Goal Zone

Friday, September 26, 2014

Everton's James McCarthy determined to get revenge over Liverpool

Everton midfielder James McCarthy has insisted that he and his teammates are determined to get revenge over Liverpool following last season's 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

Roberto Martinez's side will take on their Merseyside rivals tomorrow, with both sides heading into the fixture on the back of Premier League defeats.

"They are our arch-rivals so to go down 4-0 to them sticks with you and makes you determined to make amends," McCarthy told The Telegraph. "That's what we want to happen this weekend.

"We were up there fighting at the time we played them and it was frustrating what happened. We know it was not acceptable and not good enough. We felt we let the club and each and every one of the fans down and we want to put that right."

Everton last won at Anfield 15 years ago.

Arsene Wenger pleased Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil have struck up partnership

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck have a good understanding between one another on the pitch.

The pair laid on assists for one another in the Gunners' 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on away turf last weekend.

Ozil has faced criticism for failing to make a significant impact at the club following his £42.5m arrival from Real Madrid last year, but the German World Cup winner appeared to link up well with summer signing Welbeck.

"[Ozil] played very well and had a good understanding with Danny Welbeck," Wenger said in this morning's press conference. "It was a good partnership because they gave each other balls to score.

"It is tempting to keep Ozil in that central role but I maintain again that he will play where he is needed for the balance of the team and that can change game by game."

Tomorrow, Arsenal will host the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger: 'It's been difficult to buy defenders'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he struggled to find defenders in the transfer market.

The Gunners were linked with Greek international Kostas Manolas following Thomas Vermaelen's departure to Barcelona.

However, the North London outfit ended up with just six senior defenders for four positions by the time the window closed on September 1.

The Gunners will be without summer arrival Mathieu Debuchy for three months after he underwent ankle surgery, while Nacho Monreal also remains on the sidelines.

"We have been unlucky to lose Monreal and Debuchy but it's very difficult to buy defenders in this market," Wenger said in this morning's press conference.

Arsenal will take on North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates tomorrow.

Louis van Gaal hints Daley Blind won't be used in Manchester United's defence

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted that midfielder Daley Blind will not be handed a role in defence against West Ham United tomorrow, despite the club's growing injury list.

The Dutchman is expected to turn to youth players for Saturday's encounter due to injuries to Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Left-footed Blind has played as a centre-back for the Netherlands and former club Ajax on occasion, but youngsters Tom Thorpe or Patrick McNair could be handed a role at Old Trafford alongside another left-sided player in Marcos Rojo.

"I don't like having too many left-sided defenders or left-footed players in defence," the Manchester Evening News quotes Van Gaal as saying.

"I think always of balance, so I have to pick up a right-sided central defender from the youth education."

United have won just one game in five Premier League encounters so far this season.

Sam Allardyce: 'Ravel Morrison needs to improve behaviour for new deal'

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that Ravel Morrison needs to improve his behaviour off the pitch in order to earn a new contract at Upton Park.

The controversial 21-year-old, who sealed a three-month loan deal with Cardiff City this week, comes to the end of his contract next summer.

"It is not about him impressing me as a footballer, it is about him applying himself to a disciplined life in general," London24 quotes Allardyce as saying. "That is what needs to happen and we hope it happens and the sooner the better."

Morrison signed for the Hammers from Manchester United in 2012.

Gus Poyet wants "extra bit of quality" from his Sunderland players

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet believes that his side can push on up the Premier League table as long as they show an "extra bit of quality".

The Black Cats are yet to win a game in the league so far this season following four draws and one defeat, which has placed them fourth from bottom in the table.

"I think there is very little between us and the rest," Poyet told the club's official website. "It is very tight so we are competitive and we have had opportunities to win most of the games.

"It is now up to us to make that extra bit of quality, decision making or belief to make the difference because it is there and it is very close."

The North-East side will take on Swansea City at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

Victor Anichebe, Brown Ideye injury doubts for West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Irvine has revealed that both Victor Anichebe and Brown Ideye could be out of Sunday's Premier League match against Burnley.

Anichebe is currently struggling with a hernia problem, while Ideye has an ankle issue which could put him on the sidelines.

"Brown hasn't trained on Friday but we are hoping he will train on Saturday," The Express quotes Irvine as saying. "The same goes for Victor.

"I haven't given up hope that Brown and Victor will be in contention, we'll wait and see."

Saido Berahino and Georgios Samaras, who has played just 20 minutes of football in England's top flight, could be called upon should the duo fail to return to fitness in time.

Marco Reus agrees in principle to join Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus has reportedly agreed in principle to sign for Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Recent reports have claimed that Reus has stalled contract talks with the Bundesliga club.

However, according to Marca, the German international has finally decided that he will not be signing fresh terms with Dortmund and has already set his sights on moving to the Bernabeu.

Reus, who has been linked to Manchester United and Liverpool, reportedly has a £19.5m release clause in his current contract.

Arsene Wenger: 'Extended Frank Lampard loan would be immoral'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that any extension to Frank Lampard's loan deal with Manchester City would be immoral, if not illegal.

Lampard joined MLS side New York City following his release by Chelsea this summer before making a return to the top flight with Manchester City on loan.

City, who co-own the new MLS franchise with baseball side the New York Yankees, have reaped the rewards of the deal so far, with Lampard netting a crucial equaliser against his former club to rescue a draw in the league before scoring twice more in the 7-0 League Cup demolition of Sheffield Wednesday.

His good form has led to suggestions that City could look to extend his stay in Manchester, but Wenger has questioned the motives behind the move.

"You always have two judgements, one is moral and one is legal and it just depends what you consider. I think 'is it legal?' You have to respect it after that and the player has to deal with his decisions," Wenger told reporters.

"I respect the fact he wants to play at the top level and he maybe didn't have that opportunity any more at Chelsea. I don't really know [what] is behind all that. Was it always his plan to go to New York and go to Man City? I am not sure.

"I genuinely think he wanted to go abroad and to New York, and suddenly was offered this solution to come back to the Premier League and he took it. He could explain that much better than I do, I don't know what is behind that."

New York City, who will not be able to play until the new MLS season gets underway in March 2015, are reportedly planning to oppose any extension to the loan.

Jose Mourinho unconcerned by Manuel Pellegrini jibe

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that he is unconcerned by Manuel Pellegrini's criticism of his tactics during last weekend's 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

City required a late Frank Lampard equaliser to rescue a point against the Blues, who took the lead with 19 minutes remaining through Andre Schurrle after Pablo Zabaleta had been sent off.

After the match, Pellegrini likened Chelsea's tactics to those of Stoke City, and Mourinho was keen to point out that it wasn't the first time the Chilean had spoken about his rivals.

"I don't have a reaction. I think [the media] should, not me. It was not once or two or three times that he said he doesn't speak about referees. He killed Mark Clattenburg [after City's draw at Arsenal]," Mourinho told reporters.

"It was not one, two, three, four times, he said he doesn't speak about me or my team's opponent. He did it once more. I think it's for you to comment. When I said I don't want to speak about him. That's what I try to do.

"If you want the story you have to speak with him not with me. I keep in my place. I follow my line."

Chelsea currently lead the way in the Premier League with 13 points from their opening five matches going into tomorrow's clash with Aston Villa.

Sergio Aguero and David Silva back for Manchester City

Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and David Silva have both recovered from injury in time for Saturday's Premier League clash with Hull City at the KC Stadium.

Aguero was forced to miss Wednesday's remarkable 7-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup with a knee injury, while Silva also missed that game due to an ankle complaint.

Both have been included in the provisional squad for this weekend, however, as has Pablo Zabaleta, who sat out the midweek match as he served a one-match suspension for his red card against Chelsea.

Manuel Pellegrini will still be without Samir Nasri and Fernando with groin injuries, however, while Stevan Jovetic is also absent with a hamstring problem.

City go into the game sitting sixth in the Premier League table with eight points from their opening five matches.

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho: 'Last season's Aston Villa defeat doesn't matter now'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that last season's defeat to Aston Villa is not in his mind ahead of tomorrow's match against the Midlands club at Stamford Bridge.

The last time these two sides met, Fabian Delph scored the only goal in a fiery game at Villa Park, which resulted in Willian and Ramires getting sent off.

Mourinho was also sent to the stands by referee Chris Hoy following an angry confrontation.

"Last season was last season," Mourinho told reporters. "This season is this season. They are second with 10 points. That's the important thing.

"It's a game between the leaders and the [third placed side], the same points as Southampton [in second]. It shows the difficulty of the game. That's the only thing I think about."

The Blues are unbeaten so far in the Premier League this season after four victories and one draw.

Roberto Martinez eyes defensive improvement

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has admitted that his side need to improve defensively if they are to achieve their targets this season.

The Toffees boasted the third best defensive record in the Premier League last season, but they have already shipped 13 goals in the current campaign - more than any other team.

However, Martinez is confident that his players have the quality to rectify the problem going into Saturday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield.

"That's been an area that we've been quite poor and it's something we need to improve. Sometimes you get situations where when you are so good as a team at something that you could take it for granted and then you get a little bit of misfortune in one or two actions early in the season and the ball ends up in the back of the net, and all of a sudden it seems the confidence is not the same and you don't defend with the same intensity," he told reporters.

"You look at the experience we have in the team, we haven't made any major changes in those positions. Now what we want to do is make sure we have more focus, better concentration, better communication and just face that challenge of getting back the standards that we have as a team defensively.

"It's not something that we're aiming for, it's something that we have, and it's a big difference. But clearly conceding the amount of goals we've conceded is not something we want to accept. We'll always approach games to win games but it's important we don't become a team that concedes games cheaply."

Everton are currently 14th in the Premier League table having picked up just one win from their opening five outings.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert wants teen starlet Jack Grealish to snub Chelsea

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has urged young midfielder Jack Grealish to ignore interest from Chelsea and knuckle down at Villa park.

Grealish, 19, has made three Premier League appearances from the Villa bench so far this season, reportedly catching Jose Mourinho's eye, though Lambert sees Villa as the best place for the teenager to progress as a player.

"This is the best place to be because he's getting the chance to get round and about our first team," The Guardian quote Lambert as saying.

"He's playing little bits here and there but he's still far from being an establish player. He's not near the finished article.

"But he's developing, which is great. The way his career is going hopefully something will be done."

Villa are said to be ready to offer Grealish fresh terms and a four-year contract.

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger: 'It's too early to judge Tottenham Hotspur's season'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that he is not reading too much into Tottenham Hotspur's lacklustre period in the Premier League season.

The Gunners' North London rivals have taken just one point out of a possible nine in their last three games following a two-game winning start.

Despite Tottenham's failure to pick up maximum points recently, Wenger believes that manager Mauricio Pochettino will provide stability to the club.

"It's too early to judge a team, but Tottenham will benefit from the stability they will have this season," Wenger said in this morning's press conference.

"I'm always a fan of stability because the manager carries the values of a club better than anyone else."

Arsenal, who will take on Spurs at the Emirates tomorrow, are unbeaten so far in the league this season following two victories and three draws.