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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urges Manchester United forward to ‘make the most of his talent’
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted for Anthony Elanga, who bagged his maiden senior goal in the Premier League clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Solskjaer picked a side with youth and experience for the final matchday of the campaign, considering the club have a Europa League final against Villarreal in midweek. Elanga opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 13th minute, and it came about from a superb teasing cross from Daniel James from the left flank. Nelson Semedo levelled the scores for Wolves in the 39th minute, but before the interval, Juan Mata scored from the penalty spot in probably his farewell appearance. United held on for a 2-1 victory at the Molineux Stadium, which ensured that they went unbeaten on the road for the entire league campaign. ...
Three Things: Liverpool have nothing to crow about, Chelsea get lucky, West Ham rewarded
Another Monday morning is here, which means it is time to roll out our ‘Three Things’ column for the final time this season. Matchday 38 in the Premier League didn’t disappoint, providing us with plenty of talking points to get stuck into. Let’s get this show on the road! Liverpool have nothing to crow about Liverpool supporters often have a tenuous grip on reality, and they were at it again as their team booked a place in next season’s Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday. Plenty of Reds fans took to social media to crow about their ‘achievement’, with many of them revelling in the misfortune of former manager Brendan Rodgers whose Leicester City team missed out. Flower it up any way you want, but finishing fifth in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup is...
Pep Guardiola drops hint over Messi’s future, confirms £22.5m star is close to Barcelona move
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Sergio Aguero is close to making the switch to Barcelona on a free transfer this summer. The Argentine has been a superb performer for the Cityzens over the past decade, but he will leave them when his contract expires next month. Aguero ended his Premier League career with a sublime brace coming off the bench against Everton on Sunday. The Cityzens won by a convincing 5-0 scoreline. Following the trophy celebrations, Guardiola dropped a huge hint that Aguero will join his former club Barcelona to play alongside compatriot Lionel Messi. He told BBC Sport: “Maybe I reveal a secret. Maybe he is close to agreeing a deal for the club of my heart – for Barcelona. “He is going to be playing alongside the best player of all time, Messi. “I’m pre...
Celtic reportedly keen on terminating midfielder’s contract
According to French journalist Ignazio Genuardi, Celtic are considering reaching a mutual termination agreement with French midfielder Olivier Ntcham. Compte tenu de la situation économique, le Celtic Glasgow pourrait carrément le libérer. Il s’agit de se séparer absolument d’un gros contrat, surtout que Ntcham a vu sa cote considérablement chuter ces derniers mois. — Ignazio Genuardi (@IgnazioGenuardi) May 22, 2021 The 25-year-old has just a year left on his current deal and is currently on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Marseille. Andre Villas-Boas tendered his resignation in February after the club signed Ntcham, and both club and manager eventually parted ways a few days later. The Frenchman joined Marseille for the rest of the season with an option to buy in January, but they have decided not...
Mikel Arteta provides fresh update on Martin Odegaard’s future at Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Martin Odegaard’s future following the club’s 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion. The Gunners ended the league campaign on a positive note with five successive wins, but they still failed to qualify for European football. Odegaard ended the season with assists against Crystal Palace and Brighton, and he is now expected to return to Real Madrid. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arteta was asked whether the Gunners could re-sign Odegaard following his short-term loan deal. The Spaniard was unsure over the possibility but was hopeful that Odegaard would choose the club this summer if he leaves the Bernabeu Stadium. He told football.london: “I don’t know – it’s not in our hands. He has adapted really well to...
‘Very disappointing’, ‘Bang average’: Some Chelsea fans react to 22-year-old’s display vs Villa
A selection of Chelsea fans were unimpressed with Christian Pulisic’s performance during the club’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa today. The Blues suffered a disappointing loss in the Midlands, but they still finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League after Leicester City failed to beat Tottenham Hotspur. The front trio of Timo Werner, Mason Mount and Pulisic once again misfired in front of goal. The Blues scored just once despite managing 23 attempts. Pulisic produced the cross which contributed to Ben Chilwell’s goal in the 70th minute, but he largely struggled to make any meaningful impact in the final third. Some Blues supporters were critical of his performance, and a few of them believe he is better off when called on from the bench. Twitter reactions: This is exa...
Saint-Maximin reminds Fulham of their relegation dig at NUFC in four-word tweet
Newcastle United will be playing in the Premier League again next season after finishing the 2020-21 campaign in 12th place. The Magpies picked up 45 points, finishing 17 points above the relegation zone after an impressive run of form during the business end of the campaign. Fulham were tipped to beat Newcastle to survival earlier in the campaign, but the Craven Cottage outfit flattered to deceive and eventually finished in 18th place. The London club mocked the St. James’ Park outfit back in August 2016 following their drop to the Championship, sending this message to them on Twitter following a 1-0 loss in their opening game of the 2016-17 campaign in the second division. Welcome to the @SkyBetChamp @NUFC #FFC #COYW pic.twitter.com/MDdHewACNQ — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 5,...
Key Arsenal pair return, Chelsea star misses out, Hammers make two changes
The 38th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at the top end of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the games. Liverpool booked their place in next season’s Champions League with a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace – Sadio Mane got the goals. Chelsea ended the campaign in fourth place despite losing 2-1 at Aston Villa – Bertrand Traore and Anwar El-Ghazi were on target for the Midlands club. Leicester City missed out on the top four after crashing 4-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur – Gareth Bale (2), Harry Kane and Kasper Schmeichel (OG) were on the scoresheet for the visitors. Champions Manchester City rounded off the season with an emphatic 5-0 home victory over Everton –...
Gini Wijnaldum says goodbye as Liverpool clinch Champions League spot
Liverpool not only clinched the Champions League spot but also finished third in the Premier League table after a dramatic final day at Anfield. The Reds won 2-0 against Crystal Palace in Roy Hodgson’s last game for the club. Sadio Mane scored both goals as Liverpool booked a place for next season’s Champions League. With Leicester City losing 4-2 against Tottenham and Chelsea suffering a 2-1 loss against Aston Villa, the Reds jumped ahead of them on the final day. Mane looked to have got his mojo back (a bit too late) in front of fans at Anfield in a must-win game that also saw Gini Wijnaldum bidding farewell to the fans. The Dutchman got a great send-off and a guard of honour from his teammates, as he ends a memorable chapter of his life at Merseyside. Georginio Wijnaldum gets a gre...
Thomas Tuchel provides injury update on Edouard Mendy after Villa defeat
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has provided an injury update on goalkeeper Edouard Mendy following the club’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa. The Senegal international slammed into the frame of the goal while trying to save Bertrand Traore’s goal in the 43rd minute, and he was substituted at the interval. The Blues ended up with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Villa Park, but still qualified for the Champions League in fourth as Leicester City finished one point behind them. The Foxes were leading 2-1 against Tottenham Hotspur in the 52nd minute, but Spurs made a terrific comeback to win 4-2 at the King Power Stadium. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Tuchel revealed that Mendy has pain in his ribs, and will be assessed ahead of the Champions League final against Manchest...
‘He’s actually going’, ‘gone’ – Some Spurs fans react to what Kane’s wife’s posted on Instagram
Some Tottenham Hotspur fans are afraid they might have seen the last of Harry Kane following today’s 4-2 victory over Leicester City. The 27-year-old reportedly wants to leave at the end of the campaign as he eyes silverware and regular Champions League football, and Spurs qualifying for the inaugural Europa League conference and winning the Golden Boot would not have changed his mind. Kane and Son Heung-min and Dele Alli were locked in a warm embrace after the game, and his wife took to Instagram to react thus to the clip. Tottenham fans think that could mean goodbye, with some of them taking to Twitter to react thus: He should leave as the hero he is and win the trophies he deserves. We’ve been blessed to have him for so long! — Twiterati (@JamesSouthend) May 23, 2021 lets be really , th...
Liverpool star has reportedly told pals he fears missing out on England’s Euros squad
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson returned to training on Friday for his first proper football session since February. The 30-year-old is working his way back to full fitness after recovering from the groin surgery he had three months ago. Henderson missed most of the second half of the campaign, and the Liverpool star fears he could be omitted from England’s European Championship squad. According to The Sun, the midfielder has told close pals he is deeply concerned that his return to training may have come too late for him to make Gareth Southgate’s 26-man list. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reckons he has a chance, but Southgate may not be keen on taking someone lacking match fitness and rhythm to the Euros when other options are available. England have two friendly games scheduled aga...
