Northern Ireland 2-1 Belarus: Late Josh Magennis strike sees Michael O’Neill’s men go top of Euro 2020 qualifying group

Northern Ireland 2-1 Belarus: Late Josh Magennis strike sees Michael O’Neill’s men go top of Euro 2020 qualifying group
Josh Magennis’ late goal ensured Northern Ireland continued their 100 per cent start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Belarus at Windsor Park.Jonny Evans nodded Michael O’Neill’s men in front after half an hour but Ihar Stasevich’s deflected effort pegged them back.4

Northern Ireland are top of Group C – a group that contains Germany and the Netherlands

It looked like it was going to be a frustrating night for the Green and White Army but substitute Magennis fired home on 87 minutes to secure the three points.Northern Ireland, who beat Estonia 2-0 in the first group match, are top of Group C after Germany claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam.Belarus arrived in Belfast on the back of a 4-0 thrashing by the Dutch on Thursday, and Northern Ireland were hoping for easy pickings.But after coach Igor Kruishenko made five changes, including the restoration of 37-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to midfield, they would prove stubborn opposition to break down. After a slow and often scrappy start, Paddy McNair produced Northern Ireland’s first chance after 20 minutes, turning his man and cutting inside before hitting a rising shot which Andrei Klimovich clawed to safety.Just before the half-hour, Kyle Lafferty hit an optimistic raking shot from distance but after it bounced awkwardly for Klimovich, Northern Ireland would make the resulting corner pay.They took it short, with Niall McGinn’s corner flicked on by Steven Davis for an unmarked Evans to head home.But the celebrations lasted less than three minutes before Belarus hit back. As the Northern Ireland defenders stood off, Stasevich hit a shot from the edge of the area which deflected off Stuart Dallas to loop up and over Bailey Peacock-Farrell.4

Belarus stifled Northern Ireland well after getting the equaliser

Northern Ireland sought a response, but though Dallas’ long throw fell for George Saville inside the goal area, the angle was tight and the Middlesbrough man shot straight at Klimovich.Jordan Jones, having done well to keep in an over-hit pass, then played a dangerous ball in but Lafferty stood flat-footed as it whistled across the face of goal, keeping it all square at the break.Lafferty’s blushes were spared by the assistant’s flag four minutes into the second half, when he really should have nudged home McNair’s cross from point-blank range.McNair was next to try his luck when the ball rolled out invitingly for him in the 58th minute, but Mikhail Sivakov stood strong to repel the shot.4

The game looked all set for a draw as Northern Ireland huffed and puffed on Belarus

Northern Ireland continued to build pressure, forcing Belarus further and further back.Lafferty tried a looping shot with his back to goal but could not keep it down before Dallas surged into the box but saw his low cross – looking for Lafferty – cut out for a corner.Lafferty spurned another chance in the 77th minute as Lewis’ cross seemed to skim off the top of his head with the goal gaping, with the Rangers striker guilty of not attacking the ball.It would prove his last involvement as he was swiftly replaced by Liam Boyce.O’Neill also threw on Shane Ferguson with five minutes to go, with Northern Ireland continuing to pour forward.They got their reward three minutes from time with one of the best moves of the game.4

Magennis got the winning goal three minutes before the end of the 90

Magennis started it by bringing down a long ball and spreading it wide for Dallas, who in turn fed McNair. His low cross was perfectly placed for Magennis to turn it home with a simple finish.Belarus responded with a late burst of pressure, requiring Peacock-Farrell to make a close-range save from Pavel Nekhaychik, but Northern Ireland hung on for victory to the delight of Windsor Park.

---

Tottenham transfer news: Spurs linked with January move for Wolves right-back Matt Doherty The full-back has featured in every match in the newcomers' impressive Premier League season By Oliver Dawnay
Tottenham transfer news: Spurs linked with January move for

---

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke to his players alone for a whole 40 minutes after they collapsed to a dreadful 4-0 loss at Bournemouth. The game was goalless at half-time but Josh King's strike early in the second-half then led to the Blues capitulating to one of their worst defeats in recent years.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri gives obscure response on why he
hollywoodadviser.com/chelsea-boss-maurizio-sarri-gives-obscure-response-on-why-he-spoke-to-his-players-alone-for-40-minutes-following-bournemouth-defeat/
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke to his players alone for a whole 40 minutes after they collapsed to a dreadful 4-0 loss at Bournemouth. The game was goalless at half-time but Josh King's strike early in the second-half then led to the Blues capitulating to one of their worst defeats in recent years.
Bournemouth 4-0 Chelsea: Woeful Blues drop out of top four

---

"Barcelona are keen on Celta Vigo's Maxi Gomez - and have launched an opening bid" Starsport reported earlier this week on Tottenham's interest in the player. London rivals West Ham like the look of Gomez too, but Spurs can offer the player Champions League fooball, which could prove key.
Tottenham Transfer Rumours and News - ProSportsDaily.com

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign at Manchester United is already being called into question in some quarters but for one Red Devils fan, Ole will always be at the wheel - on his leg at least.
EPL Alternative Awards: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's at the wheel

---

Portugal have become the first team to win the Uefa Nations League after beating Netherlands in Sunday's final in Porto. Goncalo Guedes' second-half strike was all it took for the hosts to claim

---

Chinese group Shandong Luneng are keen to complete a takeover at Bolton and want Sam Allardyce to make a return as boss, according to reports. Investors from the group are said to have been shown around the ground and are considering an offer to buy the League..
Chinese firm Shandong Luneng 'weighing up takeover bid' for

---

Sokratis Papastathopoulos has stated that under-fire Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is one of the most important players at the club and that is why Unai Emery needs him to remain at the Emirates. The Arsenal faithful will be a relieved fanbase after the Gunners overcame a 1-0 deficit against BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The one reason Mesut Ozil, Sokratis and - football.london

---

BT Sport teams up with 90min.com to bring you the latest transfer rumours from Maxi Gomez looks set to sign for West Ham in a £40m+ deal. with Danny Drinkwater a late target to
TRANSFER NEWS RECAP: Latest deals from the Premier League and

---

Raheem Sterling scored a 13-minute hat-trick as Manchester City beat Watford 3-1 to open up a 4-element hole at the best of the Premier League. There changed into an element of controversy over the winger's opener but his speedy treble grew to become a tricky game decisively in City's favour early in the moment half.
Raheem Sterling hits 13-minute hat-trick as Manchester City

---

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is hoping his former club Liverpool can do him some favours in the transfer market this summer. The Glasgow side are looking to have a busy summer of recruitment as they aim to end Celtic's dominance next season and win the Scottish Premiership.
Steven Gerrard wants three Liverpool youngsters to boost

---

CESC FABREGAS has revealed his frustration as a bit-part player under Maurizio Sarri. "I know what my role is. Unfortunately it's not the one I want. Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas claims
Fabregas: "It's too early to talk about my Chelsea future

---

Sport Football Sheffield United Latest Blades News Sheffield United: Why Chris Wilder's contacts book could prove a potent weapon in the Premier League Two seasons ago, as Sheffield United

---

Liverpool boost title hopes with last-gasp winner against Tottenham Gotta See It: Late own-goal saves Liverpool, sinks Spurs (Video) Jamie Carragher's commentary for LFC winner is epic
Replays prove Mohamed Salah was NOT offside for Liverpool's
sportsalert.org/2019/03/31/replays-prove-mohamed-salah-was-not-offside-for-liverpools-winner-against-tottenham-hotspur/
Liverpool's winner against Tottenham Hotspur was met with sheer joy and elation from those in red on Merseyside. However, there were large numbers of supporters who were left confused and questioned if Mohamed Salah was offside or not.
Liverpool vs Tottenham: Player ratings as Mohamed Salah

---

Juan Quintero's stunning extra-time strike helped River Plate come from a goal down to record a historic victory over 10-man Boca Juniors in Madrid and win the Copa Libertadores. Quintero scored
River Plate vs Boca Juniors stream: Copa Libertadores online

---

Liverpool news: Joe Gomez returns to training after three

---