Estonia 1-2 Northern Ireland: Michael O’Neill’s men continue perfect start to Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with fightback win
Northern Ireland just about continued their perfect start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win in Estonia thanks to substitute Josh Magennis’ quickfire double.Michael O’Neill’s men found themselves behind when Konstantin Vassiljev curled a free-kick past the wall and beyond Bailey Peacock-Farrell on 25 minutes, but Magennis turned the game around in Tallinn.Magennis made an immediate impact and helped his side win the gameGetty Images - Getty1
Magennis made an immediate impact and helped his side win the game
Both goals came via the slightest of touches – the first on Conor Washington’s shot and the second enough to divert Jordan Jones’ cross into the net – but both could have a major impact for Northern Ireland.Defeat here would have left their Euro 2020 hopes hanging by a thread with home and away games against Holland and Germany to come later in the year, but victory keeps them top of the group with a maximum haul of nine points ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Belarus.It was a dramatic end to a game which threatened to end in frustration, with O’Neill’s side showing for too long why they came into the night without an away goal in seven outings.Though they bossed possession early on, chances were few and far between and once Vassiljev – their tormentor in a World Cup qualifier eight years ago – had punished a mistake by Stuart Dallas with a low, bending free-kick around the wall, Northern Ireland looked panicked as they gave the ball away.Alan Brazil slams England for playing out from the back against Holland Estonia had the ball in the net again six minutes before the break but it was ruled out by referee Fabio Verissimo, perhaps generously as goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell appeared to run into Rauno Sappinen before Madis Vihmann headed in.At the other end Gavin Whyte, making his first competitive start, sent in a fine cross but Liam Boyce could not get the direction on his glancing header and Estonia ended the half on top, with Vassiljev scuffing a shot wide when left virtually unmarked inside the area.O’Neill sent on Washington for Boyce at half-time to try to find a spark, but Northern Ireland lacked composure and were almost punished as Vassiljev sent a dipping shot on to the crossbar.Northern Ireland soon began to stir and Dallas cut in from the left and picked out George Saville, who poked the ball goalwards to bring a first save of the night from Sergei Lepmets.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
  • Switzerland vs England (Sunday, 2pm) talkSPORT
  • England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT
  • Portugal vs Netherlands (Sunday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
Peacock-Farrell had to save low down from Vlasiy Sinyavskiy as Estonia looked to hit their opponents on the counter-attack, but the flow of traffic was now firmly in Northern Ireland’s favour.Lepmets fluffed a clearance to gift the ball to Jones, but scrambled back into position before the Rangers winger floated a cross over.But Northern Ireland got their equaliser in the 77th minute when Washington cut in from the left side and was able to run straight to the centre of the goal before clipping a shot over Lepmets, which diverted off Magennis to find the net.And three minutes later Northern Ireland were ahead as Magennis got a deft touch to Jones’ cross for the ball to trickle over the line. The celebrations were almost cut short by Artjom Dmitrijev, but Peacock-Farrell was at full stretch to push his powerful drive away.There was another late scare as Dimitrijev headed just wide while Jones was close to adding a third at the other end, but Northern Ireland had already done enough.

Axel Tuanzebe is set for a big future at Old Trafford

Sixth meeting of the Macau-Portugal Joint Commission ends with two agreements - Goncalo Guedes: Valencia and Portugal winger suffers minor injuries in car crash
1 In Critical Condition After Crash Involving Motorcycle

Holmes reported the abuse during Derby’s 3-3 draw at Griffin Park

Man City to become first English team ever to win 50 games in a season if they beat Watford in FA Cup final Pep Guardiola has led his side to 49 wins this term across the Prem, Champions League
Manchester City eye first league, FA Cup and League Cup

Martin O’Neill was sacked on Wednesday

Dortmund have confirmed Christian Pulisic is joining Chelsea in a £58 million deal that will see him loaned back to the German club for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Dortmund star Pulisic to join Chelsea in £58m deal - goal.com

Cantona was at the Parc des Princes with his friends

Rangers chairman Dave King got his statement all wrong ahead of semi-final insists Steven Pressley timing could have already killed any chance of an Old Firm success.He said: "It's the

Mane kept up a remarkable scoring record against Palace

Watford head coach Javi Gracia joined the growing call for VAR to be introduced in the Premier League after seeing his side denied victory in a 2-2 draw at Everton.
Unhappy Watford boss Javi Gracia calls for VAR - Sportstar

Tarkowski is a doubt for the home side

CHELSEA'S top transfer priority this month is to wrap up a six-month loan deal for Gonzalo Higuain. The Blues are desperately looking for a striker to provide a cutting edge for Maurizio Sarri's side.
Gonzalo Higuain: Chelsea 'revive interest' in AC Milan

Alexis Sanchez won two FA Cups with Arsenal

Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player, praises the club's response to racist chant about Mohamed Salah The Blues denied entry to Thursday night's Europa League win at Slavia Prague for
Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player, praises the
fussboll.com/2019/04/13/paul-canoville-chelseas-first-black-player-praises-the-clubs-response-to-racist-chant-about-mohamed-salah/
Paul Canoville has praised Chelsea for their response to racist behaviour from their fans before the 1-0 victory over Slavia Prague.. Ahead of the Europa League quarter-final, a video emerged of travelling supporters singing a racist chant about Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in a Czech pub.
Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player, praises the

Dennis Bergkamp was Arsenal’s transfer record at the time

Manchester City 1, Everton 0. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Leroy Sané with a through ball. 50' Goal! Manchester City 2, Everton 0. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Leroy Sané
Manchester City versus Liverpool -- the fans' view

Freddie Woodward is a highly-rated goalkeeper with powerful friends

'The racist agenda against Sterling is clear,' says talkSPORT host Adrian Durham The events have refocused the spotlight on racism in football and particularly in the English game.
'The racist agenda against Raheem Sterling is clear,' says

One fan got hold of the corner flag and took it onto the pitch

Phil Jones has become the latest player to commit his future to Manchester United, with the defender signing a new deal until at least 2023. The 26-year-old has made 208 appearances in all

Salomon Rondon is high on Benitez’s wish list

Manchester United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Will Earn More Than Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp package than the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri. to be a Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can be Manchester United