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Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane was at a loss for an explanation after watching his side fall 2-1 at home to Alaves on Saturday.

Lucas Perez and Joselu scored on either side of the half for Alaves, and Madrid could only respond with a late Casemiro consolation in the 86th minute. 

It was Madrid's third La Liga defeat of the season as they dropped six points behind Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, who are atop the table with 23 points each. 

Madrid have now lost three of their last five home games in all competitions, as many defeats as in their previous 31 matches at home. 

To make the night even worse, Eden Hazard's injury woes continued as the Belgian was taken off in the first half.

In his post-game press conference, Zidane admitted he was baffled by his team's inconsistency after they turned in a strong performance midweek with a 2-0 win at Inter in the Champions League.

"I don't have an explanation," Zidane said. "Tonight we alternated good moments with bad moments. When they scored a goal after three minutes, things get very complicated for us.

"The other day in Milan we played a good game and today...It is reality, our reality today. What we have to do is keep working, recover players and change the dynamics. We don't have consistency."

When asked what he would say to his players to help them gain more consistency, Zidane replied: "I have to find the solution with the players. I am not going to say it here. We must not only think about the negative. We also have to see what we did well and try to be more consistent."

Zidane was particularly dismayed by his side's start, as Alaves earned a fifth-minute penalty when Victor Laguardia's header struck Nacho on the upper arm. Perez would put home the ensuing penalty to give the visitors an ideal opening to the game.

"It's the worst start of the season," Zidane admitted. "We couldn't change the dynamics of the game and that bothers and worries me."

Madrid will face another quick turnaround as they now travel to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Thomas Tuchel hopes to see "another" Paris Saint-Germain against Manchester United after again condemning a perceived poor attitude in their draw with Bordeaux.

PSG let a two-goal lead slip to lose at Monaco last week and Tuchel said afterwards his side "did not play seriously enough" and "completely stopped playing football".

Although the reigning Ligue 1 champions bounced back by scraping past RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek, it was more of the same against Bordeaux.

PSG trailed to debutant Timothee Pembele's 10th-minute own goal but looked to be cruising after Neymar scored a penalty - his 50th Ligue 1 goal - and Moise Kean quickly added a second.

However, former PSG player Yacine Adli equalised and Tuchel's men were perhaps fortunate to escape with a 2-2 draw.

Ahead of a vital European trip to United on Wednesday, this was not ideal preparation.

"We can not play without effort as we did in the second half," Tuchel told Canal+. "The first half was okay, we played simple.

"But we lacked the seriousness to finish this match, to kill it. We lacked determination in the area.

"We lacked everything in the second half: discipline, effort... everything. It was worse than against Monaco. We lacked effort, discipline, attitude.

"Normally I always protect my team but today I totally disagree. It is not necessary to lose points a second time like that after Monaco. We lost the second half and it is absolutely our responsibility - mine, too.

"We must see another PSG against Manchester; it is not possible to play a match of this level.

"I don't understand why we don't take our responsibilities, why we don't play more seriously."

PSG had just five shots in the second half to Bordeaux's 14, despite leaving Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on the pitch for the duration.

Neymar, playing his 58th Ligue 1 match and reaching 50 goals in 21st-century record time, could shoulder little of the blame.

He had 97 touches, fewer only than Leandro Paredes (112), and created three chances on top of his five shots.

The Brazil forward offered a more considered assessment of the stalemate than his coach but agreed PSG had to improve against United.

Neymar has warned Paris Saint-Germain will have to be at their best if they are to get the better of Manchester United in next week's Champions League match.

PSG are three points behind leaders United and level on points with RB Leipzig heading into their penultimate game of the group stage.

Thomas Tuchel's side are out for revenge against the Red Devils, who beat them 2-1 in their first match of the competition in Paris.

After a disappointing 2-2 draw against Bordeaux on Saturday, though, Neymar has warned they must step up their game when they travel to Old Trafford in midweek.

"We know the importance of the Champions League game on Wednesday," he told Canal+. "This is decisive. We didn't play well against Leipzig (in a 1-0 victory on Tuesday), but we managed to win.

"On Wednesday we are going to try to have our best game, play well, but we need to improve certain details, play more as a team, be more organised, otherwise it is going to be difficult."

Bordeaux took the lead on Saturday after Timothee Pembele's 10th-minute own goal. Neymar would then level from the penalty spot before Moise Kean gave PSG the lead, but Yacine Adli pulled Bordeaux level again in the second half.

"We had a timid match. We managed to score goals, but we lacked certain details," Neymar said of his side's performance.

"We must improve on that, because if not, if it is in the league, it is a league where normally we manage to win a lot of games. If we can’t do that, it is going to be tough in the league as well as in the Champions League.”

The Brazil international was also asked about his thoughts on the passing of former Argentina and Napoli star Diego Maradona.

He replied: "Maradona is a football artist. He was someone very important for football, Maradona represented a lot for sport, the world is crying a lot."

PSG are still top of Ligue 1 after 12 matches, three points ahead of Lille who have a game in hand. Marseille sit a further point behind the reigning champions but have played two matches fewer.

Semi Ajayi and West Bromwich Albion ended their wait for a first Premier League victory of the season as they dispatched Sheffield United 1-0 on Saturday.

A relegation dogfight between two of the early-season strugglers was settled in the 13th minute with Conor Gallagher’s first goal in his last 34 league games for the Baggies, leaving the Blades as the only club in the top flight without a win so far this campaign.

The triumph takes the Albion up to six points after 10 matches, taking them out of the relegation zone and one point ahead of Burnley, who were defeated 5-0 by Manchester City earlier in the day.

Defeat leaves Sheffield United bottom of the pile, with only one point from their first 10 matches, and having lost their last five league games.

Ajayi again impressed in the hosts’ back three alongside Branislav Ivanovic and Kyle Bartley, although on several occasions he had to rely on goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to preserve the Throstles’ clean sheet.

The 39 shots taken in the match was the joint most in any Premier League match so far this term during an open contest, with the Blades taking 22 of those efforts against the hosts’ 17th.

He’s made nine appearances so far this season, adapting quickly to life in the top flight having never previously featured at this level during his career.

The versatile defensive player—who has represented Nigeria’s Super Eagles in midfield during recent international breaks—was playing in the third tier of English football as recently as 2018, and was employed down in the fifth tier of the pyramid seven years ago.

The 27-year-old was on Arsenal’s books between 2013 and 2015, but despite impressing Arsene Wenger, didn’t make the breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium.

The star performer for the Baggies on the day was Matheus Pereira, who broke this season’s league record for chances created during a match by setting up nine goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.

It eclipses Hakim Ziyech’s recent creative masterclass for Chelsea against the same opponent, and represents the most chances created by a single player in a single top flight fixture since Kevin De Bruyne against Norwich City four months ago.

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Leon Bailey has opened up on his close friendship with Usain Bolt, revealing the Olympic legend has always been there for him in good and bad times. 

Bailey was forced to quarantine in Jamaica earlier this year after attending a birthday party for Bolt, who later tested positive for Covid-19. 

Though some questioned Bailey's decision to attend the event during a pandemic, the pair's strong friendship meant the 23-year-old didn't think twice about going. 

"Usain has been a very good and close friend of mine for years," Bailey told Bild. 

"When in Jamaica I would never turn down an invitation from him. He's a kind of mentor for me, was always there for me in good and bad days."

Bailey also recently became a father and decided to call his son Leo Cristiano, but was quick to stress the name choice had nothing to do with superstar duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.  

"It has nothing to do with football, but with me and my name," he said.

"Leo is an abbreviation of Leon. And Leo is the lion - I am a lion. I believe that my son also grows up with the mentality of being a fighter and a leader. And Cristiano is a lovely name that goes well with Leo.

"Being a father changed me in many ways as a person, but not the way I play football. However, my son motivates me to work even harder." 

Leverkusen have won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions, with Bailey himself scoring five times already this season. 

Currently fourth in the Bundesliga and within touching distance of leaders Bayern Munich, Bailey believes his side have what it takes to compete for a title. 

"The fact that we started so well is due to the high quality of the players and the hunger of the team. Our mentality has changed, we are much hungrier now than last season, which was actually good - but we weren't there at the crucial moments," Bailey said.

"Anything is possible for us. We are in a good mood, we play well. There are no limits."

Real Madrid were stunned 2-1 by Deportivo Alaves and lost Eden Hazard to another injury as Zinedine Zidane witnessed a horror show from his team. 

Lucas Perez and Joselu struck as Madrid suffered a third defeat in their opening 10 LaLiga games this season, their title defence getting off to a rocky start. 

Madrid had played 15 previous home games against Alaves in LaLiga, winning 14 of those. They lost the other game, a 1-0 setback in May 2000, but the Santiago Bernabeu was a fortress that Alaves had found hard to crack. 

With Madrid in their temporary home of the Alfredo di Stefano stadium this season, it was a completely different story. Despite Casemiro grabbing a late consolation, coach Zidane was left to pick up the pieces from a worrying performance. 

Alaves were handed a fifth-minute penalty when Victor Laguardia's header struck Nacho on the upper arm, and Perez found the left corner with a confident strike from the spot. 

Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois then prevented a second goal, producing a sharp stop to palm away a chip from Perez who got in behind the Madrid defence. 

A hobbling Hazard, meanwhile, had to be substituted just before the half-hour mark, his wretched run of luck continuing. Moments earlier he had taken a fall in the Alaves penalty area. 

Toni Kroos was denied by a fine double save from Fernando Pacheco, after a shambolic attempt by Alaves to walk the ball out of defence from a goal kick. 

But Madrid were counting the cost of Kroos missing out as Alaves stretched their lead in the 49th minute. Courtois tried to pick a pass to Casemiro, but it was never on and Joselu stole in to intercept and side-foot into the empty net from 25 yards. 

Perez was denied by Courtois as the former Deportivo La Coruna and Arsenal striker again breached the home backline, before Joselu then sent a thumping drive just wide of the top left corner as the two goalscorers combined. 

Shots from Rodrygo and Lucas Vazquez went narrowly wide as Madrid sought a way back into the game. Casemiro netted from close range after 86 minutes but they could not force a late leveller, Isco going close when he clipped the top of the crossbar in the sixth minute of additional time.

What does it mean? Madrid struggle without dynamic duo 

Without Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos, this Madrid team appear to be rudderless. The sooner the veteran pair return from injury, the better for Zidane, but others should have stood up to the modest threat posed by Alaves.  

Courtois dropped a clanger and his fellow Belgian Hazard might be facing another stretch on the sidelines, so it was a shocker all round. That 4-1 thrashing by Valencia in early November should have been a wake-up call, but Madrid were again dire here. A late equaliser would have flattered them.   

Madrid make Perez look a world-beater 

Perez was terrific, revelling in the space afforded him by Madrid's defence and looking like a top-class forward on the counter-attack. He had more touches (56) than any Alaves team-mate, won seven of the 10 duels he contested, sent in eight crosses, five more than anyone else in Alaves' blue and white strip, and had four shots, which among the visiting players was matched only by Joselu.

Together, Perez and Joselu made Madrid's defence look scarily poor at times. 

Modric fails to step up 

The Madrid backline was collectively awful, but they were toothless in midfield for much of the game too. Modric, a Ballon d'Or winner two years ago, was ineffective. The 35-year-old was substituted after 69 minutes, having contributed lamentably little to proceedings.

Modric played 43 passes with an accuracy rate of 83.7 per cent - he is typically 89-91 per cent accurate - and rarely brought his ability and experience to bear on an occasion that, pun unavoidable, passed him by.

Key Opta facts 

- Madrid have conceded at least one penalty goal in three consecutive LaLiga games for the first time in the 21st century.
- Lucas Perez has scored seven of the eight penalties he has taken for Alaves in LaLiga. Only Javi Moreno (8) has scored more from the spot for the club in the competition since 1998-99.
- Madrid have conceded their first goal from outside the box in LaLiga since May 2019 against Villarreal (Gerard Moreno).
- Joselu has scored four goals in five games against Madrid in LaLiga, including a brace for Deportivo La Coruna at Santiago Bernabeu in December 2016.
- Pablo Machin has become the second manager to win twice against Zinedine Zidane in LaLiga, after Quique Setien, and the first to do so for different teams (Girona and Alaves).

What's next? 

Madrid have a Champions League trip to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, while Alaves are back in LaLiga action when they host high-flying Real Sociedad on the Sunday of next weekend. 

Chennaiyin FC will be looking to make it two win in as many games as Kerala Blasters eye their first win in their third game in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) when the two sides meet at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, on Sunday evening.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

Chennaiyin FC Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - None  
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Anirudh Thapa, Isma     

Kerala Blasters Possible XI: 

Injured - None  
Doubtful - Sahal Samad, Rahul KP   
Suspended - None

Key Players - Gary Hooper, Seityasen Singh    

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Dennis was handed a reprieve by Club Brugge as he returned to action for the Belgian heavyweights only days after being punished by the club for a petulant outburst that made international headlines.

The 23-year-old was suspended by the Belgian side ahead of their Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund in midweek, having stormed off the team bus ahead of the match after not being allowed to sit in his favourite seat.

The attacker’s petulant display was leapt upon by the world media, while Brugge opted to suspend the forward for the Dortmund meeting and fine him for his poor behaviour.

The Blue and Black were thumped 3-0 by the German giants in UCL action on Tuesday, and their tricky week got even worse on Saturday when they were held 0-0 at Mouscron in the Jupiler League.

Brugge coach Philippe Clement had confirmed ahead of the match that Dennis had been allowed to participate, and after being named on the bench, he was introduced in the 78th minute as the visitors sought a winner against their stubborn foe.

Ultimately, Dennis wasn’t able to provide the breakthrough, with an 87th-minute booking his primary contribution to an underwhelming outing for the reigning Belgian champions.

The draw means Brugge drop from top spot in the Jupiler League, having been displaced in first position by Genk following their 5-1 thumping of Cercle Brugge earlier on Saturday.

David Okereke, Youssouph Badji, Clinton Mata and Odilon Kossounou were all in action for Brugge, while the likes of Jean Onana, Kouakou Koffi and Eddy Gnohere featured for Mouscron during a contest dominated by African talent.  

Dennis’s tough week has been the nadir of a testing campaign so far in which he’s failed to find the net in eight Jupiler League outings.

His toil in front of goal have made a mockery of some of the expectations set out for the forward ahead of the campaign, with Dennis linked with European heavyweights such as Arsenal and Internazionale.

A fee of £36 million was mooted for the attacker—who was also tipped for a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers—although ultimately he remained at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Perth Glory will be hoping to secure the first points of their Asian Champions League campaign when they face Shanghai Shenhua on Monday night. 

After losing all of their first four games in the competition, Richard Garcia's side can't qualify for the knockout stages with second-place FC Tokyo already boasting seven points. 

Shenhua are currently third with six points and can give their hopes of progress a big boost with a win over Perth. 

While Glory may not have anything tangible to play for, the West Australians will be desperate to put some gloss on an Asian adventure that has shown fleeting signs of promise.

Perth's biggest issue in their two recent outings against Ulsan has been fatigue with their K-League opponents scoring twice in the final five minutes of both matches to secure narrow wins. 

It was a different story against Shanghai in their earlier meeting however with Perth finishing strongly thanks a goal from Jonathan Aspropotamitis but ultimately still defeated 2-1. 

Considering Garcia's youthful squad and his careful use of star players, Glory have put in honourable performances to date and will be eager to ensure they leave Qatar with something to show for their efforts. 

Though Shenhua loom as tough opponents who have much more to play for, Perth's battle for pride could well be enough to secure them an allusive point.

Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri scored the only goal of the game as Sevilla defeated Huesca 1-0 on Saturday to maintain their fine form domestically and in Europe.

The powerful forward came off the bench to break the deadlock seven minutes from time when he beat Andres Fernandez following excellent work from Lucas Ocampos.

The Morocco frontman is developing something of a knack for changing games late after coming off the bench, here requiring just nine minutes following his 74th-minute introduction to seal all three points for the visitors.

This goal comes after he scored twice against FC Krasnodar in the Champions League earlier this month, with both goals coming within 12 minutes of his 60th-minute introduction.

His goal against Huesca means he’s now scored six goals in his last seven games in all competitions for club and country, including a strike in Morocco’s 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over the Central African Republic during the recent international break.

Despite enjoying over 67 percent of the possession against Miguel Angel Sanchez’s side, Sevilla struggled to break down their resilient opponents and appeared set for a goalless draw at the Estadio El Alcoraz.

However, Julen Lopetegui rang the changes, replacing Luuk de Jong and Oliver Torres with En-Nesyri and Oscar Rodriguez 16 minutes from time, and the Andalusians finally found the breakthrough they were looking for.

Jules Kounde excelled for the visitors in the heart of the defence, while En-Nesyri's compatriot Munir El-Haddadi and Karim Rekik also featured for Sevilla.

Victory extends their winning run to five matches in all competitions, with Sevilla outclassing Celta Vigo 4-2 last weekend before the midweek victory over Krasnodar in Russia.

The win moves Sevilla up to fifth place after nine matches, seven behind unlikely league leaders Real Sociedad having played a match fewer.

Next up for En-Nesyri and co, they host Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, before the visit of Real Madrid next weekend.

En-Nesyri is winning over supporters at Sevilla after signing from Leganes for an approximate fee of €25 million in January, having scored on his first start—against Celta Vigo—back in February.

Having graduated from the celebrated Mohammed VI Academy, he signed for Malaga in 2015, and subsequently moved on to Leganes in 2018 following the former’s relegation from the Spanish top flight.

Owen Coyle's Jamshedpur FC and Stuart Baxter's Odisha FC suffered defeats in their opening games against Chennaiyin FC and Hyderabad FC respectively. The Men of Steel host Odisha at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco, in the first of Sunday's two 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) fixtures.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

Jamshedpur FC Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - Peter Hartley, Narender Gahlot, Joyner Lourenco
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Nerijus Valskis, Jackichand Singh      

Odisha FC Possible XI: 

Injured - None  
Doubtful - Jacob Tratt, Jerry Mawihmingthanga 
Suspended - None

Key Players - Manuel Onwu, Marcelinho      

Samuel Eto’o remembered the experience of watching Diego Maradona in action for Argentina against Cameroon in a group game at the 1990 Fifa World Cup.

Maradona captained La Albiceleste at the tournament but Cameroon's Francois Omam-Biyik stood out as the hero at the San Siro Stadium after scoring the only goal that separated the two teams in the 67th minute.

It was an eventful outing for the Indomitable Lions who had two players - Andre Kana-Biyik and Benjamin Massing - sent off in the second half.

Eto’o, who was nine years old at that time, recalled how hundreds of people gathered to watch the game in his neighbourhood, and he described the victory as ‘the hope’ which motivated the younger players back home.

“We watched it with 2,000 people in our neighbourhood in front of one TV,” Eto’o was quoted by AS.

“When Diego said hello to our captain and then started juggling the ball on his shoulder, I thought we’re going to lose 10-0.

“And when we won that was so important for us, it gave so much hope to the youngsters in our country. Cameroon has beaten Argentina! That gave us hope!”

Cameroon topped Group B while Argentina followed in the second position. The Central African country reached the quarter-finals of the tournament where they were eliminated by England.

Maradona passed away on Wednesday at the age of 60 after suffering from cardiac arrest. In his tribute to the 1986 World Cup winner, Eto’o described the former Barcelona and Napoli star as a god who lives on.

“I told my friend, that has to be a joke and it’s a terrible joke, because Maradona will always be with us," he said.

"He was the idol for a whole generation, and for future generations, for what he did in football. He was from another planet. Diego, you’re god, you’ll always be alive in our hearts.”

Former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Ramires is considering bringing an end to his playing career, Goal can confirm. 

Palmeiras confirmed on Friday that the 33-year-old's contract had been terminated by mutual consent and the player admitted in an Instagram post on Saturday morning that "personal" factors were behind his departure.

"As most of you may already know, the Palmeiras management and I decided that it would be good for both parties to end my bond with the club, which happened in the most friendly and calm way possible," he wrote.

"My motivations are personal and related to situations that I prefer not to reveal at the moment. I'm just here to thank Palmeiras, all the management, for the professional and correct manner that they treated me, and to my team-mates, for friendship, affection and respect.

"I could not fail to express my special gratitude to coach Abel Ferreira at that moment for everything he did for me in the brief period we were together.

"Thank you for allowing me to show you that with sequence and confidence I can contribute wherever I play in the future. I will be cheering for everything to work out for the club for the rest of the season. A big hug and stay with God."

Ramires was contracted at Palmeiras until 2023 but his sudden departure stems from a serious consideration over whether he intends to keep playing. 

Goal understands that the veteran midfielder has two offers from clubs in Japan but that the Brazilian is leaning towards hanging up the boots. 

Ramires began his professional career with Joinville before subsequent moves to Cruzeiro, Benfica, Chelsea and Jiangsu Suning.

The 33-year-old's most successful stint was at Stamford Bridge where he won the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup across a six-year stint. 

Speaking earlier this year , Ramires opened up on why he isn't surprised to see former team-mate Frank Lampard developing into a successful manager at Chelsea. 

“I knew Frank very well. His understanding of positional play is one of the best I have come across and he was always paying attention to movement so it’s easy if you’ve got eyes for such things," Ramires told the Mirror . 

“He had passion for the game and he had love and the energy was there and when there is that in the eyes as well it’s easy."

Eden Hazard was taken off in the first half of Real Madrid's match against Alaves on Saturday with an apparent injury.

The Belgian winger lasted less than 30 minutes before limping off the field as Zinedine Zidane's side would eventually fall 2-1 to the visitors.

Hazard, who was making just his third appearance in La Liga this season, was replaced by Rodrygo.

The 29-year-old's campaign has been heavily disrupted by injuries, having missed the start of the campaign due to a muscle issue.

He played for the first time in 2020-21 when he came off the bench in the Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in late October and returned to the starting XI four days later in the league match against Huesca, scoring the first goal as they ran out 4-1 winners.

A few days later, however, he tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be sidelined for a short period.

Hazard was in action again last week when he started in the 1-1 draw against Villarreal in the Spanish top-flight.

He then featured in the 2-0 win at Inter in the Champions League in midweek, in which he opened the scoring after just seven minutes.

Los Blancos were fourth in the table heading into Saturday's encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, six points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.

The hosts fell behind against Alaves just five minutes into the clash when ex-Arsenal and West Ham attacker Lucas Perez converted a penalty.

Hazard had a chance to level the score later in the half when he collected the ball near the halfway line and drove towards goal. The former Chelsea star's effort was denied by Alaves goalkeeper Pacheco, however.

Madrid would go down two goals early in the second half when a wayward Thibaut Courtois pass was collected by Joselu 25 yards out and deposited into an empty goal. Casemiro grabbed a late consolation but ultimately Alaves held on for a famous win.

Hazard has made 28 appearances in all competitions for Madrid since he joined from Chelsea in the summer of 2019.

Despite his struggles, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has backed him to get back to his best next year.

"He has had a really complicated year. I am convinced that 2021 will be a fabulous year for Eden Hazard, and also the national team," he said .

TS Galaxy had to fight back to hold Lamontville Golden Arrows to a draw in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The Rockets were hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2020/21 season having drawn 1-1 with Swallows FC in their previous game.

Abafana Bes'thende were also keen to preserve their unbeaten record for this term after drawing 2-2 with Kaizer Chiefs in their last match.

Galaxy dominated the first-half, but they were wasteful with Lindokuhle Mbatha, Karabo Tshepe and Ebrahim Seedat all guilty of missing clear cut chances in the first half.

The Rockets were left to rue their missed chances in the second-half as Abafana Bes'thende broke the deadlock following a mistake by the hosts with 18 minutes left on the clock.

Gerald Modisane attempted a back-heel pass and Pule Mmodi intercepted the ball and fired past Galaxy goalkeeper Websten Van Der Linde to make it 1-0 to Arrows. 

However, the Rockets pushed for the equalizing goal in the dying minutes of the match and they managed to score in the last minute.

Mokete Mogaila was the man, who scored to ensure that the encounter ended in a 1-1 draw which left Arrows and Galaxy placed seventh and eighth respectively on the league standings.

Meanwhile, AmaZulu FC also let the lead slip in their encounter against Cape Town City at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium in Durban. 

Usuthu were keen to bounce back to winning ways after succumbing to a narrow 4-3 defeat to the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their last game.

While the Citizens were looking to record their second successive win after defeating Bloemfontein Celtic 4-2 in their previous match.

The hosts were awarded an early penalty after Taariq Fielies was adjudged to have fouled Lehlohonolo Majoro in the box just three minutes into the encounter.

Former Orlando Pirates marksman Majoro then dusted himself down and clinically converted the penalty-kick to make it 1-0 to AmaZulu.

City then pressed the home side and they did level matters five minutes before half-time when Abbubaker Mobara set-up Prince Agyemang, who netted with a low effort to make it 1-1.

AmaZulu suffered a blow after the restart as Majoro was shown a straight red for a horrific challenge on Thamsanqa Mkhize and the hosts had to play with 10 players.

The home side frustrated the Citizens with some resolute defending and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw on the night.

The result sees AmaZulu climb up to the ninth spot on the league standings, while City also moved up to sixth place.