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Prenton Dell F.C

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» Erling Haaland vs Martin Odegaard is "special" - says the Premier League star who knows them best
Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard face off at the Etihad in Sunday's potential title decider when Manchester City clash with Arsenal and Sander Berge details how his close pals will be feeling
» 5 things we spotted from Liverpool training as stars return but new problems arise
Jurgen Klopp has welcomed back his Liverpool players from international duty as the Reds prepare for the first of 10 huge Premier League games between now and May
» Liverpool look at Xabi Alonso alternatives as plan to replace Jurgen Klopp dealt major blow
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has said it will be “probably impossible” to land the Spaniard this summer as the German champions were also chasing him
» Andy Robertson issues Euro 2024 challenge to Scotland team-mates after "surreal" unveiling
The Liverpool full-back went off injured in Tuesday night’s 1-0 friendly loss at Hampden as Steve Clarke’s side’s winless run stretched to seven matches ahead of this summer's European Championships in Germany
» Gary Neville tells Sir Jim Ratcliffe he must cross three names off Man Utd manager list
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville doesn't believe that three managers who are being linked with replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford would be up to the job
» Mauricio Pochettino tells Noni Madueke to "be careful" after winger slammed Chelsea fans
Mauricio Pochettino has responded after Noni Madueke spoke out in defence of Raheem Sterling after he was jeered at by Chelsea supporters during the 4-2 win over Leicester
» Manager sacked, both captains banned and every player fined after top-flight match 'fixed'
The repercussions have already been felt following a controversial match in the Belgian top-flight, with the country's Federal Prosecutor's Office getting involved
» Leicester City sack boss Willie Kirk after probe into alleged relationship with player
Willie Kirk has been relieved of his duties by Leicester City after the Women's Super League club conducted an internal investigation into an alleged relationship with a player
» Man Utd told Gareth Southgate 'won't want job' after Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes him No.1 choice
Gareth Southgate is one of a number of names to be linked with the Manchester United job as new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe weighs up whether to keep Erik ten Hag in charge
» Man City's key role in ongoing delay to Premier League's financial deal with EFL
JOHN CROSS COLUMN: There is general frustration at some clubs that the reasons behind the stand-off have not been made public when the reality is they are ready and there is a willingness but it has been held up in red tape and in-fighting
» Wrexham issue statement explaining Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's huge financial losses
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have invested millions into Wrexham to propel the Welsh club out of the National League and into the League Two promotion places
» Key Man City pair miss training ahead of huge Arsenal clash - but five others return
Manchester City have injury concerns ahead of their crunch Premier League match against Arsenal after two of Pep Guardiola's star players went down during the international break
» Ex-Premier League referee Jon Moss left top PGMOL role after 'bitter fallout' with top refs
Long-serving Premier League official Jon Moss had moved into a role with the referees' body in 2023, but has lasted less than a year in the post amid reports of a falling-out
» Caoimhin Kelleher sends message to Alisson after impressing in Liverpool star's absence
Caoimhin Kelleher has been a vital figure for the Reds in Alisson’s absence and helped them win the Carabao Cup last month with a star performance
» Todd Boehly to eventually be removed as Chelsea chairman as club 'aims for new direction'
Todd Boehly has become a lightning rod for criticism at Chelsea and the American billionaire will be forced to vacate his role as chairman at the end of the 2026-27 season
» UEFA consider major Euro 2024 rule change after unhappy Gareth Southgate demand
UEFA chose to revert to 23-man squads ahead of this summer's European Championships in Germany, but managers including Gareth Southgate seemingly don't agree with the decision
» Mauricio Pochettino unhappy with 'surprise' England decision as Chelsea star left injured
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell suffered a dead leg after playing both games for the Three Lions havingonly recently returning from injury, meaning he faces a race against time to be involved this weekend
» Sandro Tonali hit with new FA charge after 50 bets in first two months of Premier League season
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is currently serving a 10-month ban over breaches of rules regarding betting on matches in Italy before his £55million move to the Premier League
» Cesc Fabregas tipped to emulate Mikel Arteta as his next coaching move emerges
Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is only in the early stages of his coaching career, but the Spaniard's current boss is already convinced that he will follow in the footsteps of Mikel Arteta
» Five Arsenal stars at risk of missing Man City clash with key men in race against time
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are among the big names who could be absent for Arsenal at Manchester City as Mikel Arteta sweats on the fitness of several stars
» Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta facing transfer dilemma with decision on red-hot loan star
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has his sights set on a new striker in the summer, but Gunners prospect Mika Biereth has excelled on loan in Austria and is set to be the subject of transfer interest
» Marouane Fellaini makes feelings on David Moyes clear after Manchester United 'nightmare'
David Moyes brought Marouane Fellaini with him from Everton after taking charge of Manchester United in 2013, but the season turned into a disaster for both of them
» Man City vs Arsenal: 5 key battles that could decide Premier League title showdown
Manchester City and Arsenal face off at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a game that could potentially decide the destination of the Premier League title at the end of the season
» Disgraced Dani Alves makes first court appearance after 'party until 5am' follows release from jail
Disgraced former Barcelona star and Brazil international Dani Alves forked out just shy of £1million to land himself bail as he appeals against his four-and-a-half year jail sentence after being found guilty of rape
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» Leicester sack Willie Kirk after investigation into alleged relationship with player
  • Women’s team manager was suspended by club on 8 March
  • Jennifer Foster and Stephen Kirby in temporary charge

Leicester have sacked their women’s team manager, Willie Kirk, after an investigation into an alleged relationship with a player.

The WSL club said he “was determined to have breached the team’s code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable”.

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» Women’s Champions League: Bonmatí leads Barcelona towards Chelsea semi
  • Quarter-final second leg: Barcelona 3-1 Brann (5-2 agg)
  • Fridolina Rolfö and Patricia Guijarro also on scoresheet

Chelsea will face Barcelona in their Women’s Champions League semi-final after the Spanish side secured a 3-1 second-leg last-eight victory over Brann to win 5-2 on aggregate.

Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí opened the scoring for the defending champions inside 24 minutes at Barcelona’s Johan Cruyff Stadium, displaying brilliant control of the ball at the edge of the area before unfurling an unstoppable strike to the top-left corner.

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» ‘Everything is possible’: YMCA football team’s rise to Norwegian top flight

Oslo community club KFUM will make their Eliteserien debut next week after an incredible rise through the divisions

Football’s ability to conjure ridiculous stories is legion, but even so the one about the YMCA club in Norway’s Eliteserien is ridiculous. Yet that is exactly where KFUM-Kameratene Oslo find themselves: on Tuesday, they make their top-flight debut with a home game against HamKam.

Though KFUM remain a local community club – their ground holds only 3,000 and is accessed via a zebra crossing – their rise has been meticulously planned. “We have learned year by year,” says Tor-Erik Stenberg, the general manager. “Small changes to be more and more and more professional.” So they began by giving players amateur contracts, then moved training from evening to daytime, then focused on better marketing, and so on; this season, fortified with the funds to improve more than one aspect, they have added a match analyst, expanded their medical department, and taken the team abroad for warm-weather training.

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» Crunch time: Easter games that have shaped the Premier League title race

As the sharp end of the season fast approaches, here are four classic matches that helped to decide title battles gone by

“I always wanted to kick Peter Schmeichel for some reason,” Michael Owen said, looking back on how he became the first player to be sent off in a Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool. He was first booked for kicking the goalkeeper and, minutes after scoring to cancel Ronny Johnsen’s opener, Owen earned his second yellow for a lunge on the Norwegian in the 40th minute. Johnsen had to be carried off on a stretcher. Earlier in the season United had comfortably beaten Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield, and the Merseyside club were keen to ruin the party and ensure their rivals did not get a boost in their title race against Arsenal.

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» Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali charged by FA over 50 alleged breaches of betting rules
  • Italian was suspended from game for 10 months last October
  • Ban unlikely to be extended with player due back on 27 August

The Football Association has charged Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali with 50 alleged gambling offences relating to bets the Italy midfielder placed after swapping Milan for Tyneside in a £55m transfer last July.

Tonali is partway through a 10-month worldwide suspension imposed by Italy’s football federation after being found guilty of betting on matches featuring Milan and his previous club, Brescia, but Newcastle are understood to be ­quietly confident he will not face any further, extended sanction.

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» Football Daily | Getting the Peter Drury Easter bingo card ready for City v Arsenal

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With Arsenal primed to take on Manchester City at the Etihad in a potential title decider, the stage is certainly set for a certain Brazilian to hijack the occasion. As the clock ticks down to kick-off on Sunday, you can be sure commentators tasked with covering the game will have spent long evenings working diligently on their painstakingly scripted “ad-libs”, fervently hoping Arsenal’s No 9 will score the winning goal. Ideally, a strike that finishes a most unlikely comeback for his team. Suffice to say that Football Daily has got its Peter Drury bingo card ready and phrases such as “divine intervention”, “back from the dead” and the rather snappy “Arsenal looked doomed on their Etihad Calvary but Jesus has resurrected their title hopes on this Easter Sunday!” all feature.

Interesting reading the ‘Paul Bodin moment for the modern age’ (yesterday’s Football Daily). As we Swindon Town fans all know and cherish, the Paul Bodin moment for all time happened on 31 May 1993 at Wembley when his penalty took us to a 4-3 win in the playoff final v Leicester and promotion for our one and only (so far) season in the Premier League. Many happy conversations with Paul at the County Ground directors’ box on match days. Forever the Paul Bodin moment for all time!” – David J Waldron.

George Kirk’s puzzlement about Kobbie Mainoo’s playing position (yesterday’s Football Daily letters) supports my own perplexity. I’m a strong believer that a team should wear the numbers 1-11 whenever they play. So the sum total of the perfect team’s numbers would be 66. Any deviation, or excess, since it can’t be lower, from this should be frowned upon. In the recent Manchester United v Liverpool FA Cup semi-final the clubs had shirt totals of 216 v 220, respectively. Whenever I have no explicit reason for supporting a side in a match, I will often go with the team with the lower shirt total. My backup protocol (in the unlikely event that shirt totals might be equal) is to support whichever side is farther north. So in that particular FA Cup tie, United had the marginally lower shirt total … and the centre spot at Old Trafford is a meagre 0.033° further north than at Anfield. No wonder Erik ten Hag’s Specials came out on top” – Ken Muir.

In response to George’s query, a No 6 usually means a defensive midfielder (or No 5 if you’re South American) and a No 8 is now shorthand for a box-to-box midfielder. Also, No 10 normally means a support striker or attacking midfielder who sits off the main centre-forward, but that’s more obvious. And don’t get me started on these false 9s, 9-and-a-halves, etc” – Dale Godfrey.

This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.

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» Larry Lloyd, former Nottingham Forest and Liverpool defender, dies aged 75
  • Lloyd had key role in Forest’s two European Cup wins
  • Centre-back also won league and Uefa Cup double at Anfield

Nottingham Forest have paid tribute to the double European Cup winner Larry Lloyd, who has died at the age of 75.

Lloyd, who also won the First Division title and Uefa Cup with Liverpool, was a key player in the Forest side that won the league in 1978 and European Cup in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough. The Bristol-born defender won four caps for England, too, and went on to manage Wigan and Notts County following the end of his hugely successful playing career.

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» Pochettino surprised by Chilwell’s major England role as Chelsea battle injuries
  • Left-back has not started for Chelsea for nearly a month
  • Sánchez, Chalobah and Chukwuemeka also injured

Mauricio Pochettino admitted he was surprised Ben Chilwell started two games for England during the international break, having only recently returned from a knee injury. The defender last started for Chelsea on 2 March against Brentford and since then has played only a few minutes for the club, as a late substitute in the FA Cup against Leicester.

Yet he played the entirety of England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium on Tuesday, three days after completing 67 minutes against Brazil. The Argentinian is no closer to seeing the end of his team’s injury crisis with nine players currently ruled out of Saturday’s meeting with Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

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» Who is in form as the Premier League hits the business end of the season?

Arsenal face their biggest test of the campaign on Sunday. Their trip to Manchester City could not have come at a better time

By Ben McAleer for WhoScored

Domestic duties return with a bang this weekend as Manchester City host Arsenal in what could prove a decisive clash in the Premier League title race. Just a point separates the pair at the top of the table and, with Liverpool playing Brighton earlier in the day on Sunday, neither side can afford to drop points at the Etihad.

Before the big games this weekend, WhoScored have assessed the players who have shone in recent weeks. To qualify, players must have featured in two of their side’s last three games, and six of their last eight. The ratings are also weighted chronologically, with recency bias coming into effect.

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» Southgate backs push for 26-man squads at Euro 2024 amid injury pile-up
  • Walker, Maguire, Stones and Johnstone injured in last fortnight
  • Manager insists ‘door is open’ for Ben White to return to fold

Gareth Southgate has suggested he would be in favour of 26-man squads at the European Championship in Germany this summer and revealed that the issue is to be debated next month at a Uefa coaches ­meeting, where it will have support.

Southgate’s plans over the past international window were turned upside down by injuries and there is a growing feeling that the physical demands on players mean larger squads will be needed for the ­tournament.

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» Euro 2024 power rankings: a look at the 24 teams going to Germany

While France and England are among the favourites, Austria could spring a surprise

This was not a vintage window for Didier Deschamps’ side with a home defeat against Germany followed up by a shaky 3-2 win against Chile in Marseille. The captain, Kylian Mbappé, had a difficult few days and the absence of Antoine Griezmann, who missed his first France games for seven years because of injury, was clearly felt. There were positives, however, with the 18-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery having a good game against Germany and Randal Kolo Muani scoring and assisting against Chile. Deschamps made nine changes for the second game with William Saliba getting a rare start in Marseille, even though the coach had said beforehand that the Arsenal player “does things he doesn’t like”. Still the team to beat. Marcus Christenson

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» Haaland v Havertz: a style subplot as City’s goal machine meets Arsenal’s false 9 | Karen Carney

The Norwegian remains ruthless but in the awkward German the title pretenders have acquired a player growing in efficiency

Sir Alex Ferguson once said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you championships.” The meeting of Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday could well prove the former Manchester United manager right.

The teams are very different in style when it comes to their centre-forwards. Manchester City have arguably the world’s best No 9 in Erling Haaland, whereas Kai Havertz assumes the role of a false 9 for Arsenal. The contrasts will make for an intriguing match at the Etihad, with both teams knowing the importance of the result.

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» ‘Compete with the big dogs’: new era beckons for the Dominican Republic

Having become the first senior team to represent the country at a major tournament, sights are set on a professional league

They came, they saw and they … lost heavily. Five-nil, 8-0 and 3-0 in fact. But on this occasion it did not matter, or not much. The key bit was the “came” as the Dominican Republic women’s team became the first senior side to represent the country at a major tournament.

They beat Guyana 1-0 to qualify for the Concacaf W Gold Cup and, despite the USA, Mexico and Argentina proving too strong at the tournament, the captain, Lucía León, was proud of the players. “We were tired,” she tells Moving the Goalposts. “Four games in 10 days and some players arrived having not played competitive games for a couple of months because of their club schedules or not having a club so training by themselves. So I think putting all that into consideration, we did a good job.”

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» Mayra Ramírez opener eases Chelsea into WCL semi-finals despite Ajax rally

Chelsea progressed to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League despite being held at Stamford Bridge by a stubborn Ajax. Mayra Ramírez fired the hosts ahead before Chasity Grant levelled in the second half to ensure parity on the night. It was a result that mattered little, however, as Chelsea went through 4-1 on aggregate.

The manager, Emma Hayes, acknowledged the test while expressing her contentment with her much-changed Chelsea side. “They could have scored; we could have scored more in the first half,” she said. “But when you make so many changes, you have to expect there will be a disruption … [At 4-0 up] we relaxed a little. We’re through and I’ll focus on that.”

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» A-Leagues avoid Easter TV blackout but financial worries remain
  • Broadcasters NEP step in to produce season’s remaining matches
  • APL makes late deal after Global Advance enters administration

Longstanding broadcasters NEP have stepped in to save the A-Leagues’ blushes of an Easter weekend TV blackout after production partners Global Advance were placed into voluntary administration.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) were forced into a scramble on Tuesday when Global Advance notified them of their inability to produce broadcasts of this weekend’s matches and their intention to enter into administration.

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» ‘It just came out’: Eric Cantona reveals inspiration for 1995 seagulls comment

Former Manchester United star says his near-30-year silence on subject has been his revenge on the press

It was one of the most baffling utterances ever made by a footballer.

When Eric Cantona said at a 1995 press conference: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea,” everyone was left scratching their heads.

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» Luis Rubiales faces possible 30-month jail sentence for Jenni Hermoso kiss
  • Spanish prosecutors issue two charges against Rubiales
  • Three others alleged to have coerced Hermoso

Luis Rubiales could face a prison sentence of two and a half years if convicted of kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips against her will, court documents have shown. The former Spanish football federation chief has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion in the aftermath of the kiss, offences carrying jail terms of one year and 18 months respectively.

The 46-year-old grabbed ­Hermoso and kissed her on the lips on 20 August during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, sparking global outrage and ­causing a national debate in Spain about ­sexism. ­Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning, but Rubiales argued it was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.

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» Richarlison considered quitting football during post-World Cup depression
  • Brazil player says going to therapist ‘saved my life’
  • ‘I wanted to give up … It seemed like it all fell apart’

The Brazil forward Richarlison has revealed he endured depression after his country’s quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup and considered quitting football.

Richarlison, who plays for Tottenham, said in September he would seek psychological help after he was photographed crying on the bench when he was substituted during Brazil’s 5-1 thrashing of Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. The 26-year-old, capped 48 times, has urged players to seek help for their mental health.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org

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» Roméo Lavia’s Chelsea season over after one 32-minute appearance
  • Thigh injury rules out midfielder for rest of campaign
  • He has not played since December debut after £53m move

Roméo Lavia, who has played 32 minutes of competitive football since joining Chelsea for £53m in August, has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh injury.

The update on the Belgium midfielder is the latest in a long line of worrying developments for ­Mauricio Pochettino, who has had to cope without a number of key players at various points of a ­testing campaign. Reece James, Chelsea’s captain, has not played since December and ­Christopher Nkunku, Lesley ­Ugochukwu, Levi Colwill and ­Wesley Fofana are also in the treatment room.

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» Rashford’s England rivals circle as his United slump goes international

Out-of-form attacker was mostly overlooked by Southgate in friendlies as Bowen, Gordon and Maddison took their chance

Gareth Southgate did say. When the England manager announced his squad for the Wembley friendlies with Brazil and Belgium, he made clear that Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish faced competition for their Euro 2024 places from the next generation of wide attackers – specifically Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer. There was also a prominent namecheck for Jarrod Bowen.

As the dust settled on the international window, which was defined for Southgate by injury chaos and the usual debate about who had advanced their claims or hurt them, it was easy to go back to those words. And to process another round of them that, for Rashford in particular, did not sound encouraging.

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» ‘Sexism is the risk factor’: football’s race to learn more about ACL injuries

Doctors and coaches alike cannot fully explain the worrying trend among female players but many believe that a lack of resources, rather than biology, is a key factor

After 30 years of research, it is still a mystery why women footballers are five to eight times more likely to sustain a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament injury than their male counterparts.

For physicians such as Joan Carles Monllau, one of Europe’s top orthopaedic surgeons who has operated on the double Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas’s ACL injury, as well as Barcelona men’s star Gavi and many other top players, biology remains the determining factor in why women are more prone to ACL injuries.

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» On the plane or sofa? How England’s Euro 2024 squad is shaping up

With the tournament just over 11 weeks away, we assess where players lie in the pecking order under Gareth Southgate

Jordan Pickford’s error against Belgium will have no impact on his status as England’s No 1. Only injuries can disrupt Gareth Southgate’s defensive plans. John Stones is vital at centre-back and nobody has stepped up to take Harry Maguire’s place. Kyle Walker, who limped off against Brazil on Saturday, remains the leading right-back. Expect Kieran Trippier, who can also play at left-back, to provide cover for him. The smart money is on Trippier starting on the left if Luke Shaw is unable to regain fitness.

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» Just how important is a settled central defence in the Premier League? | Oliver Hopkins

Arsenal have gone top of the table with a steady defence, whereas Manchester United keep chopping and changing

By Oliver Hopkins for Opta Analyst

A solid centre-back partnership has been the foundation of many of the Premier League’s best sides. From Tony Adams and Martin Keown, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, to even the undeniable importance of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth; a settled, reliable partnership is at the heart of any great side.

With Arsenal’s title charge underpinned by a dominant defence led by Gabriel and William Saliba, we investigate the current crop of Premier League centre-backs. Who are the most effective combinations? Which teams can barely field the same partnership from week to week? And are we seeing the death of the back three?

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» ‘They can be exploited’: clubs help young footballers navigate digital age

Child prodigies attract huge followings but Premier League clubs are warning against the consequences of early fame

As a six-year-old with four million Instagram followers, Arat Hosseini was not your typical academy footballer, but although “Mini Messi” is an extreme example, the young Iranian epitomised the challenge confronting England’s top football clubs as the digital-native generation of young players comes through.

The headline-making child prodigy has now left Liverpool, where he spent three years, but there are others: “Kid Messi” and “Kid Ronaldo”, children whose parents have documented their “careers” on Instagram, YouTube or TikTok. Boot deals are signed aged 11 and one’s fame was such that he was mobbed while playing at a recent tournament.

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» India left reeling by Afghanistan as World Cup hopes begin to fade again

Expanded 2026 World Cup finals have given hope to Igor Stimac’s side but the Lions of Khorasan had other ideas

Perhaps the one positive for India from their shock 2-1 home defeat by Afghanistan in 2026 World Cup qualification is that the team have risen far enough for shock defeats to be a thing. It is not much of a comfort, however, and once solid-looking dreams of reaching the final stages on the road to the World Cup for the first time are starting to hang by delicate threads of Assam silk.

On Thursday, fans in that state’s biggest city, Guwahati, were confident of a comfortable win against Afghanistan, a team ranked 158 in the world. The 0-0 draw between the two five days earlier in the south-west corner of Saudi Arabia, rather than in Kabul, was surely a blip. Qatar were streaking ahead in Group A of qualification, leaving India and Kuwait to fight for the second spot that also brings a place in the final 18 that will fight it out for Asia’s increased World Cup allocation of eight. India had four points from the first three games and could have moved four points clear of third with two games to go.

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» 'They wanted me to speak, I spoke': Eric Cantona reveals reason for 1995 seagulls comment – video

When Eric Cantona said at a 1995 press conference: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea,” everyone was left scratching their heads. Cantona made the statement after being ordered to speak to the press to explain his notorious kung-fu kick on an abusive Crystal Palace fan at Selhurst Park in January 1995. After nearly 30 years Cantona has revealed the inspiration for the quote and admitted his silence was his little revenge on the press.

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» 'Our dream has come true': Georgia fans go wild as team reach Euros for first time – video

Georgian football fans took to the streets of Tbilisi to celebrate their qualification for Euro 2024. Thousands of people thronged the city, waving Georgian flags and chanting to celebrate their victory over Greece. Georgia will make their major tournament debut at Euro 2024 after beating Greece 4-2 in a penalty shootout. It had been a tense and testy 0-0 draw in a raucous atmosphere in Tbilisi. The Georgian team joined the celebrations in the centre of Tbilisi, where they took the stage and thanked the fans for their support.

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» 'I have to keep fighting': Vinícius Júnior breaks down in tears discussing racism – video

Brazil's Vinícius Júnior wept after being asked about the racism he has faced while playing for Real Madrid. The 23-year-old, who moved to the Bernabéu in 2018, has been the victim of racist abuse on several occasions while playing for Los Blancos. 'I'm sorry. I just want to play football,' the forward said as he broke down in tears, adding: 'I just want to do whatever I can for my club and for my family'

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» 'It was beautiful': Sven-Göran Eriksson thanks Liverpool for fulfilling dream – video

Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson says he cried during the Liverpool match against Ajax as he fulfilled a life-long dream of coaching the Reds. Eriksson joined the coaching staff for the sold-out match after revealing in January this year that he had terminal pancreatic cancer. 'To sit on the bench for Liverpool has been my dream,' said the 76-year-old during the press conference following the match.

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» 'It isn't the St George's flag': Gareth Southgate downplays England Nike kit controversy – video

England manager Gareth Southgate downplayed Nike's altered St George's Cross on their kit after the sporting brand’s decision angered some fans online.

Nike, which makes the kit for England's national soccer teams, unveiled its new design this week, which it said paid homage to the country's 1966 World Cup-winning men's team. It features the St. George's Cross, red on a white background and England's national flag, in shades of red, blue and purple on the back of the shirt collar.

Nike called the change a "playful update" that was meant to "unite and inspire", adding that the design "disrupts history with a modern take on a classic".

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» Trabzonspor fans storm pitch and attack Fenerbahce players in latest ugly Super Lig scenes – video

Fans of Turkey’s Trabzonspor stormed the pitch and brawled with players from visiting Fenerbahce and security staff, in the latest incident in a Super Lig season that has been marred by controversy. As Fenerbahce’s players celebrated the 3-2 away win in the centre of the pitch, a supporter ran on to the field and fought with visiting defender Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Video footage showed Osayi-Samuel swinging a fist towards the fan, while forward Michy Batshuayi, who had scored the winning goal in the game, could be seen kicking out at supporters as security forces tried to intervene. Dozens more then stormed the pitch, as security forces tried to shield Fenerbahce players who were running off the field.

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» Debutants dazzle for Socceroos to add vigour to Arnold’s hardened pros | John Davidson

Kusini Yengi and John Iredale scored their first international goals while Patrick Yazbeck claimed an assist as new faces starred in 5-0 rout of Lebanon

The kids are all right, but so are the old boys.

“You can’t win anything with kids” was Alan Hansen’s immortal TV line about Manchester United, back in 1995, after they lost to Aston Villa on the first day of the season. United, of course, famously went on to win the double that season and countless trophies in the years that followed in a team built around the youthful exuberance of the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and one David Robert Joseph Beckham.

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» Late show helps USMNT past Jamaica and into Concacaf Nations League final
  • USA 3-1 Jamaica (aet)
  • US score equalizer six minutes into added time
  • Will face Mexico in final

The United States escaped defeat with an own goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, Haji Wright scored twice in extra time and the Americans rallied past Jamaica 3-1 on Thursday night to reach the Concacaf Nations League final.

Greg Leigh scored just 30 seconds into the game for the Reggae Boyz, and the Americans were on the verge of losing their third straight match, after successive defeats to Trinidad and Tobago, and Slovenia. Instead, Wright scored in the sixth and 19th minutes of extra time and the US will try to win the Nations League for the third straight time on Sunday.

Both of Wright’s goals were set up by Gio Reyna, who entered at the start of the second half after being limited to 42 minutes over four substitute appearances for Nottingham Forest since he was loaned from Borussia Dortmund in January.

Four minutes of second-half stoppage time originally were signaled and later five, and the clock was at 95:25 when Christian Pulisic’s corner kick to the near post was headed on by Miles Robinson. The ball deflected off Jamaican forward Corey Burke and past goalkeeper Andre Blake. It was the latest goal for the Americans since Ricardo Clark scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to beat Venezuela 1-0 in 2012.

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» Socceroos’ chaotic win over Lebanon marred by injuries
  • Australia beat the Cedars 2-0 in World Cup qualifier
  • Keanu Baccus and Kye Rowles score first international goals

Australia have now played three games on the road to the 2026 Fifa World Cup. They have emerged triumphant in all three games and after their 2-0 win over Lebanon, they already have one foot in the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying. But the victory over the Cedars in Sydney’s west has extracted a significant price on Graham Arnold’s side.

Riley McGree and Jordy Bos limped from the CommBank Stadium surface before the half-time whistle on Thursday, throwing into doubt their availability for Tuesday’s return fixture against Lebanon in Canberra and also their status for club sides Middlesbrough and KVC Westerlo. Two of the side’s key gamechangers and creative outlets, their absence prevented any attempts to uplift what was a largely nondescript Socceroos win.

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» ‘Why should fit young men be dying?’: migrant worker deaths spark concerns over Saudi Arabia World Cup

Campaigners warn Fifa over risk of death toll rising once 2034 preparations start, after Guardian investigation reveals most of the thousands of Bangladeshi workers’ deaths are unexplained

An ambulance is weaving through the chaos of the cargo depot at Dhaka’s international airport, navigating a careful route through trolleys stacked high with boxes, men hauling rolls of cloth and trucks reversing into loading bays. It stops and, shortly afterwards, from between the towering piles of goods, a coffin is wheeled out. Then another. And another. On this one day, the bodies of 10 migrant workers are being returned from Saudi Arabia back home to their families in Bangladesh.

Among those present to meet the coffins is Khadija Begum, whose 35-year-old husband, Abdul Jalil Shaikh, had gone to work in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of 2023. He left with his family’s dreams on his shoulders and now is coming back in a wooden box, most of his 500,000 taka (£3,750) debt – the price he paid a recruitment agent for his job – returning with him.

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» Court allows Dani Alves to leave prison in advance of appeal hearing
  • Brazilian footballer was convicted of raping woman in 2022
  • Alves ordered to surrender passports and pay €1m bail

A Spanish court decided on Wednesday that Dani Alves could leave prison if he pays a bail of €1m (£850,000) and hands over his passports while awaiting the appeal against his conviction for raping a woman in Barcelona.

The former Brazil and Barcelona player was found guilty of having raped the woman in a nightclub in 2022 and sentenced to four years and six months in prison. During the three-day trial he denied wrongdoing.

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» Spanish police raid Luis Rubiales’ house as part of corruption investigation
  • Several arrests made amid allegations of money laundering
  • Football federation HQ and Rubiales’ property in Granada raided

Police have arrested at least six people and raided the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation and a residence belonging to its former president, Luis Rubiales, as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering.

Spanish police told the Associated Press that Rubiales, who made headlines around the world after an unsolicited kiss and defiant refusal to step down, was not among those arrested on Wednesday. However, a source connected to the operation said Rubiales was among five additional people officially put under investigation.

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» ‘This will change women’s soccer’: why KC Current’s stadium has set a new standard

Players in Kansas City used to get changed in parking lots. On Saturday, the city’s latest club opened the first purpose-built stadium for a women’s professional sports team

Through strength, speed and courage, Temwa Chawinga created an opening in the Portland defense. She sprinted past a defender to beat oncoming Portland goalkeeper Shelby Hogan to the ball, which spilled out into space. Teenager Alex Pfeiffer saw an opportunity, closed in and buried her left-footed strike. Music, smoke and pyrotechnics burst from the Kansas City Riverfront. Kansas City Current led Portland Thorns, 5-1.

The brand-new CPKC Stadium, the world’s first purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team, billowed with the joy of 11,500 fans in the midday Missouri sun. At 16 years, three months and 20 days old, Pfeiffer became the youngest goalscorer in National Women’s Soccer League history.

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» When will the US produce a soccer coach who can win respect in England?

Jesse Marsch and Bob Bradley faced scepticism from many in the Premier League. But the antipathy wasn’t wholly deserved

Jesse Marsch had a point to make. He made it rather well and at length. Given a chance to be a pundit on Sky Sports’ flagship Monday Night Football last month, the Wisconsinite zoomed around the studio’s touchpad with the same zest he would expect of high-pressing players. His casual garb of stonewashed jeans and shiny white sneakers did not deflect from the fact that this was a presentation aimed at future employers, club owners; MNF has become a regular vehicle for unemployed managers to announce they are ready to work again.

“I love the Premier League and I love the power of what the league means globally, but honestly the true answer is I want to find like-minded people that are committed to developing people, relationships and building something,” he said. If Jamie Carragher occasionally harrumphed through the 45-minute coaching masterclass, little doubt was left that Marsch is detailed and has an authentic grasp on modern football.

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» Are Valverde’s Athletic Club the most fun football team to watch in 2024? | Sid Lowe

Manager is helming the thrilling third stint in a trilogy that could see the club win a first major trophy in 40 years

“Football is like a film,” Ernesto Valverde says, and sometimes it is an entire trilogy of them. The man who allayed fears that sequels are never any good by reminding everyone of The Godfather Part II when he returned to Bilbao for a second spell as coach of Athletic Club in 2013 and then proved it by leading to them to their first trophy in 31 years has gone and done it again. If Part II was even better than the original, the player they called “The Ant” becoming the only manager who could match what he had achieved first time round, Part III of his San Mames saga might be the best yet, Valverde back to take them where they have never been, not even with him.

When Valverde rejoined Athletic in the summer of 2022, his last job had ended with him being sacked by Barcelona, he had not worked for 30 months and he signed for a single season. But at least he was home, among those who appreciated him; besides, he insisted, it was an adventure – and it has been excellent. Eighth in the league – as high as Athletic had been since he was last there – and within four minutes of the Copa del Rey final in his first season, a year on and with his contract extended, this season they did get there, putting four past Barcelona and Atlético Madrid en route to April’s final against Mallorca in Seville. Then this Saturday, they got two more to defeat Alavés and move into fourth – well-placed to qualify for the Champions League for the third time and the first since way back when the manager was, well, him.

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» The 100 best male footballers in the world 2023

Erling Haaland has been voted the best player in the world for 2023 by our 218-strong panel, with Jude Bellingham finishing second

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» The 100 best female footballers in the world 2023

Aitana Bonmatí, Sam Kerr and Salma Paralluelo top the list of female footballers in the world in 2023 according to our judges

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» Erling Haaland voted the world’s best player – and he’s just getting started | Niall McVeigh

The Norwegian is only 23 but his devastating goal record has seen him voted as the No 1 player in the world by the Guardian’s expert panel

When Pep Guardiola tearfully claimed Manchester City could not replace the departing Sergio Agüero in May 2021, he didn’t just create a meme. Guardiola was soft-launching a global audition for his team’s new attacking talisman. An unsuccessful pursuit of Harry Kane in the summer of 2021 came between two title-winning seasons where Ilkay Gündogan (13) and Kevin De Bruyne (15) were the club’s top league goalscorers. Guardiola’s slick creative machine needed a new front man, and they found him in Erling Haaland.

Like Agüero before him – and in contrast to many of City’s most successful Pep-era signings – Haaland arrived as a bona fide superstar, a plug-and-play addition to an already stellar lineup. Whether he was a bargain is another question. The release clause paid was €60m (£51.2m), but some reports suggest Haaland’s five-year deal could cost the club in the region of £300m. And while there was an ominous logic to the move for City’s rivals, questions remained.

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» Spain and Barcelona lead way in women’s football after year of success | Rich Laverty

Aitana Bonmatí the clear winner of the Guardian’s best 100 female footballers in the world with 15 Spaniards on the list

After Alexia Putellas reigned in 2021 and 2022, her Barcelona and Spain teammate Aitana Bonmatí has been crowned the top female footballer of 2023 by the Guardian’s panel of 112 experts. The World Cup winner triumphed by a clear margin, finishing more than 500 points ahead of second-placed Sam Kerr.

Injuries and a World Cup meant there was a definite changing of the guard feel to this year’s list, sadly emphasised by the fact last year’s top two – Putellas and Beth Mead – missed a large chunk of our 12-month voting period with ACL injuries.

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» Premier League title race hinges on Etihad collision and the force is with Arsenal | Jonathan Wilson

The title is still up for grabs as the big three enter final turn and the last of the meetings between the contenders will be vital

After 10 games of the Premier League season, Tottenham stood top of the table with Arsenal and Manchester City two points back and Liverpool a further point behind that. But for the VAR snafu that cost Luis Díaz a goal at Spurs, the top three would probably have been the same as it is now, with 10 games remaining.

Which tells us what, exactly? That the top three are pretty evenly matched, that they have been consistent over the season and perhaps that, although the sense of this season has been of constant bubbling intrigue, modern league football doesn’t really allow for huge shifts of fortune.

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» PSR and late-season points deductions – this is why we all fell in love with football | Max Rushden

With off-field wrangles looking like affecting Premier League relegation this season, is it any surprise that fans are furious?

It’s what we all want: the as-it-stands table changing all the time on the final day. The title and relegation going right down to the wire. Cross to Soccer Saturday (on a Sunday, forgive the marginally out-of-date casting).

“We’re off to the court of arbitration for sport, there’s been a points deduction but who for, Chris Kamara?” “I don’t know Jeff, has there? I must have missed that” … “Chris, have you not been watching?” “I haven’t” … Kammy picks up. “No, you’re right, I saw Evangelos Marinakis clench his fists at the judge, but I thought he’d won his appeal.”

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» Plans for regulator illustrate inherently political nature of football | Jason Stockwood

Sport does not exist in a vacuum and football clubs will always be powerful emblems of our communal identity

Mustafa Suleyman’s timely book The Coming Wave discusses the combinational technologies that will define our future. One quote particularly stood out: “I’ve often heard it said that technology is ‘value neutral’ and that its politics arise from its use. This is so reductive and simplistic that it’s almost meaningless.”

I agree and was thinking similarly that football extends beyond the pitch, weaving itself into the very fabric of our societal, cultural and, most unmistakably, political realities. The notion that sports can exist in a vacuum, devoid of the world’s complexities and challenges, is not only implausible but naive. Football, as exemplified by the controversies surrounding the World Cup in Qatar, encompassing debates over workers’ rights, environmental practices and discrimination based on sexual orientation, has proven a catalyst for a larger global discourse.

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» Football Daily | Welsh woes and a Paul Bodin moment for the modern age

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As the reverberations of Wales’s Euro 2024 playoff final defeat by Poland echo through the air, questions will arise, each more uncomfortable than the last, for Rob Page to ponder, as he reflects on having hopes of qualification dashed. Can they realistically stride forward into this post-Gareth Bale era, or are they doomed to dwell in the shadow of the golf legend’s glory days? Yet, in the immediate aftermath, introspection takes a backseat to the collective Welsh groans and finger-pointing.

L*ton T*wn’s b@ntertastic request to Coldplay to change the name of their hit single to Orange (yesterday’s Football Daily) got this Hornet thinking. Sure, We Never Change, because Yes, we’ve sacked at least 42 managers – a higher number than there are Cemeteries of London – since Daybreak. And of course I Shiver and tell myself Don’t Panic when I even consider the possibility that L*ton might stay up. But rest assured, Sparks will fly if the Dirgecore legends even think about changing the name of a song that is obviously a WFC tribute. And if Deeney finds out, you can bet there’ll be Troy-ble” – Mac Millings.

Ah, Football Daily. If only we could Fix You” – James Yelland.

On Big Website, Kobbie Mainoo is described as being ‘a cross between a No 6 and a No 8’. Now, I am getting on a bit and, to me, that means both a left half and an inside right. Confusing. I hope I am not the only reader who would benefit from a lesson in this new-fangled terminology and that an explanation would raise our limited enjoyment of the tea-timely email” – George Kirk (and no others who are asking the wrong tea-timely email).

Lovely to see the sweet style of a David Beckham 1998 free-kick in yesterday’s Memory Lane (full email edition) and the big hair on Carlos Valderrama. Can never forget that he was the only player I’ve seen carried off, knacked on a stretcher, before coming back on to play the rest of the match” – Clive Brown.

This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.

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» Heartbreak for Wales, joy for Poland, Georgia and Ukraine – Football Weekly

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Paul Watson, Jonathan Wilson and Ben Fisher as Wales fail to qualify for Euro 2024

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email.

On the podcast today: Wales lose to Poland in their first ever penalty shootout – a missed Dan James penalty means Wales won’t qualify for Euro 2024. Poland will be joined by Georgia and Ukraine, who won their qualifiers respectively.

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» Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

Officiating howlers, Jess Park and Katie Robinson nudge Sarina Wiegman and Liverpool’s top-three hopes fade

Rehanne Skinner’s frustration at the state of officiating spilled over after West Ham’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea and she called for all WSL referees and their assistants to become professional. Skinner’s team were denied an equaliser against the champions after Honoka Hayashi was incorrectly flagged offside, but it is what she sees as repeated wrong calls that pushed her to demand change. “Last week there were two goals that were scored against us, neither of which should have stood, which is another point for us,” she said. “Tottenham game, we get an apology after the game for a goal that should never have stood for offside. I’m getting a bit sick of it to be honest … We just cannot keep having those types of mistakes because it completely ruins the game.” VAR is one solution but Skinner also added, more significantly perhaps, that WSL officials need to be full time. Currently only 50% of WSL referees are working on a full-time basis. “A lot of people are talking about VAR and things like that and if that’s what we need to do to get results right then that’s what we need to do,” she said. “Ultimately the referees still aren’t professional in this game so they’re not actually in a situation where they are solely focusing on these games and I think that has just got to change.” Suzanne Wrack

Match report: West Ham 0-2 Chelsea

WSL roundup: Arsenal close on Champions League with Villa win

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» Golden goal: Wayne Rooney for Manchester United v Fenerbahce (2004)

The teenage signing from Everton captured the imagination at Old Trafford with a storybook debut hat-trick

For all the adulation modern footballers receive, most will never comprehend the impact they have on young people. Sure, you get 21st-century icons such as Jack Grealish or James Maddison, who cut through all that silly public scrutiny on their hair or fashion choices and manage to connect with young supporters, but the vast majority can never truly know what they mean to fans.

I’ve worked in football journalism for almost a decade and met a fair few figures who could be deemed idols. Going to a José Mourinho press conference as a student on work experience was surreal. Making my first visit to the Old Trafford press box felt like a landmark as a boyhood Manchester United fan, as was shaking hands with Ole Gunnar Solskjær after covering a United pre-season friendly in Norway.

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» Will the WSL title race go down to the final day? – Women’s Football Weekly

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Wrack, Sophie Downey, and Marva Kreel to discuss all the weekend’s WSL action

On today’s pod: the panel rounds up all the weekend’s WSL action as Manchester turns blue with City beating United at the Etihad, thanks to a first-half brace from Jess Park and a record-breaking strike from Bunny Shaw. Will the WSL title race go down to the last game of the season? Is the best yet to come from Chelsea as they see off West Ham and a frustrated Rehanne Skinner?

Plus, more trouble for Arsenal after their bus was stuck in traffic. They won 3-1 against Aston Villa, but should their third goal have stood, and is it time for Arsenal to change their keeper?

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» Quiz time: can you name these nations’ most-capped female footballers?

Which players have turned out the most times for the leading countries in the women’s game? Test your knowledge now

If you enjoyed this quiz, why not sign up for our twice-weekly women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts?

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» Who was the first footballer booked for removing a shirt in celebration? | The Knowledge

Plus: most goals conceded with a positive GD, more refuseniks and managerial replacements with the same initials

“After watching Amad Diallo get sent off for removing his shirt, I have a few questions,” begins Alan Middlemass. “Who was the first player to be given a yellow card for celebrating by removing a shirt? Was anyone notorious for doing so before the punishment was introduced? How many have still made the celebration when on a first yellow?”

We covered the last question – players being sent off for taking their shirt off – back in 2016. Most of the examples come from the 21st century, but we missed a good story from February 1996. Beppe Signori scored a late penalty to win the Rome derby for Lazio and was giving a second yellow card for overdoing the euphoria.

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» David Squires on … FA Cup quarter-final magic and shadowy cartels

Our cartoonist looks back at the round of Robins, with thrilling late wins for the Coventry manager’s current club – and his former one

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» James Weir: ‘My Manchester United debut was an out-of-body experience. I wouldn’t change that for anything’

Midfielder on those early days under Louis van Gaal, spells in Hungary and Slovakia, and how injuries led to retirement at 28

“I have had so many operations on the left side that my body now tilts, and some days I could barely pass the ball,” the former Manchester United midfielder James Weir says. The 28-year-old is explaining why he has announced his retirement after a career plagued by injuries.

Weir made his Premier League debut as a last-minute substitute under Louis van Gaal on the same day as Marcus Rashford. The England striker scored a double against Arsenal that afternoon in February 2016 and his story needs no more telling, whereas Weir spent the following years on a somewhat nomadic journey, culminating in a sixth-month spell at Zlate Moravce, who sit bottom of the Slovakian top flight with five points from 24 games. Last month he called it a day.

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» MLS power rankings: Phil Neville is finding his groove with Portland

LAFC are off to a muddled start, Houston have a creative dynamo and Atlanta United are back in championship contention

Prepare your rage. Is it prepared? OK, great.

Welcome back to the Guardian’s MLS Power Rankings, where I have a beef with your specific team and your specific team alone. Now, as a reminder, these aren’t your standard, run-of-the-mill power rankings. We’re still ranking teams from worst to first. But along with the rankings, we’re diving deep into a handful of teams from around the league who are doing particularly interesting things.

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» Should Xabi Alonso pick Liverpool, Bayern or Barcelona? | Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson answers your questions on Xabi Alonso, Gareth Southgate and whether penalties are the right way to decide knockout games

If you were Xabi Alonso, would you pick Bayern Münich, Liverpool or Barcelona – or wait for the Real Madrid job to come open? Natalie

Reports in Germany at the end of last week suggested that Munich is now Alonso’s preferred destination, which feels a little disappointing. He’s almost certainly going to lift the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen this season and I’m not entirely clear why, having won the league on hard mode, he would now try to do it again on an easier setting. Yes, the way the Uefa coefficient works means that there’s likely to be a relatively straightforward passage into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and experience in that competition is the one thing still missing from his CV, but it still seems an unambitious step. Leaving Leverkusen makes sense given his stock cannot really climb any higher there and repeating this season’s feat is so unlikely, especially with players probably going to be sold this summer. Barcelona seems an improbable destination given his Madrid connections and his assumed desire at some point to become Madrid manager. While there’s probably a little trepidation at being Jürgen Klopp’s successor. Liverpool looks ideal – and, unlike Bayern or even Madrid, it’s not necessarily a job that’s going to be available every couple of seasons.

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» ‘I cried, it was beautiful’: Sven-Göran Eriksson fulfils his Liverpool dream

Childhood fan, who is dying of pancreatic cancer, managed the home side to victory over Ajax at Anfield in a legends match

Anfield was packed, the Liverpool squad boasted 985 caps and seven Champions League winners. The match was not the most competitive occasion the stadium will host this season but it was one of the most memorable on an emotional and perfect day for Sven-Göran Eriksson.

The Swede watched on as Liverpool came back from two goals down to win a cerebral thriller 4-2. Eriksson listened to the Kop serenade the boyhood fan with You’ll Never Walk Alone, making an old man very happy. He might have wanted a crack at the Premier League with Liverpool but 90 minutes on a cold March day was more than enough for the former England manager who has less than a year to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

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» Next Generation 2023: 60 of the best young talents in world football

From Warren Zaïre-Emery to Endrick, we select some of the best players born in 2006. Check the progress of our classes of 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018

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» Next Generation 2023: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs

We pick the best youngsters at each club born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007, an age band known as first-year scholars. Check the progress of our classes of 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 and look at the editions from further back

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» From Saka to Ackermann: what happened to Next Generation 2018?

Five years ago we picked 80 of the most talented players in the world to follow their progress in a cut-throat business

It is the time of year when we check in on the Next Generation players we picked in 2018 to follow for five years, to assess their progress amid success, setbacks, injuries, trophies won and transfers made.

Next Generation started in 2014 with the aim of showing the difficulties that even the best prospects in the Premier League (we pick one from each club at first-year scholar age) and the rest of the world (we choose 60 born in a specific calendar year) face on their way towards the top.

A defensively minded midfielder who is incredibly strong (he used to be a wrestler) but with an excellent touch to go with his physicality. Made his debut in the Swedish top flight as a 16-year-old last year and captained Sweden as they reached the quarter-finals of the Euro Under-17 tournament in England this summer. Has taken an unusual path to the top. He left the top-flight side IFK Göteborg for sixth division Angered MBIK as a 14-year-old as he felt that he was not getting the right support for his football education. Another Gothenburg club, Häcken, snapped him up in 2017 and he made his senior debut that season. Has signed a new contract with the club from Hisingen until 2021 despite interest from Real Madrid and Benfica and trials at both Manchester clubs.

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