Jacob Whitehead and Holly Percival
February 10, 2022 at 8:15 AM EST
Hello, and welcome to The Athletic’s coverage of today’s breaking news.
Another thrilling evening of Premier League action last night as Leeds drew 3-3 with hosts Aston Villa. Southampton pulled off a late 3-2 win over Tottenham while Norwich drew with Crystal Palace and Manchester City moved 12 points clear after their 2-0 win over Brentford.
Top-flight action continues this evening as Liverpool welcome Leicester City and Arsenal travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Background reading:
Luis Diaz: ‘El Quinto Beatle’ – by those who know him
Rodgers has done an outstanding job at Leicester – the question is where it goes from here
Manchester United are asking Harry Maguire to be something he’s not
(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
February 10, 2022 at 8:15 AM EST
Why the WSL is ripe for a mid-season split
Jacob Whitehead
GO FURTHER
Why the WSL is ripe for a mid-season split
February 10, 2022 at 7:59 AM EST
Rodgers has done an outstanding job at Leicester – the question is where it goes from here
He has had 628 matches as a manager, which, for context, puts him behind Roy Hodgson (1,215), David Moyes (1,019) Jurgen Klopp (940), Pep Guardiola (779), Ralf Rangnick (734) and Marcelo Bielsa (733), but well clear of Eddie Howe (557), Antonio Conte (554), Thomas Tuchel (521) and Ralph Hasenhuttl (500).
In other words, Rodgers is not a young manager anymore.
So what comes next? Oli Kay investigates.
Jacob Whitehead
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Rodgers has done an outstanding job at Leicester – the question is where it goes from here
February 10, 2022 at 7:37 AM EST
Aaron Hickey: The Scottish teenager taking Serie A by storm on pasta, parking and playing for Mihajlovic
I want Aaron Hickey to be my pal.
Meet the 19-year-old fullback fuelled by pasta, starring for Bologna.
Jacob Whitehead
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Aaron Hickey: The Scottish teenager taking Serie A by storm on pasta, parking and playing for Mihajlovic
February 10, 2022 at 7:15 AM EST
NEWS: Harry Winks says Tottenham chances were ‘looking slim’ before Conte arrival
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks has said his chances at the Premier League club were “looking slim” before the arrival of head coach Antonio Conte in November.
Winks, 26, made only one Premier League start under previous manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who left the club after three months in charge.
Since then, the midfielder has made six league starts under Conte, including the last three matches.
Full story here.
(Photo: Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
February 10, 2022 at 7:03 AM EST
BREAKING: Manchester United confirm £20m sponsorship deal with blockchain company Tezos
The Athletic revealed earlier this month that the parties had agreed a deal worth in excess of £20 million per year. The Carrington training ground itself is not included in the agreement.
United’s first-team players and coaching staff will wear the Tezos-branded training kit before this weekend’s Premier League game against Southampton.
It is understood Tezos will also make regular tez donations to the United Foundation.
(Photo: Manchester United)
Jacob Whitehead
February 10, 2022 at 6:48 AM EST
NEWS: Flamengo agree €10.5m deal for Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira
The Athletic understands the deal also includes a 25 per cent sell-on clause for the Premier League club.
Pereira, 26, joined the Brazilian side on a one-year loan last August, with a €20 million option to buy.
Since arriving at Old Trafford in January 2012 from PSV Eindhoven, Pereira has been sent out on loan four times. He has not played competitively for United since the 2019-20 season, in which he made 25 top-flight appearances.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Laurie Whitwell·
Manchester United Correspondent
February 10, 2022 at 6:21 AM EST
Tottenham still have no answer to teams that press them
If Hojbjerg and Winks cannot hold onto the ball under pressure from Southampton, then what will the answer be against Wolves, Manchester City and Leeds United in the next few weeks?
The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke analyses last night’s defeat.
Jacob Whitehead
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Tottenham still have no answer to teams who press them
February 10, 2022 at 6:05 AM EST
NEWS: Antonio questions response to Zouma cat video: ‘Is it worse than racism?’
Asked about the incident by Sky Sports News on Thursday morning, Antonio said: “I’ve got a question for you. Do you think what he’s done is worse than racism?
“I’m not condoning a thing that he’s done. I don’t agree with what he has done at all.
“But there’s people that have been convicted and been caught for racism, and have played football afterwards. They got an eight-game punishment or something like that, but people are now calling for people to be sacked and to lose their livelihood.
“I’ve just got to ask this question to everyone out there: is what he’s (Zouma) done worse than what the people convicted of racism done?”
Zouma has said in a statement: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret. I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video.
“I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy. They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”
Full story here.
Jacob Whitehead
February 10, 2022 at 5:47 AM EST
On this day a year ago: Everton 5-4 Tottenham Hotspur
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton saw off Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham at Goodison Park in an FA Cup classic.
How long ago does that feel?
Jacob Whitehead
February 10, 2022 at 5:14 AM EST
BREAKING: Roy Keane no longer under consideration to be next Sunderland manager
Roy Keane is no longer under consideration to be the next Sunderland manager, The Athletic understands.
After at least two interviews with Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and others at the club in the past week, Keane is thought to have been offered the position on Wednesday. Sources who know Keane were speaking of how his arrival on Wearside would galvanise the club.
But over the course of Wednesday evening it became apparent that this might not be the case. As of this morning, Keane will not be landing back at the club he managed from 2006-08.
Full story here.
Michael Walker·
Football Writer
February 10, 2022 at 4:51 AM EST
NEWS: Tottenham ask fans to ‘move on’ from use of Y-word after review
Tottenham Hotspur have asked their fans to “move on” from the use of the Y-word after a review.
They revealed that of 23,000 responses, 94 per cent acknowledged the term could be used as a racist term towards Jewish people.
The club’s fans have held a decades-long association with the word and its variants.
The word, though not meant to cause offence when used by Tottenham fans, is described by Jewish charity The Community Security Trust (CST) as an “antisemitic insult”.
The Athletic understands the club are set to launch a campaign to try and provide fans with more information about the word and its origins, as well as historical context as to why it is so harmful.
Jacob Whitehead
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Spurs fans and the Y-word: What happens next?
February 10, 2022 at 4:28 AM EST
BREAKING: Maram AlBaharna signs for The Athletic
#WelcomeMaram.
On her debut, she’s assisted the Manchester United writers with a sensational piece of vision.
Harry Maguire the target.
Jacob Whitehead
February 10, 2022 at 3:58 AM EST
NEWS: Tottenham are ‘too emotional’ — Conte after Southampton loss
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte has said that his side are “too emotional” after their 3-2 loss to Southampton on Wednesday evening.
He also highlighted his side’s inconsistency, saying they needed to “not be up and down, up and down, up and down.”
Spurs twice led after an own goal from Jan Bednarek and a 70th minute strike from Son Heung-Min. However, late goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Che Adams saw Southampton snatch the win.
The result is Tottenham’s first home league defeat under Conte.
Full story here.
(Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
February 10, 2022 at 3:48 AM EST
Good morning!
And welcome to today’s live blog! Some Tottenham news coming soon…
Jacob Whitehead
February 9, 2022 at 5:56 PM EST
That’s all for today!
Thank you for tuning into today’s live blog.
Jacob will be back with you in the morning for all the latest football news ahead of more Premier League fixtures.
Goodnight!
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
February 9, 2022 at 5:41 PM EST
How do you replace Dan Ashworth?
Brighton are holding out for substantial compensation to allow Dan Ashworth to cut short his notice period and join Newcastle, The Athletic understands.
There is an expectation that Ashworth, who resigned from his role as director of football at Brighton on Monday, will move to Newcastle. It is understood Brighton and Newcastle are in talks over a compensation package for the switch.
As it stands, the 50-year-old is due to carry out a period of gardening leave while on notice, after completing a handover this week.
But what will Brighton do to replace him? Andy Naylor reports.
Jacob Whitehead
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Life after Ashworth: What Brighton will do next after the ‘triangle of trust’ is broken
February 9, 2022 at 5:34 PM EST
Leicester’s recruitment goldmine is not finding paydirt
It’s been an inconsistent and difficult season for Leicester so far, summarised by their 4-1 FA Cup to Nottingham Forest, after which manager Brendan Rodgers publicly criticised his squad.
The Athletic’s Rob Tanner writes: “Recruitment has been at the very heart of the Leicester City story. The club’s ability to unearth hidden gems, polish them up and make them sparkle on the pitch has been the envy of many of their rivals.
“However, Leicester now face one of the most important summers of recruitment in their recent history and they can’t afford to get it wrong.”
Jacob Whitehead
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Leicester and Rodgers need to rectify recruitment glitches ahead of a crucial summer
February 9, 2022 at 5:23 PM EST
Villa vs Leeds did not disappoint
Well I’m not sure many expected to see a six-goal thriller at Villa Park this evening but that is exactly what we got as Leeds drew 3-3 with Aston Villa.
Steven Gerrard’s side were 2-1 up but Marcelo Bielsa’s team fought hard to level 3-3 at full-time.
Some wonderful goals for both teams and some terrible defending from both parties too!
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
February 9, 2022 at 5:00 PM EST
Manchester United need to calm down
Manchester United have had 52 shots on goal in their last two games. Their opponents have responded with 14.
Ralf Rangnick’s United look panicked.
The Athletic’s Carl Anka has explained why United need to calm down.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Manchester United are panicked and in a rush – they need to calm down
February 9, 2022 at 4:41 PM EST
Elneny back from Egypt duty
Jacob Whitehead