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Showing posts from December 17, 2023

News: Update from the European Super League

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Here we go again New plans for a revamped European Super League (ESL) have been unveiled following a significant court decision.  Picture from a banner protesting the European Super League in 2021 This latest court ruling declared it illegal to prevent clubs from joining an alternative league. The proposed league features 64 men's teams and 32 women's teams, posing a direct challenge to current UEFA competitions. Manchester United, initially a key player in the original ESL concept  but later withdrew amidst heavy criticism, has confirmed their ongoing commitment to UEFA tournaments.  Despite the controversy, United's stance remains unchanged, emphasizing their dedication to working constructively with UEFA, the Premier League, and other clubs through the European Clubs Association for the betterment of European football. Previous Super News articles on the European Super League Clubs Announce New Super League Competition (greatermanchesterfootball.blogspot.com) Rememb

EFL Cup: Chelsea progress on penalties to beat Newcastle

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 Chelsea 1 - 1 Newcastle United (Chelsea win 4-2 on penalties) Kieran Trippier had a nightmarish experience at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea secured a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals through a penalty shootout. Despite Callum Wilson's 16th-minute goal appearing to propel Newcastle into the last four, substitute Mykhailo Mudryk seized on the veteran defender's mistake deep into stoppage time, leading to the match heading to penalties. Trippier, who has recently struggled with a dip in form, widened Newcastle's second penalty, and with keeper Djordje Petrovic saving Matt Ritchie's spot-kick, Chelsea transitioned from the brink of defeat to the joy of reaching the semi-finals. It was a harsh outcome for Trippier, a key figure under manager Eddie Howe, whose moment of indecision on a header provided Chelsea with the lifeline Mudryk capitalized on. Chelsea's Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku, and Mudryk all scored in the shootout, while only Callum Wils

PL News: Steve Cooper sacked by Forest

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Is this a harsh decision? Nottingham Forest have confirmed manager Steve Cooper has been sacked. The announcement that Cooper has been dismissed has come after Forest lost five of their past six games. Forest have won once in 13 Premier League games and taken eight points in that time. They are currently 17th in the Premier League.  They have also picked up just one point from their last six games and are five points ahead of third-bottom Luton, who have a match in hand. A statement on the Forest website reads Cooper departs The City Ground having played an integral part in Forest’s return to the Premier League, cementing himself firmly into the Club’s rich history after guiding The Reds back into England’s top-flight. Appointed as head coach in September 2021, Steve galvanised Forest’s extraordinary rise up the Championship table and into the play-offs, culminating in a memorable win over Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium in May 2022. He then went on to manage the team for 55 m

UCL: Draw made for last-16

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The draw has been made for the last 16 of the Champions League.  🚨🏆 Thoughts on Champions League draw? pic.twitter.com/NjTTJ2uzWA — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 18, 2023 Manchester City will play Copenhagen in the last 16 of the competition.  The Danish champions Copenhagen finished above Manchester United in their group, as they reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2011. This included a 4-3 memorable victory over the Red Devils. The 14-time winners Real Madrid while RB Leipzig. Inter Milan - who finished runners-up last season will face Atletico Madrid. Bayern Munich (led by Harry Kane) will face Lazio. This is the draw in full Porto v Arsenal Napoli v Barcelona Paris St-Germain v Real Sociedad Inter Milan v Atletico Madrid PSV Eindhoven v Borussia Dortmund Lazio v Bayern Munich Copenhagen v Manchester City RB Leipzig v Real Madrid European Super Football contributor Josh gave some thoughts on the draw The luck of the draw has smiled upon the two

Premier League: United battle to hold Liverpool

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 Liverpool 0 - 0 Manchester United Manchester United provided a much-needed boost to manager Erik ten Hag's morale by securing a hard-fought draw against Liverpool at Anfield.  This came at a crucial time when the team was grappling with a sense of crisis following a heavy home defeat to Bournemouth and a lacklustre Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich . Despite facing adversity and an injury-hit squad, United managed to halt their recent decline, albeit with a less-than-stellar performance.  The match, marred by mediocrity, saw Diogo Dalot being sent off for dissent in stoppage time. Nevertheless, Ten Hag had reasons to smile, contrasting with the disappointment felt by Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp, whose team missed an opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League. United goalkeeper Andre Onana made a crucial save in the first half, denying Virgil van Dijk, while Rasmus Hojlund had a promising chance in the second half, only to be thwarted by Liverp

Premier League: Palace fight back to draw against City

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Manchester City 2 - 2 Crystal Palace Manchester City's bid to defend their title faced another setback when Michael Olise's 95th-minute penalty salvaged a thrilling draw for Crystal Palace. City had a comfortable 2-0 lead with goals from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis, seemingly heading for victory until Jean-Philippe Mateta scored with 14 minutes left. Limbs 🤌 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/21RfQ7NN38 — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 17, 2023 The drama continued in stoppage time when Phil Foden fouled Mateta, leading to a penalty. Michael Olise calmly converted, sparking jubilation among the away fans. This draw, City's third consecutive at home, puts them in fourth place, trailing leaders Liverpool by three points. More Crystal Palace news from European Super Football Click here to discover more news from Manchester City While Palace has won just one of their last 10 games, this result felt like a win for them, especially after last week's stoppage-time defeat to Li