Ξ Barclays Premier League Season 2015-16 Ξ

[Alexis]

Benitez hits back at Gerrard over Liverpool criticism

15 September 2015 11:15

Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez has hit back at ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard after he was criticised by the Englishman.

The 35-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder launched some stinging attacks on his former boss in his new autobiography, which is currently being serialised in The Daily Mail.

Gerrard has revealed he does not have a close bond with the former Anfield manager, condemned Benitez for his infamous "facts" rant about Manchester United and branded him "stupid" for some of his decisions in the transfer market, including the 2009 sale of Xabi Alonso.

The Santiago Bernabeu boss, though, rejected the comments from Gerrard and feels his former player is simply using him in an attempt to generate additional sales for his book.

"I have read the quotes and I believe he is wrong," the 55-year-old told Spanish TV.

"Out of the respect that I have for Stevie and for the value and appreciation I have for him, and for Liverpool and the supporters, I think it is best to just let it pass.

"He has brought out a book and now I am the Real Madrid manager that will sell."

Benitez caused controversy at his new club this week by refusing to say whether Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player he has ever coached ahead of Madrid's Champions League opener against Shakhtar Donetsk.

 

[Gomis]

Martinez hopeful on Besic and Coleman fitness

Sep 15, 2015 17:16:59

The pair were both substituted during the club's 3-1 win over Everton at the weekend, with hat-trick hero Steven Naismith, replacing the central midfielder in the first half

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is confident that Muhamed Besic and Seamus Coleman will avoid lengthy lay-offs after both players picked up hamstring injuries against Chelsea.

Besic had to be withdrawn after nine minutes on Saturday, with replacement Steven Naismith going on to score a hat-trick as the Toffees celebrated a 3-1 win over the defending Premier League champions.

Coleman was forced off with 13 minutes remaining and, while the severity of each problem is yet to be determined, Martinez is optimistic that both will return to action swiftly as a clash with Swansea City looms.

"Forty-eight hours after the game, we are quite positive in the way Mo and Seamus feel," he told the club's official website.

"I think Seamus felt a lot better than Mo immediately after the game but we are going to get the scans done [on Tuesday] so we have a clear idea.

"I don't think it looks as bad as we feared once it happened but we will get more information as the week goes on. We will see how long a period we are looking at for the two players.

"They were the only two to pick up knocks against Chelsea, so everyone else from that squad is fully fit for the weekend."

Coleman, 26, has played in each of Everton's five Premier League games so far this season, while the Chelsea game was Besic's first top-flight appearance of the campaign.

 

[Pardew]

Klopp perfect as Liverpool manager, says Hamann

By Stefan Coerts
Sep 15, 2015 09:25:13

The former Reds midfielder feels his compatriot would be a great fit for the Anfield side and would have even joined at the start of the season

Former Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp would be the perfect manager for Liverpool, according to Didi Hamann.

The pressure on current manager Brendan Rodgers is growing due to a difficult start to the season, which has followed a disappointing 2014-15 campaign in which Liverpool missed out on Champions League football.

Hamann feels Rodgers still has the club's backing, yet is adamant that Klopp would be the perfect replacement if Liverpool were to part ways with their current manager.

"Klopp would be a great fit at Liverpool," Hamann was quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.

"The pressure in Liverpool gets bigger. The fans are on the barricades. But the manager is backed by the club.

"And the question is whether Klopp would move there during the season. Had they asked before the season, I am 99 per cent sure that he would have joined them."

Klopp, who left Dortmund this summer after seven years in charge, has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich but Hamann feels the reigning Bundesliga champions would not be right for the 48-year-old.

"Many people say that he will take over Bayern on July 1, 2016, but I don't know whether he's a fit there," he concluded.

 

[MesutOzil]

Wright slams Arsenal´s Benzema chase

17 September 2015 00:16

Arsenal great Ian Wright has labelled his former club's close-season pursuit of Karim Benzema as "embarrassing".

The London club were linked with the Real Madrid striker throughout the transfer window, only for the Frenchman to commit his future to the Spanish giants.

And Wright believes Arsenal went about their business in the wrong way.

"I thought the Benzema situation was embarrassing in the way they pursued it," he said on BT Sport.

"Trying to get a player like that, straight off the bat you have to find out if they're interested in coming. If they're interested, you pursue it.

"I thought [the way] they dealt with it was pretty bad, and the way he mugged Arsenal off on Twitter by saying Madrid is his home wasn't great."

 

[Sturridge]

Rodgers boosted as Henderson and Sturridge close in on return

18 September 2015 16:04

Brendan Rodgers will assess the fitness of Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Norwich on Sunday.

England midfielder and club captain Henderson has been sidelined since Liverpool's 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the second match of the season, travelling to the United States for treatment on a heel problem.

His international colleague Sturridge concluded an injury-ravaged campaign last season by undergoing hip surgery but the striker has been back in training at Melwood over the past week.

Irrespective of whether the duo can take part against Norwich, Anfield boss Rodgers believes their return can boost a squad looking to bounce back from consecutive league losses to West Ham United and Manchester United.

"Thankfully for us we've got players returning," he said. "The players that we had available and fit were doing the best that they could and we were maximising everything we could out of them.

"We're going to have players coming back that will add to the squad and see us go on a run of games where we can perform well and get the victories.

"[Henderson] knows he needed to get this injury right. We are trying to give our players the best possible opportunity to stay fit.

"It was more in relationship to the nerve, hopefully that will be cleared up.

"Jordan's impact has grown during my time here.

"When you miss players of that calibre it's going to have an impact."

On Sturridge, Rodgers added: "On his game he's one of the best there is. He can stretch teams, and has wonderful variety in his finishing.

"A player who can get you 25 plus goals in a season is going to be missed."

 

[Abramovich]

Mourinho defends Hazard and Ivanovic form

18 September 2015 15:28

Jose Mourinho has defended the recent form of Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic, insisting the Belgium star remains "the best player in England".

Hazard has struggled this term to hit the form which saw him crowned the Premier League's Player of the Season in 2014-15 and blazed a penalty over the crossbar in the 4-0 Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Ivanovic, too, has received heavy criticism for his performances so far this term, with some reports claiming Mourinho is already on the lookout for the Serbia man's long-term replacement.

"He [Hazard] is the best player in England," was Mourinho's response to the critics on Friday. "As I was saying the other day, because [Wayne] Rooney doesn't score for three games, it doesn't mean he is a bad player.

"Eden is the best in this country. The best will be the best again. I don't know if it's tomorrow or next week, but one of these days he'll be man of the match."

Hazard is also set to stay as Chelsea's first-choice penalty taker, with Mourinho offering an alternative explanation for his miss on Wednesday.

He added: "Maybe he had an agreement with some sponsor to promote the Rugby World Cup. He's the best penalty taker in this country, too. He is my first option."

The former Porto boss claimed speculation over Ivanovic's future was merely "something you [the media] said, not me" as he gave his backing to the 31-year-old and club captain John Terry.

"Terry is a player of my total confidence," Mourinho continued. "Because he's on the bench one game and I take him off at half-time, nothing changes. I don't know if Terry will start. He is the captain, one of the good faces.

"You don't see me being critic with him [Ivanovic]. I don't think the question is for me, I'm not trying to isolate individual players from the context."

Mourinho again responded to Steven Gerrard's suggestion of a rift between the manager and Terry and criticised the media for attempting to pin Chelsea's poor recent results on dressing-room problems.

"I like Gerrard very much, I have a good relationship with him, he does his job amazingly well as a footballer. As a pundit, he said something that is not true," Mourinho explained.

"Normally, when bad results happen, the first thing that comes into your laptops, iPads, is to find a dramatic story. 'Somebody punched somebody in the dressing room,' 'Diego Costa fought with John Terry and brought a translator so they could understand the fight'.

"'Mourinho doesn't want to give a new contract to John and Ivanovic', 'Mourinho instructs the scouts to find a right-back urgently'. You always go in this direction, which is fun.

"The direction you don't go in is real. You don't want the ball, you fear it. You fear the worst when the ball goes into the box.

"You can try to find every answer for the bad results. The bad relation between myself and the players, but go for my bad options, bad changes, the weather. But problems between me and my players? I can promise you - zero."

 

[Fabregas]

Arsenal clash will not prove crucial to title race - Mourinho

18 September 2015 14:30

Jose Mourinho says Chelsea's clash with Arsenal will not prove a crucial moment in the Premier League title race.

The champions have suffered back-to-back league defeats and are already 11 points behind leaders Manchester City, with Arsenal currently six clear of their London rivals.

Mourinho, however, does not consider beating their biggest rivals as vital to Chelsea's chances of defending their title, though he accepts three points would be welcome.

"Two seasons ago we won every match against the title contenders and we were not champions, so I think it's important because somebody winning means somebody loses points. But it's not crucial," Mourinho, who confirmed Willian will miss the game through injury, said on Friday.

"I don't go in that direction [that Arsenal are title challengers]. I just go into the match tomorrow. Our fantastic record doesn't matter, that they beat us in the Charity Shield [Community Shield] doesn't matter.

"It's just Chelsea - Arsenal, it's a match we want to win. Because it's a match and if we're looking at the table, we know the distance we have in relation to the top of the league so I don't think that helps us."

Mourinho, who refused to offer any comment on a reported FA investigation into alleged sexist remarks aimed at Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro, also stressed that Arsene Wenger's handshake snub following the Community Shield in August was of no consequence.

"I'm happy that you described in a correct way what happened, that's maybe the first time. I don't have any critic about that," he said when asked about the incident.

"I don't think it's important now, I don't think people are focused on that. They're focused on what happens on the pitch."

Petr Cech is in line for his first appearance at Stamford Bridge since leaving Chelsea for Arsenal and Mourinho says "the door is open" to his old goalkeeper - but only after the match.

"For me, until the game finishes, that's exactly what it is [Chelsea against any goalkeeper]. After the game, it's not the same to meet Petr Cech in the tunnel, or Ospina or some of the guys I don't have a special connection with.

"I never had a doubt. If anyone, a Chelsea fan, has a different perspective of what football is and thought that Cech would open the goal and let Chelsea win, they understood in the [Community] Shield they are there to win, probably more than ever.

"After the game, the dressing room door is open."

 

[Alexis]

Lehmann doubts Mourinho´s Chelsea can recover

18 September 2015 08:36

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has cast doubt on whether Jose Mourinho has the ability to turn Chelsea's woeful start to the Premier League season around.

Mourinho has overseen just one Premier League win from Chelsea's first five games of the season, with three defeats leaving the reigning champions 17th in the table.

No side in Premier League history has recovered from a start as bad as Chelsea's to win the title.

And Lehmann, Arsenal's 2003-04 title-winning goalkeeper, believes the damage has already been done as Mourinho prepares to host Arsene Wenger's side on Saturday.

"Now he probably wants to show people that, even with a bad start, he can become a champion, which would be special again," Lehmann told Omnisport.

"But we will see. I doubt that, because they are already 11 or 12 points behind [Manchester City], so he needs to pull out something really special to get that right again.

"I don't know whether he is capable of doing that."

Lehmann also admitted that doubts over his former club's title chances are creeping in after a mixed start of their own to the season.

Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday, having already opened their Premier League campaign with a defeat to West Ham.

"I hope Arsenal will win the Premiership this year. Watching the game against Dinamo Zagreb, where they have lost again, there is always the same doubt," he said.

"But the players said that this season is becoming a special season, and something special will happen. I hope that they are right, in a positive way."

Lehmann backed fellow goalkeeper Petr Cech, who Wenger rested in Zagreb, to become a key player in Arsenal's campaign, following his move from Chelsea.

The former Germany international said: "Petr is one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, so I think that was a really good purchase by Arsenal.

"You can't perform in every game, but Petr has the ability to tick every box in terms of goalkeeping. He doesn't really have weaknesses.

"He perfectly suits Arsenal, and hopefully will be one of the key factors to win something at the end of this season."

 

[Wenger]

Mourinho must deal with pressure - Wenger

18 September 2015 11:39

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho must deal with the pressure that comes with starting their Premier League season poorly.

Ahead of the sides' meeting at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Chelsea sit 17th in the top flight, having taken just four points from five league games, as Wenger and Mourinho come face to face once more.

Wenger played down the pair's fractious rivalry over the years but warned Mourinho of the need to stand up to his current situation.

"These are situations that are difficult to assess. It's less enjoyable when it doesn't go well but every manager in the game for a long time has to do deal with that," said the Frenchman, famously branded a "specialist in failure" by Mourinho last term.

"What is important is what people will see at 12.45 and let's focus on that. I focus on what I love which is football... and all the rest doesn't affect me. What is important is football for me.

"We know our position at the end of the season will depend on how we do in the big games.

"I do not consider too much where Chelsea stand. I focus on us performing well tomorrow. I leave that to the specialists and take care of my own team and my own problems."

Strikers Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott had contrasting fortunes during Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb - the latter continued his fine form with a goal, having come off the bench after the Frenchman was dismissed for two bookings.

"Yes [he is making a case to start] but every game is different and that's why I don't deny the quality of Walcott," Wenger added.

"I'm happy he has scored so many goals and he shows he can score when he comes on as well like he did in Zagreb."

 

[Gomis]

Kompany ruled out but Aguero back in for West Ham clash

By Joe Wright
Sep 18, 2015 20:11:24

City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini says Vincent Kompany is not fit to face West Ham but can call on last season's Premier League top scorer Sergio Aguero again

Vincent Kompany has been ruled out of Manchester City's clash with West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Belgium international was forced off during Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Juventus after suffering a calf problem.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini says Kompany will not be fit for the Hammers' visit in the Premier League or the League Cup clash with Sunderland next Tuesday, though he has better news on Sergio Aguero's knee problem.

"Vincent is not fit for the game. [Pablo] Zabaleta, [Gael] Clichy, [Fabian] Delph also," he said. "Samir Nasri had a kick in the last game. He's not 100 per cent for tomorrow.

"It's a calf injury for Kompany - he won't be involved on Tuesday against Sunderland but we'll see if he can face Tottenham.

"Zabaleta needs one more week with the physio before full training. I hope at the end of this month he will be okay.

"Aguero has recovered very well. He is 100 per cent fit for tomorrow."

Given the injury problems suffered by Aguero and Kompany so far this season, Pellegrini has given his full backing to both Wilfried Bony and new signing Nicolas Otamendi to produce the goods for the Premier League leaders.

"I have absolute trust in what Bony can do. I think we have enough options for the striking positions with him, Aguero and [Kelechi] Iheanacho," he said.

"Otamendi has maybe not worked with us as much as we would have liked but he's an experienced player and he will have his chance."

Pellegrini has also hailed the way in which Kevin De Bruyne is adapting to life at the Etihad, claiming he enhances the versatility of his side.

"De Bruyne is adapting quickly to our system. I am very happy with him. Like Raheem Sterling, he's a type of player we didn't have before."

 

[LouisVanGaal]

Van Gaal: Manchester United's away form will improve

By Chris Myson
Sep 18, 2015 19:46:44

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is confident his team's away form will get better after two straight losses.

Louis van Gaal is hoping Sunday's trip to Southampton will be the start of improvements away from home for Manchester United.

The Premier League side have suffered 2-1 defeats to Swansea City and PSV in their last two away outings and the Dutchman is aware of the developing trend.

Van Gaal is confident away victories will soon start materialising and stressed he would not make any changes to the way he prepared his team for the trip to St. Mary's Stadium.

"We have already noticed we lost against Swansea and PSV Eindhoven," said Van Gaal. "We have time and also matches that we can improve in that way and we shall.

"In the Champions League it is important that you do not lose those away matches."

Southampton have only won one of their five league matches so far in 2015-16 after finishing seventh last season and Van Gaal feels their current position of 11th is a false one.

"They have a very good team. I don't think their current position is a normal position for them," he continued.

"I approach all matches in the same way, in the same procedure and with the same amount of meetings. We want to help the players play the game against Southampton and beat them.

"That is what we are doing as the staff but the players have to do it, of course."

 

[Sturridge]

Manchester City 1-2 West Ham: De Bruyne strike not enough as Hammers shock league leaders
A first City goal for the Belgium playmaker was not enough to peg back Slaven Bilic's side as the Hammers went on to record an impressive win against the championship hopefuls

Newcastle United 1-2 Watford: Ighalo double secures impressive away win
Steve McClaren's men are still without a win after six league games as the newly promoted side took all three points on Saturday

Swansea City 0-0 Everton: Mirallas sent off in stalemate
Roberto Martinez's side went closest through Arouna Kone but the match at the Liberty Stadium remained even throughout, giving each side a hard-earned point

Stoke City 2-2 Leicester City: Mahrez & Vardy keep Ranieri’s men on a roll
Mark Hughes' side are still looking for their first Premier League win of the season but the in-form Foxes managed to fight back and find an equaliser

Aston Villa 0-1 West Brom: Berahino back with a bang for the Baggies
A goal from the 22-year-old just before the stroke of half-time put their fierce rivals to the sword in a tightly-contested derby at Villa Park

Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland: Wilson & Ritchie pile on more misery for Advocaat
Eddie Howe's side secured their second win of the season courtesy of two first-half strikes as the Black Cats sink to the foot of the table

Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal: Mourinho's champions back to winning ways against nine-man Gunners
Kurt Zouma's 53rd-minute header and Eden Hazard's late deflected strike sealed an ultimately facile win over Arsene Wenger's men, who had Gabriel and Santi Cazorla dismissed

 

[Pardew]

Wenger: Costa should have been sent off... TWICE

Sep 19, 2015 15:08:00

The coach was left fuming with referee Mike Dean for failing to punish the striker for his part in several controversial incidents

Arsene Wenger insists Diego Costa "should have been sent off twice" during Chelsea's victory over Arsenal on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho's men secured only their second win in the Premier League this season following second-half goals from Kurt Zouma and Eden Hazard, while the Gunners ended the match with nine men after Gabriel Paulista and Santi Cazorla were sent off.

Gabriel was sent off for kicking out at Costa, but television replays have shown the Chelsea striker slapping the face of Laurent Koscielny in the build-up to his lengthy altercation with the Arsenal centre-backs.

Asked by BT Sport if he felt a sense of injustice, Wenger replied: A big one, yes. Because I think Diego costa should've had a red card, I wouldn’t like to be Mike Dean tonight.

"I cannot understand this situation. Costa, twice should have been sent off.

"Look at the situation before the cross comes in. He hits Koscielny in the face on purpose. He makes a fuss of it and in every game he is aggressive and gets away with it because of the weakness of the referee.

"I think two sendings off for us and Costa staying on the pitch is a shame."

Wenger did admit, however, that Gabriel deserved to be sent off, adding: "Gabriel deserves a red card and I agree, but you expect the referee to make the right decisions. That’s all you want."

The two managers failed to shake hands at the end of the game, but the Frenchman played down any suggestion he'd deliberately avoided his opposite number by claiming "he's always available".

The 65-year-old also revealed midfielder Francis Coquelin picked up an injury and will definitely miss his side's next match against Tottenham in the League Cup on Wednesday.

 

[Pardew]

Premier League needs Costa controversy, says Mourinho

By Matthew Rogerson
Sep 19, 2015 18:04:00

The Spain international took centre stage in the Blues' win over their local rivals, but his manager feels his display is needed as it adds to the theatre

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho feels Diego Costa's controversial showing in the win over Arsenal made him man-of-the-match, adding it represents why the Premier League remains popular.

Costa was central to Gabriel's first-half dismissal - having struck Laurent Koscielny in the face before being kicked out at by the Brazilian centre-half, before Santi Cazorla was then dismissed.

But it was Costa's colourful display that attracted the ire of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - who branded the striker's behaviour "unacceptable", although Mourinho stated his display was pure theatre.

"If you want to speak about Diego Costa with me, he played like he has to play," he told reporters.

"That's why you have full stadiums and the game watched around the world by millions and millions. The game has to be played like that.

"That is why tomorrow I will go to see what I consider comparable in terms of dedication and passion, New Zealand and Argentina [in the Rugby World Cup] - I go tomorrow because I love it. Fantastic, Diego.

"Costa was man-of-the-match for me. Of course [it was not a red card for Costa].

"It was the same referee who made all the decisions in the game and who didn't give two clear penalties for us. There are also rules for what Gabriel did to Eden Hazard.

"Gabriel Paulista did something on Eden Hazard in the box that is allowed in rugby and not in football. In the box, it's a penalty. In the second half, someone did it on Diego Costa.

"In rugby it's fantastic but in football it's a penalty. I have to cope with my defeats, [Wenger] has to cope with his."

 

[Schweinsteiger]

Naive Arsenal fall for Costa's dirty tricks as Chelsea perfect the art of winning ugly

Sep 19, 2015 15:30:00

The match may have been won by using foul tactics, but The Blues come out on top regardless and left the Gunners looking weak when faced with mental provocation

By Greg Stobart

He did not score either goal, but the hero’s reception for Diego Costa when he was substituted eight minutes from time told the Chelsea striker that he was the man who won this game for the champions.

It was Costa who had goaded Gabriel into the foolish retaliation on the stroke of half-time that reduced Arsenal to 10 men and completely changed the nature of the contest.

Costa is a player who attracts as much hatred from opposing supporters as he does love from his own fans - and this was a game that showed exactly why.

Costa and Gabriel had clashed less than a minute earlier after the Blues striker escaped punishment for thrusting an arm at Laurent Koscielny.

Had referee Mike Dean spotted Costa’s swinging arm, the Spain international might have been the one trudging down the tunnel early.

Instead, it was Gabriel after Costa roped him in to a needless flick of his studs following at least 30 seconds of the two men sparring verbally.

“Costa can do what he wants,” complained Wenger in his post-match press conference. “He has to stay on and everybody else has to be sent off.

“I think it’s unacceptable what he does to Koscielny, he pushed him in the face. I don’t understand how he gets away with it.

“He will do the same next week and the week after - and he will get away with it. He always uses provocation and he benefited from the naivety of my team today.”

He is a player in his manager Jose Mourinho’s own image. Costa is aggressive, confrontational and he crosses the line on occasions - but he is also someone you would want with you in the trenches.

From Arsenal’s perspective, Gabriel’s sheer naivety reflected the lack of leaders in this Gunners team - a point made time and again but never addressed by Arsene Wenger.

There was a time 10 or 15 years ago when Arsenal might still have fancied their chances against a top team with 10 men, but there was no belief here. It was always going to be an uphill battle.

The Gunners finished the match with nine men after Santi Cazorla’s red card for a second booking, but despite his protests the Spaniard can have no complaints once he sees the replays.

But by then, even with the score at 1-0, Arsenal looked out of the game.

In the 53rd minute, the goal came as Kurt Zouma headed home Cesc Fabregas’ lovely free-kick - and thereafter the result was never in doubt.

Alexis Sanchez missed a glorious chance to equalise when he latched on to a mistake in the Chelsea defence but mishit from close range.

It might have been a different story had that struck the net, but nobody was going to stop Mourinho’s men today.

Mourinho and Wenger shook hands before kick-off but there was no repeat at the final whistle.

While Wenger stormed down the tunnel, Mourinho embraced his staff and substitutes after a huge win for last season’s champions.

After back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Everton, they had to win here to have any chance of retaining their title.

They played with purpose, aggression and concentration from the first minute. If the plan was to bully Arsenal, take the lead and then control the game, it worked a treat.

Wenger beat Mourinho for the first time in the Community Shield in August at the 14th attempt, but this result ensures that the Portuguese has restored the status quo.

Mourinho will know he has Costa to thank.

 

[Sturridge]

Shearer: Diego Costa crossed the line against Arsenal

22 September 2015 17:12

Diego Costa is an aggressive wind-up merchant who took his tactics too far when Chelsea faced Arsenal, according to Alan Shearer.

The former Newcastle United striker still tops the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts after netting 260 times in the top flight.

Costa has received an FA charge for "an alleged act of violent conduct" after raising arms to Laurent Koscielny in Saturday's game, which came before he clashed with Gabriel, who was sent off in the aftermath.

The Spain international's manager Jose Mourinho leapt to the defence of his performance and, while Shearer does not believe Costa is a dirty player, he does think things went too far against the Gunners.

"I would describe him as an aggressive wind-up merchant," the 45-year-old wrote in The Sun.

"Winding up defenders is fair game — it happens, whether you like it or not. Central defenders try to kick you and Costa is turning it around and doing the same.

"You try to get one step ahead of the game and stand up for yourself. You let the defenders know that you won't be intimidated and they can't kick you.

"I would rather have Diego Costa in my team than against me, but he is treading a fine line.

"He is a street fighter. I like his aggression and the way he doesn't allow himself to be bullied by big central defenders.

"But there is a line and he crossed that against Arsenal."

Mourinho has confirmed that Costa, who could face a ban for his antics, will not start Wednesday's League Cup tie at Walsall.

 

[Gomis]

Benteke to have scan on hamstring problem

22 September 2015 11:27

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke will undergo an MRI scan to determine the extent of his hamstring injury.

Benteke sustained the problem during the first half of Liverpool's 1-1 Premier League draw against Norwich City on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's League Cup third-round tie with Carlisle United, first-team coach Gary McAllister confirmed the Belgium international would go for further assessment.

McAllister also praised Danny Ings, who came on as a replacement for Benteke and scored his first goal since moving to Liverpool from Burnley in June.

"Christian is going to have an MRI scan today," McAllister said on Tuesday. "Hopefully we'll find out [about] the problem. He's got a little problem on his hamstring.

"Danny Ings came on and it was really refreshing to see his performance.

"I think, if you'd seen him every day since he arrived here at the training ground, if there's anyone that deserved a goal it was Danny.

"He's been working his socks off. It's not by fluke, it's by pure hard work that he managed to get that chance and finish it so well. He's been working hard at his game."

Daniel Sturridge played for 63 minutes against Norwich on his return following hip surgery and McAllister acknowledged that the England striker's workload must be managed carefully.

The Scot added: "The medical guys are aware of Daniel's situation. Over the season he's a player that they've got to really look after.

"But it's a plus to have him back and around the first team. He's a quality player, he brings something a little bit different."

 

[Schweinsteiger]

Ferguson pondered Balotelli deal, slams Pogba agent Raiola

22 September 2015 10:38

Alex Ferguson considered making Mario Balotelli a Manchester United player before his contacts in the game warned him off the maverick Italy international.

Balotelli joined United's local rivals Manchester City in 2010, helping them to the Premier League title in 2011-12 when he scored a brace in a 6-1 thrashing of Ferguson's men at Old Trafford.

The striker revealed his iconic "Why Always Me" t-shirt when he opened the scoring in that match after an impromptu fireworks display from his home bathroom earlier that weekend resulted in the fire brigade being called.

Unfortunately for City and Balotelli, tales of the Italians assorted hijinks off the field would far surpass his deeds on it and he was sold to Milan in January 2013.

Balotelli is back at San Siro on loan following an underwhelming spell at Liverpool last year – the prospect of the gifted 25-year-old fulfilling his considerable potential appearing ever more remote.

When these talents came to light during Balotelli's formative years at Inter, Ferguson – a keen nurturer of young prospects – was alerted but the 73-year-old is ultimately pleased he put his curiosity to bed.

"In 2010 I briefly flirted with the idea of signing Mario Balotelli, the talented but controversial Italian striker," Ferguson wrote in his new book, 'Leading'.

"I did my homework on him, speaking to a few Italian contacts, but the feedback I got confirmed it was too big a risk.

"I don't know whether this sort of candid professional courtesy exists in other fields, but for me it was a Godsend."

Had Ferguson's interest in Balotelli developed, it is likely it would have hit another stumbling block.

In 'Leading' he expresses a dislike for agent Mino Raiola – Balotelli's representative who also oversaw Paul Pogba's departure from Manchester United.

France international midfielder Pogba subsequently shot to stardom with Juventus and is now one of the most coveted performers in the world game.

"There are one or two football agents I simply do not like and Mino Raiola is one of them," Ferguson said.

"We had Paul under a three-year contract and it had a one-year renewal option, which we were eager to sign. But Raiola suddenly appeared on the scene and our first meeting was a fiasco.

"He and I were like oil and water. From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus."

 

[Pardew]

Process to pick Moyes ´perfect´ - Ferguson

22 September 2015 03:19

Former manager Alex Ferguson maintains Manchester United's process to replace him with David Moyes was "perfect".

Ferguson ended his 26-year tenure with United at the end of the 2012-13 Premier League season, with then-Everton manager Moyes revealed as his successor a day later.

While Moyes would not last a season in charge of United, Ferguson remains convinced his fellow Scot was the right choice.

"Once I'd conveyed it [his decision to retire] to the Glazers, then the process started of looking for successors," Ferguson said at his book launch on Monday, according to the Daily Mail.

"We chose David Moyes. He had been consistent in his job at Everton, had a good spell there - 11 years and showed appetite. No one knew apart from the Glazers, David Gill and myself.

"When we appointed him, the press were enthusiastic for a British manager. Unfortunately, somehow it didn't work out for David. The process was perfect. It was a good process."

Moyes would win just 27 of 51 games in charge of United before being sacked 10 months into his six-year contract.

The 52-year-old is now coach of Real Sociedad and led them to a 12th-place finish in the 2014-15 La Liga season.

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Dirty Diego given a 3 match ban.