Football without fans has hurt clubs throughout the footballing pyramid, but the pandemic has hit non-league sides especially hard. These clubs depend on ticket sales as a primary source of revenue, and with empty stadiums across England, many local teams have been pushed to the brink financially.
These semi-pro and amateur sides also provide a helpful reminder of what true football fandom entails.
2020 has been a rollercoaster year for many teams, but few clubs have experienced as many ups and downs this past year as Arsenal.
Last season's FA Cup champions are currently winless in their last seven matches and sitting 15th in the Premier League, which would be the worst finish since 1975-76 for the North London club.
The Gunners have five losses and two draws in their last seven matches, putting Mikel Arteta's status as Arsenal manager under heavy scrutiny. Arteta's response to this criticism was, while interesting, not entirely logical.
If you’re looking for a stern reminder of the threat posed by COVID-19 on even the fittest of athletes, look no further than Newcastle United and the lasting effects of an outbreak that initially began with a significant number of positive tests on Nov. 29.
The day after, Newcastle’s entire first team squad went into self-isolation and a Premier League match against Aston Villa scheduled for Dec. 4 was ultimately postponed. It’s believed that the amount of positive tests ran into double figures.
Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes scored two each as Manchester United turned on the style, thumping Leeds United 6-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to move up to third in the Premier League.
United are now on 26 points, above Everton on goal difference and trail leaders Liverpool by five points, having played a game less. It was the best display this season from United who responded to Leeds' well known pressing game and relentless running by playing through the press with crisp, swift passing and matching Marcelo Bielsa's side for work-rate.
LONDON — Liverpool's Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah each netted twice in a scoring masterclass as the visitors thrashed Crystal Palace 7-0 to record their first away win in the Premier League since September and move a provisional six points clear at the top.
It marked the first time the Reds had won away in the top-flight by a margin of seven goals and was their biggest league victory since they hammered Palace 9-0 at Anfield in 1989 when they won the old top-flight First Division title.
No one can argue that 2020 has been an awful year that we all want to put behind us. But before we look ahead 2021, we have to take a minute to appreciate how sports have provided something resembling normality in recent months.
Considering the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been incredibly lucky to have soccer leagues playing regularly since June.
31 years after beginning his managerial career as a player-coach, Sam Allardyce is back at the club where it all began: West Bromwich Albion. When he started at West Brom, Allardyce was the reserve team coach for a second division side, now he will be tasked with managing a team stuck in the depths of the Premier League relegation zone.
The Manchester United crest is a symbol recognized around the world. Here’s a look at its evolution.
Founded in 1878, the club was originally called “Newton Heath L&YR F.C.” and their colors were yellow and green.
The team was created by the department of railway depots and the players were railroad workers.
In 1902 the club was officially renamed “Manchester United.”
Their new crest was taken from the Manchester coat of arms.
By the 1940’s the logo we know today began to take shape.
The center shield featured a ship and a devil.
LIVERPOOL, England — Roberto Firmino headed a 90th-minute winner as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Anfield on Wednesday to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table over the London club.
Liverpool has 28 points while Spurs are now second on 25 points with both teams having played 13 games. Southampton and Leicester are both on 24 points.
BOBBY! LIVERPOOL LEAD! pic.twitter.com/6de9Awilcz
I like to wait until clubs and players come face-to-face with Newcastle United before I pass judgement on them — I have yet to form an opinion on such things as Bayern Munich and Lionel Messi — but I’m now ready to give you the Tifo Football breakdown of Marcelo Bielsa’s freewheeling side: They’re much better than Newcastle.