Rob Smyth's Blog, page 102

September 28, 2020

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal: Premier League – as it happened

The substitute Diogo Jota scored on his Premier League debut as a relentless Liverpool came from behind to deservedly beat a dogged Arsenal

11.57pm BST

10.02pm BST

Paul Wilson’s match report from Anfield has arrived, so I’ll leave you with that. Thanks for your company and musical tips - goodnight!

9.59pm BST

“It is telling that for Jota’s goal, the only player who appealed for handball was Guendouzi who was standing behind him and off to the side,” says Graeme Thorn. “None of the four Arsenal defenders between him and the goal, with a much better view, bothered to complain. Plus the referee was in an excellent position (closer than most of the Arsenal defenders) to see if it did brush the arm.”

Watch the replay - it’s clear. It hits his thigh, his arm and then his right foot. I loathe VAR.

9.56pm BST

I’ve seen a replay of Jota’s goal and it was a clear handball. It hit his thigh and then his arm before he volleyed it in. I doubt it changed the result but, really, what’s the point?

9.52pm BST

Peep peep! Liverpool move above Everton and up to second after a hard-fought but thoroughly deserved win over a determined Arsenal. At times Liverpool were scintillating, and Arsenal did really well to stay in the game. Alisson had to make a fine save from Alexandre Lacazette before the substitute Diogo Jota settled the match with a goal on his Premier League debut for Liverpool. They’re an awesome team, and they’re going to win the league by a country mile again.

9.48pm BST

90+1 min Takumi Minamino replaces Roberto Firmino. There will be three minutes of added time.

9.47pm BST

GOAL GIVEN! Alexander-Arnold’s cross was headed away by Luiz to the edge of the area, where Jota controlled it with his thigh - and a bit of a his arm, I thought - before dragging a volley into the corner. But VAR decided it was fine and the goal stands. I’d need to see another replay to be sure but I thought that brushed his bicep. I doubt it has changed the result.

9.46pm BST

I think this will be disallowed for handball.

9.45pm BST

Diogo Jota scores within 10 minutes of coming on for his Liverpool league debut!

9.44pm BST

86 min Salah and Wijnaldum combine to give Jota another clear chance, only for him to be brilliantly tackled by ... Salah. He tried to take the ball off Jota on the stretch and miscontrolled it. That was definitely Jota’s chance.

9.42pm BST

85 min Another Arsenal corner, another underhit travesty from Pepe.

9.42pm BST

84 min “Writing from a forlorn fire escape in Brooklyn,” writes Christian Svanes Kolding. “Aye, I can confirm that the sparsely-flavoured swill known as Newcastle Brown Ale still has cachet over here in the States. I see the kids drinking it and for Gen X’ers like me, there was a time when it was deemed exotic. A more adventurous choice than Heineken. Today, Heineken has been replaced by Peroni. The humanity.”

9.41pm BST

83 min: Jota misses a great chance to score a debut goal! Salah put him through with a stunning angled pass that took five Arsenal players out of the game. Jota swept the ball over the outrushing Leno but into the side netting.

9.39pm BST

82 min Jota runs at Holding, moves infield onto his right foot and sprays a shot well wide from the edge of the area.

9.38pm BST

81 min “It’s heartening to see Arsenal players doing anything to put themselves in front of the ball,” says Jennifer Williams. “Previous teams would let the Reds stroll right on through the box. Happy to see some grit.”

They have improved so much under Arteta; I don’t think this is a false dawn.

9.37pm BST

80 min Mane wasn’t thrilled to be taken off. Jurgen Klopp had a quick chat with him and all seems okay.

9.37pm BST

79 min A double Liverpool change. Diogo Jota comes on for his Liverpool Premier League debut in place of Sadio Mane, and James Milner replaces Naby Keita.

9.36pm BST

78 min Arsenal win a rare corner, but it’s a poor one from Pepe and Robertson clears at the near post.

9.33pm BST

76 min Ceballos plays a through ball to Nketiah, who is just beaten to the ball by Alisson on the edge of the area. I think he would have been offside. Liverpool go down the other end and Firmino’s shot spins just wide off Tierney.

9.31pm BST

74 min Arsenal’s final substitution. Lacazette, who scored one and should have scored another, is replaced by Eddie Nketiah.

9.31pm BST

73 min “It’s anyone BUT hipsters swilling Dog (Broon Ale) in the North East,” says Mike Ollier. “It’s a long time since it was a good beer, now brewed elsewhere and the recipe has changed a few times. Not only is it NOT brewed in Newcastle, it isn’t even brewed in the UK. A far superior Brown Ale is Sunderland’s Double Maxim and Sammy Smiths Brewery Brown.”

9.30pm BST

72 min Ceballos is booked for bumping Mane to the floor.

9.29pm BST

72 min Plenty of recent Arsenal teams would be 4-1 or 5-1 down tonight. They’ve done ever so well to stay in the game because Liverpool have been relentless.

9.27pm BST

71 min “Darren Fletcher was very good on Match of the Day 2 last night demonstrating how Bielsaball begins with his overload of defenders (opposition attackers plus one),” says Gary Naylor. “I’d suggest leaving three players up against Liverpool as often as possible, pinning one full back and then judicious use of the benign block (aka tactical foul) on the other side - players usually get two or three before the yellow card.

“Not perfect of course, but if the average position of the full-backs is ten yards further back, surely that would reduce their threat significantly over 95 minutes. Whether it’s worth the understaffed midfield is moot, but these full-backs win so many matches any answer to them has to be radical.”

9.27pm BST

70 min Marvellous persistence from Mane, who fights his way past Bellerin and Ceballos before whipping a shot from a tight angle that is comfortable saved by Leno.

9.26pm BST

68 min Bellerin is booked for a foul on Mane. And Willian is replaced by Nicolas Pepe.

9.25pm BST

68 min Aubameyang tries to run Fabinho, who blocks his run and is lucky not to be penalised.

9.23pm BST

66 min Arsenal are still in this game, just about. The next goal is a big goal. I thank you.

9.23pm BST

64 min Mane, on the turn, shovels a loose ball just wide after Firmino’s pass deflected into his path. It was a difficult chance because he had to do a 180-degree spin just to get a shot anywhere near goal.

9.21pm BST

63 min: Big save from Alisson! Lacazette goes through on goal again after a crafty pass from Ceballos. He looked onside this time and he was, but Alisson came out quickly and stood tall to block his shot. Lacazette should have done better.

9.19pm BST

62 min Van Dijk strides forward and has a pop from 25 yards. It’s well struck and Leno shovels it away as he falls to his left.

9.18pm BST

61 min Salah’s slightly selfish shot from a tight angle is blocked by Tierney.

9.18pm BST

61 min “Thinking of hipster beers, and so on, back in my undergrad days at UCL, Newcastle Brown Ale was the cheap beer of choice,” says Sarah Rothwell. “Nowadays, here in Denver, you see it sold as a cool hipster beverage. Amazing what a few decades and a change of accent can do for a drink.”

That’s absurd. I had no idea it had become a hipster beer. What next: Hofmeister New England IPA?

9.17pm BST

60 min An Arsenal substitution. Dani Ceballos replaces Granit Xhaka, who has worked like a beast without the ball. And he wasn’t booked.

9.16pm BST

59 min Alisson denies Lacazette in a one-on-one, though everyone knew he was going to be flagged offside after the event, and he was.

9.15pm BST

58 min Willian stays down for a bit after a crunching challenge from Fabinho. He’s fine now.

9.14pm BST

57 min “The match is on Peacock over here, a channel we can finally stream,” says Lorraine Berry. “Ordinarily, my mum would be over to watch the match with me (she doesn’t have streaming). Except that she called me at one to tell me that she was still so annoyed over Manchester City’s performance yesterday that she just can’t bear to watch Liverpool today. She’s devoted to City. My mother is 75. She’s apparently more hardcore than my dad ever was.”

That’s outstanding.

9.12pm BST

55 min Arsenal are having much more of the ball in this half. That comes with the risk of Liverpool counter-attacks, so I doubt this will end 2-1.

9.11pm BST

54 min “Can I be the first person in human history to compare Liverpool to the entirely wonderful, relentless, post-punk trio THIS HEAT?” says Russell Richardson. “‘Metal’ just won’t do to describe their ferocity. Just listen to the first bars of the first track on their first (1979) album to see my point: Horizontal Hold.”

9.10pm BST

52 min Arsenal have already had twice as many touches in the Liverpool area in this half (four) as they did throughout the first half.

9.09pm BST

51 min Alexander-Arnold’s dangerous volleyed cross is calmly chested away by David Luiz at the near post. He’s played well tonight. As has been said many times, he looks so much better in a back three.

9.08pm BST

50 min “I had 13 vodka red bulls one night and didn’t sleep until the day after,” shivers Matthew Stephens. “I was as shaky as an Arsenal’s defensive line. Haven’t touched the stuff since.”

The hipster booze revolution came too late for our generation of students, eh. The closest thing to craft beer at Keele was Carlsberg Export.

9.07pm BST

49 min Arsenal have started the second half with greater intent. Lacazette tees up the off-balance Maitland-Niles, whose shot would have gone out for a throw-in had it not hit van Dijk.

9.06pm BST

49 min Alexander-Arnold is booked for a late tackle on Tierney.

9.05pm BST

47 min Mane almost makes it 3-1, blasting over the bar from the edge of the area after a clipped ball over the top from Wijnaldum. Leno had it covered.

9.03pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Liverpool begin the second half.

9.00pm BST

“For melodic heavy metal look no further than Norway’s finest – Kvelertak,” writes Iain Gray. “Utterly bonkersly magnificent.”

8.53pm BST

Half-time reading

8.53pm BST

“What do you do to counteract Liverpool’s full backs?” wonders John Dublin. “Do you invent a position called the holding winger, where the main function of the player is to basically cover every run of the full back and not much is expected from them in an attacking sense; think James McClean as a reference. This would put extra pressure on Liverpool’s midfield to be creative which hasn’t always been their strong suit but, the arrival of Thiago has probably solved that issue.”

Plenty of teams have tried that – not just against Liverpool but also Barcelona when they had Jordi Alba and Dani Alves. Sir Alex Ferguson often used Park in that role, not just against Barcelona.

8.49pm BST

Peep peep! Arsenal had the effrontery to take the lead through Alexandre Lacazette after a comedy howler from Andy Robertson. Liverpool - who were already well on top - responded ferociously. Sadio Mane equalised a few moments later and Robertson summed up Liverpool’s mentality monstrousness by making up for his error and putting Liverpool ahead. It’s not entirely palatable for supporters of their rivals, but Liverpool are just awesome.

8.47pm BST

45 min Two minutes of added time.

8.44pm BST

43 min Actually, I think Maitland-Niles was offside anyway.

8.43pm BST

42 min David Luiz waves a long pass over the top of the Liverpool defence to put Maitland-Niles, but his first touch is poor and the ball runs through to Alisson. It wasn’t the easiest ball to control, but had he done so he would have been clear.

8.40pm BST

40 min “In the mid-1970s, a ‘hosepipe’ was briefly all the rage down our way,” says Duncan Edwards. “Half of Guinness, double brandy, and a barley wine all in a pint glass. A fearsome combo. More recently I took a sip of Red Bull which was more than enough.”

Why can I suddenly smell Embassy Regal?

8.40pm BST

39 min Arsenal cannot get out. Holding’s pass goes straight to Firmino, 30 yards from goal. He combines with Wijnaldum and Mane to almost release Robertson, who is superbly tracked by the second right-back Willian.

8.38pm BST

38 min Here’s Scott Blair on the subject of melodic heavy metal. “I’d suggest UFO, which rather nicely opens the door to a they’re Too Hot To Handle reference at some appropriate juncture in the match.”

8.37pm BST

36 min Arsenal have done quite well in this half, yet they have been absolutely battered.

8.36pm BST

I’m sorry, this is just awesome. They are utterly relentless. Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross skims off the head of Bellerin and reaches Robertson, who controls it on the chest and pokes it past Leno. I’m surprised VAR didn’t look at it for a possible handball, if only because his arms were tight to his body. That said, I’m pretty sure it was okay.

8.35pm BST

Andy Robertson makes up for his mistake by putting Liverpool ahead.

8.34pm BST

34 min Liverpool have had 76 per cent possession and nine shots to Arsenal’s one.

8.34pm BST

33 min “Right,” says Matt Dony. “Only Connect is finished, I can give the match my full attention. Heavy metal football, but with plenty of melody. Also, an astonishing amount of technical ability and creativity. By way of comparison, I offer the musical stylings of Between The Buried And Me to the MBM collective. Listen to their album Colors, and thank me later.”

8.33pm BST

32 min Liverpool’s intensity with and without the ball is incredible. It’s a shame they didn’t play Bayern Munich in the Champions League final; it could have been an all-time classic.

8.32pm BST

31 min “Jürgen Klopp has a tough job,” says Peter Oh. “With so many good midfielders at his disposal he can’t possibly Keita to everyone’s preferences.”

8.29pm BST

The equaliser came from an excellent advantage by the referee Craig Pawson after a foul by David Luiz on Keita. Firmino picked up the loose ball and played it to Salah, who surged thrillingly away from Tierney - his first touch into the space was marvellous - and whipped a shot that was beaten away by Leno. It rebounded straight to Mane, who cushioned a volley into the empty net.

8.28pm BST

Going ahead against Liverpool isn’t always advisable.

8.28pm BST

27 min Lacazette was miles offside but it didn’t matter because Robertson played the ball through to him. It was Hackney Marshes fare.

8.27pm BST

That was Arsenal’s first decent counter-attack of the entire game. They broke the Liverpool press and Lacazette found Maitland-Niles on the left. His cross was poor but Robertson made a complete hash of a routine clearance, miscuing the ball straight to Lacazette in front of goal. He turned and mishit a volley that bounced over the stretching Alisson, who had gone down expecting a cleaner contact.

8.25pm BST

Arsenal take the lead with a farcical goal!

8.25pm BST

24 min David Luiz gets away with his first mistake. He tried to play out from inside the Arsenal area and gave the ball to Alexander-Arnold. He combined with Keita to tee up Wijnaldum, whose low shot from inside the D was straight at Leno.

8.23pm BST

23 min “The midfield tonight for Liverpool is missing its best two players,” says Ciaran Hanley. “I was looking forward to seeing Thiago against a deep-lying defence as that was the main reason he was bought. Henderson is often missed when he’s not playing. So Fabinho, Wijnaldum and in particular Keita need to step up tonight. Fab has to be good defensively, Wijnaldum has to get in the box and Keita has to create.”

You’re right, but sometimes it feels like the front three and full-backs are so good that they could play me, you and Homer Simpson in central midfield and still score three or four.

8.22pm BST

21 min: Alexander-Arnold hits the bar! Robertson’s outswinging corner was headed away by David Luiz. It came to Alexander-Arnold, who spanked the sweetest half-volley towards goal from 25 yards. The ball hit Bellerin, bounced into the ground and then up onto the bar.

8.21pm BST

21 min “Another Everton fan hoping for a draw,” says Mary Waltz. “It’s positively juvenile how much pleasure I get from being above the Reds, I know winter is coming and it will not last, but every day at the top, point wise, is an amazing opportunity for joy. Sad, but true.”

8.20pm BST

20 min Arsenal have barely had a kick, yet Mikel Arteta will be pretty happy I think. They’ve been compact and error-free at the back, and Leno has only one save to make.

8.16pm BST

16 min “I really want to see a team kick off and score while the opposition are taking a knee,” says Andrew. “Don Revie’s Leeds might have done that. And it was brandy and Red Bull if you really liked mixing your stimulants.”

I’ve drunk some filth in my time but that is too much.

8.16pm BST

15 min It’s all Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold crosses towards the near post, where Mane sweeps a half-volley at goal. It’s beautifully struck but straight at Leno, who beats it away.

8.13pm BST

13 min A nice training-ground corner from Liverpool. Robertson, on the left, angles it sharply back towards Salah, who arrives late and spanks it over the bar. It was a difficult chance, on the run and under pressure, though it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see him roof it.

8.12pm BST

12 min: David Luiz heads off the line! Alexander-Arnold won the ball off Tierney on the right wing and hit a magnificent first-time cross towards the far post. Van Dijk, who was still up from a corner, headed back across Leno and David Luiz nutted the ball behind for a corner. I’m not sure it was going in but David Luiz took no chances.

8.11pm BST

11 min Arsenal are sitting very deep, as they did so successfully against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final. They haven’t yet had any decent counter-attacks, but then nor had Leicester at this stage of their game yesterday.

8.10pm BST

9 min “Now that your lot are shite for the foreseeable, I can look back with a less jaundiced eye,” says Paul Ewart. “So the question I have for you, is was Anderson a) any good, b) a solid citizen, or c) a disappointment. We can all see that Naby’s a player but it’s make-or-break for him now.”

He had some great games in his first season, especially away to the bigger sides, but got worse as time went on. He remained an essential part of the Arsenal Kryptonite midfield (Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson) but became more of a cult figure. Ultimately he was a disappointment because he had such potential. He was 19 when he played brilliantly at the Emirates and Anfield.

8.09pm BST

7 min Nothing much is happening. You’re welcome!

8.06pm BST

5 min Lots of early possession for Liverpool, who are playing with a level of confidence that is almost illegal. They are so good to watch. It might be heavy-metal football but there’s plenty of melody in there as well. There’ll be even more once Thiago gets in the team.

8.03pm BST

3 min Tierney goes down after being hit in the face by Mane. It was more of a shove than a punch, and Mane is booked. It wasn’t a million miles from a red-card offence, but a yellow card was probably right.

8.01pm BST

2 min “I am a committed Naby fan as I watched him carry Red Bull,” says Ian Copestake, “and I don’t just mean in bags from the offie.”

That last image gave me a little chill. Remember when trolleying double vodka Red Bulls by night seemed a good idea?

8.00pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Arsenal, in their bloody away kit, kick off from left to right.

7.59pm BST

“Can we play Xhaka yellow card bingo?” says Ruth Purdue. “I have the 12th minute. Any takers?”

Bingo responsibly.

7.58pm BST

The players are out on the field and ready for action. The next two hours shouldn’t be dull.

7.31pm BST

“Under Arteta, Arsenal seem to have coherent strategies,” writes Juan. “Team selection is easy to understand and appropriate to his tactics for each game. The players look as if they know what they are doing. Won’t help us tonight, mind.”

7.31pm BST

“Keita moves the ball forward in central areas by running with it or quick short passes,” says Niall Mullen. “ I’m not sure how effective that’s been in this team that likes to attack from out wide but I like watching it.”

Oh aye, I’m not saying he’s the new Istvan Kozma; he just hasn’t stood out when I’ve seen him. That said, and odd as it sounds, it’s hard to judge non-highlights players when you do a liveblog because you spend half the match typing/looking at emails/being asked whether you get paid to write this.

7.23pm BST

“As an Everton fan it’s exceedingly rare to be looking down on either of these teams in the table, let alone both of them, so under the circumstances my desired outcome is a draw,” says Matt Burtz. “If Liverpool must win, I would prefer it if it’s only by one goal. If Arsenal wins, well, let’s reckon with that if it actually happens. And yes, I’m aware that only three games have been played, but I’ll take what I can get.”

7.23pm BST

“Naby Keita seems to be getting a run of games at the moment, regardless of who else is fit,” says Ben Raza. “He’s blown hot and cold (and, mainly, lukewarm) since he came to Anfield. The early part of this season looks like his last big chance I reckon.”

I half thought Curtis Jones might start tonight. Keita has never been that impressive when I’ve seen him, but I get the impression I’ve missed his better games. Liverpool have serious depth in central midfield now.

7.10pm BST

Diogo Jota is on the bench for Liverpool, but Thiago is out with a minor injury. Alisson starts - he was doubtful with an unspecified injury - and Fabinho moves back into midfield to replace the injured Jordan Henderson.

Mikel Arteta has picked a slightly more cautious team: Rob Holding, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny preferred to Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Dani Ceballos. The new goalkeeper Alex Runarsson is on the bench.

6.56pm BST

Pre-match reading

6.55pm BST

Aston Villa are hammering Fulham at Craven Cottage in the early game. It’s 3-0 just after half-time: Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and Tyrone Mings scored the goals.

5.13pm BST

Arsenal: your country needs you. Sure, it’s the same country that has sneered at you for most of the past decade, but you must understand that it was only banter. Besides, we all need a favour. Because if somebody doesn’t undermine Liverpool pretty soon, the 2020-21 title race will be over by Christmas for the second year in a row.

While the rest of the Big Six have started the season in varying states of shambles, Arsenal have won their first two games and start tonight’s match above Liverpool on goal difference. Yes, those wins were against Fulham and West Ham, but they have continued Arsenal’s obvious improvement under Mikel Arteta.

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Published on September 28, 2020 13:59

The Fiver | A weekend of Premier League football that put the ‘ugh’ in laughable

“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.” That old Gary Lineker quote needs an upgrade. Premier League football is a complicated game: 22 men chase a ball around for 100 minutes and at the end, everyone wonders what the hell just happened. Your friendly neighbourhood Fiver (not to be confused with our evil doppelganger, FiVAR, which bores everyone to tears and is widely blamed for completely ruining foot … wait, hang on) is still reeling from a weekend of football that put the ‘ugh’ in laughable.

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Published on September 28, 2020 07:57

September 27, 2020

Manchester City 2-5 Leicester City: Premier League – as it happened

The ruthless Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick as Leicester came from behind to humiliate a Manchester City defence that conceded three penalties

7.02pm BST

7.01pm BST

Here’s Brendan Rodgers

“To beat Manchester City, you’ve gotta run like hell – that’s the first thing. You’ve got to have that mentality. I thought our tactical discipline was very good. We condensed the pitch in our half and the, in the right moments, press the game. And then of course because of the counter-press you have to get your passes off quickly, and we know we’ve got speed if we can do that.

6.38pm BST

Here’s Jamie Vardy

“We knew we wouldn‘t have much of the ball so we set up to infuriate them a bit, try and keep the likes of Rodri off the ball. Then when we won the ball we wanted to break through their counter-press and get at their defensive line, and today it worked an absolute treat. We weren’t worried [at 1-0 down] because we knew if we stuck to our plan we’d create chances ourselves. We managed to put them all away, so happy days.

6.28pm BST

“Okay,” says Gary Naylor, “let’s never allow a pre-season again.”

I’m not sure what we’re actually watching, but it’s thoroughly moreish.

6.25pm BST

“I can’t see a huge difference in two of those pens given today versus the one turned down for Brighton yesterday,” says Will Morgan. “Thoughts?”

I haven’t had chance to analyse them forensically, but my feeling is that Connolly was penalised (rightly or wrongly) because he moved his leg back towards Pogba and Mr VAR felt he had manufactured the trip. Vardy didn’t quite do that. On reflection, though, I think it was wrong to overturn the on-field decision at Brighton. It wasn’t a clear and obvious error either way, so whatever decision was made on the field should have stood.

6.22pm BST

Football - effing hell. That was another crazy game in this surreal start to the 2020-21 season. Jamie Vardy tore City apart, scoring a memorable hat-trick as Leicester came from a goal down to humiliate Manchester City. He was sensational, just so ruthless when it mattered. I’m still not sure what we’ve just seen, but the scoreline definitely says Manchester City 2-5 Leicester City. Blimey.

6.19pm BST

90+3 min Oh, and Leicester are top of the Premier League, having scored 12 goals in their first three games.

6.18pm BST

90+2 min “Looking forward to tomorrow’s 9-9 draw in the bizarro league,” says Ben Bennett.

6.18pm BST

90+1 min Apparently this is the first time a Pep Guardiola team has conceded five in a game.

6.17pm BST

90 min Four added minutes.

6.16pm BST

89 min All three penalties were given away when the attacker was goalside of the defender. That’s the most basic defensive error.

6.15pm BST

Youri Tielemans sends Ederson the wrong way to complete a jaw-dropping victory. It’s 5-2!

6.14pm BST

86 min: A THIRD PENALTY FOR LEICESTER! A brainless tackle from Mendy on Maddison, right at the corner of the area, gives Leicester another penalty.

6.13pm BST

86 min “I’m fully expecting one of those bonkers post-match Pep interviews,” says Stephen Carr, “where he claims he’s ‘so, so proud of my players’ after they’ve been battered.”

6.12pm BST

85 min The hat-trick hero Jamie Vardy is replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho. He’s limping slightly because of that groin injury.

6.12pm BST

Sterling’s free-kick hits the wall and goes behind for a corner. Mahrez swings it towards the far post, where Ake gets between defenders and heads firmly into the net.

6.10pm BST

83 min Mahrez is fouled just outside the area by Mendy, who is booked.

6.08pm BST

81 min De Bruyne hoofs a long-range shot into orbit.

6.07pm BST

80 min Jonny Evans, who has had a terrific game on his return from suspension, is limping off to be replaced by Christian Fuchs.

6.06pm BST

79 min Vardy almost gets through on goal again. This is astonishing. For half an hour, Manchester City battered Leicester. Then all last season’s demons started to resurface, and Leicester - Vardy in particular - have been utterly ruthless.

6.05pm BST

That was glorious stuff from Maddison. He received the ball in space on the left wing, cut inside and hit a magnificent, booming curler that beat the flying Ederson and nestled in the far corner.

6.04pm BST

James Maddison scores a quite spectacular goal!

6.03pm BST

75 min Walker smashes an angry cross that flies through the six-yard box. City haven’t responded particularly well to going behind. They might end up winning 4-3 and go on to pick up a record 112 points. But right here, right now, it looks like Liverpool are going to win the league at a canter again. They’re miles better than everyone else.

6.02pm BST

74 min “Watching Vardy reminds me that part of being a great striker is knowing when to go down and when to keep going when pressed physically,” says Brad Wilson. “ Vardy is a master at that. I am in no way saying he dives — he doesn’t — but he knows how to draw fouls and then he does not miss.”

Yeah, he’s a master at accepting invitations to go down. Whether that’s cheating, I don’t know, but most players do it so I’m not criticising him. He just does it better than most.

6.00pm BST

73 min Barnes, who has had an excellent game, surges at the heart of the City defence and blasts a shot from the edge of the area. It’s really well struck but too close to Ederson.

5.57pm BST

70 min Vardy is carrying on for now.

5.57pm BST

70 min “It goes against all one’s natural instincts, but Jamie Vardy is as smart a finisher as... well I was getting carried away and thinking Romario, but he’s probably a notch below him,” says Gary Naylor. “So who? Robbie Fowler? Gary Lineker?”

That’s quite a hard comparison to make. Fowler, for example: was he smart, instinctive or both?

5.56pm BST

69 min James Maddison comes on for Leicester to replace Dennis Praet, who is also struggling with injury.

5.55pm BST

68 min Sterling, on the stretch, heads De Bruyne’s deep cross over the bar.

5.54pm BST

67 min Vardy is holding his groin, and not only because he’s scored a hat-trick. That’s a worry for Leicester, especially as most teams have 12 games in the next two weeks.

5.53pm BST

67 min “City, just like their crosstown rivals, are rusty having had less rest and played fewer games in the preseason,” says Digvijay Yadav. “Even so, it is telling how easy it is play through them now.”

5.52pm BST

66 min Vardy has only touched the ball 15 times in the match. That includes three goals and two touches for the penalties.

5.51pm BST

65 min Phil Foden is replaced by Ferran Torres.

5.51pm BST

64 min: Delap hits the bar! This game isn’t over yet. Mendy dumps a cross into the middle, where Delap towers over the defence to loop a header onto the top of the crossbar. That was a fine effort.

5.50pm BST

63 min Walker’s angry long-range shot is well held by the diving Schmeichel.

5.48pm BST

61 min Vardy has scored nine times (N-I-N-E times) against Pep Guardiola’s City. Nobody else has scored more than five.

5.48pm BST

60 min We kind of knew it anyway, but this has confirmed that Brendan Rodgers is a football genius. Meanwhile, Ake is booked for a high tackle on Tielemans.

5.47pm BST

It’s Vardy’s second hat-trick against a Pep Guardiola team, which might be a record. That was another softish but probably correct penalty decision: Garcia got the wrong side and tapped the ankle of Vardy, who fell over.

5.45pm BST

Vardy completes a memorable hat-trick, sidefooting another emphatic penalty into the bottom-right corner!

5.45pm BST

57 min Garcia fouls Vardy, who now has the chance to score a hat-trick!

5.43pm BST

56 min Leicester almost get a third. Praet tees up Barnes, whose cracking long-range shot is pushed behind by the sprawling Ederson.

5.42pm BST

Vardy was offside in the first phase of play but he wasn’t active then so the goal will stand. Tielemans played a fine ball down the line to Castagne, who crossed low towards the near post. Vardy got in front of Garcia before flicking the ball behind his front leg and past Ederson. The best part is that he stunned the ball into the ground so that it bounced over the crouching Ederson. If he meant it, that’s an outrageous finish.

5.40pm BST

Jamie Vardy gives Leicester the lead with a brilliant goal!

5.40pm BST

52 min Mahrez shoots just wide from 25 yards after good play from Rodri, who won the ball in a dangerous area. It actually looks like City are playing 4-4-2, with De Bruyne alongside Rodri in midfield and Sterling partnering Delap up front. Pep Guardiola in 4-4-2 shocker.

5.38pm BST

51 min Liam Delap replaces Fernandinho, which suggests a switch back to 4-1-2-3: Foden and De Bruyne in midfield, Sterling left, Mahrez right and Delap up front.

5.37pm BST

51 min Amartey is booked for a foul on De Bruyne.

5.37pm BST

51 min The 17-year-old Liam Delap is getting ready to come on for his Premier League debut. He scored against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

5.36pm BST

50 min Mahrez plays in the underlapping De Bruyne, who wins a corner for City. Mahrez’s inswinger is cleared by Vardy at the near post.

5.33pm BST

47 min Soyuncu is booked for a late tackle on Rodri.

5.33pm BST

47 min “Maroon is such a beautiful colour for football kits, but so underused,” says Matt Dony. “Leicester look great, and so did City’s third kit a couple of years ago. I can’t stand Arsenal, but their centenary kit in 2005-06 was one of the most beautiful tops since Wales’ Hummel shirts in the late 80s. Which is surely a high-water mark in football kit design.”

I agree about that Arsenal kit. It’s a shame that one of the first things people associate it with is that penalty fiasco.

5.32pm BST

46 min De Bruyne drags a shot wide after 15 seconds of the second half. It was a decent effort from the edge of the area with his left foot, though Schmeichel had it covered.

5.32pm BST

46 min Peep peep!

5.26pm BST

Blimey department

5.18pm BST

Half-time reading

5.17pm BST

Peep peep! That was a funny old half. Manchester City dominated to an almost embarrassing degree for half an hour or so, and took the lead early on with a rasper from Riyad Mahrez. But Leicester started to threaten on the break as the half progressed, and Jamie Vardy earned and then emphatically converted a penalty. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.

5.16pm BST

45+1 min “Afternoon Rob,” says Stephen Carr. “City’s continuing inability to defend a quick long ball into the channels is baffling innit.”

It is. As Gary Neville has just said on Sky, it’s their inability to stop it at source that compares so unfavourably with the 2017-19 team.

5.15pm BST

45 min “Great penalty from Vardy following a bit of a trend I spotted when Richarlison scored yesterday,” says Gary Naylor. “Kick the ball hard with a sidefoot and you’re likely to get the lift that gives a diving keeper no chance while mitigating the risk of Waddling it into the stratosphere. Look out for more as I think we’re in for a few more penalties this season.”

5.13pm BST

44 min This is becoming a good game. Leicester, who were so passive for half an hour, now look menacing on the break.

5.12pm BST

42 min Tielemans drives a fine crossfield pass to Barnes, who runs off Fernandinho and into acres of space. He tries to take on the last man Garcia, who does excellently to stay with Barnes and knock the ball off him for a goalkick.

5.12pm BST

42 min For all City’s dominance, Kasper Schmeichel hasn’t had any difficult saves to make.

5.10pm BST

40 min “On the radio John Murray has just announced that Brendan Rodgers clothing is sponsored by what Murray says is the name of an old French magazine,” says Charles Antaki. “The only one I can think of is Paris Match, and I think I remember seeing hoardings for something called Pari-Match, which is presumably a betting company – much less edifying. Can you resolve the mystery?”

5.09pm BST

39 min I do think that was a soft penalty, not dissimilar to the Pogba/Connolly incident yesterday. One difference is that Walker put hands on Vardy, who accepted the invitation to go down. It could have gone either way really.

5.07pm BST

Vardy blasts a spectacular penalty high into the net. Ederson went the right way but couldn’t reach it.

5.07pm BST

Barnes went on a good run and played the ball through to Vardy. Walker, who was on the wrong side, put hands on him and Vardy went down.

5.06pm BST

36 min: PENALTY TO LEICESTER! Walker puts hands on Vardy in the area, and Michael Oliver points to the spot.

5.05pm BST

35 min: Rodri has a goal disallowed! It was a good header from another terrific De Bruyne free-kick, but he went too early and was offside.

5.03pm BST

33 min De Bruyne’s dangerous low cross is cleared inside the six-yard box by Amartey. That was crying out for a near-post run.

5.02pm BST

32 min “My team Leeds are playing this lot next week,” says Phil Harrison. “And I hope (and expect) that we’ll treat it as a free hit, roll the dice and take our chances. Yes, we might lose 8-0. But we also might lose 6-5! And that would surely be more fun than Leicester’s docile, shell-shocked-before-the-bombardment passivity.”

One way or another, that game wil be spectacular.

4.58pm BST

29 min Leicester have had more of the ball in the last few minutes, which is to say they’ve had some of the ball.

4.57pm BST

26 min Leicester get past the City press for the first time. Vardy is almost sent clear by Praet but can’t control the ball on the stretch. It runs across to Justin, whose attempted pass back towards Vardy is cleared. With a bit more composure, he would have put Vardy through on goal.

4.55pm BST

26 min Fernandinho misses an excellent chance, heading straight at Schmeichel from De Bruyne’s clipped free-kick. He should have scored

4.54pm BST

25 min This isn’t a football match, it’s a training session.

4.52pm BST

22 min Tielemans completes a memorable 10 seconds’ work by being booked for pulling back De Bruyne.

4.52pm BST

22 min Leicester cross the halfway line and even win a corner. Tielemans plays it back to Justin, who crosses straight into the arms of Ederson. Great stuff lads.

4.51pm BST

21 min “Surely one does not need a subscription to Opta to work out that playing defensively against City does not work,” says Ian Copestake. “Attacking them does however at least give you a chance.”

Yep. It also gives you a chance of losing 8-0, mind.

4.50pm BST

20 min I’ve never seen Leicester as passive as this. They look like a lower-league team whose ambition is to only lose 3-0.

4.49pm BST

19 min “Nicolas Otamendi was routinely critiqued for his defending at City,” says Nick Jones. “He won numerous titles - and his hooked winning goal in Old Trafford in December 2017 was a highlight. Thanks Nico - may the road rise with you.”

4.47pm BST

17 min Sterling’s shot from a tight angle is comfortably saved by Schmeichel. There was a brilliant bit of escapology in the build-up from De Bruyne, who managed to retain possession despite being on the floor.

4.45pm BST

15 min This is so one-sided: City have had 81 per cent of the possession.

4.43pm BST

13 min Rodri wins the ball off Vardy, 25 yards from goal, and rakes a shot just over the bar. Schmeichel had it covered but it was a good strike.

4.39pm BST

10 min Fernandinho’s rasping shot from 20 yards is blocked by Mendy. City are totally dominant.

4.37pm BST

8 min Leicester have barely had a kick in the first eight minutes.

4.36pm BST

6 min “At a time of crisis you need everyone to stand together,” says Adrian de la Touche. “So if all the Premiership sides agree not to play their next games the handball rule can be amended.”

4.35pm BST

Pick that out! De Bruyne’s left-wing corner was headed away by Justin towards the right edge of the area, where Mahrez was standing unmarked. He ran onto the ball, waited for it to bounce and just launched it into the far top corner.

4.33pm BST

Riyad Mahrez scores a cracker against his old club - with his right foot.

4.33pm BST

3 min It’s unusual to see Brendan Rodgers play so defensively. I suppose he wants to stay in the game for as long as possible. And even with this formation, Jamie Vardy’s pace means Leicester will always carry a threat.

4.31pm BST

2 min City have started as expected, with Sterling up front. Leicester’s formation is more like 5-4-1 at the moment, with Praet on the right of midfield and Barnes on the left.

4.30pm BST

1 min Peep peep! City kick off from left to right.

4.26pm BST

It’s a pleasant, sunny afternoon at the Etihad. Leicester are in their new maroon away kit, which switches things up with distinct underarm profiling and monochrome crest. The 2020/21 maroon away jersey is available exclusivity with Thailand Smiles with You front-of-shirt branding.

4.24pm BST

Eric Garcia is wearing protective headgear, as he did against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup. He suffered a nasty injury against Arsenal straight after lockdown, though he didn’t wear any protection when he returned towards the end of last season.

4.06pm BST

Ah, Harry Kane wasn’t sent off, it was a member of Spurs’ backroom staff.

3.56pm BST

Another ludicrous penalty decision has given Newcastle an unlikely point at Spurs. Jose Mourinho walked down the tunnel in a funk before the game had even finished. I suspect his post-match interview will be the most entertaining thing on TV this week. I’d love to see his face when he finds out Harry Kane has reportedly been sent off after the final whistle.

3.39pm BST

Pre-match transfer news

3.39pm BST

It looks like Raheem Sterling will play as a false nine for Manchester City, who are without the injured Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. Pep Guardiola also persists with having two holding midfielders, a variation of his traditional 4-1-2-3 formation. Either that or Fernandinho is playing with a back three. Pep hasn’t replied to my 48 WhatsApp messages so I can’t say for certain.

Daniel Amartey makes a rare start for Leicester, probably in a back three. Jonny Evans is also back from suspension and it looks like Harvey Barnes will support Jamie Vardy up front. We’ll soon find out.

3.36pm BST

Manchester City (4-2-3-1) Ederson; Walker, Garcia, Ake, Mendy; Fernandinho, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden; Sterling.
Substitutes: Steffen, Laporte, Zinchenko, Doyle, Palmer, Torres, Delap.

Leicester City (5-4-1) Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Evans, Soyuncu, Justin; Praet, Tielemans, Mendy, Barnes; Vardy.
Substitutes: Ward, Fuchs, Maddison, Albrighton, Choudhury, Iheanacho, Perez.

2.13pm BST

Hello. Manchester City are under investigation again, though this time it has nowt to do with FFP and Uefa. The current inquiry involves the whole football world looking at their early season performances for signs as to which City will turn up this season: the record-breaking monsters of 2017-19 or the soft-centred let-down that couldn’t take Liverpool’s heat last season.

The signs in their 3-1 win at Wolves on Monday were encouraging, especially in the first half, and today they have another good test against Leicester City at the Etihad. Leicester’s recovery from last season’s anti-climax has started with two comfortable wins over West Brom and Burnley. Those games, in truth, didn’t really tell us anything we don’t already know. We should learn a lot more today - about both teams.

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Published on September 27, 2020 11:02

Sheffield United 0-1 Leeds: Premier League – as it happened

Patrick Bamford continued his brilliant start to the season with a late header that gave Leeds a hard-fought victory in the Yorkshire derby

2.50pm BST

2.00pm BST

Here’s a breathless, smiling Patrick Bamford

“That was a tough game. It’s important we got a clean sheet, but they made us work for it. The way they play, it’s very hard to press like we want to press - they’re very well drilled.

1.54pm BST

Peep peep! Leeds win away in the Premier League for the first time since April 2004. It was an energetic, uncompromising contest, settled by Patrick Bamford’s late header. Both keepers had fine games, with Leeds’ Illan Meslier making one outstanding save from John Lundstram in the first half.

1.51pm BST

90+3 min Osborn plays a nice one-two with Basham in the area but his cross is too close to Meslier.

1.49pm BST

90+1 min Five minutes of added time.

1.49pm BST

90+1 min The substitute Rodrigo is replaced by Ezgjan Alioski. He doesn’t look injured, so it must be that Bielsa wants more defensive protection.

1.48pm BST

90 min A draw would be a fair result, I’d say, but as it stands Sheffield United have no points and no goals this season. And their next game is away to Arsenal.

1.47pm BST

Rodrigo turned smartly on the edge of the area and found Harrison on the left. He curled in another delicious cross towards the far post, and this time Bamford was able to hang in the air long enough to head the ball back across Ramsdale and into the net. It was a fairly soft, downward header, but once he wrongfooted Ramsdale he was always going to score. It’s his third goal in as many Premier League games.

1.46pm BST

Leeds have snatched it!

1.44pm BST

86 min At the other end, Sharp’s deflected shot drifts through to Meslier.

1.44pm BST

86 min Dallas’s fierce long-range shot bounces awkwardly in front of Ramsdale, who holds on well.

1.43pm BST

86 min After a tedious first quarter, this has been one of the better 0-0 draws.

1.43pm BST

84 min Brave keeping from Meslier, who dives at the feet of the sliding Baldock, knowing he’s going to take a boot in the chest. Baldock has come off worse from the collision; there’s a break in play while he receives treatment. When he gets to his feet he apologies to Meslier, whose facial expression suggests forgiveness is an ongoing process.

1.41pm BST

82 min Although Robinson saw that late, because it looked like McBurnie was going to head it, he was only six yards out and should probably have scored.

1.40pm BST

81 min: So close for Sheffield United! Osborn’s wicked corner is missed by the flying McBurnie and volleyed this far wide of the far post by Robinson.

1.39pm BST

81 min Baldock cuts across the edge of the area and hits a left-footed shot that deflects wide off Phillips. Leeds thought Ayling was fouled by Berge just before that.

1.36pm BST

78 min Leeds break from a Sheffield United corner. Poveda dances infield, ignores the reverse pass to Bamford and drives a rising shot from 20 yards that is flapped away by Ramsdale. Poveda has looked lively since coming on, if a wee bit selfish.

1.33pm BST

75 min Poveda has a shot blocked by Stevens after a good Leeds break.

1.32pm BST

74 min A double substitution up front for Sheffield United. Billy Sharp and Oli McBurnie replace David McGoldrick and Oli Burke.

1.31pm BST

73 min Rodrigo curls straight at Ramsdale from the edge of the area.

1.31pm BST

73 min Harrison runs at Baldock on the left and flips a beautiful cross that just clears the leaping Bamford at the near post.

1.28pm BST

71 min Ampadu is back on his feet now.

1.28pm BST

70 min Play was stopped as soon as Ampadu fell. He’s still lying face down, though none of the players seem particularly worried.

1.28pm BST

69 min Sheffield United break and Osborn’s shot is blocked by Cooper. Leeds go back down the other end and Rodrigo flattens Ampadu with a curling shot that hits him in the face.

1.27pm BST

68 min Ayling plays an excellent pass inside Stevens to release Poveda, whose cutback is cleared at the near post.

1.25pm BST

67 min Baldock is booked for a foul on Dallas, though it looked like a clean tackle.

1.24pm BST

66 min Leeds bring on Ian Poveda for Helder Costa, who had a quiet game.

1.24pm BST

66 min Dallas’s sharp cross from the left is headed well wide at the near post by Rodrigo.

1.23pm BST

64 min A Sheffield United change: Oliver Norwood replaces John Lundstram.

1.20pm BST

61 min: Basham clears off the line! Dallas ran onto a long ball, went round the outrushing Ramsdale and dragged a right-footed shot towards goal. There wasn’t enough pace on it, though, and Basham calmly ran round the ball to clear with his right foot.

1.18pm BST

59 min Stevens’ long-range shot is pushed away by Meslier, falling to his left. It was a comfortable save but the build-up - a series of short first-time passes on the right - was lovely.

1.16pm BST

58 min Baldock’s nice backheel releases Basham, whose cutback is very well blocked at the near post by Ayling. Moments later Lundstram is booked for a brazen tactical foul on Dallas.

1.15pm BST

56 min: Good save from Ramsdale. Phillips won the ball 25 yards from goal and found Bamford. He dragged the ball nicely away from Robinson, into the area, but by the time he was in a position to shoot the angle was tight. Ramsdale, well positioned, pushed the shot round the near post for a corner.

1.13pm BST

55 min Klich’s low cross is claimed by Ramsdale. He was on the floor moments earlier, rolling round after a challenge from Robinson.

1.10pm BST

51 min Dallas’s floated pass towards Costa is headed behind by the diligent Stevens. Phillips’ corner goes out of play before curling back onto the field.

1.05pm BST

48 min “If anything,” says Ian Copestake, “these managers seem to be tacticking too well.”

1.05pm BST

47 min Phillips corner is half cleared to the edge of the area, where Helder Costa waits for the ball to drop and swishes a lovely left-footed volley towards goal. Ramsdale gets down smartly to his left to push it behind.

1.04pm BST

46 min Leeds appeal for a penalty when Harrison’s cross hits Basham. No dice.

1.03pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Leeds begin the second half.

1.03pm BST

Leeds have made a half-time substitution: Rodrigo replaces Tyler Roberts up front.

1.03pm BST

Half-time reading

12.48pm BST

Peep peep! That was a surprisingly subdued 45 minutes, though it did liven up towards half-time. Leeds dominated possession but Illan Meslier had the more difficult work to make, including one stunning reaction save from John Lundstram. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.

12.45pm BST

44 min Burke does well to charge at the Leeds defence, across the line of the penalty area. But instead of finding the unmarked McGoldrick to his right he hits a shot that is blocked. That was the wrong option.

12.44pm BST

43 min “In honour of this meeting of strategic superbrains, please allow me to present my all time Tactics XI,” says Mac Millings. “It’s a state-of-the art, hyper-attacking line-up. Barmby is nominally between the sticks, but I’ve got him playing as an overlapping goalie.

12.43pm BST

41 min Sheffield United appeal for a penalty when Ampadu goes over at the corner. Dallas did put hands on him, but VAR have decided - rightly, I think - that it wasn’t a clear and obvious error. It looked like Ampadu was going to have a clear header at goal but then the ball dipped under him as he fell forward.

12.42pm BST

40 min: Good save from Meslier! Osborn plays a little pass to Baldock, who rolls Harison smartly on the edge of the area and blasts a rising drive that is pushed over at the near post by Meslier. That’s another excellent reaction save.

12.41pm BST

39 min “As a neutral, I would really like to see Bamford do well,” says Matt Dony. “He seems like a nice guy, but one of those footballers whose true level falls somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League. And, as a Welshman, I love watching Ampadu play. He’s enormously talented, a very watchable player, but (for a number of reasons) has yet to establish enough consistency.”

I’m fascinated by those mezzanine footballers. Was it Neil Redfearn who kept getting relegated from the Premier League and then bought by a promoted club?

12.39pm BST

38 min The corner is headed wide by the under-pressure Cooper.

12.39pm BST

38 min: Good save from Ramsdale! Dallas plays a neat one-two with Phillips and rakes a lofted shot from the edge of the area that is pushed behind by the flying Ramsdale. That was a really good save.

12.36pm BST

35 min Burke loses Ayling on the left side of the area and hits a shot that is blocked by the sliding Cooper. Every time something that happens, you half expect a penalty to be given for handball. McGoldrick then shoots over from the edge of the box.

12.34pm BST

33 min Right, I’ve decided Leeds are playing a 3-2-3-2: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper; Phillips, Dallas; Costa, Klich, Harrison; Roberts, Bamford.

12.33pm BST

31 min Harrison’s curling cross is headed onto the roof of the net by Bamford. It was a fairly difficult chance as he was backpedalling slightly, 12 yards from goal, and had to really strain his neck muscles to generate any power.

12.32pm BST

31 min I’ll level with you, I haven’t a clue what formation Leeds are playing. They are all moving around so much, Dallas in particular, that the shape looks different every time they attack.

12.31pm BST

29 min: Brilliant save from Meslier! That was the best chance of the match. Osborn’s low cross from the left was flicked by McGoldrick into the path of Lundstram, arriving late in the box. He roared onto the ball and slammed a low shot that was superbly tipped round by Meslier, who had to change direction and dive low to his right.

12.28pm BST

27 min Klich’s long-range shot deflects through to Ramsdale.

12.27pm BST

27 min I’d completely failed to notice that Leeds are playing with a back three of Ayling, Koch and Cooper. Dallas is in midfield in what looks like a 3-1-4-2. Or is it a 3-2-3-2.

12.26pm BST

26 min Phillips’ dipping free-kick from the right is headed over by the leaping Bamford. He couldn’t quite get over the ball.

12.23pm BST

22 min Some action! Burke does well to keep the ball in play and find Osborn, whose dangerous cross is cleared at the far post by Harrison.

12.23pm BST

22 min Sheffield United look low on confidence going forward, which I suppose is unsurprising given their recent form.

12.19pm BST

18 min Leeds are still dominating possession. Burke looks quite lively on the break for Sheffield United, but that’s about it.

12.16pm BST

15 min It’s all been a bit tame so far. No goals, no strong tackles, no 21-man punch-ups.

12.14pm BST

13 min Klich’s through ball towards Bamford is intercepted by Ampadu. Leeds are probing incessantly.

12.12pm BST

11 min Leeds have had 65 per cent of the possession so far.

12.08pm BST

7 min Phillips was booked for fouling McGoldrick in the build up to that Lundstram shot.

12.07pm BST

6 min Sheffield United’s first good attack. Burke plays a nice disguised pass down the inside-left channel to Lundstram, who sweeps a first-time shot wide of the far post.

12.05pm BST

4 min Ayling surges forward from right-back, twists Osborn inside out and hits a fierce shot from 20 yards is pushed away by the diving Ramsdale. A good save, though one he’d expect to make. Leeds have made a very fast start.

12.05pm BST

3 min Lovely play from Leeds. Bamford, on the halfway line, lays the ball off neatly to Klich, who curls a beautiful long pass inside Baldock to find Harrison on the left side of the box. He decides not to shoot and cuts the ball back towards the penalty spot, where it’s cleared by Basham. Harrison took the wrong option but the build-up was superb.

12.01pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Sheffield United kick off from right to left on a windy afternoon at Bramall Lane. They are wearing red and white stripes; Leeds are in green and dark blue stripes.

11.57am BST

The players are ready. As a neutral, I cannot wait for this.

11.56am BST

“I find the Bielsa nickname of ‘El Loco’ disappointingly unimaginative,” says Ian Copestake, “and wish he could be reanointed as ‘Bob’. This would allow him to be referred to devilishly as Bielsa Bob.”

It would ruin that episode of Blackadder though.

11.43am BST

Ethan Ampadu replaces suspended Jack Egan in the Sheffield United defence, and Tyler Roberts comes in for the injured Pablo Hernandez in the Leeds midfield.

11.02am BST

Sheffield United (3-5-2) Ramsdale; Basham, Ampadu, Robinson; Baldock, Lundstram, Berge, Osborn, Stevens; Burke, McGoldrick.
Substitutes: Foderingham, Jagielka, Lowe, Fleck, Norwood, Sharp, McBurnie.

Leeds (4-1-4-1) Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Costa,Roberts, Klich, Harrison; Bamford.
Substitutes: Caprile, Struijk, Alioski, Davis, Shackleton, Poveda, Rodrigo.

10.34am BST

Pre-match reading

I’ve seen a few excerpts from Paddy Kenny’s book, including a great story about Branislav Ivanovic having two QPR players in a simultaneous headlock during a tunnel ruck, and it looks highly entertaining.

10.10am BST

Morning. We’ve missed the fans at every single game since lockdown, but we’ll really miss them today. Bramall Lane would have been a crucible of ferocity for the visit of Leeds. This is the first Yorkshire derby in the Premier League since 2001, and the first between these sides since March 1994, a time when Doop by Doop was giving us all an unwelcome earworm.

There is added fascination today because of the contest between two of the Premier League’s most free-thinking managers, Chris Wilder and Marcelo Bielsa, and because Sheffield United pipped Leeds to promotion 17 months ago. Leeds made it at the next attempt, and so far they have exceeded the stratospheric expectations with two wildly entertaining 4-3s - a defeat at Anfield and a win against Fulham.

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Published on September 27, 2020 06:05

September 26, 2020

West Brom 3-3 Chelsea: Premier League – as it happened

Tammy Abraham’s injury-time equaliser completed a dramatic comeback by Chelsea, who were 3-0 down at half-time after some farcical defending

7.42pm BST

7.32pm BST

“I’m probably just being a bit thick,” says Mac Millings, “but if it was a handball by Havertz, why would it matter what phase of play it was?”

Because the referee didn’t see it and VAR can only intervene if oh I haven’t a clue any more.

7.27pm BST

Both managers look disappointed as they leave the field - Slaven Bilic because West Brom lost a 3-0 lead, Frank Lampard because Chelsea were 3-0 down in the first place. It was a dramatic and slightly weird game, with some appalling defending from Chelsea in the first half. They fought back admirably after half time, with the substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi having his best game for many a month.

7.24pm BST

Peep peep!

7.23pm BST

90+6 min Chelsea are pushing for a winner. Hudson-Odoi’s cross is booted somewhere, anywhere, by Field.

7.23pm BST

It was a clear handball from Havertz, so they must have decided it was a different phase of play. That’s debatable. After the ball hit Havertz’s arm it was half cleared by Robson-Kanu to Mount, whose low shot through a crowd was pushed away by the diving Johnstone. Abraham reacted quickest to walk the ball into the net.

7.22pm BST

GOAL GIVEN!

7.21pm BST

Tammy Abraham equalises - but there might have been a handball in the build-up.

7.20pm BST

90+2 min Mount’s cross is punched away unconvincingly by Johnstone. The ball falls to Werner, whose fierce shot is deflected over the bar.

7.18pm BST

90 min Five minutes of added time. West Brom make their final change: the excellent Matheus Pereira is replaced by Sam Field.

7.17pm BST

89 min Werner tries to play a give-and-go with Giroud in the area. One of the many West Brom defenders forces the ball away.

7.16pm BST

89 min Werner’s long-range shot is comfortably saved by Johnstone.

7.14pm BST

86 min Christensen is booked for clattering Robson-Kanu.

7.13pm BST

85 min Werner spins smartly on the left side of the area to lose Ajayi, who makes an excellent recovery tackle.

7.11pm BST

83 min James allows West Brom to waste a bit more time with a brainless foul on Pereira.

7.09pm BST

82 min Furlong is booked for timewasting at a throw-in.

7.06pm BST

79 min The corner is headed away as far as Phillips, whose shot from the edge of the area is blocked by Hudson-Odoi. I think that hit him in the face.

7.05pm BST

78 min An outrageous flick from Pereira finds Robson-Kanu, whose mishit shot deflects behind for a corner...

7.04pm BST

76 min Azpilicueta’s long-range curler is comfortably saved by Johnstone.

7.03pm BST

75 min West Brom almost restore their two-goal lead. Sawyers, given far too much time to line up a shot, drives just wide from 25 yards.

7.01pm BST

74 min And now a change for West Brom. Matt Phillips replaces Grady Diangana.

7.00pm BST

73 min Olivier Giroud is coming on to replace Thiago Silva, which means a switch to three at the back.

6.59pm BST

That was immaculate from Chelsea. Hudson-Odoi cut infield from the left, played a slick one-two with Havertz and threaded a first-time shot into the far corner. West Brom thought there was a foul in the build-up to the goal; I’m not sure whether it was checked by VAR.

6.58pm BST

That is a beautiful goal.

6.55pm BST

68 min I’m surprised Olivier Giroud hasn’t come on; this situation is perfect for him.

6.54pm BST

67 min Hudson-Odoi, who has been very dangerous since moving to the left, finds Mount in space on the edge of the D. His first shot hits one of the outrushing West Brom defenders.

6.53pm BST

66 min A change for West Brom. Hal Robson-Kanu replaces Callum Robinson, who scored two excellent early goals.

6.51pm BST

63 min Mount’s first-time shot from the edge of the area has the string taken out of it by O’Shea.

6.50pm BST

62 min The lively Hudson-Odoi wins a corner off Furlong. It’s a poor one from Mount, cleared at the near post by Pereira.

6.48pm BST

61 min Hudson-Odoi has a long-range shot blocked by Livermore. This will be a long half hour for West Brom.

6.47pm BST

60 min Hudson-Odoi and Werner have switched wings, so Hudson-Odoi is now on the left.

6.47pm BST

59 min “Hi Rob,” says Peter Oh. “Chelsea’s back line are defending like there’s no Tomori.”

6.46pm BST

58 min Robinson, 35 yards out, tries to complete a hat-trick in style. Goalkick to Chelsea.

6.44pm BST

57 min Almost a second for Chelsea. After a nice touch from Mount, Havertz’s deflected shot is punched behind by the stretching Johnstone.

6.44pm BST

Azpilicueta played a simple ball to Mount, 25 yards from goal. He lost Livermore cleverly and cut across an excellent strike that beat Johnstone at the near post. Johnstone didn’t move so he must have been unsighted.

6.43pm BST

There’s one back.

6.42pm BST

54 min West Brom get a bit of a breather by keeping the ball for the best part of a minute.

6.41pm BST

53 min Abraham wins a corner for Chelsea, though West Brom are convinced the last touch was off him. Not that it matters - the corner is cleared.

6.39pm BST

51 min It’s all Chelsea. West Brom are struggling to get out of their third, never mind their half.

6.37pm BST

50 min “That Chelsea kit deserves to be 3-0 down, at least,” says Andy Bradshaw.

6.37pm BST

49 min Havertz plays a good pass to Abraham on the right of the area. He tries to find Werner but hie cross is cut out at the near post. It’s attack v defence, as it was for most of the first half.

6.34pm BST

47 min “Evening Rob,” says Tom Hopkins. “I suggest that Gary Megson could easily get a team into the top four this season. Just have a properly organised defence and wait for the other team to give you a present.”

Or three.

6.33pm BST

46 min Chelsea begin the second half.

6.32pm BST

Chelsea have made a double change: Alonso and Kovacic off, Azpilicueta and Hudson-Odoi on. Mason Mount will presumably move back into midfield.

6.31pm BST

“Well, on many occasions James has shown his talent,” writes Vinuja. “Hence why he has won Lampard’s trust. But hands down the work rate Azpilicueta delivers with his leadership skills is amazing.”

6.18pm BST

Half-time reading

6.17pm BST

Peep peep! A combination of ruthless finishing and hideous defending means that Chelsea are 3-0 down in a game they have dominated. Callum Robinson scored twice, the second after a rank howler from Thiago Silva, and Kyle Bartley was given his own personal postcode to add a third. Football, eh.

6.15pm BST

45 min “The cultural exchange programme between Germany and the UK is working wonders,” says Giancarlo Sandoval. “In what other way could two young Germans experience anything similar to the feeling of losing 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. I can’t think of anything as comparable or enriching.”

6.14pm BST

44 min Diangana shoots over from the edge of the area after a decent West Brom break. That’s their first shot of the match that hasn’t gone in.

6.14pm BST

43 min “It’s a tad opportunistic, but I’ve never thought Reece James warrants a starting spot,” says Roberto Álvarez. “Is there any right-back that defends better than Azpilicueta in the Premier League?”

Do you not think Azpilicueta is slightly past his best? In fairness to James, in this match he has been very dangerous at both ends.

6.11pm BST

41 min Alonso’s free-kick hits the wall.

6.11pm BST

41 min Kovacic is fouled by Sawyers 25 yards from goal. This time it’s to the right of centre, so Alonso will probably take it.

6.10pm BST

40 min Chelsea have had 72 per cent possession and nine shots. West Brom have had three shots and lead 3-0.

6.10pm BST

40 min Another chance for Abraham, who sweeps over the bar from James’ cutback. It wasn’t as clear as his earlier opportunity, though he should probably have worked Johnstone.

6.08pm BST

37 min It took Chelsea five minutes or so to get over the shock of the second and third goals, but now they are dominating the match again.

6.04pm BST

34 min Mount’s shot takes a deflection and spins a few yards wide of the far post. If Chelsea stay patient they can still draw or even win this game. It would help if they stopped playing silly buggers at the back as well.

6.03pm BST

33 min “Further to Simon McMahon’s story about enjoying life in the foothills of the apocalypse,” begins James Humphries, “I thought you might like to know that clicking over to the MBM just now having not looked at it since kick-off gave me the first genuine belly laugh I’ve had all week. I might go and open a beer myself.”

6.02pm BST

32 min A frustrated Havertz is lucky not to be booked for a lunge at Bartley. Chelsea, unsurprisingly, look shell-shocked.

6.01pm BST

31 min “Can they program the electronically generated crowd noise to do ‘Sacked in the morning?” wonders Jake Lynch.

5.59pm BST

29 min Chelsea’s defending for all three goals has been, a-hem, imperfect.

5.59pm BST

The corner was angled sharply towards Furlong on the edge of the box. He flicked a header into the six-yard box, where Bartley had a scandalous amount of time to sidefoot the ball calmly into the corner. At first he looked offside, but replays show he was being played on by James.

5.57pm BST

Oh my days.

5.57pm BST

27 min Diangana wins a corner for Chelsea. Reece James has been booked for a foul earlier in the move.

5.56pm BST

Thiago received a return pass from Kovacic on the edge of the centre circle, but lost concentration and let the ball run under his foot. Robinson nipped in, charged through on goal and beat Caballero with an emphatic low drive.

5.54pm BST

Callum Robinson gets his second after a howler from Thiago Silva!

5.53pm BST

23 min James’ cross is slightly behind Werner, who can only volley it up in the air. It loops towards goal and is claimed by Johnstone.

5.53pm BST

23 min “Has Lampard shown any nous to date, whether true actions or words, to suggest he deserves a job in the top two leagues?” says Andrew Hurley. “He has collected half forwards but has an absolutely terrible defence & has done very little (Thiago is too slow) to address it... does he think he’s playing Championship Manager?”

5.52pm BST

22 min Kovacic loses the ball to Sawyers in midfield. Pereira floats a crossfield pass to Diangana, who chests the ball into the area and is about to shoot when Christensen makes a good interception.

5.50pm BST

21 min Havertz looks so much better as a No10 than he did in the first two league games, when he played wide right and then as a false nine.

5.50pm BST

20 min Havertz plays a good pass through to Mount, who moves to the edge of the area but then picks the wrong option.

5.48pm BST

19 min Werner skips past Furlong and flashes a cross that beats everyone in the middle. Chelsea are well on top, despite the scoreline.

5.46pm BST

16 min “I remember when Chelsea last kept a clean sheet in the league,” says Stephen Carr. “The year was 19-odd-six and I was wearing an onion on my belt - which was the style at the time...”

5.45pm BST

15 min: Werner hits the bar! It’s coming. Mount breaks into space down the right and clips a sharp cross towards Werner, whose cushioned volley clatters off the top of the bar.

5.44pm BST

14 min Chelsea have had 77 per cent of the possession.

5.43pm BST

12 min: Abraham misses a great chance! Chelsea should be level. James, on the right, curls a wonderful cross into the corridor of uncertainty. It bounces up towards Abraham at the far post, but he slices it wide from six yards. Although the bounce was slightly awkward, Abraham should have scored.

5.41pm BST

10 min A good strike from Havertz, 20 yards from goal, is pushed away by the diving Johnstone. It was a comfortable save, but that’s a sign of Havertz’s increasing confidence.

5.40pm BST

10 min Chelsea were having most of the ball even before West Brom scored. The goal has made them even more dominant, with West Brom playing on the break.

5.39pm BST

9 min “Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “I’m sitting at home with a glass of beer and a pretzel, Field Music’s Measure on the turntable, my team Dundee United having secured a solid point away from home, the last of the late September sunshine still drifting in through the window before the milky twilight descends. It doesn’t feel like the end of days, though I’m sure Romulus Augustus thought the same in 476. And he didn’t have VAR to worry about either.”

5.37pm BST

8 min Alonso is booked for pulling back Ajayi.

5.37pm BST

7 min Mount’s free-kick hits the wall.

5.35pm BST

6 min Chelsea win a free-kick 25 yards out, slightly to the left of centre. Mount, Alonso and James are over the ball...

5.35pm BST

That was West Brom’s first attack. Alonso’s loose header was picked up by Pereira, who moved into space and slid an angled pass to Robinson on the edge of the area. He shifted it onto his left foot and hit a rasping drive that went through the legs of James, beat Caballero’s dive and nestled in the far corner.

5.34pm BST

Callum Robinson gives West Brom the lead with a cracking goal!

5.31pm BST

2 min Chelsea have set up as expected: 4-2-3-1, with Havertz behind Abraham. Werner is roaming from the left.

5.30pm BST

1 min Peep peep! West Brom kick off from left to right.

5.30pm BST

The players are ready to go on a cool evening at the Hawthorns. Chelsea are wearing their new third kit; it’s quite striking.

5.27pm BST

I forgot to say that Thiago Silva captains Chelsea on his Premier League debut. The club captain, Cesar Azpilicueta, is on the bench.

5.25pm BST

“Evening Rob,” says Matt Turland. “This season has had an absolute abundance of goals and today’s games have already kept up the goalfest. It may be tempting fate but this game is going to have goals in it, isn’t it? I mean, two suspect defences, two attacking ‘philosophies’ and a complete disregard for anything approaching tactics means it has to have goals.”

The goalless draw is in danger of becoming extinct.

5.10pm BST

“I see you have Christensen in the starting eleven,” says Lasse Espe. “Didn’t he earn a suspension after getting sent off against Liverpool?”

Yep - he served it during the Carabao Cup game in midweek.

5.00pm BST

Everton are top of the Premier League. They beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park to continue their great start, though the winning goal came from another debatable penalty.

4.35pm BST

Pre-match reading

4.35pm BST

Willy Caballero replaces poor Kepa in goal. Thiago Silva makes his Premier League debut and Tammy Abraham also starts. West Brom make one change from the team that lost at Goodison last weekend: Conor Townsend replaces the suspended Kieran Gibbs.

West Brom (3-4-2-1) Johnstone; Ajayi, Bartley, O’Shea; Furlong, Livermore, Sawyers, Townsend; Pereira, Diangana; Robinson.
Substitutes: Button, Kipre, Phillips, Harper, Field, Robson-Kanu, Edwards.

2.59pm BST

Hello. It’s not just students who have had their buzz harshed by Covid-19 restrictions. Promoted teams rely on their home form to establish themselves in the Premier League, so the absence of crowds - rabid, newly promoted crowds at that - is likely to impact their chances of survival.

Under normal circumstances the Hawthorns would be boinging for the visit of Chelsea. Without home support, the players will have to generate their own defiance. We’re only two games into a long season, but West Brom need a decent result as a matter of urgency. They lost those games 3-0 and 5-2, although they did play well at Everton until Kieran Gibbs got himself sent off just before half-time. It does get a bit easier after today, at least in theory: their next four games are against Southampton, Burnley, Brighton and Fulham.

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Published on September 26, 2020 11:32

Brighton 2-3 Manchester United: Premier League – as it happened

Bruno Fernandes's 100th-minute penalty settled a crazy game in which Brighton hit the woodwork five times

2.48pm BST

I’ll leave you with a match report from the Amex. Bye!

2.39pm BST

“Did the referee blow his whistle before the penalty check?” says Ruth Purdue. “What are the rules on that?”

I’m pretty sure he did, but I think the game can restart in the event of a VAR check. There was a game in 2018 when some of the players were in the dressing-room when a penalty was awarded. I’ll be honest, though, I haven’t a clue.

2.37pm BST

I’ve just watched the build-up to United’s winner again. It’s hard to be sure without a slow-motion replay, but it looks like the ball was out of play before van de Beek won the corner.

2.35pm BST

Bruno Fernandes speaks “It was a difficult game. We know Brighton are a really good team and in the first half we gave them too much space to play. We were not as aggressive as I want. We gave away two goals – I can do much better for the penalty, I need to stop early. The point is to score goals, not hit the crossbar or post. It sometimes happens to us as well. We can do much better, especially on the goals we conceded.”

2.31pm BST

One thing I’d like to see is whether van de Beek kept the ball in before the corner that eventually led to the goal.

2.29pm BST

That was a bonkers game of football. Some of the Brighton players, Lallana certainly, are effing and jeffing at the referee Chris Kavanagh as he leaves the field. I’m not sure why - Brighton were desperately unlucky, having hit the woodwork five times, but I don’t think they were robbed.

2.28pm BST

It was a stunning penalty, rifled into the top-right corner.

2.28pm BST

Fernandes scores emphatically with the last kick of the game!

2.27pm BST

90+10 min Bruno Fernandes will take the penalty. We’re in the tenth of the five added minutes.

2.26pm BST

90+9 min What on earth was Maupay doing?

2.26pm BST

90+9 min: PENALTY TO UNITED!

2.25pm BST

90+8 min: This will be a penalty. Maguire’s header hit the raised arm of Maupay. It was then headed off the line by March and the final whistle went. This is extraordinary.

2.25pm BST

90+7 min Maguire’s header is cleared off the line by March - but they are checking for handball and there’s a bit of a ruck. The final whistle has gone but I think we’re going to have a United penalty!

2.24pm BST

90+7 min United win a corner on the left.

2.24pm BST

It’s a thoroughly deserved equaliser for Brighton. Jahanbakhsh curled over a beautiful cross from the right that beat everyone at the near post and bounced up towards March, who headed in from close range. He was completely unmarked, having run away from Bruno Fernandes (I think).

2.22pm BST

Solly March has equalised in the last minute of injury time!

2.21pm BST

90+3 min: Vital save from de Gea! Trossard should have equalised. Brighton kept the ball alive from that Gross corner, and eventually Alzate forced it through to Trossard on the six-yard line. He turned smartly but then poked the ball straight at de Gea, who saved with his legs.

2.20pm BST

90+2 min Gross’s corner is poor and Shaw heads it away at the near post.

2.19pm BST

90+2 min March runs at Wan-Bissaka, who stretches to concede the corner...

2.18pm BST

90 min Five minutes of added time.

2.18pm BST

90 min Donny van de Beek comes on for United in place of Anthony Martial, who looked a bit livelier without being anywhere near his best.

2.16pm BST

89 min “Imagine that!” says Mary Waltz. “United parking the bus against mighty, mighty Brighton. It’s 2020, the world’s turned upside down.”

2.15pm BST

88 min The corner is headed over his own bar by Martial. The referee gives a goalkick.

2.15pm BST

87 min Jahanbakhsh wins a corner for Brighton, who are pushing hard for an equaliser. It’ll be a travesty if they lose this game.

2.13pm BST

85 min After some lovely interplay on the right, White’s deep cross is volleyed over by March at the far post. He was only six yards out and that was another good chance.

2.10pm BST

83 min Mason Greenwood is replaced by Eric Bailly, which means United will switch to a back three for the last seven minutes.

2.10pm BST

83 min Dunk is booked for a foul on Rashford.

2.08pm BST

80 min Lamptey’s cross hits the head of Lindelof and reaches March beyond the far post. His shot is deflected over the bar by the sliding Wan-Bissaka, a very important intervention.

2.07pm BST

79 min Brighton are really on top now.

2.04pm BST

76 min: Trossard hits the bar! This is ridiculous. He’s hit the woodwork three times, Brighton have hit it five times. Jahanbakhsh clipped a lovely crossfield pass to find him in space in the inside-left channel. An immaculate first touch set him up to blast a left-footed shot that beat de Gea for pace and thumped off the bar.

2.03pm BST

76 min Fernandes has had a fairly quiet game, yet he has still made both goals. He is so important to this team.

2.03pm BST

75 min Fernandes’ free-kick is only half cleared to Martial, whose shot is blocked by White. Rashford then has another effort blocked.

2.02pm BST

74 min A double change for Brighton: Pascal Gross and Alireza Jahanbakhsh replace Connolly and Lallana.

2.01pm BST

74 min White is booked for a foul on Luke Shaw.

1.59pm BST

71 min White makes a vital tackle on Martial in the area. Fernandes’ beautiful pass put Martial through, and he was about to shoot when White appeared to poke the ball away.

1.56pm BST

68 min Maupay does very well to win the ball on the edge of the United area, fight his way past a couple of players and manufacture a shot that is comfortably saved by de Gea.

1.53pm BST

65 min A Manchester United change: Fred replaces Paul Pogba, who didn’t have a great game.

1.51pm BST

63 min Trossard finds March in space on the left edge of the area. He beats Greenwood with ease and hammers a cross that is cleared at the near post by Lindelof. Brighton still look very dangerous.

1.50pm BST

62 min United break dangerously, only for Martial to play a poor pass to Shaw in the area. They’ve been a lot better in the second half.

1.49pm BST

61 min “Connolly is a fine player and has put my heart in my throat multiple times today, but how has he not been booked for diving yet?” says Matthew Richman. “That last one ahead of Maguire was especially egregious.”

1.48pm BST

60 min The scoreline is so harsh on Brighton. It’s even harsher now: March has hit the post! That’s the fourth time they’ve hit the woodwork. Brighton worked the ball beautifully from right to left, with Maupay eventually finding March in space on the left side of the area. He dragged a low shot across goal that beat de Gea and bounced off the inside of the post.

1.47pm BST

60 min “Poor Ben White,” says Mary Waltz. “Rashford made him look like a puppet on a string. Wonderful.”

1.46pm BST

59 min “Surely Henrik Larsson was United’s last successful panic signing?” says Nick Parish. “Didn’t stay long but had a huge impact. Is he still playing?”

Henrik Larsson was a glorious footballer but I never understood all the excitement about his time at United. He was fine but he didn’t really do much, and he kept Saha (who had been instrumental in United’s rebirth that season) out of the side.

1.46pm BST

58 min Connolly goes over again in the area, this time after a challenge from behind by Maguire. Chris Kavanagh says no penalty and VAR agrees. There was a slight shove from Maguire but not enough for a foul.

1.44pm BST

That was such a cool finish. Fernandes put him clear in the inside-left channel with a lovely pass. Rashford cut into the area, dummied to shoot and beat White. Then he ran past the covering Dunk, dummied to shoot again and twisted away from White a second time. Finally he battered a left-footed shot that hit the lunging Dunk and flew into the net. It was on target so it’s Rashford’s goal.

1.42pm BST

Marcus Rashford scores a beauty!

1.42pm BST

54 min United’s tempo has been much better since half-time, which suggests they received an appreciable brollocking from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

1.40pm BST

53 min VAR’s having a blinder.

1.40pm BST

Yep, Rashford was just offside when he slid Greenwood’s cross past Ryan at the near post.

1.39pm BST

That’s a cracking finish, though he might be offside.

1.39pm BST

51 min I don’t know what to make of that. I don’t think it would have been overturned last season, so VAR is improving.

1.36pm BST

NO PENALTY Connolly stepped across Pogba and went over. I don’t think it was a foul, and Chris Kavanagh has reversed his decision.

1.35pm BST

VAR pending The referee has gone across to look at the pitchside monitor, so maybe it will be overturned.

1.35pm BST

47 min: PENALTY TO BRIGHTON! Connolly went over after a clumsy challenge from Pogba, who has been booked. It’s pretty soft - Pogba didn’t do much wrong as Connolly stepped across him - but I’m not sure it will be overturned.

1.33pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Brighton begin the second half.

1.25pm BST

“Maguire really should score more goals considering how often he wins the ball at set pieces in the opposition box,” says David Wall. “You’d think that would be the difficult part especially as he so often gets a clean contact. He has the potential to be as prolific as Steve Bruce used to be (aside from the penalties) if he worked on his finishing more.”

Yep, agreed, although at the moment his biggest concern is the day job.

1.22pm BST

“They lost the first two in 1992-93 as well, a season that picked up somewhat,” says Robert Hanley. “Cantona arrived soon after, the last successful panic signing at United.”

Of course they did, FFS. 1986-87 was the last time they lost the first three.

1.20pm BST

Half-time reading

Fans or no fans, this will be a belter.

1.20pm BST

“Hi Rob,” says Wayne Farrell. “the problem with Man Utd is that all their best players are in really bad form, Rashford, Martial, Fernandez, Maguire, Pogba. Although it’s debatable if Pogba is one of Man Utd’s best players cause in my opinion since he’s been moved deeper he has no impact on games at all, a complete passenger, a 5 or 6 every game which for an £89m player is farcical.

“I think the fact that so many players are in bad form is the responsibility of the coaching team. Motivation and confidence comes from them. The team seem to be strangers together, really remind of the England team in most international tournaments (expect 2018 WC).”

1.18pm BST

Peep peep! That was a difficult half for United, who were outplayed by an excellent Brighton side. Brighton hit the woodwork three times before Neal Maupay gave them the lead with a Panenka, but they had been ahead for only three minutes when Lewis Dunk scored an own goal.

1.14pm BST

45 min Matic’s long-range shot is patted down by Ryan.

1.14pm BST

The goal came from a free-kick just outside the area on the left wing. Fernandees absolutely hammered it towards the far post, where Matic did well to push the ball back into the middle from the byline. Maguire and Dunk challenged for it on the six-yard line and it ended up in the net. It looks like an own goal.

1.13pm BST

United are level!

1.12pm BST

42 min The last time United lost their first two league games was in 1986-87, Ron Atkinson’s last season as manager.

1.11pm BST

41 min Matic is booked for a hand-off into Connolly’s face.

1.11pm BST

That was a delicious bit of arrogance. He kissed the ball softly down the middle as de Gea dived to his left.

1.10pm BST

Maupay scores with an outrageous Panenka!

1.09pm BST

Lamptey cut across Fernandes and brushed his leg. He knew what he was doing but it’s still a penalty. It all stemmed from a mistake by Wan-Bissaka, who was harassed into losing the ball by March.

1.08pm BST

PENALTY TO BRIGHTON! Bruno Fernandes has been penalised for a clumsy challenge on Lamptey. I don’t think this will be overturned.

1.07pm BST

37 min March plays an excellent pass to leave Connolly one against one with Maguire. Connolly is slightly indecisive, though, and Matic gets back to dispossess him. That was a chance.

1.06pm BST

36 min “United has too much quality to be playing this constipated brand of football,” says Mary Waltz.

It’s fascinating - and slightly alarming - how different they look from the team that hammered Brighton here in June. Especially as it’s the same starting XI.

1.05pm BST

34 min “Ok, I get that United’s squad isn’t exactly overflowing with top quality midfielders,” says Matt Dony. “And I get that he has had his moments while playing for Chelsea and United (generally a good few years ago), but Matic still being picked for what is ostensibly one of the top sides in the country seems perverse. Even Mourinho would be thinking twice by now.”

I think he’s been really good in the last few months. The bigger problem is Pogba, who is getting worse. He isn’t even a luxury player any more.

1.03pm BST

33 min: Greenwood has a goal disallowed for offside! It was a slick move involving Martial and Rashford, but replays showed Rashford was offside before he found Greenwood.

1.01pm BST

30 min: Webster hits the bar! That’s the third time Brighton have hit the woodwork. March’s free-kick was partially cleared by Maguire and came to Maupay on the right. He lofted a half-volley back into the middle, where Webster looped a header towards goal. de Gea backpedalled desperately and the ball bounced off the top of the bar. He might have got a touch, I’m not sure.

12.58pm BST

27 min “There is a reason why United have begun this season like this - lack of match fitness,” says Digvijay Yadav. “United have played a couple of games till now (due to rest after playing in Europe) while others have played 6-7. City were lucky in that they faced Wolves who were in the same boat. Of course, another signing will help but there are mitigating circumstances.”

While I take your point, and I think it’s a factor, they’re only one or two games behind everyone else aren’t they?

12.55pm BST

24 min Maupay wins a corner off Matic. Trossard’s inswinger is punched away unconvincingly by de Gea. Maupay heads the loose ball down to Connolly, who drags a volley well wide from 15 yards.

12.52pm BST

23 min United’s performance has been pedestrian at best.

12.52pm BST

22 min Bruno Fernandes is booked for a lunge at Maupay.

12.52pm BST

21 min: Trossard hits the other post! That was another excellent effort. Alzate played a lovely ball between the lines to find Trossard in space, 20 yards from goal. He got it onto his left foot and cracked a low shot across goal that brushed the outside of the far post.

12.49pm BST

19 min A wicked inswinging cross from Fernandes on the left just evades Martial and bounces a couple of yards wide of the far post.

12.48pm BST

18 min After a good move from Brighton, March’s low cross deflects off Lindelof and into the hands of a de Gea.

12.47pm BST

17 min Lamptey plays a loose pass that is picked up by Greenwood 20 yards from goal. He moves into the area but drives well wide from a tight angle.

12.43pm BST

13 min March’s lofted free-kick is headed away by Maguire.

12.43pm BST

13 min Lamptey goes on his first eye-catching run, charging infield before being fouled by Matic 35 yards from goal.

12.41pm BST

12 min Brighton look dangerous on the counter-attack. Connolly moves into space and finds Maupay, whose long-range shot is blocked by Lindelof.

12.41pm BST

10 min United haven’t made the greatest start, with some sloppy passing and a bit of lethargy. Brighton have been much more cohesive.

12.40pm BST

9 min: Trossard hits the post! That was a great effort. Alzate fed a nice pass into him on the edge of the area. He took a quick touch and then crashed a left-footed shot that beat de Gea and smacked the outside of the post.

12.37pm BST

7 min Brighton have settled into the game and are passing the ball around nicely. They’re a very likeable team.

12.36pm BST

5 min These teams meet again here on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, although most of these players probably won’t be involved.

12.34pm BST

4 min Maupay wins the first corner of the game for Brighton. March takes it short to Lallana, whose cross is kicked away at the near post. I’m surprised March didn’t swing that in towards de Gea and allow the wind to take effect.

12.33pm BST

3 min A quiet start, nowt to report. United have had most of the ball.

12.31pm BST

2 min “Am so pleased Lallana recovered so promptly,” says Ian Copestake. “Felt bad for him seeing him go off on his debut. Mind you, he never recovered that quickly at Liverpool so not that I am so fickle as to change my opinion within one post but he is dead to me.”

12.30pm BST

1 min Peep peep! United kick off from right to left.

12.29pm BST

It’s a windy day down in Brighton. Both teams are ready - Brighton are wearing in their lovely new home kit, United their new red strip.

12.16pm BST

“You weren’t the only one expecting Lindelof to be dropped (rested?) today,” says Neil Carter. “He was deemed to be fatigued during the last round of internationals and looked awful last week. Maybe two games for Eric in a week is too much though he is a fragile. Anyway an improved but still disjointed performance expected today against a well organised Brighton so 1-1 my prediction.”

12.13pm BST

“I think you mean Ron Burgundy,” says Keith Geoghegan (and tens of others). “Not sure why Ron Jeremy would be on your mind.”

Ach, apologies, I’ve amended it now.

12.09pm BST

“Afternoon, Rob,” says Ian Copestake. “On the crisis front, it is kind of understandable now given that any team with title pretentions can’t lose more than one game thanks to City driving Liverpool to such heights. And even a draw is looking like the new loss.”

The 1-0 win is the new loss.

11.37am BST

Pre-match reading

11.37am BST

Adam Lallana replaces Yves Bissouma in the Brighton midfield, an attacking decision from Graham Potter. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has gone back to the XI that won 3-0 here in June. That’s a bit of a surprise; I thought Eric Bailly would replace Victor Lindelof.

11.33am BST

Brighton (3-4-3) Ryan; White, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, Lallana, Alzate, March; Trossard, Connolly, Maupay.
Substitutes: Steele, Bernardo, Burn, Veltman, Gross, Molumby, Jahanbakhsh.

Manchester United (4-2-3-1) de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.
Substitutes: Henderson, Bailly, Fosu-Mensah, Lingard, Fred, van de Beek, McTominay.

10.55am BST

Morning. You don’t need to have seen the film Anchorman to know it’s the source of the phrase, “Well, that escalated quickly.” We see it on memes all the time, with a picture of the film’s lead character Ron Burgundy. The main reason it’s such a popular meme is that, in modern society, things do escalate pretty darn quickly.

Look at Manchester United. They ended the 2019-20 season in a state of giddy optimism; six weeks later, it’s all doom and gloom. United have been all hat and no cattle in the transfer market, and they were alarmingly bad in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace. If they lose today at Brighton, the media - traditional and social - will go to town. Ludicrous after only two league games, no question, but it’s an immutable law of Premier League coverage that at least one club must be IN CRISIS.

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Published on September 26, 2020 06:48

September 23, 2020

Leicester 0-2 Arsenal, Fleetwood 2-5 Everton: Carabao Cup third round – as it happened

Everton survived a scare before putting five past Fleetwood, while Chelsea’s record signing Kai Havertz scored a hat-trick against Barnsley

12.41am BST

9.54pm BST

9.52pm BST

9.50pm BST

Newcastle’s 7-0 dismantling of Morecambe is apparently the biggest away win in their history. And it could have been more: by half time they were 5-0 up and playing against 10 men.

9.48pm BST

9.37pm BST

And here’s the updated draw for the last 16

9.37pm BST

Peep peeeeeeeeeeeeep! The four 7.45pm games have finished; they produced 22 goals between them. Here are the final scores in all tonight’s matches:

9.36pm BST

Everton had a scare, but they have won comfortably in the end. The substitute Moise Kean has made it 5-2, finishing coolly after a superb run by Niels Nkounkou.

9.35pm BST

GOAL! Morecambe 0-7 Newcastle (Lavelle 90+1 own goal) An unfortunate own goal from Sam Lavelle makes it s-e-v-e-n for Newcastle.

9.34pm BST

Game over. Eddie Nketiah forces the ball in from close range after excellent play from the substitute Hector Bellerin.

9.28pm BST

In other news

9.27pm BST

GOAL! Chelsea 6-0 Barnsley (Giroud 83) The substitute Olivier Giroud gets on the scoresheet with an accomplished stooping header from the debutant Ben Chilwell’s cross.

9.25pm BST

Leicester 0-1 Arsenal The substitute Ayoze Perez has missed a great chance to equalise for Leicester and, in all probability, take the game to penalties.

9.24pm BST

With around seven minutes remaining, these are the latest scores:

9.23pm BST

“Dear Rob,” says Ingo Herzke. “Not to put too fine a point to it, but for Chelsea’s third goal (Barkley’s) it was Havertz, not Mount, who won the ball with that tackle. So quite a good game for him, statistically.”

Ach, apologies. In my defence, Havertz and Mount look quite similar from 700 miles away.

9.20pm BST

Leicester 0-1 Arsenal Wes Morgan keeps Leicester in the game, heading Eddie Nketiah’s lob off the line.

9.18pm BST

Chelsea 5-0 Barnsley A comedy miss from Ross Barkley keeps the score at 5-0.

9.14pm BST

Everton restore their two-goal lead. Bernard, who has been excellent in midfield, runs onto a loose ball and smashes it into the net from 15 yards. The technique was lovely; he leant to the side, twisted his right foot and swished it past the keeper.

9.13pm BST

The latest scores

9.11pm BST

Kai Havertz has scored a hat-trick! He walked the ball into the net to complete a memorable achievement in only his third game for Chelsea. Frank Lampard’s decision to start him, which some queried, has been well and truly vindicated.

9.08pm BST

Fleetwood 2-3 Everton Just over 20 minutes remaining at Highbury, where life has become increasingly uncomfortable for Everton.

9.06pm BST

Chelsea 4-0 Barnsley Thiago Silva comes off after a low-key debut. Chelsea weren’t perfect at the back - Barnsley could have scored two or three in the first half - but it was a pretty nice way to start his career in England.

9.03pm BST

“The Arsenal shirt discussion is all very well, but the real conundrum is what reworking of the universe will allow Nicolas Pepe to take a meaningful part in this game?” wrote Charles Antaki about 20 seconds before the goal. “A bit of juggling, a loose ball, possession very generously and frequently lost … it may take some quite deep space/time readjustment.”

That or a farcical game of pinball.

9.02pm BST

A tragicomic own goal from Christian Fuchs gives Arsenal the lead! Pepe’s low cross ricocheted off two or three players and the post before hitting Fuchs and dribbling over the line.

9.01pm BST

Fleetwood won’t go quietly! A close-range overhead kick from Callum Camps goes through Jordan Pickford and into the net. Pickford mistimed his attempted save and ended up slapping the ball into the net with his wrist.

8.59pm BST

GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Barnsley (Havertz 55) A second goal for Kai Havertz. As with the third goal, it came from Barnsley losing the ball in a dangerous area. Mount (I think) crossed low to Abraham, whose deft flick gave Havertz another simple finish.

8.58pm BST

“I must say I agree with Kári Tulinius,” says Peter Oh. “The Arsenal shirt is suggestive of an imminent zombie kitpocalypse. David Luiz probably enjoys being dressed as the superhero Captain Marble.”

8.56pm BST

“Arsenal’s kit being an homage to marble means it’s got to look good on Granit Xhaka, no?” says Ben Bennett.

8.55pm BST

GOAL! Morecambe 0-6 Newcastle (Lascelles 51) Jamaal Lascelles heads in from a right-wing corner. Since you asked, their record win is 13-0.

8.54pm BST

The latest scores

8.53pm BST

GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Barnsley (Barkley 49) Ross Barkley seals victory for Chelsea. Mount won the ball just outside the area, and Barkley picked up the loose ball before rifling it into the far corner. Excellent finish.

8.52pm BST

Full time: Millwall 0-2 Burnley A hard-fought win for Burnley, who will be at home to Manchester City or Bournemouth in the last 16.

8.52pm BST

Full time: Preston 0-2 Brighton An ultimately comfortable win for Brighton, who will host Manchester United in the next round. (And in the league at the weekend.)

8.52pm BST

Full time: Stoke 1-0 Gillingham Stoke are through after a forgettable game. They’ll visit either Bristol City or Aston Villa in the next round.

8.51pm BST

Full time: Fulham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday Peep peep! Fulham will go to Brentford in the last 16.

8.51pm BST

Everton restore their two-goal lead. Anthony Gordon’s cutback is fresh-aired by Richarlison, who should have completed his hat-trick, but Iwobi is waiting behind him to finish.

8.50pm BST

GOAL! Millwall 0-2 Burnley (Vydra 90+3) Matej Vydra puts Burnley into the last 16.

8.49pm BST

Jordan Pickford has had a bit of a shocker. He received an admittedly dodgy backpass, took an extra touch and was tackled. The ball broke to Mark Duffy, who slid it into the net from 10 yards.

8.46pm BST

Who knew Arsenal’s away kit would be such a conversation starter? Here’s Randy Gatley. “Metal typography. Ice cream. Banquo’s Ghost. I don’t see a problem here.”

8.44pm BST

With around five minutes remaining in the 7pm games, here are all the latest scores.

8.43pm BST

“A raspberry ripple kit suits Arsenal,” says Matthew Stephens, “in that it looks nice and sweet but tends to melt under the slightest pressure.”

Give Mikel Arteta a couple of years and their kit will be a stick of rock.

8.38pm BST

Preston 0-2 Brighton That goal was Alexis Mac Allister’s first for Brighton. He looks like he could become a serious player.

8.36pm BST

“The intention might have been to make the shirts look like the Marble Halls at Highbury,” says Paul Godwin, “but what they’ve managed to achieve is a shirt that looks like it’s made of raspberry ripple.”

8.35pm BST

“Hi Rob,” says Rye. “Arsenal will break through Leicester’s weak left side with Nicolas Pepe because they sold Chilwell.”

8.34pm BST

GOAL! Preston 0-2 Brighton (Mac Allister 75) Brighton will play Manchester United in the last 16. Pascal Gross does well on the right and crosses low to the exciting youngster Alexis Mac Allister, who sidefoots in from close range.

8.33pm BST

These are the latest scores. It’s half-time in the 7.45pm kick-offs.

8.32pm BST

GOAL! Morecambe 0-5 Newcastle (Hayden 45+2) Who knew Newcastle could be so merciless? Isaac Hayden has made it 5-0 before half-time, smashing into the net from 25 yards.

8.30pm BST

“I know that the idea is that Arsenal’s away shirt looks like the marble at Highbury,” says Kári Tulinius, “but on telly it looks like the players are all covered in streaks of blood. It’s as if they’ve been through the third act of a zombie film.”

8.26pm BST

“Hey Rob,” says J.R. in Illinois. “It was Amartey, not Dewsbury-Hall, who jumped on Saka’s back. Yeah, it looked like a certain penalty, but guess what? No VAR! Would you like to say anything about Arsenal’s shirt and the font on the back? I don’t think what I have to say about it can be printed.”

I like it. It looks like something from Donnie Darko.

8.25pm BST

Leicester 0-0 Arsenal James Maddison hits the post with a glorious effort. He zipped past two players in the inside-left channel, opened his body and floated a beautiful curler that dipped over Bernd Leno and hit the inside of the far post.

8.23pm BST

“Early days,” says Gary Naylor, “but I think Lieutenant George speaks for all Evertonians this season.”

8.21pm BST

The latest scores

8.21pm BST

“Hi Rob,” says Duncan Edwards. “I doubt anyone will write in about Stoke this evening so having seen greats such as Gordon Banks, Peter Dobing, and Jimmy Greenhoff match up against the likes of Frank Worthington, George Best, and Gary Lineker at the old Victoria Ground, allow me to mention that Stoke City finished last season quite strongly and, well, that’s about it, apart from the fact that Peter Dobing was a renowned pipe smoker and that Lineker show for Leicester is the best I’ve ever seen anyone play in the flesh. And he didn’t even score.”

Jimmy Greenhoff was such a Boys Own hero.

8.20pm BST

Another cracking goal from Everton. Richarlison plays the ball into Iwobi, who takes a touch and then backheels a lovely return pass. Richarlison storms onto the ball and pokes it through the keeper.

8.19pm BST

Morecambe 0-4 Newcastle And now Morecambe are down to ten men. Toumani Diagouraga has been sent off for serious foul play. Morecambe lost 5-0 at home to Cambridge at the weekend; it could be a lot worse tonight.

8.17pm BST

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Barnsley (Havertz 28) Kai Havertz gets his first Chelsea goal! Mount played the ball into Abraham, whose magnificent dummy allowed the ball to run through to Havertz. He steadied himself and passed the ball into the corner from eight yards. The dummy from Abraham was glorious - he nutmegged himself and the defender.

8.16pm BST

GOAL! Preston 0-1 Brighton (Jahanbakhsh 57) A thumping finish from Ali Jahanbakhsh gives Brighton the lead. Meanwhile...

8.15pm BST

GOAL! Morecambe 0-4 Newcastle (Joelinton 31) Mercy. Joelinton has made it 4-0 with a spectacular dipping shot from 25 yards.

8.14pm BST

Leicester 0-0 Arsenal It’s still goalless, but Arsenal might have had a penalty after a clumsy challenge from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (I think) on Bukayo Saka. I’d have given it.

8.11pm BST

Chelsea 1-0 Barnsley Chelsea should be 2-0 up. Mason Mount has missed a sitter after a nice through ball from Kai Havertz.

8.10pm BST

GOAL! Morecambe 0-3 Newcastle (Murphy 27) This could get messy. Murphy wins a 50/50 in midfield, moves to the edge of the area and curls a lovely shot into the corner.

8.09pm BST

Chelsea 1-0 Barnsley Chelsea are still struggling in defence and Willy Caballero has had to make another save. It was relatively comfortable, low to his left, but he’s having a busier night than expected.

8.08pm BST

It’s been coming since the first whistle, and it’s a nice goal from Everton. Bernard flips a lovely ball towards the far post, where Richarlison gets away from his man and heads back across the keeper.

8.07pm BST

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Barnsley (Abraham 19) Tammy Abraham gets his first goal of the season. He picked up a loose pass on the edge of the area, muscled a defender aside and finished emphatically.

8.03pm BST

The latest scores

8.03pm BST

GOAL! Morecambe 0-2 Newcastle (Almiron 20) Newcastle are cruising. Miguel Almiron, put through on goal by Murphy, moves smoothly round the keeper to score.

8.01pm BST

Fleetwood 0-0 Everton It’s been a confident start from Everton, who have had 71 per cent of the possession so far.

8.01pm BST

Chelsea 0-0 Barnsley It’s a very strong Chelsea side, but Barnsley have started well. Willy Caballero has just made an excellent save from Cauley Woodrow’s long-range curler.

8.00pm BST

Leicester 0-0 Arsenal It’s been a really entertaining start at the King Power Stadium. No surprise really, given the quality of the attacking players on both sides.

7.53pm BST

Leicester 0-0 Arsenal Leicester’s reserve keeper has made a brilliant fingertip save from Reiss Nelson’s long-range shot.

7.51pm BST

GOAL! Morecambe 0-1 Newcastle (Joelinton 5) An excellent start for Newcastle. Joelinton has given them the lead, dragging into the corner from eight yards.

7.47pm BST

Peep peep! The 7.45pm games are under way, which also means it’s half time in the 7pm kick-offs:

7.45pm BST

GOAL! Millwall 0-1 Burnley (Brownhill 45) Josh Brownhill has given Burnley the lead at the Den. It was a belter, too, smashed in off the bar from 25 yards. Pick that out!

7.42pm BST

Preston 0-0 Brighton Patrick Bauer has headed against the bar for Preston, who are holding their own against Brighton.

7.39pm BST

GOAL! Stoke 1-0 Gillingham (Campbell 37) Stoke’s pressure has finally told. Tyrese Campbell got the goal, finishing coolly after a stunning through pass from Jordan Thompson.

7.34pm BST

GOAL! Fulham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday (Decordova-Reid 32) Fulham double their lead against the run of play. Bobby Decordova-Reid volleys into an empty net after terrific play from Josh Onomah. He received a throw-in, turned his man and hammered a cross that gave Decordova-Reid a simple finish.

7.31pm BST

Stoke 0-0 Gillingham The Gillingham keeper Joe Walsh has made a brilliant stop from Harry Souttar.

7.29pm BST

“Hey Rob,” says JR in Illinois. “Assuming Everton beat Fleetwood Town the next round is going to provide us with a David Moyes Derby. Unfortunately Moyes would then miss his own derby. Get well soon, Moyesie!

“The other possible fourth round matchup that has caught my eye is the ‘long distance’ pairing of Newport County v Newcastle. I put ‘long distance’ in quotes because distances that seem vast to people in England seem pretty inconsequential to those of us in the U.S. Yes, I understand it’s all relative. Still makes me chuckle. (Just as an example, to visit my dad I drive west from Illinois (which is pretty much in the middle of the country) about 1,200 miles and am still 1,000 miles from the west coast.)”

7.26pm BST

A bit of news on West Ham and their Covid-19 problems.

7.24pm BST

Millwall 0-0 Burnley Millwall are putting Burnley under a lot of pressure, especially from set pieces. Burnley have also lost Jay Rodriguez through injury; Chris Wood has replaced him.

7.23pm BST

Fulham 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday Despite going behind, Sheffield Wednesday have apparently been the better team at Craven Cottage.

7.17pm BST

“Hi Rob,” says Matt Burtz. “Because most readers probably didn’t watch Everton play Salford City last week, I just want to note that Niels Nkounkou had an excellent game in his debut and is worth looking out for today. The rest of the team selection tells me Carlo Ancelotti is interested in advancing without messing around too much. I guess James Rodriguez will have to save a trip to Fleetwood for his day off though.”

7.14pm BST

The latest scores

7.14pm BST

“It’s become de rigueur to poo-poo these cup games, but I’m all for them,” says Bill Hargreaves. “I love these early stages in particular, that seem like old English geography lessons. I’d love to win a prize where I was chauffeured around all of these small grounds, pie and pint in each.”

If that ever happens, you should try the the Ginsters stall at the Emirates. It’s well non-existent.

7.10pm BST

GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday (Kamara 9) An early goal for Fulham. Anthony Knockaert ran through on goal, drew the keeper and slipped the ball square for Aboubakar Kamara to score. Lovely play from Knockaert.

7.08pm BST

Leicester v Arsenal team news

James Maddison made his first start of the season as Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers made 11 changes for the Carabao Cup third-round visit of Arsenal.

7.07pm BST

Chelsea v Barnsley team news

Toni Rudiger was omitted from Chelsea’s line-up for the second match in a row, for the Carabao Cup clash with Barnsley.

7.05pm BST

Fleetwood v Everton team news

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong side to face League One Fleetwood in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

7.02pm BST

Morecambe v Newcastle team news

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce made nine changes for their Carabao Cup third-round clash at Morecambe.

7.02pm BST

Peep peep! The first four matches of the evening have kicked off.

6.39pm BST

In case you missed it - and I’ll level with you, I bloody did - the draw for the last 16 has already taken place.

6.35pm BST

Preston v Brighton team news

Brighton boss Graham Potter changed all 11 players for the Carabao Cup match away to Preston.

6.35pm BST

Millwall v Burnley team news

Millwall have handed a full debut to Tottenham loanee Troy Parrott for the visit of Burnley in the Carabao Cup third round.

6.35pm BST

Stoke v Gillingham team news

Stoke Davies, Collins, Souttar, Fox, Smith, Oakley-Boothe, Thompson, Tymon, Campbell, Gregory, McClean.
Subs: Batth, Ince, Brown, Fletcher, Cousins, Powell, Nna Noukeu.

6.33pm BST

Fulham v Sheffield Wednesday team news, cut and pasted from the news wires without shame or regret

Aleksandar Mitrovic was left out of Fulham’s squad as manager Scott Parker made seven changes to his starting XI for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday.

4.52pm BST

Hello and welcome to another busy Carabao Cup clockwatch. This is the second night of action in the last 32 of the competition, with eight games taking place (unless there’s a last-minute Covid abandonment). Here’s the full fixture list, with a few potential shocks and a minor humdinger at the King Power Stadium:

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Published on September 23, 2020 13:48

The Fiver | Covid-19 and a new era of Stop-Start Football

We’ve had STOP FOOTBALL, The Fiver’s diligent 11-year campaign that was finally heard by the authorities in March. We’ve had START FOOTBALL, the surprisingly enjoyable and problem-free relaunch. Now, with a second wave of Covid-19 on the way, it looks like we are set for a new era of STOP-START FOOTBALL.

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Published on September 23, 2020 07:56

September 20, 2020

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened

Sadio Mane scored twice, the second after a dreadful mistake from Kepa, as Liverpool gave ten-man Chelsea a reality check at Stamford Bridge

8.52pm BST

Barney Ronay points out the Liverpool front three are good.

8.52pm BST

A tough day for the Chelsea goalkeeper.

6.54pm BST

6.37pm BST

Here’s Sadio Mane

“It was a tough game, especially the first half. The red card made it easier and in the second half we created many chances. When [Christensen] fouled me I knew it would be a red card. [For the second goal] I knew that [Kepa] he might not have many passing options, so I got in front for him. Luckily for me he made a mistake, it was unlucky for him.”

6.27pm BST

“Evening Rob,” says Stephen Carr. “If the phrase ‘yawning chasm’ didn’t exist, that game would necessitate its invention.”

It was brutal. In hindsight, that match came far too early for Chelsea. They would want to play Liverpool after two or three months when all their new signings have started to settle in.

6.24pm BST

Peep peep! A very good day’s work for Liverpool, who put Chelsea in their place with a performance of intimidating authority. Chelsea were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Andreas Christensen was sent off, though Liverpool were well on top even at that stage. Sadio Mane scored both goals shortly after half-time, the second after a bad mistake from Kepa, and then Alisson saved Jorginho’s penalty.

6.22pm BST

90+3 min Kepa makes another save, this time blocking Salah’s close-range shot, and Wijnaldum can’t react quickly enough to put the rebound into the net.

6.21pm BST

90+2 min Mane’s deflected long-range strike forces a good, sprawling save from Kepa.

6.20pm BST

90+1 min Three minutes of added time.

6.19pm BST

90 min Robertson has a shot blocked by James. Both teams look ready to go home.

6.16pm BST

87 min Salah flips a beautiful pass over the defence to van Dijk, still up from a corner. He chests the ball down but Kepa comes from his line to claim.

6.15pm BST

86 min Takumi Minamino comes on for the last few minutes in place of Roberto Firmino.

6.13pm BST

84 min: Good save from Alisson! Werner played a nice pass down the inside-left channel to release Abraham. He moved infield, opened his body up and curled a good effort towards the far corner. Alisson got down smartly to his left to push it away.

6.11pm BST

82 min Robertson’s corner is headed away to Thiago, who shoots a few yards wide from distance.

6.08pm BST

79 min A double change for Chelsea. Ross Barkley and Tammy Abraham replace Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.

6.08pm BST

79 min Salah runs over the ball and drags it across to Alexander-Arnold, who curls it a few yards wide of the far post.

6.07pm BST

78 min Tomori fouls Firmino 22 yards from goal. It’s slightly to the left of centre, perfect for Alexander-Arnold. Salah also wants it.

6.04pm BST

75 min Oh, Chelsea. It was a tame penalty from Jorginho, who relies on the keeper going the wrong way. Alisson didn’t: he dived low to his left and pushed it away.

6.03pm BST

74 min It was a needless challenge from Thiago. He tried to pull out but it was too late and he brushed Werner’s ankle. As he was running at speed, that was enough to knock him over.

6.02pm BST

73 min: PENALTY TO CHELSEA! Werner has been fouled by Thiago just inside the area.

5.59pm BST

70 min It’s been a very nice introduction for Thiago, who has had plenty of time to play little give-and-gos and spread the play.

5.57pm BST

68 min A rare Chelsea attack almost leads to a goal. After some patient passing, Mount whips a dipping shot from 25 yards that brushes the roof of the net. That was a lovely effort.

5.55pm BST

66 min Wijnaldum’s fierce low shot is saved with his feet by Kepa. The authority of this Liverpool performance has been quite something; they’ve taken a potential challenger to the cleaners.

5.52pm BST

64 min James Milner, who first played Premier League football in 2002, replaces Naby Keita.

5.52pm BST

63 min “It’s an awful mistake from Kepa but the defender (not sure who) didn’t give him an angle for the pass at all,” says Niall Mullen. “If you’re told to play out from the back but your defenders are not moving to give you passes you’re on a hiding to nothing.”

Row X though, Niall, row X. Nobody’s ever scored from there, ever.

5.51pm BST

61 min Salah’s shot hits Tomori and bounces behind for a corner. Robertson’s inswinger is headed behind for another by Jorginho. Alexander-Arnold’s deep corner is claimed by Kepa.

5.49pm BST

60 min It has turned into a training session, Liverpool attack versus Chelsea defence. The worry now for Chelsea is that they could be humiliated.

5.48pm BST

59 min “Hi Rob,” says Peter Oh. “Lampard and Chelsea have got the money but Liverpool have got the Mané!”

I can’t be the only one hearing a Pavement song now.

5.47pm BST

57 min John Beck’s Cambridge never conceded a goal like that. It’s an immutable law of football that you can’t score from Row X.

5.45pm BST

Tomori played the ball back to Kepa, who put his studs on it and then tried to pass to Jorginho on the edge of the area. It was blocked by the stretching Mane - who had chased the play in anger after losing it himself - and he tapped the loose ball into the net from a few yards. It was an awful mistake from Kepa but, as Gary Neville says on Sky, it’s another demonstration of Mane and Liverpool’s extraordinary work-rate. They are everything you could want in a football team.

5.43pm BST

A shocking mistake from Kepa gives Mane his second!

5.41pm BST

53 min There are mitigating circumstances, it’s true, but this is turning into an unpleasant reality check for Chelsea.

5.40pm BST

That was a lovely one-touch move. Firmino, on the right, played a one-two with Salah and stood up a first-time cross into the middle. Mane got in front of James, strained his neck muscles and steered a header into the corner.

5.39pm BST

Liverpool’s front three combine for a superb goal!

5.38pm BST

49 min James fouls Mane just outside the area on the left. It’s a very tight angle but Alexander-Arnold might have a shot here. He doesn’t and Chelsea clear.

5.37pm BST

48 min Chelsea struggled to get out when it was 11v11, so you can imagine how the first few minutes of the second half have gone.

5.35pm BST

46 min Apparently Jordan Henderson has a tight thigh, hence the substitution.

5.34pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Chelsea begin the second half. It looks like they’ll play a 4-3-2 with Werner and Mount as split strikers.

5.33pm BST

Thiago Alcantara has replaced Jordan Henderson in Liverpool’s midfield. Jurgen Klopp gives him a pep talk and a hug before he joins the action.

5.33pm BST

Yes, Chelsea are also making a half-time substitution: Fikayo Tomori comes to replace Kai Havertz (and Andreas Christensen).

5.31pm BST

Thiago Alcantara is coming on for Liverpool. You’d imagine Chelsea will bring on a defender as well.

5.29pm BST

“A testament to Mane’s cleverness, speed and strength that one,” says Edward Wall. “In the replay from the goal side you can see that at the point they come together Mane’s left foot kicks Christensen’s foot from under him. He essentially trips him up. Hence Christensen’s flailing arm as he goes down, and his protests in vain. The slow-motion replays show that kind of thing, the subtle art of buying fouls. Mane is really some player. Incredible that no-one else seemed to be in for him when he was at Southampton.”

Louis van Gaal was, but I assume Ed Woodward knew better. That’s an interesting take on the red card – I missed that completely but will have a look next time we see a replay.

5.28pm BST

“Hi Rob,” says Manasvin. “Just wanted to point out that even in a first half where they’ve been dominated, Kovacic showed how many problems he solves for Chelsea. Lampard’s buildup strategy isn’t great against Liverpool’s press especially when you factor in how Jorginho has been playing, but Kovacic receiving on the turn and driving has been the most exciting moment for the Blues.”

He’s such a good player, much better than I thought when he first joined on loan.

5.21pm BST

“That straight red is a good explanation of the decline of the home team advantage,” says Paul Griffin. “VAR has eroded the unintended, marginal home bias of officials.”

Pep Guardiola might not agree with that.

5.19pm BST

“Have I told you,” says Matt Dony, “how much I love VAR?”

5.19pm BST

Half-time reading

5.19pm BST

Peep peep! Chelsea set out to contain Liverpool and were doing a decent job until Andreas Christensen was sent off in injury time for pulling back Sadio Mane when he was through on goal. It’s going to be a long second half for their defenders.

5.17pm BST

45+2 min Alexander-Arnold whips the free-kick over the bar.

5.17pm BST

45+2 min The free-kick is 30 yards from goal, with Alexander-Arnold over the ball.

5.16pm BST

45+1 min It’s hard to argue with that, although that’s exactly what Christensen is doing.

5.15pm BST

45 min The referee Paul Tierney has gone to look at the monitor.

5.15pm BST

45 min The only thing that might save Christensen is that Kepa was nearby. But I still think this should be a red card.

5.14pm BST

44 min A quite brilliant long pass from Henderson releases Mane, who is deliberately pulled down by the last man Christensen. He is booked but VAR are checking for a red card.

5.12pm BST

43 min I don’t think either keeper has made a save. Liverpool have been the dominant team but Frank Lampard will be pleased with how Chelsea have defended.

5.11pm BST

41 min Havertz’s free-kick flashes across the face of goal with no Chelsea player alert enough to take advantage.

5.10pm BST

40 min Henderson fouls Werner 22 yards from goal. The free-kick is a fair way to the left of centre, probably too far for a direct shot.

5.08pm BST

37 min Werner misses a sitter, though it wouldn’t have counted. Everyone in the ground knew that Havertz was going to be flagged offside as soon as the ball went dead.

5.06pm BST

36 min Henderson’s very deep cross is volleyed into the ground and wide of the near post by Robertson. It was a half chance at most.

5.05pm BST

35 min Salah, on the left of the box after a half-cleared corner, smashes a low cross that whistles past everyone in the six-yard area.

5.03pm BST

32 min A decent effort from Werner. He picked up a loose ball 30 yards out, ran at the backpedalling Alexander-Arnold and hit a left-footed shot that drifted just wide of the far post. Alisson had it covered though.

5.01pm BST

31 min Now Chelsea do put a few passes together. Eventually Alonso sprays a fine pass out to his fellow full-back James, whose low cross is cleared at the near post by Robertson.

5.00pm BST

30 min Chelsea can’t keep the ball. I can remember only one move of more than four of five passes, when Kante turned away from goal in the area.

4.59pm BST

29 min “Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “Average of over five goals per game so far in the Premiership this weekend, and on course to break the record for most goals in a single round of fixtures. So, come on, let’s have some please. Forget Expected Goals, let’s bring back the Guardian Goals Guarantee.”

When you say ‘bring back’…

4.58pm BST

28 min There’s only been one shot on target in the match. It hasn’t been a thriller, even if the tactical struggle has been interesting.

4.57pm BST

27 min See 21 min.

4.54pm BST

24 min Alexander-Arnold’s driven cross is kicked away by Christensen at the near post. Chelsea are holding on a little bit.

4.53pm BST

23 min Kovacic’s pass over the defence is just too far in front of Mount, who made a good run infield and would have been through on goal had he been able to control the ball.

4.52pm BST

21 min Liverpool are still very dominant, even if most of their possession has been harmless. Chelsea have threatened occasionally through Werner, but Havertz and Mount have barely touched the ball.

4.50pm BST

19 min Salah’s shot from the edge of the area is blocked by Christensen. Chelsea break through Werner, who tries to twist away from the last man Fabinho on the edge of the Liverpool area and is expertly tackled. Really good defending.

4.47pm BST

17 min Chelsea work the ball nicely from left to right, with Mount eventually finding Kante in the area. The shot isn’t on so he turns away from goal, don’t ask me why, and the move peters out.

4.44pm BST

14 min: Christensen clears off the line! That was a strange incident. The ball ricocheted towards the Chelsea area after a 50/50 between James and Henderson. Kepa came, thinking he would get there first, but the ball kept running away from him and towards Salah on the right side of the area. Salah went round Kepa and crossed low to the near post, where Firmino’s close-range shot was blocked on the line by Christensen.

4.42pm BST

12 min Salah plays a square pass to tee up Wijnaldum, who shoots wide from 25 yards. We haven’t seen that potential penalty again, so presumably there was nothing in it.

4.42pm BST

11 min Salah goes over in the area after a slightly clumsy challenge from Kovacic (I think). There wasn’t much of an appeal, actually, but it will presumably be checked.

4.41pm BST

11 min This is a bit ominous for Chelsea. Liverpool are completely dominating possession, and it feels like a matter of time before they create a clear chance.

4.40pm BST

10 min “At home you’re distracted by your to-do list,” says Zach Neeley. “Lacks the freedom of the open road.”

Wasn’t that Cummings’ excuse?

4.39pm BST

9 min Robertson, who has already made four or five terrific runs, wins a corner off James. He takes it himself and it’s headed away at the near post.

4.37pm BST

8 min Chelsea look happy to sit deep and use the pace of Werner on the break. Liverpool are on the front foot, same as always.

4.36pm BST

7 min “Without the fans maybe being at home is not such an advantage,” says Gary Stover.

Yes, agreed, though it’s slightly odd that it’s happening now rather than straight after lockdown, as it did in the Bundesliga.

4.34pm BST

5 min Liverpool have started like the home team, with lots of possession. They look relaxed and confident.

4.33pm BST

3 min Werner has another run at Fabinho, who does well to stand his ground and ease Werner off the ball.

4.33pm BST

3 min Kovavic’s overhit pass is kept in by the speedy Werner. He then beats Fabinho with ease but his cross is blocked.

4.31pm BST

2 min Chelsea have started with Kai Havertz at centre forward. Timo Werner is on the left wing and Mason Mount on the right.

4.30pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Liverpool, specifically Naby Keita, kick off from left to right.

4.29pm BST

Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp greet each other with a handshake, a hug and a smile. I give it half an hour.

4.26pm BST

This is a great spot from my colleague Tim de Lisle. Any theories? It might be a fitness thing, with rusty defences more vulnerable to counter-attacks.

This season’s #EPL so far: 9 away wins, just 5 home (no draws). Only home team to keep a clean sheet: #Palace v Southampton. Of the 54 goals, 34 have been scored by the visiting side. Home is the new away

4.23pm BST

Pre-match thoughts “I have to say I would be quite anxious right now if I was a Chelsea fan,” says Robert Lin. “This game could be a reality check for the big spenders as their new signings take time to settle in. Liverpool could go for the jugular and get a real statement win.”

4.18pm BST

It’s really warm in west London, around 25 degrees. That, and the short pre-season, will probably impact upon the tempo of the game.

4.16pm BST

There were big away wins in the first two games of the day: Southampton 2-5 Spurs and Newcastle o-3 Brighton.

4.04pm BST

Thanks for the emails pointing out that the Liverpool team only had ten men. I’d omitted Virgil van Dijk to bring him down a peg or two after that error last weekend, but he’s back now.

4.03pm BST

Pre-match reading

3.33pm BST

Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have minor injuries, so Fabinho will play at centre-back for Liverpool. Their new signing Thiago Alcantara is on the bench; Diogo Jota was not registered in time for this game. Chelsea make one change from the team that beat Brighton: Mateo Kovacic is in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. It looks like a switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3.

Chelsea (4-3-3) Kepa; James, Christensen, Zouma, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Havertz, Werner, Mount.
Substitutes: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Tomori, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Giroud.

2.05pm BST

As if this game needs a preamble! Chelsea v Liverpool would have been an early-season humdinger even without the burgeoning needle between the two sides. It will be ultra-competitive on the touchline at Stamford Bridge, never mind the pitch. Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp had a slanging match during Liverpool’s 5-3 win at the end of last season, and though they have been very polite this week, their competitive juices will start flowing once the match begins.

Both teams started the league season with victories. Liverpool beat Leeds 4-3 in a madcap game at Anfield, while Chelsea had a slightly flattering 3-1 win at Brighton. This is an early chance for them to show they are serious title contenders, and for Liverpool to put Chelsea back in their box. One way or another, it’ll be emotional.

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Published on September 20, 2020 10:37

Southampton 2-5 Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League – as it happened

Son Heung-min scored four goals, all made by Harry Kane, as a clinical Spurs recovered from a dismal first half to thrash Southampton

2.14pm BST

2.01pm BST

Post-match interviews

Son-Heung min

1.55pm BST

Harry Kane is the seventh player to get four assists in a Premier League game, after Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Santi Cazorla and Dusan Tadic.

1.53pm BST

Peep peep! That was a surreal game. Southampton were much the better team in the first half, but Son equalised in injury time and Spurs were devastating in the second half. Son scored four goals, all made brilliantly by Harry Kane, who then added the fifth for close-range.

1.49pm BST

90+1 min Four minutes of added time.

1.49pm BST

90 min That penalty award is an absolute mess. The law will surely change soon.

1.48pm BST

Danny Ings smashes the penalty straight down the middle for his second goal of the game.

1.47pm BST

89 min: Penalty given! What a shambles.

1.47pm BST

88 min The referee is going to look at the VAR screen. The ball came off Winks and hit Doherty’s arm, so it’s quite similar to the one that was given against Leeds last weekend.

1.46pm BST

87 min Djenepo appeals for a penalty when the ball deflects onto the hand of Doherty. VAR are looking at it but I think the deflection will mean it isn’t given.

1.44pm BST

86 min Ward-Prowse’s free-kick is comfortably held by Lloris.

1.42pm BST

84 min Harry Kane, who has played magnificently, is replaced by Steven Bergwijn.

1.41pm BST

83 min As ruthless as Spurs have been, Southampton’s defending has been hideous.

1.40pm BST

After creating the first four, Harry Kane goes back to his first love: scoring goals. Lamela’s shot was pushed onto the post by McCarthy and Kane reacted quickest to tap it into the empty net.

1.40pm BST

It’s five!

1.38pm BST

80 min Shane Long replaces Che Adams, who did a lot of good things but also missed important chances.

1.38pm BST

80 min Doherty is booked for fouling Djenepo.

1.38pm BST

79 min Football never ceases to surprise. Spurs were hopeless for the first 45 minutes and now they look like they are going to score every time they attack.

1.36pm BST

78 min A front three of Son, Kane and Gareth Bale suddenly looks pretty darned exciting.

1.34pm BST

76 min Kane plays another spectacular through ball, this time to Lamela. McCarthy just beats him to the ball 30 yards from goal.

1.33pm BST

75 min Son almost gets in for a fifth goal! Eventually the ball comes to Lamela, whose shot is blocked by Bertrand.

1.32pm BST

Southampton’s high line has cost them again. Lo Celso played a simple pass to Kane just past the halfway line. He moved towards the right wing and then reversed another stunning pass/cross to Son at the far post. He took it down on the chest and half-volleyed past McCarthy from close range. That’s a brilliant goal.

1.31pm BST

Four goals for Son, and four assists for Harry Kane!

1.30pm BST

71 min Son misses a one-on-one before being flagged offside. It was a bad miss; I suspect he thought he was offside and lost concentration.

1.29pm BST

71 min Tella shoots wide from 25 yards. Southampton haven’t really got behind Spurs since half-time.

1.28pm BST

70 min Son almost gets in again, this time from a pass by Lamela, but his touch is slightly too soft and that allows Walker-Peters to make a goal-saving tackle (probably).

1.27pm BST

68 min Another change for Southampton: Nathan Tella replaces the impressive Stuart Armstrong.

1.26pm BST

68 min Stephens is booked for a late tackle on Lo Celso.

1.25pm BST

67 min Spurs have scored with all three shots on target.

1.24pm BST

66 min Harry Kane, who remains such an underrated passer, has made all three goals for Son.

1.24pm BST

The goal was made again by Kane, who turned on the halfway line and played a quite brilliant reverse pass over the Southampton defence. Son surged into space, as he has all afternoon, and drove the ball through the legs of McCarthy. What an adorable player he is.

1.22pm BST

A hat-trick for Son!

1.22pm BST

64 min A half chance for Adams, who runs onto a loose ball and drives just wide of the far post. Lloris had it covered.

1.19pm BST

61 min Erik Lamela replaces Lucas Moura, who was pretty anonymous.

1.17pm BST

59 min “Why are Southampton persisting with this high defensive line?” asks Gary Naylor. “Ralph Hasenhuttl is watching isn’t he?”

It’s the way they play! I agree that it’s asking for trouble against Son though.

1.17pm BST

58 min Armstrong shoots over from 15 yards after good play from Djenepo, though the flag then goes up for an offside half an hour earlier. That new directive doesn’t work.

1.15pm BST

57 min “The elements of a classic kit: simple, you know from a mile away who it is,” says Mary Waltz. “Best examples. Peru’s sash, Finland’s offset cross, Croatia’s checkerboard.”

Then you have Arsenal/Real Madrid/AC Milan/PSG’s Fly Emirates logo...

1.14pm BST

56 min Lloris makes an important save from Armstrong, though the flag then went up against Ings.

1.13pm BST

55 min A Southampton change: Will Smallbone replaces Romeu, who was in danger of getting sent off.

1.13pm BST

54 min Kane tries to score from the halfway line but screws it miles wide. McCarthy was a long way off his line, so you can see why Kane went for it.

1.09pm BST

50 min Ward-Prowse’s long-range shot is held by Lloris, falling to his left.

1.07pm BST

49 min Apparently Bertrand was booked towards the end of the first half, not Ward-Prowse.

1.07pm BST

49 min Armstrong cuts inside from the right and drives over the bar. Southampton must feel like they’ve been mugged.

1.06pm BST

That was an emphatic finish. Lo Celso pushed a good ball into Kane, who turned and eased it beyond the defence for Son. His first touch took Stephens out of the game, and the second was a clinical finish with his left foot.

1.05pm BST

Son has scored either side of half-time!

1.05pm BST

47 min An early chance for Southampton. Armstrong dances into the area on the left and picks out Adams, whose crisp sidefoot from the edge of the area is too close to Lloris.

1.04pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Spurs begin the second half.

1.04pm BST

Spurs have made a half-time change: Tanguy Ndombele, who did brilliantly in the build-up to Son’s equaliser, has been replaced by Giovani Lo Celso.

12.59pm BST

Replays show that Son’s goal took an important deflection off the stretching Bertrand. I’m not certain Son’s shot would have been on target, though it is officially his goal.

12.56pm BST

“Mourinho is essentially the Portuguese George Graham,” says Daniel, “and Spurs have already been so desperate they hired the actual George Graham. Spurs have poisoned their own well.”

“Nothing in Mourinho’s past suggests he is a good fit for this Spurs team and there is a good chance that he can no longer successfully manage a top team,” says Gerry Scott. “It is worth remembering how all over the place Poch’s Spurs team were, really for the entirety of 2019. I think the Champions League final disguised the fact that the project had long run its course.”

12.55pm BST

“Not a fan of the sash,” says Marie Meyer. “They look like beauty pageant contestants. Due to a very unfortunate USMNT shirt, Landon Donovan is forever known as ‘Miss America’ in this household.

12.49pm BST

Half-time reading

12.49pm BST

Peep peep! The match is level after two excellent goals from Danny Ings and Son. Southampton have been much the better side but the timing of that equaliser will smart.

12.48pm BST

That came out of nothing. Ndombele did very well in midfield and found Kane on the left. He curled a first time pass around the defence towards Son, who took it in his stride and rifled it past McCarthy from a tight angle. I thought McCarthy could have come for Kane’s cross, but he decided to stay where he was and Son beat him with aplomb.

12.47pm BST

Son equalises on the stroke of half-time!

12.46pm BST

45+2 min Ndombele is booked for fouling Adams.

12.45pm BST

45+1 min Three minutes of added time.

12.45pm BST

45 min “Tottenham,” says Gary Naylor, “look like 11 blokes who met in the car park on a Sunday morning for a bit of a kickabout at lunchtime before going to the pub to watch Chelsea v Liverpool.”

12.44pm BST

44 min Ward-Prowse is booked for blocking Doherty.

12.43pm BST

43 min “Jose took an inconsistent team that always played exciting football, hovered or were in the top four, and turned them into a joyless, turgid mid-table team,” says Mary Waltz. “Yeah, he is a genius.”

While I don’t think this will end well, it’s only fair to point out that we are only one and a half games into the new season.

12.43pm BST

42 min Kane tackles Walker-Peters fairly but with feeling. As Jermaine Jenas says on BT Sport, that’s the tackle of a very frustrated man.

12.40pm BST

40 min “Southampton are having it all their own way in the middle,” says Matt Dony. “Tottenham look like they’re trying to play like good guys. Perhaps their coach could address that problem at half time? Maybe give them some suggestions on how they should behave instead?”

Does he do that a lot on the Amazon documentary?

12.39pm BST

39 min Djenepo plays in the overlapping Bertrand, whose cross is crucially claimed by the diving Lloris. Adams is then booked for stopping Lloris launching a counter-attack.

12.38pm BST

36 min Spurs started quite well but they have looked lifeless in the last 20 minutes or so. At the moment they bear almost no resemblance to the team that charmed everyone from 2015-19.

12.35pm BST

34 min “Always good to see a sash,” says Charles Antaki. “Southampton’s reproduces Peru’s second strip which reversed the classic Cubillas red-on-white. Or nearly; the angle is too steep. Harrumph.”

12.34pm BST

33 min There’s an argument Lloris shouldn’t have been beaten from such a tight angle. I’m not so sure - Ings’ finish was so fast and precise.

12.33pm BST

That was a majestic two-touch finish from Danny Ings! Walker-Peters, near the halfway line, clipped a precise long pass over Dier’s head towards Ings. He took it beautifully in his stride and then, from a very tight angle, rattled an instant shot into the far corner.

12.31pm BST

Brilliant goal!

12.29pm BST

29 min Ings scurries dangerously into the area but then overhits a simple pass to Ward-Prowse on the left. After a slow start, Southampton are dominating the game.

12.28pm BST

29 min The lively Djenepo runs across the line of the penalty area and belts a shot that is blocked by Winks.

12.28pm BST

12.27pm BST

27 min: Another Kane goal is disallowed! But this might be overturned by VAR.

12.26pm BST

26 min: Djenepo hits the outside of the post! Ward-Prowse’s free-kick was headed away by Kane at the far post. It came to Djenepo, who whistled a low shot from 25 yards that hit the outside of the post and went behind. I think Lloris had it covered, though I’d like to see it again.

12.25pm BST

24 min “What is Dier doing?” says Yash Gupta. “He was literally in goal when Davies blocked the shot, shambolic.”

He did say he wanted to play further back this season.

12.23pm BST

23 min Both teams look dangerous going forward and less than secure at the back.

12.21pm BST

20 min A brilliant run from Djenepo leads to an almighty scramble in the Spurs area. Adams’ close-range shot is blocked almost on the line by Davies, and then Ward-Prowse’s follow-up is put behind for a corner.

12.16pm BST

Both teams have had a goal disallowed now. Adams flipped a great pass over the defence towards Ings. Lloris came out of his area, panicked and headed the ball onto Ings’ elbow. Ings picked up the loose ball and finished very confidently but replays confirmed it hit his elbow.

12.16pm BST

16 min: Ings has a goal disallowed for handball!

12.13pm BST

14 min It’s been a good start from Spurs, who look sharper than they did against Everton last week.

12.12pm BST

12 min McCarthy makes an excellent one-on-one save from Son, who was flagged offside after the event.

12.11pm BST

12 min “Why does everyone just shrug when a player is offside as Son was for the goal?” says Gary Naylor. “With his pace and a high pressing defence, he could be a yard off his marker, never mind half a step, and still be first to the ball. They know VAR will ping them if they’re a toenail off, so why don’t they give themselves a chance?”

Force of habit, I suspect, like bowlers who push the front line. You’re right though.

12.10pm BST

11 min Adams should probably have scored, but it was still a spectacular save from Lloris.

12.10pm BST

10 min: Great save from Lloris! Hojbjerg fouls Armstrong 25 yards from goal on he left. Bertrand’s free-kick hits a Spurs defender and falls perfectly for Adams, 10 yards out. He smashes the ball towards goal and Lloris throws out his right hand to make a brilliant reaction save.

12.07pm BST

8 min Southampton are struggling to play at their usual tempo, which can only be a fitness issue. At their best they are very uncomfortable to play against.

12.06pm BST

6 min That was such a smart finish from Kane, not that it counted for anything in the end.

12.05pm BST

5 min Romeu is booked for a foul on his old teammate Hojbjerg.

12.04pm BST

Son was fractionally offside, and that’s the end of that. Mourinho’s face is a picture.

12.04pm BST

Son’s cross from the left was slightly overhit, but Doherty kept it alive by heading the ball back into the middle. Kane reacted superbly, twisting his body to crack a volley that went through McCarthy.

12.03pm BST

This might be VARed - they are checking whether Son was offside.

12.03pm BST

Spurs score with their first attack!

12.00pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Southampton kick off from right to left.

11.56am BST

The players are out on the pitch. It’s a nice September day in Southampton, perfect for association football.

11.48am BST

Jose Mourinho’s pre-match thoughts

[What difference can Gareth Bale make?] “Today, nothing, because he’s not here. The only thing that matters for me today is to try to get the result we want. [Is Dele Alli unfit?] No. We have a huge squad, with numbers that are very difficult to manage. I don’t like it and it’s not easy for me to pick 18 players. We have too many players for some positions and some of them are paying the price for this.”

11.14am BST

Pre-match reading

11.13am BST

Dele Alli isn’t even on the bench for Spurs. He’s not injured, unless you count wounded pride.

Southampton (4-2-2-2) McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Romeu; Armstrong, Djenepo; Adams, Ings.
Substitutes: Forster, Vestergaard, Vokins, Smallbone, Long, Obafemi, Tella.

11.13am BST

He’s back! And he’s not playing! Gareth Bale’s signing was not registered in time for him to take part in Spurs’ trip to Southampton today, though he has still dominated the pre-match chatter. It’s almost a shame there’s a football match to get in the way of more talk about what Bale might achieve when he starts playing in football matches for Spurs again.

Both teams started the Premier League season with 1-0 defeats, Southampton at Crystal Palace and Spurs at home to Everton. A strong-looking Southampton side was then beaten at home by Brentford in the Carabao Cup, while Spurs edged past Lokomotiv Plovdiv in their Europa League qualifier. Ralph Hasenhuttl and Jose Mourinho have both bemoaned their teams’ fitness levels, and neither can really afford another defeat today. In the Premier League you’re never far away from a perceived crisis, with or without Gareth Bale.

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Published on September 20, 2020 06:01

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