Romelu Lukaku has promised to stay at Everton and could even sign a new contract, manager Ronald Koeman has said. The 23-year-old has been a transfer target for his former club Chelsea this summer but the Londoners have been reluctant to meet Everton's valuation of the striker -- reported to be £75 million. Lukaku has expressed a desire to play European football and was frustrated by Everton's 11th-placed finish last season in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez, but the Toffees were determined to keep hold of their biggest … [Read more...]
Claudio Ranieri refuses to criticise Mark Clattenburg over penalty
Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri praised his team's display in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal and had no complaints over the referee. Claudio Ranieri refused to criticise referee Mark Clattenburg after Leicester City had two penalty appeals waved away during their 0-0 draw against Arsenal. The Premier League champions are still searching for the first win of their title defence, following last weekend's 2-1 loss at Hull City, and they could not find a way through in a game of few chances at the King Power Stadium. Danny Drinkwater went … [Read more...]
Barcelona confirm agreement with Manchester City for Bravo
Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has confirmed a deal is in place with manchester city for the transfer of Claudio Bravo. During the week it emerged the Premier League club were closing in on a €25 million move for the Barcelona goalkeeper, whom Pep Guardiola wants to replace Joe Hart. Despite those reports, Bravo started Saturday's La Liga opener against Real Betis, but it looks set to prove to be his last game for the Catalan club. "We have the beginning of an agreement in principle with Manchester City for Claudio … [Read more...]
Arsenal, Leicester play out a goalless draw
It ended goalless between defending champions Leicester City and last season's runners-up Arsenal at the King Power Stadium. Arsenal had the better of the opening period, looking dangerous in attack , testing the reigning Premier League champions’ defence. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came close in the 26th minute, unleashing a curling effort from 20 yards having beaten Riyad Mahrez, with ease, on the left flank. His effort had Foxes stopper Kasper Schmeichel beaten, but sailed wide of the far post. There was late controversy in the first … [Read more...]
Liverpool brought back down to earth by Burnley
Burnley burst Liverpool’s early-season bubble with a 2-0 victory which proved you do not have to have much of the ball to be effective. The Clarets converted two of their three shots on target, with Sam Vokes grabbing his first Premier League goal inside two minutes and Andre Gray doubling the lead before half-time. There was no rousing comeback from Liverpool like the one they produced last weekend at Arsenal to win 4-3 after going behind and, despite dominating possession, they never looked like scoring. That was partly down to their … [Read more...]
Costa strikes late as Chelsea defeat Watford
Diego Costa struck another late winner for Chelsea as they came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 in their Premier League clash at Vicarage Road. Etienne Capoue thrashed the hosts in front 10 minutes after the interval, only for Michy Batshuayi to come off the bench and capitalise on a poor piece of goalkeeping from Heurelho Gomes to draw Chelsea level with his first goal for the club. And it was a superb through-ball from another substitute in Cesc Fabregas which set Costa away in the closing stages, with the striker making no mistake as he … [Read more...]
Guardiola delighted by early-season form
Pep Guardiola is delighted with the start manchester city have made under his stewardship. City overcame the toughest test of their new manager's reign so far as they beat Stoke 4-1 at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday , with Sergio Aguero and Nolito both netting twice. It is their third straight victory under Guardiola, with an impressive 11 goals scored, and the quality of their play has surprised even the former Barcelona boss. "I'm so happy for many of the things I see," said the Spaniard. "For how they celebrated the goals, for how … [Read more...]
Stoke 1-4 Man City: Aguero and Nolito at the double as City defeat Stoke
Sergio Aguero and Nolito both scored twice as Manchester City romped past Stoke on Saturday lunchtime to extend their winning start to the season. Aguero hit a first-half double at the Bet365 Stadium - his fifth and sixth goals in just three games - to put City 2-0 ahead at half-time. Bojan reduced the deficit for Stoke shortly after the break, but substitute Nolito netted in quick succession late on to put the match out of sight. It is a third win for City in all competitions under Pep Guardiola, who again left Joe Hart out of his … [Read more...]
Ibrahimovic delighted with United’s performance against Saints
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Manchester United are just starting to "put the puzzle together" despite easily winning their second straight game to open the Premier League season. Ibrahimovic stole the spotlight from debutant Paul Pogba with two goals -- bringing his tally to three this week following his strike against Bournemouth on Sunday. Jose Mourinho's side already looks to be in midseason form, but Ibrahimovic says the best is still to come. "We are happy for the three points, and it was the first game of Paul, also, he settled in and … [Read more...]
Benteke joins Crystal Palace from Liverpool
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Christian Benteke from Liverpool. The Eagles have broken their transfer record to land the Belgian in a deal which could be worth up to £32million. Benteke, 25, has penned a four-year contract with Alan Pardew's side. "I’m very happy to commit my future to Crystal Palace and I’m looking forward to meeting the manager, the players and the staff," said the 26-cap Belgium international. “I feel really happy that the deal has been done and now I can look forward.” Palace have been … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho hails fantastic Paul Pogba
Jose Mourinho said a "phenomenal" Paul Pogba showed that he is "confident in the skin of a star" during his first appearance for the club since re-joining this summer in a world record £89 million move. Pogba made a sloppy start in the 2-0 win over Southampton at Old Trafford on Friday, when he conceded possession cheaply but grew in confidence as the game went on. United manager Mourinho had said that the player would be given "some minutes" but he went on to play the full match, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's two goals helped the home team to a … [Read more...]