Romelu lukaku

And then there were none. The end of English football’s interest in Europe arrived emphatically and shambolically as Everton were routed in the last 16 of the Europa League by Dynamo Kiev. Roberto Martínez had targeted this competition as possible salvation from a sorry domestic season, but the journey derailed in Ukraine’s capital. Criminally, his team went down with little fight. A truly woeful defensive display holed Everton’s hopes of a place in the quarter-finals and Sergei Rebrov’s clinical side were able to take full advantage. Andriy Yarmolenko and Vitorino Antunes started and finished the victory in stunning style, and Martínez claimed it was quality in front of goal that proved the difference on the night, but their goals book-ended an appalling collapse in the heart of the visiting defence. Antolín Alcaraz, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman chose the wrong night to allow the weakness that has undermined Everton’s Premier League … [Read more...] about Everton exit Europa League after heavy defeat to ruthless Dynamo Kyiv

MARCUS RASHFORD posted a hilarious picture of two young Manchester United fans watching Mason Greenwood tearing apart AZ Alkmaar. Striker Greenwood bagged two in the 4-0 win, another superb return for the 18-year-old, who now has six goals in nine starts for United this season. View this post on Instagram When you’re left on the bench watching @masongreenwood have all the fun 😅 Well played bro 👏🏿 A post shared by Marcus Rashford (@marcusrashford) on Dec 12, 2019 at 2:22pm PST View this post on Instagram Grandma I know you’ve waited a couple months, but that one’s for you 🙏🏾❤ A post shared by Ashley Young (@youngy_18) on Dec 12, 2019 at 3:31pm PST The England striker said: "When you're left on the bench watching @masongreenwood have all the fun. Well played bro." Only Rashford, 22, has more goals than Greenwood this season — as the striker looks to be the latest talent in a superb crop of young stars. … [Read more...] about Man Utd star Rashford in hilarious post about Greenwood as Young pays touching tribute to gran with goal

Harry Kane might only be 24 but already he is reaching a moment that will come to define his career. It may well arrive next summer but certainly within the next two years if he continues performing with such deadly consistency. It is whether he will follow the vast majority of leading players in seeking out both the best remuneration and chance of silverware or whether he will also factor in the potentially more lasting and deeper reward of staying loyal to one single club. Another two goals on Saturday further underlined his status among Europe’s best strikers and the question also cropped up 24 hours earlier during a question and answer session with journalism students at the Southampton Solent... … [Read more...] about Harry Kane could claim an even greater prize than trophies if he stays at Tottenham

Liverpool host Manchester United in Saturday's early kick-off with Jose Mourinho's side looking to steal a march at the top of the table on Manchester City, who play later in the day. Here, Jason Burt selects his combined XI from the two teams who will do battle at Anfield. The formation is: 4-2-3-1. David De Gea (Goalkeeper) Probably the easiest choice of all is the goalkeeper. Not even the most fervent Liverpool supporter would suggest Simon Mignolet ahead of De Gea who has undoubtedly developed into one of the two or three best goalkeepers in the world. Antonio Valencia (Right-back) The former winger has evolved into an outstanding right-back which has also earned him the United captaincy. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are promising and Nathaniel Clyne can be impressive, but it has to be Valencia. … [Read more...] about Liverpool vs Manchester United: Jason Burt’s combined XI

Jesse Lingard caused Old Trafford to reverberate with noise after his 75th-minute header sealed a win that took Manchester United back into second place ahead of Liverpool. The creator was Romelu Lukaku, his neat cross finding the substitute, after the No 9’s first goal for United against top-six opposition had cancelled out Willian’s opener. José Mourinho praised a fine display from his centre-forward. “He played fantastically well. He had in my opinion the same start as the team, the team didn’t start well and it happened to him: he was losing some balls in the first control. He was a little bit lost but then he went together with the team – improving, improving.” The victory means Chelsea slip to fifth and United are six points clear of the London club in the race to secure a Champions League place. After Mourinho (perhaps studiously) failed to namecheck Antonio Conte in his programme notes there was a pre- and post-match handshake … [Read more...] about Manchester United go second after Jesse Lingard secures win over Chelsea