Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester Utd: Villans tighten grip on third after Rogers double
Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United Rogers (45′, 57′) Cunha (45+3′) Morgan Rogers continued his sensational individual form as Aston Villa secured a 10th consecutive win in all competitions, edging out Manchester United at Villa Park. Despite Unai Emery’s side struggling to find their usual rhythm, Rogers provided the clinical edge. On the stroke of halftime, the Englishman cut inside to bend a curling effort into the far corner. The visitors briefly found a route back into the game when Matheus Cunha pounced on a Matty Cash blunder to level the scores, but the level score was short-lived. Rogers isolated Leny Yoro for the second time in the match moments later, mirroring his first-half strike with a nearly identical curled finish over Senne Lammens. The brace takes Rogers’ tally to six goals in his last six league appearances. In the opposing dugout, the pressure intensified for Ruben Amorim. Already hampered by a depleted squad, his plans were thrown into further disarray when Kobbie Mainoo withdrew with a calf injury during the warm-up. The misery was compounded just before the break when talisman Bruno Fernandes pulled up with a suspected hamstring tear. The withdrawal of the Portuguese star is worrying for his manager, whose side is looking perilously thin heading into the festive period. Victory extends Villa’s grasp on third place to 7 points over nearest rivals Chelsea, for United, they slip to two wins in eight games, in what has been an inconsistent run for Ruben Amorim’s side. Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen (Digne 75′) Kamara (Bogarde 88′) Onana (Buendia 84′) McGinn (Guessand 84′) Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins (Malen 75′) Manchester United: Lammens, Yoro (Lacey 84′) Heaven, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte (Zirkzee 73′) Fernandes (Martinez 46′) Dorgu, Mount, Cunha, Sesko (Fletcher 73′)
Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen – An early Christmas gift for Nancy as he picks up his first win as Celtic boss
Aberdeen make the trip down to Glasgow to face Celtic in a Christmas Cracker as the Dons hope to make it five defeats in a row for Wilfried Nancy and Celtic. An early pacey run for Maeda with a cross into the box but just a bit ahead of Kenny which doesn’t allow Celtic to take an early lead. Engles came close himself, a volley from the edge of the box which fired over the bar. Aberdeen had a dangerous attack but Trusty stopping Lazetic striking after giving away the ball to Karlsson. Trusty to the rescue again as Keskinen with a strike this time from close range but a very crucial block by the USA international. Nygren again following a few nice short passes beforehand with Mitov saving well to prevent a Celtic lead. Huge chance for Kenny, a mistake by Mitov which landed at McGregor with Kenny receiving the ball but the attempt strolling wide of goal. Nygren fired Celtic ahead, it began by a Lobban mistake which Yang won back, slotted the ball to Maeda who fed it into Nygren who made no mistake and fired Celtic ahead. Keskinen came close, twisting and turning and unleashed an effort at the near post with Schmeichel tipping it out. Karlsson was close shortly after, a strike from distance which fired wide of target. A phenomenal stop by Mitov in goal, McCowan with a powerful strike just out the box being well saved by the Dons keeper. Dylan Lobban was shown red following a Mitov error, Maeda was through on goal by the Aberdeen youngster pulling back the Celtic star which was surely an obvious red. Nygren should’ve fired Celtic two ahead early second half, a strike from the left hand side of the box which smacked the inside of the post where Mitov comfortably collected. Ralston this time, an effort from outside the box well saved by the Aberdeen number one. Engles then quickly smacked the bar following a shot from inside the box. A low cross into the box after an hour by Kenny which fizzled across the box failing to find its way into the net to keep it at just the one goal. Celtic rattle the post once again, a diving header by Arne Engles where he smacks the ball against the post. Nygren showing his class again, an effort from the edge of the box which fires just wide of target. Celtic should be more ahead but remain just the one goal separating the sides. Aberdeen fired level unexpectedly, Kjartansson winning the ball back, slots it into Bilalovic who makes no mistake and brings the visitors back on level terms. Brilliant defensive work by Aberdeen as Celtic kept trying to get back ahead. Very nervy end to the game at Celtic Park. Youngster Donovan whipped a great ball in, failing to be met by Maeda and Shin but there was Tierney to fire the ball in to bring Celtic back in front. James Forrest wrapped up the win as a low cross by the captain which landed at Forrest who made no mistake and converted past Mitov to seal the win. Shin nearly made it four, a header from outside the box which hit the outside of the bar to keep the score at 3-1. A very big three points in the Nancy era at Celtic as the champions return to winning ways over Aberdeen. Celtic: Schmeichel (6), Trusty (8), Nygren (8), Yang (7), McCowan (7), Kenny (6), Engles (8), Maeda (7), McGregor (8), Ralston (7), Tierney (9). Substitutes: Forrest (7), Shin (6), Scales (6), Donovan (7). Aberdeen: Mitov (7), Lobban (5), Devlin (6), Knoester (6), Milne (5), Jensen (6), Aouchiche (6), Armstrong (7), Karlsson (6), Keskinen (6), Lazetic (6). Substitutes: Gyamfi (6), Bilalovic (8), Kjartansson (7), Shinnie (6), Nisbet (6).
Hearts 2-1 Rangers: quickfire double seals third straight win for Jambos
Hearts 2-1 Rangers Findlay (38′) Shankland (42′) Chermiti (90+5′) Hearts produced a powerful first-half performance to hand Danny Rohl his first league defeat as Rangers manager, and extend their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The game started frantically, but neither side was able to test their opposing goalkeepers in a drab opening nine minutes. That was until James Tavernier’s inswinging corner, which was prodded home by Bojan Miovski at the far post. The away supporters’ celebrations were eventually ruled out, with the Macedonian striker marginally offside from the set piece. Despite the disallowed goal, Rangers had settled well in the Tynecastle cauldron, keen to extend their unbeaten domestic streak under Danny Rohl’s guidance. Alexandros Kyziridis burst into life in the 17th minute. After collecting Michael Steinwender pass, he marauded infield from the right wing. His left-footed curler from 20 yards had pace, but narrowly curled wide of Jack Butland’s right post. Rangers looked dangerous from another set piece moments later, Tavernier was the architect, but his looping free kick was headed wayward by the incoming Nicolas Raskin. Alexander Schwolow tipped Mikey Moore’s right-footed strike after beating his man moments later, as the visitors continued to pose a threat. Hearts clicked into life shortly after. Top goalscorers Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland linked in the centre of the park, before releasing Kyziridis in an advanced area. His driven cross from the right had no takers, but it was the Jambos’ best move of the half so far. Derek McInnes carved out the opening goal in the 37th minute. Braga linked with Kyziridis from a corner kick, whose delivery was powered home by the towering Stuart Findlay. The centre back has been a crucial component of the Jambos’ season, and his 5th league goal invigorated the home side. The second goal arrived four minutes later, courtesy of their captain. Claudio Braga nodded through to Lawrence Shankland after another free-kick, who drilled past Jack Butland at his near post: a quickfire double, and another statement of intent from the league leaders. The second half struggled to replicate the frenetic energy of the first 45, with clear-cut chances proving rare in the opening exchanges. Lawrence Shankland should have put the game to bed on the hour mark, but he could only sidefoot wide from inside the area after another mazy run from Kyziridis. Rangers began to see more of the ball in advanced areas, yet they lacked the killer instinct required to test Schwolow truly. That frustration was epitomised in the 64th minute when Djeidi Gassama failed to connect with a teasing back-post cross, leaving the visitors searching for answers. By committing men forward, Rangers inevitably left gaps for Hearts to exploit. Shankland looked certain to grab his second and Hearts’ third in the 68th minute following a lightning counter-attack, but Jack Butland reacted brilliantly to smother his right-footed strike. The Rangers keeper was called into action again moments later, safely gathering Frankie Kent’s tame header to keep his side in the contest. Desperate for a breakthrough, Danny Rohl turned to his bench for the final 15 minutes, introducing Danilo for Miovski. The substitute nearly made an immediate impact from the edge of the box, seeing his deflected strike whistle past the post, before Emmanuel Fernandez flashed a header wide from the resulting corner. As the clock ticked down, Hearts naturally retreated into a defensive shell, desperate to protect their clean sheet and two-goal cushion. Despite a late consolation strike from Youssef Chermiti, the damage was done, handing Rohl his first league defeat as Rangers manager. The victory momentarily pushes the Jambos nine points clear of Celtic and preserves their unbeaten league record at Tynecastle. The high-stakes fixtures show no sign of slowing down for Hearts, ahead of a massive trip to Easter Road for the second Edinburgh Derby of the season. Hearts: Schwolow 8 Steinwender 7 Kent 8 Findlay 9 Kingsley 8 Devlin 9 McEntee 8 Kyziridis 9 Magnusson 7 Braga 7 Shankland 9 Substitutes: Forrest 6 Baningime 6 Kerjota 4 McCart 4 Kabangu 2 Rangers: Butland 6 Aarons 6 Tavernier 5 Sterling 4 Fernandez 6 Meghoma 4 Barron 5 Raskin 5 Diomande 4 Moore 5 Miovski 4 Substitutes: Chermiti 4 Gassama 4 Danilo 3 Aasgaard 3
“We’ve Got An Opportunity For Every Single One of Us to Leave It Out There” – Anthony Ralston
Celtic defender Anthony Ralston has said Celtic’s disastrous start to life under new manager Wilfried Nancy has ‘hurt’ the playing staff. Traditionally a right-back, Nancy’s change of system has seen Ralston adopt a position as a right sided centre-back of a three during Celtic’s worst run of form since 1978. The reigning champions take on Aberdeen today, and defeat would mean that they equal a record run of defeats since 1953. However, Ralston sees the fixture as a chance to turn things around. He said in a press conference: “It’s tough to take when you’re used to so much success and winning everything there is to win, to then go through a patch like this, there is no hiding that it’s difficult. “There’s no hiding that you feel it. That’s just complete honesty. We’re not robots, we’re human beings. I certainly care about it deeply and we all care about it as well. “We’ve got a squad of players in there that have been hurt by the recent turn of events in terms of results. There’s no question of that and that’s not a secret. “But at the same time, it’s the God’s honest truth, we are all together as a squad. “On Sunday, we’ve got another opportunity for every single one of us to leave it out there, both offensively and defensively, to win a game of football. “That’s what we need to start with. It’s a game at a time to then pick up and I’m sure in the end we’ll be successful.” These comments come in the wake of midfielder Luke McCowan admitting he ‘can’t face friends or family’ midweek following Celtic’s fourth consecutive loss after a 2-1 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice, in a match which heard vocal chants for the manager’s sacking, alongside the Parkhead board. With murmurs of a fresh approach from the Hoops hierarchy towards former boss Ange Postecoglou after the Aussie refused to shut the door on a return, a defeat to Aberdeen today would likely prove to do irreversible damage to Nancy’s chances of getting all of the Celtic faithful behind him. Ralston says that himself and the rest of the players must adapt, and do so quickly, and insists the new boss has the backing of the squad amid rumours of a dressing room rift. “The manager’s really enthusiastic and he believes he can turn things around. There’s no reason why not. “From a personal point of view, I really believe and hope that we can as well. We’ll fight for that to be the case. “Usually you’ve got a pre-season and longer to work on these things and to really understand when there’s a change of system, to understand your position, to understand where you want certain players to be within the system, both offensively and defensively. “The gaffer’s had 11 days to work with us even on that. For both us and for the coaching staff, it’s obviously been difficult because you’ve not got that time. We’ve got a game every three days. “The way I look at that is that you’ve got no choice as a footballer, never mind a Celtic player, to adapt to these situations. “The boys are really trying their hardest and backing that. That’s what we need to try and continue to do. It’s important that we now start turning things around. “We just have to listen and try to implement that in the game as quickly as we can. That isn’t easy to do and that’s no secret. Again, like I say, when you’re at a club like Celtic, you have no choice. “You have to adapt and you have to be successful. That’s the demand on us as players. We need to take that responsibility as well as following the manager’s instructions.”
