Boomer Esiason Compares Tua Tagovailoa to Joe Montana
Tua Tagovailoa reminds Boomer Esiason of Joe Cool.
1970-01-01 08:00
Ange Postecoglou has already transformed Tottenham with Arsenal comeback
All square at Arsenal, with one side much happier about it. Everyone else would at least have been greatly entertained by it. This was yet another north London derby that swung back and forth in such absorbing fashion to add to its archive of classic games but, once it settled into a 2-2 draw, it was Tottenham celebrating more. They have been given huge encouragement for the future, after displaying adventure and resilience in a match many might not have considered them quite ready for. That is the effect of Ange Postecoglou, which was all the more impressive given how Arsenal had posed the most testing questions for the first half-hour. Mikel Arteta’s side, however, might again be feeling the effects of a title race with Manchester City. They already find themselves four points behind by 24 September, and with the champions to come here in two weeks. That might be without Declan Rice, who went off with a calf injury that proved decisive. If it is again ludicrous to be talking about this at such an early stage, just as it was with the victory over Manchester United, these are the stakes of the Premier League right now. This is maybe the state of the Arsenal team right now, so promising but still missing a few elements. One is depth, as could be seen with how easy their defence was to get at for both of Son Heung-Min’s goals. Another is real extra-level quality in attack. For all that this draw ultimately came down to Arsenal failing to keep their lead, a large part of that was the encouragement Spurs enjoyed from their attack being able to extend it. It already raises the question over whether they will go big in January. They could have had a substantial lead here. That is what will be so frustrating. Spurs and Postecoglou, however, were rewarded for their bravery. That could well be a theme going forward. It has already been a theme of the season, as Spurs again defied expectations. They shouldn’t have been ready for this north London derby against a side that finished second last season. They were instead prepared to pounce on any Arsenal slip. That is what this whole game amounted to. Arsenal could really have killed the game before any semblance of a contest had even developed. It was set up for them. Postecoglou’s approach initially seemed rather naive given how nascent his team is, and it left Destiny Udogie constantly exposed on the left. Saka consistently had 15 metres of space around him and it of course wasn’t long until he made use of that. Having turned Udogie again, Saka saw the space open up and looked to curl the ball into the far corner. Romero intervened and turned it into the near corner. Arsenal were by that point in complete control and had the chance to take full command. Gabriel Jesus couldn’t seize it, though, blazing one key effort over. It does perhaps raise one of the final questions in the formation of this Arsenal team. Are they still lacking that finisher? Jesus is a brilliant link forward but he lacks that ruthlessness. It allowed Spurs back in. To give Postecoglou his due, though, they also forced their way back in. With the manner that Saka had got at Guglielmo Vicario’s defence in the opening half-hour, the Spurs manager could have been forgiven for altering formation and tightening up. He did the opposite. In a move that feels like it’s going to be symbolic about what is to come under Postecoglou, he doubled down, ensuring his left flank always had at least two in attack rather than defence. It started to make trouble for Arsenal, and made the difference. In a five-minute flurry, Brennan Johnson forced two big saves from David Raya - one of them a brilliantly instinctive response, that Mikel Arteta will feel vindicated his decision - before Spurs eventually forced their way in. This was a turnaround in more ways than one. It was suddenly Saka given a tough time as James Maddison so easily got around him to set up Son. It was not the last time that the duo made such a testing occasion look easy. Before then, though, Arsenal had contrasting developments. Declan Rice went off with a calf injury. Saka scored a penalty from a Romero handball. Both contributed to what next. With Arsenal seeming like they were still celebrating the goal, and substitute Jorginho so casual on the ball, Maddison just stepped up and took it off. It was reminiscent of the way Germany just cut through Brazil in that 7-1 in how simple it was, which was all the more surprising given Arsenal were apparently in a relatively secure position. They were anything but. Son was put clean through, almost no one around him, to just slide the ball past Raya for his second. Spurs didn’t quite settle for that but Arsenal did ensure they couldn’t set foot beyond the halfway much late on. For all the pressure, though, there was no big chance. There was no difference-maker to bring on. Arteta threw on Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe but both felt hopeful shows of faith rather than any display of superiority. So it proved. It was an early-season derby that may say a lot about both for the season - and potentially influence a lot. Read More Arsenal vs Tottenham result and player ratings as Son Heung-min and James Maddison lead Spurs fightback Son Heung-min and James Maddison lead Tottenham response to claim Arsenal point Phil Foden admits Rodri will be a ‘big miss’ during his three-match suspension Pep Guardiola unhappy at Rodri for red card in Man City win
1970-01-01 08:00
Armenia PM takes swipe at Russia as first civilians leave breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia's prime minister has called his country's security relationships "ineffective," in a swipe at Russia after Azerbaijan claimed the breakaway province of Nagorno-Karabakh following a swift military campaign.
1970-01-01 08:00
Man gored to death by bull at Spanish festival
Friend also injured by same animal during the Pobla de Farnals festival in the Valencia region.
1970-01-01 08:00
Wagner forces have not withdrawn from Africa in 'meaningful' numbers, defense official says
The US has not seen a withdrawal of Wagner forces from Africa "in any substantial or meaningful numbers," a senior US defense official said, as the Kremlin continues to weigh what to do with the Russian mercenary group following its leader's death last month.
1970-01-01 08:00
Bernd Leno criticises Mikel Arteta's goalkeeper philsophy after Aaron Ramsdale decision
Bernd Leno hits out at Arsenal decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale & Mikel Arteta suggesting that goalkeepers could be substituted like any other position.
1970-01-01 08:00
Why aren't Chelsea and Liverpool Premier League games on TV?
Why Chelsea and Liverpool's Premier League games against Aston Villa and West Ham respectively aren't on television in the United Kingdom.
1970-01-01 08:00
Nagorno-Karabakh: Ethnic Armenians leave amid cleansing fear
Azerbaijan captured the area in a flash operation and says it wants to integrate its ethnic Armenians.
1970-01-01 08:00
Arsenal vs Tottenham LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups ahead of north London derby
Arsenal and Tottenham put their unbeaten Premier League records on the line as the two in-form rivals meet in the north London derby at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners and Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have both mode fast starts to the season, and sit just off the top with four wins and a draw out of their first five matches. Postecoglou has made an impressive impact at Tottenham and has lifted the mood around the club ahead of his first taste of the derby. But new-look Tottenham face their biggest test of the season yet against a dangerous Arsenal attack, which thrashed PSV in their Champions League return in midweek. Follow live updates as Arsenal host Tottenham in the north London derby and get all the latest match odds here. Read More Is Arsenal vs Tottenham on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Premier League fixture Tottenham once again have hope – but Ange Postecoglou must learn from Arsenal lesson Ange Postecoglou points out the differences between himself and Mikel Arteta
1970-01-01 08:00
Liverpool chief executive admits Reds were nearly bankrupt before FSG takeover
Liverpool chief executive reveals how close the Reds were to administration & bankruptcy, and how FSG have turned club around.
1970-01-01 08:00
Marcus Rashford ‘shaken’ after crashing Rolls Royce following Man United win
Marcus Rashford was involved in a scary car accident following Manchester United’s win against Burnley on Saturday night. After travelling back to United’s Carrington training ground on the team coach from Turf Moor, the England international escaped unhurt after crashing his £700,000 Rolls Royce. Footage shared on social media shows a car dented on the side of the road, with police surrounding the scene with a traffic island toppled too. No ambulance was called, with The Sun reporting that Rashford, 25, was “shaken” after the incident. Man United captain Bruno Fernandes also came across the scene, stopping to help. Fernandes scored the match-winner for a United side who picked up a much-needed win against the Clarets. Rashford played the full 90 minutes at Turf Moor. Speaking before the match, Rashford emphasised how important it was for the Red Devils to get back to winning ways: “One good result, one good performance, can be a game-changer at this club. It’s a difficult position and I’m not as happy as I’d like to be, but there’s only one way to get back this happiness is to seek results.” “We know the effect that a victory can have on the team and then it’s up to the players to show consistency. That’s what we lacked. Last year, we were very consistent at home, but very irregular away.” The Independent has contacted Rashford’s representatives for comment. Read More Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag hails ‘massively important’ Jonny Evans Surreal brilliance of Jonny Evans hands Manchester United a much-needed victory
1970-01-01 08:00
Jonny Evans reacts to first Man Utd start in more than 3,000 days
Jonny Evans reacts to Man Utd win over Burnley after clean sheet & game-winning on first start for club in eight and a half years.
1970-01-01 08:00