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Southend
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Featured post
Farah the Falcon Predicts Wrong
Farah the falcon is said to be one of the psychic animals to predict the whole matches in 2018 world cup in Russia have predicted wron...
Saturday, 15 August 2015
Manchester united can cope without De Gea - Gary Linekar
Many Manchester United fans are desperate for Louis van Gaal to keep hold of David de Gea, amid speculation the goalkeeper is set for a transfer to Real Madrid.
The Spanish shot-stopper did not want to play United’s opening match against Tottenham, according to Van Gaal, and a move is looking increasingly likely.
So far, however, United have performed well without the 24-year-old, getting two wins and two clean sheets from their opening pair of Premier League fixtures.
And this statistic further shows it’s not all doom and gloom if Madrid are successful in landing De Gea.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker alerted his Twitter followers to the fact that United have kept a clean sheet in every league game that De Gea has missed since the beginning of 2013/14 season.
'Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in every Premier League game that David de Gea has missed since the start of 2013/14 season'.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 14, 2015
Manchester United agreed a staggering £200,000-per-week contract
Manchester United had agreed a staggering £200,000-per-week contract with Sergio Ramos before the Spaniard elected to stay with Real Madrid, according to Cadena COPE.
The Red Devils were heavily linked with the centre-back earlier this summer amid claims that he’d grown unsettled at the Bernabeu.
Contract issues were widely cited as the reason behind the fall-out and led to claims that the now Real captain was desperate to join Louis van Gaal’s side.
However, Ramos has now changed his mind and all but agreed fresh teams with the La Liga giants, leaving United red-faced after a genuine push to snap him up.
And it’s now claimed by Cadena COPE that the 29-year-old was on the verge of joining the Premier League outfit, with a contract worth just over £200,000-per-week having been ‘agreed’ between the club and the player:
Atletico Bilbao annihilated Barcelona with a stunning 4-0 crushing
Barcelona's defensive frailties were once again evident as the treble winners were annihilated 4-0 by Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana on Friday, Aritz Aduriz netting a hat-trick.
Luis Enrique's men surrendered a three-goal lead against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup earlier this week before eventually winning 5-4 in extra-time, but Barca were not afforded such a dramatic escape this time around as Athletic took them apart.
Seemingly sensing Barca's jadedness from Tuesday's 120-minute ordeal, Athletic were sharp in the tackle and far quicker to the ball and, although the nature of the opening goal was by no means expected, the home side deserved to open the scoring 13 minutes in.
Mikel San Jose made the most of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's reckless dart out of his area to head clear, finding the net from 45 yards to leave the German looking stunned.
Barca appeared to produce as improvement at the start of the second half, with Tuesday's match-winner Pedro striking the crossbar, but Athletic doubled their tally almost straightaway – Aduriz heading past Ter Stegen.
Aduriz slammed home his second just after the hour mark and then rounded off a fine individual display 22 minutes from the end, sliding home a penalty to embarrass Barca and take a huge advantage into next Monday's second leg.
Despite what ultimately proved to be a disastrous day in Bilbao, Barca began the contest in typical fashion, dominating possession and getting the ball forward quickly as the European champions probed for an early breakthrough.
But, with Thomas Vermaelen starting in place of the rested Gerard Pique, Barca looked frail at the back and Ter Stegen was forced into an important stop to deny Aduriz at the near post in the 11th minute.
And just two minutes later Athletic were in front, as Ter Stegen's headed clearance from outside the area was pounced upon by San Jose just inside the Barca half and the defender smashed a flawless half-volley over the stranded goalkeeper from the centre circle.
There was no sign of that freak opener jolting Barca into life, though.
In fact, the hosts looked more likely to double their advantage and a crucial Marc Bartra tackle halted Javier Eraso nine minutes before the break, with the midfielder all set to pull the trigger in the area.
Athletic had Gorka Iraizoz to thank for ensuring their lead remained intact at the break, however, as the goalkeeper produced a wonderful flying save to tip Lionel Messi's goal-bound free-kick over.
Seemingly following a half-time dressing down from coach Luis Enrique, Barca came back out after the break with a renewed sense of urgency and should have equalised four minutes in, but Pedro's fierce drive came back off the frame of the goal.
Athletic's response was swift and devastating.
Just three minutes later, Sabin seized on a Sergi Roberto error and delivered a fine cross from the left, with Aduriz rising above Javier Mascherano to net with a trademark towering header.
Aduriz was again in the right place at the right time in the 62nd minute, as he collected Eraso's squared pass and found the bottom-left corner.
A moment of rashness from Dani Alves saw the Brazilian concede a penalty six minutes later as he bundled into his man at the back post, and Aduriz took full advantage from the spot-kick, coolly stroking past Ter Stegen.
Barca looked incapable of mounting much of a response to the onslaught and Athletic cruised to memorable victory, going some way to erasing the pain of May's 3-1 Copa del Rey final defeat to Luis Enrique's men.
Pellegrini backs Sterling for improvement at City
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes Raheem Sterling will justify his hefty price tag and improve on his goalscoring return for the Premier League contenders.
City prised Sterling to Manchester from Liverpool in a deal believed to be rising to £49million last month - making him the most expensive English player in history and the club's record signing.
Sterling produced an assured performance on debut as City defeated West Brom 3-0 in their Premier League opener on Monday, having two good opportunities to open his account at The Hawthorns.
The 20-year-old England international will undoubtedly face a greater challenge on Sunday against defending champions Chelsea, who were reportedly interested in Sterling before City completed the deal.
And Pellegrini has backed Sterling to repay the faith and transfer fee, after scoring just seven goals in 35 Premier League appearances for the Reds last term.
"It is always important for young players to play with good players. You can improve, the same way Sterling did with Luis Suarez or Steven Gerrard for Liverpool," said Pellegrini.
"Here he will play with David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure - players that will make him improve in a lot of ways. Young players always learn from important players.
"Sterling will be a very dangerous player. Maybe we were criticised for the amount we paid for him but I am sure he will demonstrate during the year, especially against the big teams, why he was valued so much.
"Last year he scored 11 in all competitions. I am sure this season he will improve."
Thursday, 13 August 2015
Aguero taking no risk for Chelsea clash
Sergio Aguero has revealed he may not be ready to start Manchester City's mouth-watering Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
The prolific striker came on as a second-half substitute when City started their top-flight campaign with a 3-0 victory at West Brom on Monday.
Argentina international Aguero returned for pre-season training late due to his participation in the Copa America and has hinted that he may have to settle for an impact role off the bench at best against the champions.
"Whether I start or not remains to be seen," the former Altetico Madrid frontman told City's official website.
"I'm trying to get there and be in top condition, but arriving for pre-season later having taken part in the Copa America with Argentina means I need some additional time.
"With the whole season in mind, what matters the most is that I get in top form and don't take any risks."
Chelsea finished eight points clear of second-placed City last season, but Aguero is expecting a more dramatic title race this time around.
"One thing you can say about the Premier League is that every year, it gets better," he added.
"Once again, many teams have made very important additions and that means there's no single rival for us this season.
"It'd be very naive to think that Chelsea will be the only team competing for the top position - there will be many of us and each one will challenge in their own style.
"We'll stay hungry for glory, we'll do our jobs, we'll win all we possibly can and see where that takes us."
Kaka included in Brazil squad
Brazil manager Dunga has named a 24-man squad for next month's friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States, with Kaka in line to make his first appearance since October last year.
The Orlando City playmaker was left out of the Copa America squad, but has a chance to add to his 89 caps when the Selecao play the two friendlies in the USA.
Also returning to the international scene are Hulk and Lucas Moura, who have been called up for the first time since Dunga took over for his second spell in charge following the 2014 World Cup.
Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho has been somewhat surprisingly omitted, while Danilo, Oscar and Luiz Gustavo all come back in after missing the Copa America with injury.
Three men – Alisson, Douglas Santos and Lucas Lima – are in line to make their Brazil debuts and talisman Neymar is included despite facing a suspension for the first two World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela in October.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Internacional), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio), Jefferson (Botafogo)
Defenders: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Miranda (Inter), Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro)
Midfielders: Elias (Corinthians), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Kaka (Orlando City), Lucas Lima (Santos), Oscar (Chelsea), Ramires (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea)
Forwards: Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Hulk (Zenit), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain), Neymar (Barcelona)
Ranieri: Leicester will not sack Vardy
Jamie Vardy's job at leicester may not be under threat, despite claims the striker racially insulted another man in a casino.
A video obtained by The Sun on Sunday allegedly shows that the 28-year-old repeatedly abusing a fellow punter in the early hours of July 26.
The England international has subsequently apologised for what he called "a regrettable error in judgement".
It is the latest race row to engulf the club after three players were sacked for their conduct on a close-season tour in Thailand, but the same fate will not befall Vardy, manager Claudio Ranieri confirmed.
When asked on Thursday if Vardy would be fired, Ranieri said: "No. It is not my matter, but he won't be.
"The situation in everything is okay, Jamie apologised to everyone, it was a mistake.
"The relationship is okay. We go on and forward. The club has said it is okay.
"Jamie has apologised and for me it is okay. Jamie does something on the pitch and then I speak with him." Soccerway reports
Chancel Mbemba clarifies age
Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba clarified his age after claims of birthdays in three different years.
The DR Congo international, signed by the Premier League club for a reported £8million in July, was alleged to be older than he is.
Mbemba said he had undergone bone tests to prove his date of birth - August 8, 1994 - after he was alleged to have been born in 1988 and 1991.
"I got bone tests done and, as me and my friends all know, the results prove what my age is. I just go out and play football, no misinformation," he told The Mirror.
"A lot has been said about my birthdate and the different ages. I proved exactly what the truth is.
"People in Africa know, me and my family, friends and anyone who knows Chancel Mbemba knows I was born on August 8th, 1994. That is all that matters.
"Sometimes in Africa when people see someone doing well they try to bring them down or harm they career. I am not that kind of person, I have my friends and family and I don't have any harmful thoughts in my heart or in my head.
"All that should matter to people is what I do on the pitch."
Mbemba, who caught the eye by wearing a tuxedo to Newcastle's clash against Southampton, said he was eager to contribute for Steve McClaren's men.
The 21-year-old started and played 90 minutes of the 2-2 draw at St James' Park.
"I want to help improve the team and improve myself. I am not one of the best players in the world, there are better," Mbemba said.
"I am learning from senior players at Newcastle who are teaching me every day on the pitch.
"It is great to be included by them. Everyone, the team and staff are working together to make progress and get up the league.
Ronaldo, Messi and Suarez nominated for UEFA award
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been named on a three-man shortlist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
Messi and Suarez helped Barca to the treble last term, while 2014 winner Ronaldo was once again prolific in a disappointing Real campaign during which they won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ronaldo scored 61 goals in all competitions to move above Alfredo Di Stefano into second in the list of all-time goalscorers for the Liga giants.
Argentina captain Messi has also won the award before, while Suarez's nomination serves as reward for a fine debut campaign at Barca in which the Uruguay striker scored 25 goals - including one in the Champions League final win over Juventus.
Five members of that beaten Juve side - Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba - missed out on the top three, but were all in the top 10 alongside Neymar and Chelsea's Eden Hazard.
A jury made up of journalists from 54 member associations will vote for the outright winner at the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on August 27.
Alongside Messi and Ronaldo, Barca's Andres Iniesta and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery have previously won the award.
Sunday, 9 August 2015
Arsenal beaten as Cech had a nightmare debut
Petr Cech endured a miserable Premier League debut for Arsenal as West Ham ended an eight-year wait for a win over their London rivals with a surprise 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Cech was billed as the player who could make the difference for Arsene Wenger's side as they attempt to be crowned champions for the first time in 12 years this season, but the former Chelsea goalkeeper was culpable for both West Ham goals on Sunday.
The Czech Republic international flapped at a Dimitri Payet free-kick to allow Cheikhou Kouyate to head home just before half-time and reacted slowly to a long-range Mauro Zarate strike after the break that doubled West Ham's lead.
There was no way back for the home side in their first top-flight game of the season, as West Ham claimed their first victory over Arsenal in 16 attempts stretching back to 2007.
While Cech was left red-faced, Slaven Bilic celebrated an unexpected three points in his first Premier League game in charge, just three days after he was criticised for fielding a weakened side as West Ham crashed out of the UEFA Europa League with a defeat against Astra.
Mathieu Debuchy made his first Premier League start since January in the absence of Hector Bellerin (thigh), while Alexis Sanchez was named among the substitutes as he builds up his fitness after inspiring Chile to Copa America glory.
West Ham midfielder Reece Oxford became the second-youngster player after Jose Baxter to start a Premier League game at the age of 16, with new signings Payet and Angelo Ogbonna also making their top-flight debuts.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal's match-winner against Chelsea in the Community Shield last weekend, let fly with a rasping volley that flashed over the crossbar 10 minutes in.
Oxlade-Chamberlain then surged down the right at full tilt and delivered a cross beyond the far post into the path of Santi Cazorla, but his cushioned volley landed on the roof of the net.
Arsenal were in the ascendancy as Aaron Ramsey's strike from just outside the penalty area looped up and struck the crossbar after deflecting off Aaron Cresswell just after the half-hour mark.
It was West Ham who were in front three minutes before half-time, though, as the usually commanding Cech had a moment to forget.
Cech came out to try and punch clear a Payet free-kick from the right, but Kouyate beat him to it and hit the back of an empty Arsenal net with a towering header.
Olivier Giroud spun and fired into the side-netting and then forced an impressive stop from Adrian as Arsenal strived for an equaliser at the start of the second half.
But the home side's task became even greater 12 minutes after the break, when Zarate turned sharply and unleashed a long-range strike that beat Cech at his near post.
Wenger sent on Sanchez after 67 minutes and teenager Oxford was given a great ovation by the travelling fans when he was replaced by Kevin Nolan 12 minutes from time.
Cazorla's long-range drive was kept out by Adrian and Giroud shot high and wide as Arsenal looked short of ideas and in need of additional firepower.
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