PREMIER LEAGUE – Page 87 – Football Flame

PREMIER LEAGUE

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool injury update as Klopp confirms Leicester absentees and returning duo

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on November 17, 2020 in Kirkby, England.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold out of contention for the upcoming Premier League game against Leicester but revealed that Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho could return.Alexander-Arnold has been struggling with a calf problem, which forced him to be substituted in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City.Captain Henderson picked up an injury of his own while on international duty with England, getting taken off at half-time against Belgium as a precaution.Defender Joe Gomez also suffered a serious knee injury while with England and he will be out of action for much of the season after having surgery.Despite the bad news, Liverp...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Lampard wants Premier League’s early kick offs scrapped

Frank Lampard of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on November 19, 2020 in Cobham, United Kingdom.Frank Lampard has called for the Premier League's Saturday morning fixtures to be scrapped as Chelsea's tired players prepare to face Newcastle in that slot after a draining international break.Lampard believes it is madness for the Premier League and television broadcasters to insist on one match being held at 1230 GMT on Saturdays as it places undue stress on over-worked players.The issue is especially alarming for Chelsea boss Lampard when several of his stars were only just arriving back in England on Thursday after jetting around the world to play for their countries.They will have barely any time to rest or train before the trip to St James' Park on Saturday an...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton star Richarlison injury update after x-rated tackle from Manchester United rival

Richarlison of Brazil celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay.Richarlison is confident he will be fit to face Fulham and make a first Everton appearance in over a month.The 23-year-old was the subject of an x-rated challenge from Manchester United striker Edison Cavani on Tuesday night.A VAR review decided Cavani should be sent off for the stamp on Richarlison's ankle as Brazil took on Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier in Montevideo.Richarlison expects to be fit for the trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday, despite the challenge.The forward has missed Everton's last three matches because of suspension but was ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Kolasinac tests positive for Covid-19

Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Arsenal FC and Molde FK at Emirates Stadium on November 05, 2020 in London, England.Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac has tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty, the Bosnia-Herzegovina Football Federation has announced.Kolasinac will now miss Wednesday's Nations League match with Italy.The 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes of Bosnia-Herzegovina's defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday.He is the second Arsenal player to test positive this week, after Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny.It means Kolasinac could now miss Arsenal’s Premier League game at Leeds on Sunday (16:30 GMT) and a Europa League tie in Norway against Molde on 26 November (17:55).Depending on when he is cleared follo...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal told Aston Villa have stolen ‘top goalkeeper’ Emiliano Martinez

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on November 08, 2020 in London, England.Former Aston Villa striker Alan McInally says he has no idea how the club managed to sign Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal for just £20million.The Argentinian keeper left North London for Villa Park this summer despite a series of impressive displays in the absence of Bernd Leno following a knee injury when football returned from lockdown.Martinez helped the Gunners to lift the FA Cup, beating Manchester City in the semi-final and Chelsea in the final.Despite his run in the side, Martinez could not take the No.1 spot back from Leno on a permanent basis, and decided to leave the club.Sky Sports pundit McInally says that Martine...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool’s Gomez injured on England duty

Joe Gomez of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 8, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Liverpool central defender Joe Gomez has been injured on international duty with England.The 23-year-old suffered the injury during the build-up to the game against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.England manager Gareth Southgate is expected to provide an update on the seriousness of the issue at a news conference on Wednesday.Liverpool already have Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.Van Dijk has had surgery on a knee ligament injury picked up against Everton in a 2-2 draw on 17 October.The Premier League champions have also been without Fabinho, who had been deputising in defenc...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Jurgen Klopp makes admission over Liverpool failing against Man City

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (R) looks on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 8, 2020.Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance during a lively stalemate at Manchester City.With Roberto Firmino recalled to form a front four with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota, the Reds dominated possession in the opening quarter of the Premier League clash on Sunday.However, a failure to choose the correct final pass or deliver a shot meant they had only Mohamed Salah’s 13th-minute penalty to show for their efforts.Kevin De Bruyne’s cross provided Gabriel Jesus with an equaliser for City on 31 minutes before the Belgian missed ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Fernandes masterclass eases pressure on Solskjaer

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford celebrates after Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes scored his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on November 7, 2020.Bruno Fernandes rediscovered his form at precisely the right moment at Goodison Park, scoring two first-half goals in a performance which eased - for the time being at least - the pressure mounting on his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.The Portuguese star, so important to the Reds when he arrived at Old Trafford in January, had been struggling for form, in keeping with most of Solskjaer’s first-team squad.But he found the perfect moment to remind his manager, and the rest of the Prem...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to score 100 goals a season to challenge at the top

Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Arsenal FC and Molde FK at Emirates Stadium on November 5, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Arsenal must aim to score up to 100 goals a season to complement their solid defensive record if they are to compete with the Premier League elites, manager Mikel Arteta believes.Arsenal have conceded seven goals, the least in the league this season, but Arteta's side have scored only nine times in seven games - the second-lowest among the top 10 teams.Arteta, however, said the team proved their attacking potential after they thrashed Norwegian side Molde 4-1 in the Europa League on Thursday."To get that balance right is not easy," Arteta told a news conference ahead of Sunday's home game against Aston Villa."It ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton go top at Premier League with 2-0 win over Newcastle

Southampton's Scottish midfielder Stuart Armstrong (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on November 6, 2020.Southampton moved into first place in England's top flight for the first time since 1988 after a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Friday.Che Adams volleyed the hosts into a seventh-minute lead and the only surprise was that it took them until the 82nd minute to double their advantage as Stuart Armstrong fired into the net.Southampton's relentless pressing game hounded Newcastle into errors and the hosts twice went close within a minute after halftime. Jan Bednarek's effort got cleared off th...
PREMIER LEAGUE

James gives Everton fitness boost ahead of Man United clash

James Rodriguez of Everton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Southampton, England.Everton midfielder James Rodriguez will return to the squad for Saturday's Premier League home game against Manchester United having missed their defeat by Newcastle United last weekend through injury, manager Carlo Ancelotti said.Rodriguez, who joined Everton from Real Madrid in the close season for a reported £20 million, has made a bright start to life at Goodison Park, contributing three goals and three assists in six league games this season."He is going to play tomorrow and I hope he can do his best, Ancelotti told a news conference on Friday."I don't know if he's 100% (fit), but we need him. Physically he is OK, he has recovered ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Mourinho ‘not comfortable’ with Arsenal coach’s role in Bale’s Wales workload

Gareth Bale (L) of Tottenham Hotspur shake hands with Manager Jose Mourinho (R) after he is substituted during the UEFA Europa League Group J stage match between PFC Ludogorets Razgrad and Tottenham Hotspur at Ludogorets Arena on November 5, 2020 in Razgrad, Bulgaria.Jose Mourinho is “not comfortable” that Gareth Bale’s time on the pitch with Wales during the upcoming international break will be partly managed by an Arsenal coach.With Ryan Giggs not taking charge of Wales’ three games, coach Albert Stuivenberg, who is also on Mikel Arteta’s staff, will help assist Robert Page.Bale is in the squad as he makes his way back from a knee injury, a recovery which has been carefully managed by Tottenham since he rejoined on loan in September.Mourinho has suggested there could be a possible confli...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp: Jota can take Liverpool to next level

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Diogo Jota celebrates after the final whistle during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed the impact new signing Diogo Jota has made at the club and has said the Portugal forward can help the Premier League champions "reach the next level" as they prepare to face Manchester City on Sunday.Jota, 23, was signed for £40 million from Wolves in mid-September and has made an immediate impact at Liverpool, scoring seven goals in eight Premier League and Champions League matches, including a hat trick against Atalanta on Tuesday.He adds a different option to Liverpool's traditional first-choice front-three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salahand while Klopp was keen to highlight the impact others hav...
PREMIER LEAGUE

David Luiz back in contention as Mikel Arteta says he will rotate squad again

David Luiz of Arsenal is embraces by Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal as he is substituted off following an injury during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020 in London, England.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that David Luiz will return to the squad against Molde in the Europa League on Thursday night.The Brazilian defender has missed the last two matches, victories against Dundalk and Manchester United, after he was forced off with a thigh injury during the home defeat to Leicester on October 25.Arteta initially feared that Luiz would be out for “a few weeks” but the 33-year-old has resumed training and is available for selection.“He is available to play and has been training well for the last few days and he will be ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton’s Ings set for six weeks out

Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates his team's second goal, scored by team mate Che Adams (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Southampton, England.Southampton striker Danny Ings could be out for up to six weeks, Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said on Wednesday.Ings had a scan after injuring his knee during Southampton's 4-3 Premier League victory at Aston Villa on Sunday."At the moment it looks like he is out for four to six weeks," said Hasenhuttl."He'll have a small surgery tomorrow (Thursday) morning. It could be worse, but he'll be out and it's not good news for us."Ings went off five minutes from time after being injured in a challenge with Villa substitute Trezeguet, having scored his fifth league g...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Leicester move a point behind Liverpool, Fulham earn first win

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Leicester City at Elland Road on November 02, 2020 in Leeds, England.Jamie Vardy inspired and Youri Tielemans scored twice as Leicester City enjoyed an impressive 4-1 win at Leeds United on Monday which moves them up to second in the Premier League.The Foxes, who have now won all four away games this season, grabbed the lead in the second minute when Vardy intercepted a poor back-pass from Leeds defender Robin Koch and set-up Harvey Barnes to slot home.The goal came directly after an early chance for Patrick Bamford, the Leeds striker, who could only head straight at Kasper Schmeichel from close range.Brendan Rodgers' side doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Marc Albri...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa urged to seal new contract for top midfielder

John McGinn of Aston Villa in action during a training session at Bodymoor Heath training ground on October 28, 2020 in Birmingham, England.Aston Villa have suffered a bit of a stumble in recent weeks in the Premier League, losing to Leeds United and Southampton in their last two games.The Villans shocked the footballing world with their heavy win over Liverpool earlier this season but since then it has gone a little bit flat and they now need to pick themselves up again and kick on.Indeed, there was a bit of a fightback against the Saints in the second half at the weekend but it was all too late with them racing well clear and fans will want their players to step in the weeks to come.One man they’ll look to is midfielder John McGinn and former defender Danny Mills has urged the Villans to...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Sergio Aguero “getting better” ahead of Man City clash with Liverpool

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City warms up ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on October 24, 2020 in London, England.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hasn't ruled out the possibility that Sergio Aguero could face champions Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend.Having only recovered from a knee injury, the Argentine striker injured his hamstring in the draw with West Ham United and missed last Saturday's win at Sheffield United and the Champions League trip to Marseille last week.Aguero will miss tomorrow's European group tie at home against Olympiacos but it is possible that he could be ready for the visit of the league leaders on Sunday."Right now, I don't know but it is getting better," said Guardiola."We don’t want to ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal beats Man U to end wait for EPL win at Old Trafford

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with team mates Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny after scoring during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on November 1, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang condemned Manchester United to fresh misery at Old Trafford as his penalty clinched a 1-0 win for Arsenal, while Gareth Bale was the match winner with his first goal since returning to Tottenham in a 2-1 win over Brighton.Aubameyang ended a five-game goal drought in the league when he stepped up to convert a 69th-minute spot-kick after Paul Pogba fouled Hector Bellerin. The Arsenal captain's first league goal since the opening weekend of the season gave the Gunners their first league win at Old Traffo...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton sees off Villa fightback for 4-3 win

Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (C) celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 1, 2020.Southampton weathered a late fightback from Aston Villa to take a 4-3 win in the English Premier League on Saturday as Villa suffered its second loss after a winning start to the season.Southampton led 4-0 thanks to three goals from set pieces and a powerful long-range strike from Danny Ings. Villa seemed out of the game, even after Tyrone Mings made it 4-1 with a header, but scored twice more in stoppage time before running out of time to earn a draw.Southampton has won four of its last five Premier League games after starting the 2020-21 campaign with three los...
Blogarama - Blog Directory