Premier League

SEAN DYCHE has revealed Everton could be without several key players for Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.The Toffees are yet to earn a point in the Premier League this season having lost each of their opening four games.Sean Dyche has revealed Everton could be without eight first team stars against Leicester CityCredit: GettyJarrad Branthwaite is working his way back to full fitnessCredit: GettySeamus Coleman’s injury is worse than initially fearedCredit: GettyThey go into this weekend rock bottom of the table with a goal difference of minus nine.And things could go from bad to worse when they face Leicester at the King Power Stadium.Dyche was forced to admit that just three members of his preferred starting line-up are fit ahead of Saturday’s match.The remaining eight players are either certain to miss the clash, or they are doubtful.Read More in FootballEverton boss Dyche explained: “I’ve brought a list just to make sure I don’t forget anyone!”Jarrad [Branthwaite] is making progress and hopefully will be able to get involved with the game this weekend. It’s looking like he will do with the Under-21s.”James Tarkowski, we’re hopeful. He trained today and there’s no reaction.”Nathan Patterson, same as Jarrad. Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks okay today. He was back in on the grass so hopefully his illness is gone.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Jimmy Garner is still not in with illness. Idrissa [Gueye] has unfortunately had a family bereavement so he won’t be here.”Myko [Vitaliy Mykolenko] is through the illness, he was in today so we’re hopeful that’s him done.Everton’s £760million new stadium close to completion as incredible new video of ground is revealed “Seamus [Coleman] is still injured, unfortunately it’s going to be longer than we hoped, so that’s not going to be a quick situation, we’re not sure of the timescales yet.”Youssef [Chermiti] is making good progress but obviously quite a long-term injury. Armando [Broja] is making progress, but also obviously a longer term injury.”And Keano [Michael Keane] is getting checked out today, just having a precautionary scan to make sure he’s ok.”Everton were hit with another huge blow earlier this week when they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Southampton.Dyche’s side suffered a 6-5 defeat on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.Everton’s injury/illness concernsInjury:Jarrad BranthwaiteSeamus ColemanYoussef ChermitiArmando BrojaMichael KeaneNathan PattersonIllness:Jimmy GarnerVitaliy MykolenkoDominic Calvert-LewinBereavement:Idrissa Gueye More

ARSENAL have been warned that they must start winning trophies under Mikel Arteta.The Gunners have achieved back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Premier League.Mikel Arteta has been charge at Arsenal since 2019Credit: GettyArteta, 42, did win the FA Cup during his first season in charge at the Emirates.But despite contending for the Premier League title, the Spaniard has so far been unable to add to his trophy cabinet.This weekend, Arsenal travel to Manchester City on the back of a 0-0 draw at Atalanta in the Champions League.In the same fixture last season at the Etihad, fans were subjected to a 0-0 bore draw.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAhead of the latest battle between the two contenders, former England goalkeeper David James warned that Arsenal risk becoming a “glorified Tottenham” if they continue to miss out on the biggest prizes.Speaking to Safest Casino Sites, he said: “Finishing in the Champions League positions is great, but Arsenal fans don’t want to go back to the latter days of Wenger finishing fourth every season and winning nothing, they don’t want to be a glorified Tottenham!”Arteta must win trophies with the club for that narrative to change, and until he does, there will always be doubts about Arsenal and whether or not you can consider them a true force in English football.”A lot of my Arsenal supporting friends have been saying ‘this is the year’.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDavid James has had his say on ArsenalCredit: Getty”Football doesn’t work like that; you have to take your opportunities when there’s a chance. Arsenal haven’t done that in the last two years.”James, 54, also claimed that Arteta cannot be considered among the world’s very best managers until he brings home that silverware.’Arsenal’s Timber dodged red card v Spurs because of safe ref call’ | The Whistleblower, Mark HalseyHe continued: “Mikel Arteta needs to turn the potential and the promise into silverware to be considered one of the best managers in Europe.”It is strange because when Arteta first went in there, I was probably raving about him more then than I would do with any other manager, and people need to remember that, despite winning the FA Cup in his first season, it was a bumpy ride.”It was a massive rebuild job that Arsenal needed, and he’s seen that through to the extent where they are now Premier League title-chasers. He deserves credit for that.”The next step is taking that final jump and winning the title. That is the only way that Arsenal can improve in the Premier League.”Despite the Gunners’ progress in recent seasons, James still won’t back them to win the title this time around.On what could hold Arsenal back, the former City stopper added: “Do Arsenal have what it takes to win the title? I still have my doubts.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I still think they’re a little bit too emotional at times.”I think that could be an issue that rears its head during the season.” More

LIVERPOOL icon Jamie Carragher went from zero to hero on his Anfield debut.The ex-defender started his first match for the Reds against Aston Villa in January 1997.Jamie Carragher has recalled his Liverpool debutCredit: AlamyCarragher is a Liverpool legend and made his debut in 1997Credit: Getty Images – GettyBut just a few seconds into the clash, he found himself skating on thin ice.Carragher received a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Villa midfielder Andy Townsend.And he was arguably lucky to avoid being sent off in embarrassing fashion.Recalling the mishap in the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast by Sky Bet, Carragher said: “My first start for Liverpool was against Aston Villa.Read More in Football”I’d played a couple of games beforehand – I came on in a cup game away to Middlesbrough and then we played West Ham at home, and I came on at half-time, playing centre-midfield with John Barnes when I was eighteen.”The week after, we played Villa and they were a good team. It was Brian Little’s team with three at the back and Dwight York upfront.”I started that game and got booked after 20 seconds. I did a two-foot tackle on Andy Townsend straight after kick-off. You’d probably get sent off for that now.”Despite his shaky start, Carragher went on to score his first Liverpool goal in front of the Kop.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Reds went on to win 3-0 at Anfield.Carragher started the match in midfield but was eventually moved to right-back after establishing himself as a regular name in the first team – even though he preferred to play centrally.Jamie Carragher knew his England career was over in car home from match and told Three Lions boss not to pick him”I went right-back because if I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have been a Liverpool player,” he added.”Gérard Houllier always wanted me in his team. He used to say to me at the start of preseason, ‘I’m going to play you most weeks. I don’t know where, but you will play.'”The 46-year old went on to make 737 appearances for Liverpool before retiring in 2013.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

FORMER Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has an eye on management after leaving Old Trafford.The former Blackburn striker was an attacking coach in Erik ten Hag’s first two years at the club.Benni McCarthy wants to become a manager after leaving Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyHe departed in the summer as part of a reshuffle that saw Ruud van Nistelrooy arrive at the club.Now McCarthy wants to become a manager and believes he is capable of taking over a team in MLS, or Africa.He told CNN Sport: “I think it’s clear after leaving United, that passion for wanting to be a head coach again blew through and that is the next step for me.”Whether it’s to go back to the African continent to manage one of the big teams with the knowledge I’ve gained, that would be amazing to try and make them one of the powerhouses in African football. READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Also to try and reach a final when you play in the Club World Cup, that would be the aim.”Or even the MLS interests me a lot. Opportunities like that I would welcome because I think I’ve got what it takes to manage there and to make players better and help teams achieve goals they’ve maybe not achieved in the last few years.”McCarthy, 46, was well liked during his spell at United and was praised for turning Marcus Rashford into a clinical finisher during Ten Hag’s first season at the club.The coach helped the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League and he believes the team has what it takes to finish in the top four again.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe added: “You can’t discard Man United. In two seasons under Erik ten Hag they have won two trophies. “If they can take the cup form into the league and win on a consistent basis, then they are in with a chance – maybe not title contenders yet, but I definitely think to get themselves into the top-four again for Champions League football. Man Utd stars ‘hiding behind Erik ten Hag instead of fronting up and doing a job’, fumes Arsenal legend in scathing rant”Definitely they’ve got the squad of players to do so.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a double boost with Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount both ready to return.But Erik ten Hag will not be rushing anyone back into the first-team now that he has a fully-fit squad.Erik ten Hag revealed he was starting players who were just 20 per cent fit last termCredit: REUTERSMason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund are back in trainingCredit: GettyThe Red Devils boss admitted he was forced to play some of his stars too much and others when they were only “20 per cent” fit.Ten Hag said: “Last season we didn’t have a fit squad. From February on we had to find 11 players every time to construct a team.“We had to overload them. In top football you always go to boundaries.“It’s not avoidable — but when you have a full squad available it’s easier to manage the load. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We hope we can integrate them in a very careful way.”Ten Hag says he will make a late call whether to include the pair in the squad for Saturday’s tea-time visit to Crystal Palace.Danish striker Hojlund, 21, has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury on the pre-season tour.Mount’s first season at United was ruined by injury and he received another setback in just the second Premier League game of this season — also with a hamstring issue.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the pair have been pictured in full training at Carrington this week.Ten Hag said: “It’s very good news they are back on the pitch, they are back in gym training. Man Utd fans all tell Antony to do the same thing as Ten Hag gives £86m flop Jadon Sancho-style dressing down “We have to decide if they are fit enough to start but it is pleasing they are back, we have many games in this block.”The injuries which plagued Ten Hag’s team last term resulted in the club’s all-time Premier League low position of eighth.He also blamed them for the 4-0 drubbing away at Selhurst Park last May.Ten Hag said: “We know it is always tough there.“We had two players just up to 20 per cent to play — this time it is different.”He goes into the game not just with players fit again but full of confidence, like Marcus Rashford, 26, who has three goals in his last two games.Ten Hag said: “It’s good for the team, strengthens their belief and they will go for more goals.”Man Utd ratings vs Southampton as Onana saves a penalty and Rashford finally scoresMARCUS RASHFORD scored his first Premier League goal in 189 days as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.The Red Devils got back to winning ways after suffering defeats in their last two Prem games, with Matthijs de Ligt notching his first Man Utd goal.But United had Andre Onana to thank as the keeper kept out Cameron Archer’s penalty at 0-0.Here’s how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rated United’s stars…Andre Onana – 7Saved the penalty by Cameron Archer, albeit a poor one from the Southampton forward.But that stop and the stopped rebound proved to be absolutely crucial.Noussair Mazraouri – 7Needed treatment after falling awkwardly in the first half but that did not stop him from delivering a solid performance.Also got forward to good effect before being one of three United defenders to be subbed off.Matthijs De Ligt – 8Shaky start defensively but was unmarked to score from Bruno Fernandes cross to calm United’s nerves with the opener.He was delighted to get his first United goal and dedicated his celebration to his wife’s birthday today.Lisandro Martinez – 7Not been in great form so anything was an improvement – although Saints’ attack was toothless.Diogo Dalot – 5Suffered an absolute shocker of a first half courtesy of Southampton’s tricky wingers.Conceded the penalty after bringing down Tyler Dibling but was also constantly exposed throughout the half.Kobbie Mainoo – 6United continue to lean far too heavily on such a young player. And this defensive role does not really suit him.Christian Eriksen – 7A surprise starter although United’s two goals came from his corners.The system, though, still does not play to his strengths as he is too deep.Bruno Fernandes – 7Cracking corner cross ball from Eriksen who plonked the ball on the head of De Ligt.Amad Diallo – 7Looked lively throughout – really encouraging. Teed up Rashford for the second goal.Joshua Zirkzee – 6Forced a couple of saves by Aaron Ramsdale but does not look like a 25 goal-a-season striker.Marcus Rashford – 7Hopefully the second goal will give him a real confidence boost. Also forced a couple of saves from Aaron Ramsdale.SUBSGarnacho (for Rashford 73 mins) 7Was brutally fouled by Stephens who saw red shortly after coming on. Notched United’s third goal of the game in the final minute.He struck high into Ramsdale’s high corner after a brilliant ball from Casemiro.Manuel Ugarte (for Eriksen 73 mins) 6Harry Maguire (for Mazraouri 74 mins) 6Jonny Evans (for Martinez 77 mins) 6 More