Football News, Results & Other Worldwide Articles in General

Man City v Arsenal..by Mike Minay - BBC Radio Manchester - Tonight is Massive.

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The recovery from 18 months ago for the Gunners is impressive - don't get me wrong. Bottom after three games with no points and no goals in the 2021-22 season, it is quite something they are now top and have been for most of the season.

But to suggest they have risen from nowhere is perhaps not a narrative we should be tracking. This isn't a David v Goliath. They have invested and spent big.

This season, Arsenal have the fifth-highest net spend in the Premier League (£143.9m). The team they are taking to the wire - Manchester City - have the second lowest at £52.6m.

Over the past 10 years there's only £100m difference between the two clubs in net spending - Manchester City with £767.3m, Arsenal's comes in at £666.1m.

So maybe it's not about financial spending clout, because both have it. It's about using that money wisely. Finding the right combination of players and managers.

City have had that for seven seasons under Pep Guardiola, with the framework in place before he arrived. Arsenal look like they have finally got that system sorted and will want to build on it.

And that shows in my last point - net spend per trophy. Arsenal's is £469.8m, Manchester City a much smaller £23.1m.

Whatever way you want to find and look for stats, this is a big game.

Both will see it as a must win and I can't wait to watch it unfold and will be commentating live on BBC Radio Manchester from 19:00 BST on Wednesday.
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Erling Haaland is the first Premier League player to net 48 goals in all competitons in a season

Unfortunately for Arsenal, their rivals this season have been Manchester City - who seem to turn into a machine at this stage of the season.

City have won 12 and drawn one of their past 13 games in all competitions. They are 16 games unbeaten too.

Also in Arsenal's way is the most prolific goalscorer the Premier League has ever seen - Erling Haaland.

The 22-year-old, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund last summer, has scored 32 goals in 28 Premier League games this season - netting an average of 1.29 goals every 90 minutes.

Haaland has already equalled Mohamed Salah's record for goals in a 38-game season - with eight games left. In all competitions he only needs two more to reach 50.
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If Arsenal win, they would still need victories in their final five games to be sure of the title. If Manchester City triumph, they would need to win six of their last seven matches to become champions for a third successive season.

"It is going to be a tough night and challenge, but the opportunity is incredible for us," said Arteta, who was Guardiola's assistant at City from 2016 to 2019.

"We knew from the beginning - you want to win a Premier League, you have to go to Spurs and you have to beat them, you have to go to Chelsea and you have to beat them.

"This is what we have been doing, that is why we are here and now we have to go to City and we have to beat them. You want to be champion, you have to win these matches, it is as simple as that."

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Arsenal were eight points above City - albeit having played a game more - coming into April, but they have drawn their last three games.

It will no longer be in their hands if they lose at Etihad Stadium - and Arsenal are outsiders to win this game with bookmakers at 5-1.

Their 21% chance of winning the title, according to Gracenote, is their lowest since early October.

If the Gunners do miss out on the championship, they will be part of a small group to lose it from such a commanding position.

Only Manchester United (1998 and 2012) and Arsenal (2003) have ever been eight points clear after 28 games or more and not finished top. Incidentally, all three teams went on to win the league the following year.

The biggest lead ever blown is Newcastle's 12 in 1995-96.

Only one team have ever had 69 points with 10 games remaining - as Arsenal did - and failed to win the title. That was Liverpool in 2018-19, when they finished on 97 points, one behind City.
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Manchester City 4 Arsenal 1 - Probably game over, City 2 points behind with 2 games in hand.
By Phil McNulty

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Kevin de Bruyne scored his 27th Premier League goal from outside the box since joining Man City in August 2015 - five more than any other player during that time

Manchester City delivered a masterclass to overwhelm Premier League leaders Arsenal and strike a huge psychological blow in the title race at Etihad Stadium.

The confrontation billed as a potential title-decider turned into an embarrassingly one-sided affair.

Pep Guardiola's side, now two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand, were inspired by the devastating partnership of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne.

Haaland sent De Bruyne away for a silky opener after seven minutes, and Arsenal then survived a constant bombardment of attacks before John Stones headed home from a corner in first-half stoppage time, the goal given by VAR after originally being ruled offside.

City goal machine Haaland was outstanding throughout and again set up De Bruyne for the third in the 54th minute, the Belgian passing a classy finish between the legs of Gunners defender Rob Holding.

Holding pulled one back for Arsenal late on before Haaland, denied four times by Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale earlier in the match, sealed a memorable night with his 49th City goal.

City can go top with victory at Fulham on Sunday while Arsenal must somehow pull out of a slump that has seen them go four league games without a win at a crucial stage of the season.

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Various Views

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given on BBC Radio 5 Live: "You'd say City have got the tougher run-in, so it's not over yet. Fulham away is next and that's not easy, they have to travel to Everton and face Brighton and Brentford away at the end of the season - they are tough games."

Ex-Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport: "We looked at this as a title decider and the experience told today. City knew what was needed. The way they asserted themselves, won their battles and overran this Arsenal team, they showed their level.

"They can handle the big occasion better than anyone else - it is one of their superpowers. But they can play ugly at times - in terms of how they press, how aggressive they are and if they are pressed how they can go longer."

Ex-Manchester United striker Dion Dublin on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Arsenal from the outset didn't have any answers to how City were set up. They looked a bit lost in the first half as City played through the thirds and stuck to the game plan.

"Arteta has been outstanding all season but it didn't work for him tonight. City played like the champions tonight."

Former Arsenal title-winning captain Patrick Vieira on BT Sport: "I expected Arsenal to challenge City a bit more. This was a strong statement from City to say: 'You're still a long way from us.' It was a strong performance and City showed they are going to go on and win it."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown on BT Sport: "It's the acid test when you play Manchester City. Haaland and De Bruyne are another level. When the big games come around, these players perform at a high level. You could see a huge gap behind the two clubs, Arsenal are about 10 years behind them, but they are on the right path.

"Arsenal are putting the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle but it is still a long way to go. When William Saliba is not around, when the best XI is not available, you can see the gulf."


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Man City 4-1 Arsenal: Why Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland will be key to Treble pursuit..By Phil McNulty, Chief football writer at Etihad Stadium.

Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland provided the silk and steel as Manchester City's seemingly unstoppable momentum consumed faltering Arsenal in their so-called Premier League title decider at Etihad Stadium.

There may well be twists and turns ahead but few would bet against City claiming a fifth title in six seasons after they tore apart the league leaders, the one team who have made a contest of this campaign.

City's 4-1 victory was nowhere near a reflection of their superiority, Pep Guardiola's side making a mockery of the pre-match billing that this could be a tight affair settled by the finest margins.

The margins were vast in all areas - and at the heart of it all was the deadly duo of De Bruyne and Haaland.

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Only Ramsdale stood between City and an even bigger rout, denying Haaland four times before the striker, literally, let his hair down and scored his 49th goal of this landmark season with seconds left.

Haaland was not quite at his ruthless best in front of goal but there were other qualities to admire, qualities he has acquired since the start of the season, fashioned by Guardiola and taken on board by a player with almost frightening room for improvement.

The striker was relentless, worked tirelessly and showed a mastery of build-up play and ability to bring others into the game that was a revelation.

De Bruyne and Haaland set the tone from the first whistle, the opening goal the result of a partnership that has looked so natural from day one of the Premier League season.

Guardiola was understandably delighted at a win that now puts the title destiny in their own hands. This was an ominous mission statement against the side that still leads the Premier League but who will be unseated if City win at Fulham on Sunday.

Haaland has provided a stunning cutting edge to this City side, making them even more intense and direct on top of the head-spinning passing carousel that is Guardiola's stock in trade and left Arsenal so helpless here.

Guardiola believes City's next three league games, away to Fulham then at home to West Ham United and Leeds United, may prove pivotal in the title race.

And City also have that Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and the derby FA Cup final against Manchester United on their exciting agenda.

There may be uncertainties to come - but one certainty is that De Bruyne and Haaland will be the key men in their Treble quest.

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'City deliver masterclass to overwhelm Arsenal'

Manchester City delivered a masterclass to overwhelm Premier League leaders Arsenal and strike a huge psychological blow in the title race at Etihad Stadium.

The confrontation billed as a potential title-decider turned into an embarrassingly one-sided affair.

Pep Guardiola's side, now two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand, were inspired by the devastating partnership of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne.

Haaland sent De Bruyne away for a silky opener after seven minutes, and Arsenal then survived a constant bombardment of attacks before John Stones headed home from a corner in first-half stoppage time, the goal given by VAR after originally being ruled offside.

City goal machine Haaland was outstanding throughout and again set up De Bruyne for the third in the 54th minute, the Belgian passing a classy finish between the legs of Gunners defender Rob Holding.

Holding pulled one back for Arsenal late on before Haaland, denied four times by Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale earlier in the match, sealed a memorable night with his 49th City goal.

City can go top with victory at Fulham on Sunday while Arsenal must somehow pull out of a slump that has seen them go four league games without a win at a crucial stage of the season.

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They think it's all over...
It's the morning after the night before - and what a night.

Premier League leaders Arsenal were wobbling even before they got to the Etihad after three consecutive draws.

And Pep Guardiola's defending champions showed no mercy as Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland combined to devastating effect.

The Manchester City manager was quick to point out, despite Wednesday night's 4-1 win, that Arsenal still have a two-point lead.

But with two games in hand, City are now in the driving seat as they seek a third consecutive title...and a potential Treble.

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James Ward-Prowse: Southampton captain says 'slipping standards' led to Premier League relegation.

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Saints skipper James Ward-Prowse (centre) is Southampton's top scorer in the Premier League this season with eight goals

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse says "slipping standards" at the club have brought about Saints' relegation from the Premier League.

Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Fulham ended Saints' 11-year stay in the top flight with two games still to play.

The loss was their 24th this term - the most in a season in the club's history.

"From the first day of pre-season until right now you can tell the standards at the club have slipped," Ward-Prowse, 28, told BBC Sport.

"We need to go away individually and as a club and assess if we've done everything we possibly could. I don't think we have and that is a shame."

Saints sacked long-serving manager Ralph Hasenhuttl in November and his successor Nathan Jones lasted just three months into a three-year deal before Selles was installed until the end of the season.

"I think as a team and a club overall we'll think about the season that has gone by," Ward-Prowse added.

"Have decisions been right? Have we done everything we could on the pitch? I think we should perform at a better level than we have done."

The England midfielder is confident the club will learn lessons to bounce back but said he was "not thinking too far ahead" about his own future at St Mary's, with summer interest in his services almost inevitable.

"I have been here right through from eight years old, I've seen the journey that the club has been on, all the ups and downs, the good times and the bad - and this is a bad time," he added.

"But I'm sure with the good people at the club it will be back in the Premier League in no time. It will be a testing time for everybody but the club has done it before and I'm sure it will do it again."

However, Ward-Prowse admitted relegation had "been coming" during a challenging campaign and BBC Sport pundits Martin Keown and Anita Asante worry how difficult it will be for Saints to rebound.

"It has been a proud record for Southampton bringing players through the academy but it just isn't enough - they might need a big clear out," former Arsenal and England defender Keown told BBC Final Score.

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Dragan Solak, Henrik Kraft and Rasmus Ankersen bought Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng's 80% stake in Southampton 15 months ago

"You look at teams that have come back from the Championship and they have a core. What is the core of this Southampton side? Is Ward-Prowse going to stay?

"It's going to be difficult. There are so many games in the Championship and it will be Southampton's toughest ever season.

"They will need to bounce back quickly while the parachute payments are there."

Ex-England defender Asante felt the Saints were not just paying the price for poor decisions this season but over a broader recent history.

"This has been a long time coming and not just this season alone - it has been two seasons of poor transfer windows," she added.

Southampton were taken over by Sport Republic in January 2022 and the company on behalf of investors Dragan Solak, Rasmus Ankersen and Henrik Kraft after relegation was confirmed.

"We want to reassure our supporters, our partners and our staff that we remain fully committed to achieving long-term success for the club at the top level," it said.

"We must now reflect on the lessons to be learned from this season and start preparing for the challenges ahead of us in the Championship.

"Our goal is to return to the Premier League as soon as possible and ensure that we stay there.

"We understand that significant improvement is required, and at the end of the season we will announce our immediate next steps and provide details of how the club will operate moving forward."

Saints won two of interim boss Ruben Selles' first three games after he took charge in February but have followed that up with eight defeats in an 11-game winless run that has consigned them to the second tier.

They were in relegation trouble long before he took over, however, having been in the bottom three since November, when Hasenhuttl was sacked and replaced by Selles' predecessor Jones.

But the Spaniard, who briefly lifted Saints off the foot of the table in March with victory over Leicester, rejected any notion that the damage was done before his reign began.

"I will not make that excuse - when I took over I was convinced I could get this team out of relegation and I didn't make it, and I am the first one who is responsible for this run," he told Match of the Day.

"From the beginning I thought we can do it - so if somebody is responsible for the last three months, it's me."

Southampton have lost at least seven times under each of their three different managers in the league - eight in 14 matches under Hasenhuttl, seven in Jones' eight-game spell and nine defeats in 14 with Selles.

"There is not only one reason - one of the things that we didn't find during the season was enough togetherness, enough trust in each other," Selles added.

"It's not only about one player or one coach, it's about relationships between us."

Like Ward-Prowse, Selles' future at the club is unclear but he insisted: "This club has quality enough to bounce back immediately, with or without me."

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Groningen fans were protesting against the running of the club

Ajax's Eredivisie match with Groningen was abandoned after just nine minutes because fans of the relegated hosts threw fireworks on to the pitch twice.

The players were taken off in the sixth minute as smoke bombs were thrown before a fan ran on to the pitch with a banner calling for the Groningen board to resign.

Three minutes after the restart more fireworks were thrown.

The referee called the match off in line with new Dutch rules.

In a Dutch Cup semi-final between Feyenoord and Ajax last month, a lighter thrown from the crowd hit Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen and cut his head.

The Dutch FA decided all games would be stopped if a player or official was hit by something from the crowd. It also said games would be temporarily stopped if a projectile is thrown that does not hit anybody, and If it happens a second time the game should be stopped.

It is the fourth Dutch Eredivisie match this weekend alone that was temporarily halted.

Ajax are third in the league, with Feyenoord clinching the title on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles.


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Barcelona sealed their first La Liga title since 2018-19 with four games to spare after a stylish win at the home of city rivals Espanyol.

Barca were 3-0 up by half-time, Robert Lewandowski scoring his 20th league goal of the season before Alejandro Balde, 19, doubled the lead.

Lewandowski added the third before Jules Kounde's header made it 4-0.

Espanyol did reduce the deficit through Javier Puado and Joselu but remain in trouble near the bottom of the table.

Barcelona have 85 points, 14 more than nearest rivals Real Madrid, with 12 points left to play for.

It is their first La Liga title since club legend Lionel Messi left in August 2021 and first since Xavi was appointed manager in November 2021.

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Xavi delivers in first full season
Barcelona's players will have to wait to get their hands on the trophy but they celebrated after the full-time whistle before making a hasty retreat to the dressing room after some Espanyol fans dashed on to the pitch.

Barca trailed Real Madrid by three points after losing 3-1 away to them on 16 October, while they made a disappointing exit from the Champions League after losing three of their six group games.

But Xavi, who won eight La Liga titles during a distinguished 17-year career playing in Barca's first team, has delivered in his first full season in charge.

It was a particularly emotional night for captain Sergio Busquets, who has confirmed he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after 18 years at the club.

This is the 34-year-old's ninth league title with Barca but the future looks promising for the side, with Balde and Kounde scoring their first La Liga goals in Barcelona colours.

Barcelona will move out of their Nou Camp home next season while the stadium is redeveloped.

But fans will get a chance to celebrate the club's first major trophy since 2020-21 during their last two home games - against Real Sociedad on Saturday and Mallorca on 28 May.

Declan Rice: West Ham will not talk to other clubs until season is over..By Simon Stone

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Rice came through the youth system at West Ham and has made 244 appearances in all competitions since 2017

West Ham will not discuss midfielder Declan Rice's future with other clubs until the season has finished.

Hammers boss David Moyes said on Friday that there was "a good chance" Rice would leave the club this summer.

Rice, 24, has rejected all efforts to get him to sign an extension amid interest from virtually all of England's top clubs.

If the option of an additional season on his current deal was triggered, his contract would run to 2025.

West Ham, who are not mathematically safe from relegation, are keen to avoid any distractions and so have placed discussions over the midfielder's future on hold.

Away from the Premier League, David Moyes' side are edging closer to securing the club's first silverware since 1980 in the Europa Conference League.

They lead AZ Alkmaar 2-1 after the first-leg of the semi-final, with the second leg to be played on Thursday.

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Total Career Stats: Age 24..Clubs: West Ham United & England, Played 244 & 41, Goals: 14 & 3 = P285, G17.

Hope Powell: Former Lionesses boss joins England backroom team for men's U20 World Cup..

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Former England women's boss Hope Powell has joined the Three Lions backroom team for the men's Under-20 World Cup.

Powell, who managed the Lionesses between 1998 and 2013, will serve as technical advisor for the tournament starting on Saturday in Argentina.

"Her vast experience of international football and the knowledge she has from working with Fifa will be invaluable," said England U20s coach Ian Foster.

England face Tunisia in their group-stage opener on Monday.

Powell led England's women to the 2009 European Championship final, where they lost to Germany, and two World Cups.

The 56-year-old also coached the Great Britain women's team at the London 2012 Olympic Games and was most recently in charge of Women's Super League (WSL) side Brighton between 2017 and 2022.