English Premier League Archives

Why Enzo Maresca is facing growing pressure at Chelsea?

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is facing the possibility of an early exit following a dramatic deterioration in his relationship with the Premier League club, sources have told local media.

Chelsea are understood to be holding emergency internal discussions regarding Maresca’s position after weeks of growing uncertainty, both on and off the pitch.

A separation is now considered increasingly likely, with indications that Maresca may not be in charge for Sunday’s away fixture against Manchester City.

The pressure intensified after Chelsea were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, a result that extended their poor league run to just one win in seven matches.

Enzo Maresca was booed by sections of the home crowd, underlining the frustration among supporters amid the team’s continued struggles.

Sources suggest Maresca himself has grown disillusioned and may be open to leaving the club, although it remains unclear whether he would do so without a compensation package.

The former Leicester City manager is under contract until 2029, with an option for an additional year.

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Chelsea’s hierarchy is believed to be increasingly concerned not only by on-field results, including the team dropping 15 points from winning positions this season, but also by Maresca’s conduct away from matches.

Tensions reportedly escalated following cryptic comments made by the coach after a win over Everton on December 13, when he referred to experiencing his “worst 48 hours” at the club.

Those remarks reportedly left senior figures confused, especially as Maresca later declined to clarify his comments despite repeated questions.

Further eyebrows were raised after Enzo Maresca opted out of post-match media duties following the Bournemouth draw, with assistant coach Willy Caballero stepping in instead.

While the club attributed Maresca’s absence to illness, reports later suggested the coach had chosen not to speak publicly as he weighed his future amid dissatisfaction with aspects of the club’s long-term project.

Chelsea’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, are said to be cautious about making another mid-season managerial change, mindful of the turbulence that followed the dismissals of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter during their first year in charge.

However, should Maresca depart, Chelsea would be forced into appointing their fifth permanent manager since the takeover in 2022.

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Arne Slot breaks silence on rift rumours with Mohamed Salah

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insisted that his relationship with Mohamed Salah has not broken down, even after dropping the star attacker from their trip to face Inter Milan in the Champions League.

“That’s not the way I feel, but he has the right to feel how he feels things. I haven’t felt that at all,” said Liverpool coach Slot to supporters.

The Egyptian forward was not taken to Italy despite training earlier in the day with the first team, after saying he felt like he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and no longer had a relationship with Slot.

Salah made those comments after he was left on the bench for the third consecutive game in a 3-3 draw against Leeds.

Asked whether Salah, who has scored 250 times for Liverpool since signing from Roma in 2017, had played his last game for the Reds, Slot said: “I have no clue.”

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“I cannot answer that question at this moment in time,” added Arne Slot. “He has every right to feel what he feels, but he doesn’t have the right to share it with the media.”

Liverpool are struggling in ninth place in the Premier League and are in a crisis of form, which has only been made worse by Salah’s criticism of Slot.

Liverpool have won just four times in 15 matches in all competitions and sit 13th in the Champions League with nine points after being thumped 4-1 at home by PSV Eindhoven in their most recent European outing.

Mohamed Salah is the club’s highest-paid player in history, having signed a new contract in April, and played a key role in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph during his iconic spell on Merseyside.

But Salah has been a shadow of his former self during Liverpool’s struggles this season; the Premier League champions are now ninth in the table, with just four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.

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Trent should be remembered for ‘great’ Liverpool moments, says Slot

Liverpool boss Arne Slot says he will give Trent Alexander-Arnold a warm welcome when Real Madrid visit Anfield on Tuesday, even if the right-back receives a frosty reception from his formerly adoring fans.

The England international, a boyhood Reds fan, ran down his contract to join the Spanish giants in June for a nominal fee.

The 27-year-old played a huge role in the Reds’ return to the top of English and European football under Jurgen Klopp and Slot, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

“I have great memories of the player and of the human being,” said Slot, who won the Premier League during his only season working with Alexander-Arnold.

“I have memories working with him, which were only positive and I have memories when I was watching him in front of the television, which are only positive as well.

“I can remember multiple great moments of him wearing the Liverpool shirt.”

The Dutchman told reporters on Monday: “He will get a warm welcome by me. Let’s first wait and see if he’s on the pitch tomorrow, and how our fans will react.”

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The England international was booed by Liverpool fans at times during his final few months at the club as his expected departure approached.

Liverpool have badly missed his presence in a difficult start to Slot’s second season, with six defeats in their past eight games.

But the move to Spain is also yet to work out for Alexander-Arnold, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury and has found himself on the bench a number of times.

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is expected to keep faith with Federico Valverde at right-back from the start of Tuesday’s blockbuster Champions League clash.

Just under a year ago, Liverpool beat the 15-time European champions 2-0 at this stage of the competition.

However, Madrid arrive on Merseyside in far better form this time around, with French striker Kylian Mbappe in scintillating form.

Los Blancos are five points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga and have a perfect record of three wins from three games in the league phase of the Champions League.

“They have always been a big force in this competition,” said Slot. “A very good team, but we are a very good team as well.”

Slot confirmed Alisson Becker, Alexander Isak, and Jeremie Frimpong are out injured, with only Isak in contention to return to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

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Salah’s 250th Liverpool goal sinks Villa as Arsenal cruise at Burnley

Mohamed Salah’s 250th Liverpool goal ended the Premier League champions’ losing streak in a 2-0 win against Aston Villa, while leaders Arsenal beat Burnley to surge seven points clear on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at struggling Nottingham Forest, and Chelsea won 1-0 at London rivals Tottenham.

After losing their previous four league games and six of their last seven in all competitions, spluttering Liverpool finally showed signs of life at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s troubled team were gifted their opening goal in first-half stoppage time when Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez’s wayward pass was intercepted by Salah, who slotted into the empty net for his fifth goal this season.

The Egyptian forward’s milestone 250th goal in all competitions for Liverpool was followed by Ryan Gravenberch’s 58th-minute deflected strike, wrapping up the Reds’ first league victory since they beat Everton on September 20.

Liverpool’s win, which leaves them third but seven points behind Arsenal, was well-timed ahead of a crucial week featuring clashes with Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Arsenal eased past Burnley 2-0, creating a five-game winning streak in the league to position themselves as firm favourites to end their painful two-decade wait to be crowned English champions.

Viktor Gyokeres headed the Gunners ahead following a Declan Rice corner in the first half at Turf Moor for his first league goal since mid-September — yet more joy for the set-piece specialists.

England midfielder Rice himself headed home to double the visitors’ lead in the 35th minute and put them in total control.

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Arsenal, who have now won nine games in a row in all competitions, have enviable options in attack, but their team is built on a rock-solid defence that has conceded just three league goals in 10 games this season.

Manchester United, seeking their fourth straight league win, led 1-0 at the City Ground courtesy of Casemiro’s first-half opener.

But Forest, who had not scored a league goal since September 20, roared back after the break as their confidence flooded back.

Morgan Gibbs-White headed the home side level in the 48th minute before Nicolo Savona tapped in just two minutes later to complete a dramatic turnaround.

But Amad Diallo levelled with a sweet volley in the 81st minute to rescue a point for United, who have been much improved in recent weeks after a poor start to the season.

Ruben Amorim, marking a year since his appointment as United manager, was disappointed to drop points but encouraged by his team’s mentality.

Forest, who last month appointed Sean Dyche as manager to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou, remain in the relegation zone, four points behind 17th-placed Burnley.

Chelsea maintained their impressive record against Tottenham, winning 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Joao Pedro for a fifth straight Premier League victory over the north Londoners.

Enzo Maresca’s fifth-placed side trails fourth-placed Tottenham on goal difference.

Rock-bottom Wolves, reduced to 10 men in the first half following the dismissal of Emmanuel Agbadou, are eight points from safety after a miserable 3-0 defeat at Fulham.

Crystal Palace beat Brentford 2-0 and Brighton pummelled Leeds 3-0.

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Chelsea boss Maresca vows to ‘protect players’ with rotation

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he will continue to rotate his side as they attempt to compete on four fronts this season.

The Blues visit Wolves in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday, looking to bounce back from a 2-1 home loss to Sunderland in the Premier League.

Maresca has been using the depth of his large squad this season, making 10 changes for their 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax last week.

“We need to rotate,” Maresca said on Tuesday. “We need to protect the players because if we go with the same XI, we are going to struggle during the season.

“We probably will make some changes against Wolves, I don’t know how many, but we will make changes.

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“I don’t know if it’s going to be nine or 10 like it was from (Nottingham) Forest to Ajax, but for sure, we need to make some to rotate and help protect the players.”

Striker Liam Delap, signed from relegated Ipswich, could return for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in August.

“Liam completed the whole session with us yesterday with no problems, and he is available for tomorrow,” Maresca said.

“We have to be careful with Liam and (it is unlikely he will play) 90 minutes, no. He has been out for two months, so he needs to be gradually brought back up to 100 percent.”

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Premier League: Jurrien Timber urges high-flying Arsenal to stay grounded

Jurrien Timber urged Arsenal “not to get too high” after they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

On a weekend where title rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea all lost, the Gunners beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to move four points clear of the shock second-placed team, Bournemouth.

Arsenal’s seventh consecutive victory in all competitions put them six points in front of City and seven ahead of reigning English champions Liverpool.

The victory over capital rivals Palace also capped a fine week for Mikel Arteta’s men, who also posted a third successive Champions League win with a 4-0 rout of Atletico Madrid.

There are growing hopes among the Gunners’ faithful that Arsenal may be on the verge of ending their long wait for the Premier League title. The club were last crowned champions of England back in the 2003/04 season.

But Arsenal defender Timber said: “It is good to stay neutral, and not to get too high.

“Obviously, we’ve been doing well, but it’s still early in the season, and we just have to keep getting better game by game.”

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The 24-year-old Netherlands international added: “The next game is already in three days, which is a (League) Cup match (against Brighton), and the next Premier League game (against Burnley) is going to be tough as well.

“So, let’s keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard, and then from there, we’ll see what happens.”

Arsenal’s impressive start to the season has been built on a miserly defence, which has conceded just three goals in their opening 13 games across all competitions, with the clean sheet against Palace their fifth in succession.

“Everyone plays a part in it, but it’s a good thing and a good foundation to build on,” said Timber. “From that standard, you just have to keep getting better and be consistent in what we do, and then throughout the whole season, hopefully we’ll turn it into something beautiful.

“It gives you confidence, and it shows that we’re doing really well, and also, if it’s for multiple games in a row, it says something about consistency.

“We just have to keep improving, and look at what we can do better, but also take that feeling with you, that confidence, and go into the next game with the same mindset.”

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Liverpool boss Slot backs Salah to end goal drought

Arne Slot said Friday the “last thing” he is worried about is Mohamed Salah finding his scoring touch again after the Liverpool forward’s barren run for the club extended to six games.

The Egypt international has not scored a Premier League goal from open play since the opening weekend of the season and was dropped from the starting line-up for Liverpool’s 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League in midweek.

He was also substituted late in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield last week after missing two big chances, even as the home team desperately chased an equaliser.

Liverpool manager Slot, whose team face Brentford on Saturday, said he did not know why Salah, who won the Premier League Golden Boot last season, was struggling.

“In general, in football, players miss chances, and Mo is a human being as well,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“So we’re not used to him missing chances, let alone a few games in a row, but these things can happen.”

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But the Dutchman said he was confident that Salah, who has scored just two Premier League goals in eight matches this season, would re-discover his cutting edge.

“The last thing I worry about is Mo starting to score goals again,” he said.

“Because that’s what he’s done his whole life, and that’s what I expect him to do in the upcoming weeks and months for our club as well.”

Liverpool romped to the Premier League title last season and then splashed out around £450 million ($600 million) on new players in the summer transfer window.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid combined with injuries has resulted in a number of different players being used at right-back, including midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.

Slot admitted his team were taking time to adjust, including 33-year-old Salah, who plays on the right of Liverpool’s attack.

“He’s been in promising positions often enough for him to score goals, but maybe with Trent even more, I don’t know,” he said.

“But I think in general, for every player, if you have quite a few changes in your squad during the summer, then everyone needs to find new connections again, and that goes normally like this a little bit.

“Mo is not an exception to this.”

Liverpool, who started the season with seven straight wins in all competitions, have lost their past three matches in the Premier League and are fourth in the table, four points behind leaders Arsenal.

Jeremie Frimpong and goalkeeper Alisson Becker are out of the Brentford match with hamstring injuries, while Slot is awaiting updates on Alexander Isak, who sustained a groin problem in midweek, and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

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Nottingham Forest sack head coach Nuno after rift with owner

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked by Nottingham Forest early on Tuesday, becoming the first English Premier League manager this season to lose his job.

“The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era,” said a club statement released just after midnight.

The Portuguese had been in charge for 21 months at the City Ground, but two weeks ago, he said his relationship with the club’s owner, the Greek billionaire Evangelos Marinakis, had deteriorated.

“Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach,” the club said.

The 51-year-old took charge in December 2023 after Steve Cooper was sacked and went on to save the club from relegation.

Last season the club finished seventh in the Premier League, their highest since 1994/95.

That secured a first European berth in 30 years, with a Europa League place handed to Forest instead of their initial Conference League spot, after Crystal Palace’s demotion for breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

“The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground, in particular his role in the 2024/25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club,” said the statement

“As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey.”

Nottingham Forest sit 10th in the Premier League on four points after three games, but were soundly beaten 3-0 by struggling West Ham in Nuno’s last match in charge.

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British media reported that talks had begun to appoint a successor quickly, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said to be among the candidates along with Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

Cracks between the owner and head coach began to show in May last season, when Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch following a 2-2 draw against Leicester at the City Ground.

Forest later said the owner was frustrated that striker Taiwo Awoniyi had continued to play following an 88th-minute injury but added there was “no confrontation” and to suggest otherwise was “fake news”.

Nuno, who also managed Tottenham in 2021, was publicly critical of Forest’s transfer activity since the end of last season, which reportedly did not go down well with Marinakis.

Forest brought in 13 players as new sporting director Edu Gaspar took a more hands-on role in signings, but they let several others go, including Anthony Elanga, Danilo and Wayne Hennessey, leaving Nuno to complain his side had become “unbalanced”.

“I always had a very good relationship with the owner. Last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well,” Nuno said last month of his dealings with Marinakis.

“Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”

Nuno later said he had spoken to Marinakis on the phone since and the two would meet during the international break to iron out their differences.

Sky Sports News reported that the meeting never materialised and Marinakis decided instead it was better to replace Nuno.

Edu and chief football officer Ross Wilson will oversee the appointment of a new head coach.

Forest’s next match is away to third-placed Arsenal on Saturday.

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Nketiah winner sees Arsenal past Man Utd, Haaland hat-trick tames Wolves

MANCHESTER: Eddie Nketiah’s last minute strike earned Arsenal a thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester United to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday after Erling Haaland’s hat-trick fired Manchester City to a 3-0 victory over Wolves.

The Gunners remain on course for a first title in 19 years with a game in hand over City also to come.

United went in front at the Emirates after Marcus Rashford’s thunderous strike opened the scoring with his ninth goal since the World Cup break.

Arsenal levelled within seven minutes as Nketiah’s powerful header rounded off a brilliant team move.

Bukayo Saka’s long-range effort that arrowed into the bottom corner put the home side in front early in the second half.

This time United bounced straight back when Lisandro Martinez, who had been a target for Arsenal before arriving at Old Trafford in July, headed in a loose ball from a corner.

Erik ten Hag’s men were penned inside their own box for much of the final quarter as the post denied Saka a second and David de Gea saved from Nketiah.

Arsenal’s pressure finally got its reward when Nketiah flicked home Martin Odegaard’s shot and the goal survived a VAR check for offside.

“Emotional, a lot of passion, a lot of quality. It doesn’t get much better than that,” said Arteta.

“To come here against this team and play the way we played. The second half especially, the performance was incredible.”

A first defeat in 11 games realistically ends any hope of United’s first title in a decade as they slip 11 points behind Arsenal in fourth, having played a game more.

“It’s hard to accept when you lose in the last stage of the game,” said Ten Hag.

“We made mistakes with all three goals. Normally we are better in such situations. It can’t happen.”

Haaland’s fourth hat-trick

Haaland’s fourth hat-trick in 19 Premier League appearances had briefly cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to two points as Pep Guardiola got the reaction he wanted from the defending champions.

Guardiola questioned his players’ hunger to retain the title after Thursday’s 4-2 win over Tottenham.

Haaland is the one major difference to Guardiola’s previous title-winning sides in England and the Norwegian silenced any doubts over whether City are a stronger force without a recognised striker.

The 22-year-old’s scoring rate has slowed marginally in recent weeks, but his header from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross moved him level with the 23 league goals that saw Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min share the Golden Boot with last season.

Haaland then took his tally to 30 goals in all competitions from the penalty spot early in the second half after Ilkay Gundogan had been upended by Ruben Neves.

Wolves gifted Haaland his hat-trick four minutes later as goalkeeper Jose Sa presented the ball to Riyad Mahrez, who unselfishly squared for his teammate to roll into an unguarded net.

“The numbers are incredible,” said Guardiola.

“We can’t play the false nine with him. You have to adapt some movements with him and we are doing quite well.”

Just a second league defeat since Julen Lopetegui took charge leaves Wolves above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Leeds edged one point clear of the bottom three, but remain without a league win since November after a 0-0 draw at home to Brentford.

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Guardiola fumes after VAR controversy sparks Man Utd win

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola was left fuming by the controversial VAR decision to allow a Bruno Fernandes goal that sparked Manchester United’s thrilling fightback in their 2-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday.

City were leading through Jack Grealish’s second-half header at Old Trafford when United snatched their dubious 78th-minute equaliser.

Marcus Rashford was clearly offside when he ran onto a through ball but Fernandes ran past him to fire home.

Although the goal was initially disallowed, it was eventually allowed to stand after a VAR check because Rashford didn’t touch the ball before Fernandes scored.

With Guardiola and his players furious that VAR ignored Rashford’s presence as a clear distraction to keeper Ederson, United took advantage of the champions’ loss of focus to grab a late winner through Rashford’s close-range finish.

“Marcus Rashford is offside, Bruno Fernandes is not. Rashford distracted our keeper and centre defenders,” Guardiola said.

“It is what it is. We know where we play. It is difficult for the referees in these stadiums.”

Even United manager Erik ten Hag conceded he could understand Guardiola’s frustration with such a debatable decision.

“I can see that from the other side as well – of course it’s a confusing moment but when you follow the rules he didn’t touch the ball, he was not interfering and it’s a goal,” Ten Hag said.

Third-placed United are now just one point behind City after extending their winning streak to nine games in all competitions.

“We were happy at half-time but after half-time it changed, we were not proactive any more and just before I wanted to change it, they score,” he said.

“But then the spirit in the team is so huge, the belief is there that this game is 90 minutes, and we can fight back, and they believed they could turn it around.”

Second-placed City could be eight points behind leaders Arsenal if the Gunners win at Tottenham on Sunday.

With spluttering City losing their momentum in the title race, Guardiola added: “It was a fantastic game. We were close and we have to improve when we concede the goal, be more stable, the gap between the first and second goal is too close.

“In general I have no regrets. I don’t care if we don’t win the Carabao Cup or the Premier League, we’ll try. I don’t care when a team performs how we play. It was quite similar to the many, many years we’ve been here.”

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