Blog – Five Aside – Page 2

The FC crew answer your tweets on the length of Unai Emery’s honeymoon at Arsenal, Neil Warnock’s success at Cardiff, New Year’s resolutions and more.

Manchester City beat Southampton to end their losing run, but Shaka Hislop and Steve Nicol examine why teams are no longer afraid of the champions.

With a third successive win under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop assess the marked differences in Man United’s play.

Stewart Robson and Peter Walton discuss the big refereeing decisions from the weekend’s football action.

After Manchester City’s win at Southampton, Steve Nicol says the returns of David Silva and Sergio Aguero will help steady the reigning champions.

Steve Nicol breaks down Manchester United’s latest win over Bournemouth and the turnaround of Paul Pogba since United sacked Jose Mourinho.

Manchester United’s star man Paul Pogba says he’s happy with his teams recent offensive performances, after a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

ESPN take a look back at a year Paul Pogba will never forget.

The guys respond to your tweets about Roberto Firmino, fantasy football and the struggle for a good Indian curry in America. Liverpool ended the year with a 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal, while Manchester United continued their impressive start under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, brushing aside Bournemouth 4-1. Over in Italy, Juventus entered the winter after a VAR-controversy fueled 2-1 win over Sampdoria thanks to a brace from… who else, Cristiano Ronaldo. 
Here, then, are the best of the numbers from the last bit of footballing action in 2018.

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Roberto Firmino’s hat trick is the sixth in fixtures between Arsenal and Liverpool…

The FC crew answer your tweets on Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League, Jose Mourinho’s ability to manage a top side again and more.

Are too many Liverpool stars excluded from Gab Marcotti’s Premier League team of the weekend after their win over Manchester United?

Gab Marcotti believes the personality issue between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho is merely the Man United manager’s attempt to create a scapegoat.

Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho believes he can still reach the top four in the second half of the season despite trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by 11 points.

Following Manchester United’s resounding defeat at Liverpool, Craig Burley slams the club’s lack of leadership, from the boardroom to the pitch.

Jose Mourinho was happy with his team selection and has no regrets about not playing Paul Pogba

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp rated the 3-1 win over Manchester United as one of the best performances he has seen since he has been at the club as he reflected on what he called a perfect night.

Jose Mourinho did not appreciate getting asked if he has the backing of the dressing room following Manchester United’s loss to Liverpool.

Chelsea’s Mauricio Sarri admitted that Eden Hazard’s injury is not a serious one and that he was substituted as a precaution during their win over Brighton.

With Liverpool getting their first league win over Manchester United since 2014, FC’s Shaka Hislop examines the gulf in class between the two sides.

Alexis Nunes and Shaka Hislop break down Arsenal’s surprising loss to Southampton, and determine if more defensive struggles are on the horizon for the Gunners. Liverpool went back to the top of the Premier League table with an emphatic 3-1 win over Manchester United, while Cristiano Ronaldo helped Juventus to yet another milestone with a goal in their 1-0 derby win against Torino. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi did Lionel Messi things (scored three, assisted two) as Barcelona thrashed Levante 5-0. Here are the best numbers from the weekend’s action:

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Lionel Messi is the first player to reach double figures for both goals (14) and assists (10) in the top…

Weekend numbers: Lionel Messi’s free-kick record, Romelu Lukaku ends home rut

Craig Burley was surprised to not see a reaction from Manchester City to N’Golo Kanté’s first-half goal, in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over the title-holders.

Gabriele Marcotti outlines Lucien Favre’s tactics in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Schalke.

Craig Burley and Adrian Healy breakdown Manchester United’s thrashing of Fulham and Jose Mourinho’s cryptic comments after the match.

Pep Guardiola insists anyone can win the Premier League title and there is no favourite after Man City’s loss to Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho praised Paul Pogba and outlined what he needs to do to get back into the starting XI.

Jurgen Klopp insists he isn’t surprised by Mohamed Salah’s desire to score after he stayed on his feet during Liverpool’s second goal.

Mauricio Pochettino has immediately switched his focus to Barcelona after Tottenham’s 2-0 win in the Premier League over Leicester.

Niko Kovac admits Borussia Dortmund would have to make mistakes in order for Bayern Munich to win the Bundesliga title.

Jose Mourinho feels Man United fans cannot point the finger at any of his players following their 4-1 win over Fulham.

Maurizio Sarri was quick to rule out Chelsea’s title chances after their victory over Manchester City.

Jose Mourinho jokingly suggested Man United were trying to save money for January after he found no water at his press conference. Chelsea stunning Manchester City and Liverpool thrashing Bournemouth to go top have made the Premier League title race exciting again. In Spain, Lionel Messi eviscerated Espanyol with a display of supreme skill, while in Italy, Juventus continued their remorseless march to an eighth straight scudetto with a 1-0 win over Inter. Here are the best numbers from an action-packed weekend of football.

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Here’s a ridiculous Messi stat: Messi has more free-kick goals over the last four La Liga seasons (15)…

Weekend numbers: Lionel Messi’s free-kick conversion is better than Europe’s top teams