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Have you ever tried On The Ball but? It’s the Guardian’s soccer sport. I’m fairly into it in the mean time, fairly happy with a rating of 68 at present. Give it a go on the Puzzles part of the app and there’s a useful explainer right here.
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Celtic and Hearts each picked up three factors within the (super-tight) Scottish Premiership title race yesterday, with Derek McInnes’s facet leaving it tremendous late to beat Motherwell 3-1 after going a purpose down. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored Celtic’s solely purpose towards St Mirren.
All of which places the strain on Rangers, who make the comparatively quick journey to Falkirk at present (noon kick-off, BST). A win would reduce Hearts’ lead again to a single level, defeat would depart Danny Röhl’s males third.
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Barry runs: The London Landmarks Half Marathon will get below means in a few minutes. We’ll attempt to regulate Barry’s progress and let you understand how he will get on.
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Union Berlin appoint first feminine coach in Europe’s high 5 leagues
Union Berlin have made Marie-Louise Eta the primary girl to handle a males’s facet in one among Europe’s high 5 leagues, as she was appointed interim head coach till the tip of the season.
Eta replaces Steffen Baumgart who, alongside along with his teaching workers, was dismissed after a 3-1 defeat at FC Heidenheim on Saturday. That left Union within the decrease a part of the Bundesliga desk, sitting in eleventh place with 32 factors.
Eta made historical past in November 2023 when she grew to become the primary feminine assistant coach within the German high flight with Union. She later grew to become the primary girl to guide a Bundesliga crew from the touchline throughout a 1-0 win over Darmstadt in January 2024, whereas then-manager Nenad Bjelica served a suspension.
“Given the factors hole within the decrease half of the desk, our place within the Bundesliga will not be but safe,” mentioned Eta after her appointment.
“I’m delighted the membership has entrusted me with this difficult activity. One among Union’s strengths has all the time been, and stays, the power to drag collectively in such conditions. I’m satisfied that we’ll safe the essential factors.”
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Guardian sport’s very personal Barry Glendenning is operating the London Landmarks Half-Marathon this morning to boost cash for the Nice Ormond Avenue hospital kids’s charity. He’s already greater than quadrupled his authentic goal of £13,100 however would be glad about any extra donations within the ultimate moments earlier than the race as a result of, effectively, it’s an excellent trigger and right here at Guardian Towers we expect he wants each little bit of motivation he can get. In case you can, donate right here.
Go effectively, Barry. Illustration: Gary NeillShare
Up to date at 03.58 EDT
It is a good learn from Tom Garry on the curiously-timed ladies’s worldwide break. With the WSL season reaching its climax and the climate enhancing for followers, an 11-day window for as much as three worldwide fixtures appears to take the wind out of the home league’s sails.
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Extra from Jamie Jackson/Manchester Metropolis right here – as Pep Guardiola was requested about Rayan Cherki’s controversial mid-match shirt-swap with an opponent.
Rayan Cherki impressed when Manchester Metropolis beat Liverpool 4-0 to achieve the FA Cup semi-final however when changed late on the Frenchman momentarily wore the shirt of Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, who’s a good friend. With Cherki additionally having additionally showboated now and again throughout video games, Guardiola was requested his opinion of the 22-year-old.
“I feel he’s a bit of little bit of a free soul,” mentioned Guardiola. “You need to perceive, each participant is totally totally different. He’s one of the crucial unbelievably proficient gamers I’ve seen. Simply sooner or later, hopefully he can keep [here] for longer, as a result of he has the attributes to be one of many high gamers. One among his attributes is troublesome to search out – in troublesome moments, with plenty of strain, he performs like he’s in a pleasant sport.
“So sooner or later, what shall be his behaviour: to remain humble sufficient, to remain and work for the crew?”
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I do know criticism of Arteta for supposed negativity is widespread, however I feel this remark hits the nail on the pinnacle.
Yesterday might have been Arsenal’s first league defeat since January however they’ve now misplaced three of their previous 4 in all competitions.
Arsenal’s angst has occurred as a result of they’ve determined to attempt to keep away from defeat as an alternative of going for the win, I actually do not perceive Arteta’s mindset, you are at dwelling so assault, you may by no means rating should you’re enjoying too gradual or ponderous. Possibly after the Champions League this week he’ll have a change of techniques on the Etihad, as a result of if he does not they’re going to get overwhelmed simply and the title shall be out of their palms and into Metropolis’s.
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Our reporter Jamie Jackson has been talking to Manchester Metropolis’s goalkeeper:
Forward of Manchester Metropolis’s journey to Chelsea, Gianluigi Donnarumma is conscious of the problem which will await at Stamford Bridge. “It’s all the time going to be an advanced sport,” he mentioned. “It is going to be a troublesome as a result of going there to play isn’t simple. We hope to get an amazing end result as a result of it’s crucial for us for the title race.”
Arsenal’s defeat by Bournemouth dented the Gunners’ title quest, with Metropolis capable of transfer inside three factors with a sport in hand by beating them at dwelling subsequent Sunday in the event that they win at present at Stamford Bridge. “The future [of the title] is now not in our palms, however we are going to attempt to cling on till the tip and put strain on them. These two video games for us are essential,” mentioned the Italian.
On working below Pep Guardiola, Donnnarumma added: “I feel till you reside it, you’ll by no means perceive. Till you expertise him, you may’t perceive the significance he has and the impact he has on a crew. Generally you might be shocked, you might be enchanted, typically to listen to him converse, to arrange a sport tactically. I’m very fortunate in my profession to be coached by him.”
Leaping for pleasure: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester Metropolis. {Photograph}: Dave Thompson/APShare
Arsenal: There’s just one place to begin in terms of reacting to yesterday’s motion and that’s on the Emirates. After a lacklustre begin it appeared just like the Gunners would discover a technique to win when Viktor Gyökeres levelled from the penalty spot, after Junior Kroupi’s early strike, however Arsenal remained flat and missing in concepts. It was a superb purpose from Alex Scott that settled the sport (what number of suitors will the English midfielder have this summer season, by the best way?) with Arteta describing it as “an enormous punch to the face” and a “painful day”.
“There’s no gray areas,” he mentioned. “We have to be very, very, very robust and decided to method it otherwise than we’ve accomplished at present, particularly when the sport wasn’t going our means. There’s so much, so much, so much on our plate to have a look at ourselves.”
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Up to date at 03.21 EDT
Preamble
Morning all and welcome to Sunday’s matchday stay – and what a Sunday it could possibly be within the Premier League, with potential penalties for the relegation combat, the battle for Champions League qualification and the title race. Oh, and no matter Crystal Palace v Newcastle means. After Arsenal’s disaster at dwelling to Bournemouth, can Manchester Metropolis capitalise with a win at Chelsea? Can Nottingham Forest and Tottenham reply to West Ham’s thumping win on Friday night time? And do Aston Villa have something left within the tank to revive their high 5 ambitions?
As all the time, we’ll be bringing you all of the response from Saturday and buildup to at present’s fixtures. Be at liberty to drop us an electronic mail together with your ideas on the weekend thus far, or predictions of what’s to come back.
Let’s get straight into it, we could? I’ll start by plugging this Paul MacInnes piece from the Emirates yesterday, the place lots of Arsenal’s flaws had been uncovered.
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