomez replacing him after the break.There can’t have been any double Dutch from Slot during that interval when surely he will have been firing rockets around the dressing room.For his players finally showed all the intensity that had been so sadly lacking, Gomez starting the assault with a header straight at Verbruggen.Liverpool were now right in the visitor’s faces but Virgil van Dijk wasted a glorious opportunity, moving forward to meet Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross.Had he met it with his head the score would surely have been levelled but instead the home captain completely messed up with an attempted volley.Salah suddenly emerged after utter anonymity, Verbruggen reacted bravely to grab at his feet.But Liverpool had momentum now, Slot adding to it with the fresh legs of Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz.An equaliser always looked on the cards after Liverpool had found themselves again and Gakpo provided it in the 70th minute.He rose to meet Gakpo’s deep cross and while he claimed the goal it was granted to the Dutchman, Verbruggen distracted by the striker’s presence.The stage was set for Anfield’s Egyptian king and the finish he produced was truly majestic.READ MORE SUN STORIESJones, who had replaced Mac Allister, drove forward and central defender Jan Paul van Hecke didn’t spot the danger.He stayed too deep, Salah sprinted at him – and then he was gone, cutting inside to deliver a fabulous strike into the far top corner. 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RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has admitted that he had “mixed feelings” after taking over as Manchester United caretaker boss.The Dutchman, 48, was promoted to the role following Erik ten Hag’s sacking earlier this week.Ruud van Nistelrooy won his first game in caretaker charge on WednesdayCredit: ReutersVan Nistelrooy, 48, was brought to Old Trafford by Erik ten Hag in the summerCredit: GettyVan Nistelrooy won his first game in charge on Wednesday, dumping Leicester out of the Carabao Cup with a 5-2 drubbing.The Red Devils yesterday confirmed the appointment of Sporting coach Ruben Amorim.With Amorim not available to begin work at Old Trafford until November 11, Van Nistelrooy will take charge of three more matches.Ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Chelsea, Van Nistelrooy sat down with United’s club media to preview the clash.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReflecting upon his start to life in temporary charge, the former striker said: “Yeah, if I speak about the game, the reception, the connection with the crowd, and how the players reacted and how the players played, it was a great night.”I enjoyed every second of it. Special, proud moment. Obviously the days before leading up to that were with mixed feelings.”It was hard to see the manager go: the one who got me into the club, you know, the one who was fighting also for this club and cared a lot about the club.”So that was hard. But I have to say that, after that, the crowd lifted our spirits and it was a great night in the end.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHaving previously managed PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, Van Nistelrooy joined Ten Hag’s staff as a first team coach in the summer.SunSport revealed yesterday that United stars are desperate for Van Nistelrooy to be retained as part of Amorim’s coaching staff.Amorim confirmed by Man Utd but it’s a huge gamble and delay to start is bizarreFollowing the win over Leicester, United’s former forward signalled that he wants to stay.He told Sky Sports: “I came here as an assistant to help the club. Now in this role, I’m helping as long as needed.”I’m here to help and serve and give my everything for the club in any capacity with so many people here around me that want the best for the club and that will never change.” More

LEANDRO TROSSARD had a game to forget as Arsenal’s toothless attack meant they slumped to defeat at Newcastle.The Gunners are now winless in three Premier League matches, having lost consecutive away games.Leandro Trossard had an off day as Arsenal slumped to defeatCredit: GettyThomas Partey was a rare bright sparkCredit: AlamyNewcastle dominated the opening 25 minutes and were rewarded when Alexander Isak headed in a brilliant Anthony Gordon cross.They could have increased their advantage but Arsenal defended resolutely while offering a threat via set-pieces.But the Gunners offered little in the attacking final third with Trossard particularly off the pace.The Belgian started in a rarely seen front two alongside Kai Havertz but produced just one shot, which was blocked, and lost possession 12 times.READ MORE ON ARSENALMikel Arteta’s attacking experiment did not pay off with Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli far from their best.There were few positives to take although Thomas Partey impressed once again, initially at right-back before moving into the middle.Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Arsenal display.DAVID RAYA – 6/10Great early distribution to go long over the Newcastle press but nothing he could do with Isak’s pin-point header.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWas barely troubled in the second half but was forced to watch a lacklustre Arsenal dawdle to another defeat.THOMAS PARTEY – 7I trained with Thierry Henry and he ruined my Arsenal career and it took me two years to go back over to the first team Looks really comfortable in that role, even if it is only temporary, but obviously lacks an attacking threat of a full-back which hindered Saka slightly.Moved back into midfield on the hour mark with Arsenal chasing the game.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7A welcome presence back in the defensive line following suspension. Covered his defensive partner well and kept his cool amid Arsenal’s frustration.GABRIEL – 5Lost Isak in the box for Newcastle’s opener and nearly handed the hosts another chance with a sloppy pass out.Normally a rock, this was one of those rare jittery displays we thought were a thing of the past.JURRIEN TIMBER – 6Looked good in attack but arguably should have closed down Gordon’s cross before the hosts took the lead and struggled to contain the England winger in the first half.MIKEL MERINO – 5Unfortunate not to get on the score sheet against his former club from close range after a scramble from a corner.But as a whole, he currently looks lost in his position, unsure of when to go and when to sit deep, meaning Newcastle were able to prize Arsenal’s midfield open.Feels like we are not seeing the best of him just yet.DECLAN RICE – 6On set-piece duty, his delivery was unusually poor, failing to beat the first man on numerous occasions and struggled to impose himself in open play too, even if he came close with a deflected effort in the second half before fluffing a great headed chance in injury time.If he is going to be the anchor of this team and dictate play, he has got to be a lot better.It was a frustrating afternoon for the GunnersCredit: GettyAlexander Isak was a thorn in Arsenal’s side againCredit: AFPLEANDRO TROSSARD – 5Pretty anonymous other than a few surging runs. Another player that looks lost in a floating No.10 role behind the main striker.The Belgian is at his best cutting in and using his blistering pace. He can do neither through the middle against a compact opposition set-up.BUKAYO SAKA – 6Looked to be getting the better of Toon right-back Hall early on but his game faded after that, along with his team’s.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Showed glimpses of being back to his buzzing best, taking on defenders and stretching the game for Arsenal, but only lasted an hour before being taken off.KAI HAVERTZ – 6Never got a sniff, but got to put that down to a complete lack of service from Arsenal’s wide players. He was desperate to attack a decent cross that never really came.SUBS:ETHAN NWANERI (MERINO, 61) – 6Given a nice welcome to Tyneside with a crunching tackle from Willock seconds after coming on.Found some nice pockets of space and look sharp as he blazed one over from range, but was always a big ask for him to be Arsenal’s saviour.OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (MARTINELLI, 61) – 5Thrown on to bring tempo and control. Brought neither from an inverted left-back position.READ MORE SUN STORIESBEN WHITE (TIMBER, 71) – 6Had only completed half a session to prepare for this one having picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend, so was a surprise to even see him at all.GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD) – 5Tasked with creating something special from out wide, but there is a reason the Brazilian is only a bit-part player nowadays.JORGINHO (PARTEY, 86) – N/A More

IF THIS was Alexander Isak’s Arsenal audition then he passed it with flying colours – but he threw a huge grenade in the title hopes of his potential future employers.Newcastle’s Swedish striker, 25, has been on Mikel Arteta’s radar for months after his blistering form last term.Alexander Isak headed in a superb opener for NewcastleCredit: GettyThe Swedish striker gave David Raya no chanceCredit: ReutersAfter contract talks were put on hold and with just one goal in his opening seven appearances this season, talk of a £130million transfer appeared to be way off.But what a difference a week makes as his third strike in just six days left Arsenal looking more like title pretenders than contenders as they suffered a second consecutive away defeat for the first time since May 2022.Arteta’s tactics were spot on early on, opting for a direct approach in order to beat the Toon press, unlike Chelsea in midweek.There were no short kicks from goalie David Raya, with 6ft 2in Mikel Merino preferred in the middle to help support Kai Havertz and the attackers rather than Jorginho.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLMeanwhile, the Magpies were struggling to work out how to stop inverted full-back Jurrien Timber.And it was the Dutchman, who Anthony Gordon seemed unsure whether to track back with or not, who provided Bukayo Saka with Arsenal’s first chance that was smashed into the side-netting.But Newcastle had the perfect response by going classic route one themselves and it produced the opener on 12 minutes.The move started with a long ball forward from Tino Livramento from right-back deep into the opposition half and his team-mates reacted fast to win it.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSean Longstaff spotted man-of-the-match Gordon free down the right, slipping in the winger to hit a brilliant first-time cross for Isak to ghost in between two defenders to head home.Saka nodded wide for the visitors but Gordon was soon at it again as another curled cross just evaded Joelinton at the far post.Mikel Arteta debunks claims referees and VAR have conspiracy against Arsenal after flurry of controversial decisions It was another header that caused panic next, this time up the opposite end as William Saliba put Declan Rice’s far-post corner back into the mixer, but Eddie Howe’s men survived as Lewis Hall’s back blocked Merino’s volley.The game was on a knife-edge, but the tension was not only out on the pitch.Arsenal player ratings vs NewcastleARSENAL fell to defeat to Newcastle in a fresh blow to their title ambitions.The Magpies won 1-0 thanks to a fine header from Alexander Isak.Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates the players…DAVID RAYA – 6/10Great early distribution to go long over the Newcastle press but nothing he could do with Isak’s pin-point header.Was barely troubled in the second half but was forced to watch a lacklustre Arsenal dawdle to another defeat.THOMAS PARTEY – 7Looks really comfortable in that role, even if it is only temporary, but obviously lacks an attacking threat of a full-back which hindered Saka slightly.Moved back into midfield on the hour mark with Arsenal chasing the game.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7A welcome presence back in the defensive line following suspension. Covered his defensive partner well and kept his cool amid Arsenal’s frustration.GABRIEL – 5Lost Isak in the box for Newcastle’s opener and nearly handed the hosts another chance with a sloppy pass out.Normally a rock, this was one of those rare jittery displays we thought were a thing of the past.JURRIEN TIMBER – 6Looked good in attack but arguably should have closed down Gordon’s cross before the hosts took the lead and struggled to contain the England winger in the first half.MIKEL MERINO – 5Unfortunate not to get on the score sheet against his former club from close range after a scramble from a corner.But as a whole, he currently looks lost in his position, unsure of when to go and when to sit deep, meaning Newcastle were able to prize Arsenal’s midfield open.Feels like we are not seeing the best of him just yet.DECLAN RICE – 6On set-piece duty, his delivery was unusually poor, failing to beat the first man on numerous occasions and struggled to impose himself in open play too, even if he came close with a deflected effort in the second half before fluffing a great headed chance in injury time.If he is going to be the anchor of this team and dictate play, he has got to be a lot better.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5Pretty anonymous other than a few surging runs. Another player that looks lost in a floating No.10 role behind the main striker.The Belgian is at his best cutting in and using his blistering pace. He can do neither through the middle against a compact opposition set-up.BUKAYO SAKA – 6Looked to be getting the better of Toon right-back Hall early on but his game faded after that, along with his team’s.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Showed glimpses of being back to his buzzing best, taking on defenders and stretching the game for Arsenal, but only lasted an hour before being taken off.KAI HAVERTZ – 6Never got a sniff, but got to put that down to a complete lack of service from Arsenal’s wide players. He was desperate to attack a decent cross that never really came.SUBS:ETHAN NWANERI (MERINO, 61) – 6Given a nice welcome to Tyneside with a crunching tackle from Willock seconds after coming on.Found some nice pockets of space and look sharp as he blazed one over from range, but was always a big ask for him to be Arsenal’s saviour.OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (MARTINELLI, 61) – 5Thrown on to bring tempo and control. Brought neither from an inverted left-back position.BEN WHITE (TIMBER, 71) – 6Had only completed half a session to prepare for this one having picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend, so was a surprise to even see him at all.GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD) – 5Tasked with creating something special from out wide, but there is a reason the Brazilian is only a bit-part player nowadays.JORGINHO (PARTEY, 86) – N/AClick here to read more on Arsenal.Arteta had already appeared to ask the fourth official to move Jason Tindall back into his technical area before having another jibe at Howe’s No2 as the break approached.Fabian Schar was the first to be booked, kicking the ball away after his team conceded a free-kick, and Joelinton geed-up the crowd after Newcastle’s defence cut out another attack before the whistle.It was an unusual position for Arteta and his Gunners as they plotted their comeback at the break, a situation that had not occurred for 29 Premier League matches.They were first back out after no doubt being read the riot act, but that could have gone out the window as Gordon played Willock through within seconds, only Raya denied the star a goal against his old side.It was time to throw the dice on the hour mark, Arteta pushing Thomas Partey from full-back into his favoured midfield while Oleksandr Zinchenko came off the bench and teen whizkid Ethan Nwaneri replaced Gabriel Martinelli.However, it was Newcastle that almost sealed it moments later. But Raya dived to push away Isak’s stinging strike.Another double change followed, Ben White and Gabriel Jesus taking Timber and Leandro Trossard’s spots with twenty to go.There were fears when Saka went down clutching his ankle as Arteta’s day threatened to go from bad to worse but the captain was able to stay on.But despite everything they could try, Toon defended valiantly and in numbers, and the powder puff Gunners attack was unable to find a way through as Rice headed agonisingly wide at the back post right at the death.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd even though having someone of Isak’s ilk in attack could have made all the difference, it is at the back where Arteta will be most concerned.Arsenal only conceded ten goals in their first 22 top-flight matches in 2024 – the same figure they have now shipped in their last six.Anthony Gordon put in a delightful cross for the Isak headerCredit: AFPThe result could prove another crucial blow to the Gunners’ title hopesCredit: GettyThe Gunners have now gone three Prem games without a winCredit: AlamyFrustrations were clear to see for the visitorsCredit: RexMikel Merino was denied an equaliser when his effort was blockedCredit: GettyThe game was Newcastle’s Remembrance fixtureCredit: AFPThe win took Newcastle up to eighthCredit: EPA More