Tag: English Premier League

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CHRIS WOOD SET FOR NEWCASTLE MEDICAL

All Whites striker Chris Wood is reportedly on the verge of switching English Premier League clubs.

The Burnley frontman was reportedly set to undergo a medical at relegation rivals Newcastle United on Thursday (NZ time), Sky Sports UK reported.

Newcastle would pay a reported 25 million pounds ($NZ50 million) for the Wood, who is set to follow Kieran Trippier to the club after the England full back arrived from Atletico Madrid last week.

Newcastle are in need of attacking reinforcements with striker Callum Wilson out for eight weeks due to a calf injury.

Wood has scored three goals in 21 matches for Burnley in all competitions this season. The 30-year-old has played at a number of English clubs including Leeds United, Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Newcastle, who were taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October, are expected to further bolster their squad during in the January window in a bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Eddie Howe’s team are currently second from bottom with 11 points from 19 games. Watford, who occupy 17th spot just above the relegation zone, are on 13 points after 18 games.

Burnley are also on 11 points but have played two games fewer than Newcastle.

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SOUTHAMPTON DOMINATES BRENTFORD IN EPL WIN

Southampton earned its biggest Premier League win of the season by beating Brentford 4-1 with the south-coast club’s new owner in attendance on Tuesday.

Jan Bednarek, Armando Broja and Che Adams scored and Southampton added an own-goal from Brentford goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez in a match rescheduled from December because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Brentford squad.

Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt’s goal canceled out Bednarek’s fifth-minute header off James Ward-Prowse’s corner, but the home team went to halftime up 2-1 after the own-goal.

Southampton’s win in front of new majority owner Dragan Solak moved the team to 11th place — two spots and one point above Brentford. Solak’s Sport Republic recently purchased the 80% stake that was held by Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng.

It was the first time since 2017 that Southampton scored four goals at St. Mary’s stadium.

Brentford has lost three of is last four league games and visits Liverpool on Sunday.

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LIVERPOOL REOPEN TRAINING GROUND AFTER COVID OUTBREAK

Liverpool have reopened their first-team training centre after a 48-hour closure following a Covid outbreak among players and staff.

Preparations for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at home to League One side Shrewsbury will resume with assistant manager Peter Krawietz taking charge of the available players.

Krawietz will also undertake pre-match media duties with a press conference scheduled for 1pm on Saturday.

As the shutdown affected only the first-team area of the AXA complex, Liverpool’s youth teams have been able to continue training, with a number of the under-23s expected to feature against the Shrews.

Manager Jurgen Klopp and players Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino will have ended their isolation periods by the weekend, although it has yet to be confirmed whether any will be present at Anfield for the match.

Klopp’s other assistant manager Pep Lijnders is still absent, however, after testing positive on Tuesday night, with a number of other players and staff also remaining in isolation.

Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal was postponed due to significant availability issues and subsequent closure of first-team training, but has been rearranged for January 20.

In a statement Liverpool said: “After consultation with the relevant public health authority, operations have now resumed within the first-team set-up at the training ground.”

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NEWCASTLE MAKE KIERAN TRIPPIER FIRST SIGNING OF SAUDI OF SAUDI ERA FOR £12M

England international Kieran Trippier has become Newcastle’s first signing of the Eddie Howe era after completing his move from Atletico Madrid.

The 31-year-old full-back has moved back to the Premier League for an undisclosed fee, understood to be in the region of £12 million (€14 million) plus add-ons.

The former Tottenham defender has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and his arrival signals the launch of a new era under the Magpies’ Saudi-backed owners.

A club statement said: “Newcastle United are delighted to confirm the signing of England full-back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for an undisclosed fee.

“The 31-year-old has agreed terms on a two-and-a-half-year deal and becomes the first senior signing under the club’s owners and head coach Eddie Howe.”

Trippier, who was signed by Howe for former club Burnley during his spell in charge at Turf Moor, won LaLiga with Atletico last season but is relishing his return to England.

He said: “I’m delighted to be joining this fantastic club. I really enjoyed my time in Madrid, but when I became aware of interest from Newcastle United, and having worked with Eddie Howe before, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

“I’m aware there is a lot of work ahead of us, but I know the demands of Premier League well, and I know what an amazing club this is with very talented players. I can’t wait to get started, and I’m excited to step out at St James’ Park as a Newcastle player.”

The Bury-born full-back finds himself pitched into a top-flight survival battle with Newcastle, who entertain League One Cambridge in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

The Magpies sit just one place off the foot of the Premier League table and Howe will hope this is the first of a series of new recruits to help in that fight.

The head coach said: “I am really pleased to welcome Kieran to Newcastle United. I have long admired his abilities and have followed his career, so when the opportunity arose to secure him, we didn’t hesitate.

“A lot of hard work has gone into planning for the January transfer window long before the month began, which is clear in how quickly we have been able to complete this move.

“I would like to thank everyone involved, particularly our owners, and I’m very much looking forward to working with Kieran again on the training pitch.”

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VIRGIL VAN DIJK, FABINHO AND CURTIS JONES REJOIN LIVERPOOL SQUAD AFTER ISOLATING

Liverpool trio Virgil Van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones all rejoined the squad for training on Christmas Eve after their Covid-19 isolation came to an end.

All three have been out since missing the 3-1 win over Newcastle on December 16 having testing positive but were pictured back with their team-mates.

The postponement of Liverpool’s match on Sunday due to coronavirus issues within the Leeds squad gives those players additional time to get back up to speed before the trip to Leicester on December 28th.

Midfielder Thiago Alcantara is unlikely to feature at the King Power as he remains in isolation, while the knock-on effect of rescheduling the Leeds match means left-back Andy Robertson will now miss the January 2nd clash at Chelsea as he will be serving the final match of his three-game ban for a red card at Tottenham last weekend.

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BURNLEY-EVERTON LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE GAME TO FALL DUE TO COVID-19

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 9, 2008: An Everton club flag flies over the floodlights at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Burnley’s Boxing Day clash with Everton has been postponed due to the number of coronavirus cases in the Toffees’ squad.

Everton had an initial request to postpone the game rejected on Thursday despite boss Rafael Benitez claiming he only had nine fit outfield players.

Everton confirmed in a brief statement: “Our Premier League fixture at Burnley on Boxing Day has been postponed due to the number of COVID cases and injuries in our squad.”

The Premier League said it had taken the “regrettable” decision to postpone the game following a meeting of its Board on Friday morning.

It said in a statement: “The Board reviewed the club’s request today to postpone the match following further injuries to their squad.

“They concluded that the club will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend as a result of an insufficient number of players available to play due to Covid-19 cases and injuries.”

Benitez said on Thursday that he was “surprised” the game had been expected to go ahead, after two Boxing Day matches – Liverpool v Leeds and Wolves v Watford – were postponed due to Covid cases.

His squad endured a Covid outbreak following the game against Chelsea on December 16, while a number of top players including Richarlison and Andros Townsend are injured.

Benitez said: “With the injuries and the positives that we have, we were expecting that the game would be postponed.

“Like in a lot of other games (to be postponed) to try and keep the integrity of the league, because you are losing so many players.”

Meanwhile Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has described Thursday’s meeting between the Premier League and all 20 top-flight bosses as a waste of time and likened the league’s governing body to a brick wall.

Rising Covid-19 cases in England’s top-flight saw all managers and head coaches come together for a virtual meeting with the division to discuss the ongoing situation in addition to the congested fixture list and other key issues.

Numerous matches have already been postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks and managers have repeatedly highlighted a lack of player welfare, including Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola suggesting a players’ strike may be the only way to draw attention to it.

But the online chat proved pointless for Conte, who said: “If I have to be honest, it was a meeting that we tried to speak and some coaches tried to speak, to ask about solutions but I think everything was decided.

“I think yesterday it was a wall and for this reason I also prefer to not go into it.”

Asked if it was a waste of time, the Italian added: “I think so. Because when you have a wall in front of you, you can speak and ask what you want but every decision was (already) taken.”

Spurs, who have just returned from an enforced two-week break due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club, are set to host Crystal Palace on Sunday before they visit Southampton on Tuesday.

Conte admits rotation will be key, adding: “It is not easy for us, it is not easy for all the teams to play after only one day is not simple.

“You have to manage the situation very well because the risk to lose players for injuries, so we have to pay great attention, especially my team.

“Don’t forget we had half our squad with Covid and in previous press conferences I said that when you take Covid, then you have to live with this situation for two to three weeks after you finished with Covid.

“We have to try to manage the situation very well because for sure physically the players with Covid (previously) are not 100 per cent fit.”

Norwich head coach Dean Smith feels it is “lunacy” to expect teams to play two games in 48 hours.

The Canaries’ Premier League match at West Ham was called off last weekend because of the ongoing Covid-19 issues, with just four of the scheduled 10 top-flight games able to be played as scheduled.

Norwich are set to host Arsenal on Sunday, and then play Crystal Palace on December 28.

Smith, though, believes that is an unreasonable expectation.

“We have some fresh cases, but we have got others coming back. We are not sure how many will miss Boxing Day,” he said.

“We are having to push rehab forward and people are breaking down in rehab because of that, it is asking massive questions of everybody’s squads at the moment.

“It is lunacy that we are having to play two games in 48 hours and there has got to be a question about the integrity of the competition when teams are playing weakened teams against other teams and it is affecting league positions.”

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CHELSEA LOSE GROUND WITH WOLVES DRAW

Chelsea lost ground on leaders Manchester City following a goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Wolves were on top in the first half but could not find a breakthrough goal.

Daniel Podence tapped in at the far post on 16 minutes but the goal was ruled out as Raul Jimenez was offside. Edouard Mendy then saved Leander Dendoncker’s close-range header before half-time.

Chelsea controlled possession for most of the second half but were left frustrated by the hosts.

Mason Mount was unable to stretch his scoring run to five matches as his shot from distance was blocked.

Jose Sa produced a big save to deny Christian Pulisic late on, getting a strong hand to thwart the American.

Consecutive draws mean Chelsea stay in third but they are now six points behind Man City. Wolves stay eighth with 25 points, three behind West Ham United in fifth.

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MARTINELLI AT THE DOUBLE AS ARSENAL BEAT LEEDS

Gabriel Martinelli scored his first Premier League brace as Arsenal eased to a 4-1 victory at Leeds United.

The Brazilian opened the scoring on 16 minutes at Elland Road, firing past Illan Meslier after Alexandre Lacazette had dispossessed Adam Forshaw in the area.

Martinelli then dinked the ball over Leeds’ advancing goalkeeper to double his and Arsenal’s tally in the 28th minute, before Bukayo Saka made it three with the help of a deflection three minutes before half-time.

An injury-hit Leeds, who lost Stuart Dallas during the first half, improved after the break and Raphinha gave a glimmer of hope to the home fans with a penalty after Ben White had fouled Joe Gelhardt.

However, substitute Emile Smith Rowe latched on to Martin Odegaard’s exquisite through-ball to finish and confirm Arsenal’s third straight league victory six minutes from time.

Arsenal stay fourth on 32 points, four ahead of West Ham United. Leeds, who had 15-year-old Archie Gray on the bench, are five points above the relegation zone in 16th.

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SON EARNS SPURS A THRILLING DRAW WITH LIVERPOOL

Son Heung-min gave Tottenham Hotspur a 2-2 draw in an enthralling match with Liverpool, who were reduced to 10 men in the second half.

Harry Kane slotted Spurs ahead on 13 minutes, his first home goal of the season, after Tanguy Ndombele had played him in.

Spurs had chances to increase their lead, the best of which coming when Alisson denied Dele Alli.

Liverpool levelled on 35 minutes, when Diogo Jota headed in Andrew Robertson’s cross.

Alisson made an incredible close-range stop to deny Kane before Liverpool went ahead on 69 minutes when Robertson nodded in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross.

However, Spurs levelled five minutes later when Alisson’s mistake allowed Son to roll the ball into an empty net.

Liverpool had to protect their point after Robertson was sent off with 13 minutes left to play for a reckless challenge on Emerson Royal.

Spurs extend their unbeaten run to five matches and stay seventh with 26 points, six behind Arsenal in fourth with three fixtures in hand.

Liverpool remain second but are three points behind leaders Manchester City.

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MOHAMED SALAH ON TARGET AS LIVERPOOL EASE TO VICTORY OVER NEWCASTLE

Liverpool made light of the Covid-enforced absences of Virgil Van Dijk and Fabinho to comfortably beat struggling Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield and become the first English side in history to register 2,000 top-flight victories.

Mohamed Salah equalled Jamie Vardy’s record of providing a goal or an assist in 15 consecutive Premier League appearances with his 22nd strike of the season after Diogo Jota had equalised former Reds midfielder Jonjo Shelvey’s early effort.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made sure of the three points during the unnecessarily tense closing stages with a 25-yard blast.

Salah now has 24 Premier League goal involvements this season (15 goals, nine assists) and only only Alan Shearer, in 1994-95, has more (25) before Christmas.

Liverpool also set yet another club record of scoring for a 32nd successive game in all competitions, beating their previous best from January 1958.

Victory moved Jurgen Klopp’s side back to within a point of leaders Manchester City, edging three ahead of Chelsea after they could only draw at home to a severely-weakened Everton.

Rumours circulating all day about a coronavirus outbreak in Liverpool’s squad were confirmed shortly before 7pm when it was announced Van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones had all tested positive.

With some prescience Klopp, in his programme notes, had written about the pandemic and his support of the vaccination process, saying: “Ignore those who pretend to know. Ignore lies and misinformation. Listen to people who know best. If you do that, you end up wanting the vaccine and the booster.”

It did not help his present predicament, however, although he admitted before kick-off with only three players down there was never any chance they would ask for a postponement.

And why would he when he was able to bring in £36million summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Jota, for his 50th appearance for the club.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe looked to have one eye on damage limitation as he surprisingly rested leading scorer Callum Wilson.

What was even more of a surprise was the visitors taking the lead as Thiago Alcantara had a minute to forget.

His mis-kick deep in enemy territory ended with him feebly clearing a cross inside his own penalty area straight to Shelvey, who wrong-footed an unsighted Alisson Becker from distance.

Shelvey ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the visiting fans. Klopp gave a wry smile.

Liverpool’s immediate response saw Sadio Mane hit a post, only to be flagged offside, Konate plant a free header wide and Andy Robertson fire into the side-netting.

But then they struck twice inside five minutes – although their equaliser was bitterly contested by Newcastle.

With Isaac Hayden down in the six-yard area after a corner Mane swung over a cross which Jota headed goalwards and then pounced on the rebound from Martin Dubravka.

Howe and a number of his players were furious the game was not halted, and referee Mike Dean’s decision not to stop the action again in the 25th minute led to another goal, although this time his judgement could not questioned.

Just 95 seconds previously Allan Saint-Maximin had forced Alisson into a save after another of his quick counter-attacking runs but when Mane looked to have been fouled on the edge of Newcastle’s area Dean waved play on.

The Senegal international managed to get off a shot which Dubravka could only push out to Salah who ran in to fire past a Newcastle goalkeeper for the fifth successive time at Anfield.

Jota hooked over a volley and Salah, released by Oxlade-Chamberlain’s lobbed pass, rolled a shot past Dubravka and wide of the far post as Liverpool finished the half strongly.

There was not the same fluency after the break and only a perfectly-timed sliding Trent Alexander-Arnold tackle prevented Ryan Fraser having a clear shot, while Alisson struggled to get across to Shelvey’s free-kick as it whistled past his right-hand post.

Sensing their chance Howe sent on Wilson for the final 15 minutes, although it was for the injured Saint-Maximin.

Jota had a shot blocked on the line but there was no stopping Alexander-Arnold’s hammer blow which inflicted back-to-back defeats for Howe.