Handball rule draws widespread ire in penalty-dominated EPL
Tottenham coach Jose Mourinho gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham and Newcastle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. Almost inevitably, a penalty was awarded after the referee took the opportunity to view the incident on the pitchside monitor. The Premier League has fallen in line with the rest of European soccer this season and applied the ruling in a stricter way rather simply than judging it on intent. Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said the newly adopted rule was “killing the game” after his team lost 2-1 by conceding a handball penalty for the winning goal. Mourinho chose not to criticize the rule for fear of collecting a fine from the Football Association, but his Newcastle counterpart had his say.
Premier League reaches climax with plenty still at stake
Manchester United's Paul Pogba runs during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and West Ham at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Intriguingly, two of them face off on the final day, with Leicester hosting United at King Power Stadium. Chelsea is guaranteed a return to the Champions League with a win or a draw. One of Chelsea, Leicester and United is sure to take one of the spots while the other will go to Wolves or Tottenham. FAREWELLSDavid Silva will play his final Premier League game for Man City before he leaves the club after 10 years.
Slow starts, few home comforts: Early themes in EPL restart
(AP photo/Jon Super, Pool)The first full round of games of the Premier League restart has almost been completed, with just one team yet to play. Seven of the 11 games so far have had goalless first halves. Less than half of the teams have chosen to take up that opportunity in the Premier League. Across the 11 games, 10 of the 22 teams chose to make all five subs. According to the Premier Injuries website that tracks injuries sustained in Englands top division, there have been seven confirmed in-play injuries since the restart and only one James Milner (left hamstring) has been a muscular problem.
Talking points ahead of the Premier League restart
FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, April 9, 2020, gates stand locked outside the closed English Premier League soccer Manchester City Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, northern England. The Premier League resumes Wednesday June 17 after its three-month suspension because of the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)Some talking points ahead of the resumption of the Premier League following a three-month suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic:RECORD-BREAKING REDSThe fact that Liverpool will win its first English league title in 30 years is not really in doubt. The 25-point lead is the biggest in English history, while 22 straight home wins over the past two seasons is also a Premier League record. Given the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak on soccer, staying in the Premier League has rarely been so vital economically.