Saturday’s briefing: Patrick Dorgu brilliance pushes Man Utd past Newcastle

Patrick Dorgu’s stunner saw Manchester United edge out Newcastle in the only Premier League fixture on Boxing Day.

In what is set to be an emotional occasion on Merseyside on Saturday, the two former English clubs of Diogo Jota will go head-to-head as Liverpool welcome Wolves to Anfield.

Dorgu fires Man Utd to Boxing Day victory

Patrick Dorgu opened his Manchester United account in spectacular fashion as the makeshift right winger’s rasping volley sealed a much-needed Old Trafford victory against Newcastle.

The Red Devils went into the Premier League’s only Boxing Day fixture without a home win in two months and missing seven first-team players, including talisman Bruno Fernandes.

But Ruben Amorim’s rejigged side rallied as they started with a back four and dug deep at the end to secure a 1-0 triumph courtesy of Dorgu’s delightful volley as the wing-back impressed on the right wing.

Amorim said of Dorgu: “He played in a position where he could take more risks and sometimes that helps when you don’t feel the responsibility. I think he did well.”

Liverpool plan Anfield tributes for Jota

Liverpool boss Arne Slot knows everyone’s thoughts will be with the family of Diogo Jota as his two former English teams meet at Anfield on Saturday.

Portugal forward Jota, who had a successful spell at Wolves before he moved to Liverpool in 2020, was killed along with his brother Andre Silva on July 3 in a car crash in Spain.

It has been reported Jota’s two sons will accompany the mascots for Saturday’s Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolves at Anfield.

Writing in his matchday programme notes, Slot reflected on the past 12 months, saying: “Doing so leads me to think especially of the family of Diogo Jota on what will be their first Christmas without him.

“It is not my place to tell them where they should look for comfort – if that is even possible – but I can only hope that the feeling of love and affection that Diogo still generates brings them some solace.”

Arteta wary of Brighton repeat

Mikel Arteta hopes history does not repeat itself when Premier League leaders Arsenal face Brighton after Declan Rice’s red card in last year’s fixture left him “very p***** off”.

Last season, Rice was sent off after he received a second yellow card for delaying a restart. Arsenal were leading 1-0 before Rice’s controversial dismissal but ended up dropping two points in a 1-1 draw.

“I remember it very well,” said Arteta, whose side sit two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

“I was very p***** off in the manner that we played with 10 men, so hopefully it is going to be very different next time.

“I think the rules are different now. We played a big price with that rule. And hopefully that stays away and we continue to play with 11 players.”

Championship leaders Coventry edge out Swansea

Leaders Coventry stretched their lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship to eight points following a hard-fought 1-0 win over Swansea.

Ephron Mason-Clark’s emphatic finish just before half-time was enough to give the Sky Blues a ninth home Championship win of the season.

Coventry boss Frank Lampard said: “Over the course of the season there are games you play where everything goes in and others where you have chances and it doesn’t quite drop or go in.

“We had chances to get that second goal but it didn’t quite fall. We were not as good today as we usually are off the ball.”

What’s on today?

Arsenal could be knocked off top spot before they host Brighton at 3pm, with Manchester City playing at Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Fourth-placed Chelsea could cut the seven-point gap to third-spotted Aston Villa when they welcome Unai Emery’s side to Stamford Bridge in the teatime kick-off.

Celtic and Rangers are also in action on Saturday in the William Hill Premiership.