Charlotte Harpur
December 12, 2021 at 3:15 PM EST
Hello and welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of today’s latest football news.
It was a busy Saturday in the Premier League, with Leeds taking Chelsea to the wire at Stamford Bridge. Jorginho converted from the spot in the 94th minute to secure a 3-2 win for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Elsewhere, upon his return to Anfield, Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool a run for their money but Mohamed Salah’s penalty was the difference as Aston Villa narrowly lost 1-0. Manchester United edged past Norwich by a goal to nil at Carrow Road, Arsenal swept Southampton aside 3-0 and Manchester City beat Wolves 1-0.
On the continent, Sevilla climbed to second in La Liga after their 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao while AC Milan and Juventus drew 1-1 against Udinese and Venezia respectively. Meanwhile Bayern Munich extended their lead to six points at the top of the Bundesliga following their 2-1 victory against Mainz. Borussia Dortmund, however, were held to a 1-1 draw with VfL Bochum.
We will bring you reaction from all of those matches, as well as build-up to Burnley vs West Ham, Leicester vs Newcastle and Crystal Palace vs Everton.
Plus, we’ll keep across action all of the action in La Liga as Real Madrid take on Atletico Madrid, Napoli play Empoli as well as five fixtures in the Women’s Super League.
Background reading
- Ederson has only had to make 21 saves this season. Here is why
- Scott McTominay: ‘Never write him off, he’ll always fight’
- Gerrard’s biggest barrier to being Liverpool’s next manager might be Lijnders
- Drive to Survive – the F1 documentary that has changed a sport
(Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
December 12, 2021 at 3:15 PM EST
The tide has turned in Demarai Gray’s career
Demarai Gray has quickly become a talisman on the pitch for his new team since his summer arrival. He is one of the players they simply cannot afford to be without.
Everyone is now aware of how crucial Gray will be to Everton’s hopes of a revival.
The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland with more information on Gray and the role he plays at Everton.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Tide has turned in Demarai Gray’s career – he is integral to Everton’s hopes of a revival
December 12, 2021 at 2:24 PM EST
Arsenal already dominating
Some late WSL action on this evening as Arsenal host Leicester City.
Arsenal are already leading 2-0 after 34 minutes. Jordan Nobbs opened up the scoring before Vivianne Miedema extended Arsenal’s lead.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 1:54 PM EST
Conor Gallagher with a stunner in Crystal Palace’s win
Crystal Palace beat a struggling Everton side convincingly.
To top off Palace’s 3-1 win, loanee Conor Gallagher pulled this stunner out of the bag.
The best signing of the summer?
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 1:21 PM EST
ICYMI: Ederson has only had to make 21 saves this season
It should perhaps come as no surprise that Ederson finally got his 100th Manchester City clean sheet against Wolves on Saturday.
City have only allowed 33 shots on their goal this season, 13 fewer than Liverpool in second place, and Ederson has only had to make 21 saves, the fewest of any goalkeeper to have played more than four times this season.
The Athletic’s Sam Lee has explained why he has made so few saves.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Ederson has only had to make 21 saves this season. Here is why
December 12, 2021 at 12:46 PM EST
Drive to survive – the F1 documentary
If, like me, you are also a fan of Formula 1, you were probably glued to your TV screen earlier today as Max Verstappen was crowned world champion in Abu Dhabi.
The Athletic’s Matt Slater has wrote about the F1 documentary Drive to Survive and how it changed the sport.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Drive to Survive – the F1 documentary that has changed a sport
December 12, 2021 at 12:11 PM EST
Aston Villa hit with COVID-19 outbreak
Aston Villa chose to cancel Sunday’s training session at Bodymoor Heath after a number of positive COVID-19 cases within the club.
Of the cases, only one is a player – the others are training ground staff.
Villa’s trip to Norwich on Tuesday is expected to go ahead, as is training tomorrow. Click here to read more.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 11:21 AM EST
Manchester United’s group training disrupted by COVID-19 outbreak
Manchester United have been hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 which meant Sunday’s group training could not take place as planned.
Ralf Rangnick’s side were only able to complete individual non-contact outdoor sessions after a small number of players and staff returned positive tests this morning.
The individuals who tested positive for the virus were sent home before the training session.
It is understood the whole group who travelled to Norwich have tested negative. The Premier League have been made aware of the situation. To read more, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 10:57 AM EST
Sheffield United vs QPR postponed
Sheffield United’s home game against Queens Park Rangers on Monday has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the West London club.
QPR told the English Football League that several players and staff had returned positive COVID-19 tests and did not have sufficient numbers to fulfil the fixture.
To read more on the story, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 9:57 AM EST
Wolves: A bad day for Jimenez but an encouraging one for the team
Wolves suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
The Athletic’s Tim Spiers said: “In the past Wolves have probably been too nice, too naive, too woe-is-me.
“Now they shithouse. A lot. But it makes sense against the top teams.”
To find out why this performance was an encouraging sign for Bruno Lage’s side, read further below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Wolves should make no apologies for shithousery. They did well in two tough games
December 12, 2021 at 9:26 AM EST
Demarai Gray, a bargain for £1.7 million?
Everton take on Crystal Palace at 5.30pm and Demarai Gray’s signing for £1.7 million is turning out to be a bargain.
He is finally fulfilling his potential and is key to Rafa Benitez.
To learn more, read below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Tide has turned in Demarai Gray’s career – he is integral to Everton’s hopes of a revival
December 12, 2021 at 8:56 AM EST
Kasper Schmeichel starts for Leicester against Newcastle
Kasper Schmeichel starts for Leicester as they take on Newcastle at 2pm (GMT) in the Premier League.
Defensive issues have plagued Leicester all season, with captain and club legend Schmeichel bearing the brunt from some quarters.
Should Rodgers take the Dane out of the firing line?
The Athletic’s Rob Tanner discusses the issue below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Should Brendan Rodgers drop Kasper Schmeichel?
December 12, 2021 at 8:34 AM EST
Scottish Premiership: Rangers 2-0 up
Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo have fired Rangers into an early lead against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
As it stands, they’re seven points clear of Celtic who play Motherwell at 3pm (GMT).
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 8:18 AM EST
Latest WSL action
At half-time, Manchester United lead Brighton by 1-0 in the WSL thanks to a goal from Hayley Ladd.
Elsewhere, Everton have just kicked off against West Ham, the score remains 0-0.
Manchester City take on Birmingham at 2pm (GMT) and despite rumours that Lucy Bronze may make a return, she has not been named in the squad and neither has Keira Walsh.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 8:02 AM EST
Who is Steven Gerrard’s biggest barrier to being Liverpool’s next manager?
Pep Lijnders is highly thought of by Liverpool’s owners, Klopp and the players.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him succeed the current boss.
Why? Find out below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Gerrard’s biggest barrier to being Liverpool’s next manager might be Lijnders
December 12, 2021 at 7:48 AM EST
Scott McTominay: ‘Never write him off, he’ll always fight’
Scott McTominay divides opinion among many fans but at Manchester United, staff and fellow players are unanimous in their support for him.
Click below to find out more.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Scott McTominay: ‘Never write him off, he’ll always fight’
December 12, 2021 at 7:25 AM EST
WSL: Brighton vs Man Utd kick-off at 12.30pm
Brighton are looking to close the gap in the Women’s Super League after Chelsea slipped up against Reading, losing 1-0 on Saturday.
Hope Powell’s side take on Manchester United at 12.30pm (GMT).
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
December 12, 2021 at 7:09 AM EST
Leeds’ head-on fight with adversity
Leeds’ tactical plan generally worked against Chelsea. They had ideas, a plan, imagination and optimism.
They were let down, however, by individual errors that are beyond Marcelo Bielsa’s control.
The Athletic’s Phil hay has digested their defeat below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
A hint that Bielsa can master adversity (when people do what they’re told)
December 12, 2021 at 6:42 AM EST
How are TV documentaries becoming so powerful in sport?
It’s Hamilton vs. Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi F1 grand prix today, a title showdown that will be watched across the globe.
The F1 has been transformed by the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive and fly-on-the-wall storytelling is changing the way that audiences consume sport.
To find out more, read further below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Drive to Survive – the F1 documentary that has changed a sport
December 12, 2021 at 6:19 AM EST
Ederson has only had to make 21 saves this season
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has 100 clean sheets but he’s only had to make 21 saves.
Is that because of Guardiola’s set-up? City’s defenders? Or Ederson’s brilliance?
Find out why the Brazilian has had to make so few saves this season below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Ederson has only had to make 21 saves this season. Here is why
December 12, 2021 at 6:07 AM EST
ICYMI: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left out of Arsenal squad after returning late from trip abroad
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped from Arsenal’s squad against Southampton after returning late from a trip abroad.
Mikel Arteta left the striker out of his 20-man squad on Saturday and referred to him committing a “discipline breach” during a pre-match interview.
The Athletic understands he was given permission to fly abroad for a personal matter. However, he returned later than agreed, leading to his exclusion from the squad.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
