Month: April 2023

Celtic will play Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup final after they beat Rangers 1-0 in an Old Firm semi-final at Hampden Park.

A typically high-tempo Glasgow derby saw Jota head in the only goal of the game just before half-time to keep Celtic’s treble hopes alive.

Rangers had chances to level in the second half, with James Tavernier hitting the post, but they were unable to find a way past Joe Hart on Sunday.

Just one win away from sealing the Scottish Premiership, Ange Postecoglou’s side further cemented their superiority over their rivals with a fourth win in five Old Firm derbies this season.

Rangers nearly took an early lead as the pre-match smoke cleared, with Nicolas Raskin seeing a shot from 25 yards out deflected just wide of the near post.

Celtic started to take control and tested Allan McGregor with shots from Alastair Johnson and Jota, while Rangers lost Malik Tillman to a hamstring injury just after the half-hour mark.

The Bhoys were ahead in the 42nd minute after Rangers’ defence went to sleep and allowed Daizen Maeda to capitalise on a loose ball and cross from the right for Jota to head in unmarked.

Michael Beale’s men started the second half brightly and Cameron Carter-Vickers had to react quickly to deny Alfredo Morelos a tap-in, before Scott Arfield forced a good save from Hart low to his right.

Tavernier hit the inside of the post with a smart effort before Fashion Sakala put the rebound into the side-netting, while Arfield hit a left-footed shot over late on as Rangers just could not find the elusive equaliser.

Inter’s Champions League hopes received a huge boost with a late comeback and a 3-1 win against Lazio in Serie A.

Felipe Anderson had given the visitors a first-half lead at San Siro, robbing Francesco Acerbi of possession and dispatching past Andre Onana.

Numerous chances for an equaliser went begging for the hosts in the second half, which looked set to result in yet another home loss for the Nerazzurri.

However, Martinez smashed home an equaliser after 77 minutes, with Robin Gosens putting his side ahead befre Martinez added further gloss to the scoreline in a rallying finish from Simone Inzaghi’s men.

The hosts were the stronger of the two sides early on, Henrikh Mkhitaryan proving to be an effective attacking outlet by former Provedel into a save before tucking home after Joaquin Correa’s cutback, though his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Lazio swiftly responded, taking the lead on the half hour mark through Anderson who won possession from Acerbi and exchanged a neat one-two with Luis Alberto before slotting beneath Onana.

The Cameroonian needed to be alert to prevent Lazio from extending their lead before the break, parrying Ciro Immobile’s low drive away from the far corner, then collecting Alessio Romagnoli’s header from point-blank range from the following corner.

Inter pushed for an equaliser immediately after the restart, Nicolo Barella volleying a fierce strike agonisingly wide of the post, though Lazio remained a threat and Onana had to keep Alberto’s fine effort at bay.

A late comeback soon turned the match on it’s head, Martinez latching onto Lukaku’s inviting pass and smashing past Provedel, before Lukaku was again the provider by floating a cross to the far post that Gosens volleyed home.

There was still time for further celebration, Martinez pouncing on Matias Vecino’s loose back pass and bearing down on goal, securing his brace at the second attempt after Provedel saved his initial effort.

What does it mean? Inter receive huge boost

Entering the game with three consecutive home defeats in Serie A, failing to score in all, Inter’s top-four ambitions were significantly under threat.

It appeared that poor run would continue against Lazio but a late comeback, with all three goals occurring after the 77th minute, provided a timely boost.

Inter leapt to fourth in the standings with the win, with 57 points putting them level with Milan and Roma.

Lukaku leading by example

Though not on the scoresheet, Lukaku made the difference for Inter in their fightback by providing the assists for both Martinez and Gosens.

The Belgian created five chances for his teammates, more than anyone else on the field.

Masterful Martinez

Coming off the bench, Martinez’s introduction changed the flow of the game and he finished with six attempts on goal, more than anyone else.

As a result, Martinez took his Serie A total this season to 17 – becoming the third Inter player to score more than 15 goals for three campaigns in a row in the last 55 years, joining Christian Vieiri and Mauro Icardi with that honour.

What’s next?

Inter travel to face Verona on Wednesday, while Lazio will look to bounce back at home to Sassuolo on the same day.

A group of Manchester United fans protested against the Glazer family and demanded a full sale ahead of Sunday’s 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.

Fan group The 1958 has led renewed protests against them for the past year and held another before Sunday’s Premier League 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’.

The shutters were closed in the Munich Tunnel when protestors arrived at the ground, where chants against the Glazers were relentless.

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

The 1958 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. There were chants against the owners from the outset.

Kolo Toure believes working under Pep Guardiola was the perfect crash course in management for Vincent Kompany.

Former Manchester City captain Kompany has enjoyed a fine season in charge of Burnley, leading the Clarets straight back to the Premier League and the Championship title.

Kompany, 37, left City in 2019 to become player-manager of Anderlecht.

He joined Burnley last year, and his success at Turf Moor has seen him become one of the most highly coveted young managers, with Tottenham reportedly interested in taking him to north London.

Kompany’s ex-City team-mate Toure, who endured a difficult, short spell as Wigan Athletic boss earlier in the 2022-23 campaign, always felt the Belgian would go onto big things in management.

“You could feel that [he would be a manager],” Toure told Stats Perform.

“Vincent has everything. He has the manager skill. I could see it already as a player. Even when he wasn’t captain you could see he had a great relationship with players.

“A great relationship with the fans, a great relationship with the media, and a great relationship with the owners.

“He’s always been somebody who is very intelligent, somebody who can connect with people very easily and speaks both languages really, really well. And he prepared himself very well.”

Kompany played under Guardiola for three years of his 11-season stint at City, and Toure believes the Spaniard was the perfect teacher to learn from.

“I think for me what is the best thing that happened to him is to be able to play and be managed by Pep Guardiola because he learned from Pep, and Pep is an unbelievable manager,” Toure said.

“What he’s been learning under him is incredibly great in that’s what he’s showing really there. Of course, he has a little bit of detail that is putting on the way he wants this team to play. But when you look at his team, he is taking that from Pep Guardiola, definitely.”

Toure’s first foray into management was not quite as successful as Toure’s endeavours; he lasted just 59 days in charge of Wigan.

He failed to win any of his nine games and left Wigan with the club sat bottom of the Championship. They were relegated on Saturday.

Toure, though, is keen to carry on in coaching.

“I would say that it was a great learning moment for me because, during my career as a player, I never experienced fighting for relegation. When the opportunity came, I took it because, for me, it was a great opportunity to start my managerial career,” he explained.

“I wanted to challenge myself because you cannot wait for the perfect moment to get the perfect job. I wanted to do that job. I found players who are top guys, and I was my mission was to change the style of play and keep the team up.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t work really because defensively we conceded so many goals, and attacking-wise we were dangerous, and we created chances but we never scored them.

“I learned, and you have to be honest, you try things with the level of players with the pressure that the players had, it wasn’t easy for them. Next time I have another opportunity, I make sure to assess the situation even better, and just try to help the team win games by taking some of the pressure out of the players.”

“I’m definitely looking for a job now,” Toure added. “I’m more hungry than ever. I’m looking forward. I’m looking to get a new job. My passion for the game is there to push players to really win games and be the best that they can be.”

Huddersfield took a huge step towards Sky Bet Championship safety with a 2-1 win at Cardiff.

Substitute Joseph Hungbo struck a powerful opener and Jack Simpson’s own goal secured Huddersfield a three-point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone.

Cardiff replied through Isaak Davies’ first goal of the season seven minutes from time and the Terriers held on to the three points when Lee Nicholls saved superbly from Rubin Colwill.

A draw on the final day at home to 22nd-placed Reading will be enough to keep Huddersfield up, although Neil Warnock’s side could guarantee their Championship status by avoiding defeat to promoted Sheffield United on Thursday.

Warnock was back on familiar ground having won a record eighth promotion at Cardiff in 2018 during a three-year stay in south Wales.

The 74-year-old came out of retirement in February with Huddersfield in 23rd place and just one point off the bottom of the table.

Cardiff could relax after their Championship status was confirmed on Saturday by Reading’s failure to beat Wigan.

Sabri Lamouchi has gradually improved the Bluebirds’ fortunes since his January appointment, with Sory Kaba largely responsible for their late-season flourish.

Kaba was rested to the bench after seven goals in 10 games, but the Guinean was introduced as early as the 13th minute in the Welsh capital as Kion Etete limped off.

It was not a welcome sight for the visitors, who had started well in the Cardiff drizzle.

Danny Ward, who played under Warnock during his three years at Cardiff, almost marked his return with a second-minute shot that Jak Alnwick pushed out at his near post.

Huddersfield attacks were also thwarted by brave blocks from Cedric Kipre and Mahlon Romeo as Cardiff struggled to fashion chances.

Romaine Sawyers blazed over from the edge of the box before the Terriers were almost undone after 39 minutes by a one-two between Jaden Philogene and Kaba.

Philogene raced in on advancing Huddersfield goalkeeper Lee Nicholls but lifted the ball into the side-netting.

Openings were just as scarce after the interval until Sawyers lost possession under pressure after 61 minutes.

Hungbo, on loan from Watford, pounced on the loose ball and cut inside Kipre to fire a vicious shot past Alnwick.

Huddersfield doubled their advantage eight minutes later as Jack Rudoni’s free-kick flicked off the head of Ryan Wintle to reach the far post.

Matty Pearson had timed his run perfectly but his header looked as if it was travelling wide before striking the foot of Simpson and giving Alnwick no chance.

The woodwork twice denied Huddersfield another goal as Josh Koroma hit a post before Jaheim Headley planted the rebound against the crossbar from just a few feet out.

Davies gave Cardiff hope with a clever back-heel from Romeo’s cross, but Huddersfield were not to be denied.

– Everton have won just one of their 16 Premier League away games this season 
– The Toffees are the lowest scorers in the Premier League so far this season 
– Recommended bet: Leicester to win

Leicester had taken just one point from their previous nine Premier League matches before Dean Smith took the reins at the King Power Stadium and while they are still in the bottom three, there looks to be cause for optimism.

Their 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in his first game was no disgrace and they have since picked themselves up with a home win over Wolves and a draw at Leeds, where they could have earned more.

Everton, meanwhile, have won just six Premier League matches all season and head to the Midlands desperate to improve their form after succumbing to a 4-1 home humbling against Newcastle on Thursday.

Team news

There were plenty of positives for Leicester to take from their visit to Elland Road, but one big blow was the groin injury suffered by forward Kelechi Ihaenacho, which struck in the build-up to Jamie Vardy’s equaliser.

The extent of the damage is not yet known but the Nigeria striker is sure to miss this clash and may not feature again this season.

Full-back Ryan Bertrand came through more than an hour of a recent Under-21 match, so he could come into the reckoning, but the match against the Toffees looks to have come too early for Jonny Evans and Jannick Vestergaard. 

Everton will be without suspended defender Mason Holgate while manager Sean Dyche will hope Seamus Coleman will come through a late fitness test.

The stats

Leicester have lost seven of their last 10 home league matches, but they should feel some confidence after beating Wolves 2-1 in their last game at the King Power Stadium.

Before the weekend’s fixtures, their tally of 44 goals was the highest in the bottom half of the Premier League and just four fewer than fourth-placed Manchester United.

Vardy’s goal against Leeds was his first in the league for the Foxes since October 23.

Everton have won three of their 13 games under Dyche and all of those victories have come at Goodison Park.

The only away win they have claimed this season was at bottom-of-the-table Southampton and they have failed to score in four of the six road matches they have played under the former Burnley manager.

Prediction

It looks as if Leicester may have made their managerial change at precisely the right time as their last three showings have been a great improvement on what they were mustering under former boss Brendan Rodgers.

The penny looks to have dropped judging by their win over Wolves and a draw at Leeds, where they were unfortunate not to claim all three points.

The same cannot be said of Everton, who are struggling to create chances and have to pick themselves up from a 4-1 midweek drubbing by Newcastle.

They have not really been a threat on the road all season, scoring just 10 goals from their 16 away games, and the Foxes look decent value to escape the bottom three with what would be a massive three points.

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Manchester City are in need of full-back reinforcements and have set their sights on Aaron Hickey. 

The 20-year-old only joined Brentford from Bologna last summer and has made 21 league appearances for the West Londoners this season. 

However, reports suggest the full-back could already be on the move again with the Bees slapping a £30million price tag on the youngster.

As the title-chasing Citizens visit Fulham, we look at why Pep Guardiola has taken a shine towards the Scottish international.

Modern full-back

Guardiola is likely to target a full-back who is comfortable operating in midfield — unlike Kyle Walker, who the Spaniard believes is only capable of tucking in to form a back three. 

He said: “Walker cannot [invert into midfield]. To play inside, you have to make some educated movements. 

“He has other characteristics. He will always have pace. He will be the fastest in this room at 60 years old. The reason why is tactical. It’s not because we lost faith in Kyle.

“He can play coming inside, and he has done it many times, but like in the position against Liverpool with Rodri and John [Stones], he will maybe need time to do it, and we don’t have time.”

Walker’s successor?

Walker is also 32, so Hickey’s youth may be as much of a draw as his quality on the ball. 

The Glasgow native has proven himself to be capable in possession, completing 114 passes in the final third, 18 long balls and 13 take-ons so far this season, while also being fouled 31 times. 

Brentford’s No2 is also capable of playing on both flanks, courtesy of his rare two-footedness. 

Pressley’s praise

Brentford’s coordinator of talent management, Steven Pressley, credited Hickey’s physical development as a key factor in his recent improvement. 

Ex-Celtic defender Pressley said: “Aaron is a player with really big potential and even in the period he has been with us, he has improved a lot. 

“When he got injured at Brentford, he did a lot of gym work during his rehab and he has now grown into his body. 

“He looks so much stronger and he has come back really well. I think he is going to be a top, top player in the years ahead.”

Defensive aptitude

This season, Hickey has made 35 tackles, 17 interceptions and won 79 ground duels — illustrating an impressive work-rate out of possession. 

However, there is still plenty of room for improvement. 

The 20-year-old endured a difficult outing in his side’s recent 3-3 draw with Brighton, giving away a penalty in a contest where he struggled to contend with Seagulls winger Karou Mitoma. 

His raw potential is clear to see though and learning his trade under Guardiola would likely see Hickey smooth out any rough edges as he looks to develop into a top full-back.

Facing Fulham

Fulham, proved a tough opponent for City in this season’s reverse fixture, holding the champions until the 96th minute before Erling Haaland scored a penalty to seal their victory.

The Citizens boast one of the best defensive records in the league — conceding just 29 goals — and will lean on that strength as they look to ensure they lift the title once more. 

As good as they already are, Guardiola will already be looking for ways to ensure his side continue to evolve — and adding Hickey could be just how they do that.

Bayern Munich have set their sights on Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins as an alternative if they cannot land Harry Kane this summer.

The Bavarian giants are said to be in the market for a new central striker and the England skipper is at the top of their list.

But doubts remain over whether Kane would depart the Premier League in his quest for silverware having failed to win anything at Tottenham.

The Mirror report that Thomas Tuchel would be keen on bringing Watkins to Germany, should their pursuit Spurs’ No10 fail.

Watkins, 27, has been in formidable form since Unai Emery arrived at the Midlands club, scoring 11 times in his last 14 top flight appearances.

His contributions in the final third have helped elevate Villa into serious contenders for the European places next term and they could make a late push for the Champions League if results go their way.

Watkins’ current deal runs until 2025, giving him one more year at Villa Park before he would be eligible to leave on a free transfer.

But with Bayern exploring the market in a bid to return to their dominant nature, the England international’s departure may come sooner rather than later.

In other news

According to The Express, Arsenal are one of several clubs who are keen on signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this summer.

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has confirmed that he wishes to leave the club at the end of the season, with both Manchester United and Liverpool keeping tabs on the centre-back, reports The Metro.

The Daily Star claim that Manchester City’s Kyle Walker is keen to stay at the club, despite interest from both Aston Villa and AC Milan.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s troubled season may have been saved by a positional switch. 

In a campaign in which Liverpool have struggled as a whole, the England right-back has looked like a defensive liability at times. 

Yet in recent games, the 24-year-old has been shifted into an inverted full-back role, which has seen him far more involved in the middle of the pitch.

Ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Tottenham on Sunday, we look at Alexander-Arnold’s transformation.

Flaws exposed

It has been a difficult season for Alexander-Arnold. With Liverpool’s midfield no longer offering the protection it once did and Virgil van Dijk declining, the right-back has been left exposed.

Never the best defender, his flaws as a full-back were previously covered by others, allowing him to fly down the flanks and do what he does best. 

One of the elite passers of the Premier League, the boyhood Red has been an assist machine for Jurgen Klopp’s side. 

Last season he provided 19 goals for his colleagues. This season, the attacking returns had dried up. 

Confidence may have played a part. It would be natural for any full-back to become a little more cautious when they are consistently making mistakes. 

Then there is simply the fact that the Reds’ performances have collectively dipped and they are scoring less goals. 

Yet in recent games, Klopp’s decision to move his No66 into a different role, has reaped the rewards for both the player and his team. 

New position

When Liverpool are in possession, Alexander-Arnold now moves into a central midfield role. 

Prior to this shift, he had provided two league assists all season. In the four games since the change, he has created five goals, with the team unbeaten during this run. 

Other clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City have made similar tactical moves, but Alexander-Arnold’s talent is such that he can bring an extra attacking dimension to the role. 

Liverpool have scored 13 goals in their last four games, but it is also worth considering that they have conceded six, failing to keep a single clean sheet. 

The tactical change means that the right-sided centre-back has to cover the space on the flank, while Andy Robertson finds himself in a left-sided central defensive position, curtailing his own attacking game. 

With a rebuild likely on the horizon at Anfield this summer, it remains to be seen if this new role is a long-term plan or if Alexander-Arnold’s future lies somewhere else. 

Midfield option

It would seem that Liverpool will be looking to revamp their midfield next season, while a central defender could be another priority. 

With fresh recruits, it’s possible that Alexander-Arnold will be better protected at right-back, whether that is in his new inverted role or the pure attacking full-back position.

There is a third option, which is perhaps the most fascinating of all. With the 24-year-old showing how dangerous he can be in central positions, perhaps he could emerge as a midfielder. 

Free from the shackles of defensive responsibility, Liverpool might just have a player who could provide the sort of influence that Manchester City derive from Kevin De Bruyne. 

How he performs in the new system until the end of the season, will no doubt have an impact on Klopp’s thinking. 

The match against Spurs, which will see the Reds ace pitted against in-form Heung Min-Son, will be a fine test of how the team copes defensively.

Roberto De Zerbi admits he “made some mistakes” by not affording more first-team opportunities to Billy Gilmour and Deniz Undav before their starring roles in Brighton’s stunning 6-0 win over Wolves.

The peripheral pair were handed just their third Premier League starts for the Seagulls during Saturday’s club-record top-flight victory and seized their chances with standout performances.

Former Chelsea midfielder Gilmour was hailed as the best player on the pitch by his manager, while German forward Undav bagged a brace to claim his first league goals in English football.

De Zerbi’s decision to begin with key trio Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Kaoru Mitoma on the bench raised some eyebrows but was quickly forgotten as his reshuffled starting XI delivered in devastating style.

“We are enduring a very tough period, we are playing so many games in a row and we are not used to playing so many games,” the Brighton boss said of his decision to rotate.

“I thought it was good and right to give Mac Allister, Mitoma and Caicedo one game to recover and for Billy Gilmour and Undav and the players who are playing less the possibility to show their quality.

“But the level of Mac Allister, Mitoma and Caicedo is high and to make competition is difficult for Gilmour.

“Gilmour, I think, was the best player on the pitch and I must admit possibly in the past I made some mistakes with him and with Undav because I didn’t give them many possibilities to play.

“But for me it’s difficult. To play without Mac Allister, Mitoma, Solly March, Moises Caicedo, it’s difficult.”

Brighton’s thumping success was the perfect response to a difficult week as Undav, Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck claimed two goals apiece.

Albion suffered penalty shoot-out heartache at the hands of Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final last Sunday and then had their European push dented by a 3-1 midweek loss at relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

De Zerbi now has a positive selection headache going into Thursday’s rematch with Erik ten Hag’s United in the league but could be without Joel Veltman after he was substituted in visible distress.

The Italian coach conceded he should have withdrawn Dutch defender Veltman earlier, particularly as fellow right-back Tariq Lamptey is sidelined.

“I hope it will be a small problem,” De Zerbi said of Veltman, who has recently been troubled by a hamstring issue.

“It’s important for us, especially in this moment, because we are playing without Lamptey.

“With or without Joel changes a lot of things because only Pascal Gross can play as a right-back.”

Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui urged his players to quickly move on from the Amex Stadium humiliation.

The former Real Madrid manager also feels it is important to put the current situation into perspective given his club were bottom of the table when he took over following the World Cup.

Wplves host local rivals Aston Villa next weekend, with work still to do to eradicate relegation concerns.

“All together we have to be ready for the next fight because we are in the middle of the battle,” said the Spaniard.

“We lost one battle but not the war, so we have to continue to achieve our aim in the end of the season.

“We are aware that we have not done anything yet and we need to get more points.

“We have to recover our energy and our confidence because we have to remember four months ago we were in the bottom.

“It’s a good thing to remember where we were. Now at least we have the possibility to be out of the relegation and that is a very big aim for us.”