Steve Nicol says Liverpool’s attack needs to pick up even as the Reds continue to dominate the Premier League. Another day, another win and another record for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. After Roberto Firmino’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory against Tottenham, the Premier League leaders took their points haul to an incredible 61 from 21
Blog – The Match
ESPN FC’s Stewart Robson explains how Chelsea allowed Brighton back into the game in the 2nd half. Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s stunning late goal costs Chelsea the win on their visit to Brighton. BRIGHTON, England — What did we all realistically expect from Chelsea at the beginning of the season? This was a team with a new
Frank Lampard explains how an aggressive half-time discussion helped Chelsea beat Arsenal. Mikel Arteta suggests a difference in physicality cost Arsenal in their defeat to Chelsea. LONDON — Arsenal‘s final game of the decade ended like so many of the games that had preceded it: deflation, rows of empty seats and a nagging feeling of
MANCHESTER, England — What a difference a year makes for Manchester United. Ahead of Wednesday’s first anniversary of Jose Mourinho’s sacking and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival, the club sits sixth in the Premier League and Mauricio Pochettino’s name continues to hover over Old Trafford as a potential saviour. At first glance, the picture does not
Craig Burley says Freddie Ljungberg’s management of in-game substitutions for Arsenal has been a mess. LONDON — As half-time approached at the Emirates Stadium, Manchester City fans tucked away in the corner began to sing one of their favourites: “We are not, we’re not really here.” Given their team was already 3-0 down, Arsenal supporters
Arsenal manage a 3-1 comeback win vs. West Ham, snapping their nine-game winless streak. Don Hutchison says there were “millions of things not to like” about Arsenal despite their win vs. West Ham. The FC crew debate whether Arsenal should stick with Freddie Ljungberg after his first victory at the helm. LONDON — The great
MERSEYSIDE, England — In the 15th minute of the Merseyside derby, which Liverpool eventually won 5-2, Reds defender Dejan Lovren played a pass back to Adrian, then dashed out to the right-back position as Richarlison closed the Liverpool goalkeeper down. Adrian assessed his options, looked left and right and chose to return the ball to
Craig Burley believes Lionel Messi is single-handedly covering up deficiencies at Barcelona. MADRID — “You wanted to have a name and you forgot to be a man,” the banner read. Raised by fans in the Wanda Metropolitano’s Fondo Sur in the pouring rain, midway through the second half of a thrilling game that ended in
Craig Burley, Steve Nicol and Ale Moreno break down Liverpool’s standing in the Champions League field. LIVERPOOL, England — For once, the late winner never came and Liverpool had to settle for a point. There will be some disappointment that they could not secure qualification from their Champions League group against Napoli at Anfield, but
Shaka Hislop says Manchester United looked “average” once again in their draw vs. Aston Villa. MANCHESTER, England — At the start of a week that could prove a defining one for his reign at Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needed a win on Sunday. He did not get it. Aston Villa, newly promoted from the
Manuel Pellegrini’s good day saved his job, but it came at the expense of Frank Lampard’s Chelsea. LONDON — Frank Lampard has had better days. The Chelsea manager is quite rightly being extolled as a breath of fresh air at Stamford Bridge and in the Premier League this season, but this was a day when
Roberto Firmino’s late winner at Crystal Palace kept Liverpool’s unbeaten league run intact. After another dramatic win, Ale Moreno says there’s too many signs Liverpool will win the title. LONDON — Liverpool are a fabulous, thrilling, football team in full flow. All controlled aggression, relentless pace, viscerally incisive attacks, loosely organised chaos. But the reason
Ale Moreno says Man City’s comeback win over Chelsea kept the door to the Premier League title slightly open. MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have proven their footballing ability beyond doubt, but if this season is more a gauge of their character, they passed an important test by beating Chelsea 2-1. There was
LIVERPOOL, England — Pep Guardiola concluded his long praise of Liverpool following Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat at Anfield by tagging them as “the best team, right now, in the world.” Meanwhile, City midfielder Bernardo Silva, wrestled with the reality that “you can play better than them and still be 2-0, 3-0 behind” in the aftermath
Anthony Martial, left, and Marcus Rashford, right, both scored in Man United’s comfortable win over FK Partizan. Is it a sign of happier days ahead? MANCHESTER, England — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been asking his Manchester United team to get more “second goals”, and when it came against Partizan Belgrade on the way to a
The FC panel examine whether Chelsea or Ajax will be more pleased with their 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge. LONDON — Chelsea 4 Ajax 4 — a game with goals, red cards, defensive mayhem, penalties and VAR. It was a coach’s nightmare, but a supporter’s dream. One of those nights that reminded us all why
BOURNEMOUTH, England — As the Bournemouth players departed the pitch after the final whistle, with broad smiles and hearty congratulations, it felt pretty churlish to suggest that beating Manchester United is nothing special these days. But how can it be considered a big deal to defeat a team that have lost to Crystal Palace, West
Marcus Rashford’s stunning free kick downs Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Watch the Carabao Cup on ESPN+. LONDON — Jose Mourinho used to call Marcus Rashford “the kid” during his reign as Manchester United manager, but “the kid” celebrates his 22nd birthday on Thursday and he suddenly seems like an elder statesman at Old Trafford. Not
Sergio Aguero’s brace sends Manchester City to the quarterfinals. Watch the Carabao Cup on ESPN+. MANCHESTER, England — In the week Pep Guardiola said not even a £500 million bid could tempt Manchester City to sell Phil Foden, a joke did the rounds on social media that the teenager would probably only play for two
LAFC’s first ever win vs. LA Galaxy comes in an eight-goal classic in the Western Conference semifinals. Billed as the biggest MLS playoff game ever, Taylor Twellman says LAFC-LA Galaxy exceeded expectations. Bob Bradley storms off after being asked about Carlos Vela’s performance in LAFC’s 5-3 win vs. LA Galaxy. LOS ANGELES — It wasn’t