Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Max Rushden

New season, new things: extreme non-football actions and children on the pitch

Calvin Bassey of Fulham wrestles Mason Mount of Manchester United to the ground resulting, eventually, in a penalty. United missed it, of course.
Calvin Bassey of Fulham wrestles Mason Mount of Manchester United to the ground resulting, eventually, in a penalty. United missed it, of course. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

New season. New stuff. New camera angles. Director: “And cut to Ref Cam.” Suddenly we are transported from the gliding calm of a wide angle to GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64, except you are not James Bond, you are Simon Hooper peering up at a strange angle of Harvey Barnes. Stop looking around Simon, stand still Simon. As one correspondent to Guardian Football Weekly suggested, it’s the Professional Game Match Officials’ tribute to Uncut Gems.

New season – wildly terrible predictions. My Premier League winners Manchester City won the title at Wolves on the opening weekend but are now sensationally out of the race after being outplayed by Spurs. Not sure anyone predicted Nuno Espírito Santo to be leading the sack race (nb: written before Grimsby). Who had Ange to lead Nottingham Forest to Europa League glory?

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.