17 things we loved this week: Messi, Silva, Shaqiri, Bielsa and more
Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool favourites all put smiles on the faces of supporters this weekend.
The 2018-19 campaign is beginning to get in full flow now, with Serie A and La Liga getting underway, and suddenly we’re happy again.
We’ve rounded up some of the best of the action on and off the pitch.
Mateo Silva
Manchester City may have beaten Huddersfield 6-1 on Sunday, but the star of the show was David Silva’s son,
Last season Mateo Silva was born prematurely and David Silva flew to and from Spain so he could care for his new-born baby.
Today, Mateo Silva watched his father score in the Premier League for Manchester City 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/HSbPeUZeRB
— BT Sport Score (@btsportscore) August 19, 2018
David Silva
Mateo’s dad didn’t do too badly either.
Lionel Messi
New season of La Liga, same old Lionel Messi.
Philippe Coutinho
New season of La Liga, same old Philippe Coutinho.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Even Barcelona’s goalkeeper has tekkers. Notice the score was 0-0 at the time. Crazy.
Kieran Trippier
IT’S COMING HOME.
Edin Dzeko
As nice an 89th-minute winner as you’ll see all season.
West Brom
In the coincidence of the century, this was West Ham’s programme cover for their 7-1 victory over QPR.
Full time at The Hawthorns. pic.twitter.com/L3BHan8mQi
— Matt Wilson (@mattwilson_star) August 18, 2018
Xherdan Shaqiri
Manchester United legend Gary Neville and Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher took part in a penalty shootout, with the loser having to wear the shirt of the winner’s team.
After Carra emerged victorious, he went to visit Shaqiri – a player Neville has heavily criticised this summer – who sent him a personalised shirt with a little message.
#MNF @GNev2 @XS_11official pic.twitter.com/vlKMZgTpb9
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 19, 2018
Florian Thauvin
We could watch goalkeepers getting chipped all day.
Callum Wilson
Our new favourite pointless but brilliant stat.
19% of Callum Wilson's Premier League goals have come in away games against West Ham in August
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) August 18, 2018
Andre Silva
A hat-trick on his Sevilla debut means Silva has more goals in La Liga than Serie A, despite making 24 appearances for Milan last term.
3 – André Silva has become the first player to score a hat-trick on his La Liga debut in the 21st century. Feast.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 19, 2018
Johnny Russell
The former Derby forward made one Sporting Kansas City supporter’s ninth birthday.
For 90 minutes, she held a sign that read: "Johnny Russell, it's my 9th birthday!"
Then, this. 😭 pic.twitter.com/GRJB5nGQMX
— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) August 19, 2018
Excelsior
Once a year Feyenoord invite children of the Sophia pediatric hospital to a game. Inspired by the antics of ADO Den Haag fans last year, Excelsior supporters threw stuffed animals and toys to the kids in the tier below.
Excelsior fans throw stuffed animals to children of the Sophia pediatric hospital. from r/soccer
Barry Chuckle
The tributes to the comedian continued at Elland Road.
Leeds and Rotherham fans today with “to me, to you” in respect to Barry Chuckle#lufc
— Football Away Days (@footyawayday) August 18, 2018
Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa is a magician. We’re Rob is incredibly angry at Samuel Saiz for not finishing this.
bielsa ball 😍😍😍 #lufc pic.twitter.com/N6WdOlpUMY
— alex (@MikeDeansSon) August 18, 2018
Chelsea
Speaking of brilliant team moves, Maurizio Sarri’s men almost scored an early Goal of the Season contender.
Watch: Incredible passage of play from Chelsea almost leads to brilliant goal
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