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English Premier League 2021/22 Season Discussion

Despite the postponements, it still looks like an exciting Boxing Day of fixtures. Looking forward to the live coverage later this afternoon.
 
Crystal Palace will be without Patrick Vieira for Sunday's match at Tottenham after the manager tested positive for coronavirus.

The club made the announcement less than three hours before the 15:00 GMT kick-off, adding that assistant manager Osian Roberts would take charge.

On Friday, Vieira said the club had "a couple of cases" of Covid-19.

It is understood a request from Palace that Sunday's game be postponed was rejected by the Premier League.

"We can confirm that Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is self-isolating after returning a positive test for Covid-19, and will be absent from the touchline for today's match against Spurs," said the club.

Three Premier League fixtures on 26 December have been called off because of coronavirus: Liverpool v Leeds, Wolves v Watford and Burnley v Everton.

Aston Villa face Chelsea without head coach Steven Gerrard, after he tested positive for Covid-19 too.

In total, 13 games in England's top flight have been postponed in December because of the virus.

The most recent round of testing of top-flight players and staff revealed a record 90 positive tests, but Premier League clubs decided on Monday not to make any changes to the festive schedule.

At the meeting, clubs were advised that if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games.

Following a meeting between managers and the Premier League about coronavirus on Thursday, Vieira was one of several managers to voice concern, saying he "didn't understand what the conclusion" was, while Spurs boss Antonio Conte said it was like talking to a brick wall.

BBC
 
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59795735

Leeds United's Premier League game against Aston Villa on Tuesday has been postponed because of Covid-19 cases at the Yorkshire club.

Leeds' game at Liverpool on 26 December had already been called off.

A club statement said there had been no new Covid cases but the majority of those who had already tested positive were still isolating so there were not enough "recognised first-team players".

In total, 14 games in England's top flight have been postponed in December.

Premier League clubs decided on Monday to not make any changes to the festive schedule despite the most recent round of testing of players and staff revealing a record 90 positive tests.

At the meeting, clubs were advised that if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games. Leeds say they cannot meet these requirements.

A Premier League statement confirmed: "The board accepted the postponement application as the club does not have the required number of players available for the match."

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard was due to miss the game because he too is isolating with Covid-19.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Wolves v Watford and Burnley v Everton have been postponed because of the virus, while Crystal Palace will play without boss Patrick Vieira at Tottenham because of his positive coronavirus test.

The Premier League statement continued: "The league is aware that the decisions this week to postpone matches will disappoint supporters, and understands their frustrations at a special time of year when fans look forward to attending and watching football games.

"The league aims to provide as much clarity as possible, but unfortunately postponements sometimes have to be made at short notice, as safety is our priority. Where possible, the league will endeavour to keep supporters updated if matches become at risk on a matchday.

"While recognising a number of clubs are experiencing Covid-19 outbreaks, it is the clubs' and the league's collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible."
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https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59403652

Manchester City held off an unlikely Leicester comeback to clinch a ninth successive Premier League win in thrilling style and move six points clear at the top of the table.

It looked like the defending champions had wrapped up the points after only 25 minutes as they led a depleted Foxes side 4-0, with a penalty apiece by Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling on top of strikes by Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan.

Leicester had other ideas, however, with three goals in the space of 10 second-half minutes from James Maddison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho giving them hope.

A header by Aymeric Laporte restored order and gave the home side much-needed breathing space, before Sterling's second made sure of the points late on, but what had started out as a walk in the park will be remembered as a much sterner test for the league leaders.

With second-placed Liverpool not in action after a Covid outbreak forced the postponement of their game with Leeds, this was a chance for Pep Guardiola's side to open up a significant gap on their nearest rivals, and they were quickly into their stride.

The Foxes had already been fortunate to survive some fierce early pressure when they allowed De Bruyne time to bring down Fernandinho's hoisted pass into the area and he made no mistake with a precise finish.

Mahrez made it 2-0 from the spot soon afterwards when Youri Tielemans hauled down Laporte at a corner and Gundogan added a third after Kasper Schmeichel could only palm Joao Cancelo's cross into his path.

Sterling added a fourth after just 25 minutes, stepping up to take the penalty himself after Tielemans had chopped him down, and with the home side in such ruthless mood, it appeared it was just a case of how many more goals would follow.

Instead, it was Leicester who provided the sparkling attacking play after the break, and for a while a remarkable fightback looked on the cards.

The Foxes' first goal was down to a slip by Oleksandr Zinchenko, allowing Maddison to dart clear, exchange passes with Iheanacho and slot home.

Iheanacho set up their second goal too, this time sliding Lookman clear to fire past Ederson, before getting on the scoresheet himself to continue his side's comeback.

Ederson did well to tip Maddison's shot onto the bar but the rebound fell kindly for Iheanacho, who made no mistake from close range.

That stunned everyone inside Etihad Stadium, including the travelling Leicester fans who had been chanting in jest about winning 5-4 when their first goal had gone in.

Manchester City's wobble did not last long, however, with Laporte rising to nod home Mahrez's corner five minutes later, and Sterling was in the right place to turn in a Ruben Dias knockdown before the end of a remarkable match.

Manchester City have torn plenty of defences apart in recent weeks - going into this game they had scored 24 goals during their run of victories, including a 7-0 thrashing of Leeds - so their latest display of scintillating attacking play was not exactly a surprise.

What was unexpected was the response that followed from a Leicester side missing many of their regulars because of injury, and how easily they found a way through their hosts.

Guardiola's side have the best defensive record in the country, but for a spell in the second half they were left chasing shadows and ended up conceding as many goals in 10 minutes as they had in their previous eight league games.

Leicester could have had more too - their manager Brendan Rodgers leapt into the air when Marc Albrighton headed wide from close range with the score at 5-3, because he thought it was in.

The Foxes have had a difficult season so far, with a lack of consistency and continuing defensive issues even before this latest bout of injuries, but they at least gave their supporters something to sing about on an entertaining afternoon.

The home fans probably appreciated the second-half drama a little less, but this was a reminder at the halfway point of the season that that they cannot always expect everything to go their way.
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https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59403666

Tottenham scored twice in two first-half minutes to set up a victory over Crystal Palace and keep up the pressure on the Premier League top four.

Harry Kane opened the scoring with his second goal in as many games, before Lucas Moura doubled their lead with a powerful header from close range.

Palace, who had asked the Premier League to postpone the game because of a Covid-19 outbreak, which included a positive test for manager Patrick Vieira, never got going in north London.

With Vieira self-isolating, assistant manager Osian Roberts took charge of the team, which had to play for nearly an hour with 10 men.

Their talisman Wilfried Zaha felt aggrieved about his sending off for two bookable offences in the first half, before Son Heung-min sealed the win with a third for Tottenham after the break.

Spurs are unbeaten in six league games under Antonio Conte and are six points behind fourth-place Arsenal with three games in hand, while Palace are 12th in the table.

While most of the country was tucking into their second round of Christmas lunch, rumours were starting to emerge that the game would be postponed.

Vieira had confirmed on Friday that there had been "a couple of cases" at the club, and the situation had reportedly got worse, but it was decided on Sunday that the game would take place.

Despite the outbreak, the visitors only made one change to the side that drew with Southampton in their last league game on 15 December as centre-back Joachim Andersen replaced Marc Guehi, who was available from the bench.

Both sides started slowly, but once the Christmas indulgence had been digested, it was Spurs who took the initiative.

Kane and Boxing Day goals go hand-in-hand and the England striker extended his Premier League record to six goals in his six top-flight appearances on 26 December.

Only both goalkeepers had touched the ball fewer times than Kane before he swept Moura's square into Jack Butland's net.

Two minutes later, Moura showed plenty of determination to climb above Andersen and nod in the second.

Zaha had been penalised for a clip on Davinson Sanchez before a needless push on the Spurs centre-back made his side's task even harder.

Man of the match Moura, who could have scored another when he glanced a header wide inside the six-yard box, did add another assist with a delicious cross for Son to side-foot his eighth league goal of the season.

Palace failed to register a shot on target, but the one bright spot was the performance of full-back Tyrick Mitchell.

He gained possession more times and played more passes in the opposition half than any of his team-mates.
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https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59403659

Arsenal secured their fourth Premier League victory in a row as they ran out comfortable winners at Carrow Road and heaped more misery on bottom-of-the-table Norwich.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring after six minutes when he guided a low shot past Angus Gunn at the end of a slick Arsenal attack.

The impressive Martin Odegaard, who teed up Saka's opener, then sent Kieran Tierney through to score the away side's second just before half-time.

Saka added a fine third before Alexandre Lacazette's penalty and substitute Emile Smith Rowe's stoppage-time strike wrapped up a stress-free win for Mikel Arteta's side.

The Gunners maintain their six-point lead over fifth-placed Tottenham while Norwich must regroup after a 12th defeat of the season.

The game marked two years since Arteta's first in charge of the Gunners and the Spaniard can be pleased with where his side are ahead of Tuesday's home encounter against Wolves.

They were 11th and 14th after their Boxing Day games in 2019 and 2020 respectively, but have improved enough to suggest that a first top-four finish since 2016 is not beyond their capabilities.

Arsenal looked sharp from the start and were quickly rewarded when Tierney pounced on Ozan Kabak's poor pass, allowing the visitors to string together a neat passing move involving Gabriel Martinelli, Lacazette and Odegaard that was finished off by Saka.

Despite Arsenal's dominance, Norwich looked as though they would get in at the break just one down before Martinelli's enthusiasm to win the ball back allowed the Brazilian to find Odegaard in space, who put Tierney through to score via the woodwork.

Saka rubbed salt into Norwich wounds when he beat Gunn from outside the box, and while the England attacker went off soon after, the Arsenal goals continued to flow as Lacazette slotted home a penalty after being fouled by Kabak before Smith Rowe netted for the fourth league game in a row.

Norwich were playing for the first time since 14 December after their trip to West Ham was postponed because of Covid cases and injuries in their squad.

Prior to Arsenal's visit to Carrow Road, Canaries boss Dean Smith described the Premier League's busy festive schedule as "lunacy" given the recent surge in Covid cases, with his side back in action at Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

And Norwich were hit by more Covid issues before the Arsenal match with first-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul forced to sit out after testing positive.

Smith has plenty to ponder about his team's problems at the other end, though. They have now failed to score in each of their last four games and have managed only eight goals all season, while top scorer Teemu Pukki registered only 23 touches against the Gunners.

The Arsenal game was another dispiriting watch for the Norwich supporters and with a trip to Selhurst Park to come on Tuesday, time is not on Smith's side as he tries to stop the club's current losing streak and reignite their hopes of hauling themselves off the foot of the table.
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And another match off:

Wolves' game away to Arsenal on Tuesday has been postponed due to a number of coronavirus cases and injuries in Bruno Lage's squad.
 
Brighton move up to 9th after their 2-0 win over Brentford.
 
A record 103 Premier League players and staff tested positive for Covid last week - an increase of 90 from the previous week.

15 English top-flight games have been called off so far during December due to the high number of cases.
 
Newcastle 1 - 0 Man Utd

Poor first half from Utd, no different to Ole.

Ole often made a comeback in the 2nd half to win.

Can the new manager to the same now?
 
Man Utd scrape a draw against Newcastle 1-1

Updated table.


Screenshot_20211227-220553_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
Full-time scores:

Watford 1-4 West Ham United
Crystal Palace 3-0 Norwich City
Southampton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
 
Leicester v Liverpool still to come tonight.

8PM UK time.
 
And another one:

NUFC's match away at Everton on Thursday has been postponed due to injuries and Covid cases in Eddie Howe's squad.
 
Leicester City 1 - Liverpool 0

Surprise defeat for The Reds which sees them remain 6 points behind the leaders Man City.
 
Chelsea 1 Brighton 1

Brentford 0 Man City 1

Man City go 8 points clear at the top.
 
Norwich City's match at Leicester City on New Year's Day has been postponed due to Covid-19 cases and injuries in the travelling squad.
 
3 1 win for Man Utd over Burnley sees them move up to 6th.
 
Newcastle United's Premier League game away to Southampton on Sunday has been postponed because of the number of Covid-19 cases and injuries in the Magpies squad.
 
Southampton v Newcastle postponed because of Covid-19 cases and injuries in Magpies squad

Newcastle United's Premier League match away to Southampton on Sunday has been postponed because of the number of Covid-19 cases and injuries in the Magpies squad.

Newcastle's match at Everton was postponed on Thursday after the club asked for the game to be called off.

It means 17 top-flight games have been postponed since the start of December.

The Premier League accepted Newcastle's request as the club do not have the required number of players available.

While applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the minimum number of players required is set at 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper.

The game was due to kick off at 14:00 GMT on Sunday.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is also uncertain whether his side's match at Chelsea on Sunday will go ahead as the club await PCR test results.

"We have three new Covid cases in the team and a few more in the staff so it's not so cool in the moment," Klopp said.

Asked whether Liverpool will need the game to be postponed Klopp added: "We aren't close to getting the game postponed yet. We haven't had a proper outbreak yet but it's happening more and more often.

"It's like a lottery in the morning when you wait for the result. It was day-by-day pretty much another case and today another one."

The most recent figures show a record 103 Premier League players and staff tested positive for Covid in the seven days up to and including 26 December.

Premier League and EFL clubs chose to fulfil their festive fixtures despite the ongoing coronavirus disruption.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59792555
 
Southampton are unhappy with their clash against #NUFC being called off and want full transparency in knowing which players are injured and how many of the squad have Covid-19.
 
Arsenal in control in the first half and the score line shows it (1-0) - but can they make this into a famous win?
 
Hard fought but in the end the better team won - City held their cool like champions do - Arsenal imploded

ARS 1-2 MCI
 
Rodri scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester City beat 10-man Arsenal in an incident-packed encounter to move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

That advantage will be cut to some extent on Sunday when second-placed Chelsea host third-placed Liverpool, although no team has failed to win the Premier League title when beginning the new year with a lead as big as City's.

Arsenal looked to have held out for a draw, but Rodri steered in a loose ball in the 93rd minute to help City claim an 11th successive league win in a game that also had two major VAR incidents and an avoidable red card for Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

The hosts were the better side early on at Emirates Stadium, and Bukayo Saka swept in a deserved opener to finish off a slick move before the Gunners self-destructed after the break.

Riyad Mahrez levelled from the penalty spot after Bernardo Silva was brought down by Granit Xhaka, referee Stuart Attwell overturning his initial decision after viewing the pitch-side monitor.

Arsenal felt aggrieved at that call after their own shouts for a penalty in the first half were denied following a long VAR check for Ederson's tackle on Martin Odegaard.

But one minute after conceding from a penalty Gabriel was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, the first for trying to scuff up the spot and the second for a foul on Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal, whose manager Mikel Arteta was forced to watch from home following a positive Covid-19 test, remain fourth in the table.

City are the blueprint for Arsenal in terms of their playing style and philosophy and, while a young Gunners side remain some way behind in their evolution under former City assistant manager Arteta, they showed how far they have come this season.

Pep Guardiola found his City team up against a completely different outfit to the one they dismantled 5-0 in August to briefly send Arsenal to the bottom of the table.

Guardiola said beforehand this would be the best Arsenal team he has faced during his time in England, despite Arteta - the Gunners' "most important player", according to Guardiola - having to watch this one unfold from home.

With assistant Albert Stuivenberg on the touchline, the energetic hosts swarmed and pressed in an electric opening half an hour.

They capitalised on their dominant start with a goal out of the leaders' playbook, Ben White winning back possession and starting a swift counter-attack which ended when Kieran Tierney slid a ball weighted perfectly for Saka to send a first-time finish into the bottom corner.

It was only the second first-half goal Manchester City have conceded in the league this season.

An earlier slick move had put Martin Odegaard in behind the City defence only for goalkeeper Ederson to get a touch on the ball, with the video assistant referee taking a long look before agreeing with the on-field decision that it was not a penalty.

Perhaps that added to Arsenal's frustration when they had a penalty awarded against them after VAR intervened, but a momentary loss of composure cost them.

Gabriel's two yellow cards came either side of Gabriel Martinelli striking the bar in what was a frantic few minutes after Mahrez levelled from the spot.

Arsenal were forced to dig in and defend after that and looked to have done enough until a hopeful cross from the right dropped to midfielder Rodri, who poked the ball beyond Aaron Ramsdale.

Despite their improvement, it means Arsenal have lost all five of their Premier League meetings under Arteta against former mentor Guardiola.

Guardiola's domestic juggernauts racked up records for goals and points in 2021 and will finish New Year's Day in 2022 with a lead that has only been bettered twice in the Premier League era.

Manchester United in 1993-94 and City themselves in 2017-18 - both of whom held 12-point leads - went on to win the competition and Rodri's late goal must have left City's title rivals feeling deflated this time round.

They did have early chances. Gabriel Jesus steered a header wide and Ruben Dias flicked another beyond the post, but the game turned in their favour after the break.

City have not lost in the league since October and have had to show resilience in their past two games to maintain their impressive winning run.

But, for all the goals and free-flowing football, it may just be the 1-0 win at Brentford on Wednesday and this victory - their latest winning goal in the league in more than three years - that gives City the edge come the end of the season.

BBC
 
<b>Watford 0-1 Tottenham</b>

Davinson Sanchez scored a 96th-minute winner as Tottenham continued their push for a Premier League top-four place with a last-gasp victory over struggling Watford at Vicarage Road.

Defender Sanchez headed in from Son Heung-min's cross as Spurs climbed up to fifth in the table, two points behind Arsenal.

Hornets goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann denied Son Heung-min at close range in the second half, after Lloris had produced an equally superb save from Josh King at the other end.

Joao Pedro had a late penalty appeal dismissed after Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris raced out of his goal to deny the forward.

The game was paused in the closing stages because of a medical emergency in the crowd, leading to eight minutes of stoppage time.

Tottenham reduced the gap to Arsenal having played two games fewer than their north London rivals, after the Gunners lost 2-1 to leaders Manchester City earlier on Saturday.

A club record-equalling sixth consecutive top-flight defeat leaves Watford 17th, two points above the bottom three, having played two games more than Burnley directly below them.
 
Crystal Palace 0-2 down at home after 25 minutes to West Ham…
 
FT: Crystal Palace 2-3 West Ham

Palace will likely reflect on this and wonder just how they managed to take nothing from it.

They had 22 efforts on goal to West Ham's 10. They were the better side for much of it. But sloppiness at both ends at crucial moments cost them.
 
NrKMBLu.jpg
 
BREAKING: Alisson, Roberto Firmino & Joel Matip have been ruled out of Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea today after returning suspected positive tests for COVID-19.
 
HT: Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool - Mane with opener, superb Salah goal for second

Remarkable Kovacic volley gets Chelsea back in contention, Pulisic levels before half-time

Winner will end the day second
 
Brilliant match thus far — still 20 minutes to go — riveting!!
 
Man City will be very very happy with this result…
 
It is Man City's to lose now. Much rather they win it then Chelsea. I have always despised Chelsea from the bottom of my heart. I hate the culture of Chelsea FC.
 
The #PL has confirmed 94 new positive Covid-19 cases out of 14 250 tests administered on players & club staff between 27 December & 2 January
 
Wolves have dominated Man Utd away at Old Trafford.

0-1 up with a few mins to go , can they hang on for a big win.
 
<b>Manchester United 0-1 Wolves</b>

Manchester United lost for the first time in the Premier League under interim coach Ralf Rangnick as Joao Moutinho struck late on to give Wolverhampton Wanderers victory at Old Trafford.

Moutinho drove home on the half-volley after Adama Traore's cross had only been half cleared by Phil Jones, who was making his first appearance for the hosts in 707 days.

It was a deserved win for Wolves, who dominated the first half and also hit the bar late on through Romain Saiss' free-kick.

But it was a disappointing display by United, who did not get going until Bruno Fernandes came on midway through the second half.

The Portuguese midfielder hit the crossbar before Cristiano Ronaldo fired just wide soon after.

Jose Sa produced a brilliant save in the final seconds to keep out Fernandes' free-kick and ensure Wolves' first league win at Old Trafford since 1980.

United remain seventh while Wolves are now three points and once place behind them in eighth.
 
Southampton Football Club have been taken over by the investment firm Sport Republic in a deal worth £100million
 
A Serbian-born cable television tycoon has become the latest entrant to the Premier League's eclectic roster of club-owners after striking a £100m deal to buy Southampton.

Sky News has learnt that Dragan Solak, founder of United Group, has invested a chunk of his fortune in a controlling stake in the Saints, who sit 14th in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
 
Another game bites the dust:

Leicester's game at Everton on Tuesday has been postponed after the Premier League granted the visitors' request to rearrange the fixture.
 
Southampton comfortably beat Brentford to move up to 11th in the Premier League - in front of the Saints' new owner Dragan Solak.

Jan Bednarek gave the hosts the early lead when he glanced in a header from James Ward-Prowse's left-wing corner.

Brentford equalised with their first shot on target thanks to Vitaly Janelt's excellent sliced volley after Bryan Mbeumo's cross.

But the Saints retook the lead as Ibrahima Diallo shot goalwards and it bounced off the post and off Bees' goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez for an own goal.

Shortly after the restart, the hosts added a third when Armando Broja raced on to Oriel Romeu's fine through ball and calmly finished past Fernandez.

Substitute Che Adams, back after a Covid-19 absence, scored within five minutes of coming on, reaching a long pass before the Brentford goalkeeper and poking in a fourth - the first time Southampton have scored four times in a Premier League match this season.

This was the first home game for Southampton since it was confirmed that the Sport Republic group had bought Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng's 80% stake of the club earlier this month.

Serb media mogul Solak, who financially backed the takeover, was at St Mary's and saw his new side record only their fifth league win of the season.

The Saints move above Brentford, who missed a chance to move into the top half and instead drop to 13th.
 
West Ham moved up to fourth in the Premier League as they inflicted a sixth consecutive defeat on bottom club Norwich at London Stadium.

Jarrod Bowen set the Hammers on their way, nodding in Vladimir Coufal's inviting cross seven minutes after his earlier effort was ruled out by VAR, with Nikola Vlasic deemed to be offside and interfering with Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul.

David Moyes' side were far from at their best but they still created enough openings to put the game beyond the visitors well before Bowen registered his second by turning in Arthur Masuaku's cross in the 83rd minute.

Bowen also twice hit the woodwork and Michail Antonio blazed over from close range after brilliantly turning Norwich captain Grant Hanley.

On a disappointing evening for Norwich, Adam Idah went close to levelling with the score at 1-0, but saw his drive pushed on to the post by Hammers goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Bar that attempt, however, Dean Smith's side offered little in attack and have now failed to score a top-flight goal for 540 minutes.
 
The updated table after West Ham's 2-0 win over Norwich:

1.jpg
 
Watford boss Claudio Ranieri says his team are in an "unbelievable" position and will avoid relegation this season.

The Hornets sit 17th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone, though 18th-placed Burnley have a game in hand.

Ranieri's side have lost their last six league games in a row but are due to face the three teams below them in the table in their next three games.

"I believe in this team and I'm sure at the end we will be safe," said Ranieri.

"When I say I believe in my team, I saw in the training sessions, they work so hard, and if you continue - with luck - to fight, to believe in yourself, sooner or later you will win. That is important, that is what my experience tells me.

"I say to the players we have to continue, because it is sure, if you come to watch, the training sessions are fantastic. I have a lot of experience and I say this team will be safe. It is unbelievable our position, it's unbelievable."

From aspiring priest to Watford's saviour - will Dennis prove key in the relegation fight?
Watford face key games in their battle to avoid relegation against Newcastle away on Saturday, Burnley at Turf Moor three days later and Norwich at home on 21 January.

They will be able to call on three January signings after recruiting midfielder Edo Kayembe from Eupen, as well as defenders Hassane Kamara and Samir from Nice and Udinese respectively.

"I remember in the last match against Spurs in the Premier League [a 1-0 home defeat], we were focused in that match, we were very solid, and now I have new players, three new signings, and I'm very happy with the team.

"We must stay together and fight in every second of the match."

BBC
 
Burnley's home game against Leicester City on Saturday has been postponed because of Covid-19 cases and injuries within the Turf Moor side's camp.
 
A late own goal from Joachim Andersen salvaged a point for Brighton in an eventful encounter with Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton had a goal disallowed and a penalty saved in the first half before Conor Gallagher's 69th-minute strike.

The Palace midfielder, who coolly slotted in Jeffrey Schlupp's cut-back, looked to have snatched all three points for the visitors.

With three minutes left, Neal Maupay's low cross was deflected in by Anderson.

It was a deserved equaliser for Brighton after they created numerous chances but were denied by goalkeeper Jack Butland, who was in fine form.

Butland denied Pascal Gross from the spot in the first half, kept out Leandro Trossard following a huge error from defender Joel Ward and later tipped Jakub Moder's effort over the bar.

Brighton's Moder also hit the crossbar within minutes of the restart after Maupay had earlier bundled it over the line, only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul on Butland.

Both Maupay's disallowed effort and the awarded penalty decision came after referee Robert Jones consulted the pitchside VAR monitor effectively.

In a frenetic few minutes before half time, Jones awarded the spot-kick when Will Hughes had his arms around Joel Veltman but Gross' poor effort was saved. From the resulting corner, Maupay had a high boot when he challenged Butland's grip on the ball on the goalline.

Palace were holding on in the final minutes as Brighton pushed for a winner but the hosts had to settle for a point.
 
Man City go 13 points clear.

Surely the League is over now?

Kevin De Bruyne produced a moment of world-class quality to tighten Manchester City's stranglehold on the Premier League title race with victory over Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.

The former Chelsea player broke the deadlock in a tight game with a superb curling drive past keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with 20 minutes left to extend City's lead at the top of the table to an imposing 13 points.

Chelsea had their chances, the best coming when Ederson saved from Romelu Lukaku in the second half but De Bruyne made the difference and City now also have a 14-point advantage over Liverpool, who have two games in hand.

City deserved the win for their greater urgency and possession, Kepa keeping out Jack Grealish with a first-half save, and this represents another significant stride in their quest to retain the Premier League crown.
 
Tottenham 'surprised' by NLD postponement

Tottenham have released a statement following the postponement of Sunday's North London derby and it is fair to say they aren't best pleased.

The club said: "We are extremely surprised that this application has been approved.

"We ourselves were disqualified from the European Conference League after a significant number of COVID cases meant we needed to reschedule a fixture and our application to move our Leicester fixture was not approved - only for it to be subsequently postponed when Leicester applied.

"The original intention of the guidance was to deal with player availability directly affected by COVID cases, resulting in depleted squads that when taken together with injuries would result in the club being unable to field a team.

"We do not believe it was the intent to deal with player availability unrelated to COVID.

"We may now be seeing the unintended consequences of this rule.

"It is important to have clarity and consistency on the application of the rule."
 
HALF-TIME
Aston Villa 0-1 Man Utd

Manchester United lead at the break but a couple of good David de Gea saves kept out an Aston Villa side that grew into the game.
 
Watford earned a vital late point in their Premier League survival bid as Joao Pedro's headed equaliser kept them clear of the bottom three and denied hosts Newcastle a much-needed win.

Eddie Howe's side looked on course for only their second victory of the season after Allan Saint-Maximin's superb second-half goal.

But after Josh King and Pedro wasted chances for Claudio Ranieri's side, who always looked dangerous on the counter attack, the Brazilian forward rose above Jamaal Lascelles to nod in Kiko Femenia's cross and send the Watford fans wild.

The goal silenced the majority of St James' Park and led to Howe crashing a water bottle into the floor in frustration as they wasted a chance to move out of the relegation zone for the first time in 106 days.

But the draw was a reward for the visitors and Pedro, who continually caused a threat, with the Hornets remaining 17th.

Newcastle's plight was not helped by a Norwich win over Everton, as they remained 19th and Burnley slipped to the bottom of the table.
 
Philippe Coutinho scored a late equaliser on his Aston Villa debut as Steven Gerrard's side fought back from two goals down to draw a pulsating Premier League duel with Manchester United at Villa Park.

Coutinho was just about to be introduced by Villa boss Gerrard midway through the second half when Bruno Fernandes slammed home his second goal of the game off the underside of the bar.

But the Brazilian proved the catalyst for a memorable response.

First he drove at the United defence, helping to create the space which Jacob Ramsey exploited to halve the deficit.

Then Ramsey slid over an excellent cross from the left which Raphael Varane was unable to intercept as he slid back, leaving Coutinho to finish into an empty net.

The goal brought celebrations at both ends of the pitch as Emiliano Martinez also went into the crowd in relief - it was the Argentine's horrible sixth-minute error that had gifted Fernandes the visitors' opener.
 
Today's results:

Liverpool 3 Brentford 0

West Ham 2 Leeds 3
 
Screenshot 2022-01-16 194521.jpg

Liverpool moved up to second in the Premier League as they overcame a stubborn Brentford side to take all three points at Anfield.

Fabinho's far-post header eased some of the tension that had built up at Anfield over 43 goalless minutes, but the home fans were relieved when Bryan Mbeumo sliced wide from a fine position after the break.

Shortly afterwards, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain connected with an Andy Robertson cross to double the lead and Takumi Minamino came off the bench to side-foot home a third.

Leaders Manchester City are 11 points above Liverpool, having played a game more.

It will take a spectacular and sudden disintegration in the champions' form, and a near flawless run-in from Liverpool to reverse those standings by May. City have dropped just 10 points so far this season.

It was the first time since May 2017 that Liverpool had lined up without either Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane for a Premier League match. And, for a while, it showed.

Liverpool had huffed and puffed to little effect against 10-man Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in midweek and once again they initially dominated possession without making an impression on the scoreline.

With Salah and Mane away on international duty, the hosts lacked the necessary guile and dexterity to prise apart the packed ranks of defenders.

Virgil van Dijk had a close-range effort well saved by the spread-eagled Alvaro Fernandez, but otherwise Liverpool were restricted to long-range sighters, half-chance snap-shots and hopeful crosses which defenders Ethan Pinnock, Pontus Janssen and Kristoffer Ajer, all six foot four inches or more, cleared with ease.

The breakthrough came less than two minutes before the interval as Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner skidded through a crowded six-yard box for Fabinho to divert in at the far post.

Brentford, with a skinny 25% of possession, had offered some threat before the opener. Ivan Toney and Vitaly Janelt were not far away with shots from a good distance out, while Liverpool's high defensive line left them looking with relief for the assistant referee's flag on a couple of other occasions.

And after the break Mbeumo wasted a glaring opening. Having twisted inside Joel Matip, he had a clear sight of goal, but cracked his shot wide of the post from just inside the box.

It was the key moment in the game. Liverpool, stung into action, found another gear. Diogo Jota was denied by Fernandez and rattled the post before Oxlade-Chamberlain's diving header all but ended the visitors' hopes.

Oxlade-Chamberlain departed with an ankle injury and his replacement Minamino took advantage after Brentford attempted to play out from the back with calamitous consequences.

The final 10 minutes were played out in open style. The home fans greeted impending victory by singing the name of their former manager Rafael Benitez, who had been relieved of his duties at neighbours Everton, as 17-year-old Premier League debutant Kaide Gordon wasted a chance at one end for Liverpool and the impressive Toney did the same for the Bees at the other.

While unable to match the draw they produced in the reverse fixture in September, Brentford are 10 points above the relegation zone and well on target to survive their first season in the top flight in 74 years.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59925850
 
Burnley’s rearranged fixture against Watford at Turf Moor, due to be played at 19:30 GMT on Tuesday 18 January, has regrettably been postponed.

The Premier League Board accepted Burnley’s application with the club having fewer than the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper), due to ongoing COVID-19 cases, injuries and representation at the Africa Cup of Nations.This follows Burnley’s home match against Leicester City on Saturday being called off.

The League apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused to supporters who would have attended or watched the game - we are fully aware that postponements disappoint clubs and fans.
The League aims to provide as much clarity as possible, but unfortunately postponements sometimes have to be made at short notice, as safety is our priority.

Where possible, the League will endeavour to keep supporters updated if games become at risk.

The Premier League’s postponement rules are designed to protect the wellbeing of players and staff, while maintaining the sporting integrity of the competition.

Club requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and adapted COVID-19 postponement guidance, implemented in light of the Omicron variant.

The Board examines a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of COVID-19; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match.
The detail within all applications is scrutinised by the League’s specialist staff before the Board makes its decision.
 
Last edited:
Brighton provided another huge blow to Chelsea's dwindling hopes of winning this season's Premier League title by coming from behind to claim a well-deserved draw at the Amex Stadium.

Adam Webster found all the space he needed to head in from a corner in the second half and give the home side a point to reward a display full of energy and endeavour.

Thomas Tuchel's side started poorly and lacked authority throughout, opening the scoring against the run of play through Hakim Ziyech's well-struck low drive from outside the box.

But they failed to build on the moment, never looking assured, and for all their desperate intent simply could not find a way to restore their lead and claim the vital win.

The gap between the third-placed Blues and imperious leaders Manchester City is 12 points, with Thomas Tuchel's side having played a game more - surely an insurmountable gulf.

Brighton are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions and continue to grow in confidence and class under Graham Potter.

Lifted by their equaliser, they looked the side far more likely to win the game in the final 30 minutes, instead having to settle for a point that leaves them on 29, three short of a European qualification spot.
 
Full time scores from today:

3.jpg

Steven Bergwijn scored two injury-time goals as Tottenham fought back from 2-1 down to snatch an incredible 3-2 victory at Leicester in a thrilling finish at the King Power Stadium.

Manchester United recovered after being rescued by the heroics of goalkeeper David de Gea to run out comfortable 3-1 winners at Brentford.
 
Josh Sargent scored twice to help Norwich City gain a much-needed victory over 10-man Watford and move out of the Premier League relegation zone for the first time this season.

Sargent acrobatically hooked Teemu Pukki's cross from behind him and saw it bounce in off the underside of the crossbar for Norwich's opener.

The 21-year-old's thumping header made it 2-0 after a lengthy stoppage in play because of a floodlight fault.

Norwich rubbed salt in Watford's wounds with a third goal late on - substitute Juraj Kucka poking it past his own goalkeeper at the near post.

Sargent, who had not scored in the Premier League prior to this victory, celebrated wildly as he put his side in the driving seat midway through the second half.

Watford were stunned by his double and were further hampered by Emmanuel Dennis' sending off - the forward shown a second yellow card by referee Mike Dean for a rash challenge on Max Aarons.

Shortly before Kucka poked in Adam Idah's pull-back, Watford had a goal disallowed when Moussa Sissoko thumped in a stunning volley from an offside position.

Cucho Hernandez later hit the crossbar for Watford but Norwich were comfortable winners in the end, and move two points above the hosts in the table.

Claudio Ranieri's side still have two games in hand but it was an 11th defeat in 13 games during his tenure, while Dennis' sending off means he will miss another crucial relegation-battling clash with bottom side Burnley on 5 February.
 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60005894

SAT 22 JAN 2022
PREMIER LEAGUE

<b>Everton 0 - Aston Villa 1</b>

Buendía (45'+3 minutes)

Assists
Digne (45'+3 minutes)


Duncan Ferguson's second reign as Everton caretaker manager started with defeat to Aston Villa at Goodison Park.

The Scotsman stepped in following the sacking of Rafael Benitez but the move did not produce the desired response as Emiliano Buendia's header in first-half added time settled a scrappy encounter.

Villa's victory was particularly sweet for former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as well as ex-Everton defender Lucas Digne, who provided the corner for Buendia's winner.

The goal was followed by disgraceful scenes as celebrating Villa players were struck by objects thrown from the crowd.

Everton will feel their second-half pressure, based on an aerial bombardment, should have brought some reward as Dominic Calvert-Lewin turned Anthony Gordon's cross over from close range and Ben Godfrey's header was scrambled off the line by a combination of Tyrone Mings and keeper Emiliano Martinez.

It leaves Everton with only six points from their last 42, searching for a new manager, and sitting uncomfortably close to the relegation zone of the Premier League.
 
Duncan Ferguson's second reign as Everton caretaker manager started with a defeat against Aston Villa at Goodison Park.

The Scotsman stepped in following the sacking of Rafael Benitez but the move did not immediately produce the desired response as Emiliano Buendia's header in first-half added time settled a scrappy encounter.

Villa's victory was particularly sweet for former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as well as ex-Everton defender Lucas Digne, who provided the corner for Buendia's winner.

The goal was followed by disgraceful scenes as celebrating Villa players were struck by objects thrown from the crowd.

Everton will feel their second-half pressure, based on an aerial bombardment, should have brought some reward as Dominic Calvert-Lewin turned Anthony Gordon's cross over from close range and Ben Godfrey's header was scrambled off the line by a combination of Tyrone Mings and keeper Emiliano Martinez.

It leaves Everton with only six points from their last 42, searching for a new manager, and sitting uncomfortably close to the relegation zone of the Premier League.

Where now for Everton?

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright were banking on a 'bounce' from the appointment of Ferguson in order to revive a season sliding into danger and which resulted in Benitez's sacking.

It did not work on a flat afternoon at Goodison Park, which ended with fans staying behind on the Gwladys Street End chanting "sack the board" and waving banners of protest.

A plane also flew overhead before kick-off demanding the removal of Kenwright, who was also a target for abusive chants after the final whistle.

This is a genuine crisis for Everton as they not only face a relegation battle but must also make yet another decisive decision on their next manager.

Even the atmosphere inside Goodison Park was not lifted for long by the talismanic Ferguson's presence on the touchline, with Everton failing to produce a shot in the first half.

It was a grim spectacle, outlining exactly why Everton's one win in 14 league games has led to growing unrest among the fan base.

Everton improved after the break and threatened an equaliser but the danger was based largely on a succession of long balls rather than any guile, although Demarai Gray and substitute Anthony Gordon did their best to provide creativity.

However Everton came up short and once more face a pivotal moment, one they cannot afford to get wrong again.

Villa dig deep for victory

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa: Gerrard hails 'strongest' performance so far
This was a Villa victory based more on sweat than quality, but manager Gerrard will be no less delighted for that.

In a tight first half, any danger was produced by Villa and it was fitting that Buendia's angled header from a corner gave them the lead as the Argentine was the game's most dangerous player at that stage.

Villa were presented with a different challenge after the break as Everton turned up the tempo and the pressure, hoping the height provided by Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, Mina and Godfrey might make a difference.

The visitors lived dangerously at times but it was a backs-to-the-wall effort that yielded three points as their defenders put bodies on the line to secure an important victory.

Buendia's excellence was the perfect response to those who felt he might be forced out by the arrival of Philippe Coutinho, who understandably tired as he adjusts to life back in the Premier League.

BBC
 
FT: Brentford 1-2 Wolves - Moutinho & Neves goals either side of Toney volley in game delayed by drone flying overhead
 
FULL-TIME
Southampton 1-1 Man City

League leaders Manchester Ciy have to settle for a draw and their winning run comes to an end.

City remain 12 points clear of Liverpool but Southampton will be very pleased with that.
 
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