Stories By Jamie Smith

• Sport

  Moyes and Rodgers deserve more faith and time

  The Premier League is an unforgiving workplace for managers with pressure growing on both Brendan Rodgers and David Moyes after Leicester and West Ham made poor starts to 2022-23.   Leicester are rock bottom of the table having failed to win any of their seven Premier League games so far, losing 6-2 at Tottenham to go into the international break with a single point.

• Sport

  Is VAR working?

  Football fans are again questioning the use of VAR after a terrible weekend of decisions in the Premier League, which saw big calls go the wrong way in a series of matches.   Some supporters have never taken to the use of the video technology in the game but with controversy in several matches over a couple of days it is fair to say VAR reached a new nadir.

• Sport

  Newcastle on track for European push

  Newcastle on track for European push Last season saw West Ham United and Leicester City the closest two teams to the traditional ‘Big Six’, but Newcastle United’s start to the new term suggests they can be the best of the rest.

• Sport

  Manchester United v Liverpool: 5 most memorable meetings

  Manchester United have made a shocking start to the new season under Erik ten Hag and the bad news is it could be about to get even worse: on Monday they have to play host to Liverpool.   Last season saw Liverpool inflict twin humiliations on the Red Devils, backing up a 5-0 thrashing at Old Trafford with a similarly comprehensive 4-0 victory at home in April.

• Sport

  4 Premier League clubs that need a busy end to the transfer window

  With just a couple of weeks to go until the transfer window closes, Premier League managers will be assessing the state of their squads and examining where new arrivals may be needed.   Lots of activity is expected across the league with a couple of deals having the potential to trigger a chain of transfers before the deadline, which has been set for September 1.

• Sport

  Poor recruitment toughens Ten Hag’s task

  Erik ten Hag knew what he was signing up for when he agreed to become the next manager of Manchester United, but an opening day defeat to Brighton clarifies the size of the task in hand. United did not just lose at home to Brighton on Sunday, they were outclassed by the Seagulls.

• Sport

  Are Spurs ready for a title challenge?

  Are Spurs ready for a title challenge?   There is not much point looking at the Premier League table after a single round of games, but Tottenham supporters could be forgiven for giving it a peek or two after the opening weekend.

• Sport

  Haaland and Nunez hold key to City-Liverpool title battle

  Manchester City and Liverpool have both retooled their attacks for the new Premier League season, with the identity of the new champions likely to depend on which adapts the fastest.   Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez had wildly contrasting first ‘competitive’ appearances for their new clubs at Saturday’s Community Shield in Leicester, where the Reds ran out 3-1 winners.

• Sport

  Kompany oversees immediate Burnley transformation

  The Championship got up and running on Friday night with the Vincent Kompany era at Burnley starting with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town, who reached the play-off final last season.   Kompany has the tough task of succeeding Sean Dyche at Turf Moor, but the former Manchester City captain is under no illusions about the scale of the job facing him.

• Sport

  Which managers are starting the season under pressure?

  Which managers are starting the season under pressure?   The new Premier League season is finally upon us, but some managers could be forgiven for feeling more anxious than excitement due to the pressure already building on their shoulders.

• Sport

  The four most enticing games of the Premier League’s opening weekend

  With just a few days to go until the big kick-off, the wait is almost over for football fans.   The Premier League is back and despite uncertainty over the impact of plonking the World Cup in the middle of the season excitement and hype levels are already heading through the roof.

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