Tuesday, 3 September 2013
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Transfer News
Moyes denies move for Bale.
Manchester United boss David Moyes has said the club have not made a move for Tottenham's Gareth Bale.
Spurs have stalled on accepting the bid but the saga has taken a fresh twist with the news that Spurs were considering offers from more than one club, according to Sky sources.
Following the goalless draw with Chelsea on Monday night, Moyes was asked if Manchester United was that club and the Scot responded with "no".
Bale is expected to return to training on Tuesday morning having not played since a pre-season friendly against Swindon in July.
However, with Moyes enduring a frustrating summer in the transfer market so far, it would be a surprise if United do not make any further moves before the transfer window closes next week.
Regarding possible interest in Bale, Moyes told Sky Sports: "I said at the start that Manchester United will always be interested in the best players and we'll always be looking to try and improve the team.
"The owners have given me every opportunity to get who I want so we'll continue to look for those players. It's been tough in this window but we're always looking at the best players."
Jose gives Rooney ultimatum.
Wayne Rooney has been handed a deadline for deciding on making a Manchester United exit by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho has already failed with two bids for the England star, who was cheered by United fans throughout a sparkling performance at Old Trafford, and has called on Rooney to state where he sees his future.
When asked if a third bid for Rooney was imminent, Mourinho said: "We have to speak but this club must be a very special club, because in every club in the world when a player wants to leave, they don't support him.
They give him a hard time. But they support him all the way.
Monday Night Football result
Here is the result of the MNF game between Man Utd and Chelsea:
Rooney was the game's most dangerous player and was
vociferously backed by United's supporters throughout - as well as
receiving vocal support from the travelling Chelsea fans who still hold
out hope he can be lured to Stamford Bridge despite Moyes' insistence he
would not be sold.
It was a game short on clear-cut chances and quality, with United's Danny Welbeck wasting the best opportunity when he shot wide just before the hour. Mourinho will be happier with the point but there was frustration for Moyes, who would have hoped to make a winning start at Old Trafford as he starts the task of retaining the Premier League won by Ferguson before his retirement.
The much-anticipated meeting between Manchester United and Chelsea
ended in anti-climax as Old Trafford witnessed its first goalless draw
in the Premier League since May 2009.
David Moyes was taking charge of his first competitive home game
since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager,
while
Jose Mourinho had his sights sets on a third successive league win since returning to Chelsea.
In the end, despite an
outstanding performance for United by the recalled Wayne Rooney, both
Moyes and Mourinho had to settle for a point in the first blank
scoreline here in 77 Premier League games, since
United clinched the title against Arsenal in 2009.
It was a game short on clear-cut chances and quality, with United's Danny Welbeck wasting the best opportunity when he shot wide just before the hour. Mourinho will be happier with the point but there was frustration for Moyes, who would have hoped to make a winning start at Old Trafford as he starts the task of retaining the Premier League won by Ferguson before his retirement.
Premier League results
These are the results of the Premier League that were played on Saturday and Sunday 24th and 25th of August:
Fulham 1-3 Arsenal.
Bent's debut strike, after great work by Dimitar Berbatov, gave Fulham hope in the final 13 minutes but Arsenal were full value for a much-needed win which will go some way to erasing the painful memory of last week's home humbling against Aston Villa.
Optimism was in short supply following that demoralising setback, but the impressive triumph against Fenerbahce in Istanbul had raised hopes and the inability to bring in new faces despite numerous high-profile transfer attempts was quickly forgotten.
Everton 0-0 West Brom.
The Baggies' best chance fell to James Morrison, who was denied by Tim Howard.
Albion manager Steve Clarke later said Foster "felt something pop" in his foot, and the Baggies boss faces a potential problem in goal and up front.
West Brom were hoping to build on their highest Premier League finish of eighth in 2012-13, but they have only collected one point from their opening two matches and failed to score a single goal.
Romelu Lukaku, who scored 17 Premier League goals during a season-long loan at The Hawthorns, has returned to Chelsea and his replacement, Nicolas Anelka, has hinted he may retire after the death of his agent Eric Manasse earlier in the week.
Hull 1-0 Norwich.
Sagbo was shown a straight red card moments later for a headbutt on Norwich captain Russell Martin.
Hughton signed Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel for £8.5m from Sporting Lisbon and Gary Hooper from Celtic for about £5m.
Hooper was missing with an injury sustained in the opening game of the season against Everton, but Van Wolfswinkel had just a solitary chance of note.
Sweden forward Johan Elmander, who joined Norwich on a season-long loan from Galatasaray earlier in the week, came off the bench in the second half but was unable to influence proceedings.
Newcastle 0-0 West Ham.
Hatem Ben Arfa was the home side's main threat with several efforts from long range, while Joe Cole shot just inches over the bar for the visitors.
Yoan Gouffran wasted a fine chance for Newcastle late on from close range. While West Ham created the better chances throughout, Gouffran's missed opportunity deep into time added on was the closest the game came to a goal.
It means that West Ham boss Sam Allardyce left Tyneside unbeaten for the third time since being sacked by Newcastle in 2008. The Hammers have picked up four points from their opening two games, following a 2-0 opening-day win over Cardiff.
Alan Pardew, in his 100th Premier League game as Newcastle manager, was without Yohan Cabaye for the second match in a row. The France midfielder was also left out of the 4-0 defeat by Manchester City in the wake of what Newcastle deemed a "derisory" offer of £10m from Arsenal.
Southampton 1-1 Sunderland.
Jay Rodriguez had an early effort ruled out for offside, with replays proving inconclusive, while Saints team-mate Rickie Lambert had several chances.
But in the 88th minute, Fonte headed home James Ward-Prowse's free-kick from close range for a dramatic equaliser.
Sunderland, who were beaten by Fulham on the opening day of the season, took an early lead with Italian Giaccherini heading home Sebastian Larsson's corner from close range.
Southampton responded well and spent the next 45 minutes peppering the visitors' goal.
First Rodriguez had a goal disallowed for offside while Lambert saw his low header kept out at full stretch by Keiren Westwood before heading over from close range later in the half.
Stoke 2-1 Crystal Palace.
But in four second half minutes Charlie Adam stroked in a left-footed effort and Shawcross scored on the turn. And Stoke went close to adding to their lead when Steven Nzonzi hit the post.
The Potters showed they are still a work in progress as Hughes tries to bring both a more cultured approach and goals to their play.
However, although Premier League newcomers Palace acquitted themselves well, the hosts' renowned grit and determination are both still in evidence and those qualities were the basis of their victory.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool.
Villa were outplayed early on but improved in the second half, with Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet twice denying Christian Benteke.
Both sides had late penalty appeals waved away by referee Mark Clattenburg.
Liverpool last won their opening two matches of the season in 2008-9 and this victory means Brendan Rodgers's side extend their unbeaten run to 10 Premier League matches, a streak that began with a win at Villa Park in March. The platform for victory was set during a first half in which the visitors were utterly dominant. Villa improved markedly after the break but the damage was done.
It has been a brutal start to the season for Paul Lambert's young side. During their magnificent victory at Arsenal and contentious defeat at Chelsea, they displayed tangible signs of progress but against Liverpool they looked flat and, perhaps, fatigued by those two demanding trips to London.
Tottenham 1-0 Swansea.
But Spurs took the lead when Soldado coolly slotted in a penalty after Jonjo Shelvey's foul on Andros Townsend.
Spurs forward Gareth Bale was conspicuous by his absence from White Hart Lane with the announcement of his transfer to Real Madrid apparently imminent.
However, Soldado is helping ease the disappointment over Bale's impending departure as Tottenham maintained their 100% start to the season against a Swansea side who have now lost both of their league games.
Both sides were convincing victors in the Europa League on Thursday - Spurs beating Dinamo Tbilisi 5-0 and Swansea easing to a 5-1 win over Petrolul Ploiesti.
Cardiff 3-2 Man City.
Former Manchester United youngster Campbell then scored twice in eight minutes to put the home side in charge.
Alvaro Negredo set up a grandstand finish, but Malky Mackay's men held on.
The final whistle brought with it scenes of celebration from the packed crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Bluebirds won in the top flight of English football for the first time since they were last there in 1962.
The one disappointing aspect of the victory over the Magpies was an injury to skipper and defensive lynchpin Vincent Kompany.
And the Belgium international was sorely missed on Sunday, with midfielder Javi Garcia deployed as a makeshift defender.
Fulham 1-3 Arsenal.
Lukas Podolski grabbed a goal in each half as Arsenal secured a slick
and clinical victory over Fulham in the teeming rain at Craven Cottage.
The Gunners, buoyed by a
3-0 midweek win over Fenerbahce in Champions League qualifying,
were sharper early on and led through Olivier Giroud's strike.
Podolski made it 2-0 with a measured 18-yard shot and then smashed home the visitors' third after the break.
Substitute Darren Bent pulled one back from close range but Arsenal held on.
Bent's debut strike, after great work by Dimitar Berbatov, gave Fulham hope in the final 13 minutes but Arsenal were full value for a much-needed win which will go some way to erasing the painful memory of last week's home humbling against Aston Villa.
Optimism was in short supply following that demoralising setback, but the impressive triumph against Fenerbahce in Istanbul had raised hopes and the inability to bring in new faces despite numerous high-profile transfer attempts was quickly forgotten.
Everton 0-0 West Brom.
West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster produced an inspired
performance to deny Roberto Martinez a first competitive victory as
Everton manager.
Foster twice frustrated Steven Pienaar and Kevin
Mirallas and also saved shots from Seamus Coleman, Ross Barkley and
Marouane Fellaini at Goodison Park.
The Baggies' best chance fell to James Morrison, who was denied by Tim Howard.
Foster limped off with a foot injury late on, before Fellaini and Coleman struck the West Brom woodwork.
While Foster's afternoon ended in disappointment, his
departure led to a Baggies debut for Luke Daniels, who has been at West
Brom since 2004 but has had seven loan spells away from the club.
Albion manager Steve Clarke later said Foster "felt something pop" in his foot, and the Baggies boss faces a potential problem in goal and up front.
West Brom were hoping to build on their highest Premier League finish of eighth in 2012-13, but they have only collected one point from their opening two matches and failed to score a single goal.
Romelu Lukaku, who scored 17 Premier League goals during a season-long loan at The Hawthorns, has returned to Chelsea and his replacement, Nicolas Anelka, has hinted he may retire after the death of his agent Eric Manasse earlier in the week.
Hull 1-0 Norwich.
Yannick Sagbo won a penalty and was sent off for a headbutt as Robbie
Brady's spot-kick gave Hull a battling Premier League win over Norwich.
Former Hull defender Michael Turner fouled Sagbo in the
area and Brady calmly placed a low effort past Norwich goalkeeper John
Ruddy.
Sagbo was shown a straight red card moments later for a headbutt on Norwich captain Russell Martin.
Norwich played an hour with an extra man but could not find an equaliser.
The Canaries struggled to break down an organised Hull
side despite manager Chris Hughton's attempts to add more firepower
during the summer.
Hughton signed Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel for £8.5m from Sporting Lisbon and Gary Hooper from Celtic for about £5m.
Hooper was missing with an injury sustained in the opening game of the season against Everton, but Van Wolfswinkel had just a solitary chance of note.
Sweden forward Johan Elmander, who joined Norwich on a season-long loan from Galatasaray earlier in the week, came off the bench in the second half but was unable to influence proceedings.
Newcastle 0-0 West Ham.
Newcastle picked up their first Premier League point this season with a goalless draw against West Ham.
West Ham's Winston Reid went close to scoring an own
goal in the first half before twice just failing to get a touch to
set-pieces at the other end.
Hatem Ben Arfa was the home side's main threat with several efforts from long range, while Joe Cole shot just inches over the bar for the visitors.
Yoan Gouffran wasted a fine chance for Newcastle late on from close range. While West Ham created the better chances throughout, Gouffran's missed opportunity deep into time added on was the closest the game came to a goal.
It means that West Ham boss Sam Allardyce left Tyneside unbeaten for the third time since being sacked by Newcastle in 2008. The Hammers have picked up four points from their opening two games, following a 2-0 opening-day win over Cardiff.
Alan Pardew, in his 100th Premier League game as Newcastle manager, was without Yohan Cabaye for the second match in a row. The France midfielder was also left out of the 4-0 defeat by Manchester City in the wake of what Newcastle deemed a "derisory" offer of £10m from Arsenal.
Southampton 1-1 Sunderland.
Jose Fonte's late header earned a point for Southampton and denied Sunderland their first win of the season.
The Black Cats had been on course for victory thanks to Emanuele Giaccherini's second-minute header.
Jay Rodriguez had an early effort ruled out for offside, with replays proving inconclusive, while Saints team-mate Rickie Lambert had several chances.
But in the 88th minute, Fonte headed home James Ward-Prowse's free-kick from close range for a dramatic equaliser.
Sunderland, who were beaten by Fulham on the opening day of the season, took an early lead with Italian Giaccherini heading home Sebastian Larsson's corner from close range.
Southampton responded well and spent the next 45 minutes peppering the visitors' goal.
First Rodriguez had a goal disallowed for offside while Lambert saw his low header kept out at full stretch by Keiren Westwood before heading over from close range later in the half.
Stoke 2-1 Crystal Palace.
Stoke fought back from a goal down against Crystal Palace to provide
manager Mark Hughes with a win in his first home game in charge of the
club.
The Potters went behind in the Premier League match
when Marouane Chamakh out-muscled Ryan Shawcross, cut inside Robert Huth
and slid home his shot.
But in four second half minutes Charlie Adam stroked in a left-footed effort and Shawcross scored on the turn. And Stoke went close to adding to their lead when Steven Nzonzi hit the post.
The Potters showed they are still a work in progress as Hughes tries to bring both a more cultured approach and goals to their play.
However, although Premier League newcomers Palace acquitted themselves well, the hosts' renowned grit and determination are both still in evidence and those qualities were the basis of their victory.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool.
Daniel Sturridge was the match-winner for a second straight week as
Liverpool won at Villa Park to make their best start to a season for
five years.
The Liverpool striker finished off a flowing first-half move to score his eighth goal in seven league games.
Villa were outplayed early on but improved in the second half, with Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet twice denying Christian Benteke.
Both sides had late penalty appeals waved away by referee Mark Clattenburg.
Liverpool last won their opening two matches of the season in 2008-9 and this victory means Brendan Rodgers's side extend their unbeaten run to 10 Premier League matches, a streak that began with a win at Villa Park in March. The platform for victory was set during a first half in which the visitors were utterly dominant. Villa improved markedly after the break but the damage was done.
It has been a brutal start to the season for Paul Lambert's young side. During their magnificent victory at Arsenal and contentious defeat at Chelsea, they displayed tangible signs of progress but against Liverpool they looked flat and, perhaps, fatigued by those two demanding trips to London.
Tottenham 1-0 Swansea.
Roberto Soldado's fourth goal in three games helped Tottenham to a deserved league win over Swansea.
The home side went close when visiting defender Ashley
Williams headed against his own post and, from the rebound, blocked a
Paulinho shot on the line.
But Spurs took the lead when Soldado coolly slotted in a penalty after Jonjo Shelvey's foul on Andros Townsend.
Spurs forward Gareth Bale was conspicuous by his absence from White Hart Lane with the announcement of his transfer to Real Madrid apparently imminent.
However, Soldado is helping ease the disappointment over Bale's impending departure as Tottenham maintained their 100% start to the season against a Swansea side who have now lost both of their league games.
Both sides were convincing victors in the Europa League on Thursday - Spurs beating Dinamo Tbilisi 5-0 and Swansea easing to a 5-1 win over Petrolul Ploiesti.
Cardiff 3-2 Man City.
Cardiff City produced a stunning win over 2011-12 champions Manchester
City to claim their first victory in the Premier League.
After falling behind to Edin Dzeko's powerful
52nd-minute opener, Aron Gunnarsson equalised after Joe Hart blocked
Fraizer Campbell's shot.
Former Manchester United youngster Campbell then scored twice in eight minutes to put the home side in charge.
Alvaro Negredo set up a grandstand finish, but Malky Mackay's men held on.
The final whistle brought with it scenes of celebration from the packed crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Bluebirds won in the top flight of English football for the first time since they were last there in 1962.
It was also the first top-flight victory for Mackay, who guided his team to the Championship title last season.
But it was a chastening experience for new Manchester
City boss Manuel Pellegrini, whose side brushed aside Newcastle 4-0 on
Monday but surrendered a one-goal advantage in the Welsh capital.
The one disappointing aspect of the victory over the Magpies was an injury to skipper and defensive lynchpin Vincent Kompany.
And the Belgium international was sorely missed on Sunday, with midfielder Javi Garcia deployed as a makeshift defender.
Friday, 23 August 2013
Transfer News
West Brom bring in Sinclair.
West Brom have signed winger Scott Sinclair on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move.
The 24-year-old struggled for playing time at the Etihad Stadium after joining City from Swansea last summer.He played in only 11 Premier League games under Roberto Mancini last season and was not involved on the opening day of 2013-14.
Sinclair is also well known to Albion boss Steve Clarke, who watched his progress through the ranks at Chelsea.
"Scott understands he needs to play football and it will be good to work with him again," Clarke told the club's official website.
"We're delighted he feels this is the right club for him at this stage of his career. He is the type of player we were missing from the squad.
"He is a pure winger, who is quick, direct and scores goals - he has proven that over his career. He can play off the right or left and improves our attacking options.
Chelsea join race for Willian.
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Tottenham target Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala, according to Sky sources.
The Stamford Bridge club have made their move after London rivals Tottenham held talks with Willian earlier on Thursday.Spurs were ready to splash £30m on the midfielder, who has been offered a five-year contract at White Hart Lane.
But the 25-year-old, who was also linked with Liverpool earlier in the summer, appears to be keeping his options open.
Chelsea have already been busy in the summer transfer window with forward Andre Schurrle arriving from Bayer Leverkusen for £18m.
The Blues also splashed around £8m on Marco van Ginkel from Vitesse Arnhem, and £3m on fellow midfielder Cristian Cuevas.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas says he knows nothing of Chelsea's apparent interest.
Speaking after Spurs' 5-0 win at Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League qualifying tie, Villas-Boas said: "We were just involved in a game so unfortunately I can't give you further information.
Premier League result
Here is the result of the Premier League match that was played between Chelsea and Aston Villa:
Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa.
Ivanovic was left unmarked to convert a Frank Lampard free-kick, but only after Villa felt the defender should have been sent off for an elbow on Benteke.
Villa had a late penalty appeal for a handball by John Terry turned down.
Lambert's inexperienced side were beaten 8-0 by the hosts in December, with six survivors remaining in the Villa starting line-up from that crushing defeat.
The visitors have progressed steadily from that low point, however, with their improvement on display in last Saturday's impressive 3-1 opening weekend victory at Arsenal.
Buoyed by Mourinho's winning return as manager against Hull, there was an equally positive mood among a vocal home support at a balmy Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa.
Branislav Ivanovic powered in a second-half header as Chelsea won a feisty game against Aston Villa.
Chelsea went ahead after Eden Hazard's shot was
unluckily pushed into his own goal by Antonio Luna, before Christian
Benteke struck a precise equaliser.
Ivanovic was left unmarked to convert a Frank Lampard free-kick, but only after Villa felt the defender should have been sent off for an elbow on Benteke.
Villa had a late penalty appeal for a handball by John Terry turned down.
There were heated scenes on the touchline
between managers Jose Mourinho and Paul Lambert, as the Villa boss
argued Ivanovic should have received more than a booking for the
incident with Benteke.
The Scot was then further infuriated by the failure to award the injury-time penalty.
Lambert's inexperienced side were beaten 8-0 by the hosts in December, with six survivors remaining in the Villa starting line-up from that crushing defeat.
The visitors have progressed steadily from that low point, however, with their improvement on display in last Saturday's impressive 3-1 opening weekend victory at Arsenal.
Buoyed by Mourinho's winning return as manager against Hull, there was an equally positive mood among a vocal home support at a balmy Stamford Bridge.
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Transfer News
Tottenham close on Willian.
Tottenham are close to completing the signing of Brazil international Willian for a club-record £30m, according to Sky sources.
The
Anzhi Makachkala midfielder is undergoing a medical in London ahead of
his proposed move, which would make him Spurs' third record signing this
summer after deals of £17m and £26m for Paulinho and Roberto Soldado.Willian had been linked with a move to Liverpool but appears to have been lured by the guarantee of European football at White Hart Lane this season.
Spurs could yet add Roma striker Erik Lamela to their ranks in a transfer that would take their outlay during this window to almost £120m.
A good proportion of that could be recouped if the club were to accept Real Madrid's world-record offer for Gareth Bale, and it is understood a resolution to the saga of the summer could now come within days.
Portugal left-back Fabio Coentrao has long been mentioned as a possible makeweight in any deal for Bale.
Speaking about Coentrao and Lamela at a press conference ahead of Spurs' Europa League game against Dinamo Tbilisi, Villas-Boas said: "They have not signed for Spurs. Both of them are great, great players, but I cannot extend myself."
Palace complete Puncheon deal.
Jason Puncheon has completed his move from Southampton to Crystal Palace on a season-long loan.
The move reunites winger Puncheon with his former Blackpool manager Ian Holloway.The 27-year-old, who moved to St Mary's from Plymouth Argyle three years ago, has made 80 appearances for Southampton but was not part of Mauricio Pochettino's squad for the clash at West Brom on Saturday.
Puncheon, who began his career at Wimbledon, played in the Premier League under Holloway at Bloomfield Road during an 11-game loan spell in 2011 and was on Palace's books as a child.
He told the club website: "I think it's a great move for myself to come and play games. Obviously Crystal Palace are my hometown club and more importantly Ian Holloway is here as well.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)