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Liverpool’s Ibe commits to England

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Liverpool's Jordon Ibe has confirmed he intends to play for England if called up to the senior side.

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Liverpool's Jordon Ibe has confirmed he intends to play for England if called up to the senior side.

The winger is also eligible to play for Nigeria through his father, but has progressed through England's youth teams and made his under-21 debut for the Three Lions this month.

“It was my choice and it feels the right choice for me,” the 19-year-old told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

“I was born here and have played in the younger age groups. I want to take it up to the first team one day.”

“You want to represent your country well. Even at times when you've not got games for Liverpool, doing well with England is vital,” he added. – Reuters

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Di Maria scores for PSG

Angel Di Maria needed only four minutes to make his mark back in Europe's elite competition as Paris St Germain beat Swedish champions Malmo 2-0.

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Paris - Angel Di Maria, playing his first Champions League game since he appeared in the 2014 final with Real Madrid, needed only four minutes to make his mark back in Europe's elite competition as Paris St Germain beat Swedish champions Malmo 2-0 on Tuesday.

The colly efficient nature of their Group A win underlined the belief they are likely to advance from Group A with 10-time European champions Real with Edinson Cavani wrapping up the victory with a 61st minute header at the Parc des Princes.

Di Maria grabbed the spotlight from Zlatan Ibrahimovic who looked a little ring-rusty against his first club after his injury-blighted satart to the season.

He was replaced by Javier Pastore 15 minutes from time.

Malmo thought their moment had come in the 26th minute but Markus Rosenberg's goal was disallowed after the forward had fouled Thiago Silva.

“It's important to start with a win,” said coach Laurent Blanc.

“But in the first half we could have been more patient. At the end of the day we could have scored three or four goals.”

PSG thought they had added a third through Ezequiel Lavezzi at the end but the goal was disallowed when Cavani was adjudged to be in an offside position.

Much of the build up to the match centered on Ibrahimovic facing his boyhood side, but the Swede, who missed the last league game because of an abdominal muscle injury, for once did not take the starring role.

“It was like a dream, playing against them,” said Ibrahimovic afterwards.

But the leading role fell to Di Maria, back in the competition after his miserable season at Manchester United last year.

He showed he has what it takes to lift PSG to the next level after the French champions were knocked out in the quarter-finals in the three previous editions.

The Argentine, who left Manchester for Paris this summer, beat the offside trap to collect Marco Verratti's pass on the right flank and from the inside the box, whipped the ball into the far top corner for his first PSG goal.

Di Maria came close to doubling the tally but his long-range attempt shaved Johan Wiland's right post as PSG imposed their possessive pattern on the game.

Malmo, however, played tighter after the break but they still conceded another just after the hour when Cavani headed home after Maxwell's cross from the left had been deflected into his path by Ibrahimovic.

David Luiz, unmarked at the penalty spot, missed an opportunity to put the hammer down on the game, sending a header straight at Wiland from close range.

The visitors, however, appeared to have abandoned all hope by then and with the three points secured, Blanc substituted Di Maria, who received warm applause from the crowd, with Lavezzi coming on five minutes from time.

Di Maria and PSG travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar in their next match before he has a chance to repeat his magic against his former club when Real visit the Parc des Princes on October 21. Real started their campaign with a 4-0 win over Shakhtar on Tuesday. – Reuters

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United’s Shaw suffers double break

PSV Eindhoven fought back to claim victory against a Manchester United side who lost Luke Shaw to a leg fracture.

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Eindhoven, The Netherlands - PSV Eindhoven's Luciano Narsingh struck a second-half winner as they fought back to claim a 2-1 victory against a Manchester United side who lost Luke Shaw to a double leg fracture in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Left back Shaw was taken off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask strapped to his face after suffering the injury to his right leg in the early stages of the Group B game.

The match looked to be heading United's way and their close-season signing from PSV, Memphis Depay, reminded fans at the Philips Stadium of his prowess with a superb 41st-minute opener.

The hosts, however, caught United napping at a corner in first-half stoppage time as Hector Moreno, whose crunching tackle had forced Shaw to leave the pitch, equalised before a swift breakaway set up the 57th-minute winner.

“We are dominating the game, we are creating chances and we are not finishing. The first chance they have, the corner kick, they scored,” said United manager Louis van Gaal.

“The second goal, we were attacking and then we lose the ball in the first phase and they scored. It's fantastic for PSV but for us it is very bad.”

PSV manager Phillip Cocu told a news conference: “We displayed some good football at times but mostly we fought hard. We kept fighting after going behind, fighting to create chances.

“They play so easily, you just don't get many chances against United. But we took ours. The supporters were fantastic. Together they took us over the winning line.”

Depay welcomed

United took the game to PSV with the 21-year-old Depay, warmly welcomed back by the home supporters, and newly-signed former AS Monaco forward Anthony Martial looking dangerous in a two-pronged attack.

Depay's pass set up Martial, the world's most expensive teenager, for what should have been a tap-in from close range after seven minutes but the French youngster failed to put enough force into the effort.

Shaw's injury came after 15 minutes when a burst of acceleration put him through on goal before he was halted by Moreno's poor challenge, which went unpunished.

The match was halted for eight minutes as medics put Shaw on a stretcher and took him off the pitch.

Depay's goal was a breathtaking display of footwork, set up by fellow Dutchman Daley Blind, who was jeered throughout the game because of his previous connection to Ajax Amsterdam.

As the match went into a lengthy period of stoppage time at the end of the first half, Moreno rose to head home a corner, with Blind helping the ball into his own net.

United dominated the exchanges in the second half but were caught out by a sucker punch early on as they pressed high up the pitch.

A searching pass from Andres Guardado in midfield found Maxime Lestienne out on the left and his perfect cross eluded the visiting defence to allow Narsingh to stoop and head home.

Juan Mata should have equalised for United just after the hour mark but let a brilliant lofted pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger slip under his foot with the goal begging.

REUTERS

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De Sa hopes that Ajax learnt from last final

The stage is set for an intriguing MTN8 final when Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs do battle at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

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The stage is set for an intriguing MTN8 final when Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs do battle at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

Not only is this fixture one of the more anticipated on the football programme, not only has it produced some epic clashes down the years, but now there’s extra spice added because of Ajax’s displeasure at Chiefs’ proposal to play three home games in the Mother City.

Toss in the fact that Chiefs are defending PSL and MTN8 champions and that much-improved and highly-ambitious Ajax have an exciting squad studded with a host of top-quality young players, and all of this makes for a mouth-watering Cup final in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Ajax coach Roger de Sa is determined that his men go one better this time around.

In May, the Capetonians made it to the final of the Nedbank Cup final, only to lose on penalties to Mamelodi Sundowns. De Sa is of the opinion the experience of that loss will provide motivation ahead of Saturday’s finale against the popular Soweto club.

“I’m hoping that we’ve learnt from the last one,” said De Sa. “If so, we should be able to do better this time, and turn that last result around.

“It’s been tough journey to the final. We had to play Orlando Pirates away from home and win, and then we had a tough games against Wits home and away… we rode our luck at times – but, in football, you need a bit of luck to be successful.”

De Sa rested star teenager Rivaldo Coetzee for the weekend’s 2-1 PSL win over Polokwane City at the Cape Town Stadium, but he’s confident the Bafana Bafana man will be back, fit and raring to go on Saturday.

“I’m sure Rivaldo will be fine,” said De Sa. “We didn’t want to play him too soon after he returned slightly injured from national duty last week. So we gave him some time to rest and recover. He’ll have full training sessions this week and he’ll be okay.”

De Sa, though, admitted that, in Chiefs, they faced a really tough opponent. “Chiefs have a fantastic pedigree,” said the Ajax coach. “They certainly don’t lose too many finals… It’s won’t be easy, that’s for sure. And my players know they are in for a difficult one on Saturday. Chiefs are League and Cup champions…

“But the good thing for the Ajax youngsters is that it is their second Cup final in a very short space of time. They are looking forward to it and eager to be on the winning side.”

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Wilshere set to be sidelined for months

Arsenal's injury-prone England midfielder Jack Wilshere needs surgery on a shin injury and will be missing for about three months.

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London - Arsenal's injury-prone England midfielder Jack Wilshere needs surgery on a shin injury and will be missing for about three months, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

He has a hairline fracture of the left leg and has not played this season.

“Jack will have surgery in London in the forthcoming days. This will involve inserting a small plate in his left fibula,” the club said on their website (www.arsenal.com). “Jack is likely to be out for approximately three months.”

He will miss England's final European Championship matches next month.

Wilshere, 23, who missed the whole of the 2011-12 season through injury, managed only 14 league games last season.

It is a further blow for Arsenal, whose England striker Danny Welbeck is out for some time following knee surgery. – Reuters

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Chiefs turn to hatchet man Katsande

Kaizer Chiefs are set to deploy hatchet man Willard Katsande to lessen the impact of Ajax’s creative midfield sparks.

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Kaizer Chiefs game plan to neutralise Ajax Cape Town’s strengths in Saturday’s MTN8 final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth appears to revolve around the tackling and aggression of combative central midfielder Willard Katsande.

The Zimbabwean strongman was rested in the 4-1 victory over SuperSport United at the weekend. Katsande was on three yellow cards and, because he is such a vital cog in the team’s overall defensive organisation, Chiefs decided it wasn’t worth the risk. Another yellow card and he would have missed the Cup final.

It’s a clear sign that, on Saturday, hatchet man Katsande will be deployed to lessen the impact of Ajax’s creative midfield sparks.

Ironically, it was Ajax who initially brought Zimbabwean Katsande to South Africa, signing him from Gunners FC in 2010. He never really featured much for the Cape side, though – and Chiefs took advantage by poaching the player and turning him into one of the best holding midfielders in the PSL.

Chiefs come off a morale-boosting victory over SuperSport – and the result and performance will certainly inject a measure of confidence going into the final against Ajax.

New Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has done a superb job since taking over from Stuart Baxter. And the 48-year-old former Bafana captain certainly had to earn his salary on Saturday. Down 1-0 to a very strong SuperSport team, Komphela needed all his motivational skill and tactical nous to inspire the Soweto side’s second half fight-back.

“We interpreted the match and came up with solutions,” said Komphela. “We needed more movement, so settled things down in the dressing-room, we changed our structure, and the team then applied itself in the second half… that made all the difference.”

Katsande, too, was all praise for the work done by Komphela this season. “He’s a good coach,” said Katsande. “He’s just followed on from Stuart Baxter last season… Steve’s strength is his motivation and his ability to get the best out of the squad.”

Meanwhile, George Lebese is quickly establishing himself as a player to watch. He netted two goals in the win over SuperSport to continue his magnificent start to the season – and, no doubt, he’ll be the goal-ace Komphela will rely on on Saturday.

“George (Lebese) has a good instinct for goal,” said Komphela.

“He just keeps scoring and, to get that from a wide player, is always a positive.” - Cape Times

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Ajax turn focus to R8m payday

There’s a spirit of determination at Ajax Cape Town as they prepare to take on Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 final.

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There’s a spirit of determination and a fantastic mood of optimism at Ajax Cape Town as they prepare to take on Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 final in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon (kickoff 3pm).

At the root of this ebullience is the fact that Ajax defeated Polokwane City 2-1 in a PSL fixture over the weekend to soar to the top of the league standings, and that this is their second Cup final (this one with a winner’s cheque of R8m) in the space of a few months.

In May this year, the Cape side was defeated on penalties by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final, also in PE, which is why they are motivated to emerge on the winning side this time around.

For the win over Polokwane at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night, Ajax rested Bafana Bafana defender Rivaldo Coetzee. The teenager returned from national duty with an ankle injury and was allowed some time to rest and recover, especially with the Cup final in mind.

In addition, Coetzee is also on three yellow cards – it would have been foolish to risk him getting another against Polokwane and then have a key player suspended for such an important upcoming match.

“Against Polokwane, we were very good in the opening 15 minutes,” said Ajax assistant coach Ian Taylor. “We pressed them high, passed the ball around well, and scored great goals through Nathan Paulse and Abbubaker Mobara.

“But Polokwane are a team that never gives up, they keep coming at you. They pulled one back and then kept on attacking. As such, we dropped a little deeper…

“We brought on Erwin Isaacs in the second half, who immediately allowed us to keep shape a lot better. We had a few more opportunities to add to our score, but never finished off.”

The win, though, said Taylor, was great for morale ahead of Saturday’s final.

“It was another home win,” he said. “These are the games a team should be winning… It’s a competitive league and a team should always be trying to win its home games. It takes us top of the PSL and it’s a boost for the squad as we now focus on the cup final.

“Chiefs, though, also come off a great win (4-1 against SuperSport United) and they will have their tails up. They are a fantastic football team, they keep possession and play with a lot of patience. At the moment, it looks like George Lebese is their danger man, he’s been among the goals of late.

“But, for us, for this young squad, it’s a second cup final. After the defeat to Sundowns in May, they are more than determined to redeem themselves. This time, they want to be winners, and they are eager and hungry to achieve success.” - Cape Argus

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Cech relishing beating Chelsea, again!

Arsenal's Petr Cech is looking forward to beating Chelsea for the second time when the Gunners visit Stamford Bridge Saturday.

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Arsenal's Petr Cech is looking forward to beating Chelsea for the second time when the Gunners visit the goalkeeper's former club in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arsenal defeated the champions in the Community Shield at Wembley - the first time in 14 attempts that Arsene Wenger got the better of Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho.

The clubs sit at opposite ends of the table, with the Gunners having recovered well from their opening day league loss against West Ham United to climb to fourth place on 10 points, while Chelsea are languishing two points above the relegation zone after their latest defeat by Everton at the weekend.

“Obviously it will be new to play against Chelsea but when you start playing the game the only concern you have is 'can I play my best game and can we win?'“ Cech, who left Chelsea after losing his place in the first team to Thibaut Courtois, was quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard.

“In a way it is nice that I spent so much time there. That I know every corner of the stadium and the space, so for me there will be no surprises.”

“I have never played at Stamford Bridge in the visiting team so it will be a new experience for me,” he added.

“I go to a familiar place but most important for me will be to win the game. That's the way it goes.”

Midfielder Mesut Ozil, who joined the Gunners from Real Madrid two years ago for a club record fee that made him the most expensive German footballer in history, said he is keen to repay Wenger's faith in him with good performances.

The 26-year-old has been criticised throughout his career at Arsenal, despite winning two FA cups and having created a total of 76 chances in 2015, more than any other player in the Premier League.

He has, however, always found a staunch supporter in Wenger.

“He (Wenger) has experience and in past years you've seen him develop some top players,” Ozil told the club's website (www.arsenal.com).

“I get on really well with him and he gives me his trust. I'm thankful to him for that and to be praised by a coach like him means a lot.”

“I thank him for that through good performances on the pitch. I just want to help the team as much as possible on the pitch - that's my target,” the World Cup winner added. – Reuters

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PSV not afraid of United

PSV Eindhoven must play without fear when they launch their Champions League Group B campaign at home to Manchester United.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands - PSV Eindhoven must play without fear when they launch their Champions League Group B campaign at home to Manchester United on Tuesday, said coach Phillip Cocu.

The Dutch club are returning to the group phase of the competition for the first time in seven years.

“We have respect for each opponent but we are not scared,” Cocu told reporters on Monday. “Manchester are an absolutely top team but that doesn't mean we don't have a chance.

“We'll have to reach above our potential, that's the way you get big results. If you don't do it then it becomes a lot harder, details are very important against these sort of teams.”

PSV are without Dutch international full back Jetro Willems due to a long-term injury. Striker Adam Maher was back in training on Monday after missing the 6-0 victory over SC Cambuur at the weekend but he is deemed to be short of match fitness.

“The players must play with their hearts and keep their heads in the game too because these are the kind of matches you dream about participating in,” said Cocu.

“We are going to give everything we can. We have to ensure we leave the field at the end of the match with the feeling that we did everything we possibly could.”

PSV will be featuring in the group phase for a Dutch record 14th time. Back in 2008 they finished last in their section behind Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Olympique de Marseille. – Reuters

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Chiefs’ transport offer for CT fans

Kaizer Chiefs has cranked up support in Cape Town by offering transport from the mother city to Saturday's MTN8 final against Ajax Ct in Port Elizabeth.

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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs has cranked up support in Cape Town by offering transport from the mother city to Saturday's MTN8 final against Ajax Ct in Port Elizabeth.

Clouds of controversy have hovered over Cape Town ever since Chiefs announced they will be playing three home games this season at the iconic Cape Town stadium.

A bus trip from Johannesburg will cost R1400, while the same trip from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth will be R1100. “As Kaizer Chiefs we have been working hard with our travel agent and our bus partner (Protours) to put together some packages,” said Tracy Williams, Chiefs' Supporters Structures Manager; Retail, Branches, Supporters.

“The bus will be comfortable with soft and cosy seats and space to stretch the legs,” adds Williams. “There is on-board entertainment, showing various Kaizer Chiefs TV shows, and passengers will get a copy of the Amakhosi Magazine.” - African News Agency (ANA)

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No more excuses for City - Kompany

Despite all their recent domestic success - repeating that success in the Champions League remains elusive for Manchester City.

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It Is the itch that the new Manchester City have been unable to scratch.

Since the 2008 takeover and the heavy investment that followed, two Premier League trophies have been lifted, along with an FA Cup and a Capital One Cup.

But success in the Champions League remains elusive at the Etihad Stadium — and for captain Vincent Kompany there are no excuses in the need to improve on back-to-back, last-16 exits at the hands of Barcelona.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s European opener against last year’s beaten finalists Juventus, the Belgian declared: ‘We have to be better. It cannot be what it was in the previous years.

‘As long as we don’t perform in the Champions League as we have in the Premier League there will always be something left behind.

‘There is nobody here who left the Champions League satisfied last year. We came up against the best team in the world. That made it easier to understand but we want to beat them on a regular basis.

‘We are disappointed and frustrated from last season. We need to take that anger or desire or energy into the game.’

Kompany, whose side are in a group with Juventus, Borussia Monchengladbach and Sevilla, believes that playing Barcelona should not justify failure.

‘It is not an excuse,’ he said. ‘It is the truth. The group may be the hardest this year again but we have learned to cope with it in the last few years.’

Manager Manuel Pellegrini spent £135million in the summer on Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne, Fabian Delph and Nicolas Otamendi.

Kompany believes the squad, four points clear at the top of the Premier League, is the strongest it has been since he arrived at the club and can now challenge the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

‘Early signs would say so but experience would teach you to be careful,’ he said.

‘It was exactly what we needed. Those teams are not just the best because they have a better chance or colours, they have been working on the squad for so many years, attracting the best players.’

Kompany added that City are going into the clash against the Italians, who have yet to win in three Serie A matches, in high spirits.

‘If we are not confident after what we have done, then we will never be confident,’ he said.

City will be without Sergio Aguero, who is out with a knee injury after a poor challenge from Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.

The Argentinian striker is expected to be replaced by ex-Swansea targetman Wilfried Bony with Pellegrini reverting to a 4-2-3-1 from the 4-4-2 he deployed in London.

The Chilean, who has Spanish playmaker David Silva and winger Sterling fit again, will be unable to select teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho — who marked his debut by scoring the winner at Palace — as he is not in the Champions League squad.

Pellegrini, who added that he hopes to have Aguero back for Saturday’s visit of West Ham United, acknowledged that City need to improve in the competition but refused to look beyond tonight’s match.

‘We need to take an important step forward in Europe and I hope it can happen this year,’ he said.‘We are not thinking where we are going to arrive, we are just thinking about how to win against Juventus.’ – Daily Mail

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Henderson blow for Liverpool

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is facing an extended spell on the sidelines and has flown to the United States for treatment on a foot injury.

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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is facing an extended spell on the sidelines and has flown to the United States for treatment on a foot injury that has ruled him out of the last three games, British media reported.

The England international injured his heel in the 1-0 over Bournemouth on August 17 and has not played since.

Liverpool have struggled in his absence, picking up just one point from a run of games that included a 0-0 draw with Arsenal, a 3-0 defeat by West Ham United and Saturday's 3-1 loss to Manchester United.

The 25-year-old Henderson would visit orthopedic surgeon Dr James Cozzarelli for treatment, although he was not expected to require surgery, the reports said.

Liverpool were hopeful that Henderson would feature after the international break at the start of September but are now resigned to losing him for longer than anticipated.

However, midfielder Adam Lallana, who missed the club's last three games with a thigh injury, has returned to training and is in contention to face Norwich City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Phillpe Coutinho, who was suspended for the game against United, will likely return to the starting line-up when Liverpool travel to France to face Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday. – Reuters

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Chelsea deny Terry, Costa bust-up

Chelsea were forced to deny allegations that John Terry and Diego Costa were involved in an angry training-ground bust-up.

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Chelsea were last night forced to deny allegations that John Terry and Diego Costa were involved in an angry training-ground bust-up.

Pundit and former England international Stan Collymore claimed on radio station talkSPORT that skipper Terry and star striker Costa clashed at the club’s Cobham base.

Chelsea moved quickly to deny the allegation, and Sportsmail understands they will contact talkSPORT today.

Speaking on Sunday, Collymore said: ‘My understanding is John Terry and Diego Costa had a contretemps in training. In the context of every football training ground up and down the country that happens every day, whether it’s Manchester United, Chelsea or Scunthorpe.

‘But in the context of two very big personalities in the dressing room not winning games, that could fester and become a problem. In a harmonious (dressing room) everyone gets on, not best buddies but everyone respects each other.’

Chelsea, who face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League tomorrow, are 11 points adrift of leaders Manchester City in the Premier League, with some members of the squad already believing the gap is too wide to claw back. – Daily Mail

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LVG asks for patience with Depay

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal demanded patience for newly signed forward Memphis Depay to allow him to settle.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on Monday demanded patience for newly signed forward Memphis Depay to allow him to settle into the punishing pace of the Premier League.

“I have to be patient with Memphis and the fans also have to be patient,” Van Gaal told journalists at a press conference, a day ahead of Tuesday's Champion's League group opener against PSV Eindhoven.

“It's not easy to adapt to the high rhythm of the Premier League,” said Van Gaal, when taxed about Depay's jerky start to life at the Red Devils.

Depay - the Dutch league's top scorer with 22 goals last season – has at times strugglied since his £25 million (34m euros, $38.6m) summer transfer to Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old Dutch international's recent blip was also highlighted by the contrast with newly signed French teenager Anthony Martial's goalscoring debut against Liverpool on Saturday.

Van Gaal however pleaded with fans to be patient not only with Depay but also with Martial, hinting the Frenchman may not feature in his starting line-up.

“You can't demand from these players, 19, 20, 21 years old that they continue to be consistent. You have to accept that,” said Van Gaal.

The 19-year-old Martial, signed from Monaco on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £36 million ($55 million, 49 million euros), stepped off the bench to score United's third goal in a 3-1 win.

Pressure is mounting on Van Gaal to hand the youngster his first start, but the United manager could opt to protect the rising star and keep him on the bench.

The Dutch manager said of Martial: “The impression is good, but I can only say... the same for him as for Memphis: you have to give them more time and that's what I am asking.”

Depay told journalists that donning the United jersey “is a new experience for me and I still have to improve.”

He said it will be a “special moment” to run out against his former team-mates on Tuesday.

Depay should get a warm reception in the Philips Stadion having helped PSV to a first title win in seven years last season at the club where he played for almost a decade.

Asked whether he'll celebrate if he scored a goal against his former club – a frequent question in the recent weeks – Depay said: “I'll celebrate. I play for Manchester United now, even though I respect PSV.” – AFP

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Newcastle without a win under McClaren

Newcastle United slumped to the foot of the Premier League table after a 2-0 defeat at West Ham United.

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London - Newcastle United slumped to the foot of the Premier League table after a 2-0 defeat at West Ham United on Monday left manager Steve McClaren still seeking a first win in charge.

Dimitri Payet was Newcastle's chief tormentor, scoring early in each half to lift West Ham into the top five with three wins and two defeats from their opening five games.

If West Ham are unpredictable, Newcastle have been predictably uninspired under new boss McClaren and they offered little to excite their fans at Upton Park.

After being delayed en route because of pre-match traffic and needing to walk the last mile to the ground, Newcastle's players began slowly and went behind after nine minutes when Frenchman Payet took a pass from Mark Noble and placed a rising shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Payet, impressive since signing from Marseille during the transfer window, doubled West Ham's lead three minutes after the interval when he calmly volleyed the ball home from close range after Victor Moses struck the underside of the crossbar with a fierce drive following a counter-attack.

Newcastle, who have two points and dropped below north east rivals Sunderland because of an inferior scoring record, enjoyed plenty of possession without forcing West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph into a difficult save.

They have found the net only twice this season, the lowest total in the top four divisions, and former England manager McClaren is already under pressure to turn things around.

“I don't know what it was, whether it was the journey, late getting here, the 10-minute warm-up, but we said before no excuses, deal with it, and maybe we didn't deal with it.

“It was a big wake-up call for everybody because in this Premier League if you are not at 100 percent you get beat,” he said.

West Ham's first home win of the season after defeats by Leicester City and Bournemouth edged them up five places, six points behind leaders Manchester City, and gave manager Slaven Bilic plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

He even had the luxury of sending on injury-plagued England striker Andy Carroll in the closing stages for his first action since February.

“The second half I was very proud of the team, we were very solid,” former West Ham player Bilic, who as Croatia coach in 2007 masterminded a win over England that cost McClaren his job, told Sky Sports.

“This is proof that we are on the right way and proof we did well in the transfer window.” – Reuters

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