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Tag: relegation battle

  • Liverpool’s huge title statement in City humbling; four goals in 11 mins ignite top-four race: Premier League Wrap

    Liverpool’s huge title statement in City humbling; four goals in 11 mins ignite top-four race: Premier League Wrap

    Liverpool took a giant stride towards the Premier League title on Sunday as a 2-0 win over Manchester City opened up an 11-point lead at the top of the table over Arsenal.

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    Mohamed Salah was again Liverpool’s star performer as he opened the scoring with his 30th goal of the season before setting up Dominik Szoboszlai to double the lead before half-time.

    Just days after exiting the Champions League to Real Madrid, this was another sobering defeat for the dethroned English champions, who are now 20 points adrift of the leaders.

    So often during Pep Guardiola’s glorious reign, Liverpool have come up just short in English football’s great rivalry of recent years.

    However, their time to match Manchester United’s record of 20 English top-flight titles now appears just months away in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.

    Arsenal’s shock 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday had eased the pressure on Liverpool, that had built after dropping points in two of their last three games at Everton and Aston Villa.

    Newcastle hold on in SEVEN goal thriller | 01:18

    A trip to the Etihad has for so long been the stiffest test of all, but City’s defensive frailties were easily exposed and they also badly missed the presence of the injured Erling Haaland in attack.

    Liverpool, by contrast, had their talisman fit and firing as Salah took his staggering tally this season to 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 Premier League appearances.

    The Egyptian fired the visitors in front on 14 minutes thanks to a brilliantly executed set-piece routine.

    Alexis Mac Allister’s corner was flicked by Szoboszlai into Salah’s path and his shot deflected off Nathan Ake past the despairing dive of Ederson.

    At the other end, City’s own Egyptian international showed his ability to finish, but Omar Marmoush had strayed off-side before being played in by Phil Foden.

    City winger Jeremy Doku was skipping past Trent Alexander-Arnold at will, yet the Belgian consistently failed to deliver a telling cross or shot.

    Salah was not so forgiving as he raced onto a long ball over the top and teed up Szoboszlai to wrong-foot Ederson.

    The final outcome could have been much more humiliating for City had Liverpool had been as accurate on the counter-attack after the break.

    Curtis Jones had a third goal ruled out by a VAR review for off-side after Szoboszlai just failed to time his run through the heart of the City defence.

    “We didn’t hit the levels today!” | 01:02

    Ederson was forced into a stunning save from Luis Diaz and only a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Abdukodir Khusanov denied Szoboszlai a second.

    Marmoush scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-0 win over Newcastle and remained a lively threat as he flashed another effort across the front of Alisson Becker’s goal.

    But City lacked the end product to make nearly 70 per cent possession count. Despite an eighth league defeat of the season, Guardiola’s men remain in fourth and will be confident of securing their place in the Champions League next season with a top-five finish likely to be enough.

    However, after an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles, City look like yesterday’s team with Liverpool now champions in waiting.

    – ‘We need another title’, says Salah after ‘special’ Man City win –

    Mohamed Salah said Liverpool’s veterans need another Premier League title after inspiring a 2-0 win at Manchester City to surge 11 points clear at the top of the table.

    Salah was central to a statement win for the Reds as he opened the scoring and then teed up Dominik Szoboszlai to double Liverpool’s lead before half-time.

    Arne Slot’s men are in a commanding position to secure a record-equalling 20th English top flight title, although second-placed Arsenal have a game in hand.

    City, who have won the last four Premier League titles, are now 20 points behind the leaders down in fourth.

    Spurs win 3rd straight – Gunners choke | 03:05

    “It is incredible. It is a very hard place to come and play here,” said Salah after Liverpool’s first league win at the Etihad for a decade.

    “They are a tough team and they have an incredible manager I am glad in the end we won the game. It is special. Especially when you are in the title race, it is incredible.

    “Hopefully we keep calm because sometimes the pressure gets to us.”

    Salah took his tally for an incredible season to 30 goals and 21 assists and said he is enjoying his football more than ever despite speculation over his future.

    The 32-year-old, captain Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were all part of the Liverpool side that ended a 30-year wait to win the title in 2020.

    And Salah reiterated his belief that they need another Premier League winner’s medal to burnish their legacy.

    “Maybe people prefer my first seasons or now but I prefer now because winning the league, helping the young players, it is special,” he added.

    “We need another title. Me and the big guys in the team, we need another title.”

    – Forest felled by Isak as Newcastle bolster top four bid –

    Newcastle blew Nottingham Forest away with four goals in 11 minutes as Alexander Isak’s double inspired a vital 4-3 win in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four.

    Eddie Howe’s side recovered from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s early opener to run riot with a first half goal spree at St James’ Park on Sunday.

    Lewis Miley bagged Newcastle’s equaliser, sparking an astonishing spell of dominance as Jacob Murphy put the hosts ahead.

    Isak netted twice in less than two minutes to reach 50 Premier League goals and leave Forest in tatters.

    The Sweden striker has 19 league goals this season, taking him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in second place behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in this season’s scoring chart.

    Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates scored for Forest in the second half, but it was too late for an incredible escape act.

    After three defeats in their previous four league games, fifth-placed Newcastle are back in the hunt to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.

    The Magpies are behind fourth-placed Manchester City on goal difference, with third-placed Forest just three points above them.

    “I’m trying to control my thoughts and stay positive. We won the game and that’s what we needed to do,” Howe said.

    “It was a great performance in the first half, then a couple of frailties showed in terms of defending set plays.

    “We can reflect on that. There are things we can do better. We pride ourselves on getting the details right.”

    Leicester lose 6th straight game | 01:21

    Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo added: “In the first half I didn’t recognise our team. In the second half we were much better.

    “We made mistakes. It was two totally different halves. We started well and then they just rolled over us.” Newcastle keeper Nick Pope made his first league start since early December in place of Martin Dubravka.

    But Pope was partially at fault as Newcastle gifted Forest the lead in sloppy style after just six minutes Jacob Murphy lost the ball in his own half as Hudson-Odoi pressured the Newcastle midfielder into conceding possession.

    Hudson-Odoi wasn’t closed down quickly enough by Dan Burn and the winger unloaded a powerful low drive that caught Pope out of position as it flashed into the net.

    Miley ensured Newcastle’s strong response to that early setback was rewarded in the 23rd minute.

    – Newcastle hold on –

    With Forest’s usually rock-solid defence slow to react, Miley had time to control Lewis Hall’s pass inside the penalty area and drill his shot through a sea of legs past unsighted keeper Matz Sels.

    Murphy made amends for his earlier mistake to put Howe’s team ahead two minutes after Miley’s equaliser.

    Hall’s driving run was the catalyst as the defender took Isak’s return pass and hit a deflected cross that looped over Sels for Murphy to bundle home from virtually on the goal-line.

    Newcastle were firing on all cylinders and they struck again in the 33rd minute. Ola Aina used his arm to block Hall’s cross, conceding a penalty that Isak dispatched past Sels with an audacious lofted effort that left the keeper sprawled on his back as he tried in vain to claw it out.

    Forest had no answer to Newcastle’s intensity and it was no surprise when they conceded a fourth just 60 seconds later.

    Joe Willock raced unchecked through the Forest midfield and slipped his pass to Isak, whose shot from 12 yards took a deflection on its way past the wrong-footed Sels.

    Newcastle eased up in the second half and Milenkovic reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute, flicking Chris Wood’s cross past Pope from close-range.

    When Yates steered home in the 90th minute, a nervous hush descended on St James’ Park, but Newcastle held on by their fingernails.

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  • ‘Very, very angry’: Arsenal coach fumes after title bid rocked; Man Utd rally amid late drama — EPL Wrap

    ‘Very, very angry’: Arsenal coach fumes after title bid rocked; Man Utd rally amid late drama — EPL Wrap

    Mikel Arteta has slammed Arsenal for being ‘nowhere near the levels’ required to win the Premier League following his side’s 1-0 loss to West Ham.

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    Meanwhile troubled Manchester United rallied from two goals down in a 2-2 draw at Everton.

    Jarrod Bowen’s strike just before half-time at the Emirates proved to be the difference as the Gunners dropped to their third defeat of the season with their 15-game unbeaten streak coming to an end.

    A red card to Myles Lewis-Skelly in the 73rd minute did little to help Arsenal’s cause as they missed out on the chance to cut Liverpool’s lead at the top to five points.

    And Arteta was left bitterly frustrated as Arsenal created next to nothing as they lost at home to the Hammers for the second successive season.

    Speaking in his post-match press conference, he said: “Very disappointed, obviously very angry as well.

    “We didn’t hit the levels of today and I am very much responsible of that so I am very, very angry.” Arteta also refused to use the lack of attackers at his disposal as an excuse for his side’s toothless display up front.

    Mikel Merino, a central midfielder, was named up top for the Gunners with Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri on the flanks.

    In total, Arsenal took 20 shots, but just two of those landed on target. Yet Arteta bemoaned a lack of quality from his entire squad as the primary reason for the defeat.

    “I refuse that completely because I am talking about the standards of the players and the team that we played today, me included,” he remarked.

    “That was nowhere near the levels that we have to hit to have the opportunity to win a Premier League.

    Arsenal’s Declan Rice is substituted by manager Mikel Arteta during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday February 22, 2025. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

    Match Stats “We were very consistent, yes, but football is about what you do today and today, nowhere near.” The loss to West Ham now leaves the Gunners’ title hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads.

    With Liverpool drawing to Everton and Aston Villa recently, Arsenal had the chance to keep the pressure on Arne Slot‘s men.

    But the loss to West Ham leaves the margin at eight points with 12 games remaining ahead of Liverpool’s clash away at Manchester City on Sunday.

    “I think you have to congratulate West Ham for the victory and the game that they played,” Arteta added.

    “But as well I think a lot from our side that we never got right and they didn’t allow us to get enough momentum, enough sequence of play with positive action that could deliver into situations of threat for them.” Arteta and his troops must now quickly switch focus to Wednesday’s trip to high-flying Nottingham Forest.

    He will also be without Lewis-Skelly as one of his defensive options. The teenager brought down Mohamed Kudus as the Ghanaian looked to break towards goal with no defensive cover nearby.

    It was initially given a yellow card, but following a VAR review, it was upgraded to a straight red.

    Wild Melbourne derby ends in draw | 01:49

    Lewis-Skelly’s sending off was his second in his last four league fixtures, with the other coming in a 1-0 win over Wolves.However, it was later overturned upon appeal.

    At Goodison Park, United were headed for a ninth defeat in their last 13 league games as goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure put Everton two up inside 33 minutes.

    Ruben Amorim’s team had not mustered a shot on target until Fernandes’ free-kick pulled a goal back 18 minutes from time before Manuel Ugarte’s equaliser salvaged a point.

    More late drama was to come as Everton were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage-time, only for referee Andy Madley to overturn his decision after a VAR review.

    “We just played one half and we managed to draw the game. We didn’t exist in the first half,” Amorim said after his 15th-placed side’s dismal run extended to just four wins in 15 league games.

    SPURS BACK ON TRACK

    Tottenham eased the pressure on boss Ange Postecoglou with a 4-1 win at third-bottom Ipswich.

    Brennan Johnson put Tottenham ahead in the 18th minute with a tap-in from Son Heung-min’s cutback.

    Johnson was on target again eight minutes later, netting with a clinical strike from another Son assist.

    Omari Hutchinson pulled one back for Ipswich in the 36th minute. But Djed Spence’s deflected 77th minute shot and Dejan Kulusevski’s 84th minute finish wrapped up Tottenham’s second successive victory.

    Wolves boosted their survival bid with a priceless 1-0 win at 10-man Bournemouth.

    Bournemouth had Illia Zabarnyi sent off late in the first half when his foul by Rayan Ait-Nouri was upgraded from a yellow to red card after VAR intervened.

    Nunez shocker leaves coach breathless | 00:25

    Wolves took advantage in the 36th minute as Nelson Semedo’s cross was missed by Dean Huijsen and Matheus Cunha steered his shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    Vitor Pereira’s team are now five points clear of the relegation zone as fifth-placed Bournemouth’s top four hopes suffered a setback.

    Joachim Andersen’s own goal put his former club Crystal Palace on course for a 2-0 win at Fulham.

    Daniel Munoz’s 66th minute blast wrapped up Palace’s latest success on the road. Southampton slipped closer to relegation after a 4-0 defeat against south-coast rivals Brighton at St Mary’s.

    Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood’s 82nd minute effort condemned bottom of the table Southampton to a 21st defeat in 26 league games this season.

    Southampton are 13 points from safety with 12 games left to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

    Chelsea travel to Aston Villa looking to bolster their top four push in Saturday’s late game.

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  • ‘Stuff of dreams’: Inside fairytale rise of PL ‘disruptors’… and the unlikely hero at its centre

    ‘Stuff of dreams’: Inside fairytale rise of PL ‘disruptors’… and the unlikely hero at its centre

    Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth battling the powerhouses for a Champions League place. No one predicted that.

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    There is only a third of the Premier League season remaining and the race for the top four has arguably never been more intriguing.

    Liverpool appears set to have one hand on the title, eight points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand, but the next rung down is where things get fascinating.

    Nottingham Forest third, Manchester City fourth and Bournemouth fifth.

    The latter jumped into the top five after Forest, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle all dropped points last weekend.

    Forest have won 14, drawn five and lost six, while Bournemouth have won 12, drawn seven and lost six.

    It reads like a Forest or Cherries fan plugging away on Football Manager for hours to get their team to dizzying heights, but supporters in England’s midlands and on the south coast better stop pinching themselves.

    They are not dreaming. This is real.

    The struggles of regular top six clubs Manchester United and Tottenham, along with Champions League Round of 16 bound Villa slipping in the league, presented opportunities, and Forest and Bournemouth have snatched them with both hands.

    The Forest story is famous.

    A powerhouse decades ago with back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980 under legendary manager Brian Clough.

    A year before their first continental breakthrough, Forest won the English top flight and they were runners-up the season after.

    But following relegation from the Premier League in 1999, they fell into the football abyss.

    Forest did not return to the Premier League until 2022 and barely avoided relegation by finishing 16th and 17th in their first two seasons back in the top tier.

    Bournemouth were promoted from the Championship in the same season as Forest and initially found themselves in the bottom half of the table too.

    A 12th place finish last season was preceded by coming 15th in their prior campaign.

    Unlike Forest, however, Bournemouth is not a club with a rich pedigree.

    Its first season in the Premier League came under now Newcastle boss Eddie Howe in 2015/16 and a ninth-place finish in their second season was the club’s best result in the top flight.

    Years of mediocrity did not show too many hints of a breakout campaign in Bournemouth’s case, nor a stunning revival in Forest’s case.

    But the dream of Champions League nights at the City Ground or the Vitality Stadium is alive and well, and this how they have put themselves in the hunt for midweek action against the best clubs in Europe.

    Here is how they did it.

    FOREST’S KIWI FRONTMAN

    Like Forest’s, Chris Wood’s story is a fairytale.

    The 33-year-old captain of the New Zealand national team has remarkably played for 12 different clubs in England.

    He even went through a three-year period where he was sent out on loan six times by West Bromwich Albion.

    Wood bounced around the various tiers of English football after moving to the UK as a 16-year-old to chase his dreams, and now the Forest talisman is a bonified star.

    NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and AFC Bournemouth at City Ground on August 17, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    The six-foot three striker is third in the golden boot race.

    He has netted 18 goals so far this campaign, highlighted by a hat-trick in Forest’s 7-0 rout of Brighton earlier this month, to only sit behind Mohamed Salah (24) and Erling Haaland (19).

    It is his best Premier League season, and he still has 13 more opportunities to add to his tally.

    “When they talk about Mo Salah and Erling Haaland – they mention Chris Wood in the same breath – you can’t compete with that,” Wood’s high school coach former New Zealand international Mike Groom told Sky Sports.

    “It’s theatrical, it’s magical, it’s the stuff of dreams and kids’ dreams are fuelled by those images and that exposure.

    “We’re still a rugby-playing country, but Chris is single-handedly beginning to change that.”

    Wood’s height automatically makes him an aerial threat as a target man, he has scored six headed goals this season, the most in the league, but his finishing is still underrated.

    In fact, it is lethal.

    Wood has had 28 shots on target for the season, and scoring 18 of them makes him the most effective of any of the Premier League’s top strikers in front of goal.

    New Zealand’s record goal scorer, who is also nearing the record for most appearances for his country, has also endeared himself to football fans because he is not blessed with all the attributes of the likes of Salah and Haaland.

    The biggest difference is pace.

    Wood is not a quick player, and the fact he lacks speed seemingly contradicts the fact that Forest prefers to play counterattacking football.

    But he makes it work by timing his runs perfectly and seizing big moments.

    In some ways, it makes little sense but so has his entire football journey.

    “It’s definitely exceeded what I dreamt of when I was a kid and hopefully, I’ve got a lot more I can achieve to make it an even better dream,” Wood told Sky Sports.

    “I want to keep the path open for New Zealanders to hopefully make it into the Premier League one day – I want to grow that generation of new kids wanting to play football and wanting to dream of doing the best they can and ending up in the biggest league.”

    BOURNEMOUTH CREATE CHAOS

    Bournemouth’s blueprint in attack is not dissimilar to Forest’s.

    The two sides are comfortably the Premier League leaders for playing fast and direct football.

    They sit back and defend resolutely, and when they win the ball back, they are off to the races.

    Once the ball is in their attacking half, they press high and try to force turnovers in dangerous areas.

    It makes for exciting games to watch, and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been heaped with praise this season for his tactics.

    “I sometimes value much more a player carrying the ball and forcing things to happen,” Iraola said in an interview with The Independent.

    “We have to prepare [positional] patterns, but we cannot just prioritise them. If you can see that you don’t have a teammate ahead, forget about the pattern, just drive the ball and try to force things to happen. I want him to attack first.”

    Meanwhile premierleague.com’s Alex Keble summed up the essence of their play as “disruption”.

    “High risk, high reward: that’s the mentality of Iraola and his team, whether in hounding the ball with an all-action and full-pitch press or piercing opposition lines with sharp vertical football and attacking overloads,” Keble said.

    “Perhaps the best word to encapsulate their tactical approach is “disruption”.

    “Disrupt the other team’s play with furious pressing, and disrupt the expected rhythms of your own attack with improvisations and surges forward in high numbers.”

    That philosophy has brought out the best in Justin Kluivert, who has scored 11 goals so far this campaign, four more than last season.

    The Dutchman has really found his groove in the Premier League in recent times.

    He was player of the month in January for scoring five goals and recording two assists in four appearances, of which Bournemouth won three and drew one.

    The highlight of his season so far was a hat-trick, and an assist, in a 4-1 away win against Newcastle who were previously unbeaten in nine matches before that January fixture.

    BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest FC at Vitality Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    That victory was followed up by a 5-0 victory against Forest, where Kluivert contributed a goal and an assist to help end Forest’s eight-game unbeaten run.

    Knocking off several in-form teams led to Iraola taking home manager of the month, and David Brooks’ stunning volley against Everton made it a clean sweep of the awards by winning goal of the month.

    All of that came amid a length injury list, including strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal.

    But Kluivert’s breakout combined with the superb form of fellow attackers Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo, who have scored seven goals apiece this season, has prevented injuries from being an excuse.

    No matter who is on the sidelines, once Bournemouth wins the ball back there are simply too many runners for opponents to attack.

    Remarkably, one would expect such a style of play to make them vulnerable at the back.

    But Iraola’s side do not play a high line, and they have the equal-third best defensive record in the league, alongside Forest, conceding 29 goals so far. Only Arsenal and Liverpool have been stingier at the back.

    They key has been the centre back pairing of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, a combination Iraola landed on during the season.

    In the 13 games they have started together, Bournemouth have lost once, to Liverpool.

    Zabaryni is the rock that has played every minute this season, while 19-year-old Huijsen has been a revelation.

    “Huijsen is undoubtedly the star of the two,” Keble wrote.

    “Signed from Juventus for around £15 million last summer, his strength in the air, composure in possession, and – crucially – assertive front-foot style have catapulted Bournemouth to new heights.”

    LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Dean Huijsen of Bournemouth looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Everton and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on February 08, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    FOREST’S ELITE DEFENCE

    ESPN’s Bruce Schoenfeld summed up Forest’s defensive brilliance in writing that manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s “football has hardly changed even though instead of a relegation battle, he has European qualification in his sights”.

    Forest defends like their life depends on it.

    They have comfortably made more clearances than any other team, including the equal most amount of clearances off the line.

    They are level with Liverpool for the most number of clean sheets with ten.

    Goalkeeper Matz Sels has punched away the aerial more than anyone else.

    They are desperate.

    And they are bringing an enormous amount of pride to the club’s greats.

    “I haven’t watched a better pairing at the back than Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic in my 50 years of watching Forest,” former England and Forest midfielder Steve Hodge said on BBC Radio last month.

    “I really mean that – pound for pound what they are as footballers and as a pair,” he added. “They have everything. As a pair, they complement each other perfectly and they both seem to be calm characters even under severe pressure.”

    Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest celebrates victory during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion at the City Ground in Nottingham, England, on February 1, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Milenkovic joined from Fiorentina last summer and the 31-year-old Serbian is in many pundits’ team of the season so far.

    He is an old-fashioned, no-nonsense centre back whose heading ability has led to him scoring two goals as well as clearing many attacking threats.

    But in the coming games, Forest face arguably the biggest defensive test of the season.

    Away at Newcastle, home to Arsenal and home to Manchester City are their next three league games.

    They passed with flying colours earlier in the season, defeating Liverpool at Anfield and taking a point from them at home.

    That shows that there is little to doubt that Forest’s steeliness will remain.

    BOURNEMOUTH’S EXCELLENT ROAD RECORD

    A major part of Bournemouth’s success has been their impressive away record.

    The Cherries have won six, drawn four and lost three of their matches on the road this season, including going unbeaten in their last seven away games.

    That streak has included a pair of 2-2 draws against rivals for the European places Chelsea and Fulham, as well as the Newcastle win mentioned earlier.

    Their most recent away win was a 3-1 win against cellar dwellers Southampton in a south coast derby, and post-match Iraola identified fast starts as the reason for their away success.

    “I think it’s key, especially when you play away,” he said.

    “I think we are having good starts. I remember last games, Newcastle away, Everton the other day.

    “Even the two goals in 16 minutes, but in the first minute I think we had two corners for us.

    “It’s a good start and a message that we are coming here and we want to win this game and we are not happy with the 0-0 and we want things to happen quickly.

    “Also, I think they are a team that now is aggressive in the press. I think there were spaces behind them. There were spaces behind us.

    “The game could go very open and I’m happy, especially first half, I think we controlled the game very well.”

    Their ability to get results on the road will be severely tested later in the season as they visit Arsenal and Manchester City in the final four games of their campaign.

    They could be vital to their European hopes.

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  • ‘This was not Angeball’: How Spurs switch-up saved Aussie boss and ‘shamed’ Premier League great

    ‘This was not Angeball’: How Spurs switch-up saved Aussie boss and ‘shamed’ Premier League great

    Ange Postecoglou earned a first Premier League win for Tottenham this year with a distinctly different brand of football to ‘Angeball’ — and it did not go unnoticed in the UK press.

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    Here is what is being said after a remarkable 2-0 win at Brentford, which featured a makeshift central defensive pairing of Archie Gray and Ben Davies, plus a starring role from fullback Djed Spence.

    Writing for The Times, Gregor Robertson said that the pragmatic defensive display bore little resemblance to Postecoglou’s preferred MO of high-octane attacking football.

    “Spurs made sure of the win when (Pape Matar) Sarr, a substitute, prodded in a second on the break with three of the 90 minutes left to play, but the buccaneering early days of Ange-ball felt like a distant memory in the intervening hour, during which Brentford largely laid siege to the Tottenham penalty area,” Robertson wrote.

    “Spurs were still without nine players through injury, of course, and Postecoglou will have been proud of the way his patched up back four repelled Brentford’s early onslaught and barrage of crosses in the second half.”

    Writing for The iPaper, Oliver Young-Myles surmised: “Well, that wasn’t very Angeball-y.

    “A first Premier League win for Tottenham in almost 50 days brings some respite for Ange Postecoglou. And what was notable about the performance at Brentford was how different it was to the rinse-and-repeat style Spurs have played throughout the Australian’s reign.

    “They were gritty; sat deep for virtually the whole second half; scored a scrappy goal from a corner; managed the game maturely and sensibly. An accusation against Postecoglou is that his team can only play one way. Here was evidence that they can mix it up. Here’s their Anfield blueprint for Thursday.

    “Perhaps Postecoglou compromised, although he insisted that wasn’t the case.”

    Postecoglou said the game style was an unavoidable result of circumstances, rather than a major philosophical change.

    “They’re human beings, not robots,” he said of his players, who had come off a Europa League win three days earlier.

    “People want to dismiss it. They want to talk about excuses but that’s the reality. I know the reality. These guys are giving everything.

    “We knew we couldn’t go out there and dominate. Brentford had a week to prepare. We had 50-something hours. With the same group of players. With that context, the performance was outstanding.”

    Writing for The Sun, Tom Barclay said: “This was not Ange Ball, but, frankly, who cares?

    “Certainly not Tottenham fans, who were genuinely starting to worry about being sucked into a relegation battle and were singing “We are staying up” come the end. And probably not Ange Postecoglou either, whose need for this reviving win was becoming desperate.

    “The Aussie’s position has been coming under more and more scrutiny after a bleak winter culminating in one win in 11 league games. He has been able to point to a crippling injury crisis as a mitigating factor and progress in the cups as a reason to believe.

    “But make no mistake, the 59-year-old needed this victory and will have taken any means necessary to get it.”

    Ange Postecoglou celebrates victory with Spurs captain Son Heung-Min.Source: Getty Images

    Tottenham were boosted before the match with the signing of Kevin Danso from Ligue 1 club Lens, boosting their central defensive stocks.

    Yet writing for The Telegraph, Matt Law noted the remarkable defensive effort that came from a thrown-together line-up.

    “Kevin Danso’s arrival was announced on Sunday morning, but Postecoglou, while Tottenham waited for the defender’s international clearance, named a team with no recognised centre-backs,” Law wrote.

    “It looked like a recipe for another Spurs disaster and yet Archie Gray, who is naturally a midfielder, and Ben Davies, who is normally a left-back, stood up to the task manfully – as did Djed Spence, a right-back filling in at left-back.

    “Despite Tottenham’s two-goal winning margin, it was the brave defending of Spence and Co that got Spurs over the line, as Postecoglou waits for more reinforcements that could still include Chelsea’s Axel Disasi and players to return to fitness. Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Disasi on loan, but the Frenchman had agreed terms with Aston Villa, who have been unwilling to meet Chelsea’s conditions. Talks were continuing into Sunday evening.”

    Relief for Ange but more work ahead | 01:09

    Writing for The Guardian, Nick Ames said that Postecoglou may be feeling more optimistic about his future after the result.

    “Disciplined, unfussy, a little scrappy and garnished with a dollop of luck. Tottenham have rarely known afternoons such as this under Ange ­Postecoglou but they summoned a textbook away performance, rolling up their sleeves and putting a halt to the previous seven weeks’ freefall.

    “Spurs had not won a league game since 15 December, and that was against the flimsy proposition of ­Russell Martin’s Southampton. This time they dealt with one of the division’s most exacting physical examinations and there was no doubting the importance to their manager, who leapt off his seat and punched the air when Pape Matar Sarr put matters beyond doubt late on.

    “It will not remove the unease around Tottenham, which was demonstrated by regular chants from the away ­section demanding that Daniel Levy step down. But they had to start somewhere and, with the Austria defender Kevin Danso arriving from Lens and a move for Axel Disasi in their sights before the transfer deadline on Monday, Postecoglou might feel cautious optimism that the darkest hour has passed.”

    Goal-scorer Pape Matar Sarr celebrates victory with Ange Postecoglou.Source: Getty Images

    Spurs’ performance was something of a surprise, with Brentford above them on the ladder and a particularly dangerous goalscoring threat at home this season.

    As is turned out, Postecoglou’s men burned one of his media sparring partners. Liverpool great Jamie Carragher predicted pre-game that they would be soundly beaten.

    “I’ll be absolutely shocked if Tottenham win there today,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “When I look at that back four, they’ve been decimated.

    “I thought (Micky) Van de Ven was going to be involved today. Obviously they’ve lost their goalkeeper, they’ve brought one in [Antonin Kinsky], but when you actually look at that Tottenham back four, if they concede less than three today, I will be surprised.

    “I’m not criticising them – they’re young kids; Ben Davies is in there, he’s not a centre-back, he’s a left-back. Archie Gray’s done brilliantly for them, he’s an 18-year-old kid – to go away to Brentford, set pieces, long balls, what you’ve got to deal with as a centre back…”

    The Mirror concluded that Spurs had put “Jamie Carragher’s pre-match prediction to shame”.

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  • ‘Distinctly un-Angeball’: Surprise Ange shift as Spurs snap streak in huge PL pressure release

    ‘Distinctly un-Angeball’: Surprise Ange shift as Spurs snap streak in huge PL pressure release

    Tottenham has snapped a seven-game Premier League winless run with a 2-0 victory at Brentford that eases pressure on Ange Postecoglou, who chose to depart from ‘Angeball’ tactics for the crucial win.

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    Spurs banished fears of being dragged into a relegation battle and eased the pressure on Postecoglou’s job thanks to Vitaly Janelt’s own goal and a late Pape Sarr strike to move 10 points clear of the bottom three.

    The Bees were left to rue a number of missed chances against an injury-ravaged Tottenham defence.

    Yoane Wissa’s header came off the bar as Brentford pushed for an equaliser. But Spurs picked them off on the counter-attack when Pape Sarr prodded through Valdimarsson’s legs from Son’s pass.

    Victory lifts Tottenham to 14th and 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

    PL WRAP: Tottenham ease Ange pressure with overdue win; Arsenal’s huge statement

    The win came with Postecoglou ditching his trademark ‘Angeball’ style with the Australian finally adopting a more defensive approach for his injury-ravaged, and fatigued squad.

    “Difficult place to come, difficult place to win at and difficult place to keep them out,” Postecoglou said.

    “The lads were brilliant. Our second goal was outstanding and we were always a threat when we had it.”

    Speaking about what happened to Angeball, he added: “They’re human beings, not robots.

    “People want to dismiss it. They want to talk about excuses but that’s the reality. I know the reality. These guys are giving everything.

    Relief for Ange but more work ahead | 01:09

    “We knew we couldn’t go out there and dominate. Brentford had a week to prepare. We had 50-something hours. With the same group of players. With that context, the performance was outstanding.”

    Tottenham can now concentrate on a huge week in the domestic cup competitions. They travel to Liverpool defending a 1-0 lead in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final on Thursday, before a visit to Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round.

    The club announced the signing of centre-back Kevin Danso from Lens before Sunday’s game and are expected to make further additions on the final day of the transfer window.

    “It’s the same group of players who have to play Thursday and Sunday and you can’t get away from the fact that playing Thursday and Sunday consistently without being able to rotate takes a toll,” said Postecoglou.

    “The Premier League is relentless and you’re meeting teams who’ve had seven days’ break and we’ve had 48 hours.

    “From that perspective the pleasing thing is that we had Micky (Van de Ven) back on Thursday, Djed (Spence) in today and we’ve signed Kevin. The group now are getting encouragement and energy from getting some help and I have no doubt they’ll assist us in addressing our position in the league.”

    Fowler scores double in City loss | 00:14

    Spurs hijacked a deal Wolves had in place to sign Danso, who joins initially on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season for 25 million euros (£21 million, $42 million).

    Postecoglou’s first-choice centre-backs Van de Ven and Cristian Romero have missed a large part of the season, while their backup Radu Dragusin is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

    Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is also reportedly on the verge of a move across London before Monday’s transfer deadline.

    “It’s great to get Kevin in, we desperately needed a defender,” added Postecoglou.

    “Getting him is great because he’s a great fit for us. He’s had a strong career and he’s at an age now (26) where he wants to kick on and he has all the attributes we look for. We’re really pleased and it will be a lift for the whole group.”

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  • Manchester United’s late winner over surprise packet staves off nightmare scenario

    Manchester United’s late winner over surprise packet staves off nightmare scenario

    Lisandro Martinez’s deflected winner offered some respite to under pressure Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as the Red Devils won 1-0 at Fulham on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

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    A dreary encounter looked set to end goalless until Martinez’s shot 12 minutes from time hit Sasa Lukic and looped over Bernd Leno.

    Just a fourth Premier League win in 12 games for Amorim lifts United up to 12th in the table.

    Amorim suggested that United’s best performances during his opening two months had come away from home due to nerves of performing in front of an expectant home crowd at Old Trafford.

    But this display was in keeping with many others from the English giants this season, under two different managers, against sides with a fraction of their budget.

    There was little to get United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe excited as he watched on in west London, but victory does dispel any remaining notion that United could be dragged into a relegation battle.

    Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s lone goal.Source: Getty Images

    Fulham made the brighter start but were also guilty of a lack of penetration in a pedestrian 90 minutes.

    Andre Onana returned in goal for the visitors despite his error for Brighton’s third goal in the Seagulls 3-1 win at Old Trafford last weekend.

    The Cameroonian was forced into two early saves from the lively Alex Iwobi. It took just before the hour mark for United to seriously threaten when Bruno Fernandes’ clever free-kick slid under the Fulham wall but just the wrong side of the post.

    Rasmus Hojlund’s return had been one of five changes made by Amorim from a dramatic 2-1 Europa League win over Rangers on Thursday.

    But the Dane’s goal drought extended to 11 games as he barely posed a threat before being replaced by Joshua Zirkzee.

    Adama Traore flashed a shot just over for Fulham in a rare dangerous moment for either side.

    And it was little surprise that it was a moment of fortune rather than inspiration that broke the deadlock.

    Martinez took aim from long range but in his desperation to block, Lukic’s deflection saw the ball fly over Leno and dip into the top corner.

    Fulham should still have snatched a point as United’s frailty from set pieces was exposed.

    Joachim Andersen was afforded a free header from a corner but Toby Collyer got back to head off the line.

    The visitors could also have extended their advantage deep into stoppage time when Amad Diallo’s strike was ruled out for off-side by a VAR review.

    But, just as in the meeting between the sides on the opening night of the season, one goal was enough for all three points for United.

    Defeat dampens Fulham’s European ambitions as they remain in 10th, seven points off the top six.

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  • ‘Who knows’: Ange admits the end may be near as horror Spurs loss ends with angry fan clash

    ‘Who knows’: Ange admits the end may be near as horror Spurs loss ends with angry fan clash

    Ange Postecoglou admitted he does not know if he will avoid the sack after Tottenham hit a new “low” with a dismal 2-1 defeat against struggling Leicester on Sunday.

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    Postecoglou’s side crashed to a sixth defeat from their last seven Premier League matches to increase the pressure on the under-fire Australian.

    Richarlison’s 33rd-minute header gave Tottenham hope of a first top-flight win since December 15.

    But Jamie Vardy levelled for Leicester less than 60 seconds after half-time before Bilal El Khannouss fired the winner four minutes later.

    Furious Tottenham fans called for chairman Daniel Levy to quit throughout the match, while boos greeted full-time whistle after Postecoglou was jeered for substituting Richarlison.

    Tottenham are languishing in 15th place, just eight points above the relegation zone.

    Postecoglou claimed his injury-hit squad — deprived of 10 players at present — are still behind him, but the former Celtic boss conceded he could not guarantee he would still be around when the walking wounded eventually return.

    “Who knows. I reckon there is probably a fair chunk that will say ‘no’,” he said.

    “When you are the manager of a football club, you can be very vulnerable and isolated. I don’t feel that.

    “I feel like this group of players, not for me, are giving everything for the club. I have a group of staff that is really committed. I focus on that.”

    A 3-2 win at Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday kept Tottenham on track for the last 16, while they hold a 1-0 lead in the League Cup semi-final against Liverpool ahead of the second leg at Anfield in February.

    – ‘Very committed’ –

    Postecoglou’s hopes of fulfilling his boast that he always wins a trophy in his second season lie with those competitions and the FA Cup.

    But, after a run of one win in 11 league games, climbing away from the relegation zone is essential if Postecoglou is to survive the storm raging around his club.

    “I really believe in this group of players. Even today, what I asked of them, some of the performances were outstanding considering what they’ve been through,” he said.

    “To me that’s all positive, but ultimately, the fact that we’ve lost another game of football, the focus is on that.

    “I have felt all along that the players are still very committed to what we’re doing. That’s important to me because I firmly believe in it.

    “This is probably as low as we’ve been so far this year but I still think that in these last three months we can do something really special and I think these players believe that.

    “Right now it’s very hard to visualise that when you think of the current circumstances we’re in.”

    First-choice defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven returned to training this week, while Tottenham continue to chase additions in the transfer window.

    “You just have to look at our absences today and they’ll all be back,” Postecoglou added.

    “Even missing Madders (James Maddison) today, he was so good the other night.

    “All these little things that are not allowing us to get any momentum, I’m sure will change and when they change, I’m really confident we can make an impact.”

    – Son slams ‘sloppy’ Spurs –

    Son Heung-min slammed Tottenham’s lack of focus after Sunday’s “painful” 2-1 defeat against lowly Leicester increased the pressure on under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou.

    Whether Postecoglou can survive much longer in a dismal second season in charge remains to be seen, but the Australian’s cause wasn’t helped by a scathing assessment of their performance from South Korea forward Son.

    “It is very painful. Especially when you’re winning at half-time and conceding two goals in a short period of time. It let us down and is a very frustrating afternoon,” the Tottenham captain said.

    “We can’t just say tiredness because we just came out of the second half. Maybe it was a little bit sloppy.

    “It is just a lack of concentration and a bit of sloppiness and in the Premier League table any team can punish us.

    “It was not good enough and sometimes we made the wrong decision in the final moment. It is very disappointing to not get three points and to concede goals like this.”

    The prospect of Tottenham dropping into the second tier is unthinkable for fans who last saw their club play at that level in 1977-78.

    Asked if Tottenham could be dragged into a relegation battle, Son said: “It is definitely not good enough. We’ve had way too many losses, but there are still a lot of games remaining and we’ll have a lot of players back.”

    Tottenham are dangerously close to being sucked into the relegation battle and trips to Brentford and Aston Villa in their next two league games — either side of a League Cup semi-final second leg clash with Liverpool — could decide the Australian’s fate.

    “It is a disappointing result, but at the same time I can’t ask anymore from this group of players. Some of them aren’t 100 percent but they are trying their hardest,” Postecoglou said.

    “Things just aren’t falling for us. It is not an atmosphere where it is easy at the moment. We’ve got to get through this as united as possible.”

    Tottenham hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg against Liverpool and a Wembley appearance could buy Postecoglou time to get his team back on track.

    With 14 players absent for Thursday’s Europa League win at Hoffenheim, Tottenham’s injury crisis has led to criticism of Postecoglou’s tactics and the level of intensity in training.

    The former Celtic boss accepts the blame for the rash of injuries, but his claims that Tottenham remain on the right path under his leadership look more questionable with each woeful result that edges him closer to the axe.

    While Postecoglou fights to save his job, Leicester manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy can breathe a little easier over his own future.

    Van Nistelrooy, who replaced Steve Cooper in December, had presided over seven successive league defeats before their much-needed success against Tottenham.

    Leicester are now one place and one point above the relegation zone and Van Nistelrooy said: “It’s a massive win. The players are buying into it. I can only be very proud of this team.” On a filthy, rain-lashed afternoon, a protest banner against Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was unveiled by fans before kick-off with the slogan “24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy – time for change”.

    – Penalty controversy –

    Brentford benefitted from penalty controversy to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

    Thomas Frank’s team earned a 66th minute penalty when Marc Guehi made a hash of clearing and the panicked Maxence Lacroix fouled Nathan Collins.

    Bryan Mbeumo’s spot-kick hit the post, but Palace’s reprieve was short-lived as VAR ruled Guehi had encroached before the shot.

    The Brentford forward gratefully accepted his second chance by sending Palace keeper Dean Henderson the wrong way for his 14th goal this season.

    Kevin Schade netted in the 80th minute for Brentford and Palace winger Romain Esse came off the bench to score with his first touch on his debut five minutes later.

    Later on Sunday, troubled Manchester United travel to Fulham, while Aston Villa drew 1-1 at home to West Ham.

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  • Spurs hitlist that could save Ange; Pep set to unleash $300m fury: PL transfers state of play

    Spurs hitlist that could save Ange; Pep set to unleash $300m fury: PL transfers state of play

    The January transfer window is in full swing and a host of Premier League giants have already made big moves in the hopes of shifting their fortunes.

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    Manchester City have already spent north of $150m AUD on talent, and there’s one more player set to arrive to push that figure close to $300m AUD.

    Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are desperate to add depth to their injury-ravaged squad and Ruben Amorim’s United revolution is just getting started.

    Read below for all the latest January transfer news!

    TOTTENHAM

    Done deals

    Antonin Kinsky — Slavia Prague to Spurs ($31m AUD)

    Yang Min-hyeok — Gangwon FC to Spurs ($7.9m AUD)

    Rumoured deals

    Tyler Dibling — Southampton to Spurs (more than $49m AUD)

    Liam Delap — Ipswich Town to Spurs ($79m AUD)

    Milan Skriniar — PSG to Spurs (N/A)

    Thomas Kristensen — Udinese to Spurs (N/A)

    Jack Grealish — Manchester City to Spurs (N/A)

    Analysis: It’s been a horror campaign thus far for Spurs, and Ange Postecoglou desperately needs to reinforce his squad who currently sit in 15th after 22 games. Big name stars like Christian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur and Guglielmo Vicario have all been sidelined due to injury, forcing Tottenham to field a weakened side during a tough period for the Australian manager. Throw in a fresh injury to star striker Dominic Solanke, who is set for an extended sideline stint, and Spurs desperately need to recruit in January in both attack and defence. Yang Min-hyeok arrives at the club, but the young South Korean was signed previously, while Antonin Kinsky has hit the ground running since arrived from Slavia Prague, rounding out the club’s two done deals. Ipswich Town revelation Liam Delap is reportedly one target of Postecoglou, with the 21-year-old enjoying an impressive debut Premier League campaign. However, it’s unlikely Ipswich will be willing to part with their talisman in the midst of a relegation battle, but regardless Spurs could table and offer too good to refuse according to TeamTalk, which could be around $79m AUD. Elsewhere, Southampton star Tyler Dibling has also attracted interest from Tottenham, with Sky Sports reporting the 18-year-old is hot property and has many suitors. What complicates matters is the winger is sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury, meaning a move in January might not make sense for potential clubs. RB Leipzig have reportedly offered $49m AUD to pry him away from the Premier League, but Southampton reportedly want a significantly higher offer before they consider letting him depart. Jack Grealish is another interesting figure who could be on the move, with Tottenham reportedly keeping tabs on the Manchester City attacker who is weighing up his future under Pep Guardiola according to Football London. In defence, two names have come up as potential targets, with Milan Skriniar and Thomas Kristensen on Postecoglou’s radar. According to TBR Football, Skriniar is also being targeted by Galatasaray, having been made available for transfer by the PSG board. Kristensen, meanwhile, has been impressive in the Serie A for Udinese this season, with the Daily Mail reporting Juventus are also in discussions to recruit the Danish defender.

    Ange ‘on thin ice’ after 3-2 loss | 03:26

    LIVERPOOL

    Done deals

    N/A

    Rumoured deals

    Martin Zubimendi — Real Sociedad to Liverpool (N/A)

    Takefusa Kubo — Real Sociedad to Liverpool (N/A)

    Analysis: Liverpool are sitting pretty atop the Premier League ladder, and Arne Slot has a big job on his hands to lift the trophy in his debut season. But beyond that, the Dutch manager’s transfer priority could be retaining the club’s big-name stars as the Merseyside outfit remain largely quiet in the January transfer window. Liverpool have been linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who is currently hot property and is Arsenal’s No.1 transfer target. He looks to be heading to North London, with a deal reportedly in place for the summer. Elsewhere, according to TeamTalk, Liverpool bosses have their own on another Soceidad star, with Takefusa Kubo the club’s top target as a successor to Mo Salah. The club are reportedly willing to allow three players to depart in a swap deal, with Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa named as those on the chopping block, with Kubo having an $118m AUD release clause in his deal. Salah’s future remains up in the air, with his current contract running out at the season’s end, and Saudi club Al Hilal circling the Egyptian star. Salah has once again been one of the Premier League’s best players, but Slot is facing the real possibility of losing the prodigious winger in June if they club can’t sort out his new deal. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract also expire, with the latter having been linked with a move to Real Madrid to join fellow English gun Jude Bellingham.

    ARSENAL

    Done deals

    N/A

    Rumoured deals

    Martin Zubimendi — Real Sociedad to Arsenal (N/A)

    Matheus Cunha — Wolverhampton to Arsenal (N/A)

    Evan Ferguson — Brighton to Arsenal (N/A)

    Benjamin Sesko — RB Leipzig to Arsenal ($118m AUD)

    Dusan Vlahovic — Juventus to Arsenal (N/A)

    Analysis: It’s been widely reported Mikel Arteta has won the race to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but he won’t serve as a quick fix for the Gunners. The Spaniard is set to land in North London in the summer, meaning Arsenal are still on the lookout for recruits. Arsenal are desperate for a striker, with Kai Havertz failing to fire up front this season and a sheer lack of goals being to blame for the club’s lacking form. Matheus Cunha has emerged as a potential target, with the Brazilian having put together a strong season for Wolves, scoring 10 goals and assisting four more so far. According to Sky Sports, Arsenal powerbrokers are reportedly considering a loan with an option to buy, with the club having already used both of their domestic loan slots. However, Wolves won’t let him go without a fight, with the club battling to stay in the Premier League, currently sitting in 17th place. Another striker option looms as Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, who according to The Sun, could be on the move to Arsenal on loan. The 20-year-old has been hit with a string if injuries in recent seasons, but he has a breakthrough year in 2022 with the Seagulls. RB Leipzig target man Benjamin Sesko has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, having already said “yes” to a move to the North London club if a deal can be struck between the two parties, according to The Daily Mirror. The 21-year-old reportedly made a handshake agreement with his club to make a move in the summer for $118m AUD, but Arsenal reportedly want to secure a deal early.

    Elsewhere, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has also been linked with a move away from the Serie A, with PSG star Randal Kolo Muano set to join the Italian club on a loan deal. But overall, Arteta hinted the Gunners would be bringing in reinforcements after his side’s draw against Aston Villa, saying: “When you look at the performances, I don’t know how many teams are playing at this level in the league. But when you look at the bench, you would probably say we are very short.”

    CHELSEA

    Done deals

    N/A

    Rumoured deals

    Alejandro Garnacho — Manchester United to Chelsea ($99m AUD)

    Mamadou Sarr — Strasbourg to Chelsea ($23.5m AUD)

    Dusan Vlahovic — Juventus to Chelsea ($118m AUD)

    Jamie Gittens — Dortmund to Chelsea (N/A)

    Liam Delap — Ipswich Town to Chelsea (N/A)

    Analysis: Enzo Maresca is hopeful of adding some strike power to his outfit, with Chelsea pushing to compete with Liverpool for the Premier League title this season. In an interesting move, the London club are considering recruiting out-of-favour United winger Alejandro Garnacho, with his agent reportedly spotted at Stamford Bridge in recent days according to The Mirror. Manchester United officials reportedly want $99m AUD to make a deal happen, with the Red Devils hopeful of cashing in on the winger whose transfer fee would be pure profit under PSR rules. The rising star has also fallen out of favour under new boss Ruben Amorim, with Serie A club Napoli also interested in his services. Ipswich Town rising star Liam Delap was reportedly on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist, however no moves have been made to recruit him from the club fighting relegation. Elsewhere, Dusan Vlahovic shapes as Chelsea’s most likely striker recruit, with the club having already held talks with Juventus with Renota Veiga potentially departing the Premier League for the Serie A. Vlahovic has been valued at $118m AUD, with Veiga potentially included in the deal to reduce the fee according to ESPN. The Serbian’s current contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, scoring seven goals and assisting one more in his 17 appearances for Juventus this year. However, he’s also scored four times in five games in the Champions League. Mamadou Sarr will also reportedly join Chelsea for a fee of around $23.5m AUD, with the 19-year-old making his move in the summer according to the BBC. Elsewhere, Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens has also emerged as a potential candidate to make the move to London.

    Blues snap winless run at home | 02:05

    MANCHESTER CITY

    Done deals

    Vitor Reis — Palmeiras to Manchester City ($58m AUD)

    Abdukodir Khusanov — Lens to Manchester City ($67m AUD)

    Claudio Echeverri — River Plate to Manchester City ($30m AUD)

    Rumoured deals

    Omar Marmoush — Frankfurt to Manchester City ($125m AUD)

    Douglas Luiz — Juventus to Manchester City (N/A)

    Andrea Cambiaso — Juventus to Manchester City ($132m AUD)

    Analysis: Pep Guardiola has taken action already in the January window, signing three players in Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Claudio Echeverri. Manchester City have endured their toughest period yet under the Spaniard, and in the hopes of surging back to the top of the Premier League, and winning a fifth straight title, Guardiola has hit the market and he’s showing no signs of slowing down with striker Erling Haaland also putting pen to paper on a contract extension. Khusanov and Reis’s arrivals are set to offset the loss of wing back Kyle Walker, whose loan deal to AC Milan is almost complete. According to ESPN, attacker Omar Marmoush is set to join Manchester City for a whopping $125m AUD. The 25-year-old reportedly was undergoing a medical exam on Tuesday ahead of his imminent signing. Marmoush has been impressive in the Bundesliga, with the Egyptian scoring four goals and assisting two more in six Europa League appearances this season. Douglas Luiz is also reportedly being eyed for a potential return to the City club, with a loan deal being considered for the midfielder who was sold to Aston Villa in 2019. According to Sky Sports, a move for Luiz being considered over a push to recruit Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. Luiz is reportedly expected to depart Juventus, but it remains to be seen where he will land. Elsewhere, Andrea Cambiaso has been named as a potential target for City, with the club in the early stages of a move to recruit the 24-year-old full back. The Italian giants reportedly value the defender at around $132m AUD.

    MANCHESTER UNITED

    Done deals

    N/A

    Rumoured deals

    Patrick Dorgu — Lecce to Manchester United ($66.5m AUD)

    Victor Osimhen — Galatasaray to Manchester United ($125m AUD)

    Miloš Kerkez — Bournemouth to Manchester United (N/A)

    Nuno Mendes — PSG to Manchester United (N/A)

    Bryan Mbeumo — Brentford to Manchester United (N/A)

    Matheus Cuhna — Wolverhampton to Manchester United (N/A)

    Analysis: Ruben Amorim is in his first transfer window as United’s manager, already making his stance on two of the club’s biggest stars clear. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford are set to depart Manchester, and the Portuguese boss is on the lookout for replacements. Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu is shaping as a player set to land in Old Trafford, with United bosses reportedly holding talks with Lecce’s director of football according to The Guardian. The Serie A club are reportedly seeking around $66.5m AUD for the wing back/winger who could fit perfectly into Amorim’s unusual three at the back system. Dorgu could fill the hole left by Garnacho, but can only play on both sides of the field in defence if needed. Milos Kerkez and Nuno Mendes are also reportedly on Amorim’s list of flank defenders, with the United boss making that position a focal point in his January transfer window. Elsewhere, United have been linked with a pair of strikers, with Victor Osimhen the biggest name listed in their rumoured targets. The Nigerian marksman is currently on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray, and is parent club Napoli are reportedly willing to offload the striker for a cut price. Garnacho’s move looks to be the linchpin in any deal for Osimhen, with Napoli officials hoping United bosses lower their asking price for the rising winger, while their own valuation for Osimhen sits at $125m AUD according to Naples publication Il Matino. The Nigerian’s arrival could solve what has been a striker crisis in recent seasons at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Kirzkee failing to lock down the position. Brenford’s Bryan Mbuemo has also reportedly been included in United’s striker shortlist alongside Wolves’ Matheus Cuhna.

    Ryan move set to force Aussie shuffle | 05:36

    THE REST

    Done deals

    Jaden Philogene — Aston Villa to Ipswich Town ($39m AUD)

    Donyell Malen — Dortmund to Aston Villa ($39m AUD)

    Emmanuel Agbadou — Stde de Reims to Wolverhampton ($32.7m AUD)

    Julio Soler — Lanus to Bournemouth ($13m AUD)

    Diego Gomez — Inter Miami to Brighton ($21.6m AUD)

    Andres Garcia — Levante to Aston Villa ($11.8m AUD

    Matai Akinmboni — DC United to Bournemouth ($2.9m AUD)

    Romain Esse — Milwall to Crystal Palace (undisclosed)

    Woyo Coulibaly — Parma to Leicester City ($3.7m AUD)

    Welington — Sao Paulo to Southampton (undisclosed)

    Joachim Kayi Sanda — Valenciennes to Southampton (undisclosed)

    Biggest rumoured deals

    Matheus Cuhna — Wolverhampton to Nottingham Forest

    Jhon Duran — Aston Villa to West Ham

    Analysis: Arguably the biggest move outside the big six has come from West Ham, who have reportedly bid a whopping $112m AUD to sign Villa striker Jhon Duran according to The Athletic. However, that bid is reportedly set to be rejected, having recently extended the contract of the Colombian international until 2030. It’s the second time West Ham have bidded for Duran’s services. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are flying high in third place on the ladder and are hoping to continue their run by making Wolves striker Matheus Cuhna their top target according to Daily Mail. Forest are reportedly preparing to make a competitive bid for the Brazilian, who has scored 10 goals so far this campaign. The City Ground club have also previously had a $43m AUD bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa turned down, before turning their attention elsewhere.

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  • Man Utd’s six-year first snaps horror losing streak as Liverpool blow big opportunity in Anfield thriller

    Man Utd’s six-year first snaps horror losing streak as Liverpool blow big opportunity in Anfield thriller

    Manchester United rallied to snap a four-game losing streak and halt Liverpool’s romp towards the Premier League title in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

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    Liverpool move six points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand to come, over second-placed Arsenal.

    But this was an opportunity lost for Arne Slot’s men after they came from behind to lead 2-1 through Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah’s penalty.

    United broke their six-year goal drought at Anfield to open the scoring in spectacular fashion through Lisandro Martinez and got the point a much-improved performance deserved when Amad Diallo levelled on 80 minutes.

    LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Amad Diallo of Manchester United scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    A point edges the Red Devils up to 13th in the table and seven clear of the relegation zone.

    Liverpool boss Slot warned that United were “much better” than their shocking league position suggested ahead of the game and so it proved.

    United had been carved open at will by Newcastle in a dismal 2-0 defeat on Monday that left manager Ruben Amorim declaring they were in a relegation battle.

    Amorim’s hand was strengthened by the return of captain Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte from suspension, while Kobbie Mainoo also returned to the starting line-up.

    The Portuguese’s plan to frustrate Liverpool worked but the home side did have the chances early on to make the breakthrough.

    Gakpo prodded past the far post from Ryan Gravenberch’s through ball. Moments later Salah picked out Alexis Mac Allister with a sumptuous pass that the Argentine caught flush and forced Andre Onana into a fine save with his feet.

    United took time to begin to impose themselves as an attacking threat but should have been in front before the break.

    Diallo miscued his header with the goal gaping from Diogo Dalot’s cross. Rasmus Hojlund then had the best chance of the first half when he raced in behind the Liverpool defence but could not beat Alisson Becker.

    – Renewed confidence –

    However, confidence was suddenly coursing back into United players who have looked bereft in recent weeks.

    The visitors’ breakthrough came from an unlikely source as Martinez showed his strikers how to finish with a blistering hit in off the underside of the bar for just his second goal for the club.

    The Anfield crowd were beginning to get restless as the league leaders were briefly at sixes and sevens.

    However, Liverpool’s position at the top of the table owes much to the depth of firepower they possess.

    Even on a quiet day for Salah, they had an in-form forward to come up with the moment of magic required to turn the game.

    Gakpo turned inside his Dutch international colleague Matthijs de Ligt and blasted high past Onana for his 10th goal in 15 games on the hour mark.

    Despite the equaliser Slot immediately made two offensive changes, as Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez were introduced, and got his reward.

    MacAllister’s header flicked off De Ligt’s outstretched arm inside the penalty area and a VAR review resulted in the awarding of a spot-kick.

    Salah smashed low and hard beyond Onana for his 18th Premier League goal in 19 games.

    However, United’s spirited display got the point it merited to halt an alarming losing streak for Amorim so early in his reign.

    Alejandro Garnacho’s attitude has been questioned by his new boss but the Argentine came off the bench to make the equaliser as his low cross was turned in by Diallo.

    And it should have been even better for United when Harry Maguire spooned Joshua Zirkzee’s pass over the bar with the goal gaping deep into stoppage time.

    – Fulham fight back to draw against Ipswich –

    Raul Jimenez scored two penalties as Fulham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with relegation-threatened Ipswich at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

    Sam Szmodics put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute, with Jimenez levelling from the spot midway through the second period.

    Liam Delap restored Ipswich’s lead with another penalty but Jimenez had the final say in stoppage time.

    The result leaves Ipswich third from bottom of the table after falling agonisingly short of recording two consecutive league wins for the first time this season.

    Mid-table Fulham enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half but Ipswich broke the deadlock against the run of play with their first chance of note.

    Delap surged forward and fed Leif Davis, whose cross was headed onto the bar by overlapping right-back Ben Johnson. After a scramble to clear the danger, Szmodics was on hand to crash the ball off Calvin Bassey and past Bernd Leno.

    It took until the 69th minute for the Cottagers to get back on level terms. Harry Wilson found a pocket of space once more following Rodrigo Muniz’s pass and was brought down inside the box by Sam Morsy.

    Referee Darren Bond initially said no penalty but changed his original decision after a VAR check and Jimenez stepped up to slot his spot-kick to Christian Walton’s left.

    Delap put Ipswich back ahead just two minutes later after he was fouled by Timothy Castagne and they went close to a third when substitute Jack Clarke struck a post.

    But Fulham continued to probe for an equaliser and it arrived in the first minute of stoppage time.

    Jimenez picked himself up after being fouled by Davis and coolly found the top-right corner to secure his side a share of the spoils.

    “When you lead twice you always feel a little bit disappointed not to win,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna told Sky Sports.

    “I’m so proud of the way we played. We had some chances to get a two-goal margin but weren’t able to take them.” Fulham boss Marco Silva praised the performance of Jimenez, who now has eight Premier League goals this season.

    “He showed the character and the calmness,” he said. “There are many positives I take from the game. In some moments we cannot concede like we did and we have been punished by some mistakes.

    “Everybody can talk about European hopes. I prefer our team to speak on the pitch. If you want to be fighting you have to be much more ruthless and aggressive.”

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  • ‘Need a shock’: Staggering Man U ‘survival’ claim as PL’s ‘worst team pound-for-pound’ hits new low

    ‘Need a shock’: Staggering Man U ‘survival’ claim as PL’s ‘worst team pound-for-pound’ hits new low

    It has only taken eight Premier League games for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim’s time in charge to turn into a nightmare.

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    The former manager of Portuguese side Sporting CP has created an unwanted slice of history in becoming the first Red Devils manager in 103 years to lose five of their first eight league games in charge.

    Those five defeats have come in the space of month.

    United have not suffered such a low since 1962.

    Their 2-0 loss at Old Trafford to Newcastle to finish off a drama-filled 2024 – which has included the high of an FA Cup triumph and the lows of sacking Erik ten Hag and sitting 14th on the Premier League table at year’s end – was also their three straight home defeat.

    That has not has not happened for 45 years.

    Those statistics make for incredibly grim reading but their recent woes have been lumped onto the shoulders of ten Hag and the club’s directors off the pitch.

    Amorim is yet to see a transfer window, so the squad is full of players that were brought in to be a part of ten Hag’s vision.

    It has been speculated by former greats that the Marcus Rashford saga has been a result of the club’s owners eagerness to force out a high-earning player.

    But now, the finger is being pointed at Amorim for his role in their latest horror show, and he is already feeling the pressure after Newcastle scored both their goals in the opening 20 minutes of the game.

    It was the sort of move teams pushing for a top four berth do at this time of the year when the workload is heavy.

    Strike early, make a big blow and then allow the game to peter out because the scoreboard is under control.

    Which is exactly what Newcastle did and they showed why they have won four straight Premier League contests, without conceding a goal, to climb into fifth place, three points shy of fourth placed Chelsea.

    United on the other hand were a shemozzle.

    Club great Gary Neville called them “the worst pound-for-pound team in the country” in his commentary on Sky Sports and Amorim shocked the Premier League in his post-match interview by admitting that their “focus is on survival”.

    “I think [the team] is a little bit lost in this moment, so it’s a little bit embarrassing to be a Manchester United coach and to lose a lot of games,” Amorim said. “But we have to cope with difficult moments in the life of everybody, so it’s a hard moment.

    “I think people are tired of excuses in this club and I think sometimes I talk about relegation because of that.

    “We have to acknowledge our position the way you see the league, that everybody can beat everybody, so we have to win games and to focus on surviving. I think our club needs a shock, you know? It needs a shock and we have to understand that.”

    United sit seven points above the relegation places at the halfway mark of their Premier League campaign with a trip to Anfield to face league leaders and fierce rivals Liverpool awaiting them next.

    Amorim’s words are a startling change of tone from the 39-year-old who less than two months ago said United fans may think he is the “new Sir Alex Ferguson” if he pulled off a victory in his final home game in charge at Sporting, a Champions League tie against Manchester City.

    He claimed a 4-1 triumph that night, and also tasted victory in his first Manchester Derby, but those highs feels like a lifetime ago.

    The “shock” Amorim speaks of indicates that rock bottom is still yet to come.

    “It’s worrying times for Manchester United and Amorim,” Neville said on Sky Sports.

    “He knew it was a big job but l think it is far bigger than he ever imagined.”

    Concerns about whether Amorim is up to the task are growing with each loss.

    Perhaps the low point of the Newcastle loss was making a substitution 33 minutes into the match to fix a severe blunder in the set up of the team.

    Striker Joshua Zirkzee was sent to the bench, but he initially opted for the dressing room to hide from the embarrassment, in favour of Kobbie Mainoo to bolster his struggling midfield.

    The move did pay off as United played better with the 19-year-old England international on the pitch, but Zirkzee was cheered off by sections of Old Trafford in what was an awful look for the club.

    “A sure sign of an ongoing implosion, the tactical first-half sub,” The UK Telegraph’s senior sports writer Thom Gibbs wrote.

    The issues in midfield were caused however, by Amorim’s decision to start an ageing pair instead of their younger counterparts.

    “Casemiro and Eriksen in midfield are like mannequins. Little one-two around them, it’s so easy,” Neville said.

    “They’ve been two fabulous players throughout their careers but the last thing either of them wants to see is the other next to them. All you want around you is legs. They shouldn’t be playing a game together in the Premier League. They really shouldn’t.”

    United’s players are battling with the adjustment to Amorim’s tactics which stand in stark contrast to ten Hag’s.

    The Portuguese manager regularly opts for three at the back with a clear focus on high pressing and possession, in contrast to the Dutchman’s preference of four defenders supported by two defensive midfielders.

    Rashford’s supposed reluctance to press has been part of his exclusion from the team under Amorim, and it was alleged by UK radio station talkSport that part of the reason Amorim’s negotiations with Liverpool broke down was because of his devout commitment to his tactical philosophy.

    That dedication has brought him unstuck at United so far with it often looking like he is trying to fit square pegs into round holes.

    “Amorim was culpable. He picked the wrong team, in the wrong formation. His trademark 3-4-3 was unlocked,” the UK Independent’s senior football correspondent Richard Jolly wrote after the Newcastle loss.

    “It was a manager with a well-planned strategy against one trying to impose his blueprint on players unsuited to it.

    “In midfield, United’s indiscipline came at a cost. Lacking their midfield ball-winner Manuel Ugarte and captain Bruno Fernandes because of bans, they were weak, but weakened by the system and managerial choices.

    “The pensionable pair of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were pitted against the trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton: far more athletic, featuring two classy passers.

    “United were outnumbered, out-thought, overrun, overcome.”

    Based on the results, and Amorim’s comments, it is clear a clean out is on the cards in the upcoming January transfer window, as well as in the summer.

    United have undergone that process many times since Ferguson’s reign ended, and their recent history shows it is no certainty to work.

    Their upcoming transfer targets remain unclear and coming to Old Trafford is now a far harder sell than almost ever before.

    The current squad is the result of a clean-out with Neville believing that the United team from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final game as manager in 2021 to be better than the current XI.

    “I sent through that team this morning of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last game in charge. They’re playing against Watford a few years ago and you’re thinking that Manchester United team is not good enough, we all accepted at the time it wasn’t good enough,” Neville said on Sky Sports.

    “But that was David de Gea in net, who’s a better goalkeeper than the one that United have currently got, it was Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and Shaw, which is a better defensive line than the one that they have currently got.

    “It was Matic and McTominay in midfield, which is not brilliant, but it’s better than Casemiro and Eriksen, and it was Sancho, Rashford, Bruno and Ronaldo up front, which is a better forward line than the one that’s currently there.

    “So that’s the concerning thing, when you feel that you’ve got to a point whereby the team can’t get any worse, and then you get further investment into the tune of £455m, and you see that this current team that’s played today, and at Wolves, I think that they’ve got a lot to do.

    “That is being very, very kind because I don’t think this group of players that are playing at this moment in time are of the quality that the ones that Ten Hag has had, Ole’s had, Jose Mourinho’s had, or Louis Van Gaal, they weren’t good enough for Manchester United in those periods.

    “But they were better teams and better squads than the one that currently is in this club.”

    The 21 goals United have scored in 19 matches this campaign, which is the fifth lowest in the league helps prove Neville’s point.

    Last season, their run to FA Cup glory kept United’s spirits alive, but with a third round clash at Arsenal after their trip to Liverpool, their hopes of keeping that flame alive are dwindling.

    The Europa League may have to be their beacon of hope with United sitting seventh – the top eight automatically progress to the knockout rounds – with two league matches remaining, at home to Scottish heavyweights Rangers and away to Romanian outfit FCSB.

    But it appears that 2025 could start with more pain for Amorim’s team.

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