Chris Hatherall, Irish Examiner Journalist Profile

Articles

Comment: Saka takes on the Henry baton as Arsenal stun Real Madrid, again

2 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

Not since Thierry Henry scored a sensational winner in Madrid on their way to the Champions League Final of 2006 have Arsenal had a night like this; one on which they ended it truly believing they could lift a trophy that has always felt out of their grasp.
De Bruyne's long goodbye begins with low-key Old Trafford farewell

2 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

Roll up, roll up for the Kevin De Bruyne farewell tour – but make sure you come for the emotion, not the football. Seven more Premier League dates are in the diary with tickets like gold dust, plus an FA Cup semi-final trip to Wembley already sold out. Promoters say they could also add a second Wembley date in future, plus an international tour in America. So, watch this space. It all sounds so exciting, doesn’t it?
Back to earth, have we been expecting too much of Liverpool?

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

Liverpool, having allowed two trophies to slip from their grasp in the space of six days, have suddenly experienced how even a seemingly perfect season can start to crumble – and now all eyes are on how they ensure it stops here. It is surely impossible that Arne Slot’s side could wobble in the Premier League, despite they way they have been rattled now by both PSG and Newcastle, given that they are 12 points clear of Arsenal and already crowned champions by many pundits.
Comment: Slot channels 'quiet man' Fagan but Enrique's stars bring noise and have final say

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

The Champions League trophy will not be heading to Anfield this season following a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat against PSG, but this performance did more than enough to suggest there will many more opportunities ahead for manager Arne Slot. It is less than seven months since Slot took charge of his first competitive game for Liverpool, but he went into this tie not just with the chance to reach a Champions League quarter-final – but with an opportunity to aim at legend status already.
Comment: PSG's fantasy football only lacking a goal as Liverpool somehow hold firm

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

Has there ever, in the history of the Champions League, been a more remarkable away victory than Liverpool’s impossible 1-0 win against PSG after a night on which they were given a football lesson by their opponents yet somehow left as winners? Harvey Elliott’s first-leg strike, 47 seconds after coming onto the pitch, and goalkeeper Alisson’s world-class performance before that, leave the Reds believing they can go on to reach the quarter-finals and maybe lift the trophy.
Comment: Revitalised Odegaard and inspired Nwaneri serve Arteta his silver linings

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

Injuries have robbed Arsenal of their entire first-choice attack and perhaps denied them a Premier League title, but a stunning 7-1 victory at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League showed the crisis has also enabled Mikel Arteta to find a very special new hero – and revitalise an old one.
Comment: Mo Salah could go down as Liverpool’s greatest player of all time

2 months ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall |Etihad Stadium

Mo Salah’s next-level statistics are behind Liverpool’s outstanding season and, following yet another starring role in a crucial victory at Manchester City, there isn’t an accolade that appears out of reach for the mercurial Egyptian. With Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the table, Salah is surely on target for his second Premier League trophy and his fourth Golden Boot, having hit 25 goals and provided 16 assists already this campaign.
Four things we learned from Everton's dramatic draw with Liverpool

2 months ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

There were plenty of signs of encouragement for Everton on their big night long before James Tarkowski's dramatic 98th minute equaliser - and new manager Moyes can take the credit. Even if his team had lost against their old rivals, the foundations for a strong end to the season looked to be in place. The emotional atmosphere generated as Goodison edges towards its final farewell was remarkable, but so too was the effort and game plan on the pitch.
Four things we learned as Liverpool booked Cup final spot

2 months ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

Pretty much every pundit and every journalist predicted that replacing Jurgen Klopp was going to be a tough old task. Maybe we were influenced by the way that Manchester United have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, or by what has happened at Arsenal since Arsene Wenger’s departure. But Slot has proved absolutely everybody wrong. His Liverpool side are outstanding in possession – but even better out of it.
Aston Villa and Man City the big winners on deadline day as Spurs pull off coup

2 months ago | irishexaminer.com | Chris Hatherall

Aston Villa and Manchester City can claim they won the transfer window after adding eye-catching signings on deadline day to already strong winter recruitment, but Tottenham created the story of the day by persuading Mathys Tel to perform a remarkable U-turn. Last Friday, teenage striker Tel told Spurs he didn't want to sign despite a fee being agreed with his club Bayern Munich - and expressed a desire to move to Arsenal or Manchester United instead.