List of All Articles with Tag 'epsocmag'

Just outside Goodison Park, there is evidence of the impact a goalscorer can make. Almost a century after his 60-goal season, more than four decades after his death, Dixie Dean’s statue is a sign he remains an iconic figure in these parts. It is safe to assume it will not be joined, at Goodison or Bramley-Moore Dock, of a sculpture of Neal Maupay. A year into his Everton career, Maupay is only 382 Everton goals behind Dean, who got 383; at his current rate of progress, he could go past him early in the 2400s. And if it is automatically unfair to bracket anyone else with Everton’s record scorer, there is a stark contrast. Everton have never been less prolific than they were last season, when their total of 34 league goals was barely more than half the 60 Dean managed on his own in 1927-28. They began the new campaign with an exhibition of how not to finish, with a demoralising home defeat to Fulham and with indications that, unless they discover a clinical touch, another season of grim struggle beckons. Maupay is the face of a problem, but not all of it. He was not the sole culprit; Abdoulaye Doucoure waltzed through the Fulham defence but Bernd Leno saved his scuffed shot while Nathan Patterson struck the bar. Yet his job description entails scoring goals and his drought has now lasted 29 games. When Bobby Decordova-Reid took his lone opportunity, he showed the perils of Everton’s profligacy. For them, it was a tale of three strikers, two missing the match and one missing chances. The £12.5 million Youssef Chermiti was deemed not ready after only signing this week; so, for different reasons, was the oft-injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, ruled not match fit. Without either, Everton scarcely felt equipped for the start of the season but this was not the first striking void at Goodison Park in recent years. Enter Maupay, whose presence on the teamsheet may have disheartened Evertonians before a ball was kicked, whose movement was excellent, whose persistence was admirable and whose finishing was unconvincing. He ranks as one of the most damaging parts of Frank Lampard’s legacy, a signing the former manager advocated when others at Everton wanted Ben Brereton Diaz. He ended last season with one goal from 32 shots and an expected goals tally of 5.43. But this is a time for fresh starts. New season, new Maupay? Not exactly. He could have scored after barely 30 seconds but shot wide. He twice spurned one-on-ones with Bernd Leno, the first from five yards, the second from about 12. Abdoulaye Doucoure cushioned a header into his path, Amadou Onana placed a pass, but Leno saved each effort. He had four efforts and got no goals. There were rousing cheers when he was replaced, though they were for the debutant Arnaut Danjuma; a winger could have been a preferable option as a makeshift striker. But Sean Dyche’s options are limited. His side played with verve, Alex Iwobi and Doucoure allying running power with craft. But his starting 11 contained five players who may call themselves central midfielders and the closest thing to a career winger was a 38-year-old at left-back, in Ashley Young. They offered effort in abundance and encountered a defiant goalkeeper who made nine saves. The otherwise excellent Leno unpunished from his only error, a foul given when he spilled a cross and Michael Keane found the unguarded net. Yet the stark reality is that Everton began with a home defeat to a side who may end up in the bottom half themselves and a manager, in Marco Silva, who they sacked in 2018. It is no slight on Dyche to say they have reasons to repent that decision. If Fulham’s win was a triumph of strength in depth, it also owed something to Silva’s intervention. He secured a second win of 2023 at Goodison when three substitutes combined. Aleksandar Mitrovic released Andreas Pereira to cross for Decordova-Reid to finish. If it had the feel of a smash-and-grab raid, it had been threatened. In a Maupay-esque return, Raul Jimenez failed to score a Premier League goal in his last season at Wolves. He nearly marked his Fulham debut with one, volleying against the base of the post from a Decordova-Reid cross. Fulham, though, have the confidence of a team who can score. To Dyche’s credit, he conjured goals from Doucoure and Dwight McNeil in the run-in last season. But if it was obvious a team who only got four from their out-and-out centre-forwards needed far more this season, it was an utterly unpromising start. And for a club whose motto is Nil Satis Nisi Optimum, its first word is the most worrying. Everton got Nil. Again. Read More Everton’s summer of stasis leaves Sean Dyche with a salvage job on his hands Football rumours: Everton considering bid for Harry Maguire

One of the oldest sporting rivalries will be played on a new stage, after England overcame yet another new problem. A first comeback of this Women’s World Cup will ensure Sarina Wiegman’s side return to Stadium Australia to play the hosts in Wednesday’s semi-final, in what is set to be the grandest occasion of this thrilling tournament so far. England once more avoided succumbing to a surprise exit, as they began to show the sort of quality everyone has long expected in this tenacious 2-1 victory over Colombia. The invigorating South American side deserve huge credit for bringing that out of the European champions, as they became the first side to take the lead against them at this World Cup. And there was so briefly the possibility they could put them out. Something was different with this England, though, that could well be crucial against Australia. Alessia Russo almost summed it up by offering that huge moment: a fine finish to win it. As good as Nigeria were in that last-16 game, there was a sense of England playing the occasion and letting the tension of a first knockout game get to them. Had they gone behind in that match, it was more doubtful whether they could have hauled it back. Not so here. Hugely influential to that was that so many players looked back to their best. Georgia Stanway offered her own best display of the World Cup, growing into it in the way she did at Euro 2022. Lauren Hemp was winning everything and running the game, having brought England back from defeat with her equaliser. Russo then ensured yet another massive goal and a moment that may prove transformative for her own campaign. The finish was brilliant but the touch to set it up perhaps even better. The manner in which she flicked it was sublime. There was an element of ragged desperation about England at times, but that was inevitable when an opposition side are fighting for the moment of their lives. Colombia had nothing to lose in the last few minutes but had exactly the attackers – especially in the livewire Linda Caicedo – to play like that. They just took the wrong decision too often and England’s defence got their timing just right. That brought relief, and this World Cup has taken so much out of them, but there is suddenly a sense they are in good shape going into the biggest test so far. A lot of this match actually produced England’s best football of the tournament. They were assertive but elaborate, willing to play the ball around in fine patterns. There were a few moves when it looked like they could just pass their way right through Colombia. It all looked so highly controlled… until the moment it wasn’t. That was what made this quarter-final so engaging. Colombia had an edge that constantly disrupted England just as momentum was building, as well as a willingness to try things. The great question will be whether Leicy was actually trying to beat Earps with that first goal, but one argument in favour comes from the fact she wasn’t the first Colombian to attempt such an effort from out wide. Caicedo had done it minutes before. The idea had at least been planted. Either way, the ball ended up in the back of the net from Leicy’s wide effort. It was indicative of the unpredictability of this match. It was also unprecedented. England were behind for the first time in this World Cup and the first time in any tournament match since the quarter-final against Spain in Euro 2022. They responded superbly. There was a sharpness about everything England did, with Stanway bringing real danger at the edge of the Colombian box. That defence quickly buckled. From the kind of cross-field ball that constantly brought opportunity for England, Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez fumbled and a deflection allowed Hemp to force the ball home. The conviction could be seen in the celebration. England had an impetus. They could have done with a longer stoppage time. It was half-time at the wrong time. But Russo ensured it didn’t matter. She got her touch absolutely right for that 63rd-minute moment of opportunism and took her chance brilliantly. The ball was drilled into the corner with no doubt or hesitation whatsoever. You couldn’t quite say the same about the last 15 minutes. Colombia went at England with everything. Earps made good for any suggestion she was poor for the goal with one brilliant save from a rasping Lorena Bedoya long shot. She then bought England time in that canny way she does, dropping onto caught balls, disrupting the opposition. It was only a mirror of what Colombia had done to England earlier. Wiegman’s team battled through it. They again showed their fight, but something more. That is going to be essential on Wednesday, because that is going to be a rivalry, a battle, but also so much more. Read More England vs Colombia LIVE: Women’s World Cup latest score and updates after Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo goals Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Who and when do England play next? Lionesses route to the World Cup final How many games will Lauren James miss at Women’s World Cup after red card? Player ratings from England vs Colombia as Russo scores winning goal Who and when do England play next? Route to the World Cup final

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.

Watch live as England and Colombia fans arrive at Stadium Australia for the Women’s World Cup quarter-final on Saturday 12 August. The Lionesses have had to dig deep for three of their four wins at the tournament, but goalkeeper Mary Earps insisted there are “so many more levels” for the team to reach ahead of the last eight meeting. After finishing goalless in normal time against Nigeria in their last 16 fixture, England advanced with a penalty shoot-out win. It was a tricky test for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who were reduced to 10 when Lauren James was sent off for a stamp on Michelle Alozie, but Earps believes “the best is yet to come”. “I think it’s an exciting time to be an England player for sure, but we have to earn that right every day,” the goalkeeper said. Colombia, meanwhile, knocked Jamaica out in the last 16 after a famous win against Germany in their group. Read More Harry Kane hints at future Tottenham return after completing Bayern Munich move Ange Postecoglou backs Richarlison as Tottenham deal with Harry Kane exit Harry Kane’s highs and lows at Tottenham as he signs with Bayern Munich

England face Colombia in the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals as the Lionesses continue their knockout campaign in Sydney. The European champions survived a major scare against Nigeria in the last-16, and know they will need to improve when they take on a dangerous Colombia side, who shocked heavyweights Germany in the group stages. Sarina Wiegman’s side are without star forward Lauren James, who is suspended for the quarter-final. James has been replaced in the line-up by Ella Toone. The Lionesses will know who could await them in the semi-finals before facing Colombia, as hosts Australia and France goes to penalties in Brisbane. There will be a new winner of the Women’s World Cup this year after Sweden knocked out Japan on Friday, setting up a clash with Spain on the other side of the draw. Follow live updates from the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals, and get the latest England vs Colombia odds here Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today England reach World Cup dividing line as Sarina Wiegman faces crunch decision How many games will Lauren James miss at Women’s World Cup after red card? Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

With their sights set on another title challenge, Arsenal will hope to get their Premier League season off to a good start as they host Nottingham Forest. Mikel Arteta’s side led the way for much of last season but faded late on as Manchester City secured a third successive title. It has been a productive summer at the Emirates Stadium, with Declan Rice a marquee midfield addition and Kai Havertz likely to provide plenty of creativity. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are hoping to build after securing a second season in the top flight after a long time out of the Premier League, though Steve Cooper must contend with trips to Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City before the end of September. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest? Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest is due to kick off at 12.30pm BST on Saturday 12 August at the Emirates Stadium in London. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the match live on the rebranded TNT Sports 1 channel, with coverage from 11am BST. The streaming home of TNT Sports is on discovery+. Team news After their involvement in the Community Shield last weekend, Mikel Arteta could hand Arsenal league debuts to Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out of the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery, though, but Oleksandr Zinchenko is moving closer to a return from his calf issue after featuring in last weekend’s Game4Ukraine. Steve Cooper has confirmed that Felipe (knee), Moussa Niakhate (elbow) and Taiwo Awoniyi (ankle) are injured for the visit to the Emirates, though Brennan Johnson is available for selection. Cooper may utilise a back three in front of Matt Turner, who joined the club from Arsenal this week. Predicted line-ups Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli Nottingham Forest XI: Worrall, Boly, McKenna; Aurier, Yates, Danilo, Mangala, Aina; Gibbs-White, Johnson. Odds Arsenal win 1/5 Draw 7/1 Nottingham Forest win 15/1 Prediction Arsenal get their campaign up and running with a solid victory. Arsenal 3-1 Nottingham Forest Read More Premier League LIVE: Chelsea and Liverpool battle for Moises Caicedo and Harry Kane latest Harry Kane set to complete Bayern move after late Tottenham request The Mikel Arteta transfer gambles that will shape Arsenal’s season Where Harry Kane’s big-money move stands in British football history 5 English success stories Harry Kane will look to emulate in Germany ‘Not my decision’ whether I get time to transform Chelsea – Mauricio Pochettino

Esme Morgan, 22, describes herself as “calm” and “assured” on the pitch. It’s no wonder. The Sheffield-born defender started her youth career with Manchester City in 2015 but her love for football first began aged just three. After joining City from her childhood club Eccleshall Rangers, she quickly progressed to the side’s under-16s Regional Talent Squad and then the Development Squad, before being selected by Nick Cushing to accompany the first-team on pre-season tours of Frankfurt and Toulouse. Aside from a loan spell at Everton, Morgan has spent her entire career at City, where she first started off as a striker before taking on a defensive role. She was then mostly employed as a centre-back but has also operated as a defensive midfielder. Morgan first signed her professional contract with the club in June 2019 and scored her first goal in a 4-0 win against Birmingham in the 2020/21 campaign. She signed an extension of her contract with the club last year. At the time, Morgan had also just made her maiden Wembley and Champions League appearances. Get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here In September 2020, Morgan was called up to the England squad’s training camp, which provided her first taste of life with the senior Lionesses squad. The defender returned to the senior side in September last year, when she was chosen by England boss Sarina Wiegman for the first time after her impressive league performances with City. With Leah Williamson out of action at this World Cup and captain Millie Bright’s fitness in doubt, Morgan may well find herself a crucial part of England’s back four alongside the likes of Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze. Read More England reach World Cup dividing line as Sarina Wiegman faces crunch decision Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Bethany England reveals ‘biggest danger’ facing Lionesses against Colombia

Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck, 23, started her career at her girlhood club Sheffield United before leaving to join Manchester City at the young age of 15. She went on to sign her first professional contract with the club at 18 in 2018 after impressing on the senior stage in Karen Bardsley’s absence. Roebuck’s success at club level earned her her first senior call-up to Phil Neville’s England squad in the latter stages of 2018 and she was later invited to train with the SheBelieves Cup squad in the US in March 2019. That same year, Roebuck signed a two-year contract extension and was soon awarded the Barclays Women’s Super League’s Golden Glove at the end of the 2019/20 season, having kept 10 clean sheets in 16 league appearances. The Sheffield native was then called up to be Great Britain’s number one for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, starting all four of England’s games when the pandemic-delayed tournament finally took place in summer 2021. Get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here However, she missed much of the 2021/22 season due to a calf injury, limiting her to 10 league appearances out of 22. She also missed several international fixtures. In February last year, the City goalkeeper made her 100th appearance for the club against Chelsea, before helping the side to Continental Cup success. She was part of the Lionesses’ triumphant Euro 2022-winning side, England’s first major football honour since the men’s side won the 1966 World Cup, but then, as now, she faces the near-impossible task of ousting Mary Earps between the sticks, with the promising Hannah Hampton also waiting in the wings. Read More Pep Guardiola reveals extent of Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury ‘Not my decision’ whether I get time to transform Chelsea – Mauricio Pochettino Erling Haaland at the double as Manchester City kick off new campaign in style

The Premier League is back! The new season gets underway tonight with newly-promoted Burnley hosting the reigning champions Manchester City at Turf Moor. It’s been two months since the conclusion of the 2022/23 season saw City defeat Inter Milan and claim a treble of trophies in the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. Pep Guardiola will be hoping to repeat that success in this new campaign but City have been updating their squad this summer. Captain, Ilkay Gundogan, has moved to Barcelona, and Riyad Mahrez has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol have since joined up with the champions and could feature in their first league game for the club this evening. Get all the latest Premier League betting sites offers Burnley, meanwhile, are hoping to build on an outstanding season in the Championship under boss Vincent Kompany. They notched up 101 points in 46 games, scoring the most goals (87) and conceding the fewest (35) after a successful rebuild in the second tier. As Kompany prepares to face off against his old team he’ll be hoping that the Clarets bring this form and skill into the Premier League. Follow all the action as the Premier League returns with Burnley hosting Manchester City: Read More The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it Premier League 2023/24 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more Pep Guardiola expects Man City’s standards ‘to drop’ this season

Chelsea remain confident in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo despite Liverpool's interest and Brighton's deadline, believing they have a superior offer to the player and that they can trump the Anfield club on price. The race has created another sub-plot to Sunday's meeting between the two teams at Stamford Bridge, as both clubs have gone for Caicedo and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, in what almost appears a response to the other. Liverpool agreed a fee with Brighton on Thursday night, as confirmed by Jurgen Klopp, but it is felt by Chelsea that the 21-year-old Caicedo’s preference is to go to London. The Stamford Bridge hierarchy have indicated they are willing to go higher than Liverpool on price, which currently stands at a Premier League record of £110m. The big question is whether Brighton will accept that given they set a deadline of Thursday night for bids, but the likelihood is that money talks. Chelsea had made Caicedo their top midfield target in an area that needs strengthening, which is one reason he is so enthused on the move. Liverpool have yet to agree personal terms with the player. Read More Premier League LIVE: Harry Kane ‘stopped on way to Stansted airport’ as Bayern Munich move halted Liverpool set to break British transfer record with £110m Moises Caicedo deal Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

Jurgen Klopp has urged caution over Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo after agreeing a British record deal worth a reported £110 million. Chelsea had led the race to sign the Brighton star, but the Reds moved quickly on Wednesday in a bid to bolster their midfield. Klopp admits Jordan Henderson and Fabinho’s departures changed the landscape of the transfer window at Anfield, leaving them in a position to push for the Ecuadorian. Klopp said: “I can confirm the deal that the club has agreed, I don’t know what it means exactly, the player and agreement we will see. “What changes is we have not endless resources, we didn’t expect a couple of things happening, Hendo, Fab and then it happened and we give it a go and the club was really stretched. We will see in the end. “I have told you what I know. Besides that we cannot share, don’t praise the day before the night. Let’s see what happens.” More to follow... Read More Liverpool agree £110m deal to sign Moises Caicedo in British transfer record Chelsea make Romeo Lavia bid in attempt to beat Liverpool in transfer race Chelsea make Moises Caicedo breakthrough as Brighton talks continue

The Premier League returns with a clash of champions as Manchester City begin the defence of their title with a trip to face newly promoted Burnley. The Lancashire club sealed a return to the top flight by cruising to Championship triumph last season under the management of Vincent Kompany. Kompany will have chance to re-acquaint himself with old friends as he takes charge of his first game in the English top division against a side he captained for so long. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City could become the first team to win four successive Premier League titles if they retain their crown this season. Here’s everything you need to know: When is Burnley vs Manchester City? Burnley vs Manchester City is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 11 August at Turf Moor in Burnley. How can I watch it? The Premier League season opener will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage on the channels from 6.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via Sky Go. Team news Burnley continue to search for further reinforcements in the transfer market but could hand competitive debuts to a number of summer signings. That might include goalkeeper James Trafford, signed from Manchester City during the summer after impressing for Bolton last season. Pep Guardiola not thought to have any fresh concerns after the Community Shield, though Nathan Ake is still recovering from a knock and is a doubt. Kevin de Bruyne made an appearance from the bench at Wembley and could be fit enough to start. Predicted line-ups Burnley XI: Trafford; Roberts, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor; Cullen, Brownhill; Redmond, Gudmundsson, Zaroury; Amdouni Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji; De Bruyne, Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, Haaland, Grealish Odds Burnley win 10/1 Draw 5/1 Manchester City win 4/13 Prediction Burnley are beaten in their first game back in the Premier League. Burnley 1-3 Manchester City Read More The factors which could stop Man City making Premier League history Inspired appointment Vincent Kompany repaying Burnley’s gamble The Mikel Arteta transfer gambles that will shape Arsenal’s season Football rumours: Manchester City identify Jeremy Doku as Mahrez replacement Pep Guardiola expects Man City’s standards ‘to drop’ this season Harry Kane has fantasy managers on tenterhooks – Thursday’s sporting social