Tag Archives: EPL

Sport Today

Manchester City issue statement in response to financial allegations.

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Manchester City have issued a statement in response to accusations from the Premier League of more than 100 alleged financial rule breaches dating back to the 2009/10 season.

City stand accused of failing to accurately report financial information in each season from 2009/10 util 2017/18, with various rules alleged to be broken in each.

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There are additionally allegations of incorrect records of manager payments between 2009 and 2016, pre-dating Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the club, as well as financial fair play concerns between 2013/14 and 2018/19, and failing to act properly under investigation from 2018/19 until now.

The Premier League has submitted its evidence to an independent commission for a final ruling.

The statement from the club speaks of ‘surprise’ at the Premier League’s allegations, refutes failing to cooperate with and assist the investigation and expresses confidence that the evidence does not point to any financial wrongdoing.

“Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with,” the club have said in response.

“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.

“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

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Rashford named EPL player for month of January.

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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for January 2023.

Rashford picked the prize up in September as well and has remained a crucial player for United ever since, racking up 18 goals and eight assists in 31 games across all competitions this season.

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In January, Rashford netted three goals across four Premier League outings, earning himself the Player of the Month prize for the second time this season and the third time across his career.

He opened the month by netting in a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth, before he famously completed a United comeback in the Manchester derby against Pep Guardiola’s City with an 82nd-minute winner to seal all three points.

After drawing a blank against Crystal Palace, Rashford rounded out January with a screamer of a strike in a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal which was also nominated for the month’s Best Goal award.

Rashford came out on top of a seven-man shortlist that also included Newcastle’s Dan Burn, Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson, City’s Riyad Mahrez, Brighton’s Solly March, Brentford’s David Raya and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.

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United fans will hope to see Rashford maintain his form in February, beginning with another game against Palace on February 4.

The Red Devils will also come up against Leeds United and Leicester City, before rounding out February with the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.

Sport Today

Mikel Arteta speaks amid Chelsea, Tottenham clash.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his players are in a “really good emotional state” ahead of Sunday’s north London derby as they aim to avenge last season’s painful defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Arsenal went down 3-0 in May last year as they chased qualification for a top-four spot, with Spurs eventually finishing in the Champions League qualification places instead.

Arteta said there were a lot of things to learn from that game.

“We haven’t won there (at the new stadium), and that’s the challenge we have ahead of us,” he said. “We are in a different place. We have to show that playing the way we want to play.”

READ ALSO: FIFA Opens Disciplinary Proceedings Against Argentina Over World Cup Final

The Spaniard, whose team beat Spurs 3-1 at the Emirates earlier this season, said his players were relaxed ahead of Sunday’s clash.

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“I think the players are in a really good emotional state,” he said. “We are excited, we are enjoying playing together and we are in a good position.

“So we have to improve a lot of the things we still have to do, and we have to maintain the things that have taken us this far.”

League leaders Arsenal, who are five points clear of defending champions Manchester City, have not won away at Spurs since 2014 — five years before their rivals moved into their new stadium.

“Obviously the way we have performed and the results that we have got confidence-wise puts us in a good position,” he said.

“But then it’s something that you have to show in every single match, every opponent and especially every away game brings big challenges and this is no different. We have to prove that we are good enough to go there, play our way and win the match.”

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Arteta admitted Arsenal were “trying to improve” the squad in the January transfer window but would not speak about Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk at his pre-match press conference.

Reports say a big-money deal for the 22-year-old is close.

“We cannot talk about any other players,” said Arteta. “There is some interest in things we’d like to do to improve the team, because we are a bit short in certain areas with the injuries we’ve (picked up).

“We are trying as a club. We are determined to try to improve the team in every window and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

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Sport Today

Man U sees “top four advantage” as Rashford shines in 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.

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Manchester United were faster, sharper, smarter, and classier than Nottingham Forest in this seventh straight win over their visitors.

This was approaching the complete performance: a blend of measured attacking and rapid breaks and the constant harrying of an opponent who ended exhausted and demoralised.

Given United had scored only 20 Premier League goals at kickoff and there is limited finance in January to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, a strike apiece from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial before Fred’s late clincher was as fine a tonic as the three points which keep them on the heels of Tottenham. (Watch Video Here)

Freedom is one more adjective to describe how, 23 years after United spanked Forest 8-1 at the City Ground (Ole Gunnar Solskjær scoring four in 10 minutes), this Erik ten Hag side applied a similar schooling on what was, for most of the contest, a classic rain-lashed Mancunian night.

Of this first post-World Cup Premier League outing Ten Hag said: “You always question yourself after a break what will be the restart – the back four never played together and a player who never played in a centre-back position … and if you win three, concede no goal, you are happy with the performance.”

Luke Shaw lined up to partner the excellent Raphaël Varane versus a Forest side who had won their past three matches (two in the League Cup): their finest run of the campaign. (Watch Video Here)

The sequence appeared likely to end from the moment United began rolling the ball about. Rashford, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Aaron Wan-Bissaka spun Forest out of position and went close to scoring after Christian Eriksen joined them.

A prevailing criticism of United in the past decade has been how they are pre-eminently a counterattacking proposition and so another Rashford-Wan-Bissaka pattern that again had the latter pinging over – towards Martial – offered further encouragement.

The opener came from a corner on the right. Eriksen’s delivery – rolled along the turf – came out of the coaches’ playbook and there was Rashford to hammer home for a fifth in the competition. (Watch Video Here)

United’s No 10 may be in the form of his career – as his next act further evidenced. This time he turned creator, sliding a crafty pass to Martial who, from range, pulled the trigger. Hennessey dived low and right and spilled the ball over the line for five in nine appearances for the No 9.

Rashford was rampant. A bullocking run drew a yellow card, before a backheel, a feathered touch, and an incisive charge that cast Renan Lodi as amateurish were further dashes of menace. “I’m enjoying it,” he said. “Every forward always has a number they want to try to reach, and mine is to score more than I ever have before in a season – that’s 22.” (Watch Video Here)

As impressive was the hounding Forest received from United in any moment of possession – Casemiro, Varane and Eriksen often hunting in a pack. Yet, now, Willy Boly got the last touch on a Lodi set piece to score. But, in the melee, Ryan Yates’s header had hit the centre-back’s leg and, following one of those age-like VAR delays, this was chalked off for the Ivorian standing offside.

Manchester United had 69.5% possession by half-time. This was definitely their match to close out at a canter. The unplayable Rashford next popped up on the left and, using Martial’s run as a decoy, landed the ball at Fernandes’s feet. He tapped it right and the onrushing Antony should not have allowed Hennessey to repel his close-range shot. Martial, too, smacked off Hennessey’s legs – Fernandes again the provider – as United toyed with Cooper’s men. (Watch Video Here)

Donny van de Beek, brought off the bench, lashed a shot off Remo Freuler, Fernandes tried to lob Hennessey from halfway, and Alejandro Garnacho (another substitute) ripped down the left: this was a joyous display. Now came the third: Casemiro prodded the ball to Fred and another of the manager’s substitutes had scored. “Disappointment is my reflection,” Steve Cooper, Forest’s manager, said.

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Manchester United still on goalkeeping targets; De Gea sinks.

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Manchester United have scouted Porto and Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa at least half a dozen times this season as Erik ten Hag considers his long-term options to be the club’s number one, 90min understands.

Ten Hag and United’s decision makers have a big choice to make in goal over the coming months, with current number one David de Gea out of contract in June 2023.

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United have an option to extend the Spaniard’s contract by a further year but the decision to proceed on that is complicated by De Gea’s salary, which sits among the club’s most expensive contracts at around £375,000 a week. Long-term concerns over De Gea’s capability to adapt to Ten Hag’s system mean he may no longer justify the earnings.

De Gea is open to renegotiating his deal to extend on reduced terms, but as it stands United are considering all options on the table as well as looking at alternatives. Costa is among them, though United’s potential task of signing the player became more difficult this week as the 23-year-old signed an extension to his contract with Porto until 2027 – with a raised release clause of €75m.

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Such a move would come at great expense to United and they are also known to be targeting additions at right back and at centre forward in 2023, while central midfield remains an area in need of strengthening, while already having overspent on their summer budget in 2022.

United scouts are understood to be pushing the idea of pursuing Costa to decision makers, and he does fit the bill of a modern day goalkeeper – which both Liverpool with Alisson and Manchester City with Ederson have justified in recent years – capable of strong reflexes and distribution. Costa has also become renowned for his incredible record of saving penalties.

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The club are understood to be in quandary of how to proceed in goal, with 90min learning that Ten Hag is falling for De Gea’s work ethic and presence around Carrington and on the pitch. De Gea made a miraculous double save during Thursday’s win over Real Sociedad and also earned United three points in the win over West Ham on Sunday, with outstanding saves from Kurt Zouma and Declan Rice.

United also have Dean Henderson, who has long eyed the club’s first choice goalkeeping slot, out on loan with Nottingham Forest at present and are due to make a decision on him upon his return at the end of the season, while Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak has long been admired.

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Sport Today

Bournemouth, Tottenham clash ends 2-3 in favour of spurs.

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Tottenham completed a dramatic comeback against Bournemouth, winning 3-2 in the Premier League after initially going 2-0 down.

As he alluded to prior to kick-off, Antonio Conte did make a number of changes to his starting XI with one eye firmly on next week’s crucial Champions League clash with Marseille. But two goals from Kieffer Moore put Bournemouth ahead and on course for victory.

Conte was eventually forced to bring his usual starters back in, with a late goal from substitute Rodrigo Bentancur deciding it at the death after Ryan Sessgnon and Ben Davies had put Spurs level.

Not a lot had really happened before Bournemouth took the lead, with Spurs having the lion’s share of possession but failing to turn it into anything remotely meaningful.

The Cherries broke the deadlock midway through the first half, clinically moving the ball from back to front. Dominic Solanke played an important role with his back to goal in midfield, playing in Marcus Tavernier down the right, whose low cross was expertly turned in first time by Moore.

The hosts then continued to get the ball into good areas but twice in fairly quick succession Lewis Cook seemed to get it caught under his feet and the promising moves broke down. Hugo Lloris also had to be sharp off his line to beat Tavernier to the ball as he raced through.

Spurs didn’t test Mark Travers, who conceded nine goals on his previous Premier League appearance until the final 10 minutes of the half when he parried a shot from Oliver Skipp. It did seem to spark something though as only moments later they hit the woodwork courtesy of a dangerous cross from Son Heung-min that flicked off the head of Marcos Senesi.

Then again, Emerson Royal also put a shot over the stand and into the car park. But Son made sure Travers was still paying attention in first half stoppage time, with the Irishman equal to a fierce effort.


Conte flinched first at half-time, throwing on Lucas Moura to give Spurs something more after what had been a fairly lacklustre opening 45 minutes overall, despite some improvement. But Bournemouth again proved clinical, working the ball down the right and then Adam Smith swinging it into the box. It was an invitation Moore couldn’t refuse, burying the header past Lloris.

That could have been Bournemouth out of sight, but football can change in an instant and Sessegnon’s strike, pretty much out of nowhere, cut the deficit after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg found the gap between Cherries defenders.

They hadn’t really deserved to be in the game, but Spurs began turning up the heat to try and get back level. In reality, the equaliser with just over 15 minutes left was a gift. Bournemouth didn’t deal with Ivan Perisic’s in-swinging corner, Travers flapped, and Davies couldn’t miss the easy header.

Travers looked shaken at another corner soon after, although he did save really well from Son after that to at least keep Bournemouth level.

The sheer volume of Tottenham corners was ultimately what did it – the Cherries could no longer hold out. When the stoppage time winner came, Son swung the ball into the box, Bournemouth failed to clear and Bentancur was on hand to turn it in and break Bournemouth hearts.

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Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Player ratings
1. Bournemouth (3-4-2-1)
GK: Mark Travers – 5/10 – First start since Neto’s injury. Made a few saves but really poor at the corner when Spurs equalised.

CB: Adam Smith (c) – 6/10 – Great inviting cross against his former club. Got drawn out of position for the first Tottenham goal.

CB: Chris Mepham – 6/10 – Didn’t cover himself in glory at the late winner. Disappointing after a huge block moments earlier.

CB: Marcos Senesi – 7/10 – Seemed to be in the right place at the right time to repel most balls into the box… but not every time.

RWB: Marcus Tavernier – 7/10 – First assist of his Bournemouth career. Provided good width and attacking threat.

CM: Lewis Cook – 5/10 – Lacked quality in good attacking positions on more than one occasion.

CM: Jefferson Lerma – 6/10 – Worked hard considering Spurs had three in the middle.

LWB: Jordan Zemura – 6/10 – Covered a lot of ground up and down his flank.

AM: Dominic Solanke – 8/10 – Played the role really well to ensure that Moore was never too isolated. Involved in both goals too.

AM: Philip Billing – 5/10 – Didn’t see loads of the ball.

ST: Kieffer Moore – 8/10 – Kept his head in front of goal so well to break the deadlock with the first time finish. His second was pure trademark.

SUB: Jaidon Anthony (63′ for Billing) – 5/10

SUB: Ryan Fredericks (78′ for Tavernier) – 5/10

SUB: Jack Stephens (89′ for Solanke) – N/A

Manager: Gary O’Neil – 7/10 – Was winning the battle of wits with Conte until the final quarter. The game plan worked though.

2. Tottenham (3-5-2)
GK: Hugo Lloris – 6/10 – Conceded twice but massively tested. Smothered well against Tavernier when it was still 1-0.

CB: Davinson Sanchez – 4/10 – Goes to ground too easily when staying on his feet would be more effective. Doesn’t normally start and it showed.

CB: Clement Lenglet – 6/10 – Covered well generally, but the pace of Bournemouth’s first half countering caught him out.

CB: Ben Davies- 6/10 – Couldn’t miss from yards out to equalise.

RWB: Emerson Royal – 5/10 – Had no chance competing with the physical Moore at the back post when Bournemouth went 2-0 up.

CM: Oliver Skipp – 5/10 – Tested Travers but not a consistent threat and lacked general creativity. Subbed at half-time.

CM: Yves Bissouma – 5/10 – Disappointing considering Spurs should have outnumbered the Cherries in central midfield.

CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 7/10 – Better than his midfield partners. It was his defence splitting pass that got Spurs back into it.

LWB: Ryan Sessegnon – 7/10 – Was about to be hooked seconds before he got Spurs back into it with a good finish.

ST: Harry Kane – 6/10 – Got more involved towards the end of the first half when he dropped deeper to try and create.

ST: Son Heung-min – 6/10 – Looked dangerous for a brief spell at the end of the first half. Faded but delivered threatening corners.

SUB: Lucas Moura (46′ for Skipp) – 6/10

SUB: Eric Dier (58′ for Sanchez) – 7/10

SUB: Rodrigo Bentancur (58′ for Bissouma) – 7/10

SUB: Ivan Perisic (64′ for Royal) – 6/10

SUB: Bryan Gil (84′ for Sessegnon) – N/A

Manager: Antonio Conte – 6/10 – Gambled by resting players for the Marseille game. Eventually had to bring on his usual starters to save the result anyway.


Player of the match – Kieffer Moore

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Sport Today

Brighton strikes four successful times against Chelsea.

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Graham Potter’s return to Brighton could hardly have gone worse as the Seagulls tormented his Chelsea side to the tune of a 4-1 victory.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring inside three minutes before Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah turned into their own net in a catastrophic first half, after which Kai Havertz’s consolation header meant very little.

Thiago Silva was both villain and hero in the first few minutes. A poor pass gifted Trossard with a chance which the Brazilian had to clear off the line, before he again repelled Pervis Estupinan’s strike from the corner that followed.

Not learning his lesson, Silva lost possession once again and Trossard made no mistake this time, rounding Kepa and firing into the bottom corner to put Brighton ahead just five minutes in.

The Seagulls kept pressing and bagged a deserved second ten minutes later. Solly March’s corner found its way to the knee of the unsuspecting Loftus-Cheek, who could only watch on as the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Robert Sanchez made two excellent saves to prevent two separate Conor Gallagher goals, the first of which was followed by a huge miss from Christian Pulisic, before the stopper did well to keep out another effort from Havertz.

The third came shortly before half-time. Estupinan found some space in the box and his cross was turned into the net by Chalobah, whose unbeaten run as a Chelsea starter came to an end in an emphatic fashion.

Chelsea pulled one back inside three second-half minutes. Gallagher’s cross landed on the head of Havertz, who guided the ball into the net to set up an interesting half of football.

The Blues were much-improved and dominated the ball as the clock ticked on, but apart from the odd glimpse, they couldn’t find a way through an incredibly stubborn Brighton defence, who were just as prepared to do the dirty work.

The Seagulls held on relatively comfortably and added a fourth before the final whistle as Pascal Gross tapped home a rebound in stoppage time to seal a famous victory in style.

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Brighton vs Chelsea player ratings
1. Brighton (4-2-3-1)

GK: Robert Sanchez – 7/10 – Made some excellent saves in the first

half when Chelsea were threatening to get back into the game.

RB: Pascal Gross – 8/10 – No idea why he was playing right-back but can’t deny that it worked. Even coped when under immense pressure after the break.

CB: Lewis Dunk – 7/10 – Some unreal passing from the back. Think there was a Trivela at one point.

CB: Adam Webster – 6/10 – Not always perfectly comfortable. Lost Havertz for the goal.

LB: Pervis Estupinan – 8/10 – Absolutely breezed down the left all game long. Flashed his defensive skills after the interval as well.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister – 8/10 – Bullied Chelsea’s midfield in the first half. Hard to pinpoint what position he was actually playing because he was just everywhere. Absolutely ran the show.

DM: Moises Caicedo – 8/10 – Some superb passing to pull the strings in midfield.

RM: Solly March – 8/10 – Gifted the freedom of the right wing as he charged through on Chelsea’s goal with ease. Such a threat.

AM: Adam Lallana – 6/10 – Probably the least dangerous of Brighton’s forwards but that is by no means an insult.

LM: Kaoru Mitoma – 8/10 – Benefited from all the space but did an outrageous job of creating his own at times. The ball was glued to his feet.

ST: Leandro Trossard – 8/10 – His energy was far too much for Chelsea’s centre-backs to cope with. Deserved his goal and could have easily had a few more.

SUB: Julio Enciso (64′ for Lallana) – 7/10 – Buzzed around with terrifying energy.

SUB: Tariq Lamptey (72′ for Mitoma) – 6/10 – A calm introduction to the game.

SUB: Jeremy Sarmiento (87′ for Trossard) – N/A

Manager: Roberto De Zerbi – 9/10 – Brighton were still a little open at the back but that is the only minor issue with what was an otherwise perfect setup.

2. Chelsea (3-4-2-1)
Kaoru Mitoma, Trevoh Chalobah

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5/10 – The odd nice save but was helpless for everything that went past him. No help from those in front. Very unfortunate to be hooked at the break but had been limping a bit in the first half.

CB: Trevoh Chalobah – 2/10 – Left on an absolute island for far too long during this game but didn’t cover himself in glory even when he did get the help.

CB: Thiago Silva – 2/10 – His sloppy passing set the tone for this nightmare early on. Fair play for two goal-line clearances but maybe try not giving the ball away in the first place.

CB: Marc Cucurella – 1/10 – Met with a chorus of boos from the home supporters and the away fans were probably joining in by half-time.

RM: Christian Pulisic – 2/10 – Isn’t a wing-back and should never have been asked to play as one. At least looked more comfortable when moved forward after the break but still did nothing.

CM: Mateo Kovacic – 4/10 – Lost his head a bit as he tried to drag Chelsea back to this. Gets this rating purely because you could sense his effort.

CM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 4/10 – Struggled in midfield but wasn’t the worst right-back you’ve ever seen in the second half. Unfortunate with his own goal.

LM: Raheem Sterling – 1/10 – Stale in attack and shocking in defence.

AM: Conor Gallagher – 6/10 – Made some impressive runs early on and undoubtedly unfortunate not to get a goal when this game was still up for contention. A great cross for Havertz.

AM: Mason Mount – 3/10 – Didn’t do anything wrong but didn’t do anything right.

ST: Kai Havertz – 5/10 – Took his goal well and grew in influence in the second half but was just anonymous in the first.

SUB: Edouard Mendy (46′ for Kepa) – 5/10 – Uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. Can see why Potter has preferred Kepa to him.

SUB: Ben Chilwell (63′ for Cucurella) – 5/10 – Didn’t provide the defensive stability that he was supposed to.

SUB: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (63′ for Sterling) – 2/10 – Not convinced he touched the ball. Certainly felt like he didn’t.

SUB: Armando Broja (79′ for Pulisic) – N/A

SUB: Hakim Ziyech (79′ for Gallagher) – N/A

Manager: Graham Potter – 1/10 – Potter was prepared to hook Cucurella early against Man Utd when his system wasn’t working but inexplicably opted against doing so here. Watched on as this game flew away from Chelsea, by which point his minor tactical switch at half-time was pretty meaningless.

Player of the Match – Pervis Estupinan

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Sport Today

Aston Villa sacks Steven Gerrard after “grave humiliation”

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Steven Gerrard has been sacked as manager of Aston Villa.

The former Liverpool midfielder was dismissed following a 3-0 defeat at Fulham on Thursday night.

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10-man Villa were humiliated 3-0 at Craven Cottage, leaving them 17th in the table and placing Gerrard under more danger than at any time in his 11-month tenure.

Their next game is at home to Brentford on Sunday.

Villa fans openly vented their anger at the Liverpool legend last night and another poor display against Brentford, should Gerrard remain in charge, would trigger a mutiny at Villa Park.

Sportsmail understands the Midlands club, owned by billionaires Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, have already started to assess possible replacements and are prepared to pay one of the highest salaries in the Premier League to land an elite coach.

The pair are known to admire Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham boss, and have targeted the Argentine in the event of a change.

Pochettino has been out of work since leaving Paris St Germain in July and is recognised as one of Europe’s top coaches.

But the South American would likely need persuading of Villa’s long-term ambitions before considering a move to the Midlands given his desire to compete for top trophies.

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Eddie Howe reject Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Newcastle United.

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo and insists the 37-year-old’s second stint at Manchester United has been successful – despite ruling out any possibility of the Magpies signing the Portuguese striker.

Ronaldo rejoined United in the summer of 2021, 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid, and scored 24 goals in 38 games last season.

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Ronaldo attempted to leave Old Trafford in the summer but was unable to convince other clubs to sign him.

One side with the funds to sign Ronaldo would be Newcastle United – however, manager Howe insists the newly wealthy club has no intention of making such a move.

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“At the moment, we have quite an ageing squad, so we need to invest more in young players. That’s probably a big part of our progression, we need to get the average age down.

“So, it might not be a signing that we would necessarily look to make, but that’s not under-estimating the quality of the player.”

Howe added: “He’s an outstanding player. You look at his goal record last year, that was incredible. So, for me, the transfer has worked, it’s been a success.

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“He got massive goals last year and some really late, important goals in the Champions League. The quality of the player is unquestionable. We are going to have to be very, very good against him if he plays. We’re going to have to brief our players on the areas from where he wants to score That’s something we have to be aware of.”


Newcastle and Manchester United go head to head at Old Trafford on Sunday, with both sides keen to win and stake their claim for European football next season. SportBet ⚽ Get a free promo code of about 50% … Click now!!

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EPL clubs ‘fearful’ of further fixture postponements.

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Premier League clubs are worried that next weekend’s round of fixtures could also be postponed after this weekend’s matches were called off in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The league’s board voted unanimously in favour of calling this weekend’s schedule off on Friday, with fixtures across the country similarly cancelled – including at grassroots level.

However, the move came in for criticism when other sports – such as rugby union and cricket – decided to play on in the Queen’s honour instead.

The Guardian report that Premier League clubs fear they could lose next weekend’s fixtures too. A state funeral is expected to be held on Monday 19 September, and while there are no top flight games scheduled for that date specifically, there could be further logistical challenges.

The funeral will require a large police operation and so there may be a shortage of security available for football matches, particularly those in London that weekend – Tottenham host Leicester on Saturday, while Brentford play Arsenal and Chelsea face Liverpool on Sunday.

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Brighton’s Saturday clash at home to rivals Crystal Palace was postponed due to a planned train strike that day, but industrial action has since been called off due to the Queen’s passing.

Clubs are worried that there will be little to no time to play any further re-arranged fixtures in what is already a packed schedule. The report adds most sides feel it would be better to partially complete the next matchday where possible rather than call it off again entirely.

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Son not concerned by poor run of form.

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Son Heung-min has vowed he will become a better player for the poor run of form he is currently enduring.

Tottenham have made an unbeaten start to the season, most recently beating Marseille 2-0 on their return to the Champions League, but last year’s star forward Son is yet to score in seven matches.

Manager Antonio Conte has continued to back the South Korea international in his starting XI and Son himself has claimed his poor run is down to bad luck and finishing.

He said: “This is going to make me stronger. This is something I can see will be an improvement because I still have a lot of space for improvement. As a team and as an individual as well. Most important is that we are doing well as a team. I’ll do everything the team needs.

“If I’m honest, if I wasn’t getting chances in the game I would be worried but I’m still getting chances. In some games, there have been unlucky moments. In some games, it has been a bad finish.

“In some games I’m really frustrated because if I have some massive chances and the ball doesn’t go in. It makes me just laugh. But I am not worried about it because the team and the staff and all the fans are helping me.

“I think if I score one the confidence will be back and I hope I can go on and score more goals.”

Son has an excellent record against upcoming opponents Manchester City, scoring once and setting up two more goals in Spurs’ pair of victories against the Premier League champions last season. However, he remains more focused on delivering his part in a good team performance.

“Just because I have a good record against them doesn’t mean I’ll do something great or have magical moments,” Son added. “It doesn’t mean anything. Saturday is a massive game against one of the best teams in the world so we need to prepare for the game really well.


“I’ll do what the team needs. This is my aim. It will be a really difficult game and we are short of time to recover. It’s really important we recover well. Good sleep, good eating. We have to be ready for a big battle.”

Tottenham’s trip to Manchester City on Saturday could be postponed following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Napoli defeat “set somethings straight” — Liverpool needs reinvention – Klopp.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gave a damning assessment of his team’s heavy 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday night, admitting the Reds need to ‘reinvent’ themselves and improve in ‘pretty much everything’.

It was an incredibly lacklustre performance from Liverpool as a team.

Joe Gomez was so poor in the first half that he was withdrawn at the interval, while Trent Alexander-Arnold barely seemed interested. Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk were also unusually poor, while Klopp even lost patience with Mohamed Salah an hour into the contest.

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“It looks like we need to reinvent ourselves. There’s a lot of things lacking. We have to try to find a set up to be much better in pretty much everything,” Klopp conceded in post-match media duties.

“Not that difficult to explain when you saw the game. Napoli played a really good game and we didn’t. That’s the first explanation. Not compact defensively or offensively. Until Thiago entered the pitch I can’t remember one counter-pressing situation. We were just too wide.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, Klopp also said, “In three days, we play Wolves. When they saw the game, they cannot stop laughing probably. They were probably thinking that’s the perfect moment [to play Liverpool]. I would say it’s the perfect moment.”

After a mixed bag of results in pre-season, the defeat to Napoli means that Liverpool have failed to win in five of their eight games so far in 2022/23 across all competitions – including victory in the Community Shield against Manchester City at the end of July

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Burnley’s Cornet getting clubs’ greenlight after relegation.

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Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet is the subject of huge interest after the club’s relegation to the Championship, Noble Reporters Media understands.

The 25-year-old netted nine times in the Premier League but was unable to prevent his side from dropping down to the second tier – Burnley’s fate sealed on the final day of the season after a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle at Turf Moor.

Relegation has activated a £17.5m release clause written into the five-year contract Cornet signed when he joined the club last summer, and 90min understands that a host of clubs are interested in signing him.

Among those eyeing a move for the Frenchman are West Ham, whose manager David Moyes is keen to strengthen his squad after leading the club into European competition for a second successive season.

Indeed, the Hammers are closing in on their first signing of the summer after holding positive talks with Rennes over centre-back Nayef Aguerd earlier in the week.

Newcastle, Brighton, Everton, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Leicester and Fulham have also contacted Cornet’s representatives to gauge his interest in a move, while Arsenal and Tottenham – who sealed a place in next season’s Champions League on the final day of the season – think he could add quality cover at full-back or wing-back.

Clubs from Spain, Germany and Italy are also intrigued by Cornet’s affordable release clause, making a summer departure from Turf Moor almost an inevitability.

Before joining Burnley, Cornet spent six full seasons at Lyon, and famously scored in the surprise 3-1 win over Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the 2019/20 Champions League

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“Stupendous tie” – Salah, Son shares EPL golden boot

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Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min shared the Premier League Golden Boot on Sunday after both forwards scored on the final day of the season.


South Korea’s Son netted twice in Tottenham’s 5-0 win at Norwich to move to 23 goals — one clear of Salah, but the Egypt forward struck late in Liverpool’s 3-1 win at home to Wolves.

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo finished third with 18 goals in his first season back in the Premier League.

Salah’s goal was ultimately in vain as Jurgen Klopp’s team finished one point behind Manchester City, who scored three goals in five minutes to beat Aston Villa 3-2.

Tottenham’s win secured a fourth-place finish, meaning they qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Son, 29, said it was “incredible” to have the award.

“I can’t believe it,” he told the BBC. “I got really emotional. I dreamed of it as a child. Literally it’s my in hands. I can’t believe it.


“Until my goal I was really frustrated that I missed big chances. I told the players I missed the easiest chances and scored one of the toughest ones.

“I didn’t give up. I wanted to score today. The team helped me a lot at half-time. They wanted to help me, you could see it today.”

Spurs manager Antonio Conte was delighted to see club and individual ambitions realised with the rout of the Canaries at Carrow Road.

“This was our target,” he told the BBC.

“First to get in the Champions League but then when there was a chance to help Sonny reach the top scorer, we enjoyed it,” the Italian added.

“I have seen his team-mates try to help him. The award is for Son but it’s for the whole team. They helped him reach this big achievement.”

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Full list of flops and wins on EPL table as Manchester City lifts league title.

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It was a thrilling end to the 2021/22 Premier League season, with 90min’s final day live blog capturing all the many twists and turns of an incredible afternoon.

Manchester City clinched their fourth Premier League title in five seasons as they overturned a shock 2-0 deficit to beat Aston Villa at the Etihad 3-2 – their three goals coming in a remarkable five-minute spell.


Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Wolves at Anfield was rendered irrelevant, though Mohamed Salah did share the Golden Boot spoils with Tottenham’s Son Heung-min – the pair ended the season on 23 goals each.

Tottenham sealed a place in next season’s Champions League at the expense of Arsenal with a convincing 5-0 win over Norwich – the Gunners beat Everton 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Manchester United will join them in the Europa League despite losing at Crystal Palace, as West Ham slipped up at Brighton.

In the relegation fight, Burnley were the team to lose their Premier League status – a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle sending them down to the Championship after Leeds’ 2-1 win over Brentford.

Premier League full-time scores
Arsenal 5-1 Everton
Brentford 1-2 Leeds
Brighton 3-1 West Ham
Burnley 1-2 Newcastle
Chelsea 2-1 Watford
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester United
Leicester 4-1 Southampton
Liverpool 3-1 Wolves
Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa
Norwich 0-5 Tottenham

The final table
1. Manchester City – P38, 93pts (+73GD)
2. Liverpool – P38, 92pts (+68GD)
3. Chelsea – P38, 74pts (+43GD)
4. Tottenham – P38, 71pts (+29GD)
5. Arsenal – P38, 69pts (+13GD)
6. Manchester United – P38. 58pts (0GD)
7. West Ham – P38, 56pts (+9GD)


17. Leeds – P38, 38pts (-37GD)
18. Burnley – P38, 35pts (-19GD)

Full List:

TEAM

P GD PTS


Manchester City
38 73 93


Liverpool
38 68 92


Chelsea
38 43 74


Tottenham Hotspur
38 29 71


Arsenal
38 13 69


Manchester United
38 0 58


West Ham United
38 9 56


Leicester City
38 3 52


Brighton & Hove Albion
38 -2 51


Wolverhampton Wanderers
38 -5 51


Newcastle United
38 -18 49


Crystal Palace
38 4 48


Brentford
38 -8 46


Aston Villa
38 -2 45


Southampton
38 -24 40


Everton
38 -23 39


Leeds United
38 -37 38


Burnley
38 -19 35

Watford
38 -43 23


Norwich City
38 -61 22

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These boys are ‘like having Ferraris in the garage’ – Klopp admits.

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Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on the fringe players in his Liverpool squad after they led the Reds to a 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday.

With a Champions League final around the corner and Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho already nursing injuries, Klopp was in no mood to risk his other stars and made nine changes to his lineup for the trip to St Mary’s.

It threatened to backfire after Nathan Redmond’s early opener but Liverpool were on top throughout and goals from Takumi Minamino and Joel Matip steered the team to a 2-1 victory which takes the Premier League title race to the final day of the season.

“I’m so happy with the performance, it’s quite touching. It’s like, wow! These boys!” Klopp said after the game. “It’s like having Ferraris in the garage.”

He added: “I never had a group like this. Because we win most of the time, there is not a lot of things you can really argue about [for team selection].

“But there are two opportunities how you can deal with it – you give up or you just play your role in this group, and this group pushes each other constantly.

“In the end, it is absolutely outstanding and tonight is really special because we came here and did what we did, and it worked out because of the boys.

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“If it had not worked out, it would have been 100% my responsibility, now it worked out and the boys should be really proud of that.”

Liverpool remain one point behind leaders Manchester City heading into the final day of the season, with Klopp needing Pep Guardiola’s side to slip up when they host Aston Villa.

Should City fail to win, Liverpool could move top if they can see off Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield

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Watford relegated from English Premier League.

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Watford were relegated from the Premier League after just one season back in the top-flight as Wilfried Zaha’s penalty earned Crystal Palace a 1-0 win on Saturday.

A sixth consecutive defeat left the Hornets still 12 points adrift of safety with just three matches to play.

Roy Hodgson was welcomed back to Selhurst Park a hero for his four years in charge of Palace, but the former England manager’s record of never suffering relegation has ended with his final job before retiring at the end of the season.

Hodgson was unable to rescue Watford after replacing the sacked Claudio Ranieri in January to become the club’s third manager this term following Xisco’s dismissal in October.

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He arrived with Watford two points from safety but has managed only two wins in his 15 games.

Watford’s owners the Pozzo family have a long history of churning through managers in ruthless fashion, but they have overseen two promotions to the Premier League during their reign and the club should be among the favourites in the second tier next term.

There were few highlights for Watford in a campaign that always looked destined to end with relegation, although they did thrash Manchester United 4-1 in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final match in charge of the Red Devils in November.

“I think after missing our chances in those last three home games we realised we were making life extremely hard for ourselves,” Hodgson said.

“But anyone who’d like to say there was an inevitability about our outcome and that the players had resigned themselves to the fact that they’re going to go down then they haven’t watched today’s game.

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“It gave no indication of that whatsoever and we were fighting right until the last minute to try to get an equaliser.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted but I think we were rather hard done by because the players are convinced that Hassane Kamara was pushed in the back and that’s what provoked the penalty decision.”

Hodgson admitted Watford’s confidence had plummeted during their slide towards relegation, but he believes they can bounce back.

“There are individuals in the team who can make a difference,” he said.

“Their confidence might not be at the highest but I still think this team and this club has a lot to offer in the Premier League, but they’ll first have to go through the Championship to get back.”

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Brighton “left no stone unturned” smacks Manchester United four times.

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Manchester United’s dismal season hit a new low as Brighton condemned them to a 4-0 defeat that ended their hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four on Saturday.

United have endured a host of humiliations in one of their most embarrassing seasons for decades and this lacklustre loss was among the very worst.

Ralf Rangnick’s side were routed by goals from Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Pascal Gross and Leandro Trossard at the Amex Stadium.

After 5-0 and 4-0 defeats against arch rivals Liverpool, a 4-1 loss at Watford that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked in November and an FA Cup at home to Championship side Middlesbrough, it seemed impossible for United to fall any further.

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But they were so gutless and hopeless on the south-coast that even United’s travelling supporters turned on them.

Sixth placed United are certain to miss out on the Champions League for only the fifth time in 30 seasons.

With 58 points and only one game left, United’s fifth successive away defeat means they will finish with their lowest points total in the Premier League era.

It would be no surprise if Erik ten Hag, the Ajax boss who has agree to take charge of United from next season, was having second thoughts about his decision to accept the task of rebuilding a team languishing well behind the standards set by Liverpool and Manchester City.

The United fans massed at one end of the Amex Stadium set the tone for another toxic evening as they chanted for the club’s owners the Glazer family to sell up and held up banners reading ‘We want our club back’.

Not for the first time this season, United’s players failed to lift the gloom.

United rocked
Rangnick’s team were stunned in the 15th minute when Ecuador midfielder Caicedo scored his first goal in English football.

Alex Telles made a hash of his clearing header and Gross’s shot was blocked to the 20-year-old Caicedo, who smashed a 25-yard rocket into the bottom corner.

United had failed to muster a single shot on target in a terrible first half performance.

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Fred and Edinson Cavani were sent on to replace Anthony Elanga and Nemanja Matic at the break, but United were unable to raise their game.

Just four minutes into the second half, Cucurella cried tears of joy after he joined Caicedo in scoring his first goal in English football.

United paid the price for awful defending as the Spanish defender was allowed to run onto a cutback and drive his shot into the roof of the net.

In disarray at the back, United were breached again in the 57th minute.

Cucurella fed Trossard and he had space to tee up Gross inside the area for a cool, flicked finish past David De Gea.

United had totally lost the plot and Brighton piled on the misery on the hour mark.

It was a farcical goal that summed up United’s decline.

Diogo Dalot tried to clear off the line from Danny Welbeck, but the ball hit Trossard and trickled into the net, with VAR awarding the goal after a check for handball.

Furious United fans taunted their players with chants of ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt and ‘we want Ten Hag’, to which Albion’s supporters responded by bellowing ‘we want 10’ in reference to their goal spree.

It could almost have been that bad, but Alexis Mac Allister hit the post and Welbeck curled wide as United surrendered without a fight

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Leeds’ utility man, Dallas injured in Manchester City clash.

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Leeds utility man Stuart Dallas has been ruled out indefinitely after fracturing his thighbone in the defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

Dallas was left in clear distress following a challenge on Jack Grealish in stoppage time at the end of the first half at Elland Road with the score at 1-0 to the visitors.

The 31-year-old was swiftly stretchered off as the Leeds medical team recognised the significance of the injury.

The club have since confirmed Dallas spent the night in hospital having suffered a femoral fracture. The Northern Irishman is now set to undergo surgery and further tests.

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According to Phil Hay, Dallas has sustained ‘significant damage’ to his knee cap.

A Leeds statement read: “Stuart Dallas faces a lengthy period out of action due to a femoral fracture sustained in yesterday’s Premier League game with Manchester City.

“Stuart was kept overnight at Leeds General Infirmary and will now travel to London for surgery and further tests.

“It is impossible to put into words just how important Stuart is to Leeds United on and off the field.

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“Anyone who knows Stuart, knows he will come back from this stronger than ever, and in the meantime, he is sure to make his presence known at both Thorp Arch and Elland Road.

“There’s only one Stuart Dallas.”

Leeds were eventually soundly beaten by City, with three more goals flying in after Dallas was stretchered off.

Speaking after the match, head coach Jesse Marsch said: “We don’t think it’s good with his knee and obviously, with where we are in the season, we will miss him very much because he is in many ways the heart and soul of the group and one of the guys that I think is always at the forefront in terms of being a leader and someone who, who can stand up to big challenges.

“Our hearts and minds are with him and his family and we’re hopeful that the prognosis is okay, and that he can have a speedy recovery and get himself healthy and back on the pitch again soon.”

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The 3pm football blackout explained.

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The 3pm blackout. We’ve all heard of it, but what does it actually entail?

It comes down to the broadcasting of football games, with most not available to be seen in the United Kingdom due to their kick-off times.

Missed your new signing taking to the pitch for the first time because you couldn’t get to the stadium and it wasn’t available on television? We’ve all been there, but there’s more to the 3pm blackout than just the powers that be being annoying.

The blackout idea was introduced by Burnley chairman Bob Lord in the 1960s. The idea was to ensure football matches in Britain still attract large attendances despite some games beginning to be televised.

By keeping the majority of Britain’s games on Saturdays at 3pm, football clubs can continue to bring in large audiences at stadiums with no harm to their income.

Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes allows any association to decide on a set period of 2.5 hours per Saturday and Sunday during which the transmission of football within that territory is prohibited. Ever since the blackout’s introduction, England and Scotland have applied this to 2:45pm to 5:15pm on a Saturday.

This currently means that no broadcaster can show the 3:15pm game that is usually scheduled from La Liga, while viewers of the 5pm game in Serie A have to check in 15 minutes after the first half has begun.

The blackout only occurs in the UK, so viewers from different continents can tune in to English and Scottish matches due to more comprehensive broadcasting packages being available.

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Do other leagues use the 3pm blackout?
Not in the same format. Some associations spread their fixtures out to avoid a cluttered schedule, giving lower divisions their own slot or having a set fixture time for a top flight fixture.

Germany is an often used comparison, with attendances not affected by Bundesliga games all being shown live on TV at 3:30pm local time on a Saturday.

  1. Bundesliga has its own kickoff slot, when games begin at 1.30pm on a Saturday and no other matches are televised.

For the majority of leagues though, none qualify for a blackout approach.

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Will the 3pm blackout ever end?
Since its adoption, football in England and Scotland has continued to follow the blackout’s schedule.

The only time it was altered was during the early waves of the Covid-19 pandemic – when fans couldn’t attend matches – when games were moved to different times to ensure supporters could watch as much football as possible during troubling times.

While there has been opposition and criticism to the long tradition, it seems unlikely that the blackout will be curtailed.

To follow the rest of Europe and drop it, there would either have to be no games at 3pm on a Saturday, or ten individual kick-off times with only one at 3pm on a Saturday. Neither option appears to be particularly enticing for your average Premier League fans.

In terms of criticism, some onlookers have called for an updated ruling for what they consider an archaic law.

Fans are in need of more ways to watch games, considering football’s universal appeal in the modern age, and dropping the blackout could lead to greater viewership according to some.

Instead, some supporters scour the dark passages of the web to find illegal streaming services that broadcast matches, often using VPNs to connect to other sides of the world like North America and Asia that show more UK football live than the UK does.

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Liverpool ‘can’t give an inch’ in title race: Klopp.

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Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool cannot afford to give Manchester City any space in the Premier League title race.

The Reds briefly leapfrogged their rivals at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Watford on Saturday lunchtime, but City responded with a 2-0 win of their own to reclaim top spot.

The two wins set up an enticing clash between the pair at the Etihad next weekend, with a victory for either side giving the winner the initiative in the title race.

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Liverpool won the title in 2019/20 and could reclaim it this season, though Klopp reiterated his team remain focused on each game as it comes.

He said: “You can’t give an inch. To keep in the title race we have to win our football games, otherwise it will be really tricky. The next Premier League game is a big one [against City next Sunday], we can’t hide from that, but before then we have an important Champions League game to prepare for at Benfica.

“I really appreciate the situation we are in. I said to the boys yesterday that if someone had told us in the summer that in early April we would be in this situation – won one trophy, in three competitions, full squad available – we should all take it.

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“The only better situation would be to be 20 points ahead of City but that’s not possible. That’s why it is all fine like it is. I don’t think we are favourites in one of the competitions we are in but who cares, we will give it a try.

“It’s not about managing the situation or the pressure. People see the situation like pressure – I’m not sure I can change that. We create a basis which we can use but no one knows because opponents have their own targets and go for it. People thought Watford would be an easy game but we saw what happened. We cannot see situations like that.”

Next up for Liverpool is the first leg of their Champions League quarter final with Benfica on Tuesday before that exciting trip to the Etihad on Sunday.

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Juventus ‘working’ on huge contract offer for Salah.

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Juventus could capitalise on Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool contract standoff by tabling a mammoth financial package for the attacker with a view to bringing him in on a free transfer, according to a report.

Salah’s current deal at Anfield is due to expire in June 2023, and Noble Reporters Media understands talks remain at an impasse because owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are unwilling to meet the Egyptian’s wage demands – believed to be in excess of £400,000 per week.

The Reds’ highest earner is Virgil van Dijk on around £250,000 per week, and FSG do not want to break their wage structure to such an extent, while Sadio Mane could demand a similar figure as his contract expires at the same time.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the situation has piqued Juventus’ interest, and they could look to tempt the 29-year-old – who will be 31 by the time his Liverpool deal expires – to Turin with a huge financial package.

Juve are said to be ‘working’ on a four-year deal worth £10m net per season for the attacker, with some significant funds freed up following the news that Paulo Dybala will leave in the summer having failed to agree a new contract himself.

The Argentine earned £8.5m per year including bonuses, despite his persistent injury problems. The club is also set to benefit from lower taxes in Italy.

Salah has previously plied his trade in Serie A with both Fiorentina and Roma, but it remains to be seen whether a return to Italy would be his preference if he does walk away from Anfield at the end of his contract.

Both Salah’s manager Jurgen Klopp – on behalf of the club – and the player himself have recently insisted the ball is in the other’s court.

Speaking about the possibility of dressing room unrest as a result of the situation last week, Klopp said: “I don’t have to remind any player – and for sure not Mo – of that. No chance.

“Mo is not a guy for that, not at all. If I don’t line him up [in the team] then his mood goes down. That is possible but [it’s] not against the team or whatever.

“This season everyone is completely committed, we could have some players who don’t play often enough and aren’t in the squad enough and they could create a bad atmosphere. They don’t. They will not. It is a clear commitment for the team for this season and then we will talk about the rest – future, immediate, further.”

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He added: “It’s all fine, I don’t know about any kind of reaction or stuff like this. That’s not what I’m concerned about.

“It’s just I think that it’s how it should be in the moment. The decisive parties are in contact and the rest we will see.”

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Sport Today

Cristiano Ronaldo has “never been a problem” – Pogba insists.

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has leapt to the defence of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo following his hat-trick against Tottenham on Saturday.

The Portugal forward became football’s all-time record goal scorer (at least by FIFA’s statistics) following his treble in a crucial 3-2 win that lifted Man Utd back into the top four.

Ronaldo had come under criticism following a run of one goal in ten games and there were suggestions that his presence in the team was a negative one, but Pogba has rubbished this talk and hailed United’s number seven as the best striker in history.

“He [Ronaldo] has never been a problem. You have the best striker in history in our team, he cannot be a problem. Today the performance from him and all the team was very brilliant,” Pogba said to media post-game.

“Ronaldo was brilliant. I think that’s all we needed – a reaction. We scored beautiful goals. Even when we conceded a goal, we came back and scored again. The mentality was there again today.

“Everybody knows Cristiano – there’s no need to talk about him. That’s what he does. He didn’t play in the last game, but he comes back and scores three goals. Everybody’s happy.

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“It was good today. You can hear the fans – they were pushing us and feeling it. I think today was a very good performance as a team and a very good reaction from the City game.

“We kept believing. In the second half we didn’t get the nice passing, and the movement I think wasn’t there. We gave them a bit of confidence, that’s why they scored. But we got a corner and scored the winning goal.”

Ronaldo’s hat-trick sees him climb to second in the race for the Premier League golden boot, now level with Liverpool duo on 12 goals. However, he remains eight behind runaway leader Mohamed Salah.

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United rise to fourth place with Saturday’s victory but have played four games more than Arsenal who sit two points behind them.

They head into Tuesday’s huge Champions League last 16 with Atletico Madrid with their talisman back in form

Sport Today

Arteta backs ‘different’ Nicolas Pepe to shine for Arsenal after AFCON return

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Mikel Arteta has admitted that he has seen a ‘different’ side to winger Nicolas Pepe following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations and has backed the Ivorian to play a major role for Arsenal over the coming months.

A £72m signing from Lille in 2019, Pepe has failed to live up to expectations so far and managed just nine Premier League appearances in the first half of this season, with his last start coming in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace way back in October.

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He jetted off to AFCON with the Ivory Coast this winter and enjoyed an impressive tournament on a personal level, bagging two goals and an assist in four games as the Elephants were eliminated in the round of 16.

Now back at Arsenal, Arteta believes that Pepe has had a fire lit under him during his time away from the Emirates.

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“Since he has come back from AFCON I think I have seen a different Nico as well,” Arteta said.

“I don’t know what it is, probably he has realised the importance of the end of the season for him. He had a brilliant end of the season last year. He can replicate that.

“We need him at his best because everybody is going to contribute. We are a really short squad at the moment and we need it and hopefully he has understood that we want to play him. I don’t want to have a player like him sitting on the bench and not using him and the moment I have chances, I want to give him a chance.”

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When asked what specifically appears different about Pepe, Arteta said: “His attitude, his smile, the way he is communicating with everybody, his energy.

“The way he has trained. His efficiency in training, his application. His energy has changed. I don’t know what it is. I think he felt important again.

“Probably he felt like a proper football player that can win tournaments and felt: ‘Ok, this is me now’. And he needed that and I’m really pleased with that.”

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In the news

Mourinho’s contract at Tottenham includes ‘no break.’

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Mourinho took over in November 2019 after the club sacked Mauricio Pochettino and to date, he has won 38 of his 73 matches in charge of the club, drawing 15 and losing 20.

It has been revealed that José Mourinho’s Tottenham contract does not include an early break clause, with the club in the midst of a torrid run of form.

Spurs were condemned to their seventh Premier League defeat of the season at Manchester City on Saturday, beaten 3-0 by Pep Guardiola’s table-topping side.

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The Lilywhites, who were top of the pile earlier on this season, currently find themselves ninth in the Premier League and knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton. Understandably, the pressure has increased on their Portuguese coach in recent weeks.

While Spurs are struggling for results at the moment, concerns over their negative style of play have led to increased frustration with the job the 58-year-old is doing.

Mourinho took over in November 2019 after the club sacked Mauricio Pochettino and to date, he has won 38 of his 73 matches in charge of the club, drawing 15 and losing 20.

Sacking Mourinho would be costly for Spurs | TIM KEETON/Getty Images

His current contract in north London is due to run until June 2023 and according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, there is no clause whereby the club’s hierarchy can part ways with Mourinho early unless he is sacked.

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Sacking the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss would mean paying him off, and given it’s rumoured he is on a very lucrative £15m-a-year contract, at a time like this – without the matchday revenue Spurs would earn under normal circumstances – Daniel Levy is likely to be even more reluctant to let his manager go.

So like him or loathe him Spurs fans, it looks like you’re stuck with him for the time being at least.

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