TALLINN (AFP) - Wales claimed a 1-0 qualifying victory over Estonia in Tallinn on Monday (Oct 11) to keep Belgium waiting for a place at the 2022 World Cup. Kieffer Moore's scrappy 12th-minute goal was enough for Wales to make amends for a disappointing goalless home draw with Estonia last month. Anything other than a Welsh victory would have seen Belgium wrap up top spot in Group E and a spot in Qatar next year. But Wales kept alive their slim hopes of catching the world's number one-ranked side, moving to within five points of Belgium with two matches remaining. The Czech Republic sit second in the group on goal difference after winning 2-0 against Belarus, but have played a game more. Belgium can still secure a finals berth when they host Estonia next month. Wales are all but certain to drop into the playoffs even if they finish below the Czechs, courtesy of winning their 2020-21 Nations League group. The visitors started brightly, with Harry Wilson curling a free-kick over the crossbar before Estonia goalkeeper Karl Hein turned away Connor Roberts' effort at full stretch. But Wales took the lead from the resulting corner, a goalmouth scramble ending with the ball bouncing in off Moore from barely a yard out. It was Cardiff striker Moore's first international goal since Euro 2020 and seventh in total for his country. Wales dominated possession for the majority of the first half but struggled to create many more clear chances, with Wilson striking another free-kick straight at Hein. Robert Page's men were almost made to pay shortly after the restart, as Estonia striker Erik Sorga headed over when he should have done better. Wales appealed for a penalty when Moore tussled with home captain Marten Kuusk in the area, but a free-kick was awarded against the forward, who was left with a bloody nose. More on this topic Related Story Football: Werner double sees Germany qualify for Qatar World Cup Related Story Football: Fifa's plans for a biennial World Cup - What you need to know The away side started to look nervous late on as Estonia exerted some pressure. Vlasiy Sinavski was denied by an excellent save from Danny Ward, who bounced back from a horrendous error in Saturday's 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic with a clean sheet.
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Everton striker Richarlison continued his scoring form with a fourth goal in as many Premier League games to earn his side a hard-fought 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Thursday (March 4). Everton climbed into the top four to stay on course for a European club competition berth next season. A third successive win moved the Toffees to 46 points from 26 matches, above both Chelsea and Liverpool who meet at Anfield later on Thursday. West Brom's narrow defeat and their first loss in almost a month left them still deep in relegation trouble. They have 17 points from 27 games, nine points from safety, as they stayed second bottom of the table. Brazilian Richarlison rose above the home defence at The Hawthorns to power home a 65th-minute header from a curling cross by Gylfi Sigurdsson, who had just come off the bench, for his sixth league goal of the season. "We had an idea a set-piece might win it," Sigurdsson said. "We are confident after a couple of good results. But it is tight at the top. We have to keep going and work hard. If we get on a run we have a chance." West Brom looked to have equalised for a much-needed point three minutes into stoppage time when Mbaye Diagne netted from close range, only for VAR to rule he was just offside. It was a heartbreaking finish after they had started brightly with a good opportunity inside the opening two minutes for Diagne from Conor Gallagher's cross, only to be thwarted by a flying save from Jordan Pickford. The Senegal international proved a real handful for the visiting defence and had several other chances. Everton were largely on the back foot in the first half but despite limited opportunity were still able to conjure up chances of their own. Richarlison had an effort half blocked by Darnell Furlong and a fortuitous bounce of the ball put Dominic Calvert-Lewin through on goal but his shot was straight at West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone. Everton looked more attacking in the second half but still required strong defence to keep the home side at bay and take home all three points.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz says that manager Mikel Arteta is creating a "real team" at the Emirates after the Gunners held Manchester United to a goalless draw. The London side had the better chances in the game and looked solid at the back as they extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches. "We have to try to improve every single day, I think we have to be humble every day to admit what you have to do to improve. I think the boss is doing a good job, the young boys are progressing a lot, they are fantastic," said the former Chelsea and Paris St Germain defender. "I think we're starting to create a real team, a real atmosphere. I think that's why we keep going but football is like this, if you don't continue the focus and the concentration, if you don't work hard every single day, then things can change," he said. Arsenal had made a dreadful start to the season, with their home defeat to Burnley on Dec 13 leaving them with their worst opening to a campaign since 1974. But the Gunners are now without a loss in the league since Dec 19, with their upturn in form beginning with the 3-1 Dec 26 win over Chelsea. "I am very, very happy because we've turned around a very difficult moment in our season for a positive moment and we have to keep trying and keep going," said Luiz. The centre back was pleased with the way his side approached the match against second-placed United. "It was a great game. Both teams were trying to win and both teams had opportunities. It was a proper match. It's frustrating because we love to win. I think we tried our best and that's it," he said. More on this topic Related Story Football: Solskjaer seeks Man United cutting edge after Arsenal stalemate Related Story Football: Man City move clear at the top as United held at Arsenal
SINGAPORE - Singapore and Malaysia will continue to work closely to keep supply chains going amid the movement control restrictions and state of emergency declared in Malaysia, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Jan 13). Mr Chan was speaking to reporters during a visit to speciality chemicals company DuPont Singapore. When asked about the latest developments in Malaysia and whether it would affect Singapore's supply chain, he said: "We are in close contact with our Malaysian counterparts regarding the latest movement control, and also the state of emergency. "I've exchanged texts with my counterparts and I think we have shared our commitment to make sure that we continue to keep our trade flows going, keep our supply chains going, to the benefit of both countries." Mr Chan added that over the last few days, Singapore's supplies and trade flows with Malaysia have continued "as per normal". He added that since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore has been preparing itself for potential disruptions to its supplies and supply chains by diversifying the latter, and also by stockpiling and stepping up local production where possible. These disruptions could result from the ongoing pandemic, policy measures such as export restrictions, or climate change, said Mr Chan. "So we must not be complacent and take for granted that the supply chains have stabilised," he added. "In fact, our working assumption is that given the surge in (Covid-19) cases across the world, we must be prepared for disruptions to our supply chains across the entire world, and not just Malaysia." Mr Chan added that at the moment, Singapore is "quietly confident, but we are not complacent". "We continue to review the resilience of our supply chains on a daily basis for all our food items and all our essential products," he said. Mr Chan also thanked Singaporeans for staying calm and adaptable in buying products from different parts of the world. "So long as we stay calm, we are able to adapt to the situation and will be able to utilise the diversity of our supply chains to keep our food supply and essential supplies adequate," he said. More on this topic Related Story Fish and vegetable prices up at wet markets in S'pore due to floods in Malaysia Related Story Surviving supply chain shocks caused by Covid-19 pandemic
LONDON • Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus has said his team cannot be satisfied after securing a point at home against Premier League champions Liverpool and must raise their level in important matches to reclaim the title. Teammate Kevin de Bruyne missed a match-winning penalty after Jesus had superbly cancelled out Mohamed Salah's spot-kick opener in the first half as the hosts were held to a 1-1 draw on Sunday. "The result isn't good for us, maybe good for them, but we have to keep fighting until the end because we have a lot of games to play," the Brazilian told Sky Sports. "Both teams want to win the league so sometimes, we have to up our game. We are at home so we have to control more, play more, hold the ball, attack like we have done in the past. "We have to keep playing like this and try to score the chances." Jesus himself had an opportunity to seal all three points but was unable to convert Joao Cancelo's cross in the second half, leaving his side five points behind third-placed Liverpool (17) with a game in hand. "They can beat us and we can beat them but it's football. We have chances to win. We don't score when we have a chance and we draw," Jesus said. His manager Pep Guardiola agreed the penalty was an opportunity his side could not afford to pass up, adding: "It is not easy to defend against Liverpool, normally, they have three in attack and now four, they ran in behind and you cannot stay there and they play in between the players. "It is not easy to play, but we adjusted a bit and had more courage to stay high. We made a good goal and unfortunately, we missed a penalty. In games or opponents like Liverpool, if you miss a penalty, it is more difficult." While City rued the two points dropped rather than a point gained, it was the opposite for the visitors, even though they missed the chance to leapfrog Leicester (18) and return to the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was pleased with a share of the spoils. "Super football game to be honest," he told Sky Sports. "Two top teams ready for a massive fight - energy levels of both teams incredible. "We were really good and dangerous. We were ready to make little passes - there were moments we played too many long balls. Time to time, we just wanted to get rid of the ball." City face another exacting test of their title credentials when they travel to second-placed Tottenham as league action resumes after the international break, while the Reds host Leicester on Nov 21. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS