List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes his side can be top-four contenders this season if they continue their remarkable progression. Villa have improved exponentially under the Spaniard’s regime and posted a 12th successive Premier League home win after they beat Luton 3-1 at Villa Park. Goals from John McGinn and Moussa Diaby gave them the upper hand before Luton captain Tom Lockyer put through his own net. An Emiliano Martinez own goal got Luton on the scoresheet in the final 10 minutes, but it was Villa’s afternoon. They have lost twice this season – to Newcastle and Liverpool – and Emery wants his side to keep improving. “You have to be very demanding and focus each on match,” he said of his side’s chances. “We are winning matches because we are being very focused, we are being very demanding in our defensive structure, we are trying to build a team with high commitment. “We are between another seven teams, they show their power consistently. But if we are working like that and doing this process, being demanding, being strong, of course we can progress and still keep the moment we have now in the table. “I want to face each match being focused, preparing properly and being demanding. “We have played Liverpool and Newcastle and they were better than us. When we lost against Liverpool and Newcastle, I told the players I want to reduce the distance they showed when they come here.” They have not lost on home soil since they lost 4-2 to Arsenal on February 18, but Emery thinks there is more to come. “There is still a lot of work to do and still a lot of things we can improve. “Tactically, try to be more consistent for 90 minutes. I am very happy but I think there are things that can improve,” he added. Luton boss Rob Edwards knows that his side’s season will not be judged on games like this. “Let’s be honest, today was a difficult afternoon for us. There is a gulf between the two teams, at the moment Aston Villa are an exceptional team, in a great moment, confident, brilliant manager and very good players. At 3-0 down with 30 minutes to go I’m on the touchline thinking, ‘This is difficult’. “I’m really pleased with how the players stayed in it, stayed committed, that was important. It’s important the fans can see we never ever give in and stick at it. “It was a difficult afternoon but proud of how we stuck to the task. “Today wasn’t going to define us, we know that, we are in a different battle to Aston Villa at the moment, there is a difference in the teams, but we have to learn from it. “I want to make us better and me better.”

Former Manchester United team-mates, City opponents and fans paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday. Charlton, who died at the age of 86 earlier this month, was a key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team and enjoyed great success with United, who became the first English side to win the European Cup in 1968. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the images from the latest tributes to a much-loved figure in world football.

Roberto De Zerbi was frustrated with Brighton’s 1-1 draw against Fulham but insisted there were positives to their performance at Amex Stadium. Joao Palhinha’s stunning 65th-minute equaliser cancelled out Evan Ferguson’s opener as Fulham fought to earn a point on the road. And De Zerbi believes the Seagulls lacked a cutting edge on a day where they rued missed first-half opportunities. “I am really frustrated and disappointed with the result,” De Zerbi said. “I think we played a great game, especially three days after the Ajax game at home (a 2-0 win in the Europa League). It was a fantastic first half but we could have scored more. “In the second half we played well. We conceded a goal only in one moment and when we lost distances we lost balance and then there was only one team on the pitch (Fulham). “Last season we lost three points against Fulham and this season we dropped another two points and we are frustrated with the result.” Ireland international Ferguson scored Brighton’s opener with a quality finish past goalkeeper Bernd Leno and into the bottom corner. But boss De Zerbi insisted his striker is not playing at his full capacity despite scoring five times in 10 appearances in the Premier League. He added: “Ferguson is not in his best moment but he’s a different player for us and a different type of striker we have in the squad and I think he could play better but he’s not in the best moment, he played a good game.” Fulham boss Marco Silva believes Fulham were not at their best and showed Brighton “too much respect”. He said: “In the first half we did not reach the standards we should if we want to compete at this level. We were not sharp enough to play the way we would like to play. “We were not aggressive and showed them too much respect. They won most of the challenges and we were not at the level with the pressure. “They won most of the second balls, we cannot be erratic if we want to play under pressure and make the right decisions. The goal we conceded is a good example and we have to make better decisions and be less erratic. “I have to give credit to the players in the second half in the way they believed and they expressed themselves on the pitch.”

Sean Dyche and Dominic Calvert-Lewin dedicated Everton’s 1-0 victory at West Ham to chairman Bill Kenwright. The Toffees were playing their first match since the death of Kenwright on Monday at the age of 78. It was a performance the lifelong Everton fan would surely have been proud of with Calvert-Lewin hitting a superb second-half winner. “Firstly, and you can’t guarantee it, but it’s befitting to win after the week we’ve had following the sad loss of the chairman,” said Toffees boss Dyche. “The players know the depth of the chairman’s love for the club, they’re well aware of that.” Calvert-Lewin revealed the shock of the news affected everyone at Goodison Park. “No-one was prepared for what happened this week and it has saddened everyone at the club. That one was for Bill,” the striker told Sky Sports. “He would have been proud of us and proud of how we won – to get the lead, dig in and work so hard. It was a very good day.” Calvert-Lewin, who has been beset by injuries over the past couple of seasons, looks to be finally getting back to his best. Six minutes into the second half he played a one-two with Jack Harrison, Cruyff-turned away from Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd and hit a low shot past Alphonse Areola. It was his 50th Premier League goal for Everton, joining Romelu Lukaku, Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill in reaching the half-century. “Dom’s a very good player who’s had a tough couple of years,” added Dyche. “He’s very close now, you can tell in his body language and it was a fine finish. “He looks stronger, sharper. It is a really good marker for him to get to that number.” A second away win of the season gave Everton a little more breathing space between them and the bottom three. “This is a tough place to come, they’ve proved that over the last couple of years, so it was a very good performance,” said Dyche. “We are improving from last season. I think there are clear signs of that.” For West Ham, it was a third defeat in eight days following reverses at Aston Villa and in the Europa League at Olympiacos. David Moyes picked an attacking line-up, handing Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus his first start in the Premier League, but their only shot on target came in the 90th minute through substitute Said Benrahma. “That would be a problem for us,” said Moyes. “But, let’s be fair, that’s the first game we’ve not scored a goal in this season. “But I agree, I thought we missed chances today, we missed two or three opportunities to score. I don’t think it was ever going to be a game where we had nine or 10 opportunities. I didn’t see it that way for either team.” Read More Aston Villa breeze past Luton to register 12th straight Premier League home win Joao Palhinha’s stunning strike snatches Fulham a point at Brighton Old Trafford pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Manchester derby Sorry England slump to 100-run defeat against India to add to World Cup woes Liverpool show support for Luis Diaz in victory over Nottingham Forest Francis Ngannou rematch or Oleksandr Usyk showdown? – Tyson Fury’s future plans

Aston Villa continued their impressive home form as they beat Luton 3-1 to rack up a 12th successive Premier League win at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side have won every home league game since February 18 and made light work of the Hatters, with goals from John McGinn and Moussa Diaby giving them the upper hand before Luton captain Tom Lockyer put through his own net. Villa have scored 13 goals in the last three Premier League home games as Emery’s team continue to show they are early contenders for the top four this season. And with games against Nottingham Forest and Fulham coming up, they have a chance to solidify their position in the race before a clash with leaders Tottenham on November 26. This was a seventh defeat in 10 top-flight games for Luton, who have quickly found out how demanding life can be in the Premier League, though they did get on the scoresheet when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez scored a late own goal. They were up against it from the start as Villa were quick onto the attack and could have led inside four minutes. Ollie Watkins collected a cross and teed up Nicolo Zaniolo, but the Italian’s cushioned effort drifted just wide of the post. Only a brilliant double save from Thomas Kaminski stopped Villa from breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute as he superbly spread himself to block Watkins’ close-range effort and then reacted quickly to stop the follow-up effort. There was no surprise when the hosts went ahead in the 17th minute and it was another masterpiece from set-piece coach Austin MacPhee’s playbook. Douglas Luiz’s low corner was dummied by Moussa Diaby and it ended up with McGinn at the far post, with the Scotland international shifting the ball past Chiedozie Ogbene and into the far corner. That might have given the Villa the platform to go on and flourish, but Luton did well to stifle them and the hosts were restricted for the rest of the first half in terms of clear-cut chances. But that quickly changed after the restart as they doubled their lead in the 49th minute. Lucas Digne’s cross fell kindly to Diaby 12 yards out and he drilled a low effort into the bottom corner. The Hatters came from 2-0 down at Forest to draw 2-2 last weekend, but there was little chance of a repeat here. Villa continued to probe and added a third just after the hour. Diaby made good headway down the right and his cross was turned into his own net by Lockyer. Leon Bailey could have made it four but he shot wide while McGinn did not connect with a right-footed shot when the goal was gaping. Luton did not give up and got on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute, Villa defender Ezri Konsa’s header hitting the crossbar and rebounding off Martinez and into the net. Read More ‘That one was for Bill’ – Everton dedicate victory at West Ham to Bill Kenwright Everton financial reports just another thing to deal with – Sean Dyche Aston Villa prove European credentials with triumph at AZ Alkmaar – Unai Emery Ollie Watkins continues red-hot form as Aston Villa ease past AZ Alkmaar Sandro Tonali trains with Newcastle team amid betting investigation in Italy The tributes in pictures as football family remembers Sir Bobby Charlton

Joao Palhinha scored a stunning equaliser as Fulham held Brighton and Hove Albion to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls were the better team in the early stages and were rewarded through Evan Ferguson’s neat finish before Palhinha’s superb strike secured a point for the Londoners. The result extended Brighton’s winless run to three as they rued missed chances in front of goal. Roberto De Zerbi’s side showed little signs of fatigue following Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over Ajax and nearly took an early lead. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno kept out Carlos Baleba’s shot from range in the seventh minute and saved Simon Adingra’s effort inside the six-yard box moments later to keep it 0-0. Baleba was pulling the strings for Brighton as his vision and inch-perfect passes picked out the pacey Adingra, who enjoyed runs into space. The hosts got the goal they deserved after 26 minutes. Igor Julio drove the Seagulls up the pitch and when Ferguson retrieved the ball outside the box he showed excellent composure to slide the ball past Leno with his left foot into the bottom corner. The goal highlighted a gulf in quality between the two sides and the lethargic Cottagers were fortunate not to concede again immediately after the kick-off when their defence was caught napping by Adingra. A rain-soaked Marco Silva cut a frustrated figure and his pleas to his Fulham players were left unanswered as Willian’s wasteful free-kick put an end to the first spell of meaningful possession the visitors had enjoyed in the Brighton half since the opening minutes. Left-back Antonee Robinson was struggling to cope with Adingra and the American then gifted Ferguson a back pass, but the Seagulls’ goalscorer failed to double his tally when he was denied by Leno after 40 minutes. Brighton started the second half quickly and Lewis Dunk was unfortunate not to score in the 49th minute. The skipper lined up a set-piece and his side-footed effort dipped onto Leno’s crossbar. Fulham made Brighton pay for their missed chances as they made it 1-1 in the 65th minute through Palhinha. The visitors threw men forward in numbers and the Portugal international got the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box and blasted an effort past Jason Steele. The goal swung the momentum in the Londoners’ favour and substitute Rodrigo Muniz nearly punished Brighton from the restart through an audacious back heel that was kept out by Steele. Both teams had opportunities to win it with Robinson clearing an effort off the line before Harry Wilson came close to grabbing a winner at the other end. Read More Republic of Ireland heading in the right direction – striker Callum Robinson Mikey Johnston issues Netherlands warning as Ireland look to finish on high Ireland beat Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further questions over immediate future Stephen Kenny puts speculation to one side for Gibraltar clash Talking Points as Republic of Ireland seek win against minnows Gibraltar Manchester United v Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

Liverpool showed their support to Luis Diaz during a comfortable 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Quickfire goals from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez before the break and Mohamed Salah’s second-half effort helped Jurgen Klopp’s side maintain their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League this season. Jota held aloft Diaz’s number seven shirt after scoring, with the Colombian not featuring in Liverpool’s squad following reports his parents had been kidnapped in his homeland. Liverpool’s latest victory – their eighth in a row in all competitions at Anfield – was their seventh from 10 league games this campaign and lifted them back to within three points of leaders Tottenham. Forest rarely threatened and, although they hit the woodwork through Anthony Elanga’s late volley, they were forced to defend in numbers as their winless league run was stretched to six matches Read More Aston Villa breeze past Luton to register 12th straight Premier League home win Old Trafford pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Manchester derby ‘That one was for Bill’ – Everton dedicate victory at West Ham to Bill Kenwright

The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent. This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years. Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Everton ended a difficult week on a positive note as Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired them to a 1-0 win at West Ham. The Toffees were playing their first match since the death of chairman Bill Kenwright on Monday at the age of 78. It had been emotional week, too, for Hammers manager David Moyes, who formed a close friendship with Kenwright during his 11-year spell in charge at Goodison Park. But while West Ham slumped to a third defeat in eight days following reverses at Aston Villa and in the Europa League at Olympiacos, Everton were able to put some more breathing space between themselves and the bottom three with a second away win of the season. Calvert-Lewin’s goal was his 50th in the Premier League for Everton, joining Romelu Lukaku, Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill in reaching the half-century. It came six minutes into the second half after a first half that will not live long in the memory. West Ham created an early opportunity when Lucas Paqueta skilfully lifted the ball over Nathan Patterson and drilled in a low cross which Jarrod Bowen could only slice wide. Moments later Paqueta showed the side of his game which so infuriates Moyes, gifting the ball to Jack Harrison who burst through only to fire too close to Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola. Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus, making first Premier League start for West Ham, showed he is already getting used to the darker arts of English football after he was chopped down by James Tarkowski. As Jordan Pickford raced out of his goal to tell the youngster to get up, Kudus shoved the England keeper away in a skirmish which earned both a booking. Calvert-Lewin had his first chance from Vitalii Mykolenko’s cross but the striker headed over. A torturous half was summed up by the audible sigh which echoed around the London Stadium when five minutes of stoppage time was announced. The game desperately needed a goal and it almost came through Bowen, who got on the end of a James Ward-Prowse free-kick but guided his header too high. Instead the goal arrived at the other end after Jarrad Branthwaite won the ball back for Everton in midfield and fed Calvert-Lewin. The former England forward played a one-two with Harrison before executing a Cruyff turn which left both Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd flat-footed and firing low past Areola. It was Calvert-Lewin’s sixth goal in all competitions against the Hammers, the most he has scored against one single club. Everton almost doubled the lead when Zouma and Aguerd got in another tangle but Areola got down well to tip Aboulaye Doucoure’s shot wide. The closest West Ham came to an equaliser was a Said Benrahma volley which Pickford kept out at his near post to secure the points. Read More Manchester United v Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Aston Villa vs Luton Town LIVE: Latest Premier League updates West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Manchester United v Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Aston Villa vs Luton Town LIVE: Latest Premier League updates West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

Manchester United host Manchester City in the Premier League today for the 191st derby between the two rivals. Erik ten Hag’s side have won three games on the bounce after league victories over Brentford and Sheffield United as well as that dramatic last-gasp victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League in midweek. None of those wins were particularly convincing, however, and United fans might be nervous about the prospect of facing the treble winners after such a shaky start to the season. Then again, City haven’t been quite at their best in recent weeks either, with defeats by Wolves and Arsenal in the Premier League, although they bounced back from that loss at the Emirates earlier this month with wins over Brighton and Swiss side Young Boys. Pep Guardiola has said that the derby is always “special” but played down the significance of this one result on the title race, as City chase early pace-setters Tottenham. Follow all the latest updates from the Manchester derby below, and get all the latest football betting sites offers here. Read More Why is Manchester United vs Man City kicking off at an ‘unusual’ time? Pep Guardiola condemns Man City fans who sang offensive Sir Bobby Charlton chant Erik ten Hag has abandoned his ideals – and it might help United win the Manchester derby

The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent. This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years. Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

The Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Féminin are annual awards presented by French news magazine France Football and have been running since 1956, with the latest awards ceremony taking place on Monday. Former Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or last season while Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s award for a second consecutive year. Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi is the favourite to claim the men’s trophy for a record-extending eighth time while Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe should perform well in the voting. Putellas spent most of last season injured, so there will be a new winner for the women’s prize with Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati the favourite. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the ceremony: When is the Ballon d’Or The 67th annual Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday 30 October 2023. It is expected to begin at 8:00pm BST at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. How can I watch it? The ceremony will be broadcast on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel for free with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba presenting the live coverage. Ballon d’Or 2023: Who is nominated for the men’s award? Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig and Manchester City) Andre Onana (Inter Milan and Manchester United) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid and Al-Ittihad) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt and Paris Saint-Germain) Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli) Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) Ruben Dias (Manchester City) Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City and Barcelona) Yassine Bounou (Sevilla and Al-Hilal) Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) Rodrigo (Manchester City) Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami) Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) Kim Min-jae (Napoli and Bayern Munich) Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-German) Victor Osimhen (Napoli) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich) Ballon d’Or Féminin 2023: Who is nominated for the women’s award? Daphne Van Domselaar (Twente and Aston Villa) Lena Oberdorf (Vfl Wolfsburg) Hinata Miyazawa (MyNavi Sendai) Millie Bright (Chelsea) Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona) Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) Hayley Raso (Manchester City and Real Madrid) Amanda Ilestedt (Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal) Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich) Olga Carmona (Real Madrid) Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona) Rachel Daly (Aston Villa) Alba Redondo (Levante) Lina Caicedo (Real Madrid) Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais) Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona) Ewa Pajor (Vfl Wolfsburg) Guro Reiten (Chelsea) Sam Kerr (Chelsea) Debinha (North Carlina Courage and Kansas City Current) Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona) Alexandra Popp (Vfl Wolfsburg) Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City) Jill Roord (Vfl Wolfsburg and Manchester City) Katie McCabe (Arsenal) Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais) Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona) Mary Earps (Manchester United) Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Manchester City) Mapi Leon (Barcelona) Ballon d’Or 2023: Who is shortlisted for the Yashin Trophy? Brice Samba (Lens) Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb and Fenerbahce) Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) Andre Onana (Inter Milan and Manchester United) Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) Ederson (Manchester City) Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona) Mike Maignan (AC Milan) Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) Yassine Bounou (Sevilla and Al-Hilal) Ballon d’Or 2023: Who is nominated for the Kopa Trophy? Xavi (RB Leipzig / PSV Eindhoven) Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern) Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund / Real Madrid) Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona) Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) Gavi (FC Barcelona) Rasmus Höjlund (Atalanta / Manchester United) Pedri (FC Barcelona) Antonio Silva (Benfica) Elye Wahi (HSC Montpellier / RC Lens) Read More When is the Ballon d’Or? Date, time and how to watch Sir Bobby Charlton: England’s greatest ever player and the artist of 1966 West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Manchester United v Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Aston Villa vs Luton Town LIVE: Latest Premier League updates