Rob Smyth's Blog, page 62

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

Eddie Nketiah’s 90th-minute goal, his second of the match, settled a pulsating contest and took Arsenal to 50 points after just 19 games

“Possibly bordering on ‘Unpopular opinion’ territory,” high-fives Matt Dony, “and I reserve the right to vehemently deny I ever said this, but I think that Arsenal potentially winning the league is more of a Leicester one-off type thing than the start of a sustained period of title-challenging,.

“They’re a very good side, and Arteta has done a wonderful, patient job in instilling a mindset and a system. There’s much to admire about them. But they do seem to be playing at their limit this year. Things are going well for them. The whole squad have been performing well, and they haven’t been too bothered by injuries. I’m not sure how sustainable that is. It wouldn’t surprise me if they’re back in the 7th-3rd shake-up next season. But, as I said, I’ve been wrong before…”

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Published on January 22, 2023 10:55

Crystal Palace 0-0 Newcastle: Premier League – as it happened

Newcastle dominated another goalless draw with Crystal Palace, though they needed an outstanding save from Nick Pope to take a point

1 min Peep peep! Newcastle, wearing their Saudi Arabia third strip, kick off from right to left.

“Is it not an axiom of association football that Crystal Palace will always stay 12th?” says Vibhanshu Bisht. “Whenever I take a look at the middle of the table, they are always firmly ensconced in that spot. Even before, during and after the last game against Man United, they were never under threat of being moved from that position.”

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Published on January 21, 2023 11:33

Football transfer rumours: West Ham to move for Harry Maguire?

Today’s gossip hopes your wife really loves you, Creighton

The Continuing Adventures of Slabhead may be about to take an exciting new direction. According to various print and digital rags, David Moyes is keen to take Harry Maguire on loan to West Ham for the rest of the season. Until now Maguire has been unable to see the writing on the Old Trafford dressing-room wall, but he may change his mind if it’s only a loan move.

While Maguire has been reluctant to leave Old Trafford, Leandro Trossard has apparently had his fill of living in the Guardian’s spiritual home. Chelsea and Spurs are both keen on buying Trossard a one-way ticket from Brighton to London. They might even pay for his Uber at the other end too.

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Published on January 18, 2023 01:43

Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal: Premier League – as it happened

Arsenal moved eight points clear – and did the double over Spurs for the first time in nine years – with another impressive victory

Remember When (part 2)

A reminder of the return game in October, when Arsenal deservedly beat Spurs 3-1.

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Published on January 15, 2023 11:00

Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea: Women’s Super League – as it happened

Sam Kerr’s majestic 89th-minute header gave the leaders Chelsea a precious point in a game that was dominated by Arsenal

2 min Frida Maanum – who is playing much higher up the field than we expected – hits a speculative cross that is held by Musovic.

1 min Peep peep! After the players take a knee, Chelsea, kicking from left to right as we watch, get the game underway.

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Published on January 15, 2023 07:13

Everton 1-2 Southampton, Brighton 3-0 Liverpool: football clockwatch – as it happened

James Ward-Prowse scored twice to give Southampton a precious win, and Solly March did likewise as Brighton hammered Liverpool

And now there’s been a third goal…

There’s been a second goal at Old Trafford, and you’ll be thrilled to know it’s bathed in controversy.

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Published on January 14, 2023 09:09

Fulham 2-1 Chelsea: Premier League – as it happened

Joao Felix was given a straight red card on his debut before Carlos Vinicius’s header gave Fulham a famous victory over Chelsea

“Thanks for the concern; a strep infection which is being treated with heavy duty antibiotics, and yes, I’m much better,” says Richard Hirst. “On football matters,I look at the strength of Chelsea’s bench and I can’t help feel that sympathy for their injury ‘predicament’ is a bit over the top. Not the weakest bench I’ve ever seen.”

Well, they have just bought four players, which helps, but they are still missing some irreplaceables. I know it was only an hour at home to Bournemouth, but they looked a different team going forward when Reece James played. Very glad to hear you’re okay; strep sounds thoroughly unpleasant.

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Published on January 12, 2023 14:16

Football Daily | Total Football is dead, long live Total Woutball

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Any centre-half who played in England in the 1980s will tell you that the real meaning of hell is spending 90 minutes in the company of the journeyman striker Billy Whitehurst. A somewhat limited technician and unsentimental soul who was once described as looking like “Frankenstein’s monster”, by himself, Whitehurst has a case for being the most terrifying footballer ever to roam the green. Legend has it he once offered out the entire Crystal Palace team and kept himself busy away from football by partaking in bare-knuckle boxing.

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Published on January 12, 2023 09:14