Newcastle went level on points with fifth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League as Bruno Guimaraes’ finish earned a 1-0 win at West Ham.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe said some of Manchester United’s players are “not good enough” and “some probably are overpaid”, Arne Slot spoke of the difficulty of the task ahead of Liverpool facing Paris St Germain, and there was a managerial change for Manchester City’s women’s team.
Magpies boost Champions League bid
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle moved up to sixth in the table after Guimaraes turned in Harvey Barnes’ cross from close range in the 63rd minute at the London Stadium.
As well as increasing their Champions League hopes, it also provided momentum ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool for the Magpies, who had lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.
Ratcliffe on players
United co-owner Ratcliffe gave a wide-ranging interview to the BBC in which he referenced Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Casemiro, plus Jadon Sancho and Antony, who are both out on loan, as he spoke about “players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy”.
The Ineos chairman said “these are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out”, and when asked if he was suggesting those players were not good enough for United, Ratcliffe said: “Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid.”
The 72-year-old billionaire, who also accepted keeping on Erik ten Hag as boss after last season was a mistake and gave his backing to the Dutchman’s successor Ruben Amorim, was speaking a day on from thousands of fans taking part in a protest against the club’s ownership ahead of 14th-placed United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Slot braced for big challenge
Liverpool host PSG on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, leading 1-0 from last week’s initial encounter in France in which they scored with their only shot on target against opponents that registered 27 attempts.
And when asked at his pre-match press conference if getting through would require his side’s best performance under him so far, Reds boss Slot said: “Yes. I do think so. This is the most complete team we have faced so far.
“We have faced Arsenal and (Manchester) City and they are not big margins but the intensity they (PSG) play at combined with the quality – and they are one of the richest clubs – and a great manager (Luis Enrique), it is not easy to play against.”
Cushing back in at City as Taylor is axed
Gareth Taylor was sacked as City head coach with the team lying fourth in the Women’s Super League, outside the Champions League places by a point and 12 adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Nick Cushing, the manager Taylor succeeded at City in 2020, returns as interim boss until the end of the season – he led the team to the 2016 WSL title, the only time they have won it.
What’s on today?
Back at BL on Tuesday night 🔙 pic.twitter.com/kjyBchxVtP
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 9, 2025
As well as the Liverpool-PSG clash, Tuesday’s Champions League action features Barcelona, also leading 1-0, hosting Benfica, while the evening’s EFL matches include Sheffield United – second in the Championship on goal difference behind Leeds – playing Bristol City at Bramall Lane.
