Aston Villa move into the top four as Tottenham’s slump continues

Ollie Watkins fired Aston Villa into the Premier League’s top four with the winner at Tottenham to inflict a third consecutive defeat on the hosts.

Unai Emery’s side came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory and leapfrog Spurs after a thrilling end-to-end contest, with Pau Torres scoring a first-half header and Watkins scoring a second after 61 minutes.

Giovani Lo Celso had drilled Tottenham in front after 22 minutes with Ange Postecoglou’s selection gamble paying dividends at this point, but the hosts’ profligacy in front of goal cost them and Villa secured an eighth win from their last 10 matches.

Three Point Lane.

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial)

Hours before the match it was revealed former Spurs player and manager Terry Venables had di…

Ole has pushed me to a new level – Shaw hails United boss Solskjaer

Luke Shaw has thanked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for managing me right after earning an England recall.

Shaw has been one of United s standout performers this term and is back in the international fold for the first time in two years, as Gareth Southgate s squad prepare for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Those matches will be the Three Lions last before Southgate names his squad for the rescheduled Euro 2020, with former Southampton youngster Shaw looking set to contest a starting berth with Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell.

It is a far cry from the 25-year-old s time under Jose Mourinho at OId Trafford, where public criticism from his manager appeared to do more harm than good as he struggled for form, fitness and confidence.

[Sol…

Rumour Has It: Neymar nearing PSG renewal, Haaland´s future up in the air

For a long time, Neymar had been tipped to re-join Barcelona after leaving Camp Nou in a world-record transfer in 2017.

But Neymar s future is close to being finalised.

Paris Saint-Germain are set to retain the Brazil international.

 

TOP STORY – NEYMAR AND PSG POISED FOR RENEWAL

Neymar is close to signing a new contract with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, according to Canal+.

PSG star Neymar has been in contract negotiations and publicly pledged his long-term future to the club following their progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

Previously linked with a return to Barcelona, Neymar could sign his renewal before the Champions League tie against Manchester City.

 

ROUND-UP

 Erling Ha…

Prediction: Liverpool vs Everton

Verdict: Both teams to score

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Jurgen Klopp must restore Liverpool s confidence following a Champions League setback as they host Everton at Anfield in Sunday s Merseyside derby.

Liverpool

Starting with Jurgen Klopp s Liverpool side, if the Reds are serious about mounting a charge to dethrone Manchester City then the German boss will know he must put their midweek Champions League woes behind them. Slumping to a 2-1 loss away at PSG, Sunday s hosts have now lost their four European away matches on the bounce and the odds of them making the knockout stage are looking increasingly uncertain. As for their Premier League form, however, the Reds sit two points adrift of the defending champions at the top of the table and are unbeaten…

Rumour Has It: Atletico begin talks with Barcelona´s Rakitic

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic could make a surprise move to Atletico Madrid ahead of next season.

The Croatia international is reportedly unhappy at Camp Nou and has been linked with a move away since the off-season.

Now, a stay in LaLiga could eventuate, but away from Barcelona.

 

TOP STORY – ATLETICO BEGIN TALKS WITH BARCELONA S RAKITIC

Atletico Madrid are already negotiating with Rakitic about a possible move at the end of the season, according to Cadena SER.

The 31-year-old is contracted at Barcelona, where he arrived from Sevilla in 2014, until 2021.

Rakitic admitted on Sunday he considered leaving the club in January, and it seems a move is likely come season s end.

 ÚLTIMA HORA | Informa

 El Atlét…

Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid: Casemiro sends Real two points clear

Following Barcelona s slip-up against Celta Vigo, fans and pundits alike were well aware of the fact that Real Madrid had a huge opportunity in front of them tonight against Espanyol. When push came to shove it was a bit harder than expected, but in the end, Real did manage to come away with the win in this David vs Goliath clash to move two points ahead of Barca in the La Liga table.

While Real did appear to dominate for large portions of the game, Espanyol have the kind of stubborn outlook that is always going to be tough to break down. Still, Real gave it everything they had, pouring the pressure on the relegation strugglers from the moment the first whistle blew.

Staying calm

Casemiro went close with a long range effort that was well saved by Diego Lopez, whereas E…

West Ham United bid for Wesley Fofana

West Ham United are interested in signing Wesley Fofana from Saint-Etienne in the summer transfer window, according to . It has been reported that the Hammers have made a bid for the central defender, who is also of interest to Premier League rivals Leicester City.

The London club have offered an initial transfer fee of £23 million and up to £10 million in add-ons for the 19-year-old centre-back, according to the report. This comes following talks between Leicester and Saint-Etienne over the transfer of the teenager, who has told his head coach Claude Puel that he wants to move to the Premier League this season.

Fofana has been at Saint-Etienne since 2015 and is rated as one of the best young centre-backs in Ligue 1. According to , the Frenchman made 13 starts and one…

When Solskjaer met Haaland

According to a recent report from Sky Sports, Manchester United are growing increasingly confident that they will be able to secure the signing of Erling Haaland after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a trip to meet him in person. 

The that the gaffer met with his fellow Norwegian in order to try and convince him to commit to signing for the Red Devils. Haaland has been linked, in one way or another, with every single top European club under the sun across the last few months. This is due to his phenomenal start to the campaign with RB Salzburg, during which he has been busy scoring goals for fun both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League. 

RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund are particularly keen on trying to bring the teenage sensation across to Bundesliga, but it…

Record WSL crowd watches Arsenal thrash Tottenham

The Women s Super League attendance record was sent tumbling on Saturday as 47,367 fans watched Arsenal thrash north London rivals Tottenham 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

A high crowd at the Emirates was significantly larger than the previous record – set when 38,262 people watched the same two sides face off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November 2019.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said the match would represent a historic moment for the women s game on Friday, declaring: They re not giveaways, they re not discounted, they re sold tickets.

I think that s really special, because that means the interest there, it is for real.

Those in attendance at the Emirates on Saturday were not disappointed, as Vivianne Miedema s brace, as well as goals from Be…

Kane matches Ozil assists record with latest Son link-up

Harry Kane matched a record set by Mesut Ozil as his latest assist for Son Heung-min came in Tottenham s Premier League clash with Arsenal.

The Spurs skipper played the ball to Son out on the left from a deep position and the South Korea international curled in a sublime shot after carrying the ball forward.

It was the 10th goal Kane has set up in the Premier League this season, doing so in just 11 games.

That puts him level with Ozil for the fewest appearances to reach double figures for assists. Arsenal outcast Ozil left out of the Gunners  Premier League and Europa League squads this term  had held that particular record on his own since 2015-16.

11 Harry Kane has assisted his 10th Premier League goal of the season in just 11 games; no player has …