Eddie Howe refuses to point fingers at Newcastle United players after slump at Chelsea

While many fans took aim at the Newcastle players for their poor performances, Eddie Howe was in no mood to do the same. (File/AFP)
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Updated 12 March 2024
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Eddie Howe refuses to point fingers at Newcastle United players after slump at Chelsea

  • Howe concedes individual errors but says team is responsible
  • Concern now that Magpies not improving despite big spending

LONDON: Eddie Howe is refusing to point fingers at his Newcastle United players after their latest error-strewn Premier League show at Chelsea.

Mistakes from Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff littered another poor away-day show as the Magpies were well-beaten in West London, despite the narrow scoreline.

Nicolas Jackson gave the home side an early lead against the run of play before Alexander Isak’s 16th goal of the season silenced the Stamford Bridge crowd. After the break, however, Chelsea took total control, running away with this crucial battle for the Premier League European slots, with Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk netting to seal all three points. Jacob Murphy scored a late consolation for Howe’s men.

While many fans took aim at the Newcastle players for their poor performances, Howe was in no mood to do the same, preferring to talk of collective failure on the night.

“Things went wrong with the goals we conceded for sure,” Howe admitted. “We’re really disappointed with the first one because we had started the game really well and Chelsea penned in but with the first attack they have we almost gift them the goal.

“The three goals we conceded today were as poor as we’ve conceded for a while. We can’t come away from home and play well, which we did, and concede those goals and expect to get anything from the game. It’s cost us the match.”

He added: “I won’t go into detail about the mistakes we made and who made them, that’s not for me to do, I’ll never act that way. It’s always a collective thing but we did make some individual mistakes which have harmed us.”

Results this weekend saw Newcastle drop to 10th in the Premier League table. Their hopes of securing a second successive Champions League spot — which may be in the top five this year — look to have faded, while even the Europa League and Conference League slots are proving tough to catch up with in current form.

After finishing 11th in Howe’s first season, and consistently being one of the world’s biggest net spenders in three of the four transfer windows since, many are questioning whether progress has stalled.

On the topic, Howe, whose side take on Manchester City at the Etihad in the sixth round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening, said: “There is no doubting the ability of the players we have, you could see today we’ve got some very good players highlighted by the two goals we scored and some of our general play especially in the first half was very, very good. We looked in a really good rhythm and confident but we killed ourselves tonight with the goals we conceded. That, in a sense, can dent confidence and harm you in the manner in which we did today.

“In the Premier League we have to keep going and commit to every game and give our best to try and win every single match, and that’s what we’ll try to do. Our priority is the FA Cup, that is going to be a big challenge for us. We have to forget about the Premier League for a while and commit to this game we’ve had on the horizon. And then we have a break and then once we come back we have to give the Premier League everything.”

Injuries have blighted the Magpies’ season, and just as things started to improve in that department, yet more players look set to be sidelined.

Dan Burn picked up a knock and was withdrawn, but the most concerning issue was with Anthony Gordon, who looked to have suffered a knee injury.

“He’s in a bit of pain, it’s unclear what the injury is. We’re not sure what the diagnosis is with Anthony, he’s got a knee problem. It’s just a pain he felt come on so there was no moment or incident that it happened, it was just gradual,” said Howe.

“He’s in a bit of pain so we fear it’s not looking too good but it’s very early days. That was obviously a huge moment in the game to lose him as well because he’s been so good for us this year and so consistent in his performances so it’s another psychological blow.

“It’s unclear what the injury is which can always add a more negative feeling because we want clarity. Hopefully, we can give him that in the next couple of days and we can get him seen to. Of course, he’ll be disappointed to go off.”

A bright point, on an otherwise difficult night, was the performance of Tino Livramento, in for the injured Kieran Trippier. The youngster was a constant thorn in the hosts’ side, and put in one of his best shows in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate.

Howe said: “A very good performance from Tino. I thought he was a real attacking threat in that first half, he gave us some good moments — combinations with Miggy (Miguel Almiron) and Sean (Sean Longstaff) on that side of the pitch.

“Maybe a little quieter at the beginning of the second half so we moved him sides and I thought he came alive again on the left so showed his versatility and athleticism through the match. He can be pleased.

“He’s growing into his position. He’s certainly got the love of the supporters which is a huge thing at this football club. I think they see what he brings to the team so I think he’s had a really good start.”


Coach Inzaghi to leave Inter Milan: club

Updated 03 June 2025
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Coach Inzaghi to leave Inter Milan: club

  • “The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said
  • According to renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Inzaghi’s next job could be with Saudi club Al-Hilal

ROME: Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is leaving after four years by “mutual agreement,” the club announced on Tuesday, as Italian media reported he was moving to Saudi Arabia.

“The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said in a statement.

Both Inter and Inzaghi said the decision had been made at a meeting involving the coach and club President Giuseppe Marotta on Tuesday afternoon.

The parting came just days after Saturday’s 5-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

According to renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Inzaghi’s next job could be with Saudi club Al-Hilal, as he suggested a deal was in place for the next three years.


Meanwhile AFP report added that talks had already been swirling about his exit, and last month Inzaghi played down rumors about a two-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal worth 50 million euros.

Italian media said Tuesday this reported had been confirmed.

According to Romano, Inzaghi could earn up to €26 million ($29.5 million) per season in the Saudi Pro League as new Al-Hilal head coach, adding in a post on X that any contract would be “initially valid until June 2027.”

Inzaghi took over Inter in 2021 and had a contract until 2026.

The 49-year-old guided the club to one Serie A title — Inter’s 20th — and two Italian Cups. He led
the team to two Champions League finals in the past three seasons but lost both.

On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition.

In its statement, the club said Inzaghi’s management was “characterised by great passion, accompanied by professionalism and dedication.”

His trophies had “brought the club back to the top of Italian and European football,” it said.
Marotta thanked him “for the work done, for the passion shown and also for the sincerity in today’s discussion, which led to the common decision to separate our paths.”

“Only when we have fought together to achieve success day by day, can we have a frank dialogue like the one that happened today,” he said.

In a separate statement, Inzaghi thanked the players, managers and staff, but most of all the fans, adding: “I will never forget you.”

* With AFP


Uzbekistan, Jordan eye World Cup berths as South Korea close on finals

Updated 03 June 2025
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Uzbekistan, Jordan eye World Cup berths as South Korea close on finals

  • Uzbekistan side take on the UAE knowing a draw will earn the Central Asians a berth among the 48 nations in North America
  • Jordan could also advance with a win over hosts Oman

HONG KONG: Uzbekistan and Jordan will look to secure debut appearances at the World Cup as the pair on Thursday attempt to confirm their progress to next year’s finals while South Korea are also closing in on qualification.

Timur Kapadze’s Uzbekistan side take on the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi knowing a draw will earn the Central Asians a berth among the 48 nations in North America, while Jordan could also advance with a win over hosts Oman.

The Koreans, one of Asia’s World Cup regulars, will confirm their participation at an 11th consecutive finals with a draw against Iraq in Basra.

Japan and Iran have already taken two of the confederation’s increased allocation of eight guaranteed spots in the United States, Canada and Mexico as the top two finishers in each of Asia’s three preliminary groups advance automatically.

The nations finishing in third and fourth will progress to a further round of preliminaries for the pair of remaining slots while those in fifth and sixth will be eliminated.

Uzbekistan sit second in Group A three points behind Iran, who play Qatar in Doha, and lead the third-placed United Arab Emirates by four points ahead of the final two matches in the third phase of qualifiers.

South Korea, meanwhile, are in pole position in Group B on 16 points and a draw with Iraq in Graham Arnold’s first game as head coach of the Gulf nation will take Hong Myung-bo and his team into yet another World Cup draw.

The Iraqis, currently third in the table, need a point to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive as second-placed Jordan would progress with a win over Oman should Arnold’s side lose to the Koreans.

Oman sit in fourth place on 10 points, and victory over the Jordanians will keep Rashid Jaber’s outfit in contention for a first World Cup ticket.

Australia take on Japan in Perth knowing a win against Hajjime Moriyasu’s already-qualified Group C winners might not be enough to confirm their progress on Thursday.

Tony Popovic’s Socceroos lead Saudi Arabia by three points with two matches left, meaning a win for Herve Renard’s side away to Bahrain would see the remaining Group C berth decided when Australia face the Saudis next Tuesday.

However, a win for the Australians against a Japan side featuring a host of uncapped players and defeat for the Saudis in Riffa would confirm the Socceroos’ passage to a sixth consecutive World Cup.


Qatar fighting to keep World Cup dreams alive, says Lopetegui

Updated 03 June 2025
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Qatar fighting to keep World Cup dreams alive, says Lopetegui

Qatar are within “touching distance” of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and will go all out against Iran and Uzbekistan over the next week to keep their dream alive, says new coach Julen Lopetegui.
Qatar, who hosted the 2022 World Cup but have never reached the tournament via the qualification route, cannot finish in the top two in Group A to earn an automatic berth in 2027 but can still secure a spot in the playoffs for teams finishing third and fourth.
The Gulf side are currently fourth on 10 points, four ahead of Kyrgyzstan.
Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui takes charge of Qatar for the first time when they face group leaders Iran in Doha on Thursday before they close out the third round by visiting second-placed Uzbekistan on June 10.
“Qatar has never qualified for a World Cup through the qualifiers before, and it’s a dream we’re determined to fight for,” Lopetegui told FIFA’s website in an interview published on Tuesday.
“It’s within touching distance. We’ve got two games left to play, both of which will be incredibly difficult, and in quick succession.
“However, despite all the difficulties, we’re determined to give it our best shot to earn ourselves another chance of qualifying in October.”
Qatar have enjoyed considerable continental success in recent years, winning back-to-back Asian Cup titles, but Lopetegui said they are in a transitional phase and still finding their feet.
“There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that this generation has achieved some very impressive things in the Asian Cup,” added the Spaniard, who was appointed coach in May.
“However, generations come to an end, and now we need to turn our attention to starting the process again, which will be no mean feat. While we do that, we’ll be doing our best to compete, which is the most important thing in the short term.”


FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges

Updated 03 June 2025
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FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges

  • Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami face Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the opening fixture on June 15 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with tickets still widely available days before kickoff
  • European champions Paris St. Germain are the in-form team heading into the tournament after their historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday
  • Whether you call it soccer or football, for FIFA the tournament represents a dress rehearsal and a referendum on America’s appetite for the sport

NEW YORK:  FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble to revolutionize club football begins a week on Sunday with plenty of cash up for grabs but questionable enthusiasm as 32 teams prepare to contest the expanded Club World Cup in 12 stadiums across the United States.

The tournament — designed as a glittering showcase ahead of the 2026 World Cup — has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats along with controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns after an exhausting European season.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami face Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the opening fixture on June 15 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with tickets still widely available days before kickoff.

A glance at FIFA’s website shows lots of tickets available, including for the July 13 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Messi’s presence underscores the tournament’s contentious foundations.

Inter Miami gained entry by topping Major League Soccer’s regular season standings, despite losing in the first round of the playoffs – a decision critics say shows FIFA’s desperation to have the Argentina great at their inaugural showpiece.

FIFA’s decision to give the host nation a spot and award it to Inter Miami underlined the opaque nature of the qualifying criteria for the tournament, which won’t feature Liverpool, Barcelona or Napoli who have all just been crowned champions of three of the most prestigious leagues in Europe.

Apart from the winners of each confederation’s premier club competitions, teams qualified according to a ranking based on their performances over a four-year period.

There is also the case of Club Leon, the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, who were excluded from the tournament just over a month ago due to having shared ownership with another qualifier. The spot has gone to MLS’s Los Angeles FC.

Rights deal

Nailing down a last-gasp $1 billion TV rights deal with sports streaming platform DAZN six months before the tournament means a total of $2 billion in expected revenues.

That led FIFA to announce a total prize pot of $1 billion, with the winning club to receive up to $125 million.

That figure represents 25 perceent more than Paris St. Germain earned from their entire 17-match Champions League campaign.

But this largesse has not quelled concerns about player welfare, with the global players union FIFPro taking legal action against FIFA over a tournament that further compresses the precious recovery time between gruelling seasons.

Furthermore there is still concern over the playing surfaces after last season’s Copa America, when many headlines focused on the sub-par conditions and smaller pitch dimensions.

Those pitches, measuring 100 by 64 meters, were 740 square meters smaller than FIFA’s standard size, prompting widespread discontent among players and coaches.

FIFA has given assurances that this time the NFL stadiums hosting the matches will meet their specifications, confirming that all venues will feature natural grass and adhere to the standard regulation dimensions of 105 by 68 meters.

Divided into eight groups of four teams, top contenders include Real Madrid, winners of six of the last 12 Champions League titles, plus German champions Bayern Munich and 2023 Premier League and Champions League winners Manchester City.

European champions Paris St. Germain are the in-form team heading into the tournament after their historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.

But they must survive a tough Group B featuring South American and Brazilian champions Botafogo and 2024 CONCACAF winners Seattle Sounders plus Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Whether you call it soccer or football, for FIFA the tournament represents a dress rehearsal and a referendum on America’s appetite for the sport and on the world governing body’s vision for its commercial future ahead of the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.


Pyramids survive tense finish to be crowned African champions

Updated 02 June 2025
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Pyramids survive tense finish to be crowned African champions

  • Competing in the premier African club competition for only the second time, Pyramids triumphed 3-2 on aggregate after the first leg was drawn 1-1 in Pretoria last weekend

JOHANNESBURG: Pyramids of Egypt survived late pressure to beat Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 2-1 in Cairo on Sunday and win the CAF Champions League for the first time.
Competing in the premier African club competition for only the second time, Pyramids triumphed 3-2 on aggregate after the first leg was drawn 1-1 in Pretoria last weekend.
Fiston Mayele scored after 23 minutes and Ahmed Samy on 56 minutes for the Egyptian outfit before Iqraam Rayners reduced the arrears in the 75th minute.
Listless for much of the match, Sundowns pressed in the closing stages, but the second goal that would have given them overall victory on away goals proved elusive.
Pleas by Pyramids, who normally attract crowds of just a few thousand, for support led to their 30,000-seat stadium being about half full for the second leg.
Both clubs made one change to the first-leg starting line-ups last weekend in Pretoria, where Walid el Karti headed an added-time equalizer after Lucas Ribeiro gave Sundowns an early second half lead.
Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurcic, a former Croatia midfielder, dropped forward Ibrahim Adel, scorer of six goals en route to the final, and promoted ex-English Premier League forward Ramadan Sobhi.
Sundowns’ Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso left out Brazilian forward Arthur Sales and gave a starting place to midfielder Jayden Adams.
Cardoso is only the second coach after Argentine Oscar Fullone to reach consecutive Champions League finals with different clubs.
Fullone, who died in 2017 aged 78, guided ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast in 1998 and Raja Casablanca of Morocco the following year to victory in finals of the premier African club competition.
Cardoso took Esperance of Tunisia to the 2024 final, which they lost to Al Ahly of Egypt with an own goal separating the sides.
A new Champions League trophy, unveiled before the first leg, was brought to the touchline at the 30 June Stadium by 48-year-old Nigerian legend and former Inter Milan and Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu.
On a warm, windy first day, both teams constantly surrendered possession cheaply before Pyramids took the lead when Mayele scored his ninth goal of the African campaign.
A cross by Ahmed Atef was partially cleared by Grant Kekana and Mayele pounced to slam a snap low shot across goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into the far corner of the net.
Tensions rose and the Somali referee yellow-carded Atef and Aubrey Modiba after the duo had an angry clash, leading with their heads.
Sundowns squandered a great chance in first half added time when Tashreeq Matthews broke through only to see his shot parried by the left leg of goalkeeper Ahmed el Shenawy.
It was the only time the Pretoria outfit threatened in the opening half despite having much more possession.
Pyramids struck again when Mohamed Chibi placed a free kick into the goalmouth and central defender Samy headed powerfully into the net.
It was the first goal for Samy in the 16-match Champions League campaign and he became the 19th Pyramids player to score in the competition this season.
Sundowns replied when a weak headed clearance offered Rayners a chance and he fired past El Shenawy from close range.