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Tag: Manchester City

  • Fantasy football returns ahead of a packed Premier League schedule

    Fantasy football is set to return on Boxing Day as the Premier League season resumes.

    Arsenal will continue their bid to become champions while Manchester City will look to reclaim top spot courtesy of some Erling Haaland magic.

    Players have been given free rein to make changes to their squad with unlimited transfers authorised until the 11am deadline on December 26.

    We go over everything you need to know ahead of Gameweek 17.

    Check for injuries

    With a World Cup sandwiched in the middle of a domestic season, it is no surprise that a number of players have picked up injuries in Qatar.

    Fantasy football sites will tell you if one of your squad is likely to be a doubt or confirmed injury but it is worth checking anyway.

    Players such as Rodrigo Bentancur and Tyler Adams already have suspensions in place so will miss the festive fun but the former picked up an injury on duty for Uruguay and could be sidelined for more than one match.

    Furthermore, there are high-value stars who were injured before the break and are still set to miss a significant amount of game time, including Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

    Those that made it to the latter stages of the winter tournament are also likely to be missing, with clubs granting extended time off to recover from the heavy workload they have endured.

    This will include players such as Cristian Romero, Ivan Perisic, Alexis Mac Allister and Raphael Varane, who all featured in the semi-finals or final.

    Fixture congestion

    Tottenham's Richarlison picked up an injury on duty for Brazil
    Tottenham’s Richarlison picked up an injury on duty for Brazil

    The Christmas period is always hectic and 2022 will be no different.

    With the first Premier League match set to kick off just over a week after the conclusion of the World Cup final, there is no rest for some of Europe’s top athletes.

    Teams will play three times in nine days and managers will have to utilise squad depth to prevent further fatigue and injuries.

    There are some heavyweight clashes also set to take place in the upcoming Gameweeks — Arsenal take on West Ham and Newcastle, while Chelsea face Liverpool and Manchester City in January.

    Some clubs who saw games postponed or moved earlier in the season are set to fulfil their unplayed fixtures, including Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and City.

    As always, there is an air of unpredictability around England’s top flight on its return — a big break always gives the lower-level clubs a chance to cause an upset before teams hit full flow.

    Top scorers so far

    Harry Kane will hope to bounce back from his penalty miss in the World Cup quarter-final
    Harry Kane will hope to bounce back from his penalty miss in the World Cup quarter-final

    It is worth reminding ourselves who hit the ground running in the early parts of the season, so players can decide whether they want to make any changes to their current crop.

    Haaland sits comfortably at the top of the list with 123 points, with Harry Kane perched in second on 96 — both of these players have favourable ties on Boxing Day as City travel to Leeds and Spurs face Brentford.

    Newcastle duo of Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron slot in at third and fourth — they will likely both feature when the Magpies travel to Leicester on the 26th.

    Nick Pope is the highest-scoring goalkeeper with 70 points but Dean Henderson provides a cheaper option and has just three fewer.

    If you are tight on a budget, it may be worth avoiding expensive signings such as Bruno Fernandes, Raheem Sterling and Darwin Nunez, who all have less than 50 points.

    Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham all struggled at the start of the 2022-23 campaign and it may be worth holding back on any of their high-value players in case they fail to flourish in the new year.

    Who has the easiest run?

    Arsenal will have to make do without Gabriel Jesus after the forward was injured for Brazil
    Arsenal will have to make do without Gabriel Jesus after the forward was injured for Brazil

    The City’s and Arsenal’s of the world will fancy themselves against any Premier League opponent, but it would be unwise for players to head into the hectic schedule without being aware of the tough upcoming fixtures.

    Fantasy football ranks each team’s fixtures from one to five based on their difficulty, with five being the hardest it can get.

    Across the next five Gameweeks, Fulham have the toughest run, including games against Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs.

    Southampton have the easier fixtures on paper, with four of the next five matches marked in green and their home clash against Brighton ranked as a three.

    For the rest, it is a kind mixture of contests against top and bottom-half teams, with Arsenal the top-six side with the toughest run.

    Nonetheless, there are no easy games in the Premier League and it is very likely that a few surprises will pop up when it returns.

    Source: Livescore

  • Nketiah ready to replace Jesus as Arsenal prepare for league return

    With the arrival of Jesus from Manchester City, though, Nketiah has found himself down the pecking order as Arsenal have pushed on to top the Premier League.

    However, an injury on World Cup duty with Brazil has seen Jesus sidelined following knee surgery, opening the door for his team-mate, who is prepared to seize his chance with both hands.

    “Of course, it is an opportunity for myself,” Nketiah stated. “These things happen in football, unfortunately, so you’ve just got to be ready for the moment when it comes.

     

    “I have been working hard, I’ve been working hard all season and I’m sure when I get the opportunity I’ll be able to come in and help the team.”

    Nketiah scored five goals in the club’s final seven league games last term and signed a new contract through to 2027 in June.

    Arsenal are currently on their mid-season break enforced by Qatar 2022, but are hopeful they can pick up where they left off when the Premier League resumes.

    Arteta’s men sit five points clear of rivals City at the top of the pile, with both teams having a game in hand on fellow top-four outfits Newcastle United and Tottenham.

    They resume their campaign in a London derby against West Ham on Boxing Day, before facing Brighton and Hove Albion on New Year’s Eve.

  • Arsenal-Manchester City Premier League clash to be in February

    Arsenal and Manchester City will now play on February 15, 2023, in the Premier League.

    On October 19, the two clubs were scheduled to square off in a key game as both squads were engaged in an early-season title fight.

    However, the match had to be moved to make room for the Arsenal’s Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven, which had been postponed following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

    The team led by Mikel Arteta is looking to maintain their lead going into their match as a result of the club’s confirmation of a new date.

    “Our home Premier League clash with Manchester City has been rearranged for Wednesday, February 15,” read a club statement.

    “The game was previously arranged for October 19 but was postponed to allow us to fulfil our Europa League commitments.”

    The title race between Arsenal and City this year has produced an intriguing picture of the two teams, especially since Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s assistant before returning to north London, has raided his old squad for fresh players.

    The Gunners have added two players who have been among their top performers this season in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who will help them face difficulties both at home and in Europe.

  • Best Manchester City XI of the Guardiola era

    Pep Guardiola’s new contract with Manchester City will see him remain at the Etihad Stadium until 2025, when he will mark nine years at the club.

    The Catalan coach has already remained in the Premier League for longer than he has at his previous roles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, finding a home within English football and establishing a dominant force with his City side.

    Throughout his six and a half years in charge so far, Guardiola has been in charge of numerous superstars and club legends, with an all-time squad that would be of envy for any manager in world football.

    But how exactly do you break that down into a full XI? We have taken on the task and done exactly that.

    Ederson

    Guardiola made a bold choice upon his arrival in Manchester, swiftly making it clear England international Joe Hart, a two-time Premier League winner, would not fit into his plans moving forward. After a disappointing season with Claudio Bravo, Ederson arrived in 2017 and has been number one ever since.

    All of Ederson’s 260 appearances across all competitions have come as a starter, higher than any other player under Guardiola, while he sits fifth in the list for total appearances under the Catalan boss.

    Kyle Walker

    Signed from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, Kyle Walker has been a mainstay in the City side that has dominated domestic football over the course of the past five years, ranking fifth for the most starts under Guardiola in all competitions (207).

    Walker’s versatility has been a key benefit for Guardiola and England, with his attacking play also fitting into City’s style of play well. Since arriving at City, Walker has contributed 17 assists across all competitions, behind only Joao Cancelo (20) among defenders.

    Aymeric Laporte

    Among defenders during Guardiola’s spell in charge, only John Stones and Walker have started more games than Laporte (155), with both players having joined the club in the seasons before Laporte’s arrival from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018.

    A total of 163 appearances across all competitions puts him narrowly ahead of Nicolas Otamendi (161) for most games under Guardiola.

    John Stones

    Snapped up in 2016 as one of Guardiola’s first signings, Stones has had to contend with incredible competition for his spot at the heart of the defence, with the likes of Laporte, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake all drafted in.

    Despite that, Stones continues to be an important player for City and has made 175 starts under Guardiola and 206 appearances overall, ranking second in both among defenders behind only Walker.

    Joao Cancelo

    The versatile Portuguese full-back moved to City in 2019 from Juventus and has excelled for City, tallying 149 total appearances and 135 starts in all competitions since joining the club, and provides a huge boost in the attacking third.

    A total of 20 assists puts him above any defender during Guardiola’s spell in charge, even those who have been at the club far longer.

    Kevin de Bruyne

    Few players fit the Guardiola philosophy more than De Bruyne, who has hit new heights under the former Barcelona boss to stand among the finest players in world football – with a record in front of goal that many would envy.

    De Bruyne has registered 117 assists under Guardiola, way ahead of second-place Raheem Sterling (66), while he has scored 73 goals – only behind Gabriel Jesus, Sterling and Sergio Aguero.

    Ilkay Gundogan

    With 205 starts under Guardiola, the midfielder has been an integral part of the City side since following the Catalan from Germany to Manchester, ranking only behind Walker, David Silva, Sterling, De Bruyne and Ederson in that regard.

    Only six players have scored more goals under Guardiola than Gundogan (51), who ranks ninth for the most assists (33).

    Fernandinho

    The rock of City’s midfield for years, Fernandinho started 200 games under Guardiola and made a total of 244 appearances, the latter seeing him rank behind only Ederson, Bernardo Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne and Sterling.

    A total of 12 goals and 16 assists in those matches represents a decent return for a player renowned more for his defensive strength.

    Bernardo Silva

    Slotting into the attack ahead of Phil Foden and David Silva, both of whom have a stellar record under Guardiola, Bernardo Silva narrowly gets the nod due to his own impressive numbers in the final third.

    Silva has 104 direct goal contributions (50 goals, 54 assists) in 273 appearances, starting in 208 of those matches. Only Sterling and De Bruyne have more assists under Guardiola, while Silva is one of eight players to hit the half-century mark for goals.

    Sergio Aguero

    In the future, Aguero’s spot in the team is likely to be under significant threat from Erling Haaland following his blistering start to life at City, but the Argentine superstar retains the edge for the time being.

    Aguero scored 124 goals under Guardiola, more than any other player, with Sterling the only other to have broken the century mark. Those goals came in just 183 appearances with Guardiola in charge, displaying his deadly ability in front of the net.

    Raheem Sterling

    An unsung hero of the Guardiola era, Sterling played 292 times under the Catalan boss, more than anyone else, while only Aguero scored more goals than Sterling (120).

    Sterling also contributed 66 assists under Guardiola, sitting behind only De Bruyne, and is the only player to have scored over 100 goals and added over 50 assists under the Catalan boss.

    Source: Livescore

  • Man City boss Pep Guardiola signs contract extension

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2025.

    Guardiola has won 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles, during six years at Etihad Stadium.

    The 51-year-old Spaniard has taken charge of 374 games and is City’s second longest-serving manager.

    “From day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place,” said Guardiola.

     

    “I am so pleased to be staying at Manchester City for another two years.

    “I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at the club for trusting me. I am happy and comfortable, and I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible.

    “I know the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade. It happened over the last 10 years, and it will happen in the next 10 years because this club is so stable.

    “I still have the feeling there is more we can achieve together and that is why I want to stay and continue fighting for trophies.”

    More soon…

     

  • Guardiola extends contract with Man City

    Pep Guardiola has promised to bring more success to Manchester City after signing a two-year extension at the Etihad.

    The Catalan tactician, 51, has been in charge at City since 2016 and has won nine major trophies during his reign so far, including four Premier League titles.

    Guardiola’s deal was due to expire at the end of the current campaign but talks over fresh terms had been ongoing for some time.

    Though his new contract will only run until 2025, the Spaniard is confident silverware will be the norm at City for a long time yet.

    Guardiola said: “I am so pleased to be staying at Manchester City for another two years.

    “I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at the club for trusting me. I am happy and comfortable here. I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible.

    “I know the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade. It happened over the last 10 years and it will happen in the next 10 years because this club is so stable.

    “From day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place.

    “I still have the feeling there is more we can achieve together and that is why I want to stay and continue fighting for trophies.”

    City sit second in the Premier League table, five points behind leaders Arsenal, and will resume their title defence after the World Cup at Leeds on December 28.

    Guardiola will also be eyeing success in the Champions League — the only major trophy he has failed to lift as City boss.

    Already the club’s second longest-serving manager since the Second World War, the ex-Barcelona head coach has a 72.4% winning percentage and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak was thrilled to tie him down.

    Al Mubarak said: “I am delighted that Pep’s journey will continue.

    Pep Guardiola will want to win the Champions League for the first time as Manchester City boss before he leaves
    Pep Guardiola will want to win the Champions League for the first time as Manchester City boss before he leaves

    “He has already contributed so much to the success and fabric of this organisation and it’s exciting to think what might be possible given the energy, hunger and ambition he clearly still has.

    “Under his very special leadership our first team has accomplished so much, whilst continuously playing, and constantly evolving, a City style of football that is admired the world over.

    “Like every City fan, I am looking forward to what lies ahead.”

    Source: Livescore

  • City and England centre-back Stones backs ‘partner’ Maguire

    Manchester City centre-back John Stones believes form and club minutes are irrelevant when it comes to the World Cup, and is backing Manchester United captain Harry Maguire to deliver on the big stage for England.

    Stones and Maguire are experienced in leading their country deep into big tournaments, starting alongside each other in both the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the Euro 2020 final.

    While Stones, 28, remains in terrific standing back at City, starting almost every game he is healthy for, it has been a different story for 29-year-old Maguire this campaign with United.

    After starting the first two games of the Premier League season, a benching followed by a hamstring injury has seen him make only one start since, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane overtaking the club captain.

    Despite Maguire’s lack of a perfect preparation, Stones said he knows he can still perform at a high level if that is how manager Gareth Southgate chooses to line up.

    “Whatever team or whatever system Gareth decides, if it’s me and Harry we will use those bonds again,” he said.

    “They are too strong to be broken by game time, form, whatever it is. That kind of goes out the window when these moments hit.

    “When I look at Harry, I see a partner. Through all our experiences he’s had my back and I’ve had his.

    “We’ve had so many games together, we’ve made a bond and a partnership together. We know what the other person is going to do and how we work best together. It clicks.”

    England kick off their campaign on November 21 against Iran, before closing out the group stage with fixtures against the United States and Wales.


    Source: Livescore

  • Koulibaly puts blame on players for Chelsea slump

    Kalidou Koulibaly implored Chelsea players “to look each other in the eye” with the Blues players the only “culprits” for the increasing pressure on Graham Potter.

    Head coach Potter became the first Blues manager since Jose Mourinho in 2015 to lose three consecutive Premier League matches following a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.

    The tepid nature of the Chelsea showing offered more reason for concern after the Blues managed just seven touches in the opposition box, their lowest since January against Manchester City.

    With Potter’s side eight points adrift of the Premier League’s top four, albeit with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham, Koulibaly urged his team-mates to take responsibility for their recent form.

    “It hurts, we came here to take three points,” the Senegal international told Canal Plus.

    ”We knew that they were in a good moment, that they are putting on the intensity and that especially at home they have their audience behind them.

    “Today, Chelsea are not in their place and the only culprits are us. So we must look each other in the eye and continue to work to put Chelsea in their place.”

    The World Cup break could come at a good time for Chelsea as the Premier League pauses, with the Blues not in action again until a home clash with Bournemouth on December 27.

    Koulibaly will head to the Middle East with Senegal, who are in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands, though he hopes Chelsea can atone for their mistakes after the break.

    He added: ”The break comes at a good time for us, we need to recharge the batteries, think about something else and come back after the World Cup with a different mentality.”

  • ‘It’s going to be difficult’ – Man City not taking familiar foes Leipzig lightly

    Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain believes they face a difficult task in the last 16 of the Champions League after drawing RB Leipzig.

    Pep Guardiola’s men will take on the Bundesliga side in the knockout stages next February, having faced them twice in the group stages last term.

    On that occasion, City opened their European campaign with a 6-3 rout at the Etihad Stadium, before losing the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena.

    Having dodged heavyweight foes such as Paris Saint-Germain and Milan, City have theoretically one of the easier ties on paper, but Begiristain says they will not take their opponent lightly.

    “Leipzig are not new ones in this competition – they are doing an unbelievable job,” he said. “They are in Europe, always, and they are fighting us in the last 16. They are growing as a club and growing as a project.

    “This is German football – very open, box-to-box, which we don’t like too much, because we like to have the control. It’s going to be difficult, this kind of football.

    “We are going to meet old friends – we played last season against them. They were very open games, and we can be sure they will be very attractive games.”

    In comparison to their rivals, City have indeed been handed a kind draw, with Liverpool facing Real Madrid and Bayern Munich squaring up with Paris Saint-Germain.

    With possibly two of the last four tournament winners set to miss out on the quarter-finals, Begiristain feels it shows the increased competition within the Champions League.

    “Some big names and big clubs are already out – some of them are now not playing in Europe because they were last in the group,” he noted.

    “It shows how difficult it is in this competition. Everyone has to respect their opponent in this competition and that is what we try to do.

    “Liverpool and Real Madrid are two unbelievable clubs, and they were two of the candidates to win, but one will be out.

    “But still the ones who are there in the quarter-finals are going to deserve to be there. We want to be one of them.”

    Source: Livescore

  • 2022/23 Ghana Premier League: King Faisal currently worst club in ongoing campaign after losing five consecutive games

    Sergio Agüero is now just one hat-trick away from Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League record after his treble against Arsenal last weekend.

    The Argentine netted all three goals in a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Gunners to bring up his 10th Premier League hat-trick.

    Agüero’s first treble came against Wigan Athletic in 2011 with his 10th coming on his 227th appearance.

    A hat-trick against Chelsea on Sunday [February 10] would take him level with Shearer but who else is on the list of Premier League hat-trick heroes?

    <a href=”https://dugout.com/spurs/hat-trick-heroes-harry-kane-scores-a-treble-against-west-brom”>Harry Kane</a>: It might not be long before Agüero is at the top of the hat-trick leaderboard, but he could be joined by Tottenham’s Harry Kane in the near future.

    The England star already has eight hat-tricks to his name, just two behind Agüero.

    Kane’s first hat-trick came against Leicester in a thrilling 4-3 victory in March 2015.

    The striker also scored an incredible six trebles in 2017.

    <a href=”https://dugout.com/fcbarcelona/hat-trick-heroes-luis-suarez-helps-to-clobber-cordoba”>Luis Suárez</a>: Now an FC Barcelona hero, Suárez made his name at Liverpool, scoring hat-tricks at will during his four years at the club.

    Suárez made a habit of scoring against Norwich, netting three of his six hat-tricks against the Canaries.

    The Uruguayan currently sits eighth in the Premier League hat-tricks standings and also has 10 hat-tricks in LaLiga for Barça.

     

    <a href=”https://dugout.com/fcbarcelona/hat-trick-heroes-thierry-henry-haunts-valencia”>Thierry Henry</a>: Tied with Kane and Michael Owen, Theirry Henry was devastating in front of goal for Arsenal.

    The Frenchman spent eight years at the Gunners, scoring eight hat-tricks and winning two league titles.

    His final treble came in the last match at Highbury as Arsenal won 4-2 against Wigan in 2006.

    <a href=”https://dugout.com/liverpoolfc/dream-transfers-robbie-fowler”>Robbie Fowler</a>: A cult hero at Liverpool, Robbie Fowler netted 128 Premier League goals for the Reds.

    That included eight hat-tricks as well as one treble for Leeds United.

    Fowler also scored 21 league goals in 80 appearances for Manchester City.

  • FA appeals against sanction imposed on Klopp for red card against City

    The Football Association (FA) will appeal against the sanction imposed on Jurgen Klopp for his red card during Liverpool’s win over Manchester City last month.

    Klopp was shown a red card for furiously charging towards assistant referee Gary Beswick and berating the official late in a 1-0 Premier League win for the Reds at Anfield on October 16.

    The Liverpool manager admitted he “lost it” after he also confronted referee Anthony Taylor for not awarding a foul for a challenge on Mohamed Salah by Bernardo Silva.

    Klopp was fined £30,000 by an independent regulatory commission but avoided a touchline ban.

    He apologised for his actions and accepted the initial FA charge before discovering what his punishment would be, but the governing body on Friday revealed it will appeal against the commission’s decision.

    “The FA can confirm that it is appealing against the independent regulatory commission’s sanction in relation to the recent case involving Jurgen Klopp after reviewing its written reasons,” an FA spokesperson said.

    “The independent regulatory commission fined Jurgen Klopp £30,000 for breaching FA rule E3 during Liverpool’s Premier League game on Sunday 16 October 2022 against Manchester City.”


    Source: Livescore

  • Premier League Matchday 15: Leaders Arsenal head to London foes Chelsea

    An action-packed Premier League weekend sees Chelsea face off with London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham host Liverpool on Matchday 15.

    Elsewhere, Manchester City are up against Fulham while Manchester United head to Aston Villa in Unai Emery’s first game in charge of the Villans.

    Read on as we run the rule over all 10 matches in the English top flight.

    Leeds vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)

    Leeds host Bournemouth at Elland Road on a high after ending an eight-game winless streak with a thrilling late victory at Liverpool last Saturday.

    Scoring the winner for Jesse Marsch’s men at Anfield was Crysencio Summerville, who also netted against Fulham the week before.

    The Dutchman can become the youngest player (21 years and six days) to score in three straight Premier League games for the West Yorkshire club since 20-year-old Alan Smith in August 2001.

    After going unbeaten in six matches under caretaker boss Gary O’Neil, Bournemouth have lost their last three — most recently letting a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 to Tottenham.

    Manchester City vs Fulham (Saturday, 3pm)

    Champions Manchester City remain two points behind Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League ahead of the penultimate weekend before the World Cup.

    In Saturday’s opponents Fulham, they face a side they have beaten in all of their past 12 meetings, including last season’s 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round clash.

    But the Cottagers can take a glimmer of hope from the fact that all of their last three wins against the Citizens have come at the Etihad, though they have not earned three points against Saturday’s hosts since April 2009.

    Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira has created 34 chances in the Premier League this term, second only to City’s Kevin De Bruyne who is on 40.

    Andreas Pereira has been a revelation since joining Fulham last summer
    Andreas Pereira has been a revelation since joining Fulham last summer

    Nottingham Forest vs Brentford (Saturday, 3pm)

    Nottingham Forest host Brentford in the first top-flight meeting between the two sides.

    Despite a 1-0 win against Liverpool in their most recent home outing, Forest remain at the foot of the table thanks to a 5-0 loss at Arsenal last Sunday.

    Brentford, who are in 11th place, have won five of their last seven away games against the Reds.

    Goals look likely in the East Midlands, with Forest’s goal difference of -20 the worst in the Premier League this term while the Bees have just one clean sheet in their last 22 league games on the road.

    Wolves vs Brighton (Saturday, 3pm)

    Wolves look to be edging closer towards appointing Julen Lopetegui as their new manager but they must negotiate the visit of Brighton with caretaker boss Steve Davis still in charge.

    The Seagulls head to Molineux fresh from an exceptional 4-1 win over Chelsea last Saturday but are up against a team they have beaten just once in the last seven meetings — though that victory did come last season.

    Wolves have won just two of their last 20 Premier League games, failing to score more than once in any of their last 16 matches.

    Brighton pair Danny Welbeck (25) and Solly March (24) are the two players to have had the most shots without scoring so far this season in the Premier League.

    Danny Welbeck is without a goal in 25 shots in the Premier League this term
    Danny Welbeck is without a goal in 25 shots in the Premier League this term

    Everton vs Leicester (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

    Saturday’s late kick-off sees Everton take on Leicester, who remain in the bottom three despite a recent revival of sorts.

    The Foxes narrowly lost 1-0 to Manchester City last Saturday but won their previous two to boost their survival hopes, while the Toffees are also without defeat in their last two.

    Frank Lampard has certainly tightened things up, with the Merseyside club keeping four clean sheets in their last eight games including shut-outs in their last two.

    Only De Bruyne (nine) has registered more league assists than Everton’s Alex Iwobi’s five this term, creating an average of 1.72 chances per 90 minutes.

    Chelsea vs Arsenal (Sunday, 12pm, BT Sport 1)

    Arsenal continue to sit pretty at the top of the Premier League but they know a trip to London rivals Chelsea will be no easy task.

    The North London side have enjoyed recent trips to Stamford Bridge, though, winning the last two top-flight meetings — as many as they had in the previous 16.

    But Blues boss Graham Potter seems to have Arsenal under his spell, having masterminded victory in three of his six games against them — against no side in the division has he won more often.

    Former Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be looking to torment his old club. The Gabonese striker can become just the second Premier League player to score for both sides in this fixture after Cesc Fabregas.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in line to face former boss Mikel Arteta for the first time on Sunday
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in line to face former boss Mikel Arteta for the first time on Sunday

    Aston Villa vs Manchester United (Sunday, 2pm)

    Unai Emery has a challenging first game as Aston Villa boss as Manchester United arrive on a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

    If he does engineer three points, he will end the hosts’ run of 23 home league matches without a win against United.

    Villa won four points off the Red Devils last term but they will have to watch out for United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored more goals (eight) against them than any other Premier League team.

    Southampton vs Newcastle (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports)

    Newcastle continue to ride the crest of a wave as they head into Sunday’s trip to Southampton occupying fourth spot in the table.

    The Magpies have won five of their last six games, in stark contrast to the form of the Saints, who have just a single victory in eight outings.

    Only Chelsea (11) have had more different goalscorers than Eddie Howe’s men (10) this term, while only Brighton (seven) and Arsenal (10) have made fewer changes to their starting XI (17).

    Miguel Almiron is in particularly sensational form after netting six goals in his last six games, including all of his last three. He can become the first non-Englishman since Papiss Demba Cisse to score in four consecutive games for the Tynesiders.

    Miguel Almiron has been in fine form for Newcastle
    Miguel Almiron has been in fine form for Newcastle

    West Ham vs Crystal Palace (Sunday, 2pm)

    Three days after topping their Europa Conference League group with six wins from six, West Ham host fellow London side Crystal Palace.

    The Hammers are unbeaten in their last four against Palace and are aiming for consecutive victories against them for the first time since January 2017.

    Current form points to another success for David Moyes’ men, who have won their last three Premier League home outings. In contrast, the Eagles are winless in seven top-flight away trips.

    Michail Antonio has been involved in 15 goals in his last 19 London derbies, while all nine of Odsonne Edouard’s Palace goals have come in the English capital (eight at Selhurst Park, one at the Emirates).

    Tottenham vs Liverpool (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports)

    Rounding off the weekend is a mouth-watering clash between third-placed Tottenham and inconsistent Liverpool.

    Spurs have won just one of their last 21 matches against the Reds and have failed to emerge victorious from any of the 10 most recent meetings.

    This is the first time Spurs face the Merseysiders above them in the table since December 2020, with Jurgen Klopp’s men winning 2-1 at Anfield on that occasion.

    Starting slowly has been an issue for both sides this term but particularly for the visitors, who have conceded the first goal in eight of their 12 league games — behind only Southampton and West Ham (both nine).

    Source: Livescore

  • City condemn ‘vile’ racist abuse towards Lewis by Sevilla supporters

    Manchester City have condemned “vile” racist abuse from Sevilla fans towards Rico Lewis during Wednesday’s Champions League clash, stating “we will not tolerate any discrimination”.

    The 17-year-old Lewis’s memorable Champions League debut at Etihad Stadium was marred by racist abuse after City confirmed two arrests had been made amid a continued club and police investigation.

    “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Rico Lewis was subject to from Sevilla supporters at yesterday’s match,” a club statement read on Thursday.

    “We understand that two arrests have been made and are continuing to work with Sevilla and GMP [Greater Manchester Police] to investigate this matter.

    “We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind at our stadium and will be offering our full support to Rico following these vile incidents.”

    Sevilla said disciplinary action will be taken should the two culprits be proven guilty.

    “Sevilla strongly condemn the behaviour of two fans in the away section of Manchester City’s stadium, who were identified and accused of allegedly behaving in a racist manner towards Manchester City player Rico Lewis,” a statement from the LaLiga said.

    “Sevilla are awaiting official confirmation of these facts, of which they have been made aware by Manchester City, and if these are proven, the two fans will be removed from the list of members.

    “Sevilla would like to point out that there have never been any racist or xenophobic episodes at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium and that its fans have always been committed to the fight against racism.”

    Lewis scored the equaliser in the comeback 3-1 victory over Sevilla and became the youngest player in history to score on his Champions League debut.

    Source: Livescore

  • Pep lauds record-breaking Lewis as City’s young guns down Sevilla

    Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s record-breaker Rico Lewis after he became the youngest player to score on his first Champions League start in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Sevilla.

    A much-changed City team initially fell behind to Rafa Mir’s header in their final Group G fixture, but at the age of 17 years and 346 days old, Lewis hammered home to beat Karim Benzema’s 2005 record and level the scores.

    Lewis’ effort kick-started a City comeback, as Julian Alvarez put Guardiola’s team in the ascendancy before teeing up Riyad Mahrez to complete the scoring late on.

    Speaking to BT Sport after the victory, Guardiola credited Lewis for his intelligence and said City’s win showed the future is bright at the Etihad Stadium.

    “What a goal, he’s a fantastic player. He’s so intelligent,” Guardiola said of the right-back. “Apart from the skills, he’s so intelligent, so clever.

    “He understands everything. He made a fantastic goal, high past the goalkeeper, and played really well.

    “We have a young squad, we have some older players but it’s a young squad. Julian is young but top-class, and Rico, and of course, Sergio [Gomez].

    “They played in the Champions League against Sevilla, an experienced team, and for prestige, money, everything, it was important.”

    Lewis’ goal came on the day he became just the fifth Englishman to start a Champions League game before turning 18, after Jack Wilshere, Josh McEachran, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham.

    His strong all-round performance also earned him praise from City defender Ruben Dias, who told BT Sport: “He’s an enormous talent. He’s been with us a long time.

    “For him to get the opportunity of playing practically the full game and to score, you can see his quality. Brilliant things from him, he just needs to keep working.

    “At this club it doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly, the Champions League final, or a game in the groups with everything done. We need to push each other, the same as in training.

    “It was one of those games, everything is settled in the group, it’s a game in which you need to perform because the rhythm is going with non-stop games.”

    Source:livescore.com

  • Osimhen, Partey and Mane: What did you miss this weekend?

    In Bayern Munich’s 6-2 thumping of Mainz on Saturday, Sadio Mane continued his recent strong play with possibly his greatest performance.

    When he scored a hat-trick in Napoli’s 4-0 victory over Sassuolo, Victor Osimhen in Italy’s top division, he matched achievements from both seasons.

    In this article, GOAL’s Seye Omidiora selects a few obscure statistics from this week that you might have missed and explains what they represent for the top talents in Africa.

    Kelechi Iheanacho

    Iheanacho did not start Leicester City’s 1-0 defeat by old side Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime but had a decent impact off the bench.

    The forward shot at goal twice in 20 minutes of action, outdoing Jamie Vardy who managed no efforts in 70 minutes on the pitch.

    Patson Daka, also introduced with 20 minutes to play, outshot Vardy despite limited game time as the Foxes went for broke in the final quarter of the game.

    Ademola Lookman

    Atalanta returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win at Empoli with Lookman finding the back of the net in La Dea’s fifth away victory this term.

    The attacker has now netted more league goals than he did in 2020-21 (four) and is now one goal from matching last term’s tally (six) with Leicester City.

    In this form, the Bergamaschi will believe Lookman will surpass his previous best in England’s top flight.

    Sadio Mane
    The Bayern forward scored and assisted two in a 6-2 success over Mainz over the weekend, a result that saw Julian Nagelsmann’s crew maintain second spot on the Bundesliga table.

    It was probably Mane’s finest game for FC Hollywood since signing from Liverpool, with his raw and underlying numbers blowing previous games out of the water.

    Mane was involved in nine shot-creating actions, higher than his previous best (six), three goal-creating actions (previous best was one) and his expected assists (xA) of 0.8 bettered his xA from September’s draw with Union Berlin (0.2).

    After a mixed start, is the Senegal international returning to his best?

    Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

    In the same game, Choupo-Moting scored and assisted to take his tally to three goals and two assists in seven appearances (three starts).

    The Cameroon international is now a goal behind last season’s Bundesliga return and has matched three goals scored from his first season in Bavaria.

    Nagelsmann was seemingly against playing a natural centre-forward earlier in the season but Choupo-Moting’s recent run has brought about a slight change in approach by the Bayern boss.

    Thomas Partey

    Partey’s curled effort past Dean Henderson in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest was his second goal of the campaign in a matter of weeks, following his goal in the North London derby success over Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the month.

    The Ghana international’s strikes this term have both come from outside the box, signalling his threat from long-range to Arsenal’s opponents.

    Interestingly, both of Partey’s Premier League goals last season were netted from inside the box and he has now matched that with two scorchers from distance in 2022-23. Balance.

    Victor Osimhen

    A stunning hat-trick in Napoli’s 4-0 hammering of Sassuolo not only took Osimhen to the summit of the goalscoring standings but means the Nigerian has now netted in three successive Serie A games for the third time.

    The Super Eagle netted in four straight league games in 2020-21, scored in three games on the trot last season and has hit the back of the net in his last three domestic appearances this term.

    Osimhen could match his scoring streak from his debut campaign if he scores in the Partenopei’s next Serie A outing with high-flying Atalanta.

  • Man City to assess Haaland fitness ahead of Leicester clash

    Manchester City will assess Erling Haaland ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester after his half-time withdrawal against Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

    Haaland’s return to the Signal Iduna Park was ended prematurely on Wednesday due to a fever and a knock.

    City travel to face the Foxes in Saturday’s early kick-off for a game that gives them the chance to put pressure on Arsenal, who host Nottingham Forest on Sunday, by leapfrogging them at the top of the table.

    But it is still unclear whether they will have Haaland at their disposal.

    Speaking at a press conference ahead of the visit to the King Power Stadium, Pep Guardiola said of his star striker: “He feels better but we will train this afternoon [Friday] and we will assess in a few hours.

    “We will see how he is feeling and then we will decide.”

    Haaland has made a blistering start to life in the Premier League following his move from Dortmund.

    He has scored 17 goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season, already the joint-second most by a Norwegian player in a single campaign (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 18 in 1996-97). His goals have been worth 11 points, the most for a City player in a single campaign since Raheem Sterling in 2017-18 (also 11).

    Should he be unable to feature against Leicester, Julian Alvarez would likely take his place at the heart of the attack.

    The 22-year-old has scored twice in nine league games for City, of which he has started just one.

    Despite his limited time in the XI, Guardiola has complete faith in Alvarez’s ability to fill the void.

    “If Haaland doesn’t play, then Alvarez is the natural first option to replace him. I don’t judge Julian on how many goals he has scored,” added Guardiola.

    “Play 90 minutes every game and he will score goals, maybe not like Erling, but he will score goals.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Phillips and Walker ‘optimistic’ over World Cup hopes

    Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker are “optimistic” they can feature for England at the World Cup but are unlikely to play for Manchester City beforehand.

    Phillips has played just one Premier League game for City since joining from Leeds United owing to a shoulder injury.

    Walker, meanwhile, has not played since the October 2 win over Manchester United because of a groin issue on which he underwent surgery, giving England a problem at the right-back position, which has come under great scrutiny in the lead-up to the tournament.

    England play their first game in Qatar against Iran on November 21.

    Asked about Phillips and Walker, City manager Pep Guardiola said at a press conference ahead of their game with Leicester City: “They are not ready for Leicester.

    “I think they are getting better, Kalvin especially, but they are out. Until after World Cup, they will not be ready [to play for City].”

    On Phillips, he added: “He feels really well, his mobility in his shoulder is perfect. He has to avoid contact with his team-mates at the moment.

    “We are surprised how quick his development [has been]. If he’s fit and I believe he can play and he’s ready, maybe he can take minutes but I don’t know right now.

    England manager Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad for the World Cup will be announced on November 10.

    “They are positive, optimistic,” said Guardiola. “They are in touch with Gareth. I don’t know, hopefully they can be ready to be selected.”

    Source: Livescore

     

     

  • Ian Evatt heaps praise on Leeds United midfielder Darko Gyabi

    Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has eulogized Ghanaian midfielder Darko Gyasi who had an impressive game for Leeds United U-21 team despite defeat.

    The midfielder featured when Leeds United U-21 team suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bolton last weekend.

    Despite the defeat, the Ghanaian put up a splendid performance and has therefore earned plaudit from the Bolton manager.

    “The boy who was involved in the Kalvin Phillips transfer to Manchester City [Darko Gyabi] was also very impressive in midfield. They have spent a lot of money on that team and some of them are way out of our price range, but you take admiring glances at young players learning and developing. I thought the way they came and tried to implement their game plan on us was very good.

    “I said to the lads today, the disappointment on their coaching staff and players’ faces yesterday like they expected to win – it’s no bad thing really. They have obviously got into a habit of winning; they have been performing really well.”

    Source: Footballghana

  • Arteta will ‘always be grateful’ to Guardiola despite growing rivalry

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta “will always be grateful” to Pep Guardiola for the time they spent together at Manchester City.

    Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant for three years before taking the top job at Arsenal in 2019.

    The duo now find themselves going head-to-head at the top of the Premier League, with the Gunners leading the way, one place ahead of chasing champions City.

    Arsenal travel to Southampton on Sunday looking to restore their four-point advantage following City’s 3-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

    Speaking ahead of the game at St Mary’s, Arteta expressed his gratitude for his time at City and the things he learned working under Guardiola.

    “I learned a lot about being at the top from Pep,” he said. “The standards that are set at the club are not only to win, but to win in a certain way every three days, and be extremely demanding and critical, and at the same time supportive, so it’s a good mixture.

    “It was incredible to be part of that team and the evolution and how that team was built. I will always be grateful.”

    The Spanish pair still speak regularly, but Arteta revealed: “Obviously we are not going to be talking about things related to our teams but of course we can speak about football as we did in the past and that’s not going to change.”

    Arsenal have surprised many with their impressive start to the campaign, following up throwing away Champions League qualification at the end of last season to start this one with nine wins from 10 Premier League games.

    They head to the south coast having won their last eight in all competitions, and Arteta explained how he manages to stay relaxed about everything.

    “First of all, I try to sleep well. Rest is really important,” he said. “I try to look after my diet as much as I can. I don’t exercise as much as I should do, I have to be very critical of myself in that sense.

    “And then I have to keep a clear mind and to do that, spending time with my loved ones is something that really helps me, my wife, my children. And really thinking, meditation, something like that helps you.”
    Source: Livescore

  • Guardiola insists De Bruyne isn’t ‘playing at his top level’

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants more from Kevin De Bruyne who he says is not playing at his top level despite a stunning goal in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

    The two-time Premier League Player of the Season fired in City’s third goal with a curling right-foot shot from just beyond the box to seal the points in the 75th minute.

    Since De Bruyne’s Premier League debut for City in September 2015, he has scored more goals from outside the box than any other player in the competition in this period (24).

    The goal was the 31-year-old Belgian’s second of the Premier League season while he has also contributed nine assists, yet Guardiola is expecting more.

    “He can be better. He’s not playing at his top level, not yet,” Guardiola told reporters.

    “He made a fantastic goal but he’s not playing his best. He knows. I don’t have to tell him. His dynamic still is not perfect, he knows that. I spoke with him. The goal is outstanding.

    “Thanks to him we didn’t suffer in the last 15, 20 minutes when the game was more open… Kevin made a masterclass action so we win the game.”

    Erling Haaland continued his remarkable form with a first-half double, meaning he became the first City player to score in seven consecutive home games in all competitions since Sergio Aguero in February 2018.

    The Norwegian showcased his pace and physicality to open the scoring in the 22nd minute, before emphatically converting a 43rd-minute penalty with a powerful strike.

    “I would say that [Haaland]] has the quality in bigger spaces, he can do it and in smaller spaces he can do it,” Guardiola said. “This is the reality.

    “He is fantastic. The numbers and everything, the way he kicked the penalty, the quality, he did it.”

    Haaland’s goal which made it 2-0 was City’s 600th in the Premier League under Guardiola, making him the third manager to achieve that feat behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

    Source: Livescore

  • Guardiola hopeful over Walker’s World Cup chances

    Pep Guardiola remains hopeful Kyle Walker will be fit to feature at the World Cup as he offered positive updates on fellow England internationals John Stones and Kalvin Phillips.

    Walker has not featured for Manchester City since suffering an abdominal injury in the Premier League champions’ 6-3 win over Manchester United earlier this month.

    The 32-year-old subsequently underwent surgery, leaving his chances of making the trip to Qatar in the balance and dealing Gareth Southgate another selection headache.

    Chelsea right-back Reece James also faces a race against time to make the squad, while Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in poor form this season.

    However, Walker offered hope to England supporters last week, telling BBC Radio 5 Live he was “confident” of returning to action before the tournament begins.

    Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion, Guardiola offered an update on the condition of his England trio, saying: “I haven’t spoken to the doctors about Kyle.

    “Hopefully it can happen, if he’s selected, that he can go to the World Cup.

    “John has trained for the last two days with us, tomorrow, he’s on the list. Kalvin is incredible, he’s much better as well. They are recovering very well.”

    City fell to their first defeat of the campaign against Liverpool last Sunday, but are expected to get back on track against a Brighton side yet to taste victory under new boss Roberto De Zerbi (D2 L2).

    On Saturday, De Zerbi could become the first Premier League coach to fail to win any of his first five games at the helm since Scott Parker in April 2019, but Guardiola has backed him to have a “massive” impact in the competition.

    “I’m really happy he is here, I saw the last two games he had here, and he is already playing the way he wants to play,” Guardiola added. “His impact in England will be massive in the future.

    “He was counter-cultural in his country. In Italy, they mainly play in an incredible way which gave them a lot of success as a country, but he plays a completely different way to Italy.

    “His Sassuolo team was an incredible example that no matter the quality or investment that you have, if you believe in something 100 per cent, the way your team plays, you can do it.

    “He’s a really good example for every manager. At the start, it doesn’t matter about the results, what matters is the way you believe and the way you want to see your team playing football.”

    City have won their last nine Premier League home games, scoring at least three goals in each. There have only been two longer such runs in English top-flight history, both recorded by Aston Villa (12 in 1897 and 13 in 1930-31).


    Source: Livescore

     

  • Guardiola sorry for ‘vile’ Man City chants

    Pep Guardiola has apologised after Manchester City fans sang chants referencing football stadium tragedies against Liverpool, but he does not feel the rivalry between the clubs has become “toxic”.

    City suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at Anfield on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah’s second-half goal enough to secure a 1-0 win for the Reds.

    However, the game was overshadowed by several off-pitch incidents.

    Guardiola alleged home fans threw coins at him; police said they were investigating an apparent attack on City’s team bus; and Liverpool criticised the conduct of some away supporters.

    The Reds accused City fans of singing “vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies” and vandalising the concourse with graffiti of a similar nature.

    Speaking ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion, Guardiola said those responsible did not represent City and insisted the club’s recently established rivalry with Liverpool is not out of control.

    Asked whether contests between Liverpool and City had become “toxic” on Friday, Guardiola said: “I don’t think so, [not] from our side, I’m pretty sure of that.

    “I didn’t hear the chants. If it happened, I’m so sorry. It does not represent what we are as a team or as a club if this happened.

    “We can behave perfectly and [correct] our mistakes, without a problem.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • ‘Special’ Haaland can win the Ballon d’Or, Gundogan says

    Ilkay Gundogan says his “special” Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland can be a future contender to win the Ballon d’Or.

    Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in June, Haaland has scored 20 goals in 13 appearances and become the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three consecutive home games, the last of which came against rivals Manchester United in a 6-3 thrashing.

    The 22-year-old was 10th in the 2022 Ballon d’Or rankings as Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema was named the best player in the world for the first time on Monday.

    Gundogan believes Norway international Haaland has all the attributes to land the prestigious award.

    “There is quality, everyone can see it,” Gundogan told City’s official website. “There is a lot of quality that he already brings, into our team, into his game.

    “But also, the way he is dealing with things that are important to him and the mentality, the determination he has on a match day and also in the training sessions in the locker room. I think that is something special.

    “On top of that he is humble. He knows he has to work hard to get where he is right now and to even get to better places.

    “I’m sure that all this together will just improve him more and more, not just this season but in the next few years.

    “It will make him an incredible player. He is already one, but he will just get better and I think this will increase his chances to win the Ballon d’Or.”


    Source: Livescore

  • Klopp refutes claim his comments on Man City’s ownership were xenophobic

    Jurgen Klopp has insisted his comments about Manchester City’s ownership were not in any way xenophobic.

    Last week, ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with the reigning Premier League champions at Anfield – which finished 1-0 to the Reds – Klopp claimed his side were unable to compete with City due to the financial might of their owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, which bought the club in 2008.

    City have gone from Premier League also-rans to a dominant force in English football, having won the title six times since 2012.

    Indeed, four of the last five Premier League titles have gone City’s way, with Liverpool pushing them hard in two of those seasons as well as winning the top flight themselves in 2020.

    Klopp said: “There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially.”

    This was thought to be aimed at City, Paris Saint-Germain – owned by Qatar Sports Investments – and Newcastle United, who are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

    When it was put to Klopp in a press conference that his comments were seen by some as xenophobic, the Liverpool manager replied: “I know myself. And you cannot hit with something which is miles away from my personality.

    “If I was – I cannot remember the word – like this I would hate it. I would hate myself for being like this.

    “I have said a lot of times things that were a little bit open for misunderstanding. I know that.

    “It was not intentional, just sometimes you say things and you think, ‘Oh my God, it can be interpreted like this’, but this is not one of these moments. Absolutely.

    “It started with a question [about how to compete with City] and I answered it and all the rest was made of it.

    “I know what I thought and put it in perspective and said how much I respect what they are doing, and it was still not right for some.”

    It has been reported City’s hierarchy believe Klopp’s pre-match comments increased tensions ahead of Sunday’s game on Merseyside, during which visiting fans sang chants referencing stadium disasters – later condemned by Liverpool – while Pep Guardiola claimed to have had coins thrown at him as his club said he was targeted by missiles from home supporters.

    Klopp was sent off after furiously confronting an official and is now facing a Football Association charge for his behaviour on the touchline.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Klopp ready to face Moyes on Anfield touchline as Liverpool boss finds support

    Jurgen Klopp expects to be on the Liverpool bench for the visit of West Ham on Wednesday, which is just where David Moyes wants him.

    Hammers boss Moyes said he would want a fair fight at Anfield by being pitched head to head against the Liverpool boss, who is facing a touchline ban.

    Klopp raged so hard at assistant referee Gary Beswick in Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday that he was sent off by Anthony Taylor.

    He had been furious when no foul was given against Bernardo Silva for a challenge on Mohamed Salah, after finding fault with a number of earlier decisions.

    According to Moyes, a former Everton boss, referees would do well to understand that managers “sometimes lose our heads here or there”.

    Moyes also said that Klopp had a strong argument in this case, adding: “I think if you look at the incident why he got angry, he was correct, wasn’t he?”

    Klopp indicated the disciplinary process had barely begun when he spoke in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

    For that reason, he cannot see why he would not be at pitchside for the Premier League game.

    “I think I will be there because there’s nothing really happened yet,” Klopp said. “But I don’t think something will happen…a few hours before the game.

    “I know where David is coming from. I still think I shou”This was then for me like, in Germany we would say one drop will let the bucket overflow. Does that make sense somehow? I’m not happy with my reaction, but that’s the way it was. Everybody saw it.

    “I was sitting after the game in the office of Anthony Taylor and spoke completely calm about the situations, how he saw the game and how I saw the game. It was a fair and calm discussion, but anyway that’s the situation. I got the red card, and now we wait for the process pretty much.”

    Klopp compared the rising tensions in Sunday’s game to the fiery London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham in August that finished 2-2 and ended with red cards for bosses Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.

    “No excuses,” he added. “I don’t use that as an excuse for me.”

    ld have dealt differently with the situation, which I actually do usually.

    “The whole game led to that maybe a little bit, the way it went. It was a very intense game with a lot of decisions the managers didn’t understand, on both sides.


    Source: Livescore

  • Liverpool boss Klopp gives verdict on Man City tension

    Jurgen Klopp says there is no reason for Liverpool and Manchester City to be “best friends” after tensions ignited at the weekend.

    Liverpool manager Klopp insisted he did not mean to inflame the rivalry between the clubs by referencing the wealth of Premier League champions City ahead of their game on Sunday, in which his team snatched a 1-0 win.

    “There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially,” Klopp said, two days ahead of the City clash.

    That has been widely taken as a reference to City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain, each with wealthy Middle East owners.

    City were reported to have considered the comments from Klopp to be almost xenophobic, and the Anfield tussle between the teams became an explosive affair, with Klopp sent off after snapping at assistant referee Gary Beswick.

    There was trouble in the stands, too, with Pep Guardiola pelted with coins, while a number of City fans sang offensive songs about the Hillsborough and Heysel stadium disasters.

    “I’m not sure we have to be best friends with other clubs, to be honest,” Klopp said in a press conference on Tuesday.

    “I don’t think anybody wants to be best friends with us. I never heard about that at least. It’s a completely normal competition.

    “But apart from that, it started here with a question and I answered it, and all the rest was made of it.

    “I know what I thought when I said it. I thought I had put it all in perspective and said how much I respect all that they are doing, and obviously it was still not right for some.

    “But the most important thing, as a club and as a team together with our supporters, we showed an incredible performance on Sunday.”

    Klopp added: “It’s not the first time I’ve been misunderstood.”

    He said supporters would be held to account if they stepped out of line. As well as incidents in the stadium, City complained their team bus was attacked as it left Anfield.

    “If something happens, if one guy throws a coin, it’s one fan and it’s a massive mistake, definitely, and will get punished,” Klopp said. “And after the game, if something happens, it’s one supporter or maybe two supporters and not all of them.”

    Liverpool host David Moyes’ West Ham on Wednesday, looking to back up what Klopp called a “massive” win over City, which came after a rocky start to the season for the Reds.

    They remain 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, so Klopp says the Hammers clash is another huge fixture.

    “We’re at the moment in the season when you realise from now on they’re all finals,” Klopp said. “I’m not sure you can give games more importance than we already put in. It’s very important absolutely.

    “We respect them a lot. They’ve caused us a lot of problems here and there as well. David is doing an incredible job.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Silva critical of referee over disallowed City goal at Anfield

    Bernardo Silva does not think Manchester City should have had a goal disallowed in Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool as the midfielder criticised referee Anthony Taylor for a lack of consistency.

    City suffered their first league defeat of the season as they fell to a 1-0 loss at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah scoring a brilliant second-half winner.

    Before that, Phil Foden had a goal wiped out following a VAR review, with referee Taylor urged to watch a replay on the pitchside monitor – a shirt-pull by Erling Haaland on Fabinho in the build-up led to the strike being disallowed.

    That ultimately cost the champions a point, and Silva was particularly disgruntled by Taylor’s decision given how he had refereed the game until that moment.

    He told Sky Sports: “What we expect from the referees is consistency in the decisions.

    “When you go through a path of not whistling little contacts through the whole game, you need to keep those decisions and keep going that way.

    “If you want to whistle all of them, whistle all of them, but if from the beginning of the game you are not whistling all the little fouls, and we saw in this game the referee was letting us play, which is good, it’s fine.

    “Then, if there’s a goal, you cannot whistle that soft one.

    “If you want consistency from the referee, you cannot change just because there’s a goal and just because it’s a tough decision.

    “You have to make the tough decision and keep the goal in my opinion.”

     

  • Liverpool condemn ‘vile’ chants from Man City fans

    Liverpool have condemned a group of Manchester City fans for singing “vile” chants relating to tragedies at football stadiums during Sunday’s game at Anfield.

    The Reds were 1-0 victors thanks to a Mohamed Salah goal in the second half of a thrilling match.

    But the encounter left a sour taste for Liverpool, with some City fans’ grim songs audible during the match.

    Liverpool also claim the concourse of the away end was vandalised with graffiti centred on a similar subject.

    “We are deeply disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies from the away section during today’s game at Anfield,” a Reds statement read.

    “The concourse in the away section was also vandalised with graffiti of a similar nature.

    “We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters.

    “We are working with the relevant authorities, and we will also work with Manchester City in order to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Decision to disallow Foden goal leaves Pep scratching his head

    Pep Guardiola was left confused by the decision to disallow Phil Foden’s goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.

    Foden appeared to have put the Premier League champions ahead early in the second half on Sunday, having lashed home on the rebound following Alisson’s failure to keep hold of Kevin De Bruyne’s pass.

    Yet Liverpool were infuriated by what they claimed was a foul on Fabinho from Erling Haaland in the build-up and, despite initially waving play on, referee Anthony Taylor changed his decision after consulting the pitchside monitor.

    To compound City’s frustration, Mohamed Salah raced clear in the 76th minute and, having earlier seen a golden opportunity saved by Ederson, clipped a cute finish over City’s goalkeeper to seal the spoils.

    Guardiola, though, believes referee Taylor – who let plenty of physical challenges go unpunished through the game – showed inconsistency in the decision to disallow Foden’s goal, with City’s manager seemingly suggesting the fact the match was at Anfield played into the official’s call.

    He told Sky Sports: “The referee came to the coaches and said play on, play on. There were a million fouls.

    “But after we scored a goal, he decided it is not play on. This is Anfield.”

    Of his side’s display, Guardiola had few complaints.

    “We had [enough] chances. We had some fantastic chances,” he added.

    “All the game we were brave, we played the game we should play and I don’t have any complaints or regrets over how we have done it. We had chances but not enough to [win].”

    Guardiola conceded the electric atmosphere at Anfield in the wake of Salah’s goal – a strike that moves the Egyptian ahead of Steven Gerrard into second place in Liverpool’s all-time list of Premier League scorers – made matters more difficult for City, though indicated his team had not found the occasion overwhelming prior to the deadlock being broken.

    “After the goal, yeah, it’s Anfield,” Guardiola said. “Before the goal, it was OK.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • ‘Manager inquiry needed’ to curtail referee abuse

    Jurgen Klopp‘s reaction to the assistant referee in Liverpool’s win over Manchester City earned him a red card

    A leading referees’ charity has called for an inquiry into the touchline behaviour of managers after ugly scenes at several Premier League matches.

    Jurgen Klopp’s red card for berating a referee’s assistant during Liverpool’s win over Manchester City was among a number of flashpoint incidents.

    It came on a weekend where Merseyside Youth League games were postponedexternal-link amid ongoing issues with referee abuse.

    “People mimic what they see on TV,” said Ref Support UK CEO Martin Cassidy.

    “For years, we have said the dissension towards referees comes from the top down as well as the bottom up.

    “When you see world recognised figures like Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola behaving like that, it is then replicated by people in youth football and perpetuates the idea that it is OK to do it.”

      Why I love being a referee and won’t quitFA issued 380 bans for grassroots official attacks last season

    Klopp apologised in his post-match comments but insisted his behaviour had been borne out of frustration at what he saw as the officials’ failure to award Liverpool a free-kick for a challenge on Mohamed Salah.

    “Something snapped in that situation, I’m not proud of that – I deserved a red card, and the way I looked in this moment is not right,” the German, 55, admitted.

    However, Cassidy, a Liverpool fan, said apologies would not suffice and that the League Managers Association must encourage its members to behave more respectfully.

    “As far as I’m aware, the LMA has never put out a statement condemning this behaviour – is there a code of conduct? They have to take responsibility,” he said.

    “The time has come to have some form of inquiry into the behaviour of people on the touchline – it goes on and on and I don’t think people understand the ramifications it has at grassroots level.”

    BBC Sport has approached the LMA for comment.

    View more on twitter

    While Klopp’s tirade towards the official running the line at Anfield was the highest-profile instance of dissent, it was by no means alone on a day packed with controversy.

    His counterpart Pep Guardiola confronted Anthony Taylor when the referee, invited to consult his pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee, disallowed a City goal for a foul by Erling Haaland.

    United players, led by Bruno Fernandes, remonstrate with referee Craig Pawson during the draw with Newcastle

    Elsewhere, Manchester United players angrily surrounded referee Craig Pawson for disallowing a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in their stalemate with Newcastle United.

    There were similar scenes from West Ham‘s players at Southampton, castigating Peter Bankes for not ruling out Saints’ opener, while Hammers boss David Moyes said the VAR needed “to go to Specsavers”.

    And Chris Kavanagh was also crowded by players from both sides at Elland Road in another game heavy on VAR intervention as Premier League leaders Arsenal beat Leeds.

    The flashpoints are pictured below – and have your say on the issue.

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Rodri confront referee Anthony Taylor during the defeat at LiverpoolAnthony Taylor makes his way through a crowd of Manchester City players and coaches to inspect the VAR monitorTV pictures showed players, managers and fans giving referee Anthony Taylor their thoughts as he watched the VAR replayReferee Craig Pawson is in the middle of a scrum of protesting Manchester United playersVirtually the entire outfield Manchester United line-up protested the decision to referee Craig PawsonUnited boss Erik ten Hag declined to comment on Pawson’s performance in his post-match press conferenceWest Ham players surround referee Peter Bankes complaining about Southampton’s opening goal in the 1-1 drawReferee Chris Kavanagh endured the ire of both teams in Leeds’ defeat by Arsenal at Elland Road…’Yellow cards for abuse the solution’ – Lineker

    BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker believes the problem of referee abuse in the professional game can be solved by the implementation of stricter punishments.

    “I think you stop that by issuing yellow cards for any form of abuse whatsoever and then make it red straight after,” Lineker, who was famously never booked during his playing career, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

    “It’ll be carnage for a few weeks, but they’ll learn like they do, like they did with kicking players, you can’t do it anymore. It would work, I’m convinced of that.”

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      Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – follow your team and sign up for notifications in the BBC Sport app to make sure you never miss a moment

    Source: bbc.com

  • Foden signs new five-year contract with Man City

    Phil Foden has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City, committing his future to the Premier League champions until June 2027.

    The England international reportedly began negotiations over fresh terms more than 12 months ago, with a change in the creator’s management delaying the finalisation of his new deal.

    However, the Stockport-born playmaker has now reached an agreement over his future, having emerged as a key part of Pep Guardiola’s team since his November 2017 debut.

    “It’s hard to put into words how happy I am to have signed this contract. It’s a dream come true,” he told the club’s official website.

    “I have been a City fan all my life. I’ve trained here for so many years and I’ve even been a ballboy. I love this club so much, so to know I am going to be a part of it until 2027 feels amazing.

    “I’ve improved a lot in recent years and so much of that is down to Pep and his staff, who guide me every single day on the training field. Working with them gives me the best chance of improving even more and becoming the best player I can be.

    “With the squad we have here, I feel I can keep learning and winning trophies. Those are the two most important things to me.”

    Foden has won four league titles and five domestic cups with City, as well as being named the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season in each of the last two campaigns.

    The 22-year-old has also started the new season in excellent form, scoring seven goals across 13 appearances in all competitions.

    That includes a hat-trick in City’s recent 6-3 drubbing of rivals Manchester United, a game where Erling Haaland also secured the match ball with a trio of goals himself.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Pep paying ‘zero attention’ to Liverpool form ahead of City’s Anfield trip

    Pep Guardiola is ignoring Liverpool’s below-par start to the Premier League season ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Anfield on Sunday, declaring: “Nothing changes what I feel about Liverpool.”

    City and Liverpool have finished as the Premier League’s top two teams in three of the last four seasons, but the Reds trail the champions by 13 points after a poor start to the new campaign.

    Liverpool’s tally of 10 points is their lowest at this stage of a season since 2012-13 (nine), and Jurgen Klopp’s team have already lost as many league games this campaign as they did throughout the entirety of last term (two).

    That form represents quite the drop-off for a side who went tantalisingly close to a stunning quadruple in 2021-22, but Guardiola believes City will still face a stern test.

    “I had the feeling at Anfield we have played really well [in the past],” Guardiola said on Friday. “It’s different circumstances, but you have to behave at a top, top level.

    “In Anfield, winning or losing, we have behaved with an incredible personality. It’s a football game, Liverpool is important because of the quality they have.

    “Liverpool were going for a prestigious achievement of four titles. For two little details, they didn’t achieve what no English team has done.

    “I pay zero attention to them being in a good moment or bad moment. They know in the last years, we have fought for most of the competitions and titles, and it’s been really close.

    “We were a bit better, especially in the Premier League, but nothing changes what I feel about Liverpool.”

    Pushed on whether Liverpool remain title contenders, Guardiola said: “Liverpool have always been our biggest challengers, and they will be now. Being in the position that we are, with the World Cup, anything can happen.”

    City have picked up four points from their last two league trips to Anfield, just one fewer than they earned in their previous 17 visits to Liverpool (D5 L12).

    Should Guardiola’s men avoid defeat on Sunday, it will represent the first time they have done so in three consecutive away league games against Liverpool since December 1992.

    City’s efforts could be hampered by the absences of England trio Kalvin Phillips, John Stones and Kyle Walker, but Guardiola says Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva are raring to go after being rested at Copenhagen on Tuesday.

    “John Stones will be back in, I don’t know, maybe one week or 10 days. Kalvin is doing really well, but Kyle is out,” Guardiola said.

    “We have a lot of games, like all the teams. Players are recovering better. Erling could not play all the games last season. Bernardo was tired, but they feel good and are ready for Sunday.”

    Haaland has only played nine Premier League games for City, but he has already broken the records for most goals (15) and goal involvements (18) in a player’s first 10 outings in the competition.

    The Norwegian is just one goal away from matching the record for most goals scored by a player across any 10-game stint in Premier League history, set by former Liverpool attacker Luis Suarez – who from October to December 2013 scored 16 goals for the Reds.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Klopp thinks City the ‘perfect fit’ for Haaland to fulfil ‘insane’ potential

    Jurgen Klopp became aware of Erling Haaland’s “insane” potential when he faced Liverpool with Salzburg, and the Reds boss believes the striker has found “a perfect fit” at Manchester City.

    Liverpool were drawn into the same Champions League group as Haaland’s Salzburg in the 2019-20 season.

    Then 19, having hit a hat-trick against Genk on his Champions League debut, Haaland netted in a 4-3 defeat at Anfield.

    The Norway international has scarcely stopped scoring since, earning moves to Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund and then City, where he has an astonishing 20 goals in 13 games in all competitions.

    Ahead of facing Haaland again on Sunday in the Premier League, Klopp was asked for his take on the dominant forward.

    “Even when he was very young, younger than he is now, you could see the potential was insane,” Klopp said.

    “Physically, he sets new standards. The combination of being really physical and technical and [having] sensational awareness, his orientation on the pitch is exceptional, he is barely offside, he resets really well – there are so many things that make him a striker.

    “Now, at City, he has some of the best players around him in the world in setting up goals and finding the right moment for the passes, with Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, [Riyad] Mahrez, whoever. They all are really good at that.

    “It’s a perfect fit, there is no doubt about that.”

    Asked how Haaland might compare to other elite forwards, with Robert Lewandowski name-checked as a player Klopp worked with previously, the Liverpool manager said: “For Erling, I think it’s that he combines so many things, and it’s rare.

    “His finishing skills are exceptional, but he also moves really smart. You can only use the speed if you use it in a smart way, because just running is not helpful if you forget the ball or whatever. Especially behind the line, you need to make sure that you are patient enough in not being offside.

    “The package makes him special.”

    So, do Liverpool have any special plans for dealing with Haaland? That is tricky, Klopp said, when he plays for a side as good as City.

    “When you play against, at the moment, the best striker in the world, you have to make sure he doesn’t get that many balls,” Klopp explained.

    “That’s what we will try, but against City, obviously the problem is if you close Haaland down with too many players then you open up gaps for all the other world-class players, so that will not make life easier.

    “It’s a challenge, a football problem. We will try to find solutions.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Klopp says Liverpool-City could be title decider but rules out Reds

    Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool will experience a familiar rush heading into Sunday’s clash with Manchester City, despite writing off their Premier League title chances.

    Klopp has openly dismissed the possibility of the Reds contending for top spot this term, having already slipped 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and 13 adrift of champions City.

    Liverpool have regularly been City’s closest challengers in recent seasons, twice taking them to the final day and winning the title themselves in 2019-20.

    As such, matches between the two teams have made for compelling viewing, with the championship seemingly on the line.

    Yet Klopp, while acknowledging his side will not be celebrating come May, suggests the title element could still be relevant this weekend as Liverpool welcome City – “definitely the best football team in the world” – to Anfield.

    “It could be [a title decider] this year… just not with us,” Klopp said.

    “When you play City, the results left and right are not really important. This game requires all your focus, requires all the things you know about football.

    “I enjoy preparing the game really, but it’s the biggest challenge you can face in football.

    “Football is all about closing down spaces, closing down players, making challenges in the right areas, these kind of things. With City, it’s always: if you close down here, they are there; if you close down that gap, you open up that gap. The pitch is so big, and we have only 10 players to close all the gaps.

    “It’s always a challenge. It’s not that we now feel different; it’s a home game, it’s Anfield, it’s us against Man City.

    “They are, at the moment, definitely the best football team in the world, that’s how it is. But we will give it a try anyway, knowing there are no guarantees. We get help from a full Anfield and we try to use that.”

    Liverpool come into the match on a high after winning 7-1 against Rangers in the Champions League.

    That was an encouraging result and performance for Klopp, but having also beaten Bournemouth 9-0 this season before again struggling, he added a joke at his team’s expense.

    “It’s helpful when these boys at least still know where the goal is,” he said. “We just need to spread the goals a bit more to different games.

    “We should not focus on one, then nine, then seven, then nil. We know that.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Guardiola faces Man City contract extension talk ahead of Liverpool clash

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is “not thinking one second” over a potential contract extension as his team prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

    Having joined City in 2016 and led them to four of the last five Premier League titles, Guardiola’s side once again look favourites to win the league.

    They are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Premier League this season and are kept off the top spot by just Arsenal.

    But with Guardiola’s current set to expire at the end of the 2022-23 season, there are fears he may depart in similar fashion to the sabbatical period he took when leaving Barcelona in 2012 if a new agreement is not made.

    However, Guardiola says he is not even considering his contract situation yet.

    “You know I am not thinking one second about that,” he said.

    “We have two or three weeks until the World Cup and this is an important time. After that, we have plenty of time to talk about that.”

    Sunday’s fixture sees City face their closest competitors over the past couple of years, with the Citizens and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool finishing as the top two in three of the past five campaigns.

    After finishing as runners-up in both the Premier League and Champions League last term, Liverpool have struggled at the beginning of this season, winning just two of their eight league games and already finding themselves 13 points behind City and 14 behind leaders Arsenal.

    Liverpool’s star forward Mohamed Salah has faced particular criticism for his poor start, but Guardiola believes the Egypt international will come good.

    “These type of players always score goals in their career,” Guardiola added. “Sometimes they struggle a little bit, but the quality is there.

    “They get chances, they convert it. We played many times against Liverpool. Just because Salah isn’t scoring goals now doesn’t mean he’s not going to score.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Premier League Matchday 11: Liverpool and Man City meet in clash of the titans

    The best two sides of recent Premier League seasons do battle on Sunday afternoon when Manchester City travel to Liverpool.

    But before they bring the curtain down on the footballing weekend, there are plenty of tasty clashes elsewhere.

    Manchester United meet Newcastle, leaders Arsenal are at Leeds and we have every game previewed.

    Brentford vs Brighton (Friday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

    Brentford host Brighton hoping their impressive Friday night record ends their eight-year wait for a home win over the Seagulls.

    The Bees have not lost on a Friday in nine attempts and secured victories against both Arsenal and Watford last term, but they have only beaten the Seagulls once at home in their last seven meetings.

    They also enter this game after a club record 5-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle and are looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since February.

    Brighton were beaten by Tottenham last time out but have won eight and drawn three of their past 13 games.

    Leicester vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport 1)

    Brendan Rodgers is under increasing pressure at Leicester, who face Crystal Palace on Saturday
    Brendan Rodgers is under increasing pressure at Leicester, who face Crystal Palace on Saturday

    Brendan Rodgers continues to hang on to his job at Leicester and will know anything other than a win against Crystal Palace could see him axed.

    The bottom-placed Foxes lost at Bournemouth last time out and their 24 goals conceded through nine games is the joint-worst in their history.

    They have already lost four times this term when scoring first and the fact both of Palace’s league wins have come from 1-0 down will worry Rodgers.

    The Eagles picked up a much-needed three points at home to Leeds last Sunday and will want to end their run of three consecutive defeats at the King Power Stadium.

    Fulham vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)

    Among the favourites for relegation before a ball was kicked, Fulham and Bournemouth head into this game in the top half of the table.

    But the Cottagers will be keen to avoid a third successive defeat and beat the Cherries for just the second time in 11 meetings.

    In fact, not since April 1992 have Bournemouth lost at Craven Cottage, though they have been defeated in seven of their past eight top-flight games in London.

    After netting in both games against Fulham in the Championship last term, Dominic Solanke is one away from his 50th goal in English league football.

    Wolves vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 3pm)

    A battle of two expensively assembled but struggling squads takes place as Wolves welcome Nottingham Forest to Molineux.

    It is the first time since March 1984 that the two sides have met in the top tier, though both sit in the relegation zone after nine games.

    Wolves have netted just three times in the league this term and have already drawn 0-0 with the other two promoted sides Fulham and Bournemouth.

    Forest, meanwhile, have lost three of their four away league games this term, including the last two by an aggregate of 10-0.

    Tottenham vs Everton (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

    Richarlison is still looking for his first Premier League goal for Tottenham
    Richarlison is still looking for his first Premier League goal for Tottenham

    Tottenham are aiming for a 10th successive home victory when Everton make the trip to the capital.

    Spurs also have an imperious record against the Toffees, losing only one of their past 19 meetings (nine wins, nine draws).

    Frank Lampard’s Toffees were on a seven-game unbeaten run before losing to Manchester United last Sunday, though they did win their last away game at Southampton.

    It will mark Richarlison’s first game against his former side after he scored 53 goals in 152 matches for them.

    Aston Villa vs Chelsea (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports)

    Boyhood Aston Villa fan Graham Potter takes Chelsea to Villa Park looking to continue his strong start to life as the Blues boss.

    The West Londoners have won four consecutive games and are eyeing back-to-back clean sheets in the top flight for the first time since March after beating Wolves 3-0 last weekend.

    Villa have only beaten Chelsea once in their past 11 meetings and are struggling with boss Steven Gerrard under increasing scrutiny.

    Only Wolves (three) have netted fewer times than Gerrard’s side (four) and despite a four-game unbeaten run, fans who witnessed Monday’s tepid 1-1 draw at Forest on Monday were calling for him to go.

    Leeds vs Arsenal (Sunday, 2pm)

    Arsenal will look for their 12th win in 13 games when they visit Leeds on Sunday
    Arsenal will look for their 12th win in 13 games when they visit Leeds on Sunday

    Early season pacesetters Arsenal travel north to Leeds looking to maintain their spot at the top of the Premier League.

    Victory at Elland Road would mean the Gunners win nine of their opening 10 league games for the first time since the 1903-04 season.

    In fact, the past four teams to have achieved this feat have all gone on to win the league, with Liverpool being the most recent in the 2019-20 campaign.

    But Leeds are unbeaten at Elland Road with three wins and two draws this season, though they are on a five-game winless run.

    Manchester United vs Newcastle (Sunday, 2pm)

    After smashing four past Fulham and five past Brentford, Newcastle go on the hunt for a first victory at Manchester United in nine years.

    In fact, the Magpies have only won on one of their past 37 league trips to United and have conceded more Premier League goals against them than any other opponent (113).

    The Red Devils have netted three or more goals in each of their past five home games with Newcastle, only against Luton between 1899 and 1957 have they managed that feat in six consecutive games.

    Under Erik ten Hag, the hosts have turned their league form around with five wins in six games, as many as they had managed in their previous 18.

    Southampton vs West Ham (Sunday, 2pm)

    Struggling Southampton are out to avoid a fifth successive defeat when West Ham visit the South Coast.

    Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints are on a seemingly unstoppable downward spiral with just two wins in their past 15 league games and two in their last 10 at home.

    Despite losing 3-1 in last season’s FA Cup fifth round, the Hammers have enjoyed recent league trips to St Mary’s, taking eight points from their past four away meetings.

    After netting against Wolves and Fulham, Gianluca Scamacca will be the first Italian to score in three Premier League games in a row since Manolo Gabbiadini did it for Southampton in 2017.

    Gianluca Scamacca is looking for a third goal in three Premier League games
    Gianluca Scamacca is looking for a third goal in three Premier League games

    Liverpool vs Manchester City (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports)

    Perennial challengers Liverpool face Manchester City knowing defeat would leave them 16 points off the champions and their title hopes in tatters.

    The Reds are enduring their worst start to a campaign since 2012-13 with just 10 points from their opening eight games.

    And Jurgen Klopp’s side are winless in their past five league meetings with City, but secured 3-2 victories in both last season’s FA Cup semi-final and July’s Community Shield clash.

    Erling Haaland can break another record at Anfield — if he scores two goals he will beat Luis Suarez’s Premier League record for most goals in a 10-game period, set back in December 2013.

    Source: Livescore

  • Haaland’s form speaks for itself but Bobby could be decisive for Liverpool

    Roberto Firmino was not supposed to be Liverpool’s go-to man this season. If widespread reports were anything to go by, Firmino himself did not even envisage himself being at Anfield this campaign.

    And yet here we are, midway through October, and no Liverpool player – not even the £350,000-a-week Mohamed Salah, despite his record-breaking six-minute hat-trick against Rangers – has played a part in more goals in all competitions this season than Firmino’s eight.

    Far from being the odd man out following the arrivals of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez this year, Firmino has regularly stepped up for the Reds this season and is surely in contention to start Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Manchester City.

    Liverpool quite simply have to win at Anfield, where Firmino will come face-to-face with Europe’s hottest striker in Erling Haaland, a player boasting 20 goals – six more than anyone else in Europe’s top-five leagues – from his 13 appearances for City and feeling refreshed after a midweek rest.

    Ahead of the meeting between the Premier League’s two most dominant forces over the past four seasons, we look at Firmino’s figures in more detail and just why he may hold the key to Liverpool getting the better of the champions.

    KLOPP’S FAITH PAYS OFF

    Amid all the noise surrounding Firmino’s future heading into the 2022-23 campaign, with Juventus said to be in advanced talks to sign him, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp branded the forward “the heart and soul” of the team.

    No wonder the German thinks so highly of the 31-year-old, with no Liverpool player playing more games (332), featuring for more minutes (23,899) or registering more assists (70) during Klopp’s seven years in charge.

    The arrivals of Diaz and Nunez, plus the impressive form of Diogo Jota, looked as though it would curtail Firmino’s playing time, but he started three of Liverpool’s opening four matches of the campaign, including the Community Shield win over City.

    Firmino failed to register a single goal or assist in any of those matches, yet he retained the faith of Klopp – albeit helped by Jota being injured and Nunez suspended – and truly kick-started his campaign in the 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth at the end of August.

    In that game, a joint-record winning margin for a side in Premier League history, Firmino became the first Liverpool player to be directly involved in four goals in the first half of a match in the competition en route to scoring two and assisting three. If a reminder was needed of Firmino’s qualities, this was very much it.

    An important equaliser followed in Liverpool’s next match, a late 2-1 win over Newcastle United; two goals to drag Liverpool back from two goals down in a 3-3 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion; another equaliser, this time in defeat to Arsenal; and then another two-goal and an assist showing in the 7-1 midweek Champions League rout of Rangers.

    Those 12 goals and assists in all competitions is level with Salah’s tally for the season, and double that of next-best Diaz, who has started three games more than the Brazil international. Per minute, no Liverpool player is performing better this season in an attacking sense.

    FIRMINO THE FOCAL POINT

    Perhaps most remarkable of all as focus turns to Liverpool’s meeting with City, Firmino is only one goal short of Haaland’s tally for October (five goals compared to six). Across clubs from Europe’s top-five leagues, when taking all competitions into account, Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder is the only other player with five or more goals this month.

    Firmino’s five goals have come from an expected goals (xG) value of 1.43, incidentally, compared to six from an xG of 3.03 for Haaland – a difference of 3.57 and 2.97 respectively, suggesting the quality of Firmino’s chances have been lower than those teed up for Haaland.

    That is not to say Firmino is in the same league as Haaland right now – who is? – but on a personal level this is by some way his best start to a campaign for Liverpool. His eight goals after 11 games is at least two more than he has managed in his previous seven seasons at Anfield, while only in 2019-20 has he had more assists than his four this term.

    But exactly why is that? Playing against a Bournemouth side unable to defend any balls into the box has admittedly skewed the figures somewhat, though it is clear to see that Firmino’s game has also changed this season compared to last.

    Just under 11 per cent of his touches of the ball in the Premier League this season have come within the width of the goal inside the penalty area, which is an increase on a figure of six per cent last time out. It was further back last season, and more towards the right, that he more occasionally touched the ball.

    Indeed, all eight of his goals this season have come from that central zone inside the box – one via his head, three with his left foot and four with his right.

    Another interesting aspect of Firmino’s game this season has been his movement, or more specifically his off-the-ball runs into the penalty area. He has made 89 of them in the Premier League in his 468 minutes on the field, which is the most per 90 minutes (17.1) of any player, followed by Haaland (14.1).

    That may well be a tactic Liverpool will aim to take full advantage of against City, a side in which Firmino has scored or assisted against seven times in 14 top-flight appearances – only versus Arsenal (13 combined) does he have a better record against among top-five clubs.

    So while plenty of the build-up to Sunday’s showdown will – justifiably – be centred around Haaland and his remarkable scoring run, Liverpool will have born-again Bobby to call upon in a game they simply must win if they are to keep alive any hopes of challenging for the title.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • ‘Dangerous’ Haaland compared to Messi and Ronaldo by City legend Aguero

    Sergio Aguero has compared Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland to the likes of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo Nazario, backing the Norwegian to continue breaking records with Pep Guardiola’s team.

    Haaland has scored 20 goals in just 13 appearances since joining City from Borussia Dortmund, sending records tumbling during an incredible start to life in England.

    The 22-year-old set a new Premier League record in August by scoring nine times in his first five outings, and he became the first player to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home games in the competition by starring in a 6-3 win over Manchester United this month.

    Haaland’s spectacular start in Manchester has earned him lofty praise from City legend Aguero, who has compared him to two South American greats.

    “There’s been many strikers worthy of awe I can think of,” Aguero told Stake.com. “One of my favourites was Ronaldo Nazario, who time and time again proved to be the full package as a player, and a menace before the goalposts.

    “Each era usually has two or three players with that ability – and usually with different styles.

    “Diego [Maradona], Romario, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, and Leo, of course! Each had their own flair, but they were all tremendous scorers to a fault.

    “Speaking of Haaland specifically, he’s got potency, athleticism, and a particular instinct for goals, which makes him very dangerous.

    He’s got everything to keep racking up amazing stats, especially being part of an offensively-minded team like City. That in turn means plenty of opportunities to score.

    “He’s young and has a lot of potential to continue breaking records. Key to this, of course, will be consistency.”

    Aguero – City’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals for the club in all competitions – believes Haaland, supported by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, is the ideal man to lead the club into a new era.

    “When I left City, I shared how proud I was to have been part of a generation of players that made it one of the top clubs in the world,” he added.

    “That was a re-foundational period, with many big changes, that allowed City to become a force to be reckoned with.

    “I also said it’d be up to a new generation to maintain this status and reach new heights. I think this new team is ready for that.

    “Kevin [De Bruyne] has an amazing record as a player, Haaland is on the right path. But it’s not just the two of them. Phil Foden – my own favourite, Bernardo [Silva], [Ilkay] Gundogan, Rodri, [Aymeric] Laporte… each of their contributions make the team stronger.”

  • Klopp hopes Salah close to ‘exploding’ into form but sees Haaland comparisons as unfair

    Jurgen Klopp hopes Mohamed Salah is close to “exploding” into a rich vein of goalscoring form, but believes comparisons with Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland are unfair.

    Salah shared the Premier League’s Golden Boot with Son Heung-min after scoring 23 goals in the competition last term, but has only found the net twice in seven outings this season.

    The Egyptian’s diminishing returns have mirrored those of his team, with Liverpool sitting 13 points behind City – with a game in hand – ahead of Sunday’s trip to Arsenal.

    Haaland’s arrival has taken City to new heights this campaign, with the Norwegian hitting 15 goals in his first nine Premier League games, and Klopp believes any comparisons with Salah would be unhelpful.

    “With Mo, I hope it’s like us, we are close to exploding,” Klopp said. “Whose season was it yet? From our side, nobody.

    “Mo is like this, even when his goalscoring numbers aren’t crazy, often he’s involved, it’s just the problem that if you don’t score around that, nobody appreciates that.

    “Nobody in the world can cope with the [Erling] Haaland situation, it’s crazy what he’s doing.

    “He’s an exceptional player in an exceptional team and I don’t think we should compare anyone with that at the moment.

    “Mo wants to score goals desperately, 100 per cent, that will never change. Call him in 20 years, it will be the same.”

    Liverpool approach their trip to the Emirates Stadium having recorded two draws and one defeat in their first three away outings of the Premier League campaign.

    Not since 2010-11, under Roy Hodgson, have Liverpool failed to win any of their first four away league games in a single season.

    Meanwhile, Saturday represented the seventh anniversary of Klopp’s appointment at Liverpool, and the German left each of his two previous posts – at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund – before bringing up an eighth year at the helm.

    Klopp, however, insisted Liverpool’s struggles have nothing in common with those of his former clubs, saying: “The situation in the clubs was very different.

    “A seven-year spell was not planned or because I lost energy or these things. I was manager at Mainz and after three years, we got promoted to the Bundesliga then three years later we got relegated.

    “We tried one more year and the club needed a change. Players left us for the Bundesliga, so they needed a fresh start, definitely.

    “I was full of energy. I went directly to Dortmund and it was all fine. [It was] seven years and it was just a situation that players constantly got bought by other clubs.

    “It was a really hard job to do, instead of developing a team, constantly making two steps back. It was really intense and really exhausting.

    “I can understand that I left after seven years, and now we are in a difficult situation, but, if you think twice about it, you realise the situation is completely different.

    “Being here for seven years is intense, no doubt about it. But it’s nice as well, I got so many things back. If there’s one club that has a chance to go through it together, it’s us.”

    Source: Livescore

     

     

  • Guardiola could serve up a Gundo-ban over wife’s grub grumble

    Pep Guardiola is ready to freeze Ilkay Gundogan out of his Manchester City plans – until the captain brings his wife to eat at the manager’s top table.

    Sara Gundogan this week complained about the cuisine on offer in Manchester, saying there was “horrible food everywhere”.

    She even claimed it was a struggle to find anything fresh, suggesting restaurants were using frozen food and had an obsession with making money from selling high-priced drinks.

    The comments on Instagram made the front page of a major tabloid newspaper and did not go down well among Manchester’s restaurateurs.

    Guardiola owns an eatery in the city himself, a Spanish tapas spot.

    When asked about the remarks from the City midfielder’s wife, Guardiola initially appeared to agree with her stance, saying: “It is right.”

    Amused by the topic, he quickly changed tack to jokingly add: “I’m disappointed she still didn’t [try] my restaurant. That is what is annoying me. Gundo’s not going to play one more minute…

    “I’m going to invite her, and Gundo as well, to go to Tast. Of course they’re going to eat properly.”


    Source: Livescore

  • Guardiola rejects Messi comparison and hails Man City stars for accepting Haaland attention

    Pep Guardiola will never get sick of talking about Erling Haaland, but he insists comparisons to Lionel Messi are unwelcome.

    The Manchester City boss has promised striker Haaland a holiday during the World Cup, because Norway have not qualified, and he may need a break in any case after a breathless start to his career in England.

    Haaland has a staggering 14 goals from eight Premier League games already, and Mohamed Salah’s record of 32 goals in a 38-game season already looks under serious threat. Kevin De Bruyne was City’s top league scorer last season with 15.

    Former Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland has stayed healthy and the goals have flowed, just as City’s title rivals feared they would.

    At this rate, Haaland could finish the season with the sort of haul Messi often brought in for Barcelona during his prime years, regularly scoring more than 50 across all competitions.

    Guardiola has been fortunate to coach them both, and he was asked whether the attention foisted on Haaland was the most he has known since having Messi under his wing at Barcelona.

    “The people who compare Erling with Leo, I think we don’t help,” Guardiola said. “How many ‘new Messis’ appeared in the world of football since I started? Ten, 15?

    “Always you fail. Erling has to do his own career, his own job. He’s a different player.”

    Guardiola pointed to the number of times he is asked about Haaland. He also suggested that within other teams, such focus on a big-time player might cause unrest.

    “For me, it’s OK,” Guardiola said. “We’re fortunate that the guys who are here accept it perfectly. At other clubs, other people, would not like it.

    “Here they are delighted. We have Kevin [De Bruyne] who is an exceptional person and is happy to have him, because both know they can be better playing alongside [each other].

    “The same for all of them. We don’t have incredible players who say, ‘Why do they always talk about just him?’.

    “This is why it’s a joy to train this type of players.”

    Guardiola said he would rather Haaland was playing at the World Cup.

    “But he’s young, and he’ll have an opportunity in four years,” added the City boss. “Fans want to see the best players possible and Erling is one of them.”

    With three hat-tricks in his last three Premier League home games, capped by last week’s treble against Manchester United, Haaland is on a special streak.

    Southampton visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and while they held City to home and away draws last season, that was before Haaland arrived.

    City are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, following Tottenham’s defeat to Arsenal last week, and have won their last eight home games in the competition, scoring three or more goals each time.

    Aston Villa were the last team to have a longer run of top-flight home wins while scoring three-plus goals in each game, putting a run of 13 together between December 1930 and September 1931.

    Perhaps City will threaten that mark, if Haaland stays fit and in form. Guardiola is bewitched by his striker’s movement and how he reads play.

    “It’s just the fact there’s a deflection, and he’s there. Why does the ball finish where he is?” said the Spaniard.

    “What can I teach? It’s complete instincts, it’s natural. He did it in Norway, in Austria, in Germany, and he’s doing it here.”

    And yet Guardiola still feels Haaland can improve.

    “Every player knows, ‘I can do better’,” said Guardiola. “In our life we have a chance to always improve until we die, and he’s not an exception.”

    Guardiola is not blind to the potential for Haaland to break records this season.

    “It would be good,” Guardiola said. “If he continues this rhythm, then you don’t have to be a clever person to realise it, but who knows.

    “After the Community Shield some people had a lot of doubts; now they have a lot of certainties.

    “At the end of the season we’ll see, okay, he’s scored how many goals, how many chances have we had to win the titles?”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Walker’s World Cup in jeopardy after Pep confirms he will be out for ‘weeks’

    Kyle Walker’s availability for the World Cup is up in the air after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declared the England right-back suffered an abdominal injury that will keep him out “for a while”.

    Walker, 32, was substituted in the first half of City’s 6-3 derby win against Manchester United on Sunday after making his seventh start from his side’s eight Premier League fixtures this campaign.

    He also started four of England’s six UEFA Nations League games since the beginning of June, resulting in three defeats and a draw.

    However, Walker is now set for “weeks” on the sidelines in the shadows of the World Cup, according to Guardiola.

    “[He will be out] for a while,” he told reporters following City’s 5-0 Champions League thrashing of Copenhagen on Wednesday. “I don’t know exactly, but weeks.

    “Something abdominal, so he will be a while. We don’t know how long. Maybe the club will make a statement in the next day, but for a while he will be out.

    “I don’t know [about availability for the World Cup]. I cannot say anything else, I don’t know.”


    Source: Livescore

  • New Hearts of Oak Goalkeeper’s coach Richard Oppong elated to join biggest team in Ghana

    Hearts of Oak new Goalkeeper’s trainer Richard Oppong is happy to join the club from Second division side Mountaineers FC.

    The 35-year-old holds CAF License B and C certificates. He has attended series of coaching seminars including an attachment at Manchester City in English Premiership.

    His professional coaching career includes stint at Red Bull Soccer Academy, Tema Youth, Vision FC, Right to Dream Soccer Academy and Inter Allies  amongst many others.

    “I have been following the team and it’s projects and I feel it has something to do with development and the future. I believe in the things they are doing. I am very happy,” Oppong told the club’s website.

    “The reception was perfect and very cool. And I must say the players received me very well. Even the foreign players embraced me. It was a very good reception.”

    He added, “The fans will see the works we will put in and the Goalkeepers will also see improvement in their careers.”

  • Guardiola labels Haaland ‘a born goalscorer’ after Manchester derby treble

    Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland as a born goalscorer after he claimed another hat-trick in Manchester City’s derby rout of Manchester United, declaring: “what he is doing, I didn’t teach him”.

    Haaland continued his fine start to life in England by playing a central role in City’s 6-3 win over United, clinching a treble and adding two assists for fellow hat-trick hero Phil Foden.

    The Norwegian – who has already hit 17 goals in all competitions this season – became the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three successive home games on Sunday.

    His tally of five goal contributions at the Etihad Stadium, meanwhile, is the most recorded by a player in a single Premier League Manchester Derby.

    Guardiola refused to take credit for the striker’s form after the win, saying: “I said it many times and I will say again – what Erling is doing, he did in Norway, Austria and Germany.

    “The quality we have alongside him helps him score, but what he is doing, I didn’t teach him.

    “He has incredible instincts. It comes from his mum and dad. He was born with that.”

    As well as laying on two goals for Foden, Haaland created a game-high four chances on Sunday, and Guardiola was delighted by the quality of his link-up play.

    “I have had incredible centre-forwards in my career,” Guardiola continued. “What I liked was in the last period of the game, he was involved. I want him to be involved.

    “He became a player to score goals, but I want him in contact with the ball. I like him being part of those situations.

    “But of course, he has to put the ball in the net, and he is a fantastic striker.”

    Haaland has started all 11 of City’s competitive games this term, and Guardiola plans to offer him the opportunity to rest at some point.

    “He will take a break. There will be games he is not going to play,” he said.

    “We are lucky, last season he could not play many games in a row – here we have incredible physios and thanks to them, he can play every 90 minutes.

    “They are so important – with their hands, they allow players to play.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Ten Hag’s nightmare as Man City trashes Man Utd

    A hat-trick each for Erling Haaland and Phil Foden gave Manchester City a 6-3 win against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

    It was a ruthless performance from the Premier League champions, who were four goals up at half-time after tearing United apart time and again with their pass and move football.

    Antony scored with an excellent strike early in the second half and Anthony Martial came off the bench to score a late double that made the score a bit more respectable, but it was an otherwise dominant showing from City against Erik ten Hag’s men.

    Pep Guardiola saw his team go back to within a point of leaders Arsenal at the top of the league, and remain the only unbeaten team in England’s top flight this season.

    Foden gave the hosts the lead after just eight minutes, with Joao Cancelo playing a pass to Bernardo Silva on the left, and his low cross found the England international completely free to sweep the ball inside David de Gea’s near post.

    Haaland then rose highest from a Kevin De Bruyne corner just after the hour-hour mark to force a header across the line, despite Tyrell Malacia’s best efforts to keep it out.

    The Belgian provided for the Norwegian again just three minutes later as he whipped a cross from the inside right position towards the back post, with Haaland there to divert the ball past De Gea again.

    Former Borussia Dortmund star Haaland turned provider just before half-time as he was again played in by De Bruyne, before aiming a perfect low cross to the far post for Foden to steer in his 50th goal for City in all competitions to make it 4-0 at the break.

    Some pride was restored for the visitors 11 minutes into the second half as Antony scored with an outstanding long-range effort after cutting onto his left foot and bending a shot into the far corner, only for Haaland to complete his treble after guiding in a Sergio Gomez cross.

    Foden finished well when played in by Haaland to make it six, and although substitute Martial forced the ball home following Ederson pushing out a Fred shot, and then won and scored a penalty in stoppage time, it was comfortably City’s day in Manchester.

    What does it mean? Hat-trick hero Haaland… again

    It is now 17 goals in 11 games for Haaland at City as the imposing striker looks to break as many scoring records as he can.

    His treble here made him the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home games in the competition.

    Haaland, who also had two assists, only made his Premier League debut 56 days ago, but he already has as many hat-tricks in the competition as Cristiano Ronaldo (three), who sat moody-faced on the bench as he was an unused substitute for the visitors.

    Foden also fires on derby day

    It seems a bit strange to think Foden could be overshadowed after scoring a hat-trick in a Manchester derby, but when you’re playing with a machine like Haaland, it’s easy to see why.

    The local lad was outstanding again, though, with three neat finishes and recording a total passing accuracy of 95 per cent, as well as completing 89 per cent of his passes in the final third, more than any other City player to make four or more.

    Another four-ful start from United

    Going in at half-time on the end of a hammering has become a familiar feeling for the Red Devils.

    Since the start of 2020-21, United have conceded four or more first-half goals in four Premier League games (also versus Spurs in 2020, Liverpool in 2021 and Brentford this season), twice as often as any other side in this time.

    Key Opta Stats:

    – This was the highest ever scoring Manchester derby in any competition in what was the two sides’ 187th competitive meeting.
    – It was the first time City scored six goals in a home game against United in all competitions – the previous two instances came away from home (6-1 in January 1926 and 6-1 in October 2011).
    – United conceded six goals in a Premier League game for only the fourth time, with two of these coming against City (also October 2011).
    – Foden scored his 49th, 50th and 51st goals for City in all competitions – his first ever senior hat-trick. Aged 22 years and 127 days, he became the youngest player to reach 50 under Pep Guardiola, surpassing Lionel Messi (22y 164d).
    – Haaland and Foden became the third and fourth City players respectively to score a hat-trick versus United after Francis Lee in December 1970 and Horace Barnes in October 1921.
    – City were only the third side to have two hat-trick scorers in a single Premier League game, after Arsenal v Southampton in 2003 (Jermaine Pennant, Robert Pires) and Leicester v Southampton in 2019 (Ayoze Perez, Jamie Vardy).

    What’s next?

    It’s back to European action for both teams as City host FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday, while United need a morale-boosting result as they travel to Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League.

    Source: Livescore

  • Ghanaian youngster Darko Gyabi already catching the eye at Leeds United

    English-born Ghanaian youngster Darko Gyabi has churned out impressive displays at Leeds United following his summer move to LS11.

    According to Joe Donnohue, despite having only arrived at Elland Road in a £5m move from Manchester City back in July, the 18-year-old is already shining for the Whites’ U21 side.

    In his tweet, Donnohue said: “Liked the look of Darko Gyabi at LUFC so far. Strong, technical & vocal at times. Behind Romeo Lavia in the pecking order at City, which is no slight on him given Lavia has gone straight into a PL starting XI. Talent was always there, it just needed unlocking.”

    Considering just how impressive Gyabi has been for Michael Skubala’s U21 side already this season, it very much appears as if Victor Orta sealed something of a masterclass when bringing the teenager to Leeds this summer, as the midfielder could well prove to develop into the Whites’ next big talent in the middle of the park.

    The highly-rated midfielder has scored one in his five Premier League 2 appearances this season and registered one assist.

    However, it is Gyabi’s composure on the ball that appears to be one of his more notable traits, with Donnohue also stating his belief that the England U19 international is a player who “moves through the gears really well, escapes pressure and can pick a forward pass.”

    Furthermore, Jesse Marsch also appears to have taken notice of the 18-year-old, with the American stating of the playmaker back in July: “We were excited from the start about the possibility of adding him to the group and now watching him live and seeing his mentality to improve, even more so.”

    As such, should the 48-year-old Whites boss place his trust in the former City starlet over the course of the 22/23 campaign, he could well be rewarded with the unearthing of Leeds’ next “exceptional” – in the words of Neil Harris – midfield talent, something that is sure to be an extremely exciting prospect for both the American and the Elland Road faithful alike.

  • Man City challenge ‘excites’ United boss Ten Hag

    Erik ten Hag will look to do something no Manchester United manager has since Alex Ferguson when he heads to Manchester City on Sunday for a derby he is hugely looking forward to.

    Ten Hag has recovered from a rocky start at Old Trafford to lead United to four straight wins in the Premier League.

    But in order to extend that run, he will have to end a miserable sequences of results for United managers in their first Manchester derbies.

    United great Ferguson won his first such clash in March 1987, but each of his successors – David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick – have lost their league derby debuts.

    Only Chelsea and Liverpool (both 18) have celebrated more Premier League wins against United than their nearest neighbours (17), who have come out on top in their past three meetings.

    Yet Ten Hag is relishing the challenge, as he told reporters on Friday: “I played many derbies. I know what they are, what rivals are doing to each other.

    “I know it’s the most important game here in the Manchester area for the fans. It excites me. I want to be involved in these games.

    “It’s a good fight that gives so much energy. You do everything to win that game.”

    City have won their past seven home league games, scoring at least three times in each of them, but Ten Hag is determined to focus on his own side’s merits.

    “The approach is for us to look to ourselves,” he said.

    “The approach at Man United is we want to win every game, and that message I’ve already told several times here. For Sunday, it’s nothing else.

    “We have to perform our best; with our way of playing, our rules, our principles, we have to do our best.

    “We have made a good game plan, then it’s about execution. We have to do it. We want to get the result, and we know if we want to get the result, we have to do it 100 per cent well.”

    Similarly, Ten Hag was keen not to spend too much time worrying about Erling Haaland, the City sensation who has scored a hat-trick in each of his past two home league matches. No Premier League player has ever scored three home trebles in a row.

    “We don’t play against Haaland; we play against Man City,” Ten Hag added. “They have a team of more than 11 players, but we have also.

    “We are confident of our capabilities, and if we act as a team, in and out of possession, then we can beat our opponents. That is the belief we have to take with us when we start the game.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Guardiola confirms Stones is out of Manchester derby with hamstring injury

    Manchester City will be without John Stones for Sunday’s derby against Manchester United, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

    The centre-back was taken off during England’s 3-3 draw with Germany on Monday with a hamstring issue.

    Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said Stones will likely be out for up to two weeks, meaning he will miss the clash with United as well as potentially another three games.

    “He will be back when he will be ready,” he said, later clarifying: “I think it will not be four, five, six weeks, it will be less. I don’t know when he will come back but I think maybe 10 days, two weeks.”

    There was better news for another City defender though, with Aymeric Laporte back in training.

    “Training really well,” his manager said. “Training alone because everyone was with national teams, but yesterday and today he feels good.”

    City welcome an in-form United to the Etihad Stadium, with Erik ten Hag’s men winning their last four Premier League games, leading to the Dutchman securing September’s manager of the month award.

    “I always expect the best,” Guardiola said. “They come with good results against tough sides, with Southampton it’s not easy but especially Liverpool and Arsenal at home, and yeah, good momentum for them.”

    The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss also compared the Manchester derby to El Clasico and Der Klassiker, suggesting it has been easier to manage derbies in Germany and England since his time in LaLiga.

    “In Spain, Barcelona and [Real] Madrid is more noisy the days before, more media, everything. The rest, in Germany, here, perfect. You can work, people expecting, enjoy to watch the derby, that’s all.

    “It’s important, big rival in the city. We will try to figure out what we’re going to do and what we can do to beat them. No more than that.

    “In these kind of games you don’t have to make extra emotion, everyone knows it. The stadium will be full… I’m looking forward to it.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Maguire out of Manchester derby but has Ten Hag’s backing

    Harry Maguire will not play for Manchester United against Manchester City due to injury, but Erik ten Hag is confident he can rediscover his best form when he returns.

    The United captain has endured a torrid season, losing his place at club level and then performing poorly for England despite Gareth Southgate’s backing, with individual errors contributing to Germany’s 2-0 lead in Monday’s 3-3 Nations League draw.

    There have been calls for Maguire to be dropped by Southgate, too, but he first faces a tough task to get past Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez back into Ten Hag’s winning United side.

    That will not happen in Sunday’s derby, as Ten Hag revealed the centre-back was the only fresh injury concern, set to miss the game while Anthony Martial and Premier League Player of the Month Marcus Rashford return.

    However, the United manager was quizzed on what he can do to help Maguire get back to his best.

    “First of all, I have to coach him,” Ten Hag said. “I have to back him, but I back him because I believe in him. In the period I was working with him in pre-season, he was good, I would say really good, training and games.

    “But then it’s also to do with the good performances of the centre-backs who are playing now.

    “I can see qualities. Even after he was not in the team, he trained really well. More importantly, the quality was really there.

    “You see his career: he has almost 50 caps for England, already with Leicester and Man United he’s performed really well. What you see is high potential.

    “Then it’s about him. The players in the dressing room, the coaches, the manager, we all believe in him. Now it’s about him. That’s what I told him. I am sure he can do it, and he will turn around this. I am really convinced of that.”

    Maguire has been the subject of abuse due to his performances, and while Ten Hag suggested criticism was part of the sport, he recognised a lack of belief was the defender’s biggest problem.

    “It’s an aspect of football. It’s an aspect of our work,” he said. “We set conditions for that, as a manager, and we also have experts around to help, to coach the players and the team in the right direction.

    “I think he is doing quite well, but for every player there is room for improvement. If he believes in his skills, he will be quickly back on the level even more than he did.

    “Once again, I’m convinced of that, because I see his capabilities are really high.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Heskey expects Liverpool to trail in City’s wake

    Emile Heskey has dismissed Liverpool’s title chances because he fears they will be unable to keep pace with “relentless” Manchester City.

    The Premier League returns this weekend, with City already flying high and on the coat-tails of early leaders Arsenal.

    Pep Guardiola’s City team are undefeated with five wins and two draws so far, plus a league-high goal difference of plus 17, six better than any other side.

    By contrast, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have won only two of six games to date, struggling to match the high standards they set when pushing City all the way to the final day in last season’s championship.

    Former Reds striker Heskey declared Liverpool are “probably not” in this season’s title race, stating: “I think their main focus is top four now because Champions League is a must.

    “I think City are relentless. Give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. They know how to exploit things.

    “They might be 1-0 down, but you know that they’re going to come back. And this is the relentlessness that I think Liverpool had a couple of seasons ago, and they’re trying to get back now.

    “I don’t think it’s going to be a particularly bad season getting into the top four, I think it is still massive.”

    Heskey said “everyone knows” losing Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich amounted to “a huge miss” for Liverpool, with the sale having gone through in late June, ending a six-year Anfield stay for the Senegalese forward.

    Former England international Heskey rates Luis Diaz and is hopeful Mohamed Salah will roar back to Golden Boot form, having made a somewhat underwhelming start to the campaign, with two goals and two assists in six league games.

    “The thing with Mo, is we are so used to it,” Heskey said of the Egyptian’s prolific scoring. “But when it wasn’t Mo, we had another person that could take up that mantle.

    “And if you haven’t got that other person to take up that mantle, who will get you the goals that Mo used to as well, you can then start pointing back at Mo and saying, ‘Well, he’s not doing this, he’s not doing that’.

    “But the pressures come with that and he understands that, and he’s able to get on with that and deal with it. He’s a fantastic player.

    “I think just give him the ball and let him go and enjoy himself again. When you saw Mo Salah smiling, that’s when you know that you’ve got something good. Even when he’s missing chances and he’s smiling, you know that he’s on form.”

    Liverpool face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, their first domestic game in four weeks, after two postponements in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death were followed by the international break.

    Darwin Nunez has yet to show his peak Benfica form in a Liverpool shirt since switching from the Portuguese giants in the close season, but Heskey suspects the talent is there for the Uruguayan striker to become a “phenomenal” Premier League performer.

    As was the case with a pair of Arsenal greats, Heskey feels Nunez could come good after a settling-in period.

    Heskey said: “He’s still a young player and one thing we’ve got to understand is, these players coming from abroad who are coming and adapting, not all of them adapt straight away.

    “It’s a bit of an anomaly for the ones who just come in and just fit straight in.

    “You need to give them time. You’ve got to remember Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry didn’t just fit in and click straight away, and we’re talking about Premier League greats. So give him the opportunity, and give them the time to settle in. I know we don’t have time, but give them time to settle in and he will be a phenomenal player.”

    Source: Livescore