Premier League takeaways: Jesus leads way for Arsenal, Wolves lack bite, Rodgers on brink


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Can Costa rescue toothless Wolves?

Another game, another goal for the machine that is Erling Haaland as the Norwegian made it 11 in seven Premier League games in Manchester City's demolition of Wolves on Saturday.

It was the seventh game in a row Haaland has found the back of the net, taking his tally to 14 in nine including the Champions League.

Compare and contrast with toothless Wolves, who look set to be dragged into the relegation battle on current form.

They have won just once all season and, more worryingly, scored three times in seven games. Their cause against City was hardly helped by Nathan Collins' sending off for a reckless tackle on Jack Grealish.

Last week saw former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa join the club and the publicity shots of him holding three fierce-looking wolves on leads certainly looked impressive.

But Costa is 33, has not played competitively since being released by Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in January and has not scored more than seven goals in a season since 2017.

Wolves' Nathan Collins was shown a red card for this challenge on Jack Grealish of Manchester City. Getty
Wolves' Nathan Collins was shown a red card for this challenge on Jack Grealish of Manchester City. Getty

Rodgers hanging by thread at Leicester

While scoring goals is Wolves' biggest concern, Midlands rivals Leicester are finding life problematic at the other end of the pitch.

Saturday's 6-2 drubbing at Tottenham Hotspur – that saw Spurs substitute Son Heung-min score a 13-minute hat-trick – took the Foxes' goals against column to 22 in seven games. Only Bournemouth, who lost 9-0 at Liverpool and have shipped 19, come close to such an abysmal defensive record.

They have also lost 4-2 and 5-2 away from home – against Arsenal and Brighton, respectively – leaving them bottom of the table with just one point after six defeats in a row.

“Whatever happens to me here at Leicester whether I stay and continue to fight on, I will always respect them,” manager Brendan Rodgers said after the game. How long he is allowed to fight on, remains to be seen.

Scott Parker was sacked by the Cherries after the Anfield debacle, Rodgers must surely be close to following him to the job centre.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has seen his team lose six matches in a row. PA
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has seen his team lose six matches in a row. PA

Newcastle draw another blank in win column

There can be no doubt that Newcastle United have made huge progress under manager Eddie Howe.

In the calendar year league table, the Magpies lie an impressive fifth, behind Manchester City, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal. Only City and Liverpool have lost fewer games.

And they sit comfortably mid-table this season having lost just once – a last-gasp defeat at Liverpool. But Saturday's frustrating draw at home to Bournemouth was their fifth in seven games and Howe's side have not won since the first weekend of the season.

Newcastle looked desperately short of ideas about how to break down a well-organised Bournemouth defence without winger Allan Saint-Maximin and striker Callum Wilson.

The club have spent big in the transfer market – with record £58 million buy Alexander Isak scoring his first home goal against the Cherries – and while Howe retains the full support of the Saudi-led owners, he knows questions will start to be asked if his team do not begin to upgrade those draws to wins.

Newcastle United's Alexander Isak scores from the spot against Bournemouth. Reuters
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak scores from the spot against Bournemouth. Reuters

Gabriel Jesus puts Gunners back on target

Any concerns that Arsenal's flying start might be crashing to a halt after losing their 100 per cent record against Manchester United, were blown away at Brentford on Sunday.

In what should have been a tricky contest – especially without captain Martin Odegaard – the Gunners roared back to winning ways thanks to goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira, the latter making his first Premier League start.

Jesus, their summer signing from Manchester City, has been a revelation and is clearly revelling in being the main man at the North London club.

With the Brazilian as their new spearhead, Mikel Arteta's side are top of the table and looking like they could be back in the Champions League for the first time since 2016/17 by the end of season.

Gabriel Jesus heads home Arsenal's second goal against Brentford. Getty
Gabriel Jesus heads home Arsenal's second goal against Brentford. Getty

Relief for Gerrard and Lampard

Two of the Premier League's greatest midfielders have been finding wins hard to come by from the confines of the dugout.

Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa went into Friday's game with Southampton without a win since beating Everton in August, while Frank Lampard and Everton had yet to taste victory at all before their match against West Ham on Sunday.

So both managers were delighted to come away with scrappy 1-0 home wins that eased the pressure going into the international break.

“In football, you have to grind and fight and be committed and we worked hard today,” said Gerrard, while Lampard insisted his team had "worked hard this season and deserved more" than their points total suggested.

Everton manager Frank Lampard celebrates after beating West Ham. Reuters
Everton manager Frank Lampard celebrates after beating West Ham. Reuters
Wonka
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Three trading apps to try

Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:

  • For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
  • If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
  • Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

NBA Finals results

Game 1: Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114
Game 2: Warriors 122, Cavaliers 103
Game 3: Cavaliers 102, Warriors 110
Game 4: In Cleveland, Sunday (Monday morning UAE)

Company%20profile
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Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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INFO

Schools can register for the Abu Dhabi Schools Championships at www.champions.adsc.ae

MATCH INFO

Watford 1 (Deulofeu 80' p)

Chelsea 2 (Abraham 5', Pulisic 55')

BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

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Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.

Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.

The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.

Updated: September 19, 2022, 2:59 AM