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Tag: Epl

  • EPL: Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa park

    EPL: Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa park

    Arsenal overcame a stern test from their long-time nemesis Aston Villa to secure a significant victory in a thrilling match at Villa Park.

    In a game defined by the performances of the two goalkeepers, Arsenal’s David Raya made an incredible second-half save to deny Ollie Watkins with the score still level, while Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez committed a costly error, allowing Thomas Partey’s shot to slip through his hands and give the Gunners a crucial two-goal lead.

     

    Arsenal held on despite Watkins missing a golden opportunity to put Villa ahead in the first half.

    The turning point came after the break when Raya made a remarkable one-handed save from Watkins, after Amadou Onana’s shot had rebounded off the bar.

     

    Mikel Arteta’s team capitalized on their momentum, taking the lead in the 67th minute when substitute Leandro Trossard, on the pitch for just moments, coolly finished past Martinez.

    Partey then doubled Arsenal’s advantage 10 minutes later, sealing a victory that was particularly satisfying after Villa’s league double dented their title hopes last season.

  • EPL: United coach, Ten Hag blames three players for loss to Brighton

    EPL: United coach, Ten Hag blames three players for loss to Brighton

    Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has criticized three of his players following their 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday.

    The Red Devils were hoping to build on their 1-0 victory in their Premier League opener as they traveled to the Amex Stadium.

    However, a first-half goal from former United striker Danny Welbeck put Brighton in the lead. Although Amad Diallo managed to equalize, Brighton secured a late winner through João Pedro. United also had a goal from Alejandro Garnacho disallowed after Joshua Zirkzee was ruled offside.

    For Brighton’s winning goal, Antony’s weak challenge allowed Simon Adingra to create space in the box. Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, and Noussair Mazraoui failed to close down the player as the cross was delivered.

    “We didn’t stop the cross,” Ten Hag remarked. “There were three players. Adingra is a right-footed player—send him down the line, send him wide instead of letting him cut in and deliver the cross. We need to address this.”

  • EPL: Brighton shock United 2-1, City thrash Ipswich 4-1 at Etihad

    EPL: Brighton shock United 2-1, City thrash Ipswich 4-1 at Etihad

    João Pedro secured a dramatic 95th-minute winner for Brighton, preserving their perfect start to the season and handing Manchester United a painful defeat. United thought they had clinched the victory when Alejandro Garnacho tucked in Bruno Fernandes’ low cross with 18 minutes left. However, VAR ruled out the goal for offside after the ball brushed substitute Joshua Zirkzee just before crossing the line.

     

    This opened the door for Pedro to seize the moment, as he headed in Simon Adingra’s cross at the far post, giving Fabian Hürzeler a dream start as Brighton manager. Former United striker Danny Welbeck had earlier put Brighton ahead with his fifth Premier League goal against his former club, and he nearly doubled the lead when his header struck the crossbar in the second half.

     

    Although Amad Diallo equalized for United on the hour mark, and despite Garnacho’s disallowed goal, United’s best attempts came from long-range efforts by Scott McTominay and Casemiro, neither of which troubled the Brighton goal. The final whistle sparked celebrations at the Amex Stadium, with Hürzeler visibly overjoyed and Billy Gilmour, linked with a move to Napoli, earning Man of the Match honors to the delight of the home fans.

     

    Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powered Manchester City to a dominant victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium, offering the newly-promoted side a harsh introduction to Premier League life. Ipswich, back in the top flight after 22 years, had a promising start when Sammie Szmodics scored on his full debut, slipping a shot through Ederson’s legs after just seven minutes.

     

    However, their joy was short-lived as City responded with three goals in just four minutes. Haaland equalized from the penalty spot after a VAR review overturned the initial decision of a dive by Savinho. Kevin De Bruyne then took advantage of a mix-up by Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric to make it 2-1 before Haaland added his second, rounding Muric to score City’s third by the 16th minute.

     

    City could have extended their lead further, hitting the woodwork twice, while Ipswich had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Leif Davis was brought down by Savinho inside the box. The second half saw a warm reception for Ilkay Gündogan, who returned to City on a one-year deal from Barcelona, as he made his first appearance since rejoining the club.

     

    Just when Ipswich thought they might limit the damage, Haaland completed his hat-trick with a late long-range strike, sealing a comfortable win for City. The victory means City have a 100% record from their two games, while Ipswich are still searching for their first points after a challenging start to their Premier League campaign.

  • EPL: Guardiola speaks highly of embattled Sterling, reacts to bringing him back to Manchester City

    EPL: Guardiola speaks highly of embattled Sterling, reacts to bringing him back to Manchester City

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his fondness for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, but has categorically ruled out the possibility of the 29-year-old returning to the Etihad Stadium.

    Sterling, who joined Chelsea in a £47.5m deal in 2022, is reportedly seeking a departure from Stamford Bridge after being sidelined by new manager Enzo Maresca.

    When questioned about a potential reunion with Sterling, Guardiola stated:

    “He’s a Chelsea player, absolutely. I have a strong attachment to the time we shared with Raheem, and I wish him all the best.

    However, he remains a Chelsea player, and I won’t consider bringing him back to Manchester City.”

    Guardiola’s response highlights his affection for Sterling, but also his commitment to his current squad and reluctance to disrupt the team’s dynamics.

  • Transfer: Chelsea coach asks 2 key players to leave

    Transfer: Chelsea coach asks 2 key players to leave

    England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are training apart from Chelsea’s first team, manager Enzo Maresca said on Wednesday as British media reports linked them with moves away from the Premier League club.

    Sterling and Chilwell, who missed Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League loss to champions Manchester City, may struggle to get playing time if they choose to remain at Chelsea, Maresca said.

    “In this moment, they are training apart,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League playoff tie against Swiss side Servette.

    “We have a big squad, for me it’s impossible to give everyone minutes. So if they’re looking for minutes, probably it is better to leave.”

    Maresca said Sterling, who has played 59 league games for Chelsea since joining in 2022, was not the kind of winger he wanted.

    “I’m not saying he’s not a good player, but I prefer different kinds of wingers.

    “I spoke with Raheem before Manchester City, I said that he is going to struggle to get minutes with us. With (Chilwell), I said he is a lovely guy but with his position, he’s going to struggle with us. It’s not brutal, it’s honest.

    “It’s not a comfortable situation… I think it is good to know that if you want to stay, you will struggle to get minutes… but in a few days or weeks it can be a better situation because you move and you join a club where you will get more minutes,” he added.

    The manager said he did not meet Sterling after the match against City.

    “In case I sit with Raheem I will tell him exactly the same things that I already told him,” he said.

    Maresca said Captain Reece James will miss Thursday’s match due to a hamstring injury.

    “We try to win every game we play. Against Man City, I don’t think the intention was to win the game, but we tried to win that game… and tomorrow is a game, that we will try to win, and hopefully we can win,” he added.

    Gallagher switches from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid

    Meanwhile, England midfielder Conor Gallagher has completed his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish outfit after the clubs agreed a reported €40 million ($43.7 million) fee.

    Gallagher’s future had been the subject of speculation for some time as he entered the final year of his contract and with it unclear how he fitted into new manager Enzo Maresca’s plans.

    A statement from Atletico read: “Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have reached an agreement for the transfer of Conor Gallagher, who has signed for the club until 2029.”

    Gallagher had been a regular in the Chelsea side over the past two seasons after loan spells at Charlton, Swansea, West Brom and Crystal Palace earlier in his career.

    He made 95 appearances for the Blues, scoring 10 goals, and also captained the side on a number of occasions last season.

    He was also part of the England squad which reached the final of Euro 2024 this summer.

    A post from Chelsea on X read: “Thank you, and good luck, Conor.”

    Gallagher sent a departing message to the Blues on Instagram.

    “To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true. It’s been an absolute honour every time I put on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the team on many occasions,” he said.

    “I loved every moment. These memories will last forever. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans.

    “Hearing the chant of my name at the Bridge is a special feeling, and the banner you displayed meant the world to me.

    “Thank you for everything. I wish the club all the best for the future, and I hope to see you all soon at Stamford Bridge.

  • Chelsea secure Joao Felix transfer, medical scheduled for this week

    Chelsea secure Joao Felix transfer, medical scheduled for this week

    Details of Chelsea’s agreement for João Félix have emerged. According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Félix is set to sign a long-term contract with Chelsea, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2030.

     

    Romano also revealed that the Portugal international is scheduled to travel to Chelsea for a medical examination this week. “João Félix is returning to Chelsea, here we go! The deal is finalized with Atlético Madrid and his agent Jorge Mendes,” Romano tweeted on Monday.

     

    He added, “The contract runs until June 2030, with an option for João. Travel and medical tests are being arranged within the next 24-48 hours.”

     

    Félix was notably absent from Atlético Madrid’s bench during his final match with the club, as he prepares to join Chelsea on a permanent basis later this week. Félix had previously played for Chelsea on loan from Atlético Madrid.

  • EPL: Gary Neville predicts teams that will finish top four

    EPL: Gary Neville predicts teams that will finish top four

    Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has slightly adjusted his Premier League predictions for the 2024/2025 season.

    Initially, before the first round of fixtures, Neville had predicted Arsenal would finally claim the title after two decades, with Manchester City finishing as runners-up.

    He had also backed Manchester United to secure third place and Tottenham Hotspur to finish fourth.

    However, on Monday Night Football, Neville revised his predictions.

    He now believes Chelsea will take fourth place, pushing Liverpool down to fifth.

    Explaining his change of heart on Sky Sports after Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw at Leicester City, Neville said, “I wasn’t sure about Tottenham. I hope Tottenham finish fourth; I think they play good football. But what I would say is when the subs came on tonight, I thought that could be a problem for them in terms of strength in depth. I think Chelsea have the better squad. Chelsea could easily be an absolute mess, but they could be [strong contenders].”

    Regarding his decision to rank Liverpool fifth, Neville added, “The impact of Jurgen Klopp leaving will take its toll, just based on the evidence of history.”

  • EPL: Ndidi’s defensive masterclass helps Leicester draw with Tottenham

    EPL: Ndidi’s defensive masterclass helps Leicester draw with Tottenham

    Wilfred Ndidi delivered a standout performance on Monday night as Leicester City clawed back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League return.

    Despite a strong start from Spurs, who took the lead through Pedro Porro’s 29th-minute strike, Leicester fought back after halftime. Jamie Vardy leveled the score in the 57th minute, marking a well-deserved equalizer for the Foxes.

    Ndidi was instrumental on both ends of the pitch. His defensive efforts included a crucial goalline clearance in the 7th minute after a header from Rodrigo Bentancur, while he nearly scored in the 66th minute, hitting the side netting.

     

    This draw signals a new chapter for Leicester as they return to the top flight. With seasoned players like Vardy and Ndidi, combined with youthful energy, the Foxes are focused on securing their Premier League status this season.

     

    Leicester will aim for their first win of the season when they visit Fulham in West London on Saturday.

     

    Vardy’s goal against Spurs brings his Premier League tally against them to nine—only against Arsenal and Watford (11 each) has he scored more in his career.

  • EPL: Haaland, Kovacic score as City beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge

    EPL: Haaland, Kovacic score as City beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge

    Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea started with a 2-0 defeat against reigning champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

     

    The match began evenly, with both sides, featuring numerous changes, cautiously testing each other. Wesley Fofana missed a chance from a corner, while Jeremy Doku’s left-footed shot went wide.

     

    However, in classic Manchester City style, Pep Guardiola’s side scored with their first shot on target. Erling Haaland capitalized on a loose ball, held off two defenders, and chipped it over Robert Sanchez for his 91st goal for City.

     

    Kevin De Bruyne nearly doubled the lead as City began to dominate the midfield, putting Chelsea on the back foot.

     

    Chelsea started to show signs of life in the final third, though Enzo Fernandez squandered a couple of opportunities. Just before halftime, they thought they had equalized when Ederson spilled a Cole Palmer shot into Nicolas Jackson’s path, who scored, only for the offside flag to disallow the goal, leaving them behind at the break.

     

    Pep Guardiola substituted debutant Savinho with Phil Foden at halftime. City seemed more likely to score again, with Haaland’s effort being saved by Sanchez.

     

    Maresca brought on new signing Pedro Neto just before the hour mark, and he nearly scored, but Rico Lewis’s excellent clearance denied him.

     

    Chelsea kept pushing for an equalizer, with Nicolas Jackson’s snapshot saved by Ederson. City believed they had doubled their lead when Rico Lewis scored, but a foul by Haaland in the buildup led to the goal being disallowed, making it one goal ruled out for each side.

     

    Chelsea continued to hold their own entering the final 10 minutes, delivering a strong performance against the champions.

     

    In the dying moments, former Chelsea player Mateo Kovacic dribbled past Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo before scoring past Sanchez, sealing Maresca’s defeat.

  • EPL: Guardiola talks down on winning Premier League trophy this season

    EPL: Guardiola talks down on winning Premier League trophy this season

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he currently lacks the motivation to win the Premier League title.A

    lthough aiming for his seventh title in eight years and having won the last four consecutively, Guardiola is not looking too far ahead. His immediate focus is on their league opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

     

    “When we arrive in the last month and we are close to winning another Premier League, then that will be the motivation. But now? For me, the motivation to win another Premier League is not there… for me it will be in the last month. Now it’s: ‘Can we beat Chelsea?’” said Guardiola.

     

    City has already secured their first trophy of the season with a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United in the Community Shield.