Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid in a huge La Liga derby on Sunday.
Los Blancos know that a defeat to their city rivals could prove critically damaging in their hopes of hauling in league leaders Barcelona.
Atleti's title hopes are more or less over already, but they could still finish in second place above Madrid if they can string some consistent results together.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid score
Score
Goal scorers
Real Madrid
1
Vinicius 52'
Atletico Madrid
1
Lookman 33'
Location: Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid, Spain) Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero
Starting lineups:
Real Madrid (4-4-2, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Carvajal, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia — Valverde, Thiago Pitarch, Tchouameni, Guler — B. Diaz, Vinicius
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2, right to left): Musso (GK) — Llorente, Hancko, Le Normand, Ruggeri — Simeone, Cardoso, Koke, Lookman — Griezmann, Alvarez
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid highlights, key incidents
This section will be updated as highlights become available.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid talking points, analysis
This section will be updated after the match.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid reaction
Post-match reaction from both teams to follow.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid upcoming schedules
The highly energetic and enthusiastic head coach had to answer for the fact that he dropped Mario Götze from his matchday squad ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga loss against Mainz. Germans naturally had to know why their 2014 World Cup hero had to watch from the stands.
Mario Götze has been fading from Albert Riera’s sights
Götze has actually started three league fixtures under Riera, but remained unused on the bench in the last two Bundesliga rounds. The 33-year-old is neither injured nor carrying any sort of lingering injury. Much of this has to do with the fact that players such as Ansgar Knauff, Younes Enboutalib, Arthur Theate, and Can Uzun have recovered from injury.
Speaking to DAZN prior to kickoff, Riera cited the need to keep defender Elias Baum on the squad as the lone defensive relief player. Riera then lauded Götze for his “professionalism” and “character” in accepting the decision. The Spaniard cited his experience on the Spanish national team as an example of the fact that sometimes there simply isn’t enough room.
Riera then got feisty at the press conference.
Riera’s press conference rant
“You asked me a question, I’ll ask you a question,” Riera – visibly agitated – began in response to the Götze query. “Which player should I remove from the team to make room for Mario? Who? Tell me one player.
“Don’t tell it to me,” Riera then continued, answering his own rhetorical question. “No, don’t tell it to me. Tell it to him [the player hypothetically dropped for Mario]. No, [Elias] Baumi, you’re not in the squad. No Oscar [Højlund], you’re not in the squad.
“I needed the players who were in the squad today,” Riera went on, deliberately talking over the reporter’s attempt at a follow up question. “I need them. Two defenders injured. Who else do I have but Baumi on the bench? If I could take 21 players, Mario would be there.“
“They can’t all go into the squad,” Riera continued. “Mario is a fantastic professional with a fantastic character. He and everyone else understands that every game is different and requires different players. Maybe next game he’ll be in.“
WATCH: Nahuel Molina wondergoal pegs Real Madrid back in Madrid derby
Atletico Madrid have responded to conceding twice in five minutes to Real Madrid by bringing themselves back level at the Bernabeu.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side had a couple of big chances in the opening half hour, with Dani Carvajal denied by Juan Musso and Fede Valverde seeing an effort crash against the post. Atleti had to absorb a lot of pressure, but they were the team to make the breakthrough when Matteo Ruggeri’s cross was brilliantly flicked into the path of Ademola Lookman by Giuliano Simeone, with the Nigeria international making no mistake to score.
Atleti did so well to nullify Real Madrid for the most part in the first half, but seven minutes into the second, they were pegged back. David Hancko took down Brahim Diaz inside the penalty area, and that allowed Vinicius Junior to score from 12 yards. And minutes later, Fede Valverde struck to make it 2-1, although Diego Simeone’s side are now back level.
It’s a brilliant strike to bring Atleti back into the game, as Nahuel Molina has piledriven an effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
🤯 Valverde continues ludicrous form with clutch Madrid derby goal
In the absence of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, another Real Madrid star needed to step up during Sunday's derby against rivals Atletico.
So that's exactly what Fede Valverde did.
The Uruguayan continues to be in ludicrous form, and bagged yet another goal to turn the score on its head to temporarily make it 2-1 after Vinicius Junior's penalty. Both goals arrived within a five-minute spell.
Valverde remained alert near the box, sprung forward with his impressive strides to jump on the ball, and scored with a trivela finish.
It means he now has a staggering 16 goal contributions (eight goals and eight assists) through only 20 games in 2026.
WATCH: Vinicius Junior brings Real Madrid level in Madrid derby before Fede Valverde completes comeback
Real Madrid trailed at half time in the Madrid derby, but soon into the second period, they have managed to complete a fine comeback at the Bernabeu.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side had a couple of big chances in the opening half hour, with Dani Carvajal denied by Juan Musso and Fede Valverde seeing an effort crash against the post. Atleti had to absorb a lot of pressure, but they were the team to make the breakthrough when Matteo Ruggeri’s cross was brilliantly flicked into the path of Ademola Lookman by Giuliano Simeone, with the Nigeria international making no mistake to score.
Atleti did so well to nullify Real Madrid for the most part in the first half, but seven minutes into the second, they have been pegged back. David Hancko takes down Brahim Diaz inside the penalty area, and that has allowed Vinicius Junior to score from 12 yards.
And it would get better for Real Madrid moments later as Fede Valverde has continued his goalscoring form to make it 2-1, as he pounced on an error from Atleti substitute Jose Maria Gimenez.
Real Madrid desperately needed this start to the second half. They had been on course to stay seven points behind Barcelona, but the gap is now poised to reduce back down to four.
Shock departure: Schmadtke leaves Hannover - reasons still unclear
In a surprising development, Hannover 96 announced that Jörg Schmadtke’s tenure as sporting director is already over, barely three months after he took over the role on January 1st.
The club released only a brief statement, with no clear explanation given for the decision. According to reports, the separation was agreed upon mutually, but the exact background of the move remains unclear.
Schmadtke had originally signed a long-term deal and returned to Hannover with high expectations, having previously enjoyed a successful spell at the club. His second stint, however, ends far earlier than anticipated.
Despite the boardroom shake-up, Hannover remain in a competitive position in the 2. Bundesliga, still pushing for promotion in the final stretch of the season.
For now, the focus shifts to how the club restructures its sporting leadership - with more clarity on Schmadtke’s sudden exit still expected in the coming days.
Former Wolfsburg defender called up to French national team for the first time
The 25-year-old Maxence Lacroix, now playing for Crystal Palace, will report to the French national team on Monday after being drafted into the squad. Lacroix replaces Arsenal's William Saliba, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Having previously represented France at youth level, this call-up marks Lacroix’s long-awaited breakthrough into the senior setup. His consistent performances at club level have now been rewarded with a chance to impress on the international stage.
Lacroix played 130 games for Wolfsburg, more than for any other team in his career so far, between 2020 and 2024. He left Wolfsburg for Crystal Palace for a transfer fee of €18m.
Manchester City seized the moment that was on offer against Arsenal in today’s Carabao Cup final
Manchester City claimed the first trophy of the 2025/26 season as they beat Arsenal 2-0 to claim the Carabao Cup at Wembley. A second half brace from Nico O’Reilly capped off a superb second-half performance from Pep Guardiola’s side as they picked up a win that they well and truly deserved. What today’s Carabao Cup represented was a moment in the 25/26 season and in the development of this City side. Come the final whistle, they had seized their moment, which helped them pick up a big victory over Mikel Arteta’s side.
Once Manchester City took control of today’s Carabao Cup final, there was no looking back.
Every major cup final is defined by moments, and which players and team seize them. Manchester City were that team today against Arsenal at Wembley. The process began early on in today’s Carabao Cup final. James Trafford made a superb triple save to deny Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka twice in the early stages of today’s match. Mikel Arteta’s side had begun today’s match brightly, but Trafford’s trio of saves denied them the opportunity to gain an early foothold in the match. That was the first big moment to go Manchester City’s way today.
After the opening twenty minutes, Manchester City grew into the game. They navigated their way through Arsenal’s impressive start to gain a foothold in the match. From the 20th minute until halftime, City began to drop Arsenal with their possession. Nothing came of it in terms of chances for City up until halftime. What City had done was put themselves into a good position entering the interval. Erling Haaland headed a chance over from an Antoine Semenyo cross just before halftime. It wasn’t a major chance, but it was a warning to Mikel Arteta’s side. It was a warning that would become something much more in the second half.
Pep Guardiola tweaked his tactics somewhat at halftime. With Arsenal left-back Piero Hincapié on a yellow card, and struggling to contend with Antoine Semenyo, Guardiola sensed a weakness. As Nico O’Reilly explained after the match, the space was on the right for Cherki, Matheus Nunes and Semenyo to exploit. Especially with Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice determined to get at Bernardo Silva or Rodri when they had possession, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola had found a weakness in Mikel Arteta’s side. They exploited it ruthlessly as both of Nico O’Reilly’s goals came from moves that originated from the right.
Manchester City sensed a weakness in Arsenal, and they seized their moment to exploit it. When the tale of the 2026 Carabao Cup is written, Manchester City’s ability to seize, or win, the big moments was the difference between the two teams.
Today’s result feels like a big moment for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City won their first major trophy of 2026 with their victory over Arsenal today at Wembley. That is a special moment in itself, but more than that, City’s Carabao Cup victory feels like a big moment for this team. This new-look City side has now won their first trophy together. That experience will be huge for them. They now know what it takes to win a competition. That is a big step in the growth of this City side. The naysayers will say it is only the Carabao Cup, but that assessment discounts what the experience of winning a trophy can do for a team. The hope is that this City side can kick on from here.
Another side of the equation is today’s Carabao Cup result shows that anything remains possible this season for Manchester City. Yes, Arsenal sit nine points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table. Pep Guardiola’s side does have a game in hand, and Arsenal has to come to the Etihad in April. The destiny of this season’s Premier League title is in Arsenal’s hands. But today’s result could put doubt into an Arsenal side that is itself learning to win trophies. Time will reveal if today’s result has that effect in the title race.
Manchester City seized their moments when they came at Wembley to win today’s Carabao Cup final over Arsenal. They did that on the pitch at crucial times, and today’s result is an important moment in the journey that this City side is on. It could also be looked back upon as an important moment in the 25/26 season, depending on what unfolds after the international break.
Atlético Madrid star ruled out of Barcelona showdown
La Liga giants Atlético Madrid will be forced to make do without the contributions of a member of the club’s midfield ranks in their upcoming clash with Barcelona.
This comes owing to developments in Sunday’s Madrid Derby.
Atlético are of course currently locked in action on the domestic front, in a league meeting with arch rivals Real Madrid.
The Rojiblancos lead by a goal to nil at the Bernabéu, owing to a first-half strike on the part of Ademola Lookman.
An otherwise positive outing to date for Diego Simeone’s troops, though, has been soured to at least some degree by a blow on the personnel front.
Owing to a foul just shy of the half-hour mark, Johnny Cardoso was shown a yellow card this evening. His fifth of the La Liga campaign, the American is therefore facing up to a one-game suspension.
Cardoso will in turn be unavailable for selection for Atléti’s post-international break clash with table-topping Barcelona.
“I do not understand” Chris Sutton questions starting Kepa in final
David Raya was widely expected to start in goal for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, yet Mikel Arteta opted to retain Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had featured throughout the competition. The decision reflected a degree of loyalty to the goalkeeper who had contributed to the club’s progress in the tournament, though it inevitably raised questions given the magnitude of the occasion.
In the build-up to the match, there was a broader expectation that Arteta might prioritise experience and reliability, particularly in a final where margins are often fine. Raya has consistently been preferred in league and Champions League fixtures when fit, underlining his status as the first-choice goalkeeper. That context made the selection decision all the more notable, as it deviated from the established hierarchy at a critical moment in the season.
Costly Decision in a Crucial Match
The Spaniard delivered an unconvincing performance, ultimately contributing to Manchester City’s victory and their triumph in the Carabao Cup. It is a decision that Arteta may now reflect upon with some regret. While Kepa had performed admirably in earlier rounds, this occasion exposed vulnerabilities that had previously been overlooked.
The Gunners have rarely entrusted him with responsibility in the most important fixtures when Raya is available, and this performance offered a clear illustration of why that has been the case. In one of the most significant matches of his career, he appeared unprepared for the intensity and pressure of the moment.
Questions Over Goalkeeping Selection
Arsenal noticeably lacked the composure and assurance that Raya typically provides, and this absence was keenly felt throughout the match. The decision to persist with Kepa in such a high-stakes encounter also drew criticism from observers, including Chris Sutton.
“I never understand why managers play their second-choice goalkeepers in cup finals. For the life of me, I do not understand that.
“You’re trying to win a trophy, why wouldn’t you play your number one to give yourself the best possible chance? That’s common sense.”
Kepa had earned his place through solid performances earlier in the competition, and it is difficult to fault Arteta entirely for maintaining consistency. However, the final represented a missed opportunity for the goalkeeper to demonstrate that he could be relied upon in the most demanding circumstances.
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Ian Wright has questioned Arsenal’s mentality following their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, suggesting their performance at Wembley fell short of the standards required to win major trophies.
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Mikel Arteta’s side were second best after the break as City found another gear, with Nico O’Reilly scoring twice in quick succession to seal a deserved victory and leave Arsenal still waiting for silverware.
What Ian Wright said after full-time whistle
"A very disappointing one for me… a really poor performance."
Ian Wright reacts to a disappointing afternoon at Wembley for his beloved Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/jj8KhOPk33
Speaking on Sky Sports via BBC Sport, Wright made it clear that the display raised concerns, particularly when viewed against Arsenal’s ambitions in the Premier League title race.
“Arsenal’s project is about them trying to win the league. It’s a different team that’s going out there [in the league]. The mentality has got to be better than it was today.”
The former Gunners forward’s comments point towards a gap between Arsenal’s league form and what they produced on the biggest domestic stage, with the performance lacking both intensity and belief once City took control.
Arsenal performance raises questions ahead of title run-in
There is no doubt that Arsenal remain in a strong position domestically, sitting top of the Premier League table, but this defeat will inevitably raise questions about how they handle pressure in decisive moments.
Declan Rice, who has been widely praised this season and even tipped as a Player of the Season contender, was among those criticised after the match for failing to influence the midfield battle, with City’s technical quality proving decisive.
With a crucial run of league fixtures still to come, including a meeting with City at the Etihad Stadium, Wright’s warning about mentality could prove significant if Arsenal are to turn their promising campaign into tangible success.
For a team chasing the title, performances like this serve as a reminder that consistency in high-pressure matches remains the final step in their development.
There was a notable moment of sportsmanship involving Kepa Arrizabalaga after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, with players from both sides offering support following the final whistle at Wembley.
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The Spanish goalkeeper endured a difficult afternoon, with his costly error leading to City’s opening goal before Pep Guardiola’s side went on to secure victory with a dominant second-half display.
What happened to Kepa after the final whistle
According to BBC Sport reporter Alex Howell at Wembley, the immediate reaction from fellow goalkeepers highlighted the respect within the position.
“The goalkeepers union really is a thing.
All of the goalkeepers on the pitch from both Manchester City and Arsenal have consoled Kepa Arrizabalaga and had some words for him.”
It was a small but telling moment after a high-pressure final, with the 31-year-old clearly affected following a mistake that ultimately shifted the momentum of the contest in City’s favour.
Kepa error proved decisive in Arsenal defeat
The Arsenal stopper had been trusted to start in the competition ahead of first-choice David Raya, despite some uncertainty from Mikel Arteta earlier in the week when discussing his selection, and that decision unfortunately backfired in the second half.
Kepa’s dropped cross allowed Nico O’Reilly to head City in front, and the same player doubled the lead just minutes later, leaving Arsenal chasing the game with little response.
That contrasted sharply with Manchester City’s own goalkeeping display, with James Trafford producing a crucial triple save in the first half to keep his side level before the breakthrough arrived.
Declan Rice was among those criticised after the match for failing to influence proceedings in midfield, but it was the decisive moment involving the Spain international that proved the turning point in a final where fine margins were always likely to be decisive.
Despite the disappointment, the reaction from both teams’ goalkeepers ensured Kepa was not left to dwell on the error alone, underlining the unique bond that exists within the position even on football’s biggest stages.
Arsenal have suffered a major setback with defeat in today’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
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The Gunners were pretty poor in every department, with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga making a particularly bad error on Man City’s first goal, while attackers like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Viktor Gyokeres didn’t contribute enough either.
Nico O’Reilly scored both goals for City as they went on to lift the trophy, and few will argue that they didn’t deserve it.
Read on for our Arsenal player ratings in a performance most of these players will want to forget fast…
Arsenal player ratings vs Manchester City
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 2/10 – Unconvincing on the ball, and unfortunately just always looked prone to an error, which eventually came when he failed to deal with the cross for the first goal. Surely an end to him starting big games for Arsenal.
William Saliba – 7/10 – Kept Erling Haaland quiet very well, and probably the only Arsenal player to come away with much credit as it’s hard to find much he did wrong on the day.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6/10 – Not the worst player on the pitch by any means, but not his usual calm self on the ball, which made it hard for Arsenal to build from the back.
Ben White – 4/10 – While Ben White has been a great performer for much of his Arsenal career, it’s perhaps easy to see why Jurrien Timber is now the clear first choice when fit. Jeremy Doku ran White ragged for much of the game when you sense Timber might’ve done a bit better to keep the City winger quiet.
Piero Hincapie – 4/10 – Like White on the other side, it was a really unconvincing display from Piero Hincapie. The Ecuador international couldn’t handle Antoine Semenyo and probably should’ve been replaced by Riccardo Calafiori a lot earlier.
Martin Zubimendi – 5/10 – Just slightly off the pace and unable to control the midfield like he can do at his best. Martin Zubimendi is perhaps tired, more than anything else, after starting so many games in what has been a very intense season for Arsenal.
Declan Rice – 6/10 – Worked harder than a lot of his teammates, but didn’t bring as much quality as he’s capable of.
Kai Havertz – 4/10 – Probably not fit enough to be starting a big game like this, and it showed. Kai Havertz has a role to play in this Arsenal squad, and has been missed through injury, but it’s obvious that Eberechi Eze would have started and would surely have been more influential had he been fit enough.
Bukayo Saka – 3/10 – Considering he captained Arsenal on the day and is their highest paid player, this was really far from good enough from Bukayo Saka. The England winger was pretty much invisible throughout and has not quite looked himself for most of this season. To show up and play like this in such an important game is pretty unforgiveable.
Leandro Trossard – 4/10 – Pretty quiet, as he has been for a while now. Somehow not replaced by Gabriel Martinelli until the closing stages.
Viktor Gyokeres – 4/10 – Worked hard and caused City some problems with his movement early on, but you want more than that from your marquee striker signing in a major cup final.
Subs: Riccardo Calafiori 6, Noni Madueke 6, Gabriel Martinelli 5, Gabriel Jesus 6
Liverpool Identify This Bayern Munich Winger As A Target: Dream Option For Slot?
In a recent report, Fichajes claimed that Liverpool have identified Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise as a target. It has been revealed that the Reds are eyeing a move to bring the French wide player to Merseyside this summer.
Olise’s Impressive Record In German Football
Olise is having another productive campaign at the Munich club as he has put in a series of impressive displays for them in the final third. The French talent has banged in 16 goals and grabbed 27 assists in 39 matches for Bayern Munich this season across all fronts.
The 24-year-old is currently among the best wingers in European football. Hence, the Reds would do well to get a deal done for him at the end of this campaign.
His current contract at the Bavarian club will expire in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for Liverpool to sign him on a cut-price deal this off-season.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 21: Michael Olise of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on March 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Will Olise Be A Dream Option For Liverpool Boss Arne Slot?
Olise has got the pace to cause a lot of problems for his marker out in the wide areas. He has got the vision to create some decent chances in the final third and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet.
The French wide player can strike the ball with venom from long range and can contribute by scoring and creating his fair share of goals from the flanks. Olise is primarily a right-sided winger but can also play in the number ten position if required. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League from his time at Crystal Palace and won’t take much time to adjust to life at Liverpool.
We can expect Olise to bring more quality and depth to Arne Slot’s frontline. He is good enough to nail down a regular starting place at Anfield in the coming years.
At 24, Olise has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a dream option for the Reds to consider this summer. Furthermore, he would serve as an ideal successor to Mohamed Salah at the Merseyside club. Therefore, Slot would be wise to step up his efforts to bring Olise back to England later this year.
Gasperini remains silent after Roma’s win over Lecce
Gian Piero Gasperini lost his voice during Roma’s win over Lecce, so the Giallorossi boss did not release any post-match interview.
Roma coach Gasperini won’t speak to the media about the Giallorossi’s win over Lecce on Sunday, having lost his voice during the game, according to Italian sources, including TMW.
Why Gasperini didn’t talk to the media after Roma 1-0 Lecce
Gasperini didn’t show up for interviews with DAZN and Sky Sport Italia and won’t even hold a post-match press conference.
Robinio Vaz’s first goal with Roma allowed Gasperini’s side to secure a much-needed win in the race for the top four.
Roma had collected two defeats and one draw in Serie A prior to today’s fixture.
Gasperini didn’t even hold a pre-match press conference on the eve of the game.
GENOA, ITALY – MARCH 8: Gian Piero Gasperini, head coach of Roma, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on March 8, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)
Roma have lost 14 games across all competitions this season, but they are level on 54 points with Juventus in the Serie A table, three below fourth-placed Como.
Ake, now 31, joined City in 2020 and has collected 11 major honours while in Manchester.
Now six years on, the central defender is one of the elder statesmen of the dressing room and is surrounded by some exciting starlet talent.
Ake discussed that nurturing role in the squad but stressed that a strong mentality is in the City DNA regardless of age.
“Suddenly, you’re one of the older ones - it’s a bit weird!” he continued.
“We have a lot of young and talented players, but as you saw, a lot of mentality as well.
“The manager already touched on it every day in training and in meetings, that we’re expected to win.
“We’ve had our ups and downs this season. Today we showed, even young players, O’Reilly scoring two, that everyone has the mentality to do good things.”
Liverpool’s Richard Hughes replacement now looks clear
Richard Hughes: Situation Summary
Al-Hilal Interest
Reports from Saudi journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan indicate that Al-Hilal has reached a preliminary agreement with Hughes to become their new sporting director this summer. While transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirms the "strong interest," he notes that Hughes remains focused on his duties at Anfield for the time being. The Saudi club reportedly views Hughes as a key figure who could facilitate high-profile Premier League acquisitions.
Strategic Shift and Future
Hughes’ position has been impacted by FSG’s recent decision to shelve its multi-club ownership model. This shift has altered the remit originally envisioned for the football leadership team, including CEO of Football Michael Edwards. While Hughes remains under contract until June 2027, the changing landscape at the AXA Training Centre has led to speculation that he may consider the Al-Hilal project if his long-term influence at Liverpool is reduced.
“Absolutely superb” Pundit says Man City dominated the second half
Two second-half goals from Nico O’Reilly helped Manchester City defeat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final today, ending any remaining talk of an Arsenal quadruple. The Gunners were left to reflect on a missed opportunity after failing to convert their first-half dominance in a match that ultimately demanded a decisive winner.
Arsenal started strongly and controlled large portions of the opening period, creating chances and applying pressure on their opponents. However, their inability to take advantage of those opportunities proved costly. In high-stakes matches, maintaining performance levels across the full 90 minutes is essential, and this was an area where they ultimately fell short.
Missed Opportunities Prove Costly
The nature of a winner-takes-all contest means that even brief lapses can have significant consequences. Arsenal’s early control suggested they were capable of securing victory, but without a breakthrough, they left themselves vulnerable. Manchester City, known for its composure and efficiency, remained patient and waited for its moment to assert control.
As the game progressed, Arsenal’s intensity began to drop, allowing City to grow into the match. Their inability to sustain pressure highlighted the fine margins that often determine the outcome of major finals. It was a reminder that dominance without an end product rarely leads to success at this level.
City’s Second Half Dominance
In the second half, City elevated their performance and made effective use of Wembley’s wide pitch, stretching Arsenal and creating space in dangerous areas. Their attacking movement caused persistent problems, leaving the Gunners struggling to regain control during key phases of the game.
Reflecting on the performance, Upson said on the BBC, “What a performance Pep Guardiola’s team have delivered. A great example of a team that in a major final are able to make the difference. The second half was absolutely dominated by Manchester City, they were absolutely superb.”
Arsenal must now respond quickly to this setback, ensuring they refocus and return to winning ways in their next fixture.
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Arteta defends decision to start Kepa in Carabao Cup final despite costly error – and gives update on Eze
Mikel Arteta defended his decision to start Kepa in goal in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City despite making a costly error during the game.
Kepa failed to catch the ball for City’s opener, giving Nico O’Reilly a simple finish from close range before he later added a second in a 2-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Asked about the criticism of his decision not to start David Raya, Arteta responded: “I understand that but I have to do what I feel is right and honest and what is fair.
“I think we have an outstanding keeper in Kepa. He’s played all the competition and I think it would have been very, very unfair for him and for the team to do something different.
“I can never promise players to play in certain competitions. In the end they have to earn it and they have to do enough, like any other position.
“We are guided by what we feel and when he’s done what he has done in the competition and helped us to go all the way to here, I believe it’s the right thing to do.
“Errors are part of football and today unfortunately it happened in a crucial moment.”
Arteta is now urging his players to use the loss as motivation to end the season by winning other silverware.
“Have some perspective on it,” he said. What this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible and we’re going to use this disappointment and fire in the belly to have the most amazing two months that we’ve ever had together.”
Ebere Eze missed the final due to a calf injury but Arteta says he is not yet sure how long he will be out for.
“We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results,” he said.
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Declan Rice faced criticism following Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, with the midfielder unable to impose himself on a game that swung decisively in the second half at Wembley.
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Mikel Arteta’s side had competed well during a cagey first period, but were ultimately overpowered after the break as City found another level, scoring twice in quick succession to secure the first trophy of the season.
What has been said about Declan Rice performance
Writing in The Guardian, Daniel Harris offered a blunt assessment of Rice’s display, suggesting the England international struggled to match the technical quality of City’s midfield.
“I know Declan Rice is a fantastic player, but what we saw – or didn’t see – from him today is why I rank him just below the top tier.
“He didn’t affect the match at all, the superior craft of the City midfielders too much for a player who is too heavily reliant on physicality.”
It is a harsh critique of a player who has been central to Arsenal’s push at the top of the Premier League this season, but it reflects the reality of a final where the midfield battle ultimately slipped away from Arteta’s side.
City midfield dominance exposes Arsenal limitations
The contrast between the two midfields became more apparent as the game wore on, with Manchester City increasing the tempo and control after half-time while Arsenal struggled to regain their earlier foothold.
Rice, so often the driving force behind Arsenal’s best performances, found it difficult to influence proceedings either defensively or in possession, with City’s movement and technical sharpness limiting his usual impact.
That will inevitably fuel debate, especially given that the 27-year-old has been tipped as a Player of the Season contender for his consistency, leadership and ability to dominate matches physically and technically.
However, this was one of those occasions where the England international couldn’t dictate the rhythm or wrestle control back, and with Arsenal chasing the game after Nico O’Reilly’s quickfire double, the midfield became an area where City’s superiority was clear.
For a player of Rice’s stature, performances in games of this magnitude often shape wider perceptions, and this was a difficult afternoon for the Arsenal No.41 to assert himself against elite opposition.
Jeremy Doku came in for criticism from Gary Neville during a subdued first half of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final meeting with Arsenal, with the Belgian winger struggling to make his usual impact in a game that took a long time to properly spark into life.
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For all City’s territorial control in spells, particularly later in the opening period, Pep Guardiola’s side lacked incision in the final third and the 23-year-old was one of several attacking players who found it difficult to impose himself at Wembley.
What Gary Neville said about Jeremy Doku
Speaking on Sky Sports via BBC Sport, Neville suggested Doku was well below the level normally associated with his one-v-one threat.
“Doku has not quite been able to get going. Ordinarily, he’s a nightmare to play against one on one.”
It was a fair observation in the context of a half in which Arsenal appeared determined to crowd the City wide man out of dangerous areas, with Mikel Arteta’s side often doubling up and forcing the former Rennes attacker backwards rather than letting him drive directly at defenders.
That naturally blunted one of City’s most unpredictable attacking weapons, and it contributed to a first half that was more tense than entertaining despite the significance of the occasion.
Arsenal’s plan limited one of City’s main attacking threats
The Gunners started the stronger of the two sides and created the clearest opening of the first half, with Kai Havertz denied by James Trafford, but City gradually took more control in the first 45 without ever looking especially convincing in the final third.
That made Doku’s lack of influence stand out even more, especially given that Antoine Semenyo looked the sharper threat on the opposite flank and Erling Haaland was feeding on scraps for much of the contest.
The Belgium international has been linked with a possible Manchester City exit this summer amid interest from Atletico Madrid, and while that remains one for the months ahead, this wasn’t the kind of display that will quieten debate about his long-term place in Guardiola’s plans.
With Ruben Dias also missing the final through injury, City were already dealing with disruption before kick-off, and they needed their attacking players to provide the edge that their reshuffled side lacked elsewhere.
A controversial refereeing decision involving Piero Hincapie became one of the early talking points as Arsenal faced Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
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The Ecuador international found himself in the book during the opening stages, with referee Peter Bankes quick to brandish a yellow card following a challenge on Matheus Nunes.
Matt Upson questions referee Peter Bankes decision
As reported by BBC Sport, the incident drew immediate criticism from former Arsenal defender Matt Upson, who was unconvinced by the decision.
“First big moment for referee Peter Bankes. Piero Hincapie arrives very late on Matheus Nunes in midfield and the ref gives the Arsenal man a yellow card.”
Offering his verdict shortly after, Upson was particularly critical of the referee’s interpretation of the challenge.
“Piero Hincapie doesn’t really catch Matheus Nunes. The referee was very rash with that yellow card, it was nowhere near a booking.”
The 46-year-old pundit’s view reflected a wider sense that the contact itself was minimal, even if the timing of the tackle from the Arsenal defender appeared mistimed at first glance.
Early booking impacts Arsenal approach at Wembley
Hincapie’s caution had the potential to shape Arsenal’s defensive approach for the remainder of the contest, particularly given the intensity and pace Manchester City brought in wide areas.
The South American, who is set to join Arsenal permanently in the summer after an agreed deal worth around €52 million, has impressed with his versatility this season, operating both centrally and at full-back depending on Mikel Arteta’s needs.
In a game where fine margins often decide the outcome, an early yellow card inevitably added an extra layer of caution to Hincapie’s performance, while also fuelling debate over whether the referee had set the bar too low for disciplinary action in such a high-stakes fixture.
Manchester City lift the League Cup after beating Arsenal!
Pep remains the King.
This Sunday afternoon, the first crucial showdown of the end of the season in England took place at Wembley.
Arsenal and Manchester City faced off in the final of the League Cup, the English League Cup.
And it is... the Citizens who take home the trophy! Manchester City wins 2-0 thanks to a brace scored in just five minutes (60' and 64') by Nico O'Reilly!
📸 ADRIAN DENNIS - AFP or licensors
Five days after being eliminated in the Champions League round of 16 by Real Madrid, Manchester City gets back on track in the best possible way to kick off a final sprint that promises to be more thrilling than ever in the Premier League... against Arsenal!
The two teams will meet again on April 19 in the league.
Marten De Roon becomes highest appearance-maker in Atalanta history
Marten De Roon has made history for Atalanta, officially becoming the club’s all-time record appearance holder during the Serie A fixture against Hellas Verona.
The Dutch midfielder reached 436 total appearances for the Bergamo club on Sunday, March 22, 2026, surpassing the previous record of 435 held by Gianpaolo Bellini. To mark the milestone, De Roon published a heartfelt open letter to the supporters, reflecting on a journey that began with his debut against Cittadella in August 2015.
In his message to the fans, De Roon expressed his deep connection to the city and the shirt:
“I say ‘our’ because from the very first day I felt your support, in the good moments and especially in the difficult ones. The way you always stand by me and the team, with passion and pride, moves me deeply. I truly feel connected to you fans, as if we face everything together.”
The midfielder also paid tribute to the man whose record he inherited, former captain Gianpaolo Bellini, calling him ‘a true man from Bergamo’ and an example of what it means to wear the Atalanta shirt.
While reaching this historic summit, De Roon made it clear that he is not finished yet, stating that his hunger to improve and bring more silverware to the club remains intact.
Since joining in the 2015/16 season, De Roon has also set records for the most Serie A appearances (332) and the most European appearances (75) in the club’s history.
Arsenal and Manchester City played out a cagey goallless first half in the 2026 Carabao Cup final.
Premier League leaders Arsenal started on top and City goalkeeper James Trafford smartly denied Kai Havertz before producing a double save to thwart Bukayo Saka on the follow-up.
It was a physical, attrition affair at times, with Gunners full-back Piero Hincapie and City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov each booked for agricultural challenges.
City gradually managed to get their ball-players and wingers into the game and Erling Haaland should arguably have done better from a couple of right-wing deliveries as Antoine Semenyo found the cautioned Hincapie to his liking.
The Sporting News is following the Carabao Cup final live, providing score updates and commentary
Arsenal vs. Man City score
1st Half
Goalscorers
Arsenal
0
_
Man City
2
O'Reilly 60', 64'
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Referee: Peter Bankes
Starting lineups:
Arsenal (4-2-3-1 right to left): 13.Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) – 4. Ben White, 6. Gabriel, 2. William Saliba, 5. Piero Hincapie – 36. Martin Zubimendi, 41. Declan Rice – 7. Bukayo Saka, 29. Kai Havertz, 19. Leandro Trossard – 14. Viktor Gyokeres
Man City (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. James Trafford (GK) – 27. Matheus Nunes, 45. Abdukodir Khusanov, 6. Nathan Ake, 33. Nico O'Reilly – 20. Bernardo Silva, 16. Rodri – 42. Antoine Semenyo, 10. Rayan Cherki, 11. Jeremy Doku – 9. Erling Haaland
Arsenal vs. Man City Carabao Cup final live updates, highlights, and commentary
88 mins: Deep cross and it's headed actos the top of the crossbar! Gyokeres down in a head following the rebound, no penalty.
86 mins: A few Arsenal fans have already headed for the exits as their team continue to probe. More unusually slack play from Rodri and Calafiori will get to aim a long throw. Doku punts it clear.
82 mins: Double change for Arsenal, effectively the last roll of the dice. Martinelli and former City striker Jesus on for Trossard and White. That's a switch to a back three and another man in the forward line from Arteta.
80 mins: Cherki nonchalantly down the right wing, killing the clock. Rodri boots a simple pass out for a throw. That's sloppy in a game where an Arsenal goal could still change the entire complexion.
78 mins: Ohhhhh, that's the closest Arsenal have come! Calafiori fires a half-volley towards the bottom corner, a stretching Trossard looks like he gets a stud on it but it's goes agonisingly wide.
75 mins; Cherki with mesmerising close control, into the Arsenal box. He can't find Haaland with the cutback.
73 mins: Madueke darts in off the right flank and wins a free-kick. Arsenal need something to happen soon. Rice delivery, Calafiori gets on the end of it but Trafford's positioning is on point.
69 mins: White into the book. Some after with Bernardo too, the arch provocateur.
66 mins: Double change for Arsenal. Madueke replaces Havertz and Calafiori closes the stable door after the Hincapie horse has bolted halfway down Wembley Way.
There he is again, good heavens this boy is a superstar. City attack Arsenal's pourous left flank again - why is Hincapie still out there. Nunes dinks to O'Reilly at the far post and the boyhood City fan scores his second of the final.
Oh Kepa, oh dear! City lead after Cherki dinks across that the Arsenal goalkeeper allows to slip through his gloves. O'Reilly stoops to head home.
60 mins: If you want an idea of how far City are pushing Arsenal back, Haaland just went up for a header and Nathan Ake was charging into the box for the second ball.
59 mins: Haaland with a chance to stretch his legs. Saliba closes the door imperiously but the City No. 9 has to do better.
58 mins: Cherki the latest player to have a sliding red and white limb in the way of a shot. Nunes wins it back and City go again.
57 mins: Semenyo sizes up Hincapie, who honestly can't be much longer for this game, and clumps a shot wide left-footed. That feels like a waste. City are having their best spell of the game and you sense they have to make it count. Arsenal defending superbly, it must be said.
55 mins: Silva gets into a mazy run. Oh, why hasn't he had a shot? Doku swings it over towards Haaland, Cherki tries to get some space and sets it back to Rodri, whose drive is blocked.
52 mins: Semenyo, perhaps trying to capitalise on a scrambled Kepa, takes on the shot and clears the crossbar by some distance. Guardiola wears a pained expression but I can see the logic.
50 mins: Haaland tries to burrow through Arsenal's triple-embossed lock to no avail. Arsenal go up the other end and win a corner as Havertz's shot hits Khusanov. It looked like it hit the Arsenal man last. Anyway, City clear. Oh drama here.... Nunes hits a big switch to Doku, Kepa comes haring out and grabs the Belgian on the left-hand edge of the box. Yellow card. City are fuming and want a red. There were plenty of covering defenders but, yikes, that was wild from Kepa.
48 mins: Similar pattern to the end of the first half right now as Nunes scoots down the right on the overlap and curls a cross over the goalmouth.
Kickoff: 2nd Half
Silva gets us back underway No changes for either side just yet. If the first half is anything to go by, game-breakers from the bench might be key.
Halftime
There we are then, 45 intriguing, high-tension minutes that could not produce a goal. Arsenal started strongly and Trafford denied Havertz and Saka in quick succession. But City managed to get Cherki and Doku on the ball more often as the match went on and they finished the half on top. Chances remained at a premium, though.
44 mins: There's the chance! Semenyo gets around Huncapie, who you feel might get a sit-down at the break, and Haaland is at the back post. He's under pressure from White and Gabriel and can't get up for a clean contact.
42 mins: Doku wins another City corner that doesn't amount to a hill of beans. But Guardiola's men managed to keep their opponents penned in. Arsenal remain incredibly resolute.
40 mins: Semenyo aims a cross to the back post. Haaland is a big man but he's not one of those novetly inflatables you find outside gas stations, so he won't be getting to that.
38 mins: Deep to the back post, which in itself feels like a mini-win for City, where Hincapie heads over. Interestingly (it's 0-0, let's go with it) City are staying completely zonal for defensive corners and more or less ignoring the cluster of Arsenal players at the far post until they come into their zones. Seems to be working so far.
37 mins: O'Reilly stands Saka up well at the expense of a corner. Surely they'll get one on the money soon...
35 mins: City attack with Doku down the left. Silva with something in between a cross and shot. Hapapand can't get to it. Rice does superbly to read the second ball and then avert the danger under pressure.
33 mins: It's a fine ball but Nunes clears well at the near post. City are still reorganising their line and Arsenal go again. Ake does well to thwart Gyokeres. Long throw coming up. No dice.
32 mins: Khusanov! Slides into and through Gyokeres. Well, if you're going to get booked. Rice will swing one it.
31 mins: City look to bundle through the middle of Arsenal. Haaland, with his limbs all apparently going in different directions. Can't make it stick.
29 mins: Arteta's men clear. Silva cheap-shots Trossard in midfield and then acts like butter wouldn't melt.
28 mins: Decent spell this for City. Semenyo get the better of Hincapie, who has to be careful now, and wins a corner.
26 mins: Some patient work off the ball from City rewarded as Arsenal turn it over to Silva. Haaland lays it to Semenyo into the box but his touch is heavy and he can't get a shot away.
21 mins: Kepa claims Cherki's corner with the minimum of fuss. Havertz looking to break through the middle, Khusanov munches into the tackle (see pre-kickoff post).
20 mins: A bit dicey, but Cherki and Silva get to a could of 50/50s inside their own half and it lets Semenyo motor forward. His cross from the right is just ahead of of Haaland. Doku picks up the pieces and wins a corner.
19 mins: City scrambling after Saka but eventually manage to close the door. Semenyo looks to dribble forward on the couhnter but is fouled. Cherki looked like he knocked knees with Saka there, but seems fine.
16 mins: Silva and Trossard get involved in some nonsense. They both love that sort of caper. Apparently inspired, Hincapie flies on late on Nunes and deservedly collects the afternoon's first booking.
13 mins: Bit of an anti-climax as O'Reilly glances Saka's delivery clear at the near post. Arsenal keep the pressure on, though and Rice will launch a long throw. That's also cleared at the near post.
12 mins: Rice's delivery is cleared by Khusanov as far as Trossard, whose shot is deflected. Despite Silva's best efforts, it's Arsenal's first corner of the afternoon.
11 mins: O'Reilly leaves Saka in a heap and Arsenal get chance to flex their set piece muscle.
10 mins: Ball flipped into the Arsenal box but Haaland is all over Gabriel and it's a free-kick. The Gunners look to turn City around and Ake make a vital block on a through-ball
7 mins: A triple save from James Trafford! Havertz with the first chance of the final for Arsneal after Rodri loses a 50/50 to White. Saka is first to the rebound. but the City goalkeeper also thwarts him twice. Sharp work and it needed to be.
4 mins: Gyokeres gets the better of Ake down the right channel. He cuts a bouncing ball back, with Havertz arriving. But the Germany international boots Khusanov and not the ball, so that's a free-kick.
2 mins: A cacophany of about seven consecutive tackles. We've got our football back! Arsenal emerge with the ball, Gyokeres runs in behind City but he's offside.
Kickoff: 1st Half
Declan Rice gets us underway. it's absolutely crackling in here. The opening exchanges could be spicy. Long ball forward and Rodri is clobbered in mid air. Good afternoon!
5 mins before kickoff: The teams are out. It's loud from the Arsenal end. They sense this is their day. City fans seem apprehensive by comparison. It's funny what decades deep emotional muscle memory does on days like today. We'll have the national anthem and then we're underway.
Dennis Tueart tifo* in the City end from @WeAre1894. 50 years since his overhead kick won the League Cup.
*People get funny about this but I think the fact there are multiple banners makes it a tifo pic.twitter.com/P0hDSr1vI5
30 mins before kickoff: It's worth remembering that, in the past two editions of this fixture, Arsenal have absolutely dominated Manchester City. There was the 5-1 win over forlorn foes at Emirates Stadium in February last year, when City collapsed during the second half despite an Erling Haaland equaliser. Then the sides drew 1-1 at the start of this season, but that match featured Haaland putting City ahead and then hanging on before Gabriel Martinelli struck in stoppage time.
On the other hand, it looks like very robust and muscular Arsenal team but one lacking in craft without Odegaard and Eze. Doku and Cherki both starting for City makes it feels like the battle lines are quite clearly drawn between Guardiola and Arteta, between master and apprentice.
1 hour before kickoff: No Eberechi Eze or Jurrien Timber for Arsenal. Or captain Martin Odegaard, for that matter. Bukayo Saka will wear the armband. Ben White starts at right-back, while Kai Havertz will be the most advanced midfielder in support of Viktor Gyokeres.
1 hr 10 mins before kickoff: The teams are in and City have a relatively unfamiliar central defensive pairing of Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake for this final. Marc Guehi is cup-tied and Ruben Dias has a hamstring injury. Still, Ake boasts vast experience on the biggest stage and, since the turn of the year, Khusanov has arguably been City's best player. The Uzbekistan international has pace to burn but does like a tackle, maybe one to watch amid the intensity of a cup final.
Otherwise, City are at full strength and Guardiola again trusts Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki as his twin creators after they sparkled in the midweek defeat to Real Madrid.
1 hr 20 mins before kickoff: And what of Manchester City? Pep Guardiola is coming towards the conclusion of what once felt like an entirely infeasible 10th season in Manchester, during which time he has won six Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups, a couple of FA Cups and a Champions League. He and his players have broken most records worth bothering about in English football. But a shopworn side fell apart midway through last season and a hasty rebuild has happened at no little expense over the past three transfer windows.
City are now an exciting, raw but flawed side as opposed to the bankable winners on the big occasion we've got used to seeing them being. Victory here could be a huge marker for this version of Manchester City. Guardola is contracted for 2026/27, but might a convincing Arsenal win help to persuade him it's time to hand over the reins? For what it's worth, the Catalan seems as enthused as ever when it comes to moulding this new team and solving the challenges of an ever-evolving Premier League. However, a defeat here would persuade some to draw uncomfortable parallels with the forlorn Arsene Wenger he beat in this match eight years ago. Time waits for no man, even footballing pioneers.
1 hr 40 mins before kickoff: So, this is Arsenal's time, right? After three runners-up finishes in a row in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta has his team exactly where he wants them across the four big competitions. Granted, City loom fairly large in the collective Arsenal imagination. Those second-place finishes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 came behind City and there was a chasm between the sides when Guardiola romped to a first trophy in English football in this fixture back in 2018
That was a long time ago, though. And, to all intents and purposes, Arsenal's more recent setbacks in title races with City are a long time ago too. There has been massive player turnover in Manchester their mid-season collapse in winter 2024. This is not the team that wrought so much pain in north London. City are better than the team the Gunners hammered 5-1 last February, but not the team of old. Arsenal have not lost any of the past six meetings. Win today, and that shift into a position of strength in this rivalry will be underscored. If they lose, however…
2 hours before kick: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Arsenal vs. Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, live from Wembley Stadium. Silverware being up for grabs means this is a big enough deal in itself, but it also feels like a game that could shape the the end of the season for both these clubs and their manager, perhaps with some ramifications beyond that. Strap yourselves in, this is a big one.
Arsenal vs. Man City Carabao Cup final kick off time
The Carabao Cup final kicks off in London, UK at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
Date
Kickoff time
USA
Sun, Mar. 22
12:30 a.m. ET/ 9:30 a.m. PT
Canada
Sun, Mar. 22
12:30 a.m. ET/ 9:30 a.m. PT
UK
Sun, Mar. 22
4:30 p.m. GMT
Australia
Mon, Mar, 23
3:30 a.m. AEDT
India
Sun, Mar. 22
10:00 p.m. IST
Arsenal vs. Man City team news
Arsenal team news
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been Arteta's cup goalkeeper and should get the nod here over David Raya.
Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard could both be back in contention but Ben White may still get the nod at right-back.
Viktor Gyokeres should hold off Kai Havertz to start up front.
Man City Team News
Josko Gvardiol is Pep Guardiola's only remaining injury absentee. The Croatia international will only return for his club this term in the closing weeks of the season, if at all
A more immediate defensive conundrum for Guardiola are the absences of Ruben Dias and Mark Guehi. Dias was substituted at halftime against Real Madrid in midweek and has suffered a hamstring strain. Guehi is ineligible, having completed his move from Crystal Palace to City after the first leg of the semifinal against Newcastle.
Antoine Semenyo also signed for City in Janaury but his switch from Bournemouth was complete before the Newcastle tie, in which he opnened the scoring at St James' Park. The Ghana internaitonal is poised to start in support of Erling Haaland along with Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku.
Arsenal vs. Man City live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions:
La Liga outfit Real Sociedad have on Sunday announced a personnel blow in the club’s first-team ranks.
This comes amid confirmation that Igor Zubeldia is set for an incoming spell on the sidelines.
Defender Zubeldia for his part featured from the off on Friday, as Real Sociedad made the trip to Villarreal for a La Liga clash.
En route to an eventual 3-1 defeat, however, the 28-year-old was forced into a premature departure from proceedings, owing to a fitness complaint.
Zubeldia, in turn, was put through a round of medical scans and tests back in San Sebastian.
And as alluded to above, on Sunday, the results of as much have been revealed.
As per a statement across Real Sociedad’s website and social media platforms:
‘Igor Zubeldia experienced discomfort in the back of his left thigh during last Friday’s Villarreal CF – Real Sociedad match. Tests carried out by Real Sociedad’s medical staff confirmed a left hamstring injury.
‘He has begun physiotherapy treatment. His return to normal activity will be gradual and will depend on the characteristics of the injury and its progress.’
1. FC Köln have parted ways with head coach Lukas Kwasniok following a dramatic 3–3 draw against rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach, as the club fights to avoid slipping deeper into the Bundesliga relegation battle.
Saturday’s chaotic “Rhein-derby” proved to be the final straw for Köln’s hierarchy. Despite showing attacking resilience, defensive frailties once again cost the Billy Goats valuable points - leaving them just two points above the relegation play-off spot.
With pressure intensifying and time running out, the club acted swiftly, confirming Kwasniok’s dismissal in the immediate aftermath of the draw.
Wagner steps in - internal solution for now
Assistant coach René Wagner has been appointed as interim head coach, representing the most immediate internal solution as Köln look to stabilise their season.
Wagner is seen as a familiar figure within the squad and could provide short-term continuity during a critical phase of the campaign.
Funkel waiting in the wings?
However, attention is already turning to a more experienced option: Friedhelm Funkel.
The 72-year-old “Feuerwehrmann” (firefighter coach) has built a reputation for rescuing struggling teams and already proved his value to Köln during the 2024–25 2. Bundesliga season. Back then, he guided the club to promotion with crucial wins in the final matches.
Funkel’s calm leadership, experience, and strong relationships within the club make him a trusted emergency and potentially the man to once again steer Köln to safety.
Remarkably, this would mark the third time Funkel has come out of retirement to help rescue Köln in a decisive moment.
Board keeps cards close to chest
Despite the managerial shake-up, Köln’s sporting director stopped short of confirming a permanent appointment after the match, leaving the situation open heading into a crucial week.
With rivals FC St. Pauli still to play, Köln’s position in the table remains under immediate threat.
With only a narrow cushion above the drop zone, Köln now face a defining stretch of the season.
Whether Wagner can steady the ship or Funkel is called upon once more, one thing is clear: Köln are once again fighting for survival - and time is running out.
This week we celebrate derby wins, a few crushings of Juventus, Nesta’s birthday, and the passing of legend Carlo Parola.
Matches of the Week
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2004Venue: Stadio Olimpico, RomeFixture: Lazio Juve 2-0, Coppa Italia Final, First LegDespite a missed penalty by Cesar, two goals by Stefano Fiore put Lazio in a good position in double legged cup final
Date: Sunday, March 18, 2001Venue: Stadio Olimpico, RomeFixture: Lazio Juventus 4-1Lazio finally give a demonstration of their power and demolish Juventus thanks to braces from Nedved and Crespo
Date: Sunday, March 18, 1979Venue: Stadio Olimpico, RomeFixture: Roma Lazio 1-2A last second goal by Nicoli gives Lazio a historic victory
Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2008Venue: Stadio Olimpico, RomeFixture: Lazio Roma 3-2The perfect script for a derby and all fans’ dream as a 92nd minute Behrami goal gives Lazio victory over eternal city rivals
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2000Venue: Stamford Bridge Stadium, LondonFixture: Chelsea Lazio 1-2, Champions League Second Group PhaseA fantastic Mihajlovic free kick gives Lazio the qualification to the Champions League quarter finals
Before the match against Modena at home, Lazio were in a deep crisis, full of problems and just two points above the relegation zone. But they managed to beat the Canarini and draw against Messina and were now 11th, three points above the relegation zone.
But today they had to face Juventus …
Juventus must have thought that this game was going to be easy and they began rather too relaxedly. In the 2nd minute Giancarlo Morrone, completely unmarked on the left, sent a perfect cross into the box and Graziano Landoni beat Roberto Anzolin scoring his first goal in Serie A. A shock start for the Bianconeri who had not expected this. In the 17th minute came their first sign of reaction but Adolfo Gori’s shot was wide.
Ten minutes later Lazio made it two. Vincenzo Gasperi stopped a Juve play and passed to Morrone. Ball to Landoni who crossed for Mario Maraschi. Marvellous volley, Juventus 0 Lazio 2.
Omar Sivori tried to reduce the deficit with a header in the 36th minute but Idilio Cei saved comfortably. He had a little more work to do on a Gianfranco Zigoni attempt a couple of minutes later. In the 41st minute, Maraschi was fouled in the box, but the referee gave a free kick just outside. The Lazio forward did not protest and took the free kick. Goal. But not for the ref who claimed that the Biancoceleste player had taken the free kick before he had whistled. Maraschi picked up the ball but this time did not shoot, he passed it to Morrone who did and now the goal was valid. At the end of the first half Lazio were 3-0 up much to the surprise of the spectators.
In the second half Maraschi in the 52nd minute almost made it four with a long range shot and this was a sign for Juventus that the match was lost. The Bianconeri no longer attacked and Lazio controlled the rest of the game.
Marvellous win for the Biancocelesti. They would win 3-0 again in Turin against Juventus but not until 1995!!!
In Memory: Carlo Parola
Carlo Parola is a legend of Italian football. The image of his bicycle kick has been used by the Panini group as their logo for the Calciatori sticker collection.
Born in Turin on September 20, 1921, he started his career with Dopo Lavoro Fiat (now called Sisport), a team made up of Fiat employees that used to play in the Italian leagues but he soon moved to Juventus. He arrived as centre forward but manager Felice Borel moved him to defence and it is here that he made a name for himself. He played for Juventus from 1939 to 1954 with 334 appearances and 10 goals. He won a Coppa Italia in 1941-42 and the scudetto twice (1949-50 and 1951-52). He played 10 times for the Nazionale and was the only Italian to play the 1947 friendly between Great Britain and Rest of Europe. Despite his team losing 6-1 and scoring an own goal, he stood out positively and several English teams, including Chelsea, tried to sign him.
His last year of active football was with Lazio where he made seven appearances.
Once he stopped playing he stayed in Rome and was assistant to manager Luigi Ferrero in the 1955-56 season. He then became head coach of Anconitana, taking them up to Serie B in 1957-58. In 1959 he was chosen to manage Juventus and stayed for three years, winning the scudetto twice and the Coppa Italia twice. His last year at the club was not so good due to the fact that their star player Giampiero Boniperti had retired, plus the fact that John Charles, legendary Welsh centre forward, was marred with injury. He also had a bad relationship with another star player, Omar Sivori, and the Bianconeri arrived 12th, their worst result ever.
He then went on to manage Prato in 1962, winning promotion to Serie B, then Chieri, Livorno, Napoli, as physical trainer, and Novara with another promotion to Serie B. With the Piedmontese he “discovered” two fundamental players in Italian football: Felice Pulici, who would be one of Lazio’s 1973-74 scudetto heroes, and Renato Zaccarelli who won the scudetto with Torino in 1975-76. Back at Juventus in 1974 he won another scudetto. Despite being substituted by Giovanni Trapattoni, he stayed at the club as a scout.
He died in Turin on March 22, 2000.
Birthdays This Week
Ivan Provedel, 17/3/1994, goalkeeper, Italy, 146 appearances, 1 goal (2022-ongoing)
Giuseppe Greco, 19/3/1958, midfielder, Italy, 39 appearances, 8 goals (1980-81)
This Article Was Written by Dag Jenkins & Simon Basten from Lazio Stories. More Information on the Above Matches and Players can be found on LazioStories.com.
📸 La Catedral with AI? Controversy over Oviedo’s centenary mural
Because bad news never comes alone, following Real Oviedo’s defeat yesterday against Levante—which greatly complicates their chances of staying in the First Division—an incomprehensible blunder by the club has occurred in an initiative meant to commemorate its centenary.
Real Oviedo commissioned a mural at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium from the company Global Street Art, with the aim of representing “the legacy, identity, and passion of all Oviedo fans,” but the result is far from what was expected.
The painting depicts two fans of the Carbayón club, a father and daughter, gazing at the Oviedo Cathedral. Or rather, what is supposed to be the Cathedral, since the iconic monument painted in the mural bears little resemblance to the real one.
Several Oviedo fans have pointed out what appears to be a mistake resulting from the misuse of artificial intelligence in the mural and have reported it on their social media profiles.
Italiano ‘was convinced Bologna’ would build positive momentum
Vincenzo Italiano ‘was convinced’ Bologna would keep riding the wave of Europa League momentum, so was surprised by a 2-0 home defeat to Lazio.
The team was still buzzing from the thrill of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals, needing extra time to eventually push Roma aside 4-3 on Thursday night at the Stadio Olimpico.
Inevitably, there was some fatigue from that eventful clash, although they had the opportunity to go in front when Riccardo Orsolini’s penalty was saved by Edoardo Motta.
Instead, Kenneth Taylor struck twice late on to give Lazio the 2-0 victory at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
Italiano frustrated by Bologna setback
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 22: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, talks to his team from the sidelines during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SS Lazio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“It’s a pity we can’t seem to have a consistent run of results, because we wanted to end the week on three big wins in a row,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.
“Up until their opening goal, we were playing really well, hitting the woodwork and missing a penalty. We’ve got to learn how to stay in the game for 90 and more minutes, but we went behind at the first mistake.
“I was convinced the victory over Roma could give us the momentum we needed, but instead we lost to a team that believed in the result more than we did on the day.”
Bologna did have to play 120 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening, so did that take a lot out of them?
“We did well for 70-odd minutes, when so many games are close together, some mental fatigue can set in. It’s disappointing, because we were in a great spell of form and wanted to go into the break for international duty feeling positive.
“Instead, we need to get right back to work and recover lost ground.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 22: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, waves to the crowd prior to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SS Lazio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
This result means that Lazio leapfrog Bologna into eighth place in the Serie A standings, further damaging their hopes of qualifying for Europe via this route.
Orsolini’s penalty was weak and central, saved by a goalkeeper who was on only his third career Serie A appearance.
“The team has great faith in Orsolini,” assured Italiano.
“Bernardeschi had taken the most recent penalties, but we wanted to see Orso be decisive again. It’s a pity, this could’ve been a confidence booster for him, but we all applauded him when he came off, and so did the crowd.”
O'Reilly birthday brace spells doom for Arsenal at Wembley 🥳
Manchester City have thrown a one-two haymaker on the Wembley pitch in the Carabao Cup final against rivals Arsenal.
Across what has been a season of contrasting fortunes between the two English giants, the pressure was on for both Mikel Arteta and his former teacher, Pep Guardiola.
After an opening 45 minutes of action that tilted the scales in favour of the Gunners, it has been a tale of two halves in the capital, with City coming out swinging since the interval.
Two goals in the space of just four minutes has shifted City into the driving seat, but the source of their goalscoring celebrations wasn't Haaland, or Semenyo, but Manchester-born and bred hero Nico O'Reilly.
In doing so, the 21-year-old England international has become the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimović (2018) to bag a brace in the League Cup final.
📋 Vasco and Grêmio line-ups confirmed for Brasileirão round eight clash
Vasco and Grêmio are LINED UP for the 4 p.m. match this Sunday (22), at São Januário, for the eighth round of the Brasileirão.
Globo (for RJ, RS, AC, AP, AM, ES, PB, PI, MA, RN, RO, RR, SC, SE, and DF) and Premiere will broadcast the game. And you can follow live updates in the card below:
Vasco is in 10th place, with eight points, while Grêmio is in seventh, with 11 points.
Check out the lineups below and leave your prediction!
Vasco Lineup
Jair (knee injury) and Mateus Carvalho (knee injury) are the only absences for Renato Gaúcho.
Barros – suspended during the 3-2 win over Fluminense – is available again.
Despite that, Hugo Moura remains among the starting eleven.
Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Saldivia, Robert Renan, and Cuiabano; Hugo Moura, Thiago Mendes, Tchê Tchê; Nuno Moreira, Andrés Gómez, and David
Grêmio Lineup
Marlon is out after a serious fracture in his right ankle. Villasanti (surgery on his left knee) is the other absence for the tricolor side.
Coach Luís Castro is making a total of THREE changes. Caio Paulista takes Marlon’s spot at left-back.
Arthur and Tetê are the other new faces compared to the 2-0 win over Vitória.
Weverton; Pavon, Balbuena, Viery, and Caio Paulista; Leo Perez, Arthur, and Nardoni; Tetê, Amuzu, and Carlos Vinicius.
Manchester City were dealt a significant setback ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, with Ruben Dias missing out due to injury as the game began at Wembley.
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The absence of the Portuguese centre-back immediately raised questions about Pep Guardiola’s defensive options, particularly against an Arsenal side arriving with pace and attacking fluidity.
What happened to Ruben Dias before the final?
According to Sam Lee of The Athletic, the issue stems from a hamstring problem suffered earlier in the week.
“Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias will miss the Carabao Cup Final due to a hamstring injury.
The 28-year-old came off at half-time during the 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, having been an unused substitute in the Premier League draw away to West Ham at the weekend.
Dias missed eight games at the beginning of this year with a hamstring injury, returning in early February. And he has not been called up by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez for their upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the USA.
City will already be without starting centre-back Marc Guehi. The 25-year-old, who joined City in January, has already played for former club Crystal Palace in the competition and is cup-tied.
Pep Guardiola is also without fellow defender Josko Gvardiol, who is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered in January.”
The 28-year-old’s latest setback continues a frustrating run of fitness issues this calendar year, with the Portugal international already having missed a spell earlier in the campaign with a similar problem.
Man City forced into defensive reshuffle vs Arsenal
Dias’ absence left Guardiola short of trusted options in central defence, forcing a reshuffle at the back for one of the biggest matches of the season.
Still, not so long ago it would have been unthinkable for a big name like Foden to be benched for a huge match like this, though the bigger talking point remains their missing No.3 at the heart of defence.
Arsenal, for their part, were also without key duo Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber, though Mikel Arteta still named a competitive XI as his side looked to capitalise on City’s weakened back line.
With the first trophy of the season on the line, Dias’ absence ultimately shaped the tactical battle from the outset, leaving City more vulnerable than usual in high-stakes moments.
Can Manchester City turn their season around and dent Arsenal’s hopes?
City can never be ruled out when it comes to lifting major trophies, but at the moment they’re behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race and are probably slight underdogs in today’s game.
Still, there’s more than enough quality in this team to win the game, and that could give City the confidence they need to claw the Gunners back in the title race.
City also arguably need this trophy more than Arsenal now after being knocked out of the Champions League.
Even if City were to win today, there’s perhaps a case for saying Mikel Arteta’s men could still have the better season overall if they maintain their lead at the top of the table and perhaps add the Champions League and FA Cup to their haul.
It’s a tough one to predict, what do you think today’s result will be? Vote in our poll below…
Kane climbs into Bayern Munich's top 10 all-time scorers with 48th goal of incredible season
Harry Kane can't stop scoring this season and added another goal to his Bayern Munich collection this weekend.
Kane was on target as Bayern Munichthrashed Union Berlin 4-0 to edge closer to the Bundesliga title.
The England captain has now scored 48 goals in all competitions in a career-best campaign, spearheading a Bayern side who are closing in on the Bundesliga's single-season goal record.
Bayern have now scored 97 goals in the league alone, just four short of theBundesliga record, set by Bayern in 1971-72.
Incredibly, Kane's latest goal also saw the 32-year-old break into the top 10 goalscorers in the club's illustrious history. In less than three seasons in Germany, Kane has climbed above some legendary figures to make the list.
He's scored 133 goals in 136 games and is now the fourth-highest scoring foreign footballer in club history. Only Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben and Giovane Elber have outscored Kane among non-German players.
On current form, there's a good chance Kane surpasses both Robben and Elber before the season's conclusion.
🚨 Brasileirão club announce manager's exit after a win
Botafogo announced the departure of coach Martín Anselmi this Sunday (22), one day after the 2-1 VICTORY over RB Bragantino in the Brasileirão.
Botafogo was recently eliminated from the pre-Libertadores by Barcelona-EQU. In addition, the club is only in 15th place in the Brasileirão, with six points.
So, Botafogo fan, what did you think of the decision?
After becoming the youngest goal-scorer in Premier League history, Arsenal's teenage sensation Max Dowman has caught the attention of many around the globe, including England manager Thomas Tuchel.
At just 16 years of age, Dowman has already made seven first-team appearances for the Gunners, including three in league play.
However, Dowman made headlines after his open-net goal against Everton in the club's last Premier League match, sealing a 2-0 victory in front of the home faithful at Emirates Stadium.
THE STUFF OF LEGEND. 🤯
16-YEAR-OLD MAX DOWMAN GOES COAST-TO-COAST TO SEAL ARSENAL'S WIN. THE YOUNGEST GOALSCORER IN PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/kYV5jY8DXt
Most recently featuring for England at the U-19 level, Dowman's impressive play has Tuchel mesmerized by the young talent.
"He put himself in the spotlight with this amazing goal against Everton," Tuchel said during a press conference regarding the England squad announcement on Friday. "I think he is, at the moment, obviously a fantastic talent and an outstanding talent. At this age, there cannot be a doubt about it.
"Everyone who tells me about Max praises him and is full of compliments. The reality is at the moment he competes for minutes. He is not a regular starter for Arsenal.
"I think he is in a fantastic environment, the best possible: in a competitive club, a stable club, a club where teamwork is the number one rule. This is how they play, how they function. He learns from the very best environment.
"With these young guys, of course we know all these players. We see them as you do as well. At the moment I think he is in a good place to fight for his minutes at Arsenal. We always have the chance to call him maybe up for the World Cup.
"The thing with young players to keep the momentum maybe going, keep their excitement. They have a level of fearlessness with them. There is no need to call him up now and increase the pressure and increase all the noise that comes with it, but we have all options."
If Dowman were to make the Three Lions and play for them at the upcoming World Cup, he would break the record for the youngest player to feature in the tournament.
Currently, the record is held by Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside, who was 17 years and 41 days old when he played against Yugoslavia at the 1982 World Cup.
Thanks to a Nebel brace - Late drama seals crucial Mainz victory over Frankfurt
In a match packed with emotion, controversy, and late drama, Mainz 05 secured a vital 2-1 win over regional rivals Eintracht Frankfurt, boosting their hopes in the Bundesliga relegation battle.
Burkardt honoured in emotional pre-match moment
Before kick-off, the focus was on Jonathan Burkardt, now wearing Frankfurt colours, who was honoured for his outstanding time in Mainz. The striker made 144 appearances and scored 45 goals for the club, cementing his place as Mainz’s all-time top Bundesliga scorer.
Fast start: Nebel fires Mainz ahead
Mainz began brightly and applied early pressure. Their aggressive start paid off in the 6th minute when Paul Nebel found space on the right following a throw-in. His deflected effort looped over Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
At halftime, injured Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri praised the goalscorer: “I told him in training to shoot more often - now you can see what he’s capable of.”
Frankfurt hit back through Brown
Frankfurt responded well to the early setback and grew into the game. In the 20th minute, Burkardt’s turning effort was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly to Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, who squared the ball to Nathaniel Brown. The left-back, recently called up to the Germany national team, calmly finished to make it 1-1.
Both sides continued to create chances in an evenly contested first half before heading into the break level.
Frankfurt dominate after the break
The second half saw a shift in momentum, with Frankfurt largely in control. The visitors enjoyed the majority of possession and repeatedly carved out chances, only to be denied by an inspired Mainz goalkeeper Daniel Batz, who produced a string of outstanding saves.
Frankfurt then were dealt a blow when Nnamdi Collins was forced off injured, potentially putting his upcoming involvement with Germany’s U21 side in doubt.
VAR drama sparks controversy
A major talking point arrived in the 77th minute. Mainz forward Sheraldo Becker went down in the penalty area, and after VAR intervention, a spot-kick seemed likely. However, referee Tobias Stieler instead awarded a free-kick to Frankfurt, having identified a foul in the build-up by Mainz.
Late twist: Nebel strikes again
The decision appeared to galvanise Mainz, who suddenly found new energy late on. Becker came agonisingly close soon after, striking the inside of the post.
Then, in the 90th minute, the decisive moment arrived. A deep cross found Nelson Weiper, whose header was brilliantly saved by Zetterer. But the rebound fell straight to Nebel, who reacted quickest to fire home his second goal of the match and seal a dramatic 2-1 victory.
Mainz hold on for vital three points
Frankfurt pushed hard for a late equaliser, but Mainz held firm to secure three crucial points in their fight for survival.
Final score: Mainz 05 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt - a huge step forward for the hosts in the relegation battle.
Tottenham dealt massive blow in survival battle as 3-0 Forest defeat takes them one step closer to relegation
Tottenham Hotspur may have sealed their own fate in the Premier League battle for survival after suffering a damning 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the high stakes relegation six-pointer.
The North Londoners had built up a head of steam coming into Sunday’s blockbuster after snapping a six-match losing streak and a seven-game winless run with a positive result against Liverpool.
Igor Tudor’s troops were able to snatch a point from the reigning champions and teased further resurgence by outscoring Atletico Madrid 3-2 in their Champions League last 16 second leg.
That result may not have salvaged Tottenham’s Champions League hopes as they crashed out 7-5 on aggregate following a 5-2 humiliation in the first leg.
However, there was a general feeling that the result provided a massive morale boost in the dressing room, considering how the campaign has panned out for the Europa League holders.
Having failed to taste defeat twice in a row, Tottenham came into this relegation dogfight against Forest as slight favorites, although the Tricky Trees also had reason to believe they could get a result.
Vitor Pereira’s side had overturned a 1-0 Europa League deficit against Danish outfit Midtjylland in their last outing away from home.
They secured a 2-1 victory that sent the game to penalty shoot-out, where they ultimately prevailed to set up a Europa League quarter final date against Porto.
Both sides came into this game with a measure of confidence, knowing anything but a win may well seal their fate in the heated relegation battle.
Unfortunately for Spurs, they were not up to the task. After a cagey first half that saw both sides cancel each other out, it seemed like the score would remain level heading into the break.
Tottenham seemed to have done enough to break the deadlock but they somehow failed to do so.
The first real opportunity fell to the hosts when Richarlison’s header from Mathys Tel’s corner flashed across the face of goal and went behind.
Tudor’s side came even closer moments later when Igor Jesus headed Kevin Danso’s long throw against his own post. But it was the visitors who ultimately prevailed when Jesus redeemed himself following a massive reprieve.
He rose highest to head home Neco Williams’ corner at the far post, leaving Tudor and his troops with plenty to ponder at the interval.
You’d expect Tottenham to restart with a vengeance but it was Forest who came close to doubling their advantage just 10 minutes into the second half.
Williams nearly turned scorer when he met Elliot Anderson’s delivery at the far post but could only aim straight at Guglielmo Vicario despite being left in acres of space.
Forest were knocking on the door and Tottenham failed to heed the warning so it was hardly a surprise when the visitors eventually doubled their advantage as Callum Hudson-Odoi set up Morgan Gibbs-White just after the hour mark.
Tottenham hardly put up a fight from here on out, leaving Taiwo Awoniyi to put the final nail in their coffin as the Nigerian turned home Williams’ delivery late in the game.
Unsurprisingly, the boos rang through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the final whistle as the Europa League holders fell to their 15th Premier League defeat of the season.
West Ham United’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa means Tottenham get to keep their heads above water, maintaining a one point advantage over the Hammers.
However, defeat to Forest could spell trouble for Tudor and Spurs who now have just seven games to turning things around before catastrophe hits.
Tel And Danso Get 7 | Tottenham Hotspur Players Rated In Dismal Loss Vs Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur entertained Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier today as they hoped to secure a good result at home in the Premier League. Spurs made a slow start to the game and conceded the opener in the 45th minute when Igor Jesus found the back of the net. Igor Tudor’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 down on the scoreline.
Nottingham doubled his side’s advantage in the 62nd minute before Taiwo Awoniyi killed the game off in the 87th minute. The match ended with Spurs suffering a dismal 3-0 loss in front of their home fans.
Let’s take a look at how each Tottenham player fared during the clash against Nottingham.
He made a few important saves at the back but conceded three goals this afternoon.
RB: Djed Spence – 6/10
Spence got stuck in with some solid tackles and was replaced at half-time.
CB: Kevin Danso – 7/10
He gave a good account of himself defensively, but it was not enough today.
CB: Cristian Romero – 6.5/10
Romero did his fair share of defending, but failed to keep the opposition attackers quiet.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 22: Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest contends for the aerial ball with Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LB: Micky van de Ven – 6/10
He made one crucial clearance at the back and was substituted at half-time.
RM: Pedro Porro – 6.5/10
Porro caught the eye at times but failed to make a difference in the final third.
CM: Archie Gray – 6/10
He got stuck in with a couple of solid tackles and made one key chance going forward.
CM: Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5/10
He was a positive influence on both halves, but his efforts went in vain.
LM: Mathys Tel – 7/10
Tel was a real menace in the final third but failed to find the back of the net.
ST: Richarlison – 5.5/10
He failed to impress during his time on the field.
ST: Dominic Solanke – 6.5/10
Solanke was a real handful for the opposition defenders, but there was no goal for him.
Nottingham Forest earn important win away to Tottenham Hotspur
Nottingham Forest earned a hugely significant victory away to Tottenham Hotspur that means Spurs' troubles continue.
With both sides in danger of relegation this was a huge game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After winning their first game under Igor Tudor midweek, albeit while still going out of the Champions League, Spurs almost took the lead here. A typical long throw from Kevin Danso was nodded on by Igor Jesus on to his own post with no home player able to follow up.
However, the momentum swung just before the break. First, Igor Jesus had a shot tipped over the bar by Guglielmo Vicario. However, from the resulting Neco Williams corner this time Jesus did get his goal by heading home.
Tudor made two changes at the break but Spurs weren't able to get back into the game with the Tricky Trees doubling the advantage with just over an hour gone.
Callum Hudson-Odoi did well on the left and ran to the byline pulling the ball back for Morgan Gibbs-White to make it 2-0.
From that point on it was hard to see how Tottenham would get back into the game and it ended 3-0 thanks to a late goal by substitute Taiwo Awoniyi who got in ahead of Danso to convert Williams' whipped-in delivery.
That result is a big one for Vítor Pereira's side who are now in 16th with 32 points, just one behind Leeds United. Tottenham meanwhile have to be grateful that Aston Villa dispatched West Ham as otherwise they'd be in the bottom three.
Incidents: The story of the match
15':
Missed opportunity! Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur had a header from close range inside the six-yard box but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Mathys Tel, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
Nottingham Forest takes the lead against Tottenham Hotspur, 1-0. Igor Jesus scores with a header from the right side of the six-yard box, directing it into the left corner of the net. The assist goes to Neco Williams, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.
56':
Missed opportunity. Archie Gray from Tottenham Hotspur attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar and to the left.
Nottingham Forest takes a 2-0 lead over Tottenham Hotspur. Morgan Gibbs-White scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, finding the center of the net. The assist comes from Callum Hudson-Odoi.Nottingham Forest takes a commanding lead with a score of 3-0 against Tottenham Hotspur. Taiwo Awoniyi finds the back of the net, firing a right-footed shot from close range into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from Neco Williams, who delivered a precise cross.
Aston Villa x West Ham - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
Aston Villa takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against West Ham United. John McGinn scores with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, placing it perfectly into the left corner of the net. The assist comes from Jadon Sancho.
15':
GOAL Aston Villa: John McGinn (Aston Villa) scores!
John McGinn scores goal number 4 in the competition (24 matches)
20':
Missed opportunity! Amadou Onana from Aston Villa attempted a header from the center of the box, but it went just wide. The assist came from Jadon Sancho.
22':
Missed opportunity! Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Morgan Rogers.
31':
Missed opportunity! Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa took a right-footed shot from inside the six-yard box on the left side, but it went just wide to the left after a corner kick.
45 +1':
Missed opportunity! Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa heads the ball from close range but sends it over the bar. The assist came from Lucas Digne, who delivered a cross following a corner.
51':
Missed opportunity. Matty Cash from Aston Villa takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes over the bar and to the right following a corner kick.
59':
Opportunity wasted. Amadou Onana from Aston Villa attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
Aston Villa leads 2-0 against West Ham United. Ollie Watkins scores with a right-footed shot from close range, finding the top right corner after a swift counterattack.
68':
GOAL Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) scores!
Ollie Watkins scores goal number 9 in the competition (30 matches)
90 +1':
Missed opportunity. Mohamadou Kanté of West Ham United attempted a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.
Aston Villa Strengthen Top Four Push with 2-0 West Ham Win
Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham: Watkins Ends Drought in Premier League Push
Aston Villa delivered a timely reminder of their quality with a composed 2-0 victory over West Ham, reigniting their Premier League ambitions at a crucial stage of the season. At Villa Park, Unai Emery’s side combined control with cutting edge, while West Ham’s struggles deepened in the relegation battle.
This was a result shaped by urgency and opportunity. Villa needed a response after inconsistent league form, and they found it through discipline, creativity, and the return of a familiar goalscorer.
McGinn Sets Tone with Authority
From the outset, Aston Villa played with intent. There was a clarity to their movement and a sharpness in possession that had been missing in recent weeks.
The breakthrough came through John McGinn, whose left foot strike from the edge of the area reflected both technique and confidence. The move itself spoke volumes about Villa’s preparation. A rehearsed set piece, executed with precision, allowed Jadon Sancho to tee up his captain for a clean finish.
It was a goal that lifted both players and supporters. Villa, so often searching for rhythm in recent matches, suddenly looked composed and purposeful.
Chances followed. Ollie Watkins threatened twice before the interval, while Lucas Digne fired narrowly wide. West Ham, under pressure, struggled to contain the movement and energy flowing through Villa’s attack.
Watkins Responds with Clinical Finish
For Ollie Watkins, this was a moment of quiet redemption. Left out of the latest England squad, the forward responded in the most effective way possible.
His goal, arriving in the 68th minute, was not one of elegance, but of instinct. After Mats Hermansen saved from Morgan Rogers, Watkins reacted first, prodding home the rebound to double Villa’s lead.
It ended a six match drought and reasserted his importance to Emery’s system. In a team that thrives on fluid attacking patterns, Watkins remains the focal point.
His work rate, movement, and persistence had been evident throughout. This goal was the reward for those efforts, and perhaps a message to those making international selections.
Villa Control Reflects European Ambition
This performance marked a shift in Villa’s league form. Having collected just nine points from their previous ten Premier League matches, there had been concern that their top five hopes were slipping.
Instead, this was a display of control. Villa managed the game intelligently, maintaining pressure without losing defensive shape.
A potential penalty decision added to the narrative. When Konstantinos Mavropanos clipped Watkins in the area, referee Paul Tierney initially waved play on. A VAR review prompted a change, though the decision ultimately did not impact the outcome.
More importantly, Villa looked like a team aligned with their objectives. Fresh from reaching the Europa League quarter finals, they carried that momentum into domestic competition.
West Ham Struggles Continue in Relegation Fight
For West Ham, the afternoon offered little encouragement. Their position in 18th reflects a campaign lacking consistency and resilience.
Despite moments of effort, they were second best across key phases of the match. Villa’s movement exposed gaps, while their own attacking threat remained limited.
With survival still within reach, the margin for error is now minimal. Performances like this underline the scale of the challenge ahead.
Aston Villa now head into the international break in fourth place, strengthening their claim for a Champions League spot. West Ham remain just one point from safety, yet results must come quickly.
For Villa, this was more than a 2-0 win in the Premier League. It was a statement of intent, a return to clarity, and a reminder of what they can achieve when their attacking pieces align.
BVB president Hans-Joachim Watzke thanks Sebastian Kehl
“As President of Borussia Dortmund, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Sebastian Kehl, both personally and on behalf of all our members. When I took over as CEO in 2005, Sebastian had already won his first Bundesliga title with BVB. Together, we have since celebrated great successes and endured some painful disappointments over the course of more than 20 years. Sebastian Kehl already has a firm place in the annals of Borussia Dortmund. I wish him all the very best for his personal future and every success in his future career.”
Sunderland boss Le Bris hails his side’s ‘identity’ after beating rivals Newcastle again
Regis Le Bris hailed his Sunderland players after they did the double over rivals Newcastle by winning at St James’ Park.
Brian Brobbey scored a late winner after Chemsdine Talbi had equalised to secure a big three points for the Black Cats.
“I think we have our own story, our own pathway, and we want to get better with our identity,” Sunderland boss Le Bris said after the game. “We are not Newcastle, we are Sunderland with different setups.
“I think last year was an incredible season in the Championship, a long season, like a marathon. It went well and the players got experience, and with the new players in the squad the connection stayed really hard.
“It wasn’t easy to keep this identity, but it’s the case. In this season in the Premier League we had ups and downs, but we stayed connected with the identity and the way we wanted to play.
“Consistency is key. We had a bad run recently, and really quickly doubts can appear.
“I think we stayed composed, because we trust the way we are working. Consistency in this league is key, so winning at Elland Road was really important, winning at Newcastle means a lot.
“We are talking about consistency, not just one good game, we have to repeat, even if sometimes you struggle, because the league is so demanding.”
2. Bundesliga: Żukowski stars in relegation six-pointer as Magdeburg pip Münster
Mateusz Żukowski scored a brace to help Magdeburg to a crucial three points away at fellow relegation-threatened side Preußen Münster. The Polish striker is certainly the surprise story of the season.
The 24-year-old was a versatile player in his time at Slask Wroclaw and Lechia Gdansk as he only scored five goals in over 100 appearances. He also had to wait until matchday 13 for his 2. Bundesliga debut due to an injury.
However, he is now only one goal shy of the league’s top-scorer, Isac Lidberg. After failing to score in the last three matches, Żukowski put the visitors in front from the penalty spot in first-half injury-time.
January signing Richmond Tachie sealed the victory in second-half injury-time with his first goal for the club after Żukowski completed his fourth brace and Etienne Amenyido’s strike that momentarily gave hope for the hosts. The relegation fight intensifies in 2. Bundesliga, with the gap between 12th-placed Dynamo Dresden and cellar-dwellers Münster only three points.
A short cameo to reach a milestone: Brandt makes 300th appearance for BVB
At the end of what was probably his shortest appearance for BVB, Julian Brandt couldn’t help but break into a broad smile. Visibly amused, the midfielder – who had only come on in the sixth minute of stoppage time – first embraced manager Niko Kovac and then sporting director Sebastian Kehl. The player was also honoured in the dressing room: to the applause of the team, Kovac highlighted Brandt’s contributions.
Shortly afterwards, the coach asked for understanding regarding the brief appearance: “Jule only played for a very short time today. That personally hurt me and I felt sorry about it. I actually wanted to bring him on for 20 minutes. But after the 1-2 and the 2-2, we had the momentum – and I didn’t want to interrupt that.” Kehl commented on the curious milestone in similar terms: “It perhaps wasn’t ideal to play for such a short time. But the game was very frantic and very wild towards the end. I think Jule understood that. That shouldn’t detract from his performance over these seven years at Borussia Dortmund.”
Despite the decision to part ways in the summer, the appreciation for Brandt at Borussia Dortmund remains undiminished. “He’s played 300 games for BVB, provided countless assists and scored countless goals. That’s a great career for a very great club. Above all, what Jule shows as a person is unique,” enthused the coach.
With Brandt’s departure, an era is coming to an end in Dortmund. Since his move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019, the 48-time Germany international has scored 56 goals and set up 69 more. In 2021, he won the DFB-Pokal and also featured in the Champions League final against Real Madrid (a 2-0 loss). Alongside his consistent goal-scoring contributions, his identification with the club was particularly valued. “300 games for Borussia Dortmund – that’s a real milestone,” emphasised Kehl.
Brandt currently ranks 20th on BVB’s list of record appearances. Niko Kovac held out the prospect of further appearances for the 29-year-old until the end of the season: “I hope he gets significantly more minutes in the coming games. ” It is therefore quite possible that Brandt will climb even further up the club’s all-time appearances list. Andreas Möller, with 301 appearances, and Christian Wörns, with 303, are within reach. Michael Zorc remains the undisputed leader with 572 appearances.
The Arsenal XI in full is: Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Havertz in an attacking midfield role will be interesting to see, with big pressure on the Germany international to fill in in a position that would normally go to either Eze or Martin Odegaard.
But with both of them absent today, the former Chelsea striker will need to be at his very best to provide both creativity and a goal threat from the middle of the park.
Arsenal need a win today to set the tone for the rest of the season
Today’s game feels huge for Arsenal when it comes to their ambitions for this season.
Arteta’s project has gone well and is only missing a trophy to show for it, and one feels if they can pick up this piece of silverware today, it will be the first of many.
AFC are already ahead of City in the title race, and beating them in this competition should give them that extra belief to finish above them in the league.
A defeat, meanwhile, could hand belief right back to Pep Guardiola and co. as they look to catch up with the Gunners in the title race.
Transfer news guru Fabrizio Romano has insisted a “meeting took place” between Manchester United and the agent of Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.
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This comes after Newcastle manager Eddie Howe spoke out against the stories in his press conference yesterday, slamming the speculation and making it clear that his club captain is fully committed.
See the video clip below as Howe moved to play down talk of Guimaraes being in advanced talks with Man Utd, and, in fairness, Romano has not said talks are advanced, but has stated that he’s aware of a meeting taking place…
Eddie Howe responds to reports linking Bruno Guimarães to Manchester United ??? pic.twitter.com/xb9TXQ0Fac
“For me, it’s a nonsense story. Unwanted news, I suppose is the best way to put it. You don’t want your players distracted,” Howe said, but it seems it’s not entirely nonsense, even if some publications jumped the gun a little.
What Fabrizio Romano has said about Bruno Guimaraes and Manchester United
Discussing the Guimaraes situation on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that a meeting like this between a big club and a top player’s agent is perfectly normal.
This also comes as United are exploring a number of midfield targets for the summer, so it may simply be early discussions to sound out options rather than anything as advanced as had previously been suggested.
“What I can confirm is that yes, a meeting took place in the recent weeks. It’s not yesterday or or today or tomorrow, but it already took place a few weeks ago between the agents of Bruno Guimaraes and Manchester United,” Romano said.
“A meeting took place and Manchester United maintain a very good relationship with the agency.
“Bruno is represented by one of the biggest agents in the world. So it’s normal to have meetings with top agents for top clubs. That’s absolutely normal.
“Then from that to meeting and reaching an agreement on personal terms, meeting and go to sign the player in the summer. There is still a long way to go. Bruno as I told you in a video this week is appreciated by Man United. Yes, but also (Sandro) Tonali is appreciated. Other players are in the list. Elliot Anderson who is also a topic at Manchester City.
“So there are many many things to clarify before Man United decide to say okay this is the midfielder we want to get. As soon as Man United will decide I will be here to tell you but at the moment the situation with Bruno Guimaraes remains about meeting yes, interest yes, but for Newcastle he’s a crucial player.”
It’s over for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana at Old Trafford, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
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Speaking on his latest post on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that Man Utd and Onana will look to find a solution this summer after his loan at Trabzonspor comes to an end.
The Cameroon international joined the Red Devils from Inter Milan a few years ago, but proved a big disappointment during his two seasons in the Premier League.
Onana is now on loan in Turkey and it remains to be seen what will happen next with him, but a return to United seems to very clearly off the table.
Fabrizio Romano on Andre Onana’s Manchester United career being over
“It’s over with Manchester United,” Romano said of Onana.
He added: “The intention in the summer is to find a different solution, is to find a different club.
“Eventually we will see what happens with Trabzonspor, if they can keep him or not. We will see, or other clubs in Europe, but the intention is to find a solution for Onana, not for Onana to return.”
Manchester United already have Andre Onana’s replacement
United did well with their signing of Senne Lammens last summer, with the Belgian ‘keeper impressing since arriving at Old Trafford.
Even though Lammens was not the biggest name before joining MUFC, he’s settled in well and looks clearly like he’s capable of being the club’s long-term number one.
Manchester City suffer a huge injury blow ahead of today’s Carabao Cup final
Ahead of today’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, it seemed that Manchester City entered today’s match with an almost fully fit squad. Josko Gvardiol and Marc Guehi were the only two City players ruled out of today’s match. Gvardiol is injured, and Guehi is ineligible to play today at Wembley Stadium. Ahead of kickoff, it has been revealed that Ruben Dias will miss today’s match due to a hamstring injury. That is a huge blow for Pep Guardiola’s side, as the leadership and experience that Dias provides will be sorely missed.
Ruben Dias has been ruled out of today’s match due to a hamstring injury.
Sam Lee has reported for The Athletic that Ruben Dias will miss today’s Carabao Cup final due to a hamstring injury. As per Sam Lee’s report, Dias wasn’t selected in Portugal’s squad for their upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States. It has not been revealed at this stage how long Dias is set to be sidelined for.
How Manchester City line up at the back will be fascinating to see.
Manchester City will miss Ruben Dias today at Wembley. The Portuguese international is Manchester City’s defensive leader, and his experience would have been vital to Pep Guardiola’s side today. With Marc Guehi also out of today’s match, City have lost two key players in defense for today’s match. That is a blow that Pep Guardiola’s side will have to overcome if they are to beat Arsenal at Wembley today.
How Pep Guardiola sets up his defence will now be fascinating to see. It would be expected that Abdukodir Khusanov will start at Wembley. It looks to be down to a choice between John Stones or Nathan Ake to partner the young centre-back. Ake and Stones have the experience to thrive at Wembley, although there are question marks that surround their durability.
Losing Ruben Dias for today’s match is a big blow for Manchester City. His leadership and experience will be missed and now it will be up to his teammates to pick up the slack in that regard.
Araujo 9, Raphinha 6.5 | Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Player Ratings
The final game ahead of March’s international break saw Barcelona take on Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon.
Fresh off a 7-2 win over Newcastle, the Catalans entered the game high on momentum but also heavily fatigued, and thus dished out a cohesive yet lethargic performance.
Ronald Araujo gave the team the lead in the first half, and Barcelona defended well to keep Rayo Vallecano off the scoreboard. As the game progressed, however, a lot changed and the game grew nervy for the Blaugrana.
In the end, however, Barcelona did manage to hold on to the lead and took all three points.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano.
Joan Garcia: 9
The goalkeeper was tidy with his distribution and did not have a whole lot of saves to make on the night.
However, he did notably go down with discomfort at one point in the game, and while he did opt to warrior on, the situation raises concern about a possible aggravation.
Made a massive save in the second-half to deny the opponents and again another gargantuan effort in the dying minutes of the game.
Joao Cancelo: 8
The left-back was solid both in attack and defence on the night, covering up to the best of his abilities at the back while also serving as the transitional point for the team in the buildup.
Linked up well with Raphinha, both on the flank and with his central movements in the buildup phase. Earned the assist for Ronald Araujo’s opener from a well-taken corner.
Gerard Martin: 7
The centre-back continued his solid partnership with Cubarsi, holding the offside trap well and combining well with his teammates to get out of tight situations.
Was reliable on the ball and with his ambitious vertical passes which found the intended target more often than not.
Pau Cubarsi: 7
Cubarsi was the more stable and dependable of the two centre-backs as usual and was crucial in the team’s buildup in addition to his defensive responsibilities. Did not make any obvious errors in the afternoon.
Ronald Araujo: 9
Barcelona’s decisive goalscorer. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The captain was given a start over Xavi Espart at right-back and did well in a defensive sense although he did understandably struggle to provide attacking output.
He scored the team’s opener with a well-taken header in the first half and handed Barcelona the lead, proving what a potent aerial threat he can be.
Marc Bernal: 7.5
Bernal dished out a routine performance in midfield with not much special beyond the fundamentals which he got spot on.
Was solid with his distribution and combination sequences, and while he did miscue a few passes, he often looked to make runs into the attacking half to progress the buildup better.
Pedri: 8.5
Pedri was handed a start despite putting in a solid shift midweek and did not show too many signs of fatigue. He ran the show in the middle of the park with his deceptive feints and accurate passes.
Fermin Lopez: 8.5
Fermin worked very hard against Rayo Vallecano. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Lopez was a workhorse once again for Barcelona as he appeared to be all over the park throughout his time on the field.
He was crucial in the attack with his runs behind the defenders, but he also ensured to be energetic and tireless in the press off the ball, often running all the way back to Joan Garcia’s goal to complete a recovery.
Lamine Yamal: 8
Yamal was relatively silent in the first half in terms of his dribbling but his passes over the top and around defenders were bang-on. Could well have had two assists to his name in the first half alone.
Improved after the break with some runs and direct attempts on goal but could not find the back of the net on the afternoon.
Raphinha: 6.5
Raphinha looked off in terms of his sharpness against Rayo Vallecano with a couple of misplaced passes and even a 1v1 opportunity scuffed. His work-rate was solid, but he lacked the decisive finishing touch.
Did not improve too much after the break and failed to keep up his goalscoring form from the previous two encounters.
Robert Lewandowski: 6.5
Lewandowski put in a good shift for Barcelona despite not getting into too many goal-scoring positions, often dropping to midfield and looking to start the transitional attack with an ambitious pass forward.
His involvement in the link-up play potentiated Barcelona’s danger and left the opposition defence scrambling for the right position at times.
Ferran Torres: 6.5
Came on to replace Lewandowski in the second half and played 45 minutes against Rayo Vallecano. While he did not manage any clear chances on goal, he was handy in the buildup and press to some extent.
Report: Tottenham Hotspur considering move to sign former Man United star
Tottenham Eye Dean Henderson as Goalkeeper Plans Take Shape
Tottenham Hotspur’s summer planning has already begun to gather pace, with uncertainty surrounding Guglielmo Vicario opening the door for potential change between the posts. As reported by the Daily Mail, Spurs are actively exploring options, and Dean Henderson has emerged as a serious contender.
This is not simply about replacing a goalkeeper. It reflects a wider evaluation of reliability, consistency, and the standards required for a club striving to reassert itself at the top end of English football.
Henderson Emerges as Reliable Target
Dean Henderson’s profile fits what Tottenham appear to be seeking. The Crystal Palace captain has delivered a season of composure and authority, underlined by his impressive clean sheet record.
The Daily Mail notes his consistency, with Henderson registering 10 clean sheets in 29 league appearances. Only a select group, including David Raya, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Jordan Pickford, have managed more in the current campaign.
His leadership qualities and Premier League experience make him an appealing option. Having previously navigated the pressures of Manchester United, Henderson offers a blend of resilience and familiarity with elite expectations.
It is no surprise, then, that “According to Jones, a new goalkeeper is on the agenda for Tottenham ahead of the summer, with Vicario now looking at a potential return to Italy.”
Vicario Future Clouds Spurs Plans
Vicario’s situation has shifted significantly in recent weeks. Once viewed as a stable presence, his form has come under scrutiny, and interest from Inter Milan adds further uncertainty.
Photo IMAGO
The Italian goalkeeper’s potential departure feels increasingly plausible, particularly with reports suggesting he has “failed to convince this season.” Spurs now face a decision that could shape their defensive identity for years to come.
Adding to the complexity is his current fitness concern. Vicario is expected to undergo hernia surgery, which could sideline him during a critical phase of the season. This absence places further strain on Tottenham’s already fragile defensive setup.
Goalkeeper Shortlist Reflects Strategic Shift
Tottenham’s recruitment team are casting their net widely. Alongside Henderson, Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu and Manchester City’s James Trafford are under consideration.
This range of targets suggests a club weighing immediate dependability against long term potential. Henderson represents the former, a goalkeeper ready to step in and deliver. Atubolu and Trafford offer youth and development, aligning with a more future focused approach.
Such a decision speaks to Tottenham’s broader strategy. Do they prioritise stability now, or invest in a goalkeeper who could grow into the role?
Defensive Stability Key to Progress
Goalkeeper uncertainty rarely exists in isolation. It often reflects deeper concerns within a team’s structure. For Tottenham, defensive inconsistency has been a recurring issue, and the man between the posts plays a central role in addressing it.
Vicario’s possible absence through surgery only heightens the urgency. Deputy Antonin Kinsky, who has struggled for rhythm since a difficult outing against Atletico Madrid, may be thrust back into action.
This is a defining period for Spurs. Recruitment decisions made now will influence not only results, but also the confidence of a squad seeking direction.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
For Spurs supporters, this situation feels like a necessary reset rather than a reactionary move. Henderson brings something that has been missing at times this season, consistency and presence.
Fans will recognise the appeal of a goalkeeper who has delivered week in, week out in the Premier League. Henderson’s numbers are strong, but it is his command of the area and communication that stand out. Spurs have often looked uncertain defensively, and a vocal, assertive goalkeeper could help address that.
There is also a sense of frustration around Vicario. Injuries and inconsistent form have made it difficult to fully trust him as the long term solution. If there is genuine interest from Inter Milan, many supporters would see this as the right moment to reassess.
That said, Tottenham must get this decision right. Henderson is a safe option, but some fans may question whether he represents a step towards competing with the very best. Trafford or Atubolu might offer higher ceilings, but with greater risk.
Ultimately, supporters want clarity. A settled goalkeeper, a clear defensive structure, and a sense that the club are building with purpose. This summer could provide that foundation.
Dundee Utd 2-0 Celtic – ‘The Big Questions Facing Celtic,’ Business of Sport
Celtic’s dismal performance 2-0 defeat at Tannadice against Dundee United this afternoon puts a massive dent in any chances we had of winning the league this season…
Celtic Huddle at Tannadice.Dundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
And there could be no complaints about the result as Jim Goodwin’s side thoroughly deserved their win against a Celtic team who wee simply dreadful.
Struggling to think of the last time a Celtic team was this bad, how about the 2-0 defeat away to St Johnstone in the 1993 which resulted in Liam Brady leaving the club.
Let’s not entertain any excuses about the state of the pitch. It’s the state of the team that is the problem and well done to the Celtic supporters who were sharing their thoughts with the clowns that are dragging Celtic down, those Celtic directors who have such distain for the supporters and tell themselves that they are world class in everything that they do.
Referee Nick Walsh at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The Celtic supporters and in particular the Celtic fan media have challenged this proclamation and given that they have left us without a proper striker for over a year, it’s remarkable that they retain some support from a sizeable percentage of the Celtic support. Maybe some of the happy clappers will have a re-think after today. Maybe we can help them along that road to a greater clarity of what is going badly wrong with our club.
This comes not from Celtic supporters but from two articulate podcasters from south of the border who turn out to be well informed and insightful when the Scottish Premiership title race caught their attention.
The side-benefit for Celtic is that they take a close look at what’s going on at Celtic and for every Celtic supporter this in an intelligent, outsiders’ view on what the issues are at Celtic and they deliver a devastating assessment of the Celtic’s board’s strategy.
Kelechi Iheanacho at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The Business of Sport podcast looks at the situation in the Scottish Premiership where Hearts stand a chance of becoming the first club outside of Glasgow to win the top division in Scottish football since Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen won the title in 1985.
While there is decent – and accurate – coverage of both Hearts and the Rangers, recognising the liquidation event at Ibrox in 2012 – the most interesting aspect of this excellent podcast is how they cover the situation at Celtic which is described as the most fascinating in world football as the support and the Celtic Board have very different views on his how the club should be run.
Iain Jamieson and Martin O’Neill at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“Hearts are top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time in 40 years, and it’s sending shockwaves through Scottish football. Business of Sport digs into the numbers behind Celtic’s extraordinary financial position, why they’re only spending 20% of revenues on player wages, and whether a boardroom coup could be on the horizon. Plus, what Tony Bloom’s arrival at Hearts really means for the title race and the future of the Scottish game…” Business of Sport podcast.
This is an unmissable listen. Every Celtic supporters should watch it with an open mind, especially after what we watched this afternoon.
Let’s have a look at the comments posted by Celtic supporters who have watched this brilliant summary of the situation at Celtic.
“Brilliantly summed up what many Celtic fans have been saying for the last 5-10 years and backed it all up by the finances, great video.”
“Can someone send this to all the members of the board?”
“It’s so refreshing to see a couple of Englishmen who not only understand the situation at Celtic but also respect the size and global appeal of the club. We need to get this current board out by any means necessary. The fans aren’t stupid… we know the board have been running our club poorly.”
“Good to see some unbiased input which legitimises the feelings of a large section of the Celtic support. A club which is only “well-run” when viewed through the prism of securing the board’s performance bonuses but to the overall detriment of the club and it’s standing within not only world football but it’s “peer group” of similar clubs. The Celtic fans are the emotional and financial lifeblood of the club but are treated with disdain by the club hierarchy despite their concerns being legitimised by unbiased external observers such as yourselves. Thanks for the analysis. Sack the board.”
Daizen Maeda at TannadiceDundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“Thank you for doing this, this is the gripe Celtic fans have with the board, they think they are doing a good job.”
“Good to see outsiders articulate this so clearly. Often, fans of other Scottish clubs will dismiss the concerns of Celtic fans as entitlement because we win the league almost every year. The fact is, we should be competing in Europe after Christmas every single season, and we should be able to achieve that in a fairly low risk way.”
“Very good and thanks for dealing with Celtic.”
United celebrations at TannadiceDundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“Confession time…when this podcast episode appeared on my screen, I fully expected to shouting ‘what do a couple of English guys know about my club?’……well I got that 100% wrong! I’ve bleated on for years about Ajax and Benfica and of course let’s get the additional 10,000 season tickets sold! The two Charlie’s have just won over a huge number of Celtic supporters, who are all rightly saying…”see….we told you so”! Excellent episode…hail, hail!”
“Really well articulated and presented gents. It’s crazy how dumbed down the coverage is in Scotland by way of comparison, there is no hard questions asked of the current custodians and the fans aren’t yet united behind any of the single collectives just yet, so they might be able to linger on for a little while longer yet.”
“This was a fantastic summary from two articulate guys with no vested interest in the club. Important to take into account the huge bonuses received by Lawwell, etc. over this time period too.”
United celebrations at TannadiceDundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“Thank you for aknowledging the size of our club, that unfortunately doesnt happen very often. Great discussion. I disagree with the end though, the board and our minority shareholder in chief, will never self-reflect and fundamentally change their ways. If they havent done so yet, nothing will act as a wakeup call for them. All we fans can do is to work towards getting them out of our club.”
“Watched this earlier in the longer version. The analysis of Celtic is pretty much bang on. An incompetent, unambitious and complacent board led by an egotistical largest minority shareholder / self-styled owner are gradually destroying the football potential of the club. These are not the type of people that Fergus McCann saved the club for, they are the type of people that McCann saved the club from.”
Chris McKay and Michael Nicholson arrive at Ibrox.theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“I’ve travelled all around the world to watch Celtic and spent tens of thousands to follow them and its soul destroying the way this board are allowing our club to become a none entity in European football. They have less than zero ambition and that’s giving them a very high compliment. The stadium outside and inside is becoming a dump, the toilet facilities are atrocious. Around 6 years ago Celtic got planning permission to build a new 200 to 300 bedroom hotel, they have done nothing while hundreds of Celtic fans stay in hotels all over Glasgow.
They got planning permission to build a new museum, a new ticket office and to increase the size of the superstore and nothing done.”
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 Dermot Desmond on the 18th tee during the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 on the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf CLub, Fife, . 06/10/2024. Picture Fran Caffrey / Golffile.ie
“As a Celtic fan it’s great to hear an impartial voice from outside of the fan base. The board are letting us down and lining their own pockets. Can someone explain how Dermot Desmond managed to obtain his shares without paying a penny?” (He bought shares, which he retains and have increased in value).
“Participation in the champions league is the key money maker. The biggest gripe the Celtic fans have – the board have repeatedly not properly invested in improving the squad prior to champions league qualification. And as a result of this under investment we have failed to qualify for the champions league, being knocked out at the qualifying stage by smaller teams.”
“Well done. This is an incredibly accurate and in-depth account and description of the finances and historical finances of Both Rangers and Celtic and Scottish football. Seriously well done for reporting this fascinating story about the finances of Both Glasgow clubs. No offence but most commentators and even journalist from England have an incredibly poor grasp or interest in Interesting finances of Scottish football and the fascinating story of the historical finances of Rangers and Celtic. Thanks for covering this so accurately.”
“Every Celtic fan should see this. Celtic using FSR as an excuse to not spend money when wages are 20% of revenue is, or should be criminal.”
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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Sunderland Claim 2-1 Derby Win Over Newcastle in Premier League
Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland: Derby Drama Shakes Premier League Race
Few fixtures carry the emotional weight of Newcastle versus Sunderland, and this latest Premier League chapter delivered a contest rich in drama, tension, and consequence. Sunderland’s remarkable 2-1 victory at St James’ Park, sealed by Brian Brobbey’s late strike, will echo loudly across the North East.
For Newcastle, it was a night that began with promise and ended in frustration. For Sunderland, it was another statement in a season that continues to exceed expectations.
Gordon Strike Sets Early Newcastle Control
Newcastle started with purpose, driven by the energy of a crowd desperate to see their side reclaim derby supremacy. Anthony Gordon struck inside nine minutes, capitalising on a costly Sunderland error.
Luke O’Nien’s misplaced pass was seized upon by Nick Woltemade, who fed Gordon with precision. The forward did not hesitate, finishing clinically for his 17th goal of the season. It felt like a moment that could shape the afternoon.
Eddie Howe’s side nearly extended their lead before the break. Sven Botman rose highest to meet Lewis Hall’s cross, only to see his header crash against the post. It was a warning Sunderland would heed.
Sunderland Response Defines Second Half
The game shifted after the interval, both in tempo and control. A brief pause due to reported discriminatory abuse disrupted the rhythm, yet Sunderland regrouped with clarity.
Their equaliser in the 57th minute reflected persistence. Aaron Ramsdale’s punch lacked distance, the ball was recycled into danger, and after Brobbey’s initial effort was cleared off the line by Dan Burn, Chemsdine Talbi reacted quickest to fire home.
Suddenly, Newcastle looked uncertain. Sunderland sensed opportunity and pressed forward with conviction.
Noah Sadiki came close to putting the visitors ahead, only to be denied by Ramsdale. Still, the pressure told. Brobbey, a constant menace throughout, delivered the decisive blow in the closing moments, converting from close range after his first effort was saved.
Missed Chances and VAR Frustration Hurt Newcastle
Newcastle believed they had restored their lead when substitute Malick Thiaw headed in from a Lewis Hall corner. The celebrations were short lived. Jacob Murphy was adjudged to have impeded goalkeeper Melker Ellborg while in an offside position.
It was a turning point. Instead of renewed control, Newcastle’s momentum drained. Sunderland, organised and composed, held firm before striking late.
The defeat leaves Newcastle in 12th, a significant setback in their pursuit of European football. Howe’s ambitions for a swift return to continental competition now appear increasingly distant.
Sunderland Momentum Builds in Premier League Campaign
For Sunderland, this result marks a defining moment in their return to the Premier League. Having already beaten Newcastle earlier in the season, this 2-1 victory secures a memorable league double.
It is their first since the 2014-2015 campaign, and it carries symbolic weight. Sunderland have now gone 13 league games unbeaten against their fiercest rivals, a statistic that will resonate deeply with supporters.
Regis le Bris’ side displayed resilience, tactical discipline, and belief. Even when trailing at half time, there was no panic. Talbi’s earlier long range effort, pushed over by Ramsdale, hinted at the threat to come.
Now on 43 points, survival is assured. With seven games remaining, attention turns to how high they can climb. European qualification may remain ambitious, yet momentum is firmly on their side.
Fulham forward Raul Jimenez closes in on Le Tissier’s insane Premier League penalty record
Raúl Jiménez is the Premier League's most reliable penalty taker and enhanced that reputation after scoring another spot-kick for Fulham this weekend.
The Mexican converted the third from the penalty spot in Fulham's 3-1 win over Burnley at Craven Cottage, firing high past Martin Dubravka. It was an emotional moment for Jimenez, who was reduced to tears as he honoured his late father in celebration.
Jimenez holds the Premier League record for the most penalties scored while still retaining a 100% conversion record (15), and the veteran is now chasing perhaps an even more impressive milestone.
The 34-year-old's 15 consecutive penalties scored is the joint-second-longest run in Premier League history. His effort against Burnley matched the 15 straight spot-kicks also scored by Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah and former Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane.
Le Tissier's 23 consecutive penalties was part of an overall career record of 47 scored from 48 attempts. His sole career miss saw Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley deny Le Tissier in October 1993.
Can Jimenez score enough spot-kicks to move past Le Tissier's total?
Botman, Burn And Gordon Get 7.5 | Newcastle United Players Rated In Tough Loss Vs Sunderland
Newcastle United entertained Sunderland at St. James’ Park earlier today as they hoped to secure a good result at home in the Tyne-Wear derby. The Magpies made a quick start to the game and scored the opening goal in the tenth minute thanks to Anthony Gordon’s effort. Eddie Howe’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 up on the scoreline.
Chemsdine Talbi equalised for the visitors in the 57th minute before Brian Brobbey completed the turnaround for Sunderland in the 90th minute. The match ended with the Magpies suffering a tough 2-1 loss in the derby.
Let’s take a look at how each Newcastle United player performed during the clash against Sunderland.
He made a few important saves at the back but conceded two goals this afternoon.
RB: Kieran Trippier – 6.5/10
Trippier caught the eye at times on both ends of the field.
CB: Sven Botman – 7.5/10
He did his fair share of defending and was a good presence on the ball.
CB: Dan Burn – 7.5/10
Burn made a lot of crucial clearances inside his half, but it was not enough today.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 22: Joelinton of Newcastle United and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland argue during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James’ Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
LB: Lewis Hall – 6.5/10
He came back to defend when he could and was lively inside the Sunderland half.
CM: Jacob Ramsey – 6.5/10
Ramsey anchored the midfield well at times but offered very little in the final third.
CM: Joelinton – 6.5/10
He did his fair share of defending but offered very little going forward.
CM: Nick Woltemade – 7/10
Woltemade made two key chances in the final third and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
RW: Anthony Elanga – 6/10
He struggled to impress with his performance this afternoon and was replaced after the hour mark.
ST: Anthony Gordon – 7.5/10
Gordon used his pace well at times and managed to score in the tenth minute.
LW: Harvey Barnes – 6/10
He failed to catch the eye on the left wing and never looked like he would score.
Substitutes:
CB: Malick Thiaw – 6.5/10
He did his fair share of defending after coming off the bench.
Brobbey strikes late as Sunderland stun Newcastle in Tyne-Wear derby
Sunderland came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.
The hosts had the first chance of the game inside the opening three minutes when Anthony Elanga met Lewis Hall’s delivery, but he headed wide.
The Magpies took the lead in the 10th minute after they latched onto a loose pass and Anthony Gordon finished into the bottom corner.
At the other end, the visitors mustered their first attempt as Chemsdine Talbi almost picked out the top corner, but his curling strike was clawed away by Aaron Ramsdale before Chris Rigg dragged his effort well over the bar.
Just before the break, Elanga slammed his effort into the side netting before Sven Botman’s header from Hall’s delivery struck the post, and the host went into the break with a one-goal lead.
In the 57th minute, Talbi restored parity for the Black Cats after Ramsdale failed to deal with a corner and the Moroccan converted from close range.
Minutes later, Ramsdale made two good saves, denying Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki Sunderland’s second.
Malick Thiaw thought he had given the hosts the lead at the other end after he headed home from a corner, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Jacob Murphy before Gordon curled wide of the post.
On the stroke of full time, Brian Brobbey fired the Black Cats ahead after he met Enzo Le Fee’s pass to win it at the death.
Scottish PremiershipSunday, March 22 2026Tannadice Stadium, Dundee
DUNDEE UTD…2(Ferry 51, Ageyi 66)
CELTIC…0
Celtic suffered a disappointing setback at Tannadice, as a difficult afternoon on a challenging pitch ended in a 2-0 defeat to Dundee United.
With results elsewhere over the weekend increasing the pressure on the Hoops to respond, Martin O’Neill’s side arrived in Dundee looking to close the gap at the top of the table, but found conditions and an organised home side difficult to overcome.
Dundee United made the brighter start and applied early pressure, with Ross Graham meeting a well-delivered corner from Will Ferry inside the opening stages, although his header failed to trouble Viljami Sinisalo.
Celtic looked to counter shortly after, with neat interplay between Benjamin Nygren, Kelechi Iheanacho and Yang, but Luca Stephenson halted the move with a late challenge on Yang which earned him a booking.
Celtic’s first clear opportunity came from a set-piece. Nygren recycled a corner into the box, where Benjamin Arthur cushioned the ball into the path of Kieran Tierney, but the defender’s powerful strike rose over the crossbar.
The hosts responded with a dangerous moment of their own following a defensive error, as Sam Dalby’s move ended with Ferry driving a fierce effort towards the top corner, only for Sinisalo to produce an excellent save to tip the ball away.
Conditions at Tannadice proved challenging throughout, with a heavily sanded surface disrupting any attempts to build rhythm or tempo, and both sides struggled to establish control in a stop-start first half. Liam Scales was booked after being caught out by a bobble in the pitch, bringing down Max Watters as the hosts threatened again.
Celtic came close to breaking the deadlock late in the half when Reo Hatate threaded a pass through for Iheanacho, but the striker’s effort was well saved by the goalkeeper, ensuring the sides went in level at the break after a quiet opening 45 minutes.
The deadlock was broken early in the second half as Dundee United took the lead. A move down the right saw the ball find its way to Will Ferry, who struck low beyond Vil Sinisalo to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Celtic came close to pulling a goal back when Reo Hatate, operating from right-back, struck a first-time effort which clipped the inside of the post and rolled along the goal-line before being gathered by the goalkeeper.
Martin O'Neill's side looked to respond with changes, introducing fresh legs in an attempt to regain momentum, but they were dealt a further setback just after the hour mark when the hosts doubled their lead.
Following a series of blocked efforts inside the area, Emmanuel Agyei reacted quickest to fire home through a crowded box to mkae it 2-0.
Further changes followed as the Hoops searched for a route back into the contest, and they continued to press in the closing stages.
Tierney fashioned an opening inside the box, delivering a low ball across goal which Daizen Maeda attempted to convert, but the opportunity passed by.
It proved to be a frustrating afternoon for Celtic, who were unable to find a foothold and were ultimately left with no reward, with attention now turning to regrouping after the international break.
Fixtures
Dundee United Vs. Celtic - Sun, Mar 22nd 2026, 12:30 Final score: 2 - 0
Photo: Barcelona stars Pedri, Gavi & more pay tribute to club legend v Rayo Vallecano
The first-team squad at La Liga champions Barcelona made use of the opportunity to pay tribute to an all-time club icon ahead of their latest outing.
The player in question? Ronaldinho.
Barcelona are of course currently locked in action on the domestic front.
Fresh off booking their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in comprehensive fashion in midweek, the Blaugrana have welcomed Rayo Vallecano to Catalunya’s capital for a La Liga clash.
As things stand late in proceedings, Hansi Flick’s troops lead by a solitary goal to nil, on their way to another three-point haul.
As alluded to above, though, ahead of kick-off at the Spotify Camp Nou, it was not Barca’s current crop of players who took their place centre stage in the media chatter.
Instead, it was the name of the aforementioned Ronaldinho.
As much came after the Catalans’ stars took to the pitch donning jerseys with the name of the Brazilian legend across their backs, in recognition of his 46th birthday:
McGinn sticks to the script amid a week of goals for Villa 🏟️
Aston Villa remain in the thick of the fight for a return to the Champions League next season, with their opener at Villa Park surely a welcome sight for boss Unai Emery.
Emery's Villans came into today's clash against relegation-threatened West Ham on the back of a midweek 2-0 win over Lille in the Europa League's last 16.
One man who has been at the forefront this week for the Midlands side is none other than John McGinn.
The proud owner an opener in the 54th minute against Les Dogues, McGinn repeated that act this afternoon to set Villa on the march, with the possibility of ending the day just one point adrift of third-sitting Manchester United.
In doing so, McGinn bagged his seventh goal of the season across all competitions, six of which have come in front of home support.
Maybe he's just a player who likes a bit of home comfort every now and then.
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The Italy international has not been playing as regularly for Arsenal this season, partly due to injuries, and partly due to the fine form of Piero Hincapie.
This has led to some uncertainty around Calafiori’s situation, with Simon Phillips even claiming that Chelsea were showing an interest in him.
Still, when asked about a possible move away from Arsenal, Calafiori strongly hinted that he’d prefer to stay as he views the Gunners as “an iconic team”.
Riccardo Calafiori plays down Arsenal exit talk
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Calafiori was asked if he ever felt homesick for his native Italy, but he made it clear that he’s happy with life in London.
“I miss the sun and would like to see friends and family more often, but I’m not complaining,” Calafiori said.
“In Italy, we’re used to observing, judging, and criticising. I like that it’s not like that here.”
He added: “I’ve always dreamed of playing in England.
“After the European Championship, my price tag increased, and my agent explained thatArsenalreally wanted me.
“I knew I’d be playing in the toughest league. But I told myself I could always take a step back.
“And let’s be clear: Arsenal is Arsenal, an iconic team, unlike any other.”
The former Manchester United shot-stopper has performed well during his time at Palace, including saving a penalty as he kept a clean sheet in last season’s surprise FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
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It remains to be seen how likely it is that Palace will let Henderson go in what is already expected to be a chaotic summer for the club, but the England international is seemingly in Spurs’ sights.
According to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, the north Londoners are exploring a number of options as they expect Vicario to leave.
The Italian shot-stopper is a target for Inter Milan and it seems they’re in pole position to secure his signature.
That might be a more realistic option for Spurs as Trafford will surely want to play and might be more easily available as he’s not City’s first choice.
The issue with Henderson is that he’s the clear no.1 for Palace and they won’t want to lose even more players.
Marc Guehi left in January after Eberechi Eze left in the summer, and there’ll now likely be strong interest in other key players like Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
On top of that, CPFC manager Oliver Glasner has also confirmed that he’ll be leaving at the end of his contract.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly keen to make big money from player sales this summer as Eduardo Camavinga could be among the names to be sold.
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According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the plan is to try and raise around €150m, with Camavinga perhaps set to be joined by Brahim Diaz and Andriy Lunin in being offloaded by Los Blancos.
It’s a bit surprising to see a top talent like Camavinga being made available, but he arguably hasn’t shown his best form during his time at the Bernabeu.
In fairness, standard are exceptionally high at Real Madrid, and a lot of fine players haven’t quite made it there, so there’s no reason Camavinga can’t still revive his career at another big club.
Eduardo Camavinga
TOTAL SCORE: 18/25
Transfer fee
***
Performance
***
Achievements
****
Career phase
*****
Squad need
***
We recently gave Camavinga the above rating with our Transfer Fit scoring system, with the 23-year-old looking like he could strengthen LFC for the short and long term without costing a fortune.
There is some similarly between his situation and that of Ryan Gravenberch, who was struggling at Bayern Munich before being given more of a key role at Liverpool.
That’s really helped the Dutchman get his career back on track, and perhaps now Camavinga could form a strong midfield partnership with him in Arne Slot’s side.
It seems clear that something needs to change at Liverpool this summer after a disappointing campaign, with the team not as solid as they looked in the past.
The addition of Camavinga as another more defensive-minded midfielder could help Slot get a better balance in his side.
Both Iraola and Glasner are out of contract with their current clubs this summer, and look set to depart, with Palace’s manager even publicly confirming that he would not be signing a new deal to extend his stay at Selhurst Park.
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Now the Daily Mail is reporting that Palace hope to swoop for Iraola as Glasner’s replacement, with initial contacts taking place.
This would be quite the coup for the Eagles if they could pull it off, with Iraola having done a hugely impressive job at Bournemouth which has seen him linked with bigger clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool.
What next for Crystal Palace and Oliver Glasner?
Glasner will be hard to replace, though, and is another manager who will surely be of interest to top clubs when he becomes available this summer.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt manager will surely always hold legendary status among Palace fans for guiding the club to their first ever trophy last season with that famous win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
It will be interesting to see how these different manager situations impact each other, as Glasner getting the United job could, for example, help Palace land Iraola.
Meanwhile, Iraola getting the MUFC job could then also mean Carrick becomes available as a tempting option.
Arsenal are preparing for a potentially significant defensive reshuffle ahead of the summer transfer window of 2026, with reports suggesting the club are accelerating their pursuit of AS Roma right-back Wesley França.
The Brazilian defender has emerged as one of several options being closely monitored by the Gunners’ recruitment team, particularly amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Ben White, according to TEAMtalk.
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The North London club are believed to be planning strategic changes to their defensive unit as they aim to maintain competitiveness across domestic and European competitions.
França has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season since arriving at Roma from Flamengo in the summer of 2025.
At just 22 years old, the Brazilian has quickly adapted to European football, becoming a regular starter in one of Serie A’s most demanding tactical environments.
His performances have drawn praise for combining athleticism, defensive awareness, and attacking contribution, a combination highly valued in modern full-backs.
Notably, Wesley has also demonstrated an ability to contribute in the final third, registering several goals and assists from the right flank during his debut season in Italy.
Arsenal scouts are believed to have tracked his development extensively, with particular emphasis placed on his pace, stamina, and willingness to support attacking transitions.
Everton have also been credited with interest in the Brazilian, highlighting the growing demand for dynamic young defenders across the Premier League.
Ben White of Arsenal (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The growing interest in right-backs comes as Arsenal consider the future of White, who has been a reliable presence in recent seasons.
While the England international remains valued for his versatility and leadership, reports suggest the club would consider offers that meet their valuation.
Arsenal’s defensive planning reflects a broader shift toward refreshing key areas of the squad with younger talent capable of sustaining performance levels over the long term.
White’s potential departure would represent a notable change, but it would also open the door for new tactical flexibility within the squad.
While França appears to be a leading candidate, Arsenal are exploring several alternatives to ensure they have multiple options available. Among those reportedly under observation are Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins, and AS Monaco’s Vanderson.
The other names are not yet certain, but it could become clearer later, with Chelsea’s season just going from bad to worse at the moment.
Do Chelsea need a major clear-out this summer?
Chelsea have had a miserable run of results recently, being thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain to exit the Champions League, while they’ve won just one and lost three of their last six Premier League games, putting their top four hopes in serious doubt.
Liam Rosenior hasn’t been particularly convincing since taking over as Chelsea manager, and it increasingly seems like it was a bit of a rash call to sack Enzo Maresca.
Even if Maresca wasn’t perfect, he’d done well to deliver silverware and Champions League qualification last season, and Rosenior is relatively inexperienced for such a big job.
At the same time, however, some CFC fans may well feel that a few of the club’s recent managers have been let down by poor recruitment.
A lot of these players simply haven’t delivered considering how much was spent on them, so it might be wise to allow these aforementioned names to leave and for the team to undergo a major reshuffle.
That could then also give Rosenior more of a chance to put together a squad more in his own image, as well as a full pre-season to work with them, as taking over in the middle of a season like he has is never straightforward.
🤩Cesc, Paz and Diao shine as Como thrash Pisa 5-0, lead Juve by 3👋
Oh Juve! Last night's draw against Sassuolo could weigh heavily in the race for Europe, at least judging by how Como is doing. Fabregas' team didn't let the opportunity slip, took advantage of the unexpected misstep by the Bianconeri, and moved to +3 over Spalletti's team.
Against Pisa, everything was easy for the Larians, who had fun, scored five goals, and also found Nico Paz's goal, who had been goalless for over a month before this afternoon.
Of course, they were up against the bottom of the table, that Pisa which seems to have already given up, especially after the latest exploits of their rivals in the fight to avoid relegation, which have effectively dashed the last hopes of Hiljemark's team.
🤩 A real SHOW
There were few doubts that it was the most entertaining team in our league, but today's five goals confirm it once again. Not even a double, but five different scorers.
First, Diao's solo, then Douvikas' strike, reaching 11 goals in the league. In the second half, Baturina, Nico Paz, and Perrone rounded off the score, in a Sinigaglia that sang from the first to the last minute. Enthusiasm is sky-high, and it's easy to understand why.
A team that just two years ago was playing in Serie B is now the most credible candidate for fourth place, ahead of giants like Juve and Roma. Not bad.
📊 Only two big teams on the schedule!
At this point, the dream can really become reality. The schedule seems favorable, with only two matches against top teams, both at home: on the weekend of May 1st, Inter will arrive, then two weeks later Napoli.
In between, on April 21st, the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal, again against the Nerazzurri but this time at San Siro. Clearly, the priority is the league, but certainly, the idea of playing a final at the Olimpico is something that must cross the mind of an ambitious coach like Fabregas.
A run of four matches unbeaten and a strong desire to keep it going: at the Chinetti in Solbiate Arno, Milan Futuro host Sondrio aiming to win again and consolidate second place in the standings. After the defeat in the first meeting, Oddo’s Rossoneri are looking for three points at home. Matchday 28 of Serie D (Group B) will be live on the AC Milan Official App at 14:30 CET, watch it LIVE!
“I backed him” – Gary Cahill names Chelsea ace he’s starting to lose faith in after Everton loss
Gary Cahill has admitted he’s started to change his mind about Robert Sanchez following Chelsea’s defeat to Everton.
The Blues slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as they put in another abject performance under Liam Rosenior.
It’s now four defeats in a row in all competitions, and the Blues remain sixth in the table with just seven games remaining.
Gary Cahill starting to have doubts over Robert Sanchez
Rosenior is coming under increased pressure following the defeat, but he once again wasn’t helped by the Chelsea backline.
The Blues were all over the place defensively, with Wesley Fofana in particular having a poor game, and Chelsea have managed just three clean sheets since Liam Rosenior took over.
The Spaniard has had a good season on the whole, but there are still questions marks over him, and Cahill has admitted he’s starting to have doubts.
“Sanchez? I backed him; I’ve been the one who backed him,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think he’s got personality; he can play out from the back, and at times he’s a great shot stopper.
“I’m willing him to stop making these mistakes, and the mistakes are obviously costly at the moment.
“He’ll be disappointed, he knows, you know he’s a professional goalkeeper. He’ll know in these moments he has to do better.”
Mike Penders to be number one next season?
Chelsea have got a serious decision when it comes to the goalkeeping position for next season, with it evident neither Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen are ultimately good enough.
The Blues are said to have high hopes for Mike Penders who’s on loan at Strasbourg, but whether he’s ready for the step-up is unclear, and Chelsea really can’t afford to make the wrong decision.
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Hansi Flick: “I only care about winning the next match”
Speaking ahead of the Rayo Vallecano match at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed concerns regarding player workload, especially after a demanding midweek fixture in the UEFA Champions League.
Flick made it clear that fatigue is not an issue within his squad.
He stated that he is not concerned about his players’ minutes played ahead of this match, adding that everyone on the starting lineup and the roster “is ready to play.”
To further reinforce his point, Flick highlighted the scheduling advantage his team holds heading into this fixture.
While Barcelona were in action earlier in the week, their opponents had less recovery time.
Explaining the situation, he added that, against Rayo Vallecano, Barça “has had an extra day to rest” compared to their opponent.
Barcelona’s home record
Despite Barcelona’s impressive home record since returning to Spotify Camp Nou, Flick was quick to downplay any story around statistics or past performances.
Making his priorities clear, he said, “The only thing that matters to me is the next match, and that is the match against Rayo,” and continued, “I don’t focus on whether I’ve won home matches.
Flick has expressed his confidence. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“I only care about winning the next match.”
Flick also took a moment to highlight the development of one of Barcelona’s rising talents.
When asked about Marc Bernal, the coach expressed satisfaction with the youngster’s progress, stating, “We’re very happy with his improvement.”
On the other side, Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez offered a clear and ambitious outlook.
He explained that simply defending against Barcelona would not be enough. He expanded on that philosophy by stressing the importance of balance, adding,
“We’ve played some great games against Barça, and while everyone says you have to defend well when you play against them, if you spend the whole game defending and don’t attack, you’re going to have a problem.
“That’s why I want my team to be inspired in attack,” he said.
🚨 3pm line-ups: decisions on CDK, Rowe, Noslin, Belghali 👀
The Serie A Sunday continues with the two 3 PM matches. In Bergamo, Atalanta hosts a Verona side that is almost relegated, but which already surprised Bologna at the Dall'Ara two weeks ago.
Serie A official line-ups: Atalanta vs. Verona and Bologna vs. Lazio
Bologna want to ride the wave of Europa League quarter-final qualification against on-form Lazio, while Atalanta try to shake off their Champions League exit by hosting Hellas Verona.
These two games both kick off at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).
There hasn’t been much time to recover after European commitments midweek, but the pressure is already on to deliver in Serie A.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Atalanta vs. Verona
La Dea were eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich midweek, and losing ground in Serie A after just two points from three rounds. Gianluca Scamacca also suffered a fresh injury blow, but Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori are on their way back to full fitness.
It is a special day for Marten de Roon, who becomes Atalanta’s all-time record man with 436 appearances.
Hellas miss Armel Bella-Kotchap, Domagoj Bradaric, Sandi Lovric and Suat Serdar, remaining rock bottom after defeat to Genoa.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Krstovic
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Ederson with his teammates of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring the opening goal from penalty spot during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on February 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Bologna vs. Lazio
The Rossoblu are buzzing after their extra time victory over Roma on Thursday to reach the Europa League quarter-finals, but it came at a cost, losing Jens Odgaard and Tommaso Pobega to injury, with Lukasz Skorupski and Lorenzo De Silvestri already out.
Lazio are also enthusiastic after back-to-back wins over Sassuolo and Milan, but the absentee list includes Mattia Zaccagni, Ivan Provedel, Danilo Cataldi, Toma Basic, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot, with Alessio Romagnoli returning.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Kenneth Taylor of SS Lazio kicks the ball during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Arsenal trio called up by England u21s includes senior international
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly has been called up by the England u21s for the March internationals, along with Ethan Nwaneri and Tommy Setford.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is set to make his first appearances for the England u21s, with England confirming that he’s received a call-up for the March break alongside fellow Gunners Ethan Nwaneri and Tommy Setford.
Nwaneri is obviously currently on loan with Marseille, but he remains contracted to Arsenal for the long-term, and Lewis-Skelly has spent plenty of time playing alongside his former academy teammate and friend.
The England u21s will play Andorra on Friday, March 27th at 18:30 GMT and Moldova on Tuesday, March 31st at 19:00 BST. Both games will be shown on the England YouTube channel.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
In some ways, Lewis-Skelly’s call-up might feel like a step back, amid suggestions that he’s unlikely to be involved with the England senior team at the World Cup this summer.
The 19-year-old has already made six appearances and scored for the England first team, so it could be argued he’s moved beyond youth football.
But players are regularly held back in the England u21s for much longer than they are in club football.
It was unusual that Lewis-Skelly skipped this level to begin with, not that he’s now dropping down for a couple of games.
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
As for the other two, Setford made his England u21 debut in November, keeping a couple of clean sheets against the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia. Nwaneri has played 13 times for the England u21s, contributing five goals and assists including a goal in that Slovakia win.
All three will be hoping to make a positive impression over the break, as they’d all probably like to be playing for their clubs a bit more often.
🚨Breaking news: Simeone faces the derby with several absentees
Players like Oblak, Barrios, or Pubill will not be on a list that includes several youth academy players.
Derby day and a special milestone for Simeone, who will reach 50 matches against the eternal rival. The squad list is makeshift, as it includes several absences, among them Oblak, Barrios, and Pubill.
Atleti wants to conquer the home of their eternal rival at a euphoric moment after securing qualification for the Champions League quarterfinals.
The Reds are said to have already taken significant steps to gauge Alonso’s interest in taking the job, and it sounds positive, according to Fichajes.
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The Spanish tactician became very highly regarded during a stint in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, though he struggled and didn’t last that long in the Real Madrid job.
According to Fichajes, Alonso is keen not to be out of work for too long and he seems to look favourably on the chance of returning to Anfield, where he spent a decent chunk of his playing career.
Should Liverpool replace Arne Slot with Xabi Alonso?
There’ll be plenty of LFC fans who are growing increasingly frustrated with the team’s performances under Slot, but some might also still be willing to give the Dutch tactician more time.
After all, Slot led the club to the Premier League title in his first season in charge last term, and this season was always going to be a challenge for him and his players after the shock of Diogo Jota’s death last summer.
The loss of a teammate and friend was surely always going to have a big impact on the mood inside Liverpool, so a change of manager is not necessarily going to fix things.
Others might argue, however, that Alonso generally has what it takes to be a better manager in the long run.
Slot needs to end the season strongly
Liverpool lost to Brighton yesterday to further harm their chances of finishing in the top four, but Chelsea were also beaten by Everton, which should help.
The Reds are also still in the Champions League, though they have a very tough-looking tie against Paris Saint-Germain coming up.
Overall, Slot needs to improve results and performances fast, with Champions League qualification and a decent run in the remaining cup competitions perhaps enough to help him.
But Alonso’s availability seems to have alerted the Merseyside giants and while that option is there it might be seen as too tempting to turn down.
This is more or less what happened when Jurgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers back in 2015 – a move which clearly ended up being the right call, and one that might not have happened if not for Klopp’s availability at that time.
Liverpool could be preparing for a significant change in their attacking lineup ahead of the summer transfer window of 2026, with reports suggesting the club are considering Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon as a possible replacement for Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool’s recruitment team is believed to be assessing their forward options, with Gakpo’s future at Anfield under increasing scrutiny, according to TEAMtalk.
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The Netherlands international has been quietly made available to potential suitors, with interest reportedly emerging from clubs in both the Premier League and across Europe.
Should Gakpo move on, Liverpool appear ready to act swiftly to secure a dynamic wide forward capable of reshaping their attacking threat.
Gakpo faces uncertain future at Liverpool
Gakpo arrived at Liverpool with high expectations after impressing in the Eredivisie and on the international stage.
While he has delivered moments of quality, consistency has remained a challenge at times, particularly in a system that demands relentless pressing and clinical finishing from wide players.
Liverpool’s decision to explore potential offers does not necessarily reflect dissatisfaction with Gakpo’s talent, but rather a broader shift in squad planning.
With competition for places intensifying and tactical adjustments underway, the club is believed to be evaluating whether a change in personnel could provide fresh attacking impetus.
Reports suggest Gakpo has been discussed with several clubs, including Premier League sides such as Tottenham Hotspur, as Liverpool test the market to determine his valuation. A sale could generate valuable funds to reinvest in younger or more tactically suited attacking options.
Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring for Newcastle against Tottenham (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Among the names being strongly linked with Liverpool is Gordon, who has developed into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous wide attackers during his time at Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old has earned widespread praise for his pace, direct running, and relentless pressing, traits that align closely with Liverpool’s traditional attacking identity.
The versatile attacker has scored ten Champions League goals this season which has further enhanced his situation.
Interest in Julián Álvarez continues to intensify following another standout European performance, with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly sending representatives to closely monitor the Argentine forward during Atlético Madrid’s dramatic Champions League round-of-16 clash.
The 26-year-old remains one of the most coveted attacking talents in European football, and his recent display has only heightened speculation surrounding his future, according to TEAMtalk.
Álvarez played a decisive role in Atlético Madrid’s progress to the quarter-finals, scoring once and registering an assist in a thrilling encounter that ended 3-2 on the night, with Atlético advancing 7-5 on aggregate.
His performance in such a high-pressure setting has strengthened his reputation as a big-game player, an attribute that appeals strongly to Premier League contenders.
Champions League performance reinforces reputation
Álvarez’s ability to deliver on Europe’s biggest stage has been a defining feature of his career.
Against elite opposition, he demonstrated composure in front of goal and creativity in attack, contributing directly to two crucial goals that helped Atlético maintain control of the tie.
Capable of operating as a central striker, second forward, or wide attacker, Álvarez offers tactical flexibility that suits modern attacking systems.
His relentless work rate, pressing ability, and intelligent movement have drawn comparisons to some of Europe’s most effective all-around forwards.
Such performances have ensured that major clubs continue to monitor his development, especially those looking to strengthen their attacking depth ahead of next season.
Arsenal’s interest is believed to be linked to their search for greater attacking depth, particularly as they aim to compete consistently for major honours across multiple competitions.
Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to invest in elite attacking talent as part of their long-term squad restructuring.
The club’s recruitment strategy has focused on players capable of making an immediate impact while still possessing long-term development potential, making Álvarez a strong candidate.
The Spanish club are expected to demand a substantial transfer fee, likely exceeding €100 million, reflecting both his importance and the premium placed on proven attacking talent.
The race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is intensifying as the summer transfer window of 2026 approaches, with Manchester City reportedly moving ahead of Manchester United in pursuit of the highly rated England international.
Anderson has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most in-demand midfielders, attracting attention not only from England’s top clubs but also from European heavyweights, according to BBC.
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Since joining Nottingham Forest permanently following his breakthrough years earlier in his career, the midfielder has evolved into a dynamic and influential presence in the heart of midfield.
Anderson has become a key figure for Forest, contributing both defensively and offensively. His performances have earned him recognition at the international level, with recent appearances for England further boosting his reputation.
He is expected to be a part of the England World Cup squad this year and there is a high chance that he starts for them in the midfield alongside Declan Rice.
Despite Nottingham Forest facing challenging periods during the campaign, Anderson’s consistency has not gone unnoticed.
His ability to operate as a box-to-box midfielder, press aggressively, and support attacking transitions has made him an attractive option for teams seeking midfield renewal.
City’s midfield system demands versatility and composure, and Anderson’s playing style fits the profile of a player capable of thriving in possession-heavy systems.
On the other hand, the need for a midfielder at Man United is clear. With Casemiro leaving the club at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte still struggling, they are trying to find solutions in the market.
The club has been linked with several names, including Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Sandro Tonali, but internal discussions reportedly suggest Anderson is among the priority targets.
Nottingham Forest are believed to value Anderson at no less than £80 million, reflecting both his importance to the club and the premium placed on homegrown talent in the modern market.
Competition is also emerging from abroad, with Bayern Munich among the clubs monitoring his progress. The German giants have a strong history of recruiting talented midfielders from the Premier League and could enter negotiations if the opportunity arises.
😎 Belgian midfielder reveals 3-week plan to get Messi’s shirt
If you had the chance to get a shirt worn by Messi, what would you do to make sure you got it?
Midfielder Amadou Onana, currently at Aston Villa, revealed a curious story from when he was still a 19-year-old prospect at Lille.
To get Lionel Messi’s shirt in a match against PSG in 2021, the player spent three weeks studying Spanish.
Onana told the channel Just Riadh that he enlisted the help of a Belgian friend of Spanish descent to memorize the perfect phrases.
The goal was to make the request naturally and “from the heart,” so that Messi would feel confident and hand over the historic item.
“Three weeks before the game, I asked him to teach me the right phrase. I wanted to speak in Spanish so it would seem genuine,” the midfielder revealed.
Despite his effort, Onana almost ended up empty-handed.
At the final whistle, another player was quicker and grabbed the shirt Messi wore in the second half.
The Belgian, however, didn’t give up and intercepted the star in the tunnel, securing the piece worn in the first half.
Onana confessed that the shirt is the only one in his collection that has never been washed. “The worst part is the guy didn’t even sweat. The shirt doesn’t smell like anything,” the player joked.
Strasbourg predicted XI v Nantes: Chelsea loanee David Fofana starts, Joaquín Panichelli benched
RC Strasbourg Alsace travel to FC Nantes this evening in search of their first win in the league since they defeated Olympique Lyonnais on the 22nd of February. Since the win over Lyon, Strasbourg have been held to three successive draws, the latter two goalless stalemates against struggling AJ Auxerre and Paris FC.
A mixture of their barren run in the league and their midweek commitments to the UEFA Europa Conference League will likely lead to Gary O’Neil making some surprising changes. Top scorer Joaquín Panichelli could be left on the bench with Chelsea loanee David Fofana starting up front.
Maxi Oyedele’s return from an injury that has kept him out for much of his debut season looks to be complete, with the Salford-born Polish international set for his first start for the club, replacing Samir El Mourabet.
Strasbourg likely line-up v Nantes
Mike Penders; Abdoul Ouattara, Ismaël Doukouré, Andrew Omobamidele, Guela Doué; Valentín Barco, Maxi Oyedele; Martial Godo, Sebastian Nanasi, Sam Amo-Ameyaw; David Fofana. (L’Éq)
David Raya has confirmed that Bayern Munich tried to sign him between Arsenal’s bids, but he’s very glad he ended up in north London.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Arsenal had a fairly protracted pursuit of David Raya, initially trying to sign the Brentford goalkeeper in 2020, while the goalkeeper’s team were still playing in the Championship.
Brentford turned the Gunners down on the basis that they needed him for their promotion push, and when they achieved that promotion in 2021, the transfer became even more complicated.
Raya had a release clause if Brentford stayed in the Championship, but it didn’t apply if they were promoted. That put the move on hold until 2023, at which point Bayern Munich also entered the race and held talks with Brentford.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Bayern, like Arsenal, wanted an initial loan deal, and Brentford would only sanction such a deal if Raya extended his Brentford contract first. The goalkeeper initially refused to do so in Bayern’s case, before agreeing to do so to join Arsenal.
“It was the best choice I’ve made, to come to this club,” Raya told Sky Sports. “I was very close to going to another club, obviously everything happened with Arsenal because it was right in between (Arsenal’s two pursuits) and everything, so I was very, very close to going to another club.
“But luckily, that didn’t happen and Arsenal in the end just made the bid and I came here.
“Yeah, [the other club] was Bayern Munich, it was Bayern Munich.”
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
In the end, there were so many ways the transfer saga could have played out differently.
Brentford could have accepted a sale at the time of Arsenal’s initial interest in 2020, they could have lost the play-off final and made Raya’s release clause valid in 2021, Raya could have accepted Bayern’s bid in 2023.
But none of that happened, and he finally made the move later in that 2023 summer. Thankfully, he still seems pleased with that decision.
Real Madrid set clear condition that will decide Arbeloa’s future – report
Real Madrid’s season has reached a crucial turning point, and with it, the future of Alvaro Arbeloa is now under the spotlight.
What initially began as a temporary solution could soon evolve into something more permanent, but only if results follow.
According to a report from MARCA (h/t RM4 Arab), Arbeloa’s continuity as head coach will largely depend on silverware.
In that regard, winning either La Liga or the UEFA Champions League would significantly strengthen his case to remain in charge.
Even securing the league title with convincing performances could be enough, but failure to deliver a trophy would likely result in his departure.
Steadiying the ship
Arbeloa was brought in to stabilise the team following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, and at the time, expectations were very minimal.
However, recent performances have shifted the story. Convincing victories against Elche and Manchester City have injected fresh optimism into the squad and among supporters.
Arbeloa knows what he has to do. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
In particular, the win over City stands out as a defining moment, as Real Madrid dismantled Pep Guardiola’s side 5-1 on aggregate.
Beyond results, his work off the field has also been notable. With several key players sidelined for large parts of the season, Arbeloa has had to rely heavily on the club’s youth system.
In doing so, he has uncovered valuable options, showing a willingness to trust young players where others might have hesitated.
However, the challenge now becomes even more complex. With injured stars returning, Arbeloa must find the right balance between maintaining the intensity and unity shown in recent matches.
The upcoming fixtures, particularly the Madrid derby and Champions League quarter-final ties against Bayern Munich, will be decisive. These matches will test Arbeloa’s ability to handle expectations at the highest level.
If he successfully manages this phase, the conversation around his future could change entirely.
The reigning champions with the most defeats in a Premier League season as Liverpool slump to 10th league defeat
Liverpool's disappointing campaign continued after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this weekend.
The champions have been a shadow of last season's title-winning team, with their latest loss leaving the Reds fifth in the table. Arne Slot's side are 21 points behind leaders Arsenal, while their defeat at Brighton made it 10 losses in thePremier League so far this season.
It's the most defeats in a Premier League season for Liverpool for a decade, since losing 10 times on route to an eighth-place finish in 2015-16. Onlyfive reigning Premier League champions have lost more games in a campaign and Liverpool still have seven games to add to their unwanted total.
Leicester City hold the record for the most Premier League defeats by a reigning champions. Leicester entered the 2016-17 season as top-flight champions, after an incredible shock success the previous season.
The Foxes overcame incredible odds to win the title for the first time in their history, but slumped to 12th the following year. Leicester lost almost half (18) of their Premier League games, with title-winning coach Claudio Ranieri sacked and replaced by Craig Shakespeare.
In total, seven different Premier League champions have lost 10+ games in their defence of the trophy the following season, withLeeds United, Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers also among the group.
Chelsea are the only team to have 'achieved' the feat twice, doing so in 2015-16 (12) and 2017-18 (10).
The reigning champions with the most defeats in a Premier League season
Leicester City in 2016-17 (18)
Leeds United in 1992-93 (15)*
Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 (13)
Manchester United in 2013-14 (12)
Chelsea in 2015-16 (12)
Chelsea in 2017-18 (10)
Liverpool in 2025-26 (10)**
* Premier League season was a 42-game campaign
** Entire Premier League season still to be completed
Teams Up – Iheanacho and McGregor start, Trusty on bench
Martin O’Neill brings back Kelechi Iheanacho today to lead the line for Celtic at Tannadice against Dundee United…
Callum McGregor celebrates. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
And Aston Trusty can only make the bench as the Celtic manager retains the services of Benjamin Arthur in his starting XI which also includes, as expected, the return of the Celtic captain Callum McGregor. The Celtic team, playing the usual 4-3-3 formation is as follows for what is a must win match which will be played on a terrible surface.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Motherwell FC at Celtic Park, on 5th October 2025 Photo by Mark Runnacles IMAGO /Shutterstock
With Kelechi Iheanacho back in the starting line-up for Celtic its’ Junior Adamu who is the back-up striker on the bench with no place in today’s squad for Tomas Cvancara, who scored against Motherwell last weekend. Paulo Bernardo also finds himself watching from the stand yet again in what has been a frustrating season for the former Portugal U21 captain.
Kick-off is at 12.30pm. Here’s the Celtic team news…
🚨Breaking news: Sebastian Kehl leaves Borussia Dortmund
The former sporting director of the black and yellow team leaves his position after a mutual agreement.
After a career of ups and downs in the offices of Borussia Dortmund, Sebastian Kehl and the club have ended their relationship by mutual agreement, as announced by the club.
This decision comes after yesterday's confirmation of captain Emre Can's contract renewal and leaves the German team in a difficult position as they look for a replacement as soon as possible.
Eduardo Camavinga: Real Madrid willing to sell United target on one condition
Manchester United have seemingly intensified their interest in Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães.
Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United have accelerated their efforts to sign Guimarães following Casemiro’s recommendation. The pair are expected to form a partnership for the Seleção at the World Cup.
However, the £69 million-rated Brazilian is not the only midfielder the Red Devils have their sights on. It has emerged that they are considering making a move for a French talent who has also played alongside Casemiro.
Manchester United determined to sign Eduardo Camavinga
According to Football Insider, Manchester United are “seriously” considering a move for Eduardo Camavinga should Real Madrid decide to part ways with him in the summer.
Former Rennes wonderkid Camavinga, who drew comparisons to Paul Pogba due to his long legs and ball-carrying ability, has struggled to live up to expectations after moving to the Santiago Bernabéu in 2021.
The French midfielder’s physicality and technical prowess are still admired across Europe. However, at Real, he has failed to become anything more than a utility player, having been deployed at left-back, left midfield and at the heart of midfield.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, Pete O’Rourke said: “He’s somebody that they will seriously consider, midfield is a key priority for United’s recruitment team. Casemiro is leaving, so he will need to be replaced, and they want to strengthen in that position anyway.
“Camavinga, if there’s any possibility that Real Madrid open the door for the Frenchman to leave, I think there’ll be a queue of clubs ready to sign him.”
Real Madrid set Camavinga price tag
It is added that Real are willing to listen to offers in excess of the £43m mark for Camavinga, who has won an incredible 11 trophies with Los Blancos.
There is a belief that the France international would “tick a lot of boxes for Man United. He’s got good energy, he can run with the ball, he’s a good passer and he would bring huge experience and class.”
However, given the 23-year-old’s immense potential, the competition for his signature is going to be fierce during the summer transfer window.
United have also been strongly linked with Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson as they aim to overhaul their midfield ahead of next season.
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a major contract offer for Enzo Fernández in a determined effort to secure the midfielder’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
The club is understood to be considering making the Argentine international their highest-paid player, showing how central he has become to their plans, according to TEAMtalk.
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Interest from several European heavyweights, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, has placed Chelsea on alert.
While Fernández has not pushed for an exit, the growing attention from elite clubs has prompted the Blues to act decisively in protecting one of their most valuable assets.
Fernandez is highly important to the Chelsea project
Fernández has evolved into the heartbeat of Chelsea’s midfield. His influence extends beyond statistics, his composure under pressure, vision, and ability to dictate tempo have made him indispensable in the club’s tactical structure.
Over the past two seasons, Fernández has been tasked with controlling matches from deep positions while also contributing creatively in advanced phases.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez in action against Fulham (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Interest in Fernández has been persistent for several years. Real Madrid, in particular, have admired the Argentine since his time at Benfica and are believed to have explored the possibility of signing him before his move to England.
With Madrid continuing to reshape their midfield following recent generational changes, Fernández fits the profile of a technically gifted, high-energy playmaker capable of sustaining elite-level performances.
Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also understood to be long-term admirers, both clubs seeking midfielders capable of controlling games at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Man City have reportedly kept a close eye on developments and could enter the race should there be any indication that the player is open to leaving Chelsea.
Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has quickly become one of the standout figures in the club’s resurgence, and despite growing transfer interest, the England international is reportedly content with life at Goodison Park.
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Dewsbury-Hall joined Everton from Chelsea last summer in a deal believed to be worth around £28 million including add-ons, and his performances have been central to the club’s steady climb up the Premier League standings under the management of David Moyes.
Dewsbury-Hall is a key figure in Everton’s revival
Dewsbury-Hall has established himself as a crucial component in Everton’s midfield structure.
Under Moyes, Everton have focused on restoring discipline and structure, and Dewsbury-Hall’s tactical awareness has made him one of the manager’s most trusted players.
His contributions have included important goals, assists, and consistent ball progression, qualities that have allowed Everton to compete more effectively against higher-ranked opponents.
Dewsbury-Hall’s ability to cover ground and link play has added a new dimension to Everton’s midfield, particularly in high-intensity matches where physicality and organisation are vital.
Man United hold interest in signing the midfielder
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton celebrates (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, such performances have drawn attention from rival clubs. Reports indicate that Man United and Aston Villa are exploring the possibility of making a move, with both teams seeking midfield reinforcements ahead of the summer window.
Man United are believed to be assessing multiple midfield options as part of their ongoing rebuild, while Aston Villa continue to strengthen their squad as they push for consistent European qualification under Unai Emery.
It has been suggested that an offer in the region of £45 million to £50 million could test Everton’s resolve.
However, club insiders have indicated that Moyes considers Dewsbury-Hall a vital figure and is reluctant to sanction any sale unless faced with an exceptional proposal.
Despite the external interest, Dewsbury-Hall himself is understood to be settled at Everton. The midfielder has embraced his role within the squad and is reportedly satisfied with the direction the club is heading.
Sheffield United 1-2 Wrexham: Blades Drop More Points At Home in Lethargic Display
Sheffield United suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against Wrexham at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The Blades took the lead early in the second half when Andre Brooks pounced on the rebound and steered home from close range. But just a few minutes later former Owls man Josh Windass would equalise in front of the away end. With the clock ticking down, Wrexham turned up the pressure and would find the winner through Sam Smith.
The Blades should have taken the lead as early as the 11th minute. Harrison Burrows did brilliantly to square the ball across goal after Dom Hyam slipped, leaving Patrick Bamford completely unmarked just yards out. However, with the goal at his mercy, the striker somehow guided his effort wide, setting the tone for a wasteful afternoon.
That miss was followed by another glaring opportunity when O’Brien rose to meet a pinpoint cross from Kabore, only to send his unmarked header wide from six yards out. United continued to press and thought they had finally broken the deadlock on 33 minutes, when Gustavo Hamer powered in a header from Riedewald’s inswinging delivery. Celebrations were cut short, though, as the assistant referee’s flag ruled it out.
Second Half
The visitors believed they had stunned Bramall Lane just 16 seconds into the second half. Windass fired beyond Davies in what looked like a dream restart, but once again the offside flag came to United’s rescue.
Moments later, the Blades finally made their pressure count. Andre Brooks was denied initially by Okonkwo after a strong effort, but he reacted quickest on 49 minutes, slotting home the rebound after Bamford’s shot proved too powerful for the goalkeeper to hold.
Their lead, however, lasted just six minutes. Josh Windass brought the visitors level, calmly converting from a low cross delivered from the left by Smith, punishing United’s inability to put the game to bed.
The turnaround was completed 12 minutes from time as the Welsh side took the lead. Kabore, influential throughout, delivered another dangerous cross, and Sam Smith rose highest to head into the net, silencing the home crowd.
Late on, United pushed for an equaliser but continued to lack composure in front of goal. Both Brooks and Tom Davies had opportunities to salvage something, yet neither could hit the target.
After this recent defeat the Blades’ season has well and truly fizzled out as they currently sit 17th and 13 points off the top six.
Many supporters want Rosenior replaced during the international break, but that appears unlikely and Romano has provided an update.
“At the moment, I don’t have any message coming from Chelsea’s side about any immediate change or any strong decision,” he told his YouTube channel.
“Obviously, Chelsea can’t be happy with the current situation, but they don’t forget that Liam Rosenior arrived in the middle of the season, not having any pre-season.
“This is not a squad build for Liam Rosenior. So obviously, there are some points to be considered when it’s time to judge Liam Rosenior.
“At the same time, Chelsea want to be in the Champions League next season.”
Chelsea face tough run after the international break
Rosenior will likely be grateful for the international break, as it represents an opportunity for him to reset and regroup.
However, the Blues return after the break with an FA Cup quarter final at home to Port Vale, before league games against Manchester City and Manchester United.
Somehow Chelsea are still only a point off fifth place, but if the Blues are going to finish in the top five, they need to find a level of performance they currently don’t look capable of.
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Barcelona keeping close tabs on 22 G/A Ligue 1 forward who is also wanted by Atletico Madrid – report
Barcelona’s search for a long-term solution in attack continues to evolve, and a new name has now entered the conversation.
As the club prepares for life beyond Robert Lewandowski, the recruitment team is exploring both established stars and emerging talents who can lead the line in the coming years.
In that regard, according to a recent report from Fichajes, Barcelona are closely following the progress of Joaquin Panichelli, a 23-year-old forward currently playing for Strasbourg.
The Argentine striker has been making waves in Ligue 1 this season, and his rapid rise has not gone unnoticed among Europe’s top clubs.
Who is Panichelli?
Panichelli’s journey to this point has been steady but impressive.
A product of Deportivo Alaves’ youth system, he made the move to Strasbourg in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of around €17 million.
Since then, he has taken a significant step forward in his development, adapting quickly to the demands of French football.
Joaquin Panichelli used to play for Alaves. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
With 18 goals and four assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, Panichelli has established himself as one of the most effective young forwards in Ligue 1.
Atletico Madrid in race too
Naturally, such performances have attracted interest beyond France.
In Spain, both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation, viewing him as a player who could strengthen their attacking options in the near future.
As far as Barcelona are concerned, it is known that they are looking for a striker who can grow into a leading role over time, and the Argentine fits that profile well.
However, any potential deal would require a significant financial commitment, as Strasbourg are fully aware of the value of their forward and have reportedly set a price tag of around €50 million.
While that is a considerable figure, it remains within reach for clubs willing to invest in a player who offers both immediate impact and future potential.
Barcelona, for their part, are not ruling out such an investment. If the club decides to move forward, it is said that they would be prepared to seriously consider meeting Strasbourg’s valuation.
England win European Deaf Futsal Championship: How Para Lionesses became champions
England have been crowned champions of the European Deaf Futsal Championship following their 3-1 win against Poland in the final.
The Para Lionesses have been out in Croatia to challenge for the title this month, which they will bring home after a hard-fought route to glory.
Her Football Hub have been keeping a close eye on their progress. Here’s a rundown of their journey to winning the Euros title.
The England women’s deaf team
The rules of deaf football are based off 11-a-side football. There is one adaption to the laws of the game — referees have a flag which they raise alongside blowing their whistle. This provides a visual cue for players, making it more accessible.
Internationally, players must remove their hearing aids during matches to ensure fairness for all. This isn’t the case domestically for club football. Deaf football is also based off futsal, where each team is a five-a-side. Find out more about deaf football and who can play.
Para Lionesses squad
England head coach Steve Daley selected a 13-player squad for the European championships:
Ellie Betteridge, Kate Bowers, Emma Brown, Danielle Evans, Natasha Hamm, Louise Hogan, Lucindha Lawson, Sophie Mernagh, Zara Musker, Maisie O’Shea, Lucy Scholes, Faye Williams and Macie White.
Match one: Fighting until the end
The Para Lionesses kicked off their Euros campaign with a hard-fought win over Poland. The first of their three group games saw them seal a 4-2 victory.
It was a noteworthy second half where most of the action took place. A brace from Lucindha Lawson and further strikes from Louise Hogan and Macie White proved enough to grab the win.
Match two: Building on success
Next up for the Para Lionesses was a second group game against Italy.
It was a nervy first half, before captain Zara Musker drove home a low shot following a corner from the right to give England the advantage just seconds before the break.
They doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when Faye Williams struck home a long-range shot, before White made it 3-0 with a shot from her own half after the Italian goalkeeper had come out, in the hopes of helping her team find a way back into the game.
Italy did pull a goal back, but England responded with two more goals in the final stages. The next saw Hogan score from her own box with a stunning effort.
The victory was rounded off with just over four minutes remaining when Musker scored from close range after being set up by Ellie Betteridge. Italy scored a second goal just before full-time though, making the final score 5-2.
Match three: Always finding a way back
Off the back of two wins from two, England went into their third and final group game against France full of momentum. They fell behind to an early goal from France, but they soon put the score level after Williams’ close range finish.
France hit back again as a flowing team move ended in an emphatic finish to put them 2-1 up. England weren’t done yet though, and Hogan levelled things up again with a low shot from the edge of the area after White provided the assist to set her up.
A pass from Betteridge provided White with a goal of her own, putting England ahead for the first time in the game.
The second half was less eventful with goals, as France desperately searched for a way back.
A win was secured with four minutes remaining when Hogan won possession in the France half before her low shot was diverted home from close range by White to net her second of the game. The 4-2 result saw England book their place in the semi-finals.
Match four: Beating rivals Ireland to book their spot in the final
A lot was riding on match four of the Women’s Deaf European Championships, as the winner would go through to the final. It was a matchup between none other than close rivals Ireland, who knocked the Para Lionesses out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage last summer.
Nothing separated the two teams in the first half. However, England took the lead four minutes into the second 45 when Hogan put the Para Lionesses ahead after exchanging passes with Betteridge.
Ireland hit back with 12 minutes to go on the clock, equalising from just inside the area. However, England quickly found a way back, when Betteridge’s low cross-shot into the area was met by Musker to make it 2-1.
With Ireland pushing for another equaliser, Betteridge wasn’t one to miss an opportunity and after two assists, put a precise finish into the bottom corner to make the final score 3-1.
The victory saw England book their place in the final against familiar opponents Poland.
Match five: the Para Lionesses become European champions
The Euros final was a rematch of the first group stage game with Poland.
Goalkeeper Emma Brown made a crucial save from a Poland free-kick in the first half as England dug deep not to let the early pressure beat them. The Para Lionesses soon opened the scoring when Lawson whipped the ball through the legs of the Poland goalkeeper from a Hogan pass.
Poland were hungry to find an equaliser, with Brown denying them two further close-range efforts. Lawson then capitalised with her second goal in the opening half, after Danielle Evans’ shot made its way to her from close range.
Although the score remained at 2-0 in the second half, England denied Poland with further opportunities. Betteridge and Evans came closest to England further advantaging their lead, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
The two goals in the first half were enough for England to claim the title. The 2-0 victory against Poland meant that England had completed a 100 percent record of five wins in the campaign.
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Wembley special matchday programme for the Carabao Cup final
City can lift the first silverware of 2025/26 when they face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final this Sunday, and supporters can reserve their copy of the official commemorative programme to savour the occasion.
Pep Guardiola’s men beat holders Newcastle United 5-1 over their two-legged semi-final to book an incredible 22nd visit to Wembley under the Spaniard’s tenure.
We will meet Premier League leaders Arsenal at the national stadium, as Mikel Arteta’s men aim to stop us lifting the League Cup trophy for a ninth time.
City supporters can own the perfect accompaniment to such an epic occasion by reserving a copy of the EFL’s official commemorative matchday publication.
Jam-packed with opinion pieces, competition analysis and a welcome from the boss himself, there are also exclusive in-depth features with captain Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and the free-scoring Antoine Semenyo, to name but a few.
The 116-page A4 size spine-bound edition is priced at £10, plus post and packaging to a UK address, and can be ordered directly from Ignition Sports Media here.
This must-have piece treasured memorabilia will be posted first class via Royal Mail on Friday 14 March, although is not expected for a pre-event delivery.
Any pre-orders placed before Wednesday 18 March will be mailed first class on Friday 20, scheduling permitting, and should land on doorsteps no more than five working days after despatch.
Orders placed beyond the 18 March will be despatched in the week commencing 23 March onwards and to similar postage timescales.
Asian Cup final: Japan sink Australia to claim third title in front of tournament record crowd
On what was meant to be the night Australia’s golden generation etched their name in immortality, Maika Hamano tore the script up to seal the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for Japan.
A tournament that has smashed attendance records saw one final flourish as a tournament record 74,397 fans packed into Stadium Australia.
Japan came into the final as heavy favourites, having blitzed their way through the competition. Australia, on the other hand, had at times flattered to deceive, but were hopeful of the wall of green and gold pushing them over the line.
The Matildas started well and Sam Kerr forced Ayaka Yamashita into a smart stop with just two minutes on the clock.
Japan gradually seized the initiative and pinned Australia into their own half. However, chances did come for Joe Montemurro’s side. Caitlin Foord spurned a wonderful opening as she fired straight at Yamashita eleven minutes in.
Those missed chances took on greater significance when Hamano opened the scoring in stunning fashion. Some slick build-up on the Japanese left presented Hamano with the ball. The Chelsea star turned and unleashed a delightful effort from the edge of the box to stun the partisan crowd.
Foord had another chance just before the break, but, surrounded by blue shirts, she could only pull her shot wide of the post.
Riko Ueki should’ve added a second, but she just could only head wide early into the second half. Moments later, she was denied by Mackenzie Arnold. The Australia goalkeeper stood tall to beat the ball away from close range after being threaded in by Hamano.
Recap the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup here
As precious seconds ticked away, Australia grew as an attacking force. Hayley Raso was denied by some brilliant last-ditch defending from Hiarku Kitagawa.
An almighty goalmouth scramble saw Emily van Egmond twice thwarted along with a follow-up from Foord. Alanna Kennedy’s header that Yamashita clung onto with everything she had was the final chance for Montemurro’s side.
The final whistle bought the Australian players to their knees as the victorious Japan side flooded the pitch. It was the third final in which Japan have triumphed over their Aussie counterparts, following on from 2014 and 2018. Those two previous finals were also settled by just a single goal.
For Nils Nielsen, it was time for a well earned beer — if he can find a place open late enough, that is…
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‘Thank you Mr Slot’ – Ex-Red’s brutal Liverpool verdict
It was another frustrating afternoon for us at the Amex, and Jermaine Pennant didn’t hold back when reacting to Liverpool’s defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion.
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The former Red’s comments reflect a growing feeling around the fanbase right now, with performances continuing to swing wildly from one game to the next.
Pennant delivers brutal verdict
Taking to X after the 2-1 defeat, Pennant questioned both the performance levels and the wider direction of the team under Arne Slot.
“Liverpool got out ran again today, and Brighton had a 40 year old [James Milner] playing in midfield.
“We are cooked, Champions League football next season? No chance.
“Thank you Mr Slot for the Premier League title and your service but I wish you all the best next season on your future endeavours.”
It’s a strong reaction, but it taps into a key issue that has been highlighted repeatedly this season, with Liverpool often second best physically despite the quality available in the squad.
Growing criticism after Brighton loss
Pennant’s comments aren’t isolated either, with John Aldridge also venting his frustration after the match, pointing to defensive issues and the fact we were once again outrun by the opposition.
That theme was echoed by Stephen Warnock, who criticised the team’s lack of physical edge and described us as “soft”, highlighting how easily Brighton were able to impose themselves on the game.
When you combine those views, a clear pattern emerges, and it’s not just about tactics or individual errors, it’s about intensity, organisation and the ability to compete in key moments.
This latest defeat now leaves us in a difficult position in the race for Champions League football, with just 49 points from 31 games and momentum slipping at a crucial stage of the campaign.
After the high of dismantling Galatasaray, this was another reminder that consistency remains the biggest problem facing Slot’s side, and unless that changes quickly, the concerns raised by former players may start to feel less like overreactions and more like an accurate reflection of where we are right now.
Spurs Starting XI vs Nottingham Forest: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
Tottenham predicted lineup and injury latest ahead of Nottingham Forest clash
Spurs selection picture sharpens before key fixture
Tottenham approach their Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest with a growing sense of clarity around selection, though not without the usual complications that have defined their season. With points at a premium near the lower reaches of the table, every decision carries weight, and the predicted lineup reflects both returning fitness and tactical evolution.
There is cautious optimism surrounding Dominic Solanke, who is expected to be available despite missing training late in the week. The forward’s presence would offer a focal point Spurs have occasionally lacked, though there remains a possibility he is eased back rather than thrust straight into the starting XI.
Cristian Romero is certain to marshal the defence, with Micky van de Ven returning after suspension to restore a partnership that has looked far more assured when intact. Destiny Udogie, having made his comeback from injury off the bench, is pushing strongly to reclaim a starting role at left-back, adding balance and forward thrust.
Photo IMAGO
Midfield options boosted by timely returns
In midfield, Tottenham are suddenly richer in options. The availability of Joao Palhinha, Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall gives the manager flexibility, yet recent performances may dictate continuity over rotation.
Archie Gray has impressed with composure and tactical intelligence, making it difficult to dislodge him. Alongside him, Pape Matar Sarr offers energy and progression, while Pedro Porro and Xavi Simons provide width and attacking impetus from advanced midfield roles.
Simons, in particular, has forced his way into contention with a standout display in Europe, contributing goals and creativity in equal measure. That performance may prove decisive in retaining his place, especially in a system that leans towards a more direct and vertical approach.
Tactical shape hints at continuity
Recent matches suggest Tottenham are leaning towards a 4-4-2 structure, a shift that has yielded their most cohesive performances of the campaign. It allows for two central forwards and better defensive organisation, something that has been lacking at times.
If Solanke is deemed fit enough, he could partner Richarlison, who returns after suspension and is expected to slot straight back into the side. If not, Mathys Tel remains a lively alternative, having impressed with his movement and energy.
The predicted lineup therefore reads with a degree of familiarity: Vicario in goal; a back four of Spence, Romero, Van de Ven and Udogie; midfield comprising Porro, Gray, Sarr and Simons; and a front pairing of Richarlison and Tel or Solanke depending on fitness.
Injury latest shapes final decisions
Injury concerns continue to hover over Tottenham, influencing both squad depth and matchday decisions. Guglielmo Vicario is set to play despite requiring surgery, a situation that underscores the thin margins the club are operating within.
Elsewhere, absences remain significant. Davies, Kudus, Bentancur, Odobert, Bissouma, Maddison and Kulusevski are all sidelined, limiting options particularly in creative areas. These injuries have forced tactical compromises but have also opened the door for emerging players to stake a claim.
The broader context, as reported in the original source, highlights just how finely balanced this encounter is, with both sides separated by a single point in the table. That reality adds urgency to Tottenham’s preparations and elevates the importance of getting both the predicted lineup and injury management exactly right.
Ultimately, Spurs enter this fixture with cautious momentum. The blend of returning players, tactical consistency and emerging form offers hope, but execution on the pitch will determine whether that promise translates into points.
Celik doubtful for Lecce, Rensch ready to replace him
Gian Piero Gasperini has several questions to answer ahead of the match against Lecce, which will be played today at 6:00 PM at the Olimpico.
The main issue concerns the flanks: without Wesley, who is suspended, on the left, Kostas Tsimikas and Devyne Rensch are in contention.
The latter, however, could still secure a starting spot at the last minute.
Zeki Celik, according to Il Messaggero, is not feeling at his best, and the Dutchman has been put on alert.
This morning’s trial will determine whether the Turk will be fit to play.
Regardless of Rensch, Roma will be playing for their chances against Lecce to stay in the race for fourth place, and Gasperini will likely want to make as few changes to his starting eleven as possible.
There will be one new lineup, however: Robinio Vaz is expected to start alongside Donyell Malen.
Thibaut Courtois’ injury triggers ripple effect across Real Madrid and Castilla
It is often said that one player’s setback can open the door for another, but at Real Madrid, the injury to Thibaut Courtois is proving to be far more complex than a simple change between the posts.
While the first team adjusts, the consequences are being felt within the club’s structure, particularly at Castilla level.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper is expected to step up in a crucial moment, especially with a high-stakes clash against Atletico Madrid on the horizon.
The club has complete trust in Lunin, but his promotion creates a vacuum that must be filled elsewhere.
What’s the story?
To ensure depth in the first team, Real Madrid have turned to Fran Gonzalez from the academy.
The young goalkeeper is now required to step into the role of backup, highlighting how injuries at the top level can quickly impact the development structure below.
However, this is where the situation becomes more complicated. Courtois’s absence is not just a loss for the senior side, it also weakens Castilla in a significant way.
Fran Gonzalez will have to be with the first team. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
The promotion of Fran Gonzalez removes one of the reserve team’s key figures, leaving them exposed at a crucial stage of their own campaign.
It is the classic double-edged sword of La Fabrica: when talent rises to support the first team, it inevitably leaves a gap behind.
At the youth level, with Fran stepping up, the spotlight now shifts to Sergio Mestre, who is set to take over goalkeeping duties for Castilla.
As far as Fran Gonzalez is concerned, there is also a growing belief within the club about his long-term potential.
His style has even drawn comparisons to Gianluigi Buffon, while he continues to take inspiration from Courtois himself, learning from one of the best as he develops his own identity.
Ultimately, what started as an injury concern for Real Madrid’s first team has now created a chain reaction across multiple levels of the club.
While Lunin steps into the spotlight and Fran Gonzalez earns his opportunity, Castilla will need to make up for a big loss.
🗞️Today's headlines: Derby Sunday and the race for top spot
The match between Real Madrid and Atleti, just like the clash between Barça and Rayo, takes up a large share of the front pages in the press.
Super Sunday of football and great matches in La Liga, where Barça kicks things off and a capital city derby at the Bernabéu between Madrid and Atleti brings it to a spectacular close. The sports press is unanimous.
22nd March – Five Memorable Celtic Moments on This Day
Five memorable Celtic moments, with a nod to the late Celtic Historian and Celtic Star legend David Potter, on this day starting in 1924…
Willie Maley. Image via The Celtic Wiki
ONE –SATURDAY 22 MARCH 1924 – Celtic’s miserable year of 1924 continues with a 0-1 defeat to Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park. It is a good Raith side, but Celtic’s play has been poor all season, never having recovered from the loss of both central defenders Johnny Gilchrist and Willie Cringan, both of whom fell foul of the despotic Willie Maley.
John Divers scored twice
TWO – SATURDAY 22 MARCH 1941 – Life is not going at well for Great Britain in the Second World War at the moment, and Celtic are struggling without Jimmy Delaney whose broken arm is taking an incredibly long time to heal. Today however they record a 3-1 victory over Airdrie at Celtic Park with two goals from Johnny Divers and one from Matt Lynch.
Bobby Lennox scored twice
THREE – MONDAY 22 MARCH 1965 – A significant result tonight, although no-one realises it at the time. Celtic go down 2-4 to Hibs at Celtic Park with all the goals coming in the first half. Hibs then play superbly in the second half to deny Celtic. Jock Stein, until recently the Manager of Hibs, watches and decides that Bobby Murdoch who had played at right half on Saturday against Dundee, is no inside right and that right half will be his position from now on. Bobby Lennox scored Celtic’s two goals.
Jimmy Johnstone scored
FOUR – SATURDAY 22 MARCH 1969 – Celtic surprise their supporters in the 48,349 crowd for this Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden by appearing in all-white (some of us at the top of the high East Terracing think that it is Morton, the opposition!) and then shock them by losing an early goal in this first minute. Soon however normal service is restored and goals by Willie Wallace, Billy McNeill, Steve Chalmers and Jimmy Johnstone give Celtic a comfortable victory all the more necessary for their supporters who were still smarting from their defeat by A.C.Milan in the European Cup some ten days previously.
Jimmy Johnstone remembered. Celtic v Inverness Caley Thistle programme. 22 March 2006.
FIVE – WEDNESDAY 22 MARCH 2006 – The Scottish League Cup, won on Sunday at Hampden, is tonight paraded at Celtic Park with green and white ribbons by Mrs Agnes Johnstone, widow of the late Jimmy, and then Celtic take another step towards the Scottish Premier League with a 2-1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle with goals from Steve McManus and Shaun Maloney. Inverness’s consolation goal is a last minute howler from Artur Boruc.
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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
The 25-year-old midfielder had a very good spell in the first XI around December and into January but has rapidly fallen out of favour once again.
On his day he can set the tempo for the Reds with his forward passing a key feature for the Premier League champions. But Jones is suffering under Arne Slot right now - with only one top-flight start since January 17.
That came against Nottingham Forest - a game in which the homegrown schemer was heavily criticised. He was again left out of the lineup for the game versus Brighton away - despite having Slot having considerable selection difficulties.
He isn’t being preferred by the Dutch head coach - and his contract is running down quickly. Jones last signed a contract renewal back in 2022 - and his current terms expire in 2027.
If no deal is agreed very soon then it looks all but certain that he will be sold for “pure profit” in summer. He was targeted by Tottenham and Inter Milan in January and the Italians have been tipped to come back for Jones in the off-season.
Jones may well consider moving on to play for a coach that rates him higher - something he needs at this stage of his career. And there is another consideration too.
No chance of Jones at World Cup
The midfielder’s World Cup hopes look in tatters as Thomas Tuchel left him out of the 35-man England squad for the March international friendlies.
It is going to take a monumental effort for Jones to get back into the Liverpool team AND England reckoning before the end of the campaign.
And it may well be a wake-up call for Jones - who has fared well on his six England outings to date. In order to gain some semblance of an international career he’s going to have to leave Anfield.
Tuchel won’t pick him on sentiment alone and he requires proper game time. With Slot preferring so many other midfield options to start games right now it could be curtains for Jones at Liverpool.
Roma will face Lecce in a few hours without Wesley, who is suspended, and the Brazilian’s absence will be felt.
The former Flamengo player took over the Roman club in his first season in Europe, and now top clubs are hot on his trail. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are well known to be interested.
The Citizens had already pursued him when he was in Brazil, but ultimately failed to secure a deal, and the 2003-born player has landed in the capital.
Another Premier League club is ready to knock on Trigoria’s door for Wesley.
Arsenal, according to TeamTalk, are also eyeing the Giallorossi winger to replace Ben White, who could leave in the summer transfer window.
For their part, Roma are ready to put up a wall to keep hold of the number 43. The winger will likely also go to the World Cup with Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil: this opportunity could skyrocket his value.
Real Madrid defender’s renewal back on track after crucial progress
There has been a noticeable shift in how Real Madrid are viewing Antonio Rudiger’s future, and it could have major implications heading into the summer.
What once looked uncertain is now slowly turning into a realistic possibility, with the club reconsidering its position on the experienced defender.
According to a report from AS, Real Madrid are now open to the idea of extending Rudiger’s stay at the club.
Rudiger had been dealing with persistent knee problems earlier in the season, which raised concerns about his long-term reliability.
However, after taking decisive action to address the issue, the German international has managed to completely change the narrative around him.
As part of his recovery process, Rudiger travelled to London for specialised treatment, and that decision now appears to have paid off.
His performances and availability in recent weeks have convinced the coaching staff that he is once again capable of performing at the highest level.
Rudiger’s renewal is still a possibility. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
His growing importance has not gone unnoticed within the club, as Alvaro Arbeloa recently made his admiration clear while speaking about the defender’s impact.
“I hope that Real Madrid fans realise how lucky we are to have him at this club.”
He has started nine of the last 10 games and completed the full 90 minutes in eight of them.
Despite all this, his contractual situation remains unresolved. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning Real Madrid must soon make a definitive decision.
However, unlike earlier in the campaign, the momentum now appears to favour a renewal.
From the player’s perspective, there is little doubt, as Rudiger is eager to continue at Real Madrid, a club he considers a dream destination.
If he continues on this trajectory, the contract situation could ultimately resolve itself naturally.
Arsenal vs Manchester City – Carabao Cup final Combined XI
Arsenal and Manchester City meet in a massive showdown at Wembley this afternoon, with the Carabao Cup the prize.
The top two in the Premier League battle for the season’s first silverware. For Mikel Arteta, it’s a chance to end Arsenal’s six-year trophy drought and keep quadruple hopes alive; City aim for their sixth title in 11 years.
Ahead of this major clash, we created an Arsenal and Manchester City Combined XI.
Goalkeeper: David Raya – Arsenal
Pep Guardiola’s confirmation that James Trafford will start in Manchester City makes this a more straightforward selection than it might have been. Trafford is a terrific young goalkeeper, but Raya has emerged as one of the world’s finest at Arsenal.
There is a chance, of course, that Arteta also sticks with his own number two, Kepa Arrizabalaga, in cup competition. It’s a big decision.
Right-back: Jurrien Timber – Arsenal
Arsenal boast the best backline in the Premier League – if not Europe. Jurrien Timber has been a mainstay of the meanest back four in the division, with the Dutchman dependable at both ends of the pitch.
Centre-back: William Saliba – Arsenal
William Salbia has entered an elite bracket of players who perform with such consistency that their performances now go somewhat overlooked. Gabriel has taken more headlines than Saliba this season, but the Frenchman’s been no less impressive. A Rolls-Royce.
Centre-back: Gabriel – Arsenal
An unmissable presence in both boxes and a big reason why Arsenal have become such a threat at set-pieces. When the big Brazilian is charging towards a delivery, there’s usually only one outcome.
Left-back: Piero Hincapie – Arsenal
Hincapie nailed down the left-back role at Arsenal despite considerable competition, producing an eye-catching run of form. The Ecuadorian is perhaps the ideal Arteta full-back, combining tenacious defensive work with physical presence.
Midfield: Rodri – Manchester City
Rodri might not have returned to his Ballon d’Or level post-knee injury just yet, but the Spaniard remains the conduit of the Manchester City side. City’s best football flows through him, and Guardiola needs his midfield metronome to shine at Wembley.
Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal
Perhaps the leading candidate for the Footballer of the Year awards, should Arsenal get over the line this season.
Rice’s powerhouse performances have been at the centre of Arsenal’s success this season, while he’s evolved into one of the best set-piece takers in the Premier League.
Right-wing: Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has not been at his absolute best this season, but even a below-par campaign for the Arsenal winger is productive. Saka has struck 10 goals and created six more, with the Hale End poster boy likely to have a big role across the run-in.
Left-wing: Rayan Cherki – Manchester City
In an era where clubs spend extraordinary sums on new signings, the arrival of Rayan Cherki for just north of £30m was among the best-value deals in the league.
The Frenchman is a fabulous watch with elite technique, who is closing in on double digits for both goals and assists. We might have only scratched the surface of what Cherki, who doesn’t turn 23 until August, can do.
Forward: Antoine Semenyo – Manchester City
Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running at Manchester City after arriving from Bournemouth in January.
The £62.5m deal already looks like value, with Semenyo having scored seven times in 16 games. He’s hit 15 for the season in the Premier League in what has been a true coming-of-age campaign.
Forward: Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Erling Haaland is a shoo-in for almost any Combined XI, even amid a drought by his impossible standards.
Haaland hasn’t hit genuine form since the turn of the year, but still leads the Golden Boot race with 22 goals and has 30 in all competitions. He’s surpassed the 30-goal mark in all four seasons at the Etihad, a priceless contribution.
Barcelona find unlikely heroes where no one was looking
In a team like Barcelona, there is hardly anything that goes unnoticed, but one aspect that has, however, gone under the radar is the defensive pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin.
Without much noise or headlines, Cubarsi and Martin have established themselves as a reliable and increasingly indispensable centre-back pairing under Hansi Flick.
What makes their partnership particularly valuable is not just their defensive solidity, but how naturally they complement each other.
Flick has leaned on their ability to build from the back, with Cubarsi operating comfortably on the right side thanks to his right foot, while Gerard offers balance on the left.
This symmetry has allowed Barcelona to maintain fluidity in possession without compromising structure.
Performance to show
As such, both defenders stood out at St. James’ Park and followed it up with another strong display against Sevilla.
They also delivered in the return leg against Newcastle at the Spotify Camp Nou, where the fans are beginning to fully recognise their influence on the team’s style of play.
Individually, Cubarsi has been a near-ever-present figure, starting 36 of Barcelona’s 39 matches this season and maintaining impressive discipline with just three yellow cards.
Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi have been excellent for Barcelona. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Since being rested against Levante in February, he has responded by completing six consecutive full matches.
Martin’s contribution has been equally important, as despite a suspension against Villarreal, he has since played five full matches, all as a left-sided centre-back.
With 82 appearances for the first team, his role has expanded significantly compared to last season, showing Flick’s growing trust in him.
Furthermore, Cubarsi leads the league in successful passes with 1,931, ahead of notable names such as Marcos Alonso and Daley Blind.
Martin, who has started 26 of 40 matches this season, despite fewer minutes, ranks among the top performers in this area and continues to impress with his reading of the game.
Physically, Martin boasts the highest aerial duel success rate in the league at 71.43%, while Cubarsi also ranks strongly in this category.
The best example of this is the fact that together, Cubarsi and Martin have conceded just one headed goal, which is a tied record across Europe’s top five leagues.
Slot admits Liverpool season “not good enough” but slams narrative over spending, cites net spend and injuries
Arne Slot has admitted Liverpool's season has not been 'good enough' but has questioned the narrative around his team.
Liverpool lost 2-1 at Brighton on Saturday in a damaging defeat to the club's Champions League ambitions. The champions have struggled during a disappointing defence of thePremier League and sit fifth in the table after a 10th loss of the league campaign.
It's the most defeats that Liverpool have suffered in a single season since 2015-16, despite a record-breaking spend last summer.
However, Slot has said that critics continue to overlook the context of Liverpool's recruitment, including a substantial amount recouped from sales and injuries to key players this season.
"For all the people who are saying this, because no-one in England is used to the fact that there are also clubs that are selling players," he said at hispost-match press conference.
"So usually in England when a club is buying [for] £450m, which we did, that's adding that to the already great team you are having. But this club has a different model.
"That no-one wants to see that and no-one wants to understand this, that I can also understand, because fans of other teams or certain pundits don't want to tell you that we've sold for £300m.
"Now if then the £150m player is never available, that's already one thing. If Giovanni Leoni has never been available because of his injury, that is already the second thing. So now we're already going underneath what we've sold.
"Jeremie Frimpong is recently much more and more available and [Giorgi] Mamardashvili was one of the other signings for £450m, the second goalkeeper. It makes complete sense if you win the league last season and you spent £150m, not £450m, that expectations are high and those expectations were high for the pundits, for the media, for me, for the fans.
"But at our club we are also looking at the situation and the things we had, the challenge we had during this season and then we might be a bit more realistic why this season has gone the way it has gone. But still it's not good enough. No matter how many excuses I can come up with, it's still not good enough, the position we're in right now."
Liverpool’s latest defeat has drawn a brutally honest response from John Aldridge, with the former forward not holding back after the 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.
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After the high of the Galatasaray win, this was another reminder of how quickly things can unravel for us this season, and Aldridge’s reaction reflects the frustration many supporters are feeling right now.
Aldridge slams Liverpool performance
Writing on X, the ex-Liverpool No.8 was immediate and direct in his assessment of the display: “Defensively absolutely shocking again today!”
That defensive fragility has been a recurring issue throughout the campaign, and it once again proved costly on the south coast as we struggled to deal with Brighton’s intensity and movement.
The 66-year-old didn’t stop there either, pointing to a wider physical issue that continues to show up in our performances.
“Beaten fairly, it could have been worse! ps they ran 6 kilometres more which has happened over 20 times apparently this season. I know it doesn’t mean you automatically win games by doing that, BUT? 😩”
That gap in work rate is particularly concerning given how often it has appeared, suggesting this isn’t an isolated off-day but part of a deeper problem within the side.
Top four hopes now under threat
Aldridge also addressed the bigger picture, with Champions League qualification now looking increasingly uncertain.
“It’s a not great when you’re watching and having to support your local rivals in need to get into the top 4/5 and we’ll be doing that till the last day of the season needing favours from other teams because atm we are not capable of finishing in the champs league place!”
For us, that’s now the reality heading into the final stretch of the season, because unless performances improve quickly and consistently, we’re not just relying on ourselves anymore, we’re relying on others, and that’s never a position Liverpool should want to be in.
📺 Penalty in Milan vs Torino, VAR review: a purely accidental challenge 😳
Once again, the use of VAR and, more generally, refereeing decisions are the cause of heated debates in Serie A. This time, the most contested episode is the penalty awarded to Torino in the match against Milan.
In the 83rd minute, the Torino team was awarded the penalty, converted by Vlasic for the final 2-3, due to a contact between Pavlovic and Simeone.
The defender's hand to the face was there, but referee Fourneau did not notice it at first and only after being called by VAR did he decide to award the penalty. However, doubts remain about the intensity of the contact and thus the validity of the decision regarding the intervention protocol.
Massimiliano Allegri's harsh words on the sidelines were also notable, although he softened his stance in the conference: “I try to stay calm… but this makes me lose the will. I'll stop coaching…”
Marelli: "We will never get out of this, subjective intensity"
This is Luca Marelli's opinion on DAZN:
“An episode that Fourneau probably didn't even see. He was called for a slap to the face considered reckless, so much so that Pavlovic was booked. It was assessed that the blow was such as to prevent Simeone from participating in the action. It recalls the Parisi-Gimenez episode in Milan-Fiorentina.
At Open VAR, we were told that the contact was well evaluated by the field referee and the VAR should not have intervened. Today, VAR Nasca and AVAR Maresca probably detected a different intensity in the episode. But we remain with the usual problem: intensity is subjective and we will never get out of it. Football is a contact sport and intensity can never be completely eliminated.”
Calvarese: "Now VAR is pure randomness"
Gian Paolo Calvarese's opinion is even harsher:
"A couple of months ago, the field decision would have remained, but now nothing is clear anymore. We remember that VAR intervention should only occur in the case of a grave and obvious error with equally clear and obvious images. We have 5-6 cameras, but we only have images showing Simeone from behind and none showing the hand contact on the face. The contact is inferred, but its intensity cannot be assessed. Today, the intervention threshold seems a matter of pure randomness, linked to the subjective interpretation of the VAR."
La Gazzetta dello Sport shares the same view, giving Fourneau a score of 5.5 in their ratings, highlighting how the referee "saw well in the two accidental blows by Ismajili, but not in Pavlovic's penalty slap".
If Celtic want to be Champions we must beat Dundee United today
Today is a must win match for Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side, like each and every one of our remaining fixtures this season…
This morning we travel to Tannadice to take on Dundee United in yet another vital fixture, and with both our title rivals winning yesterday, resulting in us dropping into third place, I don’t need to tell you that victory on Tayside is of the utmost importance.
Tannadice, were we lost 2-1 in our last visit under the leadership of the inept Wilfried Nancy can sometimes prove a difficult venue for Celtic as Matthew Marr has pointed out earlier today on The Celtic Star, although we have enjoyed some memorable wins there in the past few years, a Kyogo inspired 9-0 rout under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou back in 2022, and a 5-0 win that clinched last seasons title immediately springing to mind.
Hyunjun Yang of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s opening goal with Benjamin Nygren during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
A repeat of either scoreline would be most welcome later today and would really help with our goal difference because that could turn out to be important.
Jim Goodwin’s side still have an outside chance of making the top six, after Falkirk’s home defeat at the hands of St Mirren yesterday afternoon, although it’s looking very unlikely, but they need to win to stay in contention It goes without saying that they will make it extremely tough for Martin O’Neill’s side, so as always we will need to be fully prepared and focused if we are to gain revenge for our freakish defeat in Tayside back in December.
Tomas Cvancara of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It’s a worn out cliche, but every single game from now on in will be treated like a cup final. And that’s the way that Hearts and the Rangers will be looking at their own games too.
Today is Celtic’s first part of a double trip to the city of discovery, as we head back to Tayside after the international break to take on Steven Pressley’s Dundee who narrowly lost at Tynecastle yesterday. These are two games that can have a defining say in Celtic’s title chances.
Hyunjun Yang of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Win both and we can head into the last game post split, which is a home game against St Mirren, in very high spirits and with great confidence. Fail to win both and it will be looking very difficult indeed.
If Celtic want to be Champions then we really must beat Dundee United today. That’s the long and the short of it. Let’s get the job done Celtic!
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Relief for Reds: Arne Slot says Hugo Ekitike’s injury is just a dead leg after early Brighton blow
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has given a positive update on Hugo Ekitike after the forward's early substitution at Brighton.
Ekitike was withdrawn only eight minutes into Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. The Frenchman was visibly upset as he left the pitch, following a forceful collision with former Liverpool midfielder James Milner.
Liverpool struggled in the absence of their leading scorer, as two goals from Danny Welbeck condemned the Reds to defeat on the south coast.
The loss leaves fifth in thePremier League table and extended their winless run in the league to three games.
However, Slot has eased concerns over Ekitike's issue. He expects the forward to link up with France for the upcoming international break but said the 23-year-old was unable to continue at Brighton due to a severe dead leg.
"Hugo, I think he could play tomorrow if he needed to. It was a dead leg, as you call it here I think," Slot said at hispost-match press conference.
"Brighton did what we expected. If you face a team that has only had 62 hours of rest and the first thing you do is make it an intense game, play the first duels, play tough duels – nothing wrong with the duels, by the way – but unfortunately it was a collision and that led to Hugo going out. Yeah, that's not helpful after two minutes.
"You have to continue without one of the best strikers that the league has seen in the last three or four years already not available throughout the whole season, Alexander Isak. One of the best goalscorers the league has seen in the last eight years not being available with Mo Salah. And then missing out on Hugo Ekitike, who has had a lot of impact this season, him being out."
The battle for elite midfield talent is heating up ahead of the summer transfer window of 2026, with both Manchester City and Manchester United reportedly monitoring the situation of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
The Italian international has emerged as one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe, thanks to his consistency and influence at St. James’ Park, according to Nicolo Schira.
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Newcastle, however, are determined to protect one of their most valuable assets.
Reports indicate the club would only consider offers in the region of £100 million, underlining how highly Tonali is regarded within Eddie Howe’s squad.
Sandro Tonali’s growing influence at Newcastle United
Initially tasked with adapting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, the 25-year-old has since grown into one of the division’s most dependable deep-lying midfielders.
Newcastle’s rise as a competitive force in both domestic and European competitions has been closely tied to the stability provided by Tonali and his midfield partner Bruno Guimarães.
Recent reports linking Man United to Guimarães have further fueled speculation that Newcastle’s midfield could face significant attention from top clubs this summer.
City’s interest is widely believed to be linked to long-term planning around their midfield core. With several senior players entering the latter stages of their careers, the club is seeking technically gifted midfielders capable of thriving in high-possession systems.
Newcastle are in a strong negotiating position, as Tonali remains under a long-term contract and is considered central to their future ambitions. The reported £100 million valuation reflects both his importance to the team and the increasingly inflated market for top-tier midfielders.
Tottenham have begun laying the groundwork for a potential goalkeeping reshuffle ahead of the summer transfer window of 2026, with Bundesliga talent Noah Atubolu emerging as a serious name on their shortlist.
Spurs scouts have closely monitored the Freiburg shot-stopper in recent weeks, reflecting growing uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of current No. 1 Guglielmo Vicario, according to Daily Mail.
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With speculation linking Vicario to a possible return to Italy, particularly interest from Serie A giants Inter Milan, Tottenham’s recruitment team appears determined to stay one step ahead by identifying capable replacements.
Atubolu’s rise in Germany has not gone unnoticed, and his performances have placed him among the most promising young goalkeepers in European football.
Atubolu has experienced a rapid rise in Germany
At just 23 years old, Atubolu has already established himself as Freiburg’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of the Bundesliga’s most consistent young performers.
The German international has featured regularly throughout the current campaign, helping Freiburg maintain a competitive position in the top half of the table.
Atubolu has earned comparisons to legendary German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, particularly due to his confidence in playing out from the back and sweeping behind the defensive line.
His performances for Germany’s Under-21 national team have further strengthened his reputation.
Should Vicario depart, Tottenham would need to act swiftly to secure a replacement capable of handling the demands of Premier League football.
Managerial uncertainty at Tottenham in recent months has also intensified the need for strategic planning. With the club potentially entering a rebuilding phase, securing stability in goal will be a crucial component of their long-term vision.
Tottenham are not the only club monitoring emerging goalkeeping talent across Europe. Several Premier League and Bundesliga teams are actively scouting young keepers, making early groundwork essential.
Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni appears to be facing serious complications, with the Merseyside club reportedly growing less optimistic about securing his signature ahead of the summer transfer window of 2026.
According to TEAMtalk, developments in Italy suggest Inter are intensifying efforts to tie the 26-year-old to a lucrative new contract, making any potential move increasingly difficult.
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The Italian international has been identified as a leading candidate to eventually succeed Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, whose advancing age has prompted the club to carefully plan the future of their defensive line.
However, mounting competition from elite European clubs and Inter’s determination to retain one of their most valuable assets have complicated Liverpool’s strategy.
Inter Milan push to retain key defender
Bastoni has grown into one of Europe’s most reliable central defenders since joining Inter from Atalanta earlier in his career.
Reports from Italian sources indicate that Inter are preparing a substantial contract renewal, often described as a “mega-money” deal, aimed at securing Bastoni’s long-term future at the San Siro.
Such a move reflects the club’s intention to maintain stability in defense, particularly as they continue to compete for domestic titles and European honors.
Inter’s financial position has improved in recent seasons, allowing them to compete more aggressively in contract negotiations. By offering improved wages and long-term security, they hope to discourage interest from top European clubs.
Bastoni’s playing style fits Liverpool’s philosophy perfectly. His comfort in possession and ability to step forward into midfield works well with modern defensive systems, particularly those that emphasize building attacks from the back.
Liverpool are not alone in pursuing Bastoni. Barcelona and Chelsea have both been credited with interest, further increasing the complexity of the situation. Barcelona’s defensive rebuild has been ongoing, while Chelsea continue to invest heavily in young and technically proficient defenders.
Chelsea midfilder Andrey Santos faces uncertain future at the club, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
After an impressive development period away from Stamford Bridge, the 21-year-old has returned to London with his reputation significantly enhanced.
However, despite his progress, uncertainty surrounds whether he will remain part of Chelsea’s long-term plans or become one of the club’s high-profile departures to balance finances.
Santos’ performances during his recent loan spell in France elevated his status among Europe’s most promising midfielders.
Now, with multiple elite clubs monitoring his availability, Chelsea face a crucial decision that could shape both their squad structure and financial outlook ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Rising reputation and growing interest across Europe
Santos’ development has been rapid. During his loan spell at Strasbourg, part of Chelsea’s wider multi-club network, the Brazilian showcased a blend of defensive awareness, physical intensity, and attacking threat that marked him out as one of the standout young midfielders in Ligue 1.
His rise has not gone unnoticed. In Italy, both Inter Milan and Juventus are believed to be closely tracking his situation, viewing him as a potential cornerstone for their midfield rebuilds.
Inter, in particular, are said to admire his tactical discipline and composure on the ball, while Juventus have been seeking younger, high-energy profiles to complement their experienced core.
Andrey Santos in action for Chelsea (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Chelsea’s midfield depth has created both opportunity and complication. With several established names competing for starting positions and younger talents pushing through the ranks, securing consistent minutes at Stamford Bridge could prove challenging for Santos.
At the same time, Chelsea continue to navigate Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which have forced many clubs to carefully manage transfer spending and player sales.
Sources close to the club suggest that while Santos remains highly rated internally, his market value, estimated between €60 million and €70 million, makes him one of the most sellable assets should financial balancing be required.
“You have to win”: Shearer fires up Newcastle ahead of Sunderland clash and warns hurt of defeat will linger
Alan Shearer has warned Newcastle United that it will 'hurt for a while' if the club lose today's Tyne-Wear Derby against Sunderland at St James' Park.
Newcastle host their fierce rivals in thePremier League this lunchtime, needing a positive result to keep alive their European ambitions. The Magpies exited the Champions League in midweek and three points would keep them in the race for a return to the competition next season.
However, Newcastle have a poor recent record in derbies against Sunderland. Eddie Howe's side lost the reverse fixture 1-0 at The Stadium of Light and have not beaten Sunderland in 10 attempts in thePremier League. Their last league win over The Black Cats came in 2011.
Shearer, who scored a club record 206 goals for Newcastle, admits the fixture matters far more than most.
"You can definitely get away with a little bit more in terms of the referees because they understand what it means to you.
"You feel the passion. When the fixtures are out, it's not Liverpool, Arsenal or Man United that you look for. It's Sunderland and when you play them home and away.
"You have to win and be on the right side of it otherwise it hurts you for a while but they're brilliant games to play in and be involved in.
"I can remember all the goals and games, both the good and the bad. Sometimes, you have to put up with the bad but that's the way it is in football.
"I can remember them all, walking up the tunnel and back down it with the emotions and feeling that goes with it.
"You can hear and feel the atmosphere when you're on the way to the stadium. There's just something very different about it in a great way."
Man Utd ready €35M raid for French sensation to supercharge their attack
Manchester United are interested in signing the Inter Milan attacker Ange-Yoan Bonny.
The French youth international is highly rated across Europe, and he has impressed with the Italian club this season. He has 14 contributions, and he could help Manchester United going forward. They are looking to bring in someone who can share the goal-scoring burden with Benjamin Sesko.
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United are very serious about signing the Frenchman.
Bonny would be a long-term acquisition for the club, and it remains to be seen whether Manchester United can convince the Italian outfit to sell the player. He is a talented player with a lot of potential, and Inter Milan will not be keen on losing him.
The player is reportedly valued at €35 million. There is no doubt that Manchester United have the financial means to complete the deal, but they need to convince the Italian club to sell.
Bonny could fancy a move to the Premier League as well. It would be a major step in his career, and he would get to test himself at a high level. Regular football in England could bring out the best in him.
It will be interesting to see if Manchester United follow up on their interest with an official proposal in the summer. Adding another reliable attacker will be a priority for Manchester United in the summer. They have done well to bring quality attackers at the start of the season, but they need more quality and depth in that area of the pitch.
Manchester United could be an attractive destination for the young attacker. They could help him fulfil his potential and give him the platform to compete at a high level. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Jacob Devaney: Man United loanee puts in midfield masterclass
Manchester United had six players in loan action on Saturday afternoon.
To find out where all of Manchester United’s loanees are plying their trade this season, click here
Ethan Ennis
Ennis played the full 90 minutes of Fleetwood Town’s 1-0 win over Crawley Town.
He made one key pass and connected with three of his crossing attempts in an impressive display of traditional wing play. Ennis also completed 81% of his passes during the match.
The young winger also completed one successful dribble and came out on top in three duels.
Radek Vitek
The Czech goalkeeper made five stops in Bristol City’s 0-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
He made one high claim and one clearance for his side. Vitek also won his only aerial duel in a strong performance despite the loss.
Jacob Devaney
The young Irish midfielder played 80 minutes of St Mirren’s 2-1 win away to Falkirk.
He made two key passes and completed an impressive 85% of his passing attempts. Devaney was also a menace in the middle of the park, winning three of his four tackles and five of his six ground duels in a tenacious effort.
Jacob Devaney stats vs Falkirk
Dan Gore
Gore played the final 25 minutes of Rotherham United’s 0-3 defeat to Lincoln City.
He made one key pass and completed 79% of his other passes. He also won his only aerial and ground duel of the match.
Gabriele Biancheri came off the bench for The Millers for the second half. He had zero shots on goal and could not provide any key passes in a disappointing display.
The young striker did win his only tackle and also two out of four ground contests.
Ethan Wheatley played the final 45 minutes of Bradford City’s 1-2 defeat to Burton Albion.
He failed to have any shots on goal or provide any key passes during his time on the pitch.
“Point to prove”: Arteta targets Carabao Cup glory over Man City to ignite Arsenal’s quadruple dream
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal have a point to prove in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
Arsenal face Manchester City at Wembley aiming to end a six-year wait for a major trophy. The Gunners have positioned themselves in the running for all four trophies this season, with Arteta's side nine points clear in thePremier League and into the last eight of the FA Cup and Champions League.
A quadruple has never previously been achieved by an English team and Arteta admits Sunday's showdown could be a 'defining moment' for his team. He said Arsenal need to demonstrate an ability to win big games and have a point to prove this weekend.
"It's going to be one of the defining moments because at the end of the day it is about whether you win the trophy or not.
"That is the most important thing once you get to the final but in order to be there you have to do a lot of things. There are a lot of things the team has done so far, but we need to prove that point, that's clear, and it has to be done on the pitch."
Arteta was asked at hispre-match press conference about the role Viktor Gyokeres could have in deciding Sunday's final. The Spaniard was specifically asked whether the club's leading scorer was signed to get Arsenal 'over the line' in finals. Gyokeres has scored 16 goals in all competitions since arriving from Portuguese champions Sporting CP last summer.
"All of our players have to perform daily at this level. When it comes to the crucial moments and when it comes to the moment to attack a trophy and take it and bring it home is when we need players to step up and make a difference, that is clear."
The 25-year-old Germany international is under contract with the Yellow and Blacks until 2027 and without an agreement for a new deal he could be sold.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host one of the most important matches in the context of the 2025/26 Premier League season, but not exactly the one Spurs fans hoped, as Tottenham host Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Spurs are firmly entrenched in the relegation battle, with this game likely to have seismic consequences on the race for Premier League safety.
Tottenham currently sit 16th in the league standings, just one point off the relegation places. Nottingham Forest lie directly behind them in 17th, level on points with West Ham in 18th and above them only on goal differential. Three points here would be monumental in the quest to confirm their place in next season's field, while anything less leaves them in significant peril.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forest live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in English across the United States:
TV channel: USA Network Live stream:None
The meeting between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest will be televised on USA Network.
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What time does Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forestkick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England and kicks off on Sunday, March 22 at 2:15 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States, factoring in that daylight savings time has gone into effect in the U.S. but not yet across most of Europe:
Man United plot £60m outlay for number one target who will help them dominate
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is all set to leave the club at the end of the season, and they want Adam Wharton as his replacement.
According to a report from SportsBoom, Manchester United have decided that they want the 22-year-old England international as their number one target, and they are prepared to pay around £50-60 million to get the deal done.
It will be interesting to see if Manchester United come forward with an official proposal to sign the midfielder. He has excelled with Crystal Palace, and there is no doubt that he is good enough for Manchester United. He could prove to be a superb long-term acquisition for Manchester United.
Wharton is a defensive midfielder who is equally adept at controlling the game’s tempo. He will add control and composure to the Manchester United midfield if he joins the club. The 22-year-old is quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He has all the attributes to develop into a top-class player for Manchester United.
Manchester United have been linked to multiple players in recent weeks, and it will be interesting to see who they end up signing. It is no secret that they need a reliable defensive midfielder, and the 22-year-old Crystal Palace star certainly fits the profile of the player they are looking for.
Wharton is already an important player for his club, and the move to Manchester United will help him cement his place in the national team as well. It will also help him compete at the highest level and regularly fight for major trophies. The 22-year-old midfielder will be tempted to join Manchester United as well.
Rock bottom for Chelsea as Everton media team mock Liam Rosenior on social media
It has reached rock bottom for Chelsea as Everton’s own X account decided to directly mock Liam Rosenior last night.
Everton’s media team on X have spent all night completely milking the win and you know what, fair play to them. They had just beaten Chelsea, the current World Champions, 3-0 at home in the Premier League. It was a massive result for them and they did well to get it.
EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea not changing project but could ‘tweak it’, Certain players growing confused and fed up, Liam Rosenior in for the long haul
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Chelsea were awful once again and went down to their fourth defeat in a row; two defeats in a row in the Premier League now.
The 3-0 score line looks like a thrashing, and you know what? It WAS a thrashing. I don’t care about xG or how many chances Chelsea did or didn’t have, or who controlled the game, this, that, and the other. The score line is all that matters.
Everton mock Rosenior
As you can see above, Everton posted on their X account, ‘respecting the ball’.
This is from Rosenior telling the media that the reason for Chelsea’s huddle around the ball in the centre circle because they wanted to respect the ball in some bizarre comments trying to justify it.
Being mocked directly by Everton, can it get any worse than this!?
In other news…
The managerclaimed that it wasn’t a lack of effortor tactical mistakes that were costing Chelsea – but insisted he didn’t want to blame the players in the wake of the Everton defeat last night.
But Rosenioralso blamed “mistakes”for the goals Chelsea were conceding – but we’re going to need a bit more than that I’m afraid.
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EXCLUSIVE | Rennes’ Arnaud Nordin ‘Everyone wants to play in the Champions League. For now, we’re focused on being in Europe.’
Arnaud Nordin (27), on loan from Mainz, has established himself as a key player in a revived Stade Rennais side who, under new manager Franck Haise, are looking to make a return to European football. Get French Football News caught up with the former AS Saint-Étienne and Montpellier HSC winger to discuss his adaptation to life at Roazhon Park, the club’s upward trajectory, the struggles of his former clubs and his future.
You arrived at Rennes in a difficult situation with the manager under pressure (Habib Beye) and quickly replaced (by Franck Haise). How has your integration been within that context, and how do you evaluate your opening weeks at the club?
I handled it well. I was really well welcomed, be it by the technical staff or the medical staff… really everyone welcomed me very well, even the stewards, the kitchen staff. I was also lucky to already know quite a few players, so, as a player, that helps, too. It has all gone well! From my side, I was looking left and right to see how the club worked, to come to terms, and then slowly but surely you gain in confidence and, naturally, you feel good at this club.
Who were the players that you already knew at Rennes?
I already played with Moussa Al-Taamari at Montpellier HSC and I came through the ranks with Mahdi Camara at AS Saint-Étienne. Esteban Lepaul and I also have friends in common so we had already come across each other and talked on multiple occasions and then also Alidu Seidu a bit.
On Lepaul, you already seem to have a good connection on the pitch, too…
In any case, we have a particular relationship because he is someone that I knew from before coming to Rennes, so he obviously welcomed me really well. We already had this little ‘feeling’ and it is true that, on the pitch, he is an excellent player with his runs in behind. Playing with players like that makes things easier and we’re there to feed him.
Do you think that he should be in contention for a France call-up?
I am not Didier Deschamps but I think that ‘Este’ is a forward who has scored and continues to score lots of goals, so I think, and it is only my opinion, that he is already in his good books (laughs). But we will see if he is selected or not. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Deschamps already knows him. I think that when you score 14 goals in Ligue 1, lots of people know you and so I think that the France national team manager at least knows him and that is the most important thing at the moment.
There has been a managerial change since you arrived, with Haise replacing Beye. How have you found working the former?
On a human level, he is someone who speaks to me a lot, who gives me a lot of advice. He won’t make big speeches, but he will be pointed when it comes to the small details, which allows us to all be in a good environment and it also allows the team to express itself better on the pitch. I think that we have played well in the past three or four matches, despite the loss to Lille OSC. But he brings us a lot on the pitch and also off it.
Photo credit: Luke Entwistle
Does it fill you with confidence, also having the trust of a manager like that?
It helps me, of course! I am always trying to help the team. The manager has started me in the past five games and so, naturally, for a player, you want to play and repay that confidence as much as possible.
And did you need that too after your time at Mainz, which was somewhat mixed?
I want to help the team and to feel important. Feeling important doesn’t necessarily mean starting matches; you can also be important when coming on in a match. That’s why you need everyone in a team. A player needs to feel loved by his teammates, by an entire dressing room, by a whole club, and when you feel that love, you can give your absolute best on the pitch. [In Germany], the methodology is a bit different. The Bundesliga is known for its intensity, so you took lots of hits in training. That was something new. Not many fouls were called; the game was allowed to continue. As a forward, that obliges you to not just stay on the floor but to get up and to defend. It is similar to France, too. In training [at Rennes], the manager doesn’t always blow [for fouls] either, so you’re having to get up and defend. It was a great experience in Germany, which is one of the big European leagues.
You talk about the similarities between France and Germany. Did you make a return to Ligue 1 a priority in the winter?
It was a match straight away because Rennes are a very ambitious club, one that has the ambition of playing in Europe. Those are the club’s objectives. It is really a priority when you see the facilities, the infrastructure, and everything around the club, the city…
“To feel loved, naturally, you want to stay at such a club and fight for their colours” – Nordin on staying at Rennes beyond his loan spell
I think it would be good for the club to be in Europe [next season]. Everyone wants to play in the UEFA Champions League, to play in these kinds of competitions. But for now, our objective is to qualify for European football. We’ll see exactly where we finish at the end of the season.
Coming back to Ligue 1, there is one club that you are not facing, your former club, Montpellier. Does it upset you to see their recent plight?
It is sad because I met some really incredible people there. It is difficult to see a club like that in this situation. I have been following them in Ligue 2. I hope that they can at least make the playoffs and get back into Ligue 1.
And the same for your formative club, Saint-Étienne…
It is a shame for them, too! It proves that Ligue 1 is really hard! Girondins de Bordeaux are another story, but it is another historic club. It hurts not seeing them in Ligue 1. I hope that these kinds of clubs return to Ligue 1, especially ASSE for next year.
Do you also want to stick around to potentially face them next year? Your loan from Mainz has a buy option…
Of course! I feel really good here. I was welcomed in a way that you wouldn’t even imagine. To feel loved, naturally, you want to stay at such a club and fight for their colours. There is really a family feel. And then in terms of ambition, it has always been a club that has had a lot. All of the directors have put in the means, and so I think that, at the very least, you have to repay that at the weekend, on the pitch, by playing for the badge.
Externally at least, you get the impression that, after a couple of difficult seasons, Rennes are heading once again in the right direction. Do you feel that internally, too, and do you think this could be a great end to the season?
We hope so! We are working hard every day in order to ensure that. Eight matches, eight finals, as everyone says; it’s the final sprint. We’ll take stock after the game against Olympique de Marseille (the final game of Rennes’ campaign)!
West Ham United XI vs Aston Villa – Predicted lineup and team news
West Ham travel to Villa Park today aiming to secure a vital victory that could move them out of the Premier League relegation zone for the first time since November.
The Hammers have moved into a positive vein of form under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, collecting 15 points from their last nine games—more than they had in their first 21 fixtures combined.
Following a disciplined draw against Manchester City last weekend, West Ham arrive in the West Midlands with high confidence, looking to exploit an Aston Villa side that has lost three straight league matches.
West Ham team news
Nuno Espírito Santo manages a squad dealing with one high-profile absence but otherwise boasting a clean bill of health. Notably, Crysencio Summerville is definitely ruled out tonight with a calf injury.
Consequently, the manager may stick with the conservative wing-back system that frustrated City, or revert to a back four with Adama Traoré providing the pace on the break.
Notably, Jarrod Bowen remains the talisman; he has been involved in seven goals in his last eight appearances and could become only the second West Ham player to assist in four consecutive Premier League games tonight.
Callum Wilson also provides a major threat on the road, where his conversion rate (25%) is significantly higher than at the London Stadium.
Mads Hermansen will start in goal, behind a defence likely to feature Konstantinos Mavropanos and Axel Disasi.
In midfield, Tomas Soucek and Soungoutou Magassa will look to stifle Villa’s creative units, while Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals provide the service for Valentín Castellanos.
Notably, despite having a league-high 32 players feature this season, West Ham have seen only 10 different goal scorers—the fewest in the Premier League.
They will look to change that tonight against a Villa defence that has conceded nine goals in its last three league matches.
West Ham United predicted lineup
West Ham United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Magassa; Bowen, Fernandes, Pablo; Castellanos
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at Villa Park on Sunday, 22 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:15 GMT.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano – Predicted lineup and team news
Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano meet in La Liga on Sunday at the Spotify Camp Nou in matchday 29, in what will be their final game before the last international break of the season.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, already sitting at the top of the La Liga table, are aiming to keep their excellent run going after a commanding 7-2 Champions League victory over Newcastle United.
Barcelona team news
Joan Garcia, who was taken off against Newcastle with a late injury concern, has now shaken off that scare and is understood to be available again after encouraging test results.
Eric Garcia also had to come off early in that same match with a hamstring problem and is still a doubt for this weekend, but there is optimism he could be involved around matchday after being spotted back in training.
Gavi is now fully recovered from his long-term injury, yet he is still expected to start on the bench as his minutes continue to be managed carefully.
Barcelona remain without several other players: Alejandro Balde (hamstring, likely mid-April return), Andreas Christensen (cruciate ligament issue), Jules Koundé and Frenkie de Jong (both hamstring injuries, targeting early April comebacks), Jofre Torrents (calf) and Toni Fernandez (ankle).
Any tactical tweaks will largely depend on whether Joan Garcia and Eric García are cleared to start; if Eric García does not make it, Gerard Martín or Ronald Araújo could be asked to operate in the middle of the defence.
Flick should still be able to field a very strong front line, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski expected to spearhead the attack as Barca chase a fifth consecutive league win and look to preserve their four-point cushion at the summit.
Barcelona predicted lineup
Possible Barcelona starting XI: J Garcia; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 1pm BST on Sunday, 22nd March.
How to watch Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano?
Supporters in the UK can watch the match live on Premier Sports 1.
Celtic XI vs Dundee United – Predicted lineup and team news
Celtic face Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership at Tannadice Park on Sunday, with another vital three points on the line in the title race.
The visitors know a victory would be hugely important in their push to catch Hearts at the top of the table.
Celtic travel in excellent league form after putting together a four-match unbeaten run that has kept them firmly in contention for the league crown, while they also reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
Celtic team news
The Bhoys remain without Arne Engels, Callum Osmand, Alistair Johnston, Adam Montgomery, Cameron Carter‑Vickers and Jota, who are all sidelined with injury.
Callum McGregor sat out Celtic’s last two matches but is now tipped to return to action, with Martin O’Neill hopeful that the midfielder will be available for this fixture.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign and could face up to a year on the sidelines after it was confirmed he needs two separate operations to make a full recovery.
Defender Auston Trusty is also in line to rejoin the matchday squad and could come back into the XI if Benjamin Arthur drops to the bench.
Benjamin Nygren is expected to be a key figure once more for Celtic. The midfielder has already scored 15 league goals this season, making him the division’s second‑highest scorer, and his total of 19 goal contributions is the best in the competition.
Dundee United vs Celtic – Match preview and team news
Celtic go head-to-head against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership at Tannadice Park on Sunday.
The Bhoys have the second best away record in the division, while the Tangerines have the fifth-worst home record having won just four games on their own patch.
Celtic can overtake Rangers in second place and close the gap to leaders Hearts to two points with a win on the road.
Dundee United vs Celtic – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 22nd March
Kick-off: 12:30pm BST
Venue: Calforth Construction Arena
Last meeting: Celtic 4-0 Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, 10th January 2026
Dundee United team news
Dundee United remain without midfielder Craig Sibbald, who continues to be sidelined by a hamstring problem.
Isaac Pappoe is also out with a knee injury, while centre-back Bert Esselink is not expected to feature as he continues his recovery from his physical issue though he has been on the bench in the previous few matches.
Additionally, Kristijan Trapanovski is in doubt after being sent for a scan on a troublesome knee issue that he suffered against Falkirk.
Amar Fatah will once again start on the left side of the attack. He already has seven goals in this season and scored in his last two league matches.
Celtic team news
Celtic is still missing Arne Engels, Callum Osmand, Alistair Johnston, Adam Montgomery, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota through injuries.
Callum McGregor missed Celtic’s last two matches but is now expected to make a return. Martin O’Neill is hopeful that he will be fit for this match.
Kasper Schmeichel is definitely out for the season and might miss up to a year after it is confirmed that he requires two separate surgeries to recover from it.
Auston Trusty is also expected to come back into the squad in case Benjamin Arthur is dropped to the bench.
Benjamin Nygren will be pivotal for Celtic. The midfielder already scored 15 goals in the season and is the second-highest goal scorer in the competition while his involvement in 19 goals tops the goal involvement chart.
Form
Dundee United: DLWLD
Dundee United remain embroiled in a congested lower half of the table as the split approaches. Goodwin’s team comes to this match after a 2-2 draw in the recent Dundee derby at Dens Park, after losing their two-goal lead in injury time, which showcases their defensive vulnerabilities.
Celtic: WDWDW
Celtic arrive at Tannadice in strong league form after putting together an impressive unbeaten run that has kept them on course in the Premiership title race. Their most recent encounter finished in a 3-1 win against Motherwell which put them just two points behind league leaders Hearts with 61 points from 30 matches. They are also ahead of third-placed Rangers who are sitting with 60 points in the league.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in a derby clash in La Liga this weekend.
The two clubs are separated by just two places in the table, with Real second and Atletico fourth, adding extra weight to an already fierce capital city rivalry.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 22nd March
Kick-off: 8pm BST
Venue: Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid
Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero
Last meeting: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid, Spanish Super Cup, 8th January
Real Madrid team news
Alvaro Arbeloa faces several injury headaches heading into the derby. Ferland Mendy (muscle), Dani Ceballos (calf), and Rodrygo (knee) are all unavailable, with Mendy and Ceballos expected to return next month, while Rodrygo is sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Eder Militao has rejoined training but remains a doubt, whereas Jude Bellingham is back in full preparation and could feature.
Thibaut Courtois suffered a thigh problem against Manchester City and is ruled out until April, meaning Andriy Lunin retains his place in goal.
Kylian Mbappe, who returned from injury off the bench against City, is set to start his first match in over a month.
Atletico Madrid team news
Atleti have their own issues to contend with, as Diego Simeone’s side prepares for another intense derby amid a congested calendar at home and in Europe.
The Rojiblancos were recently hit by a fresh blow when midfielder Pablo Barrios suffered a minor hamstring tear in training, just after returning from a previous lay-off. Barrios is expected to be out for around a month.
Also sidelined are Jan Oblak and Rodrigo Mendoza with muscle and thigh injury respectively. Both are expected to return in the month of April.
After losing the match against Tottenham, Diego Simeone might decide to rotate the squad and bring back Alexander Sorloth into the starting XI.
While Julian Alvarez did not start of either of the last two league games, coming off the bench to keep him fresh for the Champions League. He is expected to return to the starting XI and add to his tally of eight league goals.
Form
Real Madrid: LWWWW
Los Blancos are on a four-game winning streak in all competitions and come into the derby on the back of a 2-1 win over Manchester City, which sent them through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They sit second in the La Liga table, four points off leaders Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid: LWWWL
Atleti are in good form, having won four league games on the bounce. They have only lost two of their last nine games in all competitions, both of which came in the second leg of knockout competitions in which they held a big lead on aggregate. They are fourth in the standings, nine points behind Real.
Arsenal vs Manchester City –Match preview and team news
Wembley Stadium sets the stage this Sunday for a historic Carabao Cup Final as Premier League leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City battle for the first major silverware of the season.
This showpiece represents a monumental “student vs. master” clash between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola. Remarkably, it is the first League Cup final in history to be contested by the top two teams in the country. For Arsenal, victory would end a 33-year drought in this competition, with the club last lifting the trophy in 1993.
Notably, the Gunners have lost more finals in this tournament (6) than any other side, including a 3–0 defeat to City in 2018. However, Arteta arrives with a pristine Wembley record; he has never lost at the national stadium with Arsenal as a player or manager.
Manchester City, meanwhile, enter the capital aiming to salvage a season that has hit a sudden and turbulent patch. After being dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in midweek, Pep Guardiola is desperate to avoid going back-to-back campaigns without a major honour for the first time in his career.
While City have won seven consecutive League Cup finals since 1974, they have lost their last two major final appearances at Wembley, both in the FA Cup. Significantly, Guardiola is bidding to become the first manager to win the League Cup five times, but he faces an Arsenal side that is currently unbeaten in their last six meetings with the Sky Blues.
Arsenal vs Manchester City –Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 22 March 2026
Kick-off: 16:30 GMT
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: John Brooks
Last Meeting: Arsenal 1–1 Manchester City (21 Sep 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is managing a few high-profile doubts, most notably captain Martin Ødegaard (knee) and Jurriën Timber (ankle). Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to keep his place in goal, having started every round of the competition so far.
Notably, Eberechi Eze enters the final with a unique opportunity; having scored the winning goal against City in the 2025 FA Cup Final for Crystal Palace, he could become just the third player in history to score against the same opponent in both a League Cup and FA Cup final.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start between the sticks at Wembley. The Citizens will be without the cup-tied Marc Guéhi, while Joško Gvardiol remains a long-term absentee with a fractured leg.
Notably, Erling Haaland—who snapped a scoreless streak in midweek—is still searching for his first-ever goal at Wembley on what will be his seventh attempt at the stadium.
Form
Arsenal
Arsenal are in near-optimal form, winning six of their last seven matches across all competitions, including a convincing 2-0 midweek win over Bayer Leverkusen to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Gunners have shown remarkable tactical flexibility, weathering injuries to Ødegaard and Timber without losing their domestic momentum. Notably, they have seen eight different goal scorers in the League Cup this season, with no single player netting more than once.
Manchester City
Manchester City head to Wembley in a jittery state, having won just one of their last five games in all tournaments following their Champions League exit. Despite their recent struggles, City have been perfect in the Carabao Cup this season.
They have won all five games by margins of 2 or more goals. Significantly, City have dominated their recent League Cup meetings with Arsenal, winning the last four by an aggregate score of 11–1.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-3-3): Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Stones, Ait-Nouri; Silva, Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo
How to Watch Arsenal vs Manchester City?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and ITV1. Coverage begins at 15:30 GMT.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano – Match preview and team news
Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano meet at the Camp Nou this weekend in their final league match before the international break.
Hansi Flick’s side, who sit on top of the La Liga table, are in a buoyant mood following a 7-2 win over Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League.
Rayo, meanwhile, are looking to pull themselves further away from the relegation zone. The Madrid outfit have enjoyed a surprisingly good record against Barça in recent years, winning three out of nine league encounters since gaining promotion in 2021. They have also secured three draws over that period, including their most recent meeting.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 22nd March
Kick-off: 1pm BST
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Referee: Adrian Cordero Vega
Last meeting: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona, La Liga, 31st August 2025
Barcelona team news
After being subbed off early against Newcastle, goalkeeper Joan Garcia has recovered from his injury scare and has been declared fit after positive tests.
Eric Garcia was also subbed early in the same match and remains a doubt with a hamstring issue, but is expected to return this week after being seen in training, while Gavi is now fully fit.
Other absentees include Alejandro Balde (hamstring, mid-April return), Andreas Christensen (cruciate), Jules Koundé and Frenkie de Jong (hamstring, early April), Jofre Torrents (calf), Jules Koundé (hamstring, early April return) and Toni Fernandez (ankle).
Possible changes hinge on Garcia’s inclusion and Eric García’s fitness; if out, Gerard Martín or Ronald Araújo may shift centrally. Flick’s attack stays potent with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski, eyeing a fifth straight league win to maintain their four-point lead.
Rayo Vallecano team news
Absences include defender Diego Mendez with an injury and defender Nobel Mendy through suspension. There are no other major doubts reported as of now.
Form
Barcelona: WWDWW
The league leaders are enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, winning six and drawing the other one at Newcastle United in the Champions League. They destroyed the Magpies at home in the return leg to cruise into the quarter-finals.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo, who are 14th in the table, have not lost in La Liga since the beginning of February when Real Madrid required a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time to win at the Bernabeu.
They lost on Thursday to Samsunspor, their first defeat in eight matches, but advanced to the last eight of the UEFA Conference League regardless after winning 3-2 on aggregate.
Manchester City XI vs Arsenal – Predicted lineup and team news
Manchester City travel to Wembley today, aiming to secure their eighth major trophy under Pep Guardiola and halt a worrying run of form against their title rivals.
The Sky Blues have moved into a critical juncture of their season, looking to rebound from a Champions League exit and a nine-point deficit in the league. Manager Pep Guardiola has overseen a perfect Carabao Cup campaign so far, with his side winning every game by a 2+ goal margin.
City have a historic affinity for this competition, having won the last seven finals they have appeared in, but they must now overcome an Arsenal side that has frustrated them in their last six encounters.
Notably, City have won their last four League Cup meetings with the Gunners and will rely on that psychological edge to secure Guardiola’s fifth win in this competition tonight.
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola manages a squad missing a key January signing but welcoming back an experienced leader. Notably, James Trafford has been confirmed as the starting goalkeeper for the final, continuing his ever-present run in the competition. Consequently, John Stones is expected to return to the heart of the defence as Marc Guéhi is cup-tied.
Notably, Rayan Cherki has been the competition’s standout performer, averaging a goal involvement every 47 minutes. Erling Haaland will lead the line, desperate to secure his first-ever career goal at Wembley Stadium on his seventh attempt.
James Trafford will start in goal behind a defensive line featuring Ruben Dias and John Stones. In midfield, Rodri will anchor the side alongside Bernardo Silva and the young Nico O’Reilly. Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo are poised to provide the creative spark for Haaland.
Manchester City predicted lineup
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-3-3): Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Stones, Ait-Nouri; Silva, Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo
When will the match kick off?
The Carabao Cup Final takes place at Wembley on Sunday, 22 March 2026, at 16:30 GMT.
How to watch Arsenal vs Man City?
UK fans can watch live on Sky Sports Main Event and ITV1.
Aston Villa vs West Ham United – Match preview and team news
Aston Villa return to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon, aiming to arrest a domestic slump and protect their place in the top four as they face a resurgent, relegation-threatened West Ham United.
The Villans enter this fixture in a precarious position, despite sitting fourth in the table. Unai Emery’s men have lost three consecutive Premier League games—as many as their previous 17 combined—and now face the prospect of a fourth straight defeat for the first time in Emery’s managerial career.
While Villa have flourished in Europe, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, their domestic scoring has dried up; they have netted just 10 league goals so far in 2026, the lowest in the division.
Notably, a win today would see Villa complete a league double over the Hammers for the first time since 2010-11—the season West Ham were last relegated.
West Ham travel to Birmingham in a much healthier frame of mind, sitting level on points with safety and eyeing a climb out of the bottom three. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, the Hammers have undergone a transformation, picking up 15 points from their last nine matches—one more than they managed in their first 21 games of the season.
Despite their improvement, they face a historical hurdle: West Ham are winless in their last six league meetings with Villa. However, Nuno’s tactical preference for a low block could prove the perfect antidote to Emery’s high line, especially with Jarrod Bowen in clinical form.
Aston Villa vs West Ham United – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 22 March 2026
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Referee: Paul Tierney
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Last Meeting: West Ham 2–3 Aston Villa (14 Dec 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Aston Villa
Unai Emery will assess Youri Tielemans ahead of kick-off after the Belgian returned to training following a two-month layoff. Matty Cash and Emiliano Buendía are both fit after featuring off the bench against Lille, while Ezri Konsa is expected to return to the starting line-up.
Notably, Morgan Rogers has been Villa’s most impactful scorer this term; all eight of his league goals have either put Villa ahead or drawn them level. Boubacar Kamara remains a long-term absentee.
West Ham
Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that star winger Crysencio Summerville is ruled out with a calf injury. However, Ollie Scarles is back in contention, and the rest of the squad is fully available.
Jarrod Bowen enters the match as the primary threat, having been involved in seven goals in his last eight appearances. On the road, Callum Wilson has been exceptionally clinical, averaging a goal every 125 minutes away from home compared to every 501 minutes at the London Stadium.
Form
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have looked like two entirely different teams recently, following their 2-0 European win over Lille with three successive domestic defeats against Wolves, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
While they remain fourth, their domestic goals have evaporated; they are the division’s lowest scorers since the turn of the year with just 10 goals—a sharp decline from the 30 they netted before Christmas. Significantly, Villa have won just one of their last seven home league games against West Ham.
West Ham
West Ham arrive in the Midlands on a high after holding Manchester City to a 1-1 draw, part of a run that has seen them lose just twice in their last 12 competitive matches. The Hammers have built their success on tactical resilience and quick, physical transitions.
Despite using a league-high 32 players this season, they have struggled for goal variety, with a tournament-low 10 different goal scorers.
Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Onana, Luiz; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
West Ham United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Magassa; Bowen, Fernandes, Pablo; Castellanos
How to Watch Aston Villa vs West Ham United?
The match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage begins at 13:30 GMT ahead of the 14:15 kick-off.
Arsenal vs Manchester City – Predicted lineup and team news
Arsenal face Manchester City at Wembley today, aiming to banish a 33-year Carabao Cup hoodoo and secure Mikel Arteta’s second major trophy in North London.
The Gunners have moved into a position of dominance both domestically and in Europe, currently sitting nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Manager Mikel Arteta has overseen a ruthless path to the final, including a semi-final victory over Chelsea, and now looks to become the first manager in Arsenal history to win both of his first two major cup finals.
Arsenal team news
Mikel Arteta manages a squad facing late fitness tests for two essential pillars. Notably, captain Martin Ødegaard and defender Jurriën Timber are being assessed up until kick-off for knee and ankle issues, respectively.
Consequently, Eberechi Eze is expected to continue his influential role in the attacking third. Notably, Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to start in goal, having been the designated keeper for this competition. If Gabriel Jesus features tonight, he will make history as the first player to ever play for both sides in a League Cup final fixture.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will start behind a back four likely featuring William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will look to dictate the tempo, providing the service for a front three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli (or Trossard), and Viktor Gyökeres.
Notably, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six games against City and will look to exploit a visiting defence missing the cup-tied Marc Guéhi to secure their first League Cup since 1993.
Arsenal predicted lineup
Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
When will the match kick off?
The Carabao Cup Final takes place at Wembley on Sunday, 22 March 2026, at 16:30 GMT.
How to watch Arsenal vs Man City?
UK fans can watch live on Sky Sports Main Event and ITV1.
Journalist details moment he noticed a frustrated Cole Palmer argue with team mate
Journalist Lloyd Canfield has detailed the moment he noticed a frustrated Cole Palmer arguing with Pedro Neto yesterday.
Things like this will be concerning to read for Chelsea fans, because they already think it is going to be really difficult to keep hold of their star players going into the summer, especially if they miss out on getting Champions League football this season, which is not looking very good right now.
EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea not changing project but could ‘tweak it’, Certain players growing confused and fed up, Liam Rosenior in for the long haul
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Palmer was doing all he could to try and salvage something yesterday in their 3-0 defeat away at Everton in the Premier League. But it was all in vain as The Blues slumped to their fourth defeat in a row in all competitions, and second defeat in a row in the Premier League.
Palmer a frustrated figure
Cole Palmer looks frustrated against Burnley. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
‘Cole Palmer was a frustrated figure. On one occasion, a cutback towards the edge of the box occurred, Palmer gestured to leave it, but Pedro Neto took it off him instead. Palmer then spent 20 seconds waving his arms and complaining at Pedro Neto.’
That does not paint a good picture and to be honest, Palmer is always frustrated on the pitch for Chelsea lately. He seems to constantly get annoyed with those around him just not being good enough.
In other news…
The managerclaimed that it wasn’t a lack of effortor tactical mistakes that were costing Chelsea – but insisted he didn’t want to blame the players in the wake of the Everton defeat last night.
But Rosenioralso blamed “mistakes”for the goals Chelsea were conceding – but we’re going to need a bit more than that I’m afraid.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as apreferred source on Googleto make us a favourite and see more of ourcontent.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Everton vs Chelsea Player Ratings: Brilliant Beto brace sinks Chelsea
Everton picked up back-to-back wins at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time after beating Chelsea 3-0 on Saturday. It was also their biggest triumph over the side from west London since 1987.
A brilliant brace of goals from Beto on either side of the half-time break was followed by a Iliman Ndiaye adding the icing on the cake to secure all three points. The win allowed David Moyes’ side to close the gap to Chelsea in sixth down to two points. They’re also three points away from city rivals Liverpool who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
Here are the player ratings for Everton against Chelsea:
Jordan Pickford: 9
Pickford is having his own Save of the Season side quest. After his heroics to secure the win over Newcastle, England’s number 1 produced another top-drawer save to keep out Enzo Fernandez’s goal-bound effort from close range in the first half. He also denied the Argentine again in the second half and has now kept 100 clean sheets for the Toffees.
Jake O’Brien: 7
It was a strong defensive performance from the Irish international who kept both Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho at bay on his flank.
James Tarkowski: 8
Returning to the side after missing the clash against Arsenal, Tarkowski had a strong performance leading the backline. He was excellent in the air and made great blocks off Neto and Malo Gusto in the first half.
Michael Keane: 8
Keane was calm in possession and dealt with the aerial threat from Chelsea. He also reacted well to an underhit pass from Pickford and carried the ball forward on occasions.
Vitalii Mykolenko: 7.5
With Cole Palmer tucking inside despite operating from the flank, Mykolenko found the space to venture forward more than usual in this game. He put in a couple of dangerous crosses and also dealt well with Neto and Estevao.
Idrissa Gueye: 8.5
Played a great role in keeping the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer quiet in the middle. Gueye created the second goal with a fantastic steal of the ball in the middle of the park, going on a lung-bursting run before releasing it to Beto for the latter to find the net.
James Garner: 8.5
James Garner marked his maiden call-up to the England national team with a sublime performance against Chelsea. It was his eye-of-the-needle pass between Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato that Beto latched onto before finishing it coolly. Garner also troubled Robert Sanchez with a deep free-kick and also brought steel to the Everton midfield.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (replaced by Tim Iroegbunam at 89’): 7.5
Dewsbury-Hall had a relatively quieter afternoon against his former club but kept probing and running all game. He had a chance late in the game where he tested Sanchez but could’ve played a simple squared pass to Thierno Barry or Ndiaye instead.
Dwight McNeil (replaced by Jarrad Branthwaite at 77’): 7
Worked his socks off the ball, especially to help out O’Brien defensively. He also combined well with Beto but lacked influence in the final third.
Beto (replaced by Thierno Barry at 81’): 9
Beto put in a classic number 9’s performance to steal the show against Chelsea. He almost capitalised on Sanchez’s mistake early on before beating him with a lovely dinked finish after being set up with an exquisite through ball from Garner.
Beto’s movement was also great for the second goal and found the net after putting the ball through Sanchez’s legs. He then rounded off the night with a headed assist to set up Iliman Ndiaye for the third.
Iliman Ndiaye (replaced by Merlin Rohl at 89’): 8.5
Capped off a magical night by the Mersey with a fantastic third goal. Ndiaye reacted early to Beto’s headed flick-on, beat Moises Caicedo’s attention with his twinkling toes before finding the top right corner with ease.
Substitutions
Jarrad Branthwaite: 6
Was brought on to shore up the backline.
Thierno Barry: 5
Replaced two-goal hero Beto but had very little to work with.
Nottingham Forest XI vs Tottenham Hotspur – Predicted lineup and team news
Nottingham Forest travel to North London today, aiming to secure a historic fourth consecutive Premier League victory over Tottenham and move out of the relegation zone.
The Tricky Trees have moved into a positive frame of mind after reaching the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, and manager Vítor Pereira oversaw a 3–0 demolition of Spurs in the reverse fixture back in December.
Forest have won four times at Tottenham in their Premier League history—more than any other away ground except Southampton—and will look to use that historical edge to ignite their survival charge.
Nottingham Forest team news
Vítor Pereira manages a squad reaching a critical physical juncture but bolstered by tactical consistency. Notably, Forest have made fewer starting XI changes (46) than any other side in the Premier League this season. Consequently, Pereira is expected to revert to his strongest lineup after resting nine players in midweek.
Notably, Elliot Anderson remains the engine of this team; he has made more successful passes (1,679) and created more chances (45) than any other Forest player this season. Igor Jesus is expected to lead the line despite scoring only twice this season, though Taiwo Awoniyi is pushing for a start after a strong cameo against Fulham.
Matz Sels will start in goal behind a defence anchored by Murillo and Nikola Milenković. In midfield, Anderson will partner Ibrahim Sangaré, while Morgan Gibbs-White operates in his customary creative role.
Notably, Forest have struggled to score lately, failing to find the net in 14 matches this term—a record second only to Wolves’. They will look to exploit a Spurs defence that has frequently collapsed under pressure this year to secure their first away win since January.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; McAtee, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Jesus
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, 22 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:15 GMT.
How to watch Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event. Highlights will be available shortly after the final whistle on the Sky Sports app.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest – Predicted lineup and team news
Tottenham Hotspur host Nottingham Forest today, aiming to secure their first Premier League victory of 2026 and move four points clear of the relegation zone.
The Lilywhites have moved into a critical stage of their season under interim boss Igor Tudor, who oversaw a confidence-boosting 3–2 victory over Atlético Madrid on Wednesday.
Despite their European exit, Spurs showed signs of tactical cohesion that had been missing during their 12-match league winless streak. Tottenham have lost their last three meetings with Forest and will need to break that trend tonight to avoid slipping into the bottom three.
Tottenham Hotspur team news
Igor Tudor manages a squad that is finally beginning to welcome back its defensive pillars. Notably, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are both fit to start, providing much-needed stability to a backline that has conceded a league-high 11 goals from outside the area this season.
Consequently, the manager is expected to stick with the four-at-the-back system that produced their best performances of the month. Notably, Archie Gray is poised for a record-breaking night; if he starts, he will set a new club record for most Champions League-era starts by a Spurs player under 21.
Guglielmo Vicario will start in goal before undergoing surgery next week. In midfield, Pape Matar Sarr will partner Gray, while Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel keep their places after excelling in midweek.
Notably, Richarlison—who has scored more than twice as many goals (9) as any other teammate this term—is expected to return to the starting XI to support Randal Kolo Muani. The hosts will be wary of Vítor Pereira, who is unbeaten in three previous matches against Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Gray; Tel, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, 22 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:15 GMT.
How to watch Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event. Highlights will be available shortly after the final whistle on the Sky Sports app.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland – Predicted lineup and team news
Newcastle United host Sunderland at St James’ Park today, aiming to secure their third consecutive Premier League win and break a 10-game winless streak against their rivals.
The Magpies have moved into the top half of the table under manager Eddie Howe, who oversaw landmark wins over Manchester United and Chelsea earlier this month.
Despite a humbling European exit in midweek, Newcastle have found their domestic groove and will look to use their home advantage to finally reclaim bragging rights on Tyneside.
Notably, Newcastle have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season and will need to remain defensively disciplined against a Sunderland side that thrives on second-half comebacks.
Newcastle United team news
Eddie Howe manages a squad that has played high-intensity football every three days throughout 2026.
Notably, Sandro Tonali is a major doubt after limping off against Barcelona, but his inclusion in the Italy squad suggests the groin issue may not be long-term.
Consequently, Joe Willock—who excelled against Chelsea—is poised to start in midfield if Tonali fails a late fitness test.
Anthony Gordon has scored in back-to-back league games and is looking for a historic third in a row tonight.
Key figures like Bruno Guimarães and Fabian Schär remain sidelined until after the international break.
Aaron Ramsdale will continue in goal behind a defence likely featuring the returning Tino Livramento, Sven Botman, and Malick Thiaw.
In midfield, Jacob Ramsey and Joelinton will provide the physical presence needed for a derby atmosphere, while Anthony Elanga is pushing for a start after his brace in the Nou Camp.
Newcastle United predicted lineup
Newcastle United Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Ramsey, Willock, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at St James’ Park on Sunday, 22 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 GMT.
How to watch Newcastle United vs Sunderland?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event. Highlights will be available shortly after the final whistle on the Sky Sports app.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland – Match preview and team news
Newcastle United welcome Sunderland to St James’ Park on Sunday for a massive Tyne-Wear derby, with the Magpies desperate to snap a decade-long hoodoo against their fiercest rivals.
The Magpies return to Tyneside looking to heal the wounds of a “black and blue” midweek in Barcelona, where they were eliminated from the Champions League following a bruising 7–2 defeat at the Camp Nou.
Despite their European exit, Eddie Howe’s men have been perfect in the Premier League this March, securing back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Chelsea to climb above Sunderland in the table.
Notably, Newcastle are aiming for a 100% winning month in the league for the first time since 2018. But they must overcome a psychological hurdle; they haven’t kept a clean sheet against the Black Cats since 2011.
Sunderland arrive on Tyneside with a historic record within their grasp, aiming to extend their unbeaten derby streak to an unprecedented 11 matches.
Under Régis Le Bris, the Black Cats have already tasted derby success this term with a 1–0 win in December. This game featured the second-lowest combined xG (0.54) on record for a Premier League match.
While recent form has been patchy—scoring just four goals in their last eight outings—Sunderland have been experts at grinding out results from losing positions. They have earned 16 points from such scenarios this season.
A victory today would see them leapfrog Newcastle and potentially reignite their push for a top-seven finish.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 22 March 2026
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Paul Howard
Last Meeting: Sunderland 1–0 Newcastle United (14 Dec 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe faces a major concern over Sandro Tonali, who limped out of the Barcelona defeat with a groin injury. However, he remains in contention following a positive initial assessment. Notably, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman are expected to return to the starting XI after being rested in midweek.
The Magpies remain without Bruno Guimarães, Fabian Schär, and Lewis Miley, all of whom are expected back after the international break. Anthony Gordon enters the derby in sensational form, looking to score in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career.
Sunderland
Régis Le Bris is hopeful that Enzo Le Fée and Reinildo Mandava will be fit to feature, though Nordi Mukiele and Dan Ballard face late fitness tests. The visitors are definitely without Bertrand Traoré, Romaine Mundle, and Nilson Angulo.
Notably, Sunderland’s defensive organisation has been their bedrock; they have recorded 135 blocks this season, the second-highest tally in the Premier League.
Form
Newcastle United
Newcastle are domestic high-fliers this month, having won their last two Premier League games against Manchester United (2-1) and Chelsea (1-0). Despite their recent European nightmare, the Magpies have extended their scoring run to 15 matches in all competitions.
Significantly, they have struggled for stability, dropping 19 points from winning positions this term—the second-most in the division.
Sunderland
Sunderland’s momentum has stalled following back-to-back 1-0 defeats in the FA Cup and Premier League, leaving them 13th in the table. However, their road form provides a glimmer of hope.
They won their last away league game at Leeds and are looking to record consecutive away wins with clean sheets for the first time in the 21st century. Significantly, they remain unbeaten in their last 10 league games against Newcastle.
Predicted Lineups
Newcastle United Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Ramsey, Willock, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Sunderland Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ellborg; Geertruida, O’Nien, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fee, Brobbey, Talbi
How to Watch Newcastle United vs Sunderland?
The match will air live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage begins at 11:30 GMT ahead of the 12:00 kick-off.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news
Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest meet in North London this afternoon for what is arguably the biggest match of the season for both clubs, as they battle to preserve their Premier League status.
The Lilywhites enter this fixture sitting just one point above the relegation zone, knowing that anything less than a victory could see them drop into the bottom three. Under interim boss Igor Tudor, Spurs finally tasted victory on Wednesday night with a 3–2 win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, although they ultimately exited the competition on aggregate.
While that result provided a morale boost, Tottenham remain the only side in the division without a Premier League win so far in 2026. Notably, Spurs have lost their last three league games against Forest and possess the worst home record in the division this season, picking up just 10 points from 15 games.
Nottingham Forest travel to the capital, occupying the final relegation spot, desperate to leapfrog their rivals and secure a massive tactical win under Vítor Pereira. The Tricky Trees arrive on a high after reaching the Europa League quarter-finals following a dramatic penalty shootout win over Midtjylland on Thursday.
However, their domestic form remains fragile; Forest are winless in their last seven Premier League games and have failed to score in 14 different matches this term. Significantly, Pereira remains unbeaten in his three previous league meetings with Spurs, and Forest have a strong recent record at this ground, having won this fixture 2–1 last season.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 22 March 2026
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Referee: Michael Oliver
VAR: Tony Harrington
Last Meeting: Nottingham Forest 3–0 Tottenham (14 Dec 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Igor Tudor oversees a squad that looks significantly healthier following the return of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie. Guglielmo Vicario is expected to start before undergoing hernia surgery next week, while Joao Palhinha is back in training following a head injury.
However, Dominic Solanke remains a doubt with a hip issue, and the hosts are still without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Yves Bissouma. Notably, Richarlison remains the primary threat, having scored nine goals this term—more than twice as many as any other Spurs player.
Nottingham Forest
Vítor Pereira is likely to recall his big guns after making nine changes for the midweek European clash. Notably, Elliot Anderson continues to be a vital component of the Forest engine room.
He has made more successful passes (1,679) than any other midfielder in the Premier League this season. The visitors remain without long-term absentees Chris Wood, Willy Boly, and John Victor, while Callum Hudson-Odoi faces a late fitness test.
Form
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham finally ended their winless rut under Igor Tudor with a midweek European success, following a gritty 1-1 draw at Liverpool that provided the first signs of domestic life in months.
Despite the uptick, the Lilywhites are winless in 12 Premier League matches—their longest such run since 1935. Significantly, Spurs have conceded more goals from outside the box (11) than any other side this term, a weakness Forest will look to exploit.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest arrive in North London fresh from a Europa League breakthrough, though their league form stands at a disappointing seven-game winless run following a 0-0 draw with Fulham.
While they have struggled for consistency, the Tricky Trees have been settled in their selection, making fewer starting XI changes (46) than any other team in the Premier League this season. Notably, Forest convincingly won the reverse fixture 3–0 in December.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Gray; Tel, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; McAtee, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Jesus
How to Watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest?
The match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage begins at 13:30 GMT ahead of the 14:15 kick-off.
The notable thing about Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur is how simple the Manchester City striker makes all three goals look. A volley in the six-yard box from a failed clearance following Alex Greenwood’s corner. A back-post header from another Greenwood corner, Shaw rising above those of Spurs’ smaller defenders. Another towering six-yard box header, this time from Kerolin Nicoli’s lifted cross.
They are the class of goals upon which the City striker’s legend resides, the bread and butter of her lore, which, after City’s 5-2 Women’ Super League win against Spurs, now includes the fastest hat-trick in WSL history at 12 minutes and 37 seconds (usurping Arsenal legend Kelly Smith’s 16-minute effort), but also the earliest (arriving inside 21 minutes).
Yet it’s a unique phenomenon that a series of goals can be so undeniably textbook and simultaneously threaten to undersell the player entirely.
Because what the words “header”, “close-range volley” and even “fourth successive hat-trick against Spurs at home in the WSL” fail to confer is everything that Shaw does to transform a feat of striking excellence (a hat-trick) into a kind of footballing MOT.
There’s the dexterity to manoeuvre her body in a crowded space for the first, the instinctive understanding of precisely where the goal is in relation to her own centre of gravity.
There’s the sheer strength for the second and third, not only to push her nearest defenders into compromised positions with just one arm but to simultaneously summon the force to propel the ball forwards as she herself is falling backwards.
There’s the intelligence of her positioning for all three, but particularly the third, with Shaw putting space between herself and Kerolin at the top of Spurs’ 18-yard box to seem totally unsuspicious to the two Spurs defenders who should know better.
And of course, there’s everything else: the defensive headers, the pressing, the insatiable flick-ons and crosses to her teammates.
Here, really, lies the incomparable nature of Shaw. We shouldn’t labour under any delusions that what Shaw consistently manages is simple. But honestly, we’re running out of ways to tell you that Bunny Shaw is good. She probably deserves the title of Best Striker in World Women’s Football — less a gamble of opinion and more of an objective observation. Shaw has been too ruthless too many times to be considered a revelation. Yet so often, she reveals feats to this game that, through any other lens, feel ridiculous.
“I felt like I was playing FIFA,” City and USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey said afterwards. “When you can just score three goals in 20 minutes… it felt like a video game. She’s so dominant. I especially love her defensive effort today. She’s one of the best pressing No 9s in the world.”
Shaw’s hat-trick provided the foundation for City’s 5-2 victory over Spurs, putting head coach Andree Jeglertz’s side just three victories shy of guaranteeing their first WSL title in a decade.
The title is an enormous triumph of the collective, but it’s hard to look past Shaw. Even as City boast 12 league goalscorers — a WSL high — Shaw remains unrivalled with 18, 10 more than her nearest City companions — Kerolin and Vivianne Miedema — and nine more than her nearest rival (Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson).
At which point it’s prudent to mention the contract looming over all of this, the one Shaw has yet to extend with City despite its summer expiration and Chelsea have been credited with interest as their own world-class striking ranks shrink. Asking Jeglertz in his post-match press conference about Shaw’s contract can feel akin to a ruse, because surely it’s the simplest of matters: give Shaw anything, anything at all. Just keep her.
“That is (City Women’s director of football) Therese Sjogran’s table,” Jeglertz said when the topic of Shaw’s future came up. “Bunny’s a very important player and hopefully we’ll see where we are.”
To lose Shaw on a free to a direct rival in the weeks after stomping to the title over said rival, who is suffering their worst domestic season in recent history, would be an unfathomable blow to City, from a commercial and a sporting sense. If Shaw is the best in the world, then by law of transitive property, the club she represents is probably of the same chemical makeup.
But Shaw’s ability to be both the blunt instrument of City’s execution and so often their connective tissue is second to none. She has learnt to feint defenders, to play in her wingers Lauren Hemp and Kerolin, to press hard and press well. Only Hemp boasts a higher expected assists than Shaw in the City squad, illustrating how the chances Shaw is creating are of a high quality.
“Both set plays (defending and attacking), how she’s pressing, how she’s setting up other players,” Jeglertz said. “She’s developed that part of her game since the beginning of the season. It’s showing what she’d like to bring to the team. It’s not just scoring.”
Of course, there will always be scoring. It’s a measure of Shaw’s accepted brilliance that even Saturday’s exploit was greeted with a degree of fatalism in the terraces and online, that with 80 league goals in 89 appearances, this is just what Shaw does.
Yet, as the Joie Stadium’s announcer declared with no real surprise that Shaw was Saturday’s player of the match, City fans vociferously implored back to “sign her up!”
Shaw might be inevitable — but it’s best she’s inevitable for you.
Juventus readying offer for Real Madrid defender following agent talks
Real Madrid will be busy this summer, and among their plans is to bring in at least one new central defender. This is necessary due to the expected departure of David Alaba, and another that could be on his way out of the Bernabeu is Antonio Rudiger.
Like Alaba, Rudiger is out of contract at the end of the season. Much has been made about whether he will be offered a new deal, but at this stage, Real Madrid are more likely to give him the opportunity to stick around for one more year, given how he has fared in recent weeks in terms of performances and fitness.
The likelihood is that Rudiger would prioritise staying at Real Madrid, but even if that offer comes, it’s unlikely to be the only one that comes his way leading up to the summer. According to Tuttosport (via Sport), Juventus are readying a proposal for the Germany international, whom they want to bring back to Italian football.
Juventus intend to offer Rudiger a two-year contract, and if accepted, he would link back up with Luciano Spalletti, whom he worked under at Roma. The Serie A club have already held talks with the Real Madrid defender’s agent, and they will be planning more in an attempt to convince him of the move.
Rudiger exit would be big blow for Alvaro Arbeloa
The Real Madrid hierarchy is more relaxed about the possibility of Rudiger leaving at the end of the season, but current head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is determined for the veteran defender to stick around. He’s a big fan, and if he were to leave for Juventus in the summer, it would be a big blow for him – although it is far from concern that he continues in charge at the Bernabeu by the time next season comes around.
Barcelona in talks to sign Spain international with €15m release clause
Barcelona have plans to address a number of areas in Hansi Flick’s squad during the summer transfer window. Centre-back and striker are priorities, while the possibility of a new goalkeeper arriving is also being looked into.
Joan Garcia has been a revelation since joining from Espanyol last summer, but soon, Barcelona will have a decision to make regarding his understudy. Wojciech Szczesny currently has that role, but in the next 18 months, he will almost certainly be retiring – his contract ends in 2027, but he could leave in 2026 depending on the circumstances.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has no future at the Spotify Camp Nou, which is why Barcelona must move to sign a new goalkeeper to shadow Garcia. Right now, their leading candidate is Real Sociedad and Spain’s Alex Remiro, whom they have been following for a number of months.
As per MD, Barcelona sporting director Deco has recently held talks with Remiro’s representatives, as he continues to position the club to make a move for the goalkeeper. The Catalans see him as a market opportunity, given that his contract situation is projected to make him cheaper than he once was.
Remiro’s current deal at Anoeta ends in 2027, and as part of the terms of his contract, his release clause, which currently stands at €50m, will drop to €15m if he does not sign a renewal before the summer transfer window opens. Barcelona are open to getting a deal done in 2026, although they are happy to wait to pick him up as a free agent, considering that Szczesny is also contracted until 2027.
Remiro open to joining Barcelona in backup role
Curiously, Remiro is reported to be willing to join Barcelona, knowing full well that he would arrive as Garcia’s backup. He considers it an “unrejectable” opportunity, as was the case for fellow Basque star Inigo Martinez, who swapped Athletic Club for the Catalan capital in the summer of 2023.
It will be interesting to see how this situation with Remiro plays out. He would be a fantastic depth option for Barcelona, although they may choose to wait until 2027 to secure his signature.
Newcastle United seek revenge in front of their rowdy home crowd as the Magpies host Tyne-Wear derby rivals Sunderland in their second Premier League matchup of the season.
Promotion to the top flight for the Black Cats has revived one of England's most heated derbies, with Sunderland taking the first meeting by a 1-0 score back in December.
Both clubs are hovering around the middle of the Premier League table with eight matches left in the season. Newcastle have won two straight in league play, giving them a whisper of hope in the chase for European places, but they are likely too far back to make a late run.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Newcastle vs. Sunderland live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in English across the United States:
TV channel: USA Network Live stream:None
The meeting between Newcastle and Sunderland will be televised on USA Network.
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What time does Newcastle vs. Sunderlandkick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England and kicks off on Sunday, March 22 at 12 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States, factoring in that daylight savings time has gone into effect in the U.S. but not yet across most of Europe:
Inter Milan is showing interest in key Arsenal man
Inter Milan is reportedly interested in signing Riccardo Calafiori after previously missing the opportunity to secure his signature before his move to Arsenal, where he has since developed into a key player.
Arsenal Determined to Retain Key Player
Calafiori is widely regarded as one of Arsenal’s most impressive performers, and the club view him as an integral part of their long term plans. As a result, he is considered effectively untouchable, even though interest from other clubs continues to emerge. His importance extends beyond club level, as he has also become a significant figure for the Italian national team.
Arsenal are keen to preserve the core of their squad, and Calafiori firmly belongs in that category. His contributions since the start of the season have been substantial, reinforcing his status as one of the most trusted members of the team. It is therefore no surprise that leading sides in Serie A regret not securing his services before he departed from Bologna.
Inter Milan Monitoring Situation
As reported by L’Interista, Inter Milan is now showing serious interest in Calafiori and could attempt to sign him during the summer transfer window. The Nerazzurri are understood to be exploring the possibility of bringing him back to Italy, despite the challenges involved in negotiating such a move.
However, any potential transfer appears highly ambitious. Arsenal is unlikely to entertain offers for a player of Calafiori’s importance, particularly given its desire to maintain stability and continuity within the squad. Retaining their strongest performers remains a priority, and allowing a key figure to depart so soon would run counter to that objective.
While interest from Inter Milan underlines Calafiori’s growing reputation, Arsenal are expected to remain firm in its stance. Keeping their core group intact will be essential to sustaining success, and Calafiori is undoubtedly one of the players they will be determined to hold on to.
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😅 Botafogo match sees shock 'knockout' after friendly fire, watch 🎥
The young Gabriel Justino was brought on at the 30th minute of the second half in this Saturday’s (21) match, as his Botafogo faced Red Bull Bragantino.
And he lived his first minute on the field “intensely,” as the Glorioso scored what would be the winning goal, 2-1, and during the celebration, he took a punch from a teammate.
Justino jumped to celebrate at the same time as Arthur Cabral, who was coming from the other side.
He ended up being hit with a “cross” near his right eye.
He needed medical attention after such an unexpected event, but returned to play.
See below what happened and notice Danilo laughing at the situation afterwards.
A product of Botafogo’s youth academy, Justino played his ninth match for the senior team this season.
He started 2026 playing in the Copinha, made six appearances in the Carioca, had already played in the Brasileirão, and also took the field in the Libertadores.
He even left his mark in the Taça Rio semifinal against Boavista.
HARRISON, N.J. — Gotham’s captain and defender Tierna Davidson is officially back.
The 27-year-old defender made her long-awaited return for the club’s home opener at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night, entering the pitch in the 61st minute in place of rookie forward Jordynn Dudley.
Fans roared in excitement when Davidson’s name rang through the stadium speakers, as the defender sprinted onto the pitch and reclaimed her spot as Gotham’s center back for the first time in nearly a year. The crowd of 10,796 fans on Saturday made for Gotham’s largest home opener in club history.
The reigning NWSL Champions largely controlled the first half against North Carolina Courage but failed to capitalize on several key moments in their attacking third. By halftime, the two sides were at a scoreless stalemate that held by the 67th minute.
Davidson entered the pitch alongside Andrea Kitahata, who subbed on for Kayla Duran.
“I’m really excited to be back on the field with the girls, to be doing something that I love,” Davidson told The Athletic on Tuesday while at Citi Field. “What’s really nice about this group is, (because) we have so many leaders, to not feel pressure to have to be a leader immediately right away on the field, to know that I’ve got so much support around me, and, inevitably, as a returner, if I make a mistake, I’ve got amazing players around me to help support me.”
The World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist has been out for nearly a year after tearing an ACL during a regular-season match against the Houston Dash in March 2025. The injury quickly landed her on the club’s season-ending injury list, which Gotham took her off earlier this month in time for a closed-door scrimmage against Orlando Pride during preseason.
Davidson, however, had not yet featured for Gotham in a public competitive match. Last week, Gotham opened the season with a win over Boston Legacy at Gillette Stadium, and Davidson remained an unused substitute on the team’s bench.
The defender’s return only further strengthens Gotham’s back line. Davidson quickly became an anchor for the club during her inaugural year with the team in 2024. The versatile defender led the team to a club-best regular-season performance and was named club captain at the start of the 2025 season.
This season marks Davidson’s third year with Gotham. In July, she signed a contract extension that keeps her with the club through 2027. Gotham’s decision to extend Davidson’s contract while she was still working her way back to the pitch speaks to her important role on the team.
Since joining Gotham, Davidson has earned her place as one of the team’s leaders. Though she played in only three matches before her injury, Davidson maintained a leadership role behind the scenes, with coach Juan Carlos Amorós and her teammates repeatedly referencing her leadership off the pitch.
“It was difficult, for sure, trying to find a way to contribute to the team when I couldn’t contribute on the field tangibly,” Davidson told The Athletic. “It required me to grow in really important ways and ways that will be helpful to me now being back on the field, and even beyond my soccer career later on in life.
“To be able to grow as a leader, as someone trying to figure out how to best support (the team) in smaller or different ways, it required a lot of patience and not getting it right all the time.”
Davidson’s resume speaks for itself.
She was the first pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, signed by the Chicago Stars, playing there for five seasons before joining Gotham. While with Chicago, she suffered an earlier ACL injury while training that forced her to miss the 2022 NWSL season. For the 2019 women’s World Cup, she was the youngest player on their championship roster at 20. Davidson was also part of two U.S. Olympic teams, winning bronze in 2020 and gold in 2024.
Davidson was last called up to the USWNT camp for matches against Brazil last April but was later replaced by Gisele Thompson after her injury. Coach Emma Hayes has expressed to reporters her excitement for Davidson’s eventual return to the national team. Davidson said the two agreed her return would be gradual, in line with Hayes’ approach with any player who might have been out of the team’s environment for an extended period.
“We both agreed and discussed the importance of making sure that it’s done the right way — both for the player group, and for me individually,” Davidson told The Athletic. “Because it’s so hard to be in that environment at (your) best, so to make sure that I feel like I’m going to be able to give my a hundred percent and I feel confident in myself as a player, and it’s the right time for the player group and selection processes and everything. It’s not always perfect.”
When the USWNT won its eighth SheBelieves Cup on March 7 after beating Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium, Davidson was watching from afar.
“It was great watching SheBelieves,” she said, “and I’m excited to be able to get back in there hopefully soon.”
Crystal Palace have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League this season.
They had to work hard for the 2-1 win over AEK Larnaca, but they have managed to get the job done. They will now go up against Italian club Fiorentina in a two-legged tie after the wind in Cyprus.
Crystal Palace reach quarter-finals of Conference League
Crystal Palace will need to improve their performance if they want to get to the semi-final of the competition. They were quite wasteful in the knockout rounds, and they could get punished against the Italian outfit.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are through to the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time in their history, and they have now bagged a prize money of £1.1 million (h/t Wearepalace) for reaching the last eight of the competition.
It remains to be seen whether they can continue to progress in the competition and win their first European Cup. They have done brilliantly under Oliver Glasner, and he helped them win the FA Cup and the Community Shield. He will certainly go down as the most legendary manager in their history if he can guide them to the European Cup now.
Glasner is all set to leave Crystal Palace in the summer, and he will want to deliver a major trophy before moving on.
Crystal Palace could end up earning around £6 million. If they manage to go all the way in the tournament and win the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
Winning the tournament would secure their place in the UEFA Europa League for the upcoming campaign and would be a huge financial boost for them.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has now warned that West Ham United could lose multiple key players in the summer if they are relegated at the end of the season.
West Ham is fighting for survival in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see if they can secure safety in the flight. They have multiple quality players at their disposal who will not want to compete in the second division of English football.
They must ensure safety to keep those players at the club. According to the former Everton CEO, players like Mateus Fernandes,Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville could leave the club in the summer if West Ham United go down.
Three players who could leave West Ham
He told Football Insider: “Certainly relegation, he’d be gone. Summerville will be gone, no doubt about it.
“He’s caught the eye, he’s done very well, and he’s fighting hard for West Ham, showing himself to be a quality player, and he’s got no shortage of suitors.
“But even if they stayed up, the financial constraints that West Ham are in right now may mean that one of their big names will have to be sold anyway.
“And that’s the difficult thing and there will be Fernandes, Summerville, Bowen, those would be the sort of names that would be on everybody’s lips in terms of what they’re going to do.”
All three players have been linked with multiple clubs in recent months, and it will be interesting to see where they end up. There is unlikely to be a shortage of clubs looking to provide them with an exit route. The Hammers must do everything in their power to survive the drop.
There is no doubt that they have quality players at their disposal, and they also have a quality manager. They should be doing a lot better than they have this season.
Newcastle United have not been at their best this season, but they could still qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
According to the UEFA rules introduced in 2024 (h/t Shields Gazette), the two nations with the highest coefficient are handed an extra qualification.
Newcastle still have a shot at Champions League football
Given the performances of the English clubs in Europe this season, they are likely to get an extra Champions League place. Usually, the top four teams in the Premier League secure Champions League qualification, but qualification is now virtually guaranteed for the team finishing in fifth place as well.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are pushing for a place in the top four and are favourites to win the UEFA Europa League this season. If they drop to fifth in the table and win the European competition, sixth place would also qualify for the Champions League through the European performance spot.
Similarly, if Liverpool were to finish fifth or sixth and win the UEFA Champions League this season, the seventh-placed team would also qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle are currently three points adrift of seventh-placed Brentford. While a lot of permutations and combinations will have to work out in their favour in order for them to play Champions League football next season, it is still a possibility.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can finish the season strongly and whether the other English clubs manage to win the European competitions. Newcastle have a talented team at their disposal, and they will feel they should have done much better than they have so far this season.
Manager Julian Nagelsmann has now explained that the team needed a defensive midfielder with a different profile, and therefore wanted to give him the opportunity to showcase his quality.
Julian Nagelsmann on Anton Stach
Nagelsmann added that Stach plays for a club with an underdog mentality, as Leeds are not expected to win many matches in the Premier League, and he is looking forward to seeing how the 27-year-old performs for the German national team, where the pressure to win is a lot higher.
Nagelsmann said (h/t Leeds Press): “We wanted a No. 6 with a different profile. His journey has been from a No. 6 to a No. 4 and then up to a No. 8.
“Stach hasn’t had a chance to prove himself with us yet. He’s playing with Leeds. Unlike Leon (Goretzka) with Bayern and even Robert (Andrich) with Leverkusen, Leeds aren’t favoured to win many matches in the Premier League. We want to see how he can give to us with (this underdog mentality).
“He was very happy (with the call-up). He was euphoric upon receiving the call and will see if he can bring this euphoria with him this week. It meant a lot to him that he was valued. We’ll see if he can slip in and compete with a few of the other players I’ve mentioned.”
His comments might not go down well with the Leeds United fans. However, this is a golden opportunity for Stach to prove himself with the German national team, and it will be interesting to see if he can book his place in the World Cup squad by impressing during the international break.
Kwasniok sacking looks imminent with two Köln frontrunners
This comes after a 3-3 draw at home against fellow relegation and club rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon.
Internally, the strongest two options are a promotion of assistant coach René Wagner and the so-called “Feuerwehrmann” Friedhelm Funkel.
Funkel served as a last resort option in the 2024-25 2. Bundesliga season, when Köln needed wins in successive final games to get promotion to the Bundesliga.
Due to this, the Köln board have faith in him and his stability he brings to the club as well as solid relations with personnel.
At 72-years-old, this would be the third time the experienced German coach has come out of retirement to save Köln's season and help them get over the line at the end of a Bundesliga or 2. Bundesliga campaign.
Arsenal’s League Cup 1993 Winning 11 – Where Are They Now
It has been over three decades since Arsenal last triumphed in the League Cup, and I have had a look back at that winning team and where they are today.
David Seaman
Looked into taking his coaching badges, but was put off by it being compulsory to work with outfield players.
Went down the reality TV route before creating his own podcast.
David O’Leary
Managed Leeds’ exciting young squad that got to two European semi-finals.
Last worked in management in 2011 in Dubai.
67-year-old speaks at corporate / after-dinner events.
Tony Adams
Attempted management, most recently getting relegated at Granada in Spain.
Formed the Sporting Chance Clinic in 2000, which supports athletes with a variety of mental/emotional needs.
Andrew Linighan
The match winner in the FA Cup final later that year walked away from the sport after retiring in 2001.
He set up his own plumbing company in 2002.
Nigel Winturburn
Briefly, Blackburn’s defensive coach under Paul Ince, who was sacked after 6 months.
Worked in the media in the early years of BT Sports and with Arsenal TV.
Ray Parlour
Has now worked for talkSPORT for over a decade. Currently mostly part of their breakfast coverage.
Paul Merson
Has worked with Sky Sports for two decades, mostly on their Soccer Saturday show. Since retirement, he has spoken openly about his battles with addiction.
Paul Davis
Worked in Arsenal’s youth setup for 7 years. Now helps coach England’s under-17s.
Provides courses for the FA for players who want their UEFA A and Pro licences. This includes teaching a certain … Mikel Arteta.
Steve Morrow
After managing in America, he held several technical roles with Arsenal (developing the likes of Saka and Smith Rowe), the FA and now FIFA.
Currently works with Mr Wenger in helping less-developed nations nurture young talent.
Ian Wright
For over two decades has been one of the UK’s most favourite pundits, working with the BBC, ITV and on the Stick To Football Podcast.
Still works closely with Arsenal, especially when Adidas wants to advertise merchandise.
Kevin Campbell
The only Gunner from this squad is no longer with us.
After retirement, did punditry/commentary for SONY TEN and ASTRO SUPER SPORT.
The striker’s son, Tyrese, currently plays for Sheffield United.
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Juventus wasted third consecutive penalty after Spalletti confirmation of debate
Luciano Spalletti confirmed Kenan Yildiz wanted to take the penalty against Sassuolo, but Manuel Locatelli was given the ball, leading to the third consecutive failed Juventus spot-kick.
The Bianconeri were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Sassuolo this evening, which has significantly damaged their chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a top four finish.
Kenan Yildiz had scored the opener, cancelled out by Andrea Pinamonti, and Dusan Vlahovic’s header struck Jay Idzes on the arm for a late penalty.
What happened before Juventus penalty
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus has a penalty saved during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
What the cameras perhaps did not capture was the conversation going on when the VAR call was being made, as Yildiz was standing near the spot, hoping to be given the ball.
Instead, Spalletti called Locatelli over to the touchline, and after a brief conversation, the midfielder went over to inform Yildiz of the decision.
It didn’t pay off, as Locatelli’s weak and central penalty was smothered by Arijanet Muric.
“There were two or three players who wanted to step up, but Locatelli is the designated taker. It’s fine, anyone can miss a penalty, we are just disappointed about not bringing home the victory.”
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Arijanet Muric of US Sassuolo Calcio celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty from Manuel Locatelli of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
This means Juventus have now failed to convert three consecutive Serie A penalty kicks with three different players.
Jonathan David got it wrong in another stalemate with Lecce, while Yildiz was denied in a 5-0 victory over Cremonese.
In total, the Bianconeri have received seven Serie A penalties this term, converting four of them.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 03: Jonathan David of Juventus misses a penalty attempt during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Lecce at on January 03, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Locatelli remains their best taker, converting two out of his three, while Kenan Yildiz has a 50 per cent rate.
Vlahovic scored his only attempt too, but made his comeback today for the first time since injury at the end of November.
"Derby of the dead child": This match changed football forever
When does a game become legendary? Is it when everyone can remember where they were at the time of the match? When the game has its own Wikipedia article? When the game marks a turning point in football?
Exactly 22 years ago today, there was a match that fulfilled all three of these criteria for Roman or even Italian football fans. The "Derby del bambino morto" (literally, "Derby of the Dead Child"), to be precise.
The signs leading up to the Rome derby were far from ideal. Both clubs were in severe financial trouble. Moreover, the situation between the police and the fans had been extremely tense for quite some time. Even before this derby on March 21, 2004, there were clashes between police and fans.
After the match kicked off as normal and the first half was played, things became increasingly restless in and around the Stadio Olimpico at halftime. Within minutes, a rumor spread that the police had run over a child outside the stadium and that the child had possibly died. Fans had reportedly seen a child lying under a white sheet, as various media later reported.
As the rumor spread like wildfire, leading figures among the Roma fans reacted and climbed onto the pitch in the 47th minute, as reported by 'Der Spiegel' two days after the derby. The supporters of the capital club went to Roma legend Francesco Totti and demanded, in no uncertain terms, that the players and officials immediately abandon the match. Totti later went to his then-coach Fabio Capello and uttered the legendary sentence: "If we keep playing now, they'll kill us."
📸 AFP - 2004 AFP
After lengthy deliberations and a phone call between referee Roberto Rosetti and the then vice president of the Italian league, Adriano Galliani, the match was officially abandoned 20 minutes later. But the real chaos was just beginning.
Both the Roma fans and their rival Lazio supporters packed up their things and, despite their enmity, launched a joint attack on the police. The clashes between fans and police, described by eyewitnesses as resembling civil war, continued late into the night. Despite repeated announcements in the stadium that no child had been harmed, the spiral of violence could no longer be stopped.
In the end, up to 174 police officers and 21 fans were injured. Due to the massive use of tear gas and the fear of being registered by the police in nearby hospitals, it is believed that the actual number of injured fans was much higher.
And what about the child under the white sheet? According to various media reports and accounts, the boy under the sheet had previously been injured by the tear gas used and was under the white cloth to be protected from the tear gas lingering in the air. As it later turned out, there was never a dead child.
Afterwards, some observers, including the police, suspected a full-blown conspiracy, but this could never be proven. Roma and Lazio fans were accused of having planned everything to demonstrate their power against the state apparatus. The conspiracy charges were dropped in court three years later, after a lengthy legal review.
📸 STR - 2004 AFP
Nevertheless, this match marked a turning point. Security measures in Italian stadiums were massively tightened afterwards, which further strained the relationship between fans and police. Video surveillance in stadiums, multiple checks, as well as personalized and non-transferable tickets were some of the measures taken that affected fan life in Italy.
Books have been written about the match in retrospect. It is one of those games that everyone present still remembers to this day—the Wikipedia entry is, of course, obligatory. Although much went wrong that day, it became a legend. A legend that also serves as a memorial.
A championship ring is, by design, a glittering tribute to a season well won.
But Gotham FC’s 2025 ring, a sequel to its 2023 edition, does more than commemorate a second title. It gestures, with swagger, towards a future still under construction.
“If the ring could speak, what would it say? That’s the challenge. You can’t rely on words, so the design itself has to carry the story” says Ryan Ford, vice president of professional sports sales at The Champions Collective, the company that designed both of the club’s championship rings.
For more than 70 years, the 129-year-old jewelry maker has produced championship rings, beginning with the one it created for the Detroit Lions’ 1952 NFL title. That established an enduring American sports tradition: jewelry that symbolizes on-pitch success.
The company made all six of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl rings and admits it is more challenging to make those items when teams win titles in quick succession.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Laura Petro, the vice president of brand marketing and fan experience, tells The Athletic. “We just won a championship in 2023, and we’d love to keep that going every year.
“But the challenge was making this ring feel distinct — building on the idea of a dynasty in the making. We wanted that second star front and center, and the team really ran with that brief. The result is something that looks meaningfully different from the 2023 ring — an exciting evolution that reflects our growing list of championships.”
Gotham’s first ring marked the club’s 2023 NWSL championship, its inaugural title.
Unveiled in April 2024 at a home game against the Kansas City Current, the sovereign-style design featured the club crest set in diamonds, the date of the victory (11.11.2023) and the inscription “Walk with me, win with me” inside the band. It told the story of a breakthrough season.
The 2025 campaign, however, was a study in resilience.
Gotham secured a playoff berth for the third consecutive year, then surged through the postseason, defeating the top-seeded Orlando Pride in the semifinals before beating the Washington Spirit 1-0 in the championship match at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. A late strike by Rose Lavelle sealed the victory, making Gotham the lowest-seeded team in league history to win the title.
The new ring, crafted from sterling silver, diamonds and sky-blue gemstones, captures that journey while pointing ahead. A second star rests atop the first at its center, marking the club’s latest championship.
But what makes this ring special is the message it carries on one of the sides. A banner wraps around Gotham’s two trophies, made of diamonds, bearing the team’s new ethos, which reads less like a victory lap and more like a statement of intent: “Always building, never finished”.
As with the first ring, players were involved in the design process. The Champions Collective presented several concepts, incorporated feedback and finalized the piece, which typically takes four to six weeks to complete once the model is ready. Rings are customized to each player and sized and shipped in February.
The cost of such rings remains undisclosed; by policy, neither the company nor Gotham discuss pricing. Teams cover the expense and decide who receives them. In Gotham’s case, that extends beyond players to include the club’s staff.
“If you were to ask anyone who receives one, from employees to players, they all contribute in their own way,” Ford adds. “When they receive the ring, it has a value that really is priceless.”
Parma 0-2 Cremonese – Cuesta accepts blame after his side ‘didn’t live up to expectations’
Carlos Cuesta made no attempt to deflect responsibility after Parma’s damaging home defeat to Cremonese, accepting personal blame and acknowledging that his side produced a performance well below the standards that had made them one of Serie A’s more compelling stories in recent months.
The result is a serious blow to Parma’s survival hopes.
Having gone five games unbeaten and given genuine cause for optimism, back-to-back defeats to Torino and now Cremonese have left Cuesta’s side looking over their shoulder with eight fixtures remaining and the gap closing in.
The Spanish coach was forthright in his assessment.
“We have not yet spoken in the dressing room, but the feeling is clear, we did not live up to expectations,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb. “We need to analyse and work to get back to the dynamic we had until two weeks ago.”
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Head coach Carlos Cuesta of Parma Calcio 1913 gestures during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Parma 0-2 Cremonese – Cuesta accepts blame for disappointing loss
He was equally direct when identifying where things went wrong, pointing to a lack of sharpness in pressing and duels rather than any issue with attitude.
“The first person responsible is me, I need to look at myself carefully to help the players in the best possible way.”
Cuesta also highlighted a structural problem that has lingered throughout the season, the difficulty in connecting play through the midfield to the forwards.
“If you cannot involve the midfielders and progress the ball forward, everything becomes harder,” he said. “Even when we win the ball back, we need to be more precise in exploiting the spaces before the opposition reorganises.”
With the international break now arriving, Cuesta was clear about the priority.
“Above all we need clarity, the objective has not been reached and we know how difficult the remaining calendar is,” he said. “We must focus on ourselves, improve in every area, and concentrate on the most important points to get a result against Lazio.”
Michael Edwards fears for Liverpool after major collapse
Liverpool's big trouble
There's a reason why FSG initially pursued the multi-club idea. There's also a reason why Edwards was keen to return to the fold in order to front it.
"Edwards has long since viewed it as crucial to ensure Liverpool can compete for young talent on a level playing field," is the line in the Athletic's piece.
It's an important one as the battle for young talent has never been fiercer. Chelsea and Manchester City lead the way in that regard, having long had other clubs to farm talent out to.
Orkun Kökçü: United face major stumbling block in move for Besiktas captain
Manchester United remain third in the Premier League table after 31 games, despite dropping points against Bournemouth on Friday, 20 March. The Red Devils have managed seven wins and two draws in their 10 games under caretaker boss Michael Carrick, which has bolstered their chances of a top-four finish.
The English giants appear to have recovered from their turbulent spell under former head coach Ruben Amorim, who was removed from his position in January this year. A permanent appointment is expected this summer, with Carrick also in the running for the full-time job.
United are also expected to further invest in their squad after finding success with their transfer business last summer. The midfield remains a priority, with the Red Devils looking to sign an able replacement for the departing Casemiro. It now appears that they have identified a Besiktas star for the job.
United want Orkun Kokcu
According to Fanatik, United are interested in Besiktas captain Orkun Kökçü. The Istanbul-based club signed the Turkey international last summer from Benfica, and he was handed the armband in October last year.
United were previously interested in Kökçü, but the move never materialised. The player has turned his career around since joining the Turkish club and has registered seven goals and eight assists in 32 appearances across competitions.
United are pleased with the 25 year old’s recent performances, but will face competition from Tottenham Hotspur in the race for his signature. The report adds that both English clubs sent scouts to watch Kökçü during Besiktas’ 2-1 win over Kasimpasa in the league earlier this week.
The Turkey international was at his inspirational best in the game, scoring one goal and setting up another. The Red Devils are looking for a dynamic midfielder before the start of the new campaign, and Kökçü fits the bill. However, prising him away from Istanbul will be no walk in the park, especially since he is under contract until 2030.
Besiktas likely to demand a premium fee
The report adds that Besiktas are likely to demand at least €50 million (£43.44 million) to part ways with Kökçü. The Turkish club consider the player a key part of their plans and are in no hurry to let him go.
Besiktas, however, are not averse to his departure, but it will only be possible for the aforementioned price. Meanwhile, the player’s efforts have already earned him admirers in Serie A, with Inter Milan reportedly eyeing him with interest as well.
Kökçü is good with the ball at his feet and is press-resistant, making him a superb replacement for the outgoing Casemiro. United have benefited from the Brazilian’s leadership qualities and his experience, so his departure could open up a gaping hole in the dressing room.
Kökçü, though, is also a natural leader, so he could help address the veteran midfielder’s departure in more ways than one.
Final Thoughts
United may be tempted to sign two midfielders this summer, especially since Manuel Ugarte’s future also hangs in the balance. The Red Devils are likely to invest heavily in a Premier League-proven name to bolster the middle of the park, but a move for Kökçü could also turn out to be a smart bit of business.
For teams in the richest domestic football competition in the world, relegation from the Premier League is a catastrophic outcome that clubs look to avoid at all costs and expense.
Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton going down in 2024/25 meant all three promoted clubs were sent straight back down for a second consecutive season, leading fans to believe that it is harder than ever for smaller clubs to establish themselves in the highest division full of rich and powerful clubs.
The burden, therefore, was on Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley to break the trend and find a way to stay up. It appears at least one of them — Sunderland — has established a foothold, while the other two battle the drop.
The Sporting News takes a full look at the current relegation picture to review who will be sent down to the Championship next season.
Premier League teams relegated 2026: Who is going down?
Even with their recent positive results, Wolves and Burnley are almost certainly going down at the end of the 2025/26 season.
The real race is for the final relegation place. West Ham occupied the third relegation spot at the start of March, but there are other contenders in Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and, sensationally, Tottenham.
It's likely this goes right to the wire.
Table updated following all matches on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Percentage chance via Opta.
Which clubs are most likely to be relegated in 2027?
Down in the Championship, Coventry City have opened up a significant lead at the top of the table, gunning for automatic promotion with a five-point lead through 35 games.
Behind them is Middlebrough who are hoping to hang on to the second-place position and secure automatic promotion for themselves, even if the league title is out of reach.
Below the automatic promotion places are those hunting for the playoff positions. Ipswich Town and Millwall lead the pack, with Hull City right behind them. Wrexham have a decent lead in the final position, with Southampton, Derby County, and Watford giving chase.
🚨 One out and one return in River's squad for the trip to Córdoba
River Plate has announced the list of players called up by Eduardo Coudet to travel to Córdoba and visit Estudiantes de Río Cuarto for the 12th round of the 2026 Torneo Apertura.
Giuliano Galoppo is not included among those called up, as he is out due to a minor sprain in his left ankle.
The young Cristian Jaime returns to the list to take Galoppo's place, having been called up by Coudet for the first time since he took charge.
Arsenal remain interested in signing the Cameroon forward Christian Kofane at the end of the season.
The 19-year-old has 15 goal contributions across all competitions and is regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s finest young talents.
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Arsenal want Christian Kofane signed
Arsenal are hoping to secure his signature, and they have identified him as a top priority for the summer transfer window. According to reports from Spain, Arsenal are now preparing an offer of around €50 million to complete the deal. They believe that his directness and dynamism are a good fit for the Premier League, and he could be an important player for them.
It is no secret that Arsenal need more quality in the final third. Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move away from the club, and they will need to replace him properly. The 19-year-old could be ideal for them. He has the potential to develop into a top-class player with the right guidance. Arsenal have done well to nurture young players in the past, and they could help the African fulfil his tremendous potential.
The €50 million investment might seem expensive right now, but the player has the potential to justify the outlay in future. If he manages to fulfil his potential at the London club, the deal could look like a masterstroke in the long run.
Tottenham Hotspur need to improve their attacking unit with a quality striker, and they have identified Georges Mikautadze as a target.
The Georgian International has done well since joining Villarreal, and the North London club is keen on securing his signature at the end of the season. The 25-year-old has 11 goals across all competitions and has shown he is capable of operating in multiple attacking roles. He is more than just a goal scorer, and he will help create opportunities for his teammates as well.
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Tottenham keen on Georges Mikautadze
According to reports from Spain, Tottenham are leading the race for his signature despite interest from multiple clubs. It remains to be seen whether they follow up on their interest with an official offer at the end of the season. Tottenham are prepared to offer close to €60 million in order to sign the player. The Spanish club paid around half of that when they signed him last summer, and they are likely to be attracted to the idea of selling him. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Randal Kolo Muani will leave Tottenham when his loan expires, and they will need to replace him. Dominic Solanke has not been able to score a goal consistently. He needs more help in the attacking unit, and the 25-year-old La Liga forward could be ideal. The player is likely to be tempted to move through the Premier League. It would be a huge opportunity for him, and he would get to test himself at the highest level.
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can secure safety in the top and get the deal done in the summer.
Manchester United are interested in signing the French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny.
The French under-21 International has impressed with Inter Milan, and Manchester United are hoping to secure his signature. The player has registered 14 goal contributions this season, and he has attracted interest from PSG as well.
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Man United could use Ange-Yoan Bonny
The player is reportedly valued at €35 million, and the Premier League site certainly has the financial muscle to avoid him. It is no secret that they need more quality and depth in the attacking unit, and Bonny could be a solid long-term acquisition.
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United are very serious about signing the player and believe he would be a long-term investment. He could complement Benjamin Sesko in the attack next season.
The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the young attacker. Manchester United are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to join them will be an added incentive.
The player certainly has the quality to justify the €35 million investment in future, and he could prove to be a bargain for Manchester United, if he manages to fulfil his potential with them. It will be interesting to see if Inter Milan is willing to sanction the departure of the French under-21 international. He could develop into an important first-team player for them, and they might not want to lose a player of his potential. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Manchester United must add more quality and depth to the attacking unit if they want to fight for major trophies next season. They need more goals and creativity in the team.
Real Madrid star to return to the pitch vs Atlético
La Liga giants Real Madrid are set to welcome a leading member of the club’s midfield ranks back to the pitch in Sunday’s derby.
The player in question? Jude Bellingham.
England international Bellingham has for his part not featured in a competitive setting since all the way back in early February.
This comes owing to a serious hamstring injury picked up during a La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano.
Bellingham has spent the last couple of weeks ramping up his recovery efforts, to the point that he was named as part of Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad to face Atlético on Sunday.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Real Madrid’s headmaster was therefore drawn on the former Borussia Dortmund man’s status for the derby.
And Arbeloa went on to confirm:
“Jude Bellingham is already available. I think he’s going to play vs Atlético. I’m really looking forward to seeing him on the field already.”
HSV looked set for a famous away victory for much of the contest, leading 2-0 through goals from Philip Otele and Albert Sambi Lokonga. However, Dortmund showed immense resilience after the break, with Ramy Bensebaini converting two penalties either side of a Serhou Guirassy strike to complete a dramatic turnaround.
The opening exchanges were scrappy, with both sides struggling to maintain possession. Dortmund fashioned the first clear opportunity when Nicolai Remberg was dispossessed deep in his own half, allowing Maximilian Beier to race through on goal, but Daniel Heuer Fernandes reacted sharply to deny him with an outstretched leg.
HSV gradually grew into the contest and took the lead just before the 20-minute mark with their first real chance. William Mikelbrencis won the ball high up the pitch, drove into the area, and squared for Otele to tap home his first goal for Die Rothosen.
Dortmund were almost caught again soon after, with Gregor Kobel producing a fine save to keep out Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer from close range. At the other end, the hosts thought they had a penalty when Felix Nmecha went down in the box, only for the offside flag to cut the move short.
Seven minutes before the break, HSV doubled their advantage in fortuitous fashion. Dortmund failed to fully clear their lines, and the ball fell kindly for Fábio Vieira, who slipped in Lokonga to finish clinically and put the visitors firmly in control.
Dortmund were handed a golden opportunity to respond on the stroke of half-time when Warmed Omari brought down Beier inside the area. However, Nmecha squandered the chance, dragging his penalty wide to leave the hosts trailing 2-0 at the interval.
The home side emerged with renewed intent after the break, with Heuer Fernandes again called into action to deny Nmecha from close range following good work from Beier.
With time ticking away, Dortmund were given a lifeline in the 73rd minute when they were awarded another penalty. Bensebaini stepped up and calmly slotted down the middle to ignite hopes of a comeback.
Momentum quickly swung in Dortmund’s favour, and the equaliser arrived just five minutes later. Julian Ryerson delivered a dangerous cross that Guirassy met, and although his initial effort was saved, the striker reacted quickest to bundle the rebound over the line while on the ground.
HSV were rattled, and the turnaround was completed shortly after when Dortmund were awarded a third penalty following a handball by Miro Muheim. Bensebaini held his nerve once more, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to fire into the bottom corner and send the Westfalenstadion into raptures.
Guirassy had a chance to seal the result in stoppage time, but Heuer Fernandes produced another excellent save. It proved inconsequential, however, as Dortmund held firm to complete a stunning 3-2 victory.
The win makes it three consecutive league victories for Dortmund and cuts the gap to leaders Bayern Munich to nine points. For HSV, the defeat leaves them with just one win in their last five matches, sitting 11th and at risk of slipping closer to the relegation battle depending on other results.
Best performance of the season sees Everton's biggest win over cheating Chelsea since 1987!
Everton 3 - 0 Chelsea
Everton are back home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend after their cruel defeat to Arsenal this time last week, Chelsea are just 5 points ahead of Everton in the Premier League table and come to Merseyside with a massive cloud over them after the Premier League's paltry fine levied for grievous misdoings that far outweigh Everton's breaches of PSR.
David Moyes was not giving much away at his pre-match press conference yesterday, with no apparent advance leaks of the line-up for this match in which James Tarkowski is now available while Jarrad Branthwaite is on the bench. Tyrique George is ineligible for selection against his parent club.
Still no sign of Charly Alcaraz and his mysterious unspecified injury, as O'Brien switches to left-back and Garner features in midfield. Iroegbunam and Armstrong are on the bench.
First Half
The visitors kicked off as the spring sunshine faded behind the West Stand of the glorious Hill Dickinson Stadium. Beto inspired a forward drive but McNeil could not fashion an early shot.
Everton looked to press Chelsea and it forced them back to Sanchez. Tarkowski#s long ball went through to Sanchez but the Blues' high press again forced a turnover, but again, Everton could not make it count.
Chelsea's first advance saw Caicedo shoot well wide. The pace of the game was too slow, Pickford trying a long punt which was lost by Beto. Fofana then gifted Everton a corner, Garner taking it but lots of silly pushing and a free-kick given to the visitors. But Beto chased the ball down and blocks Sanchez's clearance but could not turn the ball into the empty net, Sanchez recovering with a lucky touch.
Everton forced another turnover in midfield and Dewsbury-Hall got free down the right but crossed low too close to Sanchez with Beto on the wrong side.
Another giveaway fell for Ndiaye, but again, Everton could not turn it into a real chance. Yet another switch, Beto crossing for Garner but his shot was blocked. A great opening quarter of an hour for the Toffees... but nothing to show for it.
Palmer advanced but O'Brien blocked the cross from Neto behind off the Chelsea player. Everton built again, Mykolenko's hard low cross bouncing off Ndiaye. An Everton throw-in led to more forward play across the Chelsea area... but still no decent shot on goal.
Palmer adavanced and it looked like Gana caught him but nothing given, Ndiaye tried to play Dewsbury-Hall forward but it was initially deflected away but Everton kept pressing and yet still couldn't make that chance come.
Fernades swept the ball forward but Cuereela's cross was well over-hit, no-one there. But Everton allowed Neto to run the ball into the Everton area, however, no other Chelsea player anticipated his move. But it was the first spell of Chelsea momentum, testing the Everton defence on 25 minutes.
A much quicker Everton move ended wiith a poor cross from Gana on the byeline and Chelsea surged forward, Pedro's, shot blocked. A Chelsea corner was played to the far post where Keane headed clear.
But Chelsea worked it back, a dangerous ball forward wins a corner. An incredible sequence followed with four or five Chelsea shots, all blocked in a crowded penalty area.
Chelsea were now exerting much more control of the game, but out of notheingm a fantastic ball forward from Garner, looked impossible for Beto (33') to manage but a perfect dink over the advancing Sanchez bobbled and bounced into the Chelsea net -- a brilliant Everton goal!
A huge response from Chelsea saw Everton's goal under huge pressure. A corner came out to Neto, but a brilliant Pickford save prevented a certain goal. Another Chelsea corner followed as Everton had to withstand a veritable onslaught of Chelsea pressure.
Everton finally relieved the pressure with Dewsbury-Hall advancing down the left, winning a throw-in. Mykolenko's delivery to the near post forced Sanchez to punch it behind. The corner led to more Everton throw-ins. Eventually, Ndiaye got free down the left but yet again, the cross was just not good enough.
Chelsea passed the ball around until the board went up for 2 minutes added... and they carried on passing it around until Gana intercepted and tried to release Beto. But Chelsea came back and crossed in, Keane rising high to head it away and bring to an end a very good Everton half with a finely worked goal to cap it off.
Second Half
Everton restarted with a box kick, Beto almost upsetting Sanchez again before Chelsea regained control. But McNeil fought smartly for the ball and a ball in led to an Evertob corner from McNeil, Trakowski at the far post, Sanchez just beating Beto to the headed ball.
Chelsea slowed it right down again, trying to draw Everton out, but Dewsbury-Hall forced another turnover. Everton tried a couple of neat moves but both were cut off by good Chelsea defending. There were some lively exchanges in midfield, and some great turnovers, but Everton weren't holding the ball or making much of the possession.
Dewsbury-Hall was fouled by Caicedo wide left. McNeil gave way to Garner, swung hard to the far post, Sanchez backing into the post as he caught it and just kept it out. Another Chelsea advance broke down... and likewise another Everton advance. Joao Pedro got annoyed when his crazy antics were awarded with an Everton free-kick.
Cucurella then fouled O'Brien, winning a better free-kick to the right of the Chelsea area. But Garner swung it far too close to Sanchez -- what a waste!
Another lively Everton attack broke down and Chelsea finally got forward. Garnocho played back for Pedro who shot a brilliant curler coming onside the far post, Pickford parrying it brilliantly.
Chelsea advanced but Gana intercepted brilliantly and strode forward, setting up and another tantalising ball forward to Beto (63') who shot straight at Sanchez, and an immense fumble saw the ball creep over the line behind him. Fantastic!
The Chavs were devastated, but tried their best to pull things together after another stunning setback.
Mykolenko wanted to press forward around 5 minutes in but Ndiaye told him to calm down and pass it backwards… our style of play is intentional and it is effective. We try not to ever stretch the game and get caught on the break.
Most Premier League teams have elite forward players who pray on mistakes and open spaces…. We keep it tight and nick goals which is good enough to get teams in the top 8-ish places in the Premier League.
As opposed to Angeball etc that is arguably more exciting but less effective… I'm fine with how we play and enjoy stifling opposing players.
With a couple of elite forwards of our own, our style would be even more effective. UTFT… in my opinion, the first objective in a game of football is not to concede. Scoring a goal comes second.
Ged Simpson
6 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:10:05
Christy Ring
21/03/2026 : 18:01:34
Beto shocking
Sean Kearns
7 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:10:25
Also I would keep Beto next season even if he is a backup.
A big heart goes a long way around these parts and the lad gets my vote.
Neil Tyrrell
9 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:21:56
Impressive half, brilliant from Garner and Beto for our goal.
Keep it going, boys! COYB
Dave Abrahams
10 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:22:11
A brilliant pass that made a good goal brightened up a mostly boring game.
Neil Lawson
11 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:22:38
Sean 4. Reluctantly, I have to agree with your assessment. We could be so much better though if we had a midfielder to drive gorward and break the lines. Winning is great but we arent great to watch.
That said, what a pass and what a finish.
Neil Tyrrell
13 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:30:13
Agree Sean @11, Beto over Barry all day even though neither are good enough really. Barry probably would have fell over and not even touched the ball, he's beyond useless. Be interesting to see if DM does the usual and brings him on around 60-70', and what reaction he gets. Imagine it will not be good.
John Collins
14 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:34:59
Dave,
Thats the best half of football ive seen at home.
Not a high bar but I thought we played on the front foot and got plenty of players in the final third
Sean Kearns
15 Posted
21/03/2026 at
19:01:15
Keep Barry on the bench for fuck sake unless we get a third. He’s the last thing we need
16 Posted
21/03/2026 at
19:29:36
Credit where it's due, that's a brilliant performance from all involved, including the manager. I am not a Moyes fan in any way, shape, or form, but he got everything spot on in this game.
Special shout out to Pickford,he made crucial saves at vital times and McNeil has been excellent recently.
I wasn't impressed with the line up when I first saw it, how wrong can you be?
It's almost 3:30am here I'm the Philippines but I feel the need to celebrate with a few Red Horses.
For me that's one of our best performances of the season and a thoroughly deserved win.
All 11 starting players were outstanding and Chelsea weren't just beaten, they were outclassed
Gianluca Scamacca major doubt for key Italy World Cup playoffs
Gianluca Scamacca will join the Italy squad at Coverciano despite suffering an injury setback ahead of the crucial World Cup play-off fixtures against Northern Ireland and potentially Bosnia or Wales.
According to TMW, the striker has picked up an adductor tear, but he remains determined to respond to Gennaro Gattuso’s call-up. Scamacca is reportedly highly motivated to participate in the international break and is unwilling to withdraw from the squad despite the physical issue. He is no stranger to injuries but wants to push through this time.
His availability for the match against Northern Ireland on Thursday remains uncertain. The medical staff will conduct final tests in the coming days to determine if the forward can recover in time to feature. For Gattuso, having Scamacca present at the national team base is a priority, and the player’s commitment to the cause is seen as a significant boost for the group as they navigate a high-stakes play-off path.
Inter 2-2 Napoli Women: Nerazzurre concede twice in closing stages
Inter Women played out a frustrating draw at the Arena Civica Gianni Brera in Milano on matchday 17 in Serie A Women. After a goalless first half, the Nerazzurre started the second 45 with character and aggression, breaking the deadlock through Bugeja (54') and doubling their lead with a precise left-footed strike from Wullaert (65'). However, Napoli caused problems for Piovani’s side in the closing stages. After pulling a goal back through Fløe, the Danish forward launched a counter-attack that allowed Barker to equalise in the 86th minute. Inter picked up a point to take their tally to 34 in the table.
At the Arena Civica in Milano, Inter lined up against Napoli with the duo of Wullaert and Bugeja in attack. The game began cautiously as both sides felt each other out. Inter’s first real chance came from Glionna, who received a pass from Schough but couldn’t find the target. Banusic was the biggest threat for Napoli in the first half: she had a go with her left foot (32') before wasting an opportunity from a Rúnarsdottir clearance shortly afterwards. After a goalless first half, the Nerazzurre came out with more aggression. Ten minutes into the second half, Bugeja opened the scoring, finishing off Andres' assist for her seventh league goal of the season. Inter kept control and doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Wullaert, set up by Detruyer, beat Beretta with a precise left-footed strike to score her twelfth league goal of the campaign. The Belgian striker moved into Inter’s all-time top scorers’ podium with 26 goals, level with Chawinga. Napoli pulled a goal back just over ten minutes from time through Fløe (78'), who also launched a counter-attack that allowed Barker to equalise (86'). In between, Tomasevic nearly scored a spectacular long-range effort, only for Beretta to tip it away. Inter took a point from the match and move up to 34 in the league table.
INTER-NAPOLI WOMEN | LA DIRETTA
SECONDO TEMPO:
94' - Si chiude sul 2-2 la sfida tra Inter e Napoli Women
86' - Pareggio del Napoli: progressione di Fløe che va sul fondo e serve Barker che a due passi dalla porta chiude in rete
85' - Conclusione di potenza di Tomasevic su cui si allunga Beretta
85' - Destro di Tomaselli, blocca Beretta
78' - Accorcia il Napoli: su un'incertezza di Milinkovic, Fløe si inserisce e chiude in porta di sinistro
76' - Colpo di testa diFløe, blocca senza problemi Rúnarsdottir
65' - RADDOPPIO NERAZZURRO!!! Wullaert servita da Detruyer supera Beretta con un sinistro preciso e letale e segna il suo 12esimo gol in Campionato e il 26esimo centro con la maglia nerazzurra (terzo posto marcatrici all-time al pari di Chawinga)
54' - INTER IN VANTAGGIO!!! Cross dalla sinistra di Andres e gol di testa di Bugeja: settimo centro per l'attaccante nerazzurra
46' - Squadre in campo: inizia il secondo tempo del match. Per l'Inter Tomaselli prende il posto di Schough
PRIMO TEMPO:
45' - Si chiude a reti inviolate e senza recupero il primo tempo della partita
39' - Anche Csiszar ci prova, palla smorzata e recuperata da Beretta
38' - Detruyer cerca l'incrocio dei pali, palla fuori
32' - Sul disimpegno di Rúnarsdottir, recupera Banusic che spreca una chiara occasione per la formazione partonopea
23' - Sinistro di Banusic, blocca tutto Rúnarsdottir
13' - Tiro a giro di Wullaert non lontano dalla porta del Napoli
12' - Cross di Schough per Glionna che non inquadra lo specchio della porta
1' - Inizia Inter-Napoli Women all'Arena Civica di Milano
Manchester City Are Facing Stiff Competition For This Newcastle United Ace: Is He Worth The Fight?
In a recent report, Fichajes claimed that Manchester City are facing stiff competition for Newcastle United ace Sandro Tonali. It has been revealed that the Mancunian giants would have to compete with Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to land the Italian talent this summer.
Tonali is having an impressive campaign at the Tyneside club as he has put in a lot of influential displays for them at the centre of the park. The Italy international has registered three goals and secured seven assists in 47 matches for Newcastle this season across all competitions.
The 25-year-old is currently among the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League. Thus, Man City would do well to lure him to the Etihad Stadium in this summer transfer window.
His current contract at St. James’ Park will run out in the summer of 2028, which could make it difficult for the Mancunian giants to sign him on the cheap this off-season.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James’ Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Manchester City Are Facing Stiff Competition For Tonali: Is He Worth The Fight?
Tonali is a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to secure the ball back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when needed and is a tidy passer as well.
The Italian sensation can even contribute by scoring and creating a few important goals for his team from midfield. Tonali is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also operate as a box-to-box midfielder if needed. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at Man City.
Tonali would undoubtedly enhance the quality of Pep Guardiola’s midfield department. He is good enough to nail down a regular starting spot at the Etihad Stadium next season.
At 25, Tonali has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for Man City to consider in the summer transfer period. He might even help the Mancunian outfit challenge for some major honours over the next few years. All in all, he would be well-worth the fight, so Man City should focus on recruiting him soon.
Spalletti: ‘Juventus must not be arrogant amid Sassuolo crisis, new Boga role’
Luciano Spalletti warns against Juventus getting ‘arrogant’ due to the Sassuolo whooping cough crisis, while he welcomes back Dusan Vlahovic and trusts Jeremie Boga in a new role.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
Sassuolo are in a very strange situation, as there is one confirmed case of whooping cough in the squad, and another four players who have been isolated after showing symptoms.
Although the club has not named any of them due to privacy concerns, notably Nemanja Matic, Kristian Thorstvedt, Woyo Coulibaly and Stefano Turati are not here today.
The Neroverdi were already without injured Fali Candé, Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo, but Spalletti refuses to see this as an advantage.
Spalletti does not expect struggling Sassuolo
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
“Any team usually has 15-16 first choice players, naturally there are some who play more, but that doesn’t mean the others aren’t valid,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“I remember during the Covid era when there were only 13 players who came here with Napoli, we got a draw with a wonderful Mertens goal. So this sort of thing can create a bit of arrogance if you are not intelligent enough to handle the news, or on the other side gives you extra motivation to give something more and help your teammates out.”
The Bianconeri got themselves back in the hunt for a Champions League spot thanks to the fightback for a 3-3 draw at Roma, then two consecutive Serie A victories over Pisa and Udinese.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 07: Jeremie Boga of Juventus celebrates after scoring the his team’s fourth goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
Among the keys to the turnaround was the move to a 4-3-3 formation, with Jeremie Boga as the centre-forward this time from the start rather than at half-time, sending Jonathan David to the bench.
“I asked all those who worked with Boga, they said he has to play on the left, but when I put him in the centre, he proved that he knows how to hurt the opposition centre-backs,” explained Spalletti.
“If he has 10 metres behind him, he can use that with a lethal change of pace, it’s impossible to keep up with him. So we’ll try to make the most of that, as well as his technique, as he does well with the ball at his feet.”
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic is back on the bench for the first time since November 29, when he suffered a serious thigh injury, and his future at the club remains to be seen with a contract that expires on June 30.
“Arek Milik is on the bench too, so we’ve got four centre-forwards on the bench. Vlahovic is doing well, naturally he has different characteristics, he had a lot of difficulty sticking to the rules after a very serious injury, but seeing as we are at the end of that process now, we will try not to do any more damage.”
Juventus plot summer raid for Real Madrid defensive leader – report
After having gone through a difficult patch, due to continued fitness issues, Antonio Rudiger appears to be back to his best at Real Madrid.
The veteran defender has put in some extremely solid displays in recent games, particularly against Manchester City, with his form leading to a return to the Germany national team setup.
However, question marks linger over his future at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond this season, given that his contract expires on 30 June.
Juventus ready to move in on Rudiger
And, according to Tuttosport (h/t SPORT), Juventus have made Rudiger a priority target as they aim to compete again for the Serie A title. His candidacy has gained strength due to his strong relationship with head coach Luciano Spalletti.
The two previously worked together at AS Roma, where Spalletti played a key role in elevating the German defender after his early years in Italy.
Rudiger has recently added agent Hasan Cetinkaya to his representation, a figure who also maintains strong connections in Italy.
Rudiger is a target for Juventus. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
As such, the report states that initial contacts have already taken place regarding a potential deal that could deprive Real Madrid of a player who has become increasingly important under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Real Madrid had initially planned to part ways with Rudiger at the end of his contract, but Arbeloa is keen for him to remain at the club.
But Juventus’ unexpected interest could alter the situation significantly, as they are offering a him two-year contract, compared to the one-year extension Los Blancos are willing to propose.
What has Rudiger said on his future?
Speaking to the media about his contract situation earlier this week, Rudiger had said: “For me, the most important thing is to be healthy. I feel fine. As for the rest… I’m sure we’ll reach an agreement. Now is not the time to talk about it.”
“I feel good here. I notice the respect of the people and I appreciate it a lot.But sometimes you can’t just think about the emotional side; I also have to think about the fact that I feel good and I have a job to do. But I love Real Madrid.”
It now remains to be seen which way the German veteran leans amid growing interest from Juventus.
Everton x Chelsea - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
1':
The match begins
6':
Opportunity wasted. Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Marc Cucurella.
Everton takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. Beto scores for Everton with a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area.Everton takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. Beto scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the bottom right corner. The assist comes from James Garner, who delivered a precise through ball.Everton takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. Beto finds the back of the net with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, placing it into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from James Garner, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.
33':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Beto scores goal number 5 in the competition (31 matches)
33':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Liam Delap makes appearance number 22 in the competition - used as a sub on 13 occasions. Beto scores goal number 5 in the competition (31 matches)
37':
Missed opportunity! Roméo Lavia from Chelsea attempted a header from the right side of the six-yard box but failed to score. The chance was set up by Enzo Fernández, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
Everton leads Chelsea 2-0. Beto scores for Everton with a right-footed shot from the center of the box after a quick counterattack.Everton leads Chelsea 2-0. Beto scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, finding the center of the net. The assist comes from Idrissa Gueye after a quick counterattack.
62':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Beto scores goal number 6 in the competition (31 matches)
62':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Beto scores goal number 6 in the competition (31 matches)
Everton leads Chelsea 3-0. Iliman Ndiaye scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
76':
GOAL Everton: Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) scores!
Iliman Ndiaye scores goal number 6 in the competition (25 matches)
76':
GOAL Everton: Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) scores!
Iliman Ndiaye scores goal number 6 in the competition (25 matches)
Liverpool are looking to improve the defensive unit in the summer, and they have identified Roggerio Nyakossi as a target.
The 22-year-old defender has impressed at OH Leuven and is also a target for Marseille. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool follows up with an official offer to sign him at the end of the season. It is no secret that they need more quality in the defensive unit, and the Swiss prodigy could prove to be a quality long-term investment.
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Liverpool could use Roggerio Nyakossi
Ibrahima Konate is expected to leave the club at the end of the season. His contract expires in the summer, and he has not yet signed an extension with Liverpool. They will need to replace him, and the 22-year-old Swiss defender could be ideal. He has the physicality and technical attributes to try in English football, and he could prove to be a useful addition.
The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the young defender as well. He would get to join one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Liverpool could nurture him into a future star. If they can sign him for a reasonable amount, the deal could be worth it.
According to a report from Nieuwsblad, the 22-year-old defender would very much like to join Liverpool in the summer. It is no surprise that he wants to play for them. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with the platform to showcase his qualities at the highest level.
Liverpool won the Premier League title last season. Even though they have struggled this year, there is no reason why they cannot bounce back and compete with elite clubs once again in the upcoming campaign.
Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing the Hoffenheim attacker Bazoumana Toure.
The Ivory Coast international has done quite well for the German club, and several clubs are monitoring his situation. He could be on the move at the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see if Arsenal or Manchester United win the race for his signature.
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Multiple clubs keen on Bazoumana Toure
They are not the only Premier League clubs keen on the player. The physically imposing winger is also a target for clubs like Leeds United and Everton. He will cost around €55 million in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if the interested parties are prepared to pay up for him.
It is no secret that Arsenal and Manchester United need more quality on the flanks. They need someone who will add pace and unpredictability in the final third. The 20-year-old could be the ideal long-term acquisition for both clubs. The opportunity to join them will be exciting for the Ivorian as well. It will be interesting to see if either of the two clubs is willing to come forward and submit an official proposal for him in the summer.
Arsenal and Manchester United have done well to nurture young players in the past, and they could help Toure fulfil tremendous potential.
Hinata Miyazawa: Man United Women star returns a champion
Manchester United Women star Hinata Miyazawa has won the Asian Cup with Japan.
Fantastic season
The Japanese international signed for Manchester United in 2023 from MyNavi Sendai.
She has played 77 times for the Red Devils, scoring three goals.
Miyazawa has truly become a crucial first-team option this season, and Manchester United have missed her since she has been away at the cup.
Head coach Marc Skinner has previously described her as “one of the most intelligent midfielders” he has ever seen.
United will hope that she will be available as soon as possible, as the Red Devils will take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League and runaway leaders Manchester City in the league before the end of the month.
Asian Cup
The midfielder has been wonderful for her country once again, as they came out on top in the tournament.
She scored a hat-trick in an 11-0 romp over India in the group stage and played in every other match of the cup.
The diminutive midfielder also grabbed an assist in the 4-0 win over Vietnam.
Miyazawa also played a decisive role in the 7-0 destruction of the Philippines and the 4-1 win over South Korea in the semi-final.
She played the entire 90 minutes of the final against Australia, as they ran out 1-0 winners after an early goal from Maika Hamano.
The club’s website reported on the victory by commenting, “United midfielder Hinata Miyazawa will return to Manchester as an Asian Cup winner, following Japan’s 1-0 victory over holders Australia on Saturday.”
She played in every match for the Japanese side, just like she had for Manchester United in all 32 matches they had played up to the beginning of the tournament in Australia.
The club also stated, “congratulations, Hini – we look forward to welcoming you back soon!”
💫 First Bundesliga goal in front of 80,000 fans: HSV star living his dream
There are hardly any away trips in the Bundesliga more awesome than to the Signal Iduna Park, which holds over 80,000 spectators. And there are hardly any better opportunities to score your first Bundesliga goal.
That’s exactly the dream Philip Otele is living right now. The Nigerian, whom HSV signed from FC Basel in the winter, has just scored a surprising 1-0 lead for the visitors in the top match against BVB.
The left winger, who has often been a bit unlucky in recent weeks, was brilliantly set up by William Mikelbrencis and only had to tap the ball over the line from close range.
Before that, Mikelbrencis had won the ball in a spirited duel against Daniel Svensson.
Will HSV really pull off the sensation in Dortmund and thus almost certainly secure their place in the league?
Hamburg managed to provide another argument for that still in the first half. After a flawless assist from HSV ace Fabio Vieira, Lokonga increased the lead to 2-0 for the visitors.
So far, Kovac’s team seems to have few answers to this surprising turn of events.
The defender has been one of the standout performers in Napoli’s first team, yet his contract is nearing its expiry, and no agreement has been reached over an extension. Napoli remain keen to retain their key players, and Spinazzola is firmly among those they would prefer to keep. However, Juventus are working to persuade him to reject Napoli’s proposal and make the move to Turin instead.
Contract Situation
Recent developments suggest that Juventus may hold the advantage in negotiations. A report from Tuttojuve indicates that Napoli have offered Spinazzola a one-year contract, while Juventus have proposed a two-year deal. This difference is significant, as the longer contract aligns more closely with the player’s preferences and provides greater security.
Such terms could prove decisive, particularly for a player considering his long-term future. Juventus are aware of this and appear to be leveraging their offer to strengthen their position in the race for his signature.
Potential Return to Turin
Juventus view Spinazzola as an experienced and high-quality addition who could enhance their squad in the upcoming transfer window. His familiarity with the club, having previously represented the Old Lady, could further encourage a return.
From the player’s perspective, a move back to Turin may offer both stability and a chance to continue competing at a high level. The prospect of a more favourable contract, combined with a familiar environment, makes Juventus an appealing option.
This situation has provided Juventus with a significant boost as they aim to finalise a deal. While Napoli remains hopeful of retaining him, the balance currently appears to be shifting towards the Bianconeri as they push to secure Spinazzola’s services for the 2026 to 2027 season.
Arsenal players are not discussing winning the quadruple
Arsenal could still achieve a remarkable quadruple by the end of this season, with their pursuit beginning in earnest in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday against Manchester City. The Gunners have shown strong belief in their ability to compete across all competitions and have made consistent progress in recent seasons.
Focus Remains on Immediate Challenge
While the prospect of winning four trophies is an exciting one, Arsenal understand that any such ambition depends on taking each step as it comes. Failure to secure victory in the Carabao Cup would immediately end their hopes of completing a quadruple, making this weekend’s fixture particularly significant.
Manager Mikel Arteta would undoubtedly take pride in leading his side to silverware, especially given the steady development the team has demonstrated under his guidance. However, the emphasis within the squad remains firmly on maintaining focus rather than looking too far ahead.
Arteta Plays Down Quadruple Talk
As reported by Arsenal Media, Arteta addressed whether his players have discussed the possibility of winning all four competitions. He said:
“No, because we know that we need to go game by game and trophy by trophy.”
His comments reflect a disciplined mindset within the squad, prioritising immediate objectives over long-term speculation. Arsenal’s performances this season suggest they possess the quality required to challenge for major honours, but those ambitions must be realised through results on the pitch.
The upcoming final will provide a stern test of their credentials. City remains one of the strongest sides in Europe, and overcoming them will require a composed and determined display. Nevertheless, Arsenal have consistently demonstrated resilience and high-level form throughout the campaign, indicating they are capable of rising to the occasion.
Ultimately, success at the highest level demands overcoming difficult challenges rather than seeking comfortable fixtures. If Arsenal are to fulfil their ambitions this season, they must prove their quality in matches of this magnitude, starting with Sunday’s decisive encounter.
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A Celtic title win would be the sweetest but not our greatest
A Celtic title win would be the sweetest, but it would be far from our greatest…
Martin O’Neill applauds the Celtic support. theRangers v Celtic. 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
It’s fair to say that if we manage to win this year’s title, and there’s still a great chance that we will, then it will be one of the sweetest moments in the club’s history.
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Considering everything that’s happened in these last few months, from our incompetent dealings in the transfer market, to losing Brendan Rodgers, then turning to Martin O’Neill, then being lumbered with the inept Wilfried Nancy, before Martin rescued us in our hour of need yet again. So to still be in touching distance of top spot is absolutely tremendous, ridiculously so.
Tomas Cvancara of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
We’ve also suffered the blow of losing several key first team players for a lengthy period, players who are mainstays of the side. This campaign is on a par with the infamous COVID campaign, although remarkably the current crop of players are in a much worse position than Neil Lennon’s side of that period, so to still be in contention is quite frankly astonishing.
That’s in a big way down to our Glasgow rivals having just a poor a campaign as ourselves, something that Heart of Midlothian have taking full advantage of, although it seems that the wheels might be starting to fall off the Gorgie bandwagon, although a late winner at Tynecastle today gave them a hard fought 1-0 victory over Dundee.
Tomorrow Celtic has a chance to bring the gap back to two points and also to add to our own goals for column, because that may well be significant. We had been there before.
Hyunjun Yang of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
A terrific comeback to rescue a point at Ibrox, plus a battling win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, and a spirited home win over an inform Motherwell have rejuvenated our title hopes, not to mention the dramatic penalty shootout win at Ibrox has raised the confidence and spirit of the entire squad and support, giving us some much needed hope in the run in for a dream league and Scottish Cup double.
Three of our games after the split are also at home, so the possibility of securing five in a row is a lot more likelier than it was a month ago. We have to win all our games of course, but our destiny is firmly in our own hands, and confidence is high that the players under the guidance of Martin O’Neill can do just that.
Tomas Cvancara celebrates scoring the penalty that takes Celtic into the semi-finals. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Will it be the greatest title win ever? No I wouldn’t go that far as we’ve been shockingly poor for a the entirety of this campaign, but it will be one of the sweetest, that’s for sure.
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Penalties are some of the most intense moments in a football player's career.
The pressure from the spot is ramped up, with players knowing they are expected to score with every effort, even if that's unrealistic over the course of a long career.
Well, unrealistic for most, but not all. Some players simply have ice in their veins.
The Sporting News details the most successful players in Premier League history from 12 yards.
Which player has the best penalty record in the Premier League?
The best record for penalties taken in Premier League history is Raul Jimenez, whose 100% record through 14 penalties is the best in the league's history. No player has attempted as many spot kicks as the Mexico international across his stints with Wolves and Fulham and scored every time.
Jimenez's 14 from 14 in Premier League action is three more than the 100% record of Yaya Toure, who was perfect across his 11 penalties in league play.
He has scored his 14 penalties against 13 different goalkeepers, only doubling up on Christian Walton of Ipswich Town by bagging two in the same match.
Number
Date
Match
Goalkeeper
Result
1.
Nov. 3, 2018
Wolves 2-3 Tottenham
Hugo Lloris
Scored
2.
Feb. 23, 2019
Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves
Artur Boruc
Scored
3.
Aug. 25, 2019
Wolves 1-1 Burnley
Nick Pope
Scored
4.
Oct. 19, 2019
Wolves 1-1 Southampton
Angus Gunn
Scored
5.
Jan. 18, 2020
Southampton 2-3 Wolves
Alex McCarthy
Scored
6.
Jul. 12, 2020
Wolves 3-0 Everton
Jordan Pickford
Scored
7.
Jan. 15, 2022
Wolves 3-1 Southampton
Fraser Forster
Scored
8.
Sep. 28, 2024
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Fulham
Matz Sels
Scored
9.
Jan. 5, 2025
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
Christian Walton
Scored
10.
Jan. 5, 2025
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
Christian Walton
Scored
11.
Dec. 22, 2025
Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest
John Victor
Scored
12.
Feb. 1, 2026
Man United 3-2 Fulham
Senne Lammens
Scored
13.
Feb. 22, 2026
Sunderland 1-3 Fulham
Robin Roefs
Scored
14.
Mar. 21, 2026
Fulham 2-1 Burnley
Martin Dubravka
Scored
Best penalty takers in Premier League history
Only two players in Premier League history have a perfect record through double-digit attempts: Raul Jimenez and Yaya Toure.
Behind them, Dimitar Berbatov was nine-for-nine, but does not make the volume cut.
The record was held by Toure until his 11-of-11 record was surpassed by Jimenez who scored against Manchester United on February 1, 2026 to put himself at the top of the list. Cole Palmer had a chance to tie Toure, but missed with his 11th effort against Leeds in March, 2025.
Best penalty record by percentage in Premier League history
Minimum 11 penalties taken
Player
Scored/Taken
Record
Active/Retired
Raul Jimenez
14/14
100%
Active
Yaya Toure
11/11
100%
2019
Matt Le Tissier
25/26
96.2%
2002
Danny Murphy
18/19
94.7%
2013
Callum Wilson
16/17
94.1%
Active
James Beattie
16/17
94.1%
2013
Julian Dicks
15/16
93.8%
2002
Cole Palmer
18/19
94.7%
Active
Bukayo Saka
12/13
92.3%
Active
Thierry Henry
23/25
92%
2014
Who has scored the most penalties in Premier League history?
Alan Shearer holds the record for most Premier League penalties scored with 56.
Most penalties scored in Premier League history
Player
Scored/Taken
Record
Active/Retired
Alan Shearer
56/67
83.6%
2006
Frank Lampard
43/50
86%
2017
Mohamed Salah
35/41
85.4%
Active
Harry Kane
33/37
89.2%
Active*
Steven Gerrard
32/39
82%
2017
*Active but not currently contracted to a Premier League club
Who has the worst penalty record in the Premier League?
Alan Shearer has missed the most Premier League penalties of any player with 11, but it's hard to call the league's all-time top taker as the "worst" given the misses are more of a volume than anything. He is tied with Wayne Rooney, who took 33 across his career.
In fact, this is an extremely difficult question, because for the most part, if a player is a poor penalty taker, they would not be given more opportunities to take penalties.
As a result, it's exceedingly hard to quantify, as shown above where those who have missed the most are also legends of the game.
Rooney is probably a candidate for the answer, with his 67% success rate well below the traditional expectation. Others who boast low score records with a fair amount of attempts include Juan Pablo Angel (5/10), Steed Malbranque (6/10), and Dwight Yorke (6/10), but all were eventually yanked from spot-kick duties due to their failures. Raheem Sterling (4/10) fares even worse, although his attempts for Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and England are spread across all competitions.
One player who displayed a poor return from a sizable volume was Michael Owen who struck just 14 times from his 21 attempts for a 67% success rate, similar to Rooney's.
Who is the best penalty taker ever?
Given the vastness of competitions across the world, this is an exceedingly difficult metric to quantify, but there are a few candidates.
GiveMeSport ranked the best penalty takers in football history from available data, identifying Cuauhtemoc Blanco as the best ever, with a 95% success rate across 73 attempts, with just two misses in his entire career which spanned 1998 to 2015.
Another candidate is Dutch star Ronald Koeman, who holds the record for most consecutive penalties scored in the Spanish top flight with 25, and finished his career with an astonishing 94% success rate from 103 attempts (97 scored, 6 missed).
The individual with the best record in England would be Rickie Lambert, who played multiple years with Southampton, Liverpool, West Brom, and Cardiff City. Lambert scored 48 of his 51 career penalty attempts, but he does not appear on the Premier League's all-time greats because he only attempted seven (without a single miss) in the top flight.
Southampton is something of a hotbed for English greats from 12 yards. Club legend Matt Le Tissier's 25/26 put him on the list of the best Premier League takers. Across all competitions, his record was a remarkable 43/44, with only Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley able to deny him in a March 1993 Premier League match. Le Tissier then strung together a run of 27 perfect penalties.
Manchester United are plotting a surprise move for the Tottenham Hotspur prodigy Archie Gray.
According to a report from Sports Boom, they will look to make a move for the 20-year-old midfielder if Tottenham are relegated at the end of the season. Gray has been a promising acquisition for Tottenham, and he has established himself as a first-team player since joining from Leeds United in 2024.
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Could Spurs lose Archie Gray?
Relegation would be a massive financial blow for Tottenham, and it could cost them around £250 million in revenues. They will need to sell players to balance the books, and it will be interesting to see whether they are prepared to sanction the departure of the 20-year-old.
There is no doubt that Gray is a quality player, and he has shown that he can slot into multiple roles and perform at a high level. He could be an asset for Manchester United. They need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the 20-year-old could be the ideal option for them. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and Manchester United could groom him into a future star.
Losing the player to Manchester United would be devastating for Tottenham. He is one of their best young players, and he could develop into a star for the club. Tottenham need to hold on to players like him if they want to build a formidable team for the future.
Clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are keen on the talented young midfielder as well, and they believe that £55 million could be enough to secure his signature in the summer. It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds.
Aston Villa and Newcastle United are interested in signing the French midfielder Corentin Tolisso at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has been outstanding for Lyon, and he has 11 goals to his name in all competitions. The player will cost around €30 million, and it appears that the two Premier League clubs are willing to get the deal done.
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Corentin Tolisso could be a useful signing
They could use more creativity and control in the middle of the park, and the 31-year-old could be an excellent short-term acquisition. According to a report from Sports Boom, Aston Villa have been closely tracking his progress and are hoping to tempt him in the summer. Meanwhile, Newcastle United are keen on the players as well.
Furthermore, Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring his situation, as the lack of European football could complicate a move. It remains to be seen whether the 31-year-old is prepared to move to the Premier League in the summer.
Apart from being a quality performer for the French outfit, he is also the club captain. The likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham could use his leadership skills.
There is no doubt he has the technical attributes for English football, and he could be a very useful addition for all three clubs. The €30 million asking price seems reasonable for a player of his quality and experience. He should be able to justify the investment if he ends up moving to England.
Aston Villa are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they could be an attractive destination for the French international. On the other hand, Newcastle and Tottenham have ambitious projects as well. It will be interesting to see what the 31-year-old decides.
Adam Wharton has been linked with a move away from Crystal Palace in recent months, and Manchester United are very keen on securing his signature.
According to Sports Boom, they have identified the Crystal Palace midfielder as their number one target for the summer transfer window, and they are ready to launch a move worth around £60 million to the England international.
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Adam Wharton to replace Casemiro?
Casemiro is set to leave the club at the end of the season, and they will need to replace the Brazilian. The talented young England International could be the ideal replacement for the South American.
The 22-year-old has established himself as a reliable performer in the Premier League, and he will help Manchester United tighten up defensively. His ability to control the game from the deep would add a new dimension to the team as well. There is no doubt that he is one of the brightest young talents in the country right now, and he has all the tools to develop into a world-class player.
The opportunity to join Manchester United could be quite tempting for the 22-year-old. They are among the biggest clubs in the world, and joining them would be the ideal next step for him. He should be competing for major trophies, and Manchester United can provide him with that platform. He has clearly outgrown Crystal Palace now, and this is the right time for him to move on and take on a bigger challenge.
It will be interesting to see if the Eagles are prepared to sanction his departure for a fee of around £60 million.
Calzona confession: ‘Napoli had so many problems, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia unhappy’
Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona reveals behind the scenes drama during his Napoli experience. ‘Victor Osimhen never trained, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were problems with the club.’
The Partenopei won the Scudetto in 2023 with Luciano Spalletti, who had Calzona as his assistant manager, but the coach and his staff walked away that summer because they felt it could not be topped.
The general feeling within the group was a negative one, seeing them finish 10th in Serie A after going through three coaches, culminating with Calzona sharing the Slovakia job with Napoli from February 19 to June 30.
Calzona came to Napoli’s rescue during crisis
EMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 20: Francesco Calzona manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 20, 2024 in Empoli, Italy.(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Nobody can dare say no to Napoli, it feels like my home.”
When Calzona picked up the pieces at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, he inherited a chaotic situation both on and off the field.
“As what happened later confirms, everyone was already seeing a way out in June and that had a big influence, as well as the other problems.
“There were issues between players and the club, people who just wanted to get to the end of the season and leave. More than anything else, the five or six new signings that were made, none of them were up to the standard of playing in that season, so by the end of that term they were all frozen out.
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 06: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Dacia Arena on May 06, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“So that was a fundamental problem at the core of it, but apart from that, there was a general sense of unhappiness and grumbling.
“Osimhen never trained, Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were so many problems I won’t list here. I didn’t expect to find myself in such a delicate situation, but it was still a wonderful experience,” concluded Calzona.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli shows his disappointment during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Osimhen had signed a new contract with Napoli, but with the understanding he would be sold that summer, so when several different negotiations collapsed, he was loaned to Galatasaray in September 2024.
Kvaratskhelia had also been pushing for the exit, but was not allowed to leave for Paris Saint-Germain until January 2025.
🚨 BREAKING: Everton and Chelsea name XIs for PL meeting
Further criticism of the BlueCo era at Chelsea may be on the cards today as the Blues travel north to take on Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Under David Moyes, the Toffees have embarked on a season that has flown under many a radar across the 2025/26 campaign, with the iconic club boss guiding them to within striking distance of the outlying European places.
In contrast, Chelsea have fallen well short of the mark, sitting a whopping 22 points off league-leading rival Arsenal, as questions remain surrounding the stewardship of co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
Here is how the two sides will line up on what could be an impactful Saturday clash for the pair...
Can Everton once more narrow the gap to the top six places, or will Chelsea put in a much-needed performance as they push for Champions League qualification?
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Sunderland: Magpies out to bounce back from Champions League howler
St. James’ Park will host a high-stakes Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday as Newcastle United look to avenge December’s 1-0 defeat to rivals Sunderland.
While Eddie Howe’s men have secured wins over Manchester United and Chelsea in their last two Premier League outings, they are reeling from a midweek 7-2 Champions League exit to Barcelona.
With local pride on the line and a European finish still in sight, Newcastle must regroup quickly for this weekend’s assignment.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley are officially ruled out, while Sandro Tonali is a major doubt after limping off in Catalonia.
This likely forces a makeshift midfield trio of Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey.
Defensively, the loss of Fabian Schar necessitates a centre-back partnership of Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw, although Sven Botman is also an option.
Tino Livramento is expected to return to the starting XI in place of Kieran Trippier, with Lewis Hall retaining his place at left-back.
Aaron Ramsdale endured a torrid outing against Barcelona, but he is not in any imminent danger of losing his starting spot to Nick Pope.
In attack, Howe has recently favoured Anthony Gordon as the number nine, but Nick Woltemade could be tasked with leading the line here, flanked by Gordon and Anthony Elanga.
Elanga enters the derby on a high after scoring a brace at Camp Nou and should keep Jacob Murphy out of the XI once again.
32% to 89% – “Scary” Chelsea defender sees massive increase in importance under Liam Rosenior
Jorrel Hato has seen his importance increased under Liam Rosenior, who spoke in glowing terms about the young defender.
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Liam Rosenior had some very nice things to say about Jorrel Hato this week in his press conference.
That prompted a piece from Dom Smith in the Evening Standard, who took a look at the stats behind the former Ajax man’s season.
The £37m summer signing featured in 32% of the games Enzo Maresca was in charge this season. But Liam Rosenior has shown more trust, and an injury to Marc Cucurella helped too – Hato has featured in 89% of Rosenior’s games.
“In my time, he’s been magnificent. I’m so impressed with him. His temperament, his physicality. Technically, he’s a joy to work with every day. And his age is scary, how good he could be,” the new manager said.
Hato prepares for more important role as season reaches climax
There are still mixed feelings about the 20 year old’s ability within the fanbase. He’s clearly got a lot of talent and potential. But there are still very obvious flaws in his game.
We still don’t think Hato will start today – Cucurella will likely be risked again given how important the game is. But we’re sure that we’ll see the Dutchman later on, and he’ll improve that 89% to over 90%.
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Hansi Flick’s key selection dilemma ahead of Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Eric Garcia has been critical to Barcelona’s plans this season and has become a vital cog under Hansi Flick, so much so that he has accumulated 3230 minutes this season alone.
In recent games, the Spaniard has begun to feel the weight of his importance in terms of physical issues and even asked to be substituted in the 20th minute against Newcastle United.
While subsequent tests ruled out an injury, it is clear that fatigue has caught up with the defender and that he is better rested.
As relayed by AS, Flick will make the final call on who will start on Sunday with two options in front of him – Ronald Araujo and Xavi Espart. And that remains the one big doubt in the manager’s mind ahead of the game.
Araujo has been used by the coach at right-back in recent games, with the most notable example being after Garcia’s injury against Newcastle in the first leg.
Eric will not start against Rayo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The captain provides a defensively solid profile but is limited in terms of his attacking output. Against an opposition like Rayo Vallecano, who have tricky wingers, however, that may be valuable.
On the other side, there is Espart, who is young, dynamic, and promising, but still relatively untested and new to the big stage.
He started for the team against Sevilla and delivered a promising performance, and again came on late in the game against Newcastle United to make a second Champions League appearance as well.
While he is relatively raw, he is a more natural replacement at right-back and has shown good composure, decision-making, and even attacking output in his limited minutes.
Flick’s decision will largely depend on what he sees in training, and both players have their chances to start.
Who the manager picks, needless to say, will have a massive bearing on the team’s attacking dynamics against Rayo Vallecano.
Harvey Elliott is back: Midfielder to be brought in from the cold
Liverpool made the decision to loan Harvey Elliott to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day of last summer’s window.
Without a decent permanent offer for the 22-year-old playmaker Richard Hughes had to accept what was on the table from Unai Emery’s side.
Villa committed to a one-season loan deal with an obligation attached should certain triggers be met. If the England under-21 standout played in 10 Premier League matches then the Villa Park outfit would pay £35m for a permanent transfer.
With Elliott’s contract expiring in 2027 that was a guarantee of good money for Liverpool - whose head coach Arne Slot only used him sparingly in the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning season.
But Villa’s usage of Elliott earlier this season suggested all wasn’t rosy in the garden with this deal. In fact he was frozen out by Emery for large chunks of the season with it becoming evident that they had no intention of honouring the permanent clause.
The midfielder has only played four times for Villa in the top flight - meaning they can safely use him another five times before the end of the season without consequence.
And that means the No9 is set for an increased role towards the run-in as his club chase Champions League football. Villa have got eight games left - with one of those against Liverpool and Elliott will be ineligible for that one regardless.
And so Villa can play him in FIVE of their remaining SEVEN matches safe in the knowledge that no permanent clause will be activated.
Villa need Elliott for the run-in
And boy do they need him.
Although their Europa campaign remains on track their chase for Champions League football has hit freefall. Emery could do with the attacking boost that Elliott’s creativity can give his side.
The two-time Premier League title winner earned rave reviews from Villans for his cameo performance in the Europa League against Lille in midweek and could feature once again on Sunday.
Liverpool stand to benefit too.
Elliott can return to the club with crucial first-team minutes under his belt and nudge his way back into contention for a place in Arne Slot’s squad for next season.
Or else he could prepare the ground for a big-money summer sale with a decent showing in the run-in. It’s been a long time coming but now Elliott is set for a new lease of life.
Slot says Liverpool missed forward players in defeat to Brighton – and provides injury update on duo
Liverpool boss Arne Slot says his side’s attacking absences hurt them in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Slot was without Mo Salah for the game, along with long-term absentee Alexander Isak.
Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, was forced off in the opening stages of the game with a dead leg.
And Slot says Brighton took advantage of his side’s lack of rest.
“If you face a team that has only had 62 hours of rest, the first thing you do is make it an intense game, make tough duels, nothing wrong with the duels by the way but unfortunately it was a collision that led to Hugo going out,” he said.
“We’re without one of the best strikers that the league has seen in the last three or four years, already unavailable for the the whole season, in Alexander Isak.
“One of the best goalscorers that the league has seen in the last eight years not being available in Mo Salah.
“And then missing out on Hugo Ekitike who has had a lot of impact this season.
“As so many (times) this season you have to find a way of playing players in positions they are maybe not used to and in the first half we did it quite well but as the game went on Brighton became stronger and stronger.
“A few times this season we were able to make something happen off the bench but throughout the second half I think they were closer to scoring to make it 3-1 than we were for 2-2.”
Striker Sam Kerr is expected to depart Chelsea when her contract expires at the end of the season, while captain Millie Bright also wants to leave.
Both are out of contract at the end of this season. Chelsea offered Bright a new deal but the 32-year-old, who is the club’s longest continuously-serving player, prefers an exit, according to multiple sources briefed on the matter — who, like all referenced in this article, spoke anonymously to protect relationships. Bright’s one-year extension, signed in March 2025, does contain the option of an extra 12 months.
Kerr, 32, is also expected to depart at the end of her contract, with strong interest in the Australian from multiple clubs in the NWSL. She scored four goals for Australia, who she is captain of, en route to the Asia Cup final, which they lost 1-0 against Japn on Saturday. She is currently Chelsea’s top goalscorer in all competitions, with 10 goals.
The pair have been key figures in Chelsea’s domestic dominance. Bright has made more than 300 appearances for the club since joining in 2014, and Kerr more than 150 since arriving midway through the 2019-20 season.
Bright’s time at Chelsea includes a run of six consecutive Women’s Super League titles between 2019 and 2025, as well as 10 domestic cup trophies, while Kerr’s tenure includes six of those cups and five league titles (not counting honours in the 2024-25 campaign, which she missed through injury).
Chelsea have a number of players reaching the end of their deals in the summer, including goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forward Aggie Beever-Jones, backup goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer and defender Lucy Bronze. There is an expectation that Hampton will sign a new contract in the near future.
Forwards Catarina Macario and Guro Reiten were also out of contract at the same time and have completed moves to NWSL sides San Diego Wave and Gotham, respectively, in the last few weeks.
The 2026 summer window was always going to be a busy one for Chelsea, given those expiring contracts. It is also their first since the departure of head of women’s football Paul Green, whose shock exit in February after 13 years at the club has been significant. Green was a key figure in the side’s growth into a dynasty, gaining a reputation for shrewd succession planning and squad evolution. His departure has influenced some players’ thinking about their futures at the club, sources added.
As The Athletic reported in February, Green had less autonomy over recruitment and squad planning since Emma Hayes’ departure as manager in June 2024, with individuals who had typically focused on the men’s side becoming more involved, including sporting director Paul Winstanley. Chelsea believed the leadership structure on the women’s side needed to be adapted to reflect the differing models under Hayes, who had a wider leadership remit, and Bompastor, who focuses on the technical and performance side.
Chelsea were considering options for a sporting director on the women’s side as early as last autumn. In February, the club announced the appointment of Phil Radley for that role, with a brief of “a central role in shaping the long-term direction of the women’s team”. The accompanying statement added that Radley’s role will include overseeing recruitment and handling contracts and negotiations with players’ agents and representatives.
Bright’s experience and leadership are valuable for a dressing room that has experienced circumstances they are unused to on and off the pitch this season. But the former England international, who is currently unavailable for Chelsea due to an ankle knock suffered in the 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in February, does have significant competition for a starting spot in the team.
Chelsea’s other centre-backs include former world record signing Naomi Girma, as well as recently fit-again Kadeisha Buchanan. Nathalie Bjorn is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering another injury in last weekend’s League Cup final, but is a regular starter when fit. Veerle Buurman, 19, who deputised for the injured Bright in the League Cup final, has impressed in her first season at the club after joining from PSV.
While Chelsea understood Kerr’s exit was an eventuality, it would not seem ideal for her departure to coincide with that of Macario and a summer that also sees academy graduate Beever-Jones out of contract. Were Kerr to leave, Chelsea’s senior striker ranks would include just Beever-Jones, dependent on her contract renewal or activation of the one-year option in her existing terms, and Mayra Ramirez, who has not featured for Chelsea since a hamstring injury sustained during pre-season. The 26-year-old has suffered repeated setbacks during her rehabilitation, and Bompastor said last week that she may miss the remainder of the season.
These concerns around the front line means Chelsea could look uncharacteristically toothless in the No 9 position come next season if reinforcements are not recruited.
The uncertainty around contracts is just one facet of the uncertainty that still envelopes Chelsea. As The Athletic detailed last month, Winstanley has expressed a desire to increase the number of player sales from the women’s team, something the club has not historically been known for.
On the pitch, while Chelsea retained their League Cup title with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on March 15, the once reliably indomitable winners are also set to fail to win the WSL title for the first time in seven years, sitting nine points behind Manchester City with four games remaining after their draw with London City Lionesses on Saturday.
This season, Chelsea lost consecutive WSL matches for the first time since July 2015, following a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal with a 5-1 loss against Manchester City. It marked the first time in Sonia Bompastor’s 181-game managerial career that she lost consecutive matches.
However, they have won four and drawn one of their six matches since that defeat to City — including the League Cup final and FA Cup fifth-round double-header against Manchester United. They are now third, with fourth-placed Arsenal two points behind with two games in hand.
Chelsea face domestic rivals Arsenal over a two-legged Champions League quarter-final on March 24 and April 1, before playing Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on April 6.
A high-stakes end to the season lies ahead — but Chelsea have just as much to do off the pitch over the summer.
Brighton & Hove Albion x Liverpool - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
10':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.
10':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards after a quick counterattack.
10':
Missed opportunity! Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar. The assist came from Jeremie Frimpong.
10':
Missed opportunity! Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards during a quick counterattack, but it went wide.
Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead, 1-0 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Diego Gómez, who also delivered a header.Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead, 1-0 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Diego Gómez, who also delivered a header.
Danny Welbeck scores goal number 11 in the competition (30 matches)
21':
Opportunity wasted. Diego Gómez from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.
21':
Missed opportunity! Diego Gómez from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from the center of the box, but it sailed high and to the right. The cross was delivered by Yankuba Minteh.
24':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick.
24':
Opportunity wasted. Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick, but it narrowly misses the target.
It's now Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Liverpool 1. Milos Kerkez has scored for Liverpool, firing a left-footed shot from the heart of the box straight into the center of the net.It's Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Liverpool 1. Milos Kerkez scores for Liverpool with a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, placing it right into the center of the net.
30':
GOAL Liverpool: Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) scores!
Milos Kerkez scores goal number 2 in the competition (28 matches)
32':
Opportunity wasted. Jack Hinshelwood of Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, narrowly missing the target. The assist came from Danny Welbeck.
37':
Missed opportunity. Mats Wieffer from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
37':
Missed opportunity. Mats Wieffer from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the goal and to the right.
45 +2':
Missed opportunity. James Milner from Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner kick.
Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead with a score of 2-1 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck finds the back of the net with a left-footed shot from close range, placing it right in the center of the goal. The assist comes from Jack Hinshelwood.
Danny Welbeck scores goal number 12 in the competition (30 matches)
65':
Opportunity wasted. Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to convert. The chance was set up by Dominik Szoboszlai, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
71':
Missed opportunity. James Milner of Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left following a corner kick.
Report Tedesco wanted for Fiorentina job after Fenerbahce spell
Fiorentina continue their search for a new coach next season, and Turkish reports claim Fabio Paratici has contacted Fenerbahce boss Domenico Tedesco.
The Viola are already planning for the future, as current coach Paolo Vanoli will not remain after this term, regardless of whether they secure Serie A status.
Tedesco latest target for Fiorentina
FREIBERG AM NECKAR, GERMANY – JUNE 13: Domenico Tedesco, Head of Belgium reacts during a public training session at Wasen-SportCentrum on June 13, 2024 in Freiberg am Neckar, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
New director Paratici has been tasked with finding the right man, and the latest candidate to be mentioned is Tedesco.
Although the 40-year-old is Italian, he moved to Germany at a young age and made his career there with Schalke 04, RB Leipzig, then had two years as coach of the Belgium national team from 2023 to 2025.
Fenerbahce appointed Tedesco on September 9, having sacked Jose Mourinho, and he has so far overseen 24 wins, 11 draws and five defeats for the club.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Real Madrid defender brings forward injury return date
Real Madrid have dealt with many injury problems this season, and among the most difficult has been Eder Militao’s. The Brazilian defender has been out since December with a serious hamstring issue, and while his absence has been significantly felt over the last four months, he is now closing in on a return to action.
Last week, Militao resumed training, and he has been involved with his teammates in recent days. As per Diario AS, he is determined to make his return after the international break when Real Madrid travel to Son Moix to face Mallorca.
Militao has been pencilled in to return from injury in April, and as things stand, this will be spot on. But rather than later in the month, he hopes to be involved in the early stages of the season run-in, which kicks off at Son Moix.
Real Madrid will ease Militao back in
Militao may be desperate to return to the starting line-up as soon as possible, especially as he will want to prove his fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but Real Madrid and Alvaro Arbeloa are clear that he will not been rushed back. He is unlikely to be able to start either leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich, but if Los Blancos progress, he would be fine to face Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool in the last four.
Despite the fact that Real Madrid will not rush Militao back, they do need him as soon as possible. They have regularly been unable to rotate in central defence due to various injury problems that Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio and David Alaba have had at different times. All four are available right now, although the performance levels will go up a notch when the returning Brazilian is back in the team.
Forget Kerkez: Liverpool monster kept Reds in the game vs Brighton – but no one will talk about it
Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of Liverpool’s more impressive players as Arne Slot’s men took on Brighton on the south coast.
The Georgian international earned some criticism for his performance in the first half of action, but showcased his impressive shot-stopping abilities in the second.
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The Merseysiders signed the former Valencia man in the summer of 2024, with his transfer delayed to the following summer transfer window.
Giorgi Mamardashvili kept Liverpool in the tie against Brighton
We refuse to blame Mamardashvili for Danny Welbeck’s second-half goal.
A look back at the replay clearly shows that Virgil van Dijk failed to get ahead of his runner in Jack Hinshelwood. Ryan Gravenberch then didn’t help matters himself by dropping behind the Brighton striker who was unmarked for his tap-in at close range.
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* Giorgi Mamardashvili’s stats in the Premier League game (Fotmob)
It seems Fotmob have been quite harsh with their rating of 6.4/10 – no doubt influenced in large part by the fact our ‘keeper conceded twice at the Amex.
Don’t get us wrong. his passing quality has to be addressed moving forward, particularly if Liverpool remain confident that the Georgia star is the right successor for Alisson Becker.
It was Giorgi Mamardashvili’s poor pass, as noted by Paul Gorst on X (formerly Twitter), that saw Liverpool immediately threatened thereafter.
However, it’s hard to be overly critical of our stand-in No.1 (amid Alisson Becker’s injury) given how little support he received from his backline.
Ibrahima Konate was overpowered at the far post, leaving Danny Welbeck free to power a header into the back of the net.
There’s an argument to be made that the contact prevented the Frenchman from contesting the aerial duel, but it’s not really good enough from the centre-back, and it left his ‘keeper utterly exposed.
🤯 Craziest Rhine derby ever: Köln and Gladbach both completely bonkers
It took less than 60 seconds before the previously so lively RheinEnergieStadion was suddenly silenced.
Already in the 1st minute of the Rhine derby between Cologne and Gladbach, Jens Castrop put the Foals ahead 1-0. Of all people, it was Castrop—who once played seven years in Effzeh’s youth academy—who scored.
But Cologne played the Uno reverse card: with Said El Mala, a player who was once let go by Gladbach, providing the quick equalizer. At this point, only four minutes had been played.
And the madness continued. Less than three minutes later, Ragnar Ache turned the game around in favor of the Müngersdorf side, making for probably the craziest start in the long history of the Rhine derby.
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-final, booking their place in the competition’s final for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
Meanwhile, City thrashed Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate, securing their spot in the final for the 10th time.
Match preview
Arsenal are aiming to win the Carabao Cup for the third time and continue their bid to win the quadruple this season.
The Gunners rank fifth for goals scored (nine), second for both big chances created (16) and big chances missed (11), and are joint-top for most clean sheets (three).
Arsenal are the in-form side, making them favourites. They are unbeaten in their last 14 matches across all competitions.
However, Arsenal lost 3-0 to Man City the last time they met in the competition’s final.
City’s season has gone pear-shaped. They have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League and are unlikely to win the Premier League.
While they remain in the FA Cup, winning Sunday’s showdown would guarantee they do not finish the season trophyless.
City rank first for goals scored (12), accurate passes per game (604), and are joint-top for most clean sheets (three) in the Carabao Cup this season.
Victory would make Pep Guardiola the most successful manager in the competition’s history with five titles.
Team news
Arsenal are assessing Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard’s fitnesses. Eberechi Eze has been declared fit, while Mikel Merino is ruled out.
Arteta will decide whether to start David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.
Josko Gvardiol is City’s only injury concern, but Marc Guehi is cup-tied. Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start over Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka.
Man City (4-2-3-1): James Trafford, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Antoine Semenyo, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Erling Braut Haaland.
Sky reporter accuses Liverpool player of ‘sleeping’ in crucial moment against Brighton
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was accused of ‘sleeping’ in the passage of play which led to Danny Welbeck’s second goal at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
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The Brighton striker had opened the scoring on 14 minutes before Milos Kerkez equalised in audacious fashion on the half-hour mark to leave the teams level at 1-1 at the interval.
The veteran centre-forward restored the Seagulls’ lead 10 minutes after half-time as he got on the end of a pass from Jack Hinshelwood, who had ghosted in behind the Reds captain, and a VAR review showed that the scorer wasn’t ahead of the ball as it was played into his path.
Van Dijk ‘sleeping’ for Welbeck’s second goal
In providing updates for Sky Sports‘ live web commentary, David Richardson pointed an accusatory finger at the Liverpool skipper over his involvement in Welbeck’s goal.
The reporter wrote: ‘Brilliant cross from Minteh on the left but was Van Dijk sleeping to let Hinshelwood steal in behind him? The centre-back was moving slowly.’
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Second Welbeck goal was a collective failure from Liverpool
Van Dijk was indeed too casual in allowing the young Brighton midfielder to nip in behind him and get to Yankuba Minteh’s cross, the sort of lapse we’d never have seen from the Liverpool captain when playing at his prime.
He wasn’t the only one who could’ve done better for the goal, though – Ryan Gravenberch allowed Welbeck to run ahead of him and get into a position for a simple tap-in, while Ibrahima Konate was inexplicably on the edge of the penalty area picking up nobody in particular.
Culpability was collective in that passage of play, and the Reds’ response to falling behind a second time wasn’t exactly that of a team going all-out to try and salvage Champions League qualification, with an all too familiar passitivity taking hold.
If anything, it was Brighton who played with the intensity of a team with everything to play for, and they duly punished the latest exhibition of devil-may-care Liverpool defending in this ongoing catastrophe of a season.
You can view Welbeck’s second goal below, via @footballontnt on X:
Juve keeper, Inter chase Santos, Ferrara 🤬, Tedesco to Serie A? 🔥
A Saturday full of football has begun: three Serie A matches and many European events are scheduled, before the break that will be decisive for Italy's fate in the next World Cup.
In this article, we look at today's most important news.
Juventus, hunt for a new goalkeeper
Juventus is preparing a revolution in goal for the 2026/27 season, with Di Gregorio and Perin not set to be the starters. The Bianconeri management is evaluating three high-level profiles: Alisson, Carnesecchi, and Diogo Costa, in a market that promises to be complex and decisive. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, each choice involves different evaluations between costs, experience, and prospects.
The dream remains Alisson, but salary and uncertainties related to Liverpool weigh in, while the alternatives lead to significant investments. Diogo Costa is valued at about 50 million by Porto, the same amount requested by Atalanta for Carnesecchi, an Italian and promising profile. The strategy will depend on the final budget, but the goal is clear: to build a Champions League-worthy goal.
Milan, four at risk for Napoli
Milan is preparing for the match against Torino with the aim of winning and staying in the wake of Inter, also responding to Napoli's success. However, the Rossoneri know that the calendar presents a key junction upon returning from the break, precisely against the Partenopei at the Maradona, in a game that could be worth second place.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, attention to the situation of those on warning: Modric, Saelemaekers, Fofana, and Athekame risk suspension if booked against Torino. A non-trivial detail for Conceição, who is called to manage men and nerves in an already heavy match.
Inter, return to Andrey Santos
Inter is once again paying close attention to Andrey Santos, a midfielder born in 2004 owned by Chelsea, previously followed by Napoli and Juventus as well. The Brazilian has once again caught the Nerazzurri's eye ahead of next summer, with the management ready to consider a possible move to strengthen the squad.
According to Sportitalia, Ausilio has resumed contacts with agent Bertolucci to probe the feasibility of the operation. Santos is tied to Chelsea until 2030, following the transfer from Vasco da Gama in 2023 for 12.5 million: a targeted strategy will therefore be needed to convince the Blues.
Napoli, Ferrara against the mural
The mural signed by Jorit, dedicated to the eleven symbolic players in Napoli's history and created outside the Maradona, has sparked controversy. Among the notable exclusions is Ciro Ferrara, who, as reported by TMW, expressed his disappointment for a choice that did not involve him, despite his deep connection with the city and the club.
The former defender emphasized how the artist, too young to have lived through that era, relied on indirect accounts. Ferrara admits the bitterness of the exclusion, but reiterates that Napoli fans know his story well and do not doubt his connection with Napoli.
Roma, regret over Rowe: deal fell through
Roma's elimination against Bologna in the Europa League leaves repercussions on the market as well. The protagonist of the match was Jonathan Rowe, who scored a goal and provided two assists between the first and second legs, numbers that make the verdict even more bitter for the Giallorossi.
According to Nicolò Schira on X, intermediary Vincenzo Morabito revealed a significant backstory: Massara had practically closed the deal for the English forward's purchase before his arrival at Bologna, but the operation did not materialize.
Lazio, Maldini's doubt: redemption in the balance
Daniel Maldini immediately made an impact with Lazio, scoring a goal just 1’23’’ into the match against Sassuolo, but has yet to provide consistency. The Biancoceleste club is closely observing his growth, while Sarri works to transform him into a true striker.
According to il Corriere dello Sport, the club is considering the possible redemption set at 14 million, a figure that would become mandatory in case of European qualification. Maldini seeks a new opportunity, perhaps already against Bologna, to definitively convince and change evaluations of his future.
Fiorentina, Tedesco idea for the bench
Fiorentina is already looking to the future and evaluating possible alternatives for the bench ahead of the next season, especially in case of separation from Vanoli. Among the names that have emerged in recent hours - reports Fanatik - is Domenico Tedesco, the current coach of Fenerbahce, who has caught the attention of sporting director Paratici.
According to the Turkish press, the Viola have already initiated contacts with the former Belgium coach, considered one of the main candidates. Tedesco, tied to the Turkish club until 2027, represents an international and ambitious profile for Fiorentina's new course.
Academy Match Report: Manchester United U18s 3-0 Blackburn Rovers U18s
Manchester United Under-18s hosted Blackburn Rovers Under-18s on Saturday morning at Carrington.
As has become expected, Michael Carrick was in attendance to watch United, including his son, Jacey Carrick, who featured for the Under-16s on the adjacent pitch.
First half
United were on top from the start but struggled to find an end product, with early chances for JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites missing the target.
Louie Bradbury came closest to opening the scoring in the 24th minute when he struck the ball against the left post after Noah Ajayi stole the ball from Blackburn high up the pitch.
A heavy touch from Thwaites in midfield gave Blackburn a rare opening, but Fred Heath and Albert Mills combined quickly to snuff out the chance.
There was a scramble in the Blackburn area towards the end of the half that saw Gabriel, Godwill Kukonki, and Bradbury all have efforts blocked off the goal line, somehow keeping the match scoreless at the break.
Second half
Some sloppy play at the back from United caused a nervy start to the second half for Darren Fletcher’s side, but it was United who made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute.
A quick break down the right wing with Junior Brown and Yuel Helafu ended with the ball centred to Gabriel, who spun his marker and was taken down for a penalty.
Gabriel stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for his 23rd goal of the season.
Kai Rooney was introduced after the hour mark, having started the Under-16s match on the opposite pitch where he scored two goals and assisted twice.
Brown initiated the move down the right wing before squaring to Rooney, who took the ball on the turn and fired low under the keeper from 20 yards out.
Thwaites put the match to bed in the 71st minute with yet another free-kick goal. Situated to the left of the box, Thwaites snuck the ball inside the near post from a wide angle to make it 3-0.
There could have been more goals for United as Rooney and Jariyah Shah rattled the woodwork, but the 3-0 scoreline was enough to earn the three points for United.
Elsewhere in the league, Manchester City were held to a draw by Burnley, which allows United to go level with their city rivals at the top of the table.
Match facts
United: Heath; Helafu, Mills, Kukonki (c), J. Watson (McEvoy 63); McCormack; Brown, Thwaites, Gabriel (Shah 70), Ajayi (D. Nkoto 70); Bradbury (Rooney 63).
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes.
Goals: Gabriel 54 pen, Rooney 65, Thwaites 71.
Booked: McEvoy, Rooney
Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images
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Revealed: Why Inter Milan Changed Their Mind On Offering Galatasaray Target A New Contract
Inter Milan have performed a quiet but significant U-turn on Hakan Calhanoglu contract situation, with the Turkey international’s recurring injury problems forcing the club to rethink their renewal plans.
According to the Corriere dello Sport, via FCInter1908, the original plan was straightforward.
Inter intended to agree a new deal with Calhanoglu, whose contract runs until 2027, and only consider a sale if those talks collapsed.
That plan is no longer operative.
Since December, the midfielder has suffered three separate injury setbacks.
Each one has shifted the mood inside Viale della Liberazione further away from an automatic renewal and toward a wait-and-see approach.
End Of Season Will Decide Calhanoglu Inter Milan Fate
Everything now depends on how Calhanoglu finishes the season.
Only a conclusion that demonstrates he can sustain full physical and athletic availability will convince Inter to extend his deal.
If he struggles again, the club will pursue a different path.
And meanwhile Galatasaray, who remain confident they can strike a deal for around €10-15 million before the World Cup, are ready to move quickly.
Calhanoglu returns to the starting lineup for Sunday’s trip to Fiorentina, with Inter hoping this marks his last injury interruption of the campaign.
After that, he heads to Turkey’s World Cup playoff double-header, fixtures Chivu would rather he skipped entirely given his fragile fitness.
A strong finish, ideally with a Scudetto and perhaps the Coppa Italia, remains the clearest possible argument Calhanoglu can make for his own future at the club.
Everton Starting XI vs Chelsea: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
Everton vs Chelsea Preview: Injury Concerns Shape Key Clash
Everton head into their Premier League meeting with Chelsea facing a mounting selection headache, with several key figures unavailable or uncertain ahead of kick off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. David Moyes must once again lean on squad depth as his side looks to respond after a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Injury List Impacts Everton Setup
Everton will definitely be without Jack Grealish and Carlos Alcaraz, both sidelined through injury, while Tyrique George is unable to feature against his parent club Chelsea. Defensive stability is also under threat, with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite both doubtful. Moyes remains hopeful they will be “in and around” the squad, though neither is guaranteed to start.
Photo IMAGO
Defensive Adjustments Likely
If Tarkowski and Branthwaite miss out, Everton could retain a makeshift back line of James Garner, Jake O’Brien, Michael Keane and Vitaliy Mykolenko. Should one return, Garner may step into midfield after his recent England recognition, allowing O’Brien to shift into a more natural defensive role.
Midfield and Attack Options
Idrissa Gueye is expected to anchor midfield, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, facing former club Chelsea, will likely operate further forward. Iliman Ndiaye offers attacking width, alongside either Dwight McNeil or Harrison Armstrong.
Up front, Beto’s recent struggles in front of goal have opened the door for Thierno Barry, who may be handed a starting opportunity to spark Everton’s attack against Chelsea.
“It’s scary how good he could be” – Liam Rosenior backs defender for greatness after mixed season
Liam Rosenior has praised one of his young players who has such exceptional potential to be a top player in the Premier League.
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Chelsea added Jorrel Hato to their squad in the summer, and it’s fair to say fans were happy about the move.
He’s had some ups and downs since, but the talent is obvious. It’s easy to forget just how young he is. We’re not sure he will feature today, but we’re always likely to see him as relief for Marc Cucurella off the bench.
“In my time, he’s been magnificent,” the head coach said.
“I’ve been so impressed with his temperament, his physicality, technically. He is a joy to work with every day, and at his age, it’s scary how good he could be.
“It takes time. He’s a young player that came through at Ajax, who captained Ajax at 17 years old. He then joins a massive club in a different league, in a different culture, and it takes time to bed in.
“In terms of what’s happened before me, there are loads of different contextual things that can affect a player’s performance, but in my time with Jorrel, he’s earned my trust, he’s earned the staff’s trust, and he’s a very, very exciting player.”
In other news…
Liam Delap has defended Rosenior’s time at Chelsea so far, pointing out that the new coach had done a lot to help his team.
The game against Everton is tough to be a tough one. David Moyes has made them so hard to beat, and Rosenior was singing his praises today.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Official: Vlahovic returns after nearly 4 months as Juventus squad list confirmed
Dusan Vlahovic returns to the Juventus squad for the first time in nearly four months as the Serbia international is available for selection for tonight’s Serie A match against Sassuolo.
Juventus star Vlahovic is part of the Bianconeri’s squad list for their Serie A match against Sassuolo on Saturday.
Vlahovic has not made a competitive appearance for the Old Lady since November 29, when he was subbed off after less than 30 minutes of a home game against Cagliari. The Serbian was forced to undergo surgery at the start of December to repair a tendon in the left adductor.
He’s not expected to start tonight, but he could make a substitute appearance, giving Luciano Spalletti a much-needed boost for the final part of the season, during which the Old Lady will push to snatch a top-four finish.
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus takes a shot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Vlahovic has scored two goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions this season.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 01: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and Juventus at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 01, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Juventus squad list vs. Cagliari
I convocati da mister Spalletti per la gara all’Allianz Stadium di questa sera ⚪️⚫️📜 #JuveSassuolo
⏱️ Bunny Shaw sets new WSL records with latest Man City hat-trick
There is simply no stopping Manchester City Women striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw this season.
The forward scored her latest hat-trick for the Women's Super League leaders on Saturday afternoon as they lead Tottenham comfortably at half-time.
Shaw opened the scoring after eight minutes after latching onto a loose ball in the box following a corner.
Olivia Holdt equalised for Spurs minutes later, but the visitors weren't level long as Shaw struck again to restore City's lead.
In the 21st minute, the City star then completed her hat-trick with a strong header into the back of the net.
It is Shaw's fourth hat-trick against Tottenham, but also set new WSL records as the fastest from the first to the third goal, as well as earliest scored from the start of a match.
City lead 5-1 at half-time as both Kerolin and Vivianne Miedema got in on the goalscoring action before the break.
It's turning into a nightmare afternoon for Spurs!
Inter Milan Identify Napoli & Roma Stars Among Potential Replacements If Italy Defender Joins Barcelona
Inter Milan have drawn up a shortlist of potential Alessandro Bastoni replacements as Barcelona accelerate their pursuit of the Italy defender, with Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno, Roma’s Evan Ndicka and Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi all identified as candidates.
Both sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick have made a left-footed centre-back their top defensive priority, and Bastoni is the man they want.
The transfer seemed unlikely just a few months ago, but Sport report that all parties are now focused on making it happen.
Barcelona first contacted Bastoni’s representatives at the start of the season.
That initial meeting produced a positive response, and the player’s openness to the move has grown since.
Inter Weigh Up Ndicka & Buongiorno As Alternatives If Bastoni Joins Barcelona
Crucially, Inter themselves have shifted their position.
While they were previously reluctant to sell, they now accept that Bastoni could leave, and that the funds generated could finance the signings Chivu and Ausilio want to make this summer.
Inter’s current valuation stands at around €70 million.
Barcelona are aware that figure could come down, potentially through a player-plus-cash structure, though including a Barca player in the deal carries its own complications given the Catalans are reluctant to destabilise their squad at a critical point of the season.
Barcelona plan to intensify contact in April.
However, they want Bastoni himself to drive the process, making clear that, if he leaves Inter, his only destination is the Camp Nou.
From that point, the negotiation can begin in earnest.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Simeone addressed several key talking points, starting with the absence of two of the game’s best goalkeepers – Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak.
“The fans stand to lose the most because two very good goalkeepers are missing.”
First test against Arbeloa
As always with this fixture, emotion will play a huge role and Simeone emphasised the psychological side of the game, highlighting the intensity both teams will bring.
He explained, “It’s a game that’s played with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. We’ll try to do our best and get to a point in the match where we can really hurt our opponent.”
This derby will also mark Simeone’s first encounter with Alvaro Arbeloa as Real Madrid manager.
Diego Simeone is looking forward to the Madrid derby. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Despite the change on the Madrid bench, Simeone was full of praise for the job Arbeloa has done so far.
He pointed to the connection between the coach and his players as a key strength, stating, “He’s doing a great job; the results speak for themselves.
“There’s a real connection with the players, beyond the technical skills we coaches may have.
“There’s an extra quality that comes through, like this, in terms of what the coach wants, asks for, and needs.”
Madrid’s identity remains intact
When asked about changes within the Real Madrid setup, Simeone suggested that, from his perspective, very little has shifted.
Referring to recent performances, he said, “You see it much more than we do. We’re seeing it now, in these last few games.
“They always follow the same pattern; the players are the same; they’re working well as a team, especially against Benfica and City; they aim to win it all,” he concluded.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has urged his former club to sign Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, describing him as someone who’d be a “brilliant addition”.
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Van de Ven has shone at Spurs but the club as a whole have endured two difficult seasons in a row, so it would perhaps make sense for the Netherlands international to look for a move elsewhere.
Chelsea are also a little light of options at the back, so one imagines Van de Ven could easily come in as an upgrade on the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Cole is a big fan of the 24-year-old, and suspects that he might be unsettled at Tottenham and open to a move for a new challenge.
Joe Cole wants Micky van de Ven transfer for Chelsea
Speaking on the Dressing Room podcast, Cole said: “Micky van de Ven from Tottenham. I think he’s looking like he wants to leave. I think he’d be a brilliant addition for Chelsea.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with Van de Ven in the weeks and months ahead, but a lot of it will surely rest on whether or not Spurs get relegated.
The north Londoners are currently just a point above the bottom three, so they could well be dragged down there in the final few games.
If Tottenham were to end up dropping down to the Championship, it’s certainly hard to imagine a player of Van de Ven’s calibre staying there.
However, it may be that El Mala himself has already said yes to a move to Brighton, according to Christian Falk in yesterday’s edition of his exclusive CF Bayern Insider column.
Said El Mala set for Brighton transfer?
It remains to be seen if Chelsea could still hijack this deal, but for now it sounds like Brighton are in a strong position to sign El Mala.
According to Falk, the 19-year-old has personally agreed to the move, with his brother also set to join the Seagulls as an important part of the terms of the deal.
“It is TRUE: Said El Mala has said yes to signing for Brighton,” Falk wrote.
“The idea is that the Seagulls could offer €40m [£34.4m] to FC Köln. There was also a bid in the winter of around €30m, but that wasn’t enough for Cologne, as they needed him for the rest of the season.
“But in the summer, there’s a clearer pathway. Brighton made their offer, which is very attractive for the family! El Mala changed his agent, letting his mother take over.
Said El Mala
Games
Goals
Assists
FC Koln 2025/26
26
9
3
“He also has a brother, Malek El Mala. Both brothers wanted to play in the same club – and they can do this at Brighton, as the south coast club also made an offer for Malek. This is the dream!
“Both can play in England, which is why Brighton are in the lead. I think this transfer will happen.”
Said El Mala faces important transfer decision
El Mala looks ready for a big move to England, but he has to pick his next club wisely in order to maximise his chances of playing regularly.
It’s clear that the teenager is very capable and it won’t do him much good to just come and sit on the bench of a club like Chelsea.
At the same time, however, the Blues have invested a lot in young talents in recent times, so could find room for El Mala as an upgrade on the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.
Brighton seems to be his preference for now, though, so CFC might have to pull off something pretty special in order to change his mind.
Pressure mounts on Gasperini with Roma trio expected to split
Reports in Italy claim that Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is under scrutiny, with either he, Frederic Massara or Claudio Ranieri expected to depart at the end of the season.
Roma’s Europa League elimination at the hands of Bologna, along with the team’s poor form in Serie A in recent weeks, will likely have consequences for the following campaign.
Gasperini under scrutiny at Roma
Corriere della Sera and Il Messaggero report that coach Gasperini met with vice-president Ryan Friedkin, sporting director Massara and advisor Claudio Ranieri on Friday.
Several issues were discussed during the meeting, from the team’s competitiveness to the coach’s management.
It is no secret that Gasperini is unhappy with the transfer activity conducted by Massara, while Ranieri has been trying to mediate between the two parties over the last few months.
Despite a very good start to the season, Roma have lost 14 games across all competitions, they are out of the Europa League and sit 6th in the table, three points below fourth-placed Como.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
According to sources, Roma are set to make changes for 2026-27 with either Gasperini, Massara or Ranieri leaving at the end of the season.
In the meantime, the team will be pushing for a Champions League placement, a target that the club is desperate to reach, especially because the lack of revenue from Europe’s elite competition would force them to sell at least two top players for financial reasons.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Why United are keen on Chelsea flop
With Mason Mount facing an uncertain future at Manchester United, the Red Devils could turn to another former Chelsea midfielder to add creativity to their squad.
United signed the versatile Mount to both support and challenge Bruno Fernandes, who remains the side’s most reliable creator through the middle.
However, United’s number seven has had a torrid time at Old Trafford due to fitness issues. He has just two minutes under his belt since Michael Carrick’s arrival. It seems INEOS are exploring the market for a new attacking midfielder, with Fernandes not getting any younger.
Manchester United interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
According to SportsBoom, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s “surging form has whetted the appetite” of Premier League giants, including Manchester United.
Dewsbury-Hall had a difficult stint at Chelsea, leading to his move to Everton last summer in a £28 million deal, including add-ons.
The 27-year-old has emerged as a “cornerstone” of David Moyes’ side, having been directly involved in 11 goals in 23 Premier League appearances this season.
Dewsbury-Hall’s versatility in both the “Number 8” and “Number 10” roles has made him an appealing target for top Premier League clubs.
It is claimed United and Aston Villa are “feeling out” the situation in Merseyside despite the star player recently stating, “I’m playing the best football of my career.”
Everton intend to remain firm
As far as the Toffees are concerned, Dewsbury-Hall is “unsellable”. However, an astronomical bid could test their resolve.
It is understood Everton would likely agree to start negotiations at around £45 million. The Englishman is tied to the club until 2030, handing them a lot of negotiating power.
The report adds: “Should a club like Manchester United or Aston Villa submit a bid exceeding £50 million, Everton’s financial balancing act could force a difficult decision, potentially allowing the player to prove his worth at the highest level of the ‘Big Six’ ladder.”
Meanwhile, the Mancunians are reportedly keeping an eye on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Archie Gray, who could be available in a cut-price deal if the North London outfit are relegated to the Championship.
Feature image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images
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Numbers – Simeone set for major milestone on Arbeloa’s Madrid derby debut
Few fixtures in world football carry the intensity of a Madrid derby, and this weekend’s clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid promises to be no different.
The stakes are already high, but there is an added edge to this encounter.
Real Madrid head into the game with revenge on their minds after suffering a painful 5-2 defeat in the previous meeting.
While the focus will naturally be on the result, this match also marks a historic milestone for Diego Simeone.
What’s the story?
The Atletico boss is set to take charge of his 50th derby against Real Madrid. As such, of those encounters, 20 have come at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Across the 49 previous meetings, Simeone has registered 14 wins, 17 draws, and 18 defeats.
While the balance is tight, recent visits to the Bernabeu offer encouragement, as Atletico have not lost there in La Liga since the 2021/22 season, with their last three league trips ending in 1-1 draws.
A new chapter on the Madrid bench
Simeone will come up against his 8th Real Madrid manager. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
There will, however, be one unusual detail this time.
For years, Simeone’s biggest tactical battles came against Carlo Ancelotti. Across 26 derby clashes, both managers won nine games each, drawing the remaining eight.
This time, though, the familiar face will be missing. Instead, Simeone will come up against Alvaro Arbeloa.
In fact, Arbeloa becomes the eighth different Real Madrid coach Simeone has faced, following names like Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, against whom he played 13 times, Jose Mourinho (4), and others.
For Real Madrid, this match will be about redemption.
On the other hand, for Atletico, it is another opportunity to assert dominance in a fixture where margins are always fine.
The Bernabeu will set the stage, the rivalry will provide the fire, and history will add the pressure. And when the whistle blows, none of that will matter – only the result will.
Man Utd take official action against Stuart Attwell who has now cost them 4 points this season
Manchester United have decided to report match official Stuart Attwell, accusing him of adopting double standards in Friday’s draw at the Vitality Stadium.
The Red Devils had to chance to consolidate their third place in the table before their Champions League rivals step foot on the pitch this weekend.
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Michael Carrick’s men took a slim lead on two occasions, but they weren’t able to maintain it. However, they felt they were impeded by Attwell’s controversial calls.
Stuart Attwell under scrutiny following inconsistent officiating in Bournemouth vs Man Utd
The referee started the second half on the right foot, pointing towards the spot when Alex Jimenez pulled Matheus Cunha’s shirt inside his own box. This stonewall penalty was an incredibly easy call for the 43-year-old, and Bruno Fernandes converted it to give Man Utd a deserved lead.
Nevertheless, a few minutes later, the Warwickshire native waved play on when Adrien Truffert pushed Amad Diallo off balance, also inside the box.
A second penalty kick would have allowed MUFC to open a two-goal cushion. Instead, the Cherries went on to grab the equaliser through Ryan Christie.
United retook the lead thanks to an own-goal, but their joy was short-lived due to another debatable refereeing call.
Harry Maguire hauled down Evanislon, and Attwell was quick to signal a spot-kick for Bournemouth, and sent off the MUFC veteran, who was the last defender.
Many fans and pundits argued that Maguire’s challenge wasn’t too dissimilar to Truffer’s, but the match official made contrasting calls.
Man Utd take a stance against unjust officiating
According to the Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan, United were left furious by the incident, and have decided to file an official complaint, reporting Friday evening’s officiating to the PGMOL.
The source also lists a series of dubious calls that went against Man Utd earlier this season, including the failure to send off Brentford’s Nathan Collins for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, which was an almost identical case to Maguire’s dismissal on Friday, and the failure to award them a penalty at Wolves.
Nevertheless, the most curious case on the list is Lisandro Martinez’s disallowed goal against Burnley at Turf Moor in January (with Darren Fletcher acting as a caretaker), which United felt should have stood. That’s because the match official who ruled out the goal was none other than Attwell. He had also failed to spot a nasty and deliberate stomp from Kyle Walker on Patrick Dorgu during the same contest.
While Man Utd are taking a strong stance by launching this formal complaint, the damage has already been done on the pitch. Hence, there’s little PGMOL chief Howard Webb can do, perhaps other than avoid appointing Attwell for United’s games for the rest of the season.
How Phil Cole’s empty beers bottles got us to Celtic Park and into the Jungle
Last night on The Celtic Star we posted part 2 of Mike Maher’s recollections of supporting Celtic during the club’s first 9IAR years…
Phil Cole’s Bar Coatbridge. Photo The Celtic Star
We received this response from Frank T, which we thought we’d share with you before publishing the third and final instalment of of this brilliant insight into what it was like supporting Glasgow Celtic as they really did put on a show in the 1960’s and 70s.
If you are just catching up with this series here are the two likes to the first two instalments.
PART ONE – 9IAR, The First One – The impact of the travelling Celtic support
Celtic supporters. Photo The Celtic Wiki
PART TWO – ‘Infurabevvy’, rebel songs and an ‘alternative education’ on Phil Cole’s buses
Now here’s Frank’c contribution after he read part two last night. Part three to follow shortly on The Celtic Star…
Phil Cole’s bus and the Celtic supporters – early 1960s. Photo social media
Good to hear of the Celtic supporters’ buses leaving from Phil Cole’s pub in Langlone, Coatbridge.
Phil Cole’s barmen stored their empties in a fenced compound behind the pub. Myself and a few friends:- Paddy Boyle, Tom Docherty, David McDade and William Lewis would climb the fence, steal some empties and go into the “Family Dept.” and sell the Beer bottles back to Phil Cole — You got thrupence on an empty, in those days.
Fully flushed with cash we would pay our sixpence to get on to the Phil Coles bus to Parkhead and go into the jungle. We would get lifted over at the turnstyle and we would always have enough spare change to buy the horrible, Macaroon Bars which the pitch-side vendors sold during the game.
Phil Cole’s Coatbridge. Photo social media
Often we stood knee-deep in urine, at the front of the Jungle and sometimes had to wear crash helmets as a defence against the bottles which rained-down, if a refereeing decision went against our beloved team.
I’m sure I must know your writer (Mike Maher) because we all knew each other in those days.
All the lads I have mentioned have now gone to the ‘Great Celtic Park in heaven above’ and I am sure that any of their relatives will not mind me recalling our boyhood exploits.
By the way, the Paddy Boyle I mentioned later became Father Patrick Boyle and I often wonder if he related these evil deeds in confession!
Also I’m sure Phil Cole; God bless him, knew of our racket but allowed us to get to the games anyway. This continued for years until we reached adolescence and by the way; Celtic were rotten in those days and just avoided relegation. Nonetheless they were great days full of innocent adventure.
I hope Phil Cole’s relatives don’t read this article and have me in court seeking reparation for all those empty beer bottles!
Frank T
Mike Maher’s third and final instalment of this series is coming up shortly…
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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Official: Borussia Dortmund announce Emre Can contract extension
Following speculation during the week, Borussia Dortmund have officially announced that Emre Can has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2027.
Can’s previous deal had been set to expire at the end of the current season, but both player and club were keen to continue their long-standing relationship, which is now set to enter its eighth year.
Speaking after the announcement, Can expressed his delight:
“I am delighted to continue being part of Borussia Dortmund. BVB is a special club, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support. My goal now is to get fit again as quickly as possible, return to the pitch with my teammates, and achieve success with the club.”
Sporting director Lars Ricken also praised the captain’s importance to the team:
“Emre is our captain and an absolute role model. He is a leader who sets the standard and always puts the team first. It was no coincidence that, immediately after his serious injury, we made it clear we wanted to continue supporting him, because he remains a key player for Borussia Dortmund. Now, Emre must focus fully on his recovery, and we look forward to seeing him back on the pitch.”
The 32-year-old has been sidelined since February after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in the 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.
🚨Breaking news: Emre Can extends contract with Dortmund until 2027
The captain and leader of the black and yellow team extends his connection with the club during a challenging time.
Still recovering from a long-term injury, Emre Can's future will remain tied to Borussia Dortmund, which today confirmed its captain for one more season.
It will be Emre Can's eighth season wearing Borussia's yellow jersey, and although his contract was set to expire this season, it will continue for at least one more.
Liverpool return to Premier League action this afternoon to face Brighton. The Reds come into this one off the back of a dominant 4-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.
But now, they’re attention turns to their battle to secure Champions League football for next season. Arne Slot’s side currently sit 5th in the table and will be looking to capitalise on Man United after they dropped points against Bournemouth last night.
Team News
Arne Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah will miss this one with a muscle injury, but hopes that the Egyptian will be available after the international break.
Alisson Becker is also set for a spell on the sidelines, with Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to return to the side.
The duo joins the likes of Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak on the sidelines.
Liverpool Confirmed XI
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike, Gakpo.
Juventus vs Sassuolo – Match preview and team news
Juventus and Sassuolo go head-to-head in Serie A at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday as Luciano Spalletti’s men look to re-enter the top four in the table.
Juventus will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run and keep the pressure on AS Roma and Como in the race for the top four as the matchday 30 of the season approach.
Juventus vs Sassuolo – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21st March
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Referee: Matteo Marchetti
VAR: Rosario Abisso
Last meeting: Sassuolo 0-3 Juventus, Serie A, 6th January 2026
Juventus team news
Juventus come into this match with a largely settled squad, with only Emil Holm sidelined due to a calf injury.
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues. Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik, both of whom were struggling with injuries, are now back in contention.
In their most recent match, Jonathan David was dropped to the bench as Kenan Yildiz started up front as a false nine and Spalletti might once again stick with that plan in case he decides to keep Vlahovic and Milik on the bench.
Sassuolo team news
Sassuolo arrive in Turin with several absentees of their own, particularly in defensive areas, where Daniel Boloca and Fali Cande are sidelined with their own injuries.
Alieu Fadera is also out with a broken cheekbone while Edoardo Pieragnolo is doubtful due to his muscle issue.
The front three will once again be comprised of Domenico Berardi, Armand Lauriente and Andrea Pinamonti. In their last five matches in which they scored, one of them was always involved in every single match and will look to continue their form.
Form
Juventus
Juventus are currently on a four match unbeaten run and sits fifth in the table with 53 points from 29 matches. They defeated Udinese 1-0 away from home last week. They sit second in the xG table in comparison to their real position suggesting that they have underperformed in the season but as the final quarter of the season approaches, they will certainly want to make sure that they get inside that top four position and qualify for next year’s Champions League.
Sassuolo
Sassuolo’s recent form has been streaky, with a run of three consecutive wins following a pair of defeats. They sit at 10th with 38 points in the league and in their most recent outing, they lost 0-1 at home to Bologna. Although Sassuolo sits at 10th position in the table but they rank 15th in the xG table, indicating that they are currently overperforming and regression is looming against Juventus.
Barcelona summer signing closing in on major La Liga award
Everything seems to be falling perfectly into place for Joan Garcia.
What started as a breakthrough season at Barcelona is now turning into a genuine push for one of La Liga’s most prestigious individual honours.
Fresh off his first senior call-up to the Spanish national team, the 24-year-old goalkeeper is now firmly in the race for the Zamora Trophy, awarded to the goalkeeper with the best goals conceded ratio in the league.
Numbers that tell a powerful story
As per SPORT, the Barcelona keeper has conceded just 17 goals in 22 matches, giving him an outstanding average of 0.77 goals per game.
Interestingly, there is an important detail that keeps the race alive. Due to a meniscus injury earlier in the season, Garcia missed six matches.
To officially qualify for the Zamora Trophy, a goalkeeper must feature in at least 28 matches, playing a minimum of 60 minutes in each.
With 10 matchdays still to go, Garcia needs to play at least six more games to meet the requirement, something that looks highly achievable if he stays fit.
Joan Garcia is the favourite to win the Zamora trophy. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
If he reaches that threshold, Garcia becomes the clear favourite. Not just because of his numbers, but because of the momentum behind him.
Out of his 22 appearances, he has already kept 11 clean sheets, which is a remarkable return for a player in his first full season at the club.
Competition struggling to keep up
The race, as expected, is not without competition.
Thibaut Courtois remains one of the main challengers. The Real Madrid goalkeeper has conceded 24 goals in 28 matches, with an average of 0.86, although he has now been ruled out for more than a month.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak has also been in the conversation, but his campaign has been disrupted by physical issues.
As such, he has conceded 25 goals in 26 matches, averaging 0.96 per game.
Considering all this, if Joan Garcia maintains his current level and avoids further injury setbacks, the Zamora Trophy is within reach.
Liverpool team news v Brighton: Mamardashvili replaces Alisson as Slot forced into attacking change
Liverpool play their final match before the March international break this afternoon when they face Brighton at the Amex Stadium, with the Reds going into the game off the back of a 4-0 Champions League drubbing in midweek.
Arne Slot’s side switch their focus back to Premier League matters today as they seek to nudge into the top four overnight if they can defeat the Seagulls, whose improved form has seen them win three of their last four games.
LFC have been dealt two significant injury blows in the 24 hours or so leading into this fixture, with Mo Salah and Alisson Becker both ruled out, and a subsequent Instagram post from the goalkeeper would suggest that his return to action won’t be swift.
While that long-serving duo miss today’s clash against Brighton, who has been included in the Liverpool starting XI on the south coast?
Giorgi Mamardashvili takes Alisson’s place between the sticks, with an unchanged back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez ahead of him.
The midfield personnel are also duplicated from Wednesday night, so it’ll be interesting to see if Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz are deployed in a diamond setup once again, or if one of them will assume a right-sided attacking role.
Salah’s place up front is taken by Cody Gakpo, who lines up alongside Hugo Ekitike.
Freddie Woodman, Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez are the experienced heads on a youthful substitutes’ bench which includes Rio Ngumoha, Kieran Morrison, Trey Nyoni and Calvin Ramsay.
You can view the Liverpool starting XI and substitutes below, via @LFC on X:
PSG go head-to-head against Nice in a Ligue 1 clash at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday with both sides chasing points at opposite ends of the table.
Paris sit atop the table and look to expand their lead, while Nice are still looking over their shoulders at the relegation scrap and desperate to build on a much-needed recent win.
Nice vs PSG – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21st March
Kick-off: 8pm BST
Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice
Nice team news
Claude Puel’s Nice are expected to be without several players through injury, adding to the pressure on a thin squad in the run-in.
Tanguy Ndombele, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Ali Abdi, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Moise Bombito, Isak Jansson and Mohamed-Ali Cho are all listed as unavailable through injury going into the weekend.
Captain Dante remains a key figure at the back and could be partnered by Juma Bah, while midfield stability will likely come from Morgan Sanson and Hicham Boudaoui.
While Kevin Carlos and Kali Boudache are expected to start, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Sofiane Diop, the highest goal scorer for Nice this season with seven goals in Ligue 1 and nine altogether, starts from the kick-off along with Elye Wahi, who scored and assisted in their last game after coming on as a substitute.
PSG team news
Paris Saint-Germain travel south without several important names, although Luis Enrique still has considerable depth at his disposal.
Right-back Achraf Hakimi is suspended for this fixture after accumulating five yellow cards in French competitions.
Midfielder Fabian Ruiz, promising youngster Quentin Ndjantou and winger Bradley Barcola are all ruled out through injury.
In the absence of Hakimi, Warren Zaire-Emery is expected to fill in on the right side of defence.
Ousmane Dembele is ready to lead the line once again with support from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue through the flanks.
Form
Nice
Nice have been in modest form this season, sitting in the bottom half of Ligue 1 and showing inconsistency in both attack and defence. They have picked up just a few wins in recent weeks, with defeats to stronger sides underscoring their struggles to maintain rhythm. Their most recent outing was a 2‑0 away win at Angers, however, which briefly lifted spirits after a patchy run and gave them a rare clean sheet.
PSG
PSG’s most recent match was a 3-1 home loss to Monaco in Ligue 1 on March 6, 2026, at Parc des Princes. This marked their latest league outing after a 1-0 away win over Le Havre on February 28. PSG lead Ligue 1 with 57 points from 25 matches (18 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses), but recent league form shows two wins and two losses in their last four domestic games. Overall team form remains strong, bolstered by Champions League successes including a 5-2 home win over Chelsea on March 11 and a 3-0 away victory on March 17 (8-2 aggregate).
🚨No Salah or Alisson, Liverpool take a gamble at Brighton
The Slot team opens the day in the Premier League with the need to win and return to the Champions League positions.
Despite the absence of players like Alisson or Salah, Slot fields a fully reliable lineup with Mamardashvili in goal and Ekitike alongside Gakpo and Wirtz in the offensive area.
A victory for the Reds would complete a great week of results and would also temporarily place them in the Champions League positions.
🚨 BREAKING: Brighton and Liverpool name XIs for early PL kick-off
Brighton and Liverpool have confirmed their starting lineups for this afternoon's early Premier League clash on the south coast.
Liverpool come into this game on the back of a big result in the Champions League midweek as they defeated Galatasaray to line up a quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Brighton, on the other hand, were last in action last weekend as they narrowly beat Sunderland by a single goal.
This weekend, Arne Slot is having to navigate some injury concerns as Mohamed Salah misses out due to a problem sustained on Wednesday night, while goalkeeper Alisson has also been ruled out.
Record signing Alexander Isak is also yet to return to team training so Hugo Ekitike leads the line once again.
Japan have won the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup after a 1-0 victory over hosts Australia in Saturday’s final.
Maika Hamano’s superb first-half strike was the difference between the two sides as Japan claimed their third Asian Cup title in front of over 74,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
The defeat for Australia means their wait for an Asian Cup triumph continues, with Saturday’s match marking their third loss in the competition’s final, having also been beaten 1-0 by Japan in the 2018 and 2014 editions.
Chelsea forward Hamano put Japan ahead in the 17th minute with a fabulous solo effort, collecting Yui Hasegawa’s pass on the edge of the area, turning and finding the corner of the net with a dipping effort.
Australia had opportunities to level the scores in the first half with Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord unable to capitalise from a tight angle after being gifted possession by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. Foord again had a sighting of goal on the stroke of half time but dragged an effort wide after being picked out by Sam Kerr.
Japan had chances to put the game beyond Australia in the second half. The competition’s top scorer Riko Ueki headed wide after being picked out by a Hikaru Kitagawa cross. West Ham forward Ueki was again unable to add to her tally of six goals, firing straight at Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold having been played through by Hamano.
Australia pushed for an equaliser in the final stages and their best opening fell to Alanna Kennedy as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark. Kennedy rose highest to meet Ellie Carpenter’s cross from the right, but Yamashita was equal to it.
Kerr had an effort blocked in stoppage time, and goalkeeper Arnold was sent up as Australia won a corner on the cusp of full time, but they could not find a way past Japan, who celebrated a third Asian Cup title from the last four editions of the tournament.
Japan win the Asian Cup after Hamano's strike downs hosts Australia
Maika Hamano's first-half strike was enough to give Japan victory in the Asian Cup final over hosts Australia.
The Matildas went into this with advantage but knowing that their last two Asian Cup finals ended in 1-0 defeats to Japan. And it was the Japanese who were the favourites going into this considering their performances in this tournament.
However, Japan weren't quite as swashbuckling as we've seen them so far, clearly wary of Australia's pace on the break.
Still, with Yui Hasegawa in the middle of the park they always looked controlling the game and it was the Manchester City midfielder's lay-off in the 17th minute to Hamano that proved decisive.
When Hamano did pick up the ball it didn't seem immediately like there was a threat but the forward, currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Chelsea, quickly turned and fired an accurate shot into the corner. Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold also looked surprised as she didn't seem to have her feet sorted to get in the way of it.
The hosts certainly had opportunities themselves and were almost gifted one by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita who passed the ball straight to Caitlin Foord but the angle wasn't quite favourable for the forward to take full advantage.
Japan didn't have too many more chances as they played out the second half in control while happy to allow Australia to have the ball in certain areas.
Joseph Montemurro's side did have a golden chance to equalise in the final minutes of the game when Ellie Carpenter clipped in a cross that Alanna Kennedy headed towards goal only for Yamashita to pluck it out of the air.
Australia continued to press but couldn't find a way through a solid Japanese defence who held on to claim their third Asian Cup out of the last four tournaments.
Chelsea Starting XI vs Everton: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
Chelsea Face Defining Night at Everton in Champions League Chase
There are moments in a season when context sharpens every pass, every decision, every duel. For Chelsea, the trip to Everton carries that weight, a contest shaped by urgency as much as quality, with Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance.
Injury List Tests Squad Depth2
Chelsea arrive at Hill Dickinson Stadium stretched by absences that would test even the deepest squads. Reece James remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, though Liam Rosenior insists it is “not serious”. Trevoh Chalobah faces around six weeks out, while Levi Colwill continues his recovery from an ACL injury. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is also unavailable following minor surgery.
Photo IMAGO
Such setbacks force adaptation, reshaping the defensive unit and demanding composure under pressure, particularly away from home.
Estevao Boost and Attacking Options
There is, however, a lift in the expected return of Estevao, absent since last month with a hamstring problem. He was unused in the recent 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain but now stands ready to contribute, whether from the start or the bench.
Further forward, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez are all fit after midweek management of minutes, offering creativity and incision.
Defensive Shape and Selection Calls
Rosenior’s likely XI suggests continuity with subtle adjustments, Malo Gusto returning at right back after illness, while Jorrel Hato could again feature centrally.
The balance between control and ambition will be crucial, especially in a stadium where intensity often dictates rhythm.
Match Context and Season Stakes
With eight league games remaining, Chelsea’s pursuit of the top four feels like a narrative wrapped tightly around resilience. Like an Abaya flowing yet composed, their approach must blend structure with elegance, discipline with attacking freedom.
Kick off is set for 5:30pm GMT on Saturday March 21, 2026, a fixture that may well define Chelsea’s season trajectory.
The Georgia international has already had to come in and play in Alisson’s place during an injury earlier this season, and he’s generally long been regarded as a big talent for the future.
It’s not clear precisely how long Alisson will be out for, but the Brazilian’s Instagram post certainly doesn’t sound too optimistic.
This means we will probably see a lot of games for Mamardashvili between now and the end of the season.
I can reveal a major update on Eduardo Camavinga’s future after I previously reported here on contacts.
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At the time, it looked highly unlikely that Real Madrid would consider a sale, but that has changed, and there’s now even more interest in the France international.
This follows the recent update from Matteo Moretto that Real Madrid were in fact ready to listen to offers for Camavinga this summer, possibly for as little as €50m.
Liverpool leading Eduardo Camavinga transfer chase
For now, it looks like the strongest interest is coming from Liverpool, who have been keen on Camavinga for some time.
The 23-year-old has been discussed internally at LFC, and they’ve now also had two separate meetings with the player’s entourage.
It’s not yet clear if this will definitely lead to formal negotiations with Real Madrid, but that should be something we’ll find out about soon.
Chelsea are also in the mix, with the Blues big admirers of Camavinga’s profile as they look to add another top young midfielder to their squad amid doubts over Enzo Fernandez’s future. Read here to find out their other targets in that position.
“Liverpool and Chelsea are both working to establish themselves with those close to Camavinga,” one source explained. “For now, Liverpool have done slightly more work on this deal, but it will likely be an open race.”
Eduardo Camavinga hasn’t fulfilled potential at Real Madrid
Camavinga has long been highly regarded in the game, first playing for former club Rennes as a teenager.
Whilst clearly someone with enormous potential, Camavinga hasn’t quite found his feet at Real Madrid, filling in as a utility player due to his versatility.
The Frenchman would probably benefit from having more of a key role in a set position, so it will be interesting to see if Liverpool and Chelsea can offer him that.
It’s still a risk, however, for Los Blancos to let him go unless they are confident of securing a top class replacement to bolster their midfield.
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According to a team of reporters on X, Olise’s family will be at today’s game between Liverpool and Brighton, with the France international seen as the ideal long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
It’s been a disappointing season for Salah, whose form has collapsed since last season when he was on fire to help Liverpool win the Premier League title.
Now the Egypt international is starting to show his age, and Olise has shown with his world class Bayern performances that he could be the ideal long-term successor on that right flank.
Michael Olise is the dream signing for Liverpool
As you can see below, we recently ranked Olise as a 21/15 signing for Liverpool using our Transfer Fit rating system – click here if you want to find out more about how it works.
Michael Olise
TOTAL SCORE: 21/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
*****
Achievements
****
Career phase
*****
Squad need
*****
Olise would be expensive, which is the only thing bringing down his score slightly, as he ticks all the other boxes with his recent form and Liverpool’s need for a signing in that position.
The 24-year-old has a total of 35 goals in 93 games for Bayern, and has previously also shown what he can do in the Premier League with some superb displays during his time at Crystal Palace.
Bayern surely won’t sell Michael Olise
It’s hard to imagine this being a realistic deal for LFC, as Bayern surely won’t be under pressure to sell for anything other than crazy money.
Olise has a contract with the Bundesliga giants until 2029, so there’s not a big hurry for them to tie him down to a new deal, though that would surely help end all speculation.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has played down transfer rumours linking his star player Bruno Guimaraes with Manchester United.
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The Brazil international has been a key player for the Magpies and is now their club captain, with Howe insisting any speculation about him holding talks with Man Utd is nonsense.
Howe also admitted it’s an “unwanted” story as he doesn’t want his players to be distracted by stories like this.
Watch below for Howe’s reaction when asked about reports in Brazil claiming that Guimaraes was discussing a move to Old Trafford…
Eddie Howe responds to reports linking Bruno Guimarães to Manchester United ??? pic.twitter.com/xb9TXQ0Fac
Eddie Howe slams Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United transfer stories
“I don’t even know how to respond to that, I don’t even think I should because it’s a waste of my energy,” Howe said.
“Bruno’s our captain, he’s fully committed. He’s injured at the moment. His only focus is coming back to fitness.
“For me, it’s a nonsense story. Unwanted news, I suppose is the best way to put it. You don’t want your players distracted.
“I don’t know how much they’ll absorb that, but for me it’s not the time to think about that. In the summer, you can sort of understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open.
“But to say our captain’s in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anybody else. He’s totally committed here.”
Is Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United realistic?
Newcastle won’t want to sell an important player like Guimaraes, but United could do with a new midfielder, or perhaps even two this summer.
Still, Newcastle were tough negotiators last summer when Liverpool pursued Alexander Isak, eventually paying huge money to sign him late on in the window.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has criticised the club for sacking previous manager Enzo Maresca in the middle of the season.
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The Italian tactician won the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with the Blues last season, but ended up leaving Stamford Bridge at the start of January.
Liam Rosenior ended up replacing Maresca, joining from Strasbourg, but things haven’t really improved since then.
Fernandez clearly isn’t happy with Chelsea’s decision, with the Argentina international admitting Maresca’s exit has disrupted the players.
Enzo Fernandez on Chelsea missing Enzo Maresca
Fernandez’s comments come amid doubts over his Chelsea future, and this outburst surely won’t help matters.
Speaking to Mexican broadcaster TUDN, Fernandez admitted he didn’t know why CFC decided to part ways with Maresca.
“I don’t understand it either,” the former Benfica man said, as quoted by the Metro.
“Sometimes there are things that we as players don’t understand, how and in what way they try to manage things.
“Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it’s good and bad.
“But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short.”
?? Throwback to THIS free-kick screamer by Enzo Fernandez – can Chelsea really afford to lose him? ? pic.twitter.com/aEXhAV6yR3
Fernandez certainly doesn’t sound too happy with life at Chelsea, and we’ve already received information on the west London giants preparing for his departure.
Although Romano is stressing that nothing has been completed yet, it sounds very much like Man City are currently in pole position to land Anderson this summer.
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However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano also mentioned that Manchester United still remain very attentive to the Nottingham Forest midfielder’s situation.
Fabrizio Romano provides details on Elliot Anderson transfer saga
Discussing the latest on Anderson’s future, Romano explained how MCFC have moved to an advanced stage of their talks with the player’s representatives.
Man Utd fans will be interested to hear, however, that they don’t seem to be entirely out of the race just yet.
“Man City are pushing to sign Elliot Anderson. They are in advanced talks with his agents in advanced conversations in terms of … just asking about the situation of the player,” Romano said.
“So nothing has been agreed, nothing has been done, nothing has been completed but I mean advanced conversations about inquiring for the player.”
He added: “So Man City have been clear. They see Elliot Anderson as a target. Again, we are not yet at the stage of personal terms agreed. We are not yet at the stage of deal done. We are not yet at the stage of deal final stages, but for sure Manchester City confirmed their interest to those close to Anderson.
“Manchester United are attentive to the situation as well. Man United love the player, but at the moment Man City are pushing because in midfield Man City will be very busy as well.”
Elliot Anderson transfer destination – who should he choose?
At the moment it sounds like it’ll either be City or United for Anderson, even if Chelsea also cannot be entirely ruled out.
As we previously reported, the Blues are big admirers of the 23-year-old but are expected to already be slightly behind the two Manchester clubs in terms of legwork done on this deal.
On the face of it, City looks like comfortably the best move for Anderson, who could have a key role there as a long-term successor to Rodri.
He’d also be joining a winning project at the Etihad Stadium, even if this season hasn’t yet gone entirely to plan for Pep Guardiola’s side.
There aren’t the same guarantees at United or Chelsea, who have been in and out of the top four in recent years and chopped and changed managers several times.
City would surely be the more stable environment, though Anderson will also surely keep an open mind as MUFC and CFC are also two massive clubs.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed our recent report on Joshua Zirkzee wanting out of Manchester United in the upcoming summer transfer window.
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The Netherlands international has struggled since joining Man Utd from Bologna, and it now seems he could look for a return to Serie A.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that Zirkzee would “welcome” a transfer away from Old Trafford this summer, with a return to Italy mentioned as a possibility.
This is similar to our info from a few days ago as we reported Zirkzee wants to leave United and ideally return to Serie A even though he has also had some interest from Premier League clubs.
Joshua Zirkzee transfer update from Fabrizio Romano
“I can guarantee to you guys that the desire of Joshua Zirkzee is to change in the summer transfer window,” Romano said.
“Zirkzee would welcome a transfer out of Manchester United.”
He added: “In the summer he’s expected to leave and there is interest from Premier League. There are some Premier League clubs already calling to understand if there is a chance to sign Joshua Zirkzee in the summer transfer window, but also Italian clubs.
“Italian clubs have always been around for Zirkzee. In January Roma had been pushing, Juventus were keen as well. Now more clubs also joining the race.
“Joshua Zirkzee is absolutely one to watch for the summer transfer window and could leave Manchester United.”
Manchester United need to move Joshua Zirkzee on
It’s clear that it just hasn’t worked out for Zirkzee at United and it looks like the right decision to move him on this summer.
The 24-year-old may well go on to have a fine career in Italian football, but he hasn’t looked cut out for the fast and physical nature of the English game.
Some MUFC fans will be disappointed that this deal didn’t work out as Zirkzee looked like an exciting prospect when he joined, but he has unfortunately gone on to become the latest in a long line of flops signed in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
It will be interesting to see who United move for as a replacement in attack this summer, with more depth surely needed if Zirkzee ends up leaving.
Still, there’s no getting away from the fact that he’s been a disappointment at Chelsea, scoring only one league goal so far.
Liam Delap transfer could be risky for Newcastle United
As we reported yesterday, Delap doesn’t look like an ideal fit for Newcastle right now, even if they could do with strengthening up front.
The Magpies urgently need a top class replacement for Alexander Isak, with neither Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa delivering for the club so far.
Liam Delap
TOTAL SCORE: 8/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
–
Achievements
–
Career phase
***
Squad need
***
As you can see in the table above, Delap scored just 8/25 using our Transfer Fit rating system (more detail on how it works here), which is a low score mostly based on the fact that his recent form is poor and he doesn’t have enough of an overall track record to make up for it.
NUFC can surely find a better way to spend £40m, or, even better than that, try for a more expensive player who might prove the better investment in the long run anyway.
Delap’s fee isn’t crazily high, but that doesn’t mean he’s right for Newcastle at the moment, with Howe’s side in need of a strong window to make up for the chaos of last summer when they fought long and hard to keep Isak only to lose him anyway and end up with inadequate replacements.
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on new contracts for important first-team duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.
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According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, talks are advanced on new deals for the Man Utd pair, who have re-established themselves as key players for the club under interim manager Michael Carrick.
See below for details as Ornstein says Mainoo’s new contract would run until 2031 and see him earn a pay rise, while veteran defender Maguire would just be offered one more year, with the option of another on top of that…
? EXCL: Man Utd close to agreement with Kobbie Mainoo + Harry Maguire over new contracts. Proposed deal would keep 20yo midfielder at #MUFC until 2031 on improved terms. 33yo defender offered 1+1yr deal. Work still needed but talks advanced @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/EbHI6cYR2e
Posting on X, Ornstein said: “Man Utd close to agreement with Kobbie Mainoo + Harry Maguire over new contracts. Proposed deal would keep 20yo midfielder at #MUFC until 2031 on improved terms. 33yo defender offered 1+1yr deal. Work still needed but talks advanced.”
Maguire and Mainoo deals are good news for Manchester United
This has not been the easiest season at Old Trafford, with the club once again changing manager after Ruben Amorim’s sacking at the start of 2026, but things are ending on more of a high note.
United could only manage a draw away to Bournemouth last night, but they’ve been one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League since Carrick replaced Amorim.
A big part of that has been Mainoo’s increased involvement, with the talented young England international bizarrely frozen out when Amorim was in charge.
Maguire’s improvement has also been a big boost for MUFC, with the 33-year-old showing how important he can still be to the team.
Our information was that Maguire had been eyed by Chelsea as a surprise option to give them some much-needed experience at the back, so it’s perhaps not surprising that the Red Devils have moved fast to ensure they can keep hold of him.
Leeds United are interested in signing the FC Midtjylland winger Aral Simsir at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has been exceptional this season, scoring 11 goals and 18 assists in all competitions. He is set to secure a big move in the summer, and Leeds could use his creativity, goals and unpredictability in the final third.
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Leeds and Palace keen on Aral Simsir
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds United and Crystal Palace are closely monitoring his development and are expected to make a move in the summer.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done. Both clubs need more quality on the flanks, and Simsir would be a super long-term acquisition. He is a young player with a lot of potential and the technical attributes to succeed in the Premier League. He will look to hit the ground running in the Premier League if the move goes through.
Simsir will look to establish himself as a regular international for Turkey, and they move to the Premier League will certainly help him.
Leeds are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see if they can secure safety. It will help them attract top talent in the summer.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace recently won the FA Cup and the Community Shield. They will be an attractive destination for the 23-year-old.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
FC Midtjylland will not want to let a key player like him leave easily, and they could demand a premium for his signature.
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Joao Gomes is keen on a big move
The 25-year-old has previously admitted that he would love to play for Liverpool in future, and that will certainly give the defending champions an edge in the transfer race. They could use more quality in the middle of the park, and Gomes would be a superb acquisition. He will add control, composure and defensive cover to the team. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get the deal done.
Meanwhile, clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham have also made enquiries about his situation. It is clear that the 25-year-old will be a player in demand at the end of the season. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Gomes deserves to compete at a high-level and joining a big club would be ideal for him. He should look to join a team that offers regular opportunities and lets him fight for trophies.
Wolves are likely to demand a premium for him, and it remains to be seen which of the aforementioned clubs would be prepared to pay up.
Chelsea are interested in signing the South American defender Mateo Del Blanco at the end of the season.
According to reports, Chelsea are interested in the 22-year-old left-back and have been monitoring his performance for Union de Santa Fe for some time.
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Chelsea eyeing Mateo Del Blanco
Del Blanco can operate as a full back as well as a wing back. He has impressed with his performances at both ends of the pitch, and he could prove to be a quality, long-term investment for the club. Chelsea have shown a willingness to invest in talented young players in recent windows, and it seems that they want to add more quality to the pool of young talent already at the club.
The opportunity to join a Premier League club will be exciting for the young defender. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to test himself in England. Chelsea is among the biggest clubs in the world, and Blanco will find it difficult to turn them down.
The player is reportedly valued at €4 million, and he would be a very affordable acquisition for Chelsea. It will be interesting to see if the Blues follow up on their interest with an official offer to get the deal done.
According to journalist Renzo Pantich, Chelsea are hoping to sign the player and send him on loan to Strasbourg so that he can continue his development with regular football. If he manages to impress in France, he will be given the opportunity to succeed in future. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. The journalist claims the player ‘will be bought by Chelsea‘ in the summer.
Chelsea have the financial muscle to get the deal across the line, and Union are unlikely to be able to stop him from leaving if the Blues are serious about getting the deal done.
Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has done quite well since the £25 million move to the club in the summer of 2025.
He struggled to make his mark at Chelsea, but he has shown his quality at Everton and turned his career around. His impressive performances at Everton have attracted the attention of clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester United.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall price revealed
According to a report from SportsBoom, the player would cost around £50 million if the Premier League clubs are willing to come forward and sign him in the summer. The midfielder has six goals and five assists in the league this season, and Manchester United could use more creativity in the final third.
The player is considered “untouchable” at Everton, and it will be interesting to see if the Red Devils can convince the Toffees with an attractive offer. If they submit an offer exceeding £50 million, Everton might have to make a difficult decision because of their financial situation.
Meanwhile, the player would have to be offered a contract worth around £150,000-a-week as well.
Aston Villa are monitoring his situation as well, and they could use more creativity in the final third. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to make a move for him. They are pushing to secure European qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they might be able to fund the move with revenue from the Champions League.
Dewsbury-Hall has previously failed to prove himself at a big club like Chelsea, and it remains to be seen whether he is ready to take on a new challenge and join a club like Manchester United in the summer. They are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to join them could be hard to turn down.
Chelsea are looking to improve the attacking unit with the signing of Konstantinos Karetsas at the end of the season.
The 18-year-old attacker has caught the attention of clubs like Real Madrid and PSG with his performances for KRC Genk. Karetsas has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal.
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Chelsea could use more creativity in the final third, and Karetsas could add a new dimension to their attacking unit. He will add pace, flair and unpredictability to the team as well. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea comes forward with an offer to secure his signature. Clubs like Real Madrid and PSG are also monitoring his development, and they have the financial means to sign him.
According to a report from HLN, the player will cost around €45 million in the summer. Chelsea have the financial muscle to afford him, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to pay the asking price for the talented attacker. The demand might seem steep for an unproven talent like him, but Karetsas could justify the investment in the future.
He would be a long-term asset for Chelsea, and they might be able to groom him and help him fulfil his potential in future.
The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for the youngster. It would be a huge step in his career, and regular football in England could bring out the best in him. However, he must seek gametime assurance before moving to the Premier League. Sitting on the bench at a big club could be detrimental to his development.
Crystal Palace are looking to improve the midfield unit in the summer, and they are keen on Nicolo Barella.
The 29-year-old has done quite well in Italy, and the opportunity to move to the Premier League could be interesting for him. Barella is at the peak of his career, and this could be his final opportunity to try out a new challenge.
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Palace want Nicolo Barella
Crystal Palace is preparing a formal proposal to get the deal done, and they could offer around €70 million (£60m) in order to sign the player. It will be interesting to see if they can convince the Italian international to join the club. They are not the only Premier League club interested in the player, and Newcastle United are among them, according to reports from Spain.
They are hoping to hijack Barella’s move to the London club with a £40 million offer. It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
Crystal Palace need more creativity and control in the middle of the park, and the 29-year-old could make an immediate impact. He is a top-quality player who has proven himself for club and country. He has the physicality and technical attributes to succeed in English football as well.
Similarly, Newcastle could use a player with his quality as well. Bruno Guimaraes has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, and Barella could be a quality alternative.
It will be interesting to see if the Italian is willing to join either club.
Barella plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and he might prefer to join a team where he can compete for league titles and the UEFA Champions League. The move to Crystal Palace or Newcastle might come across as a step down for him.
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Casemiro is pushing for Bruno Guimaraes move
The report further claims that Casemiro is pushing behind the scenes to get the transfer across the line. He will leave Manchester United in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if he can help them sign Guimaraes before his departure.
The Newcastle star will certainly help Manchester United improve. He will add control and creativity to the team. The opportunity to join a bigger club will be exciting for him. He has proven himself in the Premier League with Newcastle, but he deserves to compete at a high level.
Manchester United are working hard to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they need quality players at their disposal in order to compete for trophies next year. Guimaraes has been suggested to the Manchester United hierarchy by Casemiro, and his word is valued at the club. It will be interesting to see if the Old Trafford outfit can get the electro line.
Newcastle have an ambitious project as well, and they are competing in the UEFA Champions League this season. They might not secure Champions League football for the upcoming campaign, but they will still look to secure football in some capacity and fight for trophies. Losing their best midfielder will not be a part of their plan. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United can convince them to sell the player with an attractive offer.
Manchester United are looking to strengthen the defensive unit by signing Nathan Collins from Brentford.
According to TeamTalk, the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has emerged as a genuine target for Manchester United, and they are looking to accelerate matters in order to sign the player.
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Multiple clubs keen on Nathan Collins
Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham are also monitoring the player and have scouted him regularly. However, Manchester United are actively exploring a move for the player.
It will be interesting to see if Brentford is willing to sanction his departure. They paid a club record fee of £23 million to sign the player in 2023, and they will look to make a substantial profit if a big club comes calling. The report claims that at least £55 million may be required to get the deal done.
Manchester United have the financial muscle to pay up for him, and they should be in a position to get the deal done, especially if they secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. They need to improve defensively if they want to fight for major trophies.
Also, Harry Maguire is in the twilight stages of his career, and they need to plan his succession. They need a quality defender with leadership skills. Collins could be the ideal addition for them.
The defender could be attracted to the idea of joining one of the biggest clubs in the world. He has proven himself at Brentford, and this is the right time for him to take on a bigger challenge. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in signing the Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi.
The young defender is highly rated across Europe, and Barcelona have no plans to let him leave. He has a €500 million release clause in his contract, and Barcelona are under no pressure to sanction his departure.
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Pau Cubarsi wanted by Premier League duo
According to reports from Spain, the player’s market value is €80 million, and he has a long-term contract with the Spanish club until 2029. Arsenal and Manchester City are very keen on him, and they are preparing financial strategies to tempt the player’s representatives. It will be interesting to see if they can offer him a lucrative contract and force him to consider an exit.
Arsenal already have the best defensive unit in the Premier League, and it seems that they are looking to improve further. There is no doubt that Cubarsi would be a super long-term acquisition. He has all the attributes to develop into a world-class player in the future. Meanwhile, Manchester City are looking to bring an upgrade on Nathan Ake.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs comes forward with an official proposal. They have the resources to pay €80 million for him, but it seems unlikely that Barcelona will sanction his departure. They are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and losing one of their best young players would be a major blow. It would also send the wrong message about their ambitions.
The Spanish champions are likely to keep hold of the young defender beyond this summer. Arsenal and Manchester City might have to move on to other targets.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been ruled out of the upcoming matches and is set to undergo hernia surgery.
Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed that the player will be sidelined for several weeks, and his season might have ended prematurely. The Italian journalist claims that the blow has come at the worst possible time for Tottenham, who are fighting for their survival in the top flight. They will be without their best goalkeeper for the remaining matches of the season.
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Kinsky to replace Guglielmo Vicario
Antonin Kinsky put on a horror show recently when he was handed an opportunity in the UEFA Champions League. But Tottenham will have to rely on him in the coming matches now. It will be interesting to see if the young goalkeeper can bounce back strongly and help his team secure survival in the top flight.
Meanwhile, the injury below could prove to be costly for the player as well. It will hamper his World Cup preparations, and it remains to be seen whether he can return to action quickly.
It has been a disastrous season for Tottenham, and they will be desperate to survive. A club of their stature should have been fighting for European football and domestic trophies. Instead, they find themselves scrapping for a place in the Premier League next season.
Losing an important player at this stage of the season could prove to be devastating for them. They have already had more than their fair share of injury problems this season.
Vicario has had his fair share of criticism, but the Italian remains the most reliable keeper at the club. His injury will certainly affect Tottenham in the remaining matches of the season.
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, and clubs like Real Madrid are keen on him.
However, the 25-year-old is a key player for the Blues, and they do not want to lose him. Manager Liam Rosenior has held a private meeting with the player regarding the player’s comments and the team’s form in recent weeks. He has revealed that the player is committed to Chelsea, and his recent comments regarding his future were taken out of context.
Fernandez recently claimed that he will assess his future after the World Cup, which fuelled speculations that he could leave Chelsea.
Rosenior told reporters (h/t GOAL): “Yeah, I think I had a great conversation with Enzo at length this morning before training, not just about his comments, just how he was feeling, how as a team we can improve. He’s one of the captains of the club. What I would say is that he made it really, really clear to me how happy he is here at this club, how much he wants to win, how passionate he is for us to be successful. And he also said that in translation and in emotion, things get misconstrued in what he said. So for me, he’s fully committed to this group, he’s fully committed to winning here at this football club.”
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can keep him at the club beyond this season. He is one of the best players at the club, and he is one of the leaders of the dressing room. Losing him would be a blow for them, and they cannot afford to let players like him leave the club if they want to fight for major trophies. They will look to bridge the gap with elite clubs next season, and they need to hold onto their best players.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in both Chelsea strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, according to TEAMtalk.
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The Magpies could do with strengthening up front after a disappointing season in which they have failed to replicate the success of their previous campaign.
Newcastle won the Carabao Cup final and qualified for the Champions League last term, but have suffered since selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
So far, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa haven’t performed well at Newcastle, so bringing in someone like Jackson or Delap could be a good move.
Still, some NUFC supporters might also be slightly underwhelmed, as both players have largely flopped at Chelsea.
The 23-year-old scored 12 goals in 37 games for Ipswich last season, standing out as a top performer even if the club ended up getting relegated.
This season, Delap has managed just one league goal in 21 appearances for the Blues, and it could lead to speedy exit.
Newcastle might bank on Delap getting back to his best, but it would certainly be a gamble, and even if he has some potential, he’s currently a long way from being someone who could replace a world class forward like Isak…
Newcastle clearly need a striker and Delap is young enough that he could still turn his career around, but there’s not really enough there to suggest he’s at the level Eddie Howe’s side really need.
The Senegal international has also been pretty underwhelming on loan at Bayern Munich, but in fairness to him he’s struggled for playing time due to being behind Harry Kane in the pecking order.
Here’s how we scored him for Newcastle – slightly above Delap. Do you agree with our verdict? Let us know in the comments!
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not confirmed one way or another if it will be David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga starting the Carabao Cup final.
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The Gunners take on Manchester City at Wembley this Sunday with the first piece of silverware of the season up for grabs, and it could also prove a crucial part of this season’s title race between these two clubs as well.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has already confirmed he’ll be playing backup goalkeeper James Trafford against Arsenal, but Arteta simply said “we’ll see” when asked about who’ll start in goal for his side.
Raya is Arsenal’s established number one ‘keeper for the biggest games, but Kepa has been the team’s cup goalie so far this season, but it seems Arteta isn’t ruling out bringing in Raya for this hugely important match.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s goalkeeper to take on Manchester City
Watch below as Arteta responded to a question about Kepa vs Raya, and gave little away, though he did add that it doesn’t make a big difference as they’re both quality players with a lot of experience at the highest level…
Arsenal fans will probably be hoping Arteta doesn’t take any risks given the importance of this game, with Raya surely the safer option.
The Spanish shot-stopper has been superb during his time at the Emirates Stadium, and surely deserves the chance to start in a game that could finally see the north London giants lift their first trophy since 2020.
Then again, it’s also important to keep players happy, and it would clearly show a distinct lack of faith in Kepa if he were to be left out of this game having played all of the other Carabao Cup matches previously.
Arsenal are reportedly calm and in a positive mood ahead of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final clash against Manchester City.
The Gunners will arguably be the favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley this Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s side currently top of the Premier League and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
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By contrast, Man City have not been at their best, having dropped points in two league matches in a row to fall further behind Arsenal, while they were also knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid this week.
Speaking on YouTube, Independent journalist Miguel Delaney provided some insight into how Arsenal now seem to be in a better mood than their opponents ahead of this big game.
Arsenal calm ahead of Manchester City cup final showdown
“Arsenal are the team that are in the better mood where nothing has, as yet, gone you’d say very badly wrong they feel in a good place now as a team,” Delaney said.
“From what I’m told, the mood in the camp is one where the final is almost actually being downplayed a bit.
“There’s a calmness which marks such a contrast from you know one of the major characteristics of this season which is how every single Arsenal game or almost every single game has been ramped up.”
Only time will tell how this affects Arsenal’s performance at the weekend, but for now the club’s fans will surely be pleased to hear this positive update.
Arsenal’s recent record against Man City
For a long time Arsenal seemed to struggle in their games against City, but Arteta has done a tremendous job to turn that around in the last couple of years.
AFC are now on a run of six games unbeaten against MCFC, and that includes a victory at Wembley in the 2023 Community Shield.
City can never be ruled out, though, after all the success they’ve had under Guardiola, which also includes beating Arsenal in the League Cup final back in 2018.
Manchester United still appreciate Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who was a top target for previous manager Ruben Amorim, according to Fabrizio Romano.
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It seems Man Utd are still discussing their top midfield targets for the summer, with no final decision yet, but Romano has suggested Baleba remains one of the options under consideration.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano went through a list of players the Red Devils are looking at in that position, including Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.
It is not yet clear if Baleba will still be one of United’s priorities as he was under Amorim, with Romano generally explaining that whoever the club’s new manager will end up being could be another significant factor when it comes to identifying transfer targets.
Fabrizio Romano on Manchester United’s ongoing interest in Carlos Baleba
United have been linked with Baleba several times, but it seems Amorim was key to this, even if others inside Old Trafford also like the Cameroon international.
Romano said: “We have to understand that in order to say ‘okay, Man United want his player because also the coach wants his player’. For example Ruben Amorim was big fan of Baleba at Brighton. (He) wanted Baleba now Baleba is still appreciated by people at Man United, of course, but in that case there was the manager pushing a lot to get Baleba, now it could be different so let’s see let’s follow the situation.”
At the same time, MUFC might also face a lot of competition for someone like Elliot Anderson, as reported by BBC Sport, so sometimes it’s worth keeping a lot of different players in mind.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the surprise decision to start with James Trafford as his goalkeeper against Arsenal this weekend.
Man City take on the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, and it seems Guardiola is prepared to stick with his cup ‘keeper even for this hugely important game.
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The Spanish tactician, speaking at his press conference today, was asked about starting with Trafford over his usual no.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, and confirmed he would be doing so.
As per BBC Sport, Guardiola said Trafford would be starting and described it as a “big moment for the team.”
James Trafford’s difficult time at Manchester City so far
Trafford joined City from Burnley in the summer, but Donnarumma joined from Paris Saint-Germain not long after.
It perhaps looked initially like Trafford would be Guardiola’s first-choice ‘keeper this season, but it hasn’t worked out that way.
The 23-year-old is a fine talent who will probably feel he could be starting for a number of other Premier League clubs, so it will be interesting to see what he decides about his future this summer.
Still, for the time being Trafford will be given the chance to make himself a hero this weekend.
What about Arsenal’s goalkeeper for the cup final?
Interestingly, it also wouldn’t be too surprising if Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also neglected to use his usual no.1 ‘keeper for this game.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has played for Arsenal in all of their League Cup and FA Cup games so far, so that would probably suggest he’ll be in the starting XI on Sunday as well.
All in all, these decisions seem slightly risky, with Donnarumma performing superbly against Arsenal in last season’s Champions League semi-finals when he was still at PSG.
David Raya is also a top performer for AFC, so could be missed in this important game when silverware is up for grabs.
Fabrizio Romano has reported on Liam Rosenior’s job safety at Chelsea, with the Blues not looking likely to sack the manager any time soon.
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Chelsea are known for changing managers pretty frequently, having already gone through Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Enzo Maresca as permanent appointments under this ownership.
But it seems he’s not in immediate danger, with Romano acknowledging that it’s harder to take a big job like Chelsea without the benefits of a full pre-season to prepare.
Fabrizio Romano on Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea future
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano responded to uncertainty around Rosenior after Chelsea’s humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
He said: “Obviously it was disappointing to see Chelsea going out of the Champions League like that. Paris Saint-Germain scored eight goals on aggregate against Chelsea in the Champions League. (It) was especially the Stanford Bridge one poor performance and so obviously many people (are) asking and trying to understand the situation around Liam Rosenior
“But at the moment despite all the questions I’m getting the answer I have is that Chelsea keep believing in their manager. Obviously we all know this is a results-based industry. So let’s see how it’s going to continue in the next months, but at the moment Chelsea show total commitment to the project they started with Rosenior.
“He arrived in January and it’s not the same when you arrive during the summer preseason start to do the market with the ideas of the coach as well.”
He added: “So the idea is to support Rosenior, is to trust Rosenior. Then again, he has to deliver as every single coach in the world. That’s the point.”
Speaking at a press conference today as he announced his latest England squad, Tuchel quite clearly left the door open for Dowman to join up with the Three Lions later on this summer.
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The German tactician was also full of praise for Arsenal for the way they’ve handled the 16-year-old’s development so far, explaining that it’s clear he’s in a good environment where he can stay grounded and keep on learning from the best.
Thomas Tuchel on Max Dowman
Speaking about a number of players who didn’t make his latest England squad, Tuchel made it clear he sees no reason to rush into selecting Dowman.
Still, the England manager definitely didn’t rule it out as something he could do when it comes to naming his final World Cup squad ahead of the tournament later this year.
“Well, he put himself in the spotlight no? With this amazing goal against Everton, and a crucial goal.”
“I think he is, at the moment, complete, and obviously a fantastic talent and an outstanding talent with this age. There cannot be a doubt about it.
“Everyone who tells me about Max praises him and is full of compliments about him. The reality at the moment is also that he competes for minutes – he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal.
“I think he’s in a fantastic environment, I think he’s in the best environment possible; in a competitive club, in a stable club, in a club where team work is the number one rule, this is how they play, this is how they function.
“So he learns from the very best, in the very best environment. And with these young guys, yeah, of course we know all these players and we see them as you do as well.
“At the moment I think he’s in a good place to fight for his position, fight for his minutes at Arsenal.
“We always have the chance to call him, maybe, up for the World Cup.
“The thing with young players is to keep their momentum, maybe, going and keep their excitement, and they have a level of fearlessness with them. So no need to call him up now and increase the pressure and increase all the noise that comes with it. But yeah, we have all options.”
Max Dowman making a name for himself
Dowman scored a memorable late goal for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Everton, with the teenager coming off the bench in that match and almost single-handedly changing the game.
It’s not often you see a player so young playing with so much quality and intelligence, but Dowman looked very much at home at Premier League level.
The Englishman first fired in a dangerous cross that led to Arsenal’s opening goal for Viktor Gyokeres, before then running almost the length of the pitch to grab the second.
Even if he was faced with an open goal, Dowman showed tremendous skill to get himself into that position to punish Everton on the counter-attack.
In total, Dowman has played seven first-team games for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and it’s easy to imagine he’ll get more minutes between now and May.
That could put him firmly in contention for a World Cup spot, and what a story that would be!
See below for a comparison of his stats in 2024/25 and 2025/26, with Salah simply not coming anywhere close to those previous heights that saw him play a starring role in the club’s success…
Mohamed Salah’s stats this season vs last season (DataMB)
Salah scored 34 goals in all competitions last season, but has a total of only 10 so far this term.
His previous lowest tally in a season was 23, while this could also quite conceivably be the first time he finishes a Premier League campaign without double figures for league goals.
All in all, it might not be the worst thing for LFC to part ways with Salah this summer, even if that old saying goes ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’.
Still, it seems Chelsea are keen to move to the front of the queue for El Mala’s signature by trying their luck with a €50m bid, according to Fichajes.
With nine goals and three assists this season, the 19-year-old has made a big impact and looks ready to make the step up to the next level.
Chelsea could do with Said El Mala transfer to give them something different in attack
It’s not been the best season at Stamford Bridge, so there could be room for further changes to Chelsea’s attacking options.
Jamie Gittens is one summer signing who’s been particularly disappointing, but many CFC fans will also have expected more from the likes of Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.
Even Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian has gone off the boil after starting brightly, so there’s surely room for El Mala to come in and become a key player for Liam Rosenior’s side.
19/25 is a high score, with El Mala really ticking the boxes in terms of a pretty low transfer fee, good recent form, an age bracket that suggests his best is yet to come, and the fact that he improves a weak area of Chelsea’s squad.
It will be interesting to see if the west London giants can indeed get this deal done, but one imagines there’ll be plenty of interest in the Germany Under-21 international this summer, so probably a few more twists and turns in this saga yet.
Arsenal are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s talented young forward Christian Kofane ahead of the summer.
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The Gunners want to move ahead of any potential competitors for Kofane’s signature, with the 19-year-old set to cost around €70m, according to Fichajes.
Kofane has caught the eye in the Bundesliga this season, contributing seven goals and four assists in total.
Arsenal eye Christian Kofane transfer in bid to reshuffle attack
Arsenal fans will no doubt be keen to see their club bring in a big name up front this summer, but there’s probably also room for a young talent like Kofane to come in and provide squad depth.
This could be the summer that we see players like Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard moving on, with neither player starting regularly for Arteta’s men this term.
That could mean Kofane can come in and fill that kind of role, perhaps with the view to developing into more of a regular starter once he gains more experience.
Arsenal like Christian Kofane’s versatility
Another good thing about Kofane is his versatility, with Fichajes claiming AFC like that side of his game.
The report adds that Chelsea could also be preparing contacts over the Cameroon international, while Leverkusen have turned down offers for him before.
Arsenal could also end up facing competition from big names like Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to Fichajes, so this saga remains at the early stages and could head in a number of different directions.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided an update on Mohamed Salah’s fitness as it looks like he’s going to be out of this weekend’s game against Brighton.
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The Egypt international has had a mixed season for Liverpool, but he’s looked better in recent times, scoring a sublime solo goal against Galatasaray in the Champions League this week.
However, Salah was unable to finish that game and it now looks like he’ll be out against Brighton and out of Egypt’s matches for the upcoming international break.
Arne Slot’s Mohamed Salah injury update
Speaking at his press conference today, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Slot said: “Unusual [he is injured], I think you expect the outcome so he is not available for tomorrow. Good thing for LFC is we go to international break, bad news for Egypt, he can’t go there.
“We hope with what Mo has shown in the past he can recovery faster than other players. He takes such good care of his body, he can be back earlier than others as history has shown. Only two weeks until we go again…”
So it’s not the worst news Liverpool fans could have heard, but it’s not ideal to be missing a key player like Salah at this important stage of the season.
It sounds like it might not be too long, so LFC supporters will hope he can return for the crucial period coming up in the race for the top four and the latter stages of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad has been confirmed this morning, with James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin named as two surprise inclusions.
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According to the Athletic, the Everton midfielder and Leeds United striker have been selected to be given a chance in the latest international break as we get closer and closer to the 2026 World Cup.
The report also noted that big names from Manchester United were set be involved, such as Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.
Information about the official squad was leaked earlier this morning, prior to being officially confirmed at 10am.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
Manchester United and Liverpool are among the transfer suitors for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.
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The 28-year-old’s Fulham future is in some doubt, with the player approaching the final two years of his contract, meaning this summer could be the club’s last chance to make decent money from selling him.
Still, it’s understood that one issue for the moment could be that Man Utd and Liverpool are unsure about paying his £30-40m asking price.
Antonee Robinson transfer being considered by Man United and Liverpool
United could do with an upgrade on Luke Shaw, who has performed well this season but who is not getting any younger and who has a poor injury record.
Robinson is valued by United due to his experience in the Premier League, but there’s the sense that £30-40m wouldn’t represent great value for money considering the player’s age.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are also exploring options at left-back after a slow start made by Milos Kerkez at Anfield since joining from Bournemouth last summer.
Some sources have given mixed indications about how much of a priority this will be, but Robinson is thought to be one of the names being considered to come in at least to replace Andrew Robertson as a rotation option alongside Kerkez.
Again, £30-40m would be a lot to pay for that kind of squad player, though, so Fulham might need to lower their demands for this deal to become realistic. It might also be in their interests to do so as the player’s value will only decrease further by next summer when he has just a year left on his contract.
However, Falk believes the deal may be more realistically affordable for Premier League clubs, which is a potential boost for Liverpool and Man Utd.
Lukeba also doesn’t necessarily look like someone who’d make sense as a priority for Bayern at the moment anyway, given that Dayot Upamecano recently signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena.
Christian Falk’s transfer info on Castello Lukeba
Discussing Lukeba and a possible move to the Premier League, Falk noted that Leipzig players often seem to end up in England, and at Liverpool in particular.
“It is TRUE: Bayern are monitoring Castello Lukeba,” Falk wrote.
“Max Eberl knows the player and likes the player. He has worked before at RB Leipzig. But, at the moment, it’s not true that FC Bayern will buy Lukeba in the summer.
“Things can change if Kim Min-jae is sold. Then they can invest the transfer fee, which is why Lukeba is still on the list.”
He added: “As you see, often RB Leipzig players end up in the Premier League. We’ve seen a lot of them – especially at Liverpool! Just look at Dominik Szoboszlai’s performances this season. This is one of the clubs that always focuses on such players.
“A while ago, Bayern bought Dayot Upamecano from Leipzig, and it was a good decision. But they can’t always do a deal like this, and we know Lukeba is an expensive player. So, perhaps there’s a deal in the Premier League to be found for the 23-year-old centre-half.”
Castello Lukeba looks ideal for Liverpool
LFC have a particular need for a new centre-back this summer as Ibrahima Konate comes towards the end of his contract, while Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger and has arguably started to show signs of decline.
Lukeba would also surely get a similar score for Man Utd, though they already have decent depth in central defence, so arguably need him less.
The Frenchman may well favour Old Trafford over Anfield this summer, though, depending on how the ongoing battle for Champions League qualification pans out.
German football journalist Christian Falk has dropped an intriguing Manchester United transfer update this morning as the Red Devils remain interested in Alphonso Davies.
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The Canada international was also previously eyed by United and other big clubs when his contract situation was uncertain, though he ended up signing a new deal.
Still, even if Davies is one of the best left-backs in the world on his day, he hasn’t been as convincing in recent times, partly due to ongoing injury issues.
Christian Falk on Manchester United’s Alphonso Davies interest
Discussing the Davies to United links in today’s column, Falk said: “It is TRUE: Manchester United are interested in Alphonso Davies.
“They were at the table when questions were being asked as to whether he would sign a new contract at Bayern Munich. They’re still monitoring this player, but he’s, of course, since signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena, so it will be difficult to get him at the moment.
“But there are also discussions going on at the club as to whether they need a new backup player, given all the injuries Davies keeps picking up. Before, they thought they didn’t need a player on the left-hand side because Hiroki Itō can play there as well.
“However, if there were an offer on the table (and don’t forget it cost Bayern a lot of money to extend Davies), there would be a discussion. But I can say right now that there has yet to be a concrete offer from Manchester United. If there’s an offer, perhaps Bayern will consider it, as the injuries keep coming.”
Is Alphonso Davies still good enough for Manchester United?
United fans will likely be divided over whether or not a move for Davies is the right thing, but what does our Transfer Fit rating show?
See below as we scored Davies on key metrics and gave him a fairly medium overall rating of 15/25…
Alphonso Davies
TOTAL SCORE: 15/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
**
Achievements
*****
Career phase
**
Squad need
****
Even if Davies has had a fine career as one of the top players in the world in his position, his recent form is less convincing and he probably wouldn’t come cheap.
Still, there are worse options out there, and MUFC do look like they need a new left-back as an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw.
West Ham United have reportedly learned that it will cost them as much as £38m to sign Axel Disasi permanently this summer.
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The French central defender has shone for the Hammers since joining on loan from Chelsea, but it seems the Blues are still keen to make big money from his sale.
Disasi joined Chelsea from Monaco for around £38m a few years ago, and it’s a bit surprising to see that the west London giants still value him in that price range.
This is despite Disasi mostly being pretty underwhelming during his time at Stamford Bridge, though he has improved since his loan move to the London Stadium.
What next for Axel Disasi?
Disasi has previously also had a loan spell at Aston Villa, while there was some interest from clubs like Napoli and Roma prior to his move to West Ham.
WHUFC will undoubtedly try to get Disasi’s price tag down, but one imagines it will still be a while before they can formalise their summer transfer plans anyway.
West Ham are currently battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, so staying up will surely be crucial for them in pursuit of their top targets.
Disasi has previously expressed his happiness at West Ham but it’s hard to imagine he’d be happy to stay there if they were playing in the Championship.
Chelsea will also likely feel that plenty of other clubs could be able to offer decent money for Disasi even if a move to West Ham doesn’t work out.
The latest from iNews is that Livramento’s future at Newcastle is in some doubt as there’s been a lack of progress over a new contract for him at St James’ Park.
Do Arsenal need Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali?
Livramento, however, looks like a solid piece of business for AFC, scoring 17/25 and ticking pretty much every box…
Tino Livramento
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee
★★★☆☆
Performance
★★★☆☆
Achievements
★★★☆☆
Career phase
★★★★☆
Squad need
★★★★☆
Capable of playing both right-back or left-back, Livramento could be a useful option to ensure Arteta can continue to rotate his options at the back.
There could well be doubts over some Arsenal defenders this summer as well, with the likes of Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, and Myles Lewis-Skelly not playing as much as they perhaps would’ve liked this season.
Newcastle facing another worrying transfer window
It would be bad news for Newcastle, however, if they saw another summer dominated by players possibly leaving.
Alexander Isak left to join Liverpool last year and it proved hugely disruptive, so they could do without lingering doubts over other key players like Tonali and Livramento.
Arsenal will undoubtedly hope to pounce for at least one of those, but it will be interesting to see how strong Newcastle can be in the face of that interest.
The report from iNews adds that Newcastle want four new signings of their own as well this summer.
Newcastle United could reportedly be set to make sweeping changes to their squad this summer, with four new signings eyed up.
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The Magpies could do with something of a squad overhaul after a below-par Premier League campaign and a humbling Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona this week.
It’s not yet clear which specific names could fill those roles, but there could also be other changes as the report mentions speculation over the future of midfield duo Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle United need a strong transfer window
Newcastle could do with avoiding more big names leaving after the very troubling saga involving Alexander Isak and his move to Liverpool last summer.
That dragged on for much of the transfer window and disrupted Newcastle a great deal, so they’ll hope to avoid anything similar happening with Guimaraes and Tonali.
If they can keep their most important players and also strengthen with those four targets they want, then things could look a lot more positive at St James’ Park next season.
This NUFC project is a promising one, but the team still needs a lot of work to truly establish itself in the top four.
It will be interesting to see what calibre of player they can lure to the club now as they’ll most likely be without Champions League football next season.
At the same time, though, Newcastle have shown that they can compete and get into Europe’s top club competition from time to time, so that should assure some players that they’re joining a strong project with a big future.
Manchester United have made some calls to be informed on the situation of Newcastle United central midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano provided a major update on Tonali’s future as it looks like there’s a lot of interest in the Italy international ahead of the summer.
The Red Devils are joined by Manchester City and Juventus as potential suitors for Tonali, though it looks like the cost of the deal makes it complicated for Juve.
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With Man Utd, it seems Tonali is just one of several names on their list, according to Romano, though they have had some contacts to explore this option.
Fabrizio Romano on Man United’s interest in Sandro Tonali and what they could do in midfield
While it could still be a while before we know for sure what United will do in midfield, Romano explained that Tonali is one name the club like.
The Italian journalist also made it clear that MUFC may well make more than one midfield signing, and that further internal discussions will take place to decide on what kind of profile they’re after.
“Man United have several names on their short list for the midfielder. It’s not only one or two because this will depend on the budget,” Romano said.
“This will depend on who’s going to be the manager. This will depend on which kind of player Man United will want to sign. Could be one, could be two.
“So, there are several factors that are going to impact who is going to be the midfielder for Man United. is not only one name at the moment the list is including several names before they meet internally and they say okay let’s go for this one but for sure Manchester United made some calls to be informed.”
Romano clarified that United and City are the two clubs who have called to be kept in the loop about Tonali’s situation.
Romano also mentions that United are targeting Anderson, but it surely won’t be easy to win the race for his signature after his superb form this season.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils will not accept a second loan offer as they hold out instead for a permanent sale for the out-of-favour Rashford.
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However, Man Utd are instead prepared to take Rashford back and find another buyer for the England international.
Manchester United believe Marcus Rashford’s value has risen
Rashford has performed well during his stint at the Nou Camp, and it seems United now feel they could get as much as £50m for him, according to the Mirror’s report.
Barca would surely do well, in that case, to sign the 28-year-old for almost half that price, but it remains to be seen if they can be persuaded to do so.
Rashford has proven a useful squad player for Hansi Flick’s side, contributing a total of ten goals and nine assists in all competitions despite only starting 21 games.
It would surely be sensible for Barcelona to simply pay the £26m required to keep Rashford, but MUFC may well do better now if he comes back to Old Trafford.
What next for Marcus Rashford?
In truth, it perhaps seems hard to imagine anyone paying as much as £50m for Rashford, whatever United may believe about his value rising.
Some United fans might even be thinking that the club should simply bring him back anyway and reinstate him in their first-team squad.
Things ended badly for Rashford at United, but he’s got back to his best during his time away in La Liga, so perhaps that can help him return to his parent club fresh and full of confidence.
Either that, or the change of scene has done him good and he’d find himself in a bit of a slump again if he were to go back to playing for United.
Federico Chiesa is ‘almost certain’ to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, marking a swift conclusion to his time on Merseyside.
According to a report from Lewis Steele for the Daily Mail, the 28-year-old Italian international is set to be part of a significant clearing of the decks at Anfield as the club prepares for yet another period of transition.
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Despite joining with high expectations two years ago, Chiesa has struggled to cement a consistent place in the starting XI.
Steele noted that while fringe players like Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones face uncertain futures due to lack of minutes, Chiesa’s departure is considered a near-certainty.
With two years still remaining on his current deal, Liverpool will undoubtedly look to recoup the £12 million they invested in the winger to help fund future reinforcements.
Federico Chiesa could lead Liverpool summer exodus
The potential exit of Chiesa is merely the tip of the iceberg for a club that seems to be in a perpetual state of flux.
Last summer saw a staggering exodus, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Harvey Elliott all moving on, while the club sanctioned a massive £450 million spend on new arrivals.
However, the exodus isn’t limited to the playing staff. Steele reports that several “key figures” have unclear futures, including head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.
With stalwarts like Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and vice-captain Andy Robertson also entering the final stages of their contracts or facing speculation, Anfield could be braced for another total overhaul.
Federico Chiesa is a fan favourite
Despite his lack of consistent game time, Chiesa remains a genuine fan favorite among the Liverpool faithful.
His work rate and infectious energy on and off the pitch has endeared him to the fan base, with his chant among one of most sung in the stadium.
While his stint in the Premier League may not have reached the heights many hoped for, his technical quality ensures that Liverpool should have no shortage of suitors as they look to balance the books this June.
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Chelsea want Elliot Anderson
They want to sign him as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez. The South American has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, and they will need to replace him properly. However, Fernandez is a creative central midfielder, whereas Anderson is a defensive midfielder. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea decides to bring in a creative midfielder as well. They will need to replace the goal and creativity from Fernandez if he decides to move on.
The player could cost around €100 million in the summer, and Manchester United are closely monitoring his situation, as per reports from Spain.
However, Chelsea are confident they can offer him a leading role, and it remains to be seen whether they can convince the player to join the club. On the other hand, losing Fernandez would be a blow for them. The Argentina international is a top-quality player and one of the first names on the team sheet at Chelsea.
Real Madrid are hoping to secure his signature, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. Convincing the player to move might not be too difficult for the Spanish club. Fernandez has proven himself in England, and he could be open to trying out a new challenge now.
Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old player has previously admitted he is a “huge Premier League fan” and would love to play in England. According to reports from Fussball Daten, the player could cost around €25 million in the summer.
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Tottenham keen on Noah Atubolu
The report claims that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur are interested in securing his signature. It will be interesting to see if the north London club decides to make a move for him. Chelsea were keen on the players as well, but they have been handed a transfer ban.
It is no secret that Tottenham need a quality goalkeeper in the summer. Guglielmo Vicario has been criticised for his inconsistencies, and Tottenham needs an upgrade. The Bundesliga goalkeeper could prove to be an excellent addition for them. The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for Atubolu, and he will look to make his mark in English football.
Tottenham are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they need to improve the team in the summer. They need to plug the squad’s weaknesses, and a quality goalkeeper could make a big difference. It remains to be seen whether they can win the race for his signature.
Chelsea’s transfer ban will certainly be a huge boost for the north London outfit. They will fancy their chances of winning the race for Atubolu.
The player has previously admitted that he used to watch Chelsea often as a kid, and it is fair to assume that the Blues could have been the favourites to sign him if not for their current transfer predicament. Meanwhile, West Ham United are monitoring his situation as well. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an offer to sign the player.
Naturally, his performances have attracted the attention of top clubs. According to a report from Fussball Daten, Frankfurt has an option to make them move permanently at the end of the season. However, should they choose not to exercise the clause, Nottingham Forest will look to sell him for a fee of around €35 million in the summer.
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Arnaud Kalimuendo set for England return?
The report claims that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa could look to make a move for the French attacker. The 24-year-old has the physicality and technical attributes to play in English football, and he could be an asset to both clubs. They need more cutting-edge in the final third, and Kalimuendo could be a very useful addition.
After a disappointing time with Nottingham Forest, the player will be desperate to prove himself in English football. The opportunity to join Tottenham or Aston Villa will be exciting for him.
The report claims that both clubs are looking to bring in an “electrifying” attacker like Kalimuendo.
The asking price is affordable for the two Premier League clubs, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Aston Villa is pushing for Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they could be an attractive destination for the French attacker.
On the other hand, Tottenham is fighting for survival in the Premier League. However, they are one of the country’s biggest clubs, and they have an ambitious project. It remains to be seen which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
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Insider says Tudor expected to be sacked
The ultimatum comes via prominent insider on X, who revealed on that the Croatian’s tenure is hanging by a thread.
He posted: “Igor Tudor will be called to a meeting if Tottenham lose to Nottingham Forest this weekend. He is expected to be sacked.”
The timing of the report is particularly striking given Tottenham’s slightly improved performance.
After a spirited draw at Anfield, Spurs recorded their first win of 2026 on Wednesday night with a battling 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to keep them in the Champions League, it served as a massive moral boost and marked Tudor’s first win since taking charge on February 14.
However, the board is reportedly looking at the cold reality of the Premier League table.
Tottenham currently sit in 16th place, only one point above the relegation zone. With only nine games remaining, the hierarchy feels that the “new manager bounce” has been too slow to arrive, and they cannot afford a slip-up against a direct relegation rival like Forest.
Tottenham will not be afraid of second managerial change
If Tudor is sacked, it would mark a ruthless streak from the Tottenham board.
Having already sacked Thomas Frank earlier this year, the club is reportedly prepared to do whatever it takes to avoid the catastrophic financial and sporting implications of relegation.
Sean Dyche is another name, a ‘firefighters’ manager who has good experience in taking over clubs in danger of relegation and helping them survive the drop.
For Igor Tudor, it appears tha Sunday’s clash at the City Ground could be a decisive one.
Liverpool are interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni during the summer transfer window, and they have made enquiries for him.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, the Italian outfit is prepared to sell the player for a fee in excess of €50 million, and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can win the race for his signature.
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The opportunity to join Liverpool could be exciting for him. Similarly, Barcelona are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them will be hard to turn down. Both clubs could provide him with the platform to fight for trophies. They could use a quality defender like him, and it remains to be seen where Bastoni ends up.
The report from the Spanish publication claims that the Italian defender prefers a move to Barcelona in the summer.
Liverpool certainly have more financial resources compared to Barcelona. They will be able to pay the asking price for him, and they can offer Bastoni a lucrative contract as well.
It will be interesting to see if Barcelona can stump up the cash and get the deal done in the coming months. Apart from his defensive skills, the 26-year-old is excellent on the ball and will help them build from the back.
Wolves star Joao Gomes has been identified as a top priority for Manchester United as the club’s hierarchy plots a major overhaul of the midfield this summer.
With Wolves currently facing a desperate battle against relegation to the Championship, the 25-year-old Brazilian is expected to be available for a cut-price fee of approximately £44 million.
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Gomes has been a rare bright spot in a difficult season for Rob Edwards’ side, producing standout performances in recent victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool.
He’d be eager to remain in the Premier League to boost his international prospects and would relish a reunion at Old Trafford with close friend Matheus Cunha, who made the same switch from Molineux last summer.
Man United looking to sign two midfielders to replace Casemiro
According to The Mirror, INEOS and the United recruitment team are reportedly in the market for two new midfielders ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
This follows the confirmed departure of Casemiro, who will leave when his contract expires in June, and the expected sale of Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to adapt to the English game since his move from PSG.
Gomes sits at the top of a prestigious six-man shortlist which includes:
Gomes is widely regarded as the ball-winning engine that United’s midfield has lacked.
His playing style is defined by high-intensity pressing and elite defensive contributions; he currently ranks in the 92nd percentile for tackles and interceptions among Premier League midfielders this season.
Unlike Casemiro, who has struggled with mobility in his veteran years, Gomes possesses the recovery speed to cover large areas of the pitch.
His ability to turn a defensive win into an immediate counter-attack makes him a perfect tactical match for the transitional style favored by the United coaching staff.
Former teammate Matheus Cunha even likened his impact to a prime Casemiro, noting that having Gomes behind him makes the entire team feel more secure.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a target for clubs like Real Madrid and PSG.
The 25-year-old has been exceptional in the Premier League, and it is no surprise that the big clubs are keen on him. He would be open to joining Real Madrid in the summer, and a move to PSG would be attractive for him as well.
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Chelsea plot new deal for Enzo Fernandez
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have no plans to let the player leave in the summer and are prepared to offer him a bumper contract to convince him to stay. They would be willing to push past £400,000 per week, including bonuses, in order to keep the World Cup winner. It will be interesting to see if they can convince Fernandez to stay at the club.
There is no doubt that he’s one of the best players in his position in the world right now. He is still quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He has all the attributes to develop into a world-class midfielder.
Chelsea cannot afford to lose a player of his quality if they are serious about fighting for trophies. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Real Madrid need a midfield controller who will add creativity and composure to the team. The Chelsea star would be ideal for them.
Similarly, PG are monitoring his situation as well. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they recently won the UEFA Champions League and the League title. It remains to be seen whether the Chelsea star is prepared to take on a new challenge in the summer. The Blues are going through a period of transition, and they are not quite at the level required to fight for major trophies.
Tottenham need to bring in a quality manager in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to move for Hutter. He has shown his quality in France, and he could prove to be an excellent option for the north London club. The opportunity to manage in the Premier League will be exciting for him.
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Spurs keen on Adi Hutter
Tottenham are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they will not want to be in this position once again. They will be hoping to fight for trophies next season, and they need a quality manager. They have been linked with multiple names in recent months. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in a manager who can unlock their true potential.
According to Rudy Galetti, they have already gathered information regarding the 56-year-old German manager, and they are planning to move in the summer. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to leave AS Monaco and move to England. It would be the ideal next step in his career. Joining an ambitious Premier League club will be quite tempting for him. Tottenham have more resources than the French outfit and will look to build a formidable team.
Despite their struggles, they have quality players, and the right manager could bring out the best in them. This could be an exciting challenge for the 56-year-old manager. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few months.
Hutter averages 1.78 points per match across his career, and he could help Tottenham bounce back.
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Arsenal and Man United want Sandro Tonali
The player is highly sought by Arsenal and Manchester United, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pay the asking price for him. €100 million is a lot of money for a defensive midfielder. Arsenal need an upgrade on Christian Norgaard, and Manchester United will need to replace Casemiro.
Tonali is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League, and he could make a big impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. Joining a big club would be exciting for the player as well. However, the asking price could complicate any potential move.
Clubs in Italy are also interested in the player. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
The Italian International is entering the peak years of his career, and this is the right time for him to join a bigger club and fight for major trophies. It will be interesting to see whether Newcastle can convince him he can fulfil his ambitions with them. Arsenal and Manchester United are likely to be in the UEFA Champions League next season, making them attractive destinations for the player.
Tonali is well-settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. Newcastle must keep players like him at the club if they are serious about fighting for trophies.
Mathys Tel has revealed that a series of “clear-the-air” talks in the dressing room sparked the tactical and emotional shift that led to Tottenham’s spirited, albeit bittersweet, 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to overturn a massive first-leg deficit, the win marked a significant turning point for a squad that has spent much of 2026 in a state of freefall.
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The young Frenchman, who has become a focal point of the Spurs attack during this turbulent period, insists that the players have finally found the spirit of determination required to fight for the club’s Premier League survival.
Mathys Tel on talks behind the scenes
Speaking after the game, Tel explained that the players recognised a desperate need for better communication.
“I think conversation in the dressing room. After every loss we just keep talking to each other and something changed. We are talking because maybe before we didn’t speak enough. But now with the situation we talk more, more, more, and we are more about the details.”
Tel emphasised that the squad has moved past individual frustrations to operate as a singular unit under interim boss Igor Tudor.
“We’re together. We’re just a team now. I can feel it. I trust my teammates, I trust the manager, I trust everybody. If we stick together, we will do it.”
Tottenham still have a mountain to climb
Despite the Champions League exit, the 3-2 win serves as a vital moral boost for a side that had failed to record a single victory in nine previous attempts.
It also represents Igor Tudor’s first win since taking charge, providing him with much-needed leverage as he prepares for a defining week in the dugout.
Spurs currently sit in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
The mountain to climb begins this Sunday against Nottingham Forest in what has been dubbed a relegation six-pointer.
However, the resilience shown at Anfield followed by the high-scoring win against Diego Simeone’s side suggests that Tottenham may finally be waking up.
With senior figures reportedly speaking up more in tactical meetings, the club is hopeful that these details will be the difference between a historic drop and a miraculous escape.
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