Alex Iwobi produced a stellar performance on Sunday as Fulham came from behind to defeat Liverpool 3–2 at Craven Cottage, dealing a blow to the Reds’ Premier League title ambitions.

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The Nigerian midfielder played a key role in Fulham’s impressive first-half comeback, scoring one and assisting another as the hosts overturned an early deficit to take control of the match.

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Liverpool took the lead in the 14th minute through Alexis Mac Allister, who found the net with a screamer after being teed up by Ryan Gravenberch.

But the advantage was short-lived as Fulham responded swiftly. Nine minutes later, Ryan Sessegnon equalised with a composed finish to bring the score to 1–1.

The momentum shifted firmly in Fulham’s favour, and in the 32nd minute, Iwobi made it 2–1 with a well-taken goal. Just five minutes later, Iwobi turned provider, setting up Rodrigo Muniz for Fulham’s third, making it 3–1 before halftime.

The second half saw Liverpool push for a comeback. Luis Díaz gave the visitors hope in the 72nd minute with a goal assisted by Conor Bradley, reducing the deficit to 3–2.

However, despite their efforts, Liverpool were unable to find an equaliser.

Fulham held firm defensively, with Bernd Leno picking up a yellow card in the dying moments of the match as the Cottagers clung to their lead.

Yellow cards were also shown to Sasa Lukić shortly after the restart and Emile Smith Rowe in the 86th minute.
The defeat means Liverpool’s bid to secure the Premier League title faces a slight delay, as they missed an opportunity to seal the title before the season runs out.

For Fulham, the win marks a significant statement and a boost for European football next season.

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Agency Report

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Southampton were relegated from the Premier League in record-setting time after a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday ended their brief stay in the top-flight.

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Brennan Johnson struck twice in the first half and Mateus Fernandes’s late reply was too late to stop bottom of the table Southampton crashing back to the Championship.
Beaten for the 25th time in 31 games, Southampton are the first Premier League team to be relegated with seven matches still to play.

Ipswich and Derby were relegated with six games left in 1994-95 and 2007-08, respectively.

Ivan Juric’s side are also still one shy of matching Derby’s 2007-08 record low Premier League total points of 11.
Juric, whose team are without a win in their last seven league matches, admitted this week that avoiding the record low points tally is Southampton’s only target for the rest of their dismal season.

Southampton were pushed to the brink of relegation when fourth-bottom Wolves came from behind to beat Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday, leaving Saints 22 points from safety.

Their slide down to the second tier was confirmed 315 days after they clinched promotion by beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Russell Martin was architect of Southampton’s success in the Championship with an attacking approach, but his insistence on sticking to those tactics backfired badly in the top flight.

Martin was sacked in December after a 5-0 defeat against Tottenham left Southampton bottom of the table with just five points from 16 games.

Former Roma boss Juric was hired to replace Martin on an 18-month contract, but the Croatian was unable to save Southampton from going down with a whimper.

– No reprieve –

Tottenham have been in turmoil themselves for much of the season, with fan protests against chairman Daniel Ley before and during the game underlining the depth of the problems in north London.

But under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou, who was jeered by Tottenham fans during Thursday’s defeat at Chelsea, earned a little breathing space at Southampton’s expense.

Trying to avoid their lowest finish since 1993-94 — when they came 15th — Tottenham’s first win in five league games lifted them to 13th place.

It was a much-needed boost before their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

Postecoglou’s men took the lead in the 13th minute when Johnson fired into the roof of the net from Djed Spence’s cut-back for his 15th goal in all competitions this season.

That spelt doom for Southampton, who haven’t won a single league game this season after conceding the opening goal.
Lucas Bergvall’s close-range finish was disallowed for offside after the kind of protracted VAR check that has driven Postecoglou to claim the system is “killing the game”.

It was only a temporary reprieve as Wales forward Johnson doubled Tottenham’s advantage with a composed finish from James Maddison’s header in the 42nd minute.

Despite their team’s predicament, Southampton fans packed into one corner of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hadn’t lost their sense of humour, chanting “Que sera, sera… we’re going to Coventry” as the clock ticked down on their stay in the top tier.

In a moment of quality at odds with their woeful campaign, Fernandes chested down and fired past Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario in the 90th minute.

There was no late comeback as Wellington fouled Johnson and Mathys Tel converted the penalty to confirm Southampton’s demise.

AFP

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Real Madrid’s ongoing search for a quality playmaker has reportedly taken them to the Premier League, with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City emerging as a potential target.

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According to a report from Real Madrid Confidencial, the Spanish giants are considering the Portuguese star as part of their plan to strengthen their midfield options.

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The interest from Real Madrid in prominent footballers has been a recurring theme over the years, and their attention seems to be directed towards England this time.

Silva’s name appeared within the outlet soon after Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim shut the doors on Bruno Fernandes’ departure.

Bernardo Silva’s appeal and potential move
Silva is regarded as one of the most accomplished midfielders in European football. The 30-year-old has been a consistent performer for Manchester City, playing a crucial role in their domestic and European successes.

Now, there is a possibility that he may seek a new challenge. His contract with the English club runs until the summer of 2026, but reports suggest he could be available for a relatively modest fee this summer.

Real Madrid’s ongoing search for a quality playmaker has reportedly taken them to the Premier League, with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City emerging as a potential target.

According to a report from Real Madrid Confidencial, the Spanish giants are considering the Portuguese star as part of their plan to strengthen their midfield options.

The interest from Real Madrid in prominent footballers has been a recurring theme over the years, and their attention seems to be directed towards England this time.

Silva’s name appeared within the outlet soon after Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim shut the doors on Bruno Fernandes’ departure.

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