Daily Sports blog

Pundits Alan Shearer and Phil Neville could not come to agreement on whether the Manchester United striker is 'world class' or not. Now, Goal readers can decide! Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has renewed his claim that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is "world class", posting a teasing tweet to fellow pundit Alan Shearer after the striker's latest goals. Ibrahimovic has scored 10 goals in his last nine games for United, but Shearer asserted that the 35-year-old "was world class", but is no longer on the same level as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Luis Suarez. Neville took to Twitter to once again highlight the striker's world class qualities as he netted twice in a 2-0 win over West Brom on Saturday, with many Manchester United fans agreeing

They’re finding it difficult to get Diego Costa into this game.” Sorry Crystal Palace fans; there were about seven seconds between me uttering those words and Costa’s header hitting the back of the net. They were finding it difficult – largely because Palace were doing an excellent job of limiting his supply line – and then they found a different route. Because, as they cliche goes, that’s what champions do. For 43 minutes, Chelsea had prodded and probed, only to find Alan Pardew’s side unusually resolute and surprisingly well-drilled. Joe Ledley and James McArthur were disciplined in central midfield, Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha all-but nullified the threat of Chelsea’s wing-backs and Costa was having practically no fun at all; the half-time statistics showed no outfield player had touched the ball less and his pass completion rate was a woeful 36.4%. “Hazard and Willian are the two that I think are the best, so those pockets are going to be important that we block ...

The Swedish striker slotted home Paul Pogba's through-ball to claim all three points for the visitors after a James McArthur goal had seemed to earn a point for the hosts Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed a dramatic, late winner as Manchester United remained in touch with their rivals for Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. The away team led through Paul Pogba's strike in added time at the end of the first half at Selhurst Park on Wednesday. James McArthur netted a classy and deserved equaliser for the hosts after the break, but Palace could not halt the powerhouse combination of Pogba and Ibrahimovic, who was played in by the midfielder to snatch the winner from a tight angle with two minutes to go in normal time.   The result leaves United sixth, three points behind Tottenham and six back from local rivals Manchester City, who occupy the final Champions League qualifying berth. David de Gea was called into meaningful action ...

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s thumping strike saw Manchester United overcome Tottenham 1-0, but the in-form Armenian’s injury took the edge off Sunday’s much-needed victory. Promising displays have not brought with them anywhere near enough points this season, but United brought a frustrating run of four successive home Premier League draws to a timely halt. Mkhitaryan marked another fine display with an excellent first-half strike against Tottenham, securing a 1-0 victory that the attacking midfielder was unable to celebrate properly after exiting on a stretcher. It was a disappointing end to an impressive United display, with this victory crucial as they try to catch the top four. Mkhitaryan, so impressive since fighting his way into the team, was the architect, following-up his maiden United goal in Thursday’s Europa League trip to Zorya Luhansk with a fine first-half effort. Spurs, emboldened by comprehensive back-to-back wins, made life difficult and regularly threatened ...

Third-placed Liverpool lost further ground on Premier League leaders Chelsea after another questionable performance from goalkeeper Loris Karius in the 2-2 draw at home to West Ham. Divock Origi’s fourth goal in as many matches salvaged a point after a Dimitri Payet free-kick and Michail Antonio’s first non-headed strike of the season had turned things around following Adam Lallana’s fifth-minute opener. But despite four goals all the focus was on the goalkeepers as Karius and West Ham’s Darren Randolph both made costly errors. Karius was criticised for two of the four goals conceded at Bournemouth last weekend – pundit Gary Neville said the German was “miles away” – and he will shoulder a fair share of the blame for both of West Ham’s, particularly the first. When Payet lined up his 25-yard free-kick Karius – whose response to the Sky commentator’s comments was “He was a manager for a short bit and now he is back to being an expert again” – generously offered him about...

Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi has expressed his delight after scoring his first English Premier League goal this season following Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Stoke City at the Emirates on Saturday. Iwobi who was brought on in the second half scored Arsenal’s third goal to seal the win and temporarily take the Gunners to the top of the league table. Charlie Adams had given Stoke the lead from the penalty spot after Granit Xhaka fouled Joe Allen inside the 18-yard box. Arsenal’s two other goals were scored by Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott. It was Iwobi’s second goal of the season after scoring his first of the season in Arsenal’s 4-1 UEFA Champions League win against Basel last week. Reacting to the win against Stoke, Iwobi went on to praise his teammates for rallying back to win despite going behind. “Great team performance to come back from behind and good to get my first Premier League goal of the season,” Iwobi wrote on his Twitter handle. Read more at http://www.comp...

Pep Guardiola has warned football is going to “kill” players by demanding too much of them. The Manchester City boss was speaking a day after FIFA president Gianni Infantino reported a plan to expand the World Cup finals to 48 teams from 2026 had been met with enthusiasm. Guardiola is in favour of increasing the number of substitutes that can be used during games to give players more of an opportunity for a rest. He said: “It’s not just English football, it’s all around the world. Now they talk about a World Cup of 48 teams – we are going to kill the players. “FIFA will decide and we accept the decision and if we are not happy we go home. They are focusing on more and more and more – it affects the quality. I am thinking just for the players. They need to breathe, to (have a) break, to enjoy. “This kind of thing is impossible because we are going to finish (the season), then after one week the World Cup then after three weeks we go to the pre-season, we go to China, t...

       Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he expects a tough game against West Ham despite the London club's recent poor form. Liverpool, third in the Premier League table, welcome West Ham at Anfield on Sunday hoping to bounce back from their disappointing 4-3 loss away to Bournemouth last weekend.West Ham who are 17th on the log have failed to replicate the performance of last season which contributed to their qualification for this season's Europa League. >Speaking at Friday's press conference, Klopp said: "If there is any influence (on future matches) I have no idea. "But what we will be is more anger, angry with ourselves and that's important , but West Ham will be a really tough challenge – an interesting game. " Nobody would have expected that (West Ham being where they are in the table)." Klopp pointed out that West Ham's recent poor form will motivate them against Liverpool come Sunday.

Mikel Obi has admitted that his Chelsea future depends on what manager Antonio Conte decides, reports Completesportsnigeria.com. The Super Eagles captain, who scored one of the goals as Nigeria defeated Algeria 3-1 in a World Cup in Uyo on Saturday,  has not played a single minute of club football this season. When asked in the post-match press conference if he would ever play for Chelsea again, Mikel replied: "I'll wait and see what happens. I've spent almost my entire career at Chelsea and I call it my home. "It's been 11 years at Chelsea but if it's time to move on, it's time to move on." He then added tongue-in-cheek: "I don't know if I'll ever play again, but if you really want to know I can give you Conte's number; call him, he should know." Mikel, whose Chelsea contract ends at the end of this season, insists he is always ready to play. "I've had a long career because I've kept in shape,...

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is proud of his players after their 3-1 win against Algeria. Two goals from the impressive Victor Moses and another one by Mikel Obi saw off the spirited Fennecs and extended Nigeria's lead on top of Russia 20018 World Cup African qualifying Group B to four points after two rounds of games. "We had a great first half but the second half was difficult," Rohr admitted during his post-match press conference at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. "The players are changing, they are accepting our philosophy. We want to play fast, attacking football and we're getting there. "We suffered in the second half but the players were not nervous. They are professional. We played on the counter-attack when it became 2-1 and we got our third goal from a fast break." Although there were nervous moments after Yacine Brahimi made it 2-1 in the second half, Rohr insists his side did a good job. "We defended well," he ...

Georges Leekens’ men were played off the park in Uyo, and are now in serious danger of missing out on the 2018 World Cup Nigeria remain top of Africa World Cup qualifying Group B thanks to a 3-1 victory over Algeria in Uyo on Saturday. A double from Victor Moses with efforts from John Obi Mikel were all the Super Eagles needed to tear apart the visitors at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The result heaps the pressure on Algeria, whose winless run in the qualifying series extended to two matches. Mikel, who was included in the starting line-up turned in a great display to inspire his team to victory. After a keenly contested opening minute, Moses took centre stage after 25th minutes with a ferocious strike past goalkeeper Raïs M'Bolhi after a one-to pass with a teammate. Yacine Brahimi missed an excellent chance to level before John Obi Mikel put the Super Eagles two goals up with three minutes to the half time break. The Chelsea midfielder profit...

   Gernot Rohr faces his biggest test as Eagles’ handler when his side meet the north Africans in a crunch qualifier in Uyo. Nigeria  face Algeria in their second Group B game of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The Super Eagles sit atop Group B with three points having defeated Zambia in their opening game in Ndola, and victory against the Greens will move them closer to Russia. Both countries have met 18 times, and Nigeria boast of a superior record with eight wins, three draws, while the north Africans have emerged victorious six times. Coach Gernot Rohr knows his side have a mountain to climb in the high-profile match as he hopes to maintain his 100 percent start in charge. The German tactician believes his experience and youthful side would tear apart the depleted visitors in his pursuit of the country's sixth World Cup appearance. Despite injuries to key players like Adam Ounas...

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been handed a one-match touchline ban and a £50,000 fine by the Football Association over two separate incidents. The 53-year-old Portuguese received the ban for being sent to the stands during the 0-0 draw with Burnley last weekend and the fine for remarks he made ahead of the Premier League game with Liverpool. He also receives a mandatory £8,000 fine for being sent to the stands. "Jose Mourinho has been fined £50,000 in relation to media comments he made prior to Manchester United's game at Liverpool on 17 October 2016," read the FA statement on Wednesday. "An Independent Regulatory Commission heard that Mourinho accepted the comments he made on 14 October 2016 constituted improper conduct but denied they brought the game into disrepute, in contravention of Rule E3(1). "The Commission found the disrepute element of the charge proven and as well as being fined, Mourinho was warned...

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) of Britain has rebuked Manchester United coach, Jose Mourinho over his treatment of players, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw. Early this week, Jose Mourinho called out both players saying they refused to put their heart and body on the line for Manchester United, as they declined playing in the match against Swansea because they didn't feel 100% fit. Speaking at the VSI Sporting Directors governance dinner, Gordon Taylor, head of the players’ union, urged Jose Mourinho to be more careful with the handling of his players;  “I was disappointed by that [Mourinho’s comments] because, knowing the individuals, they are both highly thought of.  “They’ve got personal problems which I don’t need to relay, but sometimes a manager needs to be a psychologist as well, and also to be a counsellor because you can’t treat everybody in the team [the same], every manager must know that. Every player in a team is differ...

      The Uruguayan striker is set to renew his contract at Camp Nou and he wants to win more titles with Luis Enrique's side in the future   Barcelona star Luis Suarez insists his contract renewal with the La Liga giants is on track.The Uruguayan has a deal until mid-2019, but reports suggest he will extend his stay by two or three seasons. Suarez, 29, said he was excited to continue his career with Barca, the club he joined in 2014 from Liverpool. as recently linked with a move to Manchester United, with reports claiming the Premier League club were preparing an astronomical €150 million bid for the player, who lifted the Pichichi award last season as the top scorer in La Liga.  But Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu was adamant that his star forward is not going anywhere. Barcelona to move for Cedric "We read, we listen, we see this news, but of course, our interest in this particular case is that Luis Suarez is happy at B...

        Victor Moses and Brown Ideye were the latest arrivald as a total of 14 players were at the Super Eagles Abuja camp on Monday night ahead of Saturday's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria.      The players already in camp include Arsenal's Alex Iwobi, Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, Ogenyi Onazi of Trabzonspor and Kenneth Omeruo, who plays for Alanyaspor.       Also in camp are Mainz 05 defender Leon Balogun, Watford striker Odion Ighalo, Gent winger Moses Simon and current winner of the Nigeria Federation Cup with Ifeanyi Ubah, Ikechukwu Ezenwa.       Others are Zulte-Waregem's Kingsley Madu, Wilfred Ndidi of Genk, and İstanbul Başakşehir's Musa Muhammed.      Meanwhile, those yet to arrive camp are skipper Mikel Obi, William Troost-Ekong, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Ech...

            Super Eagles winger Ahmed Musa made his fourth straight Premier League start for Leicester City in Sunday's 2-1 home loss to West Brom at the King Power Stadium, . But Musa failed to score his third goal having scored in his last two EPL games.       Matthew Phillips scored the winner after Islam Slimani had restored parity in the 55th minute for the reigning champions.       The former QPR player capitalized on Danny Drinkwater's poor touch to run through the Foxes defence line before chipping the ball past Ron-Robert Zieler in goal for the Baggies for his first goal of the season.             James Morrison had given the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute of the encounter after a goalless first half. Musa who was rather quiet in the first half was fantastic in this second-half beating the full...

             Arsene Wenger's side preserve their unbeaten streak while Mauricio Pochettino's wait for a win goes on but the Gunners slipped up from a position of dominance COMMENT It’s 16 games unbeaten for Arsenal but they missed an opportunity to make a statement here in a drawn North London derby against Tottenham. They keep pace with Manchester City at the top end of the Premier League table – thanks largely to Middlesbrough’s draw at Eastlands yesterday – but this was a chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s team. As it is, it was Chelsea who made this weekend’s decisive title statement. North London derby sets new record Arsenal fans might wonder if their inability to put away a vulnerable Spurs side on a dreadful, confidence-sapping run contradicts claims that this year might be the year it all comes together again for Arsene Wenger. There had been five wins against five of the Premier League’...