Stories By Graham Ruthven
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Sport
The Champions League’s new format may create greater upsets
The new Champions League format will take some getting used to. It is, whichever way it is viewed, more complex. The old format, which had been used for the past two decades, was easy to understand. This new format, however, requires some thought.
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Sport
Is Mbappe’s presence a hindrance?
Kylian Mbappe’s summer move to Real Madrid was a number of years in the making. The French forward had been on Los Blancos’ radar since his teenage years and so there was an element of inevitability to Mbappe signing for Real Madrid.
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Sport
North London Derby can kick-start Tottenham’s season
This time last year, Tottenham Hotspur were flying. They won two of their three fixtures to open the 2023/24 Premier League season and would embark on a run that saw the North London side win eight of their first 10 games under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
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Sport
Is time running out for Erik ten Hag?
Erik ten Hag likes to remind people how many cup competitions he has won as Manchester United manager. That’s because United’s league form over the last two seasons has been abysmal with the Dutchman’s team once again enduring a difficult start to a Premier League campaign this term.
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Sport
Fast start under Hurzeler suggests Brighton will have a big season
Brighton are used to overachievement, but the start they have made to the 2024/25 Premier League season has set a new standard for the south coast club. The Seagulls are flying. Under new manager Fabian Hurzeler, they have taken seven points from a possible nine, beating Everton and Manchester United and taking a point from Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
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Sport
Sterling could solve Arsenal’s growing left wing problem
Many believed Arsenal would move for a new centre forward in the summer transfer window. Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney and others were linked with the Gunners who certainly lack a number nine on the level of Erling Haaland.
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Sport
Konate can be Liverpool’s long-term successor to van Dijk
The Jurgen Klopp era is in the past for Liverpool, but the future is looking increasingly bright for the Anfield club under Arne Slot. The Dutchman has started his tenure as the Reds’ new manager with back-to-back wins in the Premier League with Sunday’s 2-0 home victory over Brentford providing more evidence on how the team will change under new stewardship.
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Sport
Noni Madueke gives Chelsea balance on the right wing
Noni Madueke was both the hero and the villain at Molineux on Sunday. Criticised for posting a less than glowing review of Wolverhampton before the match, Wolves supporters relentless booed the Chelsea winger.
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Sport
Evanilson signing shows how far Bournemouth have come.
Bournemouth’s 2024/25 season would have looked very different without Dominic Solanke’s goals. The 26-year-old found the back of the net 19 times in 38 Premier League games. Only Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak registered more goals than Solanke last term, highlighting his importance to the Cherries.
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Sport
Brentford have progressed beyond their reliance on Ivan Toney.
Nobody has scored more Premier League goals for Brentford than Ivan Toney. For a long time, he was the Bees’ attacking focal point. Toney was their most reliable match-winner and difference-maker. Had the 28-year-old left the West London club at this point, a huge void would have been left in Thomas Frank’s lineup.
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Sport
Solanke will be a great fit for Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur finally have a top level centre forward on their books. Ange Postecoglou’s team went through the 2023/24 season without a player in this position following Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich, but Dominic Solanke is now a Spurs player, satisfying a very clear need for the North London club.
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