English Premier League fixtures (1st matchday)

Arsenal s William Saliba, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City s Erling Haaland during the English FA Community Shield final soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. AP 

fbarena.com , Thursday 10 Aug 2023

Follow fbarena.com coverage of English Premier League matches of the 2023/2024 season (11 / 14 August)

All times are GMT time

Friday 11 August

19:00 Burnley vs. Manchester City

Saturday 12 August

11:30 Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest

14:00 AFC Bournemouth vs. West Ham United

14:00 Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Luton Town

14:00 Everton vs. Fulham

14:00 Sheffield United vs. Crystal Palace

16:30 Newcastle United vs. Aston Villa

Sunday 13 August

13:00 Brentford vs. Tottenham Hotspur

15:30 Chelsea vs. Liverpool

Monday 14 August

19:00 Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Kane scores four goals in Spurs' friendly win amid Bayern talk

Tottenham Hotspur s English striker Harry Kane applauds as he is substituted after scoring four goals during the pre-season friendly football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, on August 6, 2023. AFP 

AFP , fbarena.com

Harry Kane scored four goals in Tottenham Hotspur's 5-1 pre-season friendly win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday as speculation over the England captain's future intensified.

Kane has entered the final 12 months of his six-year Spurs contract and has been courted aggressively by Bayern Munich, with the German giants reported to have lodged their latest bid for the forward on Friday.

But with Spurs holding firm so far during the pre-season transfer window the 30-year-old Kane showed no sign of being distracted while scoring a hat-trick in 55 minutes against Shakhtar in what was new manager Ange Postecoglou's first match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Australian boss Postecoglou was given a rousing reception by the Spurs faithful and the noise increased when it was announced Kane would captain the north London side in the absence of Hugo Lloris.

Kane, Tottenham's all-time record scorer, had two early shots saved, before opening his account with a 38th-minute penalty after James Maddison had been brought down in the area.

The Ukrainian visitors equalised on the brink of half-time through Kevin Kelsy's close-range header.

But Kane was soon back on the goal trail when he headed in a cross from fellow England international Maddison in the 50th minute.

He completed his treble five minutes later when Son Heung-Min found Dejan Kulusevski, who slipped the ball between Mykola Matviyenko's legs, with Kane shooting powerfully into the bottom corner.

Lifelong Spurs fan Kane had already heard several renditions of "he's one of our own" before his hat-trick but a section of the crowd chanted "we want you to stay" after his third goal".

Kane completed his haul for the day when he followed up from close range in the 79th minute after substitute Manor Solomon's curled shot was saved.

Postecoglou replaced the Tottenham talisman a minute later and Kane left the pitch to a standing ovation before responding with applause to all four corners of the ground.

Spurs academy graduate Dane Scarlett came on for Kane and scored with the last kick of the game.

The full-time whistle followed and Kane walked over on his own to each side of the stadium to clap the fans, with Tottenham supporters desperately hoping this low-key affair was not his last game for the club.Kane has entered the final 12 months of his six-year Spurs contract and has been courted aggressively by Bayern Munich, with the German giants reported to have lodged their latest bid for the forward on Friday.

But with Spurs holding firm so far during the pre-season transfer window the 30-year-old Kane showed no sign of being distracted while scoring a hat-trick in 55 minutes against Shakhtar in what was new manager Ange Postecoglou's first match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Australian boss Postecoglou was given a rousing reception by the Spurs faithful and the noise increased when it was announced Kane would captain the north London side in the absence of Hugo Lloris.

Kane, Tottenham's all-time record scorer, had two early shots saved, before opening his account with a 38th-minute penalty after James Maddison had been brought down in the area.

The Ukrainian visitors equalised on the brink of half-time through Kevin Kelsy's close-range header.

But Kane was soon back on the goal trail when he headed in a cross from fellow England international Maddison in the 50th minute.

He completed his treble five minutes later when Son Heung-Min found Dejan Kulusevski, who slipped the ball between Mykola Matviyenko's legs, with Kane shooting powerfully into the bottom corner.

Lifelong Spurs fan Kane had already heard several renditions of "he's one of our own" before his hat-trick but a section of the crowd chanted "we want you to stay" after his third goal".

Kane completed his haul for the day when he followed up from close range in the 79th minute after substitute Manor Solomon's curled shot was saved.

Postecoglou replaced the Tottenham talisman a minute later and Kane left the pitch to a standing ovation before responding with applause to all four corners of the ground.

Spurs academy graduate Dane Scarlett came on for Kane and scored with the last kick of the game.

The full-time whistle followed and Kane walked over on his own to each side of the stadium to clap the fans, with Tottenham supporters desperately hoping this low-key affair was not his last game for the club.

England, France ease to Euro qualifying wins as Wales stunned

fbarena.com

England and France cruised to victories over international minnows in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday, but Wales saw their hopes of reaching next year's finals in Germany suffer a setback in a 4-2 home defeat by Armenia.

Gareth Southgate's England scored twice from the penalty spot as they eased to a 4-0 win away to a Malta side ranked 172nd in the world and kept up their perfect record in Group C.

Malta defender Ferdinando Apap turned Bukayo Saka's cross into his own net to give England an early lead, and Trent Alexander-Arnold made it 2-0 with a superb strike.

Harry Kane, who became England's all-time top scorer during the last international window in March, made it three goals in three games in this campaign with a penalty to make it 3-0.

Substitute Callum Wilson then completed the scoring late on from another spot-kick awarded for a handball following a VAR check.

"Of course we know we have the quality to win the game and then it's about the mentality. I thought that was excellent from the start," said Southgate.

England are six points clear of Ukraine, Italy and North Macedonia, albeit having played one match more.

While Italy are currently involved in the Nations League finals, Ukraine got their first points with a stunning comeback to win 3-2 in North Macedonia.

An Enis Bardhi penalty and a brilliant curling strike from Napoli's Eljif Elmas had North Macedonia -- who qualified for Euro 2020 -- two goals up.

Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi pulled one back for Ukraine just after the hour mark and they then equalised through Yukhym Konoplia.

North Macedonia, who visit England on Monday, were reduced to 10 men before Viktor Tsygankov headed in a cross from Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk with seven minutes left to complete the comeback.

Giroud, Mbappe on target

Kylian Mbappe put speculation over his future at Paris Saint-Germain to one side as he captained France and scored in their 3-0 win over Group B outsiders Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal.

Olivier Giroud's early header put France ahead and Mbappe added a penalty awarded for handball in first-half stoppage time.

France got their third late on when Aymen Mouelhi scored an own goal, turning in Mbappe's low cross.

"The objective was to win and get the job done but we should have scored more goals," said France coach Didier Deschamps.

The World Cup runners-up are top of Group B with a maximum nine points from three games, leaving them three points clear of Greece, who beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in Athens.

Captain Tasos Bakasetas gave the hosts the lead from a penalty before Nathan Collins equalised, but Giorgos Masouras got the winner for Greece, who visit France on Monday.

Ireland ended the game with 10 men after Matt Doherty's late sending-off.

Wales have qualified for the last two European Championships and reached the knockout stages both times, but their chances of making Euro 2024 are in the balance after going down to Armenia in Cardiff.

Daniel James put Wales ahead but Argentina-born Lucas Zelarayan and German-born youngster Grant-Leon Ranos both scored twice for Armenia.

Harry Wilson pulled another one back for Wales, but they had Kieffer Moore sent off towards the end and are currently third in Group D, two points behind leaders Turkey, who won 3-2 in Latvia.

Denmark edge Northern Ireland

Turkey twice threw away a lead, with Kristers Tobers scoring Latvia's second goal in the 94th minute. However, Irfan Can Kahveci headed in the winner a minute later.

Denmark edged out Northern Ireland 1-0 in Copenhagen to sit at the top of four teams all on six points in Group H.

Jonas Wind of Wolfsburg scored the winner, although Callum Marshall was denied an injury-time equaliser for Northern Ireland after a lengthy VAR check discovered an offside.

Kazakhstan and Finland also moved onto six points after beating San Marino (3-0) and Slovenia (2-0) respectively.

Switzerland won 2-1 in Andorra to make it three victories out of three in Group I.

They are two points above Romania, who drew 0-0 in Kosovo, while Israel scored two late goals to beat Belarus 2-1 in Budapest.

Southgate says Toney ban not how rehabilitation works

England manager Gareth Southgate during a press conference at Wembley Stadium, London, as he names his squad for next month s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, Wednesday May 24, 2023. AP

fbarena.com

England manager Gareth Southgate took aim on Wednesday at an eight-month ban from all football-related activity for Brentford striker Ivan Toney for breaches of betting rules. 

Toney was capped by Southgate for the first time in March, while betting charges were hanging over the 27-year-old.

He will not even be allowed to train with his teammates until the halfway point of his ban is up in September.

An independent regulatory commission imposed the sanctions after Toney admitted to 232 breaches of gambling on football.

Players are banned from betting even on matches they are not involved in.

"I have spoken with him. I don’t know if that’s allowed, by the way. If it isn’t then they can ban me and not add to his," said Southgate as he announced his squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia next month.

"Look, the ban is the ban. It is what it is. I think he recognised and accepted the punishment. What bothers me is we’ve got to look after people.

"He’s injured at the moment, what does he do about getting fit? How do we give him some structure over the next few months that he can develop himself or be a better person at the end of it or have experiences that he might not experience?

"I don’t like the idea that we just leave somebody so they are not allowed to be a part of the football community.

"I don’t think that’s how we should work, I don’t think that’s how the best rehabilitation programmes would work."

Sterling struggles

Raheem Sterling was the big-name omission from Southgate's squad as he revealed the Chelsea winger does not feel fully fit.

Sterling, who has won 82 caps, has endured a difficult first season since joining the Blues from Manchester City.

"He's not happy physically with his condition, having been carrying a hamstring problem. He really wasn't in consideration," added Southgate.

"We didn't get to the point of whether he should be in or out. He doesn't think he is operating at the level he needs."

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze received his first call-up, while Brighton captain Lewis Dunk is rewarded for his fine season with a return to the squad for the first time in four-and-a-half years.

Eze's performances have caught the eye, with six goals in eight games under Roy Hodgson, who returned to Selhurst Park as coach in March.

"We have liked him for a long time. I think he has finished the season really strongly," said Southgate on Eze.

"He is a goal threat, he's got nice ability and speed to go past people and can take people out of the game with his dribbling skills. We are looking forward to seeing him a bit closer."

England are well on course to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany after beating Italy and Ukraine in their opening Group C fixtures.

The Three Lions travel to Malta on June 16 before hosting North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace)

Defenders: Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (both Manchester United), John Stones, Kyle Walker (both Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (both Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), James Maddison (Leicester), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has switched national team allegiances from England to the United States

Arsenal s English striker Folarin Balogun. AFP

fbarena.com

The change of association of the player Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun from England to the USA has been approved," a FIFA spokesperson said.

The New York-born Balogun, who moved to England as a two-year-old, could have represented the United States, England and Nigeria, the country of his parents birth.

Although Balogun has played youth football for the United States, most of his representative career has been with England where he has been part of the Under-21 team.

FIFA rules allow players to switch nationality before they have played a full, competitive game for the senior national team.

"My decision to represent the United States, it came together with my family. We decided it would be the right thing for me, to represent the country I was born in," Balogun said.

"In the end it became a no-brainer, but for sure, it's just something I wanted to do and it feels like I'm at home here," he added.

"To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I'm very proud and honored to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful," he added.

- Impressive loan spell -

Interest from the United States has intensified this season as the 21-year-old has impressed during a loan spell with French Ligue 1 club Reims, netting 19 goals in 34 appearances.

Balogun will join up with the team for the final four of the CONCACAF Nations League and could make his debut against rivals Mexico in Las Vegas on June 15 in the semi-final.

"We are delighted that Folarin has chosen to represent the United States," said US interim head coach Anthony Hudson.

"Not only is he an extremely talented player, he's also a good man who is going to add value to our national team both on and off the field at a time when the team is continuing to improve. It's clear that he values his US roots and we can't wait for him to come in and be a part of the team," he said.

Balogun had pulled out of England Under-21 duty before making that trip and Gareth Southgate, the England manager, had said the eventual choice was entirely down to the player.

"It is up to the player to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit for an opportunity if he backs himself and feels he can push his way into our squad?

"Because anybody who has followed us will know that we will give young players a chance. So, we cannot go and give first-team call-ups to someone just because we don't want them to go somewhere else," he said.

A product of Arsenal's youth system, Balogun spent last season on loan with English Championship club Middlesbrough, scoring three goals in 18 league appearances, starting nine times.

The United States, who are currently engaged in a search for a permanent national team coach after World Cup boss Gregg Berhalter's contract ran out, have lacked a quality central striker in recent years.

Balogun will be hoping he can establish himself in the US team ahead of the 2026 World Cup which is being co-hosted with Mexico and Canada.

"It's almost too good to be true," he said.

"To have the World Cup in America is just crazy and then to be the host nation and my first World Cup, it's all come together nicely. Some things are just meant to be."