..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United lose Phil Jones for at least three weeks

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has been ruled out for at least three weeks with mild thrombosis.

The England international sat out Saturday's 1-0 victory against Tottenham, after which United confirmed that he is set for a longer spell on the sidelines.

The club wrote on Twitter: "Phil Jones, who was not involved in today's matchday squad, has mild thrombosis and will be out for a minimum of three weeks."

Jones's injury will not only see him miss United's Champions League play-off tie with Club Brugge but he must also be considered doubtful for England's European Championship qualifying double against San Marino and Switzerland at the start of September.

In his absence, Daley Blind played alongside Chris Smalling in the heart of Louis van Gaal's defence against Spurs.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Oka thamai epa wenneEPL 1st matchday 1kema injury 1kak​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 2-2 Watford: Kone spares Martinez's blushes

Arouna Kone denied Watford an opening day win as Everton twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with the Premier League new boys.

Miguel Layun opened the scoring in the 14th minute for Watford, beating Tim Howard with a powerful drive inside the penalty area.

Ross Barkley's sweetly struck effort in the second half looked to have secured a point for Roberto Martinez's side, before Odion Ighalo fired the visitors back in front.

But, with less than five minutes of normal time remaining, Kone spared the hosts a disappointing defeat.

Making only his 23rd appearance since joining the club in 2013 - a period ravaged by 14 months out with a knee injury - the Ivory Coast international spared manager Roberto Martinez's blushes and warded off home jeers that had rolled down from the stands earlier in the contest.

Romelu Lukaku was passed fit to lead the Everton attack following a hamstring problem but a knock in training for Leighton Baines meant 19-year-old Brendan Galloway started at left-back.

And the teenager made an important early challenge to deny Watford captain Troy Deeney, who has broken the 20-goal barrier in each of the past three seasons at Championship level.

It meant Everton had been served ample warning of their visitors' intentions when Phil Jagielka failed to deal with a left-wing cross and Layun lashed a shot beyond Tom Howard.

Gareth Barry tested Heurelho Gomes with a header from Kevin Mirallas' 19th-minute corner and the Brazilian produced another fingertip save when Barkley unleashed a piledriver from the left-hand corner of the penalty area.

Deeney might have soured a fine 45 minutes for Watford as a two-footed lunge on Galloway saw him only booked, before Layun drilled narrowly wide and the home side departed to boos at half-time.

Gomes was alert to push a mishit cross from Seamus Coleman over his bar but the former Tottenham keeper dashed rashly from his line in the 50th minute - Lukaku failing to punish him as he headed Barkley's raking ball off target - before Kone replaced Galloway amid continued frustration from the stands.

After Howard beat away a rasping drive from Jose Holebas, Kone got on the end of Cleverley's right-wing cross but headed wide in the 67th minute.

Kone turned provider nine minutes later, laying the ball off perfectly into Barkley's stride, and the midfielder sent a magnificent 25-yard effort arcing past Gomes' despairing dive.

Everton pushed for a winning goal but the hosts were stunned when Ighalo shimmied inside to leave Jagielka and Chelsea target John Stones in his wake before finishing calmly.

But three minutes later, the Watford backline was undone, as Kone coolly slid a shot past Gomes on the angle to cap a thrilling first-day spectacle.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dybala delights in 'unforgettable' Juventus debut

Paulo Dybala could barely contain his emotions after opening his Juventus account in their Supercoppa Italiana win over Lazio, admitting that the joy of netting on his debut will live with him forever.

The Bianconeri paid Palermo €40 million to snap up the Argentina international and the striker was delighted to have marked his first competitive outing for the Old Lady with a goal in Shanghai on Saturday.
Fellow summer signing Mario Mandzukic had already given Juventus the lead with a strike in the 69th minute before substitute Dybala settled the tie just four minutes later.

"What emotion! Scoring on my Juventus debut - for me, it's unforgettable," the attacker told Rai Uno.

"The club has made a big investment in me. I will try to repay the faith of the coach and the club.

"The objective of this club is to always win and everyone has told me that. We have already won a title but now we are already thinking of the next game."

Juve kick off their bid for a fifth successive Serie A title when they host Udinese in Turin on August 23.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa: Gestede hands Cherries instant reality check

Rudy Gestede showed he is ready to fill the boots of Christian Benteke by netting the decisive goal as Aston Villa beat Bournemouth 1-0 on the opening day of the Premier League season.

The former Blackburn Rovers striker found the back of the net 13 minutes after coming on in the second half, powering a header home from a right-wing corner.

Bournemouth had impressed on their Premier League debut, but were left to rue Dan Gosling and Marc Pugh missing chances before the interval.

Idrissa Gueye went close to giving Villa a superb start in the second period, before fellow new signing Gestede - brought in following Benteke's departure for Liverpool - secured three points with a debut goal on 72 minutes.

The introduction of Max Gradel gave Bournemouth a lift, but the Ivorian was unable to find a way through for Eddie Howe's side as they were handed proof of the stiff task they face in the top flight.

Howe largely kept faith with the players who earned Bournemouth promotion last season and they enjoyed plenty of early possession, but their attempts to use the blistering pace of Joshua King - the only home player to be making his debut from the start - and Callum Wilson were easily dealt with by a resolute Villa defence.

The visitors, who handed five players their first start for the club, grew into the game as Bournemouth's energetic start began to take its toll, with Jordan Amavi particularly impressive down the left with his surging runs.

Chances were few and far between for either side in the opening half-hour, but Bournemouth finished the first period strongly, spurning three opportunities to take the lead before the break.

Gosling was first to go close after 37 minutes as Villa failed to clear the ball, but the midfielder was unable to control his finish and the ball looped over the crossbar.

Wilson was finally released behind the Villa defence four minutes later only to be denied by the legs of Brad Guzan, and the American was on hand again in stoppage time to parry Pugh's volley.

Bournemouth struggled to maintain their momentum early in the second half as Villa looked the more likely to break the deadlock, Gueye denied superbly by Artur Boruc.

Gabriel Agbonlahor found room on the right-hand side before picking out the Senegal international with a perfectly weighted pull back, but Boruc was quick to react and push his low shot away.

Still Villa continued to push and substitute Gestede should have done better with his first chance for Tim Sherwood's side, dragging a volley wide nine minutes after coming on.

However, he made no mistake with 18 minutes to play as he snatched all three points for the visitors with a free header from Ashley Westwood's corner.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich City 1-3 Crystal Palace: Cabaye caps Eagles flying start

Yohan Cabaye marked his Crystal Palace debut with an injury-time goal, but Norwich City were left incensed by two controversial decisions in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Carrow Road.

The midfielder, who joined Palace for a club-record fee from Paris Saint-Germain in the close-season, saw off Premier League new boys Norwich when he swept home James McArthur's pass in the 94th minute.

However, Norwich saw a Cameron Jerome goal controversially ruled out with the score at 2-1, before Sebastien Bassong had strong claims for a penalty rejected in a dramatic end to their first game back in the top flight.

Earlier, goals either side of half-time from Wilfried Zaha and captain Damien Delaney had put Alan Pardew's Palace into a commanding 2-0 lead.

Norwich were rewarded for their positive display when substitute Nathan Redmond's long-range effort brought them back into the game with 21 minutes remaining.

The home side were unable to find the equaliser, though, and Cabaye's late strike put the final nail in their coffin.

Norwich acquitted themselves well throughout and missed a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring in the 10th minute.

A wonderful flowing move ended with Steven Whittaker rolling the ball across the six-yard box, but Lewis Grabban somehow hit the outside of the post with the goal of Palace debutant Alex McCarthy unguarded.

Palace began to enjoy a spell of pressure and John Ruddy made a good stop from Murray's close-range prod after Joel Ward had nodded down Pape Souare's cross, before the visitors went in front six minutes before the break.

Puncheon beat Norwich debutant Robbie Brady down the right and stood up a great cross to the back post, which Zaha finished with a controlled volley.

Ruddy then did well to parry Jordon Mutch's shot from the edge of the area to keep it at 1-0 at the break, but Palace extended their lead four minutes into the second period with a well-worked set-piece routine.

Puncheon's deep corner was headed down by Souare and the unmarked Delaney swept home from close-range, with Ruddy furious with Norwich's lax defending.

At the other end, McCarthy stopped Grabban's near-post shot before springing up to parry Bradley Johnson's follow-up diving header.

Alex Neil then introduced Jerome and Redmond, and the latter brought Norwich back into the game with a 20-yard daisy-cutter that nestled in the bottom-left corner.

The Carrow Road faithful were on their feet again when Brady's free-kick sat up in the area and Jerome acrobatically put the ball in the net, only for the goal to be chalked off for a high boot.

Whittaker then had a shot hooked off the line by Scott Dann, before Bassong was shoved to ground in the penalty area by Connor Wickham - who came off the bench for his Palace debut - only for referee Simon Hooper to wave away home appeals.

And Norwich's frustration was compounded when Cabaye wrapped up Palace's win deep into injury time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Leicester 4-2 Sunderland: Vardy stars as Ranieri makes winning return

Claudio Ranieri enjoyed a dream start to his Leicester City tenure, with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez starring in a comprehensive 4-2 win over Sunderland on the Italian's return to the Premier League.

Vardy - handed an England cap in June following an impressive debut Premier League season - gave Leicester an 11th-minute lead amid a shambolic first-half display from the visitors before Mahrez celebrated his new contract with Leicester's second.

Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole failed to provide a calm head for his side, instead bringing down Mahrez inside the area and allowing the winger to give Leicester a commanding advantage. Cattermole was hauled off almost immediately and replaced by Steven Fletcher as the Wearsiders changed from a 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 formation.

Black Cats boss Dick Advocaat - persuaded to stay on after keeping Sunderland up last term - was given hope when Jermain Defoe pulled one back on the hour but Marc Albrighton capitalised on more dismal Sunderland defending just six minutes later to make it 4-1.

Fletcher had the final say but there was to be no opening-day comeback for the visitors - Advocaat left with food for thought, especially at the back.

Kasper Schmeichel was busy early on for the hosts - keeping out Defoe's close-range strike before saving debutant Younes Kaboul's header from the resulting corner.

However, Leicester quickly got into their stride and led from the first attack of the game as Albrighton's free-kick found Vardy. The forward's glanced header was enough to beat Costel Pantilimon and ensure an ideal start to Ranieri's reign.

Things improved further when Mahrez doubled the advantage. Another expert delivery from Albrighton caused the danger with Mahrez this time flicking the ball past Pantilimon.

Mahrez continued to prove a menace and, when his guile elicited a clumsy challenge from Cattermole inside the area, the Algeria international tucked home his side's third from the spot.

The winger would have had a first-half treble had he done better with Vardy's cut-back before the break, with the England man bursting down the left and clipping an effort wide early in the second half.Sunderland had started the second period relatively well, perhaps following stern words from Adovcaat, with Defoe showing his lethal touch to convert Adam Johnson's through-ball and give the travelling fans something to cheer.

Hopes were extinguished and quickly re-lit again when Albrighton's strike was followed by Fletcher's close-range header after good work from Jeremain Lens.
In between, Pantilimon was fortunate not to be sent-off for a clear handball outside the area when rushing out to clear a through ball.

There was to be no denying Leicester, though, with Ranieri's men, unlike their hosts, showing the hallmarks of their impressive late-season form last term.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Allegri: Juventus still need more quality signings

Massimiliano Allegri watched summer signings Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala fire Juventus to a 2-0 victory over Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana on Saturday but then called for more new arrivals before the close of the transfer window.

Mandzukic, who arrived from Atletico Madrid during the off-season, opened the scoring in Shanghai with a close-range header midway through the second half before former Palermo starlet Dybala promptly doubled the Bianconeri's advantage.

Juve saw out the game with the minimum of fuss to underline that they remain the team to beat in Italy but Allegri, who has publicly expressed his desire for a trequartista, still believes the Serie A holders require further reinforcements.

"We have played a great game, despite the poor condition of the pitch," the head coach told Rai Uno.

"It needed a performance of character. We had our chances and we were organised in defence. It was important to start well - we want to achieve great results this year too.

"Mandzukic is a player of a European pedigree. He's a fighter, while Dybala showed the value of boys who are carefree.

"At the same time, they lack a little experience in certain moments of the game but Dybala is a bright boy. He will grow quickly.

"So, some great players have arrived but the market is still open. We will see what happens.

"In order to tackle another big season and build a Juventus that can have a great future, we need the right players; Juventus players."

Juventus are reportly also looking for a new midfielder given Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal have departed for New York City FC and Bayern Munich respectively, while summer signing Sami Khedira has been ruled out for two months through injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juve lage summer spending thama iwara naha wage.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Advocaat 'scared' for Sunderland after Leicester City hammering

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat admits that his side's 4-2 hammering at the hands of Leicester City on the first day of the Premier League season left him fearful for their prospects.

Adovcaat masterminded the Black Cats' top-flight survival last term but, having been persuaded to stay on at the Stadium of Light, endured a miserable first game of 2015-16.

Jamie Vardy and a Riyad Mahrez double ensured a dominant half-time lead for the Foxes, before Jermain Defoe threatened a comeback. The impressive Marc Albrighton restored the hosts' three-goal lead and, while Steven Fletcher got another one back for Sunderland, Advocaat was given plenty of food for thought.

"Not only the result scares me a little bit but also the way we played," the Dutchman told reporters.

"Especially in the first half, we know what we have to do and we have to change some things. The first cross is a goal, the second cross is 2-0 and, by the third, the left full-back is sleeping.

"They were sharper and they were better. We gave so much space away and we know that they will come. They had space up front."

Lee Cattermole gave away a penalty when he was bamboozled by Mahrez inside the area before the skipper was hauled off on the half-hour mark as Advocaat switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

The Sunderland boss highlighted Cattermole being on a caution as a reason behind his decision - despite the midfielder not entering the referee's book.

"Lee Cattermole, like others, was not in the game plus the fact he had a yellow card," Advocaat added. "Hopefully we will learn from this and, next week, we can do better than we did today."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pardew sympathetic to Norwich City after contentious win

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew sympathised with opponents Norwich City after contentious decisions went the way of the Eagles in a 3-1 victory on the Premier League's opening day.

Goals from Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney had put Palace 2-0 up at Carrow Road but Nathan Redmond's long-range effort brought newly promoted Norwich back into the game.

The hosts were then left frustrated when former Palace forward Cameron Jerome had an equaliser harshly ruled out for a high foot and Sebastien Bassong saw strong penalty claims dismissed by referee Simon Hooper before Yohan Cabaye scored Palace's third on his debut.

Pardew admitted the scoreline did not reflect the balance of play, telling reporters of Jerome's effort: "I went to him [the referee] and said 'why have you disallowed it?' and he said 'dangerous play in box'.

"To be fair to him, if it's anywhere else on the pitch - and my guys head's right on the end of his foot - you're going to get a foul. In the penalty area, if an overhead kick from the striker goes in, you're disappointed [that it is ruled out].

"If Yannick Bolasie scores that, I'd feel hard done by if it got disallowed. I understand Norwich's frustration.

"The penalty - I didn't think it was. Connor is a big, strong boy and stood his ground. I didn't see much in that. We scored with the last kick of the game; there's no doubt it flattered us."

Pardew expects much more to come from Palace's record signing, Cabaye, having previously managed the France international at Newcastle.

"He needs to gain his strength and power back," the 54-year-old remarked. "He's had a year out of the game really, not playing at this level and this intensity and playing in Ligue 1 isn't like this.

"He didn't get many games. He needs to harden up but, of course, his set-plays were on the money [and] his finish at the end shows he has that great quality. Once he hardens up after six or seven games, we'll see the real Yohan."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ranieri hails Leicester City teamwork after flying start

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri hailed his side's teamwork in their 4-2 opening-day victory against Sunderland.

The former Chelsea boss made his Premier League return at the King Power Stadium on SAturday and saw Leicester put Sunderland to the sword with a clinical first-half display.

Jamie Vardy and a Riyad Mahrez double put the Foxes 3-0 up, with Marc Albrighton's second-half strike sandwiched between consolation goals from Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher.

Ranieri, whose predecessor, Nigel Pearson, guided Leicester to safety last season with an impressive run of late-season form, told reporters: "It was important to start well.

"I asked my players: 'Hey, you finished last season very well, I want to see you restart at the same level.'

"The performance was very, very good. The first half was outstanding, the second half was normal - we went down a little but that's okay. We made mistakes but, when you win, you are more confident and I can say 'you make this mistake' and show to them and they are more receptive.

"Today we played like a team [and] that's what I want because, when you play like a team, there are one or two not 100 per cent but the team support the others.

"Riyad made something good but [it was] because the others supported him or supported Shinji [Okazaki] or Albrighton or Vardy. Everybody worked so hard."

Ranieri also revealed that defender Ritchie De Laet's second-half withdrawal was down to cramp rather than injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'He hurts people and terrorises defences' - Sherwood delighted with matchwinner Gestede

Tim Sherwood hailed Aston Villa debutant Rudy Gestede 's impact as the striker came off the bench to secure all three points against Bournemouth on Saturday.

The newly promoted side were much the better side on their Premier League bow, with the likes of Dan Gosling and Marc Pugh guilty of missing chances to break the deadlock before half-time.

However, some words of inspiration from Sherwood and the introduction of Gestede lifted Villa as the former Blackburn man's header just 13 minutes after coming on secured a 1-0 win on the opeinng day.

"We asked him to play a bit too long today, he has only trained with us for four or five days so I am delighted he could come on and have that sort of impact," Sherwood told reporters.

"I don't think our centre-backs are too happy defending against him in training, he attacks the ball for his life, he throws everything at it.

"He flies in and hurts people if they get in the way, he terrorises defence, doesn't give them a minute but he's not just a battering ram. He's very accurate with his heading and his hold up play is very, very good.

"He gives us another dimension."

Gestede, who was brought in to help replace the goals of Christian Benteke, who joined Liverpool in a £32.5 million move earlier in August, was delighted to get off the mark for his new side.

He added: "It is a very good start, a good win because it is not easy to come here, it was a tough game, I had two chances and I scored one, so I am happy today.

"Bournemouth played a very good game, especially in the first half, but we started the second half well, it is not easy to win away from home but we'll take it. Three points is all we needed."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Martinez slams Everton's first-half performance

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has criticised his team for being in "pre-season mode" after they flirted with opening-day defeat to Premier League newcomers Watford.Quique Sanchez Flores' team took a 14th-minute lead at Goodison Park thanks to Miguel Layun's first goal for the club.

Ross Barkley hit a spectacular 76th-minute leveller for Everton, who were forced to come from behind again four minutes from time as Arouna Kone cancelled out a strike from fellow substitute Odion Ighalo.

Martinez praised the application shown by his players during the second half, but lambasted an opening 45 minutes which handed the initiative to a Watford line-up containing six debutants.

"We saw two very different performances," the Blues boss said. "In the first-half performance, clearly we weren't at the level of the speed, the tempo and the intensity that Watford had.

"Without knowing much about how these players would gel together, what we knew was we were facing a newly promoted side. That means that you bring enthusiasm, bravery and an incredible intensity that we had to match.

"In the first half you saw one team who had a pre-season mode and one team who had a competitive mode. From that point you cannot compete in this league.
"They had one shot on target, it ends up in the back of the net and you have a mountain to climb."

He added: "The second half was completely different. That was clearly just a reaction of wanting to do something about it. The game changed a lot with the introduction of Arouna Kone and a couple of tactical switches.

"We became a little bit freer with what we did in front of goal and you can't underestimate coming back twice in the game from behind. That's something that pleases me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 2-2 Swansea City: Champions hold on for a point after Courtois red card

Chelsea were unable to begin their defence of the Premier League title with a win, losing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a red card on their way to a 2-2 draw with Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's side took the lead when Oscar whipped a free kick which was intended as a cross beyond Lukasz Fabianski.

The visitors were soon level through Andre Ayew, who equalised from close range, but the Blues went back in front seconds later as Willian's cross deflected in off Federico Fernandez.

But Swansea equalised again after the interval when Bafetimbi Gomis converted a penalty, having been brought down by the onrushing Courtois, who was shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver.

Gomis had a goal ruled out for offside after his spot kick but Swansea had to settle for a point - which was the least that they deserved for an impressive display as Chelsea boss Mourinho was unable celebrate his agreement of a new four-year deal with a win.

Begovic is now set to make his first start for Chelsea in a mouth-watering match against Manchester City on August 16, with Courtois suspended.

Diego Costa was passed fit to lead the Chelsea line despite concerns over his troublesome hamstring, while Ayew was the only Swansea new-boy in Garry Monk's XI.
Gomis looked poised to open the scoring after 14 minutes when he cut inside Gary Cahill after racing onto Jonjo Shelvey's incisive pass but John Terry denied him with a crucial last-ditch tackle.

Costa wanted a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Fernandez but referee Michael Oliver correctly pointed for a corner as the Swansea defender got a touch of the ball.

Chelsea looked dangerous going forward and they were in front after 23 minutes when Oscar's free kick came through a crowded penalty area and found the far corner of the net.

The champions' lead lasted only six minutes, though, as Ayew made an immediate impact in English football. Courtois produced an outstanding save down to his right to keep out Gomis's downward header but the Ghanaian showed great composure and skill to drag the ball back before firing home from close range after his initial follow-up effort was blocked by Cahill.

Swansea had barely finished celebrating when they fell behind for a second time and there was a huge slice of luck for Chelsea, as Willian's attempted cross struck Fernandez and looped inside the far post.

The visitors again responded well as a Shelvey corner hit the post early in the second half and they were back on level terms with a numerical advantage 10 minutes after the break.

Courtois was given his marching orders after racing out to upend Gomis as he got on the end of another fine Shelvey pass and the French striker picked himself to send Begovic the wrong way from the spot.

Swansea were now dictating the game and Begovic twice denied Jefferson Montero before Gomis's close-range effort was ruled out for offside.

Lukasz Fabianski kept out Eden Hazard's effort at his near post before Radamel Falcao came on as a late substitute but neither side could come up with a winner, with Chelsea at least ensuring that no team has ever lost their first game of a Premier League season as reigning champions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter 2-0 Athletic Bilbao: Jovetic opens account for Mancini's men

Stevan Jovetic marked his first start for Inter with his first goal as Roberto Mancini's side beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in a friendly on Saturday.

The former Manchester City striker opened his Inter account after 27 minutes in Parma after good work from Assane Gnoukouri, before strike partner Mauro Icardi wrapped up the win.

Having come on as a second-half substitute last weekend against Galatasaray, Jovetic was handed a place in the first XI at the Ennio Tardini and he wasted no time in showing his new employers what he can offer.A long-range effort after seven minutes helped Jovetic find his range and just before the half hour he perfected his accuracy with a stunning first-time strike.

Gnoukouri made good ground on the left and executed a perfect pull back to the Montenegro striker, and he made no mistake from 10 yards with a strike high into the roof of the Athletic net.He could have doubled his tally on 35 minutes after being found by Marcelo Brozovic, but his effort was just wide from outside the penalty area.

The Spanish side had offered little in the opening half, but that all changed after the break as Guillermo Fernandez and Iker Undabarrena both called Samir Handanovic into action.Inter were quickly back in the ascendancy, though, and Icardi secured their victory with seven minutes to play.

While Gnoukouri and Andrea Ranocchia wasted late openings, Icardi made no mistake as he converted Yuto Nagatomo's cross with a well-placed header.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Salah will be even better for Roma than Fiorentina'

Mohamed Salah will be even better for Roma than he was for Fiorentina, his agent has proclaimed.

The Egyptian winger brought an end to an intense transfer saga when he signed for the Italian club on loan, despite Fiorentina insisting they have the rights to him.

The player impressed at the Viola during his six month spell on loan from Chelsea and his representative, Ramy Abbas, believes the best is yet to come from him.

"I spoke with Salah and he told me that he is very excited," the agent told vocegiallorossa.it. "Can he repeat the performances of Fiorentina? I'm sure that will do even better than last season.

"The atmosphere at Roma is very positive overall and this is very important."

Salah scored six and set up a further three goals in 16 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich boss Neil laments referee decisions

Norwich City manager Alex Neil has vented his frustration after his side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the opening game of the season.

Goals either side of half-time from Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney put Palace in control but Nathan Redmond pulled one back on 69 minutes before Cameron Jerome saw an equaliser ruled out after the forward was deemed to have committed a foul.

Sebastien Bassong was then denied a penalty in injury time and Yohan Cabaye rubbed salt in the wounds with a late third, leaving Neil to lament a string of calls he felt went against him.

"It [Jerome's disallowed goal] is disappointing," said the Norwich boss. "I think if the lad was going to be potentially hurt by Cameron's leg then, yeah, it's a foul but I don't think that's the case.

"The lad was the wrong side of Cameron. His boots or studs are in no danger of hurting the lad, I was disappointed it was disallowed."I'm not going to sit here and criticise the referee, they've got a difficult job. But it affects the game, it affects you getting a point or potentially three points. It's extremely frustrating."

"It was a fantastic goal from Cameron, he's done extremely well to put it in from that situation and should have been rewarded with a goal, but unfortunately on this case it wasn't to be.

"I tried to speak to him [the referee] but I'm not going to gain anything from that and I like I say there's no point in criticising him now."On the decision not to award Bassong a penalty, Neil added: "By all accounts Seb should have had a penalty so I hear."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: Chelsea 'fought hard' after Courtois red card

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes a Thibaut Courtois red card changed the complexion of the game in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Swansea City.

The Premier League champions led 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season after a Federico Fernandez own goal cancelled out Andre Ayew's equaliser, following Oscar's opener.

But goalkeeper Courtois was given his marching orders by referee Michael Oliver early in the second half for bringing down Bafetimbi Gomis and the striker put the resulting penalty past substitute Asmir Begovic.

Mourinho would not be drawn on whether or not Oliver made the correct decision, but said the dismissal forced his side on to the back foot.

"We played very well until we played with 10 men," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "In the first half I think we played with high quality.

"In our game with 10 men we fought hard for a long time. It was not five, 10 minutes, they fought hard.

"I don't want [to make a comment on the decision]. You [the media] have the cameras, you have the pundits, the specialists, I don't want to comment.

"We played very well in the first half, the game was under control, the players were playing with more and more confidence. Oscar was playing a lot, Willian as well. The midfield was confident.

"Then after the penalty, red card, goal, everything is different. We fought hard, in some moments we had to defend and fight hard and not to lose the game.

"In other moments of that period with the set-pieces, counter-attack we could have scored a goal. The game was open."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo injury not serious - Benitez

Rafael Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo has been suffering with back pain but expects the Real Madrid star to be fit for their league opener against Sporting Gijon.

The Portuguese talisman missed out on his side's Audi Cup friendly games in Germany because of his fitness problem, with the Blancos losing out to Bayern Munich in the final.

However, Benitez insists the Ballon d'Or holder's complaints are not a serious injury concern and does not expect him to be out for long.

"Cristiano had a problem the other day and he has been working with the medical team," the Spaniard told reporters.
"He should be okay next week and I don’t think he’ll have any problems playing the opening game against Sporting on August 23.

"During the pre-season two players suffered injuries; the rest have been suffering twinges or discomfort, not real injuries. For me, it’s positive how the squad is shaping up physically.

"The team is fine, but we still have to improve. The impression we have given is one of a very solid-looking side and I am feeling optimistic."

The former Liverpool boss also talked about Martin Odegaard, insisting that he will soon decide if the Norway international remains with the club or is sent out on loan.

"I have spoken to Zinedine Zidane and we have to decide what’s best. The idea is that he is eventually incorporated into the first team squad but we have to protect him.

"He’s intelligent and he enjoys training and works hard."