Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!

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English Title Contenders European Watch

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First Knockout Round First Leg

Tuesday 14th February 2017:

Benfica - Newcastle 2-4
Cardozo (57), Matavz (87); Suarez (9, 11), Zouma (36), Balotelli (45)
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Leverkusen - Manchester United 2-1
Oxlade-Chamberlain (44, 65); Jones (31), Alba sent off (85)
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Wednesday 16th February 2017:

PSV - Galatasaray 0-1

Dortmund - Chelsea 0-2
Lewandowski (9), Neymar (51)
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Lana

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

This week he takes on American singer-songwriter and Liverpool fan Lana Del Rey. Elizabeth Grant's music, as is her real name, has been noted for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, particularly that of the 1950s and 1960s Americana. The singer has described herself as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra". Before signing to a major record label, Del Rey provided sole production of her music videos. Musically, she draws influence from what she deems to be the masters of each genre, including Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Nirvana, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen and Britney Spears, as well as from poetry and film noir. In 2013, she received her first Grammy nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

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Lawro vs Liverpool fan Lana Del Rey

A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Manchester City - Southampton
Lana Del Rey: That's two strong ones, no? 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: This will be a real test for the Citizens but I can see them coming on top in the end - 3-1.

Leeds - Newcastle
Lana Del Rey: Another two strong teams, should be a draw. 2-2.
Mark Lawrenson: The Magpies can afford some margin of error and I expect them to treat the Champions League as more important at this stage which might cause a surprise. 2-1.

Chelsea - Swansea
Lana Del Rey: The Blues should win this. 3-0.
Mark Lawrenson: Can't see how Swansea will hold them off, really. 2-0.

Everton - Blackburn
Lana Del Rey: This seems like a draw to me. 2-2.
Mark Lawrenson: I think Rovers will win this. 1-3.

Hull - Manchester United
Lana Del Rey: Not much of a contest, the Tigers are weak. 0-3.
Mark Lawrenson: I feel Hull might pull a fight at home in this one. 2-2.

Arsenal - Derby County
Lana Del Rey: Not a chance this world or another. 3-0.
Mark Lawrenson: The Gunners should make it look easy in this one. 4-1.

Last week, Lawro got four results right, with no perfect scores. His score of 4 was too good for the predictions of Manchester United fan Floyd Mayweather Jr., who scored 3, managing three correct results with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Twenty Five
Lawro: 108
Guests: 94
 
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Premier League
Round 26

Saturday 18th February 2017:

Manchester City - Southampton 5-1
Messi (pen 10, 27. 58), Modric (46), David Silva (78); Bruno Fernandes (22)
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Chelsea - Swansea 2-3
Falcao (3), Shaqiri (43); Campbell (28, 70), Shelvey (34)
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Everton - Blackburn 1-2
Welbeck (3); Alexis Sanchez (5), Lukaku (47)
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Leeds - Newcastle 4-1
Ba (11, 50), Walcott (21), Witsel (90+2); Lamela (63)
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Hull -
Manchester United 0-2
Bale (51), Icardi (55)
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Sunday 19th February 2017:

Arsenal - Derby County 1-1
Cavani (87); Negredo (37)
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League Table:

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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Charlize

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

This week he takes on South African and American actress and Chelsea fan Charlize Theron. Charlize rose to fame in the late 1990s following roles in the films The Devil's Advocate, Mighty Joe Young and The Cider House Rules. Theron received critical acclaim for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, for which she won the Silver Bear, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Academy Award for Best Actress among several other accolades, becoming the first South African to win an Academy Award in a major acting category. Theron became a U.S. citizen in 2007, while retaining her South African citizenship. In recent years she has moved into the field of producing, both in television and film. With the notable exception of Prometheus, which killed the childhood memories of lifelong fans of the Alien movie series.

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Lawro vs Chelsea fan Charlize Theron

A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Arsenal - Swansea
Charlize Theron: This is a potential slip-up for the Gunners. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: Arsenal will take this game, question is how many will they score. 3-0.

Bolton - Newcastle
Charlize Theron: Couldn't see a surprise here. 1-4.
Mark Lawrenson: I don't think Wanderers have enough quality to stop the Magpies right now. 0-4.

Leeds - Blackburn
Charlize Theron: Home win, period. 2-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I think Rovers should take this. 2-3.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United games postponed

Last week, Lawro got three results right, with no perfect score. His score of 3 was just good enough to beat the predictions of Liverpool fan Lana Del Rey, who scored 1, managing one correct results with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Twenty Six
Lawro: 111
Guests: 95
 
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Premier League
Round 27

Tuesday 21st February 2017:

Leeds - Blackburn 1-4
Muniain (68); Insigne (15, 82), Benteke (21), Trindade de Vilhena (26)
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Bolton - Newcastle 0-4
Lamela (21, 64), Donovan (27), Suarez (72)
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Wednesday 22nd February 2017:

Arsenal - Swansea 2-4
El Shaarawy (80), Isco (90+2); Campbell (1, 41, 90), Chadli (4)
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Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United games postponed

League Table:

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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Ant & Dec

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

This week he takes on English comedy and TV presenting duo from Newcastle upon Tyne - and, surprisingly, Newcastle fans - Ant & Dec. Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly first rose to fame as actors on the children's television show Byker Grove, during which and in their subsequent pop career they were respectively known as PJ & Duncan - the names of the characters they played on the show. Since then, they have had a very successful career as television presenters.

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Lawro vs Newcastle fans Ant & Dec

A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Manchester United - Aston Villa
Ant & Dec: We'd like to predict a draw in this one but that would be selfish and not rational. 3-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I'll go for a surprise even though the Red Devils seem much better. 2-2.

Newcastle - Chelsea
Ant & Dec: It would be amazing if we can get one over them and Mourinho! 3-1.
Mark Lawrenson: I expect this to be a close affair and it could really go either way but I'll say draw. 2-2.

Blackburn - Fulham
Ant & Dec: This one could end up with a draw. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: Rovers have enough to see out the Cottagers at home. 3-1.

Arsenal and Manchester City games postponed

Last week, Lawro got two results right, with one perfect score. His score of 4 was good enough to beat the predictions of Chelsea fan Charlize Theron, who scored 1, managing one correct result with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Twenty Seven
Lawro: 115
Guests: 96
 
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Mark Lawrenson Capital One Cup Final watch

25 February 2017

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25' Goal!! 1-0 Lionel Messi
34' Pedro (M) booked
40' Davies (A) booked
45+1' Nkoulou (A) booked

Half Time
54' Alaba (M) booked
62' Lucas Leiva (M) booked
63' Vidal (M) booked
89' David Silva (M) booked
90+1' Goal!! 1-1 Aaron Ramsey
90+4' Goal!! 2-1 Mario Gotze
Full Time

FINAL SCORE: Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal

What a battling performance from Manchester City and genuine heartbreak for Arsenal who thought they have done enough to get at least to extra time only to pay the ultimate price for losing concentration in the final seconds of it! Now let's take a look at match stats and individual performances:

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Capital One Cup 2016/17 - holders Manchester City!
 
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Premier League
Round 28

Saturday 25th February 2017:

Newcastle - Chelsea 2-4
Alex Sandro (38), Depay (83); Mata (20, 54), Falcao (21), Fabregas (23)
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Manchester United - Aston Villa 2-0
Hamsik (39), Evans (43)
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Sunday 26th February 2017:

Blackburn
- Fulham 3-0
Khedira (22), Lukaku (24, 54)
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Arsenal and Manchester City games postponed

League Table:

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Gary Lineker: Good evening and welcome to Match of the Day for our thoughts on the 2016/17 Premier League season! It seems the race will be as tight as ever this time around and as we all know it is those direct 6-pointer clashes that play a decisive part in deciding who will fly and who will fall. For this reason we will be focusing solely on those giant games in Match of the Day. Stay with us as Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer aid me on analyzing the key aspects of what happened and why it happened for you!

Newcastle - Chelsea
2-4
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Gary Lineker: Newcastle entertained Chelsea at Saint James' Park in a game that could have allowed the hosts to move no less than 14 points away from their visitors. The Blues simply had to win to stand a chance of catching up with the Magpies in the league table. They were by far the more motivated side and it showed in a mad four minutes half way through the first period when Mata, Falcao and Fabregas forged a massive three-goal lead for the away team. The Magpies pulled one back with a Alex Sandro goal before the break but a second strike from Mata in the second half all but sealed the win for the guests. There was only time for one more Newcastle goal scored by Depay near the end but a miraculous comeback never materialized and Chelsea managed to inject some spice in the title fight.
Alan Hansen: I thought the feud between Hristov and Mourinho which has been ongoing for quite some time now gave the visitors that little bit of extra edge which effectively brought them the win. The Magpies were at their usual attacking mood and created more opportunities but it was all about efficiency and Chelsea were simply sharper in the box despite being second best in all parameters of the game. There was maybe some complacency in the home team - as ridiculous as it may sound - but it felt like Newcastle were a bit aristocratic with the big lead they had in the table prior to the match.
Alan Shearer: I thought Alex Sandro was great for the hosts and Depay also showed some class - but they were massively undermined by poor performances from Alvarez Balanta, Januzaj, Grimm and Balotelli. Falcao and Fabregas were spectacular for the Blues although Mata was a class over everybody else on the pitch and sealed the PoM award after producing two goals and an assist.
Gary Lineker: This result opens the title race a bit as Newcastle are now 7 points above Man United and 8 over Chelsea but both the chasing teams have a game in hand.
 
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February Watch


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Premier League Table

The Contenders:

Newcastle (1st; 71pts; +58) - the Magpies picked up 9 points this month and remain top of the table with a comfortable five point lead although they no longer have a game in hand over those below.
Player of the month: Kurt Zouma - 8.22
1 Current first team injury:
Eduardo Salvio - 1 day (twisted ankle)

Chelsea (2nd; 66pts; +39) - the Blues picked up 9 points this month and remain five points behind the Magpies although Man United could overtake them in case they win their game in hand.
Player of the month: Juan Mata - 8.22
2 Current first team injuries:
Ashley Cole - 2-3 days (gashed leg)
Eden Hazard - 2 months (torn hamstring)

Manchester United (3rd; 64pts; +33) - the Red Devils racked up 12 points this month and climbed one position in the league table - they are 7 points off Newcastle and 2 behind Chelsea and have a game in hand over both of them!
Player of the month: Angel Di Maria - 7.56
4 Current first team injuries:
Nemanja Vidic - 3-4 weeks (double hernia)
Kyle Walker - 2-3 weeks (pulled hamstring)
Andres Iniesta - 4-6 days (damaged foot)
Shinji Kagawa - 12-14 days (pulled hamstring)

Blackburn (4th; 60pts; +40) - Rovers picked up 12 points this month and climbed two positions to enter the top four for the first time since round 2 although they only have 4 points lead on Manchester City and Arsenal who have 3 and 1 games in hand respectively.
Player of the month: Romelu Lukaku - 7.60
1 Current first team injury:
Arjen Robben - 1-5 days (strained knee ligaments)

Manchester City
(5th; 56pts; +52) - the Citizens picked up 7 points this month and remain fifth but winning all three games in hand they have would position them just 6 behind leaders Newcastle so they are amazingly not even out of the title fight!
Player of the month: Luka Modric - 7.84
2 Current first team injuries:
Vincent Kompany - 5-11 days (torn knee ligaments)
Dejan Lovren - 10-21 days (torn hamstring)

Arsenal
(6th; 56pts; +30) - the Gunners picked up only 2 points this month and collapsed out of the top four with a three position freefall in the table - they are now facing a serious fight to salvage at least Champions League qualification this season.
Player of the month: Jack Wilshere - 7.30
0 Current first team injuries.

Other teams to watch:

Leeds (7th) - the Whites climbed one position in the table and still have a decent chance of claiming European football next season.

Tottenham (8th) - Spurs slided one position down in the table and qualification for Europe seems highly unlikely considering the gap to those above.

Hull, Derby County and West Ham occupy the bottom three - the former two are still just a win away from safety but the Hammers are still massive 9 points adrift and even though they cut that gap from 15 in the previous month they still need a miracle to escape relegation.

February Player of the Month:
Adam Campbell (Swansea)
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February Young Player of the Month:
Mario Pugliese
(Stoke)
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February Manager of the Month:
Gary Bowyer (Blackburn)
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Leading Goalscorers:
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Spike

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

This week he takes on American film director, producer, writer, actor and Arsenal fan Spike Lee. His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983. Lee's movies have examined race relations, colorism in the black community, the role of media in contemporary life, urban crime and poverty, and other political issues. Lee has won numerous awards, including an Emmy Award. He has also received two Academy Award nominations.

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Lawro vs Arsenal fan Spike Lee

A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Newcastle - Fulham
Spike Lee: I don't see how the Cottagers will get anything from this game. 3-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I also favor the Magpies to get a big win at home. 4-0.

Blackburn - Aston Villa
Spike Lee: This one should end with a draw. 2-2.
Mark Lawrenson: I'll back Rovers for a win even though it could go either way. 2-1.

Everton - Manchester United
Spike Lee: I'd like to say otherwise but the Red Devils should win. 1-3.
Mark Lawrenson: I'll go for a surprise here, the Toffees might exploit some complacency in Man United. 2-1.

West Ham - Manchester City
Spike Lee: No surprises here. 0-3.
Mark Lawrenson: The Hammers have improved recently but they remain the rock-bottom team of the Premier League and I can't see them handling the City attacking threat. 1-5.

Arsenal and Chelsea games postponed


Last week, Lawro got one result right, with no perfect scores. His score of 1 was a perfect match for the predictions of Newcastle fans Ant & Dec, who scored 1, managing one correct result with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Twenty Eight
Lawro: 116
Guests: 97
 
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Premier League
Round 29

Wednesday 1st March 2017:

Newcastle - Fulham 4-0
Lamela (12), Ben Arfa (34), Marquinhos (77), Remy (82)
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Everton - Manchester United 1-1
Welbeck (10); Icardi (31)
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Blackburn
- Aston Villa 4-0
Fletcher o.g. (43), Lallana (74), Shaw (85), Sterling (86)
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Friday 3rd March 2017:

West Ham - Manchester City 1-3
Vellios (67); Yaya Toure (3), David Silva (41), Tomkins o.g. (55)
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League Table:

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English Title Contenders Cup Watch

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Quarter Final Round

Saturday 4th March 2017:


Newcastle - Aston Villa 5-0
Januzaj (13), Remy (30, 43), Alvarez Balanta (36), Depay (79)

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Chelsea - Everton 2-1
Caulker (59), Falcao (62); Jelavic (51)
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Sunday 5th March 2017:

Leeds - Swansea 4-1

Tottenham - Manchester United 3-1

Dobson (25), Soldado (33), Benzema (49); Icardi (68)
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