EPL

Player ratings as late goal earns Julen Lopetegui maiden Premier League win

Published

3 months ago

December 26, 2022

A late, late goal from substitute Rayan Ait-Nouri earned Julen Lopetegui a win in his first Premier League game as Wolves manager.

A first half goal from Yerry Mina was cancelled out by Daniel Podence in a fiery game at Goodison Park, before Ait-Nouri popped up in the 94th minute to give Wolves a crucial win.

Tempers flared on a number of occasions throughout the game which, despite both sides’ best efforts, lacked many moments of genuine quality.

Everton were the much more impressive team in the opening exchanges and deservedly took the lead in the seventh minute through Yerry Mina. The centre-back rose highest from a Dwight McNeil corner kick to cannon a header into the bottom corner of the net.

Wolves responded well to going behind and began to press forward with an intent that they’ve rarely shown all season. That intent would be rewarded in the 21st minute when Daniel Podence made it 1-1. The tiny forward stole in the back post to latch onto a fantastic outside-of-the-boot volleyed pass (look it up, it was incredible) from Joao Moutinho to side-foot past Jordan Pickford and draw his side level.

The visitors continued to dominate for a period thereafter and Diego Costa could’ve – probably should’ve – given his side the lead on the half hour mark. After some more great play from Podence down the flank, the Portuguese man found Costa unmarked around the penalty spot. The Spaniard was unable to get any power on his resulting header, however.

That miss seemed to wake Everton up a bit and, moments later, they created a great chance of their own. This time it would fall to Anthony Gordon who, after being played clean through on goal by Idrissa Gana Gueye, was unable to beat Jose Sa in the Wolves goal.

In the second half the game turned into somewhat of a midfield battle – an aggressive one at that.

The only real chance of the opening 30 so minutes of the half would fall to Alex Iwobi. The former Arsenal man latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area after some rather poor set piece defending from Wolves, but was unable to get any real purchase on his free header from just outside the six-yard box.

Business would pick up a bit in the final 10 minutes as, in dire need of a win, Everton pushed forward in search of a second goal. The closest they would come to said second goal would be in the 83rd minute when, after Jose Sa flapped at a set piece delivery into the box, the ball would fall to Ben Godfrey. The substitute, with the goal gaping, however was unable to side-foot past the Wolves defenders standing between himself and the net and Ruben Neves was able to clear the ball.

Everton’s galavanting forward would then prove costly deep into stoppage time as Rayan Ait-Nouri gave Wolves a vital three points. A quick counter attack led by Adama Traore culminated in the full-back controlling inside the penalty area and then drilling past Pickford in the Everton goal.

Starting lineup: GK: Jordan Pickford (6); RB: Nathan Patterson (7), CB: Yerry Mina (8), CB: James Tarkowski (7), LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko (7); CM: Alex Iwobi (7), CM: Amadou Onana (7), CM: Idrissa Gueye (8); RW: Anthony Gordon (6), ST: Neal Maupay (7), LW: Dwight McNeil (7).

Subs: Demarai Gray (6), Ben Godfrey (6), Thomas Cannon (6), Abdoulaye Doucoure (6).

Starting lineup: GK: Jose Sa (6); RB: Nelson Semedo (7), CB: Nathan Collins (7), CB: Max Kilman (6), LB: Hugo Bueno (6); CM: Joe Hodge (6), CM: Ruben Neves (7), CM: Joao Moutinho (7); RW: Hwang Hee-chan (6), ST: Diego Costa (6), LW: Daniel Podence (8).

Subs: Rayan Ait-Nouri (8), Adama Traore (6), Matheus Nunes (6), Goncalo Guedes (6), Toti Gomes (6).

Player of the match – Daniel Podence

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EPL

Harry Maguire suggests he isn’t ‘properly appreciated’ at Man Utd

Published

3 hours ago

March 25, 2023

Sean Walsh

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has suggested that he is not as appreciated at club level as he is for England.

Maguire made the switch to the Red Devils for £80m back in 2019 and has since divided opinion after being named the skipper less than a year later. This season, he was quickly dropped by incoming United manager Erik ten Hag in favour of Raphael Varane and summer signing Lisandro Martinez.

At international level however, the centre-back has been one of England’s most dependable performers under Gareth Southgate, playing a major role in the Three Lions’ deep tournament runs over the last five years.

Maguire started for England in Thursday’s 2-1 win at Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying. He didn’t cover himself in glory for the Azzurri’s goal but stood tall late on to help grind out the victory.

Speaking to the media post-match, Maguire was asked if he feels ‘properly appreciated’.

“For England, yes, I do,” he replied. “Obviously, last season was difficult for the club, but, listen, I’ve proven myself to Gareth, who works with a wide range of centre backs. He has the choice of all the English centre-backs in the country and I play, every time I’m available, I’ve been in the team.

“I’m sure if you ask the rest of the lads they know what I bring to the team. I’m 30 years old but I shouldn’t really need to prove myself at this level. I’ve over 50 caps. I’m England’s top-scoring defender.

“I’ve played nearly 200 times for Manchester United, I’ve captained the club for three years now, but I do also understand that when you’re the captain of Manchester United you do come under the most amount of scrutiny. Last season at club level, my performance wasn’t good enough, alongside everybody else at club level, not just myself struggled. Everyone else struggled.”

Maguire recognises that he has not always been at his best while wearing a United shirt.

He was an easy scapegoat during their dreadful 2021/22 season in which they recorded their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League era.

That said, Maguire has also failed to kick on and if anything has taken several steps backwards after what was a promising first half to 2021, emerging as one of the league’s leading centre-backs and playing out of his skin while unfit in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final.

His case hasn’t been helped by his outward need silence critics, notably scoring for England and sticking his fingers in his ears as a celebration amid his decline for United.

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EPL

Arsenal lead Rice race; Man Utd eye Ferguson

Published

3 hours ago

March 25, 2023

90min

90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world…

Arsenal remain ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this summer. The midfielder’s preference is to stay in London amid previous links to Manchester City and Manchester United. (Football Insider)

New Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel will look to reunite with Chelsea duo Mateo Kovacic and Edouard Mendy when the summer window rolls around. (Calciomercato)

Manchester United are ready to send Amad Diallo back to Sassuolo as part of a bid to sign Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi. (CMW)

Another player on Manchester United‘s radar is Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. The 18-year-old scored on his debut for the Republic of Ireland earlier this week. (Football Insider)

Liverpool will look to strengthen their defensive ranks with the signing of Dutch defender Perr Schuurs, with current club Torino ready to sell for a fee of €50m. (Tuttosport)

Ilkay Gundogan is likely to leave Manchester City for Barcelona on a free transfer this summer. His contract expires at the end of the season. (The Athletic)

Real Madrid have joined Barcelona and Liverpool in the race to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. (Fabrizio Romano)

Meanwhile, Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga would prefer to join Real Madrid over the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United this summer. (Cadena SER)

After failing with a bid last summer, Chelsea are working on another offer to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton. (Football Insider)

Arsenal and Newcastle are monitoring Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojland, who grabbed a hat-trick on his international debut for Denmark this week. (Tutto Atalanta)

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EPL

Arsenal pre-season 2023/24: Fixtures and schedule

Published

14 hours ago

March 24, 2023

Euan Burns

Having reached new heights in the Premier League in 2022/23, Arsenal will soon be beginning their preparations for the new campaign with a pre-season tour to get ready for 2023/24.

Preparations for last season took place in Germany for Arsenal but with the Covid-19 pandemic a bit more of a distant memory for many, it is expected that more teams will be heading further afield again to either the United States of America or Asia.

Arsenal are yet to announce a full training camp location for their pre-season but they do have one fixture already confirmed which drops a big clue.

The Gunners are going to be coming up against an MLS All-Star team in Washington D.C. which will be coached by Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney. That takes place on July 19 and it is hard to imagine that Arsenal will only play one game in America.

A semi-regular fixture of Arsenal’s pre-seasons in recent years has been the Emirates Cup, but there has not been any word on whether an edition of that will be taking place or not this summer. If there is, then Arsenal could be splitting their time between America and London.

All times BST.

As is the case for almost every big club in football now, all of Arsenal’s pre-season friendlies are expected to be televised live on Arsenal.com and their official app with a subscription.

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