Key events
Chelsea are lagging behind in the WSL title race and Manchester City have taken full advantage, establishing an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Today’s derby opponents, Manchester United, are their closest challengers – a win at Old Trafford would surely put the destination of the league beyond doubt. A United victory and, well, it’s anybody’s guess. Could momentum swing their way?
“City are top of the league for a reason but we will take that challenge on,” said United manager Marc Skinner this week. “Once you accept that challenge, you can rise to a new level.”
“These games live their own lives,” said City manager Andrée Jeglertz. “A derby in this city is always going to get 100%-energised players from both teams at the beginning.”
Kick-off is at 1.30pm – we’ll have a minute-by-minute in a separate blog.
Who starts alongside Rice in England’s midfield?
Don’t let the sideshow that is Ben White, distract from an accomplished England debut from James Garner, because considering it was against opponents who are always up for it against England, the Everton player did what he’s been doing for his clubside all year, playing with pragmatism and determination, he’s more than a workhorse, he’s got understated footballing intelligence. Think Tommy Tuch, knows his onions, or should I say sauerkraut, and Jimmy Garner has just maybe got into the World cup squad.
Garner was very good on his debut and is having a far better club season so Anderson has a real battle on his hands I would say.
You get the feeling it’s Garner or Anderson, not both … Hang on, I’ve heard this before.
For our friends across the pond:
Pablo Iglesias Maurer looks at how the USA’s manager, one Mauricio Pochettino, is helping his players prepare for the spotlight this summer
Alexander Abnos delves into the team’s injury crisis in defence ahead of their friendly against Belgium in Atlanta later today
And Norwich’s Ali Ahmed talks up Canada’s chances as they get ready to play World Cup matches in front of a home crowd
WSL Merseyside derby at a glance
Table: Everton 6th; Liverpool 10th
Form: Everton LWWWWL; Liverpool WLWLWD
Top scorers: Everton – Gago, Hiyashi, Vignola 4; Liverpool – Olsson 6
Last meeting: FA Cup, February – Liverpool 2-1 Everton (Enderby, Olsson; Falk og)
Reverse fixture: Liverpool 1-4 Everton (Kapocs; Vignola x3, Snoeijs)
Everton manager Scott Phelan:
It is an exciting fixture in the calendar. It is red versus blue. We are desperate to try and make an impact in the game which will lead to victory. Some games don’t need extra motivation, this is one of them. We are so proud and fortunate to play at Goodison. We want to create an atmosphere. We are desperate to come back and play in front of our home fans. We need as many to turn up and get behind us as possible.
Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor:
I thought we handled the occasion in the cup tie really well and, for me, the key thing going into it is just managing the moment really. It’s important not to get too carried away with the occasion and I think at the end of the day we look at it as just another game for us. We want to carry on the good work we are doing.
Everton v Liverpool WSL team news
The starting lineups are in from Goodison Park for the first derby of the day:
Everton (4-2-3-1): Brosnan; Blundell, Fernández, Mace, Pacheco; Van Gool, Galli; Kramzar, Vignola, Gabarro; Momiki
Subs: Ramsey, Hayashi, Wheeler, Payne, Gago, Kitagawa, Lawley, Snoeijs, Stevenik.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Falk; Shimizu, Fisk, Clark, Bernabe; MacLaen, Nagano, Kapocs; Enderby, Holland, Olsson
Subs: Kirby, Evans, O’Sullivan, Woodham, Jøsendal, Bergström, Csillag, Thomas, Trueman
Spurs urged not to appoint De Zerbi due to Greenwood support
Three Tottenham fan groups have urged the club to rethink any potential appointment of Roberto De Zerbi due to his past backing of the Marseille forward Mason Greenwood.
Five defeats in seven for relegation-threatened Spurs has increased the pressure on the interim head coach, Igor Tudor, who is currently dealing with the recent death of his father Mario.
No final decision has been made on Tudor’s job, but De Zerbi has been linked to Tottenham after he left his role with Marseille in February.
PA understands De Zerbi is unlikely to accept a mid-season role and will instead wait until the summer to assess his options, but the fan groups Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane and Spurs Reach all expressed their concerns about the Italian after he worked with Greenwood at Marseille.
Ex-Manchester United forward Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young women after images and videos were posted online.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 owing to a “combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses” and due to “no realistic prospect of conviction”. Greenwood has since resumed his career and joined Marseille in 2024.
In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” that had paid a “heavy price” and added: “It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described.”
Spurs’ LGBTQI+ fan group Proud Lilywhites said: “We’ve seen the reports linking Roberto De Zerbi with the Tottenham job and honestly, it doesn’t sit right.
“As Proud Lilywhites, we care deeply about this club, not just what happens on the pitch, but what Tottenham stands for off it. This isn’t just about results or style of football. It’s about values, identity, and the kind of people we choose to represent us.
“We all want Spurs to move forward, but how we do that matters. When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.
“We are proud of the progress that’s been made in making football more inclusive and welcoming.
“That progress matters, and it cannot be compromised or treated as secondary.
“We are not asking for perfection. We are asking for accountability, transparency and leadership that reflects the values this club claims to stand for. All together, always. That has to mean something. No to De Zerbi.”
Women of the Lane added: “We want to be clear about how this (speculation) is landing with many women and allies in our community.
“De Zerbi has publicly defended Mason Greenwood in a way that downplays the seriousness of male violence against women and girls. That raises serious questions about judgement and leadership.
“This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make.”
A Spurs Reach statement read: “Comments previously attributed to Roberto De Zerbi, including public remarks defending and contextualising Mason Greenwood following serious allegations have been widely criticised for appearing to minimise the gravity of violence against women.
“Regardless of intent, framing of this nature risks normalising harmful attitudes, diminishing the experiences of survivors and sending a deeply concerning message about what is tolerated within the game.
“We all want the club to progress but it must do so in a way that reflects its values. No to De Zerbi.” PA Media
Henderson vows to support White after Wembley boos
Jordan Henderson has vowed to support England teammate Ben White after the Arsenal defender was booed by fans during the friendly draw with Uruguay. White had the rare ignominy of being booed by the Wembley crowd after putting England 1-0 up.
The 28-year-old was making his first England appearance since he walked out of the 2022 World Cup squad due to “personal reasons” and then made himself unavailable for selection for the remainder of Gareth Southgate’s reign.
Thomas Tuchel wanted to give him a “second chance” and White endured an eventful 25 minutes on the pitch. He was booed as he came on to replace Fikayo Tomori, then jeered again as he opened the scoring before giving away a late penalty which allowed Fede Valverde to earn Uruguay a draw.
Henderson knows how it feels to receive the ire of the Wembley crowd, after he was booed following his ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia. “As teammates we are always there to support,” he said. “A lot of the fans will be in support of all of the players. I have been through it myself, but that is part and parcel of being an England player.
“Some of the fans probably don’t even know why they are booing, they listen to what is being said in the media, and a lot of the time what the media says isn’t true. Not many people know the ins and outs of what happened in Qatar and it is for us to deal with internally. Ben has been good since he came back in and we will support him as teammates.
“A few of us have been there, it is difficult when it is you, but you have to try not to take it too personally, the media can spin things in certain ways, which isn’t always the truth and then fans can pick up on that and think it is the truth.
“It is really difficult when that happens, so it is important for us to make sure he is OK, which I am sure he is. I was delighted he got on and got a goal, which is the most important thing.” PA Media
Amid the controversy over Senegal being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title and Morocco being declared winners, the international debut of Issa Diop yesterday proved something of an irony as well as public relations coup.
The Fulham defender was born in France and played for the country at under-21 level but on Thursday had his application to switch nationality to Morocco approved by Fifa and was immediately drafted into the starting lineup for the 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Madrid.
Diop, whose father is Senegalese and mother from Morocco, had previously rejected overtures from both countries to play for them while holding out hope he might represent France. The 29-year-old said several times he wanted to play for Les Bleus but with no call-up from Didier Deschamps he has now taken up the opportunity to possibly play at the World Cup for Morocco.
“I was very happy to play in a team with a lot of good players, and I think I’ve made a good choice,” Diop said yesterday.
Diop had talks with Morocco’s new coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, and the Moroccan federation president, Fouzi Lekjaa. “They explained their vision to me and I was taken in with open arms by a cheerful group of players with a great atmosphere in the camp,” he said. Reuters
“Shout out for Non-League day today please Billy,” emails in Ian Sargeant. “Lots of small clubs doing great things with entrance fees to encourage people along.
“My game of choice National league South is Chesham v (the mighty) Tonbridge Angels. Discounted entry for any EPL/EFL season ticket holder. If you haven’t been to a non-league game before (why?) chances are you won’t be disappointed. Better views – better beer – real affinity with the players. I love it. Come on you Angels.”
Speaking of non-league, Ben Bloom has been speaking to those involved in teams on the Channel Islands and beyond:
The lower down the football pyramid you go, the more regionalised leagues tend to become. In a volunteer-led landscape, where players are either partly remunerated or entirely unpaid, it is impractical to expect teams to regularly traverse the country, which is what makes the football clubs of Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man so unusual. Despite the inconvenience of up to 200 miles and vast bodies of water separating them from opponents, all three clubs compete in English non-league football; pseudo-national teams effectively representing their crown dependencies against part-timers on a weekly basis, before retiring to the clubhouse for pie and chips.
Portugal face Mexico at the Azteca tonight. Roberto Martínez, who guided Belgium to the semi-finals in 2018, is tasked with delivering a first World Cup this summer.
Martínez has been telling Sid Lowe how, before he named his first Portugal squad, he went to visit all the 32 players involved, including you know who.
I asked why they were in the national team. How do we get into football? Who are our heroes? Mine was my dad, following the 78 and 82 World Cups. There’s always some figure there that explains why they like to kick a ball. I asked who their idols were.
On Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not involved tonight because of injury:
It’s so, so special, unique, to have a player who has given 21 years to the national team. Carlos Forbs [the Club Brugge and Portugal midfielder] was born in 2004, when Ronaldo was already in the national team, and when players who grew up watching him see what he gives every day, they follow.
When I visited Ronaldo, I wanted to know how he felt. Players over 30 start to think that maybe the international break is a moment to breathe, regenerate. But Ronaldo’s attitude is always: ‘I’m here for the national team, whatever you need.’
Japan’s manager, Hajime Moriyasu, says he is looking forward to facing “a team of World Cup standard” at Hampden.
Andy Robertson, especially, is a player who plays at the top level and also Scott McTominay. I remember his goal in the World Cup qualifier – an overhead kick which was brilliant. But it’s not just those two players, Scotland has many players I admire.
Scotland’s players will fight on a physical level. But most of the players we have selected this time are European [based]. They have experienced physicality before so I expect them to make the most of their strengths. I don’t want them to be scared to have contact but also, I would like them to make the best out of their speed and technique.
Japan, whose World Cup group includes the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden/Poland, travel south of the border to play England at Wembley on Tuesday.
Former Celtic man Shunsuke Nakamura has travelled to Glasgow with the Japan squad – we think in a broadcast role – and has been enjoying himself. Japan’s current squad includes familiar faces to Celtic supporters too.
Any sign of a Scotland Japan preview?
You ask and you shall receive …
Steve Clarke has been talking up the challenge of facing Japan at Hampden Park at 5pm (GMT) today before facing Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday. Scotland’s World Cup preparations start here.
To play games against two top quality teams from different continents, they’ll bring their own challenge – the Japanese side in particular. A very interesting way of playing. I found them a really good team to watch in the preparation for the game, the way they play, the way they approach matches, so it will be tough game for us.
Clarke says his team selection “might raise an eyebrow a little bit”. Wrexham captain Dominic Hyam could make his first Scotland appearance for three years while Angus Gunn is expecting to start in goal. Bristol City’s Ross McCrorie could get the nod at right-back.
We will look at one or two things that are different, maybe use one or two different personnel across the squad, but also to try to get positive results that we can continue to feel good about ourselves.
Women’s Super League: Three derbies kick off in England this afternoon. But is that too much for one day? Tom Garry, who is at Old Trafford for United v City later, asks that exact question in his preview:
It is anticipated that there could comfortably be more than 100,000 spectators across the 12 games in the top two divisions this weekend, but there remains an argument that staggering these derbies across the season may draw a greater cumulative focus.
Buildup to the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, for example, has felt somewhat low profile this time because there is a natural focus on the Manchester derby at Old Trafford given City are closing in on the title. In any normal weekend of the season, Everton v Liverpool should be the standout fixture of the round. Instead, it is only the third most interesting game on Saturday alone.
Let’s take a look at some other results from yesterday:
World Cup holders Argentina only squeezed past Mauritania at La Bombonera, although the African side’s goal was a stoppage-time consolation. Enzo ‘I’m not sure about my Chelsea future’ Fernández and Como’s Nico Paz were on the scoresheet. With Lionel Messi not coming on until half-time, Paz took his chance to shine with a converted free-kick.
Florian Wirtz scored twice for Germany, including an 85th-minute winner, in their 4-3 thriller against Switzerland in Basel. His first goal was a peach, curling the ball past Gregor Kobel into the top corner from wide. Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye opened the scoring for the Swiss.
Blimey, that Wirtz goal is absolutely ridiculous. He basically passes the ball right into the opposite top corner from a few yards outside the corner of the box. This may tell you about confidence to do that vs playing for Liverpool.
As mentioned, the Netherlands beat Norway 2-1, coming from behind to win thanks to goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders. “It is somewhat typically Dutch to think that when you play Norway, you have to beat them,” said coach Ronald Koeman afterwards. And Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice for Spain in their 3-0 win over Serbia. Osasuna’s Victor Muñoz also scored on his senior debut.
England’s Under-21s were almost dealt a humiliating defeat by Andorra with Rico Lewis only equalising from the spot in the 90th minute – it was 1-1 in European Championship qualifying.
“Hi Billy,” emails Dave Estherby. “I think England 1-1 Republic of Ireland Italia 90 would like a word (re “worst game ever”) but I totally get Barney’s point (8.40); if the Trade Descriptions Act was applied to last night’s “event” the FA would be bang in trouble, imagine paying actual money to watch that. And get me started on the navy shorts with red shirts…”
I’m afraid Italia 90 was around a decade before I was born but I’ll take your word for it. And I quite like the navy shorts – red shirts with, say, white shorts is too heavy with 1966 for my liking.
I was at Wembley. The booing of White seemed a bit performative really, just silly – ignore it.
Palmer was best, the defence was fairly solid, and lots of early World cup games will be tactical like this. We’ll need good shape. It’s a shame Foden isn’t firing… he just needs to sharpen the angles and go on the attack.
All right, we’ll move on from the White booing. I can’t see it being an issue at the World Cup given who knows how many England supporters will actually travel due to the ticket prices and everything else. White might not go himself but he’s given himself a decent shot.
Speaking of the World Cup …
Predictions for the World Cup?
England should make Q/F, but the additional ‘Round of 32’ has the potential to throw the proverbial spanner in the works – be it injuries, a sending-off, elimination (unlikely but not impossible). After that, it could be Mexico (in Mexico City!), Portugal, Spain, Argentina. World Cup pathways rarely work out as predicted though, as shown by Morocco in 2022.
Scotland – obviously need to take their chances as tournament football is invariably low scoring. The additional round of 32 presents an opportunity though, and after that, who knows?
Norway, after a stellar qualification performance, could emerge as surprise contenders for Q/Fs, but Odegaard needs to be fit for them.
Overall – Spain look very strong, have fantastic tournament know-how, will have huge support and look likely winners. But this is a very open World Cup. In 2018, I had a tenner on France at 6/1, pre tournament and was very confident, but think I’ll wait this time.
Spain beat Serbia 3-0 last night (ominous) and Norway lost 2-1 in the Netherlands (no shame in that). Given they’ve got France and Senegal in their group, Norway could either go straight out or get some scalps under their belt early on.
Apart from Kane and Rice are there any potential England players in genuinely good form at the moment? None of the much vaunted number 10s or wide players seem to be.
Jordan Pickford has been excellent for Everton recently. The same with Nico O’Reilly at Manchester City. Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo have done well for United. It’s not all doom and gloom.
But it does seem like the forward players are struggling a bit. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers … all below their usual standards at the moment. Bukayo Saka’s doing OK for Arsenal?
Injured Raphinha to miss Champions League quarters
Raphinha will miss Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Atlético Madrid early next month after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty in the United States with Brazil.
The 29-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions for Barcelona this season, picked up the injury on Thursday in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by France in Foxborough.
“The player is returning to Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment. The estimated recovery time is five weeks,” Barcelona said in a statement.
Barcelona, who are four points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga, host Atlético in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on 8 April with the return in Madrid on 14 April.
Raphinha scored twice in Barcelona’s thumping 7-2 victory over Newcastle in the last 16 earlier this month. Reuters
Plenty of England realism in the comment section:
I watched France vs Brazil two days ago and France look imperious. If tuchel was hired for the sole purpose of winning a major trophy, and his team plays like they did yesterday, then when compared to France and co the only conclusion is – NOT A CHANCE.
No surprise really, it’s how Arsenal City and Liverpool have played all season – slow sideways and backwards monotonous football with the odd tentative foray into the opposition box.
I just browsed the player rankings and was surprised, I hadn’t even known several of them were on the pitch.
As with any England friendly, we are compelled to ask: What did we actually learn?
That getting two yellow cards doesn’t necessarily mean you have to then get a red? Manuel Ugarte’s second booking was rescinded, according to the fourth official, after the referee, in full Graham Poll style, seemed to forget to give him a red.
That Fernando Muslera, 39, still plays in goal for Uruguay? (This was his first cap in four years, to be fair)
“Arguably the worst football match ever played”
That’s how the ever-breezy Barney Ronay described the first 80 minutes of England 1-1 Uruguay at Wembley last night. Ben White scored, was booed and gave away the penalty that Fede Valverde equalised from.
This was un-football, non-sport, an activity that seemed to approach a point of nothingness, no action, no content. All of it soundtracked by the classic Wembley atmosphere, a reminder that there is no more profound silence than the silence of tens of thousands of people.
Read on!
Key fixtures
Here’s what’s coming up today (3pm GMT unless stated):
Women’s Super League
Everton v Liverpool (12pm)
Manchester Utd v Manchester City (1.30pm)
Arsenal v Tottenham (5.30pm)
Men’s internationals (selected)
League One
League Two (selected)
Preamble
Right, who’s ready for four hours of England chat? No, I’m just kidding. I think we’d all had enough of football for one day year by the full-time whistle last night. I’ll sift through the main talking points and hopefully find some positives from one of those evenings at Wembley.
In terms of live action, today is mainly about the Women’s Super League. There are three local derbies on offer on Merseyside, in Manchester and north London as the WSL enters its final straight. United v City at Old Trafford has massive consequences for the title race.
On a day fairly light in men’s football (Scotland v Japan aside), I want to hear from you – predictions for the World Cup, reaction to playoff joy/heartache this week or if you’re heading to an EFL game this afternoon, let me know what’s going through your mind by sending us an email.
I’ll also keep you across any news items from the football world, like if another 70-something manager comes out of retirement for one more job.
You can also comment below the line.
