Mané Double Downs Spurs

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 2:0 THFC

Man of the match Sadio Mané's double helped Liverpool to their much missed winning selves to beat Tottenham 2-0 at Anfield.

The Senegal forward's return from the Africa Cup of Nations served the Reds their first win of the year, injecting much missed energy, speed and determination.

Mauricio Pochettino's men don't like the top six as form shows (recording just 1 win in the last 17 games), whilst Jürgen Klopp can be a very relieved man.

Most of the action happened in the first half, the Reds dominating the show, making Spurs look clumsy and all over the place.

Mané fired the home side ahead after 16 minutes, beating left-back Ben Davies to Georginio Wijnaldum's pass.

138 seconds later, the £34m former Saints man doubled the lead from close range after a fine double save by Hugo Lloris denying Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino.

If it weren't for the French stopper, the score could have been much worse at the interval, Liverpool recording 13 attempts, 8 on target, keeping him very busy.

At the other end, Simon Mignolet didn't have much to do, but was alert enough to deny Son Heung-min one-on-one shortly after Mané's double.

The second half was less eventful, the Reds happy and comfortable with the lead, Spurs not threatening nor creating much.

The win takes Liverpool back up to fourth, whilst second-placed Tottenham see the gap to the top widen to nine points, with both Chelsea and Man City still to play on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 16' & 18'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 2 Clyne, 33 Matip (booked 56'), 21 Lucas (17 Klavan 82'), 7 Milner (booked 68'); 20 Lallana, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 53'), 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (66 Alex-Arnold 90'+2'), 11 Firmino, 10 Coutinho (23 Can 77'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 15 Sturridge,  18 Moreno,  27 Origi.

Tottenham Team: 1 Lloris (c); 2 Walker, 4 Alderweireld (booked 83'), 15 Dier (booked 78'), 33 Davies; 19 Dembele (17 Sissoko 77'), 12 Wanyama; 23 Eriksen (29 Winks 68' (booked 71')), 20 Alli, 7 Son (booked 28') (9 Janssen 82'); 10 Kane (booked 67'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 13 Vorm, 14 Nkoudou, 16 Trippier,  27 Wimmer.

HT & FT stats: LFC-THFC
Possession: 54%-46% & 51%-49%
Attempts: 13-5 & 17-7
On target: 8-2 & 9-2
Offsides: 0-0 & 2-1
Corners: 8-2 & 10-3
Fouls: 5-5 & 14-14
Yellow cards: 0-1 & 3-5
Red cards: 0-0 & 0-0

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: Sadio Mané
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,159

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report and Sky Sports match report and live coverage.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 13

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 13

The 13th week of the Premier League action saw:

218 shots - most by Liverpool = 27
31 goals - most by Swansea = 5
267 fouls - most by Crystal Palace & Watford = 24
53 bookings - most by Crystal Palace = 5
1 red card - Miguel Britos for Watford
4 penalties - 4 scored (Milner for Liverpool, Wilson for Bournemouth, Mahrez and Slimani for Leicester)

LOL at Guardiola complimenting his side's "beautiful goals" - sarcasm may be included. 😂😝😂

OMG at Loris Karius' goal kick howler at Anfield - WTF?!?!?! 😱🙈😱

And Klopp starred again with his touchline antiques, punching Anfield! 👊🏻😁👊🏻

What a game! It was heartbreaking for Crystal Palace to see their side fall to their sixth successive defeat after coming from behind to end up losing out in a nine-goal thriller at the Liberty Stadium, seven of them coming after the break, four in eleven minutes. Many see this as Alan Pardew's final push, with his job having been on the brink already with his side's lack of form and results, seeing them hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th, level on points with Hull City in 18th. Bob Bradley meanwhile, can be very relieved, his Welsh side nicking it with two goals in stoppage time, substitute Fernando Llorente being the double-hero, the win taking Swansea up to 19th, a point between them and safety.

What a team! The top three are unstoppable at at the moment. All three recorded wins keeping them at the top of the league with just one point separating top dogs Chelsea (31) from Liverpool (30) and Manchester City (30). Their performances were far from impressive but they still did their job and recorded the three crucial points, which is the main thing when competition is this tight. Antonio Conte's side turned the game around against Tottenham, whilst Jürgen Klopp's men left it late against Sunderland and Pep Guardiola's side muddled and stumbled their way through at Burnley. The Gunners were also lucky, winning against Bournemouth thanks to defensive howlers, Petr Cech's quality stops and the officials' penalty ignorance. The race is heating up, the sides feeling the rise in temperature, making next week's game the more decisively crunchy!

What a man! Alvaro Negredo ended his goal drought since the opening day of the season, putting Boro ahead at Leicester with a nice double. The first was a nice sweep into the corner of the net, the second a fine finish after an impressive run, pick and hit. The champions ended up rescuing a point thanks to Islam Slimani's last-minute penalty, but Negredo deserved the man of the match award, despite the result, without a doubt. Sergio Agüero's double earned City a hard-fought win at Burnley and their first back-to-back win since September. Clarets boss Sean Dyche was not happy with the result, questioning some of the refereeing decisions, and rightly so.

What a goal! Both Chelsea and Tottenham scored mouthwatering beauties! First Christian Eriksen gave Spurs the lead at Stamford Bridge with an absolute screamer. It was the Dane's first goal since March, the ferocity of the drive giving keeper Thibaut Courtois no chance. But it was not to be for the visitors, who's last win at Chelsea came 26 years ago, the year Nelson Mandela got released from prison (i.e. a long time ago!). Pedro levelled he scored with a right-foot curling beauty, nice turn, again leaving the keeper hope-and useless. The winner was less quality, more deflection ping pong, but sealed Mauricio Pochettino's men's first league defeat of the season.

What the hell?! As mentioned above, the referees have had plenty of controversies and questionable decisions once again. So, José Mourinho's antiques, being sent off the second time in a month for his tantrums, look the more unprofessional and childish. Especially when looking at the incident that made him kick the bottle, Paul Pogba being booked for a dive, it was a correct decision as replays showed no contact was made with West Ham defender Mark Noble. It is just ridiculous how the Portuguese boss is acting and reacting to his side's lack of quality, call it tough luck and bad run of results. Like someone just has to give him back his dummy!!!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Burnley 1:5 Man City - 1:2
Hull City 1:1 West Brom - 1:1
Leicester 2:1 Middlesbrough - 2:2
Liverpool 3:1 Sunderland - 2:0
Swansea 1:1 Crystal Palace - 5:4
Chelsea 3:0 Tottenham - 2:1
Watford 1:1 Stoke City - 0:1
Arsenal 2:1 Bournemouth - 3:1
Man United 3:2 West Ham - 1:1
Southampton 1:1 Everton - 1:0

Click here to read last week's Premier League Picks

Pictures taken from the BBC match reports 

LET THE NEW SEASON BEGIN...

Sports - Football - Premier League

Well, well, well. The new season is upon us. I don't know about you, but I still can't quite believe what happened last season! I'm still reliving, digesting and trying to make sense of it, pinching myself to check it did really happen, and loving the fact that it did! Unpredictable! Unforgettable!

So, if you go by last season, then the title favourites this campaign would be Burnley! Or Sunderland! Better: Bournemouth! No, but seriously, I will put a cheeky pound on each of them. After last season, you just don't know! 

I hate the fact that everyone is writing off Leicester's chances (AGAIN!)! It will be difficult to repeat last season's surprise heroics, but that doesn't mean we're back to the old and obvious top picks. Just because they spend most, does not mean they will do most nor best, far from it! That was more than proven last season! 

Anyways, enough of my thoughts and takes, here is a good overview of the main changes, stats and facts, a good appetiser to what awaits us in the Premier League 2016/17...

New Bosses: 

Big names, big clashes, big results, the challenge, show and pressure are all ooooon! With lots of hoo and plenty of ha! Who will last the season? Who will see Christmas? Who is overrated and will flop? Who is king and will be top? Only time will tell...

Antonio Conte at Chelsea: The temperamental Italian was very entertaining to watch during Euro2016 and is expected to make a great impact. That's what he was chosen for, to drag the Blues back up. (Win% 55.66)

Ronald Koeman at Everton: His departure from Southampton surprised many after he frowned upon those who leave their clubs mid-contract time. Interesting season ahead, especially against his former club.(Win% 54.88)

Caretaker Mike Phelan at Hull: A tough (temporary) job on his hands with the club in turmoil after his ex-United team mate Steve Bruce's departure. Nothing to envy. (Win% N/A)

Pep Guardiola at Man City: The Barcelona legend will not be remembered for much at Bayern and has a point to prove in his first Premier League job. (Win% 72.87)

Jose Mourinho at Man United: And the Special One is back, with more than a point to prove after leaving Chelsea in the bottom half of the table last season. (Win% 66.1)

Claude Puel at Southampton: The one-club-man Monaco legend has a lot to learn and prove in his first job outside of France. (Win% 42.49)

David Moyes at Sunderland: The former Everton and Man United manager is happy to be back, back with a vengeance I am sure. (Win% 43.79)

Walter Mazzarri at Watford: The 12th boss at Vicarage Road in the last decade, the Italian will know this job is not an easy but usually short and bumpy ride. (Win% 40.03)

Old Bosses:

Déjà vu? Under pressure? Who? Where? Never! These ones have been there, done that and are back on their old seats for more. Or maybe less. Hanging in there. We will see...

Arsene Wenger at Arsenal since 1996: In his 21st season at the club and final year of his contract, there is a more sick and tired feel to the Gunners. (Win% 54.1)

Eddie Howe at Bournemouth since 2012: The Football League Manager of The Decade is certainly enjoying his second stint with the Cherries in the top flight. (Win% 46.7)

Sean Dyche at Burnley since 2012: Winning promotion to the Premier League for the second time in three years, he will hope the spell will last longer this time. (Win% 40.6)

Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace since 2015: Never without some controversy and will be under pressure after a disappointing end to last season. (Win% 42.5)

Claudio Ranieri at Leicester since 2015: The charming Italian will have to prove all the doubters wrong again after the sublime last season, no one seeing a repeat possible. (Win% 46.37)

Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool since 2015: The Normal One won over the Red hearts very quickly last season, now the question is whether he can win enough points, and trophies. (Win% 48.6)

Aitor Karanka at Middlesbrough since 2013: The Spaniard has had his ups and downs and crises with the club but has not looked back since his return and Boro's promotion. (Win% 52.5)

Mark Hughes at Stoke since 2013: Finishing 9th the last three seasons, the Potters will feel too comfortable for their own good. (Win% 39.7)

Francesco Guidolin at Swansea since 2016: Taking the job in January with the Swans just two points from the drop, the Italian has taught the Swans how to win and smile again. (Win% 43.8)

Mauricio Pocchetino at Tottenham since 2014: Had made Spurs title contenders last season but left disappointed losing the edge at the end and no trophies. This season will be crunch time for the Argentine. (Win% 39.6)

Tony Pulis at West Brom since 2015: The former Stoke and Crystal Palace manager certainly knows how to spoil the show for the big boys, so, never to be underestimated! (Win% 36.4%)

Slaven Bilic at West Ham since 2015: The Croatian has lead the Hammers to their best finish in the Premier League era, breaking plenty of records and wetting the appetite for the fans this season. (Win% 52.17)

Ins and Outs: 

Numbers of signings and exits per club (on date compiled = 11/08/2016), West Ham and Middlesbrough topping the shopping list with 9 new names each, whilst Liverpool have cleared out most with 15 players shown the door.

Arsenal: 4 & 8

Bournemouth: 8 & 7

Burnley: 4 & 5

Chelsea: 2 & 8

Crystal Palace: 3 & 9

Everton: 5 & 5

Hull City: 1 & 3

Leicester: 6 & 10

Liverpool: 6 & 15

Man City: 8 & 4

Man Utd: 4 & 9

Middlesbrough: 9 & 4

Southampton: 4 & 9

Stoke City: 3 & 2

Sunderland: 3 & 8

Swansea: 7 & 10

Tottenham: 2 & 4

Watford: 5 & 7

West Brom: 1 & 3

West Ham: 9 & 3

Big spenders this summer:

Not many surprises there (again, amounts correct on date compiled = 11/08/2016). Will this be the Premier League table come May 2017? Sad if so... I may put a £5er on it though...

1. Man City £161.59m
2. Man Utd £157.25m
3. Liverpool £67.92m
4. Chelsea £63.58m
5. Arsenal £44.2m
6. Leicester £40.38m
7. West Ham £39.27m
8. Tottenham £31.03m
9. Bournemouth £29.84m
10. Swansea £27.4m
11. Southampton £24.23m
12. Crystal Palace £23.21m
13. Watford £21.72m
14. Everton £19.98m
15. Middlesbrough £19.3m
16. Stoke City £17.67m
17. Sunderland £14.08m
18. West Brom £5.53m
19. Burnley £3.66m
20. Hull City: £0

Total spending: £811.84

My predictions:

I will pick Tottenham as my favourites because they are the only fully settled side without any major changes nor reshuffles. 

It will be interesting to see how Sunderland will do without Big Sam, I think they will struggle, even with Moyes in charge. I name them on my relegation list with newbies Hull City, post-Steve-Bruce. Last but not least, hm... Difficult to say, but sorry, have to pick another promoted side, Burnley, but hope to be proven wrong by the Championship winners.

A little fact to back them up: Of the 71 promoted teams to play in the Premier League, 44% of them = 31 have been immediately relegated, meaning more than half stay up, the average finishing position being 15th. Thanks to the BBC for that little fact. And for MOTD. I cannot wait to see Gary Lineker in his underpants!!! 😂🙆😂🙆😂

Expect the unexpected! Let the season begin... ⚽😍⚽😘⚽😍⚽

All pictures thanks to Bing, stats and facts thanks to Wikipedia, BBC, Sky Sports and talkSPORT.