Story highlights Grobbelaar is a former Liverpool goalkeeper He won 13 major trophies in 14 years at Anfield Goalkeeper made 440 appearances for the Reds (CNN)Manchester City won the English Premier League by a record margin last season with Pep Guardiola's team becoming the first side to accumulate 100 points in a season. No team had scored more or won more than City did in their record-breaking 2017-18 campaign. But this season will be different and the title holder will be pushed to the wire by a number of teams, says Liverpool great Bruce Grobbelaar. After seven games City and Liverpool are level at the top of the table with 19 points after an unbeaten start to the season and while Sunday's fixture at Anfield between the two sides is regarded by many as a showdown between the leading title contenders, six-time English league winner Grobbelaar does not believe this season will be a two-horse race. Follow @cnnsport "I've got no doubt, it'll go to the wire. Not only two … [Read more...] about English Premier League title race wide open, says Liverpool great
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English Premier League: As EPL resists VAR, Man City wrongly concedes goal in draw
After failing to convince Premier League rivals of the need for VAR, Manchester City has contributed more evidence why the technology is needed. It came at the cost of dropping two points early in its title defense. The champions fell behind at Wolverhampton on Saturday when Willy Boly used his arm to divert the ball into the net when attempting to meet Joao Moutinho's cross with a header. That was clear from the replays but England is the only major European league that has yet to allow referees to defer to a video assistant referee for a second opinion. With City at least recovering to draw 1-1 — through Aymeric Laporte's header — City manager Pep Guardiola kept his cool. In public, at least. "I don't work for the Premier League," Guardiola replied when asked if VAR would have made a difference. While City backed the introduction of VAR, it requires at least 14 of the 20 clubs to approve any changes in the league. And when it came to a vote in April, the majority of clubs … [Read more...] about English Premier League: As EPL resists VAR, Man City wrongly concedes goal in draw
EPL: Chelsea off to flying start as newcomers struggle
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed away wins in the opening round of the Premier League season while promoted Fulham and Cardiff City were given quick reminders of the tough task they face on their returns to the top flight. Goals from N'Golo Kante, Jorginho (penalty) and Pedro gave Chelsea an impressive 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town on Sunday morning (NZ time) as their new Italian coach Maurizio Sarri watched his team respond well after enduring early pressure from David Wagner's side. Chelsea gave a debut to the world's most expensive goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined from Athletic Bilbao for 72 million pounds (NZ$136million) last week, but the Spaniard had little work to do. Spurs fans' concerns about their club's lack of transfer business may have eased after Jan Vertonghen, and Dele Alli scored as Mauricio Pochettino's team began the campaign with an entertaining 2-1 victory at Newcastle United. All three goals came in … [Read more...] about EPL: Chelsea off to flying start as newcomers struggle
The best and worst EPL loan deals in Scottish football
Remember the days when Scottish clubs could raid the top flight in England for players? Andrei Kanchelskis, Chris Sutton ... Charlie Nicholas. Yeah, it all seems so long ago now. These days the only hope Premiership sides seem to have of signing a player from the over-inflated EPL is on loan - and even then it's their second string players. Rangers are on the verge of doing just that as Steven Gerrard targets Liverpool duo Dominic Solanke and Ovie Ejaria to add an extra dimension to his Ibrox squad. Midfielder Ejaria is expected to complete a loan switch this week while England U21 star Solanke could follow later in the summer. The loan market is always a gamble though. For every Patrick Roberts there seems to be a Charly Musonda and the question of how committed players are on short term deals is a relevant one. Record Sport Online takes a delve into the archives to find the best - and worst - examples of EPL stars heading north on loan. Aberdeen Danny Ward (Liverpool) A lot … [Read more...] about The best and worst EPL loan deals in Scottish football
The promotion & relegation issues in the EPL, EFL and National League
The Premier League, EFL and National League season is heading towards a thrilling climax and on the penultimate weekend of the Football League season, there is so much at stake and plenty that could be decided over the coming days. The Premier league still have a few weeks of action remaining, while in the National League, the regular season draws to a close with plenty of clubs still in the race for a play-off place and the fight for survival reaching a fascinating finale. PREMIER LEAGUE Fixtures: Burnley v Brighton, Crystal Palace v Leicester, Huddersfield v Everton, Liverpool v Stoke (12.30pm), Newcastle v West Bromwich, Southampton v Bournemouth, Swansea v Chelsea (5.30pm). Sunday: Manchester Utd v Arsenal (4.30pm), West Ham v Manchester City (2.15pm). With Manchester City having wrapped up the title and the top four places all but assured, the focus on the top flight is on who stays up. West Bromwich Albion have long looked like a team destined for the drop and their fate … [Read more...] about The promotion & relegation issues in the EPL, EFL and National League