Sunday 22 September 2013
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Monday, 11 November 2013
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Success at Arsenal will be 'sweeter' because we don't have a mega-rich owner ... - Telegraph.co.uk
"We believe, and I think our fans believe, that success earned in the way that we're going about it, in a very difficult landscape and a very challenging business, is the sweeter victory.
Arsenal club captain Thomas Vermaelen says he may leave the club in January ... - Telegraph.co.uk
"I'll have to think about that when it's necessary. January is still a few months ahead. Of course, never playing will not be the ideal situation for me to go to the World Cup, that's for sure," he said.
Arsenal poised to loan Lukas Podolski to Schalke - Telegraph.co.uk
The former Bayern Munich forward, who is under contract until 2014, has struggled to break into Arsène Wenger's starting line-up and may be set for a return to the Bundesliga, according to reports in German daily newspaper Bild.
Manchester City's Champions League match will remain at CSKA Moscow's ... - Telegraph.co.uk
Uefa officials inspected the pitch on Thursday evening, but although the surface remains in need of attention, CSKA have been given permission to stage the fixture after being ordered to play last week's Group D home game against Viktoria Plzen in St Petersburg.
Premier League: Arsenal v Tottenham latest score and updates - BBC Sport
Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Rosicky, Cazorla, Giroud. Subs: Sagna, Monreal, Flamini, Fabianski, Sanogo, Gnabry, Zelalem.
Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose, Capoue, Paulinho, Townsend, Dembele, Chadli, Soldado. Subs: Lamela, Holtby, Naughton, Defoe, Sigurdsson, Friedel, Sandro.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Saturday, 9 November 2013
Demba Ba a target for Arsenal after Chelsea say he can leave Stamford Bridge - Telegraph.co.uk
Newcastle can no longer match the player's wage demands as Ba earns around £80,000-a-week at Chelsea, but Arsenal have a budget that could comfortably take on those personal terms and they could even sign the Senegal international on a permanent basis.
Premier Lge: Chelsea-Man City, Spurs-Hull, Swansea-W Ham - BBC Sport
Sunderland: Westwood, Bardsley, O'Shea, Cuellar, Dossena, Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Johnson, Altidore, Fletcher. Subs: Ki, Gardner, Celustka, Giaccherini, Mannone, Roberge, Borini.
Newcastle: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Dummett, Santon, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Ben Arfa, Remy. Subs: Anita, Cisse, Haidara, Elliot, Shola Ameobi, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
Premier Lge: Chelsea-Man City, Spurs-Hull, Swansea-W HamLive - BBC Sport
Sunderland: Westwood, Bardsley, O'Shea, Cuellar, Dossena, Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Johnson, Altidore, Fletcher. Subs: Ki, Gardner, Celustka, Giaccherini, Mannone, Roberge, Borini.
Newcastle: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Dummett, Santon, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Ben Arfa, Remy. Subs: Anita, Cisse, Haidara, Elliot, Shola Ameobi, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
Manchester United v Chelsea as it happened - BBC Sport
Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Cleverley, Carrick, Welbeck, Rooney, van Persie. Subs: Anderson, Giggs, Smalling, Lindegaard, Young, Kagawa, Buttner.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, De Bruyne, Oscar, Hazard, Schurrle. Subs: Essien, Torres, Mikel, Lukaku, Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Mata.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
Friday, 8 November 2013
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea trail Manchester United in quickest player ... - Express.co.uk
Arsenal star Theo Walcott is commonly perceived as being the quickest player in the Premier League.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi are no slouches either.
So you may be surprised as to who the quickest player is on the planet.
According to FIFA, Antonio Valencia can reach a top speed of around 22 mph.
English Premier League preview - BBC Sport
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West Ham United v Manchester City – live - The Guardian
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Rat, Noble, Downing, Diame, Morrison, Vaz Te, Nolan.
Subs: Jarvis, Adrian, Taylor, Joe Cole, Petric, O'Brien, Carlton Cole.
Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Javi Garcia, Nastasic, Clichy, Silva, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri, Negredo, Aguero.
Subs: Zabaleta, Lescott, Milner, Dzeko, Kolarov, Pantilimon, Jovetic.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Newcastle chase Manchester City midfielder Abdisalam Ibrahim - Express.co.uk
The Norwegian's contract with City expires next summer and will either be allowed to leave in January or to let his contract run out due to being well down the pecking order for Manuel Pellegrini.
The likes of Newcastle, Sevilla, Espanyol, Real Betis, Lyon, Lille, Saint-Etienne, Bordeaux, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are all rumoured to be lining up an offer for the midfielder.
Liverpool looking to beat Chelsea to Benfica's Nemanja Matic in January - Express.co.uk
However, reports in Portugal suggest that Liverpool have now entered the race for the 25-year-old.
According to O Jogo, Brendan Rodgers has made Matic's signing a priority in January as he seeks to strengthen his midfield.
Matic was named Portugal's Primeira Liga Player of the Year for his performances last season, after winning the monthly award on three occassions.
Monaco set to pay £42m release clause for Man Utd, Chelsea & City target ... - Express.co.uk
According to Portugese paper Record, Monaco are set to return to Porto after spending £60m to buy Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez over the summer, and will pay the £42m to trigger Mangala's release.
Mangala was born in France but has never played professionally in his home country after starting his career with Standard Liege in Belguim before moving to Porto for £5.5m in 2011.
AC Milan complete deal for Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd target Adil Rami - Daily Star
Valencia were desperate to offload the 27-year-old after he publicly spoke out against the club following the summer sales of Roberto Soldado and Alberto Costa.
Rami, who was a summer target for the Premier League trio, has had his move to the San Siro confirmed by Bronzetti.
"I have just concluded the transfer, so it is complete," he told Radio Kiss Kiss.
Thursday, 7 November 2013
VIDEO: Man Utd experiences helped Carrick replace Chelsea's Lampard for ... - Express.co.uk
Lampard dropped to the bench last night as Roy Hodgson's side overcame Poland at Wembley, with Carrick starting in his place.
And the United pass-master fitted into the Three Lions eleven comfortably, which he contributes to the big games he has played for the Red Devils.
"It's a good feeling, it's what we set off to do and what we expected to achieve," said Carrick.
Chelsea offer former Celtic starlet deal to see off Arsenal, Liverpool, Man ... - Express.co.uk
The highly-rated forward joined Chelsea from Celtic in September 2011 and has gone on to make a good impression at the club, resulting in him being taken on the club's pre-season tour of Asia by Jose Mourinho.
Whilst Feruz is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Blues, the youngster's form in the Next Gen series over the past couple of seasons has attracted interest from across Europe.
Manchester United v Chelsea - ManUtd.com
Manchester United v Chelsea
Old Trafford, KO 20:00 BST
Team line-ups
United: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley; Valencia (Young 66), Rooney, Welbeck (Giggs 79); van Persie.
Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Buttner, Anderson, Kagawa
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Ramires; Oscar; De Bruyne (Torres 60), Hazard (Azpilicueta 93), Schurrle (Mikel 87).
Subs: Schwarzer, Essien, Mata, Lukaku.
Premier League future of football special - BBC Sport
England announce their team for their Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifying match away at San Marino, which begins at 1930 BST.
The England side is: Jack Butland (c), John Stones, Carl Jenkinson, Tom Carroll, Eric Dier, Michael Keane, Tom Ince, James Ward-Prowse, Harry Kane, Ravel Morrison, Raheem Sterling.
Subs: Nathaniel Chalobah, George Long, Jesse Lingard, Nathan Redmond, Wilfried Zaha, Danny Ings, Saido Berahino.
Chelsea's Jose Mourinho still keeping tabs on Benfica's Lazar Markovic after ... - Express.co.uk
The move to Benfica eventually happened, although the exact details of Markovic's transfer remain somewhat murky, and it remains possible that Chelsea have negotiated an arrangement that would see them have first option on the youngster in the future.
Markovic may not have endeared himself to the Chelsea hierarchy, however, with his comments about the failed move, after he told A Bola: "They [Chelsea] didn't sign me. That's their mistake."
Afghanistan prepares for Premier League finals - BBC News
The finals of Afghanistan's Premier League take place on Friday, giving Afghans the chance to cheer on their new heroes.
In the past month, unprecedented success by the national football squad has created rare national pride and a sense of unity.
As their country heads towards presidential elections, Afghans are asking whether this new team spirit can also change the country's divisive politics.
Lyse Doucet reports from Kabul.
Demba Ba's move from Chelsea to Arsenal still on - Daily Star
Ba was on the verge of joining the Gunners on transfer deadline day before the switch fell through.
The Chelsea striker was keen on leaving for the Emirates because he wanted first-team football.
And despite staying, the 28-year-old has played just THREE games since - and he hasn't scored a goal.
It will disappoint the Senegal hitman, who had said: "I wanted to play - and I want to play.
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o claims he could have signed for Arsenal - Express.co.uk
The Cameroon international was looking to leave Real Madrid at the time before he was lured to Mallorca.
Arsene Wenger was believed to be close to signing him, but the Mallorca boss Luis Aragones convinced him to join the La Liga outfit instead.
"I met Luis at a crucial moment in my life where I had to take the right direction - and thanks to him I did," Eto'o told a national paper.
Chelsea and Liverpool join the race for Arsenal and Newcastle target Florian ... - Express.co.uk
According to French newspaper La Voix du Nord, Lille have already rejected a bid from AS Roma for the talented youngster, but Chelsea, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg have all been monitoring the situation closely and have now expressed an interest in the player.
Lille are thought to be particularly unimpressed with the prospect of selling Thauvin to a Ligue 1 rival in Marseille and may welcome overseas interest for a player seemingly determined to leave.
WATCH: The kid star that Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have been ... - Daily Star
A video of this kid in football action has gone viral on Facebook, with nearly 150,000 views and hundreds of comments.
All of them are stunned by the incredible display of ball control, which has prompted some to label him the next Lionel Messi.
And many reckon he should be snapped up by the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea.
What's better, his identity is a mystery. He's only known as Naomii Dolan's brother!
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Chelsea v Man City - SkySports
Barclays Premier League
Stamford Bridge (ATT 41,495) 27th October 2013 - Kick off 16:00 Ref: Howard Webb
Chelsea vs Manchester City 
Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd face obstacle in race to sign Dutch star Wesley ... - Express.co.uk
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has had previous success with the Dutchman during his time at Inter and they were both part of the 2010 side that seized the Champions League title as they recorded a treble.
The former Real Madrid star attracted interest from Arsenal and United in the summer, but neither team tabled a formal offer.
It's safe to say Sneijder hasn't made the impact he was hoping since joining Galatasaray, having only netted on five occasions in 23 appearances.
Chelsea v City live only on Sky Sports - SkySports
GOAL!!! (Torres) Wow, what a finish to this match and it could only be Fernando Torres. It's a real calamity for Nastasic and Hart as Willian sends a hopeful pass up the middle of the pitch. Hart comes out to meet the high ball on the edge of the area but Nastasic attempts a header back towards his own goal, which Torres gleefully accepts by running on and tucking it into the empty net from a tight angle.
Manchester United DID try to snap up Arsenal star Mesut Ozil - Express.co.uk
United were chasing a number of targets on deadline day in the summer window, including Ander Herrera but were foiled.
They ended up getting Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, although had to stump up £27.5million.
United had showed interest in Ozil in the summer, but dithered over lodging a bid for the 24-year-old who joined Arsenal for £42.4m.
The Red Devils have tried to play this down but a source close to the club, said: "United made a call.
Chelsea's Jose Mourinho 'incredulous' at Man Utd choosing Moyes: 'But he's ... - Express.co.uk
Torres writes: "Mourinho, fed by his devoted agent [Jorge Mendes] believed that [Sir Alex] Ferguson, as well as an ally, was his friend and Godfather.
"He was convinced that they enjoyed a friendship of genuine trust. He thought that his fabulous collection of titles, two European Cups, seven League Cups and four in four different countries, constituted an endorsement no other candidate had.
"When he learnt he had chosen Moyes, Mou was incredulous. He screamed: 'But he's won nothing!'"
Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa admits he is frustrated at a lack of playing ... - Telegraph.co.uk
"So it's nice to come back to Japan and get to play, and to score felt good.
"I just have to keep working hard and keep pushing for my chance. When I get back it will be a challenge to get into the team.
"When I get back to my club I have to wait for my chance in the Champions League and the Premier League. I'm sure my chance will come."
(Edited by Ben Bloom)
Arsenal and Man City face battle to sign German international Marco Reus - Daily Star
The Premier League duo are both weighing up a January bid for the 24-year-old, who was a huge hit at the Bundesliga outfit last season scoring 19 times following his move from Borussia Monchengladbach.
However Dortmund CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, is confident the midfielder will not be lured by the offer of a move to the Premier League despite a release clause in his contract.
"Marco feels very comfortable at Dortmund and we feel comfortable with him," Watzke told Sport Bild.
Ray Wilkins is worried about Manchester United but fancies Chelsea strongly ... - Express.co.uk
The Red Devils romped to the title last term, as they finished 11 points clear of neighbours City.
United's title defence has got off to aqn indifferent start under David Moyes, and they missed out on a number of transfer targets.
"David Moyes will do an excellent job, but I fear for Manchester United this season," Wilkins told talkSPORT.
"Fellaini was a very good buy indeed but I think they needed more players, especially on the European front.
Schalke's Julian Draxler reveals reasons for Arsenal and Chelsea snub - Express.co.uk
Draxler is one of Germany's brightest young prospects and was linked with a move to Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid over the summer but reports suggest that concerns about how he would settle in at a new team scuppered any move.
He told FIFA: "The World Cup will take place at the end of the season and it always takes time to settle at a new club. In addition, I feel very good at Schalke, although our early season form has been poor."
Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas warns Arsenal that their season ... - Telegraph.co.uk
"I suppose the fixture list at the moment is in favour of Manchester United as they have played all the big teams so far, apart from us, so that will give them a chance to bounce back, for sure."
Only four points separate the top seven Premier League sides and Villas-Boas insists the league is wide open.
He added: "The league looks extremely open. The team in 14th place has 10 points — only nine fewer than the leaders."
Edited by Ben Bloom
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Barca president Sandro Rosell reveals why Neymar snubbed Chelsea and Man ... - Express.co.uk
Rosell revealed that Neymar's desire to play for Barca, and in particular with Lionel Messi, was decisive in the player making the move to Catalonia.
He told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: "The key was that the player wanted to come to Barcelona.
"It was not about knowing how to negotiate; he wanted to be here next to Messi and the rest of the team.
"Everything was based on that despite offers he had from Man City, Chelsea, Bayern and Real Madrid".
Chelsea and Manchester United target Radamel Falcao considered for Real ... - Express.co.uk
A cluster of top Premier League clubs were in the frame for his signature before he joined Monaco for £50m.
Reports on the continent had suggested that they would offload Falcao, who was at the centre of a supposed tax dispute.
But Real have tracked Falcao for a while despite his previous Atletico ties and president Florentino Perez hasn't ruled out a possible move for the Colombian hitman.
"He won't come in January but in June, who knows?," he told Punto Pelota.
Manchester United handed fourth round home tie with Norwich City following ... - Telegraph.co.uk
Birmingham City, the conquerors of holders Swansea City, will play at St Andrew's again in the last 16, against Mark Hughes's Stoke City. Despite their win on Wednesday night, Birmingham are still considered outsiders to regain the title they won in 2011, with United among the favourites.
VIDEO: Patrick Vieira shares highs and lows of playing for Arsenal and Man City - Express.co.uk
The Frenchman was a major driving force behind Arsenal's success under Arsene Wenger and thrived in the Premier League.
And as the FA celebrates its 150th anniversary, Vieira, who is now Manchester City's reserve team manager, has revealed his highs and lows of playing in the Premier League.
"[My greatest time] was the '98 double with Arsenal," he told the FA.com
"I remember the atmosphere at the stadium at every single game we went to, and the way the home and away fans responded.
Paul Pogba reveals Arsenal & Chelsea interest, claims love for Juve saw him ... - Express.co.uk
And that same affection effectively ruled out any prospect of Pogba leaving the club this summer despite interest from England and elsewhere in Serie A.
He added" "Were there other clubs chasing me? Yes, but I had my mind only on Juventus.
"At the time I heard of interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, and in Italy AC Milan, but there is no one like Juve.
"As for my future? I'm glad to be here. I want to win as many trophies as I can in this shirt."
Jose Mourinho played big role in my decision to choose Chelsea over Spurs ... - Express.co.uk
"I will work with Mourinho who is the best manager and I will grow a lot with him.
"Other clubs were interested, but my intention and dream of playing for Chelsea made the difference. The opportunity to play with Mourinho, the best manager in the world, also made a lot of difference.
"I always dreamed of wearing Chelsea's jersey."
Chelsea's midfield ranks swelled this summer having brought in the likes of Marco van Ginkel, Andre Schurrle and Christian Atsu, who was immediately loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem.
Chelsea scout Porto forward Jackson Martinez & Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz - Express.co.uk
Neither has scored a goal for Chelsea this season, although Ba impressed last time out during their 3-1 win at Norwich.
Fears over a lack of goals from strikers within their squad has caused the West London outfit to monitor Martinez and Yilmaz.
Martinez - a 27-year-old Colombian international also wanted by Liverpool and Tottenham - is a long-term target of Chelsea's but could prove too expensive at around £35million.
Galatasaray's Turkish international Yilmaz would be a cheaper alternative and has been watched by Chelsea scouts, although Arsenal also have the 28-year-old on their radar.
Monday, 4 November 2013
Real Madrid plotting £25m bid for Arsenal and Manchester United target Ilkay ... - Express.co.uk
And, according to Punta Pelota, Real president Florentino Perez is set try and formalise that deal with a bid of up to £25m.
Real have apparently been encouraged by the fact that Gundogan is yet to extend his contract at Dortmund and the fact that Nuri Sahin, currently on loan at the Westfalenstadion, is owned by the Spanish club.
Real sold Mesut Ozil to Arsenal on the final day of the transfer window and could still be in the market for midfield reinforcements, with the future of Sami Khedira still far from certain in Madrid.
Chelsea's Bruce Buck slates Financial Fair Play - Express.co.uk
Speaking at Leaders in Football conference, he said: "The problem we have identified with Financial Fair Play is that it goes a long way to preserving the status quo and one of the great things about football in this country is that if you are in last place in League Two, you can still hope that someday you will win the Premier League. That is now difficult if not impossible due to Financial Fair Play.
"We feel what we have done is that we had a broken finger, so we cut off the arm."
Arsenal v Liverpool – as it happened - The Guardian
Arsenal, who rest Jack Wilshere in the hope his recurring ankle knack improves: Szcz?sny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Rosický, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Özil, Giroud.
Subs: Fabia?ski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Jenkinson, Hayden, Akpom, Bendtner.
Liverpool, who name Jon Flanagan in place of the ailing Glen Johnson: Mignolet, Flanagan, Cissokho, Touré, Škrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Suárez, Sturridge.
Subs: Jones, Coutinho, Moses, Kelly, Allen, Agger, Sterling.
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Diacritical marks: Included here to keep Mesut Özil pedants happy, though we never heard this noise about poor old Tomáš Rosický, it's almost as if some people are just looking for a ruck. Still, there we go. But don't expect them during the match, it's just the way it's got to be I'm afraid, my pals, I've only got the two hands and my brain is not the fastest model either.
Arsenal 2 Liverpool 0: analysing the teams as title contenders or pretenders - Telegraph.co.uk
This may prove to be Arsenal's Achilles' heel unless Arsene Wenger signs a back-up for Olivier Giroud in January. They are heavily reliant on goals from midfield when the Frenchman is not firing, and Nicklas Bendtner is clearly no substitute. Liverpool's famed SAS – Suarez and Sturridge – left their shooting boots behind, though they are usually the best double act in the league. Sturridge was off target too many times, although Suarez showed Arsenal what they are missing.
Strength in depth
Arsenal's bench looked worryingly short on Premier League quality by comparison with Liverpool's, which was packed with exciting young players such as Raheem Sterling and Victor Moses as well as experienced professionals such as Daniel Agger. The likes of Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden may be fine products from the Arsenal academy, but will they be good enough to help the Gunners sustain a title challenge through a long and tiring season?
Overall
Arsenal are in the box seat, five points clear at the top of the table after a convincing win, but the worry for Wenger must be the lack of depth in his squad. They have an abundence of creativity in midfield including the player of the season so far in Aaron Ramsey, a solid and steady backline, and goals from all areas of the pitch. But they don't have the depth of Liverpool, let alone Chelsea or the Manchester clubs. Liverpool lost because they defended poorly and their usually reliable forward line let them down, and they cannot afford too many more off-days if they are to be considered genuine contenders.
Conclusion
Arsenal clearly ahead of Liverpool as title contenders.
PAPER ROUND-UP: Mou's 11 mistakes, Arsenal pass Reds test & Utd battle City ... - Express.co.uk
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: England opened their QBE Internationals campaign with a hard-fought 20-13 victory over Australia at Twickenham yesterday, though Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie was left fuming after a mistake by the touch judge led indirectly to the hosts game-changing opening try. Also: Andy Murray has revealed that the fear of being branded "unpatriotic" led him to risk his vulnerable back during the Davis Cup tie in Croatia in September - and thus move further down the road to surgery.
THE OBSERVER: The 2003 World Cup-winning squad's lap of honour at half-time inspired England to come back and beat Australia to extend their winning run here to five matches, a feat last achieved in those heady days 10 years ago. Also: Jose Mourinho claimed to have "made 11 mistakes" when it came to team selection after Newcastle ended his Chelsea side's nine-game unbeaten run.
THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: Chris Robshaw and Owen Farrell each scored their first tries for their country as England kicked off their autumn international programme with a 20-13 win over Australia at Twickenham. Also: First the early-season surge. Yesterday came the landmark victory over one of the early title contenders. Arsene Wenger has been told in recent weeks that his Arsenal side must prove themselves against the Premier League's form teams and, at the moment, one can ask for little more than a victory over the swashbucklers of Liverpool.
THE SUNDAY TIMES: Long after the end, Coldplay's Paradise blasted out across Twickenham as they presented a non-trophy to mark England's successful start to the autumn campaign. Also: November was supposed to be the start of a six-week period that tested Arsenal's credentials as possible Premier League champions.
Arsène Wenger senses more Arsenal momentum after win over Liverpool - The Guardian
It was not the most articulate line to have left the lips of Arsène Wenger yet it captured perfectly the sense of cautious optimism that has built around his Arsenal team. "It's a kind of … people start to say … 'Oh maybe'," the manager said.
Maybe Arsenal can win the Premier League. The very notion would have met with derision after the opening day home defeat to Aston Villa and the vehement backlash that rocked the club. But there they were on Saturday, composed, aggressive and incisive, deservedly beating an in-form Liverpool to establish a five-point lead at the top of the table.
"After the Aston Villa game, if I had told you we would have been five points clear in November, I would have had to run away because you would have killed me," Wenger said.
The pundits still say no. Arsenal have yet to face either Manchester club or Chelsea, they say. It remains too early to pass a definitive judgment while Arsenal's frailties of seasons gone by make it a risky business to tip them.
The last time that they sat five points clear at the top was in February 2008. Then came the infamous 2-2 draw at Birmingham City, which was scarred by Eduardo da Silva's leg break and William Gallas's meltdown and the club lost their bearings. It was not an isolated wobble. Recent history says that Arsenal will falter.
And yet momentum is growing, along with dressing-room belief. You will not hear any player make a bold statement about how they might win the title; no one wants to jinx it. But, privately, they know that they have a wonderful chance. The Manchester clubs and Chelsea are under new management and, as such, in transition. The league is tantalisingly open. But Arsenal are stable and they have been excellent from the final two months of last season onwards.
"We have more belief [this season] and we are starting to create a bit of fear in the opposition, and that gives us a better chance to win the games," Mikel Arteta said. "When you are on a good run and the confidence level is high, it makes everything much easier."
"In the last few seasons," Bacary Sagna said, "we were responding technically but when we had to go to tough, physical games, sometimes we were not responding. Now, we are more confident with the arrival of [Mesut] Özil and [Mathieu] Flamini. Özil has made us even better technically while with Flamini, we get the confidence of the physical challenge. The team is more together as a group and we can respond to every aspect of the game."
Flamini did not play against Liverpool because of a groin injury but it did not matter. Arteta was superb in front of the back four while Aaron Ramsey drove forward, prompted and killed the game with his long-range pot-shot. It was his 10th goal of the season for Arsenal; he had previously scored 11 in his five seasons at the club. Ramsey's improvement during this calendar year has been startling and it has helped to soften the blow of Jack Wilshere's continuing battle for fitness.
Arsenal's options in midfield provide the greatest reason for optimism and it was in that department that they won this game to make their loudest statement of the season. Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, started with three central defenders and two wing-backs, and he saw Arsenal take charge upon Santi Cazorla's goal. The visitors struggled to suppress Arsenal's runners from midfield.
Rodgers switched to 4-2-3-1 in the second-half, with the substitute Philippe Coutinho looking sharp at left midfield upon his return from injury. Luis Suárez bristled with menace throughout. But the frustration for Liverpool went deeper than the referee Martin Atkinson's decision to pull back Suárez's quick free-kick on 26 minutes, which led to Jordan Henderson putting the ball in the net.
They did not do enough offensively until after Ramsey's goal while Steven Gerrard could not exert his influence. Rodgers said afterwards that the captain "took a knock towards the end with his hip".
Liverpool intend to respond at home to Fulham on Saturday while for Arsenal there are the away games against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday and Manchester United in the league on Sunday. Dortmund hammered Stuttgart 6-1 on Friday night. "I wanted something more testing for them," Wenger said. "Unfortunately, they had a good friendly." Arsenal's defining period has begun well.
Man of the match: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Dunn: Arsenal won't win title - SkySports
Andy Dunn was adamant that Arsenal will not win the Premier League this season with their current squad as the Sunday Supplement guests debated the Gunners' title credentials after their win over Liverpool.
Arsene Wenger's team are now five points clear at the top of the Premier League after Saturday's 2-0 victory over third-placed Liverpool and are now being touted as potential title contenders.
However, The Mirror's Dunn believes the lack of depth within their squad, especially up front, could scupper their title hopes. He pointed to the team fielded by Wenger in their Capital One Cup defeat to Chelsea last week as evidence of a lack of quality beyond their first-choice line-up.
"This Arsenal squad, I don't think, can win the Premier League, not in its current form," he told Sunday Supplement.
"I don't think that it is strong enough; I don't think it is deep enough. If you look at the bench yesterday then there were a couple of players there that only Arsenal fans would recognise in terms of names.
"You only have to look at the Capital One Cup game, to me, to see that they are not going to win the Premier League. They have not got the options up front and I think that will cost them."
However, The Telegraph's Henry Winter, who hailed the impact of Mesut Ozil on the club and the form of Aaron Ramsey, strongly disagreed with Dunn. He insisted that the qualify and confidence at the club, along with the obvious travails of all their title rivals, mean they could win their first Premier League title since 2004 .
Quality
In riposte to Dunn, he asked: "In terms of your argument that they can't win the title, how can you say that now? How can you say that with the way they are playing and the confidence in that place, and the fact that it [the title] is so open?
"Okay we will expect the big guns from Manchester to start coming into range again and they will fly up the table and I take your point about the squad, but Arsenal in the past have won a title with 13 players.
"Okay it is a different modern Premier League era now but... there is nothing to stop this Arsenal team as it stands and with the confidence and the talent they have got in their first XI from winning the title."
To which Dunn responded: "Okay, I will slightly rephrase it. I'm not saying they can't, I am saying they won't."
Favourites
Winter had earlier begun his case by highlighting the openness of the title race and by suggesting that Arsenal's current lead at the top now makes them favourites.
"This is the most open title race for years," he said. "Manchester United are coming back strong again; Manchester City you saw yesterday; Chelsea had a blip and everybody will probably say they are in crisis now but they have actually had a really good three or four weeks and have an outstanding manager as well.
"Liverpool have been outstanding with Sturridge and Suarez. So anyone can win this title. You can make a legitimate case why anyone of five or six teams could win it. Arsenal are five points clear and really should be favourites now."
Sunday, 3 November 2013
Arsenal: Premier League's top side answer their critics in style - BBC Sport
Arsene Wenger will face the same questions until the day he can hold up a trophy in front of his inquisitors and remove the 2005 FA Cup triumph as the last entry in his and Arsenal's list of honours.
Wenger knows there are still doubts about his team's resilience and staying power - but he can deliver the answers with increasing confidence after a 2-0 win against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Saturday that left Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Wenger buoyed by 'convincing' display
After a victory that not only dented Liverpool's impressive start to the season, but also eased any worries after respective home defeats in the Champions League and Capital One Cup by Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, what were the key points Wenger had to make?
"It was vital to win because had we not won people would say Arsenal cannot win the big games at home."
Wenger knows what Arsenal's detractors say about his players - and he has always been a passionate advocate of not only his team's natural gifts, but also their inner strength and belief, even when the evidence suggests the contrary.
And his statement after this fine win, when many were suggesting Liverpool were in the sort of form to provide a tipping point after those losses to Dortmund and Chelsea, suggests he knew what the reaction would be had Arsenal not taken the three points.
Knives would not have been out but there would have been knowing glances, suggestions that the excellent form after that opening day defeat to Aston Villa was merely a false dawn before the fade.
Instead, led by inspirational captain Mikel Arteta, Arsenal delivered a display that supported Wenger's insistence that they would bounce back after the Chelsea loss - while perhaps putting Liverpool's own ambitions this season into some perspective.
Arsenal were never going to shackle a striker of Luis Suarez's ability completely, but Wenger was right to suggest his defence did a fine job on the Uruguayan and his previously prolific partner Daniel Sturridge.
Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny did everything that was asked of them. Another test awaits next weekend when they face Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie at Old Trafford but they can draw belief from this.
In midfield there was much creation to admire from Mesut Ozil but the goals came from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, showing that an end product can come from elsewhere even when Olivier Giroud, whose touch has been so sure this season, does not hit the target.
"Five points clear is positive and nice but it is very early in the season."
It may be something of a distant memory but Wenger will well remember what it takes to win a Premier League - and how not too many conclusions can be drawn early in the season.
There can no question, however, that Arsenal's mood - and that of their supporters - will have been lifted greatly by events on Saturday.
Table correct as of 07:00 GMT Sunday 3 November
Chelsea started the day hoping to put pressure on Arsenal but slipped surprisingly at Newcastle United in the early kick-off. The Gunners followed that defeat with a powerful statement of their own.
Wenger will know more after the trip to Old Trafford next Sunday but they will go there in a rare position of strength against a Manchester United side still in the process of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and getting to know his successor David Moyes.
There have been some grim moments for Wenger at the hands of United in recent years but he may just sense this could be the time to make a psychological point if Arsenal can keep their belief.
So there are more questions.
Can Arsenal win the Premier League? Of course they can.
Will Arsenal win the Premier League? Perhaps not but five points clear as the season edges into November is a position worth being in.
And this has been a strange season so far. Chelsea looked to be gathering momentum then lost on Tyneside. Manchester City have been fragile away from home. Manchester United are not yet at their best.
Arsenal have been the best team in the Premier League so far this season and in their two sternest tests, at home to Spurs and Liverpool, they have collected six points without conceding a goal.
"Is Aaron Ramsey the new Cesc Fabregas? No. They're completely different types of players but Aaron is playing very well."
The question was put to Wenger after the comparison was made following Ramsey's performance in the win against Liverpool, decorated by another magnificent goal, sent high past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet on the hour to put Arsenal on their way to three points.
Ramsey revival
Aaron Ramsey has five goals and three assists in his last six Premier League appearances.
Source: Opta
There is no need to compare the Wales midfield man with anyone this season. He is very much his own man, maturing fully after carefully piecing his career together and fulfilling his promise after the broken leg sustained against Stoke City in February 2010.
It was perfectly understandable that such a trauma would halt Ramsey's progress, albeit temporarily, but Wenger is now in possession of the player he felt he would eventually get when he signed him as a 17-year-old for £5m from Cardiff City in June 2008.
This was his 10th goal of the season, another testimony to his confidence and technique, qualities that have made him an integral part of Arsenal's move to the top of the table. He has eclipsed Jack Wilshere this season and sits comfortably alongside more experienced players such as Ozil, Cazorla, Arteta and Tomas Rosicky.
Ramsey has worked tirelessly to reach these levels - and looks like a player determined to make the most of this golden run.
"People have been sceptical about us so far this season but this will increase our confidence and get the fans right behind us."
Arsenal's fans are a very tough audience. Frustration has grown throughout the barren years and the loss to Aston Villa on the first day of the season looked like it could be the catalyst for revolt.
The £42.4m signing of Mesut Ozil excited fans
Good results and the arrival of Ozil changed the mood at the club and while the anxiety has not totally disappeared, the atmosphere inside the Emirates this season, since the Villa game, has been one of support. Arsenal were applauded off despite the defeat to Dortmund in the Champions League.
Arsenal's players and fans are enjoying each other's company once more. And, so far as Wenger is concerned certainly, long may it continue.
"We live in a world where we have to be questioned, where you are questioned, and the only response you can give is on the football pitch. That is part of our job."
Questions. Questions. Wenger is worldly wise enough to know that Arsenal will come under greater scrutiny now come what may.
If they continue to top the table they will be asked if it can last. If they slip up they will be asked whether the season will fade away into another unfulfilled one.
The Wenger we are seeing this season looks refreshed. The form of his team from well into last season and continuing into this appears to have had a rejuvenating impact on the 64-year-old French manager.
And his mood of well-being was surely helped by the landmark £42.4m signing of Ozil from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day.
The German has provided the link and quality that can not only hurt opponents but also inspire his team-mates.
Manchester United moved swiftly to deny they were interested in Ozil as Arsenal prepared their deal - Wenger will hope he will leave Old Trafford next Sunday having shown the reigning champions that maybe they should have been.
Arsène Wenger's delight at 'consistent and convincing' Arsenal - The Guardian
Arsène Wenger praised his Arsenal players for proving they can win key contests against fellow challengers for honours after Liverpool were dismissed 2-0 to hoist the Londoners five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal, who have doubts over the availability of both Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs for Wednesday's Champions League group game at Borussia Dortmund, saw his team recover from successive home defeats in cup competitions to move clearer at the summit of the division. Those losses to Borussia and Chelsea had prompted scepticism over the side's staying power – with this came a statement of intent with the return in Germany and then a trip to Manchester United next Sunday.
"We needed to respond today because that Chelsea game, while not as important as this match, was still a disappointment so we had to convince people we can win these big games," said Wenger. "To win it in such a convincing way was even more important. I'm always confident but of course it's a long way to go. Had we not won, people would have said Arsenal cannot win big games at home. But we did it in a convincing way, so it's a vital win at the start of an important week for the team and the club, and no one would dispute we deserved to win.
"We had a good solidarity, a good focus, and I believe we have plenty of other big games coming up and we can do well in them. This is an unpredictable division this year. Who would have said that Chelsea would lose to Newcastle today after the way they played on Tuesday night? That's the Premier League. It'll come down to consistency and, since 1 January 2013, we've had the same group and shown that consistency. Since our massive blip against Aston Villa[a 3-1 home defeat on the opening day], we've been consistent, and 25 from 10 games is a respectable number of points."
Wilshere was absent here with an inflamed ankle, with his fitness to be monitored before the midweek trip to the Ruhr Valley. Gibbs suffered a calf problem late in the match, and will also need to be scanned, but had played his part in a fine team display capped by Aaron Ramsey's wonderful goal. "You cannot single anyone out today," added Wenger. "Our defensive performance was outstanding and kept Sturridge, Suárez, Gerrard, Coutinho and Moses quiet, so our defenders deserve a lot of credit.
"The players know each other better and have improved individually and collectively, and, tactically, we dealt well with what Liverpool offered and stopped them from playing. We are overall defensively a better team these days. But now we go game to game. Dortmund is another big match where we need, absolutely, a result. But this win puts us mentally in better condition. We live in a world where you are constantly questioned, and the only response you can give is on the football pitch. That's what we have done."
José Mourinho condemns Chelsea's 'really bad performance' at Newcastle - The Guardian
José Mourinho claimed to have "made 11 mistakes" when it came to team selection after Newcastle United ended his Chelsea side's nine-game unbeaten run. The Portuguese has never won a Premier League game at St James' Park and second-half goals from Yoan Gouffran and Loïc Rémy on Tyneside ensured that this sequence continued with a 2-0 defeat.
After the match Mourinho did not hold back in criticising his side. "The result is a consequence of one team that was not there," the Chelsea manager said. "I feel I made 11 mistakes. Of course I'm exaggerating, we had some guys with normal good performances but the overall feeling is I made 11 bad choices. It was a really bad performance from us. In the first 45 minutes we played as if it was a friendly.
"Everything was lacking. We had lots of space in the first half, it was an easy half to play but we didn't play. We had the ball and space but we weren't aggressive. We lost the ball during very simple transitions and were not intense. We deserved to lose.
"We had space to play in between the lines and could have hurt our opponents but we touched the ball side to side rather than playing it forward. We were slow with no sharpness. We had a good reaction when they scored but it was too late."
Struggling to contain his anger, Mourinho was left to reflect on his struggles by the Tyne. "I've never won here in the league but it's a difficult place," he said. "The crowd is fantastic and you have to come with a certain mentality if you want to win here."
"We had a couple of good chances to equalise but Newcastle were more in the game than us, they fought more, were much more committed. They did much to win and for sure they were the best team on the pitch. I told my team at half-time that I've been in the game for many, many years and I was smelling what was happening. I didn't like my team today. I'm disappointed."
In contrast Alan Pardew was so overjoyed that he dedicated the victory to Mike Ashley. Considering Newcastle's owner has harshly banned three local newspapers that will not play well with many fans but few would begrudge the Newcastle manager's delight at his side's first home league win for two months, especially after the disappointment of last Sunday's defeat at Sunderland. "We were a bit conservative at first," Pardew said. "But we knew we could put them under pressure in the second half, we did and it worked."
When Yohan Cabaye's free-kick was headed home by Gouffran a watershed was reached. "Yohan executed it on the money and Gouff connected brilliantly," Pardew said. "I felt confident we could win from that point. We've been playing well lately but we got the break today. We've got quality and if we keep this work rate up we've got a chance of having a good season."
Premier League: Newcastle beat Chelsea 2-0 at St James' Park - SkySports
Newcastle United produced an impressive second-half performance to beat Chelsea 2-0 at St James' Park to record a first home Premier League win in two months.
Jose Mourinho's side headed to the north east on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but were undone by goals from Yoan Gouffran and Loic Remy.
Chelsea had made the brighter start to the game and struck the crossbar twice in the 13th minute through captain John Terry and fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic following a Juan Mata corner.
Terry saw another header cleared off the line by Davide Santon, while Newcastle could only muster shots from Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko which drew comfortable saves from Petr Cech.
But Newcastle were much improved after half-time and, after Cech had saved from Sissoko and Gouffran, the hosts took the lead on 68 minutes.
Cabaye curled in a brilliant free-kick from deep and Gouffran had been left unmarked to head beyond an exposed Cech.
The visitors came close to equalising 10 minutes from time when Willian's shot was pushed out by Tim Krul and fellow substitute Samuel Eto'o's follow-up was blocked by Mathieu Debuchy.
Newcastle then wrapped up the points a minute from time when Vurnon Anita's low pass teed up Remy to flash a left-footed shot in off the post to leave Mourinho still waiting for his first Premier League win at St James' Park.
On a miserably cold and wet Tyneside afternoon, the fare on offer initially did little to lift the mood as an attritional game unfolded.
Chelsea started confidently and pinned their hosts back for long periods with Eden Hazard leading the home defence a merry dance.
The inability of Alan Pardew's men to retain possession for anything other than a few seconds left them constantly under pressure with Hazard and Oscar capitalising on their profligacy.
They had to ride their luck at times with the crossbar coming to Krul's rescue twice within seconds in the 13th minute, when Terry climbed highest to head Mata's corner against the woodwork before Ivanovic's deflected follow-up was repelled in similar fashion.
But, for all their pressure, the visitors were unable to test Krul further and, as they gradually found their feet, the Magpies began to compete.
And, as they grew in confidence, both Cabaye and Sissoko tested Cech after more enterprising build-up play.
Newcastle resumed on the front foot after half-time and attempted to attack Chelsea, although their wastefulness in possession continued to court disaster.
But it was the Magpies who went close to the opening goal twice within seconds when Cech made a fine save from Sissoko's skidding 60th-minute effort after he had been played in by Debuchy and Remy volleyed straight at the keeper from Ameobi's knock-down.
Buoyed by the growing momentum, Pardew sent on Papiss Cisse for Ameobi as Willian and Eto'o replaced Oscar and Fernando Torres, but it was Gouffran who tested Cech at the foot of his near post after cutting inside Ivanovic with 25 minutes remaining.
But the Frenchman was not to be denied and he got his reward three minutes later in spectacular style.
Cabaye's curling free-kick caused all kinds of problems for the Chelsea defence and Gouffran read it perfectly to dive and power a header past Cech.
Mourinho swiftly replaced Frank Lampard with Andre Schurrle, but the home side might have increased their lead with 72 minutes gone when Sissoko and Remy carved a path through the blue shirts before the latter saw his shot blocked by the sliding Terry.
However, Krul had to be at his best 10 minutes from time to beat away Willian's snapshot with an instinctive save, and Debuchy was on hand to block Eto'o's follow-up to ensure the points remained on Tyneside.
Hazard fired inches wide with four minutes remaining, but Remy made sure at the death when he thumped Anita's pull-back past the helpless Cech.
Arsenal celebrate as Aaron Ramsey's goal clinched a 2-0 win over Liverpool - SkySports
Arsenal celebrate as Aaron Ramsey's goal clinched a 2-0 win over Liverpool
Arsenal opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League thanks to an impressive 2-0 win over Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
Santi Cazorla broke the deadlock for the Gunners with a fine volley in the 19th minute after his initial header had hit the post.
Aaron Ramsey then continued his superb form with a stunning strike from outside the area just before the hour mark and Liverpool could not find a response.
Arsenal, without midfielder Jack Wilshere who had been troubled by an ankle problem, created the first opening on six minutes when Tomas Rosicky was played into the right side of the penalty area and his low shot across goal was pushed behind by Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool, though, were soon on the offensive as Jordan Henderson waltzed all the way into the Arsenal penalty area, before scuffing his shot.
The visitors then settled into a good spell of possession, as Arsenal chased shadows.
Arsenal, though, swept into the lead on 19 minutes. A quick break down the right found Bacary Sagna on the overlap. His cross was behind Olivier Giroud, but fell perfectly for Cazorla on the penalty spot.
The Spaniard's bullet header beat Mignolet, but cannoned back off the post. Cazorla, though, was first to the rebound ahead of a static Martin Skrtel and lashed a fine half-volley back past the goalkeeper.
Liverpool were understandably rattled after being so dominant - and were left further aggrieved when Suarez took a quick free-kick after being pushed over by Sagna, which released Daniel Sturridge who crossed for Henderson to tap into the net - only for referee Martin Atkinson to pull play back and book the Arsenal defender.
Arsenal pressed again as Ramsey got into the left side of the penalty area and his low shot was palmed away by Mignolet at the near post.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers made a positive change for the second half as Aly Cissokho was replaced by midfielder Phillippe Coutinho.
Suarez was released into the right side of the Arsenal box, but could only chip the ball across goal.
Liverpool broke quickly down the left through Suarez, only for his deep cross to be blasted over at the far post by Henderson.
Convincing win pleases Wenger
There was a huge let-off for the visitors when a loose back-pass from former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure was seized on by Giroud, who charged into the penalty area but chipped his shot wide.
Giroud then just could not get on the end of a quick counter attack from Rosicky and Cazorla down the left.
It was, though, 2-0 on 59 minutes as Ramsey cracked home another goal of the highest order.
There seemed little danger when Mesut Ozil fed the Wales midfielder in a central position, some 20 yards out.
However, as Toure backed off, Ramsey waited for the bouncing ball to sit up before dispatching a dipping volley over Mignolet and into the back of the net.
Rodgers - Best team won
Rodgers decided to make another attacking change as he sent on Victor Moses for Jon Flanagan.
Suarez shaved the far post from a curling effort with the outside of his right boot as the Reds looked for a way back into the match.
Mignolet saved low at his near post to deny Ozil after the German weaved into the left side of the Liverpool box.
Kieran Gibbs hobbled off after a burst down the left flank, and had to be replaced by club captain Thomas Vermaelen.
Arsenal were pressed back during the final 10 minutes, with Suarez dragging a shot wide when clean in on goal - but the hosts had already done enough to record the most impressive of their eight Premier League wins so far.
Chelsea's winning run fuelled by 'collective soul', says José Mourinho - The Guardian
José Mourinho says Chelsea's "collective soul" is fuelling their drive for success and defying their rivals who hoped for disintegration at Stamford Bridge.
One of the biggest challenges facing the manager when he returned to the club in the summer was to ensure that the size of Chelsea's squad and the characters within it did not lead to disharmony – the signs so far suggest that he is achieving that despite early setbacks and controversial decisions.
Consecutive defeats to Everton and Basel in September tested unity at the club, and some of Mourinho's choices have been widely criticised – such as regularly omitting Juan Mata and letting Romelu Lukaku leave on loan – but Chelsea go into Saturday's match at Newcastle United on the back of six successive wins in all competitions that have suppressed grumbles.
That, declares Mourinho, is because players who might have been expected to sulk or agitate after being left out of the starting lineup have instead concentrated on delivering match-winning performances when eventually called upon, as evidenced by Wednesday's comprehensive Capital One Cup victory at Arsenal by a side made up mostly of players who have featured only infrequently this season.
"I think a big team has, as we say in Portuguese, a 'state of soul,'" said Mourinho. "At the moment my players have this collective soul. A good squad with good people and we try our best in every match.
"[A collective soul] is the ambition to do well for the team. It's what [Samuel] Eto'o did against Manchester City, coming in for 10 minutes. It was what Demba [Ba] did at Arsenal, coming in for the last 10 minutes … it's what they are all doing. The team is more important than the individual. [It's saying:] 'I have my individual ambitions and targets and I want to go to the World Cup and play every game and be in the first team for every match, but the team is more important than me. When I'm not playing, I'm supporting my mates. When somebody makes a mistake, I'm there to try to correct his mistake.'"
That unity is a quality that Mourinho failed to inspire at his last post, as divisions in the Real Madrid dressing room ultimately led to his departure, but, as it happens, the most prominent exponents of it at Chelsea are Spaniards. Mata, the club's player of the season for the last two years, has responded positively to his manager's demand for improvement and declared this week, after a splendid display against Arsenal, that he is happy to stay at the club and fight to regain a regular starting place; and Fernando Torres, for so long a forlorn figure at Stamford Bridge, has appeared revitalised in recent weeks. Mourinho says the striker's resurgence is a reward for his exemplary attitude. It is a revival that has amazed many Chelsea watchers but not Mourinho, who says he was told to expect that he and Torres would thrive together.
"[Torres] is close to one of my players at Madrid, Alvaro Arbeloa," Mourinho said. "During the holidays Arbeloa was always telling me that [Torres] is a fantastic professional. He told me: 'You will be able to get the best out of him because you have some common principles: team ethic and work.' Arbeloa knows him very well from Liverpool and the national team. He told me: 'You will have a good surprise with the person and his principles.' We want to win, we want to work for the team, the team is more important for us. The working period is a sacred period for us. So he has made himself better ... the same way he was being criticised for so long, now you must give him the credit for doing things by himself."
Saturday, 2 November 2013
Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 0: match report - Telegraph.co.uk
"I didn't like my team today. I made 11 mistakes in picking the team. That is how I feel at the moment. Of course this is an exaggeration, we had some players who had normal performances, but I feel as though I made a mistake."
Chelsea deserved to lose. They may have had some good chances to score both before Yoan Gouffran gave Newcastle United the lead and after, but the home side sat back in the first half and allowed them to play.
In the second, when Alan Pardew's men threw off the defensive shackles and had the ambition to take the game to the opposition, Chelsea buckled in a manner that causes serious questions to be asked in Mourinho's first year back as manager.
In turn, this was not so much a victory for Newcastle United as a tonic for so many ills that have gradually weakened this proud club at the heart of a football mad city.
Having lost the derby at Sunderland last Sunday and been knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Manchester City in midweek, this was a timely reminder that for all of the animosity towards Newcastle's owner Mike Ashley, manager Alan Pardew does have a side who are capable of beating the best when they get it right.
It was a win that, for the time being at least, has given supporters depressed by Ashley's handling of their club, enormous pride in those who represent them in black and white stripes.
"Some game plans in football don't always come to light but we started conservatively as if you go chasing the ball from the start against Chelsea they stamp their authority," explained Pardew.
"We put the back four under pressure in the second half and we cranked it up as the game wore on.
"I think we should really have three more points than we've got, but when we show that sort of work rate, we have quality players here who can win games. If we carry on playing like this, we're going to have a good season.
"We've got good spirit and togetherness and we have some good players. You can't have anyone drifting around, you have to have everyone working hard and we got that I said I thought we were playing well and should have won at Sunderland and could have beaten Manchester City, but you need a break in games and we got that today. We had just got the crowd going and we scored at the perfect time."
Both sides were nullified as an attacking force in the first half, Chelsea's best chances coming from a corner, while Newcastle tried their best to pounce on the counter-attack but rarely got anywhere near Chelsea's goal.
John Terry came closest to opening the scoring, heading powerfully against the crossbar from a Juan Mata corner. Newcastle did not clear the danger and Branislav Ivanovic hooked the ball back on to the roof of the bar with the help of a deflection off Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Chelsea felt as though they should have been awarded a penalty when Mata tripped over the leg of the hugely impressive Mathieu Debuchy. Sometimes they are given, sometimes they are not.
The game ignited at the start of the second half and it was Newcastle who had the flame in their hand. Shola Ameobi had forced his way through the middle of the Chelsea defence but shot tamely.
Debuchy then robbed Eden Hazard just inside the Chelsea half and threaded a through ball for Moussa Sissoko who only had Loïc Rémy for support so decided to shoot, but Petr Cech made a sharp save.
St James' Park found its voice, Newcastle rediscovered their mojo. Ameobi headed back across goal for Rémy, who should have scored, but fired too close to Cech.
Gouffran, cut inside Ivanovic and the Chelsea goalkeeper made another important save.
The momentum was black and white and when Ashley Cole fouled Sissoko, Yohan Cabaye's delivery was sublime, the ball landing on the head of Gouffran after Frank Lampard had misjudged its flight.
Newcastle had the lead and clung on to it. Tim Krul made one important save to keep out substitute Willian and Debuchy got an equally important block in on Samuel Eto'o.
With five minutes remaining, Hazard had a wonderful chance to equalise, but dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Rémy showed him how it should be done, taking advantage of some brilliant work by Vurnon Anita, who skipped past a defender and picked him out perfectly.
The striker, on loan from QPR, scored his sixth goal of the season via the inside of the post and celebrated by kissing a small boy on the top of his head in the crowd.
They may have been soaked to the skin by incessant rain, but this was a day that gave Newcastle supporters a reason to feel warm inside again.
Newcastle United v Chelsea: live - Telegraph.co.uk
Moments before Yoann Cabaye produced the free kick for Newcastle's opener, the midfielder had been speaking to his manager. What did he say?
"I just said to whip it on the back of 'em, because he's got such a fantastic shape on him, the cross that he hits. It changed the game and got us a reward. We'd exerted so much energy in midweek we decided to be very cautious in the start. We knew in the second half with three subs we could exert more pressure."
14.46 The turning point in that second half seemed to come on the hour mark, when Luiz's nervy waft at the ball allowed Ameobi to break through for Newcastle's first attack of note. Would things have been different had Gary Cahill been on the pitch?
14.40 One of the things Pardew said before the game was that he thought substitutions would be crucial. How right he was: both goals were scored by starters, but their killer second was created after some excellent interplay between two subs, Anita and Obertan (who admittedly failed to do anything else useful in his time on the pitch). Tactically it was an extremely impressive win from Newcastle, who sat tight for an hour or so before bursting into life when the game began to open up in the second half.
14.37 I'll stick around for a few minutes to see if Alan Pardew tries his hand at a Jose-style obnoxious celebration. In the meantime, Alan Tyers has got the Premier League clockwatch up and running for the 3pm games. They don't feature Joe Hart.
90 min+5 Luiz produces an impressive cross from very deep on the right and Chelsea win a corner... But Newcastle see it off and that's the last action of the game. What a performance from Newcastle.
90 min+3 A Chelsea move breaks down when Oscar tries to be a bit too clever with a reverse pass, and Newcastle break before being pulled up for a foul.
90 min+2 Two shots from the edge of the box from Samuel Eto'o, two practically suicidal blocks from Yanga-Mbiwa, who I unwisely dissed in the first half.
90 min+1 But there'll be five minutes added on. Newcastle break again, but Obertan can't keep control of his emotions. He loses control of the ball and Chelsea regroup.
86 min Ramires' cross falls between Hazard and Schurrle on the left-hand corner of the area. Hazard takes control and tries to guide the ball inside the far post with the outside of his boot, only to watch his effort skid narrowly wide.
85 min Obertan replaces Gouffran. Sissoko swings in a dangerous cross from the right after a nice shouldered knock-down from Cisse, but Remy's header flies over the bar.
82 min Chelsea are playing with a line of four or five forwards now, but this isn't going to be easy for them. They are rebuffed by two ranks of black and white shirts and after some directionless passing the ball has to be recycled back to Hazard in an innocuous position on the left. He picks out Oscar on the opposite flank, but he too is in an innocuous position.
80 min Schurrle wins a header but directs it wide. Newcastle are starting to creak. If they were a submarine, water would be spurting in alarmingly between groaning rivets. 10 minutes or so before they reach the surface. Will the air hold out? End of metaphor.
79 min That's the best chance Chelsea have produced yet - the ball's pulled back to Willian on the edge of the box, who tries a guileful curler which Krul instinctively palms back out into danger. Eto'o's follow-up effort is blocked superbly by Mathieu Debuchy.
77 min Chelsea push forward but still can't prise Newcastle apart. A series of balls-in cleared by Newcastle. "Pardew would win by a mile," offers William Hargreaves. "I reckon Mourinho would cave in, either that or get really nasty when things started to slip – take Pardew's jewels in his fist, kind of thing. But the fight is unlikely to start, probably, until the end, anyway." That's enough about Pardew's jewels, William.
75 min Luiz goes into the book for a late, unnecessary shove on Remy. Willian tries to feed the ball through for Oscar, quiet so far, who's darting to the byline. Too much on the pass.
73 min Ivanovic pulls a low cross back for Eto'o, whose first touch brings the ball under control. He pulls the trigger but his shot flies into the prone Yanga-Mbiwa. Chelsea howl for a penalty - they think it struck the defender's hand. Would've been harsh.
71 min This is beautiful from Newcastle. Sissoko surges past Ivanovic on the right, finds Remy inside him, and Remy skips away from a succession of challenges, looking certain to lose the ball at every moment. A one-two with Sissoko sends him clear; he's denied by a last-ditch block from John Terry.
70 min Mourinho, who's never won at this ground in the lead, brings on Schurrle for Lampard. Let's see how this Chelsea copes in adversity.
65 min Gouffran steps infield from the left, leaving Ivanovic flat-footed, and his low drive draws a good save from Cech - much the busier of the two keepers despite Chelsea's superiority for much of the game - at the near post.
64 min Eto'o steps over a low pass from Luiz after a driving run from the Brazilian. Nobody's behind him to benefit from this attempted trickery.
63 min Torres comes off for Eto'o, Ameobi for Cisse, Mata for Willian.
61 min More chances for Newcastle and suddenly St James' Park is rocking. First an excellent pass from Debuchy sends Sissoko free down the right. He shoots from close range at a right angle; Cech needs great reflexes to deflect the ball wide. Remy comes close with a volley from close range after Ameobi's knock-down, then he has another crack from distance moments later.
59 min Shola Ameobi is suddenly through after Luiz and Lampard couldn't decide who was going to clear up a loose ball. Luiz wafted a foot at it and suddenly Ameobi's got a clear path to goal, though he's a good way out. Instead of thumping a shot frmo the edge of the box he tries to pick out Remi but the ball's cut out.
57 min Great interception from Yanga Mbiwa, getting a foot to Luiz's long ball at full stretch with Torres behind him. Turns out Torres was offside, but still. Tiote was replaced by Vurnon Anita a few minutes back, by the way. Sorry. I know I should have informed you sooner.
56 min Hazard is still on the pitch but limping; Willian is warming up.
54 min Hazard miscontrols a pass and tumbles to the turf as though tripped by a Geordie ghost. Newcastle break before Chelsea get a chance to put the ball out of play. Turns out he was limping before he fell, having clashed with Tiote moments earlier.
52 min Hazard steals the ball inside his own half and zips off into Newcastle's half, dodging tackles. Chelsea sweep forward with the clear intention of putting Newcastle under pressure, but the pace drains from the move and it culminates with Eden Hazard easily beaten to Frank Lampard's final pass.
50 min Torres pushes Yanga-Mbiwa over. Back to his best!
49 min A couple of balls-in from Cabaye, stationed for the time being on the right, both close to being dangerous for Chelsea. But neither is actually dangerous.
47 min The unimpressive Yanga-Mbiwa doesn't get enough on his header, which bounces straight to Mata. Mata to Oscar! Oscar through the middle for Torres, and he's clean through! However, he's also clean offside.
46 min OK, there's a second half going on. Let's hope it's better than the first. You know what I think? I think it will be. #Trust.
HALF TIME Lee Mason whistles the first period to a close with Jose Mourinho already heading for the dressing room, having seen enough. The two best chances fell to John Terry from corners, which gives some indication of what kind of match this has been. Chelsea have been superior without doing anything all that good; Newcastle have looked steady enough at the back while giving the ball away too frequently in midfield.
Half-time chatter: David James reckons Juan Mata might have won a penalty on the 23rd minute when he went down in the penalty area had he gone down with a little more theatricality. David Ginola manages to concur without doing any rude hand-gestures. Down on the touchline, BT's irate voice of reason Mark Halsey disagrees furiously, suggesting that a penalty might have led to a riot.
44 min Cabaye gives the ball to Eden Hazard then fouls him cynically. Eden has a roll around, looking undignified. Cabaye's one of those players - like Xabi Alonso - who's dirtier than his reputation as a classy technician lets on.
43 min Mata has the ball in the net but but is immediately pulled up for a sneaky tug on Williamson's shirt as they waited for a cross to come in.
42 min Moussa Sissoko is the first player to be booked after crunching Ivanovic with a scything tackle without getting particularly near the ball.
40 min Newcastle have another couple of glimpses of the Chelsea goal, as Debuchy swings in a cross from the right before good work from Ameobi almost opens up a shooting angle.
38 min Newcastle break from the corner, with SIssoko cutting infield from the left. His driven effort from Inside the box takes a deflection off Ramires and skids towards the near post, but Cech is equal to it.
37 min Mata tries to play Torres in with a lofted pass and wins a corner, which he takes himself. Newcastle see it off. Chelsea win another corner, again on the right hand side, and this time Lampard takes it. Terry wins the header again and again it's a dangerous effort. Santon, stationed on the back post, bundles the ball off the line.
35 min A tense spell of Newcastle possession, with Chelsea hounded them in midfield, comes to an end when Luiz easily cuts out a long ball aimed for Remy. He glides towards the centre circle and hoiks a high ball over the top for Mata, but it's overhit.
32 min Tiote takes out Oscar on the halfway line as they competed for a header. That looked accidental - Tiote slipped on the greasy turf and tumbled into the Brazilian's back - but he still gets a ticking-off.
30 min That's a decent effort from Cabaye, a low ping struck with his left from just outside the D, pouncing on a neat-lay off from Remy after Sissoko's long ball. It's bound for the bottom right corner of Cech's goal but the keeper saves without too much bother.
28 min Hazard skips all too easily past Yanga-Mbiwa and makes for the byline. His cross eludes everybody in the box and bounces away from danger. Chelsea haven't created a clear-cut chance yet but they look much the more likely team to score.
25 min A moment of class from Frank Lampard, just short of midfield perfection. He intercepts a pass in the centre circle, escapes his man with a one-two with Ramires, and suddenly in a couple of seconds he's taken the Newcastle midfield out of the equation. His angled through-ball, though, is a little too under-powered to release Eden Hazard.
23 min Bewildering interplay between Mata and Hazard, who exchange two or three one-twos, trying to befuddle Newcastle with geometry. Mata goes down under a challenge from Debuchy inside the box - nothing given - and the ball bounces wide to Ashley Cole, whose low thumped effort is comfortably saved by Krul.
21 min Lampard thumps a free kick miles out of play from a promising position by Chelsea's left touchline.
18 min At the other end, Gouffran swivels away from Luiz to make a little bit of space in front of the Chelsea box and slots a pass through the defenders to Remy. Slightly overhit and it rolls out of play.
17 min Torres shows a burst of speed to win a 50-50 ball after a hopeful ball upfield from Oscar, then considerably strength to bounce off a couple of challenges and keep control by the corner of the box. He does well to poke the ball back to Ivanovic, whose cross goes out for a corner. Nothing comes of it.
16 min Terry does well to get a foot to a huge route-one pass aimed at Loic Remy.
14 min A speculative through-ball from Luiz rolls right to Yanga-Mbiwa, who's under no pressure but fails to control the ball on the slippery surface. Luckily for him, the ball bounces away to a team-mate.
12 min Mata whips in a peach of a corner from the right and Terry beats Williamson to the header. Krul's beaten but the ball crashes against the bar and back into play, falling to Ivanovic, who goes for an spectacular overhead kick. The ball loops up and bounces against the top of the bar for a second time.
11 min Sissoko, in the right-back's position, thumps a long ball towards the Chelsea penalty area for Debuchy, who's making a centre-forward's run. Total football! The ball goes out of play.
9 min Ameobi knocks down a long ball to Remi and charges into the box in expectation of a return ball, but Remi can't get it under control.
8 min Ivanovic charges down a shot from Gouffran, hit from a good way out, as Newcastle try to capitalise on a spell of possession in Chelsea's half.
7 min Tiote crashes into Mata, a little high, a little late, a little violent. He gets away with it.
5 min John Terry is in a spot of bother, having picked up an early niggle or knock. Thank heavens for the advanced technology which allows BT Sport to show a little image of Terry grimacing and hobbling about in the corner of the screen without cutting from the action. That's progress.
4 min David Luiz glamorously curls a not-very-good shot high over the bar. Derisive cheers from the home fans.
3 min Hazard spins away from his marker and paces into dangerous territory on Newcastle's right for the third time. He skips infield, draws a foul, and Chelsea have a free kick to the left of the D.
2 min Ashley Cole and Mathieu Debuchy slide for a loose ball by the corner flag after some mischief from Hazard. Cole wants a corner, doesn't get it.
1 min Chelsea kick off and do some confidence-building own-half passing. Luiz receives and redistributes the ball a few times without doing anything too wacky.
12.44 The teams are out and the stadium has observed a minute's silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday. Is it callous to type during a minute's silence? Because that's what I just did. I think it's OK so long as you don't hit publish till the minute has passed.
12.40 They're pumping out some punk at St James' Park. It sounds like CBGBs in there! They're getting fired up.
Not that I've ever been to CBGB's, mind. Does it even still exist? Really I posted this song out of nostalgia: it reminds me of Tony Hawks Pro Skater. I think it was on the soundtrack to the third game in the series, but I wouldn't stake my life on it.
Will he climb into the crowd if Newcastle win today? "No it would just be great for Mike, for the club, because we've been getting a lot of criticism."
Selection dilemmas: "Every player deserves to play. Some players have been frustrated, they have to transform that frustration to motivation on the pitch and at the moment they're doing that."
On coming to St James' Park: "They ask for 20 penalties and 50 free kicks but that's the nature of their support and their emotion."
12.24 So then, this football match. Who's going to win it? It's going to be Chelsea, right? They've become alarmingly good at winning in the last few weeks. It's been surreal following their progress this season. In the foreground has been Jose and all his artful silliness: the petulance, the grandstanding, the aggro. He's so good at misdirection that his stealthy creation of a new winning machine at Stamford Bridge has seemed like an afterthought. Now we're in a situation where they haven't lost in over a month and could end the day top of the table.
Standing in their way, the 11th-placed team in the league. A team full of talented players which nevertheless manages to fall so far below the sum of its parts it's as though somebody at St James Park has invented a new way of doing of arithmetic. But perhaps Newcastle will pull themselves together today. After all, it was in this fixture last year that the unheralded Moussa Sissoko turned in a performance that made him look like one of the world's most dangerous midfielders. Perhaps he's due another game like that.
12.15 Let's get one thing clear right from the off, so there can be no confusion: if you came here expecting some kind of snarky comment on Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and his club's decision to excommunicate the city's journalists, you're reading the wrong liveblog, my friend. Let's face it: local newspapers have grown WAY too powerful in recent years. For too long, the mighty Evening Chronicle has ridden roughshod over this country's core values – values like fairness, respect, and deference to enormous wealth. Amid such moral confusion it takes a man of courage and principle to put up his hand and say: "Enough." This week, the Colossus of Burnham has shown that he is that man.
12.10 Aside from Mata's inclusion at the expense of Andre Schurrle, no major surprises in those line-ups. Gary Cahill is disappointed again, with David Luiz given the nod.
12.04: Good to see Juan Mata back in the starting line-up. All this "dropping Juan Mata" nonsense had gone on far too long. It's like popping into a restaurant you've been to many times before and asking for "the usual", but instead of returning with your favourite paella (which is to be honest the only reason you ever come to this restaurant) the maitre d' comes back bearing a steaming pot of mystery stew.
—What's this?
—Fusion gumbo. It's a combination of German, Belgian and Brazilian cuisine with many beneficial health qualities.
—Is the paella off the menu?
—Until such time as it learns to track back, yes.
11.59: Morning all (just about). Ed here. Let's have some team news.
NEWCASTLE: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran; Shola Ameobi, Remy. Subs Elliot, Tavernier, Anita, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Cisse
CHELSEA: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres. Subs Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Mikel, Willian, Schurrle, Eto'o
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