04/02/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | FEB 4, 2026

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Salah’s final curtain call Egyptian’s time at the top coming to an end, says Rooney W AYNE ROONEY believes Mohamed Salah’s time at the top is coming to an end amid his struggles in front of goal this season. have since been ironed out, Rooney is convinced that Salah, now 33, has passed the point of no returns in his career. When asked if the Salah era was over, he said on The Wayne Rooney Show : “It will be at the end of season, you’d imagine. Ű BY WILL CASTLE

People don’t want us to win, says Rodri MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Rodri has voiced strong criticism of refereeing standards, asserting that officials “have to be neutral” following a contentious decision during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham. The Spanish international specifically targeted the allowance of Spurs’ first goal, which he believes was a clear foul. City had initially established a com manding two-goal lead in the first half through strikes from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, positioning them selves to narrow the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to four points. However, Tottenham mounted a spirited comeback, with Dominic Solanke credited for both of their goals, including a spectacular backheel in the 70th minute. It was Solanke’s initial goal, scored eight minutes into the second period, that ignited fury from both Rodri and manager Pep Guardiola. Speaking to Australian broadcaster Stan Sport , Rodri stated: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair. It’s not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these deci sions, we have to move on. “Of course you need to come back but at the end, when everything is fin ished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear the foul. He kicked the leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in. “We have to pay attention to these little things otherwise it’s going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this – it’s about small details and everything counts, so I think today is a very tough day for us in this sense.” The midfielder also recalled other recent decisions, including a disallowed goal by VAR in their 2-0 Carabao Cup vic tory over Newcastle, and Diogo Dalot avoiding a red card during City’s Manchester derby loss. Last weekend, referee Farai Hallam had declined to award City a penalty against Wolves, despite being advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. Reflecting further after seeing replays, Rodri added: “I don’t know how to feel. Now I see the images. On the pitch you don’t see. It’s a clear foul in the first action of the goal. It’s a clear foul and VAR is (there) for a reason. “These small details make the differ ence. We’re trying to do our best, it’s the first goal they scored and maybe if they don’t score the goal, we win the game.” – The Independent Ű BY GEORGE SESSIONS

what I feel anyway.” Salah has scored just six goals across all compe titions this season, with his drop in output coincid ing with Liverpool’s disastrous title defence which saw them go on their worst run of form in over 70 years. He was benched for four consecutive League games before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, sparking the Egyptian to go on a tirade against Slot and Liverpool hierarchy where he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus”. That incident threw his Liverpool future into doubt but he has remained at the club throughout the January window despite reignited talk of a move to Saudi Arabia. He has been restored to the starting line-up since returning from Morocco, scoring his first Liverpool goal in over two months against Qarabag in the Champions League last Wednesday. – The Independent

“I think he’s incredible player in what he’s done for the Premier League and for Liverpool. One of the best to ever play in the Premier League, I think. But I just think, unfortunately, his legs have gone a little bit. “I watched him in the African Cup of Nations as well, and he’s not moving as well or as he was quick as he used to, which is no fault of his own. That hap pens to players. I think you’ve probably seen the end of him from the summer on. “I think it’s there for everyone to see and it was the same with Virgil van Dijk at the start of the sea son, that form’s carried on throughout the season really. He’s not really had a great season, so that’s

Salah has been Liverpool’s trusted talisman for coming up to nine years and sits as the club’s third highest all-time goalscorer with a tally of 251. The Egyptian showed no signs of slowing down during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign last term, equalling the all-time record for the most goal involvements in a Premier League single campaign as he racked up 47 goals and assists, a benchmark previously set by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. But after penning the winger down to a new two year contract last April, Salah has seen his perform ances take a stark dip, leading to Reds manager Arne Slot dropping him from the starting XI in November. While the rift caused by that decision appears to

Black Cats rout ‘childish’ Burnley

BURNLEY manager Scott Parker blasted his “childish” players after a dismal 3-0 defeat at Sunderland pushed the Premier League strug glers closer to relegation yesterday. Regis Le Bris’ side took the lead through an own goal from Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe early in the first half at the Stadium of Light. Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra increased Sunderland’s stranglehold before the break with his first League goal since arriving from Strasbourg last year. Chemsdine Talbi’s second half rocket ensured Sunderland climbed to eighth place to maintain their impressive return to the top-flight. The Black Cats are unbeaten at home in the Premier League since winning promotion from the Championship last season. Second-bottom Burnley are 11 points from safety and winless in 15 games as they slump towards an immediate return to the second tier. A defeat against third-bottom West Ham this Saturday would be another huge blow to Burnley’s faint survival hopes. “We were just nowhere near it really. We were never in this game in any aspect. We looked like a childish team that had no intent about us,” Parker said. “I didn’t see a team with purpose or that came to make a mark. I under stand that we are in a difficult moment, but in this division, more than ever, we need to reboot. “We are running out of time. We sit where we sit for a reason. We must try and come back stronger and

keep improving.” Burnley defender Kyle Walker ech oed Parker’s damning assessment. “Terrible. We’ve come here to get something from the game and got nothing, so as a club that’s fighting for survival it’s not acceptable,” he said. “It’s 22 men on a football pitch, it’s about who wants it more and they wanted it more than us.” Asked if Sunderland could push for a place in Europe, Le Bris said: “For me, the target remains the same. The first target is around 40 points, maybe more. “We are a newly-promoted side and we feel that we can change the momentum. The league is tough. For us, go to 40 and see if we can get more.” – AFP

Burnley boss Scott Parker.

Sunderland’s Chemsdine Talbi (centre) is mobbed by teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the English Premier League match against Burnley at The Stadium of Light yesterday. – AFPPIC

Romero criticises Tottenham’s ‘disgraceful’ squad shortage

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR captain Cristian Romero said it was “disgraceful” that only 11 fit players were available during their 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester City on Sunday. Romero had to withdraw at halftime due to ill ness with Pape Matar Sarr coming on in his place, as the North London club overcame the two-goal deficit in the second half to salvage a point. “Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were incredible,” Romero wrote in a post on Instagram yesterday. “I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only

(staying calm). “What I like and what I think is truly important is when your back is against the wall as a team and a group you need to fight - you can never give up. I love that never say die attitude from the players and the fans were massive for us. “That never says die attitude which I think has been in the team. The mentality is building stronger, and stronger.” Tottenham, who are 14th in the Premier League table with 29 points in 24 games, will face Manchester United on Saturday at Old Trafford. – Reuters/Express Newspapers

also been sidelined due to injuries. Striker Richarlison and defender Pedro Porro are also dealing with hamstring strains, while mid fielder James Maddison has been out of action since last August due to a ligament tear. The club signed midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, along with the 19-year-old Brazilian defender Souza from Santos in the January window, but sold last season’s top scorer Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace. Spurs manager Thomas Frank praised his squad’s determination at the weekend. Speaking after the comeback, he remarked: “It is not easy

had 11 players available – unbelievable but true and disgraceful. “We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans”. Tottenham did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours. Spurs are presently without forward Mohammed Kudus who suffered a quad injury that is expected to keep him out until April, while mid fielders Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur have