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☆ Man United beat Bournemouth to close on Champions League
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - May 20, 2023 Manchester United's Casemiro and teammates celebrate after the match... Read moreBOURNEMOUTH, England, May 20 (Reuters) - Midfielder Casemiro scored a brilliant acrobatic volley to give Manchester United a 1-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday that took them closer to Champions League football next season. Fifth-placed Liverpool, who are on 66 points after a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, face relegated Southampton on the final day. It is not easy scoring goals," United manager Erik ten Hag told the BBC. As Manchester United's game was ending, Liverpool were a goal down to Aston Villa and a defeat there would have guaranteed United's qualification for the Champions League. But even though Roberto Firmino equalised for Liverpool, Ten Hag said he was not interested in that result.

☆ 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.

☆ British Prime Minister suffers another blow as he watches his club Southampton get relegated from the Premier League
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Rather than providing an escape, soccer only compounded British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s woes as he watched his team Southampton succumb to a 2-0 loss against Fulham, condemning it to relegation from the Premier League. Sitting in the stands at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, Sunak watched two second-half Fulham goals – from Carlos Vinícius and Aleksandar Mitrovic – end his team’s 11-year stay in the Premier League. “It has been a very tough day for all of us,” Southampton manager Rubén Sellés said afterwards, according to the club’s website. “For the technical staff, for the players, but especially for our fans, who have been supporting Southampton their entire life. It’s not a one-day situation, we built it up and we have not been good enough.”Southampton's players on the pitch after the final whistle.

☆ 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.

☆ Salah on verge of becoming top-scoring Egyptian of all time
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 5 (Reuters) - Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah will become the highest scoring Egyptian of all time if he scores against Brentford in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday. Salah has scored 185 times for Liverpool since joining the Merseyside club in 2017 and will catch former captain Steven Gerrard, the fifth-highest scorer in Liverpool history, with another goal. Egypt's 30-year-old skipper Salah is Liverpool's record Premier League scorer with 136 goals. Salah's other club goals came at AS Roma (34), Fiorentina (9), Chelsea (2), Basel (20) plus 12 for his childhood club Al-Mokawloon Al-Arab. Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League standings on 59 points, four behind fourth-placed Manchester United who have a game in hand in the race for Champions league places.

☆ Analysis: Napoli revive memories of Maradona with Serie A title win
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Tommy Lund | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

May 4 (Reuters) - Napoli clinched the Serie A title on Thursday with five games to spare as they ended a 33-year drought stretching back to when Diego Maradona led them to the Scudetto in 1990. At the start of the season it would have been difficult to envisage Napoli becoming champions ahead of heavyweights such as Juventus and the two Milan clubs not to mention AS Roma. But after an exceptional transfer window and with Luciano Spalletti at the helm, Napoli dominated the title race while their main rivals all suffered slumps during the season. CONTENDERS FALTERAs Napoli surged ahead, suffering just one loss by the end of February, the other title contenders withered away as injuries plagued their squads. But Maurizio Sarri's side could only watch as Napoli became the fourth different team to win Serie A in as many years.

☆ Tragedy chanting: ‘Vile’ soccer songs about deaths fueled by ‘need to hurt’ opposing fans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Described as “vile” and “unacceptable” and fueled by “the need to hurt,” ‘tragedy chanting’ is becoming an increasing concern to soccer authorities. Then, in 1989, overcrowding in the stands ahead of the FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans. Nottingham Forest fans hold up a banner in memory of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster. The working group has also been in contact with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to discuss whether convictions can be pursued for fans that engage in tragedy chanting. Heysel Stadium Disaster, May 1985.

☆ Liverpool's Thiago to miss rest of season due to hip operation - reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

May 3 (Reuters) - Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara will miss the remainder of the season to undergo a minor operation for a hip issue, British media reported on Tuesday. The Spaniard has played 28 times for Liverpool in all competitions this season and only recently returned to action after two months out with a hip flexor problem. Alcantara is set to miss Premier League games against Fulham, Brentford, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Southampton as they push for a top-four finish. Liverpool are fifth on 56 points, seven behind fourth-placed Manchester United who have a game in hand. Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Man City have 'the mental strength' in home stretch, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 2 (Reuters) - Manchester City have the mental strength to endure their packed schedule in the final stretch of the season as they target a possible treble of trophies, manager Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday. Everything is here, the mental strength, the best period we can live and we are not tired. I'm pretty sure he'll score more in the Premier League before the end of the season," Guardiola added. It is a surprise for us, but maybe not for him to do what he's done in this difficult league. Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Klopp expects punishment after Spurs celebration, comments on referee
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Klopp was handed a yellow card for celebrating Diogo Jota's 94th-minute winner by running towards the fourth official John Brooks at Anfield, where the German also injured himself in the process. After the game, Klopp accused referee Paul Tierney of having something "against" Liverpool but the referee's body PGMOL reviewed the audio of Tierney and said he acted in a professional manner throughout. But in the moment, I just described my feelings," Klopp told reporters on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's game against Fulham. "I couldn't get close to the fourth official and I didn't want to get close to the fourth official, and then I pulled my muscle. Klopp, who could face a ban, has been punished for comments about referees in the past.

☆ Liverpool defeats Tottenham 4-3 as late goals produce thrilling finale – and a Jürgen Klopp injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Two stoppage-time goals, including a dramatic winner from substitute Diogo Jota, saw Liverpool’s 4-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur come to a frenetic conclusion – so much so that manager Jürgen Klopp injured himself while celebrating. I didn’t say anything bad … The muscle gave up in that moment.”Jota (seated) came on as a substitute and scored Liverpool's winning goal against Tottenham. Romero and Son both hit the post in the second half before the pair combined on 77 minutes and Son’s 10th league goal of the season made it 3-2. Jota scores the winning goal against Tottenham. In a late push to finish in the top four and secure a place in next season’s Championships League, Liverpool is seven points behind Manchester United having played one game more than its rival.

☆ Trophies won't define City legacy, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

City are now just two points behind leaders Arsenal but have played two games less, and could go top later on Sunday with a victory at Fulham. I think that managers and players cannot forget it, we fight for the title, but we cannot forget what we give to others." Guardiola has won 30 major trophies across his spells with City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but said he is not bothered about where he will rank in debates about the best managers in football. "Honestly I don't know, I try to do my job like all the managers, but I'm not concerned about that. My concern is to live in the moment and yeah now is Fulham and the rest doesn't matter," Guardiola said.

☆ 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.

☆ Premier League title race not over, says Man City's Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

City travel to Fulham having won nine of their last 10 league matches, most recently a 4-1 win against leaders Arsenal on Wednesday. A win against the London side would lift City a point clear of Arsenal with a game in hand. The Spaniard said the title race is not over and City will be wary of the threat posed by 10th-placed Fulham. Now we go to Fulham against an incredible team," Guardiola told reporters on Friday. Guardiola said Dutch defender Nathan Ake is improving after picking up a hamstring injury against Bayern Munich but is yet to return to team training.

☆ 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.

☆ Guardiola says destiny finally in Manchester City's hands
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, April 26 (Reuters) - Manchester City wrestled control of the Premier League title race from Arsenal with a 4-1 thumping in their top-of-table clash on Wednesday, to the thrill of manager Pep Guardiola, who said destiny was finally in his team's hands. "The threat, Kevin-Erling, Erling-Kevin is so, so important," Guardiola said. Manchester City are also chasing the treble having booked their berths in both the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-finals. Asked whether he considers City one of the best teams in any league, Guardiola said: "If we play like today we are an incredible, competitive team. The biggest compliment, Guardiola added, is that Manchester City, who are chasing their third consecutive Premier League title, are always in the thick of it at the end of the season.

☆ We suffered tonight, says Arsenal's Arteta, after Man City mauling
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Reigning champions City will go top with a game in hand if they beat Fulham at the weekend having trailed Arsenal for more or less the whole season. "For sure we have to lift the players up first because they suffered tonight. "The first 30 minutes all the basic things you have to do against a top team we didn't do it and we got punished," Arteta told reporters. "The stats at the start of the season said we'd finish sixth or seventh and we are where we are," Arteta said. The fact we are competing toe to toe with this City team is incredible."

☆ Rampant Man City crush Arsenal with De Bruyne double
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pep Guardiola's relentless side ran riot as they made it 12 successive league wins against Arsenal with a masterful Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice and Erling Haaland also on target as City seized control of their destiny. De Bruyne fired City ahead in the seventh minute and City bombarded Arsenal's goal before John Stones deservedly doubled their lead with a header in first half stoppage time. Guardiola's City, who have trailed Arsenal for almost the entire season, will go top if they beat Fulham at the weekend. City sensed Arsenal's fragility and went for the jugular, tearing through the visitors lines at will. Haaland then forced another sharp save from Ramsdale before Arsenal finally threatened with Thomas Partey shooting narrowly wide.

☆ Aston Villa go fifth in Premier League with 1-0 win over Fulham
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BIRMINGHAM, England, April 25 (Reuters) - Defender Tyrone Mings scored a brilliant header from a set piece as Aston Villa beat Fulham 1-0 at Villa Park on Tuesday to lift them to fifth in the Premier League table, a step closer to ensuring European football next season. Villa are on 54 points after 33 games, one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and five behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Fulham, whose European dreams were derailed by a run of four defeats in March and April, are ninth on 45 points. Fulham suffered a blow when midfielder Willian was injured in the warm-up and was unable to play, with Manor Solomon taking his place. Fulham found their feet in the second half but once again their attack failed to fire and, despite enjoying more possession, they did little to threaten Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal.

☆ 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.

☆ Mahrez hat-trick sends Man City into FA Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Manchester City v Sheffield United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 22, 2023 Sheffield United's Wes Foderingham looks dejected after Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffLONDON, April 22 (Reuters) - Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City snapped their losing streak in FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 stroll over second-tier Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday. Championship promotion hopefuls United began brightly and frustrated City for most of the first half but Mahrez fired City ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute. It was the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick since Alex Dawson for Manchester United against Fulham in 1958. City have not conceded a goal and scored 17 in reaching their 12th FA Cup final in which they could face Manchester United in what would be the showpiece's first Manchester clash. "It is an honour to be in the FA Cup final on 3 June.

☆ 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.

☆ Haaland at it again as Manchester City cut gap to Arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, April 15 (Reuters) - Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland reached yet another milestone in his incredible debut season in the Premier League when his two goals helped his side to beat Leicester City 3-1 and move to within three points of leaders Arsenal on Saturday. With Arsenal in action at West Ham United on Sunday, Manchester City seized their chance to apply more pressure by dismantling 19th-placed Leicester before halftime. City now have 70 points from 30 games with Arsenal on 73. Villa have 50 points, with Tottenham on 53 and fourth-placed Manchester United and Newcastle United both on 56. Newcastle and Manchester United, who face Nottingham Forest on Sunday, have played fewer games than Villa and Tottenham.

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