Maguire, Dalot and Fernandes also score in 4-0 friendly win Rafael Benítez takes charge of first Everton game in England Manchester United’s commercial department will disagree, but the benefits of not traipsing around the globe in pre-season are paying dividends for Ole Gunnar Solskjær. The United manager is under no illusions he must deliver this season and, on the evidence of a comfortable 4-0 friendly stroll against Everton, his squad is well-prepared for the considerable challenge of closing the gap on Manchester City.Bruno Fernandes celebrated sweeping a stunning free-kick past Jordan Pickford in a manner more befitting a decisive Premier League fixture than the final warm-up game of the summer. Juan Mata and Fred gave the midfielder a standing ovation...
With Everton stuck in the middle ground outside the elite, the Spaniard’s style is a better fit than Carlo Ancelotti’s ever wasWhat is Everton? It sounds like a flippant question, and perhaps to an extent it is, but as Rafa Benítez takes charge, it’s also fundamental. A journey of self-improvement must perhaps begin with a realistic assessment of where you are starting from.But that is not easy. It is not enough simply to say that Everton came 10th last season after a promising start, or even to point out that the latest Deloitte report their annual revenues as the seventh highest in the Premier League. They are the fourth most successful club in English league history. There were one of...
Supporters’ group fighting Ashley is calling for a St James’ Park boycott – but would not be first to find apathy in their wayA couple of hours after finishing what was intended to be the first and final draft of this column, I was forced into a rewrite. An excoriating, potentially award-winning polemic that will now never see the light of day, the original version was mildly critical of the kind of football fans who relentlessly bore everyone to tears with grievances regarding their dissatisfaction with the owners of their football club, but are invariably too apathetic to do anything even remotely useful that might in some way lead to the departure of those custodians who are the source of...
Rafa Benítez stood in the way of Jürgen Klopp’s title challengers but fate had other plans on a topsy-turvy night at St James’ ParkLunchtime was fast approaching when Liverpool’s morning charter flight taxied towards the private terminal adjacent to Newcastle airport. Travelling Premier League teams do not usually touch down with only hours to spare before kick-off but, right now, almost every conceivable margin is becoming uncomfortably tight for Jürgen Klopp and his players.With a domestic title and an improbable Champions League semi-final comeback to pursue, Liverpool are all out of wriggle room and it is not only their travel schedule that is being squeezed. On the pitch there is no room for error; not when Klopp’s team headed back...
Two points from eight games is not what the Spaniard expected but Newcastle have had a tough start and Saturday’s meeting with Brighton is now must-winThere will always be a special bond between Chris Hughton and Newcastle supporters but anxious home fans hope to see their former manager defeated when his Brighton side visit St James’ Park on Saturday. After all, Rafael Benítez’s team have only two points and are desperately seeking a first win of the campaign.Reason to be fearful Related: Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion: match preview Related: Things already looking bleak for clubs near the Premier League basement | Paul Wilson Continue reading...