Everton have now held agent talks over the signing of an “outstanding” defender who is available for £13m this month, according to a report.

Toffees need younger options at full-back

Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young have had stellar careers, and it is a testament to the latter that he has remained a consistent starter in the Premier League this season. However, it would be fair to say the duo are now in the twilight years of their career, meaning David Moyes is tasked with bringing in younger options at full-back either this month or in the summer, and a number of targets have been identified.

Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters could be available for a cut-price fee of £5m this winter, given that his contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, and the Toffees are one of the clubs eyeing a move for the Englishman.

Everton are looking at another Premier League player to strengthen on the opposite side, with Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell on their list of targets, having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of Enzo Maresca in the summer.

Related Everton make contact over deal for "electric" £10m winger instead of Nuamah

David Moyes is keen to bolster his attacking options this month.

Posts ByDominic Lund Jan 23, 2025

A report from CalcioMercato has now revealed another player the Toffees hold some level of interest in, stating they have held talks with the agent of AC Milan right-back Emerson Royal. Emerson is set to exit the San Siro this month, and there are a number of clubs vying for his signature, including Fulham and Galatasaray, however the latter club are currently leading the race for his signature.

There is still time for Everton to swoop in, as the Turkish club are yet to meet Milan’s €15m (£13m) valuation, and there are signs the Brazilian is keen on a move to Goodison Park. Although joining Galatasaray appeals to the 26-year-old to some extent, he would prefer to return to the Premier League, having previously spent time at Tottenham Hotspur.

What Emerson could offer Everton

The former Spurs man has particularly impressed with his tackling over the past year, ranking in the 89th percentile for tackles per 90, when compared to his positional peers, while also placing in the 81st percentile for clearances and 83rd for aerials won.

Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for the right-back prior to his move to Milan, with the Australian indicating he is a great player to have to boost team spirit: “I see it on a daily basis, others don’t, but if you watch Emerson Royal train every day, you’d think he plays every game.

“He’s just outstanding with his attitude and demeanour around the place. There’s no time for anyone to feel down.”

With Coleman approaching the end of his career, there are signs that Emerson could be a suitable long-term replacement at right-back, but the Toffees will have to move quickly, given that Galatasaray are in pole position as things stand.

Sussex fall well short in chase despite Tom Alsop’s 75

ECB Reporters Network02-Aug-2022Matthew Montgomery hit 87 and Liam Patterson-White a career-best unbeaten 62 to help Notts Outlaws launch their Royal London Cup campaign with a 65-run victory over Sussex Sharks at Trent Bridge.Despite a sticky start, Outlaws posted 290 for 7 from their 50 overs after left-arm spinner Patterson-White had hit three sixes in his 46-ball knock, which comfortably beat his highest score of 27 in his debut season in 2021.Patterson-White then combined with bowler Dane Paterson to silence Sussex’s most dangerous weapon, taking a stunning catch at square leg to remove India batting star Cheteshwar Pujara for just 9 as Sussex were bowled out for 225 in 44 overs, with Tom Alsop’s 75 off 80 balls in vain, Brett Hutton taking 3 for 24.Montgomery’s best for Nottinghamshire before this match was 35 on his debut in the competition last season, although he has a List A century for KwaZulu-Natal in his native South Africa.The Outlaws looked to be in for a tough day after Haseeb Hameed, captaining them for the first time in a competitive match, had opted to bat on an overcast morning, when a laboured start saw them slip to 38 for 3 inside the opening 12 overs.New ball bowlers Ari Karvelas and Brad Currie – both on trial with Sussex – exploited conditions superbly. Karvelas found a thin edge to have Ben Slater caught behind before Sol Budinger top-edged an attempted pull off Currie and was caught at deep square leg.When Sean Hunt replaced Currie at the pavilion end he struck a further blow as the ball looped off the shoulder of Hameed’s bat to point, where Delray Rawlins held a low catch that was queried by the Outlaws skipper but confirmed as out.Montgomery and Lyndon James added 79 in just under 15 overs before the latter’s mistimed pull was caught at short midwicket. But Montgomery pulled 18-year-old legspinner Archie Lenham for six to go to 51 from 58 balls.Wicketkeeper Dane Schadendorf was run out but Outlaws now had momentum and with Patterson-White setting the pace the last 10 overs saw the total swell by 104 runs despite the loss of Montgomery early in the charge.After playing largely orthodox shots to that point, Montgomery attempted a reverse pull as Currie returned to the attack and could only help the ball into the gloves of wicketkeeper Alsop.His dismissal was a welcome fillip for Sussex but Outlaws hit back with a barrage of sixes, Hutton clubbing three in his 14-ball 29 as he and Patterson-White added 53 from 29 balls for the sixth wicket. Karvelas, whose first five overs conceded only 12 runs, saw his figures take a battering but Currie came back well at the death, his last two overs costing only seven.Needing to score at just under six an over, the Sussex chase got off to a flier as Harrison Ward hammered 18 off Zak Chappell’s opening over bit he was dismissed leg before by Paterson for 28 after Ali Orr had been pinned in front by Hutton in the over before and the loss of Pujara in the 10th looked like a mortal wound.Tom Clark was stumped going down the pitch to Patterson-White and Rawlins fell leg before to Chappell, at which point Sussex were 73 for 5 in the 19th over.Alsop raised the Sharks’ hopes of finding a way back but after he and Dan Ibrahim (40) had added 86 for the sixth wicket, he took one liberty too many with Chappell, hitting him for six and four but then miscuing a slow bouncer to be caught at wide mid-on.Ibrahim was seventh out, pulling straight to deep backward square, Karvelas picked out Chappell at mid-on and Fateh Singh, the 18-year-old left-arm spinner, finished things off with his maiden List A wickets as Hunt and Currie were both leg before swinging across the line.Ollie Robinson, named in the England squad for the opening two Tests against South Africa just before lunch, was due to have played but was withdrawn, the explanation given being that he needed more time to recuperate after his successful comeback on this ground in the LV= Insurance County Championship last week.

Kagiso Rabada scooped up the Test Player of the Year award at the CSA Awards 2022, with Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram scooping up the top ODI and T20I awards respectively. Keshav Maharaj claimed the overall Men’s Player of the Year award in a year where none of last year’s winners came back to claim the top prize. Marco Jansen won the Newcomer award, while David Miller was named the fans’ Player of the Year.Ayabonga Khaka won the women’s Player of the Year, with Laura Wolvaardt winning the ODI prize. Lizelle Lee, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, was given the T20 Women’s player of the Year. Khaka and Maharaj won the players’ nominations for Player of the Year as well.Rabada took 43 wickets in his last eight Tests at 19.34 as South Africa, including seven in a game against India and eight in a match against New Zealand, as South Africa wrapped up series wins against West Indies, India and New Zealand. Maharaj claimed 71 wickets across formats, including a Test hat-trick against the West Indies, and two seven-wicket hauls.Malan averaged a shade under 50 in 17 ODIs since April, including two hundreds and four half-centuries, while Markram had a stellar T20I World Cup and scored 391 runs across the season, rising to No. 3 in the T20I batting rankings. Khaka was the joint-fourth joint-highest wicket-taker at the Women’s World Cup earlier this year.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Nonkululeko Mlaba was given the Makhaya Ntini Power of Cricket Award, which CSA said, “celebrates the perseverance, passion and the overwhelming pride of people who have used their talent to change their circumstances.””I warmly congratulate our winners in all international, domestic, and amateur levels,” CSA chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said. “The players have endured a lot during the past two years as the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the conditions of our game. Our teams’ tenacity is seen in the improvement of our national teams and the opportunities that our pipeline continues to provide nationwide.”We look forward to the upcoming action-packed season as South Africa gets to host the inaugural ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the ICC Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023.”CSA awards in domestic cricket for 2021-22
Umpire of the year – Allahudien Paleker
Newcomer of the season – Mitchell van Buuren (Lions)
SACA Most Valuable Player – Sisanda Magala
Division one coach of the season – Mandla Mashimbyi (Titans)
Division two coach of the season – Mark Charlton (Northern Cape Heat)
T20 knockout competition (Provincial T20 Cup) player of the tournament – Rilee Rossouw (Knights)
T20 challenge player of the season – Pieter Malan (Boland)
Division one four-day player of the season – Ryan Rickelton (Lions)
Division two four-day player of the season – Thomas Kaber (Eastern Cape Iinyathi)
Division one one-day cup player of the season Sisanda Magala (Lions)
Division two one-day cup player of the season – Michael Erlank (Tuskers)
Domestic players’ player of the season – Sisanda Magala

Arsenal have made contact with an elite club’s striker via his representatives, as manager Mikel Arteta and the Gunners continue their attempts to bring a new forward.

Arsenal scour market for striker after Gabriel Jesus injury

Arteta is set to be without Gabriel Jesus for the remainder of 2024/2025 after the Brazilian ruptured his ACL in their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United recently.

Arsenal join race to sign £30m Brazil striker with initial talks held

The north Londoners are looking to South America for reinforcements.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 21, 2025

The £265,000-per-week star could be out for nine months, extending into next season, so it is arguably imperative that Arteta and co identify new striking options who can come to complement Kai Havertz in the number nine role.

The German is Arsenal’s only option in that position right now, and if injury were to befall him, then Arteta may be reliant on summer signing Raheem Sterling to play as a striker – as he has done before during his time at Man City.

Wolves (away)

January 25

Man City (home)

February 2

Leicester City (away)

February 15

West Ham (home)

February 22

Nottingham Forest (away)

February 26

Bukayo Saka’s absence until March seriously doesn’t help matters either, considering the England star’s crucial output of goals and assists every campaign.

Arsenal are in real danger of being left behind by Liverpool in the Premier League title race already, having just dropped points at home to Aston Villa, with Arne Slot’s side stealing a precious three points away to Brentford in added-time last weekend.

Arteta quite simply requires backing from the Arsenal board before transfer deadline day on February 3, and the addition of a proven goalscorer would go a long way in restoring their hopes of catching Liverpool.

Arsenal are reportedly targeting Benjamin Sesko, as they potentially forward their plans to snap him up for January, rather than this summer. Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres is also being considered by Arsenal as a potential winter signing.

Another striker who’s been repeatedly linked throughout January is Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic, currently in the midst of a contract debacle in Turin as his deal ticks down towards expiry in 2026.

Arsenal hold talks with Dusan Vlahovic via his representatives

As per Calciomercato in Italy, Arsenal have already been in talks with Vlahovic via his entourage, as the north Londoners contact his camp to gauge the possibility of him swapping Serie A for England.

The Serbia international “can leave” Juve this month, even if time is slowly running out for Arsenal to strike a deal, considering Thiago Motta’s side will have to source a replacement this late in the window.

Juve will also demand up to £51 million to sanction Vlahovic’s transfer, but there is still every possibility he could depart the club in what would be a “perfect” solution to his unresolved long-term future.

Arsenal have targeted Vlahovic for years, first making an attempt to prise the 24-year-old away from Fiorentina before they were eventually beaten to his signature by the Old Lady in 2022. Some reports have suggested that Arsenal have already seen a loan bid rejected for Vlahovic, but this is yet to be backed up by other credible media sources.

Hoping to kick on and put a frustrating start to life under Julen Lopetegui behind them, West Ham United are reportedly preparing an offer worth as much as £58m to sign a La Liga star this month.

West Ham transfer news

To say that the Hammers needs reinforcements would suggest that they didn’t leap into action during the summer transfer window when, in fact, they were among the Premier League’s biggest spenders. Just what has gone wrong is difficult to say. So far, the blame has been placed on Lopetegui, who seemed destined for the sack before a brief run of rejuvenated form saved his job in time for the January transfer window.

West Ham now chasing "aggressive" £12m Championship midfielder

Julen Lopetegui is looking to strengthen the spine of his team.

By
Dominic Lund

Jan 1, 2025

Whether the Spaniard and West Ham are now able to get things right at the second time of asking remains to be seen, but whatever form they find themselves in will have to be without Jarrod Bowen, who suffered a fractured foot in a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool last time out.

In the face of such a blow, those at the London Stadium are seemingly ready to spring into action on the transfer front. According to reports in Spain, West Ham are now preparing a hefty offer worth €70m (£58m) to sign Brais Mendez this month.

The news follows reports that the Hammers already had an offer worth €60m (£50m) turned down by Real Sociedad. A player that Lopetegui desperately wants, however, they’re reportedly set to go again with an even greater bid.

27 years old, the attacking midfielder would be completing his first move outside of Spanish football in what should highlight the risk that West Ham would be taking this month.

West Ham must not overpay for "underrated" Mendez

Whilst analyst Ben Mattinson went as far as describing Mendez as “great to watch” and “underrated”, paying £58m for an attacking midfielder who’s already 27 years old and has had a hand in just three La Liga goals all season seems a great risk to take in the winter window. And West Ham could arguably do with splashing the cash elsewhere given that Carlos Soler, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta can all play in the number 10 role.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)	Brais Mendez	Carlos Soler
Starts	12	8
Goals	2	0
Assists	1	1
Key Passes	16	9

What’s more, swapping one signing for another in the space of six months would almost be a panicked decision by all involved at West Ham at a time when welcoming a striker should be their priority. With Bowen and Michail Antonio injured, the Hammers will be forced to fall back on 31-year-old Niclas Fullkrug, who has struggled to adjust to life in the Premier League since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

If West Ham are willing to spend as much as £58m this month then it should be used to welcome a reliable, young goalscorer for Lopetegui.

Uncapped Arnav Jain also named as Netherlands look to manage in the absence of players participating in the Hundred and the Royal London Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2022

Wesley Barresi last played for Netherlands in 2019•Peter Della Penna

Wicketkeeper-batter Wesley Barresi has been recalled for Netherlands’ three-match ODI series against Pakistan which begins on August 16 in Rotterdam, while uncapped 20-year-old batting allrounder Arnav Jain has also been named in the 15-member squad.Legspinner Philippe Boissevain, who played one ODI in the series against England, has been left out.Barresi, 38, last played international cricket in June 2019 in the series against Zimbabwe. Netherlands look to manage in the absence of players currently participating in the Hundred and the Royal London Cup, with up to seven players currently playing in those two competitions are unavailable for national selection. Fred Klaassen, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, and Timm van der Gugten are all currently participating in the Hundred, with Paul van Meekeren, Shane Snater and Brandon Glover involved in England’s domestic one-day competition.Scott Edwards, who was named captain midway through Netherlands’ series against England after Pieter Seelaar announced his retirement, takes charge of a full series for the first time.Pakistan arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday and will play three ODIs on August 16, 18 and 21. All three games will be played at the Hazelaarweg Stadium in Rotterdam.Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (capt), Musa Ahmad, Shariz Ahmad, Wesley Barresi, Logan van Beek, Tom Cooper, Aryan Dutt, Arnav Jain, Viv Kingma, Ryan Klein, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle, Max O’Dowd, Vikram Singh

Ange Postecoglou admits many fans expect him to leave Tottenham even if they win the Europa League ahead of their clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

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• Postecoglou under immense pressure
• Spurs languishing in bottom half of table
• Europa League their last chance of salvation

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Spurs are languishing in 14th in the Premier League and their clash with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League offers perhaps the last chance for Postecoglou to save his job. Reports suggest that the club are already monitoring potential replacements and have been linked with the likes of Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, Fulham's Marco Silva, and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner.

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  Now, Postecoglou has claimed that there is a "general sentiment" that he will leave the club regardless of whether Spurs manage to pull off an improbable Europa League triumph in Bilbao in May. He cited an article from Daily Mirror journalist John Cross, which presented the idea that winning the competition could be "too little, too late" for the Australian.

• WHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

  Speaking ahead of this week's first leg, Postecoglou said:  "I think that feeling [of motivation] exists, but not because of that (proving people wrong).

  "I don't think that's a healthy motivation to have because ultimately you can't win that contest. I just think we're in that position that the good stuff we may do is going to be turned into a glass half full rhetoric and from that perspective I don't think that can be a driver in what we want to do.

  "The lads are really keen to bring success to the club, keep driving the principles of what we started this whole journey with, in terms of the football we want to play, really stick together as they have through the toughest of periods and hopefully we've worked our way into a position where we can make an impact on our season, a really disappointing season for us.

  "I just think there's a real determination to take the opportunity that they've earned at this point. I don't think you're going to win that argument of convincing people. I think John [Cross] wrote that even if we win it, I'm gone anyway. That's not having a go at you, that's just saying the general sentiment of people. So if you're trying to use that as a motivation, you're not going to win that anyway.

  "There's got to be more in it for us and for us what is the most important thing as a group is that we've been through a really tough time but we're still in a position where we can make an impact and you don't know how often you get those opportunities.

  "We're in a quarter-final and I don't know how many times the club has been in a quarter-final in European competition. You don't want to let that slip you by or have the wrong mindset going into it. I think the players are handling it well in terms of how they're trying to embrace this challenge. They're going to face a top team but they have the capabilities to overcome that."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Postecoglou's focus will be on attempting to guide Spurs to their first silverware since 2008, as he also bids to rescue his own reputation, and his job.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras e a Betfair, uma das maiores empresas de apostas online do mundo, anunciaram neste sábado um acordo de patrocínio com duração de dois anos. O contrato prevê exposição da marca na propriedade máster do uniforme do time feminino de futebol do Verdão e inserção em todos os conteúdos digitais oficiais exclusivos do Alviverde.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAbel Ferreira vai se isolar como 10º técnico que mais comandou o Palmeiras na históriaPalmeiras13/05/2022PalmeirasContra o Bragantino, Palmeiras quer afastar a má fase do Allianz Parque pelo BrasileirãoPalmeiras13/05/2022PalmeirasIncansável no Palmeiras, Gustavo Gómez projeta duelo com o Bragantino: ‘Fazer tudo para ganhar’Palmeiras13/05/2022

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– É com muito orgulho que anunciamos a parceria com a Betfair, uma das principais empresas do mundo no segmento de apostas esportivas. Esse acordo permitirá que o nosso time feminino continue crescendo e conquistando títulos. O Palmeiras é uma sociedade esportiva e estamos sempre em busca de alternativas para fortalecer as diferentes modalidades do clube, proporcionando que todas elas sejam autossuficientes – declarou Leila Pereira, presidente do Palmeiras.

O acordo, que segundo apurou o LANCE!é de R$ 8 milhões por ano, está entre os maiores do país no que se refere à modalidade feminina de futebol do Brasil, compreende também uma entrega inédita e pioneira de artigos digitais em todas as plataformas do clube, promovendo mais entretenimento aos torcedores maiores de 18 anos por meio das apostas esportivas, no estádio ou em casas.

Para dar o pontapé inicial à parceria, a Betfair trouxe ao Brasil o pentacampeão Rivaldo, embaixador internacional da marca e grande ídolo da história do clube. Campeão brasileiro em 1994 e paulista em 1996, o ex-jogador despertou a curiosidade dos fãs ao participar de um vídeo com a presidente Leila Pereira, postado nas redes sociais do Verdão na última sexta-feira, antecipando a celebração do acordo.

Kimberley Daly, diretora de marketing da Betfair, enalteceu a parceria, que foi fechada com um contrato de dois anos.

– Estamos muito felizes em estabelecer essa parceria com o Palmeiras. Ao lado do clube, o papel da Betfair é ajudar a criar oportunidades e investir em mulheres no esporte, assim como continuar investindo no projeto louvável do time masculino com suas recentes conquistas que trouxeram alegrias ao torcedor alviverde. Por fim, mas não menos importante, a Betfair coloca os fãs do esporte no topo de tudo o que fazemos e isso está muito alinhado aos valores da Família Palmeiras. Estamos muito empolgados em fazer parte da Família Alviverde também – disse a executiva.

De acordo com o comunicado enviado pela empresa, “ao longo dos dois anos de parceria com o Palmeiras, a Betfair realizará uma série de iniciativas para levar informação e emoção aos torcedores palmeirenses, incluindo experiências únicas no campo e oportunidades de atingir os melhores resultados em apostas”.

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Manchester United will entertain selling Andre Onana in the summer, as faith in the goalkeeper is 'eroding' due to his mistakes in key moments.

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United open to reshuffling summer transfer plansClub had hoped to prioritise signing a new strikerOnana dropped for Newcastle game on weekendFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

United had been hoping to focus their attention elsewhere in the summer transfer market, but Onana's recent high-profile mistakes have potentially sparked a reshuffling of plans.

Laurie Whitwell writes in The Athletic: "The position of goalkeeper has not been on the agenda for United to this point. Striker is the priority, plus perhaps another attacker, a midfielder and wing-back. But faith in Onana is eroding due to mistakes in pivotal moments and after Amorim gave him space to 'disconnect' there is a feeling around the club that a lasting separation could at least be explored by both sides."

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Ruben Amorim's decision to drop Onana for United's 4-1 Premier League drubbing at the hands of Newcastle on Sunday came after the Cameroonian No.1 had been involved in a war of words with ex-Red Devil Nemanja Matic in the build-up to their Europa League tie with Lyon. The 29-year-old was at fault for both of Lyon's goals in last Thursday's 2-2 first-leg draw.

DID YOU KNOW?

Andre Onana has the highest goals conceded per game (1.4) of any United keeper to make more than 30 appearances in the Premier League. He also holds the lowest clean sheet percentage, shutting the opposition out in just 26% of his appearances.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ANDRE ONANA?

With United backup 'keeper Altay Bayindir failing to impress against Newcastle, it was assumed Onana would be reinstated for the return leg against Lyon this Thursday. However, mounting speculation over his future may see him remain on the sidelines for the time being.

The 2024/25 Premier League season has been dominated by Liverpool’s brilliant start under Arne Slot, Manchester United’s continued fall from grace, Nottingham Forest’s unlikely Champions League bid and contentious refereeing decisions.

The latter is often the main talking point come Saturday evening, let alone Monday morning. William Saliba’s contentious penalty against Brighton saw the referees under the spotlight once again last weekend, while Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall was the centre of controversy in the EFL Cup when he perhaps ought to have walked before his late winner against Liverpool.

Here, FootballFanCast looks at 11 of the most controversial refereeing decisions of the current Premier League campaign, and why they’ve left players, managers and fans alike angry.

10 of the worst referee mistakes in football history

Some say it’s the hardest job in football, but these refs got it really, really wrong.

ByRoss Kilvington Jan 7, 2025 11 Declan Rice second yellow v Brighton Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Declan Rice was sent off during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton in August after being shown a second yellow card after poking the ball away from Joel Veltman as he prepared to take a free-kick.

While by the letter of the law, the decision was correct, it incensed many Arsenal fans, and has continued to do so because other similar incidents have since gone unpunished.

Even referee Chris Kavanagh, who showed Rice the red, said he “didn’t like” the decision, but “had no choice”.

10 Pedro Neto penalty claim v Crystal Palace Referee: Tim Robinson

Chelsea were 1-0 up against Crystal Palace when Pedro Neto and Tyrick Mitchell sprinted towards a loose ball just inside Palace’s penalty area.

Neto beat Mitchell to the ball, poking it away with his toe, while Mitchell missed it, instead connecting with Neto’s legs and sending him to the ground.

Match official Tim Robinson judged Mitchell to have fairly won the ball, as did the VAR. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, later told Sky Sports that he would have pointed to the spot.

9 Ait-Nouri handball claim v Nottingham Forest Referee: Peter Bankes

Viewers were left puzzled as to why Rayan Ait-Nouri was not penalised for what appeared to be a blatant handball during Wolves’ 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

Referee Peter Bankes dismissed appeals for a penalty after Ola Aina’s cross struck Ait-Nouri’s arm. VAR checked the incident and agreed with the on-field decision.

After the game, a tweet from the Premier League Match Centre account revealed that Ait-Nouri had escaped punishment because his arm was deemed to have been in a natural position when the ball struck it. An interesting call, to say the least.

8 Jhon Duran red v Newcastle Newcastle United 3-0 Aston Villa, December 26

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran was sent off when he was deemed to have intentionally stamped on Magpies defender Fabian Schar during Villa’s 3-0 loss at St James’ Park.

While some, including in the video below, agreed that it was right for the Colombian to be sent off, others, including former Villa star Dean Saunders, were outraged.

“There was no intent!” raged Saunders on TalkSPORT. “If you watch, Duran is trying to get to the ball past Schar.”

Duran reacted angrily to his sending-off at the time, kicking a water bottle as he left the pitch and having to be restrained by a member of Villa’s backroom staff. He was later charged by the FA with improper conduct.

7 Ebere Eze disallowed goal v Brentford Referee: Sam Barrott

Crystal Palace midfielder Ebere Eze was controversially denied a brilliant free-kick goal in the Eagles’ 2-1 defeat to Brentford back in August.

Eze had scored directly from a wide free-kick with the game goalless, but referee Sam Barrott had blown the whistle before the ball crossed the line for a foul by Palace’s Will Hughes.

Because of the early whistle, VAR was unable to review Hughes’ supposed foul, or Eze’s goal.

Eze later claimed that Barrott admitted to making an error by disallowing his goal, telling BBC’s Match of the Day: “I was told [by the referee] that he blew too early and made the mistake. It could have changed the game but we have to deal with it.”

6 Issa Diop foul v Liverpool Referee: Tony Harrington

Liverpool fans were left baffled when Fulham defender Issa Diop wasn’t shown a red card during the Reds’ 2-2 draw with the Cottagers in mid-December.

While challenging Andy Robertson for a bouncing ball, the French defender missed the ball and instead sunk his studs into the knees of the Scotsman, leaving him writhing in pain on the floor. Diop was only shown a yellow card by referee Tony Harrington, with the VAR deciding against overturning the original call.

To add insult to injury, Robertson was later sent off for a challenge on Harry Wilson.

5 Leandro Trossard second yellow v Man City Referee: Michael Oliver

Weeks after Declan Rice’s dismissal against Brighton, Leandro Trossard left his Gunners teammates in a similar pickle after being given a second caution, which also came from delaying the restart following a foul.

Leading 2-1 against champions Manchester City moments before half-time, the Belgian barged into Bernardo Silva, with referee Michael Oliver awarding the home side a free-kick.

Trossard appeared to kick the ball away after the whistle, which Oliver took as seeking to delay the restart of play despite Silva being prone at the time, while the winger protested his innocence as he may have been looking to set Gabriel Martinelli clear.

It was certainly on the pettier side as red cards go, and it was made all the more sickening for Arsenal given that Mateo Kovacic had escaped the same punishment for a pair of more egregious misdemeanours in a previous meeting (under Oliver) – even before they were pegged back by a late equaliser.

Every Premier League team's worst referee

Which referees are full of bad omens and shocking statistics? FFC breaks down each PL club’s least-wanted referee.

1 ByStephan Georgiou Oct 2, 2024 4 Matthijs de Ligt foul v West Ham Referee: David Coote

In what proved to be Erik ten Hag’s last game in charge of Manchester United, the Red Devils were tied with West Ham at one goal apiece when United defender Matthijs de Ligt conceded a late penalty.

Referee David Coote did not initially give a spot-kick, but it was overturned by VAR official Michael Oliver, who adjudged De Ligt to have fouled Hammers striker Danny Ings.

Jarrod Bowen stepped up and fired home, sealing victory for West Ham. Ten Hag was sacked less than 24 hours later.

Former Premier League referee Howard Webb, who is chief of refereeing body PGMOL, told Premier League’s Match Officials Mic’d Up show that he thought the decision to award the penalty was incorrect.

“I think this is a situation where we’d leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it’s called. On balance, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick,” he said.

We suspect that United fans may be grateful it was given.

3 William Saliba foul v Brighton Referee: Anthony Taylor

“I’ve never seen a decision like this in my career,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said after his side conceded a penalty against Brighton.

With Arsenal leading 1-0 thanks to Ethan Nwaneri’s goal, Joao Pedro went to ground following a clash of heads with Saliba while both contested a looping ball.

Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty and the VAR saw no reason to overturn his original call.

However, other angles of the incident appeared to show Saliba getting a touch on the ball before catching the Brazilian, which is what angered Arteta, whose side ultimately dropped two points because of the decision.

2 Pervis Estupinan challenge v West Ham Referee: Rob Jones

Late on in West Ham’s recent draw with Brighton, Hammers defender Maximilian Kilman advanced the ball into midfield only to be met by a flying Pervis Estupinan, who appeared to leave the floor with both feet, clattering into Kilman with his studs up.

Referee Rob Jones immediately produced a yellow card, but it was then checked by VAR official Paul Tierney. His decision? Somehow, no red card.