Sports
Three Premier League talking points | The Express Tribune
Captain Martin Odegaard and Arsenal were feeling a lot more upbeat about their title charge thanks to Aston Villa’s surprise 1-0 home loss against Everton. Photo: AFP
LONDON:
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League as title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa slipped up.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank could be facing the sack after another dismal loss, while Liverpool’s spluttering form continued.
AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the weekend’s action:
Arsenal retain upper hand
As Arsenal digested their 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the over-riding emotion was frustration at failing to take full advantage of Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester United earlier in the afternoon.
But just 24 hours later, Mikel Arteta’s side were feeling a lot more upbeat about their title charge thanks to Aston Villa’s surprise 1-0 home loss against Everton.
Third-placed Villa could have closed to within four points of Arsenal with a victory but instead they sit seven points adrift.
Successive goalless stalemates against Liverpool and Forest in the league have underlined Arsenal’s occasional Achilles heel in attack.
But Gunners winger Noni Madueke is not concerned.
“We weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. There is a long way to go. We know that we’ve been very consistent and we’ll continue to do so,” he said.
City, in second place following four league games without a win, are also seven points behind the leaders after losing to United in Michael Carrick’s first game as boss.
“We dropped many points in the last games but we are going to fight until the end,” City midfielder Rodri said.
Frank on the brink
Barraged by calls for his sacking from furious fans, Thomas Frank insisted he feels “trust from everyone”, but the Tottenham manager’s faith may prove misguided.
Reports on Sunday said that Tottenham’s hierarchy had met to discuss Frank’s future in the aftermath of Saturday’s dismal 2-1 home defeat against struggling West Ham.
Tottenham’s third successive defeat and eighth loss in 14 matches left them languishing in 14th place.
Already out of both domestic cups, the north Londoners are in crisis just months after Frank was hired to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou.
The former Brentford boss has irritated Tottenham supporters with his prosaic tactics and their miserable results have pushed him to the brink.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero called for unity after giving an acerbic verdict on the turmoil.
“It is difficult and also a disaster moment for us, but especially in this moment, we need silence. Back in training, work hard every day and stay together,” he said.
Van Dijk ready for Liverpool summit
Virgil van Dijk plans to hold a players’ meeting on Monday to address the issues that threaten to derail Liverpool’s bid for Champions League qualification.
Van Dijk was angry at the sloppiness which allowed lowly Burnley to equalise in the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday.
It was the first time that Liverpool had drawn four successive league matches since 2008.
And for the second time this season, Reds captain Van Dijk is asking questions of the players, as he did after defeat to Manchester United in October in the middle of a run of nine defeats in 12 matches.
“I’m frustrated that after 60 minutes we started to become sloppy and it’s not the first time,” he said.
“It’s been spoken about already but we have to address it again apparently and Monday will be a big one for it.
“It’s not about me addressing it, it is about how can we solve it because we all want to win games.”
Liverpool were jeered by fans after a result that left them in fourth place and Van Dijk added: “I don’t like boos from my own fans.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The most pressure-packed scoring opportunity in soccer might be the one where no one is defending: the penalty kick.
A goal is almost certain, so long as you keep a cool head and beat the goalkeeper. Simple enough, right?
But what exactly is a penalty kick, and how is it awarded? Here’s everything you need to know about the penalty kick ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
What Is A Penalty Kick?
A penalty kick — or “PK” — is a one-on-one duel between a field player and a goalkeeper in which the field player tries to score a direct kick from the penalty spot.
How Is A Penalty Kick Awarded?
A penalty kick is awarded when a player commits a foul — tripping, pushing or a handball — inside the penalty area, which is a large 18-yard box that extends from the goal line into the field of play. The total width of the box is 44 yards.
A penalty can be awarded in the run of play or during a Video Assistant Referee check.
Who Takes The Penalty Kick?
The designated penalty taker is usually predetermined based on a player’s proven ability to score, from the penalty spot or otherwise. For example, Harry Kane, the active leading goalscorer for England, is the designated penalty taker for the Three Lions.
How Far Is The Penalty Spot?
The penalty is 12 yards from the center of the goal line, meaning that there are just 12 yards that separate the penalty taker and the goalkeeper at the time of a penalty kick.
What Are The Rules For The Penalty Taker?
The penalty taker is given freedom to confuse the goalkeeper during their run-up to the kick so long as:
- The penalty taker doesn’t attempt a fake kick or a “feint” while attempting to strike the ball AND
- The penalty doesn’t make contact with the ball more than once during their attempt.
If a penalty taker participates in illegal feinting, they will be cautioned and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
If a penalty taker makes contact with the ball more than once during their attempt and the attempt is successful, the penalty kick will be retaken. If it isn’t, it will be recorded as a miss and play will resume.
What Are The Rules For The Goalkeeper?
The goalkeeper must follow three key rules during a penalty kick: face the kicker, stay between the goalposts and keep at least one foot on or over the goal line until the kick.
If a goalkeeper leaves their line during a penalty attempt and the attempt is unsuccessful, it will be retaken. If the attempt is successful, it will result in a goal.
Additionally, goalkeepers may not touch the goalposts, crossbar or netting as an intimidation tactic. Trash-talking is also not permitted.
How Often Are Penalty Kicks Awarded?
There were 23 penalty kicks awarded at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which was six fewer than in 2018. Argentina led all countries in penalty attempts with five, and its designated penalty taker, Lionel Messi, converted all five attempts.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled ticketing information for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, set to take place at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
According to the cricket board, E-Tickets for the high-stakes fixture can be purchased from tonight, with prices for all enclosures of the aforementioned venue set at Rs500.
Furthermore, the physical tickets will be available for sale from Tuesday morning and can be bought at the TCS Express Centre at the China Ground situated opposite the venue.
The PCB further advised fans with tickets to reach the stadium “well before the start of play” to avoid any inconvenience. Notably, the coin toss for the Qualifier will take place at 6:30pm as per the Pakistan Standard Time (PST), with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.
Meanwhile, the ticket details for the remaining two playoffs, set to be played in Lahore, will be announced in due course.
The cricket board announced the ticketing details hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoffs of the ongoing PSL 11.
Taking to X, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi said he had a meeting with the premier, during which the cricket board secured his approval for allowing fans in the stadia for the upcoming playoffs of the eight-team tournament.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on the microblogging website.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled ticketing information for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, set to take place at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
According to the cricket board, E-Tickets for the high-stakes fixture can be purchased from tonight, with prices for all enclosures of the aforementioned venue set at Rs500.
Furthermore, the physical tickets will be available for sale from Tuesday morning and can be bought at the TCS Express Centre at the China Ground situated opposite the venue.
The PCB further advised fans with tickets to reach the stadium “well before the start of play” to avoid any inconvenience. Notably, the coin toss for the Qualifier will take place at 6:30pm as per the Pakistan Standard Time (PST), with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.
Meanwhile, the ticket details for the remaining two playoffs, set to be played in Lahore, will be announced in due course.
The cricket board announced the ticketing details hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoffs of the ongoing PSL 11.
Taking to X, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi said he had a meeting with the premier, during which the cricket board secured his approval for allowing fans in the stadia for the upcoming playoffs of the eight-team tournament.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on the microblogging website.
BP profits more than double as oil trading booms amid Iran war
Buckingham Palace issues ‘disappointing’ update on King Charles amid threat
Trump not happy with latest Iran proposal to end war, says US official
-
Sports1 week agoNCAA men’s gymnastics championship: All-time winners list
-
Sports1 week agoWWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2: Live match results and analysis
-
Fashion1 week agoUK’s Sosandar returns to profitability amid robust FY26 performance
-
Politics7 days agoUK’s Starmer seeks to deflect blame over Mandelson appointment
-
Business1 week agoNo fuel shortage: Govt assures 100% domestic LPG, PNG, CNG supply amid Hormuz energy crunch – The Times of India
-
Entertainment1 week agoLee Anderson, Zarah Sultana kicked out of UK Parliament for calling PM ‘liar’
-
Sports1 week agoQuetta Gladiators opt to bowl after winning toss against Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 11 clash
-
Business1 week agoHow Trump’s psychedelics executive order could unlock stalled cannabis reform