Key events
Arne Slot has been talking about Liverpool’s set pieces, and says they have gone “back to normal”.
Aaron Briggs – the individual development coach who was pushed into the role at the start of the campaign – was sacked in late December due to the continued under-performance. In the first 26 matches of the season Liverpool conceded from 13 set-pieces and scored from eight but in their last 12 games since Briggs’ departure they have conceded from two and scored from eight.
Slot: “It would be very unfair to [blame] Aaron, who was partly responsible for that because, [because] in the end I’m responsible for everything. We’ve been in that period of time [being] so unlucky. We all knew that it couldn’t go on like that because we hardly gave away a chance in set-pieces but every ball went in and we created multiple opportunities to score and the ball didn’t go in.
“So that things go back to normal now, it’s something which we expected. We didn’t change that much, maybe made one or two slight changes. What changed is things went back to normal, because in the Champions League I think we were number one in set-pieces.”
Chelsea play Burnley on Saturday, and Liam Rosenior has been speaking about the incident that has overshadowed the week’s European football.
Mikel Tega gets in touch from Port Harcourt, Nigeria: “As I type this email, or should I say thumb, (whatever, whichever) the weather here is slightly hot but, of course, hotter for Arsenal fans, who all of a sudden, after bragging all season long of winning the EPL, have suddenly become jittery and frustrated with their team’s form of late.
“I’m not a doomsayer but mark my words, Arsenal will not only come up short at the end of the season, they’ll eventually finish third.”
Oof.
Eddie Howe had some words of praise for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City: ““Genuinely, I think we learn something more about ourselves and our game going forward every time we play them. They have been the benchmark for a number of years for many teams. Each painful defeat we suffer at the Etihad we try to grow from it, evolve and improve.
“They have been very, very good and are led by an outstanding manager. They continue to be the benchmark in my opinion.”
Howe will be hoping for more of the same as three months ago:
Skinner backs Women’s FA Cup u-turn
Tom Garry
The Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner says it is “great news” that the Football Association have put the brakes on plans to make radical changes to the Women’s FA Cup such as seeding the top teams, and he feels big teams going head-to-head in earlier rounds is good for the cup.
Skinner’s side travel to face the holders Chelsea in the fifth round on Sunday, a repeat of last year’s final. It is a tie that would not have been possible under the proposals that were initiially put forward by the FA earlier in February, which could have seen the WSL’s top four sides separated until the semi-final stage from next season if the changes had gone on to be approved at FA board level. But the Guardian revealed on Thursday that, after receiving negative feedback on the plans, the FA have decided to extend the consultation period and there will be no changes to the format for next season.
“Great news, great news,” Skinner said, when asked for his reaction to that idea being put on hold. “We play one of the best teams in English history on Sunday in an early round, but that’s the draw, that’s the beauty of the game. I watch competitions because there’s an element of luck. For us to play Chelsea is rough luck but it’s part of the game and it allows the beauty of the cup.”
An FA spokesperson told the Guardian: “While we will continue to review the Adobe Women’s FA Cup and the ways it can evolve, we have listened to the feedback and no changes will be implemented for the 2026-27 season.
“We understand how much the competition means to clubs, players and fans across the pyramid, and it is important that all parties have enough time to share their views. As a result, we will be extending the consultation phase to allow for further engagement informed by the questions and comments raised.”
Arsenal’s collywobbles could get yet worse if Manchester City win at Newcastle on Saturday evening. Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press this morning. Anthony Gordon got four goals against Qarabag on Wednesday: “Every player has a preference on positions. He’d probably prefer to play down the middle and lead the line because you have much more freedom.
“Ant has really good qualities in that position, especially his pressing intensity and understanding of when to do it is at the highest level.
“The Champions League has certainly got the best out of him and long may it continue.”
Carrick on Mainoo
Jamie Jackson
Michael Carrick has offered insight into how he is managing Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old was not started in Manchester United’s first 20 Premier League games by Ruben Amorim. But Carrick, who has replaced the sacked Portuguese as the interim head coach, has selected the midfielder in his first five games in charge and not overloaded him with instructions.
“We haven’t really got started in any of that because we’re just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again,” Carrick told the BBC’s Football Interview. “Trust in what he is – he’s a fantastic footballer and he’s got a huge talent.”
Regarding being appointed last month, Carrick said: “Yeah it was a nice thing to hear. I was quite calm about it actually. I don’t know why. It just felt right. It just felt quite normal.”
He called his wife, Lisa Roughead. “It wasn’t the case of me coming off the phone and shouting and screaming and celebrating on the motorway. I just called my wife and said: ‘This is what’s happening. This is where we’re at.’”
Let’s remind ourselves of the Premier League table.
Big game for West Ham on Saturday, when they face Bournemouth. Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to a press conference on Thursday. The Hammers, in 18th, have Tottenham and Nottingham Forest in their sights:
“I see the players every day, training and preparing themselves. What I have realised is that they have got the commitment, and the desire to get out of this situation. You can see that desire every day,
“We see them work, getting ready for the game, speaking to each other and helping each other. This togetherness is what we want and need. We need character and I think we have shown character in tough circumstances.”
A good night in the Europa League and Conference League for English teams.
Less so Celtic, ouch.
Here’s our usual weekend preview digest.
The weekend’s Premier League fixtures:
Aston Villa v Leeds, Sat 3pm
Brentford v Brighton ,Sat 3pm
Chelsea v Burnley, Sat 3pm
West Ham v Bournemouth, Sat 3pm
Manchester City v Newcastle, Saturday 8pm
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool, Sunday 2pm
Crystal Palace v Wolves, Sunday 2pm
Sunderland v Fulham, Sunday 2pm
Tottenham v Arsenal, Sunday, 4.30pm
Everton v Manchester United, Monday 8pm
Preamble
Good morning, football. Welcome to our rolling preview of the weekend’s action, with manager press conferences to come, and buildup to Sunday’s North London derby. the word is out: we have a title race on our hands.
Join us.
