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 starting line-up. Having faced Sunderland at home in their Premier League opener and Steaua Bucharest in a Champions League qualifier in midweek, this represented the toughest test of Guardiola's City career to date. But … [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 the rest will come by itself," Ibrahimovic told Sky Sports. "I'm new in the team. I'm only here not even a month. Paul is back at his home, but still not with this team [before]. "He needs to get to know the players, … [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 chasing Benteke all summer and finally got their man after tabling an offer of £27m, plus potential add-ons of £5m, earlier this week. The move comfortably dwarfs Palace's previous record purchase, set earlier this … [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 comfortable win. Speaking in his postmatch news conference, Mourinho said: "He was fantastic. The fact that his first action was bad -- loses the ball, gives a free kick to the opposition -- means that you can see even … [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 scoring with a towering header before doubling his tally from the penalty spot early in the second half. United had plenty of positives to take in Jose Mourinho's first competitive home match in charge of the club. One of … [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 always better if you can win your first games. We know it’s a strong League, where you don’t know who will be champions at the start of the season. We hope it will be Chelsea, of course, but we know we have to fight for … [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 Trafford for nothing. Mourinho has called on United supporters to help improve the atmosphere inside Old Trafford - something that has been lacking over three disappointing years under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal - … [Read more...]