Jacob Whitehead, Anthony Hay and more
March 13, 2022 at 6:22 PM EDT
Welcome to The Athletic’s coverage of today’s football news.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK government over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sale of Chelsea is still taking place, however, after the UK government gave the green light for talks to continue.
There’s plenty of Premier League football on offer, with five games kicking off at 14.00, including Chelsea’s first game at Stamford Bridge since Abramovich was sanctioned. Leeds also host Norwich in a game with major ramifications for the relegation fight.
Yesterday, a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick gave Manchester United a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, bringing United back into the race for the Champions League. Can they keep it up?
Arsenal, favourites for fourth, will need to avoid a slip-up at home to Leicester at 16.30.
Ahead of a busy weekend of football in Europe, we’ll bring you all the latest news as it happens.
(Photo: Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
March 13, 2022 at 6:22 PM EDT
Good night!
Thank you for joining us today and we’ll be back again tomorrow to bring you all the breaking news from around the football world.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
March 13, 2022 at 5:58 PM EDT
How Ronaldo’s recent break paid dividends
If anybody wondered what approach Cristiano Ronaldo would take on his return to the Manchester United team following a mini break to Portugal that provoked considerable intrigue and left most of us contemplating a life where private jets can act like Ubers to destinations of sanctuary, then the answer came even before he struck his superb opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur.
He then went on to impose himself throughout the game and score another two, achieving his 59th career hat-trick
The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell has analysed the numbers behind Ronaldo’s impressive performance.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
March 13, 2022 at 5:53 PM EDT
NEWS: Felix Magath appointed Hertha Berlin head coach
After five years, Felix Magath has returned to management.
The 68-year-old has been appointed as head coach of struggling Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin until the end of the season.
Click here for more.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
March 13, 2022 at 3:51 PM EDT
NEWS: Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech confirms he will not return to Morocco national side despite call-up
Hakim Ziyech has confirmed he will not play for Morocco again despite being named on the nation’s preliminary squad list for their upcoming World Cup play-offs.
The Chelsea midfielder released a statement on Instagram, which stated: “I love my country and playing for the Moroccan national football team has been the honour of my lifetime, so it is with great sadness that I must announce that although the Royal Moroccan Football Federation President today confirmed that I will be pre-selected for the team, I won’t be returning to play for Morocco.
“I’m sorry to disappoint the fans, this was not an easy decision to make, but sadly I feel I have no other choice.
He added: “I learned the news about the pre-selection at the same time as everyone else, so I’m releasing this statement to ensure that you hear the truth directly from me.”
The 28-year-old announced his retirement from the national side in February, six weeks after he was left out of Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Yet, on Sunday, The Moroccan Football Federation’s president Noussair Mazaroui said that both Ziyech and Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui, who was also not selected for AFCON, were part of the provisional squad.
Morocco will face DR Congo over two legs, taking place on March 25 and March 29 respectively, for a place at the World Cup finals in November.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
March 13, 2022 at 2:37 PM EDT
Arsenal take another step towards Champions League qualification
Mikel Arteta’s side are striding towards a top-four finish as they beat Leicester 2-0 at the Emirates.
Goals from Thomas Partey and Alexandre Lacazette helped Arsenal to their fifth consecutive Premier League victory.
They have another two matches to play in the next six days, however, one that includes hosting Premier League title-challengers Liverpool and then a trip to Villa Park next weekend.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
March 13, 2022 at 1:50 PM EDT
NEWS: Chelsea boss Tuchel willing to ‘drive a seven-seater’ to Lille due to travel sanctions
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 1:31 PM EDT
What is behind Mo Salah’s contract stand-off?
Written almost a year ago, little has changed since this article.
Si Hughes reports on Ramy Abbas Issa — the agent at the heart of matters.
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 1:10 PM EDT
NEWS: Newcastle non-penalty ‘makes a mockery of VAR’ — Eddie Howe
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said the club being denied a second-half penalty against Chelsea “makes a mockery of VAR”.
Howe told reporters after the game: “I can’t look past the penalty, for me. I’m hugely disappointed with that decision and how they have reached that decision.
“Basically it’s a penalty, Jacob (Murphy) had his shirt ripped off his back near enough, goes down in the box, a clear penalty.
“Even if the referee doesn’t give it on the pitch, I can kind of understand that, but then VAR doesn’t give it and they should at least make the referee review his own decision because, if he does, he realises he’s got it wrong.”
For more on why the officials didn’t give the penalty, click here.
(Photo: Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 12:57 PM EDT
No kissing for Douglas Luiz
An unfortunate occurrence in the 2-1 defeat for the Brazilian.
Jacob Whitehead
Gerrard says Douglas Luiz will need some facial reconstruction after the foul (high boot) from Lanzini.
“It’s a mouth injury. He’s going to need some expert help. There will be no kissing for him tonight.
“I’m pleased he played on. That’s the type of character I want.”#AVFC
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) March 13, 2022
March 13, 2022 at 12:48 PM EDT
Where has Ronaldo scored his goals?
He became men’s professional football’s all-time leading goalscorer last night.
The 37-year-old has now racked up 807 goals while playing for Sporting Lisbon (five goals), Manchester United (136), Real Madrid (450), Juventus (101) and the Portugal national team (115).
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 12:13 PM EDT
Nearly time for Arsenal vs Leicester
The teams are out, and Brad Cox will be covering the game for The Athletic here.
A chance for Arsenal to assert themselves in the top four, with games in hand. A first Champions League appearance since 2016-17 is beckoning, perhaps?
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 11:59 AM EDT
FT scores
Five games done and dusted
Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle
Everton 0-1 Wolves
Leeds 2-1 Norwich
Southampton 1-2 Watford
West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 11:55 AM EDT
Late winner for Leeds
Wow! Just after Norwich scored a leveller, Gelhardt has scored a winner thanks to brilliant work from Raphinha.
Massive win for Jesse Marsch.
Jacob Whitehead
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAL
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) March 13, 2022
March 13, 2022 at 11:48 AM EDT
A Chelsea winner?!
Majestic goal from Chelsea. They’re going to be two from two since news of the sanctions was announced.
Jacob Whitehead
A hammerblow for #NUFC. Absolutely magnificent ball from Jorginho, Havertz spins off Burn, controls & flicks past Dubravka.
Tuchel runs on to the pitch, in front of Howe, in celebration.#CHENEW
— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) March 13, 2022
March 13, 2022 at 11:42 AM EDT
Red card: Jonjoe Kenny
Things going from bad to worse for Everton, who are still 1-0 down.
A rash challenge from Kenny gets him a second yellow card.
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 11:35 AM EDT
Yarmolenko scores!
An amazing moment.
Jacob Whitehead
The striker starts crying as he celebrates.
West Ham announce “A goal for West Ham and Ukraine”
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) March 13, 2022
March 13, 2022 at 11:17 AM EDT
Andriy Yarmolenko features for first time since Russian invasion of Ukraine
He’s been given time off by David Moyes since the invasion on February 24, but returns to the field for Michail Antonio now.
Jacob Whitehead
March 13, 2022 at 11:11 AM EDT
Everton 0-1 Wolves
Is Conor Coady now prolific?
The Liverpool fan sends Everton into the mire, with Leeds and Watford both leading. Worrying times.
Jacob Whitehead
