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https://ift.tt/YUGMXbK Former Tottenham ace Jamie O’Hara is fearing that a past bet will come back to haunt him after admitting arch rivals Arsenal are ‘looking a bit special’. The Gunners go into the New Year with a seven-point lead over title rivals Manchester City following a 4-2 victory over Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday evening. Getty Arsenal are looking like the real deal this season Advertisement AFP The Gunners are seven points clear at the top of the table and looking like good value for a title push That result has also put Mikel Arteta’s side 13 points clear of fifth-place Spurs to give their Champions League hopes an almighty boost. One man who will hate to see the Gunners flying high is ex-Tottenham star O’Hara who confidently stated that his beloved club would finish above Arsenal this term. Advertisement “Spurs will finish above Arsenal,” O’Hara said back in August, leading former  Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor to say: “I’ll m...

https://ift.tt/KBTDVWb Arsenal head into 2023 with a formidable seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a 4-2 win at Brighton, while Manchester City’s title defence suffered a major setback as Everton snatched a 1-1 draw against the champions on Saturday. January 01, 2023 at 01:51AM

https://ift.tt/gs7LrNO Brighton will take on leaders Arsenal in the final Premier League fixture of 2022 tonight. The Gunners have enjoyed a stellar season so far and saw off West Ham on Boxing Day to secure their five-point lead at the top of the table. Getty Arteta’s Arsenal are top of the Premier League table Advertisement Mikel Arteta and co have won four in a row and will be eager to finish the year on a high. Brighton, meanwhile, also won on Boxing Day, claiming a fine 3-1 victory at Southampton. The Seagulls are six points off the Champions League places and will have their sights set on qualifying for Europe in 2023. Advertisement Brighton have already beaten Arsenal once this season, claiming a 3-1 win in the Carabao Cup third round. Brighton v Arsenal: How to follow This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, December 31.  Kick-off at the AMEX is scheduled for 5:30pm.  Advertisement The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Eve...

https://ift.tt/zJBE13R Rio Ferdinand has hailed Erik ten Hag for his decision to drop Marcus Rashford, describing it as a ‘positive’ for the Manchester United dressing room. Rashford was a shock omission from the Red Devils’ starting line-up for their Premier League clash at Wolves, live on talkSPORT . Ten Hag made the big call to drop his man in form for the Molineux clash Advertisement Explaining the decision to bench Rashford, Ten Hag said: “Internal discipline. No details. Our rules. Now focus on the game. “He is in very good shape and nobody can play every game.” The news about ill-discipline from a player who has a very good reputation on and off the pitch has come as a huge shock. Advertisement This isn’t the first time Ten Hag has taken a hard line with Alejandro Garnacho being dropped on Man United’s pre-season tour for being late with meetings. And although the specific reason for Rashford being left out hasn’t been disclosed, Ferdinand praised Ten Hag for his ...

https://ift.tt/A7NaF12 Cristiano Ronaldo’s answer to a question from Piers Morgan about his playing future has re-entered the spotlight in the wake of his mega-money switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. December 31, 2022 at 06:59AM

https://ift.tt/q1ukWvK Ivan Toney could be facing the prospect of a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off during Brentford’s win at West Ham. The striker played a key role with a goal and an assist in the Bees’ 2-0 victory at the London Stadium, a result that has heaped pressure on Hammers’ boss David Moyes. Getty Toney went down with what looked like an incredibly painful injury Advertisement Getty Toney appeared to land awkwardly on his right knee, a worrying sight for Brentford fans But for Toney, things didn’t look too promising as he looked in considerable discomfort on the turf. Rising for an aerial duel, the striker appeared to fall awkwardly on his right knee before lying on the pitch for several minutes. Advertisement After receiving treatment, Toney was then stretchered off the pitch, and was replaced by defender Pontus Jansson for the final moments of the match. It remains to be seen how severe the injury will prove to be, but Bren...

https://ift.tt/A7NaF12 Leicester City’s Belgian defender Wout Faes inadvertently boosted Liverpool’s hopes of making the Champions League by scoring two own-goals in his team’s 2-1 loss at Anfield. December 31, 2022 at 03:36AM

https://ift.tt/qBeXLIR Liverpool fortuitously found themselves 2-1 up at half time against Leicester with Foxes defender Wout Faes scoring TWO own goals at Anfield. Things started so well for the visitors when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall gave them a surprise lead early on but a nightmare seven minutes for Faes turned the match on its head. Getty It all started off so well for Leicester at Anfield Advertisement AFP But Faes had a horrible end to the first half Jurgen Klopp’s men got level on 38 minutes as Faes failed to deal with a wayward cross from the right as the ball looped over Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward and in-off the post. “An extraordinary own goal, you will not believe it,” Joe Shennan said on commentary for talkSPORT. “There was no pressure on Wout Faes whatsoever… it is a horror moment for the Belgian.” Advertisement “Wout Faes, what are you doing?” Micky Gray added. “I hope we can find out at the end of this game that Danny Ward has said ‘keepers’ and ...

https://ift.tt/1cXVlpL Three men walk into a bar. The punchline? It’s Graeme Souness, Jack Grealish and Paul Pogba. Funny as it sounds, this could be a very real possibility in the New Year – if Souness and Grealish are men of their word. talksport Souness did not disappoint in his first year on talkSPORT Advertisement AFP Grealish’s form on the field has been questioned – but he continues to be a legend off it The two football figures famously fell out in 2022, but we think they’re friends now. In fact, their reconciliation might even bring Souness together with the former subject of his most frequent criticism: ex-Manchester United midfielder Pogba. Advertisement It all started in September, weeks after Souness’ highly-anticipated talkSPORT debut, when the Liverpool legend questioned Grealish’s form at Manchester City. “He is a good footballer. He is not a great player,” Souness told talkSPORT. “I understand why people think he is better than he actually is –...

https://ift.tt/Hegd4VK Manchester City have been the Premier League’s top club in 2022, but only just. Opta have crunched the numbers and ranked the 23 teams who have competed in the top flight over the course of the calendar year. Reuters Erling Haaland and Manchester City have been a force to be reckoned with during the 2022 calendar year Advertisement Getty Liverpool are second in the table after their closely-contested title battle with Man City last term Pep Guardiola’s side secured the Premier League title last season and have enjoyed a solid start to the current campaign as well, earning 78 points in 33 games this year. In those fixtures, City won 24 matches and scored 91 goals in total, significantly more than any side in the division. Advertisement In second place are Liverpool, who picked up just two points fewer than Man City this year, largely owing to their tightly-contested title battle last year. Meanwhile, current Premier League leaders Arsenal si...

https://ift.tt/OzrNnhd Emiliano Martinez was all smiles as he returned to training with Aston Villa, quipping that he was ‘back to the cold weather’. The Argentina international has been off celebrating their World Cup victory over France earlier this month, with the goalkeeper playing an instrumental role in their first World Cup success in 36 years. Twitter: AVFCOfficial Martinez was all smiles as he returned to Aston Villa following World Cup glory Advertisement Twitter: AVFCOfficial He shared a wave with Villa’s media team as he made his way into his first training session Since then he has made headlines for his celebrations, including criticism for holding a baby with Kylian Mbappe’s face on it . The 30-year-old looked happy to be back with his employers as he gave a wave to the club’s media staff and exchanged pleasantries. Advertisement Villa head coach Unai Emery was also pleased to see Martinez back at the club, but insisted he will check that he’s menta...

https://ift.tt/nvEsPdj The January transfer window is set to reopen as Premier League clubs look to spend ahead of the second half of the 2022/23 season. Clubs will be eyeing their targets and some will have been keeping an eye on impressive performances at the World Cup. Getty Cristiano Ronaldo has left Man United and is looking for a new club in January Advertisement The added complication of the tournament in Qatar may force teams to splash the cash this winter. But when will they be able to start making deals? When does the window open? Advertisement The January transfer window will open on Sunday, January 1.  Clubs in the Premier League, EFL , WSL and Scotland will all be able to begin making transfers from that date.  It is the same for clubs in France and Germany, but the opening date differs for those in Italy and Spain.  Juventus and Real Madrid are among the clubs who will have to wait a day longer than the majority of Europe to sign their pla...

https://ift.tt/A7NaF12 Arsenal are locked in negotiations for a budding star yet to score an international goal and Manchester United might have found a solution to a Cristiano Ronaldo-sized hole. December 30, 2022 at 08:01AM

https://ift.tt/IPhA8Dp David Moyes has ruled out a January exit for Declan Rice . The England midfielder’s future has been subject to constant speculation throughout the last few transfer windows. Getty Moyes has ruled out any January exit for Rice Advertisement Getty The 23-year-old continues to be linked with a move away Rice’s stock is continuing to rise for both club and country and even more so after a positive World Cup campaign with England. The 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Hammers with boyhood club Chelsea and Manchester United keen. Advertisement Rice has so far refused to sign several a new deals , with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2024. Ahead of West Ham’s clash against Brentford, Moyes offered an 11-word response on Rice’s future when being quizzed. “There will be no chance Declan Rice leaves in this window,” Moyes told reporters. A move to Chelsea would see him return to the club he was released from...

https://ift.tt/Y780WEX Liverpool are a more desirable club in the transfer market than Manchester United, according to talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara. Such a claim has come amid the news that Cody Gakpo has officially joined the Reds from PSV Eindhoven in January. AFP Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have secured another target from their rivals Advertisement The Dutchman had been heavily linked with a move to United, but he has now arrived at Anfield rather than Old Trafford. In light of when the news was first announced, former Tottenham midfielder O’Hara has said that Liverpool have a bigger pull in the market compared to their rivals. Speaking on Wednesday’s Sports Bar on talkSPORT , he said: “When I look at Manchester United now and I look at Liverpool. Advertisement “If I’m a top footballer like Gakpo is and he’s looking for a move, I’m going Liverpool. “Because there’s too many players over the years that have gone to Manchester United and failed, and failed miserably, and thei...

https://ift.tt/ALgtWMY Erling Haaland has become the quickest player to score 20 Premier League goals after netting twice on his return to Leeds in Manchester City’s 3-1 win. The 22-year-old has incredibly achieved the feat in just 14 games – seven matches fewer than previous record holder Kevin Phillips. AFP Haaland scored twice in the second half against Leeds at Elland Road Advertisement AFP Manchester City striker has scored 20 Premier League goals in record time Haaland has been nothing short of sensational since swapping Borussia Dortmund for the Etihad in the summer. In total, he has now found the back of the net on 26 occasions in all competitions – with 20 coming in the top-flight. Advertisement The Norway international has scored in 11 out of his 14 Premier League games, and was once again the star of the show on his return to Yorkshire. The victory means that City have closed the gap on league leaders Arsenal back to five points. Haaland, who was bo...