Category Archives: SOCCER

West Ham sack Lopetegui and hold talks with Potter Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lopetegui had been preparing for Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie with Aston Villa West Ham have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after just six months in charge and are in talks with Graham Potter about succeeding him. Former Wolves boss Lopetegui, 58, was appointed in May following the departure of David Moyes but officially took charge on 1 July. The Hammers won just six Premier League games during the Spaniard’s tenure. Saturday’s 4-1 defeat by Manchester City was a ninth loss in 20 league games this season and left the club 14th – seven points above the relegation zone. The club have held talks with former Chelsea and Brighton boss Potter about taking the role, initially

Newcastle took a giant stride towards the League Cup final as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon earned a 2-0 semi-final, first leg lead at Arsenal on Tuesday. The Magpies have never previously won the competition and have had to wait since 1969 to celebrate any major trophy. But in Isak they have the form striker in England right now and he rifled home the opener then helped tee up the second for Gordon. Arsenal have a mountain to climb when the sides meet for the second leg on February 5 if they are to progress to meet either Tottenham or Liverpool in the final. The importance of silverware to both clubs was reflected in the line-ups as Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe named their strongest available teams. Arteta