Premier League
TODAY’S NORTH LONDON DERBY; SPURS VS. ARSENAL IS MORE THAN JUST BRAGGING RIGHTS
The North London Derby has been on for decades. But today’s clash of Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal is just more than mere bragging rights for the two neighbouring clubs. It could be crucial in deciding which team qualifies for the Europa League.
It is the first North London derby for Tottenham manager, Jose Mourinho, who according, to AFP reports, has said that the Premier League is not a match that will decide “big things”, but he knows the importance of bragging rights for fans.
With Spurs in ninth place on 49 points before yesterday’s round of fixtures and Arsenal one place and one point better off, both clubs are not where they would like to be, although Europa League qualification is still possible.
Mourinho is used to battling for silverware and, while there is no medal for finishing as the top club in north London, today’s home clash could prove crucial in deciding that issue.
“This moment we are both in a very similar situation,” he said.
“It’s not that incredible emotion where we are fighting for something really big, more than just to finish above the other one.
“It’s not a match that will decide big things. Both of us, realistically, are not fighting for a Champions League position. But it’s a big match for the table, and on top of that, there is a rivalry.”
Spurs have finished above Arsenal in each of the past three seasons but it could be different this term.
With four games remaining, the Gunners have been more impressive than Tottenham since the Premier League’s restart last month following the Covid-enforced hiatus, especially in an attacking sense.
Spurs have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, but have scored only five goals in five games, compared to Arsenal’s 10.
“To defend better, to concede less, to keep some clean sheets is obviously important but we want to be attack-minded,” Mourinho said of his team, who held Bournemouth to a 0-0 draw on Thursday but did not have a single shot on target.
“We arrive in very dangerous positions, we have good percentages of ball possession, spend the majority of the time in the opponents’ half – but no sharpness, no objective, always one more touch, not clear aggressive, sharp, killer decisions to go direct to goal.”
Mourinho also said Dele Alli would miss the game, as the player is still struggling with a hamstring injury while Eric Dier is suspended.
Looking ahead, he is confident that he can deliver trophies at Spurs if he is given time like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Mourinho, who took over from the sacked Mauricio Pochettino in November, pointed to Klopp – who joined Liverpool in 2015 and guided them to the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup last year, before ending their 30-year wait for an English league crown this season.
Spurs have not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
“How long it took for Jurgen and Liverpool? Four years, four seasons,” he insisted. “I’m focused on my three-year contract. I believe that in my three-year contract we can win trophies.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also believes that Mourinho could be the right man to end Tottenham’s title drought, saying: “They have had some ups and downs, but you can clearly see what he wants to bring to the club.
“He makes sure he wins, he has won in every single club he has been, I am sure he’ll be successful.”
Arteta also said that form is irrelevant in the derby today, despite his side playing well of late.
While Spurs have eight points in five games since the season’s restart, Arsenal have won 10 points in four matches.
“A derby has a completely different context to what is happening with the current form,” he said.
“I’m expecting a really tough game. We’re going to have to do everything really, really well.”
Eddie Nketiah is suspended for today, while Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli, Bernd Leno and Calum Chambers are injured.
– AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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Premier League
Manchester United climb to third in Premier League table with come-from-behind win over Palace
Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes inspiring the turnaround that lifted the hosts into third place in the Premier League standings.
Trailing inside four minutes after a dominant start by Palace, United responded through a Fernandes penalty before his pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Benjamin Sesko to seal victory against the 10-man visitors.
The win extended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in mid-January. United now have 51 points from 28 games and are unbeaten since the January 5 dismissal of Ruben Amorim, climbing into third for the first time since May 2023. Palace remain 14th on 35 points.
“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”
Palace, under Oliver Glasner, were electric in the opening half hour, capitalising on sluggish United play. Defender Maxence Lacroix powered home a header from a corner after muscling past Leny Yoro, scoring the earliest goal United have conceded this season.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Munoz latched onto an Ismaila Sarr through ball, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a crucial save.
United gradually found their rhythm before the break. Sesko forced Dean Henderson into action with a header from a Fernandes cross, and the Palace keeper also tipped a Fernandes free kick over the bar.
The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. Following a lengthy VAR review, Lacroix was shown a red card, reducing Palace to 10 men.
Eight minutes later, Fernandes’ delivery again proved decisive as Sesko rose highest to nod home the winning goal.
United pushed for a third, with Casemiro’s volley drawing a diving save from Henderson and substitute Amad Diallo testing the keeper from distance in stoppage time. Joshua Zirkzee saw efforts blocked, while Kobbie Mainoo’s fierce strike drifted narrowly wide.
Carrick praised his team’s resilience. “The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” he said. “Being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and belief… to then come back as we did in the second half is the biggest thing for me today.”
Palace pressed late but could not find an equaliser. Glasner admitted his side had let the game slip. “It feels like there was more possible today. A great first 30 minutes, but the red card changed it completely. The second goal just happened too quickly.”
For United, the victory reinforces growing belief under Carrick that a top-four finish—and a return to Europe’s elite competition—is firmly within reach.
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