Month: April 2023

Manuel Akanji insists there will be no complacency at Manchester City following their emphatic win over title rivals Arsenal.

The Treble-chasing champions took firm control of the title race as they overpowered the Premier League leaders 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory took them within two points of the Gunners at the top and, with two games in hand, they now look strong favourites to secure their fifth league crown in six years.

“It was a big game and a massive win for us,” said defender Akanji. “It helps us a lot but there’s still so many games to play.

“Seven games – still 21 points to grab so we can’t relax now on this win. We’ve got to go on Sunday and win the next game against Fulham.”

Arsenal had seen their once-healthy advantage eroded with three successive draws heading into the hotly-anticipated encounter.

City, having hit form with 11 wins in their previous 12 games in all competitions, not only sensed their opportunity but ruthlessly took it.

They tore into the visitors from the first whistle and took the lead as Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne combined for a superb breakaway goal after seven minutes.

John Stones added a second just before the break but City might have already been out of sight by then with Haaland having spurned a host of chances.

De Bruyne’s second early in the second half wrapped up the win before Haaland got the goal his performance deserved – his 49th of a remarkable campaign – late on after Rob Holding netted an Arsenal consolation.

It was City’s third victory over Arsenal in just over three months, a strong statement against the side that have been their toughest challengers this season.

Akanji feels the team’s experience of success in the latter half of the campaign has come to the fore.

The versatile Switzerland international, who joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in September, said: “The whole team played really good and had a really good team performance over 90 minutes.

“We were strong in the duels, we were good with the ball and that was different to the game at the Emirates.

“Then we used our chances and we played well defensively and I think that’s the key to these wins, (as is) the experience that the guys in the locker room have.

“They won three championships in the last four and the experience that they bring into the team, and for me also as a player to come into the team, helps.”

Tottenham are not short of dilemmas to solve and Harry Kane’s future is likely to influence how things play out. 

After sacking interim boss Cristian Stellini following last weekend’s 6-1 humiliation at Newcastle, Spurs placed Ryan Mason in charge for the final six games of the season. 

And with Kane shortly entering the final year of his contract, whether he departs or stays in North London is sure to have a bearing on who takes charge this summer. 

Ahead of tonight’s clash with Manchester United, who have been heavily linked with the England skipper, we take a look at what the future may hold.

History maker

While his club have drifted from crisis to crisis, it has been a historic season for Kane.

He became his boyhood club’s all-time record goalscorer in January — before achieving the same feat for England two months later.

With 24 goals in 32 Premier League appearances, the striker is enjoying one of his finest seasons to date.

It makes you wonder where Spurs would be without him, particularly as the gap between them and fourth-placed United stands at six points. 

Crunch time

As speculation grows over Kane’s next step, Tottenham may have to face up to the fact their star man may not be around next term. 

He will have just a year remaining on his contract this summer and there is no indication he will sign an extension. 

With no manager or sporting director in place, it is easy to understand why one of the Premier League’s prized assets might be reluctant to stick around when he has a burning desire to win trophies.

That said, if Daniel Levy and Co can attract a high-calibre manager, it may convince Kane that he could still win silverware with his boyhood club. 

Poch blow

Given he stuck around during the Conte project — which ended in spectacular failure — he may think the time is right to cut his losses. 

To make matters worse, a manager who Kane has a history of challenging at the top level with appears set to take the reins at Chelsea. 

Mauricio Pochettino, who oversaw his rise from young prospect into a world-class star during five years at the club, is reportedly ready to be appointed by Todd Boehly. 

Poch, 51, was heavily linked with a return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Conte’s departure but paper talk failed to result in the two parties thrashing out a deal. 

Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann may now be one of the few available head coaches that could excite their No10 once again.

Bite the bullet?

The reports surrounding Kane indicate Tottenham’s Premier League rivlas would have to pay upwards of £100million to land the Three Lions frontman.

Spurs could use that money to rebuild an ailing squad and become a more cohesive unit overall.

But unless Bayern or Real Madrid firm up previous interest and bid for Kane, they would have to swallow the bitter pill that he would be challenging for glory with another English club. 

However, the North Londoners only have to look at the relative success they enjoyed after selling Gareth Bale in 2013 to see it is possible to become better off in the long run — even if there is a lull in the first season or so afterwards.

Time will tell whether Levy sees it that way, though — particularly with rising fan disgruntlement to contend with.

Mikel Arteta will not go down without a fight despite seeing his Arsenal side carved apart by a rampant Manchester City.

Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Erling Haaland were on target as Pep Guardiola’s side claimed a 4-1 win over the Gunners on Wednesday.

City are now just two points behind the Premier League leaders with two games in hand.

Following City’s win, they now have a 92 per cent chance of winning the league, compared to just eight per cent for the Gunners, according to Opta.

Arteta, however, is not giving up hope.

“It’s a very difficult night, obviously after the way we lost,” he told BT Sport.

“But we have to stand up, look at the bigger picture and the way we are competing toe-to-toe with this team. It’s incredible, to be fair, and we want to compete, we’re not going to give up.

“There’s five games to go, anything can happen and I’ve seen a lot of things happen over 20 years. You have to believe that, we have to look in the mirror and accept that we have lost against an exceptional team.”

City were brilliant throughout.

De Bruyne put them ahead after just seven minutes, before teeing up Stones to add a second on the stroke of half-time.

De Bruyne’s second wrapped matters up early in the second half, with Rob Holding striking a consolation before Haaland got in on the act, surpassing Mohamed Salah’s record of 32 goals in a 38-game Premier League season in the process.

“We were beaten by the better team, that’s for sure,” said Arteta.

“They were exceptional and when that’s the case, it’s difficult to reach that level, and we were nowhere near our level, especially in the first half – when you open that gap, you get punished.

“When you have it in one corner and they kick it 60 yards, they win that duel, they run through you — you have to start competing, winning your duels and all the basic things. We didn’t do them in the first half.

“The way we were in the first 20, 30 minutes, they were on top of us, we could not handle the situation. They were being extremely direct, we knew they had the capacity to do that because they can stretch the pitch. We had to compete but we lost it straight away.”

Pep Guardiola insisted there was nothing decisive about Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Premier League rivals Arsenal but acknowledged something big had shifted with the title now in his side’s hands.

City made light of a fixture long billed as a high-pressure title decider, with the dynamic play of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland ripping through the Arsenal defence time and again.

City scored four – Haaland netting the last after twice setting up De Bruyne, who in turn got the assist on a John Stones header – but could have exceeded that in the first half alone on a dominant night. Rob Holding’s late goal was slim consolation for the Gunners.

Arsenal still ended the night top of the table, but their two-point advantage looks particularly vulnerable with a City side who have won seven in a row in the league boasting two games in hand.

“It was an important game, not decisive but important,” Guardiola said.

“We played very good. I know the opponent we played. They’re still top, I know it sounds naive what I’m saying but we are still behind. We are still there.”

With the exception of a few days in February after City won 3-1 at the Emirates, Arsenal have topped the Premier League table since the third week of the season.

City have been playing catch up all along with Guardiola calling Arsenal the favourites for the title, but this result convinced the Catalan he and his side are finally in the stronger position.

“Absolutely (I prefer) my position because now it’s in our hands,” he said.

“I would love that these two games are six points but you have to win them, but I prefer it because it depends on us.

“Until today, I prefer the position in the Premier League of Arsenal because if Arsenal had beaten us it’s in their hands. But now it is in our hands.”

For Arsenal this was a fourth straight game without a win, with the Gunners appearing to wilt just as City turn up the heat.

Mikel Arteta admitted his side were second best on the night and might now end up second best in the league, but refused to admit defeat in a title race his side still lead, at least for now.

“The analysis is clear,” Arteta said. “The better team won the game. They were probably at their best, especially in the first half, and we were nowhere near our level. When that happens the gap becomes too big.

“The first 30 minutes all the basic things you have to do against an exceptional team in terms of competing, winning duels, understanding what the game requires, we didn’t do it and we were punished.

“The stats said Arsenal were going to finish sixth or seventh and we are where we are with five games to go. Those players deserve a lot of credit after nine-and-a-half months being here. And there are still five games to play.

“In 22 years in this country I’ve seen a lot of things and there are not two equal games in this league.”

Arsenal have five games remaining and Arteta admitted they would need to win them all – something that would put them on 90 points – to take the challenge to City.

“We first have to lift the players up tonight because they suffer and it was difficult to swallow,” he said.

“Do everything we have done so well in the next match to earn the right to win it. That’s where we have to start.”

Xavi said there could be “no excuses” for Barcelona’s meek 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano, which saw the Blaugrana miss the chance to go 14 points clear at the top of LaLiga. 

Barca look destined to end their four-year wait for a league title in the coming weeks, and Real Madrid’s 4-2 defeat at Girona on Tuesday gave them the opportunity to pull further clear. 

However, goals from Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia handed Rayo a deserved victory, with Robert Lewandowski’s late volley proving to be a mere consolation.

Barca have only lost three league games all season, but the Blaugrana have now taken just five points from the last 12 available to them in LaLiga, leaving Xavi to rue a missed opportunity.

“We didn’t have a good game, we weren’t comfortable. They were very intense and aggressive and they didn’t let us play,” Xavi said.

“We lacked understanding of the game, we abused long passes. There are no excuses, Rayo deserved to win. 

“We tried with courage until the end, but they deserved the victory. We have a margin and there is one less game left.

“We have to think about Saturday. The message to the players is that the league has not been won. It costs a lot to win this league and every game away from home is a war. 

“This defeat weighs us down and annoys us. Today we failed and we are leaving annoyed because it was a very good opportunity.”

Having lost on their last league trip to Rayo in October 2021, Barca have now suffered back-to-back defeats in Vallecas for just the second time in their history, also doing so in December 2002.

Defender Ronald Araujo believed the hosts warranted their win, saying: “Rayo deserved the victory. They played well.

“In the first half we weren’t up to it, but we still have a good points advantage. Now we have two home games that we have to win.”

Barca welcome Real Betis to Camp Nou in their next game on Saturday, holding an 11-point lead over Madrid at the top of LaLiga and requiring a maximum of 11 more points to clinch the title.

Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to continue to “show our real face” after they secured a third win in a row to move up to sixth in the Premier League.

Liverpool came from behind to beat West Ham 2-1 at London Stadium on Wednesday thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Joel Matip, cancelling out Lucas Paqueta’s early opener.

West Ham boss David Moyes was left infuriated after a handball appeal against Thiago Alcantara in the penalty area late on was waved away by referee Chris Kavanagh, as well as by the VAR.

“I liked the performance a lot,” Klopp said at his post-match press conference. “First half, I think we were exceptional. Controlled the game from the beginning pretty much, made one mistake and bam – 1-0 down. Great goal, I have to say – what a screamer – but [we] stayed calm, kept playing, scored our screamer as well and controlled the game.

“Second half I liked as well. We had to really dig in deep then because of the physicality of West Ham, they always have a chance to come back as long as you don’t kill the game – and we didn’t. [We] had massive chances after set-pieces, I have no clue how we didn’t take them – I didn’t understand it but then [we] scored a wonderful goal from a set-piece.

“I heard now about the handball [but] we were on the other side of that. I thought he just fell on the ball but I can understand Moysey sees that probably completely different.

“In the end, if you look at the game, I think we are the deserved winner and that’s, for me, very important. If we got a point, I’m still happy with the game, not with the result – [but] now I’m happy with both.”

The win took Liverpool within six points of the top four, albeit having played two more games than fourth-placed Manchester United and one more than Newcastle United in third.

On the race for the Champions League spots, Klopp said: “I can’t see the race yet, because we are not in position for a race. The only thing we can do is win football games, if that puts pressure on other teams that’s not in our hands because we don’t play them [United and Newcastle].

“I want us to finish the season as good as somehow possible. I want us to take something out of this season for next year, if that is European competition, great, if not, we have to accept it as well and go from there.

“I want us, at least for a few weeks, [to] show our real face – and not the nice one, the ugly one, the nice one, the ugly one. It’s really tough to do that. So now we did it for kind of three games – three and a half, the second half against Arsenal was brilliant as well.

“We played here plenty of times, it’s always tough. Result-wise, it looked better from time to time but the goals we scored were then counter-attacks, stuff like that, quick reacting, all these kind of things. Tonight we controlled the game in a way we never did before against West Ham and I really liked that.”

Klopp had earlier told BT Sport how pleased he was again with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance in his new hybrid role between right-back and midfield, with the 24-year-old claiming an assist for Gakpo’s goal, and making more passes in the opposition half than anyone else on the pitch (62).

The Liverpool manager refused to entertain the idea that Alexander-Arnold’s new role had led to West Ham’s chances down their right side, and replied to a question about one specific chance that ended with Virgil van Dijk narrowly denying Michail Antonio in the first half: “That had nothing to do with the role of Trent.

“We had three players on the other side in a challenge, so we just don’t win the ball. That means we move to the ball side, that is a risk you take, you should win the ball then.

“Three v one we don’t win the ball, then the other side is open… it has nothing to do with Trent Alexander-Arnold.”

Ryan Mason has insisted he now feels ready to be Tottenham manager after experiencing a level of “uncertainty” during his first caretaker spell in charge.

Mason became the youngest ever Premier League boss in 2021 when he replaced Jose Mourinho for the final month of the season and he is back in the role after Cristian Stellini was dismissed following Sunday’s 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle.

The 31-year-old is Spurs’ third manager of the campaign but believes he is better equipped to steer the ship this time having spent the last 18 months as first-team coach at his boyhood club.

“At that time did I know I was ready? There was a lot of uncertainty but looking at it now, I know I’m ready to help the group and deal with the situation in a good way,” Mason reiterated.

“I’m young, yes, but not in terms of a coach. Six years of coaching solid is a long time.

“A normal player retires at 35 and if you fast forward six years then you’re 40, 41 and the perception is probably totally different.

“In terms of my age I may be young but not in terms of my coaching experience.

“Obviously there are ambitions when you start coaching and you chase things, but I’ve always lived in a way which is to deal with what is happening right now and never take your eye off the ball.

“I’m ready for this situation and I feel like the players know I’m ready as well. The focus is on these next six games and then in the summer we will see what the best situation is for the football club.”

A number of Mason’s old team-mates have left Tottenham during the past two years but several do remain at the club and the likes of Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier and Harry Kane form part of the squad’s leadership group.

Yet the former Spurs midfielder is adamant he will have no issue making difficult decisions over the next month.

Mason added: “Honestly, I believe in this group and I believe in these players.

“Last season we finished the season exceptionally well and sometimes in football it is a deeper thing than just having players. It is more about the environment and the mindset or confidence.

“There are so many factors that can affect results.

“Naturally in the last two years since I have been in the first team coaching it is not a friendship, it is a professional working relationship.

“There is respect there – there has always been respect there –  but ultimately they knew two years ago and they know now that I am a decision-maker. That’s my job.

“They are going to have to respect that and understand that and I am going to make decisions which I feel are the best for the team to get a result.”

Previously part of Antonio Conte’s coaching staff, Mason remained respectful of the Italian despite a difficult campaign for the club.

He did highlight the mid-season World Cup and the death of fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone as decisive factors.

But Mason said: “First of all I am not going to get drawn into speaking about Antonio and Cristian because I worked with them for a long time and I am grateful for the opportunity I had with them.

“I learnt a lot from them and their team as well. How they managed things was how they managed things.

“My job and their job is to get results on the football pitch. How you set a culture and environment differs from every single individual but I know what I want to do and I am clear with that.”

Frank Lampard lamented Chelsea’s luck after the Blues’ losing streak hit five games in all competitions with a 2-0 defeat to Brentford.

An own goal from Cesar Azpilicueta in the first half was followed by Bryan Mbeumo’s deflected effort on the counter late in the second, leaving Chelsea winless in their last eight.

Lampard has tasted defeat in each of his three Premier League matches since returning to take temporary charge at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea still languishing in the bottom half of the standings.

The manner of the latest loss to Brentford will be difficult to swallow, as Chelsea dominated proceedings for the majority of the game but were unable to convert.

Lampard believes a lack of confidence is the reason for that, with everything going against his side.

“It’s a difficult one; I feel for the players a bit. They’ve lived it longer than me and there is low confidence,” he told BT Sport.

“In terms of the game, we controlled possession. Brentford are good at what they do. They turn you round, they get throw-ins, they get corners, they scored from a deflected corner in a stalemate first half.

“We dominated the second half and they scored on a breakaway, so the details of the game are pretty clear. We’re lacking the belief when we get to the top end of the pitch.

“In this moment, it’s not a sob story, but everything is going against us. That game is a clear one. Even though we’re not creating big chances, we had control of the first half.

“We have difficult games, a really difficult run-in. Some players came into the game and did okay, so maybe it is time to see those players a bit more.

“At the moment, everyone is 20 per cent down on confidence, so that moment to beat a player, to deliver on that half chance we get, we’re not taking it, so that’s the story for me.”

Erik ten Hag has praised potential summer target Harry Kane’s intelligence, personality and goalscoring instincts ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Tottenham.

Fresh from edging past Brighton in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final on penalties, the Red Devils return to London for a key match in the race for Champions League qualification.

Fourth-placed United boast a six-point cushion and two games in hand on Spurs, who turned to Ryan Mason as caretaker boss following their 6-1 shellacking at Newcastle.

But whatever the disfunction at Spurs, club record goalscorer Kane always seems to find a way to find the net and took his tally to 26 in all competitions at St James’ Park.

The 29-year-old’s deal at his boyhood club expires next year and United have been strongly linked with a summer move for the striker, who was subject of a failed pursuit by Manchester City in 2021.

“It’s quite clear his impact on the game from Spurs,” United boss Ten Hag said of threat posed by Kane on Thursday night.

“We have a plan of course for that. The home game we did very well, so for tomorrow we need a very good plan as well.

“You have to defend him as a team. He’s a clever player, so don’t allow him to come into situations. He can have a big impact on the game.”

Asked what makes Kane such a great striker, Ten Hag said: “First of all, the number of goals.

“And also his key actions (that) come to a goal, final passes as well. He’s just a great player, great personality as well.”

Then pushed on whether he would fit in well at United, Ten Hag said after a slight pause: “I am preparing my team tomorrow for a game against Spurs.

“He is one of the players but we have to face Spurs, so I don’t think about anything else.”

United had already looked light up top before Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious November departure.

Football director John Murtough told a fans’ forum the following month that “it’s no secret that we’re looking for a new centre-forward”.

Wout Weghorst joined on loan from Burnley in January to plug that gap for the remainder of the season but Murtough said “the main focus remains on the summer window”.

Planning was well under way for that window before the curtain came down on 2022 and Kane is among the elite number nines United have been linked with.

“I think we have to strengthen the team on more positions (than just striker) – for instance the depth in the squad,” Ten Hag said when asked about the need for a striker.

“But don’t think about that in this moment. It’s not about that.

“So far I think we have a great season so keep going, keep improving, keep progressing.

“The team is doing so well and I think it’s enjoyable to be part of this team.

“We have to keep the process going. We have good players, we have a great team, we have a great year but it’s only success if you keep going.”

United won the Carabao Cup in February and have the FA Cup final against Manchester City to look forward to on June 3.

They are on course for a top-four finish but last week’s embarrassing Europa League quarter-final loss at Sevilla provided a reality check for Ten Hag’s developing team.

“Of course it would be great but in this moment we can’t dream for that,” the United boss said when the prospect of pushing for the title next year rather than the top four was put to him.

“We know where Man United should belong, but the reality is we are not in that place, so, as a club, we have to work very hard to get back in that position.

“So, don’t dream in this moment, be in the reality and make a good plan, strategy, but work very hard and be ready for every game.

“I think we are in a good direction, but we have still a way to go. That’s also the truth.”

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says his side still have work to do after they moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 3-1 win over Brighton.

Forest were on a seemingly irreversible slide back to the Championship after a horror run of 11 games without a victory going back to February but they stopped the rot at the City Ground.

Another defeat had been on the cards after the Seagulls went ahead through Facundo Buonanotte’s goal on his first Premier League start after Brennan Johnson had missed an early penalty for Forest.

But an own goal by Pascal Gross on the stroke of half-time followed by second-half efforts from Danilo and Morgan Gibbs-White gave them a vital win.

The relegation battle looks like going to the wire, with six clubs realistically in the fight and Cooper knows this victory does not count for anything if they cannot back it up.

“Delighted, the result is always the most important thing but definitely at this moment in time,” Cooper said.

“There were loads of positives, but it is a good win, you have to enjoy them until we leave the dressing room and drive out because we have got another game on Saturday and we have to be really ready for it. We have to be ready for Brentford.

“We have to look after ourselves, if you get the results you need things will take care of themselves with league position. We managed to get the win tonight. Let’s try and improve it again on Saturday and that has to be the only thing we are thinking about.

“I’m over the moon, I’m so pleased for the players and the supporters but we haven’t won for months and I don’t think we can win a game and celebrate too much.

“I was walking off the pitch thinking about getting ready for Brentford. We have got a lot of work to do and I want everybody in tomorrow working even harder than they did today. That has to be the mentality.”

Cooper confirmed that Neco Williams had been taken to hospital after a sickening clash with team-mate Johnson in the second half.

He said: “I had a look when he came off and I saw blood so fingers crossed it is not too bad, his health comes first regardless of results.”

Brighton were looking to bounce back from the heart-breaking FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United, but this loss hurt their European ambitions as they dropped to eighth, although they do have games in hand on the teams above them.

Boss Roberto De Zerbi said his threadbare squad ran out of energy after a bright opening.

“We deserved to lose the game, we played well for the first 35 minutes in the first half and then we lost energy,” the Italian said.

“We didn’t change too many players from Wembley, we knew it was a very tough game, we could have scored more goals in that 35 minutes and then we lost the spirit and energy.

“It’s a difficult period for us because we are not used to playing three games in a week but we have to use it because we will play eight games and we have to fight to reach our target.

“For sure I am honest and I don’t want to speak in this way when we lose the game. I am proud for my players today when we lost the game.”