Jürgen Klopp has told Liverpool fans not to travel to Basel for the Europa League final if they do not have tickets, despite inviting them to do so last week. The Merseyside club’s manager admitted that he had made a mistake by telling supporters to travel en masse and urged those who are unable to attend the game at St. Jakob-Park to stay at home. “Last time I spoke about Basel, I spoke like a supporter,” he said, with a sheepish grin, after Sunday’s 2-0 league win over Watford. “I do it sometimes because first of all I am a supporter, I like … [Read more...]
United narrow win leaves Norwich staring at relegation
Manchester United's bid for Champions League football was kept alive after a 1-0 win at Carrow Road which saw Norwich slip closer to Premier League relegation. Juan Mata has formed a habit finding the net against Norwich – he had scored four times against them for United in the Premier League before this encounter. And here was the Spaniard scoring the goal that might well have dispatched the Canaries to the championship. Norwich had 18 minutes to do what they had not managed to in their three previous games -- score -- but once more they … [Read more...]
Jermain Defoe strikes Earns sunderland victory in a thrilling comback win over Chelsea
Jermain Defoe's 18th goal of the season lifted Sunderland out of the Premier League relegation zone as 10-man Chelsea twice squandered the lead on Wearside. Newcastle's failure to beat Aston Villa means the Wearside club will secure a 10th consecutive season of Premier League football if they beat Roberto Martinez side at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday. Anything less, and it will go to the final day, when they travel to Watford, Newcastle host Tottenham, and Norwich, who remain in with a chance of survival, face Everton. Defoe struck 20 … [Read more...]
Daniel Sturridge not considering leaving
Daniel Sturridge is ready to achieve "something special" with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp and insists he has never planned on leaving the club. The England striker responded with a match-winning contribution, playing a role in all three Liverpool goals. Scoring his fifth goal in seven games on Thursday night as the Reds booked their place in the Europa League final against Villarreal. “I’m happy,” said Sturridge. “I have never expressed not being happy here. I think it is everyone playing devil’s advocate. “They see that I have been left out … [Read more...]
Manuel Pellegrini preaches focus as crucial week awaits Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini tends to keep Manchester City's focus on their quest for points as they make the away trip to face Southampton on Sunday. The Premier League clash at St Mary's comes between the two legs of City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, which is up for grabs after Tuesday's goalless affair at the Etihad Stadium. Pellegrini wants to see the same level of commitment that saw his side win their league games ahead of both quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain and then thrash Stoke last weekend. City's gaffer … [Read more...]
Manchester City to attack Arsenal from the blast of the whistle- Manuel Pellegrini
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...]