It’s time to wrap up this blog. But if you just need one more hit of live sport, please join utter genius Scott Murray for day two of the Masters. Goodnight.
Premier League team news
Full time
It’s over, you don’t need to tell me. These are the final scores in our featured games.
Championship
Blackburn 0-2 Norwich
Blackpool 1-3 Cardiff
Millwall 0-0 Luton
QPR 0-2 Preston
Reading 1-1 Birmingham
Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan
Watford 2-3 Huddersfield
League One
Ipswich 4-0 Wycombe
Morecambe 1-3 Plymouth
Oxford 1-1 Sheff Wed
League Two
Salford 0-2 Leyton Orient
Full time: Ipswich 4-0 Wycombe Ipswich continue their astonishing form: eight straight wins, nine clean sheets in a row.
Full time: Watford 2-3 Huddersfield Three wins in a row, and three remarkable wins at that, for Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield!
Red card! Watford 2-3 Huddersfield (Bachmann) This is magnificent comedy. The Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann comes forward for a corner, then ts a yellow card for pushing someone, then gets another for missing an attempt to behead Matty Pearson, who was ducking into a bouncing ball. And then he tries to have a square go with Pearson before leaving the field!
Updated
Full time: Sheffield United 1-0 Wigan Athletic Sheffield United move closer to automatic promotion after a relatively comfortable 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane.
Full times: Blackpool 1-3 Cardiff, Blackburn 0-2 Norwich, QPR 0-2 Preston
It’s getting dangerously snug at the bottom of the Championship – and in the hunt for the playoffs.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burnley | 38 | 45 | 84 |
| 2 | Sheff Utd | 39 | 27 | 76 |
| 3 | Luton | 40 | 13 | 68 |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | 39 | 25 | 67 |
| 5 | Millwall | 40 | 8 | 62 |
| 6 | Blackburn | 39 | -2 | 61 |
| 7 | Norwich | 40 | 12 | 60 |
| 8 | Preston North End | 40 | -5 | 59 |
| 9 | Coventry | 40 | 6 | 58 |
| 10 | West Brom | 39 | 6 | 56 |
| 11 | Watford | 40 | 2 | 55 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 39 | 7 | 54 |
| 13 | Bristol City | 40 | 0 | 52 |
| 14 | Stoke | 40 | 6 | 51 |
| 15 | Swansea | 40 | -5 | 50 |
| 16 | Birmingham | 40 | -7 | 49 |
| 17 | Hull | 39 | -10 | 48 |
| 18 | Rotherham | 39 | -8 | 44 |
| 19 | Cardiff | 39 | -12 | 42 |
| 20 | Huddersfield | 40 | -18 | 42 |
| 21 | QPR | 40 | -24 | 42 |
| 22 | Reading | 40 | -18 | 41 |
| 23 | Blackpool | 40 | -22 | 35 |
| 24 | Wigan | 40 | -26 | 34 |
Updated
GOAL! Morecambe 1-3 Plymouth (Matete 90+3) Plymouth’s comeback is complete, and all three goals have been scored by substitutes.
GOAL! Watford 2-3 Huddersfield (Assombalonga 90+2) It’s not over yet.
GOAL! Morecambe 1-2 Plymouth (Waine 86) A huge goal for Plymouth! They haven’t played well, but Ben Waine has put them ahead at Morecambe and, as things stand, they are top of League One.
GOAL! Watford 1-3 Huddersfield (Harratt 82)
Huddersfield are heading for another sensational comeback victory! Kian Harratt has headed them 3-1 up at Vicarage Road, and if it stays like this they will be out of the relegation places for the first time since August. This is what happens when you bring a 74-year-old out of retirement.
Updated
GOAL! Ipswich 4-0 Wycombe (Ladapo 76 pen) Ipswich’s unreal run of form continues: Freddie Ladapo’s penalty has made it 4-0 today, and 24-0 since they last conceded a goal on 11 February.
Updated
League One
As things stand – with Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth both drawing – Ipswich are top of the table.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ipswich | 39 | 46 | 81 |
| 2 | Sheff Wed | 40 | 36 | 81 |
| 3 | Plymouth | 39 | 26 | 81 |
| 4 | Barnsley | 39 | 31 | 75 |
| 5 | Bolton | 39 | 22 | 67 |
GOAL! Blackpool 1-3 Cardiff (Bowler 74) A goal back for the home side at Bloomfield Road.
GOAL! Oxford 1-1 Sheff Wed (Brannagan 70 pen)
Cameron Brannigan has equalised for Oxford against the leaders! It was a dubious decision, but Brannagan didn’t care: he smashed the penalty into the net.
LEVEL FROM THE SPOT! ✅
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 7, 2023
Oxford 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/s0uN75NTzD
Updated
The latest scores in our featured games
Championship
Blackburn 0-2 Norwich
Blackpool 0-3 Cardiff
Millwall 0-0 Luton (FT)
QPR 0-2 Preston
Reading 1-1 Birmingham
Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan
Watford 1-2 Huddersfield
League One
Ipswich 3-0 Wycombe
Morecambe 1-1 Plymouth
Oxford 0-1 Sheff Wed
League Two
Salford 0-2 Leyton Orient
GOAL! QPR 0-2 Preston (Cannon 63) Two goals in five minutes for Tom Cannon, who finishes coolly after running onto a through ball. QPR are in serious bother.
Updated
QPR 0-1 Preston QPR were top of the Championship table after 16 games. Now, as things stand, they are 21st, just a point above Reading.
GOAL! Ipswich 3-0 Wycombe (Burns 57) It’s now 23-0 to Ipswich since they last conceded a goal: Wes Burns has smashed them further ahead against Wycombe.
GOAL! Morecambe 1-1 Plymouth (Mayor 63) Danny Mayor has equalised for Plymouth with a lovely curling shot, a cousin of Barry Bannan’s goal earlier in the day.
GOAL! QPR 0-1 Preston (Cannon 59)
QPR’s woes continue. The in-form Tom Cannon has put Preston ahead at Loftus Road with a classy flicked header.
Oxford 0-1 Sheff Wed I’m not sure what’s the most impressive thing here: the cross, the header or the save.
WHAT A SAVE! 🤯
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 7, 2023
Nearly a sensational assist from Barry Bannan 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dX4OOXNoi3
Blackburn 0-2 Norwich Gabriel Sara’s goal was a cracker, walloped into the top corner on the run from a very tight angle.
Updated
GOALS! Blackburn 0-2 Norwich (Sara 55); Watford 1-2 Huddersfield (Pearson 55)
Well, well. Huddersfield have come from behind to lead at Vicarage Road – just imagine the triumphant tone of Neil Warnock’s internal monologue right now – and Gabriel Sara has doubled Norwich’s lead in the playoff scrap at Ewood Park.
Updated
Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan Billy Sharp’s header is pushed over by Ben Amos, who has made a number of fine saves in the Wigan goal.
Peep peep! The second halves are under way, oh yeah.
Half time
Peep peep! That’s the end of the first half, and these are the scores in our featured games.
Championship
Blackburn 0-1 Norwich
Blackpool 0-3 Cardiff
Millwall 0-0 Luton (FT)
QPR 0-0 Preston
Reading 1-0 Birmingham
Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan
Watford 1-1 Huddersfield
League One
Ipswich 2-0 Wycombe
Morecambe 1-0 Plymouth
Oxford 0-1 Sheff Wed
League Two
Salford 0-2 Leyton Orient
GOAL! Ipswich 2-0 Wycombe (Chaplin 45) Ipswich are cruising to victory again. Conor Chaplin has made it 2-0, rifling a drive just inside the near post. A great stat from Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports: since Ipswich last conceded a goal, they’ve scored 22 times.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheff Wed | 40 | 37 | 83 |
| 2 | Ipswich | 39 | 45 | 81 |
| 3 | Plymouth | 39 | 25 | 80 |
| 4 | Barnsley | 39 | 32 | 76 |
| 5 | Bolton | 39 | 22 | 67 |
Updated
GOAL! Watford 1-1 Huddersfield (Rudoni 44) A timely and slightly equaliser for Huddersfield at Vicarage Road. A cross from the right wasn’t cleared properly, and Jack Rudoni did the rest.
Updated
Oxford 0-1 Sheff Wed Here’s that beautiful goal from Barry Bannan that has put the leaders ahead.
PICK. THAT. OUT! 🔥
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 7, 2023
Sensational from BARRY BANNAN! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UlrbsEg3ZN
GOAL! Ipswich 1-0 Wycombe (Hirst 38) Another important goal at the top of League One. Ipswich – aiming for an eighth consecutive win without conceding a goal – are ahead thanks to George Hirst’s header from a corner.
GOAL! Blackpool 0-3 Cardiff (Ralls 40) Joe Ralls slides Cardiff into a three-goal lead at Bloomfield Road. My word.
Updated
GOAL! Blackpool 0-2 Cardiff (Kaba 37) Sory Kaba has doubled Cardiff’s lead after a mistake from James Husband, and now Mick McCarthy’s team are officially in all sorts.
Updated
GOAL! Salford 0-2 Leyton Orient (Moncur 35) The Orient manager Richie Wellens, who was sacked by Salford in 2021, is having a very happy return. George Moncur put Orient 2-0 up, and as things stand they are nine points clear of second-placed Northampton with a game in hand.
GOAL! Oxford 0-1 Sheff Wed (Bannan 35) Barry Bannan has put the League One leaders in front with a delicious curler from the edge of the area. He set it well outside the far post, with just enough swerve to take it inside the post. Lovely goal.
Updated
GOAL! Watford 1-0 Huddersfield (Asprilla 32) Watford have dominated, and now they’re ahead through a crisp daisycutter from Yaser Asprilla.
GOAL! Reading 1-1 Birmingham (Jutkiewicz 29) Oof, Lukas Jutkiewicz has equalised for Birmingham with a storming header. Andy Carroll would have been proud of that.
GOAL! Salford 0-1 Leyton Orient (Sotiriou 22) The League Two leaders are in front as well, and it wouldn’t be long before they officially clinch promotion.
Updated
The latest scores in our featured games
Championship
Blackburn 0-1 Norwich
Blackpool 0-1 Cardiff
Millwall 0-0 Luton (FT)
QPR 0-0 Preston
Reading 1-0 Birmingham
Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan
Watford 0-0 Huddersfield
League One
Ipswich 0-0 Wycombe
Morecambe 1-0 Plymouth
Oxford 0-0 Sheff Wed
League Two
Salford 0-0 Leyton Orient
GOAL! Blackpool 0-1 Cardiff (Wickham 21)
A big goal at the bottom of the Championship: Connor Wickham has put Cardiff ahead. A win for Cardiff today would leave Blackpool in all sorts.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | QPR | 40 | -22 | 43 |
| 21 | Cardiff | 39 | -13 | 42 |
| 22 | Huddersfield | 40 | -19 | 40 |
| 23 | Blackpool | 40 | -21 | 35 |
| 24 | Wigan | 40 | -26 | 34 |
Updated
We’re having one or two technical problems I’m afraid. Bear with us, you haven’t missed any goals in our featured games, and you can see all the latest scores here.
Blackburn 0-1 Norwich As things stand, Norwich are only a point behind Blackburn in the scrap for playoff places, albeit having played a game more.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Millwall | 40 | 8 | 62 |
| 6 | Blackburn | 39 | -1 | 61 |
| 7 | Norwich | 40 | 11 | 60 |
| 8 | Coventry | 40 | 6 | 58 |
Updated
GOAL! Blackburn 0-1 Norwich (Gibbs 11) Liam Gibbs scores his first senior goal, and it’s a beauty. He galloped onto a through ball, was far too quick for the Blackburn defence and then calmly slammed the ball into the top corner. That’s a belter.
Updated
Right, these are the latest scores in our hastily decided featured games
Championship
Blackburn 0-0 Norwich
Blackpool 0-0 Cardiff
Millwall 0-0 Luton (FT)
QPR 0-0 Preston
Reading 1-0 Birmingham
Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan
Watford 0-0 Huddersfield
League One
Ipswich 0-0 Wycombe
Morecambe 1-0 Plymouth
Oxford 0-0 Sheff Wed
League Two
Salford 0-0 Leyton Orient
GOAL! Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan (Ndiaye 8) Iliman Ndiaye taps promotion-chasing United into the lead after an outstanding run and cross from James McAtee. Ndiaye couldn’t miss.
Updated
GOAL! Reading 1-0 Birmingham (Carroll 7)
Andy Carrolll has put Reading ahead with a brilliant goal, pinged first time past John Ruddy from the left side of the penalty area.
GOAL! Morecambe 1-0 Plymouth (Weir 3) An early blow for Plymouth, who started the day in second in League One. They sent almost everyone up for a corner, allowing Jensen Weir to run through from the halfway line and put Morecambe ahead.
League One The first goal of the afternoon has come at the Bolt New Lawn, where James Collins’ second-minute penalty has made it Forest Green 0-1 Derby.
Updated
Peep peep! The 3pm games are under way, and these are the latest scores.
Thanks Will, hello again. Let’s start with some hot goal action: Tariq Fosu has made it Rotherham 3-1 West Brom, and there are just under 10 minutes remaining. That would be such a big win for Rotherham in their battle against relegation.
Updated
It’s time for me to hand back to Rob Smyth, who will guide you through the swirling maelstrom of the 3pm kick-offs. Kick back, relax and sack off work for the afternoon, because the clockwatch is about to begin in earnest.
Will Unwin has sent on some forensic insight into the managerial process from Pep Guardiola. “I’ll tell you a secret: we win games,” the Manchester City manager said when asked why he’s never been sacked. “If we didn’t win games, I would be sacked. I’m not sacked because we’ve won a lot of games during these years.”
It’s honours even at the Den, with Millwall and Luton settling for a point apiece. Luton are now third, a point and a place above Middlesbrough having played one game more, while Millwall remain fifth.
Rotherham have taken the lead against West Brom! Hugill has scored again, heading home a free kick from Shane Ferguson to make it 2-1 to the hosts.
“Spurs may be working on a sense of stability,” writes Jeff Sax via email. “But it is obvious from the appointment of Lampard at Chelsea that owners and directors have no clue about football.” A Clough-esque sentiment, that. I can hear Old Big ‘Ed’s voice ringing in my ears.
Updated
It’s still goalless at the Den, where Millwall and Luton are looking to strengthen their grip on their respective playoff spots. As an aside, I was best man at a wedding recently where the bride and her family were all massive Luton fans. I’m told she’s currently watching the game on her phone, poolside, in Argentina. What a way to honeymoon.
Updated
Tottenham appoint new chief football officer
After a spell of upheaval on and off the field, Tottenham have moved to restore some semblance of stability with the appointment of Scott Munn, formerly of City Football Group, as their new chief football officer.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Scott Munn as Chief Football Officer,” read a statement on the club’s website. “Scott will be joining the Club’s Board and will take charge of all footballing departments.
“As referenced in the Chairman’s statement … there has been an ongoing review over the past six months of all of our footballing activities. Changes have been made and further improvements continue to ensure future progress and competitiveness.
“Scott, former City Football Group Executive, has extensive experience within sporting organisations having started his career with the Sydney Organising Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games and then transitioned into the National Rugby League, before joining the Australia Football League. Scott joined Melbourne City FC as Chief Executive Officer in 2010. In 2019 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of City Football Group China.”
Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s chairman, added: “Scott has a unique and broad experience of running sporting organisations at the highest level and will take responsibility for the leadership and management of our football activities to instil best practice both on and off the pitch.”
Updated
But wait a minute! Rotherham have levelled through Jordan Hugill, who has just headed in at a corner after a good delivery from Conor Coventry. We could have a game on our hands at the New York Stadium.
Updated
Meanwhile, in the Championship, West Brom have taken the lead against Rotherham via a penalty from John Swift. Conor Townsend won the spot kick, with Swift then lashing past Viktor Johansson, the Rotherham goalkeeper, from 12 yards.
How are we, (almost) weekend warriors? Where were we? Slough Town are currently 2-0 up against Chippenham in the National League South. Go on the Rebels!
I’m out to lunch, so Will Magee is going to take over for a while. See you later. I’ll leave you with this from another Will, our Manchester City writer Mr Unwin.
Pep says Haaland has been back in training for two days and is ready for tomorrow.
Another plug for Max Rushden’s piece on whether this is the best Premier League season of all.
Updated
Half time: Millwall 0-0 Luton Nothing much to report from the first half at the Den. Millwall have had the only two shots on target, and they have the more impulse-buyable kit, but it remains goalless. It’s also Rotherham 0-0 West Brom, though that game has only been going for around 15 minutes.
On this day in 2020… bugger all. Nada. Zilch. Have you forgotten already?
Updated
On this day in 2005… Alan Shearer gives Newcastle hope of a European semi-final. (Alas…)
“Lots of video highlights this morning!” says Joe Pearson. “Is that the new Weekend Countdown style? If so, I’m here for it! In response to your earlier question, I’m looking forward to the Masters this weekend. Given the forecast, though, it might spread into next week.”
It’s the new ‘Rob’s off his meds at the moment and is thus all over the place’ style. I’m not a golfer, obviously, but I’ve just been reading about the weather in Augusta – happily for us, Scott Murray is doing the hole-by-hole/shower-by-shower blog, and there is literally nothing he can’t make entertaining.
Updated
Fulham v West Ham
Here’s Jacob Steinberg on what happens next if David Moyes loses at Fulham tomorrow.
Moyes is expected to be safe if he picks up at least a draw but he is running out of time to save his job. West Ham are out of the bottom three on goal difference and there is major alarm at board level after the humiliating 5-1 home defeat by Newcastle on Wednesday.
Championship: Millwall 0-0 Luton It’s goalless after half an hour, and here’s a summary of the excitement so far:
Female athletes are up to six times more likely to have a non-contact ACL injury than their male counterparts
Here’s Louise Taylor on why menstruation is an even bigger issue for female footballers than many of us realised.
Updated
On this day in 2010… a marvellous goal from Arjen Robben puts Manchester United out of Europe.
Updated
Championship: Millwall 0-0 Luton It’s goalless after 15 minutes at the Den. Plenty of endeavour, not much quality yet.
Updated
Brentford v Newcastle (Saturday, 3pm)
Two of the league’s better defences meet in west London, and Thomas Frank has been praising Newcastle’s organisation.
They deserve huge praise for the way they defend. They are clear in what they want. They have a very well drilled and well picked back five, including [Nick] Pope.
It looks like they have played together forever. They are always in the right positions and they are very good in the duels. We need to match their energy and intensity, win enough second-balls and the set-piece battle. Hopefully we will be good enough in spells on the ball to create enough opportunities.
[Eddie Howe] did a top job at Bournemouth. They were an example to follow having got promoted and established themselves in the Premier League He has got an opportunity at a club that wants to be in the top four and they are definitely doing everything that can to maybe even be there this season.
“They have done fantastic, the way [Howe and his coaching staff] came in last year and turned things around relatively quickly. Now how they have finetuned their style to be energetic, pressing, physical and dynamic is very impressive.
It shouldn’t be possible [for Brentford to be pushing for Europe], but on the other hand, it is possible because this is football and that is the beauty of itNo matter how big of a difference there is in terms of the financial situation, there is always a chance when you go into a game.
I think we have found a way to compete in the Premier League, but also a way to compete against the ‘top six’ where we tweak it slightly compared to some of the other games, maybe that is the key.
I love my team. I think their application, determination and work rate is an example to follow for a lot of clubs.
From the archive: Liverpool v Arsenal
Fulham v West Ham (Saturday, 3pm)
David Moyes is fighting for his job after taking West Ham to consecutive European quarter-finals for the first time in almost 60 years. Here’s what he had to say to the press this morning.
Of course I need [football], it’s like a drug. This is why you see Roy Hodgson coming back when he’s 75 and Neil Warnock coming back, and so many people who are in the game and the journey they are on. They continue to stay on it because they’ve got a great love for the game and they want to stay in it.
Part of being a football manager is that you don’t win all of the time. Sometimes you have to lose and you have to try and learn to deal with it.
But when you do lose, you’ve got to learn how to bounce back and we’re looking forward to try and bounce back in our next game.
On this day in 1993… Ian Durrant scores a banger in Marseille to keep Rangers in the hunt for a Champions League final place.
And for more on one of Rangers’ most famous seasons, let’s hear from this man.
(Also, while we’re in this particular ballpark, Martyn Ramsay’s book on Rangers 1986-92 is really top-class.)
Barney Ronay on Chelsea (again)
Chelsea have now re-hired the guy they sacked so they could hire the guy who was sacked so they could hire the guy who was just sacked, thereby allowing the rehiring of the guy they sacked before the guy they sacked.
“I found myself reading that to the chorus of Girls and Boys by Blur?” says Antony T.
Nothing is wasted, only reproduced.
On this day in 1992… Man Utd’s pursuit of a first league title in 25 years starts to unravel.
“The battles await,” writes Bill Hargreaves. “Not only the final matches of the pig’s bladder season, but the start of the leather on willow one, too. (Don’t say that with a Kenneth Williams voice. Go with Ray Winstone.)”
Gamble responsibly. And fakkin read Tanya Aldred, she’s the best.
Eriksen could return against Everton
Some good news for Man Utd fans worried about their season going down the drain: Erik ten Hag says Christian Eriksen, who has been out since being butchered by Andy Carroll in late January, could be on the bench against Everton tomorrow.
Updated
On this day in 1996… Brian Laudrup beats Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Liverpool v Arsenal
Two more moments from the archive that I’ve always loved. The swagger and quick-witted efficiency of John Radford’s goal in 1973, and pretty much everything about John Barnes’s free-kick in 1989, including the perfect synchronisation of Brian Moore’s commentary and the crowd roar.
On this day in 2004… a miracle in A Coruna.
Live scores!
I’m not going to type out all of today’s fixtures, because RSI is a very real problem in modern society, no matters what the conspiracy theorists tell you. But you can see all the games – and follow the latest scores – by clicking this handy link.
Most of the EFL games kick off at 3pm, but there are two early matches in the Championship.
Millwall v Luton (12.30pm)
Rotherham v West Brom (1pm)
Liverpool v Arsenal
Here’s Arsenal’s back-up keeper Matt Turner talking, among other things, about what makes Mikel Arteta so great.
On this day in 1982… Barcelona give Spurs a lesson in kiki-haka.
Heard the one about the groundsman and the goalkeeping coach?
Here’s a slightly unusual story from the news wires.
Nottingham Forest’s head groundsman Ewan Hunter and Brentford goalkeeping coach Manu Sotelo have been charged by the Football Association over an alleged pre-match clash.
The pair became involved in a disagreement ahead of the Premier League fixture between the two clubs at the City Ground on November 5.
Hunter has been charged with improper and/or violent conduct, while Sotelo has been accused of improper behaviour.
An FA spokesperson said: “Nottingham Forest’s grounds manager and Brentford’s goalkeeping coach have been charged following an incident that occurred prior to their Premier League game on Saturday 5 November.
“It’s alleged that Ewan Hunter’s behaviour was improper and/or violent and Manu Sotelo’s behaviour was improper.
“Both of them have until Thursday 12 April to provide their respective responses.”
Bees boss Thomas Frank claimed after the dramatic 2-2 draw that Sotelo had been injured during an altercation which it is understood centred on the length of time top-flight clubs are allowed to use the penalty area during their warm-up.
It proved an eventful afternoon with Bryan Mbeumo cancelling out Morgan Gibbs-White’s opener from the penalty spot following a VAR review of Forest keeper Dean Henderson’s challenge on Yoane Wissa.
Wissa later put the visitors ahead only for Mathias Jorgensen’s own goal, which was awarded with the help of goal-line technology, six minutes into stoppage time to hand the home side a point.
Updated
On this day in 1979… the leaders Liverpool maintain their advantage over West Brom by thumping Arsenal.
ICYMI, here’s Sean Dyche on Harry Kane, the difference between gamesmanship and cheating, and a society that has become oh so precious.
Updated
On this day in 1973… Sunderland shock Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final.
“Good morning Rob,” says David Horn. “I haven’t yet read your 9,000 word magnum opus. (I’m still at work, so have a semi-decent excuse), but I did ask ChatGPT to summarise it for me in 15 words. It came back with ‘Arsenal triumphs over Liverpool at Anfield, marking turning point in their season under Arsène Wenger’ so I feel like that’s captured the essence of what you were trying to convey.”
Like Evan Ferguson, I’m sensing an opportunity here.
Sky Sports are showing an interview with the boy of the moment, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson. He is so level-headed, but there’s a look in his eye as well, the kind we are contractually obliged to describe as “steely”.
This is what he had to say when asked about Graham Potter leaving the club.
I took it differently to the others. I think for those already settled in and playing under Potter, it was different, but I saw it as an opportunity to try and get myself in the team.
To quote another Ferguson, when talking about a young Paul Scholes: ‘If he doesn’t make it, we might as well all pack up and go home.’
Liverpool v Arsenal team news, culled absent-mindedly from the news wires
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz will make his long-awaited return to the squad against Leeds at Elland Road in 10 days’ time.
Manager Jurgen Klopp said the Colombia international, out since October with a knee injury, is on the verge of a comeback.
“The plan with Luis is that he will be available 100 per cent for Leeds (on 17 April),” said Klopp, ahead of Sunday’s visit of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
“Again, it looks good, everything is fine, but it was a long, long injury and so we have to be careful. We will probably not involve him for Sunday.”
Midfielder Thiago Alcantara, sidelined for two months with a hip problem, is fit to return, however, while Virgil van Dijk will be back after illness forced him to miss Tuesday’s draw at Chelsea.
“Thiago looks slightly different. He was not out that long, trained now three, four times with the team and might be available but we have to check how he feels today,” added Klopp.
“Virgil, completely normal, was back in training.”
Updated
On this day in 1982… Klaus Augenthaler mistakes himself for Franz Beckenbauer in a European Cup semi-final.
This is a story about Diego Maradona and Mexico 86, so Og Mandino’s services are not required to sell this one.
Updated
Liverpool v Arsenal (Sunday, 4.30pm) is the game of the weekend. We’ll have a number of preview features later in the day. In the meantime, here’s a modest little 9,000-word humblebrag I rustled up in my spare time.
It’s not very good. Read it anyway. (NB: link contains adult language so don’t open it in front of your kid, unless they already talk like a docker.)
Updated
The Women’s World Cup is just over three months away, and England’s preparations went up a notch with last night’s Finalissima against Brazil at Wembley. You’ll never guess who scored the winner.
Meanwhile, here’s Barney Ronay on the latest developments at Chelsea
Chelsea have now re-hired the guy they sacked so they could hire the guy who was sacked so they could hire the guy who was just sacked, thereby allowing the rehiring of the guy they sacked before the guy they sacked.
Championship
Burnley will be promoted with seven games to spare if they win at Middlesbrough tonight and Luton fail to win at Millwall in their lunchtime game.
Second-placed Sheffield United, who look good for automatic promotion after last Saturday’s drama, host Wigan at 3pm.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burnley | 38 | 45 | 84 |
| 2 | Sheff Utd | 38 | 26 | 73 |
| 3 | Middlesbrough | 39 | 25 | 67 |
| 4 | Luton | 39 | 13 | 67 |
| 5 | Millwall | 39 | 8 | 61 |
Here’s Max Rushden, trying to make sense of this most peculiar Premier League season.
It is hard to know whether this is the best season for The Greatest League In The World™ or some kind of Premier League nadir. Are Nicola Berti and Andrea Silenzi laughing at us during their late-night radio show on Parlare Di Sport?
So, what are you looking out for this weekend? Ah, sorry, that’s not included – this is strictly a football blog – but read it anyway.
Preamble
Hello, happy Easter* and welcome to our Good Friday football blog. We’ll have the usual Premier League build-up until lunchtime – give me team news, man, and be done with it – before we segue seamfully into a Football League clockwatch.
Let’s start with a strikingly non-judgmental list of this week’s Premier League fixtures.
Saturday (3pm unless stated)
Man Utd v Everton (12.30pm)
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest
Brentford v Newcastle
Fulham v West Ham United
Leicester v Bournemouth
Tottenham v Brighton
Wolves v Chelsea
Southampton v Man City (5.30pm)
Sunday
Leeds v Crystal Palace (2pm)
Liverpool v Arsenal (4.30pm)
