A RECAP OF THE WEEKEND'S FOOTBALL ACTION

 

Newcastle vs Arsenal

Gordon celebrating his goal vs Arsenal

Arsenal's perfect Premier League start was ended at St. James' Park as Newcastle defeated them 1-0 thanks to a

contentious second-half goal from Anthony Gordon.

After three Video Assistant Referee reviews, Gordon's close-range finish was declared a goal. In a low-scoring match, it was the only thing separating the two teams.

The win for Newcastle proved they can still hang with the big boys, while the Gunners suffered their first league loss in eleven games this season.

Arsenal continues to sit in the third spot in the standings, two points behind Manchester City, the new leaders, while Newcastle is in sixth place, four points behind.

REAL MADRID LEFT FRUSTRATED AS RAYO VALLECANO 

Real Madrid put up a lackluster performance against Rayo Vallecano, as they played out a  0-0 draw at home against them which saw them lose momentum in the title race against Girona, the current leaders of La Liga.

After a valiant first half, the hosts found themselves up against a resolute defense, which restricted them to few opportunities, the best of which went to Federico Valverde and Joselu, both of whom saw their shots saved.

Los Blancos maintained this pattern in the second half, controlling the ball but failing to incorporate players like Vinicius Junior and Joselu in the action.

Rodrygo was brought in late in the game, as Carlo Ancelotti's team continued to struggled to find a way past a defense that was masterful at marshalling their 18-yard box. 

Rodrygo slid one attempt wide of the far post and had another deft flick saved in injury time.

Kepa, on the other hand, was a passenger, needing only one stop. However, the concern will be that Real was so weak offensively, as even Jude Bellingham, who has been a consistent goal scorer this season, was unable to produce a late winner.

Two points dropped for Luton as Luis Diaz rescues point for Reds

Luiz Diaz message to his father after goal vs Luton

In a Premier League encounter against Luton Town, Liverpool's fate was threatened by a goal from Tahith Chong and a misses from Darwin Nunez. 

But Luis Diaz, who had just returned to the team due to his father's kidnapping in Colombia, entered off the bench to help Liverpool salvage a point.

Liverpool had created loads of chances against Luton Town all game long, but goalie Thomas Kaminski denied them numerous times. The goal for luton arrived from a  fierce counterattack by Tahith Chong of Luton.

Liverpool equalized in the 96th minute, through Diaz' strike as the game ended 1-1. Liverpool would be  sad to draw to a team that is a contender for relegation, but they will find tremendous emotional solace in Diaz's goal, who sent his message of "free my father" in his celebration.

NOTTHINGHAM FOREST STUN VILLA

Ola Aina celebrating the first goal vs Villa

In their Premier League match on Sunday afternoon, Nottingham Forest overcame Aston Villa thanks to goals in each half: from from Ola Aina and Orel Mangala. 

The crucial victory at the City Ground gave Forest their first Premier League victory since early September. With this victory, the hosts climb to 12th place in the Premier League standings, ending Villa's six-game league winning streak.

ROMA COMEBACK WIN OVER LECCE IN SERIE A 

Jose, Lukaku, and Dybala pictured celebrating win over Lecce

Romelu Lukaku and Sardar Azmoun's goals sealed a 2-1 victory over Leece, setting up an exciting evening in the Italian capital. Within the Stadio Olimpico, there were joyous occasions as Jose Mourinho led his team to a remarkable turnaround in performance.

After a very slow start to the season, the result has left Roma just one point outside of the European spots.

MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI'S SIDE CLOSE GAP ON INTER WITH WIN AGAINST FIORENTINA

Fabio Miretti celebrating his goal vs Fiorentina

On Sunday night, Juventus defeated Fiorentina 1-0 away from home. The performance was not particularly beautiful, but they got the result.

They moved within two points of leaders Inter Mian after 11 games of the season with their eighth Serie A victory of the campaign, thanks to a goal from Fabio Miretti, marking his historic first goal for the team.

Girona comeback to beat Osasuna in six-goal thriller to top LaLiga

With a 4-2 comeback victory away at Osasuna on Saturday, Girona climbed back to the top spot in La Liga, moving three points clear of Real Madrid thanks to goals from Artem Dovbyk.

Girona were in complete control of the game and took the lead thanks to a masterfully planned counterattack that started with Savio close to their corner flag and ended with Dovbyk crossing it to the far post, where Ivan Martin scored.

After goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga parried a shot, Ante Budimir pounced on a loose ball, and the Croatian forward fired home to tie the score for Osasuna. Ten minutes after the restart, he scored his second goal with a perfectly placed header.

However, Dovbyk was far from finished. In the 80th minute, he first headed in the equaliser at the far post before setting up Viktor Tsygankov for their third. Aleix Garcia's goal in the ninetieth minute completed the three-point victory.

What was your favorite game of the weekend?