The National Times - Hojlund gives Amorim winning Old Trafford bow, Roma hold Spurs

Hojlund gives Amorim winning Old Trafford bow, Roma hold Spurs


Hojlund gives Amorim winning Old Trafford bow, Roma hold Spurs
Hojlund gives Amorim winning Old Trafford bow, Roma hold Spurs / Photo: © AFP

Manchester United marked Ruben Amorim's first game at Old Trafford with a 3-2 Europa League victory over Bodo/Glimt as Rasmus Hojlund netted a double, while Tottenham were held by Roma on Thursday.

Change text size:

United trailed late in the first half against Norwegians Bodo/Glimt, but recovered to post a second straight Europa League win since sacking Erik ten Hag, having started the campaign with three consecutive draws.

Manchester United scored in the second minute of former Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim's first match as manager at Ipswich on Sunday and it took under 60 seconds for them to break the deadlock against Bodo/Glimt.

Visiting goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was put under pressure by a poor back-pass and his clearance was blocked by Hojlund, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to tap into an empty net.

But United's defensive frailties were laid bare as Hakon Evjen swept in a 19th-minute equaliser and Philip Zinckernagel put Bodo/Glimt in front four minutes later.

United looked short of ideas until the stroke of half-time when Noussair Mazraoui's cross found Hojlund, who flicked the ball up with a clever touch and calmly volleyed into the bottom corner.

The hosts reclaimed the lead less than five minutes after the restart, as Manuel Ugarte squared the ball across the face of goal for Hojlund to prod home.

United survived a real scare when the referee waved play on after goalkeeper Andre Onana handled outside his area in the second half.

But Amorim's men held on to give their new boss a satisfactory home debut.

In London, Spurs failed to back up their stunning weekend win over Manchester City as Mats Hummels scored in injury time to snatch a 2-2 draw for Roma.

Tottenham also made a fast start as Son Heung-min slotted in a penalty in the fifth minute after Pape Matar Sarr was brought down by Hummels.

Evan Ndicka flicked in Paulo Dybala's free-kick to level for Roma a quarter of an hour later, before Brennan Johnson restored Spurs' advantage 11 minutes before the break.

Crisis-hit Roma piled the pressure on late at the Tottenham Stadium and former Germany centre-back Hummels pounced from close range in added time.

Ange Postecoglou's Spurs now sit outside the top eight, who qualify automatically for the last 16, on goal difference.

- Bilbao join Lazio at top -

Earlier, Athletic Bilbao cruised to a 3-0 win over Elfsborg to move level on points with Lazio at the top of the table.

Adama Boiro, Benat Prados and Gorka Guruzeta scored the goals as Bilbao climbed to second place, behind Lazio on goal difference.

The Roman club were held to a goalless draw by Ludogorets but remain unbeaten with 13 points from five games.

Eintracht Frankfurt, also flying high in the Bundesliga, also have the same number of points after Omar Marmoush netted a spot-kick in a 2-1 victory over Midtjylland in Denmark.

Victor Osimhen scored his seventh goal in as many matches for Galatasaray in all competitions, but the Turkish giants slipped two points behind the leading trio after a 1-1 draw at AZ Alkmaar.

Lyon climbed into seventh courtesy of a 4-1 thrashing of Qarabag in Baku, with Georgia striker Georges Mikautadze netting an excellent double.

The Ligue 1 club sit above eighth-placed Rangers on goal difference after the Scottish giants, struggling domestically, thumped Nice 4-1 on the French Riviera.

- Chelsea march on -

Chelsea remained top of the Conference League table with a fourth straight win by beating Heidenheim, who lost their 100-percent record, 2-0.

A much-changed Chelsea had to wait until six minutes after the restart to break the deadlock as Christopher Nkunku took a brilliant touch to control Jadon Sancho's cross before firing into the top corner.

The German side improved after falling behind, though, and almost equalised in the 69th minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen produced a wonderful double save to deny Paul Wanner and Leo Scienza.

The two-time European champions killed the game off with four minutes left as Sancho notched his second assist of the match, teeing up Mykhailo Mudryk to drive a shot into the roof of the net after playing a one-two with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

N.Roberts--TNT

Featured

Maswanganyi Clarifies Pirates Allegiance Amidst Career Transition

Patrick Maswanganyi has addressed speculation surrounding his career by reaffirming that Orlando Pirates remains his dream club, despite growing up as a Kaizer Chiefs supporter. Speaking during an exclusive interview, the Bafana Bafana international also clarified the nature of his relationship with former coach Abdeslam Ouaddou following his recent exit from the Soweto giants.

Kuwait's Yasmeen Waleed Wins High Jump Gold at Dakar Youth Olympics

Kuwaiti athlete Yasmeen Waleed has won the gold medal in the high jump at the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. Her victory established a new Kuwaiti national record of 1.80 meters, marking a significant milestone for the nation's youth sports program.

Matvei Michkov Leads Flyers in Goals but Ranks Sixth in Ice Time

Matvei Michkov leads the Philadelphia Flyers with 10 goals through 20 games, but his total ice time ranks sixth among the team's forwards. Head coach Rick Tocchet has concentrated Michkov’s additional minutes on the power play, where he has scored five of his goals, while his even-strength usage has remained relatively stable compared to last season.

Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Inductees

The Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (NCJSHOF) has announced its Class of 2026 inductees, honoring four individuals for their athletic achievements and community contributions. The organization will celebrate the new class during its 19th Annual Induction Dinner Gala on November 22 at the Olympic Golf Club in South San Francisco.

Change text size: