‘Reece Oxford’ was towards the top of Twitter’s trending lists prior to West Ham’s opening game of the Premier League campaign at Arsenal, and for good reason.The 16-year old was drafted in by new Hammers gaffer Slaven Bilic to feature in the midfield along sideÂMark Noble and Cheik Kouyate in what is a massive leap of faith from the Croat – particularly given the array of talented opposition he’ll have to face at the Emirates Stadium.
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The debut caps a remarkable few months for the Academy product after starring in preseason and being handed his full senior debut in the Europa League qualifier versus FC Lusitans.
Manchester United did not disappoint in putting on a show at Elland Road this afternoon, in a fiery clash against Leeds United that ended in a 4-2 victory for the Lancashire side.
In an attacking performance at both ends of the pitch, Manchester United players shared out the four goals across the pitch with Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Anthony Elanga all finding the back of the net over the game.
Leeds United didn’t go down without a fight though, dominating possession throughout (54%) and scoring two goals in 24 seconds in the 53rd and 54th minute.
However Manchester United’s quality all over the pitch was inevitably too much for the home team to handle, and Ralf Rangnick’s side go home with all three points, putting them four points clear inside the top four, fourth in the Premier League table.
One player who failed to make an impact in the game, despite the tenacious win from the Red Devils, was Jesse Lingard who was given the golden opportunity of starting in the side this afternoon but could have blown it.
According to SofaScore, the Man United forward dropped a disaster-class against Leeds United, losing the majority of his duels (67.5%), committed two fouls, was dribbled past twice and lost the ball every 3 out of 29 touches.
That eventually resulted in Rangnick benching him in the 67th minute to make way for Elanga, who came on and made a much bigger impact in less time on the pitch, by scoring the fourth goal.
This performance from the £80k-per-week gem will only further Rangnick’s point of leaving the player out of the starting side in recent months, as the Manchester United manager gave Lingard the green light to leave in January, but when the club blocked the move, it left the player to see out the last six months of his contract at his boyhood club. As a result, this could be the last opportunity the manager offers Lingard to squander, after an ineffective display this weekend.
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Rangnick will be delighted that his side go into their Champions League game full of confidence and with a comfortable lead in the top four race as it stands, and will be hoping that the team can offer another collective performance to secure a win in the first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
It is widely expected that Joe Cole will leave Chelsea this summer with bitter rivals Tottenham and Arsenal racing for his signature. A move to a London rival could be unpopular amongst Chelsea’s supporters even though they may understand the players need for first team football (or more money, if you believe the papers), but who are the real turncoats in football?
10. Roberto Baggio: First up is Baggio, who transferred to Juventus from bitter rivals Fiorentina in 1990 for a then world record £8 million fee. His inclusion is a little harsh as he insists he was “compelled to accept” the offer and he said: “deep in my heart I am always Purple (the colour of Fiorentina).” However, the deal wasn’t well received in Florence and two days of full scale riots broke out in which fifty people were injured.
9. Jermain Defoe: (Charlton, West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and back to Tottenham) Loyalty does not seem to be Defoe’s strong point as he handed a transfer request in the day after West Ham went down in 2003 and ended up going to London rivals Tottenham the next season. After falling out of favour with Spurs he went to Portsmouth for a season only to jump that sinking ship to return to White Hart Lane. Also, Charlton fans were not impressed when Defoe snubbed a professional contract at the Charlton to go to West Ham and subsequently he is booed at the Valley.
8. Paul Ince: The former Blackburn manager is another who didn’t exactly endear himself to the Upton Park faithful during his time as a player. In 1989 Ince was photographed in a Man United shirt long before his eventual £1 million switch to Old Trafford and has received some stick from West Ham fans for it ever since. The player also played for United’s hated rivals Liverpool (1997-99) after spending a couple of seasons at Inter Milan.
7. Nick Barmby: He became the first player to be transferred from Everton to Liverpool since Dave Hickson in 1959. His move from relegation battlers Everton to Gerard Houllier’s trophy chasing Liverpool side in 2000 made him a hated figure at Goodison Park and one of the biggest turncoats in Premier League history.
6. Ashley Cole: Just about everyone hates Ashley Cole, not just for footballing reasons either as the tabloids have dogged the defender for cheating on one of the nation’s most popular women Cheryl Cole? Or is it Tweedy again? (bah, who cares, right?).
Nicknamed ‘Cashley’ the Chelsea left-back was caught up in a tapping up storm whilst at Arsenal after meeting Chelsea officials in a hotel. He also angered his fans moaning about wages and released a controversial autobiography. The troubled player has sort of justified his switch (William Gallas going the other way and also something of a Judas) to Arsenal’s bitter rivals Chelsea after winning a league and FA Cup double, but he will remain hated by many fans.
Continue to page 2 for the top five
5. Alan Smith: Smith is just one of a few players to make controversial moves across the Pennines from Leeds to Manchester United in 2004 following the Elland Road club’s relegation from the Premier League. Before him both Eric Cantona (1992) and Rio Ferdinand (2002) had previously made the same switch.
However, Smith must be considered a traitor as he was one of those annoying badge kissers, he was a local Leeds lad and although it was expected that he would leave following the club’s demise in the Premier League many Leeds fans were hurt when he opted to go to their hated rivals at Old Trafford.
4. Luis Figo: The Portuguese midfielder made a highly controversial move back in 2000 from Barcelona to Real Madrid for a then world record fee of £37 million. Although he wasn’t the only one to make the move as Michael Laudrup (1994) and Luis Enrique (1996) did also, but I bet he was the only one to have a pig’s head thrown at him whilst taking a corner. On his return to the Nou Camp with Madrid in November 2002 the Barcelona fans also showered Figo with lighters, cans, bottles and smoke bombs erupted all around the ground, which added to an atmosphere which was already heated and violent.
3. Harry Redknapp: ‘Arry comes across as a slightly dodgy character with all the tax evasion charges that have been levelled at him in the past and his seemingly fickle nature when it comes to football management.
After spending two years at Portsmouth he angered the Fratton Park faithful when he went to South Coast rivals Southampton, who he relegated from the Premier League to the Championship and left them peeved when he moved back to bitter rivals Portsmouth….was he a double agent or something? He also claimed he would end his career on the South Coast, then he went to Tottenham in 2008, which makes him a Judas and a liar.
2. Maurice ‘Mo’ Johnston: You would have to be a little bit crazy to pour fuel on the fire that is the Glasgow rivalry between Celtic and Rangers, but that is exactly what Johnston did and he infuriated both sets of fans in the process.
After a spell at French club Nantes the former Celtic man issued a desire to rejoin the Hoops, but made a U-turn on his decision and joined the Gers instead.
As Mo is a Roman Catholic, who went to a protestant club he became equally hated by both sets of fans and has to be considered as one of the biggest Judases in football history.
1. Sol Campbell: The biggest Judas in football has to be Campbell, who made the most controversial moves in Premier League history when he signed for Arsenal from their most hated rivals Tottenham on a free transfer in 2001.
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Ever since he has been labelled a ‘Judas scum’ and although that song (you know the one) is uncalled for the Spurs fans have every reason to be upset with the player who had been with them since he was 15, he was also there idol and captain.
Since then he has also walked out on Notts County after just one appearance and has been trying to sue former club Portsmouth over unpaid image rights, fees and bonuses. Sure he may be entitled to the money, but does he really need it and is it fair to kick a cash-strapped club when they are down? What a traitor.
Who do you think is football’s biggest traitor?
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Head coach Bert Van Marwijk was content with his Netherlands side's performance in their 2-0 win over Denmark in their opening game of the World Cup finals in South Africa.
An own goal and a clincher from Dirk Kuyt five minutes from time gave the Oranje a fine start to their Group E campaign.
Van Marwijk said:"I've been thinking about this first game for a long, long time.
"I've always said that this was the most important match, because a good beginning to a world championship is so important.
"It's always a tough match. Today, as you could see, there was a bit of tension with the players. It was difficult, but we won, which is the most important thing.
"Beforehand, I think we were the favourites, so you know you're going to face a very defensive opponent.
"That means that in your build-up you cannot afford to make many mistakes. But we played well, we didn't give away too many opportunities and all the players should be complimented for that.
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"I think we made a reasonably good impression and that we never panicked, not for one moment.
"In the end, we are really pleased with this win."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan dedicated his award for the outstanding player at the World Cup to his Uruguay team-mates.
Forlan, who finished in a four-way tie with Thomas Muller, Wesley Sneijder and David Villa for the Golden Boot top-scorer award with five goals, was named the recipient of the player of the tournament shortly after Sunday's final.
Villa of Spain and Sneijder of the Netherlands picked up the Silver and Bronze Ball awards respectively following Spain's 1-0 victory over the Dutch in the Soccer City final.
Forlan had earlier helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals where they lost to the Netherlands, but afterwards the Atletico Madrid striker paid tribute to the help he received from his team-mates.
"It's as great as it is unexpected. I never even imagined something like this, nor did I have my sights set on it," he said.
"As I'm a striker, I perhaps could have seen myself chasing the Golden Shoe, and in fact I came close. That would have been more normal.
"But to go from that to winning the prize for the best player, I'm enjoying it and I'm delighted, but I'm very aware that it's the result of the spectacular tournament the team has had.
"It's another reward for this positive period for Uruguayan football."
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Uruguay were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Germany in Saturday's third-place play-off and a rueful Forlan added:"I'm heading home a little sad because, having watched the final, it hit me how close we were to playing in it.
"Losing the semi-final was a really cruel blow, which took me a couple of days to get over and which I still find hard to swallow."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Brazil international Luis Fabiano appears to be resigned to staying at Sevilla for another season.
The 29-year-old almost joined AC Milan last year and was interesting the Rossoneri again this summer as well as Manchester United and Tottenham.
However, he was quoted by ABC as saying:“It is true that other clubs were interested in me but I have not held advanced negotiations with anyone.
“I am very happy at Sevilla and I have never said that I will be leaving for Milan or Manchester United. These are big clubs, but Sevilla are also among the best in Europe.
“Could I sign a new deal with Sevilla? My agent is negotiating with the president, but there is no pressure because we have a lot of time.
“I am due to return to training on July 26 and I am looking forward to getting back to work. We have not done too well in the Champions League over recent seasons but we are set to enter the qualifiers in August and we have to make sure we give 100 per cent to make the group stage.”
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Fabiano scored three goals as Brazil reached the quarter-finals of the recent World Cup finals in South Africa.
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If any respected author were asked to write about the stories and myths that have often shrouded Craig Bellamy’s footballing talents they would probably politely decline – they would not have enough time. However if Tottenham do eventually get their man, the White Hart Lane faithful should ignore all that has gone before.
After all, he has grown up since those days at Newcastle United where arguments with Graeme Souness and text messages to Alan Shearer made a welcome return to St James Park’ an impossibility and even to a lesser extent Liverpool where Bellamy decided to practice his golf swing on fans favourite John Arne Riise.
The opening of the Craig Bellamy Football Foundation for disadvantaged children is Sierra Leone and a generous investment of £650,000 of his own money to help build a football academy to develop the country’s young football talent is perhaps the most obvious evidence that the striker, capped 58 times for Wales, has repressed the destructive influence he once held.
His talents on the field have also come to fruition at Eastlands with 11 goals and 14 assists last season underlining the importance he would have for Harry Redknapp’s Spurs should he opt to join them over a re-union with Mark Hughes at Craven Cottage.
The Spurs boss is understood to have offered in the region of £8million for the striker who he believes would be an important part of maintaining the unity in the Spurs camp due to his experience with top-clubs and his combative nature both on and off the pitch.
He said: “We need a couple of experienced players – a few men in the team, Inter Milan won the Champions League with men, they weren’t kids. I think it’s going to be important.”
Such comments show the transition Bellamy has gone through in recent years and Spurs’ fans should welcome the addition of such a quality player with open arms.
The offer of Champions League football is likely to be utilised in order to try and lure Bellamy to Tottenham who face stiff competition from Fulham and Aston Villa if they are to install the fiery veteran before their game against Swiss side Young Boys.
Whether Bellamy will soon to be unveiled at White Hart Lane remains to be seen but it appears since his darker days at Newcastle Bellamy has come of age and his electric pace would offer any Premier League a threat in attack least of all Spurs’ who appear desperate for his signature so they can involve him in their European excursions.
Bellamy Goals 2009-2010
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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
Roy Hodgson’s first Premier League match in charge for Liverpool was certainly an eventful one. He saw new signing Joe Cole get sent off having been shown a straight red by referee Martin Atkinson. Then just as it looked as though the Reds were heading to an impressive victory against Arsenal, a real rarity occurred – the ever reliable Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina made a mistake! The Anfield crowd couldn’t believe it as the Spanish ‘keeper bundled the ball into his own net and thousands at the ground and back home watching on TV were thinking ‘did that really just happen?’ But our eyes weren’t deceiving us, Reina did score an own goal and Hodgson was prevented from getting his Liverpool career off to a winning start. But what was Reina thinking as he reflected on his costly mistake?
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This week you can win a copy of Superfan!
Superfan’ Morris Keston has organised over 25 testimonial matches and other fund-raising dinners and events for footballing legends over the years, including ones for Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks and the late Bobby Moore.
He says: “Before top players could demand £100,000 a week, the stars of yesteryear would usually hit the panic button when their playing days looked numbered. A testimonial was an opportunity to finally get a decent payday and I was only too happy to help my friends in football earn a few quid out of them. Indeed, it was a privilege.”
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Caption Competition: A Reina Rarity! Roy Hodgson’s first game in charge for Liverpool was certainly an eventful one. He saw new signing Joe Cole get sent off having been shown a straight red by referee Martin Atkinson. Then just as it looked as though the Reds were heading to an impressive victory against Arsenal, a real rarity occurred – the ever reliable Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina made a mistake! The Anfield crowd couldn’t believe it as the Spanish ‘keeper bundled the ball into his own net and thousands at the ground and back home watching on TV were thinking ‘did that really just happen?’ But our eyes weren’t deceiving us, Reina did score an own goal and Hodgson was prevented from getting his Liverpool career off to a winning start. But what was Reina thinking as he reflected on his costly mistake?
Fulham’s England striker Bobby Zamora is facing at least four months out of action after suffering a serious leg injury in the 2-1 win over Wolves at Craven Cottage.
Zamora damaged his right leg in a challenge with Karl Henry just before the half-hour mark and had to be stretchered from the field after receiving oxygen.
Cottagers boss Mark Hughes later confirmed:“If the injury is as we think it is, it’s likely to be four months.
“If the surgeon goes in tomorrow and finds other damage rather than just the break, which is four centimetres above his ankle, it will be even longer than that. The four months looks like a minimum.
“It’s a shame but I don’t really lay the blame on the player (Henry). It’s one of those.
“There’s always a danger if you get tackled from the side or from behind that players’ legs can get trapped.
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“I don’t think there was any intent to hurt Bobby. You don’t expect the circumstances of the injury to be the result of a challenge like that, but it can happen.”
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Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher has reason for cheer after signing a new two-year contract with the club.
The deal coincided with the club's sale as New England Sports Ventures finalised their protracted purchase from detested owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and the 32-year-old former England international is glad both issues have been resolved.
"We've been talking about it for the last couple of weeks but obviously there's been more important business for the club to deal with and rightly so," he said.
"Mine was put to the back of the queue and that was no problem but it's finally sorted now. When Liverpool offer you a contract you sort it out pretty quickly. I'm looking forward to hopefully finishing my career at the club.
"Since the day I made my debut, my dream would have been to finish my career at the club and hopefully now that will be the case."
Meanwhile, manager Roy Hodgson has welcomed the move, claiming the veteran is still one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
He said:"I'm really pleased Jamie has been offered and agreed a new contract. He's part of the heart and soul of this club and is a man who literally would do anything to achieve success for the club and he has proved it over the last ten years or so in the Premier League.
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"His contribution on the field has been of the very highest quality. Jamie has been one of the few players in the seven league matches this season who could hold his hand up and say 'I can't do any better, you could never put a lack of result down to my performance'.
"That is something to be proud of."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email