Rob Smyth's Blog, page 125

September 21, 2019

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton: Premier League – as it happened

A slick Brighton side were in complete control for most of the game at St James’ Park, but they lacked a cutting edge and had to settle for a point

7.42pm BST

7.32pm BST

Brighton played 692 passes to Newcastle’s 277. But they also did no goals to Newcastle’s none.

7.24pm BST

Still want more? Bet you do.

Related: Milan v Inter: Serie A – live!

7.22pm BST

Peep peep! Both sides will be a bit frustrated with that – Newcastle because of their performance, Brighton because of the result. They were in complete control for 75 minutes, albeit without creating many clear chances, and will feel they should have won. There’s lots to admire in the way they play, but they need more of a cutting edge.

7.21pm BST

90+5 min Saint-Maximin’s booming cross towards Carroll is brilliantly headed away by Dunk, who is accidentally flattened by Carroll as he falls.

7.19pm BST

90+4 min Newcastle, who have struggled for most of the evening, now don’t want this game to end.

7.17pm BST

90+2 min Ryan charges from his area to intercept a long pass towards Saint-Maximin.

7.16pm BST

90+1 min There will be six minutes of added time.

7.16pm BST

90 min Joelinton wafts into orbit from 25 yards. It’s been a strong finish from Newcastle, though, who have looked the likelier scores in the last 15 minutes.

7.13pm BST

88 min Dunk is booked for flattening Saint-Maximin. If he stays fit, Newcastle will be fine this season.

7.12pm BST

87 min Carroll is fouled by Propper, 35 yards from goal. Ki’s free-kick into a dangerous area is chested behind by Stephens.

7.11pm BST

86 min Bissouma’s sharp low shot from 25 yards is pushed away by the sprawling Dubravka.

7.09pm BST

83 min Saint-Maximin plays a one-two with Carroll and hits a long-range curler that is comfortably saved by Ryan. Newcastle have been so much better since Saint-Maximin came on. A word on Brighton’s Irish teenager Aaron Connolly, too, who has looked a class act since he came on as substitute.

7.08pm BST

82 min Andy Carroll is back: he comes on to replace Jetro Willems, and the place explodes.

7.08pm BST

81 min Brighton make a double change, with Neal Maupay and Pascal Gross replaced by Yves Bissouma and Gaetan Bong.

7.06pm BST

80 min There’s a huge roar around the ground, which can mean only one thing: the big man is stripping off.

7.05pm BST

79 min Atsu is booked for a lunge at Connolly.

7.04pm BST

78 min This is a much more even game now. Saint-Maximin has been excellent since coming on, and his low cross towards Atsu is bravely claimed by Ryan.

7.02pm BST

76 min Alzate goes over after a challenge from Dubravka. Martin Atkinson says no penalty, and replays show it was a clear dive.

7.01pm BST

74 min: Schar clears off the line! That was a spectacular piece of defending, an acrobatic clearance after the substitute Connolly flicked a beautifully arrogant half-volley over the outrushing Dubravka. Newcastle raced down the other end, where Joelinton’s shot was brilliantly blocked by the sliding Dunk.

6.59pm BST

73 min A double change for Newcastle: Sung-Yueng Ki and Allan Saint-Maximin replace Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey.

6.56pm BST

70 min Brighton make a change, with the young forward Aaron Connolly replacing Aaron Mooy.

6.55pm BST

69 min Propper’s insouciant stab with the outside of the foot finds Maupay, whose chest/volley from 15 yards goes over the bar.

6.52pm BST

67 min Stephens blooters into orbit from 30 yards. For the first time, Brighton are starting to look impatient.

6.50pm BST

64 min Atsu played a through pass towards Joelinton, but Dunk comes round to make a good tackle. Moments later, Shelvey hits a wobbling shot from long-range that is comfortably saved by Ryan.

6.46pm BST

60 min Maupay’s snapshot from 17 yards whistles high and wide.

6.45pm BST

59 min Almiron slips Burn beautifully on the halfway line and charges towards the edge of the area. He opens his body to pass the ball into the far corner with his left foot, but it’s a tame effort and Ryan makes an easy save.

6.43pm BST

57 min Stephens belts one from 25 yards that is blocked by Lascelles, I think. For all Brighton’s possession, and it has been very impressive, most of their attempts at goal have been from outside the area.

6.40pm BST

54 min Maupay wriggles away from Schar just outside the area and hits a stinging shot that is crucially blocked by Lascelles. Ten seconds later, Gross whistles a rising drive just over the bar from 25 yards. Dubravka had it covered, in fairness.

6.38pm BST

52 min Newcastle look low on confidence when they have the ball. If it stays like this, I’m sure we’ll see Andy Carroll and Allan Saint-Maximin.

6.36pm BST

50 min After that early Atsu chance, Brighton have picked up where they left off at half-time by dominating possession.

6.33pm BST

46 min A good chance for Atsu after 43 seconds of the second half. Burn lost the ball to Almiron on the left edge of the Brighton area. The ball was moved infield to Joelinton, who picked out the onrushing Atsu with a precise pass. He had to take the shot first time and sidefooted it well wide.

6.31pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Newcastle begin the second half.

6.17pm BST

Peep peep! Newcastle are booed off, having been outplayed throughout the first half. Brighton’s passing and movement were excellent - yet it was Newcastle who had the two best chances of the game. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.

6.14pm BST

45 min The one thing that will please Steve Bruce is that, for all Brighton’s dominance, Dubravka has had only one save to make.

6.14pm BST

43 min Newcastle have had more of the game in the last few minutes. Saying which, Manquillo is booked for a foul on Alzate. He then blocked Brighton taking a quick free-kick, which is also a bookable offence in some cultures, though I’m pretty sure the card was for the original foul.

6.07pm BST

37 min Brighton have had 75 per cent of the possession so far.

6.06pm BST

36 min “In kids football here in Norway, if one team goes into a three-goal lead, the other is allowed an extra player,” says Brendan Large. “Maybe City should play with the same rule... against Watford anyway.”

It really is ludicrous. The teams have met eight times since Pep Guardiola came to England; City have won them all, with an aggregate score of 35-3.

6.04pm BST

34 min: Alzate has a goal disallowed for offside! It was a nice header, steered across Dubravka from Gross’s chipped cross, but replays showed he was fractionally offside.

6.03pm BST

33 min Newcastle have switched to a back four in an attempt to restore some order, with Dummett going to left back and Willems moving into midfield.

6.02pm BST

32 min “Evening Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “Is Jason Roy still at the game? Half an hour was about his limit during the Ashes.”

Honk!

6.02pm BST

31 min: Joelinton misses an excellent chance! It was a free header, 10 yards out, from Shelvey’s outswinging corner, but he flicked it just wide of the far post. Newcastle have had two excellent chances.

6.00pm BST

29 min This is a 0-0 battering. Propper moves into the area on the right and pulls the ball back to the late-arriving Mooy, who screws a first-time shot high and wide. The ball was just slightly behind him.

5.58pm BST

27 min “Eight bleedin’ Nil,” says Mac Millings. “It hurts, Rob. It hurts so much.”

Watford should refuse to play City from now on. It’s just getting silly.

5.58pm BST

26 min Maupay has two close-range shots blocked in quick succession. The chance came after another fine move: Montoya played a precise pass into the underlapping Stephens, whose first-time cross found Maupay on the six-yard line. His first shot was blocked by Manquillo (I think), and Lascelles was in the way of the follow-up. Alzate would have had an open goal had Maupay seen him to the left, but he didn’t.

5.56pm BST

25 min A chance for Brighton. Burn’s flighted cross from the left finds Gross beyond the far post. He loves an assist, that lad, so he tries to head it down towards Maupay when it looked much easier to go for goal. His header hits Lascelles and rebounds to safety.

5.55pm BST

24 min There was a tackle from Burn on Joelinton a couple of minutes ago which probably should have earned a yellow card. He took the ball but then followed through with his studs.

5.52pm BST

22 min: Ryan makes an important save from Almiron! That came out of nothing. He was put through by Joelinton and cracked a first-time shot at goal from 15 yards. It was well struck with his left foot but too close to Ryan, who pushed it away. For all Brighton’s fine football, that was the best chance of the match so far.

5.51pm BST

20 min Propper’s long-range shot is blocked by his team-mate Gross. That came after another fine passing move.

5.49pm BST

18 min Mooy’s left-wing corner deflects off the back of Lascelles at the near post and drops onto the top of the crossbar! Dubravka was scrambling desperately across his line, though I think he would have got there had it been on target.

5.47pm BST

18 min Newcastle just can’t get into this game. Brighton have been so impressive, even if their domination is slightly on the sterile side.

5.46pm BST

16 min Newcastle win their first corner. And nothing happens.

5.43pm BST

13 min Brighton continue to dominate the match to an almost startling degree. They’ve played with a really impressive authority so far.

5.41pm BST

12 min Newcastle break promisingly from a Brighton corner, but Almiron overhits an ambitious through pass to Willems.

5.39pm BST

9 min: Dubravka makes a good save from Maupay! It was a classy, length-of-the-field move from Brighton, which started with the keeper Ryan playing the ball into Stephens on the edge of the area. Two passes later, Maupay was haring through the inside-right channel to hit a rising shot from a tight angle that was well blocked by Dubravka.

5.38pm BST

8 min Newcastle’s first decent attack. Joelinton picks out a very deep cross to Willems, who waits for the ball to bounce and cuts across a good strike that is blocked by a defender.

5.37pm BST

7 min Nothing much to report. Brighton have looked good, though, with some smooth, passing passing.

5.34pm BST

4 min A confident start from Brighton, who have had most of the possession so far.

5.30pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Brighton, in their green away strip, kick off from left to right. You know what colours Newcastle are wearing.

5.25pm BST

A few of the England cricket team are at the game: Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Jason Roy and Rory Burns. God bless them.

5.13pm BST

Some match reports from the earlier games

If you haven’t seen Harry Kane’s goal, please address the situation at your earliest convenience.

5.02pm BST

A tip for Newcastle fans

This interview with John Beresford MBE is absolutely brilliant. Every episode of Undr The Cosh is magnificent, but this is possibly the best of the lot.

4.57pm BST

Taking the positives Watford avoided the biggest-ever Premier League defeat, which looked unlikely when they were 7-0 down after an hour.

4.34pm BST

Pre-match reading

4.34pm BST

Newcastle (3-4-2-1) Dubravka; Schar, Lascelles, Dummett; Manquillo, Hayden, Shelvey, Willems; Almiron, Atsu; Joelinton.
Substitutes: Darlow, Krafth, Fernandez, Ki, Carroll, Saint-Maximin, Muto.

Brighton (4-D-2) Ryan; Montoya, Dunk, Webster, Burn; Stephens; Propper, Mooy; Gross; Maupay, Alzate.
Substitutes: Button, Bong, Duffy, Baluta, Bissouma, Murray, Connolly.

4.23pm BST

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Newcastle v Brighton from St James’ Park. Both teams are still finding their way under new management - Steve Bruce at Newcastle, Graham Potter at Brighton - although their first objective, to stay out of the relegation zone, hasn’t changed.

Newcastle start this match in 18th place, but they have been enough signs in their early games - particularly the win at Spurs - to suggest they should be fine. The same is true of Brighton, who have played some bright football since Potter took over. If that’s not enough to get your knees trembling with excitement, Andy Carroll should be in a Newcastle squad for the first time since 2011.

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Published on September 21, 2019 11:32

Leicester 2-1 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened

James Maddison’s delightful late goal settled a brilliant game that included an extraordinary finish from Harry Kane

2.35pm BST

That’s it for today’s blog. I’ll leave you with Paul Doyle’s match report from the King Power Stadium, and John Brewin’s bumper clockwatch. Bye!

2.29pm BST

Here’s James Maddison

“We are a top side now – I think we have to be seen as one of those top sides. Nobody will want to come to this place when it’s rocking like this. If you look at our performances at Chelsea and United, we came away shaking our heads in disappointment because we didn’t get what we deserved. We’re showing we’re a big threat now.

2.26pm BST

That was great fun. Harry Kane scored an extraordinary goal to give Spurs the lead. Ricardo Pereira equalised from close range and then James Maddison scored a delightful late winner. He is going places; so are Leicester.

2.25pm BST

Peep peep! Leicester move up to second in the table, at least for a couple of hours, after a stirring comeback victory. It was a fine game between two excellent sides, but Leicester just about deserved to win after an excellent second-half performance.

2.22pm BST

90+4 min Leicester look reasonably comfortable, despite the inevitable late pressure from Spurs.

2.21pm BST

90+3 min Maddison is still out there but he can’t run. That’s a worry, especially if it’s an ankle ligament injury.

2.18pm BST

90+1 min There will be six minutes of added time.

2.18pm BST

90 min The impressive Soyuncu makes a couple of important interceptions, one with his head and one with his left foot. Brendan Rodgers is developing a really fine young side.

2.17pm BST

89 min Maddison is limping heavily. He’s going to continue, though, as Leicester have used all their substitutes.

2.17pm BST

88 min Maddison has a problem with his left ankle. He landed awkwardly while trying to play a through pass, and is receiving treatment.

2.15pm BST

87 min Lucas Moura replaces Ndombele for Spurs.

2.15pm BST

The most exciting young player in England gives Leicester the lead with a superb goal. Choudhury played a short pass to Maddison 25 yards from goal; he took two quick touches to set humself up and then belted a low, curling shot that snaked past the diving Gazzaniga and into the corner. That’s a lovely goal.

2.13pm BST

A brilliant goal from James Maddison!

2.13pm BST

84 min Leicester make their last substitution: Youri Tielemans off, Hamza Choudhury on.

2.12pm BST

84 min “Hi Rob,” says Andrew Buddery. “I thought VAR was supposed to eliminate clear and obvious errors, not make them.”

2.12pm BST

83 min Gray is booked straight away for a studs-up lunge on Rose. That could have been a red card. Just before that, Kane shot too close to Schmeichel after a nice Spurs move.

2.10pm BST

82 min A Leicester substitution: Demarai Gray replaces Harvey Barnes.

2.10pm BST

82 min Rose’s cross clears everyone in the middle and comes to Aurier beyond the far post. He takes a touch and lashes a low shot that goes well wide of the far post. That was a good chance.

2.09pm BST

80 min “Of all the valid complaints against VAR, offsides isn’t one of them,” says Mary Waltz. “He. Was. Offside. Yes, by less than an inch.”

But how does VAR judge when the ball is played? The split-second between the ball touching the foot and then leaving it makes all the difference. I’d like to see how that works before I trust it on such tight decisions.

2.07pm BST

79 min Erik Lamela is replaced by Christian Eriksen.

2.07pm BST

79 min Son quickens the pace, skinning Tielemans and hitting a dangerous cross that is palmed away by Schmeichel. Evans completes the clearance. Moments later, Kane misses with an attempted overhead kick.

2.06pm BST

77 min The Leicester fans are making a fair old noise. It does feel like the kind of game that will have a late winner, although I’m not sure who will get it.

2.02pm BST

74 min “The Son offside call on VAR,” says Sandile Xaso. “This cannot be our sport, this cannot be right.”

You’re right: it’s not right, and it’s not our sport any more.

2.01pm BST

73 min Leicester are pushing for a winner. Maddison threads a nice pass down the inside-right channel to Vardy, who bullets a rising drive just past the angle of post and bar. I think Gazzaniga had it covered.

1.59pm BST

Yep, this one counts. The move was started by Barnes, who found Vardy on the left side of the penalty area. His cross deflected off Alderweireld and fell perfectly for Ricardo, whose close-range shot hit the sliding Rose and beat Gazzaniga.

1.57pm BST

Leicester are level!

1.55pm BST

67 min A substitution apiece: Praet for Perez, Wanyama for Sissoko.

1.55pm BST

VAR has decided that Son was 0.0000001 centimetres offside in the build-up.

1.54pm BST

There’s a VAR check for offside against Son.

1.53pm BST

Leicester will feel they’ve been mugged. Soyuncu made a fine tackle on Son in the box, but Kane picked up the loose ball and found Aurier in space on the edge of the area. He controlled the ball and lashed a shot that took a slight deflection before spinning past Schmeichel.

1.52pm BST

A goal was coming - but it’s Spurs who have scored it!

1.51pm BST

63 min It feels like a Leicester goal is coming, and Chilwell wins another corner on the left.

1.50pm BST

62 min Barnes shifts the ball to the side of Aurier and hammers a low cross that flashes right across the face of goal.

1.49pm BST

60 min Barnes heads wide from eight yards. It was a difficult chance, because Ricardo’s lofted cross had no pace on it at all. But the build-up play was lovely, particularly Maddison’s control in a phonebox as he pulled down Perez’s pass from the right.

1.46pm BST

58 min: Son misses an excellent chance! Spurs broke from the Leicester corner and should probably have gone 2-0 ahead. Winks, on the left, played an angled through pass to find Son in the area, but he dragged a left-footed shot wide of the far post.

1.45pm BST

57 min: Good save from Gazzaniga! Tielemans slipped a through pass to Vardy, who surged into the area and hit a left-footed shot across goal. The sliding Vertonghen took some of the heat out of the shot, having done brilliantly to stay with Vardy, and Gazzaniga dived to his left to push it away. Rose completed the job by putting the loose ball behind for a corner.

1.44pm BST

56 min Here’s Ian Copestake. “As a chant in response to Leicester fans’ implying ref bias, I am not sure if ‘Paul Tierney’s done really well, in very difficult circumstances’ will scan.”

I can add a few effs and cees if you think it will help.

1.43pm BST

55 min Son finds Lamela in a bit of space on the edge of the D. He takes a touch and then, as defenders converge, whips a shot over the bar.

1.41pm BST

53 min Maddison’s corner is headed away by Lamela.

1.40pm BST

52 min Tielemans wins a corner after a nice run down the inside-left channel. Leicester look much sharper than they did towards the end of the first half.

1.38pm BST

50 min Leicester have started the second half really well. After a nice move down the left, Chilwell’s early cross is just too far in front of Vardy.

1.34pm BST

46 min Barnes beats Aurier on the left of the area and hits a shot that is headed away by Alderweireld. Ndidi’s follow-up dribbles wide.

1.33pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Leicester begin the second half.

1.25pm BST

“Was the VAR decision correct?” says Liam. “They looked at the moment when the shot was struck but if you watch it again none of the Leicester strikers followed the shot they ran back to get onside and then ran in. If this is correct will a goal scored by a keeper be disallowed because a striker near the halfway line was offside?”

Yeah, it was the correct decision. Perez had an advantage by being in an offside position, because he was able to get to the loose ball before the Leicester defenders. Thus it counts as the same phase of play. At least I think that’s the logic. To be honest, I’ve given up trying to understand how football works in a post-VAR world.

1.23pm BST

“Some half-time thoughts on Spurs: while the pundits want to declare the Pochettino project in decline, as a fan I see them as trying to maintain a high level whilst navigating a transition,” says Matthew Carpenter-Arevalo. “The thinness of the squad showed cracks as they made their turn at the end of last season. Now, almost the entire defence and some of the midfield (Sissoko/Eriksen) needs to be replaced in the short and mid-term. Despite all this, when they’re trailing in a game you can never count them out of the game. That resilience is probably Poch’s biggest achievement and hopefully will transcend even his time with the club.”

Is the squad that thin? I think the problem – in terms of catching City and Liverpool – is the first XI rather than the back-up. They’re still the third best team in England, though, which is only a slight decline from 2015-17.

1.22pm BST

Half-time reading

1.20pm BST

Peep peep! Spurs lead through a unique goal from Harry Kane. See you in 10 minutes for the second half!

1.14pm BST

43 min “Lamela’s got that no-look look on,” says Jeremy Dresner. “A very fun player to watch when he is passing like this.”

That he is. I love the way he hugs the ball on his left foot.

1.11pm BST

41 min Lamela, who has had so much space between the centre-backs and Ndidi, surges forward and finds Kane on the right of the box. His left-footed shot is surprisingly tame and Schmeichel makes an easy save.

1.09pm BST

39 min Perez, found by Tielemans, thrashes a shot towards the near post that is beaten around the post by Gazzaniga.

1.08pm BST

37 min “Lightning quick beautiful goal,” says Mary Waltz. “How did Kane do that?!!”

Instinct, the footballer’s best friend.

1.03pm BST

33 min Ricardo Pereira shoots a few yards wide from distance. Gazzaniga had it covered.

1.02pm BST

31 min Lamela finds Kane, who drags a low shot well wide from the edge of the area. That goal, though. It reminded me a little bit of Gianluca Vialli’s incredible sliding header against Bari in 1991-92.

1.01pm BST

What a stunning piece of improvisation. Son, found by Lamela, moved to the edge of the area and backheeled the ball into the path of the onrushing Kane. He was bumped by Soyuncu, which meant he was off balance as he dragged the ball past the last man Evans. By the time Kane was in a position to shoot he was in the process of falling flat on his face. Yet he still had the awareness and ability to chop down on the ball, stunning it into the ground so that it bounced over Schmeichel’s shoulder and into the net. That’s an astonishing goal.

12.59pm BST

What a goal from Harry Kane!

12.59pm BST

28 min That’s better from Perez, who drags an angled through pass to Vardy on the left side of the box. His low cross-shot ricochets across the six-yard box and eventually behind for a goalkick.

12.56pm BST

26 min A hideous touch from Perez, who looks low on confidence, ruins a promising Leicester break.

12.55pm BST

25 min Perez is down after being caught in the face by a flailing arm from Rose. It was accidental.

12.52pm BST

22 min “You’re not fit to referee” chant the Leicester fans. Paul Tierney’s done really well, I think, in very difficult circumstances.

12.51pm BST

21 min Rose goes over in the area after a challenge from Evans, and Paul Tierney turns down Spurs’ penalty appeals. There was definitely contact, although I think Rose ran into Evans.

12.49pm BST

19 min Sissoko definitely won the ball, although he cleaned Maddison out in his follow through. I think he slipped as well, which made it look even worse. Some people would have given a red card; others wouldn’t have even given a free-kick.

12.49pm BST

18 min Sissoko is booked. I’d like to see that again. The Leicester players went ballistic, and he absolutely wiped Maddison out. The Leicester fans are chanting ‘VAR’.

12.48pm BST

18 min Sissoko could be off here. He’s absolutely flattened Maddison, an old-fashioned man-and-ball tackle.

12.47pm BST

A Leicester corner was half-cleared to Tielemans, whose stinging shot was fumbled by Gazzaniga. That led to a scramble in the six-yard box involving Perez, among others, before Ndidi scored from close range. Replays showed that Perez was offside when Tielemans had the original shot, and so the goal was disallowed.

12.47pm BST

Yes, it’s offside.

12.46pm BST

Hang on, this could be VARed.

12.46pm BST

Ndidi scores after a mistake from Gazzaniga!

12.45pm BST

15 min: Gazzaniga saves from Maddison! It was a gorgeous, twinkle-toed run from Maddison, who danced past Winks and then Alderweireld in the area before hitting a low shot from a tight angle that was kicked behind by Gazzaniga.

12.44pm BST

13 min Nice play from Maddison, who moves classily past Sissoko and reaches the edge of the area before trying a curling shot that goes a few yards away.

12.43pm BST

12 min Not for the first time, Aurier wasted a promising position with a poor cross. Spurs are playing well, though, and have had 71 per cent of the possession so far.

12.41pm BST

11 min Soyuncu, in his own area, sits Aurier on his backside with a confident turn. The crowd enjoyed that.

12.38pm BST

8 min Maddison’s inswinging corner is headed on at the near post by Evans and flashes right across the six-yard box.

12.37pm BST

7 min Lamela has had a lot of the ball in the first few minutes. Both attacks look really sharp, and Vardy scurries down the left to win the first corner.

12.34pm BST

4 min Both sides are full of attacking intent. It’s been a brilliant start to the game.

12.33pm BST

3 min Now Kane tries his luck with a disguised shot from 25 yards. Schmeichel moves smartly across his line and does well to hold on to the shot.

12.32pm BST

3 min At the other end, Son shoots just wide of the far post from a tight angle. It’s been a cracking start to the game.

12.32pm BST

2 min Beautiful play from Leicester. Tielemans plays a sharp pass infield towards Barnes, who runs over the ball and allows it to run to Maddison. He plays it first time through to Barnes, who is caught in two minds - shoot or control - and ends up poking a fairly tame shot at Gazzaniga from 15 yards.

12.30pm BST

2 min “Always good to be committed to a grumble and get it in early,” says Jeremy Dresner. “Why are Spurs after returning from a cauldron on a hot day in Greece on Wednesday night playing the early game on Saturday? Is the role of the FA to maintain fairness or protect the players? Either way it seems remiss of them.”

I think the TV fixtures were chosen before the Champions League draw, although I take your point. Does an extra two and a half hours really make much difference? I failed my GCSE in Footballer Knack, so I’m not sure.

12.30pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Spurs, in white, kick off from right to left. Leicester are in blue.

12.26pm BST

The players are in the tunnel. It’s a beautiful day in Leicester, and this has the whiff of a cracker.

12.22pm BST

“Spurs are fourth,” says Simon Betterton, “and they’re closer to the bottom than the top!”

That’s a great spot. They’re six points above Watford and seven behind Liverpool.

11.36am BST

Some pre-match reading

11.35am BST

Spurs are without Hugo Lloris, whose wife has just given birth, so Paulo Gazzaniga starts.

Leicester City (4-1-4-1) Schmeichel; Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Ndidi; Perez, Tielemans, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy.
Substitutes: Ward, Justin, Morgan, Gray, Albrighton, Choudhury, Praet.

10.43am BST

Hello. Leicester might be the most intriguing team in the Premier League. They have a posse of brilliant young players and are the most likely team to break the sexopoly that has been in place since Leicester won the whole goddamn thing four seasons ago.

Early days and all that, but they are level on points with Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United after five games. A statement victory today, against a Spurs team whose behaviour of late has been a bit odd, would reinforce the feeling that they are ready to damage the glass ceiling.

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Published on September 21, 2019 06:29

September 20, 2019

Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth: Premier League – as it happened

The two Wilsons, Harry and Callum, were on the scoresheet as Bournemouth won at Southampton for the first time in their history

10.07pm BST

That’s it for tonight’s blog. I’ll leave you with our report on a fine match at St Mary’s. Night!

9.56pm BST

Nathan Ake speaks “It feels great. It was a very tough game, but the fans are buzzing and we’re buzzing. The last result against Everton helped our confidence, and you could see that in the first half-hour. We had to fight in the second half, but it’s great to be third in the league.”

9.55pm BST

That’s it! A famous win for Bournemouth, who move to third in the Premier League. They’re an inspiration to almost every club in the land. They had to work so hard in the second half, when Southampton put them under constant pressure, but they stayed firm and Callum Wilson finished the job.

9.53pm BST

Callum Wilson walked the ball into the net after a hideous mix-up between Bednarek and Gunn. They left a bouncing ball to each other on the edge of the D, and Wilson nipped in to seal an historic victory!

9.52pm BST

Bournemouth have won away to Southampton for the first time in their history!

9.51pm BST

90+3 min Ramsdale makes a good save, plunging to his left to palm away a long-range strike from Boufal. Moments earlier Ake made a vital block from Ings’ shot.

9.50pm BST

90+3 min Another Bournemouth change: Andrew Surman replaces the impressive Josh King.

9.50pm BST

90+2 min Bournemouth have a free-kick on the edge of their own area. Ramsdale is not in a hurry to take it.

9.48pm BST

90 min Lewis Cook plays a fine pass to King, who moves into the area but hits a tame shot that is easily held by Gunn. Four added minutes.

9.46pm BST

89 min Ward-Prowse’s corner comes to nothing.

9.45pm BST

88 min Before the corner is taken, Southampton make another change: Nathan Redmond is replaced by Stuart Armstrong.

9.45pm BST

88 min Ings’ snapshot on the turn is deflected behind for another corner. He’s been very lively since coming on.

9.44pm BST

87 min Lerma plays the ball straight out of play. Bournemouth, who were so controlled in the first half, are hanging on desperately.

9.44pm BST

86 min Ward-Prowse chests the ball down neatly to Ings, whose stinging shot from 23 yards is blocked.

9.43pm BST

85 min Billing cracks the free-kick just wide from 35 yards. That was a fine effort, which curled wickedly, although Gunn almost certainly had it covered.

9.42pm BST

85 min Bournemouth get a bit of respite by winning a corner and then a free-kick 35 yards from goal.

9.40pm BST

82 min Another chance for Southampton! Ings’ superb cutback finds Ward-Prowse, whose deflected shot is smuggled away by Ramsdale. That leads to a melee on the six-yard line before Steve Cook welts it clear.

9.38pm BST

81 min Southampton have had seven shots in the second half, Bournemouth none.

9.37pm BST

80 min Romeu is booked for a foul on King.

9.36pm BST

79 min King marauds towards the Southampton area again, and this time Cedric wins the ball off him with a fine challenge just outside the penalty box.

9.35pm BST

77 min A substitution apiece. Lewis Cook replaces Dominic Solanke for Bournemouth, which suggests a switch to 4-3-3; Danny Ings comes on for Che Adams for Southampton.

9.34pm BST

77 min Boufal’s imaginative curler from the left edge of the area beats Ramsdale and bounces just wide of the far post. That was a lovely effort.

9.32pm BST

74 min Cedric’s excellent cross finds its way to Redmond beyond the far post. He takes it down on the chest and hammers a shot that hits the outstretched leg of Stacey and goes behind for a corner. That would have gone in at the near post, because Ramsdale was flat-footed.

9.30pm BST

72 min It’s all Southampton, as it has been for most of the second half. For all their pressure, however, Ramsdale hasn’t had any difficult saves to make.

9.28pm BST

70 min “I rather liked VAR in the World Cup, if only because it completely got rid of real nastiness behind the ref,” says Joe Harvey. “However, while I hardly think the penalty not given was a clear and obvious error, it seems like they are too conservative overturning calls so far this year. I worry that referees will shade towards not giving penalties in the hope that VAR will give them, and the VAR official will not give them out of respect to the on-field referee. I will say I have yet to see something that appears to be an obvious red card either given or overturned by VAR this year.”

9.27pm BST

69 min A long-range strike from Boufal is beaten away by the flying Ramsdale, a dramatic but ultimately comfortable save.

9.26pm BST

68 min Replays suggest that Rico slapped Cedric, but the VAR official decided it wasn’t a red-card offence. Whatever, I’m beyond caring, it’s a complete shambles.

9.25pm BST

67 min Rico and Cedric have a lively exchange of views after a challenge near the touchline. Nothing to see here.

9.22pm BST

65 min Stacey is booked for a foul on Bertrand. Southampton’s pressure has been relentless since half-time.

9.21pm BST

64 min “It’s a shame Southampton sold Matt Targett,” says Matt Dony. “He could have given Angus Gunn something to aim at. I’m here all week.”

9.20pm BST

63 min Bournemouth make their first change. Ryan Fraser, who apparently wasn’t fit enough to start, replaces the goalscorer Harry Wilson.

9.18pm BST

61 min This is pulsating stuff! Southampton almost equalise through Ward-Prowse, who steers a shot just over the bar from 20 yards after a lovely dragback on the run from Adams.

9.18pm BST

60 min: No penalty! Bournemouth will be fuming about that if they don’t win. For what it’s worth - nothing - I think it was a foul on King, but I’m not sure it was a clear and obvious error from the referee. It’s a bit of a mess.

9.16pm BST

59 min There’s a VAR check on the penalty appeal. This might be given.

9.16pm BST

59 min King bursts into the area and goes over after a clumsy challenge from Cedric. Chris Kavanagh says no penalty. I’d like to see that again.

9.15pm BST

57 min Redmond stands up a cross beyond the far post towards Bertrand. He heads it down into the six-yard box, where Ramsdale rushes from his line to grab the ball. This is superb entertaininment.

9.13pm BST

56 min Redmond shifts the ball away from Billings, 20 yards from goal, and thrashes a rising drive just over the bar with his left foot. It’s all Southampton at the moment.

9.13pm BST

55 min “Evening Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “Is that Ryan ‘Plastic’ Bertrand?”

It is now!

9.11pm BST

54 min Adams had probably overrun the ball when Cook fouled him, but I’m not sure that matters. Meanwhile, Harry Wilson is booked for a foul on Boufal.

9.11pm BST

Ward-Prowse scores emphatically, rifling a penalty high to his right. Ramsdale went the wrong way.

9.10pm BST

VAR check: penalty given! Yes, I think that’s the right decision. Adams was just inside the area when he stabbed the ball away from Cook, who sent him flying.

9.09pm BST

52 min It looked a bit soft but Chris Kavanagh has given it.

9.07pm BST

49 min A fine move from Southampton. Boufal swings a pass across the field to Cedric, now playing on the right. He steers a cross at ankle height towards Ward-Prowse, whose first-time volley on the run goes just over the bar.

9.02pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Southampton begin the second half. They’ve made a half-time change, with Ryan Bertrand replacing Kevin Danso.

8.52pm BST

“The Saints have looked decent in attack,” says Mary Waltz, “but as soon as they lose the ball the Cherries cut through their midfield and back line without any resistance.”

Yes, they’ve been repeatedly exposed on the counter-attack. Bournemouth have been excellent, though; really precise in their passing and movement. Philip Billing and Harry Wilson are terrific signings.

8.50pm BST

Some half-time reading

8.49pm BST

Peep peep! Bournemouth are 45 minutes away from a first ever victory away to Southampton. They’ve been cool and clinical amid the maelstrom and would be even further ahead but for that pesky VAR rightly disallowing Josh King’s goal. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.

8.45pm BST

43 min Billing is down, holding his face, after a collision at a Southampton corner. He took Redmond’s shoulder in the face, though it wasn’t deliberate. Unlike this.

8.42pm BST

42 min Redmond, who has been Southampton’s liveliest attacker, hits a fierce, wobbling shot from 25 yards that is punched behind for a corner by Ramsdale. It was a comfortable enough save.

8.40pm BST

39 min Eddie Howe is such a brilliant manager. I hope he’s the next England manager, whenever Gareth Southgate hangs up his waistcoat.

8.38pm BST

38 min Bournemouth break agian, with King’s shot deflecting behind for a corner. Their purpose and precision on the counter-attack have been superb.

8.38pm BST

37 min: Ramsdale makes a vital save from Hojbjerg! Redmond’s cutback ricocheted around the box before falling to Hojbjerg in the six-yard box. He hit the ball first time, but Ramsdale made himself big to smother the shot.

8.37pm BST

That was a lovely team goal. Rico fizzed a pass out to Callum Wilson on the left. He played in the underlapping Billing and charged into the area for the return. Billing pulled the ball back towards Wilson, Callum I think, but Harry Wilson got in front of him and Vestegaard to clip a precise first-time shot into the far corner. Excellent finish.

8.35pm BST

Bournemouth go 2-0 up for the second time!

8.34pm BST

34 min Nothing comes of it.

8.33pm BST

33 min This is a very open game. Southampton are having most of the ball, but Bournemouth look dangerous on the counter-attack. Rico’s corner from the right is punched behind by Gunn for another corner, this time on the left...

8.29pm BST

29 min Redmond plays a crisp pass across the line of the penalty area to Hojbjerg, whose shot is blocked by Stacey. He could, probably should have played a reverse pass to the overlapping Cedric, who would have been through on the left of the area.

8.28pm BST

28 min Ward-Prowse slashes over the bar from 22 yards.

8.27pm BST

26 min That’s when VAR works perfectly, because it’s an objective judgement.

8.26pm BST

Yes, it’s been disallowed. It was a beautiful finish from King, swept into the far corner from Solanke’s pass. But replays showed he was just offside.

8.25pm BST

Hang on, this may be VARed.

8.25pm BST

Bournemouth go two up with a superb goal!

8.22pm BST

22 min “Evening Rob!” says Hubert O’Hearn. “You know what football lacks? Great nicknames. How on earth has Kevin Danso not been re-named as Tiny, or Ryan ‘House of’ Fraser? The one I really want is Harry ‘Prime Minister’ Wilson. (Yeah, it’s been a long week.)

Don’t forget the old favourites – ‘One Size’ Fitz Hall and Kiki ‘Chris’ Musampa.

8.21pm BST

21 min Southampton are playing at a furious pace, even by their standards.

8.19pm BST

20 min Lerma is booked for taking Hojbjerg out off the ball.

8.19pm BST

19 min Boufal surges down the inside-left channel, away from Billing, only to mishit a tame shot through to Ramsdale. He looks lively, though, as he did in Southampton’s last home fixture against Manchester United.

8.16pm BST

16 min King leads a Bournemouth break, haring down the left before crossing low towards Callum Wilson. Vestegaard makes an important interception.

8.15pm BST

15 min Replays show there was a slight push on Danso, who was challenging the goalscorer Ake, by Callum Wilson. It might have been a foul, but I don’t think it crossed the VAR threshold.

8.14pm BST

14 min “On that goal,” says Mary Waltz, “Southampton looked like they were watching a movie rather than playing a match.”

8.13pm BST

13 min Southampton look thoroughly affronted at going behind. Boufal plays a one-two with Adams and hits a sudden shot from 25 yards that is blocked by Cook.

8.10pm BST

Bournemouth take the lead! It was a simple goal: Rico’s inswinging corner from the right, and an emphatic downward header from Ake on the six-yard line.

8.09pm BST

9 min Southampton, as is their wont, are giving Bournemouth no time whatsoever on the ball. But Stacey combines neatly with Harry Wilson to win the first corner.

8.07pm BST

6 min Cedric’s speculative cutback is screwed wide of the far post by Ward-Prowse, arriving late in the box. It was a tricky chance as it bounced just in front of him, and he couldn’t steer it on target.

8.05pm BST

5 min It’s been a frantic start, as you’d expect. Nothing to report as yet.

8.02pm BST

2 min Southampton’s full-backs have swapped, with Danso on the right and Cedric on the left. I suppose that’s because of Bournemouth’s inverted wide players.

8.01pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Bournemouth get the match under way. They are in their dark blue away strip; Southampton are wearing red and white.

7.56pm BST

The players emerge from the tunnel to flashing lights and dramatic music. There’s a cracking atmosphere.

7.53pm BST

The winner tonight, if there is one, will move to third in the table for the next 17 hours or so.

7.30pm BST

Pre-match reading

7.04pm BST

Southampton (4-2-2-2) Gunn; Danso, Bednarek, Vestegaard, Cedric; Romeu, Hojbjerg; Ward-Prowse, Boufal; Adams, Redmond.
Substitutes: McCarthy, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand, Armstrong, Long, Ings.

Bournemouth (4-2-2-2) Ramsdale; Stacey, S Cook, Ake, Rico; Billing, Lerma; H Wilson, King; C Wilson, Solanke.
Substitutes: Boruc, Simpson, Mepham, Surman, Ibe, L Cook, Fraser.

5.21pm BST

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Southampton v Bournemouth from St Mary’s. The New Forest derby, as this is apparently known, is a bit of a newfangled rivalry. The two teams met only twice between 1960 and 2010, when they lived in different worlds, and overall this is only their 30th match.

Bournemouth, in fact, have never won away to Southampton – not at St Mary’s, not at the Dell, not even when they were called Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic.

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Published on September 20, 2019 14:07

September 17, 2019

The Spin | Ashes 2019: Guardian writers pick out their highs and lows

Smith’s majesty, Archer’s mastery, the miracle of Headingley: our writers give their verdicts after an extraordinary Test series

Vic Marks There’s no room for smartarsery here. It has to be Steve Smith averaging 110 in a bowlers’ series. Without him Australia would surely have lost the Ashes.

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Published on September 17, 2019 02:09

September 16, 2019

Five steps England must take to regain the Ashes in 2020-21 | Rob Smyth

To win back the urn in Australia England have plenty of work to do and no time to waste

In the second half of the Ashes series England’s batsmen hinted at a move away from “it’s the way we play”. They need to run with that mood – or rather crawl with it, and forget about doing everything in a hurry. The only way to win in Australia is to go huge in the first innings, and England need to develop players, especially in the top three, who get high on dot balls. A change to the domestic schedule, so that four-day cricket is played in the middle of the summer on flatter pitches, perhaps with a Kookaburra ball, is essential. When England won in 2010-11, they batted for 150 overs, or five sessions, in four of the seven innings. Under Joe Root’s captaincy they have failed to do so in 62 attempts. Yes, batting has changed – but not that much. In Australia frisky cameos with the bat win only contempt.

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Published on September 16, 2019 06:45

September 15, 2019

Watford 2-2 Arsenal: Premier League – as it happened

Roberto Pereyra’s late penalty completed a rousing Watford comeback in a breathless match full of brilliant attacking and laughable defending

6.44pm BST

That’s it for today’s blog. I’ll leave you with Dave Hytner’s report on a thrilling match. Night!

6.36pm BST

Post-match chat

Tom Cleverley

6.25pm BST

It’s hard to know where to start with that match. Arsenal led 2-0 at half-time after two lovely goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But Watford were relentless in the second half, and got back in the game through Tom Cleverley after some laughable defending from Arsenal. Roberto Pereyra’s late penalty brought them level, and both teams had chances to win it. It was pulsating entertainment.

6.23pm BST

Peep peep! A fine, uplifting game ends with honours even. Quique Sanchez Flores is back; so are Watford. They were wonderful.

6.21pm BST

90+2 min: Vital save from Leno! Doucoure almost scored the winner after a fantastic piece of play. He surged forward from deep inside his own half, beating Sokratis with a lovely bit of skill on the halfway line before finding Sarr on the right. Sarr fizzed a precise low cross to pick out Doucoure, whose sidefooted shot was smothered by the plunging Leno. This is tremendous stuff!

6.20pm BST

90+1 min It’s like a basketball game now. Willock misses a great chance to play Aubameyang in at one end; then Cleverley’s shot is blocked at the other; and finally Capoue is booked for stopping Arsenal’s counter-counter-counter-attack.

6.19pm BST

90 min An abysmal pass from Xhaka on the edge of the Watford area allows the home side to break. Doucoure’s vicious shot is blocked by Torreira. It’s breathless stuff.

6.17pm BST

89 min Nelson wins the ball off Sarr and buys Arsenal a bit of time with a break down the left. Eventually Aubameyang’s cross is miscontrolled by the stretching Xhaka, in a lot of space at the far post. A better touch there would have given him a great chance.

6.15pm BST

87 min Janmaat shoots well wide from the edge of the area. Watford have had 28 attempts on goal to Arsenal’s seven.

6.14pm BST

86 min Doucoure’s shot is blocked and comes to Cleverley, whose cracking rising drive is headed over by David Luiz. I think that was going in. Leno certainly wouldn’t have got to it.

6.13pm BST

85 min Arsenal are all over the place. They are hanging on for dear life.

6.12pm BST

84 min So close from Deulofeu! Cleveley’s shot was blocked by Sokratis and rebounded to Deulofeu, who drilled a low shot this far wide of the far post.

6.11pm BST

83 min Only one side looks like winning this game, and it’s not Romania. Pereyra’s cross is headed away by David Luiz, but Arsenal cannot get out.

6.09pm BST

Pereyra passed the ball low to his left, with Leno going the wrong way. Watford deserve that for a stirring performance.

6.09pm BST

Pereyra scores!

6.08pm BST

VAR check: it’s a penalty. It was just inside the area. Pereyra changed direction nicely, and David Luiz dangled a leg as only he can.

6.08pm BST

David Luiz has fouled Pereyra right on the line of the area.

6.07pm BST

79 min Arsenal enjoy a bit of respite in the Watford half. Eventually, Torreira rattles a snapshot from 12 yards that is beaten away by Foster.

6.06pm BST

78 min Another Watford substitution: Daryl Janmaat replaces Jose Holebas.

6.05pm BST

76 min A comedy of errors almost leads to an equaliser. Nelson leads an Arsenal break, only for the ball to hit his heel and fall for Doucoure. He plays it wide to Sarr, whose low cross is miskicked by Kabasele near the penalty spot. That was a chance.

6.03pm BST

75 min Watford deserve an equaliser. Sarr’s stinging shot from long-range hits a defender and goes behind for another corner.

6.01pm BST

72 min A rare Arsenal attack. Pepe does well to pick out Nelson, whose low shot from the edge of the box is comfortably saved by Foster.

5.59pm BST

71 min Arsenal’s final change: Reiss Nelson replaces Mesut Ozil, whose devastating pass created Aubameyang’s second goal.

5.59pm BST

70 min Technically, Watford’s goal shouldn’t have counted, because Deulofeu’s foot was in the Arsenal area when the goalkick was taken. Apparently VAR can’t get involved with restarts. Quite right, too; it’s not like it led to a goal or anything.

5.57pm BST

69 min “When,” says Ian Copestake, “is Will Hughes going to complete his move to Liverpool?”

5.56pm BST

68 min Deulofeu comes infield, past Maitland-Niles yet again, and hits another good shot that takes a deflection and spins wide of the far post.

5.55pm BST

67 min Guendouzi goes off for Arsenal, with Lucas Torreira replacing him.

5.54pm BST

67 min Deulofeu has been fantastic today. He starts another move that almost ends with an equaliser when Femenia’s cross is flicked behind his standing foot and wide of the far post by Pereyra.

5.54pm BST

65 min: Fine play from Sarr! Deulofeu teased Guendouzi on the left of the area and played a short pass into Sarr, who had his back to goal. He stabbed the ball around David Luiz with his first touch, turned and hit a volley that drifted wide of the far post. The shot was mishit but the first touch was lovely.

5.51pm BST

63 min Deulofeu wins a corner for Watford. Before it is taken, Will Hughes is replaced by Roberto Pereyra.

5.48pm BST

60 min It’s all Watford now, and Femenia blasts over from the edge of the area. Arsenal make their first change, with Joe Willock replacing Dani Ceballos.

5.47pm BST

58 min Another fine effort from Deulofeu, who zips infield from the left and curls a low shot that goes a few yards wide of the far post. That means a goalkick for Arsenal, and another chance for Watford.

5.44pm BST

56 min Kiko Femenia is booked for pulling Ozil’s shirt to stop an Arsenal attack.

5.44pm BST

55 min Watford make a change, with the record signing Ismaila Sarr replacing Andre Gray. Moments later, the superb Deulofeu cracks a shot from the left of the box that is comfortably saved by Leno.

5.43pm BST

What an absurd goal. Leno took a goalkick to Sokratis in the six-yard box. He telegraphed a straight pass to Guendouzi on the edge of the area that was intercepted by Deulofeu. His touch diverted the ball to Cleverley, who rammed a low shot past Leno from 15 yards.

5.42pm BST

It’s been coming. Arsenal have been playing silly buggers in their own area all day, and now they’ve been punished.

5.40pm BST

52 min Doucoure, teed up nicely by Hughes, slices a shot miles wide from 20 yards. In fact, it’s gone for a throw-in.

5.38pm BST

49 min Ozil finds Xhaka, who blasts over the bar from 35 yards.

5.36pm BST

47 min Guendouzi loses the ball in a very dangerous area again, this time playing a square pass straight to Gray in the Arsenal area. He’s saved by Xhaka, who comes around the side of Gray to make a brilliant tackle. Moments later, Hughes cracks a first-time shot over the bar from 17 yards.

5.33pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Watford begin the second half, so they do.

5.19pm BST

Half-time reading

5.19pm BST

Peep peep! Arsenal lead through two brilliant goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The first was an expert finish; the second was a team effort inspired by Mesut Ozil. The scoreline is harsh on Watford, who started very brightly and have looked dangerous on the break.

5.17pm BST

45+2 min Holebas and Guendouzi are booked.

5.17pm BST

45+1 min It’s all kicking off here! Holebas challenged Pepe near the halfway line, and suddenly players from both sides appeared to start a shoving match.

5.16pm BST

45 min Deulofeu, who has been excellent, charges into the area at pace only to run out of room after beating David Luiz.

5.14pm BST

44 min “The relationship between Ozil and Emery is a nuanced one, I think,” says Bill Hargreaves. “Mesut: ‘I don’t care if you don’t want me (but watch this!)’; Unai: ‘I can’t afford you, I don’t want you (but look at that!)’.”

It fascinates me, given all type of criticism both men receive, that one of Ozil’s biggest fans was Jose Mourinho.

5.13pm BST

43 min Kolasinac is booked for an oafish lunge at Hughes.

5.12pm BST

43 min “The NBC feed announcers are trashing the Watford back line,” says Mary Waltz, “but I think it’s more Arsenal quality then poor performance by Watford.”

They were two excellent goals, I thought.

5.11pm BST

41 min A win today would take Arsenal to third in the table, behind Manchester City on goal difference.

5.09pm BST

39 min Femenia wins a corner for Watford, who are still game despite the double blow from Aubameyang. David Luiz heads it away.

5.06pm BST

35 min A double chance for Watford! Guendouzi accepts a goalkick from Leno on the edge of the area, turns and loses the ball. Deulofeu whaps a low shot that Leno can’t hold, and Gray puts the rebound into the side-netting.

5.05pm BST

35 min Femenia’s cross is volleyed wide by Hughes, who got in front of David Luiz at the near post.

5.05pm BST

34 min Watford have played really well, and they’re 2-0 down.

5.03pm BST

It was made brilliantly by Ozil, who sliced the Watford defence open with a short, stabbed pass down the inside-right channel to find Maitland-Niles. He slid the ball across the face to give Aubameyang an open goal. The pass from Ozil, a sudden thrust of the dagger that took three defenders out of the game, was delicious.

5.02pm BST

This is a beautiful goal!

5.01pm BST

30 min A dangerous Arsenal break is led by Ozil, who just underhits an attempted through pass to Pepe. A perfectly weighted pass would have put Pepe through on goal.

4.59pm BST

27 min Arsenal have played with greater confidence since the goal. Good game, this.

4.56pm BST

25 min That was almost 2-0. Ceballos found Ozil, whose deflected cross just evaded Aubameyang on the six-yard line.

4.55pm BST

23 min That goal was an affront to the run of play - Watford had been much the better side.

4.54pm BST

Goal given! Hughes lost the ball near the halfway line after a tackle from Ceballos, who got a slight touch on the ball. Kolasinic picked up the loose ball and surged into space before sliding a short pass to Aubameyang in the area. He controlled the ball on the run, swivelled in the same movement and lashed a superb low shot past Foster.

4.52pm BST

Aubameyang has had a touch now - he’s put Arsenal ahead with a brilliant finish. Watford are asking for a VAR check after a challenge on Hughes near the halfway line.

4.51pm BST

20 min Arsenal’s first effort. Guendouzi wins a 50/50 with Capoue and wafts a long pass to Pepe on the right. He moves infield, 25 yards from goal, and hits a left-footed shot that drifts a few yards wide of the far post.

4.48pm BST

18 min Arsenal haven’t offered much in attack as yet. Aubameyang has barely touched the ball, while Ozil has just been robbed brusquely by Deulofeu. That sums up the first 18 minutes.

4.46pm BST

15 min This has been a superb start from Watford, who have looked really sharp on the counter-attack.

4.45pm BST

13 min: Holebas misses an excellent chance! Deulofeu wriggled past Maitland-Niles in the area and stabbed the ball back to the underlapping Holebas in the space on the edge of the area. He opened his body in an attempt to steer a first-time shot into the top corner, but he mistimed it and the ball went high and wide.

4.42pm BST

12 min Cleverley’s speculative curler from long range is comfortably held by Leno.

4.41pm BST

11 min Deulofeu has started very well on the left for Watford. So has Cleverley, who forces a fine save from Leno with a fierce rising drive from 20 yards. Leno leapt to his left and fingertipped it over the bar.

4.38pm BST

8 min Holebas fouls Maitland-Niles just outside the area on the right. Ozil’s inswinging free-kick is headed away from inside the six-yard box by Dawson.

4.37pm BST

6 min Deulofeu cuts inside Guendouzi, 20 yards out, and shapes a curler towards the far post. Leno fumbles a fairly routine take but manages to grab it at the second attempt.

4.36pm BST

6 min Cleverley’s fast, low cross towards Gray is hoofed away at the near post. Watford look bright and breezy.

4.33pm BST

3 min It’s been a frantic start to the game, and Watford look full of the joys of a new manager.

4.32pm BST

2 min Arsenal have started with a midfield diamond, as expected. Deulofeu scurries past one of those midfielders, Guendouzi, after a nice bit of skill on the halfway line.

4.31pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Arsenal kick off from left to right. They are in red; Watford are wearing yellow and black.

4.28pm BST

It’s a beautiful afternoon at Vicarage Road, and the returning Quique Sanchez Flores receives a huge cheer from the home fans. There’s a cracking atmosphere.

4.20pm BST

“Is it statistically weird that only five teams in the Premier League have a positive goal difference,” says Matt Dobbing. “Appreciate it’s only five games in.”

A little bit - at the same stage of the last two seasons there were seven teams with a positive goal difference.

4.17pm BST

4.15pm BST

The pre-match thoughts of Quique Sanchez Flores

“We need to be solid in defence, because we are playing against a very fast team with talent and skill. We need to be compact and well-organised, and to take our chances at the other end. We need to be brave with and without the ball. I am really happy to be back at Watford. I feel that I am in the right place again.”

3.42pm BST

Bournemouth are beating Everton 3-1 in the early Premier League game. You can follow the last few minutes with Will Unwin.

3.35pm BST

Watford (4-2-3-1) Foster; Kiko Femenia, Dawson, Kabasele, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue; Hughes, Cleverley, Deulofeu; Gray.
Substitutes: Gomes, Foulquier, Janmaat Mariappa, Chalobah, Sarr, Pereyra.

Arsenal (4-D-2) Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, David Luiz, Kolasinac; Xhaka; Guendouzi, Ceballos; Ozil; Pepe, Aubameyang.
Substitutes: Martinez, Chambers, Saka, Torreira, Willock, Martinelli, Nelson.

9.16am BST

Hello. Arsenal were once the toughest visitors in the land. Twice in three years, from 2001-04, they went through a whole Premier League season without losing away from home - a staggering achievement that is sometimes forgotten because of their Invincible season.

The memory of that rugged, brilliant team made their decline under Arsene Wenger even more acute; by the end, they were often a mess away from home. That’s improved slightly under Unai Emery, but Arsenal’s away form is still their weak point. They are consistently good at the Emirates - only Manchester City have collected more points at home in the last five seasons - so their work on the road will probably decide whether they end a barren run of four whole years without finishing in the top four.

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Published on September 15, 2019 10:44

Huddersfield 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday: Championship – as it happened

In the battle of the new managers, two excellent goals from Steven Fletcher and Sam Winnall gave Garry Monk an ultimately comfortable victory over the Cowley brothers

2.19pm BST

Garry Monk won the battle of the new two new Yorkshire managers as Sheffield Wednesday beat Huddersfield 2-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Steven Fletcher’s 10th-minute header and a rare goal from substitute Sam Winnall proved the difference between the two sides as Danny Cowley who, along with his brother and assistant Nicky, suffered defeat in their first outing at the Huddersfield helm.

1.56pm BST

That’s it for today’s blog. The win moves Sheffield Wednesday up to ninth, only a couple of points off the automatic promotion places. Huddersfield stay in 21st. Thanks for your company - bye!

1.52pm BST

Still want more?

1.51pm BST

Peep peep! Garry Monk starts his spell as Sheffield Wednesday manager with an ultimately comfortable victory, thanks to two accomplished headers from Steven Fletcher and Sam Winnall. Huddersfield were willing but looked short on quality and especially confidence. The Cowley brothers will need a bit of time to improve things.

1.49pm BST

90+2 min Nuhiu and Bacuna have a bit of a shoving match on the touchline. Nothing to see here.

1.47pm BST

90 min Four minutes of added time.

1.47pm BST

89 min “One final thought,” says Joe Ludlam. “Imagine what Adthe Nuhiu would have done to England’s defence if Kosovo had brought him off the bench...”

He is an appreciable unit.

1.44pm BST

87 min Winnall’s shot goes behind off a defender. It was very hard work for 72 minutes, but since the second goal Wednesday have been cruising.

1.43pm BST

86 min Kieran Lee replaces the impressive Kadeem Harris, who had a hand in both goals.

1.42pm BST

85 min Nuhiu limbers into the area and finds Winnall, who blasts the bouncing ball over the bar on the turn.

1.40pm BST

83 min Huddersfield’s heads have gone down since the second goal, which is understandable if not ideal.

1.39pm BST

82 min Another Wednesday change: Atdhe Nuhiu replaces the goalscorer Steven Fletcher.

1.36pm BST

79 min Huddersfield suddenly look so vulnerable to the counter-attack. Winnall, in a criminal amount of space just past the halfway line. slices the defence open with a beautiful pass to the left-back Palmer. He surges into the area and slips a low cross that just evades the sliding Fletcher in front of an open goal. Fletcher is then booked for something or other.

1.34pm BST

77 min This could get worse for Huddersfield. Wednesday break down the left through Winnall, who picks out Reach on the edge of the box. He has time to take a touch and smack a shot that deflects wide off Hogg. Before the corner is taken, Huddersfield bring on Steve Mounie for the impressive Fraizer Campbell.

1.31pm BST

74 min It’s been a bit of a mugging, in that Huddersfield have dominated possession throughout, but the two Wednesday goals were excellent.

1.30pm BST

That’s another really good goal. Harris drew two defenders towards him and played the ball back to Bannan, who curled a beautiful first-time ball towards the six-yard line. It was perfect for the substitute Sam Winnall, who got between the centre-halves and flicked an accomplished header in off the far post.

1.28pm BST

71 min “I don’t think we’ve looked inspired going forward since about 1998,” says Joe Ludlam, “and after a year of Jos Luhakay’s ‘everyone a centre-half’ philosophy I’ll take any hint of positive intent. I do worry about loading good players into the middle when they’re more effective elsewhere (Reach is best on the wing, Hutchinson less likely to get sent off at the back) but hopefully Monk will have the confidence to address this as the season progresses.”

1.27pm BST

70 min Borner is booked for taking a shortcut through the back of Campbell.

1.26pm BST

69 min Hutchinson has hurt his left knee after landing awkwardly. He’s going to try to continue.

1.25pm BST

68 min Hadergjonaj is booked for a foul on Harris, who has given him a difficult afternoon.

1.24pm BST

66 min That was a really good chance for Reach. Harris zoomed into the area and picked out Reach in space on the edge of the area. He took the short first time, but it was a tame strike and too close to Grabara.

1.20pm BST

63 min Chalobah is booked for a high foot on Borner. I’m not even sure it was a foul.

1.19pm BST

61 min Hadergjonaj’s low cross ricochets right across the face of goal. Huddersfield look more threatening since that double substitution.

1.17pm BST

60 min Reach wriggles away from Hogg on the edge of the area and hits a shot on the turn that goes just wide. Grabara had it covered. Moments later, Wednesday make their first change, with Sam Winnall replacing Murphy.

1.15pm BST

57 min: Good save from Westwood! Bacuna forced his way past Odubajo on the left and cut the ball back towards Kongolo on the edge of the area. He took the shot first time, sweeping it low towards the near post, and Westwood got down to his right to make a smart save.

1.13pm BST

56 min Huddersfield make a double change, with Juninho Bacuna and Isaac Mbenza replacing Diakhaby and O’Brien.

1.12pm BST

55 min Hutchinson is booked for repeat offending.

1.09pm BST

52 min Hutchinson’s tame shot from 25 yards dribbles well wide.

1.06pm BST

50 min “Not the greatest half of football ever played,” says Paolo. “Based on it, both new managers have a job on their hands.”

1.06pm BST

49 min At the other end, Campbell’s volley is too close to Westwood. He’s looked very sharp.

1.05pm BST

48 min I don’t think that was a penalty. He was bumped a bit by Schindler, but I don’t think there was enough for a foul. I’d like to see it again though because he may have been sandwiched by Schindler and Hogg.

1.04pm BST

47 min Wednesday have a big penalty appeal turned down. Murphy played a smart one-two with Fletcher and went down after a challenge from the side. The referee wasn’t interested. We haven’t seen a replay yet.

1.03pm BST

47 min “The Cowley brothers’ arrival has certainly felt positive,” says Paul Townend. “The message boards and threads had got incredibly despondent, not an unknown trait in Huddersfield. Amazing to think they already have more wins at the John Smith than the previous manager!”

1.02pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Sheffield Wednesday get the second half under way.

12.50pm BST

Half-time reading

12.50pm BST

“(Early) afternoon Rob, from a Wednesday fan,” says Joe Ludlam. “The 4-5-1 formation has looked very negative at Hillsborough - we’ve had the players to make it work but a succession of defensive managers have used the central three to protect rather than control. It’s refreshing to see the players given a bit more licence going forward today, especially the wingers. Hopefully Monk will bring back the optimism we felt so briefly under Steve Bruce. That said, I still wish I was watching the cricket.”

It’s been more of a 4-4-2 today, which Garry Monk has often used during his career. They’ve been a bit uninspired going forward, although that’s partly because they had a lead to protect for most of the half. And it was a very good goal.

12.48pm BST

Peep peep! Wednesday lead through Steven Fletcher’s accomplished early goal. That aside it’s been a pretty scruffy game, although Huddersfield in particular have been full of good intentions.

12.44pm BST

44 min Murphy spanks wide from 25 yards.

12.41pm BST

41 min Wednesday haven’t offered much going forward, apart from that fine early goal. They seem happy enough to sit on their lead and see what Huddersfield have got.

12.38pm BST

37 min This is better from Huddersfield. Grant beats a couple of players and angles a lofted cross towards the far post, where Hadergjonaj heads the ball tamely into the arms of Westwood. I think he was trying to steer it towards Campbell, who was in space to his left.

12.36pm BST

35 min Kongolo moves infield from the left and hits a stinging right-footed shot from the edge of the box that Westwood can’t hold. Happily for him, it rebounds to safety.

12.31pm BST

31 min It’s been a blue-collar match so far. Bannan has shown the usual touches of class, but the effort:quality ratio leaves a little to be desired.

12.27pm BST

27 min Grant’s corner is headed away as far as Hogg, who slashes over the bar from 25 yards.

12.26pm BST

26 min Grant goes on a lovely run from the left, beating Odubajo and then Iorfa before Odubajo makes a good recovery challenge on the edge of the area.

12.22pm BST

22 min I think the Cowley brothers will be pretty happy with Huddersfield’s start. They’ve been bright and breezy in possession, Campbell in particular, and are a little unfortunate to be behind.

12.20pm BST

20 min The lively Campbell beats Hutchinson with a lovely piece of skill and plays the ball wide towards Hadergjonaj. He has options in the middle ... and sidefoots his cross straight at the keeper Westwood.

12.19pm BST

19 min “Signs of a fresh approach already for Huddersfield,” says Jerry Strachan. “Starting 12 men may prove to be a masterstroke. Playing Hogg twice in the same match is inspired.”

Ach, thanks for pointing it out – I’ll change it.

12.17pm BST

18 min Anyone out there?

12.16pm BST

16 min Good play from Kongolo. He marches forwards from left-back, plays a one-two with Campbell and volleys over the bar on the stretch.

12.15pm BST

14 min Campbell tries to get Huddersfield going again with a lively tackle on Hutchinson. Bannan then takes Hogg out, increasing the temperature some more.

12.11pm BST

11 min That was such good play from Kadeem Harris, who beat his man with ease and then delivered a fine cross.

12.11pm BST

That’s an excellent goal. After a long passing move from Wednesday, Bannan finds Harris on the left. He surges towards the byline, beating Hadergjonaj easily with a stepover before standing up a lovely cross. Fletcher towers over Elphick in the six-yard box to thump a header into the net.

12.08pm BST

8 min Huddersfield win the first corner of the match, on the right. Grant curls it in, and there’s a foul on a Wednesday defender.

12.06pm BST

6 min At the other end, Chalobah sidefoots a low shot from 25 yards that is comfortably held by Westwood, sprawling to his left.

12.05pm BST

5 min A long goalkick from Westwood is headed down by Fletcher to Reach, who knees the ball up and hits a volley that goes straight at Grabara from 20 yards. He didn’t really get hold of it.

12.04pm BST

4 min The Wednesday right-back Odubajo takes one in the personal space, prompting much mirth in the commentary box.

12.03pm BST

3 min A slow start, with both teams having a look at each other.

12.00pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Huddersfield, in blue and white stripes, kick off from right to left. Sheffield Wednesday are in their green change strip.

11.59am BST

The players emerge, looking ready for action. Danny Cowley and Garry Monk shake hands warmly in the tunnel. For all concerned, a new era is about to begin.

11.49am BST

And here’s Garry Monk

“It’s been a good week. I’ve had so much support and a really good welcome. It’s only been a short period with the players but we’ve tried to do some good work without being overbearing. It’s a really good group - very motivated and positive - and it’s been difficult to leave people out.

11.37am BST

Danny Cowley’s pre-match thoughts

“It’s been a really good week - a bit of a whirlwind, but it’s been great to meet the people of Huddersfield: the players, the staff and some of the supporters. At this stage we’re trying to get to know the players as people, and once you do that you can start to build respect and trust, and then hopefully we can start to affect them. We’ve got no Alex Pritchard, who hasn’t been able to train We’ve picked a team we feel can be successful on the day.”

11.08am BST

Huddersfield (4-2-3-1) Grabara; Hadergjonaj, Elphick, Schindler, Kongolo; Hogg, Chalobah; Diakhaby, O’Brien, Grant; Campbell.
Substitutes: Schofield, Bacuna, Kachunga, Mbenza, Mounie, Stankovic, J Brown.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2) Westwood; Odubajo, Iorfa, Borner, Palmer; Murphy, Hutchinson, Bannan, Harris; Fletcher, Reach.
Substitutes: Dawson, Fox, Lee, Winnall, Nuhiu, Luongo, Bates.

10.58am BST

Pre-match reading

9.00am BST

Hello. The 2019-20 season literally starts today for Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday, who both go into this lunchtime match with new managers. The Cowley brothers are in charge at the John Smith’s Stadium, while Garry Monk has taken over from Wednesday caretaker Lee Bullen.

Bullen did a decent job, winning three of his six games, and a win today would move Wednesday to within two points of Charlton in second. The Cowleys start their new job from a position of weakness: Huddersfield are second from bottom, with one point from six games.

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Published on September 15, 2019 05:52

September 4, 2019

Ashes 2019: England v Australia fourth Test, day one – live!

Updates from the opening day of play at Old TraffordThe Spin podcast: check out our latest podcastAny thoughts? Email or tweet @JPHowcroft

9.27am BST

If you’re looking for a scene-setter, here’s Vic Marks from Old Trafford on the eve of the Test.

The challenge for England is to win conventionally, without the necessity of a superhuman performance from one of their players to get them over the line. That tends to happen just once or twice in a generation. They desperately need runs from fresh sources. The challenge for Australia is to forget.

New game; fresh start; all square. England have momentum which indeed proved decisive in 1981 and 2005 when England also hit back spectacularly. On the other hand, as Mike Tyson almost said, everyone has momentum until they get a punch in the mouth.

8.56am BST

Hello everybody. Have you caught your breath yet? Heart rate returned to normal? Reconsidered the urge to call your newborn Ben? Good, because it’s Ashes time again, specifically live OBO coverage of the fourth Test from Old Trafford.

The series scoreline reads one-all with two to play but that hides the evidence of an already extraordinary contest. From James Anderson’s injury to Ben Stokes’s masterpiece via Steve Smith’s comeback and 67 all out, there has barely been a dull moment since the opening ball at Edgbaston over a month ago.

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Published on September 04, 2019 01:27

September 1, 2019

Ben Stokes, hero of Headingley, is England’s buccaneering totem

The all-action miracle man will never be perfect but belongs to that rare group of sporting giants with superhuman will

In the delirious aftermath of the World Cup final in July, Jos Buttler had a quick chat with Michael Vaughan on the Lord’s outfield. The conversation soon turned to the bizarre incident in the final over of normal time, when Martin Guptill’s throw hit Ben Stokes’s bat and raced to the boundary. “That,” whispered Buttler, “was the first thing he middled all day.”

Buttler’s comment was playful and affectionate, yet there was a bit of truth in it. For almost all of that innings, Stokes was frustrated by his inability to time the ball on a difficult pitch. He hit three fours in his first 85 balls, before the situation demanded that he go nuclear. Stokes has oodles of skill, especially with the bat. He is one of the few batsmen who can play every shot in the 20th- and 21st-century batting textbooks. But his true superpower, the thing that has enabled his twin miracles this summer, is his will. He belongs to that rare group of all-action sporting heroes who believe they can climb Everest with a hangover, or save the Ashes by scoring more in a last-wicket partnership than the whole team managed in the first innings.

In the biggest moments, Stokes cannot hide his emotions or fatigue. He should have a tattoo of a heart on his sleeve

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Published on September 01, 2019 02:00

August 31, 2019

Burnley 0-3 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened

Liverpool set a new club record with a 13th consecutive league victory thanks to an own goal from Chris Wood and classy finishes from Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino

7.46pm BST

That’s it for today’s blog. I’ll leave you with Paul Wilson’s match report from Turf Moor. Bye!

7.45pm BST

And here’s Virgil van Dijk

“It’s a big achievement [winning 13 league games in a row], but we have nothing to show for it yet. All we can do is keep going. We know how tough it is. We knew it would be tough today; Burnley away is difficult for any team and I think we dealt with it professionally.

7.34pm BST

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks

“We got a bit of luck with the deflection but a goal’s a goal so none of us will complain. I’m not fussed about it being an own goal rather than my goal; it’s all about the team. We got a clean sheet which is the most important thing for us barring the win. We defended the long balls unbelievably.”

7.22pm BST

Still want more? Bet you do.

7.21pm BST

“Comfortably the best Liverpool side of the last three decades,” says Paul Griffin. “I’m not even sure whether Torben Piechnik and Istvan Kozma would get in this team.”

7.20pm BST

Peep peep! Liverpool go back to the top of the table - and set a new club record with their 13th consecutive league win. They are a truly great side, and if it wasn’t for Manchester City they would be champions already.

7.19pm BST

90+1 min “Love Salah though I do, one day his selfishness is going to cost us,” says Tomo Barneby. “Firmino and Mane would have both got another goal if he’d passed rather than shooting when badly placed. Mane’s now sitting on the bench fuming. Appreciate strikers need to be selfish, but the other two aren’t at all. Long term it could well be a problem.”

He wasn’t always this selfish, was he? It seems, at least from afar, that he changed after that amazing first season, probably because he’s desperate to repeat it.

7.17pm BST

90 min In the first of three added minutes, Wijnaldum runs onto Salah’s through pass and tries to go round Pope, who dives to his right to claim the ball.

7.16pm BST

89 min Rodriguez almost dirties Liverpool’s sheet in the last couple of minutes. He moved into the area and went around Adrian, who did well to spread himself and block the eventual shot. He’ll be desperate for a first clean sheet as Liverpool goalkeeper.

7.15pm BST

87 min Last season Liverpool finished second with 97 points. It wouldn’t surprise me if somebody reaches 100 points without winning the league this season. They and Manchester City are a million miles ahead of the rest.

7.12pm BST

85 min Crikey, Mane is absolutely fuming about something. He has just been subbed, along with Firmino, with Origi and Shaqiri replacing them. He’s ranting and raving on the bench, possibly about Salah’s non-pass a moment ago. For all his brilliance, Salah is one of the most selfish footballers I’ve ever seen. Of course, that selfishness often informs his brilliance as well.

7.11pm BST

84 min “What gave me the idea,” says James Russell. “I’m sure you can read explain please.”

Please don’t be weird, James. It’s just a game of football.

7.10pm BST

83 min Salah is denied a goal by a brilliant tackle from Pieters. He should have given the goal to Mane but tried to go it alone, and he would have scored but for that pesky Dutchman.

7.09pm BST

82 min “You’re definitely right about that 30-year span,” says Hubert O’Hearn. “I think the real key game was the absolute destruction of Barcelona. That was the match that gave the squad the swagger and belief to match the talent. Certainly helped my poor old nerves. I haven’t worried about a match since, and I am NOT nostalgic for days of nail chewing!”

7.07pm BST

Roberto Firmino secures a record 13th consecutive league win for Liverpool with a fine finish. He curled a long pass to Salah, who wriggled away from two defenders on the edge of the box. He overran the ball slightly, but Firmino was backing up the play and he cracked an empathic, first-time shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards

7.06pm BST

It’s there!

7.04pm BST

79 min Oxlade-Chamberlain’s rising shot is well held by Pope.

7.02pm BST

76 min Wood puts Rodriguez through on goal, but he’s miles offside and Adrian saves anyway.

7.01pm BST

75 min The game was quite tight until that freakish opening goal, but since then Liverpool have been cruising towards victory.

7.00pm BST

74 min “MBM earlier described Manchester City as boring,” says James Russell. “In a similar display of authority Liverpool are eulogised as the best Liverpool team in the last 30 years. I thought the Guardian was about independent unbiased coverage not an agenda?”

I don’t know what gave you that idea. The Manchester Guardian has always had an agenda against Manchester City.

6.59pm BST

73 min Ashley Barnes is replaced by Jay Rodriguez.

6.59pm BST

72 min Barnes is fouled on the left wing by Matip. McNeil’s cross is headed over from six yards by Tarkowski, who was put off by the presence of Van Dijk.

6.56pm BST

71 min Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Jordan Henderson.

6.56pm BST

69 min Westwood’s excellent through ball towards Wood is intercepted by ... Ashley Barnes. He’s had a bad night.

6.50pm BST

64 min Burnley are hanging on their 2-0 deficit. Firmino’s scissor kick bounces up and is headed behind by Mee. It feels like a third goal is imminent.

6.50pm BST

63 min Liverpool have this game completely under control. The authority of their play, especially the way they have quietly disarmed Burnley, has been so impressive. They are, by some distance, the best Liverpool team of the last 30 years.

6.48pm BST

61 min Mo Salah’s selfishness costs Liverpool a third goal. He ran at the defence, dragging them all over the place before twisting back onto his right foot at the edge of the D. There was a simple, angled pass on, which would have given Firmino a simple chance. Instead Salah chose to Lingard a tame shot straight through to Pope. In his defence, he knew immediately and apologised to Firmino.

6.46pm BST

60 min Alexander-Arnold instead guides the free-kick to the edge of the area, where Salah belts a first-time shot that is blocked.

6.46pm BST

60 min Fabinho is bumped to the ground by Tarkowski, just outside the area on the left wing. Alexander-Arnold might have a shot here.

6.44pm BST

58 min Salah’s low cross is intercepted by Tarkowski, who tries to run the ball out of the area and is robbed by Firmino. He has a shot blocked, and moments later Salah hits the side netting from a ludicrous angle.

6.42pm BST

56 min Van Dijk heads the free-kick away. Of course he does.

6.42pm BST

55 min McNeil twists Alexander-Arnold near the corner flag and is fouled. For all the genius of his crossing, Alexander-Arnold’s one-on-one defending is one of Liverpool’s few weak links.

6.39pm BST

54 min Barnes is penalised for kneeing Matip in the back while jumping for a high ball.

6.37pm BST

50 min Nothing much to report. Liverpool look very comfortable, and Mane in particular looks like making something happen every time he gets the ball. He’s such a good player, who doesn’t always get the credit he deserves.

6.32pm BST

47 min “Listening to the match on the radio whilst following your MBM (it’s a very busy afternoon in work), and due to the vagaries of listening online you’re about three minutes ahead of Talksport,” says Alexander Lewis. “Thus I’ve read about both goals well before hearing them. Is it normal that on neither occasion did I believe that Liverpool had scored until the commentary caught up? How long do Liverpool have to be good before I lose the fear that you’re just having a laugh, and Burnley are really 3-0 up?”

It’s all a big Truman Show. Wait till you find out what really happened against Spurs in Madrid.

6.31pm BST

46 min Peep peep!

6.19pm BST

Half-time reading

6.17pm BST

Peep peep! Liverpool are well on their way to setting a new club record of 13 consecutive league wins. Chris Wood’s freakish own goal was followed by a clinical second from Sadio Mane; and though Burnley have worked like beasts, Liverpool have kept them at arms length with the minimum of fuss. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.

6.15pm BST

45 min Barnes drags a tame shot wide from 22 yards.

6.13pm BST

43 min Ashley Barnes is having a stinker. It doesn’t help that he’s up against van Dijk, but he has struggled to hold the ball up all night. Now he has a half chance after combining with Wood, but spanks it high over the bar from the edge of the area.

6.12pm BST

42 min “Scratch that,” says Seth Wheeler. “Still class though.”

6.11pm BST

41 min “Trent meant it,” says Seth Wheeler. “He shook his leg forward at the contact rather than wrapping it round. Pure class.”

Did he mean the deflection as well?

6.11pm BST

40 min That quick one-two has flattened Burnley, who would have been pretty happy with their defensive performance in the first half hour.

6.09pm BST

38 min “What history between Liverpool and Burnley?” says Callum Macauley. “All that springs to mind is Joe Gomez’s injury/Henderson’s red card.”

Exactly.

6.08pm BST

That was Liverpool at their most ruthless. Ben Mee played a dreadful pass straight to Firmino, just inside the Burnley half. He ran 25 yards, drawing defenders towards him all the while, and then eased the ball to his left to find the overlapping Mane. He opened his body to steer a precise low shot into the far corner with his right foot. Brilliant finish.

6.06pm BST

Lovely goal!

6.06pm BST

36 min Replays show that Alexander-Arnold’s cross took a deflection off Wood, so it will, to the disgust of Fantasy Football folk everywhere, go down as an own-goal.

6.05pm BST

Alexander-Arnold played the ball down the right to Henderson and made himself available for the return. When it came he tried to whip a trademark first-time cross to the far post. But it didn’t curl as expected and, with Pope stranded, the ball dropped into the far side of the net.

6.03pm BST

Trent Alexander-Arnold scores with a mishit cross!

6.00pm BST

30 min Barnes, not for the last time tonight, walks into Liverpool’s offside trap. They have dealt with Barnes and Wood very efficiently so far.

5.58pm BST

28 min “Yes, as you say, there is a little bit of history,” says Matt Dony. “But, frankly, Burnley should just be thankful for the chance to watch Officially The Best Footballer In Europe.”

5.57pm BST

27 min Lennon’s dangerous cross is put over his own bar by Alexander-Arnold, who was in the six-yard box and facing his own goal. Van Dijk heads the corner clear.

5.56pm BST

27 min Liverpool are turning the screw, literally.

5.55pm BST

26 min “Just for the record, Liverpool only need to win 34 of their remaining 35 fixtures,” says Phil Grey. “They can afford to lose one of the games against Man City. So plenty of room for error between now and May...”

5.54pm BST

25 min Alexander-Arnold waves a lovely pass across to Mane on the left side of the area. He moves back onto his right foot and hits a shot that deflects wide off a defender.

5.53pm BST

23 min Replays show that Pope got a slight but decisive touch when Salah hit the post early on. It was a brilliant save, especially as he was originally set for a curler towards the other corner.

5.52pm BST

21 min: Salah misses by a whisker! After a Burnley interception on the edge of the area, Henderson opened his body to steer an ingenious first-time pass over the defence and put Salah through on goal. His first touch was slightly heavy, which allowed Pope to charge from his line and try to smother a possible shot. In doing so he knocked the ball against Salah and it ricocheted a fraction wide of the far post.

5.48pm BST

19 min Jurgen Klopp is unhappy with a couple of Burnley fans. He complains to the fourth official and then gives a sarcastic thumbs up in their direction. I’ve no idea what that’s about.

5.47pm BST

18 min Burnley have already wasted a few set-pieces, which will irritate Sean Dyche.

5.47pm BST

17 min Not much happening at the moment. It’s a frantic game, even by Premier League standards.

5.44pm BST

14 min Henderson’s driven, angled cross is just too high for Mane in the centre; Lowton heads it clear.

5.41pm BST

11 min McNeil’s inswinger is punched away unconvincingly by Adrian and headed further away by Fabinho.

5.40pm BST

10 min McNeil swerves around Alexander-Arnold, charges down the left and wins a corner off the recovering Alexander-Arnold. Van Dijk heads behind for another corner, this time on the right...

5.38pm BST

8 min That was a lovely effort from Salah, because he shaped to go across goal - as he usually does from that position - and then whipped a shot towards the near post that took Pope by surprise.

5.37pm BST

7 min Apart from that chance for Wood, this has been a very impressive start from Liverpool. There is so much speed and authority in their play.

5.36pm BST

5 min: Salah hits the post! This has been a cracking start. Mane played a short pass to the right of the area for Salah, who sidefooted a rising, first-time shot that beat Pope and clattered off the near post.

5.32pm BST

2 min: Good save from Adrian! Burnley almost stunned Liverpool after 80 seconds. Wood ran onto a long, straight pass from Tarkowski, turned inside van Dijk and tried to place the ball into the far corner with his left foot. Adrian plunged to his right to push it away.

5.31pm BST

1 min A flying start from Liverpool. Robertson’s cross is cleared as Fabinho, who thrashes over the bar from 30 yards.

5.30pm BST

1 min Peep peep! Liverpool, in their black change strip, get the match under way. Burnley are in claret and blue.

5.25pm BST

The players are ready for action. There’s a bit of history between these sides, and I’m not just talking about the 0-0 draw in December 1920, so this could be lively.

5.21pm BST

5.10pm BST

4.53pm BST

Sheffield United have come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Chelsea. That must feel especially sweet for the supporters who were at Stamford Bridge when United were dramatically relegated from the Premier League 25 years ago.

4.42pm BST

Pre-match business

4.40pm BST

Burnley (4-4-2) Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Lennon, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood.
Substitutes: Hart, Taylor, Long, Drinkwater, Hendrick, Rodriguez, Vydra.

Liverpool (4-3-3) Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Substitutes: Kelleher, Gomez, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Shaqiri, Origi.

4.36pm BST

Hello. It really is very simple: if Liverpool win their remaining 35 league games, they will be champions for the first time since 1990. Seriously, though, if they want to finish above Manchester City they will probably need to win at least 30 matches, so games like this become close to a must-win - even at the end of August.

Winning has become a happy habit for Liverpool. This is probably the most joyous time to be a Liverpool supporter since April 1988, and victory tonight would set a new club record of 13 consecutive league wins.

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Published on August 31, 2019 11:45

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