LiveScore Daily: Today’s football news in bite-sized chunks

Gavin Glicksman
LiveScore
Mason Mount is confident things are looking up for Chelsea
Mason Mount is confident things are looking up for Chelsea

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Moving on up

Mason Mount believes Saturday's goalless draw at Liverpool is proof Chelsea are heading in the right direction under Graham Potter. 

Having beaten Crystal Palace 1-0 earlier this month to snap a disappointing run of results, the Blues headed to Anfield with renewed optimism. 

And after watching new signing Mykhailo Mudryk make an impressive debut from the bench, Mount is confident the good times are set to return to Stamford Bridge. 

The England midfielder, 24, said: "We played good football, we could have scored a few, so I think from where we've been recently this was a step in the right direction. 

"It was a positive game for us and we’ll learn a lot from it as well.

"Anfield is a difficult place to go, one of the toughest places in the world to play, and we knew we had to be at the top of our game. I think for the majority of the game we were. 

"Obviously a few times you're going to be under pressure. Like the second half, at the beginning, we felt under pressure, but you have to deal with that and I think we're confident in the way we wanted to play. 

"We want to continue to keep getting better, that’s the goal for us. We don't want to be in mid-table, we want to be at the top.

"I know that it's been tough recently, but we'll get through it and we'll come out the other end and be even stronger for this moment. So we need to keep it up."

Due to their early FA Cup exit, Chelsea will not be in action again until February 3 when they host Fulham at the Bridge. 

Howe eyes silverware

Eddie Howe wants to lead Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory
Eddie Howe wants to lead Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory

Eddie Howe has told Newcastle that reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals "isn't enough". 

The Magpies travel to Southampton for the first leg tomorrow as they chase their first piece of domestic silverware in nearly 68 years.

And Howe, 45, is desperate to end the club's long wait for a trophy. He said: "We're delighted to be where we are but the semi-final itself isn't enough, I don’t think it's enough for anybody.

"To say you got to a semi-final is nothing. Ultimately, you want to get one step further, I know the players feel the same way. 

"Me and my coaching team feel passionately about it that we want to make the final but we have to navigate these two games, they're going to be very difficult. 

"We're desperate for the next step but we have to take our mind off that really and focus on the process and the job — and the job is to go to Southampton and perform."

Far from over

Arsenal legend Bob Wilson is loving his former club's surge to Premier League glory but admits the title race is far from over. 

The Gunners are five points clear of closest rivals and defending champions Manchester City with a game in hand. 

But Wilson, 81, who made more than 300 senior appearances for the North Londoners, is taking nothing for granted.

Speaking to Radio 5 Live, he said: "They've only played 19 games, there are 19 to go — that's 57 points still up for grabs.

"This is far from finished, it's incredibly exciting and very good for the football world generally. The book is only halfway read.

"You think of how close Manchester City could be and how close everything is at the top of the league — I think it will go down to the wire.

"I’m just in awe and privileged to see what I am seeing."

Old Trafford return

Old Trafford will host Manchester United's Women's Super League clash with West Ham on March 25. 

Marc Skinner's team currently sit top of the table after Rachel Williams' 87th-minute winner secured three points at Reading yesterday.

And the United boss cannot wait to see his side back in action at the Theatre of Dreams. He said: "Our entire group of players and staff are extremely excited to perform in front of our incredible fans at Old Trafford for the second time this season. 

"As the women's game continues to grow, we are delighted that this great football club remains at the heart of it and offer another wonderful opportunity for fans — both old and new — to experience a Manchester United women's game on the biggest stage."

Back at St Mary's

Southampton have recalled defender Jan Bednarek from his loan spell at Aston Villa.

The Poland international, 26, moved to Villa Park last summer but made just four appearances for the Midlands outfit.

He has now returned to St Mary's to help Nathan Jones' squad as they battle to stay in the Premier League. 

Bednarek has played 153 times for the Saints since joining from Lech Poznan in 2017.

Tight at the top

Sue Smith is enjoying watching the WSL title race unfold
Sue Smith is enjoying watching the WSL title race unfold

Lionesses legend Sue Smith believes the Women's Super League title race is too close to call. 

Manchester United top the table on goal difference from defending champions Chelsea, with Arsenal three points behind in third. 

And Smith, who was capped 93 times by England, said: "It's so hard to predict. At the start of the season I think I went with Arsenal. 

"I looked at their squad and how they’d progressed under Jonas Eidevall but the injuries they've had — losing Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead — they've been so unfortunate.

"It's so hard to look past Chelsea because they've got that depth in their squad and they've done it before. They have a winning mentality. 

"And then you've got Manchester United doing all they can to keep themselves in the title race. 

"If you asked me now, I'd say Chelsea but next week I'll probably say Arsenal and maybe the week after that United. 

"But it's great the league is more competitive than it's ever been and we now just want to invest in the other teams in the league to make it as competitive as we possibly can."

Tags

Premier LeagueChelseaWomen’s Super LeagueManchester UnitedManchester United WomenNewcastle UnitedSouthamptonArsenalEFL CupAston Villa