Saturday Football roundup – Bournemouth stun United, Liverpool fight back & WSL action sees Hemp brace
Saturday’s top-flight English football action saw six Premier League matches and a big Women’s Super League (WSL) game. The game of the day was the shocking 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United thanks to Bournemouth.
Premier League: Highlights of the biggest matches
Salah scores 200th goal as Liverpool fight back
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Mohamed Salah scored his 200th goal for Liverpool, making him the fifth player in the club’s history to reach this milestone. The achievement came in a late comeback against 10-man Crystal Palace, securing Liverpool’s place at the top of the Premier League. The 76th-minute equaliser by Salah, followed by Harvey Elliott’s stunning strike in added time, lifted Liverpool above Arsenal. The turning point occurred just 98 seconds after Jordan Ayew was sent off. The match was largely frustrating with few clear-cut chances .
Late VAR drama denies Arsenal equaliser
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa have bagged themselves third place in the PL standing after a narrow win over Arsenal – who missed the chance to top the Premier League table. Villa captain John McGinn scored the decisive goal after controlling Leon Bailey’s cross. Arsenal’s late attempt by Kai Havertz was disallowed for handball after a lengthy VAR review. Despite Arsenal’s late pressure, Villa maintained their lead, following up on their recent significant win against Manchester City, and achieved a club record 15th consecutive home league victory. The defeat ended Arsenal’s six-game winning streak in all competitions.
Manchester United thrashed on home soil
Manchester United 0-3 AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth thrashed United 3-0 at Old Trafford with striker Dominic Solanke’s early goal setting the stage for Bournemouth’s historic win, marking their first at Old Trafford and intensifying the pressure on United’s manager, Erik ten Hag. Second-half headers from Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi within five minutes sealed the remarkable triumph for Bournemouth. Solanke credited the team’s recent growth and confidence, emphasising their improved cohesion under coach Andoni Iraola. The victory left a significant impact, with substitute Dango Ouattara having a potential fourth goal ruled out by VAR for handball in stoppage time.
WSL: Hemp scores brace leading City comeback
Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa
Lauren Hemp’s two quick-fire goals secured a victory for Manchester City over Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League at the Joie Stadium. Despite Danielle Turner giving Villa an early lead, Carla Ward’s side struggled to contain City, eventually succumbing in the second half. The win propelled City to second place in the WSL table, level on points with Arsenal in third and three points behind leaders Chelsea. Villa, with star striker Rachel Daly finding it challenging to make an impact, remained in the 10th position. City dominated possession and, after an audacious volley attempt by Hemp, mounted pressure on Villa’s defence. The turnaround began with Hemp’s emphatic header,followed by another goal as she connected with Alex Greenwood’s header. Hemp, seeking a hat-trick, forced a save from Villa’s goalkeeper. Despite some resilient defending, Villa failed to capitalise on their early lead, highlighting their struggles this season.
