Irrespective of the attitude many critics demonstrate, Major League Soccer (MLS) is a uniquely American success story. In a land that was long a professional soccer wasteland with the exception of short periods of achievement that quickly collapsed, MLS has been able to sustain itself and build an impressive product by any truly objective standard over […]

Jürgen Klopp’s arrival in England set off a media frenzy that has lasted right into this weekend’s Premier League action. Klopp’s management of Liverpool did more than give long suffering Reds fans hope. It has given the British press, which is starved for superstars, a figure to obsesses over. The recent exodus of global superstar […]

Georginio Wijnaldum will put his goalscoring heroics to one side to concentrate on the business of ending Newcastle's derby misery at the hands of arch-rivals Sunderland. The 24-year-old Holland international plundered four goals as the Magpies finally ended their wait for a first Barclays Premier League win of the season at the ninth attempt with […]

Tim Sherwood says he is prepared to "die on my sword" as he tries to encourage Aston Villa to play their way out of trouble. Villa lost 2-0 at Chelsea on Saturday, falling to a seventh loss from nine Premier League games this season and 18th in the table. Sherwood's future is the subject of […]

Louis van Gaal has challenged Manchester United to prove they are genuine title contenders by beating their bitter local rivals City next weekend. United bounced back from their humbling 3-0 defeat to Arsenal by beating Everton by the same scoreline on Saturday. Wayne Rooney scored his first goal at Goodison Park for eight years after […]

Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea's performances will not be pretty as he seeks to move on from the tumultuous start to the season. Two weeks after a loss to Southampton prompted a vote of confidence in the manager – the first of Roman Abramovich's 12-year ownership – the Premier League champions beat Aston Villa 2-0 […]

Following the injury to Danny Ings, new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that he only needs two strikers in his squad. However, with Daniel Sturridge picking up another injury and Benteke frequenting the treatment room at Melwood, Klopp really only has one fully fit striker at his disposal. Divock Origi. That's 20 year old Origi who was […]

The frenzy that greeted Jürgen Klopp’s appointment as Liverpool manager always meant that the German’s first match in charge of the club would be somewhat of a let-down. The man is a very good manager, but not an alchemist. He has the same squad and resources to work with as Brendan Rodgers did after all […]

Only six times in Major League Soccer’s previous 19 seasons has a Supporters’ Shield winner won the MLS Cup. Let’s look at that again. Since MLS’ first season in 1996, only six times has the Supporters’ Shield winner gone on to claim the MLS Cup; the most prestigious prize in USA and Canadian club soccer. […]

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told Eden Hazard to improve his defensive workrate after dropping the playmaker for the Premier League champions' 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa. Hazard, the recipient of numerous player of the year awards last term as Chelsea won the title, began on the substitutes' bench as Diego Costa scored […]

Raheem Sterling hit a first-half hat-trick and Wilfried Bony struck twice as Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City overcame promoted Bournemouth 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium. City had needed someone to step up in the absence of injured star striker Sergio Aguero and B£49million man Sterling duly rose to the challenge. He and Bony both […]

Arsenal moved to second in the Barclays Premier League with an impressive 3-0 win at Watford. The Gunners, who had beaten Manchester United before the international break, were made to work hard for their victory following a spirited effort by the well-organized Hornets. Ultimately, though, the technical superiority of Arsene Wenger's men proved enough, as […]

Diego Costa eased Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's concerns as Aston Villa's hapless defenders heaped more misery on Tim Sherwood at Stamford Bridge. Costa returned from suspension to score one and force another as the Premier League champions won 2-0 and their fans sang "we are staying up" – something which cannot be said with any […]

Wayne Rooney scored his first goal at Goodison Park for eight years as Manchester United coasted to a 3-0 victory on an emotional afternoon for Everton. The news of Howard Kendall's death prior to kick-off led to a subdued atmosphere inside Goodison Park and the current crop of Everton players were unable to replicate the […]

Goodison Park said goodbye to one of its most favorite and certainly most successful sons with the passing of former player and manager Howard Kendall. Flags flew at half-mast, video tributes were played, players from both Everton and opponents Manchester United wore black armbands and there was a pre-match period of appreciation for the 69-year-old, […]