Football Match Predictions, News Updates, Match Fixtures, Football stars outside the pitch , and other sports news.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS 31.10.2017
Group A
Basel 1 - 2 CSKA Moscow
Manchester United 2 - 0 Benfica
Group B
Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
Paris Saint Germain 5- 0 Anderlecht
Group C
Atletico Madrid 1 - 1 Qarabag FK
Roma 3 - 0 Chelsea
Group D
41' Olympiacos 0 - 0 Barcelona
40' Sporting CP 1 - 1 Juventus
REAL MADRID STARS HAVE ARRIVED LONDON, BUT BALE IS NOT IN THE SQUAD.
Real Madrid's stars have jetted into London ahead of their Champions League showdown with Tottenham.
The European Champions will be in action at Wembley on Wednesday night in what promises to be a blockbuster.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw a fortnight ago with both on course to reach the knockout stages.
Ex-Spurs star Bale, was expected to be fit enough for a place on the bench at Wembley against his former club, but report shows that the pacy winger will not be taking part in the showpiece.
The Welshman, who joined Los Blancos from the north London club for a then world record fee of £85million in 2013, took part in training on Monday, and
Zinedine Zidane had spoken at the weekend of his hope at having him back in the squad for the fixture with Mauricio Pochettino's side.
But Bale has not been named in Madrid's travelling squad for the clash , and will remain in Madrid to continue working towards his comeback.
REAL MADRID SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Casilla, Moha.
Defenders: Vallejo, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Hernandez, Achraf.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Llorente, Asensio, Isco, Ceballos.
Forwards: Ronaldo, Benzema, Vazquez, Mayoral.
Source: www.clubgist.com
SAM ALLARDYCE WOULD "CONSIDER" THE VACANT EVERTON JOB.
Former England manager Sam Allardyce says that he
would "consider" the vacant Everton job if he was offered it.
Big Sam has been out of work since he left Crystal Palace in June after he led the Eagles to Premier League safey.
Having managed Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Sunderland and Crystal Palace without being relegated, the 63-year old former Three Lions coach is being seen as the right man to steer the Toffees out from their present position.
Appearing on beIN SPORTS, Richard Keys, asked Allardyce: “I know you said you’re tired of being ‘Fireman Sam’ but although Everton are in the drop zone, surely a club like that would be too much to say no to?
The Big Sam replied: “Who knows? I’d have to consider that, if that phone call happens.
There’s no point in speculating at the moment, David Unsworth is in the chair.
“Joe (Royle) sat upstairs will have an opinion but at the moment it looks like it’s really going to be tough for Everton to get out of that position.
“It’s not that the lads are not trying but as a team collectively they can’t get a clean sheet and as a team in possession they can’t score a goal.
“Those are the two problems and if you resolve one you’ll end up resolving the other and that starts with the clean sheets.”
“They know what the problems are, they just perhaps want a bit of guidance now how to rectify those problems.
“I’ve been in this position a number of times in the last three clubs I’ve had and I’d just put the team back to basics.
“Show them exactly what it takes to get out of this position.
And of course sometimes it’s not entertaining, particularly away from home, but it’s about the commitment about getting a result and how you do it.
“You look at the strengths and the weaknesses of the side, you promote the strengths and obviously build the confidence.
“But you stick to a very basic game where you make fewer mistakes than the opposition to start with, try and get the clean sheet and go from there.”
A great "manifesto"; isn't it?
ERIC BAILLY HAS NAMED HIS FAVOURITE TEAMMATE.
Eric Bailly has named his favourite Manchester United teammate and most fans will agree with him.
Ivory Coast international Bailly has made eight appearances for the Red Devils this season to help them into second in the Premier League and the top of their Champions League group.
United's decent season yet are in part down to Romelu Lukaku's 11 goals in all competitions. And centre back Bailly is thrilled to have the prolific striker as teammate.
"Playing football for a striker is not just about scoring goals," Bailly said ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Benfica.
"So he is untouchable in my team and also in the support and respect he deserves from the fans.
"He is an excellent player.
"I've played against him and now I am fortunate to play with him. Every player knows what kind of player he is and he's playing well and scoring goals.
"The most important thing is he carries on doing his job like a good centre forward."
Bailly also believes United will qualify for the Champions League knock-out phase if Jose Mourinho's side can overcome Benfica on Tuesday.
United won the reverse fixture in Portugal a fortnight ago and Bailly knows that a victory will guarantee United's place in the round of 16.
"Tomorrow’s game will be very important for us, because we have won the first three games and we feel that with the fourth one we can basically qualify for the next phase," he added.
"If we do that, it will give us a lot of confidence."
Meanwhile, United Boss Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire for his side to win Tuesday's clash as he believes that qualifying early would help his side's course.
“Our aim is to qualify,” said Mourinho. “Ten points would be OK to qualify, but our main aim is to finish first in the group.
“We know the statistics are what they are, but Basel have had good results against CSKA and Benfica.
“A draw is not a bad result, but Benfica will give us a difficult match. They have their own ambition and pride, and will try to win. But we want to get to the last 16 as first in the group."
Having won the Europa League last season to reach the Champions League, Mourinho said United are a far better side now, as they seek to re-establish their European credentials.
“We played in the Europa League and then returned to the Champions League two years later,” said Mourinho.
“United were eliminated by Basel and PSV Eindhoven in recent years, but I think that’s quite a logical consequence of evolution.
“We won the Europa League last season, but my team are now playing in the Champions League and are much better than last year or three years ago.”
Despite the tricky weekend trip to Stamford Bridge; the venue where United suffered a humiliating defeat last season, the Special One claimed his only focus is tonight’s encounter against the Portuguese champions.
“Nobody here thinks about any other match,” he added.
“Nobody here thinks about Chelsea, it’s just Benfica, the Champions League and only the Champions League.”
Source: www.clubgist.com
Monday, October 30, 2017
ANTONIO CONTE SENDS TIMELY WARNING TO AS ROMA AND MAN UNITED
Antonio Conte believes his Chelsea stars are gradually returning to form following their poor outings earlier in the month.
Back-to-back league defeats to Crystal Palace and Manchester City respectively was followed by a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League against Roma.
However Italian boss Conte believes that his charges are now back on track and are ready for a very important week in their season.
The Blues face Roma on Tuesday and Manchester United at the Bridge on Sunday.
“Before the Roma game, we’d lost a couple of games. Now we’ve won three in a row.” said Conte. “It’s important for us to overcome this sensitive stage of the season.
“But whenever you are playing seven games in 21 days, you don’t sort problems out overnight.
“We’ve faced this situation since the beginning of the season. I hope it ends soon. We had three injuries, two of which now recovered. Victor Moses (hamstring) will take more. But Hazard’s ankle, Pedro’s fractured face.”
It was reported earlier in the day that Blues striker Alvaro Morata wants to return to his former club Juventus.
But the 25-year old has come out to clear the air on the issue.
“I want to say again that we had a problem of understanding in this interview.” he said. “If Chelsea proposed me 10 years I’d probably sign that too.
“I’m happy with this club, in this city, with everything in London.
I really like London and, probably, if I make good and improve, probably I can stay here more than five years. But I need to score many goals otherwise Chelsea will buy another player!”
Conte added: “You know very well that last season I was alone without my family. When you work abroad, working with a lot of pressure, it’s good to have your family with you.
“But this season I’ve solved this problem because my family are with me and we’re enjoying our time in Cobham.
“We are enjoying London, enjoying this league. It’s a fantastic experience for me, for Alvaro, for every single player who decides to have this fantastic experience in a really tough league.”
Source : www.clubgist.com
MOURINHO HINTS RASHFORD AND MARTIAL COULD START TOGETHER IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TOMORROW.
Manchester United play host to Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Red devils defeated the Portuguese side a fortnight ago in Lisbon and United's manager, Jose Mourinho has hinted he could Marcos Rashford and Anthony Martial together.
"We played Marcus and Anthony together in Swansea one week ago," Mourinho explained. "So yes they can play together, so that's no problem, what we cannot do is play with 12 and we cannot play with everybody at the same time, but we did.
"So we can repeat against Benfica or repeat in any other match, nobody here thinks about any other match than Benfica, nobody here thinks about Chelsea, so it's Benfica, Champions League and only Champions League."
Victory over Benfica on Tuesday evening would all but secure United's qualification for the Champions League knockout stage and Mourinho aims to seal their passage through as soon as possible.
"Our aim tomorrow is to qualify," he added. "Ten points would be okay to qualify, but our main aim is to qualify first in the group. The statistics are what they are but Basel have had good results against CSKA and Benfica, a draw is not bad, but Benfica will give us a difficult match.
"They have their own ambition and pride and they will try to win, we just want to get to the last 16 by finishing first in the group."
Source: www.clubgist.com
ALVARO MORATA HAS REVEALED WHY HE JOINED CHELSEA, BUT HE REGRETS EVER LEAVING JUVENTUS.
Chelsea's Alvaro Morata has admitted he misses living in Italy and should never have left Juventus, though he admitted that his wife likes Spain.
Morata 25, joined the Blues in a club record deal from Real Madrid this summer, a year after rejoining the Bernabeu club from Turin when the European champions activated a €30m buy-back clause in his contract.
He barely featured upon returning to Madrid though, a far cry from leading Juve's line between 2014 and 2016 as the Old Lady won back-to-back domestic doubles and reached the 2015 Champions League final.
Gazzetta dello Sport
"There were contractual agreements to respect (upon returning to Real)," Morata told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"The disappointment was huge: I went right back to the start.
"They treated me like the kid I was before the two seasons in Italy.
"I arrived [in Italy] feeling like a boy and I returned feeling like a true player. I should never have left Italy and Juve.
"I really miss Italy. My wife would like to live in Spain; I'd like to live in Italy."
Morata who is Chelsea's leading goalscorer with 11 goals this also claimed that while tactics reign supreme in Serie A, physicality is the most important attribute in England.
"In Spain, technique is dominant. In Italy, it's tactics," he said.
"In England, the most relevant aspect is physical strength. The most difficult is Italy: organised teams and very good defenders."
Morata worked under Antonio Conte at Juventus, and he claims that the Italian gaffer was one of the reasons he chose Chelsea over a number of clubs that wanted him last summer. .
"(Why did I join?) Because it was a great coach like Antonio Conte. We started to talk about a possible signing in the last pre-season and in the end I came to London.
"I knew Conte and I've had no problems understanding his idea of football.
"I was really well received by my team-mates; we have a Spanish group with [Cesar] Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, [Cesc] Fabregas and Pedro, and they made things easier."
Source: www.clubgist.com
MOURINHO DOES NOT PLAY A RASHFORD-LUKAKU-MARTIAL ATTACK, AND IT IS A MYSTERY TO A FORMER UNITED'S PLAYER.
Former Manchester United's loanee Garth Crooks has dubbed Mourinho's inability to play Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford together "a Mystery".
The trio have combined to score 25 goals for the Red devils this season, but United's Boss Mourinho prefer a more cautious approach to unleashing the "deadly three" at a time.
Manchester United managed to keep the pressure on Premier League front runners, Manchester City with a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday; and the solitary goal was scored by substitute Anthony Martial.
However, BBC pundit Crooks, writing in his online Team of the Week , is amazed Mourinho has neglected to start the Frenchman as part of a three-pronged attack alongside Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford.
Crooks, who formed a successful striking partnership with Steve Archibald, and lead the line as Spurs won two FA Cups , and the 1984 UEFA Cup against Anderlecht said: “Why playing Rashford, Martial and Lukaku in a three-man attack at Old Trafford should frighten Mourinho is a mystery to me.
And he calls himself the 'Special One’.
“With Romelu Lukaku slightly off the pace and Marcus Rashford with a mandate to score within 70 minutes or he's off, it was left to [Antonio] Valencia to marshal his defence well enough not to give Tottenham a sniff of their goal and that's precisely what he did.”
Source: www.clubgist.com
Saturday, October 28, 2017
GOALKEEPER WHO WAS SENT OFF FOR URINATING DURING A MATCH APOLOGISES.
Salford goalkeeper Max Crocombe has apologised after he was sent off for urinating during his team's 2-1 win at Bradford Park Avenue reports the Mirror.
Towards the end of the National League North match, attended by 533 spectators, Crocombe was given a red card by the referee.
A supporter is also believed to have reported 24-year-old New Zealander Crocombe to police.
In a tweet, Bradford Park Avenue announced: "We can confirm that Crocombe has been sent off for urinating during the game. We are not joking."
Crocombe's behaviour swiftly drew nationwide attention, with Gary Lineker among those reacting.
And two hours after the match finished, Crocombe posted on his Twitter page (meeiix): "I'd like to sincerely apologise for the incident today. I was in a very uncomfortable position and made an error in judgement which spoiled a great win.
"My intention was never to offend anyone and I'd like to apologise to both clubs and both sets of supporters and it won't happen again. Max."
Bradford PA club secretary Colin Barker told Press Association Sport: "He was told by the steward twice not to do it and he went ahead and had a pee.
"He went to the side of the stand as I understand it. I didn't actually see it but the referee definitely sent him off for it because he was alerted to it by his linesman.
"One of our spectators has made a formal complaint so we're waiting to see what will happen from there. But there's no secret about it. It's been reported to the police."
Crocombe, 24, is a former Oxford goalkeeper who joined Salford in May.
Salford are owned by businessman Peter Lim and five stars of Manchester United's 'Class of 92' - Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson officially opened their stadium last week.
Former England striker Lineker made a joke of Crocombe's conduct, writing on Twitter: "If that's true, I'd have been given a life-time ban for a s***."
Lineker admitted in 2010 that owing to a stomach bug he accidentally defecated on the pitch during England's match against the Republic of Ireland at the 1990 World Cup.
The club's official account tweeted: "Red Card! Crocombe see red for something off the ball. No one has a clue what has happened."
Bradford Park Avenue were also unclear as to what happened, tweeting: "RED CARD! This is bizarre. Salford goalkeeper Max Crocombe has been dismissed and no one knows why..."
However, they were soon enlightened as to what happened, adding: "We can confirm that Crocombe has been sent off for urinating during the game. We are not joking."
Match of the Day presenter Lineker tweeted about the incident, writing: "If that's true, I'd have been given a lifetime ban for a s***.
Crocombe is a New Zealand youth international who has also had spells with Oxford United, Barnet and Carlisle United.
Source: The Mirror.
GOALKEEPER IN ENGLAND SENT OFF FOR URINATING DURING A MATCH.
Salford City goalkeeper Max Crocombe was left red faced after he was sent off for URINATING during his side's 2-1 win at Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday, reports the Mirror.
The stopper clearly couldn't wait to go, and was dismissed in the 86th minute of the National League North game, forcing outfield player Richie Allen to go in goal.
Salford - who are part-owned by former Manchester United 'Class of 92' stars Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs - were initially unaware of what their goalkeeper had been sent off for.
The club's official account tweeted: "Red Card! Crocombe see red for something off the ball. No one has a clue what has happened."
Bradford Park Avenue were also unclear as to what happened, tweeting: "RED CARD! This is bizarre.
Salford goalkeeper Max Crocombe has been dismissed and no one knows why..."
However, they were soon enlightened as to what happened, adding: "We can confirm that Crocombe has been sent off for urinating during the game. We are not joking."
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted about the incident, writing: "If that's true, I'd have been given a lifetime ban for a s***.
Crocombe is a New Zealand youth international who has also had spells with Oxford United, Barnet and Carlisle United.
Source: The Mirror.
PREMIER LEAGUE FULL TIME RESULTS
Manchester United 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal 2 - 1 Swansea City
Crystal Palace 1 - 2 West Ham United
Liverpool 3 - 0 Huddersfield Town
Watford 0 - 1 Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion 2 - 3 Manchester City
AFC Bournemouth 0 - 1 Chelsea
FULL TIME AT OLD TRAFFORD: MANCHESTER UNITED v TOTTENHAM.
Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0.
Martial 81'.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Jones, Young; Herrera, Matic; Rashford, Mkhitaryan, Lukaku.
SUBS: Romero, Blind, Darmian, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Martial.
Spurs starting XI: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Winks, Sissoko, Dele Alli, Eriksen; Son.
SUBS: Vorm, Rose, Sanchez, Trippier, Dembele, Nkoudou, Llorente
Friday, October 27, 2017
MAURICIO POCHETTINO SAYS TOTTENHAM WILL BEAT UNITED WITHOUT HARRY KANE.
Mauricio Pochettino promises Tottenham will prove they are not “the Harry Kane team” when they face their biggest Premier League test of the season.
Top striker Kane misses out on the Saturday lunchtime trip to Manchester United because of a hamstring injury.
United have won their last five home Premier League games without conceding, while Spurs have won six successive away games — although they have lost their last three league matches at Old Trafford without scoring, but Pochettino insists his team have all it takes to get a result at Old Trafford even without his talisman.
“Of course we can win there without Harry. I always believe we can win with one or another team, with one or another player.
“We have played without Harry before. We have Fernando and if you remember last season when Harry was out for many games we played with Sonny. It’s about finding the best solution and balance for the team.
“We don’t need to prove ourselves that we’re Tottenham. Maybe people expect that but for us, no. Last season, when he was injured, you can see the stats, the games we played. We didn’t lose without Harry or with Harry!
“Of course I am not happy — Harry is our main striker and one of the best strikers in Europe and in the world; Spurs' boss said.
You’re always going to miss your best striker. I’m not silly or stupid to say otherwise.”
United's most recent high profile match ended in a stalemate at Anfield against Liverpool, but Pochettino doesn't expect a similar result at Old Trafford on Saturday.
“Of course they are going to try to win the game - for us it is the same,” said Pochettino. “I don’t believe any manager ever plays for a nil-nil draw.
“I think every manager designs a plan to try to win the games. I never saw in my career as a player that a manager says to me: ‘We are trying to finish the game 0-0’. No-one.”
For there to be a result, something has to give.
Source: www.clubgist.com
RONALDO HAS REVEALED THE NAME OF HIS UNBORN CHILD.
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the name of his fourth child in a cute family Instagram video.
Girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez is due to give birth to a baby girl in November.
The newborn will be called Alana Martina, with both Ronaldo and Georgina teaming up to pick the name.
The Real Madrid star said: "I chose the first name and Gio the second.
"The name of my daughter will be Alana Martina. I just wanted to share this with you. I think it is a beautiful name."
Georgina also unveiled her due date for her first baby with Ronaldo, as being November 21.
Ronaldo's oldest child is seven-year-old Cristiano Jr, who accompanied him to the Best FIFA awards earlier this week.
With the help of a surrogate mother, Ronaldo added adorable twins Eva Maria and Mateo to his family this summer.
During the live stream on Ronaldo's Instagram, which has 113 million fans, the football superstar, Georgina Cristiano Jr,and the twins all posed in front of the lens.
Source: www.clubgist.com
RECAP OF MOURINHO'S PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF TOTTENHAM'S GAME.
Manchester United hosts Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
United are only ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's side on a superior goals.
And ahead of the early kickoff on Saturday, Mourinho spoke to the press on a number of issues; which included the gone fear element at Old Trafford, injury updates, the readiness of his team for the game.
ON INJURY FRONTS.
Mourinho said:
“Nobody is back. Jones was on the bench the other day and is okay. Bailly is a possibility.”
"I think we are fine, I think we are strong and I think we are ready.”
ON PROSPECTS OF HIS TEAM NOT FACING INJURED SPURS' STRIKER, HARRY KANE.
Mourinho said:
“We have no Zlatan Ibrahimovic, no Paul Pogba, no Marouane Fellaini, no Marcos Rojo, no Michael Carrick, so don’t speak to me about Harry Kane.”
ON TOTTENHAM'S QUALITY
Mourinho said:
“They are a very good team, one of the best in the league. They have a fantastic squad, a good manager, stability and years with the same manager, the same players. They are a really, really, really good team.”
TEAMS ARE NO LONGER AFRAID TO COME TO OLD TRAFFORD.
Mourinho replied:
“I don’t think it’s fear factor, I don’t think anyone is afraid to come and play us at Old Trafford.
“We had lots of draws last season, too many but normally at home we are a strong, confident team so we try to do something tomorrow.”
ON OLD TRAFFORD ATMOSPHERE
Mourinho said:
“I think we had some very good atmospheres last season at home when we played against the big teams.
"I can remember really good atmospheres against Chelsea and Liverpool, so if the supporters want then they can make it really good and positive for us.”
ON UNITED'S READINESS FOR SATURDAY'S GAME
Mourinho said:
“I think we are fine, I think we are strong and I think we are ready.
Source: www.clubgist.com
EPL WK 10: BOURNEMOUTH v CHELSEA PREVIEW/PREDICTION.
STAT: Eden Hazard has scored four goals in four PL appearances against Bournemouth, with three of those strikes arriving at the Vitality stadium.
ANALYSIS: Chelsea proved why they are the defending Champions with that classy come back against a very 'stubborn' Watford last weekend.
Antonio Conte will be rooting for his side to keep to the heels of this season's pacesetters, but a trip to the Vitality stadium will be a daunting test as the Cherries look set to build on consecutive wins (in the league, and in the EFL Cup).
PREDICTION: OVER 1.5.
KICKOFF: 17:30
DATE: 28.10.2017.
VENUE: VITALITY STADIUM.
Source: www.clubgist.com
ANTONIO CONTE HITS OUT ON CRITICS.
Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte has branded attempts to destabilise him and Chelsea as “bulls***” in an angry rant during his media interaction on Friday.
And ahead of tomorrow's trip to Bournemou: “Around us there is a lot of bullshit. It is true [there is a lot of bullshit]. If I see the past it happened the same with a lot of managers.
“A lot of bulls***. They try to create problems between me, the club and the players.
“If someone is happy to continue to write this I answer very well in the past. I am answering very well about these different issues.”
England assistant manager Steve Holland has even been dragged into the rumour as Conte's potential replacement, and the Stamford Bridge boss is so furious about it.
He said: “This is a lack of respect. I can accept to write 'the club is ready to sack me and the story with the players.
“I can accept this but to put another person in this way I think this is incorrect.
“And it is not good that this person (Holland) has to send me a message to tell me 'I am sorry but this is not true. I am sorry if you want to do an interview I am ready?'
“Why put another person in this bullshit? If you want to hit me, hit me. This is incorrect and I hate this type of situation.”
Source: www.clubgist.com
EPL WK 10: WATFORD v STOKE PREVIEW/PREDICTION
STAT: Ten different Watford players have scored a PL goal this season, a feat only league-leaders Manchester City (also 10) can match.
ANALYSIS: Watford, despite loosing 4-2 to Chelsea in week 9, have been very formidable this season. A game at the Vicarage against Mark Hughes' Stoke who have lost four of their last five games should not halt the Hornets' momentum.
A home win look very likely; but expect a very open game.
PREDICTION: OVER 2.5
DATE: 28.10.2017.
KICKOFF: 15:00.
VENUE: VICARAGE ROAD.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
ENGLISH FA HAS PAID ENI ALUKO HER REMAINING £40,000.
Eni Aluko. |
The Football Association have paid Eni Aluko the £40,000 it had been withholding following a dispute over a tweet she sent in August about ex-England women's manager Mark Sampson.
Press Association Sport understands it was paid soon after Aluko appeared before a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee hearing on the FA's handling of her 2016 complaint against Sampson.
The FA objected to a tweet she sent in August after news of her dispute with Sampson, who she had accused of bullying and racism, became public knowledge.
She wrote: "At least we now know the FA's stance on derogatory racial remarks by an England manager.
Ignore, deny, endorse. In that order."
Speaking to the panel of MPs last week, Aluko said she was contacted by FA chief executive Martin Glenn and told that the tweet was a breach of their June agreement not to defame each other.
In a move she described as "bordering on blackmail", the England and Chelsea star said Glenn told her she would get the second half of the £80,000 settlement if she agreed to write a statement which cleared the FA of institutional racism.
Glenn, who also appeared before the DCMS committee, later disputed this claim but admitted the FA and its legal advisers considered Aluko's tweet to be a breach of their deal and something she should correct.
Brokered by the Professional Footballers' Association, the settlement was compensation for loss of future earnings.
Having scored 33 goals in 102 appearances for her country, Aluko was dropped by the Welshman in May 2016 and has not played for England since, despite being the top scorer in the Women's Super League.
An internal FA investigation cleared Sampson of Aluko's claims last October, before an independent barrister reviewed the case and came to the same conclusion this February.
Despite these findings, the FA agreed to settle Aluko's complaint rather than risk a tribunal and it was mutually decided she would receive the money in two instalments: the first to be paid before this summer's European Championships, which saw Aluko work as a pundit for Channel 4, and the second after the tournament.
Any claim the FA had to the moral high ground in the dispute, however, was completely lost when the independent barrister reopened her investigation in September and revised her findings to say Sampson did make racist remarks to Aluko in 2014 and team-mate Drew Spence in 2015.
Furthermore, serious flaws in the initial investigations into Aluko's complaint were highlighted and the FA was forced to admit that Sampson should have never have been hired in the first place after it eventually sacked him in September for inappropriate behaviour in his previous job.
Glenn and FA chairman Greg Clarke have since apologised to Aluko, Spence and other players who raised grievances about Sampson, and spent the last week fighting for their jobs in the face of intense criticism from inside and outside the game.
Source: The Mirror.
EFL CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Arsenal vs West Ham
Leicester City vs Manchester City
Bristol City vs Manchester United
EPL WK 10: LIVERPOOL v HUDDERSFIELD PREVIEW/PREDICTION.
STAT: Liverpool have only been defeated once in their last 42 PL home matches against promoted sides. That loss was in October 2010; a 2-1 defeat to Blackpool.
Overall, the Reds have won 32, drawn 9 and lost once against promoted sides.
ANALYSIS: The win against Manchester United last weekend will certainly flatter Huddersfield who will climb above Liverpool on the table should they record another shock win at Anfield on Saturday.
However, the Reds who are still fresh from that humiliating defeat to Tottenham last Sunday will be going for the spoils from the first minute.
PREDICTION: LIVERPOOL WIN.
DATE: 28.10.2017.
KICKOFF: 15:00
VENUE: ANFIELD.
Source: www.clubgist.com
EPL WK 10: CRYSTAL PALACE v WEST HAM PREVIEW/PREDICTION.
STAT: Manuel Lanzini has scored in all four of his PL matches against Crystal Palace.
ANALYSIS: The Eagles' were 'brought down to earth' by Newcastle last weekend, following their first win of the season against Chelsea the previous week; and they are still stocked at the base of the table.
The realities of going down still loom large at Selhurst Park, but Roy Hodgson's charges have shown some fight lately to suggest that they have the chance to stay up.
Meanwhile, the Hammers' 3-0 shock home defeat to Brighton last weekend may have been partly forgotten after they came from two goals down to beat Tottenham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday on Wednesday; and they will be in high spirits going into this London derby.
PREDICTION: BOTH TEAMS WILL SCORE.
DATE: 28.10.2017.
KICKOFF: 15:00.
VENUE: SELHURST PARK.
Source: www.clubgist.com
EPL WK 10: ARSENAL v SWANSEA PREVIEW/PREDICTION.
STAT: Swansea have won just once in their last five games, while Arsenal have lost once in their last five.
Swansea have won three PL matches at Emirates Stadium. Chelsea are the only away side to claim more league victories there (4).
ANALYSIS: The Gunners will be high in confidence going into this game after that 5-2 drubbing of Everton last weekend.
And on the back of an EFL win against Norwich in midweek, Arsenal will hope to pile more pressure on Paul Clement's Swans whose side have struggled to maintain a decent run of form.
PREDICTION: OVER 1.5.
DATE: 28.10.2017.
KICKOFF: 15:00.
VENUE: THE EMIRATES STADIUM.
Source: www.clubgist.com
EPL WK 10: MANCHESTER UNITED v TOTTENHAM PREVIEW/PREDICTION
STAT: Tottenham Hotspur are looking to record consecutive victories against Man Utd for the first time in the Premier League.
ANALYSIS: Tied on 20 points, Manchester United and Tottenham will be looking to get the better of each other, with both teams coming back from contrasting results last weekend.
Spurs' emphatic win over Liverpool was a timely reminder that the North London outfit are genuine contenders for the title.
Mourinho's men were quick to erase last weekend's humiliation at Huddersfield, with an EFL round of 16 win over Swansea in midweek.
However, Spurs are a different kettle of fish. United must be ready for a fight.
Expect an explosive game.
PREDICTION: MORE GOALS IN THE SECOND HALF.
DATE: 28.10.2017.
KICKOFF: 12:30
VENUE: OLD TRAFORD.
Source: www.clubgist.com
KOEMAN ALREADY KNEW HE WILL BE SACKED EVEN BEFORE THE LEAGUE STARTED.
Ronald Koeman have revealed that he knew he will not be staying at the helm at Everton for too long.
The Dutch tactician who spent his summer holidays at his Villa in Portugal told Dutch football magazine VI, that the Toffees' inability to replace £90m striker Romelu Lukaku with Olivier Giroud was part of the problem.
The second was, the Premier League fixtures for the new campaign which pitied Everton against last season's top six teams.
Koeman, speaking for the first time since his Goodison Park sacking on Monday, revealed: “I had Olivier Giroud in the building. He would have fitted perfectly, but at the very last moment he decided that he’d rather live in London and stay at Arsenal.
“That was really hard to swallow. You tell me, where you can get a better striker?
“Lukaku was so important for us, not just because of his goals. He had a certain way of playing as a striker — strong.
He could hold the ball, he always had an eye for the goal, he was fast. If things were not going well in a game, if we could not play the way we were used to, there was always the option to use the long ball towards him.
“All of a sudden (when Giroud refused to sign), we were missing such a player.
“With Nikola Vlasic and Wayne Rooney, we had attackers who want the ball at their feet.
“When you are struggling as a team with the build-up from the back, and we no longer had the option to kick it long, you know you have a problem.’’
And on the terrifying opening games, he explained: “I was on holiday when I received the Premier League fixture list by e-mail.
“I looked at it and saw that five of our first nine games would be against clubs from last season’s top six: Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City, Man United and Arsenal.
“I looked at it again and I said to myself, 'Phew!'
“That is not going to be an easy run, in particular with a Europa League run at the same time and a really early start with all the players because of the European games.
And most of all, because I had lost my striker Lukaku.’’
He added: “We sold Lukaku for £90m. Our most expensive signing, Gylfi Sigurdsson, cost half of that amount.
“Of course it is a lot of money, but in England the football world has different figures.
All players in England cost more than what they are worth really. That is how this market operates here.”
Koeman accepts that Everton fans were entitled to have big expectations.
“Absolutely, because this Everton was much more our own team than last season.
We were allowed to buy players and it was me who said that I had the ambition to attack the top six in the Premier League.
“I have never shunned big challenges, even knowing that there are no guarantees that we would actually fulfill the expectations.
“When we had to face Burnley at home, after a poor start, everyone expected an Everton victory. But I knew that Burnley had beaten Chelsea away, I knew they had drawn against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
We lost 1-0. That is the Premier League for you."
“The strength of all the clubs in the Premier League makes it really difficult to climb out of a crisis, once you land in it.’’
“I have been racking my brain. Sometimes in football you just can’t get a grip on something. I was not doing anything different from what I have been doing in all the years before as a coach.
“During my last season as a manager of Feyenoord, we had a similar awkward period, where we lost the chance to become champions.
“I woke the team up with a different tactical formation, I changed to 5-3-2 and we won seven of our last eight games and qualified for the Champions League. The tactical change woke-up the players.
“That is what you need in tough times, players staying close with the manager. You must not lose them and I always make sure I keep the squad together and keep the right connection with them.
“If I look at the intensity of our training sessions (at Everton), I had no fear at all that I would lose my grip on the players. But at some stage you do need to get something in return from them on the pitch in the shape of a good victory.
“When that does not happen, you know as a manager that your job will depend on the verdict of those above you.’’
Source: www.clubgist.com
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
COPA DEL REY FULL TIME RESULTS
SD Formentera 1 - 1 Athletic Bilbao
Ponferradina 1 - 0 Villarreal
Valladolid 1 - 2 Leganes
Eibar 1 - 2 Celta Vigo
Elche 1 - 1 Atletico Madrid
LEICESTER CITY HAVE ANNOUNCED CLAUDE PUEL AS THEIR NEW MANAGER.
Leicester City have announce the appointment of Claude Puel as the club’s new manager.
Frenchman Puel replaces axed Craig Shakespeare on a contract until June 2020.
Puel who has managed at both Monaco and Lyon before joining Southampton and leading them to a respectable 8th place last season and the league cup final will be in the dugout against an equally embattled Everton at King Power Stadium this weekend.
Leicester City vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said Puel was the “perfect fit” to take the club forward.
“Upon meeting Claude, his attention to detail, knowledge of our squad, understanding of our potential and his vision to help us realise it were extremely impressive,” he added.
“He quickly emerged as the outstanding candidate and I am delighted we will have the opportunity to reinforce our long-term vision, aided significantly by his expertise.”
Puel said it was a “great privilege” to take on the role at “a club whose values and ambitions are closely aligned to my own”.
“The opportunity to help the Club build on its remarkable recent achievements is a truly exciting one and I’m looking forward to working with the owners, players, staff and supporters to deliver further lasting success,” he said.
Source: www.clubgist.com
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
COPA DEL REY FULL TIME RESULTS; 24.10.2017.
Cartagena 0-3 Sevilla
Numancia 2-1 Malaga
Getafe 0-1 Alavés
Real Zaragoza 0-2 Valencia
Cádiz 1-2 Real Betis
Real Murcia 0-3 Barcelona
Source: www.clubgist.com
EFL CUP FULL TIME RESULTS; 24.10.2017.
AFC Bournemouth 3 - 1 Middlesbrough
Arsenal 2 - 1 Norwich City (After extra time)
Bristol City 4 - 1 Crystal Palace
Leicester City 3 - 1 Leeds United
Swansea City 0 - 2 Manchester United
Manchester City 0 - 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-1 penalty shoot out).
Source: www.clubgist.com
REAL MADRID PRESIDENT BREAKS SILENCE ON KANE SPECULATIONS.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has broken his silence over Los Blancos' alleged interest in Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
England forward Kane impressed as Spurs drew in the Bernabeu last week, heightening speculation that Real could make a move for his services next summer.
Kane has established himself as one of the world's premier strikers over the last three seasons, netting 31 times in 2014-15, 29 times in 2015-16 and 35 times last term. In this calendar year, he has scored 47 goals.
He already has 13 goals from 12 appearances this season, but Perez insists that Los Blancos have enough firepower in attack.
"Signing Harry Kane has not passed through my head. He is a great player and in addition he is young," Perez told Cadena COPE.
"He has many years to progress, but we are delighted with [Karim] Benzema and with all of the team.
"I didn’t ask Tottenham’s president for the price because he would have told me that he is worth €250m."
Meanwhile, after inspiring Tottenham to a 4-1 win against Liverpool on Sunday, Kane said that he'll like to emulate Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring as many goals and matching the Portuguese' performances.
“I’ve told you before, at some stage I want to be the best player in the world and to do that you have to be up there with these players, Kane said.
They set the standards, Ronaldo and [Leo] Messi, so for the rest of us it’s about trying to catch them and get up there. The numbers are good but for me, it’s more important to be winning these big games against big teams.
It shows we are coming together as a team and getting better. That’s the most important thing. We will see where we finish at the end of the year but it’s always my aim to be up there with the very best.”
Tottenham take on Real Madrid in the return fixture at Wembley next week after their Carabao Cup clash against West Ham on Wednesday evening and trip to Manchester United at the weekend.
Source: www.clubgist.com
RONALDO SAYS FIVE IS GOOD BUT HE WANT SEVEN.
Cristiano Ronaldo picked his fifth FIFA men’s player of the year award on Tuesday night pipping closest rival Messi and Neymar to the top gong.
The Real Madrid superstar retained the prize after scoring
44 goals in 48 appearances in 2017, including 33 for Real Madrid and 11 for Portugal.
Asked how many times he could win the accolade, Ronaldo said: “I want seven. Five is good but seven is my lucky number so seven would be great.
“Thank you a lot to the guys for voting for me.
“(I want) To give a mention to Leo and Neymar to be here, Real Madrid supporters, my team-mates, my coach, my president – they support me all the year so I have to say thank you to them.”
Ronaldo was also named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI.
Source: www.clubgist.com
"HE WAS LYING NAKED ON TOP OF ME". FEMALE FOOTBALLER REVEALS HOW SHE WAS ALMOST RAPED BY A PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER.
Ex-QPR Ladies striker Alexandra Nord said she woke to find the married international was naked and lying on top of her.
Alexandra Nord has told how a Premier League star attempted to rape her after she passed out in his hotel room.
Swedish Alexandra had gone to the hotel with the married international to sober up after a clubbing session in London.
She fell asleep fully clothed on the bed before waking to find he had stripped off her tights and underwear and was naked on top of her.
The 25-year-old said: “The guy has body parts on parts of my body where they can absolutely not be without my permission. He tried to have sexual intercourse with me.
“On top of that I have no clothes on the lower part of the body.
Swedish Alexandra went to the married international's hotel to sober up after a night out in London
“I understood that it was he who had taken off my clothes. I do not know exactly how far he had gone.
“The first thing I thought was to get him away.
"My first reaction was anger, then I was ashamed and thought maybe I had agreed to something?”
But Alexandra, who has not named the footballer, said she knew she had not consented to sex.
Striker Alexandra used to play for QPR
She added: “I had tried to get rid of this guy several times before. I did not give him ANY right to touch my body without my permission.
“I do not remember everything I had said and did the night before.
"What I do remember is I never wanted to end up in this situation.”
Alexandra said the footballer continued to paw her even after she made her distress clear.
She said: “I’m angry, sad and ashamed. I gather my stuff together while the guy pulls me back and I do not understand why.
“He does not understand that I do not want to be with him. I say ‘No.’ He can see at that I am upset.
“I feel obliged to stay because he’s going to drive me because I do not have my jacket (it is about 5 degrees outside) or wallet with me.
“Finally, it does not matter anymore. He has no respect for me or my body and continues to grope me until I storm out of the room and down to the lobby.
Alex said she fell asleep fully clothed, but awoke to find he had stripped off her tights and underwear and was lying naked on top of her.
“It’s maybe 6am. I do not know how to get home. I have no jacket and do not know how to get a taxi.
“The hotel manager looks at me and knows who I was there with. He quickly arranges a taxi for me and says ‘It’s on us’.”
Alexandra, who was 19 at the time, said the footballer’s manager called her the next day and warned her to keep quiet about the attack at the hotel in South Kensington, London.
Alexandra said she felt angry, sad and ashamed after the attack
She said: "The fact that he checked the room in my name, paid in cash and then asked his manager to call me is enough evidence to prove he knew what he was doing.
"On top of that, I also found out that he had a wife.”
The next day Alexandra received a call from the footballer's manager telling her to keep quiet about the attack
Alexandra has posted an account of the attack on her blog after joining the #metoo campaign — set up in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein Hollywood scandal so victims of sexual attacks or harassment can tell their stories.
Alexandra said she first met her attacker at a Mayfair nightclub popular with celebrities.
He invited her to his table and even Googled himself to show her who he was. Nothing happened that night.
Alexandra did not tell police of the attempted rape.
A month later they met again outside the same club as he sat in his expensive car.
Alexandra said: “He says we should go for food so I can sober up.
“I'm very careful to say ‘I have to get back here before 3am because my jacket is in the club.’
"He persuaded me to go to a hotel. I say I need my own room.
"I remember sitting on a chair in the lobby and being asked for my ID card — I think it’s because I’ll have my own room.
“He takes out a big pile oyf banknotes and pays cash.
"There was only one room, of course. I’m too tired to do something about the situation.
“Remember, I was in a new city, in a new country and above all I trusted he accepted my ‘No’.”
Alex, who has since left QPR and appeared on reality show The Bachelor in Sweden, did not report the 2012 attack to police.
Alexandra says many people still look up to the unnamed footballer
She said: “I come home and take a really long shower. I felt violated.
“I was young. I was ashamed, I blamed myself.
"So I just said ‘I will not tell anyone’.
At the time of the attack, Alexandra was new to the UK and didn't feel she had knowledge of the the legal system or enough evidence to tell anybody.
“I lived in a new country, with a foreign legal system and I did not have enough evidence.
“Many men look up to this man due to his achievements as a footballer.
"I could have had all the evidence in the world but still ultimately lose.
I did not want to make myself a victim I did not want this to stop my career.
Alexandra has since left QPR and appeared on reality show The Bachelor in Sweden.
“It took two years before I started talking about the event. That I choose to take up the event now is to highlight the problem.
"Unfortunately, I do not think it’s just a problem with football-playing men.”
Source: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football.
Monday, October 23, 2017
BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Lionel Messi are set to battle it out for the main prize at the Best FIFA Football Awards.
Portuguese superstar Ronaldo won the prestigious award last year and is the favourite to retain the award.
List of other categories and nominees in full.
Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi. Neymar.
Women’s Player: Deyna Castellanos, Carli Lloyd, Lieke Martens.
Men’s Coach: Massimiliano Allegri, Antonio Conte, Zinedine Zidane.
Women’s Coach: Nils Nielsen, Gerard Precheur, Sarina Wiegman.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon, Keylor Navas, Manuel Neuer.
Puskás Award: Deyna Castellanos, Olivier Giroud, Oscarine Masuluke.
Fan Award: Borussia Dortmund supporters, Celtic supporters, FC Copenhagen supporters.
WINNERS
Olivier Giroud wins the Puskas award for his wonderful scorpion kick against Crystal Palace in the 2016/2017 Premier League season.
Here is what he said:
"It is an honour for me. I am delighted to win this trophy in front of legends of football.
Thanks to everyone who voted for me.
All the nominees were amazing goals.
Thanks to my teammates, without them I couldn’t have scored.
I want to dedicate this trophy to my dad.
“Practicing is a big reward and I just tried to put it in the net.
“At that moment I just thought I had to do it.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE WINS THE BEST COACH AWARD.
After leading Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League double, the Frenchman deservedly wins the award.
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR.
The Italian shot stopper wins the award ahead of Keylor Navas and Manuel Neuer. He helped the Old Lady win the serie A title and the Champions League final.
Here is what he said;
“I am very happy because this is a great award to win at my age.
“I am proud of it. I say thanks to my club, coach and teammates because they make it possible.
“The last year has been fantastic for Juventus and me but it wasn’t enough to win in Europe.
Hopefully this year we can play better and win with the national team and Juventus.
“I would love to finish football with fantastic victories.
THE BEST FIFA WOMEN’S COACH WINNER IS SARINA WIEGMAN
She says...
“I am really sorry I can’t be here tonight.
“Thank you for the award, it is a great recognition but without the great team and staff we wouldn’t have achieved it.”
THE FIFA FAIR PLAY AWARD WINNER IS FRANCIS KONE.
He saved a player on the pitch.
FIFA FIFPRO WORLD 11
FIFA FIFPro World XI TEAM
Gianluigi Buffon
Dani Alves
Marcelo
Sergio Ramos
Leonardo Bonucci
Luca Modric
Toni Kroos
Andeas Iniesta
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi
Neymar.
BEST FIFA WOMEN'S PLAYER WINNER IS LIEKE MERTENS
and she says..
“Thank you all to you all. I want to thank all my teammates without you I couldn’t achieve this.
“My family always drove me everywhere so mum and dad this one is for you."
THE BEST FIFA MEN’S PLAYER WINNER IS CRISTIANO RONALDO!!!!
The Real Madrid man scoops the top award ahead of Lionel Messi, and Neymar.
Ronaldo speaks..
“Thank you for voting for me.
“A mention for Leo and Neymar for being here.
“Thanks to Real Madrid teammates, coach and president they support me throughout the year.
“We are in England for the first time, I am really glad, it is a great moment for me.
“FIFA gives opportunity to the fans. I have fans around the world I appreciate that.
“It is great to be here around these great players, and this (Maradona) great player.
“Have a good night.
EVERTON HAVE SACKED MANAGER, ROLAND KOEMAN.
Ronald Koeman's Everton reign is over.
The Dutch boss has paid the price for a disastrous start to the new season – despite spending more than £150m on summer signings – with the sack.
A 5-2 thrashing at home to Arsenal was the final straw, and the Everton board are currently meeting to thrash out details.
The board showed their trust in Koeman by allowing him to bring in several big names including Gylfi Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney and Michael Keane.
But the Blues have only won two of their last ten games and are in the bottom three after the humiliating defeat.
A club statement read: "Chairman Bill Kenwright, the board of directors and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri would all like to express their gratitude to Ronald for the service he has given to the club over the past 16 months and for guiding the club to seventh place in last season's Premier League campaign."
After the defeat to Arsenal, Koeman said: "I mentioned that before, it is normal, the team is under-performing, the team is in a difficult situation, mentally, confidence, we are struggling and it’s what we need to change.
"This position in the table is not good enough for Everton.
"I understand that, I have been managing for a long time. But I don't think it is too late."
Leon Osman, who played for Everton from 2000 to 2016, believes Koeman's fate had become inescapable given the unsuccessful restructure of the playing squad.
"It's not just results, performances of late have been really below par, really worrying and I think it was pretty inevitable this was going to happen," he told Sky Sports News.
"Everton aren't a club to react too quickly. I'm pretty sure the chairman and Mr Moshiri will have been thinking on this for a while and made the inevitable decision.
"Having someone like Lukaku up front last season and losing him...it sort of changed Ronald Koeman's style of play.
Players need to be brought in slowly, this season he's had 10 new players and it's showed on the pitch."
Sunday, October 22, 2017
ANTONIO CONTE SAYS HE HAS 'ZERO' TO WORRY ABOUT, AS THE IDEA OF SACK COMES UP.
Antonio Conte claims he is “different” to
Chelsea’s previous axed managers and has “zero” to worry about.
“See you soon,” he chuckled after completing his media duties, as if to emphasise the point.
That Conte felt the need to having already raised the subject of the sack unprompted and stated repeatedly why he is unconcerned told its own story, though.
Even when not asked about it, even when supremely confident in his position, the dreaded ‘s’ word remained an issue.
This is Chelsea, where the idea of the sack lingers like a bad smell and it is never more than a small poor run away from becoming an unavoidable stench.
And this is the effect Chelsea’s track record can have.
Their most successful boss, Jose Mourinho, was sacked twice by ruthless owner Roman Abramovich.
The first time a few months after completing a cup double the second a few months after winning the league.
Leading Chelsea to a record-breaking first ever league and cup double earned Carlo Ancelotti just one more year in charge.
Roberto Di Matteo lasted just six months more after leading Chelsea to the Holy Grail of their first ever Champions League in 2012.
Trophies guarantee very little in terms of extra time at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s latest title triumph is also not yet a distant memory but it was impossible not to fear for Conte with two thirds of this thriller against Watford gone.
The champions were 2-1 down, all at sea and had been out-played and out-fought by Marco Silva’s impressive and unfazed men.
Goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Roberto Pereyra either side of half-time wiped out Pedro’s stunning, albeit scored from a wrongly-awarded corner.
The three-goal, last 20 minute fightback Chelsea produced was testament to the Blues’ big display of cojones against Troy Deeney’s Watford as their quality and Conte’s game changing subs.
Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to score twice and in between another sub, Willian, set up Cesar Azpilicueta’s header to make it 3-2.
But there was still plenty to still worry the Blues hierarchy here and it felt like little more than a win to keep the wolves at bay.
Not that Conte was overly concerned as he was keen to stress.
When asked about the show of character he got from his players which other Chelsea managers might not have got in similar uncertain times, he chose to make his point.
“I am not like the previous managers. I am different,” he said. “It is important to understand this.
The club has to judge the work and honestly, I don’t have this type of worry, about if I lose the game, if the club decides to sack me.
“Why am I different? Only because in the past, the club decided after two losses or three bad games to sack a manager. I don’t think it is the same for every manager.
“You change the person, change the work. I repeat. If you ask if I feel this type of pressure about the club, it is zero.
“Honestly. I am not worried. I am very honest. Anyone who knows me well knows this is the last thought in my mind. My last worry.
“I trust in my work. I give all myself with my work and with my players. I don’t feel this type of pressure.
I repeat. I feel the pressure to give a certain satisfaction to my players, to give satisfaction to my fans and to give satisfaction to the club.
“This is the type of pressure. But as for the other pressure I do not feel.”
Source : The Mirror.
FULL TIME AT WEMBLEY: TOTTENHAM v LIVERPOOL.
TOTTENHAM 4 LIVERPOOL 1.
Kane 4', 56', Son 12', Alli 45'.
Salah 24'
TEAM NEWS
Tottenham XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Aurier, Winks, Dele, Eriksen, Son, Kane.
Subs: Vorm, Rose, Davies, Dier, Sissoko, Nkoudou, Llorente.
Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Milner, Can, Salah, Coutinho, Firmino.
Subs: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Grujic, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke, Sturridge.
FULL TIME AT GOODISON PARK: EVERTON v ARSENAL.
EVERTON 2 ARSENAL 5.
Rooney 12', Niasse 90+3.
Monreal 40', Ozil 53', Lacazette 74', Ramsey 90', Sanchez 90+5.
TEAM NEWS:
Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Williams, Jagielka, Baines, Sigurdsson, Gueye, Vlasic, Rooney, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Joel, Mirallas, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Davies, Lookman.
Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Xhaka, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette.
Rooney 12', Niasse 90+3.
Monreal 40', Ozil 53', Lacazette 74', Ramsey 90', Sanchez 90+5.
TEAM NEWS:
Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Williams, Jagielka, Baines, Sigurdsson, Gueye, Vlasic, Rooney, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Joel, Mirallas, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Davies, Lookman.
Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Xhaka, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
MOURINHO REACTS TO DEFEAT AGAINST HUDDERSFIELD.
"We deserved to lose.
When the best team wins there is not more to say
I won’t be critical of my players with you. I need to analyse.
I need to be as honest as possible and the best team one.
The first half was surprising.
I was not expecting the realities of the game.
The aggression the intensity.
We played against an incredible wind if we wanted it more we could have got a draw but we deserved the punishment of defeat.
They were stronger than us. I would prefer to be in peace with football.
I think the mistakes can’t be isolated from.
It would be very unfair if I pointed the finger ant the players involved."
FULL TIME EPL RESULTS.
CHELSEA 4 WATFORD 2 FT.
HUDDERSFIELD 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1.
MANCHESTER CITY 3 BURNLEY 0.
NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 0.
STOKE CITY 1 AFC BOURNEMOUTH 2.
SWANSEA 1 LEICESTER CITY 2.
FULL TIME AT JOHN SMITH'S STADIUM: HUDDERSFIELD v MANCHESTER UNITED.
HUDDERSFIELD 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1.
TEAM NEWS
Huddersfield XI: Lossl, Smith, Zanka, Schindler, Lowe, Hogg, Mooy, Williams, Ince, Kachunga, Depoitre.
Manchester United XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young, Herrera, Matic, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Lukaku.
FULL TIME AT STAMFORD BRIDGE: CHELSEA v WATFORD.
CHELSEA 4 WATFORD 2.
Pedro 12', Batshuayi 71', 90', Azpilicueta 87'.
Doucoure 45', Pereya 49'.
TEAM NEWS:
Chelsea XI: Courtois; Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill; Azpilicueta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Morata, Hazard.
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Ampadu, Zappacosta, Musonda, Willian, Batshuayi.
Watford XI: Gomes; Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos; Femenia, Cleverley, Doucoure, Holebas; Pereyra, Deeney, Richarlison.
Subs: Karnezis, Wague, Janmaat, Watson, Capoue, Carrillo, Gray.
Friday, October 20, 2017
EPL WK 9: STOKE v BOURNEMOUTH PREVIEW/PREDICTION.
STATS: AFC Bournemouth’s 1-0 win at Stoke City last season ended a run of six straight league defeats away against the Potters.
No Premier League team has conceded more goals this season than Stoke City (18), while no side has conceded more shots from inside the six-yard box than the Cherries (12).
ANALYSIS: Stoke's 7-2 humbling at City last weekend means that they probably spent the whole of the week addressing a major issue - their defence. Still with just one win in their last six games, the Potters should really be up for it against an unpredictable Bournemouth who could find themselves at the base of the table after this weekend's round of matches.
PREDICTION: OVER 2.5.
DATE: 21.10.2017.
KICKOFF: 15:00.
VENUE: BET369 STADIUM.
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