Month: March 2021

Goals from Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard help Brighton to a massive three points against Southampton at St Mary’s.

The Seagulls were looking over their shoulders after three straight defeats and no wins in five meant they kicked off level on points with resurgent Fulham in 18th.

But victory at St Mary’s, their fifth away from home this season, gives Graham Potter’s side some breathing space at the bottom and, notably, saw them climb above Newcastle.

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Lewis Dunk headed them ahead and, although Che Adams equalised for Saints with his third goal in three matches, Trossard conjured up a classy second-half winner.

Adams could have put the hosts ahead with barely a minute on the clock but he was unable to get any power on his header from Ryan Bertrand’s cross.

The former Birmingham striker then linked well with Kyle Walker-Peters and squared the ball to Stuart Armstrong, who shot straight at Robert Sanchez from 15 yards.

Fraser Forster, preferred to Alex McCarthy in Southampton’s goal, made a fine save to palm a fierce Neal Maupay drive over the crossbar.

But the Scottish keeper was beaten from the resulting corner by centre-half Dunk’s towering header.

However, Saints pulled themselves level when Dunk could only help Bertrand’s header into the path of Adams, who was lurking alone at the far post to volley home.

Brighton should have taken the lead again before half-time when Dan Burn played Pascal Gross through on goal.

But as has so often been the way this season for the Seagulls, the German midfielder could not convert the chance, shooting too close to Forster who was able to deflect the ball wide.

This time it was not so costly, however, as Brighton managed to register a second goal in a Premier League match for the first time since the turn of the year with Trossard’s stylish 56th-minute strike.

Former Saints midfielder Adam Lallana picked out Danny Welbeck, who pinged a first-time lay-off straight into the path of Trossard.

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The Belgium winger barely had to break stride as he scythed through the Southampton backline and crashed his shot past Forster.

Southampton tried to hit back again and Seagulls keeper Sanchez saved with his legs from Adams before James Ward-Prowse’s shot was charged down

But it is now 10 defeats from their last 12 matches for Southampton, who could really do with finding a win from somewhere just to ease any fears of being dragged into trouble themselves.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he and his players are not thinking about a “fairytale” Champions League win this season as that would detract from the job of turning around their domestic form.

The Reds progressed to a fourth European quarter-final in five years – four of which have come in Europe’s elite competition – with a midweek win over RB Leipzig.

Such is their terrible Premier League form, taking 12 points out of the last 42, winning a seventh European Cup may be their best bet for qualification next season as they are well off the pace in the race for the top four.

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But Klopp hopes to get his side, boosted by the win against the Bundesliga’s second-placed side, back on track at Wolves on Monday rather than pondering how to negotiate a way towards a third Champions League final in four years.

“It would be a dream eh? Why not? But we are not in a situation sitting here and telling the fairytale of how it could end,” he said.

“What we think, what we wish, what we dream of is completely different but being ready for Wolves is the only thing we’re busy with.

“Using the positives from the last game would be helpful. Yes, it’s the last eight but the last eight is historically tricky.

“I am not 100 per cent clear who are the other seven or the few who look likely will be in but there are no easy games.

“In these games can we give them a proper game? Yes, definitely that’s the plan but not today, in three or four weeks.

“But we try to use it as good as possible.”

Liverpool’s chances of returning to form have been boosted by the restoration to midfield of Fabinho, who started his first game since October in his favoured position against Leipzig having deputised in central defence because of their injury crisis.

The Brazilian immediately not only brought balance to the side but brought the best out the team-mates around him.

“I’d like to start by saying Gini Wijnaldum did an incredible job,” added Klopp.

“When you play Gini (Wijnaldum) at six you miss him on the eight as well, so a lot of things which were settled before were unsettled after that (move of Fabinho into defence).

“Yes, Fabinho helps everyone on the pitch in both directions if he can play his natural position.

“Yes, it makes life easier for Thiago (Alcantara) as well but it’s not like we speak about it (saying) ‘One player back, now all the things will click again’.

“Unfortunately it is not like this but it helped that night because, for example, all three midfielders made a really good game.

“Fabinho played the first time for a long time at six and you could see the difference he can make in defending stuff but connecting as well, you saw Gini Wijnaldum on eight defending and always involved with his mind and Thiago as well, and that’s why it worked.

“When Fabinho can play the six it is obviously the best position for him and for us as well.”

Double Olympic Champion (2012 and 2016) Alistair Brownlee was named Olympic Athlete of the Year and Elite Male Athlete of the Year at the British Triathlon Federation’s annual awards dinner.

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