Month: April 2023

Mateo Kovacic feels “at home” at Chelsea amid suggestions the Croatian could be targeted by Manchester City and Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Kovacic is approaching the final 12 months of his contract with Chelsea, and his failure to put pen to paper on a new deal has led to suggestions he could seek an exit.

City could be in the market for midfield reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window, with club captain Ilkay Gundogan rumoured to be weighing up a contract offer from Barcelona. 

Kovacic has also been linked with a reunion with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who has endured a troubled start to life at Bayern since replacing Julian Nagelsmann last month.

The 28-year-old has been a regular under three different coaches during a season of upheaval at Stamford Bridge, and he remains content in west London.

Speaking to the club’s media channels, Kovacic said: “I have been here five years already, time flies, and I have been at Chelsea the longest of all my clubs.

“I feel really, really at home. There is nothing to not love in London. My family enjoys it, which makes it easier for me. The food is okay, maybe not like Italy or Spain! But London is amazing.

“I can only say good things about London and England. We feel really great here.”

Kovacic has started three of Chelsea’s four games since Frank Lampard returned to the club as caretaker manager earlier this month, including both legs of a 4-0 aggregate defeat against his former club Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Tottenham have dismissed Cristian Stellini from his role as acting head coach, replacing the Italian with Ryan Mason in the aftermath of Sunday’s humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

Stellini took charge on an interim basis following Antonio Conte’s exit last month, but the former assistant has been unable to inspire a turnaround in Spurs’ ailing bid to secure Champions League qualification.

Tottenham found themselves 5-0 down within 21 minutes of an extraordinary meeting with top-four rivals Newcastle on Sunday, the second-earliest a side have ever gone five goals down in a Premier League match.

The result represents Spurs’ first five-goal Premier League defeat since a 5-0 loss to Liverpool in December 2013, leaving them six points adrift of the third-placed Magpies having played a game more.

With Stellini overseeing just one victory in four games since Conte’s exit, chairman Daniel Levy has opted to make his second coaching change in under a month.

In an update posted on the club’s website, Levy wrote: “Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see. 

“We can look at many reasons why it happened, and whilst myself, the board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine.

“Cristian will leave his current role along with his coaching staff. Cristian stepped in at a difficult point in our season and I want to thank him for the professional manner in which he and his coaching staff have conducted themselves during such a challenging time. We wish him and his staff well.

“Ryan Mason will take over head coach duties with immediate effect. Ryan knows the club and the players well. We shall update further on his coaching staff in due course.

“I met with the player committee today – the squad is determined to pull together to ensure the strongest possible finish to the season. 

“We are all clear we need to deliver performances which earn your amazing support.”

Mason previously led Spurs on an interim basis following Jose Mourinho’s exit in 2021, overseeing a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.

His second stint in charge will begin against Manchester United on Thursday, with the Red Devils entering that game six points clear of Spurs with two games in hand.

Luke Shaw hailed the “amazing confidence” shown by Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho to take penalties in Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final shoot-out win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Sancho and Rashford stepped up third and fourth respectively for United at Wembley, where the game finished 0-0 after extra time, and were both successful from 12 yards as United prevailed 7-6 on penalties.

The United team-mates, along with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, suffered racist abuse on the back of missing penalties in England’s shoot-out defeat to Italy at the same venue in the Euro 2020 final.

Shaw, who was on the scoresheet in that meeting with Italy, believes his international and club colleagues deserve huge praise for stepping up and converting in the tense showdown against Brighton.

“I was next to Jadon. I said, ‘Whatever happens happens, just be confident. It’s part of football, things happen, these things happen’,” Shaw said.

“I think maybe what was playing on their minds are the things that come with it, the racism and stuff that they experienced last time.

“For me, they showed amazing confidence to step up and because the last time they took one in a shoot-out it was here and the memories that come with that.

“But I’m really happy for both of them to put themselves forward and take really good penalties.”

Versatile defender Shaw was shifted to centre-back against Brighton to cover for the absences of suspended Harry Maguire and injured pair Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

The 27-year-old helped keep a clean sheet and, fitness depending, is certain to start next month’s first ever FA Cup final between United and fierce rivals Manchester City.

And Shaw, who has won the EFL Cup and Europa League with United, insists he will never take appearing in major finals for granted after playing his part in the Red Devils’ latest run to Wembley.

“As players we can never take anything for granted,” he said. “Every day with this manager you have to be 100 per cent at it in training; around the place because he sets high standards. 

“If you don’t meet them, you don’t play no matter what the circumstances are – whether there’s injuries, suspensions, it does not matter.

“So, for me, I don’t take it for granted. Still, the back end of the season is the most important – that’s when you win stuff, and we want to win this trophy so we have to give it everything.”

– Manchester City have won 11 in a row at home across all competitions
– Arsenal have only failed to score in one away league game this season
– Recommended bet: Man City to win and both teams to score

Wednesday’s meeting between City and Arsenal is highly anticipated with the winner moving into the driving seat in the race for the Premier League title.

City enter the encounter sitting second and five points adrift of the Gunners, but the reigning champions have two games in hand and they are unbeaten in 16 games across all competitions.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have not tasted defeat in 12 games – last losing when they hosted City – but they have stumbled over recent weeks following three successive draws.

Team news

Injuries have been kind to hosts City at this late stage of the season and Guardiola has almost a fully fit squad to select from as they look to keep alive their treble hunt.

Defender Nathan Ake missed Saturday’s FA Cup win over Sheffield United with a hamstring issue and is expected to be sidelined once again.

William Saliba has sat out Arsenal’s last five games with a back problem and it does not appear he will be ready to return for this crunch fixture.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny are long-term absentees and will not feature again this season.

The stats

City have won all six of their home league games against Arsenal under Guardiola by an aggregate score of 17-3, last losing at home to the Gunners in January 2015.

Arsenal have lost their last 11 top-flight games against City, their longest losing streak against an opponent in their league history, while they have conceded at least twice in six of their last 11 league games.

Erling Haaland has scored 32 league goals for City, the joint-most ever by a player in a 38-game campaign in the competition with 20 coming at the Etihad.

Bukayo Saka has scored Arsenal’s last two league goals against City, though both of these have come in home games. The last Arsenal player to score home and away against City in the same season was Theo Walcott in 2016-17.

Prediction

City have a vast amount of experience for delivering at the business end of the season and they have made the Etihad a fortress over recent weeks – winning 11 in a row across all competitions.

Arsenal’s young squad appears to be crumbling under the pressure of trying to deliver a first league title since 2004.

It is difficult to look beyond City coming out on top with confidence flowing at the moment but Arsenal, who have scored at least one goal in 15 of their 16 away league assignments should be able to register.

Back Man City to win and both teams to score at 17/10 with LiveScore Bet.

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Tottenham interim manager Cristian Stellini has left the club following Sunday’s 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle.

The Italian had been placed in charge of Spurs until the end of the season following Antonio Conte’s departure last month, with Ryan Mason assisting first-team duties.

But Stellini, who was previously Conte’s No2, has now suffered a similar fate after only four games, with ex-midfielder Mason set to oversee their six remaining Premier League outings.

A statement from Daniel Levy read: “Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see. 

“We can look at many reasons why it happened and whilst myself, the board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine. 

“Cristian will leave his current role along with his coaching staff. Cristian stepped in at a difficult point in our season and I want to thank him for the professional manner in which he and his coaching staff have conducted themselves during such a challenging time. 

“We wish him and his staff well. Ryan Mason will take over head coach duties with immediate effect. Ryan knows the club and the players well. 

“We shall update further on his coaching staff in due course. 

“I met with the player committee today — the squad is determined to pull together to ensure the strongest possible finish to the season. We are all clear we need to deliver performances which earn your amazing support.”

Spurs also drew 1-1 with Everton, beat Brighton and lost 3-2 to Bournemouth during Stellini’s short-lived reign which leaves the North Londoners six points adrift in the top-four race.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more details become available. Please keep refreshing the page.

– Leeds have lost their last three games
– Leicester ended their nine-match winless run on Saturday
– Recommended bet: Leicester to win

Premier League strugglers Leeds and Leicester meet at Elland Road on Tuesday eyeing three points that could have a big say on the relegation battle.

The Whites look to have lost form at just the wrong time and Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham was the West Yorkshire club’s third in a row.

It was a different story for Leicester, who beat Wolves by the same scoreline to end a run of nine league matches without a victory.

Recently-appointed boss Dean Smith described the result as “massive” and will feel his side have a chance to back it up on Tuesday.

Team news

Tyler Adams and Stuart Dallas both continue to battle thigh injuries and are Leeds’ only long-term absentees.

Javi Gracia may finally relent to the pressure from the stands to start Wilfried Gnonto, while Patrick Bamford could also get the nod after playing a part in forcing the ball over the line at Fulham as Joao Palhinha put through his own net.

Leicester look set to welcome back both Harvey Barnes and James Maddison. Barnes has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury, while a stomach bug sidelined Maddison against Wolves and Smith has confirmed that both are back in training.

Jamie Vardy came off during the Wolves win with an ankle issue but is fit to feature at Elland Road. However, the match will come too soon for Jonny Evans, who has played just once in the Premier League since October due to calf and thigh injuries.

The stats

Leeds have won just one of their last five, losing the other four, including their last three and now sit 16th in the table.

Their home form has been particularly concerning, shipping a combined 11 goals in defeats to Crystal Palace and Liverpool. With 62 conceded, they now have the second-worst goal difference in the division behind Bournemouth.

Leicester are joint-fourth in that particular metric (56) but will be buoyed by ending their nine-match winless run at the weekend.

They sit 17th in the table, a point behind Leeds, but will be glad to have Barnes back, especially as the 25-year-old has scored in the last five meetings between the pair.

Prediction

Leeds’ form worries have fermented a feeling of negativity around the club and while they play Bournemouth on Sunday, they are still to face treble-chasing Manchester City, third-place Newcastle, improving West Ham and inconsistent Tottenham.

Leicester are also due to take on Newcastle and West Ham, as well as Liverpool, However, their next two outings after this are winnable ones against Everton and Fulham and Smith will see this match as another chance to build momentum.

Having Barnes and Maddison back provides the Foxes with real quality and those two could be crucial in guiding their side to a fifth away victory of the season.

Back Leicester to win at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet.

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Erik ten Hag expects Raphael Varane to return to fitness in time to feature in Manchester United’s FA Cup final clash with cross-city rivals Manchester City.

Varane was substituted at half-time after sustaining an ankle injury during the first leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla, which the Red Devils lost 5-2 on aggregate.

Varane’s central defensive partner Lisandro Martinez suffered a season-ending metatarsal fracture in the same game, forcing Ten Hag to use a makeshift backline in recent matches.

With club captain Harry Maguire suspended, Luke Shaw partnered Victor Lindelof in the centre of defence as United reached a record-equalling 21st FA Cup final with Sunday’s penalty shoot-out win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

United will now face treble-chasing rivals City in a Wembley Stadium final on June 3, and the Red Devils are hopeful of having Varane available.

Asked whether Varane could feature in United’s second domestic cup final of the season, Ten Hag told talkSPORT: “I think so, yeah. Varane, for the cup final, he can return.”

Varane has made a total of 27 starts for United this campaign, having also been sidelined with ankle and leg injuries prior to last year’s World Cup.

United have fared well in Varane’s absence, winning 20 of their 25 games without him in the starting lineup across all competitions (L5), compared to 16 of their 27 with the Frenchman involved from the off (D7 L4).

Newcastle scored five times in the first 21 minutes of their 6-1 rout of Tottenham on Sunday — the second quickest a team have reached that mark in a Premier League game. 

Only Manchester City’s 8-0 win over Watford in September 2019 saw five goals hit the net in less time. 

Here, we look at the league’s fastest starts. 

Quick out of the blocks

Three goals in the first nine minutes — two from Jacob Murphy sandwiching a Joelinton strike — meant Newcastle’s game against Spurs was over as a contest almost before it started. 

When Alexander Isak scored twice in two minutes to make it 5-0, the game had entered historic territory. 

City produced the only quicker example when David Silva scored in the first minute, Sergio Aguero quickly added a penalty and Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Nicolas Otamendi made it 5-0 after 18 minutes. 

Bernardo Silva added two more to bag a hat-trick in the second half before Kevin De Bruyne completed the scoring. 

Only two other teams have reached five goals in under half an hour — Blackburn in their 7-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday in August 1997, when Chris Sutton scored the fifth in the 24th minute, and Arsenal against Southampton in May 2003. 

Jermaine Pennant completed his hat-trick in the 26th minute, emulated by Robert Pires in the second half of a 6-1 win. 

Five-star heroes

Five goals before half-time equalled the Premier League record, with Newcastle the 12th different club to achieve the feat. 

Only City have managed it more than once, having also done so in their 6-1 win at Burnley in April 2010 when they led 3-0 after seven minutes. 

Spurs are the 11th club to be on the receiving end, with Southampton suffering on three occasions. 

In addition to that Arsenal defeat, Jamie Vardy put Leicester 5-0 up on the stroke of half-time in their 9-0 win at St Mary’s in 2019, while Saints also trailed 5-0 after 35 minutes as they lost 7-2 to Everton in 1996. 

They came out on top in 2015 when Sadio Mane scored the fastest Premier League hat-trick, in two minutes and 56 seconds, to help them lead Aston Villa 5-0 after 38 minutes before eventually winning 6-1. 

Manchester United took 38 minutes to lead Arsenal 5-1 in February 2001 after a Dwight Yorke treble, with Teddy Sheringham adding a late sixth.

Liverpool were another unlikely side on the receiving end against Stoke in May 2015, when Mame Biram Diouf’s double set up an eventual 6-1 win for the Potters. 

The Reds scored five in the first half of their 9-0 win over Bournemouth earlier this season, while Wednesday, against Bolton in 1997, and Leeds, against Bradford in 2001, are the other teams to achieve that feat. 

Slow start no problem for Magpies

Unsurprisingly, all those teams have won the matches in question. 

There are a further 85 examples of a team scoring four times in the first half of a Premier League game — and all but three also won. 

The other games were drawn 4-4. 

Bradford had led 4-3 at the break against Derby in April 2000 — and had actually trailed 2-0 after six minutes — while Swansea were 4-2 up against Wolves in 2012. 

The other exception is another memorable Toon performance. 

They were 4-0 down at half-time — and 3-0 inside 10 minutes — at home to Arsenal in February 2011 but came back to draw 4-4 with a pair of Joey Barton penalties, a Leon Best strike and the late Cheick Tiote’s stunning 87th-minute volley.

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Ain’t no stopping us now

Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker insists “the sky’s the limit” for the club.

Heavy investment from Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who took over the Welsh club in February 2021, was pivotal in the Red Dragons winning the National League on Saturday to end a 15-year absence from the EFL. 

Reynolds and McElhenney were at the Racecourse Ground to witness the title-sealing 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood. 

And the pair, who have reportedly already spent more than £10million restructuring the club, have pledged to continue bankrolling the Welsh outfit’s resurgence. 

Kerr said: “We feel the sky’s the limit for Wrexham. You look at the crowds we had in the stadium all season, the crowds that were outside the stadium [on Saturday], people couldn’t get a ticket. 

“They just wanted to be in town, close to the stadium, close to the action. 

“The last time I checked, our full-time announcement had 15 million views on Twitter. 

“The interest in this club is astronomical and we believe with the squad we have we have a very strong chance of going up again next season. 

“It gets more challenging further up the pyramid but we have real faith and confidence in the people we have got in the football club to take us in the right direction. 

“We want to do this again. We want to be having these parties next year and as many summers after that as we can possibly manage.”

No time to dwell

Roberto De Zerbi claims Brighton have no time to feel sorry for themselves after yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final heartbreak. 

The Seagulls lost 7-6 on penalties to Manchester United after 90 minutes and extra-time had failed to separate the sides at Wembley. 

But with his team still pushing for a place in Europe, De Zerbi’s focus is already on Wednesday night’s Premier League showdown with relgation-haunted Nottingham Forest. 

He said: “It’s football. We are disappointed and very sad. We played a great game. 

“We have a lot of injuries and we suffered due to this situation. It’s sad for us and for our fans. 

“Usually in penalties the winner is the one who doesn’t deserve it. We made some mistakes in the final pass around the goal but I’m really pleased with the performance from my players. 

“We have to close this page and think about the next game on Wednesday in Nottingham. We have a lot of games and want to get into Europe.”

Timely boost

James Maddison and Harvey Barnes are set to return for Leicester when they face fellow relegation battlers Leeds tomorrow night. 

Maddison, 26, was missing from the matchday squad for Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Wolves through illness, while 25-year-old Barnes has been absent for two games with a hamstring issue. 

Speaking ahead of the crucial trip to Elland Road, Foxes boss Dean Smith said: “Madders came in yesterday and did a gym session. He’ll train today, so I’d expect him to be available. 

“Harvey joined in training yesterday. He’ll train again today and, if he has no after-effects, he’s definitely available.”

Newcastle tore Tottenham apart at St James’ Park on Sunday to take a giant stride towards a Premier League top-four spot.

That 6-1 success was the standout performance on a weekend which kicked off with a dramatic 3-3 draw between leaders Arsenal and rock bottom Southampton.

In the relegation scrap, there were crucial wins for Leicester and West Ham while Nottingham Forest and Leeds saw themselves plunged further into trouble after demoralising narrow defeats.

We pick out our five stars of Matchday 32.

Jacob Murphy (Newcastle)

Several Newcastle players were worthy of individual acclaim for their showing against Spurs, but Jacob Murphy was the unlikely hero of the hour.

Ex-Norwich midfielder Murphy, 28, has remarkably featured in all 31 of his side’s top-flight outings this term, though 19 of those appearances have come from the bench.

Entrusted from the start here by Eddie Howe, he rewarded his boss with a brilliant brace inside 10 minutes — first tapping home from an acute angle before drilling a spectacular second from 25 yards that left Hugo Lloris rooted.

Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Arsenal were far from their brilliant best on Friday night but rescued a late point against Southampton that could yet prove pivotal in this year’s title race.

Down 3-1 at the Emirates after 88 minutes, it was their captain Martin Odegaard who inspired a dramatic comeback when bending the Gunners’ second home from the edge of the area.

The Norwegian’s composure and passing range then came to the fore, dictating the play in a period which saw Bukayo Saka draw the hosts level before Leandro Trossard was denied a stunning winner by the crossbar.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Though both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool have had a season to forget, the popular Scouser was back to somewhere near his best during the Reds’ 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Clearly enjoying a new role that allows him to drift into central midfield when his side has possession, the 24-year-old appears revitalised and set up Mohamed Salah’s winning goal with a wicked delivery.

Usually one of the division’s most prolific assisters, Alexander-Arnold has now laid on four goals for team-mates in his last three outings — tripling his season’s tally prior to that run.

Declan Rice (West Ham)

West Ham’s 4-0 win at Bournemouth felt like the Hammers taking a huge step towards safety — and their influential skipper was once again at the heart of an impressive victory. 

Declan Rice started this season slowly but the England ace is coming to the boil at the perfect time, topping off an excellent all-round performance on the South Coast with his second goal in four days. 

Visiting supporters spent most of the contest waxing lyrical about their captain, who will hope to inspire his side to a Europa Conference League triumph before another inevitable summer of transfer speculation begins.

Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester)

Leicester’s win against Wolves was arguably the Premier League’s most important result this weekend, giving the Foxes renewed hope in the relegation battle.

Goals from Kelechi Iheanacho and Timothy Castagne sealed a first success since early February but it was the immense performance of Turkish defender Caglar Soyuncu that made all the difference.

Soyuncu, who was making just his fourth top-flight appearance this term, won 100% of his aerial duels and showed a commanding presence that his side have badly lacked in a bitterly frustrating campaign.