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Showing posts from January, 2021

West Ham win delights Klopp as Liverpool close in on Preston defender

Mohamed Salah scored twice in 3-1 win at London Stadium Liverpool agree £2m fee for Preston’s Ben Davies Jürgen Klopp believes Liverpool are hitting their stride again, as a convincing 3-1 win against West Ham was accompanied by the news the club are finally preparing to sign a centre-back. The Premier League champions have agreed a £2m fee with Preston for their 25-year-old defender Ben Davies, with the academy prospect Sepp van den Berg going in the opposite direction on loan. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/west-ham-win-delights-klopp-as-liverpool-close-in-on-preston-defender

Trossard earns Brighton first home win of season against Tottenham

This was a priceless win for Brighton, who were better than Tottenham from the start and richly deserved to end their 14-game barren home run. Spurs’ lack of answer to Leandro Trossard’s 17th-minute winner will pose an almighty headache for José Mourinho given he is likely to miss Harry Kane for at least another five matches. The sight of Gareth Bale departing two-thirds of the way through after an ineffective display was dispiriting for anyone who hoped Mourinho has an off-the-shelf plan B and he needs to stumble upon something given the slim pickings offered here. The truth was Brighton could easily have won by more. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/brighton-tottenham-premier-league-match-report

Inspirational and always shouting: Henderson embodies Liverpool spirit | Jonathan Wilson

Mohamed Salah’s sublime skill saw off West Ham but it would not have been possible without Liverpool’s versatile captain Nine minutes: Mohamed Salah gave the ball away. West Ham advanced down the left. Salah charged back, which is usually a sign he has done something for which he feels he needs to make amends. But he couldn’t recover in time. Michail Antonio was already moving at pace when Trent Alexander-Arnold got to him, and was able to sling a dangerous cross into the box. Tomas Soucek, the Czech Fellaini, rumbled into the penalty area. He didn’t have to check his stride. Neck muscles flexed, he readied himself for a fourth headed goal of the season. And suddenly there was Jordan Henderson, nipping in front of him to head the ball to safety. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/jan/31/jordan-henderson-liverpool-captain-mohamed-salah-west-ham

Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League – live!

Live updates as struggling Brighton host José Mourinho’s Spurs Mourinho faces dilemma without ‘irreplaceable’ Kane Get in touch! Email John or tweet him 6.40pm GMT Mary Waltz on Bareth Gale. “This will be the test of whether Bale still has any magic left in his game. He has had time to get fit, he will not have to be Kane and Son’s caddy. José’s handing him the keys to the car.let’s see if he can still drive.” 6.39pm GMT Big news at Tottenham. To be fair, Poch Jnr did well to last so long after dad went. Click on the link to see perhaps why . We have reached agreement with @WatfordFC for the transfer of Maurizio Pochettino. Everyone at the Club wishes Maurizio all the best for the future. #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/tsMPuyOPTM Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jan/31/brighton-hove-albion-tottenham-hotspur-premier-league-live

Mohamed Salah fires thrilling double as Liverpool see off West Ham

With around a quarter of this match left, West Ham won a corner on the right. Scenting a set-piece equaliser, claret-and-blue shirts piled into the penalty area. Jarrod Bowen picked his spot, ran in and delivered a curling left-footed cross. Fifteen seconds later, Liverpool scored. Game over, handshakes, thanks for having us. It was Mohamed Salah who delivered the coup de grace, finishing a scintillating counterattack with his second goal of the game and sealing the points in the process. But really, the story here was of a team shedding its inhibitions, learning the lessons from a rotten first half and resolving to be just a little quicker, a little braver. Six points in three days from two visits to London have shaken Liverpool, and the title race, back to life. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/west-ham-liverpool-premier-league-match-report

Cardboard shortage forces retailers to box clever

From wine merchants to supermarkets, firms are having to find ways round a shortage of cardboard packaging.

Chelsea sweep Tottenham aside to extend unbeaten WSL record

Can anyone catch Chelsea? On paper the title race looks extremely tight but as Melanie Leupolz and Ji So-yun assumed an imperious hold on midfield at Kingsmeadow and the goals flowed it was hard to imagine anyone toppling Emma Hayes’s defending champions from their pedestal. When the final whistle blew an ultimately irrepressible Chelsea had extended their unbeaten Women’s Super League record to 33 games, leaving Rehanne Skinner to reflect on a first defeat since her installation as Tottenham’s manager in November. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/chelsea-tottenham-wsl-match-report

Patrick Bamford stands out as Leeds fight back to beat Leicester

Patrick Bamford loves playing away from home. Leeds United’s leading goalscorer scored a sumptuous goal either side of making two others as Leicester City lost for the first time in 10 games to miss out on returning to second place in the Premier League. Related: Leicester City 1-3 Leeds United: Premier League – live! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/leicester-leeds-premier-league-match-report

Accountants warned over fraud expectations

Should auditors be expected to spot companies, such as BHS and Wirecard - at risk of collapse through fraud?

West Ham United v Liverpool: Premier League – live!

Live updates as Jürgen Klopp’s men face resurgent Hammers Klopp backs ‘smart’ Henderson to solve problem in defence Jacob Steinberg: Dead-ball power at heart of Moyes’ renewal Get in touch! Email Rob 3.38pm GMT Some pre-match reading Related: Dead-ball power at the heart of David Moyes' gritty West Ham reboot | Jacob Steinberg Related: Liverpool's Jürgen Klopp backs 'smart' Jordan Henderson to fill defensive gap 3.34pm GMT West Ham are unchanged from the team that beat Crystal Palace in the week - not just the first XI, but the nine subs as well. Their new signing Jesse Lingard was not registered in time for this game. Liverpool make three changes from their win over Spurs: Nat Phillips replaces Joel Matip in defence, while Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi come in for Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Firmino is on the bench; Mane has a muscle injury. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jan/31/we

Chelsea's César Azpilicueta leads defeat of Burnley for Thomas Tuchel's first win

Now this was more like it. Although it was slow going at first, Chelsea were well into their stride by the end. The football was crisp, urgent and inventive once César Azpilicueta had scored the first goal of the Thomas Tuchel era. There was a clear idea in attack and far more discipline without the ball, ensuring that Burnley never seriously threatened an equaliser during the second half. Related: Chelsea v Burnley: Premier League – live! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/chelsea-burnley-premier-league-match-report

Barcelona deny leaking Lionel Messi's contract details to Spanish newspaper

El Mundo claims player’s four-year deal is worth €555m Club promises to take ‘appropriate legal action’ Barcelona have denied responsibility for the publication of Lionel Messi’s current contract. The Spanish newspaper El Mundo published the astonishing details of the Argentinian’s deal, which claimed he is earning over €555m across a four-year contract. Reports in Spain say Messi will seek to take legal action against the newspaper and Barcelona have confirmed they will be doing the same. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/barcelona-lionel-messi-contract

Leicester City v Leeds United: Premier League – live!

Live updates as Leeds face a Leicester side eyeing second place Transfer window: all deals from Europe’s top five leagues Get in touch! Email John or tweet him 1.31pm GMT Brendan Rodgers speaks. Still such a long way to go and you can only train yourself. So it should be a really good game. We played really well up there this season, so we’ve got to stay focused. Papy’s played in a lot of big games for us this season and done exceptionally well so we’ve every confidence he can perform at a high level. It’s important in any team, of course, when you don’y have Jamie in the team, that incredible penetration in the middle of the field. Whenever he hasn’t played we’ve had to find another way to be creative and penetrate. Thankfully we’ve been able to do that. Hopefully he’ll be back soon. They’re still exactly the same, they go into every game with ambition. They want to create goals, they want to score goals. You have to make sure you can’t get involved in a basketball match, up a

Palmeiras players pour ice over manager during Libertadores celebrations – video

Palmeiras players stormed the press conference after they won the Copa Libertadores by beating Santos 1-0, the winner coming eight minutes into stoppage time. The joyous squad celebrated by dousing manager Abel Ferreira in iced water.  Palmeiras win Copa Libertadores after injury-time victory over Santos Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2021/jan/31/palmeiras-players-ice-abel-ferreira-copa-libertadores-santos-video

Chelsea v Burnley: Premier League – live!

Minute-by-minute updates as Chelsea take on in-form Burnley ‘If they’re unhappy they’ll sack me’: Tuchel unfazed by deal Jonathan Wilson: Tuchel the outsider faces major hurdles Get in touch! Email Daniel or tweet him 11.38am GMT I guess the problem for Chelsea is that N’golo Kanté can no longer be relied upon to chase about like two men. That’s how Pep Guardiola balanced playing De Bruyne and Silva – two eights – with Fernandinho, and one of the reasons you see Manchester United struggling to balance creation with security. 11.33am GMT Easier said than done, I daresay. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jan/31/chelsea-v-burnley-premier-league-live

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur: WSL – live!

Live updates as Chelsea look to cement place at top of table Spurs sign South Korea captain Cho on deadline day Get in touch! Email Rob 11.36am GMT Here's your Chelsea team to take on Spurs! #CFCW pic.twitter.com/6HzKNsL4oD Today’s team to face Chelsea… #THWFC : Mikalsen, Neville, Zadorsky, Harrop, Davison, Percival, Addison, Graham, Naz, Kennedy C, McManus. #SpurHerOn ⚪ #COYS pic.twitter.com/eUKjJ3dpZQ 11.10am GMT Hello and welcome to live coverage of Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur from Kingsmeadow. It’s over a year since Chelsea last failed to win a home game in any competition, and over two since they last lost in the WSL, so it will be an appreciable shock if Spurs win today. Chelsea, who are aiming to retain the WSL for the first time in their history, have been in ominous form and went top of the table for the first time this season when they beat Manchester United a fortnight ago. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/foo

'Trees were burned': Marseille postpone game after ultras storm training ground

Police intervene as hundreds of hardcore fans vent ire Club say thefts were committed in ‘unacceptable attack’ Marseille’s Ligue 1 game against Rennes was postponed three hours before kick-off after “a few hundred individuals from ultra supporter groups” stormed the club’s training ground on Saturday. Related: European roundup: Real Madrid sunk by Levante, Bayern drop Tolisso over tattoo Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/31/european-football-roundup-marseille-ultras-training-ground-barcelona

'I was scammed out of £17,000 on Instagram'

Since the pandemic hit the UK, reports of investment scams targeting Instagram users have risen 50%.

Budget 2021: What is it and when will it happen?

The Budget - when is it, what does it do and what should we expect to hear from the chancellor?

Not being a true Blue could be Thomas Tuchel's biggest hurdle at Chelsea | Jonathan Wilson

Chelsea’s brilliant new coach is facing a hostile reception since, unlike Frank Lampard, he is not steeped in the club’s identity It’s never just a club. It’s never just about the players and whether they can put the ball in the net more times than their opponents. Your football club is always something else. Perhaps it’s a repository for nostalgic memories of childhood or home. Perhaps it’s a symbol of defiance against the establishment. Perhaps, particularly for top clubs who have the luxury of thinking about more than mere survival, it represents a way of playing. That’s why some Manchester United fans get so worked up when it’s suggested they are a club without a consistent playing philosophy, even when pointing out that in times as turbulent as the present, that may be beneficial . It’s why Newcastle fans were so much less frustrated under Rafa Benítez than they are under Steve Bruce even when results, until recently, were roughly equivalent: at least back then there was a sens

Arsenal and Manchester United share points in all-action stalemate

Manchester United made a piece of history at the Emirates Stadium but not quite in the way that they would have wanted. A draw after this all-action stalemate meant that they set a new club record for away league games without defeat. Related: European roundup: Real Madrid sunk by Levante, Bayern drop Tolisso over tattoo Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/arsenal-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report

Southampton v Aston Villa: Premier League – live!

Updates from the 8pm GMT kick-off at St Mary’s Stadium The 10 most improved players in the Premier League this season Get in touch! Email Simon or tweet @Simon_Burnton 7.13pm GMT Southampton make three changes, with Bertrand back from suspension and slotting in at left-back instead of Vokins, Romeu returning for Valery, who played at right-back last week - it looks like Ibrahima Diallo will be there tonight - and Redmond replacing Che Adams. Villa are unchanged, with their new signing, Morgan Sanson, on the bench. 7.02pm GMT The team sheets have been handed in, and the names upon them were these: Southampton: McCarthy, Diallo, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand, Redmond, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Walcott, Ings. Subs: Watts, Long, Adams, Djenepo, Valery, Ramsay, N’Lundulu, Forster, Jankewitz. Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Traore, Barkley, Grealish, Watkins. S ubs: Heaton, Taylor, Trezeguet, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Engels, Sanson, Elm

Fulham's Ivan Cavaleiro heads equaliser to deny West Brom priceless win

Ivan Cavaleiro snatched a point for Fulham in a thrilling draw at relegation rivals West Brom. The substitute struck within five minutes of coming off the bench to rescue a 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns. Kyle Bartley and Matheus Pereira had turned the game around in the second half after the home side looked doomed following a wretched start. Bobby Decordova-Reid’s opener helped Fulham dominate before the break with the striker also hitting the post. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/west-brom-fulham-premier-league-match-report

Brentford hit Wycombe for seven with doubles for Fosu and Toney

High-flying Brentford made it 18 games unbeaten with a 7-2 thrashing of Championship strugglers Wycombe. Goals from Ethan Pinnock, Sergi Canós, Josh Dasilva and two apiece for Tariqe Fosu and Ivan Toney did the damage, although the latter may well stake a post-match claim for his first Bees hat-trick, as he may have got the final touch on one of Fosu’s efforts. Early first-half equalisers from Uche Ikpeazu and Admiral Muskwe had made the promotion-chasers sweat in an end-to-end opening 45 minutes but Wycombe had no answer after the break. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/brentford-wycombe-championship-match-report

Gabriel Jesus sinks Sheffield United to keep Manchester City sitting pretty

Pep Guardiola’s relentless winning machine rolls on, Manchester City clinching a 12th successive victory in a game they dominated. Related: Callum Wilson's double ends dire Newcastle run with victory at Everton Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/manchester-city-sheffield-united-premier-league-match-report

Dennis and Durmus earn Buddies first win at Celtic since 1990

Celtic’s season lurched back into disarray with their first home defeat to St Mirren since 1990. St Mirren striker Kristian Dennis opened the scoring in the 18th minute before French striker Odsonne Édouard levelled just after the half-hour mark. However, Ilkay Durmus restored Saints’ lead in the 37th minute, with more questions around centre-back Shane Duffy’s defending after the visitors ran out 2-1 winners. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/celtic-st-mirren-scottish-premiership-match-report

European roundup: Bayern Munich win despite dropping Tolisso over tattoo

Bundesliga leaders thrash Hoffenheim 4-1 Levante stun 10-man Real Madrid in La Liga Bayern Munich were without Corentin Tolisso for the visit of Hoffenheim , after the midfielder was fined an unspecified amount and dropped for breaking anti-Covid regulations by getting a tattoo. The 26-year-old had briefly posted on social media a video of him being tattooed. In his absence, Bayern ran out 4-1 winners with four different scorers, to remain in charge at the top of the Bundesliga in their quest for a ninth consecutive league crown. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/european-roundup-bayern-munich-win-despite-dropping-corentin-tolisso-tattoo

Eberechi Eze fires Crystal Palace to victory over toothless Wolves

Where has it all gone wrong for Wolves? An eighth successive Premier League match without a victory following Eberechi Eze’s excellent goal meant Crystal Palace gained revenge for their FA Cup defeat earlier this month to move ahead of their opponents in the table. But in the week that Nuno Espírito Santo made a personal donation of £250,000 to a new initiative supporting local food banks, the manner in which his side surrendered the points here will be a major concern. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/crystal-palace-wolves-premier-league-match-report

Arsenal v Manchester United: Premier League – live!

Updates from the 5.30pm GMT kick-off at Old Trafford Pogba shows less can be more after tyranny of expectations Get in touch! Email Scott with your thoughts 4.52pm GMT Arsenal will move into seventh if they win tonight. United will remain in second, whatever happens: Manchester City have just seen out a 1-0 victory against Sheffield United, Gabriel Jesus making the difference in the ninth minute, and extend their lead over United at the top to four points. 4.37pm GMT Arsenal make one change to the team that won at Southampton during the week. Gabriel Martinelli comes in for Bukayo Saka, left out altogether as a precautionary measure with a sore hip. Kieran Tierney and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both still out, but new loan signing Martin Odegaard might get on a bit later: he’s on the bench. Manchester United replace nearly half of their starting XI after losing so dismally at home to Sheffield United. Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic and Mason G

Marseille fans storm training ground in protest against club directors

Hundreds of fans break into centre Robert Louis-Dreyfus Pictures show large number of flares in training ground Marseille fans stormed into the team’s training ground hours before a Ligue 1 game against Rennes as they protested against the club’s officials, the French multimedia outlet RMC Sport reported on Saturday. RMC Sport reported 150-200 supporters tried to break into the Centre Robert Louis-Dreyfus. Footage on RMC Sport’s Twitter feed showed some of the fans forcing their way in. Some were seen throwing flares and lighting firecrackers. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/marseille-fans-storm-training-ground-in-protest-against-club-directors

GameStop and AMC: UK trading platform IG stops new trades

The move by one of the UK's biggest trading companies comes amid a price war between amateurs and pros.

Callum Wilson's double ends dire Newcastle run with victory at Everton

A display and a result to build on for Newcastle, a perfectly timed release for Steve Bruce. The criticism has been building and showing on the Newcastle manager but a complete away performance, capped by two goals from the outstanding Callum Wilson, brought a richly deserved win over Everton at Goodison Park. Wilson scored the 50th and 51st goals of his Premier League career to give the visitors their first victory in any competition since 12 December and put Carlo Ancelotti’s hopes of a top-four challenge into stark perspective. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/everton-newcastle-premier-league-match-report

USA star Weston McKennie's house burglarized during Juventus match

McKennie’s home burgled during Juventus match, club confirms Police said crime was planned with knowledge he’d be at match United States midfielder Weston McKennie had his house burgled during Juventus’ Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over SPAL on Wednesday, the club has confirmed to ESPN. Related: USA's Weston McKennie: how the Juve starlet leads on and off the pitch Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/weston-mckennie-house-burglarized-juventus

Leicester v Leeds: match preview

Leicester will have to make do without key players Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi against Leeds. A tough ask to find the latter’s dynamism in midfield from elsewhere in the squad and Vardy showed how brilliant he could be against Leeds, laying on two goals and scoring another when they beat Marcelo Bielsa’s side earlier in the season. Bielsa’s side always create chances but their finishing varies between world-class and the unable-to-hit-a-barn-door variety. Shooting boots will be required to beat Kasper Schmeichel and get their own back. Graham Searles Sunday 2pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/leicester-v-leeds-match-preview-premier-league

Manchester City v Sheffield United and more – live football clockwatch!

Updates from the Premier League and beyond Live scores: all the goals around the UK and Europe Get in touch! Email Simon or tweet @Simon_Burnton 12.29pm GMT It’s that time again! Saturday afternoon sees three Premier League matches, with Sheffield United back in Manchester and hoping to spring another surprise against City, knowing if they win they might not be bottom of the table by team-time, and West Brom hosting Fulham in a ding-dong relegation six-pointer. Meanwhile in the Football League it’s not a classic day in the Championship , but thankfully there’s plenty of intrigue elsewhere. Doncaster are fourth in League One but have at least two games in hand on every other top-six side would top the table if they won them both. Today they visit the league leaders, Lincoln , in a match that could throw them right into the automatic promotion mix. Bottom club Burton Albion , whose recent record of one win in 10 league games is at least better than the record of one win in

Man held on suspicion of racially abusing West Brom player

West Midlands police question man accused of racially abusing Romaine Sawyers on social media Police have arrested a man suspected of racially abusing West Bromwich Albion footballer Romaine Sawyers on social media. West Midlands police said a 49-year-old man from Kingswinford, near Birmingham, was questioned in custody on Friday evening. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/30/man-held-on-suspicion-of-racially-abusing-west-brom-player

Everton v Newcastle United: Premier League – live!

Updates from the 12.30pm GMT kick-off at Goodison Park Bruce says he is not bulletproof after 11 games without win Get in touch! Email Scott with your thoughts 11.33am GMT Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne, Sigurdsson, Doucoure, Iwobi, Richarlison, Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Kenny, Holgate, Andre Gomes, Godfrey, Gordon, Davies, Virginia, Olsen. Newcastle United: Darlow, Hayden, Lascelles, Schar, Lewis, Manquillo, Shelvey, Hendrick, Almiron, Fraser, Wilson. Subs: Dubravka, Clark, Matthew Longstaff, Carroll, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin, Gayle, Krafth, Anderson. 3.09pm GMT Welcome to our coverage of the clash between the 1926-27 champions Newcastle United and the team that took their title away from them the following year. Oh, Dixie Dean, 60 goals in a season. Ah, Hughie Gallacher, 60 pints in a week. But sadly now is not the time for nostalgic reverie. There’s a match on in an hour. Everton have title-race pretentions, and will leapfrog West Ham United into

Chelsea v Burnley: match preview

Chelsea will hope for more excitement in Thomas Tuchel’s second game in charge. The German’s side created little in their 0-0 draw with Wolves on Wednesday and need to be more incisive against Burnley, who were victorious at Anfield in their last away game. Chelsea’s underperforming attack is a problem for their manager to solve. Tuchel is still working his squad out and, with N’Golo Kanté hoping to return from a hamstring injury, he could make several changes from the Wolves stalemate. Jacob Steinberg Sunday noon BT Sport 1 Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/chelsea-v-burnley-match-preview-premier-league

'It needs to change': Chelsea 'disgusted' with racist abuse of Reece James

Club calls for social media companies to do more to stop racism Authorities need ‘stronger, more effective and urgent action’ Chelsea have thrown their weight behind calls for social media companies to do more to stamp out racism on their platforms after defender Reece James became the latest player to be subjected to vile abuse. The England full-back revealed he had been targeted on Friday evening, posting the message “No room for RACISM!!” in response. His club was quick to condemn the attack, which followed similar abuse directed at West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers and Manchester United duo Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial this week. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/chelsea-want-social-media-companies-to-act-after-disgusting-racist-abuse-of-reece-james

West Brom v Fulham: match preview

West Brom need to dig deep against Fulham and Sheffield United on Tuesday. Two wins would be huge in their bid to stay up but Sam Allardyce’s side have not shown any fluency yet and lady luck may have to play her part to beat Scott Parker’s draw-happy side. Not to mention the Blades, who appear to be much better than their league position dictates. A first win for Fulham since November could bring them to within touching distance of Brighton and Newcastle, who have very tricky fixtures in Tottenham and Everton, respectively. Graham Searles Saturday 3pm BBC One Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/29/west-brom-v-fulham-match-preview

West Ham v Liverpool: match preview

Liverpool looked more like the team of old when they beat Tottenham on Thursday. The champions were excellent as they won for the first time in five league games. Yet their problems at centre-back increased when Joël Matip went off with an ankle problem and their injuries in defence could make life difficult against West Ham, who are two points behind Liverpool in fourth place. West Ham, who could name Jesse Lingard in their squad, will feel confident if Michail Antonio is in the mood. Jacob Steinberg Sunday 4.30pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/west-ham-v-liverpool-match-preview-premier-league

Brighton v Tottenham: match preview

Brighton will be relieved Harry Kane is unavailable after injuring both ankles in Tottenham’s defeat against Liverpool. Kane has not only provided 12 goals but has also been a driving creative force for José Mournho. The striker has the most assists in the league with 11. How Mourinho schemes to beat Brighton without his talisman will be interesting to see. A dream scenario for Graham Potter’s side would be snatching an early goal to dent Tottenham’s confidence even further. Heads will be harder to lift without Kane’s presence. Graham Searles Sunday 7.15pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/30/brighton-tottenham-match-preview-premier-league

Come in new No 9: Mourinho faces dilemma without 'irreplaceable' Kane

Does Spurs’ manager trust Vinícius? Can Bale step up at last? Will Son play at centre-forward? There is no perfect solution Everybody remembers how José Mourinho reacted last January to the diagnosis of Harry Kane’s hamstring tear. It was one of the highlights of the Tottenham Amazon documentary and saw the manager reach a hard and fast conclusion in pithy and colourful language. Three months out? Our season will be impacted beyond repair, to paraphrase Mourinho somewhat. The first thing to say about Kane’s latest injury setback , which he suffered in Thursday night’s 3-1 home defeat against Liverpool , is that it is surely not as bad. The centre-forward rolled both of his ankles in incidents during the first half and he played on after treatment each time. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/29/mourinho-dilemma-without-irreplaceable-kane-vinicius-bale-son

Steve Bruce says he is not bulletproof as Newcastle go 11 games without win

Bruce hopes to sign Hamza Choudhury on loan from Leicester Manager says he has received letters of support from fans Steve Bruce has acknowledged he is not “bulletproof” at Newcastle after a run of 11 games without a win, featuring nine defeats in all competitions. “I wouldn’t expect to be bulletproof,” said Bruce who has not received any reassurance regarding his position by the club’s owner, Mike Ashley, or managing director, Lee Charnley, before the trip to Everton on Saturday. “I haven’t had any assurances. We’re in the Premier League and we’re judged by results. They haven’t been good enough.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/29/steve-bruce-says-he-is-not-bulletproof-as-newcastle-go-11-games-without-win

Southampton v Aston Villa: match preview

Southampton and Aston Villa will be looking to improve after both sides turned leading positions into defeats in midweek. Villa’s loss was all the more painful after going ahead twice before losing 3-2 at Burnley. Morgan Sanson is available to make his debut for Dean Smith’s side. Ralph Hasenhüttl bemoaned Southampton’s uncharacteristically weak defending against Arsenal and the manager will continue to miss his giant centre back Jannik Vestergaard. Kyle Walker-Peters’ return is still doubtful. Graham Searles Saturday 8pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/29/southampton-v-aston-villa-match-preview-premier-league

Tim Krul: 'The way we play at Norwich is similar to Holland'

Netherlands goalkeeper on his summer Euros ambitions, losing his famous water bottle at Spurs and being written off It is fast approaching a year since Tim Krul made two shootout saves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leading him to hurtle from his goalline to the other end, where 9,000 delirious Norwich fans revelled in the drama. Such scenes feel a lifetime ago and, while Krul was the hero , his water bottle, scribbled with homework on the Spurs penalty takers, became the unlikely lasting image. “I sent the kit man out straight after the game to get it but it had disappeared so somebody has got that,” he says. “If it’s a Tottenham fan I don’t think they’re going to be happy to keep looking at it …” Related: 'You never give up': three generations of footballing Tindalls Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2021/jan/29/tim-krul-way-we-play-norwich-similar-holland-netherlands-goalkeeper

West Brom contact police over racist abuse of Romaine Sawyers

Midfielder was sent a racist message on social media Two Manchester United players racially abused this week West Brom have contacted the police after Romaine Sawyers was racially abused on social media during Tuesday’s 5-0 defeat by Manchester City . The midfielder was at fault for City’s third goal. The incident follows racist abuse of Manchester United’s Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe on social media after their team lost on Wednesday to Sheffield United. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/29/west-brom-contact-police-over-racist-abuse-of-romaine-sawyers

Santos and Palmeiras meet in Rio for all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores final

Two clubs from São Paulo state are off to the Maracanã to contest the first all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores final in 15 years By Tom Sanderson & Josué Seixas for Yellow & Green Football Some 434 days after Flamengo beat River Plate with two very late goals to win the first one-off final in the history of the Copa Libertadores, two Brazilian clubs will meet in Flamengo’s iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio on Saturday to fight it out for their title. If the semi-final between Santos and Boca Juniors was billed as Pelé vs Diego Maradona, the final between coastal overachievers Santos and Palmeiras – who saw off River Plate in their semi-final – pits O Rei against O Divino. For many old heads in Brazil, Ademir da Guia – the midfield genius known as the Divine One – is second only to Pelé in the pantheon of Brazilian legends. Santos and Palmeiras dominated the Paulistão in the 1960s and 1970s, at a time when the state championship was considered superior to the national competit

GameStop: City watchdog fires warning as trading frenzy spreads

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Liverpool resisted trend for change, so are they back in the groove now? | Jonathan Wilson

Klopp has stuck with a high line and hard press while others have gone conservative and win at Spurs brings far brighter feel Is it done? Have Liverpool, after 40 days without a Premier league win, returned from the wilderness with Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham ? Is that it, doubts over, confidence restored? Certainly the swagger with which Liverpool saw out the game made it hard to understand just how they have failed to score in four league games, how they have somehow let nine points slip in five games against West Brom, Newcastle, Southampton, Manchester United and Burnley. Was it just a blip? Just one of those things? Given Liverpool won the shot count in all five of those matches, was it just a case of the forwards being slightly out of sorts? Or was it something more serious? After all, Liverpool haven’t quite been at their very best for a year. Since the restart in June they’ve taken 54 points from 29 games. Projected over a full season that is 71 points, which recent

The latest transfers and team news: weekend football countdown – live!

Updates as we build up to another busy weekend of football Premier League: 10 things to look out for in latest games Get in touch! Email Tumaini here or tweet @tumcarayol 10.37am GMT Brilliant Nuno @Wolves https://t.co/9xuyrdO0Z2 10.36am GMT Happy birthday to the legendary Romário! #UCL Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jan/29/the-latest-transfers-and-team-news-weekend-football-countdown-live

Tottenham sign South Korea captain Cho So-hyun on WSL deadline day

Spurs have option of making loan permanent at end of season West Ham sign Icelandic midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir Tottenham Women have announced the signing of the South Korea captain Cho So-hyun on loan from West Ham for the rest of the season with an option to make the loan permanent in the summer. Spurs managed to clinch the signing before the WSL January transfer window closed on Thursday. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/29/tottenham-sign-south-korea-captain-cho-so-hyun-on-wsl-deadline-day

Football transfer rumours: Maitland-Niles to West Brom? Gordon to Liverpool?

Today’s fluff is looking on the bright side We begin down at the Emirates, where Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been kicking up a fuss about being placed into cold storage by Mikel Arteta. Word of the utility player’s restlessness has reached Sam Allardyce, who is desperately scrambling around for a bit of quality as he tries to rescue West Brom – and his own shiny never-been-relegated reputation – from slipping into the void. Arsenal are not against letting the 23-year-old leave on loan but they are concerned that half a season under Allardyce could send his football development spiralling and would be happier if “an unnamed current top four team” took him. If true, it’s the kind of elitist kick in the teeth that Allardyce will digest about as well as a vegetarian bhuna. Galatasaray have no such worries about their players being readied for a relegation dogfight at the school of Allardyce and towering Senegal striker Mbaye Diagne has already completed a medical ahead of a loan move

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell to step down in summer after 17 years

Celtic have won 29 trophies on his watch Scottish Rugby’s Dominic McKay to replace him Celtic’s chief executive, Peter Lawwell, is to retire in the summer after 17 years with the Scottish Premiership champions. The 61-year-old will step down at the end of June after overseeing a period of success that has seen the club win 29 trophies, including 13 league titles. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/29/celtic-chief-executive-peter-lawwell-to-step-down-in-summer-after-17-years

Boohoo in talks to buy Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton brands

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Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

West Ham and Liverpool battle for fourth, Thomas Tuchel makes Kanté central to his Chelsea plans and how does Willian José compare to Raúl Jiménez? Arsenal hope Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can face Manchester United, although the priority is his mother’s recovery from the illness that led him to miss the two games against Southampton. His teammates dedicated their victory on Tuesday night to him and, inadvertently, his absencetold something interesting. There have been plenty of questions about Arsenal’s capacity to find goals and take points while missing their captain, whose form has picked up in recent weeks after a bleak run, but at St Mary’s they exuded menace and managed three goals through different scorers. The ascent of Emile Smith Rowe, recovery of Thomas Partey and continued excellence of Bukayo Saka mean they look a far smoother, more cohesive attacking unit than at any time in the past year and it may lessen the burden upon the prolific - but put upon - Aubameyang. His pres

Tanguy Ndombele holds key to Spurs' future but is held back by Mourinho | Jonathan Liew

Midfielder has superb technical gifts and the team should be built around him but manager’s negative mindset is a problem Earlier this week a video clip emerged from a recent Tottenham training session. In it, Tanguy Ndombele has the ball in a practice game. He feints to the left, then the right. Then he flicks the ball out of reach with a deft toe, leaving his hapless opponent – a certain Harry Kane – lunging awkwardly at thin air. Look. Maybe it was pure coincidence that just a couple of days after having his ankles humiliatingly twisted by one of his own teammates, Kane limped off at half-time against Liverpool with an ankle injury. Who can say? In any case, the reason for bringing this up here is to underline the silken, indiscriminate talent of Ndombele, a player who – even in defeat – seems to hold the key to Tottenham’s future. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/28/tanguy-ndombele-holds-key-to-spurs-future-but-is-

GameStop: Meet the amateur traders fighting Wall Street

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The pilots forced to change career completely

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GameStop: What is it and why is it trending?

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Arsenal working to find venue for Europa League tie against Benfica

Elite sport not exempt from new Covid travel restrictions Portugal on list of countries that would lead to quarantine Arsenal are exploring alternative venues for their Europa League last-32 tie with Benfica, which looks unlikely to be played in England or Portugal given strict Covid-19 quarantine regulations. The UK government has placed Portugal on a “red list” for international travel this month, meaning anyone arriving in the UK from that country is required to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days . That is obviously impractical for Arsenal when they return from the first leg, scheduled to take place in Lisbon on 18 February, and similarly for Benfica’s hopes of playing at the Emirates a week later. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/28/arsenal-venue-europa-league-tie-benfica-covid-travel-restrictions

The Fiver | It’s almost as though we’re only halfway through a strange season

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! The Fiver would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Manchester City on winning the Premier League (2021 Late-January) title, deposing Premier League (2021 Mid-January) champions Manchester United after an intense 26-hour period of action. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side had been anointed as the best team in the country, pretty much, if the mood music was anything to go by, following some deflected goals against Wolves and Burnley. But in the wake of Wednesday night’s shock home defeat to Sheffield United , the mantle has been well and truly wrested from their grasp by their rivals across town after a seven-match winning streak consisting of victories over the likes of Newcastle, West Brom and Frank Lampard’s version of Chelsea. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/28/the-fiver-cool-those-premier-league-predictions-kids

Blades stunner 2021. Plus Tuchel at Chelsea – Football Weekly Extra

Max Rushden is joined by Natasha Henry , Paul MacInnes and Lars Sivertsen to review the midweek Premier League action, including Thomas Tuchel’s first Chelsea game and Burnley’s xG-defying win Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts , Soundcloud , Audioboom , Mixcloud , Acast and Stitcher , and join the conversation on Facebook , Twitter and email . Sheffield United notched up the surprise result of the season so far with their defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford – the pod consider whether the Blades’ recent upward keel will be enough to see them to safety. And what does it mean for United? Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2021/jan/28/blades-stunner-2021-plus-tuchel-at-chelsea-football-weekly-extra-podcast

Stepping up: Austrian groundsman finds ingenious way to clear snowy pitch – video

A groundsman in Austria found a clever way to clear the snow ahead of WSG Swarovski Tirol’s game against Altach in the Austrian Bundesliga: dragging a ladder across the surface of the pitch. High-flying WSG went on to win the game 3-1, with one of the goals coming from Kelvin Yeboah, nephew of former Leeds forward Tony Yeboah. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2021/jan/28/stepping-up-austrian-groundsman-finds-ingenious-way-to-clear-snowy-pitch-video

Employment rights review scrapped by business secretary

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US economic decline not as bad as feared

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'You never give up': three generations of footballing Tindalls

The Bournemouth manager, Jason Tindall, discusses Senrab and family values with his father, Jimmy – and his son Levi joins in too “My dad was never one to scream and shout at me,” says Jason Tindall, the Bournemouth manager as his father, Jimmy, and I listen to him on our split Zoom screens. “Yes, he would always tell me if I didn’t play well. Just like I do with my son . But I don’t remember ever going into a game where I was worried what my dad might say. I think that happens to a lot of kids now and it harms their development. It was different with my dad. He just let me play football.” Jason and Jimmy are at home on a Sunday afternoon in Bournemouth as they discuss a remarkable family footballing story that spans three generations. Sixty years have just passed since Jimmy, now 75, formed Senrab FC in the East End of London. Senrab have produced more elite-level footballers and coaches than any other grassroots club in the country with their list of former players including Ray

Manchester United 'disgusted' by racial abuse of Tuanzebe and Martial

Players targeted on social media after Sheffield United defeat Club condemns ‘mindless idiots’ and teammates post support Manchester United have condemned the “mindless idiots” who racially abused Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial on social media and have called for stronger measures “to prevent this kind of behaviour”. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s team fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat by the Premier League’s bottom side, Sheffield United, on Wednesday. That sparked a torrent of online abuse aimed at United’s players, including racist abuse towards defender Tuanzebe, who inadvertently turned home Oliver Burke’s winner, and the forward Martial. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/28/manchester-united-disgusted-by-racial-abuse-of-tuanzebe-and-martial

Paperchase rescue safeguards 1,000 jobs

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Real Madrid Women make steps towards creating another rivalry with Barcelona

The start was troublesome – including a 9-1 defeat against Barça – but Real approach this weekend’s game a much improved side Welcome to the Real world . The first competitive game Real Madrid’s women’s team played ended with a 9-1 defeat against Barcelona in the clásico . If, that is, you could call it that, which many insisted you couldn’t and shouldn’t. If you could call them Real Madrid back then, and you couldn’t really do that yet either. Not officially, anyway. But that didn’t stop it hurting, striker Kosovare Asllani describing it as a “humiliation”, perhaps the most painful in her long, successful career. It was September 2019, the opening game of a new first division season with a new team. The agreement had been signed, Spain’s biggest club finally arriving in the women’s game two decades after their opponents, but while they wore white kits, trained at Valdebebas and signed star players, they were still officially called Club Deportivo Tacón, their absorption by Real Madr

Why I left England and moved to Spain to become a football coach

After being turned down by the FA, I decided to learn Spanish and set off on an adventure. I can’t recommend it enough By Alex Clapham for Caño Football Suspenseful whispers of “what sort of brain has that lad got?” from fellow candidates are followed by an eruption of congratulatory cheers and the 19-year-old is welcomed into the dressing room through a pasillo – a guard of honour. He has completed his final practical assessment and has been given feedback from the course tutors. Like the rest of us, he is now a Uefa A licenced football coach. Once he completes his 160 hours of assessed coaching hours, that is. The young coach has just completed the last of his 12 practical assessment days, including a 40-minute on-pitch exam. As the sweltering Mediterranean sun beat down on the parched turf, endless instructions were thrown at him. “OK, now what if this player hasn’t turned up or got injured in the warm-up?” bellowed one tutor, signalling for one of the players to leave the sess

Car insurance cover extended during lockdown

The extension covers drivers who are having to use their car to get to work owing to Covid restrictions.

'No room for doubt' Tuchel tells Chelsea players after drawing first game in charge – video

Thomas Tuchel praised his team despite a goalless draw at home against Wolves in his first game in charge of Chelsea. Although disappointed with the point, Tuchel saw enough to be confident results will come. ‘It was well deserved for us with all the effort that the team and the guys put in, but I have to say I just walked in the dressing room and told everybody there’s no room for disappointment now, there’s no room for doubts.’ Chelsea are currently eighth in the Premier League, five points off the top four and eleven points away from first-placed Manchester City. Thomas Tuchel offers fresh Chelsea direction and hope for Havertz Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2021/jan/28/no-room-for-doubt-tuchel-tells-chelsea-players-after-drawing-first-game-in-charge-video

'There was no magic': Solskjær criticises Manchester United after shock defeat

Manager laments conceding ‘two bad goals’ in home loss Sheffield United secure only their second win of season Manchester United suffered a shock defeat against Sheffield United , the bottom-placed team claiming only a second win of the season and first at Old Trafford since 1973, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær criticising his side’s conceding of “two bad goals”. While victory still leaves Sheffield United 10 points from safety, this was United’s first defeat in 13 league matches though they remain in second place. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/27/there-was-no-magjc-solskjr-criticises-manchester-united-after-shock-defeat

Football transfer rumours: Brighton's Yves Bissouma to Arsenal?

Today’s tittle-tattle is going west With Monday’s deadline fast approaching and most Premier League clubs keeping their cash firmly in their pocket, it’s all a little quiet for our liking. That’s why the Mill is heading west in search of transfer gold. If you’re looking for top-flight clubs who might actually sign someone, West Brom and West Ham are the places to be. With West Ham unexpectedly pushing for Europe, David Moyes is mulling over his attacking options. Talks are ongoing for Jesse Lingard , with Saïd Benrahma’s loan having been made permanent , freeing up a loan space. Moyes also fancies a new striker: RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-chan , Cádiz’s Anthony Lozano and Reims’ Boulaye Dia are all on his shortlist. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/28/football-transfer-rumours-chelsea-billy-gilmour-rangers-west-ham-arsenal

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West Ham pushing for Lingard loan after sealing permanent Benrahma deal

Manchester United and West Ham must agree loan fee Benrahma had been due to complete deal in summer West Ham remain in talks with Manchester United over a deal for Jesse Lingard after freeing up a loan spot for the midfielder by bringing forward the permanent transfer of Saïd Benrahma . Lingard has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and West Ham are keen to sign the 28-year-old until the end of the season. The transfer is likely to hinge on whether they can agree a loan fee, with the clubs still apart in their valuation. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/28/west-ham-pushing-for-lingard-loan-after-sealing-permanent-benrahma-deal-manchester-united

Coronavirus: EU and AstraZeneca seek to resolve vaccine supply crisis

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'Bad words' lead to GameStop shares plunging

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British energy firm threatens to seize India government assets

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UK car production tumbles to 'worst in a generation'

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Manchester United v Sheffield United: Premier League – live!

Premier League updates from the 8.15pm GMT kick-off Live scores: all the goals from the UK and Europe Get in touch! Email Michael or tweet @michaelbutler18 7.43pm GMT Despite being battered for much of the match , Burnley have scored twice in three minutes and are now 3-2 up against the Villa! After the daylight robbery at Anfield, Sean Dyche looks like he’s going to mastermind another narrow win. 7.32pm GMT There are three games currently going on elsewhere. Chelsea are looking thoroughly uninspired at home to Wolves – 0-0 there, which you can follow here – while Aston Villa have just retaken a second-half lead at Burnley, with Jack Grealish making it 2-1 at Turf Moor. Meanwhile, Brighton v Fulham has just kicked off. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jan/27/manchester-united-v-sheffield-united-premier-league-live

Chelsea v Wolves: Premier League – live!

Tuchel makes Stamford Bridge bow in 6pm GMT kick-off Live scores: all the goals from the UK and Europe Get in touch! Email Will or tweet @Will_Unwin 2.30pm GMT The last time these two faced each other just over a month ago, Wolves secured a 2-1 victory. Since then Frank Lampard has been sacked by Chelsea and replaced with Thomas Tuchel, while Wolves have failed to win another Premier League. This will be Tuchel’s debut as Chelsea boss, having had a single training session with his new charges following his appointment yesterday. It is hoped the German will get the best out of compatriots Kai Havertz and Timo Werner who are yet to hit the high notes since arrived for big fees in the summer. Chelsea sit 10th in the Premier League, so there is plenty of work to do for the German who had a relatively easy domestic ride at previous employers PSG where he breezed to two league titles in as many seasons in charge. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.thegu

The Fiver | Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku and some serious verbals

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! Football is about marginal gains, those little extras that can make a difference in the heat of the battle and, for some, verbals are seen as being more effective than a balanced diet. But there is a line. Take Tuesday night’s Coppa Italia derby between Inter and Milan , when Zlatan Ibrahmovic faced up to his former Manchester United teammate Romelu Lukaku, repeatedly shouting at the Belgian as tensions grew to “go do your voodoo sh1t, you little donkey” – a niche but surely needless reference to Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri claiming the former Toffee turned down a new contract due to a message from the spirits , which in turn prompted Lukaku to threaten legal action . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/27/the-fiver-zlatan-ibrahimovic-romelu-lukaku-and-some-serious-verbals

What will Martin Ødegaard bring to Arsenal? – video

Martin Ødegaard has agreed to join Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid for the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabéu, where he has regularly been sent on loan since signing for Madrid in 2015. The Norwegian spent last year at Real Socieded and was expected to return for another spell during this window. However, Mikel Arteta has seemingly convinced him to ply his trade in the Premier League. In this video the Guardian's Sid Lowe talks through what Arsenal fans can look forward to  'A varied talent': can Martin Ødegaard make up for lost time at Arsenal? Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2021/jan/27/what-will-martin-degaard-bring-to-arsenal-video

Jürgen Klopp claims Lampard has left 'a present' for Tuchel at Chelsea

Lampard backed to prosper without Abramovich’s impatience Liverpool could recall Henderson and Matip for Spurs game Jürgen Klopp believes Frank Lampard will prosper without the impatience of Roman Abramovich or the baggage of Stamford Bridge and that he has left Thomas Tuchel “a present” with the squad he assembled at Chelsea. The Liverpool manager claims there is a damaging lack of trust and faith beyond football and that criticism of his forward line and Lampard’s sacking by Chelsea are typical of short-sightedness within the game. He insists Lampard was treated harshly by the Chelsea hierarchy and will prove his managerial worth away from the unique pressures there. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/27/jurgen-klopp-lampard-has-liverpool-tottenham-chelsea

City slickers, happy Hammers and Barcelona bother – Football Weekly

Max Rushden is joined by Barney Ronay , Nick Ames , Mark Langdon and Sid Lowe to discuss the latest Premier League and FA Cup action, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea arrival and whether Barça are really bankrupt Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts , Soundcloud , Audioboom , Mixcloud , Acast and Stitcher , and join the conversation on Facebook , Twitter and email . On the podcast today: Manchester City top the Premier League – at the time of broadcast – after a 5-0 win over West Brom . We assess whether there is any hope for Sam Allardyce’s side and if Pep Guardiola has one hand on the trophy already. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2021/jan/27/city-slickers-happy-hammers-and-barcelona-football-weekly-podcast

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'A varied talent': can Martin Ødegaard make up for lost time at Arsenal?

Midfielder arrives having had little chance at Real Madrid since they ended his hugely successful loan at Real Sociedad early The last time anyone saw Martin Ødegaard in a Real Madrid shirt he was running up the pitch at the Rosaleda, alone. Madrid had just lost the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup to Athletic Bilbao, but even as the minutes had slipped away and the final did too, as they chased a lifeline, desperately in need of creativity, Zinedine Zidane didn’t call for the Norwegian. Ødegaard didn’t even warm up, not setting foot on the grass until full-time when he went out and trained on his own. It had become a recurring theme. In December and January, he played 77 minutes at Shakhtar, five minutes against Celta, and that was it. When, four days later, the squad was named for the visit to Second Division B Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey, a tie which Madrid were to lose , Ødegaard wasn’t in it. This time it was his choice. He had told Madrid he wanted to leave, to go somewher

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Hinkley Point C nuclear plant to open later at greater cost

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Contactless limit could rise to £100

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Covid: Who are the workers 'excluded' from support?

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Football transfer rumours: Tuchel to target Upamecano and Haaland?

Today’s fluff is enjoying some classic anxiety dreams Let’s start up in north London, where speculation about Dele Alli ’s will-he-won’t-he loan move to PSG continues to hover over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium like a particularly stubborn patch of fog. The latest reports suggest it may hinge on Spurs’ ability to bring in a replacement for the Unsettled One and José Mourinho likes the cut of Florian Neuhaus ’s jib. The 23-year-old Borussia Mönchengladbach playmaker has inspired his side to victories over Dortmund and Bayern in recent weeks, and made the step up to the Germany team in the past year. The problem is likely to be his price of around £36m, though, and the fact that the aforementioned pair would like to avoid any future defeats against Gladbach by buying the player who helped inflict them. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/27/football-transfer-rumours-tuchel-to-target-upamecano-and-haaland

The football team who were promoted after no one wanted to play them | The Knowledge

Plus: late-finishing matches in the UK, first-game attendances that have never been broken and more Mail us your questions or tweet @TheKnowledge_GU “A few years ago I read about an ill-disciplined team that everybody else in the league refused to play, thus giving them a run of walkover victories. As a result they were promoted and no longer a problem for that division. Any idea who this was?” asks Chris Davis. The anti-heroes of this stranger-than-fiction story are Canelas 2010, who escaped the Portuguese fourth tier with the help of umpteen forfeits during the 2016-17 season. Canelas won six of their first seven games in their regional league, Porto Divisão de Elite Série 1. Then, after a series of secret meetings, 12 of the other 13 teams said they would no longer play them. “They were reported for intimidating opponents, ” writes Nicholas Reid. “Some players in the team were apparently members of an FC Porto ultras group.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian

Thomas Tuchel's in-tray: what the new Chelsea manager must tackle | Jacob Steinberg

The new man at Stamford Bridge must get expensive signings firing, repair squad harmony and show faith in promising youth Figures close to Chelsea believe that Roman Abramovich was the main driver behind the £62m signing of Kai Havertz last summer . The German arrived from Bayer Leverkusen despite whispers that Frank Lampard, who was fired on Monday , had misgivings over the deal. It was a reminder of where the power lies at Chelsea: Lampard might be a fan favourite, but it is Abramovich’s club and history shows that the owner’s patience tends to wear out when big-money signings struggle. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/27/thomas-tuchels-in-tray-what-the-new-chelsea-manager-must-tackle

China opens door to Ant Group's stock market debut

Regulators suspended the tech giant's planned listing before ordering a shake-up at the company.

Goldman Sachs boss gets $10m pay cut for 1MDB scandal

David Solomon is being punished for the bank's involvement in the fraudulent Malaysian investment fund.

Covid crisis: 'I've been excluded from any help'

Millions of people have been shut out of government schemes designed to help, a new study suggests.

Ibrahimovic sent off before Eriksen free-kick for Inter sends Milan out of cup

Swedish forward clashes with Romelu Lukaku in Coppa Italia Former Man Utd teammates booked after half-time argument The best and worst of Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on show on Tuesday as he scored and later was sent off in Milan’s 2-1 defeat at Internazionale in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. Related: Ilicic puts Atalanta in title race and leaves 'winter champions' Milan cold | Nicky Bandini Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/26/internazionale-milan-coppa-italia-quarter-final-match-report

Victims lose average of £45,000 in investment scams

Lockdown led to a surge in reports of fraudsters imitating genuine investment firms, regulator says.

Joe Biden: The team he hopes can fix the US economy

The new US president has called on a team of Ivy League-trained economists and lawyers to "heal" the economy.

CEO Secrets: 'We tried paying everyone the same salary. It failed'

As part of the CEO Secrets series, Calvin Benton discusses his firm Spill's "open" salary policy.

Premier League changes offside guidance after outcry at Silva's goal

Rodri’s role in buildup to Manchester City goal prompted debate Officials now told to call for offside in similar situations Premier League referees have been given another round of guidance on how to interpret one of football’s most controversial laws, following an outcry over a player winning the ball while apparently offside. Changes are to be made following the buildup to Bernardo Silva’s opening goal for Manchester City against Aston Villa last week. The alterations again bring into focus the disparity between the laws of the game, the spirit in which people want the game to be played, and how VAR interprets them both. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/26/premier-league-change-offside-guidance-after-outcry-at-silvas-goal

The Fiver | Jumpy and paranoid to the point of not taking questions from papers

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! Say what you like about Shed Reorganising, Car Boot Vacuuming and Old Episodes Of Quincy Watching’s Frank Lampard, but the recent run of five defeats in seven Premier League games that did for him wasn’t the worst in Chelsea’s history. Not by a long chalk. How about this string of results in 1980-81, from the start of December until the end of the season in May, and in the old Second Division to boot: 0-0, 0-2, 0-1, 0-2, 0-0, 0-0, 0-1, 3-0, 3-0, 0-4, 0-1, 0-1, 2-0, 0-1, 0-0, 0-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0-2, 0-3, 0-2. They found the net in only three of their last 22 matches! If that sort of thing happened today, the steel toecap of Mr Roman’s Big Boot o’ Bye Bye would be worn down to a grade of foil not recommended for roasting. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/26/the-fiver-newcastle-steve-bruce