Eden Hazard: Chelsea forward keen to work with Jose Mourinho again
Chelsea forward Eden Hazard says he would like to work with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho again. Belgium international Hazard, 27, has been at Chelsea since 2012 and won the Premier League under Mourinho in 2014-15 and under Antonio Conte in 2016-17. Mourinho now manages Manchester United, whom Chelsea face in their next Premier League match on Saturday, 20 October. "If I'm now asked one coach with whom I want to work again, then I say: 'Mourinho'," Hazard told HLN. "Mourinho's image of an extremely defensive coach isn't completely right." Hazard said Mourinho was not as "adventurous" as Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola but added: "The season in which we became champions, we made many goals and played good games." Hazard played under Mourinho for more than two years and was an integral part of Chelsea's title win in 2014-15, scoring 14 Premier League goals and being voted the Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year. But Mourinho was sacked in December 2015 with the team 16th in the table, and with Hazard having failed to score in 24 appearances. "In 12 years I've only had one bad season - the last six months under Mourinho - and it was partly my fault," added Hazard. "After the title, we asked Mourinho for extra holidays. I came back totally out of shape. "We didn't win, we got into a sort of routine - training, training without having fun. It was better for all parties that the collaboration came to an end." Hazard, the Premier League's top goalscorer this season with seven goals, has said he may have to move to a Spanish club to have a chance of winning the Ballon d'Or, which is awarded to the best footballer of the year. He has also said it was his dream to play for Real Madrid, but has ruled out a transfer in the January window. Chelsea have won six and drawn two of their eight Premier League games in 2018-19 and are second, behind champions Manchester City on goal difference. Manchester United are eighth, seven points behind.
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2018-10-16 02:00:00
Mohamed Salah: Liverpool forward leaves Egypt squad with injury
Mohamed Salah has returned to Liverpool after he was injured during Egypt's 4-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over eSwatini on Friday. The 26-year-old forward put Egypt 4-0 up shortly before half-time, scoring direct from a corner. Salah, who scored 44 times for Liverpool last season but is without a goal in his past four club appearances, later limped off with a muscle strain. The Reds' next game is at Huddersfield on Saturday, 20 October. Egypt assistant coach Hany Ramzy told Bein Sports: "The initial diagnosis, according to the team doctor, is a strong muscle strain. It is not a tear. I think it is not serious."
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2018-10-16 02:00:00
Substitute Kylian Mbappe was the catalyst for a dramatic France comeback as Iceland were denied a first victory over the reigning world champions.
Substitute Kylian Mbappe was the catalyst for a dramatic France comeback as Iceland were denied a first victory over the reigning world champions. Trailing 2-0 when the Paris St-Germain forward came on, France pulled one back when his shot was saved but flew in off Iceland defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson. In the 90th minute, 19-year-old Mbappe fired in a penalty given for handball to level the friendly in Guingamp. Iceland led through Birkir Bjarnason's neat finish and Kari Arnason's header. The visitors had not won in their previous nine matches, including heavy defeats by Switzerland and Belgium in the Nations League in September. They were also thumped 5-2 by France when they last met in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, having not beaten their illustrious opponents in 12 previous meetings. A historic victory looked on the cards as Iceland made their hosts pay for dominating possession without converting their chances. However, the match turned on Mbappe's introduction after 60 minutes as France extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches.
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2018-10-12 02:00:00
Croatia v England in Nations League: Is Southgate beginning a bold new era?
Uefa Nations League: Croatia v England Venue: Stadion HNK Rijeka Date: Friday 12 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live; text commentary on the BBC Sport website Amid the euphoria of England's run to the World Cup semi-finals in the summer, one flaw remained evident throughout. Gareth Southgate's side were technically inferior to the world's elite teams, a truth exposed for all to see when Croatia eliminated them with a 2-1 win in the semi-finals in Moscow. England's manager was fully aware of the deficiencies and, by selecting an even more youthful squad than usual for the behind-closed-doors Uefa Nations League game against the same With the manager emboldened by a new contract which runs until after the 2022 World Cup, is this a significant moment in England's evolution under Southgate?opponents in Rijeka on Friday, it appears he is seeking solutions to his side's major problems.
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2018-10-12 02:00:00
Sam Vokes: 'Principality Stadium where Wales want to be'
Wales striker Sam Vokes says Cardiff's Principality Stadium is "where we want to be" and hopes to play all home games there in the future. Thursday's international friendly against Spain saw Ryan Giggs' side return to the national stadium after a seven-year absence. "It is a great ground, it is where we want to be," said Vokes, who scored in Wales' 4-1 defeat. Wales' home games are usually played at Cardiff City Stadium. More than 50,000 fans turned out to watch Wales at the Principality - 17,000 more than would fit inside Cardiff City Stadium. "If you get the ground full there is nothing like it," said Burnley striker Vokes. "That's where we want to be, that's the end goal. But we know we've put on some good performances in Cardiff (City Stadium) as well. "A full Principality is a great event for us." Vokes added it was important for Wales to perform well "so the fans come back". This vote is currently unavailable. Please try refreshing the page or try again later. Thursday's game was Wales' first at the Principality Stadium since a 2-0 European Championship qualifying defeat by England in March 2011. Their return to Welsh rugby's 74,500-capacity home - formerly known as the Millennium Stadium - had split opinion among followers of the national football team. In the intervening seven years, fans have packed the smaller Cardiff City Stadium to create a fervent atmosphere, which has been an important factor in recent Welsh success. Some were reluctant to leave the ground which Wales' players consider their home, though the Football Association of Wales sought to capitalise on Spain's allure by moving this friendly fixture while also insisting competitive matches would remain at the Cardiff City Stadium. However, ex-Wales international Danny Gabbidon echoed Vokes' sentiments and said he too would like to see all home games move to the Principality. Speaking on Ellis James' Feast of Football podcast, he said: "If I drive past the Principality it obviously brings back memories of playing there, and I just think that's where the national team should be." Gabbidon, however, cautioned: "Obviously if you can't fill the stadium it's not worth it. "When we were getting 70,000 back in the day the atmosphere was amazing, but I played there more often than not when they were struggling to get 20,000, and it was a very difficult place to play. "I'm torn really, over the last few years it's been brilliant playing at Cardiff City Stadium, but there are lots of fans that can't get tickets."
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2018-10-12 02:00:00
Alex McLeish: Scotland defeat in Israel 'could have been worse'
Alex McLeish conceded Scotland "are going to get a bit of stick" for their abject Nations League defeat in Israel but warned it could have been worse. McLeish, who criticised the decision to send off John Souttar at 1-1, said his team "have to suffer a bit" after their 2-1 humiliation in Haifa. The defeat came against a side with just two home wins in four years. "It's doom and gloom, we lost, we know the consequence of losing, you have to suffer a wee bit for it," McLeish said. "We're obviously going to get a bit of stick about this and it's up to us to bounce back. That's what normally I would expect from Scottish people." Fooled, roasted & devastated Charlie Mulgrew's penalty had the Scots ahead at half-time, before Israel's onslaught was ramped up. Dor Peretz pulled the hosts level seven minutes after the restart, with Souttar receiving a second yellow on the hour for a clumsy tug on Munas Dabbur. Kieran Tierney's own goal 15 minutes from time - slicing an attempted clearance into his own net - gave the Israelis the win they deserved. However, the Scotland manager said the main turning point in the "roasting" heat of Haifa was Souttar's dismissal. "He fooled the referee," said McLeish of Dubbar. "I thought it was very soft. The referee was about 60 yards away and not up with play. Maybe he had something in his ear. "It's never easy playing with 10 against 11. Israel had one or two players in really good form and they deserved it on the night although we are disappointing with the goals we lost. "John was devastated but young players are allowed to make mistakes. At the same time, in international football it can be devastating." 'We didn't think Israel were a right bad team' Despite the alarming manner of the defeat and the fact Scotland have lost five out of seven games under McLeish, they remain top of their Nations League group after two games on goal difference. McLeish, who bristled at the suggestion this was a reality check against a side 55 places below them in the world rankings, remains defiant that this side can put things right. Scotland travel to face Albania on 17 November, before hosting the Israelis three days later. "None of the coaches watching Israel's recent games thought that was a right bad team," said the Scotland boss of a side who have won just once in their last 10. "It was difficult in the second half. The goals we lost were harder to go in than one or two chances they had close range when we were under the cosh. "We will look at the game again, analyse it and see where we can put things right." 'It's as bad as a performance as you'll see' - reaction Former Scotland international Willie Miller on BBC Scotland's Sportsound: You can't hide how bad that performance was. It's as bad as you're liable to see from a Scotland team. I don't like apologies but you have to address the fact the team were poor and kind of cleanse yourself and try to build it back up again. You can't just ignore it and talk about the red card and make excuses. Alex can't let it get any worse. He's got the chance to rectify it in the next two games and we can still top the group.
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2018-10-12 02:00:00
Manchester City winger Bernardo Silva scored a stunning goal as Portugal beat Poland in the Nations League.
Silva picked the ball up around 40 yards out from goal before bursting forward and curling a finish from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. Genoa's in-form striker Krzysztof Piatek had given Poland the lead before Andre Silva, a Kamil Glik own goal and Bernardo Silva struck for the visitors. Jakub Blaszczykowski converted Poland's second with 13 minutes remaining. But they were unable to find an equaliser against the European champions, who have won both of their games in League A of the competition. Portugal were without captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has not been selected for the games against Poland and Scotland.
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2018-10-12 02:00:00
Arsenal manager Unai Emery said Aaron Ramsey is a "very important player" for the club after his goal of the season contender helped the Gunners thrash Fulham 5-1.
A contract offer to Ramsey was withdrawn last month but the Wales midfielder showed his quality when he created and finished a stunning team move to help Arsenal to a ninth straight win in all competitions - their best run since April 2015. "For me it was very important for him to take confidence and take that first goal," said Emery. "He did not start in the first 11 today but when he was on he scored within a minute and that gives confidence for both him and us. "We are happy because I think this shows the commitment we have in training and the quality and the understanding of our tactical position. "I think we are in the first competition in the world, and we must keep taking confidence." Alexandre Lacazette scored two impressive goals before substitute Ramsey added a third and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted twice. Frenchman Lacazette claimed the opening goal of the London derby at Craven Cottage when he spun on Nacho Monreal's cutback before drilling the ball past England's latest goalkeeping addition Marcus Bettinelli. But Fulham drew level before the break as Luciano Vietto pounced on a loose pass by Monreal to thread the ball through to Andre Schurrle, who chipped over Gunners keeper Bernd Leno. Arsenal regained the lead through Lacazette, after his opportune strike from long range seemed to catch the Fulham keeper by surprise, as it nestled in the bottom corner. Ramsey was introduced in the 67th minute - and the Welshman added a third just 39 seconds later as Arsenal moved from left to right with one-touch passing and neat headers, before Aubameyang cut the ball back for Ramsey to flick past Bettinelli. Aubameyang added a fourth when he swivelled on a low cross from Bellerin to side-foot the ball into the far corner, before the Gabon striker rounded off the scoring after a neat low finish to cap a thoroughly entertaining victory in the derby. A sixth consecutive Premier League victory for Arsenal moved Unai Emery's men in to fourth in the table, after Chelsea won at Southampton and Manchester City claimed a point at Anfield. Fulham remain just above the relegation zone in 17th. Arsenal maintain under-the-radar title push After losing their opening two Premier League games to Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal are showing real signs of progress under Emery. And the feelgood factor seems to have returned to the club, with chants of "we've got our Arsenal back" ringing out from the away end at Craven Cottage. The first half was an even affair but the Gunners showed a clinical edge in the second period to blow their opposition away. Lacazette and Aubameyang appear to have a great relationship on and off the pitch, and they both scored from the two shots they had on goal on Sunday. Ramsey and Aubameyang became the first two substitutes to register a goal and an assist in the same game in Premier League history. Question marks still remain over Arsenal's ability to achieve results against the division's top sides - but Emery is building a team that are making a habit of winning. Attack isn't always the best form of defence Before Sunday's game, Fulham striker Aleksander Mitrovic said his side "needed to be smarter at the back" but would continue to play the same way and try to score goals. Fulham are the only Premier League side yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and the Cottagers have also conceded 21 goals - the most in the division. But that does not seem
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2018-10-07 02:00:00
Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri expects Ross Barkley to become "very important for the England national team" after the midfielder scored and provided an assist in the Blues' win at Southampton.
Barkley set up Chelsea's opener with a fine pass to Eden Hazard, who finished with aplomb, before netting their second himself, tapping in Olivier Giroud's acrobatic cross. In doing so, Barkley became the first Englishman to score and assist in a Premier League game for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in December 2013. "Today he played really well," Sarri said of Barkley. "I am really happy with him because from the beginning he has improved, day by day, week by week, match by match. "Potentially, he is a great player because he has quality, very important qualities from the physical point of view, from the technical point of view, now he's improving from the tactical point of view. "I think he will become very important in England and for the England national team." Alvaro Morata scored Chelsea's third deep into injury time, chipping over oncoming home goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, after a slick passing move. Defeat for Mark Hughes' side means they remain in 16th, and their run without a win against the Premier League's 'big six' is extended to 26 games. Meanwhile, the Blues have now won nine of their 11 games across all competitions this season, and sit second in the Premier League after Liverpool and Manchester City shared a goalless draw. Few believed the Chelsea squad would be able to alter their style of play to match Sarri's expectations when the Italian was appointed in July. But in simple terms, they have flourished. And 'Sarriball' was on show for all to see in the first 15 minutes at St Mary's, as the Blues held 86% of possession. Although Southampton did grow into the game after that opening spell, in which Willian struck the bar, they could not keep Chelsea at bay for long. Hazard's finish was typically clinical, but Barkley should also take plaudits for the opener, as it was the former Everton man who dispossessed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield before playing a perfectly weighted pass to the Belgian. That assist was Barkley's first in the league since April 2017, and 12 minutes into the second half, he notched his first league goal since May 2017 by tapping in Giroud's cross. Barkley, who was named in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad on Thursday, was substituted on 81 minutes after a fine afternoon's work, but Chelsea didn't let up and they added a third deep into injury time. Hazard again was at the heart of it as he slid in Morata, who dinked over McCarthy to score his second in as many games, after netting the winner in Thursday's Europa League clash with Vidi. The international break has perhaps come at a bad time for Sarri and his team, given their form, but nonetheless they will carry plenty of confidence into their next Premier League match against Manchester United on Saturday, 20 October.
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2018-10-07 02:00:00
John Terry: Defining moments of former Chelsea captain's career
October 1998. A close-cropped teenager by the name of John Terry steps onto the pitch for the first time as a Chelsea player. Twenty years later and five months after his final appearance, the 37-year-old has announced his retirement. Here, we look back at the moments that defined the career of the former Chelsea and England captain. The breakthrough After making his debut for Chelsea in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa in 1998, it was in an unlikely setting where Terry really first caught the eye. Towards the end of the 1999-2000 season, he went on loan for six games to Nottingham Forest, who were managed at the time by ex-England midfielder David Platt. Former England and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas recalls his time as a youth player at Forest, when he first came across a young Terry. "I always used to go and watch all the Forest games. Platty brought him in for Forest so our careers overlapped and we used to watch each other play in each other's positions. "His skill is the one thing that stood out then. People talk about JT and how he was a die-hard, which is spot on - he was all-round the best centre-half I have seen in the Premier League. But one of the big things I don't think he ever got enough credit for, which I was most impressed by when I watched him as a teenager playing for Forest, is how good he was with the ball at his feet."