PL:Arsenal(H)Liverpool

 Saturday 3rd April

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 3

From the BBC Sport website:

Danny Murphy praises the mental strength shown by Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool thrust themselves firmly back into the battle for a place in the Premier League's top four as they outclassed abject Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea's shock thrashing at home to West Brom earlier in the day opened the door for Liverpool - and Jurgen Klopp's men burst straight through it in style with a victory that leaves them in fifth, only two points behind Thomas Tuchel's side.

The only surprise was that it took dominant Liverpool so long to make their superiority count.

They finally got the breakthrough they deserved after 64 minutes when Diogo Jota headed Trent Alexander-Arnold's brilliant delivery past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno moments after he replaced Andy Robertson.

It was not only the decisive moment of the contest but also a timely reminder of the quality Alexander-Arnold possesses at a time when England manager Gareth Southgate feels he can do without him.

• 'A top-four dogfight is not a success - but things look brighter for Liverpool'
• 'Unacceptable' Arsenal anger Arteta

Liverpool doubled their lead four minutes later when Mohamed Salah took advantage of poor defending by Arsenal's Gabriel then slid a cool finish through Leno's legs.

Jota was the beneficiary of more good work from Alexander-Arnold when he slammed home his second from close range with eight minutes left - by then, though, the game had become a formality.

Klopp said Liverpool "have to show we are really fighting for it" when asked about getting back in the running for a Champions League place.

"It was a very important statement. In our position it is clear, everything that has happened to us this season means we don't have it in our hands," he added.

"We have to win our games and others have to lose but we have to [put] pressure on them. That is what we did with the result but we are still not in. We have to fight and we will fight and that is the statement for us and nobody else."

'Alexander-Arnold showed his class'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praises Trent Alexander-Arnold after Arsenal win

England manager Southgate's exclusion of Alexander-Arnold for the opening World Cup qualifiers shocked Klopp - and the defender's performance in north London showed why.

Southgate currently prefers Chelsea's 21-year-old Reece James, who he seems to regard as the more complete defensive and attacking package, Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier, believing Alexander-Arnold needs to improve his club form to merit inclusion amid a relatively indifferent season for the Premier League champions as a team.

Klopp is clearly satisfied with Alexander-Arnold, though, and that is hardly surprising after the right-back showed what a threat he offers as Liverpool overpowered Arsenal.

He showcased his sublime delivery for Jota's opener then demonstrated his energy and awareness to steal back possession high up the pitch in the build-up to the prolific Portugal forward's second goal.

Klopp said afterwards he did not want to "make another discussion" but added that "Alexander-Arnold had showed his class again".

"If somebody says Trent is not [in good shape] then I have to say they are wrong, that is all. I am not responsible for [Southgate's] decisions," Klopp added.

It was a display that responded to Southgate's decision to drop him in the perfect manner and suggested England must have serious quality at right-back if Alexander-Arnold is in serious danger of missing Euro 2020.

Liverpool and Klopp had a hugely satisfying night all round. Brazil's Fabinho gave a masterclass in the midfield anchor role, demonstrating what the side missed when he was deputising in central defence to cover for injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Klopp's side may be in a miserable run of six successive home defeats but their away form is sustaining them and this comfortable three points, on the back of the previous victory at Wolves, gives them real hope of Champions League qualification.

With a Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Real Madrid on Tuesday, Liverpool suddenly look like a team with renewed purpose and momentum.

Lacklustre Arsenal get what they deserve

Diogo Jota has scored four Premier League goals against Arsenal - more than he has against any other side in the competition

The only positive about this Arsenal performance was the fact they kept Liverpool out for 64 minutes - although that was more down to the Premier League champions' lack of cutting edge up than especially good work by the Gunners.

The hosts were dreadful and fortunate not to be beaten far more heavily. This was miserable stuff from Arsenal.

The only work Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, complete with extravagant new moustache, had to do all night was clutch a straightforward shot from substitute Cedric Soares in the second half.

Yes, Arsenal lost influential left-back Kieran Tierney right on half-time, but that was no excuse for what Mikel Arteta's side served up. They offered no punch in attack, no fight in midfield and were eventually overwhelmed in defence.

Arsenal saved themselves by coming from three goals down to earn a point in their last league game at West Ham but there was never the slightest hope of a comeback against Liverpool.

They sit in ninth place, four points adrift of Everton having played two games more, and much now rests on their Europa League quarter-final against Slavia Prague.

They will have to produce much better than they did here, their night summed up by the anonymous performance of main striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who spent much of his game as an auxiliary left-back before being substituted.

'I take the blame, it's my responsibility' - what they said

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he was left 'in shock' after 3-0 loss to Liverpool

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: "They were better in every department. I take the blame, it's my responsibility. They were the best team by far. They won by three goals and it could have been more.

"They won every duel, every second ball, every challenge. To be fair, I'm in shock. I didn't expect that one coming. It's my job to make things better. Today we hit a really low level. It was not acceptable.

"For sure we cannot hit that level again. When you represent this club you have to stand up and take the challenge."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: "As a package it was a good performance. We finished our situations off. Arsenal were not really in the game for the whole 95 minutes. That was down to us.

"We had to keep going and keep the momentum. I wasn't frustrated at half-time. We had to work hard and when you do that you have a good chance of winning.

"When people talk about you in the wrong way, you want to react. It was a sensational cross by Trent for the [first] goal."

Reds continue fine form on the road - the stats

• Each of Liverpool's last six Premier League victories have come away from home. In their league history, this is only the second time they've had such a run, with each of their six wins between February and August 1955 all coming on the road.
• Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in nine goals in nine Premier League appearances against Arsenal, scoring seven and assisting two more.
• Liverpool registered their biggest margin of victory in an away top-flight match against Arsenal.
• Premier League matches between Arsenal and Liverpool have now produced 169 goals, more than any other fixture in the competition's history.
• Arsenal have only picked up one victory from their last 12 Premier League matches against Liverpool (D4 L7).
• This was Mikel Arteta's 50th Premier League game in charge of Arsenal (W21 D12 L17), with the Spaniard losing four more games in that period than his predecessor Unai Emery.

What's next?

Liverpool play the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday (20:00 BST) before hosting Aston Villa in the Premier League next Saturday (15:00).

Arsenal's Europa League home leg against Slavia Prague takes place on Thursday (20:00), after which they visit Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday (19:00).

CH:Brentford(A)Huddersfield

Saturday 3rd April

 Huddersfield Town 1 Brentford 1

From the BBC Sport website:

A mix-up in the Brentford defence gave Lewis O'Brien the opportunity to open the scoring with the Terriers' only shot of the first half

Brentford's automatic promotion hopes were dealt a blow after a draw which edged Huddersfield closer to safety.

Lewis O'Brien took advantage of a mix-up between Bees goalkeeper David Raya and defender Mads Roerslev to put the hosts ahead after seven minutes.

Brentford equalised five minutes into the second half when Mads Sorensen turned in Vitaly Janelt's cutback, before Ivan Toney hit the post.

Both sides had chances to win it late on but had to settle for a point each.

The point moves Brentford up to third on goal difference but they remain nine points behind Watford in second, albeit with a game in hand, with the draw edging Huddersfield eight points clear of the relegation places.

• Relive the action as it happened

The opener arrived via a needless mix-up in the Bees defence with Raya racing out to the edge of his area as Roerslev cut out a through ball. But the defender's loose pass immediately gave possession away to the pressing O'Brien who rolled it into the net as Raya scrambled back.

Promotion-chasing Brentford were struggling to get into their rhythm but showed a glimpse of what they are capable of when a slick move saw Sergi Canos find Janelt, who got his shot away only to be denied by a fine save with his legs by Ryan Schofield.

Huddersfield received a slice of luck shortly before the half hour when Naby Sarr was fortunate to get away with a handball in his own area while chasing back under pressure from Toney.

The Bees were back on level terms shortly after the restart when Pontus Jansson's header was cleared off the line, but the ball was kept alive by Janelt for Sorensen to turn past Schofield.

Brentford celebrate Sorensen's equaliser, but the visitors couldn't find a winner

They almost made it two in two minutes when a frustrated Toney at last found some space to fire a shot at goal which came back off the post.

Raya was then called into action to keep the scores level with a fine low stop to deny Demeaco Duhaney, shortly after Bryan Mbeumo had headed wide at the other end.

Substitute Tariqe Fosu saw a late shot saved by Terriers keeper Schofield and Christian Norgaard volleyed a shot over the bar as the Bees' stuttering promotion push continued.

NL:Weymouth(H)MaidenheadUnited

 Friday 2nd April

Weymouth 2 Maidenhead United 1

From the BBC Sport website:

Weymouth produced a late comeback to beat 10-man Maidenhead 2-1 in the National League.

Sam Barratt scored direct from a corner five minutes into the second half to put United on course for the win.

Despite having Manny Parry sent off just before the hour for a foul on Pierre Fonkeu it looked like the visitors were going to hold on until a turnaround late in the game.

Sean Shields equalised in the 86th minute when his cross evaded everyone and flew into the top corner, and then Andrew Dallas won it in the sixth minute of added time when he was hauled down in the box before stepping up to convert the late penalty.

L2:Exeter(A)PortVale

 Friday 2nd April

Port Vale 1 Exeter City 0

From the BBC Sport website:

Theo Robinson secured Port Vale's fourth consecutive victory as his goal was enough to beat Exeter City at Vale Park.

Robinson registered for the first time since 20 October when he tapped in from close range to give the tumbling Grecians, who only mustered one shot on target, their fourth defeat in five.

Darrell Clarke's side bolted out the traps and were in front inside two minutes after some superb interplay from the front three.

Devante Rodney almost doubled the lead when his thunderous strike drew a fine save from Jokull Andresson.

After the break Vale stopper Scott Brown got down well to keep out striker Matt Jay.

On-loan Icelandic stopper Andresson was forced to once again thwart Valiants top scorer Rodney 10 minutes from time en route to a deserved Vale victory.

Brown produced a great late save from substitute Tom Parkes to secure the points.

L1:Plymouth(H)AFC Wimbledon

 Friday 2nd April

Plymouth Argyle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0

From the BBC Sport website:

Sam Woods scored the only goal as Plymouth edged to a League One win over AFC Wimbledon.

The goal came after just 11 minutes as on-loan Crystal Palace defender Woods cheekily back-heeled home Tyrese Fornah's right-wing cross at the near post.

Niall Ennis looked to have doubled Argyle's lead after 30 minutes but his shot was cleared off the line by defender Cheye Alexander.

That spurred Wimbledon, who forced home goalkeeper Michael Cooper to make two superb saves in a minute.

Cooper acrobatically palmed over Ryan Longman's rising drive after the Dons' best attacking move of the half, and from the corner the keeper made an even better stop to somehow keep out Will Nightingale's point-blank strike at the far post.

Ethan Chislett missed a golden opportunity to equalise at the start of the second half as he skewed his shot wide from inside the box.

Substitute striker Ollie Palmer went close with a thumping drive as Wimbledon pressed for a leveller before an unmarked Ben Heneghan headed high and wide from Palmer's 89th-minute cross as Plymouth held on.

WCH:Lewes(H)LondonBees

 Sunday 28th March

Lewes 2 London Bees 1

From the F.A. (improving very slowly and painfully)

 

Lewes 2-1 London Bees

Megan Mackey's winner gives Lewes all three points

Megan Mackey’s second-half winner secured Lewes a 2-1 win over London Bees in the FA Women’s Championship.  

Sophie Quirk’s equaliser midway through the first half cancelled out Evie Gane’s deflected own goal that gifted Lewes the lead. 

But Mackey’s finish gave Lewes all three points and ensures London Bees remain bottom of the table heading into the closing stages of the season.

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KEY MOMENTS  

Lewes broke the deadlock in the early stages when an inswinging corner was deflected into her own net by the unfortunate Gane.  

The hosts could have doubled their lead shortly after thanks to some great play from Ini Umotong, squaring the ball to Danni Lane, whose effort was cleared off the line.  

At the other end, London Bees’ Brooke Nunn had a close-range effort that went straight into the hands of Tatiana Saunders.  

But the Bees equaliser wasn’t long in coming, with Quirk curling an effort into the bottom corner. 

Simon Parker’s side found their rhythm as Lucy Ashworth-Clifford – constantly playing a pivotal role in the Lewes attack – found Sophie O’Rourke. She crossed for Emma Jones, and her effort went straight at Faye Hazelton.  

Just before half-time, the London Bees goalkeeper then produced a string of excellent saves from Ashford-Clifford and Umotong to keep her side on terms. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Lewes’ eventual winner came six minutes into the second half when Mackey looped an audacious effort from out wide over Hazelton and into the net. 

In the closing stages, Lewes continued to chase for their third goal, but Katie Rood’s close-range effort palmed away by Hazelton.

WHAT THEY SAID

Lewes manager Simon Parker said: "I thought we were good in moments, with a lot of chances went to the final third and a lot of touches in the box. 

“A lot of opportunities to score, but we didn't take all of those. There were a few moments in the first half where we lost control and started to feel sloppy. 

"London Bees are a good side, especially on the transition but it was their game plan today to win the ball and hit us early. When they did that, it did cause us issues. 

“After those moments when we were poor and gave a lot of chances, we finished the half strongly and seem to regain a bit of control. 

"We just had to be careful on the ball, keep that focus and concentration especially when we have the ball at the back, we can't keep giving to their midfielders and spring attack on us. If we are around the box, don't be afraid to shoot. To be fair, Megan Mackey's goal is an example of it."

London Bees manager Sian Osmond said: "I can't fault the girls’ work rate and effort – they fought for every single ball and probably a little bit unlucky going forward. 

"We definitely came into this game believing that we can go and get something. We have the belief for the next couple of games to try and get points we need to survive. 

"We were really pleased to get ourselves back into the game, and even tactically.  I think it's probably just looking at what we could do to try and settle ourselves into the ball a bit more so we could try and dominate possession. We wanted to get into a position to get another goal, but it didn't quite work out. 

"We got bags of talent going forward so I think it's just that a little bit of confidence in front of goal. Hopefully, we can take that from today and take into our remaining games.

“There are still points we need to pick up, and we need to focus on what we can do. If we can get some points over the next two games, we have to leave up to fate in terms of what happens to teams around us but I massive believe that this group can secure our place in the Championship."

Lewes (4-3-3): Tatiana Saunders, Rhian Cleverly, Danni Lane, Ellie Hack, Emma Jones, Charley Boswell, Ini Umotong, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, Sophie O’Rourke, Megan Mackey, Mollie Rouse. 

Substitutes: Filippa Savva for Lane 64, Georgia Timms for Jones 80, Katie Rood for Mackey 80, Nicola Cousins for Ashworth-Clifford 90

Substitutes not used: Sammy Quayle, Simran Jhamat, Ellie Leek, Zahra Cheeseman 

Goals: Gane (OG) 5, Mackey 51 

Bookings: O’Rourke 75 

London Bees (4-2-3-1): Faye Hazelton, Hayley West, Georgia Robert, Brooke Nunn, Melissa Filis, Sophie McLean, Charlie Estcourt, Amelia Hazard, Evie Gane, Mia Cruickshank, Sophie Quirk 

Substitutes: Bonnie Horwood for Gane 80, Marianne Taho for Nunn 70, Nicola Gibson for Cruickshank 66, Tricia Gould for Estcourt 80 

Substitutes not used: Sarah Quantrill, Billie Brooks, Georgie Giddings, Millie Constantine, Florence Gamby 

Goals: Quirk 27