Category: Football

Thursday nights are synonymous with Europa League football. So much so, in fact, that various derogatory chants to that effect have been popularised at Premier League grounds in recent years. It appeared that thanks to Uefa rules, however, Arsenal would buck the trend when they were matched with BATE Borisov in the last 32 of the Europa League. In the aftermath of the Europa…

After three months of group stage action, the teams have been whittled down to 16 and we are ready for knockout football with the Champions League last 16. There is a full Premier League contingent still involved with Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham all making it through their groups. Liverpool and United face the most difficult last 16 ties, drawing Bayern Munich…

Arsenal, Chelsea and Celtic are the remaining three British sides in the Europa League following Rangers‘ elimination from Group G, as the Champions League teams drop down to intensify the competition. Brendan Rodgers' men are seeded as runners up, while the two English teams went through as undefeated group winners. Arsenal face BATE Borisov, Chelsea will play Swedish side Malmo, and Celtic go up…

The EFL Cup has become the competition of rotation for the Premier League’s biggest clubs, and a glance at the list of recent winners shows that the policy has done them little harm. Manchester City are the holders after their 3-0 triumph over Arsenal in last season’s final, while their local rivals Manchester United were victorious the previous year. City were also triumphant in…

Leicester‘s interim head coach Geordan Murphy and England fly-half George Ford admitted to deep-seated problems at the club after this eight straight defeat in all competitions left them on the brink of early elimination from the European Champions Cup. Although Leicester mathematically remain in contention to qualify for next spring's quarter-finals, if they can beat Scarlets and Ulster in the last two rounds in…

Given Manchester City’s persistent wonder with the ball at feet, a bell-and-whistles football team, it is easy to overlook at how damn good they are without the ball. It is a good time of year for Jesus celebrations, and Gabriel’s first league goals in four months took the headlines. Leroy Sane’s redemption also continued apace with two more assists. But if Sane and Jesus…

Jose Mourinho has blamed his players’ lack of physicality and intensity for Manchester United falling so far behind Liverpool. United recorded their worst start to a Premier League season with a defeat to rivals Liverpool which left them in sixth place on 26 points, after 17 games. It was also the first time United have faced as many as 36 shots in a single…

Welcome to the BetBright STATZONE, where we give you the stats and you make the decisions! More Premier League action as we head towards the final weekend before Christmas – it’s week 18! We get going on Friday night as Wolves host Liverpool and with the Reds winning the last two repeat fixtures 0-3 then it might be a tough evening for the home…

The Europa League group stages are drawing to a close, giving teams across the continent the chance to pursue silverware and a place in next season’s Champions League. It is certainly a welcome distraction for sides such as Arsenal and Chelsea who may see a title challenge as too far gone already, or may find contention for Champions League spots too fierce towards the end…

It’s that time of year. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is ready to be handed out once more after 12 months packed full of huge moments. England’s impressive progress at the 2018 World Cup, as well as British triumphs in the Tour de France, Formula 1, and even a high-stakes return to the boxing ring. Adding an extra element of suspense…

Two first-half goals from West Ham put the match to bed as Fulham struggled to finish chances during a frustrating night at Craven Cottage. Managing 16 shots, with only four on target, Fulham had their fair share of chances in the Hammers' half – but too often shots came from range or were inaccurately placed. André Schurrle in particular was a culprit of a…

In Maurizio Sarri‘s short time at Chelsea the Italian coach has already brought revolution upon the West London side. The combative counterattacking football of Antonio Conte, which had been familiar to Chelsea fans for an era which started with Jose Mourinho‘s first spell, is gone. ‘Sarriball' is the new philosophy, and it is already reaping success. The pivot to possession and attacking football brought…

Newcastle could be in danger of losing its reputation as a party city following the decision – for the second year in a row – of Newcastle United players not to hold a Christmas night out. Led by club captain, Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle’s players had been planning a Christmas celebration after tomorrow’s Premier League match at Huddersfield. But last Sunday’s late loss to Wolves…

Leaning over the rope, post pad-session sweat collecting around his temples, Tommy Fury stares straight down the lens. The impression he wants to convey is that of the archetypal fighting man, a boxer to the bone. Good luck with that. The problem is obvious and two-fold. Firstly he is following a famous brother into a sport that already carries the Fury imprint. Not easy.…

So that's it then. Rangers' long, unglamorous, often dour, occasionally thrilling European adventure came to a limp end on Thursday, beaten 1-0 by Rapid Vienna. It seems a half-a-lifetime since that first round qualifier against FK Shkupi, the fourth (fourth!) best side in Macedonian football. And the question for Steven Gerrard to ponder, five months later, is – was it worth it? If nothing…