Liverpool escapes Newcastle's ambush
Hungarian defender Dominik Szoboszlai rescued his team Liverpool from a certain defeat against hosts Newcastle United by scoring an equalizer in the 2-2 draw in stoppage time on Sunday, in the opening round of the English Premier League.
Liverpool were on the verge of suffering their first loss of the season after falling behind to a goal by Dutchman Cody Gakpo (55') against two goals by Swede Anthony Elanga (5') and Joseph Willock (57'), before referee Stuart Attwell awarded a penalty to the Reds in the final seconds after Newcastle defender Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz, which Szoboszlai successfully converted (90+9).
Manchester City began life under the iconic Spanish manager Pep Guardiola, who won every possible trophy with him over 10 years, with a very hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Bournemouth, after being behind until the final minutes.
However, the changes made to the team do not appear to be smooth this season, as they seemed on the verge of suffering their first-ever league defeat in front of their own fans against Bournemouth before turning the tables in the final minutes thanks to Marc Guehi and Croatian Josko Gvardiol.
City started poorly, finding themselves behind in the 26th minute through Marcus Tavernier after a precise cross from Brazilian Evanilson.
But from a corner taken by substitute Ryan Sessegnon, City equalized with a header from Marc Guehi (84'), before Gvardiol snatched the win in the first minute of stoppage time after an assist from Sessegnon as well, a goal initially disallowed for offside by the referee before being reinstated after VAR intervention.
In other news, English Manchester City reached an agreement with French club Lille to sign the rising Moroccan midfielder Ayoub El Kaabi in a deal valued at approximately $117 million, according to Sunday media reports.
Aston Villa’s start was no better than City’s; the club, which finished fourth last season and won the Europa League, suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Brighton, completing the match with ten men under Spanish manager Unai Emery.
However, the loss cannot be justified by the numerical disadvantage, as Villa conceded all four goals in the first half through Swedish defender Victor Lindelof (own goal) and Belgian midfielder Maxim De Cuyper (18'), and Jack Hinshelwood (30' and 31'), before their new Brazilian player Joao Gomes was sent off with a red card for a foul on Frenchman Georginio Rutter (40').
