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Tag: Epl

  • EPL: Chelsea duo sink Leicester in stellar performance

    EPL: Chelsea duo sink Leicester in stellar performance

    Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez goals secured a dominant away victory for Chelsea at Leicester.

    Jackson, 23, scored his fifth goal in four consecutive away games as he outbattled defender Wout Faes to win a long punt up field, which he finished well after Fernandez played him into position in the 15th minute.

    Fernandez then headed in from close range on the rebound, after goalkeeper Mads Hermansen saved Jackson’s initial effort, to seal the win.

    Jordan Ayew dispatched a late penalty for Leicester in the 95th minute after Romeo Lavia fouled Bobby de Cordova-Reid in the box.

    The Blues were dominant on a cold, wet afternoon at the King Power stadium, with over 66% possession throughout the 90 minutes.

    It was a torrid return to Premier League football for Leicester, who lost star midfielder Harry Winks through an ankle injury in the 11th minute.

    They didn’t muster a shot on goal until the 39th minute, when Kasey McAteer almost found the bottom corner on the break, then Wilfred Ndidi missed a great chance just before half-time.

    But Chelsea were commanding. Noni Madueke had a goal ruled out for offside and squandered chances through Moises Caicedo and Joao Felix, who earned his first Premier League start since his last spell with the club in May 2023.

    Cole Palmer also saw a close range shot cleared off the line by his own man Madueke in unfortunate circumstances shortly after half-time.

    Chelsea move up to third in the Premier League table on 22 points before the rest of the weekend’s games, with Leicester remaining 16th on 10 points.

    BBC

  • EPL: Top 5 talking points this weekend

    EPL: Top 5 talking points this weekend

    The Premier League returns this week after a week long international break, here are 5 talking points as club football returns once again.

    RUBEN AMORIM’S FIRST GAME IN CHARGE

    The Amorim era begins at Manchester United as the Portuguese manager prepares for his first game at the helm after the brutal sacking of Erik ten Hag. Amorim is the sixth person to fill the hole left by Sir Alex Ferguson 11 years ago as he aims to bring a breath of fresh air to a stagnating club.

    Many are optimistic as United travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town especially after Amorim whipped their biggest rivals 4-1 in his last game in charge of Sporting Lisbon. Will he bring success? Only time will tell.

    THREE MANAGERS WITH JOBS IN DOUBT

    Gary O’Neil of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace and Russell Martin of Southampton are all under threat this week as they attempt to escape the relegation zone.

    The trio of failing sides have been underwhelming this season to say the least and now with Ten Hag gone all three head coaches will be desperate for a win this week to save their jobs or at least further scrutiny from impatient fans who have had enough.

    Dr TOTTENHAM COULD HEAL MAN CITY

    City lost 4 games in a row for the first time since 2006 before the international break and now manager Pep Guardiola will be looking to turn his club around as they attempt to chase a title that is slowly slipping away to Liverpool.

    Dr Tottenham is the idea that teams lacking in confidence, form and points will suddenly be healed with a positive result against Spurs and with Guardiola desperate for a win the North London side may be exactly what he needs to bounce back.

    CHRIS WOOD COULD END ARSENAL TITLE CHANCES

    The New Zealand striker scored 5 goals in two games over the international break against Samoa and Vanuatu to add to what has been his best ever start to a season. Wood sits just 4 goals behind Erling Haaland in the Premier League scoring charts and has an unbelievable 8 goals in 11 games for a Nottingham Forest side who are in top shape.

    Nuno Espirito Santo’s side travel to the Emirates Stadium this weekend as Arsenal look to break their poor form which has seen them winless in the league since the start of October. Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping to lockdown Wood on Saturday with the 32-year-old being the most likely to kill the Gunners title hopes.

    LEADERS LIVERPOOL FACE BOTTOM SOUTHAMPTON

    Arne Slot’s side went into the international break holding a five-point lead over Man City and will travel to St. Mary’s this weekend in hopes of maintaining that gap before facing the champions the week afterwards.

    Despite the league standings, Russell Martin’s side grabbed their first win of the season before the break and will be full of confidence in front of the home crowd. Add this on to the fact that the Reds injury woes could be worsened with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk possibly absent it could be a recipe for a shock Saints result.

    Tribalfootball

  • I need two years to prove myself – Amorim

    I need two years to prove myself – Amorim

    Ruben Amorim has given himself two years to prove himself as Manchester United manager.

    The former Sporting CP coach is now the sixth manager in 11 years at Old Trafford.

    Amorim said: “In two years you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process.

    “In two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or you want to change.

    “I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.”

    He also said ahead of Sunday’s debut against Ipswich: “Call me naïve but I believe I am the right guy in the right moment. I truly believe I am the right guy.”

  • Transfer: Arsenal ready to sell three senior players

    Transfer: Arsenal ready to sell three senior players

    Premier League scout Mick Brown expects three senior players to leave Arsenal in 2025.

    Gabriel Jesus, Oleks Zinchenko and Kiernan Tierney are all set to be moved on, according to Brown.

    “There are three players that the club would like to sell. It’s Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney. They are not part of the coach’s plans.

    “When it comes to sales, you have to look at what your assets are,” he told Football Insider.

    “We know there has been interest in (William) Saliba, for example, but I think he is one of the last players they would ever consider selling. If they feel they need to raise money, they have these (three) players they are much more likely to turn to.

    “It will bring down a large part of the salary costs and help them reinvest in strengthening their team.”

    Tribalfootball

  • EPL: Boost for Arsenal as 5 senior players due for return

    EPL: Boost for Arsenal as 5 senior players due for return

    Premier League title challengers Arsenal may be strengthened after the international break.

    The Gunners had a lot of injuries in key positions in the early part of this season.

    As a result, they are adrift of Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race and playing catch up.

    Per football.london, Arsenal will be boosted by as many as five players returning to action.

    Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Riccardo Calafiori may all be fit.

    Arsenal will be without Ben White for some time, as he had surgery on a small knee injury.

    Tribalfootball

  • EPL: Arsenal share spoils with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

    EPL: Arsenal share spoils with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

    Arsenal and Chelsea shared the spoils at Stamford Bridge in an enthralling English Premier League (EPL) fixture on Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chelsea played at home to a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in a game that saw Gabriel Martinelli and Pedro Neto on the scoreboard.

    Chelsea created chances early in the game. David Raya was forced to tip over Cole Palmer’s 20-yard drive and Malo Gusto headed off-target from close-range.

    Arsenal also created opportunities as Martinelli was earlier denied by Robert Sanchez before Kai Havertz had a goal ruled out for offside.

    The Gunners eventually broke the deadlock midway through the second half when the ball fell for Martinelli in acres of space at the back post, and the Brazilian beat Sanchez at his near post.

    The lead, however, didn’t last long as Neto equalised with a powerful effort from 25 yards after cutting in from the right.

    Both teams pushed for a winner, but neither side could find the net for a second time. Leaders Liverpool sit nine points clear of both sides heading into the last international break of 2024.

    The draw keeps the London sides level in the Premier League, but still nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

    In a finely balanced game, the sides enjoyed almost equal possession and both had three shots on target.

    It was Arsenal who looked the more disappointed at the whistle, Mikel Arteta holding his head in disbelief after substitute Leandro Trossard failed to put away two late chances.

    Gabriel Martinelli had put the visitors in front in the 60th minute, turning in a neatly lifted ball from captain Martin Odegaard, whose influence on his return from injury proved crucial after the Gunners’ failure to score in their last two games.

    Chelsea equalised 10 minutes later when substitute Enzo Fernandez pushed the ball to the ever-lively Pedro Neto just outside the Arsenal area and the Portuguese stepped to one side and shot low to David Raya’s left.

    “We came to win, so we’re not as happy as we wanted to be, but we didn’t want to lose and it’s a good point against a good team,” Neto told Sky Sports.

    Chelsea’s Cole Palmer had almost made the perfect start but his third-minute rocket was tipped over by the ever-vigilant Raya.

    Arsenal thought they had gone ahead in the 32nd when former Chelsea striker Kai Havertz latched on to a speedily taken free kick and sent the ball across Robert Sanchez into the bottom corner.

    But VAR showed the German was fractionally offside.

    Sanchez had been called into action five minutes earlier, getting his hand to a shot from Martinelli.

    Chelsea fluffed a couple of second-half chances with Levi Colwill shooting just over and Noni Madueke firing high and wide.

    But as the minutes ticked down it was Arsenal who pushed forward. Sanchez kept out substitute Mikel Marino, before Trossard fired over from close range

    In time added on, William Saliba sent the ball across the six-yard box but Trossard could not connect with it despite an open goal.

    The result lifted Chelsea to third and Arsenal, who have gone four Premier League games without a win, to fourth in the table, both on 19 points.

  • Manchester City suffer shock defeat at Bournemouth

    Manchester City suffer shock defeat at Bournemouth

    Manchester City suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday that ended their 32-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

    Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson scored for the Cherries who claimed their first ever win over the visitors.

    The result dropped City — who had not lost in the league since a 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Dec. 6 to second with 23 points after 10 matches, two points behind Liverpool.

    Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth climbed to eighth on 15 points.

    “We knew we couldn’t match the intensity,” City manager Pep Guardiola told the BBC. We’ve talked about it. It was an open game. We had chances at the end but I congratulate Bournemouth for the victory.”

    Bournemouth were rewarded for their strong start with Semenyo’s ninth-minute goal.

    Milos Kerkez superbly worked the ball up the left side to the byline before sending a low cross to Semenyo, who turned and beat goalkeeper Ederson.

    Evanilson doubled the lead in the 64th when he latched onto Kerkez’s cross and slotted home.

    City, who have been struggling with injuries to key players, made it a nervy finish after pulling a goal back in the 82nd minute when Josko Gvardiol leapt to meet Ilkay Gundogan’s cross, his looping header pushed in off the bar by keeper Mark Travers.

    That came two minutes after City’s scoring machine Erling Haaland had his side’s first shot on target and the visitors kept the pressure on Travers, who had had little to do up to that point, and Bournemouth’s defence in the dying minutes.

    Travers made a terrific save in added time to help secure Bournemouth’s win when he stopped Haaland’s header from close range. The striker then fired his own rebound off the post.

    City have been hampered by a long list of injuries, although winger Jeremy Doku made a surprise return and the second-half substitute instantly made his presence felt.

    Neither captain Kyle Walker nor key midfielder Kevin de Bruyne were expected to play either but the former started and the latter returned to the bench where he stayed.

    Phil Foden also had a decent chance for City but dragged his shot wide of the net in the second half.

    Haaland went down after a challenge from Lewis Cook just before the hour but VAR determined it was a fair tackle.

    The Norwegian was on the ground for several minutes receiving treatment before continuing but could not find the net.

    It was the second consecutive home victory for the south-coast side, who also stunned title hopefuls Arsenal 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium two weeks ago.

    “It feels amazing,” forward Semenyo said. “The best team in the world. We made it tough for them and everyone is buzzing with the result. A win is a win. It doesn’t matter if it is one goal or three, we deserved it.

    “We have belief,” added the 24-year-old. “We train hard every day and take it onto the pitch. Everyone is going to write us off but we know what we can do.”

  • EPL: Arteta frustrated as Newcastle defeat Arsenal

    EPL: Arteta frustrated as Newcastle defeat Arsenal

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was disheartened with how his team performed in a 1-0 loss to Newcastle on Saturday in a potential blow to their Premier League title chase.

    The gaffer decried the fact that they were  sucked into playing Newcastle’s style of game.

    Alexander Isak headed home in the 12th minute in Newcastle’s first win in six league games, leaving Arsenal provisionally third in the Premier League table behind Manchester City and Liverpool, who were both playing later on Saturday.

    Arteta’s side generated few chances on an afternoon that marked the first time since May 2022 that they had lost two consecutive away league matches. They were shocked 2-0 by Bournemouth on Oct. 19.

    “We deserved to lose today,” Arteta told Premier League Productions. “I thought we started really well and were really dominant. We didn’t defend the box well enough. Credit to them. They scored a great goal with a good ball.

    “Then the game changes and you start to play a different game. You have to adapt and we didn’t do that well enough. I am very frustrated.

    “We got dragged into a game they are looking for constantly and we couldn’t play the game that we wanted.”

    Newcastle defender Lewis Hall threw his body in front of Arsenal’s lone shot on target, blocking Mikel Merino’s volley from close range in the first half.

    Declan Rice squandered a terrific chance in injury time, latching on to a cross but firing it wide of the net.

    “We had two big chances — Mikel had a big one, Declan had a big one. We lacked answers,” Arteta said.

    His squad are winless in their last three Premier League matches.

    “We can say whatever we want. We will struggle to find the words today. We have to show it on the pitch on Wednesday night (against Inter Milan in a Champions League match).

    “You have to be at your best every time to give yourself a chance to win”.

  • Lukaku rejected EPL offers to join me – Napoli coach, Conte

    Lukaku rejected EPL offers to join me – Napoli coach, Conte

    Napoli coach Antonio Conte says Romelu Lukaku rejected Premier League offers to join him in Naples.

    Lukaku left Chelsea for Napoli in August and has shown signs of returning to his very best under Conte.

    After victory at AC Milan last night, the Azzurri coach said: “There is great empathy with Romelu, he wanted to come to Naples at all costs, he even refused the Premier League to work together again.

    “I can speak highly of him. I am lucky to have an exceptional group of guys. If you have guys ready to die sportingly speaking, you know you can have everything.”

    Conte also said: “I suffer because I would like to win them all. We prepared for this match with just one training session having played on Saturday. I thank the staff and the people who are constantly stressed, I ask a lot of myself and also of the others. The availability of everyone is the thing I like most, together with the unity of purpose.

    “The team has scored many points but we will have to be prepared even when there is some setback. We want to make our fans proud. The boys have all been on the ball. I am excited to work with this group, they are open in what we do.”

  • EPL: Salah earns Liverpool draw at Arsenal

    EPL: Salah earns Liverpool draw at Arsenal

    Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday night in a tense clash at the top of the Premier League.

    The Gunners made the perfect start to a vitally important match as Bukayo Saka latched on to Ben White’s long ball before cutting inside Andy Robertson and rifling a high effort past Kelleher at the near post.

    Liverpool were soon back on level terms as Virgil van Dijk nodded in from Alexander-Arnold’s set-piece, but from there Arsenal dominated the rest of the opening 45 minutes, and were ahead once more as Mikel Merino powered a header in from Declan rice’s free-kick.

    The second half started with bad news for Arsenal, as Gabriel was forced off with injury. It was then the away side’s turn to dominate, and their attacking paid off as Alexander-Arnold played a lovely pass into the path of Darwin Nunez, who squared it to Mohamed Salah to net the equaliser.

    That goal set up a tense finish in north London, and the spoils were shared after an intriguing early season match-up at the top of the table.

    Independent