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5 Things Mourinho Should Do To Return Manchester United To Their Expected Form

José Mourinho's dream job had a dream start but after going three consecutive matches without a single point, undue pressure is on the Manchester United boss to perform in order to save his face, job and Manchester United's huge pedigree. Here are a few things he can do to get along with Old Trafford faithful again: 1. Set up a team This season, Manchester United have fielded a team with almost the same names but without shape, cohesion and perfect understanding of themselves. There is a huge selection headache on which defensive pairing, midfield pairing, and most efficient front line to employ, and his tinkering so far underlines the fact that he may not stumble in the know on his typical Manchester United team. This is an appalling development since he … [Read more...]

Zidane: guiding Real Madrid to surpass Barcelona

Last weekend, Zinedine Zidane guided his Real Madrid side to a record equaling 16-match winning streak, now they stand a chance to obliterate that record which they share with Barcelona who's run lasted in the 2010/2011  LaLiga season under the tutelage of Pe Guardiola, if they can beat Villarreal at Santiago Bernebeu tonight. The last time the Frenchman tasted a result other than a win was back in February when he lost to Diego Simeone led Atletico, after taking over from Rafa Benitez after he struggled to keep Real Madrid close to the LaLiga title. Real Madrid has since recorded 16 wins, 12 in the closing stages of last season and all 4 games this season, beating Levante, Celta Vigo (twice), Las Palmas, Sevilla Barcelona, Eibar, Getafe, Villarreal, Vallecano, … [Read more...]

Coutinho shines as Liverpool ease past Derby County

Philippe Coutinho scored one goal and created two as Liverpool thrashed Derby County 0-3 to ease into the last 16 of the EFL Cup. Philippe Coutinho scored one goal and assisted the other two as Jurgen Klopp's much-changed side crushed their Championship opponents, in the process extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches. Ragnar Klavan grabbed Liverpool's opener, the defender capitalising on a defensive error by Derby's Richard Keogh to find the net in the 24th minute. Liverpool then hit their hosts with a quick-fire double at the start of the second half to put the contest to bed, Coutinho slotting home a one-on-one opportunity before setting up Divock Origi to do likewise from a tight angle. Having brushed aside Burton … [Read more...]

Fabregas at the double as Chelsea beat Leicester

Cesc Fabregas nets twice as Chelsea staged an impressive comeback from two goals down to beat Leicester 4-2 and progress to the fourth round of the EFL Cup at the King Power Stadium. Fabregas has been left out of the starting line up in the league since Conte’s arrival and has not started in the Premier League this season proved his worth, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League visit to former club Arsenal. Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta’s stunning strike helped Chelsea come from behind after defensive howlers allowed Shinji Okazaki to score twice in the first half. Leicester’s Marcin Wasilewski was sent off a minute before the end of normal time as the hosts failed to build on their fine start. Pedro had a fifth-minute goal disallowed for offside … [Read more...]

perez on target as Arsenal crush Nottingham Forest

Arsenal eased through to the fourth round of the EFL Cup as striker Lucas Perez scored his first goals for Arsenal as they overcame Nottingham Forest 4-0 at the City Ground. Former Deportivo la Coruna striker Perez, who joined Arsenal for a fee of £17million in August, netted his first goal for Arsene Wenger's side with a well taken penalty on the hour-mark, before doubling his tally with a superb solo effort The Gunners’ only two League Cup triumphs in 1987 and 1993 each featured wins over the Reds and Granit Xhaka’s strike and a Lucas Perez double set the ball rolling for history to perhaps repeat itself. Granit Xhaka's second goal in as many games – a blistering range strike from 25 yards out, opened the scoring midway through a tightly-contested … [Read more...]

Yaya Toure quits international football

Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure has announced his retirement from international football. The Ivorian, 33, made his debut for the West African country in 2004, and took a break from the side following their Africa Cup of Nations win in February 2015. He returned to the squad in March this year, but on Tuesday confirmed he will no longer put himself in contention for selection. "There are decisions that are difficult to take. But, I have to pass the baton on to the younger [generation]," he said in a statement. "After 14 years at most levels with the Elephants, I [have] come to the end of my adventure with the Ivory Coast. "I thank all the supporters, all my fans." Toure, now an outcast at City has found himself down the … [Read more...]

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois wants move back to Spain

Thibaut Courtois today said he would like to return to Spain one day, adding that he will reconsider his future at Chelsea. The Belgium international has been regularly linked with a move back to La Liga where he spent three years on loan at at Atletico Madrid between 2011-14. Real Madrid emerged as his most likely destination last summer, but Chelsea are determined to keep the 24-year-old. “When I injured my knee they (Real Madrid) sent me a fax wishing me a prompt recovery,” he said. Despite Courtois’ desire to move on from Stamford Bridge, the goalkeeper has praised new Chelsea coach Antonio Conte. “He always thinks about football and tactically he is very strong,” he said. “He knows what he wants from the team and through videos he ensures that … [Read more...]

Guardiola will get a war if he wants one – Yaya Toure’s Agent

Dimitri Seluk, the ever outspoken agent of Ivory Coast international, Yaya Toure, has warned Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola that "he will get a war if he wants one." Seluk had earlier said that Guardiola should apologize to Yaya if Manchester City fails to win the UEFA Champions League this season and accused the spaniard of treating Yaya with disrespect by omitting his name from his UCL group stage squad list. Pep Guardiola got the Russian firing verbally at him when he deliberately omitted the 33-year old midfielder from his champions league squad and also said that Yaya may likely not feature for the citizens unless Seluk tenders an apology to him. In response to Pep, Seluk fired again, in an exclusive interview with Mirror Sport, saying that … [Read more...]

Raneiri expects to make huge selection changes

Premier League champions, Leicester City is likely to name a squad that will include players who have seen little or no game time this season, Claudio Raneiri reveals. Leicester are in the midst of a tight schedule of 7 games in 22 days, which is always evident of big English sides. They still have to face Manchester United in the league and Porto in the champions league after Chelsea's visit to the King Power Stadium tonight in the EFL Cup. He said, “they have to show me their best as they show every training.” “My door is always open and I am very excited how they'll react again. I believe the big Chelsea will arrive. I am expecting a strong team. “It is a fantastic opportunity because they are working so hard in the training session and have an … [Read more...]

Mikel Obi reveals plans to leave Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has exclusively revealed to goal.com that he will be willing to hold talks with potential suitors in January 2017, if Chelsea fail to offer him a new contract. Having struggled to get back into the Antonio Conte tutored Chelsea side after an impressive Rio 2016 Olympics outing that saw him captain Nigeria to a bronze medal finish, the Nigerian Skipper understands that he might be inching closer to the end of his Chelsea career. “When you have a year left, in January, you are allowed to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract or have an agreement so, yes, I will talk to other clubs because you never know what is going to happen.” “I've been here for a very long time. I've spent 11 years of my life here at Chelsea, it is … [Read more...]

Stoke coach Mark Huges fined £8,000 after accepting misconduct charge

The Football Association have fined Stoke manager Mark Hughes £8,000 after accepting a misconduct charge, following his sending-off against Tottenham. The charge relates to Hughes' conduct in the game against Tottenham on September 10 when the Welshman had reacted angrily to two decisions by referee Anthony Taylor he felt went against his side - a booking for Marko Arnautovic and what he thought was a foul on Jon Walters. An FA statement read: "Mark Hughes has been fined £8,000 after he accepted the standard punishment following his FA misconduct charge. "The Stoke City manager admitted that his behaviour in or around the 34th minute of the game against Tottenham Hotspur on 10 September 2016 amounted to improper conduct." … [Read more...]

Dele Alli agrees new six-year contract to stay at Tottenham until 2022

Tottenham midfielder, Dele Alli has signed a new six-year contract with the club worth nearly £55,000 a week., the Premier League club confirmed. The England international, 22, who arrived at White Hart Lane from MK Dons in February 2015, signed a contract to keep him at Spurs until 2022 and becomes the latest player to commit his future to Spurs. Alli, signed a new five-year contract in January, worth £25,000 a week, and was influenced by coach Mauricio Pochettino who regards the midfielder that Spurs have further extended his deal and significantly increased his wages Alli, who has 13 caps for England, has managed 11 goals and nine assists in 38 Premier League appearances for Tottenham. Tottenham Hotspur @SpursOfficial We're delighted to … [Read more...]

Chelsea target Kalidou Koulibaly pens new five-year Napoli contract

Chelsea target Kalidou Koulibaly has renewed his contract with Napoli, agreeing a deal to keep him at the club for a further five years. The Blues were known to be keen on the Senegalese defender alongside Everton and had an offer rejected by Napoli in the summer. Koulibaly said in June talks over a new deal had stalled and he would be open to a switch to England, drawing an angry response from Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis. The defender was retained by the club and has finally put pen to paper on a new contract running until 2021. "I am happy to announce that Kalidou Koulibaly has renewed his contract with Napoli until 2021," De Laurentiis posted on Twitter. Sono felice di annunciare che Kalidou Koulibaly ha rinnovato il contratto con il … [Read more...]

Jose Mourinho criticizes Luke Shaw after defeat to Watford

Jose Mourinho was unhappy with Luke Shaw's performance in his side's 3-1 defeat to Watford in the Premier League. The defeat adds up to third in a row in all competitions for The Red Devils after they were beaten 2-1 by rivals City and then lost 1-0 to Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday. Mourinho said: "The first Man City goal and this second goal against Watford -- you can find an incredible similarity, which is [Aleksandar] Kolarov has the ball in a difficult situation in the corner and my players, instead of going up to press they decide to give space. "And here for the second goal, [Nordin] Amrabat receives the ball and our left-back is 25 metres from him instead of five metres. But even at 25 metres, you have to jump and go and press, but … [Read more...]

Antonio Conte to be a succes at Chelsea- Ranieri

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri hopes N’Golo Kante will get a hero’s welcome when he makes his first return to the Leicester and says Antonio Conte has what it takes to bring trophies to Chelsea. Claudio Ranieri compatriot Antonio Conte will be a success at Chelsea as the two teams prepare to meet in the EFL Cup. The Leicester boss, speaking ahead of the EFL Cup third-round tie at King Power Stadium on Tuesday, is adamant his compatriot will live up to expectations in London. "I think he can bring trophies," Ranieri said. "He's a winner. He needs time. I think he can [lift] some trophies." Kante returns with Chelsea in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday and Ranieri is looking forward to their reunion. “I am very happy and I will give to … [Read more...]

Arsene Wenger to address Arsenal penalty problem

Arsene Wenger was excited with Arsenal's positive display but has suggested that he will talk to Alexis Sanchez over the striker's decision to take penalty duties from Santi Cazorla in win against Hull. Bournemouth goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic saved low down to his right, the second of four penalties Arsenal have missed this season. Cazorla is Arsenal's regular penalty taker, but had to watch as Sanchez spurned the chance to add gloss to the victory. Whilst it did not affect the result Wenger said he wants to understand why it was that the pre-match order was not followed. “Santi was down to taking it,” Wenger told the BBC. “I don’t know why it did not happen, they have pecking order, it was not planned for Sanchez to take it. “I want to know what … [Read more...]

Leicester 3-0 Burnley: Islam Slimani scores on Premier League debut

Algerian Striker Islam Slimani announced his Premier League debut with a brace as Leicester City cruised to a 3-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday. Slimani joined Leicester for a club-record fee of around £30million on transfer deadline day and wasted no time warming the hearts of Leicester City fans. Slimani, added the brute force to international team-mate Riyad Mahrez’s trickery as the pair put Burnley troubled Burnley all through the duration of the game. The Clarets fell asleep to allow Slimani to score before and after the break and Steven Defour wasted their best chance in the first half. The Foxes were coming off the back of Wednesday’s historic 3-0 win at Club Brugge and manager Claudio Ranieri had warned his side their European success could … [Read more...]

Alexis Sanchez’s double help Arsenal see-off 10-man Hull City

Alexis Sanchez scored twice, as Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 victory over 10-man Hull at the KC Stadium, as Wenger's men continued their winning run in the Premier League. Early pressure told in the 17th minute when Eldin Jakupovic palmed Theo Walcott’s cross into the path of Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian’s volley rifled its way into the bottom corner, though there remained some debate as to whether Alexis Sanchez got the final touch. The north Londoners were far from convincing in a midweek Champions League draw at Paris St Germain, just days after fortuitously overcoming Southampton, but matters were far more comprehensive at the KCOM Stadium. Hull have only beaten the Gunners once since 1915 and that poor run was extended on Saturday, with Sanchez’s double helping … [Read more...]

Man City unbeaten start to the Premier League continues

Manchester City continued their winning run to the season and remained top of the Premier League log as goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan gave Guardiola's men a 4-0 win over Bournemouth before Nolito saw red at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola’s men were commanding in possession and scintillating on the counter-attack. The Spaniard is threatening to mould a highly talented squad into something even greater than the sum of their parts. From the back, where Aleksandar Kolarov again looked composed at centre-half, to a forward line formidable even without the suspended Sergio Aguero, City were magnificent and too strong for Bournemouth. The hosts, and De Bruyne in particular, were in the mood from kick-off with … [Read more...]

Jordan Henderson’s wonder strike help Liverpool triumph over Chelsea

Strikes from both Jordan Henderson and Dejan Lovren fired Liverpool to a 2-1 victory at Chelsea, after a dominant first-half display by Jurgen Klopp's men to inflict first defeat of the season for the Blues. Lovren opened the scoring with his first league goal for Liverpool before Henderson scored his first goal since January with a stunning strike and, although Diego Costa scored his fifth goal of the season to get Chelsea back into the game. Liverpool have taken seven points from three trips to London already this season following on from an opening weekend win at Arsenal and a draw at White Hart lane. Diego Costa earned the Blues a point away at Swansea City last weekend and he initiated another comeback attempt with his sixth goal in as many Premier … [Read more...]

Feyenoord down Manchester United in Europa League opener

Manchester United suffered defeat in the hands of Feyenoord as the host ran out deserved 1-0 winners on Thursday in the Europa League opener.   Their much-changed line-up boasted quality but looked unconvincing in Rotterdam as United failed to create much, as the dutch team stifled Jose Mourinho’s men providing numerous chances. Jose rang the changes introducing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ashley Young and Memphis Depay but all proved to be aabortive as the men in blue failed to dominate the game. Looked like it was going to end in a stalemate, but Feyenoord found the back of the net thanks to Tonny Vilhena after he had  teed up by Jorgensen. It wasn't the kind of performance Mourinho expected after Saturday’s derby defeat at the hands of arc rivals … [Read more...]

Diego Simeone shortens Atletico Madrid contract

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has shortened his deal with the club by two years, according to reports in the Spanish media. Simeone reduced the terms of his contract with the Spanish giants, while there are claims that he has decided to take English lessons so as to fit into Premier League system. Simeone signed a contract with Atletico in March 2015 that tied him to the Liga outfit until June 2020. AS and Marca report that the Argentine has had negotiations with the club and changed the deal so that it now expires in June 2018. Fernando Torres said he doubted the reports. "It is an unreal hypothesis," Torres said during a news conference on Thursday. "Let's be real. We are one month into the season and this is a very important year for us. … [Read more...]