Tag: score

Guimaraes slams ‘very disappointing’ season, says Newcastle can have no excuses

A ‘very disappointed’ Bruno Guimaraes claimed Newcastle were a ‘mess’ as they slumped to a 4-2 loss against Brentford.

The fixture began in explosive fashion as both teams scored twice inside the opening 32 minutes.

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Newcastle’s winless run extended to a fourth game with a 4-2 loss to BrentfordCredit: Getty

Brentford‘s second goal was certainly from a Newcastle perspective, as Harvey Barnes carelessly passed the ball straight to Yoanne Wissa, who gleefully drove at the Magpies backline before firing past Nick Pope.

Barnes atoned for his error by scoring the equaliser, but Newcastle could not match Brentford in the second half as goals from Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade wrapped up the three points.

Collins’ goal came from a free-kick lumped forward by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken while Sandro Tonali’s soft turnover led to Schade’s strike, underlining how easily the Magpies gave up goals.

The loss was Newcastle’s fifth of the season and extended their winless run to a fourth game as they sit 12th on the ladder.

It also continued the Magpies’ poor away form this term, having won on the road just twice.

Speaking to Newcastle’s in-house media team after the contest, Guimaraes opened on his frustrations at the defeat as Eddie Howe‘s side slipped further away from the European spots.

“First half, we have some good moments,” Guimaraes said.

“But the second [half], we became a mess. After the third goal, we lost our way, we lost control. We became a mess on the pitch. Very disappointed.”

Worryingly for Newcastle, the four goals shipped against Brentford made it seven goals conceded in two games after the club’s pulsating 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday.

Played in front of a raucous St. James’ Park, Newcastle appeared to have turned a corner with an impressive performance against the league leaders.

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Guimaraes was brutal in his assessment of Newcastle’s performance against BrentfordCredit: @NUFC on X

But the Bees brought out the worst in Howe’s side, sparking serious questions about a defence that just two seasons ago conceded only 33 league goals across the entire campaign, eight more than they have this term after 15 games.

However, Guimaraes does not believe it’s a problem isolated just to the backline.

“We have been conceding a lot this season,” Guimaraes said.

“We’ve got Champions League and we didn’t concede as much as we have.

“This is not a problem about just the defence. It’s a problem for the midfield, a problem for the attack. It’s the team’s problem.

“We have to stop this. But our season, being honest, has been very, very disappointing.”

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Howe has a big job on his hands to fix Newcastle’s recent defensive woesCredit: Getty

Howe also pulled no punches in his assessment of his team’s performance and bemoaned the string of individual errors that ultimately proved costly.

“That’s the frustration, because before that we looked tight at the back, the issues were at the other end of the pitch,” Howe said.

“Now we’ve scored five in two games and looked a really good attacking team, some of our attacking work was really strong today.

“Lo and behold we then we go and concede seven in two games from nowhere really. It’s difficult to work out because structurally we’ve been fine but there were a lot of individual errors today.

“We’ve got work to do in a lot of different areas. There’s a very good team in there, I’ve got no doubts, but we haven’t shown it consistently enough, we haven’t delivered it anywhere near enough for my liking.

“A period of reflection and a period of work, then we’ll try to fight back.”

Pep Guardiola reacts to ‘harsh’ Rico Lewis red card in Man City’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace

Howe and his Newcastle side will hope to have found a solution to their defensive woes in time for their next fixture on December 14 as they host Leicester City.

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December 7, 2024
‘Wheels have come off’ – Man City crisis is now Pep Guardiola’s biggest job ever

Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy insists the ‘wheels have come off’ at Manchester City after their three-goal implosion on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola‘s side looked to be in cruise control when Erling Haaland scored in the 53rd minute to put City up 3-0 at home against Feyenoord in the Champions League.

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City suffered a capitulation of epic proportions as they blew a three-goal lead against Feyenoord

But in the space of 14 staggering minutes, Feyenoord had equalised thanks to David Hancko in the 89th minute, sending the Etihad into a stunned silence aside from the pocket of travelling fans.

Although the 3-3 result snapped a five-game losing streak for City across all competitions, blowing a three-goal lead will have felt like a defeat for Guardiola and his troops.

Reacting on talkSPORT’s Sports Bar immediately after the contest, Cundy and ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara couldn’t believe the capitulation that had just transpired.

“It’s a stinker, that,” O’Hara said.

“3-0 up? What are they doing?”

Cundy added: “Tonight, wheels have come off.

“Look, Spurs were brilliant on the weekend. City were terrible, they got turned over in the Premier League.

“3-0 up against Feyenoord with 15 minutes to go? And you draw 3-3? Wheels have come off. That’s it.”

Some fans will point out City look a completely – and not for the better – team without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in their midfield.

However, given Rodri tore his ACL against Arsenal in September, O’Hara wasn’t having that excuse any more.

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City dearly miss Rodri, with the Spaniard set to miss the entire season with an ACL injuryCredit: Getty

“It can’t just be about Rodri,” O’Hara said.

“We’ve got past that now. There’s something going on at Manchester City that no-one seems to have the answer for.”

Cundy then delivered a brutal dissection of just what had gone wrong for City, with plenty of warning signs presenting themselves during a 4-0 loss to Tottenham last Sunday.

“They are so open,” Cundy said.

“Their press, there is no joined-up thinking. Pep has signed a new deal, which is good for City.

“But right now, this is probably going to be his biggest job ever in management to turn this around. They are a mess.

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Guardiola was raging as his side threw away a three-goal lead

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City have become the first team in Champions League history to fail to win after leading 3-0 with 15 minutes to go

“I’m watching Man City against your lot (Tottenham) on the weekend. I’m watching Spurs bop the ball around deep in their own half. Not only that, Spurs get out, there’s an overload, three versus one, on the right-hand side. How is that happening? That never happens.

“Spurs were magnificent. City, terrible. Watching tonight, they don’t look comfortable at 3-0 up. How can that happen?

“The wheels have come off tonight, officially. Spurs at the weekend, they were wobbling. Tonight, the wheels have come off.”

O’Hara noted that with City’s dreadful run of form, ‘Liverpool must be licking their lips.’

As it stands, Premier League leaders Liverpool hold an eight-point advantage over second-placed City.

That gap could easily become 11 when Arne Slot’s side welcome a battered and bruised City to Anfield on Sunday.

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Liverpool are no doubt enjoying every poor result of City’sCredit: AFP

If Liverpool can snag three points from that contest, it could lead some to boldly declare City have too much ground to catch up in the race for the Premier League title.

Should City lose to Liverpool on Sunday, they may end the weekend as low as fifth given Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton are all on 22 points.

Safe to say, there will be a lot of soul-searching among Guardiola and City’s stars before that match as they look to snap a six-game winless streak.

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November 26, 2024
Deeney: Chelsea will not be title contenders until they make one dramatic change

Chelsea may forcing themselves into the title race, but Troy Deeney believes a glaring issue ‘is going to cost them’ down the track.

Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez helped the Blues to their sixth win of the season as they beat Leicester City 2-1 in the early kick-off on Saturday.

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Fernandez’s goal proved to be the winner for Chelsea against LeicesterCredit: Getty

The result kept the Blues in third spot but took their points tally to 22, one behind second-placed Manchester City and six behind league leaders Liverpool, who both have a game in hand.

Although Chelsea‘s Premier League season is just 12 games old, Deeney felt the Blues, at present, are a warranted presence in the title conversation.

However, the former Watford striker pointed out they will never take the next step of becoming title contenders until a drastic change is made.

“Yeah, right now they should be looking at [the title race],” Deeney told talkSPORT.

“But I still think that goalkeeper [Robert Sanchez] and the defenders keep letting in poor goals.

“That should have been an easy 2-0 win, if not a 3-0 win today. Just open at the back today and I think that’s why they have to go for top four right now.

“Unless in January they go out and get a couple of signings, that backline is going to cost them.”

Should Chelsea heed Deeney’s call for more signings in January, it would mean the Blues will add to their £197million transfer outlay from the summer.

A staggering 11 players came through the door at Stamford Bridge in the summer, including goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo.

However, Jorgensen has had to make do with a spot on the bench behind incumbent no. 1 Robert Sanchez, while Adarabioyo has started twice in the Premier League this season.

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Deeney has questions over Sanchez’s suitability as Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper

But given Chelsea finished sixth last term, a goal of finishing in the top four may be more appropriate than trying to convince themselves they are in the title race.

They will also need to beat teams like Leicester comprehensively if they want to be seen as title contenders too.

Leicester had lost two of their last three Premier League fixtures and although they carved out an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.11 to Chelsea’s 2.64, Steve Cooper’s side had their moments.

Kasey McAteer had a shot fly just wide of the upright in the first half while Wilfred Ndidi scuffed an attempt inside the box.

However, Chelsea made the Foxes pay when it mattered most and, as Deeney pointed out, should have scored more than two.

Early in the second half, Cole Palmer looked like he’d double the Blues’ advantage, but his low shot was blocked by Noni Madueke.

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Palmer thought he’d scored but his goal-bound shot was blocked by MaduekeCredit: Getty

Madueke tried to jump clear of Palmer’s low strike but couldn’t get his foot out of the way.

Maresca knows his side cannot afford to miss many golden chances like that against better teams as tougher tests in the top flight await.

Speaking after the game the Blues boss said: “For me [Jackson] is doing very well. Since we started, he is working hard on and off the ball.

“He is making the effort. Sometimes we use him as a midfielder or attacking behind, it depends on the game plan.

“We are very happy with Nico with how he plays on the ball and especially off the ball. We are sure he will improve.”

On Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto, who were both absent from the matchday squad, Maresca added: “Malo was with us but during the night he did not feel well.

“Pedro was a problem with the national team, there was a chance but we did not take any risk. Hopefully he can be with us next week.”

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November 23, 2024
Spurs fans hilariously troll Guardiola days after Man City boss commits future

A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham wasn’t what Pep Guardiola had in mind when it came to celebrating his new Manchester City contract.

Guardiola inked a two-year extension to stay at City on Thursday to put an end to speculation regarding his future.

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Guardiola and City had a game to forgetCredit: Getty

The Spaniard’s new deal will also take his stint at the Etihad to over a decade once it expires in 2027.

City’s fixture against Tottenham on Saturday provided the perfect opportunity for Guardiola to cap off the week in style.

However, Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham side evidently did not read the script.

James Maddison struck twice in the space of seven minutes in the first half before Pedro Porro smashed home a third early in the second half to set Tottenham well on their way to victory.

Brennan Johnson provided the icing on the cake in the 93rd minute when he slid home Timo Werner’s cross to complete the four-goal rout.

The result left the City faithful in a stunned silence as they could not believe what was transpiring before their eyes.

As for the travelling Tottenham fans, they couldn’t help but poke fun as Guardiola became the target of their mocking.

In fact, Tottenham supporters were heard chanting to Guardiola: “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.

Given Guardiola just signed his new contract, it’s a safe bet to say the City board won’t heed Tottenham supporters’ call.

However, the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham marked the first time Guardiola had lost three Premier League games on the bounce.

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Maddison popped up twice in the first half to put Tottenham on their way to victoryCredit: Getty

It was also City’s fifth-straight defeat, the most consecutive defeats Guardiola has ever overseen during his managerial career.

If the record-breaking runs of losses weren’t enough, Tottenham’s 4-0 thrashing was the heaviest defeat Guardiola has suffered at home during his City stint.

As for Postecoglou, it was the second time in the space of a month he had out-witted Guardiola after Tottenham knocked City out of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 victory on October 30.

Luckily for City, the defeat to Tottenham didn’t dislodge them from second place, as they remain on 23 points.

But if Liverpool beat Southampton on Sunday, Guardiola’s side could end up being eight points behind the Reds.

Guardiola and his City squad have proven multiple times they can overcome serious points deficits in the past.

But with their star midfielder Rodri gone for the majority of the season and other key players coming in and out of the casualty ward, Guardiola will have his work cut out if he is to lead City to an unprecedented fifth-straight Premier League crown.

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November 23, 2024