The Athletic UK staff
December 14, 2021 at 4:09 PM EST
Hello and welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of today’s latest football news.
The Premier League confirmed late on Monday evening that Manchester United’s match against Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the away side.
The spread of the omicron variant continues to impact Premier League clubs as Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion have been affected by outbreaks. As it stands, their fixtures against Norwich and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively are set to go ahead as planned.
Meanwhile, yesterday brought confusion as two Champions League draws took place. The first one was declared null and void after series of mistakes were made during the process in Switzerland on Monday morning.
In the end, Paris Saint-Germain host Real Madrid, Chelsea drew Lille, Manchester United take on Atletico Madrid, Manchester City play Sporting Lisbon, Liverpool face Inter Milan, Salzburg welcome Bayern Munich, Ajax travel to Benfica and Villarreal play Juventus.
In other European news, Barcelona will take on Napoli in the Europa League while Rangers have drawn Borussia Dortmund.
We will also bring you news from Premier League press conferences, plus pre-match updates as we head into another round of midweek fixtures.
Background reading
Joy for Man City, pain for Liverpool, luck for Chelsea – analysing the Champions League last-16 draw
Afghanistan women’s football team and the escape from the Taliban
(Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
December 14, 2021 at 4:09 PM EST
Chelsea unable to recall Conor Gallagher or Billy Gilmour in January
Away from tonight’s action, you’re going to have ignore what we said earlier about the possibility of Conor Gallagher being recalled by his parent club, Chelsea, next month. Apologies.
The Athletic now understands that the 21-year-old England midfielder, as well as Gilmour, cannot be brought back to Cobham until the end of the season as the pair have already made too many appearances with Crystal Palace and Norwich respectively this season.
Read Simon Johnson and Matt Woosnam’s explanation of the situation regarding the two youngsters here.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 3:55 PM EST
It’s not getting any easier for Leeds
Marcelo Bielsa’s side can count themselves fortunate to only be 3-0 down heading into half-time after spending the whole of the opening 45 minutes under the pump. De Bruyne added the third for City.
The players are back out in East Anglia with Norwich hoping for a second-half turnaround. They didn’t show much fight before the break against Villa so Smith will be desperate for a reaction of some sort.
That being said, it took a great goal for them to go behind, incidentally Ramsey’s first for his boyhood club. Check it out below, it is well worth a watch.
Ed Mackey
That is a special run from Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey! ⚡
He puts his head down and just goes! A burst from midfield that his manager would have been proud of! ? pic.twitter.com/Asjajh1J5N
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 14, 2021
December 14, 2021 at 3:27 PM EST
City firmly on top against Leeds and Villa in front at Norwich
There have been goals in both of this evening’s Premier League games.
Manchester City are all over Leeds at the Etihad and are currently 2-0 up thanks to Phil Foden and Jack Grealish. You can see the latter of those goals below as the £100 million man added the finishing touch to Riyad Mahrez’s perfect delivery.
Meanwhile, Grealish’s former side have also started really well at Carrow Road and their positive play has been rewarded with the lead courtesy of a brilliant solo goal from Jacob Ramsey.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 3:13 PM EST
Bayern go nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga
Elsewhere in Europe, Bayern Munich are looking increasingly likely as though they will win their 10th consecutive Bundesliga title this season.
They beat Stuttgart 5-0 this evening with Serge Gnabry having a direct hand in all five goals. The former Arsenal and West Brom winger netted a hat-trick and assisted the other two for Robert Lewandowski.
With his brace, the Poland international took his Bundesliga tally for 2021 to 42 goals, equalling Gerd Muller’s record for goals in a calendar year.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 2:50 PM EST
10 minute warning for Manchester City vs Leeds
This is your final warning to head over to our live blog for Leeds’ trip to the Etihad with kick-off just 10 minutes away.
Manchester City are looking to extend their winning run to seven matches in the league while the Whites are hoping to bounce back from their late defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
Follow all of the updates live here.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 2:36 PM EST
Manchester City vs Leeds United team news
The team news is in for tonight’s big game and there are a handful of changes for the home side. Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and John Stones have all been named in the Manchester City starting XI as Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Joao Cancelo have dropped out.
Marcelo Bielsa has kept the same team that were beaten 3-2 by Chelsea at the weekend, deciding against starting Joe Gelhardt despite the youngster’s goal off the bench at Stamford Bridge.
As I mentioned slightly earlier, you can keep up to date with everything that goes at the Etihad in our live blog here.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 2:31 PM EST
Dean Smith’s Norwich side affected by further positive COVID-19 case
The thinking behind the Canaries starting XI this evening has been affected by COVID-19 after Dean Smith claimed he has had to deal with ‘a few COVID-related drop outs’.
There are four changes to the team from the weekend with Josh Sargent, Lukas Rupp and Pierre Lees-Melou all dropping out of the squad completely after being involved against Manchester United.
Christos Tzolis has already been isolating after one of his tests last week came back positive.
Read what our Norwich correspondent, Michael Bailey, has had to say on the matter here.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 2:07 PM EST
Norwich City vs Aston Villa team news
In this evening’s first game, Dean Smith faces his old side just 36 days after he was relieved of his duties at Villa Park.
His new team, Norwich, have made four changes to the team that was narrowly beaten by Manchester United on Saturday. Todd Cantwell, Brandon Williams, Ben Gibson and Jacob Sorenson come into the starting XI in place of Josh Sargent, Dimitrios Giannoulis, Grant Hanley and Lukas Rupp.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard has made just the single change as Emi Buendia comes into the team to face his former employers in place of the injured Marvelous Nakamba who could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 1:48 PM EST
Follow updates from Leeds United’s trip to face Manchester City
Despite Manchester United and Brentford seeing their clash postponed, there are still two other Premier League matches set to take place this evening.
In the first of those, Norwich host Aston Villa with kick-off coming in an hour’s time at 7:45pm before Pep Guadiola welcomes his mentor Marcelo Bielsa to the Etihad Stadium at 8pm.
We have a live blog for the latter which is already live and that will take you through all the action as Manchester City look to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Click here for all the updates.
Ed Mackey
December 14, 2021 at 1:09 PM EST
Triple injury blow for Everton with Richarlison, Townsend and Coleman ruled out
Everton have suffered injuries to three key players ahead of Thursday’s game at Chelsea — with Richarlison and Andros Townsend out and Seamus Coleman a doubt.
Striker Richarlison was substituted in the second half of the defeat at Crystal Palace with a calf complaint, and tests have revealed a tear which will see him sidelined for “a number of weeks.”
To read more on Everton’s injuries, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 14, 2021 at 12:49 PM EST
Nakamba may miss the rest of 2021-22 season
Aston Villa have been dealt a big injury blow with fears that midfielder Marvelous Nakamba could miss the rest of the season.
The Athletic understands a decision will be made within the next 48 hours as to whether or not Nakamba will require surgery after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend.
With Nakamba possibly ruled out for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign, Villa will consider signing another midfielder in the January transfer window. Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse was targeted in the summer but he has since signed a new contract at St Mary’s so alternative options will be considered. To read more, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 14, 2021 at 11:41 AM EST
Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell returns to light running but surgery still a possibility
Ben Chilwell has returned to light running as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury — although that doesn’t necessarily mean the England international will escape surgery.
Chilwell, 24, undertook a light session on grass on Tuesday, for the first time since injuring his knee in a Champions League match against Juventus.
But it is too early to say whether or not Chilwell will escape surgery and The Athletic understands Chelsea always intended for the full-back to return to some form of training before deciding on whether or not he needed to go under the knife. To read more on Chilwell’s injury, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 14, 2021 at 10:46 AM EST
FPL: How to avoid rotation
As we head into the busy festive period, player rotation is one of the big headaches in Fantasy Premier League.
While we hope we can second guess a manager’s plans, it’s impossible to truly predict who will be on Pep Guardiola or Thomas Tuchel’s team sheets — and that’s before you take in matches being postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, such as Brentford’s game against Manchester United that was scheduled for Tuesday night.
Between Gameweek 17 and Gameweek 21, teams are scheduled to have at least five fixtures in around three weeks, so how can fantasy managers navigate this tricky period?
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Fantasy Premier League: How to avoid rotation in the festive fixture congestion
December 14, 2021 at 10:11 AM EST
Chelsea can recall Gallagher
The evidence for Chelsea to recall Conor Gallagher from his intended season-long loan in January seems overwhelming.
By smashing the ball with his right foot into the top corner of Everton’s net on Sunday, Gallagher took his goal tally for Crystal Palace to an impressive six in 15 Premier League appearances. He also has three assists in that time.
But would taking him out of Palace now be the right move?
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Chelsea can recall Gallagher now but should stay calm with youngster flourishing at Palace
December 14, 2021 at 9:32 AM EST
Update: Premier League clubs approve plans to move to daily COVID-19 tests
Premier League clubs have approved plans to move to daily COVID-19 tests for all players at a shareholders’ meeting today, as reported earlier on Tuesday morning by The Athletic.
Clubs have been told to conduct daily lateral flow testing, as well as more stringent twice-weekly PCR tests, after a record number of COVID-19 cases were recorded. Daily lateral flow tests are optional on non-training days and non-match days.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
December 14, 2021 at 9:20 AM EST
The Athletic’s writers take on the official Champions League draw
Once the second draw was complete, The Athletic’s writers analysed each team’s draw.
Joy for Man City, pain for Liverpool, luck for Chelsea? Do you agree?
Click below, to find out more.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Joy for Man City, pain for Liverpool, luck for Chelsea – analysing the Champions League last-16 draw
December 14, 2021 at 8:49 AM EST
Arsenal to rely on ‘leadership group’ after stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of captaincy
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he will rely on a “leadership group” of senior players after stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captain’s armband.
Aubameyang, 32, was dropped for Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton for what manager Mikel Arteta said was a “disciplinary breach”, which The Athletic understands concerned a late return from a trip abroad.
Click here for more detail.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
December 14, 2021 at 8:06 AM EST
ICYMI: Champions League draw chaos
After years of overblown Champions League draws, we finally had one wrapped up in under 30 minutes only for it to start all over again.
UEFA was forced to declare the Champions League draw null and void after a series of mistakes were made during the process in Switzerland on Monday morning.
Manchester United had been handed a tough last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain — but only after being erroneously paired with Villarreal and then mistakenly left off the list of possible opponents to face Atletico Madrid.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
December 14, 2021 at 7:37 AM EST
Leeds charged by FA for failure to control their players in Chelsea defeat
Leeds United have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control their players during their 3-2 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
In the 93rd minute of the game referee Chris Kavanagh awarded Chelsea a penalty after Mateusz Klich brought down Antonio Rudiger.
The Leeds players surrounded Kavanagh, protesting the decision. The club are alleged to have failed to ensure its players behaved in accordance with the rules.
Read the full statement here.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
December 14, 2021 at 7:28 AM EST
What was Aubameyang’s disciplinary breach?
Aubameyang was left out of Arsenal’s squad in their 3-0 win over Southampton.
The Athletic explains what happened to him in France and the issues that the incident has now created.
For more detail, click below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Aubameyang and Arteta: the dispute, the trip abroad, the captaincy
