While I don't have the skills of our soccer expert Leon, I thought I'd try my hand at predicting the results of this weekend's Premier League fixtures.
Prediction: 3-0 Liverpool
In time, the coaching tree that expands out from Pep Guardiola is going to be massive. Some will fail (like if Mikel Arteta had taken the job at Newcastle), but the Spanish tactician’s otherworldly training methods will almost certainly be absorbed and even expanded upon by some future coaching Übermensch that worked under Guardiola for a long period.
Manchester United legend Andy Cole has confirmed Man U fans’ worst fears by saying the team is “genuinely” still a few years away.
While this arguably is a common consensus of fans of every other team, we had to rip the Red Devil Band-Aid off at some point.
Those shouting at your screen after reading the title because we are only four games into the season, because you don't like Kevin De Bruyne or for a number of other reasons, I get it. Believe me, I do, I’ve been there. Just hear me out.
Arsenal’s business in front, party in the back squad met Tottenham’s unsettled ensemble on Sunday, and a 2-2 finish to the North London derby only cemented those thoughts of self-hatred rather than illuminating a way forward for either club.
While Liverpool and Manchester City again look a cut above the rest in England, there’s every indication that a club outside the “Big Six” may yet disrupt the hegemony and finish in the Champions League places. This morning saw a clash between two such sides — Everton and Wolves — at Goodison Park.
Manchester United was held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Southampton at St. Mary's on Saturday. It was a match that was crucial for United to get back in the race for a top four spot. The Red Devils failed to capitalize or even trouble the Saints after Kevin Danso received his second yellow card of the afternoon in the 73rd minute. It seemed to be that same old story for United — what little preseason optimism left is now gone. What’s worse is that Manchester United has only won three Premier League games in its past 16.
Can you get called for a dive if you make a match-saving pass as you go down?
According to referee Kevin Friend, yes, you can.
Aston Villa was denied a 96th-minute equalizer in a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday as Friend disallowed a Henri Lansbury goal for a perceived Jack Grealish dive, despite the fact Grealish assisted the goal.
Huh?
Maybe, just maybe, Ole Gunnar Solskjær doesn’t trust Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as much as he led on.
The Norwegian had stated he trusts the attackers he has available in his squad. Yet, there could be a chance of a former player coming back to Manchester United.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic said a few days ago that, “If Manchester United needs me, I’m here.”
Is a return to Old Trafford on the cards for Zlatan? Solskjær wouldn’t mind it.
Everton fans hate Liverpool. They’re too flashy, they think they have a monopoly on bad singing and they just win too damn much.
The Merseyside Derby, unlike many of the world’s great soccer rivalries, is different because of the proximity of the two clubs — Anfield and Goodison Park are a literal stone’s throw from each other. This intimacy engenders deep resentment between the two clubs — Everton fans jealous of Liverpool’s money and success and Liverpool fans jealous of actually attracting fans from Liverpool instead of abroad.