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Charlton secured a massive three points at The Valley on Saturday, with goals from Joe Aribo and Lyle Taylor enough to sink fourth placed Portsmouth and thus further establish the Addicks in the coveted play-off spots.

The departure of Karlan Grant in January heaped a lot of pressure on the shoulders of the latter goalscorer, although Taylor seems to think that the Addicks won’t be missing the Huddersfield man’s goals for too long.

What did he say?

Well, speaking after the game, the 29-year-old expressed his delight at how his partnership with Igor Vetokele up front is beginning to develop:

“There were times today when I was looking for Igor [Vetokele] and he was there, the same way that i would look for Karlan [Grant] and he was there, so it is very promising.

“We’ll do everything we can to let that partnership bear fruit and, hopefully, the team will continue to pick up points.

“Me and Karlan didn’t click straight away. We scored goals, but we didn’t click as a partnership straight away. It takes a few games. We’ve only started a few games together and had limited number of minutes together, so we will continue to work on it and gain an understanding, but Igor is a very good player, so I can’t imagine it will be that difficult.”

Can do without Karlan

Grant joined the Terriers in January after an extremely impressive first half of the season in which he chalked up 14 goals and 5 assists and there was surely a fear amongst the Charlton faithful that his departure would be the demise of their promotion hopes.

Taylor, though, whose strike at the weekend was his 13th of the season in the league, clearly thinks that his pairing with 26-year-old Vetokele will soon flourish and make the Addicks fans forget all about the partnership he forged with Grant.

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

The Charlton number 9 drew comparisons between his former teammate and Vetokele, and if the Angolan forward can get into the positions which Grant used to more frequently, Lee Bowyer won’t have a goal problem on his hands at all.

Pundit Danny Murphy has claimed that Philippe Coutinho would not be welcomed back to Liverpool by the Merseyside club’s supporters.

What’s the word?

Murphy has addressed previous rumours that Coutinho could return to Liverpool having struggled to make his mark since arriving at Barcelona in January 2018.

Indeed, the former Liverpool midfielder told Sportingbet:

“Coutinho would never be welcomed back at Liverpool. It hasn’t worked out for him at Barcelona, but he made his bed by declaring how much he wanted to leave and now he has to sleep in it.

“I think even if Liverpool thought it was something they wanted, the fans would make it perfectly clear it wasn’t acceptable and would force them to pull the plug.

“The fans didn’t necessarily begrudge him his move to Barcelona, but he left himself no way to come back.”

Coutinho arrived at Liverpool from Inter Milan in 2013 and spent five years with the Reds, scoring 54 times in 201 appearances.

The Brazilian pushed for a move to Barcelona in the summer of 2017, before ultimately getting his wish last January as the move was completed.

There is no question that Coutinho was a star at Anfield, but according to Murphy, the Liverpool fans would not be interested in having him back.

Is Murphy right?

It’s a tough one. But he probably is right when considering the finances that would be involved to bring the South American back to the club.

Whilst Coutinho is a talent, Liverpool received £105m up front for the attacker and the deal could eventually rise to £142m.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Pl>ymaker FC…

Barcelona would expect a fair chunk of that back if they were to sell him, but Coutinho’s performances for the Spanish champions have been disappointing.

A record of 18 goals and 11 assists in 58 appearances for Barcelona is not disastrous, but he has had too many poor games for the club this season.

Liverpool have not exactly been at full flow in recent weeks, but it would still be a huge surprise if they made a move to re-sign the 5ft 8in ace.

يبدو أن لاعب آرسنال لوكاس توريرا، بات قريبًا من الرحيل عن النادي الإنجليزي، والانتقال إلى الدوري الإسباني، في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.

وارتبط اللاعب الأوروجواني بخطوة الرحيل عن الجانرز هذا الصيف، حيث لا يتواجد ضمن خطط المدرب مايكل أرتيتا.

وحسب شبكة “سكاي إيطاليا”، فإن ممثلي توريرا يتواجدون حاليًا في إسبانيا لعقد محادثات مع إدارة نادي أتلتيكو مدريد.

ويرغب أتلتيكو مدريد في الحصول على خدمات لوكاس توريرا، في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

وأشارت إلى إنه في الوقت ذاته، فإن هناك محادثات جارية حاليًا بين مسؤولي أتلتيكو مدريد ونظرائهم في آرسنال للتوصل إلى اتفاق حول صفقة توريرا.

وأوضحت ان إدارة آرسنال تريد التخلص من توريرا بمقتضى صفقة انتقال دائم وليس إعارة، على العكس من رغبة أتلتيكو مدريد.

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West Ham United fell to a shock defeat at the weekend, losing 2-0 to Cardiff City as their ambitions of a top-seven finish sustained a serious blow.

The loss was accompanied by a mediocre performance, too, which will have infuriated manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Goals from Junior Hoilett and Victor Camarasa proved decisive and Pellegrini’s back is likely to be up as West Ham prepare to face Huddersfield Town in a game that could be another banana skin in waiting.

Football FanCast has taken a look at two suggested solutions to ensure the Irons do not slip on it…

Drop Hernandez

Javier Hernandez simply cannot play as a lone striker.

Playing up top on his own against the Bluebirds, Hernandez failed to register a single shot on goal, per WhoScored.

Moreover, he touched the ball just 29 times, the lowest of any Hammers player, and also committed two fouls.

A dive in an attempt to win a penalty was nothing short of a disgrace and it does not make sense for Pellegrini to keep picking him.

Marko Arnautovic is a far better option through the middle and should start against Huddersfield.

Bring back Antonio

Robert Snodgrass always toils admirably for the cause for the Hammers and few can argue with his application.

However, his execution against Cardiff left rather a lot to be desired.

Playing on the right wing, the Scotland international did not complete a single dribble, nor did he manage a shot on target.

It is all the more baffling that he completed the 90 minutes when Michail Antonio was sat on the bench.

Antonio was eventually thrown on in the hope of salvaging the game and he should start against Huddersfield.

Not only is he a more effective carrier of the ball he is also quicker, more skilful, and a better finisher.

Bringing him back is something of a no-brainer.

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According to The Sun via HITC, Aston Villa are considering a move for Barnsley defender Liam Lindsay in this summer’s transfer window.

Lindsay joined Barnsley from Partick Thistle in 2017 and has made 79 appearances for his English club in all competitions.

The 23-year-old will see his current deal at Oakwell expire in June 2020, though, which suggests that he might be available this summer.

According to The Sun via HITC, Villa could swoop for the defender at the end of the season, with a transfer fee of £2.5m mentioned in the report.

Lindsay has been a regular for Barnsley in League One this season, whilst he made 42 Championship appearances for the club last term.

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The Villa fans have been on social media reacting to the suggestions of interest.

And it would be fair to say that they are split when it comes to whether the 6ft 3in powerhouse would be a good signing for the club.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

كشف مدرب فريق ليفربول يورجن كلوب خبرًا سيئًا عن حارس المرمى أليسون بيكر، قبل مواجهة فريق أستون فيلا في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويلتقي الفريقان، بعد قليل، في الجولة الرابعة من منافسات البطولة في فيلا بارك (متابعة البث المباشر من هنا).

ويغيب أليسون بيكر عن مباراة ليفربول الليلة، حيث تعرض لإصابة في الكتف خلال مشاركته في التدريبات الاستعدادية مساء أمس.

وقال كلوب، في تصريحات لشبكة “سكاي سبورتس” العالمية: “حدث تصادم بين أليسون ولاعب آخر، لا يستطيع اللعب اليوم، علينا إجراء مزيد من التقييم بشان أليسون، لكنه مصاب، دعني أقول ذلك على هذا النحو، الآن نأمل أن تسير الأمور بسرعة”.

وأضاف الألماني: “هناك فترة توقف دولي، أنا واثق من أن أليسون لن يكون جاهزًا بعد انتهائها”.

وواصل: “علينا بعد انتهاء التوقف الدولي أن نرى حالته أسبوعًا بعد أسبوع”.

وسيتسأنف ليفربول مبارياته بعد فترة التوقف الدولي بمواجهة إيفرتون يوم 17 أكتوبر الجاري.

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Steven Gerrard spoke to the press on Friday ahead of the showdown with Hibernian at Easter Road, and his comments on his squad hint at another summer overhaul.

What’s the word?

Rangers made five more signings in January to add to the 14 players they added to the squad last summer, and the gaffer’s comments on Friday suggest even more work will be done this summer.

Warning his squad that he will not accept underperforming players, he said: “Whether you have a contract until the summer or for two years, you have always got to prove and fight for the right to be a Rangers player.

“That’s what we’ve tried to do here, to remind players we won’t tolerate or accept anyone who becomes complacent or doesn’t show a certain level.

“We’ll move players on as quick as they have come in the door because results and success at Rangers is so important. As a manager and staff we can’t wait too long.

“If we don’t get something right we’ll be open and honest about that and will try and make the change immediately. We haven’t got time to be patient here.”

Summer overhaul on the way

Gerrard’s Gers travelled to Easter Road to take on Hibs on Friday evening, perhaps why the gaffer’s comments before the match are being somewhat overlooked.

In reality though, these comments are the clearest indicator yet that Gers fans are in for yet another exciting summer with plenty of movement in the squad.

There will of course be constant reports linking Alfredo Morelos with a move away from the club, even despite penning a new deal on Friday, so could the Colombian’s exit fund a massive overhaul?

Mentality is key

Gerrard’s attitude that players must fight for and earn the right to wear the shirt is exactly what endeared him so much to Liverpool fans during his playing days, and it has surely done the same at Ibrox now.

Even more important is instilling this elite mentality in the squad, something he hasn’t been able to do with signings like Eros Grezda and Borna Barisic.

Gerrard must now learn from his mistakes, and sign players who are truly up for a fight and in it for the long haul, not just technically gifted players from weaker leagues without the mental toughness to survive the pressure of the blue shirt.

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Liverpool and Manchester United played out a dour 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The game was marked by a number of injury issues – United were forced into three substitutions in the first half, while Liverpool saw Roberto Firmino seemingly twist his ankle before the interval.

Throughout the game, Liverpool failed to truly test David De Gea in the Old Trafford goal, with Mohamed Salah in particularly poor form.

As the Reds chased the game, the Egypt international, who has scored 20 goals in all competitions thus far this season, was substituted by Jurgen Klopp.

Divock Origi was introduced as his replacement but had no better luck than Salah on the right flank.

And, with the club now only a point clear of Manchester City at the top of the league, Liverpool fans were in no mood to cut Salah any slack. Take a look at the best of the reaction on Twitter below!

Aston Villa’s long search back to the top flight of English football looks as if it is going to continue for another season. Still, under Dean Smith and currently finding their way with new coaching staff and players finding their feet, the wait doesn’t look like it will be much longer, with next season looking exciting. 

With the fans watching their squad slowly build back up to the level it used to be, there has been discomfort and annoyance with some of the performances over the last few years. Finally, with Smith, there appears to be some shape coming back to the club, with a manager who is finally thinking game by game and trying to win at all costs.

It may not be this season, but there is certainly something to look forward to at Villa Park in the near future.

As well as new coaching staff, here is a couple of signings that have been made over the last couple of seasons to steady the Villa ship once more.

John Terry 

A born leader, the former Chelsea man was a clear sign of intent from the Villa board. Signed in 2017 on a free transfer, Terry was given the simple role of leader.

It immediately showed throughout the entire club that they had someone who will win them games with his defending and who will bring a different level of want and will to the club.

Catching him at the end of his career was probably the best thing Villa could have done for their evolution. Now working as assistant manager, John Terry has a connection with the club that most of the men that came before him didn’t.

There is no doubt that Villa along with Terry will have success soon.

Tommy Elphick

Having a solid start to life in a Villa shirt, Tommy Elphick was a main feature in the defence during the 2016/17 Championship season. Signing for around £3m from Bournemouth, the then 28-year-old bought a new lease of life into the deflated Villa Park, proving to be pivotal in keeping Villa afloat and not allowing relegation fever to get the better of them.

After a couple of loan spells to pick up form, Villa now have an experienced centre back with John Terry as his assistant manager.

If that’s not a dream scenario for Villa, then I don’t know what is.

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For all their hard work – and wonder goals – Southampton were unable to get the result they deserved against Manchester United on Saturday, with Romelu Lukaku (2) and Andreas Pereira cancelling out Yan Valery and James Ward-Prowse strikes.

The scoreline could have been very different, though, had referee Stuart Atwell’s whistle blown a couple more times on the day, as Mark Clattenburg says in his Daily Mail feature.

“This [Chris Smalling on Ryan Bertrand] should have resulted in the award of a spot-kick, but it was a difficult one for referee Stuart Attwell.

“The holding of Bertrand’s shirt by Smalling happened on the blind side of the official. The best angle to see the offence would have been from behind the goal.”

“Southampton can feel wronged because they should also have been awarded a penalty for this one [Ashley Young on Bertrand].

“Bertrand ran across Young and the Manchester United defender grabbed the wrist of the forward, pulling him down. Attwell missed it and allowed play to continue.”

Meanwhile, former man in the middle Clattenburg thinks that Valery’s minimal contact with Alexis Sanchez was rightly dismissed by Atwell, but that will be of little concern to Saints fans, who will surely now be wishing that Clattenburg was on duty instead.

Ralph Hassenhuttl’s men were excellent man to man and should undoubtedly feel aggrieved that they didn’t take at least one point from Old Trafford considering Clattenburg’s outlook on the game’s big decisions.

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When you’re in a fight for Premier League survival, these are the key things that you need to go your way and the Saints will be hoping their luck turns up from here as we enter the run-in.