Ronaldo hat trick boosts Man U’s hopes for Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo capped his hat trick with a stunning free kick in the 76th minute to give Manchester United a 3-2 win over Norwich on Saturday and boost the team’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot, Associated Press reported.
United moved past Arsenal into fifth place, three points behind Tottenham in the English Premier League.
United blew a two-goal lead after last-placed Norwich fought back to tie the game on goals by Kieran Dowell and Teemu Pukki at Old Trafford.
But the day belonged to the Portugal superstar, who recorded the 50th hat trick of his professional career for his clubs and 60th overall, according to the Associated Press.
Ronaldo’s goal in the seventh minute was courtesy of Anthony Elanga, who stole the ball from defender Ben Gibson in the area and slid a pass to him for an easy one-timer past goalkeeper Tim Krul. Ronaldo then headed home a corner kick in the 32nd. Ronaldo’s free kick from outside the area sailed through the wall and off Krul’s outstretched hands into the top left corner of the net.
Just before halftime, Pukki’s cross from the left side was headed in by Dowell to give the visitors hope. Dowell then returned the favor in the 52nd by threading a pass to Pukki, who took two touches and beat goalkeeper David De Gea to the near side and in off the right post.
Norwich nearly took the lead but De Gea stretched to save Milot Rashica’s long-range effort, Associated Press reported.
Morata’s bicycle kick helps Juventus draw with Bologna
A spectacular overhead kick from Álvaro Morata led to a stoppage-time score for Juventus to draw with nine-man Bologna 1-1 in Serie A on Saturday, Associated Press reported.
Morata’s acrobatic effort was going wide until Dušan Vlahović met it with a header at the far post that found the target to salvage a point for the Bianconeri. They’d been denied a penalty in a disputed VAR decision moments earlier.
Juventus remained fourth, moving within three points of third-placed Napoli, which hosts fifth-placed Roma on Monday.
Marko Arnautović put Bologna ahead after the break by running onto a through ball from Roberto Soriano and rounding the goalkeeper to deposit the ball into an empty net.
Bologna’s last six goals have all been by Arnautović, who has 12 this season, according to the Associated Press.
They are playing for ailing coach Siniša Mihajlović, who is hospitalized while being treated for the return of his leukemia.
Morata thought he earned Juventus a late penalty when he appeared to be fouled inside the area by Adama Soumaoro but no penalty was awarded after a VAR review believed the foul occured outside the area. Soumaoro was issued a red card after the review for dissent. In the ensuing protests by Bologna, Gary Medel was also sent off — leaving the visitors with nine men.
Vlahović then notched his 22nd goal this season, having joined from Fiorentina in January, and the 50th of his career in Serie A, Associated Press reported.
Mumbai Indians suffer sixth straight loss of the season
Lucknow Super Giants beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in their IPL match on Saturday, The Indian Express reported.
Skipper KL Rahul scored his maiden century of the season to guide LSG to 199 for 4 after being invited to bat first. In reply, MI were restricted to 181 for nine.
LSG’s Avesh Khan finished with excellent figures of 3/30 in four overs.
Rahul smashed 103 off 60 balls, and his unbeaten innings was laced with nine fours and five sixes. Manish Pandey (38) and Quinton de Kock (24) also played useful knocks, according to The Indian Express.
For MI, medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat snared two wickets (2/32), while spinner Murugan Ashwin (1/33) and all-rounder Fabian Allen (1/46) took a wicket apiece.
Bangalore defeat Delhi by 16 runs
Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Delhi Capitals by 16 runs in their Indian Premier League match here on Saturday, The Indian Express reported.
Dinesh Karthik smashed an unbeaten 66 off only 34 balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore scored 189 for five after being asked to bat first.
In reply, DC were restricted to 173 for seven after David Warner top-scored with a 66 off 38 balls. Among RCB’s bowlers, Josh Hazlewood finished with excellent figures of 3/29 in four overs, according to the Indian Express.
Karthik’s innings contained five fours and five sixes after being dropped on five by Rishabh Pant off Kuldeep Yadav’s delivery. Glenn Maxwell (55 off 34 balls) and Shahbaz Ahmed (32 not out off 21 balls) were the other notable scorers.
Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Khaleel Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav all got a wicket apiece, Indian Express reported.
