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Manchester City win the Premier League 2023/24 season - 1st ever team to win 4 PL titles in a row

Arsenal will pip Liverpool for the title.

Man city not as strong as last season
( Not replaced Gundogan and Mahrez and the long term injury to Debryune)

Liverpool will desperately miss Salah when he travels for African cup of Nations.

Arsenal will take advantage of all this.
 
Luton winning, wow

City have been terrible, lots of the ball but did nothing with it

Their title defence is crumbling
 
Geordie Ahmed said:
Luton winning, wow

City have been terrible, lots of the ball but did nothing with it

Their title defence is crumbling
Click to expand...
Last time City crumbled like this Liverpool won the league, Liverpool were relentless that season though.
 
Everton claimed three consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since 2021 as they saw off Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and substitute Lewis Dobbin both fired home first-time efforts in the second half as Sean Dyche's side moved four points clear of the relegation zone.

It was a tight and tense first half with Jordan Pickford making decent saves to deny Enzo Fernandez's rasping shot and Cole Palmer's dipping drive from range.

Jack Harrison's acrobatic volley which flew narrowly wide was Everton's most presentable opportunity in the opening period and Dwight McNeil forced visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into an excellent stop at the start of the second half.

Chelsea's attacks were breaking down in the final third and they were punished on the break as Doucoure smashed in and Dobbin smacked home in stoppage time for the in-form Toffees.

The loss is Chelsea's seventh in the league under Mauricio Pochettino this season, dropping them two places to 12th in the table.
 
Tottenham ended their recent slump in emphatic style as they convincingly overpowered a leg-weary Newcastle United.

Spurs had lost four of their previous five games and had not won since the victory at Crystal Palace on 27 October, but, once Destiny Udogie put them ahead from Son Heung-min's pass, there was only one winner.

And it was day of joy for striker Richarlison, who has struggled to find consistency and momentum in his Spurs career but was the spearhead here with a goal either side of half-time as Newcastle wilted in the face of some scintillating attacking play from Ange Postecoglou's side.

Richarlison had scored only five goals in his previous 48 appearances for Spurs but was on the mark from Son's perfect delivery, then effectively sealed all three points after controlling Pedro Porro's long pass.

Son got the goal his performance deserved, scoring from the spot after he had been hauled down by Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.

Joelinton's late strike provided a late consolation for Newcastle, who threatened only sporadically, with Miguel Almiron failing to convert a great chance when they trailed by a goal.

However, a heavy programme is taking its toll on manager Eddie Howe's injury-hit squad and now they must regroup and re-energise quickly before Wednesday night's decisive final Champions League group game at home to AC Milan.
 

Premier League clubs agree new five-year limit on spreading transfer fees in accounts​


Premier League clubs have voted to limit the period over which a player's transfer fee can be spread in their accounts to five years.

The move brings English top-flight clubs in line with Uefa regulations which were altered in the summer.

It also prevents a practice noticeably used by Chelsea to strengthen their squad during recent transfer windows.

The Blues gave lengthy contracts to new signings in an attempt to comply with financial rules.

The Premier League said: "Going forward, a five-year maximum will apply to all new or extended player contracts."

Clubs also approved a rule change to allow the league's board to block clubs from registering new players where they owe a transfer debt to another Premier League or English Football League (EFL) club until the debt is paid.

What the transfer rule change means
Some Premier League clubs have previously taken advantage of amortisation - the accounting practice of gradually writing off the initial cost of a player during their contract - to give them room for manoeuvre around Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules which currently permit a maximum loss of £105m over a three-year period.

Chelsea were one of 15 clubs to vote in favour of amending the amortisation rule, even though they have arguably benefitted the most.

The six-time English champions have signed a number of players on very long deals since the summer of 2022.

Moises Caicedo, Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez agreed contracts of at least eight years when they joined Chelsea in big-money moves, while the likes of Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia penned seven-year agreements when they arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer.

It is understood Chelsea will continue with that model despite the change in regulation.

If transfer fees are spread evenly over the course of a contract, it means the annual payments recorded on the club's accounts are smaller over longer periods.

A £100m fee would be amortised at £20m a year with a five-year contract, but amount to £12.5m a year if a deal was eight years.

Source: BBC
 

Rebecca Welch to become Premier League's first female referee​

Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee for a Premier League fixture when she officiates Fulham's match against Burnley on 23 December.

Welch, 40, began refereeing in 2010, and in January became the first woman to referee a men's Championship game.

Sam Allison will also take charge of a top-flight match in December, making him the Premier League's first black referee for 15 years.

He will oversee Sheffield United's match against Luton on 26 December.

Uriah Rennie - the league's last black referee - retired from officiating in English football's top four divisions in 2009. The EFL's last non-white referee - Jarnail Singh - retired in 2010.

"These are pivotal moments for Rebecca and Sam, who are two officials of real quality," referees' chief Howard Webb told BBC Sport.

"They deserve their opportunity."

In July, the Football Association laid out plans to recruit 50% more referees from "historically under-represented" backgrounds by 2026, targeting an increase of 1,000 women referees and 1,000 black or Asian referees at all levels of football in three years.

Currently, 8% of officials are of black or Asian ethnicity, but only 3% in professional football. No black or Asian referee has taken charge of a Premier League game since Rennie's final match in 2008.

Former firefighter Allison, who has previously spoken about encouraging more officials from under-represented backgrounds, was promoted to the Football League in 2020 and was moved up to the Championship earlier this year.

Welch has also refereed in the Championship this year, as well as taking charge of Women's Super League and Women's Champions League matches and refereeing at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.

She was the first woman to take charge of an FA Cup third-round tie in 2022 after being added to the EFL's national list for men's football, which oversees both League One and League Two fixtures.

Welch made history in November when she became the first woman to be involved in the Premier League in a refereeing capacity, taking up the role of fourth official when Manchester United beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

"Rebecca has been exposed to some big games and I am really confident she will deliver a game in the Premier League and be a really good model for women and girls to think refereeing is for them," said Webb.

"Sam deserves his chance as well. Maybe that will serve as a role model for other young people who maybe previously thought refereeing might not be for them.

"Hopefully they can show that refereeing can be for anybody - if you have the love of the game and the qualities required, you can make it to the very top."

Source: BBC
 
English Premier League Latest Transfer Round ups

The upcoming January transfer window looks set to be a busy one with all of the Premier League big boys plotting major moves.

However, with Manchester United now out of the Champions League after finishing bottom of their group, Red Devils' boss Erik ten Hag has admitted that new signings are "unlikely", though there are set to be some major outgoings at Old Trafford as speculation surrounding Jadon Sancho's future continues to linger.

Arsenal could also lighten their wage bill, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale a target for Newcastle after the injury-stricken Magpies learned that their first-choice shot-stopper Nick Pope will be sidelined for up to five months. The Gunners could also look to bring in some attacking talent, though a mid-season move for Ivan Toney is now in doubt.

Liverpool are rarely ones to spend big in the middle of the season but have been handed a boost regarding current talisman Mohamed Salah, who has been tipped to stay for the long-term.

Source : The Mirror
 
FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Tottenham

Ten-man Tottenham condemned Nottingham Forest to a fifth Premier League defeat in six games as they underlined their top-four ambitions at the City Ground.

Richarlison's third goal in two games set Spurs on their way with the outstanding Dejan Kulusevski sealing victory for Ange Postecoglou's side who had Yves Bissouma sent off in the 70th minute.

The result moves fifth-placed Tottenham level on points with Manchester City, although the champions have played a game less. Forest sit 16th in the table, five points clear of the bottom three.

Spurs controlled much of the first period and deservedly went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Brazil forward Richarlison nodded in from Kulusevski's superb cross from the right.

The hosts made an encouraging start to the second period and Willy Boly missed arguably their best opportunity to level, blazing over from just inside the visitors' penalty area.

Steve Cooper's side also briefly thought they had equalised just before the hour mark but the video assistant referee correctly judged that Anthony Elanga had just strayed offside before sweeping in Neco Williams' cross.

And two errors from goalkeeper Matt Turner sealed their fate, with the American passing a clearance straight to Kulusevski before allowing Sweden winger powerful drive to beat him at the near post.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's reaction save from Harry Toffolo's point-blank late header summed up an unproductive evening for the hosts in the final third.

Source: BBC
 
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Bournemouth 1-1 Luton

Rob Edwards has asked his players to gather around him before he goes to check the latest from the medical staff.

Tom Lockyer appeared to collapse near the centre circle. Referee Simon Hooper is speaking with the other officials now.

Play has been suspended momentarily.
 
Play abandoned at Bournemouth

Bournemouth 1-1 Luton

Understandably, referee Simon Hooper has taken the decision to abandon the game at the Vitality Stadium following a collapse by Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer near the centre circle.

The clock was stopped in the 65th minute and players were sent down the tunnel.

Lockyer was given medical attention and treatment on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher to a round of applause from fans.

He was said to be "alert and responsive in the tunnel".

The game was 1-1 when it ended.
 
FULL TIME SCORES (16-12-2023)

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Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United - Match Report

Chelsea returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over a dogged Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues, beaten by Manchester United and Everton in their past two games, broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half when Cole Palmer slotted home after fine work by Raheem Sterling.

It was 2-0 seven minutes later, Nicolas Jackson converting Palmer's pass after Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham palmed the ball into the former Manchester City youngster's path.

Chelsea enjoyed almost 80% possession across the 90 minutes, but Conor Gallagher's long-range effort was their only shot on target in a forgettable first half for Mauricio Pochettino's team.

Cameron Archer curled wide for the visitors in the first half and full Chelsea debutant Djordje Petrovic pulled off a fine save from Gustavo Hamer's low free-kick, but that was the closest the visitors came to a breakthrough.

Second-half substitute Armando Broja should have increased Chelsea's lead late in the second half but somehow skewed Palmer's low delivery off target from point-blank range.

The Blues move up to tenth place on 22 points, while Sheffield United remain five points from safety at the foot of the table.

Source: BBC
 
Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace - Match Report

Manchester City's stuttering title defence suffered another blow as Michael Olise's 95th-minute penalty rescued a dramatic point for Crystal Palace.

City had led 2-0 through goals by Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis and appeared to be cruising to victory until Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled a goal back with 14 minutes remaining.

There was more drama to come in stoppage time, when Phil Foden caught Mateta as he attempted to clear and referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot.

Michael Olise stepped up to slot past Ederson and spark wild celebration among the away fans who had seen their team pegged back for much of the match.

The draw, City's third consecutive at home, leaves the defending champions in fourth place, three points behind leaders Liverpool.

Palace have still only won one of their past 10 games but after losing out to a stoppage-time goal by Liverpool last week, this must have felt like a victory for Roy Hodgson's men, and was certainly celebrated like one.

Source: BBC
 
Newcastle United 3-0 Fulham - Match Report

Seventeen-year-old Lewis Miley became Newcastle's youngest Premier League goalscorer as the Magpies bounced back from Champions League elimination with a win over 10-man Fulham.

Fulham had striker Raul Jimenez sent off after 22 minutes following a dangerous, jumping challenge into Sean Longstaff, which caught the Newcastle man in the face.

On-pitch referee Sam Barrott originally showed Jimenez a yellow card before video assistant referee Michael Salisbury told Barrott to review the Mexican's challenge, which was then upgraded to a red card.

Anthony Gordon hit the crossbar for the hosts in the first half, before substitute Miley, who joined the club's academy at the age of seven, fired a low shot past Bernd Leno early in the second half.

Miguel Almiron added a second goal shortly afterwards when the ball broke to him a few yards out after Callum Wilson thought he had been fouled by Antonee Robinson.

Dan Burn grabbed a third late on, bundling the ball over the line after his header had been parried by Leno.

The result ended Newcastle's run of three successive defeats. It came three days after the 2-1 home loss to AC Milan not only led to elimination from the Champions League, but also saw them finish bottom of their group to end their involvement in European competition this season.

Source: BBC
 
Updates on Tom Lockyer

We are able to provide a further, positive update on Tom Lockyer’s condition.

Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher.

He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides.

Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside. We would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and loving messages for Locks.

We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital.

We don’t know the full extent of what happened and what the next steps are at this stage, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing.

We are sorry to all supporters present that players from both sides were in no state of mind to continue with the game after seeing their much-loved team-mate and friend taken off like that, and staff could not carry on with managing the game in such circumstances having had to deal with the situation. We thank everyone for the wonderful applause and singing of Locks’ name inside the stadium at such a difficult time.

Now is the time for all of our players, staff and supporters to come together as we always do and give our love and support to Tom and his family. Our thoughts are with him and them all.

Source : Lutontown
 

Full-time: Burnley 0-2 Everton​


Manager Sean Dyche enjoyed a winning return to Burnley as his in-form Everton side picked up their fourth consecutive Premier League victory.

Dyche was in charge at Turf Moor for almost 10 years before being sacked last year, and there was no room for sentiment as his Toffees team ruthlessly moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

James Trafford made a superb save to keep out Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header, but Amadou Onana leapt above the Burnley goalkeeper from the resulting corner to nod in the opener from Dwight McNeil's delivery.

The visitors doubled their lead after 25 minutes as Michael Keane stroked in at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by Trafford and Dara O'Shea failed to clear the rebound.

Burnley looked to threaten in the second half as Zeki Amdouni forced Jordan Pickford into a fine save at full stretch and Sander Berge rattled the crossbar, but a bleak season continues as the Clarets remain second bottom and are now six points adrift of safety.

Source : BBC
 
United frustrating Liverpool at moment but still 35 mins left
 
This is a brilliant game now - end to end attacks!
 
Into klopp time (Liverpool usually get late goals in PL)
 
2 points dropped by Liverpool.

Sets up next weeks blockbuster nicely

Arsenal need to make a statement next weekend
 
Ridiculous red card for Dalot

Am sure will be rescinded
 
Liverpool vs Arsenal 23rd Dec next weekend - Arsenal need to play at Anfield like they did in 1st half of game last year.

What coat us the game Last season.

Jesus missing sitters at 2-0
Xhaka stupid getting in Liverpool players faces
Captain bottling tackles in 2nd half
Taking off key midfielders and going to a back 3
Keeping Zinchenko on when he was being a liability.
Wasting chance to win game at end with Martinelli

Arsenal have huge point to prove next week and show they can make a statement, certain perform better they did in big away games this season.
 
Brentford vs Aston Villa Match Report (17-12-2023)
​

Aston Villa came from behind to dramatically beat Brentford after a red card for Bees defender Ben Mee changed the match.

Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring for the hosts at the end of the first half, shooting through a crowded penalty area after Villa failed to clear a corner from the left.

But the game turned when Mee was sent off in the 71st minute for diving in and catching Leon Bailey on the ankle.

On-pitch referee David Coote, close to where it happened, originally handed Mee a yellow card but, following a check by video assistant referee Craig Pawson, was advised to check the incident and it was then upgraded to a red card.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank was furious with the decision and got booked, with Villa capitalising on their player advantage six minutes later.

Bailey's cross was headed in at the back post by Alex Moreno for an equaliser, before Watkins headed in an 85th-minute winner from Boubacar Kamara's flick-on.

In a bad-tempered match, Kamara was then sent off for pushing the face of Yehor Yarmoliuk in stoppage time, with Villa boss Unai Emery also cautioned.

Both sides could well face disciplinary action from the Football Association for failing to control their players in a few unpleasant incidents during the closing stages of the match.

Brentford and Aston Villa each had a player sent off, six players were booked for Brentford, four for Villa, and both managers were cautioned.

Watkins spent three years at Brentford between 2017 and 2020 and scored 49 goals for the Bees during that time.

However, he celebrated what proved to be the winning goal by standing inside the goal and pointing at a supporter, who may have been abusive towards the England striker.

Brentford's Saman Ghoddos then shoved Watkins, which caused the first of the scuffles with players from both sides getting involved.

After that came farcical scenes between Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Brentford forward Neal Maupay.

Villa's Bailey nearly scored an own goal with a misjudged backpass from nearly the halfway line, with the ball hitting the side netting. Maupay, looking to get the ball for the corner, then ran into Martinez, who made a lot of what appeared to be minimal contact.

The pair were then involved in another incident, with this time Maupay over-reacting to little contact from the goalkeeper.

Martinez tried to forcefully lift Maupay off the ground and that sparked pushing from both sides' players with Kamara shoving the face of substitute Yarmoliuk and getting a red card.

Emery, who appeared to move Martinez away from the incident, was then cautioned in a fiery end to the encounter.

The scenes at the end overshadowed what had developed into an intriguing encounter between two fiercely committed sides.

Brentford had lost four of their last five matches, while Villa were playing for the second time in four days after their 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday against Zrinjski Mostar, a result that took Villa into the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.

The visitors wanted Brentford to go down to 10 men early in the second half when Christian Norgaard caught John McGinn on the shin, with the home player receiving a yellow card.

Until Mee's sending-off, Villa were looking far from their best, with Yoane Wissa missing a glorious chance to double Brentford's advantage, denied by Martinez's excellent save.

Moreno had earlier missed a couple of chances but made it 1-1 in the 77th minute before Watkins, who had been kept quiet by the Brentford defence, scored an 85th-minute winner.

Villa have won 12, drawn three and lost only once in their past 16 matches in all competitions. They began the day third in the Premier League and moved up to second, although they will drop back to third if Liverpool avoid defeat against Manchester United in the late kick-off.
 
Arsenal vs Brighton Match Report (17-12-2023)
​

Arsenal eventually saw off a stubborn Brighton to move back above Liverpool - for a few hours at least - at the top of the Premier League.

With Liverpool hosting Manchester United at 16:30 GMT, the Gunners returned to the summit thanks to Gabriel Jesus' header and Kai Havertz's late strike.

Arsenal dominated the first half without reward, but the tension eased when Jesus turned in after a corner.

The hosts were almost punished when Pascal Gross poked a golden chance wide before Havertz sealed victory to spark joyous celebrations at a relieved Emirates Stadium.

The Seagulls, who were looking for a third successive league victory at Emirates Stadium, managed just one shot on target and drop to ninth place.

After a conservative first-half performance, Brighton offered more attacking threat in the final half an hour but anything other than a home win would have been scarcely deserved.

Arsenal had 26 shots in the match and almost added a third in injury-time when substitute Emile Smith Rowe's low drive was saved.

"It was an incredible performance. It was a joy to watch from the start to the end," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, whose jubilant celebrations indicated the magnitude of the win.

"The way we played against a phenomenal Brighton side was incredible. We were patient, kept going, kept believing and got what we deserved."

With Liverpool playing later on Sunday, and defending champions Manchester City still behind them after dropping points against Crystal Palace, Arsenal had an opportunity to throw down the gauntlet to their rivals.

Losing a pulsating contest at Aston Villa last weekend had seen the Gunners' relinquish their spot at the summit and a five-match winning streak in the top flight come to an end.

Nevertheless, the mood in the camp remained upbeat with Arteta and his players stressing the positives from a defeat where they had created enough decent chances to earn something.

Against Brighton, Arteta kept faith with the same starting XI and urged them to make amends in front of their home fans.

The Gunners were unbeaten in 12 home games - since losing 3-0 to Brighton in May - but the first half followed a familiar pattern.

Arsenal moved the ball with pace and purpose against a deep-lying Brighton side, creating several chances for Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli in a one-sided first half.

However, they were unable to find the ruthless streak which Arteta had demanded.

"I didn't want to have the feeling of it being another game where we couldn't score - but you think about it. We had so many chances to put the game to bed," said Arteta, whose side face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Arsenal went into half-time with 15 attempts at goal, of which only three were on target, and the second half started with Odegaard dallying on another chance.

The Gunners' skipper was guilty of taking too long when presented with the ball in the box, a touch instead of a first-time shot allowing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke to brilliantly nip in.

That inadvertently teed up the opening goal, with Van Hecke flicking the resulting corner on to the far post where Jesus pounced.

Arsenal and their fans knew the importance of scoring a second goal to kill off the game, which was further emphasised when Gross slid wide from a cross which he should have converted.

Eventually the hosts did seal victory when Havertz finished off a slick attacking move with a fourth goal in his past seven games.

Brighton are facing a different challenge this season as they juggle domestic and European campaigns with a squad stretched by injury.

Three days after they clinched a place in the Europa League last 16, the Seagulls faced a tight turnaround for one of the toughest trips in the Premier League.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi said they had only one training session to prepare for the game, but refused to look for excuses after a performance where they offered little attacking threat.

Nevertheless, the game would have had a completely different complexion had Gross equalised.

The German perhaps should have slid in with his right leg instead of his left and the miss contributed to Brighton not scoring for the first time in 33 Premier League games.

"I'm disappointed for the result but not for the other things. We deserved to lose. Arsenal played much better than us, they deserved to win the game," said De Zerbi.

"We had the chance to score in the second half. Maybe it could have been different but we didn't deserve any points."
 
Liverpool vs Manchester United Match Report (17-12-2023)​


Manchester United lifted the mood of crisis around manager Erik ten Hag by securing a battling point against Liverpool at Anfield.

In a mediocre encounter, United stopped the rot that had been spreading after the heavy home loss to Bournemouth and a tame Champions League exit rubber-stamped by Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

While this was hardly a classic display from injury-hit United, who had Diogo Dalot sent off for dissent in stoppage time, Ten Hag had cause to be much happier than Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp whose side missed a chance to return to the top of the Premier League.

United keeper Andre Onana made one fine first-half save from Virgil van Dijk, while Rasmus Hojlund had the visitors' best chance in the second half but saw his shot blocked at the near post by Liverpool's Alisson.

Liverpool dominated possession but were too often wasteful and had to settle for a point, not enough to overhaul Arsenal whose earlier win against Brighton took them to the summit.

This was a red-letter day in the history of Liverpool's famous old stadium as the new top deck of the Anfield Road Stand was in use for the first time.

It made the attendance of 57,158 the biggest for any Liverpool home game since the FA Cup tie against Burnley in February 1963 and the third largest at home in their league history.

This was not a game to match the landmark.

Nine months after Liverpool swamped United in a 7-0 Anfield rout, the Red Devils never looked like facing a repeat of such carnage.

Liverpool went into this encounter with their arch-rivals as overwhelming favourites after their rise to the top of the table and United's own struggles, but the reaction at the final whistle made it clear this was two points lost for Klopp's side rather than one gained.

The hosts came out at lightning speed, clearly determined to shatter United's fragile confidence, but they lost momentum as this became an undistinguished, scrappy game, almost devoid of real quality.

Liverpool's 69% of possession was reflected in 34 shots, but too much of their work was wayward, laboured and kept out by a resilient United defensive performance.

And there was no late show to snatch victory, which has been a Liverpool trademark in a season that has brought victories but only intermittently seen Klopp's men touch the heights.

Even Mohamed Salah was unable to produce a piece of magic and when the big moment came late on, substitute Cody Gakpo headed over when unmarked.

The odds were heavily stacked against Ten Hag's United as they arrived at Anfield in the wake of heavy recent criticism, to be tasked with facing a Liverpool team who started the day at the top of the Premier League and who also handed out that historic thrashing here last season.

United had to survive a whirlwind Liverpool start and while they were short on creativity and grateful for the home side's disappointing work in front of goal, the visitors deserved credit for digging deep with a defensive display of real vigour.

Harry Maguire was missing after being injured against Bayern, yet there was much to be admired about how United were willing to throw bodies in front of everything to halt Liverpool, and keeper Onana dealt with everything that came his way.

While United could be satisfied with a point in the circumstances, they will also know striker Hojlund had a big opportunity in front of the Kop in the second half, only to shoot straight at Alisson.

Given the circumstances, however, United will take this result.
 
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Report (17-12-2023)​


Mohammed Kudus scored twice to help West Ham get back on track in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Wolves at London Stadium.

A dominant West Ham looked a different side to the one that suffered a 5-0 thrashing by Fulham at Craven Cottage seven days previously.

Kudus' superb strike from the edge of the box was followed by a calm close-range effort less than 10 minutes later as the Ghanaian attacker put the Hammers firmly in control at the break.

Wolves applied pressure after the break but Jarrod Bowen made the points safe in the 74th minute with his 10th Premier League goal of the season.

David Moyes' home side showed little sign of fatigue from the 2-0 victory against Freiburg on Thursday that sealed their place in the last 16 of the Europa League.

This win moves West Ham to eighth in the Premier League, while Wolves stay 13th, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Keen to avoid a second successive league defeat after last week's embarrassing afternoon at Craven Cottage, West Ham started brightly with Kurt Zouma, Bowen and Lucas Paqueta going close before Kudus' low and left-footed strike found the right corner.

Paqueta led the counter-attack from a Wolves corner, feeding a delightful pass to Kudus who charged towards goal before cutting inside and firing past Dan Bentley.

The pair linked up again for West Ham's second as Kudus slotted home after he was put through on goal by the Brazilian.

Wolves looked more threatening after the break, with Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan, the club's top two scorers this season, going closest.

The visitors thought they were back in the game when Pablo Sarabia slid in Nelson Semedo's ball across the face of goal, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review.

Wolves' efforts came to nothing as Paqueta claimed a hat-trick of assists with a clever return pass to feed Bowen, who beat former Hammers defender Craig Dawson for pace and found the bottom left corner of the net.

Kudus' celebration sees him sit on the advertising boards and is becoming a regular, and welcome, sight for West Ham fans.

The 23-year-old, who arrived at West Ham from Ajax in a deal worth at least £38m in August, has scored in his last three games at London Stadium.

His second goal on Sunday showed how clinical he can be in one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper and he appears to have created an important connection with Paqueta, who was at the centre of all of West Ham's attacking play.

Manager Moyes will hope both players take this form into a tricky festive period, with an EFL Cup quarter-final meeting with Liverpool on Wednesday followed by league games against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Wolves take on Chelsea at Molineux next on December 24, before returning to London to take on Brentford.
 
Tom Lockyer | A polite request

While our captain Tom Lockyer remains in hospital following the cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch at Bournemouth yesterday, we understand that supporters are concerned for him and that there is widespread media interest in his condition.

Tom is still undergoing tests and scans, and is awaiting the results before the next steps for his recovery are determined.

We are unable to provide a running commentary on his situation, and request that all media please wait for any updates to be released via the club’s official channels when the time is right.

We all want the very best for Tom, his partner Taylor and the whole Lockyer family, and politely ask that his and their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

Source : Luton town fc
 
Nuno in line to take Nottingham Forest job with Steve Cooper poised for sack

Nuno Espírito Santo is in line to take over as Nottingham Forest’s manager with the club poised to sack Steve Cooper. Forest are 17th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone, after one win in 13 matches and the former Tottenham and Wolves head coach is in advanced talks over the job.

Nuno is out of work after being dismissed by the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad early in November, months after he won the title there. His most recent Premier League post was an ill-fated 17-game spell at Spurs that ended in November 2021. Before that, Nuno – a client of the agent Jorge Mendes – led Wolves into the top flight and kept them there for three seasons.

Forest have decided to remove Cooper after five defeats and a draw from their past six matches. Cooper survived a damaging 5-0 defeat at Fulham and a 1-1 draw at Wolves this month but Forest have acted after last Friday’s 2-0 home loss to Tottenham. The club’s only win since early September was at home to Aston Villa on 5 November.

Forest also held talks with the former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner, who expressed a willingness to take the job, but Glasner was behind Nuno in the thinking of Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis. Julen Lopetegui was on Forest’s radar but discussions with the former Wolves manager did not progress.

Source : The Guardian
 

Nottingham Forest sack Steve Cooper after poor Premier League run​


Nottingham Forest have confirmed the sacking of manager Steve Cooper, with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo in talks to replace him.

Cooper's exit comes with Forest having lost five of their past six games.

The 44-year-old led Forest to promotion to the Premier League in 2022, ending a 23-year absence from the top flight.

"His achievement in guiding Forest back will undoubtedly remain an iconic moment in the club's history," said owner Evangelos Marinakis.

"We thank Steve for his dedication and commitment during his time with us, as well as the incredible connection he forged with our supporters and the city of Nottingham.

"Steve will always remain a friend of the club and will forever be welcome at the City Ground. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

Cooper, who continued to be a popular figure with the club's fans, was told of the decision on Tuesday.

Forest, who are 17th in the Premier League, have won once in their past 13 top-flight games, taking eight points in that period.

They have picked up one point from their past six matches and are five points ahead of third-from-bottom Luton, who have a match in hand.

Cooper's final game at the helm was a 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham last Friday.

He is the second Premier League manager to be sacked this season, after Sheffield United dismissed Paul Heckingbottom earlier this month.


Forest's patience with Cooper runs out​

Former England Under-17s boss Cooper was appointed when Forest were bottom of the Championship in September 2021, leading them to promotion in the same season and ensuring top-flight safety with a 16th-place finish.

The Welshman overhauled the squad after promotion with 19 players joining on permanent deals and three arriving on loan, while 17 left the club.

Cooper's future at the City Ground came under the spotlight on several occasions last season as they struggled to find consistency and had to rely almost solely on home fixtures to pick up points - claiming 30 of their 38 when hosting.

In April, owner Marinakis released a statement backing Cooper in an attempt to end "false and disruptive reporting" about his future.

Forest were 18th with four games left to play but managed to pick up eight points across those matches to climb away from danger.

But the issue of performing on the road has persisted into 2023-24, with only five points collected from nine outings.

Cooper has been consistently backed by the Forest support, but Marinakis has become increasingly concerned at his club's plight.

Forest play Bournemouth at the City Ground on Saturday before fixtures at Newcastle United on 26 December and at home to Manchester United on 30 December.

Nuno in talks and favourite to take over​

Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner has been mentioned as a potential replacement, but it appears Nuno - who also briefly managed Spurs two seasons ago - is now in pole position.

The 49-year-old Portuguese manager was sacked by Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ittihad in November.

Nuno spent four years in charge of Wolves, guiding the club to promotion from the Championship in his first season in charge before consecutive seventh-place finishes in the Premier League and a run to the Europa League quarter-finals.

The former goalkeeper left Molineux in the summer of 2021 to join Spurs, but was sacked after less than four months in charge after a run of five defeats in seven games.

He joined Al-Ittihad in July 2022 and guided the Jeddah-based side to the Saudi title last season, but was dismissed 12 games into the new campaign after a run of poor results.

Nuno previously managed Rio Ave, Valencia and Porto.

Marinakis never satisfied with Cooper - analysis​


Steve Cooper will always be revered amongst Forest fans for taking the club from the bottom of the Championship and returning them to the Premier League after a 23-year absence - then keeping them there.

It may be some time before it is established exactly what lay behind Forest's scattergun approach to the transfer market following promotion but somehow, Cooper forged a team that managed to secure top flight status on a never-to-be-forgotten night against Arsenal in May.

Yet there was always a suspicion owner Evangelos Marinakis was not entirely satisfied with the job Cooper was doing.

In October last year, in what was cruelly dubbed the Premier League game when the defeated manager would lose his job, Forest were hammered 4-0 at Leicester. It seemed inevitable Cooper would go. Instead, he got a new contract.

Yet the extended deal did not bring with it job security.

And while the memories of that Arsenal victory lingered over the summer, Marinakis was already setting his sights on substantial improvement, which evidently has not materialised.

So, while the Forest fans have remained loyally behind Cooper, his boss' attitude was hardening.

A draw at Wolves on 9 December delayed his exit but the decision to make a change had already been made. It was just a question of timing. Forest need to hope Marinakis has called it right.


Source: BBC
 
Premier League injury news, 2023-24 season

What players are injured for Arsenal?
OUT: Thomas Partey (thigh), Jurrien Timber (torn ACL - out for season), Fabio Vieira (hip), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Mohamed Elneny (thigh)| QUESTIONABLE: Jorginho (foot)

What players are injured for Aston Villa?
OUT: Douglas Luiz (suspension), Boubacar Kamara (suspension), Luas Digne (suspension), Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL - out for season), Bertrand Traore (undisclosed), Robin Olsen (knock) | QUESTIONABLE: Pau Torres (undisclosed), Youri Tielemans (undisclosed)

What players are injured for Bournemouth?
OUT: Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Hamed Traore (illness), Maximillian Aarons (hamstring), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Darren Randolph (illness)

What players are injured for Brentford?
OUT: Ben Mee (suspension), Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Mathias Jensen (adductor), Ivan Toney (suspension), Rico Henry (torn ACL - out for season), Kevin Schade (adductor), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Kristofer Ajer (foot), Frank Onyeka (suspension), Josh Dasilva (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Nathan Collins (ankle)

What players are injured for Brentford?
OUT: Ben Mee (suspension), Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Mathias Jensen (adductor), Ivan Toney (suspension), Rico Henry (torn ACL - out for season), Kevin Schade (adductor), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Kristofer Ajer (foot), Frank Onyeka (suspension), Josh Dasilva (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Nathan Collins (ankle)

What players are injured for Brighton?
OUT: Ansu Fati (thigh), Julio Enciso (knee), Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Solly March (knee), Pervis Estupinan (thigh), Adam Webster (knock), Joel Veltman (knee)

Source : CNBC Sports

www.nbcsports.com

Premier League injury news, 2023-24 season

Whose injury status is up in the air, and who's hoping to be fit in time for matchweek 18?
www.nbcsports.com www.nbcsports.com
 
All these players are on four yellow cards for the season with their teams set to play on Boxing Day.

If they pick up another yellow card this weekend, they will be suspended on Boxing Day.

20231220_205814.jpg
 
Possible Premier League fixture amendments. Bournemouth v Luton match to be replayed: How it affects FPL

Following the on-field medical emergency involving Luton Town FC player Tom Lockyer, the Premier League Board has decided last Saturday’s AFC Bournemouth v Luton Town FC fixture will be replayed in full.

The game will be rescheduled for later in the season, with a date to be confirmed following consultation with relevant parties.

The decision to abandon the match in the 59th minute was made collectively between the match officials, players, managers from both clubs and the Premier League.

The League would like to thank the medical staff and all those involved for their swift actions in responding to what was an extremely upsetting situation for everyone. We wish Tom a continued recovery and our thoughts are with him, his family and all those at Luton Town FC.
 

FA charges Brentford and Aston Villa for behaviour of their teams​

Aston Villa and Brentford have been charged by the Football Association for the behaviour of their teams during their Premier League game on Sunday.

Villa striker Ollie Watkins scored the winner in a 2-1 victory at his former club and his celebration sparked a scuffle between the players.

Villa's Boubacar Kamara was sent off in injury time for shoving Brentford's Yehor Yarmoliuk in the face.

The clubs have until Friday, 22 December to respond.

"Brentford allegedly failed to ensure that their players did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way during the 85th minute," said an FA statement.

"It's further alleged that the club failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way during the 98th minute.

"Aston Villa also allegedly failed to ensure that their players did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way during the 85th minute.

"It's further alleged that the club failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way during the 98th minute."

Overall, there were two red cards, 10 other players booked and both Bees boss Thomas Frank and Villa manager Unai Emery cautioned in the match.

In addition to Kamara being dismissed late on, Brentford defender Ben Mee was sent-off for a tackle on Leon Bailey.

Source: BBC
 

Brighton's De Zerbi eyes 'dream' Palace win​

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi said on Wednesday his players will have a sleepless night as they contemplate a dream victory at Crystal Palace.

One of the odder derbies in English football takes place on Thursday, although for many years London club Palace have been the closest team to Brighton at some 40 miles north of the south coast side.

The sides only started to become fierce rivals in the mid 1970s when they climbed from the old Third Division to the First Division under two young managers in former Tottenham team-mates Alan Mullery (Brighton) and Terry Venables (Palace), both ex-England internationals.

They now meet in the Premier League, with ninth-placed Brighton the favourites to beat a Palace side without a victory in their last six matches. "We have a big motivation to win the game, for the league table, but especially for our fans," De Zerbi told reporters.

"We know the importance of the game, and the level of difficulty of the game. "It is an honour for the players to play in this type of game, and in this type of atmosphere.

"It is a motivation and a dream to win away, especially in a derby game, and it is a big motivation not to sleep tonight."

The Seagulls, bidding for back-to-back wins against Palace, will be without defender Joel Veltman after the Dutch right-back suffered a knee injury in a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal last weekend.

"He (Veltman) has an injury not so big but I think for a couple of months we lost him," added Italian boss De Zerbi.

Source : The Express Tribune
 
Update on Tom Lockyer

Carlton Morris reflects on Tom Lockyer cardiac arrest. 'It puts things in perspective'

Luton's Carlton Morris says it was a huge relief to learn that teammate Tom Lockyer was responsive following his cardiac arrest. Tom Lockyer is out of critical zone and feeling well now.

Source : Sky Sports
 
Danny Welbeck's late looping header rescued a point for Brighton as they denied rivals Crystal Palace victory at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.

Having dominated much of the second half, the Seagulls deservedly levelled when substitute Welbeck met Pascal Gross' deep cross, flicking the ball over Dean Henderson and into the top corner.

Jordan Ayew had opened the scoring for Crystal Palace on the stroke of half-time, and the home side were eight minutes of normal time away from ending their six-match winless run.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had gifted Michael Olise possession and the forward's long cross found Ayew who finished at the back post.

After Welbeck's leveller, the visitors looked most likely to net a winner and came close in bizarre circumstances when Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson punched a cross against the head of Welbeck and was fortunate to see the ball bounce wide.
 
Dates for 2024/25 Premier League season confirmed

The Premier League 2024/25 season dates have been confirmed, with the campaign starting on Friday 17 August 2024, 90 days after the 2023/24 Premier League concluded on 19 May.

The final match round of the 2024/25 season will be played on 25 May 2025, when all matches will kick off simultaneously as usual.

In keeping with previous commitments made to clubs to address the congested schedule across Christmas and New Year, arrangements will be made to allow more rest time over three of the festive match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match. There will be no fixture on 24 December 2024.

The 2024/25 season will consist of 33 weekends, four midweek round of matches and one Bank Holiday Matchweek.

Source : EPL
 
Aston Villa missed out on the chance to move top of the Premier League as they were held at home by bottom club Sheffield United.

Cameron Archer, sold by Villa to the Blades in the summer, stunned the hosts by opening the scoring in the 88th minute from close range.

Substitute Nicolo Zaniolo snatched a point for Villa with a header deep into stoppage time, but they could not find a winner.

Villa needed a win to go top for the first time since August 2011, having not led the table at this stage in a season for 25 years.

But despite dominating possession and chances, they remain behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference.

Leon Bailey had the ball in the net earlier in the second half but it was ruled out by the video assistant referee.

Villa had come close in the first half when United keeper Wes Foderingham saved low from Moussa Diaby before Ezri Konsa sent a stooping far-post header over from a John McGinn corner.

They were also frustrated by VAR, which corroborated on-pitch official Anthony Taylor's decision not to award an 11th-minute penalty when Ollie Watkins was bundled over by Vinicius Souza.

VAR continued to deny Villa after the break, with Jacob Ramsey judged to have fouled Foderingham from a corner before Bailey swept home just before the hour.

And they were sucker punched in the 88th minute when Archer turned home Gustavo Hamer's pull back from inside the six-yard box, before Zaniolo rescued some small consolation by beating Foderingham to Douglas Luiz's 97th-minute cross.

The build-up to this game was dominated by talk of how a win would ensure Villa finish a day top of the Premier League table at least 18 games into a season for the first time since they led the way at Christmas in 1998.

A club-record run of 15 successive home league wins, including victories over Manchester City and Arsenal in their previous two matches at Villa Park, has ensured Unai Emery's side are firmly in the title picture - but that run is now at an end.

Certainly United manager Chris Wilder treated this game like a visit to a title contender, with his side clicking into a 5-4-1 formation whenever Villa had possession.

This was most of the game - Villa had 78% possession in the first half - and while it was not pretty, it was certainly effective in frustrating the hosts and neutralising their creative players.

It also frustrated the supporters, who were treated to a light show and fireworks before kick-off as anticipation grew of a move to the top of English football.

But as the nerves grew and the visitors became bolder, what should have been Villa's big night turned into a damp squib.

Credit must be given to United however, who now have four points from their first three games since Wilder's return to the club to boost their hopes of Premier League survival - although they remain five points from safety after Zaniolo's equaliser.
 
Villa's worse home performance of the season. Lucky point for them
 
FULL-TIME

West Ham 2-0 Man Utd

Manchester United's troubles continue, the bubbles are flowing for West Ham.
 
FearlessRoar said:
FULL-TIME

West Ham 2-0 Man Utd

Manchester United's troubles continue, the bubbles are flowing for West Ham.
Click to expand...

West Ham scored twice in six minutes to condemn Manchester United to an eighth Premier League defeat of the season at the London Stadium.

It took 72 minutes of a drab encounter for West Ham to find the opener when Lucas Paqueta lifted the ball into Jarrod Bowen's path and the Hammers' top scorer this season bundled past Andre Onana.

Mohammed Kudus, who has scored in his last three home games for West Ham, latched onto Kobbie Mainoo's defensive error to drill into the bottom corner and double the home side's lead.

Manchester United have won just one match out of their last five in the top flight and Erik ten Hag's side have lost more games than they have won this season across all competitions.

As a result West Ham leapfrog them into sixth place in the table as United drop to eighth.

Manchester United host unexpected title-challengers Aston Villa on Boxing Day while West Ham travel to Arsenal on Thursday 28 December.

West Ham find way to win

West Ham are used to watching their opponents dominate possession - they have beaten Arsenal and Tottenham over the past two months with less than 30% possession.

But David Moyes' side struggled to be effective on the counter in the first half in a flat game of poor quality on both sides.

Bowen's brilliant header from a corner required Onana to tip over the bar as West Ham struggled to find their rhythm.

But after Paqueta's sublime ball set up Bowen, West Ham upped the tempo and the volume from the crowd increased with it.

Kudus doubled their lead with his 10th goal of the season, nine of which have come at London Stadium, as Manchester United struggled to get back in the game.

Fans have called for West Ham manager David Moyes to enter the transfer market in January for a striker but with the threat of Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta, who has assisted the Hammers' last five goals in the league, West Ham look on track to enjoy another fruitful season.

An unhappy Christmas for Man Utd

After Manchester United secured a point against Liverpool at Anfield last time out, the mood of negativity seemed to ease but, following a poor performance against a team managed by their former manager, the statistics make for grim reading.

United have lost 13 games in all competitions already this season - the last season they lost more matches before Christmas was in 1930-31 (16), a campaign in which they finished bottom of the top flight.

They have also recorded more defeats so far this season than in all 62 competitive games last term.

And they have failed to score in their last four matches in all competitions for the first time since November 1992 under Alex Ferguson.

Rasmus Hojlund, who was replaced by Marcus Rashford after 55 minutes, is still yet to register a goal in the Premier League while Antony has failed to score or provide an assist in all 19 appearances this season.

While Ten Hag's list of injuries is extensive, forcing him to turn to the academy and hand a first senior appearance to 19-year-old defender Willy Kambwala, the lack of chances created with the forward players at his disposal will be a concern for the Dutchman.

Their response to going behind appeared to be indifference and they will have to quickly pick themselves up with the prospect of an in-form Villa on the horizon.

Off the pitch, uncertainty around their ownership continues to rumble on and a resolution looks increasingly unlikely before Christmas.

Source: BBC

 
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