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24

2019 Ferguson Delighted Celtic Beat Rangers In Betfred Cup Final
domination
of
Celtic’s
11th, As Everton Put Scottish football continued
with an absorbing 1-0 Betfred
December Cup final win over Old Firm
rivals Rangers at Hampden
Park.
The Light Blues passed up a
| Chelsea To The Sword series of chances with Hoops
EXAMINER Tundoubtedly ‘Big Dunc’ as reminiscent of the Everton of manager Niko Kovac watching making key saves to keep the
goalkeeper Fraser Forster
he header was Ferguson-
celebration
esque,
the
old and one which would have
directors’
box,
from
the
game scoreless at the interval.
resonated with Ferguson from
although not in the company of
Rangers were punished for those missed opportunities when
IRISH Everton’scaretakermanagerover- his 239 league matches in a blue majority shareholder Farhad Celtic defender Christopher Jullien knocked in a Ryan Christie
shirt.
Moshiri and chairman Bill
sawafirstwininfourmatcheswith
free-kick in the 59th minute.
a3-1victoryoverChelsea.
The Scot arrived in the tech-
Kenwright, the hosts continued
Forster then saved a penalty from Alfredo Morelos, after
Richarlison’s early goal was nical area suited and booted – to impress as Theo Walcott’s Hoops right-back Jeremie Frimpong had been sent off by referee
pure theatre, rising above the albeit with his trademark blue low cross just evaded Willie Collum for fouling the striker inside the box.
visitors’ defense to nod home sweatband occasionally poking Richarlison at the far post and Neil Lennon’s 10 men held out for their 10th consecutive tro-
to spark a Duncan Ferguson out from under his left sleeve. Calvert-Lewin shot straight at phy win and his first success in the tournament as a manager, as
charge down the touchline He was soon punching the Kepa Arrizabalaga. Celtic delivered a psychological blow to Rangers, who have
after just five minutes. air and charging down the Chelsea were guilty of over- gone eight years without a major piece of silverware C
It set the tone for an almost touchline to celebrate elaboration in the penalty area
unrecognizable performance Richarlison’s close-range fifth- so even when Michael Keane’s
full of fire and heart after the minute header from Djibril loose control gifted possession Leicester’s Hold On Second Place
former Toffees striker, taking Sidibe’s cross. to Willian, the Brazilian and Strengthens As Vardy Keeps Scoring
over in the short term from the It was a header of which the Tammy Abraham managed to Jamie Vardy scored for an eighth consecutive Premier League
sacked Marco Silva, had called big man himself would have mess things up. match as Leicester City made it eight wins in a row with a 4-1 suc-
for “blood and thunder” from been proud and the first time Tackles and blocks contin- cess at Aston Villa.
his under-achieving players. the Brazil international had ued to be thrown in, Lucas Leicester opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Kelechi
Two goals for Dominic scored in three consecutive Digne’s clearance in the six- Iheanacho played in Vardy, who scored at the second attempt
Calvert-Lewin after the break Premier League matches. yard box in front of Willian the after scuffing his initial effort and moved within three of his PL-
were more than deserved as An old-school feel was best, until Everton doubled record goalscoring streak of 11 matches.
even Mateo Kovacic’s first enhanced as Ferguson adopted their lead four minutes into the It was 2-0 after 41 minutes, with Iheanacho diverting James
Premier League goal failed to a 4-4-2 formation – something second half.
spoil the party. his predecessor had steadfastly Andreas Christensen and Maddison’s cross in at the near post.
Pre-match Ferguson had refused to try – with goalkeeper Kurt Zouma, the latter on loan Jack Grealish pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time with
praised Chelsea counterpart Jordan Pickford clearly told to at Goodison last season, failed a deflected effort.
Frank Lampard, another play- get the ball forward as quickly to deal with a high ball and Jonny Evans made it 3-1 on 49 minutes, heading in superbly
er-turned-manager at his for- as possible. Calvert-Lewin capitalized. from Maddison’s corner.
mer club, and jokingly asked The caretaker manager’s Within three minutes Vardy added a fourth with 15 minutes remaining, latching on
for some tips. influence was evident in the Kovacic had pulled one back, to Dennis Praet’s long pass to finish low past Tom Heaton. C
Instead it was the novice effort put in by his players, with VAR ruling an offside Abraham
schooling his slightly-more the second-biggest cheer of the had not impinged on Pickford’s Jota Brace Leaves Wolves Undefeated
experienced opposite number. afternoon for the recalled eyeline, and Ferguson was In Eleven Games
Whether it was the change Morgan Schneiderlin after he again rallying the troops. Diogo Jota scored twice as Wolverhampton Wanderers came
of manager which had lifted a harried and harassed Kovacic Both sides missed further from behind to draw 2-2 at Brighton & Hove Albion and make it
cloud or Ferguson’s fearsome on the far touchline to force the chances as Walcott skipped past 11 Premier League matches without defeat.
reputation instilling some fight ball out. N’Golo Kante but shot at Kepa Wolves took the lead after 28 minutes when Raul Jimenez
was irrelevant in a performance With former Bayern Munich after ignoring Richarlison superbly crossed for Jota to slot in from six yards out.
alongside him, while Christian Brighton turned the match on its head within two minutes.
Pulisic steered wide from Neal Maupay brilliantly fired in from Dale Stephens’ 34th-
Kante’s knockdown. minute long pass before Davy Propper put Brighton in front 96
Richarlison was a brave man seconds later, heading in from Leandro Trossard's cross.
to show his displeasure at being Jota made it 2-2 from close range on the stroke of half-time.
substituted 20 minutes from In the second half, Maupay shot straight at Rui Patricio as nei-
time but when Calvert-Lewin ther side could find a winner. C
forced home late on Ferguson
was sprinting down the touch- Newcastle March On Against Saints
line again, celebrating with ball
boys as he went. Federico Fernandez scored a late winner as Newcastle United
He admits he is not yet came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1 at St James’ Park.
ready for what is his dream job In a first half controlled by Saints, Martin Dubravka was twice
on a permanent basis but he has forced to deny Nathan Redmond.
got Goodison rocking again Southampton went ahead on 52 minutes as Danny Ings raced
and restored the appetite for a on to a lofted pass from Jack Stephens and struck his ninth
fight needed to haul the club Premier League goal this season.
away from the threat of relega- Newcastle captain Jonjo Shelvey netted for the third succes-
tion. sive match to level, heading in a cross from Andy Carroll on 68
Moshiri’s final-whistle minutes.
thumbs up to the man in the The Magpies went ahead with three minutes remaining when
technical area was validation Alex McCarthy failed to deal with a shot from Sean Longstaff and
enough. C Fernandez reacted quickest to finish. C