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Liverpool 1-1 Man City: Mac Allister goal earns Reds draw as Arsenal stay top of Premier League

Ben Miller
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Liverpool 1-1 Man City: Mac Allister goal earns Reds draw as Arsenal stay top of Premier League

Alexis Mac Allister’s 50th-minute penalty earned Liverpool a draw against Manchester City which ensured Arsenal remained top of the Premier League as neither side could find a winner at Anfield.

John Stones steered in a corner from Kevin De Bruyne, who was substituted during the second half to the midfielder’s apparent dismay, to put City ahead after 23 minutes on a day when both sides knew victory would take them above the Gunners.

Substitute Mohamed Salah teed up Luis Diaz with a golden chance to give Liverpool the lead and Phil Foden hit the woodwork later in the second half, as did Jeremy Doku in added time.

The result moves Liverpool level on points with Arsenal but with a seven-goal inferiority, while City are a point behind.

Read our other sports news stories here:
England beat Ireland in Six Nations
Verstappen wins in Jeddah
Rotating penalty takers shows spirit, says Ten Hag

Liverpool vs Man City result: No change in Premier League table

As part of a classic three-team race to win the Premier League, this encounter between reigning champions City and the only team to have denied them the title during the last six seasons lived up to its billing.

The visitors looked more assured during the first half and took the lead through Stones as part of a clever corner routine, but Mac Allister showed his usual impressive coolness from the spot after City goalkeeper Ederson brough Darwin Nunez down when the striker pounced on a poor backpass by Nathan Ake.

Ederson was injured in the incident and replaced after the penalty by Stefan Ortega, who prevented Nunez from scoring.

Home goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher – continuing to deputise for the injured Alisson – thwarted Foden and was relieved to see the crossbar come to his rescue when he punched Ake’s cross against the England midfielder, while Virgil van Dijk was at the centre of a strong defensive display, helping to keep Erling Haaland quiet as City had 10 of the 29 attempts at goal.

Liverpool top scorer Salah made a fanciful-looking penalty claim but Jurgen Klopp’s side had a stronger unsuccessful appeal when Doku appeared to catch Mac Allister with the end of a gripping game seconds away.

Arsenal will be happiest with the result but the remaining 10 matches of the season each of the contenders have to play promise an enthralling finale to the campaign.

City perhaps have the tougher run-in, welcoming Arsenal in their next league game on March 31 and visiting fifth-placed Tottenham, who thrashed fourth-placed Aston Villa 4-0 earlier on Sunday, on April 20.

Liverpool host Spurs and head to Villa in May, while Arsenal play both of those sides the previous month.

Six Nations 2024: England beat Ireland 23-22 as Marcus Smith drop-goal ends visitors’ Grand Slam hopes in Six Nations thriller

Ben Miller
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Six Nations 2024: England beat Ireland 23-22 as Marcus Smith drop-goal ends visitors’ Grand Slam hopes in Six Nations thriller

Marcus Smith’s drop-goal with the final kick of the game gave England victory over Ireland as the visitors’ Grand Slam hopes ended in extraordinary fashion in the Six Nations 2024 at Twickenham.

Ireland’s dreams of a second successive slam were ignited when James Lowe’s try put them 22-20 ahead seven minutes from time in a thriller.

But Smith kept his nerve to end Ireland’s 11-match winning run and bring England’s run of four successive defeats in the fixture to a halt.

Ireland will win the the Six Nations if they beat Scotland at home on Saturday – but a slip-up would give England hope of taking the title when they visit France later in the day.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Verstappen wins in Jeddah
Rotating penalty takers shows spirit, says Ten Hag
Man United 2-0 Everton

England produced their most memorable display of Steve Borthwick’s tenure as coach to deny Ireland the Six Nations crown at the last, and there was evidence of the drama to come in a pulsating start to the match.

Ollie Lawrence opened the scoring but four Jack Crowley penalties gave Ireland a 12-8 half-time lead to put them on course for glory.

Ireland’s confidence grew further when Lowe went over during the second half, only for George Furbank and Ben Earl tries to give England the advantage before a finale for the ages.

England vs Ireland: Earl ‘so pleased’ in Six Nations

“Apparently we are the worst England team ever,” Earl told ITV afterwards, addressing “some of the rubbish that has been thrown at this team in the past week”.

“We have done well for that accolade. We knew from the beginning that if we played our best game, we would have a chance. Everything came together today; we are very fortunate.

“We’ve been training like that every day. Sometimes it doesn’t translate onto the pitch. People don’t see half the stuff we do, but they can write what they want.

“I am just so pleased. That’s where we can take this team. Playing the best team in the world brings the best out of you. Credit to Ireland and credit to the fans.”

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix results: Verstappen ‘felt really good’ in win as F1 rookie Bearman takes seventh

Ben Miller
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Saudi Arabian Grand Prix results: Verstappen ‘felt really good’ in win as F1 rookie Bearman takes seventh

Max Verstappen made it two wins out of two at the start of the 2024 Formula One season by leading a Red Bull one-two in front of team-mate Sergio Perez at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Reigning champion Verstappen secured his ninth consecutive victory on a day when arguably the most remarkable result was a seventh-placed finish for 18-year-old Oliver Bearman.

The Briton, who was deputising for Carlos Sainz because the Spaniard needed an appendectomy, finished seventh for Ferrari, holding off McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Bearman’s team-mate, Charles Leclerc, came third, finish 11.4 seconds behind Perez.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Rooney says United will not finish in top four
Rotating penalty takers shows spirit, says Ten Hag
Man United 2-0 Everton

While the action in Jeddah could hardly be described as thrilling, Bearman’s mature race as he became the youngest British driver in F1 history and the third youngest ever made for a memorable race.

Norris and Hamilton switched to soft tyres in late pit stops after not doing so when the safety car came out on lap six because Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll crashed.

After initially gaining ground, though, the pair were left to compete with each other for eighth while Bearman, whose father, David, was pictured watching intently, completed his impressive debut.

Verstappen Saudi Arabia win ‘fantastic’

Norris had briefly taken the lead following the introduction of the safety car but Verstappen swiftly overtook him and proceeded to another crushing win.

“It was a fantastic weekend for the whole team and myself – and for the car,” Verstappen said afterwards. “I felt really good.

“The last stint was a bit longer than we would have liked but, with the safety car, you have to go for it. The last few laps were with those back markers with the cold tyres – a little slippery, but we had good pace all round and we could manage it quite well.”

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took advantage of Hamilton pitting to eventually claim fourth, with Fernando Alonso fifth for Aston Martin and Mercedes’ George Russell sixth.

Verstappen has a 15-point advantage over Perez ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on March 24.

Man United will not finish in Premier League top four, says Wayne Rooney

Ben Miller
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Man United will not finish in Premier League top four, says Wayne Rooney

Manchester United record scorer Wayne Rooney says the 20-time champions will not finish in the top four of the Premier League because they are “very inconsistent” and “too easy” to attack.

The Red Devils, who are eight points behind Aston Villa in fourth, face an uphill struggle to catch fifth-placed Tottenham in the position which is likely to ensure qualification for next season’s Uefa Champions League.

Spurs have two games in hand on United and Villa have one, while both sides have a significant goal superiority to Erik ten Hag’s team, who have 10 top-flight matches remaining following a 2-0 home win over Everton on Saturday which ended a run of two defeats.

“They have to almost win every game and they’re very inconsistent,” said Rooney, who won the Champions League at the club in 2008 and was part of the squad for United’s most recent title triumph, in 2012/13.

“I don’t think United will make the top four. They conceded 20-odd chances. There were no clear-cut chances for Everton but there are too many gaps. It’s too easy for teams to get opportunities against them.”

Read our other sports news stories here:
Rotating penalty takers shows spirit, says Ten Hag
Man United 2-0 Everton
Rooney says Rashford should take penalties

Winless in 11 Premier League games before their latest defeat, Everton had 23 of the 38 attempts at goal as they became the fifth side of the last six United have faced to have at least 20 shots against them.

United’s run-in includes meetings with leaders Liverpool and title contenders Arsenal as they attempt to avoid adding to their 11 league defeats – five more than Villa and Spurs and as many as 13th-placed Bournemouth have suffered.

Man United vs Liverpool will be ‘different story’

“You can’t keep doing that at this level,” former United defender Rio Ferdinand said of the chances United have afforded teams.

“You can get away with it for games here and there but, in the end, you’re going to get punched. Unfortunately, United are not a team who dominates enough of the ball to stop teams at the moment. The way you play football is to stop the opposition from having any chances at goal.”

Ferdinand expects United, who lost 3-1 at Manchester City six days before beating Everton, to be punished if they do not tighten up significantly when they host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 17.

“[You can’t] play like that against Liverpool, that open,” said Ferdinand. “[There were] huge spaces around Casemiro. He’s someone who needs people around him to make sure the gaps are filled.

“When you’re playing against Liverpool’s more confident and efficient finishers, it will be a different story.”

Man United penalty taker: Rotation for goals vs Everton shows ‘team spirit’, says Ten Hag

Ben Miller
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Man United penalty taker: Rotation for goals vs Everton shows ‘team spirit’, says Ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his players showed “team spirit” by switching penalty taker from Bruno Fernandes to Marcus Rashford during their Premier League win over Everton.

Captain Fernandes fired in the 12th-minute opener but United made the unusual move of entrusting a new taker with their second spot kick of the game, Rashford stepping up to curl in an equally assured finish in the 36th minute of the 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.

“Bruno took the first but we have more very good penalty takers,” Ten Hag told TNT Sports after a result which eased the pressure on him following two successive defeats.

“It shows the team spirit. In this moment, [Rashford] is good, in the team and a threat. We had to put this right and keep the pressure on the teams above us. There are many games to play. Now we are back.”

Read our other sports news stories here:
Man United 2-0 Everton
Ferdinand praises Garnacho
Manchester United: Ten Hag says progress stunted by injuries

United are three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham and have two fewer games to play than the side occupying the position which is likely to ensure Uefa Champions League qualification in 2024/25.

Man United vs Everton: Ten Hag praises defending

While the result was welcome after a surprise last-gasp winner for Fulham in their last home game, the 20-time champions were put under pressure at times by the relegation-threatened Toffees, who have not won in 11 matches.

Everton became the fifth team of the last six United have faced to send in at least 20 attempts at goal – a statistic that could be considered worrying with league leaders Liverpool awaiting Ten Hag’s side in the FA Cup in eight days’ time.

“We defended very well,” said Ten Hag. “We could have been a bit better in the build-up. We could have scored three or four goals, not just the two penalties.

“We could have been calmer and more composed on the ball. Everton did well. They pressed high, which gave us lots of chances in behind.

“Our expected goals [count] is much higher than theirs. We are defending low-quality chances. Sometimes we are defending very low and we can do that very well.

“We can make better choices to rest on the ball, choosing when to break. “Every game we have to win, so every game is a must-need.

Alejandro Garnacho won both penalties, drawing fouls from James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey. “He’s progressing very well and we are very pleased,” Ten Hag said of the 19-year-old winger.

“His contribution today was huge – his runs, his dribbles. It’s attractive as well for the [fans]… they were well-deserved penalties.”

Man United 2-0 Everton: Bruno Fernandes, Rashford goals end losing run for Ten Hag’s side

Ben Miller
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Man United 2-0 Everton: Bruno Fernandes, Rashford goals end losing run for Ten Hag’s side

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored first-half spot kicks as Manchester United ended their two-match losing run with a comfortable home win which deepened Everton’s relegation concerns.

Alejandro Garnacho won both penalties, James Tarkowski bringing down the winger to afford Fernandes the opening goal and Ben Godfrey mistiming a challenge to set up an opportunity Rashford took to double the lead.

Everton started promisingly but offered little in attack and are five points above third-bottom Luton Town, although the Toffees are 11 games without a win in the Premier League and the Hatters have two matches in hand on them.

Fifth-placed Tottenham have a three-point cushion and two games in hand on United, who had lost at home to Fulham and away to Manchester City in their two preceding matches.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Ferdinand praises Garnacho
Manchester United: Ten Hag says progress stunted by injuries
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Man United vs Everton result: Relief for Ten Hag

After their seven-match unbeaten start to the year ended with those successive defeats, United have little room for slip-ups as they try to catch Spurs and reach the fifth spot which is likely to guarantee Uefa Champions League qualification in 2024/25.

Fulham had not won away since August but scored a last-gasp winner last time out at Old Trafford, and there would have been jitters among the home fans when Everton threatened early on.

Garnacho’s incisive runs relieved the tension for United manager Erik ten Hag, drawing Tarkowski and Godfrey into late tackles before Fernandes and Rashford beat Pickford with excellent penalties.

There will be a debate around whether United should rotate penalty takers, and Fernandes almost had a second when Pickford pawed his curling free-kick away with the score 1-0.

United were twice denied penalties after VAR checks, Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko being adjudged to have accidentally handled on both occasions.

Despite containing Everton for longer periods during the second half, United still looked vulnerable and would have been punished but for their opponents’ lack of ruthlessness.

Godfrey was among the culprits, failing to test goalkeeper Andre Onana when Mykolenko provided him with a header in front of goal, but Ten Hag will be more concerned by the shots count, representing the fifth time in their last six Premier League games in which Onana has faced 20 or more attempts.

United are next in action at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 17, while Everton are away to Bournemouth on March 30.

Marcus Rashford: Forward should take Man United penalties off Bruno Fernandes, says Wayne Rooney

Ben Miller
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Marcus Rashford: Forward should take Man United penalties off Bruno Fernandes, says Wayne Rooney

Marcus Rashford should be Manchester United’s sole penalty taker instead of Bruno Fernandes, says club legend Wayne Rooney.

Striker Rashford scored the second of two first-half penalties for United at home to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, sending a precise and powerful effort beyond England team-mate Jordan Pickford after Bruno Fernandes had beaten the goalkeeper with the earlier spot kick.

“Marcus is a really good penalty taker,” said United record scorer Rooney, speaking to TNT Sports.

“I know Bruno’s the captain but Marcus should be saying… you should have one penalty taker – I don’t think you should have two.

“I know he takes the second penalty but I’d just love to see Marcus take responsibility for the penalties.”

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The 26-year-old has had an underwhelming season for under-performing United, scoring only five top-flight goals before a spectacular opener at Manchester City last Sunday.

“You want to take every opportunity to score when you’re a goalscorer,” said Rooney, who netted 253 times for the 20-time champions between 2004 and 2017.

“When we played, it was either Cristiano [Ronaldo] or Ruud van Nistelrooy [taking penalties].

“It was myself later on. I just want to see Marcus score goals – maybe I’m a bit biased.”

Man United vs Everton: Rashford ‘looked good’

Rashford made headlines before United’s 3-1 defeat at City because of a column in which he addressed media criticism, including some reports which have questioned his demeanour.

“I watched his body language and it looked really good,” former United defender Rio Ferdinand said after watching Erik ten Hag’s side establish a 2-0 half-time lead against the Toffees.

“I saw him sprinting back a number of times – not ambling, not jogging, but really, really motoring to get back.

“He played a part in both goals as well. He’ll be happy with the half and you want to see goals galore.”

Alejandro Garnacho: Rio Ferdinand praises ‘refreshing’ winger after Man United vs Everton penalties

Ben Miller
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Alejandro Garnacho: Rio Ferdinand praises ‘refreshing’ winger after Man United vs Everton penalties

Alejandro Garnacho’s effectiveness at creating problems for opposition defenders has been “refreshing” for Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand has said.

Winger Garnacho won the penalties which Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford converted to put United 2-0 ahead at the break at home to Everton on Saturday, drawing challenges from James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey which left former United centre-back Ferdinand unimpressed with the defenders.

“You want your wide players to go against players,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports. “They are two very good defenders – Godfrey, especially, in one-on-ones.

“Jockeying in those positions is key and getting in the line of the ball to prevent a clear shot to goal.

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“They maybe rushed their decisions to go in and looked a bit clumsy but you have to credit Garnacho.

“He’s so elusive in those situations and he’s hard to pin down. It’s the positivity and how direct Garnacho is in these situations; it’s refreshing to see.”

Man United vs Everton: Garnacho shines

United wanted a third penalty when Garnacho’s cutback accidentally struck the hand of Vitalii Mykolenko, and the Argentina forward could have scored shortly before the interval but gave Jarrad Branthwaite time to recover a dire-looking situation for the Toffees.

Academy graduate Garnacho has been almost ever-present for United since November, scoring a spectacular first goal of the campaign that month with an overhead kick in a 3-0 win at Everton.

The 19-year-old has five goals and three assists in 25 top-flight appearances in 2023/24, having scored three and set up two in the league last season.

Sixth-placed United had suffered successive league defeats at home to Fulham and away to Manchester City but Garnacho’s inventiveness put them on course to change that against relegation-threatened Everton.

Rashford’s spot kick was the seventh penalty Everton have conceded this season – the joint-most alongside West Ham.

“Sean Dyche will be disappointed because Everton wouldn’t have had two penalties in their pre-match talk,” said Ferdinand.

“They’ll have been thinking of putting themselves in a better position.”

Manchester United: Glasner not surprised by Freedman’s Old Trafford links

Jon Fisher
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Manchester United: Glasner not surprised by Freedman’s Old Trafford links

Oliver Glasner is not surprised to see Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman being linked with Manchester United given his impressive recruitment at Selhurst Park.

Freedman has been credited with unearthing the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi – arguably Palace’s three biggest assets.

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Reports suggest he is interesting Manchester United as they look to put together a scouting team to work under Dan Ashworth – when his release is negotiated from Newcastle United.

Glasner, who succeeded Roy Hodgson as manager at Palace last month, admitted his first impressions of Freedman have been favourable.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Luton, he said: “It shows me what I was thinking – here [at Palace] there is a great sporting director and a great person. This is how I see Dougie after two weeks and a lot of talks with him.

“He knows all the players all over the world.  He is a fantastic guy. He is a great person and sporting director. If there are these rumours, it shows other clubs see it in the same way.”

Glasner could not confirm the veracity of the reports, though, adding: “I don’t know if it’s true or not. We didn’t speak about the squad for next year – I want to get to know the players who are here. There are injured players I have never seen in a training session.

“We will start [planning the squad] in the next week. The feeling that I have is we will plan the squad for next year together and we will work together for a long time.

“But three weeks ago I wasn’t here.”

Palace will be able to call on Eze against Luton, despite the injury-plagued midfielder being substituted not long after scoring a wonderful free-kick in last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Tottenham.

Glasner added: “Eze did every session from the first until the last minute – he is fit.

“He looks very good and, of course, his goal gives him more confidence.

“He was able to play 65 minutes without any problems, so he will play more minutes in this game because everything was fine with him.”

Jurgen Klopp: Pep Guardiola the greatest manager of my lifetime

Harry Carr
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Jurgen Klopp: Pep Guardiola the greatest manager of my lifetime

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager he has seen in his lifetime, as he prepares to face the Manchester City boss for the final time in the Premier League.

Klopp and Guardiola have forged one of modern football’s great rivalries over the last 11 years, first facing off in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, then leading Liverpool and City to the top of the English game.

Liverpool are one point clear of City at the Premier League summit ahead of Sunday’s showdown at Anfield, which will be the teams’ last league meeting before Klopp departs at the end of the season.

Read our other sports news stories here:
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Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Klopp described Guardiola as the best manager he has witnessed, highlighting his unrivalled influence on the direction of the sport.

Asked what makes Guardiola’s the world’s best coach, Klopp said: “The way he influenced football. It’s as easy as that.

“With the amount of trophies he has won in his career, he behaves like he never won anything before! So it’s about the desire he has. It’s absolutely outstanding.

“I do the job myself so I see excellence when I face it, and Pep is definitely that. There are so many different things he did with his teams throughout the years.

“How could I judge managers from the past? But in my lifetime, he’s the outstanding manager, definitely.”

Despite Liverpool finishing as Premier League runners-up to City when collecting 97 points in 2018-19 and 92 in 2021-22, the German insists he has not grown tired of facing Guardiola.

Indeed, Klopp believes Guardiola’s standards have made him a better manager, saying: “I was never frustrated. I also knew about 3,000 footballers that were better than me and I still loved the game.

“It never frustrated me but it definitely made me a better manager, having to find solutions to win games against these teams.

“I just got told I have a positive record against Pep, but I don’t know how that happened! I know I am quite good at what I do as well, but you asked me about the best, and he is the best.

“I cannot say where he is better than me, you just see the way his teams play. There could be areas where I am better than Pep, I don’t know.

“It might be a question of taste. People might prefer the way we have played through the years compared to them, I love it, for example! It’s just an easy observation for me, from the outside.”

Klopp still holds out hope of facing Guardiola one last time in English football, meanwhile, with Liverpool and City still among the favourites to lift the FA Cup.

“On Sunday, it’s not about me having that opportunity for the last time. Anyway, it’s not true because maybe in the FA Cup – if we get through the next round – we could meet again,” Klopp said.

“It’s the game of the weekend, so being able to be part of that is massive and fantastic for everybody.”

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