Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Manchester City were tired, leggy and emotionally drained after penalty heartbreak in Madrid three days earlier as their Champions League defence ended, but survived a series of promising goalscoring chances before Bernardo Silva’s 84th-minute winner secured a hard-fought win over Chelsea, punching their ticket back into the FA Cup final for a third time in the last six seasons. Continue reading “Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea: Silva’s late strike sends Citizens back to FA Cup final”
Alejandro Garnacho scored a brace and the hosts were sleepwalking themselves into making more unwanted history. Yet their summer signing Cole Palmer, a boyhood Manchester United fan, completed a hat-trick with two stoppage-time strikes to seal a dramatic three points for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea – having relinquished a two-goal cushion – deep into the night in west London. Continue reading “Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United: Palmer’s hat-trick seals crazy stoppage-time win”
Roberto De Zerbi’s impressive managerial work at Brighton hasn’t gone unnoticed, to the point where a series of top sides in England and beyond are seriously interested in making him their new head coach come the summer months – less than two full years after joining the Seagulls as Graham Potter’s successor on the south Coast. Judging by recent comments, he’ll soon depart. Continue reading “De Zerbi’s managerial future unclear as cluster of top clubs circle for Brighton boss”
Having instead focused their attentions on rebuilding an ageing midfield last summer, Liverpool look to kick off the post Jurgen Klopp era by bolstering their backline across multiple areas if recent reports are to be believed. The Carabao Cup winners have been linked with a series of defenders, including Premier League duo Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) and Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham). Continue reading “Report: Liverpool keen to bolster defence, Marc Guehi and Tosin Adarabioyo linked”
David Moyes declared Declan Rice was worth more than £100m, and his West Ham side were the beneficiaries of a nine-figure sum when Arsenal swooped for his signature last summer. Ivan Toney is perhaps even more expensive to Brentford, though the England striker’s existing situation makes it difficult to envisage a high bidding war – something his manager has now said publicly. Continue reading “Thomas Frank accepting the inevitable leaves Ivan Toney sweepstakes open”
At long last, Armando Broja has a new home and he’ll make the short trip to Chelsea’s west London rivals Fulham for the remainder of this season after the two clubs negotiated a £4m loan fee for his services – beating interest from others, including a surprise late swoop by one particular Italian giant. Continue reading “Fulham fend off interest from others, sealing loan deal for Chelsea’s Broja”
Greatness and goals aplenty were expected for Chelsea academy product Armando Broja after a successful loan spell at Southampton in 2021-22, though injuries and an unexpected increase in creative competition has seen the 22-year-old Albanian’s stock fall at a time where the Blues’ asking price for a series of other interested Premier League clubs has remained firm. Continue reading “Fulham, Wolves and more interested – Armando Broja now finds himself in familiar territory for Chelsea strikers”
Chelsea have set a grim Premier League record for 2023 after their Christmas Eve 2-1 defeat away at Wolves, worsened by yellow card suspensions for two key forwards before hosting an unpredictable Crystal Palace on Wednesday… Continue reading “Chelsea set unwanted record in Wolves defeat while Palmer, Sterling suspended”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola publicly revealed the belief his side could be in trouble after John Stones’ latest injury setback, during their 3-0 home Champions League group stage win over BSC Young Boys on Tuesday. The 29-year-old England international recently returned to action last month after hip and hamstring issues, but could be sidelined again with a muscular complaint. Continue reading “Guardiola fears another lengthy John Stones absence after Young Boys victory”
Ange Postecoglou is a miracle worker. James Maddison quickly proving himself the division’s best summer signing, Heung-Min Son flying and there’s no suggestion they’re missing Harry Kane. The emotional hangover from previous head coaches – Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – has quickly disappeared, Spurs sit top of the table and packed with plaudits. How long will it last? Continue reading “As feelgood factor fizzes around Hotspur Way, Tottenham travel to Palace tonight”
With newly-appointed captain Reece James and vice Ben Chilwell both sidelined, England midfielder Conor Gallagher again captained the side to a 2-0 away win over their west London rivals Fulham earlier tonight – producing precisely the sort of individual showing convincing other clubs to test Chelsea’s resolve for an overly criticised player keen to breakthrough at his boyhood club. Continue reading “After rejecting summer interest aplenty, Chelsea captain tag looks good on Conor”
Currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s betting regulations, Brentford’s talismanic forward Ivan Toney will see his suspension end in the middle of January. That’s opportune timing for a mid-season switch to a London rival, with both reportedly open to making bids in excess of £50m for a 27-year-old English striker undoubtedly itching to make up for lost time. Continue reading “Chelsea and Arsenal linked with January move, as Toney exit talk intensifies again”
Mo and Sports 