Everton have been plunged deep into Premier League relegation trouble after being docked another two points for a second breach of spending rules.
The Toffees now sit just two points clear of the bottom three with seven fixtures remaining, although they have a game in hand on each of the three sides below them – Nottingham Forest, Luton and Burnley – and are 11 points better off than bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.
Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at their plight.
What has happened?
An independent commission has deducted two points from Everton’s tally after the club admitted a breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) over the three-year cycle to 2022-23, leaving them on 27 from 31 games.
Haven’t we been here before?
Yes. The Merseyside club were hit with an unprecedented 10-point penalty in November after being found to have “taken chances” with PSR. Their losses for the three-year period up to 2021-22 were £124.5million, £19.5million over the threshold, even accounting for allowances made for the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, they slipped to 19th place as a result, but the sanction was reduced to six points in February following a successful appeal, at which point they climbed to 15th.
What are the PSR?
These are the regulations governing a club’s maximum permitted losses. Normally top-flight clubs can lose up to £105million over the three-year assessment period without being in breach.
How much above the limit were Everton?
The club exceeded the spending limit during the specified period by £16.6million. During a three-day hearing, the commission considered mitigating factors cited by Everton, but ultimately decided a two-point penalty to take effect immediately was appropriate.
What were their arguments?
The Goodison Park outfit argued against further punishment, pointing to “the concept of double punishment, the significant mitigating circumstances facing the club due to the war in Ukraine, and the high level of co-operation and early admission of the club’s breach”.
What have Everton said?
The club have signalled both their intention to appeal and commitment to “working collaboratively” with the league on PSR matters, while expressing concern over “the inconsistency of different commissions in respect of points deductions applied”.
Are they alone?
No. Forest were last month docked four points for an overspend of £34.5million on their allowed total of £61million – £22million is deducted from the £105million limit for each season spent outside the Premier League during the qualifying period – with a further two points discounted to reflect their early plea and co-operation. Sky Bet Championship leaders Leicester, who have since reported a pre-tax loss of £89.7million for the year to June 30, 2023, were referred to an independent commission by the Premier League for an alleged breach last month.
Everton are planning to appeal against their two-point deduction for a second breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The Toffees have already been hit by a six-point sanction this season relating to breaching PSR in the assessment period up to the 2021-22 season.
Everton have now been hit by a further punishment for the three-year cycle to 2022-23, dropping them one spot to 16th in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone.
The Premier League said in a statement: “An independent commission has given an immediate two-point deduction to Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSRs) for the period ending season 2022/23.
“Over a three-day hearing last month, the independent commission heard evidence and arguments from the club in respect of a range of potential mitigating factors for its admitted breach of £16.6million, including the impact of its two successive PSR charges.
“Having done so, the commission determined the appropriate sanction to be a two-point deduction, taking effect immediately.
“The independent commission reaffirmed the principle that any breach of the PSRs is significant and justifies, indeed requires, a sporting sanction.”
The written reasons show the Premier League felt five points was the appropriate starting place for a sanction, comprised of three for the PSR breach and two for exceeding the upper loss threshold by 15.8 per cent – £16.6 million.
But the independent commission knocked off two points as Everton had already been punished this season “for losses in years which overlap with the years at issue in these proceedings”.
A further point was reduced to a combination of the loss of sponsorship of Russian company USM and the fact the club admitted guilt at the first opportunity.
Despite that, Everton plan to appeal against the two-point punishment.
The Toffees said in a statement: “While the club’s position has been that no further sanction was appropriate, the club is pleased to see that the commission has given credit to the majority of the issues raised by the club, including the concept of double punishment, the significant mitigating circumstances facing the club due to the war in Ukraine, and the high level of co-operation and early admission of the club’s breach.
“Everton remains committed to working collaboratively with the league on all matters relating to PSR but is extremely concerned by the inconsistency of different commissions in respect of points deductions applied.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to the Fan Advisory Board and other fan groups for their submissions during this process, and to all Evertonians for their ongoing patience and unstinting support.
“The club and its legal representatives have begun the preparations to appeal the commission’s decision.”
Everton found out in February that their appeal against the punishment dished out in November for their first PSR breach had been reduced from 10 points to six.
The appeal board rejected seven grounds for mitigation put forward by the club, but did find the original commission made legal errors.
Last month fellow Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest were punished for their own PSR breach, leading them to be docked four points.
The Premier League said Forest admitted breaching those rules by £34.5m above their permitted threshold of £61m.
Forest are awaiting the results of their appeal.
Last month also saw Leicester referred to an independent commission by the Premier League for an alleged breach of PSR for the period ending 2022-23.
The Championship leaders went on to announce they had launched “urgent legal proceedings” against the Premier League and the EFL.
The Premier League has yet to issue an update on the 115 charges laid against Manchester City in February 2023 for alleged breaches of financial rules.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters told MPs in January that a date had been set and the case was “progressing”.
Everton have seven Premier League matches remaining this season and travel to Chelsea next Monday.
The club remains in the midst of a protracted takeover, with owner Farhad Moshiri recently saying the sale was in “the home straight” after first agreeing a deal with prospective owners 777 Partners last September.
Veteran Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admits he is nervous ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.
The record 14-time winners host the current holders in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
It is the third season in succession the two clubs have met in the knockout stages, with Real claiming a remarkable comeback victory in the 2022 semi-finals but City avenging that loss in emphatic fashion 12 months later.
The game will be Ancelotti’s 200th as manager in a competition he has won a record four times, but he recognises it will not be straightforward.
The Italian, whose side are eight points clear at the top of LaLiga, said at a press conference: “Yes, very nervous. The hours before a match are a time when you have to suffer.
“I was thinking the other day that defeat is suffering and victory is happiness, but it’s not that way. Victory is relief.
“It’s happiness if you win trophies, but an isolated victory is a relief.
“You’re calmer and happier the days after, but suffering is part of your job. It’s what keeps you alive. It’s fuel for me.”
The 64-year-old comes up against the manager perceived as the best of his generation in Pep Guardiola who, after his two previous successes with Barcelona, now has three Champions League triumphs to his name.
Ancelotti insists he is not interested in comparisons.
He said: “Guardiola is a great coach, I don’t care much about what they think of me. I care what my club thinks.
“But Guardiola is a great coach and there’s no doubt about that.”
Madrid took the lead in the first leg of last year’s tie but City hit back to claim a draw before winning convincingly 4-0 in the return at the Etihad Stadium.
Ancelotti said: “We didn’t play with courage and personality, which are fundamental aspects in this kind of game. We lacked that in the second leg.
“They put a lot of pressure on us up front and we didn’t find alternative solutions. We want to avoid these things in this tie.
“I’m confident we’re going to give our best. We have the quality to compete.
“We expect to be superior in some aspects and they will be superior in others.”
Madrid are a different proposition this season following the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has made a stunning impact in the Spanish capital.
Ancelotti said: “He’s having a very good season in the penalty box.
“He’s physically very strong and he’s helping us a lot in the defensive aspects and up front, to create space and provide movement.
“He’s very mature. He’s only 20 years old but he’s very professional, very serious and humble.”
Everton have been given an additional two-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The Toffees have already been hit by a six-point sanction this season relating to breaching PSR in the assessment period up to the 2021-22 season.
Everton have now been hit by a further punishment for the three-year cycle to 2022-23, dropping them one spot to 16th, two points above the relegation zone.
The Premier League said in a statement: “An independent commission has given an immediate two-point deduction to Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSRs) for the period ending season 2022/23.
“Over a three-day hearing last month, the independent commission heard evidence and arguments from the club in respect of a range of potential mitigating factors for its admitted breach of £16.6million, including the impact of its two successive PSR charges.
“Having done so, the commission determined the appropriate sanction to be a two-point deduction, taking effect immediately.
“The independent commission reaffirmed the principle that any breach of the PSRs is significant and justifies, indeed requires, a sporting sanction.”
Sarina Wiegman confirmed that Leah Williamson will start for England in their European Championship qualifier against Republic of Ireland.
The Arsenal defender is set to make her Lionesses comeback after nearly a year out following an ACL injury.
Williamson made the bench for England’s 1-1 draw against Sweden in Group A3 on Friday, but when asked if she would be starting against Ireland in a pre-match press conference, head coach Wiegman replied: “Yep.”
Tuesday’s game will be Williamson’s first for the Lionesses since a friendly against Australia last April and Wiegman highlighted the 27-year-old’s strengths.
“We’ve had hard choices to make in the team because I think the competitiveness is really high and we have many options in different positions,” she said.
“I think what Leah brings us is vision, in possession she’s just very bright and finds the right pass.
“The flexibility, the defence, being able to defend the space behind her together with everyone else, because defending doesn’t just start with one player, it starts with the team, and I hope Leah will bring that to the team tomorrow.”
Williamson’s England return was slightly delayed after she was forced to withdraw from the squad in February for friendly matches due to a hamstring strain, but she admitted her aim was to be “good enough” to return to the team.
“I’ve enjoyed watching the girls, I’ve enjoyed being part of that journey in a different way, obviously I’ve got people that play for the team who are very important to me,” Williamson said.
“It’s been a difficult journey, I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t the thing I’d had my focus on, this is where I wanted to get back to. I wanted to be good enough to get back into this squad, I’ve had some of the best memories of my life as part of this team.”
England began their qualifying campaign with a draw against Sweden after Fridolina Rolfo cancelled out Alessia Russo’s opener.
Ireland were narrowly beaten 1-0 by France in their opener on Thursday and Wiegman is determined not to underestimate them at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
“They were promoted to this group and I think don’t underestimate anyone, especially not Ireland,” she said.
“They’ve had a 1-0 result against France, that was really good. What we expect is they are a physical team and are very well-organised, so they can play the counter attack.
“You can try to take that opportunity and moments that they will probably jump and press out, so we have to be aware of that. We’re definitely going to think that’s hard to break down their defence.”
Williamson is also expecting a “disciplined” performance from Ireland, who are led by Arsenal team-mate Katie McCabe.
“I’m expecting them to be really disciplined in the way they defend, we saw a 1-0 result against France so I think it’s going to be a test for us to move the ball and move them, I see those battles,” Williamson added.
“Obviously they’ve got key players up top but also a strong defensive line as well, I know all those girls really well so it’s going to be a good one.”
Kobbie Mainoo says Manchester United need to start seeing out games and iron out little mistakes after Erik ten Hag’s side went close to a stunning win against rivals Liverpool.
Few expected anything other than a victory for Jurgen Klopp’s title challengers on Sunday, especially after Luis Diaz gave the visitors a deserved half-time lead at Old Trafford.
United had not so much as registered a shot until the 50th minute but when it arrived it did so in style and Bruno Fernandes’ audacious 45-yard goal sparked a marked improvement.
Mainoo went onto put the hosts ahead with an exquisite first senior goal at Old Trafford, only for Mohamed Salah’s penalty to seal Liverpool a late 2-2 draw.
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“To score my first goal at Old Trafford, it’s unbelievable,” the 18-year-old United academy graduate said.
“But, you know, ultimately we didn’t come away with the three points, so it doesn’t leave the best taste in my mouth.”
It is little wonder Mainoo was frustrated after the Old Trafford outfit blew a late lead for the third time in nine days.
United were on course for a smash-and-grab win at Brentford last weekend, only for Mason Mount’s stoppage-time strike to be followed by an even later Kristoffer Ajer equaliser as it ended 1-1.
Worse was to come when the Red Devils returned to west London on Thursday, recovering from two goals down to head into second half stoppage time leading before losing 4-3 against Chelsea.
Salah’s 84th minute equaliser was nowhere near as late but represented another missed opportunity for a side whose faint Champions League hopes continue to fade by the game.
“Definitely (there are positives),” Mainoo said of Sunday’s draw with Liverpool. “I feel second half we pulled together and we figured things out and we were much, much better.
“But seeing out games is what’s going to get us points and that’s what’s going to get us higher in the table, that’s what’s going to win us games, so these are things that matter.”
Asked how important it is that the kind of standards driven into him in United’s academy are retained at the highest level, Mainoo told MUTV: “Yeah, 100 per cent.
“That’s what wins you titles and that’s what wins you games, having these standards, having players in the changing room that make sure the rest of the team keep up to them standards, which we do.
“And so, I feel like it’s just the little things that we need to iron out. That’s what’s going to help us win these games.”
Mainoo’s magnificent strike was his third of a stunning breakthrough campaign.
Having returned from ankle ligament damage sustained in pre-season, the 18-year-old has not looked back since making his first Premier League start on November 26.
Mainoo made his full England debut just four months on, with his man-of-the-match display against Belgium putting him in with a great chance of going to this summer’s Euros.
The United midfielder’s inexorable rise shows no signs of abating and he is trying to take it in his stride.
“Enjoyable, tough but it’s playing for my boyhood club on the biggest stage,” Mainoo said of the season to date. “To be able to adapt and to have these fans and everything around it, I mean, I can’t complain.”
James Maddison wants Tottenham to be in the mix to win the Premier League this time next year after being left frustrated at missing out on this season’s “amazing” title race.
Spurs were top in November but a spate of high-profile injuries and suspensions resulted in Ange Postecoglou’s team lacking consistency during the winter months.
It contributed towards Tottenham being engulfed in a top-four battle with Aston Villa instead of the title race, but they could be kingmakers when it comes to deciding the champions.
Arsenal make the short trip across north London later this month, while Spurs face Liverpool and Manchester City in May.
However, Maddison has echoed the recent sentiments of Postecoglou and stated Tottenham want to be in the race next season.
“I’ve got no interest to be honest. We’ve got our own goals for the season and I’m not bothered,” Maddison said after Sunday’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
“If we end up winning games against teams that are in that race, it makes no difference. We’ve got a job to do.
“We are where we are and that is something that gives us good motivation to want to be in the title race next year, seeing how good it is this year.
“For sure, that’s definitely the feeling. That’s filtered down from the manager.
“It’s annoying really, listening to three teams go at it for the title and we’re not in it, especially after the start of the season we had.
“How exciting is the title race this season? It’s amazing, it’s brilliant for a neutral. My friends and family, everyone is locked into the Premier League every week at the minute because it’s such a good title race.
“Frustrating not to be a part of that but we are where we are and we have our own job to do.”
Tottenham took control of the battle for fourth spot with a victory over Forest, which saw them leapfrog Aston Villa on goal difference with a game in hand.
Micky van de Ven’s thunderous strike at the start of the second half sent Spurs on their way to a crucial win and continued the Dutch defender’s outstanding record since he arrived from Wolfsburg in August.
Van de Ven has won 13 of his 20 Premier League appearances and only lost one league fixture during that time when he has finished a game.
Maddison added: “Shooting is not his forte if you see him in training every day but we’ll take them ones that go flying into the top corner.
“He is a special player, he is top level and credit to the recruitment team because I had never heard of him before we signed him.
“The joke is on me really because a player of that calibre, I should probably have heard of in Europe.
“A brilliant player, a brilliant trainer, a brilliant lad and a really good guy.”
Maddison played a key role in Spurs’ third goal after being substituted in their previous two games with West Ham and Luton.
“I am very critical of myself,” the England international admitted.
“Maybe (I’m) not at the heights that won me player of the month at the start of the season, but I am so hungry and so critical of myself to work hard to try and get back to that level.
“I am not too far away, I feel good.”
Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry is relishing a reunion with mentor Mikel Arteta and has backed former club Arsenal to be one of European football’s leading sides for the foreseeable future.
Gnabry played alongside current Gunners boss Arteta under Arsene Wenger after joining the north London club in 2012 at the age of 16.
The Germany international, who is preparing to return to Emirates Stadium for Tuesday evening’s Champions League quarter-final first leg, has fond memories of being tutored by the Spanish tactician.
“He’s now fully absorbed in his role as coach and thinks very strategically,” Gnabry said of Arteta, speaking to Bayern’s website.
“In my time, he was already an experienced player. He was the captain, a leader who spoke to everyone and communicated a lot.
“He was very helpful to us as young players back then. He built us up, always gave us good tips, always tried to guide us so that we stayed focused and gave everything.”
Arsenal’s quest for European glory comes amid a thrilling three-way tussle for the Premier League title with Liverpool and Manchester City.
“Arsenal have had what it takes to play at the top again for a long time,” continued Gnabry.
“The team has a certain flair and exudes strength. The odds are probably 50-50.
“They’re formidable in their own stadium with their fans behind them. It will be a difficult task, with two strong teams coming up against each other.
“It’s a do-or-die game – that’s where we’re usually particularly strong. Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League would give us a huge boost. It’s our big goal.
“I’m really looking forward to it. During the draw, I said it was bound to happen. I’m extremely happy to be going there again after almost eight years.”
Gnabry has suffered an injury-hit season and, despite registering three goals in four Bundesliga appearances since his latest return, Bayern’s title defence has effectively ended.
He also endured a frustrating time with Arsenal, being restricted to just 10 Premier League appearances and spending an unsuccessful loan spell with West Brom before returning to his homeland with Werder Bremen in 2016.
The 28-year-old, who moved on to Bayern a year later, has no regrets about the bold choice he made as a teenager.
“That time had a huge impact on me,” he said.
“Daring to leave my familiar surroundings at 16 was a huge step, both on a personal and footballing level.
“Playing for a club like Arsenal was a great privilege at the time.
“Of course there were ups and downs, but I enjoyed my time there and got to know a lot of fantastic people. In the end, it was the right decision.”
Harvey Elliott still believes Liverpool can end Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign with the Premier League crown despite ceding control of the title race by slipping up at rivals Manchester United.
The Reds had control of a mammoth three-way title tussle after Manchester City and Arsenal fought out a forgettable goalless draw last weekend, but the dynamics changed at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Liverpool salvaged a 2-2 draw through Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick having failed to capitalise on their early dominance, with Luis Diaz’s effort all they had to show before Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo stunners.
“Jurgen’s cracking up” echoed around Old Trafford after a result that put Arsenal in the driving seat with seven matches remaining.
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Liverpool are level with them on 71 points but have a substantially worse goal difference, yet Elliott remains confident that they can end Klopp’s reign with his second Premier League title.
“We can’t be thinking about other teams and watching what they are doing and basing our games off them,” he said.
“We need to keep being selfish and keep getting three points on the board.
“We are in the best possible position to do it, we’ve got unbelievable fans behind us that will be backing us in each and every game until the end of the season. We have the team to do it, so who says we can’t?
“We just need to keep going and keep taking it game by game, making sure we are recovered both physically and mentally and keep going.
“It will be a tough finish but we just need to keep going.”
Elliott impressed off the bench at Old Trafford, where he won the penalty that allowed Salah to salvage a point in the 84th minute.
“It should have been all three,” the substitute told Liverpool’s website. “But I think at the same time we need to look at the game, and we were trailing.
“I think the boys showed unbelievable fight and courage to come back, to stay level-headed, stay in the game and get the equaliser.
“A point is better than nothing. We wanted the three points – there’s no doubt about that – but a point is better than losing.”
It was another pulsating meeting between the rivals, just three weeks on from United winning an FA Cup classic 4-3 at the end of extra-time.
Liverpool failed to take their chances that day, just as they did on Sunday having registered 28 shots.
On not being clinical enough at key stages of the game, Elliott said: “Absolutely. We had many opportunities.
“Whether it was the final pass or the finish, it just wasn’t there for us today but unfortunately that’s football. But the fight and desire to keep going until the final whistle was amazing.
“I think as a team, as a club with the fans as well backing us, in a stadium like this when it’s not easy at all, it’s a credit to everyone involved.
“We need to keep fighting because it’s going to be a very tough run now and we need to keep going.”
Manchester United conceded 28 shots for the second-successive Premier League game as they drew 2-2 with Liverpool on Sunday, echoing December’s meeting which somehow finished goalless.
Here, the PA news agency looks at United’s defensive record, with a focus on the clashes against their fiercest rivals.
Frustration for Liverpool
Liverpool have rained 62 shots on United’s goal in the league this season but have turned that into only two goals and two points as Erik ten Hag’s defence continue to defy statistical likelihood.
Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated December’s Anfield encounter with 34 shots to United’s six but only managed eight on target. Andre Onana saved well from Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, but arguably the hosts’ best chance fell to famously-scoreless defender Joe Gomez in the closing stages.
Sunday brough a near repeat of that performance, Liverpool with 28 shots to United’s nine. Again, though, only seven were on target for a total of 15 out of 62 across the two games, scoring only twice with one of those being a Salah penalty.
Throw in another 25 Liverpool attempts in the recent FA Cup tie at Old Trafford – also a 2-2 draw over 90 minutes before United won 4-3 following extra-time – and Liverpool have taken 87 shots in three games against United this season without winning any of them.
Under fire
Having gone 3-2 up on Chelsea last Thursday when Alejandro Garnacho scored in the 67th minute, United allowed their opponents to have the final 10 shots of a madcap game and paid the price as Cole Palmer scored in the 10th and 11th minutes of stoppage-time to complete his hat-trick and win the game.
Liverpool then had 15 without reply in the first half on Sunday and two early in the second period, meaning United had conceded 27 unanswered shots before Bruno Fernandes snapped that streak in style by equalising from 40 yards.
The Old Trafford side have now faced 252 Premier League shots in 2024 – far more than any other club. Brentford (227), West Ham (218), Sheffield United (212) and Luton (209) are the only other teams to face over 200 in that time, with only the Hammers of that quartet currently outside the league’s bottom five.
Chelsea, like Liverpool, had 28 total attempts against Manchester United but followed up with only six against Sheffield United, the league’s bottom club with a similarly wide-open style.
Over the whole season, United have faced 553 shots – just seven fewer than the Blades’ league-high total.
Despite that, the 46 goals Onana has conceded is the sixth-lowest total for any top-flight club this season, behind the top four of Arsenal (24), Liverpool (30), Manchester City (31) and Tottenham (45) as well as Everton (42).
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo bemoaned another poor refereeing decision after he felt James Maddison should have been sent off during their 3-1 loss at Tottenham.
Spurs playmaker Maddison was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Ryan Yates in the 44th minute, which ended with the Forest captain in a heap on the floor.
Yates urged referee Simon Hooper to review the incident and replays showed Maddison did catch the Forest midfielder with a whack to the stomach, but VAR decided not to take action when the score was still 1-1.
Nuno said: “It doesn’t look like he punched him, he punched him. I saw the image and that is why I speak to you.
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“I was surprised that VAR didn’t tell Simon to review it better because honestly with all my respects, Maddison loses his composure and it is a punch in the stomach of Yates.
“It should have been reviewed and a different decision. It is not a shirt with players that looks like nothing happens, no. No, it’s without the ball.
“So, there are two moments we mention (Chris Wood’s miss) in the first half that can change the game.
“I didn’t ask (Hooper), but I saw it. There is no problem in telling I didn’t see it the same way. We didn’t agree, me and VAR.”
Forest could have been ahead by this point but Wood, after he scored for a fourth consecutive match, hit the post from a matter of yards after Guglielmo Vicario had denied Yates in the 34th minute.
Spurs went on to score twice in quick succession after half-time through Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro to end Forest’s three-match unbeaten.
It also ensured Nuno endured an unhappy first return to Tottenham since his 2021 dismissal after only 17 matches in charge.
While the Portuguese described it as a “special” occasion, he insisted his full focus was on 17th-placed Forest improving their survival chances at home to Wolves – another of his old clubs – next week.
“It was a pleasure to work here at Spurs. It was an honour. Things didn’t work out and didn’t finish well. I keep going, Spurs keep on going,” Nuno reflected.
“It was special to come here. It is always special to come to a place where you worked, but it doesn’t take away the focus. My focus is on Forest and we have to do much better next week because we are in a tough fight.”
Adam Idah made a scoring Ibrox debut for Celtic in Sunday’s classic 3-3 draw with Rangers and is now looking forward to the final Old Firm league game of the season at Parkhead.
The 23-year-old Republic of Ireland striker, on loan from Norwich since January, replaced Kyogo Furuhashi in the 69th minute with the Hoops leading 2-1 through a Daizen Maeda goal after 21 seconds and a Matt O’Riley penalty in a dominant first-half.
Gers skipper James Tavernier reduced the deficit in the 55th minute from the spot as Rangers fought back.
Substitute Abdallah Sima’s deflected strike in the 86th minute levelled the game but a minute later Celtic broke and Idah drove low past Ibrox keeper Jack Butland for what looked like a winner with his sixth goal for the Hoops.
However, there was one twist remaining as Light Blues substitute Rabbi Matondo curled in the equaliser in the third of eight added minutes to keep Rangers one point behind leaders Celtic.
Philippe Clement’s side have a game in hand against Dundee away on Wednesday night but have still to visit Celtic Park after the split, a fixture which will be played, like at Ibrox, with home fans only in the ground.
Idah told CelticTV: “I was disappointed to not get the winner but look, we got a point at the end of the day and we’re happy with the point.
“Like I said, it’s frustrating not to get all three points but the boys dug in well, dug deep, performed well and we still have to play them at home.
“I thought the boys did excellent from start to finish and to get the early goal was amazing.
“It was crazy, my first time there was amazing. What the boys did without fans was fantastic.
“It was a good experience and now I am looking forward to playing them at home.
“We take each game as it comes now. We’ve got a game next Saturday (St Mirren) and that will be a good test for us and when this next game comes (against Rangers) I’m sure we’ll be ready for it.”
What the papers say
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insists he wants to keep Bruno Guimaraes “as long as he can”, reports the Daily Mirror. Paris St Germain are among the clubs interested in the 26-year-old Brazil midfielder.
Luton are increasingly keen on Blackburn striker Sammie Szmodics, according to The Sun. The Premier League club face competition from Brentford for the Republic of Ireland international, 28.
Arsenal have joined the clubs showing interest in young Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye, according to the Daily Mail. Manchester United and Bayern Munich are among the clubs weighing up a summer move for the 19-year-old Senegal defender.
United and Arsenal are also on course for a battle to sign Girona’s Miguel Gutierrez. The Old Trafford club are looking to beat their Premier League rivals to the Spanish left-back, 22, according to the Daily Mirror, via TeamTalk.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Anthony Martial: Inter Milan could target the Manchester United striker, 28, if they fail to lure Iceland forward Albert Gudmundsson, 26, from Genoa, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Everton will demand more than £40million for the 27-year-old England striker in the summer, according to Football Insider.
Inter Milan can take another huge step towards sealing the Serie A title when they face Udinese on Monday.
Simone Inzaghi’s side watched nearest rivals AC Milan cruise to victory over Lecce on Saturday to secure a fifth straight win.
But Inter have not blinked in the title race and can restore their 14-point lead by securing a 25th game unbeaten.
They appear set to have to do so without two of their key defenders, with the club’s player of the month Alessandro Bastoni and fellow centre-back Stefan de Vrij repoertedly set to miss out through injury.
Udinese are just two points above the relegation zone and manager Gabriele Cioffi is under no illusion as to how difficult a task they face against the runaway league leaders.
“(I expect) 200 per cent from the players, because it is the only way to leave the field with the points we need to move away from the lower areas of the table,” Cioffi said at his pre-match press conference.
“(We knew) this would be a difficult season, although we always hope to win every match 3-0.
“I believe that these types of challenges are the beauty of working as a coach. Points must be won by everyone: by the players, by the staff and by the club.”
Former Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis is sidelined while Lorenzo Lucca is suspended.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp saw Manchester United throw a spanner in the works of their bid to equal their arch-rivals’ record of 20 league titles, but he does not expect Erik ten Hag’s side to do them any favours when Arsenal come calling.
Klopp said he was “absolutely fine” with their situation after two dropped points in the title race after the 2-2 draw kept Arsenal top of the table on goal difference.
The Gunners are due at Old Trafford on the penultimate weekend of the season, but the Liverpool boss does not hold out much hope of a helping hand.
“Probably if we are still around then it would be great but Arsenal is a good football team and if they (United) play like they did today Arsenal will win that game, I’m 100 per cent sure,” said Klopp, whose side took just two points off United this season.
“I’m really sorry to say it, but we should have won both games and didn’t. That’s our fault.”
Mohamed Salah rescued a point with an 84th-minute penalty after the visitors failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance which brought only Luis Diaz’s opener.
A mistake by young centre-back Jarell Quansah allowed Bruno Fernandes to equalise with a lob over goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from the centre-circle before Kobbie Mainoo put the home side ahead.
“The feelings are obviously mixed. I’m happy with a lot of parts of the game, being 1-0 up at Old Trafford and having a 15-0 shooting stat (in the first half) is incredible. We should and could have been calmer and clearer in moments,” added Klopp, who was left to rue failing to capitalise on their first-half dominance.
“It (league position) matters after 38 matchdays. People and our supporters as well will tell us now we need to better our goal difference and go for that – that would be the dumbest thing we could do.
“We are who we are and we are how we are and that’s why we are in the race. I’m absolutely fine with that.
“We are fine with our situation. I wish we had more points, but I’m absolutely fine and over the moon actually that these boys brought us into that situation.
“The same boys who missed today a few chances are the boys who brought us 71 points.”
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was equally happy with how his side responded after being outplayed for large parts of the game.
“First half we lost the duels and our decision-making in the half spaces, we weren’t quick enough,” he said.
“We encouraged the team at half-time to win those duels. We didn’t take advantage in the first half and the second half we did.
“We needed a moment in the game to punish a mistake of Liverpool, but that got us back in the game.
“It (their second goal) was a very good team goal, a goal from out of the game plan, so I’m very proud the team could transfer this in the way we did to get the ball to the far-side half-space and then switch and then that finish was brilliant.”
Ten Hag also had praise for 19-year-old centre-back Willy Kambwala on only his second Premier League start.
“The decision? Old soldiers die and new have to come in. Already a long time he has been training with us and his progress is amazing during training, we didn’t have any doubt,” he added.
“We were convinced he could do the job, I’m very pleased he could do the performance. It’s another signal and message for Manchester United has high potential.
“If you have more players available, especially in the backline where we have had 27 combinations over the course of the season, the future will be very good.”
However, Ten Hag was not happy his side capitulated late on for the third successive game.
“It’s very disappointing when you put yourselves three times in the week in a winning position just before the end of the game, but then drop points,” he said.
“We have all seen some poor decisions. All three games had poor decisions and not every time the same players.
“We have to improve. The sooner the better.”
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