Everton must find goals, Forest need tight games to go their way and there’s a mighty showdown in Manchester
Eddie Howe turned radical as Newcastle lost their FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City earlier this month, deploying a back three. For a confirmed four-at-the-back manager, it represented quite a departure but retaining it might just suit Newcastle’s personnel – particularly against West Ham at St James’ Park this Saturday. Given that Sven Botman is sidelined for nine months following ACL surgery – and with hindsight the Dutch defender should have had that operation when he first damaged his knee in September – the best back three would surely be Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär and Dan Burn flanked by Kieran Trippier, if fit, or Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. Hall has disappointed following his summer loan from Chelsea but a left wing-back position might finally enable him to demonstrate why many once believed he was an England player in the making. With Schär showing off his ball skills at sweeper, 3-5-2 might yet propel Newcastle into Europa League combat next season. Louise Taylor
Newcastle v West Ham, Saturday 12.30pm GMT
Bournemouth v Everton, Saturday 3pm GMT
Chelsea v Burnley, Saturday 3pm GMT
Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm GMT
Continue reading...Liverpool are ready to give up on plans to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club now believe he will stay at Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season.
Alonso looks set to win the Bundesliga with Leverkusen and the understanding is the Spaniard is likely to remain for their Champions League campaign.
Continue reading...As the sharp end of the season fast approaches, here are four classic matches that helped to decide title battles gone by
“I always wanted to kick Peter Schmeichel for some reason,” Michael Owen said, looking back on how he became the first player to be sent off in a Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool. He was first booked for kicking the goalkeeper and, minutes after scoring to cancel Ronny Johnsen’s opener, Owen earned his second yellow for a lunge on the Norwegian in the 40th minute. Johnsen had to be carried off on a stretcher. Earlier in the season United had comfortably beaten Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield, and the Merseyside club were keen to ruin the party and ensure their rivals did not get a boost in their title race against Arsenal.
Continue reading...Nottingham Forest have paid tribute to the double European Cup winner Larry Lloyd, who has died at the age of 75.
Lloyd, who also won the First Division title and Uefa Cup with Liverpool, was a key player in the Forest side that won the league in 1978 and European Cup in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough. The Bristol-born defender won four caps for England, too, and went on to manage Wigan and Notts County following the end of his hugely successful playing career.
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