The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Premier League

  • Mourinho pays tribute to old rival Wenger

    Jose Mourinho once called Arsene Wenger a “specialist in failure’’ but, after the Arsenal manager announced he was stepping down at the end of the season, there was only respect.

    Asked by reporters on Friday whether he regretted some of his behaviour towards the Frenchman over the years, the Manchester United boss suggested the question betrayed a lack of understanding.

    “You are not a manager. You are not a player of course,” he said.

    Read Also: Wenger Quit Notice: He is leaving a big shoe -Kanu

    “You do not know the way we respect each other, even when sometimes it looks like in some moments we don’t.

    “In the end, probably the ones that respect each other more are the ones that have the problems,” added the Portuguese.

    “It is power against power, it is quality against quality, it is ambition against ambition.”

    Wenger, 68, announced on Friday that he would end a near 22-year reign at the north London club, during which he has become Arsenal’s most successful manager.

    Mourinho’s rivalry with Wenger dates from the younger manager’s arrival at Chelsea as a self-proclaimed “Special One’’ in 2004.

    In 2005, the Portuguese famously labelled the Frenchman a “voyeur” after becoming annoyed at comments from him about his Chelsea team.

    By 2014, when the “specialist in failure’’ comment was made, the rivalry had become so heated.

    Wenger even pushed Mourinho as the pair clashed in the technical area during a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

    On Friday, Mourinho said he hoped Wenger did not retire from football.

    “If he’s happy I’m happy. If he’s sad, I’m sad,” he declared. “I always wish the best for my opponents.

    “Mr Wenger and Arsenal were for many, many years the biggest rivals of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era. I’m pretty sure that we as a club will show Mr Wenger the respect he deserves.”

    Mourinho, an English Premier League title winner with Chelsea, recognised what Wenger had achieved.

    “For us football people, the real football people, who are the ones inside the four lines, playing, or the managers… the football people don’t have short memories,” he said.

    “I know what it means, three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, what he did in Japan and France…

    “What he brought to French football and what he gave to Arsenal in the period without Premier Leagues, the transition from stadium to stadium.

    “We know what he did,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • Arsenal boss Wenger criticises Premier League’s VAR delay

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said the Premier League’s decision to delay the implementation of the video assistant referee (VAR) system means the English top flight is being left behind.

    The 20 top-flight teams voted against introducing the system for the leagues 2018-19 seasons after trial runs in the cup competitions received mixed reviews.

    “The Premier League has been created with people who had a progressive mind…,” Wenger told reporters after Arsenal’s 2-1 league defeat by Newcastle United on Sunday.

    “Overall, I believe that with that decision we are behind the rest of the world.

    Read Also: Arsenal’s Wenger understands Mertesacker’s wish to retire

    “The young generation is used to (VAR) and worldwide they might move away from us because they see that in other countries they do it.

    “Unfortunately the Premier League has again decided not to go for VAR and personally I believe that is a very, very bad decision,” Wenger added.

    “Every big game this season has been decided by mistakes that could have been avoided with VAR, especially in the Champions League with Manchester City and Liverpool.”

    Arsenal host West Ham United on Sunday.

    NAN

  • Liverpool supporters voted noisiest in Premier League

    They have qualified for the semi finals of this year’s Champions league, they may be standing a good chance like the other three contenders, Roma, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to clinch the prestigious trophy come 26th of May at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, but Liverpool have been voted as the Premier League’s noisiest in a poll of over 4,000 Top-flight ,followers, former players and managers.

    The Reds topped the list for the loudest fans both home and away in the survey conducted by Barclays and YouGov, finishing ahead of Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

    Man united supporters conceded that their arch-rivals had their favourite rival song, although ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was edged out by ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ and ‘Delilah’ – the anthems of West Ham United and Stoke City respectively in that particular category.

    Jose Mourinho has previously complained about the noise levels at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils looking to hand out song sheets at future matches to generate a better atmosphere. The full list of findings according to the monitors will be published in early May. The finding further dismisses the insinuations that Manchester City are the noisy neighbours.

    Meanwhile Liverpool still basking in the euphoria of their feat in the Champions league will resume premier league runs with a home tie against AFC Bournemouth. The Reds are third on the log with 67 points in 33 matches and hope to consolidate with a possible win over the visitors.

    Team talisman Mohammed Salah who contributed in no small measure to Champions league progress will again be on duty against  AFC Bournemouth and will be hoping to continue his goal harvest if unchecked.

    The 39-goal hero is not ruling out the possibility of Liverpool winning the Champions league. Salah who will no doubt be an asset for the Pharaohs in Russia said it is all about one step at a time

    “We can [win it] – we are in the semi-final,” he told CNN. “I always say that we take it step by step, but we are in the semi-final and anything can happen.

  • No VAR for 2018/19 Premier league season

     

    Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will not feature in the 2018/19 premier league season.  This follows unanimous decision by English clubs not to join in the bandwagon of launching the device into competitive football, voting rather to subject it to further test run. The Premier league clubs approved for the test run to be continued using the FA cup and the Carabao cup within the season.

    The decision is not unconnected with complaints over delays in reaching a decision, which many say reduces the tempo of the match and removes the spontenous fun that comes with strikes and goals.

    Already World soccer ruling body FIFA has hinted that the device will be in use at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

    The 2017-18 campaign has seen the on-field referee consult with a colleague regarding key decisions in FA Cup games and the EFL Cup final, with mixed results.

    Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat at home to West Brom in January saw a number of long delays as the officials made their rulings and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp believes the process needs to be perfected before it can be introduced full-time.

    “The only experience I had was the West Brom game and it was very interesting. We all agreed it took a little bit long for the decisions,” said the German.

    “In Germany, it’s settled. It needed time and it will need time when we start within England. I don’t know if it’s a perfect solution or not.

    “In a lot of moments, you would love to have it, and sometimes you suffer because of no VAR. I really would prefer we have the right decisions, but it needs to be fixed before that. It’s not perfect at the moment.

    “I think it’s important to help the ref in these situations, not to make life more difficult for them. If smart people think it’s not the time for that, we wait for another year.”

    Premier League Clubs have agreed to continue advanced testing of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) throughout Season 2018/19:

    VAR has been used across all matches in Serie A and the Bundesliga, but England’s top-flight clubs have decided not to follow suit just yet, and the system will continue to be tested in 2018-19.

    “Premier League clubs have today agreed to continue advanced testing of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) throughout the 2018-19 season,” read a Premier League statement.

    “The decision came after comprehensive discussions regarding the progress made in VAR trials in English football and key learning from the many competitions elsewhere using it.

    “The Premier League will also be asking for VAR to be used more extensively in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in season 2018-19.”

  • Suffering is part of my job – Wenger

    Suffering is part of my job – Wenger

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says suffering is all part of being a manager and admits he has had his fair share of late.

    Yet the smile returned to the Frenchman’s face on Friday after his side snapped a four-match losing streak to beat AC Milan 2-0 in the San Siro the previous evening.

    Arsenal closed in on the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

    “Any manager will tell you that when you don’t get results the first thing affected is the mood, the lack of sleep,” Wenger said.

    “I’ve managed in 820 or so Premier League games and 200 odd European games but there is no possibility not to suffer. You have to suffer. You have to be capable to go through periods when it’s very difficult.”

    Wenger’s future at Arsenal, where he has been in charge since 1996, has been a source of constant debate.

    His team are down in sixth place in the English Premier League, having suffered a 3-0 thrashing by Manchester City in the English League Cup final.

    He says he has had messages of support from past and current managers, even old adversary Alex Ferguson, and that finding solutions to problems remains an addictive part of the job.

    “The desire to find solutions is interesting as well,” he said. “When you are a young manager you think you can win every game but it’s not like that. It is to survive the disappointments. It can make you a better manager.”

    Wenger says money and ‘starification’ has become too important in football.

    “At the end of the day I have to stand up for what is important for the club,” he said. “I am thankful that I have respect in the game. Football is first about values but my regret is that has gone underwater.”

    Wenger says some of the recent criticism aimed at himself and his players have been over the top.

    “We have to have a little perspective. We got to a Cup final and we fight to be in a Cup final,” the 68-year-old said. “We played against the best team in the country.

    “We have been in four finals in the last five years and lost once, against Man City who is the best team in the country. So, it’s surprising the intensity the storm the players have faced.”

    Arsenal face Watford on Sunday with their hopes of a top-four finish hanging by a thread, as they trail fourth-placed Tottenham by 13 points.

    They will be without injured Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin against Watford while Sead Kolasinac is a doubt with an ankle problem.

    NAN

  • Hull midfielder Ryan Mason quits football

    Hull midfielder Ryan Mason quits football

     

    Hull midfielder Ryan Mason has been forced to retire from football, just over a year after he fractured his skull in a Premier League match against Chelsea.

    The 26-year-old collided with Chelsea centre back Gary Cahill at Stamford Bridge on January 22, 2017. He had to have emergency surgery and spent eight days at St Mary’s Hospital in London recovering from his ‘life-threatening injury’ before being released.

    Mason explained in a statement on Tuesday that the decision to retire was taken on medical grounds

    ‘I can confirm that following specialist medical advice I am having to retire from playing professional football,’ Mason said. ‘I have worked tirelessly in order to be able to return to the pitch.

    ‘Unfortunately, having taken expert medical advice I now have no option but to retire due to the risks involved given the nature of my injury.

    ‘I am and always will be eternally grateful for the incredible network of people around me who have helped me to recover from what was a life-threatening injury in January 2017.

    ‘Thank you to my amazing fiance, Rachel, who has been by my side and lived every single day with me since the injury, helping to give me the strength I’ve needed no matter how tough things got. We are so lucky to have now become the proud parents of our perfect baby boy George.

    ‘To my Mum, Dad, sisters, and all of my family and close friends, thank you for everything. Despite how tough it’s been and the challenges I’ve faced along the way you’ve all been there supporting me and words will never truly do justice to how grateful I am for your love and support.

    ‘I would like to thank everyone at Hull City, especially The Doc Mark Waller and all of the medical team for helping me to recover. Thank you to the chairman and the board for being so patient with my recovery and sticking by me.

    ‘There are too many names to mention when it comes to talking about Tottenham Hotspur but I would like to say a special thank you to John McDermott, the Gaffer and everybody at Spurs for helping me to achieve my dreams.

    ‘I am so proud to have come through the ranks to play for my club, the club I love. To have had the honour of captaining the team fills me with immense pride. Thank you to all of my teammates over the years, there are too many to mention, it’s been a privilege to play alongside you all

    ‘Finally, representing my country is an honour that nobody can ever take away from me and something that I am so proud to have achieved.

    ‘I’m retiring from the game with my head held high having done everything in my power over these past 13 months to have given myself every opportunity to return to the pitch.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rangers donates to Motherless Babies *set for Elkanemi

    Rangers donates to Motherless Babies *set for Elkanemi

     

    Rangers international are not only concerned about playing well and winning the league but also concerned about putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged.  The coaching crew and players of the team Saturday paid a visit to the Guardian Angel Motherless Babies Home, donating essentials like Rice, Groundnut oil fruit juice among others.

    The Gbenga Ogunbote tutored said the gesture was their own little way of providing for the needy adding “As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the team, the players and technical crew paid a visit to Guardian Angel Motherless Babies Home in Enugu this morning”

    Meanwhile the Coal city based side will be hoping to sing victory song when they welcome Elkanemi Warriors Sunday at the Cathedral.

    The Flying Antelopes are 9th on the log with 10 points in seven matches.

    Meanwhile the team’s Godwin Zaki is hoping to open his goal account against visiting Elkanemi after goal drought that is beginning to give him cause for worry. Zaki who urged Rangers fans to troop out in large numbers to support them said he hopes to double effort in goal scoring even as he expressed hope that the coach will hand him an opportunity

    “I think I know what is wrong with my game. It has been challenging for me since the start of the season.

    “But I trust my God to open my account against El-Kanemi if fielded by my coaches,” he said

    Elkanemi who are likely to be high spirit following the return of their coach Imama Amakpakabo after national assignment in Morocco will however be without two of their players no thanks to injury, Ghanaian import  Sulleyman Mohammed who has been ruled out for up to six weeks after sustaining injury against Plateau United and, Utako Aghahowa who will be out for least four weeks after he fractured his leg in their 1-0 away defeat to Sunshine Stars in Akure last week.

    Elkanemi stand-in coach Ernest Ezeru speaking ahead of the match said the team will give it their best shot.

    With the return of the Imama who happens to be former Rangers coach, the tie promises to be full of fireworks.

  • Clubs unite in tribute for Cyrille Regis

    Clubs unite in tribute for Cyrille Regis

     

    Football came together to pay tribute to the late Cyrille Regis on Saturday as Premier League clashes were marked by a round of applause and black armbands.

    The Premier League is remembering the West Brom legend this weekend, who is widely recognised as being a pioneer for black players in football.

    Tributes began before Brighton’s clash with Chelsea at the Amex Stadium as players gathered to pay homage to the former England international.

    And fans decorated the Hawthorns’ gates with floral tributes, shirts and scarves before West Brom’s home match against Everton.

    The Premier League reached a late decision on Friday to honour Regis after there were initially no plans to remember the trailblazer.

    Widespread disbelief from fans and calls from the likes of Viv Anderson led to the Premier League reversing their decision and agreeing to hold widespread tributes.

    A statement released on Friday read: ‘The Premier League recognises the important career of Cyrille Regis, and his special role as a trailblazer for black players in modern English football.

    ‘Clubs will mark his contribution with a minute of applause and the wearing of black armbands at this weekend’s matches.

    ‘The League embraces requests from clubs and stakeholders to celebrate the lives of people who have made a unique contribution to the sport.’

    Originally the only tributes marking Regis’ death were set to take place at his former clubs West Brom, Aston Villa, Coventry and Wolves.

    Regis died suddenly of a heart attack aged 59 on Sunday evening just a month before he was set to take his wife Julia on a Caribbean cruise for his 60th birthday.

    He arrived onto the English football scene in the 1970s when racist abuse hurled at black players from the terraces remained common.

    After playing in the lower leagues, he signed for West Brom for £5,000 in May 1977 and won over the Baggies’ faithful by scoring 112 goals in 297 games.

    In the 1978-79 season he formed a famous partnership with Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, who were nicknamed the Three Degrees by manager Ron Atkinson.

    All three of the players were black and featured for West Brom at a time when there was only one other black player in the top flight that year, Viv Anderson at Nottingham Forest.

  • Harmony Boys survive ghastly motor accident

    Harmony Boys survive ghastly motor accident

     

    It was miracle for Kwara United players as they survived a ghastly motor accident on Lagos Ibadan Expressway Wednesday morning. The team bus was badly damaged but no life was lost. Kwara United were heading home after participating in the super four in Lagos.  The Ilorin based side are scheduled to face Niger Tornadoes in their first match of the new Premier league season on Sunday.

    The club has taken to its verified twitter account @KwaraUnitedFC to confirm that three people were injured in the accident.  those injured include Alfred Stephen (player) Ijaya Lukman (welfare official) and a freelance cameraman.

    The club has also expressed gratitude to God and those who have shown concern since the news broke.

    “We will love to thank everyone who has sent in messages of well wishes concerning this,” they added

    Kwara United coach John Ogbu in a telephone chat with staging.thenationonlineng.net thanked God that no life was lost in the mishap even as he confirmed that the team has finally arrived Ilorin the Kwara state capital. While the injured are taking treatment the entire team he according to him will be assessed ahead of the season opener against visiting Niger Tornadoes of Minna.

    On the Ilorin based side’s  successful return to the elite division, the former Rangers and U-17 Coach said it feels good because that is the zenith of competition in the country. “The Premier league is where the main competition is taking place and that is the right place to play,” he submitted

    Meanwhile Niger Tornadoes have wished injured Kwara United players quick recovery. The Minna side who moved to Abuja on Wednesday, plan to train at the Federal Capital before heading to Ilorin for Sunday’s match against the Afonja Warriors.

    Taking to the social media the club which only recently got a new management after dissolution of the last management said “Our deep thought is with the players, the coaching and the management team of @KwaraUnitedFC we wish all the injured quick recovery”

     

     

     

     

  • FULL TIME: Liverpool 5, Swansea 0 – Reds Dominant to Go Fourth

    FULL TIME: Liverpool 5, Swansea 0 – Reds Dominant to Go Fourth

    The last match of Boxing Day English Premier League live actions has just ended with Liverpool Thrashed Swansea by 5-0 at Anfield

    • FT: Liverpool 5-0 Swansea
    • Coutinho with superb early goal
    • Firmino scores twice after half-time
    • Alexander-Arnold also scores (65)
    • Oxlade-Chamberlain with fifth (82)

    See how the goals were scored below

    GOAL! LIVERPOOL 5-0 SWANSEA (Oxlade-Chamberlain 82)

    Nice finish from Oxlade-Chamberlain after some more really sloppy defending from Swansea, who fail to clear the ball from inside the box three or four times. Eventually it’s stolen by Oxlade-Chamberlain and he lobs a shot over Fabianki and into the far corner.

    GOAL! LIVERPOOL 4-0 SWANSEA (Firmino 66)

    Swansea sloppiness punished. They give the ball away inside their own half and Salah gets into the box and then slides it across for Firmino to finish from close range. Really poor from the visitors in the last few minutes.

    GOAL! LIVERPOOL 3-0 SWANSEA (Alexander-Arnold 65)

    What a moment for Alexander-Arnold. His first Premier League goal in front of the Kop.

    Robertson’s cross is headed out and Alexander-Arnold reacts quickest, touching it past a defender and then firing into the roof of the net from 15 yards out.

    GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 SWANSEA (Firmino 51)

    Liverpool scored after six minutes in the first half, and they have scored six minutes into the second half to surely put this game to bed.

    Coutinho involved again, this time curling in a good free-kick which goes over everyone in the middle and falls for Firmino to volley in from six yards out.

    Long way back for Swansea now.

    GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 SWANSEA (Coutinho 6)

    Wow. What a goal.

    A perfect start for Liverpool and it is a brilliant strike from Liverpool’s captain for the day. Firmino wins the ball inside the Swansea half and it’s played on for Coutinho, who gets his foot around the ball and whips it into the top corner from around 25 yards out.

    No stopping that for Fabianski.

    See goal updates below and post match reactions

    Man Utd 2-2 Burnley

    • Man Utd 2-2 Burnley
    • Barnes nets early for visitors (2)
    • Defour with stunning FK (36)
    • Lingard flick for 2-1 (53)
    • Sub Lingard again to level (90+1)

    • Two goals is ‘miserable’ – Mourinho

       Manchester United manager Jose Mourninho told Match of the Day: “We should have won, yes. I take satisfaction by the way the team played, by the way the team reacted, to try to recover from 2-0 down. The boys they fought against the 2-0 at half-time, so nothing at all negative to say about my players. I praise their spirit, their recation, the way they accept all the risks we took in the second half.”

      What went wrong in the first half? “I don’t know how they score a goal from a free kick, rebound here, rebound there. Similar goal that we conceeded in other matches and then they defend for 95 minutres, second shot they score again. For us to score two goals we need to play in their half for 45 minutes, with only one defender. The end product of so much dominance, two goals, is a miserable number. Lingard come in and helped the team, Lingard and Mkhitaryan gave us a good dynamic. All the boys accepted the risk to only play with Jones (in defence). All the boys accepted the risk that we took, at least the point is not a defeat and is the mimnimum the boys deserve for such spirit.”

      Fixture list a factor in you not winning?: “It was the same for us and the same for them, they are also one of the teams that is punished by the fixtures.”

      Going through a sticky spell? “Why? Because we deserve to win matches? Because the opponent went to our goal twice and they score twice? The quality of our play, the risk that we took today and also against Leicester, the team that deserved to win both matches is us.”

      Draw is ‘disapointing’ – Lingard

      Man United 2-2 Burnley

      Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard scored twice to rescue a point for United and he told the media: “It’s disapointing, obviously we created a lot of chances, we should have won the game. We dominated the game so we’re disapointed. I’m on form at the moment, it’s great being in the team and helping the team get goals.

      On a lack of rest days between matches: “We enjoy playing matches, that’s why we play football. The more games the better, we can rotate the squad if needs be.

      Burnley manager Sean Dyche told Match of the Day: “A lot of pride in a team that is stretched at the moment. The gameplan is you’re going to have to defend and do all of the ugly details of the game well. We scored early, we didn’t relax on that, we scored again. Second-half they dominated a lot more. To come out with a point is pleasing. My only frustration is the final decision on Sam Vokes, I don’t know what he’s (Vokes) supposed to do. I look at their team play and their bench they don’t look too vulnerable.”

      On Defour’s free-kick: “It was fantastic, on another day it wins the game. They’re a big side, we took him off to size up a bit. They’re a top side so overall you’re happy to get a point.

      Tempers frayed at times? “I wasn’t frayed, I always look like that. I’m calm. We’re trying to move forward and we have moved forward on the pitch with our points tally and off the pitch.”

    • FT: Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham 
    • Collins heads opener (7)
    • Gosling equaliser (30)
    • Ake puts Cherries ahead (57)
    • Arnautovic nets double (82, 87)
    • Wilson again pulls hosts level (90+3)

    • ‘Touch of magic’ from Wilson

      Callum Wilson after being credited with the controversial equaliser for Bournemouth against West Ham: Sometimes you get those decisions against you. I tried to go in as a striker and follow the ball in and put a little touch on it to our delight but not to West Ham’s.

      When asked a touch of what, Wilson responded with a laugh: Magic.

      It was eventful. It seems to be the way against West Ham. It is disappointing not to take three points as we played well until the slip. It was hard to go one down after seven minutes, but we have shown character to get back in the game at 2-1.

      Nathan Ake had handed Bournemouth a 2-1 lead just before the hour mark: We tried to defend and see the game out, but they have come back into the game and it was frustrating. To be fair it was hard to take, but all you can do is keep going. We are happy we have a point, but we wanted to win. It is a really important point and we now need to start picking up points, but it was important not to lose at home.

    • FT: Huddersfield 1-1 Stoke  
    • Sobhi levels in 60 minute
    • Huddersfield 1-0 Stoke
    • Ince opens scoring
    • Depoitre on bench for Huddersfield
    • Stoke team unchanged
    • FT: Watford 2-1 Leicester
    • Mahrez heads opener (37)
    • Wague levels things up (45)
    • Schmeichel OG puts hosts in front (65)
    • Wague makes first Watford start
    • Dragovic debuts for Leicester

    • ‘Defeat was harsh’ for Leicester

      Leicester boss Claude Puel: “It’s a story about free-kicks. Our first half was not bad with some quality and chances. We conceded the goal from the free-kick just before half-time.

      “In the second half it was more difficult. This result is a little harsh. It was not a bad game for us.

      “Unfortunately we cannot come back into the game with two or three chances at the end. It’s a story about free-kicks and we need to correct this.”

      On whether Kasper Schmeichel was to blame for his own goal:

      “All the team are responsible for the free-kick. We didn’t concede a lot of chances. It was difficult to defende against this team with long balls and second balls. They’re a physical team.

      “It’s a shame. It was an interesting game.”

    • FT: Chelsea 2-0 Brighton
    • Morata opens scoring (46)
    • Alonso makes it 2-0 (59)
    • Morata, Fabregas return
    • Hughton makes four changes

    • ‘We were luckier last season’

       Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: “In the first half we had the right chances to score but didn’t take them. For this reason it becomes difficult because you’re opponent stays with 10 players behind the ball.

      “In the second half we settled very well and created many chances. It was a good performance with good intensity.

      “It’s the same performance against Everton – against Everton we showed 25 times we had shots on goal but today we scored twice. We are in a good moment of form and just continue this way.

      “Morata is our number nine and is important. Today he played a good game with and without the ball, his commitment was great. But I’m happy with the commitment of all my players.

      “This season is different to last season. Last season a lot of times we won games and were a bit lucky – like against West Brom here, Sunderland. This season sometimes we could have more luck.

      “We have great respect for Manchester City because they are doing an extraordinary thing.”

      ‘We were value for something’

      Brighton boss Chris Hughton: “Over the 90 minutes I think we were value for something – I’m not talking about points, I’m talking about really participating in this game.

      “We need to figure a way of getting the goals we need. We’re very conscious of the division we’re in. What we will do is work as hard as we can coming up in January to strengthen the squad in areas that can strengthen us.”

    • FT: WEST BROM 0-0 EVERTON
    • West Brom 0-0 Everton
    • Bolasie ends year-long absence
    • Three West Brom changes

    ‘We need to be better in possession’

     Everton manager Sam Allardyce: “Our football was average in possession, which continues to concern me. We are building blocks in terms of being resilient but we need to be better in possession.

    “We’ve got another point, another clean sheet and we look forward to our injured and ill players come back so that, certainly in possession, we can get better.”

    FT: Tottenham Hotspur 5 – 2 Southampton

    One more game to go

    Liverpool
    ? – ?
    Swansea City