List of All Articles with Tag 'epsocmag'

Brighton go in search of a famous European win as they travel to French giants Marseille in the Europa League. The Seagulls were beaten 3-2 by AEK Athens in their opening match of Group B, in what was also the club’s first-ever European fixture. Roberto de Zerbi’s side are also looking to respond to a horror 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday as they head to the famous Stade Velodrome. Marseille, who drew 3-3 with Ajax in what is a heavyweight group, currently sit 12th in Ligue 1 after an underwhelming start to the season. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture. When is Marseille vs Brighton? The match will kick off at 5:45pm BST on Thursday 5 October at the Stade Velodrome. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 5:00pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? Brighton lost Pervis Estupinan to injury on Saturday and could be out for a “long time”, according to De Zerbi. Pascal Gross, James Milner and Adam Lallana are all doubts. Marseille are hopeful Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr recover from illness in time to join former Arsenal and Chelsea strike Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in attack. Prediction Marseille 2-1 Brighton Read More Ollie Watkins scores hat-trick as rampant Aston Villa hit Brighton for six Roberto De Zerbi happy with Brighton players despite defeat to AEK Athens Brighton suffer late defeat to AEK Athens in first-ever European match Why Europa League offers unmissable opportunity to Premier League sides On this day in 2006: France’s former Man Utd goalkeeper Fabien Barthez retires

Liverpool return to Europa League action against Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise tonight after a controversial week of VAR fallout. The Reds saw their winning run come to an end in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, but Jurgen Klopp’s side were furious after the VAR failed to overturn Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed opener and finished the match with nine men after Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were sent off. After a contentious week that has seen Liverpool receive the VAR audio from the Tottenham defeat, Klopp’s side will look to make it two wins from two in Europa League Group E following their opening victory at Austrian side LASK. Liverpool have never played Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in a competitive match. The Belgian side, who reached the Europa League quarter-finals last season, drew 1-1 in their opening match against Toulouse. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture. When is Liverpool vs Royale Union Saint-Gilloise? The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Thursday 5 October at Anfield. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7:45pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the Liverpool team news? Despite their red cards against Tottenham, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are available to play in the Europa League. Cody Gakpo came off at half time against Tottenham with what appeared to be a leg injury and is a doubt. Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit again and could start but with Liverpool facing a tricky trip to Brighton on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp could also rotate his side and keep his squad fresh. Predicted Liverpool line-up Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch; Jota, Nunez, Doak Prediction Liverpool 3-1 Union SG Read More The Premier League now faces a credibility ‘crisis’ – and latest VAR farce is just the tip VAR audio of Liverpool offside error to be released to public Jamie Carragher believes VAR at ‘crisis point’ in Premier League Liverpool-Tottenham replay possible under Uefa rules loophole Gary Neville responds after Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool replay: ‘That’s madness’ Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool’s match at Tottenham to be replayed over VAR blunder

By Peter Hall NEWCASTLE, England (Reuters) -A rampant Newcastle United put in a stellar showing to secure a superb 4-1

Newcastle United entertain Paris Saint-Germain as they continue their exciting Champions League journey with Eddie Howe’s side hoping to kick-start their campaign after a goalless draw in Milan. Kylian Mbappe is leading a newlook PSG outfit, with Luis Enrique reshaping the profile and philosophy behind the Qatari-owned side as they look to claim a first European crown after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar. A thrilling display to ease past Dortmund last time out, with goals from Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi, makes Les Parisiens one of the strongest challengers to Manchester City and Real Madrid. Howe's side defeated Burnley 2-0 last weekend, with Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak on the shoresheet. Follow the latest news and updates from Newcastle vs PSG below and get the latest odds and tips here. Read More The twin tensions which explain Newcastle and PSG’s very modern rivalry Champions League faces future rival as Saudi Arabia looks to transform Club World Cup Eddie Howe worried over growing injury list as Newcastle prepare for PSG clash

By Rohith Nair and Daniela Desantis Morocco, Spain and Portugal have been named hosts of the 2030 soccer

Gary Neville has urged Jurgen Klopp to move on after the Liverpool manager called for his side’s defeat at Tottenham to be replayed. The Reds saw Luis Diaz’s opening goal wrongly disallowed for offside, with the referees’ body PGMOL now releasing the audio of the major VAR error following a request from Liverpool. But Klopp says the audio conversation, with VAR lead Darren England and assistant Dan Cook failing to realise the on-field decision was onside, has not changed his thinking and believes the match should be played again. Liverpool also had two players sent off in the defeat, midfielder Curtis Jones and forward Diogo Jota, before conceding a 96th-minute winner in the 2-1 defeat. The result was Liverpool’s first defeat of the season. Liverpool responded strongly to the VAR controversy, vowing to “explore their options” in a statement that led to the PGMOL releasing the audio of the error to the public on Tuesday. However former Manchester United captain and Sky Sports pundit Neville believe Klopp has gone too far by calling for the game to be replayed, in what would be an unprecedented move for the Premier League. Reacting to Klopp’s comments on Twitter/X, Neville said: “Can’t believe how Liverpool have grabbed defeat from victory in their handling of this! They were wronged by a shocking mistake. End of! Neville, who was highly critical of the VAR process following Saturday’s match, added in a further post that Liverpool had escalated the situation by “mentioning integrity and exploring options”. “Now we’ve seen they want a replay!” Neville said. “That’s madness.” Klopp’s comments were also widely ridiculed by Tottenham fans, who joked that if Saturday’s Premier League match is replayed then the 2019 Champions League final should be too. In that game, Liverpool were awarded an early penalty for a controversial handball and went on to win the Madrid final 2-0. The former Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen, who played in the final, added: “Count me in!” Read More Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool’s match at Tottenham to be replayed over VAR blunder MP condemns TalkSport presenter Simon Jordan over Liverpool ‘victim culture’ comment PGMOL release audio and review findings after Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal for Liverpool

The UK and Ireland are poised to host Euro 2028 with their bid now unopposed due to Turkey’s withdrawal. The joint bid between England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, which was up against Turkey ahead of next week’s Uefa announcement, will secure hosting rights subject to final approval from the governing body’s executive committee. Turkey will now join forces with Italy to host Euro 2032 instead, with Germany the hosts for next year’s Euro 2024. Uefa officials are yet to confirm how the hosts would qualify for Euro 2028, with discussions over the prospect of teams participating in qualification to secure competitive preparation for the tournament. However some teams could still qualify even if knocked out. The Independent reported in July that Uefa were unlikely to grant all five nations a place in the 24-team tournament. While Uefa sees benefits to the joint bid in terms of commercial potential and most of the infrastructure already in place, the number of teams hosting brings an unprecedented element. Issues related to sporting integrity as regards qualification may now emerge, with Uefa likely to award a maximum of three guaranteed places. The anticipated expansion of the tournament to 32 teams is not expected to happen until 2032. The prospect of a mini-tournament before qualification officially starts is thought to be on the table. While the Independent understands there is a very minor possibility the tournament could have just four hosts if Northern Ireland's planned stadium of Casement Park in Belfast isn't reconstructed in time. But that isn't currently seen as a challenge, given five years until the competition. There is no confirmation on who would host the final, though Wembley Stadium would seem the likely favourite, meaning a second European final in three editions of the competition. England lost to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley, which took place in 2021 after its postponement due to Covid. Wembley is one of 14 venues across the five countries to have been shortlisted in the bid, with nine English stadia in total, two in the Republic of Ireland and one each in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The inclusion of Casement Park, a Gaelic sports venue which is in the process of being redeveloped, means Belfast is set to host matches should it remain when the final list of 10 stadia is submitted to Uefa in April. The nine English stadia include three in London – Wembley, the London Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium are on the provisional list, as are Newcastle’s St James’ Park and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. Everton’s new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock is on the shortlist, as is Villa Park in Birmingham. The Aviva Stadium and Croke Park are the shortlisted venues in Dublin, while the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Hampden Park in Glasgow complete the list. Gareth Bale was due to help the bid by joining a Welsh delegation in Geneva this month. The legendary winger, who is Wales' most capped player and record goalscorer, retired from football in January, but the 34-year-old offered to help Wales secure joint-hosting rights. Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: “We are hoping for a successful bid and Gareth is very much part of the FAW and what we do. He has been identified as one of the faces of the bid presentation. Gareth is globally famous. You can get into a taxi in Sydney or Peru and if you mention you are from Wales they will say ‘Gareth Bale’. It is an instant reaction. “When I go home to the west of Ireland the first thing people say to me is ‘how is Gareth Bale?’ Gareth is so good for us. We went to him and asked him if he would get involved in the Euro ’28 bid and he just said: ‘What can I do for Wales?’ It was instant – ‘how can I help you get the bid over the line?'” Turkey now looks set to host the major tournament in 2032, eight years after falling short in the race to host Euro 2024, with Germany outpointing them 12-4 in the voting. The Uefa Executive Committee will officially appoint host associations on 10 October at the governing body’s headquarters, the House of European Football, in Nyon, Switzerland. Read More UK and Ireland’s Euro 2028 bid unlikely to secure five automatic places Gareth Bale part of Welsh delegation to help UK and Ireland Euro 2028 bid UK and Ireland shortlist 14 stadiums for Euro 2028 bid Gareth Bale part of Welsh delegation to help UK and Ireland Euro 2028 bid UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028 to be unopposed after Turkey withdraw interest Ed Sheeran and Ipswich players celebrate win with dressing room sing-along

Jude Bellingham and Micah Richards burst out laughing during an exchange after Real Madrid’s Champions League win against Napoli. The English midfielder starred for Los Blancos once again on Tuesday night, scoring his team’s second of the evening after a stunning solo run. At full-time, Bellingham was interviewed by CBS Sports, with reporter Guillem Balague comparing him to Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher, who were both listening in the studio. “Not Micah, no?” Bellingham responded, sending Richards wild. Both burst out laughing before Richards confessed his love for the midfielder and suggested he’ll be in the running for the Ballon d’Or. Read More Jurgen Klopp’s amusing reaction to watching Bellingham’s late winner for Real Madrid ‘No excuses’: Ten Hag vows Man United will fight on after Champions League defeat Asian Games official suffers horrific leg break after being hit during hammer throw

Under-pressure Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is not worried about losing his job after his side’s horror start to the season continued with a Champions League home defeat to Galatasaray. The Premier League side threw away a 2-1 lead to fall to a 3-2 loss at a rain-soaked Old Trafford and suffer their worst start to a season since 1986. United have lost six of their opening 10 games for the first time in 37 years and their chances of getting out of the group stages already look in doubt after just two matches. But Ten Hag, who says there are “no excuses” for his side’s dismal performances, insists everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.

Three decades ago, when Manchester United were about to face Galatasaray, they were greeted with banners declaring: “Welcome to Hell”. Thirty years on, United may have found hell: not in Istanbul, but in Manchester. A second home defeat in four days has sent them spiralling into crisis. So much for Raphael Varane’s assertion that they can win the Champions League. At this rate, bottom of the group, beaten six times in all competitions already this season, they may not even be playing in the Europa League after Christmas. A 3-2 loss came courtesy of their own failings: of disastrous defending, of the indiscipline of the sent-off Casemiro, of the poor team selection by Erik ten Hag. Even a colossal contribution by Rasmus Hojlund, who scored twice, had another goal disallowed and provided a chance that Bruno Fernandes really should have taken, was obscured by United’s ineptitude. It says something that Davinson Sanchez – that Davinson Sanchez, the former Tottenham centre-back – registered two assists. The second encapsulated United’s haplessness. The Colombian’s header from his own half released Mauro Icardi to run through a shot over Andre Onana, a goalkeeper with a marked reluctance to save any shots. It was rendered easier because Icardi, escaping behind United’s centre-backs, was played onside by the out-of-position makeshift left-back Sofyan Amrabat. It was a wretched night for United’s full-backs: Amrabat was partly culpable for Galatasaray’s second equaliser as well when Bans Yilmaz raced into space behind him before finding Kerem Akturkoglu to finish. Galatasaray’s first goal – scored, with a certain inevitability, by Wilfried Zaha – could be put down to Diogo Dalot. Outmuscled by the winger as Sanchez’s long ball landed in front of him, he allowed Zaha to hook in a shot that bounced over Onana. It was not the first time United had grounds to rue their mismanagement of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last signing. Zaha played four times for them and has now scored four goals against them. Yet Zaha, too, was demoted to a supporting character in the broader tragicomedy of another display of United haplessness. They were a team who were twice reprieved and immediately conceded. Akturkoglu was guilty of a glaring miss when Onana spilled the ball; United let him score instead shortly afterwards. Icardi drilled a spot kick wide after Casemiro, in his final contribution, chopped down Dries Mertens. He was soon on the scoresheet anyway. And for Casemiro, cautioned in the first half, a third red card of a brief United career highlighted how his lack of mobility and their shambolic tactics are dual problems. The Brazilian cannot get to the ball as quickly as he used to. United leave him exposed and, after Onana gave the ball away, he slid in on Mertens. For United, defeat to Bayern Munich by a one-goal margin may have had a certain respectability, much as he 4-3 scoreline in Germany flattered them. A loss at home to Galatasaray has no such sheen. The Turkish champions struggled past Molde in a play-off and went 2-0 down to FC Copenhagen two weeks ago. They brimmed with spirit and showed quality in attack, but the architects of defeat were United themselves. Ten Hag has to take his share of the blame. Picking Hannibal Mejbri backfired and not merely because the youngster, who was hauled off at half-time, contrived to block a goalbound shot from Mason Mount. Yet to focus on the rookie would be overly harsh: senior figures were found wanting. And the one player who should escape censure was United’s youngest starter. Hojlund was outstanding, taking his tally to three goals in two Champions League games, twice putting United ahead. They should have led earlier, Fernandes miscuing a shot wide after the Dane wriggled clear to cross. Then Casemiro hooked a pass over their defence, Marcus Rashford chased it and lifted in a cross and Hojlund accelerated past Davinson Sanchez to head it in. The ubiquitous Colombian had a part in his second, too, slipping as the £72m man sprinted half the length of the pitch to lift a shot over Fernando Muslera. United could rue the moment when Rashford, in trying to provide Fernandes with an open goal, under-hit a pass and allowed Sacha Boey to intercept. Often criticised for his decision-making, this time Rashford’s execution was the issue. But they had far greater problems, lacking control or cohesion, wrenched open, taking the total of goals conceded in Europe this season to seven already. They have horrible memories of visiting Istanbul three decades ago and of being eliminated from the Champions League by Galatasaray. A return at the end of November could come with a similar fate. And a comparison would emphasise their failings: in a year when Manchester City won the Champions League in Istanbul, Manchester United could exit it there. Read More Antony returns to Man Utd squad for Champions League after five-match absence Man United vs Galatasaray LIVE: Latest Champions League updates Sheikh Jassim makes Man Utd takever decision as Sir Jim Ratcliffe considers new bid Consistency the key for Vincent Kompany as he bids to lift Burnley Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly considering minority stake bid for Manchester United Raphael Varane reveals formula for Manchester United to claim Champions League glory

The Uefa Champions League continues with matchday two starting on Tuesday night, as Manchester United get their first chance to play in front of their fans in the competition this season. They’ll be hosting Turkish side Galatasaray and looking to kick-start their European campaign having been beaten 4-3 by Bayern Munich in their opener. At the same time, Galatasaray fought back from two goals down against Copenhagen to pick up a point, leaving Man United bottom in Group A after the first round of fixtures. While the Red Devils therefore are in sore need of a victory, the form guide is strongly against them doing so - they’ve lost four of the last six including a home weekend defeat to Crystal Palace. Follow the latest news and updates from Man United vs Galatasary below and get the latest odds and tips here. Read More Sheikh Jassim makes Manchester United takeover decision as Sir Jim Ratcliffe considers new bid Raphael Varane reveals formula for Manchester United to claim Champions League glory

The PGMOL have released the audio of the controversial Luis Diaz offside decision to Liverpool as part of a review, before it is eventually made public. It follows an official request from the Anfield club, although the referees’ body were always insistent it was just a case of “when” rather than “if” the audio was released. Liverpool have now received the audio and will begin to review the incident for themselves. The controversy has caused a credibility crisis for referees and the Premier League, which led to significant internal debate over whether the audio should have been made public in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s defeat to Tottenham. It was ultimately decided in consultation with the Premier League that the audio should go through a full review first, and that the club and competition should all have a chance to assess before it goes to the public. The audio was set to be covered as part of Howard Webb’s new Match Officials Mic’d Up monthly programme, which airs unheard audio from decisions between on-field officials and VAR team. The next Mic’d Up episode is scheduled for Monday next week, but the PGMOL are considering whether to release it before then, once the review of Saturday is complete. Meanwhile, referees Darren England and Dan Cook, the VAR officials who made the error, have been stood down from duty for a second round of Premier League fixtures. VAR lead England and VAR assistant Cook failed to overturn Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat, after not realising that on-field referee Simon Hooper and his assistant officials had initially ruled the goal out for offside. England and Cook were subsequently replaced from Sunday’s match between Nottingham Forest and Brentford and the game between Chelsea and Fulham on Monday night, and neither official was issued a Premier League fixture ahead of this weekend. Referee Hooper will be the lead VAR for Everton’s match against Bournemouth this Saturday, after he served as the fourth official for Chelsea’s victory over Fulham in Monday’s west London derby. The referees’ body PGMOL admitted after Liverpool’s controversial defeat at Spurs that a “significant human error” had been made and referees’ chief Webb spoke to Liverpool after the match and offered an apology. It later emerged that England and Cook had taken charge of a match in the United Arab Emirates in midweek and had only made the six-hour return flight back to London the day before Liverpool’s match at Tottenham. Read More The Premier League now faces a credibility ‘crisis’ – and latest VAR farce is just the tip VAR officials who made Liverpool error not selected amid ongoing controversy Jamie Carragher believes VAR at ‘crisis point’ in Premier League VAR officials who made Liverpool error not selected amid ongoing controversy Liverpool request VAR audio of match-altering Luis Diaz goal decision Arsenal renew Pedro Neto interest but face competition from two Premier League rivals