حقق جناح منتخب مصر، محمد صلاح، والمُحترف في صفوف ليفربول، إنجازًا تاريخيًا غير مسبوق مع الريدز، بعد إحراز هدفين في شباك أستون فيلا بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلقى ليفربول هزيمة تاريخية على يد أستون فيلا بنتيجة 7-2، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء أمس الأحد، على ملعب “فيلا بارك” بالجولة الرابعة من البريميرليج (طالع تقرير المباراة). شاهد ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح ضد استون فيلا

ويبدو أنها كانت ليلة الأرقام التاريخية، حيث ذكرت شبكة “أوبتا” العالمية للأرقام والإحصائيات، أنّ صلاح بعد الهدفين في أستون فيلا، سجّل الآن في شباك 25 ناديا من أصل 26 لعب ضدهم في البريميرليج.

وأشارت الشبكة إلى أنّ نسبة نجاح صلاح ضد خصومه بلغت (96%)، وهي أفضل نسبة لأي لاعب في تاريخ ليفربول بالبريميرليج.

كما وصل صلاح للهدف رقم 101 في الدوري الإنجليزي، بواقع 99 هدفًا مع ليفربول وهدفان مع تشيلسي، وذلك خلال 177 مباراة في البريميرليج؛ وفقًا لما ذكرته شبكة “سكاي سبورتس بريطانيا”.

Manuel Pellegrini is surely expected to strengthen his options at right-back during the summer transfer window.

The Hammers signed Ryan Fredericks from Fulham in the summer but the Englishman has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League. Instead, Pellegrini has used Pablo Zabaleta on the right flank for the majority of the season. However, his long-term future at the club remains unclear with the ex-Manchester City man fast approaching the end of his career.

The 34-year-old has reportedly (as per Claret and Hugh via City Watch) been offered a coaching role at the London Stadium but is yet to confirm whether he will retire from the professional game. Nevertheless, Pellegrini must bolster his options on the right side of defence. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest West Ham are lining up Manchester United veteran Antonio Valencia on a free transfer.

Instead, the Hammers should make a move for Strasbourg flyer – Kenny Lala. Valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, the 27-year-old has proved to be a fantastic addition since signing on a free from Lens in the summer of 2017. Lala has been one of the most consistent performers in Ligue 1 this season which should make the West Ham scouts sit up and take notice.

The Frenchman has been a constant threat from the back, scoring an impressive four goals as well as registering nine assists from defence. His blistering pace and dribbling ability make him a nightmare to deal with and would cause plenty of headaches for Premier League defenders. Not only does Lala excel offensively, he doesn’t neglect his defensive duties, averaging an impressive 2.5 tackles per game in Ligue 1 this season (WhoScored).

With his contract set to expire in the summer, West Ham should grab themselves a bargain.

West Ham fans, thoughts?

Frustratingly, there have been multiple roadblocks which have hampered Manuel Pellegrini’s first season at West Ham United.

Indeed, the biggest problem he’s faced is with his defence, which has been leaking poor goals throughout. Having spent an awful lot of money on attacking talent over the course of the summer, the Hammers might be exciting going forward, but extremely vulnerable at the back, seriously undermining their progress under the Chilean.

Frankly, they’ve conceded too many goals which have halted considerable progress under Pellegrini, who will surely plan on changing up their defensive system next season.

For that, he needs more reliable defenders. Far more reliable defender.

So, the Hammers need to spend big in the summer to turn around their defensive frailties and here are two options which can suit them.

Guillermo Maripan

The towering Deportivo Alaves defender’s solid work’s impressed Pellegrini, who allegedly wants to sign him next season. Maripan has been in inspired form for a resurgent Alaves side, helping them keep six clean-sheets in La Liga this season (stats via Transfermarkt).

Impressive performances against the likes of Real Madrid, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao raised his stock and garnered interest according to the Daily Mail and he certainly looks like he’d popular at the London Stadium. The 6’4 defender’s strong, agile and tough-tackling, as his assertiveness can elevate West Ham’s defensive structure next season.

Domagoj Vida

Vida brings bags of experience with him, having proven himself with Croatia at the FIFA World Cup 2018.

A strong, intelligent defender who tackles hard as he is clever in marking opposition, the Croatian could be the leader the Hammers are missing in the back.  He’s helped Besiktas keep many clean-sheets this season and immersed himself well, proving how he can adapt almost anywhere he goes.

Indeed, Vida’s set-piece threat is an added bonus and he can be the rock-solid defender who can save their defence from persistently crumbling apart. Linked with a move to East London in January, he’d be a great signing.

Hammers fans, which defender would you like to sign next season? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

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Charlton made it back-to-back wins with their 2-1 victory over Burton Albion on Tuesday night, with another goal from Lyle Taylor and a brilliant header from Ben Reeves ensuring all three points remained at The Valley.

There were a number of performances worthy of praise as an Addicks side surely suffering from some form of fatigue after their high intensity display against Portsmouth at the weekend kept up the tempo on the way to a crucial win.

However, one player drew particular recognition from Lee Bowyer, who said this after the clash:

“Josh [Cullen] protected the back four so well and then when he wins it his distribution is very good. Josh is a very good player. He breaks it up, he seemed to be everywhere to me, especially watching from above.”

Indeed, the West Ham loanee cut a dominant figure at the base of midfield in the absence of Krystian Bielik – the Pole sustained a hamstring injury in the win over Pompey – and looked far better in that role than he has been previously when deployed further afield in Bowyer’s diamond.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

The 22-year-old could be set to continue in that deeper position for the trip to Bristol Rovers this weekend, with Bielik likely to be ruled out of the clash if his hamstring hasn’t improved in the coming days.

Bowyer doesn’t want to take any risks with the Arsenal loanee and will surely feel less desperate to rush the impressive 21-year-old back in after Cullen’s dominant showing. One assumes that, if not for Bielik, Cullen would be Charlton’s regular enforcer anyway.

The long, hard road to re-establishing themselves in English football is slowly moving forward for Portsmouth. They’re still on course for a chance at returning to the Championship, but they’ll likely have to play the qualifiers to do so. Kenny Jackett’s side has shown enough heart and persistence to make sure they fight till the very last hurdle.

However, Portsmouth’s league-winning ambitions are slowly glimmering away. After being 10 points behind league leaders Luton Town, it seems very unlikely they can catch up to them. At one point, Pompey seemed favourite to win the League One, but poor form after the turn of the year doomed their dreams.

Ever since defeating Norwich City in the FA Cup, things have gone down for Jackett’s side. They are now winless in nine league games and knocked out of the FA Cup. The only competition they’re thriving at is the EFL Trophy, where they’ve progressed into the semi-finals and should take seriously.

Pompey face Bury on Tuesday night, the perfect fixture to end their disastrous run. They’ve drawn their last five games, despite being poised to win multiple times. Jackett needs to make sure his team find back their groove and pull off a strong win against Bury to progress into the EFL Trophy final.

While promotion to the EFL Championship is Portsmouth’s objective currently, they shouldn’t disregard the EFL trophy’s importance. Winning a trophy can validate a fairly successful season and bring joy to their loyal fans, who’ve been subjected to tough times in recent years.

Thoughts?

The curse of the international break finds its latest victim in Celtic.

As Neil Lennon’s first Old Firm derby after returning as manager approaches, he’s been struck by the break cruelly. Indeed, Kieran Tierney, one of his biggest assets, had to pull out of Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualifiers due to a niggling hip problem.

While the Scottish felt his absence badly with a shocking drubbing away at Kazakhstan, Celtic fans would be worried something as disastrous isn’t heading their way. Obviously, the Hoops aren’t quite as bad as the Tartan Army, but the Scottish Sun claims he’s a major doubt for the imminent Old Firm.

Obviously, Rangers will come all guns blazing and to keep them out, so Celtic clearly need Tierney’s solidity. Since Lennon’s arrival, Celtic have only conceded one goal in four games and kept three successive clean-sheets at that and Tierney might not have been as clinical attacking-wise as he was under Brendan Rodgers, but his defensive strengths are improving.

He successfully kept Aberdeen’s dangerous Greg Stewart quiet recently, showcasing impressive ability to neutralize their attacking threat. A Celt through and through, potentially missing him for the club’s biggest game left this season, is far from ideal.

Indeed, if Lennon’s side are to keep the menacing duo of James Tavernier and Daniel Candeias quiet, they’ll need Tierney at the top of his game.

The youngster is making strides with Celtic and by knowing the gravity of the derby, he’ll be especially pumped to blow away Rangers. If he’s out, the task has got a lot harder.

Celtic fans, do you think Tierney’s injury issues are a cause for concern? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

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Gerard Deulofeu scored a hat-trick in Watford’s 5-1 win over Cardiff City in the Premier League on Friday night.

The Spaniard opened the scoring in the 18th minute, before netting twice in the space of two second-half minutes to secure the match ball.

Deulofeu now has six Premier League goals for the season and looks back to his best after missing the start of the campaign with a foot injury.

The Everton fans were closely watching what has happening in Wales and many took to social media to comment on the attacker’s treble.

Indeed, the now 24-year-old turned out for the Toffees during the 2013-14 season on loan, before joining the club on a permanent deal in July 2015.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Deulofeu scored eight times and registered 19 assists in 75 games for the Merseyside outfit and it seems that the club’s supporters still miss him.

Indeed, a selection of the Twitter reaction to his hat-trick can be seen below:

The pressure is piling on Liverpool now after dropping more vital points, this time against Everton, and the cracks are beginning to show. Outside of formulating excuses for his team’s poor performances, Klopp is desperately trying to reintroduce injured key members of the squad back into the fray – but is it a case of too much too soon for some?

According to BBC Sport, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the latest player to return from a long-term injury to help boost Liverpool’s chances in the title race.

The midfielder has been missing since April 2018 due to a knee ligament injury sustained against Roma in the Champions League but is now in contention to feature in Liverpool’s few remaining games this season.

But we have to ask: is he ready?

There may be cause for excitement amongst Liverpool fans who are due to see one of their most dynamic midfield players make his comeback.

However, we are a little more reserved.

To be thrown into a fiercely competitive environment so soon after a major complication is always a danger. Not only for the player, who is more susceptible to further injury, but also to the club.

There is absolutely no guarantee that Oxlade-Chamberlain can return to the scintillating form shown before his untimely absence. And though Liverpool have been struggling in the midfield department, showing a distinct lack of quality at times, to throw the England international into the mix at this stage could spoil the proverbial broth.

Klopp cannot afford to be impulsive in this situation.

Liverpool have enough to cross the line with what they have got. It is on Klopp now to orchestrate proceedings appropriately and manage his injured players responsibility.

Do you think there’s much point in pinning hopes on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after such a long time out? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

There is a serious vibe around Leeds United at the moment that can only mean success is brewing.

How many times have we seen Leeds United scraping their way through the season, providing that little bit of painful hope to their ever-faithful fans, before cruelly ripping it away at the last because of poor results? Too many to count.

Indeed, ‘so close yet so far’ has been the all too common theme of Leeds United on their 15-year struggle back to the Premier League; players, managers, controversies and diabolical performances all marring the iconic clubs revival.

Then Andrea Radrizzani arrived: the Italian messiah who restored footballing faith back into West Yorkshire.

Minus a Paul Heckingbottom shaped blip at the beginning of Radrizzani’s reign, we simply cannot fault his contribution.

He lifted them from the horrors of their former owner Massimo Cellino, who was singlehandedly sapping the lifeblood out of the club, and worked absolute wonders investing cleverly in the market and, of course, recruiting Marcelo Bielsa.

But he is not finished there.

According to Yorkshire Evening Post columnist Phil Hay, Radrizzani has dangled a golden carrot in front of his team and promised the players a trip to Las Vegas if they secure promotion at the end of the season.

Of course, a trip to Las Vegas alone should not be the main incentive behind their efforts, but we cannot ignore the fact that in a race of such fine margins, the smallest of benefits could make all the difference.

Elland Road seems like a very happy place at the moment and fans will be hoping this continues under their owner.

Leeds United fans, is Radrizzani the best thing to happen to your club in recent years? Let us know in the comments below…

أعرب محمود حسن تريزيجيه، نجم أستون فيلا، عن سعادته بالفوز التاريخي الذي حققه فيلانز على ليفربول في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وفاز أستون فيلا بسبعة أهداف مقابل هدفين على ليفربول، بمشاركة النجم المصري محمود حسن تريزيجيه، في مواجهة زميله ومواطنه محمد صلاح.

طالع أيضًا.. ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول على محمد صلاح بعد مباراة أستون فيلا 

وقال تريزيجيه في تصريحات لموقع أستون فيلا: “لم نتوقع النتيجة، كنا نثق في الفوز، لو قلت إننا توقعنا أن نفوز بهذه النتيجة، سأكون كاذبًا”.

وأضاف: “دخلنا المباراة ونحن نحارب من أجل الفوز، حتى لا يحدث مثل ما حدث في الشوط الثاني، وفي كل مباراة نتعامل معها مثل النهائي”.

وأكمل: “الفرق بين الموسم الماضي والحالي، أننا تعلمنا من الظروف السابقة، استطعنا أن نحقق هدفنا بالبقاء، وتخطينا تلك المرحلة”.

ووجه رسالة لـ محمد صلاح قائلًا: “هذه هي كرة القدم، يوم فوز ويوم خسارة، العام الماضي كان بطل العالم وبطل أوروبا وبطل إنجلترا، ويحقق لمصر النجاحات، ومن أفضل 3 لاعبين في العالم، النتيجة كبيرة بالتأكيد، لكن يمكنه التألق في المباريات المقبلة”.

واختتم: “اللاعبين الجدد أضافوا لنا بالتأكيد، ولكن نحن ساعدناهم على التأقلم، الفريق أفضل هذا الموسم، وهو ما ساعدهم، وفي النهاية نحن نساعد بعضنا البعض”.