Premier League revs up for Demolition Derbies

The Premier League season is only two games old, but two of the top flight's biggest games are already upon us on Sunday.

Off the back of a pair of victories, Liverpool renew their storied rivalry with reigning champions Manchester United, who could be without Wayne Rooney due to a head injury.

The clash at Anfield is sure to be scintillating, but faces competition for game of the day from the north London derby.

A new-look Tottenham, who added Vlad Chiriches, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen to their overhauled squad on Friday, take on an Arsenal side who have been buoyed by three convincing victories in all competitions after an opening day defeat to Aston Villa.

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Big Sam & West Ham strapped for transfer cash

With just 10 days remaining before the transfer window closes, a number of Premier League clubs are still trying to make big money signings to add quality to their squads for the 2013-14 season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident of making new signings and Goal understands Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria are among his targets.

Manchester United, meanwhile, continue to pursue Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, while Tottenham's attempt to sign Willian could be thwarted by Chelsea, who have made a late move for the Brazilian and will bid again for Wayne Rooney.

Spare a thought, then, for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, who wants to make more transfer deadline purchases, but is simply out of funds.

"I've got no more money left," he told reporters on Thursday. "So the squad I've got is the squad I've got."

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Champions League dream alive for Arsenal as Suarez deal dies

Arsenal took a giant stride towards the Champions League with a 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce in a qualifying round first leg in Istanbul.

But Luis Suarez will not be joining them at Europe's top table, after Arsene Wenger confirmed that a deal to sign the Liverpool striker was well and truly dead.

"[There is] absolutely no chance," Wenger told reporters in Turkey last night, with the Frenchman turning his attentions elsewhere.

Goal understands Arsenal are preparing bids for Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria, with the Gunners willing to offer £35 million for the France international.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman told Goal Suarez is too good for Arsenal, but does deserve to play at the very highest level.

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Sandwich man Suarez wants Liverpool exit

 

Along with Gareth Bale and Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez has dominated the back pages all summer long as he attempts to force a move away from Liverpool.

The Reds have been firm in their stance that the Uruguay international is not for sale, with John W. Henry issuing a stern warning to Arsenal that they would not entertain the idea of selling to their Premier League rivals.

Suarez has made no secret of his desire to leave the Merseysiders but, with time running out, will he get his wish before the transfer window closes? 

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Premier League managers shop at La Liga supermarket

 

Premier League managers are filling their squads with top Spanish talent this summer.

17 players have left La Liga for England already this summer, with Manchester City signing Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, while Brendan Rodgers has brought Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto to Liverpool.

The spending appears unlikely to stop, as Manchester United continue to pursue Cesc Fabregas, and Arsenal remain in the hunt for Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid.

And with Tottenham in talks to sign Roberto Soldado from Valencia, there could still be more Spanish flavour heading to the Premier League this summer. 

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The Special Don: Mourinho wants to be the Premier League’s Godfather

 

On arriving at Chelsea first time around Jose Mourinho famously announced himself as the ‘Special One’.

The Portuguese has now returned to Stamford Bridge for a second spell and says he wants to be the “Godfather” of the Premier League.

After the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, it was pointed out to Mourinho that he is the only Premier League manager to have won the Champions League, leading him to announce: "I am just going to be The Godfather". 

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Mkhitaryan and Villa snub Premier League

 

Activity in the summer transfer window is starting to hot up with two of Europe’s most wanted men announcing they are on the move.

Barcelona striker David Villa is heading for Atletico Madrid after the two clubs agreed a deal for the Spain international.

The transfer is likely to disappoint many, but particularly Tottenham fans who were hoping to see the striker in Premier League action at White Hart Lane.

Over at Liverpool there is also bad news after Borussia Dortmund confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan has completed a move from Shakhtar Donetsk, preferring the Champions League runners-up to Brendan Rodgers' side. 

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Rodgers gives Suarez a license for mischief

 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers launched a staunch defence of Luis Suarez after the striker was banned for 10 games for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

While Rodgers had no issue with a ban being issued, he was disappointed by the length of the suspension given to the Uruguayan.

But in doing so, has he given Suarez a free pass to get away with all other forms of mischief? 

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Suarez in the doghouse as Liverpool look to keep him on a leash

 

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was both hero and villain as the Reds drew 2-2 with Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
The Uruguay international set up Liverpool’s opener for Daniel Sturridge with a sublime pass before scoring an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game to earn his side a point.
However, it was Suarez’s clash with Branislav Ivanovic that stole all the headlines, the striker biting the Chelsea man, and leaving the controversial star, once again, in the doghouse.

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Liverpool set for summer holidays as top four scrap continues

 

After Arsenal and Everton both recorded wins on Saturday, the race to finish in the Premier League top four has taken another twist.

Tottenham - who do not play this weekend - have dropped to fifth as the Gunners moved up the table and closed in on Chelsea, who are in FA Cup action against Manchester City on Sunday.

Liverpool, meanwhile, look set for an early summer holiday after another goalless draw, this time against Reading, thanks to some heroic goalkeeping from Alex McCarthy. 

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Hulk ruins Liverpool's Mission Impossible

 

Brendan Rodgers' side faced a difficult task in attempting to overcome a 2-0 deficit from the first leg of their Europa League tie against Zenit St Petersburg.

And that became all the more improbable when Brazilian striker Hulk popped up to latch onto a poor backpass from Jamie Carragher and slot past Pepe Reina to give them a 3-0 aggregate lead.

But to their credit, Liverpool fought back in astonishing style, and were tantalisingly close to an improbable result. However, they had left themselves just too much to do in the end, with the Russian side advancing to the next stage. 

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Premier League casualties pile up during week of Cup giant-killings

 

It may well be a cliche but the 'magic of the FA Cup' returned with a vengeance at the weekend as Premier League clubs far and wide found themselves dumped out of the competition by lower league opposition.

Millwall got things started on Friday night, adding to Aston Villa's woes by sending Paul Lambert's men packing with a 2-1 win at The Den.
Saturday saw yet more surprises with MK Dons thrashing QPR and non-league Luton upsetting Norwich at Carrow Road.

And Sunday saw yet more shocks with Leeds humbling Tottenham, Brentford holding European champions Chelsea and Liverpool booted out of the competition by Oldham.
 

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Suarez and Sturridge are Liverpool's new A Team

 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers loves it when a plan comes together.

The Anfield boss saw his January signing, Daniel Sturridge, excel in tandem with the prolific Luis Suarez on Saturday, scoring in the 5-0 victory over Norwich and playing a big role in most of the Reds' most threatening attacking play.


In Suarez and Sturridge, it appears Liverpool have found a new A Team, and a push up the Premier League table might not be too far away.

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