England’s failure to make the most of their scoring opportunities has been a recurring issue since 2023, when they lost to Spain in the World Cup final. During that competition, they advanced from the group stage without producing their best football, recording narrow 1-0 victories over lower-ranked Haiti and Denmark. England then needed a penalty […]
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England exerted a level of pressure on Spain that few opponents have managed in recent years, although that superiority was not reflected in goals or possession. Yet controlling the ball matters less than the areas in which it is used. Thomas Tuchel’s team recorded 36 touches inside Spain’s penalty area, an exceptionally high figure when […]
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Tottenham have not won any of their past 36 Premier League games after falling behind, so the outcome already looked ominous by half-time. They controlled the first 20 minutes, with Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki stopping attempts from Savio and Archie Gray. However, their failure to score left them exposed to a response at the other […]
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Football can be absurd, confusing and wonderfully entertaining all at once. On an evening that produced 37 attempts and 13 often remarkable saves, José Mourinho’s current club defeated his former side Inter as he returned to the Champions League with Real Madrid. Explaining exactly how they managed it is difficult, although Thibaut Courtois provided much […]
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Sunderland and Crystal Palace became locked in a remarkable deadline-day battle for Malick Fofana, which ended with the winger choosing a club-record £31m transfer from Lyon to the Stadium of Light. Early on Tuesday, the 21-year-old Belgian appeared ready to sign a five-year deal with Sunderland. However, Pierre Sage then tried to redirect the transfer. […]
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Chelsea’s collapse against Brighton & Hove Albion last April may eventually be remembered as a decisive moment. That embarrassing defeat hastened Liam Rosenior’s departure and prompted the Stamford Bridge leadership to reassess its plans, resulting in Xabi Alonso’s arrival, a revised recruitment approach, the JP Morgan attacking trio and Robert Sánchez losing his position as […]
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Will Lankshear marked his first appearance with a goal as Middlesbrough opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wrexham in the first round of the Carabao Cup. The £10m summer arrival from Tottenham settled the contest in the 61st minute with an outstanding first-time volley. Middlesbrough nearly took the lead after seven minutes when […]
Continue ReadingManchester City have secured the signature of 17-year-old winger Jeremy Monga from Leicester City in a deal valued at £12.5 million, edging out rival interest from Arsenal. Arsenal had been keen on acquiring the teenager, but City were more determined in their pursuit of the player, who is already familiar to head coach Enzo Maresca […]
Continue ReadingAfter sitting through two hours of play, a coin flip might not seem like the most thrilling finale. Yet for supporters in the stands, it carries real weight. Securing the toss for a shootout lets you pick which end the kicks will be taken at — a choice that often sparks loud celebrations from the […]
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