Nick Szczepanik

South East District

Freelance Sports Writer at Freelance

Football and NFL writer, bylined in every national daily and Sunday paper, author of Brighton Up, Pulp Football. Retweets are not endorsements.

Articles

A tale of three penalties as Newcastle rescue point at Brighton

1 month ago | telegraph.co.uk | Nick Szczepanik

For Newcastle it was a missed chance to move into third place in the Premier League, and with Chelsea and Arsenal their next opponents before a last-day visit from Everton, they still have work to do if they are to clinch a place in next season's Champions League. Victory would have sent Brighton up to eighth place, but they remain tenth, going above Fulham but now dropping below Brentford.
The three penalties in Brighton’s draw with Newcastle - and why VAR was right

1 month ago | sports.yahoo.com | Nick Szczepanik

Three penalties, two overturned by VAR, and one point apiece made for a curious stalemate that did neither sides’ chances of achieving their European aims much good. Yankuba Minteh, reluctantly sold to Brighton and Hove Albion by Newcastle United last summer to avoid breaking Premier League profit and sustainability rules, put his team ahead after 28 minutes. AdvertisementBut the second half was all about Craig Pawson, the referee, who awarded three penalty kicks to Newcastle.
Scores from Brentford vs Man Utd, Brighton vs Newcastle and West Ham vs Spurs

1 month ago | telegraph.co.uk | Thom Gibbs |Mike McGrath |Nick Szczepanik |Luke Edwards

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's Premier League Clockwatch. There are three games kicking off at 2pm, with Chelsea v Liverpool to follow at 4.30pm. The most important is probably at the Amex Stadium, where Brighton host Newcastle. Both teams are still fighting for a place in Europe next season, Brighton in the Europa Conference, Newcastle in the Champions League. Brentford, who meet Manchester United at the Gtech Stadium, are also in the fight for a Conference League place.
Advantage PSG as late Mendes effort leaves Villa with hill to climb

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Nick Szczepanik

Aston Villa face an uphill task next Tuesday if they are to reach the Champions League semi-finals and continue to challenge on three fronts. Only 2-1 down to Paris St-Germain as this game entered added time, they must have hoped that they could overturn the deficit at a pulsating Villa Park. But a late, late goal by PSG left back Nuno Mendes means that the Ligue 1 champions must be favourites to go through to face Arsenal or Real Madrid in the semi-final.
'Unfair' to compare Ferguson and Fullkrug who are 'different personalities, different type of players' - Potter

2 months ago | irishexaminer.com | Nick Szczepanik |London Stadium

West Ham United made a further dent in Bournemouth‚Äôs chances of European football at the London Stadium on Saturday in a match that eventually came to life after a dismal start. And apart from the paying customers, one of the most interested spectators must have been Evan Ferguson, who watched the entire match from the bench. To some media voices, Ferguson‚Äôs loan move from Brighton to West Ham in January made a lot of sense.
Evanilson double secures point for Bournemouth after West Ham rally

2 months ago | thetimes.com | Nick Szczepanik
Evan Ferguson an unused sub as Evanilson scores twice to earn Bournemouth draw at West Ham

2 months ago | irishexaminer.com | Nick Szczepanik |London Stadium

Two teams who cannot win both continued their dismal runs of form in a game that woke up after a truly dreadful start. Bournemouth have now not tasted victory, except on penalties, in nine matches and any lingering hopes of making the Champions League are surely ebbing away. And without the influential Ryan Christie, whose groin problem may force him to miss the remainder of the campaign, those hopes are almost non-existent.
Premier League manager takes up boxing after striking unlikely friendship with Chris Eubank Jr's cousin Harlem

2 months ago | thesun.co.uk | Nick Szczepanik

FABIAN HURZELER is ready to KO Manchester City after taking up boxing. Brighton’s boss was inspired to pull on his gloves following a pep talk from Chris Eubank Jr’s cousin Harlem. He took up the sport this year and reckons it helps him get away from the pressure of being a Prem boss. And like local fighter and Albion fan Harlem, Hurzeler wants to bring sporting success to the city. The German has the Seagulls punching above their weight — and victory today at the Etihad would take them past City.
Man City’s shocking summer led to their downfall – this is all their own fault

Feb 20, 2025 | msn.com | Nick Szczepanik

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Man City's shocking summer led to their downfall - this is all their own fault

Feb 20, 2025 | inews.co.uk | Nick Szczepanik

The end of an era? Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat at the Bernabeu may have felt like it, but the writing had actually begun to appear on the wall earlier this season. Pep Guardiola read it and realised that this Manchester City squad had reached its heights and was now on the downslope. He tacitly acknowledged as much by spending over £170m on four young players in January as he begins construction of what he hopes will be his third great City team.