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Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Chelsea vs Manchester United
BBC Football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction for Sunday’s much-awaited Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have revived their campaign since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as the manager last month and they are unbeaten in six league games where they have picked up four wins. They are currently fifth in the league standings with 43 points, only two adrift of West Ham United, who are occupying the final Champions League spot. Up next, the capital outfit are scheduled to host Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who are second in the table with a six-point advantage over them. Stamford Bridge has not been a happy hunting ground for United over the years but the trend has recently reversed with three wins in as many competitio...
Alan Shearer excludes Everton star from his England XI at the Euros, names replacement
While Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford put in a masterclass against Liverpool last weekend and made several Team of the Week selections as a result, Premier League legend Alan Shearer would not include him in England’s starting XI at the European Championship. The 26-year-old made the former striker’s EPL TOTW too, but he does not believe that Pickford has done enough to be in goal for the Three Lions this summer, picking Burnley’s Nick Pope ahead of the Toffees star when asked who his starting XI would be if the European Championship started tomorrow and he was manager. The Everton goalkeeper has been in goal 19 times in the top-flight this season, keeping four clean sheets and conceding 25 goals. Pickford remains manager Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice despite the great threat that Robi...
Report claims how Daniel Levy and Tottenham star feel about Mourinho amid poor form
According to reports from The Independent, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy could sack Jose Mourinho if the results do not improve. Back in 2019, Levy claimed Mourinho as “one of the two best managers in the world”, along with Pep Guardiola. The report claims that Levy ‘feels more associated with him’ than any other previous managers at Spurs. In fact, he is “enchanted” by Mourinho and strongly believes that Spurs could end the season on a high. Spurs are going through a poor run of form at the moment. Back in December, the north London club were firmly in the title race, but they have now slipped to ninth in the league table. The Lilywhites have lost five out of their last six Premier League games, and Mourinho reportedly has been given a 12-days time to save his job. Earlier this w...
‘There was such history around the club’ – 10-goal star confirms turning down Villa to join Newcastle
Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has reflected on his decision to turn down Aston Villa in the summer. According to the reports, Bournemouth had accepted offers from Aston Villa and Newcastle but the player chose to join the magpies instead. Aston Villa have had an outstanding season so far and they are 8th in the league table with 36 points from 23 matches. Meanwhile, Newcastle are having to fight for their survival in the Premier League. They are 16th in the table, just three points above the drop zone. However, Wilson has claimed that he does not regret his decision to join Newcastle. He said to the Chronicle: “I stand by my decision. I made my decision at that point in time based on the facts I’d written down, and the opportunities in front of me. I stand by my decision, and...
‘He is a diamond’: Mourinho really impressed with ‘incredible’ Spurs player
Jose Mourinho has showered praise on Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dane Scarlett after he impressed in the Europa League. The exciting youngster grabbed an assist after coming off the bench. He became the first 16-year-old to assist a Europa League goal since Kylian Mbappe in December 2015 for Monaco against Spurs. 16y 337d – Aged 16 years and 337 days, Tottenham’s Dane Scarlett is the first 16-year-old to assist a Europa League goal since Kylian Mbappé in December 2015 for Monaco against Tottenham. Prospect. pic.twitter.com/sooxTEbvDg — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 24, 2021 The teenager almost scored on his debut against Ludogorets and has made one Premier League substitute appearance as well. He has been very impressive for the academy side this season, managing 20 goals in 18 matches...
‘What a player’, ‘Saved us’: Some Arsenal fans react to forward’s display vs Benfica
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter were delighted with Bukayo Saka’s performance against Benfica in the Europa League last night. The north London side went into the second leg of the last 32 with a 1-1 aggregate score and they opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after an incisive pass from Saka. Right before the interval, the Portuguese side pulled level on the night after Diogo Goncalves scored with a stunning free-kick which nullified the Gunners’ away-goal advantage. At the hour mark, Jorge Jesus’ side went ahead through Rafa Silva following a defensive blunder from Dani Ceballos, who gifted possession with a poor attempt to head the ball back to Bernd Leno. Silva rounded the goalkeeper before an easy finish. Kieran Tierney came up with his Europ...
Mikel Arteta ‘especially happy’ for one Arsenal star after comeback win vs Benfica
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was particularly relieved for midfielder Dani Ceballos following the club’s 3-2 win over Benfica in the second leg of the Europa League last 32. The Gunners made the trip to Piraeus with a 1-1 aggregate score and went one-nil ahead on the night through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 21st minute. However, Benfica pulled level right before the break with a sublime free-kick from Diogo Goncalves before Rafa Silva gave them a surprise lead at the hour mark. Both goals were directly scored after errors from Ceballos. The Spaniard’s poor attempt at a tackle gifted Benfica the chance to score from a set-piece in the 41st minute. He thereafter mistimed his attempted header back to Bernd Leno which gifted Silva with an easy finish as he rounded the goalkeeper before t...
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sends message to Dani Ceballos after Arsenal win vs Benfica
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hailed the mentality of midfielder Dani Ceballos after the club secured their progress to the last 16 of the Europa League. The Gunners won their last 32 tie against Benfica with a 4-3 aggregate win but it was far from straightforward as plenty of drama unfolded at the Karaiskaki Stadium last night. The club already had an away goal advantage after the 1-1 draw in the first leg and they took the lead in the 21st minute in Piraeus through Aubameyang. However, Benfica levelled the scores through a stunning free-kick from Diogo Goncalves in the 41st minute which found the top left corner of Bernd Leno’s net. The set-piece came about from Ceballos’ needless tackle and the Spaniard had another horror moment after the hour mark of the contest. ...
Bielsa delivers three word reaction about Leeds star’s availability against Aston Villa
Leeds United will take on Aston Villa in the Premier League clash on Saturday. Ahead of the match, Marcelo Bielsa has delivered the latest team news, and Leeds fans won’t be very happy with it. The Leeds boss has confirmed that both Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo are unavailable once again through injuries. Also, doubts remain about Mateusz Klich’s fitness. The Polish midfielder was taken off in the last match against the Saints. Bielsa has claimed that Klich is doing well at the moment, but when asked whether the midfielder would be available for the weekend clash, he replied – “I don’t know.” Robin Koch due back in training the first week of March. #lufc — Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 25, 2021 Bielsa has suggested (as per Phil Hay) that the club is not taking any risks with Phillips w...
Uruguayan striker ‘flattered’ by transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Inter Milan striker Martin Satriano has said that he is flattered by the Premier League interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. The 20-year-old joined the Nerazzurri from Uruguayan side Nacional in January 2020 and he has since featured for the club’s youth team. He has yet to make his debut for the Serie A leaders but made the bench on a few occasions during the first half of the campaign. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping tabs on the Uruguayan and, speaking to The Mail, the youngster said: “It is always flattering (the interest from the Premier League) – yes, it is a sign that I am doing things well and that I have to continue down that path. “The Premier League is the number one league in the world in terms of competition, that I think all the players want to play – I think all ...
‘Would rather have Lennon back’ – Some Celtic fans react to links with 62-yr-old manager
Celtic parted ways with Neil Lennon earlier this week and they have been linked with a host of replacements so far. The latest name linked with a move to Parkhead as a replacement for Lennon is Mick McCarthy, as per Football Insider. The former Celtic player has done an impressive job at Cardiff City, guiding them into the Championship play-off positions since taking over in January. It will be interesting to see if the Scottish giants can lure the 62-year-old away from Cardiff at the end of the season. The experienced manager will be a free agent at that point and Celtic would be able to snap him up without paying any compensation. McCarthy knows the Scottish club well from his playing days and he could prove to be a decent option for the Hoops. Celtic are in need of a major rebuild this ...
PL giants plotting West Ham raid, could offer them three players plus cash for key star
Manchester United are thought to be interested in signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice at the end of the season. According to 90min, the Red Devils are willing to sweeten the deal for the Hammers by offering them three of their fringe players in addition to cash for the 22-year-old. The players United are willing to offer are Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Phil Jones. Lingard is currently on loan at West Ham and has already made an impression with the London club. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Hammers tried to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of this season. However, it is unclear whether they would be willing to accept the players-plus-cash offer from United if it is presented in the summer. The Hammers could certainly use some depth in their squad, and the likes of ...
