Page 16 - English Premier League

Chelsea gifted goals by Spurs to gain 2-0 cup semifinal lead

With Tottenham's defenders giving away easy goals, Chelsea could restore tranquility while easing Romelu Lukaku back into the team. For Antonio Conte, though, it was a night of frustration on his return to Stamford Bridge four years after being fired by Chelsea as Tottenham lost 2-0 in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal on Wednesday. Kai Havertz's shot after five minutes was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Davinson Sanchez. More absurd was the own goal in the 34th minute after Hakim Ziyech's swung a free kick into the penalty area. There were no Chelsea players around Tottenham duo Japhet Tanganga and Ben Davies as they combined comically to gift the hosts a second goal. Tanganga's attempt at a headed clearance came off the shoulder of Davies and past their own goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. "We try to improve the personality, try to make less mistakes during the game," Conte said. "Don't lose stupid balls. This is part of a process and I repeat I want to be very c

Romelu Lukaku apologizes and wants to restore trust at Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku apologized for going public with his unhappiness at Chelsea and promised to restore trust with fans, teammates and manager Thomas Tuchel

EPL: Manchester United labors to worrying first loss under Rangnick

Ralf Rangnick is beginning to understand just how big a job he has taken on at Manchester United. His players are already becoming dispirited, too. Rangnick fell to his first loss as United manager after Joao Moutinho's 82nd-minute strike earned Wolverhampton a 1-0 win in the English Premier League on Monday, and his team's first victory at Old Trafford since 1980. Outplayed for much of the game, United's players looked like they would survive for a point until Moutinho met a defensive headed clearance by controlling the ball at the edge of the area and driving in a volley that rolled just inside the post. This was the toughest test of Rangnick's opening six matches in charge and United at times couldn't get near Wolves, whose passing and movement was sharper in its first game in two weeks following COVID-19 issues in the squad. Wolves had 19 shots in total, with the 15 in the first half the most by a visiting team at Old Trafford since the league's statistic supplier, Opta, began

Premier League registers 94 new positive Covid cases between Dec 27-Jan 2

A total of 94 (0.65 per cent) new positive COVID-19 cases were reported in the Premier League between December 27 and January 2, after 14,250 COVID-19 tests were administered on players and club staff

Chelsea-Liverpool draw thriller leaves Manchester City celebrating

The only winner was Manchester City. And Romelu Lukaku certainly lost out. What a pulsating, entertaining encounter for Lukaku to miss not out of his own choosing as Chelsea recovered to draw 2-2 with Liverpool on Sunday without the temporarily exiled striker. It left City 10 points clear from Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with Liverpool a further point back. The sky blue ribbons look like remaining on the trophy for another year thanks to the fading challenge from the chasing pack. It is a big gap," Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk said. They have the title, maybe, to lose but anything can happen. That's even before Liverpool is the hardest hit by players heading to the African Cup of Nations. Before leaving for what could be more than a month away, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah did contribute Liverpool's goals. Liverpool seemed to be coasting but was stung twice at the end of the first half with Mateo Kovacic's volley and Christian Pulisic's strike pulling Chelse

EPL: Lanzini's double leads West Ham to 3-2 win at Crystal Palace

Manuel Lanzini scored twice before West Ham held off a late fightback from Crystal Palace to win 3-2 in the Premier League. Two goals in three first-half minutes helped West Ham take control of the London derby with Michail Antonio's ninth goal of the season opening the scoring in the 22nd minute before Manuel Lanzini produced a fine finish. Lanzini added a second from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time but there was a tense finish after Odsonne Edouard pulled one back in the 83rd and Michael Olise netted in the 90th. West Ham held on to celebrate two years in charge for David Moyes with a victory and move within a point of the top four.

Premier League: Chelsea meet Liverpool with a lot at stake for both

Chelsea's new year starts with a pair of huge home matches in the Premier League -- first against Liverpool on Sunday and then against Tottenham Hotspur on January 6.

Manchester City rises above December chaos, on course for EPL title

Chaos has reigned in the Premier League in December, with COVID-19 outbreaks decimating squads, forcing the postponement of 17 games and fueling talk of a pause in play that never materialized

Ronaldo scores in Manchester United's 3-1 win over Burnley in EPL

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a fourth goal in his last five Premier League games to help Manchester United beat Burnley 3-1 for its biggest win under recently hired manager Ralf Rangnick

Manchester City strengthens grip on EPL title by taking 8-point lead

Manchester City's grip on its Premier League title hasn't been this strong all season.

Arsenal manager Arteta tests positive for Covid again, Barca has 3 cases

Arteta's positive test in March 2020 was a key factor in the suspension of the league in the first week of the pandemic

Liverpool loses for second time in EPL, big blow to title hopes

Losses for Liverpool are about as rare as penalty misses by Mohamed Salah. Both happened on Tuesday and, even at the halfway stage of the season, it could cost Jrgen Klopp's team the Premier League title. Liverpool was beaten 1-0 by a patched-up Leicester team and could find itself nine points behind Manchester City heading into the new year, if the leaders win at Brentford on Wednesday. It's a cushion that might prove to be insurmountable given City is on a nine-match winning streak in the league and is looking unstoppable, scoring 17 goals in its last three victories. Liverpool also will soon be without its two star forwards, Salah and Sadio Mane, who are heading to the African Cup of Nations next week. They were granted permission to delay joining up with their national teams ahead of the tournament so they could play for Liverpool over the festive period but they couldn't make the difference at King Power Stadium. Salah won a penalty but saw his weak effort saved by Kasper ...

English Premier League: Tottenham held to draw by 10-man Southampton

Harry Kane's first-half penalty earned Tottenham Hotspur a 1-1 draw against Southampton on Tuesday

Premier League: Cavani earns a point for Manchester United at Newcastle

Edinson Cavani came off the bench to mark his first Premier League appearance since October with the equaliser as Manchester United drew 1-1 at Newcastle United on Monday

Premier League managers frustrated at 3-sub rule as Covid-19 cases bite

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp became the latest Premier League manager to express his frustration at being allowed to make only three substitutions during a match at a busy time

Glut of goals, cancelations leave Manchester City controlling EPL

Coronavirus cancelations aside, the 26 goals in just five of the Premier League's Boxing Day games provided a heavy dose of drama even without changing the complexion of the title race. Even Manchester City, coasting at 4-0 after 25 minutes, managed to shake things up with a 10-minute second-half implosion to end up delivering a nine-goal thriller. The 6-3 win over Leicester left the defending champions six points in front. Second-place Liverpool does have a game in hand on City after the COVID-19 outbreak at Leeds meant that was one of three games postponed on Sunday. And Chelsea is now level on points with Liverpool after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1. Arsenal is six points further back but in high-scoring form, routing last-place Norwich 5-0. Arsenal's grip on fourth isn't so secure because Tottenham, which beat Crystal Palace 3-0, is six points adrift but with three games in hand after coronavirus and snow postponements this month. West Ham was dislodged from fifth

Leeds, Wolves Covid outbreaks lead to more Premier League postponements

Leeds and Wolverhampton have secured Premier League approval for further matches to be postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks in squads

Romelu Lukaku ends goal drought in Chelsea's 3-1 win at Aston Villa

Jorginho scored two penalties and Romelu Lukaku netted his first Premier League goal since September to lead Chelsea's comeback for a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Matchday: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs play on Boxing Day

A look at what's happening in European soccer on Sunday with the Premier League the only major competition in action with its Boxing Day program

EPL: City hope to extend winning run on Covid-marred Boxing Day

Boxing Day is usually the busiest Day in English football with all Premier League clubs in action