LIVERPOOL TRIUMPHS 2-0 AGAINST ASTON VILLA IN INTENSE CLASH
Liverpool snapped their winless streak with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa. Mohamed Salah scored his 250th club goal and Ryan Gravenberch netted on his return from injury in a crucial win.
Salah scores as Liverpool ends losing streak with win over Villa - Photo Credit: Getty Images
The Reds ended their four-game losing streak in the Premier League on Saturday night thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch, who was back, and Mohamed Salah.
After an error by Emi Martinez, Salah scored his 250th goal for the team right before halftime, making him just the third player to do so after Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.
Salah struck into the open net to give the home team a lead at halftime after the Argentine sold Pau Torres short.
When Gravenberch, who had just recovered from an injury, broke through from midfield and his effort deflected off Torres and into the opposing net in minute 58, they doubled their lead.
However, the champions did not have it all their own way; in minute six, Morgan Rogers frightened them.
Matty Cash's cross-shot took an unfortunate bounce from Virgil van Dijk, forcing Giorgi Mamardashvili to make a great save at his near post, but the deputy goalkeeper was equal to it.
The Frenchman was warned for being a yard offside, but Hugo Ekitike thought he had opened the scoring by nodding in from Dominik Szoboszlai's cross.
Ultimately, it served as a cosy reminder of how to win a Premier League match, and Slot's choice to go back to past performance and the blueprint from the previous season was the right one.
In what should be an exciting Champions League match, they will next welcome Real Madrid and Trent Alexander-Arnold back to Merseyside.
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.