Luke Bosher, Jacob Whitehead and more
March 6, 2022 at 4:53 PM EST
March 6, 2022 at 4:45 PM EST
Are Liverpool getting good at succession planning?
A year ago this week Liverpool were on their knees after a record sixth successive home league defeat at the hands of lowly Fulham left them eighth in the Premier League table. Now supporters are dreaming of a clean sweep. It’s the second transformation Klopp has overseen during his Anfield reign.
But what about the future of the man who so emphatically delivered on his mission to turn doubters into believers? Liverpool’s thrilling resurgence hasn’t altered his plan to take a break from football when his current contract expires in the summer of 2024 shortly after his 57th birthday. He has made that promise to his family.
More on Liverpool’s reality, from The Athletic’s James Pearce.
Jacob Whitehead
GO FURTHER
Are Liverpool getting good at succession planning?
March 6, 2022 at 4:34 PM EST
BREAKING: Ronaldo in Portugal during Manchester derby
To the outside world, Cristiano Ronaldo had been expected to lead the line against Manchester City. As it happened, he was not in the country by the time of kick-off at the Etihad.
It is believed Ronaldo flew to Portugal once his absence for the Manchester derby became clear. He reported a recurrence of the hip flexor problem that troubled him earlier this year, which treatment could not soothe, and then took a flight to his homeland before Sunday.
Sources say the trip caused surprise among the United dressing room, given the significance of the fixture. Injured players are not obliged to attend matches but it is said Ronaldo’s team-mates feel his presence at the stadium, given his aura and contributions this campaign, could have been beneficial.
Full story below.
Laurie Whitwell·
Manchester United Correspondent
GO FURTHER
Ronaldo and a trip to Portugal that caused surprise at Manchester United
March 6, 2022 at 4:06 PM EST
Crystal Palace: Could this be their best PL season in recent memory?
The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam certainly thinks so after Palace’s brilliant 2-0 win at high-flying Wolves yesterday.
Jacob Whitehead
Victory at Wolves demonstrated of the potential this #CPFC team has.
The flexibility in team selection from has been logical & successful but now needs stability & familiarity to realise potential.
Surpassing last year’s points total isn’t impossiblehttps://t.co/kEttPeXZS8
— Matt Woosnam (@MattWoosie) March 6, 2022
March 6, 2022 at 3:16 PM EST
ICYMI: The painful lessons Manchester United can learn from City
David Moyes was once chastised for suggesting United should aspire to be more like City – but these days that is undeniably true.
From recruitment to executive hires, academy to planning, these are the lessons, as painful as it may be, United must learn.
After today’s 4-1 defeat, it is more evident than ever.
Jacob Whitehead
GO FURTHER
The painful lessons Manchester United can learn from City
March 6, 2022 at 2:27 PM EST
NEWS: Remainder of Man United’s season is about ‘developing the team’ — Rangnick after 4-1 defeat
Jacob Whitehead
March 6, 2022 at 2:15 PM EST
Arsenal: Top Four Favourites
They’re now a point ahead of Manchester United with three games in hand.
The Athletic’s James McNicholas has written about how the combination of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka will propel their present and future.
Jacob Whitehead
On the organic, seductive chemistry of Saka & Odegaard.
The imperious conductor and the irrepressible soloist.
The man who hunts the ball down like a raptor, and the academy boy who cuts through opposition defences like a rapier.@TheAthleticUK #AFChttps://t.co/c1x1BDzfeM
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) March 6, 2022
March 6, 2022 at 1:47 PM EST
Bowen suffers no significant damage
He went off against Liverpool yesterday early in the second-half.
A club statement has said: “West Ham United can confirm a scan has shown that Jarrod Bowen suffered no significant damage following the injury he picked up at Liverpool on Saturday evening.
“The 25-year-old suffered an impact injury to his right heel during a challenge early in the second half at Anfield and, despite attempting to carry on, had to be substituted five minutes later.
“Head of Medical Richard Collinge said: “Jarrod underwent an MRI scan in London on Sunday morning and thankfully no significant injury has occurred. He will continue to be monitored by the medical team and will undergo further examination in the coming days.””
Jacob Whitehead
March 6, 2022 at 1:40 PM EST
FT: City 4-1 United
Manchester City moved six points clear of Liverpool after thrashing Manchester United 4-1 at the Etihad.
Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez scored two apiece, with City producing an awesome second-half performance to overwhelm United.
United, who started with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as false nines, contributed to an exciting, open first half. De Bruyne scored twice from close range either side of a classy equaliser by Jadon Sancho.
But the second half was all City – they had 14 shots to none by United, and a third goal was long overdue when Mahrez scored with a delightful half-volley from De Bruyne’s corner.
Mahrez got his second in the 90th minute to complete a humbling afternoon for United, who fell below Arsenal earlier in the day. They are struggling to make the top four; City only have eyes for another league title. The derby confirmed what we already knew: the two teams are worlds apart.
Rob Smyth
March 6, 2022 at 12:55 PM EST
64′: City 2-1 United
Around half an hour left. De Bruyne’s double currently the difference…
Jacob Whitehead
March 6, 2022 at 12:49 PM EST
Chelsea youngster Fiabema returns to Norway
Young Chelsea striker Bryan Fiabema has joined Rosenborg on loan.
The 19-year-old moved to Chelsea from Tromso in 2020 but has not made a first-team appearance in west London.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 11:35 AM EST
Underway at the Etihad!
Follow live updates here!
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 10:59 AM EST
Ronaldo and Cavani not in United’s squad…
The attacking duo, as reported by The Athletic earlier this afternoon, are not included in United’s squad for the derby.
On their absence, Ralf Rangnick said: “Edi trained well last three days but at the end he didn’t feel quite well enough to be able to play. Cristiano had some problems with his hip flexor on Friday abd since then didn’t play.”
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 10:37 AM EST
City ‘definitely’ need a striker
According to their own manager, Pep Guardiola.
City sit top of the Premier League and are the division’s second-top scorers with 64 goals in 27 matches, an average of over two per game.
And yet: “I think the club definitely needs a striker,” Guardiola said ahead of today’s Manchester derby.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 10:11 AM EST
Second half underway at Vicarage Road
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 9:50 AM EST
How do you prepare to face a new manager?
Leicester City did yesterday, and they did it well as they won 1-0 against Leeds.
Here’s how it unfolded.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
How do you prepare to face the new manager bounce?
Here’s how #LCFC did it.
(Yes, I know, #LUFC played very well and could/should have won)
Rangnick’s Leipzig and not watching Leeds – how Leicester prepared to face new manager Marsch
— Rob Tanner (@RobTannerLCFC) March 6, 2022
March 6, 2022 at 8:56 AM EST
Live coverage of Watford vs Arsenal
Kick-off in today’s first Premier League match is shortly upon us, and you can follow live updates right here.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 8:05 AM EST
Team news has just dropped for Arsenal’s trip to Watford
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 7:39 AM EST
Odegaard admits he has not thought about Arsenal captaincy
“No, you know what, I haven’t thought about that (the Arsenal captaincy), to be honest,” Odegaard admitted to Norweigan outlet TV2.
“That’s not something I think I really want to achieve. Of course, if it happens one day, it’s cool and all that stuff, but it doesn’t change that much for me.
“I’m not going to change as a person if that happens. I don’t feel like I changed when I captained the national team. I do my thing, but it’s not important for me.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 6:42 AM EST
Breaking: Ronaldo ruled out of Manchester derby
It’s understood that Ronaldo and Cavani are ruled out of today’s game through injury.
That leaves interim United boss Ralf Rangnick with quite the centre-forward conundrum.
Laurie Whitwell has the full story.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 6, 2022 at 6:08 AM EST
Why has no English manager won the Premier League?
It’s an insane statistic and one the FA is trying to address.
Jay Harris went to St George’s Park to find out more.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
No English manager has ever won the #PL while Harry Redknapp was the last one to lift a domestic trophy.
The FA is trying to address that with a new player to coach course.@jaydmharris joined Carlton Cole, Stewart Downing, Emile Heskey & Leighton Baines at St George’s Park
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) March 6, 2022
