Tag: your smart speaker

Manchester United and Chelsea battle out another 0-0 in 2020/21

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

United now find themselves 12 points behind Man City as Chelsea stay stuck in fifth.

Both teams created chances in an energetic start in the capital as Marcus Rashford’s free kick tested Edouard Mendy and Callum Hudson-Odoi flashed one wide.

And in a first half short on chances, it was VAR that caused the biggest talking point as Hudson-Odoi looked to get away with a handball in the United box.

And with the that slice of luck going their way before the break, Chelsea looked to up the ante after the restart, as Hakim Ziyech forced a smart stop from David De Gea.

But United were in no mood for rolling over late on Scott McTominay’s snapshot was beaten out by Mendy and Rashford was once again denied by the Senegalese star.

Both bosses made changes in the closing stages to inject some life into it but there was to be no way through at either end.

Full Time from Stamford Bridge it’s Chelsea 0 Manchester United 0

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Chelsea vs Manchester United Match Report”

Gareth Bale inspires Tottenham to 4-0 Burnley win

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Jose Mourinho’s side have struggled for Premier League consistency in recent weeks but a brace from Gareth Bale has put them right back on track.

The Welshman has cut an isolated figure following his return to English football, but he showed a poacher’s instinct to poke Spurs ahead after just eighty seconds.

That goal set the tone for a ruthless Tottenham performance before the break as Bale’s sweeping pass freed Harry Kane to smash home before Lucas Moura buried Sergio Reguilon’s cross.

And whilst those wrapped the game up, Bale was in no mood for slowly down after the restart as he bent home another superb strike.

But with Burnley offering zero in the opposite direction, Spurs almost made it five late on, but Nick Pope did brilliantly to claw out Kane’s drive.

Full Time from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium it’s Tottenham 4 Burnley 0

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Tottenham vs Burnley Match Report”

Relegation battling Fulham draw 0-0 at Crystal Palace

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Scott Parker’s side continued their habit of chipping away with draws inside the drop zone but it was the Cottagers who had the better chances to win it.

Neither side created anything in a dire first 45 with Palace happy to sit in and let Fulham break them down.

Fulham did look to turn the screw after the break as Tosin Adarabioyo tested Vicente Guaita.

But it was January signing Josh Maja who carved out the best chances to win if for Parker, as he curled one just wide and brought another key stop from Guaita.

Full Time from Selhurst Park it’s Crystal Palace 0 Fulham 0

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Crystal Palace vs Fulham Match Report”

Arsenal secure vital 3-1 Premier League win at Leicester City

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Mikel Arteta’s side now move back into the top ten with the Foxes Champions League cushion cut.

Despite the final result it was the hosts that dominated early on as Belgian star Youri Tielemans calmed tucked home.

But the Foxes were unable to build on that in the first 45 as a quick fire double flipped the game on its head.

David Luiz powered home a header from Willian’s free kick before Alexandre Lacazette slotted home from the spot.

And with Leicester still reeling from that after the restart, a rampant Arsenal made three, as Nicolas Pepe lashed home a loose ball in the box.

That goal ended any chances of a Leicester comeback late as the Gunners picked up a crucial win.

Full Time from the King Power Stadium it’s Leicester City 1 Arsenal 3

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Leicester City vs Arsenal Match Report”

Wolves clinch 1-1 draw at Newcastle

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Steve Bruce’s side have now won just once at home in 2021 and the Magpies are flying dangerously close to the relegation zone.

And it was the hosts that looked to dominate early on with Miguel Almiron curling against the post and Allan Saint-Maximin denied by an offside flag.

Wolves only real threat came from Adama Traore and the Spaniard slipped in Pedro Neto to fire wide before the break.

But Newcastle didn’t lose focus after restart as Ryan Fraser’s chipped cross was powered home by captain Jamal Lascelles.

However, despite being second best for chances created, Wolves benefitted from some slack Magpies defending with Ruben Neves squeezing home a header.

Both teams could and should have snatched it in the closing stages with Roman Saiss’ block denying Joelinton and Martin Dubravka superbly stopping Fabio Silva.

Full Time from St. James’ Park it’s Newcastle 1 Wolves 1

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Newcastle vs Wolves Match Report”

West Brom edge out a controversial 1-0 win over relegation rivals Brighton

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Kyle Bartley’s goal clinched the three points for Big Sam, but it was referee Lee Mason that took centre stage in a bonkers day in the West Midlands.

Mason’s high profile afternoon started on a painful note as he collided with Conor Gallagher on halfway.

But neither of them showed too many ill effects as Gallagher’s whipped corner was confidently powered home by Bartley.

However, that very standard start didn’t last much longer as Mason and his VAR buddies awarded a penalty for handball against Okay Yokuslu.

Big Sam was incensed by the decision but Pascal Gross soon calmed him down as he thwacked his spot kick off the bar.

However, Brighton were not to be cowed by that as skipper Lewis Dunk blasted home a quick free kick just after.

But again our friends in Stockley Park were in Mason’s ear as he awarded and then bizarrely disallowed the goal.

However, all credit Brighton as they refused to buckle with Irish international Aaron Connolly testing Sam Johnstone either side of the break.

But no matter how hard Brighton pushed late on, Lady Luck had simply abandoned them against the Baggies.

A guilty Mason offered them another chance to get back into it with another VAR penalty but despite substitute Danny Welbeck wrestling duties away from Gross, the former Manchester United could only
clatter his effort off the post.

Full Time from a bonkers day at The Hawthorns it’s West Brom 1 Brighton 0

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the West Brom vs Brighton Match Report”

Premier League Preview: Everton v Southampton

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Carlo Ancelotti’s side finally broke their 22-year Anfield hoodoo last time out and the Italian coach is set to stick with a largely unchanged team.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both made a key impact off the bench against the Reds, and they could start in this one, with Andre Gomes and Mason Holgate dropping out.

As for the Saints, they did end a worrying losing streak against Chelsea last weekend, but they slipped back to defeat against Leeds in midweek.

Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl needs to find a solution to their worries, and quickly, if he wants to avoid falling into the relegation zone.

His situation is no helped by a growing injury list at the club but the returns of Danny Ings and Takumi Minamino should provide his attacking options with a real boost.

And it’s a late one to wrap up this weekend fixtures with 8pm kick off on Monday night at Goodison Park.

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Everton vs Southampton Match Preview.

Champions elect Manchester City march on with 2-1 West Ham win

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Pep Guardiola’s side were forced to survive a few scares from their in-form visitors, but a goal each from John Stones and Ruben Dias have sealed another huge three points.

Neither side really created anything early on as the Hammers worked overtime to keep shut City out.

But with the sheer quality at Pep’s disposal it was only a matter of time before the squeezed out a breakthrough.

Key man Kevin De Bruyne made the all-important difference for City on the half hour as his pinpoint cross was nodded home by Dias.

However, David Moyes’ side have proved themselves resilient in 2021, and man of the moment Michail Antonio poked them level before the break.

That did ramp up the pressure on Pep stars after the restart as he threw on Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden.

But the despite the array of attacking stars on display it was another defender that eased the nerves as Stones ghosted into the box to tuck home Riyad Mahrez’s ball.

West Ham did carve out one late late chance to nick a point in added time but Issa Diop fluffed it and headed just wide of Ederson’s post.

Full Time from Etihad Stadium it’s Manchester City 2 West Ham 1

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Manchester City vs West Ham Match Report”

Premier League Preview: Tottenham v Burnley

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Spurs have won just once in their last five Premier League matches and only once at home since the start of January.

The Portuguese coach rested a few of his big-name stars for the midweek win over Wolfsberger and he’s expected to make sweeping changes against the Clarets.

Hugo Lloris, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Kane are all set to come back and impressive display from Gareth Bale against the Austrians, means he could also keep his place.

As for Burnley, Sean Dyche is never one to tinker too much with his team and he could stick with an unchanged team.

And Dyche has confirmed that Robbie Brady, Chris Wood and Dale Stephens have all returned to first team training this week, but the trio are expected to remain on the bench against Spurs.

And it’s set for a 2.15pm kick off tomorrow afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say “Open Sport Social and play me the Tottenham vs Burnley Match Preview.

Premier League: Leicester City v Arsenal

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

The Foxes finished 5th in the top flight last season, missing out on a top four place following a final day defeat to Manchester United.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to avoid that same disappointment this time around and so far his side are in good shape, with even a loss to Arsenal on Sunday keeping them inside the top four.

However, Leicester were left to lick their wounds on Thursday after exiting the Europa League at the Round of 32.

The Foxes were knocked out of the competition by Czech side Slavia Prague much to the disappointment of the supporters – but there were contrasting fortunes for Arsenal.

The Gunners’ below-par Premier League performance this campaign was put on hold as Mikel Arteta’s side were able to squeeze past Benfica in their second leg tie which saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grab a late winner.

Targeting the Europa League may well be one of the only remaining options for Arteta when it comes to European qualification this season, with Arsenal 11th in the top flight standings heading in to the game with Leicester.

The Foxes are 15 points better off than their North London counterparts and it would take a remarkable effort for Arsenal to finish in the top 6 come the end of the season, let alone top 4.

That being said, it’s improbable but not impossible; although any remote chance will need to begin with victory at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

One positive for the Gunners is that Mikel Arteta has a near fully-fit squad to choose from, with defender Rob Holding the only doubt as he recovers from suspected concussion.

The same can’t be said for Leicester, though, who have a multitude of fitness issues to contend with. The influential James Maddison is the latest Foxes player to pick up a knock and the England midfielder is expected to be out for a few weeks.

Maddison joins the likes of Dennis Praet, Ayoze Perez, Wesley Fofana and James Justin on the sidelines who are all ruled out.

Leicester v Arsenal at the King Power Stadium is a 12pm kick off on Sunday 28th February.

To hear this match preview on your smart speaker, just ask: “Open Sport Social and play me the Leicester v Arsenal match preview.”

Premier League: Crystal Palace v Fulham

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

Scott Parker’s side have trimmed the deficit between themselves and safety to just 3 points heading in to the weekend’s fixtures, and with a better goal difference than 17th placed Newcastle United, a win at Selhurst Park will see them leapfrog the Tyneside team if the Magpies lose to Wolves on Saturday.

The Cottagers have picked up 8 points from their last 15 available, whilst 13th placed Crystal Palace have scooped 9 points in that time.

The latest Premier League win for the Eagles would have been the sweetest of the lot – a 90th minute winner from Christian Benteke enough to steal all 3 points against bitterest rivals Brighton.

No side in the top flight has more injuries than Palace right now, though, with at least 8 first team players expected to miss out against Fulham.

Key man Wilfried Zaha is still sidelined, with no time frame placed on his potential return.

James McArthur, Jeff Schlupp, Mamadou Sakho, Nathan Ferguson and James Tomkins are all still absent and won’t feature for Roy Hodgson this weekend.

Fulham gaffer Scott Parker has just one definite absentee – Tom Cairney remains out of action, whilst Aleksandar Mitrovic could return to the fold after isolating due to coronavirus.

Crystal Palace v Fulham kicks off at 12pm on Sunday, 28th February.

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say: “Open Sport Social and play me the Crystal Palace v Fulham match preview.”

Premier League: Manchester City v West Ham United

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

City have made history this season by becoming the first English top flight team to win 19 games in a row in all competitions – the latest of which coming on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

The 0-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach puts Pep Guardiola’s side in pole position for safe passage through to the quarter finals.

With defender Nathan Ake the only injury absentee and the club ten points clear at the summit, Manchester City’s formidable form shows no sign of slowing.

Saturday’s opponents West Ham United know they need something special if they are to pull off a result – a win for the Hammers will be a shock despite them residing in the Champions League places.

West Ham are enjoying their best top flight season since 1985-86 and have a 2 point cushion in 4th, with Chelsea their closest challengers.

Considering relegation was very much on the cards last season, David Moyes has masterminded a remarkable campaign.

The Hammers travel to the Etihad without Andriy Yarmolenko and Angelo Ogbonna, but long term injury absentee Arthur Masuaku is edging closer to a recovery – but Saturday’s game comes too soon.

Man City v West Ham is a 12.30pm kick off on Saturday 27th February.

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say: “Open Sport Social and play me the Man City v West Ham preview.”