Everton continued their poor recent form with a 3-1 loss against Manchester United, their third loss in a row, despite a goal from Bernard giving the Toffees the lead.
The Brazilian international’s low strike past David de Gea put Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead at Goodison Park, but that was as good as it got for Everton. Bruno Fernandes then netted twice before Edinson Cavani bagged in the last minute of injury-time to give the Red Devils all three points.
Whilst his side may have been defeated, Bernard was still happy with his strike, taking to Twitter to share a video of his goal with the caption: “A finish that deserved to count for something”.
Given how the match ended, it is hardly surprising that Everton fans were disgusted with Bernard’s comments. They took to the social media platform to share their anger.
Let’s see what they had to say about Bernard below
In other news, this pundit praised one Everton star against Manchester United.
Everton didn’t finish last season in quite the way many fans would have hoped or expected.
After the sacking of Marco Silva, the club appointed veteran Italian Carlo Ancelotti, and in doing so had real hopes of still mustering something from their season.
Ancelotti had a strong start to life at Goodison – with real hopes of pushing for a European football spot, but form dropped off and the break during the season due to COVID-19 meant that upon the leagues return, the Toffees failed to regain any form, and finished in 12th place.
This summer spells big ambitions for the Toffees, and the fans will be expecting money to be spent – which Ancelotti will likely be hoping to do as well ahead of his first full season at the club. Everton have been linked with an abundance of players over recent weeks – but which ones would be realistic signings for them to make?
Mehmet Zeki Çelik
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group H – Valencia v Lille – Mestalla, Valencia, Spain – November 5, 2019 Lille’s Zeki Celik reacts REUTERS/Susana Vera
The Turkish right-back has been in fine form for French outfit Lille of recent – and has been linked with a move to the Toffees over recent weeks. Having played 23 league games for Lille this season, Çelik has averaged 2.3 tackles per game, as well as 1.4 clearances.
The player also bodes well in attack too, with 2 goals and four assists in that time too.
With the on-loan Djibril Sidibe now back at parent club AS Monaco, the Toffees will need to find a replacement, with the aging Seámus Coleman the clubs only senior right-back of choice – and going by his stats, Çelik would be a great option and fit for Everton, with Lille valuing him at around £18 million.
Sergio Reguilón
The 23-year-old has been on loan to Sevilla this season, from parent club Real Madrid. The Toffees have recently been in contact with Madrid, and have even reportedly tabled an offer of £18 million for the young Spaniard’s services. Reguilón played 31 league games for Sevilla last season – averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 1.6 clearances per games, as well as a 7.10/10 WhoScored match rating.
The club’s current options at left-back sit solely with Lucas Digne after club legend Leighton Baines retired from football at the end of the 2019/20 season – and the signing of a player with Reguilón’s ability would be welcome competition for Digne.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
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The Frenchman’s name is one that Everton fans wouldn’t have forgotten, having been relegated with Watford at the end of last season – leaving many Premier League clubs circling like sharks around the Hertfordshire club for the players signature.
Last season wasn’t one of Doucouré’s best in a Watford shirt, but his overall numbers make for easy understanding as to why the Toffee’s would want to sign him.
The Frenchman averaged 1.7 tackles per game from midfield this season, as well as winning 1.5 aerial duels per game, with a 78.4% pass success rate. Doucouré would work out as a great replacement for the departed Morgan Schneiderlin, who left for OGC Nice just last month, with the Watford players market value at £18 million.
Allan
Soccer Football – Serie A – SPAL v Napoli – Paolo Mazza, Ferrara, Italy – October 27, 2019 Napoli’s Allan reacts REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
Another fantastic midfield option comes with Brazilian midfielder Allan. The 29-year-old has been at Italian club Napoli since 2015, and was previously managed by current Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti during his time at the club.
The club had previously stated their interest during the January transfer window but were put off by the reported £36 million price tag at the time.
Recent changes, however, have meant that it has now been reported that the club could secure the midfielder for as little as £22.5 million – and Ancelotti is keen to make it happen to bolster his squad ahead of next season. Allan has averaged 2.2 tackles per game in the league this season and would bring a needed grit and aggression that would benefit Everton’s midfield.
Joshua King
After Bournemouth’s relegation from the Premier League last season, Norwegian striker Joshua King is expected to leave the club this summer.
Last season didn’t prove great for the striker, with just 6 goals in 26 league appearances – but had a strong finish to the season with 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 8 games (via WhoScored).
It has been reported that the club is looking to sign King for just £15 million to add some further strike force to his side, and he could even become a replacement for Richarlison, who has caused a stir after his recent comments about his Everton future.
Three points, a clean sheet, and a penalty save from the debutant. Things couldn’t have gone much better for Aston Villa in their first Premier League game of the season.
Dean Smith’s side – who didn’t play last weekend due to original opponents Manchester United’s lengthy Europa League run last season -opened up their campaign with a 1-0 victory over ten-man Sheffield United on Monday night.
And whilst new signing Emiliano Martinez will be one of the major headlines after saving a penalty from John Lundstram when the scores were locked level at 0-0, match-winner Ezri Konsa once again proved his immense potential at the heart of defence.
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The 22-year-old played 25 times in the Premier League last season, and failed to appear in just one game in the top-flight from December 26 when Villa beat Norwich 1-0 at home.
Despite filling in at right-back on occasion, Konsa ended up partnering Tyrone Mings in the middle of defence for the closing few weeks of the campaign, with Smith going with the same centre-back duo against Sheffield United.
And aside from heading home the winner after a Mings flick-on from a corner, Konsa looked cool, calm and collected at the back, even shaking off an injury scare.
As per Sofascore, he won an incredible 12 of his 14 total duels, including winning 100% of those contested on the ground. He also made team-highs of four clearances and two interceptions, and kept things nicely ticking over from the back, boasting an 86% pass accuracy.
Having brought in a top-class goalkeeper in Martinez who was part of a FA Cup winning side last season, the next thing Smith needs to make sure is building a defence better than last year.
The Villans conceded 67 goals last season – only Norwich conceded more (75) – but Konsa and Mings seem like they could be the answer for both now and for the future.
Leeds United may have a very busy summer ahead of them.
The Whites look to be headed to the Premier League, sitting pretty at the top of the Championship with just four games to go, and with a huge financial windfall headed their way if they do go up, it may soon be time for Andrea Radrizzani to get his chequebook out.
United haven’t had the best fortune when it comes to signing new players over the past couple of seasons, and the blame has to at least partially lie at Victor Orta’s feet.
The Spaniard has headed up the recruitment team at Elland Road for the past few years now, and while he has knocked it out of the park with some arrivals such as Liverpool-linked Ben White and their leading assist-maker Jack Harrison, there has also been a fair share of flops.
Two players that immediately spring to mind when you think of recent Leeds flops are Izzy Brown and Jean-Kevin Augustin. Both men arrived on loan but barely got a look-in due to their substandard fitness levels.
Augustin came in and was almost immediately criticised for not being up to scratch physically, and unfortunately, a string of injuries would hamper him, meaning that even with a three-month break he wasn’t able to get up to speed, eventually being sent back to RB Leipzig before the season even concluded.
Brown was a similar story, joining with a serious knee injury that he never really recovered from, playing just 11 minutes for the Yorkshire club last season, before returning to his parent club.
Now, both of these men are quite obviously talented, Brown has seven assists in 25 appearances this term, while the Frenchman has scored goals in the Champions League.
Unfortunately, the timing of these two deals turned them into poor transfers, and that is a trap that Leeds can’t afford to fall into again.
To put it bluntly, Orta and his team need to perform more due diligence on potential signings upon the club’s ascension to the Premier League because signing more big-money crocks after promotion could see United swiftly sent back to the Championship.
Chelsea have made it their mission to sign left-back Ben Chilwell this summer transfer window.
Frank Lampard has identified his defence as an area of concern heading into the new season. The 42-year-old has highlighted the fact that in order to challenge next campaign, the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga need to be replaced.
The Spaniard has been a disappointment in between the sticks this term, with Lampard doubting his ability to perform for the team.
Another position with room for improvement has turned out to be the left-back position, with an exit for Marcos Alonso looking to be on the cards. A report from The Times revealed that the 29-year-old has been named amongst four defenders who are up for sale this summer. Chelsea are looking to make up funds to further kit out their squad.
Football Insider claim that the Blues are confident they can sign top target Chilwell for less than the original asking price.
After selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United for £80million, Leicester have valued their left-back as even higher than the record centre-back. (via The Mirror). However, Chelsea believe they can seal the deal for £50m instead, knocking a huge chunk off the original fee.
The report states ‘extensive negotiations’ have been held between the two clubs and it’s looking positive that the Blues can chisel as much as 37.5% away from the mammoth price tag.
Do you think Chelsea will sign Ben Chilwell this summer? Join the discussion in the comments below…
It took a while, but Liverpool finally got the job done against RB Salzburg.
During the first half, it looked like they could be in trouble. The Austrian team took the game to the European champions, with them having six shots on target during the first half. After the break, though, the Reds looked far more in control, and once Naby Keita scored the opener, there was only ever going to be one winner. Now, Jurgen Klopp’s men can look forward to the next round.
Mohamed Salah was the other man on the scoresheet in this 2-0 victory, but he could have had an awful lot more. During the 90 minutes, he had no less than nine shots at goal, and he missed some truly fantastic chances.
It is fair to say the fans weren’t at all happy with his finishing.
There were some horrific misses from the 67-time Egypt international. In all fairness, considering he has 82 goals in 125 games for the club, this was more an anomaly rather than the rule, but the former Borussia Dortmund manager will be hoping that it is the last time the 27-year-old is so wasteful in front of goal.
He did show that he knows where the target is during this match with the goal he grabbed. It was fantastically taken, with the former AS Roma man scoring from what looked like an impossible angle.
There was plenty of praise for the way he put that chance away.
It just goes to show that perseverance pays off.
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Still, not everyone was satisfied despite him effectively putting the game to bed with his goal.
His track record speaks for itself. He has won the Premier League’s Golden Boot in each of the last two seasons, and that goal tally previously mentioned is stunning. He may not be playing at his peak, but he still has 11 goals and six assists in 21 matches this campaign. Many players would kill for that kind of record.
Still, this week, Klopp may give his star winger some extra finishing exercises at Melwood.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans react to this incredible Salah stat.
The proposed takeover of Newcastle United by Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabian-led group is in serious danger of collapsing as the Daily Mail reported that American media tycoon has lodged a £350 million bid to take over from the reigns of current owner of the Tyneside club Mike Ashley, therefore outbidding the consortium as an initial agreement of £300 million was made between the two parties to push the sale through in the North East.
Indeed, the buying side, which is also made up of the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and his Public Investment Fund (PIF), as well as the London-based billionaire Reuben brothers, may have to compete with the new bidder, which could arguably affect their chances of moving into the board.
However, as per the Daily Mail, Mauriss would have to move quickly to get any sort of deal over the line as it would depend on the collapse of the other bid.
Nevertheless, the fact that a second option is there may actually encourage members of the Toon faithful more than worry them.
If the prospective deal with the Saudi-led would-be owners does indeed fall through, which is still very much a possibility given recent events and the fact that it has taken so long, then at least Mauriss provides an alternative if and when needed given that he has reportedly lodged his bid.
However, some NUFC supporters may already have warmed to the potential new owners and so may want them to take over if possible instead, but until the Premier League make an official announcement, it is still unclear as to who the owners will be come the 2020/21 season.
Geordies, who do you think the owners will be next campaign? Comment below!
West Ham United fans have hailed Declan Rice after the Hammers recorded a shock win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The England international played the full 90 minutes as Manuel Pellegrini’s men recorded a vital win at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, they had lost their three previous encounters prior to the clash with former player Frank Lampard’s side but took all three points away from west London after Aaron Cresswell’s excellent second-half strike.
Per WhoScored, Rice had 45 touches of the ball throughout the 90 minutes, completed two dribbles, won four aerial duels and two tackles as well as making one clearance and two interceptions.
The result lifted the pressure somewhat on manager Manuel Pellegrini, who last saw his side win in September when they defeated Manchester United 2-1 at the London Stadium.
And fans were quick to praise Rice’s performance against their London rivals.
Take a look at the best of the reaction on Twitter below!
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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Since joining Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has made 18 first-team signings, and very few have failed to work out.
Those new arrivals include the likes of Virgil van Dijk, who joined from Southampton in January 2018, and has since gone on to finish in second place in the Ballon d’Or, whilst Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, two more recruits brought in by the 52-year-old boss, finished fourth and fifth this year respectively.
The list doesn’t stop there either. Andrew Robertson has become a creative force at left-back, picking up 13 assists last term, whilst Georginio Wijnaldum was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or this year.
Dominic Solanke, however, was one of the few transfers that didn’t work out. The striker joined on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2017, and would go on to make 27 appearances for the Reds. In that time, he managed just one goal and one assist, before moving to Bournemouth in January of this year. Incredibly, the Cherries decided to pay £19m for his services, which is perplexing considering he had just eight goals in 54 professional matches at that point.
It is fair to say that it is a transfer that hasn’t worked out. He has signed featured 25 times for Eddie Howe’s side, and he is still waiting for his first goal on the south coast, whilst he has only managed one assist. In fact, not only has it not worked out – it has been a full-on disaster.
Letting him go was clearly the correct decision, but it is the timing of his departure for which Klopp deserves credit. It was already apparent at that point in the term that the 22-year-old did not have a future at Anfield. He had made just one appearance up until his departure, showing that he clearly wasn’t a part of his manager’s plans.
Yet he was still at the age where there was a thought that he still had a big future ahead of him. His record at youth level was impressive – he has nine goals in 18 appearances for England’s U21s, and he scored 35 in 45 matches for the Blues’ various youth outfits – which will have given Howe hope that he could become a star. Had the Merseyside team left it any longer, that buzz around him may have died down, and during the summer, Bournemouth would have had a bigger selection of forwards to choose from. A player that spent most of his time on the bench or with the U23s would surely not have been at the top of their shopping list.
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It is just another example of the former Borussia Dortmund manager’s genius. In football, timing is everything, and Klopp’s watch is finely in tune.
Meanwhile, the sale of this Premier League striker was one of Jurgen Klopp’s few mistakes.
After slipping to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, Manchester United were in desperate need of bouncing back in style.
And on Thursday night, the Red Devils did exactly that with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went in with a surprisingly strong side for the clash, and he was duly rewarded, with goals from first-team stars like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
But, as is always the case with such team selections, you run the risk of potentially picking up one or two injuries that you could have avoided had you decided to rotate more heavily.
Speaking after the game, Solskjaer admitted both Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire had picked up knocks during the clash against the Serbian side. The Norwegian revealed the latter should be fine for the game against Brighton on Sunday, but delivered a more worrying assessment of his midfielder, saying he is “more of a concern”.
After hearing the injury update on the duo, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on Solskjaer’s handling of the matter.
Many supporters of the Manchester side slammed the Red Devils boss for his role in the pair potentially being ruled out of Sunday’s game, and insisted it is something he could have completely avoided.
Check out some of the reaction of United fans below: