Barcelona began the defence of their LaLiga title with a thumping 5-0 win away against Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. There was no place for new signing Rodri in manager Hansi Flick’s matchday squad, but England forward Anthony Gordon produced two assists on his Barça bow as the champions made light work of their opening game. Raphinha converted a penalty in the first half to get Barça’s campaign…
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle said he had to be careful “not to get fined” after the “really soft” late penalty awarded to Liverpool in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park. Newcastle thought they had done enough to win their Premier League opener, with goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock coming either side of Cody Gakpo’s second-half strike. However, Liverpool rescued a late point when Dominik Szoboszlai…
NEWCASTLE, England — Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has described Alexander Isak’s performance against Newcastle United as a “good step,” despite the forward failing to get on the scoresheet in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park. Isak was given a hostile reception on his return to his former club, whom he left to join Liverpool in a £125 million ($171m) deal last summer. While the 26-year-old had few clear…
MANCHESTER, England — Enzo Maresca has said Manchester City “need different solutions” after playing Marc Guéhi in midfield against Bournemouth on Sunday. City came from behind to win 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to two late goals from Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol. With a shortage of midfielders after the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders this week, Maresca was forced to pick Guéhi in midfield in an unusual City…
Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stoppage-time equaliser from the penalty spot to rescue a 2-2 draw for Liverpool at Newcastle United on Sunday. Anthony Elanga gave Newcastle a fifth-minute lead but Cody Gakpo drilled home the equaliser on 55 minutes. Two minutes later, Elanga charged upfield and laid the ball off to Joe Willock who curled a long-range shot beyond Alisson. Newcastle were moments from an opening-day win until Lewis Hall…
Newcastle United and Liverpool paid tribute to Kevin Keegan ahead of their Premier League season opener at St James’ Park on Sunday, with both sides honouring the former player and manager after his death last month. Players from both teams warmed up in special shirts bearing “Keegan 7” on the back, in recognition of the number Keegan wore during his hugely successful spell as a Liverpool player. Supporters from both…
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said Cole Palmer is over the injury problems that wrecked his season and is determined to get back to enjoying playing football. Palmer made only 26 appearances in the Premier League during the last campaign, scoring 10 goals and struggling to reach the levels shown in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge. He appeared to be suffering from limited mobility at times after coming back…
Late goals from Marc Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol rescued Manchester City who eventually beat Bournemouth 2-1 in their Premier League opener. Enzo Maresca was six minutes away from losing his first league game in the City dugout. His side trailed to a 26th-minute goal from Bournemouth’s James Tavernier. But Guéhi headed home from a corner in the 84th minute to begin a turnaround. Rayan Cherki then threaded a pass into…
Michael Carrick has hit back at criticism of his Manchester United players following the opening day defeat to Hull City by insisting it is “ridiculous” to claim they lacked passion. United were beaten 2-0 at MKM Stadium on Saturday as their Premier League campaign got off to the worst possible start. Afterwards, Carrick was asked whether a “lack of passion” was responsible for a poor first half performance which saw…
BERLIN — Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane has been voted Germany’s player of the year 2026 and Vincent Kompany won the coach’s accolade after another outstanding season for the Bavarian powerhouse. Kane scored 61 goals across all competitions, including the German Supercup for Bayern last season, helping the team defend their Bundesliga title and win the German Cup. He scored a hat trick in the cup final. Kane also helped…