Stoke City defender Tom Edwards has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal with the club.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season with the Potters, making six first-team appearances.
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Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Sunday’s encounter between Manchester United and Chelsea ended 2-1 to the Red Devils.
The game was a fixture of two halves, and Chelsea’s initial spurt of brilliance wasn’t enough to contain United’s subdued but strong intent of creativity, which saw goals from Lukaku and Lingard seal the tie for the home side.
Until the winner was scored, most anticipated the match to be snuck away by the Blues. However, once Lingard’s header found the back of the net, Mourinho wasted no time in making tactical changes to see the game through.
One of them involved the substitution of Eric Bailly for Alexis Sanchez, and the defender came in tow with a note for Nemanja Matic.
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However, the note being read by the Serb gave fans one of the lighter moments of the match.
In an attempt to discern what Mourinho had to say to his midfield maestro, Willian certainly gave his all to see what was written on the paper the Serb was holding.
The runs by the Brazilian, while comical to spectators, certainly wasn’t received in the same manner by Matic himself, who had a stern expression after.
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The little playful incident was a nice comic relief when contrasted with other instances in the game, where players get into heated confrontations over seemingly nothing.
The post What Happened Between Matic And Willian Is Hilarious appeared first on BlameFootball.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina has hinted he intends to leave at the end of the season.
Ospina will play in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday but insists just being the cup and European keeper may not be enough to keep him at Arsenal.
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It may have taken two penalty shootouts en route the Carabao Cup final but Pep Guardiola is on the brink of his first trophy in English football.
Alison Bender and Don Hutchison look ahead to Sunday's Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to bounce back from their Monday FA Cup loss to Wigan and win the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday.
To paraphrase a popular co-commentary cliche: if anything, Manchester City are actually playing too well.
With the Premier League title wrapped up weeks -- if not months -- ago, the genuine brilliance of Pep Guardiola's side has almost been overlooked: there's no tension, no intrigue, no will-they-or-won't-they debates going into the run-in. They win so frequently it's almost become dull, and yet the manner of their football is anything but. Manchester City will win the Premier League this season,...
MANCHESTER -- Manchester United are hopeful Paul Pogba will be available for the Champions League tie with Sevilla this week after training
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Manchester United came back to winning ways after progressing into the last eight of the FA Cup after winning against Huddersfield Town 2-0.
Romelu Lukaku scored a brace as Jose Mourinho’s men kept their hopes alive for a trophy this season after overcoming their opponents in a crucial away encounter.
Here’s how Jose Mourinho’s men fared during the crunch encounter against the Premier League newcomers.
Sergio Romero: 6
There were some nervy moments in the first half but the custodian got back into the game with nothing much to have his mind worried.
Ashley Young: 6
Handled his defensive responsibilities well, and made up a brilliant ball for Juan Mata, whose goal was rule off-side.
WATCH: Everyone Is Talking About This Hilarious ‘Mata’ Moment
Chris Smalling: 7
Made crucial interventions all throughout the match. Was definitely the best United defender on the pitch.
Victor Lindelof: 5
Looked nervous in the first half but grew on to the game as the game progressed.
Luke Shaw: 6
A decent game as the left-back saw the threat off mostly during the game.
Michael Carrick: 7
Looked composed and got his passes right. Looked good on the eye after a solid show.
Nemanja Matic: 5
Lost possession at times and did not look as sharp as expected. Had a better second half.
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Scott McTominay: 6
Looked energetic and calm but was often run out by the opponents.
Juan Mata: 7
Had a good game and scored a goal only to be ruled off side by VAR. Looked solid at the right and connected well with Lukaku and Sanchez besides setting the Belgian up for the opener.
Alexis Sanchez: 7
Made an assist for Lukaku in the 2nd half and looked good after the break after a quiet 45 minutes.
Romelu Lukaku: 9
Scored two good goals and showed his attributes of hold-up play beside the work and energy.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Anthony Martial: 5
Looked to bring some energy down the left and made some decent impressions going forward.
Jesse Lingard: 5
Tried hard to break into the Huddersfield box but did not have much luck.
Eric Bailly: 3
Came on at the final seconds of the injury time.
The post Player Ratings: Huddersfield 0-2 Manchester United appeared first on BlameFootball.
Reuters/Paul Childs
Manchester United will head to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday to square up against Huddersfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The Red Devils are considered immediate favorites in the competition, and the Terries will certainly be hoping to spoil the party. Let us look at the ways in which the two sides can lineup for the encounter:
Manchester United
Mourinho’s lads will be going into the encounter with a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Premier League still fresh in their memories. As of such, the Mancunian outfit can’t afford to make any mistakes, and will be looking to make an early and swift impact.
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In terms of injury, much of United’s options are still sitting on the fence, particularly the likes of Marcus Rashford, Ibrahimović, Blind, and Ander Herrera, with the Spaniard most assured to be out of the fixture. Bailly and Fellaini, on the other hand, are more long-term absentees.
After Pogba’s dismal performance, the midfield duo is bound to get a change, and McTominay and the rejuvenated Carrick will be apt to given a chance to shine.
Goalkeeper: Romero
Defenders: Shaw, Rojo, Lindelof, Darmian
Midfielders: McTominay, Carrick
Attackers: Sanchez, Lingard, Mata, Lukaku
Formation: 4-2-3-1
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Huddersfield Town
The side tasted temporary respite in the Premier League the past week as they edged above what is a shaky relegation zone, and needless to say, David Wagner’s men will be hoping to keep the dream of top-flight football alive for next season.
As of such, the weekend tie will be viewed with some doubt, as it does nothing to ease their league stress. Regardless, the game is bound to be relished by the home fans, and a chance to trump the giants, however improbable, will be too good to resist, considering the FA Cup’s knack for it.
Aaron Mooy, Chris Lowe, Elias Kachunga, Depoitre and Tom Smith are all on the injury list ahead of the fixture.
Goalkeeper: J. Lossl
Defenders: Hadergjonaj, Schindler, Jorgensen, Malone
Midfield: Hogg, Billing
Attackers: Ince, Pritchard, Parra, Mounie
The post Potential Lineups: Huddersfield Town vs Manchester United appeared first on BlameFootball.
REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
There isn’t a professional footballer on the planet that likes to lose a game, let alone against the best teams in the biggest club competition in the world.
However, no matter how disappointed a player can get with the result, there is simply no excuse for not showing respect to his team-mates, the opposition players, or even the referees, for that matter, after the conclusion of the game.
That is the situation Neymar found himself in last night, after his Paris Saint-Germain side succumbed to a 3-1 away defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The French giants began the tie brilliantly, seemingly unfazed in the face of Real’s high pressing, and went on to take a well-deserved lead through Adrien Rabiot’s 33rd-minute strike.
However, on the stroke of half-time, Cristiano Ronaldo leveled the tie with a sensational penalty that has been making headlines all around the football world.
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Ronaldo went on to score another, before Marcelo’s 86th-minute strike all but sealed the game, leaving PSG with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
On the other hand, Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, had a largely ineffectual game, and his frustration at the end of the match was evident.
While his team-mates were shaking hands with the opposition players and the referees, the Brazilian instead decided to storm straight down the tunnel, and didn’t for a moment bother to even look back.
It didn’t just end there, as Spanish outlet Don Balon – who aren’t exactly the most trustworthy of sources – claim that the 26-year-old was involved in a heated dressing room argument with his team-mates, venting out his frustration at the collapse that might see them get knocked out of the competition in the next leg.
It is yet another instance of the ‘cry baby’ character Neymar was so heavily criticized for when reports of his bust-up with Edinson Cavani emerged, and it goes without saying that fans on Twitter were outraged at his lack of respect for his fellow colleagues.
Here’s what some of the fans had to say about the incident:
The post Fans Hit Out At Neymar For ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Behavior Following Real Defeat appeared first on BlameFootball.
REUTERS/Juan Medina
Being seventeen points behind their arch-rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid have more or less given up on the hopes of keeping possession of the La Liga title, as they now solely focus on snatching their third consecutive Champions League trophy.
Amidst the series of poor performances, the Spanish club has posted a video message from Cristiano Ronaldo on Twitter ahead of Wednesday night’s massive Champions League clash against PSG.
The Real talisman said: “On Wednesday we have a very important match against a great team. What me and the team are asking for is your unconditional support like always and together we will be much stronger. Hala Madrid!”
@Cristiano: "On Wednesday we have a very important match against a great team. What me and the team are asking for is your unconditional support like always and together we will be much stronger. Hala Madrid!" #APorLa13 pic.twitter.com/N1SL44D2m0
— Real Madrid C.F.
(@realmadriden) February 13, 2018
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The Portuguese star has been deprived of quality form this season and is conspicuously lacking his usual composure in front of goal. He is now clearly desperate to get the fans onside, trying to acquiring maximum support, as they prepare themselves for squaring off with the Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League Round of 16.
In the Galacticos’ previous fixture against Real Sociedad, Karim Benzema missed out on an opportunity to score his first goal since November, despite the team securing a safe 5-2 victory. The 33-year-old portrayed his compassion as he was seen urging the fans to encourage the fallen striker, posterior to the final whistle.
Nevertheless, the French capital has never won a Champions League title in their history. But with their coach not underestimating the Spanish giants and further taking into account their hunger for the prestigious trophy, Paris Saint-Germain would plausibly advance through to the quarter finals.
The post Here’s What Cristiano Ronaldo Said Before Champions League Clash Against PSG appeared first on BlameFootball.
Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said that he would prefer for his team, Real Madrid, not to sign Neymar from Paris
REUTERS/Jon Nazca
Jose Mourinho has reportedly told the officials at Old Trafford to make a move for Real Madrid star Isco, in order to stop him from joining cross-town rivals Manchester City.
The Premier League juggernauts have already started their preparations for the upcoming summer transfer window and have identified a common target in the form of Los Blancos’ talented playmaker.
The Spain international is said to be growing frustrated by lack of regular playing time at Madrid this season, and is rumoured to be pushing for a move away from the reigning La Liga Champions.
The 25-year-old has featured in just 32 games across all competitions this campaign.
WATCH: How Paul Pogba Reacted After Mourinho Subbed Him
As per the report by Don Balon, both the Manchester giants are aware of Isco’s current situation at the Bernabeu. City are reportedly the front-runners for his signature, but according to the Spanish outlet, Mourinho is planning to land Isco himself to avoid his transfer to the Etihad.
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It was further claimed that the Red Devils could offer a colossal €150 million to acquire the Spaniard’s services. However, Real manager, Zinedine Zidane is still fixated on the fact that he wants Isco to stay in the Spanish capital ‘his whole life’.
“I believe in what I do, and I want Isco to stay here [Real Madrid] his whole life,” the French tactician recently stated.
“Isco is a very good player. So El Chiringuito’s report is a lie, and I am answering in order to put an end to this. We have 25 players and everyone is important. Perhaps Isco won’t play every game but I am counting on him.”
The post Mourinho Interested In Hijacking Yet Another Manchester City Target appeared first on BlameFootball.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane is willing to consider an offer from Manchester United, according to major Madrid sources.
Marca says Kane is weighing up whether to join Manchester United.
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Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says Treble talk is unhelpful at this stage of the season.
Barca are alive in three competitions - LaLiga, Champions League and the final of Copa del Rey.
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REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
With the departure of Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window, the offensive framework of Liverpool has sustained a tremendous decrement in terms of firepower.
Having had more than three weeks to hunt down a replacement for the talented Brazilian, Jurgen Klopp’s peculiar reluctance to spend massive funds saw no major players checking in at Anfield.
Nevertheless, with the hopes of competing for a top-four finish, the Merseysiders had a couple of players focused on their radar. Regardless, they have missed out on the opportunity, as the winter window marked its conclusion a week ago.
One of the players who picked the chief interest of Klopp was Monaco’s Thomas Lemar. However, the French club quoted a £90 million price tag for his services, which obviously saw the German tactician walking away.
Disregarding those facts, the Reds might fancy their chances for roping in the France international in the upcoming summer, as per latest reports. The talented midfielder’s prospects at Monaco is nothing short of being uncertain at the moment.
Furthermore, with just a little more than two years left in his current deal, the 22-year-old has snubbed a new contract offer from the Ligue 1 side, according to L’Equipe.
Moreover, as per the same source, Lemar maintains that he intends to keep his options open, and won’t ink a new deal prior to the commencement of the 2018 World Cup.
The celebrated youngster is currently on a meagre £22,000-per-week wage, which could easily be incremented tremendously by Liverpool. Besides, with the remainder of his current deal nearing its end, the Reds could grab hold of him for less than £90 million if they wait patiently.
The post Huge Hint That Monaco Star Is Moving To Liverpool appeared first on BlameFootball.
Reuters/Paul Childs
Having professed Alexis Sanchez is the “perfect” signing for the Old Trafford outfit, former Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney has related the Chilean with the likes of his ex-teammate, Carlos Tevez.
The Chile international migrated to Old Trafford in the January transfer window, after a period of contract extension talks with Arsenal and potential offers from Manchester City.
Although it was extremely likely for Pep Guardiola to table an offer which saw him secure the services of the former Gunners star, the 29-year-old made a fruitful move to the red part of the city, in a deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving to the other end.
Evidently, Alexis has had a compact start to his career at Old Trafford, and has already embarked the quest to grow as a fan-favourite.
The former Barcelona star exhibited an overwhelming performance on his debut against Yeovil Town. He enticed even more attention while being part of a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield, scoring the second goal for Mourinho’s side.
Wayne Rooney had spent a few terms being part of an extraordinary attacking line-up which included the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. Analysing the style of play of Sanchez, the 32-year-old discerns similar potential as that of the latter in the winter signing.
“For me, he’s the perfect player for Manchester United, he’s got aggression, passion, desire and you can see he’s a winner,” the Everton fan-favourite told Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show.
“That’s sort of what Manchester United have lacked – players around (Romelu) Lukaku who are going to push him on and help him score more goals. They are the players you want, almost like (Carlos) Tevez when he joined United. Those players lift the others.”
The post Wayne Rooney Explains Why Alexis Sanchez Is ‘Perfect’ For United appeared first on BlameFootball.
Mino Raiola could be key to Manchester United landing Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi this summer.
Ole in Argentina declared yesterday that United were actively exploring the prospect of meeting Icardi's 110m buyout clause to sign the Argentina international ahead of long-term suitors Real Madrid.
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