Man City's Mendy the latest EPL player to breach virus rules
Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy, left, challenges for the ball with Fulham's Mario Lemina during an English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)LONDON – Manchester City expressed disappointment Sunday that defender Benjamin Mendy became the latest partying Premier League player to breach English coronavirus rules by hosting friends at his house on New Year’s Eve. Despite the risk of being infected at the gathering, Mendy was named as a substitute for Sunday's game at Chelsea where City was one player short on the bench. “The club is aware of a New Year’s Eve COVID-19 breach involving Benjamin Mendy and the subsequent media reporting of it," City said. "Ben has had a COVID test and is liaising with Manchester City about this.”Mendy has tweeted urging people “to take care of you and yours” as midnight approached on Thursday night.
'It's really crazy': Late goals cap another wild day in EPL
(AP photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)A two-week break for international matches has done nothing to suppress the relentless unpredictability of this season’s Premier League. No team had previously avoided defeat when 3-0 down as late as the 81st minute in the Premier League. “It’s really crazy at the moment,” said West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who added that the feeling after Lanzini’s last-gasp strike was one of the best he has had in his career. Spurs were leading 3-0 at the time, thanks to goals by Son Heung-min and Harry Kane (2) in the opening 16 minutes. Palace had just one shot all match, and that was the contentiously awarded penalty converted by Wilfried Zaha in the 19th minute.
Tottenham collapses on Bale's return to draw 3-3 vs West Ham
West Ham's Manuel Lanzini, right, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. Cruising 3-0 when Bale came off in the bench in the 72nd minute against West Ham, Tottenham incredibly collapsed in a game it had been in control of to draw 3-3 in the Premier League on Sunday. “It’s a pity he couldn’t score the fourth goal that could kill the game,” Mourinho said. Rather than any joy for Bale on his return to Tottenham after seven years, West Ham was celebrating in a way that seemed unimaginable in the first half. “For some reason they didn’t push on in the second half, try to kill off the game,” West Ham midfielder Declan Rice said.