Arsenal, Tottenham charged for failing to control players

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Klopp charged over wild celebrations after Liverpool win

LONDON, Dec 3, (Agencies): Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been charged for failing to control their players in Sunday’s north London derby in the Premier League, England’s Football Association said on Monday.

Spurs midfielder Eric Dier’s goal celebration in his side’s 4-2 defeat had sparked angry scenes on the touchline, with Arsenal’s substitutes unhappy with the England player.

“Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been charged following their game. It is alleged that in the 32nd minute, they failed to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion,” the FA said in a statement.

The clubs have until 1800 GMT on Thursday to respond.

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace and strikes from Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira helped Arsenal cancel out goals from Dier and Harry Kane.

Arsenal, who have 30 points from 14 games, leapfrogged Tottenham to fourth place in the standings on goal difference.

Up next for Arsenal is a trip to Manchester United on Wednesday while Tottenham host managerless Southampton.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was charged by the Football Association on Monday after he raced onto the pitch to celebrate his side’s late winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby.

The German was overjoyed by Divock Origi’s 96th-minute goal courtesy of a horrendous misjudgement from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and raced over to Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

He apologized for his actions after the 1-0 win at Anfield but the FA announced he had been charged with misconduct. Klopp has until 1800 GMT on Thursday to respond to the charge.

“Immediately after the game I apologized to (Everton manager) Marco Silva when we spoke to each other,” Klopp said following the match. “I told him how much I respect his work.

“What can I say about it? I didn’t want to run. It was not in my plan. I didn’t want to run to Ali (goalkeeper Alisson), I couldn’t stop obviously. Not cool, but it happened.” Silva said he did not hear an apology from the Liverpool boss, and added: “To be honest, I didn’t see so I don’t know what he did and how he did it.” The last-gasp win took unbeaten Liverpool to 36 points – just two behind leaders Manchester City.

Liverpool hero Origi said his added-time winner was one of the most important he has scored for the club.

The Belgium international, making his first appearance at Anfield since May 2017 after spending last season on loan at Wolfsburg, capitalized on Pickford’s error to nod home from close range – his 22nd goal in 79 matches for the club.

“It was a crucial goal, one of the most crucial I have scored for Liverpool so it was special,” said the 23-year-old. “You could see the emotion of the fans and the coach and the players so we celebrated all together.” Prior to his 84th-minute entrance on Sunday, Origi had played just 11 minutes for Liverpool this season in one substitute appearance during the 2-0 Champions League defeat in Serbia against Red Star Belgrade.

After his disappointing loan spell in the Bundesliga it appeared his chances would be limited and he could have left the club in the summer but Liverpool received no acceptable offers.

“As a player you always want to play a lot of minutes but as a team we have a lot of goals this season and I just try to shine my light and see wherever it goes,” he said.

Pep Guardiola challenged in-form Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling on Monday to improve his game even further, despite his sparkling form for club and country.

Sterling has recently been rewarded with a new five-year contract, worth a reported £300,000 ($382,000) a week, by the Premier League leaders and is currently enjoying the best form of his career.

He is the Premier League’s joint-leading English scorer, his eight goals matching Harry Kane’s tally after the weekend games, and is joined by two others on top of the assists table.

But Guardiola says his star cannot rest on his laurels and warned Premier League rivals that there is far more to come from the 23-year-old.

“He can do better,” said the City boss on Monday. “We are so delighted with what he’s done in three years but he can do better.

“He can be more consistent, his first touches, receptions, many things. Definitely – I’ve said many times we are delighted but he can do better.” Guardiola, speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Watford on Tuesday, leapt to the defense of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has faced criticism for his celebrations after his team’s late victory over Everton on Sunday.

The German may yet face FA action for sprinting onto the pitch but Guardiola, who was similarly criticised for his response to a late win against Southampton last season, can understand his actions.

“I did it, against Southampton,” said the City manager. “There’s a lot of emotions in those moments. I know when I did it I was not happy to have done it.

“So I can understand (Everton manager) Marco Silva, (then Southampton manager) Mauricio Pellegrino when it happens.

“But sometimes it is what it is and it’s an emotional game, everything happens in your mind. I talk from my side, you have to be respectful of the others.” Guardiola has also welcomed the announcement that European governing body UEFA will introduce VAR for the knockout stages of the Champions League this season.

City felt decisions went against them in last season’s quarter-final defeat to Liverpool, especially when Leroy Sane had a goal ruled out in the tie at the Etihad.

“I welcome the news, I’m delighted with it,” said the City manager. “The Premier League is the last one (to adopt VAR) and sooner or later it will happen.

“This season, our second goal against Shakhtar was a ridiculous penalty. It’s so we don’t have to talk about it or to talk about last season versus Liverpool.

“Now with VAR, we are looking to make better football, better decisions. Most of the time, not always, the ref will do a good job. Everyone makes mistakes and they’ll be helped by it and it will be good.” Sergio Aguero and Alexander Zinchenko face late fitness tests before City travel to Watford. Kevin De Bruyne is not yet ready to return to the first team.

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