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Nedbank Cup Last 16 Dates, Venues & Times

The Premier Soccer League has announced details for the upcoming Nedbank Cup last 16 fixtures.

Mamelodi Sundowns will open the last round of 16 with a clash against lower division side Mathaithai on March 8. They will host the side at Lucas Moripe Stadium as they look to edge closer to reclaiming the trophy they won in 2020.

Fixtures

March 8

Mamelodi Sundowns v Mathaithai – Lucas Moripe Stadium (18h00)

March 9

Marumo Gallants v Orlando Pirates – Peter Mokaba Stadium (18h00)

March 11

Venda Football Academy v University of Pretoria – Thohoyandou Stadium (15h00)

Swallows FC v Royal AM – Dobsonville Stadium (18h00)

March 12

Sinenkani FC v Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila – Mthatha Stadium (15h00)

Platinum City Rovers v SuperSport United – Olen Park Stadium (18h00)

Source – Soccerladuma

23/02/2022
Wolves 2 – 1 Leicester City

Wolves maintained their push for a European place as excellent goals from Ruben Neves and Daniel Podence proved enough to beat Leicester in a thrilling Midlands derby at Molineux.

Neves put the hosts ahead after nine minutes as he applied a precise finish to Raul Jimenez’s lay-off from the edge of the area, to take it past an unsighted Kasper Schmeichel.

Then, after Ademola Lookman slid in ahead of Leander Dendoncker to turn home Marc Albrighton’s low cross from close range for the Foxes four minutes before the break, Podence struck Wolves’ second to seal the points.

In front of Gareth Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland, England hopeful Max Kilman carried the ball out of defence before setting Rayan Ait-Nouri away with a superb cross-field pass. Ait-Nouri fed Dendoncker, who in turn moved the ball to Podence, who took one touch before driving his shot into the bottom corner.

It was Wolves’ fifth win in six Premier League games in 2022 and puts them seventh – six points behind fourth-placed Manchester United – with two games in hand.

For Leicester, it was another disappointing day during a period where they have collected just two points from five games and been knocked out of the FA Cup by local rivals Nottingham Forest.

Source – BBCSport

20/02/2022
Leeds United 2 – 4 Manchester United

Manchester United survived a stirring Leeds United comeback at an emotional Elland Road to strengthen their position in the Premier League’s top four with a crucial victory.

In the first game in front of fans between the two old rivals at Elland Road since October 2003, they produced a fitting spectacle played out in a deluge and a predictably thunderous atmosphere.

Manchester United was in complete control at the break after captain Harry Maguire headed in Luke Shaw’s corner, and Bruno Fernandes did the same from Jadon Sancho’s cross right on half-time.

Leeds, however, mounted a superb revival and were level with two goals inside a minute as Rodrigo’s 53rd-minute cross drifted in behind keeper David de Gea, then substitute Raphinha sent Elland Road into raptures when he slid home a cross from Daniel James.

Manchester United gathered themselves, manager Ralf Rangnick made changes, and one of his substitutes produced the rewards as Fred drove in at Illan Meslier’s near post following more good work by Sancho with 20 minutes left – although Anthony Elanga was struck by objects thrown from the crowd amid the celebrations.

Elanga recovered to confirm Manchester United’s win with a composed finish two minutes from time from Fernandes’ pass.

Manchester United’s victory came in three phases – the control of the first half, the shock of Leeds United’s quick one-two, then the recovery to finally close out the victory they deserved.

This was always going to be a test of mettle and for a spell after the break when Leeds scored those two quick goals and were winning all the 50-50s in this most raucous of environments, it looked like they would not come through the examination unscathed.

Manchester United’s players looked shell-shocked at the turn of events that allowed Leeds, who looked deflated at half-time, to revive themselves and even threaten a victory that would have been the sweetest of all for the home fans, who made their dislike of the visitors clear before, during and after this game.

Manager Rangnick, however, deserves credit for the changes that restored Manchester United’s equilibrium, Fred coming on to put them back in front and another substitute, Elanga, snuffing out any hope Leeds had of a point with the fourth.

Manchester United will feel they deserved the win over the whole piece, but they were fragile at times and were rocking under Leeds attacks until Fred silenced the crowd, albeit temporarily.

There were unsavoury scenes when Elanga needed to be attended to after being hit by missiles thrown from the crowd following Fred’s goal, but he was able to regain his composure to such an extent that he struck the final blow in the closing moments.

Manchester United enjoyed their second win in a week, moving back into the top four, but will know they need to keep winning with Arsenal four points behind in sixth with three games in hand.

Leeds United demonstrated every facet of exactly what they are in another Elland Road thrill ride.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side can be called many things but never dull.

Leeds showed their defensive frailty in the first half when Diego Llorente failed miserably to mark Maguire at a corner, the situation not helped by keeper Meslier’s ‘in-out’ hokey-cokey that left him in no man’s land.

They were exposed again when Victor Lindelof strode out of defence to tee up Sancho for the perfect cross on to Fernandes’ head to send clouds of gloom over Elland Road, to accompany those depositing constant heavy rain on a pitch left carrying surface water.

What we saw then was the bold, attacking bravery that has made Leeds, under Bielsa, one of the most exciting teams to watch since their return to the Premier League.

They pulled the situation around but there was never a sense that they were in complete control, secure against an attacking counterpunch and so it proved as Manchester United inflicted further punishment.

Leeds and Bielsa cannot get midfield lynchpin Kalvin Phillips, main marksman Patrick Bamford and defender Liam Cooper back quick enough, just to ease those worries of dropping into relegation trouble.

They are five points off the relegation places with a trip to Liverpool on the horizon this week, so it will not get any easier for Bielsa and his players.

Source – BBCSport

20/02/2022
Manchester City 2 – 3 Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Kane’s stoppage-time goal gave Tottenham a stunning victory over Premier League leaders Manchester City in a chaotic finale at Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham have done it! Man City’s 15-game unbeaten run comes to an end in a dramatic fashion.

Man City came from behind twice to ultimately lose to the player they were so desperate to sign last August.

Man City’s lead over Liverpool will remain at just six points, with the two teams still to play and the Merseyside club with a game in hand.

Tottenham’s campaign for a fourth-place finish is very much alive.

Antonio Conte faces perhaps the most difficult task of his time at Spurs tonight as he bids to avoid losing his fourth Premier League game in a row.

A trip to champions and league leaders in Manchester City is surely the most daunting possible journey, particularly considering the defensive problems Tottenham have endured of late.

Still, Conte does have Eric Dier available once more and has talked up an exciting partnership between the England international and Cristian Romero.

For City, their demolition of Sporting CP in the Champions League was not quite enough for Pep Guardiola, who went as far as to suggest that some of his players underperformed despite the 5-0 victory in Portugal.

19/02/2022
Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Chelsea

Hakim Ziyech scored a last-minute winner as Chelsea edged past Crystal Palace on their return to Premier League action.

Thomas Tuchel’s side last played in the top flight almost a month ago when they defeated Tottenham, and have had a week’s rest since winning the Club World Cup last Saturday.

It looked like they would be frustrated by their hosts but Ziyech popped up at the back post to stroke in a delightful volley from Marcos Alonso’s cross.

Moroccan Ziyech had converted earlier in the second half when he swept home following Jack Butland’s save, but Romelu Lukaku was adjudged to be offside by VAR.

Vicente Guaita had made good saves in the first half from N’Golo Kante’s effort and Antonio Rudiger’s long-range thunderbolt before the Palace goalkeeper was taken off at half-time because of a knee injury.

The home side, meanwhile, did not have a single shot on target in the entire contest – both Michael Oliseh and Wilfried Zaha failing to work Edouard Mendy from promising positions.

Winners keep going until the very end, a quality illustrated perfectly by reigning world and European champions Chelsea at Selhurst Park as they scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute.

Up until that point, they had been finding it difficult to make inroads against a resolute Palace backline, with striker Lukaku particularly suffering.

Without injured wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell, Tuchel switched from a 5-3-2 to a 4-3-3 formation, but the Belgium international lacked any service and had just seven touches of the ball in the whole game.

Lukaku netted in both games at the Club World Cup but has now netted just once in the past eight games in domestic action and question marks remain about whether he fits into the Chelsea system.

He was involved in the disallowed goal on 75 minutes when a thumping shot was batted out for Ziyech to pounce on, but Lukaku failed to time his run and was caught offside.

His team-mates Kante and Rudiger did force Guaita into action in the first half and substitute Butland thought he was on the way to a clean sheet before Ziyech struck for his third consecutive Premier League game.

In the end, a stubborn display ended up being a disappointing day for Palace boss Patrick Vieira and there will be some concern after his side extended their winless run to six games in the league.

In-form Oliseh should have done better when he screwed wide in the first half and Zaha may be left feeling he could have netted too, but the Ivorian side-footed wide and flashed a shot across goal when searching for the equaliser in injury time.

Source – BBCSport

19/02/2022
Brighton & Hove Albion 0 – 3 Burnley

Burnley climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table after beating Brighton at the Amex Stadium for their first away win of the season.

Wout Weghorst opened his account for the Clarets and Josh Brownhill added a second before half-time. Aaron Lennon then made sure just over 20 minutes from time.

Brighton dominated possession but managed only one shot on target, and they were bullied by Dutchman Weghorst at the back, where they were missing the suspended Lewis Dunk and injured Adam Webster.

A fast start almost saw Burnley take the lead when Connor Roberts spotted Robert Sanchez off his line and curled an effort off the bar.

Their purpose and energy were rewarded soon afterwards, when Weghorst fired home from Roberts’ low right-hand cross, giving Sanchez no chance.

It took until 10 minutes before half-time for Brighton to manage an effort on goal, and Shane Duffy’s strike was held easily by Nick Pope. Adam Lallana headed wide from Tariq Lamptey’s cross moments later.

Weghorst turned provider with the break looming, laying on for Brownhill, whose tame effort was deflected in off Joel Veltman.

The frustration continued for the hosts after the break, Neal Maupay shooting wide from another Lamptey cross.

Soon after, Lennon made it 3-0 after combining with Jay Rodriguez, who came on for the injured Maxwel Cornet, before firing into the top corner to round off a brilliant day for the Clarets.

Sean Dyche’s men are five points behind 17th-placed Newcastle but have two games in hand. Brighton is ninth.

Dutch international Weghorst has made a really positive start to life at Burnley after his January move from Wolfsburg, and he was the difference on the south coast.

Against a weakened Brighton backline, without their first-choice centre-backs, he made a nuisance of himself all afternoon, but everything started with a fine finish for his goal.

His lay-off for Brownhill showed his technical ability as well as his physical presence, and there is now a real chance that a difficult season at Turf Moor may be about to turn.

Injury to his strike partner Cornet was a blow, but he has offered real hope.

Dunk and Webster were badly missed, but Brighton fell into old habits at the other end. They had 69% of the ball but failed to make it count, with Maupay cutting a frustrated figure upfront.

Keeping Lamptey relatively quiet on his return to Brighton’s starting XI was huge for Burnley, but there was a general lack of intensity in Graham Potter’s side’s play from the start. They let Burnley take the early initiative and ultimately paid for it.

Source – BBCSport

19/02/2022
Aston Villa 0 – 1 Watford

Emmanuel Dennis’ late header gave Roy Hodgson his first goal and first win as Watford boss, and earned the Hornets a valuable win at Aston Villa.

Villa dominated proceedings but Watford grabbed all three points when Dennis powered home Ismaila Sarr’s 78th-minute cross after an opportunistic counter-attack.

It ended the visitors’ four-game goal drought and saw them move up to 18th in the table, four points from safety.

The defeat for Villa means Steven Gerrard’s side are now winless in seven of their past eight matches.

Incredibly, Watford’s last six Premier League away wins have now come under six different managers.

The Hornets’ managerial merry-go-round has been well reported, and new boss Hodgson already seemed under pressure coming into this fixture after collecting just one point from an available nine since taking charge in January.

As the game went on, Watford was on course to drop to the bottom of the league table with results going against them elsewhere and looked set to equal a club record of five consecutive games without a goal.

Nine Premier League wins for Roy Hodgson against Aston Villa – it’s his best record against any side he’s faced in the division.
Hodgson became the first manager to win a Premier League game against a specific opponent with six different clubs
The Hornets soaked up plenty of Villa pressure and twice went close through Dennis and Moussa Sissoko on the break.

Sarr, starting his first match since winning the Africa Cup of nations with Senegal, created the winner, chipping the ball up for Dennis to nod in.

The Hornets held on for their first victory in 12 matches, since beating Manchester United 4-1 in November.

Sloppy Villa slip to another defeat
Having started his reign at Aston Villa with four wins from six matches, Gerrard has now seen his side lose four of their past eight. The Villains are closer to the relegation zone than they are to a place in Europe.

The hosts were the better side throughout and should have gone in front in the 34th minute when Danny Ings struck the base of the right post when clean through after a good move from Emi Buendia.

They continued to create half-chances, with Phillipe Coutinho curling a looping effort onto the roof of the net midway through the second half. But once they fell behind, the opportunities dried up.

Despite coming into this fixture as one of three teams to have scored in every home game this season, Villa failed to find a leveller, and stay 12th in the table.

They will face Brighton & Hove Albion next Saturday, while Watford will host Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Source – BBCSport

19/02/2022
Liverpool 3 – 1 Norwich City

Liverpool staged a second-half comeback against a resilient Norwich side to keep their Premier League title hopes alive with an eighth successive win in all competitions.

The Reds had threatened the Norwich goal countless times but they were stunned into emergency action moments after the interval when Milot Rashica’s deflected strike gave the Canaries hope of a first win at Anfield in 28 years.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who made seven changes to the side that won at Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek, intervened to make attacking changes on 62 minutes and within four minutes his side had turned the game around.

Sadio Mane acrobatically turned home Konstantinos Tsimikas’ header and Mohamed Salah raced on to a clearance from goalkeeper Alisson Becker to round Angus Gunn and score.

Salah’s 17th league goal of the campaign was his 150th in all competitions for Liverpool – making him one of only 10 men to reach that figure for the club – and Luis Diaz added his first since joining from Porto with a neat, chipped finish to seal the win.

Klopp’s side moves to within six points of league leaders Manchester City before the champions’ late game, while Norwich drop to bottom place and are five points from safety.

While the stats will show a Liverpool win built from 29 shots and 70% of possession, Norwich can feel slightly hard done after showing great character for over an hour.

Their 4-3-3 system slickly dropped into a 4-5-1 out of possession and Dean Smith’s side looked to play out from the back, despite the threat of a Liverpool press that managed to win the ball back six times in the final third in the first 45 minutes.

An entertaining opening saw Teemu Pukki miss when one-on-one with Alisson, while Virgil van Dijk went close for the home side, Tsimikas missed from four yards, Salah saw a header cleared off the line and Diaz fizzed an effort narrowly over.

Klopp’s side had racked up 15 shots by the interval but their inaccuracy and saves from Gunn – whose father Bryan kept a clean sheet in Norwich’s last win at Anfield – gave them a platform from which they could threaten a shock.

Rashica’s deflected effort from 25 yards left Alisson helpless and briefly gave Norwich hope of back-to-back away wins in the Premier League for the first time in 10 years.

But Klopp moved to bring on midfielder Thiago and striker Divock Origi in place of two midfielders in Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“It’s a coaching team effort in that we bring the boys on but change the system as well,” Klopp said. “It’s absolutely necessary in a moment like this you throw all the knowledge you have together.

“The 4-4-2 gave them a proper challenge to deal with. All of a sudden we had better positions and were a proper threat. Our reaction was just brilliant.”

The extra attacking body seemed to briefly throw Norwich out of their stride and a fine switch of play from the impressive Jordan Henderson allowed Tsimikas to tee up the unmarked Mane, who swept home.

Henderson completed 97% of his 123 passes – including a sublime through ball for Diaz’s late strike – but again Salah made a crucial contribution, pulling down Alisson’s kick, beating Gunn and finishing past two Norwich players on the goalline.

The Egyptian had eight shots and created six chances – both game highs. Only Roger Hunt – in 226 matches – has reached 150 Liverpool goals in fewer games than the 233 Salah has needed.

Diaz’s late finish will only add to the feel-good factor as the Reds continue to chase four trophies, while their ability to hold their nerve with so little margin for error in their pursuit of leaders City underlines the qualities Klopp’s side possess.

Source – BBCSport

19/02/2022
Arsenal 2 – 1 Brentford

Second-half strikes from Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka lifted Arsenal to victory over Brentford as the Gunners moved to within a point of the top four.

England international Smith Rowe ran at the Brentford defence and curled a measured right-footed shot past David Raya to send his side on their way to a second successive win.

His goal came following a first half in which Arsenal had two penalty appeals turned down.

Bukayo Saka capped a satisfying afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s side when he slotted home, although Brentford felt they should have had a free-kick for a foul on Pontus Jansson in the build-up.

Brentford was superb when they beat Arsenal on the opening night of the season and, while Christian Norgaard struck an injury-time consolation, the Bees’ winless run extended to seven games.

The victory moves Arsenal level on points with fifth-placed West Ham, who drew at Newcastle earlier on Saturday, and within a point of Manchester United in fourth with two games in hand on the Red Devils.

Having not played since beating the Wolves on 10 February, Arsenal started brightly as Alexandre Lacazette had a goal disallowed for offside with Martin Odegaard and Saka both firing wide.

The main talking point from the first half, however, centred on Jon Moss after the referee waved away the home side’s appeals following Kristoffer Ajer’s challenge on the French striker in the box.

The Gunners had another shout for a spot-kick when Cedric Soares’ shot struck Yoane Wissa’s arm, but again it was turned down following a VAR check.

But increasing frustration turned to elation three minutes after the restart when Smith Rowe collected Lacazette’s pass and drove at the visiting defence before finishing confidently.

After scoring twice the last term, it was a ninth goal of the season – and first of 2022 – for Smith Rowe, who was recalled to Arteta’s line-up to replace the suspended Gabriel Martinelli.

Only Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Raheem Sterling have scored more league goals than Smith Rowe.

Needing to chase the game, Brentford improved slightly, but with top scorer Ivan Toney still injured they were unable to sufficiently trouble the home side’s defence.

And Arsenal punished them again when Thomas Partey found Saka, whose shot flew past Raya and went in off the post.

With seconds remaining, the visitors found the target when Norgaard’s strike stood after a VAR review for offside. But there was not enough time for Thomas Frank’s side to push for the leveller.

Brentford is now without a win since 2 January and sit 14th – six points clear of relegation and having played more games than each of the six teams below them.

19/02/2022
West Ham United 1 – 1 Newcastle

Newcastle continued their impressive resurgence under Eddie Howe with a valuable draw at West Ham that edged them five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

Howe’s side are unbeaten in the league since Christmas, despite this result bringing their recent three-game winning run to an end.

Craig Dawson headed the opener for West Ham from Aaron Cresswell’s enticing free-kick after goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had earlier tipped a Jarrod Bowen effort onto the crossbar.

But the visitors capitalised on a defensive lapse on the brink of half-time when Joe Willock guided a deft finish onto the far post and watched it creep narrowly over the line.

Newcastle remains 17th but are now five points clear of Norwich, while West Ham missed the chance to return to a Champions League place and stay fifth.

Howe only picked up one win in his first eight games as Newcastle boss but has collected three from five league games since the turn of the year to move the club clear of the drop zone.

This draw came despite the loss of Kieran Trippier, who has had an immediate impact at St James’ Park since his arrival, and electric winger Allan Saint-Maximin – arguably Howe’s two most important players.

But the Magpies boss found Willock and Joelinton in impressive form, with the latter almost sneaking in at the back post early on during a spell of nervy West Ham defending.

Despite their bright start, Newcastle looked set to enter the break a goal down, only for the usually assured Declan Rice to miscue a header into Willock’s path. The 22-year-old midfielder was alert and scored his first goal of the season from a tight angle as Hammers goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski failed to scramble his shot off the line.

The former Arsenal midfielder also zipped an effort wide from distance in the pouring rain in a second half that saw both sides struggle to assert themselves, and Newcastle will no doubt be the more satisfied with a point.

David Moyes opted to bring Kurt Zouma back in after the defender dropped out during the warm-up at Leicester last week with illness, and with his inclusion still a talking point following the furore over the video of him kicking a cat.

His early touches were booed by the visiting fans, but that was countered by a song in support from the home faithful at London Stadium, and the centre-back did not seem fazed during a physical battle with Newcastle forward Chris Wood.

Another worry for Moyes is the Hammers’ stuttering form, and he must have hoped their late equaliser at Leicester would give his side renewed belief and momentum.

It was the man who rescued them at a point in stoppage time at the King Power Stadium who put them ahead here after 32 minutes.

Newcastle started confidently, but when Emil Krafth fouled Michail Antonio in a dangerous position, Moyes’ eyes must have lit up. His side is renowned for their threat from set-pieces, with only Liverpool and Manchester City scoring more than their 11 goals from such situations this season.

Cresswell duly delivered a superb free-kick and the diving Dawson got ahead of the Newcastle defensive line to head into the corner beyond Dubravka.

Willock’s leveller sparked a reaction from the home side after the interval, but they were unable to create any meaningful chances and are one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United, having played a game more and with several sides below them having a number of games in hand.

Source – BBC Sport

19/02/2022