..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

'De Gea is enjoying Manchester United' - Van Gaal not worried by Real Madrid transfer ban

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has stated his belief that David De Gea will not be persuaded to join Real Madrid in the January transfer window.

The Spanish capital side were hit with a transfer ban on Thursday due to irregularities in the signing of players under 18, though the suspension will not take effect until the end of the current window.

As such, Madrid are expected to make a raft of signings throughout January as they prepare for life without the option to buy new players until 2017.

De Gea is reportedly such a target for Zinedine Zidane after the former's move to the Bernabeu fell through at the last minute in the summer, but Van Gaal has ruled out talk that the 25-year-old is due to return to Spain.

"I don't think that kind of thing plays in the mind of David de Gea," the Dutchman told a presser conference on Friday.

"I don't think that and I have never thought that. That was in a period before the [January] transfer window."But now I am seeing a De Gea who is enjoying staying here at Manchester United and playing good games."

The Spain international goalkeeper has been at Old Trafford since 2011, after moving there from Real Madrid's crosstown rivals Atletico.

Back-up Victor Valdes is expected to leave Old Trafford this month after being frozen out of Van Gaal's plans, but the United boss would not comment on whether a transfer was imminent."It's not for me to answer that question, you have to ask Victor Valdes," he said simply.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'De Gea is enjoying Manchester United' - Van Gaal not worried by Real Madrid transfer ban

De Gea....please stay with us​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger on January signings: Welbeck is better than anything on the market

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not planning on signing a striker in January as he believes the returning Danny Welbeck is better than anyone available on the market.

Wenger completed the signing of Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny on Thursday and was quizzed on his plans for the rest of the window ahead of the Gunners's trip to Stoke City.

The Frenchman is more interested, however, in getting Welbeck off the treatment table after an injury that has sidelined him since April, with Jack Wilshere also among those nearing a return."Ideally, personally, I would prefer to have the players back from injuries [rather than go back into the market]," Wenger said.

"Welbeck, for example, who has been out since April last year is now two or three weeks away. I am confident I won't find a better player than Welbeck on the market. I prefer to have the injured players back with everyone available."

One of Wenger's most notable January signings during his reign in north London is Theo Walcott, who arrived from Southampton as a 16-year-old in 2006.

The winger has won only two major trophies in his 10 years at the Emirates Stadium and has been regularly frustrated by injuries but Wenger believes his best is still to come.

"Walcott came here at 16 years of age, he went to the World Cup without playing a Premier League game," the manager said."The credit I give to him is that he did well with the early fame, kept his feet on ground and was receptive to advice. There have been ups and downs because of injuries and that made him much stronger mentally.

"The next four or five years will be absolutely decisive for him. It is where you make your career between 26 and 31, 32. That's where a good player becomes a great player."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal warns Man United against repeat of Gerrard red mist

Louis van Gaal has warned Manchester United not to let their aggression run unchecked against Liverpool in order to avoid a repeat of Steven Gerrard's red card from last season.

Former Liverpool captain Gerrard was sent off for a stamp on Ander Herrera less than a minute after being brought on at half-time of the clash at Anfield, which United went on to win 2-1.United boss Van Gaal accepts that passions run high due to the bitter rivalry between the clubs, but has urged his players not to get carried away by the occasion.

"I've felt it [the passion] also, four times, because we've played each other four times," he told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Friday."You can see it on the faces of the players: last year, for example, Gerrard came in and was sent off within 30 seconds. That doesn't happen much.

"So we need to be aggressive but also under control, but that's difficult, the passion in this kind of game is very high."

Sunday's clash sees Van Gaal face off against Jurgen Klopp for the first time since he left his post with Bayern Munich in 2011.And the Dutchman believes English football will enjoy the way former Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp asks his teams to play.

"You can see a very aggressive, pressing kind of play. Of course, he has to learn the Premier League and I think he already knows the difference between the German league and the Premier League," Van Gaal added."But he is very capable, he's always shown this kind of football and I think the fans will love it."

Van Gaal also confirmed Bastian Schweinsteiger and Michael Carrick are unavailable for the visit to Anfield.The Germany captain sat out the 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Tuesday as a result of a knee problem sustained in the FA Cup win over Sheffield United.

"I think we have the same injuries as before, maybe Schweinsteiger is coming back but that is not for sure," Van Gaal told MUTV. "It is very tight to regain [full fitness] I think, he needs more time I think.

"Carrick, he is also injured, we have forgotten to mention it but he was injured. He is still injured so he cannot play either."Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw also remain sidelined for United.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hazard could return for Arsenal clash

Chelsea star Eden Hazard could be fit to face Premier League leaders Arsenal a week on Sunday, Guus Hiddink has confirmed.

The Belgium international, who is yet to score in the league this season, has been out of action since the Blues's win over Crystal Palace on January 3 due to a groin injury.

While he is not available for Saturday's match at home to Everton, manager Hiddink will assess Hazard next week with the game at Arsenal in mind.
"There were no injuries in the last game," Hiddink told reporters. "The only one not available yet is Eden Hazard, although he is on the pitch working."I hope and think in the upcoming week he will have full training sessions and then we will decide if he can join us in the Arsenal game next weekend.

"What I said before was we have to be a little bit careful not to fall again with a setback, so that is why I say he must have some tough, intense training sessions Tuesday to Thursday before he plays - he must have that.

"[Radamel] Falcao is out, we knew that, but the rest are okay."Hiddink was unconcerned that Real Madrid could launch a bid to sign Hazard after they were given a two-window transfer ban by Fifa which - if their appeal is unsuccessful - puts them in a race against time to sign key targets."All big clubs are looking to big players but I don't expect to see much of this in this window," he added.

"I am not sure, I think they have both [Madrid and Atletico] protested and I don't know whether they cannot use this transfer window or the summer and if it will be postponed or not."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hiddink orders 'on the edge' Costa to control his temper

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has told Diego Costa to control his temper and not to react to any provocations when they take on Everton on Saturday.

The Spain international has been involved in a number of unsavoury on-pitch flashpoints throughout the season and has already been booked six times in 17 Premier League appearances.

Costa was already on the receiving end of a three-match ban for violent conduct during the win over Arsenal in September and again struggled to keep himself in check during the recent 2-2 draw with West Brom.

Both sides were subsequently charged by the Football Association on Friday for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

And Hiddink has now warned his not to go over the edge ahead of the home clash with Everton, telling reporters: "He is playing on the edge, but so are his opponents.

"They are provoking as well. If you see the little things, it's a mutual thing.Nevertheless, he should control himself. He didn't go out of order versus West Brom, but he was on the edge.

"Players are smart. I talk with him about this. Not every day, but we did have a chat this morning."The opponents like to provoke a bit, which is also normal in a men's game, but he has to deal with that. And the referees have to keep an eye on it as well.

"I'll always defend my players, especially when they are very, very hot."Costa has come in for criticism from both ex-Blues' boss Jose Mourinho and the club's fans for turning in below-par performances this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hiddink orders 'on the edge' Costa to control his temper

Kohomath Costa ge nam discipline anthimai​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal reveals Shaw could return ahead of schedule

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has suggested Luke Shaw could return ahead of schedule after making good progress in his recovery from a double leg fracture.

The England international suffered the injury in his side's Champions League defeat at the hands of PSV back in September and United initially feared he would be out of action for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.However, Van Gaal has now revealed the left-back's rehabilitation is going well, although he remained cautious on when Shaw could be back.

"Shaw was with his surgeon and everything is going well," the manager told MUTV."His bone is growing and that is very positive. He could return ahead of schedule, yes.

"But when I say that, then everybody thinks he is coming back within three months and it is not like that, you cannot say that. He needs time."At this moment he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, but there are also weeks when he is slow."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero nearly back to his best, says Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini believes Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is close to hitting top form on the eve of their match against Crystal Palace.

The Argentina international has suffered a familiar tale of injury woe this season, with the striker's involvement this season first curtailed by hamstring issues shortly after he scored five times in City's 6-1 October win over Newcastle United.

Aguero bounced back to head in a dramatic late winner against Watford at the start of Janaury before netting a superb solo effort in the 3-0 FA Cup triumph over Norwich City, although the 27-year-old has yet to display his brilliance with the same consistency as previous seasons.

Nevertheless, Pellegrini is confident his star forward is on the right track to find the net against Palace - a team he has scored against before - despite a frustrating midweek stalemate against Everton."I think that he is very near. He's making all the movements that he normally does in his normal performance," the coach told reporters.

"I think that he's feeling that his body is okay. So I think he will continue playing the way he did the last two games."

Aguero has 11 goals in 20 appearances this season and Pellegrini felt he would have been celebrating three in four for 2016 but for a superb display from Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in Wednesday's match.

"Maybe he didn't score because Howard made two very important saves," he added. "But he had a lot of good movements and two good clear chances to do it."
Ex-Atletico Madrid favourite Aguero is reportedly a target for Real Madrid as both of Spain's capital giants plan their transfer moves in the aftermath of being hit with Fifa player registration sanctions.

Pellegrini refused to discuss the speculation directly, but insisted Aguero can scale the same heights at City as he might with the 10-time European champions."I think this is a club that wants to be at the same level [as Real]," the Chilean added. "I think that we are improving every year in achievements, in the way the club is growing, in every department.

"Real Madrid has a long and important history, of being a big club for so many years, but I’m sure that this club is doing it in the correct way."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal the only top team playing like one - Hughes

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes feels Arsenal have been the only top team in the Premier League to live up to expectations this season.

Arsene Wenger's men sit top of the table on goal difference from Leicester City after 21 games, and will hope to go clear on points at the summit this weekend.And Hughes believes his side are in for a tough test when Arsenal visit the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

"Arsenal are top on merit and of all of the top teams in the league this season they are the ones who are actually playing like a top, top team," Hughes said at his pre-match press conference on Friday."To be perfectly honest the rest have slipped away a little bit and have been uncharacteristic in terms of what you would expect from them.

"Arsenal have done really well though, gone about their business superbly and are playing some fantastic stuff at the moment.

"You sense that they see a real opportunity this year, so we are under no illusions as to how difficult the game will be for us on Sunday."Stoke have a strong record at home against Arsenal, though, and Hughes is optimistic about his side's chances of getting a good result.

"We always tend to do well against them at home, the atmosphere is always special - a real crackle to the crowd - and we seem to relish that," he added.

"We have a good record against them at home, and I am convinced that if we can play to the levels that we are capable of, then we can enjoy another productive afternoon this time round.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd too big to go as long without a title as Liverpool, says Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal says Manchester United are "too big and too good" to endure a run without a league title as long as Liverpool's 26-year drought.

The Red Devils have struggled to compete at the top of the table since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, with Van Gaal coming in for criticism after a difficult December saw his side plummet to sixth despite significant investment in players.

But when asked about the possibility of United suffering a barren spell like Liverpool's ahead of Sunday's showdown between the two rivals, the 64-year-old insisted that the club was simply going through a period of transition.

"The club is too big, too good and organised [for such a run]," Van Gaal told reporters. "We also have a great infrastructure and we are improving that every year.

"You have to be in the top three at the end of the season, not at this moment. It’s better to be first, I agree with that, but we are still, in the two years I have been here, in transition, and that’s maybe also the reason.

"As you say, when it happens to Liverpool it can happen to United, but I cannot imagine that because we are in transition and we are going in the right way.

"Maybe it shall take a longer time, but I cannot imagine it will be the same for Manchester United."Of course, you can still say we have underperformed, because Manchester United has to be in the first three in the Premier League, and the same thing counts for Liverpool I think."

Wayne Rooney struck twice in Tuesday's 3-3 draw at Newcastle United to keep the Red Devils within nine points of leaders Arsenal and Van Gaal now wants him to end a long run of his own at Anfield."It makes it more easy for me when he scores because I have put all my money on Wayne as a striker," the Dutchman added.

"But last year I remember that Wayne never scored once at Liverpool in 10 years. So he has to break that record, then I am very pleased.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I could have become Manchester United manager, reveals Klopp

Jurgen Klopp has revealed he was once approached to become Manchester United's new manager but did not want to leave Borussia Dortmund.The 48-year-old will coach Liverpool against their fierce rivals for the first time on Sunday after replacing Brendan Rodgers at the helm in October.

Klopp received multiple offers after leaving Germany but was also in demand while still in charge at Dortmund, and admitted that United were one of the clubs who had expressed an interest "in April" - likely of 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was due to retire.

“We spoke," he told reporters. "We spoke not a lot but, for me, it was a lot. It was a big honour, the whole talk, to be honest."There was a time [when United were interested] but I could not leave Dortmund.

That is it. You are in April and you are in the middle of the planning for next season."You have this player and this player and this player who is coming in but then you are not there any more? That doesn’t work. Not in my life anyway.

“I did not hear about a real offer but, if there was, I could not have done it. I first had to finish the job with Dortmund and then think about other things."Maybe that is not the smart way but that is my way. Of course I was loyal to Dortmund. It was the same at Mainz.”

Klopp admitted he sympathises with the scrutiny being placed on his ex-Bayern Munich counterpart Louis van Gaal amid United's run of one win in eight matches.
“The pressure [Van Gaal is under] has an effect on your whole life but, in my case, not on how I handle my team or anything like this," he stated.

"It is always the case if things don’t run the way you want – you have to think about whether to change things or not to change. Both decisions are really important."Life is not that nice. I know the whole world is watching football managers and thinking: ‘They are really well paid’, so no one cares about a manager’s feelings.

“I didn’t watch too much of these things at United but I heard about it. I know Louis is not too happy with the media at the moment but I think in life it is important sometimes to switch and think about how it would be on the other side.

"You would have all this money but also all this pressure so it is not nice. If you want to change things in football it is not okay that you think: ‘Bad, bad, bad – go.’

"That is not a change. If that was the solution I think Man United would have done it. But it is not a solution so they have to carry on. It is not our problem, but it is a manager’s problem. It’s not the case that the sun is shining every day as a football manager.

"It’s like with you [the media] with me when I came here. First it’s ‘yeah!’ Then it’s ‘erm’, then it might be ‘ooh’, so then I am alone on the side and we might have the same situation here."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League 2016.01.16 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2016.01.16 Fixtures

Tottenham Vs Sunderland

Bournemouth Vs Norwich City

Chelsea Vs Everton

Manchester City Vs Crystal Palace

Newcastle United Vs West Ham

Southampton Vs WBA

Aston Villa Vs Leicester

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga 2016.01.16 Fixtures

LA Liga 2016.01.16 Fixtures

Sevilla Vs Malaga

Celta Vigo Vs Levante

Villareal Vs Real Betis

Real Sociedad Vs Deportivo​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A 2016.01.16 Fixtures

Serie A 2016.01.16 Fixtures

Atalanta Vs Inter

Torino Vs Frosinone

Napoli Vs Sassuolo​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: Good chance I will play in MLS

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says there is “a good chance” he will play in Major League Soccer before the end of his career.

The Portugal international has previously insisted he had no interest in playing in the United States, but appears to have had a change of heart.

Ronaldo told ITV back in November he wanted to retire "with dignity" adding: "That does not mean it’s bad play in the leagues of the United States, Qatar or Dubai, but I do not see myself there."

A host of big names have chosen to finish their careers in MLS in recent seasons including Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa.

Ronaldo admits the standard of football has improved and claimed it could tempt him to make the move when he finally decides to leave the Bernabeu.

"Maybe in the future will be a good chance for me to play there [in America]," he told GQ.

"You never know, but it’s something interesting. I consider it, of course, because as I’ve said, soccer there has become better and better... I think that this is maybe going to be possible."

Ronaldo has been linked with an exit from the Bernabeu this summer, with interest from Paris Saint-Germain thought to be high.

However, it remains to be seen whether the 30-year-old will be allowed to leave by los Blancos given their impending transfer ban.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

So what if he bought a Rolls Royce! - Kazim-Richards defends Depay

Colin Kazim-Richards has defended Mephis Depay's lifestyle off the pitch and says critics should give him time to settle at Manchester United.

Depay followed up an impressive 2014 World Cup with the Netherlands by finishing as the highest-scoring player in the Eredivisie with 22 goals as PSV claimed the 2014-15 title.

That form earned a big-money move to United but the 21-year-old's performances have faded after an impressive start, while his off-field conduct has also come in for criticism.However, Kazim-Richards does not believe Depay's personal life is hindering his performances and insists he is still adjusting to life in the Premier League.

"He just needs to show what everyone knows, that he has potential to be one of the best in the world," the Feyenoord forward told De Telegraaf. "People forget what he is going through.

"He is just 22 years old [sic, 21 years old] and it is the first time he's lived outside Netherlands."I left my home as a 19-year-old [sic, 20-year-old] and went to one of the biggest clubs in Turkey [Fenerbahce], where the fans are a thousand times worse if they think you are not doing well.

"But people find it great to love him and to hate him. I know exactly what is going through his mind because I've had that my whole career. Everyone makes everything bigger than it is."So what if he bought a Rolls Royce! So what if he has nice watches, or this girl and that girl. What's the problem?

"People have to respect what Memphis does. He has the No.7 shirt, the most idyllic one at Manchester United. He came for €30 million, let him go through this process.

"Memphis needs to get used to having the ball every three minutes instead of every minute. He'll come out of this stronger."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luis Enrique on Barcelona transfers: The club know who I want

Luis Enrique says Barcelona are aware of his transfer targets for January but he will not insist on deals being completed.

The Camp Nou boss admitted earlier this month that he was keen to add another striker to his squad, despite already being able to count on an attack of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Celta Vigo forward Nolito and Villarreal's Denis Suarez continue to be heavily linked with returns to the treble winners, while talk of big-money moves for Paul Pogba and John Stones continues to surface.

The coach says he has made his intended signings clear to the club directors, but accepts that January is a difficult time to secure top targets."The club already knows what we need," Enrique told the media on Saturday. "It's not that I want this player and it has to be that way.

"There is a price, you have to be reasonable and different circumstances affect things. But I'll keep doing my work. "There's always a possibility that players can come and go when the market opens."

Barca face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday looking to hang on to top spot in La Liga, before they travel to San Mames next week for the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash.

The Catalans were denied the chance of winning the sextuple in 2015 when Athletic beat them in the Spanish Supercup, and the 45-year-old believes revenge will serve as good motivation for his players.

"We're used to playing against Athletic. I've done this so many times. We know them and it's difficult for both of us," he continued."We'll focus on the Liga game because it's important for us to stay top. The players know the type of game they will face and the type of effort they'll need to put in.

"They are the team that stopped the sextuple. If we're looking for motivation, they are one of the teams who have beaten us well. "[Athletic counterpart] Ernesto Valverde is a great coach. He has a very similar idea to our own, with his nuances, adapting things to the team.

"When you play against Athletic you know there is no easy ball. They're a well-drilled team, they know what to do in every moment of the game."They know how to stop our type of game but, when we've been at our level, we have overcome them."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo still the best in the world for me - Zidane

Zinedine Zidane has defended Cristiano Ronaldo in the wake of recent criticism and stressed the Real Madrid all-time top scorer remains the best in the world.

Ronaldo has already netted 25 goals in as many games in all competitions, but has been less decisive than in recent seasons and subjected to jeers from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd.

The 30-year-old was also dethroned as the best player in the world by Barcelona ace Lionel Messi during Monday's Fifa Ballon d'Or ceremony as rumours this will be the former's last season in the Spanish capital circulate.

But Zidane has insisted he is happy with Ronaldo and confirmed that he will be counting on the star to lead the team to their second win with him as Madrid boss against Sporting Gijon.

"Ronaldo is doing just fine," Zidane told reporters at a press conference. "He has my full support. I am very satisfied with him. Ronaldo is still the best in the world for me."He is a decisive player. There is always a lot of talk about him, but I am happy with him."

Ronaldo will be looking to add to his tally when los Blancos host the minnows on Sunday, but Zidane has warned they will not be pushovers.

"We have to be at our best. We know that Sporting are doing well," he added. "It is important to kill the match off as soon as possible."We are not afraid of Sporting, but it will not be an easy game."

Zidane left James Rodriguez out of his starting XI for last week's win over Deportivo but confirmed the Colombia international could return versus Gijon.
Sergio Ramos, however, remains unavailable and will be replaced by Raphael Varane."James will be part of the squad. I will not say right now whether he will play or not," Zidane continued.

"Sergio Ramos is getting better, but we have decided not to risk him. He will return to the group next week. Varane has evolved and has changed for the better in recent years. He will play on Sunday. "The Madrid coach also ruled out rumours Fabio Coentrao could be recalled from his loan spell at Monaco and denied an attempt to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.

"I have a good relationship with Coentrao, but I am happy with the squad I have at the moment," Zidane stressed. "Pogba is an extraordinary player, but I will focus on the players that are at this club."They are the ones who can win us games."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham 4-1 Sunderland: Eriksen inspires Spurs comeback

Tottenham had Christian Eriksen's brace to thank for Saturday's 4-1 victory over Sunderland that put them within four points of the top of the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino's men have established themselves as one of the title dark horses this season, but saw their climb temporarily halted by a 1-0 home defeat to rivals Leicester City on Wednesday.

Eager to bounce back against Sunderland, it was instead Sam Allardyce's men who took a surprise lead at White Hart Lane through Patrick van Aanholt.

It fell to Eriksen to level affairs just two minutes later when he prodded in the rebound of Harry Kane's saved effort, before Moussa Dembele put Spurs in the lead for the first time right before the hour mark.

A fortuitous deflection off Jan Kirchhoff handed Eriksen a second 23 minutes from time and the debutant's clumsy foul on Danny Rose allowed Kane to round off the scoring from the spot as Pochettino's side recorded their first league win of 2016.

Making his first Premier League start in north London, Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford tipped Kane's strike wide four minutes in as Spurs began strongly.
Dele Alli - fresh from agreeing a new contract in midweek - sent an effort over the crossbar after a fortuitous deflection off Rose's strike before a wayward Billy Jones clearance threatened to allow Kane in again.

Pickford was alert to the danger and while the hosts continued to apply pressure through the likes of Kane and Erik Lamela, Sunderland took the lead five minutes before the break.Adam Johnson's wonderful pass allowed Van Aanholt to finish at the near post and hand the visitors what proved a short-lived lead.

Just two minutes later, Pickford denied Kane one-on-one, only for Eriksen to divert the rebound on target with Cattermole unable to clear it off the line - instead turning the ball into his own net.

Eriksen was initially denied a second when Pickford tipped the Dane's long-range effort wide on the stroke of half-time before, after the break, Sunderland went close when former Spurs favourite Jermain Defoe found the side-netting after a quick break.After Kirchhoff was introduced, Kane and Rose both tested Pickford but the young goalkeeper could do little about either Dembele or Eriksen's strikes.

After Rose's effort was palmed away, Dembele - one of three Spurs changes from the defeat to Leicester in midweek - cut inside and ghosted past Jones and Jack Rodwell before finding Pickford's bottom left-hand corner.As Sunderland's hopes of taking anything back to Wearside faded, Eriksen made the most of the space afforded to him to unleash a strike that found the top corner via a deflection of Kirchhoff's leg.

And the former Bayern Munich man rounded off a difficult introduction to Premier League life by fouling Rose, Kane converting from the spot to maintain Spurs' title ambitions.