Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool defender withdraws from England squad
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has withdrawn from the England squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro because of a back injury. No player has been called up to replace the 20-year-old, leaving manager Gareth Southgate with a 22-man squad. England said Alexander-Arnold arrived with a back injury and "despite progress" it was unlikely he would be able to play in either fixture. He has now returned to Liverpool. England host the Czechs at Wembley Stadium on Friday to start their qualification campaign before facing Montenegro in Podgorica on Monday. Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Jordan Pickford (Everton) Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City) Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) Forwards: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
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2019-03-21 02:00:00
Paul Pogba: Real Madrid a dream club but I'm happy at Man Utd, says midfielder
Paul Pogba has described Real Madrid as "a dream club for every player" but says he is happy at Manchester United. The midfielder, 26, has praised United's caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and says he has a "great relationship with him". "At the moment I'm happy in Manchester. I play. There's a new coach," he said. But he also told a news conference: "Real Madrid is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I've always said it is a dream club for every player." Pogba is set to feature for France in Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova on Friday and Iceland on Monday. While on international duty, the former Juventus midfielder has given all of his France World Cup winning team-mates world champion rings modelled on those produced for many American sports. 'Happy Ole deserves the job' His club future appeared in doubt during widespread reports of acrimony between him and Jose Mourinho, who was succeeded as manager by Solskjaer in December. Solskjaer's arrival coincided with an uplift in form for Pogba, who scored four times in his first three games under his new boss. The 46-year-old signed a deal until the end of the season but Pogba says he has done enough to get the job full-time. "Of course we want him to stay," said Pogba, who is under contract until 2021. "The results have been great. I have a great relationship with him; he has a great relationship with the players. "When a player is happy, he wants to keep being happy. Solskjaer deserves it. He knows the club, he knows everything about the club. "He is a really happy coach that gave confidence back to the players. This gave us the freedom to play and enjoy football again because maybe we lost that with the results we had before." When Mourinho was sacked, United were sixth in the Premier League, 11 points off fourth, but they are now fifth, three points behind third-placed Tottenham. United have also progressed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, after knocking out French champions Paris St-Germain in the last 16. "We are better now and the results have been brilliant," added Pogba. "I like to talk about the future because that's what matters, I don't like to talk about the past. Maybe we lost confidence, maybe things went wrong. A lot of talking outside that we weren't used to."
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2019-03-21 02:00:00
Liverpool: Where does the Reds' season rank with the best of all time?
"Nobody gets rid of us," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after his side beat Burnley 4-2 on Sunday to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City. There had been claims the Reds were "bottling" the title after slipping off the top, now one point behind champions City, following a run of two wins in five Premier League games - including last Sunday's 0-0 draw with Everton. "We did not have problems with confidence after the Everton game," Klopp said. "You don't have to think that all that you write has an influence on us - it's not like that, most of the things are not interesting to us, that's the truth. So you make a big fuss when we score five and we are the best attacking side in the world, then we scored nil and we have an offensive problem." But, taking City out of it, Liverpool are having their joint-best ever season - and one of the most successful of any team in English top-flight history. How Reds' season ranks with the greats This is one of only eight seasons - going all the way back to 1892-93 - when Liverpool's 73 points is not enough to see them top or joint top of the table (if you adjust past tables to three points for a win). Liverpool are the only team on or above that total to ever not be top at the time. Manchester United in 2011-12 are the only side to have had 73 points or more after 30 games and not won the league - with Manchester City pipping them on goal difference.
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2019-03-11 02:00:00
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered his first Premier League defeat since being appointed Manchester United's interim manager as Arsenal leapfrogged their opponents to move into the top four
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka beat David de Gea with a swerving shot from outside the penalty area, which the United keeper was expected to stop. Romelu Lukaku hit the bar while the game was goalless, when it appeared easier to score, and, soon after Arsenal took the lead, Brazilian midfielder Fred struck a post for United. Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno also produced two crucial saves to keep out Lukaku, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the hosts' lead from the penalty spot after Fred's foul on Alexandre Lacazette. Soon after Arsenal's second goal, a fan ran on to the pitch and shoved United defender Chris Smalling before being removed by stewards. The Gunners have won seven out of 10 top-flight games in 2019 and are one point behind north London rivals Tottenham, who sit third in the table, with eight games remaining. United, who started the weekend in fourth, drop to fifth in the race for a Champions League spot next season.
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2019-03-11 02:00:00
Chris Smalling: Manchester United defender shoved by fan during game against Arsenal
A fan ran on to the pitch and shoved Manchester United defender Chris Smalling during his side's away match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. The incident happened shortly after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had converted a 69th-minute penalty to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead against United. After pushing Smalling, the man ran with his arms aloft towards the Gunners players celebrating their goal. Smalling was unhurt and the fan was taken off the pitch and arrested. An Arsenal spokesperson said: "We utterly condemn the behaviour of the individual who ran on to the pitch and approached Chris Smalling during today's match. "We would like to apologise to Chris and Manchester United, and are pleased that [the spectator] was apprehended and arrested. We will be working closely with the Metropolitan Police in their investigation. "The individual will also be banned from Arsenal matches home and away. Our matchday staff receive ongoing training on managing incidents such as this." Shortly after the match, a statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and pitch invasion following an incident during the Arsenal v Man Utd game at the Emirates Stadium today. "He is currently in custody at a north London police station." Arsenal boss Unai Emery said the incident was something he "did not want" to see and called on all fans to show "respect". The incident came only hours after Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a spectator during Villa's 1-0 derby win over Birmingham City at St Andrew's. On Friday, a man was arrested after Rangers' James Tavernier was confronted by a spectator during Friday's Scottish Premiership draw with Hibs.
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2019-03-11 02:00:00
Wolves continue to impress
They may have only managed one shot on target, but this was far from a smash-and-grab by Wolves. The Black Country club have won more points against the 'big six' sides than any other club outside that group and have also taken points away at Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham this season. That success has been achieved by being well organised in defence but also having a clear gameplan to counter-attack with speed. That plan worked to perfection when, having restricted Chelsea to half-chances, Wolves struck with their first shot at goal 11 minutes into the second half with a move that started in their own penalty area. Boly's clearance found Joao Moutinho, who immediately found the onrushing Jimenez. The Mexican striker strode forward and exchanged passes with Jota, before forcing the ball beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga via a deflection off Cesar Azpilicueta. Wolves were forced deeper as Chelsea pushed for an equaliser but held firm, with captain Conor Coady marshalling the back three. Leander Dendoncker also proved to be an efficient screen in front of the defence, with no Wolves player making more tackles or interceptions than the Belgian. The fact Wolves, promoted from the Championship last season, are disappointed to only take a point is testament to the progress they have made this campaign. But they can take plenty of encouragement from this performance as they prepare for their FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United next weekend.
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2019-03-11 02:00:00
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is "confident"
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is "confident" his side can secure a top-four finish after Eden Hazard scored a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point against Wolves at Stamford Bridge. Hazard curled into the bottom corner in the second minute of added-time to deny Wanderers a memorable victory and ensure Chelsea remain unbeaten in the Premier League since their 6-0 thrashing at Manchester City last month. The draw keeps Chelsea in sixth, two points behind fifth-placed Manchester United and three points adrift of Arsenal in fourth, albeit with a game in hand on all the sides above them. "When you have to play only 10 matches, every match you're not able to win is a missed opportunity," Sarri said. "In the last six matches, we won four matches and drew the other two. So there is a little consistency in this moment. "We have one match in hand, so we have to be confident." Raul Jimenez finished off a swift counter-attacking move to put Wanderers ahead with their only shot on target nine minutes into the second half. That looked to be enough, particularly when substitute Willian saw his curling effort well saved by Rui Patricio late on, but Hazard struck to salvage a draw with his 16th goal of the season. Despite only managing two attempts on goal all game, Wolves may feel aggrieved at only securing a point having defended diligently, restricting Chelsea to half-chances and efforts from distance. Chelsea only had one shot on target during the first half, an effort from Gonzalo Higuain from a tight angle that was comfortably pushed behind by Patricio. Sarri's side improved after going behind, with Pedro having a shot tipped over before Higuain failed to convert when the ball flashed across the box following a corner. It was hard to see Chelsea scoring as the game entered added time but Hazard showed neat skill to turn away from Ruben Neves and finally beat Patricio from 18 yards. Hazard secures unlikely point Chelsea were looking to maintain momentum after back-to-back wins in the Premier League had eased some of the pressure that had been growing on Sarri after his side's thrashing at Etihad Stadium last month. Another loss here may well have put his position under scrutiny once more, but Hazard's late intervention makes it three league games without defeat and seven points from nine since that defeat to the champions, though they have exited the FA Cup and lost the Carabao Cup final on penalties during that timeframe. After making a number of changes for Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg win over Dynamo Kiev, Sarri restored many of his key players to the starting line-up, including Hazard and N'Golo Kante. However, they were subdued for much of the game, particularly during the first half where they managed just one shot on target. Chelsea enjoyed 75% possession but precious little of it was in dangerous areas, with Wolves content to sit back and look to hit on the counter. Half-hearted penalty claims were turned down when Hazard's corner hit Jimenez on the arm as he attempted to clear. Romain Saiss then had to be alert to clear the ball away from Hazard after Willy Boly's headed clearance inadvertently landed in his path. Jimenez's goal after the break jolted Chelsea into action, with Pedro and Higuain going close, but it took a dramatic intervention from top-scorer Hazard to finally breach the Wolves backline.
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2019-03-11 02:00:00
Liverpool maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City by coming from behind to beat Burnley in tricky conditions at Anfield.
The Clarets took a shock sixth-minute lead when Ashley Westwood scored direct from a corner, although it appeared Reds' goalkeeper Alisson had been impeded by James Tarkowski. But the hosts were only behind for 13 minutes before Roberto Firmino tapped in after Tom Heaton had fumbled Mohamed Salah's cross. In a first half played in strong wind and hailstorms, Liverpool took the lead when Sadio Mane curled a shot past Heaton. Firmino scored his second following Heaton's poor clearance and Burnley pulled one back late on through Johann Berg Gudmundsson from six yards out. But there was no fightback as Mane then went around the Clarets' keeper in injury time for his second and Liverpool's fourth to seal the win, which leaves Jurgen Klopp's side one point behind City with eight league games of the season remaining. Liverpool fight hard for the three points Liverpool, aiming to become English champions for the first time since 1990, had faced questions over their character after a run of four draws in six league matches had seen them lose their lead at the top of the table. Raheem Sterling's hat-trick for Manchester City on Saturday gave Pep Guardiola's side a 3-1 win over Watford and left the defending champions with a four-point advantage. Guardiola said it would be "almost impossible" to win every remaining league match and all Liverpool can do is win their own games and hope for a slip-up from City. The hosts made the worst possible start, trailing early on, but Klopp's team responded in fine fashion and showed their character to dig deep and overcome a hard-working and determined Burnley outfit. Firmino's shot was deflected over after 13 minutes, but six minutes later he had his 10th league goal of the season, scoring from close range after a mistake from Heaton following fine play from Salah, who had played a one-two with Georginio Wijnaldum. The inclusion of Adam Lallana, making only his fifth start of the season, was met with doubt by many on social media - but he played a huge part in Liverpool's second, sliding in to block a clearance, with Ben Mee's subsequent challenge falling to Mane to curl past Heaton. A second error from Heaton, who gifted the ball to Salah, led to the Reds' third, with Firmino finishing after Charlie Taylor's challenge on the Egyptian fell straight to the Brazilian. An injury-time goal from Burnley substitute Gudmundsson threatened a dramatic finish, but Mane - who had earlier hit the crossbar - finished the job with a goal in the 93rd minute.
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2019-03-11 02:00:00
Chelsea appeal against transfer ban, Fifa confirms
Chelsea have appealed against Fifa's decision to ban them from signing players in the next two transfer windows. It follows the world governing body's investigation into Chelsea's signing of foreign under-18 players. Fifa says it found breaches in 29 cases out of 92 investigated, including striker Bertrand Traore, now at Lyon. The governing body says it has received an appeal but could not confirm when this would be heard. Chelsea have also been fined
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2019-03-06 02:00:00
Premier League stats: Has Pep Guardiola found his new left-back?
Manchester City's 1-0 win over Bournemouth lifted Pep Guardiola's side to the top of the Premier League, but that was not the only talking point to emerge from their victory at the Vitality Stadium. Goalkeeper Ederson enjoyed one of the quietest afternoons of his career to date, while Oleksandr Zinchenko continued his remarkable record in City colours with another mature performance at left-back. BBC Sport takes a look at the key stats from the weekend