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That concludes our blogging for the day. Back tomorrow for Matchday Live, and a full run of fixtures.
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Tom Garry
The West Ham United manager Rehanne Skinner has said she thinks none of last Sundayâ€s WSL matches should have taken place, so soon after the death of the former Liverpool and West Ham manager Matt Beard last Saturday. Liverpoolâ€s trip to Aston Villa was postponed but other WSL sides still took to the field around 15 hours after the news of Beardâ€s death, at the age of 47, was announced.
Skinner, whose side were one of those in action away at Brighton last time out, said on Friday: “I donâ€t know why any of the games were on at the weekend, because [of] the amount of people, players, coaching staff across the game that have obviously known Matt. I think the expectation on what people had to do at the weekend was not assessed properly at all.â€
Beard led West Ham to their first cup final in 2019, and was in charge at Liverpool until February this year. Skinner, whose team will host the defending champions Chelsea – another of Beardâ€s former clubs – this Sunday, continued: “I think the contingency plans around these things need to be looked into in much more detail. When you see some of the players and some of the staff that have had to go through the weekend – we shouldnâ€t be putting people in that position. If weâ€re going to talk about the wellbeing of players and coaches you canâ€t pay lip service to it.â€
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Andy Hunterâ€s full story on Jota and Slot.
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La Liga news, per Reuters: Brazilian forward Raphinha and keeper Joan Garcia have joined Barcelonaâ€s growing injury list.
Raphinha is expected to be out for around three weeks with a hamstring injury, while Garciaâ€s ruptured meniscus of his left knee requires surgery, keeping him out for between four to six weeks, depending on his recovery.
Barcelona, second in the standings and two points behind Real Madrid, are already missing midfielder Gavi for up to five months after he underwent knee surgery. Fermin Lopez is also out injured but Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde are expected to return this weekend.
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Arne Slot has confirmed that Diogo Jotaâ€s family have been paid out the late strikerâ€s contract. In an interview with TNT, he said the following.
“The grief of the city, that is what makes it for me so special to work at this club. To work at a club where there is success and there is a parade, of course this parade is bigger than any parade everywhere around the world. But the way they conducted, the fans themselves, after that tragedy. How many flowers there were, all the memorials, I can almost get emotional thinking about it. Itâ€s unbelievable what our fans have done. And our players as well, the way they have conducted themselves in and around the funeral. And then we have to train again. And there are moments where I feel, ‘What must his wife and his children feel now?â€.
“Because it sounds so hard… our life continues. People expect from me that I prepared them forever. And that sometimes feels a bit difficult, knowing how hard it is for the family and for the parents. The phase they are still going through and will go through for the rest of their lives. I said how proud I felt about how the fans reacted but ownership… Owners are mainly criticised, like managers, but the way theyâ€ve handled this situation, by paying his wife and his children all the money from the contract [is commendable]. Maybe people think itâ€s normal, but it is not in football.â€
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Matt Beard memorial fund has raised £50,000
Tom Garry
A crowdfunding page raising money for the family of the former Liverpool manager Matt Beard has surpassed £50,000 in donations, as womenâ€s football players, coaches and fans rally around Beardâ€s loved ones following the shock news of his death last Saturday, at the age of 47.
The fundraising page, setup by the broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, originally only targeted raising £5,000 but donations have been flooding in from across the womenâ€s game to see the total climb to more than 10 times that target.
Several WSL managers have also being paying their personal tributes to Beard during many of Fridayâ€s press conferences, including the Leicester City interim manager Rick Passmoor, who fondly recalled facing Beard in the opposition dugout over many years, stretching back to Beardâ€s time in charge of Millwall prior to the WSL being founded and when Beard preceded Emma Hayes as the Chelsea manager.
The former Leeds United and Notts County manager Passmoor, whose Leicester team will host Tottenham on Sunday, said: “Pitchside, we always had a little grin at each other at some stage during a game. Itâ€s a very, very sad time and Iâ€ve just got so many happy memories. He was always smiling, chuckling – maybe not towards refs – but always before and after games, he was talking about family, friends, players and how we can take the game in the right direction.â€
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More on that Tottenham takeover talk from David Hytner.
Spurs have been stalked by takeover talk for a long time and Levyâ€s ousting intensified it, with two groups making moves for control. One was Amanda Staveleyâ€s PCP International Finance, the other a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited. The club rejected both, with sources close to the Lewis family insisting the club were not for sale.
Earick, who is a former DJ, and his backers have tried to muscle in and they have been given the same message. A Lewis family source said: “This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the familyâ€s resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale.â€
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Monday Night Football will be Everton v West Ham, and David Moyes has been expressing sympathy with his predecessor, Graham Potter. “I never think it is correct when a manager comes under great criticism. Graham Potter is an excellent manager and his record at Brighton and getting the Chelsea job, you donâ€t get those jobs without having quality. Obviously he is finding it difficult but I have no doubt heâ€ll find success. This business does not mean everyone can deliver a trophy.â€
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Pep Guardiola going full “wow, guys†over his former defender, Kyle Walker, set to face Manchester City with Burnley on Saturday.
He was unbelievable. One of the greatest full-backs ever. I slept like a baby for the games with Kyle there.
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Wolves play Tottenham on Saturday evening, and Pereira spoke today. His team are pointless so far. “We need to increase our level. The last game gave us good signals and we must keep working to increase the dynamics: defending and attacking.
“We feel that to show the level of the players we have in this moment, we need just a result, a win, and everything can change. The squad is more balanced that last season because we have two players for each position and I believe that it is time to prove why they are in the Premier League, why we selected them from other leagues to come to this league.
“This is the time for the players to be themselves, be comfortable to play in their best level. I believe this internal competition is good for us. I donâ€t have any doubts that we will increase our level in the next weeks. Now is the time that I feel the start of a connection between the players, you see different movements, skills and they create the dynamics between them. This is the way tactically and mentally to build something strong.
“I feel that we are starting our season because now we have all the players together, working for something – and understanding what we want.â€
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Thereâ€s a few crisis clubs this season, Villa, West Ham and Wolves. Thereâ€s a story emerging that provides an intersection between two of them. According to informed fan site Molineux News, the Hammers considered turning to Vitor Pereira before he signed his new Wolves contract just recently, making connection with Jorge Mendes, the super agent.
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Thomas Frank has been speaking about talk of a Tottenham takeover: “The start was very stable. Daniel [Levy] had been here for 25 years but the change came and I was a little bit like ‘okay I didnâ€t expect that†but since then, the owners have been very transparent, very good in communicating, very clear – the club is not for sale.
“For me personally, I find it a stable environment coming into work every day and also I learned over a lot of years that the only thing that helps me and helps the team is that I do everything I can to focus on the team.â€
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Handover: John Brewin is here to take up the running as we enter the home straight.
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Nottingham Forest: “We are definitely making progress,†says Ange Postecoglou of the new style of play to which Nottingham Forestâ€s players are having to become accustomed under his regime. “Our football is gradually getting to the place that we want. The results havenâ€t been what we wanted but thatâ€s not because of lack of performance and thatâ€s an important thing for me. Thereâ€s enough from the games Iâ€ve been in charge of to show me that the players are responding and we are heading in the right direction.â€
Having failed to win any of his first games as Nottingham Forest head coach, Ange Postecoglou will take his place in the home dug-out at the City Ground for the first time tomorrow. Photograph: Matthieu Mirville/DPPI/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 10.20 EDT
Jamie Jackson
Manchester United: Ruben Amorim has urged Manchester United to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time of his 32-game tenure by beating Brentford in Saturdayâ€s noon kickoff.
“Itâ€s really important. We talked about that at the end of the game [Sundayâ€s 2-1 win over Chelsea]. We need the sense of urgency that we need to win, no matter what. Itâ€s going to be really difficult. Every time we start to prepare for the next game and watch the opponent, we think itâ€s going to be really tough. I have that feeling. But for me, we cannot control the game.
“The most important thing is to start the game like we did against Chelsea and Burnley – we need to be really focused and have the feeling of needing to win every match.
“I donâ€t say [doing this] playing well, because I think we have done that, but itâ€s normal that the fans donâ€t know what is going to happen the next game. To be honest, I have an idea, but I donâ€t know how itâ€s going to be and Iâ€m the manager of the team.
“The best way of dealing with that is approaching every game like itâ€s the last one. I understand the feeling of the fans, so letâ€s start changing that feeling to present ourselves with the urgency of what we need to do on the pitch.â€
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Nottingham Forest: Despite having been in charge of Nottingham Forest for four matches, Ange Postecoglou will get to savour the atmosphere of the City Ground for the first time when Sunderland come to town tomorrow. The Australian has yet to taste victory in his new role, losing two games and drawing the others.
“Iâ€m certainly looking forward to it,†he told reporters. “Weâ€ve had four away games. I donâ€t think itâ€s a bad run of form, but playing four away games doesnâ€t happen very often. I am sure they [the fans] are excited to see the team, so irrespective of form or anything else, there should be a really good buzz at the stadium tomorrow.
“Home comforts. The fans will get behind the players so itâ€s going to be great. The players will enjoy it. When they walk out tomorrow night and they hear the noise that will be supportive of them, I think it will help the performance.â€
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Celtic: Having been denied a summer move to an unspecified club rumoured to have been Brentford, Celtic striker Daizen Maeda has been out of sorts this season and was hooked at half-time in Celticâ€s Europa League draw with Red Star on Wednesday. Brendan Rodgers said after the game that the Japanese striker “wasnâ€t at his best or anywhere near itâ€.
However, the Celtic manager has since said he backs Maeda to return to form, as long as he doesnâ€t wallow in self-pity. “You canâ€t underestimate how difficult itâ€s been for him,†he said. “This is a guy who has given absolutely everything for this football club and even sometimes when you want to give your best, thereâ€s a subconscious thing that can obviously hold you back a little bit.
“But, like I say to any player in this situation, itâ€s so important that you donâ€t get caught up in this sort of mentality of ‘itâ€s not fairâ€, because when you get caught in that, itâ€s very dangerous territory and itâ€s hard to move on from. So you have to really look forward, really do it for your team-mates, do it for your family, do it for your supporters, and then eventually you get confidence back and you start to get back to your normal self.â€
Daizen Maeda (right) cut a forlorn figure against Red Star in Belgrade before being substituted at half-time. Photograph: Pedja Milosavljevic/STARSPORT/ShutterstockShare
Brentford: While Keith Andrews has far more important things to worry about than what kind of reception Mbeumo will get from Brentford fans tomorrow, he is asked for his thoughts anyway. “I think Bryan should get a really good reception from the fans,†he says. “Bryan epitomises everything good about this football club. Six years at the club, couple in the Championship, arrived as a 19-year-old. He was from France, spoke very little English, developed as a young man, developed as a player.
“He was given time, patience, support, and I think the way it went last year was the culmination of that six-year work, that six-year journey where so many people in that building played a part in his in his development. I know for a fact he really appreciates that. He appreciates the fans. I think it just epitomises what what this club is about.
“Bryan rightly should get a really good reception. Having said that, I donâ€t want us to give him a nice reception on the pitch. Yes, we know all about him, all his qualities Weâ€re very aware of what a good player is and weâ€ll help hopefully try to nullify that by making it an afternoon that he doesnâ€t enjoy.â€
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Manchester United: On the even of Bryan Mbeumoâ€s return to Brentford as a Manchester United player, Ruben Amorim has been singing the praises of a winger who, it seems, has a hitherto undocumented side-hustle as an electrician.
“Itâ€s really important for eveything he has been doing,†he says. “The light he brings to the dressing room. He is not the guy who talks, but he is always there to help us. He runs a lot, presses a lot, he is a different threat to last season. Iâ€m more than happy with Bryan.â€
Bryan Mbeumo has yet to score in the Premier League for Manchester United but he has brought light to their dressing-room. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty ImagesShareTom Garry
WSL: Manchester City will be without their England winger Lauren Hemp for a “couple of weeksâ€, their head coach Andrée Jeglertz has confirmed. Hemp was seen wearing a protective boot on the sidelines as Manchester City beat Everton 3-1 in the Subway League Cup group stage on Wednesday.
Speaking during his press conference on Friday afternoon, Jeglertz said: “She has an ankle injury and sheâ€s out for a couple of weeks. Itâ€s a tough situation for her, she wants to play, we want her to play, and she wants to contribute to the team, but injuries happen and sheâ€s doing everything she can to get back as quickly as possible. Hopefully she will be back soon.â€
Manchester City will host London City Lionesses in the WSL on Sunday [12:00], looking for a fourth straight win in all competitions.
Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp has been sidelined for “a couple of weeks†with an ankle injury. Photograph: Harriet Lander/WSL/WSL Football/Getty ImagesShare
Manchester United:Ruben Amorim announces that Amad Diallo will miss tomorrowâ€s game against Brentford due to a family bereavement. “We are giving all the support to Amad and understood he needed to return home,†he says. He also reveals that as well as Casemiro, who is suspended, Noussair Mazraoui will be out with injury until after the international break.
Manchester United midfielder Noussair Mazraoui has been ruled out of tomorrowâ€s match against Brentford. Photograph: Conor Molloy/ProSports/ShutterstockShare
Everton: David Moyes kicks off his press conference by telling reporters that Jarrad Branthwaite, who has yet to play for Everton this season as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered just days before it started, will not be available for Monday nightâ€s match against West Ham. Merlin Rohl, who signed for Everton from the German side Freiberg during the summer, will also miss out with a groin injury.
Jarrad Branthwaite has yet to appear for Everton this season after picking up a hamstring injury just before their campaign started. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAShare
Updated at 09.26 EDT
West Ham: Currently the subject of a trend on social media where users have taken to superimposing his face on assorted celebrities and historical figures of note, Potter is asked if he is aware he has become a subject of ridicule through the medium of … er, meme. “Yes, I am aware of it,†he says. “It made my 15-year-old son laugh a lot so you have to accept what comes with [the job]. At times [itâ€s] ridicule but that is just the environment we are in and it is what it is.â€
And does he have a favourite meme? “No not really,†he says. “I havenâ€t given it too much thought and you can imagine Iâ€ve got a few more important things than that [going on] to be honest. As I said it is what it is and you have to deal with those things.â€
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Updated at 09.15 EDT
Tottenham Hotspur: An expression of interest to buy the club by a consortium led by the former DJ and Nasa engineer turned tech bro Brooklyn Earick, 41, has been “unequivocally rejected†by owners ENIC, according to PA.
A report in The Sun on Thursday night stated American tech entrepreneur Earick was ready to launch an overall £4.5bn takeover bid for the Premier League club. Spurs†majority owners ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family trust, earlier this month rejected expressions of interest from Amanda Staveleyâ€s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.
A club statement at the time insisted “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale†and PA say a source close to the Lewis family reiterated that message on Thursday night.
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Updated at 09.03 EDT
West Ham: One-time flavour of the month turned favourite for the sack race, Graham Potter takes West Ham to Hill Dickenson Stadium on Monday night in desperate need of a win to try and silence his many critics among the West Ham fan base. Given the cloud of toxicity that hung over the London Stadium during West Hamâ€s loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, Potter and his players may well prefer to be playing a couple of hundred miles away from home.
“I think you have to accept that at the highest level that the margins are small,†said Potter of a dismal start to the season in which West Ham have lost four league games out of five and been knocked out of the Carabao Cup. “You canâ€t wait for those to come round for you and you just have to keep working. We have to keep moving forward and try and change it and thatâ€s the job, thatâ€s life and we are looking forward to changing that dynamic.â€
Some unsolicited advice, Graham – you also need to learn how to defend corners.
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Updated at 10.12 EDT
Newcastle United: Joelinton ended a nine-month goal drought by scoring his first two goals of the calendar year two goals against Bradford City as Newcastle began the defence of the Carabao Cup and his said he and his teammates have not been unsettled by the protracted and occasionally unseemly departure of Alexander Isak from the club during the summer.
“We had a good pre-season,†said the Brazilian. “We know the noise around but we are professional. We kept the focus and do what we have to do on the pitch, and everyone has done well. We wish Alex the best. He did well for the club and now heâ€s gone and we have to focus on the players that are here in the squad and keep going.â€
Newcastle host Arsenal on Sunday and will be hoping to beat them at St James†Park for the fourth time in succession. Joelinton is confident they can do so. “Thatâ€s the way we feel against everybody,†he said. “Every time we step on the pitch, we try to represent Newcastle in the best way possible against any team. We believe in ourselves and know we can play against anyone, and thatâ€s what we try every game.â€
Joelinton returns to the dressing-room after scoring two goals in Newcastleâ€s midweek Carabao Cup demolition of Bradford City. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty ImagesShare
Arsenal: Already five points behind Liverpool in the title race after just five games, the club face what could be an extremely tricky assignment on Sunday when they travel to St James†Park. Arteta has been buttering up Newcastleâ€s head coach and the clubâ€s fans ahead of the trip.
“I always praise the work Eddie [Howe] and his staff have done there,†he says. “They have managed to create such an atmosphere at home and a clear identity. It is going to be another tough test. We know we are going to have to be more efficient to win the game and we are going to work on that in the next couple of days. [The atmosphere at St James†Park] is incredibly beautiful. One of the best atmospheres in this country. They play every single ball with you. Itâ€s electric. Itâ€s one team in one city. Itâ€s a great atmosphere to play in.â€
Mikel Arteta has been praising the work of Eddie Howe and his players in helping to foster an “incredibly beautiful†atmosphere at St James†Park. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 08.34 EDT
Arsenal: Arteta goes on to express his delight that William Saliba has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal and says that he hopes everyone on the planet follows suit. “Hopefully it will be everyone in the world very soon,†he says.
“That is what Iâ€m hoping. Itâ€s great to see so many players willing to stay. [Saliba] is very impressive for his age because sometimes we tend to forget [how young he is]. Itâ€s his consistency and the way he has matured as a person. Year after year he has built a partnership, with Gabriel especially, but the back line and the keeper.
“Every time I sit with a player and I see what their intentions are its that they want to stay with us. We donâ€t take it for granted. It means the club are doing really well to make players and staff feel valuable.â€
William Saliba has signed a new and presumably improved five-year deal with Arsenal. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PAShare
Updated at 09.17 EDT
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta opened his press conference with some words of condolence and support for the family of Billy Vigar, the 21-year-old former Arsenal academy player who passed away yesterday after suffering a “significant brain injury†while playing for Chichester City in the Isthmian League last weekend.
“Shocking news,†says the Arsenal head coach. “Straight away I am thinking about the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this. Our full support with the family.â€
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Newcastle United: Having overseen a revolution at Newcastle since the Saudi takeover of the club in 2021, Eddie Howe is now concentrating on evolution as his team prepares to welcome Arsneal to St James†Park on Sunday.
“They are a different team [to last season] but likewise we are a different team,†he tells reporters. “We are still in the moment of finding out what team we are going to be and there have been really positive signs already this season. Against Bradford there were signs of the creative side to our game and the technical side was in a really good place and we are going to need something similar [on Sunday].â€
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