West Bromwich Albion drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening in controversial circumstances as Dwight Gayle’s dive provided Jay Rodriguez with the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.
The supporters were feeling rather fortunate to come away with a positive result after a relatively underwhelming display, but there was one bright spark worth noting: the performance of Rekeem Harper.
The 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the league for the fourth time in the last five games, showcasing a level of maturity and confidence in his own ability which supporters are naturally drawn towards.
Players of his age seldom slip under the radar of expectant supporters, and Harper has been no exception in the Championship in recent times.
The Baggies faithful are monitoring his development with a keen eye and they were delighted with what they saw from the teenager on Tuesday.
Harper’s stunning long-range effort which crashed off the post in the build up to Jacob Murphy’s equaliser represented a moment of technical genius worth salivating over, but it was the overall quality of his performance which particularly delighted supporters.
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Indeed, the academy graduate put in a fantastic all-round display in central midfield and earned gushing praise on Twitter for his efforts.
Here’s what the West Brom fans had to say about Harper’s performance against Nottingham Forest:
According to a recent report from The Liverpool Echo, striker Divock Origi could be set for a move away from Liverpool come the New Year. The Belgium international made the move to Anfield back in 2014 after beginning his senior career in France with top-flight side Lille, although a distinct lack of first team football under Jurgen Klopp this season has called his future at the club into question.
And reports suggest that Turkish giants Galatasaray are eyeing up a January move for the 23-year-old, a move that Origi simply must seek to make with it looking like time is up on his relatively mediocre Liverpool career.
The Breakdown
Ultimately, the striker made the move to Merseyside under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers little over four years ago, only to then rejoin Lille on loan for the 2014/15 season in a bid to stake a claim for regular football at Anfield the campaign after.
And with ten goals in the 2015/16 season, it looked like Origi was set for big things at Liverpool, with the 23-year-old then increasing that tally by one the season after in Klopp’s first full campaign in charge to help the Reds return to the Premier League’s top four.
Yet that is as good as it has got for the Belgian ace given he has mustered just 11 minutes of first team action so far this season, and with the Reds well-stocked in the attacking department following the resurgence in form of Daniel Sturridge, it doesn’t look like Origi is going to add many more appearances to his tally.
In the front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah, Klopp possesses one of the strongest frontlines in European football, what with the trio bagging in excess of 90 goals in all competitions last season, and already netting 19 between them this time round.
And with England international Sturridge improving greatly over the summer to become a key part of things this term, having already scored four goals in all competitions, Origi has fallen even further down the pecking order, and seemingly out of contention altogether – it’s surely time for a move for the better of his career.
Ultimately, while the 23-year-old has shown glimpses of promise during his time at Anfield, it has on the whole been an underwhelming stint from the striker given the amount of potential he has – it has turned out to be a mediocre signing from former boss Rodgers.
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And with Galatasaray reportedly keen on the forward, time does appear to be up on Origi’s Liverpool career, with a January move without doubt in his best interests, and indeed those of the Reds.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s headed goal rescued a point for Everton on Saturday as Marco Silva’s men struggled against a dogged Huddersfield Town side at Goodison Park. The young striker’s finish was the only shot on target the Toffees could muster throughout the entire match.
Whilst the Everton squad as a whole haven’t yet fully clicked under Silva, Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed a fine start to the new campaign. He now has three goals in the last two games, having bagged a brace against Rotherham in the midweek Carabao Cup tie.
The 21-year-old was a regular in the Everton match day squad last season, and has been able to retain his place so far under Silva despite the influx of attacking talent that arrived on Merseyside during the summer transfer window.
If the youngster wants to maintain his involvement, then he must be consistent in his performance levels. If he can do that, then Everton could have a real star on their hands.
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After his good showing against the Terriers, plenty of Everton fans took to Twitter to celebrate his progress…
According to Don Balon, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is determined to beat Manchester City to the signature of Real Madrid midfielder Isco this summer.
What’s the story?
Isco’s future at Real Madrid is once again being called into question, with the Spain international struggling to secure a regular spot in Zinedine Zidane’s first XI.
The midfielder has scored seven times and registered six assists in 35 appearances for Los Blancos this season, and it was not too long ago that he signed a new long-term contract with the Spanish and European champions.
There will be big changes at the Bernabeu this summer, however, and it is thought that Isco could be among those to leave the club.
According to Don Balon, both United and City are interested, and Red Devils boss Mourinho is determined to beat Pep Guardiola to the Spaniard’s signature.
The Manchester rivals are currently first and second in the Premier League table this season, and it appears that they will lock horns for the signature of Isco in a few months.
Would Isco fit in at Man United?
Isco’s ability to play in a number of different positions makes him an attractive proposition for United boss Mourinho.
The 25-year-old, who has 39 goals in total during his five seasons with Real Madrid, is capable of playing through the middle as a false nine, on either wing or indeed deeper in a midfield three.
It does appear that Mourinho will favour a 4-3-3 formation next season, and the thought of Isco operating alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic is an exciting thought for the club’s supporters.
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Romelu Lukaku has lacked service during spells of this season, but Isco would bring genuine playmaking abilities to that area of the field, and there is no question that the likes of Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez would also enjoy playing with the Spain international.
It is shaping up to be a very interesting summer battle between the two Manchester clubs, but United will be confident of bringing the attacker to Old Trafford.
Having represented Brazil during the recent international break, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho is ‘fit and healthy’ to take to the field, according to Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.
Coutinho returned to Liverpool on Thursday, and it would have been an interesting first day back for the attacker, who desperately tried to engineer a move to Barcelona in the summer.
Liverpool held firm when it came to Barcelona bidding in excess of £100m for Coutinho, however, and the 25-year-old will now remain at Anfield until at least the January transfer window.
It is thought that the attacker, who has only just overcome a back injury, will be on the bench for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Manchester City this weekend as Klopp eases him back into the first-team picture.
There are a number of Liverpool supporters that are finding it difficult to forgive Coutinho, but the majority are just pleased to have the Brazil international back in the squad.
Football has a short memory, and if Coutinho comes off the bench to score the winner against Man City this weekend, it seems that all will be forgiven when it comes to his conduct during the summer.
Football cranked up the gate-o-meter last week, didn’t it? It was #GateThis and #GateThat and all down to a pasty (yes, please note it was a pasty and not a pie) and a somewhat rotund goalkeeper. Anyway, we’ve all moved on from that now haven’t we, because there’s loads more stuff to point the finger of fun at.
Take Crystal Palace fans, for example. Possibly the most stupid in the country this week. They say South London is where the intelligent Londoner resides. Well, I am guessing we can assume they are not in Croydon. When deciding to attack a team coach and give it a smattering of graffiti, check it’s not yours yeah? I mean, Karanka typically left the Middlesbrough one parked in front of his own goal so it was unlikely to be the Boro people carrier in the car park.
If you think that is ridiculous, what about this? The actual London Stadium is up for an actual ‘Best Football Stadium’ award. I know, but I did warn you. I am presuming the company who has come up with this award ceremony has either never been to the ground or has been, but has no idea what an actual football ground looks or feels like and was quite impressed by the popcorn.
Apparently, and I might have just made this up, the London Stadium is up against the Emirates Stadium, who have been nominated in the ‘Best Atmosphere’ category. Now you know I am lying.
I guess we can’t really get through this column without paying tribute to the hero of last season. The man that made the impossible come true. The man who handled himself with grace, class and dignity throughout. The man who, if you cut him open, a fox would literally jump out. Yes folks, wasn’t Jamie Vardy fantastic on Monday night? If only someone had realised the reason he had stopped scoring was that nice Italian man, then they could have got rid of him earlier.
The whole thing is a little weird, from the timing of the sacking to the incredible ‘hey, it was nothing to do with us’ pleas from Kasper Schmeichel, despite everyone knowing it had everything to do with them. Paul Merson will be happy, though. What could be more English than an English manager called Shakespeare getting the job?
That said, Roy Hodgson is in the frame, too. Vardy won’t be happy. He’s already gone on strike for one tactically inept manager this season.
What about Liverpool, though? I mean, they are not the first set of young men to take a trip to La Manga and come back looking a little shell shocked and heavy legged. Clubs can’t even get team bonding right nowadays.
David Moyes managed to state the absolute obvious before and after his team’s defeat at Everton. He said if they played like they played against Palace they might win, and if they played like the did against Southampton they might lose.
They lost, which led Moysey to conclude that they needed to win some more games if they want to avoid relegation. That’s what they get paid for, these managers.
Jamie Redknapp is a gem, isn’t he? He said that “unknown quantity” might be a handful when referring to Manolo Gabbiadini. That’s the lad who used to play Champions League football for Serie A outfit Napoli. Yeah, that unknown quantity.
Seriously, does Jamie think teams turn up at Wembley without even checking the opposition team sheet? Mind you, it did look like United didn’t have a clue how to play against the guy. He should have had a hat-trick, but was wrongly called offside – and nobody should go through that level of pain, not even Matt Le Tissier, who was close to tears at half time.
But Zlatan did what Zlatan does and put in the kind of performance that took me all the way back to 1988 when Brian Stein broke Arsenal hearts at Wembley with a late winner in a 3-2 win. It happens.
Burnley got a point away from home. Hang on, that’s huge news. Why didn’t I lead with that? Yes, they nabbed a point at Hull and Hull isn’t even in Lancashire! Incredible. Chelsea did what Chelsea do, which is get a lucky escape at a crucial moment then go up the other end and kill the game off. If Swansea had got that penalty, who knows?
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Spurs played like they never want to play at Wembley again. No, not at Wembley, but at the weekend when they stuck four past Stoke. Harry Kane was rather good again and Dele Alli behaved himself, which was nice. The problem for Spurs is that all their home games next season will be at Wembley, so my advice to Poch is make sure you get the Barcelona job.
With Leicester winning it made me worry for Bournemouth. How will Eddie Howe get the Arsenal job if he takes the Cherries down?
Despite Aston Villa’s woeful season, mathematically, the Villains could still stay up. Today, Remi Garde’s men look to surprise Maurcio Pochettino’s Tottenham and go some way towards an improbable fightback.Tottenham, meanwhile, will be looking to recover from Thursday night’s defeat when they were brought crashing to earth away at Borussia Dortmund. Their title hopes are still alive, and that’s the competition they’ll surely be prioritising.Spurs have lost none of their last eight in all competitions at Villa Park, winning six and drawing two and have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League away games, their last defeat coming at West Ham United in their last away trop.Pochettino’s weakened team selection in Germany was pretty evident, but they have no such weaknesses today as their priority is clearly placed on lifting the Premier League title.Meanwhile Villa’s abysmal performances over the course of the season has caused major unrest in the camp and the fans have virtually given up on their team having any chance of securing there top flight status this season. Preparation for the Championship next year and attempting to come straight back up again will surely be the focus.The Villa Park outfit will have to overcome Spurs without Libor Kozak, Carlos Sanchez, Adama Traore, Jordan Amavi and Jack Grealish who are all out with long term injuries while Spurs are missing Clinton N’Jie, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose.Here are the teams:
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood believes that youngster Ryan Mason is not dissimilar to Liverpool and former England captain Steven Gerrard.
The 23-year-old impressed in the north London derby last weekend after winning his spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s XI thanks to a goalscoring display in the Capital One Cup victory over Nottingham Forest.
There has been much talk behind the scenes in north London regarding Mason, who has endured a difficult career with injuries so far, with many senior figures big fans of the midfielder.
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And Sherwood – who managed Spurs during the back end of last season – believes that if he can stay fit, Mason has an outside shout of making England’s EURO 2016 squad thanks to having similarities with Gerrard:
“If he stays fit, keep your eye on Ryan Mason at Tottenham as a late contender for the England Euro 2016 squad,” he wrote in the Independent.
“It is telling that he is still at Spurs at the age of 23. We always knew he was a talent who was too good to discard. His problem has been with injuries.”
“His game is not dissimilar to that of a young Steven Gerrard, who I trained with when he was brought into England senior squads for experience,
“There is not a lot Ryan cannot do. Steven always had such great desire and heart. It’s up to Ryan now to show that he has similar qualities to match his undoubted ability.
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“In recent weeks Mauricio Pochettino has selected Ryan ahead of the likes of big-money signings Mousa Dembele and Paulinho, so he must think a lot of him. The club sold Sandro too, who plays in Ryan’s position.”
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with the performance of his side, despite their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Cluj.
The Red Devils chief rested a number of his key players with top spot in Group H secured before kick-off.
Luis Alberto’s 25 yard effort settled the tie, but Fergie felt that if not for a moment of magic, his side could have taken at least a point from the game:
“It was a wonder goal that beat us,” he told SkySports.
“We had a lot of good chances but with a goal like that we have no complaints, You can’t do a lot about it.
The likes of Nick Powell and Scott Wootton were give starts by the Scot, who was impressed with their showings:
“We had a young side out that did very well at times. I’m satisfied they put a decent performance in.
“It was a good experience for the youngsters. Nick Powell I though in the first half did quite well for us and Phil Jones had an excellent game. It’s only his second game in about nine months so I’m very pleased with that part.
“We qualified earlier so it gave us a chance to experiment and play the players that needed a game. We gave some young players a bit of experience and that will hold them in good stead.
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“We’re into the next stage being winners of the group and there are some big names in there. We could face Shakhtar Donetsk, Milan, Porto.”
“We qualified comfortably and the real tournament starts in February. The knockout stages are fantastic.”
After Sunday’s Carling Cup victory, Liverpool’s director of football Damien Comolli was quick to state that big signings were a real possibility for the Merseysiders this summer. This talk has prompted fans of the club to begin speculating just where there side needs strengthening, and which players could step in.
With some poor statistics this term, it’s clear that the Reds need a clinical striker, to finish the abundant chances being created. Liverpool have been one of the most ineffective sides this season, in terms of turning chances into goals. This has been reflected by a meagre tally of 29 in 25 games, equal to second from bottom Bolton, and fewer than relegation threatened Blackburn. The Red’s have, arguably, one of the most talented forwards in the league with Luis Suarez, but even his goal return has been poor so far this term, albeit he has missed nine games through suspension. A striker then must be considered a must for Kenny Dalglish, if he is to turn his side into title contenders. The likes of Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Higuain would be the fans choices, but if Champions League football cannot be secured acquisitions of such talented players may prove to be a bit far-fetched. Darren Bent was rumoured to be on the verge of a move to Anfield during January, but nothing materialised, besides his arrival would not be one to get the fans pulses racing.
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As well as a clinical frontman, the Reds could benefit from greater reinforcements in a wide position, as well as through the centre in a playmaker role. Young Belgian Eden Hazard could fill both of these roles and is believed to be a player who would be available at the right price this summer, however, as is the case with Cavani and Higuain, a place at Europe’s top table would be high on his list of requirements. Liverpool do however have one trump card, in the fact that Lille are rumoured to be interested in keeping the on-loan Joe Cole, who could be used as a bargaining tool in a deal for the 21-year-old. Hazard would be virtually guaranteed a regular spot in the Liverpool starting-11, which would be another tempting factor, and if Comolli could convince one of Europe’s hottest properties that the club are moving in the right direction a deal may be achievable.
Scott Sinclair is another man who could fill the role on the right-hand side of the Reds midfield, and is, perhaps, a more realistic target. The Swansea man has been a key component in the attractive brand of football being produced in the south of Wales, and would surely be interested in a move to a big club in a bid to up his chances on the international scene. The ex-Chelsea youth star fits the Fenway Sports Group’s policy of young home-grown talent and would not cost the earth, making him a prospect to be considered.
As well as Sinclair and Hazard, Gaston Ramirez of Italian outfit Bologna could be an option for injecting some creativity into the Anfield side. The 21-year-old is an international colleague of both Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates, who could convince the creative midfielder to switch from the Serie A to the Premier League this summer.
It’s clear that Liverpool need reinforcements in a variety of positions this summer to keep the side moving in the right direction. However, convincing big players to move to the club with no guarantee of Champions League football could be a major factor, the reds must step up during the end of this campaign if they are to be a desirable prospect this summer.
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