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..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
- Start date
Newcastle Starting Line-up
Dubravka
Dummett
Lascelles
Lejeune
Yedlin
Shelvey
Kenedy
Diame
Perez
Ritchie
Gayle
&
Manchester United Starting Line-up
De Gea
Valencia
Jones
Smalling
Young
Matic
Pogba
Lingard
Martial
Sanchez
Lukaku
Another away defeat
must win matches meh paradinne
score karanna thibba chances godakma miss unaluck ekanam anthimai
loku threat ekak Top 4 hopes walata mehema giyoth nam:
next Huddersfield FA cup match eka.Good Luck for the next match Manchester United!
Newcastle United 1 Manchester United 0: Ritchie strike keeps City 16 points clear
Matt Ritchie's first Premier League goal since May 2016 gave Newcastle United a shock 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday and struck a potentially decisive blow in the title race.
Jose Mourinho's side suffered a second successive defeat on the road and only their third in 29 league meetings with the Magpies to stay 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Mourinho had failed to win in six previous visits to St James' Park in England's top flight and his players rarely looked likely to bring that run to an end in another hugely disjointed display.
Chances were scarce throughout the contest but Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez wasted clear openings, while Romelu Lukaku had a goal disallowed, before Ritchie capitalised on some slack defending in the 65th minute.
The visitors offered some late pressure but could not find a way past debutant goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, meaning their chances of catching City look almost gone with 11 matches left to play.Newcastle, meanwhile, climb to 13th in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone.
Jonjo Shelvey brought a fine one-handed save out of David de Gea just five minutes in, as Newcastle made a bold start against a team they last beat at home in the top flight in January 2012.
The visitors began to get a grip on possession but their attacking play lacked any real inspiration in the first half-hour, with Jesse Lingard producing their first shot on target 32 minutes in.
Martial wasted a glorious chance before the break, though, racing through one-on-one against Dubravka after a brilliant Nemanja Matic pass, only to shoot straight at the Newcastle goalkeeper.It was a rare moment of quality from United and they were fortunate not to concede a penalty before the interval, with referee Craig Pawson unmoved after Dwight Gayle when to ground after being caught by Chris Smalling.
The visitors did have the ball in the net 52 minutes in but Lukaku was penalised for a push on Florian Lejeune as he headed into the net, although Mourinho's men were at last beginning to look a consistent threat.
Sanchez came close with a good run and shot but wasted the best chance of the match 56 minutes in, rounding Dubravka after collecting Lukaku's throughball only to see Lejeune block his goalbound effort after he paused in front of an empty net.
It proved a costly miss. After Chris Smalling conceded a free-kick for diving near the halfway line, Shelvey sent a simple long ball into the box, Gayle cushioned a loose ball into Ritchie path and he swept home completely unmarked from 12 yards out.
Pogba, who looked to have struggled with an injury from the outset, was taken off along with Lingard as Mourinho threw on Michael Carrick and Juan Mata, and the latter's corner led to Martial seeing two efforts from 12 yards blocked on the line by the covering defence.
That was as good as it got for the visitors, though, who must now look for positive results against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup and Sevilla in the Champions League to keep their trophy hopes for the season truly alive.
Matt Ritchie's first Premier League goal since May 2016 gave Newcastle United a shock 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday and struck a potentially decisive blow in the title race.
Jose Mourinho's side suffered a second successive defeat on the road and only their third in 29 league meetings with the Magpies to stay 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Mourinho had failed to win in six previous visits to St James' Park in England's top flight and his players rarely looked likely to bring that run to an end in another hugely disjointed display.
Chances were scarce throughout the contest but Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez wasted clear openings, while Romelu Lukaku had a goal disallowed, before Ritchie capitalised on some slack defending in the 65th minute.
The visitors offered some late pressure but could not find a way past debutant goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, meaning their chances of catching City look almost gone with 11 matches left to play.Newcastle, meanwhile, climb to 13th in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone.
Jonjo Shelvey brought a fine one-handed save out of David de Gea just five minutes in, as Newcastle made a bold start against a team they last beat at home in the top flight in January 2012.
The visitors began to get a grip on possession but their attacking play lacked any real inspiration in the first half-hour, with Jesse Lingard producing their first shot on target 32 minutes in.
Martial wasted a glorious chance before the break, though, racing through one-on-one against Dubravka after a brilliant Nemanja Matic pass, only to shoot straight at the Newcastle goalkeeper.It was a rare moment of quality from United and they were fortunate not to concede a penalty before the interval, with referee Craig Pawson unmoved after Dwight Gayle when to ground after being caught by Chris Smalling.
The visitors did have the ball in the net 52 minutes in but Lukaku was penalised for a push on Florian Lejeune as he headed into the net, although Mourinho's men were at last beginning to look a consistent threat.
Sanchez came close with a good run and shot but wasted the best chance of the match 56 minutes in, rounding Dubravka after collecting Lukaku's throughball only to see Lejeune block his goalbound effort after he paused in front of an empty net.
It proved a costly miss. After Chris Smalling conceded a free-kick for diving near the halfway line, Shelvey sent a simple long ball into the box, Gayle cushioned a loose ball into Ritchie path and he swept home completely unmarked from 12 yards out.
Pogba, who looked to have struggled with an injury from the outset, was taken off along with Lingard as Mourinho threw on Michael Carrick and Juan Mata, and the latter's corner led to Martial seeing two efforts from 12 yards blocked on the line by the covering defence.
That was as good as it got for the visitors, though, who must now look for positive results against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup and Sevilla in the Champions League to keep their trophy hopes for the season truly alive.
Inter 2 Bologna 1: Karamoh breaks winless run
Yann Karamoh's first Inter goal earned the Nerazzurri their first win of 2018 in a 2-1 Serie A victory over nine-man Bologna on Sunday.
Luciano Spalletti's men have lost two and drawn six league matches since their 5-0 demolition of Chievo on December 3, having gone unbeaten for the first 16 matches of the season.Eder's second-minute strike got Inter off to an excellent start at San Siro, but Rodrigo Palacio's equaliser against his old club put the home side on course for a fifth consecutive 1-1 result.
However, Karamoh – making his first top-flight start – buried a wonderful strike from outside the area shortly after the hour mark for three points that lift Inter above Lazio into third, 14 points adrift of second-placed Juventus.
Bologna, who had both Ibrahima Mbaye and Adam Masina sent off in the second half, remain 10 points clear of the relegation zone.Inter's determination to break their poor run was evident from kick-off, taking only 91 seconds go in front.
A swift attacking move ended with Marcelo Brozovic pulling the ball back from the byline for Eder to prod home from close range, netting Inter's fastest Serie A goal since 2007.
Palacio threatened to level matters when his header drew a superb diving save from Samir Handanovic after 23 minutes, but the Argentine was more successful two minutes later.
A wild clearance from Miranda sent the ball looping into the path of Palacio, who took the ball down on his chest and judged the bounce perfectly to rifle an effort beyond Handanovic.
Ivan Perisic sent a weak strike dribbling frustratingly into the arms of Antonio Mirante as Inter looked to re-establish their advantage, before Eder went down in the box under pressure from Sebastien De Maio, although referee Paolo Valeri was unmoved by appeals for a penalty.
Miranda was replaced by debutant Lisandro Lopez at half-time following his involvement in the Bologna equaliser and Inter came agonisingly close to going back in front three minutes after the restart.
Danilo D'Ambrosio headed against the ground from close range, the ball bouncing up and striking the crossbar before Milan Skriniar's follow-up header sailed over the target.The home fans took out their frustration on Brozovic as the midfielder left the field to be replaced by Rafinha after 58 minutes, but Karamoh gave them something to celebrate five minutes later.
After drifting along the Bologna back line to set up the perfect shooting angle, the France Under-21 international fired in a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box. Inter's cause was aided by Mbaye's lack of discipline, as the defender – another Nerazzurri old boy – earned himself two yellow cards in the space of four minutes.
The home side survived a VAR assessment of a suspected D'Ambrosio handball on the edge of the box, as well as a late Palacio effort kept out by the boot of Handanovic, before Masina's red card for leaving his studs in on Lopez put the final nail in Bologna's chances in stoppage time.
Yann Karamoh's first Inter goal earned the Nerazzurri their first win of 2018 in a 2-1 Serie A victory over nine-man Bologna on Sunday.
Luciano Spalletti's men have lost two and drawn six league matches since their 5-0 demolition of Chievo on December 3, having gone unbeaten for the first 16 matches of the season.Eder's second-minute strike got Inter off to an excellent start at San Siro, but Rodrigo Palacio's equaliser against his old club put the home side on course for a fifth consecutive 1-1 result.
However, Karamoh – making his first top-flight start – buried a wonderful strike from outside the area shortly after the hour mark for three points that lift Inter above Lazio into third, 14 points adrift of second-placed Juventus.
Bologna, who had both Ibrahima Mbaye and Adam Masina sent off in the second half, remain 10 points clear of the relegation zone.Inter's determination to break their poor run was evident from kick-off, taking only 91 seconds go in front.
A swift attacking move ended with Marcelo Brozovic pulling the ball back from the byline for Eder to prod home from close range, netting Inter's fastest Serie A goal since 2007.
Palacio threatened to level matters when his header drew a superb diving save from Samir Handanovic after 23 minutes, but the Argentine was more successful two minutes later.
A wild clearance from Miranda sent the ball looping into the path of Palacio, who took the ball down on his chest and judged the bounce perfectly to rifle an effort beyond Handanovic.
Ivan Perisic sent a weak strike dribbling frustratingly into the arms of Antonio Mirante as Inter looked to re-establish their advantage, before Eder went down in the box under pressure from Sebastien De Maio, although referee Paolo Valeri was unmoved by appeals for a penalty.
Miranda was replaced by debutant Lisandro Lopez at half-time following his involvement in the Bologna equaliser and Inter came agonisingly close to going back in front three minutes after the restart.
Danilo D'Ambrosio headed against the ground from close range, the ball bouncing up and striking the crossbar before Milan Skriniar's follow-up header sailed over the target.The home fans took out their frustration on Brozovic as the midfielder left the field to be replaced by Rafinha after 58 minutes, but Karamoh gave them something to celebrate five minutes later.
After drifting along the Bologna back line to set up the perfect shooting angle, the France Under-21 international fired in a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box. Inter's cause was aided by Mbaye's lack of discipline, as the defender – another Nerazzurri old boy – earned himself two yellow cards in the space of four minutes.
The home side survived a VAR assessment of a suspected D'Ambrosio handball on the edge of the box, as well as a late Palacio effort kept out by the boot of Handanovic, before Masina's red card for leaving his studs in on Lopez put the final nail in Bologna's chances in stoppage time.
Barcelona 0 Getafe 0: Messi, Suarez frustrated to offer Atletico title boost
Barcelona were held to a second consecutive draw as Getafe left Camp Nou with a hard-earned 0-0 draw.For the first time since the April 2012 Clasico against Real Madrid, Barca failed to register a shot on target during the first half of a home game in LaLiga, although Luis Suarez did have a brilliant volley ruled out for offside.
Ernesto Valverde's side belatedly shifted through the gears after half-time but it was not enough to breach some stubborn resistance from Pepe Bordalas' visitors.
It means Atletico Madrid, who picked up a third consecutive victory at Malaga on Saturday, have trimmed Barcelona's advantage at the summit to seven points.If Diego Simeone's men can make further inroads before the teams meet at Camp Nou on March 4, LaLiga might just have a title race as opposed to a procession this season.
Yerry Mina was handed a full debut at the heart of a makeshift Barcelona defence, with full-back Lucas Digne partnering the Colombia international at centre-half.
It was a factor in a stuttering start from LaLiga's leaders, although Mina's playmaking capabilities from deep appeared attuned to Barca's famed style.Damian Suarez made a perfectly judged challenge to deny Lionel Messi when Ivan Rakitic's chipped pass found Barcelona's talisman in the 32nd minute.
Getafe continued to threaten when they could at the other end and Angel Rodriguez latched on to a clever ball behind Rakitic from Francisco Portillo, twisted into space past Mina and had a strike deflected narrowly wide from the edge of the box.Luis Suarez had twice been frustrated by the linesman's flag by the time a correct offside call meant his fabulous 44th-minute volley on the end of Messi's floated free-kick was chalked off, leaving the Uruguay star furious.
Philippe Coutinho finally managed to give Vicente Guaita some work in the 50th minute, although his well-struck, curling effort was too close to the Getafe goalkeeper.
The flag stayed down in the 56th minute but there was further anguish for Luis Suarez on the end of Paco Alcacer's clever flick when he slammed wide.Guaita thrust out a left hand to keep out a more testing Coutinho attempt but Getafe's response to Barcelona's most enterprising spell of the match was impressive.
Gaku Shibasaki might have caught out Marc-Andre ter Stegen but lifted his shot off target when a counter-attack found the Barca goalkeeper in no-man's land, while Vitorino Antunes flashed an ambitious volley over from a 62nd-minute corner.
Valverde responded by sending on Andres Iniesta and Ousmane Dembele in place of Coutinho and Alcacer.Messi won a free-kick and sent the shot spiralling over – the fear for Getafe was that Bruno Gonzalez catching him in the face with a stray boot while he was on the floor might have made the great man angry.
But Guaita was able to stand up to a pair of testing Messi strikes and produce an acrobatic stoppage-time save to keep out a Luis Suarez header as Getafe held on for a deserved point.
Barcelona were held to a second consecutive draw as Getafe left Camp Nou with a hard-earned 0-0 draw.For the first time since the April 2012 Clasico against Real Madrid, Barca failed to register a shot on target during the first half of a home game in LaLiga, although Luis Suarez did have a brilliant volley ruled out for offside.
Ernesto Valverde's side belatedly shifted through the gears after half-time but it was not enough to breach some stubborn resistance from Pepe Bordalas' visitors.
It means Atletico Madrid, who picked up a third consecutive victory at Malaga on Saturday, have trimmed Barcelona's advantage at the summit to seven points.If Diego Simeone's men can make further inroads before the teams meet at Camp Nou on March 4, LaLiga might just have a title race as opposed to a procession this season.
Yerry Mina was handed a full debut at the heart of a makeshift Barcelona defence, with full-back Lucas Digne partnering the Colombia international at centre-half.
It was a factor in a stuttering start from LaLiga's leaders, although Mina's playmaking capabilities from deep appeared attuned to Barca's famed style.Damian Suarez made a perfectly judged challenge to deny Lionel Messi when Ivan Rakitic's chipped pass found Barcelona's talisman in the 32nd minute.
Getafe continued to threaten when they could at the other end and Angel Rodriguez latched on to a clever ball behind Rakitic from Francisco Portillo, twisted into space past Mina and had a strike deflected narrowly wide from the edge of the box.Luis Suarez had twice been frustrated by the linesman's flag by the time a correct offside call meant his fabulous 44th-minute volley on the end of Messi's floated free-kick was chalked off, leaving the Uruguay star furious.
Philippe Coutinho finally managed to give Vicente Guaita some work in the 50th minute, although his well-struck, curling effort was too close to the Getafe goalkeeper.
The flag stayed down in the 56th minute but there was further anguish for Luis Suarez on the end of Paco Alcacer's clever flick when he slammed wide.Guaita thrust out a left hand to keep out a more testing Coutinho attempt but Getafe's response to Barcelona's most enterprising spell of the match was impressive.
Gaku Shibasaki might have caught out Marc-Andre ter Stegen but lifted his shot off target when a counter-attack found the Barca goalkeeper in no-man's land, while Vitorino Antunes flashed an ambitious volley over from a 62nd-minute corner.
Valverde responded by sending on Andres Iniesta and Ousmane Dembele in place of Coutinho and Alcacer.Messi won a free-kick and sent the shot spiralling over – the fear for Getafe was that Bruno Gonzalez catching him in the face with a stray boot while he was on the floor might have made the great man angry.
But Guaita was able to stand up to a pair of testing Messi strikes and produce an acrobatic stoppage-time save to keep out a Luis Suarez header as Getafe held on for a deserved point.
Southampton 0 Liverpool 2: Firmino and Salah move Reds to within two points of Man Utd
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah once again led the way for Liverpool as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners at Southampton to close within two points of second-place Manchester United.
It was by no means a vintage display from Jurgen Klopp's men, but they did ultimately cruise thanks to the individual quality of Firmino and Salah, who have now scored 34 of Liverpool's 61 Premier League goals this term.Any hopes Mauricio Pellegrino had of his side keeping things tight early on vanished after just six minutes, as Liverpool punished a Wesley Hoedt error to open the scoring through Firmino – the alert Salah setting him up.
Southampton were the better side for the remainder of the first half, but visiting goalkeeper Loris Karius ensured they failed to make the most of their superiority and a glorious exchange in which Firmino repaid the favour to Salah in the 42nd minute saw Liverpool double the lead against the run of play.
Liverpool – who had Virgil van Dijk making his first return to St Mary's Stadium since his £75million move – looked rather more switched on at the back in the second half and Southampton's chances dried up.
Klopp's side could have added further gloss to the scoreline as they missed a couple more opportunities, but Southampton never looked like fighting back and Liverpool successfully capitalised on United's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United earlier on Sunday.
One mistake was all it took for Southampton to find themselves behind early on, with Hoedt culpable.The Dutch defender completely missed his kick when trying to deal with a long ball and Salah pounced in a flash, showing great awareness to square to Firmino, who confidently slotted past Alex McCarthy.
Southampton responded well and exerted pressure on their visitors, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg forcing Karius into action from close range in the 18th minute.
Karius, easily the busier of the two goalkeepers, was tested again just before the half-hour mark, halting Guido Carrillo's header from a James Ward-Prowse cross.And the German did brilliantly a few moments later, tipping Ward-Prowse's header just over.
Southampton were ultimately made to rue their missed chances when Salah finished with aplomb after a brilliant one-two with Firmino, who set the Egyptian up with a delightful backheel just before the break.
Salah afforded Saints a let-off early in the second half, shooting over from just inside the area after a Sadio Mane effort ricocheted right into his path.The hosts were rather less effective going forward in the second period and their only chance fell to Hoedt in the 59th minute, but he could only find the side-netting when flicking on a Ward-Prowse corner.Liverpool should have put the game beyond Southampton 20 minutes from time when Firmino saw his effort saved by McCarthy and Salah put the rebound into the side-netting.
Mane and substitute Adam Lallana had further opportunities in the final 15 minutes, though neither miss mattered a great deal as Liverpool clinched all three points with minimal fuss.
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah once again led the way for Liverpool as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners at Southampton to close within two points of second-place Manchester United.
It was by no means a vintage display from Jurgen Klopp's men, but they did ultimately cruise thanks to the individual quality of Firmino and Salah, who have now scored 34 of Liverpool's 61 Premier League goals this term.Any hopes Mauricio Pellegrino had of his side keeping things tight early on vanished after just six minutes, as Liverpool punished a Wesley Hoedt error to open the scoring through Firmino – the alert Salah setting him up.
Southampton were the better side for the remainder of the first half, but visiting goalkeeper Loris Karius ensured they failed to make the most of their superiority and a glorious exchange in which Firmino repaid the favour to Salah in the 42nd minute saw Liverpool double the lead against the run of play.
Liverpool – who had Virgil van Dijk making his first return to St Mary's Stadium since his £75million move – looked rather more switched on at the back in the second half and Southampton's chances dried up.
Klopp's side could have added further gloss to the scoreline as they missed a couple more opportunities, but Southampton never looked like fighting back and Liverpool successfully capitalised on United's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United earlier on Sunday.
One mistake was all it took for Southampton to find themselves behind early on, with Hoedt culpable.The Dutch defender completely missed his kick when trying to deal with a long ball and Salah pounced in a flash, showing great awareness to square to Firmino, who confidently slotted past Alex McCarthy.
Southampton responded well and exerted pressure on their visitors, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg forcing Karius into action from close range in the 18th minute.
Karius, easily the busier of the two goalkeepers, was tested again just before the half-hour mark, halting Guido Carrillo's header from a James Ward-Prowse cross.And the German did brilliantly a few moments later, tipping Ward-Prowse's header just over.
Southampton were ultimately made to rue their missed chances when Salah finished with aplomb after a brilliant one-two with Firmino, who set the Egyptian up with a delightful backheel just before the break.
Salah afforded Saints a let-off early in the second half, shooting over from just inside the area after a Sadio Mane effort ricocheted right into his path.The hosts were rather less effective going forward in the second period and their only chance fell to Hoedt in the 59th minute, but he could only find the side-netting when flicking on a Ward-Prowse corner.Liverpool should have put the game beyond Southampton 20 minutes from time when Firmino saw his effort saved by McCarthy and Salah put the rebound into the side-netting.
Mane and substitute Adam Lallana had further opportunities in the final 15 minutes, though neither miss mattered a great deal as Liverpool clinched all three points with minimal fuss.
Conte: I'm a 'disaster' trying to convince my clubs to spend
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he's been "a bit of a disaster" when trying to convince his clubs to spend big money on transfers but thinks his coaching skill can't come under question. The Blues are in poor form, having lost 3-0 to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge before Watford triumphed 4-1 against them at Vicarage Road.
Chelsea's game against West Brom on Monday could be pivotal to Conte's future and, after saying everyone at the Blues is responsible for the club's current problems, he acknowledged he has done poorly at landing transfer targets.
"My task is to try and improve every single player, in every aspect," Conte said. "About mentality also, about the desire, the will to fight, and the tactical aspects. Yes. My task is this. For this, I'm very good."I think I'm a bit of a disaster to convince the club to buy the players. I think in this aspect I can improve a lot. I have to learn a lot from the other coaches, the other managers, in that aspect. I can learn a lot in that aspect.
"I don't know [how to improve]. I have to speak more with the managers who are very, very good to persuade their clubs to spend money and buy top players.
Asked if his players' improvement makes requesting transfers difficult, he added: "You are not the first person to suggest this — not the first person to tell me this. Usually, in my experience, I think I reached the best results possible with the players that I have to work with."I think that I'm the type of coach who, if I have a player who is six, I bring him to an eight. If I have a player who is eight, I take him to 10. I'm this type of coach."
Conte's comments could be alluding to the Manchester clubs, whose managers have convinced their teams to outspend Chelsea considerably this season. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have outspent Chelsea for the last five seasons, when accounting for player sales against player purchases, and now have a 22-point lead over the champions in the Premier League.
Chelsea's poor performance in the league has intensified speculation that Conte will leave at the end of the season. Luis Enrique is rumoured to be the man who will replace him, and Conte revealed he has a friendship with the ex-Roma boss from both managers' time in Italy.
"I have spoken with him," Conte said. "We played against each other, and he's a really good person. I have great admiration for Luis Enrique and, sometime, he is a fantastic coach."He reached his targets with Barcelona, and also with Roma, you could see a well organised team. I can speak about him very well, as a person and a coach.
"We do this job, and our job is not 'difficult', but you must be open and understand the situation can change. A club can take different decisions. It's the same for me.But, I repeat, I'm not jealous or envious of other managers. Everyone knows his job, his work. I have, usually, a great respect."Chelsea have had two games every week since mid-November and the players appeared to tire in January, with injuries starting to hit that included eight hamstring problems.
The Blues do not have a mid-week fixture in the coming days, leading Conte to give his players two extra days off after losing to Watford. Conte didn't take any extra time off, however, and several injured players — including Andreas Christensen — have been stepping up their recovery at the training ground.
Chelsea's recent injury record has led to criticism that he may be over-training players, but Conte has denied that he has being doing physical work during the recent busy run.
"Now it's very difficult to describe my sessions in training," he said. "For sure, when you play every three days, it's impossible to work on the physical aspects. This season, we are not working on this aspect.
"But, if I have time to work with the players and you have the whole week, and you try to start the week with physical session, then in midweek I start to go on the tactical aspect and prepare the game.
"But I think that, usually when you work, you don't smile. Especially if you work hard. It's very difficult to smile. But, at the same time, you understand that only through work can you reach a fantastic target like last season. Last season, our work allowed us to reach an incredible target.
"They were very happy to have had three days off, to see me after three days off, yes. I think it was a great opportunity for them to spend three days with their families. For this reason, they were very happy to see me.
"I think we are ready. I think we are ready to face the game against West Brom, and them to play against Hull City and then Barcelona. We must be ready to play three games in eight days. We are ready, I think."
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he's been "a bit of a disaster" when trying to convince his clubs to spend big money on transfers but thinks his coaching skill can't come under question. The Blues are in poor form, having lost 3-0 to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge before Watford triumphed 4-1 against them at Vicarage Road.
Chelsea's game against West Brom on Monday could be pivotal to Conte's future and, after saying everyone at the Blues is responsible for the club's current problems, he acknowledged he has done poorly at landing transfer targets.
"My task is to try and improve every single player, in every aspect," Conte said. "About mentality also, about the desire, the will to fight, and the tactical aspects. Yes. My task is this. For this, I'm very good."I think I'm a bit of a disaster to convince the club to buy the players. I think in this aspect I can improve a lot. I have to learn a lot from the other coaches, the other managers, in that aspect. I can learn a lot in that aspect.
"I don't know [how to improve]. I have to speak more with the managers who are very, very good to persuade their clubs to spend money and buy top players.
Asked if his players' improvement makes requesting transfers difficult, he added: "You are not the first person to suggest this — not the first person to tell me this. Usually, in my experience, I think I reached the best results possible with the players that I have to work with."I think that I'm the type of coach who, if I have a player who is six, I bring him to an eight. If I have a player who is eight, I take him to 10. I'm this type of coach."
Conte's comments could be alluding to the Manchester clubs, whose managers have convinced their teams to outspend Chelsea considerably this season. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have outspent Chelsea for the last five seasons, when accounting for player sales against player purchases, and now have a 22-point lead over the champions in the Premier League.
Chelsea's poor performance in the league has intensified speculation that Conte will leave at the end of the season. Luis Enrique is rumoured to be the man who will replace him, and Conte revealed he has a friendship with the ex-Roma boss from both managers' time in Italy.
"I have spoken with him," Conte said. "We played against each other, and he's a really good person. I have great admiration for Luis Enrique and, sometime, he is a fantastic coach."He reached his targets with Barcelona, and also with Roma, you could see a well organised team. I can speak about him very well, as a person and a coach.
"We do this job, and our job is not 'difficult', but you must be open and understand the situation can change. A club can take different decisions. It's the same for me.But, I repeat, I'm not jealous or envious of other managers. Everyone knows his job, his work. I have, usually, a great respect."Chelsea have had two games every week since mid-November and the players appeared to tire in January, with injuries starting to hit that included eight hamstring problems.
The Blues do not have a mid-week fixture in the coming days, leading Conte to give his players two extra days off after losing to Watford. Conte didn't take any extra time off, however, and several injured players — including Andreas Christensen — have been stepping up their recovery at the training ground.
Chelsea's recent injury record has led to criticism that he may be over-training players, but Conte has denied that he has being doing physical work during the recent busy run.
"Now it's very difficult to describe my sessions in training," he said. "For sure, when you play every three days, it's impossible to work on the physical aspects. This season, we are not working on this aspect.
"But, if I have time to work with the players and you have the whole week, and you try to start the week with physical session, then in midweek I start to go on the tactical aspect and prepare the game.
"But I think that, usually when you work, you don't smile. Especially if you work hard. It's very difficult to smile. But, at the same time, you understand that only through work can you reach a fantastic target like last season. Last season, our work allowed us to reach an incredible target.
"They were very happy to have had three days off, to see me after three days off, yes. I think it was a great opportunity for them to spend three days with their families. For this reason, they were very happy to see me.
"I think we are ready. I think we are ready to face the game against West Brom, and them to play against Hull City and then Barcelona. We must be ready to play three games in eight days. We are ready, I think."
If Ronaldo wasn't happy at Madrid, he wouldn't be here – Marcelo
Real Madrid vice-captain Marcelo has dismissed claims that five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy at the club.Ronaldo, 33, returned to form ahead of the blockbuster Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain with a hat-trick as struggling Liga holders Madrid trounced Real Sociedad 5-2 on Saturday.
However, there has been rumours of discontent, with suggestions of a possible switch to PSG, allowing former Barcelona forward Neymar to move in the opposite direction.
Asked about Ronaldo and the reports of his unhappiness at Santiago Bernabeu, Marcelo told Esporte Interativo : "I don't think there is any truth to that, as if he was unhappy then he wouldn't be here."He does everything to help the team. He's a mature guy, who has a very strong squad around him at Real Madrid.
"I don't think he's unhappy. The world knows what he is capable of doing, just look at his history with the club."I don't think he can be dissatisfied."Ronaldo has scored 23 goals in 28 games in all competitions this season, including 11 in 18 in La Liga.
Real Madrid vice-captain Marcelo has dismissed claims that five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy at the club.Ronaldo, 33, returned to form ahead of the blockbuster Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain with a hat-trick as struggling Liga holders Madrid trounced Real Sociedad 5-2 on Saturday.
However, there has been rumours of discontent, with suggestions of a possible switch to PSG, allowing former Barcelona forward Neymar to move in the opposite direction.
Asked about Ronaldo and the reports of his unhappiness at Santiago Bernabeu, Marcelo told Esporte Interativo : "I don't think there is any truth to that, as if he was unhappy then he wouldn't be here."He does everything to help the team. He's a mature guy, who has a very strong squad around him at Real Madrid.
"I don't think he's unhappy. The world knows what he is capable of doing, just look at his history with the club."I don't think he can be dissatisfied."Ronaldo has scored 23 goals in 28 games in all competitions this season, including 11 in 18 in La Liga.
Aubameyang arrival hurt Lacazette's confidence – Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Alexandre Lacazette may have lost confidence after the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January.
Lacazette came off the bench and missed a two late chances in Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.Since arriving from Lyon for €53 million in July, the Frenchman has scored just nine goals in 29 games in all competitions.
With Arsenal signing Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £56m in January, Wenger said that may have dented Lacazette's confidence."For him, one against one with the goalkeeper, he is a good goalscorer," Wenger said."He has gone through difficult periods before. He works hard in training, works on his finishing.
"I don't know what happened, did he not touch the ball well? It can happen, it is a fraction of a second."Maybe the confidence is not at its highest because he has seen a competitor coming in for him."Arsenal face Ostersunds in the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Alexandre Lacazette may have lost confidence after the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January.
Lacazette came off the bench and missed a two late chances in Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.Since arriving from Lyon for €53 million in July, the Frenchman has scored just nine goals in 29 games in all competitions.
With Arsenal signing Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £56m in January, Wenger said that may have dented Lacazette's confidence."For him, one against one with the goalkeeper, he is a good goalscorer," Wenger said."He has gone through difficult periods before. He works hard in training, works on his finishing.
"I don't know what happened, did he not touch the ball well? It can happen, it is a fraction of a second."Maybe the confidence is not at its highest because he has seen a competitor coming in for him."Arsenal face Ostersunds in the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday.
Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.02.12
Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.02.12
Chelsea Vs WBA
