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Tag: Newcastle

  • EPL: Vardy hits brace as Leicester thrash Newcastle

    EPL: Vardy hits brace as Leicester thrash Newcastle

    Leicester City’s impressive start to the season under Brendan Rodgers continued with a thumping win which left woeful Newcastle anchored in the relegation zone.

    Ricardo Pereira’s outstanding low finish set Leicester on their way before Newcastle were reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time after Isaac Hayden’s terrible challenge on Dennis Praet.

    Leicester made the extra man advantage count with three goals in 10 second-half minutes.

    Jamie Vardy beat Martin Dubravka at his near post to double the lead and, after Paul Dummett had deflected Praet’s cross into his own net to make it 3-0, headed the fourth.

    On a miserable day for Newcastle, Wilfred Ndidi added a late fifth goal with a shot on the turn.

    Leicester move back up to third in the table, where they started the weekend, after a fourth win in five league and cup games.

    Rodgers’ side are two points off second placed Manchester City and seven behind leaders Liverpool, who they visit next Saturday.

  • Ankle injury rules Newcastle’s Longstaff out of Liverpool clash

    Ankle injury rules Newcastle’s Longstaff out of Liverpool clash

    Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool due to a freak ankle injury in training, manager Steve Bruce said on Friday.

    Longstaff, who British media reported was a transfer target for Manchester United in the summer, broke into the first team at Newcastle last season and has played all four games of the current campaign.

    “Unfortunately, Sean Longstaff turned an ankle yesterday in training. He won’t make tomorrow… we won’t know how severe it is until the next couple of days.

    “It’s one of those freak ones which unfortunately happen. We were disappointed for him that we’ve lost a player to a freak accident. That’s what happens in football unfortunately ,” Bruce said .

    Andy Carroll has not played for Newcastle since rejoining them on transfer deadline day due to a niggling ankle injury, although Bruce said the striker was back in training.

    “I think for everybody to see him joining in with training was good for him, good for the group… we need now positive news from his specialist.

    “It’s always difficult to put a timescale on someone like Andy.

    “He’s fit when he’s fit… when you’ve got an ankle like he’s got, it’s always the reaction to the work put in. At the moment it’s all very good,” Bruce added

    Matt Ritchie is ahead of schedule in his recovery after the winger suffered ankle ligament damage in a League Cup defeat by Leicester City last month.

    “We weren’t expecting to see him for at least a couple of months… but the way he trained yesterday and the day before.

    “As long as he doesn’t have a reaction I don’t think he’s very far away… still a couple of week,’’ he said.

  • EPL: Newcastle appoint Steve Bruce as head coach

    Newcastle United have appointed Steve Bruce as their head coach on a three-year contract.

    Former Sunderland manager Bruce, 58, resigned as Sheffield Wednesday boss on Monday following talks with the Magpies at the weekend.
    Newcastle have been without a manager since Rafael Benitez left when his contract expired in June, saying the club “did not share his vision”.
    Bruce was born near Newcastle and was a boyhood Magpies fan.
    “There is a huge challenge ahead of us, but it’s one that my staff and I are ready for,” said Bruce. “This is my boyhood club and it was my dad’s club, so this is a very special moment for me and my family.”
    Bruce will be joined by coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence, who have been part of his team at a number of his previous clubs.

  • Transfer: Leicester City sign Newcastle striker for £30

    Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez has signed for Leicester City for £30m on a four-year deal.

    Perez, 25, leaves St James’ Park after five years. The Spaniard was the club’s top scorer in 2018-19 with 12 goals.
    He is Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers’ second signing of the summer, following the arrival of defender James Justin from Luton Town.
    Perez, who was bought from Tenerife for £1.5m in June 2014, scored 48 times in 195 appearances for Newcastle.
    The Magpies are currently without a manager following the departure of Rafael Benitez at the end of June for Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang.

  • Rafael Benitez named Dalian Yifang manager

    Former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has been appointed manager of Chinese side Dalian Yifang.

    The Spaniard left the Magpies on Sunday after his contract expired, saying that the Premier League club “did not share his vision”.
    He replaces Choi Kang-hee, who resigned on Monday “for personal reasons”.
    “After a long path, we start a new challenge. I´m happy to begin this new project with Dalian Yifang,” said 59-year-old Benitez.
    Benitez, who has also managed Liverpool, Chelsea, Valencia and Real Madrid, received a £12m offer to manage Dalian Yifang, tweeted a message welcoming himself to the club.
    He led Newcastle to a 13th place finish in the Premier League last season.
    “I wanted to stay, but I didn’t just want to sign an extended contract, I wanted to be part of a project,” Benitez said in a letter to fans on Monday.
    “I’m very sad about that, but I do not regret for one moment my decision to come to Tyneside and I’m very proud about what we achieved together.”
    The move to Dalian sees him reunited with Marek Hamsik, who played under Benitez at Napoli between 2013 and 2015.

    Belgium international Yannick Carrasco also plays for the club.

  • EPL: Newcastle did not share my vision – Benitez

    EPL: Newcastle did not share my vision – Benitez

    Former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez says the club “did not share his vision” as he outlined for the first time his reasons for leaving.

    The Spaniard, whose contract expired on Sunday, said he felt like he “belonged” at the club and wanted to stay.
    But Benitez, 59, indicated he wanted a longer-term deal, rather than just a contract extension.
    “It became increasingly clear to me that those at the top of the club did not share the same vision,” he said.
    The Magpies finished 13th in the Premier League in May as Benitez, who took over in March 2016, secured the club’s top-flight status.
    “I wanted to stay, but I didn’t just want to sign an extended contract, I wanted to be part of a project,” said Benitez in a letter to fans.
    “I’m very sad about that, but I do not regret for one moment my decision to come to Tyneside and I’m very proud about what we achieved together.”
    Newcastle appointed Benitez as successor to Steve McClaren with 10 games of the 2015-16 campaign remaining, as the club were placed one point from a position of Premier League safety.
    The former Valencia, Liverpool and Real Madrid boss could not prevent the club from being relegated but they won the 2016-17 Championship title to secure an immediate return.

  • EPL: Rafa Benitez to leave Newcastle at end of June

    Newcastle United say manager Rafael Benitez will leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June.

    The Magpies finished 13th in the Premier League last season as Spaniard Benitez, who took over in March 2016, secured the club’s top-flight status.

    “We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time,” said a Newcastle statement.

    “However, it has not been – and will not be – possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives.”

    The statement added: “The process to appoint a successor will now begin.”

    There has been continued speculation about his future prior to the club announcing his departure, with Benitez receiving a £12m-a-year offer to take over as manager at Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.

    Former Valencia, Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Benitez’s coaching staff of Paco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia will also leave the club on 30 June.

    Newcastle appointed Benitez as successor to Steve McClaren with the club one point from Premier League safety with 10 games left in the 2015-2016 campaign.

    The 59-year-old could not prevent the St James’ Park club from being relegated but they won the 2016-17 Championship title to secure an immediate return.

    Newcastle finished 10th in their first season back in the Premier League and 13th last season.

    “We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved,” the statement added.

    “We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty.”

  • EPL: I want to compete in top 10, says Benitez

    Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez said he ‘wants to compete’ after watching his team beat Southampton at St James’s Park.

    Ayoze Perez made the difference, scoring all three goals as they saw off a spirited second-half performance from the Saints.

    Benitez, who is out of contract in the summer, said nothing had changed in regard to his job situation and suggested he still needs assurances before deciding his future.

    “We are in the same position as we were before,” he said. “When I came here, I could see the potential of the club to be challenging, certainly for seventh to 10th in the table but looking higher.

    “But when you analyse the transfer fees and wage bills of other teams, we’re not competing.

    “I am the manager until 30 June. We can see the potential. When you see the teams between seventh and 15th, we have to compete with them.”

    Benitez suggested earlier in the week that he wanted to manage in the Champions League again, which will leave Newcastle fans nervous that he will not renew his contract when it expires.

    For now though, this win propelled Newcastle into 12th place in the Premier League table, 10 points above the relegation zone and almost certainly safe for another season.

    “Mathematically, we will have to wait and see what happens,” Benitez said. “But I think we will be safe.”

    For Southampton, an improved second-half performance yielded only substitute Mario Lemina’s goal and they sit just five points above Cardiff in 18th with four games to play.

  • EPL: Newcastle go 10 points clear of relegation zone

    EPL: Newcastle go 10 points clear of relegation zone

    Rafa Benitez has urged Newcastle to be “more competitive” in the summer transfer market after they took a big step to retaining their Premier League status with victory at Leicester.

    Ayoze Perez scored his first away league goal of the season with a glancing header as the Magpies recovered from back-to-back defeats to move 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

    Newcastle spent just over £20m last summer – plus a further £20m in January – and manager Benitez, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, says they can “compete” with teams in the top half of the league by doing the “right things”.

    “You can do everything right with your tactics, but the other team has one player that can make the difference,” Benitez, whose side have moved up to 13th place, told Sky Sports.

    “You’d have to pay £30m to buy a Leicester player.”

    The Foxes started confidently, having won their previous four matches under Brendan Rodgers, but they struggled to play through their disciplined visitors.

    Salomon Rondon almost handed the visitors a spectacular lead when he struck the crossbar with a powerful free-kick from 35 yards.

    Newcastle remained resolute and were rewarded when Perez struck the decisive blow with over half-an-hour played.

    The Spaniard rose well inside the Foxes’ box to meet Matt Ritchie’s cross and nod the ball over Kasper Schmeichel.

    Rodgers’ first home defeat as Leicester boss sees his side remain in seventh, although eighth-placed Wolves are level on points with two games in hand.

  • EPL: We’re in a good moment, says Emery after Newcastle win

    EPL: We’re in a good moment, says Emery after Newcastle win

    Arsenal manager Unai Emery expressed delight at the performance of his boys against Newcastle United, saying the team was in a good moment.

    Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday night.

    The win lifted them to third place in the English Premier League (EPL) above rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

    “We were very consistent over 90 minutes. We didn’t concede any chances. We created and dominated the match. We are happy,” Emery told reporters in his post-match reaction.

    “Each match is very difficult. We got three points and did it our way. It’s a nice challenge to win consecutive matches, it’s a new history and we’re creating our own way.

    “We’re in a good moment. but each match is a new test.

    “I hope Ramsey’s injury is not serious. The doctor is thinking it’s a small injury.

    “We are improving. Today we are third, but the next match against Everton is difficult and our rivals are going to win a lot of matches,” he said.

    Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez, on his part, admitted that his boys played against a better team, adding that there were little or no allowance for error when playing against a top side like Arsenal.

    “We played against a good team and were fine for a while in the first half. We could avoid their goal, it was a little bit lucky.

    “We had situations on the counter attack where we could be more dangerous, but we didn’t do it.

    “The last 10 minutes they had chances to score but until the second goal we were pushing. It is a shame because you could feel the atmosphere was getting nervous.

    “When you play top sides away it can be a mistake which makes the difference. In the end it was a mistake and we must learn from this and be ready for the next one.

    “I think 38 points is enough [to stay up], 40 just in case. Hopefully it will be less,” he said.