On the weekend the football world mourned and cherished one of its favourite sons and England’s greatest ever sportsman, there were yet more Premier League highlights.
Fittingly, the winning goal scored by Manchester United, the club where he became an institution, was the kind of strike that Sir Bobby Charlton plundered by the barrel-load in his pomp as Diogo Dalot’s 78th minute strike settled an absorbing muck-and-nettles Premier League contest against struggling Sheffield United.
Charlton was part of the fabric of football, not just his old club. All sides of Bramall Lane stood and partook in the minute’s applause before kick-off – a mark of the esteem in which he was held over the Pennines, across the country and beyond. Erik ten Hag suggested some of his squad were inspired to mark the occasion with a win, Dalot among them.
The loss of Charlton has been felt elsewhere through football too and that was acknowledged across the city where Manchester City paid tribute following their 2-1 win over Brighton.
After three straight domestic defeats (two in the league, one in the League Cup), they were determined to get back to winning ways.
That potentially spelt very bad news for the Seagulls who have never won at City and still haven’t after going down to their 12th defeat in their 14th league meeting.
Two goals inside the opening 19 minutes set them on their way as first Julian Alvarez floated an effort over the head of Brighton keeper Jason Steele before Erling Halaand ended a run of three matches without a goal – rare for him – when he pounced on a Carlos Baleba error and fired home a thunderous left-foot shot.
Brighton have conceded more goals than anyone in the relegation zone, and they are having wretched luck with injury with Solly March the latest to suffer misfortune here, but they remain an example for all.
They never gave up at the Etihad Stadium and on-loan Barcelonan youngster Ansu Fati capitalised on a poor Manuel Akanji clearance inside the penalty area to reduce the deficit.
The goal made for a nervy final period as City clung on and Brighton pushed for an equaliser with City forced to see out stoppage time with 10 men when Akanji was shown a second yellow card.
City are top of the table and Arsenal missed the chance to replace them a few hours later, although they can take solace from a second half fightback at Chelsea after the home side had seemed in total control.
In a much improved showing from Mauricio Pochettino’s men, a Cole Palmer penalty and a speculative effort from Mykhailo Mudryk put them in the ascendancy.
Yet the Gunners scored twice in seven second half minutes to show there is character in the ranks as Declan Rice sent a poor clearance from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez straight past him before substitute Leandro Trossard stole in at the far post to convert a Bukayo Saka cross.
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds on an Arsenal comeback had been slim, as they had on a Luton Town fightback when they trailed by the same scoreline at Nottingham Forest with seven minutes remaining.
Chris Wood’s double looked to have won the game until Forest failed to deal with a routine free-kick and Chiedozie Ogbene fired home the loose ball.
Substitute Adebayo then cushioned a long ball on his chest before stroking the ball beyond Matt Turner in stoppage time.
The Hatters are showing a spirit, every inch of which they will need to survive.
So are Wolves who scored late on to make it a happy return for former manager Gary O’Neill at 10-man Bournemouth who remain without a win and in the drop zone.
Claret goes down well in the Midlands and that was proven again on Sunday afternoon as Aston Villa put four past West Ham – who mainly fail to convince on their travels.
Tuesday marks the anniversary of Unai Emery’s appointment as Villa boss and the Spaniard has transformed the team since taking over from Steven Gerrard.
Douglas Luiz opened the scoring and the Brazil midfielder then doubled that lead with a penalty just after the restart.
A deflected shot by Jarrod Bowen led to a nervy spell for the hosts, but in-form striker Ollie Watkins fired in his eighth goal of the season for Villa.
Substitute Leon Bailey then struck late on to wrap up an 11th straight league victory at home, Villa’s best run since winning 13 in a row when they were reigning European champions in 1983.
During the contest, Villa Park burst into applause and a loud chant from all around of “there’s only one Bobby Charlton”.
As football says farewell to England’s finest, one of England’s finest clubs appears to be going places yet again.
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