March 2023 – Page 8

Erling Haaland is just two strikes away from becoming just the third Premier League player to hit 44 goals in all competitions in one season.

The Norwegian powerhouse, 22, has been scoring for fun in a Manchester City shirt this season and looks to have guaranteed himself the Golden Boot.

So far, the No9 has netted 28 goals in 26 league appearances and 10 times in just six Champions League outings — with five of his European strikes coming on one night against RB Leipzig.

Haaland memorably grabbed back-to-back hat-tricks in the league against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest as he put down a statement of intent.

Three more goals will see him surpass several legends of English football to become the most prolific striker across a single campaign in the top flight.

Read on as we take a look at those who stand toe-to-toe with the former Borussia Dortmund man as the Premier League’s most lethal finishers.

Harry Kane — 41 goals (2017-18)

Harry Kane was at the peak of his powers in the 2017-18 season as Tottenham secured a third-placed finish.

Thirty of the No10’s 41 goals that term came in the Premier League and the expert finisher never went more than three games without netting.

The England skipper is another to hit back-to-back hat-tricks in the league and scored seven times in the Champions League despite being eliminated at the last-16 stage.

Andrew Cole — 41 goals (1993-94)

Andrew Cole’s form in the 1993-94 season was a spectacle and he walked away as the top goalscorer and assist king as Newcastle finished behind Blackburn and Manchester United in the standings.

His 34 league goals came at a time when clubs played 42 matches across a campaign but his consistency was unmatched in Toon’s first season in the rebranded top flight.

Strikes against United, Liverpool and Arsenal were essential in helping the Magpies qualify for the UEFA Cup for the first time since the 1970s.

Cristiano Ronaldo — 42 goals (2007-08)

Before his famous move to Real Madrid in 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo had United fans on the edge of their seats every weekend as he emerged as one of football’s top talents.

The Portuguese icon scored 31 league goals in 34 appearances in the 2007-08 campaign, which saw the Red Devils claim the Premier League, Champions League and Community Shield.

His iconic free-kick against Portsmouth was the pick of the bunch in a season where Ronaldo also grabbed eight goals in Europe and three in the FA Cup.

Mohamed Salah — 44 goals (2017-18)

Mohamed Salah tallied a mindblowing 44 goals in the 2017-18 season and only scored three or more in a match once.

His season was marred by the shoulder injury he picked up in the Champions League final against Real Madrid after scoring ten times on the way to the showpiece.

And despite the Egyptian racking up 32 Premier League goals, the Reds could only finish fourth in the table.

Ruud van Nistelrooy — 44 goals (2002-03)

Ruud van Nistelrooy is remembered as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous strikers and his 44-goal campaign in 2002-03 supports that claim.

The Dutch dynamo scored in all four competitions for United and scored 14 times in Europe as he helped guide his club from the qualifying round to the Champions League quarter-finals.

His run of scoring in eight consecutive league matches at the end of the season included a goal against rivals Arsenal and two hat-tricks as the No10 collected the Golden Boot alongside his league winner’s medal.

Gavi has lost his first-team status and shirt number at Barcelona after his registration was blocked by LaLiga.

The Spain international was registered as a first-team player by Barca in January, and it was announced he would wear the number six shirt.

Yet LaLiga sought to overturn a court decision that ruled in Barcelona’s favour, with the league getting its way earlier in March, entitling it to reverse Gavi’s registration.

Barcelona have been told they cannot register the 18-year-old’s contract as they do not have room in their wage bill.

Gavi has subsequently been placed back on his youth contract, meaning he could leave Barca as a free agent at the end of the season.

A move away from Camp Nou for the teenager is unlikely. However, as it stands, Gavi will have to wear his old shirt number – 30 – for the remainder of the campaign.

After a breakthrough season in 2021-22, Gavi has played 37 games for Barca this term, and his relegation in official status does not mean he cannot continue to play for Xavi’s team.

– Manchester City only team to win a league game at Bournemouth in 2023
– Fulham have lost their last three games, conceding three goals each time
– Recommended bet: Bournemouth to win

Bournemouth have been difficult to beat at home this season and Fulham, who are without main striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, could be the latest team to struggle at the Vitality Stadium.

Fulham’s European push has stalled in recent weeks while Bournemouth’s battle against relegation has found new life, making Saturday’s meeting a crucial clash for both teams.

Gary O’Neil’s Cherries know they must win their home games against out-of-form visitors to maintain their survival bid and a record of just one defeat in four home league matches this year — including victory over Liverpool last time out at the Vitality Stadium — gives cause for hope.

However, optimism is running out for the Cottagers, whose winter dreams of Europe are starting to fade.

A total of just one point taken from their last three league games, allied to an ill-tempered quarter-final defeat to Manchester United, sees them out of the FA Cup, slipping away from the European places and short of key striker Aleksandar Mitrovic for their trip to the south coast.

Team news

The injuries are clearing up for O’Neil, with Bournemouth now potentially at full strength.

Defender Illia Zabarnyi and midfielder Marcus Tavernier will both hope to return from ankle and thigh injuries respectively and winger Junior Stanislas is also closing in on a return to full fitness.

Jefferson Lerma should be available despite pulling out of Colombia’s March friendlies.

Fulham will be without suspended pair Mitrovic and Willian, as well as the injured Neeskens Kebano, leaving the Cottagers’ frontline depleted.

Left-back Layvin Kurzawa remains out with a medial knee ligament injury and centre-back Shane Duffy is a major doubt with a calf problem.

The stats

Following a run of eight defeats in nine games either side of the World Cup, Bournemouth have lost only four of their last eight league games, with two of those coming against Manchester City and Arsenal in a last-minute away defeat.

They have also been pretty solid when hosting visitors from outside the current top four, compiling a record of four wins, four draws and only two defeats from 10 such matches and conceding just six goals.

Fulham have been fortunate to pick up four wins from their last 10 league matches as they outperformed their opponents’ expected goals rating in just one of those victories — the 2-0 home win against poor-travelling Nottingham Forest.

Marco Silva’s men were outplayed at times against both Chelsea and Brighton but still won, and were also a little fortunate to take all three points against Leicester.

Conversely, the only time Fulham could claim to have been unlucky in the four defeats in that run was their January defeat to Tottenham — and even then they only edged Spurs out by 0.1 xG on home soil.

Prediction

While Bournemouth cannot claim to be in red-hot form given they have collected only two wins and two draws in eight league games, there is a growing belief that they can avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

O’Neil has got his team scrapping for survival and away defeats at Arsenal, Brighton and even Aston Villa are nothing to worry about, while a home loss to Manchester City can be readily excused.

Victory over Liverpool and a draw against Champions League-chasing Newcastle in a decent run of performances since January show there is fight left in the Cherries and they could keep a clean sheet against a Fulham side who are running out of gas and will obviously miss top-scorer Mitrovic.

Bournemouth, who have been growing steadily more impressive at the Vitality Stadium in recent months, can pick up more vital points this weekend.

Back Bournemouth to win, available at 8/5 with LiveScore Bet.

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Emma Hayes and Chelsea can take a huge step towards fulfilling a longstanding ambition this week.

The most successful manager in the women’s game in England has yet to taste European glory despite winning 11 major domestic trophies since taking over in 2012.

As Chelsea prepare to take on Lyon in the second leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie, we take a look at their quest to be crowned as the best in Europe.

Final disaster

Hayes has won five Women’s Super League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups during her time at Chelsea.

On a personal level, the 46-year-old is a five-time WSL Manager of the Season winner, scooped the Best FIFA Women’s Coach award in 2021 and was made an OBE in 2022.

The one thing missing from her stellar CV is a Champions League title, though she has gone close in the past.

In the 2020-21 season, Hayes became the first female manager to guide a team to the final of the competition for 12 years.

Though that was an achievement in itself, the game itself was a disaster. Barcelona scored four times by the 36th minute to cruise to a 4-0 triumph.

Revenge mission

Chelsea suffered more frustration last season as they were eliminated in the group stage by virtue of head-to-head goal difference. Now they have a chance at redemption.

Hayes’ side sailed through their pool unbeaten and took the advantage over holders Lyon when they won the away leg 1-0.

Should they get the result they need at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will progress to the semi-finals where Barcelona will be waiting for them.

Lyon beat Barca in last season’s final to secure their eighth Champions League title. The French club have only been knocked out once at this stage in the 13 times that they have reached the last eight.

A brilliant curled goal from Guro Reiten in the first leg has given Chelsea a golden opportunity to eliminate Europe’s most decorated team and set up a revenge mission against Barcelona.

Simply the best

Ahead of the crucial return leg, Hayes spoke about her desire to win the Champions League and what it means to be the best.

The Londoner said: “I want to be in the biggest game so there’s no doubt that’s a motivation for me, but my motivation isn’t led by one single thing.

“To be the very best at something, you can’t just talk about it, you have to do it every day, on the training pitch, in every game.

“And my challenge to the team tomorrow is to demonstrate everything that you have worked so hard on to put this club in this position.”

Chelsea’s bid to win the Champions League is one part of a potential treble. The team are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and a point behind in the WSL title race with a game in hand.

In the public’s eyes, Hayes will surely be seen as the greatest female manager should she finally experience that elusive taste of European glory.

Yet it might still not be enough for her to stop wanting more and setting even higher standards. That hunger is what truly separates the best from the rest.

Ceri Holland believes Liverpool are perfectly placed to finish their first season back in the Women’s Super League on a high.

After winning promotion from the Championship last term, Matt Beard’s Reds are in the relative safety of eighth with seven games to play.

And Wales midfielder Holland, who joined the Merseysiders in January 2021, is delighted not to be caught up in a relegation battle.

Speaking ahead of her team’s trip to West Ham on Sunday, she said: “It’s nice we’re looking up rather than down.

“There’s a lot of positivity around the training ground and the squad and it’s a nice position to not be in the relegation battle.

“But the job is not done and we know that with a couple of poor performances we would be down there.

“Beardy keeps our feet on the ground and says we need to keep working hard, stay focused and get as many points as we can.”

After West Ham, Liverpool’s fixture list sees them host second-bottom Brighton before travelling to basement side Leicester.

And Holland, 25, has her sights set on climbing the table.

She told Liverpoolfc.com: “It’s a great opportunity for us to jump above West Ham and then chase down Everton, so we’re really excited for the weekend.

“If we can go ahead of West Ham in the table going into the international break, that will be a good place for us to be in.

“We’ve then got Brighton at home and Leicester away, so we’d like to think we can get maximum points and put ourselves in a good position — kind of where we hoped we’d be at the start of the season.”

The club action resumes this weekend after the international break and strikers across Europe will be targeting more goals, including Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.

With some big games on the agenda, we have picked five goalscorers to consider across the continent, with the selections coming from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1.

Back Viktor Tsyhankov to score anytime @ 15/8

Despite sitting in the bottom half of the La Liga table, Girona are the third highest scorers in the Spanish top flight behind just Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Catalonians have scored 13 goals in their last five league games, including a 2-2 draw at Rayo Vallecano prior to the international break.

January signing Viktor Tsyhankov has made a big impact since arriving in Spain, scoring three goals in seven appearances to date.

Back Ritsu Doan to score anytime @ 23/10

Fourth plays 16th in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with Freiburg looking to continue their push for Champions League qualification against struggling Hertha Berlin.

Christian Streich’s men have scored in the last nine home league games, recording 19 goals in the last nine matches at Europa-Park Stadion.

In contrast, Hertha are embroiled in a relegation battle and have conceded 12 goals in five Bundesliga matches.

Japanese forward Ritsu Doan has scored in the last two Freiburg matches and will look to maintain his good run against Hertha.

Back Arthur Cabral to score anytime @ 14/5

Fiorentina still have hopes of qualifying for Europe as they head to the San Siro to face Inter Milan on Saturday evening.

The Viola are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions and have won their last four in Serie A, moving them up to ninth.

Inter are now 21 points behind leaders Napoli and their title hopes are in tatters, something reflected in their recent results, with three defeats in their last four league games.

The reverse fixture was a 4-3 victory for the Milan giants and goals look likely again between the two sides.

Arthur Cabral scored in the seven-goal thriller and the Brazilian has bagged in two of Fiorentina’s last three games.

Back Ollie Watkins to score anytime @ 14/5

Chelsea and Aston Villa go into Saturday’s clash at Stamford Bridge level on points and both teams are unbeaten in four in all competitions.

The improvement in Villa as an attacking force is noticeable since the arrival of Unai Emery, with Ollie Watkins particularly impressing in front of goal.

Villa have scored in 14 games in a row and England international Watkins has scored six in the last eight matches.

Although Chelsea have had an uplift in form in the last month, Graham Potter’s men have kept just one clean sheet in six Premier League games.

Back Jonathan David to score anytime @ 2/1

Sixth goes up against eighth in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with Lille and Lorient both still having their sights set on qualifying for Europe.

With home advantage, Lille will be favourites to take the three points and the hosts have scored in their last seven Ligue 1 games.

Paulo Fonseca’s men are the fourth highest goalscorers in the French top flight and in Jonathan David, they have the league’s leading scorer with 19 goals to his name.

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Rio Ferdinand was “delighted” to be named among 15 nominees for the Premier League Hall of Fame.

Introduced in 2021, the Hall of Fame has inducted eight players in each of the past two years, adding managerial greats Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger on Wednesday.

Voting for the latest round of player inductees has begun, with greats nominated from across the last 30 years of the Premier League.

The 2023 class of inductees is dominated by defenders, including former Arsenal captain Tony Adams, ex-Chelsea skipper John Terry and Manchester United stalwarts Ferdinand and Gary Neville.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal duo Petr Cech and Ashley Cole are also nominated, along with ex-United defender Nemanja Vidic.

Midfielders Michael Carrick and Yaya Toure represent both sides of Manchester, with strikers Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen completing the list.

Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: “Delighted to be nominated again on the #PLHallOfFame. Few decent CBs [centre-backs] listed on the nominees.”

The former England captain will be hoping it is third time lucky, having also been among the nominees in 2021 and 2022.

Fans can vote for three players they believe should be inducted, with voting open until 6pm BST on Monday, April 10.

Only three players will take their place among the greats this time around.

The shortlist has been reduced from 25 names previously to 15 and players are only eligible if their retirement was confirmed before 1 January 2023.

In order to be eligible, players must have made at least 250 Premier League appearances or made 200 league appearances for a single club, been selected in any Team of the Decade or 20-year Anniversary teams, won a Golden Boot or Golden Glove, been voted Player of the Season, won three titles or scored 100 goals or registered 100 clean sheets.

2023 nominees: Tony Adams, Sol Campbell, Michael Carrick, Petr Cech, Andy Cole, Ashley Cole, Jermain Defoe, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Gary Neville, Michael Owen, John Terry, Yaya Toure, Nemanja Vidic.

Chelsea skipper Magda Eriksson is relishing the prospect of playing in front of a bumper crowd at Stamford Bridge tonight.

The Blues host European champions Lyon with a lead to protect having won the first leg of their quarter-final last week.

And Emma Hayes’ side have been told the Bridge is set to record its biggest-ever attendance for a women’s match.

Speaking to Chelsea’s official website ahead of the Champions League decider, Eriksson said: “I’m really happy to hear about big numbers and a big crowd.

“The crowd and the team feed off each other. We love our fans and they mean so much to us.

“It means a lot we get to have this game at Stamford Bridge, our fortress. We’ve had some good experiences there that will be at the front of our minds when we go out on the pitch.

“There are 90 minutes to play, maybe more, and there’s a long way to go. We have to really be switched on from the start, stay together and be resilient.

“It’s about being aggressive and on the front foot when we play.”

Following the 1-0 win in Lyon, secured by Guro Reiten’s first-half goal, Chelsea slipped to a 2-0 defeat at fellow Women’s Super League title contenders Manchester City.

But Eriksson, 29, is convinced they will bounce back in style by seeing off Lyon before getting back on track in the league at Aston Villa on Sunday.

The defender added: “The response has been great. We’re very experienced in having games back-to-back so we know we can’t dwell too long on a defeat.

“We’ve talked about it, we’ve dealt with it and now we’re ready for Lyon.

“Playing in the Champions League is what players dream about as kids. When you go to bed, they’re the games you visualise.

“You’re going to see a really hungry Chelsea who want to do the best we can.”

Real Madrid are contemplating a bid for Chelsea full-back Reece James this summer.

Los Blancos are seeking to reinforce their options on the right flank, with Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vasquez both in their 30s.

And England international James is believed to be Real’s top target, according to reports in Spain.

The 23-year-old is contracted to the Blues until 2028 however, meaning a hefty sum will be required for the Premier League giants to consider a sale.

Bernabeu chiefs believe the big-spending West Londoners will be forced to offload a number of first-team talents at the end of the season to balance the books.

Should a deal not be possible, Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit are said to be considering Portugal international Joao Cancelo as an alternative.

Academy graduate James has only started 11 matches in the English top flight this term having been hampered by knee and hamstring problems.

The dynamic wing-back recently pulled out of England’s squad for their Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine.

In other news

Newcastle are interested in Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, say Football Insider.

The Sun claim newly-appointed Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel wants Marcel Sabitzer to return to the Bavarians when his loan deal at United ends.

Arsenal lead the race to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice, with the Evening Standard reporting they are ahead of Chelsea, Manchester City and United.

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Ward hopeful of Leicester recall

Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward hopes that his form during the international break will be enough to see him regain his spot in Leicester’s starting XI against Crystal Palace this weekend.

Ward, 29, helped the Dragons pick up four points in the opening two matches of their 2024 Euro qualifying campaign and kept a clean sheet against Latvia on Tuesday evening.

The seasoned stopper lost his place to Daniel Iversen for the Foxes’ 1-1 draw with Brentford before the break but has presented a case to suggest that he should be reinstated.

He said: “It hasn’t been easy, but it was business as normal for me. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League. It’s massive.

“You have to concentrate on the job at hand. When I am with Wales, it’s 100% with Wales.

“We have got ourselves in a position at Leicester which we are not too happy with. That’s obvious and rightly so.

“We have to go again. We have got 10 games left of the season so we have to give everything to keep the club in the league.

“It’s as simple as that. It will be tough but we have to have a real united front with everyone involved and we will get there.”

McPherson charged for Old Firm ‘headbutt’

Rangers assistant boss Craig McPherson has been charged by the Scottish Football Association after he appeared to headbutt Celtic manager Fran Alonso in the Old Firm derby on Monday

Footage showed McPherson moving his head towards the back of the Celtic head coach after the Scottish Women’s Premier League game ended 1-1.

The Scottish FA’s official website claimed that the assistant coach had “allegedly breached” disciplinary rule 77 which relates to violence and conduct.

A statement said: “A recognised football body, club, official, team official, other member of team staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of association football.

“Furthermore such person or body shall not act in any manner which is improper or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”