Manchester United and Chelsea play out goalless draw despite VAR drama
Both Manchester United and Chelsea had first-half penalty appeals waved away at Old Trafford, with the away team in particular feeling hard done by after a grapple between captains Harry Maguire and Cesar Azpilicueta in the United box.
The Athletic understands that Martin Atkinson’s on-pitch decision was checked by the VAR as play went on, and ruled not a penalty.
The game itself was a cagey affair, with Eduoard Mendy making a fine save in each half to deny Marcus Rashford.
Edinson Cavani also came on as a substitute for his United debut and almost scored with his first touch, only for his deft flick to flash wide.
Real go top after win in El Clasico
Real Madrid were comfortable 3-1 winners at the Nou Camp in the first Clasico of the season.
Fede Valverde opened the scoring on five minutes, but teenage sensation Ansu Fati pulled a goal back for Barcelona just three minutes later.
Clement Lenglet conceded a second-half penalty after a VAR review, and Real captain Sergio Ramos dutifully converted his 24th spot-kick in a row.
Luka Modric added a skilful third in the 90th minute, leaving Real top and six points ahead of Barcelona, who do have a game in hand.
Aguero and Antonio suffer injuries in West Ham vs Man City draw
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that forward Sergio Aguero suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.
The Argentina international, who made his long-awaited return from a knee injury in City’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal last week, was withdrawn at half-time. He was replaced by Phil Foden, who scored the equalising goal to earn City a point at the London Stadium.
West Ham goalscorer Michail Antonio also hobbled off and will get a scan, although the club are hopeful the injury is not as serious.
Fran Kirby to miss Germany international due to injury
England will be without Chelsea forward Fran Kirby in their friendly against Germany, Europe’s highest ranked team, on Tuesday.
Kirby picked up an ankle injury in an in-house training game on Friday at St George’s Park and will return to Chelsea for further assessment.
It was Kirby’s first time back in the Lionesses squad since being diagnosed with pericarditis in November 2019.
Fulham suffer home defeat to Crystal Palace
Fulham lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage, leaving them bottom of the Premier League table with just one point from six matches.
Fulham couldn’t contain Wilfried Zaha, who was electric.
He assisted Jairo Riedewald to score the opener in the eighth minute and then tapped in at the back post to double Palace’s lead in the second half.
Ademola Lookman, Fulham’s new loanee from RB Leipzig, impressed for the home side, twice hitting the post. Fulham did manage to claw one back thanks to captain Tom Cairney’s wonder strike in the 95th minute but it was too little too late.
Bayern win and Musiala scores again
Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick as Bayern Munich won 5-0 at home against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
It was not all good for Bayern, however, as Alphonso Davies suffered a right ankle injury and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
Ex-Chelsea youth prospect Jamal Musiala came on for Kingsley Coman and added Bayern’s fifth after a goal from Leroy Sane.
Musiala swapped London for Munich last summer, and The Athletic’s Simon Johnson and Raphael Honigstein have documented the 17-year-old’s journey.
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(Photos: Oli Scarff – Pool/Getty Images, Alex Caparros/Getty Images, Manchester City FC/Manchester City FC via Getty Images, Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
