Blog (Page 264)

Manchester City welcome Nottingham Forest to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. Such is their domestic dominance, City have had to spice up proceedings by giving opponents a two-goal lead in four of their last six Premier League matches. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in this streak (W2 D2) but the Catalan coach warned that his team is “soft in some departments”. Here’s the XI Guardiola may deploy to firm up his side for the visit of Forest. Erling Haaland has averaged a goal every 14 touches in the Premier League so far / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages GK: Ederson – The ball-playingRead More →

Ross Barkley has left Chelsea by mutual consent and becomes a free agent after four seasons at Stamford Bridge. The England international joined Chelsea from Everton in January 2018 for £15m, signing a five-and-a-half-year deal. He had not played a game season for the Toffees that season due to a hamstring injury and eventually made his debut for his new club against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. A club statement read: “Ross Barkley has left Chelsea by mutual consent and becomes a free agent. “We would like to thank Ross for his contribution to Chelsea and wish him well for the rest of his career.”Read More →

Leeds United host one of the Premier League’s early strugglers Everton on Tuesday evening. Jesse Marsch’s side suffered their first defeat of the season against Brighton last weekend but collected seven points from their opening trio of matches. Everton, by contrast, are one of three Premier League clubs yet to taste victory this term. Here’s everything you need to know about the meeting between this pair. Leeds: 2 WinsEverton: 2 WinsDraws: 1 Leeds: WDWWLEverton: LLDWD Leeds’ medical staff under Marsch have taken a cautious approach to niggling injuries which could become aggravated if players are rushed back. Captain Liam Cooper wasn’t risked against Brighton as Leeds continued to be “aRead More →

Southampton welcome Chelsea to St Mary’s in the Premier League on Tuesday evening. The Saints were denied consecutive Premier League victories by Bruno Fernandes’ sumptuous strike last Saturday despite pushing Manchester United close. Southampton’s efforts were recognised by a round of applause at the full-time whistle from the home fans. A collective sigh of relief would have been the more appropriate response to Chelsea’s narrow 2-1 victory at home to Leicester City. The visitors outshot their hosts 17 to seven and Thomas Tuchel admitted his side were “lucky to not concede the equaliser”. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming meeting between thisRead More →

Barcelona manager Xavi hailed the qualities of Robert Lewandowski after he bagged a brace in the convincing 4-0 win over Real Valladolid. The Catalan giants jumped up to third in La Liga after cruising to victory at Camp Nou, and now have seven points from a possible nine. Barca have scored eight goals already and conceded just once, and look far more dangerous with Lewandowski, a summer signing from Bayern Munich, spearheading the attack alongside Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele. It was the Pole who gave Xavi’s side the lead against Valladolid before Pedri doubled Barcelona’s advantage just before half-time. Lewandowski then grabbed his second andRead More →

Super agent Jorge Mendes has again contacted Chelsea to see whether a deal to take Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge is possible. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is now expected to stay at the club despite serious interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. Liverpool have also been keeping tabs on the Dutchman’s situation at Camp Nou. Bayern Munich have ruled out making a late move for De Jong even though they’ve been unable to tie up a deal for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer. Chelsea are interested in signing Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace but could face competition from London rivals Arsenal.Read More →

Karim Benzema netted a dramatic late brace as Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the season by beating Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday night. Vinicius Junior had put Los Blancos ahead before Joselu equalised, but the talismanic Benzema stole the points for the visitors by converting Rodrygo’s cross in the 88th minute. He then netted a free kick after goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte was sent off. Chances were at a minimum until the visitors opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Tchouameni – at the base of Real’s midfield following Casemiro’s move to Manchester United – charged forward and linked with Lucas Vazquez before picking outRead More →

Antonio Conte was delighted with his Tottenham side after they continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Harry Kane opened the scoring inside five minutes with a well-taken breakaway goal before he was denied from the penalty spot midway through the second half. However, the England captain made amends nine minutes from time to seal the points for Spurs after meeting Richarlison’s cross. Here is everything the Italian had to say after the victory. “Yeah, I think we deserved to win. It was a difficult game against Nottingham Forest. It was the firstRead More →

Robert Lewandowski continued his impressive start to life at Barcelona as he netted a brace in his side’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Real Valladolid at Camp Nou on Sunday night. Xavi’s men threatened inside the opening 12 minutes when the dangerous Raphinha deliver a wicked cross into the penalty area. Lewandowski’s movement was excellent, but he could only divert his header off the post. The Poland international was causing the Real Valladolid defence issues aplenty in the opening exchanges and he teed up Ousmane Dembele shortly after inside the penalty area. However, the Frenchman could only lash his left-footed effort over the top of theRead More →

A brace from Harry Kane continued Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season in a 2-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Only five minutes had elapsed when Spurs opened the scoring on the breakaway. Dejan Kulusevski collected a loose ball in the centre circle before striding forward and releasing Kane in space. The England international set his sights, rolling the ball into the bottom corner to leave Dean Henderson rooted to the spot. Brennan Johnson was particularly menacing for Forest in the early exchanges, but it was the visitors who were carving open their hosts at will on the counter-attack. Joe WorrallRead More →