Returning full back reacts to Bournemouth defeat . GLEN JOHNSON believes Stoke City created more than enough chances to beat Bournemouth and on another day could have easily collected all three points.
Punished For Not Taking Chances – Johnson
Premier League
Premier League
Conte predicts tough title fight
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte believes the battle for the Premier League title this season is ‘perhaps the most difficult one ever’. The Blues rose to the summit with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Sunday, with the Londoners being closely pursued by Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, while Manchester United are currently nine points off the pace in sixth place.
Midfielder one of 40 nominees for Team of the Year
JOE ALLEN is among the nominees vying for inclusion in the UEFA.com users’ Team of the Year.The Stoke City midfielder is of 15 first-time nominees pushing for selection alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Conte ready for Spurs test
Antonio Conte is already looking forward to Chelsea’s next match against Tottenham after watching his side edge to a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Sunday. Diego Costa prodded home the only goal of the match at the Riverside Stadium just before half time as the Blues made it six Premier League victories – and six clean sheets – in a row.
Bellerin deal boost for Gunners
Arsenal have been boosted by the news right-back Hector Bellerin has signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium. The 21-year-old Spain international has been linked with a return to former club Barcelona and Premier League rivals Manchester City having become a regular in boss Arsene Wenger’s Gunners’ line-up since he broke into first team in the 2014-15 season.
Stoke City boss full of praise for this weekend’s opposition
MARK HUGHES believes Bournemouth are even better equipped to make a mark in the Premier League this term. The Cherries enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign in the top-flight, defying the odds to retain their spot within the elite courtesy of a 16th place finish.
Cech: United need the win
Petr Cech firmly believes the outcome of Saturday’s clash between Manchester United and Arsenal will have a lasting impact on the rest of the season. The long-time rivals renew adversaries at Old Trafford in what will be Jose Mourinho’s first meeting with Arsene Wenger as United manager.
Koeman focused on Toffees project
Ronald Koeman insists he is completely focused on the spending three years at Everton and not on what the next move in his career might be. The Dutchman arrived on Merseyside this summer after a successful two-year stint at Southampton served as his introduction to English football.
PREVIEW: Stoke City vs Bournemouth
Stoke City vs Bournemouth
Saturday 19th November 2016
bet365 Stadium
Kick Off 3.00pm
PREMIER LEAGUE football resumes once again following the final international break of the year and some may say that this is where the real nitty gritty action gets underway.
Ranieri expects a ‘new Vard
Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri expects his side to benefit from striker Jamie Vardy having ended his long goalless run with a midweek strike for England. The 29-year-old had gone 14 games for club and country without finding the net, but did so in style at Wembley, heading home superbly as the Three Lions were held to a 2-2 draw by Spain.