Walter Mazzarri and Claude Puel started life in the Premier League with a draw as 10-man Watford held on to thwart Southampton. Watford chief Mazzarri saw his new side take an early lead thanks to a first Hornets goal for Etienne Capoue. But debutant Nathan Redmond ensured Puel came away with a point from his first game in charge of Southampton, while Watford played the final 15 minutes a man down after Ben Watson’s dismissal. The opening day often throws up the odd surprise and the identity of Watford’s goalscorer was certainly one of them. Despite his attacking tendencies Capoue did not find the net once last season, much to the amusement of his team-mates, but the former Tottenham midfielder took just nine minutes to get off the mark this … [Read more...]
Manchester City 2-1 Sunderland: McNair own goal spares Guardiola’s debut blushes
An own goal from ex-Red Devil Paddy McNair on debut helped Guardiola's Manchester City begin the season with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Sunderland. An equaliser from Jermain Defoe had looked like denying Guardiola in the Premier League opener at the Etihad Stadium but substitute McNair, signed from Manchester United this week, headed into his own net after 87 minutes. Guardiola had made an immediate impact at City by dropping Joe Hart and Yaya Toure and on the field his side quickly took the lead with a Sergio Aguero penalty. But Sunderland, responding to their new manager David Moyes, weathered the early storm and almost claimed a highly creditable point after Defoe netted his 144th Premier League goal. Yet by the finish, the talk had … [Read more...]
Champions Leicester City stunned by Hull
Hull City stunned Premier League champions Leicester City with a 2-1 victory at the KCOM Stadium in the opening match of the season. Leicester became masters of upsetting the odds en route to the title last term but became the first defending champions to lose their opening game as this time it was Hull who sprang the surprise. Adama Diomande’s overhead kick and Robert Snodgrass’ clinical finish sealed a 2-1 win either side of Riyad Mahrez’s penalty. Hull’s preparations for their top-flight return have been nightmarish, with Steve Bruce walking out and his assistant Mike Phelan left in caretaker charge of a squad consisting just 13 fit first-teamers, supplemented here by five academy prospects on the bench. Revolt was in the air before kick-off too, … [Read more...]
Jurgen Klopp accuses Wenger of using ‘long balls’
Jurgen Klopp has taken jibes at Arsene Wenger, claiming his Arsenal have become a long ball team when it suits them. Liverpool and Arsenal meet in their Premier League opener this weekend, with Klopp and Wenger coming up against each other for the seventh time. Wenger has the better record against the German, winning three and losing just one, but the last time they met it ended in a 3-3 draw. Klopp believes Arsenal changed their usual style of play and utilised the long ball against Liverpool, and the former Borussia Dortmund boss is expecting more of the same at the Emirates on Sunday. "I think everyone who saw the game saw the difference between this game and all the other Arsenal games," Klopp said. "But in the last few years Arsenal had a more … [Read more...]
Hazard hopes Chelsea can rediscover form of two years ago
Eden Hazard hopes Chelsea's players can rediscover the form that won them the Premier League title two years ago. Hazard was named Player of the Year as the Blues won the championship in 2014-15, but they suffered in defending their crown and could only finish 10th last season. The Belgium international knows he must find the performances that won him so many plaudits, and is targetting a strong start at home to West Ham United on Monday. "Everybody needs to be the same player as two years ago," Hazard told Sky Sports. "We tried to find a lot of excuses for why we didn't play well last season, but we don't know why. Maybe some players were tired, but we need to be focused and train hard to be ready. "It's a fresh start. We have one objective together, … [Read more...]
Zlatan hints at extended Manchester United stay
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted he could extend his stay at Manchester United by up to three more years as the 34-year-old prepares to make his Premier League debut against Bournemouth this weekend. The Red Devils signed Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal in July after the striker left French side Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season following four successful years in France. Ibrahimovic has already impressed at his new club, scoring the winner in United's Community Shield match against Leicester City last week. And the striker admits he is already thinking about potentially staying on at United past his current one-year contract. "I don't believe there is anyone who could say 'no' to Manchester United," he told Sky Sports. "Even the name … [Read more...]
Mourinho hails Woodward and club for transfers
Jose Mourinho has hailed the efforts of Ed Woodward and Manchester United’s moneymen for bringing the club’s four major targets to the club this summer. Mourinho’s arrival has coincided with a transformative transfer window for the Red Devils, with world record signing Paul Pogba – who is suspended for the trip to Bournemouth – joining Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The decisive manner in which the club have secured their primary targets contrasts with the laborious and underwhelming recruitment that characterised the tenures of David Moyes and Van Gaal. Mourinho was happy to take some of the credit, suggesting he had arrived with a clearly defined shopping list that contrasted with less clear-minded contemporaries. But he … [Read more...]