AG's Football Reports

Lee Bowyer was delighted after watching Charlton beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground.  Lyle Taylor’s first-half strike secured three crucial points in their battle against relegation with their first win on the road in 13 attempts.  “From start to finish we were better than them. They created the odd chance here and there – but they are a good side – not many sides have taken four points from Forest this season, especially to come here and get three. The Charlton boss was disappointed that his side did not win the game by a much more comfortable margin. “For me, it should’ve been more. The only criticism I have is that we should’ve won by more.” Naby Sarr has been on the end of criticism from his manager this season but the Charlton chief was full of praise for his defender after this showing, as it was his wonderful ball that led to Taylor’s strike midway through the first half. “We had to be brave on the press – if Naby wasn’t brave on the press then ...

Aiden McGeady didn't travel to the BET365 Stadium on Saturday due to illness, Lee Bowyer has confirmed.  The midfielder who joined the Addicks on loan from Sunderland on Transfer Deadline Day has yet to play for the club, he was in the bench for victory over Barnsley but was not brought on.  Speaking to London News Online Bowyer said “He was ill on Wednesday, Thursday.  He trained yesterday but he wasn’t right. He was desperate to travel, that’s why he trained, but he just wasn’t right. It would be the wrong thing to do, to bring him up here as he was ill.” David Davis joined the club on loan from Birmingham during the window and he made his first start in the defeat at Stoke and Bowyer was pleased with what he saw from the midfielder. “I thought he did OK, I thought he won the ball when he got booked and they scored from the set-piece. His momentum took him into the player but that’s part of the game. So, I thought the foul was harsh on him and the ye...

Mason Bennett and Ryan Leonard are both set to feature for Millwall's under 23's today as both step up their recovery from injury.  Both players are set for 45 minutes each with the U23's today so that they have a chance of playing in the first teams' fixture against Fulham on Wednesday.  Millwall manager Gary Rowett took the decision not to put either player on the bench for yesterday's 2-0 defeat against West Brom at The Den. Rowett told London News Online "The plan is for them to play 45 minutes. I just felt they haven't had quite enough training exposure for them not to be a risk in the game [against West Brom], and I didn't want to do that.  "We could've put both into the squad so that we had maybe a stronger chance of a result, but both would have been at risk. Even though it looks a little bit like holding people back I have got to make sensible decisions.  “If I feel like they are up ...

Another season has come to an end. This is the period where you will see managers come and go and players come in and depart clubs. The 2018/19 has now come to and end and Brighton finished in 17th place. I believe that if you had offered that to them most Brighton fans would have accepted a third successive season of Premier League football. Add onto that, The Seagulls also made the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Chris Hughton has paid the price for Brighton's poor form in 2019. This decision however, seems extremely harsh. Here is his overall record in charge of the club. Games: 215 Wins: 88 Draws: 57 Defeats: 70 That works out to a win percentage of around 40% that is not bad for a team that's budget is pennies compared to some in the Premier League. Brighton staying in the top flight is an achievement in its self and something that should not be looked over.  Hughton took over at Brighton back in 2014 when the club was struggling at the bottom of t...

Is tonight the night we get a clearer picture as to where the Premier League trophy is going?  Manchester City will return to the top of the Premier League table this evening with victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Only a win will take the Champions back to the summit, anything else puts the title in Liverpool's hands. United themselves have a battle on their hands. After Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Everton the Red Devils are 6th in the table and trail Chelsea by there points in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.  After the embarrassment of Sunday's defeat at Goodison Park, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the Derby is the best fixture for a reaction. "It was the best game we could ask for now. The players are hurting. We had a meeting after the game and you could see all the players were really hurt by that performance and the City game is perfect." Said the United boss in his pre-match press conference.  Pep Guardiola ha...

Manchester City moved back to the top of the Premier League after beating Spurs 1-0 at the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.  Here are some talking points from the game.  City strike early Just like in mid-week City got off to a flyer. The intensity that they start games with especially at home is a very positive thing. That is something that could be very key in their remaining league games. Going into Wednesday's nights Manchester Derby should they score early you feel it could be a long night for the red side of the City.  Phil Foden scores his first Premier League Goal It was a lovely moment for the young man to score on just his second Premier League start. He came into the side to replace David Silva and showed exactly why there is so much hype around him. The way he passed the ball around and created chances for his teammates shows he can have a very positive future whether he stays in Manchester or moves abroad.  Phil Foden celebrates scoring h...

MANCHESTER CITY put Wednesday's Champions League disappointment behind them after beating Spurs 1-0 to put the pressure back onto Liverpool in the title race.  (C) Manchester City  City came flying out of the blocks right away. It didn't take long to get in front. Bernando Silva's cross found Sergio Aguero, who had too much space in the box and headed across goal for Phil Foden who headed in from close range after just five minutes.  That was Foden's first Premier League goal on his second ever Premier League start. City continued to create chances but failed to take them. Aguero thought he was in after being played through by Bernando Silva but he was flagged offside.  Paulo Ganzaniga came into the starting lineup as one of five Tottenham changes. He however, was looking fragile. He made a number of errors that only gave City confidence. Trying to chip the ball over a player five yards out was one of a number of things the keeper attempted that c...