Month: April 2023

Tottenham interim head coach Ryan Mason feels he deserves an explanation as to why Diogo Jota was still on the pitch to score an added-time winner for Liverpool after his head-high challenge on Oliver Skipp warranted only a yellow.

The Portugal international struck to secure a 4-3 victory just 99 seconds after Richarlison thought his first Premier League goal for the club had secured a late point having come back from 3-0 down.

However, Mason was incredulous that the substitute’s high boot, which cut Skipp’s head, did not warrant a red card.

“I would like an explanation and a reason why it wasn’t. I can understand referees on the pitch missing it,” he said.

“My feeling at the minute was an instant red card because when your foot is five-and-a-half foot off the ground and makes contact and there is a gash, it ticks all the boxes.

“We want the VAR to help the official on the pitch at that moment, but an experienced referee and VAR haven’t given it.

“A player that shouldn’t be on the pitch decided the game.

“I felt like we didn’t get that decision, it was a big decision, a crucial decision and one you can’t really miss.

“I find it hard and impossible to really understand why.”

Mason was doubly unhappy after seeing his side fight back from conceding goals to Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah (a penalty) inside the opening 15 minutes to draw level in the third minute of added time after Richarlison added to goals from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

“We come here and create so many chances,” he said. “On another day we win it with ease.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was also unhappy with some of the officiating, so much so that he pulled a hamstring charging down the touchline to celebrate wildly in front of fourth official John Brooks.

Former referees chief Keith Hackett wrote on Twitter that Klopp’s behaviour was “unacceptable” and that “if we are to get improvement of the Technical area occupants then the law MUST be applied. Do not allow your authority to be eroded”.

Klopp’s issue was more with referee Paul Tierney, but his post-match comments about the official may get him into disciplinary trouble.

“We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us, he has said there is no problem but that cannot be true,” he told Sky Sports.

“How he looks at me, I don’t understand it. My celebration was unnecessary, which is fair but what he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not OK.”

When asked what Tierney had said, Klopp added: “I will not say anything about it. The refs don’t say what is said so I don’t say what is said.”

However, he still went on to criticise Tierney and their history, referring to last season’s 2-2 draw in London.

Klopp said: “Paul Tierney didn’t give Harry Kane a red card but Robbo (Andy Robertson) got a red card. It was not the first time, there are so many things.”

On his celebration in front of the fourth official, Klopp added: “Of course, we are emotional in these moments. It’s difficult. It is not OK, we shouldn’t do that. Yes, we are role models but we are human beings first and foremost.

“I didn’t say a bad word to the fourth official – not at all – but I pulled my hamstring probably in that moment so, fair enough, I’m already punished.

“A fair punishment for behaving not the right away. I have pain for a few days, Mr Tierney not.”

Jurgen Klopp slammed referee Paul Tierney after he made a series of contentious decisions in Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham, saying: “I really don’t know what this man has against us.”

Having looked set for a routine win when they scored three times inside the first 15 minutes, Liverpool squandered their commanding lead before clinching a remarkable victory in stoppage time.

Diogo Jota latched onto Lucas Moura’s mistake to fire home the winner, prompting an emotional Klopp to celebrate in front of the fourth official – an act that saw the Reds boss both injure his leg and receive a yellow card from Tierney. 

Klopp was angered by Tierney’s decision to award a foul against Mohamed Salah in the build-up to Tottenham’s equaliser, though his opposite number Ryan Mason felt Jota should earlier have been sent off for catching Oliver Skipp in the head with a high boot.

Recalling Tierney’s failure to send off Tottenham talisman Harry Kane in a 2021 meeting between the sides, Klopp said the official has “history” with Liverpool.

“It was very emotional, of course, especially the situation before their third goal,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “How they can give a foul on Salah up front? The linesman is directly there and keeps his flag down.

“We have our history with Tierney. I really don’t know what this man has against us; he will always say there are no problems, but that cannot be true. I don’t understand.

“How he looks at me, I don’t understand it. I really have no problems with any people, and not with him either. He was the referee at Tottenham when Harry Kane didn’t get the red card.

“In England, nobody has to clarify these situations, it’s really tricky and difficult to understand. 

“My celebration towards the fourth official – I didn’t say any bad words, but it was unnecessary. I got punished for that immediately, I pulled my hamstring or whatever, so fine, that’s fair.

“But what he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not okay.”

Pushed on what Tierney allegedly told him, Klopp said: “It’s not possible, I already said what I wanted to say.”

When told of Mason’s view on Jota’s high challenge, Klopp said: “Ryan has to worry about other stuff. They’re such a good football team, Tottenham, they have to play better football. 

“They can’t just counter-attack. Diogo Jota has the foot high, but he’s not going for the head.

“I heard Skipp could’ve had a red card. Did he speak about that as well? Wanting Diogo off the pitch… worry about other stuff.”

The victory – Liverpool’s fourth in as many Premier League games – lifts Klopp’s men above Spurs into fifth, though they remain seven points adrift of Manchester United in fourth.

Asked if Liverpool could still make the top four, Klopp said: “Of course not. If United and Newcastle win all their games then how can we get there? 

“If they start losing them, we are close. Until then, we have to win football games to qualify for Europe at all.”

Diogo Jota declared Liverpool are “back” after his last-gasp strike fired them to a 4-3 victory over fellow European hopefuls Tottenham at Anfield.

Liverpool looked set for a resounding win when goals from Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah put them 3-0 up within 15 minutes against a Spurs side bereft of confidence.

However, Tottenham staged a remarkable fightback as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min reduced the arrears before Richarlison dragged them level in the third minute of stoppage time.

But there was one final twist to come as Jota took advantage of Lucas Moura’s misplaced pass to score the winner just 99 seconds after Tottenham had levelled things up.

Asked if Liverpool were back to their best after claiming a fourth successive Premier League win, Jota told Sky Sports: “Yeah. It feels great, and we just need to keep on going.

“We made it hard for ourselves. After being 3-0 up, we need to avoid being in this situation. But then in the end, it was a day to remember, especially for me, of course; the winner is always something special.

“Everyone dreams of scoring a last-minute winner. I saw the ball that wasn’t properly defended, I believed I could score, and it was fantastic.”

With Salah netting Liverpool’s third after just 14 minutes and 16 seconds, the Reds have only been 3-0 up at an earlier stage of one previous Premier League game – in the eighth minute against Aston Villa in March 1996.

While he was delighted by Jota’s dramatic intervention, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was keen to ensure Liverpool learned from squandering a comfortable lead.

“It was crazy. What a game,” Alexander-Arnold said. “These are the games we love to play in. A fantastic ending to a game. It’s the stuff you love to see, to be honest.

“It’s not so much relief, it’s just celebration. It was about pushing to get the winner again. We went from disappointment to sheer joy in a matter of minutes, and it’s an outstanding way to win.

“There’s a lot we need to learn. We can’t be drawing 3-3 when we’re 3-0 up. That’s not what top sides do, we needed to put the game to bed. They fought back, fair play to them.”

Harry Kane delivered a scathing assessment of Tottenham after a last-gasp defeat to Liverpool as the striker conceded his side deserve to be in the position they are in.

Spurs found themselves three goals down in the first 15 minutes at Anfield as Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah netted for Jurgen Klopp’s men on Sunday.

Just a week on from a 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United, in which they were 5-0 down after 21 minutes, Tottenham this time almost pulled off an unlikely comeback.

Harry Kane and Son Heung-min set up a tantalising finish before Richarlison equalised in the 93rd minute, only for Diogo Jota to score a minute later to snatch a 4-3 win for Liverpool.

That saw the Reds leapfrog Spurs into fifth, and Kane acknowledged his team can have no complaints after another dire first-half showing.

“There’s only so many words you can use, the bottom line is you need to go out there and show it isn’t that case,” the England captain told Sky Sports. 

“It’s on us to go away, find a reason why and see how it improves the situation. In these moments and these games, you can’t do what we did at the end. It’s a feeling of gut-wrenching defeat.

“The table doesn’t lie, where we are doesn’t lie. We’ve got some fantastic players and moments, but as a team we aren’t playing good enough collectively.

“We need to show we can go through games when it isn’t going our way. We deserve to be where we are.

“We have four games. This one is going to be hard to take, but we have a week until the next game, so we have to move on.”

An insipid first-half showing from Tottenham was almost atoned for when Richarlison headed in, although the celebrations were soon cut short as Lucas Moura inadvertently rolled in Jota to slot past Fraser Forster.

Spurs were aggrieved substitute Jota was still on the pitch at that point, though, with claims the Portugal forward should have been dismissed for a second-half aerial lunge on Oliver Skipp.

Jota was shown a yellow card for catching the head of Skipp with a flying boot, although interim Tottenham boss Ryan Mason believed the tackle deserved a red.

Mason told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Honestly, it’s probably the clearest red card you will see on the football pitch. I need an explanation.

“It endangered the opponent, Skipp needs stitches, and Jota has scored the goal when he shouldn’t be on the pitch.”

Achraf Hakimi’s red card in Paris Saint-Germain’s loss to Lorient was “very stupid”, according to coach Christophe Galtier, who wants his side to be more ambitious.

The Ligue 1 champions slipped to a 3-1 defeat after they lost the defender inside the first 20 minutes to a second yellow card offence.

The loss leaves PSG still with an eight-point cushion at the summit, although it would be slashed to five if rivals Marseille were to win against Auxerre later on Sunday.

Reflecting on Hakimi’s red, which came after poor challenges on Romain Faivre and Darlin Yongwa, Galtier professed his frustration with both the player and his side’s wider performance.

“[There is] no reason for Achraf to be tense and nervous,” he said. “The second card is very stupid. [There was] no sign this week that he would be tense.

“It’s a big disappointment, and we have to react quickly because we don’t know how many points we’re going to have. Our second half of the season [has been] very, very average,

“There needs to be a collective but also an individual awareness. Too many players are looking inward. We have to look ahead.

“The Troyes match is coming up. We’ve been first since the start of the championship, but we have to finish with victories. We have the ambition to do more.”

Liverpool assumed the role of chief Champions League football challengers as they moved into fifth place after a frankly bizarre late 4-3 win over Tottenham.

A week after conceding five in the opening 21 minutes at Newcastle, history started to repeat itself after another shambolic opening to a game from Spurs, who were 3-0 down inside 15 minutes courtesy of goals from Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.

That the visitors got back on level terms through Harry Kane – equalling Wayne Rooney’s 208 Premier League total – Son Heung-min and Richarlison, in added time, said as much about the home side’s sloppiness when cruising as it did Tottenham’s powers of recovery which had earned them a come-from-behind draw against Manchester United on Thursday.

However, there was one final twist as straight from the kick-off following Richarlison’s equaliser, Diogo Jota scored his fifth goal in four appearances to snatch victory and stay in the race – albeit outsiders – for the top four, seven points behind Manchester United having played one match more.

It may have been a different Spurs interim manager – Ryan Mason now in charge after Cristian Stellini’s sacking – and a different formation but the same problems were present with a lack of intensity and understanding of the task at hand leaving the visitors wide open in the early stages.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, continuing in his new hybrid right-back midfield role, can open up most teams even without the assistance he was given by a lack of pressure on him.

His cross to the far post demanded to be fired home and Jones did just that for his first goal since September 2021, in doing so making Alexander-Arnold the first player in Premier League history to twice provide an assist in five consecutive games.

His recent form in his new role will have had the watching England manager Gareth Southgate wondering whether he can afford to adopt it himself, having left the 24-year-old out of his last squad.

Liverpool doubled their advantage two minutes later when Diaz, making his first start since October, showed greater desire than Cristian Romero to meet Cody Gakpo’s cut-back with a smartly-taken volley.

Harvey Elliott’s brilliant through-ball picked out Gakpo, exploiting the scarcely believable spaces in Spurs’ back five, but he was eventually squeezed out by Romero.

The suffering Spurs fans chanted ‘We want our money back’, having this week been offered a refund for their St James’ Park experience, but their self-deprecation turned to anger when Romero brought down Gakpo and Salah fired home his first penalty success in three attempts.

It was the seventh successive home match in which the Egypt international had scored and it moved him past Robbie Fowler and just two behind Steven Gerrard in Liverpool’s all-time leading scorers list with 184 in 300 games.

That goal confirmed Tottenham’s position as the Premier League’s worst team in the first 15 minutes, with their league-high 13 goals conceded in that period only beaten by Wolves, Ipswich and Sheffield in the competition’s history.

Alexander-Arnold released Gakpo again for another chance and Salah curled wide from the edge of the box. Liverpool’s press was ferocious but Spurs’ organisation was atrocious and Oliver Skipp was lucky to escape any punishment for going over the top on Diaz.

Tottenham had not had a touch inside the opposition penalty area in the opening 28 minutes and the only danger to Liverpool appeared to be themselves as the game seemed just too easy.

However, in a moment, the dynamic changed as, with the press a little less dynamic and the concentration a little less focused, Virgil van Dijk was forced to clear Son’s goalbound shot after Andy Robertson gave the ball to Kane.

But the Netherlands captain was left sprawling on the turf when Ivan Perisic broke down the left into the space left by Alexander-Arnold and Kane volleyed home his cross from close range for his ninth goal against Liverpool, behind only Andy Cole (11) in terms of Premier League strikes against the Reds.

Spurs had displayed their comeback ability in midweek and having been sent out early for the second half, their improved attitude showed as Son, who had hit the woodwork when offside late in the first half, smashed a shot against one post and Romero volleyed against the other within a matter of seconds of each other.

The introduction of Jordan Henderson and Jota, for Elliott and Diaz, restored some balance but the space remained behind Alexander-Arnold and Son exploited that in the 77th minute as he raced onto Romero’s pass to tuck a shot under Alisson.

Former Everton forward Richarlison’s tumble under pressure from Ibrahima Konate was not deemed worthy of a penalty as Spurs pressed for the equaliser, which duly arrived when the former Everton forward chose the optimum time to score his first Premier League goal for the club, diving to head home a free-kick.

However, straight from kick-off, Jota slotted home from the angle to snatch back victory, provoking such wild celebrations that limping manager Jurgen Klopp appeared to pull his hamstring celebrating after the final whistle.

Javi Gracia has admitted something must change after Leeds saw their survival hopes take a huge blow after a damaging 4-1 loss at Bournemouth.

Gracia watched his team lose for a fourth time in five matches and while they remain 16th in the Premier League, they face Manchester City and Newcastle over the next fortnight with only a point cushion to the relegation zone.

Patrick Bamford’s first-half header proved a mere consolation at the Vitality Stadium in the end with under-fire goalkeeper Illan Meslier at fault for two Bournemouth goals and a tactical tweak to a 5-2-3 failing to pay off for the former Watford boss.

“Of course, if we concede the mistakes we are conceding in all the games, it is difficult to compete well and to get the results we need. We have to be more consistent in defending, attacking more aggressively. If we don’t do that, it will be difficult to get the points we need,” Gracia conceded.

“I don’t like to speak much about our situation on the table or that but in this moment we are not in relegation (zone).

“Of course, we have now tough games and we have to be ready for that. We need to keep our mentality and try to believe we can do it.

“Above all, try to work hard these next days and try to prepare for the next game. It is the only way I know to improve the situation.

“You know when I arrived, the situation was even worse and now, of course, the last results are tough for all of us but we have to change this dynamic and we have four games to do it.”

When Gracia was asked if he still had the backing of the board, who only appointed the Spaniard on February 21, he provided a lacklustre answer that followed a similar defensively showing from his out-of-form side.

The 52-year-old did insist, however, that his players have the character to stay up despite Jefferson Lerma’s first-half brace, a sixth goal of the season for Dominic Solanke and Antoine Semenyo’s maiden Bournemouth strike increasing the pressure on Leeds.

“If I am here, I suppose,” Gracia replied when quizzed on the trust of the Leeds board.

“You need character and other values but I think my players have them.

“From half-time against Palace (5-1 defeat), everything changed and then we have to find a way to recover our level and we have to do it as soon as possible because there are only four games left.”

Leeds supporters initially vented their frustration at sporting director Victor Orta and the board during their 18th defeat of a tough campaign, but by the end of the 4-1 reverse their anger had turned to the players.

Gracia insisted: “I think Leeds supporters are always with the team. That is what I feel from my arrival.

“Of course, they prefer to be in another situation like all of us but in this moment, I think they expect to see their team play better and winning than listening to many words.”

Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil was delighted to see his side virtually secure safety but admitted there would be no lavish celebrations in his household.

“Yeah, 39 points from 34 games is a big effort,” the Cherries’ rookie manager said.

“Today is relief that we put in a big performance and achieved what I think is Premier League safety, so I will enjoy this evening with the family.

“I was in A&E last night with my youngest daughter. She had an accident, nothing serious, so get home and see how she is.

“Probably spend the evening in the lounge with maybe a beer, a tea, some chocolate. There are some Easter eggs left.

“Yeah, I will just enjoy it with them. I want to spend some time with the people who have supported me. They’ve seen some dark evenings in the O’Neil house, so let’s enjoy this one with them.”

Celtic attacker Jota claims “smart” play led to his winning goal against Rangers which set up a Scottish Cup final meeting with Inverness.

There was little between the Old Firm rivals in a pulsating semi-final at Hampden Park until the Light Blues inexplicably switched off just before the break when referee Don Robertson took no action after Gers midfielder Nicolas Raskin challenged Matt O’Riley on the edge of the box.

Japan attacker Daizen Maeda took possession of the loose ball and swiftly crossed for Jota to bullet a header past Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor which was enough to send Ange Postecoglou’s side to the June 3 final at the national stadium.

The Portuguese forward said: “We aim to be always good in every moment of the game and you need to be focused because there is always mistakes.

“Football is made of mistakes and you need to be able to understand when to take advantage of that and just be smart.

“Football is about that and when you have the opportunity, if you have the talent and if you are ruthless you get the opportunity to score and today was no different.

“Every game is different. As long as I can help the team achieve their goals, I will be happy, if I score or don’t score.

“To be in the right place at the right time inside the box is something we work a lot on and it is just a question of setting the moment. It felt like that could be a chance for me and I took it.”

The Viaplay Cup holders are one victory away from retaining the cinch Premiership title with Championship side Inverness standing in the way of domestic treble and Jota believes the clean sweep would be “amazing.”

He said: “If we keep on winning every game until the end then we are in a very good position of achieving amazing things and we aim for that.

“As a Celtic player in this group, we always aim for these trophies but in order to achieve that we have to work really hard from the start of the season.

“This one is no different. This is the final push and we have to go strong.”

Manchester United fans protested against the Glazer family before and during Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.

Friday was the third, and what is expected to be final, deadline for interested parties to make offers to buy the club.

Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitted offers to the Glazers, who have faced fury from United fans since their leveraged takeover in 2005.

The 1958 – a United fan group that came to prominence last year – has led renewed protests and held another before the home match against Villa.

Leaving from central Manchester, the march continued on to Old Trafford as fans displayed a giant banner reading ‘Full $ale Only’.

Smoke from the flares outside rose through the concourses and filled the air inside Old Trafford as the players warmed up.

The 1958 also called for an 18-minute boycott of the match – “one minute for each year the Glazers have driven our club into the ground”. There were some visible empty seats at kick-off but Old Trafford was largely full.

Chants against the owners were heard from the outset and footage has emerged of manager Erik ten Hag briefly holding a green and gold scarf after Sunday’s 1-0 win.

Asked if background anger could make things harder for his side, the United boss said: “We felt really that the fans were behind us.

“So, we have to focus to be successful because that’s what the fans expect and they can expect.

“They have to rely on us, so we will focus on that.

“I’m sure when we keep performances like we do all season, the fans are behind us and there’s lot of energy and I think a really strong bond between the fans and the players.”

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says Bruno Fernandes’ match-winning display against Aston Villa highlighted just how “crazy” the recent debate about his captaincy was.

The Red Devils strengthened their grip on a Champions League spot on Sunday, when the 28-year-old’s first-half strike proved enough to seal a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

It was the latest in a long line of impressive displays by Fernandes, who somehow recovered from sustaining an ankle complaint in last Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton to play on Thursday.

Ten Hag heaped praised on the Portugal international after that 2-2 draw at Tottenham, calling him an “inspiration” and an example team-mates must follow.

The United boss offered similarly fulsome praise on Sunday and pointed out how laughable talk about his suitability for the captaincy was following the 7-0 loss at Liverpool.

Asked what it says about Fernandes’ resilience to be playing like he is a week on from that ankle knock, Ten Hag said: “A lot. I emphasise it all on Thursday in London.

“He’s so tough. A couple of weeks ago there was questions about his captaincy. It’s crazy because he’s such a big leader, by example.

“He gives so much energy to the team besides his smartness.

“But also his determination, his passion and his resilience, so I think we as a team are so happy.

“We need such players if you want to win games, if you want to win trophies.”

Ten Hag says “it’s a pleasure to work with players like” Fernandes, who skippered the side again with Harry Maguire on the bench and fired United to a victory that keeps them well placed for Champions League qualification.

“We have to keep going from game to game, but I think this is a brilliant week for us,” the Dutchman said.

“When you’re in the semi-final in a tough game against a good opponent (Brighton) as we have seen in the week, we played a very good game and get through to the final.

“Then Tottenham, in first half we played very well and today we play in two halves, I think, an impressive game, so big credit to the team.”

United head to Brighton on Thursday night looking to maintain momentum, while Villa have the chance to bounce back from a first loss in 10 weeks at Wolves on Saturday.

Emery’s men end the weekend seventh in the standings and the four-time Europa League winner is not giving up on continental qualification.

“It’s more difficult when you are trying to be in the top 10,” the Villa boss said.

“But it’s really difficult when you want to be in the European positions because you have to win and to win and to win.

“We were doing that but now we have to do it again. That is the more difficult step ahead that we have but we deserve it.

“Today against Manchester United we didn’t play as competitive as we have done in other matches.

“It could be because Manchester United is difficult and controlled the game.

“If we are defending more the attacking moments are more difficult.

“We didn’t play good in the first half and we were defending more. It was not enough. The performance in the second half was better.”