London, Feb 28: West Ham handed relegation-threatened Leicester its fourth straight Premier League loss by beating Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team 2-0.
Leicester failed to score in each of those defeats – and allowed a total of 12 goals – to remain 19th in the standings, five points from safety. The Foxes have lost 11 of their past 12 league games.
Tomas Soucek scored in the 21st minute for the home team at London Stadium and the Hammers doubled the lead when Jarrod Bowen’s strike deflected off Jannik Vestergaard for an own goal just before halftime.
Leicester shook up its coaching staff after last Friday’s 4-0 home loss to Brentford but kept Van Nistelrooy in charge.
In 14 Premier League games under the Dutch manager, Leicester has two wins, one draw and 11 losses.
“We were way too passive,” Van Nistelrooy told TNT Sports. “Of course we’re in a situation where we’re not winning games and we’re in a situation where we are in the bottom three, and the pressure’s on.
But I think the way to get out of it is to literally move forward – on the pitch as well. We have to take initiative.”
West Ham moved past Everton into 15th place and has recorded back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season.
Graham Potter, who replaced the fired Julen Lopetegui as manager seven weeks ago, said Thursday’s victory was a “professional performance,” following up from a 1-0 victory at Arsenal last Saturday.
“For us, we’re just delighted with two wins, two clean sheets and six points,” he said of the mini-run.
Liverpool reports losses of $71.8 million
Liverpool reported pre-tax losses of 57 million pounds ($71.8 million) in its latest financial accounts on Friday.
The losses came despite the Premier League club reporting record commercial revenues of 308 million pounds ($387.8 million) for the year.
The accounts for the year ending May 31, 2024, underline the importance of Champions League qualification for England’s leading clubs, with Liverpool pointing to a sizeable fall in media revenue due to its absence from the competition last season.
A drop of 38 million pounds ($47.9 million) to 204 million pounds ($257 million) came after the club missed out on qualification for European club soccer’s most prestigious competition.
Matchday revenue was up 22 million pounds (£27.7 million) to 102 million pounds ($128.4 million) and the record commercial revenues came after a rise of 36 million pounds ($45.3 million).
Overall revenue rose by 20 million pounds ($25.2 million) to 614 million pounds ($773 million).
Liverpool said administrative costs “increased significantly,” with salaries one of the main causes. Administrative costs rose by 38 million pounds ($47.85 million) to 600 million pounds ($755.5 million).
“Operating a financially sustainable club continues to be our priority and, with the continued increase in costs, it’s essential to grow income streams year on year to maintain financial stability,” said Liverpool’s chief financial officer Jenny Beacham.
Andre Onana in spotlight again
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is in the spotlight again after his error led to Ipswich Town taking an early lead in their Premier League game on Wednesday evening.
United rallied and eventually won the game 3-2 despite being down to 10 men, but the mistake has reignited the debate about the Cameroon international.
The 28-year-old endured a tough start to life at Old Trafford but appeared to have turned a corner earlier this season when he had the most clean sheets in England’s top flight with six.
However, four minutes in to the game against the Tractor Boys, he illustrated why United fans and pundits have persistent doubts about him.
He dashed to the edge of his penalty area as Patrick Dorgu ran towards him and, as the left wing-back nudged the ball towards where he expected Onana to be, it gifted Jaden Philogene with a tap-in.The former Aston Villa winger later scored his second of the night from a deep cross that deceived Onana because of Liam Delap’s run across him. Speaking on TNT Sports, former Blackburn and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage said: “I’ve got no idea why Onana is running out to that position [for the first goal].
“Dorgu has got it under control, no problem at all. He shouldn’t come there.
“You should be talking, lay it back to him on his right foot and then he can clear it. I don’t know why he’s come.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand added: “It was a terrible start. Onana doesn’t need to come. The full-back is in complete control and he can just hold his ground and let him play it back to him.”
On BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic boss Neil Lennon added: “I don’t know where Andre Onana is going. It is a shambles.” (Agencies)
