The Premier League feels within touching distance. Following the 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday evening, Daniel Farke’s side find themselves seven points clear of third-placed Sheffield United with just seven games left to play.Victory at the Riverside, the club’s seventh in a row, came courtesy of a low Onel Hernandez strike early in the second half and was celebrated in a way that underlined its significance.In truth, the three points owed a lot to City’s defensive resolve, repelling the kind of aerial bombardment the footballing world has come to expect from a Tony Pulis side.At the heart of that effort was City’s number six, Christoph Zimmermann, whose goal-saving clearance in the closing stages was nothing short of a match-winning contribution.I’ve been full of praise for the German in recent months and the imposing centre-half continues to excel with the captain’s armband strapped proudly to his left bicep.Barring injury, the … [Read more...] about Norwich City column: Premier League getting closer
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Local referees should go on strike, Premier League officials should be demoted
0 Have your say I’m not sure those in local football at league or county level have any real will to stamp out the intolerable treatment of officials. Last weekend a 17 year-old referee reportedly abandoned a Peterborough League Division Five B match (the lower the standard, the worse the knowledge of the laws is a reliable guide to officials) because of the amount of abuse she was receiving from the players. It was a game between below average players and there was nothing on the match for either team. Well done the ref for taking the appropriate action, but no doubt those responsible will again be punished in secret and no doubt there will be another game abandoned for similar reasons very soon because the punishments are obviously no deterrent.Local referees should just withdraw their ser vices until firmer action is seen to be taken.I have much less sympathy for officials in the professional game. They are supposed to be the best of the best. They … [Read more...] about Local referees should go on strike, Premier League officials should be demoted
Sheffield United: Defender makes a surprising admission as Chris Wilder’s side chase automatic promotion to the Premier League
0 Have your say Full-time footballer, part-time genealogist and occasional researcher of FIFA's eligibility rules, George Baldock has found a novel new way of ensuring he is not totally consumed by the challenge of trying to reach the Premier League. "Apparently I qualify for Greece," the Sheffield United defender reveals following a routine question about his life away from Bramall Lane. "One of my grandparents was from there and that seems to be good enough. The only trouble is, looking through their squad, they've got lads from Arsenal and Olympiacos. Oh, and I don't speak the language." Tracing his ancestry and examining Angelos Anastasiadis' options has proven a welcome distraction for Baldock in recent weeks. On the cusp of the top two ahead of Saturday's visit to Preston North End, manager Chris Wilder wants United's players to remain focused. But, recognising the dangers of becoming completely obsessed, the manager and his staff are also aware … [Read more...] about Sheffield United: Defender makes a surprising admission as Chris Wilder’s side chase automatic promotion to the Premier League
Lawro’s Premier League & FA Cup predictions v Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills
4 Apr From the section Football Share this with Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Copy this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47814030 Read more about sharing. Manchester City continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple on Saturday when they meet Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals.You can watch the game live on BBC One and the BBC Sport website at 17:30 BST - but who will win?BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson said: "Stopping City is going to be a big problem for Brighton. The key is to deny them space but it will feel like the Wembley pitch is huge."Brighton will be difficult to play against because they are not going to come out and attack City - they would get absolutely torn apart if they did - but I do not see them holding out."Lawro is pitting his wits against a different guest for each round of this season's FA Cup, and his opponent this time … [Read more...] about Lawro’s Premier League & FA Cup predictions v Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills
5 talking points from this weekend’s Premier League matches
Sport by Press Association April 5, 2019, 11:16 am Send us a story Sign up to our Sport newsletter With the FA Cup semi-finals taking centre stage this weekend there are only a handful of Premier League games on the fixture list for Saturday and Sunday. The pick of them comes on Sunday when Champions League-chasing Arsenal head north to face a rejuvenated Everton, who are hoping to build on back-to-back victories over Chelsea and West Ham. Here Press Association Sport looks at five talking points for the weekend’s games. Can Arsenal prosper on the road? With the four-way battle for the final two Champions League berths hotting up, it is Arsenal who have moved into pole position with seven wins from their last nine. They begin the weekend in fourth place, but Sunday’s match against Everton is their game in hand on third-placed Tottenham, who are only one point above. However, in order to capitalise Arsenal must show they are over their inconsistency … [Read more...] about 5 talking points from this weekend’s Premier League matches