Fulham and West Brom had to settle for a point each on Wednesday night, as they played out a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
The hosts went into the lead midway through the second half, as Clint Dempsey opened the scoring on 69 minutes, but a Somen Tchoyi equaliser eight minutes from the end ensured spoils were shared.
Home boss Martin Jol was slightly disappointed to concede in the last ten minutes, but all in all was happy with a point.
“To concede a goal in the last eight minutes was disappointing but I was happy,” the Dutch manager told Sky Sports.
“You always have to make a difference against teams like this, they played very well, were well organised and you need patience and still play in a good tempo.
“And I think in the second half we did that. In the first half we didn’t.
“So the extra quality came from Bryan Ruiz and of Clint Dempsey, you know that he’s a goal scorer,” Jol concluded.
West Brom host Swansea next on Saturday, whilst the Cottagers travel to take on league leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
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Following Sunday’s final submission of any hope of a title run in, you could tell in Arsene Wenger’s eyes that 3 seasons of falling away in the last quarter of the season had finally taken its toll on the Frenchman.
They say the only way to start therapy is to admit there is a problem in the first place. I think now Wenger has finally admitted to himself that maybe things weren’t quite right.
The players, he believed would prove ‘project youth’ to be right and true, had succumbed again to a last minute panic. Arsenal had passed Bolton to death but, as has happened too many times this season, all that precision hadn’t led to the required bulge in the net.
The team, he set-up to allow Cesc Fabregas to display his undoubted talents, had finally shown that it was to the detriment of others, and that all the youthful exuberance and skill needed to be complimented with experience and good old grit and determination.
Don’t get me wrong, this is in no way an anti Wenger rant. The Frenchman knows the way and a damn sight more than I will ever know. However, maybe the Frenchman now realises that all is needed is a slight realignment!!!
So, with that all being said, here is my humble opinion. I believe we need 4 players and a slight tweak to our current formation to compliment ‘project youth’ and push the team into becoming serious title contenders.
Per Mertesacker
To play alongside Thomas Vermaelen. The German is a tall, no nonsense, imposing defender, who can bring calm and resolve to our defence, as well as cure our unbelievable weakness both defensively and offensively at set-pieces. Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are other options, but even if you have the money would you want to spend £25m on either?!
Javier Mascherano
The Argentine is struggling to hold down a place in Barça’s first-team. Mascherano knows the Premiership inside out and would add that desperately needed steel to a predominately lightweight Arsenal midfield.
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Eden Hazard
Probably the world’s worst kept secret. Arsene Wenger has tracked this kid for the past 3 seasons, and I think it’s about time we stumped up the cash before City or Chelski flash the millions and steal football’s most prestigious talent from under our nose.
Gonzalo Higuaín
This would prove real intent by the new owner and be a coup of monumental proportions. Given Ronaldo’s ego, Benzema’s resurgence and able backup from Ade ‘IdleBarnDoor’ and Kaka, Jose may be tempted by a substantial offer this summer. Most importantly, this would give Arsenal an out and out goal-scorer, something we’ve been craving since Ian Wighty left.
So, this would leave the Arsenal starting line-up for 2011/12 as:
Szczesny
Sagna Vermarlen Mertesacker Clichy
Mascherano
(2 of) Cesc Nasri Wilshere
Hazard Higuaín RVP
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The bench would read as seven from; Fabianski, Mannone, Koscielny, JoDjo, Gibbs, Rambo, Song, Diaby, Theo, Arshavin, Chamakh.
Plus, with the arrival of Wellington Silva and Ryo Miyaichi (visa’s permitting) and the emergence of players such as JET, Frimpong and Afobe, we wouldn’t miss the likes of Eboue, Denilson and (Big Time) Bendtner, now, would we?
I know a lot of you will say Championship Manager is a great world to live in, but these transfers are possible and just maybe, might be the ones to perform the revitalisation required to take The Arsenal to the next level and back to The Invincibles.
Well there you have it another Gooner telling Arsene what he should do!! Not really, just all hail the Internet to allow a fan who is as frustrated as Wenger to be able to ramble on and ‘just put it out there’.
We’re in hell right now gentlemen. Believe me. And our only two options are as followed – stay down there and get the sh*t kicked out of us, or fight our way back into the light and climb out of this hell.
Written By Steve Wellman at the excellent Gunnersphere
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Listen to the third episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. – Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, who performs a live version of his cult tribute to Mark Viduka, with Razor on backing vocals!
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has returned to his former club, Fulham, to snap up the 29-year-old full-back Paul Konchesky on a four-year contract.
As part of the deal, Reds youngsters Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic have moved to Craven Cottage.
The transfer comes as little surprise as Konchesky was at Anfield on Sunday to watch his new club edge past West Brom 1-0.
Konchesky made his name at Charlton Athletic, featuring in over 150 first-team matches for the Addicks before joining Tottenham on loan seven years ago.
After featuring in 15 games for Spurs, the defender returned to The Valley before moving to West Ham United on a permanent basis five years ago. He went on to make 70 appearances for the club before being transferred to Fulham in the summer of 2007.
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Konchesky made 122 starts for the Cottagers, helping Hodgson's then side reach the Europa League final last season.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
As reported by The Daily Record, former Rangers player Billy Gilmour has opened up on why he left Ibrox to sign for Chelsea.
What’s the story?
Gilmour made the switch from Glasgow to London last year before even making his first team debut at Rangers, spurning the chance to become the youngest ever player for the club he loves in order to try and make a career for himself at Stamford Bridge.
It was a controversial decision, upsetting supporters, and now the 16-year-old has decided to make the reasons for his move clear.
As quoted by The Daily Record, Gilmour said:
Most of my family are Rangers fans and I love the club. I’ll always be thankful for everything they did for me.
But when Chelsea showed me what their plan was for me, I just couldn’t turn it down. Everything about the club was incredible and it’s where I wanted to be.
If you really know what you want, it’s an easy decision. If boys are hesitant – ones who say they want it but don’t really – it can be difficult. But my aim has always been to play at the best level. I’ve always wanted to play older, get the best coaching, stay behind and do more.
So when I heard Chelsea came in it was a no-brainer. I wanted to be with the best team. I want to be winning everything.
It’s a highly ambitious mentality from the youngster and one which will serve him well, with his ability ensuring he has a great shot of making it at Chelsea and the Premier League.
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Did he make the right decision?
Had Gilmour, a year on, been struggling with the adjustment to life in the youth teams at Stamford Bridge, the move could have been seen as a mistake.
The fact is though that he is thriving right now, shining as the club lifted the Youth FA Cup, with Gilmour scoring in the final against Arsenal in an age group above his own.
A stand-out for their U18s side, he’ll now be pushing for a place in their U23s side at the age of just 16.
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It’s now about physically developing and gaining first team experience, whether that comes on loan or at Chelsea themselves.
There’s no doubt he has every chance of making it at the top level in England, fully justifying his exit from Rangers.
With Everton struggling to make much of an impact up front this season, pressure is on new signing Cenk Tosun to be their saviour.
The Turkish international made his debut for the Toffees on Saturday in the late kickoff against Tottenham Hotspur.
Playing in such a big Premier League game for a first outing must have been a little daunting for the £27m man.
In the end, the forward was unable to make much of an impression, but he was only given 62 minutes by manager Sam Allardyce before being replaced by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It will be a debut to forget for Tosun given that the team were beaten comfortably 4-0 by Spurs, whose star player Harry Kane broke Teddy Sheringham’s club record of 97 top-flight goals.
Shortly after the game, Everton fans assessed the overall performance from their team, and Tosun’s debut was a talking point.
Everton, who are ninth in the league table, have lost their last three fixtures and have conceded eight goals in the process.
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The Premier League is the richest football league in the world and it’s no surprise that it’s biggest stars are amongst the wealthiest athletes in the world. Here are the top 10 richest Premier League footballers.
10. Sergio Aguero – £24m net fortune
As the youngest player on this list at 26, Aguero has years ahead of him to add to his colossal fortune. The Manchester City striker is on a £200,000 a week deal, but is willing to share the wealth. Last summer Aguero offered to buy five players for his former team Independiente last summer, only for no one at the Argentine club to get back to him.
9. Yaya Toure – £25m net fortune
Aguero’s Manchester City teammate signed a new four-year contract last April, which will net the 29-year old £45m at £210,000 per week. Toure’s fortune could be even greater but for his charitable nature. He receives no money for his boot deal with Puma, having instead negotiated a deal whereby football equipment is distributed to underprivileged children in West Africa.
8. Fernando Torres – £26m net fortune
Torres might not have hit top form since joining Chelsea from Liverpool in a £50m deal, but he did hit the jackpot. Torres signed a five-year contract in 2011 worth £175,000 a week plus bonuses, which might hint at the reason why Chelsea have yet to sell the misfiring striker.
7. Ryan Giggs – £27m net fortune
At 40-years old it’s no surprise that Ryan Giggs’ current salary of £75,000 a week is dwarfed by some of the other names on this list. Giggs earnings at Manchester United have been supplemented by lucrative endorsements with the likes of Reebok and Fuji, allowing him to build a huge fortune over a long career.
6. Steven Gerrard – £29m net fortune
The Liverpool and England captain enjoys a £140,000 a week salary and his high-profile has won him endorsements with the likes of Adidas and Persil. Such off the field earnings could continue to grow if the veteran leads England to a successful World Cup campaign.
5. John Terry – £29m net fortune
John Terry may have to take a pay cut from next season, as his £165,000 a week Chelsea deal comes to an end, but his recent windfall in the property market should soften the blow. Terry sold his Surrey mansion for £5.25m last year, moving to a newly built property within the grounds of his former home, only to unexpectedly receive a £16m offer for his new house from the Sultan of Oman.
4. Frank Lampard – £31m net fortune
Lampard is another Chelsea star to use the property market to boost his bank balance. The midfielder is now on £50,000 a week after renegotiating his previous £150,000 a week contract but is very wisely putting his money into bricks and mortar. Lampard lives in a £10m Chelsea house with his fiancé Christine Bleakley and also owns multiple properties across London, Surrey and Cambridge.
3. Rio Ferdinand – £37m net fortune
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Like Lampard, the Manchester United defender also had to take a pay cut when renegotiating last summer, but looks to be assured of a new deal for next season following recent assurances from David Moyes. Off the field Ferdinand is also a busy man, with a restaurant in Manchester and a media empire that includes his #5 Magazine.
2. Samuel Eto’o – £39m net fortune
Eto’s £75,000 a week salary at Chelsea is not to be sniffed at but it’s dwarfed by his wages at his former club Anzhi Makhachkala, where he was the world’s highest paid player on £364,583 a week and the second highest-earning athlete in the world behind Tiger Woods, when endorsements were taken into account. The striker is another African footballer with his own charitable foundation, which helps to provide basic healthcare and works on improving social inclusion.
1. Wayne Rooney – £45m net fortune
Rooney has just signed a five and a half year contract with Manchester United, who will pay him £300,000 a week. The England striker had held endorsements with the likes of Nike, Nokia, Ford, Coca Cola and has a five-book deal with Harper Collins for which he received a £5m advance. Off the field Rooney has recently been investing his money in racehorses without much success. The striker’s £60,000 thoroughbreds Pippy and Switcharooney were trained at the stables co-owned by Rooney’s former teammate Michael Owen and Betfair founder Andrew Black, but were retired last year having only won one race between them.
Patrice Evra has spoken out about Manchester United’s bad defensive habits in the build-up to their away fixture at St. James Park this Sunday.
The same fixture last season left the Red Devils victim to a 3-0 hammering by Newcastle, but the French left-back is determined to not let history repeat itself.
United are currently third in the Premier League, four points adrift of first place Chelsea. Last weekend saw Spurs break their 23 year curse without a win at Old Trafford, and question marks have loomed over the United defence who have conceding first in six of their nine opening games.
The Frenchman said: “Having to keep trying to come from behind is not a worry but it is a bad habit I would say.”
Turning his attention to the Newcastle game, Evra continued, “Last season up there was a disaster, we played very badly.
“This year is going to be very important because we have already lost against Tottenham and we have to react.”
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Alex Ferguson will be determined to improve his squad’s defensive efforts to fulfill United’s Premier League title ambitions this season.
Everton have been named as one of the front-runners to land Watford winger Richarlison.
What’s the story?
Everton are expected to name Marco Silva as their new manager in the coming weeks, and the potential arrival of the former Watford man is fuelling up the Richarlison rumour again.
The Brazilian winger was heavily linked with a move to Goodison earlier this year, and now Paddy Power have named the Toffees as third favourites to grab the youngster this summer, behind Manchester United and Chelsea.
Given that Manchester United are likely to pursue bigger and more expensive names, the Toffees could lock horns with Chelsea to sign the tricky Brazilian.
A risk for Richarlison?
It is no secret that Everton are on the hunt for a new winger this summer. Xherdan Shaqiri could be available for a bargain release clause, PSV’s Hirving Lozano could follow Marcel Brands to Goodison, but Richarlison’s name is cropping up more than any other.
The 21 year-old had an electric start to his Watford career, forcing his way into everyone’s fantasy team with five goals and four assists in the opening 17 league matches.
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Since Marco Silva left the Hornets though, the young winger has not registered a single goal or assist, and it is this inconsistency that makes him a huge risk for the Toffees.
Of course, the arrival of the manager who got the best out of him could make all the difference, but Everton should be looking for bigger and better this summer.
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To compare the Brazilian to Hirving Lozano of PSV, the Mexican winger has more goals (19 in all competitions), more assists, more successful dribbles, more key passes and more shots than Richarlison, and is only a year older than the Brazilian.
Richarlison has the potential to be a fantastic player, but Everton already have plenty of potential in the likes of Nikola Vlasic and Ademola Lookman. What they need is ready made superstars, and Richarlison just isn’t that.
So, Everton fans, would you be happy to swoop for Richarlison? Who do you want to sign this summer? Let us know by voting in the poll below…
Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has claimed that Bournemouth would be the perfect club for Theo Walcott as the Englishman prepares to leave the Emirates Stadium.
Walcott is widely expected to leave the Gunners this month after struggling for football in the first half of the 2017-18 campaign.
The 28-year-old has only made six Premier League appearances this season, and has been strongly linked with a return to former club Southampton.
Everton, meanwhile, are also believed to be in the hunt as Toffees boss Sam Allardyce looks to improve his options in the final third of the field.
However, according to pundit Merson, Walcott should look to engineer a move to Bournemouth as his style of football would suit the Cherries.
Bournemouth had Jack Wilshere on loan last season, and Walcott could well be the latest Arsenal player to pitch up at the Vitality Stadium.
Merson told reporters:
“People say he’s got to play because he’s going to the World Cup, I don’t see him going to the World Cup. I think he’s well down the pecking order.
“There would have to be a few injuries and he’d have to majorly pull up trees at Everton, and the way Everton play, it’s going to be hard to pull up trees.
“The perfect fit, for me, with him would be Bournemouth. They play 4-4-2, they play attacking football, pacey.”
Walcott, who is valued at £18m by transfermarkt.co.uk, was a late substitute in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
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With 12 games played in the Championship this season it is safe to say that a reasonable amount of matches have been played.
As a result many will see now as a good time to use what they have seen so far to predict how the rest of the season will pan out.
Right now Ipswich sit in 12th place, seven points off the play-offs and seven points from the relegation zone, which suggests that they are set for another mid-table finish.
The Tractor Boys are one of the most unpredictable teams going forward for a number of reasons. First of all if Mick McCarthy is snatched up by the Republic of Ireland then the team is likely to be rebuilt and the season becomes one of transition rather than aspiration.
Some fans believe that if McCarthy leaves then the club will be unable to adequately replace him but whilst I am a huge fan of the former Wolves boss I do not think this is completely true. A few of the names mentioned are decent managers that have great potential, they just aren’t as solid and reliable as the current man at the helm.
However, the main point is – if a new manager comes in it is likely that he will have to replace most of his team as a large amount of the players only joined the club because of McCarthy. This will instantly move the team into a transitional phase where results will be inconsistent and finishing anywhere above the relegation zone will be a good achievement.
Of course this is only one scenario, if Ipswich can keep their current boss then I firmly believe that the only way is up this season. It is true that 26% of the season has been played but some of the most difficult games have already been crossed off the list.
The other good news is that McCarthy will be given money to spend in January if he does stay. Additionally, when Ipswich have played the likes of Reading, QPR and Burnley they have only narrowly lost and performances have remained reasonably consistent.
As I said before the start of the season; Ipswich are looking like they will finish just outside the play-offs but could sneak in if they make one or two top signings and get a bit of luck. The one thing you can be certain of with McCarthy at the helm is that the team will certainly not be around the relegation zone.
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I would love to reassure fans that McCarthy will be staying at Ipswich but I can’t. From what he has said to the media I think if he is offered the Republic of Ireland job there is a good chance that he will take it.
My reasoning is based upon the fact that if he was not going to accept then he would have said as much in order to stop the headlines having a negative effect on his team. The question isn’t whether he would accept or not, it is all about whether the FAI are prepared to pay out close to £1 million in compensation to Ipswich.