13 things we loved this weekend: Fergie, Ederson, Joselu, Wolves, Isco & more

Quick Reads

Manchester United’s former manager and Manchester City’s goalkeeper were in fine form this weekend, while we couldn’t help but love Newcastle striker Joselu and Wolves’ wonderful football.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Fergie may have had a slightly strained relationship with journalists and the media at times during his 27 years as Manchester United manager, but he paid his respects to a former sparring partner this weekend.

Manchester Evening News’ chief United reporter Stuart Mathieson was covering his final match at Old Trafford after 22 years in the job, and Fergie relished the chance to send him off with a laugh and a joke.

Ederson

We’ve been impressed by Ederson’s distribution on a number of occasions already this season, and the goalkeeper proved why Manchester City spent £35million to secure his services against Chelsea.

In another commanding and assured display, the Brazilian excelled at the bread and butter of goalkeeping, and then also showed off his brilliance with the ball at his feet.

Joselu

It’s fair to say that Joselu needed a slice of luck to score the equaliser in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, with the ball ricocheting off his shins and into the back of the net following a tackle by Joel Matip.

But it’s hard not to love the striker’s priceless reaction, from ‘oh f*ck’, to ‘oh yes’, to ‘yeah, I definitely meant that’.

Crystal Palace

Football fans are defined by their gallows humour and Crystal Palace supporters have needed it more than most this season.

Pointless and without a single goal in the Premier League, fanzine Five Year Plan managed to solve the problem of their September Goal of the Month competition – courtesy of their victory over Huddersfield in the League Cup.

Wolves

Sitting second in the Championship table and with a host of exciting players, Wolves are looking good for a potential return to the Premier League next season.

Spare a thought for Burton’s former England international, Stephen Warnock, who was completely taken to the cleaners during the brilliant build-up to Wolves’ fourth goal at the Pirelli Stadium.

Rafa Benitez

Newcastle fans unveiled an impressive banner in support of Rafa Benitez ahead of their draw with Liverpool, referencing a song Valencia fans used to sing about the manager.

In Spanish, it read: “We will follow you everywhere, we’ll always have your back. In spite of the lies they tell us, we’ll never doubt you. We are with you.”

And Rafa certainly seemed to appreciate the gesture.

Luis Suarez

On a difficult day for Barcelona, they still managed to ease to a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas in front of an empty Camp Nou.

Despite all three points being wrapped up, Luis Suarez was still disgusted at his failure to convert a late chance, and briefly gave us his best impression of the Incredible Hulk.

Mad Belgian goalkeepers

We don’t know anything about Colin Coosemans and we don’t know anything about Belgian club KV Mechelen.

But we do know that goalkeepers going up for corners, attempting stepovers, losing the ball, recovering it, creating a goal, then going mental is absolutely brilliant.

Mario Balotelli

It’s safe to say Super Mario was not impressed by Nice conceding three goals to Marseille just before half-time.

“Three goals in 10 minutes? Three goals in 10 minutes? Go fuck yourself.”

Fair enough.

Isco

Real Madrid finally secured their first home victory in the league this season and had Isco to thank as the midfielder scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

But we’re more concerned about this touch from the Spain international. Absolutely lovely.

Bryan Cristante

Atalanta came back from 2-0 down to earn an impressive point against Serie A champions Juventus and any fans of bullet headers really need to watch Cristante’s equaliser.

Vagner Love

Remember him? The striker who was really good on Football Manager? You know the one.

The former Brazil international has been nothing short of prolific for Turkish outfit Alanyaspor over the last two seasons, and scored an incredible, improvised goal this weekend.

Graeme Souness

Finally, it’s only right to sit back and reflect on an important birthday which took place on Saturday…

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