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Everton supporters have protested against the Premier League by flying a plane over the Etihad Stadium during Manchester City’s clash against Liverpool with a banner reading: “Premier League = Corrupt #UTFT #EFC” The protest comes on the back of an independent commission docking Everton 10-points for breaking the league’s profit and sustainability rules, a move which Toffees manager Sean Dyche described as ‘disproportionate’. There is a lot of unrest on Merseyside towards the Premier League for the sanction, which has sent Everton into the relegation zone, and today’s protest is the latest part of the ongoing saga. At his press conference ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, Dyche addressed the points deduction saying: “I think like everyone I was shocked and seemingly from the wave of noise after that, most people in football are shocked by the enormity of it. “Disproportionate is a word used by the club. Obviously we feel a bit aggrieved by that, but on the other hand it doesn’t change the focus. The focus since I got there is sorting things out on the pitch, getting the team to win. “This has just given us a push backwards to come forwards again. The job hasn’t changed. It’s just made it more difficult under the current circumstances until the appeal. “I don’t know every inch of the past, I don’t know why the commission have come out with what they have but I certainly believe in what the club put forward. It feels disproportionate, it feels unjust and plenty of voices out there feel the same. “What is done is done for now, appeal pending, and we have to get on with it.” While Everton don’t face Manchester United until tomorrow, the protestors potentially chose this game to fly their banner as a separate independent commission is looking over 115 charges brought against Man City for similar financial breaches, though theirs is an ongoing case of greater complexity. Additionally, Everton’s match on Sunday takes place in the late afternoon through evening, by which time the banner may not have been visible. Meanwhile, Chelsea are also under investigation for a range of potential breaches from the Roman Abramovich era, including allegations of secret payments possibly relating to transfers and managerial appointments. Read More Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Man Utd have reached ‘turning point’ ahead of crucial week – Erik ten Hag Sean Dyche reacts to Everton points deduction: ‘Feels disproportionate’

SHANGHAI Beijing police are investigating suspected crimes committed by Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, a leading Chinese wealth manager, according

Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal as Liverpool grabbed a point against champions and title rivals Manchester City on Saturday. The England international struck 10 minutes from the end of a tight encounter at the Etihad Stadium after Haaland’s landmark strike looked like extending City’s record home winning run. City had won their previous 23 games on home turf in all competitions, a running dating back to a visit from Everton on New Year’s Eve last December. Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser also spared the blushes of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who had a day to forget having gifted Haaland his opener and committed several other errors. Haaland had shown no mercy as he netted in the 27th minute, reaching his half-century of goals in the competition in just his 48th appearance, a new record. Alisson, who was in goal for Brazil in their controversial game against Argentina in Rio on Wednesday, looked sluggish from the start. He presented Phil Foden with an early opportunity when he gave the ball away but escaped as the England midfielder shot tamely. At the other end, Ederson palmed away a Darwin Nunez header but Alisson had another worrying moment when he dithered on a back pass and had to scramble clear under pressure from Haaland. Haaland made sure he was punished when he blundered again. Firstly Alisson slipped as he attempted to launch the ball upfield and found only Nathan Ake, who charged through some weak challenges to feed Haaland. The Norwegian scuffed his shot slightly but it was still too powerful for Alisson, whose weak hand to could not prevent it finding the bottom corner. Nunez hit the side-netting from a tight angle as Liverpool responded but the visitors were unable to consistently trouble City. The champions threatened again before the break but this time Alisson did well to push away a low effort from Foden. City went close again after the restart when Julian Alvarez spurned the chance by blazing over after good work by Jeremy Doku. Liverpool struggled to muster a meaningful threat with Virgil Van Dijk’s header from a corner not troubling Ederson. Alisson was given a major reprieve after another howler. The Brazilian spilled the ball from a corner under little obvious pressure and Ruben Dias poked in but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Manuel Akanji. Liverpool made the most of the let-off to equalise on 80 minutes with Alexander-Arnold’s fine strike. Mohamed Salah laid off on the edge of the box and the England international took a touch before drilling a shot across goal into the bottom corner. He celebrated by putting a finger to his lips in front of the City fans. City applied plenty of late pressure with Alisson, who appeared injured, struggling to clear his lines. Haaland almost grabbed a winner in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time but his glancing header flew narrowly wide. Read More Man Utd have reached ‘turning point’ ahead of crucial week – Erik ten Hag On This Day in 2020: Gunners welcome their fans back in style Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Ange Postecoglou too busy with football matters to worry about agent-rules probe

CAIRO Gulf Air said its data was breached on Friday but its operations and vital systems were not

Erik ten Hag believes his Manchester United team have reached a “turning point” as they head into a crucial week of fixtures. The Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford was under immense scrutiny at the start of the month, with United’s record of eight defeats in their first 15 matches in all competitions amounting to their worst start to a season since 1962. United won their two Premier League fixtures prior to the international break – away to Fulham and at home to Luton – to ease the pressure and leave them with a record of four wins from their last five league matches. They resume after the break with three away days in hostile atmospheres – first at Everton on Sunday against a team fuelled by a sense of injustice following the imposition of a 10-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules, followed by a visit to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray on Wednesday before a trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle. But Ten Hag insists morale is good among his players heading into a hectic period of matches which could define United’s season. “We have seen a turning point,” the former Ajax boss said. “Now we have to build on. We go into a massive month and we are really looking forward with confidence. “There are no easy games for anyone – everyone will drop points. But the last five games we won four and that gives us confidence going into the next games.” On the tests of character about to face his side, Ten Hag added: “We play three games in six days and as a group we have to deal with that. “We have a plan, we have studied for it. We made the players aware that they have to take responsibility, but especially it’s about co-operation.” United are boosted by the return of England international Luke Shaw from a thigh muscle injury which has sidelined him since August. Goalkeeper Andre Onana has overcome a knock suffered on international duty with Cameroon, but a late call will be taken on whether Rasmus Hojlund can feature. The Dane suffered a muscle strain in the second half of the win over Luton just before the November international break. Hojlund’s international team-mate Christian Eriksen will not be available due to a knee injury, while central defender Jonny Evans is not ready to return yet from a thigh problem. Read More On This Day in 2020: Gunners welcome their fans back in style Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Ange Postecoglou too busy with football matters to worry about agent-rules probe Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half brace inspires Al Nassr victory over Al Akhdoud

Sweden’s Riksbank is as likely to raise its benchmark rate as to keep it unchanged, and could take

Arsenal announced they would become the first Premier League club to welcome fans in for a competitive fixture since March following the coronavirus pandemic, on this day in 2020. The north London club confirmed 2,000 spectators were to be allowed in for their Europa League match against Rapid Vienna the following week. The Gunners learned Emirates Stadium was to be in tier two of the Government’s new regionalised approach to tackling the coronavirus pandemic, and were able to welcome fans in for the clash with the Austrian side. A club statement read: “It’s been almost nine long months since we had fans in attendance at Emirates Stadium and our matches have simply not been the same without you. “While we appreciate that reduced capacity matches will be far from being ‘back to normal’, we can’t wait to welcome our fans back home for what will be a historic moment for the club.” This was the first time fans have been able to watch a Premier League side in action since the first coronavirus lockdown saw the 2019-20 season pause in March. In the match itself, Arsenal eased to a 4-1 victory. The Gunners had already booked their place in the knockout stages, but a comfortable win meant they finished at the top of Group B. Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring with an impressive long-range strike before Pablo Mari, returning to the team for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in June, headed in a second, with academy graduates Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe adding the gloss either side of Kohya Kitagawa’s consolation. Read More Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform

Manchester City host Liverpool in the first match of the Premier League‘s return following the international break. The two old rivals clash at the Etihad Stadium in what should be a fantastic contest between the teams sitting first and second in the table. It’s no surprise that Pep Guardiola’s side sit top of the tree but they only have a one point lead over the Reds and could finish the day as low as third should Arsenal prove victorious against Brentford in the late kick off. Defeat is not on Guardiola’s mind though. His City team have a strong record at home against Liverpool and beat them 4-1 here last season. Liverpool, meanwhile, are on the rise following a poor season in 2022/23. They’re unbeaten in five league games since a 2-1 defeat to Spurs in September. Though the Reds have not won at the Etihad in the league since 2015, Jurgen Klopp is hoping to make things ‘uncomfortable’ for City in the hopes of grinding out a positive result. Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:

Barcelona midfielder Gavi can expected to be sidelined for anything from seven to nine months with the ACL injury he suffered playing for Spain last week.

A recession in the euro area is looking increasingly likely as the economic downturn persists in the final

Ange Postecoglou has promised Giovani Lo Celso there will be opportunities for him to turn around his Tottenham career over the coming weeks. Spurs are without at least nine first-teamers for the visit of Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. Yves Bissouma (suspended) and James Maddison (ankle) will definitely miss out and the prolonged absence of the latter has resulted in calls for Lo Celso to be given a first league start for Spurs since 2021. Signed four years ago towards the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, the Argentina international worked with current Villa boss Unai Emery at Villarreal last season, but could get the chance to haunt his old manager this weekend. “I looked at Gio really well before I got here, both here at Tottenham and his spells at other clubs,” Postecoglou said. “You can see he has certain qualities. He’s had a disruptive season for us. He’s had a few injuries, he hasn’t really had a clean run at it. “He’s one of a number of players that has happened to, but you can see technically, he’s a very creative player, he works hard for the team. “He’ll get an opportunity over the next few weeks to hopefully come in and make an impact.” While Lo Celso has struggled to make his mark in England, the 27-year-old remains a key figure for his country and started Argentina’s 1-0 win in Brazil on Tuesday. But Postecoglou admitted: “I don’t think his national-team form is a direct correlation to here. Just like anyone else’s. “Gio will get an opportunity, particularly over the next few weeks because we are down on numbers and have a fair few games between now and the new year. “If they’re here, they’ll get an opportunity. That’s all you can offer.” Lo Celso was heavily linked with a move away in the summer, but Postecoglou made clear from the outset his desire to keep him at Spurs. Barcelona remain interested in the midfielder and while Tottenham’s injury list makes departures unlikely in January, the Australian conceded now is his chance to cast an eye over the squad. Postecoglou added: “From my perspective, this is the time when I am getting an opportunity to make all these assessments because if you lump it all into one and look at previous exposure here at the club, that’s not really relevant to me. “It’s what I see from now on and how the players feel themselves about playing the football that I want and whether they see themselves fitting into that. I haven't come across him, but I have been a great admirer of his coaching Ange Postecoglou on Unai Emery “It hasn’t happened by design but I am certainly going to get a good look at everyone.” Meanwhile, Postecoglou heaped praise on opposite number Emery for turning Villa into top-four contenders inside 12 months. “I haven’t come across him, but I have been a great admirer of his coaching,” Postecoglou revealed. “He came over here and the experience (with Arsenal) didn’t deter him in any way. He didn’t lose any belief in who he is as a manager. “He has turned Villa around very, very quickly and you have got to remember what position they were in. “I have looked at his teams and they have always been very well organised and structured, with a clear identity. “And he has transferred that across three different countries. He is a quality manager.” Read More Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Mauricio Pochettino wants managers ‘involved in decisions’ around referee reform Ange Postecoglou too busy with football matters to worry about agent-rules probe Many Premier League managers have been in contact after FA charge – Mikel Arteta Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half brace inspires Al Nassr victory over Al Akhdoud

Jurgen Klopp cast himself as the philosophical opposite of his rival for Saturday’s crunch match. They have been pitted against each other for a decade now, Klopp and Pep Guardiola, over 28 meetings from the German Super Cup to the Community Shield, via the FA, Carabao and German cups, the Bundesliga, the Premier League and the Champions League. They will be in neighbouring technical areas at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday when Manchester City host Liverpool, just as they are side by side again in the league table, for a game Klopp said he “would watch wherever I was on the planet”. But, once again, he is up against the man he deems the finest in his business. “I don't know how often I have said it but he's the best manager in the world,” he said. And while he will willingly admit that Guardiola is an influence, he compared himself to his great rival by drawing a distinction between them. “Defending is an important part of the game,” he said. “That is where my philosophy starts and his maybe ends.” Guardiola may disagree on that point, given the importance he attaches to pressing. As Klopp accepted: “We are not that close that we have spoken about it.” But Klopp’s blueprint against Guardiola involves defending; which, in turn, is the basis of his attacking. Gegenpressing, after all, is his best playmaker. “I love preparing for a game when the opponent wants the ball because it gives you an opportunity to create something,” he said. Devastating transitions have been at the heart of his blueprint to beat Guardiola. It is one that no one else has been able to copy; not with any consistency. Only one manager has faced Guardiola at least eight times and has won more often than he has lost, and that is the man who has taken him on most often. Klopp’s 12 victories have been spread across Germany and England but have had certain common denominators. Klopp’s teams don’t dominate the ball, and nor do they try to. But nor do they give it up altogether: beating Manchester City with 20 per cent possession, he rationalised, “is really rare and your counterattacks have to be spot on”. And if Liverpool’s sometimes are, they had 37 per cent of the ball when they won 1-0 at Anfield last season, 32 per cent in the 2-1 Champions League victory at the Etihad Stadium, 36 per cent in 2018’s 4-3 triumph at Anfield. Klopp’s sides have to defend well, but the scorelines indicate that the games have not been defensive. Perhaps it is simply testament to the attacking quality on the pitch but those 28 matches have produced 93 goals, an average of 3.32 each. While winning more – 12 to 11 – Klopp’s teams have conceded more goals, 48 to 45; as he knows from 5-0, 4-0, 4-1 and 4-1 results, when City are on top, they can seem unstoppable. “If we can make it really uncomfortable for them, we have a chance,” Klopp said. “If they feel comfortable in their game, no team has a chance.” Arguably, no one else has made life uncomfortable for Guardiola as often as Klopp. Some of the unconventional decisions that have led to accusations that the Catalan overthinks things have come against Liverpool: Aymeric Laporte has played at left-back at Anfield, Ilkay Gundogan as a quasi-right-winger and Jack Grealish as a false nine, none with any conspicuous success. Klopp nevertheless argued that it will be hard for Guardiola to spring a surprise. “We are all kind of predictable so it is not that we have a rabbit in our pocket and pull it out,” he said. “It is football, all the pitches are the same size and it is super interesting.” He knows City want the ball and where they want it. The challenge lies in concentration and organisation, in when to try to take it off them, how and whether Liverpool can spring a break. “Now it is about each space on the pitch you give them on the pitch that they want to explore,” he said. “They really want to play. They are the one team who have four at the back and one of them is the goalkeeper. They don’t only play around their own box, they move slightly higher as well. If we have a solution for that, they will step back and adapt.” Guardiola can seem the control freak of the pair, Klopp the man with a brand of chaos theory. Yet he presented himself as the organiser, the defensive strategist, and the City manager as the ranter and raver. “I am not sure how deep you have to go into our personality to see what we are like,” he said. “I am 56 and I still don't know who I am but Pep is for sure this type of guy who likes to get angry with his boys if they don't want the ball. I have that a little bit. For me, I love to organise other things to get advantage from that and that is deep in my personality.” And that personality, over the years, has equipped him for the seemingly impossible task of facing Guardiola. Read More Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool can benefit from Alexis Mac Allister’s deeper role Jamie Carragher explains how new Trent Alexander-Arnold role can leave Liverpool vulnerable How Pep Guardiola borrowed from Jurgen Klopp to elevate Manchester City Pep Guardiola puts Jurgen Klopp on pedestal as ‘by far’ his biggest career rival Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool can benefit from Alexis Mac Allister’s deeper role Mohamed Salah ‘a completely different animal’ for Liverpool before Man City clash