Jurgen Klopp feels referee Paul Tierney has a “problem” with him after the pair clashed in Liverpool’s exhilarating win over Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool raced into a 3-0 lead inside 15 minutes against a Spurs side who were facing the prospect of another thrashing in the north of England, a week on from their 6-1 humiliation at Newcastle.
However, Spurs stormed back for the second time in as many games to level at 3-3, former Everton forward Richarlison netting the dramatic late leveller, only for Diogo Jota to win it down the other end 99 seconds later.
Klopp ran towards the fourth official amid scenes of pandemonium, with his over-zealous celebrations earning him a yellow card from a man the German admitted he does not see eye to eye with.
“How they can give a foul on Mohamed Salah [before Spurs’ third goal]?” he said. “We have our history with [Paul] Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us, he has said there is no problems but that cannot be true.
“How he looks at me, I don’t understand it. In England nobody has to clarify these situations, it’s really tricky and hard to understand. My celebration was unnecessary, which is fair but what he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not OK.”
Spurs’ dejected boss Ryan Mason was also not happy with the officials, insisting the match winner avoided what he felt was a red card offence for a high boot on Oliver Skipp.
“I would like an explanation and a reason why it wasn’t,” he said.
“It was an instant red card because when your foot is studs showing and you’re five and a half feet off the ground and make contact with a player’s head and draw blood, and there is a gash, I think it ticks all the boxes.
“It’s decided the game because that player on the pitch shouldn’t have been on there at the end decided the game. I’m pretty sure most football people’s opinions will probably feel the same.”
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Forget fourth place, or even third, these marauding Magpies could yet still catch the Gunners to finish runners-up to Manchester City this season, after displaying the kind of ruthless streak that has recently deserted Mikel Arteta’s faltering troops.
Newcastle gave Saints a goal start, but still eased to a 3-1 victory with plenty to spare as they made it eight wins from the last nine. For the record, they are nine points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool. You can almost hear that Champions League anthem ringing around St James’ Park.
This latest win was down largely, in layman’s terms, Callum Wilson pulling his finger out. The England forward has been forced to rediscover his most lethal form by the continued excellence of £60m club record signing Alexander Isak, and duly responded to his latest unwanted stint of bench-warming by scoring twice for the second successive match to seal a stirring comeback.
“Callum’s all round performance was superb and he had a galvanising effect on the crowd and the group. I’ve managed him for a long time and it’s great to see him get the rewards his performances deserve,” said boss Eddie Howe.
“It was a great response in the second-half, the players did exceptionally well. We didn’t get too desperate in our attempts to score and we’re in a good place because we’re winning. Now we look forward to the challenge posed by Arsenal in our next game.”
Newcastle’s blue-chip sub took his tally for the season to 15, with five in the last three games after poking home a 54th-minute cross from Isak, who highlighted his versatility by causing Southampton all sorts of problems after being switched to the left.
Wilson then pounced on an error from Ainsley Maitland-Niles to round goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and complete the scoring with nine minutes remaining. In between, substitute Theo Walcott helped Newcastle towards a 400th Premier League victory by deflecting a Kieran Trippier delivery into his own net.
Wilson also hit the bar and had another ruled out for offside after a VAR review. A half-decent contribution for his 45 minutes.
“It’s the dream scenario having Callum and Alexander,” Howe added. “Both players know they can’t afford a bad game. It’s healthy competition, they are breathing down each other’s necks but they understand how good each other’s strengths are and there is respect.”
Wilson was brought on at the interval for Anthony Gordon, who still looks short of match fitness four months on from his £40m arrival from Everton, a point underlined when the England Under-21 forward failed to open the scoring on his first home start as he rolled a shot against a post after being put clear early on.
It looked like an even more costly miss four minutes before the interval when Stuart Armstrong rounded off a neat three-man counter-attack after Bruno Guimaraes surrendered possession to Romeo Lavia in his own half.
Such is the strength in depth at Howe’s disposal, it proved to be a false dawn for the Saints, who have crossed swords with Newcastle four times this season and lost on each occasion.
It’s nine games without a win to leave them six points adrift of safety and beleaguered boss Ruben Selles said: “We’re still alive, there are still points to play for and we shall keep fighting to the end. We started well but we know the game lasts for 95 minutes and we needed to be stronger.”
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OLD TRAFFORD – Manchester United’s future looks as contentious and uncertain as ever off the field but, thanks to a crucial Bruno Fernandes winner, at least their fate on it is becoming ever clearer.
This victory may prove to be enough in Erik ten Hag’s efforts to return his side to the Champions League next season, given the cushion they have now established over fifth place and the chasing pack.
And while this may not have been a convincing victory or one that was particularly pleasing on the eye, it was another plus in Ten Hag’s debut season as the club’s manager.
Villa arrived at Old Trafford unbeaten in 10 and with genuine, if faint, aspirations of gate-crashing the top four themselves.
But Unai Emery, currently earning plaudits for his efforts in transforming Villa, was simply out-coached by United’s Dutch master who oversaw a win that steadied nerves around the club following some recent indifferent form.
The goal was was as scrappy as the win overall, although it was the result of Ten Hag’s decision to attack Villa’s high defensive line with the pace of Marcus Rashford and his attacking midfield three.
An Emilio Martinez clearance after 38 minutes was steered directly at Casemiro who headed back towards the Villa goal for Rashford to chase.
The England striker’s hurried shot seemed to lack the precision or power to trouble Martinez but the Villa keeper succeeded only in pushing the ball to Fernandes who beat Alexandre Moreno to push the ball in from a difficult angle.
It was a moment that was particularly enjoyable for the goalscorer, whose injury-time penalty miss in this fixture last season saw United lose to Villa and opposition supporters, as well as Martinez himself, mock him for it.
Fernandes’s celebration in front of the Villa fans yesterday was all the more poignant given the running abuse he had received from them.
“I emphasised on the first day, he is so tough,” said Ten Hag. “A couple of weeks ago there were questions about his captaincy which was crazy.
“He is such a big leader by example, he gives so much energy to the team, besides his smartness. But also his determination, his passion, his resilience.
“You need such players if you want to win games and you want to win trophies.”
"We were determined and passionate to win this game"
The current fear among United supporters that the Americans are contemplating a deal with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe that would see them maintain a minority interest prompted demonstrations.
And the smoke from flares let off outside the stadium was still swirling around the Old Trafford pitch when United kicked off.
“We felt that the fans were behind us,” said Ten Hag. “So we have to focus to be successful because that is what the fans expect.
“They have to rely on us so we will focus on that and I’m sure when we keep performances like we did today, the fans are behind us. There is a lot of energy and a strong bond between the players and the fans.”
United started strongly with Martinez saving at the near post from Rashford and Marcel Sabitzer flashing a shot over before Casemiro struck the cross-bar from a Jadon Sancho pass.
But Villa, as the form book and league table suggest, packed a threat of their own as they maintained their push to qualify for a European competition of some sort.
Emiliano Buendia’s cross might have led to an equaliser but Diogo Dalot defended well to deny Ollie Watkins a tap-in before Moreno’s follow-up was well saved by David de Gea.
And in the frantic losing stages, Watkins played in Jacob Ramsey for a chance which was only denied by Victor Lindelof’s brilliant block with the defender doing even better later as he somehow headed a Douglas Luiz shot off the line.
For Emery, the knowledge that three of his team’s four remaining games are against rivals pushing for European places – Spurs, Liverpool and Brighton – is some consolation.
“Playing for European places for teams like us and Brighton is not normal,” he said. “We’re playing our last match against Brighton and if we go into this game with the opportunity to get into Europe it will be fantastic.
“But if we want to have this opportunity, we have to win the matches we have before that.”
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At one time the prospect of Liverpool finishing the current season above Tottenham would have been unthinkable. The fact it is now a realistic possibility says everything about the way Jurgen Klopp’s tactical changes have revived his side’s fortunes and just as much about Spurs’ capitulation.
On Thursday night, Ryan Mason offered the first signs of hope that he has a blueprint of his own to avoid merely limping lifeless until the end of the campaign. Despite a calamitous start to the 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Spurs offered more enthusiasm and spirit than in the whole of Cristian Stellini’s short reign.
It would be easy to attribute that to a shift in mood, Stellini largely mirroring Antonio Conte’s approach and ending his tenure with one of the worst displays in the club’s history.
Yet Mason’s influence was clear, and not only because of his superior relationship with the players and fans.
Richarlison’s role
Unfortunately, the only statistic that will be remembered from Richarlison’s debut season at Spurs is that unless something changes in the next four games, he did not score a single Premier League goal.
That does not tell the whole story as injuries and tensions with Conte restricted him to just 10 starts, most of them on the right.
Dating back to his Everton days, the Brazilian has always scored more and created more chances on the left than in any other position across the front three – so that is where Mason put him against United and with some good results.
The main change in personnel from the humiliation at Newcastle, he teamed up well with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on the left and with more confidence, he ought to have taken two chances that he squared looking for Harry Kane.
Richarlison’s role is not entirely about goals, though that may seem a little reductive a defence of a £60m forward.
Three at the back
Stellini fell on his sword for that disastrous shift to a back four that led to Spurs conceding five goals in the opening 21 minutes at St James’ Park. On paper, it was an attempt to divert from Conte’s overly negative 3-4-3 but Tottenham do not have the players.
Mason’s system against United made the most of Pedro Porro and Ivan Perisic for what they are – wing-backs, rather than defensive full-backs, both of whom were signed with Conte in mind. Conte may be gone but the remnants of his recruitment are still there, and the system has to fit accordingly.
Perisic no longer had the same head-butting with Son Heung-min, who started on the right.
Overall Spurs had more attempts on goal than United, which they only managed once under Stellini – against Bournemouth, a game they managed to lose anyway.
Liverpool’s lessons
Liverpool have won less than half of their league games this season but they have ostensibly turned a corner with a five-game unbeaten run. Moving Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield has raised more questions about his defensive capabilities but it has also yielded five assists in four games, while Curtis Jones has been central to their counter-pressing.
Tottenham have little room for manoeuvre when it comes to their midfield two of Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp, with Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur injured. The dynamics of that pivot became a little clearer against United, with Skipp holding and Hojbjerg freed up to press higher.
In Mason’s first spell in 2021, after the sacking of Jose Mourinho, it was Tanguy Ndombele, an inherently more forward-minded midfielder than Skipp, who teamed up with Hojbjerg in the middle.
Liverpool’s new-look midfield is partly about planning for the future – they have withdrawn from the race to sign Jude Bellingham and know they will not be able to compete with Manchester City or Chelsea financially. Just like at Spurs, the answers largely have to come from within.
Effective subs
Like his predecessors the majority of Mason’s subs came in the final 15 minutes, a hallmark of Spurs managers since Mauricio Pochettino.
Just after the hour mark, a Richarlison still lacking sharpness was replaced with Dejan Kulusevski, who has more than double his minutes in the league this term.
Ben Davies offered more solidity in place of Perisic after the equaliser, and Son was eventually taken off for defender Japhet Tanganga.
Mason’s first spell
Back in 2021, Mason had Gareth Bale to accommodate in his front three but he also had (admittedly a declining) Dele Alli behind the striker. A creative midfielder is what Spurs now lack so badly – you could see it as Porro was forced to shoot from 20 yards, because Kane had dropped so deep as a playmaker he was nowhere near the box.
Interestingly, Mason never fielded the same starting XI for his five league games in charge post-Mourinho, winning three but losing to Leeds and Aston Villa, as well as being beaten in the League Cup final by Manchester City. Throughout, he operated with a 4-2-3-1, led by Lucas Moura when Kane was injured, but it suggests he will stick with the same formation if not the same starters.
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GTECH COMMUNITY STADIUM — Maybe, as their away support sang in the west London sun, Nottingham Forest are magic. In just 10 minutes, they made three points disappear and sawed their chances of Premier League survival in half, bamboozled by Ivan Toney’s great sleight of foot.
But of course, as we all know, magic isn’t real. Creating the illusion you can bend the outer realms of the possible takes time and effort and great skill, a guile and gall clearly lacking among Steve Cooper’s cohort.
Toney, a man who increasingly looks to answer the question “what if Didier Drogba were English?”, became the first Brentford player since David McCulloch in the 1930s to score 20 top-flight goals.
His equaliser, a seemingly innocuous free-kick struck low and hard, took advantage of the visitors’ lack of foresight and Keylor Navas’s flimsy wrists. They expected him to do one thing, so he did another. To paraphrase Matthew McConaughey in “The Wolf of Wall Street”, it was a fugayzi, a fugazi, a whazy, a whoozie, and now Forest’s chances of survival are fairy dust.
This was another case of the Midlanders working hard, while the Bees worked smart.
As the home fans watched the visiting support drain away to the tune of Gala’s “Desire”, it was almost as though they were asking: Why sign 30 players and hope a few come good, when you can just sign six of the right guys?
Why hire and fire staff like you’re hosting The Apprentice, when only consistency really allows you to execute a vision? Why chase and press and harry all afternoon, when you can just pass it around on a delightful spring afternoon and make killing a game look oh-so-easy?
And yet, for a fleeting moment, it appeared Forest had begun to grasp some consistency from the swirling chaos. Eight players had started all three of their games in the past week, with most of the changes enforced by injury. Danilo, Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi were starting to develop cohesive interplay as a forward line, protected by the excellent Orel Mangala.
But as the game went on, the wafer-thin veneer began to crack, the terrifying delicate balance of peace broke apart. Andre Ayew replaced Awoniyi, before Brennan Johnson hobbled off on 66 minutes.
Forest only managed one more shot all game. Danilo, who Cooper named as the one player he thought he didn’t have to worry about, was forced off without being replaced as normal time fizzled out. The 10 remaining men had run a yard too far, their legs not quite able to stop Josh Dasilva’s left-footed curler.
This was always supposed to be the great challenge for Cooper’s side, and the premonitions have transpired to be true. Finding eight players who can start three games in a week should not be an achievement, but it is at the City Ground.
After the game, Cooper called Brentford “a set-piece team”. It felt like a veiled insult, feeding into the traditional idea that set pieces aren’t proper goals, that they somehow don’t count in quite the same way as a sumptuous team move. The hosts, who now have 14 set-piece goals in the league this season, are unburdened by a similar snobbery and all the better for it.
For all his good work molding a seemingly unmoldable squad into a side which remain outside the relegation zone, albeit by a point, naivety has plagued Cooper in his first Premier League season. Forest have either not been willing or able to get their hands dirty when they need it most, certainly not without the raucous backing of the City Ground.
To have won just one league game on the road is a sign of a fundamental lack of resilience, of a friability in the face of overwhelming animosity. This was the case once again in west London: when the going got tough, the tough got going, and they weren’t travelling backing to Nottingham this evening,
Thomas Frank’s side are the poster boys for pragmatism. This was their first league win of the season having had more than 50% possession, which is of course both a positive and a negative. Positive: they can win the games that will make sure they’re never at risk of relegation. Negative: if a better side than Forest gives them the ball, they don’t know what to do with it.
There is no doubt that Frank will have a plan to remedy this, but this is not the time to launch Brentford 3.0, to give away his next trick with nothing on the line.
Forest now have nine days until their next game, with bottom side Southampton visiting the City Ground. With Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace ahead in their final three games, this presents their clearest remaining opportunity to both gain three points and potentially condemn a relegation rival.
It may well be that this was their final real chance of survival, with their competitors predominantly improving when they need to most. It briefly appeared that Cooper may have a particularly fluffy rabbit from his hat, but it had long escaped by the final flourish.
Forest are paying the price for believing in magic a little too hard, for exchanging hard work and faith for smart work and surety. Narratives are wonderful for building stories, not so much for football teams.
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Crystal Palace held on for their fourth win in six games since Roy Hodgson’s return as they put four goals past West Ham.
With kick-off delayed by 15 minutes due to issues with the Selhurst Park turnstiles, David Moyes’ side started quickly, with Tomas Soucek opening the scoring within 10 minutes after a corner.
Yet three goals in 15 first-half minutes for the Eagles gave them a commanding league, with Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp all getting on the scoresheet.
This was Zaha’s first goal since 6th November, in the reverse fixture at the London Stadium, after the Ivorian returned from a four-game absence.
Michael Antonio’s headed finish from Soucek’s flick-on ensured the two teams ended the first-half 3-2 to Palace, before Ebere Eze won and converted a penalty just after the hour-mark.
Although Nayef Aguerd brought the scoreline back to 4-3 18 minutes from time, Hodgson’s Palace held on to continue their excellent form since his return.
Today’s Premier League results and fixtures
Saturday 29 April
Crystal Palace 3-2 West Ham
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
Brighton vs Wolves
Due to Bank Holiday scheduling, there are only two Saturday 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League this weekend, with Brighton hosting Wolves and Nottingham Forest visiting Brentford.
Having escaped from the relegation zone by a point after their 3-1 midweek win over Brighton, Steve Cooper’s Forest know that a win is crucial to their chances of survival.
Yet Brentford will undoubtedly provide tough opposition at the Gtech Community Stadium – the Bees have lost just twice at home in the league all season.
Wilfried Zaha is back with a bang as he completes the Crystal Palace turnaround pic.twitter.com/O024pD3Q1q
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 29, 2023
Meanwhile, Kaoru Mitoma and Alexis Mac Allister are both on the bench for Brighton at the Amex for their clash with Wolves.
A win for the Seagulls will put them just one point behind seventh-placed Liverpool with a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s side.
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Everton’s Fan Advisory Board has issued a vote of no confidence in embattled chairman Bill Kenwright and urged owner Farhad Moshiri to replace him and reveal a timeline for making improvements at executive level.
That mirrors the turmoil off the pitch, where fans have been critical of the board all season. Last week Kenwright wrote a controversial open letter to some of his critics defending his record but the Fan Advisory Board (FAB) said it was “hugely disappointed” by that communication.
The FAB is officially recognised by Everton and is consulted on club issues. Earlier this year they met with Moshiri and they have also met with the club’s Director of Football Kevin Thelwell, so their statement represents a significant message.
Their statement was prompted by what the FAB said was a “fractured relationship” between fans and the board, who have not attended a game since January.
Kenwright’s letter last week sought to defend his record and he said the removal of the board would not change matters.
“At a critical time for our club, when we most needed leadership, understanding, accountability and a recognition of the strength of feeling and concern across large parts of the fanbase, we got the absolute opposite,” the FAB said.
“The situation as it stands is not sustainable, not befitting of our great club and as Evertonians we do not deserve it.
“After careful consideration, we are therefore making a call of no confidence in the current chair of Everton Football Club.
“The FAB is also calling on the majority shareholder to urgently take charge of securing stronger expertise, experience and more appropriate leadership for our club and ask that he be ready to explain to fans the action and timetable for making this happen.
“Finally, we want to acknowledge the work of those doing the day-to-day work within the club in what must be extremely difficult circumstances, as well as Evertonians who have shown time and time again that they will stop at nothing to support our club.”
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After the midweek Premier League title race drama with Manchester City and Arsenal the division resumes this weekend.
Yes, City have placed one hand on another title but there remains unfinished business for Liverpool and Spurs, who still harbour outside hopes of finishing in the top four.
Further down the table, Crystal Palace and West Ham are attempting to drift further away from the drop to Championship football.
There will be three televised games this weekend across BT Sports and Sky Sports. Here’s how to watch…
Despite a 2-0 loss to Wolves, Roy Hodgson has revived hope of avoiding relegation after collecting 10 points in Crystal Palace’s previous four games.
The veteran manager has lit a fire underneath youngsters Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, who have reminded the Palace faithful why they are the future of south London.
Hodgson will look to get the Eagles back into the win column against West Ham, a team who has also had revitalised performances in recent weeks.
After their 5-1 loss to Newcastle the future seemed bleak for David Moyes as their relegation battle continued.
But four gameweeks later there is a sense of optimism around the club after taking a point from Arsenal and beating Bournemouth 4-0.
A win for either team would do a lot of good for hopes of finishing in the top half this season.
Date: Saturday 29 April
Kick-off: 12.30pm
TV Channel: BT Sport
Stream: BT Sport website or app
Premier League table
Fulham vs Man City
Earlier on this season, Fulham were pushing for European football spots but have since fallen to 10th after the eight-game suspension of Aleksandr Mitrovic for pushing Chris Kavanagh.
And as City continue their streak of terror it will most likely be another week of no points for Marco Silva’s side.
After beating title contenders Arsenal, City will be beaming with an added level of confidence that will be near impossible to break.
Erling Haaland continues his monstrous season and Kevin De Bruyne seems to have unlocked a new gear to place himself among the greatest Premier League midfielders ever.
Date: 30 Sunday April
Kick-off: 2pm
TV Channel: Sky Sports
Stream: Now TV
Liverpool vs Tottenham
After an embarrassing week for Tottenham, losing to Newcastle 6-1 and sacking interim manager Cristian Stellini, there may be reason for Spurs fans to be optimistic.
A 2-2 draw with Manchester United midweek coached by Ryan Mason was evidence of the fight the North London club seemed to have been lacking all season.
Anfield will be the true test of passion as Liverpool are in need of a win to seriously contend for top four.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are undefeated in five games since losing to City and have been boosted by a system change that has seen Trent Alexander-Arnold invert into midfield.
Date: 30 Sunday April
Kick-off: 4.30pm
TV Channel: Sky Sports
Stream: Now TV
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The Gunners previously held the keys to their first title in 19 years, but following three consecutive draws from favourable positions they needed a win against City to remain in the driver’s seat.
However, the dynamic duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland proved to be too powerful for the already-weakened defence of Arsenal, who are missing William Saliba.
Pep Guardiola’s side have gone from strength to strength this season as he fiddled with formations and systems. From his usual full-back inverting into midfield to Bernardo Silva being placed at left-back, to now seeing John Stones push up to partner Rodri.
As City push for the treble they have gone 10 games in the league undefeated and could possibly go four points above Arsenal if they win their games in hand.
As it stands the league could be won by City in their penultimate match.
Mikel Arteta’s men can reach 90 points if they win all their remaining matches, and should they have 87 points after playing Nottingham Forest on 20 May, City could reach an unassailable 91 points should they win their next six matches – a run which would see them win the title at Brighton on 24 May.
Remaining Premier League fixtures
Man City
30 April: Fulham (a)
3 May: West Ham (h)
6 May: Leeds (h)
14 May: Everton (a)
21 May: Chelsea (h)
24 May: Brighton (a)
28 May: Brentford (a)
Arsenal
2 May: Chelsea (h)
7 May: Newcastle (a)
14 May: Brighton (h)
20 May: Nott’m Forest (a)
28 May: Wolves (h)
Premier League table
Considering Arsenal’s form it may be a big ask for them to ride City’s coattails as they wait for them to potentially slip up. The red side of North London must still play Newcastle at St James’ Park as well as a tactically sound Brighton at the Emirates.
Guardiola will also have to manage possible banana-skin games such as Brighton, Brentford and a relegation-threatened Everton, but the form they are currently in suggests they will have little to fear. Even more so as one potential loss may not be too costly.
For Arsenal to win the league, Guardiola’s side must drop points in at least two games. The Gunners could win the league on the final day if they win their last five games and City pick up no more than 16 points (five wins and a draw) from their final seven games.
For City, the hunt for the treble may be the biggest hurdle, as it will present a test of fitness and mental strength alongside three extra games, including two legs against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final and FA Cup final against Manchester United – possibly four if they make it to the Atatürk Olympic Stadium to play either Milan or Inter in the Champions League final.
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It was late August 2022 and Sunderland were at a crossroads. Alex Neil, the manager who had brought them up from League One, was widely reported to be wanted by Stoke City who were offering him more money. But Neil had also wanted the club’s board to bring in experienced players who might adapt better and more quickly to the Championship.
Sunderland’s board thought differently, wanting to stick to their new strategy of youth development and low-age recruitment. Neil went to Stoke; Tony Mowbray came in.
Since then, two things have happened to Sunderland: they have started playing more expansive football and the average age of the team has got younger. The two are directly proportional – the younger the team is, the more it looks like the main aim is to have some fun. And it’s working.
Sunderland were 16th at the end of October having won one of their previous eight league games. Now they’re sixth (and 12 points ahead of Stoke).
A youthful team is not just a characteristic of Mowbray’s Sunderland; it is its everything. The average age of the team picked by him since taking charge is the youngest in English professional football this season. The six youngest starting XIs in the Championship this season? All picked by him. The side that came from 1-0 down to beat West Brom on Sunday had an average age of 22.5 and contained only two players (Luke O’Nien and Lynden Gooch) who are older than 22.
Sunderland may not finish in the play-offs, but do not underestimate their achievement this season.
The last promoted club to finish in the Championship top six were Brentford in 2014-15. The two that came up with Sunderland – Wigan and Rotherham – are currently 19th and 24th.
It has been five years since a club that came up from League One even finished in the top half at their first attempt.
This is a wholly deliberate strategy; they saw it working like this in their dreams. Sunderland have signed 14 players this season on permanent or loan deals and only one of them (24-year-old reserve goalkeeper Alex Bass) was aged over 22. The club’s scouting and recruitment strategy has shifted to scouring Europe for potential talent; this season alone permanent arrivals were sourced from Lille, Union Berlin, Herediano and Le Havre.
The great hope is that this becomes self-fulfilling. The Championship is no longer a league in which clubs can spend carefree and the growing gap between the Premier League’s top half and the rest means that developing the youngsters of elite clubs is a viable way to improve your squad quickly. Sunderland have had loanees from Manchester United, Leeds, Paris Saint-Germain and Everton this season. If, along the way, you allow those you signed permanently to flourish until they are sold for bigger money, bully for you.
But this is more than merely a strategy, or at least it means more than that. For too long, Sunderland were a club sliding from view as they crumpled under their own incompetence, consecutive relegations accompanied by financial turmoil. They were a football team that lacked any obvious identity. They tumbled down to the third tier and failed to get out. They signed player after player, many of whom simply became indicators of a culture of transience.
Between April 2018 and August 2022, Sunderland had six permanent managers and five different caretakers as each of them either failed to halt the slide, failed to ignite the redemption or kept the seat warm for someone who did neither. In these circumstances, that most clubs go through eventually, it is the identity that becomes the guiding hand and the map. Without it, you are lost and you will keep losing.
The supporters have always stuck with Sunderland; the average home attendance increased when they went down to League One in an area where disposable income is not a privilege enjoyed by all. But they traipsed there on Saturdays and Tuesdays not with cheer or hope but through dogged resilience and the unshakeable scars that love and loyalty leave. Whole years went by when the name of the stadium itself felt like an ironic joke at their expense.
Those supporters were like any other at every downtrodden, downbeat, bruised old football club whose best times lay in the past. They were not asking for glory again, although they would greedily accept it. They were not demanding mega-money signings and trinkets, because they had long given up on both. They wanted the identity – any identity – back.
This identity is better than most because it is entertaining and may just be sustainable. Their best forward got an Achilles injury in January and a 20-year-old winger has stepped up. Jack Clarke was available from Tottenham and somehow they got him. Dennis Cirkin, Daniel Neil, Ajibola Alese – three English players aged 22 or under who might just be the future of this club whether they stay or are sold on for a healthy profit.
When Amad Diallo picks up the ball, the crowd begins to fizz. When an academy graduate scores or simply roars to the crowd, it means more. Whatever happens now, whether it be a Wembley date in late May or disappointment in late April, this season has produced something lasting and something tangible at a club where for too long that all felt like someone else’s dream.
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Managers’ chief Richard Bevan has accused some football club owners of creating a destructive “hire and fire culture” that is undermining the profession.
Data shared with i by the League Managers’ Association (LMA) illustrates it was the 13th Premier League sacking of the season with the average tenure for those fired just 1.57 years. At least five clubs in the league are onto their third managerial appointment of the season.
Bevan, who is the chief executive of the LMA, has told i the problem is partly down to the “unpredictability” of the season, with a tight relegation fight and congested battle for the top four both playing a part in Premier League dismissals.
He has also highlighted owners being influenced by social media speculation and other “external pressures”, condemning the rise in abuse of managers. Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter said he and his family were subject to death threats in February after the Blues suffered a run of poor form.
“The average tenure of dismissed Premier League managers demonstrates the short-term approach endemic across the game,” Bevan told i.
“Whilst stability is an essential commodity within the elite performance environment, the hire and fire culture undermines the profession and is not a proven strategy for performance improvement with public debate continuing to exert external pressure on decision-makers.
“Solutions are to be found in a more strategic and robust approach to recruitment and in the collective ownership of a common understanding across the whole club regarding its ambitions and objectives.”
Bevan’s LMA are working with managers to improve their skillsets in a highly pressurised environment, as well as providing care for those who have been dismissed.
They are also helping to resolve conflicts between managers and their former clubs, as well as calling for fans to recognise that managers “are human beings”.
“It is important to highlight the well-documented cases of abuse managers have recently faced,” he said.
“Irrespective of the profession they choose to work in and their financial status, managers should be treated as human beings not as disposable commodities.
“Abuse can significantly impact on the individual and their families, this is not acceptable in any industry or society.”
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Every now and then, a game pans out exactly how you expect it will.
There was no way Newcastle could pull off what they managed in their mauling of Tottenham, but the newly-prolific Magpies – with 13 goals in their previous four games – travelled to Everton licking their lips at the prospect of inflicting more woe on the beleaguered strugglers.
Everton’s goals for tally and wretched recent form suggested they would not cause the Premier League’s most resolute defence too many problems and would rely on sneaking a goal form a set piece of fortunate deflection. Should they concede, in a stadium whose mood can change at the flick of a switch, they could quite easily capitulate.
And so it transpired. Two teams going in very different directions performed how their recent form, and seeming destinations, said they would. It did not make it any easier to take on for the blue half of Merseyside, even if they saw it coming.
It was Everton fans’ ability to create a cauldron-like atmosphere, rather than Frank Lampard’s limited tactical acumen, that kept the Toffees up by the skin of their teeth last season, and once again, at the business end of another disappointing campaign, they knew what they had to do pre-match.
Still seething from Bill Kenwright’s ill-judged statement at the weekend in response to fan protests, Evertonians channeled their vitriol into making Goodison look an intimidating place to come, with flares greeting the team coaches and a pre-match fireworks display to test even the most serene players’ nerves.
Newcastle must have felt like gladiators entering the colosseum such was the volume as the game got underway. Goodison’s efforts worked wonders early on, as a deturbed Newcastle looked the anthesis of a side who plundered five goals in 21 first-half minutes against Spurs.
The problem the Goodison faithful have is their side are not very good, and as the crowd’s energy evaporated as attacking move after attacking move broke down, Newcastle grew into the game, and given his chance from the start, Callum Wilson poked Newcastle in front just before the half-hour mark.
Newcastle have had an uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the past, but despite Everton keeping plenty of pressure on, Nick Pope remained relatively untroubled into the second half.
Joe Willock, one of the many players Howe inherited and has transformed into a very different beast, was denied a stunning second by a superb Jordan Pickford stop, before the forward, who should be a shoo-in for the next England squad, crossed for Joelinton to put the game, if it was ever a contest, to bed.
Wilson’s inclusion from the start, in place of Newcastle’s ace in the pack Alexander Isak was intriguing. Modern technology has allowed managers to analyse each opponent to create intricate gameplans. Eddie Howe is no different, but still retains the willingness to keep things simple.
The opponents Wilson has the most career goals against – West Ham and Everton – are the only two games he has started since the beginning of March. Two minutes and 23 seconds after Joelinton’s header, Wilson had his fourth goal in those two starts to give Howe the ultimate vindication.
Dwight McNeil’s goal straight from a corner did little to lift the mood, with one angry supporter having to be restrained from entering the press box to question “where is Kenwright?” – something that again was entirely predictable, given who the Everton faithful blame for their malaise.
There was still time for one more for Newcastle, with substitute Isak sashaying past three defenders before squaring for Jacob Murphy, and then the final insult – former Everton prospect Anthony Gordon was brought on for the final few minutes.
There was no Luis Figo-esque pig’s head thrown on this late, however, that was halfway back down the East Lancs. Everton supporters, in more ways than one, had seen enough.
Newcastle fans, with the Champions League on the horizon, cannot get enough.
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That strike ensured he eclipsed Mo Salah‘s record of 32 goals in a 38-game season which was set during 2017-18, his first campaign at Liverpool.
Haaland will now have the Premier League’s all-time record for goals in a single season in his sights which is held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole from when the competition had 42 matches, rather than 38.
Cole struck 34 times in 40 appearances for Newcastle in 1993-94, while Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time outright top scorer on 260 goals, managed 34 in 42 for Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95.
Earlier this season pundits questioned Haaland’s ability to link play as they believe he hindered City’s build up he delivered a masterclass against Arsenal with two assists and a goal bringing him a step closer to the Golden Boot.
The Norwegian has had a superb start to life in Manchester and could end his debut campaign in England with three winners’ medals if all goes to plan.
A treble would solidify City’s place as a legendary Premier League team rivalling the Invincibles, Man United’s 1998-99 treble winners, and Mourinho’s 2004-05 Chelsea record-breakers.
2018-19: Sadio Mane, Mo Salah (Liverpool), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) – 22 goals
2019-20: Jamie Vardy (Leicester) – 23 goals
2020-21: Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 23 goals
2021-22: Mo Salah (Liverpool) and Son Hueng-min (Tottenham) – 23 goals
Haaland has debunked the theory that he would struggle to score in a more competitive league than the Bundesliga and is on course to become the perfect striker under Pep Guardiola. As well as scoring 33 times in the league, Haaland has also provided seven assists.
He delivered arguably his most complete performance in a City shirt in their biggest game of the season, dropping deep and playing through Kevin De Bruyne through to score twice, while finishing a chance of his own late on as they thrashed Arsenal 4-1.
The pair have some way to go before they are matching Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, as one of the best partnerships of the Premier League era, but they are certainly on the right track.
Haaland is currently on 49 goals in all competitions and with potentially 11 games remaining, he could well finish on 60 overall.
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After a midweek round of fixtures, comes a bumper double gameweek with six clubs playing twice including some of the big hitters. Brighton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham are the clubs in question and will be the go-to teams to target for managers this weekend.
If you’ve not already got a full complement of Brighton assets that should be a priority given they are the only club to have two more doubles before the end of the campaign.
Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March are the best two to own but the third spot is up for grabs with Alexis Mac Allister, Pervis Estupinan and differentials like Lewis Dunk, Julio Enciso and penalty hero Jason Steele decent options for those chasing mini-league rivals.
Both Manchester clubs have another double to navigate after 34 too due to their exploits in their FA Cup. Most FPL managers will have both Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford in their squads already, but other assets to consider include Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne from City and Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes (fitness permitting) and possibly even Anthony Martial from United.
Spoiler alert: a few of them make this week’s side.
This team is fully comprised of players from Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, given their form and fixtures, but there are some strong differentials from Fulham and West Ham to consider if you want to do something different, including midfielders Andreas Pereira, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
This week’s deadline is at 11am on Saturday:
Gameweek 34 fixtures
Saturday 29 April
Crystal Palace vs West Ham
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
Brighton vs Wolves
Sunday 30 April
Bournemouth vs Leeds
Fulham vs Man City
Man Utd vs Aston Villa
Newcastle vs Southampton
Liverpool vs Spurs
Monday 1 May
Leicester vs Everton
Tuesday 2 May
Arsenal vs Chelsea
Wednesday 3 May
Liverpool vs Fulham
Man City vs West Ham
Thursday 4 May
Brighton vs Man Utd
Ederson (Man City)
Generally speaking, goalkeeper transfers should only be made in the case of emergencies – such as if injury or suspension hits – or if you have activated your wildcard. However, the exception to that rule is acquiring a shot-stopper when they have more matches to play than your existing No 1.
Although City have been frustratingly leaky of late, Ederson is perhaps the best pick from now until the end of the season, given his security of starts for the final seven games. The Brazilian’s prospects of picking up a few clean sheets in that run are high too with City towards the top of FPL’s Fixture Difficulty Rating charts.
Price: £5.4m Points: 105 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): Fulham (a), West Ham (h)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
An assist during Wednesday’s win at the London Stadium ensured that Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided at least one assist in his last four matches, with five in total. Unsurprisingly, that is more than any other player in the division has managed in that period – Kevin De Bruyne is on four – and is three better than any defender.
Frustratingly for Alexander-Arnold owners, Liverpool haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of those games which has reduced his points ceiling. If he can maintain his level of attacking output and the Reds tighten up at the back in Gameweek 34, he will usurp Kieran Trippier as the must-have defender for the season run-in.
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot vying for minutes at right-back and Tyrell Malacia out of favour, Luke Shaw looks to be the best pick from Manchester United’s defence, particularly now that Harry Maguire’s return from suspension should result in him shifting across to left-back.
After a sticky start, Shaw has been one of United’s most consistent performers under Erik ten Hag and has been a strong FPL asset at times too, accumulating 95 points in total. He has created six big chances overall, a tally that only four defenders can top.
Price: £5.1m Points: 95 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): Aston Villa (h), Brighton (a)
Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
In theory, Alexander-Arnold’s shift infield should have had a detrimental impact on Andy Robertson’s FPL prospects as the left-back has less scope to gallop forward in Jurgen Klopp’s new system. That doesn’t seem to have been the case over the past two gameweeks however, as Robertson has registered back-to-back assists.
Interestingly, both of those assists – for Diogo Jota against Nottingham Forest and Joel Matip against West Ham – came from set-pieces which highlights the quality of Robertson’s dead-ball delivery. Robertson ranks second for indirect free-kicks taken by defenders and third for corners this term.
After providing at least one attacking return in five consecutive games, Kaoru Mitoma has gone three without any. One way of looking at that downturn is that he was overperforming before and that run was bound to come to an end at some point; another is that he has been hugely unfortunate to have not continued that hot streak.
Over his past three appearances, Mitoma has had an effort contentiously ruled out against Spurs, been denied a wonder-goal by Kepa Arrizabalaga in the win over Chelsea and missed out on an assist after Keylor Navas’ stunning stop from Julio Enciso. He’s still a massive threat and is bound to be back in the points sooner rather than later.
A hat-trick against Sheffield United in the FA Cup wasn’t enough to get Riyad Mahrez a start in City’s title showdown against Arsenal, but he could well come into Pep’s XI for one or even both of the double gameweek fixtures.
It seems as though Guardiola has found his winning formula for big games and unfortunately for Mahrez, he doesn’t figure in it. However, that could mean he gets the bulk of his playing time in the league rather than the Champions League, which makes him a potentially explosive differential to own.
Price: £7.3m Points: 100 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): Fulham (a), West Ham (h)
Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Kevin De Bruyne took our premium midfield slot for Gameweek 33 and the decision to pick the Belgian over Mo Salah paid off as he outscored the Egyptian by 19 points. Choosing between them is arguably the biggest dilemma facing FPL managers this week unless you can somehow afford both alongside Erling Haaland.
If you only have enough budget for one, Salah possibly shades it: both of his matches are at Anfield, Liverpool are making a late dash for the top four and De Bruyne is a potential rotation risk as City have a double-header against Real Madrid to prepare for. Salah has also scored four times in his last four games.
Manchester United’s double gameweek is by no means straightforward, with in-form Aston Villa full of confidence ahead of their trip to Old Trafford and Brighton undoubtedly eager to enact a revenge mission after their Wembley heartache last weekend.
That may actually suit Marcus Rashford, though, as both Villa and Brighton are chasing European football and will look to take the game to United as a result. Rashford is only four points short of achieving his best-ever FPL points tally for a season which indicates how consistent his form has been.
Price: £7.1m Points: 174 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): Aston Villa (h), Brighton (a)
Solly March (Brighton)
Solly March doesn’t catch the eye as much as Mitoma and lacks the penalty appeal of Alexis Mac Allister but he is probably the best Brighton midfielder to own based on the consistency of his FPL returns.
March has provided a goal or assist in five of his last six matches and is Brighton’s top points scorer since the World Cup with seven more than Mitoma and a mammoth 53 ahead of Mac Allister. With Mac Allister moved back into a deeper role, Mitoma and March are the Brighton midfielders to own for the upcoming doubles.
Despite only playing three games while others have had four, Erling Haaland has racked up more FPL points than anyone since Gameweek 30 with three consecutive double-digit hauls against Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal. Considering he was taken off early in the first two matches and missed a hatful chances against the Gunners, that tally could be far greater.
Haaland showed he is much more than just a prolific finisher in midweek by creating three chances for De Bruyne, of which two were scored. The Norwegian now has 33 goals and eight assists this season. If you still have that Triple Captain chip handy, now’s the time to use it.
Price: £12.3m Points: 227 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): Fulham (a), West Ham (h)
Anthony Martial (Man Utd)
Diogo Jota is a popular pick and currently the most bought forward of the gameweek. However, with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz for company, minutes could be an issue for the Liverpool forward, even if he is in great form.
Anthony Martial, on the other hand, has relatively little competition for places other than Wout Weghorst who looks to now be an impact option off the bench, rather than a regular starter. Martial is notoriously streaky, but at just £6.3m and with a low ownership of under two per cent, he could be a nice differential punt.
Price: £6.3m Points: 44 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): Aston Villa (h), Brighton (a)
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They can, of course, still win the Premier League this season. There’s perhaps never been a side two points clear at the top of the table with only five games left to play so resoundingly written off as on Wednesday night in Manchester.
However, with Manchester City holding two games in hand and the trajectories of the two sides’ form and confidence heading so drastically in opposite directions, the situation seems bleak for Arsenal.
But, a closer analysis of the club offers some hope as to why Arsenal, post 2022-23, will be back.
Age
Lost in the brutality of the 4-1 thrashing was that this Arsenal squad are the joint-youngest in the Premier League, alongside Southampton. At an average of 24.4 years of age, that the players have even managed to remain top for quite so long is a fantastic achievement.
Homegrown star Bukayo Saka and breakout star Gabriel Martinelli, wingers worthy of any of the world’s best front lines, are only 21 years old. Standout centre-back William Saliba, whose absence with a back injury since mid-March has been so keenly felt, is only 22.
First-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, now one of the leading in the Premier League, is 24. Emile Smith Rowe, who has struggled for minutes after suffering with injuries but has the potential to be an England player, is only 22.
Even the supposedly older heads, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both signed from Manchester City to add some experience to this young side, are 26.
Premier League table
Compare Arsenal’s average age to that of their Big Six rivals and they are in a strong position. Chelsea are the next closest at 26, Manchester United 26.5, Manchester City 26.7, while Liverpool and Spurs are 27.1.
All sense and logic suggests that, provided Arteta can keep the crux of the group together, they are only going to improve in the years ahead. And on that note…
Contracts
Saka is clearly the most crucial piece of the puzzle — the generational talent and potential Ballon d’Or winner to build around — and he is thought to have a contract agreement in place that will tie him to Arsenal for another five seasons. His current contract runs out next year and Arsenal risked moving into precarious territory.
Bukayo Saka is thought to have a contract agreement in place (Photo: AFP)
When Martinelli signed a fresh deal until 2027 in February, Arteta made clear that locking down their existing talent was a priority.
“Part of the plan obviously is to extend the contracts of our biggest talents and commit them to the future,” Arteta said. “We are trying to do that, we have started with Gabi and that’s good news. The others will be done when we can and we have to agree on that.
“I see everyone really happy and really willing to continue at the club but we have to meet expectations and timing is key on that.”
Saliba, who would also be out of contract and available to leave on a free transfer in summer 2024, is next on the list, and is expected to commit to a longterm contract soon.
Ramsdale, whose contract still runs until 2025, with the option of a further year, is also in discussions over improved and extended terms.
Signings
What the defeat to Manchester City and the decline in form on the final stretch of the season did expose, however, is that Arteta requires strength in depth and competition in key areas.
Champions League qualification will give them plenty more money to play with and there’s an argument that they go all-out to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, who will cost around £100m. At only 24 years old and a potential future England captain, he fits the profile of player who can help them become trophy contenders once more.
Declan Rice would be an ideal signing for Arsenal (Photo: Reuters)
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, who they missed out on in January, is another option they will explore. He subsequently signed a new contract but would still, clearly, be interested in joining Arsenal.
However, with Brighton flying, would qualifying for Europe convince him to stay on the south coast for a while longer? Plus, with Liverpool in the hunt for Alex Mac Allister you can be sure Brighton will make sure any move is right for them, not Arsenal.
Arteta has also been scouting Real Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand, who is believed to have £44m release clause.
Arteta
It’s easy to forget that this is Arteta’s first job as a manager, after all those years working alongside Guardiola. Like his young squad, he is still developing and growing, too.
Arteta admitted after the Manchester City game it was “time to look in the mirror [at] what we could have done better or differently” and he will have to make honest assessments of what he has gone wrong this season and bold decisions about how to improve. (Not something he has been afraid of in the past – Aubameyang knows this all too well.)
There have been calls for the excellent Leandro Trossard, signed in January, to play more prominently while Arteta will know any high-quality additions will risk destabilising the current balance.
“Mikel has brought another dimension to Arsenal,” Guardiola said of his protégé before they met on Wednesday night. “They’re huge competitors in all senses. They’re so aggressive. They control all the aspects. And we’ve felt it.
“In the two games we’ve played this season we’ve felt it. And you have to challenge them in those terms otherwise the speed they have up front the intensity they have in the long balls, second balls, the quality in the build-up, it’s difficult.”
Guardiola could well have trained his new major rival of the coming years.
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