News sport

United Chiefs serve the hurt

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in breàking news,criçket live,cricket s,crıcket lıve score,india cricket live,live,live cricket,lïve cricket score,news sport,Soccer Soccer Extended RSS,sportnews,sports

Steve Komphela sounded an ominous warning to the rest of the Absa Premiership teams at the weekend: “Hurt us at your own peril”.

|||

Polokwane – Steve Komphela sounded an ominous warning to the rest of the Absa Premiership teams at the weekend: “Hurt us at your own peril”.

Having just led his team to yet another come-from-behind victory, the Kaizer Chiefs coach lauded his players for their “champion” mentality.

“This is a message to those who hurt us. You hurt us at your own peril,” Komphela said following the reigning champions’ 4-1 hammering of SuperSport United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night.

Down 1-0 to a Dove Wome goal at half-time, Chiefs returned from the break to dismantle SuperSport and give them a hiding of note courtesy of a brace from George Lebese, Ivan Bukenya and Siphiwe Tshabalala (penalty).

Komphela was, understandably, pleased with his team’s retort. “The response in the second half is simply a sign, an indicator of a champion side.

“They are saying if you hurt us, we have the power to hurt you back. So, we’re very happy with the fact that they have a way of responding.”

That much was evident on a chilly evening that still drew a sizeable crowd to the World Cup arena as Chiefs overcame a first half showing that served to somewhat expose their lack of depth. Without three key players in Tsepo Masilela, Erick Mathoho and Willard Katsande – Chiefs appeared to struggle against Gordon Igesund’s team and conceded as Wome beat Itumeleng Khune with a fantastic ranged shot.

Matsantsa a Pitori could have extended their lead but Bongani Khumalo headed in from an offside position and many such free headers in the Chiefs box went wasted.

Igesund lamented what he felt should have been a penalty for his team when Siyabonga Xulu hacked down Kingston Nkhatha but referee Phillip Tinyani awarded a free-kick just outside the area.

“TV replays clearly showed that was a penalty and had that been given, we would have gone 2-0 up and that would have changed the game,” he cried.

Komphela, however, saw things differently. While he acknowledged that they struggled in the initial 45 minutes, the Chiefs boss believed his side was never in real danger.

“(They did) not dominate per se. We did not perform the way we did in the second half – all that they did was push their wingers to our fullbacks and their strikers to our centre-backs and our goalkeeper could not start at the back. And it became a game we don’t like where we have to go long. And when you go long you hit Khumalo and Clayton Daniels; they get the second balls and then it becomes an ugly game.

“Also Dean Furman was at the back of Bernard Parker, who could not breathe.

“After half-time we tweaked a little bit, we tweaked the structure and that is why there was more fluidity because there was more movement on the ball and our fullbacks were allowed to venture forward,” explained Komphela.

And they ventured forward with deadly effect as they easily put a SuperSport side reduced to 10 men following Furman’s sending off, to the sword – a clear warning to the other PSL sides.

Meanwhile, promoted side Golden Arrows continued their good start in the Absa Premiership when they beat 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 at the Chatsworth Stadium, also on Saturday.

A first-half penalty by Mabhuti Khenyeza and a second-half strike by substitute Ryan Chapman earned Arrows their second win of the campaign. The former champions could only manage a goal by substitute Themba Zwane shortly after half-time.

Ajax Cape Town moved to the top of the Premier League standings with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Polokwane City at Cape Town Stadium.

The Urban Warriors went top of the log following two quick first half goals by striker Nathan Paulse and defender Abbubaker Mobara.

Two first half goals for Bloemfontein Celtic by Thapelo Morena and Musa Nyatama ensured they defeated Maritzburg United 2-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, while Free State Stars registered their first win of the season when they defeated Chippa United 3-0 at Goble Park Stadium.

A brace by Andrea Fileccia and one goal by Danny Venter saw new coach Ernst Middendorp’s tenure off to a bright start. – Additional reporting by ANA - The Star

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Mmd7WD

Perfect debut for Martial - Carrick

Michael Carrick joined Wayne Rooney in admitting that he did not know much about Anthony Martial when Manchester United signed him.

|||

Scoring against arch-rivals Liverpool on his debut was the perfect way for Anthony Martial to introduce himself to his team mates and Manchester United's supporters, midfielder Michael Carrick has said.

Martial became the world's most expensive teenager when United signed him from Monaco for a reported 36 million pounds ($55.7 million) on transfer deadline day, and although he is well known in France, the size of his fee and relatively low profile due to his age prompted murmurs of surprise in England.

Midfielder Carrick joined captain Wayne Rooney in admitting that he did not know much about the teenager when United signed him, but backed Martial to have a bright future at United based on his debut performance.

“I have to be totally honest, I didn't know an awful lot about him but I do now! To start like that, you can't really ask for more,” Carrick was quoted as saying by the club's website (www.manutd.com).

Martial put the gloss on United's 3-1 win at the weekend after coming on as a second-half substitute when he danced past three defenders in the 86th minute and sidefooted the ball home.

“It doesn't get any better than that does it? Coming in and coming on, scoring against Liverpool like that,” the 34-year-old Carrick added.

“He has done well to get in that position and I thought the finish was terrific, how he just slotted it home, he was so calm and composed. You can't ask for a better start.

“He has announced himself and everyone has seen it on the big stage. It's a good start for him. I am sure his confidence will be sky high after that.

“It's a good way to settle him and if that has raised expectations then so be it, but that is part of the game.” – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1FHurxA

Furious Jose has a go at Martinez

Jose Mourinho and Roberto Martinez were involved in a furious bust-up as the Chelsea manager’s frustrations boiled over.

|||

Jose Mourinho and Roberto Martinez were involved in a furious bust-up as the under-pressure Chelsea manager’s frustrations boiled over.

The incident, which ended with Mou-rinho swearing at Martinez, took place on a concourse at Goodison Park after Everton had extended Chelsea’s dreadful start to the campaign by beating them 3-1.

Martinez had just given a routine press conference and was standing outside Goodison’s media room, speaking to national newspapers, when a visibly irate Mourinho stormed into view.

Mourinho had been advised by a steward to walk down the touchline and up a set of stairs so he could give his own press conference but ignored what he was told and made a beeline for Martinez.

At first, Martinez was oblivious to what was happening until Mourinho, anxious to board Chelsea’s coach, abruptly interrupted. ‘Roberto, next time you tell me (to) go before you, because we have to travel,’ Mourinho scowled.

Martinez tried to reply: ‘We don’t control that, Jose. I don’t control that.’

But Mourinho was in no mood to listen and fired back: ‘F****** hell!’

As Mourinho burst through the door, Martinez wryly observed: ‘When he beat us

6-3 (last season) he was such a nice man. I prefer him like that!’

After giving a short, terse conference, Mourinho scurried off without speaking to the daily publications and it summed up exactly how the afternoon had gone for the Portuguese.

Before kick-off, Mourinho walked out on a television interview with BT Sport after he had been asked about Chelsea’s failed pursuit of Everton defender John Stones.

Interviewer Ray Stubbs was in the middle of asking: ‘Everton fans will remind you that you couldn’t sign John Stones, do you think that adds an extra dimension?’

But Mourinho, whose problems are mounting, walked off screen, saying: ‘Before the game, this is too long. This is too long, I’m sorry.’

Meanwhile, Tim Rolls, chair of the Chelsea Supporters Trust, says Mourinho still has the backing of the club’s fans and hierarchy, and does not expect a backlash against the manager.

Asked if Chelsea fans still loved Mourinho as much as ever and wanted him to continue, Rolls said: ‘Absolutely — you can look at social media and find one or two hotheads, but most people know Mourinho is as good as it gets.

‘We are only five games into the season and I wouldn’t say it is a crisis. There are just problems that need sorting, and I’m confident Mourinho will do that.

‘I think most supporters are fully behind him.

‘It is important to maintain a sense of perspective, and I can’t see any scenario in which anti-Mourinho chants would start from Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge or at away games.

‘I don’t think he is under pressure, other than that he is putting himself under it.

‘Roman Abramovich is in it for the long term. It finished quite sourly between him and Mourinho in 2007 — I think everyone is now older and wiser and realises Mourinho is as good as it gets.

‘In my mind it would be absolutely futile getting rid of him because I don’t think there is anyone better who could come in. Mourinho is arguably the best coach in Europe.’ – Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1ipeGql

Rodgers under increasing pressure

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is under scrutiny following his team’s abject performance in the defeat to Manchester United.

|||

When asked what he intended to do to reverse Liverpool's slide, Brendan Rodgers said something about “working harder in training”. Rodgers is the most articulate manager Liverpool have had since Bill Shankly, but in the press room at Old Trafford the power of words failed him.

“Working harder in training” is the kind of phrase a manager comes up with when he has nothing to say. It is like “We need a goal to go in off someone's backside”. They desperately want things to change but are not sure how.

Liverpool, you imagine, already work pretty hard in training and the deficiencies exposed by Saturday evening's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United are not going to be solved by giving Lucas Leiva a few more laps of Melwood.

When, in mid-December, Liverpool conceded three times at Old Trafford - a defeat that left them 10th in the Premier League table, between Swansea and Stoke, and already eliminated from the Champions League - Rodgers acted rather than talked.

He persevered with a radically altered formation that until the wheels came off in April suggested it would carry Liverpool back into the Champions League. Unless he can do something similar now, his chances of remaining in charge appear slim even before the start of a Europa League campaign that usually drains energy and points.

There was a time when a banner with an image of Rodgers with the word “Boss” appeared on the Kop but now an icon is ready to become an effigy. Once the final whistle went on Saturday, owner John W Henry's Twitter account was bombarded with messages urging him to do away with the man he appointed to succeed Kenny Dalglish.

Whether the Liverpool owner would pay them any heed is open to conjecture - he has not tweeted since April - but he is ruthless enough. Anyone who can sack Dalglish can fire Rodgers. And having acquiesced in the removal of his own backroom staff in May, it would be hard to imagine how Rodgers might evade responsibility now.

There are, however, a few cards to play before we reach for phrases like “mutual consent”. Liverpool were abject, surrendering possession at every available opportunity before the interval but their midfield was missing Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson. The return of Daniel Sturridge to partner Christian Benteke is not far off. Liverpool have always been slow starters under Rodgers. In the first five games of each of his four seasons at Anfield they have taken 25 points from a possible 60.

That, essentially, is the case for the defence and Rodgers would hope it might be slightly more robust than the defence that failed to notice the cleverly taken free-kick that triggered Manchester United's opener or prevent Anthony Martial running through them to score an exquisite third. – The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1UOE5dX

Sherwood ‘gutted’ after defeat

A 'gutted' Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood said he had never felt so bad after watching his side take a 2-0 lead at Leicester City and then lose 3-2.

|||

London - A 'gutted' Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood said he had never felt so bad after watching his side take a 2-0 lead at Leicester City and then lose 3-2 in the Premier League on Sunday.

“I've never felt this bad ever,” he told the BBC, looking as if he would rather be somewhere else than in front of a television camera.

“There was a lot of bad play there in the last half hour,” added the boss. “The only way you stop momentum is by keeping the ball off the opposition and we just turned it over stupidly,” he said.

“What can I say? I'm gutted for everyone who's associated with this football club. We have to stop letting in soft goals now, they didn't have to work too hard for their goals at the end of the day. Who cares if we played well? We lost the match.”

Villa have conceded 14 goals in their last five away games and were left in shock after Leicester rattled in three in the space of 17 minutes to go second in the standings behind Manchester City.

Villa are now 15th with four points from five games.

Sherwood said the mood in the dressing room was sombre and rightly so.

Asked whether the good moment of 20-year-old Jack Grealish scoring his first goal for the club had been lost in the defeat, Sherwood agreed: “Totally lost.

“I would expect it to be (quiet in the dressing room),” he said. “They are as disappointed as I am, hopefully. I think they are. They are a good group, But we have to stop the errors.” – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1glh3sk

Balotelli gives Milan renewed hope

Mario Balotelli’s performance on his second debut for AC Milan was enough to suggest that he can turn over a new leaf.

|||

Milan - Mario Balotelli was only on the pitch for half an hour in Sunday's derby but his performance on his second debut for AC Milan was enough to suggest that he can turn over a new leaf following his unhappy spell at Liverpool.

His burly presence immediately unsettled the Inter Milan defence as he cajoled his team mates, provoked his opponents and twice came close to equalising from long-range.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has praised Balotelli's dedication in training and, although supporters may feel they have heard it before, the maverick forward looked sharper than at any point during his season with Liverpool.

Within minutes of coming on in Milan's 1-0 defeat, he provoked combustible Inter midfielder Felipe Melo into picking up the yellow card that the Brazilian had been threatening to receive all evening.

Shortly after that, “Supermario” thumped the foot of the post with a long range shot, then produced a booming free kick which forced Samir Handanovic to make a superb save.

“The Mario Balotelli we saw tonight is the one we want to see every match,” said team mate Riccardo Montolivo.

“He is training well. Let's give him time and then come Christmas we will see how he is getting on and how much he has changed.”

Balotelli had a relatively successful and uneventful first spell in Milan, scoring 26 goals in 43 Serie A appearances over the course of one-and-a-half seasons which ended just over one year ago.

There were still some misdemeanours, however.

He lost his temper in front of the cameras after his performance in a 2-0 defeat at AS Roma was criticised by Italian television pundits, telling his interviewers that they did not understand football and throwing his microphone down.

He was also booked for making a vulgar gesture at Cagliari supporters, served two three-match bans and was caught smoking in the toilet of a train by a ticket collector.

This time, Galliani has ordered a good conduct clause to be inserted into Balotelli's contract.

Balotelli must not damage the image of the club and his Twitter, Facebook and Instagram posts will be closely monitored.

He will be banned from extravagant haircuts and clothing, from smoking and from visiting night clubs and must turn up on time for training, while his drinking will also be restricted.

“He definitely did well after he came on,” said coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. “He is training well and will surely give us a big hand. He knows what he has to do, he has to continue working and now is not the time to judge him.” – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1K8CHZw

Leicester boss not getting carried away

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri says his players cannot join their fans in dreaming of glory despite a stunning start to the Premier League season.

|||

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri says his players cannot join their fans in dreaming of glory despite a stunning start to the Premier League season.

Ranieri's men climbed to second in the table with a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday.

And Ranieri says the Foxes supporters should revel in their unbeaten start to the season - but insists his team must keep their feet on the ground with 40 points to guarantee another top-flight season still their aim.

“It's not March or April,” said Ranieri. “If I am second in the table in April, fantastic.

“But it is only September and I think about 29 points more - this is our goal.

“After that we can dream, but not now.

“The fans can dream. That is right. When I was a fan I went to the stadium to dream, but we have to keep solid feet on the ground.

“We know the Premier League and sport is very changeable. We have to be very concentrated and focused on our goal.

“The goal is to stay in the Premier League and after that we can dream.”

Nathan Dyer scored on his debut to cap a remarkable Leicester comeback with the winning goal.

The Foxes struck three times in the final 18 minutes to clinch a stirring victory from 2-0 down with Ritchie De Laet and Jamie Vardy also on target.

Jack Grealish had scored a stunning first Aston Villa goal to give the visitors a deserved lead on 39 minutes before Carles Gil scored another fine goal to double their lead.

Leicester, however, showed their fighting qualities to turn the game around and maintain Ranieri's fine comeback to the Premier League scene with Riyad Mahrez again catching the eye with a key role in all three Foxes goals.

“My players showed a fantastic character and a good spirit,” said Ranieri, whose side remain unbeaten after five games.

“Never give up - that is the spirit that I want.”

Villa face a week of self-examination after squandering an apparently dominant position at the King Power Stadium.

They face local rivals West Brom in the Premier League and Birmingham City in the League Cup in their next two matches in two huge derbies.

“I'm always negative when we lose but I'm still realistic enough to know that we are making strides in the right direction but if you're not picking up points then no one believes you,” said Sherwood.

“For me it's all about winning football matches and we haven't won another one.

“We've got two of the biggest football matches this club is ever going to have in the next two weeks.

“I've never felt this bad, ever. There was a lot of bad play there in the last half hour.

“The only way you can stop the momentum is to stop the opposition. We turned the ball over stupidly.

“What can I say? I'm gutted for everyone who's associated with the football club. We have to stop letting in soft goals.

“Who cares if we played well? We lost.

“The first goal was a killer because that gave them the lift.

“It was calamity after that. The goals were shocking.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1K8CHZs

Pochettino backs Kane to come good

Harry Kane found Sunderland's defence a tougher proposition than San Marino's or Switzerland's as the Tottenham Hotspur striker's wait for a first Premier League goal continued.

|||

London - Harry Kane found Sunderland's defence a tougher proposition than San Marino's or Switzerland's as the Tottenham Hotspur striker's wait for a first Premier League goal continued on Sunday.

A revelation last season when he scored 21 league goals for Spurs, Kane has so far struggled in front of goal and laboured with little service in the 1-0 win at Sunderland, Tottenham's first victory of the season.

He did score as a substitute in both of England's Euro 2016 qualifiers during the international break, however, and manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the young striker will flourish once he gets off the mark.

“I am very happy with him. He gives his best for the team, the effort was great and you know he only needs time to score again,” the Argentine told a news conference.

“I'm sure, because he has great skill in front of goal, that it's only a matter of time.

“He's very confident, very happy. After the game, he was very happy in the changing room because our mentality now as a team, as a squad, is first the result, the collective situation, before our individual problems or targets.”

Kane did have a hand in the late winner, scored by Ryan Mason, but was guilty of one glaring miss when he failed to connect with a low cross with the goal gaping.

Tottenham have only scored four goals in five games and with Roberto Soldado sold and Emmanuel Adebayor finally released by the club on Sunday, out-and-out striking options are limited.

New South Korean signing Son Heung-min made his debut on Sunday and showed plenty of promise but was substituted just past the hour mark after missing a great chance.

“I am very happy with Son, he played really well. He is a good player for us,” Pochettino said. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1KMZgsl

LVG hoping United can kick on

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes that his team's 3-1 home victory over arch rivals Liverpool will signal the end of their early-season difficulties.

|||

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes that his team's 3-1 home victory over arch rivals Liverpool will signal the end of their early-season difficulties.

United endured a testing start to the campaign, struggling for goals and facing criticism over their transfer dealings, and they went into the international break on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City.

But Saturday's win over Liverpool blew off the cobwebs, with David de Gea back in goal following the collapse of his proposed move to Real Madrid and Anthony Martial netting a clinically taken debut goal following his £36 million ($55.1 million, 49 million euros) transfer from Monaco.

“I think in a difficult period like we had in the transfer period, with a lot of problems with players who are going and coming, it is always worse with Manchester United than the other clubs,” said Van Gaal, whose side climbed to second place in the table, five points below Manchester City.

“We have noticed that and I think we have managed that very well. We have qualified ourselves (in the Champions League), we have 10 points from five matches (in the league).

“That is a good record. There is only one club better and our aim is to be the best, but now we are five points behind Manchester City. We still look to that position, but I am happy.”

Martial, a 65th-minute replacement for Juan Mata, struck four minutes from time, slicing towards goal from the left and turning Martin Skrtel inside-out before planting a shot inside the right-hand post.

The goal settled nerves after Christian Benteke had brought Liverpool back into the game with a magnificent overhead bicycle kick moments earlier.

United had gone 2-0 up in the second half courtesy of a smooth Daley Blind finish from a training-ground free-kick routine and an emphatic Ander Herrera penalty.

But Van Gaal was critical of his side for almost allowing Liverpool back into the match, declaring himself more satisfied with their controlled first-half showing and lamenting their failure to “kill the game”.

Martial's strike, in front of the Stretford End, was a moment to savour for the home fans, but Van Gaal said that the 19-year-old French striker would have to brace himself for bumps in the road ahead.

“You cannot expect from players from this age that they have consistency,” said the Dutchman.

“You cannot ask that. You can ask that from (Bastian) Schweinsteiger and (Michael) Carrick, but not players of 19 and 20 and 21.”

Martial may not have long to wait for his full debut, however, with Van Gaal revealing that skipper Wayne Rooney is unlikely to play in United's Champions League opener away to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday due to what is reported to be a hamstring injury.

Van Gaal's mood was in stark contrast to his opposite number Brendan Rodgers, who addressed journalists in a dejected whisper in his post-match media conference.

Liverpool have now conceded six goals in two games, following their 3-0 home defeat by West Ham United, and trail City by eight points.

“It's five games in,” said Rodgers, whose side launch their Europa League campaign away to Bordeaux on Thursday.

“We haven't created anywhere near as much as we would like. We have to go away with the coaches and the staff and see how we can find ways to be much more creative.

“We are still looking to find that way – and there's players coming in – to get that balance in the team.”

He added: “This is the biggest game in this country, maybe in the world in terms of derby games. It's an incredible game.

“I've been sat here when we've won 3-0 and it felt great. When you lose 3-1, you don't feel so good.

“It is difficult for the supporters. We just have to go away, work harder and do better.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1ONAO7D

Martial’s starts repaying transfer fee

Anthony Martial has started repaying the faith shown in him by scoring on his debut for Manchester United against Liverpool.

|||

The mood in the Manchester United dressing room was no longer flat - the word that Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick had used to describe it to Louis van Gaal in the run-up to the nearest thing English football has to el clasico. The dark, wood-panelled walls would have reverberated to the easy talk and laughter that comes with decisive victory and a fabulous debut.

It was said of Van Gaal at Bayern Munich that it only mattered that nobody liked him when he stopped winning. There are several things that mark him out from his predecessor, David Moyes, and not least of it is the ability to win the big games - something Moyes never did.

Nevertheless, even in the final delirious few minutes when Anthony Martial's astonishing goal ensured Liverpool would not be rising from the canvas, nobody appeared to be singing “Louis van Gaal's red-and-white army”, the tune he belted out during a bizarre, confessional pre-match press conference.

The one he gave in the afterglow of his third straight victory over Liverpool was infinitely more relaxed, although he confirmed that Rooney, who missed this game, would not be travelling to PSV Eindhoven for the start of the Champions League.

Had Martial not skipped through Liverpool's defence to settle this game with a goal that had more than a hint of Thierry Henry about it, this might have mattered. If you wanted an indictment of Manchester United's transfer policy since the departure of David Gill as chief executive, the team sheet would be exhibit A. The vast flow of money in and out of Old Trafford had produced Marouane Fellaini as centre forward.

Faced with the sight of Fellaini's vast mop of hair lumbering towards them, rather than the crewcut ofRooney, Liverpool's defence might have been expected to control the game. Instead, still carrying the scars from their capitulation to West Ham, they were, to use some Harry Redknapp terminology, bang average.

Matteo Darmian, fed beautifully by Michael Carrick, muscled past Joe Gomez on the Liverpool left and his low cross found Fellaini, whose first two touches carried the weight of a lorry. Not for the first time in a stultifying first half, you wondered what Rooney might have done.

Better defences than Liverpool's will have to worry about Martial, who had come to Old Trafford via the same expensive formula that had given United Radamel Falcao - selling club: Monaco, agent: Jorge Mendes. He seems better value.

His manager pointed out that he had come on at a good time. Liverpool had to press forward to drag the game back and there would be space to exploit. “It shall give him a boost but you cannot expect consistency from him,” said Van Gaal. “You can expect it from Schweinsteiger or Michael Carrick but not from 19 or 20-year-olds.”

Van Gaal liked United's first goal best because it was something perfected on the training pitches at Carrington during sessions that have drawn criticism from his players.

The shot from the edge of the area that finished in the top corner of the net beneath the Stretford End was perfect. It came from a very cleverly taken free-kick, played across the 18-yard line to Daley Blind.

With the Netherlands, managed by his father Danny, making a dreadful hash of reaching the European Championship, this has not been a good couple of weeks for the Blind family. This would have raised their spirits. Defensively, Blind was superb, clearing off the line as Liverpool rallied and containing Christian Benteke. It was coincidence that it was Blind's half-clearance that Benteke met with a bicycle kick that produced one of the most spectacular goals Old Trafford has seen since Rooney did something similar in the Manchester derby.

However, by then Liverpool were two down after Joe Gomez had tripped Ander Herrera who drove his penalty past Simon Mignolet as emphatically as Blind had.

It was only in the final 20 minutes when Benteke struck and David De Gea, on his long-anticipated return, was stretched as much as he had been when Liverpool lost here in December.

Van Gaal had refused to select him while Real Madrid were making their clumsy attempt to bring him back to Spain because his mind was not “properly focused”. His mind could have been anywhere for an opening 45 minutes in which Liverpool contrived to give the ball away at virtually every opportunity. Until a one-handed save from Danny Ings just short of the hour mark, he could have been selecting his 10 favourite Beatles tracks or wondering why nobody makes a decent musical these days. For the first hour, the football was the least of his concerns. – The Independent on Sunday

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1QxsE4F

Jose needs to work his magic...quickly

Can Jose Mourinho fix a Chelsea team that seems to be falling apart?

|||

Jose Mourinho walked in and sat down. He looked grim. He stared quickly around the room and then lowered his eyes to the desk in front of him. The Chelsea official sitting next to him said there would not be much time for questions. The players were already waiting on the bus outside Goodison Park.

When the questions came, Mourinho spoke quickly in staccato sentences. Rat-a-tat-tat. He seemed agitated. He blamed bad luck. He blamed lack of confidence. ‘We need the players to smile again,’ he said.

Before he got up to walk away, he was asked whether, after losing three of the first five games of the new season, he felt under pressure. ‘No,’ he said. He stopped, as if the answer was at an end but then he decided he wanted to add something. ‘I think the refugees are under big pressure,’ he said.

Mourinho was right, of course. Pressure is comparative but, in the context of managing a club like Chelsea and working for a man like owner Roman Abramovich, this loss felt like an ominous one.

Mourinho had a meeting with Abramovich at the club’s training ground on Friday. Abramovich is not a patient man and, even though Mourinho has a special place in the hearts of Chelsea fans, his position may be growing precarious.

He does not appear to be spoiling for a fight as he did the last time he left the club in 2007. ‘It is a pleasure, it is an honour and it is a happiness every day to work for this club,’ he said last night. But if Chelsea do not beat Arsenal next Saturday, Mourinho will be in deep trouble.

He said on Friday that he was not a quitter but he must do something now that he has never done before. Mourinho has to prove he can rebuild a club. He has to prove that he can turn things around mid-term. He has to prove that he can hang in there. His challenge is to show that he is more than a very successful shock-jockey, a guy who comes in like a whirlwind, wins big and then blows himself out after a couple of years. Can he build again like Sir Alex Ferguson did so often? Can he fix a Chelsea team that seems to be falling apart?

Mourinho has always been a front runner. When he starts to tire, he starts to tire fast and does not get back into the race. It feels as if that is what is happening here. Many interpreted his falling out with club doctor Eva Carneiro as a tell-tale sign that his focus was fading and nothing has happened since to change that view.

His situation was made to look more parlous yesterday by the fact that Chelsea appeared old, tired, lost and vulnerable next to an Everton team full of the youth, verve and resilience Mourinho’s side lacked.

He walked out of a pre-match interview yesterday when asked about Chelsea’s summer transfer target John Stones and the way the defender played yesterday, it is easy to see why it remains such a painful subject. Just as much as the perfect hat-trick from substitute Steven Naismith — a header, left-foot drive and a right-foot cross-shot — Everton’s victory was built on a sumptuous defensive performance by Stones.

He gave Chelsea’s misfiring forwards a masterclass yesterday. He did a Cruyff turn in his own box in the first half. In the second half, with Everton under pressure and Radamel Falcao threatening to pounce on a loose ball, Stones fooled the Colombian by dropping his shoulder and allowing it to run through to Tim Howard.

It was no surprise when Everton manager Roberto Martinez, who fought so hard to keep him from Chelsea’s clutches, tipped him as a future England captain after the game. It was hard to disagree.

Chelsea now have only four points from their first five games and star players like Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas look shadows of the men they were last season.

Mourinho suddenly looks powerless. His team faces Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and those who fear for him will remember that the first time he was in charge of the club, he left after a disappointing opening European game at home to Rosenborg. The omens are not good.

Chelsea had begun the game well. Eden Hazard, in particular, looked back to his best, wriggling away from Ross Barkley and James McCarthy and curling a lofted ball down the wing to Branislav Ivanovic. Everton chased shadows and gave the ball away as soon as they got it.

Chelsea, with John Obi Mikel drafted in ahead of Willian to try to provide extra solidity at the base of midfield, looked comfortable and in control. Mourinho prowled the touchline, occasionally giving a thumbs up. It seemed that order was about to be restored. Then, with their first proper attack of the afternoon, Everton scored. With just over a quarter of an hour gone, they targeted Ivanovic and it paid off.

Naismith, an early substitute for the injured Muhamed Besic, took the ball deep in Chelsea territory, turned and laid it off to Brendan Galloway, who was given time and space to cross. He hit it with curl and pace and Naismith powered it into the roof of the net.

Everton fans, still exultant about Chelsea’s failure to prise away Stones, taunted Mourinho anew. ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ they yelled.

The game was transformed. Everton looked irresistible. Seamus Coleman drilled in a cross from the right that Arouna Kone glanced goalwards. It took a brilliant diving save from Asmir Begovic, the replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois, to keep it out.

Seconds later, Begovic was in action again, diving to his right to push a stinging shot from McCarthy round the post. But he could not hold back the blue tide and, when Barkley played a short, square pass to Naismith, he lashed it low past the goalkeeper’s left from 20 yards.

Chelsea were stunned. Their vulnerability this season has taken everyone by surprise, not least them. So has their impotence in front of goal. Costa was a largely anonymous presence again here. Even in his petulant arguments with defenders and a Goodison Park ballboy, his heart does not seem to be in it.

But just as it looked as if the match was spiralling out of their control, they regained a foothold. Nemanja Matic had not scored in the Premier League since he got one in a 6-3 Chelsea win at Goodison at the start of last season.

Ten minutes before half-time, he picked up the ball 30 yards out and caressed a curling left-foot shot past Howard. It was struck so cleanly and placed so perfectly that the Everton goalkeeper had no chance.

Chelsea glimpsed salvation. Their fans were encouraged enough to poke fun at themselves and their league position. ‘We are staying up,’ they sang. The goal breathed confidence into their team, too. They forced a series of corners. John Terry stole ahead of a defender but headed a Hazard cross just over.

Chelsea continued to press for an equaliser but the Everton defence stood firm. But the game remained in the balance until the 83rd minute when some brilliant interplay between Barkley and Naismith ended with the Scot driving a shot past Begovic to seal Everton’s win. – Mail On Sunday

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1iGn0Sp

Wenge backs Walcott in striker role

Arsene Wenger is convinced Theo Walcott can become a prolific striker after the England international scored the opener in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Stoke.

|||

Arsene Wenger is convinced Theo Walcott can become a prolific striker after the England international scored the opener in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Stoke.

Olivier Giroud came off the bench to grab the Gunners' decisive second goal five minutes from time as Stoke suffered an eighth consecutive defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

But Wenger was most encouraged by the way Walcott netted his first goal of the campaign when he latched onto a long ball forward from Mesut Ozil and fired home in the 31st minute.

Despite the Gunners missing a raft of chances, Wenger was pleased with many aspects of the victory and believes Walcott, usually deployed as a winger, will benefit from the boost in confidence he will gain from playing regularly in the central striker's role.

“Theo can find little pockets of space, which he did against a very organised, compact Stoke defence,” Wenger said.

“He scored a very good goal which needed technical quality. Theo gets chances.

“I believe he can become a prolific goalscorer because every game you see how many chances he gets so the bigger belief he has that he can score then the more he will score.”

Wenger was equally delighted with his back line after a second clean sheet in a row.

“I believe we have stabilised our defence,” he said. “We did not concede against Newcastle and now Stoke, that bodes well for the future.

“The centre-halves looked very strong, (Laurent) Koscielny was outstanding, Gabriel played well and (Francis) Coquelin played very well in front of them to so we had a good triangle in the middle there.”

Arsenal now face Dynamo Zagreb in the Champions League and then struggling English champions Chelsea within a week and Wenger hinted he wouldn't use Walcott up front in both games.

“We play a game every three days and while it helps for a striker to keep playing and scoring for their confidence, you can't keep playing the same player every three days, especially up front,” he said.

The victory kept Arsenal in touch with early leaders Manchester City, but Wenger still wants his team to be sharper in front of goal.

“We are looking first to play well against Dynamo Zagreb. It is important to not lose your first game in the Champions League, then we will see what we can do against Chelsea,” he added.

“It is only five games but when you lose your first home game it was difficult to predict where will be now.

“We played the football we wanted to play and created plenty of chances. If you want to be critical you can say there was too big a difference between the amount of chances we created and the goals we scored.”

Meanwhile, Stoke manager Mark Hughes blamed the international break and transfer turmoil for his side's woeful showing.

“There has been a turnover of players, said Hughes. “It has been stop-start and that affected us.

“The international break has affected us. We had that edge taken away perhaps by the travelling, although it didn't seem to affect Arsenal too much.

“We have two home games coming up and a whole week with our players to get some good work in with the guys.”

Hughes tried to focus on the few Stoke bright spots and added: “Jack Butland once again showed what an outstanding goalkeeper he is.

“As the season progresses he may not as many opportunities to be man of the match but at the moment he has had too much to do.

“We let (Asmir) Begovic go to Chelsea because he had Jack and it was important he knew we had trust and confidence in him.

“The only other positive on the day was the reintroduction of Bojan, which I'm delighted to see him back.

“On a day of negatives they were two positives for us.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1La2BjH

Adebayor released by Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been released from his contract by mutual agreement, the Premier League club said.

|||

London - Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been released from his contract by mutual agreement, the English Premier League club said on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Togo international has not played for Spurs this season and was left out of both their Premier League and Europa League squads.

“We can confirm that we have reached a mutual agreement with Emmanuel Adebayor which will see him released from his contract with the club,” Tottenham said in a statement.

“We wish Emmanuel well for the future.”

Adebayor joined Tottenham on a loan from Manchester City in 2011 then signed a permanent deal in 2012 but has since fallen out of favour with the North London club.

Two days ago, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said he told Adebayor he has no future at the club after the forward had turned down a chance to leave in the recent transfer window.

Adebayor rejected moves to Aston Villa and West Ham United and Pochettino told reporters he was unlikely to play again.

The player has also fallen out of favour with Togo coach Tom Saintfiet, who likened him to a bad date and said recently that Adebayor had failed to respond to a call-up for an African Nations Cup qualifier. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1M4RzL6

Martial makes instant impact

Anthony Martial's transfer fee has been questioned by many pundits and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

|||

Manchester - If Anthony Martial had dared to dream about how his Manchester United debut would pan out he would probably have dismissed as idle fantasy any notion of scoring a wondergoal to down their fierce rivals Liverpool.

The footballing fates were certainly smiling on the French teenager as he danced past three flailing defenders and slotted the ball calmly into the back of the net, sending the home fans wild and prompting an ironic chorus of 'what a waste of money'.

The winger capped an excellent 3-1 victory with the moment of the match and announced his arrival to a fanbase who had been openly questioning the wisdom of spending an initial 36 million pounds ($55.54 million ) on a player who had shown little more than potential at former club Monaco.

United manager Louis van Gaal, who had come under scrutiny for sanctioning the deadline-day deal this month and had even been accused of 'panic-buying', was suitably impressed if typically understated.

“Not a bad goal I think,” he told Sky Sports. “He did alright. He scored a marvellous goal and physically he can play in the Premier League.”

Van Gaal had oddly been more impressed with United's drab first-half performance, when they dominated possession but created nothing, than their thrilling second-half display.

A goalless first half was followed by a much more determined start to the second when Daley Blind beautifully curled United into the lead from a training ground-inspired set piece and Ander Herrera doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Christian Benteke's spectacular late bicycle kick gave Liverpool faint hope their tame performance did not truly merit before the 19-year-old Martial, who had come on as a 65th-minute substitute, ended the contest with four minutes remaining.

While the end-to-end conclusion had fans on their feet, it clearly was not to Van Gaal's liking.

“We played better in the first half,” the Dutchman said. “We had far more control but we didn't create much.

“I am very happy with the first goal because that is what we practised in many training sessions and now it is coming out.

“The first goal decided the match because they had to come at us, giving us more space so we could score more.” – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1i7QqrV

Pressure mounting on Mourinho

Jose Mourinho claims he is not feeling the pressure after their shock 3-1 defeat at Everton. Their third defeat in five league games.

|||

Jose Mourinho claims he is not feeling the pressure after yesterday’s shock 3-1 defeat at Everton and insists he is still the right man to lead Chelsea.

Steven Naismith’s hat-trick left Chelsea with just four points from five games, making it their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 29 years.

The champions now trail leaders Manchester City by 11 points and Mourinho admitted: ‘The results are the worst in my career. The players are sad and frustrated. Confidence is low, we are an unhappy team.’

Chelsea have conceded 12 goals, the worst defensive record at present in the Premier League, and they conceded just three more throughout Mourinho’s title-winning campaign of 2004-05.

‘I am coping well. I am not feeling pressure. The refugees are under big pressure,’ said Mourinho.

Nevertheless, the heat is on although he insists that bad luck rather than poor form is conspiring against his struggling team. He said: ‘We don’t deserve this result. The biggest concern is that everything goes against us. We are making mistakes but we are punished immediately. ’

And he is confident things will change. ‘I am the man for the job,’ he said. ‘I don’t think there is better man who could do my job. The title? I don’t know. It’s out of our hands.’

* Four points from five games is Chelsea’s worst start to a season in 29 years.

* They have already lost three games — as many as they did in the Premier League last season.

* Last season their defence conceded 32 goals, the least in the league. This time no side have conceded more than their 12 in five games.

* No side have won the Premier League after picking up as few points in the first five games. – Mail On Sunday

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1XYVO1j