And with that, I leave you all wishing you a great weekend of football action! Goodbye!
Some WSL news. The Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has been speaking ahead of this weekend’s away trip to Everton after it was announced by the club in the week she would be departing at the end of this season to reportedly take up a role as the manager of the United States Women’s team- which is yet to be confirmed by the club or Hayes. She said:
I’ve been in the post for 12 years and I’ve dedicated my life to this place. I drive four hours to and from this place six days a week, for 12 years.
I’ve loved every minute of it. I think it’s really important that if possible, we can create a succession plan for me. The time is right [to leave].
I will work with the club on the succession plan and do everything I can to make sure there is as good a transition as possible. I have a five-year-old that needs more of his mummy. That’s important. Family matters. I think I’ve dedicated as much as I possibly can to this football club.”
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This just in from Shaun about this week’s quiz:
Don’t want to give any answer away but can someone explain the question and how it corresponds to the answer for number 9 please ???
It’s melting my daft little brain. It’s a mistake, right ??
No idea, Shaun. I’d love to help but not sure my knowledge extends to Northern Irish cup competitions…
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Back to United and Luton. The newly promoted team’s last game against Liverpool was marred by tragedy chanting about the Hillsborough disaster which the club condemned this week, threatening to ban anybody involved.
The Luton manager Rob Edwards has personally apologised and said:
We don’t condone that, of course, and there’s an investigation going on at the moment. In terms of a message to our supporters, go out tomorrow, we want them to bring the noise - but let’s be good and be respectful.
“Sunday is Remembrance day and Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral is on Monday as well, so we go to Old Trafford at an important time. “Bring the noise but do it with respect.
On the pressure facing ten Hag after the midweek Champions League loss to Copenhagen, Edwards added:
I have got a lot of empathy for people in this role and I imagine the pressure for the person at that football club is 10/20/50-fold from what I feel in this role.
“Everyone has an opinion towards one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“I have a lot of respect for him and that job he did last year where he won a trophy. He’s got the quality to turn it around.”
Arsenal play Burnley at the Emirates tomorrow, who are managed by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who Mikel Arteta coached in his stint as Pep Guardiola’s assistant…I know. A lot to get your head around. Arteta says Kompany “was already a coach when he played” and he’s not surprised at all at his move into management:
He was a leader. He was someone very intelligent who could navigate different scenarios very well, the dressing rooms and above.
“He understood the game, spoke several languages and you could tell straight away that he was going to be a top coach. Obviously he’s had a very strong career already, especially with the way he’s done it.
“In this Premier League we all have difficulty, we all have good moments. I’m really happy to see him doing what he’s doing.”
Bukayo Saka did not train today and faces a late fitness test before tomorrow’s game. While Arteta has described Aaron Ramsdale as still “having a very important role” in his squad despite David Raya usurping him as the No 1 in recent weeks.
Arteta was upbeat on Kai Havertz:
I can tell you that I am really pleased with the way he is performing.
Looking at just the specific numbers of what he is producing in front of goal does have to improve and we have to improve them but in many other areas of the pitch what he gives to the pitch at the moment is really important.”
On the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel saying Anthony Gordon’s goal in last weekend’s 1-0 loss being ruled as valid, Arteta said:
We had a lot of reactions after that match. It’s time to move forward and talk about Burnley.”
This tickled me a bit:
Arteta asked about IFAB boss saying it'll take 10 years for VAR to iron out all the issues with it:
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) November 10, 2023
"I will probably be bald in 10 years."
The Arsenal manager added on his squad depth there were “specific positions or certain units where we are a little bit shorter”.
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Chelsea v Manchester City: A fixture defined by two giants who upset the traditional cartel of English football in their own ways. All but three of the available Premier League titles since City’s first triumph in 2012 have gone to both clubs in that period. Chelsea are in a transitional moment with City as strong as ever.
How do you see this one going? Pochettino has history with Guardiola having denied him the pinnacle of Champions League glory as the then Tottenham manager in 2019.
No Kevin De Bruyne this weekend but he starred here in this fixture in 2017 under the watchful eye of Daniel Taylor
Chelsea and Manchester City fans! Any special memories (or nightmares) of this game? How is this fixture viewed the prism of the modern Premier League? Email me your thoughts.
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Hi all! Another former Manchester City player likely to be involved for Sunday’s big kick-off is Cole Palmer and the Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been singing the praises of the youngster describing him as “a really clever guy”. Pochettino added:
He has had to adapt quickly. We are building the team at the minute and he showed character and personality to take the move.
We are so happy with him but I think he will improve. It is a special chance for him to play his former team-mates.”
On club captain Reece James ruling himself out of England duty and risking his place at Euro 2024 according to Gareth Southgate, Pochettino said:
It’s never the decision of the player. The medical staff, sports science and coaching staff always take the decisions, not the player.
Reece is desperate to go to the national team and I only think this will be good for the national team and Chelsea also. But it’s not a decision by him, he is desperate to go.”
No new injury updates as Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku continue to undergo their recovery from spells on the sidelines.
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Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City top the table … and visit table-toppers of Christmases past, Chelsea, on Sunday. It reunites the City manager with Raheem Sterling, who has flitted in and out of his best form this season, though not yet to the satisfaction of Gareth Southgate and England.
Guardiola added of Sterling that he’s “playing really good … back in his best moments from what I’ve seen recently”.
Of Chelsea he added:
They’re getting better, new club, new players. Sooner than later they’ll be a top contender, the quality in all departments is there.
If we stop doing what we do or the opponents are better than us, we won’t be there. What you did in the past doesn’t mean you can’t go down, and ‘the down’ is always there. If you are aware of that you are closer to being consistent in Europe for many years.”
He offered an injury update on John Stones, rowing back a little on his statement earlier this week suggesting that the versatile defender will be out for “a while” with an unspecified muscle injury – today’s testimony is that: “The doctor said to me it’s not as bad.” Manuel Akanji, who sustained an injury during the warm-up against Young Boys on Tuesday, “trained today and trained good”.
Kevin De Bruyne remains a long-term absentee, but Guardiola said green shoots are apparent:
I spoke to him two days ago and he feels really good – but he isn’t training with us, he’s not running much. [With] these kind of injuries it’s better not to put pressure. When he feels good and the doctors are confident, we can take the next step. You don’t want to go too early and have to go backwards again. Kevin’s was a tough injury, surgery – so step by step.”
With that, it’s good afternoon from me and greetings to Morgan Ofori, who jumps in from here.
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Erik ten Hag is attempting to keep the wolves from his door at Old Trafford. As he prepares for the visit of Luton tomorrow, he was asked about the tally of nine defeats in 17 games so far this season …
It is about the end result and we have to win every game. We are very disappointed to lose any game but finally it is about the end result. It is always about being in a process, thinking about a process and then it’s about managing the process. That’s the only thing I focus on.
I think we have often proved we can, like at Fulham, like Brentford, that we can overcome big setbacks.
Surprise 2023 first team mainstay Jonny Evans is a doubt having departed looking decidedly uncomfortable in the 15th minute against Copenhagen. His replacement on Wednesday – Raphaël Varane – looks the most likely to step in.
Before Liverpool host Brentford on Sunday, Jürgen Klopp has been up. He’s been speaking warmly about the opposition …
It’s super-challenging to play Thomas Frank and Brentford, for different reasons. They do really well. I’m not sure they are 100% happy with the season, but losing Ivan Toney, the player he was for them, really is brutal. But they are stable in the table, that’s probably what [they] want.
It’s well organised, sensational set-pieces – all these kind of things. Really offensive players, really fast, counterattacking really good. They change styles from time to time; if they consider you as a top-six team then it’s a bit more defensive, if not they have a bit more possession parts.
It’s always interesting to play them and difficult as well. But it’s Anfield and we should use that.”
Alexis Mac Allister misses out as he serves a one-match suspension after racking up five yellow cards. Wataru Endo seems set for a league start as Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones remain doubts having missed yesterday’s defeat to Toulouse.
When loads of news lands all at once, it can be useful for a side amusement to go live on this here website to allow sore transcribing fingers some respite.
Thank the stars, then, for …
James Maddison 'out until new year', Postecoglou reveals
“Is there any good news on the injury front?” Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou is asked. “No,” he replies.
The Spurs manager has confirmed that James Maddison is out “until the new year” after a “quite significant” ankle injury sustained in defeat by Chelsea on Monday, while Richarlison is out for a month following surgery.
Micky van de Ven has a “fairly significant” hamstring injury and will be out “probably a couple of months for him looking into the new year”. In the wake of injuries to Van de Ven and Matthijs de Ligt, Ronald Koeman has called up Ajax’s 17-year-old Jorrel Hato for Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar.
Ange provides the latest team news and injury updates ahead of our trip to Molineux 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DibknDaPk6
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 10, 2023
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Ratcliffe hopes to seal Manchester United deal in next fortnight
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still fanning his (circa) £1.25bn for a 25% minority stake in United. He is hopeful of completing a deal over the next fortnight.
The British billionaire is set to spend about £1.25bn to acquire £25% of the club and gain control of football operations. It is likely the agreement will be finalised before United play Everton at Goodison Park on 26 November. Although informed sources said next week appeared too soon for a deal, the following week is regarded as realistic.
More from Will Unwin and Sean Ingle here …
Eberechi Eze signs new long-term Crystal Palace deal
Splendid news for Palace fans, as the 25-year-old forward commits to the club until 2027.
In a freshly minted statement, Eze said:
I’m delighted to have signed for the club for another three-and-a-half years. I’m now in my fourth season with the club and I’ve enjoyed it so far. I’m loving every moment. Hopefully the fans can expect more of the same in the future, God willing – I’m praying for exciting performances, fun times, goals and wins.”
Palace chairman Steve Parish, clearly pleased with his day’s work, added:
I’m absolutely delighted that Eberechi has committed his future to Crystal Palace Football Club.
As an England international and proven performer at Premier League level, his talents are well-known, but he also brings with that an exemplary mentality and character in everything he does. There is so much to admire about him as a young footballer and a young man, and his new contract is just reward for his performances and impact on the team. It is absolutely fantastic news for everybody associated with our club.”
Michael Olise, Sam Johnstone and Jordan Ayew have also recently signed contract extensions.
More from Newcastle: you may not be surprised to learn that Eddie Howe is leaning towards not supporting a mooted new Premier League rule that will – among other things – stop them signing former Wolves midfielder Rúben Neves from Saudi club Al-Hilal, who share ownership with the St James’ Park club.
A temporary ban will be voted on by clubs on 21 November and would block Howe from borrowing players from the four Saudi clubs owned, like Newcastle, by the Gulf kingdom’s Public Investment Fund. That would rule out a move for, among others, Neves.
Although Howe was reluctant to be drawn on the specifics of Newcastle’s resistance plan, he said when asked whether the club would fight such changes: “You can make that assumption.”
Plenty more from Louise Taylor here …
Cheers Barry, good day all. Jürgen Klopp has calmed down a little from last night’s shambolic-sounding post-match duties in Toulouse. Worth your time if you missed it. Plenty more from him imminently.
Handover: With plenty more Premier League press conferences scheduled for this afternoon, I’ll leave you in the very capable hands of Stuart Goodwin. Have a great weekend.
Bournemouth: Spare a thought for Alex Scott, who has been sidelined again after making just four appearances for Bournemouth since his move from Bristol City during the summer. The 20-year-old winger was not long back from a serious injury when he suffered a blow to his other knee and was forced off following a challenge with Rodri during Bournemouth’s defeat at the hands of Manchester City last weekend and now faces an indefinite spell in the physio room.
“It depends,” said Andoni Iraola, upon being asked how long Scott would be absent. “It’s a grade two injury and it is tough. It is on the other knee than the one he had an injury with earlier in the season.” Earlier this week, Scott posted a message on his Instagram page in which he described himself as being “gutted”.
Women’s football: Megan Rapinoe will play her final game of professional football when her Seattle-based club OL Reign take on Gotham FC in the NWSL final at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego tomorrow. The World Cup winner’s impact off the field was undeniable but as her final game approaches, it’s time to assess her as an athlete. Words: Megan Swanick.
Bournemouth v Newcastle: Bournemouth have announced that Ryan Christie has signed a new contract that will extend his stay at the club until 2027.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said the 28-year-old midfielder after posing for the obligatory photo with pen poised over his new contract and a big grin on his face. “I’ve loved my time ever since I joined the club so it was an easy decision to make. When I joined, everyone was welcoming and that’s not really stopped. Anyone looking at the club can see we’re on an upward trajectory. As a player, it’s really exciting to be a part of that.”
Bournemouth v Newcastle: Eddie Howe returns to his old stomping ground tomorrow and was asked if visits to the Vitality Stadium stir any particular emotions within him. “The focus is always on the players and on our performance and how well we can approach the game,” he said. “That is always my wish, it is never about me. The only focus is to win. I will always care about Bournemouth after spending good times at that club. But when you are playing against them we will do everything in our power to win.”
On Andre Iraola, he had this to say. “He is a very good manager. I have watched Bournemouth a lot in the build-up to this game. There set-up is very good and they have good players. They have invested a lot of money into their squad so we know we are in for a tough game. We have a lot of experience at that stadium and it is a very difficult place to go.”
West Ham: The subject of VAR and Mikel Arteta’s post-match tantrum following Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of Newcastle last weekend is one that is likely to be rasied in most of today’s press conferences.
The Arsenal manager’s rattle came sailing out of the pram when match officials decided to allow Anthony Gordon’s winner to stand despite an apparent push in the back by Joelinton on Gabriel in the immediate build-up to a goal that underwent three separate VAR checks before being allowed.
First up to the microphone: David Moyes, whose West Ham side host Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. “My opinion doesn’t really matter in what I say because you’re just going to ask all the managers a similar question,” he said.
“We’re all pretty disappointed with lots of aspects but we’re also all very much in favour of trying to make it work. I just think we’ve all been disappointed with some of the officiating this season. My single opinion wouldn’t matter a jot. They’ll do what they need to do.
“When we’re putting it over it’s not getting much clout at the other end. You can ask us but we feel that we’re not getting an awful lot back when we’re giving it back to the officials or whoever. There have been a couple of big incidents that have been highlighted, but it’s mainly at the top clubs.
“It’s as if people don’t think that some other clubs have the same problems, the same VAR problems, the same decision-making. It doesn’t get the same highlight. We’re all pretty disappointed by what we’ve been getting back.
“We don’t want to do it because managers will be fined for speaking out of turn. Most managers don’t want to say anything about it because we know we’re locked down. If clubs or managers choose to have an outburst then that’s their choice and they can choose to do that.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe closing in on Man Utd deal
According to PA Media, Sir Jim Ratcliffe could finalise a deal to become a minority shareholder at Manchester United during the upcoming international break. Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is expected to pay in the region of £1.25billion for a 25 per cent stake in United, while also acquiring significant control over footballing operations. The deal could be wrapped up as early as next week.
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National League South: Huge news from England’s sixth tier, where it has been announced that Truro City’s match against Daretford tomorrow has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Cornish side’s Treyew Road Stadium. Fun fact: Teddy Sheringham’s son Charlie plays for Dartford, who will have to make the 576-mile round-trip from from their ground in Kent to Truro some other time.
Evan Ferguson commits his future to Brighton
Evan Ferguson has signed a new contract with Brighton which ties him to the club until 2029. The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland international has extended his existing deal, amid reports that other Premier League clubs are tracking his progress.
“Evan deserves this new contract and he has a very big future ahead of him,” said Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Ferguson joined Brighton from Irish side Bohemians in January 2021 and made his first-team debut later that year in a Carabao Cup tie against Cardiff.
He has scored 15 times for the first team since then, having opened his account against Arsenal last December. “Evan is a brilliant young talent and we are delighted for him,” said Brighton technical director David Weir. “He’s shown his ability at club and international level, after breaking into the team at the start of the year, and we are looking forward to working with him and watching his continued progress.” Ferguson made his senior Ireland debut in March, scoring in a 3-2 win over Latvia.
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Newcastle United: On the week of the second anniversary of his appointment as Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe takes his side to Bournemouth for tomorrow evening’s 5.30 kick-off. He will take a depelted squad to the Vitality Stadium, with – deep breath – Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett all among the lame, halt or suspended. Callum Wilson is also an injury doubt with a hamstring issue.
“Have I ever had this many missing?” said Howe. “Not to this level. But I don’t want to build it up to be any more than it is. We’re still good enough.” Asked for his thoughts on his team’s season so far, he had this to say. “The players have done incredibly well to adjust to the difficult start that we had, that has been a test of their character. We have been close in those games but didn’t get the results we wanted; it has been an intense period.
“We have been stretched mentally and physically but the players have responded well and that is a big compliment to what they have given. Now we need to finish this period off well at Bournemouth. The big thing is that I back the players and the squad. The biggest challenge is in-game running. My options are restricted which will have the biggest impact on us at the moment.
“I can’t credit the players who are fit and available enough. The way they have attacked the games. You look at Arsenal, the only disappointment was the VAR situation overshadowed our performance. The thing from Dortmund to take is that if we would have played to our very maximum levels we could have won that game but we didn’t. We got to take control of that ourselves and not look external.”
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Luis Diaz's father freed by kidnappers
Liverpool’s manager, Jürgen Klopp, said his Colombian forward Luis Díaz was “really happy” after hearing his kidnapped father had been released a few hours before the club’s Europa League tie in Toulouse.
Luis Díaz Sr was taken along with his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, on 28 October in their home town of Barrancas in Colombia’s northern La Guajira state, although Díaz’s mother was freed hours later. After a long wait and days of negotiation with the guerilla group the National Liberation Army, Díaz’s father was released yesterday.
Rangers 2-1 Sparta Prague
Europa League: Todd Cantwell was among the goals as Rangers moved clear into second place in their Europa League group with what turned out to be a nervy 2-1 win over Sparta Prague at Ibrox.
Toulouse 3-2 Liverpool
Europa League: Jarell Quansah was denied a dream first goal by VAR in the final minute of added time as Liverpool squandered a chance to secure qualification for the Europa League knockout stage with defeat in Toulouse.
West Ham 1-0 Olympiakos
Europa League: Lucas Paquetá scored the only goal of the game as West Ham won their ninth consecutive home victory in European competition with a win over Olympiakos. Ed Aarons was there to see them do it …
Ajax 0-2 Brighton
Europa League: Brighton took control of their Europa League destiny with a commanding 2-0 win against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena to complete back-to-back victories over the Dutch giants.
Good morning!
With another international break looming, we’ve a big weekend of Premier League action to get in the rear-view mirror before assorted players fly off to various far-flung corners of the globe to represent their countries.
One man who won’t be doing so is James Maddison. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has withdrawn from the England squad with an ankle injury he picked up during his side’s chaotic defeat at the hands of Chelsea on Monday night and will remain in London for treatment at the hands of his club’s physios. England are due to play Euro qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia in the next fortnight but have already secured qualification for Germany 2024.
We’ll bring you more news on that and everything else of note that’s going on once assorted Premier League managers start flapping their gums for the benefit of the ladies and gentlemen of the Fourth Estate at their Friday news conferences.
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