Sheffield Wednesday file for administration and face points deduction: football news – live | Soccer
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Sheffield Wednesday file for administration
Breaking news: Championship side Sheffield Wednesday have filed for administration amid the club’s mounting financial issues, a court filing from this morning showed. The English Football League (EFL) had previously charged the club with multiple breaches of regulations for the persistent late payment of players’ wages.
This is the latest in a series of off-field setbacks for Wednesday, whose owner Dejphon Chansiri has failed to pay players and staff on time in five out of the last seven months. Thousands of fans boycotted their home defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough earlier this week in protest against the club’s ownership.
Under EFL rules, Wednesday, who are already bottom of the Championship, will now receive an automatic 12-point points deduction for going into administration. The penalty would leave them on -6 points after 11 games. Wednesday host fellow strugglers Oxford United tomorrow.
Key events
Brighton: Fabian Hurzeler’s side travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United tomorrow evening and the Brighton head coach has been discussing the tactics he envisages Ruben Amorim’s side employing.
“I think they are playing more direct and more vertical style so more long balls trying to target [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Benjamin] Sesko, trying to win the second balls and continue on the wing,” he said. “Trying to attack the box with deep runs and of course they have a lot of individual qualities. They can change the game with one action. No matter who it is. They are a danger for us and we have to be staying alive for 90 minutes because they can score from every phase.”
Asked about United’s difficulties when it comes to stringing back-to-back victories together, the young German was understandably both diplomatic and complimentary. “It’s not my job to comment on that but the only thing I can say is that I am really looking forward to competing against one of the best managers,” he said. “I think [Amorim] is one of the best, of course he’s not in an easy phase with Manchester but he’s proved in the past how good he can be. Why can’t they win three games in a row? I don’t know because I’m not there.”
Should United win tomrorow it will be the first time they have won three consecutive Premier League matches since Amorim took charge almost a year ago. In January this year they won back-to-back-toback games in two different competitions against Rangers, Fulham and the Romanian side FCSB.
Liverpool: Arne Slot is sitting before reporters and tells them that both Alexander Isak and Thomas Gravenberch are “a doubt” for tomorrow’s away trip to Brentford. Jeremie Frimpong has definitely been ruled out with the hamstring injury that put a stop to his midweek gallop against Eintracht Frankfurt early on Wednesday night. Alisson also remains sidelined with a hammy he picked up against Galatasaray.
As is becoming customary, Slot was asked about Florian Wirtz who had one of his better games in a Liverpool shirt against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. “It was more difficult to do what he did against Manchester United [to provide an assist for Cody Gakpo] than his assist for Dominik Szoboszlai,” said Slot. “His general game I have liked, but if you lose a game then you hear about the negative things. On Wednesday we generated the same amount of chances from open play than we did in those recent defeats.”
Asked if this is a difficult time for Mo Salah, who is enduring a slump in form by his own usual high standards and was dropped against Frankfurt, Slot had this to say: “It’s a difficult moment for all of us because no one is used to losing. Players miss chances and he is a human being. We are not used to him missing chances.
“The main thing is that he always has scored goals for Liverpool. The last thing I worry about is Mo scoring goals again. He’s done that his entire life and I expect him to do that again in the coming weeks and months. Quite a few changes in the squad means everyone needs to find new connections.”
Chelsea’s Liam Delap is back in training
Chelsea: Speaking of the hamstrung Chelsea striker, Enzo Maresca has just told reporters that Delap is back training with the first team squad after recovering from the hamstring injury that forced him out of his side’s match against Fulham at the end of August and has kept him sidelined ever since. Tomorrow’s match against Sunderland has come too soon for the 22-year-old but all going well he will be in the Chelsea squad for next week’s Carabao Cup match against Wolves.
Sunderland: Staying in the north-east, the head coach of the region’s biggest club has been talking ahead of his team’s trip to Chelsea tomorrow afternoon. Level on points with their hosts but behind them on goal difference, Sunderland have defied the expectations of many (including me and I’m a fan) by taking 14 points from the first 24 available since coming up through the Championship playoffs and their youthful side will take on any even younger one tomorrow in what should prove a stern test of both sides’ metal at Stamford Bridge.
“You can’t solve everything with money,” said Regis Le Bris, presumably after being asked about the £170m on new players his employers spent during the summer. “You need money to be competitive in the market, but after that, you have to develop your own expertise according to the profile you need and the identity you have at the club. I think the identity of the club is totally open with the young profiles we need for the squad, and the balance of the squad with more experienced players.”
Sunderland will be without Paraguayan defender Omar Alderete due to concussion, but Reinildo Mandava is available again after serving a three-match suspension. Noah Sadiki has overcome a minor ankle knock.
Le Bris shrugged off the prospect of facing striker Marc Guiu, who joined Sunderland on a season-long loan from Chelsea in August only for the deal to be terminated less than a month later after Liam Delap suffered a serious injury. “We appreciated the short spell we had with Marc, but now it’s another story,” he said, of a youngster who scored one in three appearances before leaving with the best wishes of fans. “The market is the market and sometimes you have to face unpredictable situations.”
Newcastle: Eddie Howe’s side were mightily impressive in Champions League victory against Benfica in midweek, arguably a performance of the season that stood in contrast to last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Brighton and their stuttering start to the Premier League campaign. Howe was asked to explain the differences between his side’s two performances.
“It’s all down to mentality,” he said. “It is down to our attitude. There is no difference to me between a pre-season game or Premier League game. Whatever the competition, our attitude has to be the same. Our attitude against Benfica was very, very good but now we need to back that up with a consistent performance and a will to win.”
Newcastle host Fulham tomorrow in one of only two Saturday kick-offs scheduled for three o’clock.
Brighton: Following his recent run of good form, there have been calls for Thomas Tuchel to consider the Brighton veteran Danny Welbeck for selection when picking his next England squad. The 34-year-old has not played for England since 2018 but scored his highest ever tally of 10 Premier League goals last season for Brighton and already has four to his name this time around.
While those numbers are far from mind-blowing, given the paucity of quality back-up for Harry Kane in Tuchel’s squad, calls for the German to give him a run-out are understandable although his chances of getting on The Plane to the World Cup would appear to be fairly slim unless he qualifies as a commercial pilot or flight attendant in the next seven or eight months.
“I didn’t talk to him about that but I’m sure he’s only focused on performing here and performing well, that’s the only thing he can influence, the rest isn’t in his hands and he can’t control,” said Fabian Hurzeler, his head coach at Brighton this morning.
“It’s only about performance and improving every week and being ready to play at the highest level. I’m sure Thomas [Tuchel] will watch him and I’m happy to see that England are progressing well with Thomas so I’m sure he will make the right decision and let’s see what he will decide regarding Danny.”
Bernardo Silva lauds “special” John Stones
Jamie Jackson
Manchester City: Bernardo Silva is clear that “special” John Stones maintaining his fitness can be the key to Manchester City again being a force.
“John gives us something that is difficult to find in terms of him as a central defender: that with the ball he can go into the midfield to help us in the buildup,” said the City captain. “And that’s something that is very difficult to find. Look, it’s my ninth season at Man City and when John is fit, the team always plays much better. It’s not a coincidence. He’s a special player. He just needs to take care of his body and make sure that he’s available. Because I’m pretty sure that if he’s available, he’s going to be a real force.”
City are unbeaten in nine games, drawing two. Silva pointed to the rearguard as fundamental to their good run. “We found a bit more of our rhythm,” he said. “We found the stability at the back; I think that gives the freedom for the guys at front to play in a different way. I always say that when you’re stable at the back, when the team defends properly, and we’re now defending quite well, then that’s when you can win football games.
“The guys up front can make a difference. That’s what we didn’t have for a long time last season, and that’s what we’re getting back to, to having that stability. We’re happy with the momentum, but still a long way to go. It’s just one month that we were quite good. If we want to be successful this season, we need to keep it that way for much longer than just one month.”
Rodri may return soon from a hamstring problem. “He’s almost there,” said Silva. “He’s almost training with the team. He feels better. We need to be calm because he’s coming from an injury [anterior cruciate ligament sustained in September 2024] that we all know about. His body hasn’t been working for a long time, but little by little he’s coming back. We need him a lot. He’s very important to us.”
Newcastle United: Eddie Howe is in the house and his first order of business is to discuss Sandro Tonali, who sat out Newcastle’s impressive midweek Champions League win over Benfica with a knee injury. It was revealed during the week that the Italian midfielder had signed a new deal with Newcastle during the 10-month ban for gambling he served from October 2023. Tonali is now contracted to Newcastle until May 2029, while the club have an option to extend the deal for another year.
Howe revealed that Tonali is a doubt for tomorrow’s match against Fulham but is being monitored. “A lot happened around the time that he was banned,” he added. “A lot of discussions between Sandro’s representatives and the football club. Obviously there was the contract situation involving him and sacrificial wages that Sandro volunteered, which I thought spoke volumes for his mentality and how he conducted himself in that period.
“And the club came to an agreement so he had an extension of his contract which is a great thing but most importantly how he conducted himself in that ban – I thought he was brilliant and that has led to his brilliant performances. It’s a two-way thing. Sandro has felt the love with everyone connected to the club.
“The supporters have been absolutely incredible with him, during the ban for one but that support during the ban then followed through with helping Sandro return to football and helping him with his issues off the pitch. He needed that support at that time and now we are seeing the benefits. He has been brilliant since returning to football.”
Rafa Benitez appointed Panathinaikos boss
Greek Super League: The 65-year-old former Liverpool, Valencia, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Inter boss has signed a two-year deal to become the new head coach of the Greek side Panathinaikos. It’s his 17th different managerial job but his first in Greece. Benitez has not worked as a head coach for 19 months, since being sacked by the Spanish side, Celta Vigo. His new club currently sit seventh in the Greek Super League table with nine points after six games.
Friday press conferences: I am a habitually early riser and can rarely be found in my cot after 6am but it’s not often I’m up and about before Eddie Howe, who invariably forces the ladies and gentlemen of the north-eastern press pack out of their beds at the crack of dawn for his Friday morning press conferences. There’s no word from the Newcastle head coach yet but I’m told we’ll be hearing from him soon ahead of his team’s match against Fulham at St James’ Park tomorrow …
Nottingham Forest: Following an eight-game winless run under Ange Postecoglou, Nottingham Forest kept their first clean sheet for 21 games in beating Porto 2-0 at the City Ground last night, in the process consigning the Portuguese side to defeat for the first time in 12 matches this season. It’s small wonder Sean Dyche, Postecoglou’s replacement, looked pleased with himself and his players afterwards.
“When you are on the side you don’t hear every word, you hear a noise and you know if it’s a positive noise or a negative noise,” he said. “I’m not here to judge or question anything, just deliver what I can to the job. It’s nice when they support you from the off, winning helps.
“These fans are pretty fair, win, lose or draw if they see a team out there wearing the shirt with pride and I think they’ll accept that. To get it off with a good performance and a win is very pleasing for them. If they can accept me and my staff and what’s going on that’s got to be a bonus. Hopefully it will fast track the feeling around the ground.”
James Tavernier: “A disgraceful performance”
Rangers: With his side anchored to the foot of the 36-strong Europa League group stage table with zero points from three games, Rangers captain James Tavernier did not mince his words after he and his teammates suffered a chastening defeat at the hands of Brann in Norway last night.
“It’s just a disgraceful performance, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “All the years I’ve been here, the consistency of poor performance that we’re putting in, I’ve not experienced it before. Some of us show our aggression after the games, after we get beaten – you expect all the lads to take that in, but we have to look at ourselves much harder.”
Just a thought, James, but maybe try showing some of that aggression during the games?
Marcus Rashford: “Sometimes you just need a change”
In news that is unlikely to come as much of a surprise to many, Marcus Rashford has made it clear he wants to stay at Barcelona as he gears up for his first El Clasico against Real Madrid this weekend.
Rashford moved to Barcelona on loan from Manchester United this summer and the La Liga giants have the option of making the deal permanent next year. Having scored five goals in 12 games including a double in the midweek Champions League thrashing of Olympiacos, the 27-year-old is clear where his future lies.
“Oh yeah, for sure,”” he said, upon being asked by ESPN if he wants to stay at the Spanish champions. “I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it’s an honour.”
Rashford has a contract at Old Trafford until 2028 but having also spent a brief spell on loan at Aston Villa last season it is highly unlikely he will return under current boss Ruben Amorim. “People forget this, but 24, 23 years of my life was with Manchester United, so sometimes you just need a change,” added Rashford. “I think maybe this is the case with me and I’m enjoying everything.”
Celtic 2-1 Sturm Graz
Europa League: On a night when Rangers and Aberdeen were humbled in Norway and Greece respectively, Celtic flew the flag for the Scottish Premiership with a come-from-behind win against Sturm Graz, writes Ewan Murray from Celtic Park.
Brann 3-0 Rangers
Europa League: Newly appointed Rangers boss Danny Röhl discovered his new side’s problems run deeper than their former manager Russell Martin as they were blitzed 3-0 by Brann in Bergen.
Crystal Palace 0-1 AEK Larnaca
Europa Conference League: Oliver Glasner’s side were handed a harsh lesson about what it takes to be successful at this level by the team from Cyprus. Ed Aarons reports from Selhurst Park …
Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 Aston Villa
Europa League: Emi Buendia missed a late penalty and Aston Villa suffered a Europa League humbling as they failed to do it against the Dutch minnows on a wet and windy Thursday night in Deventer.
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Porto
Europa League: Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus got the goals as Sean Dyche managed to achieve in one match what his predecessor Ange Postecoglou couldn’t pull off in eight – victory for Nottingham Forest. Ben Fisher reports from the City Ground …
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
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Leeds United v West Ham (Friday 8pm)
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Chelsea v Sunderland (Saturday 3pm)
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Newcastle United v Fulham (3pm)
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Manchester United v Brighton (5:30pm)
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Brentford v Liverpool (8pm)
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Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest (Sunday 2pm)
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Arsenal v Crystal Palace (2pm)
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Aston Villa v Manchester City (2pm)
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Wolves v Burnley (2pm)
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Everton v Tottenham Hotspur (4.30pm)
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View the Premier League table
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Friday and Saturday times BST
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Sunday’s times GMT
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Clocks go back at 2am on Sunday morning
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In case you didn’t know
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And yes, your smart phone does know
Something for the weekend …
Greetings all and welcome to your Friday football fix at a time when the Premier League weekend is so close you can almost taste the over-priced, simultaneously lukewarm and volcanically hot half-time pie. As well as the usual glorious chorus of managerial clichés that precedes each weekend’s action, we’ll be bringing you updates on varous touch-and-go “knocks”, insistences that there “no easy games in this league” and assorted solemn declarations that various head coaches are “taking it one game at a time”.
We’ll also have slightly bleary-eyed reaction to last night’s Europa League and Europa Conference League action. Who played a full-strength side and won? Who rotated their squad and lost 2-1 to a team whose shirt sponsor is a Dutch 3D printing company? And which coach is most likely to blame the “Thursday night effect” for any domestic Sunday struggles?
Beyond the main talking points, we will, as usual, cover any other news that may present itself as the day unfolds. It’s all to play for, so settle in and let’s get this show on the road.
