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  • Austin rescues Southampton at Bournemouth

    Austin rescues Southampton at Bournemouth

    Charlie Austin continued his fine goalscoring form as he salvaged a 1-1 draw for Southampton at south-coast rivals Bournemouth.

    The Saints frontman swept home his third goal in two starts on 61 minutes, cancelling out Ryan Fraser’s 42nd-minute opener for the Cherries, who felt aggrieved not to win a penalty after Sofiane Boufal’s challenge on Adam Smith.

    Austin spurned a glorious chance to win the game 10 minutes from time, as too did Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, but there was to be no winner as both sides had to settle for a point.

    Bournemouth: Begovic (7), Smith (7), Francis (6), Ake (7), Daniels (6), L. Cook (6), Surman (6), Stanislas (5), Fraser (7), King (6), Defoe (5).

    Subs: Afobe (5), Wilson (5), Ibe (5).

    Southampton: Forster (8), Pied (6), Hoedt (6), Van Dijk (7), Bertrand (9), Davis (6), Romeu (6), Ward-Prowse (5), Tadic (6), Boufal (6), Austin (8).

    Subs: Lemina (5), Gabbiadini (5), Redmond (6).

    Man of the Match: Ryan Bertrand.

    Virgil van Dijk nearly capped Southampton’s bright start with the opener on 12 minutes, but his header curled agonisingly wide.

    Bournemouth awoke from their slumber on 20 minutes as Lewis Cook’s fierce drive deflected off Jermain Defoe and drew a stunning point-blank save from Fraser Forster, who was on hand to thwart Ake’s header a minute later.

    Charlie Austin celebrates after equalising for Saints
    Charlie Austin celebrates after equalising for Saints

    Bournemouth had strong appeals for a penalty turned away on the half-hour mark when Boufal lunged in on Smith, but referee Jon Moss booked Smith for simulation and Defoe for his protests.

    In an almost retaliatory move, Charlie Daniels took matters into his own hands, unleashing a fierce drive which came within inches of taking the lead on 39 minutes.

    Ryan Fraser puts Bournemouth ahead against Southampton
    Ryan Fraser puts Bournemouth ahead against Southampton

    The breakthrough finally came three minutes later as Josh King caught Wesley Hoedt in possession, shipped the ball out to Fraser, and he stroked the ball beyond Forster.

    After Boufal spurned a glorious chance to haul Saints level before the break, the visitors took control in the second period and finally equalised as Austin fired substitute Nathan Redmond’s low cross home at the near post.

     

  • Watch John Terry’s emotional farewell after champions Chelsea humble relegated Sunderland

    Watch John Terry’s emotional farewell after champions Chelsea humble relegated Sunderland

    It was a day that was more a prize-giving and a leaving do than a football match, and that was made all too clear when John Terry went off for his farewell in the 26th minute, but Chelsea at least completed the formality – for that is what it is against Sunderland – of winning the game.

    In that, they actually broke a Premier League record with this 5-1 by becoming the first side to win 30 games in a season, and set themselves up for next Saturday’s FA Cup final against Arsenal.

     

    The winner in Antonio Conte will be pleased at that, the club icon in Terry was meanwhile delighted with his farewell.

    The outgoing Chelsea captain might be considered one of the last of an old-fashioned breed of centre-halves, but his last act at Stamford Bridge as a player felt very ‘modern football’. In the 26th minute of the game, with the moment of course picked to acknowledge his shirt number, Terry was taken off for Gary Cahill so that he could bask in the crowd’s full acclaim.

    The supporters already had a huge banner saying ‘thank you for everything’ before the game, and there was even a makeshift guard of honour, as he got hearty hugs from so many teammates and his manager Conte.

    It was obviously a nicely touching moment for Terry and all at Chelsea, but it was a slightly odd one from a football perspective, as a lot of the Sunderland players just looked on in the middle of what was notionally a competitive match.

  • Chelsea thrashes Sunderland 5-1, lifts Premier League trophy [Video]

    Chelsea thrashes Sunderland 5-1, lifts Premier League trophy [Video]

    Chelsea celebrated their title and captain John Terry’s last game at Stamford Bridge with a 5-1 defeat of relegated Sunderland on Sunday , bringing their season’s Premier League win tally to a record 30 games.

    A third-minute goal on the rebound from Sunderland’s Javier Manquillo did not mar the festivities and five minutes later Willian equalised after sustained Chelsea pressure.

    Most of the Chelsea players, as though warming up for the FA Cup final next Saturday, had a pop at the beleaguered Sunderland goal during the game.

     

  • Latest English Premier League table

    Latest English Premier League table

    English Premier League table after Sunday’s early match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

    Chelsea 36 28 3 5 76 29 87 — champions

    Tottenham 35 23 8 4 71 23 77

    Man City 36 21 9 6 72 38 72

    Liverpool 36 20 10 6 71 42 70

    ———————————–

    Arsenal 36 21 6 9 72 43 69

    Man Utd 35 17 14 4 51 27 65

    Everton 37 17 10 10 61 41 61

    ———————————–

    West Brom 36 12 9 15 41 46 45

    Southampton 36 12 9 15 41 47 45

    Bournemouth 37 12 9 16 54 66 45

    Leicester 36 12 7 17 46 56 43

    West Ham 36 11 9 16 45 59 42

    Crystal Palace 37 12 5 20 50 61 41

    Stoke 37 10 11 16 40 56 41

    Burnley 37 11 7 19 38 53 40

    Watford 36 11 7 18 37 59 40

    Swansea 37 11 5 21 43 69 38

    ———————————–

    Hull 37 9 7 21 36 73 34 — relegated

    Middlesbrough 37 5 13 19 27 50 28 — relegated

    Sunderland 36 6 6 24 28 62 24 — relegated

    Note: top four qualify for Champions League; teams finishing fifth to seventh qualify for Europa League; bottom three relegated to Championship

    AFP

  • English Premier League table results

    English Premier League table results

    English Premier League table after Saturday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

    Chelsea 32 24 3 5 65 27 75

    Tottenham 32 21 8 3 68 22 71

    Liverpool 33 19 9 5 69 40 66

    Man City 32 19 7 6 63 35 64

    ———————————–

    Man Utd 31 16 12 3 48 24 60

    Everton 34 16 10 8 60 37 58

    Arsenal 31 17 6 8 63 40 57

    ———————————–

    West Brom 33 12 8 13 39 42 44

    Southampton 31 11 7 13 37 40 40

    Watford 33 11 7 15 37 54 40

    Stoke 34 10 9 15 37 50 39

    Bournemouth 34 10 8 16 49 63 38

    West Ham 34 10 8 16 44 59 38

    Leicester 32 10 7 15 41 53 37

    Burnley 33 10 6 17 33 47 36

    Crystal Palace 32 10 5 17 44 52 35

    Hull 34 9 6 19 36 67 33

    ———————————–

    Swansea 34 9 4 21 39 68 31

    Middlesbrough 33 4 12 16 23 43 24

    Sunderland 32 5 6 21 26 58 21

    Note: top four qualify for Champions League; teams finishing fifth to seventh qualify for Europa League; bottom three relegated to Championship

  • Chelsea boss Conte, set EPL record, wins manager of the month

    Antonio Conte has become the first manager in Premier League history to be awarded the Manager of the Month award three times in a row.

    The Chelsea boss oversaw victory in each of his side’s six games in the final month of 2016, with Manchester City, West Brom, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Stoke all beaten by Chelsea.
    The award for December comes on the back of previous successes in November and October, with a winning streak of 13 consecutive league wins for Conte and his team.

    The three prizes puts Conte in the record books and also see him draw level with Jose Mourinho, The Italian has collected his award in just five months.

  • English Premier League results

    English Premier League results

    English Premier League results on Monday:

    Everton 3 (Valencia 73, Baines 81-pen, Lukaku 89) Southampton 0

    Manchester City 2 (Clichy 58, Aguero 62) Burnley 1 (Mee 70)

    Middlesbrough 0 Leicester 0

    Sunderland 2 (Defoe 25-pen, 84-pen) Liverpool 2 (Sturridge 19, Mane 72)

    West Brom 3 (Brunt 49, McAuley 62, Morrison 73) Hull 1 (Snodgrass 21)

    Playing later

    West Ham v Manchester United (1715 GMT)

    Playing Tuesday

    Bournemouth v Arsenal (1945 GMT), Crystal Palace v Swansea (2000 GMT),

    Stoke v Watford (2000 GMT) Playing Wednesday Tottenham v Chelsea (2000 GMT)

  • Boost your winning chances: See soccer predictions for this weekend

    EPL prediction

     

    It’s Christmas and there is no better way to enjoy the holiday than watching football and throwing some popcorn in the mouth.

     

    Most leagues are on break but the EPL is live with promise of interesting fixtures and money making opportunities.This week of the EPLis one of the best to make some money and win big to celebrate this festive period into the New Year.

     

    We have carefully selected some matches you might want to stake on.

     

    Watford v Crystal Palace (Double Chance: 1X)

     

    Troy Deeney scored all three of Watford’s competitive goals against Crystal Palace last season. The Hornets have not won a top-flight league match on Boxing Day since 1986 (v Luton 2-0).

     

    Crystal Palace have won twice in seven previous Premier League matches on Boxing Day – versus Wimbledon in 1992 and Aston Villa in 2013 (D3L2).

     

    Crystal Palace have played Watford twice before on Boxing Day, winning 2-0 in 1949 but losing by the same score in 1952.

     

    Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (Away To Score: Yes)

     

    Alexis Sanchez has been involved in 18 goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season (12 goals, six assists).

     

    The Gunners have not lost three successive league matches since January 2012. This is also the last time that they suffered three league defeats in the same month.

     

    Matt Phillips has had a hand in seven goals in his last seven Premier League appearances(three goals, four assists).

     

    West Brom have won two and lost two of their four matches so far in December. The Baggies have not won three Premier League matches in the same month since November 2012.

     

    Burnley v Middlesborough (Double Chance: 1X)

     

    Burnley have won a higher proportion of points at home this season than any other side in the Premier League or any other football league (94% – 16 of 17).

     

    The Clarets have failed to score in their last three Boxing Day games, one of which was against Boro in 2013 (L3).

     

    Boro have lost just one of their last seven visits to Turf Moor in the league (W3D3).Middlesbrough have won their last five Boxing Day encounters without conceding a single goal.

     

    Chelsea v Bournemouth (1X2: 1)

     

    Victory would mean Chelsea set a club record of 12 straight league wins, beating a run of 11 in September 2009. The overall top-flight record is 14 set by Arsenal in 2002.

     

    Chelsea are top of the Premier League on Christmas Day for the fifth time. They have won the title on the four previous occasions they topped the table at Christmas (2014-15, 2009-10, 2005-06 & 2004-05).

     

    AFC Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six league matches on 26 December (W4D2L0) and have only conceded one goal.

     

    This is the highest position AFC Bournemouth have ever been in the English league system at Christmas (10th).

     

    Leicester City v Everton (12 Double Chance)

     

    Leicester did the double over Everton last season on their way to the title, for the first time since 1985-86.

     

    The Foxes have conceded a goal in their last 10 Premier League matches – only Hull are on a longer run without a clean sheet (15 matches).

     

    Everton are unbeaten in their last four Premier League away matches on Boxing Day, scoring one goal in each (W2D2L0).

     

    Everton have lost only two of their last 13 Premier League matches against a reigning champion (W6D5L2).

     

    Manchester United v Sunderland (1X2: 1)

     

    Jermain Defoe has scored six times on Boxing Day in the Premier League, more than any current player. The record PL scorer on Boxing Day is Robbie Fowler with nine.

     

    Since the start of November, ZlatanIbrahimovic has scored seven goals from just eight shots on target.

     

    Manchester United have won more Premier League matches on Boxing Day than any other team (18).

     

    Since 2014-15, Manchester United have won 64% of the 44 Premier League matches Michael Carrick has started, compared to 39% of the 49 without him.

     

    Swansea v West Ham (O/U 2.5: Over2.5)

     

    Swansea City have won consecutive Boxing Day fixtures for the first time since 2007, defeating Aston Villa in 2014 and West Brom in 2015, both 1-0.

     

    Swansea defeated West Ham United 4-1 in May, their only won in their last seven Premier League fixtures against the Hammers (D3L3).

     

    West Ham have kept a clean sheet in their last two Premier League matches – they last kept three in a row in December 2015.

     

    SlavenBilic’s side have not won any of their last seven Premier League away matches against opposition in the relegation zone (W0D5L2).

     

    Hull City v Manchester City (2 1X2)

     

    The Tigers have won their last two league matches on Boxing Day, scoring three goals each time (3-0 v Burnley in 2015, 3-1 v Sunderland in 2014).

     

    Raheem Sterling has been involved in eight goals in 15 Premier League appearances this season (five goals, three assists) – the same number as in 31 apps in 2015-16 (six goals, two assists).

     

    Of Hull’s 14 Premier League goals this season, Robert Snodgrass has been involved in half (five goals, two assists).

     

    Kevin De Bruyne has a league-high nine assists in 2016-17. He assisted nine in 25 Premier League appearances in 2015-16.

     

     

    **please complete**

    Liverpool v

     

    Liverpool have won five of their last six Premier League matches against Stoke, losing the other 6-1 in May 2015.

     

    The Reds are unbeaten in 15 Premier League home matches (W9D6L0) – the longest current unbeaten home run in the competition.

     

    Joe Allen has scored five goals in 16 Premier League appearances for Stoke City this season; one more than he scored in his entire Liverpool career in the competition (four goals in 91 matches).

     

    Mark Hughes has never won a Premier League match as a manager at Anfield (W0D4L6).

    Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur (GGGG/NG)

     

    Southampton’s 2-1 win over Spurs in May ended a run of seven Premier League matches without beating them (D1L6).

     

    Only Chelsea (43) have allowed opponents fewer shots on target than Southampton (45) this season.

     

    Spurs are winless in five Premier League away matches, losing the last two (D3L2).

    Kyle Walker has assisted four PL goals this season; more than any other defender.

     

  • Chinese Super League to restrict foreign players import

    Oscar and Carlos Tevez will not be the last big names to move to China, but plans are afoot to encourage the development of homegrown players

    Chinese Super League clubs are set to face new restrictions on their use of foreign players.

    The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has issued a draft proposal on cutting the maximum number of non-Asian players allowed in CSL clubs’ squads from four to three.

    Presently, teams are allowed four foreign players, plus one other non-Chinese player from an AFC nation – a system known as 4+1.

    If the changes are enacted, that would fall to three foreign stars, plus the one other Asian player from outside China – a 3+1 system.

    The proposal – which would bring the CSL in line with rules for the AFC Champions League – would see China’s top-flight clubs limited to having three overseas players in their matchday squads.

    A string of big-name stars have moved to China in recent transfer windows, with Chelsea and Brazil attacking midfielder Oscar the latest – he will join Shanghai SIPG in a £60million move next month.

    Boca Juniors and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, is considering a move to Shanghai Shenhua that would make him the world’s best-paid player.

    Those signings would add to the likes of Hulk, Jackson Martinez and Alex Teixeira, all of whom are already playing in China after making high-profile moves.

    However, the new rules – aimed at improving the development of China’s own players – are expected to be passed and would take effect from the 2017 CSL season, which starts in March.

    “There has been a growing concern in society on the investment of Chinese soccer clubs following the influx of high-quality foreign players,” read the CFA’s statement.

    “The arrival of these top-class players will no doubt improve the standard of the league, making it more exciting to watch.

    “But at the same time it will also increase the financial burden of clubs and reduce the opportunity of home-grown talent.

    “For the sake of long-term development of professional clubs in China, the association would like to set up a system based on the financial requirements for clubs and also implement the adjustment on the foreign-player quota.”

    Clubs must respond to the proposal by December 29.

     

  • Boost your winning chances: See soccer predictions for this weekend

    Boost your winning chances: See soccer predictions for this weekend

    Midweek EPL games predictions: Leicester, Chelsea will win, and more

     

    It’s the EPL midweek games again and there isn’t a better way to relax after the day’s job; the fixtures promise to be interesting ones.

     

    So, if you are staking your money on any of the games, you need to carefully select them as there are many teams facing injury woes.Also, you need to consider some other match facts as well.

     

    While Arsenal have confirmed Mustafi’sabsence, Coutinho will not be back for Liverpool untilChristmas.

     

    Here is our pick for the week and a careful analysis of the games.

     

    West Brom v Swansea (1X +gg)

     

    Swansea City have won six of their last 10 Premier League matches against West Bromwich Albion, losing three and drawing 1, and West Brom will be looking to win three successive league home matches for the first time since March 2015.West Bromhave named the same starting XI in five successive matches in the Premier League – their longest run.Gylfi Sigurdsson has been directly involved in eight goals in his last eight Premier League appearances for Swansea (four goals, four assists).

     

    Everton v Arsenal (x2 +4.5)

    Everton’s only win in their last 18 Premier League matches against Arsenal was their 3-0 victory in April 2014, drawing six and losing eleven.Arsenal have won more PL matchesagainst Everton (29) than they have versus any other side.The Gunners have not lost on a Tuesday in the league since February 2006, winning 10 and drawing 7.RomeluLukaku has scored nine and assisted three of Everton’s last 15 Premier League goals.

     

    Bournemouth v Leicester City (away over 1.5)

     

    AFC Bournemouth have not won any of their last six matches in league competition againstLeicester City (D2,L4), last beating them in March 1989.Leicester City will be looking to win back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since April.There have been 16 goals scored in AFC Bournemouth’s last three Premier League matches (5.3 per match), with the Cherries conceding exactly three goals in each of these matches.Claudio Ranieri will take charge of his 200th Premier League match as a manager (146 for Chelsea, 53 for Leicester City).

     

    Liverpool v Middlesborough (1X +under 4.5)

     

    Liverpool have not won a Premier League match at Middlesbrough since March 2002, drawing four and losing three trips there since.In fact, Middlesbrough have conceded only once in their last seven home matches against the Reds (Fernando Torres in January 2008). But, Liverpool have scored the most goals (37), had the most shots in total (280) and the most shots on target (101) in the Premier League this season.DivockOrigi is the first Liverpool player to score in four successive matches across all competitions for Liverpool since Daniel Sturridge in February 2014 (eight in a row).

     

    Sunderland v Chelsea (2)

     

    Chelsea, who suffered a 3-2 defeat at the Stadium of Light in May, have not lost successive Premier League matches against Sunderland since March 2001.Jermain Defoe has scored against Chelsea with four different Premier League clubs(West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and Sunderland), the only player to have done this. While Sunderland have won their last two Premier League home matches, they have not won three in a row at the Stadium of Light since February 2012.Chelsea are on a run of four successive Premier League away victories and will be looking to win five in a row on the road for the first time since April 2015.

     

    West Ham v Burnley (handicap 0:2 for Burnley)

     

    West Ham United have won three of their four previous Premier League contests againstBurnley (L1), including both matches in 2014/15.Burnley have never won a Premier League match in London (W0D2L10), scoring only six goals overall in these matches.Burnley’s only win in midweek (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday) Premier League fixture was their first in the division, beating Manchester United 1-0 in August 2009 (D4L4 since).DimitriPayet has scored six direct free-kicks for West Ham in all competitions since the start of lastseason. The only Premier League player to match this is Chelsea’s Willian (also six).

     

    Crystal Palace v Man U (X2 +under 4.5)

     

    Manchester United have played Crystal Palace 14 times in the Premier League and have never lost (W11 D3). The only side they have played more without defeat is Charlton Athletic (16, W14 D2).

    Christian Benteke has scored in four successive Premier League appearances in the month of December (five goals in total).

    Since the start of 2015/16, Manchester United have not won any of their six Premier League away matches in London (W0 D2 L4), including a current run of three successive defeats.

    Wilfried Zaha has had a hand in seven goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (two goals, five assists).

     

    Tottenham v Hull (1X + under 4.5)

     

    Tottenham Hotspur are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League matches against Hull City, winning five of those (D2).Robert Snodgrass has had a hand in seven Premier League goals this season (five goals, two assists). No other Hull City player has been involved inmore than two.Harry Kane is on his longest Premier League scoring streak at White HartLane (three matches in a row, five goals).Spurs have won 12 successive Premier Leaguemeetings with promoted sides at White Hart Lane. The last time that they lost against a promoted team at home in the competition was a 2-1 defeat to Norwich City in April 2012.