Key events
A rather withering assessment of current events here. Kev The Poet from Uffculme writes in an email entitled ‘The Beautiful Game’: “So Man City buy a player they don’t really need, whilst whistling and walking the other way when Exeter City ask for an extra tenner. Meanwhile, a player accuses another player of feigning injury, apologises on Instagram. Let’s all cheer The Villa (not even my team); they might be managed by Alan Partridge, but they appear to have a thread of humanity.”
Everton’s Keane red card appeal rejected
Everton’s appeal against the red card shown to Michael Keane for violent conduct against Wolves has been rejected. It means the defender starts a three-match ban against Sunderland in the FA Cup tomorrow.
Keane was sent off for pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair as the pair leapt for a high ball during the team’s 1-1 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium. David Moyes insisted the offence did not meet the criteria for violent conduct and Everton appealed on Thursday, but a three-man FA panel has upheld the original decision.
“We appealed in the firm belief the incident did not meet the threshold for violent conduct as defined in the rules, and that the action was neither forceful nor intentional,” read an Everton statement.
“Our appeal was also lodged in support of Michael Keane, a player who plays the game with the highest ethical standards and who, prior to Wednesday, had never been dismissed for violent conduct in his career. It is our firm belief that the severity of the three game suspension is clearly excessive, and we are surprised and disappointed that this point of appeal has also been rejected. Michael’s suspension begins immediately, and he will now not be available for our forthcoming fixtures against Sunderland, Aston Villa and Leeds United.”
And to think, I only just transferred him into my fantasy team last week.
The third round of the FA Cup threw up plenty of intriguing ties. Check out some of the storylines ahead of the action which gets underway with four matches tonight.
Today’s Rumour Mill has been released into the wild. How many bloody defenders do Arsenal need?!
Some quotes from Antoine Semenyo after his move to Manchester City. A nice mix of knowing his worth but also keeping humble.
On his own game…
“Powerful, quick, strong, clinical player. I’m still improving and I feel like I’m still yet to reach my peak. I feel like I’ve got a learning to do and joining City is the best thing for my development. The best coaches and best players – taking my game to the next level.”
On improving his game…
“It starts in the mornings when I’m praying. Day and night I make sure I always pray; I make sure I’m always writing down things where I can improve and get better and just having the right people around me. Those three things are what has got me the success I’ve got today. I just need to keep them around me, keep improving, keep writing down and keep praying.”
On playing with personality…
“I feel very chaotic on the eye, just spontaneous and can do anything at any moment. I’ll be playing with a smile on my face, and I hope I do for the fans as well.”
On his two-footed ability…
“It makes it so difficult for defenders to mark me – it’s my God-given talent.”
On choosing the No.42 shirt…
“It was my first number I got at Bristol City when I first signed. It’s always stuck me. I was either 42 or 24 – 24 wasn’t available so I went back to my first number. That’s the inspiration behind it.”
On his journey so far…
“I’ve had to be a strong character. Emotionally and mentally, I’ve had to get really strong. I have my family, friends and fiancée around me – keeping me uplifted and always pushing me. I’ve had to push myself quite a bit to get through a lot of hard times – it’s made me the man I am today; strong, fearless and ready to attack the world.”
Tom Garry
The new West Ham head coach, Rita Guarino, has said her priority is staying in the Women’s Super League but she has full belief in the squad’s quality. The 54-year-old, formerly in charge of Juventus and Inter, replaced Rehanne Skinner during the WSL’s winter break on an 18-month contract, with West Ham second bottom after winning one of 11 games.
Guarino said: “I analysed not just the results of the team but also the performances, and in certain games I saw a high performance level. In certain games, they deserved more than what they obtained. So I think they have a good quality. I believe in this team.”
The Italian spoke in English throughout her first press conference, only once needing to turn to her translator to double-check the meaning of a question. She was calm and professional and said she was excited by the challenge in the WSL: “For me it’s a great opportunity for me to coach here in one of the best leagues in the world, so it’s exciting to start and I think this environment fits with my values, so I’m very happy to be here. I think here there is more intensity in the game, so it’s much faster than Italy.”
Asked what she would like to achieve at West Ham, she said: “In this moment, I am very focused on staying in the league.”
Weather causes postponements
Storm Goretti – a winter weather threat that sounds like a medal contender at a hip, new sporting event being introduced at the 2028 LA Olympics – is having an effect on the football calender. All good so far in the FA Cup but a couple of games in League Two have gone. We’ll keep you updated throughout the day.
League Two
Oldham Athletic and Notts County – OFF
Chesterfield vs Colchester – OFF
More reaction from Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool. This is Jonathan Liew’s take.
“Arsenal, we must remind ourselves, are the country’s outstanding team right now, their five-point gap at the top extended to six by full-time. They are top of the Champions League table. They have players who can blow the back of your head right off. And yet. Is anyone in this stadium actually enjoying themselves?”
And here’s the match report from Ed Aarons.
Manchester City sign Semenyo
It’s official: Antoine Semenyo is now a Manchester City player after signing a £62.5m deal. The 26-year-old’s transfer from Bournemouth, who could receive £1.5m in add-ons and are due 10% of any future profit, was confirmed this morning. Semenyo could make his debut against Exeter in the FA Cup on Saturday.
A great move for everyone? Or will Semenyo find himself in an Eberechi Eze situation i.e. going from being the main man to one who occasionally looks devastating but spends plenty of time warming the bench?
As for Connor Bradley’s injury, we’ll likely get an update today. Slot had this to say in his press conference last night.
“I don’t know yet but it didn’t look great if you have to go off on a stretcher. When we see the video, we both think probably the same but we have to wait on the scans if it’s that bad. Or maybe he can play on Monday – let’s hope so.”
Martinelli offers apology to Bradley
Let’s start with the big talking point last night – Gabriel Martinelli trying to shove the injured Connor Bradley off the pitch. The Arsenal winger has now offered an apology to the Liverpool right-back, who was taken off on a stretcher.
Martinelli posted on Instagram: “Conor and I have messaged and I have already apologised to him. I really didn’t understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I’m deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery.”
At the time, Gary Neville on co-comms wanted half of the Liverpool side to knock seven bells out of the Brazilian although Reds boss Arne Slot had a much calmer take.
“You cannot expect from Martinelli that he thinks so clear in the 94th minute. I am 100 per cent sure if he knew what the injury might be that he we would never do that.
“But it doesn’t look great if he has the injury which we fear he might have, of course. But football, time-wasting, diving has come to the situation that players think in the 94th minute that probably that is happening again. Because I have seen it happening against us so many times this season that I can understand that Martinelli might have thought that this was time-wasting as well and he couldn’t have thought, ‘This is Liverpool, they don’t do this.’”
Preamble
The Premier League steps aside this weekend after Arsenal showed just what worthy champions they’d be were outplayed in a 0-0 home draw with a Liverpool side that only they seem to be afraid of. The Gunners didn’t have a shot between the 44th and 90th minutes in Thursday night’s encounter but, hey, Mikel Arteta’s side are six points clear with 17 games to go so it’s up to everyone else to do better.
The Premier League goes on hold now as it’s FA Cup third round weekend. Much excitement abounds – especially in the reserve goalkeeper fraternity. Contender for first upset comes tonight with in-form Wrexham hosting Nottingham Forest. If Arsenal want to go for the ‘double’ they’ll have to get past Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday while holders Crystal Palace travel to non-league Macclesfield in an early Saturday kick-off.
Elsewhere, the quarter-finals of Afcon begin today, with hosts Morocco taking on Cameroon in the second last-eight clash, while what’s in store in the transfer window? Antoine Semenyo has made his move but who next? It’s all here, and more, in your Friday football blog. Let’s go!
