List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

As the Saudi money rolled in, some might have thought Eddie Howe’s days were numbered. With big-money, marquee player signings coming through the door, an elite, high-profile coach would surely not be too far behind. At the start of this season, it appeared Howe had reached his limitations. Three defeats in Newcastle United’s opening four league games gave credence to claims all that was missing from the PIF Toon revolution was a new figurehead. However, despite having to work with a squad so injury-ravaged, Howe has Newcastle buzzing again. His lack of willingness to be drawn on Newcastle’s Middle Eastern overlords does not make him universally popular, but what Howe is doing with his team, a threadbare one at that, is nothing short of remarkable. A recent uptick in results is no fluke – Howe has accepted having to work with 14 fit players and academy kids as backups and is getting on with it, eking every inch out from his shell of a side, with some innovative thinking and a gameplan his players need not stray too far from. “The gaffer, that’s it. The gaffer,” defender Jamaal Lascelles insisted after Saturday’s win over Chelsea, when asked what the difference between playing for Newcastle before the takeover compared to now was. “Everything he’s done, the philosophy, the culture, the way he gets us working. I could stand here all day and talk about it. He’s improved everyone as a player, he’s improved us as a team, everyone knows what they have to do on the pitch.” That last point was illustrated perfectly in Saturday’s encounter with Chelsea. Newcastle had no right to win that game – against a Blues team on the up, with three goalkeepers and four academy players on the bench – and after Raheem Sterling equalised in the first half, there appeared likely to be only one winner. Yet, somehow, with Mauricio Pochettino able to turn to £300m worth of cavalry, Newcastle dug deep, stuck to their jobs, and ran out rampant 4-1 winners. One was a collection of individuals, the other was a team. And that is down to Howe. He is really trying everything possible to gain an advantage. The full-to-bursting St. James’ treatment room and a crucial clash in Paris leaves him with no alternative. One look at Newcastle’s set pieces tells you all you need to know about the work that is going on at the training ground. The scene is more akin to the NFL. The majority of black and white shirts in the box are “blockers” creating plenty of space for their most lethal options from Kieran Trippier’s excellent deliveries into the penalty area. One particular routine worked out perfectly on Saturday, but Joelinton still somehow headed wide with the goal at his mercy. The results are startling, nonetheless. Having been one of the least threatening teams from set plays previously, Since the start of the 2022-23 Premier League season, no club have a better expected goal (xG) difference per 100 set pieces than Newcastle. No stone is left unturned as Howe tries to find an edge to revive his side’s Champions League campaign. “A change of feel, just a different routine, you never know how these things affect your performance,” Howe said of his side’s decision to train on the Parc des Princes pitch ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain, as opposed to remaining at home on the day of the game as they did in their previous two away group games. “The results you can never guarantee, but performance, we’re looking for an improvement from our two away games. So that’s why we’ve done what we’ve done today.” PSG come into the contest as favourites having hit five past Monaco at the weekend, and a defeat would end Newcastle’s Champions League hopes. Without half of his squad, against one of the best sides in the world, Howe and his side really shouldn’t stand a chance. As Chelsea will testify to, however, count them out at your peril.

Manchester City take on RB Leipzig hoping to secure top spot in Champions League Group G. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten so far in their European campaign and are averaging three goals per game in European competition. Their opponents are also already sure of a place in the knockout stages with their defeat in the reverse fixture the sole blemish thus far for the German club. Marco Rose knows his side will face a tough task at the home of the defending champions, though. Here’s everything you need to know. Get the latest Champions League odds and tips here. When is Manchester City vs RB Leipzig? Manchester City vs RB Leipzig is due to kick off at . How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.45pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news John Stones was back on the bench for a depleted Manchester City at the weekend, though Pep Guardiola suggested before kick off that the England international might not yet be quite ready to play. Jack Grealish missed the encounter with Liverpool due to illness and may be back amongst things here, which may be necessary with Kevin de Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes all seemingly still absent. Timo Werner and Dani Olmo are among those currently sidelined at RB Leipzig, who were beaten by Wolfsburg in their weekend league action. Emil Forsberg started that Bundesliga encounter on the bench and may be promoted into the starting side. Predicted line-ups Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Akanji; Foden, Alvarez, Silva, Doku; Haaland. RB Leipzig XI: Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Haidara; Simons, Forsberg; Openda, Poulsen. Odds Manchester City win 1/3 Draw 9/2 RB Leipzig win 15/2 Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. Prediction A comfortable home win. Manchester City 3-1 RB Leipzig Read More Football rumours: Juventus eyeing swoop for Thomas Partey Gvardiol’s reminder of how far he’s come - and what he needs to succeed at City Pep Guardiola provides Kevin De Bruyne injury update Guardiola describes ‘incredible’ impact of Venables at Barcelona Guardiola makes plea to Man City fans in pursuit of continued success Pep Guardiola pays tribute to Terry Venables: ‘A true gentleman’

What the papers say Juventus have emerged as potential suitors for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, 30, according to the Daily Mirror. The Gunners have been linked with Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, 25. Chelsea are streamlining their transfer policy with a “one in, one out” approach. The Daily Telegraph says the move could see a number of players making way for new signings. Among those who could leave the Blues are 39-year-old Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, whose contract is set to expire next summer, according to the Evening Standard. England Under-21 defender Trevoh Chalobah, 24, who is up for sale is another who coule be on the way out. Social media round-up Players to watch Tristan Aldcroft Panduro: Manchester City and Arsenal have sent scouts to watch the 15-year-old FC Copenhagen midfielder, reports the Daily Mail. Marc Guehi: Manchester United have made Crystal Palace’s 23-year-old centre-back their primary January target, according to Football Insider. Read More On this day in 2015: Jamie Vardy scores in 11th game in a row Chicago Bears end their losing run against Minnesota Vikings ‘What is the point of VAR?’ asks angry Gary O’Neil as Wolves lose at Fulham

Jamie Vardy scored for the 11th match in a row on this day in 2015 to break Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Premier League record and earn Leicester a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. The England forward opened the scoring against Manchester United in the 24th minute to surpass Van Nistelrooy’s 10-game mark, which had stood since 2003. Vardy found his 14th goal of the season when he got on the end of Christian Fuchs’ pass and rifled past David De Gea from close range and become the first player to score in 11 consecutive games in the Premier League era. Manchester United managed to find an equaliser when Bastian Schweinsteiger cancelled out Vardy’s opener with a powerful header from close range to make it 1-1. The 28-year-old started the run of consecutive games with a late penalty in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth three months earlier in August which included doubles against Arsenal and Southampton, a winner against Watford and the record-equalling strike in a 3-0 win at Newcastle the week before. Vardy’s incredible run came after he was made an England international in June, just three years after becoming non-league football’s first £1million player following a move to the King Power Stadium from Fleetwood in 2012. After breaking the record, Vardy said: “It’s unbelievable. I think I got a bit carried away with myself. “Obviously we’ve got a lot of pace in the team and I think counter-attacking is a big advantage for us. “If we can break as quick we have, then obviously it is going to benefit the team.” Vardy’s goals helped power the Foxes to the Premier League crown under Claudio Ranieri and he finished the season as the league’s second top scorer behind Golden Boot winner Sergio Aguero. No player has yet to break Vardy’s record which still stands and he went on to win more silverware with Leicester, lifting the FA Cup trophy in 2021 before being relegated with the club in 2023. Read More Chicago Bears end their losing run against Minnesota Vikings ‘What is the point of VAR?’ asks angry Gary O’Neil as Wolves lose at Fulham Gary O’Neil says Wolves loss at Fulham may have ‘finally turned him against VAR’

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Gary O’Neil asked “what is the point in VAR?” after his Wolves side conceded a controversial late penalty during a 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage. VAR sent referee Michael Salisbury to the screen to award a penalty after Joao Gomes brought Harry Wilson down in the box, Willian scoring his second spot kick of the game to seal all three points for Fulham. O’Neil highlighted the decisions involving the late penalty, Carlos Vinicius’ alleged headbutt on Max Kilman and why Tim Ream did not receive a second yellow for a foul on Hwang Hee-Chan. The Wolves boss criticised the decisions during the game and believes VAR has not helped the referee. I think the ref would have done a better job on his own. I don't think VAR helped him but in fact it hindered him Gary O'Neil O’Neil said: “I don’t think it’s helped the game, “I think the ref would have done a better job on his own. I don’t think VAR helped him but in fact it hindered him. “Sending him to the screen for one and not to the other, not advising him there is a headbutt or that Tim Ream should receive a red card. What is the point in VAR? “They said they got the Harry Wilson one right (last penalty decision). There’s minimal contact and I don’t think there’s enough.” O’Neil, who spoke to the referee after the match, also felt aggrieved about Fulham’s first penalty awarded for a foul by Nelson Semedo on Tom Cairney. He told Sky Sports: “Nelson plays the ball, doesn’t touch Tom Cairney. I watched it back with the referee, and to be fair to him he says he thinks they’ve got that wrong and he should have been sent to the monitor.” Fulham boss Marco Silva lauded his side’s mentality to end a run of four games without a win and to go ahead in the game on three separate occasions. He said: “We knew Wolves would show resilience tonight again and they brought it back twice and we showed team spirit and I really believed we deserved three points. “It is important to express ourselves on the pitch. We had some very good spells in some times in the game. “But the mentality, team spirit and it was a game we had to win and we did it.” Willian scored his second and third of the season from the spot and Silva praised the experienced 35-year-old. “He is really important for us and we know the quality of Willian,” Silva added. “My decision last season to change the taker because he is a player who needs more importance and confidence and it was nice to see him take responsibility with two very good moments from him. “Overall his performance was very good. Two chances he must score and he did it in very good style, I must say.” Read More Gary O’Neil says Wolves loss at Fulham may have ‘finally turned him against VAR’ Carolina Panthers sack head coach Frank Reich after one win in 11 games Mike Phelan warns Man Utd not to get distracted by fierce Galatasaray atmosphere Late Willian penalty earns Fulham victory in five-goal thriller against Wolves RB Leipzig hoping to restore some pride at Man City after 7-0 loss – Marco Rose Forest investigating allegations of homophobic abuse by fans at Brighton game