Tag: updates

Liverpool and Forest stars dominate Premier League team of the season so far

Troy Deeney has named his Premier League team of the season and safe to say, there are a few surprise picks.

Granted, there are nine games to go in the campaign, but it never hurts to take a glance at who the standout performers have been up to this point.

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Salah has been the best performer in the Premier League this seasonCredit: Getty

Deeney opted for a 4-3-3 formation when it came to his team of the season, which also included his pick for the best manager.

So, what was the Watford great’s criteria when forming his team?

Firstly, Deeney wanted to reward ‘consistency’ throughout the whole season.

So that means players who started the campaign brightly but faded away or vice versa did not make the cut.

The other key criteria was a player’s injury record.

With that in mind, here is Deeney’s team of the season up to this point!

Goalkeeper: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Matz Sels has been one of the shining lights in Nottingham Forest’s season of dreams.

The Belgian sits clear among the goalkeepers union for the most clean sheets and punches in the league with 12 and 22 respectively.

Sels’ tally of 89 saves is the third-most in the league, pointing to a strong shot-stopping ability that has propelled Forest up the table.

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Sels is on track to create Premier League history with ForestCredit: Getty

Should Sels end up with the Golden Glove, the award given to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets, he would be the first gloveman to win the accolade from a team outside the perceived ‘Big Six.’

Deeney’s verdict: “He’s (Sels) been excellent. Everyone will normally go Ederson or Alisson. But both have been injured. While Alisson had a great game, that was in the Champions League, not the Premier League. The rest, he’s been relatively solid, I’d say.

Left back: Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth have been one of the league’s surprise packages and Kerkez has been a key part of that.

The 21-year-old has been a constant presence bombing up and down the left flank for the Cherries and has registered five assists, the third-most among Premier League defenders.

Kerkez has also played in every match for Bournemouth this season, highlighting his durability given the high-intensity brand of football the team plays under Andoni Iraola.

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Kerkez’s performances have earned him admirers from some top European clubsCredit: Getty

Deeney’s verdict: “Undisputed, everyone agrees with this. It’s Kerkez. Excellent for Bournemouth. I think they know they’re not going to have him next season, that’s why they went and bought another left-back (Julio Soler) in January.”

Centre back: Murillo (Nottingham Forest) and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

As part of the league’s second-meanest defence this term, it’s no shock to see Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk included.

A pillar of the Reds’ backline, Van Dijk brushes away danger like it’s nothing time and time again.

Murillo’s performances this term have added a few extra zeros to the end of his market value.

The Brazilian has made the second-most blocks (37) and the second-most last man tackles, demonstrating he can time his challenges to perfection but is also unafraid to throw himself into harm’s way to prevent a chance.

Mesut Ozil skill left Troy Deeney and Man City star in awe but shock FA Cup win and Elton John call sealed ‘mint day’

Deeney’s verdict: “Both of them have been excellent. Proper defenders, is what I’d call them. They do all the horrible stuff really well. Van Dijk looks a little bit more elegant than Murillo doing it, but still, both of them have been monumental this season.

Right back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)

In his first season with the Hammers, Wan-Bissaka is nearing a return to the form that made him a £50million signing for Manchester United in June 2019.

The 27-year-old seems to read plays before they even happen, which explains why he boasts the second-most interceptions in the league (49) among defenders.

With Graham Potter now at the helm, plenty more is expected from Wan-Bissaka and a return to the England set-up is not of the question.

Deeney’s verdict: “It was a redemption season for him. Even under Lopetegui when they were poor, he played really well.”

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Wan-Bissaka’s performances have gone somewhat under the radar this season

Central midfield: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Much was made about Liverpool needing a defensive midfielder in the summer, but it turned out they had a perfectly capable option right under their noses in Ryan Gravenberch.

With a season under his belt, Gravenberch has shown plenty of quality under Slot and has become virtually undroppable.

He has made the fourth-most passes among midfielders and also leads the league in interceptions, proving his adeptness with and without the ball.

Deeney’s verdict: “Another player that last season was said not good enough. I remember Graeme Souness saying people don’t leave Bayern Munich if they’re any good. Obviously he’s showed that he’s very good.”

Bruno Fernandes has one of, if not the only bright spot for Manchester United in what has been an otherwise dismal season.

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United fans would hate to think where they’d be on the table without FernandesCredit: Getty

The Red Devils skipper has the second-most assists (nine) among all midfielders and has played the most through balls (21) in the league, underlining his desire to make things happen for United’s forwards.

Having endured some managerial turbulence in the form of Erik ten Hag being sacked and the squad still battling to get to grips with Ruben Amorim’s tactical demands, Fernandes’ numbers are nothing to be sniffed at.

Deeney’s verdict: “People might think he’s lucky because of how bad his team’s been. But he has been excellent and the best player for Manchester United.”

Aston Villa signed Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough for an initial £8m in January 2024 and it’s not too outlandish to suggest his market value has increased tenfold since.

Rogers has seven goals and four assists for Villa this season but it is his ability to hold off defenders while dribbling at pace that has made the 22-year-old one of the breakout stars.

Deeney’ verdict: “Been excellent for Aston Villa all season and been excellent for England as well. A real talented player.”

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Rogers’ stunning displays have culminated in his first caps for EnglandCredit: Getty

Right wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The league leader in goals and assists with 27 and 17 respectively, need we say much more?

Deeney’s verdict: “There can only be one: Mohamed Salah.”

Left wing: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest)

Perhaps the most polarising of Deeney’s picks, Callum Hudson-Odoi has been a key member of Forest’s attacking triumvirate on the left.

He may only have five goals to his name, but two of those came in 1-0 victories over Liverpool and Manchester City.

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Hudson-Odoi has finally found some consistency after a turbulent start to his careerCredit: Getty

Yet it’s Hudson-Odoi’s consistency that has been the most admirable of the winger’s qualities for Deeney this season.

Deeney’s verdict: “This one is going to be contentious. I think he’s been great over the time. Massively important goals and plays for a team that’s in the top three.”

Striker: Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

Alexander Isak is on course for his best Premier League scoring season yet, but pundits and fans know the Toon talent brings far more than just goals.

With blistering pace and remarkable dribbling ability along with lethal finishing, Isak has cemented himself as one of the best strikers in world football.

Deeney’s verdict: “In my opinion, the best number nine in world football currently. I’ve said this more or less all season and it’s taken a few people to catch up, but they’re starting to see it now.”

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Deeney believes there is no striker better than Isak right nowCredit: Getty

Manager: Eddie Howe (Newcastle)

There’s a number of contenders for manager of the season and all with incredibly valid claims.

Arne Slot looks on course to win the Premier League in his first season at the helm of Liverpool, an incredible feat considering Jurgen Klopp managed it only once during his tenure.

Not even the most optimistic of Nottingham Forest fans could have dreamed of Nuno Esperito Santo having the club in third with nine games to go.

Andoni Iraola has Bournemouth five points off a potential Champions League spot thanks to a swashbuckling brand of football that has got several of Europe’s biggest clubs interest in their players.

However, Deeney believes Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is the most deserving of the award for how he has handled external pressure to have the Magpies sitting sixth.

Deeney’s verdict: “I think the pressure and expectation on Eddie, what he’s had to deal with with the England stuff circling around him, winning the first trophy, but also at times looking like he could get sacked at any moment. I think that’s more pressure than Nuno, who’s having one of those seasons where they’ve just blown everybody out of the water. There’s a lot of people who thought they (Forest) were going to get relegated.”

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March 31, 2025
I was Premier League’s youngest-ever player but became an addict working on site

As a teenager, the world was at Matthew Briggs’ feet.

After all, why wouldn’t it have been given he became the youngest-ever Premier League player in May 2007.

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Briggs held a slice of Premier League history for 12 yearsCredit: Getty

Playing against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, Fulham prodigy Briggs came on in the 77th minute for Mortiz Volz aged just 16 years and 65 days.

It was a record Briggs held until Harvey Elliott came along in May 2019 to make his Premier League debut aged 16 years and 30 days.

The record now belongs to Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted aged 15 years and 181 days against Brentford in September 2022.

Unfortunately for Briggs, his career never materialised into the one he and so many would have envisioned when he came off the bench against Middlesbrough.

Speaking to talkSPORT in 2019, Briggs opened up on why things never quite worked out.

“When I look back on my career, 16 years and 65 days, it’s such a young age,” Briggs said.

“And I know everyone’s journey is different and everyone’s story is different.

“But for me, I feel like I got too much, too young and maybe the support system around me wasn’t good enough. Being a young boy, a teenager, and then being thrown in to a man’s game, it’s quite daunting for a young kid. I didn’t really know how to handle it.

“When you’re a young kid, you dream to play at a top level. When you’re actually in that, it’s an unbelievable feeling.

“It’s not just on the pitch. It’s all different types of scenarios that you have to cope with.”

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Briggs told talkSPORT about life as a youngster being thrown into men’s footballCredit: talkSPORT

Owing to his status as one of the hottest talents in the game as a teen, it was no surprise an English giant like Manchester United kept tabs on Briggs.

But when Fulham spurned their advances, it wrecked Briggs.

“At the time, Manchester United was interested in me,” Briggs said.

“As a young child, that was my dream, to play for United. As soon as I heard Manchester United were interested in me, I’m like, ‘Right, I want to go.’ I was ready, packed.

“But obviously when Fulham didn’t want me to go and wouldn’t allow me to go, that affected me mentally. I’d become down about it. I let it affect my mood in football, it wasn’t quite at it.

“Head was gone.”

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Briggs featured 13 times for the Cottagers in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty

Briggs ultimately went on to make just 30 appearances in total for Fulham before he was released after 13 years at Craven Cottage in 2014 and joined Millwall.

Stints at Colchester United, Chesterfield and Barnet followed before things came to a head in 2018.

Speaking to Rising Ballers, Briggs opened up on how he became completely disillusioned with football and the devastating impact it had on his life.

“Nothing was working, lost the hunger for it,” Briggs said.

“I had a lifestyle that I could no longer maintain because of the money I was now earning. It all got too much.

“I just lost myself and I disconnected from friends, I disconnected from family because I feel like I let them down. I couldn’t face anyone, anymore.

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“That’s when I turned to drugs, I turned to alcohol just to numb it all. I even was suicidal at one point. I remember being on holiday in Dubai and just thinking about ending it all. Luckily security guards came in and got me down and moved my room to a bottom floor.”

Briggs was thankfully provided with therapy and counselling through the Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA), which helped him to ‘get my mind right’.

So too did a stint working for his uncle on a building site.

When he first moved in with his uncle and aunt, Briggs conceded he would ‘sit with my hood up in the dark.’

“The TV wasn’t even on, I was just sat there doing nothing,” Briggs said.

“After a week, my uncle was like, ‘Matthew, you can’t do this no more. This ain’t healthy, this ain’t good for you. It’s making us feel uncomfortable.’

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The 34-year-old shed light on his darkest days as a footballerCredit: Rising Ballers

“He said, ‘You’re not doing this no more, I’m not going to let you sit in here and do this.’”

Briggs’ uncle decided he would bring his nephew to a construction site to do some labouring work for £80 a day.

Being back in the sunlight and around other people helped Briggs to open up to others but, perhaps more importantly, reflect on his career.

“I always say no disrespect to construction, because what they do is brilliant and I learned a lot of life skills doing it,” Briggs said.

“But I remember walking across the building site of a breeze block, pouring with rain. I was holding this breeze block and I was thinking, ‘How have I ended up in this situation?’

“I was the youngest player in the Premier League, dubbed next England captain. Now I’m in a building site carrying a breeze block, not playing for a club, not earning the money I was once on before, and I thought, ‘Nah, this ain’t it.’”

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Briggs remains involved with Fulham, the club he joined as a childCredit: @matthewbriggs_12 – Instagram

Briggs would return to football ahead of the 2018/19 season with eighth-tier side Maldon and Tiptree.

He went on to play in the Danish top tier with Vejle BK and even represented Guyana internationally before his retirement in 2023.

Since he hung up the boots, Briggs became a player care mentor for Fulham and is also an insurance broker.

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March 30, 2025
Salah posts cryptic Alexander-Arnold video after bombshell Real Madrid news

If Mohamed Salah wanted to fan the flames of speculation regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s certainly done just that.

On Saturday evening, Salah uploaded a short video to his Instagram story that featured Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold.

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Alexander-Arnold was captured on Salah’s Instagram storyCredit: @mosalah on Instagtam

The trio are seen lounging on a couch in a clip that lasts only a matter of seconds.

Konate and Szoboszlai look to be highly engaged towards Alexander-Arnold, who appeared to be talking.

However, there is no audio attached to the video, leaving fans to speculate what it was the quartet conversed about.

Many have pondered whether Alexander-Arnold and Salah discussed their respective futures given the news this past week about the pair’s likely next moves.

talkSPORT revealed on Tuesday Alexander-Arnold was bound for Real Madrid in the summer on a free transfer.

The Liverpool star has agreed a five-year deal with Los Blancos and is set to pocket over £220,000-per-week.

Barring a monumental backflip, Alexander-Arnold’s exit will bring an end to his 20-year association with the club, having first joined Liverpool’s academy in 2004 aged six.

The blow of Alexander-Arnold’s impending exit was softened by the news on Wednesday Liverpool have grown increasingly confident of reaching an agreement to extend Salah’s stay at Anfield.

Interest had steadily built from Saudi Arabia and around Europe for the Egyptian superstar’s services.

Saudi club Al-Ittihad even tabled an eye-watering £150million offer for Salah in 2023, but it was swiftly rejected by the Reds.

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All signs are pointing towards Salah signing a new contract with the RedsCredit: Getty

Salah also did little to quash rumours about his exit when he claimed he was ‘more out than in’ when discussing his future last November.

However, talkSPORT understands Liverpool’s top brass are now feeling upbeat about the prospect of Salah prolonging his stay on Merseyside.

Salah has enjoyed a season of dreams under first-year Reds boss Arne Slot.

The Egyptian sits atop the Premier League goalscoring charts with a whopping 27 goals, six more than the next best which is Erling Haaland.

Salah also leads the way in the assists column having registered 17, seven more than Antonee Robinson, Bukayo Saka and Mikkel Damsgaard.

With clarity around Salah and Alexander-Arnold’s likely next moves, all eyes will be on skipper Virgil van Dijk, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.

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Van Dijk’s future at Anfield remains under a cloud of uncertaintyCredit: Getty

Van Dijk was approached by Saudi side Al-Hilal over a move earlier in March.

However, the towering Dutchman told reporters following Liverpool’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain he had ‘no idea’ where his future lay.

“I have no idea at the moment, genuinely I still have no idea,” Van Dijk said.

“It is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There are 10 games to go and that is my full focus. If there is news you guys will know it. I don’t even know myself.

“Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes but that is about it. At the moment I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”

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March 30, 2025
Keown’s brutal Arsenal warning as icon reveals how title will be harder to win

Martin Keown recognises a Premier League title is within Arsenal’s grasp, but their brilliance will be forgotten if they remain the perennial bridesmaid.

The Gunners are on track for a third consecutive season in which they have finished second in the Premier League as they remain 12 points behind Liverpool with nine games remaining.

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Arteta and Arsenal have fallen agonisingly short in the title race for the last two yearsCredit: Getty

The first of Arsenal’s runners-up placings saw Mikel Arteta‘s side finish five points behind Manchester City despite sitting first up until late April.

The gap narrowed to two points between the clubs in the 2023/24 season as City pipped the Gunners to the post via a sensational 23-game unbeaten stretch.

City’s underwhelming performance this campaign presented a prime opportunity for Arsenal to finally break the mould and land their first Premier League crown since the Invincibles season of 03/04.

Instead, it’s been Liverpool who seized the moment under first-year coach Arne Slot.

With Slot’s side storming to the title instead of Arsenal, who have steadily built in recent seasons, Arteta must wonder if his time will ever come.

But, as Keown pointed out, the road to success can sometimes be a ‘long and winding’ one, as he found to be the case during his playing days at Highbury.

Most importantly, the Gunners great believes all the building blocks are in place for Arteta’s side to end the 20-year title drought – it just needs that ‘X-factor’ to provide the ‘icing on the cake’.

“Some people are lucky and the road to success is a straight line,” Keown told talkSPORT.com.

“Not for this Arsenal group.

“I’ve been in a similar situation. Three years on the bounce we finished behind Manchester United and you have to ask yourself the questions. You have to have a strong group and I think Arsenal have got that. The foundations are there.

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Keown believes Arsenal are only a few players away from winning the Premier LeagueCredit: talkSPORT

“And then of course it’s the calibre of the players. There will be purchases in the summer. But it’s been tricky for the back-end of the season where you’ve had four or five strikers that are not available. Then it looks like you should have bought one, which is kind of a hindsight situation.

“But looking back to last year, Arsenal were scoring buckets full of goals. So that seems to be the obvious areas, in the creative wide positions and down the middle, I’m sure that’s where Arsenal will invest in the summer.

“There’s a lot of good about Arsenal. A lot of teams would look at Arsenal and say, ‘I wish we had their defence, their goalkeeper and their midfield’.

“It’s just the icing on the cake now is getting those special players, that X-factor player to finish things off and win titles.”

Arteta came under fire for not purchasing an extra forward during January as season-ending injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left the Gunners light on attacking reinforcements.

Star winger and key goalscorer Bukayo Saka‘s long-term injury has also proved damaging while Arsenal lost twice in the league during Martin Odegaard‘s seven-game absence following an ankle issue picked up while on international duty in September.

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Gabriel Jesus tore his ACL during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat against Manchester UnitedCredit: PA

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a big-money move for Newcastle superstar Alexander Isak, with many supporters hopeful he is the answer to their striker woes.

Benjamin Sesko is another who has been mooted with a move to the Emirates as Arsenal re-ignited their interest in the Slovenian in January, although a mid-season move proved complicated given RB Leipzig were reluctant to sell.

talkSPORT also revealed Arsenal are one of multiple Premier League teams interested in Lille’s Jonathan David, who will be a free agent at the end of the season.

At the very least, the Gunners can dangle the carrot of playing in the Champions League for a prospective new signing thanks to what is looming as a third-straight second place finish.

However, as Keown rightly pointed out, history only remembers the victors.

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But it is in those near-misses that the team develops its mental resolve to go one better, something they must do sooner than later given their rivals are only going to strengthen across the board.

“You get nothing for second,” Keown said.

“No-one even remembers but the person who comes second. You compare it to other sports, say you get a silver medal in the Olympics, but in football, in the Premier League, you get nothing.

“Nobody really wants to be second place. In a cup final, you get a runners-up medal.

“We were four or five times in second place, but you don’t feel like you’re second-best, and that’s the thing. You need strong characters.

“And this is where you develop that kind of veneer to say, ‘No, I’ve had enough of this, I want to go the next step and we can do it, we’re capable’. You have to retain that belief.

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The Gunners have been one of the league’s best but could have nothing to show for itCredit: Getty

“It’s not an easy road because everybody else will strengthen now and get even better. City will come back.

“So Arsenal need to make sure now that the next two or three signings are key for their future success.”

Arteta knows he cannot afford to whiff on any new signings in the summer window.

If he does, it could mean Arsenal’s best window of opportunity for Premier League titles has closed.

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March 29, 2025
Ozil skill had Deeney and Man City star in awe but shock win sealed ‘mint day’

When Mesut Ozil got on the ball, it was like he cast a spell on the crowd as they watched on in awe.

Unfortunately for Troy Deeney and Nathan Ake, they found out the silky German midfielder had the same effect on opposition players.

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Deeney skippered Watford against Arsenal in an FA Cup quarter-finalCredit: Getty

Deeney and Ake came up against Ozil when Watford travelled to the Emirates Stadium for an FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal in March 2016.

Given the swathe of talent in their team and the fact they were at home, Arsenal went into the contest as favourites.

Yet Deeney and his Watford teammates ‘felt confident’ they could get a result, although it wouldn’t be by playing pretty football.

“Our whole thing was to be nasty, horrible,” Deeney told talkSPORT.com.

“In those days, if you left it as a nice football match, you’d have got d***** because of Ozil.”

To combat the threat of Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and the other stars in Arsenal’s line-up, then-Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores opted for a 4-4-2 formation, which included four central midfielders.

Yet there was little anyone could do when Ozil began to weave his magic across the turf.

There was one moment in particular that will live long in the memory of Deeney, as Ozil pulled off a skill the former will ‘never forget’.

“I remember trying to chase back and help, this was at 0-0,” Deeney said.

“He (Ozil) cut back and then he nutmegged Nathan Ake and ran around him and crossed it.”

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Ozil managed to wriggle out of what looked like a troublesome situation…Credit: FA Cup – YouTube

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And left Deeney completely awestruckCredit: FA Cup – YouTube

After wriggling free of Ake with the deftest of touches, Ozil laid the ball back for Joel Campbell, who then set it in the path of Mohamed Elneny.

Much to Ozil’s frustration, Elneny’s effort just inside the 18-yard box flew over the bar.

As for Deeney, a video of the moment showed him simply standing there, utterly spellbound after Ozil’s skill.

“I remember in that moment going, ‘Oh my f****** god,’” Deeney said.

“As we were running back, Nathan Ake went to me, ‘Did that just happen?’ I was like, ‘Yep, that just happened.’

“It was one of the best skills I’ve ever seen. You know when it’s so childish, that you just forgot you’re playing in a quarter-final?”

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Deeney and Ake were powerless to stop Ozil when he had the ball at his feetCredit: Getty

Despite Ozil’s brilliance, Watford managed to keep the contest scoreless going into half-time.

It was the visitors who took a surprise lead, courtesy of a Deeney assist and a tidy finish from Odion Ighalo in the 55th minute.

Deeney then bagged his second assist of the day 13 minutes later, this time for midfielder Adlene Guedioura.

The striker chested the ball down to his feet inside the box and held off Arsenal’s Per Metersacker before he spotted Guedioura, who had made a lung-bursting run to get forward.

Deeney obliged and laid it off to the Algerian, who unleashed what the Watford striker described as ‘the hardest shot I’ve ever seen’.

“It was one of those when you set him, ‘Don’t shoot, don’t shoot, oh f***, that went in,” Deeney said.

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“It was a great goal.”

Danny Welbeck threatened to make things interesting when he pulled one back for Arsenal in the 88th minute but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

Despite the jubilation of a 2-1 win and a date at Wembley in the semi-final, there was still more to come that day for Deeney.

As he drove back home from the Emirates, he received a congratulatory phone call from none other than musical legend and honorary Watford life president Sir Elton John.

Receiving a phone call from the 78-year-old was, in Deeney’s words, ‘pretty f****** cool’.

“On your phone it says, ‘Maybe Los Angeles, maybe Beverley Hills,’” Deeney said.

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Sir Elton John got up in the early hours of the morning to watch Watford’s FA Cup winCredit: Getty

“I picked it up anyways because I didn’t know who it was. He was literally like, ‘Hi Troy, it’s Elton’. Just watched the game, wanted to say well done to you and the team, I thought you were excellent.’”

A phone call from John was certainly the dream way to cap off what Deeney described as a ‘mint day’.

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March 28, 2025
‘Scared’ – Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on treble as referee left him in fear

Rarely does Cristiano Ronaldo admit he felt shackled on the pitch, if at all.

But during Manchester United‘s FA Cup quarter-final against Portsmouth in March 2008, a controversial refereeing performance left the Portuguese superstar ‘scared’ to show off his skills.

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Ronaldo had a game to forget against Portsmouth in the 2007/08 FA CupCredit: Getty

Sulley Muntari’s 78th-minute penalty proved to be the difference between the two teams at Old Trafford.

Muntari’s effort from the spot came after Milan Baros was taken out by United goalkeeper Tomasz Kusczczak inside the box, who was subsequently sent off for the challenge by referee Martin Atkinson.

Kusczczak was also a half-time substitute for the injured Edwin van der Sar, so his red card meant centre-back Rio Ferdinand had to stand between the sticks for the remainder of the match.

Although Atkinson pointed to the spot late in the second half, just about everyone connected with United believed they should have had a penalty of their own in the opening 45 minutes.

A raking ball from the middle found Ronaldo in stride on the right flank and his first touch took him into the Portsmouth box as Sylvain Distin came bounding over.

Ronaldo looked to evade the Frenchman by nudging the ball to his right.

Instead, the Portuguese flyer was sent tumbling to the floor when Distin bundled him over.

But Atkinson remained completely unmoved.

Ronaldo raised his hands to the heavens while United supporters furiously gesticulated at Atkinson.

Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson also blew up deluxe on the sidelines over Atkinson’s polarising decision.

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Distin clattered into Ronaldo inside the box but Atkinson waved away all appealsCredit: Man United Retro – YouTube

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The United star was left raging and threw his hands into the air in frustrationCredit: Man United Retro – YouTube

Distin’s challenge was not the only physical one Ronaldo was subjected to during the contest as several Pompey stars looked to leave one on the United superstar.

The brutal treatment prompted a stunning claim from Ronaldo in his post-match interview as he conceded he would consider changing the way he played to avoid getting injured.

“Sometimes I say that this is the best league in the world, but sometimes they don’t protect the skilful players,” Ronaldo said.

“After what happened to Eduardo, I am scared to do my skills. In the first five minutes there were three fouls but the ref took no action.

“Sometimes they just protect the defenders and I am thinking about having to change my game because it is difficult to play like that. It’s a joke.”

Ronaldo’s reference to Eduardo came just weeks after the Arsenal striker had his left leg broken following a sickening challenge from Birmingham City’s Martin Taylor and spent nearly a year out from football.

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United’s loss to Portsmouth ended all hopes of a second treble in nine yearsCredit: Getty

Ferguson also vented his fury over Atkinson’s ‘ridiculous’ refereeing display in a fiery post-match interview.

“This ref will referee next week, but his performance today should not be accepted by our game,” Ferguson said.

“It was an absolute stonewall penalty. I cannot explain it, I just cannot explain that decision.

“Managers get sacked because of things like that, yet he’s going to referee next week. It’s ridiculous.”

Perhaps Ferguson’s fury stemmed from the fact United’s loss ended their hopes for another treble as they went on to win the Champions League and the Premier League that season.

Had United got past Portsmouth, they could have faced West Bromwich Albion in the semi-final and Championship side Cardiff City in the final.

Martin Keown names who Cristiano Ronaldo’s toughest opponent was from infamous game

Given United’s standing in the game and the star power they boasted, it would have been a dream draw for Ferguson and his side to complete the treble for the first time since 1999.

Instead, it was Portsmouth who went on to win the FA Cup in what was their first major trophy in 58 years.

Listen to every FA Cup quarter-final LIVE on talkSPORT this weekend!

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March 28, 2025
talkSPORT host shocked by Arsenal fan Darren Bent’s wild Conference League claim

talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein could barely conceal his shock following a rather bold claim from co-host Darren Bent.

With the international break nearing its conclusion, talkSPORT fans were asked for their say on the age-old debate regarding club glory or national team success.

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Fans have had their say on whether they prefer success for their club or countryCredit: Getty

A whopping 82 per cent from over 500 respondents said they would prefer to see their club lift a trophy rather than see the Three Lions triumph on the international stage.

Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Goldstein claimed witnessing England succeed would mean far more than watching his beloved Manchester United win silverware.

However, Bent – a passionate Arsenal supporter – labelled Goldstein ‘nuts’ and revealed he would side with the 82 per cent.

“I want to feel euphoria for north London – and the red part of it,” Bent said.

Goldstein replied by asking Bent if he would take Arsenal winning the Champions League if it meant England would never win another game.

Bent replied: “Yeah, that’s fine with me.”

The Drive host further prodded Bent for how deep his club loyalties ran as he asked the former Premier League marksman if he’d rather see Arsenal win the League Cup or even the Europa Conference League instead of England ending their 59 years of hurt.

“Anything,” Bent replied.

“Anything. I promise you, League Cup, Conference League, anything.”

However, Bent was quick to clarify his tune and insisted his stance was purely from a fan’s perspective.

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Arsenal fan Bent would rather see the club win the Conference League than England win the World CupCredit: talkSPORT

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The former Sunderland striker’s claim left co-host Goldstein stunnedCredit: talkSPORT

“But as a player, I’d take England over anything, I’d win the World Cup over any competition,” Bent said.

“To win the treble as a player or win the World Cup, I’m taking the World Cup, as a player. The World Cup is the pinnacle, but as a fan (club over country)…”

Bent made his England debut against Uruguay in 2006 and went on to win a total of 13 caps, with his last coming in 2011.

He netted four times for the Three Lions, with goals coming against Switzerland, Denmark, Wales and Montenegro.

Although Bent and a majority of the voters on talkSPORT’s poll will have disagreed, there’s plenty out there who may have forgot to vote and would love nothing more than to see England win the World Cup.

The Three Lions have not any silverware since the 1966 World Cup.

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Arsenal are without a trophy in five years and their last European triumph was the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994Credit: Getty

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Tuchel has made a winning start to life as England boss, but how long will it last?Credit: Getty

Thomas Tuchel has been entrusted with ending the lengthy wait and began his England tenure brightly.

Tuchel’s side got their World Cup qualification off to a strong start as they beat Albania and Latvia 2-0 and 3-0 respectively.

England will next be in action on June 7 when they travel to Andorra for their third World Cup qualification match.

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March 25, 2025
I was a World Cup winner in same situation as Trent but stayed at boyhood club

Trent Alexander-Arnold is certainly not the first and won’t be the last player to depart his boyhood club.

However, when faced with a similar predicament, a German great took a different approach that caught an entire fanbase by surprise.

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Alexander-Arnold is set to shatter Liverpool fans’ hearts with his next moveCredit: Getty

Shockwaves were sent through the football world on Tuesday when talkSPORT broke the news Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer on a free transfer.

Despite months of negotiations, the 26-year-old opted to move to Los Blancos next term, where he is expected to pen a five-year deal worth in excess of £220,000-per-week.

It will bring an end to the right-back’s 20-year association with the club, having joined Liverpool‘s academy in 2004 aged six.

Bastian Schweinsteiger had not been at Bayern Munich for as long as Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool when he found himself in a similar situation.

The 40-year-old first joined the Bavarians in July 1998 as a youth player before he made his first-team debut in November 2002.

It didn’t take long for Schweinsteiger to endear himself to the Bayern faithful thanks to his all-action displays in midfield.

Yet those same Bayern fans who loved Schweinsteiger were more than prepared to turn on him during the 2010/11 season.

The midfielder was out of contract in 2012 and a raft of European giants were ready to swoop.

Clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United were all credited with an interest in snapping up Schweinsteiger.

So Bayern fans could be forgiven for thinking the worst when, after Bayern had beaten St Pauli 3-0 on January 2 in 2011, Schweinsteiger took the microphone from the stadium announcer.

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Fans thought Schweinsteiger was headed out the exit door in January 2011Credit: FC Bayern Munich – YouTube

It seemed the supporters at the Allianz Arena had already made their minds up regarding Schweinsteiger as they showered him with boos and whistles before he even had the chance to speak.

However, the reaction changed instantly once they heard what Schweinsteiger had to say.

“I’ve been playing here at FC Bayern Munich for 12 years now,” Schweinsteiger said.

“And I wanted to tell you, I have extended my contract and will stay at FC Bayern until 2016.

“Long live Bayern!”

Upon Schweinsteiger’s last line, the crowd erupted into loud cheers as their star midfielder kissed the Bayern badge.

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Bayern fans were left stunned when Schweinsteger revealed he would stay at the clubCredit: FC Bayern Munich – YouTube

Louis van Gaal, who was Bayern boss at the time, was delighted to have kept Schweinsteiger at the club.

“I’m a coach with long-term goals,” Van Gaal said.

“Therefore the new contract for Bastian Schweinsteiger is very important.

“It’s a very good sign that we managed to keep this world class player at our club.”

Schweinsteiger went on to play a remarkable 500 appearances for Bayern across all competitions before he departed to Manchester United in 2015.

The midfielder also played a leading role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph, where he played the full 120 minutes in the final against Argentina.

But had his famous moment on the microphone in January 2011 gone differently, who knows how the German great’s career may have turned out.

Ex-Liverpool star Stan Collymore defends Trent Alexander-Arnold after fan backlash over his move to Real Madrid

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March 25, 2025
Justin Kluivert drops transfer bombshell on Liverpool-linked star

Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert has dropped a bombshell on teammate Dean Huijsen’s future that no Cherries fan will want to hear.

Andoni Iraola’s side have been one of the biggest surprise packages of the Premier League this season as the club sits just five points off the Champions League places.

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Kluivert suggested knows one of his key teammates won’t be at the Vitality next seasonCredit: @RadioMARCA on X

The Cherries are also just one win away from an FA Cup semi-final berth as they host Manchester City in the quarter-finals on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.

Kluivert has been one of the brightest spots for Bournemouth this season with 13 goals and seven assists across all competitions.

Full-back Milos Kerkez has also shot to prominence with his barnstorming displays up and down the left flank along with his whipped crosses that cause plenty of havoc for opposition back lines.

But it is teenage centre-back Dean Huijsen who has arguably garnered the most attention from rival clubs.

The 19-year-old arrived on the south coast last summer from Juventus for a fee just shy of £13million.

However, his assured displays at the back and a recent maiden call-up for Spain have seen his value skyrocket.

The Cherries need no reminding they face a serious battle to keep Huijsen in the summer, especially given he has a £50m release clause in his contract.

But according to Kluivert, it appears Bournemouth’s players are already resigned to losing the teen as he made the worrying admission in an interview with MARCA on Sunday.

“I know that next year he won’t be with us,” Kluivert said.

There will be no shortage of clubs keen to snap up Huijsen in the summer.

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Huijsen has quickly become one of the most wanted defenders on the planetCredit: Getty

talkSPORT understands Liverpool are one of the interested parties, especially since defensive pillar Virgil van Dijk is yet to commit to the Reds beyond this season.

Another European giant understood to be keeping close tabs on Huijsen is Real Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side has been hampered by injuries to key defensive players including David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal throughout the campaign.

The depths of Los Blancos’ defensive woes were laid bare when midfielder Federico Valverde had to deputise at right-back during the second leg of their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.

A move to Liverpool or Real Madrid would represent a major step up in difficulty for Huijsen.

However, Iraola believes the 19-year-old will be more than capable of handling himself at that level.

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The 19-year-old looks right at home in the Premier League and has the stats to show it

When asked about Huijsen’s best attributes, Iraola said: “I think his mentality, his head.

“I think he’s confident. He is not afraid of marking any forward and I think he’s calm on the ball.

“He knows what he’s doing, he’s under control. Sometimes he will make mistakes like all the others, but there is always a reason for the things he does.

“And for someone that is 19, it’s really strange to find this at this level.”

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley reveals they are trying to persuade Andoni Iraola to stay amid Tottenham and Real Madrid interest

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March 24, 2025
‘If I do’ – Peter Crouch makes good on Liverpool promise in charity match

Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly.

Crouch netted the opener for the Liverpool Legends against the Chelsea Legends at Anfield with a trademark header.

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Crouch rose to float a header over Rob Green during the Legends matchCredit: Liverpool TV

Florent Sinama-Pongolle whipped in an inviting cross from the right flank and Crouch towered above to nod home past Rob Green with a looping header.

The 44-year-old couldn’t hide his delight as he celebrated with his teammates and the fans.

He then did the robot dance, a celebration he made iconic during his playing days.

Crouch’s celebration ensured he made good on a pre-match promise.

When asked if he would celebrate with the robot dance if he scored, Crouch said: “Do you know what, I don’t think I’ve thought that far.

“First, I want to get through the game unscathed.

“Secondly, I’d like to get near the goal.

“Third, I’d like to score. And if I do, the robot will be out, no doubt.”

It marked the first time Crouch scored in a Liverpool shirt since April 26 in 2008, when he netted in a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City.

Crouch wasn’t content with one goal against the Chelsea Legends though.

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The 44-year-old whipped out his legendary robot celebrationCredit: Liverpool TV

Mark Gonzalez floated a cross in from the left towards Crouch, who was waiting at the back post.

He tried to head it towards goal but it couldn’t quite get enough power on it.

Luckily the ball fell to his feet and he produced a delightful lob over Green from close range.

Green rolled his back in frustration knowing there was nothing he could do about Crouch’s effort.

Crouch was substituted immediately after his second of the day to a standing ovation.

Crouch’s heroics at Anfield come just over a week after he found himself on the wrong side of a bet on day three at Cheltenham.

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Crouch capped off his afternoon with a delightful lob for his second goalCredit: Liverpool TV

The former England international backed a British horse to win the Stayers’ Hurdle while bookmakers Paddy Power backed an Irish horse to win, with the loser to buy an entire round of Guinness for those in the Guinness Village.

Unfortunately for Crouch, Irish horse Bob Olinger prevailed and meant he had to pay for 1,000 pints of Guinness.

With a single pint costing £7.80 at the festival, his total outlay came to an eye-watering £7,800.

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March 22, 2025