..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho admits to nerves before Manchester United's win over Bournemouth

Jose Mourinho admits that he was nervous before his first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United away to Bournemouth on Sunday.

United began their league campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Adam Smith netting a consolation for the hosts at the Vitality Stadium.

The result extended Mourinho's impressive run of opening-day results in England's top flight, with the former Chelsea boss having won seven and drawn one of his eight such encounters in his career.

Yet despite his experience in the Premier League and league titles claimed in Portugal, Italy and Spain, Mourinho says he felt the anxiety ahead of Sunday's clash."Before the match, a little bit, yeah," he replied when asked if he had felt the nerves. "For somebody to have that feeling is normal.

"One day, I took Real Madrid to Old Trafford and I asked Sir Alex [Ferguson], are you still nervous? 'Yes'. So I understood. Experience doesn't change things.You always have a little feeling."United's win sees them top the table, but Mourinho does not believe his side needed to lay down a marker about their title aspirations.

"I don't think they need a statement. Everybody knows we're going to fight for the title. Winning it or not is another story. But we'll fight until it's possible," he said."If it's mathematically not possible one day, we'll think about top four. That would be a step up from last season, which is fine. But we want more than fine.

"I started bad with Inter, one draw at home, and we won the treble. With Porto, it was the same. But the reality is that winning the Community Shield has brought some happiness, then we've had a win away from home. We go into Friday [against Southampton] with a good feeling."Eric Bailly delivered another accomplished display in the United defence and Mourinho has been delighted with his start to life at Old Trafford, though he was keen to praise his side's all-round organisation.

"When you buy somebody like him [Bailly] you have a question mark, whether he can adapt to a completely different situation. Playing in Spain, for Villarreal is different to Man U," he said."But he's showing big personality. He was injured against Leicester and said nothing, played 90 minutes, and trained the next day.

"But to be surrounded by organisation makes life easier. The team was very organised. We created a habitat of stability. But he's showing great quality."Mourinho reserved further praise for Ibrahimovic, saying the experienced striker has already proven to be an important role model for United's younger talent.

"His table for breakfast, for meals, he's surrounded by the kids. Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford - these are the guys with him. He knows what he can be for them," he said.

"For the team, you have to forget the passport. The body, the mentality is not that of a 34-year-old guy. He's at the top of his qualities."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Freiburg 0-2 AC Milan: Luiz Adriano at the double as Rossoneri take friendly win

Luiz Adriano scored both goals as AC Milan concluded their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win at Bundesliga newcomers Freiburg.

The hosts, who won 2.Bundesliga last term, began brightly as Florian Niederlechner had a goal chalked off for offside before Caglar Soyuncu headed wide when unmarked at a corner.But Milan broke the deadlock in the 39th minute as Keisuke Honda and Jack Bonaventura combined to pick apart the Freiburg defence and leave Luiz Adriano with a tap-in.

Juraj Kucka's header was disallowed due to Gabriel Paletta being in an offside position, but Vincenzo Montella's men were able to double their advantage before half-time when Luiz Adriano pounced on a dreadful backpass from Onur Bulut.

Freiburg continued to ask questions during the second period as Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Vincenzo Grifo and Janik Haberer hit the crossbar.

Milan open their Serie A campaign with a trip to Torino in seven days' time, while Freiburg are away to Babelsberg in the DFB-Pokal next Saturday before opening up in the league at Hertha Berlin the following weekend.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger not panicking but targets new recruits after Liverpool loss

Arsene Wenger accepts Arsenal need to do business before the close of the transfer window after seeing his side go down 4-3 to Liverpool in their Premier League opener on Sunday.

A thrilling game at Emirates Stadium saw Liverpool trail 1-0 before romping into a 4-1 lead, with Jurgen Klopp's men then staving off a comeback as Arsenal threatened to salvage a point.

With centre-halves Gabriel and Per Mertesacker injured and Laurent Koscielny not match fit, Wenger started young pair Calum Chambers and Rob Holding in the heart of the defence.The inexperienced duo were given a torrid time by Liverpool's clinical forward line and Wenger insists work is being undertaken to add to his squad before the transfer deadline.

"Yes we need some players back and of course I've said many times before we are working very hard still to get one or two more players in," he told Sky Sports.
"It's always desperate because there's not much time left but I don't know what you'd call desperate, it has to make sense and be quality.

"We've done that [spent big] before, but it's about identifying the players and the availability of the players."The final whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos from the home fans but Wenger was quick to shrug aside the discontent of the Gunners' faithful.

"That's part of it and of course that's not pleasant but we have shown in the past we have the mental strength to deal with that and bounce back," he added."At 4-1 down at home it's difficult with so many young players. At the back we lack a bit of maturity but you know that before we go into the game.

"We have to analyse but not panic. I'm always under pressure because I want to win every single game and that's part of the game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: I celebrated too soon against Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp feared he had celebrated too soon as he watched Liverpool withstand a late Arsenal fightback to seal a thrilling 4-3 Premier League win at Emirates Stadium.

Klopp's men began their top-flight campaign in style and, following a stunning free-kick to equalise in first-half stoppage time from Philippe Coutinho, they were 4-1 up 18 minutes into the second half.

Adam Lallana, Coutinho and debutant Sadio Mane were all on target during a blistering spell of attacking football for the visitors before Arsenal substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and centre-back Calum Chambers set up a grandstand finish.

Klopp charged down the touchline to revel in Mane's magnificent 63rd-minute goal and, by the time he realised he might be expressing premature joy, it was too late."I have a big part of the excitement of the last half an hour because it's not allowed to celebrate a fourth goal when there's still 30 mins to go," he told Sky Sports.

"I knew it in the moment [I shouldn't celebrate] but it was too late, I had Sadio on my back!"The game is not over unfortunately, and Arsenal were not in a good way but we gave them the path [back into the match] again. In the end, I think over 90 mins [the win] is deserved."

Theo Walcott missed a penalty shortly before putting Arsenal in front in the 31st minute – both incidents providing moments to forget for Liverpool's under-pressure left-back Alberto Moreno – but Klopp was pleased by the way his side showed resilience under pressure to find a response."We were much better in the last 15 mins [of first half], then the wonderful goal of Phil," he said. "All our goals were wonderful, to be honest.

"It looked like after half an hour, 'Oh, another Liverpool day', but then we strike back and that's very, very important."The defence in the last 10 mins, [needed] a bit more organisation and we had the opportunities for counter-attacks so there's a lot to do.

"It showed we can always score goals, but we can defend much better and that's what we have to do, of course."Asked whether he could handle such pulsating encounters every week, Klopp added: "Every week, I'm not sure but we jumped in the cold water.

"It's hard but it's the Premier League and nothing should be easy in this league so we need to be ready."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United fans have to love Fellaini - Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has backed Marouane Fellaini to earn the "love" of the club's supporters.

Fellaini has been an unpopular figure with sections of the Old Trafford faithful since being signed by David Moyes in 2013, but he excelled in the 3-1 Premier League win at Bournemouth on Sunday.

Mourinho acknowledged that Fellaini has work to do to turn around supporters' opinions, but suggested the midfielder will be an "important" player for United this season."With Fellaini I always have the feeling that he was not loved by the general Red people," Mourinho told MUTV.

"But if he plays like he's playing now, they have to love him because he's being so important for us."[Eric] Bailly and Daley [Blind] played well, the midfield players had an unbelievable complement for each other."

Juan Mata's opening goal was hailed by Mourinho as the crucial moment of Sunday's game, with Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also on the scoresheet before Adam Smith's late reply for the hosts.

"One goal changes the picture as in the beginning of the second half they tried to put more pressure on us, which opened more spaces," Mourinho said. "The opening goal is always important - it doesn't mean you win the match but on a psychological level it brings the confidence up and the team could play very well in the second half."

United captain Rooney picked out strike partner Ibrahimovic for praise after the Swede continued his run of scoring on his debut competition appearance by finding the net on his first games in the Champions League, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1.

"Zlatan is obviously a top-quality player and it's always great to play with him," Rooney said."He's a target man but also has great feet. I just have to move off him and try to get to into the pockets of space that are available.

"He was unlucky with his free-kick [that was saved] and it was a good strike for his goal. He's played in different leagues throughout Europe and scored in all of them and I've no doubt he'll continue to score for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man City closing in on deal for Barca keeper Bravo

Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, Goal understands.
The two clubs are yet to agree a fee for the Chile international but talks are expected to intensify following the conclusion of the Spanish Supercopa on Wednesday.
Bravo will play in Sunday's first leg against Sevilla thanks to an injury to Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who is himself seeking assurances that he will be first choice at Camp Nou this season.

City had shown their interest in Ter Stegen earlier this year, but Barca were insistent that any club would have to pay up his release clause, which stands at around £57 million, in full.

The Blues have since turned their attentions to Bravo, who is likely to see less playing time at Camp Nou this season as the Catalan outfit move to assure Ter Stegen that he is their long-term No.1.
It is thought Barca will not stick to Bravo's release clause, worth roughly £36m, and City are hopeful they can pay around half that amount.

City kept a close eye on Bravo during this summer's Copa America Centenario, where he overcame a difficult group stage to claim the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper after helping his country win the competition for the second consecutive year.

The 33-year-old is keen to link up with Guardiola and it is thought that personal terms have already been agreed.

The pursuit of Bravo could spell trouble for Joe Hart, who was left out of Guardiola's starting line-up for the Premier League opener against Sunderland on Saturday.

Willy Caballero was preferred to Hart, with Guardiola citing his ability to build up play from the back as well as his "personality", and the arrival of Bravo would further complicate the England goalkeeper's situation.

Guardiola has publicy insisted that Hart may yet win back his place in goal, but it is understood that the new City boss has long held doubts about the 29-year-old and highlighted a new goalkeeper as a priority this summer.

"Today I needed [Caballero] because I thought Sunderland would play high pressing, and Willy had more training sessions than Joe about our build-up," Guardiola said on Saturday.

"We spent a lot, a lot of time working two-against-one, three-against-two, four-against-three, using the goalkeeper, but it doesn't mean that Joe cannot do that. No. I'm not talking about that. Just today, I decide for that reason.

"I have a lot of respect for Joe, I have a lot of respect for his career, I know how good a goalkeeper he is, but today I decide for Willy, that's all."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Joe Hart ta wade set wei wage​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 0-2 Bayern Munich: Vidal & Muller give Ancelotti's men win

Carlo Ancelotti's reign as Bayern Munich coach began in triumph as the Bundesliga champions beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the DFL-Supercup at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday.

Dortmund dominated much of the match, but failed to make the most of their chances, with Manuel Neuer making a string of saves to deny them.Arturo Vidal put Bayern ahead early in the second half, tucking in the rebound after Roman Burki had saved his initial shot.

Mats Hummels had a nervy competitive debut for Bayern as he took on his old club, while Mario Gotze was an unused substitute after leaving Bavaria to return to Dortmund last month.

Dortmund beat Bayern in the 2013 and 2014 Supercups, but could not find an equaliser despite plenty of pressure and Thomas Muller tucked in the decisive second goal11 minutes from time. There was one downside for Bayern, however, as Vidal limped off with an injury during the second half.

Dortmund started well and had their first chance after six minutes, Shinji Kagawa shooting wide from Marc Bartra's lofted pass, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's effort deflected just wide.

Felix Passlack and Franck Ribery were both booked by referee Tobias Welz when the pair clashed on the wing, with Xabi Alonso also receiving a card for his protests as tempers flared.

The lively Ousmane Dembele got in behind Philipp Lahm and forced a good save from Neuer after 32 minutes before lashing a drive off-target as Dortmund dominated.

Adrian Ramos was next to go close, with Neuer again coming to Bayern's rescue, the Germany goalkeeper thrusting out his left leg to block the striker's low shot.

Bayern should have taken the lead against the run of play after 38 minutes when Vidal's header from point-blank range was kept out by Burki.Neuer continued to defy Dortmund after the break, Passlack's drive beaten away before Dembele's fizzing strike was turned around the post.

After Dortmund had squandered so many openings, it was perhaps inevitable that Bayern would take the lead on the break and they netted after 58 minutes.Robert Lewandowski pulled a low cross back and, after Burki saved Vidal's first effort, the Chile international slotted in the rebound.

Gonzalo Castro's shot was comfortably saved by Neuer as Dortmund probed, but were unable to find a way through the Bayern back line and Ancelotti's men duly killed off the match.

Hummels headed on a right-wing corner and Muller was perfectly placed to provide a close-range finish and seal a first Supercup success in their last four attempts for Bayern.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sevilla 0-2 Barcelona: Suarez fires Catalans to Supercopa advantage

Luis Suarez and Munir El Haddadi ensured Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 in the opening leg of the Supercopa de Espana but victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan came at a price for Luis Enrique's men.

Sevilla made most of the running during the first half where Barca's initially fitful progress was not helped by the loss of captain Andres Iniesta and Jeremy Mathieu to injury.

The participation of club icon Iniesta and defender Mathieu in Wednesday's second leg at Camp Nou could now be in doubt, but their team-mates will at last take a healthy advantage into that encounter.

Following a sensational return of 59 goals from 53 club matches last term, Suarez was soon back on the goal trail with a 54th-minute opener.

Sevilla's form faded from that point - their exertions in pushing Real Madrid to extra time in this week's UEFA Super Cup possibly a factor - and the second goal arrived nine minutes from time.

Munir was the first non-enforced substitution made by Luis Enrique and, amid his ongoing search for attacking reinforcements, the Barcelona boss was given a timely reminder of the 20-year-old's quality.

Sevilla, featuring five close-season signings in their starting XI, answered boss Jorge Sampaoli's call to take the game to Barcelona and made most of the early running to excite a fervent home crowd, despite Sergio Rico being forced into a sharp seventh-minute save to deny Suarez.

Unfortunately for the Europa League holders, their threat down the flanks was rarely matched by the quality of their final ball, while a counter-attack featuring Suarez and Lionel Messi lacked the forward duos trademark ruthlessness before Sergio Busquets lofted a shot harmlessly over.

Attempts by Luis Enrique's team to settle were dealt a blow when Mathieu made way with an apparent hamstring injury, allowing fellow Frenchman Lucas Digne to come on for his debut at left-back.

Iniesta was then on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Mariano and, with the Barca captain failing to overcome a heavy blow to his right knee, Denis Suarez followed Digne in making an earlier-than-planned debut in the 36th minute of a bruising first half for LaLiga's champions.

Rico's impeccable positioning came to Sevilla's aid four minutes after the break when Luis Suarez glanced a beautifully flighted cross from his namesake Denis goalwards and the same two players were involved when Barcelona broke the deadlock.

Denis Suarez was allowed space to pick a pass into the area once more, where Arda Turan pivoted to cleverly chest the ball into Luis Suarez's path for a typically clinical finish.

The goal shifted Barcelona into gear and Rico's reactions were at their best to claw a dinked finish from Messi to safety before the Sevilla goalkeeper denied Sergi Roberto at the near post in the 64th minute.

Messi linked effectively with the right-back on that occasion and the mercurial Argentine made light of Iniesta's absence by masterfully holding up play, gliding through midfield and threading a perfect pass for Munir to prod past the on-rushing Rico as Sevilla's earlier verve faded from view.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Conte: I'm happy Diego Costa is at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is delighted that Diego Costa has ignored overtures from Atletico Madrid to remain at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian will take charge of the Blues for the first time in a competitive fixture against West Ham on Monday and could have the Spain international striker in his squad after warning Atleti off the player they had made their top transfer target. The Brazil-born star excelled in a previous spell with the Vicente Calderon outfit but Conte believes he can make him better than ever.

"I am happy that he stayed here and decided to work with us," Conte said. "We know he can improve with the work."Costa, Chelsea's top scorer in each of the last two seasons, and Conte are both famed for their fiery attitudes, and the ex-Juventus boss admires that.

"I like the spirit of Diego because he always shows a great passion, I am the same, I have great passion for this football. He doesn’t want to lose and I like that passion, I want this passion in the team," he said."I know that he is a fantastic finisher and I think that Diego can improve the team a lot. Now, he is a fantastic player but he can improve a lot and I hope for this.

“Diego is a forward and he knows that in my idea of football, the forward must always be a point of reference for the team. I don’t like them to move around the pitch, I like them to stay there because you are a forward, you are committed to score the goals, stay in the right position, to play. You are a forward, not a midfielder or a defender!"The Italian was eager not to place too much expectation upon his player by putting a target number of goals for the season.

“I never ask this of my striker, never, never. I ask my players to have the right attitude, right behaviour and right commitment. It is important that the players, play our style of football.

“I think all the players need to improve, not only for Diego Costa. My work is to win but also to improve the players. It is important for me to leave him a percentage to improve. I think the coach or manager must improve his players in different aspect, my job is this, to improve my players. Maybe the most important thing.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stones was a 'f***ing player' - Caballero hails new Man City signing

Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero hailed new signing John Stones as a "f***ing player" after he made his debut in the 2-1 victory against Sunderland on Saturday.

Caballero was chosen ahead of traditional City No.1 Joe Hart for the club's Premier League opener, with coach Pep Guardiola favouring the Argentine's ability to build up play from the back.

Guardiola also highlighted Stones as a priority target in this summer's transfer window for his skill in possession, and the young England defender was handed his first start just four days after clinching a £47.5 million move from Everton.

There were a couple of suspect moments for both players in an overall positive display, but Caballero is certain that the team will improve given time - especially if new boy Stones continues to impress.

"This is a very important change," Caballero said of Guardiola's demands on playing out from the back. "Sometimes we are taking risks when we pass the ball in our backline and my first pass was really really complicated because they could have scored, but after that we played [much] better from the back and we can start playing as the boss wants, but we need minutes. We need minutes together.

"Two or three players have arrived in the last week. John played today like a f***ing player, he plays as he has has been here from the last three or four years. It’s important to play together. We need games and minutes together to have experience together and to have rhythm and to play more better if we can."

Guardiola's decision to select Caballero instead of Hart took many by surprise an hour ahead of kick-off, although it has long been suspected that the Englishman's place could be under threat.

Claudio Bravo is keen to link up with Guardiola and it is thought that personal terms have already been agreed.
Caballero expected to leave the club earlier this summer, but while City are expected to pursue a new keeper before the end of the transfer window, it could now be Hart who is moved on.

And the Argentine says Guardiola has had plenty of discussions with Hart in the past few weeks.

"I think he spoke with Joe a lot of times, but with me, I just trained every day in the whole of pre-season, and I realised in the last day that I am going to start."

He insists, however, that the current scenario is difficult for everybody involved: "Yeah, it is. For sure, it’s very tough in this situation for me, for Joe, for the fans, for everything, but I just tried to think and enjoy this opportunity and the most important thing is that we won as well.

"It doesn’t matter who played and when Joe has the opportunity, I think he will enjoy it as well as me."

Caballero, though, says he has not tried to replicate the success of any of Guardiola's former goalkeepers in a bid to impress his new manager.


"No, I try to adapt my way to play as he wants," he added. "Manuel Neuer is the No.1 in the world, Victor Valdes, it doesn't matter about the other teams. I try to be Willy Caballero, to do my best performance in every single game. I know it is a new style, but I know from myself I can prove I can do it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Things can only get Petr - Cech concedes four then crashes car

A miserable day for Petr Cech went from bad to worse in the aftermath of Arsenal's 4-3 Premier League defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

After plucking the ball from his net four times in the space of 18 minutes either side of half-time, the experience goalkeeper failed to complete the seemingly routine task of driving out of the stadium car park.

Pictures emerged on social media apparently showing damage to the front bumper of the car, with Cech having reportedly hit a pillar.

Arsenal took the lead at Emirates Stadium when Theo Walcott slotted in two minutes after having a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet, but Cech's day soon went downhill.

First Phillippe Coutinho beat him with a brilliant curling free-kick, then Adam Lallana put Liverpool in front and Coutinho extended their lead by finishing off a long passing move.

Sadio Mane cut in off the right wing to smash in a superb unstoppable fourth, before Arsenal grabbed goals back from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger rues fitness woe as Ramsey, Iwobi suffer injuries

Arsene Wenger was counting the cost of Arsenal's loss to Liverpool as Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi sustained injuries in their Premier League opener.

A remarkable game at Emirates Stadium ended 4-3 in Liverpool's favour, Jurgen Klopp's side coming from behind to take a 4-1 lead before staving off the hosts' comeback to clinch the points.

With Per Mertesacker and Gabriel injured and Laurent Koscielny not yet ready for action after his Euro 2016 exploits, Wenger was forced to field Calum Chambers and debutant Rob Holding at centre-half.

Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud were also missing from the matchday squad following their travails in France, and a bad day for Wenger was exacerbated as he confirmed Ramsey and Iwobi had suffered respective hamstring and thigh problems."We are not ready. Physically we are not ready," Wenger told his post-match media conference.

"It's a catch 22 situation with the Euros, you have to give players a rest. They are not ready to play this kind of game and get injured like Ramsey today."Or you give them rest and start your season without many of your players. When they have not had the volume of preparation they get injured."

Asked if the players in question would be fit to face defending champions Leicester City on Saturday, Wenger replied: "I don't know. We have to be ready next week because we go to Leicester."We see first what we can do with the players who are preparing at the moment and how many are injured, can they recover for next week I don't know.

"We had many players stay very late at the Euros - Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, four players who went very late."We've prepared well the players we have but as well you have to consider we have been a bit unlucky.

"We've lost Mertesacker and Gabriel in the preparation and Koscielny is not fit. You have to accept sometimes that you cannot control absolutely everything even if you try to be as intelligent as possible."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League Fixture 2016.08.15

Barclays Premier League Fixture 2016.08.15

Chelsea Vs West Ham

​

 

[Michael]

Joe Hart ta wade set wei wage​

Danatama set wela iwarai.. Minihath dan fed up wela inne

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Danatama set wela iwarai.. Minihath dan fed up wela inne

u karana misses hatiyata mechchara kal kohoma hitiyada manda.
chewingum ekak hapa hapa innawa ara sri lankan batsman wage. thrimanna wage

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 2-1 West Ham: Diego Costa sets Conte era off with a bang

Diego Costa scored a dramatic winner with one minute remaining to give Chelsea a 2-1 victory over West Ham in Antonio Conte's first Premier League match in charge.

Having had the better of a quiet first half at Stamford Bridge on Monday, Chelsea netted what they thought would be the game's only goal when Eden Hazard blasted home a 47th-minute penalty after Michail Antonio had fouled Cesar Azpilicueta.

But West Ham, who kept Dimitri Payet on the substitutes' bench until midway through the second half, saw defender James Collins stun the hosts with 13 minutes remaining – scoring with their first shot on target.

However, it was Costa – fortunate to still be on the pitch following a reckless lunge on goalkeeper Adrian – who had the last word with an impressive long-range winner.

Despite the late nature of their triumph, Chelsea - still unbeaten at home to West Ham in the Premier League since September 2002 – were deserving of the victory, with Conte celebrating wildly after the controversial Costa struck.

The Blues are back in action away to Watford on Saturday, while Slaven Bilic's men have a Europa League tie against Astra on Thursday.Chelsea threatened first when Branislav Ivanovic combined with Oscar and forced Adrian into a smart save at his near post.

Conte and Oscar were then both demanding a penalty when the Brazilian dispossessed Mark Noble and charged into the box before going down as Winston Reid challenged, but referee Anthony Taylor waved away their claims.

Hazard and Costa both shot narrowly off target as the hosts looked most likely to make the breakthrough, while West Ham suffered a major blow with debutant and club-record signing Andre Ayew forced off due to a thigh injury.

Within 52 seconds of the restart, Chelsea were awarded a penalty when – moments after Adrian had denied Costa from close-range - Antonio rashly brought down Azpilicueta, with Hazard smashing the resulting spot-kick into the roof of the net.

Adrian got down well to keep out Willian as Conte's men attempted to put the result beyond doubt, while Bilic finally introduced Payet for the last 23 minutes with the visitors still seeking their first shot on target.Costa – already on a booking - was extremely fortunate to avoid a red card for a lunge on Adrian, before West Ham grabbed a shock leveller.

Payet's corner had led to Cheikhou Kouyate having an effort blocked before Collins lashed home a magnificent left-footed finish from just inside the penalty area.Conte threw on Pedro, Michy Batshuayi and Victor Moses in the closing stages and was ecstatic when his alterations paid dividends.

It was debutant Batshuayi's flick that picked out Costa more than 20 yards from goal, with the Spain striker finding the bottom corner to seal a memorable victory, sending Conte wild on the touchline.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter to beat Man Utd & Chelsea to Gabigol signing

Inter are leading the race to sign Gabriel Barbosa from Santos for £25 million and are expected to beat Juventus, Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City to the signing of the star, Goal understands.

Santos president Modesto Roma held provisional talks in London with representatives from the Premier League clubs. He also visited Madrid to speak to Atletico, while Juventus also made an offer for him.

However, the 19-year-old will most likely join Inter this summer, as sources close to the forward have confirmed the Nerazzurri have agreed terms with Santos.

Frank de Boer's side are yet to open talks over personal terms with Barbosa, though, and will wait until after the Olympics, with the attacker nicknamed 'Gabigol' aiming for a gold medal with Brazil in Rio.There is still time for Premier League clubs to make a move, but there is little sign they will do so.

Chelsea are focusing their financial strength on securing Everton's Romelu Lukaku, who they are prioritising over Gbigol, and have been trying to re-sign the Belgian throughout the transfer window.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Podolski confirms international retirement

Germany forward Lukas Podolski has confirmed his retirement from international football with immediate effect.

Podolski, who plays at club level with Galatasaray, suggested in January 2015 that Euro 2016 would be his final major tournament with the national team.The 31-year-old was included in Joachim Low's team and made his only appearance in the 3-0 victory over Slovakia in the group stage.

Germany exited the competition with a 2-0 defeat to France in the semi-finals, and Podolski has disclosed he informed the coach of his decision to step away from the international stage.

"Before the season and the matches start again soon, I wanted to communicate something to you [the fans]: I told the national team coach that I will not play for the team with immediate effect," wrote Podolski in a social media post."I [will] dedicate myself more to other things. Most, of course, my family. I am sure they will not complain if I have more time for them in future.

"The national team has always been a matter of the heart, and they always will be. But after the Euros/vacation I felt that my focus has shifted. Everything has its time – and my time with the DFB [national team] is over."Podolski made his Germany debut under Rudi Voller in a 2-0 friendly loss against Hungary in 2004, going on to make 129 appearances and score 48 goals for his country.

The forward was named Best Young Player at the 2006 World Cup on home soil and was included in the Team of the Tournament for Euro 2008.

Podolski's career highlight came in Brazil in 2014, however, when Germany were crowned world champions at the Maracana, and he thanked everyone who helped him through his international career.

"For me this is a very emotional farewell. I am proud of what I experienced with the DFB. Nothing can replace what it gave me, the team cohesion, joy and passion," he continued."From a two-year-old Polish boy, who came to Germany with only a ball under his arm, to a world champion – it is more than I could have dreamed of.

"Thanks to the DFB. Thanks to the team behind the team! Thanks to my team-mates. And thank you to the coaches. Thank you Rudi Voller. Thank you [former Germany coach] Jurgen Klinsmann. And especially: thank you Joachim Low!
"The biggest thankyou: to the fans who always stood by me, even in bad times.The connection between you and I was extremely important to me."I wish the team a successful future. I will have my fingers crossed from now on, as a big fan of this great team. It was an honour for me."