List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Rasmus Kristensen’s late equaliser rescued Leeds a point in a 2-2 home draw against Newcastle but it was not enough to lift them out of the bottom three. Kristensen’s deflected strike from outside the penalty area spared Leeds from a seventh defeat in nine matches, but their Premier League status was left hanging in the balance with two games to play. Skipper Luke Ayling had given Leeds an early lead and after Patrick Bamford’s first-half penalty was saved, Callum Wilson converted twice from the spot to edge Newcastle in front. Leeds made a blistering start in search of the opening goal Sam Allardyce had spoken about earlier in the week and his side delivered in the seventh minute. After Jack Harrison’s trickery set Bamford free down the left, the latter’s cross was met by Rodrigo’s header and although Nick Pope got down well to save, Ayling converted the rebound. Allardyce started with defender Robin Koch and Sam Greenwood in a new-look midfield and there was an energy and balance about Leeds that had been missing for several weeks. But having missed a golden chance to double their lead in the 27th minute they were made to pay. Bamford’s penalty was saved by Pope after Joelinton had hauled down Junior Firpo and four minutes later Newcastle equalised with a penalty of their own. Referee Simon Hooper pointed straight to the spot after Max Wober’s reckless challenge on Alexander Isak and Wilson duly converted his 16th league goal of the season. The plug had been pulled on the positive electricity generated by the home fans up to Bamford’s squandered penalty and all of a sudden Leeds looked ragged. Koch blocked Miguel Almiron’s cross at the near post, goalkeeper Joel Robles raced off his line to thwart Wilson after Joelinton’s through-ball and Almiron then curled a left-footed shot inches wide just before half-time. Wilson threatened again soon after the restart when his volley was deflected for a corner and Fabian Schar’s header was cleared off the goal-line by Rodrigo. Leeds also had their moments as the game opened up. Weston McKennie lashed a shot over the crossbar, but they were dealt a bitter blow in the 69th minute when Wilson converted his second penalty. VAR referred referee Hooper to the pitch-side monitor after Firpo’s handball from Willock’s deep cross and after pointing to the spot for the third time in the match, Wilson drove his penalty high down the middle. But with their top-flight status on the line, Leeds refused to surrender. Newcastle only half-cleared substitute Willy Gnonto’s corner and Kristensen crashed home a 25-yard shot via a deflection off Kieran Trippier to haul the home side level. With nerves fraying on and off the pitch in the closing stages, Firpo was sent off after his challenge on substitute Anthony Gordon earned him a second yellow card. And before the subsequent free-kick was taken a Leeds fan leapt from the crowd to confront Newcastle boss Eddie Howe before being dragged clear by match stewards. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mark Robins relishing play-off opportunity as Coventry ‘rise together’ Man Utd boss Marc Skinner fires FA Cup final warning to favourites Chelsea Eurovision has disrupted Man City’s schedule, Pep Guardiola says

Follow live coverage as Eintracht Frankfurt take on Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga today. Bayern Munich remain the team to beat in the German top flight with Julian Nagelsmann's juggernaut side 31-time winners of the competition. Boasting some of the best players in the world such as Sadio Mane, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer they are always favourites to retain their league crown. Rivals Borussia Dortmund traditionally push them the closest and have won the title five times, most recently back in 2012 under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Borussia Mönchengladbach were a force in the Seventies winning the league five times but are without a champion team since while Werder Bremen, Hamburg and Stuttgart are all multi-time winners too. RB Leipzig are the newest kids on the block and backed by energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull are now threatening to challenge for a first title of their own. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Follow live coverage as Union Berlin take on Freiburg in the Bundesliga today. Bayern Munich remain the team to beat in the German top flight with Julian Nagelsmann's juggernaut side 31-time winners of the competition. Boasting some of the best players in the world such as Sadio Mane, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer they are always favourites to retain their league crown. Rivals Borussia Dortmund traditionally push them the closest and have won the title five times, most recently back in 2012 under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Borussia Mönchengladbach were a force in the Seventies winning the league five times but are without a champion team since while Werder Bremen, Hamburg and Stuttgart are all multi-time winners too. RB Leipzig are the newest kids on the block and backed by energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull are now threatening to challenge for a first title of their own. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Follow live coverage as Bayern München take on Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga today. Bayern Munich remain the team to beat in the German top flight with Julian Nagelsmann's juggernaut side 31-time winners of the competition. Boasting some of the best players in the world such as Sadio Mane, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer they are always favourites to retain their league crown. Rivals Borussia Dortmund traditionally push them the closest and have won the title five times, most recently back in 2012 under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Borussia Mönchengladbach were a force in the Seventies winning the league five times but are without a champion team since while Werder Bremen, Hamburg and Stuttgart are all multi-time winners too. RB Leipzig are the newest kids on the block and backed by energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull are now threatening to challenge for a first title of their own. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Follow live coverage as Leeds United face Newcastle United in the Premier League today. It’s crunch time at both ends of the table and the hosts know they need a victory to keep their survival hopes realistically alive, with only three matches remaining including this one. Leeds sit 19th in the league, two points from safety, and can put pressure on the likes of Leicester and Everton later in the weekend if they pick up a result here. Newcastle, meanwhile, are third and need only seven points from four matches to guarantee a top-four finish - they’ll see this game as a real opportunity to take a huge step towards that, though need a reaction after being beaten by Arsenal last time out. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Michael Carrick will have no regrets that his illustrious playing career is over as he attempts to guide Middlesbrough through the biggest game of his managerial reign to date. The 41-year-old played in Champions League and FA Cup finals and won five Premier League titles during a trophy-laden spell at Manchester United, but on Sunday will stand on the touchline at Coventry as his Boro side looks to take a significant step towards the Sky Bet Championship play-off final. Carrick chose to launch the latest phase of his football journey in earnest when he took up the role of head coach at the Teesside club in October last year and – while the highs of his playing career remain at the forefront of his memory – he is finding the task hugely rewarding. Asked if he would rather be pulling on his boots on Sunday, he replied with a smile: “Those days are gone. “There are pluses and minuses comparing both. It’s incredible when you’re playing and you’re achieving and you have that sense of directly influencing a game like that and sensing the occasion. “But certainly being in the position I am and having that influence and being able to guide and steer things in a direction I’m comfortable with can be very rewarding.” In less than seven months under Carrick, Boro dragged themselves from 21st place to fourth and could now be just three games away from the Premier League, something which was far beyond the former England midfielder’s thinking the day he arrived at the Riverside Stadium. However, the excitement that rise has prompted is not lost on him. Carrick said: “I didn’t really have a target or a goal when first came in, it was more a case of trying to improve, trying to develop the team and seeing where it took us. “To see the children coming up to me in the street and chasing me on bikes down the street when I’m trying to go for a run and that energy and excitement that they’ve got is fantastic to see, and it’s how it should be.” Carrick started his path to a career in professional football at Boro as a schoolboy and rose to prominence at West Ham and then Tottenham. But it was under the tutelage of then United boss Sir Alex Ferguson that he honed his skills at the elite level and the Scot, who won 38 trophies during his time at the Old Trafford helm, remains a source of help and advice. Asked if he would speak to Ferguson in the run-up to the game, Carrick said: “Probably at some point. I speak to him quite a bit – not all the time, but quite a bit on and off. “He’s always there if I need to speak to him and giving me little bits of help along the way. “But it’s more of a friendship thing. It’s nice to have that ability to have somebody like that to speak to, of course it is.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Man Utd boss Marc Skinner fires FA Cup final warning to favourites Chelsea Eurovision has disrupted Man City’s schedule, Pep Guardiola says Everton have their edge back at the right time in relegation battle – Sean Dyche

Follow live coverage as Leeds United face Newcastle United in the Premier League today. Manchester City are reigning champions after beating Liverpool to the finish line in a neck-and-neck 2021/22 title race where a comeback win on the final day of the season against Aston Villa secured a fourth title in five years for Pep Guardiola's side. Jurgen Klopp's Reds were on course for a quadruple last season but were forced to settle for just an FA Cup and Carabao Cup win and will return trying to win the title again just as they did in 2020. It was a dramatic season for Chelsea a year ago with Roman Abramovich now replaced by Todd Boehly as owner in west London. He will want an instant return on his hefty investment at Stamford Bridge while Tottenham, back in the Champions League, will want to kick on once more too. It's not all about the action at the top though with Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest promoted to the top tier for 2021/22 and hoping to hold their own against the best English football has to offer and avoid the drop. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Marc Skinner insists Manchester United’s “rebels” are closing the gap on Chelsea going into the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday. Wembley is expecting a 90,000 sell-out crowd – a record for a women’s domestic club match – for the showdown between the top two teams in the Women’s Super League. United hold a one-point lead over Chelsea but Emma Hayes’ side have a game in hand and, with three WSL matches to play, are favourites to win a fourth consecutive title. Chelsea also have a firm hold on United with six successive victories against the Red Devils, including a potentially decisive 1-0 home win in March – the only time Skinner’s side have failed to score in 28 games this season. Skinner said: “We are getting closer. We remember the Chelsea game last time and I’m absolutely convinced – and we have got VAR this time – we should have had two penalties and you might be talking about the title race differently. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if you want to pick a favourite then Chelsea should be put on that mantle because they’ve done this before. “But the reality is we have a team of rebels and that might not be the fact on Sunday. “Single game, single focus, and we will try to accept all the psychological challenges and manage and adapt the best we can. We are there to try and win it.” Chelsea have been in fine form since bowing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage to Barcelona. They have beaten Liverpool, Everton and Leicester to narrow the gap on United and scored 15 goals in the process. “I’m sure the coaches of Leicester and Everton will be disappointed with the mistakes in those games that made it a little bit easier for Chelsea to score those (13) goals,” said Skinner, who has labelled Blues top scorer Sam Kerr a “machine”. “But they did score them and they are deadly. We’ve got to make sure we keep that to a minimum. “Chelsea create chances in every game they play, so we’ve got to hurt them at the other end. “If we do that, and play to that mentality, then it’s going to be a really exciting game. “We know we can beat Chelsea and that’s not saying we’re going to beat Chelsea because we know how difficult that is. We’ve got to trust our process of play.” The United team were only formed in May 2018 and this is their first final. But England Euro 2022 heroes Alessia Russo, Ella Toone and Mary Earps, as well as Norwegian midfielder Vilde Boe Risa, have won every single final they have played in. Toone also scored against Brazil in the 2023 Women’s Finalissima last month, which England won on penalties with Earps proving a shoot-out heroine. Asked if United had practised penalties ahead of Sunday, Skinner said: “Absolutely. It would be remiss not to do that. We’ve been doing it over the last few weeks. “Mary’s experience will be massive, but we can’t win this on individuals’ experience. We have to do it as a collective, because we’re going to have to suffer.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Eurovision has disrupted Man City’s schedule, Pep Guardiola says Everton have their edge back at the right time in relegation battle – Sean Dyche Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton

Everton manager Sean Dyche believes his side have got their “edge” back at just the right time. A surprise 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday has raised hopes of escaping relegation and he knows that ability to find something extra will be crucial as they host Premier League leaders and treble-chasers Manchester City. Dyche took over a side at the end of January that had lost eight of nine matches but after the initial bounce a new manager occasionally brings, beating Arsenal and Leeds in his first three games, results tailed off again. The team had registered just one win in 11 before victory over the Seagulls but Dyche thinks that result – after encouraging signs in their previous outing in a 2-2 draw at Leicester – shows that much sought-after X-factor is returning. “I looked at some of the performances, the body language, intent and meaning behind the performance and in some way, I thought some things were lacking,” he said. “We’ve adjusted that side of it, the purposefulness of the side, some of the quality moments, some of the defensive side but the actual feel of the performance and mentality of the performance has grown. “Watching the intent, body language and desire of a team, it’s hard to explain, but I know it when I see it, I’ve been in the game all my life. “You get stats – our team and their team – and it can look like there’s nothing in it, but there’s a big difference in body language intent and desire from those stats. “Compared to some of the performances since I got here, that kind of edge has improved.” Everton’s win over Brighton was a huge morale boost but facing City, even at Goodison Park, is a daunting task for a side who probably require at least one more win from their remaining three games to extend their top-flight status into a 70th successive season. And while time is running out to save themselves, as they did on the penultimate game of last season, Dyche is keen to change the view on the significance which has been placed on coming good when it is needed at the end of a campaign. “The thing I’m trying to get to here is that every single game should matter. Every single game should be the most important one. We are trying to build that momentum,” he added. “I’ve never believed in ‘the business end of the season’. The first game should be the business end of the season because that might be the one that wins you a title, gets you promoted or keeps you in a division. “If you take big games along the way then fantastic – it’s great for you, great for the team, great for the prowess of the club and the badge, great for everything. “But that should be the mentality on day one, not just because you’re playing Man City and it’s near the end of a season. “We are trying to adjust that, it is a longer-term thing, but that is my belief. Of course it is a fantastic occasion to take on one of the biggest teams in terms of winning trophies, but that doesn’t make it easier.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season

Pep Guardiola is wary of an Everton side he feels should not be in a relegation battle. Guardiola takes treble-chasing Manchester City to Goodison Park on Sunday for a match crucial at both ends of the Premier League table. Leaders City need points to retain their advantage over title rivals Arsenal while the Toffees are battling for survival. Everton have endured a miserable campaign but they dramatically boosted their hopes of beating the drop by claiming a stunning 5-1 win at European hopefuls Brighton on Monday. “They have the history and the quality of team to not be in this position,” said City manager Guardiola. “Brighton is one of the toughest places to go and the result had a real impact, I am sure, not just in the table but in their mood. “Brighton have had incredible results against Wolves and Man United but immediately they were surprised by two early goals. “The defensive structure, the physicality Everton have, is really good and anything can happen in a football game.” The importance of the fixture means City cannot afford to ease up ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid next Wednesday. The champions played out a 1-1 draw with the Spanish giants at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday. The challenge facing them at Goodison will be completely different and Guardiola recognises it requires a change of mindset. “The way they play is special, we have to adapt as quickly as possible,” he said. “There are four games left in the Premier League and it is really important for us to be there, to keep our destiny – or what you play for – in our hands and we have to prepare as best as possible. “When we play for all competitions, you have to switch and adapt.” The human being can have incredible energy that you don't believe you have. Pep Guardiola Guardiola admits his side’s current schedule is draining but, with the team still firing on three fronts, he expects their determination and winning mentality to carry them through. He said: “Winning helps to be better. It you win the previous game your mental recovery is better. “The human being has incredible resources to move forward, keep going. If you desire mentally, the human being can have incredible energy that you don’t believe you have.” City will check on the fitness of defender Nathan Ake, who missed the game in Spain through injury. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season On this day in 2006: Liverpool win thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham

Roberto De Zerbi expects Brighton to lose key players in the summer but does not feel Moises Caicedo has added incentive to impress during Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal. Influential midfielder Caicedo expressed his desire to leave Albion amid January bids from the title-chasing Gunners but subsequently signed a new contract at the Amex Stadium after the offers were rejected. The 21-year-old Ecuador international and Argentina’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, 24, continue to be heavily linked with rival clubs ahead of the transfer window opening next month. Seagulls head coach De Zerbi has already begun planning for next season, having last week clinched the signing of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Watford for a reported fee of almost £30million. The Italian is braced for some big-name departures in the coming months but wants his squad fully focused on a tricky weekend trip to Emirates Stadium and the ongoing push for Europe. “I don’t know what will happen next season but I think if you want to improve your team, you have to decide (make plans) before the next season,” he said. “I think we will lose some important players and we have to be ready to restart stronger than this season.” Asked if Caicedo has extra motivation to perform in north London, De Zerbi replied “No, I think no. “He’s playing for Brighton now and only Brighton. I have no doubts but I want only players focused in our team and our club. “He’s playing very well. He always is one of the best players on the pitch.” Pedro’s imminent arrival in a club-record deal was confirmed before Brighton’s Europa League quest was damaged by a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of relegation-threatened Everton. De Zerbi believes the transfer is a statement of intent as Albion bid to build on the best league campaign in the club’s 122-year history. “Joao Pedro is a very important signal,” he said. “I spoke with him last month and I am really pleased to work next year with him. I think Joao Pedro can be a top player for us. “He’s a young player and he’s a right player for us. It’s a good deal for Brighton.” Brighton have injury concerns ahead of the trip to the capital, with Solly March and Adam Webster joining Tariq Lamptey, Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder and Jeremy Sarmiento on the sidelines, while Joel Veltman is a doubt. Webster’s absence should result in a recall for on-loan Chelsea defender Levi Colwill. Although England Under-21 international Colwill is expected to remain at Stamford Bridge next term, De Zerbi hopes to keep hold of him. “I would like to work with him another two, three, four years because it’s difficult to find another left centre-back with his quality,” he said. “He’s a good guy. This year his improvement has been fantastic and I hope he can stay with us.” Seventh-placed Brighton will bid to dent Arsenal’s title pursuit by bouncing back from Monday’s embarrassing heavy loss to the lowly Toffees. While De Zerbi is a big admirer of Mikel Arteta’s men, he is optimistic about registering a second away win of the season against the Gunners following November’s 3-1 Carabao Cup success. “Arsenal are one of the best teams in the Premier League,” he said. “They play in a clear way. I like them in terms of style of play, I love this style. “But we are playing well and we have the quality to reach the result. “We are fighting for the Europa League. If you are fighting for a dream, every game is tough.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season On this day in 2006: Liverpool win thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is delighted his players have finally been able to show some of their best form before the end of the season. An inconsistent campaign has left the Reds with only an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League and only a run of six successive victories – their best sequence in over a year – has put them in that position. “We play a really bad season, I think everyone in this room agrees, and now we have 62 points. It is strange,” said Klopp ahead of Monday’s trip to Leicester. “There is still quality in the boys. I am really happy we could show up a little bit. Where it will end up it’s really not about that. “I know everyone wants to go to Champions League, I understand that 100 per cent as that’s what I want, it is just not really likely, that is the situation we created. “But to show up and show again we are able to do special things I am really happy about. “Winning six games in a row is special and if it was easy we would have done it much more often, other teams would have done it much more often. “Adding the seventh is even more difficult but eight and nine really difficult because it is football and other teams prepare well for the games and they have their own targets but this part of the season gave us a clear sign we are still there. Leeds 1-6 Liverpool Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest West Ham 1-2 Liverpool Liverpool 4-3 Tottenham Liverpool 1-0 Fulham Liverpool 1-0 Brentford “Not everything is bad about us and around us. We had a bad season but let’s see what we can make of it.” Part of Liverpool’s problem has been their woeful away record, which is only the ninth-best heading into the weekend. It has been boosted by recent wins at Leeds and West Ham which has given Klopp’s side the opportunity to win a third in a row away from home for the first time this season at Leicester. “Our away record is still not brilliant. This season I think we are third or fourth (they are second before this weekend) in the home table and ‘somewhere’ in the away table so it is still not great,” added Klopp. “But we had that discussion years ago, early when I came here, that at home we created something like a fortress but away we were not a top-six or top-four team at that time and we realised it is not that difficult, the difference is not as big as we might think. “But there is a difference and we have to make sure we are ready for that. We just were not consistent enough, we needed too much help from the outside in moments this season and didn’t use it then always. That’s why we are in the position we are in.” While the lack of Champions League football will be financially damaging next season Klopp is confident it will not impact his transfer plans. “It is not about that. When I talk to a player – if I am allowed, which is rarely the case – but you realise in his eye that he has already clarified (the situation),” he said. “We can’t tell anyone in the moment that we will definitely be in the Champions League next year so if we are talking to him then he already knows. Winning six games in a row is special and if it was easy we would have done it much more often, other teams would have done it much more often Jurgen Klopp “It is obvious that we have to fight for being part of the Champions League and trophies and if you want to be part of that you are more than welcome. “There is only one thing we can’t guarantee this year and that is Champions League football but all the rest is still the same, it is a fantastic football club. “It is still Liverpool, we are really attractive for a lot of players and we should not forget that and that’s why I’m not concerned about that factor. “Everything is more difficult without the Champions League, that is how it is especially in the long term, so we should not do these kind of things more often but apart from that it is absolutely OK the situation we are in.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi On this day in 2006: Liverpool win thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham