List of All Articles with Tag 'so'

With Ohio State losing to Michigan for the third year in a row, here is what the projected College Football Playoff bracket could look like after the Buckeyes' latest loss to the Wolverines.

The New York Yankees are concerned with one aspect of Cody Bellinger's game, the St. Louis Cardinals are still aiming for a big-time starting pitcher, and the Cincinnati Reds floated as a Dylan Cease landing spot.

Auburn Tigers suffer from questionable calls in the Iron Bowl against Alabama.

Brandon Miller's 29-point flourish against the Knicks has the Hornets' wing on the rise in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year ladder.

Is Minnesota Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson about to make his return to the lineup? His team could use him against their division rivals, the Chicago Bears, on Monday Night Football.

Newcastle take on Chelsea in the big clash of the 3pm kick offs. Eddie Howe’s injury-stricken side hope to close the gap on the top four as they kick off a busy schedule that involves Champions League action during the week. A 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last time out shocked the system but Howe will be hoping to respond positively and draw on the crowd at St. James’ Park to upset the Blues this afternoon. For their part, Chelsea are starting to gel under Mauricio Pochettino. That was evident in their 4-4 draw against Man City just before the international break. The London side are starting to click in front of goal with Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling providing the threat up top. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Perhaps this was another hint, another example, another reason why Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to both want to play further up and why, eventually, he must. The early knockings of this fixture looked like it might be about who performed the switching six role better: the Liverpool man from right-back as usual, or Manchester City’s central defender Manuel Akanji, stepping forward to sit alongside Rodri. That rotation of position has become commonplace for both teams and continued here, albeit in different ways, and hinted that it might be a decisive factor early on. But it wasn’t; not really, not for a vast majority of the game. Until it was, and Alexander-Arnold secured a 1-1 draw with his late, bottom corner strike. On the one hand, the attacking technique, the precision, the increased proficiency in the final third and in open play, all show why there have long been calls for the No.66 to be deployed in a more advanced role. It’s why that’s where Gareth Southgate has finally found a way to get Alexander-Arnold into the England team, and it’s why this alteration was ultimately landed upon by Jurgen Klopp and his coaches last term, when the old approach fell so badly short. One of those assistants, Pepijn Lijnders, was a driving force behind the switch to this system of pushing one defender into midfield, having utilised Alexander-Arnold at the base of his own centre of the park when in charge of the Reds’ youth teams several years ago. But on the other hand, too many quickdraw conclusions about pushing Alexander-Arnold forward as a consequence of a single goal will doubtless have Klopp pointing out the remainder of this match, a game where he did still play right-back and did still contribute to a very disciplined, highly deliberate performance to contain Man City. Defensively, he wasn’t perfect. That’s a hard thing to attain against anyone, let alone the European champions. Alexander-Arnold - along with Kostas Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai, plus Alisson’s kicked clearance in the first place - were all culpable in City’s opener. They made it far too easy for Nathan Ake to waltz through unchallenged and play in Erling Haaland to score. So too is it true that Alexander-Arnold faced a tough time in keeping track of Jeremy Doku’s continual chop-backs, close control and dribbles. While he didn’t stop anywhere near all of those individual moments in City’s attacking play, he did hold the Belgian off at times, made a couple of vital tackles and followed the team plan of doubling up on the inside. Additionally, he made a big challenge to clear from inside the six-yard box in the first half with Haaland lurking, and defended his post well in the final knockings of the game as City sought a late winner. Winning possession nine times across the course of the game put Alexander-Arnold top of that particular defensive cover-all metric. No defender made more than his three tackles; no player on either side in any position made more than his two interceptions. It all adds up to show he more than played his part in a resolute showing, with Joel Matip alongside him outstanding, Virgil van Dijk continuing his recent excellent form and Kostas Tsimikas also improving on the left. Perhaps it’s as well for Liverpool that the back four were near pitch-perfect, given that behind them, Alisson was erratic and fortunate with a series of misplaced passes and one dropped corner, ruled as a foul as Ruben Dias thought he had scored. Alexander-Arnold was far more withdrawn, far less adventurous even when drifting infield to pair up with Alexis Mac Allister. He roved forward down the flank just twice in the first half; delivering a cross, winning a corner. Liverpool didn’t over-commit. They waited, they probed, they let Darwin Nunez create moments of possibility. And, as time began to run down, Alexander-Arnold it was who finally surged through from deep, finally got himself on the ball in a dangerous, central part of the final third - and who took a fine first touch from Mohamed Salah’s pass, and an even better second touch to score. A low, angled drive past Ederson into the bottom corner gave him a first goal of the season to go with three assists in all competitions. While not an outrageous tally yet by his own creative standards, he has already been disrupted by injury and needed a few games back on the pitch to hit top speed. There’s unquestionably more to come from Alexander-Arnold in an attacking capacity and he might yet become a vital man in the middle. But as he showed at the Etihad, the hardest ground Liverpool or any other team will go to this year, he still has a big part to play in the Reds’ defensive gameplan too - without stopping him shining at the other end. Read More Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

The longer a run goes, Jurgen Klopp had said, the more likely it would end. And if it appeared like wishful thinking when he delivered the thought, a day earlier, events – and Trent Alexander-Arnold – made the Liverpool manager sound prophetic 24 hours later. Manchester City had won every game at the Etihad Stadium in 2023, every match since a rather less celebrated manager, Frank Lampard, earned a 1-1 draw with a rather less talented Everton team. Almost 11 months later, Klopp and Liverpool secured the same result, halting City’s winning run on their own turf at 23 matches – one short of the English record set by Sunderland in the 1890s – and keeping the gap between these two teams at one point. There still seems to be a title race whereas, if City had pulled four points clear of their perennial challengers, there was the danger they would disappear into the distance. And if Klopp had further proof of his side’s powers of recovery - the specialists in coming from behind this season got another point after trailing – he reaped a reward of sorts for his own pragmatism, an equaliser coming after Liverpool had looked uncharacteristically timid. This was not heavy-metal football, not the full-throttle gegenpressing that made this rivalry so compelling or which gave Liverpool a unique ability to eviscerate City. Instead, it was a cautious Klopp: perhaps scarred by a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in April, maybe fearful that, lacking a natural defensive midfielder, his team could be exposed if they afforded City space. And so Liverpool came to contain, looking to keep the game tight. The high press was often eschewed in favour of a lower block, the compactness coming from players grouped together in their own half. It meant there was an anomaly in the equaliser. There were times when Liverpool attacked only with their forwards, reluctant to commit players forward. But with the clock ticking down, Mohamed Salah found support from Alexander-Arnold, teed him up and the vice-captain connected with unerring precision, driving a shot in from the edge of the box. If a foray forward represented rare respite for him – the right-back had spent more time preoccupied by his duel with the irrepressible Jeremy Doku – he preserved Klopp’s winning record against Guardiola. After 29 meetings, the score remains 12-11 in the German’s favour. That he has not tasted victory at the Etihad in the Premier League in the Catalan’s reign is a sign of how welcome this result nevertheless was. And if it was a reminder that even great rivalries contain matches that fall some way short of greatness, the sense of anti-climax will be felt by City. They led for 53 minutes, could have doubled their advantage, had a goal disallowed and yet drew; as in their defeat at Arsenal, it indicated the absences of Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, one for half a season, the other permanently, may have deprived them of the extra quality that could make a difference in such defining clashes. They did, however, still have Erling Haaland. Even as City did not set a record, Haaland did. He became the quickest player to 50 Premier League goals, getting there 17 matches earlier than Andy Cole, the previous best; he is the fastest to many a landmark. But with the galaxy of attacking talent on display, there was something illogical that a Nathan Ake solo run would be pivotal to the breakthrough. So was an Alisson error, his second sliced kick of the afternoon; the first found Phil Foden, who shot tamely at the goalkeeper. The second went to Ake, who slalomed between three defenders and found Haaland. Alisson took the sting out of his shot, but it still rolled in. Briefly, City thought they had another goal. Alisson’s awkward afternoon continued when Ruben Dias had a goal disallowed after the goalkeeper fumbled Julian Alvarez’s corner as Manuel Akanji bundled into him. Yet there was redemption of sorts for Alisson. The Brazilian produced a fine save to tip Foden’s low drive wide. He made a brilliant point-blank block from Haaland, a minute before Alexander-Arnold equalised. There could have been a winner for Haaland, flashing a header wide in the 97th minute. But, with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk excelling defensively, Liverpool frustrated City for swathes of the game. There was one irrepressible exception. Doku was the outlet, with a jink and a trick. He was the supplier when Haaland perhaps should have scored a second. Perhaps predictably, it proved a turning point. Until then, only Darwin Nunez, who remains incapable of staying quiet, had posed a threat. Ederson had made a hat-trick of saves from the Uruguayan, clawing a header over, tipping two shots wide. But Alisson saved from Haaland, Alexander-Arnold went forward and, once again, Klopp had frustrated Guardiola. That irritation may have been apparent in a final-whistle altercation with Nunez. But Guardiola has long described Klopp’s Liverpool as his toughest opponent. Even as they changed tack and adopted a more restrained approach, they justified that billing. Read More Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Sheffield United vs Bournemouth LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

Nottingham Forest will have designs on picking up all three points against struggling Brighton when the teams clash at the City Ground this afternoon. Steve Cooper wants his Forest side to close out matches with clinical performances when they’ve been on top as he looks to continue to distance his team from the bottom three. Forest slipped to defeat last time out against West Ham, thanks to a late goal from Tomas Soucek, and will want to rectify that today. After a wonderful start for Brighton where they won five of their first six games, Roberto de Zerbi’s men have not triumphed in the league since September. Four draws from their last five games is a frustrating return for the Seagulls who have their sights set on Europe. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

One on the more intriguing contests of the day sees Sheffield United host Bournemouth at Bramall Lane. Two places separate the teams in the table though the Cherries have picked up four more points than the Blades. Sheffield United will be hoping that a strong performance at home can earn them three points and take them out of the relegation zone. Should they win today, Bournemouth will be drawn into the battle to survive which gives the Blades a better chance of survival. However, Bournemouth will be confident. They’ve won two of their last three fixtures including a 2-0 victory against Newcastle last time out. Although they don’t have the greatest record away to Sheffield United, they’ll be boosted by the return of Philip Billing who brings experience to the midfield. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Burnley host West Ham at Turf Moor knowing a win would take them off the bottom of the Premier League table and reignite their domestic campaign. Vincent Kompany’s men have only won once in the league this season, beating Luton 2-1 at the start of October. They have lost their last six fixtures across all competitions and desperately need a change in fortunes. West Ham, meanwhile, are ninth in the table and have hopes of earning a place in Europe next season. Games like these, against lower half teams, are must wins if David Moyes’ men hope to finish inside the top seven. Can they defeat the Clarets today? Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

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’