PREMIER LEAGUE

2Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Bajkowski: Pep Guardiola expects Phil Foden call after Man City illness

Pep Guardiola does not expect Phil Foden to be called up for England duty after missing two Manchester City matches with illness. Foden has been named in Lee Carsley's squad for UEFA Nations League games with Ireland and Finland over the next 10 days, but has been sidelined with pains in his stomach. The 24-year-old felt some discomfort after the match against Chelsea two weeks ago and was not involved in either of the wins over Ipswich or West Ham. City's staff do not think the issue is serious and there is an expectation that he will be ready for the home game against Brentford in a fortnight, but Guardiola would be surprised to see Foden playing for England before then. Despite his international call-up, he has been unavailable for his club for the last two fixtures. "He doesn't feel...

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2Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea striker agrees contract extension

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by London rivals Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Nicolas Jackson put the hosts ahead in the first-half, before Eberechi Eze’s stunning strike drew the Eagles level. The draw is the first of Enzo Maresca’s tenure in charge of Chelsea, following two wins and two defeats across all competitions so far. Now, it appears that goal scorer Jackson has agreed a new contract with the West London club. As per BBC Sport, Chelsea have extended Jackson’s contract until the summer of 2033. The striker’s deal had been set to expire at the end of the 2030/31 campaign, but the report claims that he will now be tied to the club for a further two years. Jackson, 23, joined the Blues from Spanish side Villarreal last summer and enjoyed a mixed debut season in...

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2Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton scored their first goal but face another defeat in the Premier League

In the first two matches in the new Premier League season, Southampton created some decent goal scoring chances despite not scoring a goal. On the other hand, the defence was also good but occasional mistakes kept off the Saints from keeping a clean sheet. Thus, after two back to back defeats, Southampton prepared to face Brentford in an away fixture in the third match day of the Premier League. This was also the debut match for new signing Aaron Ramsdale, who recently joined the Saints in a £25 million deal from Arsenal. In the first half, Brentford created some good chances, however, Aaron Ramsdale and the defence helped in keeping the score at 0-0. However, with only two minutes remaining before half time, Brentford took advantage as Southampton gave away possession in their o...

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2Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Erik ten Hag makes worrying Manuel Ugarte claim after Man Utd thumped by Liverpool

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has conceded that Manuel Ugarte may take "months" to get up to full speed following the Red Devils' 3-0 Premier League loss to Liverpool. After weeks upon weeks of speculation and negotiations, the Uruguay international was finally confirmed as the Red Devils' final summer recruit in the final hours of transfer deadline day. Ugarte followed Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee to Old Trafford following just one season at Paris Saint-Germain, who received an initial £42.1m for his sale. The 23-year-old quickly became a regular starter for PSG boss Luis Enrique last season, but despite falling out of favour in the second half of the campaign, he was a consistent presence in Uruguay's Copa America XI. However, Ugarte did ...

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1Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Supersonic – Erling Haaland hits another hat-trick as Noel Gallagher watches on

Erling Haaland scored another hat-trick as Manchester City maintained their perfect record this season and moved to the top of the charts in front of watching Oasis star Noel Gallagher. Pep Guardiola’s masterplan was executed to perfection again as Haaland made it back-to-back trebles and seven goals in just three matches to bury West Ham 3-1. With Gallagher in the stands at the London Stadium – a ticket was presumably easier to get hold of than for one of their shows – Haaland crashed in his eighth Premier League hat-trick. It took his tally against teams managed by Julen Lopetegui to 12 in five matches, including a treble against Wolves in January last year. The Norwegian, fresh from hitting three against Ipswich last weekend, opened the scoring after Bernardo Silva dispossessed form...

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1Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Unai Emery satisfied to take six points from August after win over Leicester

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is happy to finish August with six points on the board after his side secured a 2-1 win over Leicester to return to winning ways. Amadou Onana’s tap in at the back post and Jhon Duran’s header put Villa in control before Facundo Buonanotte brought Leicester back into the contest. Referee David Coote had awarded Leicester a penalty in stoppage time after Ezri Konsa brought down Jamie Vardy again but the linesman’s offside flag came to Villa’s rescue. Emery highlighted August as a “difficult” month and is happy to have six points from a possible nine heading into the international break. He said: “Very happy, we competed like we did in the first two matches. “(August is) a difficult moment for every team because playing with the transfer window not too close....

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31Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Brentford ease past Southampton, Aston Villa bag win at Leicester

Bryan Mbeumo’s double and a goal by Yoane Wissa earned Brentford a comfortable 3-1 home win over promoted Southampton in the Premier League, sending the visitors to the bottom of the table. Mbeumo put the hosts in front just before halftime with a simple low finish, following up on Kevin Schade’s strike which bounced off the post. He doubled the advantage in the 65th minute with a first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net and Wissa bundled the ball in four minutes later before Southampton pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Yukinari Sugawara.Brentford moved up to fifth on six points while Southampton prop up the standings without a points. Everton 2 – Bournemouth 3 Bournemouth scored three late goals to stun Everton 3-2 in the Premier League at Goodison Park and...

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31Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal 1-1 Brighton: Gunners drop points after bizarre Rice red card

Arsenal had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton after Declan Rice received the first red card of his career at the Emirates on Saturday. LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Kai Havertz of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the lead in the 38th minute as he latched onto Bukayo Saka's through ball before clipping the ball over the onrushing Jason Steele. LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion is challenged by Kai Havertz of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on Aug...

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31Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Raheem Sterling reveals why Arsenal are the ‘perfect fit’ after Chelsea exile

Raheem Sterling believes Arsenal is the “perfect fit” for him after sealing a deadline day move from Chelsea.Arsenal have taken Sterling on loan for the season and the club feel they have struck a good deal with Chelsea over how the winger’s £300,000-a-week wages will be paid. There is no option to make the move permanent next summer, but Sterling will hope that joining Arsenal can reignite his career.The 29-year-old fell out of favour at Chelsea this summer under new head coach Enzo Maresca and had his squad number taken off him. Arsenal have given Sterling a lifeline and the winger believes he can thrive at the Emirates Stadium during the current campaign.“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing,” said Sterling. “It’s one where we kind of left it late but...

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31Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag: Slot inherited better team than I did

Erik ten Hag believes Arne Slot will have an easier time taking over at Liverpool than he experienced when he arrived at Manchester United. Ten Hag says the mess he inherited at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 was "the most difficult thing I will ever do in my life. "In contrast, the United boss insists Slot, who has taken over from Jürgen Klopp, has walked into a Liverpool team which is in "a different phase of the lifecycle." The two Dutchmen meet in the Premier League for the first time on Sunday when United face Liverpool at Old Trafford."That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here, to have this challenge," Ten Hag said when asked about the situation he found at the club when he arrived from Ajax. "I knew beforehand that this was the most difficult thing I would ev...

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31Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Virgil van Dijk relishing being link between Arne Slot and Liverpool team-mates

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is enjoying life under Arne Slot and relishing his role of being the link between the new head coach and the rest of the squad.The Netherlands international has had a key role to play in a summer of upheaval at Anfield after the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp and his entire backroom staff. However, the arrival of his compatriot has brought fresh ideas and the campaign has begun well with two victories. Predictions of a struggle without the influential Klopp have so far proved unfounded but after wins over newly-promoted Ipswich and Brentford the first real test comes on Sunday at Old Trafford.However, the mood in the camp is buoyant and Van Dijk has done his utmost to help make the transition as seamless as possible. “I’ve actually en...

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31Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Real Betis confirm Giovani Lo Celso return

Real Betis have completed a deal to bring Giovani Lo Celso back to the club on transfer deadline day. Los Verdiblancos launched a late push to bring the Argentina international back to La Liga after failing to land Real Madrid star Dani Ceballos. Talks with Tottenham moved swiftly, with Real Betis previously linked with a move for Lo Celso, and Spurs accepted terms favourable to them. The Premier League side wanted to offload the 28-year-old and they have reportedly secured a future option to sign highly rated Johnny Cardoso as part of the negotiations. Lo Celso scored 16 goals in all competitions, in his sole season at Real Betis in 2018/19, before joining Spurs. He was initially linked with a move to Villarreal, after spending two seasons on loan in Castellon, in 2021/22 and 2022/23...

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31Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea ‘angered’ Victor Osimhen and blew up transfer with ‘pay cut’ request

Chelsea are said to have blown apart their efforts to sign their main striker target with a low offer. Chelsea’s low-ball wage offer is said to have angered Victor Osimhen and spoiled any potential deadline day transfer. The Blues were said to be pushing hard to land the Napoli superstar on deadline day, reportedly sending representatives to the South of Italy in an attempt to strike a deal with Napoli. The Blues are said to have proposed a loan deal with a mandatory option to buy, delaying the bulk payment in a bid to skirt Profit and Sustainability rules. That left many wondering why Napoli would turn down the deal, especially after they signed Romelu Lukaku and Al-Ahli walked away from the Osimhen deal despite having a bid accepted, ultimately deciding to sign Ivan Toney from Bren...

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31Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Phil Foden doubt for England duty with Man City star set to miss West Ham clash

Phil Foden is unlikely to feature in Manchester City's match against West Ham on Saturday - and he could also miss out on England's opening UEFA Nations League fixtures. The attacking midfielder, 24, came off the bench in City's opening Premier League fixture against Chelsea but was not in the squad for the 4-1 win over Ipswich Town. And ahead of this weekend's meeting with West Ham, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the England star might not return to action until after the international break. Guardiola said in a press conference on Foden's absence: “Hopefully not [too long]. Hopefully after the international break he’ll be ready. “He played against Chelsea for 45 minutes but then after he didn’t feel good. He had tests and feels much better, but he’s still doesn’t feel perfect. “I ...

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30Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea ‘submit official bid for Man United winger Jadon Sancho’

Chelsea have reportedly submitted their first official bid for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have offered to loan the player with similar terms to those that Juventus had previously proposed.The total package being offered is understood to be higher, with Sancho eager to leave Old Trafford for a switch to Stamford Bridge this summer. Mail Sport previously reported that both clubs were discussing a surprise swap deal involving Sancho and his former England teammate, Raheem Sterling, who was unexpectedly dropped from the Chelsea squad ahead of the Premier League start. Similarly, the former Borussia Dortmund player was left out of United's games against Fulham and Brighton, and now the winger is keen to revive his career at another cl...

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30Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Leeds United confirm Ao Tanaka squad number and contract length after sealing transfer

Leeds United have today completed the signing of Japan international Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf. The versatile midfielder has joined the Whites for an undisclosed fee from the 2.Bundesliga club, penning a four-year contract. Tanaka enjoyed a fruitful 2023/24 campaign for club and country, hitting 13 goals in 42 matches across all competitions. A United statement read: "Bringing experience from his time playing in the 2. Bundesliga, Tanaka has also played 27 times for his national team. "He represented his country at the 2020 Olympic Games, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he scored the winning goal against Spain to send his nation into the knock-out stages of the competition. "The 25-year-old began his career with Kawasaki Frontale in the J1 League, before securing a m...

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30Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brighton – Premier League

Arsenal mean business at the start of 2024/25 and are aiming to maintain their 100% record in the Premier League when they welcome Brighton to the Emirates. The Gunners have proven to be mightily efficient to begin the new season, with a comfortable win over Wolves followed up by a vengeful triumph over Aston Villa, who they lost to twice last season. Arsenal have gears to move through and Brighton will put them through their paces this weekend. The Seagulls look reborn under Fabian Hurzeler and, like Saturday's opponents, have won their opening two games of the season. Mikel Arteta will not be making wholesale changes to his starting XI, but there may be a subtle adjustment or two. Here's the lineup he could pick for Brighton's visit. Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-3-3) GK: ...

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30Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Maresca admits he was ‘worried’ before Chelsea’s clash with Servette

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca admitted he had been 'very worried' ahead of his team's Conference League play-off second leg against Servette after they narrowly survived a scare to scrape through despite a 2-1 defeat in Geneva. Following a 2-0 first-leg victory a week ago, Christopher Nkunku's early penalty extended the Blues' lead in the tie to seemingly extinguish any hope the Swiss side had of pulling off a surprise result. But thereafter things went awry for Maresca as Servette hit back with two goals to stun his team, first when Jeremy Guillemenot drilled past Filip Jorgensen to level things on the night before half-time then again when Enzo Crivelli headed in to set up a nervous finish. 'I think the first half an hour was comfortable and we had three or four chances to make it...

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30Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta would have to break Arsenal transfer promise to sign Raheem Sterling

Arsenal are said to be weighing up a deadline day swoop for Raheem Sterling - just days after Mikel Arteta insisted he would not sign the Chelsea winger. Sterling, 29, has been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and been frozen out by Enzo Maresca, who has confirmed the player would no longer feature for the Blues moving forward. The former Manchester City and Liverpool star is now seeking a new club before Friday night's transfer deadline and The Emirates has emerged as a potential destination. That's according to a report from The Independent, who claim that Arsenal - who are in the market for an attacker - have been 'offered' the chance to sign both the 82-cap England star and Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman. While it's outlined that a deal to bring Sterling to North L...

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29Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle United issue Joe Willock injury update – and it ‘doesn’t look good’

Eddie Howe fears Joe Willock is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he limped off against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night. Willock put Newcastle United in front at the City Ground after just 18 seconds but had to be replaced in the 15th minute because of a thigh injury. The 25-year-old looked devastated as he left the pitch. The midfielder was making his first start since April after an Achilles injury restricted him to just 14 appearances last season. Howe admits Willock’s latest injury “doesn’t look good”. “A huge blow for him and for us,” said Howe. “He scored the goal and we looked in that moment. His absence meant we had to reshuffle our midfield which is something we didn't want to do in that moment at all. “We just hope it's not serious. It doesn't look good, he's...

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