Saturday, November 30, 2013

Sunday previews: Sturridge a doubt


Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge is a doubt for the trip to Hull

Several of the clubs in action on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League will be looking to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the division after their 3-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday extended their lead to seven points. 
Manchester United, Liverpool,  Chelsea and Manchester City are all in action starting with the midday match between Tottenham Hotspur and David Moyes's team.
You can discover all the latest team news and find out the managers' thoughts by watching their press conferences on premierleague.com.
After kick-off on Saturday our Matchday Live service also enables you to follow live commentaries, check out the best photos from around all the grounds and get the latest in-match stats. At the final whistle we provide match reports while there will also be post-match reaction and manager press conferences.

Saturday review: Ramsey sends Arsenal seven points clear


Aaron Ramsey returned to haunt his former club as Arsenal recorded a 3-0 victory at Cardiff City.

The midfielder, who swapped South Wales for North London in 2008, scored two of his side's goals, either side of a Mathieu Flamini strike. The result, Arsenal's fifth win on the road this season in the Barclays Premier League, extends the club's lead at the summit to seven points, with the rest of the top six not playing until Sunday.

Gerard Deulofeu inspired Everton to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Stoke City at Goodison Park. The Barcelona loanee, who was handed his first Barclays Premier League start after a bright display as a substitute against Liverpool last week, was the shining light in a vibrant attacking display that lifts Roberto Martinez's side to fourth in the table.

Everton dominated from start to finish and Deulofeu opened the scoring just before the break by finishing off a superb team move, before second-half goals from Seamus Coleman, Bryan Oviedo and Romelu Lukaku ensured they made it 16 home top-flight games without defeat.

Fulham slumped to a 3-0 defeat at West Ham United to make it their worst ever start to a Barclays Premier League season. Modibo Maiga had the first half's best chance as he headed an effort against a post, but goalmouth action was infrequent for the rest of the period.

The hosts did have the lead less than 60 seconds after the break, however, as Fernando Amorebieta deflected a Mohamed Diame shot past Maarten Stekelenburg. Carlton Cole and Joe Cole scored in the closing stages to seal an emphatic scoreline for West Ham's 12 Barclays Premier League matches, while Jol’s team suffered a fifth successive loss.

Tony Pulis' tenure as Crystal Palace manager got off to a losing start with a 1-0 defeat away to Norwich City. The former Stoke manager, who was announced as Ian Holloway's successor last weekend, saw his men fall to their 10th Barclays Premier League loss of the campaign after a first-half goal from Gary Hooper. 
The striker netted his second league goal for the hosts in the 30th minute, after some impressive build-up play from Wes Hoolahan. Pulis will take some positives from the defeat, however, after a battling display, and he will have an almost immediate chance to seek a response when Palace host West Ham on Tuesday.
Sunderland's search for an away Barclays Premier League win continues after their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday. Gus Poyet's side are winless on the road this season but did pick up their first away point since the 1-1 draw against Southampton in August.

Quirky facts about Ryan Giggs, who turns 40


To celebrate Ryan Giggs turning 40 today here are some little-known facts regarding the Manchester United midfielder who, with 626 appearances to his name, has played the most matches by a player in the history of the Barclays Premier League.
The winner of the Best Player of the 20 Seasons Award is the most decorated player in the English game, having won 13 Barclays Premier League titles among myriad other honours.

Happy Birthday, Mr Giggs.
  • Ryan Giggs has assisted 163 Barclays Premier League goals, more than any other player.
  • The team Giggs has played most often in the Barclays Premier League and not scored against is Leicester City (12 fixtures).
  • Giggs has only scored two goals in a combined 65 Barclays Premier League appearances against Manchester City and Arsenal.
  • The only teams Giggs has not tasted victory against in the Barclays Premier League are Cardiff City and Burnley.
  • Giggs has played Liverpool 38 times in the Barclays Premier League, more than any other team and equivalent to an entire season.
  • Giggs has scored 10 Barclays Premier League goals against Tottenham Hotspur, more than against any other side.
  • Two of Giggs' Barclays Premier League goals against Spurs came from the penalty spot in the same game (April 2010). These are the only penalties Giggs has scored in the competition.
  • Giggs' best run of scoring in consecutive Barclays Premier League games is three in April 2003 and again in December 2004-January 2005.
  • Giggs holds the record for the most Barclays Premier League braces without ever scoring a hat-trick (11 – one more than Craig Bellamy, Niall Quinn and John Hartson).
  • Giggs is looking to become the second player in his 40s to score a Barclays Premier League goal (after Teddy Sheringham). [Crystal Palace's Kevin Phillips could also achieve this]
  • Excluding 2013-14, Giggs has played at least 20 matches in every single Premier League season.
  • Despite making 108 substitute appearances, the fourth highest total in Barclays Premier League history, Giggs has only ever scored three times as a sub.
  • 20% of Giggs' total Barclays Premier League goals (22 of 109) came in his first two seasons in the competition (9 in 1992-93 and 13 in 1993-94).
See images of Ryan after the cut...


Thursday, November 28, 2013

New Deal By Chelsea


Jackson Martinez appears to be on the verge of sealing a January move from Porto to Chelsea.
Reports in Portugal suggest that the Colombian striker’s agent flew to London on Tuesday with the aim on negotiating a deal.
Martinez has been linked with Tottenham and Liverpool as well as the Stamford Bridge outfit but it now appears that Jose Mourinho is in pole position to land the 27-year-old.
Earlier this month Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa denied that but it seems that talks may have occurred since then.
Reports suggested that both Barcelona and Monaco had looked at Martinez but Chelsea have stepped up the chase and a deal may now be imminent. (Daily Express)
The man will be a fantastic buy for the club

Chelsea Transfer

Reports claim Chelsea are set on making a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.
Spanish publication El Confidencial say Chelsea have made Robert Lewankdowski’s representatives an irresistible offer, with Jose Mourinho attempting to persuade the Polish international to join the Blues instead of Bayern Munich.
The news only came to light when Real Madrid enquired about his services and were informed about advanced negotiations with Chelsea. (ITV.com)
The man is real class