List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Manchester United’s worrying start to the season hit another bump as they suffered a second successive Premier League defeat at Old Trafford, going down 1-0 to Crystal Palace. Four days after they beat Palace in the Carabao Cup, United were unable to repeat the trick in the league as the visitors got revenge in style thanks to Joachim Andersen’s first-half strike. Erik ten Hag’s men piled the pressure on in the second half, with Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount all going close, but could not find a way through and suffered a fourth defeat from the opening seven league games. That makes it their worst start to a Premier League season in terms of games lost at this stage. It had looked like United were turning their season around after that League Cup win on Tuesday followed victory at Burnley last weekend, but they are having problems on home soil this season, with the pressure beginning to mount on Ten Hag. They were fortunate to beat Wolves and Nottingham Forest, where they had to come from 2-0 down, but were soundly beaten by Brighton and now lost to Andersen’s goal. The defender spanked a first-time effort into the top corner from a set-piece as his side scored in the opening 45 minutes for the first time this season. He then defended resolutely as United launched a second-half assault in search of the equaliser, but Palace stood up to the test to make boss Roy Hodgson the first manager to go five successive Premier League games unbeaten at Old Trafford. The game burst into life after 10 minutes with quickfire chances at both ends. First Marc Guehi glanced a header from Andersen’s cross just wide and then straight from the goal-kick, Hojlund was through on goal and prodded past Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, but Tyrick Mitchell was able to clear off the line. Marcus Rashford almost scored a wonder goal as he danced into the penalty area but his goalbound shot was blocked by Joel Ward. But Palace drew first blood in the 25th minute and in some style. Eberechi Eze’s cross made it through to the far post where Andersen sent a scorching first-time effort back across goal and into the roof of the net. It took a nick off Diogo Dalot but Andre Onana probably would not have saved it anyway. United, still striving for a really domineering home performance in the league, tried to respond and Casemiro flashed a 20-yard effort just wide before sending a header from a corner over. There was a deluge at the start of the second half as the rain poured down and Palace also had to weather a storm. The hosts came out flying after the restart and Johnstone, who came through the youth set-up at Old Trafford, needed to be on top form. First he did well to tip Bruno Fernandes’ 20-yard shot over and then, following a series of corners, palmed away Hojlund ‘s powerful header. Palace did carry a threat on the counter attack as Will Hughes stung Onana’s palms with a shot from distance while Eze rolled just wide after bursting forward. But the chances kept coming at the other end as Mount put a free header from Dalot’s cross over when he should have buried it and then Alejandro Garnacho’s cross was almost turned into his own net by Mitchell. Forgotten men Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek were thrown on in a desperate attempt to get something out of the game. United almost did as the near-misses kept coming until the end as Dalot’s deflected cross was cleared off the line before Garnacho’s shot was deflected just wide. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Wolves stun Manchester City to end the champions’ winning run at Molineux Luton celebrate landmark Premier League win to turn up heat on Everton Kai Havertz off the mark for Arsenal before Bukayo Saka goes off injured

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.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery feels there is a special atmosphere brewing at Villa Park after his side romped to a remarkable 6-1 win against Brighton. A hat-trick from Ollie Watkins and further strikes from Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz, as well as Pervis Estupinan’s own goal, helped Emery’s side secure a 10th successive league win at home. Despite Brighton’s Ansu Fati briefly reducing the deficit to 3-1 at the start of the second half, Villa were at their clinical best to leapfrog the Seagulls in the table and extend their winning streak at home. Emery said: “We have to feel something special at Villa Park and try to create a positive energy between us and the supporters and try to work on the pitch to connect with them. “We want to compete the same at home and away, we will need time to build the team to be consistent but at home we feel strong with our supporters and the energy the supporters are transmitting to us, we need to keep being consistent at home. “Ollie Watkins is committed to the club, he is very happy here and we are very happy with him, he works hard every day and tries to learn every day. He did very good work scoring goals and working defensively to help the team. “We have to be very demanding and try to improve every day, each match is going to demand different things, we have to be ready and be strong in our work to be successful.” Villa blew Brighton away with three quickfire goals in the first half as Watkins scored the opener on 14 minutes with a close-range finish before netting again on 21 minutes with a low effort past Jason Steele at his near post. Estupinan’s own goal on 26 minutes put Villa in command before Albion responded when half-time substitute Fati scored his first goal for the club five minutes into the second half. However, Watkins completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes with a deflected effort before Ramsey curled home on 85 minutes and Luiz rounded off the scoring seven minutes into injury time to inflict a heavy defeat on the Seagulls. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said: “Everything [went wrong], we played very bad. “It’s not a problem of our physical condition, first and foremost when we lose this type of game it’s my responsibility. If you lose 6-1, the biggest responsibility is of the coach. “We are not ready to compete and to play every three days, I’m trying to manage in different ways to keep the physical energy [up]. “The physical energy is not enough, in football you have to be ready to give your all and your best in the head in the mentality. We can’t lose every tackle, every duel and every second ball otherwise you lose the game in this way. “But I believe in my players because I have big confidence in the people inside of my dressing room, we are suffering a lot for this defeat but this can happen sometimes if you are not ready and you have to adapt quickly. “We have to learn. We are suffering, it’s a very bad day but maybe one of the most important days – we want to reach this level.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ollie Watkins scores hat-trick as rampant Aston Villa hit Brighton for six United States bid to stem tide of European domination at Ryder Cup Paul Wellens praises James Roby and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook as Saints progress

Tottenham host Liverpool in an early meeting of two unbeaten sides in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou’s side came from behind twice to claim a point at Arsenal in the north London derby last weekend and now face another big test in Jurgen Klopp’s resurgent Liverpool. FOLLOW LIVE: Team news and all the action as Spurs face Liverpool The Reds have won seven matches in a row in all competitions, including their last five in the Premier League. Liverpool won both games against Spurs last season but the hosts should be a different proposition under Postecoglou. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League fixture. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here and see the latest odds and tips for Tottenham vs Liverpool here. When is Tottenham vs Liverpool? The match will kick off at 5:30pm BST on Saturday 30 September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. How can I watch Tottenham vs Liverpool? It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with build-up only being shown on the latter from 5pm. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best 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. What is the team news? Tottenham forwards Son Heung-min and James Maddison both trained on Friday after they were taken off late on against Arsenal last weekend with injury concerns, so they are available for selection. Brennan Johnson has been ruled out, however, after he picked up an injury on his first Spurs start at the Emirates. Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit again for Liverpool and is set to return to the line-up. The Reds are still without Thiago while Stefan Bajcetic now has a minor calf injury. Predicted line-ups Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Solomon; Son Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Alliser, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz Read More Why new-look midfields will decide Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham Liverpool announce investment through new minority shareholder Premier League promised land turns into nightmare for new boys

Ollie Watkins scored a hat trick as Aston Villa routed Brighton 6-1 in the Premier League on Saturday. It was Watkins’ second hat trick of the season, having also netted three against Hibernian in the Europa Conference League in August. An own goal by Pervis Estupinan and strikes from Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz completed Villa’s win, while on-loan Barcelona forward Ansu Fati scored a consolation goal for Brighton. Both teams had enjoyed impressive starts to the season, with Brighton going into the game at Villa Park third in the standings. But Villa, which started the game in sixth, came out on top to inflict a third loss in four games in all competitions for Brighton. Watkins scored his first in the 14th minute and added a second in the 21st. Estupinan’s own goal in the 26th gave Villa 3-0 lead going in at halftime. Fati pulled one back for Brighton five minutes after the break, but it didn’t spark a comeback. Watkins completed his hat trick in the 65th, with Ramsey making it 5-1 in the 85th. Luiz piled on the misery for Brighton with a goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Read More Aston Villa players to keep wearing ‘wet’ kit despite complaints Aston Villa women ‘dreading’ WSL opener due to ‘wet kit’ design error

Matt O’Riley celebrated his new contract with a winner seven minutes into stoppage time as Celtic edged a 2-1 win over Motherwell after a dramatic finale at Fir Park. Blair Spittal had levelled for Motherwell two minutes earlier after substitute Luis Palma grabbed his first Celtic goal in the 87th minute. Fans were on the pitch after each of the late goals and missiles flew between the two sets of supporters after O’Riley’s winner. The game had been on a knife edge throughout and Scott Bain, deputising for the suspended Joe Hart, made two good saves while the game was goalless. O’Riley’s new four-year deal was announced on the morning of the game and he showed his worth by converting a cushioned volley at the back post following Greg Taylor’s cross. The victory set Celtic up for the visit of Lazio in the Champions League on Wednesday and delivered another blow to Motherwell, who have now suffered narrow defeats against the top three in successive weeks. Celtic had the bulk of the early possession but the only chances in the first quarter came from set-pieces. Spittal came close with an overhead kick and Liam Scales headed wide at the other end. Motherwell were looking solid and Kyogo Furuhashi curled wide from 22 yards when Celtic did manage to pass the ball through the lines. The home side had the best chance of the half when Spittal’s quick free-kick found Harry Paton’s run. Bain came out to block Paton’s shot with his foot and Celtic cleared the midfielder’s driven cross on the rebound. Liam Kelly made his only save of the first half from O’Riley after quick feet from Yang Hyun-jun before Spittal got Motherwell in behind again. However, Brodie Spencer could not find a final ball to capitalise. James Forrest replaced Yang at half-time and Celtic began to show more urgency in the final third. Taylor and Gustaf Lagerbielke could not make the most of half chances. Motherwell raised their own tempo in possession and had the ball in the net after Bevis Mugabi challenged Bain at a high ball. Stephen O’Donnell hit the ball off Mugabi on the lone before knocking home the rebound and the offside flag went up. Mugabi’s challenge might have been penalised anyway if the wing-back had netted first time. Taylor created Celtic’s best chance so far when he won the ball on the edge of the box and set up Daizen Maeda but the Japanese attacker shot over with only Kelly to beat. Motherwell responded and Theo Bair volleyed straight at Bain before the goalkeeper’s feet again came to Celtic’s rescue when he blocked Spittal’s effort following Callum Slattery’s through ball. The home side looked tired as the game entered the final 10 minutes and Kelly saved Forrest’s header after Palma’s cross. Then came the drama. Palma curled just inside the far post from just outside the corner of the box as the ball whipped in between defender Dan Casey and Kelly. Fans spilled on to the track from behind the goal in the Tommy McLean Stand. Motherwell found some energy and with plenty of players in the Spittal slotted into the far corner. Dozens of Motherwell fans were suddenly on the pitch and they were barely back in their seats when O’Riley struck and sparked an even bigger pitch invasion. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Effort and hard work is Wales’ ‘bread and butter’ at World Cup – Mike Forshaw Travis Etienne keen to ‘put on great show’ on Jacksonville Jaguars’ London trip France captain Antoine Dupont given go-ahead to return following surgery

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 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.

Here is your official college football viewing guide for the Saturday slate in Week 5. What games should you be watching? I've got you covered.

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 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.

Fulham boss Marco Silva talked up “quality” Chelsea midfield pair Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez ahead of the west London derby at Craven Cottage. Chelsea broke the British transfer record twice this year, signing Fernandez from Benfica for a reported £106.8million in January before beating Liverpool to confirm the transfer of Caicedo from Brighton for £115m in August. Silva spoke on how the pair’s price-tags reflect their ability and expects them to bring the fight to Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha on Monday. “Enzo joined in January and Caicedo in the summer as well,” Silva said. “They’re quality. We are talking about two players they almost spent £250 million on. “This speaks about the quality and about how much they wanted them in their squad. “Plus (Conor) Gallagher in the midfield, they have the quality, the energy, they have the organisation to create a very good fight with our midfield line and I think it will be a very good fight because they have that quality.” Alex Iwobi’s second-half strike during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third round 2-1 victory over Norwich was his first Fulham goal since his reported £22million move from Everton on deadline day. They have the quality, the energy, they have the organisation to create a very good fight with our midfield line Marco Silva on Chelsea's midfield Silva, who also signed Iwobi as Everton manager in 2019, spoke on the Nigeria international’s versatility and what he offers to his squad. “It was very good (Iwobi’s performance against Norwich),” Silva added. “He’s a player I know really well, he knows the Premier League so well and he’s mature. He has the quality, can play in many different positions and is a player that will give us the quality that we need in certain parts of the game. “He provides that extra energy as well. It was good for him to score on his first game in a Fulham shirt and I want to see more of him. “He’s going to be a really important player for us and I am pleased for him for starting his first game.” From Chelsea’s starting XI during their 2-1 loss at Fulham in January, Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah are the only remaining players at the club. Silva said: “They are different and we are different as well. I think the game is going to be completely different. We can have a look for some things, but it will be different. They have a different manager.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka add to USA woes with horror start to day two Europe look to extend Ryder Cup lead after keeping faith with foursomes pairs Ryder Cup day two: Europe aim to build on record-equalling start