NEWCASTLE, England — It is a thought most Manchester United fans would never imagine, especially during the trophy-laden glory years of Sir Alex Ferguson, but after losing 1-0 to Matthew Longstaff’s goal at Newcastle United on Sunday, the nightmare scenario of a relegation battle cannot be ruled out.
While Liverpool have surged clear eight points clear of champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with eight wins from eight games, United are languishing in 12th position, just…
SOUTHAMPTON, England — In the latter stages of Chelsea’s 4-1 win against Southampton, their fans launched into an adapted version of their hosts’ favoured song, greeting the sight of home fans streaming for the St Mary’s exit with a rousing chorus of “Oh when the Saints go marching out.”
This was not merely terrace banter, though. The reason those Southampton supporters were departing early was because they had seen their team so emphatically beaten; played off the park in the first half and easily…
James Milner’s stoppage-time penalty against Leicester extends Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 17 matches.
Steve Nicol says Liverpool deserved the win against Leicester despite the sides being level for 94 minutes.
An angry Jurgen Klopp says Hazma Choudry should have been sent off for his tackle on Mohamed Salah.
LIVERPOOL, England — Brendan Rodgers had a clear objective upon his return to Anfield for the first time on the four-year anniversary of his sacking as Liverpool manager.
His Leicester City side were prepped to “test and challenge the quality” of the league leaders — on a 16-match winning run in the division — and when James Maddison cancelled out Sadio Mane’s opener on 80 minutes, the Northern Irishman calmly raised a clenched fist and may have considered the mission accomplished.
Liverpool…
Craig Burley says Mauricio Pochettino got his tactics wrong and should shoulder the blame for Tottenham’s record-setting defeat against Bayern.
LONDON — Mauricio Pochettino called for “calm” after his Tottenham Hotspur team had just suffered the club’s biggest-ever home defeat by losing 7-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday.
After such a brutal humiliation, which resulted in the stadium being virtually empty but for the celebrating Bayern fans at the final whistle, Pochettino had two options, and he chose the diplomatic one rather than allowing his frustrations to boil over after perhaps the worst 90 minutes of his…
Steve Nicol and Craig Burley slam Man United and Arsenal after their draw at Old Trafford, calling both teams shadows of their former selves.
MANCHESTER, England — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was right. You really don’t need to be a rocket scientist to realise that Manchester United’s problems this season stem from their inability to score goals, but equally, if you get rid of two proven goal scorers, you only have yourself to blame if the goals dry up after failing to sign a replacement.
Back in January 2018, Arsenal allowed Alexis Sanchez — remember him? — to leave the Emirates to sign for United and, in his place, the Gunners spent a…
Georginio Wijnaldum scored the only goal as Liverpool continued their perfect start to the Premier League season with victory at a raucous Bramall Lane.
Jurgen Klopp feels Liverpool were lucky to come away with a win, as he feels Sheffi…
Alexis Nunes and Julien Laurens break down Real Madrid’s 0-0 draw with derby rivals Atletico Madrid, including an underwhelming effort from Eden Hazard.
MADRID — By the end of this derbi, take my word for it, Kieran Trippier stood in the flash zone of the Wanda Metropolitano and gushed with enthusiasm for what he’d just been through.
The phrase “best derby I’ve ever played in” was the one he reached for. North London? Spurs vs. Arsenal? What are they?
I’m an optimist, a romantic, and therefore, sure, like everyone else I’d have loved Karim Benzema’s wonderful, towering header to have sneaked into the corner of the net or Trippier’s…
Alexis Nunes and Don Hutchison break down Man City’s win over Everton and discuss if they need to address their defence in the transfer window.
Manchester City kept pace behind league-leaders Liverpool with a 3-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park.
LIVERPOOL, England — When Riyad Mahrez struck a precise free kick into the bottom corner of the Everton goal after 71 minutes, there were few inside Goodison Park who were surprised.
It wasn’t that Manchester City were playing well — they weren’t — but this is a side who have now won 53 of their last 62 games against teams outside the traditional top six.
After an hour and with the score at 1-1, Raheem Sterling missed a golden chance, passing the ball wide of Jordan Pickford’s post from 10 yards…
LONDON — There was a time when Manchester United would lose at places like West Ham and it was considered a shock. Not anymore.
They lost at the London Stadium last season and, on the basis of that and Sunday’s 2-0 defeat, it is likely they will lose here again before re-establishing themselves as Premier League title challengers. It has been a long six years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired a champion and the road back to the top does not look like coming to an end soon.
The truth is the United…
After losing 2-1 to Liverpool, ESPN FC’s Craig Burley says Chelsea’s biggest problem so far this season is finding the back of the net.
League leaders Liverpool stay five points clear of Manchester City after the Reds held off Chelsea for a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
LONDON — It pays to be on guard when Liverpool are preparing to take a set-piece.
Divock Origi’s Champions League semifinal-deciding goal against Barcelona last season was the result of a quick-thinking corner by Trent Alexander-Arnold and it was with similar dead-ball creativity that the European champions accounted for Chelsea in a hard-fought 2-1 Premier League win at Stamford Bridge.
Both of Liverpool’s goals were scored in the first half and both came from free kicks that saw back-heels change…