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Category: Sports

  • France’s Bielle-Biarrey named player of Six Nations

    France’s Bielle-Biarrey named player of Six Nations

    France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey has been named player of the tournament for the 2025 Six Nations in recognition of his record-breaking campaign.

    The 21-year-old scored eight tries – a record in a single championship – as France lifted the title for a 19th time.

    Bielle-Biarrey saw off competition from England back Tommy Freeman, Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn and Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello to win the individual award with a 65% share of the fans’ vote.

    “I’m very happy to have won this trophy and that the fans voted for me,” said Bielle-Biarrey.

    “My parents signed me up for rugby when I was five years old. Straight away, I really liked it, it is a childhood dream today to be able to live my passion.

    “This trophy is also a great reward for all the hard work from the French team and it is the conclusion of a very good tournament for us.”

    The Bordeaux Begles winger also won the Try of the Championship prize for his second score in a crucial victory over defending champions Ireland in Dublin on 8 March.

    The following week France claimed their first title since 2022 with a 35-16 win against Scotland.

  • Connor declines race for GB after UKA ask him to pay

    Connor declines race for GB after UKA ask him to pay

    Distance runner Ben Connor says he has declined to race for Great Britain at the European Road Running Championships after being asked to pay to compete.

    Connor – who was part of Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics – had been selected to run the half marathon in Leuven, Belgium in April.

    In its selection policy, UK Athletics asks athletes for a fee of up to £1,100 to cover things like travel, accommodation, food, kit and staff.

    Connor wrote in a post on Instagram that England Athletics have offered to subsidise the cost, “to which I’m sure many are grateful”.

    But the 32-year-old added that he felt “representing GB shouldn’t come down to who can or cannot afford to pay for it”.

    “Representing your country is a privilege, and in athletics is earned via a qualifying process, which while not always perfect, gives everyone the same chances to gain selection,” Connor wrote.

    “Coming from a working class background I don’t like the potential precedent being set where people, especially junior athletes of the future, don’t have the same development or competition opportunities because of finances.

    “I wish there was more transparency and honesty regarding the state of our governing bodies finances and about how our sport is being managed for this to be the position.”

    In a statement, UK Athletics (UKA) said the fee is likely to be under £500 and that athletes were aware of the cost when expressing an interest in competing.

    It added that as more competitions get added to the calendar it is “impossible” to fund all teams.

    “Upon selection athletes were also advised that the earlier ‘maximum contribution amount’ of £1,100, was likely to be under £500 and in some cases around the £2-250 mark with a further contribution from their home country athletics organisation,” the statement read.

    “UKA feels it is better to give athletes opportunity to compete than opt not to send teams at all.”

    World 1500m silver medallist and now commentator Hannah England says the idea of athletes being priced out of competing is “really worrying and sad” but there is just not enough money to go around.

    “£20m of UK Sport funding goes to UK Athletics and it then asks athletes to pay to compete. That does not look like a good narrative,” England told BBC 5 Live Breakfast.

    “But that funding is audited and has to go towards producing Olympic medals. This is a new championship so there is no precedent for Olympians coming from that event.

    “So it is either ask people to contribute or they don’t send a team. And that is really hard for people to stomach.”

    The Championships are one of a number of events in which UK Athletics is asking for a contribution, with up to £200 listed for July’s European Under-23 Championships in Bergen.

    In the policy for that event, UK Athletics says: “We recognise that the financial commitment associated can present challenges for some athletes. To address this, the UKA Performance Pathway team is committed to working closely with athletes facing financial hardship to explore solutions that enable their involvement.”

  • The next Neymar & 43-year-old strikers – Copa Libertadores set to begin

    The next Neymar & 43-year-old strikers – Copa Libertadores set to begin

    The 66th edition of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, kicks off on Tuesday with the start of the group phase.

    Over the next two months, 32 teams will be whittled down to the last 16, with the knockout phase coming to a close with a one-off final on 29 November. The venue is yet to be decided, but it is likely to be either Brasilia, capital of Brazil, or the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo.

    With the European Champions League reaching the business stage, it is easy to overlook the Libertadores – but the South American competition is full of a fascination all of its own.

    As fans all over the continent are fond of chanting, the Copa Libertadores is an obsession, so here are a few things to look out for as, from Argentina to Venezuela, the action gets under way.

    Can anyone stop the Brazilian domination?

    In the early years of the competition Uruguay were the leading force, and then came decades of Argentine dominance.

    But the recent years have belonged exclusively to Brazil.

    The past six editions have been won by Brazilian clubs, with the country providing both of the finalists in four of those years. This level of domination is unprecedented.

    The financial gap between Brazil and the rest of the continent is growing, and the clubs are using it to snap up players from elsewhere around the continent. Big hitters such as Flamengo and Palmeiras might well field as many as five foreigners in their starting line-up.

    And here is an extra reason for Argentina to worry: their clubs have won the title 25 times, while Brazil have now pulled up to 24. This, then, is the year when Brazil are likely to pull level.

    Can they be stopped? At least the field looks tougher than in recent years.

    As well as four-time champions River Plate, Argentina has Racing and Estudiantes, who look strong, plus the rising force of Talleres from Cordoba.

    Colombia’s Atletico Nacional look better than any time since they last won the trophy in 2016, and the two countries who have been punching highest above their weight are also well represented – Paraguay with the traditional trio of Olimpia, Cerro Porteno and Libertad, and Ecuador with LDU (or Liga de Quito), Barcelona (who eliminated Brazilian giants Corinthians in the qualifying round) and the ever-fascinating Independiente del Valle.

    So perhaps there are grounds for thinking that this year might prove more competitive, especially because of a new factor…

    What impact will the Club World Cup have?

    Fifa’s new competition is not considered an inconvenience in South America. Instead, doing well in the Club World Cup is a priority.

    Brazil has even changed its calendar to accommodate the new tournament. And for those teams taking part, there is prestige and money to win – but there is also a price to pay.

    The South American calendar – and in Brazil more than anywhere else – is already very cluttered. Now River Plate of Argentina plus the current big three from Brazil – Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo – will be pushing themselves to the limit in the intense heat of the North American summer during June and July. Meanwhile, their rivals will be enjoying some much-needed rest.

    This is bound to have some effect. Those taking part in the Club World Cup will be fighting on so many fronts that it will not be easy to administer their efforts – offering a glimmer of hope that this year’s Libertadores might be harder to predict.

    A stage for the up-and-comers

    It was early in the group stages of last year’s Libertadores that Palmeiras gave a first start to a teenage winger called Estevao.

    He was off to a flyer, scoring against Liverpool of Uruguay – and making it very clear that he had the talent to be taking on a much bigger club of the same name. And soon that will be happening, as after the Club World Cup he joins Chelsea.

    These are the last few months for South American crowds to appreciate the most talented Brazilian prospect since Neymar.

    The Libertadores gave him a stage to move within a few months from promise to reality, a senior Brazil international on his way to the Premier League. Can anyone make a similar impression in 2025?

    Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle are always worth watching. The club, from the outskirts of Quito, have made a name for themselves in the past 15 years as specialists in youth development.

    Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo is one of their graduates – and he will soon be joined at Stamford Bridge by playmaker Kendry Paez, a type of Ecuadorian Phil Foden. These are his last few months in South America, and it will be fascinating to see his progress.

    A first-team player at 15, a senior international at 16, Paez has endured a difficult few months as he struggles with the new demands. But the potential is undeniable.

    Last week, Ecuador gave a start to 17-year-old Darwin Guagua in World Cup qualification – before he had even made his debut for Independiente del Valle. He, and many other youngsters, will be striving to catch the eye over the next few months.

    And at the other end of the scale…

    The coach of Paraguayan club Libertad has a dilemma at centre-forward.

    Does he select the former Premier League striker Roque Santa Cruz, now 43? Or should he go with the more youthful option – one time Benfica target man Oscar Cardozo, now 42?

    Last year, the coach taking that decision was only 27!

    Ander Herrera will not be laughing at the age of opposing strikers – the Libertadores adventure of the one-time Manchester United midfielder ended early.

    Together with ex-Old Traffordites Marcos Rojo and Edinson Cavani, Herrera’s Boca Juniors were eliminated in the qualifying round by Alianza Lima of Peru, who switched up front between Argentine centre-forward Hernan Barcos, 40, and Peru’s all time top scorer Paolo Guerrero, 41.

    From adolescents to veterans, there is a place for everyone in South America’s Copa Libertadores.

  • The Premier League is back – when can title & relegation be decided?

    The Premier League is back – when can title & relegation be decided?

    The Premier League is back after a two-week international break.

    And just in case you needed a reminder of how things stand at both ends of the table we are here to get you up to speed.

    At the top, Arne Slot’s runaway leaders Liverpool hold a 12-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal.

    At the bottom, all three promoted sides – Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester – are well adrift in the relegation zone and looking as if they are destined for an immediate return to the Championship.

    It feels like a matter of ‘when, not if’ those eventualities play out as we head into the final stretch of the season.

    But when could the relegation places and title be decided?

    What do Liverpool need to win the title?

    Liverpool are currently on 70 points – and nearest challengers Arsenal can only reach a maximum of 85 points if they win their remaining nine matches.

    The Reds therefore require 16 points from a possible 27 to clinch their second Premier League title – and record-equalling 20th overall.

    Fifteen points could also be enough given Liverpool’s goal difference is vastly superior to Arsenal’s (currently +42 to +29).

    In fact, given their goal difference supremacy, Slot’s side might only need four wins- as long as one of those is against the Gunners – to secure the title.

    When is the earliest Liverpool can win the title?

    Arsenal beat Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in their game in hand over Liverpool before the international break.

    That victory reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table from 15 points to 12.

    But, in terms of when Slot’s side can win the title, it has made little difference.

    The earliest date Liverpool could win their 20th league title is 13 April, when they play West Ham at Anfield.

    For that scenario to play out, Arsenal need to lose their next two matches against Fulham and Everton, with Liverpool beating Everton and Fulham in that time.

    That would leave Arsenal 18 points behind Liverpool with 21 points left to play for.

    A Brentford victory against Arsenal on 12 April would leave the Gunners 18 points behind with 18 points left to play for, leaving Liverpool needing a single point against the Hammers on 13 April to claim the title.

    Statisticians Opta give Arsenal just a 0.8% chance of winning the title, with Liverpool given a 99.2% chance based on their position and remaining fixtures.

    Liverpool’s next four fixtures

    Liverpool v Everton – 2 April – 20:00 BST

    Fulham v Liverpool – 6 April – 14:00 BST

    Liverpool v West Ham – 13 April – 14:00 BST

    Leicester v Liverpool – 20 April – 16:30 BST

    Arsenal’s next four fixtures

    Arsenal v Fulham – 1 April – 19:45 BST

    Everton v Arsenal – 5 April – 12:30 BST

    Arsenal v Brentford – 12 April – 17:30 BST

    Ipswich v Arsenal – 20 April – 14:00 BST

    Arsenal were due to face Crystal Palace on 26 April but that match will be rearranged after Palace reached the FA Cup semi-finals. Liverpool will host Tottenham on 27 April.

    What about relegation?

    Wolves’ 2-1 win against Southampton before the international break was a bitter blow to the bottom three.

    Vitor Pereira’s side are the only realistic candidates to be dragged into a relegation battle but that win took them nine points clear of safety.

    Both Leicester and Ipswich still retain hope but time is running out for them to close the nine-point gap.

    With 27 points left to play for, Wolves could secure their Premier League status by collecting 10 points from their next four matches, provided Leicester and Ipswich both lose their next three matches.

    In that scenario, Wolves would go 19 points clear of the bottom three and there would only be 18 points left to play for.

    What about Southampton?

    Southampton require a minor miracle to stay up, given they are 17 points adrift with just 27 points left to play for.

    Instead, Ivan Juric’s side are fighting to avoid earning the tag of the worst Premier League side ever.

    That unfortunate title – if we are judging on points alone – belongs to Derby County in 2007-08.

    Paul Jewell’s side finished the season on 11 points, fewer than the previous record set by Sunderland in 2005-06 when they finished with 15.

    Southampton, therefore, need three points in the next nine matches to pass the unwanted mark set by Derby 17 years ago.

    But the Saints are also battling to avoid becoming the ‘earliest’ team in Premier League history to be relegated.

    That title is currently shared between Derby and Huddersfield Town side of 2018-19.

    On both occasions, the two teams were relegated after gameweek 32 – when there were six matches still to play.

    Southampton can ‘beat’ that unwanted record if they lose their next two fixtures, provided Wolves win theirs.

    That would leave the Saints 23 points behind Wolves, with just 21 points left to play for.

    What about the top four?

    The teams that finish in the Premier League’s top four automatically qualify for the following season’s Champions League.

    Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea currently occupy those spots.

    But just five points separate fourth-placed Chelsea and Bournemouth in 10th, meaning there is a seven-team race on for that fourth spot.

    Hold on, what about fifth place?

    Here’s where it gets slightly more complicated.

    As things stand, finishing in the top four in the Premier League is the only official way to qualify for the Champions League via a team’s domestic position.

    But, it looks increasingly likely that England will be granted an additional Champions League spot thanks to its co-efficient ranking.

    That means the team that finishes in fifth would also earn a Champions League place.

    That team is currently Manchester City. But there are just four points between City and 10th-placed Bournemouth – and every team in the top half will fancy their chances of grabbing that extra spot.

  • Tsunoda told to be ‘as close to Verstappen as possible’

    Tsunoda told to be ‘as close to Verstappen as possible’

    Japanese Grand Prix

    Venue: Suzuka Dates: 4-6 April Race start: 06:00 BST on Sunday

    Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has set Yuki Tsunoda one simple target – get as “close as possible” to Max Verstappen.

    The 24-year-old was announced as Liam Lawson’s replacement last week, after the New Zealander was dropped just two races into the season.

    Tsunoda partners four-time world champion Verstappen for the first time this weekend, when the Japanese driver races in front of a home crowd at Suzuka.

    With Red Bull third in the constructors’ championship after two races, Tsunoda says Horner has tasked him with finishing as close as possible to Dutchman Verstappen to aid the team’s cause.

    Verstappen is second in the drivers’ championship, eight points behind leader Lando Norris of McLaren.

    “In the end Red Bull Racing are focused on Max scoring a drivers’ championship,” Tsunoda told Today Price NG Radio 5 Live.

    “He has proven himself to have good potential to be a world champion – even though Red Bull seems to be struggling a little now.

    “Performance-wise he (Horner) wants me to be as close to Max as possible.

    “In some races I can help with the strategy but he also promised me in some situations that if I’m able to be in front of Max that he wouldn’t necessarily ask me to swap positions and make Max win.”

    Lawson was promoted from Red Bull’s second team for the 2025 season but has been sent back to Racing Bulls after struggling in the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.

    Lawson qualified 18th at the season-opening event in Melbourne and crashed out of the race. In China, he qualified last for both the sprint and the main grand prix, finishing 14th and 12th.

    Verstappen appeared to disagree with Lawson’s demotion by ‘liking’ an Instagram post, external from former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde that described it as a “panic move”.

    Tsunoda, who had previously been with Red Bull’s second team since making his F1 debut in 2021, said he was yet to speak to Verstappen since replacing Lawson.

    “I mentioned in the past quite a while ago but he’s a bit different from how he behaves in the car and outside of the car,” said Tsunoda.

    “I’m not really worrying about the relationship we’re going to have in both sides. I know what I want to do and probably how he drives and how he thinks.”

    Looking ahead to his home grand prix on Sunday, Tsunoda said he will be satisfied if he can finish in the top 10.

    “Obviously I want to say points or a podium or whatever,” said Tsunoda.

    “But at the same time, realistically, you think about jumping into the new car straight away with limited sessions, that’s pretty tough.

    “I think what I can say for now is if I can score points – top 10 – I’ll be happy.”

    The full Tsunoda interview will air on 5 Live Formula 1 on Thursday at 20:00 BST

  • Kasatkina ‘didn’t have much choice’ over Australia switch

    Kasatkina ‘didn’t have much choice’ over Australia switch

    Daria Kasatkina says she feels “emotional” after switching allegiance from Russia to Australia but “didn’t have much choice” after publicly criticising her country’s LGBTQ+ laws and the war in Ukraine.

    Kasatkina has been living in Dubai and has not returned to Russia in two and a half years.

    The 27-year-old had her application for permanent residency accepted last week and will represent Australia for the first time at this week’s Charleston Open in South Carolina.

    “It’s my first official day as an Australian player. Honestly, it feels different, I’m not going to lie. It’s emotional for me,” said the world number 12.

    “I have to get used to it. But I’m really happy to start this new chapter of my life representing Australia on the big stage.”

    Kasatkina revealed her sexuality in a video interview in 2022 before leaving Russia, which has strict laws on LGBTQ+ rights.

    After also criticising the war in Ukraine in the interview, a Russian politician unsuccessfully called for her to be listed as a ‘foreign agent’ – someone acting against Russian interests.

    Last year, she said she was expecting “consequences” following her actions.

    “With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice [to switch allegiance],” she told reporters on Monday.

    “For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it.

    “I have to get used to it a little bit, because for a couple of years I didn’t hear anything. But it’s something nice to get used to.”

    Natela Dzalamidze and Alexander Shevchenko are among other Russia-born tennis players to switch nationality in recent years, now representing Georgia and Kazakhstan respectively.

  • Legendary ex-captain Edwards appointed England head coach

    Legendary ex-captain Edwards appointed England head coach

    England have appointed legendary former captain Charlotte Edwards as their new head coach.

    The 45-year-old, England’s all-time leading run-scorer, replaces Jon Lewis, who was sacked in March after the 16-0 Ashes hammering in Australia.

    Edwards played more than 300 times for England in a 19-year career, including in excess of 200 games as captain.

    In a 10-year spell in charge, Edwards won three Ashes series and both the 50-over and 20-over World Cups in 2009.

    She was surprisingly sacked in 2016 and replaced by Heather Knight, who then enjoyed her own nine-year reign.

    Knight was also sacked in the aftermath of the Ashes debacle but will remain as a player, now under coach Edwards.

    “I cannot wait to take this team forward and drive us to success. It means the world to me to have the three lions on my chest once again,” said Edwards.

    “Leading England as captain was my life for 10 years and I will forever be passionate about this team and our legacy. We have such a talented group of players, and I am excited about working with them and improving them both as individuals and as a team.”

    England are yet to name a new captain. Vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has previously stated she would be interested in the role, while off-spinner Charlie Dean said she “wouldn’t say no”.

    The upheaval at the top of the England team comes as a result of a review into the Ashes, led by director of women’s cricket Clare Connor.

    Realistically, Edwards was the standout candidate to lead a rebuild, with Connor describing her as a “proven winner”. Following her stellar playing career, she has enjoyed considerable success as a coach.

    Her Southern Vipers have been the strongest team in English domestic cricket and Edwards’ Southern Brave won the women’s Hundred in 2023.

    Overseas, Edwards has led Mumbai Indians to two titles in three seasons at the Women’s Premier League in India. In 2022, Edwards’ Sydney Sixers were beaten in the final of Australia’s Big Bash.

    “When we drew up the criteria for the job it became apparent very quickly that Charlotte was the outstanding candidate,” Connor added.

    “She has the experience, passion and expertise to lead this team to success. The results she has achieved as a head coach in multiple environments, since retiring as one of the greatest ever England players, is testament to her relentless drive and the standards she sets for those around her.

    “She is a proven winner; she has won repeatedly as a player and now as a coach. She possesses a deep knowledge of the game, both in England and across the world, and she understands the importance of creating an environment that is both challenging and supportive.”

    Edwards will lead England in home white-ball series against West Indies and India this summer, building up to the 50-over World Cup in India in October.

    ‘A monumental task ahead’ – analysis

    In the end, Edwards’ appointment felt almost as inevitable as the sackings of Lewis and Knight which came before her.

    There were murmurings of her potentially taking the vacancy before Lewis took the role in 2022, but Edwards wanted a little more time to establish herself in domestic cricket and around the franchise circuit.

    She has done that with so much success, and Mumbai Indians’ second Women’s Premier League win just a couple of weeks ago felt poetic, like the cricket world was serving the ECB with a timely reminder of what and who was waiting for them.

    There, she has also established a relationship with Sciver-Brunt, which could be crucial if the all-rounder is named as England’s next captain.

    Edwards has a monumental rebuilding task on her hands, not only in developing the new captain but essentially, she needs to rebrand the team altogether.

    A humiliating month in Australia saw the team’s fitness and athleticism questioned – not for the first time, either. Their attitude was criticised, fans accused them of not caring enough and there was tension between players and the media, too.

    Combined with how performances have stagnated on the pitch, particularly in the field and the inability to perform under pressure, Edwards has got her work cut out.

    But those who know her best, including former team-mate Lydia Greenway who has also coached with Edwards at Mumbai, say there is nobody better suited to taking on the challenge.

  • ‘The gulf has never been bigger’ – can Moyes end his Anfield misery?

    ‘The gulf has never been bigger’ – can Moyes end his Anfield misery?

    For David Moyes, Anfield has become the stuff of nightmares.

    Twenty one matches managed there, no wins, 14 defeats and 36 goals conceded – and the Everton boss isn’t expecting life to get any easier when the Toffees visit runaway league leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday.

    Moyes, 61, whose Everton side are 36 points behind Liverpool, said: “We might be further away from Liverpool than we have ever been at the moment.

    “When we left here, we were much closer to Liverpool, we were competitive, competing around the same areas in the league. At the moment it is probably the biggest gulf between the two clubs.”

    A look at the history books shows Moyes is right. This is the biggest points gap there has ever been before a Merseyside derby that Moyes has been in charge of Everton in.

    Moyes’ 19 Premier League games without a win at Anfield is also the longest any manager has gone in the competition without victory at the ground.

    A dozen of those matches came during his first spell in charge of Everton, with his side gaining seven draws and seven defeats. He also lost in his only match at Anfield when Manchester United boss and again when in charge of Sunderland.

    While West Ham manager, he was in charge of seven games at Liverpool, losing them all, with his most recent visit there seeing the Reds secure a 5-1 thrashing in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in December 2023.

    He said: “Yeh. I don’t want it [the record]. I want to win. I want to make sure I get rid of it.

    “Everytime we go there, it presents another chance to do so.

    “I would be lying if I said I look forward to going there all the time because it is such a hard place to get results. It is nothing to do with the surroundings or the pitch, they have always produced good teams.”

    Revitalised Everton in good form since Moyes’ return

    Moyes began his second spell in charge of Everton in January, replacing the sacked Sean Dyche with the Toffees 16th in the Premier League – one point clear of the relegation zone – with only three wins from 19 games.

    They lost 1-0 at home in Moyes’ first league game since his return, but his side have been unbeaten since then, apart from a 2-0 home loss to Bournemouth in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

    Wins against Tottenham, Brighton, Leicester and Crystal Palace, along with five draws, have taken Everton 17 points clear of the relegation zone with the team almost guaranteed to be playing in the top flight when they move to their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock for the beginning of the 2025-26 season.

    One of those draws was an incredible 2-2 in the last Merseyside Derby to be staged at Goodison Park as James Tarkowski’s equaliser in the eighth minute of added time earned Everton a draw.

    Since Moyes’ return to the club, Everton have gained 17 points, the fifth highest in the Premier League, although runaway leaders Liverpool, with 23 points in the same period, also sit on top of that table.

    But does Moyes have any special plans to stop the Premier League’s form player Mohamed Salah?

    “We could try and build a wall or something to stop him but he is such a talented player but we done quite a good job on him in the first game,” he said.

    “We will have to hope we can do something similar in this game.

    “He is having an unbelievable season for Liverpool but we are talking about one of the top Premier League players of this generation.”

    Red cards and controversy – but no victories

    Moyes first game at Anfield came all the way back in December 2002, when Everton were unlucky to not leave with three points as substitute Wayne Rooney hit the crossbar in a goalless draw.

    Liverpool should have also gone down to 10 men with Steven Gerrard getting away with a two-footed lunge on Gary Naismith, only for the Reds midfielder to later get a retrospective three-match ban for the challenge.

    Gerrard did get a red card after only 18 minutes of Moyes’ fourth away Merseyside Derby, in March 2006, but that did not stop the hosts going on to record a 3-1 home win.

    Everton only scored four goals in Moyes’ first nine matches at Anfield, but did get on the scoresheet twice in January 2011 but it was not enough as Liverpool, in Kenny Dalglish’s first home game since his return as manager, fought back from 2-1 down to get a 2-2 draw.

    Gerrard scored a hat-trick in Liverpool’s 3-0 win in March 2012 and Moyes then came close to beating the Reds at Anfield in May 2013 when Everton had a potential goal controversially disallowed in another 0-0 draw.

    Four month later, Moyes, now in charge of Manchester United, saw his new side lose 1-0 after an early goal from Daniel Sturridge.

    Moyes’ next job in English football came at Sunderland and he took them to Anfield once, resulting in a 2-0 loss in November 2016.

    During his two spells at West Ham, Moyes managed seven games against Liverpool away, losing them all, despite his team holding the lead in two matches in 2020, before losing 3-2 and 2-1.

    His last trip to Anfield resulted in his heaviest defeat there, the 5-1 Carabao Cup thrashing.

    An Anfield curse?

    In 19 Premier League games at Anfield, Moyes’ sides drew six and lost 13.

    But that has not been the only venue to have caused the Scot problems.

    He constantly struggled at Stamford Bridge, winning none, drawing seven and losing 12 of his league games there, while Arsenal away was a near-constant frustration – with five out of five defeats at Highbury and only one win and four draws from 15 matches after the Gunners relocated to Emirates Stadium.

    But Moyes is not the only manager in Premier League history to struggle at certain grounds.

    Harry Redknapp lost all 15 league matches at Old Trafford, although did guide West Ham to an FA Cup fourth-round win over Manchester United there in 2001.

    Mark Hughes, Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis all lost 10 out of 10 league matches at Emirates Stadium against Arsenal and former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce never relished his returns to Old Trafford, with one draw and 12 defeats from 13 away games as a manager.

  • Haaland out for up to seven weeks with ankle injury

    Haaland out for up to seven weeks with ankle injury

    Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will be out for up to seven weeks with the ankle injury he suffered in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth, says manager Pep Guardiola.

    The Norwegian was substituted in the 61st minute after scoring the equaliser as City went on to beat the Cherries 2-1 and reach the semi-finals.

    A video was posted on social media showing the 24-year-old leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches and with his left ankle in a protective boot.

    “They told me the doctors say between five to seven weeks,” said Guardiola. “So hopefully the end of the season and by the Club World Cup he will be ready.

    “Sometimes there are years when these kinds of things happen. It happened all season.”

    City said on Monday that Haaland would see a specialist about the injury and anticipate he “will be fit to play a further part in the remainder of this season including this summer’s Fifa Club World Cup”.

    Haaland missed a penalty and two big chances on Sunday, but he turned in Nico O’Reilly’s cross to level the game before Omar Marmoush scored the winner.

    The FA Cup is City’s only remaining chance of silverware this season following a difficult Premier League campaign and early exits from the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

    Manager Guardiola has had to deal with injuries to key players throughout the campaign. His side are fifth in the Premier League, one point behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot.

    What games will Erling Haaland miss?

    A five-week absence would see Haaland miss six matches including the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on 26 April. That timeframe means he would be looking to return in the Premier League game against Southampton on 10 May.

    If he were to miss seven weeks, Haaland would be a doubt for the FA Cup final on 17 May – should City beat Forest.

    Haaland would then aim to be fit for the final league game of the season on 25 May at Fulham, before the Club World Cup is played in June and July.

    City’s Premier League match against Aston Villa has been postponed because of their involvement in the FA Cup semi-final and has yet to be rescheduled.

  • Haaland sidelined by injury in major Man City blow

    Haaland sidelined by injury in major Man City blow

    Manchester City were dealt a major blow on Monday with leading scorer Erling Haaland set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury as the season reaches its climax.

    The 24-year-old Norwegian was injured in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth.

    Having just scored his 30th goal of the season to level the tie, he was then hurt in a challenge with Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook.

    The Premier League champions did not provide a timescale for the player’s return.

    “The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup,” said a club statement.

    “Erling underwent initial tests in Manchester on Monday morning and will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury.

    “Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis.”

    City are currently fifth in the Premier League and battling to ensure a spot in the Champions League next season.

    Pep Guardiola’s side face matches against Leicester and Manchester United this week.

    They then have a visit from Crystal Palace and a trip to Everton before their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, at Wembley on April 26.