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For Liverpool fans, the news is frustrating. Liverpool lost their 19th game of the season across all competitions, with a 4-2 defeat against Aston Villa on Friday. Mo Salah didn\u2019t hold back after the game. Read his comments in John Brewin\u2019s piece below.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Xabi Alonso\u2019s reputation as a player and manager has seemingly earned him the respect of the board. The terms of the contract, a four-year deal starting on 1 July, are surprisingly normal after the six-year deals they\u2019ve been offering recently. Chelsea clearly need a change in approach and Alonso could be the man to turn the tide.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s Noel Baker\u2019s message: <\/p>\n double quotation markThat fact that I\u2019m moved to email in at all, for the first time ever (sorry Matchday) says it all. I\u2019m wildly and irrationally annoyed at this appointment. Liverpool fans blithely assumed he\u2019d rock up as boss in our hour of need, and as it happens, that moment could very well be now, what with the Slot machine completely malfunctioning. And instead he\u2019s going off to work for Todd Boehly. So I\u2019m equally miffed with Xabi and with FSG over something that couldn\u2019t be more 2026.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A message from Darren Osgood: <\/p>\n double quotation markAs a Chelsea fan, I am really excited with Alonso\u2019s appointment. I believe he has the right characteristics to manage the dressing room and set standards which have been missing this season. A player of his calibre will immediately get respect. Chelsea do need to fully back him this summer and sign some experienced professionals as well as adding more goals. A nice way to end an awful season.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a message from Jem Fawcus: <\/p>\n double quotation markI think it is the best news on the manager front since the insane sacking of Tommy Tuchel. Poch was OK and did a pretty good job, but all of Potter, Maresca and especially Rosenior were risky appointments of managers unproven at the highest level. While Maresca turned out well, and could have been a success if he didn\u2019t leave, the others patently didn\u2019t. Alonso\u2019s success in Germany, combined with his playing career, should give him the credibility with the players (and fans) to reset the team and build on their undoubted talents. That combined with a seeming change of focus from the owners on signing more experienced players \u2013 if it leads to them finally strengthening the obvious needs in goal, defence and up front, means I\u2019m more optimistic as a Chelsea fan than I have been since BlueCo took over \u2026 let\u2019s hope they get it right this time!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What are your thoughts on Alonso\u2019s move to Chelsea? Will this help get Chelsea back on track? Or will it simply paper over the cracks at the club? Send me an email<\/a> with your thoughts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alonso has been named as Chelsea\u2019s manager rather than head coach. He\u2019s the first manager proper under BlueCo\u2019s ownership so perhaps this signals a change in approach from the board. Is that wishful thinking?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.35 EDT<\/p>\n Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager<\/p>\n Xabi Alonso has signed a four year deal to take over as Chelsea manager. The decision comes after Liam Rosenior\u2019s dismissal last month. On his appointment, Alonso said: \u201cChelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.48 EDT<\/p>\n On the ball \u2013 guess the footballer<\/p>\n The Guardian has kicked off a new chapter in puzzles with the launch of its first daily football game<\/a>, On the ball. It is now live in the app for both iOS and Android \u2026 so what are you waiting for?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There was late drama in the Scottish Premiership yesterday. Celtic scored two late goals to complete a 3-1 comeback against Hearts and win the league. Celtic fans rushed onto the pitch before the end of stoppage time, with the game never restarted. Read Ewan Murray\u2019s report below.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Antoine Semenyo scored the winner for Manchester City in their 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Just seven and a half years ago Semenyo made his debut in the competition for Newport against Metropolitan Police FC (yes, that\u2019s a team). Read Barney Ronay\u2019s piece about Semenyo\u2019s heroics below.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Today’s fixtures (3pm unless stated)<\/p>\n Premier League <\/p>\n Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (12:30pm)<\/p>\n Brentford v Crystal Palace<\/p>\n Everton v Sunderland<\/p>\n Leeds United v Brighton & Hove Albion<\/p>\n Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham<\/p>\n Newcastle United v West Ham United (5:30pm)<\/p>\n Scottish Premiership <\/p>\n English FA Trophy <\/p>\n Share<\/a>Yesterday’s results<\/p>\n FA Cup <\/p>\n Scottish Premiership <\/p>\n Celtic 3-1 Hearts<\/p>\n Falkirk 2-5 Rangers<\/p>\n Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell<\/p>\n Women\u2019s Super League <\/p>\n Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur<\/p>\n Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United<\/p>\n Everton 1-0 Leicester City<\/p>\n Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal<\/p>\n London City Lionesses 2-1 Aston Villa<\/p>\n West Ham United 1-4 Manchester City<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to another Matchday live! We have another big day of fixtures for you after yesterday\u2019s excitement \u2013 Manchester City winning the FA Cup, Celtic taking home the Scottish Premiership and Manchester City lifting the Women\u2019s Super League trophy.<\/p>\n Today, we turn our attention to the bottom of the Premier League<\/a> table. Newcastle play West Ham this evening. Nuno Esp\u00edrito Santo\u2019s side would move out of the drop zone with a win, piling the pressure on their London rivals Tottenham before their game against Chelsea in midweek.<\/p>\n On the topic of Chelsea, the club have reached an agreement in principle to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new head coach. Stick with us for the latest updates and news from around the football world. Send me an email<\/a> with your thoughts.<\/p>\n