ARSENAL EXTEND FINE FORM WITH BURNLEY WIN
Arsenal extend their lead at the top with a 2-0 win at Burnley. First-half goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice seal a ninth straight victory and a seventh clean sheet in 11 league games.
Declan Rice - Photo Credit: Getty Images
With goals from Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres in the first half, Arsenal defeated Burnley 2-0 to increase their advantage at the top of the Premier League and record nine consecutive victories in all competitions.
Before Rice's incredible header put them ahead 2-0 at halftime, Mikel Arteta's team also improved on their league-leading set-piece goal total, with Gyokeres scoring the first goal from a corner.
Martin Dubravka, the goalie, made two saves to deny Bukayo Saka twice, which would have given the Gunners a larger lead at halftime.
Before Arsenal's arrival, Burnley had won consecutive league games to pull five points clear of the bottom three. However, they were unable to defeat the Londoners and will soon move on following their sixth loss of the year.
Following a lacklustre start, Rice's skilful corner kick in the 14th minute gave Arsenal the lead in typical fashion.
Gabriel sent back across goal the England midfielder's curling inswinger to the far post, and Gyokeres nodded in from close range for his fourth league goal of the year and sixth in 17 games for the Gunners in all competitions.
It marked a period of concentrated pressure for the visitors and was Arsenal's 12th goal from a set piece this season, excluding penalties, more than any other top-flight opponent.
When Maxime Esteve stumbled and Dubravka saved in a one-on-one with Saka, they were denied a second.
After a quick change of possession in midfield, Saka was then denied by an even greater stop by the Slovakian goalkeeper, then Quilindschy Hartman and Axel Tuanzebe blocked Leandro Trossard's goalbound attempt on the line.
After clearing a Burnley throw-in deep in their own half and quickly pushing the ball wide for Trossard, who then had a smashing header from Rice into the top corner, Arsenal surged upfield to score their second goal in the 35th minute.
Burnley did not put up a single attempt on goal in the first half, and Arsenal deserved it all.
After the break, Dubravka easily stopped Trossard's low drive, and Burnley had more possession in the second half as the Gunners were happy to drop deeper, already focused on Tuesday's Champions League match in Prague.
Burnley's first attempt on goal came in the 73rd minute when Esteve's flick-on went over the crossbar and was headed by Florentino Luis.
Before Marcus Edwards' free kick from Burnley struck a post deep in stoppage time, Christian Norgaard's late attempt was blocked by Dubravka, and Arsenal substitute Ethan Nwaneri's shot went just wide.
Arsenal, who last gave up a goal in any competition in a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in September, has now picked up three more points and their seventh clean sheet in 11 league games this season.
ENZO MARESCA LAVISHES PRAISE ON REECE JAMES FOLLOWING STELLAR MIDFIELD SHOWING
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca praised captain Reece James after his dominant midfield display in the 1-0 derby win over Tottenham. James provided crucial physicality alongside Moises Caicedo.
Manager Maresca Applauds Reece James - Photo Credit: Getty Images
After playing a crucial part in our derby triumph away at Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea captain Reece James was showered with praise from Enzo Maresca.
Throughout Maresca's tenure as Blues head coach, our captain has switched between his established position at right-back and a new midfield one. On Saturday, he played in the latter at Tottenham.
With yet another outstanding display, Moises Caicedo stole the show and set up Joao Pedro to score the game's lone goal after winning possession. But perhaps even more crucial to the win was his midfield partner for the day.
Our head coach noted that James' presence there was considered vital since Caicedo and James controlled the centre of the field, even though Spurs tried to crowd out the midfield by giving them a numerical advantage there with their team selection.
It somewhat relies on the strategy. Maresca said, "I believe we needed a little bit more physicality in the centre yesterday."
It was anticipated that they would play alongside [Pape Mater] Sarr, [Rodrigo] Bentancur, and [Joao] Palhinha. They had four midfielders, which surprised us because [Lucas] Bergvall also played.
"There should have been a little more physicality in the middle, but it really relies on the strategy."
James did not appear out of place in our midfield once more. Maresca is now in the fortunate position of knowing that he can count on his captain to give his best effort as a midfielder, defender, and—possibly most importantly—a leader.
Enzo continued, "I think Reece is doing wonderful when he is playing as a midfielder, he is doing fantastic when he is playing full-back, and as far as leadership with the players inside the changing room goes."
REAL MADRID STAR ÁLVARO CARRERAS CELEBRATES EMOTIONAL FIRST CAREER GOAL
Real Madrid crushes Valencia 4-0 with Álvaro Carreras scoring a stunning first goal for the club. The victory extends their La Liga lead to seven points under manager Xabi Alonso.
Álvaro Carreras scored his first goal for Real Madrid - IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Real Madrid easily defeated Valencia in another La Liga victory under Xabi Alonso. Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in the league leaders' 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The third and fourth goals were the two best of the match. Jude Bellingham started the first half with a strong drive from the area's boundary. But the Englishman's goal was overtaken by left-back Álvaro Carreras, who hit a fantastic shot from a sharp angle into the top corner.
After joining the team this past summer from Benfica, it was the Spaniard's first goal. Carreras discussed the strike after the game, suggesting it might be the first of many to come.
Proud of His First Goal in a Real Madrid Shirt, Álvaro Carreras
The 22-year-old has been playing at his peak lately and was one of four players that Xabi Alonso brought in this summer. Although ecstatic about his goal, Carreras never felt pressured to score since he knew that his main responsibilities were elsewhere.
It concluded Real Madrid's outstanding performance, in which they dominated a weak Valencia team from beginning to end. With a victory over Elche, rivals Barcelona may reduce their lead to five points. The victory increased their lead at the top to seven points over Villarreal and eight over Barcelona.
Carreras would have been pleased with another clean sheet for himself and his Los Blancos defence, so the goal was a bonus. They now lead the league with five in 11 games. At the end of the season, he and his defenders will be evaluated based on that.
This defence will be put to the test once more when they play Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League. Even though the Premier League winners are not playing at their best, Carreras and his players will have to contend with the intense atmosphere on the pitch.