Ange Postecoglou‘s men thrashed Pep Guardiola‘s side 4-0 at the Etihad in late 2024 before enduring a terrible run of form.
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However, with a few players back from injury, Spurs have won their last three league fixtures.
Meanwhile, City have slightly improved in recent weeks, but a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday showed just how far away they are from being back to their best.
Still, they are well in the race for Champions League football, and three points here would be huge.
Elsewhere, Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest, knowing that the Tricky Trees can move just three points behind them with a win.
The Gunners’ title challenge for this season is all but over after a 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the weekend.
Liverpool then beat City to take an 11-point lead over Mikel Arteta‘s men.
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It has been a season to forget for Guardiola
Of course, Arsenal players will insist the title race isn’t over, but it would require an almighty slip-up from Liverpool for this to even be a possibility now.
Instead, the Gunners just have to ensure they claim Champions League football and second place.
Meanwhile, Forest have lost their last two in the Premier League to Fulham and Newcastle, respectively.
But Nuno Espirito Santo will be encouraged by his team’s comeback at St James’ Park at the weekend, where they came from 4-1 down to narrowly lose 4-3.
Certainly, this won’t be an easy game for Arsenal.
Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League are basically goneCredit: AFP
The Reds have one hand on the Premier League trophy now, but Arne Slot will want his side to keep being relentless.
The chance of a treble is there, but the Toon gave Liverpool a very hard game when they met earlier this season.
At St James’ Park, these two served up a thrilling 3-3 draw, and Eddie Howe‘s men will be looking to make a statement ahead of the Carabao Cup final meeting between the two later this month.
On Tuesday, we have Chelsea taking on Southampton, with the Blues looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
There is a south coast derby between Brighton and Bournemouth, which promises to be full of goals.
Wolves are edging away from the relegation places, and they welcome Fulham.
Meanwhile, resurgent Crystal Palace host Aston Villa, with Unai Emery‘s side looking to close the gap on those above them chasing European football.
The Bees couldn’t stop winning at home in the first part of the season but are winless in five league matches at the Gtech, while Everton are finding some form under David Moyes.
And on Thursday, Graham Potter will hope to see West Ham build on their brilliant win over Arsenal, while Leicester must bounce back from being thrashed by Brentford.
So, there are plenty of excellent fixtures, and here is how you can follow them all across the talkSPORT network.
Premier League gameweek 27 fixtures
Tuesday, February 24
7:30pm: Brighton vs Bournemouth – talkSPORT App exclusive
7:30pm: Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa – talkSPORT 2 exclusive
7:30pm: Wolves vs Fulham – talk exclusive
8:15pm: Chelsea vs Southampton – talkSPORT exclusive
Wednesday, February 25
7:30pm: Brentford vs Everton – talkSPORT App exclusive
7:30pm: Manchester United vs Ipswich – talkSPORT App exclusive
7:30pm: Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal – talkSPORT exclusive
7:30pm: Tottenham vs Manchester City – talkSPORT 2 exclusive
8:15pm: Liverpool vs Newcastle – talk exclusive (second half on talkSPORT)
Thursday, February 27
8:00pm: West Ham vs Leicester – talkSPORT exclusive
Graham Potter believes Jarrod Bowen is ahead of schedule in his return from injury at West Ham.
The Hammers captain suffered a fractured foot in their 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at the end of 2024.
There were initial fears that Bowen could sidelined for a lengthy period of time, but there appears to be positivity over his recovery.
On Monday, Potter said: “I think if you speak to Jarrod, he will try to tell you he’s ahead of schedule, for sure.
“He’s doing everything he can to get on the pitch as soon as possible. We just need to make sure it’s in a safe way and it’s [in] a good way for him, because we want to get him back and we want him to stay back.
“But you know Jarrod, he wants to be out there, he wants to play and we’re trying to pull the reins on him rather than the other way around. He’s fantastic to have around the place.”
Potter added: “He’s just champing at the bit and he wants to get out and help. But he just has to take his medicine at the moment and just do his rehab properly.
“He was out jogging today with the individual physio, so it’s positive. I think if I’m looking at it now, Jarrod will be ahead of schedule rather than behind schedule.
“It’s not a rocket scientist prediction, that is it really.”
Mary Fowler scored two fine strikes for Manchester City as a 4-0 win relegated struggling Bristol City and moved the Cityzens six points clear atop the Women’s Super League table.
Fowler opened the scoring in the 62nd minute with a sublime left-footed shot that slammed into the net from outside the area, before doubling the lead in the 75th minute with a slick poacher’s finish with her right foot from close range.
Two more goals for City made up for the absence of leading scorer Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who has 21 goals from just 18 matches but will miss the final two matches after a foot injury.
Matildas centre-back Alanna Kennedy also started for City but was substituted at halftime.
Mary Fowler is in fine form for City.Source: Getty Images
Second-place Chelsea have two games in hand on City, who have just two games to play in the WSL – including next up against Arsenal and their Matildas trio of Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley.
That trio all featured overnight for the Gunners in a 1-1 draw against Aussie Clare Wheeler’s Everton, who snatched a point with a 95th-minute goal against a Arsenal team that wasted far too many chances.
16-year-old academy product Isabella Hobson made history for the Toffees, the late strike making her the youngest-ever WSL scorer.
Clare Wheeler was in the thick of things.Source: Getty Images
Mackenzie Arnold and Katrina Gorry’s West Ham ensured they would avoid relegation this season with a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, with Arnold playing the full 90 while Gorry remains sidelined for the rest of the season following ankle surgery.
Charlotte Grant picked up her first league start since February for Tottenham in a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, with Charlie Rule still ruled out with injury for the Seagulls.
Meanwhile, Matildas fullback Ellie Carpenter booked her spot in the final of the Champions League as her Lyon side beat fellow French giants PSG 2-1 in the second leg of their semi-final.
It ensured a 5-3 aggregate victory over another Australian in Clare Hunt, though the centre-back was absent with injury.
Tottenham are set to have Heung-min Son back in their matchday squad as they welcome Brighton this weekend, live on talkSPORT 2.
South Korea were knocked out of the Asian Cup this week by Jordan, meaning Spurs’ captain will be back for this match.
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Son and South Korea suffered heartbreakCredit: Getty
His return will be a timely boost for Ange Postecoglou as Spurs look to leap above Aston Villa and move into the top four.
Meanwhile, Brighton responded to their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Luton by smashing bitter rivals Crystal Palace 4-1 last time out.
The Seagulls are still well in contention for a Europa League slot and Roberto De Zerbi‘s men will be up for this one.
Tottenham vs Brighton: What to do with Richarlison?
In Son’s absence, Richarlison has moved into the central striker role at Spurs and is suddenly flying.
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The Brazilian struggled in his first year as a Tottenham player, but he’s scored nine goals in his last seven league games, including four without Son.
Of course, Son has spent most of his Premier League career as a left winger, so he could be moved back there, meaning Timo Werner would likely be dropped.
Another alternative is to put Son into that false nine position, which would see Richarlison pushed out to the left.
He’s played there many times for Spurs but doesn’t look as good as when he starts as a striker.
However, Son was brilliant in that role as well, meaning Postecoglou has a decision to make.
But with two forwards in great goalscoring form, there are plenty of worse dilemmas out there.
4
Son and Richarlison have been a good supply of goals for Spurs
Tottenham have won six of their last seven home league games against Brighton, with the exception being a 1-0 loss in April 2022.
Following their 4-2 win at the Amex Stadium in December, Brighton are looking to win back-to-back league meetings with Spurs for the very first time.
After a run of four defeats in five Premier League games from the start of November (D1), Tottenham have now lost just one of their last eight (W5 D2). That loss did come in the reverse fixture against Brighton, however.
Tottenham vs Brighton: Team news
Spurs’ injury crisis is starting to ease but they are still without a few players.
Ryan Sessegnon is still recovering from a hamstring issue that has plagued him all season.
Manor Solomon has suffered a setback in his bid to recover from a knee problem picked up last year.
Yves Bissouma has been diagnosed with malaria, so he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Giovani Lo Celso has an unknown muscle issue.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s long injury list is also easing.
They will be without Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman and Julio Enciso.
Simon Adingra is also unavailable because he will be playing in the Africa Cup of Nations final for the Ivory Coast.
Ansu Fati might start after making his return from injury against Palace.
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Fati is back in contention for BrightonCredit: Getty
Ange Postecoglou pulls prank on journalists by saying Tottenham missed out on the Deadline Day signing of Lewis Hamilton who joined Ferrari
Having won their first two Premier League away games this season, Brighton have since won just one of their last nine on the road (D3 L5), conceding 21 goals across these nine matches.
Tottenham have scored in each of their last 35 Premier League games (73 goals total) since a 0-1 defeat to Wolves in March 2023. A goal in this match will make this the joint-second longest scoring streak by a side in the competition’s history (36, level with Liverpool from Mar 2019-Feb 2020 and Man Utd from Dec 2007-Nov 2008), and would be behind only Arsenal’s run of 55 from May 2001 to November 2002.
Tottenham have scored at least twice in their last eight Premier League games, only having a longer run between September and December 2011 (11). They’ve also conceded twice in each of their last three, with West Ham in April 2021 the last team to score and concede 2+ goals in four consecutive Premier League matches.
Tottenham vs Brighton: What has been said?
Tottenham’s technical director Johan Lange has been speaking about what it’s like to work with Postecoglou and how the club identifies players.
He said: “It’s very important when we are out there watching potential new players that they fit with the style of play, but also with the personality of the group that we want to build here.
“We are very fortunate to have a head coach in Ange who is crystal clear in how he wants to play and wants to train, which kind of personalities he’s looking for to build a squad here as well.
“So when the scouting team and myself are out watching players we know exactly what we’re looking for, we are completely aligned as a club and how we want to build the squad over the coming years, which is hugely important.
“But this is not just Ange and myself, this is a club strategy, this is a club alignment, and Ange and I have been brought in different roles to execute this.”
4
Postecoglou has very specific requirements when it comes to transfers
Tottenham have scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of games than any other side in the Premier League this season (8). However, they’ve conceded more often than anyone else in the 90th minute (incl. stoppage time) of games this term (8).
Since the start of December, Richarlison has scored more goals than any other Premier League player (9). The Spurs striker has netted nine goals in his last eight league appearances, with the reverse fixture against Brighton the only game in which he’s not scored in this run.
João Pedro has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for Brighton in all competitions, a run which started with a brace of penalties in the reverse Premier League fixture against Tottenham.
No player has had more touches in the opposition box (172) or created more chances from open play (46) in the Premier League this season than Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski.
Tottenham vs Brighton: Date and how to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, February 10.
Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 3pm.
talkSPORT 2 will have live and exclusive coverage of the match, with Faye Carruthers serving as your host.
Commentary will then come from Ian Danter and former Arsenal star Perry Groves.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The 2023/24 Premier League season is underway, and the opening two weekends have provided their fair share of drama.
However, there were also plenty of injuries as the relentless pace of the top-flight already begins to take its toll.
9
There are already several top players injured and the season has only just started
9
Kevin De Bruyne, Christopher Nkunku and Tyrone Mings all now face long spells on the sidelines
Premier League footballers are some of the fittest athletes in the world, but they are susceptible to problems that can keep them out for weeks or months.
And it doesn’t matter where you are in the table, injuries are going to happen, and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date on all 20 Premier League clubs’ injuries and how long each player is likely to be out for.
Arsenal
Mohamed Elneny [knee surgery] unknown
Jurrien Timber [ACL injury] unknown
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Timber won’t be playing for Arsenal anytime soonCredit: Getty
Aston Villa
Jacob Ramsey [metatarsal fracture] 4 weeks
Alex Moreno [hamstring surgery] 1-2 weeks
Emi Buendia [ACL injury] unknown
Leander Dendoncker [muscle problem] unknown
Tyrone Mings [ACL injury ] unknown
Philippe Coutinho [hamstring issue] unknown
Emiliano Martinez [calf problem] 1-2 weeks
9
Buendia’s season might be over alreadyCredit: Getty
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As the 2022/23 season comes to its conclusion, several Premier League teams are still battling for a place in the top seven.
Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brentford are among those that can end the season strongly and possibly secure European football.
AFP
Villa’s resurgence under Unai Emery has seen them rocket up the table
And while a place in the top four is seen as the most coveted position, finishing seventh has its perks as well.
What does finishing seventh in the Premier League qualify for?
Traditionally, England’s one spot in the Europa Conference League transfers to the team that wins the Carabao Cup.
However, the 2022/23 League Cup champions, Manchester United, are guaranteed to finish in the top six, which means their European spot passes down to the sixth-placed side.
But this year, the team that finishes sixth will play in the Europa League because the FA Cup final is between Manchester City and Man United.
Both teams will finish inside the top six, meaning the one Europa Conference League spot will go to the side that ends the campaign seventh rather than sixth.
So whoever finishes seventh this year will take part in the Europa Conference League and will enter the final play-off stage.
Tottenham could still finish in the Europa League places, but it’s unlikely
Getty
Spurs won’t be in the Champions League next year but should still have some form of European football
Ten Hag reveals Martial returned to Man United bench despite storming down tunnel
Last season, Leicester made it to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners Jose Mourinho’s Roma, while West Ham are into the final this year and are one match away from European glory.
Therefore, a seventh-placed finish for Aston Villa, Brighton or Brentford would see those clubs earn European football and a chance to win some silverware next season.
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Chelsea crashed to a fifth successive defeat under Frank Lampard as their west London neighbours Brentford won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
In his second spell as Chelsea boss after replacing the sacked Graham Potter until the end of the season, Lampard has failed to spark a revival from his troubled team, who were booed off at full-time.
With former Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly close to taking charge, Chelsea are enduring their worst run since 1993 after their winless streak extended to eight games.
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Cesar Azpilicueta’s 37th minute own goal and Bryan Mbeumo’s 78th minute strike left 11th placed Chelsea in danger of finishing in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1996.
Liverpool kept alive their slender hopes of a top four finish with a 2-1 win at West Ham.
The Hammers took a 12th-minute lead through Lucas Paqueta’s spectacular strike, only for Cody Gakpo to equalise from long-range five minutes later.
After a Hammers goal was ruled out early in the second half by VAR, Joel Matip’s 67th minute header moved sixth placed Liverpool within six points of fourth placed Manchester United, who have two games in hand.
Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) celebrates with Liverpool’s English midfielder Jordan Henderson.Source: AFP
Nottingham Forest climbed out of the relegation zone as they beat Brighton 3-1 at the City Ground to win for the first time in 12 games.
Brighton took the lead in the 38th minute through Facundo Buonanotte’s first Premier League goal, but Forest equalised thanks to Pascal Gross’s 45th minute own goal.
Danilo netted after 69 minutes before Morgan Gibbs-White’s late penalty lifted Forest one point clear of the bottom three.
Nottingham Forest players celebrate as Brighton & Hove Albion players were devastated.Source: Getty Images
Arsenal squandered a 2-0 lead for the second consecutive week, making Manchester City firm favourites to win their fifth Premier League title in six years.
Injury-hit Manchester United took a potentially decisive step towards finishing in the top four as Tottenham and Newcastle both slipped up while the bottom three sides all lost.
Here are the biggest points from this weekend’s action in the English top flight.
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City heap pressure on as Spurs rattled | 02:09
ARSENAL’S ‘HUGE MISTAKE’ COULD PROVE A TITLE TURNING POINT
Bukayo Saka held his head in his hands and Mikel Arteta trudged dejectedly down the tunnel after Arsenal’s damaging 2-2 draw at West Ham.
The Gunners, who had raced into a 2-0 lead at the London Stadium, dropped points they could ill afford to lose in their title duel with a Manchester City team firing on all cylinders.
They also suffered the pain of a Saka penalty miss.
It is the second consecutive week they have dropped points from two goals up as questions over their mental fortitude grow by the day.
“We made a huge mistake to stop playing with the same purpose to score the third and fourth one and just thinking we could play around them and just looked too easy,” Arteta said.
“We didn’t understand what the game required in the moment. We need that ruthless mindset in those moments to go and kill a team. When the game is there for the killing you have to do it. Today we haven’t.
“Very disappointing. The way we started was superb again, we were in total control, then we lost purpose.”
Former England defender Matt Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “The key for them now is don’t let the doubt creep in.
“The job for Mikel Arteta and his staff is to not allow the players to feel down or negative about themselves.
“But the manner of how Arsenal lost that two-goal lead will be a concern for Arteta, who looked a bit of a dejected figure, understandably.
“You have to keep winning and this fixture was a massive opportunity – they started brilliantly but they’ve just let it slip away again. What that means for them psychologically moving forward is going to be interesting to see.”
Arsenal are still four points clear of second-placed City, who have a game in hand, but there is a growing feeling that the Gunners’ young squad are feeling the strain of the title race.
Pep Guardiola’s team have won 10 matches in a row in all competitions and have title-winning nous after dominating the Premier League in recent seasons.
Sunday’s result sets up a massive potential title-decider between the top two teams at the Etihad on April 27 AEDT.
City play Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final this week, before facing Championship club Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final on the weekend. That means they’ll have another game in hand on Arsenal by the time they return to league action in the blockbuster battle.
City manager Pep Guardiola said this weekend “[it is] a final against them in the next Premier League game … If we lose this game it will be almost over.”
But if Arsenal do fail to win this season despite leading the league for the vast majority of the campaign, how bad would it be for the young Gunners?
Manchester United great Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: “They would have snapped your hand off to be in this position at the start of the season. Arsenal finishing second would still be an unbelievable season.”
But Roy Keane replied: “Everyone will get stronger next year. They might not be in this position. It would be a disaster.”
Keane added: ‘It would be a terrible season. They’re out of every cup competition. 2-0 up this week, 2-0 up today. It’s a huge disappointment.”
Ex-Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink added: “You are not allowed to lose points today. This will hurt more than losing to Man City. The beginning of the season doesn’t matter. To lose it now would be a disaster.”
For now, however, the focus is clear.
“We have to remember we are still top of the league with everything in our own hands,” captain Martin Odegaard said.
Life isn’t all sunshine and bubbles for the Gunners.Source: Getty Images
UNITED PULL CLEAR IN TOP-FOUR RACE AS STAR ANSWERS CRITICS
Third-placed Manchester United are now firmly on course to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League. After three straight league wins they are six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.
United travelled to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday (local time) without their injured first-choice centre-backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as well as topscorer Marcus Rashford.
But Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen (in his first appearance since January) pulled the strings in an impressive display, while the much-maligned Antony had a goal and an assist.
The 23-year-old winger arrived from Ten Hag’s old side Ajax for £81m in August, the fourth most expensive transfer in Premier League history. After a bright start saw him score in all three of his first league games, he failed to score a single goal since October – a woeful 15-game goalless drought that saw him take 38 shots without finding the net.
He has now picked up eight goals and two assists in 35 appearances, but improving his end product remains crucial.
“We said we wanted more goals and assists out of Antony and he produced,” former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live after the game.
“I think he was the difference between the two teams.”
Antony is finally back firing.Source: Getty Images
Ten Hag said: “Antony knows and I know that when you are a striker, you need an end product.
“But already he has a lot of end product — he has scored in all the competitions now.
“Eight or nine goals in his first year at United is not bad and he still has games to go.”
The big concern for United is their injury toll, with four injury-forced changes for the match. Besides Martinez and Varane, Tyrell Malacia was ruled out while Marcel Sabitzer was injured in the warm-up. Goalkeeper David de Gea seemed to be struggling with a limp in the first half, with reserve Jack Butland warming up and ready to replace him.
Nevertheless, the promising return of Eriksen was a huge boost, while Antony finding form could make a serious difference to their top-four hopes.
Kerr goal clinches Chelsea final spot! | 00:52
ON FIRE VILLA GET LAST LAUGH OVER MAGPIES STAR
Although Aston Villa came into their clash against Newcastle United on the back of red hot form – namely six wins from their last seven – eagle-eyed observers will have pointed out the difficulty of their opponents.
The victories all came against teams in the bottom half of the league with the notable exception of Chelsea; a loss that ultimately spelled the end for Graham Potter’s tenure at Stamford Bridge.
With a game against Newcastle, a team who were on a five-game winning streak themselves, it would be the ultimate test to see just how far Unai Emery’s Villa Park revolution had come.
What transpired over the following 90 minutes left Toon fans scratching their heads in disbelief as the Villa Park faithful were in dreamland.
Ollie Watkins hit the post inside the opening 40 seconds, a warning sign Newcastle never heeded. Watkins laid on the assist for Jacob Ramsey’s opener in the 11th minute and ran the Toon backline ragged.
Even Newcastle legend Alan Shearer could scarcely believe how limp his former employers were.
“Should be 3-0 down,” Shearer wrote on Twitter. “Newcastle can’t get near Villa at the minute. Terrible start for the Toon.”
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa can’t stop scoring.Source: Getty Images
Despite the first-half dominance, Emery’s side led only through Ramsey’s goal and there was a hint of fear among Villa fans Newcastle could make the hosts pay for failing to capitalise on the plethora of opportunities they had.
Those fears quickly subsided as Villa kept their foot on the gas pedal as Watkins got the goals his performance deserved in the 64th and 83rd minute, making it 11 goals in his last 12 games.
Once the full-time whistle blew, Shearer was left in disbelief at what he’d seen.
“Well done Villa. Brilliant today,” Shearer wrote. “Not many teams have done this to Newcastle. They have battered them from start to finish and been better in every position.”
Speaking before the game, Newcastle striker Callum Wilson laughed at his opponents on The Footballer’s Football Podcast, joking: “Aston Villa are on fire? Let them know the fire brigade are in town … it looks like we will have to put the fire out.”
After the match, Villa captain John McGinn hit back, saying: “Actually, I didn’t notice that but like a lot of emergency services at the minute, the fire brigade must have been on strike …”
The 3-0 win was as emphatic an answer Emery could have dished up to the critics as Villa moved to within six points of the Champions League places.
Spurs, who conceded a last-gasp goal in losing 3-2 to Bournemouth, and fourth-placed Newcastle, hammered 3-0 by Aston Villa, will now be looking nervously over their shoulders.
Champions League qualification may seem a far-fetched dream, but with five wins on the trot and Watkins in unstoppable form, perhaps it’s closer to reality than some may care to admit.
O’Neill keeps Jets alive with golazzo | 00:55
LAMPARD’S BIG PROBLEM
Chelsea slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, their third defeat in seven days under new interim manager Frank Lampard.
It leaves them winless in six games (all competitions) and down in 11th, with their slim hopes of qualifying for the European places fading by the minute.
Lampard became the club’s third manager of the season when he replaced Graham Potter – but is clearly struggling for answers to the crucial problem that laid his predecessor low.
In his three games in a week, Lampard has fielded 19 starters and used a different formation each time.
He started with a 4-3-3 against Wolves, swapped to a 3-5-2 against Real Madrid in a midweek Champions League clash, then went for a 4-2-3-1 against the Seagulls.
But changes in personnel and formation had little impact against Brighton, who took 26 shots to Chelsea’s eight in a dominant performance despite the Blues taking an early lead.
So desperate has Lampard seemed to find a successful combination of players and formation that he delivered a rare quadruple substitution against Brighton.
On came Reece James, Mateo Kovacic, Joao Felix and Hakim Ziyech for Wesley Fofana, Enzo Fernandez, Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling.
Then, after going down 2-1, Lampard made ANOTHER tactical switch, moving to 4-4-2.
If he can’t find an effective formation and starting XI soon, the Blues could endure a torrid finish to the year.
Mariners spoil City’s potential party | 00:50
HODGSON DELIVERS IN STYLE
The decision to bring former manager Roy Hodgson back to Crystal Palace last month looks inspired.
The team have scored nine goals in three Premier League matches since the ex-England boss returned to Selhurst Park — as many as they had netted in their previous 16 league games between November 2022 and March 2023.
Chairman Steve Parish spoke of the “immediate requirement of keeping us in the league”, when he appointed the 75-year-old to replace the sacked Patrick Vieira.
Three games and three wins later, Palace are nine points clear of the relegation zone and are close to safety.
Eberechi Eze, who scored both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win against bottom side Southampton, said Hodgson had taken the shackles off.
“We’re playing with a lot more freedom, more energy, and we’re so much more positive, which is a huge credit to the gaffer coming in and helping us with that,” he said.
Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool cannot blow their transfer budget on glamorous “Ferrari” signings, with the Reds apparently priced out of the race for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool had been strongly linked with a close-season move for the England midfielder but are now believed to have switched their attention elsewhere.
With Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea also reportedly interested in the 19-year-old, competition for his signature is likely to be fierce, driving up his price.
Klopp’s preference is to spend Liverpool’s funds on several players to improve an ageing squad that has badly underperformed this season.
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Jurgen Klopp had a clear message for fans. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP)Source: AFP
In a pointed message to fans, the German made it clear the club have to look at the bigger picture rather than chasing a marquee signing.
“It is not about Jude Bellingham, my answer now, but I never understood why we talk about things we theoretically cannot have,” Klopp told reporters.
“We cannot have six players in a summer, everyone for £100 million ($A185 million). Everyone would say that is clear.”
He added: “You have to realise what you can do and then work with it. That is your job. We are not children.
“When you ask a five-year-old what they want for Christmas and they tell you, ‘I don’t know, a Ferrari’, you wouldn’t say ‘that’s a good idea’ — you would say ‘that is too expensive and anyway you cannot drive it’.
“If this kid then was really unhappy because he didn’t get a Ferrari, it would be a really sad life.”
Betting shirt sponsors to be phased out | 00:35
Klopp publicly praised Bellingham in December, describing him as “exceptional” after he impressed at the World Cup in Qatar.
The teenage midfielder, who previously played in England for second-tier side Birmingham, is close to international team-mates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson, raising hopes among Liverpool supporters that one of Europe’s hottest prospects could be coming to Anfield.
Henderson, speaking after England’s win against Ukraine in March, said it would be “amazing” if a player with Bellingham’s “frightening” talent were signed by Liverpool.
Yet Liverpool have taken the pragmatic decision to focus on a group of signings, with Chelsea midfielders Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher reportedly now among their top targets.
“You look what you can do, and you work with that. That is always how I worked,” Klopp said.
“What we need and what we want, we try everything to try to get but there are moments where we have to accept and step aside and do different things.”
Eighth-placed Liverpool, who face Leeds on Monday, are 12 points adrift of the top four and could miss out on European football altogether next season unless they improve quickly.
Jude Bellingham is in several teams’ sights. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The inconsistent Reds have routed Manchester United 7-0 and thumped Bournemouth 9-0, but also suffered embarrassing defeats at Brighton, Brentford and Wolves, while enduring a Champions League last-16 hammering by Real Madrid.
“It’s a super strange season. I think we all agree it hasn’t been our best season but we’ve also had two of our biggest wins in our history. We haven’t been consistent and that’s been the problem,” Klopp said.
The Liverpool boss will welcome back Luis Diaz for the trip to Elland Road, with the Colombia forward available for the first time since suffering a knee injury in October.
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MANCHESTER UNITED DEALT TOUGH DOUBLE BLOW
Meanwhile, Manchester United have been hit by a double defensive injury blow after Lisandro Martinez was ruled out for the rest of the season and Raphael Varane sidelined for the next few weeks.
Both players were hurt in Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford, in which United conceded two late own goals.
Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, pulled up in pain gripping his right ankle late in the match and was taken away on a stretcher.
United had already lost fellow first-choice centre-back Varane to injury at half-time and his replacement Harry Maguire scored an own goal in stoppage time.
Manager Erik ten Hag was unable to provide an update when he faced the media at lunchtime on Friday but the club later confirmed the severity the injuries.
“Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot,” United said in a statement.
“However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season.”
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United is helped off the pitch by Sevilla FC players. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The statement added: “Lisandro’s defensive partner Raphael Varane was also substituted with an injury at half-time in the same game and is expected to be out for a few weeks.”
Martinez — in his first season at Old Trafford — and Varane have established themselves as Ten Hag’s preferred centre-back pairing and their absence leaves a void as United look to end the campaign on a high.
Ten Hag’s side, who won the League Cup in February, are looking to qualify for the Champions League and enter the weekend fourth in the Premier League standings.
Sunday’s trip to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest is followed by the second leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla in Spain.
Bruno Fernandes misses that match through suspension and club captain Harry Maguire is then banned for next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley.
Maguire’s absence is a concern as he and Victor Lindelof are now the only out-and-out centre-backs at United’s disposal.
Asked how much faith he had in the pair, Ten Hag said: “A lot. I think we have decent centre-halves and they have proved in the past. They have proved this season.
“We have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job.”
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Another option is left-back Luke Shaw, who has impressed when used centrally this season.
The England international has missed recent matches through injury but could return against Forest along with midfielder Scott McTominay.
Top scorer Marcus Rashford is out with an apparent groin injury, joining Alejandro Garnacho and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines.
Ten Hag underlined the importance of squad players stepping up at his pre-match press conference.
“Every game is a battle, every game is a fight and you have to be ready for that fight,” he said.
“We have a squad. I have said all season we have more than 11 starters. So now others are on and when their time is there you have to show and contribute to the team.”
