PREMIER LEAGUE – Page 113 – Football Flame

PREMIER LEAGUE

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa Promoted to the Premier League

Aston Villa have been promoted to the Premier League after beating Derby 2-1 in the Championship play-off final on Monday.Villa held off a late fight back from Frank Lampard's team at Wembley to book their return to the English top-flight after three years in the Championship.Anwar El Ghazi opened the scoring late in the first half when he met Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross to beat Kelle Roos and John McGinn headed into an open goal on the hour mark after an error from the Derby goalkeeper.Jack Marriott pulled one back for the Rams in the 81st minute in a tense finish to the game, as Jayden Bogle and Mason Mount also came close to finding the net. Towards the end of the seven minutes of injury time, Harry Wilson proved lively down the wing for Derby, but saw one cross cleared by the Villa defenc...
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Man City Chairman Believes Rivals are Jealous

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has branded La Liga chief Javier Tebas and other critics "jealous", and insists his side will not be banned from the Champions League or receive a transfer ban as long as investigations into its conduct are "judged on facts".City won an unprecedented domestic treble this season but in recent weeks their sporting achievements have had to share the spotlight with allegations of widespread rule breaking and even the policy of the Abu Dhabi government and royal family, given Al Mubarak and Blues owner Sheikh Mansour have strong links to both.“He (Tebas) talks about how we distorted the market? There is a hypocrisy in this statement that is ironic,” the City chairman said. “Number one, let’s look at the Spanish league, the time of breaking records on...
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Report: Chelsea star Kante a major doubt for Europa League final

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku after sustaining a knee injury in training over the weekend, according to British media reports.The France international missed Chelsea’s previous two games with a hamstring injury but returned to training last week and manager Maurizio Sarri was confident he would be fit for the club’s season-ending showpiece in the Azerbaijan capital.Both the Times and Guardian newspapers reported that Kante had twisted his knee during a training session on Saturday and was not likely to recover in time for the final.The 28-year-old’s absence is a blow for Sarri, who is already without the services of defender Antonio Rudiger, midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi due to injuries....
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Chelsea Reportedly Want £130m for Eden Hazard

Chelsea want £130m for Eden Hazard, as per reports. Real Madrid value the Belgium international at no more than €100m (£88m) due to the fact that he is entering the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea are under no pressure to sell and negotiations over a proposed deal are being handled by Blues director Marina Granovskaia.Hazard revealed earlier this month that he had made a decision on his future and expected it to be resolved following the Europa League final against Arsenal on Wednesday.Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, who will also have talks over his future following the game in Baku, insisted the club needed to "respect" the decision Hazard has made about his future.
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Pochettino 'Motivated' to Stay at Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino says he is "motivated" to stay at Tottenham and take them to the next level.Pochettino's Spurs future has been uncertain following comments he made before the Champions League semi-final victory over Ajax, in which he suggested he could walk away if they were to win the competition.There has also been speculation in Italy that he is of interest to Juventus, who recently parted ways with Massimiliano Allegri.But Pochettino told talkSPORT on Friday: "Tottenham, for me, is the best club in the world."When we talk about facilities - this training ground, a stadium that is the best in the world - there is no better club."Then it's London - there is no better city. And the Premier League is the most tough and the most exciting league in the world."We need to make that step. O...
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Van Persie: Solskjaer Right Choice for Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right man to lead Manchester United and must be given a fair chance to reverse their decline, former striker Robin van Persie told BBC Sport.After impressing as interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, ex-United forward Solskjaer oversaw a dismal end to the season as they missed out on a top-four finish.But Van Persie said: "I think it's the perfect match, it's just they're having a bad spell."He added: "Back in the day it was normal for a manager to get time. Nowadays if you lose six games, you're out. Is that the solution?"Give someone time, especially if it's a kid from the club."United dismissed Mourinho on 18 December and planned to make a temporary appointment until the summer before filling the managerial vacancy permanently.A day later, 46...
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Petr Cech Denies Chelsea – Sporting Director Links For Now

Petr Cech has denied reports that he is set for a new role with Chelsea, insisting that he is still solely focused on the Europa League final against his former club.Cech has been with Arsenal since 2015 following a decade-long stay with the Blues.The 37-year-old goalkeeper has won the FA up and two Community Shields since making the move across London to join the Gunners.But reports have stated that Cech is in line for a front office role with Chelsea as he prepares to end his playing career following next week's Europa League final between the Gunners and the Blues.Cech, though, says that decision has not been finalized and that he has not thought of any possibilities that don't involve that Europa League finale."Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before, I’ll make...
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Daniel James reportedly agree terms with Man Utd

Swansea winger Daniel James has agreed personal terms with Manchester United, as per reports.The two clubs are yet to agree a deal, contrary to reports, but talks are continuing and James is set to become United's first signing of the summer.It is understood United are close to agreeing a £15m fee with the Championship club for James, who has one year left on his contract.James was named in Ryan Giggs' Wales squad for their Portugal training camp ahead of next month's Euro 2020 qualifying round matches against Croatia and Hungary.
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Giroud sign one year contract extension with Chelsea

Olivier Giroud has committed his immediate future to Chelsea by signing a one-year contract extension.The World Cup winner has told the Blues’ official website: “I am very happy to sign a new contract.“I really wanted to stay at least one more year - I have felt a part of the team, the family, since the beginning and hopefully there will be more trophies to come.”Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added on seeing fresh terms agreed with an experienced frontman: “We are very pleased that Olivier will be a Chelsea player for another season.“Since joining us 18 months ago, he has at times had to be patient and wait for opportunities, but has still been able to make a positive contribution to the team.“Whether it is his unselfish link-up play or his 10 Europa League goals this season, he has ...
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Chelsea loanee Alvaro Morata makes decision about his future

Alvaro Morata has revealed that he wants to spend the rest of his career at Atletico Madrid and make his move from Chelsea FC permanent.The striker left Chelsea FC to join Atletico Madrid on loan in the January transfer window and the Spanish club have the option to make his move permanent.According to The Evening Standard, with Antoine Griezmann leaving the club, Atletico Madrid will look to exercise their option to buy Morata sooner rather than later.The 26-year-old Spain international has scored six goals and made one assist in 15 La Liga games for the Spanish club so far this season.Before his move in January, Morata had scored five goals in 16 Premier League games under Maurizio Sarri for Chelsea FC.Now, the player himself has made it clear that he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid bey...
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Man City beat Watford to win FA Cup

Manchester City have matched the record for the heaviest margin of victory in an FA Cup final by beating Watford 6-0 at Wembley Stadium.Gerard Deulofeu had the chance to give Watford an early lead only to be denied by Ederson.But once David Silva struck on 26 minutes the Premier League champions never looked back.Gabriel Jesus added a second and Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-0 shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute.As Watford sought a way back into the match City picked them off on the counter-attack time and again, Gabriel Jesus racing clear to score on 68 minutes.Raheem Sterling then struck twice in the last nine minutes to match the 6-0 record win Bury enjoyed over Derby County in 1903.Their sixth victory in this competition means City have become the first team to win the Prem...
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Burnley boss Dyche says Decision on deal rests with Crouch

Clarets boss Sean Dyche has disclosed that he would have no qualms in offering Peter Crouch a new contract at Burnley, but the decision whether to play on ultimately lies with the player.The 38-year-old’s short term deal expired at the end of the season, but Dyche has been pleased with the veteran’s impact on and off the pitch, despite his playing time being restricted to 88 minutes either side of appendix surgery.Crouch himself feels fit enough to play on, but admits he is pondering whether to retire.Dyche said: “I chatted with him the other day and it is not just my decision, it is his as well, with his age and his intention, does he want to carry on?“I have never been bothered by age, it has always been have you got that edge to your game? I think he showed that he is hungry, he has bee...
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Man City boss Pep Guardiola thanks Liverpool after retaining Premier League title

Pep Guardiola thanked Liverpool for pushing Manchester City to new heights this season and, having claimed the toughest top-flight title of his career, warned that his team will return even stronger when they chase a third successive title.City’s 4-1 victory at Brighton ensured they became the first team in a decade to retain the Premier League, holding off a resurgent Liverpool in the process. The champions will attempt to secure an unprecedented domestic treble on Saturday against Watford in the FA Cup final but, having seen their league dominance challenged by Jürgen Klopp’s side, plans are afoot to strengthen once more.Guardiola, who has now claimed consecutive championships in La Liga, Bundesliga and the Premier League, had seen his side win the division by 19 points last season,...
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Fulham confirm Scott Parker as permanent manager

Fulham have confirmed Scott Parker as their permanent manager ahead of their return to the Championship.The former England midfielder took over from Claudio Ranieri as caretaker manager in February and led the club to a hat-trick of wins and clean sheets after their relegation was confirmed.“I’m delighted to be appointed Head Coach of Fulham Football Club and I thank the Chairman for entrusting me with this responsibility, as well as the support and encouragement that both he and Tony Khan have provided me," Parker said.
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Chelsea: David Luiz set to sign new deal before Europa League Final

Chelsea defender David Luiz says he will sign a new deal with the club in the coming days, ending any chance he could leave for free this summer.Luiz, 32, is out of contract at the end of June and has been in protracted talks over extending his deal.The Brazil centre-back now expects to finalise a deal before the Europa League final against Arsenal on 29 May."My relation with the fans has been great since the first day," he said."I try to do my best and make them happy."Luiz made his 48th Chelsea appearance of the season in Thursday's penalty-shootout win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals.Asked afterwards whether he expected to extend his stay, he said:"Yes I think so. Soon everybody is going to know."I love this club. My great moments in football were here, especia...
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Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham, Ake strikes late to sink nine-man Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino insists nine-man Tottenham won’t let a “cruel” 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth ruin their bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four and reach the Champions League final.South Korea forward Son Heung-min was sent off for a needless push in the closing moments of the first half and Argentine defender Juan Foyth saw red for a studs-up lunge soon after the interval, barely two minutes after entering the field as a half-time substitute.Pochettino’s side looked like they would hold on for a point as the match entered stoppage-time, but Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake ended third-placed Tottenham’s stubborn resistence to delay their attempt to guarantee a place in the top four.A win at Dean Court would have achieved that aim, but fourth-placed Chelsea will now go above Spurs if...
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I expect Zaha to stay at Crystal Palace says Hodgson

Roy Hodgson is adamant that Wilfried Zaha will not leave Crystal Palace in the summer, despite the winger’s ambitions to play in the Champions League.Zaha is being considered as a potential target for a number of sides, however, the player still has four years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park.Despite the interest, the price tag and salary a move would take to prise Zaha from Selhurst Park may ultimately derail a move a top club.“I have that old-fashioned idea that when you sign a contract, you go back after the season ends and start playing again,” Hodson said after Palace’s 0-0 draw with Everton. “That’s the way I see it. I hope he finds good form in the last two games.”
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Guardiola says Manchester City need to stay calm

Manchester City's players need to remain calm in order to win the Premier League title for a second successive year, says manager Pep Guardiola.Goals from Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane gave City a 2-0 win at Man Utd to move above Liverpool into first place in the table.City will retain their title if they win their last three league matches."We're still not champions with three games left," said Guardiola, whose side have one point more than Liverpool."I told the players don't read tomorrow, don't watch the television, just rest and sleep a lot and go in there against Burnley."We go to Burnley and we know how tough it will be. It's important to be calm."
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Man Utd boss Solskjaer Welcomes Luke Shaw to squad ahead Man City clash

Luke Shaw is set to return to the fold after suspension for Manchester United against Manchester City.Luke Shaw is available for Manchester United's derby clash Manchester City at Old Trafford.Shaw has missed United's last three games with domestic and European bans but will come back into contention.“Luke’s been very good,” Solskjaer said.“He’s disappointed that he’s missed the three games that he has. He knows he has to improve on that.“Some of his yellow cards weren’t yellow cards but some of them are his fault where he’s taken the easy option. We’ve spoken about that.“It’ll be great to have him back because, both defensively and in attack, he’s been one of our best players.”Phil Jones is a doubt after hobbling off in Sunday's 4-0 defeat Everton Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly and Antonio Va...
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Pellegrini excited by Jack Wilshere return

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini said Jack Wilshere's imminent return to first-team action will provide a 'good injection' to his squad.Wilshere started West Ham's opening four games of the season after joining from Arsenal last summer, but has played just one game since due to an ankle injury, which he underwent surgery on in December. With fellow midfielders Manuel Lanzini and Samir Nasri ruled out of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Leicester, the 27-year old could feature."Jack Wilshere is OK," Pellegrini said on Thursday. "He worked without problems."We'll see tomorrow how he feels. He played already one game for the U23s. We will talk with him but (it) will be soon this week, next week. I hope that he will play some games before we finish the season."He's a midfielder that we n...
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