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Monday, November 17, 2014

VIDEO: Neymar Tries To Exact Revenge On Chelsea Man In Training


It was only natural that Neymar would try and get his own back on Filipe Luis.

The Chelsea defender humiliated the Barcelona star during a Brazil training session and Neymar wanted revenge.

Luis was having none of it as you can see in the video above.

After joining the Blues from Atletico Madrid in the summer in a £15.8m deal, he has made just two Premier League starts, with Cesar Azpilicueta currently ahead of him in the Chelsea pecking order.


EXCLUSIVE! - Arsenal Don't Need Cech! Seaman Wants Wenger To Keep Faith With Szczesny


Arsenal legend David Seaman has advised Arsene Wenger NOT to launch a bid for Petr Cech.
Arsenal don't need Petr Cech! David Seaman wants Arsene Wenger to keep faith with Wojciech Szczesny
The Gunners are reportedly lining up a £7million swoop for the out-of-favour Chelsea goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

But Seaman is against the move as he wants Wenger to keep faith with Wojciech Szczesny.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the club’s legendary former stopper said: “Wojciech is coming off his best season last season with Arsenal and I don’t think that anybody warrants taking his place because he is not making mistakes.

“Arsenal are conceding goals, but it is not through goalkeeping errors that they are conceding.”

Arsenal have lost more more points from winning positions than any other Premier League side this season, and are sitting sixth in the table ahead of Saturday's visit of Manchester United.

Seaman insists that has little to do with Szczesny and is instead down to a lack of leadership throughout the team.

He added: “They have not got anybody in the team at the moment that can grab a game and think, right, we are 2-0 up or 3-0 up, let's sit in front of the back four, see ten minutes out so we don't concede a goal, and then push on from there. We used to do that with Patrick Vieira. Tony Adams or I would say, 'Patrick, just sit in front of the defenders for ten minutes'.

"You would think someone like Per Mertesacker would be good enough to do that because he has got tons of international experience. I don’t know how vocal he is in a game or how the other players are, but [Mathieu] Flamini looks like the only one doing it at the moment."

With Arsenal 11 points behind leaders Chelsea just 11 games into the season, Wenger has already given up hope of winning the title.

Seaman insists it is too early to completely write off the Gunners, but admits their London rivals look to be on a different level.

"They have got a slight chance. Chelsea are looking so good and so strong, but if Arsenal can get on one of their runs where they win a big group of games together then they can put a bit of pressure on,” he said.

"At the moment Chelsea are almost in second gear and they have got three more gears to go."


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

No concerns for Henderson as new Liverpool deal nears


Jordan Henderson admits he has no concerns about signing a new Liverpool contract.
Jordan Henderson admits he has no concerns about signing a new Liverpool contract
The 24-year-old, who was named the Reds' vice-captain last month and is viewed as the long-term successor to Steven Gerrard, has less than two years to run on his current deal.

Striker Daniel Sturridge signed a new long-term extension last week and Henderson is expected to follow suit as low-key talks have been on-going for some time.

"I am just concentrating on playing football. I am not worried about that," said the England midfielder, who scored Liverpool's winner against West Brom on Saturday.

"I am enjoying my football, I love this club and I want to be here for many years so that shouldn't be an issue.

"I'll let my agent sort that out, it's nothing to do with me."

Raheem Sterling, who has reportedly attracted the attention of this month's Champions League opponents Real Madrid, and Philippe Coutinho are next in line for new contract offers to reflect their growing importance to the team.


Transfer rumours and paper review - Wednesday, October 8


Here's the top transfer-related stories in Wednesday's newspapers...
Listen again to today's Paper Review
Liverpool and Arsenal are monitoring Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas after the 33-year-old hinted he wants to play in England. (Daily Star)

Liverpool midfielder Suso, 20, will leave Anfield to join AC Milan either in January or for free during the summer. (Daily Express)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has rejected an approach from Bayern Munich for 25-year-old Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil. (Metro)

Wales international Gareth Bale, 25, has told Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, not to leave the Bernabeu club in order to rejoin Manchester United. (Daily Express)

Stromsgodset midfielder Martin Odegaard, 15, has courted the attention of several Premier League clubs but Norway coach Per-Mathias Hogmo, who has included the teenager in his squad for his side's forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers, has urged him to turn down a move to "an absolute top club". (Daily Mail)

Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all interested in 31-year-old Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, whose contract with the Spanish club runs out next summer, but the Brazilian wants to stay at the Nou Camp outfit. (Daily Star)

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 24, says the club treated him like "cattle" during the summer when he was denied a move to Tottenham, but that he now intends to stay at the south coast side for the rest of the season. (Daily Telegraph)

QPR boss Harry Redknapp will make a move for Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 30, and Toronto forward Jermain Defoe, 32, during the January transfer window. (The Sun)

England coach Roy Hodgson has cleared the air with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal and defused their row over the fitness of 19-year-old defender Luke Shaw. (Daily Telegraph)


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Check out Arsenal target Draxler shining against Chelsea

Check out Arsenal target Draxler shining against Chelsea

Schalke star Julian Draxler has long been linked with a move to Arsenal and against Chelsea in their Champions League match on Wednesday night he showed just why.

The 20-year-old attacking-midfielder shone against Jose Mourinho's side as he helped the German outfit earn a point at Stamford Bridge.

But it was one particular piece of flashy skill that had fans taking to Twitter to wax lyrical about Draxler.

Check out the footage below and the reaction of supporters as they urge their clubs to sign the German star.


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


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

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.
Arteta is finished! Arsenal fans slam their captain
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.
Welbeck’s finishing leaves Wenger frustrated
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.
Liverpool aren’t at the standard of last season, admits Rodgers
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."

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Norwich beat Cardiff in six-goal thriller after brilliant comeback

Championship round-up: 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.

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