Liverpool sink Chelsea to bolster title charge, Haaland returns in Man City cruise

Klopp’s men will meet Chelsea again in the League Cup final at Wembley on February 25
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Updated 01 February 2024
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Liverpool sink Chelsea to bolster title charge, Haaland returns in Man City cruise

  • Liverpool sit five points clear of second-placed City

MANCHESTER, UK: Premier League leaders Liverpool stepped up their title bid with a 4-1 rout of Chelsea, while Erling Haaland made his Manchester City comeback as the champions beat Burnley 3-1 on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s shock revelation that he will step down as Liverpool boss at the end of the season has done nothing to stop the momentum of a team challenging for silverware in four competitions.
The Reds crushed Norwich 5-2 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday and were equally ruthless when Chelsea visited Anfield for the second game of Klopp’s long goodbye.
First-half goals from Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley put Liverpool in control.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool’s third and, although Christopher Nkunku replied for overwhelmed Chelsea, Luis Diaz capped the hosts’ dominant display.
Liverpool sit five points clear of second-placed City, who have a game in hand as they try to spoil Klopp’s bid to bow out with the second Premier League title of his nine-year reign.
Unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions, Liverpool head to third-placed Arsenal on Sunday for another test of their title credentials.
“You have to play outstandingly well to keep Chelsea calm. But the way we started the game was really strong,” Klopp said.
“We put them under pressure. Counter pressing was top, putting them in areas where they didn’t want to be. It was a great night.”
Klopp’s men will meet Chelsea again in the League Cup final at Wembley on February 25, with the Reds also still competing in the FA Cup and Europa League.




Haaland had been sidelined for nearly two months by a foot injury. (Reuters)

Chelsea will have to improve significantly to win the rematch after a limp display that underlined why they are languishing in 10th place.
Haaland had been sidelined for nearly two months by a foot injury, but City barely missed the presence of the Norwegian as they won nine and drew one of the 10 games when he was absent.
Julian Alvarez again stepped up in Haaland’s absence as the Argentine struck twice on his 24th birthday to effectively end the game at the Etihad as a contest inside 22 minutes.
The Argentine headed in from Matheus Nunes’ cross and then finished off a clever free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne.
Rodri made it 3-0 inside the first minute of the second half, but Pep Guardiola made the expectant home crowd wait until 19 minutes from time for Haaland’s introduction.
Rather than a goalscoring return from last season’s Golden Boot winner, it was the Clarets who struck next to end a run of 22 consecutive City goals in league meetings between the sides.
Ameen Al Dakhil struck four minutes into stoppage time, but it was no more than a consolation for the Clarets, who remain second bottom and seven points adrift of safety.
“Today the game was not close. There are games with this score that feel closer, this was not,” Guardiola said.
“Kevin De Bruyne and Erling are going to help us this part of the season.”
In Wednesday’s other game, Tottenham climbed into the top four with a 3-2 win over Brentford.
Neal Maupay gave the Bees a deserved half-time lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But Ange Postecoglou’s side hit back with three goals in the first 11 minutes of the second period.
Destiny Udogie blasted home from close range to level before Brennan Johnson tapped in Timo Werner’s low cross at the back post.
Tottenham appeared to have the points won when Richarlison turned in his ninth goal of the season.
However, an error from Udogie teed up Ivan Toney to score his second goal in as many games since returning from an eight-month gambling ban.
Spurs held on through seven minutes of added time to edge above Aston Villa on goals scored into fourth as the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League hots up.
“It’s a young, maturing team. Friday’s loss to Manchester City showed we have a long way to go and tonight was another test,” Postecoglou said.


Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner

Updated 39 sec ago
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Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner

  • In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side
  • After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are on the cusp of next year’s World Cup in North America

PERTH: Australia moved to the brink of the World Cup after beating already qualified Japan 1-0 in Perth on Thursday thanks to Aziz Behich’s 90th-minute winner.

In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side.

But then substitute Riley McGree cut the ball back to defender Behich, who rifled a bullet into the corner for his first international goal in 13 years and trigger scenes of jubilation.

After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are on the cusp of next year’s World Cup in North America.

“We know there’s room to grow and room to improve, but we’ve done something special tonight,” coach Tony Popovic said.

Before the game the Socceroos had a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference over Saudi Arabia with two matches left.

The win does not totally guarantee Australia’s passage, with Saudi Arabia at Bahrain later on Thursday.

Australia then face the Saudis in Jeddah on June 10 in their final Group C match in the battle for second behind Japan.

Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup.

After what had been a lacklustre performance for much of the game, Australia’s last-gasp victory continued their turnaround since Popovic arrived in September.

“We’ve all played a part in getting us to this point,” he said.

“We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off.”

After becoming the first team to punch their ticket to the World Cup, Japan coach Hajjime
Moriyasu used the trip to Australia as an opportunity to experiment.

“I wanted to see what they (the inexperienced players) could do against a strong opponent in very difficult circumstances,” Moriyasu said.

“We have to improve and expand our squad.”

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo started on the bench as Japan fielded three debutants in the starting line-up.

Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada, playing his 41st international, was considerably their most experienced starter.

Japan completely dominated the first half with 21-year-old midfielder Kota Tawaratsumida impressing on his debut.

It was only a matter of time before Japan had a clear-cut chance, with Yuito Suzuki having an attempt from long range on the half-hour mark.

Japan continued to attack with debutant Yu Hirakawa firing just wide of the left post after beating outstretched goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

The break arrived at a good time for Australia.

After being brought on in the 64th minute, Kubo curled past the right post, before Behich stepped up late with his priceless goal.


Ronaldo fires Portugal into Nations League final

Updated 05 June 2025
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Ronaldo fires Portugal into Nations League final

  • It was Portugal’s first win over Germany since 2000
  • Spain and France will clash in the other semifinal on Thursday to decide who will face Portugal in the decider on Sunday

MUNICH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Portugal fought back to beat Germany 2-1 on Wednesday, with the 40-year-old bagging his 137th international goal to send them into the Nations League final.

It was Portugal’s first win over Germany since 2000 with Ronaldo’s goal earning them a spot in their second Nations League final, after winning the inaugural edition in 2019.

Spain and France will clash in the other semifinal on Thursday to decide who will face Portugal in the decider on Sunday.

Germany dominated the first half, but it remained goalless thanks to the heroics of Portugal keeper Diogo Costa.

The shotstopper made an excellent start to the first half, keeping out a low shot from Germany’s Leon Goretzka after four minutes with a strong save.

Costa came to Portugal’s rescue again with an incredible save from Nick Woltemade’s close-range effort and two minutes later, he produced another quick reaction stop, diving low to tip away another attempt from Goretzka.

Germany took the lead in the 48th minute, as Florian Wirtz headed in unmarked in the box, following a pinpoint lobbed pass from Joshua Kimmich.

However, Portugal turned the match around, first equalizing through substitute Francisco Conceicao in the 63rd minute, before Ronaldo tapped in five minutes later after Nuno Mendes teed him up.

For Conceicao, the win carried extra significance, as his father Sergio scored a hat-trick the last time Portugal beat Germany — at the European Championship in 2000.

“We need to enjoy the victory — we won for the first time in a while against Germany. Tactically we were exceptional and our commitment helped... it was a team victory,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said.

“Now we can recover and evaluate,” he added. “We want another performance with personality in this shirt.”

Germany looked to shift the momentum when substitute Karim Adeyemi unleashed a powerful rising strike with his left foot, only to see it crash against the outside of Costa’s right-hand post.

Portugal could have grabbed a third goal very late in the match but Germany keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen stretched impressively to perform a double save.

It was a disappointing 100th appearance for Germany captain Kimmich.

“The defeat is absolutely deserved. We weren’t playing well enough in the first half. After going 1-0 up, nothing came of it in the second half,” he told reporters.

“We have to learn from this. If we’re not at 100 percent, we can’t beat a top European team. Today was one of our worst games, purely based on our performance.”


Brazil need to get the best out of Vinicius Jr., says Ancelotti

Updated 05 June 2025
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Brazil need to get the best out of Vinicius Jr., says Ancelotti

  • Ancelotti: I don’t know if he’s been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid
  • Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador: Brazil must help striker Vinicius Jr. rediscover the form he has displayed at Real Madrid, new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday.

Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two LaLiga crowns, said that his unique ability to unsettle opposing defenses made him a vital asset.

“I don’t know if he’s been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on Thursday — his first match in charge of the national team.

“For us, he’s a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here,” the manager added.

Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, he has struggled for form with the national team, falling short of his usual standards at Real Madrid.

Regarding his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he aims to field a compact, balanced team.

“I don’t want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it’s 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball,” he said.

“Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment.”

He didn’t reveal his starting lineup for his debut as coach, but he did have words of praise for 18-year-old Estevao, who is leaving Palmeiras for Chelsea and has been tipped for a bright future with the national team.

“He’s got a special talent... he’s got character, he’s a good person, he’s humble, and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful. He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team,” the coach said.

Brazil are fourth in the standings for the South American World Cup qualifiers, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup.

They will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and could secure an early spot at next year’s World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada.


Chelsea win race to sign Ipswich striker Delap

Updated 05 June 2025
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Chelsea win race to sign Ipswich striker Delap

LONDON: Chelsea beat off competition from Premier League rivals to sign English striker Liam Delap from Ipswich on Wednesday for a reported fee of £30 million ($41 million)
Delap, 22, scored 12 Premier League goals during his sole season at Portman Road but could not prevent Ipswich making an immediate return to the Championship.
Manchester United and Everton were also reportedly willing to meet the buyout clause in the England under-21 international’s contract.
But Chelsea have won the race for the former Manchester City forward, bolstering their attacking options ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States, starting later this month.
“I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach,” said Delap, who has signed a six-year contract, in a Chelsea statement.
“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.”
The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League and will return to the Champions League next season after a two-year absence.
And Enzo Maresca’s men last week beat Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final to secure a trophy in the Italian manager’s first season in charge.
In mid-December Chelsea were within touching distance of eventual Premier League champions Liverpool before hitting a rocky patch.
They finished the season strongly, securing a top-five spot on the final day of the season but were hamstrung by their lack of a clinical number nine.
Senegal international Nicolas Jackson scored just 10 times in 30 Premier League appearances, while Christopher Nkunku looks set to leave the club after an underwhelming two-year spell.
Delap, the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, began his career at Manchester City but struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s star-studded first team.
After loan spells in the second tier with Stoke, Preston and Hull, he was snapped up by Ipswich in a deal worth up to £20 million after they won promotion to the Premier League a year ago.
Delap was one of the few success stories for the Tractor Boys during a difficult season as they were relegated back to the Championship with just 22 points.
Chelsea will face Flamengo, LAFC and ES Tunis in the group stages of the Club World Cup, which gets underway on June 14.


Bahrain game ‘crucial’ for Saudi World Cup qualification hopes, says coach Herve Renard

Updated 04 June 2025
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Bahrain game ‘crucial’ for Saudi World Cup qualification hopes, says coach Herve Renard

  • With 2 games left to play in 3rd round of the qualifiers and the Green Falcons sitting 3rd in Group C, he warns that 6 points are a ‘must’
  • The squad’s final preparations are going well, he adds, with a renewed spirit and clear determination among the players to perform well

MANAMA: Saudi Arabia’s match against Bahrain on Thursday is “crucial” to their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, coach Herve Renard said on Wednesday.

The away game will be followed by a showdown with Australia at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Tuesday, as the third round of the qualifiers draws to a close.

The Saudis are sitting third in the six-team Group C, 10 points behind already qualified Japan and trailing Australia by three. The top two in the group qualify automatically for the finals, while those who finish third and fourth will fight it out with four other teams for the last three spots. At this point no outcome is certain for the Green Falcons, who are just four points ahead of bottom-of-the-group China.

Speaking at the prematch press conference in Manama, Renard said the Saudis must take maximum points from their remaining games.

“We have to win the six points in the next two matches,” the Frenchman said. “Knowing the outcome of the Australia-Japan match (on Thursday) in advance gives us an important psychological boost ahead of the Bahrain match, and it may also determine my final message to the players.”

The squad’s final preparations for the game were going well, he added, with a renewed spirit and clear determination among the players to perform at a level worthy of the team, despite the difficult task ahead.

The position they are in reflects the team’s stumbling start to this phase of the qualifiers, Renard said, but everyone is determined to restore balance to the team and win.