Marcus Rashford admitted Tuesday he's ready to leave Manchester United after hearing that the clu...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/66886" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/66886">Marcus Rashford</a> admitted Tuesday he's ready to leave Manchester United after hearing that the club wants to move him in the January transfer window.</p><p>"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," Rashford <a href="https://x.com/henrywinter/status/1869093724103602178">told</a> English football journalist Henry Winter. "When I leave, it's going to be, 'No hard feelings.' You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.</p><p>"If I know that a situation is already bad, I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past, and I don't want to be that person. When I leave, I'll make a statement and it will be from me."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/16/manchester-united-marcus-rashford-cultural-reboot-garnacho">The Guardian's Jamie Jackson</a> reported Monday that United want to sell Rashford as part of a cultural shakeup at the club. Co-owner Jim Ratclife and head coach Ruben Amorim seem to agree that Rashford - who was previously dropped by ex-manager Erik ten Hag for showing up late to training - must go to establish a higher standard at United.</p><p>Amorim left Rashford and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/188378" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/188378">Alejandro Garnacho</a> at home for Sunday's 2-1 win over Manchester City following unsatisfactory performances in training. The Portuguese boss said he evaluates the way his players eat, dress, and engage with teammates before picking his team.</p><p>"I do feel misunderstood, but I'm fine with it," Rashford responded. "I'm a very simple person. I love football. That's been my life from the beginning."</p><p>It's unclear whether anyone will come in for the 27-year-old in January. He has a contract until June 2028 and reportedly earns £365,000 per week.</p><p>Rashford, who has spent his entire professional career at United, has scored seven goals in 23 total appearances this season.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29457162/related

Rashford 'ready' to leave Man United amid reports of possible January exit

The winners of the 2024 Best FIFA Football Awards, the ninth edition of the governing body's flag...

<p>The winners of the 2024 Best FIFA Football Awards, the ninth edition of the governing body's flagship awards ceremony, were revealed Tuesday during a special event in Doha, Qatar. Fans, national team captains and coaches, and media members contributed to the voting for various honors, which recognize excellence in the sport between Aug. 21, 2023, and Aug. 10, 2024.</p><p>Below, theScore runs down the winners of each trophy.</p><h3>Best Men's Player</h3><p><strong>Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid and Brazil)</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Vinicius Junior finally took home a major individual award after missing out on the Ballon d'Or in October. Neither Vinicius nor Real Madrid attended the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris after learning early on that he lost the vote to Manchester City's Rodri, but the Brazilian was on hand Tuesday to collect the award. Vinicius helped Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League last season, scoring in the final against Borussia Dortmund to clinch the club's record-extending 15th European Cup. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with 24 goals in 39 appearances.</p><p><strong>Beaten finalists</strong>: Rodri, Jude Bellingham</p><h3>Best Women's Player</h3><p><strong>Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona and Spain)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761114/cropped_GettyImages-2190420946.jpg?ts=1734458347" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761114/w220xh124_GettyImages-2190420946.jpg?ts=1734458347 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761114/w320xh180_GettyImages-2190420946.jpg?ts=1734458347 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761114/w640xh360_GettyImages-2190420946.jpg?ts=1734458347 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761114/w768xh432_GettyImages-2190420946.jpg?ts=1734458347 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761114/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2190420946.jpg?ts=1734458347 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Caparros - FIFA / FIFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Bonmati's trophy cabinet is getting crowded. Two months after winning a second consecutive Ballon d'Or, the 26-year-old defended her title as the Best FIFA Women's Player in 2024. Bonmati powered Barcelona to another multi-title finish last season, including a continental sweep of the Spanish league, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de Espana, and the Women's Champions League.</p><p><strong>Beaten finalists</strong>: Barbara Banda, Caroline Graham Hansen</p><h3>Best Men's Coach</h3><p><strong>Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)</strong></p><p>Ancelotti collected the FIFA award for the first time after another successful season coaching Madrid. He became the first manager to win the Champions League five times and the only one to compete in six finals after Madrid's latest European conquest. Ancelotti is now aiming to win the 31st trophy of his managerial career in Wednesday's Intercontinental Cup final against Mexico's Pachuca.</p><p><strong>Beaten finalists</strong>: Xabi Alonso, Pep Guardiola</p><h3>Best Women's Coach</h3><p><strong>Emma Hayes (United States)</strong></p><p>Hayes ended her 12-year tenure with Chelsea by winning a fifth straight Women's Super League title. She then led the U.S. to Olympic gold, completing an unbelievable turnaround just over two months after beginning work with the national team. The U.S. entered the tournament after a number of disappointing international outings, including a last-16 exit at the 2023 Women's World Cup and a semifinal loss to Canada at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.</p><p><strong>Beaten finalists</strong>: Jonatan Giraldez, Arthur Elias</p><h3>Best Men's Goalkeeper</h3><p><strong>Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa and Argentina)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635791/cropped_GettyImages-2160665410.jpg?ts=1720186377" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635791/w220xh124_GettyImages-2160665410.jpg?ts=1720186377 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635791/w320xh180_GettyImages-2160665410.jpg?ts=1720186377 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635791/w640xh360_GettyImages-2160665410.jpg?ts=1720186377 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635791/w768xh432_GettyImages-2160665410.jpg?ts=1720186377 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635791/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2160665410.jpg?ts=1720186377 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Buda Mendes / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Martinez completed a full sweep of individual honors in 2024, adding Tuesday's recognition to the Yashin Trophy he collected at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in October. It was another banner year for Martinez: The colorful Argentinian 'keeper helped his country defend its Copa America title, producing five clean sheets in the tournament and two crucial saves in the quarterfinal shootout win over Ecuador.</p><p><strong>Beaten finalists</strong>: Ederson, Unai Simon</p><h3>Best Women's Goalkeeper</h3><p><strong>Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars and United States)</strong></p><p>Naeher backstopped the U.S. to the gold medal with shutouts in all three knockout matches in the Olympic women's football tournament. The 36-year-old made four stops in the final, including a last-ditch effort to prevent Brazil from scoring a late equalizer. Naeher retired from international duty shortly after her heroics in France.</p><p><strong>Beaten finalists</strong>: Cata Coll, Mary Earps</p><h3>Best FIFA Men's 11</h3><p>Emiliano Martinez; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Ruben Dias, William Saliba; Jude Bellingham, Rodri, Toni Kroos; Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="in" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBest</a> FIFA Men's 11 in 2024. 🌟</p>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1869077618349297808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Best FIFA Women's 11</h3><p>Alyssa Naher; Lucy Bronze, Naomi Girma, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle; Gabi Portilho, Patricia Guijarro, Lindsey Horan, Aitana Bonmati; Caroline Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBest</a> FIFA Women's 11 in 2024. ✨</p>— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1869071367372427438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Puskas Award</h3><p><strong>Alejandro Garnacho vs. Everton</strong></p><p>Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho's overhead kick in the Premier League in November 2023 was voted the best goal in men's soccer.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The last time <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManUtd</a> took on Everton, Alejandro Garnacho produced something extra special 🤌<br><br>🎙️ <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFutbolArg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNFutbolArg</a> <a href="https://t.co/wrrRwXCoKe">pic.twitter.com/wrrRwXCoKe</a></p>— Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1766423005628936217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>View every nominated goal <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2024/articles/puskas-award-nominees">here</a>.</em></p><h3>Marta Award</h3><p><strong>Marta vs. Jamaica</strong></p><p>Marta's long-range strike in Brazil's international friendly on June 1 was voted the best goal in women's soccer.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Marta. 🇧🇷👑<br><br>🎥 Friendly <a href="https://t.co/xMk7hptVYO">pic.twitter.com/xMk7hptVYO</a></p>— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1866483274240918008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>View every nominated goal <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2024/articles/marta-award-nominees">here</a>.</em></p>

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 17: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid poses for a photo after being presented with The Best FIFA Men's Player Award during the The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 at Aspire Academy on December 17, 2024 in Doha, Qatar.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29468634/related

The Best FIFA Awards: Vini Jr. beats Rodri to top honor, Bonmati wins again

Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developmen...

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 16 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Man United let City beat themselves</h3><p>Manchester United could've sensed blood in the water and tried their hardest to embarrass their already wounded rivals. Manchester City entered Sunday's derby with just one win in 10 matches across all competitions and seemed there for the taking.</p><p>Instead of trying hard to make City look bad, United waited for them to do something stupid enough to lose the game. City have lost their heads so many times over the last few weeks. Self-sabotage has become their thing.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Perhaps that's why United boss Ruben Amorim seemed happy enough to leave Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho at home. Maybe he knew he didn't need a lot of firepower. It was worth sending a message here to keep standards high.</p><p>United weren't spectacular Sunday. It felt at times like they were playing with the hand brake on. Rasmus Hojlund made a number of penetrating runs that could've floored City's defenders. His teammates just didn't seem comfortable enough to release him into space. United preferred to keep things under control. They played more high-percentage passes and broke up the game when City began to gain a foothold. Amad Diallo, the 22-year-old winger who has benefited the most from Amorim's arrival, was dangerous enough on his own to keep City on their toes.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760738/cropped_GettyImages-2186664069.jpg?ts=1734296878" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760738/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186664069.jpg?ts=1734296878 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760738/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186664069.jpg?ts=1734296878 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760738/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186664069.jpg?ts=1734296878 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760738/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186664069.jpg?ts=1734296878 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760738/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186664069.jpg?ts=1734296878 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Richard Pelham / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>City didn't look confident either. How could they be? They had kept only two clean sheets in their previous 14 Premier League matches. City retreated as the contest wore on and defended with as many as six men at the back. They didn't record a single shot on target in the second half. Erling Haaland had just two touches in the penalty area all game.</p><p>Pep Guardiola's side was trying to nurse the 1-0 lead. When does it nurse anything?</p><p>Diallo caught City just as they were doubting themselves, drawing a penalty off of Matheus Nunes' feeble back-pass and hopeless tackle before splitting the defense for the winner. Diallo profited off the nervousness at the Etihad with the kind of incisive play Amorim has unlocked in his short time there.</p><p>United played the percentages perfectly. Individual errors have cost City dearly over the last few weeks and were always likely to rear their ugly head again Sunday. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let your opponent beat itself.</p><p>"It's not about luck," City midfielder Bernardo Silva told <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11661/13272048/man-city-vs-man-utd-live?postid=8791600#liveblog-body">Sky Sports</a>. "It's the decisions you make. Today, in the last minutes, we played like Under-15s, and we paid the price."</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Jota's return boosts Liverpool</strong></p><p>Under normal circumstances, a 2-2 draw against Fulham at Anfield would be viewed as two points dropped by Liverpool. But context is important. The Reds played Saturday's frenetic match with 10 men for over 70 minutes after Andy Robertson's early red card, and they fought back twice to earn a point. Diogo Jota, back from injury for his first match in nearly two months, came off the bench to score a lovely late equalizer. The Portuguese forward's return is huge for Arne Slot. Mohamed Salah has 22 Premier League goal involvements this season, but no other Liverpool player has reached double figures. At some point, the Egyptian will need some help. Jota, who has more goals off the bench than any player in the league since he joined the Merseyside outfit in 2020, gives Slot a true secondary scoring threat, especially as Darwin Nunez continues to misfire in front of goal. Whether Jota can stay fit enough to help sustain Liverpool's title push is another matter.</p><p><strong>Gunners need more firepower</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760739/cropped_GettyImages-2189251734.jpg?ts=1734296921" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760739/w220xh124_GettyImages-2189251734.jpg?ts=1734296921 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760739/w320xh180_GettyImages-2189251734.jpg?ts=1734296921 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760739/w640xh360_GettyImages-2189251734.jpg?ts=1734296921 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760739/w768xh432_GettyImages-2189251734.jpg?ts=1734296921 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760739/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2189251734.jpg?ts=1734296921 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John Walton - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Despite Mikel Arteta's suggestions to the contrary, Arsenal should invest during the January transfer window to ensure their title bid doesn't fizzle out. The north London side hasn't scored a goal from open play in three Premier League matches, and Arteta's lack of attacking solutions off the bench was laid bare in Saturday's dull goalless draw with Everton. His "tactical" decision to substitute captain and chief playmaker Martin Odegaard backfired, in part because his options are limited. Ethan Nwaneri is immensely talented and looks like a future star, but he's still only 17. Gabriel Jesus, who also came on, hasn't scored a league goal since January, while Leandro Trossard hasn't been the same impact substitute as he was in previous years. Odegaard and Bukayo Saka can carry the attack, but some help would be welcome for days like Saturday when things aren't quite clicking.</p><p><strong>Newcastle's set-piece prowess</strong></p><p>Who needs Nicolas Jover? Arsenal remain the Premier League's set-piece kings, but Newcastle have clearly been working on dead-ball situations on the training ground. It paid dividends in Saturday's 4-0 hammering of Leicester City, as the Magpies scored a pair of goals through set-piece routines that were clearly rehearsed. Leicester didn't exactly make it difficult for them - there's a reason why the Foxes have conceded the second-most goals in the league - but the tallies were a clear sign of progress for a Newcastle side that went into the match with just three goals from set pieces, one of the worst returns in the division. Saturday's goals, together with a similarly well-worked marker in last month's draw against Crystal Palace, are signs of progress and worth monitoring. The coaching staff will be delighted.</p><p><strong>O'Neil loses control of Wolves</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760741/cropped_GettyImages-2190031367.jpg?ts=1734296964" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760741/w220xh124_GettyImages-2190031367.jpg?ts=1734296964 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760741/w320xh180_GettyImages-2190031367.jpg?ts=1734296964 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760741/w640xh360_GettyImages-2190031367.jpg?ts=1734296964 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760741/w768xh432_GettyImages-2190031367.jpg?ts=1734296964 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760741/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2190031367.jpg?ts=1734296964 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carl Recine / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Things change quickly in the Premier League. Gary O'Neil and his staff signed four-year contract extensions in August, with the Wolves brass seemingly confident he could build on last season's 14th-place finish. Instead, things devolved rapidly in the other direction. Wolves have won just two league matches this campaign, and Saturday's crushing late loss to fellow relegation battlers Ipswich Town was the last straw, resulting in the 41-year-old bench boss being fired. Results were only part of the issue. O'Neil had clearly lost the ability to handle the spiraling situation, as each of the team's last two defeats were followed by on-pitch meltdowns from players. In predictable fashion, Wolves are <a href="https://x.com/David_Ornstein/status/1868291308818972859">reportedly</a> eyeing a Portuguese tactician, Vitor Pereira, to step in and lift the team out of the relegation zone. Restoring discipline will be the first task for whoever comes in for this rescue mission.</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Amad Diallo (Manchester United)</strong></p><p>Why has it taken so long for someone to trust Diallo? United boss Ruben Amorim immediately identified the right-winger as one of the club's most interesting players, trying him out at the wing-back position before restoring him to his natural attacking role this week.</p><p>Diallo's incredible run of form culminated in a match-winning effort against Manchester City on Sunday. He was the most dangerous player in a match low on individual quality. He routinely made runs behind City's defense, forced the penalty that leveled the match, and scored the winner in the 90th minute.</p><p>There's no way Diallo would've evolved under Erik ten Hag. He rarely completed a full 90 minutes and never had a significant run of matches under the Dutch coach. Ruud van Nistelrooy seemed to notice something in Diallo once he took over as interim manager, and Amorim built on Van Nistelrooy's discovery, finding utility in his breathless work rate. Diallo is willing to play anywhere, and perhaps that's because he appreciates how difficult it is to get playing time at a club like United. Being sent on loan to Rangers and Sunderland can certainly humble a player.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,23354:Young,793907:Chalobah,683402:Adarabioyo,662428:Robinson,1089691:Anderson,956683:Gravenberch,1070052:Amad,493165:Maddison,771294:Sarr,690107:Isak&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2016" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,23354:Young,793907:Chalobah,683402:Adarabioyo,662428:Robinson,1089691:Anderson,956683:Gravenberch,1070052:Amad,493165:Maddison,771294:Sarr,690107:Isak&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2016 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,23354:Young,793907:Chalobah,683402:Adarabioyo,662428:Robinson,1089691:Anderson,956683:Gravenberch,1070052:Amad,493165:Maddison,771294:Sarr,690107:Isak&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2016 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,23354:Young,793907:Chalobah,683402:Adarabioyo,662428:Robinson,1089691:Anderson,956683:Gravenberch,1070052:Amad,493165:Maddison,771294:Sarr,690107:Isak&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2016 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,23354:Young,793907:Chalobah,683402:Adarabioyo,662428:Robinson,1089691:Anderson,956683:Gravenberch,1070052:Amad,493165:Maddison,771294:Sarr,690107:Isak&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2016 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=303919:Pickford,23354:Young,793907:Chalobah,683402:Adarabioyo,662428:Robinson,1089691:Anderson,956683:Gravenberch,1070052:Amad,493165:Maddison,771294:Sarr,690107:Isak&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2016 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Source: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>We're not going to let Aston Villa's loss against Nottingham Forest distract us from this otherworldly one-handed save by Emiliano Martinez.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WATCH THIS EMI MARTINEZ SAVE 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/IDIbildHLP">pic.twitter.com/IDIbildHLP</a></p>— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/MenInBlazers/status/1868007499284328535?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>Extend the man's contract already, Liverpool.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohamed Salah now has 100 assists for Liverpool in all competitions. <br><br>Since his debut for the club in August 2017, only three players have made more in Europe's Top Five Leagues (all comps):<br><br>Kevin De Bruyne 132<br>Thomas Müller 118<br>Lionel Messi 108 <a href="https://t.co/3yOl2PWNtm">pic.twitter.com/3yOl2PWNtm</a></p>— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaAnalyst/status/1867967680331816970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>Sean Dyche walked so Mikel Arteta could run.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Ah you think corners are your ally? You merely adopted the set-piece. I was born in it, moulded by it. I didn't see the open play xG until I was an experienced Premier League manager, by then it was nothing to me but blinding" <a href="https://t.co/GrbCdb1uQH">pic.twitter.com/GrbCdb1uQH</a></p>— James Pendleton (@jpends_) <a href="https://twitter.com/jpends_/status/1868057038192058758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1.</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+18</td>
<td>36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2.</strong></td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+18</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3.</strong></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+14</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4.</strong></td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+17</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>-8</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>18.</strong></td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>-12</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>19.</strong></td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>-16</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>20.</strong></td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>-25</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29449547/related

EPL Review: Man United's patience rewarded in crisis derby

Southampton fired manager Russell Martin after suffering their heaviest loss of the season Sunday...

<p>Southampton <a href="https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/a-statement-from-the-board-of-southampton-fc">fired</a> manager Russell Martin after suffering their heaviest loss of the season Sunday against Tottenham Hotspur.</p><p>Sunday's 5-0 shellacking at St. Mary's left last-placed Southampton nine points adrift of safety in the Premier League table.</p><p>The club's Under-21 manager, Simon Rusk, has assumed head coaching duties on an interim basis.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Martin wanted to bring attractive football to Southampton but ultimately couldn't get the balance right. His team won just once in 16 Premier League matches while posting a dismal minus-25 goal differential.</p><p>Fans left midway through Sunday's game and chanted for the club to fire the 38-year-old who secured Premier League promotion last season.</p><p>"Going into the start of the season, we all knew the challenges that we would face this year as we readjusted to life in the top flight, competing in the best and most competitive league in the world. However, the reality of our situation is clear," Southampton said in a statement.</p><p>"The board have supported Russell and his staff and been open and transparent regarding our expectations. We have all been on the same page in recognizing the urgency of needing results to improve."</p><p>Southampton made the coaching change on the same day relegation rivals Wolverhampton parted with manager Gary O'Neil. Wolves are four points ahead of Southampton in 19th place.</p>

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Russell Martin manager / head coach of Southampton reacts during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at St Mary's Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Southampton, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29449044/related

Southampton fire Russell Martin after blowout loss to Tottenham

Manchester United forwards Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were left at home for Sunday's ...

<p>Manchester United forwards <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/66886" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/66886">Marcus Rashford</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/188378" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/188378">Alejandro Garnacho</a> were left at home for Sunday's Manchester derby.</p><p>Amorim told <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11661/13272048/man-city-vs-man-utd-live?postid=8789245#liveblog-body">Sky Sports</a> that he evaluated "training, performance, game performance, engagement with the teammates, (and) pushing the teammates up" before deciding to exclude them from the matchday squad.</p><p>Amorim also handed starts to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/13942" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/13942">Harry Maguire</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/96214" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/96214">Mason Mount</a> while dropping Casemiro to the bench.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I don't want to send a message. It's simply an evaluation, and they know it," Amorim said. "The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision. I have to choose. It's just simple selection.</p><p>"The context is difficult. We have to win games and we have a difficult situation. I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go the game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I have to decide. I have a lot of players to choose."</p><p>Manchester United went on to claim a stunning 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium, scoring two quick goals in the closing minutes to come from behind and hand Pep Guardiola's side another defeat.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Marcus Rashford of MAnchester United celebrates with teammate Alejandro Garnacho after scoring his side's sixth goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Barnsley at Old Trafford on September 17, 2024 in Manchester, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29441001/related

Amorim drops Rashford, Garnacho from squad for Manchester derby

Premier League referee David Coote was fired by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PG...

<p>Premier League referee David Coote was fired by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) on Monday after an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing - including derogatory comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and apparent drug use during Euro 2024 - found he breached the terms of his contract.</p><p>Coote was initially suspended Nov. 11 after appearing to slander Klopp on video. UEFA then <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3128261" href="https://thescore.com/news/3128261">opened a separate investigation</a> when footage appeared to show Coote snorting white powder during the Euros, where he served as a video assistant referee.</p><p>"David Coote's actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable," PGMOL <a href="https://x.com/FA_PGMOL/status/1866151530086248544">said</a> in a statement. "Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 42-year-old, who has denied all wrongdoing, can appeal the decision.</p><p>Shortly after Coote officiated his last match - a 2-0 win for Liverpool on Nov. 9 against Aston Villa - the PGMOL said it was reviewing a now-viral video in which Coote <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3126510" href="https://thescore.com/news/3126510">called</a> Klopp "arrogant" during an expletive-laden rant against him.</p><p>Coote seemed to refer to Klopp's behavior during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Burnley in July 2020. Klopp later criticized Coote for allowing a number of fouls against Liverpool to go unpunished.</p><p>"I've got no interest in speaking to someone who's f-----g arrogant," Coote's recorded as saying in a video released by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5917480/2024/12/09/david-coote-verdict-pgmol/">The Sun</a>. "I do my best not to speak to him. You can see me there with mask on. Social distancing 10 metres apart. But my God, German c---. F--- me."</p><p>The FA opened its own investigation and is also reviewing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3141805" href="https://thescore.com/news/3141805">allegations</a> Coote discussed booking then-Leeds player <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguec/players/51783" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguec/players/51783">Ezgjan Alioski</a> with a fan before a game against West Bromwich Albion in the second-tier Championship in October 2019.</p><p>"I hope you backed as discussed," Coote allegedly told the individual after giving the player a yellow card.</p><p>The FA's investigation remains open.</p><p>Coote insisted any issues in his personal life "never affected" his on-field decisions.</p><p>"I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability," he said.</p><p>Coote officiated 112 Premier League matches, including three Liverpool fixtures. He also oversaw five Liverpool matches in cup competitions.</p>

Match referee David Coote (left) speaks with Luton Town's Gabriel Osho during the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture date: Saturday April 27, 2024.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29374077/related

EPL referee Coote fired after investigation into misconduct

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 15 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Are Chelsea true title contenders?</h3><p>The results say they are. Chelsea are second in the Premier League, just four points behind leaders Liverpool, and are well ahead of expectations. Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are turning in match-winning performances, and the likes of Jadon Sancho and Nicolas Jackson are starting to nail down regular roles in the team. The trajectory of the club has crossed a key threshold, and it would be silly to deny it.</p><p>But Sunday's 4-2 comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur doesn't suddenly make them title contenders. Liverpool have a game in hand, and Chelsea have a number of shortcomings to overcome.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Marc Cucurella slipped on the plays that led to Tottenham's first two goals, and giveaways by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and defender Benoit Badiashile could've heaped misery on Chelsea when the tide was turning in Sunday's London derby. The Blues also needed two penalties - which Spurs gift-wrapped in the most careless possible way - to ignite the comeback effort.</p><p>"Arsenal, (Manchester) City, and Liverpool probably don't slide - like Cucurella did," head coach Enzo Maresca <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c4g2pd77dert?post=asset%3Ad88ac3d2-507f-40c7-a2ff-aeed3f4636e9#post">said</a> afterward. "To be serious, we are not ready. We are far from these teams, but we focus on (it) day by day and (are) trying to improve the team."</p><p>Chelsea play an open and risky transition game, and as rewarding as it can be, it has its defects. Sometimes you see Moises Caicedo scrambling, and sometimes he lunges, and sometimes he gets away with a studs-up challenge, as he did Sunday. Chelsea's game is built around moments, and they can go both ways. Chelsea have already committed five errors leading to goals - higher than any other top-five team and a clear sign that they still struggle to control matches. The majority of Chelsea's wins have also come against teams in the bottom half of the table.</p><p>None of that is to say Chelsea can't win the title. But there's a lot to do before they can truly consider themselves a complete package.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Unsung coaching heroes</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759590/cropped_GettyImages-2188885195.jpg?ts=1733687626" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759590/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188885195.jpg?ts=1733687626 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759590/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188885195.jpg?ts=1733687626 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759590/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188885195.jpg?ts=1733687626 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759590/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188885195.jpg?ts=1733687626 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759590/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188885195.jpg?ts=1733687626 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth / AFC Bournemouth / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Besides players underperforming, there's another big reason why teams like Newcastle, Manchester United, and Tottenham are struggling outside the top 10. The trio should be competing for places in Europe. Instead, they can barely string two wins together. While they've toiled, teams like Bournemouth, Brentford, and Fulham have stepped up, overachieving with squads that aren't nearly as expensive. The difference comes down to coaching. Unlike the three high spenders, stability on the touchline has benefited Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Brentford's Thomas Frank, and Fulham's Marco Silva. Their innovations and impact aren't talked about nearly enough. But after a weekend in which Brentford battered Newcastle, Bournemouth came from behind to beat Ipswich Town, and Fulham held title contenders Arsenal, it's time to give credit where it's due to the Premier League's most underrated coaches.</p><p><strong>Man United their own worst enemy</strong></p><p>Ruben Amorim has a massive task on his hands to turn Manchester United around. He knows that. It's going to take time and a lot of work. One thing he can't legislate for, though, is basic errors from his players. A brutal giveaway inside his own half from Bruno Fernandes, together with some truly confounding goalkeeping by Andre Onana, gifted Nottingham Forest one goal Saturday. Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez simply watched on, as if frozen in time, as a looping Chris Wood header, moving almost in slow motion, nestled into the net for another. The latter stood up as the winner at Old Trafford, consigning Amorim to his second consecutive defeat. Getting the fallen club back to the top is going to be difficult enough for the Portuguese tactician. It'll be downright impossible if his players keep torpedoing their own progress with the types of mistakes commonly seen in semi-pro leagues.</p><p><strong>'Season to suffer'</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759591/cropped_GettyImages-2188715340.jpg?ts=1733687707" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759591/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188715340.jpg?ts=1733687707 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759591/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188715340.jpg?ts=1733687707 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759591/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188715340.jpg?ts=1733687707 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759591/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188715340.jpg?ts=1733687707 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759591/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188715340.jpg?ts=1733687707 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ryan Pierse / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Manchester City didn't lose this weekend. Considering how things have gone for much of the last month, that's actually an improvement. It's also a sad statement that reflects the reality at the club right now. Pep Guardiola <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/news/4190268?sf275709994=1">admitted</a> after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace that this is Man City's "season to suffer." Whether this team is built for that remains to be seen. Most of these players have won everything already. Sure, they've had to battle extremely hard in previous seasons, fending off fierce title challengers and winning huge matches. But they've never had to deal with a soul-sapping rut like this. Even Guardiola himself isn't sure if he and his squad are capable of digging themselves out of this hole. One thing that would help right off the bat: stop conceding early. Man City have given up a league-high seven goals in the first 15 minutes of matches this season. Always playing from behind isn't a recipe for success.</p><p><strong>Good luck, schedule-makers</strong></p><p>By the Premier League's <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/news/261976">own admission</a>, compiling the annual fixture list is a "meticulous and painstaking process that lasts almost half a year." One of the unintended byproducts of the current schedule, already loaded to the gills with matches, is the difficulty of rescheduling postponed games. With the top clubs seemingly in action every three days, finding a decent window to squeeze in an extra contest is no simple task. The Merseyside derby, called off Saturday due to Storm Darragh, will likely have to be shoehorned into a rare midweek opening somewhere after the jam-packed holiday slate. An already tricky test for Liverpool will be that little bit more challenging.</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)</strong></p><p>Vardy is the definition of a talisman.</p><p>Leicester City's season hasn't gone to plan. However, Sunday's come-from-behind draw with Brighton &amp; Hove Albion, which followed an impressive win over West Ham, suggests momentum may finally be shifting in the Foxes' favor. And it was all thanks to their trusted striker.</p><p>With the Foxes teetering toward a defeat, the 37-year-old turned back the clock with a vintage display in the closing stages that was reminiscent of the performances that helped Leicester City win a shock Premier League title almost a decade ago.</p><p>As he's done so often over the years, Vardy brought the King Power Stadium to its feet after cutting Leicester's deficit in half in the 86th minute. The confidence-booster led to bigger celebrations five minutes later after Vardy set up the equalizer to become the second-oldest player to score and assist in a Premier League match.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jamie Vardy's last 7 games for Leicester... <br><br>• ⚽️ vs Southampton<br>• ⚽️ vs Nottingham Forest<br>• 🅰️ vs Ipswich<br>• ❌ vs Chelsea <br>• 🅰️ vs Brentford <br>• ⚽️ vs West Ham<br>• 🅰️⚽️ vs Brighton<br><br>37-years-old. Incredible. 👏 <a href="https://t.co/tAjtDh0AdN">pic.twitter.com/tAjtDh0AdN</a></p>— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/eurofootcom/status/1865789410551148704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Ten years after Ruud van Nistelrooy watched Vardy break his revered Premier League scoring record, Leicester's new coach is now relying on the revived veteran, who has six goals and three assists this season, to keep Leicester from dropping right back down to the Championship.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=317564:Arrizabalaga,955139:Lamptey,766611:Milenkovic,950485:Lacroix,966026:Maatsen,816325:Kamara,923312:Mbeumo,789502:Gibbs-White,1096353:Palmer,846381:Sancho,286119:Vardy&amp;formation=4-1-4-1" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=317564:Arrizabalaga,955139:Lamptey,766611:Milenkovic,950485:Lacroix,966026:Maatsen,816325:Kamara,923312:Mbeumo,789502:Gibbs-White,1096353:Palmer,846381:Sancho,286119:Vardy&amp;formation=4-1-4-1 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=317564:Arrizabalaga,955139:Lamptey,766611:Milenkovic,950485:Lacroix,966026:Maatsen,816325:Kamara,923312:Mbeumo,789502:Gibbs-White,1096353:Palmer,846381:Sancho,286119:Vardy&amp;formation=4-1-4-1 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=317564:Arrizabalaga,955139:Lamptey,766611:Milenkovic,950485:Lacroix,966026:Maatsen,816325:Kamara,923312:Mbeumo,789502:Gibbs-White,1096353:Palmer,846381:Sancho,286119:Vardy&amp;formation=4-1-4-1 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=317564:Arrizabalaga,955139:Lamptey,766611:Milenkovic,950485:Lacroix,966026:Maatsen,816325:Kamara,923312:Mbeumo,789502:Gibbs-White,1096353:Palmer,846381:Sancho,286119:Vardy&amp;formation=4-1-4-1 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=317564:Arrizabalaga,955139:Lamptey,766611:Milenkovic,950485:Lacroix,966026:Maatsen,816325:Kamara,923312:Mbeumo,789502:Gibbs-White,1096353:Palmer,846381:Sancho,286119:Vardy&amp;formation=4-1-4-1 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Source: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>Bryan Mbeumo is having the season of his life. Through just 15 matches, the Brentford talisman has already matched his career high for goals in a Premier League campaign, registering his ninth tally in Saturday's win over Newcastle. He did it in style, too, helping the Bees maintain their status as the best home team in the country.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🧑‍🎨 Bryan Mbeumo, a master of his art <a href="https://t.co/YBuWzOaL6v">pic.twitter.com/YBuWzOaL6v</a></p>— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrentfordFC/status/1865516642073194893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>We're still trying to figure out how, exactly, Andre Onana <em>didn't</em> save this. Even the commentators, absolutely perplexed, thought there must have been a deflection to wrong-foot the goalkeeper. There was no deflection.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A goalkeeper would be expected to save this shot 97% of the time, according to xGOT. <a href="https://t.co/9CVTvpXrMt">pic.twitter.com/9CVTvpXrMt</a></p>— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) <a href="https://twitter.com/xGPhilosophy/status/1865467570540642607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>If you swapped doppelgangers Jota Silva and Jack Grealish, would anybody at their respective clubs even notice?</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">31' 🟨 Jota Silva is booked for elbowing Garnacho. <br><br>🔴 1-1 🌳 | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUNNFO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUNNFO</a> <a href="https://t.co/wyM7qw5dFT">pic.twitter.com/wyM7qw5dFT</a></p>— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) <a href="https://twitter.com/StretfordPaddck/status/1865457376788189461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1.</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>+18</td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+17</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+14</td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19.</td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>-14</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20.</td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>-20</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29366545/related

EPL Review: Chelsea move into title conversation, Vardy's still got it

Liverpool have finally offered leading scorer Mohamed Salah a new contract, The Athletic's David ...

<p>Liverpool have finally offered leading scorer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> a new contract, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5976974/2024/12/08/mohamed-salah-contract-liverpool/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a> reports.</p><p>Sources didn't reveal the terms of the offer to Ornstein or signal that an agreement is near. The offer is considered an opening bid, and Salah may or may not accept it.</p><p>The 32-year-old's current deal expires in June. FIFA rules allow him to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England as soon as January.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Athletic's Simon Hughes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3147410" href="https://thescore.com/news/3147410">reported</a> last week that Salah would accept a one-year deal from Liverpool.</p><p>It's unclear whether Salah would accept less than his current salary of £350,000 per week.</p><p>Salah said last month he was disappointed that Liverpool hadn't formally offered him a new contract, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3140986" href="https://thescore.com/news/3140986">saying</a> he was "probably more out than in." Liverpool coach Arne Slot tried to contain speculation over Salah's future, saying the Egyptian star was "more in than out" of his lineup.</p><p>Despite all the chatter, Salah has produced some of his best football in the early months of the campaign: He has 15 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, including the two he scored in the topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Newcastle United on Wednesday.</p><p>Liverpool lead the Premier League by four points and have a game in hand on second-place Chelsea.</p>

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-2 during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29364378/related

Report: Liverpool offer Salah new contract

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 13 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Does Guardiola have any answers?</h3><p>Midway through Liverpool's otherwise dominant 2-0 win over Manchester City, the champions finally emerged from the rubble of an utterly one-sided opening half-hour with the ball. A lifeline was suddenly up for grabs. Liverpool had missed several chances to make it a blowout and began to retreat into their own end. But the opportunity came and went without much ado. City couldn't summon anything. They had 63% of possession between their first attempt on goal in the 38th minute and Mohamed Salah's game-clinching 78th-minute penalty but couldn't get a shot on target in that time. They couldn't disturb Liverpool, even as the hosts challenged them to do so.</p><p>Guardiola tried to inspire change beforehand, dropping Ederson for backup 'keeper Stefan Ortega and defender Josko Gvardiol for Nathan Ake. Removing Ederson and Gvardiol from the firing line seemed like a responsible choice; their errors precipitated at least a couple of City's recent losses.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Neither Ortega nor Ake could reset the side. Ortega conceded a penalty when he was left all alone with two Liverpool players, while Ake did his best to resist the press on his own. They just couldn't prevent the mistakes that have cost City over the past five weeks from repeating themselves here. They gave away the ball cheaply, attempted low-percentage passes at the wrong time, and committed silly challenges early on. The self-belief that made City seem unstoppable in previous years deserted them yet again.</p><p>Guardiola <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3146465" href="https://thescore.com/news/3146465">said</a> afterward that City will have to hit the reset button and start from scratch. But he's rarely had to do that with any team he's coached. He's not used to doing something so drastic midseason. And he's never had to rethink his entire approach amid such a startling downturn. City haven't won in seven games, and it's not unreasonable to think they could lose many more before the end of the season. They face sixth-placed Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and then have a tough run of fixtures against Juventus, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. That leads them like a pig to slaughter into the meat grinder that is the festive period, which is uncompromising at the best of times.</p><p>Now is probably the worst time to have an existential crisis.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Statement win for Amorim's United</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/cropped_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Ruben Amorim's angry reactions were telling at the start of Manchester United's clash against Everton. With the visitors regularly venturing into United's half, Amorim went ballistic on a few of his players for underperforming in one of the most winnable games of the season. His patience was clearly running out just three matches into his United career. But after playing like Erik ten Hag's timid side to start the match, United started to show signs that Amorim's philosophies were taking hold. Amad Diallo was outstanding, while Joshua Zirkzee - a target of one of Amorim's early outbursts - ended his 17-game drought with a brace in United's biggest league win since 2021. The next test for Amorim's United is performing just as well against better opponents than relegation-threatened teams like Everton.</p><p><strong>If at first you don't succeed ...</strong></p><p>Daniel Munoz showed the power of persistence Saturday. The Colombian missed two glorious chances in the first half against Newcastle, one an open-net sitter with his left foot on the counterattack, the other a close-range tap-in denied on the goal line by a diving Dan Burn. But the Crystal Palace wing-back wasn't deterred. He kept taking opportunities to creep in at the back post, and it paid dividends when he finally scored his first Premier League goal, a 94th-minute equalizer that got Palace out of the drop zone. "He scored the most difficult chance," manager Oliver Glasner said after the 1-1 draw, according to <a href="https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/crystal-palace-boss-oliver-glasner-195125686.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jbXNhZG1pbi50aGVzY29yZS5jb20v&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABoxZvG_2o67V9IR1MhEd9CKldpDF316JC0rT94Lm_MqyV9kq_m0etTz0jVIwSVEayoqsAIuqfYMR89llBFm-Bl2P3f0sbjt6M_VGgWyQSc5VcF7ut1LF3VGdKk_BDdMUuXMayBa4bj0KTxuHEe3Nu0adoww-2pKtFhgy3bJB6rC">Yahoo Sports' Bobby Manzi</a>. "This shows his character, the character of the team, and the character of all of us."</p><p><strong>Kluivert holds his nerve</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/cropped_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth / AFC Bournemouth / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Penalties often get dismissed when looking at a player's body of work. They're the easiest chances in the game to convert - you really <em>shouldn't</em> be squandering a free attempt from 12 yards out. And yet, so many do. Justin Kluivert had no such trouble Saturday, though, becoming the first player in the Premier League era to convert three spot-kicks in the same game. That hasn't happened in England's top flight since 1957. This was a showcase of mental fortitude from the Bournemouth forward as much as anything. Mind games are a key part of penalties, which is why many teams use different takers if they get multiple opportunities from the spot within a match. But Kluivert didn't get in his own head trying to outwit Wolves' Jose Sa - and made history.</p><p><strong>Brentford love home cooking</strong></p><p>The Gtech Community Stadium is a fortress. Brentford have been the best home team in the league so far this season, racking up more points on their own turf than any club. Thomas Frank's men are pouring it on against everyone who visits west London. They're unbeaten in seven home matches, winning six of those games. The Bees' 4-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday, powered by a hat-trick from Kevin Schade, gave them 16 goals in their last four home games in the Premier League (all wins). The tests get tougher in the new year - Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool make the trip in January. But Brentford's explosive attack, backed by boisterous support, can cause problems for anyone.</p><p><strong>RvN has huge task on his hands</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/cropped_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Steven Paston - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>One person in attendance at the Gtech on Saturday who likely didn't enjoy what he saw was Ruud van Nistelrooy. Watching from the stands just one day after being named Leicester manager, the Dutchman looked on as his new team fell apart after scoring the opening goal. Jamie Vardy, now 37, continues to provide production up front, and Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, is making the leap, but there's little else to be excited about right now. The defense, which hasn't kept a clean sheet since Oct. 5, is slow and susceptible, while a lack of playmakers in central midfield puts all the burden on the aforementioned attack-minded players. There's plenty for the former Manchester United interim boss to fix.</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)</strong></p><p>The Premier League record for assists in a single season is jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, who each recorded 20 helpers in 2002-03 and 2019-20, respectively. That mark is in serious jeopardy of being eclipsed.</p><p>Saka is already up to 10 assists in the league this season after another terrific display in Arsenal's 5-2 dismissal of a woeful West Ham United side. He's played just 12 matches. Saka set up two goals against the Hammers, won his team a penalty with crafty footwork inside the area, and converted another spot-kick that he himself helped earn.</p><p>Some may scoff and claim the English winger inflates his numbers because he takes set pieces, an area where Arsenal are more lethal than any team in the league; indeed, one of his assists Saturday was a corner kick that Gabriel Magalhaes headed home. But that would be doing him a disservice. One of the reasons Arsenal have scored 20 goals from the corners since the start of last season - more than any team - is <em>because</em> of Saka's wicked swinging delivery, which causes instant havoc. With Martin Odegaard back and looking to feed Saka at every chance, Arsenal are humming again after a recent blip.</p><p>If Saka does eclipse the assist record shared by Henry and De Bruyne, he'll be hoping for a slightly different outcome to Arsenal's season; neither Henry nor De Bruyne won the Premier League title in their record-setting campaigns.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>Justin Kluivert's historic hat-trick of penalties hogged all the headlines, but teammate Milos Kerkez scored the goal of the weekend with a left-footed rocket off a sweeping team move.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A brilliant team move ✅<br>A rocket of a finish ✅<br>First ever <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/afcb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#afcb</a> goal ✅<br><br>This goal has a bit of everything ️‍🔥 <a href="https://t.co/lujRmEBdB1">pic.twitter.com/lujRmEBdB1</a></p>— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) <a href="https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/1863161870435373352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>Arsenal have given traveling fans plenty to cheer about in 2024.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">5 - Arsenal have scored 5+ goals in five away games in all competitions in 2024, a joint-record by an English top-flight team in a single calendar year, along with Sunderland in 1892 and Manchester City in 1937. Relentless. <a href="https://t.co/1uWL5qexUr">pic.twitter.com/1uWL5qexUr</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1862941743437508999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>Pep Guardiola channeled his inner Jose Mourinho with the pettiest of replies to chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" during Manchester City's loss to Liverpool. "All of the stadiums want to sack me, starting with Brighton," he <a href="https://x.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1863309433264046553">said</a>. "Maybe they're right. Maybe I must be sacked for the result that we have, but I didn't expect (that) at Anfield. ... I didn't expect (it) from the people from Liverpool. But it's fine."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liverpool fans chant "you're getting sacked in the morning" to Pep Guardiola 🎶<br><br>Pep responds with six fingers, one for each Premier League title 😏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVMCI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVMCI</a> <a href="https://t.co/T4UUmuaNax">pic.twitter.com/T4UUmuaNax</a></p>— Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1863279288159522891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1.</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+18</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+14</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+0</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18.</td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20.</td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-15</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29269968/related

EPL Review: Liverpool plunge Man City into existential crisis

Bournemouth winger Justin Kluivert became the first player in Premier League history to score a h...

<p>Bournemouth winger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/90873" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/90873">Justin Kluivert</a> became the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick of penalties in a single match by converting all three of his attempts in Saturday's 4-2 win over Wolverhampton.</p><p>Teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167817" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167817">Evanilson</a> won all three penalties, including two off Wolves goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/67717" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/67717">Jose Sa</a>. No other player has done that in a single Premier League game.</p><p>Only three others have scored a hat-trick of penalties in the history of English top-flight football. Ken Barnes was the last to do so in December 1957 for Manchester City.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scoring three penalties in an English top-flight game:<br><br>Billy Walker for Aston Villa v Bradford in November 1921<br><br>Charlie Mitten for Man Utd v Aston Villa in March 1950<br><br>Ken Barnes for Man City v Everton in December 1957<br><br>Justin Kluivert for Bournemouth v Wolves in November 2024</p>— Will Jeanes (@will_jeanes) <a href="https://twitter.com/will_jeanes/status/1862899375988719990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Kluivert came into Saturday's fixture with just two goals in 12 previous league appearances.</p><p>The win moves Bournemouth up to 11th place, while Wolves drop into the relegation zone in 18th.</p>

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth scores a hat-trick of penalties to make it 4-2 during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemouth at Molineux on November 30, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29237458/related

Kluivert becomes 1st player to score hat-trick of penalties in EPL history

The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frene...

<p><em>The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frenetic hours. Below, theScore's soccer editors reflect on Matchday 5 in Europe's premier club competition.</em></p><h3>Key takeaway from Matchday 5 📝</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/cropped_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Anthony Lopopolo</strong>: Kylian Mbappe is in a tailspin. He's scored two goals in his last nine matches and missed a penalty in Real Madrid's damaging 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday. His lukewarm display at Anfield comes as investigators in Sweden investigate rape allegations and while his team fights former club Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid bonuses. Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley was the latest opponent to get the best of Mbappe, keeping the Frenchman from turning on the afterburners and running into space Wednesday. While Mbappe is struggling to adapt to Madrid's system and finding it uncomfortable to flip between the left-wing and center-forward positions, even his pace and dribbling ability, widely considered his greatest strengths, have deserted him at times.</p><p><strong>Daniel Rouse</strong>: Let's give Angel Di Maria the respect he deserves. The winger, who turns 37 in February, produced two beautiful crosses to set up goals in Benfica's 3-2 comeback win over Monaco on Wednesday and now has the second-most assists in Champions League history with 41, one above Lionel Messi and one below Cristiano Ronaldo. His overall performance at Monaco was excellent - and this is far from a rare throwback performance in the autumn of his career. He hit a hat-trick, including a stunning bicycle kick, in a domestic cup game Saturday and scored twice in a 4-1 Primeira Liga dismissal of FC Porto before the international break.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Gianluca Nesci</strong>: Robert Lewandowski isn't slowing down any time soon. His two goals in Tuesday's win over Brest weren't particularly special - a penalty and a simple stoppage-time tally - but what they signified certainly was. The veteran striker, 36, became only the third player in Champions League history to crack the 100-goal barrier; he now sits at 101. Only Ronaldo (141) and Messi (129) have more. Company doesn't get more elite. One of the most lethal, consistent scorers of his generation, Lewandowski is soaring under Hansi Flick, and barring injury, there's no reason to think he can't mount a serious challenge to Messi's tally, which in itself is a huge achievement.</p><h3>This week's crisis club 😬</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/cropped_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">James Gill - Danehouse / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: RB Leipzig. Apart from their second Champions League fixture, a seesaw 3-2 loss to Juventus, Leipzig have sleepwalked through each matchday. They lost all five games without much of a fight and were similarly absent-minded during Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Inter, which the Nerazzurri should've won by more. Leipzig have certainly had one of the most difficult run of fixtures in the Champions League - they've faced Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, and Celtic - but the whole point of their operation is to disturb the football establishment. Losing five straight games to direct rivals is a horrific blow to their development. They're lucky they still have a chance to earn a playoff spot. But that would require an unlikely turnaround and a perfect three wins out of three against Aston Villa, Sporting CP, and Sturm Graz.</p><p><strong>Rouse</strong>: Manchester City. Pep Guardiola had already suffered the worst run of his managerial career with five straight defeats before Feyenoord's visit, but how Manchester City folded after merely having a three-goal lead trimmed to two in Tuesday's 3-3 draw makes it the most troubling performance of their recent skid. This slump is down to more than the absence of Rodri or Ruben Dias or anybody else - it's due to a myriad of reasons, including a lack of resilience, lethargy spreading through the squad, and, perhaps most surprisingly for a Guardiola side, flawed tactics. And there's little time available on the training ground to fix City's alarming issues.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Paris Saint-Germain. The wheels are off. Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich and Wednesday's subsequent results left PSG in 25th place in the table, outside the qualification places for the knockout stage. On paper, the remaining schedule is forgiving. Red Bull Salzburg are even worse off right now, Manchester City are in full-blown crisis, and Stuttgart, their final opponent on Matchday 8, just got smoked by Crvena Zvezda. But there's no reason to think PSG can beat any of them right now. A team that was seeking more harmony by allowing its high-profile stars to depart instead looks more disjointed and fragile than ever. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3141404" href="https://thescore.com/news/3141404">Internal belief</a> remains, but PSG are in real danger of being the biggest flop of the opening round.</p><h3>Player of the week 🌟</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/cropped_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Charles De Ketelaere. With two goals and three assists in Atalanta's 5-1 destruction of Swiss club Young Boys, De Ketelaere continued his transformation from bust to protagonist. AC Milan famously gave up on the Belgian midfielder after one season, sending him to Atalanta on a cut-rate loan deal that the club eventually made permanent last year. De Ketelaere has repaid them for their faith with 18 goals and 20 assists in one-and-a-half seasons. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is unlocking De Ketelaere's potential, and it's resulting in a steady supply of defense-splitting passes and goal-creating actions in and around the penalty area.</p><p><strong>Rouse</strong>: Julian Alvarez. The Argentine forward has overcome a slow start following his summer move from Manchester City, firing in seven goals in his past 10 outings for Atletico Madrid. His free-kick and narrow-angle finish (after a powerful run and one-two with the manager's in-form son, Giuliano Simeone) were excellent against Sparta Prague on Tuesday. And aside from his two goals, he was a creative force with a game-high four key passes and two completed dribbles. He also kept possession well for a player who takes risks with the ball in attacking positions.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Florian Wirtz. Bayer Leverkusen teammate Alejandro Grimaldo also made a strong case, but Wirtz gets the nod after collecting his fourth Man of the Match award in five Champions League outings. The mesmerizing German, 21, scored twice and set up another in Leverkusen's 5-0 thumping of Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday, helping his side get back on track after a humbling loss to Liverpool last time out. "We know how different he is for us," manager Xabi Alonso <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/leverkusen-boss-alonso-wants-help-wirtz-shine-more-after-huge-salzburg-win-2024-11-27/">said</a> of his prized player. Few other young stars possess the same type of game-breaking ability.</p><h3>Team that's back from the dead <a href="https://emojipedia.org/zombie">🧟</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/cropped_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">-STR / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: AC Milan. The Rossoneri have rattled off three consecutive Champions League wins for the first time in 18 years and scored three goals in three straight European Cup matches for the first time since 1989. These are serious records for the seven-time European champions to break, especially given the current state of this team. Milan lost their opening two matches of the league phase and currently sit in seventh place in Serie A. But something has clicked in Europe. While Tuesday's 3-2 result at Slovan Bratislava was far sweatier than their previous victories over Real Madrid and Club Brugge, Paulo Fonseca's men have created more chances in the Champions League than they have in recent Serie A fixtures and are now in a position to clinch a playoff spot for the knockout phase.</p><p><strong>Rouse</strong>: PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch champions' hopes of securing an automatic knockout berth were on life support. Twice. Two points from their opening three matches put them in serious trouble. Then, after a morale-boosting win over Girona earlier this month, PSV were two goals down at halftime of a Champions League home game for the first time since 2008. But three goals from the 87th minute onward - two from Malik Tillman and one from fellow U.S. international Ricardo Pepi - sensationally clinched a 3-2 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. The result lifted Peter Bosz's side two points behind the automatic spots with winnable games ahead.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Celtic. A 7-1 annihilation at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 2 threatened to derail The Bhoys' Champions League adventure. Getting back on track after such a demoralizing defeat is no small feat, particularly for a club that's struggled to make headway in the competition for so long. But that's precisely what Brendan Rodgers' team has done. Celtic are right in the mix for a knockout place, four points above the elimination zone. They've "<a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cy0ge8nzrxko">grown and matured</a>" from past failures, as evidenced by Wednesday's draw with Club Brugge, in which the Scottish side recovered after a brutal own goal to earn what could end up being a critical point.</p><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><p><em>Here's the complete league phase table after Matchday 5. Remember: The top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, and the sides that finish ninth to 24th head to the new knockout phase playoffs, two-legged ties that determine who joins the eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16. The bottom 12 clubs are eliminated from the Champions League.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>+11</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>+7</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>+10</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
<td>+10</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>Leverkusen</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>Monaco</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>9</em></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>10</em></td>
<td>Sporting CP</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>11</em></td>
<td>Brest</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>12</em></td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>13</em></td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>14</em></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>15</em></td>
<td>Atletico</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>16</em></td>
<td>AC Milan</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>17</em></td>
<td>Man City</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>18</em></td>
<td>PSV</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>19</em></td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>20</em></td>
<td>Celtic</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>21</em></td>
<td>Feyenoord</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>22</em></td>
<td>Club Brugge</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>23</em></td>
<td>Dinamo Zagreb</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>24</em></td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>Shakhtar</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>Stuttgart</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>Sparta Prague</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Sturm Graz</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>Girona</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>Crvena Zvezda</td>
<td>-8</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>Salzburg</td>
<td>-12</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Bologna</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>RB Leipzig</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>S. Bratislava</td>
<td>-14</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>Young Boys</td>
<td>-15</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29199819/related

Champions League, Matchday 5: Mbappe outshone, big clubs spiral

Andre Onana made a pair of point-blank saves in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town to preserve a...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/40714" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/40714">Andre Onana</a> made a pair of point-blank saves in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town to preserve a point for Manchester United on Ruben Amorim's debut.</p><p>Amorim's first Premier League match since replacing Erik ten Hag on the bench started brilliantly, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/66886" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/66886">Marcus Rashford</a> giving United the lead after just 80 seconds. But Ipswich slowly grew into the game and equalized in the 43rd minute when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/183578" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/183578">Omari Hutchinson</a>'s goal-bound strike earned a beneficial deflection off <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/100388" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/100388">Noussair Mazraoui</a>.</p><p>Onana prevented further damage by making himself big enough to deny two of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167323" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167323">Liam Delap</a>'s close-range efforts.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Amorim, the sixth permanent manager hired by United since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped away from the game in 2013, has backed himself to turn around the club's fortunes, but the evidence from Sunday's stalemate shows a lot of work must be done to achieve the long-term success that eluded Ten Hag.</p><p>United switched to a back three for the match at Portman Road, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/163335" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/163335">Amad Diallo</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/95294" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/95294">Diogo Dalot</a> pushed into wing-back roles. The switched paid off immediately for Diallo, who ate up space before setting up Rashford's first Premier League goal since September. It was less effective for Dalot, who came under constant pressure from Hutchinson and completed just 71% of his passes.</p><p>United struggled for control the rest of the match, and despite a number of inventive plays by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/23312" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/23312">Bruno Fernandes</a>, the front line couldn't convert any more of its chances.</p><p>"I think my players were thinking too much," Amorim told <a href="https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/1860757282893521013">Sky Sports</a>. "We lost some balls without pressure. But they really, really tried, and they want this."</p><p>Ipswich played positively after conceding and resisted United's best attempts to press them into mistakes. </p><p>Sunday's result follows the club's stunning 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, fueling hopes it can extend its first Premier League season in 22 years. </p><p>United move up a place to 12th, while Ipswich remain in the relegation zone in 18th place with eight points.</p>

Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim (L) shakes hands with Manchester United's Cameroonian goalkeeper #24 Andre Onana (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road in Ipswich, eastern England on November 24, 2024. Ipswich Town and Manchester United equalised 1 - 1.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29160970/related

Amorim settles for debut point as Onana bails out Man United

Liverpool opened up an eight-point lead over defending Premier League champions Manchester City t...

<p>Liverpool opened up an eight-point lead over defending Premier League champions Manchester City thanks to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a>'s second-half brace in Sunday's 3-2 comeback win at Southampton.</p><p>Salah tied the match at 2-2 in the 65th minute with a clever finish past onrushing goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/53270" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/53270">Alex McCarthy</a> and clinched Liverpool's 10th league win in 12 matches with a well-taken penalty seven minutes from time.</p><p>Liverpool could extend the gap to 11 points if they beat City at Anfield next week.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Southampton were their worst enemy in a match they briefly led. Defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/92678" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/92678">Flynn Downes</a> gifted Liverpool the opening goal with a feeble attempt to play it out from the back, allowing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/93042" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/93042">Dominik Szoboszlai</a> to intercept and curl home. But the Saints were also a bundle of energy and surged into a 2-1 lead before the hour mark. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/28869" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/28869">Adam Armstrong</a> converted the rebound off his own penalty in the 42nd minute and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/190212" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/190212">Mateus Fernandes</a> finished a well-worked counterattack to put Southampton in a position to win just their second match of the season.</p><p>Then Salah took over. The Egyptian punished McCarthy's decision to rush off his goal line - one of a league-leading eight errors Southampton have committed in the lead-up to a goal - and buried a penalty awarded for handball.</p><p>Salah, who's out of contract at the end of the season, now has 12 goals across all competitions.</p><p>Southampton remain in last place in the Premier League with just four points from 12 matches.</p>

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Picture date: Sunday November 24, 2024.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29159493/related

Liverpool extend EPL lead to 8 points after comeback win over Saints

Jonathan David's all-time leading 31st goal for Canada helped his country reach the CONCACAF Nati...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/159817" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/159817">Jonathan David</a>'s all-time leading 31st goal for Canada helped his country reach the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals on Tuesday.</p><p>Jesse March's side walked away with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Suriname following Tuesday's 3-0 win at BMO Field and Friday's 1-0 result in the first leg in Paramaribo.</p><p>Canada will face Mexico in the semis after the latter defeated Honduras 4-0 on Tuesday to advance. The United States will meet Panama in the other semifinal.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>David overtook teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/40740" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/40740">Cyle Larin</a> as Canada's top men's scorer when he calmly finished off a goalmouth scramble in the 23rd minute. It also moved the Lille forward up to 14 goals this season.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/159283" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/159283">Jacob Shaffelburg</a> doubled the lead seven minutes later with a slippery run past the goalkeeper that set up an unmissable shot into an empty net. He sealed the victory with a powerful finish from close range in the 67th minute.</p><p>A seeding table determined the semifinal matchups. Canada finished first thanks to a superior goal difference over the United States.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>#</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Pts</th>
<th>W-D-L</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>GF-GA</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Canada</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>2-0-0</td>
<td>+4</td>
<td>4-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>United States</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>2-0-0</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>5-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Panama</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1-1-0</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>3-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Mexico</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1-0-1</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>4-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Honduras</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1-0-1</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>2-4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The semifinals, which will switch to a winner-take-all format, kick off March 20 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The final is slated for March 23.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 13: Jonathan David of Canada reacts during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 third place match between Uruguay and Canada at Bank of America Stadium on July 13, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29102314/related

David's historic goal helps Canada reach Nations League semifinals

Pep Guardiola has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Manchester City, The Athletic's Sa...

<p>Pep Guardiola has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Manchester City, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5931613/2024/11/19/pep-guardiola-new-man-city-contract/">The Athletic's Sam Lee</a> reports, ensuring he'll stay at the club beyond the end of the season.</p><p>Guardiola's pre-existing deal was set to expire in June.</p><p>The new agreement reportedly includes a one-year option that, if triggered, would extend his stay to the end of the 2026-27 season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The news appears to be a vote of confidence in a regime that's set to move on from longtime director of football Txiki Begiristain, the architect behind City's rise and the man who brought Guardiola to the Premier League in 2016. It also comes at a delicate time for the reigning Premier League champions, who've lost four consecutive games for the first time under the 53-year-old and are awaiting the results of a hearing into 115 charges of alleged financial wrongdoing over a nine-year period.</p><p>City have vehemently denied the charges.</p><p>There were doubts Guardiola would commit to the club with so much hanging in the balance. The coach <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3101922" href="https://thescore.com/news/3101922">admitted</a> last month that a "part" of him was leaving with Begiristain, who first trusted Guardiola to coach Barcelona in 2008.</p><p>"But I have the opinion the club is so solid, incredibly well-structured. It has to be like that. All families have to move on, and the club will move on," Guardiola said.</p><p>Sporting CP sporting director Hugo Viana will replace Begiristain next term.</p><p>City are chasing an unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title - and their seventh in eight seasons - but currently trail first-placed Liverpool by five points.</p>

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the Premier League match at American Express Stadium, Brighton. Picture date: Saturday November 9, 2024.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29097934/related

Report: Guardiola staying at Man City for at least 1 more season

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino is stepping down weeks after leading the MLS franch...

<p>Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino is stepping down weeks after leading the MLS franchise to a league-record 74 points in the regular season.</p><p>Martino had another year remaining on his contract. He's leaving for personal reasons, sources told <a href="https://www.givemesport.com/tata-martino-out-inter-miami-head-coach-sources/">GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert</a>.</p><p>Miami won the Supporters Shield as the team with the best MLS record but ended its season on a disappointing note, losing to No. 9 seed Atlanta United in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Martino joined the club in June 2023, just two weeks before Lionel Messi announced his move to MLS. Former Barcelona players <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1114" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1114">Sergio Busquets</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1341" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1341">Jordi Alba</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/4433" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/4433">Luis Suarez</a> eventually joined Messi in Miami, recreating the core of the group that won trophy after trophy with the Catalan side.</p><p>Martino coached all but one of those players during his only season at Barcelona in 2013-14. Suarez joined the club the following season.</p><p>That familiarity created the backbone of one of the best sides in MLS history. Inter Miami scored a regular-season high of 79 goals while accruing the largest points total in league history, beating the previous record set in 2021 by the New England Revolution by a single point.</p><p>Miami also won the 2023 Leagues Cup under Martino's watch.</p><p>Despite falling short of playoff success, Miami earned an invitation to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The end-of-season tournament will feature the best 32 teams from each of FIFA's continental confederations and kick off at Hard Rock Stadium on June 15.</p><p> </p>

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Gerardo Martino of Inter Miami arrives prior to the match against the Atlanta United during round one of the 2024 MLS playoffsat Chase Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29097450/related

Tata Martino done at Inter Miami after record MLS season with Messi

Juventus will terminate Paul Pogba's contract by mutual consent on Nov. 30, bringing the French m...

<p>Juventus will terminate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/13802" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/13802">Paul Pogba</a>'s contract by mutual consent on Nov. 30, bringing the French midfielder's second spell at the club to an unceremonious end.</p><p>"The club wishes Paul the very best for his professional future," Juventus <a href="https://www.juventus.com/en/news/articles/club-statement-paul-pogba-151124">said</a> in a short statement Friday.</p><p>Pogba is serving the final months of a doping ban that's sidelined him since September 2023. He's now eligible to return March 11 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his initial four-year ban to 18 months.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Shortly after the ruling, Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli all but confirmed Pogba's time at the club was over, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3102992" href="https://thescore.com/news/3102992">saying</a> the squad is "complete."</p><p>"There are times when things do not go as we would like, but one thing is certain: the bond I have with you, dear fans, will remain unforgettable," Pogba, who won four Serie A titles with Juventus before moving to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world-record transfer fee of €105 million, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCZyrTtsr3I/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">wrote</a> on Instagram. "You have given me so much, more than I can express in words, and I will always carry with me all the affection you have given me. You will forever be in my heart."</p><p>Pogba rejoined Juventus on a free transfer in July 2022 after six up-and-down seasons with United but struggled with knee and hamstring issues, limiting him to just 12 total appearances for Juventus and ultimately forcing him to miss the 2022 World Cup.</p><p>Pogba was also the victim of an extortion attempt led by his brother Mathias and held at gunpoint by childhood friends until he agreed to pay them €100,000.</p><p>He was then suspended in September 2023 after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone, a testosterone-enhancing substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list. The 31-year-old <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3090948" href="https://thescore.com/news/3090948">strenuously denied</a> ever "knowingly or deliberately" ingesting the substance. His representatives later clarified that the traces in his system had come from a food supplement a U.S. doctor prescribed to him.</p><p>Though Juventus initially suspended his estimated €8-million annual salary - instead paying him the league minimum of around €2,000 per month - the club waited until Friday to announce his contract was being terminated. He had another year and a half remaining on his deal.</p><p>Pogba told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41827512/paul-pogba-considered-retiring-doping-reprieve">ESPN's Julien Laurens</a> he considered retiring while waiting out the legal process. But he's currently training in Miami amid reports of interest from Major League Soccer and Saudi Pro League clubs.</p><p> </p>

TOPSHOT - French forward Paul Pogba waves as he arrives to attend the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Cagliari at the Allianz stadium in Turin, on October 6, 2024.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29037644/related

Pogba leaving Juventus after contract termination

The latest edition of theScore's Eras project, which celebrates greatness in every major sport ov...

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29035463/related

The 5 greatest soccer players of the last 25 years

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29026508/related

Ranking the greatest soccer players since 2000 (Nos. 6-10)

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29016030/related

Ranking the greatest soccer players since 2000 (Nos. 11-15)

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/anthony-lopopolo/content_cards

Anthony Lopopolo

News Editor

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/gianluca-nesci/content_cards

Gianluca Nesci

Supervising Editor

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/gordon-brunt/content_cards

Gordon Brunt

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/daniel-rouse/content_cards

Daniel Rouse

Senior News Editor

EPL Soccer

England Soccer

Manchester United

Top Soccer News