Browsing: football pundits

Rio Ferdinand is tipping Manchester City for the title. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Arsenal and Liverpool will be ‘looking over their shoulders’ and fearing Manchester City after the side’s comeback against Newcastle United.

That’s according to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, who says Kevin De Bruyne’s return to fitness is a huge boost to City’s title chances.

City took the lead in the north-east before goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon put Newcastle in front.

However, the game spun with 20 minutes left when De Bruyne was introduced from the bench.

The Belgian scored a sensational placed finish 15 minutes from time, and set-up the winner in injury time with a phenomenal pass for Oscar Bobb.

It was a crushing blow to the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, who have witnessed City win five of their last six matches without star man Erling Haaland.

And Ferdinand says the title hopefuls will now be fearing City as they’ve hit their rhythm.

De Bruyne made a sensational return (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

 ‘Pep Guardiola, very rarely do you see him as animated as he was today,’Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. ‘I’ll tell you one thing, that man there (De Bruyne), you’re back, you are back. You are the jewel in the crown, you’re back.

‘Watch momentum kick in now and these guys know what to do.‘These guys know when to put the pedal to the floor and it looks like now everybody is going to be looking over their shoulders and looking around and saying, they are coming.

‘They know how to get the job done, they have the experience, the depth, the class, the quality and the firepower. Formidable.’

MORE : Borja Mayoral responds to Arsenal transfer interest as Gunners target January striker option

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It was a ‘surprise’ transfer.

‘I suspect he’ll be off.’

Big signings will likely have to wait for the summer.

The winger was replaced on the hour mark last night.

It was a difficult night.

‘He stopped!’

There’s been an uplift.

‘Everyone can see what he’s all about as he’s been absolutely ripping it up this season.’

Another frustrating night.

‘I’d be fuming with him.’

Arsenal’s FA Cup run ends at the first hurdle.

Jota went down five minutes from full-time (Picture: Getty)

Premier League legends Alan Shearer and Ian Wright slammed the f*****g embarrassing’ Diogo Jota after his penalty incident in Liverpool’s victory over Newcastle.

The Reds eased to a 4-2 win over Newcastle on Monday night with Mohamed Salah scoring twice and providing an assist in his last performance before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Egypt international saw a first-half penalty saved by Martin Dubravka but found the back of the net from 12 yards five minutes from full-time.

Jota was played through one on one after a sublime through ball from Alexia Mac Allister, rounding the goalkeeper and taking another step before going down with an open goal in front of him.

Replays suggested Jota’s ankle was caught by the Newcastle goalkeeper but his delayed reaction to the contact attracted widespread criticism.

Former Arsenal star Wright remarked: ‘Would rather go down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Seen it all!’

Newcastle legend Shearer followed up by commenting: ‘F*****g embarrassing.’

Would rather go down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Seen it all!— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) January 1, 2024

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was also disappointed with the decision.

‘We were in the game,’ Howe said. ‘We had our moments as well in transitions, the spirit was there, the players were committed. There was a lot more to the game.

‘We were up against it with two very soft penalties, the second one wasn’t a penalty at all. That doesn’t help when you come here.’

More: TrendingNew camera angle proves whether West Ham goal against Arsenal should have countedMikel Arteta admits taking off struggling Arsenal star ‘didn’t work’Man Utd flop has contract terminated by new club just months after leaving Old TraffordThe games Mohamed Salah will miss for Liverpool due to AFCON

Asked if he had spoken to his goalkeeper to ask if there was contact, Howe added: ‘I haven’t spoken to him, I have just seen it myself and it looks like Jota takes two steps before he falls down.’

Newcastle have now lost seven of their last eight games having slipped to ninth in the table.

Liverpool meanwhile move three points clear at the top of the league.

MORE : Newcastle manager Eddie Howe reveals why Kieran Trippier misses Liverpool clash

MORE : Liverpool and Tottenham tracking Gladbach defender Ko Itakura

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

‘He looked lost.’

‘He should have been more dominant.’

The midfielder was replaced at half-time.

‘Really poor defending.’

‘Hopefully he learns from this mistake.’

Hojlund ended his long wait for a league goal.

‘It’s just the type of goalkeeper!’

The pundit feels Klopp has vindicated his comments from the weekend.

Some huge games to come over the Christmas period.

A boost for the Gunners?

He came under fire from Keane.

‘Their best player, their best talent and their most productive.’