David Moyes is proud of his side’s achievements in 2012, despite finishing the year with Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Everton’s 2-1 loss to the Londoners was only their seventh reverse in the league this year and their first at home since March.
The Toffees are in the hunt for a Champions League spot this season, sitting three points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.
And Blues boss Moyes has acknowledged that the entire calendar year has been one of high achievement.
“Even though I’m gutted we haven’t won because I thought our performance was enough to do that, 2012 has been a good year for us,” the Everton manager told The Mirror
“There’s nothing we can look back on the second half of last season and the first half of this season and say we’ve done too much wrong.”
The Merseysiders took a 63 second lead against Chelsea through Steven Pienaar’s quickfire opener, but Frank Lampard’s double ensured the Blues would return to Stamford Bridge with all three points.
Everton were without Marouane Fellaini, Phil Neville, Darron Gibson, Tony Hibbert, Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas, but Moyes was still satisfied with his team’s performance:
“We were limited with what we had and how we were going to play.
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“But in the end it would be wrong to talk about that because the performance was so good.”
Everton have accrued an impressive 68 points in 2012. Only Manchester United and Manchester City have registered more Premier League points this year.
Sunderland fans are not impressed by Chris Coleman’s rallying cry ahead of his side’s clash with Preston North End on Saturday.
The Black Cats have had a miserable season, and the hiring of former Wales manager Chris Coleman has certainly not had the desired effect. His side are on track to get relegated two seasons running, and desperately need a result when they welcome Preston to the Stadium of Light this weekend.
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Sunderland are currently bottom of the Championship, five points adrift of safety, and the fans are not particularly happy with Chris Coleman’s pledge to give 100%, with some taking that to mean they hadn’t been giving 100% up to this point.
The Welshman has a difficult job on his hands to motivate the players, but it may be even more difficult to motivate the fans. The club recently announced they are closing the upper tier at the Stadium of Light to increase the atmosphere.
Fans have been reacting to Coleman’s comments on Twitter, and it’s fair to say they aren’t expecting too much improvement from the players this weekend.
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Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Arsenal are notorious for bringing in foreign imports to the Premier League and turning them into global superstars.
Emmanuel Petit, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry immediately spring to mind. Now, after calls from the fans and the board of directors at the Gunners, the latest trend for the North Londoners is to buy already established stars in order for them to claim their first Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
The likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have forced manager Arsene Wenger into putting his hands in his pockets and splashing more cash than he has done in the past. Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said in a recent interview with the BBC: “The last five years of unlocking our international and our commercial revenues is so important for the club. It allows us to go out and, if the manager believes in someone like Mesut Ozil, he can buy him.
“It’s the same with Alexis Sanchez. Unlike the situation two or three years ago when we were really financially challenged and losing our top players, we are signing our top players to long-term contracts – guys like Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.”
However, one player signing that was considered one of the best attackers in Germany but has struggled since he arrived in England in 2012 is Lukas Podolski. The former Bayern Munich ace was a signing from his beloved FC Koln after a disappointing spell with the German champions, only managing 71 appearances in three years at the Allianz Arena.
Despite having a thunderous left foot strike, a good eye for a pass and is good in the air, it looks as though the German is now surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium. Podolski endured his most frustrating spell in an Arsenal shirt in 2013/2014 where injuries came back to haunt him, only managing 14 appearances including six off the bench. The quality of a player like Podolski is still there, still managing to score eight goals and make two assists in that season. The 29-year-old World Cup winner has played just 128 minutes of football in this current campaign, and has already stated that he might have to leave in order to gain regular first team action.
The arrival of Sanchez and fellow compatriot Ozil has prompted in Podolski’s only real involvement this year is from the bench, or even worse, out of the match day squad all together. With the inevitable return of winger Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck acting as Arsenal’s main striker outlet, seeing Podolski back in an Arsenal strip is looking more and more unlikely.
Failure to beat Southampton in the Capital One Cup third round is even more bad news for the German, considering it is his only chance of gaining valuable minutes on the pitch.
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Manchester United are monitoring Athletic Bilbao’s Oscar De Marcos after Sir Alex Ferguson sent a scout to watch him play against Barcelona at the weekend.
The dynamic midfielder impressed against United in the Europa League last season and Ferguson was interested in bringing him to Old Trafford last summer, only to be put off by Bilbao’s £25million valuation.
With the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs coming close to the end of their careers, the United boss is keen to add fresh blood to his squad to compensate for the eventual losses of two players that have been ever-present at the club.
Ferguson has now resumed his interest in signing De Marcos and sent brother Martin Ferguson, his top European scout, to watch the 23-year-old in action against Barcelona.
Last year’s Europa League runners up Bilbao, who comprehensively beat United on the way to the final, are struggling in La Liga this season and many of their star players are said to be looking for a move away.
This may mean the club are willing to lower their asking price for players such as De Marcos, however United can still expect to have to offer around £20million to sign him.
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If bought in the January transfer window, he would still be eligible to play in the Champions League which will provide added appeal for Ferguson as his side enter the knockout rounds of the tournament in February.
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has refused to be drawn on speculation surrounding his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.
Numerous media outlets have suggested that the pair have clashed, with The Sun recently reporting that the Frenchman is willing to quit United if Mourinho remains in charge.
The speculation has stemmed from the manager’s decision to drop Pogba for a few important games.
Questions have been raised over the £89m star’s position in the team, with some arguing that he is better suited playing further forward than as part of a two-man midfield.
The former Juventus midfielder, who signed for the Red Devils in the summer of 2016, was left out of the first XI for last week’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Sevilla.
At the weekend, though, Pogba returned to the starting lineup to help the North-West outfit earn a 2-1 triumph over Chelsea.
This week, the France international joined teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the opening of a Padel centre in Stockholm.
According to the Manchester Evening News, an Expressen journalist asked Pogba about his ‘situation’ with Mourinho.
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The midfielder made it clear that he did not want to discuss the subject.
“I’m only here to support Zlatan and talk about Padel.”
Manchester United’s pre-season had gone a lot better than any red devil would’ve imagined, but the shock opening day defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford on Saturday may have given United fans cause for concern
However, new boss Louis Van Gaal has still injected some new-found drive in the Old Trafford players and a number of pre-season outings have given us a glimpse of just how good they’ll be next season, regardless of their somewhat deflated start.
They’ve been impressive under LVG this summer. Just as impressive as TrustFord’s new Signing on Fee offer, which gives you £500 off the purchase of any new Ford car.
David Moyes failed to jump-start a new era at the club last season following a number of poor modifications to the former Premier League champions.
But LVG looks like he’s got things in order after bringing in a bargain or two, particularly Ander Herrera, who impressed this weekend.
And it’s Man United’s engine room that appears to have been fine-tuned the most, with Herrera expected to go along way in justifying his price and signing on fee.
So here’s six ways LVG has fine-tuned Man United’s engine room…
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Football – Manchester United v Valencia CF – Pre Season Friendly – Old Trafford – 12/8/14Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (C) before the matchMandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee SmithLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
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Ander Herrera
The Spaniard impressed for LVG’s side in pre-season and, although he didn’t shine too much in their opening day defeat to Swansea, he’s still expected to take the Premier League by storm this season.
Last season, Moyes’ style of play was heavily criticised. But Van Gaal has provided a new and exciting philosophy that emphasises the need for articulate midfielders.
Herrera is one of those players tasked with enforcing such a philosophy and he pre-season performances proved that.
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Ashley Young
Ashley Young was widely expected to be on of the players deemed surplus to requirements by Louis Van Gaal this summer.
But instead he has been transformed in to a worthy option as a wing-back in the new manager’s favourable 3-5-2 formation.
The winger offers much needed pace for LVG and has seen his United career saved by his versatility.
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Juan Mata
One of David Moyes’ biggest crimes during his United reign was splashing out a club record transfer fee on Chelsea’s Juan Mata only to continuously play him out of position, mostly to accommodate Wayne Rooney as a number 10.
But Van Gaal realises the threat Mata can provide as a central midfielder and has ensured that’s where the Spaniard’s skill set will be utilised.
As a result, United are instantly a more potent side in attack, which they desperately lacked last season.
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Wayne Rooney
Rooney’s work rate has always been one of his biggest traits at United, but under Moyes he was regularly forced to play as a number 10 to allow Robin Van Persie to play the the striker’s role.
But the decision to give Rooney the armband and play him as a striker has further improved United’s attacking threat and has allowed their engine to fuel one of the best striker’s in the world in his best position and, potentially, the best form of his career.
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Youth prospects
Football – AS Roma v Manchester United – Guinness International Champions Cup – Pre Season Friendly Tournament – Sports Authority Field, Denver, United States of America – 14/15 – 26/7/14Jesse Lingard – Manchester UnitedMandatory Credit: Action Images / Isaiah DowningEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Van Gaal has given the likes of Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett the chance to impress in the first team at the off, and they look like they could be part of the boss’ plans this season.
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Man United’s history of bringing through class acts from their academy and Van Gaal’s experience could be the key to the aforementioned youngsters going on to be the next best things to come out of Old Trafford’s youth team.
With the help of a group of senior and extremely experienced members of the squad, such youngsters are in the best position to help fire LVG and United back to the successes they once enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Marouane Fellaini
The Belgium international endured a torrid debut season at Old Trafford last term and he was expected to leave the club this summer.
But he’s enjoyed a spirited revival under Van Gaal this summer and appears to have been given the chance to redeem himself in United’s midfield.
His goal scoring antics at Everton initially earned him a mega-money move to Man United and, despite taking some time to adapt, Van Gaal’s decision to stick with him and offer him an important role in his side could lead to him recapturing the world-class form the Premier League were once used to seeing from him each week at Goodison Park.
Nancy sports director Eric Martin has said that they have received no formal offers from Tottenham for their young left back Massadio Haidara.
Spurs have been linked with a January move for the highly rated 20-year-old while Fiorentina are also believed to be interested in signing him, however Martin insists there has been no serious offers from either of these clubs.
“Fiorentina and Tottenham chasing Haidara? There are many clubs interested in him, but for the moment we have not received concrete offers.” (Sky Sports)
Spurs manager Andre Villas Boas has been short of options at left back this season with Benoit Assou-Ekotto being out with a lengthy knee injury, which has meant he has been forced to deploy centre back Jan Vertonghen or right back Kyle Naughton in the position.
There were also reports that Haidara’s agent met with Fiorentina officials over a potential move but Martin played down these claims:
“I don’t know. I only know that the press have put out many declarations, but for now Massadio remains a Nancy player.”
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AVB will remain hopeful that he can secure the services of the player, previously also linked with Premier League strugglers Aston Villa.
England maintained the surprisingly strong start to their World Cup campaign on Sunday by obliterating Panama 6-1, dispensing of the Central American nation in clinical and dominant fashion.
It took just eight minutes to open the scoring as John Stones headed home a Kieran Trippier corner and the centre-half would double his tally just before half-time, latching onto the rebound as Manchester City team-mate Raheem Sterling attempted to apply the finishing touch to an incredibly well-worked free kick routine.
In between, Jesse Lingard won a penalty which Harry Kane calmly converted and the Manchester United star surged on from midfield soon after, this time linking up with Sterling before curling the ball beyond Panama’s helpless goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
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As Kane bagged another from the spot, England went into the interval more than comfortable at five goals up. The second half was far less resounding though, Kane completing his hat-trick by inadvertently deflecting a wayward Ruben Loftus-Cheek shot into the net and Panama unexpectedly ruining Jordan Pickford’s clean sheet with the simplest of goals from a free kick.
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Nonetheless, just as the result confirmed England’s qualification for the knockout stages, the performance has elevated the level of optimism heading into their final group game with Belgium – a shootout for top spot in Group G and a vital chance to show Gareth Southgate’s side can put in a similarly impressive display against considerably superior opposition.
But, England fans, who was your Man of the Match from Sunday’s emphatic win? Was it hat-trick hero Kane, the ever-lively Lingard, brace-bagger Stones or someone else? Let us know by taking below and giving each player involved a performance rating out of ten…
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Southampton will look to move out of the Premier League relegation zone when they face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Saints slipped back into the bottom three when they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at St Mary’s in their previous top flight encounter earlier this month, combined with other results involving the teams around them going against them.
The south coast bounced back from that disappointing performance by beating West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns for the second time in a fortnight last Saturday, setting up a very winnable FA Cup quarter-final tie against League One outfit Wigan Athletic.
Manager Mauricio Pellegrino brought Nathan Redmond back into the line-up for the clash against the Baggies for his first start since Boxing Day, with goals from Wesley Hoedt and Dusan Tadic giving the visitors a 2-1 win.
Saint will look to build on that victory ahead of their long trip north to face Sean Dyche’s men in Lancashire this weekend, and while Pellegrino may be tempted to stick with the same XI that secured the win against Alan Pardew’s side, the Argentine boss could be asking for trouble unless he makes a couple of alterations.
Here are two changes the 46-year-old must make to his team when they face Burnley…
Oriol Romeu for Nathan Redmond
Romeu was dropped to the substitutes’ bench for the trip to West Bromwich Albion last weekend, but it was probably only because he currently has nine booking to his name this season, and another one will result in a two-match ban.
Mauricio Pellegrino obviously didn’t feel that was worth the risk at the Hawthorns as he opted to bring Redmond back into the starting XI, and Saints benefitted from the more attacking team in the west Midlands.
However, while the Argentine will want go to Burnley and attack on Saturday, he will be also be well aware that his team can’t afford to lose against the Clarets and he must be a little cautious with his selection too.
He should choose to bring Romeu in for Redmond, and then push either Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Mario Lemina forward into the role behind the striker, with Dusan Tadic moving to the left wing.
Shane Long for Guido Carrillo
Long missed the trip to his former club West Bromwich Albion with a slight knock, but he should be fit enough to take his place in the Southampton squad this weekend, and should be handed a start by Pellegrino.
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January addition Carrillo has started the south coast outfit’s previous three matches following a substitute appearance against Brighton and Hove Albion on January 31, but he is yet to find the net even though he did produce an assist for Dusan Tadic at the Hawthorns last time out.
While he is decent in the air, so are the Burnley centre-back duo of Kevin Long and Ben Mee, and it may be a more effective tactic to play a quick striker who will cause the pair plenty of problems on the ground.
While Long may not be a regular goalscorer he will do that and is a nuisance for opposition defenders, and he should know his namesake Kevin’s weaknesses well too having played with him for the Republic of Ireland.
The bi-annual circus that is the transfer deadline day has rolled into town once more, with the football world a dizzying flurry of last-minute activity. Jim White, the ubiquitous master of ceremonies and patron saint of deadline day oversees proceedings for the umpteenth time, whisking us off on a whirlwind adventure to the training grounds of the football league to bring us news of the latest comings-and-goings, with the now-mandatory pit-stop at Harry Redknapp’s car window along the way.
One destination which is conspicuously absent from this year’s itinerary, at the time of writing at least, seems to be Arsenal’s London Colney training ground. On the most hectic day of the transfer window Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger appears more concerned with philanthropy than wheeling and dealing, having decided to attend a charity match in Rome organised by Javier Zanetti and the Pope for disadvantaged children in Argentina. While almost every other manager will be sat at his desk, phone glued to ear and dusting off the fax machine (which for some unfathomable reason seems to be the communication device of choice on deadline day, the equivalent of walking into a bike shop and asking for a penny farthing), Wenger seems happy to let the day’s cataclysmically hyperbolic events pass him by. One can almost imagine the Frenchman reacting to news of Falcao’s move to Manchester United, a bona fide deadline day coup, with nothing more than an indifferent Gallic shrug as he basks in the sunshine of Rome in the company of His Holiness and the equally venerable Zanetti.
Admirable though his participation in the charity event may be, one can’t help but feel that Wenger is repeating the same mistake he seems to have made for the past two seasons – a failure to sign a world-class striker. Since Robin van Persie’s departure to Manchester United two years ago, Wenger has obstinately decided to persist with Olivier Giroud as the club’s only recognised – and proven – out-and-out centre forward. Much of the criticism Giroud receives is unwarranted; the 16 league goals he scored last season is a respectable return for a striker who cost a modest £9.6 million. However at 27 years of age Giroud will never be a world-beater and Wenger surely cannot believe that the Gunners can realistically rely on his goals to fire them to the Premier League title. A club with genuine title ambitions need a striker who is expected to score at least 20 goals a season, or at the very least a striking partner who can be trusted to share goalscoring responsibilities. As it stands, Giroud’s competition comes in the form of the hardworking yet ultimately anodyne Yaya Sanogo, whose four goals against Benfica in a pre-season friendly indicate a false dawn rather than the emergence of a genuine goal machine, judging by his early-season performances.
The paucity of Arsenal’s striking options stretches further back than Giroud and Sanogo. The last world-class striker on the Gunners’ books, Robin van Persie, would never have been seriously threatened by the goalscoring exploits of perennial narcissist Nicklas Bendtner. Van Persie’s goals-per-game record in his last few seasons at the Emirates was highly impressive, however his history of injuries meant that Arsenal were constantly flirting with the possibility of losing their only decent forward.
Though Wenger has added world-class attacking talent to his squad this summer in the form of Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean is no striker in the traditional sense, and nor is the recuperating Theo Walcott. The duo will certainly contribute with their fair share of goals, but they are unlikely to become prolific as van Persie was in his Arsenal heyday – neither player has scored more than 20 league goals in one season.
The news that Olivier Giroud is to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury leaves the Gunners with no fully-fledged centre forward for the remainder of the calendar year. With Wenger once again refusing to increase his attacking options before the football world is left in a state of transfer paralysis for another four months, this case of déjà-vu may yet be the hardest one for Arsenal fans to swallow.
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