Arsene Wenger has conceded he fears for Arsenal's top-four chances after Sunday's barren draw against Sunderland. Arsenal failed to break down the Black Cats, whose point at the Stadium of light lifted them out of the Premier League's bottom three. Petr Cech had to save sharp efforts from Wahbi Khazri and Jermain Defoe, with Arsenal failing to convert their clear-cut chances against Sam Allardyce's men. The result leaves Arsenal fourth, five points clear of Manchester United - who have a game in hand - leaving Wenger fearful of a run-in that features games against fellow European contenders Manchester City and relegation-threatened Norwich City. When asked if he was worried Arsenal could lose their top-four spot, Wenger said: "Yes, of course. We care … [Read more...]
Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany ruled out for four months
Vincent Kompany’s thigh injury is expected to keep him out for four months meaning the Belgian captain will miss the start of next season under the club’s new coach, Pep Guardiola. Kompany, 30, lasted just six minutes of the tie in the Santiago Bernabeu before succumbing to the latest muscle problem in an injury-ravaged campaign. He later released a message on his Facebook page that confirmed he will definitely miss the tournament. "I'll miss the Euros," he wrote. "To me that's very sad news. "So I could be standing here, feeling sorry for myself. I could fear for my career, as others may do. I could give up. "That is not me. I decide on my future. "There is a bigger picture to everything in life and only failing to see it, will cause me to fail. "I … [Read more...]
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp withdraws Europa League final tickets
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 this game.\ “But I invited all Liverpool fans to Basel and that was not too smart to be honest. Basel is a nice city but it is not ready for us. It was my mistake. “We have to take back the invitation to Basel. … [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 failed to do so. The Canaries' fate could be decided as soon as Wednesday, when they host Watford. The hosts began with intent, a strong early spell coming between injury blows for the visitors. Anthony Martial was … [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 minutes from time - his first at the Stadium of Light since January 2 - to settle a five-goal thriller after first Wahbi Khazri and then Fabio Borini had cancelled out efforts from Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic with Blues … [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 sometimes and they think, ‘Maybe that means he is unhappy’, but the manager has got a job to do. He has got to pick the team that he feels is best on the day. And I have got a job to do, which is to perform when I am … [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 said: "It was difficult when we played Paris Saint-Germain with Bournemouth and West Brom, and when we played last Saturday before Real Madrid, but we have two different competitions. "I always say if you want to be … [Read more...]