It was a good Christmas holiday period for EPL leaders Arsenal. They were top of the table for Christmas and then on Boxing Day former manager Arsene Wenger paid his first visit back to the Emirates since May 2018 when he was forced out. The 73 year-old Frenchman managed the club for 22 years, but left under a cloud after the Gunners finished outside the top four on consecutive seasons. Wenger was warmly welcome back by the Gooners as they beat West Ham 3-1.
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On New Year’s Eve Arsenal’s good fortune continued with chasing clubs Manchester City and Newcastle both dropping home points. City could only draw 1-1 with struggling Everton, while Newcastle, who are having a great season, played out a scoreless draw with Leeds at St James’ Park. Arsenal were away to Brighton in the late kick-off on Saturday and they duly won their game in hand against the Seagulls to extend their lead at the top to seven points once again.
Irish international Evan Ferguson was introduced on the hour mark and he took a significant step in his fledgling career by becoming Brighton’s youngest EPL goalscorer. Ferguson, who only turned 18 in October, capitalized on poor defending from Saliba and tucked the ball under the advancing Aaron Ramsdale in the 77th minute. After the game Brighton’s Italian-born manager Roberto De Zerbi said that ‘‘Ferguson is a very good player and has very big potential like many of our players.’’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said that the gap at the top of the table means nothing if the Gunners slip up, adding ‘‘our only focus is again to improve.’’ Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League since 2004 and there is still a long way to go, but already some analysts are talking about The Gunners home game against Manchester City on Feb.15 as being the title decider.
Erling Haaland has become the fastest player in the EPL to score 20 goals and it took him only 14 games. The Norwegian got his 19th and 20th in City’s 3-1 win over Leeds in midweek, against the team he supported as a boy He was born in Leeds in July 2000 when his father Alfie was played for Leeds United. On Saturday Haaland got his 21st goal, but the Toffees got a share of the points thanks to a brilliant strike by Birmingham-born Demarai Gray and some stout defending, including by Shane Coleman who came on in the 70th minute.
With Darwin Nunez struggling to score Liverpool have completed the signing of Netherlands international Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an undisclosed fee, subject to a work permit. The 23-year-old striker officially joined the Reds when the transfer window opened on New Year’s Day. Gakpo, who made his international debut at Euro 2020 and has 14 caps, starred for his country at the World Cup, scoring three goals in Qatar. At the weekend Liverpool had a rather fortune 2-1 win over Leicester where Leicester Belgian defender Wout Faces concedes two freak own goals. The first took a shocking deflection off the defender’s boot and the second on the stroke of half came when a shot rebounded off the post and hit the player’s knee. It’s wasn’t a great return to Anfield for their former manager Brendan Rodgers. The Reds, however, lost Monday 3-1 away to Brentford.
Manchester United got into the top four for the first time this season after a hard-won three points away to Wolves. United manager Erik ten Hag dropped Marcus Rashford after the player was late for a team meeting, but then the England international was introduced at half-time and got the only goal of the game in the 76th minute. A win for Spurs at home to Aston Villa on Sunday would have seem them overtake United, but they were beaten 2-0 at White Hart Lane Stadium. Matt Doherty started for Spurs, who were booed off at the end of the game by their frustrated supporters.
On Saturday new owner Bill Foley and minority owner Michael B Jordan were introduced to the Bournemouth crowd before their home game against a Crystal Palace team, that had failed to have a shot on target in their two previous games. But the Eagles managed to put two past Irish goalkeeper Mark Travers and win 2-0.
As the Echo went to press Tuesday, Manchester United were hosting Bournemouth, while Newcastle were visiting Arsenal.
Gavin Bazunu is going through a sticky patch at Southampton and the Saints are bottom after losing 2-1 away to Fulham. Bazunu was partly responsible for conceding a late penalty but redeemed himself by saving Mitrovic’s spot kick. Meanwhile the third Irish goalkeeper with an EPL club Caoimhin Kelleher, says he will make a decision on his long-term future at the end of the season. Bazunu went on loan to Portsmouth from Manchester City and then secured a big money move to the Saints, and no doubt Kelleher is thinking along similar lines. Last season the Cork-born keeper only saw action in Liverpool’s League Cup games and he is expected to play in their FA Cup 3rd round tie against Wolves on Saturday next.
IDAH ON TARGET
Irish international Adam Idah ended 2022 on a high after a difficult 12 months, scoring in Norwich’s 1-1 draw with Reading at the weekend. It was just the Cork native’s 12th appearance in 2022 and sixth in all competitions this season, but his first Championship start after an injury-ridden spell. The 21-year-old last found the net in the league when Norwich were a top-flight club, scoring in the 2-1 win over Everton last January. Irish midfielder Josh Cullen got Burnley’s winner as they beat Stoke 1-0 to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Championship.
Pelé during his November 2009 visit to Dublin. INPHO/CATHAL NOONAN
POPULAR VISITOR
Since Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar a few weeks back many people have been debating as who was the best, Maradona or Messi. It’s a hard call, but there is no doubt who was greatest footballer of all time was and that’s Pelé, who died at the weekend at the age of 82. (See also Jay Mwamba’s piece on Page 22 opposite.) Pelé was a popular visitor Ireland on the few occasions he made the trip. The Brazilian played against a combined Bohemians/Drumcondra selection for Santos in Dalymount Park in March 1962. There is a picture of Dubliner Johnny Fullam trying to dispossess the great man. Another memorable visit was in November 2009, a mere eight days since Thierry Henry had handballed Ireland out of the World Cup play-off in Paris. Pelé’s 2009 visit was organised by Derry-born author Don Mullan as part of the footballer’s “Goals For Life” venture to raise money for the Little Prince Hospital in Curitiba and Crumlin.
Pelé showing off the Jules Rimet Trophy on the Champes Elysees in Paris in March 1971. Brazil got to keep the trophy upon their third win of the World Cup. INPHO/ALLSPORT
During his 2009 visit, Pelé rubbed shoulders with former FAI President John Delaney and spoke about his relationship with then Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, who had once man-marked him for Italy in a friendly in 1963. “I used to tell Trapattoni. ‘You look like my wife. Wherever I go, you go. Go and play differently,’’’ said Pelé. In 1979 Louis Kilcoyne, thanks to his relationship with FIFA president Joao Havelange, brought Pelé to Dublin for a charity event and the footballer also appeared on “The Late Late Show” in 2006, promoting his autobiography. Brazil played a Shamrock Rovers All-Ireland XI in 1973, but by then Pelé had retired.
