Signing striker like finding love

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says trying to sign the right striker is very much like chasing the woman you love.

Pochettino said earlier this week it was "obvious" Spurs needed another striker to compete with Harry Kane, but West Brom continue to insist Saido Berahino will not be sold before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
A deal to sign Son Heung-min, who scored 17 goals for Bayer Leverkusen last season, is close, while Clinton N'Jie could be involved against Everton this weekend, but both players are more likely to play out wide rather than through the middle, leaving Pochettino still chasing another signing.
"It is never easy," the Argentine said. "There are always a lot of players around the world that you can sign. But it's like when you are in love with some lady - there are a lot of women around the world, but you want only one.
"Sometimes it is impossible. It's about love. And in football, it is the same.
"For us, it is important to add the right profile - a player who can play under our style, our philosophy."
N'Jie is likely to start on the bench against Everton, with Pochettino admitting he is not yet ready for 90 minutes.
"I think it's difficult, because he was injured in pre-season with Lyon and it's true that his fitness levels are not yet [right). I think it's a big risk if he starts."
Pochettino reported better news on the fitness of Danny Rose.

Toivonen joins Sunderland on loan

Ola Toivonen has been included in the Sunderland squad to face Aston Villa after signing on a season-long loan from French side Rennes.

Attacking midfielder Toivonen, who has 40 caps for Sweden to his name, scored 14 goals in 46 appearances for Rennes.
The 29-year-old began his career in his homeland with Degerfos IF before playing for Gothenburg and then at Malmo.
He moved to PSV Eindhoven - where he played under current Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat - winning the KNVB Cup and Dutch Super Cup, before joining Rennes in January 2014.
Advocaat told the club's website: "I worked with Ola at PSV so I know him well.
"He is a national team player with a lot of experience, an attacking midfielder who can score goals and is good in the air - he will bring something different to the team."

Good move for Balotelli - Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers chose to not directly respond to Mario Balotelli's comments about his formation not suiting the Italian striker last season.

The 25-year-old returned to his home country this week after signing a season-long loan deal with AC Milan.
Balotelli told the media in Italy: "I must accept my faults but the formation chosen by Rodgers was not suited to my characteristics.
"At the beginning I missed several easy chances, then I had fewer chances to score, a bit of bad luck, injuries. A mess of things."
But speaking at Friday's press conference, Liverpool manager Rodgers responded by saying: "I've always said I won't be speaking on any transfers, in or out.
"But it's a good move for Mario. It suits both parties. He gets a season of playing football back in his homeland."
Balotelli joined Liverpool in a £16m deal in the summer of 2014, replacing Luis Suarez, but netted just four times in 28 appearances, with just a single goal coming in the Premier League.
The striker also said of his time on Merseyside: "I never complained, I accepted the decisions of the manager and I always behaved like a professional.
"Over the last year there was never a problem with my private life. I may have put pictures from restaurants on Instagram but that does not mean I did not train, even though I was not playing."
Brendan Rodgers also added that the "hunger has returned" to the Liverpool side, who have been putting in extra practice on the training pitch in order to remedy a previously problematic defence.
"The hunger has returned back into the team," he told reporters. "That freshness and ability to play with no fear. New players are here with new ambition.
"There's been a lot of work done on the training ground and in analysing in this room to change the mentality.
"We are doing extra sessions on every aspect of our defending. We are putting in an awful lot of work.

Vidal putting friendships on hold

The Bavarians' summer signing from Juventus is calling for focus ahead of the visit of his former club to the Allianz Arena

Arturo Vidal will put all friendships aside on Saturday when Bayern Munich welcome his former club Bayer Leverkusen to the Allianz Arena.

The Chile international has slotted into the gap left by Bastian Schweinsteiger at Bayern after signing a four-year deal in July, ending his stay in Italy with Juventus.

Vidal has started both Bundesliga matches of the 2015-16 campaign for Pep Guardiola and now prepares to face the club where he rose to prominence.

During his last season with Leverkusen in 2010-11, Vidal scored 10 league goals for the club as they finished runners-up behind Borussia Dortmund – three points clear of Bayern.

However, his loyalties now lie with the defending champions and he is intent on taking all three points of his previous employers.

"On the pitch we're opponents. I'll play as usual. I'll give everything I can, as always," he said. "The friendship will be put on hold.

"Of course it will be a special match for me. I'm very thankful to Bayer for having given me the opportunity to go to Europe, but now I play for Bayern and will give everything I have to win.

"We'll have to be very careful and focused right from the beginning."

Bayern have opened their title defence in confident fashion with two successive victories, scoring eight goals in the process and conceding only one.

Guardiola's side have long been seen as favourites for the title – which would be their fourth in a row – but Saturday's clash provides them with their first real test.

Leverkusen have also been impressive in the opening two rounds of the campaign with victories over Hoffenheim and Hannover, and their morale was boosted further as they secured a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday.

Despite trailing 1-0 from the first leg with Lazio, Leverkusen turned the tie around at the BayArena with a 3-0 to set up group ties against Barcelona, Roma and BATE.

Roger Schmidt may be without one of his star performers from last season, though, after South Korean forward Son Heung-min was linked with a move to the Premier League.

Son did not feature against Lazio due to illness, but a switch to Tottenham has also been mooted in recent days so he may not be deemed to be in the right frame of mind to face Bayern.

That will place the pressure firmly of Karim Bellarabi and Hakan Calhanoglu to lead the charge against the defending champions, with Stefan Kiessling looking for his third goal of the season in all competitions.

Opta Facts

• Bayern München have lost just one of their last 27 competitive home games against Leverkusen (W21, D5) - a 2-1 Bundesliga defeat in October 2012.
• Since the beginning of 1996/97, only FC Bayern have accumulated more points (1,391) and wins (420) than Leverkusen (1,125 points and 322 wins).
• FC Bayern have been removed from top spot in the Bundesliga for the first time since MD4 of 2014/15, having led the table for each of the last 31 matchdays (across multiple seasons).

Fans will help Stones re-settle

Roberto Martinez is confident Everton's fans will help John Stones settle back in at Goodison Park after he failed to secure a move to Chelsea.

Stones had a transfer request rejected by Everton chairman Bill Kenwright on Thursday as he looked to push through a move to Chelsea.
Stones was jeered by some Everton fans when they played at Barnsley in the Capital One Cup - and Martinez says he understands the fans emotions but expects the furure to die down now he is staying at Goodison Park.
"Of course the fans at one point thought they were going to lose one of the most-loved assets at our football club and the emotions are going to be high and full of feelings that you're going to show," Martinez said.
"John knows where he is; the fans, they are going to play an incredible role in helping John to settle in and to get back to being fully focused on winning football games for Everton."
Martinez, who has consistently said Stones is not for sale, now considers the matter closed and believes Stones will be mentally focused to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
"John Stones will be ready [to play against Spurs] because he is in the perfect environment," said Martinez.
"It's been an emotional time for everyone but John is one of our most loved assets and he'll be ready."
"The chairman was really strong yesterday, he's put things very, very clear.
"It's vitally important to show that we have got our own ambitions and our own projects and we don't rely on big offers coming in.
"Many, many football clubs would have try to get the biggest deal they could do and take the money and allow the sale to happen.
"It shows we've got an incredible chairman and all he wants is the best for the football club, he's being doing that for many, many years and hasn't been given the credit he deserves.
"Every single Evertonian can be extremely proud to keep one of our most treasured younger players and make sure we build a winning team.
"It seems like money can buy anything these days and clearly what we stand for at Everton is more important values - in football and in life - that they are more important than money."

Messi: I never said I'd quit Argentina

The Barcelona forward has hit out at local media after his Copa America disappointment led to suggestions he would take a break from the international game

Lionel Messi has hit out at reports he was set to take a break from international football after failing to lift the Copa America with Argentina earlier this year.

The Barcelona star faced intense criticism from some in the local media after the Albiceleste captain saw his side go down to hosts Chile on penalties in the final, with some going as far as suggesting he take extended leave from the national team.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino backed the Barcelona forward but admitted he himself would have walked away were he subject to the sort of abuse that was directed at Messi.

"I never said that I wasn't going to play any longer with the national team," Messi told ESPN Radio.

"[The media] can't kill me any more than they already have.

"I am used to them saying these types of things. Now we have friendlies and as long as the coach calls me up I am going to continue to be present."

Messi, 28, was included in Martino's squad to face Bolivia and Mexico in the United States next month.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner has hit 46 goals in 103 internationals, leaving him just 10 strikes behind his country's all-time top goalscorer, Gabriel Batistuta.

Messi has claimed an Olympic Gold medal and an Under-20 World Cup title but Argentina are without a major trophy at senior level since Copa America 1993.

Chelsea to sign China right-back Zheng

China defender Zhang Linpeng, dubbed the 'Chinese Sergio Ramos', has revealed Chelsea are interested in signing him.

The Guangzhou Evergrande star, who can play at either right-back or in central defence, is regarded as one of the brightest talents in his homeland.
The 26-year-old has claimed the Blues are interested in securing his services before this summer's transfer deadline on Tuesday, although they plan to immediately loan him out to a club in one of Europe's other four major leagues.
The 44-cap China international has been compared both in appearance and playing style to Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, with fans giving him nickname 'Zhangmos'.
Speaking to Chinese newspaper Titan Sports, the defender said: "I'm very happy and very excited to finally have this formal invitation.
"I've worked hard and waited these five-six years for my dream of playing overseas, and finally have recognition from the English Premier League.
"Although I'm unable to play Premier League directly, I believe [Chelsea] will have the most professional arrangements regarding my permit. I have no worries at all about the negotiations."
Chinese media believe Linpeng, once described by former coach Marcello Lippi as "the best Chinese footballer in the Chinese Super League", could be the long-term replacement for the struggling Branislav Ivanovic.

Mourinho reaches milestone as Real Madrid & Juventus eye improvements

The Chelsea manager is set to take charge of his 100th home game in the Premier League, while the Serie A champions travel to Roma and Thomas Tuchel hopes to make history MILESTONE MADNESS AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

Chelsea finally managed to get a win on the board in this season’s Premier League courtesy of a hard-fought and dramatic 3-2 win at the Hawthorns last Sunday. Now, with that welcome victory under his belt, Jose Mourinho will be confident of another win at home to Crystal Palace this weekend, in what will be his 100th Premier League home game.

So far, the Portuguese coach has racked up an impressive 76 wins in his league fixtures at Stamford Bridge, while losing only one (vs Sunderland 2-1 in April 2014). The clash with the Eagles will also be Mourinho’s 200th Premier League game overall and, come the final whistle on Saturday, he is already assured of registering the most points accrued by a manager in the league after 200 games (currently 453 points from 199 games).

However, the milestone madness doesn’t end there, with Chelsea also on the cusp of hitting 200 goals on home soil in Premier League London derbies (they currently have 199, as do Arsenal). As for visitors Palace, Alan Pardew’s record of winning four of his last seven league games against Chelsea as a manager will boost his hopes of a shock result.





Current table-toppers Manchester City host new-boys Watford with the aim of maintaining their 100 per cent start to the new season. The game will also see the in-form Sergio Aguero look to extend his run of scoring in each of his last five home league outings (seven goals scored in total). Manuel Pellegrini's side have won 14 and lost just one of their last 18 Premier League home games, winning the last eight in a row. However, the fact that Watford currently have the edge over City in their 12 league meetings, winning five to City’s four, means the league-leaders shouldn’t take anything for granted.

The red half of Manchester have also enjoyed a decent start to the new season, with seven points from a possible nine. However, Garry Monk’s upwardly mobile Swansea did win both league clashes between the sides last season. Striker Bafetimbi Gomis has now netted eight in his last nine league games and could become the first Swansea player to score in each of their opening four games of a Premier League season.

This weekend also sees Arsenal travel to Newcastle on the back of some fine away form, taking 19 points from a possible 21 on the road. However, having failed to score in five of their last nine league fixtures, Arsene Wenger’s men need to find their shooting boots. Liverpool host West Ham on Saturday - a side who have now gone 42 top-tier games without securing a victory at Anfield. Liverpool have won nine and lost just two of their last 14 home league matches.

BENITEZ HOPING FOR REAL IMPROVEMENT

Barcelona got off to a winning start in La Liga last weekend courtesy of a 1-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao. Luis Suarez was the hero in that game, which also saw Lionel Messi miss from the penalty spot. Against Malaga this weekend, Barca boss Luis Enrique will be looking for more attacking potency from his superstar charges.

Just one of Barca's last 19 league meetings with Los Boquerones ended in defeat (W16 D2). However, that one loss did come at the Camp Nou in February of this year (0-1), while Barca have failed to find the back of the net in both of their last two games against Malaga. Indeed, Javi Garcia’s side were the only team to stop Barcelona from scoring in both league matches last season.



Rafa Benitez’s Real Madrid tenure got off to a disappointing start with a goalless draw at promoted side Sporting Gijon. However, at home to Real Betis this Saturday the Spanish giants have a chance to rectify their opening day flop against a side who have always struggled at the Bernabeu. Betis have failed to win any of their last 12 league away clashes with Real Madrid while, overall, Los Verdiblancos have only won only one of their last 23 away Liga matches (D5 L17).

Elsewhere, Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid travel to Sevilla on the back of a narrow opening day victory against Las Palmas. Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten in their last four trips to the Sanchez Pizjuan (W2 D2), last losing there in October 2010. However, they will face a strong Sevilla side who have scored at least twice in each of their last six home games (W4 D1 L1).

BAYERN EAGER FOR TOP SPOT RETURN

Last weekend saw German champions Bayern Munich knocked off the top of the Bundesliga for the first time since matchday four of the 2014-15 campaign, as Dortmund sit top on goal difference.

Bayern will be confident of making it three wins out of three in the Bundesliga this Sunday, however, when they host Bayer Leverkusen. The Munich giants have lost just one of their last 27 competitive home games against Leverkusen (W21 D5) while they haven’t lost a game in the first half of a Bundesliga season since October 2012, although that defeat did come against none other than Leverkusen.



Leverkusen are enjoying a fine start to the season, winning their first two games of the new campaign and booking their place in the Champions League group stages courtesy of a midweek win over Lazio. They’ve also racked up 1,125 points and 322 wins since the beginning of 1996-97, figures only Bayern can better (1,391 points and 420 wins). g a fine start to the season, winning their first two games of the new campaign and booking their place in the Champions League group stages courtesy of a midweek win over Lazio. They’ve also racked up 1,125 points and 322 wins since the beginning of 1996-97, figures only Bayern can better (1,391 points and 420 wins).

Bundesliga leaders Dortmund host Hertha Berlin on Sunday with Thomas Tuchel hoping to become the first BVB boss ever to win his first three top-flight games. However, in Hertha, Tuchel & Co. will be facing a side who have claimed victory in two of their last three trips to Dortmund.

Hertha will also travel to the Westfalenstadion full of confidence, having picked up four points from their first two games, their joint-best ever start to a Bundesliga campaign.

WOUNDED JUVE LOOKING FOR ROMAN RELIEF

Serie A champions Juventus were brought right back down to earth on the opening day of the new season, with the all-conquering Turin giants beaten at home by Udinese. Now, Massimo Allegri faces a difficult journey to the capital to face fellow title-contenders Roma.

This clash will be the 163rd meeting in Serie A between the two, with Juve currently leading the head-to-head record by 77 wins to 37 (48 draws). Roma have won only one of their last 10 Serie A games against Juventus (3D 6L), with their last triumph coming back in February 2013.



Worryingly for manager Rudy Garcia, his side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five league games, but they have never conceded in six consecutive Serie A fixtures under the French manager.

Another surprise defeat last weekend came in Florence where a new-look AC Milan side went down 2-0 to Fiorentina. This weekend Sinisa Mihajlovic’s charges can redeem themselves against Empoli at San Siro. The Rossoneri have won 12 of their 21 league meetings with Empoli, losing just two. Interestingly, both those wins came in Milan and both by a 1-0 scoreline, although the last of those victories came all the way back in 2007. Expect the hosts to secure all three points on Saturday evening.

PERFECT PSG FACE STERN TEST IN MONTE CARLO

French giants PSG have started the new Ligue 1 season superbly, with three wins out of three so far. At the weekend, Laurent Blanc’s gilt-edged side travel south to Monaco.

While the Parisians are enjoying a superb run of form which has seen them record their best-ever winning streak in Ligue 1 (12 wins), they have won none of their last 11 Ligue 1 games against Monaco (D8 L3), their longest current winless run against a top-flight side. Monaco have lost only one of their last 17 league games (W10 D6) so they are sure to give PSG a stern test on the south coast.



Buoyed by their 6-0 mauling of Troyes last time out, Michel’s Marseille side travel to Guingamp hoping to build on that fabulous victory. The omens are good for L’OM, who have won each of their last eight competitive games against Guingamp. While in Ligue 1, the side from Britanny have enjoyed just three victories in their last eight home clashes with Marseille (D2 L3).

One player who’ll be confident in getting amongst the goals again is striker Michy Batshuayi, who bagged two for Marseille against Troyes to make it four Ligue 1 braces in 2015 - more than any other player

Markovic set for Fenerbahce loan move

Fenerbache are set to sign Lazar Markovic on a season-long loan deal - but Liverpool want the winger to return to Anfield.

The 21-year-old Serbia international joined Liverpool from Benfica last summer in a deal worth around £25million but made only 11 Premier League starts in his first season at Anfield and has now featured at all so far this term.
Liverpool are therefore keen for him to play regular football and have sanctioned a move to Turkey, but The Guardian says the Reds still believe he can succeed at the club and have therefore not included an option for the deal to be made permanent.
Markovic was part of a huge spending spree by Brendan Rodgers after the club qualified for the Champions League - a splurge that reached over £110million and included nine new signings. He will be the fourth player of those nine to leave, following Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Javier Manquillo.
Markovic, who has 20 caps for Serbia, began his career at Partizan Belgrade as a youth player and moved to Benfica in 2013, where he scored five times in 19 appearances in the Portugese Primeira.

Pedro arrival is Victor Moses' cue to leave

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Chelsea’s slow start to the season has proved to be the accelerant to a flurry of transfer activity within the last few days.
First, the transfer of Abdul Rahman Baba from Augsburg was confirmed immediately following the clobbering at Manchester City (from the club’s perspective, the timing could hardly have been worse). Following that, came the announcement of Spain international Pedro Rodriguez as a Blue.
Quite apart from the drama surrounding Manchester United’s protracted negotiations for the forward – the image evoked is of the perplexed groom at the altar, and a bride bounding through the streets in silk to a sultry lover – Chelsea have acquired a champion in every sense. Pedro has won every accolade available in football, except the heart of Luis Enrique; now, it is Jose Mourinho’s jigsaw he seeks to complete.

Is Moses set to be the key casualty of Pedro's arrival?

While it is widely assumed he will slide suavely into the right-sided midfield role, his presence will nonetheless force some pertinent personnel decisions. The busy-bee Willian brings the sort of bustle and work-rate that Mourinho delights in, and is surely undroppable at this point. Assuming the Brazilian takes up a central role behind the striker, this bumps the likes of Oscar and Ramires down the pecking order, sparking a domino effect with no bigger casualty than Victor Moses.
The Nigeria international could have been forgiven for thinking a cloudy spell at Stamford Bridge was starting to part. Having spent last season on loan – and impressing – at Stoke City, it appeared he had earned an audition under the watchful eyes of the Chelsea management.
He seized the chance with open arms, starring during the Blues’ preseason tour of the USA and, even more remarkable, pleasing his notoriously surly boss.
“Victor is strong, he is experienced,” Mourinho gushed, “he is fast, he is aggressive. He needs to learn to play with us obviously, but I am happy [with him].”

However, his resolve to retain the 24-year-old has surely been doused within a month. He began the season as first option off the bench on either flank, but the arrival of Pedro sees his odds lengthen significantly.
It is interesting to see whether this latest move opens up the possibility of a loan deal for Moses in the final days of the transfer window. Mourinho made no secret of his desire to keep Moses in the side, but is unlikely to rebuff any further advances at this point. Essentially, he has enough options to double up all across the forward without involving the speedy winger—bad news considering the Special One’s aversion to excessive rotation.
The alternative is to stick around and try to prove his worth: a romantic notion, no doubt. Really though, with his peak around the corner, a bit-part role is really the last thing the former Wigan Athletic man needs at the moment.
There should be no shortage of suitors willing to take him on for the season; Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Everton are repeatedly linked—the latter unsurprising considering his relationship with Toffees boss Roberto Martinez.

Could Everton, West Ham or Spurs be set to benefit indirectly from Pedro's arrival?

Indeed, it may be the only way for the winger to force his way back into the international fold. His blistering impact at the 2013 Afcon is something of a distant memory now, following repeated injuries and a sharp decline in form. He was part of the Super Eagles team at last year’s World Cup and largely underwhelmed in his two appearances in Brazil, but has not pulled on green and white since.
Now, with Sunday Oliseh at the helm of the team, there is an emphasis on starting over, turning a new page. If Moses wants to be a part of Oliseh’s book, he may very well have to start a new chapter in his career.
In truth, 24 may not be a very encouraging age to be going out on loan; if nothing else, it’s a tacit admission that his move to Chelsea has been a bust so far.
Pedro’s arrival is the starkest signal yet: his days at Stamford Bridge may very well be numbered.
The 11th Commandment, Moses? Run!

Chelsea finally give up on Stones

Chelsea have finally given up on John Stones, according to the papers, who are at odds over whether David de Gea will leave Manchester United.

CHELSEA GIVE UP ON STONES
Chelsea made one final bid for John Stones of £38million this week but now feel there is no more they can do to persuade Everton to sell him in this window, according to The Independent.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright released a statement on Thursday to again insist Stones was not for sale, and Chelsea are now finally ready to consider alternative targets.
Stones wanted to move to Chelsea and believed he would be a regular starter this season, but the Daily Telegraph says Roberto Martinez held face-to-face talks with the England international on Thursday to inform him he will not be leaving Goodison Park.
The 21-year-old is temporarily living in a hotel after being 'terrorised' by Everton fans outside his home, according to The Sun - and Chelsea 'have not made a final decision on who, if anyone, they will sign' instead, The Independent adds.
SOURCES DISAGREE ON DE GEA FUTURE
For the second time this week, there are conflicting reports in the newspapers regarding the future of David de Gea.
The Daily Telegraph reports Manchester United have still had no contact from Real Madrid since rejecting an offer for the goalkeeper earlier in the summer and do not now anticipate a new bid will be submitted before the deadline, but the Daily Mirror says De Gea's camp are increasingly confident of securing his move to the Bernabeu.
Someone has to be right.
SUNDERLAND CLOSE ON SIGNINGS
Napoli midfielder Jonathan De Guzman is 'leaning towards' a move to Sunderland, according to The Times, while The Sun claims the Black Cats are also closing in on the signing of Rennes striker Ola Toivonen as Dick Advocaat bids to strengthen enough to avoid another relegation battle.
De Guzman is also a target for Bournemouth, but the former Swansea star seemingly prefers a move to the North East.
AND THE REST
- Tottenham will push through the signing of Son Heung-min from Bayer Leverkusen today (Daily Mail)
- West Ham have stepped up their interest in AC Milan striker Alessandro Matri, who wants to evaluate offers from clubs over the next few days (The Times)
- West Brom are close to a deal for Manchester United defender Jonny Evans that would allow Joleon Lescott to join Aston Villa (The Times)
- Galatasaray believe they have beaten Marseille to the loan signing of Manchester City defender Jason Denayer (The Times)
- Norwich want £8million for Bournemouth target Lewis Grabban (The Sun)
- West Brom striker Victor Anichebe is in talks with Derby over a £3million move (The Sun)
- Watford and Brighton are competing for the signature of Feyenoord's Elvis Manu and have both had offers of £1.5million accepted (The Guardian)

Igiebor’s Maccabi Tel Aviv face Mikel’s Chelsea in Champions League

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The Nigerian’s Israeli outfit will slug it out with the 2012 European champions in the group stages of the Champions League

Nosa Igiebor’s Maccabi Tel Aviv will face John Obi Mikel’s Chelsea in the group stages of the Champions League having been drawn together in Group F.
The Yellows will also face FC Porto and Dynamo Kiev as they aim  to plot a way through to the knockout stages.
Macabbi Tel Avivached the group stage of the Uefa Champions League for the first time in 11 years after holding Basel to a 1-1 draw and 3-3 aggregate in the play offs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Musa’s CSKA Moscow will battle PSV, Manchester United, and Wolfsburg in Group B.
Moses Simon’s Gent won their first ever Belgian league title after defeating Standard Liege 2-0 on the final day of the season, and will have their hands full against Zenit, Valencia and Lyon in Group H.

FULL GROUP STAGE DRAW

Group A: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo

Group B: PSV, Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg

Group C: Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, Astana

Group D: Juventus, Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach

Group E: Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, BATE Borisov

Group F: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Olympiakos, Dinamo Zagreb

Group G: Chelsea, Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Maccabi Tel-Aviv

Group H: Zenit, Valencia, Lyon, Gent

£22m Son signs five-year Spurs deal

Tottenham have signed South Korea forward Son Heung-min from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported £22million fee on a five-year contract.

The 23-year-old becomes Spurs' fifth signing of the summer after Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld and Clinton Njie.
A 44-cap South Korea international, Son has spent his whole senior career in the Bundesliga, making his name at Hamburg before joining Leverkusen in 2013.
Son emerged as one of the Bundesliga's leading attackers at the BayArena, scoring 29 goals in 87 appearances from an advanced position, while he also scored for South Korea in last summer's World Cup.
Son, who is adept with both feet, will wear the number 7 shirt at Spurs, and becomes the club's first attacking signing since the ill-fated purchase of Erik Lamela in 2013.

Belinda Bencic wins Rogers Cup as Simona Halep retires hurt

Swiss 18-year-old Belinda Bencic secured her second career title by winning the Rogers Cup as Simona Halep retired hurt in the final.

Bencic, who beat Serena Williams in the semi-final, came through 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 3-0 in Toronto.
Second seed Halep required treatment as she struggled with a leg injury and the extreme heat.
The Romanian said: "Sorry that I couldn't finish the match. I tried very much but it wasn't possible."
Bencic, who accounted for four of the top six seeds this week - Halep, Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic - said on BT Sport 2: "Even if I would have lost it would have been an amazing experience."
Halep broke back from 5-3 down in the second set and won the tie-break to huge applause, but retired after losing her serve twice in the third set.
Bencic, who claimed her first title at Eastbourne in June, has won 21 of her past 25 matches and will move from 20th to 12th when the world rankings  are announced on Monday.

Andy Murray beats Novak Djokovic at Rogers Cup in Montreal

Andy Murray ended an eight-match losing run against Novak Djokovic, beating the world number one for the first time in two years to win the Rogers Cup.

The British number one's 6-4 4-6 6-3 victory in three hours in Montreal earned him a fourth title of the year.
A first win over the Serb since the 2013 Wimbledon final will be a huge boost for Murray before the US Open in New York starts on 31 August.
The Scot dominated from the baseline as he claimed an 11th Masters title.
Murray is now set to overtake Roger Federer in Monday's new ATP rankings to return to number two for the first time since 2013.
The 28-year-old broke in the second game of the deciding set and held to establish a 3-0 lead before saving seven break points in a pivotal 18-minute fifth game to maintain his break advantage at 4-1.
Djokovic, chasing a 25th Masters title, saw off three championship points at 5-2 before Murray served out for the match.
He dedicated the victory to his coach Amelie Mauresmo, who gave birth to a baby boy on Sunday.
"I'm not sure she will have stayed up to watch this one but, Amelie, this one's for you," said Murray, who won his 35th career title.

Djokovic was aiming to win his fourth Rogers Cup in his ninth final

In an absorbing, high-quality match, both players produced exquisite shots but it was Murray who dictated play, forcing a total of 19 break points on the Djokovic serve.
It was the first time Murray had beaten Djokovic over the full distance in a three-set Masters match, and it was his first win on a hard court over the Wimbledon champion since the US Open final in 2012.
"Things can better very quickly and they can get worse very quickly in sport," Murray told Sky Sports.
"It's important for me to analyse this week and work on areas to improve on before the US Open starts.
"I need to make sure I recover well from this and get ready and hopefully play a good tournament in Cincinnati. This match will be good physically and mentally for the build up for sure."

Andy Murray win over Novak Djokovic is huge - Jamie Baker

Andy Murray's Rogers Cup final win over Novak Djokovic is a "huge psychological boost" for the US Open, says former British number two Jamie Baker.

The Scot, 28, ended an eight-match losing run against the world number one to prevail 6-4 4-6 6-3 in Montreal.
"For Andy, it's all about adding to the two Grand Slams he already has," said Baker, a former Davis Cup player.
"Everyone involved in the game assumes that to win more he's going to have to get past Novak Djokovic."
Murray beat Djokovic to win the US Open in 2012 and did so again to triumph at Wimbledon in 2013.
However, Sunday's success in Canada was his first against the Serb since he ended Britain's 77-year wait for men's singles glory at SW19.
"It's a huge win for Andy," added Baker, who is now a BBC pundit.
"Although Andy's consistency in the Grand Slams has been unbelievable throughout his career, he is in such a tough era.
"A top athlete would never admit it, but you definitely get these psychological barriers.
"That's why people like Roger Federer, who has been so dominant, have an advantage.
"There is a locker room power - a belief from the players at the very top that they are going to win - versus doubt in their opponents."

Djokovic (left) leads Murray 19-9 in their career head-to-head record

Prior to Murray's win in Montreal, his 35th career title, he had lost four times to Djokovic in 2015 - in the Australian Open final, Indian Wells semi-final, Miami final and French Open semi-final.
The clash at Roland Garros went to a fifth set after Murray had lost the first two but this time he managed to take the opening set, breaking serve twice to do so.
The British number one from Dunblane, who is now up to second in the world rankings, is unbeaten in 48 matches when winning the first set this year.
"In the last few months Andy has been much closer to Djokovic," added Baker, who retired in 2013.
"If he does end up playing him in New York, it's going to be a semi-final or the final if the rankings stay the same, and he doesn't want to go in thinking he has an absolute mountain to climb.
"Andy's record on the American hard courts is fantastic. He's a favourite going into this one, there's no question about that.
"But he still has to get past Federer and Djokovic and to do that he'll need to be at his very best."

Barcelona want Verratti in 2016

Barcelona are weighing up a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti in 2016, Goal understands.

The Italian was the first player recommended to the Barca board by transfer chief Ariedo Braida upon the 69-year-old's appointment last year and the Catalan club have continued monitoring the midfielder ever since.

Presidential candidate Agusti Benedito revealed he had spoken to the player's agent and admitted he hoped the 22-year-old would move to Camp Nou this summer, but former club chief Josep Maria Bartomeu was elected instead after signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan.

PSG have said that Verratti is not for sale at any price, but sources in France believe a bid of around €50 million could land the midfielder next summer and coach Luis Enrique said in April: "I have always liked Marco's playing style. He is a player who could fit in at Barcelona."



And the admiration is mutual as Verratti share; Sportmasta: "Barcelona are one of the strongest clubs in the world and have been for a long time. It is always flattering for a player when such a big club is interested in you. It is up to the people at Barcelona to decide [how I would fit in]. But it is true that I like their style."

With Xavi now departed, Andres Iniesta turning 32 years old next May and Arda will be 29 years old in January, Barca are still looking for a younger player to boost their midfield and Verratti fits the bill.

The former Pescara star has also interested Real Madrid, but he has been put off by their treatment of his former PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti, while the relationship with Braida plus his healthy respect for Barca means he would favour a move to the Catalan club next summer.

Roo & Memphis position questions for LVG

Manchester United moved top of the Premier League with another 1-0 win, but questions persist over the roles of Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay.

It is often said that winning without playing well is the sign of champions, and United have now done that twice in succession, following up their opening-day victory over Tottenham with an equally unconvincing three points at Villa Park on Friday night.
Back-to-back clean sheets are certainly a reason for Louis van Gaal to feel positive. Chris Smalling's transformation into the club's most reliable centre-half is complete; Matteo Darmian has now put in two very good performances at right-back; Daley Blind has provided a quick retort to suggestions he would prove a liability as part of a back four; Luke Shaw impressed enough both defensively and offensively to suggest he needn't have shied away from taking the No.3 shirt.
The addition of Morgan Schneiderlin as a second holding midfielder alongside Michael Carrick should also not be underestimated when assessing United's new-found defensive solidity but, amid positives at that end of the field - this is the first time they have opened with back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League since 2005 - the Red Devils are still waiting for their new-look attack to click.
Depay still waiting to spark
Having been positioned in the No.10 position on his debut against Tottenham, Memphis Depay this time began on the left but still failed to exert a great deal of influence.
Adnan Januzaj was handed the central role on this occasion and, despite scoring United's winner, he did not do enough to suggest Van Gaal should perform a U-turn on his apparent willingness to allow the Belgian to join Sunderland on loan. In fact, his performance only highlighted the need to get Pedro through the door before September 2.
Juan Mata, meanwhile, a natural trequartista, toiled out of position on the right wing but helped set up Januzaj's goal with a sumptuous through-ball on one of the rare occasions he drifted into the middle.
Memphis, of course, needs to be afforded time to settle in at a new team, in a new league and new country, but where he should be doing so is open to debate. Whatever the answer, it is hard not to feel Mata is the best option at No.10, for now at least.
Rooney forgets he's a striker
The biggest concern for United fans, however, will undoubtedly be the performance of Wayne Rooney, who didn't manage a single shot at Villa Park. This after he had only two against Spurs last weekend, neither of which were on target.
Worryingly, despite being assured of the central striker's role for the season, Rooney cut a familiar position in midfield, out wide, helping out in defence...just about everywhere, in fact, apart from inside the box. He has touched the ball only three times in the opposition penalty area in 180 minutes of action.
Despite failing to shine in his opening two games, there have certainly been signs that Memphis can have an impact for United, whether that be out wide or at No.10. And the signing of Schneiderlin, not to mention Bastian Schweinsteiger, who again impressed as a substitute, is clearly going to make a huge difference from a defensive perspective.
But Rooney needs to be reminded of his goalscoring opportunities sooner rather than later if Van Gaal's summer spending spree is to pay dividends.
Opta stats
Aston Villa have equalled the longest run of home games without a win versus a single opponent in English league history (20 games - level with Sunderland v Liverpool).
Man Utd have won more games against Aston Villa (33) than any side has against a single opponent in Premier League history.
Aston Villa have won just one of the last 40 Premier League games against Manchester United (L29 D10 W1).
Since he made his Premier League debut on 27/08/2011, only David Silva (40) has more Premier League assists than Juan Mata (36).
Juan Mata has two assists in his last 20 PL appearances - both have come in games against Aston Villa.
Adnan Januzaj scored his first Premier League goal since 5th April 2014 (v Newcastle) - ending a run of 1169 minutes without a goal.
Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in all four Premier League games that David de Gea has missed since the start of 2013-14.
The Red Devils have won their opening two games to a Premier League season for the first time since 2011-12 and have kept two clean sheets in their opening two games for the first time since 2005-06.

Hecking hints at potential De Bruyne exit.

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking has hinted at a potential Kevin De Buyne exit amid strong interest from Manchester City in the attacker.

The Premier League outfit are keen to lure the Belgium international away from his current club and launched a £45 million offer for the 24-year-old earlier this month.

Wolfsburg have thus far remained adamant that they have no intention of selling De Bruyne, yet Hecking has now fuelled speculation about the creative midfielder's future by admitting that he would not hold a grudge were the former Chelsea man to return to the Premier League.

"I want to wish Kevin all the best for the future, even if we were to go separate ways," Hecking told reporters.

"The last two weeks of the transfer window will be tense and complicated for all those involved."

De Bruyne has developed into one of the Bundesliga's undisputed stars since joining Wolfsburg from Chelsea in January of last year and was voted player of the season in 2014-15.

He has a contract with Wolfsburg until June 2019, but admitted earlier this summer that he would be open to a move elsewhere if the right club came along.

Toffees make most of Schneiderlin absence

Romelu Lukaku, Arouna Kone and Ross Barkley shone for Everton at St Mary's on Saturday as Southampton felt the absence of Morgan Schneiderlin.

After both of these sides were held to 2-2 draws on the opening day of the Premier League season last weekend, Southampton were most people's tips to record their first win on Saturday lunchtime against an Everton side that have been among the least active sides in the transfer window.
However, despite creating the first real chances of the game for Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane, Saints were disappointing from an attacking perspective on the south coast and, more worryingly for Ronald Koeman, opened up far too easily by the visitors as they coasted to a 3-0 win.
Southampton have overcome the absence of several supposedly crucial players in recent years but have lost three since the end of last season - Nathaniel Clyne, Toby Alderweireld and Morgan Schneiderlin - that have clearly affected their defensive solidity in the early stages of the new campaign.
Cedric Soares, Steven Caulker, who missed this game with a sinus infection, and Oriol Romeu have been signed as replacements for the trio, but the former needs time to settle following his move from Sporting Lisbon, while Romeu failed to impress on his debut as a second-half substitute, picking up a booking within four minutes of his introduction and failing to win a single tackle.
While Manchester United have kept consecutive clean sheets following the signing of Schneiderlin, Saints have conceded five goals in two games without him. They also failed to keep a clean sheet in the final four games of last season the Frenchman missed with a knee injury.
None of this should detract from the performance of Everton, however, who produced the sort of quick, attacking football rarely seen from them last season.

Roberto Martinez went with Arouna Kone, Ross Barkley and Tom Cleverley as the three players behind Romelu Lukaku, with Kone rewarded for an impressive substitute appearance against Watford in which he scored one and set up the other.
From as early as the sixth minute, when Lukaku outpaced Soares to win a free-kick on the edge of the Saints' box, it was clear that Everton had the pace on the counter attack to hurt the hosts.
It certainly did not come as a surprise when such a situation led to the Toffees taking the lead, Barkley leading the visitors' break following a Southampton corner to free Kone to send over an inch-perfect cross for Lukaku to head back across goal into the far corner.
The same three players were involved in the second just before half-time, too, as Kone won a header before Lukaku exchanged passes with Barkley before bending calmly beyond the reach of Maarten Stekelenburg.
Pelle had opportunities to get Saints back into things in the second half, but Barkley got the goal his performance deserved six minutes from the end, bending a shot around Soares and past Stekelenburg after an excellent first touch to set himself.

Barkley has lacked an end product at times during his career but at St Mary's he retained possession well and had already come within inches of claiming a likely assist before setting up Lukaku when he played a brilliant disguised bending pass to almost set up Kone.
Along with Lukaku, who provided everything you would want from a lone centre-forward, and Kone, who has played himself into the team with back-to-back excellent performances, Barkley formed part of a frontline that looks in the mood to turn possession into goals this season.

Opta facts

Matt Targett had his first ever Premier League shot on target (in the 16th minute).
Romelu Lukaku is now the top-scoring Belgian in Premier League history (44), two ahead of Christian Benteke (42).
Lukaku scored more than once in a Premier League game for the first time since November 2013 (v Liverpool).
The Belgian frontman has scored four goals and assisted another in his last five league games against Southampton.
Arouna Kone has scored one and assisted three more in his last four Premier league appearances.
Indeed, Kone (3) has had a hand in more PL goals in his last two appearances for Everton than he did in his previous 17 (2).
Saints have now gone eight Premier League matches without a clean sheet, conceding more than once in seven of them.
Saints have won just one of their last eight Premier League games (W1 D2 L5).
Ross Barkley scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for the first time in his career.
After two games, the England prospect has already equalled his top-flight goal haul from last season (2).
The Toffees won at St Mary's in the league for the first time since their first ever trip there in April 2002 (D3 L3).
Mark Holmes

I could have earned more money by leaving Real Madrid

 Sergio Ramos says that he could have earned more money elsewhere had he left Real Madrid rather than signing a new five-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spain defender - who will captain Los Blancos this season following Iker Casillas' summer departure for Porto - put pen to paper on a contract extension on Monday following weeks of speculation that he was close to agreeing a lucrative move to Manchester United after allegedly falling out with club president Florentino Perez.

However, Ramos, who joined Madrid from Sevilla in 2005, insists that financial considerations played no part in his decision to commit his future to the capital club until 2020.

"Honestly, if it was an economic decision, I wouldn't have stayed," the 29-year-old said at a news conference on Monday. "I could have earned more elsewhere.

"It wasn't a question of money, there were personal and professional things we had to organise.

"I've never spoken of my renewal but obviously, with a contract that had two years to go, whatever the press want to say I respect.

"I wasn't happy in certain ways but I never said I wanted to leave. I spoke to who I needed to speak to but I couldn't continue how I was. Those personal things are nothing to do with money.

"The economic situation - the president [Florentino Perez] and I solved that in five minutes. There were other things to talk about.

"I'm not going to talk about money. That never motivated me - happiness and family motivated me.

"I never said I wanted to leave, my idea was always to be here. I wanted to retire here if the president allowed me.

"I'm very thankful I have a new challenge to be captain of this team and I will do it in the most honest way."

Ramos etched his name into Madrid folklore with the equaliser in the 2014 Champions League final against Atletico Madrid, before Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo secured 'La Decima' in extra time.

When it was suggested that Blancos fans could turn against him due to the recent United links, he added: "I think they've always given me the same affection. I've never felt anything untowards in the stadium.

"The love from the fans has been important to me staying. They ask a lot but the players know the pressure and the responsibility - obviously I have the same affection.

"Out of respect for the club I've been quiet [through the negotiations]. Throughout my career I've given everything for this club and I will do the same over the next five years.

"We all know the demands at this club but I'm ready for this responsibility to make sure every Madridista is happy."

Crystal Palace v Arsenal player ratings

Mesut Ozil was our narrow choice for Man of the Match as Arsenal won 2-1 at Crystal Palace, who need to work out how to improve in attack.

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)

Alex McCarthy 6 - Could do little about Arsenal's opener, but otherwise looked a composed figure in goal and could not really be faulted for either goal.
Joel Ward 7 - Recovered from a couple of early mistakes to drill home a magnificent first-half equaliser for the Eagles. Only his second ever Premier League goal and certainly his best.
Scott Dann 6 - Some vital interceptions for the hosts and won plenty of high balls when Arsenal got the ball into the box
Damien Delaney 5 - Made several good interceptions in the first half, but second-half own goal was a major blot on his copybook
Pape Souare 7 - Looked good in possession, was strong in the tackle and worked hard for the cause.
Yohann Cabaye 6 - Looked classy when he did get on the ball, but drifted in and out of the game and struggled to make a telling contribution.
James McArthur 7 - Worked hard in the centre of the park, made an early clearance off the line and was a vital cog in the Eagles engine room.
Jason Puncheon 6 - Did well to nullify the threat of Cazorla but fluffed a great chance to equalise not long after Arsenal's second.
Yannick Bolasie 6 - Showed his usual box of tricks, but struggled to get into the game and was no surprise to see him come off at the break.
Wilfried Zaha 6 - Palace's best outlet in the first half, with some nice trickery and crosses, but was often wasteful with the ball despite getting into some threatening positions
Connor Wickham 5 - Hit the post at the start of the second half when he perhaps should have scored, and although worked hard, there'll be some who will question his inclusion today.
Subs:
Jordon Mutch (46 mins - on for Bolasie) 5 - Worked hard but was unable to create much.
Chung-Yong Lee (75 mins - on for Zaha) 5 - Wasted Palace's last chance to equalise by delaying too long with his shot.
Patrick Bamford (79 mins - on for McArthur) 5 - Little chance to make an impact.
Manager report: Alan Pardew will be disappointed not to have taken anything from this game and will be pleased from the effort from his players. Still has much to ponder when it comes to his strikers, with Wickham wasting a good chance to score and Zaha and Bolasie not contributing a great deal. 6

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)

Petr Cech 6 - Could do little about Ward's goal but the critics will use the lack of a clean sheet to further claims that the former Chelsea keeper is a long way past his best.
Hector Bellerin 6 - Kept on his toes by Palace's wingers in the first half, but improved as the game went on and provided the cross which created Arsenal's winner
Per Mertesacker 6 - Palace's formation ensured he wasn't hugely tested and the German enjoyed a comfortable afternoon in the Arsenal defence.
Laurent Koscielny 5 - Turned his back on the ball when Ward drilled in the equaliser - not one from the Tony Adams school of defending - but otherwise performed OK.
Nacho Monreal 6 - Kept busy by Palace's wingers and stood up fairly well to the test. Got forward on a few occasions to send over some crosses.
Francis Coquelin 4 - For the second game in a row, looked way below his best and was once again of Arsenal's more disappointing performers. Lucky not to be sent off.
Santi Cazorla 7 - Saw his influence marginalised by the hard-working performance of Palace's Jason Puncheon in the first half, but grew into the game.
Aaron Ramsey 7 - Central to everything Arsenal did well early on and kept the ball ticking over nicely. Went close with a shot on the turn in the second period.
Mesut Ozil 7 - Set up the opener for Giroud with a fine cross and is beginning to look more comfortable on the left side of Arsenal's creative triumvirate. A narrow choice for our Man of the Match
Alexis Sanchez 6 - Found himself in some good positions and his class ensured Palace's defence was kept on their toes, but his lack of sharpness told at the crucial moments.
Olivier Giroud 7 - Fine volleyed opener handed Arsenal an early lead but was by and large feeding off scraps once again.
Subs:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Coquelin 65) 7 - Did well in the midfield and once again proved himself able to play anywhere across the midfield.
Mikel Arteta (on for Sanchez 74) 6 Steadied the ship
Kieran Gibbs (on for Ozil 82) 6 - Provided fresh impetus
Manager report: Arsene Wenger clearly had his troops fired up for this one after last weekend's shock defeat to West Ham. The Gunners boss opted to recall Alexis Sanchez, despite his admission that the Chilean was still not match fit, and that looked a good decision as his side made a lively start.
Got lucky when Coquelin twice avoided a second straight yellow and probably should have acted sooner to replace him.
Will be delighted to have put last week's defeat behind him, but Arsenal were far from convincing and can consider himself fortunate to claim the victory. 6

Opta Stats

Arsenal's last three Premier League clashes with Crystal Palace have all ended in 2-1 victories for the Gunners.
The Eagles have registered just three victories in their last 12 Premier League London derbies (D3 L6).
Arsenal's first PL goal of the season has been scored by a Frenchman in each of the last three campaigns.
Giroud has scored in each of his three PL appearances at Selhurst Park against Palace.
Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet in their last 8 Premier League away games.
Two of the goals Arsenal have conceded in the Premier League this season have come from from outside box, compared to three out of 36 in total last season.
Prior to today's game, Damien Delaney was also responsible for Crystal Palace's last own goal in the Premier League - in May 2014 against Liverpool.
Mesut Ozil misplaced just one of his 55 passes in the game.

Mourinho risking Chelsea civil war with Terry axe

The most significant outcome of Chelsea's wholly deserved 3-0 defeat by Manchester City was that Jose Mourinho declared, in public, that John Terry was not up to the job of marking Sergio Aguero.

Mourinho reasoned that the Argentine sharpshooter was too canny for Terry during a first half in which he scored one goal and could have had at least two more. A younger, faster player would have to be fielded instead.

Never mind that it was Gary Cahill around whom Aguero was running rings for the most part, having cleverly pulled onto the right-sided centre-back whenever he could.

"I have to decide who is the fastest player in our defensive line so, when you are going to play with a high block, the fastest player has to be on the pitch," Mourinho told reporters.

Never before had Mourinho substituted Terry. He has been up against most of the world's best forwards and few could be said to have given him a genuine run-around.

"The point was not to take John out but to put [Kurt] Zouma in," the Blues boss continued. "I want to have my fastest player on the pitch and not on the bench. I know they are going to play counterattack and long balls to Aguero."

Why Terry and not Cahill?

"That is a good question."

Why not start Zouma in the first place?

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READ MORE | Mourinho: Terry was NOT injured

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In any case, Chelsea conceded twice more with Zouma on the field; Mourinho reckons that they were the better side in the second half. There are not many who would agree with him. He argues that his decision to replace Terry was vindicated in that the Blues had most of the play after the break. Warped logic.

Mourinho, though, had found himself another scapegoat.

"He was not dancing in the dressing room and he was not having a bad reaction," he said of Terry at half-time when he took delivery of the news that he was to be subbed. "He did what everybody does. The manager says this guy comes in and that guy goes out and they all understand."

Terry - 'captain, leader, legend', as the sign reads - now just like "everybody" else. Just like Petr Cech, just like Juan Mata. Just like those players whose usefulness to Chelsea and Mourinho expired. He has ushered out of the door a good number of Chelsea legends in the three summers since he returned to the club, with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard among them too. Terry endured. He is still, comfortably, the best centre-back in the league and maybe the world. To pick on him for a collectively disastrous first-half display was, for Mourinho, pointed.

A 2-2 draw with Swansea City was, perhaps, even more than they deserved on matchday one. After this 3-0 hammering, it is the worst shape in which Chelsea have ever been after two games under Mourinho. Usually, they win both their first games. Before this season, only in 2006-07 - when losing to Middlesbrough on Teeside - had they failed to take six points out of the first six on offer in the Premier League, so something is amiss.

They are five points behind City - perhaps fatally so, even at this early stage. Five points is five points, no matter what the stage of the season.

Before the game, eager to gloss over what had been a fractious engagement with the press on Friday due to the Eva Carniero affair, Mourinho conceded to the press that his Chelsea team were, at this stage of the season, a little underdone. He gave his team a month off over the summer and played only three matches before the season's competitive football began. They have been well off the pace set by Manchester City and were brutally exposed here.







He has been picking what is, on paper, his strongest XI. Mourinho is one of those coaches whose substitutes' bench actually looks like a substitutes' bench. There are his 11 favourites and then the rest. It does not appear that he is capable of freshening up what is already on the books.

Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill were two players whose form dipped more than most at the end of last season. Those tailspins have continued into this. Cesc Fabregas, at the ripe old age of 28, looks about ready for the Middle East or MLS given the manner in which he is dragging himself around elite football pitches.

Mourinho has not, yet, been able to bring in the players he wants but the signing of Abdul Baba Rahman could yet spell trouble for either Cahill or Ivanovic.

"He is a left-back; he can compete with Azpilicueta," said Mourinho before adding: "At the same time, Azpilicueta can compete with Ivanovic for the right-back poitison so he replaces Filipe Luis in the balance of the squad."

He is still courting John Stones, whom he sees as eventually replacing Terry. The day when Terry needs to be replaced, in Mourinho's eyes, could come around sooner than many had expected.

"I don't know if you ask many questions to [Rafa] Benitez, Andre Villas-Boas, [Roberto] Di Matteo, to the ones that never played him," he said. "I am the one you shouldn't ask because I am the one who played John every game, made him captain, recovered him from a difficult situation with other managers and I had the right to say I want Zouma on the pitch."

To be enduring such a poor start is alien for Mourinho; in his career he has never been at a club whose output was so shambolic. He has a job on his hands turning this lot around any time soon.

To endure such a start and fall out with his medical staff and then drop his captain at half-time of a crucial league game is abnormal. The pattern of Mourinho's career is well woven. He is known for his itchy feet three years into any project. A new contract extension took a lot of people by surprise despite Mourinho's constant claims that he is with Chelsea this time for the long term.

If that is indeed the case then he would do well not to take on Terry. No player is bigger than any club but Terry does more than most to challenge that thinking.

He was asked at the end of the press conference whether these players could win him the Premier League again and maybe the Champions League. "Yes," he said quickly and walked away. He could not think of any convincing words to back it up.

Chelsea loss highlights defensive problems

After a poor defensive performance during the 3-0 loss at Manchester City, is it time for Jose Mourinho to invest in a younger back four?

"I've never seen them this disjointed" stated Gary Neville, who was watching a Chelsea side struggle to cope with Manchester City's ferocious attacking threat throughout a gripping clash at the Etihad Stadium.
City's danger was evident from the offset, with Sergio Aguero almost opening the scoring within the first two minutes after David Silva had expertly sliced through a flimsy Chelsea defence, only for the Argentine to be thwarted by an onrushing Asmir Begovic - which would become a recurring theme in the first 30 minutes.
The former Stoke stopper pulled off two more excellent saves with just 17 minutes on the clock, as City ran rampant over an unrecognisably petrified Chelsea side. Their famous defensive shape completely deserted them, with Aguero firing off four shots in the opening half-an-hour - an interesting statistic considering that no player had more than five on goal in a game this season.
Last week's draw with Swansea showed Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta's inability to attack their opposing full-backs, while the central defensive partnership of John Terry and Gary Cahill was highly prone to leaving space behind for attackers to exploit. Manuel Pellegrini's men drew up their masterplan, and they executed it with brilliant ease.
Terry's half time substitution  - the first time he has ever been replaced under Jose Mourinho - represented the Portuguese boss' willingness to withdraw anyone from the pitch in order to seek a result - but even the arrival of the pacier Kurt Zouma did nothing to prevent further City dominance, who targeted the usually rock-solid Ivanovic.
The Serbian has been an ever-present in recent years, but he could be next on Mourinho's hit-list following his worryingly poor start to the season. After taking a caning from Swansea's Jefferson Montero last Saturday, Ivanovic was often found sprinting after City's Raheem Sterling - who surged past the 31-year-old with baffling ease on several occasions.
Not only did he fail to contain the electrifying Sterling, but his inability to do the simple things will cause the greatest concern. Vincent Kompany muscled off Ivanovic to double City's lead, while the Serb was at fault for the third goal - needlessly giving the ball away just yards outside of his own area.
It seems bizarre and a bit alien to question Chelsea's usually-robust defence, but does the defeat warrant an overhaul in the Chelsea back four? The withdrawal of Terry, Cahill's shoddy first-half performance and Ivanovic's struggles suggest that it may be time to invest in a younger, fresher defence before it's too late.
Less than half an hour after the game, the Blues confirmed the deal of left-back Baba Rahman from Augsburg, which could see Azpilicueta move into right-back - a position in which he has spent the majority of his career in - while the summer-long pursuit of John Stones continues to drag on.
Everton's chiefs will undoubtedly be delighted onlookers, with Chelsea now likely to return for Stones with a bid that might reek of desperation - giving the Toffees more leverage on the negotiation table.
A critical two weeks awaits, with the transfer window nearing a close. Will Mourinho stick with his reliable troops? Or will he deploy a new system come September? Only time will tell.

Real Assists League: Sanchez & Toure lose

Robbie Brady, Jeremain Lens, Alexis Sanchez and Yaya Toure have had assists taken off them in the Real Assists League.

Statistics in football can be useful...but they can also be extremely misleading. There is no better example of that than the assists, which are arbitrarily awarded by the Premier League every weekend for the simplest of passes - think Jon Walters claiming one for Charlie Adam's wonder goal at Chelsea last season.
Well, this season we'll be keeping a 'Real Assists League' which will not award assists so easily and will also differentiate between open-play and set-piece assists. Furthermore, if a player beats five opponents but does not make the final pass, there's every chance we'll award him the 'key role in goal' mark, which ensures the real architect is recognised...

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 1

- Juan Mata holds on to his assist for a sumptuous through-ball to set up Adnan Januzaj's goal.

Southampton 0 Everton 3

- Arouna Kone retains his assist for a perfect cross to Romelu Lukaku to head home.
- Ross Barkley keeps his too for creating Lukaku's second.
- Seamus Coleman also keeps his assist for the pass to set up Barkley for Everton's third.

Sunderland 1 Norwich 3

- Robbie Brady got the official assist after his shot was parried into the path of Russell Martin for Norwich's opener, but we only reward players actually intending to lay on a team-mate for a goal. No assist.
- Wes Hoolahan retains his assist for a clever flick to set up Steven Whittaker.
- Hoolahan keeps his assist for setting up Norwich's third, too, after a one-two with Nathan Redmond.
- Jeremain Lens got the official assist for Sunderland's consolation goal, but his free-kick was headed away by the Norwich defence before Duncan Watmore volleyed in. No assist.

Swansea 2 Newcastle 0

- Jonjo Shelvey keeps his assist for the brilliant through-ball to set up Bafetimbi Gomis.
- As does Jefferson Montero for the cross that Andre Ayew headed home for Swansea's second.

Tottenham 2 Stoke 2

- Christian Eriksen set up Tottenham's opener with the corner which Eric Dier headed in.
- Ben Davies was the architect of the second with the cross from which Nacer Chadli scored.
- Joselu quite rightly got the assist for the clever turn to win the penalty which Marko Arnautovic scored to start Stoke's comeback.
- And Steven Ireland crossed in for Mame Diouf to score their equaliser.

West Ham 1 Leicester 2

- Bizarrely, because Shinji Okazaki needed two attempts to score past Adrian, Jamie Vardy was not credited with an assist for his pinpoint cross. Fortunately for him, he gets a Key Role credit in the Real Assists League.
- Marc Albrighton keeps his assist, meanwhile, for the cutback which allowed Riyad Mahrez to score.
- Dimitri Payet still had plenty to do, but Cheikhou Kouyate keeps his assist for the tee up.

Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2

- Mesut Ozil keeps his assist for crossing to Olivier Giroud for Arsenal's first.
- And James McCarthur keeps his for teeing up Joel Ward for Palace's equaliser.
- However, although he got the official assist, Alexis Sanchez is not credited for creating the Gunners' winner as he headed towards goal. Instead, Hector Bellerin is credited with playing the key role in the goal for the cross to set up Sanchez's header - which may well have been going in even before Damien Delaney's intervention.

Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0

- Yaya Toure got the assist for Sergio Aguero's first but, like last week when we took an assist from Joe Gomez for Philippe Coutinho's goal, we're recording this as a fine solo goal.
- David Silva, however, keeps his assist for sending over the corner from which Vincent Kompany scored City's second.
- Silva claimed a second assist for the tackle which led to City's third, but we're taking it off him as it was not an intentional pass to Fernandinho. Instead we credit the Spaniard for playing the key role in the goal.

The Real Assists League

Leicester's Marc Albrighton leads the way in the Real Assists League after two weeks with two open-play assists and one set-piece assist.
Crystal Palace's James McCarthur, Everton's Arouna Kone and Norwich's Wes Hoolahan also each have two assists from open play after two games.
Surprisingly, only four players - Albrighton, Christian Eriksen, Dimitri Payet and Ashley Westwood - have claimed set-piece assists so far this season.

Manchester City v Chelsea player ratings

Manchester City's SAS - Silva, Aguero and Sterling - were hailed by the media after Sunday's win over Chelsea, for whom Branislav Ivanovic struggled.

The story of John Terry was one of the main talking points from Manchester City's 3-0 dismantling of champions Chelsea on Sunday, with Sky Sports, The Times and The Sun all seeing fit to grant the club captain a rating of 5/10 for his insipid performance. His half-time replacement Kurt Zouma fared little better, with the Frenchman scoring an average of 5.5/10 from our four sources.
Chelsea's defence was run ragged by City's attacking verve, with Branislav Ivanovic a particular weak point in the Blues' back four. The Times handed the Serb a 3/10, which was by far the lowest score given to any player from the clash. Sky Sports, The Times, the Daily Mail and The Sun were all in agreement that the club's busy goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was their best player, even with a relatively low average of 7/10. Indeed, only Nemanja Matic (7/10, Sky) and Eden Hazard (7/10, Daily Mail) managed to score higher than 6.5.
On the other end of the scale were the irrepressible hosts, for whom their lowest average scorer in Jesus Navas (6.3), ranked higher than all of the opposition except Begovic and Hazard (also 6.3/10).
The most impressive in City blue was their attacking triumvirate, with David Silva (7.5 average), Raheem Sterling (7.4) and Sergio Aguero (8.1) proving too hot to handle at the best of times.
Another star performer was Fernandinho - awarded man-of-the-match by many an outlet - including The Times, who handed him 9/10. Not quite as generous were The Sun, whose Opta-fuelled ratings saw the midfield goalscorer receive just a 6/10. That mark of three was the highest gulf between any ratings from our selected sources.
Here are the average marks for the 22 starters at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon....
Manchester City: Hart 6.8, Sagna 6.8, Kompany 7.8, Mangala 7.4, Kolarov 7.5, Toure 7.3, Fernandinho 7.5, Navas 6.3, Silva 7.5, Sterling 7.4, Aguero 8.1.
Chelsea: Begovic 7, Ivanovic 4.5, Terry 5.1, Cahill 5.5, Azpilicueta 5.5, Matic 5.9, Fabregas 5.9, Ramires 5.6, Willian 5.9, Hazard 6.3, Costa 6.

 

Arsenal, City & United escapes

Arsenal's Francis Coquelin and Manchester City's Yaya Toure were lucky to escape the punishment shown to Daryl Janmaat, according to our panel.

Refereeing decisions are regularly the source of debate among fans, pundits, players and managers so this season a five-strong TEAMtalk panel will be passing judgement on every red card (or avoidance of one), every penalty and any other major incident leading to a goal.
We'll also keep a tally of the decisions to go for and against each team throughout the season in an attempt to settle the never-ending debate about whether certain clubs are favoured more than others by Premier League referees.

Week 2

Aston Villa penalty appeal v Manchester United: The 'you'd see 10 penalties a weekend' argument came up here, but the majority of the panel felt Micah Richards would have had a good chance to score were it not for the blatant holding of Matteo Darmian, who had got himself the wrong side of his opponent. Verdict: Incorrect decision.
Sunderland penalty appeal v Norwich: It didn't take us long to agree Billy Jones had dived in an attempt to win a penalty under no contact from Sebastien Bassong. Verdict: Correct decision.
Daryl Janmaat red card v Swansea: Having already being booked, Janmaat even admitted himself that he was stupid to pull back Jefferson Montero. Two members of our panel felt the fact the offence occurred well within the Swansea half made it a harsh second booking, agreeing with Steve McClaren that referee Mike Jones should have shown leniency, but a majority of three said Jones was right to apply the law of the games. The issue, however, is whether these are applied consistently to every team... Verdict: Correct decision.
Aleksandar Mitrovic yellow card v Swansea: He was fortunate not to be sent off on his Newcastle debut last weekend, and four out of five on our panel felt he should have been shown a red card at Swansea too for a stamp aimed at Neil Taylor. Only one felt the lack of contact made the yellow card he was shown the right decision. Verdict: Incorrect decision.
West Ham penalty appeal v Leicester: We all agreed that the presence of Robert Huth and the difficulty Kasper Schmeichel faced in getting out of the way of Diafra Sakho meant this was not a red card. However, the fact remains he completely cleaned out the Hammers striker inside the box. None of us could understand why a penalty was not given. Verdict: Incorrect decision.
Adrian red card v Leicester: Adrian's high kick on Jamie Vardy undoubtedly classified as dangerous play, but the goalkeeper never took his eyes of the ball. It was a clear accident, and the panel felt a yellow card would have been a more sensible decision that nobody would have argued about. We're not recording it as a decision in Leicester's favour, however, as it did not affect the result. Verdict: Incorrect decision.
Francis Coquelin escaping red card v Crystal Palace: While Janmaat suffered from the rules being followed to the letter, Coquelin certainly benefited from some leniency when Lee Mason decided not to show him a second yellow card for pushing over Wilfried Zaha. Is this an example of the favouritism many claim is shown towards the top teams? Verdict: Incorrect decision.
Fernandinho yellow card v Chelsea: Jose Mourinho unsurprisingly felt the Manchester City midfielder should have been shown a straight red for his elbow into the head of Diego Costa, but a panel majority felt this was a case of a flailing arm rather than anything intended to hurt. Verdict: Correct decision.
Yaya Toure escaping red card v Chelsea: Like Coquelin, would Toure have been shown a second yellow card were he playing for a smaller team? He too pushed over an opponent in front of the referee yet was shown leniency. By the letter of the law, he should have been off, just like Janmaat. We won't record this as a decision against Chelsea, however, as the game was already beyond them. Verdict: Incorrect decision.

For and Against - After two games

Newcastle - 2 for
Arsenal - 1 for
Crystal Palace - 1 for
Leicester - 1 for
Manchester City - 1 for
Manchester United - 1 for
West Ham - 2 against
Aston Villa - 1 against
Chelsea - 1 against
Crystal Palace - 1 against
Norwich - 1 against
Southampton - 1 against
Swansea - 1 for/1 against

Power Rankings: Everton & City big winners

Everton, Manchester City, Leicester and Norwich were the week's main Power Rankings winners, with Manuel Pellegrini's side now second overall.

We're not going to be petitioning FIFA for a change to the points system any time soon, but imagine if points were awarded based on the difficulty of the result achieved.
So, as an alternative to the official table, this season we'll be using an algorithm based on bookmaker odds and winning margins to award points from 0.5 up to 10, ensuring the teams that attack and go for glory with the odds stacked against them are rewarded more than those teams that claim their points through a series of 1-0 home wins over the league's struggling teams.
*Following feedback we received last week, we have slightly altered our algorithm, meaning Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City all claimed an extra point for their wins.

Week 2

Everton - 7: Roberto Martinez's men were firm outsiders going into Saturday's trip to Southampton yet left St Mary's with not just a win but an impressive 3-0 one.
Manchester City - 5: Manuel Pellegrini's side also claimed a 3-0 win over the weekend, over one of their main title rivals to boot, earning the Citizens the second highest score of gameweek two.
Leicester - 4: The Foxes had lost on seven of their last eight trips to Upton Park and were expected to do so again against a West Ham side that shocked Arsenal on the opening weekend.
Norwich - 4: Norwich were slight favourites to win at Sunderland, but a two-goal winning margin earns Alex Neil's side bonus points.
Stoke - 3: They claimed only a point in reality, but coming from two goals behind to hold Tottenham at White Hart Lane earns Stoke three Power Rankings points.
Swansea - 3: A straightforward home win over Newcastle sees Swansea pick up three points, exactly what they claimed in reality.
Arsenal - 2: Arsene Wenger's side, however, claim only two points for their narrow win at Crystal Palace having been odds-on favourites.
Manchester United - 2: Now four points down on their actual points tally, United's lack of goals is costing them points early on. They won 1-0 at Aston Villa.
West Brom - 2: We suspect Tony Pulis would like this - West Brom ground their way to a point at Watford but claim two points in the Power Rankings.
Watford - 1: The newly-promoted Hornets, however, claim only a point having been favourites to win at Vicarage Road.
Tottenham 0.5: A two-goal win over Stoke would have earned Spurs three Power Rankings points but their collapse sees them claim only a half point.

Power Rankings

Power Rankings, 2015-16
Team	Power Rankings Points	Official Points
West Ham	10	3
Manchester City	9	6
Swansea	8	4
Everton	7.5	4
Leicester	7	6
Aston Villa	5	3
Crystal Palace	5	3
Manchester United	4	6
Norwich	4	3
Watford	4	2
Liverpool	3	3
Stoke	3	1
Arsenal	2	3
West Brom	2	1
Newcastle	1	1
Southampton	1	1
Chelsea	0.5	1
Tottenham	0.5	1
Bournemouth	0	0
Sunderland