Managers and players of the Premier League’s three relegated clubs face an uncertain future but parachute payments make an instant return the targetWill the manager be there next season? Related: Marco Silva yet to decide Hull City future after relegation Related: David Moyes will stay at Sunderland only if given funds to rebuild Continue reading...
Chelsea and Spurs face challenges of a differing kind despite their success, Paul Clement justified his appointment and Marco Silva is likely to leave HullThe Dozen: the weekend’s best Premier League photos Related: Rainbows and tears on Tottenham's last day at White Hart Lane | David Hytner Related: The Dozen: the weekend’s best Premier League photos Continue reading...
Middlesbrough’s owner waited too long to sack Aitor Karanka and then turned to the wrong man in Steve Agnew. Making a sensible appointment as manager is key nowSteve Gibson is frequently, and usually quite rightly, presented as exhibit A when it comes to listing the properties required to run a football club properly. There are valid, enduring reasons why Middlesbrough’s owner and chairman is regarded as a role model in his field but this season even Gibson’s feet turned to clay.Loyalty is normally to be applauded but in this case it proved self-destructive as he waited way too long to replace Aitor Karanka as manager and when he did, turned to Karanka’s assistant, the untested Steve Agnew, instead of appointing...
Antonio Conte’s side strolled to the verge of the title while Middlesbrough have failed to make the most of an opportunity they had waited so long forAntonio Conte will stress there is work still to be done but Chelsea, on this evidence, will be crowned champions at the Hawthorns before the end of the week. West Bromwich Albion will do well to suppress this team’s threat on Friday with the finishing line so close after their dismantling of Middlesbrough. The pace and bite of their forays forward took the breath away at times, with Eden Hazard scuttling at his markers and Diego Costa bullying centre-halves and full-backs alike. The balance to the team has felt ideal since last September and,...
Gabriel and Arsenal falter under pressure, Crystal Palace have a problem with fan behaviour, Sunderland must keep Didier Ndong while Hull’s Harry Maguire continues his excellent formSean Dyche laughed off the fact James Tarkowski had been struck by a plastic cigarette lighter as Burnley’s players celebrated their first goal but Crystal Palace will find the incident far from amusing. This was the third time a visiting player has been struck by an object thrown from that corner of the Holmesdale stand since the club returned to the Premier League in 2013. Wayne Rooney and more recently Fabricio Coloccini were the others hit and the Metropolitan police appealed for witnesses over the coin flung at the Newcastle defender. The Football Association...