Sunday’s briefing: Tributes paid to Matt Beard and Liverpool remain perfect

Tributes continue to be paid to former Liverpool Women’s manager Matt Beard after he died at the age of 47.

Beard won two Women’s Super League titles at Liverpool and was described as “a person of real integrity and warmth” by his old club.

Earlier on Saturday in the Premier League, Liverpool claimed Merseyside bragging rights over Everton and Manchester United held on for three points in an action-packed fixture with Chelsea to ease the pressure on Ruben Amorim.

Beard’s role in growth of women’s game hailed

The death of ex-Liverpool boss Beard has stunned the women’s game, but sparked an outpouring of adulation for an extremely popular figure.

“We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Matt Beard,” the Football Association wrote on X. “Matt was a key figure in growing the women’s game and will be missed by all.”

The WSL’s official X account added: “Matt played an instrumental role in the growth of women’s football and will be missed by everyone associated with the game.”

Beard started his managerial career with Millwall Lionesses before a move to Chelsea in 2009 and reached the FA Cup final three years later. A switch to Liverpool followed along with two WSL titles before another FA Cup final appearance at West Ham.

A second spell at Liverpool resulted in promotion back to the women’s top flight before his departure this summer. A short stint at Burnley ended in August before Beard died aged 47, which was announced on Saturday.

Amorim happy despite ‘complicated’ win

Under-fire Ruben Amorim was delighted by Manchester United’s much-needed victory at home to Chelsea, but wants his team to stop making life needlessly “complicated”.

Visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off inside five minutes and Bruno Fernandes soon marked his 200th Premier League appearance with his 100th United goal before Casemiro put the hosts in cruise control.

Casemiro’s sending-off after collecting a second booking just before the break set up a nervy second half, with the hosts digging deep for a 2-1 win after Trevoh Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea late on.

“It was really important,” Amorim said. “I think we deserved it, but we complicated our lives every time. Of course, the sending-off of the goalkeeper helped us a lot, but we were in control, we scored two goals.

“And with everything going well, we (made things) complicated with that sending-off. The second half I think we managed well, but, in the end, the last 15 minutes was tough for us. They scored a goal and then we suffered together and we managed to win.”

‘Tough moment’ admits Potter after latest loss

Dejected Graham Potter looked resigned to his fate after West Ham’s latest home defeat left him facing the sack.

The Hammers slumped to a third straight home loss to a London rival, 2-1 against Crystal Palace, which made it four defeats from their last five in the Premier League and left Potter with only six wins from 25 matches in charge.

That there are names are already being bandied around as his replacement at this notoriously leaky club – namely Nuno Espirito Santo, Gary O’Neil and former boss Slaven Bilic – it seems likely Potter’s number could soon be up.

Potter admitted: “It’s a tough moment, for sure.”

Asked whether he felt he still had the support of the Hammers hierarchy, he replied: “I’ve no reason to think not. But I also understand the environment and the results. But I have no complaints about the support I have had.”

Dias says Man City ‘don’t care’ about Arsenal

Ruben Dias insists Manchester City are not giving any thought to possible wind-up tactics from Arsenal this weekend.

The two clubs renew hostilities at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after two fiery clashes last season. The first of those, a contentious 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, ended with plenty of bad blood.

City striker Erling Haaland told Gunners manager Mikel Arteta to “stay humble”. The second saw a rampant Arsenal run out 5-1 winners with teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly rubbing salt in the wounds by mimicking Haaland’s meditation pose goal celebration.

City defender Dias said: “To be honest, I don’t really care about them. I just care about us. If other people want to play games because of rivalries, or whatever feeds them, then go ahead. Be what you want to be.

“We believe in what we do. We play games to win for ourselves, for our families, our people. That’s the way to be – and that’s how you pull off what we pulled off.”

What’s on today?

Away from the blockbuster 4.30pm clash between Arsenal and Man City, Bournemouth take on Newcastle and Sunderland host Aston Villa.

Bristol City entertain Oxford in the Sky Bet Championship and Manchester United face Arsenal in the Women’s Super League.