Tag: Premier League

  • Wednesday Premier League Results & Goals Talking Points

    Wednesday Premier League Results & Goals Talking Points

    Wednesday Premier League matches has ended. See results of the matches below and how the goals from the seven fixtures were scored.

    • FT Newcastle 0-1 Everton
    • FT Soton 1-4 Leicester
    • FT Swansea 0-4 Man City
    • FT Liverpool 0-0 West Brom
    • FT Man Utd 1-0 B’mouth
    • FT Tottenham 2-0 Brighton
    • FT West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

    GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-0 BRIGHTON (Son, 87)

    Another somewhat fortunate goal, but Spurs won’t care one bit. That is the victory in the bag. Eriksen curled a free-kick low and hard into the middle, Son flicked it on and into the net, via the leg of Brighton’s Davy Propper.

    GOAL! SWANSEA 0-4 MAN CITY (Aguero, 85)

    A superb goal from Aguero and he almost inevitably adds his name to the Man City scoresheet.

    Toure picks the striker out in the middle of the park and Aguero makes a brilliant run down the right side of the box – Mawson cannot get close to him – before hitting home across the face of goal.

    He’s tried a few of them so far and they haven’t come off, but this time, it works out for the Argentinian.

    GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-4 LEICESTER (Okazaki, 69)

    Soares loses the ball in his own half, allowing Leicester to break on them. Vardy gets down the right and sends in a cross which is turned home by Okazaki from six yards after he gets himself away from Yoshida.

    GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-3 LEICESTER (Yoshida, 61)

    A corner finds Yoshida at the back post and his header across the six-yard box skims off the boot of Tadic and into the back of the net, despite the best efforts of Schmeichel who ends up in a heap on the floor. Tadic may be awarded that goal…

    GOAL! SWANSEA 0-3 MAN CITY (David Silva, 52)

    It’s a superb goal from Man City, and David Silva eventually gets his second goal of the evening.

    He starts the build-up himself, slipping in Sterling down the left flank before the winger obliges by giving the ball back to his captain inside the box.

    It’s then fairly easy for David Silva, who chips home over Fabianski, which doesn’t do justice to how the goalkeeper has performed so far this evening.

    MAN UTD 1-0 B’MOUTH

    HT: Two key men to note here: David de Gea and Romelu Lukaku. The goalkeeper has denied Bournemouth with five good saves while Lukaku took United’s only real chance of the half with a superb header. Bournemouth can feel hard done by to be behind. See you in 15.

    WEST HAM 0-0 ARSENAL

    HT: And there goes the half-time whistle. Very little between the sides. Arnautovic thought he had headed the hosts in front, though the offside flag rightly went up, while Iwobi hit the post for the Gunners. Too close to call this one, West Ham for certainly made it difficult for their London rivals.

    LIVERPOOL 0-0 WEST BROM

    HT: That’s the half. West Brom have come here and achieved what they wanted in the first 45 minutes.

    It’s all square, and West Brom have showed some attacking intent, but Liverpool haven’t been able to turn their 70 per cent possession into a goal just yet.

    GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-0 BRIGHTON (Aurier, 40)

    As lucky as it gets for Spurs! Aurier sends over a cross looking for the head of Kane, but instead the ball evades everyone and loops into the net, over the outstretched hand of Mat Ryan in the Brighton goal. So fortunate!

    HALF-TIME

    A penny for Rafa Benitez’s thoughts. His side have struck both posts this half but they trail Everton at the break courtesy of Wayne Rooney’s goal but it was a howler from Karl Darlow.

    Newcastle have lost six of their last seven and they need a goal from somewhere to prevent that record from getting worse.

    HALF-TIME

    Southampton 0-3 Leicester

    HT: The home team really did start the better but never created a chance when they were on top. Since Mahrez’s opener Leicester haven’t looked back and have dominated in every department, as Okazaki and King have added to the scoreline. It really doesn’t look like there’s a way back for Saints now.

    HALF-TIME

    SWANSEA 0-2 MAN CITY

    HT: You can’t say that Swansea have played badly, Man City have just been very Man City like.  David Silva gave them the lead before Kevin de Bruyne added a second not long after to see them in control at the break.

    They are on course for the Premier League record of 15 successive wins…

    Kevin De Bruyne

    GOAL!! MAN UTD 1-0 B’MOUTH (Lukaku, 26)

    Bournemouth have dominated but United lead. This is their first shot on target.

    Mata hangs a lovely ball towards the back post and Lukaku out-jumps Ake and Daniels to bullet a header into the top corner. That’s what he’s paid the big money for. Just his third goal in 14 matches though.

    No celebration from the big man, but inside he must be beaming.

    GOAL! SWANSEA 0-2 MAN CITY (De Bruyne, 34)

    The Premier League leaders are in control.

    All too easy as Kevin de Bruyne whips in a fierce free-kick from the left, Bernando Silva leaves it and the Swansea defence is static as the ball lands in the back of the net.

    Manchester City heading for a 15th Premier League win in a row.

    GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 0-2 LEICESTER (Okazaki, 31)

    Leicester almost doubled their lead from a counter-attack but Forster saved from Vardy when he was about to tap the ball home. The resulting corner, however, found Fuchs on the edge of the box and his volley was blocked on the line, only for Okazaki to pounce to net the second from close range.

    GOAL! NEWCASTLE 0-1 EVERTON (Rooney, 27)

    It’s a clinical counter-attack from Everton, but it’s not one Karl Darlow will enjoy seeing again as Wayne Rooney pounces on his mistake to give his side the lead.

    Calvert-Lewin’s cross was headed goalward by Rooney, and Darlow spilled his header right back into his path and Rooney wasn’t going to miss that from close range.

    One minute and 11 seconds separated Rooney’s opener and Ritchie hitting the post.

     

    GOAL! SWANSEA 0-1 MAN CITY (David Silva, 27)

    A poor goal for Swansea to concede but Man City make the first half breakthrough.

    It’s the two Silva’s who link up for this one as Bernardo Silva whips the ball in from the right flank. For some reason, David Silva is left unmarked towards the back post and it allows him to knock it home with the side of his heel.

    Goals have been scored already in English Premier League fixture for Wednesday night.

    GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 LEICESTER (Mahrez, 11)

    Leicester city was the first to score out of the Wednesday EPL fixtures.

    The goal was a great individual strike from the Algerian in what was essentially the first shot on target of the game. Mahrez picked the ball up 40 yards from goal and was allowed to run towards the Saints box, eventually shooting across Forster with his left foot and into the bottom corner.

    See fixtures for tonight’s game below.

    • Newcastle 0-0 Everton
    • Soton 0-1 Leicester
    • Swansea 0-0 Man City
    • Liverpool v West Brom
    • Man Utd v Bournemouth
    • Tottenham v Brighton
    • West Ham v Arsenal
  • Goals Updates & Results: Arsenal on FIRE, Rooney on Hat-trick

    Goals Updates & Results: Arsenal on FIRE, Rooney on Hat-trick

    Bellow are updates on goals from Tuesday’s six Premier League matches and results of the fixtures after 90 minutes.

    MAN CITY 2-1 SOUTHAMPTON

    FT: And it is! Raheem Sterling snatches it at the death for Manchester City again…

    GOAL! MAN CITY 2-1 SOUTHAMPTON (Sterling, 90+6)

    Sterling plays a neat one-two with De Bruyne on the edge of the area, before collecting the Belgian’s return and then chipping an absolutely delightful effort into the top right-hand corner of the net. And that must surely be the winner….

    EVERTON 4-0 WEST HAM 

    FT: That’s it! All over at Goodison as Rooney steals the show with a stunning hat trick. The clinching strike will take some beating in the goal of the season running, after finding the net from INSIDE his own half.

    STOKE 0-3 LIVERPOOL

    FT: Mo Salah at it again for Liverpool… two goals off the bench takes his total in all comps to 17 for Liverpool.

    Liverpool deserve the win, but perhaps Simon Mignolet should have been sent off in the first half for bringing down Diouf on the edge of the box.

    Nothing lucky about the way the visitors finished things off once Salah arrived. They’re unbeaten in seven in all competitions.

    BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 BURNLEY

    FT: Sean Dyche’s team hold on for three valuable points, which take the Clarets to sixth in the league. The goals from Wood and Brady ensured Bournemouth could not get back into match, even though King netted a consolation for his side.

    Burnley were resolute where the Cherries were not and just about deserved the victory at the Vitality. Not a happy birthday for Eddie Howe.

    CHELSEA 1-0 SWANSEA

    FT: It’s all over at Stamford Bridge and a relatively quiet game ends in Chelsea’s favour thanks to Antonio Rudiger’s first Premier League goal.

    The most entertaining moment was Antonio Conte’s dismissal to the stands at the end of the first half, with both sides not at their best if they are honest.

    But it’s points that matter, and Chelsea remain in third with 29 points and Swansea are stuck in 19th spot.

    ARSENAL 5-0 HUDDERSFIELD

    FT: And there goes the full-time whistle. Some night in the end for Arsene Wenger’s side, but it was not going all their way initially.

    However, three goals in five second-half minutes took the game away from Huddersfield, who will leave thinking ‘What if’ after a tight first hour or so.

    GOAL! STOKE 0-3 LIVERPOOL (Salah, 83)

    What a mess for Stoke, but what a player Liverpool have here in Mo Salah. The Premier League top scorer forces Pieters into an error at the last line, and he’s through on goal…

    Grant rushes out, but Salah makes no mistake. He nips it under the goalkeeper, and that’s game over for sure.

    GOAL! EVERTON 4-0 WEST HAM (Williams, 78)

    Dreamland for the Toffees. Williams get across his marker from a corner, and loops a brilliant header into the top corner to cap a fine Everton display.

    GOAL! STOKE 0-2 LIVERPOOL (Salah, 77)

    That should be that, and what a strike from Mo Salah the substitute.

    Credit goes to Mane too, who fights at the byline, lifts one to the back post for Salah, but the Egyptian has so much to do.

    He controls his volley from the left of the box, 12 yards out, and he’s slammed it into the back of the net. What a goal, and he’s on fire!

    GOAL! MAN CITY 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON (Romeu, 75)

    Wow, Saints are level as a ball is swung in from the left flank to the far post for sub Boufal to control instantly, before pulling the ball back for the waiting Romeu to sweep home. Game on…

    GOAL! ARSENAL 5-0 HUDDERSFIELD (Giroud, 87)

    It’s a second for Giroud! He appears to rob the ball off Kolasinac, who tricked his way into the six-yard box, but instead it’s the Frenchman who smashes it home from close range.

    GOAL! EVERTON 3-0 WEST HAM (Rooney. He scores from halfway line)

    Oh my word. Rooney has stuck one in from his own half. What a way to complete his hat-trick. Wayne Rooney’s hat-trick tonight came 2,272 days after his last (10 September 2011) – the longest gap between two hat-tricks by a player in Premier League history.

    GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 BURNLEY (King, 79)

    A Francis cross is chested into the path of Defoe who miss-hits the shot across the goal but he shouldn’t worry as the ball bounces to King at the back post where pounces to turn the ball home.

    GOAL! ARSENAL 4-0 HUDDERSFIELD (Ozil, 72)

    This is getting just ridiculous, but it’s no more than Ozil deserves, as he goes from being provider to getting on the scoresheet with a deft flick over Lossl.

    Wayne Rooney (28 mins)

    Oh David Moyes, when will things go right for you? Wayne Rooney scores twice against his old manager.

    And that’s 10-0 to Everton in their five games against their old boss.

    Tom Davies crosses, Jonjoe Kenny air-kicks (although he makes slight contact) andRooneyguides the ball home from about 12 yards out.

    Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring their second goal
    GOAL- Everton 1- 0 West Ham United

    Wayne Rooney (18 mins)

    Wayne Rooney takes his penalty but it’s SAVED by his former England team-mate Joe Hart. Unfortunately for the keeper, he palms the ball back into the middle of the box and Rooney heads the rebound into the back of the net.

    Rooney celebrates scoring the opener for Everton…

    expanded thumbnail

    GOAL – Bournemouth 0-1 Burnley

    Chris Wood (37 mins)

    Deserved lead! The Clarets have been excellent and they take the lead after Steve Cook’s poor clearance gives the ball away. Jack Cork finds Robbie Brady, he comes inside to shoot, it’s blocked by Cook but falls kindly for Chris Wood who turns it over the line.

    Chris Wood celebrates

    GOAL – Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield

    Alexandre Lacazette (3 mins)

    Alexandre Lacazette scores

    Reuters

    Clinical stuff! A cracking goal from the Arsenal as they take a very early lead. Alexandre Lacazette starts the move off before finding Granit Xhaka, he plays it forwards and Aaron Ramsey helps the ball around the corner with a delicious backheel flick.

    It’s perfectly into the path of Lacazette and he slots home confidently with his left foot from 15 yards.

    Alexandre Lacazette celebrates

    Reuters

     GOAL! STOKE 0-1 LIVERPOOL (Mane, 17)

    Sadio Mane (17 mins)

    Controversy. Joe Gomez crosses – but was the ball out of play? – to Dominic Solanke, who finds Sadio Mane. Mane clips the ball over Lee Grant, who gets a touch but can’t keep it out. Roberto Firmino thinks about tapping the ball into the empty net but decides to leave Mane’s effort to go in unaided.

    Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates
  • FULL TIME: Wins for Man United and Leicester City

    FULL TIME: Wins for Man United and Leicester City

    GOAL – Leicester 2-1 Tottenham

    Harry Kane (79 mins)

    Woooosh!

    What a goal that is, and an assist for Erik Lamela too. Lovely one-touch passing move, Lamela helps it around the corner and Harry Kane just thrashes the ball into the top corner. Shades of Shearer v Netherlands, Euro 96 in that finish.

    GOAL – West Brom 2-1 Newcastle

    Ciaran Clark (59 mins)

    Took their eye off the ball? A really sloppy goal for West Brom to ship so soon after going 2-0 up. They leave Newcastle captain Ciaran Clarkunmarked from a corner and he thumps a header home from a few yards out.

    GOAL – West Brom 2-0 Newcastle

    Sam Field (56 mins)

    Get the ball in the box! That’s the West Brom gameplan and it’s worked again. A peach of a ball, from the right this time, Matt Phillips taking out the entire Newcastle backline and the keeper with one deep cross and Sam Field arrives back post to finish left-footed. His first for the club.

    Half time ended with a total of five goals scored in the Tuesady’s English Premier League.

    See below the half time result for the four fixtures.

    HALF-TIME: Watford 0-3 Man Utd – Young strikes twice, before Martia.

    HALF-TIME: Leicester City 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur – Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez put Leicester City on top against Tottenham

    HALF-TIME: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Newcastle United

    It may not be a great match, but West Brom have had the edge in it and in first half stoppage time they grab the lead as Hal Robson-Kanu heads in a Kieran Gibbs cross.

    HALF-TIME: Brighton 0-0 Crystal Palace

  • Mourinho Suffers First League Defeat, says Man Utd Not Punished

    Mourinho Suffers First League Defeat, says Man Utd Not Punished

    Six out of the seven Premier League matches scheduled for Saturday (today) have been played. A total of 19 goals were scored in the six matches.
    Huddersfield Town will not forget the day in a rush as they tasted first league win over Manchester United since 1952 in the game that ended 2-1.
    Mooy and Depoitre scored for Huddersfield, while Rashford hit the consolation in the Jose Mourinho led Manchester United’s first league defeat of the season.
    In a post match interview, the Manchester United boss said, ” it was just a loss and not a punishment, thought it could have beern averted with the level of tenancy and play on the pitch but… you know things happened.”
    Meanwhile, their City rival recorded eleventh winning streaks in the league as Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane, Nichola were all on the score sheet for Manchester City as they thrashed Burnley 3-0
    Surman strike and Stanislas were celebrated for their two goals for Bournemouth but Diouf was up to get a goal for Stoke to end the match 2-1.
    In the Leicester City versus Swansea match Fernandez scored an own goal,  Okazaki makes it second for Leicester city, shortly after Mawson secured Swansea’s consolation goal as the match ended 2-1.

    Newcastle strike late through Mikel Merino at the 86th minutes to defeat Crystal Palace 1-0

    Earlier Chelsea beat Watford 4-2 in the first match of the day.
    The last match of the day is the game between Southampton v West Brom which will kick off at 17:30 pm.
    See table below for the EPL Results
    Chelsea
    42
    Watford
    Huddersfield Town
    21
    Manchester United
     Manchester City
    30
    Burnley
    Newcastle United
    10
    Crystal Palace
    Stoke City
    12
    AFC Bournemouth
    Swansea City
    12
    Leicester City
  • Full-time: Chelsea 4-2 Watford at Stamford Bridge

    Full-time: Chelsea 4-2 Watford at Stamford Bridge

    Chelsea has fought back from behind to lead Watford  4-2 at Stamford Bridge.

    The Blues came back from behind to win for the first time this season, moving them up above their opponents and into fourth place.

    Michy Batshuayi took advantage of a misplaced defensive header and used his considerable bulk to hold off Miguel Britos to slot in the fourth goal.

    Chelsea right-back Azpilicueta pops up at the left-hand post to meet a peach of a cross from Willian, guiding a downward header past Heurelho Gomes at the 87th minutes to get the third goal.

    Michy Batshuayi scored! The Chelsea player who came in as a substitution scored his first goal in the match at the 71st minute. The Stamford bridge has come alive again after he converted a brilliant pass from Pedro.

    Chelsea had the first goal of the match in the 12th minutes through Pedro, but Watford striker Doucouré level the margin in (45’+2minutes), close to the halftime. 

    Watford took the lead just as the second half resumed with a striking goal from Pereyra in the 49′ minutes

     

    At game over it was, however, Chelsea’s day at Stamford Bridge with the 4-2 match result

  • Valencia Scores Screamer in Man United 4-0 Everton Win

    Valencia Scores Screamer in Man United 4-0 Everton Win

    Antonio Valencia scored a stunning goal in the Manchester United 4-0 win against Everton on Sunday.

    United took the lead when Antonio Valencia produced a superb strike from the edge of the area on four minutes, connecting with Nemanja Matic’s pass on the bounce to power the ball past Jordan Pickford.

    They should have doubled their lead on 26 minutes, but Lukaku somehow missed the target from close range.

    Wayne Rooney, returning to Old Trafford, threatened an equaliser in the first half when he dragged a shot wide, and he forced David De Gea into a save soon after the break.

    They went close again just after the hour mark when Gylfi Sigurdsson got an effort away from close range, but De Gea was again equal to it.

    Juan Mata then won a free kick on the edge of the area and stepped up to rattle the post.

    United eventually increased the lead in the 83rd minute, shortly after Rooney had been substituted, as Lukaku set up Henrikh Mkhitaryan to slot home.

    Lukaku was able to add his name to the scoresheet in the 90th minute when the ball came back into his path after he had struck a free kick into the wall.

    Substitute Anthony Martial then added a fourth from the penalty spot after Morgan Schneiderlin’s handball to give United an equal record to league leaders Manchester City.

    • Martial converted from the spot to give Manchester united the 4-0 lead at full time.
    • Lukaku scored the third goal for Manchester United in the 89th minute.
    • Mkhitaryan scored the second goal in the 83rd minutes.
    • Antonio Valencial scored the first goal.

    Kick off time; 4pm

    Before the match all eyes were on Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku as they returned to their respective previous clubs in the Manchester united and Everton Match.

    Rooney returned to the  Old Trafford for the first time this season while Romelu Lukaku, leading scorer for United this season, faced his former club for the first time.

    On the surface, it would be an easy outing for Manchester United as Everton have won just one out of four matches in the league and United have been extremely convincing.

    However for the Red Devils, a notable absentee is Paul Pogba who is out with an injury for the next few weeks.

    Everton was defeated by Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea after managing to draw against Manchester City 1-1. United, on the other hand, started the season brilliantly with three wins before a surprise draw against Stoke City last weekend.

    Everton outscored a United that were all too obstructed in attack last season, only for Jose Mourinho’s team to suddenly become so fluent just as Ronald Koeman’s become so painfully slow. As the focal points of their teams, it would be impossible not to focus on Rooney and Lukaku in this regard.

    For one thing, Rooney has actually been one of Everton’s few sources of sharpness this season. One of the reasons for that is evidently his personal response to the obvious blow to the ego that getting dropped and discarded by United was.

  • Umar applauds Pillars as they retain Kwese League title

    Umar applauds Pillars as they retain Kwese League title

    Kano Pillars at the weekend successful defended their Nigerian basketball premier league title, when they defeated Gombe Bulls in the final 8 of the Kwese Premier League concluded at the Kofar Mata in Kano.
    Pillars defeated Bulls by 20 points 74-54 to confirm superiority in the Nigerian league. They took home the N20 million champions’ grand prize.
    The factional president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijjani Umar, was full of praises for the Nigerian champions, which he described as very consistent in the past years. “Pillars gave their best in the Kwese Premier League throughout the season, so retaining the league title was not a big surprise. We don’t have any doubt in our mind that Pillars would represent Nigeria well at the next edition of the FIBA Africa Club Championship, together with the runner’s up, Gombe Bulls.”
    For finishing second place, Gombe Bulls got N15 million, While Hoops and Read of Lagos that defeated Kwara Falcons 61-52 in the loser’s final took home N10 million.
    Kano Pillars’ Celestine Nwafor Peter, was voted the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Kwese Premier League. He was also voted the league’s Highest Scorer.
    Pillars’ Abubakar Usman Nda, was voted the Best Scorer, Gombe Bulls’ Timothy Kapon got the Best Offensive Player award, while Hoops and Read’s Mustapha Oyebanji was voted as the Best Shooter.
    The Kwese Premier League Best Five were David Godwin of Kwara Falcons, Dele Ademola of Pillars, Mustapha Oyebanji of Hoops and Read, Abubakar Usman Nda and Celestine Nwafor Peter.
    Some of the top sports personalities that presented prizes and individual awards to winners at the grand finale of the Final 8 include: Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, former chairman of the Nigeria Football Association and chairman Kano State Sports Commission, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, former President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Senator U.K Umar, former President of the NBBF, Alhaji Aliyu Bappa, Treasurer of the NOC, Alhaji Abba Yola, former Director, National Sports Commission and Prince Ado Bayero.
  • Nigerians Exploit in Saturday’s Premier League Match Day

    Nigerians Exploit in Saturday’s Premier League Match Day

    While some Nigerian players in the English Premier League were in action on the Saturday, some spent the 90 minutes on the bench and some could not make their club’s team list.

    For star match of the day between Manchester City and Liverpool, Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City) and Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool) were not in the teams match day squads. Manchester City  thrashed 5-0 Liverpool.

    Meanwhile, England U21 international Dominic Solanke came off the bench for the Reds in the 67th minute. Goals from Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus (2) and Leroy Sane (2) gave City their third win of the new season.

    Arsenal returned to winning ways, thrashing Jordon Ibe’s Bournemouth 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

    Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi watched proceedings from the bench for the entirety of the game, Ibe was introduced after 38 minutes and Chuba Akpom was not listed, having played for the U23s on Friday night.

    Two goals from Danny Welbeck and Lacazette secured the win for Arsene Wenger’s side.

    England U20 international Ademola Lookman was not in the Everton squad that lost 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park.

    Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 28th minute, Christian Eriksen doubled the advantage three minutes before the break and the England striker took his tally to 101 goal for Spurs in the 46th minute.

    Three Nigeria internationals fresh from international duty were involved at the King Power Stadium as Chelsea won their third game on the bounce, beating former champions Leicester City 2-1.

    Wilfred Ndidi, who went the distance, was shown a yellow card in the 84th minute, Victor Moses subbed out with 16 minutes left and Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench on 78 minutes.

    Goals from álvaro Morata and former Foxes hero N’Golo Kante put Chelsea 2-0 up, before England star Jamie Vardy reduced the deficit with a goal from the spot after the hour mark.

    Watford remains unbeaten after four rounds. The Vicarage Road outfit scored two goals through Abdoulaye Doucoure and Daryl Janmaat in their win over Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

    Watford number ten Isaac Success was an unused substitute while teammate Stefano Okaka was not included in the squad.

  • Chelsea eager to sign Drinkwater

    Chelsea eager to sign Drinkwater

     

    Chelsea are interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater, according to Sky sources.

    The England international is one of the midfielders the Premier League champions are looking at as a possible replacement for Nemanja Matic, who has been sold to Manchester United for £40m.

    Chelsea have already bought Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco, but Blues manager Antonio Conte wants to sign another midfielder.

    The Italian has already asked Bayern Munich about signing Renato Sanches and Drinkwater is also on his list of targets.

    However, Leicester are under no pressure to sell Drinkwater and he is not for sale, having signed a new four-year contract last summer.

    The 27-year-old was an integral part of the Leicester team that won the title in 2015-16 and his performances earned him a call-up to the England squad in March 2016.

    N’Golo Kante, who partnered Drinkwater in that title-winning Leicester midfield, joined Chelsea last summer for £30m and has enjoyed great success at Stamford Bridge.

    The Frenchman was a member of the Premier League-winning team for the second season in a row and won the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards.

    Drinkwater aside, Chelsea’s other midfield targets include Everton’s Ross Barkley and Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

  • Ronaldo surprises Vardy’s stepson with signed jersey

    Ronaldo surprises Vardy’s stepson with signed jersey

     

    Cristiano Ronaldo is perhaps too heavily focused upon for his self-centred actions while out on the football pitch, largely leaving his good deeds glossed over.

    But the Portuguese superstar has showed just how much of a gentleman he is this week by surprising the stepson of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy with a signed Real Madrid shirt.

    Vardy’s partner Rebekah took to her personal Instagram account on Wednesday to share a picture of the chuffed youngster proudly holding his Madrid shirt signed by the Ballon d’Or holder

    Captioning the image, Rebekah wrote: ‘Now that’s one lucky boy…. Thank you @cristiano for making this little boy so happy #hero #ronaldo #realmadrid.’

    The personally signed shirt was addressed directly to the youngster from Ronaldo, and came bearing the iconic winger’s printed name and famous no 7.

    Vardy and his partner have two children together, while Rebekah has Taylor and 11-year-old Megan from a previous relationship.

    The young family could be seen joining Vardy on the field as the 2016/17 season came to an end and Leicester successfully confirmed their Premier League status.

    A troubled season for the title-defending Foxes saw the threat of relegation beckon, only for fortunes to turn once Craig Shakespeare took over at the helm following the dismissal of Claudio Ranieri.

    Leicester have already returned to pre-season training ahead of the coming campaign, as they bid to build upon their late resurgence last year

    Vardy, as part of the Foxes personnel on international duty at the end of last season, has been granted additional time off.

    Leicester will travel to the Far East later this month as part of their pre-season tour of Hong Kong.