The Frenchman’s side will defend a one-goal lead going into the EFL Cup second leg after making Liverpool look rather ordinary at St Mary’sThis was the opportune moment for Claude Puel and his Southampton team to make a statement. In the buildup to the match the Frenchman said how his players “had nothing to lose” and it was time for his team to back him up amid growing frustration at his defensive approach and his side’s poor form. Related: Nathan Redmond gives Southampton narrow edge against Liverpool Continue reading...
Mourinho’s moan about the poor atmosphere at Old Trafford against Hull has some justification yet was designed to produce a reaction against LiverpoolOne reading of José Mourinho’s criticism of Manchester United supporters is that it is hardly going to enamour the manager to them. This is a constituency who have to hear the chant, “Fergie’s right/your fans are shite”, from their opposite numbers on most match-days at Old Trafford.Mourinho’s calling out of the faithful came after Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat of Hull City in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg. The Portuguese’s complaint was that if the volume for Liverpool’s visit on Sunday was not higher the hope of beating United’s fiercest rival is materially reduced. Related: José Mourinho urges...
His manager Claude Puel has insisted he will come good but the 22-year-old needs to start delivering soon and the EFL Cup would be the perfect timeOne thing has been missing from Southampton’s rise over recent years and this season would be a fine time to change that. The club have won promotions and plaudits since 2011, playing their way stylishly from League One to the upper reaches of the Premier League while becoming a model of shrewd development, but they have yet to garnish that progress with major silverware. An EFL Cup triumph this season would put that right – and soften fears their progress is stalling.Victory in the 2010 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, a competition for lower league teams,...
Plymouth’s defence was classy and defiant, Ndidi excelled on Leicester debut, Batshuayi proved little and Stourbridge showed romance is alive, even in defeatThe triumphant celebrations after Plymouth Argyle’s 0-0 draw at Anfield were further confirmation that giant-equalling is the new giantkilling. In the modern world of the FA Cup, it is enough for David to draw with Goliath – especially as it means a second payday for clubs often in need of such a financial boost. For Plymouth’s players, it was about more than that. It’s easy to be sniffy about their ultra-defensive approach against the youngest team in Liverpool’s history, but most League Two teams would not have been good enough to pull it off. Plymouth defended with such...
Pilgrims fan and comedian Josh Widdicombe documents his FA Cup awayday at Anfield alongside more than 8,500 Plymouth Argyle supportersIt may be easy for me to say this straight after the match but that was the greatest experience I’ve ever had supporting Plymouth Argyle. I presumed it would be the same for everyone who saw the game but having spoken to some friends I now realise I am out of step with the nation. In reality, it was almost certainly an absolutely awful football match. But, frankly, who cares? Related: Plymouth hold out against Klopp’s young Liverpool to earn FA Cup replay Astonishing scenes! Continue reading...