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Saturday 4 November 2017

November 04, 2017

Ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra kung-fu kicks fan in scenes reminiscent of Eric Cantona

Patrice Evra faces serious sanctions after appearing to kung-fu kick a fan in the head prior to a Europa League match.

The 36-year-old defender, now playing for Marseille, was sent off because of the incident which happened prior to his side’s game with Vitoria in Portugal on Thursday.
Evra was reportedly targeted with chants by the travelling Marseille fans – who are unhappy with his performances this season – as he warmed up for the match.
As he went to leave the pitch and return to the dressing room he, and some of his team-mates, became embroiled in a heated exchange with the travelling supporters who had made their way down to the hoardings by the side of the pitch.

Things then turned violent, with Evra kicking out at one of his side’s own supporters.
Despite the game having not even started and with Evra among the substitutes, he was given a red card by the referee. It meant Marseille saw their number of subs reduced to six.
The former Manchester United defender will face an automatic three-match ban for his sending off but it is almost certain to be extended due to the severity of the situation.

When former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona kicked out at a Crystal Palace supporter he was banned from the game for eight months.



Patrice Evra

"On the other hand, I can say two things: Patrice, given his experience, must not respond to provocations. What must also be said is that the supporter in question is not a supporter of OM.

"When we are, we do not insult one of his players. But once again, Pat has experience and he should not have reacted. I found myself with one less solution (from the bench)."

The love story between Evra and the supporters of Marseille has now apparently completely disintegrated.

    Vitoria Guimaraes vs O.Marseille
    Marseille away.
    02/11/17 pic.twitter.com/LwzB20GEp8
    — Casuals Life (@PyroManiaticss) November 2, 2017

The 36-year-old left-back, who joined the club from Juventus in January on an 18-month contract, has lost his place this season to ex-Aston Villa man Jordan Amavi.

He has been increasingly criticised for his performances on the pitch and his offbeat videos that he posts on social media.

Evra is not the only man with Manchester United connections to have been involved in a kicking incident with a supporter.
Back on 25 January 1995 Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona caused controversy around the world in an away match at Crystal Palace.

    0 - Patrice Evra is the 1st player to receive a red card before the kick off of a game in the history of the EL (2009/10). Karateka. pic.twitter.com/9Ii92bLnU7
    — OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 2, 2017


The Frenchman had just been sent-off by the referee for a kick on opposition defender Richard Shaw.

As he walked towards the tunnel along the touchline, Cantona launched a kung-fu kick towards Palace supporter Matthew Simmons after he had ran down 11 flights of stairs to confront and direct abuse at the Red Devils forward.

Cantona followed the kick with a series of punches and was hit with a NINE MONTH ban from all football and also with a criminal charge of assault.

He was eventually sentenced to 120 hours of community service.

United hit him with a £20,000 fine while the Football Association and Fifa gave him an eight-month suspension from football and fined him a further £10,000.
Evra has been in hot water before over losing his temper back in 2008.

He was handed a four-match ban and and fined £15,000 after he clashed with Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell as the Red Devils warmed down after a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

He was found guilty of pushing Bethell with his chest and then striking him on the side of the head.

Then as the incident had begun to calm down, he subsequently ran back to confront Bethell and became involved in a further physical confrontation.

There was also his infamous clash with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in December 2011.

Evra accused Suarez of racially abusing him, with the Uruguayan banned eight games and hit with a £40,000 fine from the Football Association.
\

The pair then clashed again at Old Trafford three months later, when Evra said the striker refused a handshake.
 Then as the incident had begun to calm down, he subsequently ran back to confront Bethell and became involved in a further physical confrontation.

There was also his infamous clash with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in December 2011.

Evra accused Suarez of racially abusing him, with the Uruguayan banned eight games and hit with a £40,000 fine from the Football Association.

The pair then clashed again at Old Trafford three months later, when Evra said the striker refused a handshake.


November 04, 2017

Real Madrid Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Las Palmas

 Everything you need to know as Los Blancos look to bounce back in La Liga by beating the Canary Islanders on Sunday...




Real Madrid return to action in the Primera Division on Sunday after back-to-back defeats over the past week for the first time in the Zinedine Zidane era.

Los Blancos lost 2-1 at Girona in La Liga last Sunday and then went down 3-1 against Tottenham at Wembley in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Zidane's side are in third place in the table after 10 rounds of matches, already eight points adrift of leaders Barcelona, and will look to bounce back with a victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Here, Goal takes a look at everything you need to know ahead of their clash against Las Palmas...

REAL MADRID INJURIES
Gareth Bale is back in training and looks set to return for Real Madrid this week following a month on the sidelines.

Keylor Navas looks set to miss out again, along with Mateo Kovacic. So too does Dani Carvajal, although the defender is back in training after recovering from a heart problem.

Raphael Varane is in contention for a return after injury.


REAL MADRID SUSPENSIONS

Real Madrid have had a few suspensions already this season, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Sergio Ramos all missing matches in La Liga, but Zinedine Zidane has no players banned for the game against Las Palmas.

 POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

With Navas set to miss out again, Kiko Casilla will continue in goal for against .

In defence, young right-back Achraf Hakimi looks likely to start again in the absence of Carvajal, while coach Zidane must decide between Nacho or Raphael Varane, if fit, alongside captain Sergio Ramos.

Further forward, Ronaldo should partner Karim Benzema in attack, with Isco just behind those two. Gareth Bale is likely to start on the bench.
 
 TEAM NEWS

have picked up just six points from their 10 matches in La Liga this season and are in the drop zone ahead of their trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The Canary Islanders lie in 18th place, having won just two of their matches so far and lost the other eight, including a 4-0 defeat at Villarreal in their last away game in La Liga.

Alen Halilovic, Oussama Tannane and Jonathan Viera all miss out through injury this weekend.

BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS

  •     Are yet to win at in their 33 visits to the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga and have lost 28 of those.
  •     However, the Canary Islanders did draw home and away against Los Blancos in the Primera Division last season.
  •     No team has ever won La Liga having been eight points adrift of the top side after the first 10 games of a season, as are.
  •     Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of his two league games at the Santiago Bernabeu against (three goals).
  •     Pako Ayestaran is the first and only manager to lose 11 games in a row in La Liga history (with Valencia and ).

TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME

versus kicks off at 20:45 local time at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and will be broadcast live from 19:40 UK time on Sky Sports Football. 
November 04, 2017

La Liga: FC Barcelona vs. Sevilla: Team News, Match Preview

messi
Following a boring, disappointing, boring, really really really boring draw in Greece against Olympiacos in midweek, Barcelona return to action on Saturday night with what promises to be one of the toughest tests of this young season for the Blaugrana.

Sevilla come to the Camp Nou for what is a historically tough fixture for the Catalan giants. Regardless of the coaches or players they have, the Rojiblancos always find a way to make every game really difficult for Barça, and this will be no different.

Sevilla have been totally transformed by the arrival of Eduardo Berizzo. The former Celta manager took the beautiful, high-flying, high-risk football that Sevilla played under Jorge Sampaoli and turned into a grind-it-out, score-few, concede-even-less team. They’ve been wildly inconsistent lately, but almost all matches have been really close and sometimes tough to watch.

They’re physical, they defend deep and hard, and they love counter-attacking goals. They also know how to press high when needed, so they will look to attack Barça and use their skill on the wings to try and hurt the Blaugrana defense.

For the Ernesto Valverde haters, this might be a perfect game: because of Sevilla’s style, we will probably see a slow, physical game without much flair. It won’t be Barça’s fault necessarily, but the fact we probably won’t see a very entertaining game will give those who criticize Valverde even more reason to question him.

This will be fun. But not.

MATCH INFO, TV/STREAMING

Date/Time: Saturday, November 4, 2017, 8:45pm local time, 7:45pm GMT (UK), 8:45pm (Nigeria), 3:45pm ET, 12:45pm PT (USA), 1:15am IST (India, Sunday)

Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia

Television: beIN SPORTS (USA & Canada), Sky Sports Football (UK), SuperSport 7 (Nigeria), SONY TEN 2 (India)

Online streaming: beIN SPORTS CONNECT (USA & Canada), Sky GO (UK), FuboTV (7-day free trial, click here to sign up)

(Listings via LiveSoccerTV)

TEAM NEWS


When it rains, it pours, and the injuries are pouring in at Barça at the moment. Sergi Roberto and André Gomes are the latest to join the medical room, and they’ll be out for at least a month. The good news ahead of the Sevilla game is that Andrés Iniesta is back, and given his early season form it’s good to have his creativity back against what will probably be a tight Sevilla defense.

With the injury to Roberto, Nélson Semedo becomes the default right-back without a doubt. Aleix Vidal is also injured, so there’s no chance Valverde finds a way to bring him in place of Nelsion. Semedo will have an important run of games until Roberto’s return, and performing well against Sevilla will go a long way in cementing his spot as a starter.

In midfield, Ivan Rakitic and Paulinho will likely be the central midfielders in front of the amazing Sergio Busquets, with Iniesta unlikely to start and likely to be a weapon in the second half. Up front, the clone of Luis Suárez who has played in the beginning of this season will start alongside Lionel Messi (unless the real Luis Suárez wakes up from his hibernation and is ready to come back and score goals) and Gerard Deulofeu, who seems to be the first choice right winger at the moment, especially with Roberto and Gomes out. Denis Suarez also has a chance to play, but it’s a small one.

POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Barcelona (4-3-3)

Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Paulinho; Deulofeu, Messi, Suárez
Sevilla (4-2-3-1)

Rico; Corchia, Kjaer, Lenglet, Escudero; N’Zonzi, Pizarro; Sarabia, Banega, Nolito; Ben Yedder

PREDICTION


This will be really tough and really hard to watch at times, but Barça have Messi and Messi loves to kill Sevilla: Messi 3, Sevilla 1.
November 04, 2017

Antonio Conte considers reuniting Leicester title-winning midfield combination against Manchester United

Antonio Conte is considering pairing Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante in a new-look Chelsea midfield for the visit of Manchester United on Sunday, according to the Guardian.

kante

Chelsea were hammered 3-0 by Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday, with summer recruit Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas both badly overrun in the middle of the park.

Kante has been out of action since he suffered a hamstring injury on international duty last month, while Drinkwater, a deadline day arrival from Leicester, has been restricted to a handful of appearances as a result of the calf injury he has only recently recovered from.
Conte has all but admitted his side cannot afford another defeat if they are to retain their Premier League crown and could reunite the former Leicester midfielders who were mainstays of the side which powered the Foxes to the 2015/16 title.

The pair have reportedly been working in tandem this week in training and Conte could be tempted to thrust them into action as he desperately seeks to rekindle the balance his side has been missing in recent weeks, particularly against Roma.
‘I need a bit of time to digest this loss,’ said Conte of the midweek defeat at the Olimpico. ‘Then I start stronger with more hunger, more desire because I don’t like to lose.

‘I don’t like the defeats. I try also to transfer my suffering to my players. Sometimes I am able to do this, to have a good answer.’
November 04, 2017

We are not the Invincibles says Pep

Pep Guardiola has reiterated that the title race is only in its embryonic stages and is refusing to get carried away with his team’s start.

Pep Guardiola

The Blues have been lauded in the media for some of the breath-taking football that has swept aside teams this season.

When asked if City could possibly emulate Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ he said: “We are five points in front of United. How many games left? How many points? 84! 84 points to play and we are five points in front.

“If we play like we have been doing until May, we have a chance [of winning the title] - but who can assure me that will happen?

“Even best teams in the world would find it difficult to maintain what we have done in the last two months.

“We will have injuries, many different circumstances. March and April is the best time to talk about this.”

The Blues’ boss says he is expecting nothing less than a difficult test against Arsenal on Sunday, particularly after Wednesday’s thrilling win over Napoli.

He said: “It’s Arsenal next, so it’s complicated. It is the last game before international break and hopefully we can recover well after a tough performance in Napoli.

“What matters is to play good on Sunday and win the game. The main thing is win the next one. We did it the last one and now we have to do it again.

“We try to do a good performance for our fans, to enjoy 90 minutes. Of course, we need our fans’ support again.

“The Champions League was so, so tough and Arsenal didn’t play their normal squad in their Europa League game, so they have rested for one week. Our supporters can help us with that.

“People say we are unbeatable - we are beatable. Some team will beat us. It’s how we react. I want to see.

“The Invincibles record belongs to Arsene Wenger. We are not going to do it. It’s something fantastic. We don’t want to break this record.”

Pep also said he is an admirer or Mesut Ozil who he feels receives some unfair criticism from time to time.

He said of Ozil: “I don’t have any doubts, in terms of quality. I enjoy him. I have no doubts about his quality. The big men get criticised.

"I admire him a lot. Maybe his body language doesn’t help him too much but sometimes body language can confuse the media. He’s a great player.”
November 04, 2017

'The record belongs to you, Arsene!" - dismisses Man City's invincible prospects

 City will defend their unbeaten record against the Gunners on Sunday but the Catalan coach sees no hope of it lasting all season

Pep Guardiola

Pep insists Arsene Wenger has no need to worry about matching the exploits of his 'Invincibles'.

Wenger guided to an incredible triumph in 2003-04, when the Gunners went through the entire season unbeaten.
City welcome to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with nine wins and a draw from their opening 10 matches this season.

A thrilling 4-2 win at Napoli in midweek also made it four Champions League wins out of four for 's men, leading to speculation over how far City's hot streak might extend.

Speaking before the game, Wenger expressed doubts over City's capacity to emulate his most famous side and told a pre-match news conference that he and the veteran Frenchman are on the same page.

"I would like to say to Arsene that this record belongs to him. We are not going to break him. He has to be calm and sure that is not going to happen.

"It belongs to his team, an exceptional team, because to go through the unbeaten is something fantastic.

"It belongs to him. He has to know that we don't want to break this record. We want to play well and beat him on Sunday. That is what we want to do."

    #PEP : Against @Arsenal , it is complicated. Hopefully, we will have recovered well from Napoli and will put in a performance for our fans. — (@ManCity) November 3, 2017

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte described Guardiola's rampant team as "a big problem" for anyone else with title ambitions but the City manager maintains there will be tough times ahead for the leaders.

"We are five points in front ahead of [Manchester] United. How many games left? 28. How many points… mathematics, I am a disaster… 84.

"84 points to play, five points in front. It is nothing.

"If you tell me we will play until May the way we have played over the past two months I will tell you we have a good chance to win the .

"But who assures me that is going to happen? Who can assure me we are not going to have injured players or have bad moments?

"Even for the best teams in the world in history, it is impossible to maintain what we have done over the last two months.

"March and April are the best months to talk about that. With 84 points to play for, it is nothing."

Nevertheless, observed a mental toughness as City came through a stern examination at Stadio San Paolo – something not always evident during his first season in charge.

Jose Callejon put the Serie A table-toppers in front and Jorginho levelled at 2-2 after goals from Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.

Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling offered a clinical response to make the points safe, much to their boss' delight.

"After 2-2, when they are so in the game, the first action with Danilo, Kevin [De Bruyne] and Rash [Sterling] was so aggressive and we regained the ball quick," he added.

"In those terms, maybe you can think one point is good for qualification, but we made a step to win the game.
"Napoli had conceded three goals in all the season at home and we scored four, so it's a lot.

"In those games tactics are important but it is about the mentality – when you believe you can do that. It is important we have realised we can do that.

"People say we are unbeatable – we are beatable. A team, I don't know when, are going to beat us. How we react, like we reacted at 1-0 and 2-2 at Napoli, that is when you really become a good, good team. That is what I want to see."
November 04, 2017

Mourinho refuses invitation to meet disgruntled Manchester United fans

Jose Mourinho has turned down an invitation to meet disgruntled Manchester fans to discuss the atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho

Criticism of 's playing style in recent games against Liverpool and Tottenham has irked Mourinho, who wrote in his programme notes ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Benfica: "I hope that you enjoy the game more than some of you did against Tottenham."

Some booing was also heard after Mourinho, whose side travels to face Chelsea on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, brought off Marcus Rashford for Anthony Martial in last Saturday's 1-0 win over Spurs.
The boss then hit out at fans for what he perceived as a lack of support for striker Romelu Lukaku during his current goalless run.

The Manchester Supporters Trust (MUST) invited Mourinho to talk to fans' representatives about his concerns, but the Portuguese has refused, declaring: "I cannot meet a quarter of the planet.

"I think a quarter of the planet is Manchester red. I cannot meet them."

Mourinho could face heat on Sunday, although not from his own fans, as he takes to Stamford Bridge to face former club Chelsea.

The reception for Chelsea's most successful manager on his first return with 12 months ago was hardly warm, and it was a grim day all round for Mourinho as the home side romped to a 4-0 win.

Mourinho insisted he has no problem with Chelsea fans reacting negatively to him during the match.
"That's not a problem at all," he said. "I walk in the street and outside the 'heat' I get so many Chelsea fans, especially in the area where I live, and I didn't have one single one that wasn't nice.

"What happened in the stadium is a different thing. When I go to Stamford Bridge, I am the manager of their opponent so I accept every possible reaction with the utmost respect."

The match will be a barometer of where both teams are at. Chelsea have stumbled so far in defence of their title, while are battling to maintain the pressure on Manchester City.

There is little love lost between Mourinho and opposite number Antonio Conte, with the pair's latest verbal spat coming when the boss appeared to aim a jibe at his rival's complaints about injuries.

Mourinho expects to again be without up to six players, and he accused his critics in the media of willfully ignoring how well played earlier this season when the likes of Paul Pogba were available.

He said: "I think it's my fault because I should cry every week about our injuries.

"I think any other manager would be speaking about Pogba every day - 'Oh I don't have Pogba, oh when I have Pogba, oh 10 matches without Pogba, oh all the Champions League group phase without Pogba, oh all the big matches against Liverpool, against Chelsea, against Spurs without Pogba'. I don't speak about Pogba one single time.
"I really think that you and the specialists, you know the that we were playing in the beginning of the season.

"I know that you know that, you just pretend because it's convenient for you to pretend that this didn't exist. We miss our players of course and we had to play big matches without them, and probably we are going to play one more without them again."
November 04, 2017

UEFA Europa League: Arsenal through, Everton out, Evra in karate kick red card

Arsenal reached the Europa League last 32 Thursday as Everton crashed out and Patrice Evra was red-carded for a karate kick at one of his own Marseille fans — before the match had even started.

UEFA Europa League: Arsenal through, Everton out, Evra in karate kick red card

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal fought out a drab 0-0 draw with Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates but the point was enough to make sure of qualifying for the knockout round with two games to spare in Group H.
Jack Wilshere, overlooked by England manager Gareth Southgate earlier in the day, had the best chance but saw a second-half effort cleared off the line.
The result allowed the Gunners to stretch their unbeaten home run in all competitions to 16 games. “If you can’t win the game, don’t lose it. We’re not delighted with the point, but we’ll take it,” said Wilshere.

Veteran Marseille defender Evra was sent off after launching a karate-style kick at one of his team’s own supporters before the match against Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal.

Former Manchester United star Evra, 36, was engaged in a heated exchange with a group of fans from an area reserved for around 500 Marseille supporters before aiming a head-high left-footed kick at one of them. “Pat has experience, and he must not react, it’s obvious,” said Marseille coach Rudi Garcia whose side lost 1-0 and had Boubacar Kamara sent off three minutes from time.


“Patrice is a more than just an experienced player. You can’t respond to insults as bad as they are and as incredible as they might be because they come from one of our supporters. “He must learn to keep his cool.” The incident immediately brought back memories of another act of kung-fu kick madness by a French footballer. In January 1995, Eric Cantona, playing for Manchester United, launched a flying kick at a Crystal Palace supporter at Selhurst Park who had jeered him after he had been sent off. Struggling Everton crashed out after a 3-0 defeat in Lyon. Languishing in the relegation zone in the Premier League and without a permanent manager since the sacking of Ronald Koeman last week, Everton succumbed to three second-half goals. Bertrand Traore rounded Jordan Pickford to break the deadlock on 68 minutes in the Group E clash.


– AC Milan stumble – 
“We’re really disappointed with the result. For nearly 70 minutes, we were nearly perfect with our game plan and created a couple of opportunities and should have scored,”
said Everton caretaker manager David Unsworth. Everton also lost defender Cuco Martina to a worrying incident in the first half as the Curacao international was stretchered off in a neck brace following an awkward fall.

Despite suffering a concussion and needing hospital treatment, Martina was later discharged and travelled back to Merseyside. Seven-time European champions AC Milan, in the midst of a poor run of form in Serie A, failed to relieve much pressure on under-fire manager Vincenzo Montella following a 0-0 draw at AEK Athens.
The Italians hit the post on 57 minutes through Riccardo Montolivo, while Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu had a powerful drive turned away as Milan remained two points clear of their Greek hosts in Group D. Vitaliy Buyalskiy fired Dynamo Kiev into the knockout phase after the Ukrainian side secured a 1-0 victory over Group B rivals Young Boys in Switzerland.
Villarreal are on course to advance from Group A after a 2-0 victory at Slavia Prague, but Hoffenheim’s qualification hopes in Group C suffered a costly blow as the Germans conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to Istanbul Basaksehir. Meanwhile, Lazio downed Nice 1-0 in Group K to remain the only team with a 100 percent record, moving into the last 32 as a result. Zenit Saint Petersburg and FCSB of Romania are also into the knockout round.


November 04, 2017

Morata, Lukaku seek return to form as Chelsea face Man Utd

Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku will be under pressure to fire their teams back into the Premier League title race when the misfiring strikers clash in Chelsea’s showdown with Manchester United on Sunday.

Chelsea forward Morata and United front man Lukaku were the toast of their clubs after celebrating their close-season transfers with a barrage of goals.

But, with Chelsea and United battling to keep pace with leaders Manchester City, Morata and Lukaku have lost their midas touch at the wrong moment, putting them under the microscope at Stamford.


Bridge this weekend. United manager Jose Mourinho splashed out £75 million ($98 million) to sign Lukaku from Everton after persuading the Belgium international to snub interest from Blues boss Antonio Conte. Lukaku was off to a fast start, netting 11 times in his first 10 games.
However, the 24-year-old finds himself in the midst of a barren spell stretching back six games to the end of September. United fans have grown frustrated by Lukaku’s lack of contributions outside the penalty area, prompting Mourinho to chastise Old Trafford.crowd for failing to give the striker enough support in last weekend’s win over Tottenham. Lukaku responded to the doubters by admitting he is still a work in progress.
“You can’t judge me as the finished article. I’d rather have a career where year after year I improve rather than going to the top and decline,” he said. “I know I have a lot of talent, but I want to have more assists, I want to make sure when my team is in difficulties they can count on me.” After missing out on Lukaku, Conte settled for Morata as an expensive consolation prize. Morata hit the ground running with seven goals in his first seven games following his club record £58 million ($75 million) move from Real Madrid.
But, like Lukaku, the 25-year-old Spaniard has failed to score in his last six games, earning criticism for some lethargic displays. Morata also had to claim he had been misquoted after an interview in which he appeared to hint he wouldn’t stay with Chelsea for long because he doesn’t enjoy London’s hectic lifestyle.

In the circumstances,
Morata and Lukaku could do with silencing the critics by producing a priceless winner at the Bridge.
Both players carried hefty price tags because of the belief they were ready to deliver when the stakes are highest.
That will be the case in west London this weekend as champions Chelsea try to claw their way back into the title race. Fourth placed Chelsea are four points behind second placed United and nine points adrift of table-toppers City.

Conte’s side crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, erasing the momentum from successive league wins over Watford and Bournemouth. United are five points behind City after winning only one of their last three league games, although they made it three successive wins in all competitions by beating Benfica in midweek.
Mourinho will be hoping for better luck on his latest return to Chelsea — the club where he won three English titles and was sacked twice — after United lost both their visits last season.

Abused by Chelsea fans during United’s 4-0 and 1-0 defeats, Mourinho insists he doesn’t attach special significance to the fixture. “It isn’t a big thing. It’s normal, it’s football. One day you are in one club, the next day you’re in another club,” he said.
Conte, who will give N’Golo Kante a late fitness test on his hamstring injury, admits Chelsea no longer have any margin for error if they are to overhaul United and City. “Now there is a big problem for all the teams that want to fight for the title and this big problem is Manchester City,” Conte said. “If they continue in this way it will be very difficult to fight for the title.”


Friday 3 November 2017

November 03, 2017

Manchester City vs Arsenal: Potential lineup, team news, injury, suspension

Manchester City and Arsenal will be facing each other in the Premier League on Sunday.

City manager, Pep Guardiola had stuck with the same team for three games in a row at the end of September and start of October.

Manchester City and Arsenal will be facing each other in the Premier League on Sunday.

City manager, Pep Guardiola had stuck with the same team for three games in a row at the end of September and start of October.

But Guardiola left his key players, David Silver and Kyle Walker on the bench in Napoli on Wednesday and still saw his side record an impressive victory.

Defending duo, Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany will miss out on the Arsenal clash with their injuries, although Mendy will arrive back in Manchester on Saturday.

Belgium’s Kompany is also close to a return to training but in some way off full fitness.

Neither Manchester City nor Arsenal has any suspensions.


Manchester City and Arsenal will be facing each other in the Premier League on Sunday.

City manager, Pep Guardiola had stuck with the same team for three games in a row at the end of September and start of October.

But Guardiola left his key players, David Silver and Kyle Walker on the bench in Napoli on Wednesday and still saw his side record an impressive victory.

Defending duo, Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany will miss out on the Arsenal clash with their injuries, although Mendy will arrive back in Manchester on Saturday.

Belgium’s Kompany is also close to a return to training but in some way off full fitness.

Neither Manchester City nor Arsenal has any suspensions.

David Silver and Walker could return to the line-up after being rested in Napoli on Wednesday.

Man City possible XI: Elderson, Otamendi, Stones, Delph, Walker, Silver, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Sane, Jesus, Sterling.

For Arsenal, there’s a number of injuries to contend with.

Sead Kolasinac is doubtful with a hip injury, while centre-back Shkodran Mustafi, forward Danny Welbeck, playmaker Santi Cazorla and defender Calum Chambers are all out.
Back-up goalkeeper David Ospina and out-of-favour forward Lucas Perez will play no part, either.

November 03, 2017

Chelsea vs Manchester United: Potential lineups, team news, injury updates

Chelsea vs Manchester United: Potential lineups, team news, injury updates
Chelsea and Manchester United will be locking horns in the Premier League this weekend.

It has been a difficult task for the Red Devils when they travel to west London to face their familiar foes.

Chelsea and Manchester United will be locking horns in the Premier League this weekend.

It has been a difficult task for the Red Devils when they travel to west London to face their familiar foes.

Jose Mourinho’s side was beaten two weeks ago against Huddersfield Town, a result that allowed Manchester City to open up a lead at the top of the table.

But they have bounced back to win three in all competitions since then and appear determined to close the gap.

On the other hand, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are even further off the pace, they are nine points behind the leaders and they are currently navigating through a difficult period.

Chelsea suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League in midweek and will be keen to bounce back with what could be a decisive victory.


Chelsea and Manchester United will be locking horns in the Premier League this weekend.

It has been a difficult task for the Red Devils when they travel to west London to face their familiar foes.

Jose Mourinho’s side was beaten two weeks ago against Huddersfield Town, a result that allowed Manchester City to open up a lead at the top of the table.

But they have bounced back to win three in all competitions since then and appear determined to close the gap.

On the other hand, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are even further off the pace, they are nine points behind the leaders and they are currently navigating through a difficult period.

Chelsea suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League in midweek and will be keen to bounce back with what could be a decisive victory.

France midfielder, N’golo Kante, Chelsea’s engine room, is a doubt for the match over his fitness meaning that Tiemoue Bakayoko is likely to continue alongside Cesc Fabregas in midfield.

Also in the midfield, Danny Drinkwater is available for selection, but may have to make do with a place on the bench against his old club.

Chelsea’s potential starting XI: Courtois; Cahill, Azpilicueta, Luiz; Zappacosta, Alonso, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Hazard, Pedro; Morata.

For Manchester United, they will continue with life without Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are yet to return.



Chelsea and Manchester United will be locking horns in the Premier League this weekend.

It has been a difficult task for the Red Devils when they travel to west London to face their familiar foes.

Jose Mourinho’s side was beaten two weeks ago against Huddersfield Town, a result that allowed Manchester City to open up a lead at the top of the table.

But they have bounced back to win three in all competitions since then and appear determined to close the gap.

On the other hand, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are even further off the pace, they are nine points behind the leaders and they are currently navigating through a difficult period.

Chelsea suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League in midweek and will be keen to bounce back with what could be a decisive victory.

France midfielder, N’golo Kante, Chelsea’s engine room, is a doubt for the match over his fitness meaning that Tiemoue Bakayoko is likely to continue alongside Cesc Fabregas in midfield.

Also in the midfield, Danny Drinkwater is available for selection, but may have to make do with a place on the bench against his old club.

Chelsea’s potential starting XI: Courtois; Cahill, Azpilicueta, Luiz; Zappacosta, Alonso, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Hazard, Pedro; Morata.

For Manchester United, they will continue with life without Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are yet to return.

Defenders Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia were not used in their Champions League win over Benfica but they should come back into the team.

Manchester United potential starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Bailly, Blind; Matic, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Lingard; Rashford, Lukaku.
November 03, 2017

Kante in contention against Manchester United but no risks from Conte

Kante in contention against Manchester United but no risks from Conte
 The Chelsea boss will only start the midfielder against Manchester United if he is at 100 per cent

N'Golo Kante may return for Chelsea in Sunday's crunch Premier League clash against Manchester United, but boss Antonio Conte will not take any unnecessary risks.

Influential midfielder Kante has not played domestic football since the 1-0 defeat against Manchester City at the end of September after injuring his hamstring on international duty for France.

Chelsea have lost twice in the six competitive matches he has missed – including a poor showing in a 3-0 Champions League loss at Roma in midweek.

Conte confirmed that he will take a late check on Kante's fitness, but does not want to bring him back too soon.

"He's progressing well, we have also tomorrow and then I [will take] the best decision for him, for the team, but for sure N'Golo is progressing well and I'm very happy for this," Conte told a pre-match media briefing.

"We know we're talking about an important player.

"Honestly, if I wanted to risk him I could do this against Bournemouth or Roma, instead I waited, I found myself a lot of patience to find best way for N'Golo.

"It means if I decide to put him in the game he will be ready, otherwise I repeat I could do this against Bournemouth or Roma."

    Antonio Conte reports N'Golo Kante is progressing well and after tomorrow, the decision will be made on his involvement versus Man United. — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 3, 2017

Conte will go head-to-head with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, with whom he has been involved in several verbal barbs this term.

But the Italian, whose side are four points adrift of United in the table, was in no mood to discuss their personal relationship and disputed that Mourinho would be in the mood for the revenge after the Red Devils were beaten 4-0 at Stamford Bridge last term.

"I think it's not important the relationship between the coaches," he added. "You have to respect the job of the other coach.

"I don't like if I have to speak about the situation. I have respect for the job, then he's an opponent, I'm an opponent for him, same after the game. It's not important, I have respect for his job, he has respect for mine.

"I don't forget that they won 2-0 in the second game at home. I think every coach, every player, every team wants to win, not for revenge but you need to win."

Monday 30 October 2017

October 30, 2017

Manchester United vs Benfica: Team news

 The Red Devils have the knockout stage in their sights as they welcome the Lisbon outfit to Old Trafford for the second round of group games.



Manchester United can take a step closer to the Champions League knockout stage with a positive result against Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho's side are currently top of Group A having taken maximum points from their opening three games and a win over the Portuguese giants could be enough to ensure their place in the last 16 heading into the final two games.

Defeat for Benfica, on the other hand, will probably spell the end of their Champions League adventure as they come into the match with zero points.

SQUADS & TEAM NEWS 
Man u news
Eric Bailly is back in action having featured as part of a three-man defence against Tottenham, but Michael Carrick, Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini are all still injured.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are nearing returns but the duo are unlikely to play a part on Tuesday.

Benfica news

Potential Man Utd starting XI: De Gea; Bailly, Jones, Smalling; Valencia, Herrera, Matic, Young; Mkhitaryan, Martial; Lukaku.

Benfica will be without the services of Luisao and Andre Almeida, who are suspended, while Jardel is ruled out of action due to injury.
Potential Benfica starting XI:  Svilar; Douglas, Dias, Eliseu, Grimaldo; Fejsa, Pizzi, Augusto, Goncalves, Salvio; Seferovic.

GAME PREVIEW

Manchester United managed to weather the storm following their shock defeat to Huddersfield Town last week by picking up convincing victories against Swansea City and Tottenham, so they will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe where they can effectively ensure their place among the elite with a win.

The Red Devils began the season at a blistering pace, but they have gradually slowed down, as results have shown, with injuries and loss of form having an impact on their performances.

One player in particular who has suffered from the team's blip is Romelu Lukaku, having failed to find the net in any of his previous five outings. The Belgium international has not scored for his club in the entire month of October, but he has a chance to amend that on Tuesday.

Indeed, with a crunch Premier League clash away to Chelsea coming swiftly after the game against Benfica, Mourinho will be hopeful that his chief goal threat can rediscover the kind of form that has seen him tally 11 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions this season so far.

A single goal separated Man United from Benfica when the sides met in Lisbon earlier in the month but, with the home advantage and some key players returning, the Red Devils will be confident that they can see themselves over the line without fuss on Tuesday. 
October 30, 2017

Roma vs Chelsea team news

 The Blues have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage when they make the trip to the Italian capital on Tuesday



visit Roma on Tuesday night as the Champions League group stage enters its second half.

These two clubs played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge in the last round of fixtures and currently occupy the top two spots in Group C.

In the unlikely scenario that win and Atletico Madrid fail to beat Qarabag, in fact, the Blues can qualify for the knockout stage this week.

N'Golo Kante joined his Chelsea teammates in training on Monday as the Blues underwent their final preparations ahead of their Champions League tie against Roma.

Kante has been missing from action since sustaining a hamstring injury while with France on international duty in early October, although Chelsea boss Antonio Conte admitted on Friday that the midfielder could return in time to feature against Roma.

And Kante certainly looked to be in no obvious discomfort as he trained normally alongside his Chelsea teammates at Cobham on Monday morning.

After warming up, the 26-year-old took part in a 'piggy-in-the-middle' training exercise where he tried to intercept the ball from his teammates before the squad went on to play a match.

Kante's involvement in the session will be a huge boost to Conte, with his Chelsea side having conceded eight goals in five games in all competitions in his absence.

​The team, meanwhile, looked to be in good spirits on a chilly morning at Cobham, with several players donning hats and snoods to keep warm in the colder temperatures.



The team will fly to Rome on Monday afternoon before Conte speaks to the media to preview Chelsea's Champions League Group C clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

SQUADS & TEAM NEWS

Roma news
Roma defender Kostas Manolas is a major doubt due to a thigh strain.

Bruno Peres and Rick Karsdorp are definitely out and Roma may also be without Gregoire Defrel, who came off in the win over Bologna at the weekend.

Potential starting XI: Alisson; Florenzi, Fazio, Jesus, Kolarov; Nainggolan, Gonalons, Strootman; Perotti, Dzeko, El Shaarawy.

Chelsea news
N'Golo Kante trained lightly on Monday before the squad flew out to Italy and could be involved after a hamstring injury.
If the Frenchman is ready to make his comeback, Victor Moses is the only player the Blues will be missing for this match.

Potential starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger; Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Alonso; Hazard, Morata.

Game Preview
After a run of three matches without a win, have got back on track with three victories in a row.

Back-to-back Premier League titles is already looking like a big ask for the Blues, though, with Manchester City nine points clear of them at the top of the table.

It is harder to see Antonio Conte's men stretching their current run into one of the like they went on last season, which propelled them into a position they never looked back from.

So while there is still plenty of football to be played in the English top flight, the Champions League will certainly get its fair share of attention this season.

's away win at Atletico Madrid proved they have what it takes to get results against some of the biggest clubs on the continent and contend for Europe's top honour.

This competition remains the biggest prize in Roman Abramovich's eyes and perhaps also Conte's.

The Italian was accused of coming up short in the Champions League when in charge of Juventus and the task of proving his remaining doubters wrong will surely still fuel him.

Friday 27 October 2017

October 27, 2017

Chelsea Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Bournemouth

Drink Water
The Blues are hoping to continue their recovery from a bad spell of form as they face the relegation threatened south coast side on Saturday

Chelsea travel to Bournemouth on Saturday as they look to follow up wins against both Watford and Everton to make it three victories in eight days.

Antonio Conte’s side hadn’t won in three matches ahead of the game last weekend but they appear to have put their problems behind with a good run up to face Eddie Howe’s side.

However, Bournemouth also picked up a vital win away to Stoke City last week as they look to fight their way out of the relegation zone. They also got through in the cup with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough so their form has followed a similar pattern to that of the champions in recent weeks.

CHELSEA INJURIES
Danny Drinkwater made a shock return to first-team football against Everton in an impressive display. He played 60 minutes but Conte urged patience and he will likely be on the bench for the trip to Bournemouth.

N’Golo Kante is nearing a return but he is not expected to be back to face Bournemouth, instead eyeing the Champions League fixture against Roma next week. Victor Moses is also expected to be out injured due to a hamstring complaint that he picked up against Crystal Palace around a fortnight ago. Conte spoke about Kante after the midweek win.

"Kante is progressing well and I’m very happy because I saw him in a good physical condition and for sure in this moment, we have to find the strength to keep calm and to find the right moment to put him in the team," Conte said. 

"Now it will be very easy to tell him to play. But we must pay attention. We have to find the best solution for him, but he’s ready."

Chelsea have no real other injury complaints as they were able to rest players in the Carabao Cup and still win at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Baba Rahman remains at Stamford Bridge but isn't part of the club's Premier League or European squad due to a knee injury. He is expected to return by late November. Conte address the situation around injuries at his press conference on Friday afternoon.

CHELSEA SUSPENSIONS

Chelsea have no suspensions for the match against Watford. David Luiz returned from a three-match ban against Crystal Palace after getting sent off against Arsenal over a month ago.

He also suffered a fractured wrist during that match against the Gunners but he is playing through the minor injury.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

Chelsea gave a full rest to Eden Hazard, David Luiz, Marcos Alonso, Cesar Azpilicueta and Tiemoue Bakayoko for the mid-week Carabao Cup match and they will likely return for the Blues against Bournemouth.

Conte hadn’t rotated many of his players until the match against Everton but he will have a fresher side to travel to the south coast with the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Charly Musonda and Kenedy starting in the cup.
Chelsea will likely continue in the 3-4-3 formation but they will have half an eye on the Roma away match on Tuesday in the Champions League. The match against Bournemouth may be prioritised for
Conte, if anything with seven points already on the board in Group C in Europe.


Hazard, Pedro and Alvaro Morata started their first game together against Watford last weekend and they will likely continue for Chelsea on Saturday.

BOURNEMOUTH TEAM NEWS


Joshua King and Jermain Defoe are both facing a race to return to face Chelsea as they missed last weekend's action with illness and a hamstring injury respectively. Benik Afobe and Callum Wilson have been used in their absence by Howe as striking options.

Tyrone Mings is out with a back injury until December but Bournemouth have no other notable injury concerns ahead of the visit of the champions.

Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic will face their former club after moving for £20 million and £10m respectively in the summer transfer window.

BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
  •    Chelsea lost their last Premier League away game; 1-2 at Crystal Palace. They haven’t lost successive Premier League away games since November 2015 under Jose Mourinho.
  •  This is Bournemouth’s lowest points total (7) after nine games of a Premier League season. Last season they’d collected 12 points and in 2015-16 they had eight.
  • 53 of Chelsea’s league goals since the start of 2016-17 have come from Spanish players – this is more than 22 of the 23 sides to play in La Liga since then, with only Athletic Club (61) scoring more through Spaniards in this period.
  • Jermain Defoe is the only player to score in the Premier League against Chelsea for four different clubs (Tottenham, West Ham, Sunderland and Portsmouth) and could extend that to five clubs in this game. There have been seven previous occasions of a player scoring against an opponent for five different teams in Premier League history.
  •  Defoe’s next goal will be his 200th in league competition. He’s currently scored 91 for Spurs, 34 for Sunderland, 29 for West Ham, 19 for Bournemouth, 15 for Portsmouth and 11 for Toronto.

TV CHANNEL & KICK OFF TIME

The match is being televised on BT Sport at 17:30 BST on Saturday evening.

Tuesday 24 October 2017

October 24, 2017

Everton sack Ronald Koeman: Following Arsenal loss

The former Southampton manager arrived to much fanfare at Goodison Park but leaves 16 months later after bringing an air of negativity to Merseyside.


Ronald Koeman became the third Premier League managerial casualty of the season on Monday when he was sacked by Everton.

The 54-year-old Dutchman — who guided Everton to seventh in his first season in charge last term — paid the price for a desperate start to the season despite having spent £140million in the close season.
Ronald Koeman never really ‘got’ Everton Football Club. A fine footballing appointment during the summer of 2016, the stoic Dutchman rarely gave much away during his time at Goodison Park, instead seemingly happy to use the club as a stepping stone on the path towards his dream job at Barcelona.

Only Jordan Pickford has truly lived up to the fanfare with which each new Everton signing was unveiled during the summer, and from ‘winning the transfer window’ in June it has quickly become clear quite how much of a mess both Koeman and Walsh made of improving a squad that was already brimming with potential.

Walsh arrived with a reputation of unearthing previously untapped talents and working with a manager to find a system where they could truly flourish. Quite why he and Koeman chose a different approach and instead opted for pricey, proven commodities only they know. Factor in that Gylfi Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney and Davy Klaassen all basically play the same position, and in hindsight their strategy was downright baffling.

The elephant in the room is the failure to sign a striker to adequately replace the goals scored by Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium international netted 25 goals for the Toffees during Koeman’s reign; no other player managed more than five, and therein lay the issue that Koeman will no doubt lean on when it comes to explaining his failure once the dust has settled.
What next for Everton? Sean Dyche is being reported as their primary target, though having succeeded with a system that relies on an outlet up front to relieve the pressure at Burnley, it would be remiss not to ask whether he would just encounter the same issues as Koeman. Everton’s squad is hugely unbalanced, and there is unlikely to be a quick fix for whomever steps into the hot seat next.

As for Koeman, that dream of Barcelona now seems set to remain just that. Whether the decisions of others ultimately cost him the exact squad he wanted, approaching football with a defeatist attitude was only going to end one way. Everton were beaten before they even kicked off in recent weeks, and for that Koeman must carry the can. 


Monday 23 October 2017

October 23, 2017

'Chelsea will fight for Conte' – Courtois eager to avoid repeat of Mourinho debacle


Thibaut Courtois insists that Chelsea are ready to fight for under-fire coach Antonio Conte, with the Belgian eager to avoid a repeat of the situation which resulted in Jose Mourinho's sacking in 2015.

Mourinho paid the price for Chelsea's poor start to their Premier League title defence in 2015-16, with the Portuguese coach dismissed after the side lost nine of their first 16 league games.
The Italian coach has come under pressure at Stamford Bridge this season, but the goalkeeper insists the players will fight to keep him in a job
Conte was then brought in as head coach at the end of the season and went on to lead Chelsea to the Premier League title last term.

Chelsea's title defence has not got off to the best of starts this year, with Conte's men losing three of their nine games so far, but they showed character in Saturday's 4-2 win over Watford, emerging victorious thanks to two late goals despite falling 2-1 behind just after the break.

And Courtois, who made his 100th Premier League appearance against Watford, is adamant that the players are up for a scrap in order to keep the Italian in the job.
"I remember what happened two years ago under Jose Mourinho and things started to be said, there were stories about the dressing room without knowing what was happening.

"We are happy to show that we are ready to fight. We all know what would have happened [extra speculation about Conte's future] if we had lost against Watford.

"There was a moment when we were 2-1 down, we were having difficulties and Watford could have made it 4-1. It was very important to come back to win.

"In 2015 [under Mourinho] we wanted to fight as well but the game didn't turn out well for us, there was too much bad luck. Sometimes different things happened.
"But we are showing we want to fight again now, firstly as a group of players. We want to win games.  We don't want to lose and say we don't care anymore. We want to fight for ourselves, too. It is important for us.

"Some of us remember what happened two years ago and we don't want the same thing to happen."
Speculation has suggested that some Chelsea players have grown frustrated with Conte's training methods this term, but Courtois dismissed those rumours as nonsense.

He added: "Every manager has his own routine. With Antonio we do a lot of tactical sessions and drills. We are fine with it.

"Last season we were champions with his way and we trained much more than this season, so I don't know why somebody would complain. It's not as if we don't like to train."

Friday 20 October 2017

October 20, 2017

Manchester City vs Burnley: Premier League prediction, team news, line-ups, start time, live, TV, head to head, odds

Manchester City are looking to keep hold of top spot in the Premier League table as they host Burnley on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola's side sit two points clear of rivals Manchester United after eight games, and have won 10 games in a row across all competitions - including wins over Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli.

City have thrashed Liverpool (5-0), Stoke (7-2), Watford (6-0) and Crystal Palace (5-0) in their last four League games, but Burnley can offer Guardiola's men a real test.

The Clarets had an awful away record last season with just one win on the road, but have already beaten Chelsea and collected valuable draws at Tottenham and Liverpool to mark themselves out as tough visitors for any title contenders this term.

Scroll down for Standard Sport's comprehensive preview...

Start time

Man City host Burnley at Etihad Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, October 21.

TV and live online coverage

The match will not be televised live in the UK.

Follow the action from 2pm with Standard Sport’s scoreboard blog.

Guardiola will likely make changes from the side that beat Napoli 2-1 in midweek, but City's only injury concerns are Vincent Kompany (calf) and long-term absentee Benjamin Mendy (knee).

Burnley boss Dyche is expected to choose from an unchanged squad against City.
Guardiola's 'Harry Kane team' comment is 'sad' and 'disrespectful'
Dyche has no new injury or suspension worries following last week's home draw against West Ham and could name the same starting line-up.

Strikers Jonathan Walters (knee) and Nahki Wells (foot), plus midfielder Dean Marney (knee) are all edging closer to full fitness, but remain sidelined.

Predicted line-ups

Man City starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Sterling, Jesus, Aguero

Burnley starting XI: Pepe, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward, Brady, Cork, Defour, Arfield, Hendrick, Wood
October 20, 2017

Chelsea legend advises Mesut Ozil to leave Arsenal for Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho would ensure that Mesut Ozil would be a success at Manchester United, according to former Chelsea star Claude Makelele.

 Despite a positive update from his agent a week ago, Ozil appears destined to leave Arsenal, be it in January or at the end of the season when his current deal expires.
Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, his former manager at Real Madrid, have been credited with a strong interest in the Germany international with reports on Thursday claiming he has already told his teammates he is destined for a move to Old Trafford.

After failing to fully justify his £42.5million price tag since his move from the Spanish giants four years ago, Makelele is confident Mourinho is capable of helping Ozil restore is reputation as one of the world’s best playmakers. ‘When you talk about the top players you want them to be in a good team and always putting in a performance the way you want,’ Makelele told beIN Sports.


‘It would be good for him I think if he were to move. He has been for a long time. ‘I think maybe Jose Mourinho would use him better and would make him a success at Manchester United for sure.’

October 20, 2017

Chelsea staff fear ‘dead man walking’ Antonio Conte will be sacked

Chelsea staff fear Antonio Conte is a ‘dead man walking’ at Stamford Bridge and expect the Italian to be sacked before he’s able to complete a second season at the club.

 The former Juventus boss won the Premier League and got Chelsea to the FA Cup final in his first season at the club but he’s been on collision course with his board this season over their failure to meet his expectations in the transfer market.

Conte was unhappy that the board didn’t sign a number of his targets, including Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Llorente and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chelsea already trail Premier League leaders Manchester City by nine points and are without a win in three matches following their 3-3 draw with Roma in the Champions League.

Chelsea staff fear ‘dead man walking’ Antonio Conte will be sacked

Conte’s mood around the training ground has been noted by the club’s heirachy and there’s a sense that tensions are beginning to boil over over the club’s mixed start to the season. Chelsea have had 13 different managers during Roman Abramovich’s 14 years at the club and the club’s staff believe it’s only a matter of time before Conte goes, according to Duncan Castles.
October 20, 2017

City v Burnley: Injury latest


Vincent Kompany isn’t ready to return to the Manchester City side for this weekend’s game against Burnley.

However, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that other than long-term injury victim Benjamin Mendy, the rest of his squad are fit to face the Clarets as City look to equal the Club record of 11 wins in succession.

The City captain suffered a calf injury playing for Belgium against Gibraltar in August and hasn’t played at Club level since the win at Bournemouth.

Guardiola has refused to put a timescale on his return - but Sergio Aguero, who has been on the bench for the last two games after breaking a rib in a road accident, is fully fit and ready to start.

“[Kompany is] Not ready. Not yet. Everybody else is okay, everybody is fit.

“The game against Stoke, he [Aguero] had done just one training session. The game against Napoli he was ready and, of course, he’s ready for tomorrow.”

City face a Burnley side in inspired form away from home.
They have taken eight points on the road this season – more than they managed in the whole of the 2016/17 campaign – and remain unbeaten after visits to Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton.

Guardiola says Sean Dyche’s side, who sit seventh, two points off a Champions League spot, are not to be underestimated.

“They deserve a lot of credit,” Guardiola said. “They were in the Championship and then Premier League. A lot of respect for what they have done.
“They had a lot of problems last season to win away, but this season they have taken points at Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton.

“They are masters at attacking the channel. They always defend a lot of people in the box. They are physically strong. We have to play quick, take advantage.

“Their results away have been fantastic.

"Last season we dropped a lot points in Premier League and that is why we could not fight until the end with Chelsea and Tottenham.

"Hopefully tomorrow our fans come back again and support us, especially in the bad moments. The way we play Napoli is totally different to Burnley. We have to adapt."
October 20, 2017

Chelsea vs Watford: Premier League prediction, team news, line-ups, start time, live, TV, head to head, odds

Antonio Conte

Chelsea will be desperate to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats severely derailed their Premier League title defence.

Manchester City and Crystal Palace bettered the champions in recent weeks and they now face a fourth-placed Watford team fresh from beating Arsenal.

It may only be October but another defeat - matching three on the which led to Jose Mourinho's sacking two years ago - could see the Blues already 12 points adrift of pace-setters Manchester City.


Chelsea will be without N'Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Victor Moses once again, while David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko are doubtful due to muscle issues.
Alvaro Morata returned against Roma in midweek, though whether Antonio Conte will want to start him twice in four days after injury remains to be seen.

Potential starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Zappacosta, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Alonso; Pedro, Morata, Hazard.Start time.

Sebastian Prodl and Younes Kaboul are yet to return to training after injuries so two of Adrian Mariappa, Christian Kabasele and Miguel Britos will continue at centre-back - or all three if Marco Silva uses a three-man defence once again.

Isaac Success will miss a couple of months after knee surgery and Nathaniel Chalobah, Craig Cathcart and Tommie Hoban are also long-term absentees.


Potential starting XI: Gomes; Femenia, Mariappa, Kabasele, Holebas; Capoue, Doucoure; Carrillo, Cleverley, Richarlison; Deeney.

Start time
Chelsea host Watford at Stamford Bridge with kick-off scheduled for 12.30pm on Saturday, October 21.

TV and live online coverage

The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting from 11.30am. Sky Sports subscribers will be able to stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.

Alternatively, you can follow all the build-up and action from 11.30am with Standard Sport’s London Football live blog.
October 20, 2017

Jose Mourinho: Manchester United criticism is my fault... but I simply don't care


But after a week when Manchester United have come under fire for their lack of attacking sparkle in the away games with Liverpool and Benfica, Mourinho insists he will not change the pragmatic methods that have established him as the most successful manager employed in the game.


Jose Mourinho: Manchester United criticism is my fault... but I simply don't care


Asked about the flak from former players and sections of the media, Mourinho made it clear he is in the business of getting results and winning rather trophies rather than pandering to the purists with an easy-on-the-eye style.

He said: “I think it’s my fault [the criticism] because people are used to my teams getting good results and winning titles.

“Other people have more time than I have. Other people have different standards than I have and that’s not a problem for me at all.

“We are going to lose matches, that’s obvious, and I can imagine we are going to have even more criticism than we have now. But honestly, it is no problem. I simply don’t care.

“It doesn’t change my mind or my stability. We work hard, we try to do the best we can and get the best possible results. In relation to the last match in Benfica, I would like to know when United last won two consecutive away Champions League matches? And I would also like to know the last time United won nine points from three matches in the Champions League? We are doing OK.”

United have kept nine clean sheets in 13 competitive matches this season, conceding only six goals, and despite criticism of their negativity in some games, manager Mourinho made it clear he will continue to adopt a cautious approach in certain fixtures.
“If a team defends badly, concedes five goals but attacks phenomenally well and scores six, then that’s absolutely beautiful and amazing,” he said.

“But I know my team cannot score four, five or six in every match. I know that, especially with a certain profile of matches, it is difficult for us to score a lot of goals. We have to try to find balances and I’m really happy with what the team is doing. Critics? No problem.”

United make their first visit to Huddersfield for 46 years today, the ‘Holy Trinity’ of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton scoring the goals in a 3-0 win in the 1971-72 season – the last time the Terriers were in the top flight.

Mourinho insists it will not be so easy this time around.

“We are silly if we don’t know what to expect,” he said.

“Everybody knows what it means to play against newly-promoted teams. The Huddersfield players will be buzzing and the supporters will be happy to have a big club playing in their stadium.”

And their head coach David Wagner has warned Huddersfield’s supporters to avoid becoming too demanding as the Premier League honeymoon effect wears off.
Wagner believes that his team will have no chance of survival if the fans start barracking the players when results go against them.

Reality is starting to bite for Huddersfield in the top division, with no wins and only one goal to show from their last six league matches as United prepare to visit.

Jose Mourinho: Manchester United criticism is my fault... but I simply don't care

As a result, Wagner’s team have dropped down the table, having briefly enjoyed top spot after winning their opening two matches.

“There is one mistake we should not make, and I know our supporters are so smart that they will not make that one mistake,” said Wagner.

“We must not take the extraordinary as ordinary, and we must not take the unusual as usual.

“What we have done so far, both this season and last season, is extraordinary. This is nothing we can take for granted.

“We are working on the extraordinary, and we want to deliver the extraordinary, day in, day out, but we have to accept that it is extraordinary, it is not ordinary.

“Are we struggling at the minute for goals? Yes. Is it usual? Of course it is, we are Huddersfield and we are in the Premier League.

“Do we try to change it? Yes. As hard as we can. Will we change it? Yes, of course we will.”