Klopp, in his seventh year as manager of the Reds, found himself in a riveting game against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool stormed to a 3-0 lead within 15 minutes and was in prime position to cruise to all three points, but Tottenham, for a consecutive match, rallied down multiple goals and equalized via Richarlison in added time of the second half.
But Richarlison’s goal, which came in the third of six added minutes, left the Reds too much time to find a last-gasp winner — and they did.
Spurs forward Lucas Moura cheaply gave the ball away, and Liverpool capitalized through a low Diogo Jota strike just a minute after Richarlison’s score.
As expected, Anfield erupted into cheers, along with the players on the field and the staff on the sideline. And that’s where it got tricky for Klopp, who ran towards the opposing sideline and fourth official to celebrate the moment. However, he ended up pulling his hamstring.
Klopp discussed the injury in his postgame presser, and said he dealt with karma after getting into the official’s face.
“…I got punished. Little sins immediately. I turned around for the celebration because the fourth official got nothing wrong the whole time. I didn’t say anything bad, I gave a look which is bad enough. The hamstring or whatever the muscle gave up in that moment. That’s fair. Apart from that, all okay.”
Klopp will be on the touchline for Liverpool’s next game on Wednesday, May 3, when they will host 10th-place Fulham in their bid to claim a European competition place for the 2023-24 campaign.
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]]>The Blades secured promotion for the 2023-24 Premier League season with a 2-0 win over West Brom on Wednesday, which guaranteed them second place in the EFL Championship.
Sheffield joins Burnley as two of the three teams to promote thanks to accumulating 85 points through 43 games played, one less than most of their counterparts in the league. The Blades still have three games to play, but third-place Luton Town cannot mathematically surpass them having collected 78 points through 44 matches.
The Blades last promoted to the Premier League ahead of the 2019-20 season when they finished second in the Championship. They then made a stunning ascent in the top-flight’s table and finished ninth, just two points behind eighth-place Arsenal.
But they failed to build off that marked the following campaign and finished dead last in 2020-21, ending with a win-draw-loss record of 7-2-29.
The squad, managed by Paul Heckingbottom, currently is headlined by rising stars Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) and Anel Ahmedhodzic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) while former EPL players Sander Berge (Norway) and Jayden Bogle (England), among others, have also played their parts.
As things stand, the race to compete in the four-team playoffs to be the third team to promote is extremely close. Fifth-place Coventry City and 12th-place Swansea are separated by just four points. Teams placed third-to-sixth qualify for the mini tournament to earn promotion.
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]]>The MLS All-Star Game seemingly is getting revamped.
After two years of playing the Liga MX All-Stars in the annual game, 2023 reportedly will feature English Premier League’s Arsenal, according to The Athletic’s Pablo Maurer and Paul Tenorio, citing sources.
The game this year will take place at Audi Field, home of D.C. United, on Wednesday, July 19.
With the MLS All-Stars head coach usually being the manager from the home team, that would mean Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United icon, would line up against Arsenal once again, just not on the pitch.
Though not official just yet, The Athletic added that Rooney “inadvertently revealed Arsenal’s participation in the match during a fan event Thursday evening,” according to multiple people at the event.
It wouldn’t be Arsenal’s first time facing the MLS All-Stars, either. In 2016, the Gunners won 2-1 in San Jose, but that squad is much different than it is now.
Mikel Arteta’s side is eight points clear atop the EPL table through 28 games, with youngsters like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and more leading the renaissance for a club that has struggled mightily in recent years.
The last European club to feature in the event was La Liga’s Atletico Madrid in 2019, who won 3-0.
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]]>Antonio Neill sent a racist message to Toney on his Instagram account after the striker scored two goals against Brighton in a Premier League match on Oct. 14.
Police started an investigation after Toney shared a picture of the abuse and the message was traced to the 24-year-old Neill, who lives in Blyth, a town in northern England.
Neill appeared in a magistrates’ court in Newcastle on Jan. 25 and pleaded guilty to sending an offensive message.
On Monday, he was handed a four-month sentence suspended for two years as well as a three-year soccer banning order, the first to be issued under a government act which became law in 2022. That widened the scope for banning orders to be issued for online hate crimes relating to a person with a connection to a soccer organization.
“If you are going to choose to be vile and abusive to others, doing it from behind a computer screen or on your phone doesn’t mean you’ll get away with it. Far from it,” Northumbria police and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness said in a statement released Tuesday.
The order forbids Neill from attending any regulated soccer match in Britain and also prevents him from traveling abroad to watch international friendlies, qualification matches and tournaments.
Brentford said the club hopes sentences for online abuse increase and called on social media companies to remove all hateful content to make their platforms safe for everyone.
]]>Search teams recovered Atsu’s body in the ruins of a luxury 12-story building where he had been living in the city of Antakya, Hatay province, his manager said Saturday.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble. At the moment, his belongings are still being removed,” manager Murat Uzunmehmet told private news agency DHA.
Atsu joined Turkish club Hatayspor in September and scored the winning goal for his new team in a league game at home against Kasimpaşa S.K. on Feb. 5, just hours before the earthquake struck in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 6.
Antakya, the city where Hatayspor is based, is in the southern region of Turkey hardest hit by the earthquake.
The death toll from the 7.8-magnitude quake in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria passed 43,000 on Friday.
Hatayspor said Atsu’s body was being repatriated to Ghana. “There are no words to describe our sadness,” the club tweeted.
Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo posted a photo of Atsu on his official Twitter account and wrote: “Ghana football has lost one of its finest personnel and ambassadors, one who will be difficult to replace. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Former Ghana captain and teammate Asamoah Gyan tweeted “RIP Brother.”
A day after the earthquake there were reports that Atsu had been rescued but Hatayspor, after initially announcing that it had received information that Atsu was alive and on his way to the hospital, said later that the reports of a successful rescue were, heartbreakingly, mistaken and the player was still missing. It had also said the club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, was still missing. Savut has not yet been found.
The contractor of the 12-story Ronesans Rezidans building — where Atsu and Savut lived — was detained at Istanbul Airport a week ago, apparently trying to leave the country.
Atsu’s agent, Nana Sechere, traveled to Turkey with members of Atsu’s family in an attempt to find him, holding onto hopes that he might be alive amid the wreckage. Sechere had urged authorities and Hatayspor officials to step up their efforts in the search for Atsu and Savut.
In a statement Tuesday, Sechere said rescuers had been able to pinpoint Atsu’s exact room location in his collapsed apartment building over a week after the devastating earthquake but the only thing they recovered were two pairs of his shoes.
Sechere confirmed Saturday that Atsu’s body was found. He posted a message on Twitter: “My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones.”
Atsu played more than 60 times for Ghana and scored on his debut as a 20-year-old in 2012. He was part of the Ghana squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and starred at the 2015 African Cup of Nations, scoring two goals to help Ghana to the final, where it lost in a penalty shootout to Ivory Coast.
He was named the player of the tournament at that African Cup.
Atsu was signed by Chelsea in 2013 but his time there was limited to appearances in exhibition games and he was sent out on loan to various clubs over the next four years. The winger joined Newcastle on loan in 2016 and was part of the team that won promotion back to the Premier League in the 2016-17 season.
He signed a permanent deal with Newcastle in 2017 and spent four years there. The club said Saturday it was “profoundly saddened” by Atsu’s death.
“A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters,” Newcastle tweeted.
The Ghana Football Association added: “We would like to express our deepest condolences to his wife and children, the family, loved ones and the football community.”
Atsu joined Hatayspor last year after a short spell playing in Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim Kwarteng, a friend of Atsu’s in Ghana, told The Associated Press in a recent interview that he knew the player as someone who helped people in his West African home country as much as he could.
Kwarteng runs an organization that helps people convicted of petty crimes get jobs and put their lives back together after being released from jail and Atsu was its single biggest donor, Kwarteng said. Atsu had also started building an orphanage in Ghana and was helping to fund a new breast cancer screening center, Kwarteng said.
___
Associated Press writer Francis Kokutse in Accra, Ghana, contributed to this report.
]]>Following the club’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Leeds confirmed the sacking of American-born manager Jesse Marsch.
After 20 matches played in the 38-game campaign, Leeds are currently in 17th place with a win-draw-loss record of 4-6-10, accumulating 18 points. The club does have a game in hand compared to other teams also in the relegation fight, but Leeds’ last league win came on Nov. 5 against Bournemouth just before the World Cup break.
Leeds backed Marsch in the recent January transfer window with three signings: striker Georginio Rutter for 28 million euros, center back Maximilian Wober for 12 million euros and midfielder Weston McKennie on a loan-to-buy deal reportedly worth 33 million plus add-ons. The latter fee would come into play in the summer should Leeds trigger the buy option, otherwise McKennie would return to his parent club, Juventus.
But Marsch had just one game with his new signings before being let go, with Rutter and McKennie both coming off the bench against Nottingham Forest despite being touted as eventual starters.
The 49-year-old Wisconsin native was appointed by Leeds on Feb. 28, 2022 to replace Marcelo Bielsa, one of the icons of football managerial history. Marsch signed a three-year deal and helped the club avoid relegation on the final matchday of the campaign after Leeds’ promotion to England’s top flight in 2020.
While the club searches for a replacement, Chris Armas will take charge when Leeds heads to Old Trafford on Wednesday to meet Manchester United.
As for Marsch, speculation could mount over a potential role with the United States men’s national team, as he was an assistant in 2010-11 before leaving to manage Montreal Impact the following season. He also had two caps with the nation as a player from 2001-07. Marsch already has familiarity with Leeds’ American trio of Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and McKennie.
As the investigation into Gregg Berhalter continues, whose contract expired on Dec. 31, USSF President Cindy Cone recently said the organization hopes to have the position filled by the summer to better prepare for the 2026 World Cup cycle.
Anthony Hudson is the current interim manager and also led the USMNT during its two international friendlies in January, losing the first game to Serbia and managing a scoreless draw against Colombia.
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]]>The Blues reportedly agreed to sign Enzo Fernandez from S.L. Benfica for a record 120 million euros, according to various reports.
The deal broke with just an hour to go in the January transfer window, with medicals and paperwork completed an hour after thanks to an extension since it was a transfer involving a team out of England.
It tops the 117 million euros Manchester City paid to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021.
Chelsea had been in talks to sign the 22-year-old Fernandez, who was named the 2022 FIFA World Cup’s Young Player of the Tournament after breaking out in Argentina’s title run, all window, and the fee would boost the club’s already-lucrative spending.
After spending nearly 300 million euros on eight players in the 2022 summer window, Chelsea spent a little over 200 million euros on seven players this winter prior to the Fernandez deal.
The additions in winter include LW Mykhailo Mudryk, LCB Benoit Badiashile, RW Noni Madueke, RB Malo Gusto, CM Andrey Santos, ST David Fofana and CF Joao Felix, with Gusto arriving in the summer of 2023 and Felix being a six-month loan deal until the end of the season.
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]]>After days of speculation, the USMNT midfielder officially signed a season-long loan transfer with Leeds United from Juventus. According to ESPN, the loan fee is in the region of £1.5 million but Leeds will have the option to sign him to a £35 million deal at the end of the season.
The move reunites McKennie with fellow national team midfielders Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams.
Adams wasted no time welcoming McKennie to the club.
Speaking on the adjustment to life in Leeds, McKennie joked that when he suggested moving near Adams, the USMNT captain said, “No, not close to me.”
McKennie is Leeds’ third signing of the January transfer window and enters with high expectations.
The club spent nearly two decades out of the Premier League before being promoted for the 2021/22 season. Under manager Jesse Marsch, another American, the team is 15th in the league with 18 points this season.
McKennie started his professional career with FC Schalke 04 of the Bundesliga in 2004. Although he considered Little Elm, Texas – outside of Dallas – his hometown, the 24-year-old lived in Germany from age six to nine, an experience he often credited for inspiring his interest in the sport.
After three seasons in Germany, McKennie made history as the first American to play for Juventus. The Italian own a record 36 Serie A titles and allowed McKennie to play alongside names such as Adrien Rabiot, Matthijs de Ligt and Paulo Dybala.
In three years with the club, McKennie logged 13 goals and five assists in 96 appearances.
Loan rumors picked up momentum following McKennie’s World Cup debut in Qatar, where he appeared in all four games for the USMNT. During the team’s must-win group play game against Iran, McKennie started the series that ended in Christian Pulisic recording the team’s lone goal of the day.
Leeds is now the Premier League club with the most Americans, a record they previously shared with Chelsea (Christian Pulisic and Gabriel Slonina) and Fulham (Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream). Matt Turner of Arsenal and Chris Richards of Crystal Palace round out the group of Americans playing in England.
McKennie’s first test with Leeds, if he is selected, will be this Sunday against Nottingham Forest before they gear up for a midweek match against the surging Manchester United.
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]]>Top-of-the-table Arsenal clashed with top-four Manchester United in one of the most anticipated English Premier League matches between the two since the early and mid 2000s.
It certainly lived up to the billing, with the Gunners prevailing 3-2 inside a roaring Emirates Stadium. The atmosphere replicated in the United States, too, with the game becoming the most-watched EPL match in the country’s history, NBC Sports announced on Tuesday.
The match averaged 1.92 million English-language viewers on NBC and Peacock, with an additional 382,000 on Telemundo. It marked Telemundo’s most-watched Spanish-language match since last April, when Manchester City-Liverpool garnered 440,000.
Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka each exchanged stunning goals — Rashford’s in the first half to make it 1-0 and Saka’s in the second to make it 2-1 — as the game became level at 2-2 with the 90th minute approaching.
It culminated in a storybook-like ending for Arsenal after their continuous domination finally resulted in a last-minute goal courtesy of academy product Eddie Nketiah, who has deputized off the bench for the injured starter Gabriel Jesus.
It was the 23-year-old’s second goal of the game after equalizing in the 24th minute. Arsenal increased their lead at the top to five points with a game in hand over second-place Manchester City while Manchester United stayed in fourth, trailing Newcastle United based on goal difference.
The Premier League Mornings Live fan fest in Orlando over the weekend also drew its largest audience, with an average of 947,000 across four television match windows.
With the next weekend featuring FA Cup action, the Premier League won’t return until Friday, Feb. 3 when 10th-place Chelsea hosts seventh-place Fulham.
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]]>But Sunday’s fixture between English Premier League leaders Arsenal and rival Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw a rather unusual situation occur.
After the referee blew the full-time whistle to solidify the Gunners’ 2-0 win, Spurs forward Richarlison went over to Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as the England native walked over to his net to retrieve his water bottle.
But Richarlison charged into an unsuspecting Ramsdale with his shoulder, shoved him with his right hand, returned to chest bump him while wagging his finger then smacked him on the side of the head before stewards intervened.
Then, as Ramsdale picked up his bottle behind the net, a Tottenham fan stood on top of the billboard and landed a kick on the goalie’s back before a steward pushed him back.
Ramsdale, who had seven saves on the night and was awarded the Man of the Match by Sky Sports, explained what happened in an interview afterwards: “The Spurs fans gave me some throughout the game. I was giving some back. The people I did give it to greeted it sportsmanlike, but one fan tried to give me a little punch on the back.
“It is a shame as it is just a game of football at the end of the day. Both sets of players tried to bring me away, but thankfully nothing too drastic happened. It is a sour taste, but I’m sure we will enjoy it when we go back into the dressing room.”
The Professional Footballers’ Association released a statement in the aftermath:
“Violence towards players is completely unacceptable. These types of incidents are happening far too often. Players have a right to be safe in their place of work. When a player is attacked we expect the laws and regulations that are in place to protect them to be properly enforced.
“As the players’ union we treat this as a priority issue. We will be continuing to work with the authorities to demand that players and staff are better protected in their place of work.”
A Hugo Lloris own goal in the 14th minute after a Bukayo Saka shot and a long-distance strike from Martin Odegaard in the 36th minute gave Arsenal all three points as they established themselves eight points clear of second-place Manchester City.
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]]>Joao Felix, Chelsea’s latest star signing and one of the most expensive loan transfers ever, had a nightmare debut in the English Premier League on Thursday.
Playing against Fulham at the Craven Cottage, Felix slid in late on right back Kenny Tete, with his studs up, and earned a straight red to get Chelsea down to 10 men.
Felix, whose move was just confirmed on Wednesday, got a quick start under his belt with manager Graham Potter desperately seeking reinforcements to an injury-ravaged squad, but a promising beginning is no more.
Chelsea at the time were level 1-1 after conceding the opener, but went down 2-1 in the 73rd minute after Felix’s red card.
The 23-year-old Portuguese young star came on loan from Atletico Madrid for four months, but that has quickly been reduced to three. With a three-game ban looming, Felix will miss Chelsea’s next three EPL games: Crystal Palace (home), Liverpool (away) and Fulham (home).
He’d be in line to return on Feb. 11, an away fixture against West Ham.
To make matters worse, here’s a numerical perspective at how the loan has become quite a stark look.
Chelsea defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria had also been substituted in the game due to injury.
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]]>The Leicester City center back was at fault for two own goals in a span of seven minutes that turned the Foxes’ early 1-0 lead into a 2-1 deficit at halftime.
After Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall opened the scoring at Anfield in the fourth minute, Faes’ first own goal came in the 38th.
Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a low out-swinging cross from the right flank to the penalty box that goalkeeper Danny Ward rushed out to secure. However, Faes got in the way to clear it, but his attempt saw the ball loop over everyone’s heads and into the left far post.
If that wasn’t unfortunate enough, lightning struck twice. The 24-year-old Belgian found himself with another own goal in the 45th minute right before halftime.
Darwin Núñez made his usual threatening run with the ball towards the left channel and dinked the ball over Ward, who had rushed out in an attempt to appear big before Núñez’s shot.
The shot came off the right far post, but Faes fell right in front of the ball’s path and watched himself put it in.
Faes’ misfortunes saw him become the first player to score two own goals in a single Premier League match since Jonathan Walters, who did so for Stoke City against Chelsea in 2013, according to Sky Sports.
He had just joined the club over the summer from Ligue 1 side Stade Reims for a transfer fee worth 17 million euros, according to Transfermarkt.
At this rate, maybe manager Brendan Rodgers changes Faes’ position to striker as Leicester looks to equalize in the second half.
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]]>After over a month away from their clubs, some of the biggest names in soccer are back on the pitch to compete for more hardware. They’ll start things off on one of the biggest holidays of the year — Boxing Day.
The holiday, which believe it or not has nothing to do with boxing or any sort of violence, is a staple of both English culture and the football schedule.
Here’s a look at Boxing Day in the Premier League.
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated the day after Christmas. While many countries throughout Europe mark Dec. 26 with some celebration, Boxing Day is primarily associated with Great Britain and a handful of former British colonies.
The term “Boxing Day” was first coined by Charles Dickens in 1833 and has been an established holiday since 1871. However, the tradition of origins of the holiday likely date back to the Middle Ages. One theory suggests that alms boxes at churches were the inspiration for the holiday, while others point to the tradition of landowner and nobility to send their servants home with money, gifts and leftover food following Christmas.
While the charitable aspect is no longer exclusively tied to that day, sports and shopping have taken its place.
Sticking with the American comparisons, soccer is to Boxing Day what football is to Thanksgiving or basketball is to Christmas…except even bigger. Essentially every league in the U.K. is in full swing and the brightest lights are no doubt on the Premier League.
While the holiday continues to usher in the second half of the season, it has special significance this marks the return to league play after over a month off. Many of the league’s biggest stars were competing at the World Cup in Qatar, even facing off against their club teammates throughout the tournament.
National allegiances aside, their focus is now back on the Premier League with most teams having at least 20 fixtures remaining on the calendar.
Fourteen Premier League teams will return to the pitch on Monday. The complete Boxing Day schedule is below:
While the majority of action will take place on Monday, there are three more games included in the matchweek to welcome fans back to the Premier League.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Defenders Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson will both suit up on Monday for Fulham. Later that afternoon, goalkeeper Matt Turner will return from a breakout tournament to play with Arsenal.
On Tuesday, Christian Pulisic will return to Stamford Bridge to play for Chelsea. The 24-year-old forward was struggling to establish himself in the Premier League lineup as of late, so there are a lot of questions about his role in Thomas Tuchel’s offense.
Finally, another pair of USMNT teammates — Brendan Aaronson and Tyler Adams — will once again team up for Leeds to host Manchester City.
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]]>Bill Foley, who owns the NHL’s Las Vegas Knights, completed the takeover of English Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, the club confirmed on Tuesday, with Jordan among the minority owners.
Previous owner Maxim Denim sold his 100% stake in the club, which has been a move brewing since mid-September.
Jordan, an award-winning actor, director and producer, is also joined by Nullah Sarker of The Players’ Tribune and the Davis Cup as a minority owner.
It marks Jordan’s first time in professional sports ownership, and both he and Sarker will work with Foley in global marketing and internationalization of the club following the Cherries’ promotion into England’s top-flight league this past season.
“I have tremendous respect for the passion and support the Bournemouth community shows for this club and believe that connection to the community is the foundation for success of any sports team,” Foley said in a statement.
“Without the belief and financial backing of Maxim and his family, AFC Bournemouth might well have ceased to exist,” Foley added. “Maxim’s support and involvement has allowed the club to establish itself as a top-flight team. We’d like to thank him for his co-operation throughout the process and praise his hard work whilst owner of the club. We wish him well as he focuses on his other business endeavours.”
Bournemouth are currently in 14th place in the EPL table with a win-draw-loss record of 4-4-7. Gary O’Neil is currently the manager after replacing Scott Parker, who was sacked after losing to Liverpool 9-0 on Aug. 27.
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]]>Becoming a manager in the English Premier League is already strenuous enough, but keeping the role is on another level.
The intensity and stakes of every game are immense and any spell of bad form could cost a manager their job and the team a spot in the feared relegation zone.
Through just 11 games, four managers had already been sacked following starts not aligning with preseason expectations. Then past the halfway point, more joined the list.
Here’s a look at who they are and who could be next:
Christian Stellini became the 11th manager to get sacked this season when Tottenham announced the news on April 24.
Let’s take a look at the EPL managers who have been let go thus far in 2022-23:
Scott Parker, Bournemouth: Bournemouth sacked Parker on Aug. 30, shortly after they had been drubbed 9-0 by Liverpool on the road. As one of the newly promoted teams from the EFL Championship into England’s top flight, Parker had been adamant to have the board release more funds to sign more quality players to survive the league, but that didn’t happen. Gary O’Neil took over as interim coach.
Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea: An educated guess would have led you to this result if you saw their preseason form. After guiding Chelsea to the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League title, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in one season, Tuchel got sacked on Sept. 7 after their 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League. After spending $310 million this past summer on transfers, Tuchel’s tactics just didn’t have the same effect. His midfield lacked control, his attackers couldn’t break down low blocks and his defenders were leaky too often despite running three central defenders and two wingbacks. Chelsea hired Brighton & Hove Albion’s Graham Potter as the full-time replacement, but backing a manager with that amount of funds only to move on within a week was an inauspicious decision at best.
Bruno Lage, Wolverhampton Wanderers: About a month later came Lage of Wolves, who was sacked on Oct. 2 after a 2-0 road loss to West Ham. Wolves were expected to be fighting for another top-10 spot in the table, but their lack of a quality ball-striking No. 9 and clinical wingers had – and still has – them battling to stay above the red zone. Julen Lopetegui, a former Sevilla and Real Madrid manager, came in to replace Lage.
Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa: Like Wolves, Aston Villa were expected to push for a top-10 finish following their recruitment in the last few transfer windows. However, Gerrard’s uninspiring tactics, player positioning and captain decisions have seen a team comprising Philippe Coutinho, Emiliano Buendia, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey and more also fight to stay floating in the Prem. Next for the Villans is building under new head coach Unai Emery, who formerly managed Arsenal from 2018-2019 and catapulted his new club into the top six with less than a month to go in the PL campaign.
Ralph Hasenhüttl, Southampton: Southampton parted ways with Hasenhüttl on Nov. 6 and appointed Nathan Jones a few days after. Hasenhüttl came into the job in 2018 but never finished higher than 11th, which occurred in the 2019-20 campaign.
Frank Lampard, Everton: The Toffees started the season with solid defensive numbers and hovered around the middle of the park in the standings, but it eventually proved unsustainable. Everton lacked cohesiveness, chemistry and balance, and now the club is in a tough relegation fight for the second season running. After 20 games, Lampard’s team mustered a 3-6-11 win-draw-loss record and were in 19th place after his sacking. Sean Dyche took over and led the team to a tight 1-0 home win against Arsenal in his first game.
Jesse Marsch, Leeds: Leeds United of America lost its leader. After the club fell to Nottingham Forest 1-0, the club confirmed the sacking of Marsch a day later. They accumulated 18 points in 20 games on a 4-6-10 win-draw-loss record and are in the relegation fight for the second straight season. Spaniard Javi Gracia was tapped as the replacement on Feb. 21.
Nathan Jones, Southampton: There are now two sacked managers in one season for the Saints. Jones’ position had come under review following complaints from senior members of the Southampton squad, and the Saints’ 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton despite leading 1-0 with Wolves having 10 men sealed the deal. Southampton are at the bottom of the PL table with just six matches remaining.
Patrick Vieira, Crystal Palace: The Eagles moved on from Vieira just two days before a 4-1 loss to Arsenal, his former club as a player. Entering that fixture, Palace had failed to win a single game in 2023, with Paddy McCarthy serving as the caretaker manager against the Gunners. The poor run of form this year has pitted the team in a tight relegation scrap, and Roy Hodgson, who managed the team from 2017-2021, is returning to help. Vieira joined the team in 2021 after managing Ligue 1’s Nice for two years.
Antonio Conte, Tottenham: Conte did not last a full season in north London. After Tottenham tapped the Italian in November of 2021, the club cracked the top four late in the season over Arsenal to claim a spot in the Champions League. But despite having accumulated more points at this stage of the season compared to last, Conte’s side lacked inspiration, marquee signings thus far have failed expectations and were eliminated from every competition, extending the 15-year-trophyless drought. Cristian Stellini, who was the interim in February after Conte underwent gallbladder surgery, took over for Spurs.
Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City: Rodgers delivered a good stretch for Leicester City — leading them to a first-ever FA Cup win and four top-10 league finishes — but his fifth year was lacking inspiration. Expected by many to contend for a spot in a European championship, the Foxes now find themselves in serious jeopardy of relegation. Coming out of the international break and losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace — who are less than a month off of firing Vieira — proved to be the nail in the coffin for Rodgers. Long-time club coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell have been charged with leading the team going forward.
Graham Potter, Chelsea: Potter’s departure — while not entirely surprising — is the latest costly change for Chelsea in a period of transition and upheaval. After firing Thomas Tuchel back in September, new club owner American Todd Boehly reportedly doled out £21.5 million to buy out the contracts for Potter and his staff from Brighton. The club confirmed Bruno Saltor will take over as interim manager.
Cristian Stellini, Tottenham: Turns out Stellini will not be Tottenham’s manager the rest of the season. Spurs sacked Stellini following a 6-1 loss at Newcastle in which they trailed 5-0 within 20 minutes. The club announced that Ryan Mason will take over for the remainder of the season.
These managers are facing a spell on the hot seat if results don’t start heading in their favor:
David Moyes, West Ham: Moyes and West Ham spent over $200 million on new signings over the summer but only managed three wins in 11 to show for it, and they are in a similar boat as Leicester. A non-top-six board splashing that much cash will be expecting results, not a bottom-10 finish, putting Moyes at risk.
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool: Liverpool couldn’t, could they? But that’s also what we thought about Tuchel and Chelsea – until it happened. The Reds haven’t looked their best all season and it’s also Year 7 of the infamous “Klopp Curse” where Klopp’s team largely struggles in his seventh season at the helm and ends up leaving.
]]>According to the team statement, the condition can worsen over time, which would’ve put Mwepu at an extremely high risk of suffering a possible fatal cardiac event had he continued to take the field.
During the recent international break, Mwepu, 24, felt ill while on a flight to join the Zambian squad. He stayed in a hospital in Mali before returning to Brighton to undergo more cardiac tests and care, which revealed the diagnosis.
Football players usually undergo regular cardiac screenings throughout the regular season, but Brighton said in the statement that Mwepu’s condition was not previously evident on prior screenings.
Tony Bloom, Brighton chairman, said in a statement, “We are all absolutely devastated for Enock. He and his family have had a traumatic few weeks and while we are just thankful he has come through that period, he has seen such a promising career cut short at such a young age.
“As a club we will give him all the love, help and support we possibly can to make a full recovery, and then as he decides on the next steps in his life.”
Mwepu also released a statement following the news:
“A boy from a small Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share.
“He stood strong to follow his dream of playing football at the highest level, and by the grace of God he lived his dream by reaching the Premier League.
“Some dreams, however, come to an end so it is with sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots because of the medical advice I have received. This is, however, not the end of my involvement with football. I plan to stay involved in some capacity.”
Adam Brett, Brighton’s head of medicine and performance, said the team will help Mwepu manage the condition with the “appropriate treatment for him to otherwise live a long and healthy life.”
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]]>Saka stepped up and coolly converted his spot kick after Liverpool midfielder Thiago ran his studs down Gabriel Jesus’ calf. The penalty put Arsenal ahead for the third and final time in the match.
The Gunners had a dream start as Gabriel Martinelli scored after 58 seconds. But Liverpool grew into the game, with Darwin Núñez equalizing in the 34th minute.
Arsenal restored the team’s lead just before halftime in the fifth minute of added time when Saka tapped in from close range to make it 2-1. But the visitors were back on level terms again in the 53rd when substitute Roberto Firmino latched onto a through ball to score from a tight angle to make it 2-2 with his sixth goal of the season.
But it wasn’t enough for Liverpool to hold on as the team’s poor start to the season continues. Thiago’s challenge on Jesus looked innocuous in real time, but replays showed he clearly made contact with his fellow Brazilian.
Saka, who had to wait for a couple of minutes because of a fracas involving both sets of players, held his nerve to score from the spot. And then the whole team had to hold on as Liverpool threatened yet another equalizer right at the end.
Defenders Ben White and William Saliba jumped into each other’s arms at the final whistle as the crowd at Emirates Stadium erupted into chants of “We are top of the league.”
Arsenal is in first place with 24 points, a point ahead of Manchester City. With the win over Liverpool and last weekend’s victory over fierce rival Tottenham, Arsenal fans are starting to believe this team can go on and win a first league title for the club since 2004.
Liverpool is 14 points off the top in 10th place, putting further pressure on manager Jurgen Klopp as his team has failed to impress this season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made the bold choice of picking right-footed Takehiro Tomiyasu instead of Kieran Tierney to play left back to mark Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. The move paid off, with the Japan defender limiting Salah’s usual mazy runs into the box.
The Egypt international has struggled for form this season, like other Liverpool players. The entire team doesn’t have the same spark as last season when it was fighting for four major trophies. Injuries have played their part, but Klopp will need to find solutions quick as Liverpool languishes in midtable.
]]>It’s hard to believe, but it’s already double-digit matchweek time in the English Premier League.
Though a round of games were postponed following Queen Elizabeth’s death, the league campaign is picking up pace and every point becomes more and more crucial.
Heading into the weekend, Arsenal remain top of the table with 21 points after winning last Saturday’s north London derby against Tottenham, while Manchester City are one point behind following a 6-3 drubbing of Manchester United in their derby.
Let’s preview the action for Matchweek 10 of the 2022-23 EPL season:
After having a marquee game in Matchweek 9, the schedule intensifies for the Gunners. Let’s take a look at the key games for Matchweek 10:
Viewers in the U.S. who want to tune in for Arsenal vs. Liverpool can catch the game on TV via USA Network. Telemundo will broadcast the game in Spanish. Kickoff time is slated for 11:30 a.m. ET.
Here’s how this week’s fixtures are expected to go, with all odds courtesy of our betting partner, PointsBet (home team listed first):
Chelsea vs. Wolves
Chelsea: -261
Wolves: +700
Draw: +375
Bournemouth vs. Leicester
Bournemouth: +240
Leicester: +105
Draw: +260
Newcastle vs. Brentford
Newcastle: -131
Brentford: +325
Draw: +280
Manchester City vs. Southampton
City: -901
Southampton: +1800
Draw: +850
Brighton vs. Spurs
Brighton: +165
Spurs: +160
Draw: +240
West Ham vs. Fulham
West Ham: -136
Fulham: +350
Draw: +280
Crystal Palace vs. Leeds United
Palace: +105
Leeds: +250
Draw: +250
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Arsenal: +145
Liverpool: +165
Draw: +260
Everton vs. Manchester United
Everton: +270
United: -104
Draw: +250
Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa
Forest: +230
Villa: +115
Draw: +240
Editor’s note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
]]>Erling Haaland hasn’t needed any time to get acclimated to the English Premier League.
After coming over in the summer from Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga, the Manchester City star striker dominated from the jump with a two-goal performance in his EPL debut.
And Haaland’s domination continued in his first Manchester Derby on Sunday.
The 22-year-old netted a hat trick, as did teammate Phil Foden, in City’s 6-3 embarrassment of United. It marked Haaland’s third straight hat trick at the Etihad Stadium, making him the first player in league history with three consecutive home hat tricks.
Through eight league matches, Haaland is already up to 14 goals. He has single-handedly outscored eight Premier League teams that have also played at least eight games. Newcastle, Fulham, Everton, Bournemouth, West Ham, Aston Villa, Southampton and Wolves have all yet to reach 14 total goals this season.
So with his torrid start to the 2022-23 campaign, could Haaland set the single-season Premier League record for goals?
Haaland is on track to smash the Premier League record for goals in a season. With an absurd average of 1.75 goals per game, Haaland is on pace to finish with around 66 goals in the 38-match season.
That’s well over the current Premier League record of 34, which is shared by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer. And both players recorded the record mark during a 42-game season, with Cole doing so for Newcastle in 1993-94 and Shearer for Blackburn in 1994-95.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah set the 38-game-season record with his 32-goal showing in 2017-18, just edging out a trio of players who scored 31.
Here’s a full look at the players who have reached the 30-goal mark since the inaugural 1992-93 Premier League season (* = 44-game season):
T-1. Andy Cole, Newcastle, 1993-94: 34 goals*
T-1. Alan Shearer, Blackburn, 1994-95: 34 goals*
3. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, 2017-18: 32 goals
T-4. Alan Shearer, Blackburn, 1993-94: 31 goals*
T-4. Alan Shearer, Blackburn, 1995-96: 31 goals
T-4. Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, 2007-08: 31 goals
T-4. Luis Suarez, Liverpool, 2013-14: 31 goals
T-8. Robin van Persie, Arsenal, 2011-12: 30 goals
T-8. Harry Kane, Tottenham, 2017-18: 30 goals
T-8. Kevin Phillips, Sunderland, 1999-2000: 30 goals
T-8. Thierry Henry, Arsenal, 2003-04: 30 goals
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]]>The main action gets underway on Wednesday with six games.
While many of these teams in this slate of games won’t be competing in Qatar, there are plenty of games between World Cup opponents including South Korea-Costa Rica, United States-Japan and Iran-Uruguay.
Here’s a look at the current international break and where to catch your favorite stars:
International breaks are a designated period that allows players to leave their club temporarily to represent their national teams in competitions such as FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, UEFA European Championships, the Africa Cup of Nations and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
This season’s schedule is particularly unusual due to the fact that the World Cup begins in November, rather than the traditional summer start date.
This week is the last international break before games officially get underway in Qatar.
The 2022 World Cup opens on Sunday, Nov. 20, with Ecuador taking on host-country Qatar. That kicks off nearly a month of competition, capped off by the World Cup Final on Dec. 18.
The schedule for each round is below:
There are six rest days scheduled for Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 11, Dec. 12, Dec. 15 and Dec. 16.
The full schedule is available here.
In short, no.
The groups are set for the World Cup and these games have no bearing on the World Cup standings. However, it is an opportunity for national teams — that rarely play together as a unit — to get in some much-needed reps with the World Cup two months away.
Dozens of players across the Premier League will trade in their club kits for country colors this weekend.
For the United States, Matt Turner (Arsenal), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) and the young Leeds United duo of Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams will all be on site as the U.S. takes on Japan and Saudi Arabia, both teams that will be competing in Qatar.
Some of the biggest names around the league will also compete this week.
At the top of the Premier League table is Arsenal, who have come on strong through the first month of league play despite missing out on a top-4 finish last season. Ten Arsenal players will be participating in the international break, such as Bukayo Saka (England), William Saliba (France) and USMNT’s Turner.
Right behind the Gunners in the EPL table is a tie between Manchester City and Tottenham.
City has 16 players representing their national teams, including wonder kid Erling Haaland with Norway and Kevin De Bruyne with Belgium. Meanwhile, Tottenham has 14 players called up to the national team, headlined by Harry Kane and Eric Dier (England), Richarlison (Brazil) and Son Heung-min (South Korea).
A full list of Premier League players competing in friendlies this weekend is available here.
]]>Las Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley reportedly is in advanced talks to buy AFC Bournemouth, according to Sky Sports News:
Foley, 77, is the leading buyer in the group and will look to have 100% control over the football club if the deal goes through.
The report also indicates that talks between the parties have been occurring since the summer and a deal could be made once the league heads into break in November for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Max Demin, the current owner, is said to have an asking price of around $172 million, according to The Athletic. He first bought the club in 2011 but reportedly has been attempting to sell the club off and on over the last four years.
Bournemouth is one of three newly promoted teams into England’s top-flight league this season but a rocky start to the campaign saw manager Scott Parker sacked just four games in. Parker had hoped the board would bring in more quality players during the transfer window to be able to compete and avoid relegation, but both sides did not see eye to eye.
Interim manager Gary O’Neil has since led the Cherries to two draws and a win after Parker’s departure.
If Foley takes over the club, he’d become the 10th American in the Premier League to have full ownership or be a majority shareholder of a team.
The list of American owners in the EPL includes: Stan Kroenke (Arsenal), Wesley Edens (Aston Villa), Todd Boehly (Chelsea), John Textor (Crystal Palace), Shahid Khan (Fulham), 49ers Enterprises (Leeds United), Fenway Sports Group (Liverpool), The Glazer Family (Manchester United) and Albert Smith (West Ham).
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]]>Manchester United’s home game against Leeds and Liverpool’s match at Chelsea, both set to take place on Sunday, were postponed. Brighton’s home game against Crystal Palace will remain postponed, having initially been called off because of a rail strike that will now not happen.
It reduces the next round of the league to a seven-game program. All 10 games in the most recent round — from Saturday to Monday — were postponed as a mark of respect following the death of the queen on Thursday.
Otherwise, soccer was resuming in Britain from Monday after a nationwide pause from Friday to Sunday — from the professional game down to the grassroots. The Premier League game between Leeds and Nottingham Forest, scheduled for Monday night to finish off the eighth round, remained off.
The English Football League — which runs the three divisions below the Premier League — said tributes will be paid to the queen at grounds across the country when games in the second-division Championship as well as League One and League Two resume from Tuesday.
A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by players, flags to be flown at half-staff and the national anthem — “God Save the King” — to be played in stadiums.
The Premier League is still not back up to full swing, though, as authorities weigh up the logistical issues of staging a state funeral that will be attended by heads of state and royalty from around the world next Monday, and the policing of high-profile soccer matches in the preceding days.
“Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local safety advisory groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures,” the Premier League said.
The league said the postponements were made “due to events surrounding the queen’s funeral.”
The monarch’s coffin will be flown on Tuesday to London, where it will lie in state at the Houses of Parliament from Wednesday until the morning of her funeral. The buildup to the funeral requires a vast police and security operation, with forces pulled from cities outside London.
“With a national policing plan now in operation,” the EFL said, “the league and clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures.”
The EFL said it will work on a “case-by-case basis.”
Some Premier League teams will back in action in European competition from Tuesday to Thursday — Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham in the Champions League, plus Manchester United in the Europa League and West Ham in the Europa Conference League — ahead of the partial resumption of the top division.
Arsenal’s Europa League home game against PSV Eindhoven in London on Thursday was postponed by UEFA because of what the governing body said was the “severe limitations on police resources and organizational issues.”
UEFA and Arsenal face challenges in rescheduling the game amid the congestion caused by the World Cup in November and December in Qatar. Arsenal has no clear midweek dates before the Europa League groups are scheduled to finish on Nov. 3, with the round of 16 draw scheduled for Nov. 7.
It’s a similar case for Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Leeds, Brighton and Palace, who have two league games to rearrange. They will likely be played in the new year.
In Scotland, the Champions League game between Rangers and Napoli in Glasgow had already been pushed back one day to Wednesday because of policing issues.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
]]>England’s top-flight soccer clubs held a meeting on Friday and said they wanted to “pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.”
“This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her,” Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said, “and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
The English Football League — the three divisions below the Premier League — also called off their games scheduled for the weekend.
The British government said it was at the discretion of individual sporting organizations whether fixtures went ahead following the death of the queen on Thursday at the age of 96.
British sport essentially shut down on Friday, but could be up and running by Saturday.
The BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event on the European tour, was paused near the end of the first round Thursday following the announcement of the queen’s death — there were still 30 players out on the course — and there will be no play Friday.
“We remain hopeful of restarting at some stage over the weekend,” the tour said Friday in a statement, adding that it would be reviewing “protocol guidance from Buckingham Palace” while also aligning with the decisions made by other sporting events in Britain.
News of the queen’s death has sent shockwaves across the United Kingdom and the rest of the globe
The England and Wales Cricket Board has already announced that there would be no play on Friday in the third and deciding test between England and South Africa at the Oval. There was no immedite update on whether play would be resuming over the weekend.
Other events called off included cycling’s Tour of Britain, which also canceled the final two stages of the race scheduled for the weekend, and the third day of horse racing’s St. Leger festival in Doncaster. The St. Leger, one of British racing’s classics, will now take place on Sunday, organizers said Friday.
Horse racing was the queen’s favorite sport.
Soccer matches in the English Football League — the three leagues below the Premier League — and in the Scottish lower league scheduled for Friday had already been postponed while matches scheduled to be played in Northern Ireland over the weekend were also canceled.
The Premier League said further updates regarding its fixtures during the period of mourning, which has begun in Britain, will be provided “in due course.”
Organizations are having to weigh up factors such as whether holding matches would use up police resources, the desire of broadcasters and the mood of the public.
There is little room in the schedule of this World Cup-affected season to fit in postponed fixtures.
The government said sporting organizations “might wish to consider canceling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral.”
That date of the State Funeral has not been set.
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
]]>Chelsea was renowned for regularly changing managers in the 19-year tenure of Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch who had to sell the London club after being sanctioned by the British government for what it called his enabling of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “brutal and barbaric invasion” of Ukraine.
Boehly was the face of the consortium that bought Chelsea for 2.5 billion pounds ($3.1 billion) in May and, despite having little soccer experience, quickly made himself chairman as well as interim sporting director in charge of transfers.
Not only has he overseen a record splurge on new players, Boehly has now decided Tuchel — the coach who led Chelsea to the Champions League title last year — is no longer the right person to lead the team in the new era.
The decision to fire Tuchel, who was manager for 20 months, came a day after Chelsea surprisingly lost to Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 in its first group match of the Champions League. Chelsea has also lost two of its first six games — to Leeds and Southampton — in an underwhelming start to the Premier League that has seen the team’s new signings fail to gel.
Tuchel has been a frustrated and prickly figure after matches this season. In interviews after the loss to Dinamo, he said “everything is missing” when asked to sum up Chelsea’s performance and complained that his players “lacked hunger.”
In a feisty Premier League game against Tottenham, Tuchel was sent off — along with rival manager Antonio Conte — and later fined after they went head-to-head in a post-match scuffle because Tuchel failed to let go of his grip in the traditional handshake.
“As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition,” Chelsea said in a statement, which also said Tuchel “will rightly have a place” in the club’s history.
After all, the 49-year-old German guided Chelsea to the Champions League title less than six months after taking over as manager in January 2021, as the replacement for Frank Lampard. Tuchel only had one full season at the helm and that saw Chelsea eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League — to eventual champion Real Madrid — before finishing third in the Premier League, 19 points behind champion Manchester City.
A big reason why Chelsea faded in the second half of last season was the turbulence caused by the change of ownership and it was a wild offseason at Stamford Bridge, too, with dozens of players — including Cristiano Ronaldo — linked with a move to the London club as Boehly looked to make his presence felt in the transfer market.
Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella came in for big fees, before the final days of the transfer window saw Chelsea spend 75 million pounds ($87 million) on French center back Wesley Fofana and then bring in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona to plug a gap in its striker options.
Aubameyang cited playing under Tuchel before — at Borussia Dortmund — as a benefit of the move and was handed a debut against Dinamo. That proved to be Tuchel’s last game in charge, perhaps leaving Aubameyang’s long-term status uncertain.
That will depend who comes in to replace Tuchel. British media has already linked Graham Potter, currently manager of in-form Premier League club Brighton, and Mauricio Pochettino, with the vacancy.
Potter has no real experience of handling a squad of star players but is highly regarded for his tactical astuteness and entertaining style of play. Pochettino has experience of overseeing a locker room of egos — he was recently coach of a Paris Saint-Germain team containing Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar — and has been out of work since parting ways with the French champions in July.
]]>The games are starting to add up as Matchweek 4 of the 2022-23 English Premier League season begins on Saturday.
After Newcastle managed a 3-3 draw against Manchester City in Matchweek 3, Arsenal remain the only perfect side in the league after comfortably handling AFC Bournemouth 3-0 on the road. Mikel Arteta’s team won’t have it so easy this week, however.
Let’s take a look at what Matchweek 4 has in store for us:
St. Mary’s Stadium will host the first game of Matchweek 4 as Southampton will face off against Manchester United on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET. Both teams are coming off wins last week, with the Red Devils beating Liverpool in a thriller at Old Trafford.
The last game will be on Sunday as newly promoted Nottingham Forest play host to Tottenham at 11:30 a.m. ET. The Spurs are one of seven teams to have not lost yet.
We’ll kick things off with Brighton hosting Leeds United on Saturday. Managers Graham Potter (Brighton) and Jesse Marsch (Leeds) have gotten their respective teams off to flying starts and haven’t lost yet, though one of them might suffer that fate. Leeds’ high-press tactic paid off last week against Chelsea in an upset 3-0 win while Brighton topped West Ham 2-0 on the road.
The next game comes two-and-a-half hours after Brighton-Leeds. Arsenal will be hosting newly promoted Fulham, another game where both teams have no scratches in the loss column. Fulham drew with Liverpool in Matchweek 1 as manager Marco Silva has them playing a brand of football that could keep them up this season. It’ll be a tough test for the Gunners as they’ll look to maintain their stellar form.
The last game to highlight is Aston Villa hosting West Ham on Sunday at 9 a.m. ET. Both the Villains and Hammers have been extremely disappointing to start the season, as they each have the quality of a top-10 side. Let’s see which team, if any, can regain some form by collecting all three points.
Here’s how Matchweek 4 is expected to pan out, with all odds courtesy of our betting partner, PointsBet:
Southampton vs. Manchester United
Southampton: +325
Draw: +290
Manchester United: -131
Brentford vs. Everton
Brentford: +105
Draw: +240
Everton: +260
Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
Manchester City: -551
Draw: +600
Crystal Palace: +1400
Brighton vs. Leeds United
Brighton: -115
Draw: +260
Leeds: +300
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth
Liverpool: -1000
Draw: +850
Bournemouth: +2000
Chelsea vs. Leicester City
Chelsea: -250
Draw: +375
Leicester City: +650
Arsenal vs. Fulham
Arsenal: -325
Draw: +450
Fulham: +800
Aston Villa vs. West Ham
Aston Villa: +125
Draw: +240
West Ham: +210
Wolverhampton vs. Newcastle
Wolves: +170
Draw: +220
Newcastle: +165
Nottingham Forest vs. Tottenham
Nottingham Forest: +575
Draw: +350
Tottenham: -221
Editor’s note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
]]>Son, the South Korea forward, was subjected to abuse from a member of the crowd at Stamford Bridge in the 2-2 draw last Sunday.
Chelsea has concluded an investigation by issuing a ban.
Chelsea has previously handed out life bans to supporters found guilty of racial abuse at its ground.
The Blues took their latest initiative in the long-running “No To Hate” campaign before Sunday’s game, taking steps to make it easier for spectators to report alleged abuse.
The back of every seat at Stamford Bridge now has instructions on how to report incidents of abuse, either by text message or by barcode on a smartphone.
Chelsea believe that identifying a specific seat from which incidents either happen or are reported will help increase the chances of individuals being caught.
]]>It’s time to prepare for a full slate of action as Matchweek 3 of the English Premier League season begins.
Matchweek 2 delivered multiple notable headlines, ranging from Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte getting heated, Brentford drubbing Manchester United 4-0, Nottingham Forest scoring their first Premier League goal in 23 years and a Crystal Palace defender receiving death threats after he was headbutted by Liverpool’s new No. 9 Darwin Núñez, who was sent off with a red card following the incident.
Only time will tell if Matchweek 3 can live up to that drama, but on the pitch, there are plenty of quality games on the schedule this weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know about Matchweek 3 of the 2022-23 EPL season:
Tottenham and Wolverhampton get the action started in Matchweek 3, with kick-off time slated for Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET. The Spurs have picked up four points from their previous two outings while the Wolves have just one after drawing with Fulham last week.
In total, there are six games scheduled for Saturday, three for Sunday and a huge game involving two “Big 6” clubs on Monday to round out the week.
The biggest involves Manchester United hosting Liverpool on Monday at 3 p.m. ET. United is currently at the bottom of the table for the first time since 1992, and this game is their toughest yet. Liverpool have drawn against Fulham and Crystal Palace to open the season, but they’re still expected to fight for the title as the months roll on. However, Núñez will not be eligible to play after his aforementioned red card.
Elsewhere, Newcastle hosting Manchester City on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET is a big test for the Magpies. Newcastle are hoping to leap into the top seven of the table after an 11th-place finish last season, so seeing how they fare against Pep Guardiola and the defending champions will demonstrate their quality going forward.
Fulham hosting Brentford is another sneaky-good game that might be overlooked. Both are clubs that have been promoted from the EFL Championship within the last two seasons, and both have gotten off to solid starts this year. Brentford dominated headlines last week after thrashing the Red Devils, and now that they’re occupying third place, let’s see if they can continue their positive form. Fulham have drawn each of their two games against good opposition, so they’ll be looking to collect all three points for the first time this season.
Here is how Matchweek 3 is expected to pan out, with all odds courtesy of our betting partner, PointsBet (road team listed first):
Wolves at Tottenham:
Wolves: +650
Tottenham: -250
Draw: +375
Southampton at Leicester City:
Southampton: +290
Leicester City: -121
Draw: +290
Nottingham Forest at Everton:
Nottingham Forest: +290
Everton: -105
Draw: +240
Aston Villa at Crystal Palace:
Aston Villa: +195
Crystal Palace: +150
Draw: +210
Brentford at Fulham:
Brentford: +190
Fulham: +145
Draw: +230
Arsenal at Bournemouth:
Arsenal: -240
Bournemouth: +650
Draw: +350
Brighton & Hove Albion at West Ham:
Brighton: +210
West Ham: +130
Draw: +230
Chelsea at Leeds United:
Chelsea: -186
Leeds United: +475
Draw: +325
Manchester City at Newcastle:
Manchester City: -281
Newcastle: +750
Draw: +400
Liverpool at Manchester United:
Liverpool: -171
Manchester United: +425
Draw: +325
Editor’s note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
]]>Tottenham forward Son Heung-min was reportedly abused by a supporter while he took a corner during the second half of the 2-2 draw on Sunday.
“If identified, this individual will face the strongest action from the club,” Chelsea said of the supporter.
Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel got heated after the Chelsea-Spurs game, along with the Red Devils' big loss
Chelsea said it finds any form of discriminatory behavior “totally abhorrent.”
“Chelsea has consistently made its zero-tolerance position on discriminatory behavior very clear,” the club said, “yet there are still idiots like this that attach themselves to this club as so-called ‘fans,’ which shames Chelsea, our coaches, players, staff and our true supporters.”
]]>Andersen took to Instagram to share what he said was a sample of hundreds of abusive messages he has received since the 1-1 draw at Anfield.
“Got maybe 300-400 of these messages last night,” the Dane posted Tuesday to his Instagram story, which called on the league and Instagram to take action.
Media reports said Andersen has also spoken to the police.
Some of the screenshots called for the Palace player’s death, and many were full of expletives. Some messages threatened not just Andersen but his family as well.
Along with the Núñez ejection, Matchweek 2 delivered plenty of headlines, including Manchester United's drubbing
A Premier League spokesperson confirmed the governing body had been in touch with Palace to offer help, Britain’s Press Association said.
The British parliament had been set to discuss new legislation in July that would have forced tech companies to take stronger measures to tackle abuse and hate on their platforms, but the bill was postponed until a new leader of the ruling Conservative party is chosen.
Núñez was making his first competitive start for Liverpool. The club’s big offseason signing lost his temper after jostling with Andersen off the ball and thrust his head into the face of the defender. He was sent off in the 57th minute. Andersen got a yellow card in the same incident.
Núñez is facing a three-match ban for violent conduct.
]]>After 23 years away from England’s top-flight league, Nottingham Forest scored their first Premier League goal on Sunday against West Ham United in front of a raucous home crowd.
It came during stoppage time before the end of the first half when left-back Harry Toffolo sliced his way into West Ham’s penalty box. He laid the ball off to former Manchester United and West Ham attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard, who had his shot deflected by Ben Johnson. Unfortunately for Johnson, newly signed Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi was right there as the ball bounced off him and rolled in.
It might not have been the prettiest first goal back, but they all count. Forest would hang on to win 1-0 despite some shaky moments. Dean Henderson, currently on loan from Manchester United, saved a penalty taken by England international Declan Rice in the 64th minute.
About 20 minutes later, newly signed right-back Neco Williams from Liverpool had a goal-line clearance from a corner kick that kept Forest’s clean sheet intact.
Forest had lost to Newcastle United 2-0 on the road in Matchweek 1, but they got to celebrate this week’s special win in front of their home fans.
Next up for the Tricky Trees is a trip to Goodison Park in a match against Frank Lampard’s Everton side. The Toffees have lost both of their games this season, so maybe Forest can add their first away goal next week since returning to the Premier League.
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]]>It’s only Matchweek 2 of the 2022-23 English Premier League season, but the early results have been quite shocking.
After Manchester United lost 2-1 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion last week, one may have thought that they would bounce back on the road against Brentford, one of last year’s promoted teams. The Bees, however, had the football world buzzing after thrashing the Red Devils 4-0 in stunning fashion.
Even though Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Erik ten Hag’s starting XI, United quickly realized he could not solve all their issues. In the 10th minute, Brentford midfielder Josh Dasilva opened the scoring after David de Gea’s blunder in goal:
The Spanish goalkeeper’s mistakes did not stop there. Just eight minutes later, his pass out from the back intended for newly signed – and last year’s Brentford player – Christian Eriksen was quickly intercepted by Mathias Jensen, who pulled the ball back and proceeded to send de Gea the wrong way with his shot:
All four of Brentford’s goals came in a 25-minute span in the first half. The third came 12 minutes after the second, when striker Ivan Toney headed the ball from the left goalpost back to the right side from a corner kick, which newly signed center-back Ben Mee put away:
The fourth and final goal from the contest was a display of counter-attacking brilliance from the Bees. In just a matter of 10 seconds, United went from possessing the ball in Brentford’s penalty box to conceding a goal to Bryan Mbeumo on the counter:
It was the final stamp on a game that United never envisioned having, especially against this opponent. Brentford’s last win against the Red Devils came in 1938, and the result put United at the bottom of the league table for the first time since 1992. As expected, Mbeumo’s goal caused Manchester United’s Twitter account to erupt:
Brentford will head to Craven Cottage in Matchweek 3 to take on newly promoted Fulham, but it doesn’t get any easier for United. Next up is a home game against rivals Liverpool. If their current form is any indication, it might be another long day against Jürgen Klopp’s side.
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]]>One week of the new English Premier League season is in the books, and we’ve already seen some major storylines emerge.
Liverpool were outplayed by newly promoted Fulham for the majority of the game before managing a 2-2 draw. Brighton went into Old Trafford and shocked Manchester United 2-1 in Erik ten Hag’s first game as the Red Devils’ new manager.
Fulham weren’t the only promoted team to pull off a great result. Bournemouth defeated Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa 2-0 and are second in the table due to goal difference.
Looking ahead to Matchweek 2, there are some vital fixtures, including one that involves two big London rivals. Let’s dive into what you should know for the new round of games:
Matchweek 2 starts with Aston Villa hosting Everton at Villa Park on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET. Villa started off on the wrong foot but will look to pick up three points against Frank Lampard’s side, which lost 1-0 to Chelsea last week.
No “Big 6” teams played each other last week, but that changes now. Chelsea will be hosting Tottenham in a critical six-pointer on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET. Both teams picked up three points last week, with the Spurs sitting atop the table after thrashing Southampton 4-1 at home.
Elsewhere, Liverpool will be hosting Crystal Palace, and both teams are hoping for a better result this time around. The Reds need a win to pick up on lost points last week while the Eagles were shut out 2-0 at home to Arsenal in the season opener. Patrick Vieira’s side is hoping to crack the top half of the table this year, and a good performance at Anfield may turn some heads.
Another one is Brighton hosting Newcastle. Both squads collected three points last week and are also expected to be in the top 10 when the season is over. Brighton are coming off a strong win against the Red Devils, while Newcastle topped newly promoted Nottingham Forest 2-0 at home.
Here’s a look at the betting odds for each contest in Matchweek 2, with all odds courtesy of our betting partner, PointsBet (road teams are listed first):
Everton at Aston Villa:
Everton: +350
Aston Villa: -125
Draw: +250
Fulham at Wolverhampton:
Fulham: +210
Wolverhampton: +135
Draw: +225
Newcastle at Brighton:
Newcastle: +200
Brighton: +140
Draw: +220
Leicester City at Arsenal:
Leicester City: +525
Arsenal: -200
Draw: +325
Bournemouth at Manchester City:
Bournemouth: +2800
Manchester City: -1500
Draw: +1000
Leeds United at Southampton:
Leeds United: +200
Southampton: +125
Draw: +250
Manchester United at Brentford:
Manchester United: +100
Brentford: +270
Draw: +250
West Ham at Nottingham Forest:
West Ham: -115
Nottingham Forest: +325
Draw: +250
Tottenham at Chelsea:
Tottenham: +210
Chelsea: +125
Draw: +240
Crystal Palace at Liverpool:
Crystal Palace: +1300
Liverpool: -500
Draw: +550
Editor’s note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
]]>The 23-year-old chef, oldest son of former soccer star David Beckham and singer-turned-designer Victoria Beckham—shared how his father really felt after he was released from the Arsenal Club at 16.
“My dad wasn’t sad, because he was like, ‘I just want you to be happy,'” he explained in an interview with Variety. “But of course, I was sad. It was my whole life since I was literally 2.”
Brooklyn added that the pressure “to try and live up to what my dad did in football, I was just like, that’s going to be a bit difficult.”
David has been hailed as one of the greatest soccer players ever, earning six Premier League titles throughout his 20-year career. And though Brooklyn decided to shift away from the sport, his career as a cook has taken off.
“I’m almost 100% self-taught,” he told the outlet. “Ever since the start of quarantine, I’ve done it every single day, and it’s the one thing I’ve found that takes my mind off of anything I’m thinking about.”
Cooking has also improved his experience with media, too. Last year, he began producing time-lapse videos of himself creating different dishes to post on Instagram, where he has more than 14 million followers.
Now, Brooklyn—who shut down rumors of a family feud in the Variety feature—has his sights on something bigger.
“I would love to have my own pub,” he noted. “I would love to have my own sauces, knives, pots and pans. Not like a chef—I’m always going to be learning about cooking.”
He also wants to do a reality TV show with his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham. “I’ve always said to my wife, we should actually do a reality TV show, because she’s so funny,” Brooklyn shared. “And we take the piss out of each other all the time. She sometimes doesn’t get my English humor.”
]]>It’s looking like a good time to be a USMNT fan.
Not only is the nation playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November, but there will be several players featured in the upcoming 2022-23 English Premier League campaign.
Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic is the standout, but he’s not the only first-teamer set to appear throughout the season. Along with Pulisic, here’s everything you need to know about USMNT players in the EPL in 2022-23:
There are currently seven USMNT players in the EPL in 2022-23.
Currently, Leeds United has the most USMNT players on the squad in 2022-23. Both are newly acquired signings in Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams.
Here’s a rundown of the eight players currently on a EPL squad:
Christian Pulisic, LW, Chelsea – Pulisic has been with the Blues since 2019 and has scored 19 goals in 74 league appearances with the club. Pulisic will be facing competition with newly signed Raheem Sterling at the left winger spot.
Brenden Aaronson, CAM/CM, Leeds United – Aaronson is an emerging 21-year-old midfielder who reunited with American manager Jesse Marsch after playing with Austrian side RB Salzburg. He can play as a No. 10 or No. 8, and is known for his high-pressing ability all over the pitch.
Tyler Adams, CDM, Leeds United – Adams is a 23-year-old defensive midfielder who can also operate as a right-back if needed. He joined this summer after a three-year stint with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig and figures to replace Kalvin Phillips’ role as he left for Manchester City.
Chris Richards, CB, Crystal Palace – Richards recently joined Patrick Vieira’s side and will compete for the starting center-back role alongside Marc Guéhi. If he impresses after coming over from Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, he could be one of the starting center-backs in Qatar later this year.
Matt Turner, GK, Arsenal – Turner officially joined Arsenal this summer after initially agreeing to a deal in January. He’ll be looking to compete for the No. 1 goalkeeper role in Qatar, but will need to impress as Aaron Ramsdale’s backup in UEFA Europa League and domestic cup fixtures. His main competition, Zack Steffen, will be playing on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.
Antonee Robinson, LB, Fulham – Robinson is back in the Prem after playing there in 2020-21 with the same club. Fulham were relegated but bounced back to England’s top-flight after just one season. The speedy left-back will hope to stay in form to keep his starting role in Gregg Berhalter’s side.
Tim Ream, CB, Fulham – Ream is now 34 and isn’t a first-choice option anymore due to his declining mobility and athleticism that Berhalter prefers, but he’s a solid veteran option in case he’s needed in the team.
]]>No, you’re not crazy – the new English Premier League season is already almost upon us.
After Manchester City lifted the league title a little over two months ago, teams have completed their preseason schedules and are ready to start the grind of the new campaign.
With the first game on the calendar come and gone, here’s everything you need to know about Matchweek 1 of the 2022-23 EPL season:
The 2022-23 EPL season started with Arsenal visiting Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Friday. The Gunners left with a comfortable 2-0 win.
After falling two points shy of UEFA Champions League qualification last season, Mikel Arteta’s revamped squad will be hoping for a strong start to the campaign. Palace finished three points off a top-10 spot in the standings last year and will also hope to rebound early in the season.
This was the only contest on Friday. There were six games on Saturday, followed by three on Sunday to end Matchweek 1.
None of England’s “Big 6” will be squaring off in Matchweek 1, but there were several games of note. Everton narrowly avoided relegation last season and looked to kick off the year in a big way with a win over Chelsea on Saturday. They were unable to complete the upset at home, losing 1-0.
On Sunday, City picked up where they left off with a 2-0 win over West Ham led by newcomer Erling Haaland. The Hammers nearly topped Manchester United in the table last year, but still qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League tournament. Back in Manchester, United lost 2-1 to Brighton.
Haaland made his English Premier League debut against West Ham on Sunday in style. The 22-year-old put on a show at London Stadium, scoring a penalty kick in the first half and before putting his speed on full display with a second-half goal to put the match away.
After coming over from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, he’ll have a ton of eyes on him as he’s one of the best young players in the world. He had a rough outing against Liverpool in the FA Community Shield, which included this egregious miss, so it’ll be interesting to see how adapts to life in England.
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar taking place in November rather than the usual time of summer, leagues around the world will be taking a pause to allow players to compete on soccer’s grandest stage.
The EPL will have its last round of games on the weekend of Nov. 12 and 13 before pausing games until Boxing Day on Dec. 26. If a Premier League player makes it to the World Cup Final, they will have only eight days to recover since the last game of the tournament is scheduled for Dec. 18.
]]>The Premier League returns on Friday, and the two-time defending champions appear primed for a three-peat.
Manchester City have won four of the last five Premier League titles. The club got a come-from-behind victory over Aston Villa on Championship Sunday to clinch the 2021-22 title, giving them a one-point edge over Liverpool in the league table.
Not only will the team bring back top talents like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Ederson, but it made one of the summer’s biggest additions across world soccer. The club reached a transfer agreement with Borussia Dortmund for Erling Haaland, one of the game’s top young strikers.
The Citizens weren’t the only team to load up heading into the new campaign. Liverpool brought in Darwin Núñez, Tottenham Hotspur acquired Richarlison and Arsenal got former Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus.
Will any of those moves make enough of a difference to dethrone Manchester City, or will the club lift the Premier League trophy once again?
Here are the Premier League title odds ahead of the 2022-23 season:
It’s Manchester City against the field. The team has -150 odds to win the league in 2022-23, according to our betting partner, PointsBet.
Liverpool, the only club besides Manchester City to win the league since 2018, have the next-best odds at +250. After that, it’s a major dropoff before the other four teams in England’s “Big Six”: Tottenham (+1200), Chelsea (+1400), Arsenal (+2500) and Manchester United (+3300).
Oddsmakers have pinned Bournemouth as the biggest long shot in the Premier League this season. PointsBet gave the club +150000 odds to win the Premier League a year after earning promotion with a second-place finish in the English Football League Championship.
Fulham, which won the EFL Championship in 2021-22, and Brentford have the next-worst odds at +100000.
Those numbers may seem impossibly low, but they hardly compare to the +500000 odds Leicester City overcame to win an unforgettable Premier League title in 2016.
Here are the title odds for all 20 Premier League teams:
Editor’s note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
]]>Instead, players will only do so during specific moments throughout the season, which includes the first and last matchweek, Boxing Day fixtures, FA Cup and EFL Cup Finals and dedicated “No Room for Racism” match rounds in October and March.
Key USMNT players Chris Richards and Tyler Adams were among the new transfers to England's top flight
“We have decided to select significant moments to take the knee during the season to highlight our unity against all forms of racism and in so doing we continue to show solidarity for a common cause,” Premier League captains said in a statement.
“We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all.”
The league first started the gesture in June 2020 in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign. The Premier League said it supports the captains’ decision as part of its No Room for Racism action plan that started in 2021.
]]>The Chicago Fire made it official and announced that 18-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has signed with Premier League side Chelsea.
The two sides came to an agreement that sees Chelsea pay the Fire $15 million, a club-record fee, as he becomes the team’s youngest player to sign for one of the top five leagues in Europe. As part of the agreement, Slonina will remain on loan with the Fire for the rest of the MLS season.
Chelsea had been keeping tabs on Slonina and reports indicated they had reached an agreement on personal terms a few weeks ago. All that was left was for the clubs to reach a deal.
“We’re very proud and happy to see Gaga reach this milestone moment in his career,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “Since joining the Club, Gaga has embodied what it means to be a Chicago Fire player.” In addition to his incredible talent, he is mature beyond his years, extremely hard working, and a fantastic teammate.
“Gaga is a role model to many young aspiring footballers in Chicago, and this transfer demonstrates that a player can progress to the first team from our Academy before joining one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
The move to Chelsea is a culmination of a rising trajectory for Slonina who only made his senior debut towards the end of last season. In his first season as the starting goalkeeper, Slonina has kept 10 clean sheets, which is tied for second most in the league.
“I joined this Club with ambitions of playing at the highest level and it’s been a dream come true to wear the Chicago Fire jersey,” said Slonina. “This Club has become my second home, my second family, and there are so many people that have played a big role in helping me get to where I am today. I’m so thankful for all the support that I’ve received from my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone associated with the Club.”
His performances throughout the season is one of the reasons the Fire are still within a shout of the MLS playoffs despite a rough patch. They are unbeaten in their last four matches and find themselves in eighth place, only two points behind FC Cincinnati for the final playoff spot.
While Slonina’s time with the Fire may be coming to a close, he wants to leave on a positive note by helping the team reach the postseason and perhaps win a championship.
“To the fans, I want to thank you all for supporting a local boy from Addison. You have inspired me to work my hardest day in and day out” said Slonina. “I promise that I will continue to give everything in these final 11 games to help get us back into the playoffs and compete for a championship.”
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]]>Just ask Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who had a penalty kick go awry during a shootout against MLS side Charlotte FC:
Gallagher appeared to have a trick up his sleeve as he was looking to tie the shootout at 3-3, but as a certain rabbit was told, those are only for kids. He might’ve been attempting a panenka, but Charlotte’s goalie had no issue saving the kick.
Charlotte, which had scored the equalizer in stoppage time to force the shootout, eventually won the game 5-3 on penalties inside Bank of America Stadium, N.C., as the English Premier League side continued its U.S. preseason tour.
The 22-year-old Gallagher spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace where he impressed by scoring eight goals to go with three assists in 34 league appearances.
However, the English national has yet to debut for the Blues in the EPL despite coming up through their youth academy.
Chelsea will conclude their U.S. tour against fellow EPL side Arsenal on July 23 in Florida. The Gunners are also in the middle of a U.S. tour of their own, having recently defeated Orlando City 3-1 on Wednesday.
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]]>The team is in Thailand for a preseason tour but the 37-year-old forward didn’t make the trip due to an unspecified family issue, amid doubts over his future at the club.
“He’s not with us and it’s due to personal issues,” Ten Hag said at a press conference. ”We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season so that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
The Portugal star has reportedly asked to leave United.
“He hasn’t told me this. I have read but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale,” Ten Hag said. “Cristiano is in our plans and we want to (have) success together.”
Ronaldo returned to United from Juventus last season after 12 years away from Old Trafford but the team finished in sixth place and only qualified for the Europa League rather than the more prestigious Champions League.
United will also travel to Australia as part of its tour.
]]>Not only was the season the most watched since 2015-16, it also saw a 21% increase over last season’s average of 414,000. The average includes games on NBC, USA Network, CNBC and NBCSN before it was shuttered late last year.
Championship Sunday on five NBCUniversal networks and the Peacock streaming service averaged 2.2 million viewers. Manchester City’s 3-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa averaged 955,000 viewers, making it the most watched Championship Sunday match on record.
With 93 points on the season, Manchester City won its fourth league title in five years by one point over Liverpool.
Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wolves on USA Network averaged 681,000 for the most viewed final Sunday match on cable.
A record 12 matches this season averaged 1 million viewers or more, breaking the previous Premier League mark of eight.
The Aug. 28, 2021, match between Liverpool and Chelsea averaged 1.4 million viewers, making it the most watched Premier League match in U.S. history. The April 10 match between Manchester City and Liverpool averaged 1.1 million on USA Network for the second-most watched cable match in U.S. history.
This was the final season of NBC’s current six-year, $1.1 billion agreement with the Premier League. NBC won the rights to a six-year, $2.7 billion contract in November that kicks in when next season opens the weekend of Aug. 6-7.
]]>In a title race that came down to the final day of the 2021-22 season, reigning champion Manchester City successfully defended their Premier League crown with an improbable 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Man City entered Championship Sunday holding a one-point advantage in the table and a plus-six edge in goal difference over Liverpool. And the Sky Blues shockingly went down 2-0 to the Lions in the 69th minute at the Etihad Stadium, opening the door wide open for Liverpool, who were playing to a 1-1 draw against Wolves at Anfield.
But, just when it seemed like Man City were going to suffer an epic Championship Sunday collapse, they flexed their championship pedigree in a major way.
The Sky Blues ripped off three goals in a span of five minutes late in the second half to pull off the repeat in thrilling fashion.
It was Ilkay Gundogan who finally ended the scoreless drought for Man City in the 76th minute when he headed in a cross from Raheem Sterling.
Then, in the 78th minute, Rodri evened the score with a smooth strike into the near-corner.
Gundogan came through again in the 81st minute, this time tapping in the go-ahead goal off a perfect pass from Premier League Player of the Year Kevin De Bruyne.
City ultimately needed that ferocious comeback to win the title, as Liverpool scored twice in the final six minutes against Wolves for a 3-1 win. Had the Sky Blues tied or lost to Aston Villa, the Reds would have been crowned champions.
“It was an unbelievable game,” Gundogan said, via AP. “We are human beings and, after going 2-0 down, the chances were just very, very small. But we had to do the simple things and scoring two goals quickly and then having 10 minutes to score the third one gave us the right lift.
“It was about getting that goal and then the momentum was on our side then were able to score three goals in just a few minutes. These are the days you look back to, it was an unbelievable game.”
With Manchester City finishing with 93 points and Liverpool with 92, it’s just the seventh time that the first- and second-place teams were separated by one point or fewer. Jurgen Klopp’s group will be feeling déjà vu because the last time it happened was to them in 2018-19 when Man City won the title over Liverpool by one point. The Reds also fell short of the 2013-14 title by two points to the Sky Blues.
Manchester City have now won four of the last five PL titles and six total since 2011-12. The Sky Blues’ six Premier League championships are second to only Manchester United, who own 13. In terms of all-time top-flight English championships, Man City are now in sole possession of fifth with eight, trailing Man United (20), Liverpool (19), Arsenal (13) and Everton (9).
Pep Guardiola also took over sole possession of second place from Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger for the most PL titles won by a manager with four. The record is held by Sir Alex Ferguson with 13.
“We are legends,” Guardiola said. “When you win four in five then it’s because these guys are so special. We will be remembered.”
Guardiola and Co. can add to their legendary status by becoming the first team to win three straight PL titles since Ferguson’s 2006-09 Man United squads. And Man City, who already led the league in goals scored this season, should be an even more dangerous side in 2022-23 with the transfer of budding star striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
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]]>To ensure the network is covered in case Manchester City or Liverpool win the title, it’s top announcing team will be in Manchester and the studio crew at Liverpool. It marks the first time in NBC’s nine years of covering the Premier League that its studio team will be in England for the final weekend.
“It has been something I was thinking about since January when it looked like we were going to have this crazy season going and Liverpool was making its run,” said Pierre Moossa, the coordinating producer for NBC’s Premier League coverage. “In early April, we decided we were going to be there. The season is too special.”
Going into the final game, Manchester City (90 points) has a one-point lead over Liverpool (89). The clubs have combined to win the past four Premier League titles. City is the defending champion and claimed the crown in 2017-18 and 2018-19, while Liverpool ended a 30-year domestic league title drought in 2019-20.
Moossa said splitting the top announce team and studio crew in different locations serves the viewers’ best interest. The announce team of Arlo White, Lee Dixon, and Graeme Le Saux will call the Manchester City-Aston Villa match on NBC.
The studio crew of Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Earle, Robbie Mustoe, and former U.S. National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard will anchor coverage from Liverpool, beginning at 9 a.m. EDT on Peacock. USA Network joins in at 10 a.m. with all the matches starting an hour later. The Liverpool-Wolverhampton Wanderers match will air on USA Network.
Arsenal-Everton (CNBC), Norwich City-Tottenham (SYFY), and Burnley-Newcastle (Golf Channel) are the other matches that will air on NBC-owned channels, with the other five only on Peacock. Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting for a spot in the top four, which would give them a spot in the Champions League, while Burnley is trying to avoid relegation.
“It’s exciting for the viewers because the last day matters for a lot of the teams. Everybody plays it cool for most of the season, but there have been a lot of fist-pumping and shouting after games because they realize how tight the race has been,” Howard said.
The close race has also translated into increased ratings for NBC. Heading into Championship Sunday, Premier League ratings are up 22% over last season, with games averaging 501,000 viewers. It is on pace to be the most-watched season since 2015-16.
A record 12 matches have averaged 1 million viewers or more, breaking the previous U.S. Premier League mark of eight.
The Aug. 28, 2021, match between Liverpool and Chelsea averaged 1.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched Premier League match in U.S. history. The April 10 match between Manchester City and Liverpool averaged 1.1 million on USA Network for the second most-watched cable match in U.S. history.
Coverage of Championship Sunday between all the NBC networks has averaged 1.5 million to 2 million viewers in each of the last five years.
This is the final season of NBC’s current six-year, $1.1 billion agreement with the Premier League. Last November, it won the rights to a six-year, $2.7 billion contract that kicks in next season.
“The interest that fans in the U.S. have in the Premier League is amazing. When we went to the Kentucky Derby a couple of weekends ago, there was a lot of interest in people coming up to our set and wanting to talk about it,” Mustoe said. “There’s so much crossover. I feel like the timeslot on Saturday and Sunday mornings has helped people get into it.”
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]]>Despite there only being one game remaining for all 20 teams, there are still multiple positional battles going on.
At the top of the table is a neck-and-neck fight between Manchester City and Liverpool. All City needs to do is defeat Aston Villa to repeat as champions. However, if they lose and Liverpool beats Wolverhampton, then the Reds will be hoisting the title.
A few spots below lie Tottenham and Arsenal. Both teams are vying for fourth place, which would grant them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League tournament. Arsenal had the advantage the last two weeks but lost both games. They’ll need 20th-place Norwich to defeat the Spurs and win against Everton themselves to reclaim fourth place.
Right underneath them sit Manchester United and West Ham. United is currently in sixth place, good for a UEFA Europa League qualification spot. The Hammers are two points behind in seventh, putting them in the UEFA Europa Conference League. A West Ham win and a United loss would swap the two sides.
The last positional battle is between Burnley and Leeds United for relegation. Norwich City and Watford are already confirmed to play in the EFL Championship next season, but no one wants 18th place. Both Burnley and Leeds have 35 points apiece, but the Clarets have the superior goal differential. Let’s see how that plays out.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Matchweek 38:
Premier League Matchweek 38 is on Sunday, May 22. Twenty teams, 10 games, all starting at 11 a.m. ET. Get your popcorn ready.
Manchester City is leading the table with 90 points. Liverpool is right behind them with 89.
The relegation zone in the EPL comprises the three teams with the lowest accumulated points throughout the regular season. Once the season concludes, the three teams in 18th, 19th and 20th place are relegated to the EFL Championship, the second-biggest division in English soccer.
Norwich (22 points) and Watford (23 points) have already been confirmed for relegation. Burnley and Leeds United are fighting to stay up with 35 points apiece.
The Matchweek 38 action will air across NBC, CNBC, USA Network, SYFY and the Golf Channel. The games can also be streamed on Peacock Premium, the NBC Sports app or NBCSports.com. The full schedule for the matchweek is below:
Sunday, May 22 (all kick-off times are 11 a.m. ET):
The Toffees erased a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 3-2, which guaranteed their safety from relegation. Everton fans stormed the pitch at Goodison Park twice – once after the team’s third goal in the 85th minute and the second after the final whistle blew.
But it was what allegedly happened during the second pitch storming that caught the attention of social media.
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira can be seen on film walking across the field towards his team’s dressing room when an Everton fan appears to taunt him by putting his left hand next to Vieira’s face while recording the manager on his phone with the right hand.
Vieira then appears to try to grab hold of the fan, followed by a few kicks as the fan tumbles to the floor.
There appeared to be some shoves after before other fans came in to separate the two.
Currently neither the Premier League nor Crystal Palace has issued a statement on the matter, but it will be interesting to see what, if anything, unfolds after a strange scene.
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]]>After experiencing one of their worst seasons in club history, the Toffees’ 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Thursday means they are living to see another season in England’s top-flight league.
Needing a win against Crystal Palace to guarantee safety from relegation heading into the final matchweek, things initially looked bleak when the Patrick Vieira-led side took a 2-0 lead through 36 minutes of play.
The Toffees, led by Frank Lampard who replaced Rafa Benitez as manager mid-season, hadn’t bounced back from a two-goal deficit at halftime to win ever – until now.
Everton found life in the 54th minute when central defender Michael Keane finished a left-footed shot after a set piece. From there, the Toffees were the aggressor at the urging of the home fans.
Then in the 75th minute, Brazilian striker Richarlison scored a left-footed shot of his own that deflected into the goal to level the score at 2-2. A tie would suffice for Everton, but it was clear the players wanted to go all out for the win.
Everton winger Demarai Gray, who was crucial in the buildup for the second goal, delivered a beautiful ball into the penalty box on a free kick, which found Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a header to make it 3-2 in the 85th minute.
Fans immediately raided the pitch even though there was still ample time left on the clock.
Once the commotion was settled, seven minutes of stoppage time was all that stood in front of Everton.
In the end, the Toffees survived, and it meant everything to the fans. Nothing would delay their celebrations in Goodison Park now.
Everton, one of the founders of the English Football League, has been a staple in the Premier League spanning several decades. They had not been relegated from top-flight football since 1954, which was a whopping 68 years ago.
They will finish the season in either 16th place or 15th, depending on Southampton which has a one-point advantage. It’s the lowest Everton will finish since the 2003-04 campaign when they were 17th.
Following that year, the Toffees soared up the standings to end the 2004-05 season in fourth place. Let’s see if another miracle is in store for them next year.
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]]>Boehly is joined in the purchase by Clearlake Capital, Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss and Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and co-owner of several Los Angeles sports teams, including the Dodgers.
The announcement came as the club faces a quickly approaching deadline of May 31 set by the U.K. government. Chelsea first went up for sale in early March, a week before the government issued sanctions against Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in response to his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the official statement, $3.1 billion will be deposited to the frozen U.K. bank account of Abramovich “with the intention to donate 100% to charitable causes.” The U.K. government is reportedly overseeing this transaction.
The remaining $2.16 billion of the sale will go toward “the benefit of the Club.” Specific investments include home stadium Stamford Bridge, the football academy, the Chelsea women’s team and their stadium, Kingsmeadow, and continued funding for the Chelsea Foundation.
Abramovich acquired the team in 2003 and they’ve since won two Champions League titles, most recently in 2021.
]]>Manchester City still hold a slight one-point edge over Liverpool in the race for the league title, with both sides coming off lopsided victories. Liverpool, who host Everton in the Merseyside derby, and Manchester City, who host 19th–place Watford, will be big favorites in Matchweek 34.
Arsenal and Tottenham are equal on points for the fourth and final Champions League spot, and Manchester United are three points behind in sixth. The Hotspur and Gunners each have a game in hand on the Red Devils. Tottenham visit Brentford, while Arsenal host United in a matchup with massive top-four implications.
West Ham, two points back of Manchester United, are still lurking in the race for top-four and the fifth-place Europa League spot. West Ham and Chelsea will battle in a London derby at Stamford Bridge.
And at the bottom of the table, Burnley are breathing down Everton’s necks for the first spot outside of the relegation zone. Everton have a daunting road matchup with Liverpool and Burnley host eighth-place Wolves.
Here’s everything you need to know prior to Matchweek 34:
Premier League Matchweek 34 will begin on Saturday, April 23, and conclude on Monday, April 25.
Reigning champion Manchester City remain in the top spot of the table with 77 points, one point above Liverpool.
Chelsea are well behind in third with 62 points.
The relegation zone in the Premier League is made up of the three lowest-placed teams at the end of the season. Those three teams are moved down to the division below and will start the following season competing in the Championship division of English soccer.
The current relegation zone includes Burnley, Watford and Norwich City. Burnley trail Everton by one point for 17th, though Everton do have a game in hand.
The Matchweek 34 action will air across NBC, CNBC and the USA Network. You can also stream the action on Peacock, the NBC Sports app and NBCSports.com. The full schedule for each day is below:
Saturday, April 23
Sunday, April 24
Monday, April 25
After a thrilling 2-2 draw between them last weekend, Manchester City and Liverpool and still locked in a tight battle for first place, with City edging the lead by one point. The two will play again this weekend, though this time it will be in the FA Cup semifinals.
At the bottom of the table, Burnley will take on West Ham as they fight for survival, while Watford face-off with Brentford. Norwich have a tall task ahead as Manchester United await on Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know prior to the start of matchweek 33:
Premier League Matchweek 33 will begin on Saturday, April 16 and conclude on Sunday, April 17.
All the Matchweek 33 action will take place on USA Network, NBC and Peacock. The full schedule for each day is below:
The 2021-22 Premier League season is officially over following a hectic Championship Sunday with several teams playing for something.
At the top of the table was a narrow battle for the championship. Manchester City had a one-point lead over Liverpool entering Sunday’s games and simply needed a win to secure their fourth title in the last five years.
It didn’t look good when they trailed Aston Villa 2-0 with 20 minutes to play, but there’s just something about City on the final gameday. The Sky Blues came back and won 3-2 to claim the title, which was huge considering Liverpool beat Wolves 3-1.
Then a few spots below lied Tottenham and Arsenal. After losing the advantage for a UEFA Champions League spot, the Gunners needed to handle Everton and hope already relegated Norwich City pulled off a miracle against Spurs. The former happened, as Arsenal thrashed the Toffees 5-1. However, Spurs were also relentless, winning 5-0 to claim fourth place.
Despite losing, Manchester United also booked a spot in the UEFA Europa League to join Arsenal after West Ham also lost. The Hammers finished seventh for a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The last major battle on the table was for relegation. Everton had confirmed their safety with a comeback win against Crystal Palace on Thursday, so it was between Leeds United and Burnley for 18th place. Jack Harrison scored a late goal in stoppage time to secure Leeds’ spot in the PL while Burnley fell to Newcastle. The Clarets will join Norwich and Watford in the EFL Championship next season.
Take a look at the full standings below:
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