Premiership: Alex Goode shines on landmark day as Saracens overcome Sale Sharks in top of the table clash

Alex Goode became the record appearance holder for Saracens and then proceeded to produce a stunning display in their 33-22 victory over second place Sale Sharks.

Taking to the field for the 339th time for the Londoners, the playmaker was excellent as they came from 15-5 behind to defeat the Sharks.

Goode had levelled matters after Ben Curry opened the scoring for Sale, but the visitors moved 10 points clear thanks to Rob du Preez’s three-pointer and a penalty try.

Theo McFarland then reduced the arrears before a penalty apiece from Elliot Daly and Goode gave Sarries an 18-15 lead at the break.

That turned into an 11-point buffer after Ben Earl went over and Daly kicked another off the tee, but Joe Carpenter gave Sale hope late on.

However, it was to be Goode’s – and Sarries’ – day when the 34-year-old grubbered through for Nick Tompkins to touch down and complete a fine Premiership win.

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Nine players across both teams were missing to England duty, while Saracens’ duo Owen Farrell and Jamie George were injured, but there were still plenty of highlights, including a spirited Sharks fightback that ultimately fell short.

Sale brought their forward power to bear in a ominous start that produced a try for Curry from a line-out, but that was soon eclipsed by a moment of magic from Goode.

The score started with McFarland’s towering gather of the restart but it was Goode, acting as first receiver, who provided the magic as he spotted a gap and accelerated clear to touch down.

Problems began to mount for Saracens, however, as Goode was forced to switch positions before conceding a penalty try as Sale poured forward from a line-out.

To compound matters, Earl was sin-binned for going in at the side on his debut as captain.

For all their control of the match, Sale led just 15-8 when Daly landed a long-range penalty and on the half-hour mark McFarland was responsible for another moment of brilliance that saw the scores levelled.

Impressive McFarland

Alex Lozowski made the initial inroads before later feeding McFarland who slipped around Rob du Preez before showing remarkable athleticism to canter over the line.

Goode kicked the conversion and added a penalty as Saracens took the lead for the first time.

The advantage grew early in the second-half when Goode won a turnover and once Tompkins had showed his dancing feet to bring the move to life, Saracens’ playmaker sent over the marauding Earl.

Daly kicked a 60-metre penalty but was then sin-binned for taking Du Preez out in the air and Tompkins followed him for a dangerous tackle, reducing Saracens to 13 men for three minutes.

The pressure eventually told when full-back Carpenter went over and Sale were now dominant, although they were denied what looked like a certain try by spilling over the line.

The Sharks had wasted their final throw of the dice as Saracens drove downfield where Goode – who was inevitably named man of the match – grubbered for Tompkins to score.

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