Football-soccer

    • EFL Cup Final preview

      The first piece of silverware is up for grabs today in the EFL cup final at Wembley between Chelsea and Liverpool. Liverpool will be ing to win this competition for the 10th time and Chelsea a sixth and the first time since 2014/15.

      This is a repeat of the 2022 final which Liverpool won 11-10 on penalties after the game finished 0-0.

      Chelsea stated their campaign in the 2nd round with a 2-1 over league two side AFC Wimbledon. In the third round they beat Brighton 1-0. In the fourth round they beat championship side Blackburn Rovers 2-0. In the Quarter Final they beat Newcastle 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. In the Semi Final they beat Middlesbrough 6-2 on aggregate after losing the first leg 1-0 they won the second leg at home 6-1.

      Liverpool began the campaign in round three and beat Leicester City 3-1. In the fourth round they played Bournemouth away and won 2-1. In the Quarter Final they beat West Ham 5-1 at home. In the Semi Final they beat Fulham 3-2 on aggregate, they won the first leg at home 2-1 and drew 1-1 in the return leg.
    • Premier League Review

      Brentford and Chelsea shared the points in the West London derby, Chelsea took the lead through Nicholas Jackson in the 35th minute and went in at half time 1-0 up. Mads Roerslev equalised for Brentford five minutes after the restart and the home side went in front from the first time in the 69th minute Young Wissa with the goal. Chelsea found the equaliser in the 83rd minute Axel Disasi with the goal and the game ended 2-2. Chelsea stay 11th and Brentford up to 15th.

      Two late goals gave West Ham the win away to Everton, the home side took the lead in the 56th minute Gimes Betuncal headed in the goal. The lead didn’t last long though Kurt Zouma making it 1-1 five minutes later, Tomas Soucek made it 2-1in the 91st minute and Edson Álvarez made sure of the win in the 95th minute. Everton down to 16th and West Ham up to 7th.

      Fulham won 3-0 against Brighton Harry Wilson with the first goal in the 21st minute, Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho made in 2-0 in the 32nd minute and send the home side in 2-0 at half time. Fulham got their third in the 91st minute Adama Traoré with the goal. Fulham stay 12th Brighton drop down to 9th.

      Goals from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento gave Newcastle a 3-0 win over Wolves at St James Park. Isak got the opener after 14 minutes and Gordon made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute, Newcastle’s third came in the 92nd minute. Newcastle up to 8th Wolves down to 10th.

      Liverpool left it late to beat Nottingham forest Darwin Núñez with the winner in the 99th minute and extend their gap at the top and out pressure on Manchester City ahead of the Manchester derby. Liverpool stay top and Forest remain in 17th.

      Tottenham came from behind to beat Palace 3-1, Eberechi Eze put the away side 1-0 up in the 59th minute. Timo Werner got his first Spurs goal in the 77th minute to make it 1-1, Cristian Romero put Tottenham in front in the 80th minute and Heung-min Son secured the win in the 88th minute. Tottenham stay 5th and Palace drop to 14th.

      Lucas Digne scored in the 89th minute as Aston Villa win 3-2 away at Luton. Villa went in at half time 2-0 up thanks to two goals from Ollie Watkins in the 24th and 38th minute. Luton scored two goals in six minutes to make it 2-2, Tahith Chong in the 66th minute and Carton Morris in the 72nd minute, Villa managed to find the winner though through Digne. Villa remain in 4th Luton in 18th.

      Burnley lost at home to Bournemouth 2-0 Justin Kluivert scoring after 13 minutes, Antoine Semenyo made sure of the win in the 88th minute. Burnley remain in 19th Bournemouth in 13th.

      In the Manchester derby Man Utd took a shock lead in the 8th minute through Marcus Rahford and united went in at half time in the lead. Phil Foden scored two second half goals one in the 56th minute then put City in the lead in the 80th minute, Erling Haaland made it 3-1to City in the 91st minute to give the home side a 3-1 win. City stay second United stay 6th.

      Arsenal piled more misery on the Sheffield home crowed winning 6-0, Martin Ødegaard scoring after just five minutes, Omar Bogle put the ball in the back of his own net in the 13th minute and two minutes later it was 3-0 Gabriel Martinelli with the goal. Kai Havertz made it 4-0 in the 25th minute and Declan Rice made it 5-0 at half time with a 39th minute goal. Ben White made it 6-0 in the second half scoring in the 58th minute. Arsenal stay 3rd and Sheffield United bottom.

    • Saturday Premiere League Review

      Man Utd are at home to Everton. Manchester United are vying for a 41st Premier League victory against Everton, which would be an outright record for the most wins by one club against another in the division. Toffees have only won two of their 31 Premier League matches at Old Trafford (D8, L21), the most recent of which was by 1-0 in December 2013 courtesy of Bryan Oviedo's goal. Red Devils drew three consecutive top-flight home games against Everton before beating them 2-0 last season.
      Bournemouth take on Sheffield United. Sheffield United's eight-match unbeaten run away to Bournemouth was ended by a 2-1 Championship defeat in October 2021 on their most recent visit (W5, D3). The three Premier League meetings between the two clubs have resulted in one win apiece and a draw.

      Crystal Palace play Luton. Luton won the reverse fixture 2-1 and could complete only their fourth league double over Crystal Palace, and their first since the 2005-06 Championship. Palace's solitary victory in seven top-flight meetings was by 1-0 at Selhurst Park in December 1990, when Mark Bright scored (D4, L2).

      Wolves take on Fulham. Fulham are winless in 17 league and cup trips to Wolves since a 4-0 victory in the old Division Two back in March 1985. (D5, L12). The London side failed to score in any of their past four Premier League fixtures at Molineux. Three of the goals in the reverse fixture, won 3-2 by Fulham, came from the penalty spot, including the home side's stoppage-time winner. Fulham could complete their first league double over Wolves. This is the 44th league campaign in which they have met.

      Arsenal and Brentford meet in the Tea time game. Brentford's only win against Arsenal in the past 10 meetings was by 2-0 at home in their first Premier League encounter in August 2021 (D2, L7). The Bees are aiming to win an away match against Arsenal for the first time in six attempts since April 1938.
    • Happy Women's Day :boogie: Go football/soccer girls :thumbsup:

      Here's a nice story from Millie Bright <3 (inspire all our little girls to love sport and be strong women as they grow up)


      Good Friend :play: Kinda Romantic :love: Ready to Rock :zomg:

      "If you try to follow fashion you'll always be chasing, and probably never catch it. If you be yourself and make your own style, fashion might just bump into you one day."
    • Women's FA Cup Quarter-finals preview

      All kick-off times are GMT.

      Liverpool v Leicester City - Saturday 12:00 - FA Player
      Liverpool have been the surprise package in the Women's Super League this season, currently sitting in fifth place level on points with Manchester United.

      Matt Beard's side will be hoping to take their current rich vein of form into the FA Cup, as they look to finish a fifth consecutive game unbeaten in all competitions.

      Leicester have experienced contrasting fortunes to their upcoming opponents, having struggled for consistency throughout the 2023-24 campaign.

      This weekend's FA Cup tie offers some relief from their indifferent league form and a chance to reach the competition's semi-finals for the first time.

      Brighton v Manchester United - Saturday 17:15 - FA Player
      It has been a disappointing season for both Brighton and Manchester United, with the former battling relegation from the WSL and the latter seeing their runs in the Champions League, League Cup and WSL title race ending very prematurely.

      On Saturday, the Seagulls welcome the Red Devils to Broadfield Stadium in a rematch of one of last season's semi-finals, a game which Manchester United eventually won 1-0 in second-half stoppage time.

      With the FA Cup representing a welcome tonic for each club's arduous campaigns, both sides will be hoping to hold on to the good feeling a while longer yet with a precious victory.

      Everton v Chelsea - Sunday 13:00 - BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer
      Holders Chelsea are still going strong in all four competitions as the business end of the season comes into view.

      They took another step closer to securing one quarter of a possible quadruple on Thursday night when they overcame Manchester City to book their place in the final of the League Cup later this month.

      Opponents Everton have endured a difficult season so far, currently sitting 10th in the table with the looming threat of relegation a real worry for much of the campaign.

      However, a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup and a thumping 7-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the fifth will have given them hope that they can put in a battling display against a high-flying Chelsea side.

      Tottenham v Manchester City - Sunday 15:00 - FA Player
      Having seen one third of their Treble dream slip away at the hands of Chelsea on Thursday evening, Manchester City will be hoping that they can instead continue their quest for another FA Cup triumph as part of a league and cup double.

      They visit an ever-improving Tottenham side, who have already proved a tough opponent on more than one occasion this season.

      Good Friend :play: Kinda Romantic :love: Ready to Rock :zomg:

      "If you try to follow fashion you'll always be chasing, and probably never catch it. If you be yourself and make your own style, fashion might just bump into you one day."
    • Sunday Premier League Review

      Aston Villa take on Tottenham, Aston Villa have beaten Spurs in three successive Premier League meetings for the first time since a club record run of four from 1994 to 1996. Tottenham are looking to avoid back-to-back away league defeats against Villa for the first time since 2004.

      Brighton are at home to Nottingham Forest, Brighton are looking to complete a league double over Nottingham Forest for the first time since the 2015-16 Championship. Nottingham Forest have failed to score in each of their past three league visits to Brighton (D1, L2)

      West Ham United play Burnley, Burnley are winless in five league games against West Ham since beating them 1-0 at the London Stadium in July 2020 courtesy of a Jay Rodriguez goal (D2, L3). The Clarets have only won two of their eight Premier League fixtures away to the Hammers (D1, L5). This will be the 90th league meeting between the sides. Burnley have 35 wins to West Ham's 34, with 20 draws.

      Liverpool take on Manchester City with the winner going top of the league. Liverpool have lost only one of their past 20 meetings with Manchester City at Anfield (W13, D6). However, the Reds' solitary victory in their past eight matches against City was by 1-0 in this fixture last season. Only two of the past 30 Premier League encounters has been won by the away side.

      Fixtures

      Aston Villa v Tottenham 13:00
      Brighton v Nottm Forest 14:00
      West Ham v Burnley 14:00
      Liverpool v Man City 15:45
    • Premier League Review

      Penalties from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford gave Man United a 2-0 win over Everton and Old Trafford. Fernandes scoring the first in the 12 minute and Rashford in the 36th minute. The win means Man Utd stay 6th and Everton remain 16th.

      Bournemouth and Sheffield United shared the points thanks to a 91st minute equaliser from Bournemouth’s Enes Ünal. Sheffield United had taken a 2-0 lead with goals from Gustavo Hamer in the 27th minute and Jack Robinson in the 64th minute. Bournemouth pulled a goal back from Dango Quattara in the 74th minute and reduced a point in the 91st minute. Bournemouth remain 13th, Sheffield United up to 19th.

      Luton scored a 96th minute equaliser to rescue a point away to Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta with the goal in the 11 minute. Palace looked like they would take all three points until Cauley Woodrow got the goal for Luton and denied Palace the win. Palace remain 14th and Luton 18th.

      Wolves beat Fulham 2-1, Rayan Aït-Nouri with the opener in the 52nd minute Wolves doubled their lead thanks to a Tom Cairney own goal in the 67th minute. Alex Iwobi got a consolation in the 98th minute for the visitors. Wolves up to 8th Fulham remain 12th.

      Kai Havertz scored in the 86th minute to give Arsenal all three points against Brentford. Declan Rice put the Gunners in the lead in the 19th minute but Brentford would go in 1-1 at the break Yoane Wissa with the goal in the 4th minute of first half stoppage time. The win moved Arsenal up to 1st and Brentford remain 15th.

      Tottenham had a good 4-0 away win at Aston Villa. The teams went in 0-0 at half time, Tottenham took the lead in the 50th minute James Maddison with the goal three minute later it was 2-0 Brennan Johnson with the goal. Aston Villa were reduced to 10 in the 65th minute John McGinn seeing red. Heung-min Son made it 3-0 in the 91st minute and Timo Werner made it 4-0in the 94th minute. Tottenham remain 5th and Villa remain 4th.

      Andrew Omobamidele scored and own goal to help Brighton win 1-0 against Nottingham Forest. The win moves Brighton up to 8th Forest remain 17th.

      Danny Ings rescued a point for West Ham to draw 2-2 at home to Burnley. Burnley were leading 2-0 at half time goals from David Datro Forfana with the goal in the 11th minute. Konstantinos Mavropanos's scored an own goal. In the 1st minute of first half stoppage time to make it 2-0. Lucas Paquetá pulled one back one minute after the restart. West Ham were pussing for the equaliser and got it in the 91st minute. West Ham remain 7th Burnley move up to 19th.

      Liverpool and Man City played out a 1-1 draw with both teams know a win would put them top of the league how ever both had to settle for a draw. Man City took the lead through John Stones in the 23rd minute and went in at half time in the lead. Liverpool got a goal back back from the spot in the 50th minute, both teams could have won it but had to settle for a point each. Liverpool stay second Man City stay 3rd.

      Chelsea beat Newcastle 3-2 Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring after six minutes, Newcastle were level just before half time Alexsander Isak with the goal in the 43 minute. Cole Palmer restored the home side’s lead in the 57 minute and Mykhailo Mudryk made it 3-1 in the 76th minute Newcastle got a consolation goal in the 90th minute through Jacob Murphy. Chelsea remain in 11th and Newcastle remain in 10th.
    • Saturday FA cup and Premier League Preview

      It’s the FA cup Quarter Finals and first up it’s Premier League Woves v Champion Coventry. Coventry are hoping to reach the semi-finals for the first time since they won the competition in 1987. Four-time winners Wolves last reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 2019, losing to Watford after extra-time at Wembley. The Sky Blues, one point outside the Championship play-offs, visit Wolves, who are ninth in the Premier League.

      Man City face Newcastle. Last season City lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Newcastle last reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2005 under Graeme Souness when they were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester United. City will be without playmaker Kevin De Bruyne who is nursing a groin problem, and goalkeeper Ederson.

      In the Premier League Burnley are at home to Brentford, Burnley have only lost one of their past 11 home league games against Brentford (W6, D4). The Bees won 3-0 when the sides met on 21 October and are vying for their first league double against the Clarets since 1934-35.

      Luton take on Nottingham Forrest. Luton are unbeaten in their past five league meetings with Nottingham Forest (W2, D3), having lost five of the previous six. Forest's last top-flight visit to Kenilworth Road ended in a 2-1 defeat in April 1992.

      Fulham are at home to Tottenham. Fulham have lost 14 of their past 16 Premier League games against Tottenham and are winless in nine top-flight meetings since a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane on 17 March 2013. A win would give Spurs eight consecutive league victories away to a particular opponent for the first time in their history. Fulham beat Tottenham on penalties in the second round of the EFL Cup in August following a 1-1 draw in west London.

      Fixtures

      FA Cup

      Wolves v Coventry 12:15
      Man City v Newcastle 17:30

      Premier League

      Burnley v Brentford 15:00
      Luton v Nottm Forest 15:00
      Fulham v Tottenham 17:30
    • Sunday Premier League and FA Cup Preview

      West Ham are at home to Aston Villa in the only Premier League game. West Ham are unbeaten in their past eight home league games against Aston Villa, winning four and drawing four. However, Villa could defeat their hosts home and away in a Premier League campaign for the first time since 2010-11 and for just the second time ever. The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three league games (W2, D1), scoring nine goals, one fewer than they had managed in their previous 10 combined. Aston Villa have earned three successive Premier League away wins for the first time since a seven-match streak in 2008-09.

      FA Cup

      Chelsea face Leicester of the Championship. Chelsea, who lasted lifted the FA Cup in 2018, have reached the final of the competition in five of the past seven seasons. Former Leicester player Ben Chilwell is available to face his former club after picking up a knee injury on 2 March. Championship leaders Leicester City will be without top scorer Jamie Vardy, Vardy, who has scored eight goals across his past eight appearances, picked up a "small problem" against Sunderland at the start of March. Sunday's fixture is a repeat of the 2021 final which Leicester won 1-0. It is the last time the Foxes have progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup.

      Man United face Liverpool at Old Trafford. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes forward Rasmus Hojlund will be fit enough to feature against Liverpool in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final. Hojlund had scored eight goals in eight matches before a muscle injury ruled him out of United's past four fixtures. The FA Cup is United's only hope of silverware this season. They are sixth in the Premier League, 17 points behind second-placed Liverpool. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Mohamed Salah will be available for the fixture having recently recovered from a muscle injury.

      Fixtures
      Premier League

      West Ham v Aston Villa 14:00

      FA Cup
      Chelsea v Leicester 12:45
      Man United v Liverpool 15:30
    • FA Cup and Premier League Review

      FA Cup

      Coventry City scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time to send Coventry into the semi final and make it finish 3-2. Coventry took the lead in the 53 minute through Ellis Sims, but wolves drew level in the 83 minute through Rayan Ait-Nouri then took the lead 2-1 after Hugo Bueno scored in the 88th minute. Simms would score again in the 7th minute of stoppage time to make it 2-2, the game looked like it might be going to extra time but weigh got the last kick off the game in the 97th minute to send Coventry into the Semi Final

      Man City Win 2-0 as Bernardo Silva Scored Tw goals in the 13th and the 31st minute to ease their way in to the semi final against Newcastle.

      Two stoppage time goals sent Chelsea through to the semi Finals winning 4-2 against Leicester. Marc Cucurella opened the scoring after 13 minutes and Cole Palmer made it 2-0 in fist half stoppage time. Axel Disasi scored an own goal to make it 2-1 after 51 minutes, then Stephy Mavididi made it 2-2 in the 62nd minute. Leicester had Callum Doyle sent off in the 73rd minute. Chelsea made it 3-2 in the second minute of stoppage time Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke made it 4-2 in the 98th minute.

      Manchester United win a thriller at Old Trafford to knock Liverpool out winnjng 4-3 after extra time, Scott McTominay put the home side in the lead inside 10 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister made it 1-1 for Liverpool in the 44th minute then Mo Salah put Liverpool ahead in first half stoppage time. It looked like Liverpool were going through till Antony scored in the 87th minute to take it to extra time. Harvey Elliot put Liverpool back in the lead after 105 minutes, Marcus Rashford made it 3-3 after 112 minutes and it looked like it would be going to penalties until Diallo scored in the 120th minute to send Man United through to the Semi Finals.

      Burnley got a much needed win at home to Brentford winning 2-1, Jacob Braun Larsen scoring from the spot after 10 minutes. Burnley doubled their lead in the 62nd minute David Datro Fofana with the goal. Brentford pulled a goal back through Kristoffer Ajer in the 83rd minute but Burnley held on for the win. Burnley remain in 19th and Brentford remain in 15th.

      Luton and Nottingham Forest shared the points in a 1-1 draw, Chris Wood had out the away side in the lead in the 34th minute and looked to be taking all three points until Luke Berry scored in the 89th minute to deny Forest the win to move them clear of safety. Luton remain 18th and Forest remain in 17th.

      Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho scored two goals as Fulham beat Tottenham 3-0, his first goal coming just before half time in the 42nd minute and his second came in the 61st minute, also on the score sheet was Sasa Lukic. Fulham stay 12th and Tottenham stay 5th.

      West Ham and Aston Villa share the points in a 1-1 draw Michail Antonio scored the opener for West Ham in the 29th minute, Villa found the equaliser through Nicolo Zaniolo in the 79th minute. West Ham stay 7th and Aston Villa stay 4th.


      Nottingham Forest have since been deducted 4 points so are now in 18th Luton in 17th
    • Penelope wrote:

      Manchester United win a thriller at Old Trafford to knock Liverpool out winnjng 4-3 after extra time, Scott McTominay put the home side in the lead inside 10 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister made it 1-1 for Liverpool in the 44th minute then Mo Salah put Liverpool ahead in first half stoppage time. It looked like Liverpool were going through till Antony scored in the 87th minute to take it to extra time. Harvey Elliot put Liverpool back in the lead after 105 minutes, Marcus Rashford made it 3-3 after 112 minutes and it looked like it would be going to penalties until Diallo scored in the 120th minute to send Man United through to the Semi Finals.

      No that didn’t happen. I won’t accept it ;(
    • HannahW wrote:

      Penelope wrote:

      Manchester United win a thriller at Old Trafford to knock Liverpool out winnjng 4-3 after extra time, Scott McTominay put the home side in the lead inside 10 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister made it 1-1 for Liverpool in the 44th minute then Mo Salah put Liverpool ahead in first half stoppage time. It looked like Liverpool were going through till Antony scored in the 87th minute to take it to extra time. Harvey Elliot put Liverpool back in the lead after 105 minutes, Marcus Rashford made it 3-3 after 112 minutes and it looked like it would be going to penalties until Diallo scored in the 120th minute to send Man United through to the Semi Finals.
      No that didn’t happen. I won’t accept it ;(
      lol very salty :D
    • New

      Team of the year so far? Runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in any match this season, in ANY competition. They sit top of the Bundesliga, 10 points ahead of Bayern Munich, having won 22 and drawn 4 of their 26 games. They are in the German Cup semi-finals. And they won six out of six Europa League group games before a 2-2 draw and a 3-2 win over Qarabag in the last 16 to set up a quarter-final tie with West Ham. Pretty good going!