Tag: stats

Arsenal end nightmare streak as Gabriel Jesus continues incredible resurgence

Arsenal have avoided an alarming stat stretching to a tenth game as they began 2025 in the perfect manner.

Mikel Arteta‘s side picked up a big three points as they overcame Brentford 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on New Year’s Day.

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Arsenal picked up a big three points away to BrentfordCredit: Getty

It was Brentford who stole a surprise lead in the 13th minute as Bryan Mbeumo scored his ninth goal at home in the Premier League this season.

With the Bees ahead, it left the Gunners with an uphill battle to work their way back into the contest.

History was not on Arsenal’s side either, as they had failed to win their last nine away league games whenever the opposition had scored first.

Thankully for Arteta’s side, that worrying run did not extend to a tenth game.

Gabriel Jesus netted the equaliser for the Gunners in the 29th minute to spark jubilant scenes in the away end.

The Brazilian was on his toes to nod home the rebound after Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made an impressive stop to deny Thomas Partey from range.

Jesus’ goal was his sixth in his last four games for the Gunners across all competitions.

The tally matched Jesus’ haul from his previous 48 games for the club, emphasising the impressive form he’s enjoyed of late.

Arsenal then ripped the contest away from Brentford with two strikes in the space of three minutes early in the second half.

Mikel Merino found himself in the right place at the right time as Brentford failed to clear their lines from a cross, smashing home from close range after the ball pin-balled around inside the hosts’ 18-yard box.

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Martinelli notched his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign against the BeesCredit: AFP

Gabriel Martinelli added Arsenal’s third in the 53rd minute when Brentford once again could not deal with a cross.

The Bees defended Ethan Nwaneri’s whipped ball into the box but it landed straight at Martinelli, who controlled the ball before unleashing an unstoppable volley.

Martinelli’s strike was his third in his last three away starts for Arsenal and helped to give Arteta’s side some needed breathing space against Brentford.

Arsenal’s third goal sucked the life out of the Brentford fans and the team, who simply could not handle the visitors changing gears.

The win lifted Arsenal back up to second in the Premier League table, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest in the process.

However, they remain six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand over the Gunners.

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Arteta and his stars were all smiles having moved back up to second in the tableCredit: AFP

As for Brentford, the loss extended their winless run to a fifth match and was their second-consecutive defeat at home having previously been unbeaten all season long.

Despite the defeat, the Bees remain 12th on 24 points.

Thomas Frank’s side have a golden chance to snap their winless run when they travel to last-placed Southampton on January 4.

Arsenal are also in action on the same day as they make the trip down south to Brighton, who are in the midst of a run of seven games without a win.

Gabriel Jesus’ last six games for Arsenal

December 11 vs AS Monaco (Champions League): Assist

December 14 vs Everton (Premier League): N/A

December 18 vs Crystal Palace (Carabao Cup): Three goals

December 21 vs Crystal Palace (Premier League): Two goals

December 27 vs Ipswich Town (Premier League): N/A

January 1 vs Brentford (Premier League): Goal

Total: Six games, six goals, one assist

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January 1, 2025
‘I was right’ – Rory Jennings doubles down on Haaland verdict amid dreadful run

Rory Jennings wants the football public to apologise, insisting he was ‘right’ about his controversial Erling Haaland verdict.

Jennings made headlines when, three years ago, he infamously predicted Haaland would fail to live up to expectations ahead of his move to Manchester City.

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Despite a blistering start to the campaign, Haaland has struggled for formCredit: Getty

He also felt it was ‘disrespectful’ to anoint Haaland is a shoe-in for the golden boot, especially when established Premier League superstars like Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane were already competing for the honour.

“He isn’t the player everybody thinks he is,” Jennings said in 2022. “He’s profligate, he’s wasteful in front of goal at times. His build-up play isn’t good enough at the moment to play in a City team.”

However, Haaland erased any doubts about whether he’d hit the ground running in English football as he smashed in 52 goals across all competitions in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norwegian’s absurd debut season goal haul included 36 in the Premier League, earning him the golden boot award, and also set a new record for the most Premier League goals scored in a single season.

The 24-year-old followed up his sensational campaign by scoring 38 goals in 45 games across all competitions in his second season for Man City.

Although Haaland scored just 27 league goals from 31 games, it was still enough to win the Premier League golden boot for a second year running.

That all made Rory look very silly. He even admitted live on air that he ‘misjudged’ the Norwegian.

However, was Rory right all along?

It certainly looked like Haaland would be well on his way to a third-straight Premier League golden boot when he banged in ten league goals in City’s opening five games, this term.

But ever since his goal against Arsenal in a thrilling 2-2 draw in September, Haaland’s well of goals has run dry.

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Jennings believes he’s finally been proven right on his controversial Haaland claim

Following a 1-1 draw against Newcastle on September 28, Haaland has scored just three goals in his last 13 league appearances.

What is more concerning is the fact Haaland has just one goal in his last seven league fixtures.

It’s not as if Haaland isn’t getting chances to get on the scoresheet, either.

According to WhoScored, Haaland has missed 11 clear-cut goalscoring opportunities since that wild result against Arsenal in September.

No Premier League player has missed more.

Additionally, Haaland’s expected goals figure (xG) for the last 13 league games sits at 8.2, so his three goals represents an alarming underperformance in front of goal.

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Outside of Haaland’s penalty, he had just one shot against Everton

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Haaland struggled to get involved in City’s attack against the Toffees

He also could – and perhaps should – have found the back of the net against Everton on Thursday, only to be denied from the penalty spot by Jordan Pickford.

With Haaland’s barren run coinciding with City’s alarming form slump that now reads as one win in their last 13 matches across all competitions, Jennings took the opportunity to remind fans about his prophetic call all those years ago.

He also went one further by insisting the Norwegian isn’t anywhere close to being the best striker in Premier League history, saying he can’t lace the boots of the division’s legendary marksmen.

“I think Haaland is a very good player,” Jenning said on talkSPORT.

“I also think he’s one of the best strikers around at the moment. But I think people have gone crazy.

“You know when people start comparing Haaland to any striker of a bygone era. There’s no way Haaland is a better striker than Alan Shearer was. There’s no way Haaland is a better striker than Robbie Fowler was. There’s no way Haaland is even a better striker than Les Ferdinand. I don’t think he’s anywhere near that.

Pep Guardiola reveals Manchester City’s plans for the January transfer window

“I think playing for a brilliant team has obviously helped. Having the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva putting them on a plate for you has helped. He obviously also knows where the back of the net is.

“But people have gone mad with the praise.”

When asked by talkSPORT co-host Majestic whether people should call up and apologise, Jennings replied: “I don’t hold my breath for that because one thing I’ve learned about the football-supporting public in this country is they don’t like to apologise.

“But yes, I do. I was correct, basically. I was right.”

Luckily for City and Haaland, the January transfer window may offer some reprieve for their recent struggles.

Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Matheus Nunes and John Stones were all absent from the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw against Everton.

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Guardiola has an almighty job on his hands to turn City’s stumbling season aroundCredit: Getty

The five omissions added to the absences of Ruben Dias, Rodri and Oscar Bobb, highlighting just how depleted City’s stocks have become.

With more players on the sidelines with every passing week, City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed he intends to bring in some fresh faces in January.

However, the Spaniard stressed getting any deals done in January is ‘not easy’.

“If we can, we have to add players, definitely,” Guardiola told Amazon Prime.

“We struggle, especially in the back, in the middle.

“Saying that, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Because in the transfer window in winter, it’s not easy. But everybody’s aware.

“I think even the players asked us, ‘We are going to add some players, please.”

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December 27, 2024
Top at Christmas as stats suggest Liverpool and Mohamed Salah will be champions

Liverpool sit top at Christmas having mauled Tottenham and fans are dreaming of more title glory.

However, it remains to be seen whether they keep up their lightning start to finish top of the pile come May.

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Arne Slot couldn’t have wished for a better start after succeeding Jurgen Klopp at AnfieldCredit: Getty

The Reds’ 6-3 victory in north London extended their advantage over Chelsea to four points despite having played a match less.

Arne Slot‘s side have suffered just one defeat in the league so far this term ahead of their home clash with Leicester on Boxing Day.

Here, talkSPORT looks at the stats behind Liverpool‘s remarkable season so far and how history suggests the campaign may end.

Top on Christmas Day

Sunday’s result means Liverpool will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day for the seventh time since the Premier League’s creation in 1992.

However, despite being champions of England 18 times prior to that, the Reds have only won the trophy once, during the 2019/20 season.

Overall, exactly half of sides to have topped the table at Christmas have become champions – 16 out of a possible 32.

Of those, Chelsea, Manchester City and Blackburn have won the title every time they have been top on December 25.

City’s task

City also have the distinction of being one of the four sides to have won the league after being outside the top four at Christmas.

Last season’s fourth title in a row came after they reached the big day in fifth place.

The champions sat six points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand before going on to claim the title.

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Liverpool will need to snap some unwanted history on their seventh time atop

City are once again outside the Champions League places this year.

After losing to Aston Villa on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s side are down in seventh and 12 points adrift of Liverpool.

The result also extended their poor run of form to just one win in 12 matches across all competitions.

Record-breaking Salah

Much of Liverpool’s success this season is thanks to the form of Mohamed Salah.

The forward scored twice and provided a pair of assists against Spurs to make Premier League history.

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Salah has been in a league of his own so far this season

Salah is the first player ever to record more than ten goals and assists in the Premier League before Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, he has now scored 229 goals in 373 appearances for the club to surpass Billy Liddell in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts.

Now the Reds’ fourth highest scorer, Salah remains behind Gordon Hodgson (241), Roger Hunt (285) and Ian Rush (346).

Unbeatable

Liverpool have made it to Christmas with just one defeat from their opening 16 Premier League matches.

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Salah will go down as one of Liverpool’s greatest players of all time

Troy Deeney doubles down on ‘world-class’ Mohamed Salah claim and names Liverpool star’s one weakness

Their 1-0 reverse against Nottingham Forest in September came at Anfield, with the Reds still unbeaten away from home this term.

It is just the third time that feat has been achieved by the club since they were founded in 1892.

However, fans may have to wait a while for a repeat, with each time so far coming in a different century.

Liverpool were unbeaten on the road at Christmas in both the 1893/94 and 1987/88 seasons.

Both of those campaigns ended with the club winning the league they were in.

From their eight away matches so far this term, Slot has seen his team win six times and draw on two occasions.

The Reds will have the chance to extend that record away to West Ham on Sunday evening.

On Boxing Day, talkSPORT has ten commentaries from the Premier League, beginning with Manchester City vs Everton at 12:30pm

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December 24, 2024
Arsenal remain in title fight despite Saka woe as Liverpool could throw it away

Arsenal’s quest to win a first Premier League title in 21 years is still on – Bukayo Saka’s injury doesn’t change anything.

That’s the view of Gunners Invincible Martin Keown, who believes – or possibly hopes – that ‘nervousness could creep into Liverpool’s game’.

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Arsenal legend Keown believes Arsenal can still win the Premier League title this seasonCredit: Getty

The Gunners currently sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who boast a game in hand over Mikel Arteta’s men.

Back-to-back draws with Fulham and Everton threatened to end Arsenal’s title challenge, but an impressive 5-1 win away at Crystal Palace on Saturday has fans holding onto hope.

But Saka’s knock – which is expected to keep him out until February – has Gooners fearing the worst.

Liverpool, meanwhile, went one better than Arsenal in the final weekend before Christmas – scoring six goals away at Tottenham – to rack up their 12th top-flight win from 16 fixtures.

Keown acknowledged Liverpool are the best team, but has insisted there are still plenty of games for them to slip up.

Sandwiched between Liverpool and Arsenal is Chelsea in second spot, who sit four points adrift of the Reds following their goalless draw at Everton.

As for holders Manchester City, they trail the Merseyside giants by a whopping 12 points.

The Citizens were defeated 2-1 at Aston Villa last Saturday – their ninth defeat in their last 12 games in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola‘s men have won the title in the last four years, but they are in a fight for the top four with Etihad outfit seventh in the table.

Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Keown commented on the four teams as he gave his thoughts on the title race.

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Keown believes there could still be some twists in the Premier League title raceCredit: talkSPORT

Arsenal

On Saka’s injury, Keown stated: “It looks like Saka will be out now for around 13 games, we’re all looking at the fixture list.

“I don’t know of a player that has created more chances for his colleagues in the Premier League this season, so he’s obviously going to be a really big miss.

“It’s up to someone to step up, maybe [Ethan] Nwaneri, who has been playing in the [Martin] Odegaard role, maybe he could come in to the front line and give us something different.

“Jesus has suddenly scored five goals in a week, that’s been a long time coming, so he needs to sustain that.

“But it’s in that final third where there needed to be more creativity and it could be less now as you’re losing one of the best players in the Premier League.”

Keown added on Arsenal’s title chances: “You’ve got to make it difficult for your opponent, but Arsenal are still very much in this fight.

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Saka is set to be out until February with a hamstring knockCredit: Getty

“But the fixtures didn’t help Arsenal at the start of the season when you’re having to go to Villa Park, Man City away, Chelsea away, these are all very difficult games.

“And of course some of those fixtures Liverpool haven’t yet done.”

Liverpool

“I was looking at Bournemouth, Brentford and [Nottingham] Forest, they’re all fixtures that Liverpool have to embark on.

“Bournemouth have become a very good team now, certainly at home – beating Arsenal and Man City.

“Forest are the only team to have beaten Liverpool and Brentford have only lost one home game.

“And they’re just three of the games where you’d have looked and thought that is normally three points that they can pick up.

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Liverpool have won 12 out of their 16 top-flight games this seasonCredit: Getty

Bukayo Saka spotted on crutches after Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace

“But this Liverpool team, we’ve reached the halfway mark, there’s no doubt they’re the best team at the moment.

“I thought they were magnificent against Spurs, you could say Spurs were naive – their manager [Ange Postecoglou] wants to continue to play this high line – and the high press.

“But they exploited it and they knew how to do that and their front three were devastating.

“[Diogo] Jota coming off the bench – they’ve got a lot of options in the final third.”

He continued: “There’s a nervousness that could creep into Liverpool’s game.

“They went to Newcastle recently and it was quite difficult for them, even at Southampton they were behind, but they found a way to win.”

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Liverpool’s record of being top at Christmas hasn’t been a lucky omen for them

Chelsea

“Chelsea have emerged quite brilliantly, didn’t get the win against Everton at the weekend, and Arsenal didn’t beat Everton thee week before.

“So they’ve [Everton] done a good job haven’t they, for their local rivals, Liverpool.

“Their game of course was abandoned shall we say because of the bad weather.

“But there’s still so much football to go, you can’t say it’s in the bag.”

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Chelsea are embroiled in a surprise title challenge in Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge

Man City

“If you look at Man City, what we’re seeing now is almost unprecedented.”

Keown added: “They need to look now and readjust and maybe look at what is a realistic thing for them to achieve.

“They can’t fall out of the top four, that will be what they’re looking at. There’s a lot hanging over their heads with these [130 financial] charges.

“I don’t know if that’s played a major part, but they just seem to have lost their momentum.

“And now they’re almost losing every game, it’s like that has become a habit now – the basics have gone out the window.

“Their defenders who were unbeatable last year, now I can smell fear amongst their players, against Villa there was definitely a fear on the pitch, that’s got to be eradicated.

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No one would have expected City’s slump in form following their dominance in recent years

“They’ve got to keep believing and try and pull [themselves] out of trouble, [but] I don’t think they can go above Liverpool now, it just looks as though there’s too big a gap.

“Maybe they could do in previous Man City [teams], but not this current group.”

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December 24, 2024
Salah achieves Premier League record with assist and surpasses Liverpool legend

If you thought Mohamed Salah couldn’t set yet another record, think again.

Salah continued his blistering form this season with an assist against Tottenham, as he set up Liverpool teammate Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal.

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Salah has put himself into the record books once againCredit: Getty

After James Maddison gave Spurs some hope, Szoboszlai put Liverpool 3-1 up just before half time as he nutmegged the onrushing Fraser Forster with a left footed strike.

Szoboszlai was put clean through by Salah’s deft pass, which proved to be a record-breaking moment for the Egyptian.

Thanks to his assist, Salah is the first player in Premier League history to reach double figures for goals and assists before Christmas.

He now has 13 goals and ten assists to his name.

On the record, Salah said: “I didn’t think about it before the game but I’m glad I have done it, something that makes me proud, I’ll keep working hard.”

The 32-year-old nearly added to his goal tally in the first half having struck the crossbar with a fierce right-footed drive.

He also had a goalbound shot blocked by Spurs defender Djed Spence in what was a dominant first-half performance by Liverpool.

They took the lead midway through the first half when Luis Diaz nodded home as he latched onto a sublime Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.

Alexis Mac Allister made it 2-0 with a header of his own as he received the ball from Szoboszlai, who cushioned a looping cross from the left to the Argentina international.

Spurs pulled one back on 41 minutes through Maddison’s well-taken effort from distance after Mac Allister was dispossessed by Dejan Kulusevski.

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This goal by Szoboszlai proved to be an historic moment for SalahCredit: Getty

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Salah then got in on the goalscoring act in the second halfCredit: AFP

Szoboszlai’s goal restored Liverpool’s two-goal lead and their star man in Salah wasn’t to be denied a goal after the break.

He tapped home from close range after Szoboszlai had a goalbound shot cleared off the line before getting his second of the afternoon when he slotted home with his right foot with a near enough open goal to aim at after Szoboszlai teed him up to give Liverpool a 5-1 lead.

The brace means Salah is now on 229 goals for Liverpool, surpassing club legend Billy Lidell in the Reds’ goalscoring charts. Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) and Gordon Hodgson (241) are the only players ahead of Salah in the all-time goalscoring charts with the Merseyside club.

On becoming Liverpool’s fourth all-time scorer: “It’s great to achieve that at such a big club, but the most important thing is that we won the game. Wherever I am going to end my career I am happy about it.”

Salah’s goal tally of 15 has him leading the Golden Boot race alongside Erling Haaland, who is on 13 in the league.

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Salah has been in a league of his own so far this season

Ally McCoist claims Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is behind Liverpool’s Mo Salah in the Ballon d’Or race

The Manchester City star has scored just one Premier League goal in his last six games.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka also was ahead of Salah in terms of assists with ten, but the Liverpool superstar has since equalled him.

Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke restored some pride for Spurs before Diaz added the final goal of the game to secure Liverpool a 6-3 victory and a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League at Christmas.

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December 22, 2024
Saka says he has Henry and Ronaldo shirts in his home alongside childhood side

A heart-warming admission proved Bukayo Saka will never forget his footballing roots.

Saka has cemented himself as a homegrown hero at Arsenal, having made almost 250 appearances for the Gunners since his debut in 2018.

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Saka has not forgotten where his football career beganCredit: Getty

The 23-year-old has also represented England at two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.

Safe to say, Saka has come a long way from when he began his football journey with Greenford Celtic in west London.

But no matter how far he travels across the globe and the staggering calibre of opponents he plays against, his hometown club will always hold a special place in his heart.

In a promotional video for American bank Chase, Saka caught up with Colin Nixon, who was the England international’s first coach.

As the pair caught up, Saka revealed he still has a Greenford Celtic shirt in his possession – and it’s in excellent company.

“In my house, I have some very special shirts, some big names,” Saka said.

“[Thierry] Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, also a shirt that’s up there is my Greenford Celtic shirt that I wore when I was playing under Colin.

“It’s where I started this whole journey. I’m here today because Colin was one of the people who gave me an opportunity to play football, and from there I got scouted.

“So it was an honour to link up with Colin again.”

Saka has played Ronaldo three times in his career, with all of their encounters taking place in the Premier League during CR7’s second spell with Manchester United.

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Saka was reunited with his first football coach from boyhood club Greenford Celtic – his old shirt is one of his prized possessionsCredit: Sky Sports

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One of Saka’s ‘very special shirts’ belongs to Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty

Ronaldo scored twice in their first game against one another as United emerged 3-2 victors in the 2021/22 season.

Arsenal exacted their revenge by beating United 3-1 in the reverse fixture, with Saka scoring the Gunners’ second.

Ronaldo had to make do with a spot on the bench for the third game in which he faced off against Saka, although the Red Devils won 3-1.

As for Henry, Saka certainly has happier memories of his encounters with the Gunners icon.

Henry coached Saka during his days working in the club’s academy, but not even he could have foreseen the 23-year-old going on to enjoy the career he has to date.

“He’s my favourite player,” Henry told the BBC.

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Saka is already producing some special numbers this season

“He’s been there for so long and he’s so nice. I never thought he would reach the levels we are seeing.

“He’s a starter for Arsenal, he’s a starter for England. I remember when he started he was playing wing-back and the evolution of his game is outstanding because he used to be so lively, to now scoring goals and assists.”

Although Saka has cemented himself as one of Arsenal’s most vital stars, he has some way to go before he matches Henry’s feats.

Throughout his two stints with the Gunners, Henry registered 228 goals and 93 assists in 377 appearances across all competitions.

Henry also helped Arsenal to two Premier League titles and two FA Cup triumphs.

The French icon also finished second and third in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2003 and 2006 respectively, highlighting his status in the global game.

Darren Bent calls Bukayo Saka world class as he praises the Arsenal star for his consistency

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December 19, 2024
Chelsea title credentials were summed up by one person and it wasn’t Cole Palmer

Marc Cucurella will do anything to win the ball, anything to win the game even, and he did it through fair means and foul here at Stamford Bridge against Brentford.

He was man of the match and sent off. He was goalscorer and goal preventer. When you have players as committed to defeating the opposition as Cucurella then Chelsea must be considered in the Premier League title race, especially as their A-team benefits from being rested in Europe.

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Cucurella scored against Brentford and his workrate epitomised Chelsea’s credentials as title contendersCredit: Getty

“We’ve got our Chelsea back,” Chelsea fans chanted as Liverpool and Arsenal supporters watched from afar. It’s still early days but they certainly have some of that old winning mentality back.

Only the rash would compare them to fine Chelsea sides of old but there was a togetherness that echoed some of the more successful sides at the Bridge.

There was a will to win that defined those sides, and was embodied by Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill. Supporters here have been singing about getting their Chelsea back for a couple of weeks but their chorus carried more intensity and belief.

Cucurella could win awards for most effective, most determined, most athletic and most annoying player of the weekend. His heat map resembled a line of fire along the left.

The 26-year-old was everywhere up and down that flank, racing back and forth, even scoring Chelsea’s first. Three minutes from time, Cucurella even threw himself through the air to beat Bryan Mbeumo to the ball in central midfield. He also did everything to run down the clock during the seven added minutes.

He fouled Fabio Carvalho to prevent an attack and eat up a few seconds. He made two vital clearances and then very deliberately and cynically stayed down after an innocuous challenge by Sepp van den Berg. As 3,000 Brentford fans booed, the moody Blue climbed to his feet, bravely recovered, and saw out the final few seconds. His celebrations were understandably pretty wild at the final whistle, but then childish as he argued with Schade, and received a second yellow. He’s now suspended for Everton away.

They will miss him. His mentality, however graceless at times, is why Chelsea have to be considered contenders for the title, even if everyone here says publicly they are still evolving, and to give them another season before being deemed genuine candidates. Nonsense. If Arsenal are rightly considered still in the frame, then so must Chelsea be, and Chelsea have a centre-forward.

Nicolas Jackson and company are four points clear of Arsenal and only two points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Chelsea have quality in reserve, and are able to bring on the prolific Christopher Nkunku for Jackson. Pedro Neto was suspended but Noni Madueke stepped up and, following a slow start, was an influence.

There is a returning buzz about the Bridge. Chelsea fans are loving the maturity and menace of their football.

Chelsea were patient in breaking down Brentford, who were 5-4-1 out of possession, occasionally a back-six with Christian Norgaard dropping into the back-line. Chelsea stayed calm, and looked to stretch the visitors.

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Cucurella was everywhere for Chelsea – scoring a goal, preventing on and being a general menace

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Sancho is another thriving under Maresca’s style of playCredit: Getty

Enzo Maresca’s wingers, Jadon Sancho and slowly Madueke, provided some of the width but it was really his full-backs who caused Brentford most problems.

Maresca’s tactics place huge demands on his full-backs, defending and attacking. Immediately, they pushed up, the right-sided Malo Gusto delivering a cross that Jackson headed wide with Cucurella closeby hunting scraps.

All the talk was of the two leading scorers in the Premier League perhaps sharing a goalfest but the defences impressed. Ethan Pinnock again excelled for Brentford, who held out well for 42 minutes. But here was another reason why there should be confidence at the Bridge for sustained involvement in the title race.

Colwill continued to confirm what an important and improving centre-back he is for Chelsea. He read danger, calmly stepping in front of Mbuemo to intercept, and throwing himself into a block to deny Mikkel Damsgaard. Tosin Adarabioyo saw off a ground attack from Yoane Wissa, then leapt to deal with a Pinnock long throw special.

Chelsea deserved the lead, created by Madueke’s cross from the right and finished by Cucurella, who simply wanted to reach the ball more than Mads Roerslev. And then it was back to Chelsea’s defence catching the eye.

Robert Sanchez has been seen as a weak link but he commanded his area well here, catching Mbuemo’s free-kick. He varied his distribution well, confusing Brentford. He drilled a long ball down the middle to Jackson, then played the next one short to Cucurella, earning a thumbs up from Maresca. Sanchez tipped over Damsgaard’s volley and was then relieved when Carvalho’s effort hit the bar.

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Chelsea’s win kept them on course in their quest to win another league titleCredit: Getty

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Maresca’s Blues must be considered as title contenders now

Chelsea played rope-a-dope, absorbing Brentford’s combinations, then hitting on the counter. Jackson raced 60 yards down the inside-right channel, ignoring the option of Cole Palmer on the left, before sliding the ball between Mark Flekken and his upright.

There were a few nerves when Schade sent Mbeumo through and he neatly placed his finish low past Sanchez. But Cucurella simply closed the game down.

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December 16, 2024
Postecoglou slams Tottenham player’s ‘unacceptable’ performance against Rangers

Ange Postecoglou described a Tottenham forward Timo Werner’s performance against Rangers as ‘not acceptable’ in a stinging spray.

Postecoglou’s side drew 1-1 with Rangers in the Europa League, meaning the Scottish club are still yet to beat an English Premier League club in European competition since November 1992.

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Postecoglou’s side remain winless in five games after a 1-1 draw against RangersCredit: Getty

It was Rangers who struck first in the 47th minute as Hamza Igamane lashed home an inviting cross by James Tavernier from the right.

However, Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevksi ensured the visitors would leave Ibrox with a point when he scored 15 minutes before the end.

Kulusevski began the contest on the bench but was thrown on at the start of the second half.

The Swede came on in place of Timo Werner, who was largely ineffectual for the opening 45 minutes and gave Postecoglou little reason to keep him on.

Postecoglou didn’t mince his words on Werner’s performance and he certainly let the German know it.

“He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should,” Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference.

“When you’ve got 18-year-olds it’s not acceptable to me. I said that to Timo. He’s a senior international, he’s a German international.

“In the moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many options. I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves.

“His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”

Postecoglou added: “We need everybody including him to be contributing, because we don’t have the depth to leave people out if they’re performing poorly.

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Ange Postecoglou was not pleased with Timo Werner’s performanceCredit: Getty

“We need them to play their part. Especially the senior guys. When I’m asking younger guys to do massive jobs.

“I expect a level of performance from some of the senior guys and today wasn’t that.”

Werner’s blank against Rangers meant his goal tally this season remained at just one from 19 appearances across all competitions.

It was far from a perfect performance from Tottenham, whose defensive issues were exposed once more.

In fact, Igamane’s strike ensured Postecoglou’s side had kept just one clean sheet from their last 11 games.

Rangers also finished the contest with more shots and shots on target than their Premier League counterparts despite having 41 per cent possession.

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Werner has scored just once from 19 appearances this season for Tottenham

The display, especially defensively, left former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara feeling like he’s ‘had enough’.

“My patience is wearing thin,” O’Hara said on The Sports Bar.

“Patience is wearing thin. Ange Postecoglou, mate. I’ve had enough.

“You know, we go on and like, oh yeah, the football’s great. Is it? Is it great?

“I’m not watching Barcelona. I’m just watching a good team, you know, in moments, have some decent spells, but you know, every team plays good football.

“It’s not like I’m watching Barcelona play, but can’t defend, but when we’ve got the ball, it’s just, you know, it’s brilliant to watch. All I’m watching is a Tottenham team that I’ve watched a million times before. Boring.

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Jamie O’Hara felt Tottenham have become ‘boring’Credit: Getty

Spurs fan, Majestic, believes Ange Postecoglou’s time is up at Tottenham after 4-2 defeat Vs Chelsea

“There’s nothing special.”

Postecoglou will hope Tottenham’s winless run doesn’t stretch to a sixth game on Sunday as they travel to lowly Southampton.

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December 12, 2024
From Invincibles to Invisibles -City must be embarrassed and clearout is needed

“Sacked in the morning, you’re getting sacked in the morning.”

Liverpool fans love a good sing-song, and they absolutely belted out this old football classic towards Pep Guardiola.

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Guardiola’s City side are winless in their last seven matches in all competitionsCredit: AFP

Manchester City’s manager took it well, smiling and holding up six fingers to signal the number of the Premier League titles he’d won.

Liverpool fans applauded him back and some shouted thanks for reminding them of the number of Champions Leagues they’ve won. Liverpool even won that exchange.

Guardiola put on a brave face as he walked off, but he must be furious at the way experienced internationals have become shadows of their former selves.

From Invincibles to Invisibles, from champions to a side struggling for a Champions League place, City are fifth and riddled with self-doubt.

This is Guardiola’s greatest challenge: reviving City.

Time has caught up with some like Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. A relentless workload has temporarily drained others like Phil Foden.

City need new blood, new energy. The winds of change may only be felt positively through an open transfer window and Guardiola’s coaching and man-management.

Too many of his players look stuck in quick-sand and he’s struggling to pull them out.

City weren’t beaten by moments of sublime skill. They were beaten in the application of the basics. Liverpool wanted the ball more. They wanted victory more. And that should embarrass City.

Yes, they’re missing Rodri, their most important player, but they have so much talent, so many serial title winners, but all underperforming, barring honourable exceptions like Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias and Rico Lewis.

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Erling Haaland had a night to forget against Liverpool

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Walker has struggled for consistency for City this seasonCredit: AFP

Arne Slot’s players won the ball time after time because they were faster to it, hungrier for it than Guardiola’s players were.

They had more belief, and should have won by far more than Cody Gakpo’s tap-in and Mohamed Salah’s late penalty.

They won their duels, especially Virgil van Dijk in subduing Erling Haaland, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in taking the ball off the anonymous Matheus Nunes.

Nunes made one important interception, racing back to thwart Gakpo, but otherwise didn’t seem to understand the depth of City’s plight. City need fighters now more than ballers.

Ryan Gravenberch again bestrode midfield, shredding Guardiola’s tactics.

The City manager instructed Manuel Akanji to step into midfield and Foden to drop back so giving Silva, Lewis and Gundogan support against Liverpool’s outstanding trio of Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

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It was domination from Liverpool in Merseyside

Liverpool pull 9pts clear at the top of The Premier League after a convincing 2-0 win Vs Manchester City

Gravenberch took the opening whistle as a trigger to take control, a heavyweight against the lightweight City midfield.

He set the tone in the first minute by pressing Gundogan and winning the ball.

Gravenberch and Gakpo have been made even better players by Slot’s coaching.

His players resemble confident climbers scaling a peak whilst Guardiola’s stumble down, exhausted by their exertions over the past four triumphant seasons.

If this game highlighted why Liverpool are increasingly overwhelming favourites for the title, it also showed why their owners, Fenway Sports Group, have to seal a deal to keep Salah.

If it’s all about length of contract make it for two years plus a third based on performances.

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Salah continues to put up sensational numbers at 32 years of age

FSG love numbers and Salah added to his own here with his 11th assist and 13th goal of the season.

Nathan Ake put in a fine display at left-back, earning praise from Guardiola afterwards, but even the mobile Dutchman could not cope when Alexander-Arnold drilled one of his 50-yard specials to release Salah after 12 minutes.

The Egyptian crossed for Gakpo to score from close range at the far post. Where was Kyle Walker? Wrong post-code.

City were rattled and ratty. Nunes was booked for fouling Alexander-Arnold. Foden followed him into the book for pulling back Gravenberch.

Gundogan was a picture of frustration, losing it, and fouling Mac Allister.

Silva, Walker and Lewis had the temerity to walk off at the break, debating decisions with the officials. They should have saved their breath for calling some of their team-mates like Nunes out.

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Liverpool are showing no signs of slowing downCredit: Getty

City tried to raise their game, and Jeremy Doku arrived to give some energy down the left.

But it was one of those moments when City needed Julian Alvarez charging on, giving a goal threat through the middle, but of course he’s been sold.

Slot was able to send on Darwin Nunez, who caused chaos with his constant running and pressing, dragging City’s defence all over the place.

Liverpool had so many contenders for man of the match in Van Dijk, Gravenberch, Gakpo and Andrew Robertson, who has slipped below his high standards at times this season but was terrific here.

Luis Diaz delivered a performance of sustained stamina, giving Walker grief, and winning a penalty when Stefan Ortega came flying out and took him out.

Salah dispatched the penalty low and hard past the keeper with 12 minutes remaining.

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City are falling further behind Liverpool

The game was over. Only now did Guardiola send on Kevin De Bruyne. Too late.

De Bruyne did almost score, exploiting a rare mistake by Van Dijk, but denied by Caoimhin Kelleher.

And shouldn’t the Irishman keep his place ahead of Alisson? Kelleher has not put a foot – or glove – wrong.

Again, this was another contrast with City. Ederson was dropped by Guardiola but his stand-in, Ortega, is good, but not Kelleher level. None of City’s players were at Liverpool’s levels.

What will alarm Guardiola most is how they have slipped from their own stellar levels of recent years and seem unable to reverse it.

Guardiola’s not getting sacked in the morning, but he should be getting stuck into his underperforming players in the morning.

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December 1, 2024
Ruben Amorim fires warning to Marcus Rashford and hints at position change

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim refused to rule out further tweaks to his team and it could impact Marcus Rashford.

Rashford started as the lone striker for the Red Devils in Amorim’s first game in charge and got on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town last Sunday.

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Rashford snapped a seven-game goal drought against IpswichCredit: AP

The 27-year-old’s goal was his fifth of the season across all competitions and ended a run of seven consecutive Premier League fixtures without scoring.

Amorim’s choice to place Rashford up top deviated from how his predecessor Erik ten Hag used him, which was on the left wing in a front three.

Although Rashford scored during a rare berth up front in Amorim’s favoured 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese boss revealed it isn’t the long-term plan.

Amorim is also determined to get Rashford back to the blistering form he enjoyed during the 2022/23 campaign when he netted 17 times in 35 league appearances, but insisted it will only happen if the English star heeds a two-word demand.

Read more Man United news

“I will try to help him,” Amorim said.

“That position is not the best one for him, especially in a game like that. We have to kick with high pressure, we have to kick the ball so many times and it was like fighting with two giants.

“We’ll try to find the right solution for him, as for the other players. But he has to be Marcus, first of all, to try to return to that moment and then he will have all the help of the staff, the club and the fans because he’s a Manchester United boy.

“But he has to be the first one to want it.”

Amorim also hinted Rashford is likely to be dropped from the starting line-up for United’s Europa League clash against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

However, Rashford’s axing would not be performance-related as Amorim seeks to speed up the acclimatisation process for all of his stars.

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Amorim has confirmed he will make several changes to his starting team against Bodo/GlimtCredit: PA

“We have to do it (rotate), especially in this moment because we have a lot of games, and we are in the beginning of something,” Amorim said.

“They have to feel that they are part of the team, so they are international players, they will rotate.

“We will try to manage to try and win every game and not just focus on this game, have a clear idea of how to play and everybody has to be on the same page.”

Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund looms as the next option to start up top for the Red Devils as he was the man who replaced Rashford in the 68th minute against Ipswich.

Hojlund, who joined in July last year for an initial £64million from Atalanta, had a disrupted start to the season as he worked his way back from a hamstring injury.

The 21-year-old has since scored just twice in 13 appearances for United across all competitions this term and will be desperate to impress if chosen to lead the line against Bodo.

Manchester United’s strikers compared in 24/25

Marcus Rashford: Five goals, three assists from 19 appearances

Rasmus Hojlund: Two goals, zero assists from 13 appearances

Joshua Zirkzee: One goal, two assists from 18 appearances

Polarising summer recruit Joshua Zirkzee is another who could fill the central striker role in Amorim’s formation.

After netting the winner in his Red Devils debut against Fulham, Zirkzee has failed to score in the following 17 games for United.

It leaves Amorim with a serious conundrum as he looks to ignite his misfiring striking unit.

United’s clash against Bodo at Old Trafford kicks off at 7pm as Amorim’s side look to make it six games unbeaten across the board.

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November 27, 2024