Chelsea coach Antonio Conte insists he has confidence in David Luiz after confirming the defender will start against Liverpool on Friday night. The Brazilian make his first Chelsea appearance since returning to the club, with captain John Terry sidelined due to an ankle injury. Luiz, made a shock return to Stamford Bridge from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, is set to partner Gary Cahill at the heart of the Chelsea defence. "Tomorrow David Luiz will play for the first time with us, and we are confident about this," Conte … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho: Manchester United don’t want to be in Europa League
Jose Mourinho has admitted Manchester United do not want to be in the Europa League but intends to make the best out of the situation. Speaking at a news conference, the United manager pledged to take their participation seriously ahead of Thursday's opening Group A game against Feyenoord in Rotterdam and warned his squad they risk another humiliation like last season’s defeat by FC Midtylland if not fully ready for the task ahead. Mourinho who dropped Wayne Rooney behind, says that the Premier League and television broadcasters have made … [Read more...]
Mauricio Pochettino accuses Tottenham of lacking ‘passion’
Mauricio Pochettino has criticised Tottenham for lack of passion during tonight's 2-1 defeat to Monaco at Wembley. Spurs suffered a disappointing defeat in front of a record crowd as they started their campaign at their temporary European home of Wembley. Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar both struck in the first half at Wembley on Wednesday to set up victory for Leonardo Jardim's men. Toby Alderweireld gave Spurs a lifeline on the stroke of half time but, despite creating a host of opportunities after the break, Pochettino's side fell to … [Read more...]
Aguero and City put Monchengladbach to the sword
Sergio Aguero struck thrice as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City annihilated Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad. Aguero, who is currently suspended from domestic action, opened the scoring after nine minutes, before doubling his effort from the penalty spot after 28 minutes before completing his treble after 77 minutes, Nigerian youngster Iheanacho also got on the scoresheet by adding a fourth. It was another highly convincing performance by City, who did not even seem to get into top gear as they cruised to a seventh successive win … [Read more...]
Leicester City start Champions League campaign with a win
Leicester City made an impressive debut to their Champions League campaign with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice as they thumped Belgian side Club Brugge 3-0 in a devastating fashion. Marc Albrighton, one of their star man in the Premier League winning campaign last season, scored their first ever Champions League goal and first since 2000 inside five minutes, moments after the hosts nearly got in front. Riyad Mahrez continued to shine for Leicester as he crashed in a brilliant free-kick before adding another from the spot shortly before the … [Read more...]
Tottenham struggle at Wembley as visitors take the spoils
Tottenham's return to Champions League football after a five-year absence ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss as an English club-record home crowd of 85,011 watched French side Monaco take all three points at Wembley. Spurs were dealt a blow in their return back to Europe as goals from Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar were enough to give the French side an opening victory in Group E. Toby Alderweireld header gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side some hope on the stroke of half-time but they were frustrated in the second half as the away side … [Read more...]
Wenger full of praise for David Ospina
Arsene Wenger insists goalkeeper David Ospina has proved his critics wrong following a top class display in Arsenal’s Champions League opener at Paris Saint-Germain. Wenger surprised many when he opted to bench Petr Cech despite a big blunder by Ospina in the Champions League last season. But the Colombian repaid his faith by making a string of crucial saves in order go see Arsenal share the spoils against PSG. The Colombian was not expected to start at the Parc des Princes but was drafted in and performed admirably, eventually denying PSG … [Read more...]
City’s UCL clash against Monchengladbach moved to Wednessday
Manchester City's clash against German side Borussia Monchengladbach has been rescheduled for Wednesday evening following an adverse rain on Tuesday. Heavy rain covered the pitch in the two hours before the scheduled 7.45pm Tuesday kick-off, forcing an abandonment, but UEFA have moved quickly to reschedule the tie. Referee Bjorn Kuipers and officials inspected the surface at about 6.55pm and a decision to postpone was communicated around 30 minutes later. A decision to call off the game was taken at around 7.25pm based on safety … [Read more...]
UCL: Manchester City v Mochengladbach clash postponed
Tuesday's night UEFA Champions League fixture between Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach has been postponed because of adverse weather. Heavy rain, and lighting hit Manchester on Tuesday evening and 15 minutes before kick-off it was announced the match was abandoned. The game will now be rescheduled ny UEFA and the Club will announce a new date in due course. According to the European governing body's rules, a rescheduled date must be agreed on between the two clubs, and the associations concerned, within two hours of the … [Read more...]
Sanchez scores as Arsenal rescues point from a wasteful PSG
Alexis Sanchez scored in the second half to rescue a point for Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League opener. It took less than a minute (42 seconds) for Edinson Cavani to head PSG in front, but the Uruguayan missed three more clear opportunities before Sanchez drew Wenger's men level in the 77th minute. Arsene Wenger dropped goalkeeper Petr Cech for back-up David Ospina, but the Colombian shot-stopper could do nothing about PSG's opener as Cavani stole in to finish from a Serge Aurier cross. Arsenal were … [Read more...]
Reports on Manchester Derby
Manchester City delivered their first win in a rivalry with Manchester United that will eventually become a topic amongst football lovers as Manchester City won against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain's La Liga was the last time both managers clashed, this being their first ever Premier League meeting since in control on either side of Manchester. And when the action started, it was Man City who brought down and put Manchester United in their place with a fantastic 100% start this season. Guardiola … [Read more...]
Schmeichel takes dig at boring Guardiola
Peter Schmeichel has taken a dig at Pep Guardiola ahead of the Manchester derby by saying Pep Guardiola made Bayern Munich “boring”, and will find it more difficult to play his brand of football at Manchester City than he did at Barcelona and Bayern. Pep Guardiola made an exciting Bayern Munich team boring to watch and was fortunate he had the players at his disposal to implement his style at Barcelona and Bayern, winning three Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokal in three years in Germany, says Peter Schmeichel. “He was okay at Bayern … [Read more...]
Mustafi backs Perez to succed at Arsenal
Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has said fellow new signing Lucas Perez will be a tough crack for Premier League defenders. Former Valencia defender Mustafi is confident fellow Lucas Perez has all the attributes to be a success in England and warned Premier League defenders they face an "uncomfortable" experience. However, Mustafi – who has played against Perez in La Liga – believes the forward will be a success at Arsenal. “He is uncomfortable to play against,” The German said “He’s a good striker – he has everything a striker … [Read more...]
Sunderland Sign Boavista goalkeeper Mika
Sunderland have signed goalkeeper Mika from Portuguese club Boavista after FIFA intervention. The Portuguese penned a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light which sees the goalkeeper become the 10th signing since David Moyes took over. The shot stopper is set to battle it out with Jordan Pickford and Vito Mannone for the number one shirt. Jordan Pickford has been the only available goalkeeper at the club since Mannone gut rules out with elbow ligaments last month, and won't be back until at least November. The deal has been ratified … [Read more...]
Granit Xhaka sent-off as Switzerland beat Portugal
Granit Xhaka’s was sent off as European champions Portugal suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Switzerland in their opening 2018 World Cup Group B, earning his seventh red card since April 2014. Breel Embolo opened scoring for the host at St Jakob-Park after 24 minutes, before Admir Mehmedi fired in a second on the hour mark. Switzerland finished the match with 10 men win in stoppage time, when Granit Xhaka picked up a second caution for a needless foul on Joao Mario. Having initially been booked for catching Portugal midfielder Adrien Silva on the … [Read more...]
Nicklas Bendtner signs for Nottingham Forest
Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has penned a two-year contract with Nottingham Forest, the club's owner has announced. The striker, who began his professional career at Arsenal, spent nine years at the club between 2005 and 2014, but struggled for first-team football and was shipped out on loan to Birmingham City, Sunderland and Juventus during that time. Bendtner could be set for a return to the Emirates as Forest have been drawn at home to Arsenal in the EFL Cup later this month. Forest owner and chairman Fawaz Al-Hasawi confirmed … [Read more...]
Arsenal Star Returns To Training After Injury Spell
Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi has returned to training and should be available against Southampton on saturday's game according to mirror. The starlet has not featured for Arsenal after sustaining muscle strain in his thigh against Liverpool in the opening of game of the season. The Nigeria star player as previously stayed at london after the international break in other to regain full fitness and it appears he would be an option for Arsene Wenger for Saturdays game against Southampton. The youngster enjoyed a successful time last season, … [Read more...]
Marcus Rashford scores hat-trick on England Under-21 debut
Manchester United's teenage star Marcus Rashford made a dream start for England's Under-21. The 18-year-old offered another demonstration of his goal-scoring ability against Norway's at Colchester. Rashford has only made one Premier League appearance for United this season and was an unused substitute in their opening two games. But in their last outing before the international break, He came on to score a last-gasp winner at Hull. Rashford was part of England's squad for Euro 2016 but missed out on the senior squad on Sunday's 1-0 win … [Read more...]
Christian Eriksen pens new contract at Tottenham Hotspur
Christian Eriksen has sign a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur that will keep him at the club till 2020 The 24-year-old Denmark midfielder has committed himself to Spurs until 2020. The Danish midfielder has been in negotiations with the club since March over a new deal and his new contract is worth around £75,000-per week, making him one of Spurs' top earners alongside Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele, Hugo Lloris and Erik Lamela. Eriksen, signed from Dutch club Ajax in August 2013, and has become one of the most important player at white … [Read more...]
Diego Costa and Silva score as Spain trash Liechtenstein
Newly-appointed Spain coach Julien Liechtensteinegui enjoyed a perfect competitive debut as Diego Costa, David Silva and Alvaro Morata all hit doubles in an 8-0 drubbing of Liechtenstein in Leon on Monday. Costa scored his first Spain goal since 2014 after just 10 minutes, but despite complete domination of the game the hosts had to settle for just a one-goal lead at half-time. The floodgates opened with three goals in five minutes after the break as Sergi Roberto and Vitolo tapped home their first international goals either side of David … [Read more...]
Kanu delighted to make a difference in Arsenal Legends match
Arsenal legend Nwaknkwo Kanu earned the adoration of the Emirates once more with his performance in Saturday’s Legends game but the former Nigerian international was more concerned with the good he was doing off the field. Kanu scored the hat-trick he had promised pre-match as an Arsenal Legends side ran out 4-2 winners over a star-studded Milan Glorie XI in front of Emirates crowd. The match was the cornerstone of the Arsenal Foundation’s bid to raise over £1million, with which they intend to build football pitches in Jordan, Somalia and … [Read more...]
Bremen ‘creative’ with Serge Gnabry deal amid Bayern talk – Lemke
Werder Bremen acquired Serge Gnabry from Arsenal in a “clever and creative” manner, according to a member of the club’s supervisory board. Gnabry’s exit from Arsenal on deadline day came as a surprise after Arsene Wenger had set he hoped to agree a new deal with the 21-year-old, whose contract at the Emirates was set to expire at the end of the season. Ultimately Arsenal accepted a bid of between £4-5 million from Bremen but speculation in Germany has claimed that German champions Bayern Munich had a part to play in the deal and may have … [Read more...]
Romelu Lukaku reveals why he rejected Juve for Everton
Romelu Lukaku has claimed he could have joined Juventus in the summer transfer window but opted to stay at Everton. Chelsea are understood to have tried to re-sign Lukaku, who Everton reportedly valued at £75million. The Belgium international admits he is unhappy without European football and suggests he could still leave Goodison Park next summer. “It stings a little [not being in Europe], but I’m someone who believes that everything happens for a reason,” Lukaku said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad . “Otherwise I would have gone … [Read more...]
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane opens up on Mourinho talks
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has told Canal+ it was "difficult to turn down Jose Mourinho" and a move to Manchester United this summer, but says Zinedine Zidane's vote of confidence convinced him to stay in Spain. Varane, 23, has developed into a world-class centre-back since moving to Madrid from Lens in 2011 bearing the tag of being one of the game's most promising youngsters. That transformation was aided in great part by Mourinho during his three-year tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the United coach hoped to reunite with … [Read more...]
Jurgen Klopp calls Sadio Mane to check fitness amid injury concerns
Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Sadio Mane did not suffer a serious injury while on international duty. The winger was substituted midway through the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Namibia, prompting speculation about his fitness. Jurgen Klopp is understood to have called the 24-year-old the following day to check on his status and was given a positive response and Mane was back in for training at Melwood on Monday. That was a welcome news ahead of the visit of Premier League champions Leicester this weekend for … [Read more...]