Fans online have been left infuriated after Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar avoided a red card for a bad challenge on Gabriel Jesus.
What happened between Schar and Jesus?
Arsenal travelled away to St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, hoping to keep their Premier League title hopes alive with a big performance.
And Mikel Arteta can be delighted with his team because they delivered just what was needed to keep the pressure on Manchester City.
Indeed, despite a fast start from Eddie Howe and co, the Gunners took the lead when Martin Odegaard drilled in a fine shot from around 25 yards out.
Then later on in the second half, Arsenal doubled their lead when Gabriel Martinelli showed quick feet on the wing to deliver a low cross that hit Schar and deflected into the back of the Magpies’ net.
Ironically, there are plenty of supporters who actually think the Swiss defender shouldn’t have been on the pitch at this moment in time.
Indeed, shortly before his own goal, the £40k-per-week centre-back charged in to win the ball of Jesus but seemed to deliberately raise an elbow in the Brazilian striker’s jaw.
As you can see in the footage above, the evidence it’s pretty damning but referee Chris Cavanagh didn’t seem to spot it live and even with VAR in use on the day, Schar still somehow avoided a red card.
It’s safe to say a number of supporters were left in disbelief after seeing replays of the incident. Here are some of the best reactions…
قضى أتلتيكو مدريد على آمال ريال مدريد في العودة في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا، في بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا.
ويلتقي الفريقان حاليًا في إطار منافسات دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، موسم 2023/24 (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).
ونجح أتلتيكو مدريد في تعزيز تفوقه على جاره ريال مدريد، بعدما سجل الهدف الرابع في الدقيقة 119 عن طريق رودريجو ريكيلمي. هدف أتلتيكو مدريد الرابع أمام ريال مدريد
وتشير النتيجة في الوقت الحالي إلى تقدم أتلتيكو مدريد بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدفين، في الأشواط الإضافية التي لجأ إليها الفريقان بعدما تعادلا في الوقت الأصلي بهدفين لمثليهما.
قدّم بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، تحديثات بشأن حالة لاعبه إيرلينج هالاند، بالإضافة إلى حارس المرمى إيدرسون ومانويل أكانجي وجون ستونز قبل مباراة الفريق المقبلة أمام توتنهام.
ويلتقي مانشستر سيتي وتوتنهام غدًا الجمعة في تمام العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، ببطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.
وأكد جوارديولا أن هالاند يقترب من العودة للمشاركة مع مانشستر سيتي، وتحدث المدرب خلال مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الخميس.
وقال جوارديولا عن إيدرسون: “إنه بخير الآن”، وأضاف بشأن هالاند: “إنه على وشك العودة، لكن بالنسبة لمباراة الغد، لا يزال غير جاهز لكنه قريب”.
اقرأ أيضًا | بعد 3 أشهر.. ماديسون يعود لتدريبات توتنهام استعدادًا لمواجهة مانشستر سيتي
وواصل عن هالاند: “لقد تدرب في بعض الدورات التدريبية في اليومين الماضيين، الأمر ليس مثاليًا لذا ننتظر أكثر قليلًا”.
واختتم: “أكانجي غير جاهز، وجون ستونز سيكون في المنافسة على مكان بالتشكيل، هو عاد معنا”.
Jack Leach was the bowling hero on the first day of Somerset’s Specsavers’ County Championship game against Surrey at Taunton. He picked up four wickets in his 18 overs as Surrey finished the day on 236 for 8
ECB Reporters Network28-May-2016 ScorecardJack Leach put Surrey in a spin•Getty Images
Jack Leach was the bowling hero on the first day of Somerset’s Specsavers’ County Championship game against Surrey at Taunton. He picked up four wickets in his 18 overs as Surrey finished the day on 236 for 8.Having chosen to bat first, Surrey made a quickfire start before losing their first wicket, at 26, when Rory Burns was caught at second slip by Marcus Trescothick off the bowling of Craig Overton.Arun Harinath followed with the score on 70, once again caught by Trescothick at slip, this time off the bowling of Jim Allenby.It was turning out to be a morning of mixed fortunes for Allenby who had earlier dropped Kumar Sangakkara at slip off Jamie Overton. Still, the former Glamorgan allrounder did strike shortly before lunch when trapping Gary Wilson lbw for 12 at 90 for 3.Sangakkara looked in decent touch until the first over after lunch when he offered a return catch that bowler Tim Groenewald gratefully accepted.Left-handers Steven Davies and Zafar Ansari played well, thereafter, adding 85 for the fourth wicket in even time. However, having been dropped at short leg by Trescothick earlier in his innings, Davies eventually played around a Leach delivery, from the River End, and was given out lbw, for 49, off 119 balls.Then, off the final ball before tea, Ansari, who struck four boundary fours and a six over long-on, off Leach, offered a catch to Trescothick at short leg to leave Surrey on 201 for 6.Leach picked up a third wicket, that of Tom Curran, caught at slip by Allenby for 0 and shortly after sent back captain Gareth Batty, lbw for 0. At that stage, Surrey had lost four wickets for no runs in 28 minutes.Ben Foakes and Mathew Pillans dug in after tea and together rescued what was a rather desperate situation, for Surrey. They added an unbeaten 35 for the ninth wicket when the players were forced off the field due to rain, thunder and lightning.
Finance expert Dr Dan Plumley has been reacting to an update from Leeds United in the event of relegation from the Premier League.
What are Leeds’ plans if they are relegated?
Sam Allardyce is the man tasked with keeping the Whites in the top flight, however, after one point from his opening two games, the club find themselves in the bottom three. Leeds now have just two games remaining to avoid the drop, but if they do fall back down to the Championship, the club already have plans in place.
Reliable reporter Phil Hay stated last week that there are ‘significant clauses inserted into every player’s contract, which will see wages fall by a minimum of 50 per cent and maximum of 60 per cent in the event of relegation’.
Talking to MOT Leeds News about those clauses, Plumley, who contributes to Sky Sports, labelled it as “sensible” and “the right thing to do”.
“It depends on the contract we’re talking about and it may be for certain players and not others.
“The bottom line is the right thing to do in the current climate. If you look at the most recent revenue for Leeds, you’re going to lose about 30% of that if you’re relegated, so balancing that out with some wage reduction clauses is pretty sensible and all clubs should be doing that in the modern-day game.”
Who is Leeds’ biggest earner?
A trip to West Ham and a final day Elland Road clash with Tottenham are the club’s only chances to turn things around, but if the worst is to happen, the Whites could be set to make considerable cuts.
Leeds’ current expenditure when it comes to wages is £48.1m, with top scorer Rodrigo the highest earner on £100,000-a-week. Patrick Bamford is on £70,000-a-week, whereas summer signing Luis Sinisterra makes up the top three picking up a salary of £65,000-a-week.
Therefore, if Leeds are relegated, up to £28.8m could be cut on wages, should each player have a 60% deduction. That will help with the loss of 30% in revenue, as claimed by Plumley, but everyone at the club will be hoping that those cuts aren’t required, with Allardyce managing to keep the club in the Premier League with two final positive results.
Arsenal are known for giving a platform to young stars to succeed and have stuck by their philosophy under Mikel Arteta, which has paid dividends in a successful 2022/23 campaign that has yielded Champions League qualification.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have blossomed this term under the Spaniard while William Saliba has become a mainstay in the backline at the Emirates.
One talent who has struggled to break into the side over the last year has been Emile Smith Rowe, who has made just 14 appearances in competitions for the Gunners, registering a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.
Incredibly, Smith Rowe is still only 22-years-old and there is every chance that he could return to the fold in 2023/24 and play a key role for his boyhood club in north London.
What's the latest news involving Emile Smith Rowe?
As per talkSPORT, Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Smith Rowe in the summer transfer window and are willing to 'chance their arm' to see if they can land the England Under-21 international.
Unai Emery, who gave the London-born midfielder his debut at Arsenal, is said to be the motivation behind their interest as he eyes adding some gloss to his Aston Villa side.
The Daily Mail report that Smith Rowe could be part of a four-man clearout this summer alongside Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding as Arteta looks to raise funds for a transfer window spending spree.
On the contrary, Football London's Kaya Kaynak has signalled that there might be a twist in the tale in an online Q&A that Smith Rowe has been training in a different position from his usual number ten role at London Colney, writing: "It's a bit of a mystery why he’s [Smith Rowe] hardly playing. I guess you could argue that Reiss Nelson is ahead of him at the moment, but Smith Rowe has been training as a central midfielder, so it's probably more apt to say that it's Fabio Vieira whose in front of him in the queue."
Kanak then added: "I'd be surprised if he were to leave this summer myself. He's got three years left on his deal still, and would probably need to force a move away if he wants one. No doubt there's plenty of interest from teams in the Premier League and abroad, but I think he'll stay put as things stand."
It is difficult to judge his exploits this term; however, in 2021/22, Smith Rowe bagged an impressive 11 goals and two assists in 37 outings, showing that he can be an important asset to Arsenal when fully fit, as per Transfermarkt.
Altering his position slightly could also help the Gunners to save significant expenditure in the transfer market and avoid paying over the odds for the likes of Declan Rice, Mason Mount or Moises Caicedo, all of whom have been mentioned as potential transfer targets.
Journalist Mark Mann-Bryans has previously labelled the £40k-a-week ace as a "game-changer" and it is easy to see why, taking his talent into account.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Paul Brown has predicted that Smith Rowe will be given an opportunity to shine next season.
Brown told FFC: "I think he knows he'll get minutes next season, he'll get a chance to force his way back into that team. The only way I think Smith Rowe leaves Arsenal is if another big Champions League team comes in for him and says you're going to go right in, you'll be playing virtually every week; this is where we're going to give you a key role. But is there a Champions League team that wants to do that? I don't think there is."
Smith Rowe's ability isn't in doubt and he deserves a place in Arteta's squad next year to show his capabilities on a weekly basis.
Warwickshire have confirmed that Varun Chopra is to leave the club at the end of the season
George Dobell05-Jul-2016
Varun Chopra will be moving to new pastures despite his success at Edgbaston•Getty Images
Warwickshire have confirmed that Varun Chopra is to leave the club at the end of the season.Chopra was captain of the club until January and has a good long-term record as a batsman. He has been Warwickshire’s top run-scorer (if all competitions are combined) in four of the five previous seasons and, after a modest 2015, has rediscovered his consistency this year. Only Samit Patel has reached 50 more often of Division One batsmen and, in his only T20 appearance of the season, he hit a match-winning 97 not out.But, as ESPNcricinfo revealed last week, somewhere along the way, the relationship between Chopra and the club management has soured. His desire to have more time off at the end of the season – the club want all players to report back for training in early November – and his reluctance to commit himself to a long-term future at the club have been perceived as not buying into the team culture and setting a less than perfect example to younger players.The club, mindful of the number of senior players on the staff, are also keen to provide opportunities to younger men and make room in the budget for acquisitions.But Chopra is just 29 – significantly younger than the likes of Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Rikki Clarke, Tim Ambrose and Jeetan Patel – and could have his best years ahead of him. He retains England aspirations and is known to be of interest to several clubs. He comes across as a most unlikely rebel – he was widely praised for his calm leadership as he led the club to the NatWest Blast title in 2014 – and Warwickshire may come to rue the failure to manage him more effectively.”Both parties believe that now is a good time for Varun to accept a fresh challenge and he is now able to talk to other counties in order to realise his own career ambitions,” a statement released by Warwickshire says. “In the meantime, he remains fully committed to the club and will continue to perform at his best through to the end of the season.”Whilst everyone at the club is fully aware of his capabilities as a top order batsman, there is also a need to look at the development of the squad in order to be able to maintain a challenge on all fronts in the coming years.”Everyone at Edgbaston would like to thank Varun for his contribution to Warwickshire over the last seven seasons.”
نجح فريق المصري البورسعيدي في تحقيق الفوز على نظيره بيراميدز بنتيجة 3-1، خلال المباراة التي جرت بينهما اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الرابطة المصرية.
والتقى بيراميدز مع المصري على أرضية استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية، في إطار مواجهات دور ربع النهائي من كأس الرابطة.
وسجل ميدو جابر هدف المصري الأول في الدقيقة 27، من عرضية بقدم سمير فكري استقبلها ميدو برأسية ارتطمت بحارس مرمى بيراميدز وتابعها بتسديدة سكنت الشباك.
طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | سيراميكا كليوباترا يهزم سموحة بثنائية ويتأهل إلى نصف نهائي كأس الرابطة
وجاء هدف المصري الثاني في الدقيقة 75، عن طريق صلاح محسن بعد تمريرة بينية من سمير فكري استقبلها صلاح محسن بتسديدة متقنة داخل الشباك.
وتقدم كريم العراقي بالهدف الثالث للمصري في الدقيقة 86، من تسديدة قوية من داخل منطقة الجزاء تصدى لها حارس بيراميدز وتابعها العراقي بتسديدة أخرى سكنت الشباك.
وفي الدقيقة 90+3 سجل فاخري لاكاي هدف بيراميدز الوحيد، عن طريق تسديدة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء ارتطمت بالقائم ثم لداخل الشباك.
بهذا الفوز، حصد المصري البورسعيدي بطاقة تأهله إلى دور نصف النهائي بطولة كأس الرابطة، في مواجهة فريق طلائع الجيش. أهداف مباراة المصري وبيراميدز في كأس الرابطة المصرية
Women’s Big Bash League players Hayley Jensen and Corinne Hall have been banned for six months each for betting on matches by Cricket Australia
Brydon Coverdale06-Jul-2016
Corinne Hall played for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League 2015-16•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) players Hayley Jensen and Corinne Hall have been banned for six months each for betting on matches as Cricket Australia continues its crackdown on any betting involvement from contracted players.Jensen and Hall both voluntarily accepted identical sanctions imposed by Cricket Australia – a two-year ban of which 18 months was suspended – after admitting the charges of betting on men’s international games. South Australia Futures League player Joel Logan also received a suspended ban after he also breached Cricket Australia’s Anti-Corruption Code.Jensen, who has played international cricket for New Zealand and represented Victoria and Melbourne Stars in the 2015-16 Australian domestic season, admitted the charge of placing one bet on the result of the Brisbane Test between Australia and New Zealand in November.Hall, who played for Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL, admitted the charge of placing two bets relating to two matches in the Matador Cup competition last summer.Logan admitted the charge of placing two bets relating to the World T20 earlier this year.The punishments for Hall and Jensen prevent them from “participating in any form of cricket or cricket-related event” until October 21. Unlike Hall and Jensen, Logan was not on a full state contract and was contracted on a match-by-match basis for the Futures League, which was taken into account in determining his lesser punishment.The bans were not the first to concern Australian cricketers in the past year: ACT and Sydney Sixers legspinner Angela Reakes was handed a suspended sentence last December for betting on the 2015 World Cup final, and Western Australia’s Piepa Cleary was banned in February after betting on the Adelaide Test between Australia and New Zealand last November.Cricket Australia’s Head of Integrity, Iain Roy, said: “We take a proactive, zero-tolerance approach to maintaining the integrity of our sport and this includes any form of betting on cricket globally.”Players in Australia are required to complete an anti-corruption education session before they can compete in any competition, including all players in our Underage National Championships. We continually remind players that betting on any form of cricket is strictly prohibited, and this is written into our Anti-Corruption Code.”These players have accepted the seriousness of their errors and have voluntarily accepted their sanctions. This serves as a timely reminder to all players in cricket that the integrity of our game is a high priority and we won’t accept this being compromised.”
Chelsea's squad is laden with quality, although with the money spent on it of late, that is to be expected. For one manager who can find the right system to fit them into, there is a veritable gold mine at Stamford Bridge, just waiting to be excavated and showcased to the world.
But, for now, they are far from that lucrative stage.
In fact, the Blues currently sit in 11th, on track to record one of their worst Premier League finishes in history. Frank Lampard could not right the wrongs of Graham Potter before him, and so it seems set to be Mauricio Pochettino who'll be the latest to try his hand at one of the hardest and most cutthroat jobs in world football.
The Argentine has earned this job predominantly off the back of his work in reigniting Tottenham Hotspur and turning them into a powerhouse of English football once again. When handed time and backing, everyone has already seen what he can do.
victor-wanyama-mauricio-pochettino
He, therefore, seems best placed to take over this dormant outfit, with the belief that his past successes can translate into this current predicament.
However, in order to unlock what already resides in west London, the 51-year-old will first command a few purchases of his own.
In signing mooted transfer target Romeo Lavia from the recently relegated Southampton, he could invoke the past success of Victor Wanyama, who he also snagged from the Saints to be his midfield rock in north London.
The youngster retains his £40m buy-back clause from Manchester City, and the Championship-bound outfit could demand a fee similar.
How has Romeo Lavia played this season?
Despite being just 19 years old, this midfield powerhouse has shone in the engine room of a side seriously lacking quality and experience. The 6.83 average rating of the Belgian does not do justice to just how imperious he has been, with his two tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game upheld by an 86% pass accuracy, via Sofascore.
With little flash about his game, this workmanlike teenage sensation has all the hallmarks of a young Wanyama, who too acted as something of a destroyer under Pochettino.
In what was arguably his standout season in north London, during the 2015/16 campaign, the Kenyan showcased such defensive superiority that mirrors the path Lavia seems set to follow.
Alongside his 7.00 average rating, his 82% pass accuracy was buoyed by 3.1 tackles, 2.3 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.
He truly was the "monster" that broadcaster and ex-professional Gabriel Zakuani branded him back in 2012, which is coincidentally the same label attached to Southampton's young superstar by journalist Benjy Nurick, who wrote back in January:
"Romeo Lavia was an absolute monster tonight. Quite possibly the best midfielder on the pitch."
Now playing in the MLS, it is easy to forget just how influential Wanyama was in the triumphs Pochettino earned with the Lilywhites.
Should he now kickstart his new regime with a similar signing, perhaps he can go one further and actually add the host of silverware he was missing from an otherwise successful tenure at Spurs.