Man United produce the bare minimum to avoid more embarrassment against Luton
The choruses from a corner of Old Trafford amounted to a cascade of derision. “You are embarrassing,” sang the Luton Town supporters, even after their side trailed. It was, though, a day when Manchester United averted embarrassment. Perhaps that is as much as they can hope for at the moment, but Erik ten Hag’s side just about won what ought to have been the most winnable of games. They were scarcely impressive and there was precious little evidence to suggest a corner has been turned or that a better run will follow in an altogether tougher sequence of fixtures after the international break. But they won. Perhaps they could thank their expanding injury list for that, or Ten Hag’s recent reluctance to pick Raphael Varane. Because, when Jonny Evans was ruled out until December, Victor Lindelof was recalled. The Swede delivered just a fourth goal in almost 250 United games and United, who had only previously led at Old Trafford for 28 minutes in the Premier League all season, had 31 minutes to savour and defend an advantage. They did and a relatively uneventful victory formed a contrast with the extraordinary drama of Wednesday’s defeat in Copenhagen. United needed it: partly to stop them spiralling downhill again, partly for the points that mean that, for all their failings, they somehow finished the game sixth in the table, partly to avoid historic markers of decline. They had lost their previous two matches at Old Trafford, but still have not been beaten in three in a row on home soil since 1962. Meanwhile, Luton’s last point away at United came in 1897, at the old Bank Street ground. They have never returned from Old Trafford with as much as a draw. Rob Edwards’ side are entitled to think they could have ended that statistic. Agonisingly close to beating Liverpool last week, they could have imagined another famous scalp. Certainly United had reasons to be indebted to Andre Onana. Culpable so often this season, the Cameroonian only had one save of note to make, but it was a vital and terrific stop, preserving parity by plunging to his left to turn Carlton Morris’ first-half header away. It came during what felt an extended impasse, with United lacking incision, ideas or urgency and when the ball was often at Harry Maguire’s feet. Then another stopper turned scorer: forward for a corner, Lindelof lifted a shot into the roof of the net after Marcus Rashford’s low cross was not cleared. It was a second league goal this season for United’s centre-backs, twice as many as their various forwards have mustered. That statistic should have changed but Rasmus Hojlund’s wait for a maiden Premier League strike now stands at nine games. The Dane reacted well when an early Rashford cross was deflected but, from four yards, he only managed to knee the ball towards Thomas Kaminski, who made a point-blank block. Later, Hojlund headed Bruno Fernandes’ free kick wide before limping off: United, who lost Aaron Wan-Bissaka to illness before the game while Christian Eriksen hobbled off in the first half, may feel they have enough injury concerns already without worrying about their £72m striker. Rashford, meanwhile, produced a bright display but ought to have ended his own drought, which now extends to 12 games. Instead, he fired a shot straight at the excellent Kaminski, who also made a fine save from Scott McTominay’s header. Yet these were exceptions on a day when United fashioned too few chances. There was insufficient creativity, just a hope Rashford’s pace or Fernandes’ delivery would yield something. Mason Mount came on when Eriksen went off, but to no great effect. Antony’s cameo was eminently forgettable and United actually played better for much of the defeat in Copenhagen. If the watching Sir Alex Ferguson, returned to Old Trafford for the first time since he lost his wife, Lady Cathy, could have enjoyed the result, there were few reminders of his best teams. Given the two worlds these clubs occupy, there may be more to satisfy Luton. Barring an FA Cup tie against a lower-league outfit, there will not be a greater gulf in resources between United and their opposition this season. Yet there is no such thing as a simple match for Ten Hag’s team. And, in fairness, Luton are defying predictions they would prove cannon fodder. There is an obduracy to the Hatters; they have not lost by more than two goals since August. Well coached, well organised and spirited, they are illustrating that limited teams can still acquit themselves well. Yet the reality is that they only have six points from 12 games. Their supporters enjoyed a day out at Old Trafford, but they probably will not have another next season. Read More Victor Lindelof strike enough for Manchester United to edge past Luton Man United v Luton LIVE: Result and reaction from crucial Premier League clash Harry Maguire ‘showing he can do the job’ – Erik ten Hag Ten Hag ‘not happy’ with Rashford’s Manchester United form Rasmus Hojlund says ‘a matter of time’ until Erik ten Hag improves Man United Ten Hag calls out referee’s ‘harsh’ decision to red card Rashford
2023-11-12 01:45
Harry Kane scores again as Bayern moves top of Bundesliga. Stuttgart beats Dortmund
Harry Kane got two more goals as Bayern Munich survived a scare to beat promoted Heidenheim 4-2 and move top of the Bundesliga
2023-11-12 01:20
Arsenal pull level with Manchester City thanks to Burnley win
Oleksandr Zinchenko scored the pick of the goals as 10-man Arsenal secured a comfortable win over Burnley to move level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side took advantage of rivals Tottenham losing earlier in the day to pick-up a 3-1 victory over struggling Burnley, whose captain Josh Brownhill cancelled out Leandro Trossard’s brave opener at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal reacted well to being pegged back and William Saliba headed them level just three minutes later before Zinchenko’s scissor kick wrapped up the points, although the hosts did lose Fabio Vieira to a late red card. Despite several injury doubts heading into the game, Arteta made just one alteration as Zinchenko replaced the unfit Ben White in defence as Bukayo Saka was deemed fit enough to start despite limping off in Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over Sevilla. The England winger had a great effort well saved by James Trafford as Arsenal set their stall out to attack from the off. They would be frustrated, however, by a Burnley defence already at the stage of throwing themselves in front of shots and making last-ditch blocks before the half-hour mark, Saka time and again finding space and Kai Havertz also drifting in to cause trouble. Havertz, still without a goal from open play since his £65million move from Chelsea, headed wide a glorious chance from a corner before Burnley threatened for the first time. A rare mistake from Saliba gifted the ball to Johann Gudmundsson, who raced through on goal to force David Raya into a good, low stop. Trossard was the next Arsenal player denied by Trafford, his effort from range tipped over the bar after Declan Rice had robbed Brownhill of possession in a dangerous area of the pitch. The Belgium international was deployed as a central striker once again and gave the hosts the lead with his sixth goal of the campaign, turning home Saka’s header from close-range as he crashed into Trafford and the frame of the goal in the process. Burnley were level nine minutes after the restart, Brownhill firing home after good work from Luca Koleosho led to the ball breaking for Brownhill, whose finish flashed in off Gabriel Magalhaes. The goal stood despite a VAR check for a potential foul on Takehiro Tomiyasu but to Arsenal’s credit, they did not let the equaliser play on their minds. In fact, the goal seemed to stun Arsenal back into life and Gabriel Martinelli broke clear only to fire straight at Trafford. The lead was restored from the resulting corner as Saliba moved in front of Trafford to rise and head home Trossard’s delivery from close-range. Zinchenko’s strike came from another Trossard corner as Dara O’Shea first headed the ball against his own crossbar before clearing into the path of the Ukraine captain, who finished acrobatically. Burnley tried to find a way back into the game and were given some hope when substitute Vieira was dismissed, shown a straight red card by Michael Oliver for a high challenge on Brownhill. Arsenal, though, saw out the remainder of the contest to join City on 27 points ahead of the champions’ trip to Chelsea on Sunday. Read More 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 On this day in 2015: Stuart Lancaster resigns as England head coach Mauricio Pochettino: Easier for new players at Man City than ‘evolving’ Chelsea Don’t worry about it – Ange Postecoglou brushes off series of Spurs setbacks Harry Maguire ‘showing he can do the job’ – Erik ten Hag
2023-11-12 01:19
Man United v Luton LIVE: Premier League updates and goals as United try to hang on for win
Manchester United host Luton Town at Old Trafford in what could be seen as a must-win match for the Red Devils to stop their slide into full-blown crisis. Almost everything that can gone wrong has gone wrong for United this season and manager Erik ten Hag is finding his job under increasing scrutiny as the bad results pile up – the latest of which saw them lose 4-3 to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League in midweek. Luton have battled hard in their maiden Premier League season, and currently sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference, but United will expect to beat the Hatters at home and any other result will only increase the heat heading into the international break. Follow the latest action from Old Trafford below:
2023-11-12 00:45
Jude Bellingham misses Real Madrid match to give England injury concern
England midfielder Jude Bellingham was ruled out of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash against Valencia with a shoulder injury. The in-form 20-year-old, who has scored 13 goals in 14 Real appearances since his £88.5m summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, suffered a dislocated shoulder during last Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Bellingham was this week included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. A Real Madrid statement issued on Saturday said: “After the tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham, he has been diagnosed with anterior instability of his left shoulder, a consequence of his recent dislocation. “Bellingham is out for today’s match against Valencia.” Bellingham was named among the substitutes for Wednesday night’s 3-0 Champions League win over Portuguese side Braga, but manager Carlo Ancelotti did not use him as his side cruised to victory. Read More Is England’s Kane-Bellingham strike force the best in the world? The future of football: Why the U-17 World Cup highlights an evolving game Real Madrid issue Jude Bellingham shoulder injury update
2023-11-12 00:22
The pain of football – Ange Postecoglou says Spurs need to accept Wolves loss
Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham must accept the pain of defeat after Wolves’ stunning late show. Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina scored in stoppage time to cap an astonishing finish, seal a 2-1 win and deny Spurs top spot in the Premier League. Brennan Johnson’s first Tottenham goal had given them an early lead and they were set to move two points clear at the summit despite riding their luck for much of the game. But, instead, Spurs have suffered successive defeats following Monday’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea. Postecoglou said: “It’s part of the pain of football when things happen in those circumstances. You’ve just got to take it. I can’t fault the players’ effort or their commitment. It was always going to be a tough game. “We started well but we could have been a little bit more positive and aggressive with the ball. I’ve got to temper that with the fact we have had so many changes and we’re not going to get the same, especially when three of your back four are almost starting for the first time. “We’ve had a particularly settled line-up. You could see they were feeling it towards the end. For the most part Wolves didn’t have many big chances but at the end they scored. Wolves were able to lift themselves, particularly with the crowd behind them. “The character and commitment was there, don’t dismiss that. The guys have played their first game of the year and you are changing three of the back four so it’s fairly disruptive. There are plenty of positives to take.” Johnson gave Spurs, without injured pair James Maddison and Micky van de Ven until January, a third-minute lead when he turned in Pedro Porro’s cross from close range but, from then, Wolves took control. It's part of the pain of football when things happen in those circumstances. You've just got to take it. I can't fault the players' effort or their commitment. It was always going to be a tough game Ange Postecoglou Their tenacity and determination left Tottenham struggling but the hosts’ final ball let them down. It took until nine minutes into the second half for a clear chance but, when it came, Hwang Hee-Chan scuffed wide with just Guglielmo Vicario to beat. Tottenham looked like they would hang on, even going close to a second when Jose Sa turned Giovani Lo Celso’s shot over, before Wolves finally found the breakthrough. Substitute Sarabia, on the pitch for just two minutes, levelled when he collected Matheus Cunha’s neat pass and smashed a volley past Vicario. It was a deserved leveller but Wolves wanted more and got it in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Tommy Doyle’s quick free-kick sent Sarabia away and he picked out Lemina, running from deep, to poke the ball into the bottom corner. Boss Gary O’Neil said: “It was the most proud I have been of a group I have coached, to produce what they produced against a top side. “I would have been very proud of the group even if the game had finished 1-0 to Tottenham. I spoke to the boys at half-time, that the scoreline was irrelevant. We were the better side, don’t let the scoreline dictate how you feel. “I try to make the team resemble me but I was never good enough to produce a performance like that. “To be 12 weeks in, we’re ahead of where we expected to be. There was a lot of noise around the place about how much of a struggle it might be but we’ve beaten Man City and Spurs, the top two, early on in the transition. We’re ahead of the curve.” Read More Great Britain suffer shock early BJK Cup setback as Jodie Burrage loses opener 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 On this day in 2015: Stuart Lancaster resigns as England head coach Mauricio Pochettino: Easier for new players at Man City than ‘evolving’ Chelsea Don’t worry about it – Ange Postecoglou brushes off series of Spurs setbacks
2023-11-12 00:16
Real Madrid top scorer Jude Bellingham to miss Valencia game with hurt shoulder
Real Madrid says top scorer Jude Bellingham will miss Saturday’s Spanish league game against Valencia because of a shoulder injury
2023-11-11 23:59
Even wasteful Wolves showed Spurs’ sudden problems – Ange Postecoglou needs a quick fix
Two minutes: that’s how long it took for Tottenham Hotspur to ease a first few lingering nerves that a decimated defence might make them a less-effective team, following that wild and wacky defeat to Chelsea last time out. It wasn’t the end of them by any means, but it gave Spurs both an early lift and something to fight for. And 88 minutes: that’s how long Ange Postecoglou had to observe and realise that – despite his makeshift team’s obvious effort, desire and willingness to go above and beyond – there just wasn’t the cohesion and balance needed to keep out the best attacks in the Premier League. And that was before Wolverhampton Wanderers’ late turnaround. Brennan Johnson it was who scored early, tapping in after a typically fast-flowing move down the right flank but Spurs rarely threatened thereafter and it was a very different type of performance for the majority of the rest of the game. Even so, they still led until just when the injury time board was being raised; a magnificent first touch and volley from Pablo Sarabia later, matters were levelled. And with the latest of late sucker-punches, Mario Lemina slid in to send the home fans delirious, six minutes past the 90, for Wolves 2-1 Tottenham. In between, a whole lot happened to give Postecoglou both reason for optimism and pause for thought. While the back line was very much a restructured one, the attack was merely the same, but different: James Maddison’s injury meant his scheming and invention was replaced by Pape Sarr moving slightly higher up, a ferocious runner into the channels and still a hard-working operative in deeper areas. But without Maddison as that connection, and perhaps without the left-wing thrust from deep of full-back Destiny Udogie, Spurs found it a lot more difficult to break out of their defensive shape, a lot more difficult to maintain possession high upfield. Their intermittent threat, when it came, was of the counter-attacking variety, mainly through Dejan Kulusevski’s ball-carrying, and rarely with the weight of numbers to make a telling final difference. At the other end of the pitch was where the real tale was told, where Postecoglou’s real lessons to take from the match were. Eric Dier was making his first league start of the season, recalled at centre-back, alongside Ben Davies – just a second start for him. Both played well, is the starting point of any assessment. But the issue is that they played well individually: recovery challenges, last-ditch clearances, a couple of vital interceptions of low crosses and cut-backs. There was not, as would perhaps be expected given their minimal gametime this term, any semblance of cohesion, of understanding, of partnership. That has been the big plus at the back this term for Spurs, the rapid way in which Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have filled in for each other, complemented each other’s skillsets and coped with attacks between them. Here instead – and add in a switched-to-left-back Emerson Royal under the same headings – it was all about each defender desperately trying to be that last man, get that last touch, make that last block to protect the fragile lead. There shouldn’t be any blame headed to Dier or Davies for that, as both reasonably did as much as they could, but Spurs’ lack of cohesion saw them exposed and exploited time after time by a very progressive – and very wasteful – Wolves attack. The hosts averaged fewer than 12 shots per game in the Premier League this season; they had surpassed that tally well before the hour mark here. But a combination of wayward strikes, those aforementioned blocks and frankly odd decision-making meant Guglielmo Vicario was nowhere near as tested as he might have been. In the end, it took shots number 16 and 17 to beat the Italian, and to beat Spurs. But as harsh as that late turnaround in scoreline might feel at the final whistle, the truth is a more ruthless and prolific team, one who averages more than Wolves’ 1.3 goals per game this season perhaps, would have had the points sewn up far earlier. Postecoglou can take solace in the heart and effort, and the fact that a third of Romero’s ban is over, plus the entirety of Udogie’s. But had Spurs held out, the truth of the game wouldn’t have been any different to the boss, they’d just have more points at the end of it. Van de Ven in defence and Maddison in attack have been core components of both recovery and intricacy in Spurs’ play this season, and neither have obvious replacements. Work lies ahead over the international break to ensure Tottenham’s early season promise doesn’t fade away entirely in the aftermath of that damaging defeat to Chelsea. Read More Wolves vs Spurs LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Football fan convicted of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand Wolves vs Newcastle United LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Malmo v Elfsborg is the Swedish title decider you (probably) haven’t heard about Chelsea’s downward spiral offers stark warning to Man City Chelsea will be fighting for titles sooner rather than later, says Pep Guardiola
2023-11-11 23:59
Tottenham allows stoppage-time goals in 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton in Premier League
Wolverhampton scored twice in stoppage time to beat Tottenham 2-1 in the Premier League, handing Spurs back-to-back losses for the first time this season
2023-11-11 23:50
Wolves stun Tottenham with two stoppage-time strikes
Wolves’ stunning late show rocked Tottenham and denied Spurs the chance to return to the top of the Premier League. Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina scored in stoppage time to snatch a thrilling – but deserved – 2-1 victory. Brennan Johnson’s early strike – his first Spurs goal – had given the visitors the lead and they looked on course for a smash-and-grab win at Molineux. Tottenham rode their luck as Wolves constantly let them off the hook until Sarabia and Lemina sparked a sensational finish. They were heading two points clear at the top of the table but have now suffered successive defeats. Wolves, meanwhile, hit back from their controversial 2-1 loss at Sheffield United to underline the clear progress they are making under Gary O’Neil. Spurs suffered their first wobble under Ange Postecoglou in their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea having also lost James Maddison and Micky van de Ven until January with injuries. Suspensions to Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie compounded their issues before arriving at Molineux yet they initially showed no scars from Monday’s chaos and took the lead after just three minutes. It was poor from Wolves, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Joao Gomes were hoodwinked by Dejan Kulusevski’s cute drag and flick which allowed Pedro Porro to cross low for Johnson. He had run on the blindside of Nelson Semedo and, with the defender caught out, tapped in from close range. It was the Wales international’s first goal since April – which also came against Wolves. Far from being shellshocked, the hosts responded well and Ben Davies blocked a shot from the rampaging Ait-Nouri as Wolves’ tenacity left Spurs flustered. Tottenham were needlessly tentative at the back, perhaps from Monday’s carnage, but continued to survive with Wolves’ final ball consistently failing them. They still needed Guglielmo Vicario to save well from Lemina before the midfielder had a header deflect over and the goalkeeper also gathered Toti Gomes’ effort in stoppage time. Wolves emerged after the break in the same combative fashion and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ballooned over with Matheus Cunha also curling wide. The hosts were getting closer and should have levelled after 54 minutes when Hwang Hee-Chan missed a golden chance. A poor corner eventually fell to Gomes and his shot deflected into the path of Hwang but, with just Vicario to beat, the seven-goal forward scuffed wide. Without star man Pedro Neto Wolves lacked a killer touch, similar to Tottenham – missing main schemer Maddison – who had created nothing since their early opener. The hosts’ dominance had nullified Spurs but they were still behind and their desperation for a leveller began to leave spaces, with Johnson curling wide after a rare break. Wolves looked to be running out of ideas with time ticking by, although Sasa Kalajdzic wastefully headed over, and Giovani Lo Celso almost snatched an undeserved second with two minutes left but Jose Sa turned his effort over. Little suggested the drama to come but Wolves then turned the game on its head in stoppage time. O’Neil’s side finally got the leveller they deserved when substitute Sarabia, on the pitch for just two minutes, collected Cunha’s clipped ball and smashed past Vicario. Then, in the seventh minute of stoppage time, Sarabia was sent scampering after a quick free-kick and he found Lemina to turn in and send Molineux wild. Read More 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 On this day in 2015: Stuart Lancaster resigns as England head coach Mauricio Pochettino: Easier for new players at Man City than ‘evolving’ Chelsea Don’t worry about it – Ange Postecoglou brushes off series of Spurs setbacks Harry Maguire ‘showing he can do the job’ – Erik ten Hag
2023-11-11 23:23
Emma Hayes cites family in decision to leave Chelsea. No comment on US women's national team job
Emma Hayes says she’s focused on Chelsea and her young son — not the United States women’s national team
2023-11-11 22:47
Sri Lanka sports minister says ICC suspension of cricket board illegal
Sri Lanka’s sports minister says the International Cricket Council’s suspension of the nation’s cricket board over political interference was illegal and that he will seek to reverse it
2023-11-11 22:46