Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
England captain and Bayern forward Harry Kane has publicly criticised his teammates who withdrew from Lee Carsley’s latest squad before their must-win Nations League fixture against Greece, accusing them of “taking advantage” as they round out the year without a permanent manager after long-time boss Gareth Southgate’s departure. Thomas Tuchel succeeds him on New Year’s Day. Continue reading “Kane criticises England teammates over withdrawals as Tuchel’s arrival beckons”
Rodri off injured at half-time while captain Álvaro Morata didn’t have his shooting boots on. Neither potential storyline mattered though in the end, as two Real Sociedad substitutes – Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal – played an instrumental role during Spain’s stunning 2-1 win over England to emerge victorious in the Euro 2024 final, securing a record fourth tournament triumph. Continue reading “Spain 2-1 England: Oyarzabal’s late winner clinches record fourth Euro title in Berlin”
Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner, nine minutes after replacing captain Harry Kane, has sent an oft-criticised England side into consecutive European Championship finals as they again recovered from a goal behind to triumph – this time leaving Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands stunned – after riding the waves in an emotionally draining semi-final victory. Spain await on Sunday in Berlin. Continue reading “England 2-1 Netherlands: Watkins wins it late as Southgate’s subs set up Spain final”
Individual mistakes from Gunners defensive duo Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhaes during both halves helped reigning champions Manchester City rally from a tetchy start to return top of the Premier League, earning a hard-fought 3-1 away win over long-running leaders Arsenal in north London. Erling Haaland ended his three-match goalscoring drought to wrap up the points, combining with – who else – Kevin de Bruyne. Continue reading “Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City: Individual mistakes cost profligate Gunners as Citizens return top”
For all the talk of focusing on defending against the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe, it was France’s all-time top goalscorer Olivier Giroud – who spent nine years playing in England’s top-tier – delivering the final blow as Gareth Southgate’s men showed spirit but ultimately crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage with a jarring 2-1 defeat by the defending champions. Continue reading “France 2-1 England: Giroud the matchwinner as Kane’s penalty miss sends Southgate’s men out”
Second-half strikes from Diogo Jota and impact substitute Roberto Firmino helped Liverpool close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to just one point, as the Reds rallied from a sluggish first-half showing to end Arsenal’s six-match unbeaten run in north London. Continue reading “Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Second-half goals from Jota, Firmino see Reds close gap on leaders City”
Demarai Gray’s 20-yard screamer ensured Rafa Benitez’s Everton rallied from a goal down late to snatch all three points against a passive Arsenal side – snapping an unwanted eight-match winless streak in the process. Richarlison had two strikes disallowed for marginal offsides after VAR review, but eventually netted their equaliser on an evening packed with twists and turns.
Continue reading “Everton 2-1 Arsenal: Richarlison and Gray help Toffees turn the tide late on”
If there was great pride seeing Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe dismantle Slavia Prague to help Arsenal reach the Europa League semi-finals for the third time in four seasons last week, two players in particular shone 24 hours later during FA Youth Cup action and will certainly believe they can be next to emulate them in the first-team proper: sooner rather than later. Continue reading “Analysis: Arsenal duo Omari Hutchinson, Miguel Azeez sparkle in Friday’s FA Youth Cup win”
Every cloud has a silver lining, or so the saying goes. Frank Lampard’s 18-month stint as Chelsea manager was ruthlessly ended by lunchtime on Monday, but with the new man replacing him at the helm in west London, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has an opportunity to replicate Christian Pulisic’s success under the German succeeding their club legend. Continue reading “Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi”
Euro-chasing Everton look to build on successive wins against Chelsea and Leicester City when hosting Arsenal in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off, while Scott Parker’s Fulham face a wounded animal in Newcastle just three days after their hosts were blasted for five by Leeds in midweek. Continue reading “Saturday’s PL Previews: Everton host struggling Arsenal, Fulham travel to Newcastle”
A look ahead to three contrasting group stage fixtures from MD1 as the Europa League returns on Thursday. Last year’s quarter-finalists Bayer Leverkusen welcome Nice back to the competition after a two-year absence, Arteta’s Arsenal travel to Austria with Rapid Vienna first up while Maccabi Tel Aviv host Qarabag. Which players will impress this week? Continue reading “Europa League Group Stage Previews: Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal among those in action”
Arsenal face an unpredictable trip to Manchester this weekend, when they’ll be greeted by a motivated but injury-ridden Manchester City side on Saturday evening. Pep Guardiola’s men have had a fortnight to stew over their frenetic 1-1 away draw against Leeds – two more dropped points – and target an emphatic response in tomorrow’s televised evening clash. Continue reading “Manchester City vs Arsenal Preview: Citizens target statement win at Arteta’s expense”
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