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Shaw responds to diving accusations after win over the Saints

Luke Shaw has defended himself after accusations he dived to win a penalty in Manchester United’s victory over Southampton. The left-back was deemed to have been tripped by Saints midfielder Jordy Clasie in the second half, earning the penalty which Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted to secure the 2-0 win at Old Trafford. Former Southampton player Shaw was then heckled by the away support, but the 21-year-old insists he did not cheat. “A lot of people are saying it wasn’t a penalty, but 100 per cent it was a penalty, he clipped my foot,” he … [Read more...]

Allardyce: Man City’s Hart will be in England first team squad

Joe Hart will be in England’s squad despite being confined to the Manchester City bench, Sam Allardyce has confirmed. The new manager names his first England squad on Sunday for World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Malta and it appears that there will be a space in the party for the Manchester City goalkeeper, who has yet to make an appearance under Pep Guardiola this season. Speaking to Sky Sports News Allardyce confirmed that Hart, who has reportedly been told he can leave City, will “definitely” be in the party that travel to … [Read more...]

Aguero must not forget his team responsibilities- Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is delighted with Sergio Aguero's brilliant start to the season, but insists the Manchester City striker must maintain his hard work. The Argentina international took his tally to six goals from City's first three games after scoring twice in the 4-1 victory over Stoke City as they maintained their perfect start to the season. But Guardiola is not only delighted with Aguero's goals, he also praised the striker's industry and movement off the ball. The Catalan told a news conference: "He knows we are here to help him to … [Read more...]

Conte defends Costa says striker is being mistreated in England

The criticism of Chelsea striker Diego Costa has left Antonio Conte desperate for him not to let it distract his start to the season. Antonio Conte has urged Diego Costa to focus on his football and not let the criticism of him affect his impressive start to the 2016-17 campaign. Costa netted his second goal of the Premier League season on Saturday as Chelsea came from a goal down to beat Watford 2-1, the Spain international slotting home the decisive goal with three minutes to play. However, his performance attracted criticism with … [Read more...]

Klopp: I’d be a ‘real idiot’ to buy after one loss

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he would have to be "a real idiot" to rush into the transfer market purely on the basis of Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Burnley. Klopp has made several signings this summer, including Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Ragnar Klavan, but he has so far failed to bring in a new left-back despite serious questions over Alberto Moreno's form, with James Milner used in the position at Burnley. Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-3 in their Premier League opener before suffering the surprise defeat to Burnley, and Klopp said … [Read more...]

Chelsea want to win the League again under Conte- Hazard

Eden Hazard said Chelsea have set their sights on regaining the Premier League title under Antonio Conte this season. Chelsea came from a goal down at Watford on Saturday to make it two wins from two Premier League games for Conte, with Diego Costa scoring an 87th-minute winner. The result puts the Londoners level with Manchester United, Manchester City and Hull City on six points -- a total the Blues took six games to reach as their title defence imploded last season. Hazard is encouraged by that start and said the team's goal was to … [Read more...]

Chelsea midfielder Mikel leads Nigeria to Rio 2016 Olympic bronze

Sadiq Umar scored a brace as Nigeria held off a late Honduras fightback to win Olympic bronze on Saturday at Mineirao Stadium. The 3-2 victory made sure of Nigeria's third Olympic medal in men's football after winning gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, while they claimed silver in 2008 after a final defeat to Argentina in 2008. The medal was a reward for an Olympic tournament that got off to a rocky start. Nigeria's arrival in Brazil was delayed until just hours before the team's opening match because of a flight mix-up in … [Read more...]

Laurent Koscielny vows Arsenal will compete for the Premier League title

Laurent Koscielny has vowed Arsenal will challenge for the title despite their rivals’ “unbelievable” spending this summer. The Gunners drew 0-0 at champions Leicester on Saturday and remain winless after the opening two Premier League games. Travelling fans again turned on Arsene Wenger and urged him to spend as the toothless visitors struggled to create clear chances. But defender Koscielny insisted the Gunners, runners-up to Leicester last season, will battle for the Premier League crown as they hunt their first title since … [Read more...]

Valencia one of world’s best right-backs- Herrera

Ander Herrera thinks his Manchester United team-mate Antonio Valencia is currently the best right-back in the world. Valencia, 31 has started both of United’s Premier League games at right-back this season after maintaining the fine form he showed in pre-season. Valencia, who was brought to United by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009 from Wigan for a fee of around £16million, was switched from his original role as a winger to full-back by Louis van Gaal. He started 14 Premier League games last season, most of which were in defence, but this … [Read more...]

Sporting Lisbon sign Arsenal forward Joel Campbell on loan

Joel Campbell has joined Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon on loan after failing to secure a regular place in the Arsenal side. The Gunners announced the season-long deal on Sunday and said the Costa Rica forward "will be hoping he can help the Portugese side win the Primeira and gain further Champions League experience." Sporting Lisbon tweeted a picture of Campbell posing in club colours after he had tweeted them to suggest that they sign him. .@joel_campbell12 challenge accepted! Welcome to Sporting CP! #BemvindoCampbell … [Read more...]

Conte pleased with players’ impact from the bench

Manager Antonio conte praised the impact of his substitutes as Chelsea again left it late to strike for victory. The Blues had beaten West Ham on Monday with a late Diego Costa strike, and the Spain international produced the goods three minutes from time against Watford as Conte's side came from behind to win 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Etienne Capoue fired the hosts ahead 10 minutes into the second half before Conte reacted, introducing Victor Moses, Michy Batshuayi and Cesc Fabregas from the bench, with summer recruit Batshuayi levelling with … [Read more...]

Koeman happy with Lukaku’s Everton commitment

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...]

Ibrahimovic double sinks Southampton on Pogba debut

Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his impressive start in aManchester United shirt as he fired Jose Mourinho's side to a 2-0 victory over Southampton. The Red Devils were comfortable under the Friday night lights at Old Trafford, as the Swedish star marked his home debut with a double, netting either side of half-time. The 34-year-old now has three goals in his first two Premier League games, following on from his strike in Sunday's Premier League opener at Bournemouth . The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona striker opened the … [Read more...]

Hazard hopes Chelsea strong start can ‘scare’ title rivals

Eden Hazard hopes Chelsea can strike fear into the rest of the Premier League by maintaining their winning start at Watford on Saturday. Antonio Conte's side won their first match of the campaign at home to West Ham on Monday night, but Hazard hopes a string of wins will get their title rivals worried. “If you win the first few games all the other teams will see that and say you are ready for the Premier League,” explained the Belgium international. “It scares them. If you don’t start well, you can still be champions at the end but it’s … [Read more...]

Mourinho: ‘World’s best’ Pogba will never win the Ballon d’Or

Paul Pogba will struggle to score even a quarter of the goals netted by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and will not receive the same personal accolades collected by such illustrious rivals. As the French international record signing prepares for his second Manchester United debut tonight, Jose Mourinho has no doubt he has signed the world’s best midfield player. The £89 million former Juventus man will play some role in the opening Friday night Premier League fixture of the season, at home to Southampton, four years after leaving Old … [Read more...]