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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who made Opta's team of the season?
Statisticians Opta have come up with a Premier League team of the season based on data collected during the course of the campaign. Check out their XI below - and you can see Troy Deeney's team of the year here, too, with eight players the same. Nottingham Forest qualified for European football for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign and a significant reason for that was the performance of their defence. Goalkeeper Sels only kept one clean sheet in 16 games in 23-24 but this season he's been had 13, the joint most by a Forest goalkeeper in a Premier League season, level with Mark Crossley in 94-95. He also shared the accolade of the Premier League's Golden Glove award - the only other goalkeeper who could match his 13 clean sheets was Arsenal's David Raya. Sels made 120 saves - with only three goalkeepers making more - and enjoyed a save percentage of 72.1%, behind only Jordan Pickford among ever-present goalkeepers in 24-25. He also prevented 4.3 goals according to Opta's xGoT (expected goals on target) goalkeeping model. In his final season at Liverpool before a likely move to Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold signed off as a Premier League champion. He contributed to nine of Liverpool's 86 goals in 24-25 (three goals, six assists), with only two defenders involved in more over the course of the season. His exceptional passing ability was once again on show across the season. Among defenders, he ranked in the top three for each of: passes in the final third (673, 2nd) line-breaking passes in the final third (232, second) passes into the box (239, first) chances created (53, 3rd) big chances created (15, joint first), expected assists (7.4, first) expected assists in open play (6.2, first) It was another second-place finish for Arsenal - their third in a row since Saliba's debut in August 2022 - but yet again it was a superb individual season for the France centre-back. Only three central defenders kept more clean sheets than Saliba (12), while the Gunners conceded one goal for every 113 minutes he was the pitch, the best ratio of any central defender in the Premier League. Saliba was also second across all players for successful passes with 2,409 and he completed an incredible 94.6% of his pass attempts, the third best ratio on record by a player to attempt at least 2,000 in a season since 03-04 and the best by an Arsenal player in a single season in that time. The recent 1-0 win over Newcastle was also Saliba's 100th Premier League game and his 68th victory, equalling the record for wins in a player's first 100 Arsenal games and going level with Sol Campbell and Lauren. Van Dijk was so close to becoming the first player in Premier League history to play every single minute of two different title-winning seasons until he was given a rest for the 3-2 defeat to Brighton on 19 May. For a fourth consecutive season, the Dutchman completed the most passes of any Liverpool player in the Premier League, while this season he ranked top league-wide with 2,680. He remains incredibly effective in duels, winning 68.7% this season, ranking him top among players to contest at least 250, while aerially he also ranked first for percentage of aerial duels won, winning 119 out of 165 (72%). Although it was trophyless season for Manchester City, the performances of Gvardiol were one bright spark. Gvardiol ended the season as the joint-highest scoring defender with five goals, while only Steve Howey in 00-01 (six) has ever scored more among defenders for City in a Premier League season. Gvardiol was key in moving City into attacking areas, ranking second among defenders for both ball-carry distance (7,462 metres) and ball carry progress (4,215 metres). He also made 717 successful passes in the final third and 263 line-breaking passes in the final third - the most of any defender this season. Operating in a deeper lying role under manager Arne Slot, Gravenberch enjoyed a superb season and was an integral part of Liverpool's 24-25 title win, starting 37 of 38 games and featuring in all 25 victories. The Dutchman led all midfielders for interceptions (60), with his tally last bettered by a Liverpool midfielder in 15-16 (Emre Can, 62). He won possession back for his side on 193 occasions - the joint fourth best of any defensive midfielder in 24-25 - while in possession he completed the third-most passes of any midfielder (1,704) and made the most progressive carries of 10 or more metres of any defensive midfielder (118). Only Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard had more Premier League assists for Arsenal this season than Rice (seven), while his 59 chances created and 16 big chances created are his best personal totals in a league campaign. Arsenal's prowess from set-pieces is no secret and nor is Rice's role in it - he created 26 chances from set plays, with only three players creating more, while his expected assists figure from set plays led the way among all players (3.2). The England midfielder was also key in moving Arsenal upfield. He progressed the ball 2,740 metres with ball carries, the most of any Gunners player and third-most of any central midfielder. With 20 goals and seven assists, Mbeumo enjoyed a superb individual campaign, breaking the record for goals and assists combined by a Brentford player in a Premier League season. Only once did he go three appearances in a row without scoring or assisting. The Cameroon forward created 70 chances, also a record by a Bees player in one season, while it is a total that only four players bettered in 24-25, and his expected assists total of 9.3 was the joint best of any player. Mbeumo was also deadly in front of goal, finding the net with 23.5% of his shots (20/85), the best figure of any player to attempt at least 70 shots. He exceeded his expected goal (xG) total by more than seven goals (20 goals, 12.3 xG), the best overperformance in the entire division. He continued his excellent record in London derbies, too. Mbeumo scored against all six opponents (Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham) to become the first player in Premier League history to score against six different teams in London derbies in one campaign. Cunha's outstanding performances for Wolves this season have put him on the verge of a move to Manchester United. Despite Wolves not once entering the top half all season, the Brazilian contributed to 15 goals and six assists which helped them move clear of relegation. Only Raul Jimenez in 19-20 (17 goals, six assists) has ever been involved in more goals in a Premier League campaign for Wolves. Cunha is the first player since Charlie Austin in 14-15 for Queen's Park Rangers to get 20 or more goals and assists in a season where they never played a minute in the top half of the table. Among players to play 2,500 minutes in the Premier League this season, Cunha ranked top - per 90 minutes - for shots attempted (3.8), third for shots on target (1.5) and second for fouls won (2.5). Of his 15 Premier League goals - a joint record by a Brazilian player - five of them were from outside the box, the joint most of any player in 24-25 along with Bruno Fernandes, someone who may be his teammate come the start of next season. The records have tumbled for Isak in 24-25. Isak began the season on 31 goals but ended it with 54 and in the process became the leading Swedish Premier League scorer, overtaking Freddie Ljungberg's total of 48 with a double against Nottingham Forest in February. In that same game, Isak's two goals took him to 50 in just 76 appearances, the fastest any Newcastle player has reached 50 Premier League goals, breaking Alan Shearer's record of 87. The Sweden forward also achieved something else Shearer never managed - scoring in eight consecutive Premier League appearances, doing so between 4 December and 15 January. Isak was just the fourth player to achieve that feat after Ruud van Nistelrooy, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy. In December, Isak scored eight goals - more than seven clubs managed that month - and won the Player of the Month. Isak ended the season on 23 Premier League goals, the most by a Magpies player since Shearer's 23 in 01-02, and only Mohamed Salah scored more in 24-25. He needed just 46 shots on target to score those 23, with that the second-best conversion rate (50%) from shots on target of any Newcastle player to have 25 or more shots in a season since 03-04. Possibly the easiest choice of all time for a player's inclusion in a statistical team of the season, Salah enjoyed one of the finest individual seasons in Premier League history. Many of his astonishing records from 24-25 may not be beaten for many years. The Egyptian was involved in 47 Premier League goals (29 goals, 18 assists), a record in a 38-game campaign to overtake the 44 goal and assist seasons of Thierry Henry in 2002-03 and Erling Haaland in 2022-23. Including 42-game seasons, Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer had 34 goals and 13 assists in 93-94 and 94-95 respectively, which Salah matched with his equaliser against Crystal Palace on the final day. With these goals and assists totals, it's little surprise that Salah topped the charts outright for both metrics in 24-25, only the third time a player has achieved that, along with Cole in 93-94 and Harry Kane in 20-21. Salah scored and assisted in 11 different Premier League games this season, four more than any other player has done so in a season. Across Europe's big five leagues, it was the most since Lionel Messi did so 11 times in 14-15 for Barcelona. Sixteen of Salah's 29 Premier League goals were scored away from home, a joint record, while he also added 11 away assists, again a joint record. Salah's 27 is the most goals and assists combined away from home in one season. Although Salah did not beat topple the all-time assist record in a season of 20, all 18 of his assists came from open play - that's the second most behind Thierry Henry in 02-03 (20). Salah was also the Premier League's most creative player in open play, making 86 chances and most big chances (27) for his team-mates. Salah had the most shots (130), registered the best xG (25.4) and had the most touches in the opposition box (394).
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea LIVE Updates, watch live, score, analysis, highlights
NOTTINGHAM — With both teams chasing UEFA Champions League qualification heading into the final 90 minutes of the season, Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea should be a beauty here at the City Ground. MORE — Who needs what to qualify for Europe on the final day? Advertisement With stunning sunshine bathing the famous old stadium by the banks of the River Trent, Forest fans are full of confidence as they never expected to be in this position and they know they have to win and hope for help elsewhere to make the Champions League for the first time in 45 years. The pressure is all on Chelsea, who sit just one point above Forest in the table but know a win basically guarantees Champions League qualification. For live updates and highlights throughout Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea, check out PST's live blog coverage below. How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 11am ET Sunday Venue: City Ground — Nottingham TV Channel: USA Streaming: Watch live on Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea score: Kick off 11am ET Nottingham Forest lineup Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Sangare, Anderson; Gibbs-White; Elanga, Wood Chelsea lineup Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Neto
NBC Sports
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea LIVE Updates, watch live, score, analysis, highlights
NOTTINGHAM — With both teams chasing UEFA Champions League qualification heading into the final 90 minutes of the season, Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea should be a beauty here at the City Ground. MORE — Who needs what to qualify for Europe on the final day? With stunning sunshine bathing the famous old stadium by the banks of the River Trent, Forest fans are full of confidence as they never expected to be in this position and they know they have to win and hope for help elsewhere to make the Champions League for the first time in 45 years. The pressure is all on Chelsea, who sit just one point above Forest in the table but know a win basically guarantees Champions League qualification. For live updates and highlights throughout Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea, check out PST's live blog coverage below. How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 11am ET Sunday Venue: City Ground — Nottingham TV Channel: USA Streaming: Watch live on Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea score: Kick off 11am ET Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright at the City Ground Nottingham Forest lineup Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Sangare, Anderson; Gibbs-White; Elanga, Wood Chelsea lineup Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Neto
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Forest survive West Ham's frantic finale to set up crunch decider against Chelsea
On a weekend that will for ever be remembered for Crystal Palace giving hope to underdogs everywhere, Nottingham Forest continued their push against the established order by reviving their unlikely challenge for Champions League qualification with a restorative 2-1 win over West Ham. It was not all plain sailing at the London Stadium, where a wonderful late goal from Jarrod Bowen paved the way for a frantic and bad-tempered finale, but Forest are not going anywhere yet. They are a point off fifth-placed Aston Villa after battling to only their second win in eight games and will back themselves to finish the job when they host Chelsea in an almighty showdown at the City Ground next weekend. Advertisement Related: 'Finished on a high': Moyes hails Everton progress after Goodison Park farewell Do not bet against a side as resilient as Forest. Here they were playing for Taiwo Awoniyi, still recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery on a horrific abdominal injury, and proving that they have not been affected by Evangelos Marinakis's very public debrief with Nuno Espírito Santo in last weekend's draw with Leicester City. Opportunistic goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic carried them into a 2-0 lead and it was impossible not to admire the defiance when the game turned after Bowen scored, Forest forced to endure 17 minutes of added time and the points only secured when Matz Sels, one of their best players this season, made a superb save from Niclas Füllkrug. Perhaps there were signs of what was to come during a most un-Nuno start. Forest's rise has been built on parsimonious defending and rapier counterattacks but early jitters threatened to disrupt their plan. There was too much space for West Ham on the flanks and they almost went ahead with their first attack, Vladimir Coufal delivering from the right, Tomas Soucek's arcing header looping towards the top corner before Sels leapt to his left to make a remarkable flying save. Advertisement Forest were lifted by the return of Murillo from a hamstring injury, allowing the Brazilian to link up with Milenkovic in central defence, but they were having surprising problems with Coufal's raids from wing-back. The Czech Republic international pushed again in the seventh minute and almost marked his penultimate appearance for West Ham with his first goal for the club, only for Sels to push the defender's deflected shot wide. It was just as well that West Ham were no more convincing at the back. They wobbled under aerial pressure and should have been behind when a long throw reached Gibbs-White, who volleyed straight at Alphonse Areola from close range. Areola was soon extended again, responding sharply when Chris Wood ran on to a flick from Anthony Elanga and let fly from 25 yards. That was West Ham's goalkeeper showcasing the sharper side of his game. But while Areola's quality as a shot-stopper is not in doubt, he is less sure claiming crosses and even worse with the ball at his feet. Baiting the press? It is not really Areola's thing and that he is no Ederson was hammered home when he made a disastrous attempt to play out from the back in the 11th minute. Gibbs-White nipped in and whipped the ball into an unguarded net. While Gibbs-White ran off to celebrate by lifting a shirt in support of Awoniyi, the air went out of West Ham. They have not won once after conceding first this season and have struggled at home under Graham Potter, whose steady approach has had more success in away games. Advertisement Forest remained in control and they soon doubled their lead, although not before the VAR officials had done everything in their power to test the crowd's patience by spending six minutes checking whether Gibbs-White, who was standing marginally offside, was interfering with play when Milenkovic diverted Elanga's fizzing free-kick past Areola. Common sense eventually applied, the goal was given. But with Lucas Paquetá, Füllkrug and Carlos Soler on, West Ham fought back. Potter's substitutions had made them better, whereas Nuno's made Forest worse. Sels had to save from Soler and West Ham were back in it when Morato, who had come on to stiffen Nuno's defence, headed Paquetá's chipped cross to Bowen, who blasted a volley past Sels. The board showed 11 minutes of stoppage time. How Forest made their fans sweat. West Ham piled on the pressure and even went close to equalising, Sels repelling Füllkrug's header. Now for Chelsea.
Mint
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Soccer-Champions League chasing Nottingham Forest held by Crystal Palace
LONDON, May 5 (Reuters) - Nottingham Forest's quest for Champions League football next season suffered a setback when they were held to a 1-1 Premier League draw by Crystal Palace on Monday as Murillo cancelled out Eberechi Eze's penalty for the home side. The draw leaves Forest in sixth place in the table on 61 points from 35 games, two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea in the final Champions League qualification position. Mid-table Palace took the lead at Selhurst Park when Eze converted a penalty on the hour-mark after Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels had felled Tyrick Mitchell. Eze also hit the crossbar late on. The lead lasted four minutes before Neco Williams' shot was deflected into the Palace net by defender Murillo, who limped off shortly afterwards with a hamstring injury that could see him miss Forest's run-in to the end of the campaign. "It was a game of two halves," Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports. "First half we controlled the game. Second half we started good but then Palace reacted. It was good for us that we achieved the goal so soon after the (Palace) score. "The final games (of the season) are going to be like this, nervous games, tight games. Everybody is fighting for something. It is up to us to react." Palace have still not beaten Forest in the top division since 1991 but stepped closer to their Premier League record points total of 49. They have 46 with three games to play. "We had quite a few chances at the end," Eze said. "I thought we were going to take it, but I think a point, we'll take it. We're positive, we know we put in a good performance." It took almost 35 minutes for Palace to have the first effort on goal when Daniel Munoz's volley from 10 yards was well saved by Sels. Palace were awarded a penalty on 60 minutes when Mitchell was felled by the out-stretched leg of Sels for what looked a clear penalty, though it took a Video Assistant Referee to confirm it. Eze, who missed a spot-kick at Newcastle United last month, swept the ball into the left corner, just past the out-stretched arm of Sels. Forest were soon level though as a corner was cleared to Williams on the edge of the box and his low shot was intentionally deflected into the net by Murillo. Eze's curling shot from 30-yards smashed against the crossbar late on, while his shot was turned into the Forest net by Eddie Nketiah, but the latter was offside. (Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Pritha Sarkar) Selhurst Park England Crystal Palace Nottingham Forest First Published: 6 May 2025, 03:12 AM IST
