Manchester United 2-1 Swansea City: 5 things we learned as Wayne Rooney takes Red Devils up to fifth

The England striker moved up to the second all-time Premier League goalscorer with a superb backheel flick to end United's hoodoo against the Swans

Wayne Rooney was the hero at Old Trafford as he scored a lovely goal to secure a 2-1 win over Swansea.

The Swans had beaten the Red Devils in the last three clashes and threatened another upset when Gylfi Sigurdsson equalised Antony Martial's opener.

But Rooney scored 13 minutes from time with a superb backheel flick from Martial's cross to send United up to fifth.

It was his first goal in two months but his 188th goal in the Premier League to move him up to second in the all-time goalscoring list.

But what did we learn? Here's Mirror Football's David McDonnell...

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Martial continues to flourish

Amid the tedium of their terrible recent run, one positive for United has been the form of £36m summer signing Anthony Martial. He may have struggled for goals, like his team as a whole, but Martial has always looked capable of causing opponents problems, and scored United's all-important opener here with a fine header after 47 minutes.

Martial then turned provider for Wayne Rooney, cutting inside to square the ball, United's skipper executing a fine flicked finish.

Young another plus point for LVG's side

Ashley Young has endured a frustrating time since joining United from Aston Villa in 2011, injuries and patchy form ensuring his Old Trafford career can not yet be considered a success.

But here, as he showed last season, he remains a potent attacking threat with a fine delivery on his day, providing the cross for Martial to plunder United's opener. Young's afternoon ended prematurely, when he was forced off with an injury with 10 minutes left, and United must hope he is not sidelined for long.

Change of system pays off for United

Having ditched playing with three at the back at the start of his United tenure, Van Gaal returned to that approach here, albeit one with a twist, his players lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, which brought the best out of Young and Martial, operating higher up the pitch.

United reverted to a flat back-four after the break, but Young continued to push higher up the pitch on the right, providing the delivery for the all-important breakthrough goal.

Phil Jones some way off being United's greatest ever player

Before he retired, Sir Alex Ferguson boldly claimed Phil Jones could go on to become United's greatest-ever player, a statement that invited understandable ridicule. Jones has done little since then to back up Ferguson's belief in him, injuries and poor form conspiring to make his United career a major disappointment.

Here, he went off at half-time, after suffering a knock in a first-half in which he looked more of a liability than an asset to his team.

Swansea have enough quality to stay up

They may still sit just once place above the relegation zone, but Swansea showed here they have enough character and ability to beat the drop, despite coming away with nothing. It was a similar story at Manchester City last month, when they levelled late on, only to lose to a late winner.

But there were enough positive signs here to suggest the Swans can clamber free from danger. With players of the quality of goalscorer Gylfi Sigurdson and Andre Ayew, and the tireless work-rate of players like Jack Cork and Ki Sung-Yueng, Swansea should have enough in their locker to survive.

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West Ham 2-0 Liverpool: 5 things we learned as Andy Carroll scored against his old club

Michail Antonio opened the scoring before former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll added a second against his former club

Never mind Liverpool. It is West Ham who could be the latest unlikely challengers for the top four.

Headed goals from Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll completed the Hammers’ first double over the Reds for 51 years.

It also lifted the east Londoners up to fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed Spurs and five points clear of eighth-placed Liverpool.

Antonio’s 10th-minute goal made it the first time he has scored in consecutive appearances since November 2014.

Carroll’s effort, 10 minutes after half time was the first time he has scored in successive games since January 2015.

West Ham were solid at the back and vibrant up front. After two straight wins, Liverpool were back to their worst - AWOL at the back and unable to unlock the Hammers’ defence up front.

Their best chance came shortly before half time when Emre Can’s long-range effort his the bar.

West Ham could have had a third had Carroll and Antonio directed their efforts straight at Mignolet in the second half when they should have scored.

Opener: Michail Antonio celebrates after scoring the first goal for West Ham

1. Liverpool have become a team that West Ham are no longer afraid of

The Irons were 3-0 winners at Anfield in the reverse fixture in August. In fact, they have now won three of the last four meetings between the two sides.

This was the first time that West Ham have done the double over their more celebrated rivals since the 1963-64 season.

Their two wins this season have been for the loss of zero goals with five scored.

The Hammers’ solidity in that back five meant that although the Reds’ approach play looked good going forward they were ultimately frustrated.

Astonished: Jurgen Klopp wasn't impressed with some of the refereeing

2. If Liverpool are in the hunt for the top four then why not West Ham?

After losing their first two home league games the Hammers have not been beaten in any of the subsequent seven, winning three and drawing four. Even with all their injuries they are still hard to beat, losing just two of their last nine. Their defeats to Leicester, Watford and Spurs are not looking too bad now given what those clubs are doing this season. And they ended this match above the Reds - three points behind fourth-placed Spurs.

Blow: Andy Carroll scores the second goal for West Ham

3. Michael Antonio is giving Bilic a real headache with his performances

He has had to wait for his opportunity since signing from Forest in the summer. There have been jokes about his absence on Twitter and suggestions that he could go back out on loan to a Championship club. He looked good last week against Southampton, however, and tracked back as well as scoring the decisive goal here. He has earned the right to keep his place - even when Victor Moses is fit.

Joy: Carroll celebrates scoring against his old club

4. With those rumours about Klopp being in for Ter Stegen, Mignolet did not need a day like this

He was beaten twice, not helped by his defence and lacked the authority to give them the kick up the jacksie that they needed. Simon Mignolet will be a nervous man during this January transfer window. Klopp continues to back him but how long can he do so with Liverpool losing games?

Dejected: Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino react after West Ham's second goal

5. The Jurgen Klopp effect is dissolving into a stark reality for Liverpool

All of the problems that cost Brendan Rodgers are weighing Klopp down like an anchor. The goalkeeper and defence are not good enough. Daniel Sturridge was yet again unavailable. Lucas was outgunned in midfield by the greater industry of Kouyate and Noble and Firmino at the moment is an expensive disappointment.

Liverpool will not finish in the top four unless deal with at least some of those issues - starting with their problems in defence.

Tussle: Firmino and Mark Noble compete for the ball

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Simba SC yazipigia hesabu Azam, Yanga

TIMU ya Simba imeanza kufufua matumaini ya kuwania taji la Ligi Kuu

Tanzania Bara baada ya jana kuifunga Ndanda FC bao 1-0 katika Uwanja wa Nangwanda Sijaona, mjini hapa.

Katika mchezo huo uliokuwa na upinzani wa aina yake, umeiwezesha Simba kuwakaribia Azam na Yanga walio juu katika msimamo wa ligi hiyo.

Katika mchezo huo Simba walikuwa wa kwanza kufika lango la Ndanda na dakika ya tatu Hamis Kiiza alipoteza nafasi ya kufunga.

Ndanda walijibu mapigo baada ya Salvatory Ntebe, kushindwa kufunga shuti la adhabu katika dakika ya nne.

Baadaye Ndanda walipata bao katika dakika ya nane kupitia kwa Atupile Green, lakini mwamuzi, Rajab Mrope kutoka Songea, alilikataa kwa kuwa tayari alikuwa ameotea.

Simba walipoteza nafasi ya kufunga katika dakika ya 16, baada ya Paul Kiongera kushindwa kuunganisha kwa kichwa krosi ya Brian Majwega.

Ndanda wangekuwa makini katika dakika ya 38 wangeweza kupata bao lakini shuti la Omary Mponda lilitoka nje.

Simba walikosa bao katika dakika ya 62 baada ya Kiiza kutaka kuunganisha kwa kichwa krosi ya Mohamed Hussein, lakini mpira uligonga mwamba.

Kiiza alipoteza nafasi nyingine ya kufunga katika dakika ya 73.

Lakini Ibrahim Ajibu aliyetokea benchi kuchukua nafasi ya Kiongera aliipatia Simba bao katika dakika ya 85.

Hadi mchezo huo unamalizika Simba walitoka kifua mbele kwa bao hilo na hivyo kuzikaribia Azam na Yanga.

Simba kwa matokeo hayo imefikisha pointi 27 sawa na Mtibwa Sugar lakini Wekundu hao wa Msimbazi wanapanda hadi nafasi ya tatu kutokana na kuwa na mabao 20 ya kufunga.

Azam wao wanaongoza ligi hiyo wakiwa na pointi 35 huku Yanga wakishika nafasi ya pili wakiwa na pointi 33.

Hatua hiyo inaashiria sasa timu hizo kongwe nchini zitakuwa zikichuana vikali kuwania ubingwa wa Tanzania Bara.

Ndanda: Jackson Chove, Aziz Sibo/Masud Ally, Ahmad Msumi, Hemed Koja, Salvator Ntebe, Jackoson Nkwera, Braison Raphael, Wilium Lucian, Omary Mponda, Atupele Green, Kig Makasi.

Simba: Vicent Angban, Emery Nimuobona, Mohamed Hussein, Abdul Banda, Jjuko Murshid, Justice Majabvi, Dany Lyanga, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Hamis Kiiza, Paul Kiongera/ Ibrahim Ajibu na Brian Majwega/Said Ndemla.

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Steve Gohouri dead: Premier League star's body found in river after going missing two weeks ago

Appeal: Police in Germany had issued an appeal for Gohouri's whereabouts after he failed to meet family before Christmas

Tragic: Football player Steve Gohouri, who went missing two weeks ago

Found: The player's body was found in the Rhine river in Germany

The 34-year-old, who played defence for Wigan Athletic between 2010 and 2012, was reported missing just before Christmas

Former Premier League footballer Steve Gohouri has been found dead in a river in Germany.

The 34-year-old, who played defence for Wigan Athletic between 2010 and 2012, was reported missing two weeks ago.

Gohouri attended his current fourth division German side TSV Steinbach's Christmas party on December 11 and was due to travel to see his family in Paris.

When he failed to turn up his loved ones filed a missing persons report and a police appeal for his whereabouts was issued.

German police confirmed today his body had been found in the River Rhine, with no indication of violence or foul play.

The body was recovered on New Year's Eve in Krefeld, to the north-west of Dusseldorf, which was subsequently identified as Gohouri.

Tributes have been paid to the player online and on social media, including one from his former UK side.

The official Wigan Athletic Twitter feed posted a message earlier today that read: "We are saddened to hear reports of our former defender Steve Gohouri passing away. Our thoughts are with his family."

A statement from TSV Steinbach read: "TSV Steinbach football club mourns its player Steve Gohouri.

"It is this afternoon certain that Steve Gohouri has died at the age of 34 years. This was confirmed by the Dusseldorf Police to TSV Steinbach.

"All managers, players, coaches and assistants at TSV Steinbach are very concerned about the death of Steve Gohouri. Our thoughts in these difficult hours are with his family."

Dusseldorf Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the events of Gohouri's death.

A statement read: "On December 31, the corpse of initially an unknown man was found in the Rhine near Krefeld.

"In the meantime, the dead could be identified as the 34-year-old who had been reported missing on December 12. An autopsy showed no evidence of violence by third parties."

Gohouri was born on the Ivory Coast, but moved to France as a young boy and grew up in Paris.

He was in the youth system at Paris St Germain, joined Wigan from Borussia Monchengladbach in January 2010, going on to make 42 appearances for the Latics during their spell in the Barclays Premier League.

The defender, part of the Ivory Coast 2010 World Cup squad, joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer of 2012, and also had a spell at Skoda Xanthi in Greece before looking to finish his playing career in Germany.

Gohouri played for his national Ivory Coast side in 2006, scoring three goal during his appearances.

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Yanga kunoa makali Kombe la Mapinduzi

TIMU ya Yanga tayari imewasili Zanzibar kwa ajili ya kushiriki michuano ya Kombe la Mapinduzi itakayoanza kesho huku wakitamba kutwaa ubingwa na kusaka makali kwa ajili ya michuano ya Klabu Bingwa Afrika.

Katika mashindano ya Mapinduzi, Yanga imepangwa kundi B ikiwa na Azam, Mtibwa Sugar na Mafunzo ya Zanzibar ambapo inatarajia kufungua dimba kesho kwa kuvaana na Mafunzo.

Kikosi hicho kinachonolewa na kocha Hans Vans Pluijm na msaidizi wake, Juma Mwambusi, tayari kipo visiwani Zanzibar.

Katika misimu ya hivi karibuni, Yanga wamekuwa wakilalamikiwa kutokana na kupeleka kikosi B lakini msimu huu wameamua kutuma kikosi kamili wakiwa na malengo ya kutwaa ubingwa pamoja na kuongeza ujuzi kwa ajili ya michuano ya Klabu Bingwa Afrika.

Akizungumza kabla ya kuelekea Zanzibar, kocha Pluijm alisema kutokana na ugumu wa kundi walilopo ana imani kubwa utatoa changamoto kwa wachezaji wake ambao bado wana kazi kubwa ya kuhakikisha wanatetea ubingwa wa Tanzania Bara pamoja na kufanya vizuri katika michuano ya Klabu Bingwa Afrika.

“Kikosi changu kamili kitakuwa Zanzibar na kila mchezaji atapangwa kulingana na uwezo wake atakaoonyesha kwenye mazoezi na baadhi ya mechi nimepanga kuwatumia wote kwani bado nina kazi kubwa mbele yangu.

“Nafikiri mashindano ya Mapinduzi yataongeza hali ya kimchezo kwa wachezaji wangu, kupitia mashindano hayo nitapata nafasi ya kuangalia mapungufu na kuyafanyia kazi na hii ni baada ya kukutana na timu ambazo hatujazizoea,” alisema.

Alisema baada ya Kombe la Mapinduzi kikosi chake kina kazi kubwa ya kujijenga ili kiweze kufanya vizuri katika kukabiliana na wapinzani wao, Cercle de Joachim ya Mauritius kwenye hatua ya kwanza ya mtoano wa michuano ya Ligi ya Mabingwa barani Afrika.

 NA ZAINAB IDDY, MTANZANIA

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