Month: April 2019

Three Premier League teams are in action this evening as Manchester City visit Tottenham and Liverpool host Porto, with Manchester United featuring tomorrow as English teams make up half the remaining contenders.

All four first-leg ties take place this week before the second-legs next week – and it’s fair to say everyone is excited about the return of Europe’s premier continental competition.

Liverpool fans are especially excited given their team are one of the favourites to lift the European Cup, having finished as runners-up last season.

Chelsea’s star player has scored a number of memorable goals in his career, but his first in the 2-0 victory over West Ham is without question up there as one of his best.

West Ham were the unfortunate victims of Hazard’s sensational exploits, who pierced through the heart of their midfield and defence to break the deadlock in their Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge.

The Hammers were holding out Maurizio Sarri’s men out pretty effectively but Hazard decided enough was enough on 24 minutes.

He picked up the ball about 30 yards from goal, breezed past Mark Noble and then jinked inside West Ham centre-backs Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna before firing the ball past keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

If you haven’t seen the goal, feast your eyes on this beauty!

It was a truly sensational goal that will no doubt bring a smile to the face of every Chelsea fan.

He added a second in stoppage-time, which was a far more routine finish from the right as Maurizio Sarri’s men rose to third in the Premier League table.

However, Blues fans will also be mindful that this piece of play from Hazard will only reinforce suggestions that he is on his way to LaLiga giants Real Madrid in the summer.

The latest news is that Real will announce the Hazard deal ‘in the coming days’, according to reports in Spain.

So the goal actually left a number of Chelsea fans on Twitter feeling rather conflicted as you can see below.

In fact, it’s led to the Manchester United team arriving late for some Champions League matches this season despite staying at a hotel just half a mile away from the ground.

It prompted former manager Jose Mourinho to even tell the world’s media he once stepped off the coach and walked to the ground in disguise as it was quicker!

And on Wednesday, United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie which promises to be a wonderful spectacle.

But if you’re in Manchester at the time of the match, but not going to Old Trafford, there will only be one thing on your mind – more horrendous traffic around the city!

Hazard reminded the Blues what they will be missing if he leaves for Real Madrid this summer with a breathtaking display during the 2-0 victory over West Ham on Monday night.

The Belgian waltzed through the Hammers’ defence to score a wonderful solo goal, before doubling his tally with a fine strike late-on.

It was the kind of match-winning individualism that Stamford Bridge has become used to. After all, Hazard has been directly involved in 49 per cent of the club’s Premier League goals this season.

But Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has admitted there is very little he can do to stop the 28-year-old from moving to Madrid if his heart is set on the Bernabeu.

Arsenal were equally powerless when Barcelona came knocking for club legend Henry in 2007, which signalled the beginning of a prolonged period of mediocrity for the Gunners.

And former Blues striker Cascarino, who expects Hazard to leave this summer, believes the potential move could have a similar effect.

The Mexican put Wolves 2-0 up at Wembley with a well-taken goal on 62 minutes and to celebrate he sported an orange mask in front of his adoring fans.

However, the only thing that was left on Jimenez’s face by the end of the game was egg as Watford brought it back to 2-2 before winning the game 3-2 after extra-time.

It means the Hornets will face Manchester City in the final on May 18, while Wolves’ very good cup run – which saw them beat the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United – came to an abrupt end.

Watford striker Troy Deeney mocked ‘loser’ Jimenez for his mask celebration after the game and Hornets legend Blissett, who played at Vicarage Road in three different spells for a combined total of 14 years, labelled it as ‘disrespectful’.

He then suggested the striker should consider a career change if he wants to act like a ‘cartoon character’.

Speaking on The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, Blissett said: “Jimenez will be disappointed and embarrassed at the fact he did that celebration. It’s disrespectful.

Van Dijk, the defender, is the frontrunner to win the individual honour following some imperious performances at the back for Premier League table-toppers Liverpool.

He has been a towering presence for Jurgen Klopp’s side, helping them to a league-high 17 clean sheets this season as the Anfield outfield bid to end their 29-year wait for a league title.

However, Van Dijk believes a number of City’s players are deserving of the accolade.

The sportswear manufacturer have a contract with the Premier League side until 2023 and are set to continue their innovative work with them.

Last year Nike released an NFL-inspired for Spurs, as well as several other teams, including Chelsea and Barcelona, which was a hit with some supporters.

Using American football fan Harry Kane as the poster boy for the shirt was a no-brainer and it appears the collaboration is set to be expanded further.

FootyHeadlines.com report the new jersey will be navy as opposed to the white number which was released in 2018, while the template is likely to be similar to the previous kit.

In addition to the jersey it’s believed there will be a jacket and two hoodies for supporters to snap up as the NFL starts it’s two-game occupation of the stadium next season.

AC Milan have identified Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino as their top choice to replace Gennaro Gattuso this summer. The Argentine would be given £300million to spend by the Serie A club. (Mirror)

Real Madrid are increasingly confident they can sign Chelsea forward Eden Hazard this summer, despite the Blues holding out for at least £100million. The 28-year-old only has one year remaining on his Stamford Bridge contract. (Telegraph)

The La Liga giants are also hopeful of luring Manchester Untied midfielder Paul Pogba to the Bernabeu. The French World Cup winner recently admitted he would love to join Los Blancos at some point in his career. (Marca)

The German midfielder was replaced by Alex Iwobi after struggling to influence the game, as Phil Jagielka’s strike delivered a huge blow to the Gunners’ top-four bid.

Ozil trudged off in frustration and appeared to throw a strop on the bench, launching his jacket in the direction of Toffees manager Marco Silva.

And according to former Wimbledon hard-man Jones, Ozil lacks the character to lead a team in such a hostile environment.

“Ozil, captain? He’s never a captain, for me,” the footballer-turned-Hollywood star told talkSPORT.

“I wouldn’t want him leading me out at Everton away.

“Goodison Park is a hell of a place to go. It’s a fantastic stadium and the crowd really get behind them.

He seems to have talent in abundance and yet he’s been ousted by the likes of Hull City and Paris Saint-Germain after failing to live up to expectations.

What Ben Arfa unquestionably has in his locker, however, is the ability to score an absolute worldie – and he demonstrated that talent again over the weekend.

Playing for his current club Rennes, the former Newcastle man picked up the ball in the midfield before weaving in and out of two defenders.