City can go five clear of Chelsea

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The destination of the Premier League trophy will not be decided when current champions Chelsea meet their immediate predecessors Manchester City on Sunday, but the winners will get a welcome psychological boost for the long campaign ahead.

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LONDON: The destination of the Premier League trophy will not be decided when current champions Chelsea meet their immediate predecessors Manchester City on Sunday, but the winners will get a welcome psychological boost for the long campaign ahead.

The meeting between two of the main title contenders has come early in the season but three points are three points whether they are won in August or May.

If Manchester City take them they will already be five clear of Chelsea whereas last season they never got their noses in front of Jose Mourinho's side.

City began their campaign with an easy 3-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Monday with Yaya Toure looking back to his imperious best, scoring the best goal of the season so far with City's second from the edge of the box.

Toure's excellent display and an equally emphatic statement of intent from City's captain Vincent Kompany were both in contrast to many of their performances last season.

His manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has just signed a new deal with the club, did say Toure had had problems last season following the death of his brother Ibrahim, when Toure struggled in matches against the top sides.

So he will be under scrutiny when Chelsea visit on Sunday.

Chelsea made an indifferent start with a 2-2 draw against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge but much of the focus since has been on the curious aftermath of the match with Mourinho banning the club's first team doctor Eva Carneiro from the bench.

Mourinho was unhappy that Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn went on the pitch to treat Eden Hazard near the end.

Chelsea were down to 10 men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and because the medics had come on to the pitch, Hazard had to go off before he could resume playing, leaving Chelsea with nine men on the field.

That incensed Mourinho and his banning order has made headlines since but what should concern him more was the way his team played.

Courtois will miss Sunday's game with newly-arrived deputy Asmir Begovic taking his place.

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma made only his second start in the Premier League against runners-up City last January in the game at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The France international, who joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in January 2014, has happy memories from that match and was confident of a similar strong show against City at the Etihad Stadium.

Zouma said: “It's a chance early in the season to show why we are champions. We want to defend our title. The season after a very good season is always hard but we have to show we are ready to try and do it.”

The 20-year-old Zouma, who grew up as a central defender, has shown his versatility having played several games in midfield and more recently was deployed as a left-back in the Community Shield.

“Because I'm right-footed I have never played at left-back. It was different for me positionally so I had to learn quickly and adapt to it,” Zouma added.

“It's really not a problem because the boss needed me in that position and I have to give everything for the team.

“They were good experiences for me because I played the games and I always want to be on the pitch enjoying myself. I'm feeling very well.” – Reuters

Petr Cech, Chelsea's first choice goalie for much of the past decade, is now at Arsenal and he will be hoping to put his miserable debut for the Gunners to the back of his mind at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Cech was at fault for both goals as Arsenal were shocked 2-0 at home by West Ham United on Sunday.

Palace meanwhile go into the game after an impressive 3-1 win at promoted Norwich City.

Palace have only beaten Arsenal three times in 37 meetings since they first clashed over 80 years ago and Arsenal have not lost a league match at Palace since 1979.

Arsene Wenger's men, who won the FA Cup last season and started this season with a Community Shield victory over Chelsea, will be looking to bounce back immediately.

The weekend starts with the re-introduction of a televised Friday night match with Aston Villa meeting Manchester United at Villa Park.

Both teams won their opening matches last weekend so whoever wins on Friday will go top, at least until the rest catch up on Saturday and Sunday.

w Sunday's clash against Manchester City is an ideal opportunity for Chelsea to signal the seriousness of their Premier League title defence, defender Kurt Zouma has said.

Zouma made only his second start in the Premier League against runners-up City last January in the game at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The France international, who joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in January 2014, has happy memories from that match and was confident of a similar strong show against City at the Etihad Stadium.

“We know we are playing against a good team on Sunday and it will be difficult, but we have a chance to win. I think it will be a very interesting game,” Zouma told Chelsea's website (www.chelseafc.com).

“It's a chance early in the season to show why we are champions. We want to defend our title.

“The season after a very good season is always hard but we have to show we are ready to try and do it.”

The 20-year-old Zouma, who grew up as a central defender, has shown his versatility having played several games in midfield and more recently was deployed as a left-back in the Community Shield.

“Because I'm right-footed I have never played at left-back. It was different for me positionally so I had to learn quickly and adapt to it,” Zouma added.

“It's really not a problem because the boss needed me in that position and I have to give everything for the team.

“They were good experiences for me because I played the games and I always want to be on the pitch enjoying myself. I'm feeling very well.” – Reuters



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City seek early psychological boost

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The meeting between two of the main Premier League title contenders has come early in the season but three points are three points.

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London - The destination of the Premier League trophy will not be decided when current champions Chelsea meet their immediate predecessors Manchester City on Sunday, but the winners will get a welcome psychological boost for the long campaign ahead.

The meeting between two of the main title contenders has come early in the season but three points are three points whether they are won in August or May.

If Manchester City take them they will already be five clear of Chelsea whereas last season they never got their noses in front of Jose Mourinho's side.

City began their campaign with an easy 3-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Monday with Yaya Toure looking back to his imperious best, scoring the best goal of the season so far with City's second from the edge of the box.

Toure's excellent display and an equally emphatic statement of intent from City's captain Vincent Kompany were both in contrast to many of their performances last season.

“I know what I have to do and I don't care what people say about me. I'm not back - I've always been there,” a defiant Toure said at the Hawthorns.

His manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has just signed a new deal with the club, did say Toure had had problems last season following the death of his brother Ibrahim, when Toure struggled in matches against the top sides.

So he will be under scrutiny when Chelsea visit on Sunday.

Chelsea made an indifferent start with a 2-2 draw against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge but much of the focus since has been on the curious aftermath of the match with Mourinho banning the club's first team doctor Eva Carneiro from the bench.

Mourinho was unhappy that Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn went on the pitch to treat Eden Hazard near the end.

Chelsea were down to 10 men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and because the medics had come on to the pitch, Hazard had to go off before he could resume playing, leaving Chelsea with nine men on the field.

That incensed Mourinho and his banning order has made headlines since but what should concern him more was the way his team played.

Courtois will miss Sunday's game with newly-arrived deputy Asmir Begovic taking his place.

Petr Cech, Chelsea's first choice goalie for much of the past decade, is now at Arsenal and he will be hoping to put his miserable debut for the Gunners to the back of his mind at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Cech was at fault for both goals as Arsenal were shocked 2-0 at home by West Ham United on Sunday.

Palace meanwhile go into the game after an impressive 3-1 win at promoted Norwich City.

Palace have only beaten Arsenal three times in 37 meetings since they first clashed over 80 years ago and Arsenal have not lost a league match at Palace since 1979.

Arsene Wenger's men, who won the FA Cup last season and started this season with a Community Shield victory over Chelsea, will be looking to bounce back immediately.

The weekend starts with the re-introduction of a televised Friday night match with Aston Villa meeting Manchester United at Villa Park.

Both teams won their opening matches last weekend so whoever wins on Friday will go top, at least until the rest catch up on Saturday and Sunday. – Reuters



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Wits ready to school Ajax

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Ajax host Wits in a MTN8 semi-final, first leg tie at Coetzenburg Stadium on Saturday night.

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It’s become an all too familiar theme for Ajax Cape Town. It doesn’t really matter who they face, invariably the opposing team has a few players who have come through the ranks of the Cape club.

The quality of the footballers that emerge from Ajax’s successful youth development programme is of such high quality that they are always in demand from other Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs. But after promotion to senior level, not every player goes on to make it at Ajax, while others leave the Cape club because of better financial packages up north. Ajax host Wits in a MTN8 semi-final, first leg tie at Coetzenburg Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 8.15pm) – and the same scenario applies, in that the Clever Boys will be bringing a number of ex-Ajax players back to the Mother City.

They include goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, defenders Thulani Hlatshwayo and Nazeer Allie and utility man Dillon Sheppard.

Josephs rose to prominence at Ajax before going on to star for Orlando Pirates, while Allie signed for Wits last month after turning down a new contract offer from Ajax.

The Cape club was as disappointed to lose Hlatshwayo to Wits last season. The defender had always been the rock they could depend upon. But the footballer nicknamed “Tyson” was keen on a new challenge and Ajax didn’t stand in his way – and the defender has since moved on to become a regular for Bafana Bafana as well. A solid and reliable footballer, who always gives his best, Hlatshwayo is looking forward to his return to the Cape. Wits come off a 2-1 PSL win over Ajax in Joburg, and the 25-year-old believes his team can repeat the feat. “We know what type of team Ajax are,” he said. “I’ve played for them, I’ve come through their structures and I know what their style of play is all about. I certainly know their strengths and weaknesses, so we’ll see how it goes.”

And you can throw another Capetonian into the mix, in the form of Wits coach Gavin Hunt. Earlier this season, Hunt brought Wits down to the Mother City for a pre-season training camp, which is why the conditions, even though it’s in Stellenbosch, doesn’t really affect the Joburg club’s confidence ahead of the clash.

“Our pre-season was spent in the Cape, so we know about the weather and hard fields,” said Hlatshwayo.

Having come through the Ajax youth programme, he knows the quality of the team, the ability of the players, and he knows Wits can expect a tough encounter on Saturday.

“The current Ajax coach (Roger de Sa) is a former Wits man, so he will know a bit about our team,” he said. “I think both teams are very good, and both are motivated to get to the final. It won’t be easy, but I’m confident we can do it.” - Cape Times



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Liverpool won’t mind winning ugly

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Liverpool would not mind playing ugly as long as it meant victories for the Merseyside club, according to Adam Lallana.

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Liverpool would not mind playing ugly as long as it meant victories for the Merseyside club, according to midfielder Adam Lallana.

Philippe Coutinho's stunning strike in the 86th minute gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Stoke City, who had humiliated them 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season.

“It was a fantastic result for us. It wasn't the prettiest of football matches - but it was a lot prettier than the last game of last season for us,” Lallana, 27, told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

“Maybe that's a side of our game that hopefully you'll see a bit more of this season and if it results in victories, then who is going to ask questions about it? Certainly not us.

“We were delighted with the result and the grittiness of the performance was very satisfying - and we got a clean sheet. It was a great start to the season.”

Lallana, who joined the club from Southampton in the 2014 summer, had his preparations for last season cut short by injury and made his Liverpool debut two months after he joined.

He said he was fully fit this time around.

“Physically I am in great shape at the moment - and I've not missed a training session or a game to date,” Lallana said.

“So I'm massively feeling the benefits of that and I'm looking forward to the season and to really get going.

“I want to have a good season, do well and add more goals to my game. I feel if I stay fit and out on the pitch, that's what I'll do.”

Jordan Henderson recently spoke about his high expectations from Lallana this season and the England international was confident he would not let down his captain.

“I've not spoken to him about what he's said. Jordan is a good mate of mine and I've read a few things he's said (about me) - and he's right,” Lallana said.– Reuters



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Chelsea’s Zouma relishing City clash

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The clash against Manchester City is an ideal opportunity for Chelsea to signal the seriousness of their Premier League title defence, defender Kurt Zouma has said.

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Sunday's clash against Manchester City is an ideal opportunity for Chelsea to signal the seriousness of their Premier League title defence, defender Kurt Zouma has said.

Zouma made only his second start in the Premier League against runners-up City last January in the game at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The France international, who joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in January 2014, has happy memories from that match and was confident of a similar strong show against City at the Etihad Stadium.

“We know we are playing against a good team on Sunday and it will be difficult, but we have a chance to win. I think it will be a very interesting game,” Zouma told Chelsea's website (www.chelseafc.com).

“It's a chance early in the season to show why we are champions. We want to defend our title.

“The season after a very good season is always hard but we have to show we are ready to try and do it.”

The 20-year-old Zouma, who grew up as a central defender, has shown his versatility having played several games in midfield and more recently was deployed as a left-back in the Community Shield.

“Because I'm right-footed I have never played at left-back. It was different for me positionally so I had to learn quickly and adapt to it,” Zouma added.

“It's really not a problem because the boss needed me in that position and I have to give everything for the team.

“They were good experiences for me because I played the games and I always want to be on the pitch enjoying myself. I'm feeling very well.” – Reuters



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Saints sign Romeu from Chelsea

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Southampton have signed Oriol Romeu from Chelsea for a fee which is understood to be £5m.

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Southampton have signed Oriol Romeu from Chelsea for a fee which is understood to be £5m.

The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder underwent a medical yesterday after a fee was agreed between the two clubs for a permanent transfer.

Romeu began his career at Barcelona but was signed by Chelsea for £5m as a promising 19-year-old in 2011. He quickly broke into the first team under the then head coach Andre Villas-Boas but suffered a knee ligament injury which ruled him out for eight months. Romeu has spent the last two seasons on loan, in 2013-14 at Valencia and last season at Stuttgart.

While Romeu's last competitive game in English football was in 2012, when Rafael Benitez was in charge at Stamford Bridge, Southampton are still buying a talented young holding midfielder which an exceptional football education.

Having lost Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United, Southampton need reinforcements in central midfield to cope with their Europa League schedule. They have already signed Jordi Clasie from Feyenoord, who suffered a slight hamstring tweak on his debut against Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa League. – The Independent



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Jose slammed after demoting doctor

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho came under fire from medics for his public admonishment of team doctor Eva Carneiro.

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London – Jose Mourinho, manager of Premier League champions Chelsea, came under fire from medics on Wednesday for his public admonishment of team doctor Eva Carneiro.

Amid media reports that Carneiro's responsibilities at Chelsea would be scaled back after she rushed on to the pitch to treat an injury in a league match last weekend, the doctor received support from fellow professionals.

She is still the first-team doctor and will continue working with the squad but, according to the reports, is set to lose her place on the bench for Sunday's trip to Manchester City following criticism by Mourinho who suggested she did not understand the game.

Mourinho's behaviour towards the Gibraltar-born Carneiro was “absolutely appalling”, Liverpool's former head of sports science Peter Brukner told Talksport radio.

The Premier League Doctors Group also issued a statement to the Daily Telegraph, saying that removing the doctor from the team bench would be “unjust in the extreme” because she was doing her job properly.

While Chelsea did not comment, reports said Carneiro would no longer attend training sessions, matches or enter the team hotel.

The controversy centred on Mourinho's annoyance with Carneiro and her assistant Jon Fearn when they came on to the pitch to treat winger Eden Hazard in stoppage time during the 2-2 draw with Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

With goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois already having been sent off, Chelsea were down to nine men with the game still in the balance while Hazard was off the field after being treated.

An irate Mourinho, suggesting Hazard did not have a serious problem, said his staff were “impulsive and naive”, unnecessarily putting the team in trouble with just eight outfield players.

Support for Carneiro came from different quarters after footage showed referee Michael Oliver had beckoned the Chelsea medics on to the pitch to treat the Belgium winger.

The Football Medical Association's chief executive Eamonn Salmon said: “The FMA fully supports the actions of our members and colleagues in this incident who acted with integrity and professionalism at all times, fully cognisant of the rules of the game and in full accordance with that duty of care to their patient”.

The Premier League Doctors Group expressed “great concern” Mourinho had put out a message that results were more important than player well-being.

“Dr Carneiro has universal and total support from her medical colleagues at the Premier League Doctors Group,” their statement read.

Brukner, now doctor for the Australian cricket team, said: “The medical staff deserve a public apology and I'm very disappointed the club hasn't come out and done something to support them”. – Reuters



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I’ll always be a City fan - Dzeko

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Edin Dzeko has bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City fans after joining Roma on a season-long loan.

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Edin Dzeko has bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City fans after joining Roma on a season-long loan and said he will always keep the Premier League club close to his heart.

The Bosnian striker, who joined City in January 2011, has been loaned with a view to a permanent transfer to the Serie A club “if certain conditions are met”.

“After four-and-a-half years, filled with your chants for me and my love for you, the time has come to say goodbye,” the 29-year-old said in a letter, posted on his official Twitter handle.

“I have spent some of the best moments of my career at Manchester City, moments that I will never forget.

“Thank you for everything.”

A crowd favourite at City, Dzeko, scored 72 goals in 117 starts and won five trophies for the club but struggled to break into the starting line-up last season.

“I will continue to be a big fan of Manchester City, to whom I wish all the best and many more trophies and happiness in the future.” he added. – Reuters



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Enrique vows to stay at Liverpool

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Liverpool's forgotten left-back Jose Enrique has vowed to stay at the club and fight for a starting place.

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Liverpool's forgotten left-back Jose Enrique has vowed to stay at the club and fight for a starting place despite being “alienated” by manager Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool Echo reported.

The 29-year-old Spaniard, who is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield, was left out of the club's pre-season preparations along with Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini.

Enrique, who lost his place in the matchday squad to teenager Joe Gomez for Liverpool's win against Stoke City in their season opener, has been linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion.

But the Spaniard says Liverpool's lack of experienced options at left-back could see him return to first-team action in the coming months.

“I'm in a difficult position,” Enrique said. “The club have alienated Balotelli, Borini and me.”

“I have a year left on my contract and I imagine the club will want to sell, but I still want to stay and fight as I always have,” he added.

“I will not give up. I know from experience that football changes from day to night.”

Enrique underwent surgery for a serious knee injury in 2013 and has failed to recapture his best form for the club ever since. He has made 66 Premier League appearances for Liverpool since joining from Newcastle United in 2011.

“I feel fine after two years with knee discomfort. Plus in the squad here we only have one pure left-back (Alberto Moreno) and I know that if I stay I'll play. I want to prove that some are wrong.”

Enrique said moving away from Anfield would be a step down in his career.

“What I think is that I will not play in a team better than this,” he said. “Liverpool are a match for Manchester United.

“I had a very good option to return to Spain, but is complicated because the economy is very different from what exists here.

“The only teams that can deal with what is paid in England are Real Madrid and Barcelona, so I would love to stay here until my legs stop me.” – Reuters



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SuperSport battle past Pirates

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SuperSport United held out for a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in their interrupted Premiership match.

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Johannesburg – SuperSport United held out for a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in their interrupted Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Polokwane, on Wednesday afternoon.

The match originally began on Tuesday evening, but play was suspended due to a floodlight failure. One of the floodlights went out at 8.50pm during the 62nd minute which caused play to be halted. SuperSport had led 1-0 after debutant Michael Boxall scored the opener in the 23rd minute of the match.

With the match still delayed at 10.25pm, Premier Soccer League officials suspended the contest. It was later decided the remaining time in the match would be resumed at noon on Wednesday.

Kermit Erasmus pounced on a loose ball in the 74th minute, but his effort was straight at Ronwem Williams in the SuperSport goal.

In added time, Erasmus had another chance from close range but scuffed his attempt across the face of goal. Yet another chance followed less than a minute later, with Erasmus reeling off a powerful strike but Williams again made the block.

On Tuesday, In the fifth minute Pirates threatened for the first time. Thabo Rakhale made the run down the right flank losing SuperSport defender Bongani Khumalo, crossed for Menzi Masuku who in turn laid the ball off for Tendai Ndoro, but the final shot was lofted over the crossbar.

SuperSport worked their way into the game, and had two chances in the 19th minute. With a dangerous ball sent into the area, Issa Sarr did well to head the ball out. From the resultant corner, Boxall met the cross and unleashed a powerful header which Brighton Mhlongo in the Pirates goal did well to punch away.

Ndoro had another chance in the 21st minute, but was off-balance when he met the ball sent into the area and his headed effort did not trouble Williams.

Boxall scored the opener for the visitors in the 23rd minute. David Mathebula launched a cross into the area from a setpiece, and Boxall showing good vision met the ball in an unmarked position and deflected the ball into the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead for his side. - ANA



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Van Gaal ‘destroys’ players - Stoichkov

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Hristo Stoichkov has warned Barcelona's Pedro he must not join Manchester United because Louis van Gaal is a "mediocre" manager.

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Former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov has warned Barcelona forward Pedro he must not join Manchester United because Louis van Gaal is a “mediocre” manager who will “destroy” him.

United are understood to want to sign Pedro as a replacement for Angel Di Maria. The 28-year-old, who came off the bench to score Barcelona's extra-time winner in last night's Uefa Super Cup game against Sevilla in Tbilisi, is regarded as one of the best attackers in Spain but has become frustrated at his lack of first-team football.

But Stoichkov thinks the Canary Islander would be making a huge mistake if he moved to Old Trafford, because he believes his former manager Van Gaal is a poor coach. The Bulgarian, who clashed with Van Gaal during the Dutchman's first spell in charge of Barcelona, said: “I would never be under the orders of this Dutchman. I would never leave if I was Pedro because if he goes there he would no longer be a footballer. I hope Pedro listens to me and he tells them [United] 'I am staying at Barcelona'.”

The Bulgarian, who was sold by Van Gaal to CSKA Sofia 17 years ago and branded Van Gaal “scum” in March, added yesterday: “He makes players suffer. He is destroying all the players because he is so mediocre, players have left because of him. He destroys clubs, he did it with Barcelona, and after they take years to build.

“He has spent £200m [at United] and the other day I saw his first game of the season: disastrous.”

Speaking on the eve of the match in Georgia, the Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, said: “Pedro's future will be resolved shortly”. Last night there were reports that the player has formally asked Barça to leave, with Manchester City also interested.

Another report said that United were chasing the £21m-rated Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan. – The Independent



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Chelsea doc demoted after Jose moans

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Eva Carneiro, the highest-profile woman doctor in the Premier League, could be on her way out of Chelsea after Jose Mourinho radically downgraded her duties.

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Eva Carneiro, the highest-profile woman doctor in the Premier League, could be on her way out of Chelsea after Jose Mourinho radically downgraded her duties, including her removal from the bench for matches, just three days after his trenchant criticism of her and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn.

Carneiro, 41, of Spanish and British parentage, will continue to be the first-team doctor but now will only work from the club's Cobham training base. She will not travel with the team to games, home or away, nor will she attend training sessions outside on the first-team pitch at Cobham.

Chelsea refused to comment on her specific situation yesterday. A spokesman for the club said: “We don't comment on internal staffing matters.”

Whether Carneiro continues in her new, more limited role is debatable, especially given the high regard in which she is held in her profession and the very public nature of her demotion.

Mourinho criticised his on-field medical team of Carneiro and Fearn for being overzealous in treating Eden Hazard in the closing moments of Saturday's draw with Swansea at Stamford Bridge. It is understood that there will be some minor changes to the role that Fearn plays in his position as head physiotherapist, and it is not clear whether he will continue as one of the on-field team. He was the first of the two medical staff who ran on to the pitch to treat Hazard on Saturday, provoking a furious reaction from Mourinho.

The decision on Carneiro asks serious questions of just how Mourinho reacted to her subsequent response to his public criticism of her. Having been lambasted by Mourinho for her and Fearn's lack of understanding of the game in ruling Hazard out of the next phase of play, Carneiro posted on Facebook on Sunday evening thanking people for having sent supportive messages over the weekend in light of the incident. She wrote: “I would like to thank the general public for their overwhelming support. Really very much appreciated.”

Chelsea keep a tight rein on any public statements from their backroom staff and they have previously refused any interview requests for Carneiro. She has never spoken to a British newspaper since she was appointed by Andre Villas-Boas to take responsibility for first-team duties in 2011.

Her only major public speaking engagement, at a seminar for the Swedish football federation last year, was approved by the club first.

The club's medical director, Paco Biosca, who joined from Shakhtar Donestk in 2011, will continue to run the whole medical department. Carneiro's role was to monitor treatment of injuries and administer medicines. The club was not able to say who will be their pitchside doctor when they play Manchester City on Sunday.

The changes are equally surprising given that they come just days after Mourinho praised his medical department's work on Friday when he was discussing Diego Costa's ongoing injury problems. Then Mourinho said: “There is nobody to blame [for Costa's problems] and that is very important. I can't blame the player, because the player works hard, and the medical department, I completely trust in them.”

On Saturday Mourinho was angry that Fearn and Carneiro's entry on to the pitch had ruled Hazard out of the subsequent phase of play as Chelsea were already down to 10 players. Mourinho said his staff had to be sure that players who went down “had a serious problem” before they treated them and necessitated the player's removal from the pitch until permitted to come back on by the referee.

“I wasn't happy with my medical staff because even if you are a medical doctor or secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game,” Mourinho said. – The Independent



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United get Pedro boost

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Manchester United have been cleared to make a bid for Pedro after Barcelona confirmed that he has asked for a transfer.

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Manchester United have been cleared to make a bid for Pedro after Barcelona confirmed last night that he has asked for a transfer.

United are yet to make a formal offer but are ready to meet the £22million release clause in Pedro’s contract following confirmation from Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez that the 28-year-old may have played his last game for the club.

Pedro started on the bench for Barca’s Uefa Super Cup thriller against Sevilla in Tbilisi last night, even though manager Luis Enrique had insisted that the speculation would not influence his selection.

Fernandez told Spanish television: ‘Pedro has told me that he wants to leave. Right now there is nothing (no offers). Pedro’s clause is not negotiable, but this could be his last game.’

Manchester City have also been linked with the Spain forward, but Louis van Gaal is understood to want Pedro as a replacement for Angel di Maria.

Earlier, ex-Barca favourite Hristo Stoitchkov urged Pedro to stay at the Nou Camp instead of moving to play under Van Gaal.

Stoitchkov, who blames the Dutchman for driving him out of Barcelona in 1998, pointed to Van Gaal’s treatment of former Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes at United as an example of his poor management style.

The Bulgarian said: ‘I would never be under the orders of Louis van Gaal. He’s mediocre. The first time at Barca he destroyed them and he is destroying Manchester United. It turns out he needs £130m to spend and the other day I saw his first Premier League game. It was a disaster.

‘With what he has done to Valdes he has shown he is a bad person. Hopefully Pedro listens to me and doesn’t leave.’

Meanwhile, United goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel has called on the club to grant David de Gea’s wish to join Real Madrid and sign Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris as his replacement.

The Dane criticised the way the issue has dragged on, but believes United should not stand in De Gea’s way if his heart is set on a return to Spain.

‘I’d really like De Gea to stay,’ said Schmeichel. ‘Two years running he’s been player of the year, but if he wants to go, let him go and let United move on.

‘It’s sad that it has dragged into the season. If the player is not happy, his agent, himself and the club that want him should have sorted this a long time ago.’

Schmeichel believes Van Gaal should sign France keeper Lloris from Spurs instead of pursuing a £25m deal with Ajax for Holland No 1 Jasper Cillessen.

He added: ‘If De Gea goes I would love Lloris to come to United. He has exactly the style of play and he is proven in the Premier League.

‘Cillessen is a good goalkeeper, but Van Gaal took him off for the penalty shoot-out (against Costa Rica) at the World Cup and I think he doesn’t trust him 100 per cent. I wouldn’t like a goalkeeper like that at Manchester United.’ Schmeichel’s former team-mate Bryan Robson believes De Gea could still stay at Old Trafford for another year, just as Cristiano Ronaldo was made to wait for his move to Real Madrid.

Robson said: ‘He’s a professional and he will have to get on with the job whichever way it goes.

‘Ronaldo had to get his head around it. The club weren’t prepared to release him for a year but Ronaldo went about it in a professional way, had a great season, then got his dream move.’ – Daily Mail



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Chelsea lose Courtois red card appeal

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Chelsea’s appeal against goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’s red card against Swansea has been rejected by the Football Association.

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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the champions' visit to Manchester City on Sunday after an appeal against a red card for the Belgian international was rejected by the Football Association.

Courtois was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute of Chelsea's 2-2 draw against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

An independent regulatory commission rejected Chelsea's appeal against the red card and upheld a one-match suspension, the FA said.

The ruling will give back-up keeper Asmir Begovic, signed from Stoke City earlier this summer as a replacement for Petr Cech, the chance to make his first Premier League start for Chelsea. – Reuters



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I’ve never been gone - Yaya

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The Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré said that his form never went away despite a relatively low-key season last season.

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Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré said that his form never went away despite a relatively low-key season last time around when his club surrendered the Premier League title to Chelsea and the Ivorian was beset with off-field problems.

Touré scored once in City's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Monday and had a major role in the first goal, an impressive performance that augurs well for the season. The death of his brother Ibrahim last year, as well as the furore over his relationship with the club and infamous birthday cake saga the previous May cast a shadow over the performance of one of the most influential players in the league.

Touré said: “I think last season people are talking all the time [about his performances]. For me, I'm quite surprised. Last season was not the best season for us, but second in the table I think is not bad at all. There's been a lot of criticism of me but it's not been a bad season. Twelve goals, and I won the Copa [African Nations Cup] for my country, it's not bad at all. I know what I want, I know what I have to do, I don't care what people are saying about me.”

Asked whether he was back in form, Touré said; “I'm not 'back', I'm always there. People have to understand football is not talking about one player, it's about the team. The team did a massive job [against West Brom], we played very well, against a difficult side. West Brom have a good manager, good players and experience in the Premier League and the team played brilliantly. Full credit to the team.”

He added: “Sometimes people [have to] understand we are human beings. Things can go wrong when you're fully focused in your job, when you love your job and want to win all the time. My job is to make people happy and myself happy as well.”

Touré said he would try to claim the first goal that went in via David Silva and Craig Dawson. His goalscoring dropped by half last season and his lacklustre performances, especially in the Champions League, drew criticism from pundits. Nevertheless, his manager Manuel Pellegrini said after the game that he had full faith in the player, who has one year left on his contract after this season.

The former City defender Joleon Lescott, now at West Brom, conceded that his team gave their opponents too much space on Monday night in the first half. Their manager Tony Pulis said afterwards that he had got his tactics wrong with a 4-4-2 formation that allowed City, and Silva in particular, too much space.

Lescott said: “Their movement and technical ability is a very high standard. We knew it would be tough but we were disappointed with the way we went about it.” – The Independent



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