Improving Arsenal aiming to repeat finest hour of Unai Emery’s reign against stuttering Tottenham February 28, 2019 This was more like it. After a sticky opening double header, Unai Emery had crowned a 19-game unbeaten run with a watershed 4-2 triumph over Tottenham that suggested not only a challenge to Spurs’ new-found superiority in north London but also a successful transition to the post-Wenger era at Arsenal. It wasn’t just the result, [...]
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham: Spurs’s Stamford Bridge curse continues as Blues begin to click into gear after Kepa saga February 27, 2019 As Tottenham slipped to a disappointing defeat tonight they knew their Stamford Bridge curse had not been broken. Spurs have now won just once in the last 33 attempts away to their London rivals while the result also gave them the unwanted fact of four consecutive defeats away from home for the first time in 10 years. [...]
Leicester City have time on their side to find the right successor to Claude Puel February 25, 2019 Leicester City’s decision to sack manager Claude Puel on Sunday was understandable and logical. Under the Frenchman’s guidance the Foxes were going nowhere fast, with no win or clean sheet since New Year’s Day. Inconsistent selection, a failing playing style, apparent disregard for cup competitions, and players and fans openly voicing their displeasure have clouded [...]
Manchester City’s penalty shoot-out win and Kepa Arrizabalaga’s power-play leaves Maurizio Sarri a step nearer to Chelsea’s trap door February 24, 2019 After 120 minutes of stalemate, the Carabao Cup final crammed all of its drama into some engrossing and bizarre closing stages. Maurizio Sarri’s stifling tactics did exactly that, but the gamble to sit deep, avoid the 6-0 thrashing of two weeks ago, not muster an attempt on target and then triumph on penalties narrowly failed [...]
Has Liverpool’s new-found solidity turned Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football into pedestrian dad-rock? February 24, 2019 When Jurgen Klopp fine-tuned his Liverpool team in preparation for this season, he focused on making them more robust. Following the January 2018 signing of Virgil van Dijk, last summer saw the arrival at Anfield of an elite level goalkeeper in Alisson and an accomplished defensive midfielder in Fabinho. Until then devastating in attack but [...]
Premier League title-chasing Liverpool face moment of truth in Manchester United clash February 21, 2019 For a team locked in a battle for a first top-flight title for 29 years every league game has huge significance. But for Liverpool, Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United is a match which has ascended to even greater levels of importance: it’s a derby against a buoyant and bitter rival and [...]
Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich: Defensive masterclass leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side needing to overcome their poor away record February 19, 2019 On a crucial European night, in an atmosphere-filled Anfield against a weakened giant Liverpool managed just two shots on target. Bayern Munich came with a game-plan and executed it to perfection to stifle a side renowned for their dynamic, lightning-quick and interchangeable front three. A draw may not be a disaster, but given Jurgen Klopp’s [...]
Trevor Steven: Arsenal must prioritise a top four finish in the Premier League over European exploits February 19, 2019 The season starts here for Arsenal. The next seven days will be vital to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League and they have three winnable games. If they don't return to Europe's elite competition next year then this campaign will have to be seen as a disappointment. They face BATE Borisov, Southampton and [...]
Liverpool v Bayern Munich: Jurgen Klopp ready to face his old enemy as German giants arrive at Anfield February 18, 2019 They say familiarity breeds contempt, and although that isn’t quite the case with Jurgen Klopp and Bayern Munich, the Liverpool manager must be sick of the sight of the German giants. When Liverpool welcome Bayern to Anfield for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie tomorrow there will be a personal element to [...]
Our cup runneth over: Five reasons why the FA Cup has been a treat this season February 17, 2019 If unpredictability is at the heart of the FA Cup’s appeal then there is much to love about how this season’s competition is unfolding and the composition of the last eight. For the first time in five years – and only the second time in a decade – there will be just two teams from [...]