..::Football IV::..

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‘We need to make Old Trafford a fortress’ – Maguire wants Manchester United to build on Chelsea thrashing


Harry Maguire has called for Manchester United to turn Old Trafford into a ‘fortress’ this season after thrashing Chelsea 4-0 in their first Premier League game of the 2019-20 season.

The England international centre-half joined from Leicester City in a whopping £80 million ($96m) deal – a record-breaking fee for a defender this summer and helped the Red Devils to a clean sheet on his debut.

Marcus Rashford won and converted a penalty as Kurt Zouma lunged in clumsily in the first half, before he and Anthony Martial turned a narrow scoreline into a rout within two second-half minutes, before debutant Daniel James rounded off the scoring.

Maguire was pleased with his new side’s start to the season but implored his team-mates to build on their strong opening at home and make the most of Old Trafford going forward, following a season in which the Red Devils managed just two clean sheets in front of their own fans."It is a great start for myself and the team,” Maguire said after the game.

“We rode our luck a bit first half but second we were much more ourselves."It is the first game at Old Trafford, so I think there were nerves. We gave the ball away in dangerous areas. We moved it nicely second half and our front three are so dangerous on the break."We knew there were only two clean sheets last year here. We need to make it a fortress.”

Speaking on a personal note, Maguire was happy with his own performance but insisted that he had more to give."I felt good. I've only had three or four days with the lads. I am going to get fitter and better."

United’s next test is a tough trip to Molineux to face Wolves, while Chelsea have the unenviable task of taking on Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup before hosting Leicester City in the Premier League.

 

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Mourinho: Maguire was 'solid like a rock' in Man Utd debut against Chelsea


Jose Mourinho says Manchester United’s new record-breaking defender Harry Maguire was “solid like a rock” in his Premier League debut against Chelsea.

Maguire was named Man of the Match as United routed Frank Lampard’s side 4-0, with the centre-half powering a corner away with a trademark defensive header for the last touch of the game.

The 26-year-old registered more clearances, more interceptions and more blocks than any other player on the pitch, and Mourinho thinks he was good value for his accolade.

“I think he fully deserved Man of the Match,” Mourinho said on Sky Sports. “I think he was solid like a rock and as we know it is very important for a team to have that.

“Not just the tactical knowledge but that personality, that sense of reading the game, being alert all the time, the confidence to play. He was fantastic, absolutely deserved.“A team can be very dangerous in attack but if you feel that a defensive mistake is just around the corner, you don’t play as well.

“When you can feel that there is something that really allows you to play, you are much more confident. [Victor] Lindelof can be a very good player and with Maguire I think they can be a very good couple.”

Maguire’s performance underlined a display in which United’s defence snuffed out the Chelsea threat and gave their attacking players licence to get forward. Having kept just one clean sheet against the other ‘big six’ teams last season, it was a much-needed platform on which to build a result.Marcus Rashford scored twice, with Anthony Martial and fellow debutant Daniel James also on the scoresheet.

However, with United selling forward Romelu Lukaku to Inter and not replacing him before the transfer window closed, Mourinho thinks they will have more problems against teams who are less open than Chelsea.“United will find it much more difficult to play against teams with compact blocks,” he said.

“If the blocks are low, it will be difficult to play without a striker.“They don’t have a reason to feel anything but positive in this moment. It is an amazing result. It is very important the dressing room feel that they can be champions. I feel they will not be champions, but they can have a good season.”

United’s first away fixture of the campaign sees them travel to Molineux on August 19, facing a Wolves side they struggled against last season.

 

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Mourinho: Rashford can replace Lukaku as Man Utd's main forward - if he scores more goals


Marcus Rashford has “a big opportunity” to become Manchester United’s main striker this season, according to Jose Mourinho – but he has to score more goals.

United began the post-Romelu Lukaku era in some style, thrashing Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford with two goals from Rashford to ease concerns that they don’t have enough quality in attack.Mourinho thinks that Chelsea’s tactical naivety meant the game was well set up for Rashford to thrive, but that he can improve as a player with the added weight of responsibility this year.

“He has to score more goals,” Mourinho said on Sky Sports.“Especially without Lukaku in the team it will probably be these two [Rashford and Anthony Martial], plus Alexis [Sanchez] and Mason [Greenwood]. He will be on the pitch all the time and he has the qualities to be better and better and better.

“He has the ambition and work ethic, he wants to improve, he wants to work. This season he has a big opportunity to be a better player and score more goals.

“It depends on the way they play. Playing the way they played today against a Chelsea team that allowed them to play the way they like to play, he is very dangerous. Against teams with compact blocks, a lower block, that are more physical, I think it is a bit more difficult for them.”

Mourinho was keen to point out that, while United were good value for their win and would be right to feel pleased with their performance, not every team will be quite as accommodating as Chelsea were.

Frank Lampard was looking for a statement performance in his first game in the dugout, but his side struggled to pick United’s defence apart and couldn’t contain them on the counter.“People have to respect them,” Mourinho added. “This is not the Manchester United of ten, 15, 20 years ago but it is Manchester United. There are some very good players.

“You have to know the qualities you have and the weaknesses that you have, and you have to know the qualities and the weaknesses that the opposition have.“For example, Chelsea today, they stuck to a plan where they were thinking more about their own identity and less about United’s identity and their strengths.

“When you have Marcus Rashford playing there on the left, you have to think about that because he can hurt you.”

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Nimes: Mbappe stars as PSG make light of Neymar absence

Paris Saint-Germain's attacking talents stepped up in the absence of Neymar as the champions began their Ligue 1 title defence with a 3-0 win over Nimes on Sunday.

Neymar was left out amid ongoing speculation over his future, but Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria were all on target at the Parc des Princes.

Champions in six of the last seven seasons, Cavani got the ball rolling for PSG with a contentious first-half penalty that was followed by a well-taken strike from Mbappe.


Mbappe then turned provider by setting up substitute Di Maria for the third as Thomas Tuchel's men made a serene start to their latest title defence.

A calf injury prevented Ander Herrera from making his home debut, but fellow new signings Pablo Sarabia and Abdou Diallo were both handed starts.

The hosts' breakthrough arrived 24 minutes in through Cavani's penalty, awarded for a handball against Pablo Martinez.Sarabia's whipped corner hit Martinez on the hand, but PSG's appeals were muted and play was allowed to continue for a further minute before the referee pulled play back for a VAR check.

Nimes goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni produced a flying save to keep out Sarabia's left-footed volley at the back post 10 minutes later, while Cavani failed to convert an Mbappe cutback from close range shortly before half-time.But PSG gave themselves breathing space 56 minutes in thanks to Mbappe's sweet strike into the top left corner after being teed up by Juan Bernat.

And Di Maria rounded off the scoring four minutes after being introduced from the bench, picking out the bottom right-hand corner once played in by Mbappe.

 

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'You cannot replace him individually' - Lampard admits difficulty in coping without Hazard


Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard believes it is "pretty much impossible" to replace Eden Hazard with another individual.

Hazard starred during seven campaigns at Stamford Bridge, but made a close-season move to Real Madrid for a reported €100 million (£92.7m/$112m).

The Belgium international was directly involved in 31 Premier League goals (16 goals and 15 assists) during the 2018-19 season and his departure leaves a huge hole for Chelsea to fill.

Lampard said Hazard – who won two Premier League titles and two Europa League crowns with Chelsea – could not be replaced by just one player."I was a huge fan of Eden Hazard as a Chelsea fan, I played with him," he told a news conference ahead of his side's UEFA Super Cup clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.

"For me, clearly one of the best players in world football and last season, but not just last season, over his time at Chelsea he was the most productive player in the team generally, in terms of assists and goals and a leader."You cannot replace him individually, I think it's pretty much impossible because of the high, high level he is at now in his career.

"But the good news and the positive news for us and we must stay calm and be patient with this [is] we have a group of players, some younger players, some experienced players, that now have the opportunity to show that collectively and individually they can step up because yes, you are missing a huge amount of assists and goals, that's clear.

"The answer is as a team, we have to find a way to carry on because a football club like Chelsea will always carry on. Eden Hazard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, players improve on and it's down to the next players, the next manager. That's our big challenge now, to say good luck to Eden Hazard and to carry on as Chelsea."

Lampard's first competitive game in charge was a miserable one, with Chelsea humbled 4-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.Still, the former Derby County boss believes in his team ahead of their meeting with the European champions in Istanbul.

"I am optimistic because I believe in the players and I believe in the fact we are here in the final because we deserve to be," Lampard said."That is the achievement of the players and the club last season, not myself, but I am proud to be here managing the team.

"I understand the quality of Liverpool, the team that deservedly won the Champions League. They have an outstanding manager [Jurgen Klopp] and group of players and we know it is going to be a big test, but I believe in my players and if we play to our maximum we can win the match."

 

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Barca & PSG begin Neymar player-swap talks with both sides standing firm on demands


Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have finally entered face-to-face negotiations for the transfer of Neymar, Goal can confirm, but an agreement remains a distant prospect as neither side are currently happy with the proposals on the table.

Barca officials Javier Bordas, Eric Abidal and Andre Cury travelled to Paris on Tuesday to begin the aforementioned talks, but the Blaugrana's offer and PSG's demands vary wildly, meaning concessions will have to be made if a deal is to happen.

It is no secret that the Liga champions are keen to get Philippe Coutinho's wages off the books, with the Brazilian having also been offered to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, and it is understood that PSG are open to bringing the former Liverpool man on board.

Ivan Rakitic has also been offered as part of the deal to bring Neymar back to Camp Nou, but the Ligue 1 champions are standing firm in their wish for Nelson Semedo to be included as part of any potential agreement.PSG also want a cash lump sum in addition to those players, but Barca not only do not want to part ways with Semedo, they also do not want to fork out a large one-off payment in their attempts to recover their former star.

In that sense, both of the European giants remain far away from each other in terms of reaching an agreement that suits everyone, but Barca can take heart in the fact that the Parisians are now willing to let Neymar go after repeatedly insisting otherwise earlier this summer.

Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu is the figure who remains most convinced that deal can be agreed and the next step in talks could take place in Liverpool next Friday when Bartomeu will have the chance to speak to Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG's president, at an ECA meeting.Barca can also take heart in the fact that both the French and Spanish transfer windows do not close until September 2, meaning they still have three weeks to wrap things up and conclude a transfer saga that has dragged on all summer long.

The Liga champions kick off their title defence with a trip to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, while PSG began their domestic campaign with a 3-0 victory over Nimes on Sunday.

 

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UEFA Super Cup Fixture 2019.08.14

UEFA Super Cup Fixture 2019.08.14

Liverpool Vs Chelsea

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Former Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole announces retirement from football


Former Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole has announced his retirement from all forms of football at the age of 38 following a two-decade-long career.The veteran left-back made the annoncement on Sky Sports Super Sunday ahead of the Blues' clash with Leicester City in the Premier League.

A three-time title winner and Champions League victor during his playing days with the London outfit and their rivals Arsenal, he was released by Debry County at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

After hard thinking and consideration, it was obviously time to hang my boots up and look towards my next chapter," he stated on Sky Sports.

 

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PSG open to Neymar loan deal with obligation to buy as Brazilian's future hangs in balance


Paris Saint-Germain are open to the idea of a loan deal for Neymar, with a subsequent obligation to buy, as the Brazilian continues to seek a way out of Parc des Princes.

Neymar has been at the centre of one of the transfer window's longest-running sagas after he failed to return for pre-season training with the club and indicated a desire to leave.

Having been signed for a world-record fee of €222 million (£200m/$263m) two years ago, the Selecao star has helped the club to domestic glory but limited European success.

Suitors including former side Barcelona, along with La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid and Serie A champions Juventus, have looked to prise Neymar away from the French capital, but have found themselves stumbling over a hefty asking price as PSG look to recoup their costs.The Parisian outfit have also rebuffed any prospective cash-plus-players deal, refusing to swap Neymar for a financial sum along with opposition players.

Now however, with the European transfer deadline looming and the prospect of an expensive player refusing to take to the field for the first half of the season, sporting director Leonardo Arajuo and coach Thomas Tuchel are expected to hold sit-down talks with the player over his future.

PSG are receptive to the idea of loaning the 27-year-old out with a subsequent obligation to buy, which would carry a price tag roughly in the region of €220m (£201m/$244m) to €250m (£228m/$277m).

Barca are widely considered to be the frontrunners to capture Neymar if he does depart Parc des Princes, with Ernesto Valverde's side keen to bring their former player back to Camp Nou for a reunion with Lionel Messi.

However, Madrid's pursuit suggests that Los Blancos see the forward as key to dethroning their rivals' stranglehold on the Liga title, while Juventus would be keen to pair him up with Cristiano Ronaldo in Turin.

Since starting his career at Santos a decade ago, Neymar has won domestic crowns in three countries, gold at the Olympic Games and lifted both the Champions League and Club World Cup, though an ankle injury kept him out of Brazil's Copa America success earlier this year.

 

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Bale has to play for Real Madrid, says Casemiro


Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is adamant Gareth Bale has to play for the club this season having proven his worth repeatedly since joining from Tottenham in 2013.

Bale reminded Zinedine Zidane what he is capable of with an assist in an impressive performance as Madrid opened their La Liga campaign by beating Celta Vigo 3-1.

The Wales star had been tipped to leave Madrid after head coach Zidane said last month it would be better for him to depart the Santiago Bernabeu, where Bale has won four Champions League titles and a La Liga crown among other trophies.

Bale – who was linked with a move to the Chinese Super League – now looks set to remain in the Spanish capital however, and Casemiro is clearly happy about that prospect.

"He has given us titles, he's scored in finals and he has a lot of respect from us all," Casemiro said."He has to play. He's a great player and is very important for us."Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois echoed Casemiro's comments and declared Bale is a beloved member of Zidane's squad.

"He is an important player and played a great match," Courtois said. "Everyone loves him and it is important that he plays for us. We are so happy with Bale."It was a winning start to the season for Madrid, who survived a Luka Modric red card as they overcame Celta with 10 men away from home.

Bale teed up Karim Benzema for the 12th-minute opener before Modric was sent off for catching Denis Suarez on the heel following a VAR review approaching the hour mark.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Madrid wrapped up all three points thanks to Toni Kroos and Lucas Vazquez, while Iker Losada netted a stoppage-time consolation."Pre-season was not easy for us, there were games in which we did not play well, but we knew we doing things right," Courtois said.

"We feel good, today we showed that. We played a good game and we went ahead with 10 players. That is key.

"We knew that in the second half they were going to press us. In the one-on-one with Aspas I did well, made a good save. I have good reflexes and I got a hand to it. That helped give the team real confidence. We did well today but it is a shame not keep a clean sheet. We need to keep it up and work hard. Now we focus on Valladolid."

 

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'Difficult circumstances' - Pochettino admits transfer uncertainty makes times tough for Tottenham


Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that his side may yet lose players while the European transfer window remains open.Spurs enjoyed a fruitful off-season with a handful of major new recruits brought in for only a few exits in North London, following last year’s domestic and Champions League exploits.

However, with the British transfer window now concluded, the Argentine can no longer add to his squad should any of his players be poached by continental opposition, with September 2 the deadline for such purchases elsewhere.

Christian Eriksen is among a clutch of big-name players who have been linked with the door at the club, as has Jan Vertonghen, with the end of their current deals on the horizon.

Pochettino has accepted that the circumstances and uncertainty his side find themselves are “difficult” but he has refused to blame it as the catalyst for their underwhelming performance against Manchester City on Saturday, when they managed to scrape a 2-2 draw against the odds.

"I think it's not an excuse. I am not complaining about the situation, only explaining it," the Argentine stated after the match. "Of course, we still need to wait to see what happens with our squad. Maybe some players are still in a situation where things can happen.

"We are not a closed squad where nobody is going to move. Maybe nobody will move. The circumstances are that things are still open. The market in Europe makes things difficult in the way that we work and this type of situation doesn't help the coaching staff to create a good dynamic.

"Of course, we are going to start our sixth season at Tottenham and I think we're world champions at adapting ourselves to different circumstances. It's a great experience. We are going to be one of the best coaching staffs in the world at adapting to circumstances.

"Today when you play against a team like Manchester City, with all the circumstances we have inside our team, I think 2-2 and a point is massive.

"Credit to the team and everyone who is working hard, trying to keep going, working, trying to not be focused on the circumstances, just positive, faith and hope. That is massive.

"I don't know if people realise or not. I don't care about that. Only that the circumstances are not the best and the challenge is massive. So happy because the will of the players, their commitment and with all the circumstances we're trying to get a good result for the club and for our fans."

Tottenham's next match comes against Newcastle before focus turns to a north London derby against Arsenal the following week.

 

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Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham: Jesus strike ruled out by VAR as champions' winning streak ends

Manchester City were denied a last-gasp winner by VAR as Lucas Moura's goal secured a 2-2 draw for Tottenham, ending the Premier League champions' winning run.Lucas scored 19 seconds after coming on from the bench to level things up at 2-2, but Gabriel Jesus thought he had settled Saturday's thriller in stoppage time.

In scenes reminiscent of April's Champions League epic, however, City were denied a 16th straight league win when VAR spotted a handball by Aymeric Laporte.


City had hit the front through Raheem Sterling, with Sergio Aguero nudging the home side back ahead after Erik Lamela's equaliser.And, with Bernardo Silva having hit the crossbar and Danny Rose making a goal-line clearance, City's misery was compounded when Jesus' would-be winner was chalked off.

After City were denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty despite a VAR check when Lamela tangled with Rodri, Spurs fell behind as Sterling headed in from Kevin De Bruyne's exquisite first-time cross.

But, just like in their Champions League meeting in April when Spurs went through on away goals, City were swiftly pegged back as Lamela capitalised on slack defending to curl in from 20 yards.

Pep Guardiola's relentless side took it in their stride, though, and more De Bruyne magic saw the hosts retake the lead when he supplied another supreme cross, Aguero benefitting this time.

Hugo Lloris reacted sharply to keep out Oleksandr Zinchenko's deflected strike after the restart, before Aguero and Silva passed up great chances.Lucas showed no such profligacy, powering home a fantastic header with his first touch to make it 2-2.

The woodwork sparred Lloris' blushes after his error resulted in Silva getting an attempt off, with Rose hooking clear from the line.

Spurs' resistance appeared to have ended when Jesus slammed home following a corner, only for VAR to deny City once again as the ball struck Laporte's arm en route to reaching his team-mate.

 

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Celta Vigo 1-3 Real Madrid: Bale bags assist as visitors survive Modric red

Gareth Bale marked his return to the starting line-up with an impressive assist as Real Madrid survived a red card for Luka Modric to win 3-1 at Celta Vigo in their opening LaLiga fixture of the season.

The Wales star had been left out in the cold for large parts of pre-season following a collapsed move to China, but he was handed a start at Balaidos on Saturday and set up Karim Benzema for a 12th-minute opener.

Looking to capitalise on champions Barcelona's shock loss to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, Madrid added a stunning second goal through Toni Kroos, but only after Brais Mendez had a strike ruled out and Modric was shown a straight red card.


Zinedine Zidane started without any of his new signings, although the quality of his side's third goal - rounded off by substitute Lucas Vazquez - will offer hope of a far brighter 2019-20, despite them conceding late on through Iker Losada.

Madrid had lost back-to-back league matches at the end of last season, but they soon found their rhythm here as Bale turned his man inside out down the left and set up Benzema for a simple finish from four yards.

Celta felt there should have been a free-kick in the build-up and were further aggrieved in the final stages of the first half when Alvaro Odriozola was dispossessed by Denis Suarez and the ball fell to the feet of Iago Aspas, who was adjudged to be marginally offside when teeing up Mendez for a close-range finish.Celta's hopes of claiming a point were boosted when Modric caught Suarez on the heel and was shown a red card following a VAR review.

Nestor Araujo forced Thibaut Courtois into a point-blank save but Madrid dug deep and scored a second thanks to Kroos' stunning strike from 35 yards, a minute after Benzema's header struck the post.

Vazquez rounded off a flowing move 10 minutes from time by drilling a good finish into the bottom-left corner, although Celta at least got a consolation through Losada's precise strike from a similar spot at the other end.

 

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Bale to stay at Real Madrid after summer transfer saga, confirms Zidane


Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane completed an astonishing transfer U-turn by confirming Gareth Bale's place in his squad for the coming season. After six seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu and four Champions League wins, Bale's number appeared to be up over the summer.

Having barely been taken into account by Zidane towards the end of the 2018-19 the Welshman found himself in the middle of a bitter transfer stand-off.

Real's determination to sell their winger was only matched by Bale's refusal to leave unless his lucrative contract terms in Spain were matched elsewhere, leading to an impasse as the transfer window dragged on.

And despite Zidane's assurances that Bale would not be in his plans, he ended pre-season in the Madrid first team while a prospective move to China failed to materialise.

Bale started Madrid's Liga opener on Saturday in the absence of the injured Eden Hazard and set up Karim Benzema as the French striker opened the club's account early on against Celta.

Toni Kroos and Lucas Vazquez extended the winning margin before Celta youngster Iker Losada scored off the bench in injury time to mark a final scoreline of 3-1 in the Merengue's favour . And after the final whistle Zidane had no qualms in assuring Bale he would have a part to play in 2019-20.

"He is going to stay. We have to focus on this season, nothing else," the coach explained to reporters. "Hazard's injury is bad luck for us, but it has not changed the idea we had for Bale in this game.

"Gareth, James [Rodriguez] and all the players here are going to defend this shirt."
Having finished a distant third behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid during last season's disastrous league campaign, Madrid now sit three points ahead of their Catalan rivals following Friday's defeat at the hands of Athletic.

And Zidane was happy with what he saw from his own men to avoid an opening day slip, despite missing the likes of Hazard and Dani Carvajal and going down to 10 men when Luka Modric saw red.

"I am happy for the players. We played a great game today, above all in the first half. With 10 we played very well, together and defending as a team," he added. "We were effective. I am happy with what I have seen.

"Starting the season ahead of Barca? We only think of ourselves. The most important thing was to pick up three points at a tough ground. We have to congratulate the players."

 

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Southampton 1-2 Liverpool: Reds keep winning despite late Adrian error

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino struck at Southampton as Liverpool won 2-1 to continue their run of consecutive Premier League victories despite a late Adrian mistake.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds started poorly on the south coast on Saturday, seeing their hosts squander a couple of presentable first-half chances, but Mane, as so often, came up with the goods.

His brilliant effort - a third of the season after two in the UEFA Super Cup final - woke Liverpool from their slumber and they were comfortable in the second period even before Firmino doubled the advantage.


There was a wobble when Adrian hacked the ball straight at Danny Ings for an unlikely Saints response. Former Reds striker Ings should have equalised with a gilt-edged chance for his second, yet Liverpool held on.

A run of nine wins to close out last season could not deny Manchester City the title, but that streak of league successes goes on - reaching a club-record-equalling 11 - as Klopp's men look to be in the mix again this term.

Liverpool, perhaps missing Alisson's calm in possession, looked shaky at the back early on, but they were grateful to Adrian - passed fit after a freak ankle injury in the Super Cup celebrations - for an instinctive close-range stop from Maya Yoshida following a corner.The hosts remained on top and had another huge headed chance as Che Adams met Oriol Romeu's cross 10 yards out but nodded over the crossbar.

Yet after 46 minutes of toil, former Southampton man Mane came up with a moment of inspiration for the European champions in first-half stoppage time, cutting inside from the left and drilling into the top-right corner from 20 yards.

Liverpool were improved after the restart and Joel Matip flicked James Milner's scuffed shot agonisingly wide, before Angus Gunn denied Mohamed Salah as he raced through on the right.

Firmino should have stretched the lead when he slid a finish past the right-hand post, but he made no mistake the next time he was granted a sight of goal, moving from left to right in the area and striking low into the bottom-left corner.

Gunn expertly saved from Mane and Andy Robertson, and Southampton threatened a late fightback when Adrian comically hurried a clearance into Ings' shins with the ball finding the back of the net. The former Liverpool man squandered another late chance from close range as Klopp's men escaped.

 

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Arsenal 2-1 Burnley: Aubameyang, Lacazette lead Gunners to maximum six points

Arsenal continued their unblemished start to the new Premier League season with a battling 2-1 victory over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, on target in last weekend's win at Newcastle United, fired in his second decisive goal in as many games after the hour to move Unai Emery's men to six points from two matches.

Alexandre Lacazette earlier opened the scoring in the 13th minute, only for Ashley Barnes to respond in fortuitous fashion shortly before the break.


An impressive performance from Dani Ceballos inspired Arsenal's recovery and debutant David Luiz held the home side's defence together to give the Gunners an 11th straight win over Burnley in all competitions.Lacazette tested goalkeeper Nick Pope with a close-range header before scoring from the resulting corner.

With his back to goal at the near post, the French forward managed to spin and squeeze a shot through Pope's legs.

Pope remained busy until Barnes equalised two minutes from half-time, cushioning Dwight McNeil's deflected effort and prodding home despite Matteo Guendouzi's best efforts.Reiss Nelson had the ball in the net a few moments later, but Nacho Monreal was correctly adjudged offside in the build-up.

That proved winger Nelson's final act as club-record signing Nicolas Pepe entered the fray at half-time.Pope produced another two fine saves either side of the hour but could do little about the 64th-minute winner.

Ceballos was the architect of the move as he won the ball back in midfield and fed it forward to Aubameyang, who rifled into the bottom-left corner to end Burnley's resistance.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixture 2019.08.19

Barclays Premier League Fixture 2019.08.19

Wolves Vs Manchester United

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Good Luck Manchester United!
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Wolves 1-1 Man Utd: Paul Pogba misses penalty at Molineux

Paul Pogba had a second-half penalty saved as Manchester United were held to a Premier League draw at Wolves.

With the score 1-1 in the second half, the Frenchman was fouled by Conor Coady and got up to take the spot-kick, despite failing with three penalties last season and Marcus Rashford scoring from one against Chelsea on the opening weekend.

Pogba's powerful shot was pushed away by Rui Patricio, who saved low to his right.In a first half containing just three shots, Anthony Martial had put United in front with his 50th goal for the club - a fine left-footed finish - only for Ruben Neves to level with a sensational strike from the edge of the area, which bounced down off the crossbar 10 minutes after the break.

Wolves' Raul Jimenez had flicked a header against the inside of a post just before Neves' effort but neither keeper was troubled after Pogba's miss.

In his news conference on Friday, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he wanted Martial and Rashford to be more clinical in front of goal. He might well have been talking about the cross Rashford floated over to the far post midway through the opening period.

It is easy to imagine someone like Alan Shearer taking every defender with him in his desire to make sure the ball ended up in the net. Martial barely extended his right leg, let alone made contact as the opportunity drifted away.

What followed underlined just how many goals the Frenchman is capable of getting if he did adopt that ruthless streak. After a fantastic move, which started with Jesse Lingard, included Luke Shaw and ended with Rashford prodding a short pass beyond the Wolves defence, Martial struck a first-time shot, with barely any backlift, that gave Patricio no chance.

It was part of an excellent opening period for the visitors, only spoiled by the booking winger Daniel James received for diving.The second half was a different story but United probably would have won had Pogba not missed his penalty.The key question is why was Pogba taking it?

In addition to scoring against Chelsea, Rashford also converted in stoppage-time to seal that magnificent Champions League win at Paris St-Germain last season, in addition to scoring in England's World Cup shootout against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup.At the final whistle, Pogba covered his head with his shirt, then chuntered to himself as he headed for the tunnel.

Martial's effort turned out to be the only shot on target in that first half of three efforts on goal. There hasn't been a top-flight game with fewer since 2003-04, when such statistics started to be collated.

It also meant Wolves had managed only two shots on target in the first match and a half of their Premier League season, something that will need to change if they are to match last season's excellent seventh-placed finish.Having beaten them twice at Molineux last season, Wolves were aiming for a third successive win against United for the first time in almost 40 years. After a disappointing opening period, Adama Traore's half-time introduction changed the game in their favour.

Traore's pace unsettled the visitors' defence and from a free-kick Harry Maguire conceded for a foul on the Spaniard, Jimenez hit the inside of a post with a deft flick from Joao Moutinho's cross.
It turned out to be a temporary reprieve for United as Moutinho picked Neves out with his corner.

On the bench, manager Nuno Espirito Santo leapt in delight. There was barely any room between David de Gea's outstretched hand and the top of the visitors' net.The goal provided another video assistant referee (VAR) talking point.

Before this season, Molineux would have erupted in joy at Neves' wonderful equaliser, those watching on TV would have said 'wow' and the Manchester United fans would have shrugged and accepted they had seen a phenomenal goal.

Instead, home celebrations were cut short as referee Jon Moss took instruction from the video referee Paul Tierney on a potential offside. The decision eventually went their way but the Wolves fans were loud in their collective view that the ends do not justify the means.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Icardi won't be leaving Inter for Monaco, says Wanda Nara


Mauro Icardi will not be joining Monaco, the Inter striker's wife and agent Wanda Nara has insisted.Argentina international Icardi has been linked with a switch to the Ligue 1 outfit after being told he can leave San Siro this summer.

Leonardo Jardim's side are reportedly seeking a successor to Radamel Falcao, who has been linked with Turkish club Galatasaray.Free agent Daniel Sturridge, who left Liverpool at the end of his contract in June, is also reportedly a target for the French club.

Icardi, however, will not be moving to the French Riveria before the transfer window closes on September 2."He will not go to Monaco," Nara said simply to TyC Sports.Even with a move to Monaco being ruled out, Icardi is still likely to be on the move before the transfer deadline.

His relationship with the club broke down last February when he was dropped by then coach Luciano Spalletti and stripped of his captaincy amid reports of contractual disputes between himself, the club and Wanda Nara.

He returned to action before the end of the season, but Inter have made it clear that he no longer features in their plans under new boss Antonio Conte.The 26-year-old didn’t travel with the rest of the Inter squad for their pre-season tour of Asia last month, instead returning to the club’s training base on his own.

Icardi even had his number 9 shirt taken off him, with new €80 million (£74m/$90m) signing Romelu Lukaku designated that squad number ahead of the new campaign.

Serie A champions Juventus have been the side most frequently linked with a move for Icardi as they seek further firepower to compliment five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.However, that move currently looks unlikely with Juve boss Maurizio Sarri claiming he already has too many players in his squad, with as many as six needing to be sold before the transfer deadline.

Those thoughts were echoed by Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini, who claimed a move for Icardi would be “fantasy football” given the number of attacking options already at the club’s disposal this season.