Sports

City regains top spot

December 15, 2018
Manchester City's striker Gabriel Jesus (2nd R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during their English Premier League match against Everton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester Saturday. — AFP
Manchester City's striker Gabriel Jesus (2nd R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during their English Premier League match against Everton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester Saturday. — AFP

LONDON — Manchester City swept back to the top of the Premier League as Gabriel Jesus struck twice in the champion’s 3-1 win over Everton, while Christian Eriksen kept Tottenham in the title hunt in a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Burnley Saturday.

Jesus hadn't scored a Premier League goal since August, but the Brazil forward ended that drought to put Everton to the sword at the Etihad Stadium.

The 21-year-old's goals and a strike from Raheem Sterling put City two points ahead of second-placed Liverpool, but Jurgen Klopp's team can regain top spot if it beats bitter rival Manchester United at Anfield Sunday.

Jesus opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a cool finish from a tight angle after Leroy Sane's pass opened up the Everton defence.

Pep Guardiola's side had to wait just five minutes after the break to make it 2-0, when patient build-up found Sane on the left and the German's cross was met by a bullet header from Jesus.

Everton got back into the game in the 65th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header from a high-hanging Digne cross flicking off Fabian Delph and past the helpless Ederson.

But Raheem Sterling came off the bench to end the contest four minutes later when the City winger met Fernandinho's cross with a firm header.

City was also cheered by the return of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne as a 75th minute substitute after a six-week lay-off with his second knee injury of the season.

At Wembley, Tottenham left it until stoppage-time before finally breaking Burnley's stubborn resistance as the north London club moved within five points of the leaders.

Mauricio Pochettino's third-placed side featured a first league start for 18-year-old midfielder Oliver Skipp, with Eriksen and Son Heung-Min on the bench.

Tottenham was furious when referee Graham Scott turned down its penalty appeal after Burnley's James Tarkowski appeared to foul Harry Kane.

Joe Hart kept fourth-from-bottom Burnley level when the former England keeper plunged low to his right to save Erik Lamela's low shot.

But Denmark playmaker Eriksen came on in the second half and he provided the match-winning moment with a clipped finish after Fernando Llorente and Kane battered down the Burnley barricades in the 90th minute.

Watford caught the eye in a stylish 3-2 win over Cardiff at Vicarage Road that left Neil Warnock's side just four points above the relegation zone.

Javi Gracia's team took the lead in the 16th minute thanks to a superb solo strike from former Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu.

Jose Holebas was next to impress, netting with a blistering 20-yard drive in the 52nd minute before teenager Domingos Quina bagged his first Premier League goal with a fine effort in the 68th minute.

Cardiff got one back through Junior Hoilett in the 80th minute before Bobby Reid's 82nd minute strike set up a tense finish.

Luka Milivojevic lifted Crystal Palace five points away from the bottom three as the Serbia midfielder's superb strike clinched a 1-0 victory against Leicester.

Milivojevic fired Palace ahead with a 39th minute rocket at Selhurst Park as he curled his 25-yard strike in the top corner of Kasper Schmeichel's net.

Newcastle won for the first time in four matches to ease their relegation worries as Salomon Rondon's 55th minute goal earned a 1-0 victory at third bottom Huddersfield.

Wolves are up to seventh place as Raul Jimenez's 12th minute goal and Ivan Cavaleiro's 90th minute effort wrapped up a 2-0 win at Molineux that condemned Bournemouth to a sixth defeat in their last seven games. — AFP


December 15, 2018
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