Manuel Pellegrini expects his Manchester City side to rediscover their attacking instinct against Arsenal on Sunday. City were disappointing in their Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid, struggling to create meaningful chances in either leg of an underwhelming tie. They went down with barely a whimper at the Bernabeu in midweek, with the 1-0 aggregate scoreline flattering Pellegrini's men. They have won just one of their last five games but Pellegrini wants that put right at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Victory over the Gunners … [Read more...]
Welbeck’s goal against Norwich lifts Arsenal to third despite fans protest
The victory moved Arsenal back into third place ahead of Manchester City's game at Southampton on Sunday, and while a top-four finish is looking more likely for the Gunners, Welbeck was left to rue a chance to finish atop the table. Before kick off the atmosphere inside the Emirates was more a low-level anxiety than anything more. There was a loud cheer for the return to the bench of Santi Cazorla, a classy influence who has been badly missed since his injury against the same opponents in November. Otherwise Arsenal lined up in the usual … [Read more...]
Victor Valdes returns to Manchester United after Standard Liege loan cut short
Victor Valdes is returning to Manchester United after Standard Liege decided to cut short the Spanish goalkeeper’s loan deal. Former Barcelona man Valdes joined Standard on a six-month loan deal in January and helped them win the Belgian Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over favourites Club Brugge. But Standard have decided to give their younger players more gametime towards the end of the season and have cut Valdes’ loan short. A statement published on their official website standard.be, which also confirmed the early departure of Giannis … [Read more...]
Klopp unapologetic for dropping Daniel Sturridge against Villareal
Jürgen Klopp has said he has no regrets about leaving Daniel Sturridge on the bench for their Europa League semi-final defeat in Villarreal and says he would do the same again. Sturridge, 26, signed for Liverpool from Chelsea in 2013 and he has since scored 43 Premier League goals from 67 appearances, although his time on Merseyside has been hampered by injuries. The England international was left on the bench for the Reds' 1-0 loss to Villarreal on Thursday, resurfacing doubts about his future. The decision generated thousands of posts on … [Read more...]
Chelsea were at the brim of relegation when I took over- Guus Hiddink
Chelsea's carertaker manager Guus Hiddink has revealed for the first time how close the club were to being relegated when he first arrived, claiming the side was “drowning” and that he feared they would not survive. The Dutchman was appointed on December 19, with the club just two places and one point off the relegation zone after a woeful start to the season that saw Jose Mourinho fired. The Dutchman has since steadied Chelsea to mid-table stability, but he admits he was deeply worried when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge – admitting that … [Read more...]
Alexis Sanchez to the rescue as 10-man Arsenal draw at White Hart Lane
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the North London derby at White Hart Lane. Having lost three consecutive games prior to the visit to White Hart Lane. Arsene Wenger’s side had to put a stop to their poor run as their season seemed to be taking a nose dive. After a nervy opening period that saw the hosts dominate without creating chances it was Arsenal who took the lead when Aaron Ramsey flicked in Hector Bellerin’s pull back after a good move from Danny Welbeck. However, the game turned on its head when … [Read more...]
Aguero’s double keeps Manchester city title hopes alive
Manchester City kept alive their chance of winning the Premier League title, with an emphatic 4-0 thrashing of relegation candidates Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. City’s confidence was low after a 3-0 hammering at Liverpool in midweek, but they responded in a positive way on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium. After a disappointing first half that saw Manchester City with the majority of the possession(78%), but failed to convert the chances created, the floodgates were opened in the second half with Sergio Aguero grabbing a brace and … [Read more...]
Klopp delighted with win at Selhurst park despite red card
Liverpool responded to James Milner's sending-off in the 62nd minute against Crystal Palace by coming from 1-0 down to win 2-1 as Christian Benteke's penalty clinched victory in the sixth minute of injury time. Liverpool played its best football down to 10 men at Selhurst Park, where the team hadn't won since 1997, although it needed two errors by Palace players to bring about the comeback Liverpool looked set to suffer their fourth straight Premier League loss to Palace after Joe Ledley opened the scoring and James Milner sent off for his … [Read more...]
10-man United risk European Qualification after suffering defeat at West Brom
Manchester United were made to pay for a 26th-minute red card to Juan Mata at West Bromwich Albion, who won 1-0 thanks to Salomon Rondon's 66th minute strike at The Hawthorns. The Baggies claimed a 1-0 win over 10-man United at the Hawthorns – their first home league win over the Red Devils in 32 years . United dropped three points behind fourth-place Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification and is now only three ahead of Liverpool, which has won three straight league games for the first time in a year. The Dutchman, … [Read more...]
Late Diouf strike denies Chelsea win at the Bridge
A late Mame Biram Diouf strike denied Chelsea a win in a 1-1 score draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday. Chelsea took the lead in the 39th minute when Bertrand Traore's stunnig strike from just outside the box rested in the back of the net. Stoke pushed and deservedly drew level in the 85th minute as Diouf headed a rebound pass Thibaut Courtois for Mark Hughes men. The first half was a beehive of activities with both teams creating early chances. It was the Blues who took the initiative as Traore, who was standing in for … [Read more...]
Cech sidelined for three to four weeks
Arsenal's Premier League title hopes have been dealt a huge blow after it was confirmed a calf injury will rule Petr Cech out for close to a month. Arsenal fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea City on Wednesday leaving them six points adrift Premier League table toppers Leicester City in third place. But Arsenal's shaky title bid got from bad to worse when Cech injured his calf rushing back to his goal after he had gone for an injury-time corner as Wenger's men sought a late equalizer at Emirates Stadium. Wenger said Cech had already … [Read more...]