17 h. ago Arne Slot ‘understands’ Liverpool fans booing after draw with Burnley

Liverpool became the first reigning champions in Premier League history to fail to win at home against the three sides promoted from the Championship.

Events

17 h. ago Carrick’s restoration of United’s dogged spirit has Old Trafford crackling again | John Brewin

Frenetic derby was just the place for the interim manager to roll out Ferguson’s old ‘use the energy of the people’ dictumFor Manchester United’s executives, City are the best-in-class runaway train they wish to emulate and aspire to. Coveted talent like Antoine Semenyo and now Marc Guéhi opt for blue when a generation ago, Old Trafford was the destination of dreams.United’s myth and legend becomes increasingly sepia-tinged but there may be life in it yet. The list of Sir Alex Ferguson’s boys able to take the reins in times of emergency is being exhausted but Michael Carrick, on his second turn, found a way to feed off it. He has just 17 games though there is a tantalising prize on offer. A return to the Champions League looks possible. Rather than embracing the void, Carrick’s United reminded that sporting directors, analytic departments and strategic reviews may have their place in the eventual restoration of power, but dogged spirit, wanting it more, can win the day. Continue rea...

Politics

18 h. ago Liverpool transfer news: Reds warned over defensive 'gamble' amid Bayern stance on £86m target

Reigning champions Liverpool were the Premier League's biggest spenders in the summer transfer window and have yet to dip into their pockets in January

Events

18 h. ago Edwards stuns Liverpool with Burnley equaliser as Szoboszlai pays the penalty

Arne Slot had made his wishes clear before kick-off. “We want to do better in making more chances from all the ball possession we have. I am waiting for the moment it really clicks,” he had said. Thirty two shots on goal with 11 on target would suggest Liverpool obliged against Burnley, but Anfield still waits for Slot’s side to click.Liverpool were held to a fourth consecutive Premier League draw as Marcus Edwards stunned the champions by cancelling out Florian Wirtz’s first half opener. Scott Parker’s visitors were far more enterprising after the interval but Edwards’ fine equaliser came from their only shot on target while Liverpool were left to rue a procession of missed opportunities and careless final balls. Boos greeted the final whistle as Liverpool dropped points yet again. Continue reading...

Events

25 h. ago Manchester City tickets and hotel packages from £129pp for Premier and Champions League matches plus upgrades

MANCHESTER City fans are being offered a golden ticket to see their heroes in action, with official match packages now on sale. With Pep Guardiola's side once again fighting for top honours, seats at the Etihad are like gold dust.  But City supporters can now bag a guaranteed official ticket — plus a hotel stay...

Sport

37 h. ago How Keith Andrews took Brentford from being written off to Champions League contenders

Chelsea welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the race for Champions League football, and it's the Bees who are flying high under manager Keith Andrews

Sport

40 h. ago Brentford get huge boost ahead of Chelsea derby clash as long

The Africa Cup of Nations has impacted Keith Andrews’ selection since December

Politics

47 h. ago Liverpool consider drafting Mo Salah straight back into squad for Marseille trip

Forward due to fly back from Afcon on SundayLiverpool play Champions League game on WednesdayLiverpool are in talks with Mohamed Salah over the forward making an immediate return to Arne Slot’s squad for their Champions League trip to Marseille next week.Salah is due back at Liverpool after Egypt’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations ends on Saturday. Egypt face Nigeria in a third-place play-off in Casablanca after suffering another loss to a Sadio Mané-inspired Senegal in the semi-finals. The 33-year-old Salah travelled to Morocco with uncertainty surrounding his future having accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” after a poor run of results and claiming he no longer had a relationship with Slot. Liverpool are unbeaten in the 11 matches since Slot first dropped Salah at West Ham. Continue reading...

Politics

52 h. ago Why relegated Salford’s first Championship match should be a happy occasion

RYAN Brierley knows it may sound weird, but Salford’s match after relegation should be a celebration. One of having a club after the Red Devils were wound up, of the city coming together, of fans showing ne’er-do-well owners can be overcome. To say the off-season has been traumatic is an understatement, December 3 saw the...

Politics

2 d. ago ‘For the sake of the club’ – Gary Neville insists Michael Carrick can NOT stay at Man Utd beyond this season

GARY NEVILLE claims Manchester United “cannot consider” Michael Carrick beyond the end of the season. Carrick has been appointed head coach until the Red Devils find a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim in the summer. The 44-year-old is tasked with trying to lead the club to Champions League qualification and is now gearing up for...

Politics

2 d. ago Michael Carrick could finally solve Man United's midfield crisis after Ryan Giggs' assessment

Michael Carrick is set to take charge of Manchester United in Saturday's Manchester derby with a place in next season's Champions League still at stake

Events

2 d. ago Wrexham get new Championship promotion verdict with clear Premier League blueprint

Wrexham have been tipped to continue their remarkable rise up the football pyramid under Hollywood ownership

Politics

3 d. ago US sports say parity is essential for success. The Premier League proves that’s untrue | Leander Schaerlaeckens

There are no salary caps and no luxury taxes, yet the world’s most-watched soccer league is only getting more balancedDavid Stern used to tell a joke. In his early years as NBA commissioner, he liked to say, his job was essentially to travel back and forth between Boston and Los Angeles to hand out the championship trophy. In the first five NBA Finals after he took the helm in early 1984, the Celtics and Lakers won all five titles, each missing the decisive series just once.Current commissioner Adam Silver recalled the anecdote last June, ahead of the 2025 NBA Finals, by which time the league was guaranteed a seventh different champion in seven years. “We set out to create a system that allowed for more competition around the league,” Silver said then in his annual news conference. “The goal being to have 30 teams all in the position, if well managed, to compete for championships. And that’s what we’re seeing here.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago 'I've been promoted five times from the Championship – this is what Wrexham must do'

A former striker with strong Championship promotion pedigree has advised Wrexham how to reach the Premier League

Politics

3 d. ago Michael Carrick needs 11 wins to achieve Manchester United target

Man Utd are pushing for a return to the Champions League and the equation is simple for Michael Carrick as he surveys how to get there.

Events

4 d. ago Pro License admission barriers allow women’s coaching opportunities to go ‘down the drain’

Uefa’s limitations have set hurdles for women keen to take the next step in coaching despite the increasing demandMariana Cabral has a coaching CV to be proud of. Born on the small Azores island of São Miguel, she has been in charge of the women’s teams at clubs including Benfica and Sporting, but the 38-year-old is frustrated. “We want more women coaches,” she says. “Who won the Euros? Who won the Champions League? Women – but we are losing so many.”Cabral has her A Licence but is stuck in limbo. Unable to get on a Pro Licence course that would clear a path to more senior head coach roles in an era when women’s teams are increasingly demanding that qualification, she stepped back to become a No 2 in the US. But after one NWSL season with Utah Royals, she left in December in the hope that expanding her experience at another club would help to open a Pro Licence door. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Pro Licence admission barriers allow women’s coaching opportunities to go ‘down the drain’

Uefa’s limitations have set hurdles for women keen to take the next step in coaching despite the increasing demandMariana Cabral has a coaching CV to be proud of. Born on the small Azores island of São Miguel, she has been in charge of the women’s teams at clubs including Benfica and Sporting, but the 38-year-old is frustrated. “We want more women coaches,” she says. “Who won the Euros? Who won the Champions League? Women – but we are losing so many.”Cabral has her A Licence but is stuck in limbo. Unable to get on a Pro Licence course that would clear a path to more senior head coach roles in an era when women’s teams are increasingly demanding that qualification, she stepped back to become a No 2 in the US. But after one NWSL season with Utah Royals, she left in December in the hope that expanding her experience at another club would help to open a Pro Licence door. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Michael Carrick arrives at Carrington for first full day as Man Utd head coach

The 44-year-old was handed the Old Trafford reins for the rest of the season on Tuesday.

Sport

4 d. ago Schalke, Germany’s fallen giants, are finally on the rise again

FC Schalke 04 – perhaps Germany’s third-largest club – have been languishing in the second tier, writes Richard Jolly, but the tide seems to have turned and they’re dreaming big once more

Politics

4 d. ago City defeat a reminder Newcastle have entered a level where it’s eat or be eaten | Andy Brassell

In terms of cold, hard silverware, domestic cups might be as good as it gets after Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg lossThere is nothing quite like the first time. Or the first time in living memory, at least. Of all the strides taken by Newcastle since the Saudi takeover in 2021, the Carabao Cup will always be the stop on the road sprinkled with the most magic. Champions League football is more than nice, the return of adventure to following this club appreciated as much as the swelling of the club coffers, in these days when every fan at every club feels like a de facto bean counter as well as a cheerleader.But after those 56 years without a trophy, how could it be any other way? When Eddie Howe’s team finally broke that desperate drought on 16 March last year, it was a lifetime highlight for all different generations. Continue reading...

Politics