Tag: English Premier League

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DANNY INGS CLOSING IN ON VARDY FOR GOLDEN BOOT

The race for the Golden Boot is intensifying following the resumption of the 2019/20 season as the Premier League’s sharpest shooters battle it out.

After scoring twice in Southampton’s 3-1 victory at Watford, Danny Ings is now within a goal of Jamie Vardy, who currently leads the way on 19.

Ings has scored three times in his last three appearances, his form in sharp contrast to that of Vardy, who has only netted twice since 21 December.

Should he see off the challenge of the Leicester City striker and the other contenders, Ings would become the first Saints player to claim the Golden Boot.

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AHEAD LIVERPOOL CRYSTAL PALACE CLASH: RECORDS GIVE THE EAGLES ADVANTAGE

As Jurgen Klopp’s Reds welcome Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace, Liverpool may be one win delayed from their title crown.

As the premier league champions for the 2019/2020 season is only a question of when rather than who, Liverpool are faced by a team with the best form at the moment. The stats would amaze you, read below.

Liverpool have won five successive league games against the Eagles and scored 11 goals in the process.

Palace are the only team to have beaten a Jurgen Klopp-managed Liverpool side more than once at Anfield.

Crystal Palace’s three most recent league wins over the Reds have all been at Anfield – in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if they beat Crystal Palace and Manchester City fail to win at Chelsea on Thursday.

The Reds have won only two of their past seven matches in all competitions (D1, L4).
They have dropped five points in their last three league games, more than they did in their previous 38 fixtures.

The Reds have won their last 22 league games at Anfield, the best ever winning home run in English top-flight history.

Liverpool are unbeaten in 55 home league matches (W45, D10) since a 2-1 defeat by Palace in April 2017.

Only five of the Reds’ league-high 13 clean sheets have come at Anfield.

Their record of 27 wins, two draws and one defeat is the best by any club after 30 matches in the history of the top five European leagues.

Palace are the Premier League’s in-form team with four straight wins, just one shy of their club record.

Fabinho could feature in his 50th Premier League appearance. The Brazilian has been on the winning side in 23 of his 24 Premier League games at Anfield.

Roy Hodgson’s side have lost seven of their 10 games against the clubs above them in the table (W1, D2).

Palace have equalled their top-flight club record of four successive clean sheets, previously set in 1970, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita not conceding a goal in 362 league minutes.

They have six points more after 30 matches of a Premier League season than they have ever had before.

They have scored a league-low nine first-half goals, with two of those coming at Bournemouth last Saturday.

The Eagles are unbeaten in all nine games in which top scorer Jordan Ayew scored this season (W7, D2).

Sadio Mané has scored 8 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace.

With the records pointing at Palace as a scary side to Title bound Liverpool, the crowning ceremony may be one game delayed.

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“WE DIDN’T HAVE THE RHYTHM”: KLOPP DISAPPOINTED WITH LIVERPOOL ATTACK IN MERSEYSIDE DERBY DRAW.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left disappointed with the lack of chances his team created after Sunday’s goalless draw at Everton in the Merseyside derby.

On their return after the three-month stoppage due to COVID-19, Liverpool found themselves frustrated by Carlo Ancelotti’s well-drilled Everton side.

Klopp was pleased with the way his team approached the match, in terms of their fitness and defensive solidity but was left frustrated by his forward players.

We didn’t have enough chances. Most of the time we were dominant but they had the biggest chance,” said Klopp, whose side survived a late scare when Tom Davies hit the post in the 80th minute.

“I liked a lot of things about our game but we didn’t have those moments in attack, we didn’t have the rhythm.

“Everton defended really well and we were not smart enough to use the space. That is normal when you start to play again. It was a real fight. Both teams showed they understand it is a derby. Intense, physical, all players were all in.

“The point is one we deserve. When I think of all the derbies here, they looked pretty similar. Everton were well organised so we had to run a lot but we looked fit and ready.”

The Premier League leaders need five points from their remaining eight matches to secure their first league title in 30 years.

Ancelotti said his team had stuck to their gameplan well.

“It was not an open game because we did not want an open game. The performance was good against a strong team. We showed good personality and character. A draw is fair,” said the Italian.

“We performed really well. We were focused, we sacrificed. We had opportunities to score at the end. Liverpool played a good game, they had more possession but defensively we were really good.”

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ARTETA DEFENDS HIS HIGH TEMPERED TEAM IN LOSS TO BRIGHTON

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta leapt to his players’ defence after Brighton striker Neal Maupay accused them of arrogance following a bad-tempered clash at the Amex Stadium.

The French striker emerged as the Seagulls’ match-winner, scoring a stoppage time winner to ease their relegation fears after Lewis Dunk equalised Nicolas Pepe’s sumptuous opener.

But the clash – and Maupay in particular – was submerged in controversy after Gunners keeper Bernd Leno was taken off on a stretcher with a serious knee ligament injury following a contentious mid-air collision with the Brighton striker.

Leno was clearly furious with Maupay – who revealed he apologised to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta at half-time – as he was carried off, angrily gesturing towards the Brighton star.

During the game Matteo Guendouzi was caught throwing an arm at Maupay which could leave the Arsenal midfielder facing retrospective action from the FA before the pair angrily clashed again during a mass confrontation between both sets of players after the final whistle.

The ugly scenes could leave both clubs in breach of the Premier League’s Covid-19 safety protocols that prohibit mass gatherings, like the one at full-time.

Maupay said: ‘I think the Arsenal players need to learn humility sometimes

They have been talking a lot in the first half and in the second half when they were 1-0 up – they got what they deserved.

‘I don’t think it (Leno’s reaction) was justified. At half time I went to apologise to Mikel Arteta I never meant to injure their keeper.

‘I just jumped to get the ball and when he landed he tweaked his knee. I apologise to the team and him as well. I never meant to hurt him.’

But in response to Maupay’s comments, Gunners boss Arteta said: ‘He can say whether he wants but I know my players and one aspect they don’t lack is humility.’

Nevertheless, Leno is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines amid fears he will miss the rest of the season, if not longer, with knee ligament damage.

But Arteta admonished Maupay of any fault, saying: ‘I believe no player has the intention to hurt anybody and I believe exactly the same in this case.

‘It was unfortunate. Yes, Bernd’s injury doesn’t look good, we have to assess it but things can happen on a football pitch. He was in a lot of pain.’

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ALAN SHEARER HAILS TYNE SIDE AFTER VICTORY OVER SHEFFIELD UNITED.

Newcastle United picked up a 3-0 win over Sheffield United at home today.

Goals from Matt Ritchie, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton secured a vital win for Steve Bruce’s side. Newcastle have now managed to complete a league double over the Blades this season.

The win leaves Newcastle 12th in the table, 11 points clear of the drop zone. It is safe to assume that the Magpies will stay in the Premier League next season.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United will be bitterly disappointed with their performance. They were excellent before the lockdown but their form has dipped since the resumption. They were held to a draw against Villa in their opening game post-lockdown and now a defeat leaves them seventh in the table.
Newcastle Legend, Alan Shearer took to his twitter handle yo show love to his boyhood club. He said…

“Well done lads, a great win”.

Newcastle are in the middle of a takeover and if they can finish this season strongly, it could give the potential new owners immense confidence while they prepare for the next year.

Also, it could give Steve Bruce a chance to hold on to his job. The Magpies have been linked with the likes of Pochettino and Benitez recently.

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Project Restart sets stage for Liverpool’s first English Premier League title

The English Premier League is set to return on Wednesday amidst a plethora of health protocols and empty stands after a forced three-month break which delayed Liverpool’s first league triumph since 1990.

With the implementation of ‘Project Restart’, the most-watched domestic league in the world will be back after the lockdown but in a way unknown to many. The Premier League returns on Wednesday after a three-month hiatus forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the United Kingdom’s death toll stands at 41,736 due to the virus, football’s return in the country has come with conditions applied. Stadium access will be limited to only 300 people which includes the players, managers, officials, staff, and unfortunately, no fans. Before leaving for a match, all players and staff must complete relevant checks for Covid-19 and report any symptoms.

Teams will take the field separately, not side-by-side, and games will feature drinks breaks midway through each half. There will be no pre-match handshakes between teams and no handshakes at the coin toss. There will be no ballboys or ballgirls and players will have to use spare balls placed around the pitch if a match ball goes into the stands.

None of the remaining 92 games will be played simultaneously. Players are expected to maintain social distancing norms while celebrating a goal and the list goes on. But the biggest change is the newly-applied substitution rule which will let teams have nine players on the bench and five eligible substitutes during a match, instead of the usual three.

With a 25-point lead over Manchester City, Liverpool look unstoppable on their way to winning their first Premier League title. If Arsenal beat City on the opening day of the restart, and Liverpool manage to win against Everton on Sunday, then the trophy can be brought home to Anfield.

If that doesn’t happen, Liverpool can instead secure their first league title since 1990 on June 24 if they defeat Crystal Palace. Considering that Jurgen Klopp’s men visit City’s Etihad on July 2 next, they might or might not receive a guard of honour, depending on the social distancing rules.

The season is going to be extra special for the Reds, as they are also aiming to shatter a number of records on the way. Liverpool need only 19 points from the 27 available to surpass the record tally of 101 for a Premier League season set by Pep Guardiola’s City in 2018. The Reds can also set a record of most number of wins in a season and even the biggest title win by points margin.

City are currently awaiting a decision from Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) on whether their two-year UEFA ban will be overturned. If the CAS does not rule in their favour, then Liverpool, Leicester City, Chelsea, and fifth-placed Manchester United are currently the top four teams to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is set to be one of the closest with six teams in threat. Having scored just 25 goals this season at an average of one-per-game, Norwich City (21 points) are at the bottom, six points away from safety. With tough fixtures like Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City still left for them, Norwich have a severe headache on their plate.

Standing on 19th is Aston Villa (25 points), who also have to face the traditional four of the top six (vs Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal). They boast the poorest defensive record in the league with 56 goals conceded in 28 games and will rely heavily on the services of Jack Grealish.

West Ham, Watford, and Bournemouth are the other three clubs fighting the relegation battle, all locked at 27 points at the bottom of the table and separated only by goal difference. Brighton also see themselves fighting the relegation battle, having failed to win a single match in 2020.

With no home support for the rest of the season, relegation-threatened clubs will be further in a turmoil after data produced by Gracenote from Bundesliga’s “ghost games” shows a radical shift where home advantage has been wiped out in empty stadiums.

ith 19 goals this season, Jamie Vardy is in firm position to win his first-ever Golden Boot after coming a close-second in Leicester City’s title-winning 2015/16 season. Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who won the Golden Boot last year, is just two goals behind. He has, however, said recently that he is at a turning point in his career and it will be a difficult decision whether to extend his contract at Arsenal or not.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and City’s Sergio Aguero follow closely at 16 league goals each. Southampton’s Danny Ings has been the surprise package of the season, scoring 15 goals. One below Ings are Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford — who is fit again after a back injury.

Top Matches

Manchester City vs. Arsenal (Wednesday, June 17)

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United (Friday, June 19)

Everton vs. Liverpool (Sunday, June 21)

Tottenham vs. West Ham (Tuesday, June 23)

Chelsea vs. Manchester City (Thursday, June 25)

Manchester City vs. Liverpool (Thursday, July 2)

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal (TBC)

Arsenal vs. Liverpool (TBC)

Liverpool vs. Chelsea (TBC)

West Ham vs. Aston Villa (TBC)

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FRESH PRESSURE ON SAUDI’S NEWCASTLE TAKE OVER AS PIRACY EVIDENCE IS RELEASED.

Fresh pressure has been put on the Premier League to reject a controversial £300m takeover of Newcastle by a Saudi-backed consortium after Fifa and Uefa heavily criticised Saudi Arabia for supporting a pirate service that illegally streamed football matches.

The forceful response from world and European football’s governing bodies came after the World Trade Organization ruled that the pirate beoutQ service was “operated by individuals or entities subject to the criminal jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia” and said the Saudi state had breached intellectual property rights by failing to tackle it.

The ruling, first revealed by the Guardian last month, also found that Saudi Arabia had repeatedly stopped sporting bodies, including the Premier League, from taking legal action against beoutQ there.

The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, is also the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is seeking a 80% stake in Newcastle. The WTO ruling will increase the scrutiny on the Premier League’s decision over whether to approve the takeover.

It is more than 10 weeks since the consortium contacted the league for approval – a process expected to take about 30 days. In the league’s owners’ and directors’ test there is a reference to digital piracy being a disqualifying factor and a clause requiring any prospective owner or director to have never provided “false, misleading or inaccurate information” in their dealings with the league. How closely the Saudi state and the Saudi PIF are aligned is being heavily investigated by Premier League lawyers.

The Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, declined to comment but in a statement Fifa condemned what it called the “active involvement and support that has been provided by Saudi Arabia in the past three years” for the beoutQ service.

“Fifa agrees with the WTO panel’s recommendations and demands that Saudi Arabia takes the necessary steps in order that it conforms to its obligations under the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement with immediate effect in order to protect legitimate media rights partners, such as BeIN, and also football itself,” it said.

“The WTO panel’s recommendations are clear and piracy of football matches is an illegal activity and will not be tolerated on any level.”

Uefa pointed out that beoutQ was hosted on Arabsat, based on Riyadh and majority Saudi-owned. “What is clear is that beoutQ’s broadcasts constitute piracy of Uefa’s matches and as such, are illegal. BeoutQ was hosted on frequencies transmitted by Arabsat and was promoted and carried out by individuals and entities subject to Saudi Arabia’s territorial jurisdiction. Piracy not only threatens that investment but also the existence of professional sport as we know it.”

The WTO report followed a complaint by Qatar over the piracy of its broadcaster beIN Sports, which holds the rights to show Premier League games in the Middle East.

In its evidence to the WTO, beIN claimed the Saudi government and senior figures had promoted piracy in “governmental tweets” and via giant screens in public gatherings during the 2018 World Cup.

BeoutQ has since been removed from Arabsat. However, beoutQ illegal set-top boxes which allow the streaming of major broadcasters, including Sky and BT, are still widely available across the region.

In a statement following the WTO ruling the Saudi Arabian government said it had a “strong record of protecting intellectual property and is committed to applying its national law and procedures in full conformity with WTO rules”.

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OGC NICE AGREE £2M FOR EVERTON MIDFIELDER

According to her official media outlet, Ligue 1 side OGC Nice have agreed a £1.8 million plus bonuses fee with Everton for the signature of midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Frenchman is set to undergo a medical next week and finally leave Goodison Park after struggling to impress in recent campaigns

Schneiderlin joined Everton from Manchester United in January 2017 for an initial £20 million rising to £24 million on a four-and-a-half-year contract, reuniting with ex-Toffees boss Ronald Koeman, whom he played for at Southampton.

The 30-year-old has played 73 Premier League games for Everton, appearing in 13 others across all competitions and scoring once.

While he struggled on Merseyside, Schneiderlin was a top player for Southampton, playing 261 games for them across the League One, Championship and Premier League, emerging as their Player of the Season in 2012-13 – their first season back in the top-flight.

Injuries and lack of form have prevented the France international from living up to expectations at Everton, and he will hope to recover his form back home with Nice.

The Toffees are taking a huge loss if the reports are true, but selling him for a fee is better than losing him for free next season, with only a year left on his current contract.

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LIVERPOOL PLAYERS TAKE THE KNEE IN TRAINING

Liverpool players took a knee around the centre circle at Anfield in a message of support following the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The picture, featuring 29 Reds players, was posted with the caption “Unity is strength. #BlackLivesMatter”.

Manchester United players Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford added their voices to worldwide protests against racism.

Protests have been held after Floyd, an unarmed black man, died on 25 May after being restrained by white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes to pin him down.

Chauvin has since been charged with his murder and sacked.