PREMIER LEAGUE

2Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham boss Pellegrini urge youngsters to keep pushing

Manuel Pellegrini has urged West Ham United's youngsters to keep pushing their case for involvement with the first team.Ben Johnson became the sixth Academy graduate to play in the manager's senior side this term when he was handed his debut in Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Manchester City, following on from Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Grady Diangana, Conor Coventry and Joe Powell.Pellegrini says that is indicative of the quality coming through the ranks and he is only too happy to give youth its chance when he situation demands.The boss is, however, also looking forward to having either Aaron Cresswell or Arthur Masuaku back in contention for Saturday's visit of Newcastle United.He said: "The duty of young players is to always try to push. They work with us in the same place at Rush...

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28Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Solskjaer praises Romelu Lukaku for grabbing chances

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was happy to see Romelu Lukaku making the most of playing in his favoured central striker role with two goals in Manchester United's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.Lukaku has been asked to fill in on the flanks in recent weeks, with caretaker United manager Solskjaer preferring to employ Marcus Rashford through the middle.But with Rashford not fully fit and named amongst the substitutes at Selhurst Park, Lukaku was restored to his preferred position and responded with a goal in each half to complete a win that maintained Solskjaer's unbeaten run in the Premier League to 11 games since he took charge in mid-December.And the manager, himself a former United striker, was in no doubt that the positional switch had played a key role in Belgium international Luk...

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28Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Claudio Ranieri uncertain over Fulham future after defeat at Southampton

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri says his future is uncertain after Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Southampton pushed the London side another step closer to Premier League relegation. Goals from Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse inflicted a seventh defeat in eight top flight games on Fulham and left them 10 points adrift of safety. When asked about his future, Ranieri said: “My job? I don’t know. Ask the owner.” Despite their perilous position, Ranieri said Fulham would battle hard in each of their 10 remaining games. “I am just working hard until it is mathematically impossible, we continue to fight, he said. “We must believe and we must stay together. “The players they are trying to do their best but that is not enough. We have to do something more. All my players are very, very frustrated because...

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28Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Asernal boss Unai Emery focus on Tottenham clash after 5-1 win over Bournemouth

Asernal boss Unai Emery watched his side ease past Bournemouth with 5-1 win before setting his sight to beat Tottenham on Saturday to close within a point of their north London neighbours.Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored to put Arsenal on course for the win before Lys Mousset pulled one back only for Laurent Koscielny, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to strike after the interval.The win, coupled with Tottenham’s loss at Chelsea, means Arsenal head to Wembley this weekend four points adrift of their fierce rivals.They could close the gap further still by completing a league double over Spurs and Emery admits reducing the distance to just a solitary point will be a motivating factor.“It is a big motivation,” he said“We need to take the opportunity like today, these ...

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26Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Watford keep tabs on Boavista defender Goncalo Cardoso

Watford are eyeing Boavista's highly-rated central defender Goncalo Cardoso.The 18-year-old, who plays as a left centre back, is fast becoming one of the most sought-after teenagers in Europe, with a number of clubs monitoring his progress closely.And Watford are among the clubs with a serious interest in the youngster.But the Hornets are facing stiff competition from Inter Milan and Lazio for the Portugal Under-19 international.The defender has already made 16 senior appearances for the Portuguese club and is establishing himself as a regular in Boavista's first XI.He seems certain to become a senior Portugal international, and Watford are ready to strike a deal for the youngster before bigger clubs make their move. 

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21Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Barcelona keep tabs on Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought the best out of a number of attacking players such as Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba with his proactive approach seemingly being preferred by them over Jose Mourinho’s reactive defensive mindset. Barcelona’s search for a new striker is widespread so it’s understandable that Marcus Rashford’s recent return to form has got them interested,  six goals and three assists in 12 matches. According to report, The Catalans are eyeing Rashford, although the club acknowledges that it would be hard to take him away from Manchester United especially with no release clause, so a large transfer fee, potentially over €100 million, would be required. Young English players are always overvalued due to the “homegrown” player squad requirements...

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20Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd's Midfielder Ander Herrera set to sign a new contract at Old Trafford

Manchester United Midfielder Ander Herrera is reportedly set to sign a new three-year deal at Old Trafford.Ander Herrera current contract expires in the summer but he will sign a new deal worth £100,000-a-week.Herrera opened the scoring against Chelsea on Monday as United beat Chelsea 2-0 to book their place in the last eight of the FA Cup. Pogba scored the other goal, and Herrera believes the platform he has built with Nemanja Matic has allowed the Frenchman more freedom to get forward, and helped the club's attackers."I said to the manager we are running a lot at the moment to make our forwards enjoy it," he told the club's official monthly magazine."Sometimes it's hard for us but as long as they score goals and as long as they make our fans enjoy the games we'll continue doing...

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9Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Wilfried Zaha secure a point for Crystal Palace in 1-1 draw against West Ham

Wilfried Zaha earned a point for Crystal Palace against  West Ham after Mark Noble scored his first Premier League goal of the season and had worked so hard to get his side into the lead.James McArthur and Michy Batshuayi missed great chances for the Eagles to level the score after the West Ham captain gave the visitors the lead from the spot in the first half. However, Zaha, who returned to the side following an initial one-match ban, struck a timely equaliser deep into the second half.

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8Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Chelsea

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League after thrashing Everton 2-0  in midweek but could find themselves down in second by the time they host Chelsea on Sunday. Chelsea are the only side to ever complete a league double over a Pep Guardiola side in the same campaign, achieving it during their title contest in 2016/17. They could repeat history with a win on Sunday after inflicting City with their first league defeat of the season back in December.                                                     &n...

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7Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton striker Danny Ings sideline for three weeks

Southampton striker Danny Ings will be sideline for two to three weeks with a hamstring injury. Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl confirmed the news in a press conference on Thursday.Southampton host Cardiff on Saturday afternoon, knowing a win would see them move five points clear of their opponents and with it the relegation zone.Ings will miss Saturday's game, but could also be ruled out of Premier League games against Arsenal and Fulham later in February.Ings is on loan from Liverpool and has scored seven goals for the Saints in 18 league appearances, including two in Southampton's 3-2 win over Arsenal in December.                                                &n...

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6Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola urge Everton to keep faith with Marco Silva

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has advised Everton to stick with under-fire Marco Silva if they believe in his ability as there are no guarantees that a new manager can come in and improve results immediately.Everton invested heavily on new players in the close season but results have hardly matched expectations, with Silva's side managing three wins in their last 12 Premier League games to heap pressure on the Portuguese.Guardiola told reporters ahead of Wednesday's trip to Goodison Park:"My advice, if they believe in the project, if they believe in him, they have to move forward with him. "Nobody assures you a new manager is going to do better."Guardiola did not enjoy success at City until his second campaign when he won the league title and the League Cup last season and s...

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4Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Joe Gomez set to undergo surgery on lower leg fracture

Liverpool's Joe Gomez set to undergo  surgery on lower leg fracture, the Premier League leaders announced on Monday.Gomez suffered the injury in a 3-1 victory at Burnley early in December.Liverpool's inital assessment was that Gomez might be sidelined for six weeks, but have now refused to set a specific timescale for the England international's recovery, although he is expected to play again this season."Liverpool confirm Joe Gomez is to undergo surgery to assist his recovery from a lower leg fracture sustained at Burnley on December 5," the club said in a statement.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added: "It's a blow for the boy and for us,  because prior to the injury he was in such fantastic shape."But he is too valuable to take any risk with, both for our present and future, s...

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3Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Solskjaer happy with Man Utd attitude after 1-0 win over Leicester City

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer grabbed his 9th win in 10 Manchester United games as his side held on against Leicester City to maintain their unbeaten start under the interim boss.The Norwegian was delighted with the team commitment after the hard-fought victory.“Our attitude was spot on. There are couple of bruised noses and knees,” Solskjaer told the BBC.“It is supposed to be like this. There are three points on the line. Our lads sacrificed everything they had. They know they can do better than this but a clean sheet is always a foundation to build on.”Marcus Rashford early goal was enough for Man Utd, who were not at their best at King Power Stadium. His goal came after Pogba pounced on a misplaced pass and fed the striker with a through ball. Rashford remained composed and scored his 26th Premi...

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30Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea out of Premier League top four after 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth

Chelsea dropped out of the top four of the Premier League after a shocking 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth as Joshua King scored twice at the Vitality Stadium.A memorable win was secured with all four goals coming in a rampant second-half display for the Cherries, with Blues boss Maurizio Sarri receiving flak from the travelling support.King struck either side of setting up David Brooks before Charlie Daniels headed in a last-gasp fourth which saw Chelsea drop to fifth, below London rivals Arsenal on goal difference.The defeat was Chelsea’s third in a row on the road in all competitions and Sarri’s decision to haul off Premier League debutant Gonzalo Higuain after Brooks’ strike was met with disdain from the visiting fans.Blues supporters will also be demanding an explanation as to why Callum Hu...

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20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City ease past Huddderfield to close the gap on Liverpool

Manchester City has closed the gap on LIverpool at the Premier League with a comfortable win over Hudderfield at the John Smith's stadium.Danilo, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane all scored as Pep Guardiola's team closed the gap to four points after Liverpool 4-3 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.Huddersfield were hapless against the champions, in the week after David  Wagner left the club and Mark Hudson took temporary charge. They stay at the bottom of the table, with just 11 points.

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19Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Diogo Jota score a hat-trick to earn Wolverhamptom Wanderers 4-3 win over Leicester City

Diogo Jota scored a  hat-trick to earn Wolverhamptom Wanderers a big 4-3 win over Leicester City on saturday  in one of the best games in EPL season so far.The late winner for Wolves, after they had repelled two fightbacks from their Midlands rivals, sparked jubilation at Molineux that even saw victorious manager Nuno Espirito Santo sent off for celebrating on the pitch with his players. The Wolves boss accepted he was wrong to get so carried away that he rushed onto the playing area after the winner, saying: “I was sent off, but rightly so. You cannot go on the pitch.” Yet he could hardly be blamed for getting over-excited after Leicester twice come back, at 2-0 and 3-2 down, and must have felt they had won a point for under-pressure manager Claude Puel when captain Wes Mor...

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17Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Fabinho happy with his new defensive role for Liverpool

Fabinho has been forced to play at centre-back in Liverpool last two matches due to the number of injured players  at Anfield.Joe Gomez [ankle], Trent Alexander-Arnold [knee] and Dejan Lovren [hamstring] are all currently sidelined, while Joel Matip is yet to feature since returning to full training after a fractured collarbone.Jurgen Klopp could play Fabinho in defence again on Saturday when Crystal Palace visit Anfield, while James Milner remains another option for the Red boss.Fabinho told Liverpool's website:"Some weeks ago, I knew this could be an option because we had some players out injured and we only had two centre-backs available."When Dejan got injured, I knew it would be logical that I'd play in that position."I had some training sessions playing in that position, which h...

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15Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Harry kane set for ankle scan with fear of lengthy absence

Harry Kane is set for a scan on his ankle injury with fears he is facing a lengthy absence.Tottenham striker Kane is worried he has suffered serious ankle ligament damage which could keep him out for up to four weeks to wreck Spurs' season. It comes with Tottenham facing a huge run of games in seven days which could make or break their season as they face Fulham next Sunday, the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi final at  Chelsea and then the FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace. Kane’s ankle was still so badly swollen on Monday that the club could not do a scan on the damage and will not know the full extent until today at the earliest.However, they are desperately hoping their worst fears are not confirmed that it is a grade two sprain which would keep him out for at least a month.

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9Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham postpone opening of White Hart Lane stadium

Tottenham Hotspur new stadium (well, the old ground, but made newer) is now not expected to open until March at the earliest, meaning the first game there could well be the North London Derby against Arsenal on the second of that month.According to a new statement from the club, a number of building test dates are still being confirmed, meaning the next three home league games will be played at the club’s temporary home of Wembley Stadium.The home leg of Spurs’ Champions League last 16 game against Borussia Dortmund will also take place at the national stadium, as will an FA Cup fifth round fixture if the club progresses and gets a home draw.Tottenham have spent the last 18 months at Wembley as building work goes on, with the exception of a league cup game this season where they had to use...

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8Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal set a demanding price of £20million for Aaron Ramsey

According to reports, Arsenal have placed a £20million asking price on Aaron Ramsey.The Wales international looks set to leave the Emirates this summer, after failing to agree a new contract with the club.Earlier this season the Gunners left the negotiation table with the belief that Ramsey was requesting too much of an increase to his wages.It is thought the 28 year-old has signed a five-year pre-contractual agreement with Juventus worth around £5.83million-a-year.However, there is still a strong possibility that Ramsey could leave the Emirates this month for a cut-price deal.

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