LONDON: Louis van Gaal hinted that he could vacate the Old Trafford hot seat after watching Stoke City swat aside his timid Manchester United team 2-0 in the Premier League yesterday.
Goals from Stoke forwards Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic punished United for a dreadful start at a blustery Britannia Stadium and although the visitors improved in the second half they could not repair the damage.
Dutchman Van Gaal has now overseen a seven-match winless run in which United have been eliminated from the Champions League and fallen out of the Premier League’s top four after successive defeats by Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke.
Having criticised the media and stormed angrily out of his pre-match news conference on Wednesday, there was an air of resignation about Van Gaal’s comments after the loss-United’s fourth in a row in all competitions.
“The club doesn’t have to fire or sack me-sometimes I do it by myself,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager told reporters.
Minutes earlier, he had been asked if he still thought he was the man to turn around United’s season and whether he had the support of United’s hierarchy.
“It’s more difficult because I’m also part of the four matches we have lost and so people are looking at me,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports. “It’s another situation, we have lost the fourth game, we will have to wait and see,” he added with a lingering glare towards the reporter.
United, down to sixth in the Premier League, face struggling champions Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday and few would be surprised if Van Gaal was no longer in charge.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes had spoken this week of his days as a marauding United striker under Alex Ferguson when the side approached every game expecting to win it and he would have been surprised by his side’s early dominance.
SWASHBUCKLING FOOTBALL
Goals from Stoke forwards Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic punished United for a dreadful start at a blustery Britannia Stadium and although the visitors improved in the second half they could not repair the damage.
Dutchman Van Gaal has now overseen a seven-match winless run in which United have been eliminated from the Champions League and fallen out of the Premier League’s top four after successive defeats by Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke.
Having criticised the media and stormed angrily out of his pre-match news conference on Wednesday, there was an air of resignation about Van Gaal’s comments after the loss-United’s fourth in a row in all competitions.
“The club doesn’t have to fire or sack me-sometimes I do it by myself,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager told reporters.
Minutes earlier, he had been asked if he still thought he was the man to turn around United’s season and whether he had the support of United’s hierarchy.
“It’s more difficult because I’m also part of the four matches we have lost and so people are looking at me,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports. “It’s another situation, we have lost the fourth game, we will have to wait and see,” he added with a lingering glare towards the reporter.
United, down to sixth in the Premier League, face struggling champions Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday and few would be surprised if Van Gaal was no longer in charge.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes had spoken this week of his days as a marauding United striker under Alex Ferguson when the side approached every game expecting to win it and he would have been surprised by his side’s early dominance.
SWASHBUCKLING FOOTBALL
The 20-times English champions have traditionally been associated with swashbuckling attacking football, but apart from a brief flurry after the break when Van Gaal brought his captain Wayne Rooney off the bench, they were woefully short of belief or leadership.
Van Gaal looked powerless as he clutched his notes while sitting uneasily on the bench next to assistant Ryan Giggs.
The biggest indictment of the malaise afflicting England’s biggest club was Van Gaal’s belief that his expensively-assembled team “did not dare to play football in the first half.”
Stoke’s opener after 19 minutes summed up a truly awful first half for United. Attempting to knock a bouncing ball back to his goalkeeper David de Gea with a diving header, Memphis Depay only succeeded in gifting the ball to Stoke right back Glen Johnson who crossed for Bojan to stab home.
It got even worse for United when Bojan’s free kick was blocked and with no defender closing down Arnautovic he thundered a shot past De Gea.
England striker Rooney spiced up United’s attack after the break but Marouane Fellaini wasted their best chance when he shot straight at Stoke keeper Jack Butland from close range.
At the final whistle Van Gaal gave a brief wave to United’s travelling fans. The next few days will reveal whether it was his parting gesture. – Reuters
Van Gaal looked powerless as he clutched his notes while sitting uneasily on the bench next to assistant Ryan Giggs.
The biggest indictment of the malaise afflicting England’s biggest club was Van Gaal’s belief that his expensively-assembled team “did not dare to play football in the first half.”
Stoke’s opener after 19 minutes summed up a truly awful first half for United. Attempting to knock a bouncing ball back to his goalkeeper David de Gea with a diving header, Memphis Depay only succeeded in gifting the ball to Stoke right back Glen Johnson who crossed for Bojan to stab home.
It got even worse for United when Bojan’s free kick was blocked and with no defender closing down Arnautovic he thundered a shot past De Gea.
England striker Rooney spiced up United’s attack after the break but Marouane Fellaini wasted their best chance when he shot straight at Stoke keeper Jack Butland from close range.
At the final whistle Van Gaal gave a brief wave to United’s travelling fans. The next few days will reveal whether it was his parting gesture. – Reuters
Oscar slip denies Hiddink opening Chelsea victory
Chelsea’s Pedro, right, competes for the ball with Watford’s Allan Nyom during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015. —AP Photo
LONDON: Diego Costa scored twice as Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Watford at Stamford Bridge yesterday in Guus Hiddink’s first game in charge as temporary manager.
Costa put his side ahead and his second goal mid-way through the second half rescued a point after a Troy Deeney penalty and an Odion Ighalo effort had put Watford ahead.
But had Oscar not skied a penalty high over the bar with 10 minutes remaining, Hiddink might have marked his return to west London with victory. Hiddink is back at the club after a previous stint in charge in 2009 as Chelsea attempt to recover from Jose Mourinho’s departure. The early signs suggest that he intends to adopt a more adventurous approach than his predecessor, with Oscar, Willian and Pedro Rodriguez encouraged to get forward in support of lone striker Costa here. The proactive approach almost reaped dividends within four minutes when Pedro flashed in a cross from the right.
Costa, outjumping Allan Nyom, was first to the ball, but his header cleared the crossbar of Hornets goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. Though much has been made of Chelsea’s attacking struggles, their defensive frailities have been as much a factor in their slide towards the relegation places.
Twice the visitors had decent chances to open the scoring. Both efforts fell to live-wire Nigerian forward Ighalo, his first an instinctive volley that flashed wide and the second a delicate header that failed to trouble Thibaut Courtois.
Hiddink had suggested that he might turn to graduates from Chelsea’s impressive youth academy to give the club an injection of vim, but he kept faith with the stalwarts against Watford and they combined for the opening goal in the 32nd minute.
Costa put his side ahead and his second goal mid-way through the second half rescued a point after a Troy Deeney penalty and an Odion Ighalo effort had put Watford ahead.
But had Oscar not skied a penalty high over the bar with 10 minutes remaining, Hiddink might have marked his return to west London with victory. Hiddink is back at the club after a previous stint in charge in 2009 as Chelsea attempt to recover from Jose Mourinho’s departure. The early signs suggest that he intends to adopt a more adventurous approach than his predecessor, with Oscar, Willian and Pedro Rodriguez encouraged to get forward in support of lone striker Costa here. The proactive approach almost reaped dividends within four minutes when Pedro flashed in a cross from the right.
Costa, outjumping Allan Nyom, was first to the ball, but his header cleared the crossbar of Hornets goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. Though much has been made of Chelsea’s attacking struggles, their defensive frailities have been as much a factor in their slide towards the relegation places.
Twice the visitors had decent chances to open the scoring. Both efforts fell to live-wire Nigerian forward Ighalo, his first an instinctive volley that flashed wide and the second a delicate header that failed to trouble Thibaut Courtois.
Hiddink had suggested that he might turn to graduates from Chelsea’s impressive youth academy to give the club an injection of vim, but he kept faith with the stalwarts against Watford and they combined for the opening goal in the 32nd minute.
HAZARD IMPACT
Willian’s right-wing corner was knocked on by a combination of John Terry’s head and Gary Cahill’s shoulder to Costa, who volleyed home from close range. It was his first goal in over a month.
But the Blues managed to shoot themselves in the foot three minutes before the break when an innocuous corner from Ben Watson was misjudged by Nemanja Matic, who allowed the ball to bounce off his arm. It was a clear penalty and visiting captain Deeney despatched the spot-kick with consummate ease.
John Mikel Obi, one of three survivors from Hiddink’s previous reign-the others being Terry and Branislav Ivanovic-replaced Cesc Fabregas at half-time.
But it was the visitors who restarted the game on the front foot and deservedly took the lead 11 minutes into the second period. Ivanovic, shorn of any confidence this season, was pulled out of position following the run of Deeney.
This allowed Ighalo the freedom to race into the vacated right-back position and he left fly, his left-footer clipping Cahill and zipping past a slightly embarrassed Courtois.
England’s festive games have a habit of producing goals and this one did not disappoint as the Blues restored parity within nine minutes. Willian bisected the Watford rearguard and Costa steamed through, taking a touch and lofting the ball over Gomes.
Eden Hazard entered the fray with 16 minutes to play and was immediately in the action when he was hauled down by Watford substitute Valon Behrami in the penalty area.
Up stepped Oscar, but he slipped as he was about to strike the ball and it ended up in Row Z of the Matthew Harding Stand. – AFP
Benteke hands Liverpool victory over Leicester
Willian’s right-wing corner was knocked on by a combination of John Terry’s head and Gary Cahill’s shoulder to Costa, who volleyed home from close range. It was his first goal in over a month.
But the Blues managed to shoot themselves in the foot three minutes before the break when an innocuous corner from Ben Watson was misjudged by Nemanja Matic, who allowed the ball to bounce off his arm. It was a clear penalty and visiting captain Deeney despatched the spot-kick with consummate ease.
John Mikel Obi, one of three survivors from Hiddink’s previous reign-the others being Terry and Branislav Ivanovic-replaced Cesc Fabregas at half-time.
But it was the visitors who restarted the game on the front foot and deservedly took the lead 11 minutes into the second period. Ivanovic, shorn of any confidence this season, was pulled out of position following the run of Deeney.
This allowed Ighalo the freedom to race into the vacated right-back position and he left fly, his left-footer clipping Cahill and zipping past a slightly embarrassed Courtois.
England’s festive games have a habit of producing goals and this one did not disappoint as the Blues restored parity within nine minutes. Willian bisected the Watford rearguard and Costa steamed through, taking a touch and lofting the ball over Gomes.
Eden Hazard entered the fray with 16 minutes to play and was immediately in the action when he was hauled down by Watford substitute Valon Behrami in the penalty area.
Up stepped Oscar, but he slipped as he was about to strike the ball and it ended up in Row Z of the Matthew Harding Stand. – AFP
Benteke hands Liverpool victory over Leicester
LIVERPOOL: Christian Benteke’s second-half strike made all the difference as Liverpool beat Premier League leaders Leicester City in a 1-0 victory at Anfield yesterday.
This was Leicester’s second visit to Merseyside inside a week after last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Everton but they went home empty-handed this time around following an encounter that Liverpool dominated.
Liverpool went into this contest having picked up a solitary point from their last three matches and manager Jurgen Klopp was only too aware that a victory was needed if their resurgence since the German’s arrival was to continue.
In a bright opening period, Liverpool went closest after just three minutes when Philippe Coutinho’s curling effort from 25 yards just drifted wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s far post.
Although Liverpool could not break down Leicester’s defence early on, they appeared the more composed side as Coutinho and Emre Can pulled the strings going forward.
However, Leicester’s resolute defence has been a highlight of their season and Wes Morgan and Robert Huth, back in the side after a hamstring problem, both remained strong at the back.
After 15 minutes, Coutinho again had a decent opportunity but blasted over following impressive work from Divock Origi while Adam Lallana then thrashed wide just 60 seconds later as Liverpool surged forward.
Can was the next Liverpool player to threaten as Schmeichel had to be at his best to keep out his low curling effort before Origi also went close at the near post.
This was Leicester’s second visit to Merseyside inside a week after last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Everton but they went home empty-handed this time around following an encounter that Liverpool dominated.
Liverpool went into this contest having picked up a solitary point from their last three matches and manager Jurgen Klopp was only too aware that a victory was needed if their resurgence since the German’s arrival was to continue.
In a bright opening period, Liverpool went closest after just three minutes when Philippe Coutinho’s curling effort from 25 yards just drifted wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s far post.
Although Liverpool could not break down Leicester’s defence early on, they appeared the more composed side as Coutinho and Emre Can pulled the strings going forward.
However, Leicester’s resolute defence has been a highlight of their season and Wes Morgan and Robert Huth, back in the side after a hamstring problem, both remained strong at the back.
After 15 minutes, Coutinho again had a decent opportunity but blasted over following impressive work from Divock Origi while Adam Lallana then thrashed wide just 60 seconds later as Liverpool surged forward.
Can was the next Liverpool player to threaten as Schmeichel had to be at his best to keep out his low curling effort before Origi also went close at the near post.
BEST CHANCE
Leicester barely had any possession and could not unleash Premier League top-scorer Jamie Vardy on the home side to any effect while Riyad Mahrez and Shinji Okazaki were equally as quiet.
Liverpool’s quest for goals was not helped, however, when Origi had to come off with seven minutes of the first half remaining but the fact that £32.5m striker Benteke replaced him underlined the strength in depth Klopp has at his disposal.
Leicester’s best chance in the opening 45 minutes fell towards half-time as Mahrez’s trickery led him inside the Liverpool box but Simon Mignolet-back in the side after missing last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Watford-did well to turn the shot over the crossbar.
In the second half, Benteke continued to be a nuisance to Huth and Morgan while Can and Coutinho also probed the away team”s defence until, finally, Benteke gave Liverpool the lead after 63 minutes.
Roberto Firmino’s low cross from the left was met by Benteke first time and he slid his effort past Schmeichel.
Leicester desperately pushed for an equaliser and Liverpool had Mignolet to thank for a brilliant point-blank save from Nathan Dyer with 16 minutes remaining.
Anfield became increasingly nervy as the end approached yet both teams, to their credit, continued to push forward whenever they could. Can smashed one effort high into the Kop from outside the box while Mahrez continued to run hard for Leicester in a bid to break down Liverpool at the back.
As the end approached, a long throw by Christian Fuchs caused confusion in the Liverpool box but Mignolet recovered well but that was as close as Leicester got.
Henderson then squandered one glorious chance late on as he opted to pass rather than shoot with the Leicester goal at his mercy before Benteke did the same in the dying seconds and although that enraged Anfield, Liverpool’s fans ultimately went home happy.
Liverpool’s quest for goals was not helped, however, when Origi had to come off with seven minutes of the first half remaining but the fact that £32.5m striker Benteke replaced him underlined the strength in depth Klopp has at his disposal.
Leicester’s best chance in the opening 45 minutes fell towards half-time as Mahrez’s trickery led him inside the Liverpool box but Simon Mignolet-back in the side after missing last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Watford-did well to turn the shot over the crossbar.
In the second half, Benteke continued to be a nuisance to Huth and Morgan while Can and Coutinho also probed the away team”s defence until, finally, Benteke gave Liverpool the lead after 63 minutes.
Roberto Firmino’s low cross from the left was met by Benteke first time and he slid his effort past Schmeichel.
Leicester desperately pushed for an equaliser and Liverpool had Mignolet to thank for a brilliant point-blank save from Nathan Dyer with 16 minutes remaining.
Anfield became increasingly nervy as the end approached yet both teams, to their credit, continued to push forward whenever they could. Can smashed one effort high into the Kop from outside the box while Mahrez continued to run hard for Leicester in a bid to break down Liverpool at the back.
As the end approached, a long throw by Christian Fuchs caused confusion in the Liverpool box but Mignolet recovered well but that was as close as Leicester got.
Henderson then squandered one glorious chance late on as he opted to pass rather than shoot with the Leicester goal at his mercy before Benteke did the same in the dying seconds and although that enraged Anfield, Liverpool’s fans ultimately went home happy.
