Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1220238
21 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 MARCH 2020 SPORTS FOOTBALL MANCHESTER United secured derby bragging rights by defeating Manchester City, while Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti endured a forgettable return to Stamford Bridge. Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho questioned the contribution of Tottenham's record-sign- ing Tanguy Ndombele. Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the main talking points from the latest round of Premier League fixtures. United's overdue derby double aids Liver- pool title quest Manchester United boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification by completing a first league double over neigh- bours Manchester City since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. Errors in either half from City goalkeeper Ederson allowed Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay to end United's decade-long wait to take six points from their local rivals. The 2-0 home win was a first top-flight loss at Old Trafford for City boss Pep Guardiola and kept the hosts within touching distance of fourth-placed Chelsea. Runaway leaders Liverpool, who bounced back from losing their lengthy unbeaten re- cord by beating Bournemouth on Saturday, also benefited from the result. Jurgen Klopp's men ended the weekend 25 points clear of second-placed City and just two wins from a first title in 30 years. Happy Gilmour helps ruin Ancelotti's re- turn Ancelotti was last weekend shown a rea- fr4d card after beingThe Italian, who was fined but avoided a touchline ban, had further reason for anger on his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked by Chelsea in 2011. His sloppy Everton side paid the price for a slow start and were thrashed 4-0 by his former team, who handed a full Pre- mier League debut to 18-year-old Billy Gil- mour. Scottish midfielder Gilmour, who impressed in the midweek FA Cup victory over Liverpool, marked the occasion with another assured performance to enhance the top-four aspirations of Frank Lampard's Blues and inflict the joint heaviest league defeat of Ancelotti's distinguished manage- rial career. Record signing fighting for Spurs future Ancelotti was last weekend shown a red card after being left fuming by a disallowed goal against Manchester United. The Italian, who was fined but avoided a touchline ban, had further reason for anger on his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked by Chelsea in 2011. His sloppy Everton side paid the price for a slow start and were thrashed 4-0 by his former team, who handed a full Pre- mier League debut to 18-year-old Billy Gil- mour. Scottish midfielder Gilmour, who impressed in the midweek FA Cup victory over Liverpool, marked the occasion with another assured performance to enhance the top-four aspirations of Frank Lampard's Blues and inflict the joint heaviest league defeat of Ancelotti's distinguished manage- rial career. Record signing fighting for Spurs future Ndombele has failed to light up the Pre- mier League since his £54million summer arrival from Lyon and could now be battling to save his Tottenham career. The 23-year-old was hauled off at half-time during Spurs' 1-1 draw at Burnley and lat- er singled out for criticism by unimpressed manager Mourinho, who claimed his team "didn't have a midfield" in the first half. Many pundits expressed surprise at the public na- ture of the dressing down. Under-performing France international Ndombele, signed during the reign of Mau- ricio Pochettino, must significantly im- prove to win around Mourinho, justify his hefty transfer fee, and prove he has a future in north London. Henderson relishing chance to stake Eng- land claim With Euro 2020 on the horizon, Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson further underlined his international credentials with a superb triple save to secure his side's 1-0 win over bottom club Norwich. Jordan Pickford's position as England number one has come under increasing scrutiny following a string of errors and Blades boss Chris Wilder expects Manches- ter United loanee Henderson to win his first Three Lions cap later this month. The in-form 22-year-old now has 10 Pre- mier League clean sheets for the season, one behind fellow England candidate Nick Pope, while only table-topping Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than the South Yorkshire side. Beleaguered Brighton yet to break 2020 duck Brighton picked up a battling point at high-flying Wolves on Saturday but, alarmingly, remain the only team in the top four divisions without a win this cal- endar year. Albion have plummeted into serious rele- gation danger having accumulated the few- est top-flight points during that time (8), while only Norwich and Newcastle have managed fewer goals. The struggling Seagulls must quickly re- discover the form which prompted the club to extend head coach Graham Potter's con- tract to 2025. Their next five fixtures include clashes with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liver- pool and Manchester City - a daunting run which could potentially leave them in a per- ilous position. Five takes from the Premier League weekend Manchester United celebrate Anthony Martial's goal