Michail Antonio has hit back at comments from Roy Keane in which the former Manchester United midfielder criticised current players for pursuing interests outside of football. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane expressed his concern with current players hosting podcasts and other such platforms. “I think that [podcasts] can be a distraction for a player, particularly if you’re on the back of a defeat, and you’re in the next day and everyone is having a bit of a laugh. “I don’t think you should laugh for a week or two if you’ve been beaten.” Antonio co-hosts the BBC Sounds Footba ..read more

Six talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Liverpool’s need to toughen up, Phil Foden’s fantastic form, and an acid test for Arsenal. Limp Liverpool must toughen up against Hammers Liverpool’s title hopes appear all but over after a crushing defeat in the Merseyside Derby in midweek, a second loss in three league games leaving the Reds down if not quite out. Their defeat at Everton was very unlike the Liverpool we have come to know under Jurgen Klopp. His side were outworked, outfought, and the Reds were rattled at set-pieces. Both Everton goals came from dead balls int ..read more

Who has the most assists in the Premier League so far this season? The Premier League Playmaker of the Season was introduced in the 2017/18 campaign to recognise the most creative player in England’s top tier. For decades the leading scorer had been awarded the Golden Boot, but now the chance creators – and not just takers – have their own award to shoot for. Kevin De Bruyne won the award last season for a record-extending third time, but who is in the frame to claim the prize in 2023/24? Premier League Playmaker Award – Who is leading the race? =4. Cole Palmer, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min, B ..read more

Newcastle are leading the chase to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon this summer, ahead of their Premier League rivals. Diomande’s rapid emergence at Sporting has turned the head of England’s elite with the centre-back having been a standout performer since arriving from FC Midtjylland in January 2023.   The 20-year-old has formed part of a Sporting side who sit seven points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga under Ruben Amorim and also won the Africa Cup of Nations when representing the Ivory Coast earlier this year. Newcastle are in the market for at least one new centre-ba ..read more

Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City are set for another battle off the pitch as the clubs compete to sign Bruno Guimaraes this summer. The Newcastle midfielder is a top target for both clubs in the summer as each look to strengthen their engine room with a marquee recruit. Guimaraes has been a driving force in Newcastle’s improvement since the club’s Saudi-backed takeover and would cost around £100m, the reported figure of his release clause at St James’ Park.   Newcastle are desperate to hold onto the Brazil international, though the 26-year-old’s release clause mean ..read more

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe criticised the proliferation of “fake stories” around his team’s fitness as he delivered a detailed injury update ahead of their meeting with Crystal Palace.  The Magpies travel to Selhurst Park on Wednesday for an 8pm kick-off with Oliver Glasner’s in-form side as they bid to qualify for Europe. Newcastle have been brutalised by injuries and absences this season, with ten players currently on the treatment table and Sandro Tonali serving a ten-month suspension for breaching betting regulations.   “We’re trying to get as many players fit to make the ..read more

Five talking points ahead of the Premier League’s midweek action, featuring the race for Europe, Ineos’ need for a scalpel at Manchester United, and a Merseyside Derby with high stakes. European race heating up The title race might be the overriding narrative of the run-in but the chase for continental competition is becoming equally as tight. The top five are all but confirmed, though behind that is a fascinatingly close pack. Newcastle currently sit sixth, ahead of facing Crystal Palace this week, a position that at present will secure Europa Conference League football. However, should Manc ..read more

Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Arsenal’s defensive record, Crystal Palace’s future, and Nottingham Forest opening a can of worms. Arsenal defence keeping title dream alive Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win at Wolves, a fixture that saw the Gunners keep a sixth successive clean sheet on the road. Only two teams have ever had a longer sequence of clean sheets in away games in the Premier League, while their latest shutout was the 15th of the campaign for Arsenal – five more than any other side in the division. William Sali ..read more

Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the weekend. Moment of the Week It just has to be that social media post. Nottingham Forest were pushed closer to the Premier League’s trap door after losing a relegation six-pointer at Everton, though it’s the aftermath that has caused the biggest controversy of the weekend. Forest saw three, credible, penalty appeals turned down at Goodison Park and can quite rightly feel aggrieved at those decisions, but the social media post aimed in the direction of the PGMOL is truly terrible. The club’s official a ..read more

The EFL has released a statement revealing there was no consultation with the Football League before the decision to scrap FA Cup replays. An announcement was made this week to confirm the FA and Premier League had agreed to abolish FA Cup replays from next season, amid concerns over the congestion of the football calendar. The decision has been greeted with criticism in the lower leagues, who insist FA Cup replays provide teams down the pyramid with a chance to earn revenue through money-spinning ties.   The Premier League has agreed to greater funding for the lower tiers as a result, t ..read more