Europa League: Victories for Manchester United and Tottenham; Leicester held in Prague
The early kick-offs in the Europa League provided Sporting Life readers with winning tips in each game involving English sides.
Results
Manchester United all-but-secured their spot in the next round with a convincing 4-0 victory against Real Sociedad. Bruno Fernandes netted twice in that game, landing Steven Railston a 6/4 winning tip after he backed the United midfielder to score anytime.
In Prague, Leicester were held by Slavia in a 0-0 draw but the hosts saw more of the opportunities - that ensured a 6/4 winner for Liam Kelly as he backed the hosts to have 14 total shots in the contest.
Over in Budapest, Tottenham, tipped at 8/1 in Sporting Life's Europa League outright preview, wrapped up a convincing 4-1 victory with Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale doing most of the damage in the first-half.
However, Jose Mourinho's men gave away a penalty just before the hour mark, which delivered a winner at 11/2 in Tom Carnduff's preview as he backed the 'home' side to take a spot kick at some point across the 90 minutes.
Real Sociedad 0-4 Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes’ brace inspired dominant Manchester United to an impressive Europa League triumph against Real Sociedad as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men took a giant stride towards the last 16.
Having dropped out of the Champions League, the Red Devils secured a comprehensive round of 32 first-leg victory at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium after winning just two of their last six matches in all competitions.
Fernandes netted either side of half-time to put United in control against Sociedad, with Marcus Rashford and Daniel James completing a 4-0 victory that all but wraps things up ahead of next week’s return leg at Old Trafford.
- Winning tip: Bruno Fernandes to score anytime at 6/4
Spanish government’s restrictions saw this tie moved from San Sebastian to Turin, where Rashford atoned for missing a great chance by lifting a superb ball over for Fernandes to capitalise on chaotic Sociedad defending.
The Portuguese added another early in the second half when superbly firing home from James’ lay-off, with the video assistant referee overturning the original offside call.
Rashford’s pass was key to that goal and the forward forgot his first-half profligacy when turning home United’s third, with James grabbing a fourth as they ended their nine-match winless run against Spanish sides in style.
Antwerp 3-4 Rangers
Borna Barisic’s spot-kick double ensured Steven Gerrard’s team survived a roller-coaster Europa League clash to edge out Royal Antwerp 4-3 in Belgium.
In a clash that had everything, Scotland’s champions-elect held their nerve to salvage their unbeaten run in continental action this term and claim a vital first-leg lead.
Things looked to be going to plan for the Light Blues at the Bosuilstadion as Joe Aribo fired them ahead – only for Antwerp to hit back in a controversial end to the first half with goals from Felipe Avenatti and Lior Refaelov.
Barisic – making his 100th appearance for the Ibrox outfit – levelled it up with his first penalty only for Gers to concede again as some more poor defending allowed Martin Hongla to score.
But Rangers made it 10 games without defeat in Europe this term as Ryan Kent’s equaliser and another Barisic spot-kick sealed a frenetic finale.
Frank Vercauteren’s side were missing six key men but Rangers now have their own injury fears ahead of next Thursday’s Glasgow return after seeing both James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe suffer first-half injuries.
Wolfsberger 1-4 Tottenham
Gareth Bale reminded Tottenham of what he can offer as he registered a goal and an assist in a 4-1 Europa League win against Wolfsberger.
The Wales international has been a shadow of his former self since his loan return from Real Madrid and looked to have fallen out with boss Jose Mourinho last week after making himself unavailable for the FA Cup game at Everton.
- Winning tip: Wolfsberger to take a penalty at 11/2
But he was restored to the side for the last-32 first-leg tie in Budapest and put in his best display since returning to the club, as he set up Son Heung-min’s opener and then doubled the lead with a fine goal.
Lucas Moura put Spurs further in front before the break and Carlos Vinicius added a late fourth as they put one foot in the last 16, despite the mysterious absence of top scorer Harry Kane who did not travel to the Hungarian capital for the game.
Mourinho’s side offered the Austrians, the lowest-ranked club left in the competition, some hope as Michael Liendl scored a second-half penalty, but they should face little resistance in finishing the job in next Wednesday’s second leg.
Benfica 1-1 Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was guilty of missing a number of chances as Arsenal had to settle for a draw in the first leg of their Europa League round-of-32 tie against Benfica.
With the game being played at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico due to current coronavirus travel restrictions, the Gunners were classed as the away side and should have left Italy with a win.
Instead, Bukayo Saka’s sixth goal of the season rescued a 1-1 draw after Pizzi had put Benfica ahead from the penalty spot.
It leaves the tie finely poised heading into next week’s second leg, which will take place in Athens with Arsenal this time the ‘home’ team.
Slavia Prague 0-0 Leicester
Leicester are in pole position to reach the last 16 of the Europa League after a 0-0 draw at Slavia Prague.
The Foxes’ stalemate ensured they left the Eden Arena favourites to progress after the first leg of their last-32 tie.
Boss Brendan Rodgers has never reached the last 16 of the competition after four attempts with Liverpool and Celtic.
- Winning tip: Slavia Prague to have 14+ shots at 6/4
But after a draw in the Czech Republic the Foxes will be confident ahead of next week’s second leg at the King Power Stadium.
Harvey Barnes was denied by Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar in the first half but the visitors struggled to maintain their threat after the break.
They needed Kasper Schmeichel to turn Nico Stanciu’s drive over as the hosts were also left frustrated.
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