Arsenal, Manchester City win as Liverpool suffer first Champions League defeat of the season | Football News
Arsenal and Manchester City registered victories in their respective UEFA Champions League fixtures on Wednesday, while Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the campaign after going down 2-3 to Fenerbahce in their fourth-round encounter.Arsenal moved up to third in the standings following a 2-1 win over Slavia Praha, maintaining their unbeaten run in the competition. Manchester City, meanwhile, edged past RB Leipzig 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium in a closely fought contest.Liverpool’s trip to Istanbul ended in disappointment as Fenerbahce scored a late winner to hand the visitors a narrow defeat.Arsenal hold off Slavia Praha fightbackArsenal made a strong start against Slavia Praha, with Noni Madueke opening the scoring in the ninth minute before Viktor Gyokeres doubled their advantage in the 38th minute.However, the hosts responded with a much-improved display after the break. According to Sky Sports, Slavia Praha registered 17 shots in the second half, compared to just one before the interval.Arsenal had to withstand considerable pressure, with Gabriel Magalhaes producing a crucial goal-line clearance and goalkeeper David Raya making important saves. Raya denied Oskar Kubiak before Wiktor Nowak found the net from close range in the 90th minute, setting up a tense finish.The Gunners, however, held on to secure all three points. They remain unbeaten after four matches, having collected three wins and a draw to move to 10 points, two behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).Haaland strikes as Manchester City edge LeipzigManchester City were made to work hard for their 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig, with Erling Haaland eventually settling the contest in the 78th minute.The hosts went ahead in the 37th minute when Castello Lukeba turned the ball into his own net. Leipzig hit back four minutes after the restart, with Ridle Baku finding the equaliser in the 49th minute after catching Gianluigi Donnarumma out at his near post.Manchester City regained the lead in the 58th minute through Enzo Fernandez, who headed home a delivery from Iliman Ndiaye. But their advantage lasted only three minutes as Antonio Nusa restored parity with a low finish into the bottom-right corner.Haaland then stepped up to deliver the decisive blow, scoring from close range in the 78th minute to seal City’s third win in four matches.The Norwegian striker also extended his remarkable record against Leipzig, taking his tally to 13 goals in nine appearances against them, his highest against any single opponent. City now have nine points and occupy seventh place in the standings.Fenerbahce hand Liverpool first UCL defeatLiverpool suffered their first defeat of this season’s Champions League campaign after Fenerbahce came from behind twice before snatching a 3-2 victory in Istanbul.With Liverpool resting key players, including Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, their defensive vulnerabilities came to the fore against the Turkish side.The visitors took the lead through 19-year-old Trey Nyoni in the 19th minute. Fenerbahce responded 10 minutes later, with Mason Greenwood drawing the teams level in the 29th minute.Liverpool moved ahead again through Isak in the 69th minute, but Archie Brown restored parity for the hosts just four minutes later.Fenerbahce completed the turnaround in the 79th minute when Vedat Muriqi rose to meet a high cross and headed home the winning goal.The defeat left Liverpool with their first setback of the Champions League campaign. They are now eighth in the standings, one place below Manchester City.
