Stories By Graham Ruthven
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Sport
North London derby will test whether Arsenal or Spurs can truly challenge for title
The top of the Premier League table has an unfamiliar look to it. Not only are Arsenal sitting ahead of the other 19 teams, Tottenham Hotspur are just one point behind their North London rivals. Fans of both teams are talking tentatively of a title challenge and Saturday’s derby will provide more evidence to support or debunk the idea that either side can go all the way this season.
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Sport
Lionel Messi has timed his return to form perfectly for the World Cup
There is just one major trophy missing from Lionel Messi’s collection, as many like to regularly remind him. For all that the 35-year-old has achieved in football, he has yet to lift the World Cup trophy, coming closest in 2014 when Argentina lost in the final to Germany.
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Sport
Marcus Rashford is back in form, but he’s still not the centre forward Man Utd need
In scoring three times in just six appearances for Manchester United this season, Marcus Rashford is just one goal away from matching his tally for the whole of last season. This in itself says a lot about how the 24-year-old has rediscovered his groove after a difficult 12 months which had many questioning his future at Old Trafford.
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Sport
Celtic and Rangers could make serious impression on this season’s Champions League
Not since 2007 have two Scottish clubs appeared in the group stages of the Champions League. This is a fact that underlines the achievement of both Celtic and Rangers in qualifying for European football’s most prestigious club competition this season.
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Sport
Leicester City have a decision to make – is it time to sack Brendan Rodgers?
Leicester City have never qualified for the Champions League under Brendan Rodgers, but the fact the Foxes were firmly in the discussion to finish in the top four in back-to-back seasons said a lot about how the King Power Stadium outfit overachieved under the Northern Irishman.
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Sport
What’s wrong with Son Heung-min? South Korean’s lack of form is a concern for Spurs
Seven points from a possible nine doesn’t represent a perfect start to the 2022/23 Premier League season for Tottenham Hotspur, but it has been strong enough for some to suggest Antonio Conte’s team would mount a title challenge.
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Sport
Jamal Musiala becoming the main man for Bayern Munich and set for big World Cup with Germany
Julian Nagelsmann has earned a reputation as one of European football’s sharpest tactical minds and so it was always likely that he would remould Bayern Munich in his own image at some point. Indeed, the 35-year-old has given the German champions a new identity over the summer and has achieved instant results.
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Sport
Leeds United might now see the real Rodrigo with Jesse Marsch as manager
There was solid logic behind Leeds United’s appointment of Jesse Marsch last season. While the Elland Road side clearly needed a new boss to guide them away from the threat of relegation from the Premier League, they didn’t want to rebuild the foundations put in place by Marcelo Bielsa at the club.
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Sport
Where are Everton’s goals going to come from this season?
A familiar sense of dread is building around Everton. Last season was one to forget for the Toffees as they only just avoided suffering relegation from the Premier League for the first time, but the trauma of the fight against the drop could be repeated with Frank Lampard’s team desperately lacking in form and confidence.
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Sport
Thomas Tuchel’s striker-less system could get the best out of Chelsea this season
Romelu Lukaku was meant to be the final piece of the puzzle. Chelsea’s £98m signing of the Belgian striker last summer was taken as a recognition from Thomas Tuchel that his team needed a penalty box operator who could put the ball in the back of the net.
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Sport
Graham Potter should be next in line for a ‘Big Six’ job – he has earned the opportunity
An away win over Manchester United was an impressive way for Brighton to start the 2022/23 Premier League season, but the result and performance at Old Trafford won’t have as a surprise to anyone who watched the Seagulls last season.
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