My Club My Cash : December 2016

Saturday, December 31, 2016

FULL TIME AT ANFIELD... LIVERPOOL vs MANCHESTER CITY

LIVERPOOL -1-0- MANCHESTER CITY

Wijnaldum 8'

FULL TIME AT ST. MARY'S... SOUTHAMPTON vs WEST BROM

SOUTHAMPTON -1-2- WEST BROM

Long

Phillips, Robson-Kanu

FULL TIME AT THE KING POWER STADIUM.. LEICESTER CITY vs WEST HAM

LEICESTER -1-0- WEST HAM

FULL TIME AT TURF MOOR... BURNLEY vs SUNDERLAND

BURNLEY -4-1- SUNDERLAND

Gray(3), Barnes

Defoe

FULL TIME AT THE LIBERTY STADIUM... SWANSEA vs BOURNEMOUTH

SWANSEA -0-3- BOURNEMOUTH

Afobe, Fraser, King

FULL TIME AT STAMFORD BRIDGE... CHELSEA vs STOKE CITY

CHELSEA -4-2- MIDDLESBROUGH

Cahill, Willian (2), Costa

Martins Indi, Crouch

FULL TIME AT OLD TRAFFORD... MANCHESTER UNITED vs MIDDLESBROUGH

MANCHESTER UNITED -2-1- MIDDLESBROUGH

Pogba, Martial

Leadbitter 67'

Friday, December 30, 2016

FULL TIME AT KCOM STADIUM... HULL CITY vs EVERTON

HULL CITY -2-2- EVERTON

DAWSON 7', SNODGRASS 65'

MARSHALL (OG) 45', BARKLEY 84'

EDEN HAZARD ONCE SCORED A HAT-TRICK WHEN HALF DRUNK.

Eden Hazard once scored a hat-trick when he was drunk, a former team-mate has claimed.
Rio Mavuba says that Hazard netted three in his final game for Lille just hours after returning home from a night on the town.

Hazard went out the night before Lille's 4-1 demolition of Nancy in 2012 knowing it would be his final appearance for the Ligue 1 side before joining Chelsea.

And after returning home late, he did not sleep and headed straight to the Stade Metropole for his swansong.

Remarkably, he had found the net three times in the opening 30 minutes of the game - and team captain Mavuba says that was when his team-mates knew he was destined for big things.

Mavuba told reporters: "We were certain to finish third and we were facing Nancy the following day. It was Hazard’s last match with Lille and he wanted to organise a little something.

"We decided to go have a little drink. A little drink that dragged on somewhat. The following morning, Eden was still drunk.

"That evening against Nancy, not even with 30 minutes played, Eden had already bagged a hat-trick.

"The guy had not even slept, he drank for the entire night and he put away a hat-trick in 30 minutes.

"We all looked at each other [and] we told ourselves that this guy was the real deal."
Hazard has since gone on to win one Premier League title with Chelsea and also a PFA Player of the year.

Though the Belgian had a season to forget last term as the Blues finished 10th on the Premier league table, but he has rediscovered his form this season, helping Chelsea to be top of the league going into the New Year.

OBITUARY : CARRAGHER IS DEAD

Former Wigan and Port Vale footballer Matt Carragher has died aged 40.

The news was confirmed on Port Vale's Twitter account and a minute's applause will be held prior to Friday night's fixture against Chesterfield at Vale Park.

Carragher began his senior career at Wigan in 1993 and spent four years there before joining the Valiants in 1997.

He became captain of the club and played 220 games for them in all competitions before being released in 2003.

Carragher retired in 2005 after brief stints with non-league outfit Stafford Rangers and Macclesfield Town.

Carragher's Manager at Wigan, Graham Barrow said: "It’s a real shock to hear the news, he’s gone too young, it’s really sad and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

“I remember Matty as a really good young player, who came through the ranks under David Crompton and in those days we relied on the players we either produced ourselves or brought in at a young age who were released from other clubs.

"With Matty, it was obvious from a young age he had something special. He gave everything every time he put on the shirt, with great energy and a terrific attitude to the game.

"He was a lovely lad to manage, and it was a real pleasure to see him progress over the years. I know he is remembered very fondly at Port Vale as well where he became a big favourite. A really sad day.”

MANCHESTER CITY'S GABRIEL JESUS IS THE NEXT MESSI; SAYS HIS COACH.

Manchester City -bound Gabriel Jesus is the heir-apparent to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Brazilian’s first coach is convinced.

The teenager is set to join his new team-mates at the Etihad after a £27m move on January 2, and comes highly recommended.

Legend Pele has already claimed Gabriel is better than compatriot, Neymar even though he's only a teenager.

And Francisco Mamede goes a step further, saying he could bring the Ballon d’Or to City within three years.

Mamede, the coach at the 19-year-old's first club Pequeninos do Meio Ambiente de Sao Paulo, is convinced Guardiola has landed the natural successor to the five time Ballon d'or.

“Gabriel came from a very poor neighbourhood and that’s why he’s not afraid,” he told AFP. “He will adapt to the food, to the cold in Manchester and everything else.

“In three years he’ll win the Ballon d’Or, because Messi will already be getting a bit old.”
Guardiola insists Jesus will need time to adapt to the Premier League - but expectations are already high for Brazil’s latest No9.

Jesus will be competing with Sergio Aguero and fellow youngster Kelechi Iheanacho for the role of lone striker in Guardiola’s team - and given his remarkable rise over the past six months, could provide the biggest threat yet to the duo.

''I SPEAK WITH ALL MY PLAYERS''...WENGER HITS BACK AT 'FRUSTRATED' DEBUCHY.

Arsene Wenger has rejected Mathieu Debuchy's claim that the pair are not on speaking terms, blaming 'frustration' for the defender's recent outburst .

The Arsenal fullback has played only 16 minutes in the Premier League this season and is currently injured.

In a recent interview, the 31-year old right back said that he is barely on speaking terms with his manager after he blocked a loan move to Manchester United.

“Have I asked for an explanation from Arsene Wenger? No, not since last January," he said. "Before my loan to Bordeaux, I was often in his office. But since, I have not felt the need, I have not wanted to. We greet each other, we say hello, nothing more.”

But now Wenger has hit back, claiming that he talks to all his squad members.
"We speak," said the Gunners boss. "There is communication with all the players.
"It's a little bit of a frustrated article from a player who is injured.

"When you are injured you cannot play. ''I gave him the opportunity to go to Bordeaux on loan last year but nobody came in for him over the summer - not Fiorentina or Espanyol. Some things in the article are not true."

Wenger also claims that there was no offer to take the former Newcastle man on loan.
"You have to take this article with a bit of distance," Wenger added.

"Manchester United didn’t make an offer for him. That is untrue. It is surprising to hear something like that.”

Thursday, December 29, 2016

''I WANT TO REMAIN IN MANCHESTER UNITED FOR A LONG TIME; DECLARES BAILLY.

Eric Bailly arrives Carrington.

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has claimed Jose Mourinho is the best manager in the world.

The 22-years old was Mourinho's first signing after arriving at Old Trafford last summer, paying £30m for the former Villarreal centre-back.

Mourinho will however, be without Bailly next month after being called up by the Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations, but the defender is appreciative of the impact he's already had on his development.

Bailly said:
"He's a great manager, the best in the world," "It is a pleasure to work and learn with him. I hope it continues like this and that I stay at United for a long time.

The Special One.

"I'm truly happy, with my team and my team-mates. Bit by bit, I'm getting to know more."
Bailly then compared the Premier League to La Liga, where he played with Espanyol and Villarreal.

"From what I see, football in Spain, they also have a great League. La Liga is the best in the world, but here it is different, very direct, there is more contact and more strength.

''And like I said, little by little, and with more training under this manager, I hope to improve. Manchester is a nice place, I'm happy here; the Ivorian added.

ARSENAL STAR DECLARES: I WANT TO LEAVE; WE ONLY SAY HELLO, AND NOTHING MORE.

Mathieu Debuchy has revealed he has not spoken to Arsene Wenger about his Arsenal future since January.

But the France full-back insists he wants to leave the Emirates in the next transfer window.
The former Newcastle defender has played only 16 minutes in the Premier League this season and is currently out with a thigh injury.

Debuchy told L'Equipe: "I had chances at the end of the window. Unfortunately the club did not want to release me.

"I had a good pre-season, I gave everything but from the first match, I was not in the squad. That was a real slap in the face.

"Have I asked for an explanation from Arsene Wenger? No not since last January. Before my loan to Bordeaux (last season), I was often in his office.

But since, I have not felt the need, I have not wanted to. We acknowledge each other, we say hello - nothing more."

"What do I hope for in the next window? A way out. I want to tackle a new challenge, to get back involved, just to do my job well.

I miss not having the excitement, the adrenaline.
"I would prefer a transfer but I am just an employee. If the club says no to me, what can I do?"

REVEALED! HOW JURGEN KLOPP SOLD BENTEKE JUST FOR BREAKING HIS EYE GLASSES 👓.

Liverpool Boss Jurgen Klopp have jokingly disclosed the reason behind his decision to sale striker - Christian Benteke.

Benteke was signed by Brendan Rodgers from Aston Villa for £32.5m in the summer of 2015. Unfortunately for the Belgian, Rodgers was later sacked from his role at Anfield and Klopp was brought in to replace him.

It was certainly the right move for the club, who have continued to grow from strength to strength since, but Benteke could never quite show his best form for the Reds under the German, and he was soon shipped off to Crystal Palace after just one season with the Reds.

It was thought that he was allowed to leave because of his poor form and because Klopp needed the money to buy players such as Sadio Mane, but the Reds boss has now shed a new light on the decision.

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Klopp joked that he made his mind up to sell Benteke as far back as January.

Remember that intriguingly entertaining game between the Reds and Norwich at Carrow Road, which Liverpool won 5-4.

Liverpool were 3-1 down to the Canaries, then 4-3 up, then pegged back to level again in the final minute, only for Adam Lallana to score the winner in the dying seconds.

And in the wild celebrations which followed, Benteke managed to break Klopp's glasses. Unfortunately for him, the German didn't forget.

"They were absolutely broken!" Klopp told the Echo . "I have them in my hands.
"It was Christian Benteke who did it.

So don't kill my glasses or otherwise you will be sold!"

A lesson for all Liverpool players;
Steer clear of Jurgen Klopp's glasses, or Crystal Palace awaits you.

CARLOS TEVEZ BECOMES WORLD'S HIGHEST PAID FOOTBALLER.

Carlos Tevez has become the world's highest paid player after joining Shanghai Shenhua in a £77million deal from Boca Juniors.

The former, West Ham, Manchester United and City striker has penned a two-year deal worth £31.5million-a-year with the Chinese Super League club.

The Argentinian club will also receive a £14million fee in the deal sealed just a few weeks after Carlitos was given an emotional send off in a 4-1 victory over Colon.

As Tevez made his way from the field of play at La Bombonera, he waved to supporters and even embraced a pitch invader who had dropped to his knees to worship the 32-year old ex-Juventus striker.

Tevez who recently wedded his childhood girlfriend in a glamorous event in San Isidro, couldn't resist the money on offer in the Far East.

He's set to earn £615,000-a-week in Shanghai - the city where Chelsea's Brazilian attacker Oscar will also reside after sealing his own mega money move to Shanghai SIPG.

KLOPP REACTS SMARTLY TO GUARDIOLA'S 'SPYING' OF HIS LIVERPOOL SIDE.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was spotted in the crowd for the game between Liverpool and Stoke City on Tuesday, sitting alongside Sunderland manager David Moyes and Liverpool legend Alan Hanson.

Wearing a hat, Guardiola had attempted to go incognito, but was picked out by TV cameras on a night where Liverpool won 4-1.

The Reds host the Citizens at Anfield on new year's eve; a game which will certainly have a bearing on the Championship and scramble for the top four positions.

Speaking after the Stoke City game, Jurgen Klopp was asked what he thought of the rival manager spying on his team, who are one point behind his own in the table.

He said: "I don't know. I respect them a lot, but I have not been to City's stadium this season or last to watch games. ''Maybe they want to watch good football, maybe Pep saw nothing tonight?

"The game is on the 31st. So whatever I say tonight, we cannot win it tonight. But maybe I could say a few things that make it more difficult for us. It's probably best I shut my mouth!"

On the fixture itself, he added: "We are already looking forward. It's a difficult game for both teams, but an exciting one.

The best news for us is that it's at Anfield. "What can I say, I'm really looking forward to it. They're an outstanding side, we are not too bad. It'll be a nice game."

We cannot wait either!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

FULL TIME AT ST. MARY'S... SOUTHAMPTON vs TOTTENHAM

SOUTHAMPTON -1-4- TOTTENHAM

ALLI 19', KANE 52', SON 85', ALLI 87'

DIJK 2'

SWANSEA SACK BOB BRADLEY AFTER JUST 85 DAYS IN CHARGE.

Swansea City have sacked manager Bob Bradley after just 85 days in charge at the Liberty Stadium.

The former US national team manager lost seven of the 11 games he took charge of (D2, L2) conceeding 29 goals in the process, and leaves the club above only bottom-placed Hull on goal difference.

After the Swans suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to West Ham on Boxing Day, Bradley hinted he knew his time was up and the club's US owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan made the call.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said: “We are sorry to lose Bob after such a short period of time.

“Unfortunately things haven’t worked out as planned and we felt we had to make the change with half the Premier League season remaining.

“With the club going through such a tough time, we have to try and find the answers to get ourselves out of trouble.

“Personally, I have nothing but praise for Bob. He is a good man; a good person who gave everything to the job. His work-rate is phenomenal and we wish him well for the future."

The 58-year-old took training on Tuesday morning, but his departure was confirmed in a club statement.

First team coaches Paul Williams and Alan Curtis will take charge until a replacement is named.

Manchester United's Legend Ryan Giggs and former England Coach Roy Hodgson are being linked with the job.

Speaking after Boxing Day's game, Bradley said: “There was absolutely a mood in the stadium, we are in a very difficult position after 18 games.

“I don’t make excuses and I take responsibility - today was not good enough.

“I don’t have regular dealings with the board, but look it’s football, when you’re having bad results, as a manager, you understand that there will be discussions. It’s not anything you can control.”

Bradley came to the Premier League after working in club football in the US, Norway and France, and spent five years as US national team boss.

He also managed Egypt. He joined Swansea in October from Le Havre as Francesco Guidolin's replacement.

RONALDO HITS OUT AT CRITICS AFTER COLLECTING YET ANOTHER AWARD.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at his doubters and claimed his 2016 trophy haul should be enough to silence anyone.

In the past 12 months the 31-year-old won the Champions League, Euro 2016, the Club World Cup and a fourth Ballon d'Or crown.

On Tuesday he also received the Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year award and speaking via video link described 2016 as his "best year so far".

He said: "We win the Champions League for Real Madrid, we win for the Portugal national team the first important title, I win the Golden Ball, I win the World Club Cup.

"How can I ask for more? The people still doubt about me, about Real Madrid, about the national team. We have the proof, we win everything.

"Amazing year. I'm so happy. ''I have to say thank you for my teammates, with the national team and Real Madrid too."

HERE ARE OTHER GLOBE SOCCER AWARD WINNERS.

Best President of the Year: Real Madrid's Florentino Perez
Best Club of the Year: Real Madrid
Best Coach of the Year: Portugal's Fernando Santos
Best Arab Player of the Year: Mohamed Salah
Best Agent of the Year: Mino Raiola
Best Kooora GCC Player of the Year: Omar Abdulrahman
Player Career Award: Samuel Eto'o
Best Chinese Player of the Year: Zheng Zhi
Best Kooora GCC Club of the Year: Al Hilal FC
Best Referee of the Year: Mark Clattenburg

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

ARSENAL HAVE A STRONGER SQUAD THAN CHELSEA; SAYS TONY PULIS.

Baggies Boss, Tony Pulis claims Arsenal have a stronger squad than league leaders Chelsea.

Pulis saw his men suffer a late defeat at Arsenal just two weeks after suffering the same fate at Stamford Bridge.

But remarkably, Pulis believes Arsenal have more strength in depth and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will have to spend in January to make sure Antonio Conte's men stay at the top.

Pulis said: "If you look at the players who were not playing and not in the team today, and then you look at Chelsea's, I think Arsenal have definitely got the stronger squad.

"So they have most probably got the staying power to see them through and it will be interesting to see what Chelsea do.

I think Chelsea will spend. I don't think your man will sit back on what he's got, I think he will invest.

So it will be an interesting window for the top four or five clubs.

"The game at Chelsea and Arsenal were very similar. We've played against a top team today, good players and we've worked very hard within a system and I'm desperately disappointed for them and the supporters who have travelled.

"Against these two teams you have to work and concentrate for as long it takes. The top teams win so many games in the last ten minutes. They are relentless. We're disappointed but we move on."

''FIGHTERS ARE ALWAYS READY''... WENGER HAILS 'FIGHTER GIROUD.

Arsene Wenger praised Olivier Giroud’s “fighting” qualities after the Arsenal striker's solitary header ensured a last gasp victory for the Gunners against West Brom on Boxing Day.

It was Giroud’s first start in the Premier League this season and he marked it with the 86th minute winner to finally break down West Brom’s brave resistance.

Gunners boss Wenger said: “He’s a fighter and has a fantastic mentality. It has been frustrating for him because he didn’t always play but I think we have an honest relationship.

“I have big respect for him and he knows that he was not always playing but despite that he kept a strong motivation level.

“Part of the job of a player is to be always ready. The players who are always ready will be there and the players who feel sorry for themselves give you one more reason to justify why you didn’t select them. ''The fighters are always ready;'' Wenger added.

MARTIAL NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO IMPROVE, INSISTS MOURINHO.

Anthony Martial has been told by Jose Mourinho to use Henrikh Mkhitaryan as inspiration to get back into the Manchester United starting line-up and become the formidable force he once was.

The Frenchman's appearance off the bench in United’s 3-1 win on Boxing Day was his first in two weeks.

But Mourinho has encouraged Martial to prove his worth just as his Armenian team-mate has in recent weeks. Mourinho told SFR Sport:

“Every player is different. I had this season a situation that was more difficult than Anthony.
"Mkhitaryan was completely open and completely understood the difference between me and other coaches he had.

"The difference between the demands of the Premier League and the Ukrainian league or even Bundesliga, complete different philosophy of play.

And he worked a lot without playing, but he worked a lot to try to reach the level.”

"I think Anthony is very, very young - people forget - and last season Manchester United played completely differently to how we do today,” the Red Devils boss added.

"He was basically playing up front. The team had lots of passive ball possession, just waiting to put it into space for Anthony to go and score a goal. This season is more difficult. He needs a little bit of time to improve.”

BEST REFEREE OF THE YEAR NAMED.

Mark Clattenburg has been voted the best referee in the world at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.

Premier League referee Clattenburg, 41, received the trophy after beating off competition from every other major league around Europe.

Clattenburg, one of FIFA’s leading officials, completed a remarkable treble in 2016, taking charge of the FA Cup final, Champions League final and Euro 2016 final.

His status as the world’s top official has also brought admiring glances from China and other top leagues in the world.

FULL TIME AT ANFIELD... LIVERPOOL vs STOKE CITY

LIVERPOOL -4-1- STOKE CITY

Lallana 35', Firmino, Imbula (OG) 59', Sturridge 70'

Walters 12'

MOURINHO REACTS TO BOXING DAY VICTORY AGAINST SUNDERLAND

ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 1ST HALF AND 2ND HALF:

"I liked the second half. I didn't like the first half. It was 1-0 at half-time and I think there was a clear penalty in our favour [when Lamine Kone flattened Juan Mata inside the box]. In spite of that, I don't think we deserved to be winning 1-0. They were organised well, this team came here to close and try to be dangerous on the counter-attack, with the long ball to [Victor] Anichebe to hold, and they did well."

"I did like the second half, we brought to the game the way we have been playing in the past couple of months, playing really well with intensity, creativity and we were dynamic. I like the second half very much as we could have scored five or six. It's three points, 12 points from four matches. We've played well for a long time but points are what we need now."

"My message in the half-time was that the game was going in the direction where we were in control but it was apathetic control. You never know. We needed to accelerate the game, press higher, play faster and short passes with more speed of the ball. We needed to bring the game to a different level and we did that from minute one [of the second half]. With Micki [Henrikh Mkhitaryan] and [Anthony] Martial, we intensified even more the game and we scored the second and third."

ON ROONEY'S INJURY; ZLATAN'S FORM AND POSSIBLE EXTENSION:

"I don't think Rooney will be back by Boro, he has a stretched muscle. Zlatan's extension is not activated yet but is activated in his mind, Zlatan's and the board's.

He should score more! He had a [chance for] 2-0 in front of [Jordan] Pickford that I thought: '2-0 and game over and no'.

But, independent of the goals, his work is amazing. I saw him making runs against Kone and Papy Djilobodji, young guys, but he was faster and stronger than them. Great."

ON CURRENT RUN OF FORM AND THE NEXT GAME AGAINST BORO:

"We played well for a long time [before recent run of wins]. We've had good performances for quite a long time and now good results.

The team know what they are supposed to do when Valencia has the ball, when Blind has the ball.

We need to improve still but they know. The game against Boro will be a difficult one. Middlesbrough need points as they lost today against Burnley.

Aitor Karanka will come here obviously to try and he is a big friend of mine. You forget friends in football and he will come here to try to get something from that match. It's one more difficult match."