Bukayo Saka was thrilled his fortuitous goal gave Arsenal a hard-fought 1-0 away win at Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League to continue their strong start to the season.
A lovely move in the 24th minute gave Saka the ball in the box and, though his initial shot was deflected, it came back off the 21-year-old and nestled into the back of the net to put the Gunners ahead.
Though they underwent spells of sustained pressure in the second period as the hosts pushed for an equaliser, Arsenal held on to make it 11 wins from 12 in all competitions to start the campaign and put them on nine points at the top of Group A.
Bodo had won 14 consecutive home games in European competition prior to the defeat and Saka knew it would be hard work putting an end to that run.
"It was very difficult, and we knew that before," Saka told BT Sport. "There's no way they can win their last 14 games in Europe here and we'll come here and it will be easy."
Asked about his unorthodox winner, the England international added: "I think it came off my lips!"
Bodo had multiple chances to level the game, with Amahl Pellegrino spurning a couple of great opportunities while Runar Espejord and Ola Solbakken also went close.
But Saka had little sympathy for the Norwegian champions after the match, recounting previous experiences of being on the end of unjust results.
"This is football, if you don't score you get punished," Saka added. "We've had games like that and we've left the game feeling quite hard done by, but you quickly learn this is football.
"It was quite end-to-end, it was quite difficult. I feel like they were on us for quite a big period, especially in the second half.
"They did well. That's why it's extra nice for us to leave here with three points because we know how difficult it was out there."
Arsenal return to London with another three points, but Saka wants his team-mates to re-sharpen their focus ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to Leeds United, who are yet to lose at Elland Road this season.
"We have to be happy with the three points and focus on Sunday," he added.
"Like I always say, we have to keep focus on each game because each game is coming every three days and it's getting more and more difficult, so we have to keep our focus as high as ever and try and win each game."
When questioned on his own personal goals, Saka replied: "To win.
"It's the most important thing for me. I'm a big believer in being a team player first, so if the team wins, I leave the pitch happy."
Al-Khaleej 0-1 Al-Nassr: Ronaldo misfires on return as Laporte nets winner
Cristiano Ronaldo returned from suspension but failed to find the net as Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 win over Al-Khaleej on Saturday, with Aymeric Laporte coming up with the decisive goal.
Ronaldo was in action for the first time since being sent off for an elbow in a 2-1 Saudi Super Cup loss to Al-Hilal earlier this month, with his initial two-match ban being reduced to one on appeal.
He missed three good chances as Al-Nassr threatened to fall further behind runaway Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, but former Manchester City defender Laporte spared his blushes by nodding Marcelo Brozovic's deep free-kick into the bottom-left corner with 68 minutes gone.
Al-Nassr remain nine points adrift of Al-Hilal at the summit in spite of their win, with Jorge Jesus' team unbeaten through 28 games this season as they close in on a record-extending 18th title.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo misfires on return
Ronaldo was presented with the Saudi Pro League's Player of the Month award for March ahead of kick-off, having scored four goals in three league appearances last month.
However, his sights were off on Saturday as he failed to net despite three of the visitors' four big chances, as defined by Opta, falling his way. He led all players on the pitch for expected goals (1.27 xG), shots (five), shots on target (three) and touches in the area (nine) without reward.
Huddersfield all but relegated from Championship while League Two play-off spots decided
Huddersfield Town saw their relegation from the Championship all but confirmed after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Terriers avoided a defeat that would have seen them relegated on Saturday, but even a win on the final day over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town will not be enough unless they overcome a huge goal difference of 15 goals with Plymouth Argyle.
Birmingham remain in the other relegation place and now must beat Norwich City to stand a chance of staying up with Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn Rovers also still in danger.
At the other end of the table, the Canaries dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, leaving the door open for Hull City, who face Ipswich Town later today.
Leicester City seal automatic Premier League return
Leicester City are once more a Premier League team, having bounced straight back after relegation last season.
The Foxes secured automatic promotion without kicking a ball, as title rivals Leeds United lost 4-0 away to Queens Park Rangers on Friday.
Marti Cifuentes' Hoops side gave their fans a reason to cheer in their final home game of the season, and the emphatic win means they are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.
The Hoops boss told BBC Sport: "I came here, perhaps I was crazy thinking we could manage the great escape.
"The atmosphere has been unbelievable since I came here. Everybody thought tonight could be a special night to achieve our target.
"Big players deliver big performances and our players all did that tonight."
Defeat ensured only Ipswich Town can now finish above Leicester, meaning the Foxes will be back in the big time.
Ipswich, who have three games left to play, face play-off hopefuls Hull City on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Leeds boss Daniel Farke said: "It's not in our hands any more [automatic promotion], we need to be honest.
"The race is not over. If Ipswich win the next two games then I will say congratulations, but if they don’t win them then we will have a lot to play for.
"As long as we have a chance, I’m far away from giving up."
Leicester could be crowned champions if they beat Preston North End on Monday and if Hull beat Ipswich.
The Foxes are looking to break the 100-point barrier, despite a wobble from Enzo Maresca's side in recent months.
After they had been so far ahead and top for all but two of the 176 days between 23 September and 17 March, an untimely dip in form handed Leeds and Ipswich hope.
However, while Leicester celebrate their promotion, they face the daunting prospect of starting next season with a points deduction, after they were charged by the Premier League with alleged breaches of the competition's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
