
Dominic Solanke brace beats Newcastle and sends Bournemouth out of bottom three
Eddie Howe’s return to AFC Bournemouth turned into a nightmare after Dominic Solanke’s double condemned Newcastle United to a 2-0 defeat. Howe, who was the Cherries manager the last time they beat Newcastle in 2017, saw his side’s seven-match unbeaten Premier League run end and their injury crisis deepen. The Magpies were already missing 11 players through injury and suspension after Callum Wilson tweaked a hamstring in the midweek defeat at Borussia Dortmund. They then lost Miguel Almiron to what looked like another hamstring problem midway through the first half. The long casualty list meant a first Premier League start for 17-year-old Lewis Miley in central midfield. Such are Newcastle’s lack of options they ended the match with Ben Parkinson, an 18-year-old who had never previously made a first-team appearance, playing alone in attack. It was therefore little surprise to see Bournemouth dominate the match, although they had to wait for an hour before Solanke finally made the breakthrough. Just 40 seconds had elapsed when Ryan Christie, who signed a new Cherries contract this week, tested Nick Pope with a drive from the edge of the area. It set the tone for the evening and moments later Antoine Semenyo burst through and forced as fine save from the Toon keeper, down low to his left. Bournemouth welcomed back Brazilian keeper Neto after a spell out injured and he had to be on his toes to tip over Sean Longstaff’s 20-yard shot from Newcastle’s only real attack. Solanke should have given the hosts the lead after he raced on to Semenyo’s ball over the top, but he delayed his shot and Jamaal Lascelles slid in to make a last-ditch block. Then Justin Kluivert, whose father Patrick played for Newcastle, let fly from 20 yards forcing Pope into another sharp save. With the visitors under the cosh, Pope saved again from Christie and Semenyo poked across goal and wide as they somehow made it to half-time goalless. Bournemouth almost fell behind after the break when Neto made a mess of Kieran Trippier’s free-kick, but Solanke was on hand to clear the danger. Solanke then went back to the day job at the other end of the pitch and promptly broke the deadlock. When Joe Willock challenged Semenyo, the ball rolled off him into the path of the former Liverpool striker, who raced into the area and lashed his shot inside Pope’s near post. Pope saved a fierce drive from Marcus Tavernier shot but Bournemouth doubled the lead from the following corner, Solanke flicking the rebound home with his heel after Luis Sinisterra’s header hit a post. It secured only a second win of the season for Bournemouth and lifted them out of the bottom three, while Newcastle head into the international break licking their wounds. Read More England head to Indonesia inspired by Under-17 World Cup winner Phil Foden Rumours: Man United could sell duo in January and Newcastle target midfield pair Never-say-die attitude gives Newcastle Champions League belief – Kieran Trippier Newcastle discover brutal truth – it’s so much harder in the Champions League Eddie Howe knows Newcastle need two wins to keep Champions League hopes alive Borussia Dortmund v Newcastle LIVE: Champions League result and reaction
1970-01-01 08:00

Jim Harbaugh's former right-hand man strongly denies any wrongdoing at Michigan
Former Michigan Wolverines assistant coach Biff Poggi believes that Jim Harbaugh has done nothing wrong in relation to the Wolverines' sign-stealing scandal. Here is what the Charlotte 49ers head coach had to say about that on Friday afternoon.
1970-01-01 08:00

Bournemouth 2-0 Newcastle: Player ratings as Solanke double sees off Magpies
Player ratings and match report from Bournemouth 2-0 Newcastle in the Premier League.
1970-01-01 08:00

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag urges team to become more clinical
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United need to start making life easier for themselves after his under-fire side secured a much-needed victory against promoted Luton before the international break. This has been a chastening second season in the dugout for the Dutchman, with Wednesday’s 4-3 Champions League collapse in Copenhagen making it nine defeats in just 17 matches. United could ill-afford another shock as Luton came to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, when a mixture of poor finishing and fine goalkeeping by Thomas Kaminski frustrated the hosts. Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garncho and Marcus Rashford all had good chances, but in the end defender Victor Lindelof was the unlikely match winner in a 1-0 Premier League triumph. “We could have made life more easy if you score goals, but we create many chances,” boss Ten Hag said. “First half, I observed four 100 per cent chances. If you get the first then you get the second, it becomes more easy. But if you don’t score, then you know they can always drop a ball in the box and you are in trouble. “So we had to fight to the end and it’s maybe not the prettiest, but I am happy we created many chances.” Asked if the lack of cutting edge is a confidence issue, Ten Hag said: “I don’t think it is particularly a confidence thing because Rasmus Hojlund scored five goals in the Champions League. “He came full of confidence into this game and it will come. Rashford scored 30 goals last season. Obviously he’s now not scoring but there will come a day he starts scoring again. “I think the other offensive players like Garnacho, they are capable of scoring goals, so it will come. “But what is good, we already have 13 different goalscorers in our team, so it expresses the way we want to play football. “Everyone is attacking, everyone is defending, and also defenders with us can score goals.” Ten Hag will be hoping this victory did not come at too great a cost, with Hojlund and Christian Eriksen limping off and requiring further assessment once their respective issues have settled down. The United boss will be hoping the Danish duo are available in a fortnight’s time when they return from the international break with a Premier League trip to Everton. It is a match Ten Hag will serve a touchline ban for after collecting his third booking of the season in stoppage time. “So it was about a moment so clear, a throw-in, but it was the second time,” the United manager said. “I was on top of it. It was so clear and obvious our ball. It was my remark, so therefore I got booked. “We have a very competent coaching staff and they will take over of course (at Everton). “Until a certain point I can be involved but, as I say, my coaching staff is very competent.” United head into November’s break on 21 points from 12 matches – a perhaps surprising return given their poor performances to date. Ten Hag’s side will be desperate to kick on after the internationals, as will Luton after winning just one match since promotion via the play-offs. Rob Edwards’ side conceded late on in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool and produced another promising performance at Old Trafford. “Obviously we’re disappointed not to get anything from the game,” the Town boss said. “I want to be on more points but in terms of where we are, we are in the fight that we thought we would be in – and everybody probably thought we were going to be in that. “But we are progressing and improving in the way I hoped. “I think we learned pretty quickly after the first two games and since then I think we’ve been harder to beat.” Read More Ten Hag to serve one-match ban after third booking for Manchester United Man United produce the bare minimum to avoid embarrassment against Luton Man United v Luton LIVE: Result and reaction from crucial Premier League clash Mauricio Pochettino: Easier for new players at Man City than ‘evolving’ Chelsea Harry Maguire ‘showing he can do the job’ – Erik ten Hag Ten Hag ‘not happy’ with Rashford’s Manchester United form
1970-01-01 08:00

College Football Playoff committee will consider Jim Harbaugh’s absence in any Michigan loss
College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said the selection committee will consider how Michigan plays without head coach Jim Harbaugh into consideration in future rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Sean Dyche: Everton are starting to show belief on the road after latest win
Sean Dyche praised Everton’s improved mentality away from home after he watched his side beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park to make it back-to-back Premier League victories on the road. Twice in south London Everton surrendered their lead but neither time were they deterred and they finally nicked it with a goal from Idrissa Gueye four minutes from the end. Dyche, whose side beat West Ham at the London Stadium on their last Premier League away day, said he saw clear signs that his players are forging a mentality to win consistently away from Goodison Park. “Obviously topsy-turvy,” said Dyche. “We started so well, with a fantastic goal. They responded with a moment we should have dealt with earlier. They get a soft penalty from our point of view. “Then really it was a strange game after that. I don’t think anyone really gripped the first half, and second half (Palace) did. I thought they were very good. I think we had to work very hard. “I think the mentality I’m trying to work with the players on is the belief in finding different ways of winning games, and I think we’re showing that. “We had to do it last week against Brighton, so nearly won but got a good point. Then coming (to Palace) today. “Away form here was a big question mark when got here. We’re beginning to change the mentality towards these games. That was on show today.” Vitalii Mykolenko headed in Jack Harrison’s cross after only 55 seconds but Eberechi Eze, on his first start since returning from a hamstring injury, levelled from the penalty spot four minutes later. Abdoulaye Doucoure restored Everton’s lead minutes after the break, but again Palace fought back to level when Odsonne Edouard capitalised on James Tarkowski’s error to score. The hosts could not hold on to a point, though, as Gueye struck late to win it after latching on to Doucoure’s excellent through-ball. Mykolenko, who had a hand in Doucoure’s goal, put in one of his best performances in an Everton shirt and Dyche said he felt the Ukrainian’s progression encapsulated his side’s improved approach in recent weeks. “He’s beginning to mature into himself really as a player and in his Everton career,” he said. “I think he can defend, he’s beginning to show that he can go forwards, he wants to get into the right areas. “It’s a fantastic header and he’s nearly got a brace with a lovely strike, a controlled effort at goal.” Palace boss Roy Hodgson reflected on a match that ultimately slipped away from his side despite a gallant effort to twice recover from falling behind. “I’m sad, I’m frustrated,” he said. “Early goals in each half, we had to come from behind twice. “We had to work very hard to come from behind twice and put in a very good effort. We had a lot of the ball and worked hard to create those chances. “To then concede a third goal and lose the game, that’s hard to take.” Read More Manchester United need to make the most of their chances – Erik ten Hag Mikel Arteta: ‘I’m completely with referees’ Jack Draper has grand ambitions for 2024 after falling short in Sofia Open final Matthew Mott admits some ageing England players face ‘line in the sand moment’ Ben Stokes and Joe Root give England hope of ending World Cup on a high From Covid to the Copper Box: Maia Lumsden relishes her ‘unbelievable’ return
1970-01-01 08:00

In the Market: Looking at the Top QB Prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft Class, Week 10 edition
Find out how the top 2024 NFL Draft QBs performed in Week 10 and who stood out among the competition.
1970-01-01 08:00

Mikel Arteta: ‘I’m completely with referees’
Mikel Arteta made a point of praising the officials and VAR as 10-man Arsenal beat Burnley to move level with Premier League leaders Manchester City, Fabio Vieira was sent off late on for a high challenge on Josh Brownhill, who had earlier cancelled out a brave Leandro Trossard opener. But Arsenal had already secured the points by the time Vieira was dismissed, William Saliba heading them back in front before Oleksandr Zinchenko secured the points with an acrobatic volley. Arteta could yet face a Football Association charge after he criticised the officials during a 1-0 loss at Newcastle last week, having been asked to provide his observations having called the winning goal “embarrassing” and a “disgrace. Here, though, he was keen to play to the gallery and made sure he hammered home his praise of the referees. “With the red card… yes, VAR was right, he said. “The referee was right. Really good decision, really positive from Mikel to speak about that! Good decision.” He later added to talkSPORT: “Please ask me about VAR because today it was good. “I hope that I’m on TV saying the referees are so good and I’m completely with them and being very constructive.” Trossard was the difference-maker for the Gunners, the Belgium international once again starting as the central striker and breaking the deadlock with a close-range finish that saw him clatter into Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford and the post. He recovered to lay on the corner from which Saliba scored and it was another Trossard set-piece that led to Zinchenko’s fine scissor-kick. “I think he connects everybody. He’s so intelligent,” Arteta said of Trossard. “I think he moves in ways that attracts people that generates spaces and options for people. “Today he did that really good because it was so difficult and the spaces were so small to attack. He gave us a lot of threat and possibilities to connect and find spaces for us. “He put your body on the line if it’s necessary, and that was it. It’s the 1,000th goal at the Emirates – a beautiful number. “I’m very happy with him. I think every time you ask him to play whether it’s wide or as a nine, it flows and he has a real threat. So I’m really happy with him.” Burnley could end the weekend bottom of the table after a 10th defeat in 12 league games since their return to the top flight. But manager Vincent Kompany believes the Clarets continue to show resilience in their battle against the drop. “We were solid first half. To concede the way we conceded is avoidable. It’s football. Good teams are there for a reason,” he said. “Our team is as hard working as you like and resilient as you like. The club is filled with good, hard-working people. In the games we’re not expecting to have their level but we want to give ourselves a chance. This team wants to embrace this challenge.”
1970-01-01 08:00

Erik ten Hag receives touchline ban for third booking of Premier League season
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has received a one-match touchline ban after receiving three yellow cards in the Premier League this season. His latest caution came in Saturday's 1-0 win at home to Luton Town.
1970-01-01 08:00

Bills call players-only meeting with title window at risk of passing them by
Sean McDermott’s team is in the midst of a rollercoaster season. A member of the Buffalo Bills running back corps decided to address the matter.
1970-01-01 08:00

NWSL Championship: 3 keys to OL Reign vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
There is just one weekend of NWSL soccer left in 2023, so to prepare you for the big one, we laid out three keys ahead of the contest tonight.
1970-01-01 08:00

Everton edge Crystal Palace in five-goal thriller
Everton beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park as Idrissa Gueye’s goal four minutes from time capped a superb away performance from Sean Dyche’s team. Palace twice came from behind, with Eberechi Eze’s penalty quickly cancelling out Vitalii Mykolenko’s early opener and Odsonne Edouard capitalising on a howler from James Tarkowski to level up after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s goal. But they had no answer a third time after Gueye kept his cool to seal victory and propel his side to consecutive away wins. It all came after an electric start. Palace failed to clear their lines as Mykolenko’s shot was blocked, and as the ball broke wide on the right the Ukrainian found space inside the box and climbed highest to nod Jack Harrison’s cross past Sam Johnstone after just 55 seconds. Palace fans may have been stunned but their team quickly hit back. Within three minutes they were level, and it was Eze, back in the side after a hamstring injury, who danced into Everton’s box and drew a foul from Jarrad Branthwaite. VAR checked and saw no reason to overturn referee Sam Barrott’s penalty award, leaving the Eze the task of calmly rolling the ball past Jordan Pickford. Selhurst Park howled for a second spot-kick when Eze again went down under apparent pressure inside the box. This time the referee deemed the forward had dived, and rather than a penalty, a yellow card was Eze’s reward. Edouard forced Pickford into a save low to his right in added time at the end of the half in what was a rare instance of attacking threat from the home team. Everton had won three of their previous six in the league, and after the frustration of failing to hold on to their early lead they began the second half in similarly urgent fashion. A corner from the visitors’ right was cleared only to the edge of the box, where Amadou Onana scooped the ball square to Mykolenko. For the second time in the game he was given too much time to line up an effort on goal, and as his volley cannoned back off a post there was Doucoure unmarked to tap home. The advantage looked fragile. On the hour mark, Mykolenko and Gueye almost produced a comical own-goal, getting in one another’s way as Jeffrey Schlupp’s cross dropped into the box and they required Pickford’s fingertips to keep them from bundling the ball over their own goal line. Edouard was growing as a threat and with 25 minutes to go he handed Jefferson Lerma a golden chance to level, coming inside from the left of the box and cutting the ball back, only for Lerma, free on the edge of the box, to fire wide. Michael Oliseh came off the bench for his first appearance of the season and drew a roar of anticipation from around Selhurst Park with a shot from 20 yards that deflected narrowly over. Palace were by now dominant, and their second equaliser came courtesy of a defensive calamity. A high, headed ball into the box looked an easy mop-up job for Tarkowski, but rather than nod it clear he left the ball for his goalkeeper, and in stole Edouard to tap home. Still Palace could not hold on to their point, and Everton roared back at them once more with four minutes to go, this time decisively. Doucoure received the ball in midfield and looked up to see Gueye racing through the centre. Doucoure’s pass was weighted expertly and Gueye needed barely to break stride as he evaded Tyrick Mitchell’s lunging challenge and guided it beyond Johnstone. Read More On this day in 2014: David Moyes appointed Real Sociedad head coach The inside story of Watford’s remarkable rise and football’s most unlikely bromance Brain injury charity Headway questions why Harry Maguire was allowed to play on Everton boss Sean Dyche and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi satisfied with a point Ashley Young’s own goal earns Brighton a point at Everton Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
1970-01-01 08:00