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Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning , Jordan Jarrett-Bryan and Mark Langdon to discuss the final game of this Premier League year, as well as the one that was cancelled. Plus Ben Fisher ’s Football League round-up Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts , Soundcloud , Audioboom , Mixcloud , Acast and Stitcher , and join the conversation on Facebook , Twitter and email . The pod’s New Year’s Eve party special – of sorts – gets under way with a look back at the final Premier League game of 2020 , plus one that didn’t happen . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2020/dec/31/newcastle-liverpool-villa-meat-and-the-efl-football-weekly-extra-podcast-happy-new-year

The final round of 2020 had a 1-0 win for the leaders, Iago Aspas tearing opponents apart and Barça underwhelming “We’ve had spectacular 2020,” said Koke Resurrección, which might not have fit the public mood exactly but maybe that was because there was still no public at all. There hadn’t been since the time they went to Liverpool nine months earlier, a night so good that Marcos Llorente got a puppy and called it Anfield . Since then, there had been silence. The very next afternoon, the doors closed , staying that way for 93 days. And although they reopened for the players , sent into a strange, sterile new world , they didn’t for the people , some of whom would never come back . Some 264 games had been played in empty grounds in Spain’s first division alone and now here was Atlético’s captain on the penultimate day of the worst year, standing before another 68,456 empty seats. There was no one there to see the message displayed on the giant screen way above his head, no one for th

Investors nest-eggs have been savaged as the UK's leading share index falls 14.3% in 2020.

Manchester United striker gets minimum sanction from FA Club say Cavani had no racist intent in using word ‘negrito’ Edinson Cavani has been suspended for three games, fined £100,000 and must complete face-to-face education after admitting a misconduct charge relating to his use of the word “negrito” in a social media post in November. The FA said: “A comment posted on the Manchester United FC striker’s Instagram page was insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1. The post also constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/manchester-united-edinson-cavani-gets-three-game-ban-over-instagram-post-fa

Wolves manager charged with improper conduct Nuno was critical of Mason after defeat by Burnley Nuno Espírito Santo has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association over comments he made about the referee Lee Mason. The Wolves manager was highly critical of the official after his side’s Premier League match against Burnley on 21 December. The FA said in a statement: “It is alleged that comments made by the head coach during a post-match interview constitute improper conduct as they were personally offensive to the match official and/or bring the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.” Nuno has until 5 January to respond to the charge. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/fa-charges-nuno-espirito-santo-over-comments-about-referee-mason

Making the statement signing of Mana Iwabuchi was a proud moment as sporting director and I am excited about 2021 Last Monday Aston Villa Women announced the signing of Mana Iwabuchi, the 27-year-old Japan international and World Cup winner. This was a statement signing for a club in our first season in the WSL, the culmination of a process I’d been working on since the summer, and the moment the deal was concluded has to go down as a highlight of my short career so far as a sporting director. Villa’s head coach Gemma Davies and I share an admiration and respect for Japanese women’s football and its players past and present. I was fortunate to benefit from the footballing artistry of Japanese legends when playing with Aya Miyama at St Louis Athletica in the USA and Yuki Nagasato during my time at Chelsea, players who, like Mana, displayed the precision and grace that are part of the DNA of Japanese women’s football. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theg

‘I don’t want any surprises again,’ says Dejphon Chansiri Neil Thompson in temporary charge against Derby on Friday Sheffield Wednesday’s owner, Dejphon Chansiri, has claimed hiring Tony Pulis was a “mistake” he will not make again when recruiting his next manager. Wednesday host Derby on Friday night with Neil Thompson in temporary charge after Pulis was sacked on Monday . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/this-time-we-need-to-think-more-sheffield-wednesday-owner-on-sacking-pulis

Moving players on in January is manager’s priority Arteta says it is important games continue if it is safe Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal’s priority in January is to trim the numbers in their squad. Sead Kolasinac is one of several players who have barely featured this season and the defender is set to complete a loan move to Schalke. “We have a large squad and we knew that,” Arteta said. “A lot of things that should have happened in the summer, we cannot accomplish for different reasons. There are some players that are going to go on loan and going to leave and that is the priority at the moment. We cannot sustain the numbers that we have in certain positions and we are looking to do that, and then we will see if we have the right opportunity in the positions where we need some more help.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/kolasinac-on-verge-of-schalke-loan-as-arteta-targets-arsenal-clearout

United three points behind Liverpool with game in hand Solskjær says competition for places is healthy Ole Gunnar Solskjær has insisted no Manchester United player can “fake” their way in his team because of the transformation in mentality since he took over two years ago. United will begin 2021 in second place, three points behind Liverpool and with a game in hand on the leaders, after the late victory against Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Solskjær’s side were below par yet still claimed all three points with Marcus Rashford’s stoppage-time strike. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/solskjr-puts-manchester-uniteds-resurgence-down-to-change-in-mentality

Consumer spending fell 7.1%, says Barclaycard, which tracks half of all credit and debit card spending.

Midfielder on life under Hasenhüttl, wanting revenge with Scotland against England at Euro 2020 and his law degree Ralph Hasenhüttl will not be getting comfortable any time soon and has often turned to the same analogy to warn his Southampton squad against complacency by saying that if they lean back they will immediately foot the bill, but the turn of the year marks an appropriate time to reflect on striking progress. Only Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United have won more games over the past 12 months and Southampton head into Monday’s match at home to the champions and league leaders within touching distance of the top four, despite failing to win any of their past four matches. Related: Farewell 2020, sport's bizarro year of fear, decay and uplifting change | Barney Ronay Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/southampton-stuart-armstrong-hasenhuttl-scotland-england-euro-2020-law-degree

Klopp says he is ‘OK’ with champions’ performance Steve Bruce praises outstanding keeper Karl Darlow Jürgen Klopp said he remained relaxed about Liverpool’s lack of goals after they spurned the chance to open up a five-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. “I’m OK with it,” said Klopp, following the 0-0 draw with Newcastle for whom Karl Darlow shone in goal. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/jurgen-klopp-gives-joel-matip-update-after-accepting-liverpool-point

Jürgen Klopp said on Wednesday that he was pleased 2020 is nearly over, with winning the league the solitary highlight of a challenging year. His comments came after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at Newcastle, though they remain top of the league with a three-point lead over Manchester United. Newcastle's Schär and Darlow deny Mané and Salah in Liverpool stalemate Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2020/dec/31/im-happy-2020-is-over-says-klopp-after-liverpool-held-by-newcastle-video

The 73-year-old is the city's highest profile person charged under a controversial security law.

Latest deals and club-by-club guides for the WSL and leagues in Italy, France, Germany and Spain Make a contribution to our journalism today and support women’s football coverage that’s free and open for all Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/dec/31/womens-transfer-window-january-2021-every-deal-in-europes-top-five-leagues

The past 12 months have been like no other and while most of it has been troubling and terrible there has been some good, most notably the rise of athlete activism It was the worst of times. And in between it was also – just to be clear – the worst of times all over again. Farewell 2020. No need to write. Don’t, as they say, let the door hit your arse on the way out. The lamps went out across the sporting world in the second week of March. In the months since they have flickered back on, emergency generators fired up, an ersatz version of reality winched into place, with its tinny fanfare and digitised cheers. Beneath this dressing the year in sport has been much like the year everywhere else. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/31/farewell-2020-sports-bizarro-year-of-fear-decay-and-uplifting-change

Delaware-based company acquires 84% stake in club Mike Garlick stands down as chairman but stays on board The American investors ALK Capital have completed their takeover of Burnley, acquiring a controlling 84% stake in the Premier League club. Delaware-based ALK, which specialises in investments in the sport and media sectors, said its managing partner Alan Pace would take over from Mike Garlick as Burnley’s chairman. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/us-investors-alk-complete-burnley-takeover

The UK's hard-fought agreement with the EU is set to come into force at 23:00 GMT on Thursday.

Jobs around the world are being lost, but the global stock market is rising. What's going on?

It is the latest twist in a long battle over subsidies for US-based Boeing and European rival Airbus.

Nicknamed the lone wolf, China's Zhong Shanshan has unseated India's Mukesh Ambani.

Channel Tunnel operator Getlink says there will not be congestion when new trading rules begin later.

Almost 140 companies investigated between 2016-18 failed to pay £6.7 million to over 95,000 workers.

The final Premier League match of 2020 ended with Liverpool three points clear at the top of the table – but only after Jürgen Klopp’s defending champions were made to look distinctly mortal by a wounded Newcastle United XI determined to prove a point. After a barrage of recent criticism Steve Bruce had said he wanted to shut a few people up. On the eve of his 60th birthday, the home manager’s wish was granted thanks to a creditable draw which will doubtless have gone down well with his old friends at second-placed Manchester United. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/newcastle-united-liverpool-premier-league-match-report

Irene Hays ran the travel agency with her husband John and in 2019 they took on Thomas Cook staff.

A Luis Suárez header gave Atlético Madrid a 1-0 home win over Getafe in coach Diego Simeone’s 500th game in charge, keeping them top of La Liga and ending the year with an unbeaten home record. Related: The Kieran Trippier case and why some betting markets should not be allowed | Barry Glendenning Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/la-liga-atletico-madrid-real-suarez-simeone

Brentford came from behind to move into the Championship automatic promotion places with an entertaining 2-1 win over in-form Bournemouth. Dominic Solanke gave the Cherries the lead midway through the first half when he flicked Lloyd Kelly’s low driven cross into the roof of the net. But the Bees hit back before the break as Henrik Dalsgaard rose highest at the near post to power home an unstoppable header from Mathias Jensen’s corner. And they grabbed a winner 11 minutes from time when the substitute Tariqe Fosu headed home Bryan Mbeumo’s teasing cross at the far post. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/champiosnhip-brentford-bournemouth-swansea-reading

Thousands more businesses will now have to close or extend closures as restrictions escalate.

Premier League updates from the 8pm (GMT) kick-off Live scores: all the goals from the UK and Europe And send your thoughts to Rob by email here 7.44pm GMT On reflection, I’m annoyed I didn’t include Suarez v Newcastle in this piece. Maybe it was too fresh in the memory. Shame, as I could have stroked my chin quite beautifully whilst pontificating about it. Related: The Joy of Six: unique goals | Rob Smyth 7.40pm GMT “Supporting Liverpool these last few years has involved some tremendous fun,” says Matt Dony. “ There have been astonishing performances, and some unbelievable football leading to fantastic goals. Beauty and bludgeon in equal measure. But, I’m not sure anything has quite matched the insouciant genius of Suarez’s goal against Newcastle. “I’ve seen many more ‘spectacular’ goals, but nothing that matches that particular combination of unworldly skill, arrogant execution and general air of ‘Try what you want, you can’t stop me’ that Suarez exuded at his best. Ther

By going after the pundit Karen Carney the club’s official Twitter account opened the door to the sexist abuse that affects every woman in football When the former England international and respected pundit Karen Carney dared to contextualise on the promotion of Leeds United it was bound to raise the eyebrows of the fans. But few would have expected the club’s official Twitter account to go after her and therefore inadvertently direct football’s online sexist underbelly directly at her. Leeds tweeted a video of Carney which included her saying the club had been “promoted because of Covid” and pulled that sentence out into their tweet. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/how-did-leeds-united-not-realise-what-would-happen-when-they-targeted-a-women

Max Rushden , Barry Glendenning , Natasha Henry and Marcus Bean discuss the increase of Covid-related postponements, plus Leeds’ highs and lows. Sid Lowe also talks Kieran Trippier, Diego Costa and Lionel Messi We start off by discussing the recent rise in Covid-19 cases across football, with postponements affecting numerous games across the professional English pyramid [ now Spurs v Fulham too ]. Are calls for a two-week circuit breaker justified? Afterwards, we discuss Leeds’ emphatic win over West Brom , before asking whether official football social media accounts have a responsibility to discourage pile-ons following Leeds’ tweet about Karen Carney’s post-match comments . We then look at the rest of the Premier League matches, including a late winner for Manchester United to take them second , and another impressive performance by Aston Villa . Finally, we speak to Sid about the reaction in Madrid following Kieran Trippier’s lengthy ban from football, Diego Costa’s cont

St Mirren 0-2 Rangers; Celtic 3-0 Dundee United Livingston v Aberdeen called off due to frozen pitch Rangers and Celtic limbered up for Saturday’s Old Firm showdown with routine victories in the Scottish Premiership. Rangers maintained their 16-point lead over Celtic at the top with a 2-0 win at St Mirren while the Hoops, who have three games in hand on their rivals, sank Dundee United 3-0 at Parkhead. Rangers were second best for much of the first half against the side who shocked them in the League Cup a fortnight ago, but they went ahead with their first shot on target after 28 minutes. Ianis Hagi fed Kemar Roofe, whose low drive took a deflection off Conor McCarthy as it flew past goalkeeper Jak Alnwick. Steven Gerrard’s side doubled their advantage before half-time when Alfredo Morelos pounced on Joe Shaughnessy’s underhit backpass. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/rangers-maintain-16-point-lead-over-celt

‘We now have a winning mentality,’ says De Gea after Wolves win Goalkeeper also happy with improvement in own performances David de Gea is excited about Manchester United’s progress and feels confident about his place in the team as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side head into 2021 in the Premier League title race. A topsy-turvy year that started with poor results and fan discontent ended with an improving United bringing the curtain down on 2020 with a late win against Wolves in front of empty stands. Marcus Rashford’s deflected stoppage-time strike secured Tuesday’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, propelling them up to second spot and within two points – temporarily at least – of the leaders, Liverpool. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/david-de-gea-hails-manchester-united-form-calls-for-calm-amid-title-talk-premier-league

‘Siginificant number’ of positive tests in Fulham squad José Mourinho had expressed frustration at lack of news Tottenham’s match against Fulham has been postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the west London side. Fulham contacted the Premier League to request the postponement after a “significant rise” in the number of positive tests in their squad. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/tottenham-v-fulham-postponed-hours-before-kick-off-after-covid-outbreak

Player highlighted abuse in wake of game at Norwich Kick It Out calls for Instagram to change its policy QPR have strongly condemned the “abhorrent” online abuse aimed at forward Bright Osayi-Samuel following Tuesday’s game with Norwich. Osayi-Samuel, 22, highlighted the abuse on his Instagram account, saying: “It is disgusting and painful to be receiving messages like this.” Some of the abuse revealed by Osayi-Samuel was racist in nature while other messages wished him ill and even death. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/qpr-condemn-abhorrent-online-abuse-aimed-at-bright-osayi-samuel

A new study claims a four-day working week could be introduced immediately and be affordable for most firms.

Success at the Olympics will be his main aim if, as expected, the outgoing Lionesses manager is named in charge of Team GB As the year draws to an end, the postponed Olympics creep closer and with it the tough decision of who should represent Team GB in Tokyo. There are so many variables when it comes to trying to predict who will make the cut. In Phil Neville, who is expected to lead the team, with an announcement due in the new year, Team GB have a manager who will be in the shop window himself . That brings its own complications. A strong Olympic performance from Team GB and, dare we say it, a medal would see his stock rise as he looks for a new job. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/england-could-suffer-phil-neville-picks-experience-over-youth-team-gb-olympics

Former England player said Covid break helped team go up Owner Radrizzani doubles down after club account responds Leeds United have doubled down on an official club tweet that led to a pile-on against former England women’s international Karen Carney – with the chairman, Andrea Radrizzani, rejecting suggestions that the club should be “ashamed” of their actions. Carney, who won 144 caps for her country, had suggested that Leeds’ promotion bid had benefited from the coronavirus break in March and they “might blow up at the end of season” during Amazon Prime Sport’s coverage of the club’s 5-0 victory over West Brom . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/leeds-united-criticised-for-tweet-mocking-amazon-pundit-karen-carney

Spurs midfielder and Salzburg striker are among those earmarked for a transfer when the window opens on Friday Any chance of the England midfielder forcing his way into José Mourinho’s plans seemed to evaporate during Tottenham’s Carabao Cup win over Stoke last week. Having made only his fifth start of the season, Alli was substituted in the 66th minute directly after his mistake led to Stoke’s equaliser, and the subsequent touchline row with Mourinho will not have helped his prospects of regaining favour. Paris Saint-Germain remain favourites to sign the 24-year-old having failed to take him on loan before the summer window closed, although there is likely to be domestic interest if Spurs allow him to leave. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/30/from-dele-alli-to-patson-daka-eight-players-who-could-move-in-january

UK house prices bucked the pandemic and climbed 7.5% in 2020, according to building society Nationwide.

Founder Evan Spiegel has questioned whether platforms are responsible for user behaviour in a BBC interview.

The plane was grounded in March 2019 after two separate deadly crashes within five months.

The Jaguar Land Rover owner has taken a bigger stake in AirAsia India following its bid for Air India.

Eight lessons from our CEO Secrets series looking at start-ups created during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The wind has changed for China's financial technology giants who now face increased scutiny.

Live updates as United look to climb to second Clockwatch: Follow Brighton v Arsenal and more Get in touch! Email Rob with your thoughts 7.03pm GMT Man Utd make six changes from the team that draw at Leicester, with Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba among those coming into the side. Victor Lindelof is injured, so Eric Bailly continues at centre-back. Ki-Jana Hoever, the teenage defender signed from Liverpool, makes his full Premier League debut for Wolves. He replaces Nelson Semedo in one of four changes from the 1-1 draw with Spurs on whatever day of the week the 27th was. It looks like Wolves have returned to a back three. 6.55pm GMT There are four Premier League games occuring as we speak, and Leeds have already scored four at the Hawthorns. Scott Murray has more news. Related: Brighton v Arsenal, Southampton v West Ham and more – live! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/dec/29/manchester-united-wolves-premier-

Meat producers seek clarity over rules that mean some products cannot be exported to the EU under the trade deal.

Burnley, Sheffield Utd, Leeds and West Brom also in action Live scores: all the goals as they go in around Europe Get in touch! Email Scott with your thoughts 5.42pm GMT Some good news at last for Sean Dyche. He’s spent most of the season so far bemoaning the lack of coin in the Turf Moor kitty. But look! Cavalry’s a-comin’! Could be an interesting January transfer window for the Clarets. File under: timely boost. Related: US finance group ALK Capital closes in on Burnley takeover 5.25pm GMT WBA v Leeds. No changes by either side, in the wake of West Brom’s heroic point at Anfield and United’s win over Burnley. If it ain’t broke, fixture pile-up schmixture pile-up, etc. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/dec/29/brighton-arsenal-saints-west-ham-efl-clockwatch-live

Buyout of club’s two major shareholders near completion Sean Dyche waits to see if deal will lead to transfer boost The US finance group ALK Capital is expected to complete its takeover of Burnley imminently in a buyout of the club’s two major shareholders that will give the company a near 90% holding. Mike Garlick, the Burnley chairman, has a 49% share, and the former co-chairman and now director John Banaszkiewicz 28%, with the sale of each of these understood to be close to completion. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/29/us-finance-group-alk-capital-closes-in-on-burnley-takeover

Nine internationals suddenly without a club ‘I’m shocked and sad,’ says Elin Rubensson The champions of the Swedish women’s league, Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, have dissolved their senior side and all players have been released from their contracts just over a month after winning a first league title. The decision to fold the senior side was made by the board on the 17 December, the day after a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Champions League ensured the Swedish champions exited the last-32 5-1 on aggregate. They told all staff on Tuesday. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/29/its-tragic-swedish-womens-champions-dissolved-after-title-win

Striker cites personal reasons for ending third spell at club Costa to pay €15m if he joins La Liga or Champions League rival Diego Costa has rescinded his Atlético Madrid contract with immediate effect after asking the club to allow him to leave six months early. The striker, whose deal was due to expire next June and who was free to negotiate with other clubs from 1 January, cited personal reasons for wanting to depart. He has not informed Atlético of his destination but, according to the agreement reached, he will have to pay a penalty if he moves to a competitor in La Liga or the Champions League. Costa told Atlético of his desire to leave over the weekend and did not attend training at Cerro del Espino on Monday or Tuesday. The club’s CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, spoke to the rest of the squad to explain the situation before a statement was released on Tuesday afternoon confirming his departure. His contract was worth around €8m a year. Continue reading... from Football |

The airlines say they need to protect their status as majority EU-owned companies after Brexit.

The Hut Group's rapid growth has earned Matthew Moulding one of the biggest paydays in UK corporate history.

He helped revolutionise fashion with his futuristic and stylish designs in the 1950s and 60s.

Midfielder thriving after difficult debut season in 2019-20 However Mourinho still questions his ability to play 90 minutes José Mourinho has praised Tanguy Ndombele for going through a “big evolution” at Tottenham but said the midfielder still has some way to go before he can be trusted to complete 90 minutes for the team. Ndombele endured a difficult debut season at Spurs after joining from Lyon for a club-record fee of €62m (£55.45m) in July 2019, and particularly so when Mourinho arrived as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement four months later. The Portuguese was clearly unimpressed with the player’s fitness levels, with the nadir in their relationship reached in March when, following the 1-1 draw with Burnley, Mourinho singled out Ndombele for criticism, saying : “I know adapting to the Premier League is difficult but he has had enough time and has to give us more than he is giving us.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2

Manager understands fans’ frustration over limited investment Newcastle play Liverpool next after City and Brentford defeats Steve Bruce has admitted he would “love” Newcastle United to have the spending power that is helping Everton and Aston Villa mix with the Premier League title contenders. The manager is operating on a limited budget, having spent less than £35m in the last window, on Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis. Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Manchester City left Newcastle in 14th place, while considerable investment at Villa and Everton has taken them to fifth and third respectively. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/29/steve-bruce-newcastle-everton-aston-villa-spending-power

Midfielders at Arsenal and Chelsea and a dynamic Manchester United full-back are among those on our list In 2020 we have seen stars flood into the Women’s Super League — five US World Cup winners, European player of the year Pernille Harder, the all-time record goalscorer for the NWSL and W-League Sam Kerr, and the return of the newly crowned Fifa’s The Best player of the year Lucy Bronze. We have been spoiled. We have expected big things from them and, on the whole, they have delivered. Who, though, are the lesser-known one’s to watch in 2021? The ones who have arrived in England with much less fanfare or have quietly risen through the ranks. There are many. Women’s football is enjoying increased investment and young players have benefited from better facilities and coaching from a much younger age than the more senior WSL players. That is only going to get better. In 2021 our top five to watch are: Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/foot

League confirm 18 cases in latest round of testing Everton v Manchester City called off at short notice The Premier League has returned its highest number of positive coronavirus results in a single round of testing this season, with 18 new cases recorded. The League confirmed that, between 21 December and 27, 1,479 players and club staff were tested and the 18 individuals who have the virus will now self-isolate for a period of 10 days. A number of those cases are at Manchester City after an outbreak there saw their game with Everton called off at four hours’ notice on Monday. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/29/premier-league-on-alert-after-record-number-of-positive-coronavirus-tests-football

Many people have become millionaires from Tesla's share price rocketing more than 700% this year.

Our cartoonist recalls some mind-bending moments from a surreal year in football and beyond Doing some online shopping? Buy this cartoon here And take a look through David’s archive treasure trove Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/dec/29/david-squires-on-the-endless-joyride-that-was-football-in-2020

French champions sack German with side third in league Mauricio Pochettino set to be named coach’s successor French champions Paris Saint-Germain have sacked coach Thomas Tuchel, with the side sitting third in the league standings, the Ligue 1 club said in a statement on Tuesday. Tuchel, who led PSG to the Champions League final in August which they lost to Bayern Munich, was dismissed on Christmas Eve following a 4-0 win over Racing Strasbourg. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/29/path-cleared-for-mauricio-pochettino-after-paris-saint-germain-confirm-thomas-tuchel-dismissal-football

The FTSE 100 gains, but bank shares fall, as stock markets get their first chance to react to the trade deal.

RVU will buy its Penguin Portals and Preminen businesses, which includes online portal Confused.com.

The sporting director explains how the club have survived six seasons in La Liga when their record signing is Edu Expósito for €4m “OK,” Fran Garagarza says, “what have we got?” Quite a lot, as it turns out. Tuesday evening in Eibar and five men sit around a table in a smart new meeting room overlooking the pitch at Ipurúa, where heat lamps light up the gloom. A sixth joins on a screen. One by one, Mikel Martija, Arkaitz Lakanbra, Eneko Romo and Fran Rico run through the players they have been watching this week, a small sample of the 19,000 in the system. Conversation starts: a catalogue of qualities – “striker, very much our style” – and classification. Red, amber and green: stop watching, keep watching, move to the next phase. Every now and then, Garagarza asks for some extra detail: a spelling, an age, an agent. As they go round, Unai Ezkurra enters everything into the system. Garagarza used to travel around in a van, delivering packages for a courier; now he travels to watch mat

A coach who has built his reputation as a team-builder will have to find a way to harness players unlikely to be willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause The first thing you need to know about the six-day underground Christmas disco that Neymar is allegedly hosting for 500 people in the soundproofed annexe of a mansion outside Rio de Janeiro is that Neymar denies its very existence. Nevertheless, CNN Brasil has reported that in recent days an unusually high number of cars have been seen pulling up outside Neymar’s home in the small beach town of Mangaratiba. Local hotels have been registering a surge in bookings, despite rising coronavirus cases in the region. A source for the municipal government has described the alleged gathering as “a sanitary disrespect”. And a representative for a Brazilian folk band called Vou Pro Sereno has confirmed that they have been booked to play an underground Christmas disco that Neymar – and we really can’t stress this part enough – insists is

Brussels wants to make it easier for European companies operating in a number of Chinese industries.

A Japanese forestry firm has partnered with Kyoto University in what would be a world first.

Which BBC Business stories were the most widely read in the year the coronavirus pandemic spread?

The prospect of a title race remains firmly in the balance. Presented with a chance to capitalise on Liverpool’s slip against West Brom, Leicester failed to shake off the stage fright. Although a late equaliser from Harvey Barnes lifted them into second place, Leicester’s tentativeness in attack against cautious opponents hardly suggested that they are equipped to reel in the champions. Related: Crystal Palace v Leicester City: Premier League – live! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/crystal-palace-leicester-city-premier-league-match-report

Announcement made four hours before kick off City close training ground on medical advice Everton’s Premier League match with Manchester City on Monday night has been called off after a number of City players tested positive for Covid-19. A statement from City released just four hours before the match was due to kick off at 8pm confirmed that the decision had been taken after they lodged a request to postpone the match on Monday morning, with confirmation coming after a Premier League board meeting in the afternoon. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/everton-v-manchester-city-postponed-after-covid-19-outbreak-in-guardiolas-squad

Updates from the 5.30pm (GMT) kick-off at Stamford Bridge Lampard says Chelsea lacked character against Arsenal Email Simon here or tweet @Simon_Burnton 4.35pm GMT The temperature is expected to hover between a chilly 2C and and imperceptibly less chilly 3C for the remainder of the day, and it looks like hoods are very much required at Stamford Bridge: 4.32pm GMT The teams are in, and these are those teams: Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Chilwell, Kante, Jorginho, Mount, Pulisic, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi. Subs: Arrizabalaga, Thiago Silva, Abraham, Werner, Tomori, Kovacic, Gilmour, Havertz, Emerson Palmieri. Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Hause, Konsa, Targett, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi, Watkins. Subs: Heaton, Taylor, Hourihane, Nakamba, Engels, Guilbert, Elmohamady, Davis, Ramsey. Referee: Stuart Attwell. Your starting XI for #CHEAVL ! pic.twitter.com/JgZsRy7sqr ⚪ ⚪ This is your Aston Villa team to face Chelsea this evening! #C

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning , Anne-Marie Batson and Simon Burnton to discuss a busy weekend of football. Plus Philippe Auclair provides an update on the comings and goings at PSG Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts , Soundcloud , Audioboom , Mixcloud , Acast and Stitcher , and join the conversation on Facebook , Twitter and email . Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning , Anne-Marie Batson and Simon Burnton to discuss a busy weekend of football in the Premier League. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2020/dec/28/sam-allardyce-rides-again-and-arteta-arsenal-fire-at-last-football-weekly

The club captain refused travel guides to Manchester and Paris during an hour-long interview but admitted Barça are ‘in a really, really bad way’ In four days’ time Lionel Messi can begin negotiating with any team he likes, but he won’t. That’s the good news for Barcelona fans, and there is more. Like the Argentinian declaring “I feel good now, enthusiastic”, describing the arrival of Ronald Koeman as coach as a “great choice”, and insisting that the “difficult, terrible” summer in which he tried to force his way out is “behind me”. Or the fact that he called Barcelona “my life” and his connection to the club “a relationship of love”. Many of those settling in to watch Sunday night’s hour-long Christmas TV interview – a kind of King’s Speech only significantly more important – did so in search of optimism, reasons for hope. If they really looked hard – and they did – they might also have found it in how Messi talked about his problems in the past tense and his desire for the new pre

Brazil footballer accused of dancing on the graves of coronavirus victims with celebrity blowout Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The Brazil footballer Neymar has been accused of dancing on the graves of coronavirus victims after throwing a week-long New Year’s Eve party for scores of celebrity guests despite a surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths. Brazilian media reports claimed that the “Neymarpalooza” festivities kicked off on Saturday at a seafront mansion in Mangaratiba, a beach town in Rio de Janeiro state. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/neymar-under-fire-for-macabre-week-long-new-years-eve-party

Updates from the 3pm (GMT) kick-off at Selhurst Park Tactics take a step back amid pandemic’s pressing concerns Email Barry here or tweet @bglendenning 2.30pm GMT 2.29pm GMT Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/dec/28/crystal-palace-v-leicester-city-premier-league-live

Club have issued two apologies over the incident Tier 4 status in Scotland means all football fans are banned Queen of the South are likely to be hit with a Scottish FA charge after allowing George Galloway to attend the Boxing Day Scottish Championship visit of Dundee to Dumfries. Queens have issued two apologies, which Galloway has defended on the basis of giving publicity to the club. The Scottish government’s switch to tier 4 for the entire country from Boxing Day means spectators are not allowed entry to football matches. Strict guidelines issued by Scottish football’s Covid-19 joint response group to clubs state that only ambulance staff, club directors and senior personnel – with no guests – analysts, scouts, the match delegate, referee observer, the stadium announcer and a screen operative can view from the “amber zone”. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/george-galloway-trip-to-queen-of-the-south-set-to-end

Manager says he questions himself every day Arteta says managing is a lot more tiring than playing Mikel Arteta admits he questioned himself every day during Arsenal’s “draining” run of defeats which were “frustrating and painful”. A 3-1 Boxing Day win over London rivals Chelsea was the Gunners’ first Premier League victory since 1 November. Arteta’s side had taken just two points from the seven previous fixtures before goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka proved enough to get them back to winning ways. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/draining-painful-arteta-admits-doubts-arsenal-awful-run

‘You don’t classify a player of that quality as anything else’ Uruguyan striker asked to wear No 7 shirt Ole Gunnar Solskjær has said Edinson Cavani can expect to exert more influence at Manchester United and “probably start more matches than he does not start”, hailing the 33-year-old as “one of the fittest players we have”. The manager even hinted at the possibility of Cavani staying at the club beyond the term of his current contract. Cavani has made 13 appearances for United – four as a starter – since joining on October’s transfer deadline day . His contribution goes far beyond the four goals he has struck in that time, with the latest demonstration of his class coming at Leicester on Boxing Day when he replaced Anthony Martial with 15 minutes to go and set up a goal for Bruno Fernandes. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/solskjr-edinson-cavani-is-definitely-a-starter-for-manchester-united

Rubin Kazan manager Leonid Slutsky offers some Christmas cheer with his unique take on Mariah Carey’s festive hit ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’. In a video released by the the Russian side the former Hull City, Russia and CSKA Moscow manager is seen singing with his squad around the table as well as showing off his best dance moves. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2020/dec/28/move-over-mariah-leonid-slutsky-sings-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-video

Clubs know that bringing in players and managers from overseas will change dramatically on 1 January “Taking back control” is not something most football clubs have had on their to-do list in recent years, at least not outside of possession statistics. The domestic game has thrived on the back of European immigration. A cosmopolitan system where German managers work with Portuguese fitness coaches to develop Spanish talent on English pitches has been central to the growth of the domestic game. Now Brexit is about to change all that. From 1 January English football will change. European citizens will need a visa to work in the country. The criteria determining who qualifies have been the subject of lengthy negotiations between the Football Association, Premier League and EFL. They were finally agreed at the beginning of December, which means clubs have had just a month to get to know the new rules and fully implement them. Which is more than many industries can say. Continue reading.

A friendly and furry pitch invader stole the show after a dog ran on to the field in Potosi, Bolivia. The happy hound was seen skipping across the turf with a boot in its mouth. The game was disrupted for a couple of minutes before the dog was carried off the field by one of the players. The game between The Strongest and Nacional Potosi ended 3-0 to The Strongest The best of 2020's amazing world of sport – video highlights Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2020/dec/28/pooch-invader-dog-disrupts-match-and-steals-football-boot-in-bolivia-video

Atlético Madrid defender has been suspended for 10 weeks but it is possible that he has done nothing or very little wrong Eighteen years ago, shortly after Mick McCarthy had lost his job as the Republic of Ireland manager for the first time , some friends and I became privy to some inside information regarding the likely identity of his successor. It was so long ago I can’t remember how or where we learned the Football Association of Ireland mulling over a left-field appointment and ready to replace McCarthy with Philippe Troussier, a Parisian whose CV read more like that of a French foreign legion recruit than that of a jobbing manager. A 20-year career that had begun in France had taken Troussier on footballing tours of duty to the Ivory Coast, South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Burkina Faso but now, we were assured, he was about to take over Ireland. Seeing him priced up at double-figure odds with the bookies, we piled on. It was the time to bet like men, to borrow and slightly mangl

José Mourinho has called his sides ruthlessness into question after a late Romain Saïss equaliser saw his Tottenham side drop important points at Molineux. 'Our problem was that we scored in the first minute and we had 89 minutes to score more goals and we didn't and for me that was the problem' said the Spurs coach. Tottenham currently sit in fifth place, six points between Liverpool José Mourinho unhappy with Tottenham's ambition in Wolves draw Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2020/dec/28/we-dont-kill-matches-mourinho-tottenham-late-wolves-video

Will Britons be able to use their mobile phones in Europe after Brexit transition, without paying extra?

‘West Brom deserved a point. It's our fault but they deserved a point in the second half,’ said Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp after his team failed to maintain their 100% home record in the Premier League this season. Struggling West Brom claimed a valuable 82nd-minute equaliser to draw 1-1. ‘We weren’t lucky by the way, we were very good,’ said West Brom’s new manager Sam Allardyce We have only got ourselves to blame, laments Liverpool's Jürgen Klopp Semi Ajayi grabs point at Liverpool to kickstart Allardyce's West Brom era Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2020/dec/28/we-werent-lucky-we-were-very-good-allardyce-happy-after-1-1-draw-at-liverpool-video

The measure restores unemployment benefits and averts a partial US government shutdown.™

Dundee United won the title in 1983 and reached a European Cup semi-final in 1984 thanks to a volcanic and frugal manager There has never been any need for apocryphal stories about Jim McLean. Verified events are extraordinary enough. McLean’s glory days at Dundee United are once again in the spotlight following his death on Saturday aged 83 . So, too, many of the crazy episodes that endorsed his legend. This was the manager whom, in the hours following United’s title win in 1983, poured a drink for a journalist in his office at Tannadice while looking skywards and apologising to his own mother. McLean was fastidiously teetotal. He duly branded it an “absolute disgrace” his team had been crowned champions. Pointing to the players’ appearance chart on his wall, McLean asserted this tiny squad should never have achieved such a feat. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/farewell-jim-mclean-scottish-football-wont-see-his-typ

It was the year top clubs chased public money while fans gave theirs to food banks. Plus: rows, memes and angry ants Part one: sport and the pandemic Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/28/the-alternative-2020-sports-awards-quotes-storms-and-animal-cameos

Ministers warn of "practical and procedural changes" when the Brexit transition period ends this week.

The fast food chain said many people thought the concept was a spoof but wants to start production soon.

Lin Qi, 39, was the founder of Yoozoo which developed a popular Game of Thrones online game.

Messi keen to ‘experience life and the league’ in US Forward out of contract at Barça in the summer Lionel Messi has maintained he is in no rush to decide his future despite approaching the end of his contract with Barcelona. Messi’s deal expires at the end of the season, meaning he is free to negotiate a summer switch from January, sparking consistent speculation over a move to the Premier League. But in an interview broadcast by Spanish TV channel La Sexta, Messi said he was happy at the Camp Nou and indicated his long-term future may lie across the Atlantic. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/lionel-messi-would-like-to-play-in-us-but-is-committed-to-barcelona

Reds manager sees his side lose 100% home record ‘I saw a lot of guts, a lot of determination,’ says Sam Allardyce Jürgen Klopp said Liverpool only had themselves to blame for failing to maintain their 100% home record in the Premier League this season as struggling West Brom claimed a valuable point at Anfield. Semi Ajayi cancelled out Sadio Mané’s early goal with an 82nd‑minute header as Sam Allardyce made it four visits to Anfield unbeaten with four different clubs. “We weren’t lucky by the way, we were very good,” said West Brom’s new manager, whose team restricted Liverpool to only two attempts on target including an 89th-minute header from Roberto Firmino that brought a fine save from Sam Johnstone. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/we-have-only-got-ourselves-to-blame-laments-liverpools-jurgen-klopp

Recent defeats ‘are because we dropped off’ Lampard to make changes for Aston Villa game Frank Lampard has questioned the mentality of his Chelsea players, wondering whether they have been adversely affected by being talked up as Premier League title contenders a few weeks ago, and he has demanded a return to the required levels of application against Aston Villa on Monday night. The Chelsea manager was fuming after the 3-1 Boxing Day defeat at Arsenal, when his team were 2-0 down at half‑time. Lampard said his players lacked character during what he described as the worst 45 minutes of the season and he did not blame fatigue, rather the approach in which the basics were missing – primarily running and effort. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/frank-lampard-chelsea-aston-villa-arsenal

Toffees have won past four Premier League matches Pep Guardiola’s side visit Goodison Park on Monday Carlo Ancelotti has played down talk of Everton challenging for the Premier League this season, and says not even victory against Manchester City on Monday night will convince him the Goodison Park club are in the hunt for a first title since 1987 . Everton host Pep Guardiola’s side looking for a fifth consecutive league victory following their 1-0 win at Sheffield United on Boxing Day. Yet Ancelotti insists his side’s sole focus is qualifying for Europe next season. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/carlo-ancelotti-plays-down-everton-title-talk-going-into-manchester-city-clash

Tottenham seemed to be closing to within striking distance of Liverpool at the top of the table. But, as too often, they failed to hold their lead, allowing Romain Saïss to head into the net four minutes from time to negate the early goal scored by Tanguy Ndombele. Wolves deserved the draw, and José Mourinho was left to mull over the wisdom of trying to protect a single-goal lead for so long. His team failed to do that against Crystal Palace earlier this month. Related: Wolves 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League – live! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/wolves-tottenham-premier-league-match-report

Sam Allardyce’s reputation is not built on annoying Liverpool at Anfield but he has developed a rare knack of doing just that nevertheless. The last visiting manager to win a Premier League game here – over three years and 67 matches ago – became the first to deny Jürgen Klopp’s champions all three points on home soil this season as West Bromwich Albion grabbed a valuable draw in their bid to scramble out of the relegation zone. Related: Wolves v Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League – live! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/liverpool-west-brom-premier-league-match-report

Live updates from the 7.15pm GMT kick-off at Molineux David Hytner: Mourinho sniffs chance of a trophy Get in touch! Email Daniel with your thoughts 6.48pm GMT I’m looking forward to seeing how Podence does today. He looks a really good player, full of confidence, attitude and bustle, and I think Spurs’ three centre-backs might find him hard to find. Similarly, I’m excited to see Adama Traore have a go at Sergio Reguilon, who might be able to match him for pace but will have to come up with something when they’re involved in a physical tussle. 6.42pm GMT I’d love to know what Mourinho thinks Spurs can do this season, and how he thinks he can bring it about. He’ll fancy himself to nab the League Cup – if he can, that’ll satisfy most of Spurs’ support – but for a whole it looked lie he thought the title was in play too. And it is, but surely not to a team who sit back in every game, thereby inviting pressure onto a sketchy defence. Continue reading... from Football | The Gu

Liverpool presented new contract offer at start of December Midfielder will let the club know before talking to anyone else Georginio Wijnaldum has asked Liverpool for more time before deciding whether to accept a new contract offer from the club. The Dutchman will be a free agent in the summer and can talk to clubs from abroad from 1 January. Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp would like to see the 30-year-old stay but have so far not been able to convince him to sign the new deal. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/georginio-wijnaldum-asks-liverpool-for-more-time-before-deciding-on-new-offer

There comes a point when repeated misfortune simply begins to resemble carelessness. In Brighton & Hove Albion’s case, the hard-luck stories are starting to wear thin. Even when the bounce of the ball runs in their favour, they find ways not to win, undermining stylish approach play with a self-destructive streak that continues to leave them sitting uncomfortably close to the bottom three. Still victorious on only two occasions this season, Brighton let an underwhelming West Ham off the hook on a scrappy afternoon in east London, missing the chance to pull four points clear of 18th place after twice relinquishing the lead with sloppy defending. In front thanks to slightly fortuitous strikes from Neal Maupay and Lewis Dunk, Graham Potter’s side ended up frustrated again after Tomáš Souček rescued West Ham with a flukey late equaliser. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/west-ham-brighton-premier-league-match-report

Manager who took Dundee United to the higher reaches of European football The notion that Dundee United were just a few minutes away from appearing in a European Cup final in 1984 is extraordinary to contemplate at this distance in time. But they really did get that close, and the man who led them so far was their inspirational manager, Jim McLean, who has died aged 83. Under the McLean era, from 1971 to 1993, Dundee United enjoyed by far the most successful period in their history , twice lifting the Scottish League Cup, in 1979 and 1980, and then winning the Scottish league title in 1983 for the first and so far only time. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/jim-mclean-obituary

Live updates from the 4.30pm GMT kick-off at Anfield Klopp concedes Liverpool cannot force Salah to stay Get in touch! Email Rob with your thoughts 3.33pm GMT Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Jones, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane. Substitutes: Kelleher, R Williams, Phillips, N Williams, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Minamino, Origi. West Brom (4-2-3-1) Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Gibbs; Gallagher, Sawyers; Phillips, Robinson, Diangana; Grant. Substitutes: Button, Ivanovic, Peltier, Grosicki, Harper, Krovinovic, Edwards, Pereira, Austin. 3.29pm GMT Pre-match reading Related: Jürgen Klopp says he will 'never, ever take a full stadium for granted' again Related: West Ham v Brighton: Premier League – live! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/dec/27/liverpool-west-bromwich-albion-premier-league-live

The deal means any changes would "hardly be felt" by shoppers, says the supermarket's chairman.

Patrick Bamford scored again, Sean Dyche turned incandescent with barely contained rage and much of the football was as crisp as the bitter yet bright West Yorkshire weather. A combination of debatable refereeing and VAR involvement lent a needlessly dyspeptic edge to an afternoon of sometimes clever and always committed passing, movement and pressing, which saw Leeds reach the 20 point milestone and left Burnley stuck on 13, too close to the relegation zone for comfort. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/leeds-burnley-premier-league-match-report

Minute-by-minute updates from the 2.15pm GMT kick-off Leeds v Burnley – live! Join Rob Smyth for the latest And you can contact Daniel by email or on Twitter 1.42pm GMT Elsewhere, Patrick Bamford’s fifth-minute penalty put Leeds in front against Burnley, and with five minutes to go, that remains the case. Rob Smyth has the latest.... Related: Leeds United v Burnley: Premier League – live! 1.41pm GMT As for Brighton, Graham Potter makes two changes: Dan Burn replaces Joel Veltman at wing-back and Danny Welbeck is in for Aaron Connolly at centre-forward, the star on top of their Christmas tree. He’s looking in decent nick, and with Maupay and Trossard behind him, and plenty of scope for the touch and combination play that makes him so much fun to watch when he’s on it. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/dec/27/west-ham-v-brighton-premier-league-live

32-year-old striker made comeback in cameo against Newcastle City’s record scorer could start against Everton on Monday Pep Guardiola welcomed the return of a “sharp and dynamic” Sergio Agüero, with the Manchester City manager admitting his team need their record goalscorer. The striker impressed Guardiola in a 13-minute substitute appearance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle and is in contention to start at Everton on Monday night. Agüero’s recovery from the serious knee injury suffered last season against Burnley, hampered by further setbacks, has limited the 32-year-old to only eight appearances this season but Guardiola was enthused after Saturday’s cameo. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/manchester-city-pep-guardiola-sergio-aguero-injury-everton

Tuesday’s game with Accrington called off after more cases Club have already postponed three matches in December Sunderland have informed the EFL that they have postponed their League One match at Accrington on Tuesday due to the continuing coronavirus outbreak at the Wearside club. Related: Sunderland's next three matches postponed after Coronavirus outbreak Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/27/sunderland-postpone-further-match-due-to-continuing-covid-19-outbreak

Updates from the 12pm GMT kick-off at Elland Road How they stand: the latest Premier League table And you can contact Rob by email here 11.42am GMT “Evening Rob,” says Phil Withall. “I need a little guidance on the whole ‘what to make of Leeds’ thing. Are they a Championship side punching above their weight, the start of a footballing cultural revolution or the plaything of a tactical genius? It’s all a bit confusing. Six points above the relegation places yet heralded as the shot in the arm the game needs. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE??” I fear you’ve mistaken me for one of our Proper Writers. I don’t have clearance to enter the What It All Means department. 11.25am GMT The Burnley manager Sean Dyche has apparently been pacing out the pitch dimensions at Elland Road this morning. Good lad. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/dec/27/leeds-united-v-burnley-premier-league-live

Hardcore group threaten boycott and hold protest at training session after Abu Dhabi sheikh buys 50% stake in top team An Israeli premier league football team whose most hardcore fans chant “Death to Arabs” faces a crisis of introspection following a landmark deal that saw the club part-sold to an unlikely new owner: an Arab sheikh. Beitar Jerusalem – the only Israeli team never to have fielded an Arab player – has been grappling with the news that, as of this month, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, now owns 50% of the club. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/far-right-israeli-football-fans-rebel-over-beitar-jerusalems-new-arab-owner