Rob Smyth's Blog, page 93

March 27, 2021

Republic of Ireland v Luxembourg, Serbia v Portugal: World Cup qualifying – live!

Ireland were humiliated by Luxembourg on a desperate night in Dublin, while Cristiano Ronaldo had an injury-time winner wrongly ruled out

9.54pm GMT

That’s it for tonight’s blog. Paul Doyle’s match report has landed, so I’ll leave you with that. Thanks for your company - goodnight!

9.48pm GMT

One other bit of business tonight: Kieffer Moore scored the only goal as an under-strength Wales beat Mexico 1-0 in their friendly match.

9.44pm GMT

2008 - Coming into tonight Luxembourg had won just three of their 124 away matches in EURO/World Cup qualifiers (D10 L111) and were winless in their last 28 away qualifying matches (D6 L22) since a 2-1 win over Switzerland in September 2008. Alarming. pic.twitter.com/MrPTdAW9ta

9.41pm GMT

Serbia 2-2 Portugal There was all sorts of drama in injury-time in Belgrade. Cristiano Ronaldo scored what should have been the winner for Portugal - but the officials didn’t think the ball had crossed the line and VAR is not in use. Oh my. Apparently Ronaldo threw his armband down and walked straight off the field.

9.39pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-1 Luxembourg It’s the most desperate night for Ireland, though Luxembourg deserve credit for a very good performance. They were the more relaxed team from the first whistle, and it was clear very early in the game that it was going to be a difficult night for Ireland. They had no idea.

9.38pm GMT

Diogo Jota scores twice in the first half, but Serbia roared back after the break.

9.37pm GMT

A superb result for Malta - but it could have been even better, as they were 2-0 up at half time.

9.37pm GMT

Anyone for a chorus of Que Sera, Sera?

9.36pm GMT

Romelu Lukaku’s 59th goal for Belgium earns them a point in Prague.

9.33pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-1 Luxembourg Four minutes of added time.

9.33pm GMT

“Hardest thing to accept about tonight,” says Niall O’Keeffe, “is that we have not got a prayer of finishing first or second in our group. After 2 games in. This is the first time in over 40 years of following Ireland that we have been ‘eliminated’ so early. Decimated squad but Kenny can’t go on can he?”

I’d be loath to sack him after less than a year, even allowing for this result. But it won’t be a surprise if he goes.

9.30pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-1 Luxembourg Ireland will be savaged in the press, but I must say Luxembourg have been really impressive: neat, well organised and confident to the point of cockiness.

9.28pm GMT

Ireland are facing one of their greatest humiliations. Rodrigues picks up a loose ball 25 yards from goal, moves away from Cullen and rifles a superb snapshot into the far corner. Bazunu had no chance with that.

9.25pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg Ireland don’t really look like scoring. It’s been a desperate night for them.

9.20pm GMT

With just over ten minutes remaining, all four games are level.

Group A

9.13pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg A slightly arthritic overhead kick from Collins ripples the side netting. Moris had it covered but it was a good effort.

9.11pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg It gives me no pleasure to say this, but Ireland are hanging on for a draw at home to Luxembourg.

9.09pm GMT

The latest scores

Group A

9.07pm GMT

Here’s Ian Copestake again “To put that scoreline in even more context, Rob, Malta are 176th in the Fifa world ranking, which is two places below Barry Glendenning.”

9.07pm GMT

“Enjoying the sensational Malta story!” says Ian Copestake of a story that stopped being sensational about 15 minutes ago. “Is there a new found Brazilian connection there? Perhaps a Maltese Falcao!”

9.06pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg The teenager Gavin Bazunu makes another good save, this time from Vincent Thill. Ireland are really struggling here.

9.05pm GMT

Serbia have turned it round! Filip Kostic calmly finished off a sweeping counter-attack to bring his side level. That really was a brilliant team goal.

9.03pm GMT

The insatiable Romelu Lukaku has equalised for Belgium. That’s his 59th goal for his country, and he’s still only 27.

8.57pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg Browne misses a good chance for Ireland, heading Brady’s free-kick just wide of the far post. At first I thought it was a bad miss but on reflection the ball was slightly behind him.

8.55pm GMT

The Maltese dream is dying in Trnava. A right-wing corner was flicked on at the near post and headed emphatically into the net by Milan Skriniar.

8.53pm GMT

Goals galore! David Strelec has scored early in the second half to give Slovakia hope against Malta.

8.52pm GMT

Lukas Provod has put the Czech Republic ahead in Prague. It was a cracking goal, walloped past Courtois from long range.

8.51pm GMT

Your friend and mine, Alexsandar Mitrovic, has brought Serbia back into the match with a downward header from the substitute Nemanja Radonjic’s cross.

8.49pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg In fact Ireland are still playing with a back three. Alan Browne has moved to right wing-back.

8.47pm GMT

Peep peep! The second halves are under way. Ireland have made a half-time change: Robbie Brady is on for Matt Doherty, which suggests a switch to a back four.

8.41pm GMT

“Malta,” says Claude Camilleri. “For us here, a draw is a miracle; a draw abroad is a sensational miracle. Winning is unusual; winning away is ehm, unheard of.”

8.32pm GMT

Half-time reading

8.31pm GMT

Peep peep! It’s half time in the four evening games. Portugal and Malta are having a very good night; Ireland are at risk of humiliation.

Group A

8.28pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg Rodrigues, 30 yards out, spots Bazunu off his line and booms an up and under towards goal. Bazunu backpedals desperately and just manages to push the ball clear from under the crossbar. In the end it was a very good save.

8.25pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg Browne breaks into the area, taking Cullen’s cross in his stride, but his touch is slightly heavy and he runs the ball out of play under pressure from the keeper Moris.

8.22pm GMT

Diogo Jota gets his second. It was another accomplished header, flicked into the far corner from Cedric’s cross. Expertly done.

8.20pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg Ireland are really struggling to create chances. Anthony Moris made one terrific save, but apart from that he has had very little to do.

8.15pm GMT

The latest scores

Group A

8.14pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg Ireland’s tempo has been far too slow in the first half hour. If they’re not careful this could turn into a very difficult night.

8.10pm GMT

“What are the odds of Malta winning?” wonders Peter Oh. “I bet no one expected Slovakia to have Gambin problems today.”

8.09pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg Ireland certainly aren’t having this all their own way. Luxembourg look a confident, well-organised side; Ireland, understandably, look nervous.

8.08pm GMT

Slovakia 0-2 Malta To put this scoreline in context, Slovakia are 36th in the Fifa world rankings. Malta are 176th.

8.05pm GMT

Sensational stuff in Trnava! The teenager Alexander Satariano has put Malta 2-0 ahead with a majestic header from Ryan Camenzuli’s excellent cross.

8.04pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg A great chance for Ireland. Robinson beats his man on the left and hammers a superb low cross into the six-yard box. Collins slides it towards goal and Moris makes a brilliant reaction save with his legs.

8.02pm GMT

Newport’s Luke Gambin has put Malta ahead in Trnava with a beautiful long-range curler!

7.59pm GMT

The latest scores in the four evening games

Group A

7.57pm GMT

Portugal take an early lead in Belgrade. It was a simple goal, expertly created and finished. Bernardo Silva, on the right corner of the box, curled a deep cross towards Diogo Jota, who beat Marko Dmitrovic with a precise downward header. He is such an accomplished finisher.

7.53pm GMT

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg It’s been a confident start from Luxembourg in Dublin. Vincent Thill, in particular, looks like he fancies it, and himself.

7.52pm GMT

Czech Republic 0-0 Belgium It is hooning down in Prague. That’s all.

7.47pm GMT

Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg The young goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu gets a nice early touch, saving comfortably from Vincent Thill’s long-range shot.

7.44pm GMT

Peep peep! The four evening games are under way. Goals, please!

7.33pm GMT

Here’s a round up of the earlier games, including another brilliant win for Turkey.

7.02pm GMT

“Hoping for a draw between Czech Republic and Belgium,” says Matt Dony, “although I’m expecting a comfortable Belgium win. They’re probably on a mission, still smarting after conceding the greatest team goal in the history of international football...”

6.54pm GMT

Full time: Croatia 1-0 Cyprus Mario Pasalic’s 40th-minute goal settled matters in Rijeka.

6.54pm GMT

Full time: Norway 0-3 Turkey A sensational result for Turkey, who have now tonked their two main rivals in group G.

6.53pm GMT

Full time: Belarus 4-2 Estonia A fine win for Belarus, who came from behind twice and then ran away with the game in the last 10 minutes.

6.50pm GMT

Full time: Netherlands 2-0 Latvia Peep peep! A comfortable and much-needed win for the Netherlands. Steven Berghuis scored a beauty in the first half; Luuk de Jong applied his noggin for the second.

6.44pm GMT

Croatia 1-0 Cyprus Croatia, the runners up in 2018, still lead through Mario Pasalic’s first-half goal. But they haven’t made the best start to the qualification campaign: they lost in Slovenia on Wednesday and are now labouring to victory against Cyprus.

6.41pm GMT

GOAL! Belarus 4-2 Estonia (Lisakovich 83) Vitali Lisakovich gets his second!

6.40pm GMT

GOAL! Belarus 3-2 Estonia (Savitski 81) Pavel Savitski has put Belarus ahead for the first time in the game!

6.39pm GMT

Norway 0-3 Turkey It gets worse for Norway: the substitute Kristian Thorstvedt has been given a straight red card for a studs-up tackle.

6.34pm GMT

The latest scores

Group A

6.31pm GMT

The teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu makes his senior debut.

Republic of Ireland (3-5-2) Bazunu; Coleman, O’Shea, Clark; Doherty, Cullen, Knight, Browne, Stevens; Collins, Robinson.

6.29pm GMT

Czech Republic (4-1-4-1) Vaclik; Coufal, Celustka, Kudela, Boril; Holes; Provod, Soucek, Barak, Jankto; Krmencik.

Belgium (3-4-2-1) Courtois; Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen; Castagne, Tielemans,, Dendoncker, Chadli; De Bruyne, Mertens; Lukaku.

6.27pm GMT

The Netherlands have missed umpteen chances but they should be safe now. Luuk de Jong has scored the second with a thumping near-post header from a corner.

6.24pm GMT

Serbia (3-4-1-2) Dmitrovic; Milenkovic, S Mitrovic, Pavlovic; Lazovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Gudelj, Kostic; Tadic; Vlahovic, A Mitrovic.

Portugal (4-2-3-1) Lopes; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Fonte, Cedric; Sergio Oliveira, Danilo; B Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Jota; Ronaldo.

6.22pm GMT

GOAL! Belarus 2-2 Estonia (Kendysh 64)

6.18pm GMT

It gets better for Turkey! Ozan Tufan has scored his second of the game to put them 3-0 up in Malaga.

6.17pm GMT

Norway 0-2 Turkey The Turks have continued their spectacular start to the qualification campaign. They beat the Netherlands 4-2 on Wednesday, and now they lead 2-0 against Norway thanks to goals from Ozan Tufan and Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu.

6.16pm GMT

Netherlands 1-0 Latvia The home side lead through a cracking goal from Steven Berghuis in the 32nd minute.

4.17pm GMT

<Big Brother bloke> Day three, and the battle for places at Qatar 2022 is hottin’ up</Big Brother bloke>. Okay, that’s a big fat lie. It’s not even lukewarm yet, but some of today’s matches could look extremely significant when the qualification groups are completed in November. Serbia v Portugal is likely to have a bearing on who wins Group A; in the same group, Republic of Ireland desperately need to beat Luxembourg and end their 18-month winless run.

Those games kick off at 7.45pm, as does the intriguing match between the Czech Republic and Belgium in Group E. But there are some important games going on as we speak, so let’s proceed directly to a list of the latest scores:

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Published on March 27, 2021 14:48

Tottenham 0-3 Arsenal: Women's Super League – as it happened

A spectacular volley from Vivianne Miedema helped Arsenal to a crushing victory in the north London derby

5.23pm GMT

Peep peep! A crushing victory for Arsenal, who were dominant throughout and could have won by more. In the end they settled for three goals from Caitlin Foord, Vivianne Miedema and Katie McCabe. Miedema’s volley, from McCabe’s corner, was quite spectacular. Spurs worked hard and never let their heads drop, but they were sadly outclassed. Thanks for your company and emails, bye!

5.20pm GMT

90 min Three minutes of added time.

5.18pm GMT

88 min Roord, in the D, cracks a curling shot just wide.

5.16pm GMT

87 min A fourth substitution for Spurs: Lucy Quinn on, Kit Graham off.

5.16pm GMT

87 min At the other end, a header from the backpedalling Williams goes a few yards wide. Zinsberger had it covered.

5.15pm GMT

85 min A mishit cross from Nobbs drifts over Spencer and just wide of the far post. Nobbs could easily have had a hat-trick today.

5.10pm GMT

81 min Williams tees up Graham, who spanks miles wide from distance. But Spurs have been good in the last 10 minutes or so, probably the better team.

5.07pm GMT

77 min Zinsberger makes a brilliant triple save! Graham, Williams and Addison were all denied in the space of three or four seconds.

5.04pm GMT

75 min Arsenal substitution: Anna Patten replaces the excellent Maritz.

5.04pm GMT

74 min Spurs have been better since making those substitutions, although it might just be that Arsenal have declared at 3-0.

5.01pm GMT

72 min Miedema turns Morgan inside out on the left before floating a cross that is headed away by Worm (I think).

5.00pm GMT

71 min And another change for Spurs: So-hyun Cho replaces Josie Green.

5.00pm GMT

70 min A double change for Arsenal: Leonie Maier and Malin Gut replace Foord and McCabe.

4.57pm GMT

67 min Arsenal get in a bit of a mess at the back, with Wubben-Moy losing the ball in a dangerous area. It runs loose to Addison, whose long-range shot is kicked away unconvincingly by Zinsberger. I think that’s Spurs’ first shot on target.

4.53pm GMT

64 min A double substitution for Spurs: Rachel Williams and Angela Addison replace Ayane and Davison.

4.51pm GMT

Katie McCabe makes it three, and it was all her own work. She intercepted McManus’s loose pass towards Morgan, sprinted into the area and threaded the ball into the bottom corner. Nicely done.

4.48pm GMT

59 min Arsenal win a free-kick 25 yards from goal, slightly to the right of centre. McCabe curls it over the bar.

4.46pm GMT

57 min Zinsberger charges from her area to do some successful sweeper-keeping. Not that it mattered: Dean had been flagged offside.

4.46pm GMT

56 min Arsenal have had 21 shots to Spurs’ 2.

4.41pm GMT

51 min There’s a short break in play after a collision between Zinsberger and Dean. They seem fine.

4.39pm GMT

50 min The second half is following the same pattern as the first. Nobbs cuts the ball back sharply to Roord, who shoots straight at Spencer from 15 yards.

4.35pm GMT

46 min Peep peep! Spurs begin the second half, quite possibly on a wing and a prayer.

4.18pm GMT

Peep peep! A desperately one-sided half ends with Arsenal in complete control. Caitlin Foord and Vivianne Miedema scored terrific goals, and it would have been more had Becky Spencer not made two or three fine saves. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.

4.16pm GMT

44 min Miedema shoots wide from the edge of the area after combining with Maritz. Arsenal could easily be 5-0 ahead.

4.14pm GMT

41 min McCabe picks up a loose ball 25 yards from goal, holds off Graham and rifles an excellent low shot that drifts just wide of the far post.

4.13pm GMT

41 min After yet another attack down the Arsenal left, van de Donk sprays well wide from 25 yards.

4.12pm GMT

39 min It’s been a miserable 40 minutes for Spurs, who have been camped in their own half and would be in even more trouble but for the excellence of Becky Spencer.

4.07pm GMT

Her again. This is a brilliant goal from Vivianne Miedema. McCabe curled a left-wing corner towards the penalty spot, where Miedema got away from her marker and steered a superb left-footed volley into the roof of the net. Spencer got a hand on it but couldn’t keep it out.

4.06pm GMT

34 min Spencer makes another excellent save from Nobbs, who picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and thrashed a rising drive towards goal. Spencer leapt to tip it over the bar.

4.05pm GMT

33 min Yet another desperate block in the Spurs area, this time from Roord’s shot.

4.03pm GMT

31 min Nobbs shoots over from the edge of the area. This match is painfully one-sided.

4.02pm GMT

30 min Miedema tries to ruin Morgan, who does well to stay with her and concede a corner. When the corner is cleared, Foord is booked for a late tackle on Graham.

4.00pm GMT

28 min: Fine save from Spencer! Miedema collected a deep cross and played a short pass towards Nobbs on the edge of the area. She teased a first-time chip with her left foot, and Spencer leapt to her right to flap it round the post.

3.59pm GMT

27 min Miedema has another shot blocked. This is looking ominous for Spurs.

3.59pm GMT

Caitlin Foord gives Arsenal the lead with a lovely goal! She ran infield from the right, then stabbed a pass down the line to find Maritz on the overlap. Maritz played a sharp return pass to Foord, who drove a first-time shot through the legs of Zadorsky and into the net. Excellent stuff.

3.56pm GMT

23 min Dean wins Spurs’ first corner, but Worm overhits it and the ball runs out of play on the other side.

3.54pm GMT

22 min The resulting free-kick is headed wide by Wubben-Moy. She was under pressure and it wasn’t much of a chance.

3.53pm GMT

21 min McManus is booked for a foul on McCabe. She took the ball but her studs were showing, and the referee decided it was a reckless tackle.

3.52pm GMT

20 min McCabe’s free-kick from the right somewhow finds its way through to Miedema, lurking in space beyond the far post. She chests it down and tries an imaginative lob from a very tight angle. It loops over Spencer and drfts fractionally wide of the far post.

3.51pm GMT

19 min Arsenal have looked really dangerous down the left. Van de Donk receives the ball there, then zips infield past a couple of defenders and shoots straight at Spencer. It was a lovely run but a comfortable save for Spencer.

3.50pm GMT

18 min “Hi Rob,” says Redmond Grimes. “I’m watching from Canada - it’s a treat to see so many women’s games here. Arsenal are dominating, but Spurs would have an outlet if their passing was crisper. There is space at the back for them to exploit.”

That is true; there is a lot of space.

3.49pm GMT

17 min Miedema, who looks sharp, rifles a shot that hits Zadorsky and deflects into the side netting at the near post.

3.48pm GMT

16 min A promising break from Spurs. Graham breaks into space down the left, but her attempted pass is intercepted by Little on the edge of the area.

3.46pm GMT

14 min This is a pretty big pitch, and Arsenal are making Spurs work extremely hard by moving the ball constantly from side to side.

3.44pm GMT

11 min Miedema turns smartly in the area and drives a shot that takes a double deflection and bounces through to Spencer. Arsenal are well on top.

3.41pm GMT

9 min van de Donk misses a decent chance. Her volley from Roord’s left-wing cross was blocked, and her tame follow-up was easily saved by Spencer. The second chance was the better one.

3.39pm GMT

6 min McCabe wins the first corner of the game for Arsenal. She takes it herself and Walti heads clear. But Arsenal keep the ball alive until eventually, from a very tight angle, McCabe whistles a cross-shot just wide of the far post. Good effort. I think it was McCabe, though I’m not entirely certain. You’re most welcome.

3.35pm GMT

4 min Nothing to report so far. Arsenal have had most of the ball in the first few minutes.

3.33pm GMT

2 min “More than any man’s game, it’s a real shame that this is behind closed doors,” says Charles Antaki. “The projection of the women’s game by playing matches in the main stadia is invaluable.”

Hopefully this will be the latest big derby without a crowd.

3.32pm GMT

1 min Peep peep! Arsenal get the match under way, kicking from left to right.

3.29pm GMT

Right on cue, live pictures appear as the Arsenal players stroll onto the field. Soccer!

3.27pm GMT

We’re a couple of minutes away from kick off. The match is supposed to be live on the FA Player, but they are cutting it a bit fine.

3.23pm GMT

The return game between Spurs and Arsenal was all about Vivianne Miedema, who scored a hat-trick and became the WSL’s record goalscorer.

3.11pm GMT

The teams in (possible) formation

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2) Spencer; Morgan, McManus, Zadorsky, Worm; Davison, Green, Kennedy, Ayane; Dean, Graham.
Substitutes: Mikalsen, Harrop, Peplow, Williams, Cho, Addison, Naz, Quinn, Godfrey.

2.54pm GMT

Pre-match reading

2.35pm GMT

Today's team to face Arsenal... #THWFC: Spencer, Zadorsky ©, Green, Davison, Dean, Worm, Graham, Kennedy, McManus, Ayane, E.Morgan.

!#NorthLondonDerby ⚪ #COYS pic.twitter.com/xHcFH9QBGC

NORTH LONDON DERBY TEAM NEWS

@lottewubbenmoy starts
@JordanNobbs8 returns
@VivianneMiedema in attack #WeAreTheArsenal pic.twitter.com/QjxZoDDwGQ

2.27pm GMT

Manchester United beat West Ham 2-0 in their historic match at Old Trafford earlier today. That means they are six points clear of Arsenal having played two games more - but Arsenal have a vastly superior goal difference, which could be decisive. It’s quite conceivable that both teams will win all their remaining games and each finish on 50 points.

10.11am GMT

Hello. It’s a big day in the north of London: Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal, one of the great derbies in English football. Arsenal have been ruthless against the teams outside the top four, with nine wins and 41 goals in ten games. That includes a 6-1 tonking of Spurs in the return fixture, though it was much closer when the sides met in the League Cup in November: Spurs played their part in a compelling 2-2 draw before losing on penalties.

On the face of it, Arsenal’s need for points is greater - Spurs sit comfortably in eighth, despite a miserable recent run of form, whereas Arsenal are battling with Manchester United for a place in next season’s Champions League. But the Spurs coach Rehanne Skinner has big ambitions for her team; an historic win over Arsenal would be a significant rite of passage.

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Published on March 27, 2021 10:23

March 21, 2021

Leicester 3-1 Manchester United: FA Cup quarter-final – as it happened

The in-form Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice as Leicester outclassed and outsmarted United to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since 1982

7.15pm GMT

That’s it for tonight’s blog. I’ll leave you with David Hytner’s match report. Thanks for your company and emails, and congratulations to Leicester on a glorious performance. Night!

7.00pm GMT

Here’s the magnificent Youri Tielemans

“It was a really good team performance. Everyone worked together, everyone was positive. It was a very hard game and I think we did brilliantly. [On the goal] I just saw the space, ran into it and tried to keep the shot low. Then Kelechi killed the game on a set-piece. He’s a good character - he’s very shy but always happy. [His current form] is brilliant for him and the team also.”

6.59pm GMT

Apparently there were 28 passes before Tielemans’ goal, which makes it even better.

6.58pm GMT

Here’s Kelechi Iheanacho

“I feel great and the whole team are happy. We’ve really been waiting for this moment, to get into the FA Cup semi-final [for the first time since 1982]. We worked really well in training to get ready for this game tactically. I think we were fitter than them in the game and that helped us, and we passed the ball really well.

6.55pm GMT

A beaming James Maddison is down on the touchline, hugging his team-mates as they come off the field. It’s been the happiest of days for Leicester.

6.53pm GMT

More more more

6.52pm GMT

Peep peep! Leicester have reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 39 years, where they will play Southampton. Their performance was almost flawless, full of intelligence, purpose, dynamism and ruthlessness. Kelechi Iheanacho scored two and had a stormer, with the brilliant Youri Tielemans getting the other goal. There were also outstanding performances from Wilfred Ndidi, Wesley Fofana, Caglar Soyuncu and Brendan Rodgers. United were poor by their standards but many of their errors were forced by Leicester, who pulled off one of their most rousing victories since Rodgers took over. Honestly, they were wonderful.

6.50pm GMT

90+2 min Martial’s downward header is saved comfortably by Schmeichel.

6.48pm GMT

90 min Four added minutes. It’s not happening.

6.46pm GMT

88 min A sizzling, angry free-kick from Fernandes is tipped over smartly by Schmeichel.

6.45pm GMT

87 min The world being in the state it is, most of the post-match focus will be on United’s inadequacies. That’s not fair on Leicester. Even by their admirable standards of the last two seasons, they have been absolutely brilliant tonight. And Brendan Rodgers has won the tactical battle hands down.

6.43pm GMT

85 min On the plus side, at least United didn’t lose another semi-final.

6.42pm GMT

84 min Fred is replaced by Amad.

6.41pm GMT

82 min A change for Leicester: Hamza Choudhury replaces Jamie Vardy, who was a constant menace even though he is clearly out of form in front of goal.

6.39pm GMT

81 min “Just joined, somewhat late, and saw your post about John Beck,” says Richard Hirst. “Has there ever been such a big difference between player and manager: he was quite a footballing midfielder for Fulham, the complete antithesis of what he became as a manager.”

George Graham? I suppose Beck still wins.

6.38pm GMT

80 min The scoreline is a fair reflection of the game. It’s been a masterful performance from Leicester - and they are playing without three or four regulars.

6.37pm GMT

Leicester had a free-kick on the left wing. Albrighton swiung it deep, McTominay misjudged it and Iheanacho headed in from a few yards out. Henderson, scrambling across his goal, got hands on the ball but could only push it into the net.

6.36pm GMT

Leicester City are heading into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1982!

6.34pm GMT

76 min It’s all United now, though Leicester are well organised defensively and Kasper Schmeichel still hasn’t had much to do.

6.33pm GMT

75 min Evans is booked for a hopelessly late tackle on Fernandes.

6.33pm GMT

74 min If it stays like this, there will be plenty of talk about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to leave Shaw, Fernandes and McTominay on the bench. Maybe he really meant what he said about league position > trophies.

6.30pm GMT

73 min A Leicester change: Dennis Praet replaces Ayoze Perez.

6.30pm GMT

72 min McTominay is booked for bundling over Perez near the halfway line. I’m not sure it was a foul, but there you go.

6.28pm GMT

70 min Fernandes’s cross is headed behind by the stretching Evans. This is United’s best spell of the match. Fernandes’s corner is headed away by, yes, Ndidi.

6.28pm GMT

70 min Soyuncu’s awkward long pass is killed sweetly by Iheanacho, who then pokes it forward to leave Vardy one against one with Maguire. But this time Maguire keeps his legs closed and intercepts with authority.

6.26pm GMT

69 min Albrighton is booked for a foul on Shaw.

6.26pm GMT

69 min “Every time Castagne gets the ball,” says Gavin Herbert, “I’m reminded of this.”

6.25pm GMT

68 min This is now United’s best available XI, and they are dominating for the firest time since the early stages. Wan-Bissaka hammers a cross that hits Cavani in the chest/arm before he has time to react. Moments later, McTominay’s flicked header is comfortably saved by Schmeichel.

6.23pm GMT

65 min McTominay wins a corner for United. Fernandes curls it out, Maguire heads it across the area and Albrighton clears.

6.22pm GMT

64 min The quadruple substitution: Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and Edinson Cavani replace Matic, Telles, Pogba and van de Beek.

6.21pm GMT

64 min Telles overhits the free-kick and it drifts out of play. That’s his last touch of the game.

6.21pm GMT

63 min United are about to make a quadruple substitution.

6.20pm GMT

63 min Martial is fouled 30 yards from goal by Evans, who insists it was a dive. Replays suggest it probably was, but Andre Marriner has given the free-kick.

6.20pm GMT

62 min Perez runs at a backpedalling United defence but then sprays high and wide from 25 yards. This has been a scintillating performance from Leicester - and they are doing it without Harvey Barnes and James Maddison.

6.19pm GMT

61 min Lindelof does very well to beat Vardy to a near-post cross from Albrighton. It’s all Leicester at the moment, and I’m surprised we haven’t seen Bruno Fernandes. United have been completely outplayed.

6.18pm GMT

60 min Tielemans and Ndidi have been majestic today. So has Iheanacho, who took his goal expertly but has been a revelation in general play.

6.17pm GMT

58 min: Vardy misses a sitter! Leicester should be out of sight. Ndidi won the ball off Greenwood on the halfway line and found Iheanacho. He slid a pass down the inside-left channel to Vardy, who nutmegged Maguire deliciously to move through on goal but then shot wide of the near post from 10 yards. “Fucking shite!” he screams, and it was.

6.16pm GMT

57 min The corner is half cleared, and Greenwood goes on a mazy run before hitting a cross that is cleared by Soyuncu. Telles picks up the loose ball and hits a booming shot that flashes past the far post. Schmeichel seemed pretty relaxed, so maybe it wasn’t as close as it looked.

6.14pm GMT

57 min Telles’s free-kick is headed behind by Soyuncu.

6.14pm GMT

56 min Telles’s cross is handled by Albrighton, which means a free-kick to United on the left wing...

6.12pm GMT

54 min “This happened to Palace in 1990,” says Ant. “They’d lost 9-0 to Liverpool in the league but beat them 4-3 in the semi-final. Scenes!”

6.11pm GMT

That’s a lovely goal from an outstanding multi-purpose midfield player. He lost Matic by playing a one-two with Iheanacho, then ran away from Fred and rifled a low drive into the far corner from the edge of the area. The defending wasn’t great - Fred was unusually flat-footed and Lindelof backed off - but it was superbly taken by Tielemans.

6.09pm GMT

And now Youri Tielemans has scored!

6.09pm GMT

51 min Leicester have made a confident start to the second half. The midfield pair of Ndidi and Tielemans are bossing the game.

6.08pm GMT

49 min The match will be settled tonight, even if it means extra-time, penalties and a Royal Rumble. So long as they’re finished in time for Line of Duty, I don’t care who wins or how they do it.

6.06pm GMT

48 min Maguire lofts an absurd square ball across his own area and out for a throw-in. Ndidi receives the ball, surges into the area but then crosses too close to Henderson.

6.05pm GMT

47 min “Some discussion on BBC1 about whether Greenwood gave a shout for VDB to leave it,” says Tom Williams. “Looked like Greenwood was very much on his heels until Donny’s dummy™ so maybe one for best non-touch assists too? Just eager and delighted for anything good to be attributed to van de Beek.”

Yeah, I thought they underplayed van de Beek’s contribution. Whether there was a shout or not, it was a lovely bit of play.

6.03pm GMT

46 min Peep peep!

6.03pm GMT

On the BBC, Guy Mowbray makes an excellent point: whatever happens here, Southampton will be playing a team that has recently beaten them 9-0 in the semi-final. It’ll be a cracking story if they win.

6.00pm GMT

The draw for the final will be made after the semi-finals have been completed.

5.59pm GMT

It’s time for the semi-final draw...

5.58pm GMT

“I am a massive fan of Donny as you’ve heard me email in so much to MBMs,” says Ruth Purdue. “He is not Bruno and comparing him to Fernandes is not fair on either of them. He is an excellent passer of the ball and hardly ever gives it away. Donny is a cute touch and link-up player, similar to Mata. He can work in tight spaces easily. Today he has made forward runs and not been found, similar to other games.

“Bruno constantly gives it away sometimes embarrassingly and that lead up to goals (one being a Leicester goal) but his bravery, imagination, leadership and vision have dragged this team from the brink. They have two different styles.

5.55pm GMT

“van de Beek should get an assist for his non-assist,” says Justin Kavanagh. “Football is getting far too existential these days. Or is it?”

5.49pm GMT

“The best thing about Shevchenko’s transfer to Chelsea was the effect it had on Drogba,” says Phil Podolsky. “Never seen as clear an example of a player stepping up his game as Drogba in the 2006-07 season and it was a sight to behold.”

5.48pm GMT

FA Cup semi-final draw

These are the ball numbers, the hell you care.

5.47pm GMT

Peep peep! We’re no closer to finding out who will complete the semi-final line-up. Leicester were much the better team in the first half, playing very intelligently on the counter-attack, and took the lead when the in-form Kelechi Iheanacho punished a lamentable backpass from Fred. But United managed to stay in the game, just about, and equalised when Mason Greenwood scored after a fine dummy from Donny van de Beek.

5.44pm GMT

44 min: So close from Perez! That was beautiful play. He received a pass from Albrighton just outside the area, zig-zagged away from Matic and swept a shot that curled just wide of the far post. Henderson wouldn’t have saved it.

5.42pm GMT

43 min By the way, the draw for the semi-final will take place at half-time.

5.41pm GMT

42 min Leicester charge down the other end, and Albrighton’s excellent cross is headed behind by Lindelof. This is turning into a good game.

5.41pm GMT

41 min Greenwood picks up a loose ball on the edge of the area and lays it back to Pogba, whose tame shot rolls through to Schmeichel.

5.40pm GMT

39 min “I’m glad to see van de Beek getting another chance today (not that he’s done much with it so far),” says David Wall. “From his Ajax days he’s obviously a good player, and I always think it a shame when good players like that aren’t able to show their class when they move to the Premier League. I’m not a Chelsea fan but I felt that way about Shevchenko disappointing there (though I’m not saying van de Beek is on his level). It’s as though the entire league has missed out on something.”

I know what you mean. A small part of me never quite recovered from two years with Seba Veron. As for van de Beek, his confidence is through the floor, unsurprisingly. It’s all very strange. That was a touch of class for Greenwood’s goal, though, or rather a non-touch.

5.39pm GMT

Telles and Pogba combined well down the left, with Pogba dragging a low cross into the middle. Van de Beek dummied it beautifully at the near post, and Greenwood nipped in front of Castagne to ping a first-time shot into the net.

5.38pm GMT

Manchester United equalise out of nothing!

5.38pm GMT

38 min A decent cross from Telles is missed by the leaping Martial at the near post.

5.36pm GMT

36 min Pogba goes down holding his right foot after Fofana accidentally stands on it. He’s in pain but is going to continue.

5.34pm GMT

34 min Wan-Bissaka makes a vital interception to stop Iheanacho’s pass putting Vardy through on goal. Again it came from a mistake, with Lindelof wandering out of defence and then playing a poor pass towards Pogba.

5.34pm GMT

33 min Pogba is now back on the left, so it looks like that was just a temporary switch. United need to do something, though, because Leicester are teaching them a lesson.

5.33pm GMT

32 min Donny van de Beek has been sadly anonymous for United, and I suspect we’ll see Bruno Fernandes as early as half-time. Edinson Cavani is another option. For now, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has switched his attacking players, with Pogba moving to the right, Greenwood into the centre and Martial to the left.

5.31pm GMT

31 min Albrighton dummies to cross and instead squares the free-kick to Tielemans, whose first-time shot from 20 yards is blocked.

5.31pm GMT

30 min Maguire is booked for fouling Iheanacho just outside the area on the right. This has, so far, been a tactical masterclass from Brendan Rodgers, with selective pressing and rapier counter-attacks. Iheanacho and Vardy are pulling United’s centre-backs all over the place.

5.29pm GMT

29 min “Hello there, Rob!” says Adam Roberts. “Does Fred get an assist for that? The weight on the pass was perfect.”

Yep, and a pre-assist from Maguire.

5.28pm GMT

28 min Fred’s cross from the right is punched behind a little nervously by Schmeichel, who seemed worried that it might sneak in the far corner. Telles’s corner is headed well wide by Maguire. That was a slightly better chance than the first one; I think he saw the ball late though.

5.28pm GMT

27 min Although the goal came in farcical circumstances, that shouldn’t obscure an elegant, confident finish from Iheanacho. He took it beautifully.

5.26pm GMT

26 min I’ll say one thing and one thing only: John Beck’s Cambridge never conceded a goal like that.

5.25pm GMT

That was a mess from United’s point of view. They tried to play out from the back... with hilarious consequences. It started when Maguire playing a dangerous pass into Fred, who was facing his own goal in the D and had a Leicester player up his derriere. Fred tried to play the ball back to Henderson - but instead gave it straight to Iheanacho, who moved smoothly round Henderson to score.

5.24pm GMT

Kelechi Iheanacho scores after a howler from Fred!

5.22pm GMT

22 min Albrighton beats Telles and wins a corner off Maguire. Leicester are well on top at the moment.

5.21pm GMT

21 min Albrighton goes down holding his head after being hit by a flailing arm from Telles. It was clumsy rather than malicious, and life goes on.

5.19pm GMT

20 min I was going to say before the game that Leicester had the home disadvantage, as both these teams are better away from home. In fact, in the first 20 minutes United have been more like the home team, which is playing into Leicester’s hands.

5.18pm GMT

18 min Another half-chance for Vardy, whose low shot is well blocked by Maguire. The opportunity came after Fred was robbed by Perez 30 yards from goal.

5.18pm GMT

18 min United started well but Leicester have looked more dangerous in the last few minutes. Vardy has taken up some good positions between Wan-Bissaka and Lindelof.

5.17pm GMT

17 min Henderson makes a good save. Vardy broke into the area on the left and tried to pick out Iheanacho with a low cross. Maguire’s interception sent the ball back to Vardy, who swept a first-time shot towards the far corner with his right foot. Henderson got down to his left to push it away.

5.12pm GMT

13 min Telles’s deep corner is headed towards goal by the backpedalling Maguire, and Schmeichel makes a comfortable save. Maguire couldn’t get any power in the header.

5.12pm GMT

12 min Martial, who looks sharp, wins a corner on the right. Telles wanders across to take it...

5.07pm GMT

8 min United continue to dominate possession, with Pogba seeing a lot of the ball. Leicester won’t mind that too much, such is their counter-attacking threat.

5.06pm GMT

6 min In the modern game, Martial could easily have been booked for that tackle, as his studs were showing. Funny how things evolve: 20 years ago that would have been seen as a magnificent tackle. Either way, Martial’s tackle only registered 1.1 on the Sounessometer.

Just hand over the award, now ... #Souness #LFC #Rangers pic.twitter.com/9GmZk5ydRY

5.05pm GMT

5 min Leicester players are furious when Martial puts Tielemans up in the air. It was a very strong tackle; the only issue is whether it was dangerous. The referee didn’t think so.

5.04pm GMT

4 min Vardy scoots down the left and crosses dangerously towards Iheanacho, whose first-time shot is blocked by the sliding Telles. It wouldn’t have counted - Vardy was offside - but that was good defending from Telles.

5.02pm GMT

3 min United have started well, with some good one-touch passing.

5.00pm GMT

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

4.58pm GMT

The players are out on the field, all with their gameface on. Here we are now, entertain us.

4.41pm GMT

While we wait for this to start, there’s a spectacular match taking place at the London Stadium.

4.32pm GMT

4.27pm GMT

And the last time Leicester hosted Man Utd in a cup game, 25 years ago, Emile Heskey and Steve Claridge concocted a goal of astonishing brilliance. Don’t worry about reading the words - that’s so 2002 - but please scroll down to the video at the bottom of the article.

4.26pm GMT

The last time Leicester reached the FA Cup semi-final was in 1982, when they triumphed in one of the strangest quarter-finals ever played.

4.10pm GMT

Pre-match reading

4.03pm GMT

Brendan Rodgers has picked his strongest available team; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not. There are a few surprises in the Man Utd side - Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Alex Telles and Donny van de Beek all start, with Bruno Fernandes only on the bench. Marcus Rashford is not in the squad.

Leicester’s only change from last weekend 5-0 win over Sheffield United is at wing-back, with Marc Albrighton replacing the injured Ricardo Pereira.

3.19pm GMT

The schedulers have saved the best for last: Leicester v Manchester United is the tie of the round, a potential humdinger between two of the best teams in the country. Their last meeting was an excellent 2-2 draw on Boxing Day, and this feels like a game that could go the distance: extra-time, penalties, sudden death, the whole thing only just finishing in time for Line of Duty.

It’s not quite the A-list party it might have been, as both teams are without key players through injury: Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, James Justin, Ricardo Pereira, Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani are all likely to miss the game. But that means opportunities for players like Kelechi Iheanacho, who rammed a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend.

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Published on March 21, 2021 12:00

Celtic 1-1 Rangers: Scottish Premiership – as it happened

Alfredo Morelos’s first goal against Celtic maintained Rangers’ unbeaten run in a relatively subdued Old Firm derby

1.58pm GMT

That’s it for today’s blog. I’ll leave you with Ewan Murray’s match report from Celtic Park. Thanks for your company - bye!

1.53pm GMT

55 – After his club celebrated their 55th Scottish top-flight title earlier this month, Alfredo Morelos’ equaliser is his 55th league goal for Rangers and his very first against Celtic. Poetic. pic.twitter.com/dEwk8gNQky

1.51pm GMT

More more more

1.50pm GMT

Peeeeeeep peeeeeeep! Rangers stay unbeaten after a relatively quiet Old Firm derby. Celtic had more possession and clearer chances, but there wasn’t a huge amount in it. Mohamed Elyounoussi and Alfredo Morelos scored with first-half headers, and that’s all there is to say.

1.48pm GMT

92 min Barisic’s corner is headed over by the stopping Goldson. It was a tricky chance, one he might have been better trying to take on the volley.

1.47pm GMT

90 min Three minutes of added time. Rangers are the team pushing for a winner.

1.45pm GMT

88 min Two more Celtic substitutions: Leigh Griffiths and Ismaila Soro replace Brown and Edouard.

1.45pm GMT

88 min A corner for Rangers, who have found a second wind from somewhere. Barisic’s outswinger finds Goldson near the penalty spot; his looping header drifts just wide of the near post. Bain had it covered.

1.44pm GMT

87 min Rangers almost take the lead with a farcical goal! Welsh played the ball back to Bain, who hoofed his clearance straight at Welsh. The ball ricocheted towards goal, hit Roofe on the back and fell kindly for Bain. That could have gone anywhere.

1.42pm GMT

86 min Kenny’s dangerous low cross from the right is just missed the lunging Edouard at the far post.

1.41pm GMT

85 min A Celtic change: Tom Rogic replaces the impressive Mohamed Elyounoussi.

1.41pm GMT

84 min After a long spell of Rangers possession, probably their best of the half, Patterson swings a cross to the far post. Roofe’s downward header is blocked by Welsh and he can’t get to the rebound.

1.39pm GMT

82 min Laxalt’s cross is headed away to the edge of the area by Helander. Kenny runs onto it and crunches a half-volley that is comfortably saved by McGregor.

1.37pm GMT

81 min The match is threatening to peter out, with both teams - Rangers, certainly - reluctant to risk defeat in pursuit of victory.

1.35pm GMT

78 min And now a change for Celtic: James Forrest comes on for David Turnbull.

1.33pm GMT

77 min A double change for Rangers: Scott Wright and Kemar Roofe replace Joe Aribo and the goalscorer Alfredo Morelos, who growls at someone as he walks off.

1.32pm GMT

75 min Rangers are starting to look tired, which is understandable given the events of Thursday night. Celtic haven’t played for a fortnight, which is a big advantage.

1.29pm GMT

72 min Christie fires an excellent through ball towards Turnbull. He gallops into the area, with Davis tracking him all the way, and drives a low shot that is kicked behind by McGregor. The corner is headed onto the roof the net by Edouard, under a lot of pressure from Aribo.

1.26pm GMT

69 min Celtic are starting to pin Rangers back. They will feel that, on the balance of play, they deserve to end Rangers’ long unbeaten run. They’ll also know that deserve has nothing to do with it.

1.24pm GMT

67 min Barisic’s outswinger is headed away by Ajer.

1.23pm GMT

67 min A loose ball sits up nicely for Davis, 20 yards out. He cuts across a fierce strike that hits Elyounoussi and flies behind for a corner.

1.22pm GMT

66 min Laxalt is booked for introducing Morelos to the grass.

1.22pm GMT

65 min Another Rangers change: Scott Arfield replaces Ianis Hagi, who had a quiet game apart from one lovely pass to Kent in the first half. Arfield goes into midfield and Aribo moves to the right.

1.21pm GMT

64 min This is a good spell for Celtic, who win another corner when Christie’s shot is blocked by Goldson. Turnbull’s deep corner comes to nothing, with Ajer penalised for fouling someone.

1.19pm GMT

63 min Edouard cleverly slips Goldson, who recovers well to concede a corner. Turnbull’s corner bounces around the Rangers area and is cleared.

1.17pm GMT

61 min Morelos is booked for clattering Scott Brown.

1.15pm GMT

58 min The game is much more even than it was in the first half. McGregor’s flat cross from the left is headed onto the roof of the net by the backpedalling Elyounoussi; it wasn’t much of a chance.

1.12pm GMT

56 min Leon Balogun, who has had a tricky afternoon at right back, is replaced by Nathan Patterson.

1.11pm GMT

54 min Scott Brown is booked for... as if you need to know the details.

1.09pm GMT

52 min: Good save from McGregor! Edouard has a pop from distance, and McGregor springts to his right to push it away. He’s had a good game.

1.08pm GMT

51 min Balogun’s cross somehow finds its way through to Morelos, who miscontrols it at the far post. That was a really good chance, or it would have been had his first touch been better.

1.05pm GMT

49 min Laxalt’s long-range shot hits Davis and spins behind for a corner. Turnbull swings it out towards Welsh, who heads onto the roof of the net from 10 yards. That was half a chance.

1.04pm GMT

48 min “I’ve supported Rangers since I was born,” says Karl Parkyn. “Can I congratulate them on the league title?”

You sure can, though I don’t know whether they’ll be reading.

1.02pm GMT

46 min Peep peep! Rangers begin the second half.

12.58pm GMT

It’s the latest Mac Millings XI!

“In honour of today’s glorified training exercise,” writes Mac, “please allow me to present my all-time laid-back XI:

12.46pm GMT

Peep peep! It’s all square at half-time. Celtic were the better team, and took a deserved lead through a fine goal from Mohamed Elyounoussi. But that woke Rangers up and Alfredo Morelos brought them level with his first goal against Celtic.

12.45pm GMT

44 min: Good save from McGregor! Turnbull’s deep corner from the left is headed down by the unmarked Elyounoussi, and McGregor improvises to shovel it around the post.

12.43pm GMT

42 min: Great effort from Kent! Hagi flights a long pass towards Kent, on the left side of the area. He watches the ball over his shoulder and hits a blistering volley that is well saved by Bain, diving to his left. After a slow start, this is much more like it.

12.42pm GMT

41 min: Chance for Edouard! Celtic almost go ahead again. Ajer fies an angled pass into Edouard on the edge of the D. He lets it run to Elyounoussi, who guides a superb first-time pass back towards Edouard in the area. Helander comes across and Edouard hits a low shot that slithers through the legs of McGregor but doesn’t have enough power to go over the line. McGregor turns round and pounces on the ball.

12.40pm GMT

40 min That goal, it’s fair to say, was somewhat against the run of play. And I’m sure all connected with Rangers will give a solitary one about that.

12.39pm GMT

Rangers won a corner on the left. Barisic swung it out towards the near post, where Balogun leapt and strained his neck muscles to power a header across goal. It bounced up perfectly for Morelos, who headed it gleefully into the roof of the net from four yards.

12.38pm GMT

Alfredo Morelos gets his first Old Firm goal!

12.36pm GMT

36 min Willie Collum gives Morelos a brollocking over something or other. It’s still all Celtic.

12.32pm GMT

32 min Nothing comes of the corner.

12.32pm GMT

32 min Hagi’s low cross is put behind for a corner by Ajer.

12.31pm GMT

31 min In the last five minutes, it says here, Celtic have had 83 per cent of the possession.

12.31pm GMT

30 min Laxalt plays a crisp pass into the underlapping McGregor, whose low shot from a tight angle is kicked away by McGregor. Celtic are getting all kinds of joy down their left.

12.29pm GMT

29 min “Imagine growing up with Hagi as your dad and having a kickabout in the park with him!” weeps Ian Copestake.

12.29pm GMT

28 min I suspect Steven Gerrard will be taking advantage of the hairdryer facilities in the away dressing-room at half-time. Rangers look half asleep.

12.28pm GMT

27 min Edouard is booked for diving! I was sure it was a penalty at first glance, as Barisic lunged in, but Willie Collum disagreed. I think he was right, on reflection, though I’d like to see a few more replays. Edouard could have shot first time after running onto Elyounoussi’s backheel; instead he tried to go past Barisic and fell over.

12.27pm GMT

27 min McGregor’s snapshot is blocked by Kamara. This is a really good spell for Celtic.

12.26pm GMT

25 min “Other than David Turnbull, who looks like he could be a really good player for club and country (despite missing out in Steve Clarke’s latest squad), Celtic’s player recruitment has been pretty shocking this season,” says Simon McMahon. “A £5m goalkeeper who looks like he couldn’t catch a cold, a £5m pound striker who looks like he couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo, and Shane Duffy, whose defending this season wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Sunday morning pub league. Plus assorted loans and established stars who are either past their sell by date or look as if they’d rather be playing somewhere else. But apart from that, not bad.”

On the plus side, Stephen Welsh came through the ranks.

12.25pm GMT

That was a lovely goal. McGregor guided a good long pass down the left to Edouard, who ran from in to out and then clipped in a devastating first-time cross. Elyounoussi got away from Helander and thumped a diving header through the legs of McGregor.

12.23pm GMT

Celtic take the lead with their first shot on target!

12.23pm GMT

23 min A couple of Celtic players appeal for a penalty when Turnbull’s corner hits Helander. Willie Collum isn’t interested.

12.22pm GMT

22 min That was the first attempt on target in the match.

12.21pm GMT

21 min Kent dances cockily away from Brown and finds Barisic, whose outswinging cross is headed straight at Bain by Morelos. It was a difficult chance - 12 yards, moving away from goal - and he couldn’t get any power on it.

12.20pm GMT

21 min I’ll wake you up when something happens.

12.18pm GMT

18 min Edouard twists past a couple of defenders in the area before Davis (I think) comes across to clear.

12.18pm GMT

18 min I like the look of Stephen Welsh, Celtic’s young back. He’s calm, good on the ball and some other praise I can’t think of right now.

12.16pm GMT

16 min It’s been a pedestrian start to the game. I suspect all the nastiness of Thursday night has made both teams more self-conscious than usual. Give it half an hour.

12.13pm GMT

13 min Laxalt is fouled by Hagi, which gives Celtic a free-kick on the left wing. Turnbull’s cross is headed away as far as McGregor, who plays a deft one-two with Welsh and volleys over from 20 yards. It was a decent effort, though I doubt Allan McGregor’s pulse rate was affected.

12.10pm GMT

11 min Kent nicks the ball off Kenny mand moves into the area before being well tackled by Welsh.

12.09pm GMT

9 min The first dodgy tackle of the game is by Balogun on Laxalt. It was a misjudgement rather than anything malicious, and the referee Willie Collum keeps his yellow card in his pocket.

12.08pm GMT

9 min It’s like a training game at the moment. I’m sure that will change as the match develops, but for now it’s all very subdued.

12.06pm GMT

7 min “Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “Two teams with nothing to play for, so let’s hope football is the winner, eh?”

12.06pm GMT

6 min Rangers win a free-kick on the left, and make such a mess of it that I wish I hadn’t bothered starting this entry.

12.03pm GMT

3 min A quiet start to the game. Ryan Kent just did a nice Zidane-style roulette on the left; that’s about it.

12.01pm GMT

A touching moment at Parkhead as Celtic captain Scott Brown shows his support to Glen Kamara after the Rangers midfielder suffered alleged racist abuse on Thursday in the Europa League

Watch Celtic vs Rangers at home - live on Sky Sports now! pic.twitter.com/qVTZgQLdik

12.00pm GMT

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

12.00pm GMT

Both sets of players have decided not to take the knee before the game. Instead they all stand together, on the pitch and the touchline.

11.59am GMT

The players emerge from the tunnel on a lovely, sunny afternoon in Glasgow. Let’s get it on.

11.18am GMT

Pre-match reading

Just hand over the award, now ... #Souness #LFC #Rangers pic.twitter.com/9GmZk5ydRY

11.04am GMT

The Finland midfielder Glen Kamara, who was allegedly the subject of racist abuse by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela on Thursday night, starts for Rangers.

Celtic (4-2-3-1) Bain; Kenny, Welsh, Ajer, Laxalt; Brown, McGregor; Christie, Turnbull, Elyounoussi; Edouard.
Substitutes: Barkas, Duffy, Bitton, Taylor, Soro, Forrest, Rogic, Klimala, Griffiths.

10.46am GMT

Hello. Isn’t this a rare event: an Old Firm derby with nothing riding on it, not even bragging rights. Rangers own those for the foreseeable after their glorious march to the title, and it’s Celtic’s worst nightmare to host their title party today. But don’t think for a nanosecond that this is a dead rubber. It’s Celtic v Rangers, for flip’s sake, and there is one big thing to play for: our old double-edged friend, male pride.

Celtic have already said that they won’t be giving Rangers a guard of honour, which is fair enough given that Rangers didn’t line up for Celtic at Ibrox two years ago. And while it’s hard to know for sure whether Rangers will be more or less coiled because of their poisonous match against Slavia Prague on Thursday, a donnybrook or two wouldn’t come as a huge surprise. There was no ten in a row for Celtic, but there could well be ten involved in a row if this game kicks off in the traditional style.

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Published on March 21, 2021 06:58

March 20, 2021

Golden Goal: Steve Claridge for Leicester v Manchester United (1996) | Rob Smyth

The snobbery towards Martin O’Neill’s Leicester meant that this glorious team goal was criminally underappreciated

There are no Pepsi Challenges in football, and not only because Coca-Cola have hoovered® up most of the official soft-drink partnerships. You can’t do a blind test when the only useful sense is sight. Everything we watch – goals, assists, cock-ups, bad tackles – is judged through our knowledge and perception of those involved. He’s not that kind of player, is he?

At times, this is a good thing. When Gheorghe Hagi scores from the touchline, we’re more likely to appreciate it was deliberate than if [insert name of old-school right-back here] does the same. But at others it elicits a prejudice that is both unfair and, let’s be honest, a little pathetic.

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Published on March 20, 2021 01:07

March 18, 2021

Europa League: Man Utd and Arsenal through, Spurs and Rangers out – as it happened

Spurs were humiliated in Zagreb, Manchester United were poor but still beat Milan, and nine-man Rangers lost a bad-tempered game to Slavia Prague

10.26pm GMT

Steven Gerrard has successfully avoided BT Sport’s cameras, and with the end of their broadcast I too am going to check out. Here are all tonight’s match reports again. Bye!

10.19pm GMT

Steven Gerrard and Jindrich Trpisovsky are in conversation, each surrounded by a couple of aids, and obviously talking about whatever Ondrej Kudela said to Glen Kamara. It’s fair to say that it is not exactly a friendly chat.

10.15pm GMT

And Ewan Murray was at Ibrox to see Rangers’ elimination:

The comprehensive nature of this victory for Slavia Prague was more striking than the fact it happened at all. Rangers suffered a Europa League defeat over 90 minutes at the 13th time of asking; the playing of the closing stages with nine men rather endorsed an uncharacteristically dismal evening for Steven Gerrard and his team.

Gerrard will reflect on the first of those dismissals, issued for a crazy Kemar Roofe challenge, as a turning point in this tie. Nonetheless, Slavia always looked more competent and streetwise than the Scottish champions. Having swatted Leicester aside in the last 32, Slavia are rather enjoying these trips to British shores. They will watch the quarter-final draw with relish as Gerrard denies his players any opportunity to ponder what might have been. There is, after all, the small matter of an Old Firm game on Sunday.

10.13pm GMT

Jamie Jackson has filed his report on Manchester United’s victory in Milan:

Manchester United squeezed into the quarter-finals the hard way: coming to Milan and earning the victory required. In doing so, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men won their biggest game of the campaign, keeping alive the hope of European glory.

By the close United had survived – Shaw’s late intervention as Alexis Saelemaekers lurked was indicative of a nervy finish – with Paul Pogba the tie-winning hero, scoring the vital goal almost instantly after entering for the second half. Yet to reach the final they have to sharpen their act: United’s attack is not currently a prolific one and it may cost them when it truly counts.

10.12pm GMT

Luke Shaw thinks United were rubbish:

I’ll be honest, we weren’t good at all. Especially first half, we were awful. The first 10, 15 minutes, we started well, kept control of the ball, but it was like a switch, we turned off. We kept giving away the ball and inviting pressure on ourselves, and maybe we were lucky. The most important thing was the result and getting through to the next round, but we know we can play better than tonight. It’s a very good win. We’re through, we’ve got players coming back, the squad’s looking better than it did last night, so it’s good times now.

I’ve been out the fold for quite a while. I’ve always had ambitions to get back into the squad. I’ve done that, and I’m really looking forward to being there.

10.07pm GMT

Steven Davis is disappointed:

I don’t think there was a great difference between the teams. We probably didn’t test the goalkeeper enough, and then obviously the sending-off made it very difficult. If we’d have performed over the two legs the way we know we’re capable of we’d have gone through, so I’m disappointed. It was hard to get rhythm in the game, they seemed to go down very easily and it was a difficult night for the referee. It has been a positive run. The immediate emotion is one of disappointment but we’ve got a massive game on Sunday so we’ll look forward to that one.

9.59pm GMT

Quarter- and semi-final draw
Starts tomorrow, Friday 19 March, at 12pm GMT.

9.57pm GMT

Rangers 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-3) It was pretty emphatic, but also disappointingly bad-tempered at times. Happily Slavia’s goalkeeper, Ondrej Kolar, has returned to their bench with a few plasters slapped on his face, clearly not seriously injured.

9.56pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) It’s all over, and Manchester United are in the hat!

9.55pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) McTominay does some excellent work, carrying the ball to the right touchline, pushing it past Theo Hernandez and drawing the foul, eating up some precious seconds.

9.54pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) A booking for Luke Shaw and some good defending from the resulting free-kick, and United have a goal kick, about 90 seconds to play.

9.51pm GMT

Rangers 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-3) Seven minutes of stoppage time stand between Rangers and elimination.

9.51pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) They are into stoppage time in Milan, and there will be five long minutes of it!

9.50pm GMT

Rangers 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-3) While that’s all happening, Ondrej Kudela has leaned into Glen Kamara, covered his mouth with his hands and whispered something into his ear that has enraged him. No lip-reader is ever going to get the chance to decipher that, but sadly I fear we can imagine what it might have been.

9.48pm GMT

Rangers 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-3) Handbags! One of the Slavia players goes down, the ball is kicked into him by a Rangers player, bounces away, and is kicked back into him again, on neither occasion with any great force. The SLavia man stays down as if viciously assaulted, various players get upset about it, and Kudela and Goldson are both booked.

9.42pm GMT

Here’s Paul Doyle’s report on Tottenham’s humiliation in Zagreb:

Tottenham’s season is unravelling. A bitter inquest looms. Four days after flopping in the north London derby, José Mourinho’s team fell out of the Europa League in spectacular, humiliating fashion.

Their trip to Dinamo was supposed to be little more than a formality after their comfortable two-goal win in the first leg last week but Spurs produced an anaemic and disjointed display in perfect contrast to that of their hosts. Mislav Orsic’s extraordinary hat-trick crowned a famous win for the Croatian champions.

9.41pm GMT

Rangers 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-3) Rangers totally fluff an offside trap, quite an accomplishment given that they’re now basically playing with a back one, and it quite a challenge for him to not stay in a straight line, but Slavia can’t punish them.

9.38pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot has come on for Milan against United, and been booked. Milan have 12 minutes to find the goal they need to take this to extra time.

9.33pm GMT

Rangers 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-3) That is a fabulous free-kick from Nicolae Stanciu, who sends the ball way over the wall and then somehow dipping over McGregor’s despairing dive but under the bar!

9.32pm GMT

Rangers 0-1 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-2) Leon Balogun takes a heavy first touch, and takes out Masopust as he attempts to make amends. That’s a second yellow card, sir!

9.29pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) Lindelof makes a sliding block at the near post as Milan look for an equaliser. The home side loudly appeal for handball, but the referee waves play on and there’s been plenty of time for VAR to tell the referee that something was amiss if something was amiss.

9.26pm GMT

Rangers 0-1 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-2) Rangers still need a goal, and Nathan Patterson surges into the right side of the area before blasting over the bar.

9.24pm GMT

Rangers 0-1 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-2) Kolar has been taken off on a stretcher, and Matyas Vagner, the 18-year-old reserve keeper, has come on.

9.22pm GMT

A long ball from right to left finds Kemar Roofe running into the area. Ondřej Kolář comes out to try to claim it. Roofe jumps with his right foot raised to shoulder height, gets the ball, and keeps going into the Slavia keeper. His eyes were on the ball, his intention was surely to win it, but his boot continued into Kolar’s head, and the referee brings out his red card! Roofe was only on the pitch for six minutes!

9.14pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) Calhanoglu smashes the ball straight into Marry Maguire’s face from no distance at all.

9.12pm GMT

Elsewhere, Ajax are now 2-0 ahead at Young Boys, and lead 5-0 on aggregate. Young Boys just had the ball in the net, but VAR spoiled their fun by noticing an offside.

9.10pm GMT

Milan 0-1 Manchester United (agg: 1-2) Saelemaekers cuts in from the left and has a low shot that Henderson saves, and then Fred clears into Krunic and the ball deflects towards goal, but straight at Henderson and nowhere near hard enough to trouble him.

9.09pm GMT

He’s only scored within three minutes! James’s shot from the right leads to chaos. Pogba taps it back to Fred, who can’t get a shot away. The ball rolls to Fernandes, who is tackled by Kessie, and the ball rolls to Pogba, who feints, spies Donnarumma taking a fateful half-step to his left, and shoots in at the near post!

9.04pm GMT

Milan 0-0 Manchester United (agg: 1-1) Marcus Rashford is the player to make way at the break to make room for Pogba.

9.03pm GMT

The players are back out in the San Siro, and Paul Pogba is going to be coming on.

8.56pm GMT

It’s half-time in all the 8pm kick-offs. Krunic had an excellent chance for Milan just before the break, but sidefooted his volley wide. So the scores as they stand:

Milan 0-0 Manchester United (agg: 1-1)
Rangers 0-1 Slavia Prague (agg: 1-2)
Villarreal 2-0 Dynamo Kyiv (agg: 4-0)
Young Boys 0-1 Ajax (agg: 4-0)

8.54pm GMT

A bit more from Mourinho, who is told that Glenn Hoddle on BT Sport has had some harsh words for his team:

I don’t need Mr Hoddle’s words to feel hurt. I totally respect everything that somebody connected or not connected with the club says about us tonight. I think we have to accept it. The problem will be if some accept in a positive way, in feeling hurt by the critics. Another story is if you don’t hurt, you don’t care, you don’t read, and that is another problem. I don’t need external critics, because I feel extremely hurt.

On behalf of my team, even if some of them don’t share my feelings and my emotions, I can only apologise to Tottenham’s supporters, and I hope the players feel the same way I do. Until the last day of the season we have to try to do our best.

8.49pm GMT

More from Mourinho:

I’m disappointed at the difference in attitude between one team and another. I feel sorry that my team is the team that didn’t bring to the game, not just the basics of football I believe the basics of life, which is to respect our jobs and to give everything.

8.48pm GMT

Jose Mourinho lays into his players’ attitude here:

If I forget the last 10 minutes of extra time, where we did something to get a different result and to go through, in the 90 minutes and in the first half of extra time, there was one team that decided to leave everything on the pitch. They left everything there, sweat, energy, blood, at the end of the game they left even tears of happiness. Very humble, very committed, and I have to praise them. On the other side, my team - I repeat, my team, I am there - that didn’t look like it was playing an important match. And if for any one of them it’s not an important match, for me it is. And I believe that for every Tottenham fan at home, every match matters. Another attitude is needed.

To say that I feel sad is not enough, because what I feel goes much further than sadness. I just left Dinamo’s dressing room, where I went to praise the guys. I feel sorry that one team that is not my team won the game based on attitude. So I feel more than sad. That’s it. Football is not about players who think they have more quality than others. The basic of football is attitude, and they beat us on that.

8.44pm GMT

Milan 0-0 Manchester United (agg 1-1) Alexis Saelemaekers has a good low shot from the edge of the area, but Dean Henderson turns it behind.

8.39pm GMT

Gerard Moreno has scored his second goal of the night to put Villarreal 4-0 ahead on aggregate, and they will surely join Ajax in the next round.

8.37pm GMT

Orsic’s three finishes were so, so good. The second was a pretty straightforward chance, but he still stuck it in the top corner with a flourish. The third was a lovely run and finish, but cheapened by some genuinely dismal defending: Bale refusing to track back, Aurier deciding to attempt a backheel rabona tackle, and then Sissoko and Ndombele refusing to put in any kind of challenge. The first was just straightforward, no-quibble magnificent.

8.31pm GMT

“I can’t believe it’s really gone from getting knocked out in the Champions League final to getting knocked out by Dinamo Zagreb in the round of 16 of the Europa league,” writes Owen Dodd. “I think if we continue the form we are at in the league, it will be time for Mourinho to go.” This is certainly a grim result, the kind of defeat that will inevitably cause everything to be questioned.

DINAMO JE U ČETVRTFINALU @EuropaLeague ⚽️⚽️⚽️ GASI SVEEEEE

Dinamo - Tottenham 3:0 (3:2) #dinamozagreb #UEL pic.twitter.com/QciHWD45XB

8.28pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb have won this game of football by three goals to none, Spurs are out of Europe, and this night has been disastrous for Jose Mourinho and marvellous for Mislav Orsic, Zagreb’s hat-trick hero!

Our Europa League campaign comes to an end.

#GNKD 3-0 #THFC pic.twitter.com/H4b3pUOWVF

8.25pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) And one last chance for Spurs! A cross from the left falls to Kane beyond the far post, but he miscues his header and it’s cleared.

8.25pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) A chance to seal it! Ivanusec is played in, evades a desperate last-ditch lunging challenge and takes the ball wide of Lloris, but the keeper throws out a glove and pushes the ball away!

8.24pm GMT

Milan 0-0 Manchester United (agg 1-1) Daniel James runs into the penalty area before going down as Tomori challenges. He wants a penalty, but the referee doesn’t give him one.

8.23pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) Dier joins the attack for the last minute, clambers all over Stojanovic in his desperation to win a header, and Zagreb have a free-kick and an excellent timewasting opportunity.

8.22pm GMT

Ajax take a 4-0 aggregate lead over Young Boys, and surely that tie is now sewn up.

8.20pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) And a massive miss by Kane! Bergwijn goes down the left, loses the ball, refuses to give up on it, manages to get a toe on it and it hits Vinícius and bounces to Kane at the far post. The keeper scrambles across goal, and Kane needs only to hit it into the corner, but instead he blasts down the middle and it’s saved!

8.19pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) Chance for Spurs! Lo Celso picks out Bale with a lovely pass, but his shot is saved!

8.17pm GMT

Rangers have shipped an early goal, and Oladeji Olayinka has given Slavia an aggregate lead with a close-range header (I’m told).

8.15pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) Bergwijn speeds down the left with his fresh legs wirring busily, but Misic eventually challenges, and the ball takes a handy bounce off the Dutchman so at the end of it all it’s a goal kick.

8.13pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) The ball is at entirely the wrong end, so far as Spurs are concerned. Zagreb win a corner, and play it short.

8.11pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (agg: 3-2) Spurs bring Bergwijn on for Aurier, and prepare to throw everything they’ve got at the Croats for 13 minutes or so.

8.10pm GMT

They’ve only gone and done it! Mislav Orsic completes his hat-trick, and what a goal it is! He picks up the ball on halfway, runs down the left, cuts inside, between Sissoko and Ndombele, and from the edge of the area thumps it inside the near post!

8.05pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) The half-time whistle blows, with no goals in extra time and 15 minutes now standing between Spurs and penalties.

8.04pm GMT

Milan 0-0 Manchester United (agg 1-1) Kick off has happened in the San Siro.

8.03pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) Then Bale sends a low 25-yarder skimming only just wide, with Livakovic beaten!

8.02pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-2) Kane gets down the right for Spurs, but plays an uncharacteristically poor ball towards Bale that the Welshman can’t reach.

8.00pm GMT

Good evening everyone! United are on their way out in Milan, in their shouty black and white away kit. Stefano Pioli gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a very much not-socially-distanced pre-match hug.

7.57pm GMT

Simon is back from cricket duty, so I’ll hand over to him for the rest of the night’s action. Thanks for your company - bye!

7.56pm GMT

Extra time: Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) What a chance for Zagreb! Atiemwen opened them up with a lovely angled pass to Leovac, who couldn’t decide whether to cross or shoot and in the end did neither. I can’t believe he didn’t shoot, as he was 15 yards out and through on Lloris.

7.55pm GMT

Extra time: Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) Spurs have started extra time positively. There were a couple of substitutions I forgot to mention - Carlos Vinicius and Sergio Reguilon have come on for Ben Davies and Lucas Moura.

7.52pm GMT

Extra time: Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) I’d pay a lot of money to hear Harry Kane’s internal monologue in the last 15 minutes.

7.51pm GMT

“If we go out tonight but it means the end of Mourinho as Spurs manager, I am fine with it,” says James Maslen, waving his Zagreb scarf with feeling.

7.50pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) Peep peep! Extra time is under way in Zagreb.

7.47pm GMT

It was nervy at times, but Arsenal have made it through to the quarter-finals without serious alarm.

7.47pm GMT

Roma romp into the last eight.

7.45pm GMT

It’s going to extra time.

7.45pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) Spurs have been attacking with manic intent since Orsic’s second goal. Might have been an idea to try it from the first whistle.

7.44pm GMT

In their first season of European football, Granada have reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League!

7.43pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) Bale hoofs it well wide.

7.43pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) We’re into injury time, and Spurs have a free-kick 30 yards from goal...

7.41pm GMT

Arsenal 0-1 Olympiakos (agg: 3-2) Amid all the excitement in Zagreb, Arsenal have missed a couple of excellent chances in the last few minutes. It shouldn’t matter; Olympiakos are a man and effectively two goals down.

7.40pm GMT

Molde need two more in injury time.

7.40pm GMT

“Evening Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “After you reported Dinamo Zagreb’s second goal, for some reason Barry Davies saying ‘look at his face, just look at his face’ came to mind immediately. Can’t think why.”

7.38pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-2) Harry Kane comes so close to putting Spurs through! Bale crossed to the far post, where Kane’s close range header was partically blocked by the keeper Livakovic. It would still have dribbled into the net but for a goalline clearance from Theophile-Catherine!

7.37pm GMT

Arsenal 0-1 Olympiakos (agg: 3-2) Olympiakos are down to ten men: Ousseynou Ba has been given a second yellow card for punching the ball at the referee.

7.35pm GMT

There may be trouble ahead: Zagreb are level in the tie! Orsic, who scored the first, arrived late in the box to slam a low cross from the substitute Atiemwen into the net.

7.32pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Tottenham (agg: 1-2) It’s been a really uncomfortable night for Spurs, but if they can survive the last 10 minutes they will be in the last eight.

7.31pm GMT

Arsenal 0-1 Olympiakos (agg: 3-2) The substitute Odegaard misses an excellent chance, sidefooting over the bar from 15 yards. An Arsenal goal wouldn’t make a huge difference to Olympiakos’s task - if they don’t score two goals in the last 12 minutes, they are out.

7.28pm GMT

Shakhtar Donetsk needed four goals to go through. Now they need five. Borja Mayoral has scored his second goal of the net, dinking the ball arrogantly over a defender on the line after Carles Perez took the keeper out of the game.

7.27pm GMT

Granada are going through to the quarter-finals. Roberto Soldado, once of Spurs, flicks an accomplished header past Andreas Linde to give Granada a crucial away goal. Molde now need to score three times in the last 18 minutes.

7.24pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Tottenham (agg: 1-2) Livakovic makes a smart save, diving to his right to stop Lo Celso’s deflected shot.

7.23pm GMT

“Is it my imagination,” writes

Liam Gallagher
Edward Graves, “or since the Juve-Porto second leg, is every team defending a free kick near the box now laying a man on the ground behind the wall? It seems a questionable tactic, especially watching some of the loungers a bit reluctant to get up from their sojourn after the kick is taken.”

It was happening before the Porto game, though it’s probably more widespread now. I think it’s a sensible tactic, though I look forward to the day somebody actually falls asleep down there, especially if Roy Keane and Graeme Souness are in the studio.

7.20pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Tottenham (agg: 1-2) Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele replace Winks and Alli, who both look thoroughly cheesed off.

7.18pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Tottenham (agg: 1-2) Spurs are hanging on here. Petkovic lovingly tees up Jakic, who sprays well wide from 20 yards. That was another decent chance for Zagreb.

7.17pm GMT

“’Shakhtar Donetsk needed five goals to go through. Now they need four,’ says Ian Copestake, quoting an earlier entry. “Bobby lad, I like how you read the game.”

7.15pm GMT

Spurs have been asking for trouble and now they’ve got it. Mislav Orsic has given Zagreb the lead with a spectacular goal, curled extravagantly into the top corner from 20 yards. If they get another, the tie will be heading for extra-time.

7.13pm GMT

Shakhtar Donetsk needed five goals to go through. Now they need four.

7.12pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) Gareth Bale comes on for Erik Lamela. Spurs have done very little going forward, though that won’t matter unless they start shipping goals at the other end.

7.10pm GMT

The latest scores, with around 30 minutes to play

7.10pm GMT

Arsenal 0-1 Olympiakos (agg: 3-2) Mikel Arteta is taking no chances - he has brought on Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard for Elneny and Ceballos.

7.07pm GMT

Well now. El-Arabi has given Olympiakos the lead with a scruffy shot that deflected off Gabriel and beat Leno. Olympiakos still need two more because of the away goals rule. But at least they have a bit of hope.

7.05pm GMT

“No one cares when Bellerin last scored a goal, did an assist or contributed a win,” says Ian Copestake, “but it must be made known whether he is looking fabulous.”

7.04pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) A couple of early chances for Olympiakos. Fortounis tries to find a team-mate when he should have had a shot; then Holebas flicks a header right across the face of goal.

7.03pm GMT

This tie is definitely over. Borja Mayoral has put Roma ahead in Donetsk; they now lead 4-0 on aggregate.

7.02pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) Petkovic has a shot blocked by Dier after a fine move from Zagreb. This tie is far from over.

6.57pm GMT

Peep peep! We’re off again. Olympiakos have brought on Neil Mellor, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Andy Gray.

6.53pm GMT

“Olympiakos need three goals in the second half to progress?” considers Matt Dony. “Can they bring on Florent Sinama-Pongolle?”

6.51pm GMT

The fit again Zlatan Ibrahimovic starts on the bench for Milan, as does Paul Pogba for United. David de Gea is also among the United subs, with Dean Henderson starting in goal.

AC Milan (4-2-3-1) G Donnarumma; Kalulu, Tomori, Kjaer, Theo Hernandez; Kessie, Meite; Saelemakers, Hakan Calhanoglu, Krunic; Castillejo.
Substitutes: Tatarusanu, A Donnarumma, Bennacer, Dalot, Tonali, Ibrahimovic, Brahim Diaz, Tonin, Gabbia.

6.44pm GMT

Half-time pluggery

6.41pm GMT

Peep peep! It’s half-time in the four early games. Arsenal have been comfortable, Spurs less so, but both are on course for a quarter-final place.

6.39pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) Livakovic makes an excellent, point-blank save from Kane, who went clear after good play from Rabonaman and Lucas Moura.

6.37pm GMT

Rangers (4-3-3) McGregor; Patterson, Balogun, Goldson, Barisic; Arfield, Davis, Kamara; Aribo, Morelos, Kent.
Substitutes: McLaughlin, Ughelumba, Helander, Hagi, Itten, Zungu, Wright, Stewart, Roofe, King, Simpson.

Slavia Prague (3-5-2) Kolar; Kudela, Deli, Bonl; Bah, Stanciu, Hromada, Dorley, Sima; Olayinka, Provod.
Substitutes: Kovar, Vagner, Holes, Tecl, Kuchta, Masopust, Lingr, Visinsky.

6.30pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) Zagreb come fiendishly close to taking the lead. Majer broke into the area, played an inadvertent one-two with a Spurs defender and drove just wide of the near post. Spurs are looking a little jittery all of a sudden.

6.29pm GMT

The latest scores

6.25pm GMT

A goal! An own goal! A mildly farcical own goal! Jesus Vallejo has given Molde the lead in Norway, and suddenly there is life in that tie. Vallejo tried to turn a deflected cross behind for a corner, missed, and the ball hit his standing foot and dribbled into the net.

6.24pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) Aside from that one chance for El-Arabi, Arsenal have had the game under control. I suppose you can never write Arsenal off when it comes to farcical defeats, but I’ll be amazed if Olympiakos score the minimum of three goals that they need.

6.23pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) Theophile-Catherine makes an excellent block to deny Lamela, who was put through by Alli.

6.21pm GMT

Minutes played across all four games 108

Goals scored 0

6.19pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) Aubameyang misses a great chance, rifling a shot over the bar after another excellent through ball from Ceballos.

6.18pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) Zagreb are starting to look a bit more dangerous, though Hugo Lloris hasn’t had anything difficult to do. Yet.

6.16pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) At the other end, Leno makes a vital save from El-Arabi, who roared through on goal after a big hoof down the middle. Arsenal’s defending wasn’t great; Leno’s goalkeeping was.

6.15pm GMT

“As a (mostly) soccer-ignorant American, I at first refused to believe that Garth Crooks was a real name when I first heard it,” says Matt Burtz. “It was so similar to the country musician Garth Brooks that I figured it had to be made up. Similarly, I couldn’t believe there was a real presenter with the name Tim Lovejoy because of the Simpsons. Next you’re going to tell me there’s a footballer named Harry Winks...”

Garth Crooks isn’t just a name, it’s a concept.

6.14pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) Arsenal almost take the lead. Ceballos forces an excellent through pass to Pepe, who goes round the keeper on the right edge of the box and hits a shot that is deflected into the side netting.

6.11pm GMT

We’ve had an hour of play, across all four games, and precisely no goals. The Arsenal and Spurs game have been particularly uneventful.

6.07pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) It’s been a good start for Spurs, with no early chances for Zagreb. They won’t feel completely comfortable until they get an away goal, but it’s still going pretty well.

6.03pm GMT

The latest scores

6.03pm GMT

“Arsenal v Spurs in the final would be the end of all times,” says Michael. “Dream...”

I didn’t entirely understand your email, but I think I get the drift.

6.02pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) Both men are fine to continue.

6.02pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) Emile Smith Rowe has a shot that is blocked by Sokratis and ricochets straight into his coupon. Both players are still down, and Smith Rowe looks a bit groggy.

6.00pm GMT

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Tottenham (agg: 0-2) Nothing to report in the first few minutes. Spurs are wearing their yellow strip, which evokes the 1982 FA Cup final, and specifically this hilarious bit of efficient retribution from Garth Crooks.

5.56pm GMT

Arsenal 0-0 Olympiakos (agg: 3-1) Dani Ceballos is indeed playing as a No10, with Pepe on the right and Smith Rowe on the left.

5.55pm GMT

Peep peep! The four early matches are under way.

5.46pm GMT

“Hey Rob,” says Yash Gupta. “While I agree about Lamela being superhero Rabonaman, maybe polarising Rabonaman is what most people would agree on. After all what he did was just off the charts, Rabona and the Red. He had written himself in NLD’s craziest moments last sunday. About today’s lineup, I just hope things don’t get too tense and Kane doesn’t get overplayed.”

Polarising Rabonaman - isn’t that the great lost Charlie Kaufman movie?

5.22pm GMT

The draw for the quarter- and semi-finals will take place tomorrow. Imagine if Spurs and Arsenal get through and are drawn against each other.

5.09pm GMT

Some pre-match reading

4.48pm GMT

Jose Mourinho has made seven changes from the side that lost to Arsenal on Sunday, with Gareth Bale among those left out. Spurs are also without the suspended Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is suspended and the injured Son. Dele Alli starts, as does our new favourite superhero, Rabonaman.

Dinamo Zagreb (4-3-3) Livakovic, Ristovski, Lauritsen, Theophile-Catherine, Franjic; Majer, Jakic, Ademi; Ivanusec, Petkovic, Orsic.
Substitutes: Zagorac, Josipovic, Gavranovic, Cabraja, Kastrati, Leovac, Tolic, Burton, J Misic, Stojanovic, Peric, Atiemwen.

4.34pm GMT

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was left out of the north London derby on Sunday, returns for Arsenal. Bukayo Saka is out with a hamstring injury, so Nicolas Pepe starts.

It looks like Mikel Arteta has switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 - although really, if we’re being consistent, we should call it 4-3-2-1. It’s the pentagon shape, basically, with three central midfielders, two wide forwards and a striker. Either that or Dani Ceballos is playing as the No10 in a 4-2-3-1, in which case you can ignore this waffle. Might want to ignore it anyway.

3.44pm GMT

Hello, Rob here. Simon has been seconded to cricket, so I’m going to cover the early games. We’ll have team news for the Arsenal and Spurs matches shortly.

1.26pm GMT

Welcome! An evening of high drama lies ahead of us, though the really altitudinous stuff might have to wait a while – the two perfectly poised ties, the only two where one side does not lead by two or more goals after the first leg, are among the batch of fixtures being played late this evening.

Before then Arsenal, having dominated their game against Olympiakos in Greece, will hope to finish the job at home, while two Harry Kane strikes give Spurs a healthy advantage to take to Zagreb, whose coach Zoran Mamic has left since the first leg, his position having become untenable because he’s going to prison for fraud.

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Published on March 18, 2021 15:26

The Fiver | After decades of Premier League braggadocio, something has changed

Not content with every European country in the Covid death stakes, England is now teaching them how to play football, again. It’s impossible to convey how hard it is to admit this but, for the first time in The Fiver’s lifetime, England might actually have the strongest league in the world. Premier League also-rans Chelsea’s disturbingly easy victory over La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid reinforced the feeling that, after almost three decades of ludicrous braggadocio about the Premier League being the best in the world, something has changed.

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Published on March 18, 2021 09:14

March 14, 2021

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

The substitute Erik Lamela scored a glorious rabona but was then sent off as Arsenal came from behind to deservedly beat Spurs

9.40pm GMT

Barney Ronay.

9.40pm GMT

Mourinho reaction.

6.50pm GMT

That’s it for today’s blog, but you can discuss the game on David Hytner’s match report. Night!

6.37pm GMT

Here’s Alexandre Lacazette

“It’s an amazing feeling. We really wanted to win the derby for the fans. The last 10 minutes were really stressful - sometimes we have problems managing games when we are winning, even 11 against 10, and this is something we have to improve. But we won, and that’s really good for the rest of the season.

6.30pm GMT

One more game, and then you’re free to go.

6.25pm GMT

Arsenal were much the better team for all bar the last 10 minutes, when the prospect of victory almost became too much. Martin Odegaard and Alexandre Lacazette scored the goals, though the game belonged to Erik Lamela: he came on for the injured Son in the first half, gave Spurs the lead with a glorious rabona and was then sent off for being an eejit.

6.23pm GMT

Peep peep! Arsenal come from behind to deservedly win the North London derby!

6.22pm GMT

90+5 min ... and Kane spanks the free-kick over the bar.

6.22pm GMT

90+5 min This might be the last kick of the game...

6.21pm GMT

90+4 min Lucas Moura is fouled by Gabriel on the edge of the D, which means another chance for Kane.

6.20pm GMT

90+3 min Spurs continue to search desperately for an equaliser, but they are running out of time.

6.18pm GMT

90+1 min Five minutes of added time. Arsenal are a bag of nerves.

6.17pm GMT

90 min: KANE HITS THE POST! It was a marvellous free-kick, absolutely hammered towards the far corner. The ball beat Leno, hit the post and rebounded to Sanchez, whose snapshot was headed off the line by Gabriel!

6.16pm GMT

89 min It’s a long way to the left of centre, but I think Kane is going to shoot...

6.16pm GMT

88 min Arsenal have parked the bus. Kane is fouled 22 yards from goal by Partey, in line with the left corner of the area.

6.15pm GMT

88 min Another Arsenal change: Mohamed Elneny replaces the potential matchwinner Lacazette.

6.14pm GMT

87 min Moura’s corner is punched away by Leno. Not sure why he didn’t catch it, but it doesn’t matter now.

6.14pm GMT

86 min Lucas Moura teases a dipping cross towards Kane at the far post, forcing David Luiz to get back and concede a corner.

6.12pm GMT

84 min Mind you, Spurs were a goal and a man up in that famous game at White Hart Lane in March 2016, and that ended 2-2.

6.11pm GMT

83 min: Kane has a goal disallowed for offside! Lucas Moura swung the free-kick to the far post, where Kane steered a quite brilliant header into the far corner. But then the flag went up, and replays showed he was just offside.

6.10pm GMT

82 min Xhaka is booked for fouling Lucas Moura. Arsenal suddenly look a little twitchy, which is daft given they are a goal and a man up.

6.09pm GMT

81 min Lucas Moura’s inswinging corner flashes across the face of goal. The leaping Kane wasn’t too far away from that.

6.08pm GMT

80 min Whether it’s fair or not, Mourinho will get pelters for this performance. The early loss of Son was a big blow, even though his replacement gave them the lead, and we don’t know whether Harry Kane is fully fit.

6.05pm GMT

78 min An Arsenal change: the outstanding Emile Smith Rowe is replaced by Willian.

6.04pm GMT

Lamela has been cruising for a bruising all afternoon. His second yellow was for aggressively fending off Tierney with an arm to the neck. It was an easy decision for Michael Oliver.

6.03pm GMT

76 min It’s been quite a day for Erik Lamela: he came on as sub, scored a glorious rabona - and now he’s done one!

6.02pm GMT

74 min Arsenal have been miles better than Spurs today, and Mikel Arteta will be particularly pleased at the performances of his younger players.

6.01pm GMT

73 min “I do admire Mourinho’s one-man war on xG,” says Niall Mullen. “I am also glad he’s not doing it at my club.”

He’s going to win the 2021-22 Premier League with Spurs bottom of the xG table.

6.00pm GMT

72 min “I am glad a penalty is final given for a late foul,” says Ruth Purdue. “So many defenders are allowed a free hit on a attacker after they have had a shot.”

I can see both sides of this argument, and I’m sure Jose can too.

5.59pm GMT

71 min A bit better from Spurs. Hojbjerg flat cross is helped on by the head of Lamela, near the penalty spot, and saved comfortably by Leno.

5.58pm GMT

71 min “At the sight of José Mourinho just gesticulating in protest of the penalty, I suspect I joined the untold multitude of Arsenal fans making our own gestures at the screen,” says Charles Antaki. “Out of gallantry, I restricted myself to a polite but firm old-fashioned V sign.”

That’s not a V sign, Charles.

5.57pm GMT

70 min Kane wanders out to the right and curls a stunning cross that just evades the leaping Dele Alli on the six-yard line.

5.56pm GMT

69 min Lamela is booked for a lunge at Partey. He got the ball but was penalised for his follow through.

5.55pm GMT

67 min Hojbjerg, who is having a tougher second half, is given a final warning by Michael Oliver after fouling Odegaard.

5.54pm GMT

67 min What isn’t in doubt is that Arsenal thoroughly deserve their lead: they’ve had 13 shots to Spurs’ one.

5.53pm GMT

65 min I feel a bit sorry for Spurs, in that Lacazette had missed the chance before Sanchez made contact with him. That said, I suppose a foul is a foul is a foul, and I’m sure Jose Mourinho will agree in his post-match interview.

5.51pm GMT

Lacazette rolls the penalty into the bottom-right corner. Lloris went the wrong way.

5.51pm GMT

That was a strange incident. Pepe put Lacazette through on goal with a superb pass - but then the ball bounced up awkwardly and Lacazette shinned his shot in the comedy style. The ball flew off to the left, away from goal, but Sanchez was already committed to the challenge and he took Lacazette out. Sanchez is booked.

5.50pm GMT

PENALTY TO ARSENAL! Spurs think Sanchez got the ball as he challenged Lacazette. But he didn’t.

5.49pm GMT

62 min Spurs make their final change: Dele Alli replaces Tanguy Ndombele.

5.49pm GMT

61 min Partey shoots well wide from long range.

5.49pm GMT

61 min David Luiz dances into the area from the right - he was still up following a corner - but then can’t decide what to do and eventually his pass towards Pepe is intercepted.

5.47pm GMT

60 min Hojbjerg is lucky not to be booked for a deliberate block on Partey.

5.47pm GMT

59 min Emile Smith Rowe has had a fine game on the left for Arsenal. He’s such a classy player, whether running with the ball or playing one touch.

5.45pm GMT

58 min Spurs have rejigged their midfield, with Sissoko alongside Hojbjerg, Ndombele as the No10 and Lamela on the right.

5.45pm GMT

57 min A change for Spurs: Moussa Sissoko replaces Gareth Bale, who looks thoroughly unimpressed. He hasn’t had a good game.

5.43pm GMT

54 min Harry Kane was doubtful for this game, and it’s tempting to conclude that he’s not fully fit. But Spurs have had so little of the ball that it’s hard to say that with any certainty.

5.41pm GMT

54 min It’s been a quiet start to the second half. Arsenal are still dominating possession, though they haven’t really threatened since the break.

5.40pm GMT

53 min Now Bale and Lamela have swapped back.

5.38pm GMT

50 min Bale and Lamela have swapped places for the time being. Bale barely touched the ball on the right wing; now he beats a couple of players in the inside-left channel and lofts a cross that clears everyone in the middle.

5.37pm GMT

49 min Spurs have been rubbish going forward but some of their defensive players are having excellent games, Hojbjerg in particular.

5.34pm GMT

46 min Partey loses the ball to Hojbjerg and Spurs break dangerously. Eventually Reguilon’s pass towards Kane is intercepted by Odegaard.

5.33pm GMT

46 min Peep peep! Spurs begin the second half.

5.32pm GMT

Arsenal have made a half-time substitution: Nicolas Pepe on, Bukayo Saka off.

5.25pm GMT

“Not watching the game, instead spending my Sunday afternoon watching The Cure’s Hyde Park show from a few years ago,” says Matt Dony. “An ageing, famously grumpy genius, sticking with what always used to work, and showing a fair amount of disdain for his audience... Ah, I can’t even bring myself to finish this off. The truth is, I love Robert Smith and Jose Mourinho. And people who don’t are, frankly, wrong.”

5.18pm GMT

Half-time reading

5.17pm GMT

Peep peep! After a slow start, the game came to life when Erik Lamela gave Spurs the lead with a BLOODY RABONA. Martin Odegaard scored a deserved equaliser for Arsenal, who hit the woodwork twice and dominated possession throughout the first half. Spurs also lost Son with what looks like a hamstring injury.

5.15pm GMT

It was made by Tierney, who beat the struggling Doherty and fizzed a low cross towards Odegaard 15 yards from goal. His first-time shot was fairly tame but it took a deflection off Alderweireld and beat Lloris.

5.14pm GMT

A deserved equaliser for Arsenal!

5.11pm GMT

OH MY

Érik Lamela with the Rabona in the North London Derby...

Watch on Sky Sports PL
Follow #ARSTOT here: https://t.co/WiNr8izD6A
Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/TxRY09HJ6k

5.10pm GMT

40 min Reguilon is booked for a lunging tackle on Saka.

5.08pm GMT

37 min: Cedric hits the post! Arsenal have hit the woodwork twice now. Smith Rowe beat Doherty again and cut the ball back towards Lacazette at the near post. He dummied the ball, which looked inexplicable as he was six yards from goal, but then Cedric appeared from nowhere to thump a shot off the outside of the post. I’m almost certain Lacazette wasn’t dummying it for Cedric, not that it would have mattered had he scored.

5.06pm GMT

35 min Lamela has form for scoring with a rabona. Today’s was slightly different, struck all along the ground, but it had the same audacious brilliance.

5.05pm GMT

Bale drove a high, hanging cross to Reguilon on the far side of the box. He cushioned a volley into Lucas Moura, who squared the ball to Lamela. He was 12 yards from goal but Moura’s pace was slightly behind him - so he improvised a beautifully struck rabona that went through the legs of Partey and sneaked in the far corner.

5.03pm GMT

Erik Lamela kicks Arsenal where it hurts, scoring with a sensational rabona!

5.01pm GMT

31 min Lamela has a little kick at David Luiz off the ball. Apparently he did the same to Xhaka when they had their contretemps a moment ago.

5.00pm GMT

31 min It hasn’t been much of a game so far.

5.00pm GMT

30 min “The feed I’m watching just lingered for a few seconds on Aubameyang,” says Peter Oh. “I tried to read his reaction to being left on the bench, but it was evident he was masking his feelings.”

Honk!

4.59pm GMT

28 min Lamela and Xhaka exchange shoves over nothing. Mike Oliver tells them to stop acting the goat, and the game goes on.

4.58pm GMT

27 min “Afternoon Rob,” says Simon Frank. “May I just point out the commentator on my dodgy feed just described Ndombele ‘trying to ride the challenge of Odegaard, and failing in that regard’?”

You’ve got to love cringeworthy lines that have clearly been produced before the game. John Motson has some belters in his pomp.

4.56pm GMT

26 min Smith Rowe forces his way past Doherty, gets to the byline and cuts the ball back towards Lacazette, who slices a first-time shot across goal and out for a throw-in. That was a chance, albeit a sharp one.

4.55pm GMT

25 min I can’t remember Harry Kane touching the ball. It’s not a nice question to ask about such a legend, but you have to wonder whether Harry Kane has taken Harry Kane as far as he can.

4.54pm GMT

24 min It’s now being reported that, as we suspected, Aubameyang was left out because he was late today.

4.53pm GMT

24 min Partey sprays well wide from distance. Jose Mourinho would doubtless point out that, for all Arsenal’s dominance, Hugo Lloris’s gloves are clean.

4.52pm GMT

22 min Lamela has gone into the No10 position, since you asked, with Lucas Moura moving to the left.

4.51pm GMT

21 min Spurs have had more of the game in the last 10 minutes - their possession is up from 25 per cent to 30.

4.50pm GMT

20 min “The manager must have woken up on the wrong side of bed; no sane Gunner can make sense of his line-up today!” writes Dennis in Uganda. “How can he start rookie Smith with his lack of match fitness and leave out on-fire Pepe? Why self-destruct by playing Luiz and Gabriel together? Surely the composure of either Holding or Mari would have done us just fine. Xhaka has played many games and tends to have a rush of too much blood in crucial contests. He needed a rest and the playmaker Ceballos would have done well in his place. Mourinho must be licking his tongue looking at our lineup! Arsenal 0-3 Spurs. Thanks for letting me vent.”

4.50pm GMT

19 min Son is replaced by Erik Lamela. That’s bad news for Spurs, as you’d expect him to be out for a few weeks. The Carabao Cup final is on 25 April.

4.48pm GMT

18 min “Surely the main debating point in this derby clash is which minute Kane will score his first goal,” says Duncan Edwards. “The 35th looks good to me, as do the 49th and 53rd.”

4.47pm GMT

17 min A big blow for Spurs: it looks like Son has pulled his hamstring.

4.46pm GMT

16 min: Smith Rowe hits the bar! What a gorgeous effort from a fine young player. He was found in a bit of space, 25 yards from goal, and rolled his studs over the ball before smacking a fierce shot across goal. It whistled past the flying Lloris and clattered off the bar.

4.45pm GMT

14 min Lloris comes out of hias area to intercept a through ball, then gets in a bit of a tangle and has to tackle Odegaard 40 yards from goal. Happily for him, the ball doesn’t run straight to an Arsenal player, and Lloris is back in his goal by the time Xhaka shoots over from distance.

4.41pm GMT

12 min Possession so far: Arsenal 75-25 Spurs.

4.41pm GMT

10 min Thomas Partey fires a superb pass into Saka, who tries to drag the ball away from the last man Alderweireld on the edge of the area. He stumbles in doing so and that gives Alderweireld ample time to clear.

4.38pm GMT

8 min Spurs enjoy their first spell of possession. Eventually Bale flicks a cross with the outside of the foot that is claimed by Leno.

4.35pm GMT

5 min Lacazette has a long-range shot blocked by Ndombele, and then Tierney belts a low cross that flashes across the area.

4.34pm GMT

4 min Odegaard’s free-kick is headed away by Sanchez, who also uses his noggin to clear David Luiz’s follow-up cross.

4.33pm GMT

3 min Lots of early possession for Arsenal, albeit in front of the Spurs defence. Lacazette nutmegs Sanchez 30 yards from goal and is fouled.

4.30pm GMT

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

4.26pm GMT

“A mystery,” says Charles Antaki. “Is this a masterstroke of kindly pre-game misdirection action by Arteta - making sure that any loss to Spurs will be blamed on the absence of Aubameyang, so shifting attention from the usual hapless suspects?”

4.18pm GMT

“Interesting match,” says Jason Graff, “between a manager who will never be loved no matter his successes and another of whom you could say the opposite.”

4.14pm GMT

Here’s Jose Mourinho

“I don’t think form matters with the emotion of a derby. It is a positive moment for both sides, so let’s hope for a good game. Without fans, maybe you don’t feel the rivalry as deeply. I believe we just have to look at the table – we look up, they are doing the same, I don’t think they are looking down.

4.11pm GMT

4.02pm GMT

Pre-match reading

3.55pm GMT

That would explain it department

Mikel Arteta confirms Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dropped for the NLD due to disciplinary issuespic.twitter.com/zsW92QhKUi

3.34pm GMT

Harry Kane is fit to start, but Arsenal have left Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the bench.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Leno; Cedric, David Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette.
Substitutes: Ryan, Bellerin, Holding, Chambers, Ceballos, Elneny, Willian, Aubameyang, Pepe.

3.06pm GMT

Hello. Jose Mourinho was hired by Spurs to win trophies – actual ones, that need a bit of soapy water and Brasso from time to time. But just for today, a metaphorical trophy would do nicely. If Spurs win at the Emirates this afternoon they will complete a league double over Arsenal for the first time since 1992-93, and lift the imaginary North London Bragging Rights Cup. It would also increase their chances of winning another metaphorical trophy by finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League.

Mourinho, who has won both North London derbies since taking over, set the mood with some fruity pre-match comments. Spurs are in good form and he clearly fancies their chances. But the same is true of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.

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Published on March 14, 2021 11:37

Southampton 1-2 Brighton: Premier League – as it happened

Leandro Trossard’s superb goal gave Brighton an excellent, well-deserved victory over struggling Southampton

2.10pm GMT

1.57pm GMT

Still want more?

1.57pm GMT

Here’s Lewis Dunk

“It feels really good. That was a proper performance - the first half was even, though we were disappointed with the goal we conceded, but we were excellent in the second half and the winning goal showed how good we can be.”

1.53pm GMT

That was an excellent and deserved win for Brighton, who dominated the game in the second half after Graham Potter switched to a back three. Their geriatricos, Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana, were terrific, while Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard scored fine goals.

1.52pm GMT

Peep peep! Brighton get some just deserts!

1.51pm GMT

90+2 min Southampton appeal even more desperately for a penalty when Walker-Peters goes over in the area. Stuart Attwell says no, as does VAR. Replays show that Veltman got the ball.

1.50pm GMT

90+1 min Ward-Prowse’s corner is headed away by Dunk. The ball goes back to Walker-Peters, who clips a brilliant straight pass over the outrushing defence to find Ward-Prowse. He stretches to volley the ball across goal and Brighton clear desperately.

1.49pm GMT

90+1 min Walker-Peters’ cross is put behind for a corner by Veltman...

1.48pm GMT

90 min Three minutes of added time. Brighton have started lumping the ball anywhere, which I suppose is understandable given their recent results.

1.46pm GMT

88 min Southampton cannot generate any attacking momentum. If they do equalise, it will be yet another hard-luck story for Brighton.

1.45pm GMT

86 min Southampton make their final change, with Dan N’Lundulu coming on for Stuart Armstrong.

1.43pm GMT

85 min Zeqiri plays a good ball to the underlapping Trossard, whose cutback is put behind by Vestergaard. That’s Trossard’s last contribution: he is replaced by Jakub Moder.

1.41pm GMT

83 min Southampton are struggling to create openings, never mind chances. They were good in the first half but have really struggled since the break.

1.38pm GMT

80 min Brighton have been much the better team in the second half. They are such a likeable side, and it’s hard to fathom that they are in relegation battle.

1.36pm GMT

78 min Zeqiri finds some space in a congested penalty area before screwing a shot from a tight angle that is pushed behind by Forster.

1.35pm GMT

77 min Another change for Brighton. Davy Propper replaces Danny Welbeck, who had an excellent game and made the second goal.

1.33pm GMT

75 min Welbeck plays a good pass to Maupay, who wheezes into the area before being dispossessed by the last man Vestergaard.

1.32pm GMT

74 min “How can a referee play and advantage which ends with a shot on goal and a good save by the goalkeeper, then rescind the ‘advantage’ to go back and allow a free kick?” says Peter Littley. “Surely having played on, taken a shot and having it saved has exhausted the advantage.”

I think the laws talk about ‘anticipated advantage’, which presumably means a goal rather than a shot at goal. I know what you mean though.

1.30pm GMT

72 min Brighton look pretty comfortable at the moment, though given their recent woes I’m not sure whether that’s a good or bad thing.

1.28pm GMT

70 min Gross tries a surprise low shot which takes a deflection off the wall and dribbles through to Forster.

1.27pm GMT

69 min Welbeck is fouled near the left corner of the area. Gross will take the free-kick...

1.26pm GMT

68 min Another change for Southampton: Moussa Djenepo replaces Nathan Tella.

1.25pm GMT

66 min Southampton have switched to a 4-3-3, with Redmond on the left, Tella on the right and Armstrong moving into the middle.

1.23pm GMT

65 min A change for Southampton: Nathan Redmond replaces Takumi Minamino.

1.21pm GMT

63 min Zeqiri surprises everyone with a vicious cross-shot that flashes just wide of the far post. Forster had it covered but it was an excellent strike.

1.19pm GMT

61 min Ward-Prowse’s free-kick hits the wall and deflects behind for a corner.

1.18pm GMT

60 min: Chance for Southampton! The marauding Tella is fouled this far outside the area. Stuart Attwell plays an excellent advantage, which allows Adams to veer away from Dunk and hit a shot that is excellently saved by Sanchez. Play is then brought back for the foul.

1.15pm GMT

That was lovely football. Lallana played a sharp angled pass into Welbeck, who opened his body to steer a delightful first-time pass that put Trossard through on goal. He took the ball in his stride and rammed it high into the net from 12 yards. Great goal.

1.14pm GMT

Brighton take the lead with an outstanding team goal!

1.12pm GMT

53 min Bertrand’s cross is cleared to the edge of the area, where Ward-Prowse controls the ball and hits a crisp shot that is comfortably saved to his right by Sanchez.

1.09pm GMT

51 min “Liverpool have gone for a Minamino-less approach to attacking,” says Niall Mullen, “and a minimalist approach to defending.”

1.07pm GMT

49 min A quiet start to the second half. You’re welcome.

1.05pm GMT

47 min It looks like Brighton have gone to a back three, with Gross and Zeqiri as wing-backs. Trossard is now playing just behind the front two.

1.04pm GMT

46 min Peep peep! Southampton begin the second half. Brighton have made a half-time change, with Dan Burn replaced by Andi Zeqiri.

12.58pm GMT

“Re: Rick Harris’ comment on Welbeck, I reckon Brighton needs quantity, not quality of goals,” says Admir Pajic. “Had they had Ings in their team they would have fought West Ham for a European position this season. If they survive this season and don’t address the goalscoring issue in the summer, their next season might be the Sheffield United hell of a season.”

12.49pm GMT

Peep peep! That was a really enjoyable first half, with two excellent goals. Lewis Dunk’s superb header put Brighton ahead; Che Adams spanking volley to bring Southampton level.

12.47pm GMT

45+1 min Trossard hits a smart volley from the edge of the area that is comfortably saved by Forster, falling to his left.

12.46pm GMT

45 min Two minutes of added time.

12.44pm GMT

42 min: Good save from Forster! That was an excellent chance for Brighton. They moved the ball really nicely, with Burn galloping infield from the left and finding Gross in space in the area. He slipped slightly as he hit a low shot that was saved by the legs of Forster. Gross will probably think he should have done better.

12.42pm GMT

40 min “I think it’s really good that Minamino is playing well and getting involved in goals for Southampton,” writes Liverpool fan Matt Dony. “Very nice indeed. I’m really happy about it. Over the moon for him. Not at all frustrated. Not a single part of me that thinks he might have made a small difference and offered something different over the last couple of months. Excellent.”

12.39pm GMT

38 min Ward-Prowse’s wicked free-kick from the left hits Dunk at the near post and ricochets through to Sanchez. That could have gone anywhere.

12.38pm GMT

36 min Brighton have had a bit of success with longer passes today, and Welbeck almost gets through on goal from another. The ball skimmed off his head and through to Forster.

12.35pm GMT

33 min Maupay is fouled 30 yards from goal by Bednarek. Gross curls a dangerous free-kick in between defenders and goalkeeper, but it is fractionally overhit and runs out of play for a goalkick.

12.30pm GMT

29 min Minamino plays a one-two with Diallo and hits a low shot from the edge of the area that is comfortably saved by Sanchez.

12.29pm GMT

27 min The leaping Lewis Dunk got a touch on Bertrand’s header across goal - but he could only help it on towards Adams, and he finished emphatically. Dunk was at full stretch so there wasn’t much more he could do.

12.28pm GMT

Ward-Prowse’s corner is headed away as far as Minamino, whose stinging half-volley is blocked. Southampton keep the ball alive, with Armstrong swinging a cross towards the far post. Bertrand heads it back across goal towards Adams, who hammers a volley past Sanchez from eight yards.

12.26pm GMT

26 min This is a good spell for Southampton, and Armstrong wins another corner.

12.24pm GMT

24 min Minamino’s long-range shot is blocked by his teammate Adams.

12.23pm GMT

22 min Southampton win a corner on the left. Ward-Prowse’s delivery is unusually poor, straight into the arms of Sanchez.

12.22pm GMT

21 min Armstrong’s long-range shot is blocked by Lallana. Both teams are playing some bright, purposeful football.

12.18pm GMT

17 min Fraser Forster reacted a little late, as if unsighted, but it really was superb use of the noggin by Dunk. I have no idea how he generated so much power in the header.

12.17pm GMT

Brighton take the lead from the resulting corner! Gross curls it out towards the penalty spot, where Dunk gets in front of Bertrand and powers a terrific header into the bottom corner.

12.17pm GMT

16 min That’s more like it from Brighton. Welbeck’s clever backflick finds Maupay 20 yards from goal, and he cracks a rising drive that is clawed away by the leaping Forster.

12.15pm GMT

15 min Southampton have been the better team so far, though there isn’t a huge amount in it.

12.13pm GMT

13 min Sanchez charges from his area to beat Minamino to a through ball. Good goalkeeping.

12.11pm GMT

10 min “Huge game for Brighton today after Fulham’s recent charge was predictably stopped dead in its tracks by the imminent PL champions,” says Rick Harris. “Good to see Welbeck starting as he has a knack of scoring important goals.”

Agreed. If Brighton don’t win today or next Saturday (Newcastle at home), I fear for them. They have a pretty tough run-in.

12.08pm GMT

8 min Walker-Peters’ cross deflects towards Armstrong, who sidefoots straight at Sanchez from 15 yards. That was a chance, and an unusually tame finish from Armstrong.

12.06pm GMT

5 min Trossard has two shots blocked in quick succession. A goal wouldn’t have counted as Maupray was fractionally offside in the build up, but Brighton worked the ball really nicely to create the chance.

12.04pm GMT

4 min There was a suggestion that Brighton would play a diamond but it looks more like a standard 4-4-2, or maybe 4-1-3-2 with Bissouma slightly deeper. I love tactics, me.

12.04pm GMT

3 min “I can confirm it is chilly,” writes Ben Fisher, our man at St Mary’s.

12.02pm GMT

2 min An early half chance for Adams, who heads Bertrand’s cross wide of the near post. He was backpedalling and couldn’t get any power on the ball, never mind direction.

12.01pm GMT

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

11.59am GMT

The players are out on the field. It’s a chilly day on the south coast, or maybe it just looks that way on the TV because my hands are freezing.

11.55am GMT

On Southampton, am I the only one who thought Alex McCarthy got the ball when he tackled Phil Foden on Wednesday? It should still have been a penalty because of his follow through, but I’m pretty sure he got a very slight touch on the ball.

11.39am GMT

“As a losing team, looking at your xG is the sorry equivalent of looking down the order in a futile run chase and saying ‘if they could all just bat their averages...’,” says Niall Mullen. “In the words of both Clint Eastwood and Felicia ‘Snoop’ Pearson, deserve got nothing to do with it.”

You’re just angry because Liverpool didn’t really win the league last season.

11.29am GMT

Pre-match reading

This is a typically classy, perceptive piece from Paul Doyle on where it all went wrong for Chris Wilder at Sheffield United.

11.05am GMT

Southampton (4-4-2) Forster; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Armstrong, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Minamino; Adams, Tella.
Substitutes: McCarthy, Stephens, Salisu, Ramsay, Redmond, Djenepo, Ferry, Watts, N’Lundulu.

Brighton (4-1-3-2) Sanchez; Veltman, White, Dunk, Burn; Bissouma; Gross, Lallana, Trossard; Welbeck, Maupay.
Substitutes: Steele, Moder, Mac Allister, Alzate, Propper, Jahanbakhsh, Izquierdo, Tau, Zeqiri.

10.27am GMT

Hello and welcome to the latest instalment of Brighton’s quest for just deserts. They have been comically unlucky this season, ever since Leandro Trossard hit the woodwork 47 times against Manchester United in September. If you’re into the whole Expected Goals thing, Brighton deserve to be fifth in the table with 45 points. But in the actual table they are 17th, with 26 points, and in serious danger of becoming one of the best teams ever to be relegated from the Premier League.

While Brighton’s bad luck has been on the field, Southampton’s has been off it. A grotesque injury list derailed them after a brilliant start to the season, and they have lost nine of their last 11 league games. They should have enough credit in the bank to stay up. For Brighton, there’s still a lot of work to do.

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Published on March 14, 2021 06:57

March 7, 2021

Tottenham 4-1 Crystal Palace: Premier League – as it happened

Harry Kane made two goals for Gareth Bale and then scored two himself, the first a screamer, as Spurs continued their excellent recent form

10.29pm GMT

The match report.

9.08pm GMT

Peep peep! Spurs continue their good recent form with a thumping victory. Harry Kane made two goals for the rejuvenated Gareth Bale and then scored two himself, the first a screamer. It was 1-1 at half-time, but Spurs increased the tempo and Palace couldn’t live with them. Thanks for your company, goodnight!

9.03pm GMT

90 min Five added minutes. Matt Doherty is booked for fouling Zaha.

9.00pm GMT

88 min Kane’s second goal was Spurs’ 100th of the season in all competitions.

8.59pm GMT

85 min The match is petering out. Spurs, who had won only three of the previous 13 league games before last weekend, have now won three in a row.

8.55pm GMT

82 min Spurs’ next league game: Arsenal (A).

8.52pm GMT

80 min Carlos Vinicius replaces the entirely magnificent Harry Kane, who made two and scored two.

8.52pm GMT

79 min They won’t get the credit they deserve, as they are managed by Jose Mourinho, but Spurs have played some exhilarating football in the second half.

8.50pm GMT

Another delicious goal! Lamela cuts infield and flips an insouciant pass over the defence to put Son through on goal. He cushions a volley across the six-yard line to find Kane, who heads into the empty net. There’s a VAR check for offside but Kane was behind Son when the pass was played.

8.46pm GMT

74 min Palace make their final change: Jean-Philippe Mateta replaces the goalscorer Christian Benteke.

8.42pm GMT

70 min A double change for Spurs: Erik Lamela and Moussa Sissoko replace Harry Winks and Gareth Bale, who has had an excellent night.

8.42pm GMT

69 min: Zaha hits the post! A-hem, as I was saying. Zaha receives a square pass 25 yards out, moves the ball onto his left foot and drives a precise low shot that hits the inside of the far post and bounces off the chest of Lloris.

8.41pm GMT

68 min This is a decent spell for Palace, in terms of possession if not chances. But they don’t really look like a team who believe they can come back from 3-1 down.

8.38pm GMT

65 min Another change for Palace: Jeffrey Schlupp replaces Andros Townsend.

8.37pm GMT

65 min Townsend lobs a clever pass towards Zaha, forcing Doherty to head behind for a corner.

8.34pm GMT

61 min Bale’s corner is headed wide by the under pressure Kane.

8.30pm GMT

58 min Doherty’s cross is headed across the area by Kane and put into the side netting from a very tight angle by Reguilon. Replays show his shot was blocked superbly by Townsend, but the referee gave a goalkick.

8.29pm GMT

57 min Benteke’s header is calmly chested down and cleared by Kane, back in his own six-yard box.

8.27pm GMT

55 min Bale drives a brilliant crossfield pass to Son, who cuts inside and shoots wide from 25 yards.

8.26pm GMT

54 min Spurs’ tempo has been so much better since half-time, and both goals started with some quick one-touch passing.

8.25pm GMT

What a marvellous goal. Doherty, on the right side of the penalty area, laid the ball back slowly towards Kane, 22 yards out. He surprised everyone with a first-time curler that flashed across the diving Guaita and into the top corner. That was a glorious strike from Kane.

8.24pm GMT

Make that 15 goals: Harry Kane has scored a stunner!

8.23pm GMT

51 min That’s Kane’s 13th assist of the Premier League season, and he’s scored 14 goals as well.

8.22pm GMT

That was another well-worked goal. After some snappy passing on the right, Bale moseyed infield and curled the ball out to Reguilon. His deep cross was headed back across goal by Kane, and Bale got in front of Kouyate to slam a header into the net.

8.22pm GMT

Gareth Bale does it again!

8.20pm GMT

48 min Riedewald is booked for a foul on the lively Lucas Moura.

8.18pm GMT

47 min Zaha has gone up front, with Jordan Ayew moving to the left wing.

8.18pm GMT

46 min Peep peep! Spurs begin the second half.

8.17pm GMT

Wilfried Zaha is coming on in place of Ebere Eze.

8.03pm GMT

Peep peep! Spurs dominated throughout and took a deserved lead through Gareth Bale, only for Christian Benteke to equalise in injury time with Palace’s first attempt at goal. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.

8.02pm GMT

That was a majestic header from Christian Benteke. Palace worked the ball nicely, with Eze finding Milivojevic in space on the left. He curled a lovely cross towards Benteke, who hung in the air for an age and planted an emphatic header into the corner.

8.01pm GMT

Palace are level!

8.00pm GMT

45+1 min Two minutes of added time.

8.00pm GMT

45 min Reguilon fouls Ayew on the right wing, which allows Palace to bring their centre-backs forward. Townsend’s free-kick is punched away by Lloris.

7.57pm GMT

42 min Palace have had more of the ball in the last few minutes. A dangerous cross from Ayew leads to a corner, with Alderweireld’s header hitting Sanchez and deflecting behind. The corner comes to nothing.

7.55pm GMT

40 min van Aanholt plays a give-and-go with Ayew, forcing the last man Sanchez to come across and concede a corner. That was good defending.

7.53pm GMT

37 min Bale’s deep cross is scissor-kicked well wide by Reguilon. It was a tricky chance on the run but a fine ball in from Bale, who is playing pretty well.

7.51pm GMT

36 min Kane’s free-kick hits the wall and loops towards Moura, who fresh-airs an attempted volley from a very tight angle.

7.49pm GMT

35 min Moura is tripped just outside the box by Cahill, who is booked. He thought Moura dived; it’s hard to tell.

7.48pm GMT

33 min Apart from that one mistake from Milivojevic, Palace have defended brilliantly. Football can be a merciless game.

7.47pm GMT

32 min Palace look like they want to kill time and keep it at 1-0 until they can bring Wilfried Zaha on. It hasn’t been the most ambitious performance.

7.45pm GMT

30 min “The only emotional investment I have left in the league is the Bale Story,” says Matt Dony. “He’s shown over the last couple of weeks that he’s still a bit, y’know, good. I’m just hoping against hope that he carries on improving, stays fit, and the Euros come quickly. It’s not too much to ask, is it? Is it??”

Never.

7.43pm GMT

29 min Ayew is booked for a foul on Bale.

7.42pm GMT

27 min That was such a bad goal to concede, although Moura deserves plenty of credit for his zealous pressing.

7.41pm GMT

The goal stemmed from a mistake by Milivojevic, who was robbed by Moura just outside the penalty area. He poked the ball through to Kane, whose precise low cross gave Bale a simple tap-in.

7.40pm GMT

Gareth Bale’s renaissance continues!

7.38pm GMT

23 min Palace have defended immaculately so far, giving Spurs no space at all in the middle of the pitch.

7.36pm GMT

21 min Townsend makes good progress down the right but then overhits an attempted pass through to Benteke.

7.34pm GMT

20 min “Hi Rob,” says Ruth Purdue. “Did you draw the short straw with this one after the Madrid derby?”

Apparently so. The first 20 minutes have been dismal.

7.31pm GMT

17 min I don’t know what to say. Nothing has happened for the last 10 minutes, just lots of ponderous Spurs possession.

7.29pm GMT

14 min Spurs continue to probe for an opening. That Son header is the only chance they have created so far.

7.27pm GMT

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

7.23pm GMT

9 min Spurs have had most of the early possession, though that’s a mixed blessing when both teams like to play on the counter-attack.

7.21pm GMT

6 min The first chance for Spurs. Bale clips a good cross towards Son, who heads straight at Guaita from eight yards. That was a really good opportunity.

7.19pm GMT

4 min Kane’s deep cross bounces up awkwardly at the backpedalling Ward, who almost heads it into the path of Reguilon. Ward recovers well to get between Reguilon and the ball.

7.15pm GMT

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

7.12pm GMT

The players are out on the field and ready for business. It’s a chilly, dry night in north London.

7.07pm GMT

It’s already been an eventful day in the Premier League, with excellent away wins for Fulham and Manchester United.

6.30pm GMT

Pre-match reading

6.19pm GMT

Wilfried Zaha is back on the bench for Palace after a hamstring injury, while Dele Alli has been replaced by Lucas Moura in the Spurs side.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1) Lloris; Doherty, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Reguilon; Winks, Hojbjerg; Bale, Lucas Moura, Son; Kane.
Substitutes: Hart, Davies, Lamela, Dier, Sissoko, Alli, Ndombele, Bergwijn, Vinicius.

5.55pm GMT

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Spurs v Crystal Palace from the Insert Sponsor Name Here Stadium. It’s an important game for Spurs, who have fresh hope of a Champions League place after victories over Burnley and Fulham. They start the game in eighth, but a win tonight would move them to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea.

Palace look as comfortable as ever in mid-table. There’s an outside chance of them being dragged into a relegation battle, but it’s highly unlikely. That xG-baiting win at Brighton, followed by two 0-0 draws at home, have taken them to 34 points with 11 games to go. If they win tonight, they can start thinking about next season.

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Published on March 07, 2021 13:08

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