List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount admits his side need a clear improvement after suffering their worst start to a Premier League season. Not since the 1989-90 campaign, when Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly one game away from the sack, have United lost four of their first seven league fixtures. But Joachim Andersen’s first-half goal for Palace inflicted the same fate on the current crop, which left the Old Trafford faithful booing at the end. Mount, who made his Premier League return after six weeks out with injury, says United must get better. “We know we need to win these games and it’s been a difficult start,” the England international told the club’s website. “As soon as they got the goal, they defended really well, they got bodies behind the ball and made it difficult to create. We had a few chances but it wasn’t enough. “We know we need to go back and look at the areas that we need to improve on – and we need to improve because we want to win games, we want to win every competition we’re in, we want to go right to the end. So it’s a tough one to take. “It was a tough start with the injury and a frustrating one but I used that time to look at areas where I could improve and coming back in the team last game, it felt good. “But you don’t want to lose games and, especially at home with the fans, we want to perform for them and win games for them. And yeah, we need to improve. We need to go away and look at some areas that just weren’t there. “But there are games coming thick and fast now. Every three days we’re playing in different competitions and this is a new start. The Champions League at home under the lights – it’s an exciting one to play in and hopefully we can perform and win that game now.” Andersen’s brilliant goal – a sweet first-time finish at the back post from an Eberechi Eze set-piece – proved enough for Palace to earn revenge for their Carabao Cup defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the week. And he enjoyed his match-winning moment. “That goal, for me personally, is something I’ll remember,” Andersen told the club’s official website. “It’s something that I need to improve on. I need to score more goals because I’m capable of scoring goals. I have the desire to score. I think I have a pretty good strike actually. I know I’m capable of scoring goals. “It was a good cross from Ebs and I just felt that someone would get a touch and I just sensed where the ball would fall, like a good striker would do, and I hit it really well. Amazing goal.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On This Day in 2009 – Emmanuel Adebayor fined for celebration against Arsenal Ryder Cup day three: Europe aim to seal victory with dominant display in singles Gregor Townsend hails Scotland for keeping World Cup bid alive after early loss

The college football rankings going into Week 6 got a shake-up thanks to upsets of LSU and Utah, but Georgia managed to avoid a drop...for now.

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor was fined £25,000 and handed a suspended two-match ban by the Football Association for his celebration against former club Arsenal on this day in 2009. Adebayor was punished after he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of visiting Gunners supporters after he scored in the 80th minute of a Premier League match. The then 25-year-old had already served a three-match suspension for violent conduct in a separate incident during the 4-2 victory at Eastlands on September 12. https://x.com/ManCity/status/1701543676080783846?s=20 The Togo international appeared at Wembley and admitted a charge of improper conduct at a FA regulatory commission hearing. Adebayor’s acceptance of his behaviour was taken into account, but also the conduct of Arsenal supporters, who were also criticised for their personal abuse of Adebayor following his departure from the club the previous summer transfer window in a £25million deal. “In reaching its decision the commission took into account his admission of the charge, public apology and the extremely provocative nature of the abuse he received,” read a statement from the FA. “However, the commission also stated that players have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a proper manner and that such celebrations are unacceptable and have the potential to cause a serious public order incident.” Adebayor went on to play for Real Madrid before switching to Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham in August 2012 following a loan spell. His Premier League career continued with Crystal Palace before stints in Turkey at Basaksehir and Kayserispor, and he finished playing at Paraguayan Primera Division outfit Olimpia Asuncion. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Down goes Brian Kelly and LSU, and a few other college football teams in Week 5. Here are our new projected rankings.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp questioned the pressure being put on officials after the Professional Game Match Officials Limited vowed to investigate the decision to rule out a Luis Diaz goal in the Reds’ dramatic 2-1 loss at Tottenham. Diaz looked to have put Liverpool ahead in the 34th minute when he raced on to Mohamed Salah’s through ball and rifled into the bottom corner of the net, but the offside flag was immediately raised. A VAR check by Darren England in Stockley Park occurred, with screens inside the stadium informing supporters, but play was able to quickly resume with the effort remaining offside. Referees’ body PGMOL has since acknowledged a “significant human error” occurred and that VAR “failed to intervene” to prevent the error. Liverpool went on to finish the match with nine men and suffered stoppage-time heartbreak when Joel Matip deflected Pedro Porro’s cross into his own net in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but the post-match discussions focused on the crucial first-half error. “Who does that help now? We had that situation in the Wolves-Man United game. Did Wolves get the points? No,” Klopp reflected when informed of the PGMOL statement. “We will not get points for it so it doesn’t help. Nobody expects 100 per cent right decisions on field but we all thought when VAR comes in that it might make things easier. “I don’t know why the people…are they that much under pressure? Today the decision was made really quick I would say for that goal. It changed the momentum of the game, so that’s how it is.” After a breathless start at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Liverpool were reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute when Curtis Jones was sent off following a VAR review. Jones caught Yves Bissouma with a high, studs-up tackle on his shin that initially earned him a yellow card but referee Simon Hooper upgraded the decision to a red card after he used the pitchside monitor to review the incident. Diaz found the net six minutes later, but after it was ruled out Tottenham went ahead when captain Son Heung-min tapped home from Richarlison’s centre in the 36th minute. Cody Gakpo levelled for Liverpool on the verge of half-time but Klopp’s problems mounted when Diogo Jota was dismissed midway through the second half following two fouls on Destiny Udogie in quick succession. It meant Liverpool had to play the final 21 minutes in north London with nine men and their stubborn resistance was finally broken when Porro’s dangerous cross was diverted past Alisson by Matip. Klopp added: “I told the boys after the game I am super proud and especially with 10 men they were really good. They did everything that is necessary and on top of that we were courageous. “I don’t think there is anything to say about the offside goal. I knew at half-time. “In the first moment I thought it was clear offside but then it is right to think they have a better view and at half-time we knew with normal pictures. Easy to see, no offside. “But I am pretty sure whoever did make that decision did not make it on purpose. It didn’t take extremely long to come to the conclusion, that is a bit strange, but someone else has to clarify that.” Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, was happy to accept the rub of the green with the Diaz ruled out effort but highlighted that VAR will never be “errorless” after he watched his team’s unbeaten record stretch to seven matches in the Premier League. He said: “I think I’m on record as saying that I’ve never really been a fan of it since it came in. Not for any other reason than I think that it complicates areas of the game that I thought were pretty clear in the past. “We used to understand that errors were part of the game, including officiating errors. You’d have to cop it and some people would cop it better than others but that was part of the game. “The game is littered with historical refereeing decisions that weren’t right but we all accepted it that it was part of the game because we’re dealing with human beings. “I think that people are under the misconception that VAR is going to be errorless. “So much of our game isn’t factual. It’s down to interpretation and they’re still human beings. They’re going to make mistakes the same way managers make mistakes, the same way players make mistakes. “When you put such a high bar on something it invariably is going to fail, so if people are thinking that VAR is going to be something that at some point that is perfect, that’s never going to happen.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jersey plight on players’ minds as England pursue World Cup glory – Danny Care Ryder Cup day two: Europe on course to regain trophy as emotions run high in Rome Man City failed to execute their ‘process’ in defeat at Wolves – Pep Guardiola

Trent Dilfer lost his mind, screaming at his coaches during UAB's loss to Tulane.

Everything keeps going Ange Postecoglou’s way, as Liverpool will argue everything went against them – not least Joel Matip’s 96th-minute attempt to divert Pedro Porro’s cross. That brought a 2-1 win for Tottenham Hotspur, who will doubtless say it came from the adventure they keep showing under the Australian. Something bigger is happening at Spurs, as could be sensed in the raucous atmosphere after another late victory, but their biggest yet. They are level with Manchester City on points, only behind the champions on goal difference. Who would have expected that after the lukewarm response to Postecoglou’s appointment at the start of the summer. Liverpool might fairly say they would have been ahead of City had it not been for much smaller moments. Jurgen Klopp’s side endured two red cards – for Curtis Jones and substitute Diogo Jota – that they greatly disputed, as well as an offside call for a Luis Diaz finish that seemed the most borderline possible. Later, the referees’ body, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted it was the wrong decision to disallow Diaz’s effort, blaming human error, and “should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention”. On such events seasons can swing. On the other side, strokes of fortune are often the sources of greater success, especially when you put yourself in the position to take advantage of that. Spurs will argue that’s what Postecoglou’s approach absolutely does. There’s a bravery to it. There was only a fury and frustration to Liverpool, even if some solace could have been taken from the resolve… until the own goal. Again, Klopp will say it shouldn’t have come down to that. Liverpool had been the better side, and would have been ahead had it not been for two brilliant successive saves from Guglielmo Vicario. He kept out both Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson, although the former’s decision to dwell on the ball that bit too long would doubtless influence his next chance. That only came after the game turned, from referee Simon Hooper overturning a big decision. Curtis Jones had gone in rashly on Yves Bissouma but the lack of reaction from the players seemed to vindicate the official’s initial decision that it was no more than a yellow. On reviewing the footage, though, Hooper felt he had no choice but to send Jones off. Liverpool’s impetus started to go. Luis Diaz still turned the ball in but his fine finish was ruled out for what ended up looking the most marginal of offsides. That felt like it changed Liverpool’s mindset even more than the red card. Spurs sensed an opportunity and immediately went about creating one, then another and another. Postecoglou at one point reacted as if Bissouma missed a sitter when the midfielder merely hesitated on the ball and played a sideways pass. The Spurs manager wanted it forward much quicker. He eventually got that, and the sort of goal that Postecoglou no doubt sees as an ideal. A wondrous move at speed involved two luscious single touches from both Richarlison and Son, the Korean’s diverting the ball past Alisson. Liverpool could well have been furious with how the half had played out, but it partly played into their hands. The unusual amount of first-half stoppage time allowed another attack, from which Gakpo this time proved assertively decisive. With the ball headed down, he ensured he turned on time, lashing the ball past Vicario. He was almost too decisive, though. Appearing to over-extend himself to make the shot, Gakpo was visibly in pain as he celebrated, and then went off at half-time. His replacement, Jota, got much less time on the pitch, after almost negligible time between two yellow cards. Just 22 minutes after coming on, the Portuguese received a first booking before immediately fouling Destiny Udogie for a second. That only deepened the inevitable pattern of the game, which was Spurs controlling all play near Alisson’s area, and Liverpool looking to counter. The goalkeeper was on supreme form, probably surpassing Vicario with the pass of the match as he kept out James Maddison’s viciously swerving effort. He’d had so many individual moments of sparkling creativity that it felt a winner could come from there. Mohamed Salah’s breaks meanwhile felt the best source of a Liverpool goal, only for Klopp to take him off. From that point, it was always too much of a stretch to create a chance. Liverpool had to expend too much energy on defending against two more players. There was, inevitably, always one man over. In the very final seconds, after it looked like Liverpool had weathered the storm, that man was Porro. He drilled the ball across, more in optimism rather than real accuracy. It was enough. Matip tried to clear only for the ball to fly past Alisson into the top corner. Spurs surge past Liverpool in the table. It might take Liverpool a while to look past this one. Read More Ange Postecoglou hopes key duo will be fit to face Liverpool Ange Postecoglou had a love of Liverpool as a youngster but says ‘things change’ Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Why new-look midfields will decide Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham Football rumours: Ivan Toney can leave Brentford if the price is right I don’t understand handball rule – Spurs’ Ange Postecoglou bemused by penalty

Liverpool have been told they should have had the opening goal of the match in their late 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, after a “significant human error” during the VAR process which should have checked the offside call initially given. The Reds were down to ten men at the time after Curtis Jones’ red card - and would finish with nine as Diogo Jota followed - but Luis Diaz ran through to beat Guglielmo Vicario to score what he thought was the first of the match. An offside flag denied him and referee Simon Hooper blew the whistle to cut celebrations short, but replays showed Diaz looked onside - only for VAR to erroneously uphold the decision. A statement released shortly after the match by the sport’s referee organisation acknowledged that shouldn’t have been the case and although no specifics were offered, relayed that another full review would be launched. “PGMOL acknowledge a significant human error occurred during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool,” it read. “The goal by Luis Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials. This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene. “PGMOL will conduct a full review into the circumstances which led to the error.” Manager Jurgen Klopp dismissed the review as irrelevant to his team after the decisions contributed to his team’s defeat, while also making reference to an incident earlier in the campaign under the same referee, where Wolves were denied a late penalty when Andre Onana should have been penalised for a clear foul. That incident ended in referee Hooper being stood down immediately into the new season, but he has since returned for three Premier League games. “How’s the statement help now? We had the situation in the Manchester United game and did Wolves get points for it? No. And we will not get points for today,” Klopp said. “So it doesn’t help. Nobody expects 100 per cent right decisions on-field. “We all thought when VAR came in it might make things easier, but I don’t know why people in VAR… are they under that much pressure? “The decision was made really quickly. It changed the momentum of the game. I knew at half-time, in the first moment I saw it’s a clean onside. “With normal, normal pictures, easy to see, but pretty sure that whoever did that made a decision. didn't do it on purpose.” Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Son Heung-min’s opener shortly before half time, only for Liverpool’s Joel Matip to score an own goal deep into injury time to hand Spurs the points. Read More Spurs take their fortune as Liverpool are left with only fury and frustration Man City failed to execute their ‘process’ in defeat at Wolves – Pep Guardiola Rob Edwards ‘very, very proud’ of Luton after landmark Premier League win Spurs take their fortune as Liverpool are left with only fury and frustration Man City failed to execute their ‘process’ in defeat at Wolves – Pep Guardiola Rob Edwards ‘very, very proud’ of Luton after landmark Premier League win

USC survives a tough battle against Colorado, while Penn State pulls away and Florida suffers an upset. Get all the details and see how the Top 25 rankings could shift.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited has acknowledged a “significant human error” occurred during Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Liverpool after a Luis Diaz effort in the 34th-minute was incorrectly ruled out for offside. Spurs claimed a dramatic three points after Joel Matip turned Pedro Porro’s cross into his own net in the sixth minute of stoppage time to continue the hosts’ flying start under new boss Ange Postecoglou. Referee Simon Hooper sent off Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota either side of half-time, but Liverpool were left aggrieved by the first-half decision to rule out a Diaz 34th-minute effort. Mohamed Salah played Diaz through and the Colombian rifled into the bottom corner, but the offside flag was raised and a quick VAR check by Darren England at Stockley Park deemed the Liverpool attacker was offside. Still images of the incident appeared to show Cristian Romero play Diaz onside and Spurs took the lead two minutes later when Son Heung-min poked home. Cody Gakpo did level before half-time, but Matip’s last-gasp own-goal inflicted a first Premier League defeat of the season on Jurgen Klopp’s men. “PGMOL acknowledge a significant human error occurred during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool,” a PGMOL statement read. “The goal by Luis Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials. “This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene. “PGMOL will conduct a full review into the circumstances which led to the error.”

Tottenham celebrated another jaw-dropping 2-1 stoppage-time victory as Joel Matip’s own goal finally broke nine-man Liverpool’s resistance. Saturday evening’s box office battle pitted together exciting, resurgent sides that had both begun the new Premier League season unbeaten having bounced back from chastening campaigns last term. Jurgen Klopp’s men were seconds away from leaving north London with a fantastic point after Cody Gakpo cancelled out Son Heung-min’s opener in a match which saw the visitors have two players sent off. Curtis Jones and half-time introduction Diogo Jota were sent off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Spurs finally beat Liverpool at the fifth time of asking. Just like in their last home game against Sheffield United a fortnight ago, Ange Postecoglou’s men triumphed thanks to a stunning stoppage-time conclusion. This time it was Liverpool defender Matip providing the key touch, inadvertently turning home Pedro Porro’s cross to spark wild celebrations in the sixth minute of added time. It was a fitting end to a breathless encounter, which had started in an intense, open fashion. Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister had attempts for Liverpool before Dejan Kulusevski failed to reach Richarlison’s tantalising cross at the other end. Spurs were looking dangerous but Liverpool were getting more shots aways, with home goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario receiving an ovation after denying Gakpo and Andrew Robertson. The helter-skelter theme continued before the dynamics shifted on a VAR review in the 26th minute. Jones had been booked for a poor, clumsy challenge that saw his boot go over the ball and plant in Spurs midfielder Yves Bissouma’s shin. Referee Simon Hooper was advised to watch the challenge back and, after reviewing it, upgraded the card to red. There was a collective gasp inside the stadium when the replay was shown on the big screen, but Liverpool did not appear happy with the decision. James Maddison saw a shot held and Richarlison lasered over as Tottenham attempted to capitalise on their numerical advantage, only for the Reds to seemingly make the breakthrough. Mohamed Salah did well under pressure to slip through Diaz to strike across Vicario and into the far corner of the net, sparking wild celebrations in the away end that continued long after offside was called. The travelling support eventually realised it had been ruled out, and to add to their disappointment, then had to watch the home fans around them go wild as Spurs took a 36th-minute lead. Maddison slipped Richarlison behind with an excellent pass and the former Everton forward’s smart first-time squared pass was turned home from six yards by skipper Son. Spurs smelt blood and Richarlison drilled in a low shot which struck the post and overconfident Son shot rather than passed to Maddison. It looked a poor decision rather than a costly one until the fourth minute of stoppage time, when Liverpool equalised after Virgil van Dijk’s header back across goal was controlled by Gakpo and struck home on the turn. The goalscorer hurt himself in the process and did not return for a second half that Liverpool could have started in the lead, had Diaz met Salah’s exquisite pass just before the break. Postecoglou’s outfit returned with the bit between their teeth and it looked a case of when rather than if they would score as they laid siege to Liverpool’s goal. But Alisson was in inspired form between the sticks, stopping Maddison finding the top left-hand corner from 20 yards in the 49th minute before tipping over Son’s volleyed snapshot two minutes later. The Liverpool goalkeeper also dealt with a Pape Matar Sarr strike down the throat and was saved by an offside decision when Maddison fed Richarlison to cross for what would have been Son’s second goal of the night. Tottenham’s pressure was unrelenting and the incline on the visitors’ uphill battle increased in the 69th minute. Half-time substitute Jota had just been booked for fouling Destiny Udogie and was soon handed a second yellow for trying to win the ball back from the Spurs left-back. Klopp made a triple change in a bid to tighten up against a Tottenham side struggling to break down the visitors. The away end was making more noise than the frustrated home faithful as the Reds looked set to hang on for a fantastic point in trying circumstances. But Spurs have a never-say-die attitude under Postecoglou and their patience paid dividends in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Cristian Romero played wide to Porro on the right and his driven ball was slammed into his own goal by Matip.

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City failed to properly execute their “process” and was keen to praise Wolves after his side’s 100 per cent start to their Premier League title defence ended with a 2-1 loss at Molineux. City went into the contest looking to make it seven league victories at the start of a campaign for the first time. But the treble-winners were condemned to defeat by Hwang Hee-chan’s 66th-minute finish, eight minutes after an early Ruben Dias own goal had been cancelled out by Julian Alvarez’s free-kick. City boss Guardiola, who watched from the stands as he served a one-match ban for picking up three yellow cards, said: “Congratulations Wolves, they defended really well. “We had our moments. We didn’t do properly our process, to attack (with) a little bit more fluidity and that’s why we struggled a little bit. “And the transitions – (Pedro) Neto (who was key for the first goal) was better than us, so they beat us in that situation. “When they defend that well, (Mateo) Kovacic or Ruben has to attack central defenders of the opponents and we didn’t do it, that was why it was more difficult. “The opponent played really good, defended really well, and after, when they contact with the players up front, they had the ability to keep it and drive and dribble and drop you. They are so strong. “Today some details didn’t happen, because it’s football, because the players, it happens, maybe I apply bad some decisions, I don’t know.” City’s starting line-up included Matheus Nunes, signed from Wolves last month, with it reported that he had stopped training with the midlands outfit ahead of the move. The Portuguese was the subject of boos and chants from the crowd during the first half before being brought off at the interval for Oscar Bobb. Guardiola said, when asked why he had made the change: “I needed more dynamic. Oscar is really good to find in small spaces, the creativity he has. “That was the reason why – not because he wasn’t playing not good at all. It’s just because I thought Oscar could give us something different.” On having to watch from the stands, Guardiola said: “The view is perfect. The problem is when you are banned and you are in the hotel. But they allow you to be here…in the Champions League it cannot happen. “I spoke before the game, half-time and after the game. During the game you can be involved in something, but not much.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mikel Arteta delighted to see Arsenal’s ‘human qualities’ after Kai Havertz goal Michael Beale uncertain of Rangers future after ‘terrible’ Aberdeen result Rob Edwards ‘very, very proud’ of Luton after landmark Premier League win