Chelsea cautious over Costa’s ongoing injury struggles, admits Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted the club remain cautious over Diego Costa’s hamstring injury, revealing the striker’s niggle prevented him from starting the Blues’ Champions League opener against Schalke.

Mourinho’s men took an early lead at Stamford Bridge when Cesc Fabregas found the net for his first Chelsea goal, but the hosts were wasteful throughout, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netting an equaliser after the break to clinch a 1-1 draw.

The Blues certainly missed Costa’s presence up front as Didier Drogba, who was handed his first start since his surprise return to the club this summer, missed a number of glaring chances, while Eden Hazard was also guilty of a lack of clinical touch in front of goal.

And while the Spanish star - who scored a hat-trick in Saturday's victory over Swansea - came off the bench for a late cameo, he had little impact against the German side, with Mourinho revealing his concern over the forward’s condition.

"Costa has a problem," said the Blues boss.

"If he has one week to let the muscle recover he can start a game. Playing on Saturday, three days is not enough for him to recover.

"It was not to protect for the game Sunday [at Manchester City] it was because today he was not in condition to start the game."

Costa limped out of last season's Champions League final with Atletico Madrid with a hamstring problem and the injury recurred while on international duty earlier this month with Spain.

"He played here one match and he was perfect," Mourinho added.

"He went to the national team and after the game against France he came back to us injured.

"He came to us [from Atletico] and he was completely fine. He had a problem again in the national team, not with us.

"Now we have the problem and now we have to resolve the problem the best we can.

"Today he was not in condition to play. Sunday we believe he is.

"Next week against Bolton [in the Capital One Cup] for sure he isn't. We have to manage the situation until the moment he's completely fine.

"If today he starts the game, for sure he cannot play on Sunday. We have to go step by step."

Listen to the full post-match reaction from Jose Mourinho above!

Arteta is finished! Arsenal fans slam their captain after Dortmund defeat

It’s fair to say only Wojciech Szczesny came out of Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League with any credit.

The Gunners were lacklustre and easily dispatched by their German opponents, who barely had to break sweat to claim victory.

And Arsenal fans directed most of their ire towards captain Mikel Arteta who was completely anonymous in midfield for 77 minutes until he was finally replaced by Lukas Podolkski.

Some wanted the Spaniard to retire while others queried if it was possible to have his contract cancelled

Welbeck’s finishing leaves Wenger frustrated

Arsene Wenger admitted Danny Welbeck’s finishing has left him disappointed but insists the striker will improve at the Emirates.

The summer signing from Manchester United, who was criticised for his poor conversion rate by Louis van Gaal, missed several good chances for the Gunners as they lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

But after the game new boss Wenger stated his belief the England forward will come good for the north London club.

"Danny [Welbeck] will improve,” he said. “I don't think we have to make a problem of that.

"He had a very lively first-half. He had two or three good chances but couldn't finish them. There was one obvious one. We have to be patient with him."

Liverpool aren’t at the standard of last season, admits Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted his side’s standards have slipped compared to the Reds team which secured a Premier League runner-up spot last season.

The Merseyside outfit seem to feeling the effects of star striker Luis Suarez’s exit to Barcelona this summer, while their attacking force has taken an additional hit with the early injury blow to now-first choice frontman Daniel Sturridge.

That has left Rodgers with summer signing Mario Balotelli as his main man up front, though the Italian failed to really impress at the weekend as the Reds slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Anfield.

The maverick forward finally opened his account for his new club just a few days later though, putting Liverpool in front - with what Rodgers described as a "world-class finish" - in their Champions League opener against Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets on Tuesday night.

But despite Balotelli giving the hosts the lead, it was Steven Gerrard who saved the Merseyside outfit once again as the captain netted a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 2-1 victory after the visitors netted shock equaliser.

It was a nervy night for the Reds, but Rodgers insists his new-look squad, bolstered by over £100million worth of summer arrivals, will improve with time as they start to gel.

“We’re not at the standard we were at last season, that’s for sure,” said the boss. “We’re not at the level yet.

“We’ve got a lot of adaptation going on with new players coming in, and even though they fit the profile and are working hard, it’s still a new team.

“We’re still a work in progress, but we could do no more than win tonight, and we did that.

“It’s important to keep winning games through this period, and winning in the Champions League is always good.

"I think it was a great night for everyone at the club," he added. "Obviously it's been five years so to get first game back in and get the result was excellent.

"Big congratulations to the players because they showed great character and commitment tonight to get the result."

Norwich beat Cardiff in six-goal thriller after brilliant comeback

Norwich came out on top of the battle of two relegated Premier League sides, as the Canaries stages a brilliant comeback to beat Cardiff in a six-goal thriller at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Both sides are desperate to secure immediate promotion back into the top flight, but it is Neil Adams’ men who look most likely at this early stage of the season, as a 4-2 victory lifts them up to in second place level on points with table topping Nottingham Forest.

Cardiff got off to a brilliant start with two goals in the opening 22 minutes from Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson.

But the game was turned on his head after the break as Norwich began to dominate, with Martin Olsson pulling one back for the visitors shortly after the restart and Wes Hoolahan pulling them level on the hour-mark.

Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær then brought Nicky Maynard and Tom Adeyemi on from the bench in an attempt to mix it up, but it only got worse for the home side as Michael Turner scored in the 70th minute, with Cameron Jerome also finishing late on as boos began to sound from the home support.

Meanwhile, Brentford are into the play-off places after a 3-2 win over Brighton, with strikes from Moses Odubajo, Andre Gray and Jonathan Douglas sealing victory despite Seagulls duo Danny Holla and Gordon Greer’s goals.

The pressure continues to pile on Fulham boss Felix Magath, as his side slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Reading – the Cottagers’ fifth loss of the season.

Glenn Murray was the star for the home side, with his brace giving to Royals a comfortable lead, while Nick Blackman hammered home in the closing stages to round off a great win, with choruses of ‘Magath out’ sounding from the away stand.

The result leaves Fulham rock bottom of the table with just one point.

Scotland striker Jordan Rhodes was on target again for Blackburn as Rovers secured a 3-1 triumph over Wigan.

After a barren first-half the goals rained in after the break, with the Latics taking the lead through James Perch before Ben Marshall’s double, a goal either side of Rhodes’ finish, steering Blackburn to victory.

Elsewhere, Yoni Buyens’ third minute penalty was all Charlton needed to see of Watford in a 1-0 win at the Valley, two-goal hero Grant Leadbitter netted in stoppage time as Middlesbrough beat Huddersfield 2-1, and a goal apiece from David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy saw Ipswich see off Millwall in a 2-0 win.

The day’s early kick-off saw Birmingham and Leeds United play out a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s, Alex Mowatt's second-half equaliser rescuing a point for the managerless Whites, with Jordan Bowery Rotherham’s saviour as his stoppage-time header sealed a 1-1 tie at Bournemouth.

And finally, both Blackpool and Wolves, and Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday played out goalless stalemates.

Exclusive - Martinez can emulate Kendall at Everton, claims Southall

Club legend Neville Southall believes Roberto Martinez is destined for greatness at Everton – and claims the Spaniard is the Toffees’ best manager since Howard Kendall.

The former Wigan chief replaced David Moyes at Goodison Park, following the Scot's departure for Manchester United in 2013.

Martinez led the Merseysiders to fifth in the Premier League table last campaign, securing a Europa League spot for this season in the process.

And that performance has led former goalkeeper Southall to compare the 41-year-old to Kendall, who was successful both domestically and abroad.

“Roberto is definitely the man to lead Everton and he’s the best manager we’ve had since Howard Kendall,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “He will win something for us.

“There are not many managers who can walk into a club and change the philosophy,” he added. “His problem this season is going to be the expectation.

“People are turning up to the ground and expecting Everton to win by lots of goals.

“The crowd noise level went down last year. I went to see the match against West Ham last season and it was really quiet. I was wondering why this was happening and then you realise the expectation he’s brought in, and the type of football he’s playing, people are sitting there saying, ‘entertain me’.”

Valencia keen to keep starlet wanted by Arsenal and Chelsea

Valencia are frantically working on a new contract for Spanish wonderkid Paco Alcacer with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly stepping up their interest in the 21-year-old.

Alcacer has shot to fame this season, making his debut for Spain last week and then scoring his first goal in their 5-1 victory over Macedonia on Monday.

As a result, according to reports in Spain, Valencia are now putting together an improved contract offer for the striker in an attempt to ward off interest from several Premier League clubs.

Arsenal and Chelsea have been touted as possible destinations, while Barcelona also enquired after Alcacer back in 2011 - after he was top-scorer at the under-17 European Championships.

Valencia are said to be determined to hold onto Alcacer, who netted seven goals in 11 games during the La Liga side's run to the Europa League semi-final last season.

The Spaniard's new deal is expected to reward him with a pay-rise, while it is also thought to contain a buy-out clause of around £25m.

Transfer rumours and paper review - Wednesday, September 10

Here are the top transfer-related stories in Wednesday's newspapers...

Arsenal are looking to sign Barcelona's 19-year-old midfielder Sergi Samper - with manager Arsene Wenger ready to pay his £9.6m release clause in January. (Metro)

Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, 31, has emerged as a shock transfer target for Manchester United and Liverpool. (Daily Express)

France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 24, says he was desperate to leave Southampton this summer before club bosses "blocked" his move. (Mirror)

QPR's wage bill is bigger than Italian giants AC Milan. (The Daily Telegraph)

Midfielder Alex Pritchard, 21, is hoping to catch the eye of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino during his loan spell at Championship new-boys Brentford. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has told Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, that he plans to make him an important part of the team. (Daily Star) 

Exclusive – Arsenal turned down chance to sign Man City defender this summer

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to sign Micah Richards during the summer transfer window, talkSPORT understands.

Wenger was on the search for defensive steel after selling centre-back and Gunners captain Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona for £15million in August.

The Frenchman was alerted to Richards’ availability, with the 26-year-old finding first-team opportunities limited at the Etihad Stadium under manager Manuel Pellegrini.

But Wenger instead opted to sign Southampton teenager Calum Chambers in a £16million deal, with Richards eventually joining Italian side Fiorentina on loan for the season on deadline day.

Richards previously revealed to talkSPORT that he was offered more money to stay with Premier League champions City, but decided to revive his career in Florence with the prospect of playing regular Europa League and Serie A football.

Fabregas: Arsenal will always be close to my heart, but I’m committed to Chelsea now

Cesc Fabregas insists he is fully committed to Chelsea following his summer switch to Stamford Bridge, but maintains he will always hold Arsenal close to his heart.

The former Gunners captain says he feels comfortable working under Blues boss Jose Mourinho, after Arsenal decided against taking up an option to bring the playmaker back from Barcelona to the Emirates Stadium.

Fabregas, 27, joined the Gunners from his boy-hood club as a raw teenager and developed into one of the most dynamic midfielders in the game, before returning to the Nou Camp in August 2011.

He won the La Liga title, a Copa del Ray and the FIFA Club World Cup during his three-year spell back in Spain, before returning to the Premier League early in the transfer window in a £28million deal.

And in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais, Fabregas explained that he will always cherish his rise to fame at Arsenal and that whatever he may achieve at Chelsea will not diminish his feelings for his former club.

The Spain international said: "Don't think I didn't think about it [playing for Arsenal's rivals when he decided to join Chelsea]. I will keep the Gunner feeling forever and I know that I will return to the Amirates and it will be a special moment, but I am a committed guy.

"I remind you that I played the Champions League final against Barcelona [with Arsenal] and I swear I would have done anything to win that game - and I have been a Barcelona fan since I was a kid.

"So I know that when I play against Arsenal I will know who is my team, who are my colleagues and who I defend. And I know that the Arsenal fans will understand me, I have no doubt."

Fabregas also admitted he needed little convincing to join his former club’s London rivals.

He added: "If you'd told me five years ago that I would play for Chelsea and Mourinho I would not have believed you, but life changes.

"I started to think about leaving Barcelona after the Copa del Rey final. It was when I started to think that it had finished, that there was a change or that I didn't want to continue.

"I spoke with my agent and asked him to find me a new team, and an offer from Chelsea arrived. For me it was coming back to London, where I grew up. There was no better way out.

"I spoke with Mourinho and he told me the things I needed to hear. I felt valued. I felt I was going to be important in an important project."