De Gea’s remarkable u-turn

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David de Gea is set to cap a remarkable return to favour at Manchester United by starting Saturday's clash against Liverpool.

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David de Gea is set to cap a remarkable return to favour at Manchester United by starting Saturday's clash against Liverpool as Louis van Gaal's spluttering side bid to banish talk of mutiny at Old Trafford.

Just 11 days after coming within minutes of joining Real Madrid, Spain goalkeeper De Gea on Friday signed a new four-year contract at United worth a reported £200 000 ($308,000) a week.

De Gea was left out of Van Gaal's squad for the first six matches of the season because the United manager claimed he wasn't in the right frame of mind to play.

But Van Gaal says the 24-year-old is now fully focused and hinted he would be back in the starting line-up in place of Sergio Romero this weekend.

“Will he play? I will have to judge the session and he knows that,” Van Gaal said.

“It's logical that his head is now empty and he can concentrate and focus on the match.

“That is a big change from three or four weeks before, so I hope I can see that and give him his first start.”

De Gea's return from exile is a welcome boost for United at the end of a week in which Van Gaal admitted Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick approached him earlier this season because they had concerns about dressing room morale.

Reports suggested some United players were unhappy with aspects of Van Gaal's management, principally the style of the team's play and the number of team meetings held by the Dutchman.

But while van Gaal conceded Rooney and Carrick aired their worries with him, he attempted to put a positive spin on the situation.

“Rooney and Michael Carrick came to me and said: 'The dressing room is flat.',” Van Gaal added.

“But I think I have a superb relationship with my players. It is very positive that they are coming to you and that they trust you.”

United, 2-1 losers at Swansea, and Liverpool, shocked 3-0 at home by West Ham, were beaten for the first time this season in their last matches before the international break, raising doubts about their ability to fight for the title.

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, likely to start against United with Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen struggling with injuries, admits the outcome of Saturday's match will have a significant impact on how both clubs fare this season.

“The two teams arrive in a similar situation with a lot of new players, a lot of new signings,” Lucas said.

“It's probably one of the biggest games of the season. I think if you get a good result there it can give you a lot of belief and confidence going forward.

“It's a good opportunity for us to put the result against West Ham behind us and start again.”

Leaders Manchester City will face a stern examination of the top tier's last remaining 100 percent record when they travel to in-form Crystal Palace.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have won all four of their matches in swaggering style, raising hopes they can wrest the title away from Chelsea.

But the Eagles won't be pushovers after climbing to second place on the back of three victories, including a stunning 2-1 win at Chelsea in their last match.

“It's an unusual position for us and something we probably can't sustain for a long period, but in the short term we can enjoy it. We deserve to be there after four games,” Palace manager Alan Pardew said.

Champions Chelsea are marooned in mid-table after a miserable start and can ill-afford a third defeat of the season when they take on Everton.

The main focus of attention at Goodison Park will be Everton defender John Stones, who failed in his attempt to force through a move to Chelsea after his club rejected his transfer request and snubbed the Blues' offer of around £30 million ($46 million, 40 million euros) for the England international.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez said: “John has gone from strength to strength in a period of high pressure and has used it in the right way, taking the support of everyone at the club and has performed with incredible maturity and composure.”

Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated):

Saturday

Arsenal v Stoke, Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Everton v Chelsea (1145 GMT), Manchester United v Liverpool (1630 GMT), Norwich v Bournemouth, Watford v Swansea, West Brom v Southampton

Sunday

Leicester v Aston Villa (1500 GMT), Sunderland v Tottenham (1230 GMT)

Monday

West Ham v Newcastle (1900 GMT) – AFP



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Gerrard reveals Spurs snub

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Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he snubbed interest from Tottenham to join Los Angeles Galaxy.

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Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he snubbed interest from Tottenham to join Los Angeles Galaxy because he couldn't stand the thought of playing against his old club.

Gerrard knew he was coming towards the end of his Liverpool career last season and several top teams including Tottenham expressed interest in signing him.

But the ex-England midfielder was determined to avoid playing against Liverpool, the team he supported as a boy and the only professional club he had played for in his entire career.

Instead, Gerrard opted to leave the Premier League and head to Los Angeles, having also turned down big money from Qatar plus approaches from French, Spanish and Turkish sides.

Writing in his autobiography, Gerrard said: “The first offer came from Besiktas, then managed by Slaven Bilic. Monaco were next. They came in strong.

“Paris Saint-Germain were also very keen. David Moyes called my agent a couple of times, to see whether I would be interested in playing for him at Real Sociedad.

“A few English clubs called but I wouldn't play against Liverpool. There was interest from Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. It was good to know he still rated me.

“I was sure I could play in the Premier League for another year but there would not have been much of a buzz doing the same thing all over again with Tottenham.”

In the book, being serialised by the Daily Mail, Gerrard suggests “a perfect scenario” would have seen him offered a one-year contract at Liverpool that could have seen him split playing and coaching duties.

But when it came to negotiating a possible new deal, with a 40 per cent pay cut and performance-incentive bonuses, he said: “It was pretty much a case of 'this is the offer'. It seemed as if I wanted them more than they wanted me.”

Gerrard said he accepted less money in Los Angeles than Liverpool were prepared to put on the table because he sensed the quality of life would fit his family's needs.

“It's also why I turned down a 13.5million euros (around £10million) net deal to play in Qatar for two years,” he said.

“That would have been more than I'd ever earned, but Qatar wasn't the right place for me and my family.” – AFP



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Rodgers out to disprove 'bang average' tag

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Liverpool's last visit to Old Trafford ended, said Brendan Rodgers, in “the best defeat I've ever had”.

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Liverpool's last visit to Old Trafford ended, said Brendan Rodgers, in “the best defeat I've ever had”.

What the Liverpool manager meant was that the 3-0 reverse at Manchester United sparked a resurgence that would see the team go unbeaten in the Premier League until the next time they faced United more than three months later. During that time, playing a radical 3-4-3 formation, Liverpool seemed once more the side that should have won the championship in 2014.

“It was probably the best defeat I've ever had,” said Rodgers before leading Liverpool back to Old Trafford. “Of course, you never want to lose a game and especially not to a rival like Manchester United, but I saw enough that day to know we had got our identity back again.”

Although they travel to Manchester unencumbered by the stories of dressing-room unrest that have dogged Louis van Gaal's squad, Rodgers can probably afford defeat even less than the United manager.

Liverpool's revival fizzled out in the last four weeks of the season and the new campaign has begun with some dogged performances at Stoke and Arsenal and two games at Anfield that were by turn underwhelming (Bournemouth) and embarrassing (the 3-0 defeat by West Ham). “Bang average” is how Harry Redknapp described Liverpool's form and, needing to requalify for the Champions League to justify a net spend of more than £100m, Rodgers needs better than “bang average”.

For a game that matters more than any other, he has been hamstrung by the suspension of Philippe Coutinho, the continuing absence of Daniel Sturridge, a striker whose fitness he can never assume, and injury doubts over Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson.

The team he will set out at Old Trafford, with Christian Benteke as a target man, is likely to be more conservative and harder to break down than the ones he deployed in either of his two previous seasons. It will be not nearly as exciting.

“Last season we only really took off in December,” said Rodgers. “In the season when we nearly won the league we didn't play that brand of football until November or December. We need to give this group a bit of time. That is something ill-afforded in modern football. This team will show its worth over the course of the season not just in these early games.”

Game No 4, the capitulation that gave West Ham their first win at Anfield since 1963, still casts its shadow. It is not just the fact that Liverpool have lost games that has raised questions over Rodgers' future but the manner of those defeats and the identity of the opposition, such as the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and the 6-1 rout at Stoke that closed last season.

“It is very difficult to take in a performance like that because you wonder where it comes from,” said Rodgers of the West Ham debacle. “You can't be positive after the game and for a day or two you don't think the garden is rosy.

“But once you come away and analyse it, you get the solutions and that is what is important. I think it is going to be a strange league this year. Look at Chelsea's results and you'll know any team can beat you. There have been nine home wins in about 40 games. This will be a very, very difficult league, particularly at home.” – The Independent



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Chelsea must sort defensive issues

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Chelsea’s defensive frailties at the start of the Premier League season has been well documented. And, now they’ve lost Thibaut Courtois to injury.

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The last time Chelsea went to Goodison Park, just over a year ago, they produced one of the best games of the season.

Playing with that early burst they found after signing Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, Chelsea scored twice in the first three minutes and ended up winning 6-3. The margin was comfortable enough, yet Thibaut Courtois had to make a brilliant save to stop Everton pulling it back to 5-4 with 10 minutes left.

Jose Mourinho, though, made very clear afterwards what he thought about Chelsea's performance. “It was wonderful for everyone watching, but not for me,” he said. “We cannot make so many defensive mistakes. We want to improve as a team by keeping our defensive quality and strength and balance. Today we showed we are improving in other areas, but we are not keeping our balance and our solidity in defence.”

On New Year's Day, Chelsea went to White Hart Lane and produced a similar game against Spurs with almost the reverse result, losing 5-3 and looking far from what everyone expects of a Mourinho side. It was that result which prompted the manager to take a more defensive - in his word “strategic” - tactical approach, one that led his team to the title.

Between that day and when they won the league, Chelsea conceded just eight goals in 15 Premier League games, a remarkable record. Every Mourinho team, and every Mourinho title, is based primarily on defensive stability. They did not finish last season with quite as strong a record as in 2004-05 or 2005-06, but it was still the best defence in the country, even accounting for some end-of-term carelessness in May.

The question Chelsea face this afternoon, then, as they return to Goodison Park, is what on earth has happened to that security at the back this season? In four league games so far, Chelsea have conceded nine goals and not kept a clean sheet. It is a small sample size, but it is also 60 per cent of the goals Chelsea conceded in their first Mourinho title season of 2004-05, and 40 per cent of what they conceded in 2005-06.

When asked yesterday about Chelsea's poor start to the season, Mourinho said he “did not have to analyse that” with the press, simply admitting that Chelsea were “under-performing as a team”. Before the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace two weeks ago, though, he said the goals Chelsea had conceded were either due to brilliant play or individual mistakes, which pointed to no overall issue and would, presumably, level out over the course of the season.

“We had individual mistakes completely out of context with the games,” Mourinho said on 28 August. “Man City, for example, I can say fantastically played [for their first goal]. The second goal was an individual mistake. The third goal too was out of context. Against West Brom, their first goal was fantastically played. An individual mistake for the second goal. Normally, individual mistakes are reduced. I trust the players, so I'm OK.”

It was a theme Mourinho returned to yesterday when he said Chelsea's results did not reflect their performances. “The only thing I will share is that in every match we have played better than the result,” he said. “Circumstances in the match gave us a result worse than the performance.”

But those circumstances are not entirely random and there are trends which suggest what has happened to the best defence in the country. Branislav Ivanovic has struggled at right-back, repeatedly exposed against pace. He was especially poor in the home defeat to Crystal Palace and for the first time in years his place in the Chelsea team is under serious examination. With Baba Rahman signed for £20m from Augsburg, Chelsea now have another quick full-back they can call upon, and if he were to come into the team Cesar Azpilicueta could switch to the right.

Chelsea's other veteran defender, John Terry, has struggled as well, withdrawn at half-time at Manchester City for Kurt Zouma, and sent off at The Hawthorns for a professional foul on Salomon Rondon. When on 28 August Mourinho identified Chelsea's two best spells of the season - the second half at the Etihad, and with 10 men at West Brom - they were the times when Terry was off the field.

Ivanovic and Terry have looked exposed, given the higher defensive line Chelsea have played this season. This leaves more space in behind them, making them vulnerable against fast opponents, as Sergio Aguero showed for City. If Chelsea are committed to playing higher up the pitch, Rahman and Zouma, who have the pace to do it, should feature more.

Mourinho does not often go in for individual analysis, though - it is a team game - and it cannot have escaped him that his midfield is not offering anywhere near enough protection. At the start of last season he tried partnering Nemanja Matic with Fabregas in a 4-2-3-1 and while it is good enough for most home games, smart opponents know how to get past Fabregas - who does little defending - and isolate Matic. That is why last season Mourinho turned to John Obi Mikel and, increasingly, Zouma to help out in midfield.

It was surprising that Chelsea did not add anyone new in defensive midfield during the summer transfer window, given how all the Mourinho teams of the past have been built on strength and control in that area. At Chelsea the first time he had Claude Makélélé and Michael Essien, at Internazionale he had Thiago Motta and Esteban Cambiasso, at Real Madrid he had Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira.

Yet this Chelsea team, for as long as it defends as it has done in the four Premier League games so far, does not look like any of those sides. It does not resemble a Mourinho team. Changes in tactics or personnel may be the only way to turn it back into one.– The Independent



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Exciting weekend for PSL

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All eyes will be on taking over the top spot in the Absa Premiership this weekend as league action takes centre stage.

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Johannesburg - All eyes will be on taking over the top spot in the Absa Premiership this weekend as league action takes centre stage following the international break.

With early pace-setters Mpumalanga Black Aces not in action, a host of teams will be aiming to leapfrog them at the summit.

The pick of the action will be in the Limpopo province where champions Kaizer Chiefs will do battle with SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off).

That clash is one of seven to be played over the weekend, with the Aces not in action due to Orlando Pirates' involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup - the Buccaneers face Egyptian giants Zamalek, both of whom have already qualified for the semi-finals, in their final group phase clash on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Amakhosi will be raring to hit their championship stride once more after an indifferent start to the season, which has seen them win just one and draw two of their opening three fixtures.

Steve Komphela's men, presently fourth on the table, have a string of injuries to contend with and the casualty list lengthened this week following news that Erick Mathoho hurt his shoulder on national duty.

Matsatsantsa are two places below Chiefs and they are boosted for the Polokwane clash by the return of David Mathebula from injury. The influential midfielder is looking forward to the clash.

“We beat them last season and we will try to do the same again this season,” he said. “I think they will go into the game thinking about the result last season and look forward to getting the points. “But this is our home game and we must try to get maximum points for our supporters.”

Earlier on Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns will be aiming to make more headway on the table when they travel to Durban to face Lamontville Golden Arrows in Chatsworth (3pm kick-off).

Both sides have four points thus far and Abafana Bes'thende coach Serame Letsoaka wants to see improvement after they lost their last match to Platinum Stars.

“We need to be sharper in front of the goals, we need to lessen playing space for our opponents and e need more composure in the final third,” he said.

In another 3pm kick-off, Ernst Middendorp will begin the latest chapter in his South African football career by taking charge of Free State Stars for the first time in their clash against Chippa United at Goble Park.

It is the sixth Premiership club the German has coached and he has plenty to do to try and reverse the fortunes of the bottom-of-the-table club.

There are two matches later on Saturday, second-placed Ajax Cape Town welcome Polokwane City to the Cape Town Stadium, while winless Maritzburg United entertain former coach Clinton Larsen and his Bloemfontein Celtic side at Harry Gwala Stadium (both 8.15pm). Sunday sees two hames being played. It is the battle of the universities as University of Pretoria host Bidvest Wits at Tuks Stadium and Jomo Cosmos tackle Platinum Stars at Olen Park. Both games kick-off at 3pm.

African News Agency



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Ramsay teaches mini Beckham to cook

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Brooklyn Beckham: “I actually really enjoy cooking. Gordon taught me how to do a great beef wellington.”

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Gordon Ramsay taught David Beckham's son how to cook.

The celebrity chef is close friends with the retired soccer star and his fashion designer wife Victoria so was happy to give their eldest child, 16-year-old Brooklyn, some culinary tips.

Brooklyn said: "I actually really enjoy cooking. Gordon Ramsay taught me how to do a great beef wellington."

Brooklyn is close friends with Gordon's son Jack, 16, as well as the offspring of another of his dad's pals, director Guy Ritchie's 15-year-old son Rocco.

He told Miss Vogue: "I've changed schools quite a few times but I have some close friends that have known me since I was very young, nothing ever changes with them.

"I have a handful of really close friends, but in particular I'd say Jack Ramsay and Rocco Ritchie.

"I love going to football matches, the skate park and music festivals [with my friends]. I also like to box."

Though Brooklyn admits it is frustrating having to be accompanied by security wherever he goes, there are advantages to having famous parents.

He said: "The downside is I have to have security with me most places I go, the upside is I'm fortunate to get backstage passes to music festivals and gigs."

 

Bang Showbiz



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Courtois to have knee surgery

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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois needs knee surgery and will be out for “quite a long time,” manager Jose Mourinho said.

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London - Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois needs knee surgery and will be out for “quite a long time,” manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday.

The 23-year-old Belgium international will miss the champions' Premier League game at Everton on Saturday and the start of their Champions League group campaign.

Bosnian Asmir Begovic, signed from Stoke City this year, will replace Courtois who sustained the injury in training.

“I cannot tell you much but I can tell you he needs surgery in his right knee and will be out for quite a long time,” Mourinho told reporters.

“The doctors have to be more specific but I think today we will be ready to give out more information.

“It is a big blow, it is not easy to have the best goalkeeper in the world injured but it's easy to have one of the best in the world to play and we have Begovic to play,” Mourinho added.

“I'm very sad for Thibaut and the team but we have a top keeper - Begovic will be in goal.”

Chelsea, who sold long-time first-choice keeper Petr Cech to Arsenal in June, have made a disappointing start to the season, taking four points from their first four matches to fall eight points behind leaders Manchester City. – Reuters



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De Gea signs new United deal

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Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has signed a new four-year contract, the club said.

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London - Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has signed a new four-year contract, the club said on Friday, a week after a proposed transfer to Real Madrid collapsed.

The Spain international, 24, almost joined Madrid on transfer deadline day, but the deal fell through as the necessary paperwork was not filed in time.

His previous deal was set to expire at the end of the season.

“I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career,” De Gea said in a statement on the club website (www.manutd.com).

“I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal place for me to continue to develop my career.

“I'm looking forward to putting a difficult summer behind me and concentrating on working hard to improve and help my team mates to be successful.”

De Gea was left out of United's opening games of the season, but could return to the starting lineup for Saturday's clash against arch-rivals Liverpool.

“I am absolutely delighted David has signed a new contract. He is one of the best goalkeepers in world football,” manager Louis van Gaal said.

“I am very pleased that he will be part of the team for many years to come.” – Reuters



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United can down Chiefs - Igesund

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By tradition Chiefs are expected to slug it out for the championship while on paper it seems SuperSport have what it takes to fight for the Absa Premiership title.

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It may be early days but the clash between Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United tomorrow evening is set to give indications about title credentials of the two PSL contenders.

By tradition Chiefs are expected to slug it out for the championship while on paper it seems SuperSport have what it takes to fight for the Absa Premiership title. Both have tasted the league glory since the inception of the PSL. Chiefs have won the title four times while SuperSport have won it three times.

Though the season is just three matches old, SuperSport have already beaten one of the big teams in Orlando Pirates, who they edged 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, but coach Gordon Igesund says his team is yet to gel.

“It’s early days. I don’t think many of the teams are as fluid as they would like to be. I know we are not. I know we are still integrating players into how we want to play. It takes time for the team to really gel but they are getting better and better. The fluency is coming slowly,” said Igesund.

“I am happy with the way things are going so far. It’s always a fantastic game to play Chiefs because we expect these teams to be challenging for the championship and to take points is important.”

The match will also be a test for Chiefs’ priorities since they will be playing Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 final next weekend. Will Steve Komphela and his men go all out or will they hold back with the view of reserving their best for the final? Igesund doesn’t think so.

“I don’t think Chiefs have one eye on the cup final. They have got to prepare a team for the game against us. Whichever way they prepare the team it’s their problem. I am focusing on my team on what we have to do. “We tried to identify some weaknesses and strengths in their team and hopefully we can counteract those,” said the four-time league winning coach.

Igesund has been keeping an eye on Chiefs and knows which players his men have to keep in check if they are to claim victory tomorrow.

“(Siphiwe) Tshabalala is playing very well. Yeye (Letsholonyane) is playing in a more advanced position. They have got good movement in their team. I know they are focusing on my team a little bit. They have got to be concerned about players like Jeremy Brockie, Kingston Nkhatha, Thuso Phala, Dove Wome, David Mathebula,” he said.

Last season SuperSport were the first team to beat Chiefs. That SuperSport have fared well against Chiefs is likely to have the men from Tshwane psyched up for the tomorrow’s battle.

“Psychologically it is always good to know that we have beaten this team not only once but a couple of times. We played against the best and we have beaten them,” said Igesund.

FIXTURES

(all games start at 3pm, unless stated)

TOMORROW

Golden Arrows v Mamelodi Sundowns

At Chatsworth Stadium

TV: SS4

Last Season: Did Not Play

Results so far

Arrows: WDL

Sundowns: DWL

Prediction: Sundowns 2, Arrows 0

Free State Stars v Chippa United

At Goble Park

TV: SABC1

Last season: Stars 2, Chippa 0

Results so far:

Stars: LLL

Chippa: DLW

Prediction: Stars 1, Chippa 2

SuperSport United v Kaizer Chiefs

At Peter Mokaba Stadium

Kick-off: 6pm

TV: SS4

Last season: SuperSport 2, Chiefs 0

Results so far

SuperSport: WDD

Chiefs: DWD

Prediction: SuperSport 1, Chiefs 1

Ajax Cape Town v Polokwane City

At Cape Town Stadium

Kick-off: 8:15pm

TV: Highlights on Monday

Last Season: Ajax 1, Polokwane 1

Results so far

Ajax: DWW

Polokwane: WLD

Prediction: Ajax 2, Polokwane 1

Maritzburg United v Bloemfontein Celtic

At Harry Gwala Stadium

Kick-off: 8.15pm

TV: SABC 1

Last Season: Maritzburg 0, Celtic 0

Results So far

Maritzburg: DLL

Celtic: LDW

Prediction: Maritzburg 0, Celtic 1

SUNDAY

Jomo Cosmos v Platinum Stars

At Olen Park

Kick-off: 3pm

TV: SS4

Last Season: Did not play

Results so far

Cosmos: DDD

Stars: DDW

Prediction: Cosmos 1, Stars 1

University of Pretoria v Bidvest Wits

At Tuks Stadium

Kick-off: 3pm

TV: SABC 1

Last Season: Tuks 0, Wits 0

Results so far:

Tuks: LWL

Wits: WLW

Prediction: Tuks 1, Wits 2 - The Star



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United players’ frustration with LVG

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The regimented system that Louis Van Gaal has installed at Manchester United is taking it’s its toll.

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It was Louis van Gaal’s obsession with possession that was the breaking point. Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick had to state their case.

Manchester United had beaten Tottenham at Old Trafford the day before but the atmosphere at the Carrington training complex afterwards was not one of euphoria, more of despair.

Respect for the hardline Dutch coach with the Iron Tulip moniker has never been in question but the regimented system Van Gaal had installed was taking its toll.

Players groaned at the monotony of training, the team meetings, unit meetings for the defence, midfield and attack — oh, and the debriefs. The blunt, often critical delivery of video analyst Max Reckers and the abrasive manner in which Victor Valdes and Rafael da Silva were despatched from the first team dressing room.

Rooney and Carrick, as captain and vice-captain, are ‘afforded special privileges’ says Van Gaal, and they plucked up the courage to air the team’s views. There was no challenge of authority, merely a plea to hear their case. Van Gaal took it on board but little has changed.

As the mercurial Brian Clough famously mused ‘we talk about it for 20 minutes then we decide I was right’.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is damning in his assessment. ‘It’s not a type of football I enjoy watching,’ he said. ‘It’s methodical and really slow going side to side.’

Methodical is the operative view shared by several of United’s players; jaded by repetitive training drills and the constant dissection of their every move.

The cavalier spirit of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era may be a distant memory but the attention to detail is essential to Van Gaal’s famed philosophy.

Video analyst Reckers enjoys a central role yet his input is not always enjoyed by the players. A perceived tendency to concentrate on weaknesses rather than strengths is not thought to have helped matters, along with forensic examinations of each player’s positioning.

As you would expect, Van Gaal has unswerving faith in his compatriot, a former hockey player.

‘It’s unbelievable because he’s not only my computer guru, he’s like my son,’ said Van Gaal. ‘But he’s not called Van Gaal, his name is Max Reckers and he is a performance analyst. He collects all the data that we need. We have a lot of data because at Manchester United there was already a philosophy that you have to measure everything and it’s called the sport science department. It’s unbelievable what organisation you have to make for such a big group at such a big club.’

That organisation and regimented tone has been set for some time: train, eat, sleep, repeat. In his defence, Van Gaal protected his players from an arduous summer tour across the USA last summer but made it clear they were there to work. Training times were adjusted to coincide with the kick-off of their next match. On Wednesday this week, players returned from international duty but had a light session at 5.30pm, with tomorrow’s teatime kick-off against Liverpool in mind.

That is not unwelcome for United’s players, their concern is a lack of enjoyment and freedom to be more expressive.

As Ferdinand observed: ‘You associate Manchester United with pace and power, explosive fantasy in the final third, but that’s not the way it is now.

‘Manchester United fans are having to re-educate themselves. You’re not going to see what you saw for the last 25 years. Van Gaal has got a clear idea of how he wants the team to play. It’s very methodical.’

The approach has so far failed to ignite United’s campaign and with just three goals scored —three fewer than bottom club Sunderland — in four games.

Addressing United executive club members on Wednesday evening, Van Gaal admitted he did not expect his side to win the title this season but that next year was realistic. To those who queried the recent capitulation to Swansea and worried about what could be expected against Liverpool, he stated: ‘Don’t worry, we will win.’

The Dutchman, it seems, possesses no doubt about his methods. His players may beg to differ. – Daily Mail



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Fans told to support Arsenal players

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Arsène Wenger told anxious Arsenal fans that simply signing players is not a magical solution to all of their problems.

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Arsène Wenger told anxious Arsenal fans yesterday that simply signing players is not a magical solution to all of their problems. Arsenal did not sign a single outfield player in the transfer window which, given Danny Welbeck's injury, triggered new frustration among the supporters.

Facing questions ahead of tomorrow's game with Stoke City, Wenger told Arsenal fans to get behind their existing players, rather than hoping for them to be replaced by seemingly superior ones.

“I think to support the club and support the team is to stand behind the players,” chided Wenger. “It is not always expecting someone coming down from heaven to sort out all your problems. Support is believing in the players in the squad, and this is a good opportunity to do that for our supporters.”

After the signing of Petr Cech at the start of the summer, Arsenal did not buy any other players, a policy which became even less popular after the news that striker Welbeck would be out for the rest of 2015 after knee surgery.

Wenger insisted yesterday that the club could not find “an efficient solution” in the transfer market and the bad news about Welbeck did not push him into the market.

“It doesn't change anything,” Wenger explained. “You either find someone who strengthens your squad or not. Whether we have players injured or not doesn't change the problem.

“The solutions we had were not convincing at all. In the end you do not buy to give one hope, you want to buy because the players who come in can help your squad to be stronger. Buying and selling is one way to strengthen your team but that's not the only way.”

Wenger also revealed that midfielder Jack Wilshere is recovering “slower than expected” from an ankle injury which has cost him the start of this season.

Arsenal had initially hoped that Wilshere would be ready this weekend, after the September international break, following a hairline fracture to his ankle which he sustained in training on 1 August.

“I have not seen Jack in the last two or three days,” Wenger said. “He is progressing slowly. It is slower than expected as I expected him to be back and available after the break, but unfortunately he will not be available for Saturday. He had a little setback and I have to know about it, but I can't tell you much more as I have no medical information.” – The Independent



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Martial set for United debut

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Anthony Martial is set to make one of the most eagerly awaited debuts in recent Premier League history this weekend.

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Anthony Martial is set to make one of the most eagerly awaited debuts in recent Premier League history when his new club Manchester United cross swords with Liverpool on Saturday.

Martial, 19, signed from Monaco on transfer deadline day for a reported initial fee of £36 million (about R760-million) that could rise to £58 million and the French striker will be expected to enliven an attack that has scored only three goals in four league games.

Liverpool are also short of goals, having netted only twice so far this season, and with each side looking to steady the ship after defeats, there will be pressure to perform on both sets of players.

“Liverpool is the perfect game to have to come back to after the international break,” United assistant manager and former scourge of Liverpool Ryan Giggs said at a supporters' event this week.

“Old Trafford will be bouncing for a late kick-off. All the players are looking forward to it and I'm sure the fans are, too.

“Liverpool is always a special game and it's even more special when you win, so we can't wait.”

Martial, who will wear the number nine shirt, stands to become the first United player to make his debut in a home game against Liverpool since Ernie Thompson in November 1936.

United manager Louis van Gaal has described the fee for Martial as “ridiculous”, but despite having spoken of the need to give him time to settle in, the Dutchman could do with the teenager finding his feet quickly.

Of the three goals United have scored in the league this season, one was an own goal by Tottenham Hotspur's Kyle Walker and the other was scored by Adnan Januzaj, who is no longer at the club.

And while Wayne Rooney returns to Old Trafford after setting a new England scoring record of 50 against Switzerland on Tuesday, he is without a league goal since April.

Van Gaal must also decide whether to restore goalkeeper David de Gea to his starting XI, having sidelined him citing concerns about his focus prior to the collapse of the Spaniard's proposed move to Real Madrid on deadline day.

In midfield, Michael Carrick is a doubt after withdrawing from England duty with a calf complaint.

While United have looked reasonably solid in defence, it will not have escaped Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers's attention that makeshift centre-back Daley Blind was bullied by Bafetimbi Gomis during their 2-1 defeat at Swansea City.

Liverpool have a bruising forward of their own these days in Christian Benteke, who scored twice against United for Aston Villa last season, and are likely to look to isolate him against the lightweight Blind.

Liverpool have problems of their own in attack, however, and will be without Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho through suspension after he was sent off in their chastening 3-0 loss at home to West Ham United.

Daniel Sturridge has returned to training after undergoing hip surgery in May but may not be risked, while there are doubts over midfield trio Adam Lallana (thigh), Jordan Henderson (ankle) and Joe Allen (hamstring).

Liverpool enjoyed a 3-0 win at Old Trafford amid the embers of David Moyes's ill-fated reign as United manager in March 2014, but were beaten twice by their old enemies last season.

After losing 3-0 in Manchester in mid-December, Liverpool went on a 13-game unbeaten run that appeared to have resurrected their season, only for Van Gaal's men to inflict a 2-1 defeat upon them at Anfield in March.

“We have to try to approach it the same way we approach every single game, but we know there is a lot of talking and the fans are more excited about it,” says Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva.

“For the players that have never played the fixture, they just have to try to approach it the same way they always do.” – AFP



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Cape opens it’s arms to Chiefs

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Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille announced that she will support Kaizer Chiefs desire to play thre of their home mayches in the Mother City.

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Ajax Cape Town remain undeterred in their opposition to Johannesburg-based Kaizer Chiefs’ proposal to play three of their home games at the Cape Town Stadium.

Yesterday, mayor Patricia de Lille held a press conference to announce that she will support the Soweto club’s desire to play in the Mother City. While official approval for the proposal still has to come from Council, De Lille’s support means that it is a mere formality.

“The City of Cape Town is committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive space for all its residents, sporting codes and cultures. We also have a responsibility to make the Cape Town Stadium a financially viable venue. I have, therefore, supported an event proposal for Kaizer Chiefs to play three of their home matches during this season at the Cape Town Stadium,” said De Lille in her official statement.

“This event proposal will be tabled at full Council and for final approval, and I will recommend that we approve Kaizer Chiefs hosting Wits on December 19, Platinum Stars on January 24 and SuperSport United on February 20.

“The proposed agreement forms part of a one-year contract, with an option to cancel or renew for a further two years. We have a duty to use our stadium to promote public events that are for the benefit of the people of Cape Town.

“Nothing will hinder Ajax Cape Town from playing their home matches at the Cape Town Stadium, in line with the three-year agreement they have signed with the City.

“We will also continue to support local clubs as we have done for years. We live in a diverse city and it is only right that we form partnerships with stakeholders that reflect this diversity and that provide opportunities to use our beautiful stadium.”

Ajax chief executive Ari Efstathiou says he will convene an urgent meeting today with his club’s management staff to decide on their next step.

“The issue here is that, right from the very start to the present time, the City has never been truthful with us,” said Efstathiou. “Yes, we have a three-year deal with the City, but we will now be reviewing our position.

“I guess if the City feels it wants to support an outside club, it can do so – but to say that they support local clubs, that I find quite strange. Speak to any of the clubs in the Cape and you will get a different answer.

“Also, we cannot see the financial viability of the Chiefs deal. We have asked the City to show us on what grounds the deal is financially viable, and they still haven’t been able to do so.”

Santos chairman Goolam Allie was as disappointed. “I think the Mayor’s decision is based on a rather narrow way of thinking and it’s an indictment on all the football clubs and footballers in the Cape,” said Allie. “All in all, it sums up the general attitude the City has towards local football.

“If this is the way they want to save a white elephant stadium, then they aren’t going about it the right way. Think about it… what will three Chiefs home games do towards the overall viability of the Stadium? Nothing…”

As for Chiefs, they aren’t concerned about the controversy their presence here has created. They are just concerned about building their brand.

“We are excited,” said Chiefs’ marketing director Jessica Motaung when she met with Independent Media journalists yesterday. “We have lots of support in Cape Town. We have 40 active branches in the city and, whenever I meet with them, there is an outcry that we should play more games in the Cape.

“The plan forms part of the club’s strategy to bring the team closer to its loyal supporters in the Cape and to grow its national fan base.”

When asked about the current controversy, Motaung said: “I was shocked… But I think that perhaps something good can come of it. Whatever the issues are between local football clubs and the City, perhaps now is the time for introspection. There’s an opportunity to fix whatever the problems are.

“It’s time to stop the fighting and collaborate. The parties need to sit around a table and plan how they can take football in this city forward. And we are hoping that our presence here can encourage the growth of football in the Cape.

“It’s time to stop the anger and the negativity, and use us to do something positive for football in the Cape. Just as we hope that, by being here, we can inspire youngsters to continue to take up football as a sport, and then go on to play for the local Cape clubs sometime in the future.” - Cape Times



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‘Everybody wants to kill’ Chelsea

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Eden Hazard admits Chelsea are struggling to adapt to life as Premier League champions because “everyone wants to kill you”.

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Eden Hazard admits Chelsea are struggling to adapt to life as Premier League champions because “everyone wants to kill you”.

Jose Mourinho's side are already eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City after winning just one of their opening four matches.

The Blues desperately need to get back on track when they face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday in a clash which has added intrigue following Chelsea's unsuccessful bid to sign Toffees defender John Stones.

But Hazard is one of numerous Chelsea stars who have so far failed to replicate the fine form that took them to the title last term.

And the Belgium playmaker believes that is partly due to the extra pressure of defending the title, an honour which leads opponents to raise their game to unexpectedly high levels against Chelsea.

“It's difficult to play as a champion because everyone wants to beat you, everyone wants to kill you,” Hazard told fashion website HypeBeast.com.

“We wear the gold badge and... yeah, it's very good. We had a fantastic season last season... if we could do the same this season we'd be good.

“Every day I try to reach a better level. This is my job, every day I try to score. Every game I try to score.

“I just want to be champion. I just want to be a champion and win everything like I did last season.”

Mourinho has had two weeks to stew on the home loss to Crystal Palace - only the second defeat in 100 home Premier League games for the manager - that ensured Chelsea entered the international break on a low.

The contrast with the start to last season could hardly be more stark.

Then, Chelsea flew out of the blocks, rising immediately to the top of the table, a position they held on to before being crowned champions in May.

This time, Mourinho's side have stuttered through the opening weeks with the manager admitting his team are still short of their best.

Mourinho has pointed to last season's experience when City closed an eight-point gap in December before allowing Chelsea to break clear again as evidence of the way in which the table can be transformed.

But already the Blues are playing catch-up and a training ground injury to keeper Thibaut Courtois this week did nothing to lift the mood.

The Belgium international suffered a knee injury and faces an anxious wait before learning the full extent of the injury and is expected to miss the trip to Merseyside, with Asmir Begovic set to deputise.

Everton went into the international break on the back of a commendable 0-0 draw at Tottenham, but it came at a cost.

Midfielder Tom Cleverley will be out for between six and eight weeks with ankle ligament damage sustained in that game, while Bryan Oviedo - who played at left-back in that match - is struggling with a knee problem.

Against that backdrop, Everton manager Roberto Martinez is relieved to have kept Stones from Mourinho's clutches.

The England international had a transfer request rejected, while Everton snubbed three bids approaching £30 million ($46 million) from Chelsea, yet Martinez is confident his young centre-back will put the saga behind him with no complaints.

“John has gone from strength to strength in a period of high pressure and has used it in the right way, taking the support of everyone at the club and has performed with incredible maturity and composure,” he said.

“Any story or any backlash still from the transfer window I am not going to entertain.

“Our interest is to look after every player who represents the club, they need understanding and we are going to look after the human being as well as we look after the footballer.” – AFP



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United open contract talks with De Gea

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Manchester United have opened contract talks with David de Gea after the Spain goalkeeper was on the verge of joining Real Madrid.

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Manchester United have opened contract talks with David de Gea less than two weeks after the Spain goalkeeper was on the verge of joining Real Madrid, according to reports on Thursday.

De Gea was on course to get his wish of a move to Real on transfer deadline day until an administrative error caused the deal to collapse at the last minute.

The 24-year-old hasn't played for the Premier League club this season after being dropped by United manager Louis van Gaal, who claimed de Gea had told him he wasn't in the right frame of mind to play while the transfer saga dragged on.

When the Madrid switch fell through it was feared De Gea's relationship with van Gaal might prove broken beyond repair.

But the BBC and a number of English national newspapers said on Thursday that the Spain international, voted United's player of the year for the last two seasons, is willing to talk about a new deal.

Pictures carried by the Daily Mail showed De Gea's agent, Jorge Mendes, in Manchester on Thursday, giving rise to talk of negotiations and increasing speculation that De Gea will return to the United line-up for Saturday's clash against arch rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

There was no comment from the club on De Gea's future on Thursday, but van Gaal will be quizzed on the situation when he gives his first press conference since deadline day on Friday. – AFP



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