Matildas in disbelief as star outraged over ref\u2019s bizarre call to disallow goal<\/a><\/p>\nAgony! Spurs allow horror 95th min goal | 00:54<\/p>\n
\u2018THEY GO HOME\u2019: TOTTENHAM BOSS\u2019 WARNING AFTER \u2018SPURSY\u2019 MOMENT<\/p>\n
Roberto De Zerbi has called on his beleaguered Tottenham players to \u201cbelieve\u201d as they fight tooth and nail to save themselves from a disastrous relegation.<\/p>\n
But the club\u2019s situation looks increasingly bleak as they search for an elusive win and their rivals continue to pick up points.<\/p>\n
Spurs conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in their 2-2 draw against Brighton on Saturday — De Zerbi\u2019s first home game in charge.<\/p>\n
Xavi Simons of Tottenham Hotspur reacts against Brighton.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Rubbing salt into Tottenham\u2019s wounds was that their \u00a31 billion stadium erupted when Xavi Simons scored to put them ahead in the 77th minute.<\/p>\n
The Dutchman sparked euphoric scenes as his rocket from the edge of the box had Spurs supporters celebrating as if the three points were in the bag.<\/p>\n
But after Georginio Rutter\u2019s equaliser, it became another \u2018Spursy\u2019 moment that was mocked and ridiculed. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf that was the 90th minute I could understand it, but there was a lot of football still to be played,\u201d former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reaction should be to keep it tight, instead they jumped into the crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xavi Simons of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team’s second goal against Brighton.Source: Getty ImagesTottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence is mobbed by fans in the crowd after team-mate Xavi Simons (hidden) scores their side’s second goal.Source: AP<\/p>\n
Regardless, many pundits believe there were positives to take from the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way Spurs pressed was really impressive and it\u2019s not something we\u2019ve seen from them this season,\u201d former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said on BBC Match of the Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a relentless press. The whole stadium was rocking as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson, shared similar sentiments on Sky Sports, saying: \u201cThey have to take the positives. This will feel like a loss, it was a chance to turn their fortunes around.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is something they will have to deal with. I saw the hunger, desire and commitment. De Zerbi was passionate on the touchline.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw something in that game – it has restored some belief, but this is a starting block.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks dejected.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
If West Ham beat Crystal Palace on Tuesday morning Australian time, Tottenham will be four points from safety with just five games to play.<\/p>\n
Nottingham Forest beat Burnley 4-1 on Sunday to lift themselves five points above the drop zone while Leeds are now eight points clear.<\/p>\n
Tottenham\u2019s match against bottom club Wolves next week is now an absolute must-win.<\/p>\n
The Italian manager had a clear message to his players ahead of the trip to last-placed Wolves.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have to follow me, they have not to think, they have to follow me and to listen to me,\u201d De Zerbi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud for their performance – they have to be stronger and to be focused just on the Wolverhampton game, and to come to the training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile, because otherwise they go home immediately. I have no time to see the negative people, to see the sad players or sad assistants. No.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lampard’s Coventry earn PL promotion | 01:00<\/p>\n
\u2018PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME\u2019: TITLE MOMENTUM WITH MAN CITY <\/p>\n
Manchester City are now in the driving seat as Arsenal\u2019s season continues to unravel.<\/p>\n
Less than a month ago, the Gunners were on course for an unprecedented quadruple.<\/p>\n
But four consecutive defeats in domestic competitions have ended their League Cup and FA Cup hopes and their Premier League challenge is faltering badly.<\/p>\n
City, who face Burnley on Wednesday, would have been 12 points behind Arsenal had the Gunners beaten Bournemouth last week, at least temporarily.<\/p>\n
They are still three points behind the long-time leaders but have a game in hand and, crucially, the momentum.<\/p>\n
Arsenal\u2019s nerve has been questioned during their alarming slump, which has included defeats to second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the league.<\/p>\n
But fine margins decided the match in a much-improved performance at the Etihad on Sunday, with Arsenal ruing missed chances.<\/p>\n
A familiar lack of killer instinct could come back to haunt them once more as Kai Havertz fluffed his lines, missing a glorious late chance.<\/p>\n
By contrast, Erling Haaland pounced to score his 47th goal of the season for club and country.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, and Erling Haaland celebrate victory.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThe momentum\u2019s all with Man City. They\u2019ve been the best team the last eight, nine, 10 years at dealing with pressure. We saw that again today,\u201d Roy Keane said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cPep mentioned pressure before the game; if they didn\u2019t win, that was the league over, so these players can deal with pressure and they did that in the second half.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey rode their luck a little bit, but they\u2019re peaking at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n
City will go top if they win at Burnley midweek. They then face several tricky assignments.<\/p>\n
City\u2019s five games in May begin with a trip to Everton, which comes at a good time for the title contenders as the 10th placed Toffees\u2019 European hopes were effectively dashed in the Merseyside derby.<\/p>\n
They then welcome seventh-placed Brentford to the Etihad before travelling south to eighth-placed Bournemouth – where they lost last season.<\/p>\n
Two more home games are also on the billing with a postponed clash with Crystal Palace still yet to confirm its new date, while fourth-placed Aston Villa await on the final day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think both teams will win every game. City are going to have to drop points somewhere. I\u2019m not quite sure where that is. I think they have a massive, massive advantage now,\u201d Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think next Saturday night [at home to Newcastle] has got a lot of danger [for Arsenal]. The nerves inside that stadium if Arsenal don\u2019t start well… it\u2019s imperative Arsenal get over the line in that game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat tension will still be there next Saturday and Arsenal have to cope with that and come through it.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first time this season, I\u2019m going to say [the Premier League ribbons] are going to be blue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Villa through to 1st Europa league semi | 03:02<\/p>\n
OLD GUARD EASE REDS\u2019 PAIN<\/p>\n
Everton started the Merseyside derby full of hope they could come out on top but Virgil van Dijk\u2019s 100th-minute winner took Liverpool a giant step closer towards qualifying for next season\u2019s Champions League.<\/p>\n
Less than a year after they won the Premier League, Arne Slot\u2019s future as Liverpool boss is in doubt after a miserable second season at Anfield.<\/p>\n
Heavy defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain to exit the FA Cup and Champions League have ramped up the pressure on the Dutchman.<\/p>\n
But the Reds now look likely to seal a place in the top five — they are seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with five games left.<\/p>\n
The poor form of Mohamed Salah and van Dijk has been a major factor in Liverpool\u2019s drop-off this season, but the old guard stood up to be counted in the first derby at Everton\u2019s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.<\/p>\n
The departing Salah scored the opener before van Dijk nodded home to realistically end Everton\u2019s own challenge for Champions League football.<\/p>\n
Toffees\u2019 boss David Moyes was shattered after the final whistle, saying in his press conference: \u201cWe did not deserve the outcome we got. Football can be cruel sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.Source: AFP<\/p>\n
While Reds great Jamie Carragher could not help but feel as if Liverpool had got out of a jail via a winding back of the clock by two of the club\u2019s greatest ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe result is absolutely huge for Liverpool when you consider the Chelsea result yesterday,\u201d he said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen that board went up for 11 minutes, I\u2019d have shaken with anyone and taken a point from a Liverpool point of view.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the situation with the goalkeeper [Giorgi Mamardashvili was taken to hospital with a knee injury], Everton were a little bit more threatening. Liverpool were a small team towards the end of that game and I was fearful of set pieces.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you think of how Liverpool have won this game – two of the absolute legends of the club have done it. They won\u2019t be here much longer. Salah and probably van Dijk in 12 months\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo of the absolute greats. Salah has done it again against Liverpool\u2019s biggest rivals, as he always does. Against Everton or Man Utd, you can always rely upon him.\u201d<\/p>\n
EPL wrap: United stick boot into Chelsea | 01:14<\/p>\n
ARCHITECT OF MAN UTD\u2019S TURNAROUND \u2018IN POLE POSITION\u2019 FOR FULL-TIME GIG<\/p>\n
Manchester United\u2019s miraculous turnaround in the new year is effectively complete after the Red Devils defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
United are now ten points clear of the sixth-placed Blues with five games remaining, all but assuring they will return to Europe next season in the Champions League.<\/p>\n
The top five at season\u2019s end will compete in Europe\u2019s premier competition next campaign with Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool set to join United in flying the English flag across the continent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a brilliant, brilliant victory for United. I think that puts them into an incredible position now for Champions League football, as does it for Villa today as well. So it\u2019s a big, big win for United last night,\u201d club great Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cVilla, incredible victory and they\u2019re going to get into the Champions League now, and that was massive for Liverpool, that last-minute winner. That just puts Chelsea in a desperate position.<\/p>\n
\u201c[The top five] looks set. Chelsea play Liverpool and Manchester United play Liverpool, so you could argue that Liverpool have got a couple of tricky games, but I just think now they\u2019re seven points in front, and Chelsea look dead on their feet, and they\u2019re beaten every time you watch them, they\u2019re not in a good vein of form at all,\u201d Neville continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo that was a bad weekend for Chelsea, a really bad weekend. After United getting beat by Leeds on Monday, Chelsea must be thinking, \u2018Let\u2019s go and win\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow you think of United\u2019s centre backs and back four, you\u2019re thinking, \u2018Well, we\u2019ve got a real chance\u2019, so to not score a goal is a really bad situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Michael Carrick and Manchester United, I think that was a big response to that from a really difficult Monday Night Football against Leeds when Leeds outplayed Manchester United. I think it\u2019s a really good response.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans following the team’s victory at Chelsea.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
When previous manager Ruben Amorim was sacked in January, United were sixth on the table.<\/p>\n
They were 17 points behind league leaders Arsenal. They were level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea and only four points clear of 14th-placed Crystal Palace in a mid-table logjam.<\/p>\n
Now, United are sitting third, 12 points behind the Gunners. They are also 16 points ahead of 13th-placed Palace.<\/p>\n
It has been a remarkable change of fortunes for the famous club under interim manager Michael Carrick.<\/p>\n
The former Red Devils midfielder is now eyeing off the position on a permanent basis, with fresh reports emerging following a successful trip to London that he is now in the box seat for the full-time job.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hear United have completed all of their background work and no doubt spoken to representatives, although I\u2019m told no interviews with candidates have taken place yet,\u201d The Athletic\u2019s David Ornstein said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge call for United and their sporting director Jason Wilcox \u2014 he\u2019s leading the process and will make a recommendation to the board. As things stand, it might feel like Carrick is in pole position.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Last week Arsenal had the chance to go 12 points clear of Manchester City in their hunt for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":618445,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[299900,299906,299918,53035,299905,6236,64,63,299903,11405,6257,299896,17057,46397,299907,34681,160837,9006,71798,299904,299917,153132,250729,299910,15329,1208,275467,6275,6254,2057,299912,299897,299901,16271,257733,165493,596,6246,298012,59917,299913,141564,299899,64029,298020,119867,109465,298013,50609,22704,115191,174558,3512,299909,298017,298008,299902,2022,299898,11999,6255,211654,299908,299895,8316,48081,85329,136997,3583,8244,24419,63667,24938,254244,299911,16280,668,16694,53253,299916,13214,299914,299915,241612,53958,1532,2643,85,200046,250723,7663,52906,41559,43345,22294,22702,3586,36454,24188],"class_list":{"0":"post-618444","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-absolute-greats","9":"tag-absolute-legends","10":"tag-absolute-must-win","11":"tag-arsenal-football-club","12":"tag-arsenal-manager","13":"tag-aston-villa-football-club","14":"tag-au","15":"tag-australia","16":"tag-back-to-back-league-matches","17":"tag-box-seat","18":"tag-champions-league","19":"tag-chelseapremier-league","20":"tag-city-of-manchester","21":"tag-city-of-southampton","22":"tag-city-win","23":"tag-crystal-palace-football-club","24":"tag-cup-game","25":"tag-david-moyes","26":"tag-david-ornstein","27":"tag-desperate-position","28":"tag-disastrous-title-defence","29":"tag-domestic-competitions","30":"tag-drop-zone","31":"tag-drought-ends","32":"tag-emirates","33":"tag-england","34":"tag-english-flag","35":"tag-epic-scenes","36":"tag-europa-league","37":"tag-europe","38":"tag-european-claims","39":"tag-european-hopes","40":"tag-familiar-lack","41":"tag-final-day","42":"tag-final-stretch","43":"tag-final-whistle","44":"tag-football","45":"tag-football-news","46":"tag-frank-lampard","47":"tag-gary-neville","48":"tag-getting-beat","49":"tag-giant-step","50":"tag-guard-ease-reds","51":"tag-home-games","52":"tag-homeless-battlers","53":"tag-interim-manager","54":"tag-italian-manager","55":"tag-italian-side","56":"tag-jamie-carragher","57":"tag-jason-wilcox","58":"tag-joe-hart","59":"tag-killer-instinct","60":"tag-knee-injury","61":"tag-last-minute-winner","62":"tag-league-semifootball","63":"tag-legend-guides","64":"tag-les-ferdinand","65":"tag-london","66":"tag-look-dead","67":"tag-manchester-city-football-club","68":"tag-manchester-united-football-club","69":"tag-michael-carrick","70":"tag-michael-dawson","71":"tag-midfield-sparring-partner","72":"tag-mikel-arteta","73":"tag-mohamed-salah","74":"tag-mohamed-toure","75":"tag-morning-australian-time","76":"tag-northern-europe","77":"tag-panic-button","78":"tag-paris-saint-germain","79":"tag-patrick-vieira","80":"tag-pep-guardiola","81":"tag-permanent-basis","82":"tag-permanent-gig","83":"tag-pole-position","84":"tag-press-conference","85":"tag-real-chance","86":"tag-real-possibility","87":"tag-relegation-blow","88":"tag-right-time","89":"tag-rivals-lock","90":"tag-rivals-pull","91":"tag-roberto-de-zerbi","92":"tag-roy-keane","93":"tag-ruben-amorim","94":"tag-sky-sports","95":"tag-sports","96":"tag-stoppage-time-equaliser","97":"tag-superior-goal-difference","98":"tag-talking-points","99":"tag-team-selection","100":"tag-things-stand","101":"tag-title-contenders","102":"tag-title-race","103":"tag-tottenham-hotspur-football-club","104":"tag-united-kingdom","105":"tag-virgil-van-dijk","106":"tag-xavi-simons"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/618444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=618444"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/618444\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/618445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=618444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=618444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=618444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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