Liverpool: Is Jurgen Klopp feeling Premier League title pressure?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is usually all hugs and smiles - but is he now feeling the pressure of his side's faltering title challenge in the Premier League? The Reds were top and had a seven-point lead over champions Manchester City, who were second, going into their game on 3 January. City won that match 2-1 and, fast forward two months, Liverpool have since fallen one point behind their rivals following four draws in eight league games. Klopp's side endured a frustrating goalless encounter against derby rivals Everton in their latest outing, and there were signs after the match that the strain might be telling on the German. Klopp and the Goodison Park ball boy Following Sunday's match at Goodison Park, Klopp did not look happy when he approached a ball boy who sarcastically clapped him as he headed down the tunnel. Klopp walked away smiling after a brief exchange, but was later irritated by a journalist's question about his side's approach against Everton during the post-match news conference. "We don't play Playstation," said Klopp. "Do you think that we didn't take enough risks today? Is that what you want to ask? "That's a really disappointing question, I have to say. "There are nine games to go. We don't lose our nerve like you, obviously. It's the second time you ask a question I really don't get. "There's not a moment where we say: 'Come on now, throw everything in that direction'. "You cannot play in the Premier League like that. We take all the risks but you cannot take more than 100% risk. "I don't think I have to give my players advice because they know it already. We are not little boys any more."
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2019-03-05 02:00:00
Harry Kane: Tottenham need to 'step up under pressure'
Tottenham striker Harry Kane says the team must "step up" when the pressure is on if they are to start winning trophies. Spurs' Premier League title challenge has faded after back-to-back defeats by Burnley and Chelsea, before Saturday's draw against Arsenal. Mauricio Pochettino's side are in third place, 10 points behind leaders Manchester City with nine games left. "We need to find a way to get it done," said England captain Kane, 25. "We haven't done that in recent years, we haven't done that this week and that will be the difference. "That is the turning point that we need to try to achieve." Tottenham go into the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie at German side Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday with a 3-0 lead. The north London club posted a message on social media on Monday which read: "To Dortmund to get the job done". Will it take five years to change Spurs mentality? Tottenham, who have not won a trophy since claiming the League Cup in 2008, have challenged for honours under Pochettino in recent years only to fall short at crucial moments. They missed out in the race for the Premier League to Leicester City in 2016, with the Foxes finally securing the title when Spurs let a two-goal lead slip to draw at Chelsea in May. They were also beaten in the semi-finals of the 2017 and 2018 FA Cup, as well as in the last four of this season's Carabao Cup. Spurs, who finished third behind Manchester City and Manchester United last term, went into this season without making a signing, and also did not add to their squad in the January transfer window. Following the defeat by Burnley on 23 February, Pochettino - who took over at Spurs in 2014 - said it could take five to 10 years to instil the mentality in his side to challenge for the title. Kane said: "I don't think it's far away but I think what the gaffer was saying was it's not a guarantee that if you improve you are still going to win things. "Every team is improving, every team is strengthening, every team is getting better year by year - so it's important for us that we don't fall behind that. "We have got to a stage in the past four or five years where we have maybe done more than we expected as a club, but it means that we have to do even more to reach that stage. "Whether it's five years or not I can't say, but I hope it's sooner than that."
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2019-03-05 02:00:00
Sunderland's North Korea fan club: Supporter aims to build fan base
North Korea is never far from the headlines - leader Kim Jong-un's secretive regime both concerns and captivates other countries. But while Donald Trump's talks with Kim may have ended without agreement last week, one thing that seems to be progressing is an unlikely relationship with League One football club Sunderland. It is thanks to Tom Fowdy, a Sunderland native and Oxford graduate in Chinese Studies, who set up a firm encouraging westerners to visit the 'hermit kingdom'. "I felt inspired to reach out and share the passion of my football team with North Korea," Fowdy told BBC Sport from Seoul in neighbouring South Korea. "North Koreans do love football, it's their national sport and it's the most popular sport in all of the Korean peninsular - their awareness of football is bigger than what we think. "It's the first football club to ever even think of it, so it's very unique and I feel quite confident that we can make an impact," he said.
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2019-03-05 02:00:00
Jadon Sancho: Why young English players are in high demand in Europe
When Jadon Sancho faces Tottenham in the Champions League on Tuesday, it will provide the latest vindication of his decision to leave Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund. Sancho has come to be viewed as something of a poster-boy for young English players moving overseas - a growing trend which has included Arsenal's Reiss Nelson impressing at Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich bidding
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2019-03-05 02:00:00
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham Hotspur need help from English football bosses
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham Hotspur need help from English football bosses after his side were given one day fewer to prepare for their Champions League last 16 second leg tie than hosts Borussia Dortmund. Spurs, who won the home leg 3-0, drew with Arsenal on Saturday, while Dortmund lost to Augsburg on Friday. "It's strange that no-one has said anything about that," said Pochettino. "It's impossible that one team has 24 hours more to prepare. It's massive." The Spurs boss continued: "We need help from the FA, we need help from the Premier League. "I don't know whose fault it is. I don't know whether it is the FA, the Premier League, the club or the TV [who] wanted the matches to be on those days." Spurs appear to be in control of the tie after beating the Bundesliga leaders 3-0 at home. Son Heung-min put the Premier League side ahead with Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente adding late goals. No side have ever won a Champions League home knockout game 3-0 and been knocked out. But Pochettino has told his team to start the game from scratch. "We all agree that first of all we need to perform on Tuesday. It is going to be tough, we need to forget the first leg, that must be our approach," he said. "I think we need to play like always, try to win. We cannot think about the first leg. It's so important to start the game at a good level and be aggressive. That is key." Dortmund captain Marco Reus said: "I believe that we're capable of achieving the impossible. "There have already been some matches at this stadium that have made history. We'll need to go to our limits if we are to get the goals in the right moments." Dortmund are in a terrible run of form, with one victory in seven games in all competitions, as they have slipped from runaway Bundesliga leaders to only top Bayern Munich on goal difference. Boss Lucian Favre said: "We need to sort it out. We mustn't let in any unnecessary goals. We'll need a top performance and will have to play intelligently too. Everything's possible." TEAM NEWS
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2019-03-05 02:00:00
Neil Warnock: Cardiff need players 'who will be in the trenches
Cardiff City need "people who will be in the trenches" to survive in the Premier League, according to manager Neil Warnock. The Bluebirds suffered a second successive home defeat as they were beaten 3-0 by Everton on Tuesday. Cardiff had won back-to-back matches before then but are now only a point and one place above the relegation zone. "We will not go down without a fight," said Warnock. "We will probably be in the bottom three when we go to Wolves [on Saturday] and people will be writing us off. "I know my team for the Wolves game and I want people who will be in the trenches because I was let down by one or two tonight. "I'm not going to throw the towel in and I'll make sure we are ready for Saturday." Warnock was asked if his comments were directed at on-loan midfielder Victor Camarasa, who missed the loss to Everton and has played only seven minutes over the past five weeks because of a calf injury. Before Tuesday's match, Warnock had expressed his frustration about the fact Camarasa had been seeking the advice of his own medical staff - or "Tom, Dick and Harry from abroad" as Warnock described them - instead of Cardiff's physios, who believed he was fit to play. But the Bluebirds boss expects Camarasa to be available at Wolves on Saturday. "He'll be all right on Saturday because his advisors say he's fit," he added. Warnock was then asked if Camarasa was the kind of player who he would like next to him in the trenches. "Yes, when he plays," said the former Sheffield United and Crystal Palace manager. "He's an excellent player, I can't fault him. He gives us a bit more class than we've got usually. He doesn't shirk, one of those you want alongside you. "I hope he doesn't wear his gloves on Saturday." Cardiff's defeat against Everton came just four days after they were hammered 5-1 at home by Watford. The Bluebirds have now conceded 31 goals at home in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. Two of Everton's goals were scored by former Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.
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2019-02-27 02:00:00
Celtic: Neil Lennon replaces Brendan Rodgers as manager
Neil Lennon says it is "an honour" to have been asked to manage Celtic for a second time after Brendan Rodgers completed his move to Leicester City. Lennon, 47, will take charge until the end of the season, starting with Wednesday's Scottish Premiership game against Hearts at Tynecastle. The Northern Irishman returns to the club he led to three titles from 2011, having left Hibernian last month. "This is a club which has been a huge part of my life already," Lennon said. Lennon, who will be assisted by current first-team coach John Kennedy and former Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff, also won two Scottish Cups during four years at Celtic Park. Prior to that, the former midfielder made 214 appearances for the club in a seven-year spell before leaving in 2007. "There's a chasm to fill with Brendan leaving," Lennon told Celtic TV. "He's done a remarkable job, but I'm here for the club. The club comes first as do the players. I want to bring as much success during my time here as I possibly can. "All I want to do is carry that on - it's not broken and I'm not coming in and looking to revolutionise anything." 'He knows what it means to be Celtic manager' Rodgers has signed a contract with Leicester until June 2022 and succeeds Claude Puel, who was sacked on Sunday after 16 months in charge. It marks a Premier League return for Rodgers, who previously managed Liverpool and Swansea City. Lennon, meanwhile, left Hibs in controversial circumstances in January, with the Scottish Premiership side saying he had "not been dismissed" and had "not resigned". He left Celtic in 2014, before an ill-fated stint with Bolton Wanderers in the English Championship. "In bringing Neil back until the end of the season, we have appointed a man who knows what it means to be Celtic manager and someone who knows how to win," Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said. "We know he has the commitment and desire needed to face the challenges ahead. "We are delighted to also promote John Kennedy to assistant manager and bring Damien Duff into our first-team management group. This will bring vital continuity and allow us to build on Brendan's legacy."
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2019-02-27 02:00:00
Brendan Rodgers: Leicester City appoint former Celtic boss as manager
Brendan Rodgers has been appointed Leicester City's new manager after leaving his job at Celtic. The Northern Irishman has signed a contract until June 2022 and succeeds Claude Puel, who was sacked on Sunday after 16 months in charge. It marks a Premier League return for Rodgers, who previously managed Liverpool and Swansea City. "I'll give my life to make the supporters proud of their club," Rodgers said. He watched from the stands as the Foxes beat Brighton 2-1 on Tuesday and spoke to the players in the changing room after the game. Adding that he was "privileged and honoured" to take on the role, Rodgers said: "Together, we'll be stronger and I'm looking forward to working with the players, staff and supporters to make the right steps forward." Neil Lennon replaces Rodgers at Celtic as interim manager until the end of the season. Rodgers' route to Premier League redemption? 'Sentiment trumped by ambition' - why Rodgers' Celtic exit is no surprise Former Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Celtic defender Kolo Toure also joins Leicester as a first-team coach, having worked as a member of Rodgers' backroom staff at Celtic. While at Liverpool, Rodgers almost won the Premier League title in 2013-14 before he was sacked in October 2015. He then took over at Celtic in May 2016 and won all seven domestic trophies available, most recently leading them to the Scottish League Cup in December. During his two and a half years in Scotland, he also qualified twice for the Champions League group stage and broke the 100-year-old British unbeaten domestic record with a 69-game unbeaten run. Rodgers has also managed Watford and Reading and was named the LMA Manager of the Year in 2014. "I'm absolutely delighted to bring a manager of Brendan's calibre to Leicester City," said club vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. "I look forward to seeing what he, our talented, young squad and our dedicated, skilled team of staff can achieve together." Rodgers will be Leicester's fourth permanent manager in 23 months after Puel, Craig Shakespeare and 2015-16 Premier League-winning manager Claudio Ranieri were all sacked. Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Crystal Palace meant Leicester had lost four consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since January 2000. They have conceded the first goal in 19 Premier League matches this season - more than any other side.
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2019-02-27 02:00:00
Huge celebrations for rare win
Manager Jan Siewert said Huddersfield "still have a chance" of Premier League survival after they beat Wolves to end a 14-game winless run and give the German his first victory as Terriers manager. Steve Mounie scored the winner in the 91st minute as he turned in the rebound from inside the six-yard box after Karlan Grant's shot. The win sparked wild celebrations with the striker mobbed by his team-mates after scoring, while Siewert was swamped by his backroom staff and the players linked arms to celebrate in front of their fans. Huddersfield remain bottom of the table, still 11 points from safety but have their first win since 25 November and their first in five games under Siewert. "Since the time I arrived, I said we still have a chance and we believe that," the German said. "There are still games to go. We will keep on fighting. "My thoughts are just with the boys. They made me so proud. They deserve it so much. "I think we can all be proud to be Huddersfield this evening." Town deserved the three points but it had looked like another lacklustre showing in front of goal would cost the Terriers with Mounie putting a header into the side-netting from close range earlier in the second half. He also shot narrowly wide of the post late on while Jonathan Hogg and Jon Gorenc Stankovic could have done better with headers after half-time. Woeful Wolves missed the chance to move into seventh in the table and saw their eight-game unbeaten run come to an end. Their only real chances came in the first half when Raul Jimenez glanced a header off target and Matt Doherty scuffed a shot wide of the near post. Huge celebrations for rare win Huddersfield's bleak situation at the bottom of the table means this win will still likely be in vain in terms of their Premier League survival but the emotional scenes showed how much the three points meant to Siewert, the players and the fans. Siewert's previous four games in charge ended in defeats to Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle and, after the latter, the German heavily criticised his players, calling for more fight. He made eight changes to play Wolves, including recalling Mounie and handing fellow forward Karlan Grant a first start for the club, and the players responded. Huddersfield started with high intensity, preventing Wolves gaining an early foothold in the game, and, in the second half, the hosts dominated, creating the only real chances. The only part of their performance that was lacking was Huddersfield's finishing in front of goal, a familiar theme this season for the league's lowest scorers under both Siewert and previous manager David Wagner. Mounie had been as guilty as any of his team-mates but when the ball fell to him while he was on the floor in the six-yard box, he managed to complete the finish. It remains to be seen whether the three points can spark a push for survival with 10 games remaining. "I told you right from the beginning. I know it won't be easy but we keep on fighting," Siewert said. "You can calculate the number of games. There is still a chance. It would be good. I would enjoy that." The 36-year-old also said he had never doubted whether he had made the right decision in joining Huddersfield from Borussia Dortmund's second team last month. "I never thought that," he said. "I know my players. I have really enjoyed working with them. "It is more how do I get them in lucky moments. Today we found
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2019-02-27 02:00:00
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice as Everton ended a run of three successive Premier League defeats with victory at relegation-threatened Cardiff
Former Swansea midfielder Sigurdsson stroked home the first after timing his run into the box perfectly to meet Seamus Coleman's cutback from the right. The Icelandic playmaker thumped in his and Everton's second after a fine run from substitute Bernard, a rare moment of quality in a scrappy encounter. Dominic Calvert-Lewin added a third late on with a neat finish from Idrissa Gueye's pass, ensuring a victory which moves Everton up to ninth in the table before Sunday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park. For Cardiff, a second home defeat in four days leaves them one place and one point above the bottom three. Everton snap out of their slump Everton had not played since 9 February and may well have welcomed the respite in their schedule, having lost five of their previous six matches in all competitions. It took time for Everton to grow into the game in south Wales but, as they gradually began to control possession and territory, they looked a side playing themselves into form. The opening goal was a case in point: Morgan Schneiderlin threading a ball through to the onrushing right-back Seamus Coleman, whose cutback was finished neatly and in one touch by Sigurdsson. Everton seemed to be untroubled at this point, without exactly dominating the match. They had some uncomfortable moments in defence, such as the surging runs into the wide channels from Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore which had visiting centre-backs Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka scrambling. But after navigating Cardiff's purposeful start to the second half, Everton took the game away from their opponents. Bernard, on for a subdued and frustrated Richarlison, jinked his way to the byeline and saw his powerful low cross palmed away by Neil Etheridge - but only as far as Sigurdsson, who nonchalantly swung his left foot through the ball to launch it powerfully into the net. And Cardiff's meek capitulation was complete when their defence parted to allow Calvert-Lewin the opportunity to confidently curl in the visitors' third. Cardiff's survival hopes take another hit Cardiff were aiming to recover from Friday's 5-1 thrashing at home by Watford, a rude awakening after the Welsh side had claimed back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time since 1962. They started in more urgent fashion on this occasion and, inside two minutes, Zohore played a dangerous low cross across the Everton six-yard box which was well cleared by Lucas Digne. Despite that early promise, Cardiff still looked vulnerable in defence and overrun in midfield. In that particular part of the field they missed Victor Camarasa, the midfielder on loan from Real Betis whose recent absence with a calf injury had been a sore subject for Neil Warnock. The Cardiff manager was incensed Camarasa had been seeking the advice of his own medical staff - or "Tom, Dick and Harry from abroad" as Warnock described them - instead of the Bluebirds' physios, who believe he is fit to play. The Spaniard is Cardiff's most accomplished player in possession, particularly adept at turning defensive transitions into counter-attacks. But without him, whenever the hosts did manage to get the ball back, they did not keep it for long. Aside from Zohore and Bobby Decordova-Reid's occasional bursts forward, Cardiff barely troubled their opponents. Their attacking shortcomings have been a concern all season but, perhaps most alarmingly, so have their defensive fra