Club Brugge opened their Belgian First Division campaign in emphatic fashion on Sunday, thrashing Westerlo 5-0.Visitors Westerlo had held their hosts goalless during the first 45 minutes of the match at the Jan Breydel Stadion, but an own-goal from defender Wouter Corstjens six minutes into the second half opened the floodgates.
Spanish forward Victor Vazquez struck to double Brugge’s lead on 59 minutes before Westerlo’s task became harder when they lost right back Gunther Vanaudenaerde to a second yellow card three minutes past the hour mark.
Midfielder Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe was the next man to get in on the scoring act, netting Brugge’s third on 69 minutes and goals from substitute Thomas Meunier and defender Ryan Donk in the final 10 minutes sealed a comprehensive win for the home side.
The margin of victory sees Brugge move into first place ahead of champions Genk courtesy of their superior goal difference.
Westerlo meanwhile, who finished eighth last season, have the unwanted distinction of propping up the table after the opening weekend.
Valencia continued their preparations for the new La Liga season by beating Dutch side PSV Eindhoven 2-0 in Germany.Goals from Pablo Piatti and striker Aritz Aduriz secured the victory on Tuesday, but the margin could have been greater were it not for the Spanish side’s profligacy.
Unai Emery’s men should have scored as early as the fourth minute, but Roberto Soldado managed to hit the legs of PSV defender Orlando Engelaar with the goal otherwise unguarded.
Valencia had another opportunity 10 minutes after half-time, but Nancho could not find the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.
PSV’s opening goal came on 66 minutes, but Georginio Wijnaldum was unable to connect with a low ball across goal.
They were made to regret the miss soon afterwards as Valencia scored from the goal kick that followed, Aduriz flicking the ball on for Piatti who slotted home.
Valencia got their second 12 minutes from the end when Solfiane Feghouli’s cross found Aduriz unmarked at the back post and the striker had an easy finish.
Elsewhere, Tottenham continue to search for their first victory in their pre-season tour of South Africa as they drew their second game with Orlando Pirates 1-1.
Rafael van der Vaart opened the scoring for the English Premier League side with stunning free-kick after 17 minutes.
The Dutchman curled home an unstoppable free-kick after David Bentley was brought down just outside the box.
Orlando had several good chances to equalise and their perseverance paid off just before half-time when Happy Jele beat Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel with a ferocious strike.
Both teams had chances in the second half in a match that could have gone either way.
Wesley Sneijder has issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to the Manchester clubs. The Dutch playmaker who scored a spectacular goal against rivals Milan at the weekend claimed that Inter needed the money and if the right offer came in then he will be sold. It remains the be seen if either Fergie or Mancini will raise to the bait and sign one of Europe’s most talented footballers.
Elsewhere in the papers Daniel Levy has condemned the weekend violence in Tottenham and vowed to help to reunite the community in any way possible; Alan Pardew vows to fight to keep Enrique at Tyneside, while Wenger insists that Jack Wilshere will not play for England.
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United gave City a lesson in football, claims Rooney – Guardian
Riots cause concern for chairman Levy – Guardian
Tevez returns to training with City – Guardian
Wenger: Wilshere will not play for England – Daily Telegraph
Arsenal target Cahill after Vermaelen gives Wenger more worries – Daily Mail
Spurs’ striker search could be over as Redknapp targets Twente forward Ruiz – Daily Mail
Sneijder in Manchester plea – Sun
Pards will battle to keep Jose – Sun
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Barton: I can prove to Capello I am good enough – Mirror
Mancini defends Balotelli after he is branded an ’embarrassment’ – Mirror
Two teams, who have had very disappointing starts to the season, lock horns at Craven Cottage on Sunday in a bid to secure their first win of the season.
Steve Kean’s Rovers are quickly becoming everyone’s favourites for the drop and find themselves without a point. Things could not have gone much worse for them during the last round of games as they somehow missed two penalty kicks and eventually lost to one against Everton. Martin Jol’s Fulham side haven’t hit the ground running themselves although they will still be favourites to win this one as Craven Cottage has been a happy hunting ground in recent years after a draw against Villa in the first game of the season.
Bobby Zamora could return from an ankle problem but new signing John Arne Risse is out with a groin strain and Welsh midfielder Simon Davies is a long term casualty. Ten million pound signing, Bryan Ruiz could make his debut and he looks a talented prospect after being one of the standout performers in the Dutch Eredivise last season.
Blackburn also have injuries worries with defender Ryan Nelsen, winger Morten Gamst Pedersen and midfielder David Dunn all struggling to be fit for the game at the Cottage. However Kean does have the added boost of being able to call on new arrivals Yakubu and Scott Dann in a bid to pick up their first points of the season.
Martin Jol’s side have only found the net once so far this season but with Andy Johnson, Bobby Zamora and now Bryan Ruiz up-front they have goals in their team. If any of their strikers can hit form on Sunday I can see them taking their first three points of the season but it won’t be easy game against a committed Blackburn side.
Key Player
Clint Dempsey: A key threat in the Fulham side on both wings and the American can provide the ammunition needed to get new striker Bryan Ruiz off the mark on his debut.
Scott Dann: It was a real coup by Steve Kean to snap up the composed defender who impressed in the Premier League with Birmingham last year and he could be key to guaranteeing Blackburn’s first points of the season.
Verdict: 2-1
To see the Premier League round-up and preview of the weekend fixtures, download the excellent ESPN Goals App
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Newcastle target Modibo Maiga has admitted that he wants to move to a bigger side, and has called the Premier League outfit ‘a very good club’.
The Malian striker was the subject of a number of bids from Alan Pardew’s men during the summer, but Sochaux refused to sell their prize asset.
The African forward’s public admittance that he wants to leave the Ligue 1 side has angered the Stade Auguste Bonal fans, but Maiga has scored six goals in his last four games despite being booed by his own supporters.
When asked about a move to Tyneside, the attacker confirmed that he would be keen.
“Newcastle? They are a very good club, I will not finish my career in Sochaux if I am scoring every week – that is the reality of football. I have not invented that,” he told Sky Sports.
“At the moment I am here and scoring goals. I do not know when the transfer window opens what there will be. It depends also on the club, but in the near future I want to ply my trade in another top league. It is a genuine ambition, I will accept being booed for that.”
The Magpies fans were disappointed by the club’s failure to secure a new striker before the summer transfer window closed, and reports from the North East indicate that Pardew will do all he can to add to his options in January.
Despite this, Newcastle have started the campaign excellently, and are still unbeaten after seven games.
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In ancient Rome people used to say that the greatest compliment that could be paid to a woman was that she was not talked about or mentioned by anyone. I think the same rule applies to referees today. More and more referees are being scrutinized: by the fans, the media, the managers and the players. Everyone and anyone that feels slightly peeved feels entitled to constantly criticise referees so much so that they are rarely talked about in a positive light. The result of this was for the rules to become ever more rigid making it clearer for referees to understand exactly what each situation called for. However has this situation lead to a lack of common sense being used by the men who take charge of our sport?
Every sport needs rules, but the reason we have referees is because we understand that every situation is different. There needs to be some element of human judgement, but that does not mean it is necessarily used.
Inconsistencies
Billy Sharp, the Doncaster striker whose newborn son died just days after being born, celebrated his goal against Middlesbrough by lifting his shirt to reveal a message to his son. Darren Deadman, the referee for the game, did not book Sharp. This is just one of many examples of where a referee should be able to use his common sense, and he should be applauded for it. It does not happen enough.
As Paolo Bandini points out in the Guardian: Romario, on his final appearance for Brazil, revealed a shirt that said “I have a little daughter with Down’s syndrome who is a princess.” He got booked.
Take Robin Van Persie’s red card at the Nou Camp last season. Yes, to kick away the ball after the whistle has blown can be punished with a yellow card. But did the referee make the right choice to give Robin his second yellow? Maybe Van Persie couldn’t hear the whistle above the 110,000 strong crowd, maybe he could; but did he really think it was worth sending off a player in such an important match? Who knows whether it would have changed the game or not, Arsenal were playing terribly but they only needed one goal to go through.
Perhaps Massimo Busacca and the other referees who fail to act with common sense fear reprisals from their superiors, or perhaps they lack confidence within their own common sense and so refuse to use it. Either way the situation needs to be addressed.
On the one hand FIFA and UEFA give backing to their referees by saying that goal line, and other, technology is not necessary but on the other hand the referees clearly do not feel confident enough to bend the rules for the sake of a flowing game. And they should. One of the main criticisms of goal line technology is that it breaks up the flow of our sport, that it slows it down and makes it less entertaining. Well, bad refereeing is doing this anyway. FIFA and UEFA need to create an environment whereby although there are rigid rules referees are still given some level of autonomy, the last thing we need is for the rules to restricting those who enforce them.
Solution
There is no easy solution to this problem. If we accept that referees, as humans, are able to use common sense then we must also accept that, as humans, they are liable to make mistakes. But the attitude towards them from all parties can change and enhance their performance. In rugby the referee has total control, the absence of abuse allows the referees to have confidence in their decisions and if, in particular situations, they feel unsure they can consult a technological aide. The result? You rarely hear of mistakes. Of course they still happen but the difference is that in rugby they give their referee every bit of help they can. They recognise the importance of the job and the respect deserved. In football it seems we do everything we can to make it as difficult as possible, and their performances suffer as a result.
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Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has stated that negotiations over a new contract for captain Fabricio Coloccini are underway, but fears bigger clubs may try to tempt the defender away from St James’ Park.
The Argentina international has had a commanding start to the Premier League season, and is a key reason for the Tyneside’s run of eight games without a defeat.
With the South American’s current deal expiring in June 2013, Pardew is keen to extend the centre half’s stay at the club.
“I have got to be honest, I think we are okay, that’s about the only sign I can give you,” he told Sky Sports.
“You have got two parties here, you have got a club offering a contract to Colo, but really it’s about Colo. If he agrees to the contract, then all’s well and good.
“It’s difficult because his agent is Argentina-based and doesn’t have particularly great English either, so we are waiting for him to come back across, and we think we can get the deal done,” he admitted.
With Coloccini impressing at the heart of the Geordies rearguard, Pardew is concerned that other Premier League rivals may try to tempt the defender to leave the club.
“If he takes the shine of Alex Ferguson or [Roberto] Mancini, then we will have a problem.
“But the more success we have, the more chances we have got of the player actually saying ‘I’ll stay’.
“The financial position we are starting to get ourselves into gives us a chance to maybe compete a little bit stronger for those players who are threatened.
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“That’s why this season is very, very important. At football clubs, when you get the feeling we have at the moment, if we can keep that, then we are going to have a successful year, I don’t doubt it,” he concluded.
As Will Hughes can find his teammates with pin-point accuracy, chase down the opposition with the utmost determination, and hold onto the ball as if it were seemingly stuck to his feet – sometimes it’s hard to remember that Derby’s young creative midfielder is actually English.
Very few of his Championship counter-parts are as technically gifted as the Surrey born 19-year-old, and even though Hughes remains very much a raw talent in need of further development, he is soon becoming known as one of England’s most exciting prospects in many a year.
Despite being strong favourites to land the fiery blonde haired midfielder last season, Liverpool have now seemingly cooled their interest in Hughes after the young talent signed a new four-year-deal with Derby over the summer. But will such developments ultimately end Brendan Rodgers’ desire to sign the Pride Park favourite, or does a lucrative move to Anfield still await Will Hughes this January?
With all the possession play, tight passing and free-flowing football that was produced by Rodgers’ side last season, it comes as no surprise that the Reds wanted to add Will Hughes to their already bulky roster. The 19-year-old would have certainly fitted in with the footballing philosophy that was aimed for by Suarez and co, even if the immediate step-up to the Premier League initially proved difficult for the Derby star.
Whilst such a move would have been ideal for Rodgers last season, this year’s campaign has seen Liverpool completely fail to reach the high standards that they set in 2013/14, and without the dpearted Luis Suarez and injured Daniel Sturridge, the Reds hardly look worthy of a place in the top half of the Premier League, let a lone a top four spot.
Such a poor turn in form has therefore likely not gone unnoticed by Will Hughes in his attempts to work out where best to play out his career. Liverpool have become slightly more direct with their new strikers on board, and as the Merseyside club are no strangers to signing promising young English talent for way over the odds, only to see them later fail as a result of their over ambitious spending, Will Hughes could have become one in a long line of young prospects who simply failed to make the grade at Anfield.
That is not to say that the Hughes would definitely struggle at Liverpool now however, among the likes the recently impressive Lazar Markovic and Philippe Coutinho, Hughes could in-fact still be the perfect fit for Rodgers’ should his time come in the Premier League.
Although the discussion remains no more than mere transfer talk at this current stage, Derby County’s desire to keep a hold of their latest sensation arrives in much more definitive terms. Upon Hughes signing his new deal in the summer, Rams boss Steve McClaren reflected: “He is a promising young talent and we are looking forward to working with him over the next few years.”
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Whilst such statements should never be taken for gospel and could literally change overnight, it seems that for the moment at least, Will Hughes remains very much a Derby County player, and should his side achieve promotion to the Premier League this season, this young star will likely be playing for the Rams, not the Reds.
Manchester United enter the new Premier League season hoping to not only close the gap on last term’s champions Manchester City but go one step further and beat them to the English crown.
Jose Mourinho’s side finished 19 points off the top during 2017/18, so there’s certainly room for improvement and Manchester United fans will expect it – for the second campaign in a row, the Portuguese’s negative tactics against certain opposition created division amongst the supporters and only highlighted the differences between the Red Devils and their noisy neighbours.
Already encouraged by the arrival of Fred, however, a hardworking midfielder who should give Paul Pogba the platform to truly thrive in the engine room, there’s already optimism for the campaign ahead. And now United fans can get a much clearer picture of how the season could pan out, following confirmation of their first six Premier League fixtures…
11th August – Leicester City (H)
18th August – Brighton (A)
25th August – Tottenham (H)
1st September – Burnley (A)
15th September – Watford (A)
22nd September – Wolves (H)
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255883″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Man United’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
Verdict
Manchester United fans can’t have too many complaints about their start to the season, with only Spurs standing out in the first run of games. As the saying goes though, there are never any easy games in the Premier League, so Mourinho’s men will have to be wary of complacency against Wolves and Brighton in particular, as these are fixtures which have traditionally caught out United.
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The fixture list appears quite kind to Manchester United over the course of the season too, with few games against the so-called top six coming in clusters. Their end of season run-in will also be a relief to Mourinho, with only Chelsea posing a real threat in their final six games.
Fans will of course look to key matches against Manchester City on 10th November and 16th March which could well end up deciding where the title heads next season.
In order to take that next step, Tottenham Hotspur need to strengthen their squad to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men finished third in the Premier League table last season, and have secured Champions League football for the last three campaigns in a row.
However, it has been a decade since the North London outfit took home a trophy.
United, Liverpool and Arsenal have already signed up new faces this summer, but Tottenham are yet to get their chequebook out.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”Three reasons we love to hate… Brazil and Argentina”]
It is no huge surprise given that in recent history Spurs have left it relatively late to get deals over the line.
Chairman Daniel Levy is not the easiest negotiator in the world as he is never prepared to pay over the odds for a transfer target.
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The club have been linked to numerous names over the past few weeks and months, but nothing has yet come to fruition.
Fans have been tweeting their thoughts on the laboured window.