Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Bournemouth lining up £15million transfer for Bristol City’s Antoine Semenyo and will tempt striker with huge contract

      by

      BOURNEMOUTH are preparing a £50,000-a-week contract to tempt Antoine Semenyo from Bristol City.The Cherries are finding it hard to land players because they are near the drop zone.
      Bournemouth are pushing to sign Antoine SemenyoCredit: Rex
      But they could get Ghana forward Semenyo, 23, for £15million.
      Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil is on the hunt for attacking reinforcements with the club teetering on the edge of the relegation zone.
      And he believes Semenyo could be the man to help keep the Cherries in the Premier League come the end of the season.
      Bournemouth are yet to make any signings this month.
      Read More on Football
      They are also keen on bringing Arnaut Danjuma back from Spanish side Villarreal but they will want a guaranteed £35m deal for the Dutch dazzler they signed from the Cherries for £21m 18 monts ago.
      Former boss Scott Parker signed six players last summer, including Ryan Fredericks, Joe Rothwell, Marcus Tavernier, Marcos Senesi and Jack Stephens on loan.
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      But they couldn’t prevent the Cherries’ struggles in the league.
      Parker became the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season when the Cherries lost 9-0 to Liverpool in August.
      Most read in Football
      Bournemouth have since gone on to win just four out of 19 games. More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Spurs last season was the catalyst for title charge – this win would be most significant so far

      by

      FOOTBALL managers often talk about learning more from the agony of defeat than the glory of victory.They will tell you the most painful setbacks can inspire magnificent achievements. That the darkest hour comes just before dawn. 
      Mikel Arteta have taken Arsenal to the top of the league as we reach the halfway point of the seasonCredit: Getty
      And most of the time their words are a bloody great pile of horse manure, spoken in vain hope rather than expectation. 
      But when Arsenal capitulated at Tottenham last May – a 3-0 drubbing which eventually saw them surrender fourth place, and Champions League football, to their bitter rivals – it truly was a catalyst for this season’s title charge. 
      Mikel Arteta has frequently used memories of that night – as well as a second limp surrender at Newcastle four days later – to motivate his side for this season’s extraordinary title bid. 
      Arteta’s side had arrived for the North London Derby on the back of four straight wins and were four points clear of Spurs with three games to go. 
      Read more in football
      Victory would have sealed their return to the European elite, a draw would have kept the Gunners as white-hot favourites, but what followed was not just a costly defeat but a total embarrassment.  
      Rob Holding suffered a personal meltdown – sent off after 33 minutes for a string of cynical fouls on Son Heung-Min and Spurs rattled up a three-goal lead two minutes into the second half. 
      In public, Arteta defended his troops, laughably claiming he was ‘proud’ of them and that he could not give an honest opinion on the match for fear of a massive suspension. 
      That was supposed to lay the blame with ref Paul Tierney but it fooled nobody – Holding could have been sent off even earlier than he was and Arsenal had completely failed to show up for their biggest derby in years. 
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Antonio Conte recently claimed it was a ‘miracle’ that he led Spurs to fourth last season but in truth it was an Arsenal disaster-class which gifted them Champions League football.
      Yet today, Arsenal return to the scene of the crime at the top of the Premier League – dreaming of a first title since the Invincibles almost two decades ago and looking nailed-on certainties to finish above Tottenham for the first time in seven years.    
      But Arsenal have failed to win on their last eight visits to Spurs – at three different stadiums, the old White Hart Lane, Wembley and the new Lane – losing six of them.
      So today represents the stiffest test yet of their mettle and stamina. The Lane will be a bearpit, as it was in May, when Son produced his last great performance in a Spurs shirt before this season’s slump.  
      A fesity game last may saw Tottenham take the last Champions League place beating Arsenal 3-0 in the processCredit: AP
      Since then Arsenal have made a couple of decent signings and recalled William Saliba from a loan in France.
      But with Gabriel Jesus injured and Eddie Nketiah standing in, at least seven of those who started at Spurs last season will line up again today. 
      The true difference has been in attitude rather than personnel. 
      Last season, Arsenal were exceeding expectations by reaching fourth but then the naivety and inconsistency of youth struck them down in the final straight. 
      William Saliba has been a key player for the Gunners this seasonCredit: Getty
      This term, Arteta’s men look the real deal. In the space of eight months, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli – who all started last May – seem to have matured from youngsters with huge potential to senior men who can handle expectation. 
      Arsenal have already overcome some serious obstacles – winning their home North London Derby, pipping Liverpool in a classic and winning at Chelsea.
      Read More on The Sun
      But victory at the Lane would be the most significant to date – especially after last season’s humiliation.    
      And if Arteta speaks of that painful night providing the fuel for this title challenge, then this time you’d better believe him. More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Stats show Mikel Arteta’s incredible Arsenal turnaround following North London derby loss at Spurs as they go for title

      by

      EIGHT months ago Arsenal headed to Spurs knowing victory would mean Champions League qualification with two games to spare.What followed was a collapse of barely believable proportions as Arteta’s men were hammered 3-0 by Antonio Conte’s side.
      Mikel Arteta has the highest win percentage in the Premier League since Arsenal’s humbling defeat at Spurs last MayCredit: Getty
      Another slip up at Newcastle four days later saw the Gunners miss out on Champions League football for the sixth year running.
      The poor run of form would also make it six straight years of finishing behind Tottenham.
      One of the men who led the calls for Arteta to resign was Piers Morgan, but the Sun columnist has now admitted to making a Grand Canyon-sized mistake.
      That’s because since that infamous night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arteta has a better record across all competitions than any other Premier League manager.
      READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
      In the league, the Gunners have lost just twice since then.
      One match was the defeat at Newcastle last season and the other was a 3-1 loss to Man Utd in September.
      Their only other defeats were a 1-0 loss at home to Brighton in the EFL Cup and an ultimately insignificant 2-0 defeat by PSV in the Europa League group stage.
      Arteta’s win rate also towers above all other Premier League managers.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Mikel Arteta’s win percentage towers above the competition
      At 75 per cent, it is a full eight per cent above that of Pep Guardiola, whose Man City team are still odds-on favourites to win the title.
      Guardiola also comes in behind Erik ten Hag, who has a 71 per cent win rate since taking over at Man Utd in the summer.
      Meanwhile Conte, who bested Arteta last season, is languishing on 59 per cent, with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool having a win rate of just 52 per cent.
      Antonio Conte and Spurs have been unable to keep pace with rivals Arsenal this seasonCredit: AP More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Angry Man City stars confront ref in tunnel after Man Utd ‘JOKE’ goal with ‘Grealish, Maguire and Guardiola involved’

      by

      ANGRY Manchester City stars confronted ref Stuart Attwell in the tunnel afterwards over the “joke” goal that sparked United’s 2-1 comeback win.Jack Grealish, manager Pep Guardiola and Red Devils’ sub Harry Maguire were reportedly involved in the fall-out from Bruno Fernandes’ controversial equaliser.
      Man City players protested at the time of Bruno Fernandes’ goal and reignited their complaints in the tunnel afterwardsCredit: Rex
      Marcus Rashford proclaimed his innocence over Bruno Fernandes’ goal but City stars were sure he was interfering with playCredit: Getty

      City were furious Marcus Rashford was not ruled offside and interfering with play in a turning point for the Old Trafford derby.
      Rashford himself then completed a 2-1 Red Devils’ triumph which means leaders Arsenal will go eight points clear of City if they win at Spurs on Sunday.
      Ex-Middlesbrough Norway frontman Jan Åge Fjørtoft says City scorer Grealish was “not aggressive” in the tunnel exchange but acted “‘very disappointed’.
      And Fjørtoft described Maguire as “talking a bit” as City continued to vent their frustration.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji are thought to have been amongst the other visiting players who raged at Attwell and his assistants following the final whistle.
      Akanji later blasted the “joke” decision over Fernandes’ leveller, claiming Rashford had been “clearly offside”.
      The England striker chased Casemiro’s pass but eventually left it for Fernandes to lash home.
      But City are convinced Rashford’s actions affected the ability of centre-backs Akanji and Nathan Ake to challenge properly.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      And assistant ref Darren Cann initially flagged for offside when Fernandes’ shot went in.
      Attwell, however, allowed the goal to stand after discussing the call with Cann.
      Akanji said: “The first goal is a joke. Rashford is clearly offside so I played him offside. 
      “He runs to the last second and only stops because Bruno is coming in behind him.
      “I understand he doesn’t touch the ball but he runs for 30 metres, chasing the ball then he stops. The referee didn’t look at the situation.”
      In contrast, Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag hailed his team’s “resilience and determination” after they went third and eased memories of a 6-3 loss at the Etihad in October. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Once a Red…’ – Man Utd fans love it as Welbeck copies Rashford’s celebration after scoring against Liverpool

      by

      DANNY WELBECK has endeared himself to Manchester United fans after his celebration against Liverpool.The former Red Devils striker netted Brighton’s third goal in their 3-0 win over the Reds and then pulled out Marcus Rashford’s celebration.
      Danny Welbeck copied Marcus Rashford’s celebration when he scored against LiverpoolCredit: AFP
      Rashford had done it earlier in the day after he netted the winner against Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Welbeck pointed to his head, in the same manner, that Rashford did against Manchester City earlier in the day.
      The current United forward scored the crucial winner against the club’s other rivals.
      So when Welbeck pulled out the celebration, Manchester United supporters loved it, as one wrote: “Danny Welbeck scores against Liverpool and uses Marcus Rashford’s signature celebration.
      “Once a red, forever a red.”
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      A second commented: “Danny Welbeck has scored against Liverpool and used the Rashford celebration, what a day.
      A third tweeted: “Using the same celebration after humiliating Manchester United’s arch-rivals…”
      A fourth added: “We beat City going just one point behind them now in the table.
      “Liverpool lose 3-0 to Brighton and Welbeck celebrates using Rashford’s celebration. What a day.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      A fifth said: “Welbeck scored against our biggest rivals and did the Rashford celebration.
      “Once a red, always a red and always let em know.”
      It rounds off a successful day for the Old Trafford club as they are now third in the Premier League, just one point behind City.
      And thanks to Brighton’s win, they are ten points ahead of Liverpool. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea AGREE stunning £97m Mudryk transfer after hijacking Arsenal move as he jets in to London for medical

      by

      CHELSEA have agreed a deal worth nearly £100million to sign Ukraine star Mykhailo Mudryk.The Blues have blown Arsenal out of the water by agreeing a mega-fee with Shakhtar Donetsk.
      Chelsea have hijacked Arsenal’s bid to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Getty
      Chelsea reached a megamoney deal to sign Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Rex
      It is understood Chelsea will pay £62m up front, with up to £35m in performance-related add-ons, taking the potential total to an eye-watering £97m.
      Mudryk, 22, has agreed a seven-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge – despite previously hinting that he wanted to join Arsenal.
      The Gunners agreed personal terms with the winger but pulled out of negotiations when Shakhtar started driving the price higher amid interest from Chelsea.
      Blues officials, including director of global talent and transfers Ben Winstanley, are reported to have travelled to Turkey, where Shakhtar are holding a training camp, to thrash out a deal.
      Read More on Chelsea
      The arrival of Mudryk will take Chelsea’s spending so far in January to well over £100m.
      Defender Benoit Badiashile arrived from Monaco for £35m, while David Datro Fofana came from Molde for about £10m.
      The Blues have splashed another £10m on a loan fee for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who was sent off on his debut against Fulham in midweek.
      The new Chelsea regime’s latest splurge on players follows the record-breaking £273m they spent last summer.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Mudryk is one of the hottest properties in world football after his impressive form for Shakhtar, particularly in the Champions League where he scored three goals and made two assists in six games.
      Chelsea boss Graham Potter is said to have personally driven the deal as he seeks to arrest a slump that has left the team in mid-table and facing a real battle to qualify for the Champions League. More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City are better WITHOUT Erling Haaland, claims Hamann as Man City star’s horror stats vs Man Utd are revealed

      by

      ERLING HAALAND’s horror stats in Saturday’s defeat at Manchester United show Man City are BETTER without him.That’s the astonishing verdict of former Etihad midfielder Didi Hamann – even if the striker manages 40 goals this season.
      Erling Haaland’s match figures showed how he and Man City struggled vs Utd
      Haaland may be an out-and-out frontman but hardly touched the ball in the danger area at Old Trafford on Saturday
      Haaland had just 19 touches, including only three in the United box, and was off-target with both his two goal attempts in a 2-1 loss.
      Sub Jack Grealish headed City in front on the hour but Bruno Fernandes levelled controversially and Marcus Rashford sent Old Trafford wild by sweeping home a Red Devils’ winner.
      Pep Guardiola’s champs are now five points behind leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand against Spurs tomorrow.
      And Hamann responded by posting on social media: “Man City was a better team without Haaland, even if he scores 40 goals this season.”
      And although a few fans scoffed at the German’s opinion, many agreed that the Norway hero DOESN’T suit City’s possession-based playing style.
      One said: “True, he is a monster of a player, great goal scorer, but if he isn’t on fire City have no Plan B.
      “Having that obvious focal point in a team costs you points in the long run.”
      Another wrote: “Agreed. Very very few teams ever win tons with a singular major goalscorer. Needs to be spread around so the opposition have lots to think about.”
      Most read in Football
      One simply posted: “The way City play doesn’t suit him.”
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      It was even argued that Sir Alex Ferguson’s United eventually suffered for the same reason when Dutch master Ruud van Nistelrooy was their targetman.
      One social media user said: “Happened at United w/ van Nistelrooy in early 2000s.”
      Similar views flowed in as fans discussed whether Haaland’s brilliant finishing made up for possible flaws in his link-play.
      Such a view was: “This tactic of getting a 9 means these teams are too open and concede possession.”
      Haaland drew a blank as City remained five points behind Arsenal with a 2-1 loss at neighbours UnitedCredit: Getty More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd boss Ten Hag confirms Martial injury vs Man City but praises Rashford for ‘sacrifice’ by playing through pain

      by

      ERIK TEN HAG has confirmed that Anthony Martial picked up an injury during the derby win against Manchester City.The Manchester United forward had to make way for Antony at half-time of the match at Old Trafford.
      Anthony Martial picked up an injury against Man CityCredit: PA
      Manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the injury after the gameCredit: PA
      The Red Devils boss confirmed that the French forward had a “complaint” at half-time so he had to take him off.
      He said: “After half-time, we had to sub Martial, he had some complaints, and the game changed.”
      However, the Dutch boss was full of praise for Marcus Rashford who he revealed played through pain in order to help the side.
      He added: “Players have to be resilient.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “You get kicked in a game. It happened and it hurts but you have to keep going.
      “You have to do it to get the right result and performance.
      “Deal with the painful moment or even if it stays painful the game will go on.
      “That’s what he did today and he was rewarded for it.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS
      “In top football, you have to suffer and sacrifice to get the right result and win something.”
      Rashford spoke about his knock after the game, and he admitted that he had to “push through” the pain.
      He said: “It was just a little knock and in games like this you have to try and push through and thankfully I did that and scored the goal at the end to win the game.
      “That’s what we set out to do. That’s always the aim in every game but is a little bit special.
      “Either way we are pleased to get the three points and keep winning at Old Trafford.”
      Marcus Rashford also picked up a knock but played through the painCredit: EPA More