Created with football culture in mind, the balls’ designs pay homage to the fans. The Ultimax Pro Emirates FA Cup and Ultimax Pro Women’s FA Cup balls throw it back to the 90s with a modern take on the iconic design of the OG Mitre Ultimax, updating its look for today’s player by including detailed geometric patterns inspired by fans’ scarves and flags on matchdays and the football community.
And with the history of this iconic competition in mind, legendary commentator Clive Tyldesley was on hand to share stories of his decades of covering of The FA Cup. From working the hotels, trying to source team news ahead of the all-Merseyside Final in 1986, to the importance of the Crazy Gang’s iconic upset of Liverpool in 1988, to his commentary on Ben Watson’s match winning header against Man City, to bring the cup home to Wigan, in 2013.
Giant killings and special moments are synonymous with the world’s oldest football competition, and this weekend’s draw has thrown up some incredible ties.
When the draw was made, Cray Valley Paper Mills of the eighth tier would have been hoping and praying for Charlton Athletic. The 28,000 seater The Valley, stands only four miles from The Millers’ Badgers Sports Ground, in Eltham. A truly once in a lifetime tie, for fans who are very likely to support both clubs. Kick-off is Sunday, at 5.15pm.
The lowest ranked team hail from Kent; with ninth-tier Sheppey United making their debut in the 1st Round after 130 years of existence, also being rewarded with professional opposition, as they host League Two Walsall on Friday night.
Gateshead fans will be making the longest trip of the round, as they embark on a 700-mile round-trip to face Somerset’s Yeovil Town, on Saturday. Wrexham have their own rich history in The FA Cup. In 1992, having finished bottom of the fourth division the previous year, they faced top-flight champions Arsenal, at the now globally recognised Cae Ras and completed arguably the greatest giant killing of all time, with a 2-1 win. Having reached the last sixteen last season, The Red Dragons kick off their campaign at 7.45pm on Saturday night, at Mansfield. A tie that will receive the highest viewing figures in America, of any 1st Round tie in the competition’s history.
The 1st Round of The FA Cup is one of the purest days of football in the calendar. A treasure chest of stories and clubs to uncover from the long-tail of English football and where the magic of the cup, is alive and well.
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The first round of games in the MLS Cup Playoffs have now all been played, and a number of teams have already emerged as contenders for the big post-season prize.
The first round of the playoffs this year consists of a best-of-three series with a game played at the home of each team, then a third at the home of the highest-seeded team if necessary.
It gives a different feel compared to recent MLS Playoffs, but with each of the game one matchups now played, there is plenty at stake in the upcoming second games.
Our Player Power rankings series continues into the playoffs with a look at some of the standout players and their teams’ performances in the game one, first round matchups.
Columbus Crew brought its possession-based attacking football to the playoffs, and unlike in the regular season, it also brought a sense of defensive solidity. At least in this first game.
The Crew conceded 46 goals in its 34 regular season games but topped the league for goals scored with 67.
Wilfried Nancy’s team had 58% possession in the first half of this game against Atlanta United, a half in which it also limited Atlanta to zero shots.
The team from Ohio nabbed a deserved goal before half-time through star striker Cucho Hernández.
Cucho was arguably the best striker in MLS during the regular season.
This game saw his Columbus side face another player who might be considered in that bracket — Atlanta’s Giorgos Giakoumakis — but the Greek striker barely touched the ball.
Cucho did though, plenty, and opened the scoring with a finish to justify his place as the striker in any MLS best XI.
Having found himself one-on-one with Atlanta defender Ronald Hernández, a burst of speed took him into space, and a powerful left-footed shot high to the near post was more than enough to beat Brad Guzan.
Cucho then stepped up to take the penalty when Ronald Hernández fouled Alexandru Matan, and made no mistake for the spot to make it 2-0.
These were very encouraging signs for Columbus, while Atlanta themselves will be encouraged by the return from suspension of Thiago Almada for the second game in Georgia.
Denis Bouanga 9.2 (Los Angeles FC)
Denis Bouanga had scored six goals in the final three games to end the regular season and has picked up where he left off in this 5-2 win against Vancouver Whitecaps.
It is a potentially tricky tie for last season’s champions against Canada’s standout team in 2023, but one they eventually navigated with relative ease in this first game.
Bouanga zoomed in from the left wing to score his first, bursting into a goal-scoring position and finding the far corner.
Vancouver brought the game back to 2-2 at halftime, but goals from the impressive Ryan Hollingshead, who also bagged a brace, and another from Bouanga, fired in low from outside the area at a set piece routine, put LAFC back in control.
A goal from Jesús Murillo with ten minutes to go sealed the win, meaning LAFC are through if they win in Vancouver on Sunday, where there will likely be a record crowd at BC Place.
Álvaro Barreal 9.0 (FC Cincinnati)
The Supporters’ Shield winner kicked off its playoff campaign with an impressive 3-0 win against the midweek wildcard winners New York Red Bulls.
In Lucho Acosta, Cincinnati boasts the player likely to be named the MLS MVP, but it was another Argentine who took the headlines in this game.
From his position as a left wing-back, Barreal has been able to get forward regularly in this Cincinnati side.
This has mostly been for creative purposes, but he occasionally finds himself in central, scoring positions, as was the case in this playoff opener against the Red Bulls.
He latched onto a great ball from Júnior Moreno to open the scoring, finishing low into the far corner from the left, and then produced something similar for his second, taking a great first touch from Acosta’s cross before volleying home with his second touch.
A left-back finishing like a seasoned striker, and if we are talking about MLS best XIs, Barreal would be in at left-back.
Cincinnati won 3-0, and there are no prizes for guessing who scored the other goal.
Acosta lofted a shot into the middle of the goal from just inside the opposition half after Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel had failed to sweep up outside his area.
Business as usual for Barreal, Acosta, and the best team in MLS.
Dániel Sallói 8.5 (Sporting Kasas City)
It was an all-round team display from Sporting KC in its 4-1 win against expansion side and Western Conference regular season leader St. Louis in this series opener.
Outstanding goals from Logan Ndenbe, Rémi Walter, and Gadi Kinda put Sporting KC well on their way.
Then Sallói stole in at the back post, getting on the end of Alan Pulido’s near-post flick-on from a corner to make it four.
Any of these names could have been picked as the standout player, but Salloi gave hints that he is returning to the kind of form that saw him score 16 goals in MLS in 2021.
The Hungarian managed five shots on the night and could have had more than one goal, finishing the game with an impressive xG-on-target score of 1.79.
Héctor Herrera 8.4 (Houston Dynamo)
One of the more closely contested of these early playoffs matchups ended in a 2-1 win for Houston Dynamo against Real Salt Lake.
It was a game in which Houston’s designated player Héctor Herrera once again showed his leadership and quality.
Herrera completed 121 of 129 attempted passes and had a total of 156 touches in the game, demonstrating that pretty much everything this Houston team does goes through its Mexican talisman.
He opened the scoring, too, with a cool finish from the edge of the area, steering the ball into the bottom corner from Adalberto Carrasquilla’s knockdown.
Brazilian midfielder Artur, as well as Herrera, is part of the platform for anything this team does well.
Add Carasquilla to the mix and they have what is potentially one of the best midfields in MLS on its day.
It’s one that has already helped them triumph in one knockout competition this season as the club claimed the US Open Cup, defeating Inter Miami in the final.
That cup competition experience will convince these players they can do the same in the MLS Cup, and they’ve gotten off to a good start.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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While Liverpool’s failure to sign long-term midfield target Jude Bellingham was widely criticised, what has happened since has shown it was the right decision.
In another timeline, there would have been a collective sigh on Merseyside when Jude Bellingham’s second goal of the afternoon rippled the net to earn Real Madrid a late 2-1 victory in El Clásico.
After all, the midfielder had been the club’s priority target ahead of a necessary rebuild of Jürgen Klopp’s engine room, following a campaign in which its tired legs were repeatedly exposed as Liverpool finished outside of the top four.
In 13 games for Real, Bellingham has now scored 13 goals and laid on three assists. Across Europe’s top five leagues – the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Eredivisie – only four players have contributed more goals in all competitions.
The Englishman, who only turned 20 at the end of June, has also netted once and assisted three times in three appearances for his country this season, bringing his tally to 14 goals and six assists in 16 games for Real and England.
While Lionel Messi collected the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his career at the end of October, there is a strong argument to make that it is Bellingham who currently stands as the most in-form player on the planet. He instead followed Kylian Mbappé, Matthijs de Ligt, Pedri and Gavi in winning the Kopa Trophy, for the best player under the age of 21 throughout 2023.
All involved at Anfield appeared convinced that Bellingham was the missing piece, a transformational player that would bring new life to Klopp’s side, with it widely painted as ‘Jude or nothing’ in the evolution of Liverpool 2.0.
But when the numbers stopped making sense, Liverpool pulled the plug. There would be no ongoing pursuit of Bellingham and Real were almost given a free run at the player, adding him to an envious midfield group also including another former Reds target, Aurélien Tchouaméni.
The fee paid to Borussia Dortmund was not outlandish at an initial £88.5 million rising to £115 million, but it would have represented Liverpool’s most expensive signing in history.
As showed by their £111 million bid for Moises Caicedo later in the window, the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, are not averse to breaking their spending records for the right player – but Bellingham’s cost, and for that matter that of Caicedo, would have been much more than the transfer fee.
It has been suggested that the former Birmingham City midfielder will earn around £500,000 a week in his first season at the Bernabeu, factoring in various bonuses, which would comfortably exceed the record salary in Klopp’s squad, with Mohamed Salah’s contract including a £350,000 weekly wage.
While Real may be built to take risks and absorb such outlays, the knock-on effect for Liverpool in signing a 20-year-old to those figures would have been unsustainable.
The decision was instead taken to spread the funds across multiple midfielders. Alexis Mac Allister (£35m), Dominik Szoboszlai (£60m), Wataru Endo (£16m) and Ryan Gravenberch (£38.5m) were brought in for a combined £149.5 million. That is only £34.5 million less than Real have committed to paying for Bellingham, before considering the ridiculous fees received from Saudi clubs for Fabinho (£40m) and Jordan Henderson (£12m).
Unexpectedly losing Fabinho and Henderson forced the club’s hand when it came to a £16 million deal with Stuttgart for Endo – a specialist No. 6 who, at 30, did not fit the profile of a typical FSG signing – but in pulling a U-turn on Bellingham, the plan was always to instead secure multiple midfielders who can fill various roles in the squad.
In Mac Allister, 24, Szoboszlai, 23, and Gravenberch, 21, they have just that, with the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, played at the same time as El Clásico, seeing the trio start together in a second successive Premier League game, in a glimpse of the future of Klopp’s midfield.
So far, Mac Allister has operated as No. 6, Gravenberch the left-sided No. 8 and Szoboszlai predominantly on the right of the three, but as with another rising star in Curtis Jones, 22, they are equally capable of slotting in elsewhere. In Gravenberch and, in particular, Szoboszlai, Liverpool look to have acquired two players very much in the all-action Bellingham mould for less than it would have taken to sign him on his own.
The Hungarian was, for all intents and purposes, the Bellingham alternative, and his immediate impact on the Reds’ fortunes has erased any concerns over failing to bring in a player whose No. 22 shirt was retired upon his departed from Birmingham. No outfielder has clocked more minutes on the pitch for Liverpool this season than Szoboszlai (965), while no player has created more chances for Klopp’s side in the Premier League (25).
Wearing the No. 8 on his back, Szoboszlai is everywhere. It is the role Bellingham would almost certainly have been earmarked for if he had made the move to Merseyside – though it should be noted that it is not the one that has seen him score and assist freely at Real, where he is typically used as an attacking No. 10 or even up front.
Given Liverpool’s history of injuries – and, this season, a propensity for red cards, questionable or otherwise – the decision to pivot from one blockbuster signing to four is undoubtedly a wise one. To do so for a similar outlay, for the quality and elite potential they have managed to sign, is all the more remarkable.
Unlike Caicedo, Roméo Lavia and Mason Mount, who were leading targets for Liverpool only to move elsewhere and, so far, struggle, the failure to sign Bellingham cannot be seen as an unlikely stroke of fortune. There is no way to look at missing out on a best-in-the-world candidate as a disappointment.
But the events that unfolded after the decision to pull out of any pursuit have turned Liverpool’s overriding flaw into their biggest strength, while future-proofing a squad that could tempt Klopp to stay beyond the expiry of his contract in 2026.
(Images from IMAGO)
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Manchester City dominate the Premier League Team of the Week for matchday 10 with three of their players making the XI after an impressive showing in the Manchester derby. But who joins the trio?
There were no real standout showings by a goalkeeper this weekend but the Manchester City shot-stopper did enough in the derby to edge his way into the team.
The 30-year-old kept a clean sheet and made three saves as the reigning champions eased to all three points at Old Trafford. Ederson also completed 79% of his passes, proving himself to be a key part of the City build-up once again.
Right-Back: Max Aarons
Aarons is known for his attacking contributions but it was his defensive performance that really caught the eye in Bournemouth’s 2-1 win over Burnley, their first of the season.
The former Norwich City full-back recovered the ball on eight occasions, won nine of his 10 ground duels and had a 100% success rate in the air.
He also completed both of his dribbles and was fouled four times. Aarons was a stress reliever for the Cherries, buying time and space throughout the match.
Centre-Back: Kyle Walker
Walker player as a right-sided centre-back as part of a defensive three for Manchester City against Manchester United.
The 33-year-old won the most tackles of anyone in the match (three) and was the most accurate passer of anyone to feature in a minimum of 45 minutes, finding a teammate with 95% of his attempts.
He also created two chances, completed both of his dribbles and was successful in 80% of his duels on his way to the 8.3 FotMob rating.
Centre-Back: Ethan Pinnock
The Brentford centre-back put in a monstrous performance as the Bees claimed a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Pinnock scored the opener. Even without the goal though, the 30-year-old would’ve been worthy of a place in the Team of the Week.
He completed 85% of his passes against an aggressive Blues side. He also won all of his tackles, won three of his five ground duels and five of his six aerial duels.
It was a solid outing and he was key to the clean sheet.
Left-Back: Marcus Tavernier
The Bournemouth left wing-back joins teammate Aarons in the Team of the Week after an eye-catching showing against Burnley.
Tavernier was the FotMob Player of the Match with his 8.2 rating. The 24-year-old had three shots, completed all of his dribbles and was busy defensively. He won the most duels (12) of anyone in the match and was involved in eight tackles, winning three.
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai
The Liverpool No.8 put on a creative clinic at Anfield as the Reds romped to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Szoboszlai created four chances – the most of any player in the match – and claimed two assists – the first of his Premier League career.
The former RB Leipzig man completed 75% of his dribbles and recovered the ball 13 times to really emphasise just how much of a complete performance this way on Sunday afternoon.
Midfield: Mario Lemina
The Wolves midfielder took complete control of the middle third at Molineux as Gary O’Neil’s side extended their positive run of form with a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
Lemina equalised for the hosts in the first half and, in truth, it was a moment his performance deserved.
He completed 98% of his passes, created one chance, completed 100% of his dribbles and won seven of his 10 duels. Lemina was up against one of the best midfielders in the Premier League in Bruno Guimaraes and it would’ve been easy to be overshadowed, but he caught the eye.
Midfield: João Palhinha
With the performance Palhinha put in against Brighton, it is easy to understand exactly why Bayern Munich wanted to spend big money to bring him to the Bundesliga during the summer transfer window.
The former Sporting midfielder made the most tackles (four), won the most fouls (four), and dominated duels, coming out on top in 16 of them.
He also netted the equaliser as Fulham held the Seagulls to a draw.
Striker: Callum Wilson
The Newcastle United No.9 is making the most of his opportunity in Eddie Howe’s starting XI.
Wilson scored twice to take his tally to seven for the season.
He was barely involved and had the least touches (22) of any player to appear in 90 minutes but he was involved when it mattered most. He attempted four shots and two dribbles on his way to claiming an 8.6 FotMob rating.
Striker: Erling Haaland
Man City’s main man bossed the derby. Haaland scored twice and assisted the Phil Foden goal in what was a ruthless final third display.
He worked André Onana with all four of his efforts and finished with an Expected Goals haul of 2.04.
Haaland had the fewest number of touches of any outfield player to play in 90 minutes but made every touch count. It is a common occurrence with the profile centre-forward. He’s now on 11 goals for the season, three clear of his closest rivals – Mohamed Salah and Heung-Min Son.
Striker: Eddie Nketiah
The Arsenal forward claimed a 9.6 FotMob rating after netting a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Sheffield United.
Nketiah showcased his poaching ability with his first two efforts before rifling in an effort from 20 yards to complete the treble and guarantee the match-ball was heading home with him.
Outside of the goals, he was barely involved but that was the point of his inclusion in the starting XI. He was allowed to influence things in the final third and he did just that.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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There’s never a boring weekend in the Premier League and Matchday 10 delivered. The weekend review unpacks the action and focuses on the biggest talking points.
The table toppers weren’t able to claim another clean sheet but they did manage to pick up all three points away at Selhurst Park.
It wasn’t a classic on Friday evening but Spurs did enough to eke out a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. The win ensured they would hold onto top spot for at least another weekend.
After a goalless first half, Joel Ward turned the ball past his own goalkeeper before Heung-Min Son doubled the lead for Tottenham with his eighth of the season. Only Erling Haaland boasts a higher return so far this campaign.
Jordan Ayew added a consolation for the Eagles in added time. In truth, it was a deserved result for Spurs. They dominated the ball, finishing the game with 76% possession, while also creating the better chances.
A sting in the tail for Chelsea
Heading into the game against Brentford, Chelsea appeared to have turned a corner. They were finally picking up results under new manager Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues certainly caught the eye in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend.
The pressure was on the hosts and it is safe to say they didn’t deal with it.
Chelsea went toe-to-toe with Thomas Frank’s side, posting an almost identical Expected Goals total (2.03 to 2.16) but while the away side showcased their resilience, the Blues once again looked brittle in the 2-0 loss.
Brentford only had seven shots on Saturday afternoon but five of those were big chances. Ethan Pinnock opened the scoring in the second half and Bryan Mbeumo finished things off in added time, tapping the ball into an empty net after goalkeeper Robert Sánchez had pushed forward for a corner.
The result saw the Bees leapfrog Chelsea into 10th spot in the Premier League.
The Gunners flex their attacking muscles
With Arsenal hosting Sheffield United, manager Mikel Arteta took the opportunity to go full throttle with his team selection.
The Spanish tactician named a midfield three of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Emile Smith Rowe. In attack, the Gunners went with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.
It worked out well, with the hosts romping to a 5-0 win over the Blades. Nketiah bagged a hat-trick in what was a clinical display. The Gunners created five big chances and finished with an Expected Goals haul of 2.77. It was something of a statement performance after their struggles to create against Chelsea last weekend.
Arsenal are still one of only two unbeaten teams in the Premier League this year.
The Cherries triumph
Bournemouth finally got their first win of the season. They had to work for it too having fallen behind to Burnley after just 11 minutes.
Antoine Semenyo levelled things after 22 minutes with his only shot on target of the match. Philip Billing scored what turned out to be the winner in the 76th minute with his first of the season. It was a remarkable finish from 45 yards out as he hit a driven effort over James Trafford. The Burnley keeper got a hand to it but wasn’t able to palm it to safety.
The win lifts Bournemouth out of the relegation zone by a single point. The defeat means Vincent Kompany’s side are in 19th position, just three points off the bottom.
Manchester remains Blue
Old Trafford played host to the first Manchester derby of the season but it was the visitors who claimed bragging rights with a 3-0 win.
Manchester City were awarded a contentious penalty in the first half after Rasmus Højlund was adjudged to have impeded Rodri. Erling Haaland slotted past André Onana. The powerhouse forward doubled his tally not long after the break, nodding the ball past the United keeper. He then played his part in the third as he teed up Phil Foden.
On another day, it could’ve been an even more emphatic win for Pep Guardiola’s men. They look a completely different team with Rodri in the XI and created seven big chances at Old Trafford on their way to an Expected Goals haul of 3.94.
(Images from IMAGO)
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There’s never a dull round of matches in the Premier League. There is a blockbuster final fixtures to finish off Matchday 10 but there are also a number of fascinating match-ups this weekend to keep an eye on.
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Crystal Palace for Friday night’s match knowing a win can take them five points clear at the summit. Ange Postecoglou’s men have taken 23 points from a possible 27 this term and their new-look side has clicked following the departure of Harry Kane.
James Maddison has three goals and five assists while only Erling Haaland (nine) can better Heung-Min Son’s return of seven goals in the Premier League this term. A win against Roy Hodgson’s side wouldn’t exactly be a statement victory given their struggles but it would point towards Spurs being able to handle the pressure at the top of the table, at least for now.
Palace find themselves in 11th position in the English top-flight and have won just three games. Their issues come from their inability to put the ball into the back of the net. They have scored just seven goals across their nine outings this season. Remarkably, only six teams have allowed fewer goals (11). Defensively, they are resilient, but offensively, they are blunt.
A win might be a big ask for the Eagles here but they certainly have a defensive unit capable of limiting a rampant Spurs side.
Can Chelsea prolong their impressive form?
The Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea started off slowly. However, the Blues are now unbeaten in four across all competitions and held title hopefuls Arsenal to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
They make the trip to Brentford on Saturday afternoon for the lunchtime kick-off and will fancy their chances of making it five unbeaten. The Bees have lacked a sting recently. They may be 14th in the table and just two points behind the team they host this weekend but Thomas Frank’s side have been struggling.
Their win over Burnley on matchday nine was their first three points since August. It was also the first time they had scored two or more goals in a game since the first week of September.
In scoring against Vincent Kompany’s side, Yoana Wissa ended his goal drought. The centre-forward tasked with filling in for the suspended Ivan Toney started the season well with two in two but then went eight games without finding the back of the net. He needs to use that goal as a catalyst for more and the Bees need to make the most of their home form if they are to avoid a relegation battle.
Into the Wolves den
Wolves find themselves on a three-match unbeaten run the Premier League. Gary O’Neil’s side have beaten Manchester City and Bournemouth in October while also managing to take a point off of an in-form Aston Villa side.
This run has seen them climb up to 12th in the table. They welcome Newcastle United to Molineux on Saturday afternoon. The Magpies are the top scorers (24) in the Premier League and they are unbeaten in the English top-flight since the 3-1 loss to Brighton in early September.
On paper, Newcastle should come away with all three points but Wolves have shown they’re capable of a surprise result and this could be the perfect storm for them.
Eddie Howe’s side lost at home to Borussia Dortmund during their mid-week Champions League game and will now be without the suspended Sandro Tonali until next August. The Magpies are also set to be without Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes for the trip.
A sticky situation for the Toffees
Everton had momentum on their side heading into the Merseyside derby. They had finally started converting their chances and were climbing up the table after wins over Brentford and Bournemouth.
The loss to Liverpool halted all of that. The Toffees failed to really trouble the Reds, conceded two goals and lost Ashley Young to a red card. Sean Dyche is now without his experienced full-back for the trip to West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
The Hammers aren’t in the greatest form either. Their last Premier League win arrived in September, they were dismantled by Aston Villa last weekend in a 4-1 loss and their impressive European record came to an end this week when they lost 2-1 to Olympiacos.
Only five teams have conceded more goals than David Moyes’ men (16) in the Premier League this season and they are going to have to tighten things up to take anything from this match.
The Manchester derby
Over recent years, City have been firm favourites heading into the Manchester derby and it has been a case of how many they are going to win by. Many still expect them to take all three points home following their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, but it might not be as straightforward as some people believe.
The reigning champions have been in patchy form over recent weeks, winning just three of their last five outings in the Premier League. They have relinquished their grip on top-spot and could be five points off the pace come kick-off. Pep Guardiola’s men do have the best defensive record in the top-flight having conceded just seven goals but, surprisingly, five teams have scored more goals than them. They aren’t as rampant as they usually are.
United head into this game having won their last three matches by the odd goal. Unlikely heroes are emerging with Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay proving to be match-winners. Another one could well emerge this weekend if they score in a derby.
Erik Ten Hag’s side are finding goals hard to come by having scored just 11 across their nine Premier League outings. Interestingly, both teams are yet to draw a Premier League match this term. Could this be the first?
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The midfielder they had tracked for years appeared set to commit to an ongoing project at Bayern Munich, while the Reds pursued alternative targets such as Fluminense’s Andre and Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure.
But for Gravenberch, who had only swapped Amsterdam for Munich a year previous, something changed in the final days of the summer transfer window; apparent he was not valued by Thomas Tuchel, a deal was brokered to ensure his exit.
Liverpool were beneficiaries of a bizarre inability to maximise the talent of a player who they themselves considered on par with spurned targets Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni as a ‘game-changer’.
Scouts had followed Gravenberch’s progress from his time in the youth ranks at Ajax, alongside a defender who briefly stopped on Merseyside, Ki-Jana Hoever.
Those within the club would have been baffled by the failure to hone in on Gravenberch’s abilities at Bayern, though Jurgen Klopp acknowledged Tuchel’s words upon the transfer being agreed that “the position he is best at, they don’t really have in their system.”
“We have that – that’s good,” was Klopp’s smiling conclusion.
Despite Gravenberch’s profile, as a player with 103 appearances for Ajax and 34 for Bayern to his name, along with 11 caps for the Netherlands national team, he arrived, just 21 years old, still something of an unknown quantity to many.
There were comparisons to Paul Pogba, while he was suggested as a belated heir to Gini Wijnaldum at Anfield, with the player describing himself as “a box-to-box player.”
Judgment was reserved, however, until Gravenberch made it onto the pitch – a matter which was delayed by his arrival on deadline day and the subsequent international break, for which he turned down a Netherlands U21s call-up to focus on settling at his new club.
That rejection left both senior manager Ronald Koeman and U21s coach Michael Reiziger furious, but it was clearly not a case of unprofessionalism from the midfielder, more a sensible decision after a wasted year in Germany.
Fast-forward almost two months, and Gravenberch has already started four times for Liverpool, only two fewer than he managed in 34 games for Bayern; at Bayern, he clocked 946 minutes on the pitch, while he has played 347 already in eight outings for the Reds. With a goal and two assists for his new club, he has already exceeded his tally of a goal and an assist at Bayern.
There has barely been a minute of those 347 wherein which Gravenberch hasn’t worn a beaming smile on his face.
The relief in departing Munich is palpable, his time at Bayern considered an anomaly in an otherwise burgeoning young career; his move to Liverpool one he now surely regrets having rejected back in 2022.
Those feelings are shared by those in the stands, on the pitch and in the dugout, too. Though he remains part of a core of rotating midfielders, rather than a guaranteed starter at this stage, Gravenberch has already become a popular figure at the club.
In the No. 38 shirt last worn by Jon Flanagan, the Dutchman has shown purpose with almost every touch. The ball sticks to his boots, and his use of it has already given Liverpool a number of openings they perhaps would not have enjoyed with predecessors such as Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. His approach is that of a facilitator, combining with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz as part of Klopp’s ‘Liverpool 2.0’ project.
But while his quality on the ball was well known prior to his £38.5 million transfer, it is this application off it that has perhaps most convinced Klopp and his staff.
“The package is really interesting. He is good in small spaces, so he can accelerate with the ball, he can retrieve the ball. He is a good passer, good shooter,” the manager explained, a fortnight after Gravenberch’s arrival. “Everybody would have said that defensively he can make the next step 100 percent, but I see that he wants that, he got that 100 percent.”
That commitment to the pressing game Klopp’s side feeds off is already evident. The sample size may be small, but no Liverpool player has averaged more interceptions per 90 than Gravenberch (3.4), while only Harvey Elliott (2.8) has won possession more on average in the final third (2.1).
His progress in this regard made it a no brainer to hand Gravenberch his first Premier League start in the Merseyside derby, standing in for the suspended Curtis Jones. The 21-year-old joined Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in the engine room and was influential throughout his 62-minute showing.
Despite being brought off as part of a tactical tweak, no Liverpool player made more interceptions (three), only centre-backs Virgil van Dijk (10) and Ibrahima Konate (nine) made more recoveries (seven), only Alisson and substitute Elliott (both 100%) posted a higher passing accuracy (97%) and only Klopp’s four attackers – Diogo Jota (14), Mo Salah (eight), Diaz (five) and Darwin Nunez (five) – had more touches in the Everton box (four).
It paints the picture of a player who has taken Klopp’s advice to heart.
“He came to me and said to me, ‘feel free’, you know, ‘you can do whatever you want’,” Gravenberch revealed, after an assist on his first start for the club against LASK. “Of course you have to do your things [for the team], but he just said ‘feel free and show yourself and the Ryan you are’.”
That freedom is exactly what Gravenberch needed: a player bafflingly restricted at Bayern has now been liberated in Liverpool. Now it is a case of what’s to come, not where to go.
(Images from IMAGO)
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All eyes are now on the playoffs as Major League Soccer’s regular season came to an end this weekend and the postseason fate of several clubs was decided on Decision Day.
There were spots in this week’s wildcard round up for grabs as clubs get one last chance to extend their seasons and make a push for the MLS Cup.
A best-of-three first round follows next weekend before the playoffs go to a single-game knockout format for the conference semifinals, conference finals, and then the MLS Cup final itself.
As teams looked to join the postseason party, there were some important individual performances on the final matchday of the season, starting with a captain’s knock in Kansas.
Sporting KC secured a place in the wildcard round of the post-season thanks to a 3-1 win against Minnesota United.
This ended up being a winner-take-all matchup. Whoever got the three points would qualify.
Russell, the Sporting KC captain, netted a brace to make sure it was his team whose season continues at least into the next week.
His first was an excellent strike cutting in from the right onto his left foot and firing into the far corner.
The second was an example of never giving up. Having just been felled in the box for what looked like a decent penalty shout, he got back up, ended up winning the ball in the Minnesota area, and finished under goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
The Scot was in inspired form to send his side into the postseason.
Griffin Dorsey 9.1 (Houston Dynamo)
Two goals in a 3-1 win at Portland Timbers means Houston’s attacking right-back, Dorsey, now has five goal contributions in his last five starts.
One of those was the opener in the Dynamo’s memorable US Open Cup win against Inter Miami last month, and he’s continued his good form with an assist and two goals in the last two MLS games.
The goals against Portland marked his first-ever brace. The first was from a header off a Héctor Herrera corner, and the second was almost a replica of his Open Cup final goal, powering a shot in from an angle after making an overlapping run down the right.
The win gave Houston home advantage in the upcoming playoffs, where it will face Real Salt Lake in the round one, best-of-three series.
Gustavo Bou 9.1 (New England Revolution)
For a while in 2023, it looked like New England might challenge FC Cincinnati at the top of the table, or at least finish a comfortable second.
But a run of poor results towards the end of the campaign saw the Revolution drop down the table to 5th, so won’t even have home advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The team ended the season on a high, though, and with promise, defeating upcoming playoff opponent Philadelphia Union thanks to two goals from Gustavo Bou.
As well as Bou, and despite being overshadowed by a few others this season, New England’s Carles Gil remains one of the best players in the league and is able to turn a game on his own.
Gil finished the season with the highest average FotMob rating in the league. If he and Bou can reach top form together, then New England will be a threat in the playoffs.
Bernard Kamungo 8.9 (FC Dallas)
The 21-year-old is the most prolific goalscorer in MLS in terms of goals scored per 90 minutes (1.08) in 2023.
He’s only played around 500 minutes this season, but FC Dallas will certainly be looking to give him more minutes from now on such is his goalscoring record.
Kamungo’s native Tanzania and his adopted country the United States both want him to represent them at international level, and this latest brace will make each nation even more determined to get their man.
He was cool in front of goal for his first of the night as Dallas defeated an LA Galaxy side who had nothing left to play for this season.
Kamungo’s second goal was a case of making a determined run at the right time, being on hand to head in Jesus Ferreira’s cross.
The win meant Dallas goes straight to round one, rather than having to go through a wildcard round, where it will face Seattle Sounders in a best-of-three.
Giorgos Giakoumakis 8.8 (Atlanta United)
Atlanta’s Greek striker has been one of the best new signings in the league this season and continued his goalscoring feats in a 2-2 draw against Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati.
Two goals on this final weekend of games weren’t enough for Giakoumakis to claim the Gold Boot award, which went to Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC, but it was still an impressive debut season for the striker who netted 17 goals.
He has one of the best goals per 90 records in the league for players who have played a considerable number of minutes.
His brace this weekend showed all the instincts and clever movement that have seen him be such a success on arriving in the league, and might give Atlanta a chance of success in the playoffs where it faces Columbus Crew.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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It was a weekend filled with comebacks in the Premier League. It was also a goal filled weekend, with 26 goals being scored across the eight matches on Saturday. Here’s a look at the talking points.
The Merseyside derby kicked off matchday nine with Liverpool welcoming Everton to Anfield.
The hosts ran out 2-0 winners in what was a drama-filled afternoon. Ashley Young was sent off in the first half after picking up two yellow cards for fouls on Luis Diaz.
Liverpool had multiple penalty shouts turned away before VAR intervened and had referee Craig Pawson review a Michael Keane handball. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot and added a second in added time. Ibrahima Konate was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow at 0-0, much to the dismay of Sean Dyche.
Everton offered very little and it is understandable having played over half a game with 10 men. Liverpool had 78% possession and 26 shots to the away side’s six. However, the Reds had an open-play Expected Goals total of just 1.1. It was an important three points for the Reds but manager Jurgen Klopp will no doubt expect his attack to be sharper in their next outing.
Back to winning ways for the champions
Rodri returned from suspension and City returned to winning ways. It isn’t a coincidence.
Erling Haaland was back on the scoresheet and Julian Alvarez added to his tally for the campaign as Pep Guardiola’s side claimed a 2-1 win over Brighton. The victory saw them return to the top of the table, for now at least with Spurs set to play on Monday evening.
Surprisingly, Brighton actually finished with a higher xG (0.83 to 0.75) and the away side created three big chances to City’s one.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side had 55% possession in the second half and a late Ansu Fati goal gave the Seagulls a glimmer of hope. In truth, they probably deserved a point based on their showing.
Wood fires Forest
Nottingham Forest went 2-0 up against Luton Town with Chris Wood netting a brace. The former Newcastle United forward appeared to have killed the game off in the 76th minute but two goals in the final 10 minutes salvaged a shock point for Luton.
Versatile winger Chiedozie Ogbene halved the deficit before Elijah Adebayo, who started the game on the bench, scored the equaliser in added time. The point means Rob Edwards’ team are outside of the relegation zone.
The hosts will feel aggrieved not to have picked up all three points having created more big chances. They also created chances with an Expected Goals value of 2.97. Thomas Kaminski kept the away side in the game with six saves at the City Ground.
A Stamford Bridge shock for Arsenal
Another comeback.
Chelsea took a shock 2-0 lead against an unbeaten Arsenal side. Cole Palmer converted from the penalty spot after a William Saliba handball. Mykhalio Mudryk then lobbed David Raya with a cross-cum-shot as the loanee Brentford shot-stopper struggled at Stamford Bridge. Maybe we’ll see Aaron Ramsdale return to the starting XI in the near future.
He wasn’t the only goalkeeper to have problems though. With the Blues looking to just see out the game, Robert Sanchez carelessly passed the ball to Declan Rice and the one-time Chelsea academy player calmly floated the ball into an empty net with 13 minutes remaining. Leandro Trossard came off the bench to poke an equaliser beyond Sanchez with just six minutes remaining.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side handled Arsenal really well and limited them to just one big chance and an Expected Goals total of 0.99. The Gunners dominated the ball but the Blues controlled the space. It was a tactical battle that showed exactly why Chelsea appointed the former Spurs manager this summer.
Another win for the Red Devils
Manchester United claimed three points against bottom of the table Sheffield United on Saturday night. But, once again, it was an underwhelming showing from Erik Ten Hag’s team.
The away side eked out a 2-1 win with Diogo Dalot scoring what turned out to be the winner in the 77th minute.
Scott McTominay had given Ten Hag’s side the lead in the first half only got Oli McBurnie to cancel it out six minutes later when he scored from the penalty spot.
Man United dominated the second half, seeing 69% of the ball, but they struggled to create anything of any real note.
United are getting points on the board but they’re going to want to see their performances improve sooner rather than later.
(Images from IMAGO)
You can follow every match from the 2023/24 Premier League season live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
