#and brom is the biggest ally

[dircodes18]

England World Cup Squad Betting

World Cup Betting Odds

World Cup Betting Site

England World Cup Squad Betting Odds

England World Cup Squad Betting Premier League

Gareth Southgate has announced his 23-man England World Cup Squad 2018 that includes the shock inclusion of young Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold.

Joe Hart the City keeper and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere have been left out, while Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has been recalled to the England World Cup Squad 2018. Five players are on standby, including Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana, Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, Burnley defender James Tarkowski, Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook and West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore.

The inaugural Autumn Nations Cup was introduced last year, due to the global pandemic, with England also winning this tournament. The hosts made hard work against a depleted France in the final.

This is probably the most world-class player England has on its squad, and if England can get far enough in the competition, he could well be in with a chance of winning the Golden Boot. 888sport have him as 5 th favourite, with odds of 17/1, so if you want to try some World Cup betting on an English.

Heading into the first Cricket World Cup, the Ladbrokes betting agency had the West Indies as the favourites at 9–4. This was followed by England at 11–4 with Pakistan and Australia in third and fourth respectively. East Africa was last in the betting odds at 1500–1. England have named a full strength 16 man T20 squad to take on India across the five match series that follows the Tests in March. Since the T20 World Cup will be played in India, albeit at a. 44 years ago, England hosted the first ever World Cup cricket tournament and this time around they are the favourites to finally win it. They are 2/1 (3.0) at Betway to become world champions and there are plenty of reaons why that may well happen. England top the world.

World Cup Betting Odds

England face Tunisia, Panama and Belgium in Group G during the World Cup group stage in Russia. A group which they should qualify from depending on how they do against their biggest group rivals, Belgium. Speaking after making the squad announcement, Southgate said: “I believe this is a squad we can be excited about. “It is a young group but with some really important senior players, so I feel the balance of the squad is good, both in terms of its experience, its character and also the positional balance.”

On picking the uncapped Alexander-Arnold, he added: “The first call-up for Trent Alexander-Arnold is well deserved. “When we pick young players, it’s not just because they are young, it’s because their performances deserve it.”

England World Cup Squad 2018 – Full Squad

Goalkeepers:

Jack Butland (Stoke) Jordan Pickford (Everton) Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders:

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) Gary Cahill (Chelsea) Kyle Walker (Manchester City) John Stones (Manchester City) Harry Maguire (Leicester) Kieran Trippier Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) Phil Jones (Manchester United). Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Midfielders:

Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Fabian Delph (Manchester City) Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)

Forwards:

World Cup Betting Site

England World Cup Squad Betting Odds

Jamie Vardy (Leicester) Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Harry Kane (Tottenham).

Standby: Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski (Burnley), Lewis Cook (Bournemouth), Jake Livermore (West Brom) and Adam Lallana (Liverpool)

Our England World Cup Squad 2018 was brought to you courtesy of Hollywoodbets. Did you think their should be other players included? Let us know in the comments below.

England World Cup Squad Betting Premier League

More on Best Sports Betting

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Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea target Declan Rice does NOT want Manchester United move, West Ham dealt Nketiah blow by Arsenal, Alli back in Mourinho’s plans at Tottenham

Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea target Declan Rice does NOT want Manchester United move, West Ham dealt Nketiah blow by Arsenal, Alli back in Mourinho’s plans at Tottenham

talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and biggest football gossip with the January window now open. HEADLINES Premier League done deals: Every completed transfer in the 2021 January window Man United considered bid for Kieran Trippier and Atletico Madrid defender was keen before ban West Ham in race against Newcastle and West Brom to sign Bournemouth striker Josh King Lionel Messi…

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[newslookout]

Premier League 2020/21 Matchweek 3 Review | The 2 Robbies Podcast | NBC Sports

Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle on the key stories from Matchweek 3 of the Premier League. #NBCSports #PremierLeague #The2RobbiesPodcast

(0:40) The handball problem around the league resurfacing after incidents at Crystal Palace and Tottenham (13:20) Dele Alli’s future with Spurs (18:10) Why Everton have looked so good their first three matches (25:05) Manchester City’s shambolic display against Leicester City at the Etihad (32:25) The tale of two halves for Chelsea in their 3-3 draw at West Brom (39:25) Manchester United escaping Brighton with all three points despite being outplayed by the Seagulls (46:00) Burnley 0-1 Southampton (46:40) West Ham 4-0 Wolves (47:50) Sheffield United 0-1 Leeds United

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The Premier League maintains strong and consistent reach across NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, and NBC Sports Group’s live streaming products, led by the biggest stars and most prestigious teams in the world.

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[anfieldcentral]

The Home Stretch - Analysing the Run-in |

Sunday the 21st of May. As it stands, that’s it. The final day of the 2016/17 Premier League season. For Liverpool only 9 games and 27 points remain in their hunt for Champions League football and it’s promising to be a nervy couple of months as the battle at the top of the table heats up. With the international break giving us an unwanted disruption to the Premier League season, let’s take a look at the remaining fixtures each team in contention faces when they return to Premier League action. 

Chelsea - 1st - Current Points: 69 - Remaining Games - 10 |

I’m going to keep it short and sweet in relation to Chelsea because for me, they’ve won the title and did so a long time ago. Antonio Conte has done a superb job at the London club, cleaning up Mourinho’s mess and restoring the Blues to where they should be with the quality in their squad. Their remaining 11 fixtures are admittedly not the most straight forward but given their ability to win regardless of circumstance and opponent so far this season I’d be very surprised to see them drop masses of points. The stand out fixtures are of course, a visit from Manchester City and trips to Everton and Manchester United. For Liverpool, it would be hugely beneficial if the Blues continue their good form this season and take big wins against all three of these opponents, especially the two Manchester sides. 

Spurs - 2nd - Current Points: 59 - Remaining Games - 10 |

If I were to pick one other side that I feel will not drop out of the top four, it would be Spurs. Admittedly, without Harry Kane they may struggle in coming weeks but with a favourable fixture list across their next four games, I’d be very surprised to see that happen. A London derby with Arsenal and a crunch clash against Manchester United both come within their final four league matches of the season and if they were to win both of those, it would be huge for Liverpool as like I previously said, Spurs are nailed on for the top four for me while Arsenal and United are Liverpool’s biggest direct rivals. Those two huge clashes aside, the London club’s run-in is very, very kind and if the likes of Dembele, Alderweireld, Dele Alli and Eriksen can stay fit, I’d be very surprised to see them finish lower than third. 

Manchester City - 3rd - Current Point: 57 - Remaining Games - 10 |

Pep’s men have recovered superbly from a poor mid-season blip to look one of the strongest contenders for a Champions League finish this season and they showed against Liverpool this past game week just how good they are on the front foot. If they can take 4-6 points out of the next two fixtures - clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea - then for me, they’re nailed on for one of the top four spots. Aside from these two games against the London clubs, they only have a Manchester derby to contend with when it comes to top 6 sides, while hosting the likes of Hull, Palace, Leicester and West Brom will have Guardiola licking his lips. They’re always capable of a bizarrely awful performance but I just think if they can get through their next two fixtures relatively unscathed then they’ve got too much firepower up top to slip up now. 

Liverpool FC - 4th - Current Points: 56 - Remaining Games - 9 |

9 games remain between Liverpool and Champions League football. It’s indicative of how bizarre Liverpool’s season has been that their run-in fixture list is one that the rest of the top 6 would bite your hand off for. For Klopp’s Reds however, there’s got to be an air of trepidation. Their draw against Man City ended their remarkable run of games against the rest of the top 6 for the season - 5 draws, 5 wins from 10, the best record in the league. Despite the Reds having a less than impressive record against the ‘lower’ sides in the league however, there is a positive. Klopp’s men have lost 5 games this season but haven’t lost a single match to a team placed higher than 12th at time of playing them. Of their remaining 9 fixtures, only 3 are against sides in the bottom 8 and 2 of those are at Anfield. The Reds record against the sides currently placed 7th through 12th - 11 points from 18 available - is almost as impressive as their record against those placed 1st through 6th and Klopp will definitely take heart from this. These sides are less likely to park the bus and with 5 of the fixtures at Anfield, Liverpool will back themselves to take the 3 points in the majority of their remaining games. Trips to Watford, West Brom, West Ham and Stoke aren’t going to be straight forward but take 7 points out of 12 there and win the 5 home games and Liverpool are in with more than a shout. 

Manchester United - 5th - Current Points - 52 - Remaining Games - 11 |

I mean, they’re out of sixth. That’s a positive for them. The issue for Manchester United is, every time they seem to take a step forwards, they take one backwards too. It’s not like they’re losing games - they’ve remarkably not lost since Game Week 9, that’s 18 games without a loss - but they’re not winning enough either. The Red Devils have drawn 10 games this season, 7 of those at home. Add to this the fact that if Zlatan doesn’t manage to get involved, they often don’t score - the Swede has contributed to 21 Premier League goals this season for United, that’s half of their league total. With a packed fixture list about to hit them hard and fast due to their Europa League commitments, a very tough run-in - they play Everton, City, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Southampton in their final  11 games this season - and Mourinho’s own admission that league position isn’t his highest priority, I’d be surprised to see the finish in the top four. They will however, probably win the Europa League let’s be honest, so for United fans, it won’t be all bad. 

Arsenal FC - 6th - Current Points: 50 - Remaining Games - 11 | 

Christ the wheels are falling off aren’t they? The current rift being drawn between the fanbase over Wenger In/Wenger Out is evidently emanating through the players and the Gunners look in danger of dropping right out of the Champions League race. 4 losses in their last 5 league games is their worst run in 22 years and despite a decent run-in to come, the lack of confidence and leadership in that dressing room means that run could be in danger of getting worse before it gets better. A trip to Spurs and visits from both Manchester sides make up their only real high profile fixtures left this season but visits from a resurgent Leicester and a flying Everton, accompanied by a visit to Southampton could also prove stumbling blocks. Add to that Mesut Ozil’s seeming inability to stay fit currently and a potentially serious injury to Alexis Sanchez ankle and Arsenal could be in for a real recipe for disaster. 

#Liverpool FC #LFC #Football #News #EPL #English Premier League #Opinion #Analysis #Arsenal FC #Manchester United #Manchester City #Chelsea FC #Tottenham Hotspur

[tomk4e]

Premier League Week 25 Review

The Premier League served up another intriguing match day this past weekend. There were plenty of red cards, VAR decisions and comebacks across the league. Here are some of the more interesting and important headlines to come from matchweek 25. 

Leicester City and Chelsea produce an electric second half

The first game of the weekend was a lively way to start matchday 25 in the Premier League. Third place Leicester City (49 points) hosted fourth place Chelsea (41 points) in an important game for both teams. If Leicester won they could move level on points with Manchester City in second place. Meanwhile, Chelsea could increase their stranglehold on the last Champions League place to nine points over Manchester United, Tottenham and Wolves. But by the end of the game Leicester and Chelsea were forced to split the points after a 2-2 draw.

However, based on the first half performance of both teams, a 2-2 draw seemed impossible. Leicester City had played poorly and didn’t have too many clear scoring chances. Because of this Chelsea were the stronger of the two teams in the first half, but for all their good play and dominance they couldn’t produce a goal.  

It didn’t take long for the first goal to come after the restart. Chelsea Centerback Antonio Rüdiger got on the end of Mason Mount’s free kick delivery to give the visitors a one-goal lead. Chelsea finally had a lead to match their first half dominance.

It would take Leicester just eight minutes to respond. Winger Harvey Barnes cut in from the left side and fired his shot on goal. Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero could do nothing as Barnes’s shot deflected off one of his defenders and looped over his head into the net.

Leicester would ride their momentum to take the lead just 10 minutes later. Chelsea goalkeeper Caballero was caught out of position and Leicester left-back Ben Chillwell had the simple job of passing the ball into the back of the net for the third goal in the game. With a one-goal lead, and the home fans spurring them on, Leicester chased after a third. But the Foxes couldn’t manage to extend their lead.

Instead Chelsea clawed their way back. And it was a familiar connection that brought the Blues back on level terms. Once again Rüdiger latched on to the end of a Mount delivery. This time the German defender towered over everyone in the box and superbly headed the ball into the back of the net for his and Chelsea’s second of the game. The last golden opportunity to score came to Leicester in the 77th minute. Jonny Evans had a free header from six yards out after a well worked Leicester corner, but the defender skied his header.

The superb second half was a showing of why the Premier League is one of the top leagues in the world. Even with Leicester’s dominance, Chelsea was just two set pieces away from being on level terms. A draw isn’t really what either team needed, but it certainly doesn’t hurt their Champions League qualification. Up next Leicester will travel to Wolves while Chelsea host Manchester United.

Saturday was great for teams with 10-men

There were two games on Saturday in which a team was reduced to 10 men. Bournemouth had midfielder Jefferson Lerma sent off in the 51st minute in their game against Aston Villa after the Colombian had accumulated two yellow cards. Meanwhile, Everton’s Fabian Delph was given his marching orders in the 71st minute for his second yellow card as well. However, even after losing a player, both Bournemouth and Everton won their respective games.

In Bournemouth’s game it was more of an instance of retaining their lead. The Cherries scored twice in the first half. The first in the 37th minute by Philip Billing and the second in the 44th minute by Nathan Aké. It would have likely been an easy second half for Bournemouth had Lerma not been sent off in the 51st minute. Aston Villa did score a goal in the 70th minute to make for a nervy last 20 minutes, but Bournemouth held on. After the win Bournemouth are now one point clear of the relegation zone in 17th place.

Everton’s ten-men match was played under different circumstances. Watford jumped to an early lead after a goal in the 10th minute, and then doubled their lead in the 42nd minute. Everton responded with two quickfire goals of their own in first half stoppage time. Both by centerback Yerry Mina, and both from corner kicks. Everton’s hopes of completing the comeback were put in jeopardy in the 71st minute when Delph received his second yellow card. But Theo Walcott completed the comeback after he finished an excellent counterattack in the 90th minute.

Sunday not so much

The biggest game of the weekend between Tottenham and Manchester City also saw one of the teams reduced to 10-men. The visitors Man City had left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko sent off after he received his second yellow card in the 60th minute. After that Tottenham did what teams with a man-advantage are supposed to do: take control of the game and score goals.

Up until that moment the game had been intense with plenty of controversial moments scattered throughout the first half. The first of which was in the 13th minute when VAR reviewed a possible red card tackle from Man City’s Raheem Sterling. The English winger appeared to stamp down above the ankle of Tottenham’s Dele Alli, but after the review Sterling was allowed to stay on the field.

The next flashpoint in the first half came in the 36th minute. Tottenham fullback Serge Aurier made what looked to be a clean tackle on Man City striker Sergio Agüero inside the penalty box. Despite Man City players protesting to referee Mike Dean for a penalty, play was allowed to resume. It wasn’t until two minutes later when the ball finally went out of bounds before the VAR was allowed to review the incident. When the review finally finished, Man City was awarded a penalty, and a chance to score the first goal of the game and take the lead.

İlkay Gündoğan stepped up to take the penalty, but the German had his effort stopped by Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris. However, Lloris couldn’t properly clear the ball, as the shot deflected off to his left. Man City’s Sterling rushed into the box, trying to capitalize on the loose ball. At the same time of Sterling’s advance, Lloris darted to try and smother the ball before anyone could get another effort off on goal. In the moment it looked as if Sterling had just beaten Lloris to the ball and managed to get a touch before the French goalkeeper.

There were immediate appeals from Sterling and his teammates for another penalty, while Tottenham and Lloris vehemently argued against the decision. Players on both teams were yellow carded for arguing in the immediate aftermath. Once again VAR was called into action. Except this time, after review, there would be no penalty.

After four extra minutes the first half finally ended with the game somehow still scoreless. Once again VAR dominated the headlines. However, there was an entire second half to play with the possibility of even more controversy.

The second half kicked off, and Man City continued to dominate the ball. They had nearly 78% possession to start the second half and looked like the likelier side to score. But in the 60th minute, Man City’s dominance would end. Zinchenko, who was previously booked in the scrap after Sterling’s penalty appeal, fouled Harry Winks and stopped a Tottenham counterattack. Mike Dean had no choice but the brandish Zinchenko’s second yellow card and send off the Ukranian.

Unlike Aston Villa and Watford on the previous day, Tottenham were able to capitalize on their man-advantage. Steven Bergwijn, who was making his Tottenham debut after being bought in the January transfer window from PSV Eindhoven, scored his first Premier League goal in the 63rd minute. Tottenham doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when Son Heung-Min scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season.

After the win Tottenham are now four points behind Chelsea for fourth place and the last Champions League spot. Man City still remain in second place, but the gap between them and leaders Liverpool is now an astounding 22 points.  

West Ham flounder against Brighton

This might be the season low for West Ham. The Hammers last two league defeats were to Leicester City and Liverpool, which is nothing to be surprised about based on the position of each opponent. However, West Ham did crash out of the FA Cup after they lost 1-0 at home against second division West Brom on Jan. 25. Then on Saturday, the Hammers squandered a two-goal advantage at home to Brighton. This means that West Ham has not won a game at home in all competitions in a month and are now in the relegation zone with 24 points.  

David Moyes has not managed to turn around the season since his appointment on Dec. 29 2019. In his six games in charge, Moyes has won just one game, and now West Ham have fallen into the bottom three. And this game against Brighton was a great chance to earn all three points. After this West Ham have a brutal stretch of games against Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea. Their next feasible opportunity to earn three points in a game is against Southampton which is sandwiched between Liverpool and Arsenal.  

Blunder of the week: Vicente Guaita vs. Sheffield United

There were two goalkeeping errors on Saturday. The first was when West Ham’s net-minder Lukas Fabianski punched the ball only to see his attempted clearance deflect off the back of his teammate Angelo Ogbonna and careen into the back of his own net. However, the second, by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was even worse. The Spanish goalkeeper was un-impeded when a corner was swung into his box by Sheffield United in the 58th minute. All Guaita had to do was catch the ball and assess his options for a counter attack. The only issue, he forgot the ball. Guaita tried to hide his mistake, but goal line technology wasn’t needed to make this decision. It was a goal. There was a mixture of guilt and shock on Guaita’s face, and to make it worse, that was to only goal scored in the game.

#premier league #Barclays Premier League #soccer #football #Leicester City #chelsea #Everton #bournemouth #Man City #tottenahm hotspur #west ham #crystal palace #review

[gadgetsrevv]

Manchester United in contract talks with Angel Gomes but no deal is close amid Barcelona interest

Manchester United are holding contract talks with Angel Gomes as they bid to tie down one of their most highly-rated youngsters, reports claim.

Gomes, the midfielder, made his first start for the Red Devils in Thursday’s Europa League defeat of Astana, having been in and around Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-team squad since the final months of last season.

AFP or licensors

Gomes put in a relatively subdued performance as he made his full debut against Astana

Ally McCoist pays tribute to Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen

He made two appearances off the bench last term, and featured a fair amount during pre-season, though guaranteed game time will be hard to come by as Solskjaer will struggle to trust the kids as he battles to guide United back into the top four.

And Gomes is believed to be considering his future at Old Trafford with his current contract expiring at the end of the season.

According to the Manchester Evening News, United are in talks with the 19-year-old’s representatives, though an agreement is not close to being reached.

WEAKNESS

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GREAT GAME

Leicester man Soyuncu earns incredible praise from Lineker, Carragher and Pearce

ROUND-UP

Man City break PL record in rout of Watford as Everton and Norwich both lose

battle for first

Swansea miss out on chance to go top, QPR win fourth game in a row

GAMEDAY

Newcastle v Brighton live commentary and confirmed teams with Andy Carroll involved

prolific

Aguero achieves three landmarks with Watford goal including matching Lukaku record

Goals galore

Will Man City ever beat Man United’s record for biggest win in Premier League?

frustrated

Rhian Brewster ‘nearly quit’ Liverpool last summer amid Bundesliga interest

Away days

The unwanted Premier League record Tottenham could equal against Brighton

INSIGHT

Maddison has gone from washing his manager’s car to Man United and Spurs target

THROWN AWAY

Wasteful Leeds punished by late Derby equaliser in ‘Spygate’ clash

FOXES DELIGHT

Tottenham’s travel troubles continue as Leicester win drama-filled clash

It is claimed Gomes has watched Jadon Sancho’s rapid rise to fame since leaving Man City for Borussia Dortmund with interest, and is himself courting interest from Barcelona.

Gomes, who has been with the United academy since the age of six, was earlier this year tipped to ‘set alight’ the Premier League this season, along with teenage striker Mason Greenwood.

“I think Gomes could set alight this season and do really well, he’s matured and got a lot stronger,” said Nicky Butt, Man United’s head of first-team development.

LIVE on talkSPORT

Check out all the live commentaries coming up across the talkSPORT network this week

Leicester vs Tottenham (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT

Leeds vs Derby (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2

Everton vs Sheffield United (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2

Newcastle vs Brighton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT

West Brom vs Huddersfield (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2

“Purely for the excitement and the fans I think Greenwood is going to be a real, real superstar if he keeps his feet on the ground, he’s patient and he scores the goals that he can.

“He’s both footed, he’s a big, strong, powerful kid who can score goals and he’s still very much a young boy who’s likeable.”

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#Gossip #angel gomes #Barcelona #gossip #man united #Man Utd #Manchester United #rumours #Transfer go

[mancitynoise]

The World Cup is no doubt the greatest international tournament on earth, but its impact often resonates at club level too, which leaves us facing an interesting question – which Premier League club came out smelling the rosiest from the 2018 tournament in Russia?

Of course, there can be no clear winner to such an abstract query, so Football FanCast have narrowed this analytical exercise down to four key categories based on appearances, goals scored, assists and clean sheets.

Without further ado then, here’s our guide to which Premier League club won the World Cup…

Most Represented – Tottenham, Chelsea

With such heavy influence in the England and Belgium squads, their runs to the World Cup semi-final were always going to fare well for Tottenham. In fact, during the knockout stages of the tournament alone there were an impressive 28 appearances by Lilywhites players, nine more than London rivals Chelsea managed and a telling 26 more than local enemies Arsenal.

Chiefly through Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba, Manchester United were the Premier League’s second-most represented side, the latter missing just one game and one minute of France’s seven World Cup outings, while the likes of Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young featured prominently for England too.

But quantity doesn’t always mean quality and in terms of the club that had the most representatives at the most important stage of the competition, Chelsea just about nicked it with N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud starting for France in the final – giving them an extra appearance over Liverpool, Tottenham and United who all boasted one finalist each.

Most Potent – Tottenham

Tottenham once again come up smelling the rosiest after Harry Kane walked away from the tournament with the Golden Boot, the England striker responsible for precisely half of all the north London club’s World Cup strikes. Fellow Englishmen Dele Alli and Kieran Trippier – one of the players of the tournament – both found the net as well, while Jan Vertonghen inspired Belgium’s incredible comeback against Japan with that bizarre looping header.

Their second-biggest contributor though was Heung-min Son; carrying the hopes of South Korea, the speedy forward scored against Mexico and Germany but it wasn’t enough to take them to the knockout stages.

Manchester United, meanwhile, will wonder how they’ve finished second despite Romelu Lukaku reaching the semi-finals, the Belgium star needing spectacular goals from Jesse Lingard and the unlikely source of Marcos Rojo – that stunning volley against Nigeria – to bring the Red Devils’ total up to eight. But considering the record-breaking number of goals Manchester City scored in the Premier League last season, an incredible 106, their top scorer at the World Cup was rather surprisingly a defender as England centre-back John Stones twice netted from set pieces against Panama.

The big disappointment here once again though, is Arsenal; the only player to score a World Cup goal for them was Granit Xhaka – albeit a particularly delicious trademark piledriver – in a bitter-fought Group Stage win over Serbia.

Most Creative – Chelsea

Tottenham stars may have been putting them away but it was Chelsea providing the most consistent lines of supply. No player at this World Cup registered more than two assists, but Eden Hazard notched up two for Belgium with Olivier Giroud, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Victor Moses, Willian and the much forgotten Kenneth Omeruo – still technically a Chelsea player despite spending all six years of his Stamford Bridge career out on loan – getting in on the act as well.

In comparison, only Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Trippier could do the same for Spurs, while Arsenal were once again poorly represented with just a single assist, the same amount Nacer Chadli managed on his own for West Brom and half of what Leicester City racked up. Liverpool, however, were the worst performers amongst the Premier League’s big six without a single player assisting at the tournament.

Most Resilient – Tottenham

With representatives between the sticks for France and in Belgium’s domineering backline, Tottenham were always going to do well on the clean sheets front.

Hugo Lloris was involved in three of France’s four clean sheets, benefiting greatly from the protection Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane provided in front of him, although the real star of the show here is probably Davinson Sanchez who saw just three goals go past him during the entire tournament – which also explains Arsenal’s two clean sheets, won by Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.

In contrast, Vertonghen and Alderweireld took part in just one shutout each, despite making a combined ten appearances (playoff excluded) in total.

Croatia’s run to the final earned Liverpool two clean courtesy of Dejan Lovren, twice as many as Jordan Pickford managed in six appearances, but perhaps the real surprise here is Leicester City – Harry Maguire and Kasper Schmeichel both playing huge parts in England and Denmark’s respective World Cup campaigns.

Manchester United, meanwhile, may boast the goalkeeper many regard as the best in the Premier League, but David De Gea (even with the assistance of Victor Lindelof) couldn’t see the Red Devils beat Chelsea’s four.

So, which Premier League club do you think won the World Cup? Let us know by voting below…

#FootballFanCast #News

[ultrasfcb-blog]

Garth Crooks

Garth Crooks

Garth Crooks

Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy after a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield that boosted the Terriers’ survival hopes.

Elsewhere, Arsenal hammered Burnley 5-0 in Arsene Wenger’s final home game in charge, and Olivier Giroud’s goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Stoke were relegated on Saturday after a 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace, West Brom are clinging on after a surprise 1-0 win over Spurs, while Southampton were denied three points by Everton’s 96th-minute equaliser.

But who did enough to make my Team of the Week? Read my selections and then pick your own XI.

Goalkeeper – Ben Foster (West Brom)

The way Ben Foster is playing at the moment he could make my Team of the Season.

The West Bromwich Albion player has been in blistering form under caretaker manager Darren Moore.

I don’t think I have seen anything quite like this in the Premier League before. Both goalkeeper and manager seem to be performing miracles for the team at the same time. Foster looks unbeatable and Moore seems like the coolest man on the planet in such extraordinary circumstances.

If the impossible actually happens and Albion somehow remain in the Premier League, they will have to give Darren Moore not just the job but the freedom of the town.

Did you know? Foster made five saves against Spurs; only once has he made more in a single Premier League game this season (seven v Man City in January).

Defenders – Craig Dawson, Mathias Jorgensen, Ahmed Hegazi, Antonio Rudiger

Craig Dawson: Regardless of whether West Brom stay in the Premier League, Craig Dawson must win their player of the season award.

He has been magnificent. If he’s not putting his body on the line for his team he is in the opposition’s penalty area looking to affect the game. It was Dawson who rose above everyone to get his head to the ball in the dying seconds against Spurs in a desperate attempt to score a goal.

The ensuing mayhem in Tottenham’s goalmouth allowed Livermore to get the final touch and keep West Brom’s hopes of staying in the division alive. If Southampton draw with Swansea on Tuesday I might have to find a blue and white scarf and head for Crystal Palace next Sunday!

Did you know? Dawson made 16 clearances against Spurs; no West Brom player has made more in any Premier League game this season.

Mathias Jorgensen: With two games left, Huddersfield look the most likely of those teams fighting for survival to remain in the Premier League after a hard-fought point at Manchester City of all places. The star of the show, and the biggest Terrier of all for me, was Jorgensen. The centre-back was immense. Huddersfield had to cope with the added pressure of playing the champions on the day they were about to pick up the trophy but that didn’t seem to matter in the end.

Did you know? Only Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante (79) has made more interceptions in the Premier League this season than Jorgensen (74).

Ahmed Hegazi: I’ve played in relegation battles before and they are instant cures for constipation! Not only are your nerves shredded from the sheer anxiety that the slightest mistake could cost your team and the fans everything, as a consequence very little quality football is played at all. The defenders are under even more pressure – one mistake by them could spell disaster.

That is why I was so impressed with Ahmed Hegazi against Tottenham. He battled relentlessly and kept Harry Kane and Dele Alli at bay, which is no mean feat. The gods appear to be with West Brom at the moment – I bet they’re Egyptian.

Did you know? Hegazi, who made more blocks than any other West Brom player against Spurs (two), has now blocked 35 shots in the Premier League this season, at least 11 more than any of his team-mates.

Antonio Rudiger: From the reaction of the Chelsea faithful during the match against Liverpool, I got the distinct impression Antonio Rudiger is fast becoming the darling of Stamford Bridge.

Every challenge he made was cheered and every tackle was applauded. There were even chants of “Rudi” around the ground.

Rudiger, after a difficult start, has had a superb season at Chelsea and been pivotal in their attempt to wrest a Champions League spot from Spurs. There is also something of the Ricardo Carvalho about the way he plays – and he wasn’t bad either.

Did you know? Rudiger’s 10 clearances against Liverpool was the highest such total by a Chelsea player at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League match in 2017-18. The last Blues player to make more in a Premier League game at home was Kurt Zouma v WBA in January 2016 (11).

Midfielders – Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mark Noble, N’Golo Kante

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: The first thing Roy Hodgson must do, above all else now Crystal Palace have secured their Premier League status, is sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a permanent basis.

Chelsea do not appear to have the time or inclination to develop this talent any more than they did Kevin de Bruyne or Mohamed Salah. The on-loan Chelsea midfielder didn’t just rain on Stoke City’s parade, he sunk it.

It was painful to watch. The Palace midfielder is looking more the perfect England replacement for the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with every game.

Did you know? Loftus-Cheek won more duels (14) and completed more dribbles (six) than any other player on the field during Crystal Palace’s win over Stoke City.

Mark Noble: How can West Ham fans name Marko Arnautovic their player of the season? Surely it has to be Mark Noble.

In one of the most difficult seasons West Ham have had in the Premier League, it was Noble who assured the fans when they lost their heads that with their help all would be well. He has never shirked a game, a tackle or an interview, and against Leicester – when you needed a big man to match the occasion – it was ‘Mr West Ham’ who came to the rescue and won the points.

There is only one player of the season for me at West Ham and that is Mark Noble.

Did you know? As well as scoring from his only shot of the match against Leicester, Noble attempted the most (43) and completed the joint-most (34) number of passes of all West Ham players in the game.

N’Golo Kante: He has been so good at what he does I’ve almost run out of things to say about this player. N’Golo Kante was back to his masterful self against the Champions League finalists.

If there was an interception to be made, he made it. However, what I have noticed is the growth in confidence in his overall game. He seldom gives the ball away and his passes always get to where they are intended.

Kante has won two Premier League titles with two different clubs and I dare say if he moved to Manchester United or Liverpool, the title would move there too.

Did you know? The Frenchman made eight interceptions against Liverpool, the highest of any Chelsea player in a Premier League game this season, and his joint-second highest in a single Premier League game (behind only nine v Watford for Leicester in November 2015).

Forwards – Wilfried Zaha, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nathan Redmond

Wilfried Zaha: That was another sparkling performance by Zaha against a beleaguered Stoke City.

I had the honour of presenting the Ivory Coast international with the Best of Africa team award at a prestigious ceremony in London this week. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask him would a club like Spurs interest him. A shocked Zaha went to great lengths to tell me how happy he was at Crystal Palace and how much he enjoyed working with Roy Hodgson. I think £70m should do it, and I would gladly drive him there myself.

The new Alfie Conn at White Hart Lane if ever I saw it. You can read why I think it’s time for Zaha to move on in The Crooks of the Matter below.

Did you know? While Zaha created three chances against Stoke, the most of any Palace player, only Ruben Loftus-Cheek attempted (eight) and completed (six) more dribbles than Zaha in the match (five and four respectively).

Nathan Redmond: Why oh why didn’t Nathan Redmond start against Everton? There was so much depending on this game and a team like Southampton needed pace and a goal, and Redmond had both in him.

Apart from not picking Redmond from the start, Mark Hughes seems to think that referees shouldn’t have an opinion. I’m surprised I have to tell him this but their opinion is the only one that counts. Jon Moss might have given Everton the rub of the green on two occasions but if Maya Yoshida stays on the field and Ryan Bertrand doesn’t keep the ball in play in the dying seconds, Southampton stay up.

As it stands, Hughes has already contributed to one team in red and white going down. Let’s see if he can save another.

Did you know? Redmond’s goal was his first in the Premier League this season with what was his 40th shot of this campaign.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: I think it was fitting that Arsene Wenger’s last signing as Arsenal manager should open and finish the celebrations in his last match at Emirates Stadium.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored two well-taken goals and is the sort of player that fits Wenger’s criteria perfectly.

Not all of Wenger’s signings have been completely successful or totally welcome. Who can forget the furore that accompanied Danny Welbeck’s arrival?

However, Aubameyang is in a different class. A finisher in the Nicolas Anelka league. What a wonderful note to finish on.

Did you know? Aubameyang has scored seven league goals at the Emirates this term; the most of any Arsenal player in their first seven home appearances in the Premier League.

Pick your Team of the Week

The Crooks of the matter…

Crystal Palace fans are not going to like what I am about to say but I make no apology for making the argument. It’s time Wilfried Zaha went to a big club.

I know I have gone on record in previous TOTWs and stated another season under Roy Hodgson would not hurt him, but he’s not going to win anything at Palace. He might at Spurs, and he would at Arsenal.

Both clubs have a history of fans taking mercurial talent to their hearts. The first time I ever saw Alfie Conn play in front of the Shelf at White Hart Lane I felt their rapport. Similarly at Arsenal, when Charlie George took to the stage at Highbury, the famous North Bank fans applauded in expectation and the love between the two was palpable. Zaha provokes the same emotion.

Alfie Conn (centre) celebrates scoring for Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in April 1975.

When he left for Manchester United in 2013 it was far too early for the Ivorian and the player hadn’t come to terms with his prodigious talents. He was like a young King Arthur unable to control Excalibur. But now he is coming to terms with his abilities and ready to make the move to another London club.

I raised this issue with a Palace fan recently who was horrified at the suggestion but wasn’t afraid to name his price. Every player has one, and at 25 we agreed Zaha’s clock was ticking and £70m should do it.

Admittedly, the player doesn’t score a lot of goals but he wreaks absolute pandemonium in the opposition’s ranks.

I will always be an Arsenal fan – Wenger

Some Spurs fans will wonder why I have mentioned Arsenal at all. Well the Gunners have forged a link with Palace players over the years. I can remember Kenny Sansom and Peter Nicholas leaving Selhurst Park for that part of north London in the ’80s, followed by Ian Wright a decade later. All had amazing careers at the club, and I can see Zaha having a similar effect, particularly now the Gunners have lost the services of Alexis Sanchez.

That said, Arsenal – with the imminent departure of Arsene Wenger – are in a state of flux and need reassembling.

Tottenham, on the other hand, lack a cutting edge, not to mention a winning mentality, and need to win something quickly. So does Zaha. They have a new stadium to fill and require a new Alfie Conn to entertain them.

I think Zaha’s the man.

BBC Sport – Football ultras_FC_Barcelona

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[365footballorg-blog]

Who joins 'Mr West Ham' in Garth's Team of the Week?

Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy after a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield that boosted the Terriers’ survival hopes.

Elsewhere, Arsenal hammered Burnley 5-0 in Arsene Wenger’s final home game in charge, and Olivier Giroud’s goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Stoke were relegated on Saturday after a 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace, West Brom are clinging on after a surprise 1-0 win over Spurs, while Southampton were denied three points by Everton’s 96th-minute equaliser.

But who did enough to make my Team of the Week? Read my selections and then pick your own XI.

<!–

Goalkeeper – Ben Foster (West Brom)

<!–

The way Ben Foster is playing at the moment he could make my Team of the Season.

The West Bromwich Albion player has been in blistering form under caretaker manager Darren Moore.

I don’t think I have seen anything quite like this in the Premier League before. Both goalkeeper and manager seem to be performing miracles for the team at the same time. Foster looks unbeatable and Moore seems like the coolest man on the planet in such extraordinary circumstances.

If the impossible actually happens and Albion somehow remain in the Premier League, they will have to give Darren Moore not just the job but the freedom of the town.

Did you know? Foster made five saves against Spurs; only once has he made more in a single Premier League game this season (seven v Man City in January).

Defenders – Craig Dawson, Mathias Jorgensen, Ahmed Hegazi, Antonio Rudiger

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Craig Dawson: Regardless of whether West Brom stay in the Premier League, Craig Dawson must win their player of the season award.

He has been magnificent. If he’s not putting his body on the line for his team he is in the opposition’s penalty area looking to affect the game. It was Dawson who rose above everyone to get his head to the ball in the dying seconds against Spurs in a desperate attempt to score a goal.

The ensuing mayhem in Tottenham’s goalmouth allowed Livermore to get the final touch and keep West Brom’s hopes of staying in the division alive. If Southampton draw with Swansea on Tuesday I might have to find a blue and white scarf and head for Crystal Palace next Sunday!

Did you know? Dawson made 16 clearances against Spurs; no West Brom player has made more in any Premier League game this season.

Mathias Jorgensen: With two games left, Huddersfield look the most likely of those teams fighting for survival to remain in the Premier League after a hard-fought point at Manchester City of all places. The star of the show, and the biggest Terrier of all for me, was Jorgensen. The centre-back was immense. Huddersfield had to cope with the added pressure of playing the champions on the day they were about to pick up the trophy but that didn’t seem to matter in the end.

Did you know? Only Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante (79) has made more interceptions in the Premier League this season than Jorgensen (74).

Ahmed Hegazi: I’ve played in relegation battles before and they are instant cures for constipation! Not only are your nerves shredded from the sheer anxiety that the slightest mistake could cost your team and the fans everything, as a consequence very little quality football is played at all. The defenders are under even more pressure – one mistake by them could spell disaster.

That is why I was so impressed with Ahmed Hegazi against Tottenham. He battled relentlessly and kept Harry Kane and Dele Alli at bay, which is no mean feat. The gods appear to be with West Brom at the moment – I bet they’re Egyptian.

Did you know? Hegazi, who made more blocks than any other West Brom player against Spurs (two), has now blocked 35 shots in the Premier League this season, at least 11 more than any of his team-mates.

Antonio Rudiger: From the reaction of the Chelsea faithful during the match against Liverpool, I got the distinct impression Antonio Rudiger is fast becoming the darling of Stamford Bridge.

Every challenge he made was cheered and every tackle was applauded. There were even chants of “Rudi” around the ground.

Rudiger, after a difficult start, has had a superb season at Chelsea and been pivotal in their attempt to wrest a Champions League spot from Spurs. There is also something of the Ricardo Carvalho about the way he plays – and he wasn’t bad either.

Did you know? Rudiger’s 10 clearances against Liverpool was the highest such total by a Chelsea player at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League match in 2017-18. The last Blues player to make more in a Premier League game at home was Kurt Zouma v WBA in January 2016 (11).

Midfielders – Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mark Noble, N’Golo Kante

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Ruben Loftus-Cheek: The first thing Roy Hodgson must do, above all else now Crystal Palace have secured their Premier League status, is sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a permanent basis.

Chelsea do not appear to have the time or inclination to develop this talent any more than they did Kevin de Bruyne or Mohamed Salah. The on-loan Chelsea midfielder didn’t just rain on Stoke City’s parade, he sunk it.

It was painful to watch. The Palace midfielder is looking more the perfect England replacement for the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with every game.

Did you know? Loftus-Cheek won more duels (14) and completed more dribbles (six) than any other player on the field during Crystal Palace’s win over Stoke City.

Mark Noble: How can West Ham fans name Marko Arnautovic their player of the season? Surely it has to be Mark Noble.

In one of the most difficult seasons West Ham have had in the Premier League, it was Noble who assured the fans when they lost their heads that with their help all would be well. He has never shirked a game, a tackle or an interview, and against Leicester – when you needed a big man to match the occasion – it was ‘Mr West Ham’ who came to the rescue and won the points.

There is only one player of the season for me at West Ham and that is Mark Noble.

Did you know? As well as scoring from his only shot of the match against Leicester, Noble attempted the most (43) and completed the joint-most (34) number of passes of all West Ham players in the game.

N’Golo Kante: He has been so good at what he does I’ve almost run out of things to say about this player. N’Golo Kante was back to his masterful self against the Champions League finalists.

If there was an interception to be made, he made it. However, what I have noticed is the growth in confidence in his overall game. He seldom gives the ball away and his passes always get to where they are intended.

Kante has won two Premier League titles with two different clubs and I dare say if he moved to Manchester United or Liverpool, the title would move there too.

Did you know? The Frenchman made eight interceptions against Liverpool, the highest of any Chelsea player in a Premier League game this season, and his joint-second highest in a single Premier League game (behind only nine v Watford for Leicester in November 2015).

Forwards – Wilfried Zaha, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nathan Redmond

<!–

Wilfried Zaha: That was another sparkling performance by Zaha against a beleaguered Stoke City.

I had the honour of presenting the Ivory Coast international with the Best of Africa team award at a prestigious ceremony in London this week. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask him would a club like Spurs interest him. A shocked Zaha went to great lengths to tell me how happy he was at Crystal Palace and how much he enjoyed working with Roy Hodgson. I think £70m should do it, and I would gladly drive him there myself.

The new Alfie Conn at White Hart Lane if ever I saw it. You can read why I think it’s time for Zaha to move on in The Crooks of the Matter below.

Did you know? While Zaha created three chances against Stoke, the most of any Palace player, only Ruben Loftus-Cheek attempted (eight) and completed (six) more dribbles than Zaha in the match (five and four respectively).

Nathan Redmond: Why oh why didn’t Nathan Redmond start against Everton? There was so much depending on this game and a team like Southampton needed pace and a goal, and Redmond had both in him.

Apart from not picking Redmond from the start, Mark Hughes seems to think that referees shouldn’t have an opinion. I’m surprised I have to tell him this but their opinion is the only one that counts. Jon Moss might have given Everton the rub of the green on two occasions but if Maya Yoshida stays on the field and Ryan Bertrand doesn’t keep the ball in play in the dying seconds, Southampton stay up.

As it stands, Hughes has already contributed to one team in red and white going down. Let’s see if he can save another.

Did you know? Redmond’s goal was his first in the Premier League this season with what was his 40th shot of this campaign.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: I think it was fitting that Arsene Wenger’s last signing as Arsenal manager should open and finish the celebrations in his last match at Emirates Stadium.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored two well-taken goals and is the sort of player that fits Wenger’s criteria perfectly.

Not all of Wenger’s signings have been completely successful or totally welcome. Who can forget the furore that accompanied Danny Welbeck’s arrival?

However, Aubameyang is in a different class. A finisher in the Nicolas Anelka league. What a wonderful note to finish on.

Did you know? Aubameyang has scored seven league goals at the Emirates this term; the most of any Arsenal player in their first seven home appearances in the Premier League.

Pick your Team of the Week

Pick your Team of the Week

Pick your XI from our list and share with your friends.

Select FormationConfirm Team

The Crooks of the matter…

Crystal Palace fans are not going to like what I am about to say but I make no apology for making the argument. It’s time Wilfried Zaha went to a big club.

I know I have gone on record in previous TOTWs and stated another season under Roy Hodgson would not hurt him, but he’s not going to win anything at Palace. He might at Spurs, and he would at Arsenal.

Both clubs have a history of fans taking mercurial talent to their hearts. The first time I ever saw Alfie Conn play in front of the Shelf at White Hart Lane I felt their rapport. Similarly at Arsenal, when Charlie George took to the stage at Highbury, the famous North Bank fans applauded in expectation and the love between the two was palpable. Zaha provokes the same emotion.

<!–

When he left for Manchester United in 2013 it was far too early for the Ivorian and the player hadn’t come to terms with his prodigious talents. He was like a young King Arthur unable to control Excalibur. But now he is coming to terms with his abilities and ready to make the move to another London club.

I raised this issue with a Palace fan recently who was horrified at the suggestion but wasn’t afraid to name his price. Every player has one, and at 25 we agreed Zaha’s clock was ticking and £70m should do it.

Admittedly, the player doesn’t score a lot of goals but he wreaks absolute pandemonium in the opposition’s ranks.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Burnley in Europe but who needs what to follow them[1]

Palace and Stoke – how one stayed up and one went down[2]

Some Spurs fans will wonder why I have mentioned Arsenal at all. Well the Gunners have forged a link with Palace players over the years. I can remember Kenny Sansom and Peter Nicholas leaving Selhurst Park for that part of north London in the ’80s, followed by Ian Wright a decade later. All had amazing careers at the club, and I can see Zaha having a similar effect, particularly now the Gunners have lost the services of Alexis Sanchez.

That said, Arsenal – with the imminent departure of Arsene Wenger – are in a state of flux and need reassembling.

Tottenham, on the other hand, lack a cutting edge, not to mention a winning mentality, and need to win something quickly. So does Zaha. They have a new stadium to fill and require a new Alfie Conn to entertain them.

I think Zaha’s the man.

References

^ Burnley in Europe but who needs what to follow them (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Palace and Stoke – how one stayed up and one went down (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

Who joins 'Mr West Ham' in Garth's Team of the Week? was originally published on 365 Football

#&039Mr #Garth&039s #Ham&039 #joins #team #week #West

[apsbicepstraining]

Premier League: 10 talking degrees from the weekend’s activity

Spurs midfield is finally firing, Jurgen Klopps difficulties are all on the lurch, Jordan Amavi needs work and Manuel Lanzini isnt back off to the desert

1) The Spurs midfield is purring

Welcome, Mousa DembA( c) lA( c ), we were starting to fear you would not show up. But here you are now, bossing Premier League midfields with skill, dominance and the assertiveness that, frustratingly, you evidenced only in bursts until very recently. Three aims in three tournaments going into the north London derby and then a towering man-of-the-match recital at Arsenal, in a midfield in which Eric Dier and Dele Alli were also splendid, and all at the end of a merciless move of three competitors in six eras. Stop this up and yes, that means ruinous injuries as well as the late-season plunges from which Mauricio Pochettino teams tend to stand and a top-four finish ogles well within Spurs reach. Paul Doyle

Match report: Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham Spurs heavy press forces Wenger to go against the grain Recovery sees Wenger days passage need not be an adversary Tom Jenkins excellent images from the Emirates

2) Cool hand Lingard obtains compas after recovery

After 52 minutes of Manchester Uniteds 2-0 winning over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford Jesse Lingard eventually enrolled dreamland, tallying a entry first-team aim that has been 15 times in the making. It was pure merriment. My mum was here, my brother, daddy and lover, so they are really proud of me. Since I was seven, I have been here, he said. It was a joyous instant for me in my career. A enormous believe. My lineage are all United love extremely. Lingard has shown real intestines to return from the serious knee hurt he suffered in last seasons opener against Swansea City. That came as 24 instants and governed him out until 14 February, by which season he was on lend at Derby County. It was hard-boiled, the 22 -year-old said. But that is in the past. Now I want to move on from that. Hopefully I will try and get a regular residence in the team and are coherent in my renditions. To do so Lingard will have to keep the APS2 5m signing Memphis Depay out of the side. He has done so in the last two games, and the coolness displayed when finishing beyond Boaz Myhill from 20 yards hinted he feels he belongs in the United XI. As Lingard said: Of late I have been rash with my terminate but to be formed in such situations is good and I am glad it get in. I have been doing it since I was in the modesties so I am glad it comes down off. Jamie Jackson

Match report: Manchester United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Jesse Lingard scroll Manchester United onward in their win over West Brom. Picture: AFP/ Getty Images

3) Shaqiri is experiencing his rhythm

Following Stokes 1-0 succes over Chelsea on Saturday, Mark Hughes was speedy to accept that his squads prevail has not been able to be the storey in sports pages and news reports. That is inescapable when the champs have lost for the seventh time in 12 league competitions and Hughes, having played for Chelsea himself, knew the score. However, it was unable to for Hughes not to reflect on the implementation of its of Xherdan Shaqiri after he had twisted and grown Chelseas left-back Baba Rahman and played a key role in the multitudes acquiring objective. Hughes was in no doubt it had been the Swiss midfielders good display for Stoke since he arrived from Internazionale in August. It was important that we got him on the ball and we encouraged the guys to give him more give because on occasions we havent caused him the opportunity to show what he can do, said Hughes. He asked the ball and shown what he is capable of. As he gets stronger and gets to understand the Premier League better, the more impact he will have. Shaqiri was a charmed to watch at the weekend and, devoted he has only recently arrived from a different country via lengthy discussions, it is something of a bombshell that he has decided so quickly. Stoke are the Premier Leagues joint-lowest scorers with 10 objectives in 12 fixtures but with the 24 -year-old playing in a deep attacking course alongside two other creative aptitudes in Bojan and Marko Arnautovic, they should at least become more exciting to watch this season. Sachin Nakrani

Absent Mourinho would have investigated crusade from musicians Chelsea dismiss Stoke stewards claims of clash with Costa

4) Liverpool confidence a work in progress

JA1/ 4rgen Klopp was at anguishes to emphasize his disappointment was not sent at those Liverpool advocates who left Anfield in the aftermath of Scott Danns 82 nd time win for Crystal Palace, but that the exodus he said “d left” him appearing somewhat alone underlined the facts of the case that his attempts to restore faith in this unit are a matter of work in progress. Liverpool, he contended, have a duty to ensure devotees stand pasted to the game until the final whistling but there was a lack of conviction about their play at the start and finish of Sundays defeat. Christian Benteke and Emre Can both strove Thursdays 5,000 -mile round trip to Kazan offers mitigation, in fairness and the sides recent defensive improvement vanished when Yohan Cabaye cleaned over the corner for Danns late win. Klopps biggest problem against Palace was on the slope , not off it. Andy Hunter

Match report: Liverpool 1-2 Crystal Palace Klopp: I experienced jolly alone when Liverpool followers were leaving

5) Hornets short of sting at Leicester

Watfords defeat against Leicester City has showed that reigning self-possession means nothing without an end product. Quique SA! nchez Floress side formed an excellent fortune in the 20 th time, when Odion Ighalos shot stumbled the berth, but Leicester mainly contained their menace and Watfords manager was not glad with the method his participates expended the ball in the final one-third. We had 60% of the belonging, Flores said. “Its good” but with these statistics we didnt win, so we need to think about it. Leicester had 40% of possession. It is because they are running. They want to run. They desire it. They are used to running when we have the ball. While Flores was joyous with his crews overall achievement, he are recognizing that they needed more conviction in strike. Jacob Steinberg

Ranieri accolades Mahrez for knack Vardy account probability Match report: Leicester City 2-1 Watford

Odion Ighalo is kept in check by the Leicester City champion Robert Huth. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/ Getty Images

6) Amavi a wonder but simply in attack

If RA( c) mi Gardes firstly lineup is a sign of things to come, the Ligue 1 quartet that Tim Sherwood was speedy to abandon are going to have a big portion to play in Aston Villas survival duty. In reality, we could even envision another Frenchman, the lesser-spotted Charles NZogbia, strutting his trash for Villa again adjudicating by the fact that Garde decided it was time for the winger to thaw out after five months in the deep freeze under Sherwood. Jordan Veretout, becoming his first appearance in more than a month, affected in midfield against City and Idrissa Gana was industrious alongside him. For Jordan Ayew, who had his task cut out trying to reach much thought against Vincent Kompany and NicolA! s Otamendi, it was not such a productive afternoon but there have been some promising signalings of late. Then we are to Jordan Amavi, and where do you start with a left-back who seems so impressive going forward and such a indebtednes defensively? Amavi is a joy to watch with the dance at his feet and more than capable of skipping past antagonists something he did on more than one moment in the first half against City but for all Sherwoods mistakes and peculiar pick decisions at times this season, it is easy to see why Gardes predecessor find the APS7. 7m signing from Nice was too big a risk without the dance( that is not to say that Kieran Richardson was the answer ). City soon got wise to the fact that there was a weakness to employ on the Villa left and JA( c) sus Navas, an early substitute for the injured Wilfried Bony, had a field day. This is not to suggest that Amavi is a poverty-stricken actor and should be left out but Garde and his staff need to invest some time working on the defensive side of the 21 -year-olds game, otherwise all that promise moving forward will weigh for little. Stuart James

Match report: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester City

7) Argentinas misplaced pearl consider this to be hes here to stay

One thing is certain. Manuel Lanzini is not going back to the desert. He is too young. He is extremely good. West Ham require him. Partly because they know everyone else is going to want him now. The text is that talks are already under way with the UAEs Arabian Gulf League club Al Jazira, and presumably those talks have opened with the question: how on clay did you persuade a( then) 21 -year-old Argentinian with this much ability to sign for the UAEs Arabian Gulf League club Al Jazira. Lanzini scored his third Premier League purpose against Everton on Saturday, producing a finish that was both fantastic and brilliantly crafted. Either line-up of which he was impressively busy, West Hams most perceptive existence in an often cagey competition. Slaven Bilic will hope Dmitri Payet and Enner Valencia recover from harm by the time the international infringe goals. If not, Lanzinis worth to West Ham seems set to take another incremental leaping upwards. Perhaps he might even succeed in relating effectively with Andy Carroll, eight inches taller and pretty much the opposite extreme when it comes to the method and trajectory of assaulting football. Carroll flowed a lot, “havent had” films on target and realise precisely 10 successful proceeds over 86 minutes on the tar against Everton. He remains a wonderful header of the ball. His objection as he returns to full fitness is to learn to link effectively with West Hams more delicate criticizing motifs. Either acces it is a mark of how sparse young English criticizing aptitude is right now that Ross Barkley, predominantly anonymous at Upton Park, should be so begrudged, when Argentinian football is unable to mostly forget down the back of the sofa a participate as good as Lanzini. Barney Ronay

Stones and Deulofeu shine in Evertons draw at West Ham

West Hams Manuel Lanzini celebrates tallying his squads point against Everton. Photograph: Ian Walton/ Getty Images

8) Monk needs greater persuasivenes in depth

Where has it all gone wrong for Garry Monk? Just one acquire since August are normally spell danger for most Premier League administrators but while Swanseas slide down the table will not be viewed favourably by the Liberty Stadium hierarchy, Monk is certainly be given time to turn things around. Nonetheless, with leading player like Jefferson Montero, Jonjo Shelvey and BafA( c) timbi Gomis failing to live up to the standards they prepare earlier in the season, the manager will be scratching his head over how to find a solution. A shortfall of alternatives appears to be one major factor, with eight of the team who started Saturdays defeat to Norwich having featured in every single tournament play this season. In particular, noting a reliable understudy for Gomis must be a priority given the Portugal striker A% 0ders battles to establish himself since his summertime be removed from Braga, while Wayne Routledges lack of structure is also a matter of concern. The decision to allow Nathan Dyer to meet Leicester on a season-long loan also emerges hurried payed Swanseas difficulties developing risks and Monk will be hoping he is allowed to dip into the transport grocery in January to address that shortfall. The officer Ashley Williams has called for harmony in the wake of their fifth defeat in eight and with Bournemouth up next at home after the international crack, they have a perfect given an opportunity to set some daylight between them and the relegation lieu. Ed Aarons

Neils counterattacking plan key to Norwich triumph

9) Van Dijk shows north-east what its missing

Virgil Van Dijk epitomises both Southamptons smart recruitment plan and Sunderlands drawbacks in the assign sell. Not for the first time this season, the 24 -year-old Dutch centre-half amazed for Ronald Koemans side. Transplanting Van Dijk assured and defensively luxurious in the 1-0 prevail at the Stadium of Light from Celtic could cost a reported APS1 3m but it gazes coin very well spent. The distressing fact for Sunderland and Newcastle devotees is that previous summers have realized their clubs heavily linked with Van Dijk before administrators were prevented by the asking price which, last year, was around APS1 0m. When you consider the money consumed on a litany of inferior players at Sunderland, particularly, that seems a glaring example to failure to clasp “the worlds biggest” photo. Louise Taylor

Match report: Sunderland 0-1 Southampton

Sunderlands captain YounA” s Kaboul, left, is thumped to the pellet by Virgil Van Dijk. Photo: Scott Heppell/ AP

10) King presents gleaming of hope for slumping Bournemouth

The Bournemouth manager, Eddie Howe, is probably still puzzled by how his back did not score against Newcastle, but it is a problem that needs addressing, and fast. For all of their 20 films at objective, the Cherry were wasteful and have not “ve managed” tally in any of their are three activities. Worryingly, Bournemouth have scored simply three goals in the six plays they have played since their injured charm Callum Wilson was ruled out for the season. Howe left the former Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray out of his match-day squad, instead playing Joshua King, one of nine summer contracts, as a lone striker. King is still looking for his first Premier League purpose after being thwarted frequently by the Newcastle goalkeeper, Rob Elliot, but the former Manchester United trainee otherwise excelled and enjoyed his best action in a Bournemouth shirt. As long as he continues to go into goalscoring slots, I will always back parties to be effective, said Howe. King could hitherto prove a long-term answer for Howe the Leicester striker Jamie Vardy became 23 games without feeling the net last season after all. Ben Fisher

Match report: Bournemouth 0-1 Newcastle United

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Boot spy: Who wore the rebooted Adidas Predator?

After launching last week, the new Adidas Predator 18 made its on-pitch debut across Europe’s top-flights at the weekend.

Players from all corners of the continent will have been eager to slip on the Three Stripes’ most high-profile release in years, so here’s a look at just some of the stars that strutted their stuff in the rebooted Predator over the last few days.

Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic (Manchester United)

(REUTERS/Andrew Yates)

Stepping into the shoes of the likes of Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham (almost literally), Adidas marketing favourite Paul Pogba is one of the faces of the new iteration of the Predator.

The Manchester United midfielder wore his swanky new boots as the Red Devils Ground out a 1-0 win over Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

He was also joined by his midfield partner Nemanja Matic, who also donned the Predator 18 against the plucky Seagulls.

Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

(REUTERS/Hannah McKay)

Another talented player expected to lead the way in the new Predator, Tottenham’s Dele Alli had an afternoon to forget against West Brom.

The England ace far from covered himself in glory at Wembley, being caught in possession by Jake Livermore early on, a misstep that led to Salomon Rondon’s opening goal for the Baggies.

Spurs – and Alli – were left frustrated as West Brom’s caretaker boss Gary Megson oversaw a fine draw for his team.

Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

(Action Images/Paul Burrows)

The Predator 18 wasn’t just seen in Europe’s biggest league’s over the weekend.

Wolves’ Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, on-loan from Atletico Madrid, scored to round off a superb 5-1 win for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side against Bolton, keeping them four points clear at the top of the Championship.

Naldo (Schalke)

(REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay )

You’d be hard-pressed to find a Predator-wearer who had a more dramatic weekend than Schalke’s veteran defender Naldo.

The 35-year-old Brazilian played a key role in a breath-taking Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund, capping one of the most thrilling comebacks of the season.

Hosts Dortmund raced into a 4-0 lead inside 25 minutes but they somehow contrived to throw their advantage and draw 4-4, Schalke’s Naldo heading home in the 94 h minute.

Pepe Reina (Napoli)

(REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)

Who says the Predator 18 is just for outfield players?

Wearing the Three Stripes’ new baby, goalkeeper Pepe Reina helped keep Napoli top of Serie A with a 1-0 triumph away at Udinese.

The Partenopei are still unbeaten and they’re also still in with a shout of making the knockout stages of the Champions League – no wonder Reina and co are so happy.

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