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Keith Hackett Drops Verdict on Michael Keane’s Yellow Card v Man City

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Former PGMOL chief and Premier League referee Keith Hackett has cast an intriguing verdict on whether Michael Keane’s yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Jeremy Doku should have been upgraded to a red card during Everton’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Manchester City on Monday night.

The result at the Hill Dickinson Stadium could have provided the title race with its ultimate turning point, as Arsenal are back in the driving seat for their first gold finish in 22 years. City took the lead through Jeremy Doku, but a brace from Thierno Barry and a header from Jake O’Brien forced Pep Guardiola’s side to fight back and just about earn a point at the death.

It means the Cityzens snatched something from the jaws of defeat. But perhaps they may feel hard done by that they weren’t given a numerical advantage by Michael Oliver on the cusp of halftime. Had Keane been given a red card, then it could have been game over.

Hackett Casts Verdict on Keane’s Tackle on Doku

michael oliver

“Michael Keane was fortunate to stay on the field of play, Hackett explained during an interview with Footy Insider. He continued (watch the full explanation below):

“Had referee Michael Oliver shown a red card, I don’t think there would have been any arguments. However, he has deemed this as reckless, and I think what has saved him is the fact the challenge is low down and, as a result, he has seen it as not serious foul play.”

Intriguing Take on Whether it Would Have been Allowed in World Cup

Everton

Journalist Henry Winter was critical of the call, saying: “Football needs a long look at itself, its laws, its consistency of application, officiating standards and use of VAR when you can pull an opponent’s hair and get a three-game ban and go in hard on an opponent, endangering them, [Michael] Keane on [Jeremy] Doku, and get just a yellow.”

Hackett then replied to this comment, agreeing with the football writer’s point of view. He said it was not a mistake by Oliver, but would have been a red card in the World Cup. He wrote (see the full exchange below):

“Henry, you are spot on with your observation. Had Oliver issued a straight red, then VAR would not have got involved.

Under the current interpretation by the PGMOL, they put Keane’s challenge in the reckless yellow card bracket. These will be outlawed in the World Cup and given a red”.

One X user, in disagreement with Hackett’s opinion, argued that it was “never a red”, going on to claim that the tackle was “low and not excessive” for a contact sport. In response, the 81-year-old added: “It is the minimum yellow card bracket – reckless. Definition of reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned.”

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Why Arsenal Will Not Lift Premier League Trophy During Bus Parade

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Details have emerged about the upcoming Arsenal bus parade to celebrate their Premier League title. Interestingly enough, it has been confirmed that the club will not lift the trophy during their nine-kilometre celebration route.

The Gunners were able to put to bed 22 years of hurt as they finally lifted the Premier League on Sunday. Their success was confirmed after Manchester City drew against Bournemouth earlier that week, making a trip to Crystal Palace a formality.

Mikel Arteta’s men were still able to pick up a 2-1 win, to finish the season with 85 points, seven points and one place ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side, but the main focus was on the trophy lift at the end of the game. Martin Odegaard led the celebrations, becoming the first Arsenal captain to hold the trophy aloft since Patrick Vieira in 2004.

However, he will not do the same on the title bus parade.

Arsenal Will Not Lift Premier League Trophy at Emirates

Premier League title shown with Arsenal ribbons of red and white

The event is scheduled to happen in north London on 31 May. A club statement has already explained: “We are delighted to announce that we will come together with our supporters and community for a special parade around our home borough of Islington, starting from 2pm on Sunday 31 May, to celebrate our title.”

The Gunners, of course, could have two trophies to celebrate with if all goes to plan. Indeed, the night before, Arsenal will take on Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest as they aim to win the Champions League final for the first time in their history.

Regardless of the result, however, there will be no official trophy lifting moment on the parade route. As explained by the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, this is due to the huge numbers expected during the celebrations. They said:

“The parade is over 9km long. No trophy lift at the end or at town hall due to expected numbers. Therefore, there is no advantage in crowding into one area and you are advised to spread along the whole route.”

Police Expect at Least 500,000 People to Attend Arsenal Bus Parade

Both Arsenal and local police are expecting at least 500,000 people to show up for the event. For context, there were an estimated 100,000 gathered at the stadium last Tuesday after Man City drew with Bournemouth, confirming the win. Aston Villa had approximately just 50,000 at their parade after winning the Europa League, while the official estimate for the City parade – celebrating Pep Guardiola and the two domestic cups they won this season – was 6,000, plus a further 14,000 in the Co-op Arena later.

It would not be a surprise if figures were actually well over that 500,000 mark either. The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust also revealed that there will be road closures near the Emirates Stadium from 4am Sunday morning, due to the number of attendees at the title parade. Fans are advised not to park anywhere nearby if they want to access their car later on the same day.

They then added that there will be no event at the stadium on the day of the parade. What’s more, the club’s official shop, the Armoury, will also be closed.

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Man Utd Eye £100m Aston Villa Forward Morgan Rogers

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Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox and manager Michael Carrick both want to sign a Premier League forward in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have been heavily focusing their recruitment on signing a new midfielder in the summer, but there’s no doubt they’ll be looking to strengthen in other positions.

Qualifying for the Champions League was a huge achievement for the club, but it comes with the need to spend significantly in the market.

Not only do United need better players in order to deal with the stronger opposition, they also need a deeper squad.

Signing a versatile forward could be a useful option for them, and it appears multiple members of the team are keen on signing one player.


Michael Carrick


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Man Utd Want ‘Superstar’ Forward

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks on after Premier League win against Nottingham Forest

According to a fresh report from talkSPORT, Manchester United are interested in signing Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers ahead of the summer transfer window.

Director of Football Wilcox is known to be an admirer of the England international, but he’s not the only one.

A previous report claimed that if Carrick was appointed as the permanent manager of United, their number one target could change to Rogers in the summer window.

With multiple figures at United who are involved in the recruitment strategy in favour of signing Rogers, it will be interesting to see if they make a move.

Rogers Could be Expensive Addition for United

Morgan Rogers

Although Rogers would be a huge signing for United if they can get a deal over the line, it’s certainly not going to be cheap.

The report from TalkSport claims that a bidding war could drive Rogers’ price up to around £100m, which is a huge fee even in the modern era.

Rogers, described as a ‘superstar’, is attracting interest from a host of clubs this summer, so it’s never going to be an easy deal for United to complete.

It will be interesting to see whether the England international does leave Villa in the coming weeks and months, as the £100m asking price could put people off.

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Liverpool Open Talks to Sign Yan Diomande

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Liverpool are in talks over a deal to sign star forward Yan Diomande this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds had a disappointing campaign in the Premier League and Champions League, finishing fifth in the top flight after conceding a record number of goals and losing 13 games, while they were eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain, losing both legs of the tie.

The Anfield club are now planning major upgrades during the summer transfer window as they look to replenish their squad, and talks have begun for their first big signing.

Liverpool Open Talks for Yan Diomande

Yan Diomande

Diomande, who has been described as ‘lethal’, has been one of the breakout stars of the 2025/26 season with RB Leipzig, registering 13 goals and eight assists in all competitions in his first season with the club.

The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after attackers in Europe ahead of the transfer window, and the Bundesliga club have slapped an £87m asking price on his head as a result, while they have also offered the Ivorian a new contract to boost his wages and include a release clause, in order to keep hold of him for another season.

But Liverpool are keen to get a deal done to bring him to Merseyside as they search for long-term replacements for Mohamed Salah, and they have now opened talks with the player’s camp to find an agreement.

Diomande has previously revealed that it is his dream to move to Anfield, having grown up as a Liverpool fan, but the club are also looking at alternative options just in case a deal cannot be done.

Paris Saint-Germain also have a strong interest in Diomande, and have also opened talks over a deal.

Diomande a Legend in the Making

Yan Diomande

While it may be early in the career of Diomande, he has all the attributes and quality to become a true legend at Anfield.

Liverpool fans love having tricky wingers who can get them off the edge of their seat and provide excitement, and Diomande is someone who can do just that, and more.

The massive transfer fee may prove to be a bit of a hurdle, but the club showed last summer that they are not afraid to splash the cash if they feel it’s the right thing to do. Diomande would be the spark this squad needs, and it could be a huge statement signing this summer.


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Liverpool have made their decision.

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