List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Erik ten Hag believes Sir Bobby Charlton will always remain an inspiration to Manchester United as they prepare for their first home game since the World Cup-winner died on Saturday. Tributes to Charlton, who was 86, will take place before Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Copenhagen, in the form of a minute’s silence, a wreath being placed on Charlton’s seat in the directors’ box and players and club staff wearing black armbands. Charlton will also be remembered in the official programme for both the Copenhagen match and Sunday’s derby against Manchester City. There will be a minute’s applause prior to the City match as well as expressions of remembrance via flags and banners in the stadium. Fans have already been flocking to Old Trafford to leave flowers, scarves and messages around the statue of Charlton, Denis Law and George Best – the ‘United Trinity’ – which is located outside the ground. And when asked if Charlton would be an inspiration for his side not only on Tuesday but beyond, Ten Hag pointed to the statue. “He is in front of Old Trafford,” Ten Hag said. “With Denis Law and George Best. He is always with us. They are always a huge inspiration for us, every day, and in every game.” Ten Hag cited Charlton as an inspiration for his players in Saturday’s 2-1 win away to Sheffield United, secured by Diogo Dalot’s winner, but a match at Old Trafford will be an opportunity for the entire club to pay tribute on and off the pitch. Ten Hag wants to mark the occasion with a victory, something United badly need in the Champions League after opening their Group A campaign with defeats against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, while they have stuttered in the Premier League too. “First we want to win as a tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, but also you want always to do that in a certain way and that is what we are aiming for,” Ten Hag added. “It is not always possible in football, sometimes you don’t play that well but you have to find a way to win. “I was happy on Saturday that we could show tribute with a win but also with the way we scored that second goal.” Although they ground out the victory, United were again far from their best in Saturday’s win over the Blades, with social media full of grumbling from fans amid a pedestrian start to the campaign. But Ten Hag said he continues to feel the firm backing of the supporters inside Old Trafford, and expects a special atmosphere on Tuesday night. “It’s always special every night at Old Trafford, the fans are always so behind us,” the Dutchman said. “I remember the last game, the home game against Brentford, even when the game is not going in our direction they stayed behind us in difficult moments and moments of adversity around Manchester United the fans are still with us and we are with the fans, we are fighting together. “Definitely tomorrow after the passing away of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, their legend, their giant, I’m sure there will be an even more emotional evening tomorrow.” Read More Mikel Arteta hopes to be talking about football after Arsenal’s trip to Sevilla Jean Kleyn: RWC final with South Africa ‘outside realm of thinking’ months ago Joe Root acknowledges growing uncertainty surrounding future of ODI cricket 5 things we learned from England’s progress through the Rugby World Cup Jonny May backs ‘genius’ Steve Borthwick to crack the code of rugby with England Muddled selection, ageing squad and no new blood – England’s World Cup problems

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou credited his side’s 2-0 win over Fulham to their “outstanding” pressing after they returned to the top of the Premier League. Goals from Son Heung-min and James Maddison confirmed the three points for the hosts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Postecoglou also praised the contribution of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who started in place of the suspended Yves Bissouma. “I thought our pressing was outstanding the whole game and maybe in the first half we could have got one or two more to put the game to bed,” Postecoglou said. “I thought Pierre was good and he’s been good in every game he’s played for us and he’s been put in some difficult situations and handled them well, he’s very experienced. “I thought in the first half in particular we stayed calm on the ball and had some good tempo. Like I said I thought our pressing was outstanding all game and I thought he was a big part of that. “He made interceptions for both goals and yeah it was important to have him in there, his experience coming in because Bissouma has been very important for us and in such a crucial role but I thought he was excellent.” Spurs took their foot off the gas after their second goal, which invited pressure from Fulham, who had their chances to score late on. And the former Australia manager was “disappointed” with his side’s second-half efforts. He added: “I’m really disappointed with the second half, we were nowhere near the levels we have been all year and we have got to make sure we stay disciplined in our approach because the keeper made a couple of great saves to keep the clean sheet and within the context we should have had a much better control of the game. “I’m not trying to make a point, it’s just what I saw. I thought we were really wasteful with the ball in the second half. We took some liberties with taking extra touches. “I’ve been around long enough to know if you try to take liberties, you’ll get dragged down pretty quickly. “I’m not going to let the fact that we’ve won the game disguise the opportunity there for us to improve. “In the second half, with the ball we weren’t anywhere near the levels we’ve already shown this year and there was no real reason for it. It wasn’t as if the opposition did anything different. It was more self-inflicted. “My role in that was to give feedback to the players. That’s what they want. They want to get better, they want to improve, I’ve got some stuff there to show them.”Centre-back Calvin Bassey gave the ball away in the 54th minute and Tottenham punished the mistake through Maddison, doubling his side’s lead.And Marco Silva admitted he was disappointed with the manner in which Fulham conceded the second goal.He said: “We were punished by the mistakes that we made. “What disappointed me was the second goal. At half-time we spoke and we conceded a similar goal in the second half. We were punished again with the same type of goal.” Read More Mikel Arteta hopes to be talking about football after Arsenal’s trip to Sevilla Jean Kleyn: RWC final with South Africa ‘outside realm of thinking’ months ago Joe Root acknowledges growing uncertainty surrounding future of ODI cricket 5 things we learned from England’s progress through the Rugby World Cup Jonny May backs ‘genius’ Steve Borthwick to crack the code of rugby with England Muddled selection, ageing squad and no new blood – England’s World Cup problems

Something is different at Tottenham: check the table, they are top and playing like league leaders as well. Ange Postecoglou’s side returned there after confidently asserting their superiority over Fulham in this comfortable 2-0 win in north London. Tottenham extended their best start to a season since 1960 with a helping hand from the visitors, who were hapless, and Calvin Bassey, who was culpable for both goals and fortunate it wasn’t more. Spurs, in essence, scored the same goal twice, with Bassey giving away possession with a loose pass into midfield and Micky van de Ven sharply intercepting on the half-way line. Son dispatched the first on 36 minutes after dancing past Bassey and curling into the top corner; then Son set up James Maddison to double their lead shortly after half-time. The finish, again, was ruthless. Spurs could have been out of sight long before then had Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski been as clinical, but a seventh victory out of nine so far in the Premier League never felt in doubt after Son continued his own excellent start to the campaign. Spurs enjoyed periods of control and flowed forward dangerously. There was, significantly, a sense that Tottenham’s players were enjoying this. Clearly, that is mirrored in the stands as well: if Postecoglou has arrived and convinced Tottenham they can be something new, the fans chosen to be fun and carefree. It is not surprising, therefore, that that spirit has been brought by those who did not play here under Antonio Conte or Nuno Espirito Santo or Jose Mourinho, and who embody the fresh start that Postecoglou has been able to make. The Australian’s four summer signings who started against Fulham, in Maddison, Van de Ven, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie, were all outstanding again. If Postecoglou’s presence has lifted Spurs, they are the ones who carry his message onto the pitch. Maddison’s quality is obvious in every touch, as is the idea that he has taken responsibility to drag Tottenham out of the existential crisis they faced here last season. The centre-back Van de Ven has become an unlikely fan favourite, bringing an energy and enthusiasm into every defensive action. Tottenham’s two goals would not have been scored without him and it was an illustration of why the German has become so appealing to the fans here: he wants this, and he’s doing it for you. Add in the quality that was already here and this Tottenham side has the makings of something exciting: how good this team really is remains to be seen, but another remarkable aspect of the transformation under Postecoglou is how those who appeared beaten and washed out last season have been revived. Son is devastating again, Kulusevski threatening with every touch, his dribble returning to such a fine, gliding motion. Perhaps most extraordinarily of all, Cristian Romero has emerged as the calm head guiding the defence. Yet in the first half, it was Udogie who shined brightest in spells, the 20-year-old a fearless example of what Tottenham are now all about. In his hybrid role from full-back, the Italian is already becoming vital to this attacking, dangerous Spurs, often playing further forward then Maddison when Postecoglou’s side have possession. Udogie, with his ability to receive the ball with back to goal, absorb pressure, and then shrug it off like a discarded cloak, offered a threat that Fulham struggled to pin down – the visitors breathed a sigh of relief when he was removed as Tottenham went 2-0 up. Udogie went off to a standing ovation. Son turned and beckoned for more. Meanwhile, there is Vicario, who looks as if he won’t concede a goal ever again. Already with the best save percentage in the Premier League before Monday night, the Italian has stepped in to give Tottenham a secure and reassuring presence. The goalkeeper appears built to handle the nervy moments that invariably come with playing for Tottenham, a part that Hugo Lloris, for all his years here, never felt quite fit for. Because for all that Tottenham were dominant against Fulham and the only team who ever looked capable of winning, there have previously been times where such a script has gone wildly off course. On 12 minutes, Vicario was there with an excellent leap and strong left arm to deny Palhinha’s free header, in what was the visitors’ first attack. It was a moment that came after a spell of overwhelming Tottenham dominance, and therefore a natural point for them to concede. But Fulham barely threatened again until it was too late. Silva’s side were a mess at the back, the absence of Issa Diop at the back compounded by Bassey’s woefully inaccurate performance. Fulham teased Tottenham with their reckless play into midfield: it may have worked in the past, against a passive Spurs, but Van de Ven and the excellent Pape Matar Sarr snapped into challenges and from there Fulham leaked chances like a sieve. And so, Postecoglou’s different Spurs left the Premier League table looking as it did at the start of the weekend: Tottenham are back at the top and looking down. Read More Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Ange Postecoglou hopes Tottenham can offer fans ‘escape’ from Israel-Hamas conflict Tottenham reveal Rodrigo Bentancur injury update as key midfielder nears return Can Tottenham’s best-ever Premier League start really go the distance? 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Mikel Arteta is hoping he will be left talking about football after his Arsenal side take on Sevilla in Spain on Tuesday. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was allegedly racially abused during Saturday’s LaLiga clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Vinicius later took to social media to praise staff in the ground for ejecting a fan and reporting him to the authorities. The Brazilian then said he had also seen footage of abuse being aimed at him from a child, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Congratulations to Sevilla for their quick positioning and punishment in yet another sad episode for Spanish football. “Unfortunately, I had access to a video of another racist act in this Saturday’s match, this time carried out by a child. “I am very sorry that there is no one to educate you. I invest, and I invest a lot, in education in Brazil to form citizens with attitudes different from these.” Just three days later and Arsenal will be the visitors for their Champions League Group C clash. Arteta echoed Vinicius’ sentiment and is hoping he is left discussing the result when he addresses the media after Tuesday’s game. “What I can say is Sevilla reacted in a really strong and quick way,” he said. “Great. Let’s enjoy a beautiful football atmosphere. It doesn’t get much better than the atmosphere here and I hope that we can just talk about the football and enjoy that atmosphere tomorrow.” Arteta is once again expected to prefer David Raya over Aaron Ramsdale in goal, although the latter has travelled despite reports he would stay in England following the birth of his child on Saturday. The goalkeeping position at the Emirates Stadium has dominated discussion in recent weeks, especially following a nervy performance from Raya in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday. Asked if Raya was suffering from the intensity of the attention at the moment, Arteta replied: “I haven’t seen that. If I am fair, I haven’t seen that at all. “That’s the pressure of playing in big clubs where you have to win and you have to be at your best, and you have someone next to you who is pushing you every single day. “If we go player by player, position by position, you will tell me what’s happening at left-back, what happens with the holding midfielder. “That’s the debate. That’s the beauty of the game as well. The fact that you have other options as well is going to make those talks more frequent.” Read More Jean Kleyn: RWC final with South Africa ‘outside realm of thinking’ months ago Joe Root acknowledges growing uncertainty surrounding future of ODI cricket 5 things we learned from England’s progress through the Rugby World Cup Jonny May backs ‘genius’ Steve Borthwick to crack the code of rugby with England World Rugby investigating alleged racist abuse directed at England’s Tom Curry Muddled selection, ageing squad and no new blood – England’s World Cup problems

Tottenham can return to the top of the Premier League when they host Fulham tonight. Spurs have made their best-ever start to a Premier League season and have won six and drawn two of their opening eight games so far under Ange Postecoglou. Victory over Fulham would see Tottenham go two points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal in the early standings, ahead of Friday night’s trip to Crystal Palace. Fulham are 13th having three wins and three defeats from their first eight league games, but Marco Silva’s side are the only team to have beaten Spurs this season after their victory in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Fulham have not beaten Tottenham in the Premier League since 2013, however. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

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Sir Bobby Charlton stood for everything that was good about Manchester United, according to former manager David Moyes, who will never forget the personal support he was shown during a testing spell at the club. Fans flocked to Old Trafford on Sunday to pay tribute to former United and England great Charlton following his death aged 86. A book of condolence was opened at 10am in the International Suite and supporters laid flowers and scarves and left messages for one of the club’s most famous sons. A key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team, Charlton also enjoyed great success at club level with United, who became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968. Charlton won three league titles and one FA Cup at Old Trafford and, after leaving United in 1973 and becoming Preston manager, he returned to Old Trafford 11 years later as a club director. Moyes took over from Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in the summer of 2013, but the former Everton boss left the club after just 10 months, with the team seventh in the Premier League table. Now in charge at West Ham, Moyes reflected on the support shown by Charlton during what was one of the most testing spells of his managerial career. “I’m deeply saddened and I send my condolences to all his family. The biggest thing everybody remembers, more than anything, is how great a man he was. He was such a good man,” Moyes said, quoted on West Ham’s club website. “For me, it was difficult at times at Manchester United and he was incredibly supportive and always had something to say to me. “He had a great wife in Lady Norma and even when I lost my job she phoned my wife up, which was really important at the time. “For me, he carried off all the things that Manchester United were good for. He showed the traditions, he showed exactly how it should be, he showed great humility wherever he went, but not only that at Manchester United, he was ultimately one of the main people in English football over the years. “When you think of the greats who have come through English football, Bobby Charlton would definitely be in there.” Charlton made his debut for United in 1956 and went on to play 758 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 249 goals. Both were long-standing club records until they were overtaken by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, respectively. He was knighted for services to football in 1994. It was announced on Saturday afternoon that he had died peacefully in the early hours of the morning surrounded by his family. Former team-mate Denis Law said on manutd.com: “Another sad day. What can I say. Sir Bobby was an unbelievable player and a gentleman. Manchester United meant everything to him. “We had many special and successful years together and he was a joy to play with. He knew where every player was on the pitch and for me that was a dream. I knew, if Bobby had the ball, it would find me, and it did. “What a striker of the ball he was. He could hit the ball so hard that I knew most keepers didn’t stand a chance. On the rare occasion they did manage to deflect it, it would drop nicely to me to finish it off. “Along with George (Best), our partnership was sealed. The great part of playing with Bobby and George was that if one of us was having a bad day, the other two knew and that’s what made our relationship special. I am saddened by the news, like all football fans today.” Charlton’s European Cup success at United came 10 years after the Munich air disaster, which he and team manager Sir Matt Busby survived but which claimed the lives of eight of Charlton’s team-mates. Tributes were left at Old Trafford this weekend, one which read: “Thank you Sir Bobby, a hero to the worldwide football family,” while a message from fan group The 1958 said: “History, dignity and integrity is what you gave to our great club. Our promise to you is to make sure it stays.” Manchester United women’s manager Marc Skinner dedicated Sunday’s 5-0 win at Everton to Charlton. “He changed football in my opinion, especially at my club, so that was for him and for his family,” Skinner said. Born in Ashington on October 11 1937, Charlton played in the World Cup final alongside his brother Jack, who died aged 85 in 2020, and won 106 caps for England, scoring 49 goals. Charlton was diagnosed with dementia and the announcement of his condition made public in November 2020, two days after his United and England team-mate Nobby Stiles died following his own battle with the illness. John Stiles, son of Nobby, told BBC Radio Five Live that Charlton was “uncle Bobby” to the family as they were growing up. “He was just a beautiful man,” Stiles said. “When he used to come around as kids, he would bring Christmas presents and anytime I saw him, he would always ask me how I was doing. “(He was) just one of those great people and just a pleasure to have somebody like that in your life. “Bobby would never brag about his achievements. Every time you saw him, the first thing he asked you was about yourself. “There was no edge on him. He was just a totally humble man.” Read More Jonny May backs ‘genius’ Steve Borthwick to crack the code of rugby with England Erik ten Hag wants Man Utd to channel emotions after Sir Bobby Charlton death Muddled selection, ageing squad and no new blood – England’s World Cup problems The sporting weekend in pictures Pep Guardiola admits winning treble has taken toll on Manchester City Gary O’Neil determined to repay Wolves for their faith after Bournemouth sacking

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