Top 5 Gareth Bale Goals For Real Madrid – Welsh Saint Earns His Spurs

Gareth Bale’s stunning solo goal late last night won Real Madrid the Copa del Rey, disposing of arch-rivals Barcelona in the most dramatic of fashions.

It was a goal to remind the world of Bale’s effortless genius; a goal to add to his growing number of special strikes; and a goal to permanently endear him to the army of Madrid faithful, who may have even begun to doubt him since his move to the Spanish capital.

But how does it compare with some of his previous efforts for the Spanish giants?

Click here to check out my article on Bale and his very best goals for Real Madrid...

Photo: The Telegraph

Liverpool’s failed €18m signing does a number on Tottenham

Photo: The Daily Mail

Yevhen Konoplyanka just can’t stay out of the headlines, can he? Not a full month has gone by since his failed move to Liverpool and he’s already back frustrating the English once more...

Click here find out how...

The Transfer Lens: Ogbonna to Liverpool? Vertonghen to Manchester City?

Photo: corrieredellosport.it

Despite being a country mile away from any semblance of a transfer window, we at Soccerlens remain vigilant of any mutterings and murmurings, and with the Transfer Lens, we have the vehicle in which to dismantle and discuss any potential deals bubbling under the surface.

This week, we take a gander at Jan Vertonghaen’s link with Manchester City, while Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Juventus defender, Angelo Ogbonna. 

Click here to check out the latest edition of 'The Transfer Lens'...

Chelsea and Tottenham scouts following €25m-rated Florian Thauvin

Photo: om.net

Included in the Guardian’s top 10 most promising youngsters in the world this year, Marseille winger Florian Thauvinis certainly catching the eye.

According to reports emanating from France, both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have sent scouts to closely watch the 21-year-old, with the Premier League pair expected to be represented for Marseille’s Ligue 1 game on Saturday.

Click here for my full report...

The Transfer Lens: Live Deadline Day

Today I am blogging live from the centre of London, endeavouring to bring you the very latest news, gossip and information in the final chaotic hours of the January transfer window.

There will be casualties, such is the predicted pandemonium, but I am wholly confident of staying on top of the writhing transfer beast, and surviving the day!

Be sure to send me all your tip-offs, and the most interesting will be posted and vigorously discussed!

Stay peeled.

Click here to get in on the action! 

The ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Eto’o and Cazorla Star

Photo: The Daily Mail

Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-1 in the weekend’s big game, with the Blues earning a priceless three points against their title rivals thanks to a Samuel Eto’o hat-trick.

Arsenal stay top however after breaking down a stubborn Fulham side, with Santi Cazorla bagging both goals in the Gunners’ 2-0 win.

Manchester City remain hot on their heels, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side breaking the 100 goal barrier with an almost customary four goal haul at the Etihad, this time in the 4-2 win against Cardiff.

Liverpool were held 2-2 by Aston Villa at Anfield , with Tottenham moving level on points with them after a 3-1 win at Swansea.

Click here for the Football-Talk Team of the Weekend for Gameweek 22 - on Football-Talk.co.uk

Lamela agent flies out for Inter Milan talks?

foxsports.com

According to Italian newspaper 'Gazzetta dello Sport', the agent of Tottenham misfit Erik Lamela has flown to Italy, and will meet with Inter Milan officials in the next few days.

Click here for the full story, on Soccerlens.com

Clint Dempsey returns to Fulham on loan

FHM

Fulham have announced the loan signing of former midfielder Clint Dempsey from MLS side Seattle Sounders. 

The 30-year-old American left Craven Cottage in 2012, when he signed for London rivals Tottenham. 
Dempsey has now signed a two month loan deal with Fulham, a team he calls 'his home in Europe'.

Click here for Dempsey's first interview since signing his short term deal at Fulham

11 Games, 1 Goal – Should Spurs go for struggling Roma hit-man?

The Daily Mirror

Manager-less Tottenham are reportedly targeting Roma striker Marco Borriello, with a January swoop on the cards, as the North London club search for an answer to their striker crisis.

Click here to check out my verdict on the Italian - on Soccerlens.com

Man Utd Player Ratings vs. Spurs – Rooney saves the day (1/12/13)

The Daily Mail

Check out my player ratings for Man Utd 2-2 Tottenham - at Soccerlens.com

Tottenham vs. Man Utd - Possible Line-up + Prediction

ESPN

Man Utd travel to league rivals Tottenham in the early afternoon kick-off on Sunday, with both sides looking for a valuable win to take them closer to the current leaders of the Premier League.

Click here for the latest from the Utd camp - on Soccerlens.com

£50m Argentine on Man Utd Radar; Tottenham to Snatch Prolific Young Striker?

goal.com

Valencia’s Argentine midfielder, Ever Banega, is reportedly pushing for a move away from the Mestalla Stadium; with the Daily Star claiming Man Utd are the favourites for his signature.

Click here to check out the story, plus the report of a wonderkid on Spurs' radar - on Soccerlens.com

Team of the Weekend: Arsenal, Man Utd & City Stars Dominate

yahoo.com

 We are now over a quarter of the way through the current Premier League season; doesn’t time fly! Having reached the ten game mark, it is Arsenal who continue to lead the way. The Gunners opened up a five point lead at the summit following their impressive 2-0 win against Liverpool on Saturday.

Brendan Rogers’ side remain second, despite the defeat, equal on points with Chelsea, themselves beaten convincingly by a revitalised Newcastle at St James Park. Tottenham joined them on the 20 point mark on Sunday, after their dour stalemate at Goodison Park against Everton.

The Manchester boys were the talk of the town this weekend after scoring 10 between them, lighting up the league in separately devastating attacking displays. City racked up seven without reply against a desperately poor Norwich; while Utd continued their Premier League ascent with a 3-1 away win at Fulham, dominated by their attacking duo of Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

Click here for the ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 10

Team of the Weekend: Suarez & Torres Feature In Attack-Minded XI

The Daily Mirror

It was a weekend to savour for the majority of the top clubs in the country, with goals aplenty for some of the Premier League’s most feared marksmen. Clean sheets were scarce commodities, as strikers up and down the country ran riot; just another day for one of the greatest football leagues in the world.

The story of the weekend came from Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea beat the formidable Man City 2-1, thanks to a fortuitous late goal from recent goal-machine, Fernando Torres. A mix-up at the back from the City defenders allowed the Spaniard to nip in and steal all three of the points for the Blues, sending reverberations around the Premier League. A potentially critical result in the grand scheme of things; one that may come back to play a big part come the business end of the season.

The red half of Manchester had a little more luck, but just barely, having fought back to win 3-2, after being behind twice at Old Trafford against a stubborn Stoke side. Arsenal maintained their lead at the top of the EPL with a hard fought 2-0 win over manager-less Crystal Palace; with the Gunners playing with ten men for the best part of half an hour at Selhurst Park.

Luis Suarez continued his rich vein of form, smashing three past a bewildered West Brom, on the way to a thumping 4-1 win; and Spurs snatched a 1-0 win over Premier League new boys, Hull thanks to a late penalty from big money man, Roberto Soldado.
 

Click here for the ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 9

The ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 8

 

 

It was ‘as you were’ for the EPL this weekend after another lengthy international break, and us fans were treated to a goal frenzy of sorts from the Premier League’s top teams.

 

Goals come in all shapes and sizes, and this was clearly highlighted on the weekend, with a plethora of varying methods being put on display. From the controversial to the exquisite, taking points were aplenty after a welcomingly exciting round of domestic ties.

Chelsea and Arsenal racked up four goals apiece in their respective Saturday encounters, and Man City powered through to defeat West Ham. Man Utd’s turmoil under new boss, David Moyes continued however, with a home draw against Southampton; while Liverpool will be disappointed not have secured all three points against a weakened Newcastle. Elsewhere, Tottenham eased to victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, pushing them up to fifth.

 

Click here for the ‘Football-talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 8

 

Pic: www.caughtoffside.com

 

5 Players The Premier League’s Elite Could Snatch From A Waning Juventus

Following the admission of Juventus President, Andrea Agnelli that Italian football is in a state of decline; one can only wonder what the top clubs in England are thinking with the January transfer window soon approaching.

“Italy is no longer a final destination but a transit destination,” said Agnelli at the Leaders of Football' conference in London on Thursday,

“Look at what happened to AC Milan. They had to give away Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to pay the cheques. 

At the end of the day, you can be attractive. But you also need to have the economic strength.”

As sad as this may be for the neutral lovers of the game, the concerns of the ‘Old Lady’ may throw up some inviting opportunities for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham in the upcoming transfer market.

 

Click here for a list of five potential investments for some of the biggest names in the EPL, on football-talk.co.uk

 

Photo: juventiknows.com

The ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 7

It was not to be an easy weekend of football for the Premier League elite, as almost every high profile match was hotly contested, and ultimately threw up a few surprise casualties. It is arguably the most competitive league season in recent memory, and with every passing week comes unforeseen changes in ‘the script’; unexpected twists and turns that either delight or destroy the faithful fans.

Tottenham were on the end of a stinging defeat at home to West Ham, while Arsenal had to settle for a point at West Brom. Man Utd had to rely on teenage sensation, Adnan Januzaj, in order to record a win at Sunderland, while Chelsea and City were given a run for their money against Norwich and Everton respectively. Liverpool looked on course to maul Crystal Palace at Anfield after a wonderful opening half, but they themselves were given a scare by Ian Holloway’s team.

Click here for my 'Football-Talk' Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 7

 

Photo: The Daily Mail

The ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 6

 

All things change, and following a weekend of surprise results among the teams at the top of the table, that change may be closer than once thought!

Both Manchester clubs came unstuck against lower sides in the division, once more proving the depth of quality that currently resides throughout the Premier League.

United arguably had the biggest upset, with their 1-2 defeat to West Brom at Old Trafford a real eye-opener, and an equally real kick in the teeth for beleaguered boss, David Moyes. The Scot has barely readjusted the seat in the dugout since the departure of the stalwart Sir Alex Ferguson, and the walls have already started to come crashing down around him.

After last week’s abysmal loss to City, this latest defeat will have only increased the enormous pressure on the former Everton man.

Manchester United’s haul of seven points from their opening six matches represents their worst start to a season since 1989-90!

City themselves suffered the ignominy of a shock defeat away to Villa that same Saturday, as a likely win was snatched away from them after some typically poor away day defending from the Citizens.

Spurs and Chelsea shared the spoils at White Hart Lane, after a hotly contested 1-1 draw. Arsenal and Liverpool lead the way at the top, with both sides collecting valuable 3 points away from home.

Click here for the ‘Football-talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 6

 

Photo: theliverpoolword.com

The ‘Football-Talk Big Six’ Team of the Weekend: Game-Week 5

After experiencing the trauma of missing a week’s worth of Premier League action last week, having been stranded in Thailand, I am glad to be back in the thick of the games again; and boy, have we had some crackers!

The big story comes from the Etihad, where Man City opened up their bitter rivals Manchester United like a bag of crisps. Such was the cohesion between almost every position on the pitch, that Utd were powerless for long periods of the game. The Champions were totally undone by two devastating goals in five minutes just after the restart on Sunday, with ‘the noisy neighbours’ running out 4-1 winners.

Elsewhere, Chelsea stuttered to a 2-0 victory over London rivals Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The Blues flattered to decisive for most of the match, failing to convincingly show off their true talent, and were somewhat fortunate to come away from the game unscathed. Jon Obi Mikel netted the deciding second, his first goal in 185 Premier League games for the club.

Liverpool’s superb start to the season was brought to an abrupt end by Southampton at Anfield, with defender Dejan Lovren scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win on Saturday.

Tottenham meanwhile needed every second of their match against Cardiff on Sunday, with Paulinho scoring a last grasp winner deep into stoppage time, earning them a 1-0 win.

The Premier League top spot belongs to Arsenal for the time being, as Mesut Ozil continued to prove that he is indeed the king of assists, after setting up all three of the Gunners’ goals in their 3-1 home win over Mark Hughes’ Stoke side.

Click here for my ‘Football-Talk Big Six’ Team of the Weekend: Game-Week 5 - on football-talk.co.uk

Pic: The Daily Mail

Top 5: New Signings To Watch Out For This Weekend

 

There will be many a football fan that would have perceived the last week of international football as an irritation rather than a unifying, patriotic call-to-arms. Following the intense drama of the transfer deadline day, England’s last couple of World Cup Qualifying ties have really been a bucket of cold water on what was piping hot enthusiasm after the big-name signings for some of the Premier League’s top sides.

But with the wait almost up for the Premier League to grind back into action, check out my Top 5 of the new names to watch out for, for the first time this weekend.

 

Click here for the article, on football-talk.co.uk

Pic: The Daily Mail