ESPN FC - English Premier League News

Jurgen Klopp: Dominic Solanke has bright future with Liverpool, England

Steve Nicol and Mark Donaldson break down the key storylines to watch ahead of Liverpool's clash with Southampton. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is pleased with the progress Dominic Solanke has made since his summer move to Anfield, and has dubbed the young England forward a future player for club and country. Solanke, 20, made his senior debut for the Three Lions in this week's friendly against Brazil at Wembley. And although the Chelsea product has started just once for Liverpool thus far, Klopp on Friday expressed his joy with Gareth Southgate's decision to play him against the five-time world champions. "It...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/story/3273893/jurgen-klopp-dominic-solanke-has-bright-future-with-liverpool-and-england

'Respectful' Benitez ready to lead Newcastle vs. rival Mourinho's United

Newcastle's Rafa Benitez believes his relationship with Jose Mourinho isn't important as his side look to beat Manchester United. Rafael Benitez has admitted he can be not very nice when he is angry, but insists he has moved on from his feud with Jose Mourinho. The two men, who have both managed Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, go head-to-head on Saturday, this time when Benitez takes his Newcastle team to Old Trafford to face Mourinho's high-flying Manchester United. They have not met in the Premier League for more than 10 years but the rivalry which brewed between them during their spells in charge at Liverpool and...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/newcastle-united/story/3273846/respectful-benitez-ready-to-lead-newcastle-against-rival-mourinhos-united

Extra Time: Big derbies, cutting Arsenal some slack

The guys respond to your tweets about the weekend's enticing derbies, Real's title chances and criticism of Arsenal.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3273853/extra-time-big-derbies-cutting-arsenal-some-slack

Burley: Ibra return a kick up the backside for Lukaku

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return for Man United, the FC crew examine whether he and Romelu Lukaku can both fit in the team.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3273852/burley-ibra-return-a-kick-up-the-backside-for-lukaku

Are Spurs better than Arsenal man for man?

The FC crew preview the North London Derby and assess ESPN's Don Hutchison's combined best XI of Spurs and Arsenal players.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3273842/are-spurs-better-than-arsenal-man-for-man

Man City's Pep Guardiola doesn't regret controversial 'tackling' comment

Shaka Hislop tries to make sense of Giorgio Chiellini's claim that Pep Guardiola's tactics have 'ruined' Italian defenders.

        Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith grades Pep Guardiola and how his side have performed so far this season.

MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola has no regrets despite being criticised for saying he "didn't coach tackles" after Manchester City's heavy defeat at Leicester City last season.
City return to the King Power Stadium where they suffered a humiliating 4-2 loss last December with only two late goals making the scoreline more flattering for Guardiola's side.
Guardiola faced some criticism after City failed to win a tackle in an opening 35 minutes where they conceded three goals and were completely overrun...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3273725/man-citys-pep-guardiola-doesnt-regret-controversial-tackling-comment

Lukaku, Ibrahimovic can play together at Manchester United - Mourinho

Despite Ibrahimovic being ruled fit by Mourinho, Steve Nicol doesn't think he'll partner up front with Lukaku at Man United.

        With Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return for Man United, the FC crew examine whether he and Romelu Lukaku can both fit in the team.

MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho says he is ready to play Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in tandem up front now that the Swedish striker is fit again.
Ibrahimovic, who scored 28 goals last season, will return to the Manchester United squad against Newcastle on Saturday after seven months out with a knee injury.
His replacement, Romelu Lukaku, who was bought for £75 million in the summer, has already scored 11 goals for his new club.
And Mourinho has revealed he is prepared to play them both...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/3273679/romelu-lukaku-and-zlatan-ibrahimovic-can-play-together-at-manchester-united-jose-mourinho

Kyle Walker insists Man City relish 1-0 wins as much as lopsided victories

Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith grades Pep Guardiola and how his side have performed so far this season.
Manchester City aren't afraid of grinding out 1-0 wins if that's what it takes to bring success, according to defender Kyle Walker.
Pep Guardiola's side have scored 52 goals already this season -- including 38 from their 11 Premier League games that has seen them open up an eight-point gap at the top of the table.

                    Leicester City
                
                
                    Manchester City
                
            
            
                
                    
                
                
                    
                
            
            
                
                
                        3:00 PM UTC
                        

            
        
        
            
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        Home: 15/2&amp;nbsp;
        Draw: 19/4&amp;nbsp;
        Away: 4/11&amp;nbsp;
        Odds from bet365
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City have scored four or more goals in six games already, including a 7-2 win over Stoke City, but Walker says the 1-0 win at champions Chelsea was just as satisfying.
"The 1-0...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3273729/kyle-walker-insists-man-city-relish-1-0-wins-as-much-as-lopsided-victories

Man United boss Jose Mourinho slams FA medical team over Phil Jones

England manager Gareth Southgate reveals Phil Jones was fine after he was taken off due to injury and applauded his side's tactical performance against Germany.

        Manchester United correspondent Rob Dawson grades Jose Mourinho and how his side have performed so far this season.

MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho has launched a stinging attack on the FA's medical team by claiming Phil Jones had six injections before breaking down during England's friendly against Germany.
Jones lasted just 25 minutes at Wembley before hobbling off with a thigh injury and will miss Manchester United's Premier League clash with Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And a furious Mourinho, who revealed he has not spoken to England boss Gareth Southgate, has insisted he has never known a situation...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/story/3273677/man-uniteds-jose-mourinho-slams-fa-medical-team-over-phil-jones

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: I'm too busy to read Pochettino book

Arsene Wenger believes his side will play with no fear but believes they must work hard to nullify Tottenham's attacking threats.

        The Exploding Heads give their unique analysis of the North London derby as played on FIFA 18.

LONDON -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he had not read a new book focusing on Spurs counterpart Mauricio Pochettino ahead of Saturday's North London derby.
Wenger said he was too busy to read "Brave New World," in which Pochettino and his backroom staff reveal some of the methods that have helped Spurs become title challengers.
And he added that he would wait until retiring as a manager before he considered writing a book of his own.
Asked whether he had read "Brave New World," Wenger said:...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/story/3273461/arsenal-manager-arsene-wenger-im-too-busy-to-read-pochettino-book

Mauricio Pochettino wouldn't trade Spurs progress for Arsenal cup wins

Following Mauricio Pochettino's press conference, Alison Bender and Dan Kilpatrick reflect on who will be returning to the line up for Spurs when they face Arsenal.

        Arsenal legends Lee Dixon, Alan Smith and David O'Leary discuss whether there really has been a shift in power in North London. 
            
        Tottenham correspondent Dan Kilpatrick grades Mauricio Pochettino and how his side have performed so far this season.

LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino has said he would not swap Tottenham Hotspur's progress for Arsenal's recent FA Cup victories.
The Spurs boss, who takes his side to face their North London rivals on Saturday, said he only cared about winning the Premier League and Champions League, calling them the "real trophies."
Tottenham have made huge strides since Pochettino's appointment in May 2014, but so far have no trophy to show for it.
Arsenal have won the FA Cup three times in the last four seasons,...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/tottenham-hotspur/story/3273396/mauricio-pochettino-wouldnt-trade-spurs-progress-for-arsenal-fa-cup-wins

The Sweeper: Algeria coach's epic presser

Algeria's coach has an all-time press conference, Sofian Boufal shows off some impressive juggling and more in the Sweeper.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/international/55/video/3273720/the-sweeper-algeria-coachs-epic-presser

Roles have reversed, but Spurs can't afford to be passive at the Emirates

Following Mauricio Pochettino's press conference, Alison Bender and Dan Kilpatrick reflect on who will be returning to the line up for Spurs when they face Arsenal.

        Don Hutchison reveals how Arsenal can come out on top against North London rivals Tottenham. 
            
        Dele Alli and Harry Kane each scored in a span of three minutes to lift Spurs in the North London derby last April. 
            
        The Exploding Heads give their unique analysis of the North London derby as played on FIFA 18. 
            
        Arsene Wenger believes his side will play with no fear but believes they must work hard to nullify Tottenham's attacking threats. 
            
        Arsenal legends Lee Dixon, Alan Smith and David O'Leary discuss whether there really has been a shift in power in North London.

How times change. Just a couple of years ago, Spurs went into every North London derby as underdogs. Arsenal always seemed to hold all the aces. The greater strength in depth, the better big-match temperament and the more experienced and savvy manager.
Now the reverse is true. It is the Tottenham team that is playing the better football, the Tottenham team that is competing in the Champions League and the Tottenham team who has the better manager. Arsene Wenger has all too frequently cut a jaded...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/tottenham-hotspur/367/blog/post/3273588/roles-have-reversed-but-tottenham-hotspur-cannot-afford-to-be-passive-against-arsenal

Atletico boss Diego Simeone dismisses links to Everton move

Following their back-to-back draws against Qarabag, the ESPN FC panel question if Atletico Madrid's UCL dominance is done. Diego Simeone has dismissed speculation linking him with the managerial vacancy at Everton and said Atletico Madrid would have to "put up with him" for at least another two years.
The Argentinian had been reported as a target for the Premier League club, who sacked Dutch coach Ronald Koeman last month after a poor start to the season.
Simeone is under contract with Atletico until 2020, and told the Spanish media at a news conference to preview Saturday's match against Real Madrid that he was not...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/atletico-madrid/story/3273582/atletico-boss-diego-simeone-dismisses-links-to-everton-move

Pros and cons of Prem Saturday night fixtures

Steve Nicol has no problem with the latest push to televise Premier League matches on Saturday nights.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3273689/pros-and-cons-of-prem-saturday-night-fixtures

Transfer Rater: Van Dijk to Liverpool in January?

Mark Donaldson and Stevie Nicol sift through the latest transfer rumours with the January window fast approaching.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3273684/transfer-rater-van-dijk-to-liverpool-in-january

Nicol: Ibrahimovic, Lukaku can't dovetail at United

Despite Ibrahimovic being ruled fit by Mourinho, Steve Nicol doesn't think he'll partner up front with Lukaku at Man United.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3273669/nicol-ibrahimovic-lukaku-cant-dovetail-at-united

What a difference a year makes: Man City prepare for tester at Leicester

Pep Guardiola has insisted Sergio Aguero is available to play against Leicester and that Manchester City can get even better.

        Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith grades Pep Guardiola and how his side have performed so far this season.

It is almost a full year since Manchester City last set foot in Leicester, and some would say they have had good reason to stay away.
It is of course merely a quirk of the fixture computer, but City's previous visit to this part of the East Midlands was a disaster of discouraging proportions. Two down after five minutes and three down after 20, the game was lost before it had even started, with Jamie Vardy having a particularly good time roaming through City's scattered back line. The England striker...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/manchester-city/382/blog/post/3273558/what-a-difference-a-year-makes-man-city-prepare-for-tester-at-leicester

W2W4: Subplots abound when Liverpool meet Saints

Steve Nicol and Mark Donaldson break down the key storylines to watch ahead of Liverpool's clash with Southampton.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3273593/w2w4-subplots-abound-when-liverpool-meet-saints

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes back in contention for Watford

Watford

                    West Ham United
                
            
            
                
                    
                
                
                    
                
            
            
                
                
                        4:00 PM UTC
                        

            
        
        
            
            Game Details

        

    

    
    
    

        Home: 11/10&amp;nbsp;
        Draw: 5/2&amp;nbsp;
        Away: 11/4&amp;nbsp;
        Odds from bet365
        bet365

    



    
        
            
                

                    
                        PickCenter
                    

                
            
        
    





        

            
                GameCast
            
            Lineups and Stats

        
    

Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is back in contention for the Premier League match with West Ham after recovering from a head injury.Defender Christian Kabasele (back) has also been passed fit while midfielder Roberto Pereyra and Sebastian Prodl (both hamstring) face late fitness tests.Younes Kaboul (hamstring) is again expected to miss out while Nathaniel Chalobah remains sidelined with a knee injury.New West Ham boss David Moyes will be without Javier Hernandez for his first game in charge on...</div></div><br/>Source: http://www.espnfc.com/preview?gameId=480795</div></div><br/><hr/>Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/index