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After such tragic news, your regular football fodder feels rather trite, but there was action on the field yesterday, including a win for Liverpool’s men’s team in Merseyside derby against Everton. Here’s a quick recap:
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Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike scored to in that 2-1 win over Everton that maintains Liverpool’s perfect start to the season
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Jack Grealish and David Moyes criticised referee Darren England over the amount of stoppage time in the derby
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A fiery clash at Old Trafford saw Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1, in game where Robert Sanchez was dismissed after five minutes and Casemiro scored before later seeing red himself
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Spurs fought back from 2-0 down at Brighton to draw 2-2
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Fulham beat Brentford 3-1 in an all-West London clash at Craven Cottage
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Wolves continued their miserable early season form, taking a 1-0 lead before slumping to a 3-1 defeat at home to Leeds
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The pressure on Graham Potter mounts as his West Ham side lost 2-1 at home against Crystal Palace
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Burnley drew with Nottingham Forest, meaning Ange Postecoglou is still seeking his first win since taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo
A number of high-profile figures paid tribute to Beard after news of his passing broke last night.
USWNT boss Emma Hayes, who took over from Beard as Chelsea manager in 2012, wrote on Instagram: ‘Can’t quite compute this. Absolutely one of the best humans. Always available for a chat, one of the good guys. A champion in the women’s game and a top bloke. So gutted for his family.’
Arsenal and Canada forward Olivia Smith, who Beard signed at Liverpool wrote that she ‘wouldn’t be where I am without you.’
Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly, who was managed by Beard at West Ham added: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking. A truly special man with a heart of gold. RIP Beardy.’
England striker Alessia Russo described Beard as the ‘Warmest guy with the biggest heart.’
Matt Beard, former manager of Liverpool Women, dies aged 47
Unfortunately I have to start the day with the tragic news of the death of Matt Beard, the manager who guided Liverpool to two Women’s Super League titles in his first spell at the club and took them back to the top flight after returning for a second term. The club confirmed the passing of the 47 year old in a statement on Saturday evening: “Liverpool Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time.
“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
Beard’s wife, Deb, wrote on social media: “It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight [Saturday] at 7.28pm. He is a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was the most amazing, caring man who was loved by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him.
“All of our family kindly ask for time to grieve in peace at his loss. We will love you forever, you absolute legend.”
Our thoughts are with Beard’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
Preamble
Good morning and welcome to Sunday’s Matchday live, where we will be building up to three matches in the Premier League today, including the heavyweight clash between Arsenal and Manchester City at 4.30pm (BST). Before then we have two fixtures in the early slot, Bournemouth v Newcastle and Sunderland v Aston Villa.
Manchester United v Arsenal is certainly the pick of the four games in the WSL today, that’s a 2.50pm (BST) kick-off. before then we also have Brighton v West Ham, Chelsea v Leicester and Aston Villa v Liverpool.
I shall be bringing you team news and buildup to all of those fixtures, plus other bits from the world of football, as well as taking your emails and comments, so get in touch via the link at the top of the page or below the line at the bottom.
