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☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

The unassuming and soft-spoken German never displayed the same flashy traits as his fellow superstars, instead quietly going about his business - overlooked by many but always an integral cog in the City winning machine. Haaland may have scored 52 times this season but Gundogan has always been a constant threat. In a tense title race where City had played catch-up for months, Gundogan scored twice against Leeds United as City maintained their advantage at the top of the Premier League in the home stretch last month. He then repeated his heroics with a brace against Everton as they kept Arsenal at bay to win a fourth league title in five seasons. Gundogan then stunned arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup with another double, scoring his first by volleying home 12 seconds into the game.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, Ilkay, Gundogan, Yaya Toure, Guardiola, Erling Haaland, pip Liverpool, volleying, what's, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Manchester City, Germany, Guardiola, City, Leeds United, Premier League, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United, League, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Istanbul, City, Bengaluru

☆ Man City edge closer to treble after FA Cup final win over Man Utd
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Manchester City moved to within one victory of completing a momentous treble as they deservedly beat arch-rivals Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's record-breaking double on Saturday. City captain Gundogan scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history with a stunning volley after 12 seconds and struck what proved to be the winner seven minutes after halftime. It is the 13th time the English league and FA Cup double has been achieved. The FA Cup is so nice." It eclipsed the previous fastest FA Cup final goal scored by Louis Saha after 25 seconds for Everton against Chelsea in 2009 and City threatened to run riot against a stunned United.

Persons: Ilkay, Gundogan, Nat Lofthouse, Bruno Fernandes, Pep Guardiola's, Alex Ferguson, Guardiola, Stefan Ortega's, Erling Haaland, David de Gea, Louis Saha, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne, Aaron Wan, Paul Tierney, Tierney, Fernandes, Ortega, Raphael Varane volleyed, De Bruyne's, De, Alejandro Garnacho, Erik Ten, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Manchester City, Manchester United, FA, City, Bolton Wanderers, United . United, Inter Milan, Premier League, League, Champions League, Wembley, Everton, Chelsea, United, Grealish, Inter, Thomson Locations: Manchester, City, Istanbul

☆ Everton Saved Its Premier League Status. But for How Long?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

LIVERPOOL, England — The announcement rang out around Goodison Park before kickoff, and then again ahead of the second half. In a clear, commanding voice, it informed Everton’s fans that they were not, under any circumstances, to invade the field or throw objects at the players on it. With Everton’s long-held place in England’s Premier League hanging by a fraying thread, it was reasonable to assume that Sunday afternoon would end in one of two outcomes: ecstasy or outrage. Leeds lost, Leicester won; both were relegated anyway. Everton, for the second time in two seasons, clung to its place in the elite by the quicks of its fingernails.

☆ Everton survive as Leicester and Leeds are relegated on dramatic final day
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Merseyside club's 69-year stay in the top flight was in peril at halftime as they were drawing 0-0 and 2016 champions Leicester were ahead against West Ham United. That combination of results meant Everton were in the relegation zone but Abdoulaye Doucoure's stunning 57th minute right-foot strike from outside the area earned Everton the victory they required. The final whistle prompted a pitch invasion with smoke from blue flares drifting across the old stadium that will host top-flight football again after another Everton escape. Everton ended in 17th place on 36 points after 38 games, with Leicester in 18th on 34 and Leeds on 31. EVERTON RELIEFThe celebrations at Everton were more of relief than pride as the famous old club once again found itself battling not for silverware but to avoid relegation.

☆ Leicester City: From Premier League champion to Championship? 2016 title winner is on the brink of relegation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Leicester City’s Premier League triumph in 2015/16 remains one of the greatest achievements in the history of sport. With just one game left of the season, Leicester is in 18th place – the third and final relegation spot – on 31 points, two points adrift of Everton in 17th and safety. Former manager Brendan Rogers, who had been at the club since 2019, was sacked in April as Leicester made a last-ditch attempt to salvage its Premier League status by hiring Dean Smith. Of the teams facing relegation, Leicester certainly looks best placed to make an immediate return to the Premier League with some talented players and a potentially massive transfer budget from the sale of its stars. While Allardyce is known for his expertise in saving teams from relegation, his style of football could not be more different to Bielsa’s.

☆ Bowen inspires West Ham to victory over struggling Leeds
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 21, 2023 West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images... Read moreLONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen set up one goal and scored another to inspire his side to a 3-1 Premier League victory at the London Stadium on Sunday and deepen the relegation crisis at Leeds United. Leeds remain in the relegation zone with 31 points from 37 games, two points behind 17th-placed Everton with the home visit of Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season next Sunday. Leeds took the lead in the 17th minute when Weston McKennie’s long throw was volleyed into the net from 12-yards by Rodrigo, a sublime finish against a static West Ham defence. The home side responded when Declan Rice, in what could be his final home game for West Ham before a summer move, produced a neat finish at the back post from Bowen’s cross. The points were sealed for West Ham during injury-time when some brilliant footwork from Lucas Paqueta on the right wing saw him beat several defenders before laying on a tap-in for substitute Manuel Lanzini.

☆ Liverpool top-four hopes hit despite late equaliser, Everton grab vital point
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Liverpool had won seven games in succession to make a late run for Champions League qualification but defeat by Villa would have guaranteed that Newcastle United and Manchester United finish in the top four. Liverpool's top-four hopes looked over with Manchester United winning at Bournemouth, but Brazilian Firmino, making his Anfield farewell after eight glorious seasons, struck an equaliser in the 89th minute after coming off the bench. Even the point leaves their chances wafer thin, though, as fourth-placed Manchester United and third-placed Newcastle United have 69 points with two games left while Liverpool have 66 with only one game remaining. Casemiro's superb acrobatic volley was enough for Manchester United to win 1-0 on the south coast and one more point from their last two games will guarantee them Champions League football. Newcastle can seal their return to Europe's elite competition after a two-decade absence if they take a point against relegation-threatened Leicester on Monday.

☆ Guardiola backs Haaland to fire when Man City host Real
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed striker Erling Haaland to rediscover his best form when they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final after the Norwegian failed to find the net at the Santiago Bernabeu. But Erling, we cannot forget, is 22 years old and it was the first time he played in the semi-finals of the Champions League," Guardiola told reporters. He was speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League game against Everton. "The Premier League title is so important even though I know the Champions League is so special. It's many, many months and many, many tough games, incredible effort; this is the most important thing," Guardiola added.

☆ Arsenal hopes crushed by Brighton as Man City on the brink of title
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With relentless Manchester City winning at Everton in the earlier kickoff to move four points clear, long-time league leaders Arsenal knew only a victory would suffice. The result also moved Brighton up to sixth place with games in hand on the teams around them. City could even secure it before that if Arsenal lose against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. I don't think City are going to do too many mistakes now," Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said. And there was a lethargy about Arsenal's play as Brighton sucked the life out of them with their measured passing game.

☆ Newcastle drop points in top-four race, Southampton down
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LEEDS, England, May 13 (Reuters) - Newcastle United suffered more jitters in their quest to finish in the Premier League's top four as they drew 2-2 at relegation-threatened Leeds United but Southampton's agony is over after being relegated on Saturday. Leeds defender Rasmus Kristensen's second-half equaliser denied Newcastle the victory that would have all but assured them a place in next season's Champions League. Southampton have 24 points from 36 games, 19th-placed Leicester City have 30 from 35 with Leeds on 31 points from 36 games and Everton on 32 from 35. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was then hacked down by Maximillian Wober and Callum Wilson converted from the penalty spot. Newcastle were awarded a second penalty midway through the second half when Firpo handled and Wilson proved deadly once again.

☆ Erling Haaland is on track to become 'the best striker ever' after record-breaking season
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Would he adapt to life in the Premier League? Only Dixie Dean, who scored 63 in the 1927/28 season, has more goals in English football during a single top-flight campaign. Haaland’s Premier League tally, which includes four hat-tricks, is a league record for a single season, breaking the previous mark held jointly by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. Haaland, Addo observes, has modified his game to devastating effect since arriving in the Premier League, taking his pace, power, and deadly finishing to another level. Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images/Getty ImagesAddo, a former Dortmund player and Ghanaian international, oversees the development of the Bundesliga club’s talented crop of young players.

☆ Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti aggrieved by 'small details' in Manchester City's Champions League goal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was left to rue the “small details” after the ball appeared to leave the field of play in the buildup to Manchester City’s equalizer in the teams’ Champions League semifinal. The ball was subsequently recovered by Madrid defender Eduardo Camavinga, who then lost possession with a stray pass in the lead up to De Bruyne’s goal. Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesDe Bruyne’s goal canceled out Vinícius Jr’s stunning opener for Real Madrid – a right-footed rocket from outside the Man City box. Writing on Twitter, Haaland, a former Man City player, said Madrid fans were “not happy” with him for celebrating De Bruyne’s goal. All happy.”Madrid next faces Getafe in La Liga on Saturday, while Man City plays Everton on Sunday.

☆ Chelsea ease Australian fears over Kerr injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, May 8 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has moved to ease Australian fears over the fitness of Sam Kerr ahead of the Women's World Cup after the Matildas striker was withdrawn after half an hour of the London club's Women's Super League match on Sunday. Kerr is crucial to Australia's hopes of going deep in the tournament, which the country is co-hosting with New Zealand from July 20 to Aug. 20 this year. "Sam was sick last night," Hayes said after the 7-0 win over Everton that moved Chelsea into second place in the league. "She decided to play but her calf was cramping up so we decided to take her out." Kerr, who scored Chelsea's second goal with a header before being withdrawn, had spent Saturday at the coronation of Britain's King Charles III in London, carrying the Australian flag in the procession into Westminster Abbey.

Liverpool fans have a history of booing the national anthem, most recently doing so before last season’s FA Cup final at Wembley – many also booed Prince William when he appeared on the pitch. So why exactly do Liverpool fans have a history of booing the monarchy? Booing of the national anthem at football matches when the team played at Wembley – which was frequent given Liverpool’s dominance of English football in this era – became widespread and remains so today. Liverpool fans have a history of booing the national anthem. And, in an article written on Friday, football journalist Dominic King suggested Liverpool fans might just sing the club’s own anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” instead of “God Save The King” on Saturday.

☆ Erling Haaland smashes EPL record with 35th league goal of the season
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Manchester City striker Erling Haaland broke the record for most Premier League goals in a single season on Wednesday as the 22-year-old Norwegian scored his 35th league goal of an incredible debut campaign in England. “35 Premier League goals. The previous Premier League record of 34 was jointly held by Andy Cole (1993/94) and Alan Shearer (1994/94), when league seasons were 42 games long. Martin Rickett/APHaaland, who had already set the record for a 38-game season, still has five league games left to add to his haul. He has now scored 51 goals in just 45 games in all competitions this season – more than any Premier League player ever.

☆ Haaland breaks Premier League record as Man City reclaim top spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

West Ham remain in trouble in 15th place, four points above the relegation zone. West Ham, hampered by the absence of midfielders Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, defended valiantly with the colossal Angelo Ogbonna heading away cross after cross. West Ham still looked capable of adding a twist to the title script until Grealish released Haaland for his milestone moment. Foden then put the icing on his side's ninth successive league win with the 1,000th goal in Guardiola's City reign. As well as five league games left, City are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup final.

☆ Erling Haaland scores his 50th goal of the season and equals an English Premier League record
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Arguably no player has made such an impact in his first season in the English Premier League. No Premier League player has ever scored as many. Only Everton’s Dixie Dean, who scored 63 goals in the 1927/28 season, has scored more goals in English football during a single top-flight campaign, according to the Premier League. The penalty was his 34th goal in the league, equaling Alan Shearer (1994-95) and Andy Cole (1993-94) for the most goals scored in a Premier League season. City still has hopes of completing the ‘treble’ as Pep Guardiola’s side remains in contention to win the league, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

☆ Everton's 69-year top-flight run hanging by a thread
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Thursday's 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle United left Everton 19th on 28 points after mustering one win in 10 games. Their only realistic hope of survival is to claw their way above two of Leicester (29), Nottingham Forest (30) and Leeds (30). Last season a late surge hauled them to safety, with the team inspired by raucous support from the Goodison Park fans. Founder members of the Football League, they have spent only four seasons outside the top flight - 1930-31 and three in the early 1950s. "At a club like Everton the stakes should be high, that's what the players need to remember," Dyche said of the Leicester game.

☆ Man City now in driving seat but Guardiola still cautious
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

April 28 (Reuters) - According to some of the headlines after Manchester City's crushing defeat of title rivals Arsenal this week the sky blue ribbons can already be fastened to the Premier League trophy. But City boss Pep Guardiola is too long in the tooth to assume a fifth league title in six seasons is now a formality. It was their seventh successive league win and left them two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand, having trailed by eight not long ago. The two clubs immediately above Saints, Everton and Leicester City, meet on Monday in a true 'six-pointer'. Liverpool are seeking a fourth successive win and, belatedly, have joined the Premier League party.

☆ Factbox: Soccer-Arsenal and Manchester City's Premier League run-in
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 26 (Reuters) - Following are the Premier League fixtures left for the two sides after Manchester City beat Arsenal 4-1 on Wednesday to seize control of the title race. Manchester City:Sunday, April 30v Fulham at Craven CottageWednesday, May 3v West Ham United at the Etihad StadiumSaturday, May 6v Leeds United at the Etihad StadiumSunday, May 14v Everton at Goodison ParkSunday, May 21v Chelsea at the Etihad StadiumWednesday, May 24v Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex StadiumSunday, May 28v Brentford at the Community StadiumArsenal:Tuesday, May 2v Chelsea at the Emirates StadiumSunday, May 7v Newcastle United at St James' ParkSunday, May 14v Brighton at the Emirates StadiumSaturday, May 20v Nottingham Forest at the City GroundSunday, May 28v Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates StadiumCompiled by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Man City go second in WSL after 6-2 thumping of West Ham
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, April 23 (Reuters) - Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly scored two goals in a minute and Khadija Shaw netted her 17th of the season as they beat West Ham United 6-2 to move above Chelsea and into second spot in the FA Women's Super League on Sunday. City made the most of Chelsea and Arsenal both playing in the Champions League semi-finals this weekend to move up to 41 points, three behind leaders Manchester United and one ahead of the Blues. With 17 of their 22 league games played, Arsenal are fourth on 38 points with a game in hand over the two Manchester clubs, while Chelsea have two games in hand over the top two. Kelly set the tone with two quick goals before WSL top scorer Shaw netted in the second half and defender Steph Houghton scored on her birthday as the Hammers were outclassed in the rain in Manchester. Reporting by Philip O'Connor Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Liverpool add to Forest's misery, Leicester earn vital win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LIVERPOOL, England, April 22 (Reuters) - Liverpool maintained their slender hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest whose relegation fears deepened on Saturday. Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah were on target for Liverpool in a riveting clash at Anfield as Liverpool climbed to seventh. Liverpool sealed the win three minutes after Forest's second when Trent Alexander-Arnold picked out Salah with a low free kick and the Egyptian striker side-footed past Keylor Navas. Forest substitute Brennan Johnson hit the crossbar with a delicate chip as Liverpool clung on to take all three points. Liverpool have 50 points from 31 games, six points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United who face fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

☆ Bullet point previews of Premier League matches
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

* League leaders Arsenal drew their last two league games, while relegation-threatened Southampton lost their last two. * Leeds have conceded 16 goals in four league games in April, conceding at least four goals in three of those matches. Crystal Palace v Everton (1400)* Palace have won just one of their last 16 Premier League games against Everton (D7 L8). * West Ham have won their last two league games against Bournemouth and are looking to complete their first league double over them. Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur (1300)* Alexander Isak has scored five goals in his last six league games for Newcastle.

☆ Title-chasing Arsenal seek home comforts against Southampton
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

With an FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United on Saturday, Manchester City's next league game is Wednesday's potential title-decider at home to Arsenal. Arteta said his players must put all thoughts of the looming trip to the Etihad out of their minds until after the Southampton game. Newcastle have 56 points from 30 games with Spurs three points worse off having played a game more. Leicester, who appointed Dean Smith as interim manager last week, have 25 points from 31 games, with Southampton on 23 points and in danger of being marooned. Third-bottom Nottingham Forest (27 points), who are without a win in 10 league games, visit Liverpool on Saturday.

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