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Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea : le doublé de Martin Odegaard aide Arsenal à reprendre la tête de la Premier League

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Martin Odegaard célèbre son deuxième but contre Chelsea
Martin Odegaard a marqué quatre buts lors de ses quatre derniers matchs avec Arsenal

Arsenal a lancé un avertissement catégorique selon lequel ils restent de sérieux prétendants au titre alors qu’ils ont surclassé l’épouvantable Chelsea à l’Emirates Stadium pour revenir au sommet de la Premier League.

Les Gunners avaient disputé quatre matches de championnat sans victoire et ont été lourdement battus la dernière fois contre les champions en titre de Manchester City, qui les ont remplacés au sommet avec une victoire à Fulham dimanche.

Arsenal a répondu en produisant une magnifique performance en première mi-temps, prenant une avance de 3-0 en 34 minutes grâce à deux frappes nettes du capitaine Martin Odegaard et une finition brouillée de Gabriel Jesus.

Chelsea, qui a subi une sixième défaite consécutive sous l’entraîneur par intérim Frank Lampard, a remercié le gardien Kepa Arrizabalaga que le score n’ait pas été encore plus embarrassant et en a même retiré un à Noni Madueke.

Arsenal, cependant, n’a jamais été sérieusement en danger et a maintenant deux points d’avance sur City après avoir joué deux matchs de plus que ses rivaux en titre.

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Arsenal ne va pas tranquillement

Arsenal a répondu à toutes les questions sur son personnage à la suite d’une récente mini-crise alors qu’il pénétrait Chelsea dès le coup d’envoi, soutenu par de fervents supporters qui n’ont pas abandonné malgré la remontée incessante de City vers le sommet.

Les Gunners ont été injustement qualifiés de “chokers” par certains à la suite d’une récente course au cours de laquelle ils ont perdu une avance de deux buts à Liverpool et West Ham United, ont fait match nul à domicile contre Southampton en difficulté et ont simplement été dépassés 4-1 à City.

C’est l’Arsenal qui a apporté une contribution exceptionnelle à cette saison, fait de la course au titre une compétition sérieuse et a offert un festin de football offensif attrayant en cours de route.

L’équipe de Mikel Arteta a été assistée par une démonstration vraiment épouvantable de Chelsea en première mi-temps, mais Arsenal a néanmoins été plus rapide, a montré plus d’intensité et a gêné ses rivaux londoniens avec la qualité de leur jeu.

Arsenal avait l’air plein de confiance en soi, mais ils seront un peu déçus de ne pas avoir ajouté à leur décompte après la pause et ont également permis à Chelsea de se donner la moindre lueur d’espoir avec un but.

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On s’inquiétera également de la blessure du défenseur Gabriel, qui a eu du mal après avoir reçu un coup lorsque Madueke a marqué la consolation de Chelsea, mais a finalement dû partir.

À tous autres égards, cependant, ce fut une nuit très satisfaisante pour Arteta et ses joueurs.

Quelque chose de pourri au coeur de Chelsea

Le retour de Lampard à Chelsea se transforme en cauchemar dans ce qui était déjà une saison de misère incessante sous la copropriété chaotique de Todd Boehly et Behdad Eghbali.

La performance de Chelsea, en particulier dans les 45 premières minutes, a été un fiasco sans pitié et a suggéré qu’il y avait quelque chose de profondément enraciné et de pourri au cœur du club.

Le manque d’effort, l’avantage concurrentiel et le désir auront été ressentis comme un nouveau creux pour les fans de Chelsea qui ont tant souffert cette saison.

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La décision de Lampard de titulariser l’ancien attaquant d’Arsenal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang s’est retournée contre lui car il n’avait eu que neuf touches – dont quatre étaient des coups d’envoi – avant d’être remplacé à la pause.

Si Lampard pensait que son court passage à Chelsea était une chance de prouver qu’il était meilleur qu’il ne le paraissait lorsqu’il a été limogé par Everton et pourrait ouvrir la voie à de nouvelles opportunités, cela n’a pas fonctionné de cette façon. Il souffre maintenant de graves atteintes à sa réputation.

Les luttes de Raheem Sterling sont symboliques de la façon dont les gros achats de Boehly ont échoué et ce n’était pas une surprise quand il a été remplacé.

Chelsea, qui languit désormais à la 12e place, est une équipe apparemment dépourvue de structure ou de plan de match.

Et les supporters qui espéraient que la chance de relever le défi du titre d’Arsenal dans un derby de Londres pourrait enfin enflammer leurs stars sous-performantes se sont sentis trahis par une autre terrible performance.

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Joueur du match

ØdegaardMartin Ødegaard

Alignements

Arsenal

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Ramsdale
  • 4Blanc
  • 15Kiwior
  • 6gabrielRemplacé parHoldingà 85′minutes
  • 35ZinchenkoRemplacé parTierneyà 73′minutes
  • 8Ødegaard
  • 20JorginhoRemplacé parParteyà 86′minutes
  • 34Xhaka
  • 7SakaRemplacé parNelsonà 74′minutes
  • 9Gabriel Jésus
  • 19TrossardRemplacé parMartinellià 59′minutes

Substituts

  • 3Tierney
  • 5Partey
  • dixSmith Rowe
  • 11Martinelli
  • 14Nketiah
  • 16Holding
  • 21Fabio Vieira
  • 24Nelson
  • 30Tourneur

Chelsea

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 33FofanaRemplacé parChalobahà 86′minutes
  • 6Thiago Silva
  • 21Chilwell
  • 7Kanté
  • 5FernandezRemplacé parMoudrykà 71′minutes
  • 8KovacicRéservé à 80 minutes
  • 31MaduékéRemplacé parZiyechà 79′minutes
  • 9AubameyangRemplacé parHavertzà 45′minutes
  • 17SterlingRemplacé parGallagherà 71′minutesRéservé à 90 minutes

Substituts

  • 4Badiashile
  • 11João Félix
  • 12Loftus-joue
  • 14Chalobah
  • 15Moudryk
  • 16Mendy
  • 22Ziyech
  • 23Gallagher
  • 29Havertz

Arbitre:
Robert Jones

Présence:
60 144

Texte en direct

Tout ce que vous devez savoir sur la bannière de votre équipe de Premier League
  • Notre couverture de votre club de Premier League est plus vaste et meilleure que jamais – voici tout ce que tu as besoin de savoir pour vous assurer de ne jamais manquer un moment

Pied de page de la bannière BBC Sport

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Gary O’Neil: Wolves boss says ‘no truth’ in Man Utd rumours

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Gary O'Neil
Gary O’Neil worked on the coaching staff at Liverpool before moving to Bournemouth in 2021

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil says there is “no truth” in reported interest from Manchester United but added it is an honour to be linked to the club.

An ESPN article external-linkclaimed United wanted to talk to him about a coaching role at the club as they plan a reshuffle under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

O’Neil has taken Wolves to ninth in the Premier League table despite only taking over on the eve of the season.

“I don’t know where it came from,” said the 40-year-old of the reports.

O’Neil added: “Growing up, Liverpool and Manchester United always felt special. It’s an honour to be linked even if there’s no truth in it.

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“I love it here. I’m a head coach, I’m always going to be a head coach. I’m really enjoying my time at Wolves. I was only made aware of it [the links] by the media team to prepare for your questions.”

O’Neil took charge of Wolves two days before the start of the season after the exit of Julen Lopetegui and, despite being restricted by finances, he has taken Wolves within six points of sixth-placed United.

They could yet finish in Europe for only the second time since 1980.

Wolves is the second managerial role for former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham, QPR and Norwich midfielder O’Neil.

He was sacked by Bournemouth after only 37 games in charge in the summer, weeks before taking over at Wolves, despite leading them to safety last season.

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It was not clear what coaching role United were reportedly lining up for him – although it is unlikely to have been as a replacement for current manager Erik ten Hag.

A Sun article says they want Gareth Southgate as head coach, and his entire England coaching staff.

Ratcliffe’s Ineos group took over the running of United’s football operations in February, with Dave Brailsford also on the board.

Wolves are planning to enter new contract talks with O’Neil at the end of the season. He has just over two years left on his current deal.

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Sandro Tonali: Newcastle boss Eddie Howe hopes midfielder avoids ‘further consequences’

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe hopes midfielder Sandro Tonali avoids “further consequences” after being charged by the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting rules.

READ MORE: Howe hopes banned Tonali faces no more punishment

If you’ve been affected by issues raised in this video, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.

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Alonso to stay at Leverkusen amid Liverpool interest

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Xabi Alonso announces he will remain as manager of Bayer Leverkusen beyond this summer despite interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

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Matt Beard: Liverpool manager feels ‘fortunate’ ahead of his 150th WSL game

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Matt Beard celebrates winning the WSL title with Liverpool in 2013
Matt Beard was named manager of the season after guiding Liverpool to the title in 2013

Liverpool manager Matt Beard said he feels “quite fortunate” to have had his career as he prepares for his 150th Women’s Super League game.

Beard, 46, is in his second spell in charge at Liverpool, having led the club to the WSL title in 2013 and 2014.

He will reach the landmark in Saturday’s home game against Manchester City.

“I’ve worked at numerous clubs with numerous different budgets, which has helped shape how I am now,” said Beard.

“You have highs, you have lows – but I guess I’m lucky.

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“I’ve been to cup finals. I’ve won some, I’ve lost some, I’ve won league titles. Some managers and players go through their entire career without winning anything so I’m quite fortunate.”

Beard saw West Ham to the FA Cup final in 2019 and nearly kept struggling Bristol City in the WSL in 2021.

He will become only the second manager to reach the 150-game WSL landmark after Chelsea’s Emma Hayes.

Beard returned to Liverpool in 2021 and guided the club to the Championship title and has impressively led them to fourth so far this season.

“Winning league titles with Liverpool is going to be my main highlights,” said Beard.

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“Taking West Ham to Wembley was written in the stars with the documentary that was happening as well.

“When I went in at Bristol City on an interim basis, working with these younger players, it was eye opening. That itself was a fantastic achievement if you look at where we were when I went in [five points from safety].”

Bristol City were relegated on the final day of the season, finishing two points from safety.

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Northern Ireland Euro 2025 qualifiers: Jackie Burns, Connie Scofield and Brenna McPartlan in squad

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Connie Scofield and Brenna McPartlan
Brenna McPartlan (left) is capped at under-age level for Northern Ireland, while Connie Scofield played for England Under-21s

London City Lionesses midfielder Connie Scofield and Burnley’s Brenna McPartlan have been included in the squad for Northern Ireland’s opening Euro 2025 qualifiers.

Reading goalkeeper Jackie Burns returns following a long-term Achilles injury.

Key defender Sarah McFadden will miss the matches through injury, but Casey Howe and Rebecca Holloway return.

Tanya Oxtoby’s side face Malta in their opener on 4 April before travelling to Bosnia-Herzegovina on 9 April.

McPartlan will look to add to her sole Northern Ireland cap, which came in a friendly against Wales in 2017, and the midfielder signed for Burnley in the summer from Sunderland.

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The 24-year-old played for Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Manchester City youth teams, before moving to the USA with Louisiana State University Tigers.

Scofield, 24, is a former England Under-21 midfielder who joined Championship side London City after spells with Birmingham City, where she came through the academy, and Leicester City.

However, Scofield is awaiting international clearance from Fifa before being declared eligible for the two games.

The return of Burns, who has been Northern Ireland’s regular staring goalkeeper in recent years, is a boost after a year on the sidelines with the Achilles injury.

She trained with the Northern Ireland squad before February’s play-off victory over Montenegro and she replaces Wolves’ Shannon Turner in Oxtoby’s squad.

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Cliftonville’s Abbie Magee and Crusaders’ Rachel McLaren also return to the international set-up, along with Athlone Town’s Howe and Birmingham City’s Holloway.

McFadden, who has 102 caps for her country, has undergone surgery on a long-term issue, while Ellie Mason picked up an injury playing for Birmingham City.

Bristol City midfielder Rachel Furness, who is Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer, remains out as she recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in November.

After April’s fixtures, Northern Ireland face a double-header with Portugal before their final two qualifiers away to Malta and at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina in July.

The top three sides in Group B3 will earn a play-off in a bid to reach the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland next summer.

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Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Reading), Lauren Perry (Montrose), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders)

Defenders: Laura Rafferty (Southampton), Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City), Demi Vance (Glentoran), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic), Rachel Dugdale (Reading), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville), Rachel McLaren (Crusaders).

Midfielders: Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville), Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran), Megan Bell (Hearts, on loan from Rangers), Joely Andrews (Glentoran), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley), Connie Scofield (London City Lionesses).

Forwards: Simone Magill (Aston Villa), Lauren Wade (Reading), Kerry Beattie (Glentoran), Caragh Hamilton (Lewes), Keri Halliday (Linfield), Casey Howe (Athlone Town).

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Women’s League Cup final: Chelsea players ‘talk about’ historic quadruple, says Ashley Lawrence

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Ashley Lawrence
Ashley Lawrence (centre) is aiming to win her first trophy with Chelsea since joining from PSG last summer
Venue: Molineux Date: Sunday, 31 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website

Chelsea’s players are talking about doing the unprecedented quadruple this season – but their focus is always on the next game, insists Ashley Lawrence.

The Blues have won the Women’s Super League in each of the past four seasons and the FA Cup in the previous three – but could go even further this time.

They are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League after beating Ajax over two legs in their last-eight meeting, face Manchester United in the last four of the FA Cup, and the current WSL leaders could collect the first trophy of a potential four in the League Cup this weekend.

No English women’s side has ever won four major trophies in a season, while the last team to win a Treble were Arsenal when they lifted the league, FA Cup and Uefa Women’s Cup in 2007 – a year they also won the Community Shield.

It is Arsenal who will be aiming to spoil Chelsea’s quadruple dreams in the Continental League Cup on Easter Sunday – just as they ruined a potential treble for the Blues by winning the same finalexternal-link 3-1 last season.

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Chelsea defender Lawrence, 28, says the squad are taking nothing for granted in their quest for the quadruple.

“It’s always there, we talk about it,” she told BBC Sport. “But our focus is on day by day. We work towards the next game, but we are excited to be in this position.

“We are aware of the four trophies, Emma [Hayes] and the players who have been here a while know what it takes to win. It’s always there, but not the main focus.”

Chelsea are used to the strain of competing for multiple trophies at once.

They played in every match possible to be involved in last season, apart from the Champions League final as they were eliminated at the final-four stage. Hayes’ side also reached the FA and League Cup finals and won the WSL.

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It is new to Lawrence, who joined the club last summer from Paris St-Germain, but the Canadian said the team is ready to cope with a relentless run-in, even if it affects time on the training ground.

“We try to take the most important bits and pieces from a game and do better,” she added. “If those things are specific and apply to the next game then the staff will focus on those things.

“But all season it has been a quick turnaround, playing for four different trophies, and we have just been accustomed to it.”

‘Hayes has that ultimate belief’

Emma Hayes (left) and Guro Reiten
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes (left) is aiming to win her 16th trophy with the club in the 2024 League Cup final

Lawrence, who has 130 caps for Canada, was brought to Chelsea by manager Hayes last season and has played a utility role for the club amid an injury crisis, deployed wide both in defence and midfield.

She admitted working with Hayes was an enormous draw for her to come to the WSL – and has been even more impressed at close quarters.

“She was a big part of my decision [to sign for Chelsea],” said Lawrence. “Everyone in the football world is aware of Emma, and the impact she has had in England and globally.

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“It was an exciting opportunity to come to this club, for the players, the environment and for her.

“She exudes a lot of confidence, even before signing here I saw she has the ability to transform a team into a winning mentality. Now I am here I see she has that ultimate belief, that unwavering confidence. We need that going into finals.”

Chelsea go into the first of those finals at Molineux as favourites after an impressive 3-1 win over Arsenal in the WSL at Stamford Bridge – a result that all but ruled the Gunners out of the title race.

Arsenal, however, have a good recent record against Chelsea, beating them 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the WSL this season, as well as the 2023 League Cup final.

“Anything can happen, especially in the final,” warned Lawrence, who won gold with Canada at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. “We looked at that last game with confidence, but they are a top team and will come out for the next game different.

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“It’s going to be a level playing field, so we go in with the same conviction, as that was really good from the first whistle. We will not change much but we will be ready.”

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Brighton set a new Premier League record – but can rotating goalkeepers really work?

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Karen Bardsley column

Arsenal were meant to be the team who ripped up the rule book and rotated their goalkeepers this season, but it has ended up being Brighton who have kept on swapping who plays between the sticks.

Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi has broken a Premier League record by changing his keeper 17 times already in 2023-24, with Jason Steele playing 15 league games and Bart Verbruggen the other 13, and neither starting more than three times in a row in all competitions.

This is certainly a new idea – no top-flight team has done it before in the Premier League era, and when they have even come close it has been for different reasons. The most changes previously were down to injuries, form, or both.

It’s fascinating to see it happening, but I wanted to explore whether it has worked… and why Brighton are even doing it in the first place.

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Manchester United goalkeepers Andy Goram and Raimond van der Gouw trade places during a game in the 2000-01 season
The previous record for most goalkeeper changes in a Premier League season was 14 by Manchester United in 2000-01, but Fabian Barthez played in 25 of their first 28 league games and the other rotations took place when he and regular understudy Raimond van der Gouw were injured in March, and teenager Paul Rachubka and veteran Scotland international Andy Goram were used as cover.
Team Season Games GK changes Starts per keeper
1. Brighton 23-24 28 17 15: Jason Steele, 13: Bart Verbruggen
2. Man Utd 00-01 38 14 30: Fabian Barthez, 5: Raimond van der Gouw, 2: Andy Goram, 1: Paul Rachubka
=3. Man Utd 01-02 38 12 32: Fabian Barthez, 6: Roy Carroll
=3. Middlesbrough 05-06 38 12 27: Mark Schwarzer, 9: Brad Jones, 2: Ross Turnbull
=3. Man Utd 06-07 38 12 32: Edwin van der Sar, 6: Tomasz Kuszczak
=3. Portsmouth 09-10 38 12 25: David James, 8: Asmir Begovic, 5: Jamie Ashdown

What’s the difference between Steele and Verbruggen?

At 33, Steele clearly has a lot more experience than Verbruggen, who is 21 and looks like he has a lot of raw talent that needs to nurtured, but performance-wise it’s interesting to see how there is such little difference between both goalkeepers.

I’ve watched a lot of clips of both of them in the past few weeks and a few similar themes emerged.

Brighton goalkeepers Bart Verbruggen (l) and Jason Steele (r) with Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi (centre)
Brighton have played 40 games in all competitions this season, with Steele (right) starting 21 of them. So far, Verbruggen (left) is yet to play more than two games in a row, but that will change if Roberto de Zerbi (centre) picks him against Liverpool on Sunday.

Verbruggen seems more economical with his general movement in the box, while Steele’s positioning in goal when facing shots is sometimes more questionable – for example when he takes his position off the defender, and also with his decision making, which might be why his save percentage is the worst in the Premier League this season.

The younger keeper is more self-assured in those situations, although every once in a while he does maybe get drawn too much towards his near post, which is a trait of Steele’s too.

Bart Verbruggen & Jason Steele in the Premier League this season

Neither of them is having a particularly great season in terms of shot-stopping, though, even if Verbruggen’s save percentage is significantly higher.

Verbruggen is underperforming by 3% in terms of the saves he is making compared to the ones he is expected to make, while Steele is -7% in the same metric, meaning they are both lowly ranked there.

Verbruggen Steele
14.9 Expected goals on target conceded 23.6
16 Actual goals conceded* 26
-1.08 (16th) Goals prevented -2.38 (18th)
-0.08 (16th) Expected goals prevented per 90 -0.16 (18th)
*Excludes own goals

There is not much between them when it comes to using the ball either, as you can see from their respective pass-maps, but this is an area where they both excel.

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Jason Steele pass map

Steele is probably viewed as the more accomplished passer – even his manager has alluded to that being the case – and he plays a marginally higher percentage of longer balls forward.

But Brighton don’t change the way they play when Verbruggen is in the team, and his feet are clearly one of his strengths too.

Bart Verbruggen pass map

In fact, Verbruggen has completed more passes per game (33.5) and with a higher success rate (90.8%), than any other Premier League keeper this season and, like Steele, he is in the top five for passes completed under pressure per game too.

Graphic showing goalkeepers with the most passes completed and the highest passing accuracy in the Premier League this season. Verbruggen is top of both categories
Steele ranks sixth for passes completed per 90 minutes (29.8) and fourth for pass accuracy (82%)

He definitely contributes to his team’s attacking output as well, even if – so far – their end product with him has not been as successful as when Steele plays.

While Steele’s distribution has led to the Seagulls scoring five Premier League goals this season, Brighton have actually created more chances per game building play from the back with Verbruggen in the team.

Ederson (2.4) at Manchester City and Alisson (2.0) for Liverpool are the only top-flight keepers involved in more shot-ending open play sequences per game than Verbruggen this season, among those with a minimum of 270 minutes played.

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Premier League Steele Verbruggen
Minutes (season total) 1350 1170
Open play sequences involvements 31.7 34.5
Shot-ending open play sequences 1.1 1.8
xG from shot-ending sequences 0.19 0.12
Involvements ending in goal scored (season total) 5 0

The rest of the Brighton team is being rotated too

It’s not just in goal where De Zerbi has made a lot of changes – he has changed the rest of his team more than anyone else too, with 108 changes in the Premier League alone so far.

With 10 league games to go, that is already 29 more changes than he made in the whole of last season and 28 more than anyone else in the top division this term – Nottingham Forest have made 80, while Liverpool are next highest with 78.

Brighton have had European football to contend with this season, of course, and some injuries too – but compare their situation to Aston Villa, who have made only 40 changes, despite also having midweek European matches.

The shirts of Brighton goalkeepers Bart Verbruggen, Jason Steele and Tom McGill in the dressing room at the Amex Stadium before their Europa League tie against Marseille in December
Another change to come? Brighton’s third-choice keeper, Canada-born former England Under-17 international Tom McGill, has been on the bench for all their Europa League ties this season when two goalkeeper substitutes were named, but the 24-year-old Seagulls academy graduate is yet to make the squad for a Premier League game in 2023-24 or make a single appearance for them in any competition

Stability in personnel is particularly important at the back – we saw this with Manchester City last season when I looked into Ederson’s form – and it made me wonder if having a regular presence behind them could have helped Brighton.

However, my feeling from watching a lot of clips of their defending is that they seem to have bigger problems than just who is in goal.

A lot of the goals they have conceded this season have come from poor defending and marking, regardless of who their goalkeeper is – but because that has been constantly changing, you are left thinking what is the point?

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If there is a pattern, I am still trying to find it – which makes me think the real reason it is happening is for Verbruggen’s long-term benefit.

Which pathway is preferable for a young keeper?

Bart Verbruggen made his Netherlands debut in their 2-1 defeat to France in a Euro 2024 qualifier in October 2023
Verbruggen made his senior Netherlands debut in their 2-1 defeat by France in a Euro 2024 qualifier in October 2023, becoming the youngest Dutch keeper to start a game since Jan van Beveren in 1967

Adapting a new goalkeeper to the Premier League is frequently challenging – whether it’s a young player coming into the team, someone stepping up from a lower division in England, or a player moving here from a foreign league.

Two of those factors apply to Verbruggen, who joined from Belgian side Anderlecht in the summer and only turned 21 in August – he is the second youngest keeper in the Premier League behind Burnley’s James Trafford, and they are the only two currently under the age of 24.

Like Trafford, who was playing in League One for Bolton on loan from Manchester City last season, Verbruggen has rapidly changed levels too – he actually made another big step in the middle of last season, when he moved up from Anderlecht’s B team, so his progress has been very quick.

Neither he nor Trafford can be considered elite keepers yet – although Verbruggen made his senior debut for the Netherlands in October and now has four caps – but clearly the potential is there.

So, which pathway is the preferable one? Trafford is playing every week, but in a struggling team where there is no hiding place if he makes mistakes. Verbruggen is possibly being protected by coming in and out of the team, but is that slowing his progress?

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Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele catches the ball
Steele’s save percentage of 57.6% is the worst in the Premier League this season and down from 61.7% in 2022-23. His goals prevented (-1.33) and expected goals prevented per 90 minutes (-0.09) scores were also better last season.

While changing keepers hasn’t hindered Brighton, or at least not obviously, it hasn’t noticeably helped them either. For a player, in terms of individual development or even just form, it’s different. I always found playing a run of games helped me find my rhythm and made me feel more settled and confident during games.

Being in and out of the team has not made a massive difference to Steele’s form – his shot-saving stats are slightly down on last season, when he became first choice in the second half of the campaign and played 15 of their final 16 league games after Robert Sanchez fell out of favour, but would it make a positive difference to Verbruggen if he was given a longer run in the team?

It feels like it is time to find out, especially if the plan is actually for him to be number one more regularly next season.

What happens then will probably tell us whether this rotation has worked – and if it is an experiment that is worth repeating.

Karen Bardsley was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.

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Premier League top three quiz: How well do you know Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City’s seasons?

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Split picture of Erling Haaland, Declan Rice and Mohamed Salah

There are just 10 games to go in what could be a title race for the ages!

Arsenal lead the Premier League table, one point above Liverpool and two points ahead of champions Manchester City.

With the title possibly going down to the wire we thought we’d put your knowledge to the test.

How much attention have you been paying on the Premier League’s top three sides this season? It’s time to find out!

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Football Focus: Spurs’ Destiny Udogie talks London life, Ange Postecoglou and his chant

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Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie sits down with Football Focus to discuss London life, the race for the top four, playing for Ange Postecoglou and his Whitney Houston-inspired chant.

Watch Football Focus on Saturday, 30 March at 12:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer.

Available to UK users only.

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Chelsea: Raheem Sterling ‘understands’ boos – Mauricio Pochettino

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Raheem Sterling applauds Chelsea supporters
Raheem Sterling missed a first-half penalty against Leicester

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says it is important that the club’s fans and players “move on” after Raheem Sterling was booed by supporters.

Sterling faced criticism from sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd during Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Leicester City in the recent FA Cup quarter-final.

Pochettino was jeered for his decision to substitute Mykhailo Mudryk instead of Sterling in the 78th minute.

“We now need to move on. It will help if we do,” said Pochettino.

“What we cannot do is create bigger things from this now because we know fans love our players and I know they will support him and the rest of the team.

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“Raheem is a spirited player and he understands it all.”

Pochettino’s Chelsea will have home advantage against lowly Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, when supporters will expect another victory.

Sterling missed a first-half penalty against Leicester and blazed a free-kick well over the crossbar in the second half, which prompted jeers among the home crowd.

Before the match, Chelsea Supporters’ Trust raised “significant concerns” about the club’s future in a lengthy letter to co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

It said there was growing concern that Chelsea are becoming “a ‘laughing stock’, both on and off the pitch”.

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“We need to be careful in the way we talk and give our opinions because there needs to be a strong relationship between everyone,” said Pochettino.

“I just want our players to play really well. I was also suffering the anger of the fans and their disappointment; in fact, the whole team suffered in this situation.”

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