MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s center backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol struck less than four minutes apart in the first half in a 3-0 thrashing of Sunderland that tightened the Premier League title race and kept the pressure firmly on leaders Arsenal.
Phil Foden also scored — his fifth goal in three games — as second-placed City seized the opportunity from Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at Aston Villa earlier in the day, to climb within two points of the leaders with 31 points after 15 games. Sunderland are provisionally seventh on 23 points.
While Pep Guardiola’s men dominated possession, neither side really threatened in the first half before Dias ended the deadlock in the 31st minute with a rocket from 30 yards out that took a slight deflection off Dan Ballard. Less than four minutes later, Foden whipped in a cross that Gvardiol leapt to head home.
Foden netted his own in the 65th minute with a goal that was all about Rayan Cherki’s jaw-dropping rabona assist, a chip that Foden needed only to head home and then had the England midfielder shaking his head in disbelief at Cherki’s skill.
Sunderland ended the game with 10 men after Luke O’Nien was shown a red card for a bad foul deep in added time.
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“The club are devastated to report that a Charlton Athletic supporter has died following a medical emergency during today’s game at The Valley against Portsmouth,” the club said in a statement. “Everyone at the club sends their heartfelt condolences to the supporter’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Soon after the 12:30 p.m. kickoff, the Championship game was halted when the supporter in the lower tier of the Covered End stand required medical help. Fans signaled to the referee that there was a serious problem.
The players initially waited on the field but after six minutes were instructed by the referee to leave.
The supporter left on a stretcher and an announcement was made at 1:30 p.m. that the game would not continue.
Manchester City narrow gap in table with dominant win over Sunderland
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Manchester City narrow gap in table with dominant win over Sunderland
- Phil Foden also scored his fifth goal in three games
- Sunderland are provisionally seventh on 23 points
Charlton fan dies after medical emergency and game against Portsmouth postponed
- “The club are devastated to report that a Charlton Athletic supporter has died,” the club said
- Soon after the 12:30 p.m. kickoff, the Championship game was halted
LONDON: A soccer fan died following a medical emergency that forced the postponement of the English second-division match between Charlton and Portsmouth on Saturday.
The game was halted after 12 minutes as the fan received treatment. Charlton said later the unnamed fan died at a local hospital.
“The club are devastated to report that a Charlton Athletic supporter has died following a medical emergency during today’s game at The Valley against Portsmouth,” the club said in a statement. “Everyone at the club sends their heartfelt condolences to the supporter’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Soon after the 12:30 p.m. kickoff, the Championship game was halted when the supporter in the lower tier of the Covered End stand required medical help. Fans signaled to the referee that there was a serious problem.
The players initially waited on the field but after six minutes were instructed by the referee to leave.
The supporter left on a stretcher and an announcement was made at 1:30 p.m. that the game would not continue.
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