Simon Lloyd

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  • Carabao Cup rules mean Man City unlikely to be eliminated like Leyton Orient

    Carabao Cup rules mean Man City unlikely to be eliminated like Leyton Orient

    Competition rules mean a forfeit is highly unlikely Manchester City are not expected to be eliminated from the Carabao Cup, despite the postponement of Monday’s Premier League encounter with Everton. It was announced on Christmas Day that Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and two City staff members had tested positive for coronavirus. Following additional positive tests, […]

    5 years ago

  • Thomas Tuchel ‘interested’ in replacing Frank Lampard at Chelsea

    Thomas Tuchel ‘interested’ in replacing Frank Lampard at Chelsea

    Tuchel is planning a swift return to the world of football management Honestly football, just calm down a bit, yeah? It’s hard enough just knowing what day it is at this time of year without you thrusting another managerial merry-go-round upon us just to add to the confusion. None of us need this. Absolutely none […]

    5 years ago

  • Jose Mourinho criticises Tottenham players after dropping points at Wolves

    Jose Mourinho criticises Tottenham players after dropping points at Wolves

    Mourinho pointed the finger at his players after the draw at Molineux Jose Mourinho has questioned his Tottenham players’ ambition after his side dropped points against Wolves on – *checks to see what day it is* – Sunday evening. Spurs had taken a lead inside the opening minute at Molineux through Tanguy Ndombele, but rarely […]

    5 years ago

  • Shkodran Mustafi’s agent confirms surprise Barcelona transfer talks

    Shkodran Mustafi’s agent confirms surprise Barcelona transfer talks

    Mustafi could be on the brink of a surprise move For all that has been bad – very, very bad – about Arsenal just lately, very little blame can be attached to Shkodran Mustafi. The German defender, who at one stage seemed in some way connected to every single goal Arsenal conceded, has found his playing time […]

    5 years ago

  • Micah Richards suggests AFTV is affecting Arsenal players’ confidence

    Micah Richards suggests AFTV is affecting Arsenal players’ confidence

    “These players now, they look at social media.” Say what you like about Mikel Arteta’s failed attempts to revive Arsenal, he has undeniably brought Arsenal Fan TV – or AFTV, as it’s known these days – firmly back into the spotlight in recent weeks. AFTV, you see, isn’t really anything like as entertaining when the […]

    5 years ago

  • Football Twitter 2020: The best football tweets of the year

    Football Twitter 2020: The best football tweets of the year

    2020: a year that proved that, with or without it, Twitter will always find ways of linking literally anything back to football 2020 has been shit. Yes, we’re all aware. This considered, there’s no need for the big, explanatory intro here, is there? This is exactly what it says on the tin: a collection of […]

    5 years ago

  • Barcelona can avoid Liverpool payment if they sell Philippe Coutinho in January

    Barcelona can avoid Liverpool payment if they sell Philippe Coutinho in January

    Coutinho could be on his way for a knockdown price If there were any lingering doubts over whether or not Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona was the worst transfer in the history of association football, this should clear things up once and for all. Not even three years on from prising him away from Liverpool, […]

    5 years ago

  • Arsenal players face 25% wage cut if club is relegated

    Arsenal players face 25% wage cut if club is relegated

    Numerous players have a clause in their contracts And so, here we are, Arsenal fans. Remember all the optimism that came with that FA Cup win a mere… *checks notes*… four(!) months ago? Gone. Completely gone. With only a few days left of 2020, articles are being written about what happens if Mikel Arteta – […]

    5 years ago

  • Marcus Thuram sent off for spitting in the face of opponent

    Marcus Thuram sent off for spitting in the face of opponent

    Thuram could be given a lengthy ban as a result of the incident Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram is potentially facing a lengthy ban after being sent off for spitting in the face of Hoffenheim’s Stefan Posch. Thuram, the son of French World Cup winner, Lilian, was shown a straight red card for the incident, […]

    5 years ago

  • WATCH: VAR fails to reverse penalty after apparent Diego Costa dive

    WATCH: VAR fails to reverse penalty after apparent Diego Costa dive

    Never change, Diego Though he was undoubtedly one of the finest strikers on the planet at one point, Diego Costa has, on occasion, been accused of being a tad theatrical at the slightest hint of contact from an opponent. We were reminded of this again on Saturday, as the Brazilian-born Spanish international won and converted […]

    5 years ago

  • Man Utd considering Marc Overmars for Director of Football role

    Man Utd considering Marc Overmars for Director of Football role

    Former Arsenal winger Overmars is one of five candidates for United Here we go again. Not for the first time in recent years, Manchester United are said to be considering appointing the club’s very first director of football. After more than a few frankly embarrassing transfer windows, supporters have repeatedly called for the club to […]

    5 years ago

  • Arsenal miss out on Dominik Szoboszlai as midfielder seals RB Leipzig switch

    Arsenal miss out on Dominik Szoboszlai as midfielder seals RB Leipzig switch

    Szoboszlai has opted to move to the Budesliga to continue his development Highly rated Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has completed his move to RB Leipzig from sister club, Red Bull Salzburg. The 20-year-old has regularly been linked with a move to Arsenal in the last few months with Mikel Arteta said to be a big […]

    5 years ago

  • Reece James has charity gifts stolen from car as he serves food to children

    Reece James has charity gifts stolen from car as he serves food to children

    James shared an image of the damage to his Instagram Reece James has revealed how gifts intended for charity were stolen from his car as he attended an event at which he served food to hungry children. Thieves smashed the window of the Chelsea and England defender’s vehicle on Wednesday before making off with the […]

    5 years ago

  • Edinson Cavani charged by the FA over Instagram post

    Edinson Cavani charged by the FA over Instagram post

    Cavani has until January 4 to respond to the charge The Football Association have charged Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani for an Instagram post containing a Spanish phrase regarded as offensive in some contexts. The Uruguayan made the post shortly after scoring twice in United’s 3-2 win at Southampton at the end of November. Having […]

    5 years ago

  • Progress at last, but IFAB’s concussion sub trial is no giant leap forward

    Progress at last, but IFAB’s concussion sub trial is no giant leap forward

    IFAB have confirmed they will trial permanent concussion substitutes – ignoring calls to introduce temporary subs instead Not even a month ago, you wondered when – no, if – football would ever learn its lesson. Mere minutes after his sickening clash of heads with Raul Jimenez, one that saw the Wolves striker stretchered off with […]

    5 years ago

  • Headway question IFAB’s decision to trial permanent concussion substitutes

    Headway question IFAB’s decision to trial permanent concussion substitutes

    Headway, the brain injury charity, has repeatedly called for football to introduce temporary substitutions Brain injury charity Headway have expressed their disappointment at the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) decision to trial permanent concussion substitutes, rather than temporary. A statement released by IFAB on Wednesday confirmed that extensive trials with additional permanent substitutions for actual […]

    5 years ago

  • Cambridge tell fans who booed players taking the knee they are ‘not welcome’

    Cambridge tell fans who booed players taking the knee they are ‘not welcome’

    ‘We want to make clear that they are not welcome at Cambridge United’ Cambridge United have told a small number of supporters who booed as players took the knee before their game on Tuesday that they are no longer welcome at the club. The League Two side hosted Colchester at the Abbey Stadium, where a […]

    5 years ago

  • Paris Saint-Germain tell official club stores to prepare for Lionel Messi arrival

    Paris Saint-Germain tell official club stores to prepare for Lionel Messi arrival

    PSG have told club stores to be braced for Messi’s arrival Following the events of last summer, when he very, very publicly made it clear he wanted out, Lionel Messi’s future at Barcelona remains shrouded in uncertainty. Though Josep Bartomeu has since resigned, we’re still no nearer to knowing if Messi will pledge the final years of […]

    5 years ago

  • Slaven Bilic to be sacked by West Brom with Sam Allardyce favourite to replace him

    Slaven Bilic to be sacked by West Brom with Sam Allardyce favourite to replace him

    Bilic could be dismissed on Wednesday Slaven Bilic is reportedly likely to be sacked by West Brom on Wednesday, despite his side earning a draw away at Manchester City on Tuesday evening. The West Brom boss took charge at The Hawthorns in June 2019, guiding the Baggies to promotion from the Championship last season. However, […]

    5 years ago

  • Moses Odubajo issues explanation for ‘celebrating’ opponent’s goal after angry fan reaction

    Moses Odubajo issues explanation for ‘celebrating’ opponent’s goal after angry fan reaction

    ‘Out of context, videos can be misconstrued’ Sheffield Wednesday’s Moses Odubajo has offered an explanation to the club’s supporters after being accused of celebrating Lewis Grabban’s goal for Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. Forest beat Wednesday 2-0 at the City Ground to leave Tony Pulis’ side rooted to the bottom of the Championship table. Grabban’s […]

    5 years ago

  • QUIZ: Name all 50 of these Football Italia era players

    QUIZ: Name all 50 of these Football Italia era players

    Campionato. Di calcio. Italiano. If, like us, you remember a time – not that long ago – when Italian football ruled the world, this is definitely the kind of thing you’ll willingly waste away the next couple of minutes of your day on. If it isn’t, well, you’re here now, so you might as well give […]

    5 years ago

  • Parma release remake of their iconic 1998-99 home shirt

    Parma release remake of their iconic 1998-99 home shirt

    Want. If you’re old enough to remember the Football Italia years on Channel 4 – and frankly, if you aren’t, we feel a little bit sorry for you – you’ll almost certainly hold a special place in your heart for the Parma team of the late 1990s. While AC Milan and Juventus were the more […]

    5 years ago

  • Two Premier League clubs keen to sign Man Utd’s Brandon Williams in January loan deal

    Two Premier League clubs keen to sign Man Utd’s Brandon Williams in January loan deal

    Two Premier League clubs are interested in taking the youngster on loan Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams could be poised for a January loan move, after seeing his playing time at Old Trafford limited during the early months of the new season. Williams was handed his United debut by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the start […]

    5 years ago

  • Leon Goretzka explains why he turned down “great club” Liverpool

    Leon Goretzka explains why he turned down “great club” Liverpool

    “They’re a great club” Things haven’t exactly turned out too badly for Leon Goretzka since making the move to Bayern Munich. Two Bundesliga titles, a couple of German cups and a Champions League winners’ medal is a fine return for his two-and-a-half seasons in Bavaria, and justifies why he opted to make such a difficult […]

    5 years ago

  • Sir Alex Ferguson pays heartfelt tribute to his friend Gerard Houllier

    Sir Alex Ferguson pays heartfelt tribute to his friend Gerard Houllier

    “He was a true gentleman” Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has joined key figures from across the football world in paying tribute to Gerard Houllier, who has passed away aged 73. Houllier’s six-year stint in charge of Liverpool between 1998 and 2004 saw him win six trophies for the Merseyside club. Despite being […]

    5 years ago

  • Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal squad he will ‘destroy’ player responsible for leaks

    Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal squad he will ‘destroy’ player responsible for leaks

    Arteta is still determined to find out which of his players is behind recent press leaks Mikel Arteta is a man under pressure. Nobody expected miracles ahead of his first full season as Arsenal manager, but with Sunday’s defeat at home by Burnley it’s hard to imagine anyone anticipated things being *this* bad for the […]

    5 years ago

  • Tributes flood in as Gerard Houllier dies, aged 73

    Tributes flood in as Gerard Houllier dies, aged 73

    The former Liverpool manager has passed away aged 73 Tributes have poured in from across the football world and beyond after the news broke that Gerard Houllier has passed away at the age of 73. Houllier is best known in England for his six-year stint as Liverpool manager, in which he guided the club to […]

    5 years ago

  • Brexit rules have ended hopes of Hulk’s Premier League move

    Brexit rules have ended hopes of Hulk’s Premier League move

    The Brazilian veteran will not be getting a Premier League swansong Any faint hopes of seeing Brazilian striker Hulk in the Premier League appear to have been dealt a substantial blow by new Brexit rules. The former Porto and Zenit St Petersburg forward has spent the last four years earning an eye-wateringly high wage packet […]

    5 years ago

  • Mikel Arteta ‘faces dressing room crisis’ as Arsenal lose again

    Mikel Arteta ‘faces dressing room crisis’ as Arsenal lose again

    Arsenal lost their fourth league home game in succession on Sunday night Things go from bad to worse for Mikel Arteta. Sunday’s defeat to Burnley – helped by a moment of madness from Granit Xhaka and a match-deciding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang own-goal – has left Arsenal 15th in the Premier League table, a mere five points […]

    5 years ago

  • Roy Keane expertly cuts down Gary Neville with hilarious squad rotation dig

    Roy Keane expertly cuts down Gary Neville with hilarious squad rotation dig

    Love him or loathe him, Roy Keane is TV gold All the build-up, all the hype, and here we are, a matter of hours after the first Manchester derby finished in a dull goalless draw, telling you about Roy Keane mercilessly taking the piss out of Gary Neville. The former United teammates were both on […]

    5 years ago

  • Petr Cech calls for second goal line to make penalties fair for goalkeepers

    Petr Cech calls for second goal line to make penalties fair for goalkeepers

    ‘It’s beyond my understanding’ Petr Cech has hit out at the recently introduced penalty rules, claiming the insistence that goalkeepers remain on their line until a spot-kick has been taken is unfair. Cech was speaking after Lukasz Fabianski became the latest Premier League goalkeeper to save a penalty before having to face a re-take. […]

    5 years ago

  • Leaked images show Boca Juniors shirt commemorates famous Real Madrid win

    Leaked images show Boca Juniors shirt commemorates famous Real Madrid win

    Because everyone loves a bit of leaked kit news Few phrases in the English language will raise the heart-rate of any self-respecting football hipster quite like ‘new Boca Juniors shirt’. If that’s you – and let’s face it, you’re already here reading this, so it probably is – then we have good news. A new […]

    5 years ago

  • Nicklas Bendtner called Arsene Wenger a w***er to force transfer

    Nicklas Bendtner called Arsene Wenger a w***er to force transfer

    Bendtner came agonisingly close to sealing a move to Crystal Palace in 2013 Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has revealed how he tried to force a move away from the club by calling then-manager Arsene Wenger a w***er and an a**hole during a heated argument. The Dane progressed through the academy ranks at Arsenal but, […]

    5 years ago

  • Jamie Carragher questions Arsenal recruitment again after Joorabchian criticism

    Jamie Carragher questions Arsenal recruitment again after Joorabchian criticism

    ‘To me, Willian’s move to Arsenal looks like a final payday for a fine player past his best’ Jamie Carragher has again questioned Arsenal’s recruitment policy, days after his views on the same topic drew criticism from agent, Kia Joorabchian. Joorabchian took exception to comments made by Carragher on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, where […]

    5 years ago

  • Trevor Sinclair says Man Utd fans now view Man City as their biggest rivals

    Trevor Sinclair says Man Utd fans now view Man City as their biggest rivals

    “If you ask Manchester United fans who their biggest rivals are at the moment, a lot will say Manchester City” Former Manchester City and England midfielder Trevor Sinclair says Manchester United fans now regard City as their biggest rivals. Speaking on talkSPORT ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby, Sinclair said that the tables have turned […]

    5 years ago

  • Frustrated Dele Alli likely to join Paris Saint-Germain in January

    Frustrated Dele Alli likely to join Paris Saint-Germain in January

    Alli could be set to join PSG in January Paris Saint-Germain are set to make a renewed move to sign Dele Alli from Tottenham in January. Daniel Levy knocked back an approach from the Champions League finalists in the summer, but Alli’s limited playing time under Jose Mourinho this season has seen uncertainty grow around […]

    5 years ago

  • A Paul Pogba Cristiano Ronaldo swap deal might *actually* happen

    A Paul Pogba Cristiano Ronaldo swap deal might *actually* happen

    Sooner or later, you knew it would come to this… Paul Pogba, as his agent has made it explicitly clear, wants out of Manchester United (again). Juventus are reportedly considering selling Cristiano Ronaldo in the next few months. The transfer swap deal rumour just writes itself, doesn’t it? It’s easy – very, very easy – to […]

    5 years ago

  • Antoine Griezmann cuts Huawei ties over ‘Uighur alert’ allegations

    Antoine Griezmann cuts Huawei ties over ‘Uighur alert’ allegations

    The France international has immediately terminated the partnership Antoine Griezmann has announced that he is to end his long-running sponsorship deal with Huawei after the Chinese telecom giant was allegedly involved in the surveillance of Uighur Muslims. A report released earlier in the week by IPVM, a surveillance research company based in the United States, […]

    5 years ago

  • Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley to avoid punishment after breaking Covid restrictions

    Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley to avoid punishment after breaking Covid restrictions

    Grealish and Barkley were spotted in a restaurant in London together England internationals Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley will escape any punishment after breaking coronavirus restrictions. The Aston Villa duo had dined at a London restaurant to mark Barkley’s 27 birthday over the weekend, despite the capital’s Tier 2 status preventing individuals from different households […]

    5 years ago

  • Qatar will allow rainbow flags in stadiums during 2022 World Cup

    Qatar will allow rainbow flags in stadiums during 2022 World Cup

    The 2022 World Cup is scheduled to start in less than two years Qatar has said it will comply with FIFA regulations promoting tolerance and equality when it hosts the 2022 World Cup, vowing that rainbow flags will be permitted in stadiums throughout the tournament. Since being awarded the right to host the World Cup […]

    5 years ago

  • Burger King becomes ‘Burger Queen’ for football shirt sponsor deal

    Burger King becomes ‘Burger Queen’ for football shirt sponsor deal

    After their widely praised ‘Stevenage Challenge’ Burger King have a new campaign with the club Following the huge success of their Stevenage Challenge campaign, Burger King have announced they are extending their partnership with the League Two club to cover its women’s team. The new deal will see equal sponsorship terms across both men’s and […]

    5 years ago

  • Romelu Lukaku blocks Alexis Sanchez header as Inter Milan suffer another early exit

    Romelu Lukaku blocks Alexis Sanchez header as Inter Milan suffer another early exit

    Another disastrous end to an Inter Milan Champions League campaign 24 hours on from their old side crashing out of the Champions League in Leipzig, former Manchester United duo Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku combined to ensure Inter Milan suffered a similar fate in their final group game against Shakhtar Donetsk. With Group B on […]

    5 years ago

  • QUIZ: Name these 50 Premier League players from the 2000s – #4

    QUIZ: Name these 50 Premier League players from the 2000s – #4

    You know the drill There’s really no need for me to explain how this quiz works now, is there? No. No, there is not. If you’re yet to take previous editions of this quiz, click the massive click here picture below. If you’ve done them already, give yourself a bonus point, scroll down and get […]

    5 years ago

  • Football’s painfully slow approach to dealing with concussion is “simply unacceptable”

    Football’s painfully slow approach to dealing with concussion is “simply unacceptable”

    “Rugby deserves credit… you compare it with football and it’s delay after delay…” Football’s lack of action in introducing stricter protocols for dealing with concussion has been “unacceptable”, according to brain injury charity, Headway. The topic has been thrust back into the spotlight following the sickening clash of heads between Wolves striker Raul Jimenez and […]

    5 years ago

  • Diego Maradona’s daughter in tears after emotional Boca Juniors goal celebration

    Diego Maradona’s daughter in tears after emotional Boca Juniors goal celebration

    An emotional moment Dalma Maradona, daughter of Diego, was left in tears as Boca Juniors players marked the first goal in their win over Newell’s Old Boys with a special tribute to her late father. Boca, the club at which Maradona spent two spells during his career, were playing their first game since his death […]

    5 years ago

  • Darnell Fisher gets three-game ban after grabbing opponent’s genitalia

    Darnell Fisher gets three-game ban after grabbing opponent’s genitalia

    Footage of the incident was widely shared on social media last week but was unnoticed by the match referee Preston North End full-back Darnell Fisher has received a three-game ban after he appeared to grab the genitalia of Sheffield Wednesday’s Callum Peterson. A statement from Preston has confirmed the defender has been handed a three-match […]

    5 years ago

  • David Alaba’s agent to hold Chelsea talks over defender’s free-transfer

    David Alaba’s agent to hold Chelsea talks over defender’s free-transfer

    Chelsea are believed to be near the front of the queue for Alaba David Alaba’s agent is reportedly trying to arrange a move to Chelsea for the Bayern Munich defender. Barring a significant U-tun, the Austrian international will leave the European champions on a free in the summer after Bayern recently withdrew their offer to […]

    5 years ago

  • Marcelo Bielsa says fans should be banned until all teams can welcome them back

    Marcelo Bielsa says fans should be banned until all teams can welcome them back

    “The presence of the fans has an effect on the results” Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has suggested supporters of Premier League clubs should only be permitted to attend games when all teams are allowed to welcome fans back. The introduction of the government’s new tiered system means clubs in Liverpool and London can welcome […]

    5 years ago

  • Funeral parlour workers pose with Diego Maradona’s body in coffin

    Funeral parlour workers pose with Diego Maradona’s body in coffin

    Maradona’s lawyer will take legal action against the men Three funeral parlour workers in Argentina have been widely criticised for posing for photographs with Diego Maradona’s body in its open coffin. Two separate images, which, for obvious reasons, we have not included in this article, were widely circulated across social media networks in South America […]

    5 years ago

  • QUIZ: Name these 50 Premier League players from the 2000s – #3

    QUIZ: Name these 50 Premier League players from the 2000s – #3

    Round Three Here it is. The third instalment of this, the catchily named Name these 50 Premier League players from the 2000s quiz. You probably get the gist of what it is you have to do from the title itself, but if not, scroll down and you’ll soon work it out. It’s really not that […]

    5 years ago