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Metro
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- Metro
'Invisible' - Liverpool legend criticises Chelsea duo after Crystal Palace draw
Steve Nicol criticised two 'invisible' Chelsea players after the Club World Cup winners were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace. Chelsea's involvement in the Club World Cup pushed their pre-season schedule back and the Blues looked perhaps understandably off the pace against FA Cup holders Palace. Their best chances in the Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge fell to substitute debutants Estevao Willian, Liam Delap and Andrey Santos, who all came close after the break. Crystal Palace did have the ball in the back of the net but Eberechi Eze's powerful free-kick was disallowed following a VAR check. Liverpool legend Nicol said Chelsea had 'no answers' against 'well-organised' Palace and said Stamford Bridge star Cole Palmer was 'invisible'. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. Nicol was also underwhelmed by Joao Pedro's first Premier League appearance for Chelsea following his £60m summer move from Brighton. 'It was a fair result,' Nicol said on ESPN. 'I don't think either side did enough to win this game. 'I feel for Chelsea a little bit because this was one of the worst opening games they could've had. They've only been back from the Club World Cup for two weeks and they were never going to be 100% or sharp enough. 'Crystal Palace are so well organised so you need legs to break them down. I feel for them a bit. 'But they didn't create much, Cole Palmer was invisible, as was most of the Chelsea players. It was unfortunate for them to come up against a Palace side who were match fit and ready to go. 'Palace did exactly what Palace always do, they're so organised under Oliver Glasner, and Chelsea had no answers to it. 'As much as we were praising Joao Pedro at the Club World Cup, he just wasn't in the game today, he wasn't at the races.' Chelsea have been described as dark horses in the Premier League this season by a number of pundits, including ex-England striker Michael Owen. Asked what he believes Chelsea should be aiming for this season, four-time title winner Nicol added: 'Realistically they should be looking to be in the top-four, that has to be the bottom line and the minimum for them. 'Given how much they've spent in the transfer market they have to be in the Champions League.' Enzo Maresca insisted his Chelsea team could have played better at Stamford Bridge but was reluctant to be too critical of his side. 'Tough game, we expected a tough game,' he told BBC's Match of the Day. 'Apart from the first half free-kick, we didn't concede any chances but they are a very good team. 'We could have counter attacked better, we could have defended better but it is only the first game of the season. 'They [Palace] played about eight games, we played just two so we tried our best. We didn't lose a clean sheet.' Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards, meanwhile, was proud of the Eagles' performance in west London and said it was a 'good way to start the season'. More Trending 'We worked well together,' Richards told Palace's official website. 'We've seen Chelsea throughout the last season and in pre-season, also at the Club World Cup, they have a very dangerous attack. 'So we knew that if we could alleviate them scoring goals, we would have a good chance. You know a draw is still a good point regardless. 'It's a good way to start the season and I think we can move forward with this performance in the second half. 'One thing we talked about before the game was embracing the toughness that Chelsea are going to bring. It wasn't going to perfect, but as long as we could keep a clean sheet, that's number one for us.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd and Liverpool enter transfer race for Republic of Ireland international MORE: Picture of Man Utd star outside Old Trafford vandalised ahead of Arsenal clash MORE: Premier League odds: Leeds United may have to settle for a draw with Everton on top-flight return
Metro
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- Metro
Man Utd and Liverpool enter transfer race for Republic of Ireland international
Manchester United and Liverpool have joined Tottenham in a transfer race to sign Brentford and Republic of Ireland defender Nathan Collins. Collins, capped 30 times by his country to date, is wanted by all three Premier League clubs before the summer window closes on September 1. The 24-year-old joined Brentford from Wolves in a £23m deal in 2023 and the Irishman has made a total of 78 appearances for the Bees so far. United, Liverpool and Spurs are 'all targeting a move' for the Collins with interest in the Brentford captain 'surging', according to the Daily Mail. The Red Devils have already signed Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford this summer and are hoping to convince Collins into a switch to Old Trafford. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. But United need to sell players before they can make an approach for Collins having already spent around £215m on new recruits this summer. Spurs and Liverpool are also keen on Collins – with both clubs seeking defensive reinforcements in the current window. Collins played under Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank at Brentford which could give them a potential advantage in the race for the Irish star. Liverpool, though, may be tempting given they're the Premier League champions and could arguably offer him the best chance of winning silverware this term. It remains to be seen which club Collins would prefer to join – but he does have a family connection to Liverpool given his father was a player at the club from 1988 to 1992. Collins may ultimately decide he wants to stay at Brentford, where he is currently working under the management of ex-Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews. It should also be noted that Brentford may well be highly reluctant to sell Collins, who is under contract at the Gtech Community Stadium until the summer of 2029, having signed a six-year deal in 2023. Brentford have already lost key players this summer and could be set for a battle to keep their spot in the Premier League. The west London club have no need to cash in on Collins given the length of his current contract. More Trending Brentford boss Andrews is a huge fan of his Irish compatriot, having described him as a 'natural leader'. 'Nathan's someone I've known since he was around 14 years of age, coaching some of the Ireland youth teams,' Andrews said earlier this month. 'He's always been a natural leader, he's gained a lot of experience considering the age that he is, and he's developed his professionalism to a new level because he's been involved in this environment for a couple of years and has learnt from some great people. 'He communicates very well, he's got really good values, on and off the pitch, and, naturally, players gravitate towards him – he has respect from all the players and staff, which is a key attribute to have.' MORE: Picture of Man Utd star outside Old Trafford vandalised ahead of Arsenal clash MORE: Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal: Gunners hold on to seal Old Trafford victory MORE: Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund makes transfer decision after being left out of Arsenal clash
Metro
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- Metro
'Indefensible' - Joe Hart slams Man Utd star after Arsenal defeat
Joe Hart slammed an 'indefensible' error from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir after Manchester United's opening Premier League defeat to Arsenal. Arsenal, who were potent from set-pieces last season, scored from their first corner of the season after Bayindir flapped at an inswinging delivery from Declan Rice. Riccardo Calafiori was standing in the six-yard box more out of hope than expectation but was able to nod the ball over the line following Bayindir's mistake, that came following slight pressure from William Saliva. Reacting to the goal, ex-England goalkeeper Hart said on BBC Radio 5 Live: 'I immediately got ready to defend Altay Bayindir, and then I saw the first replay and thought, 'I can't defend him here'… 'Personally, I like to have my own defender in front of me so I can use him as a shield against an attacker and that's not the option they've gone for. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. 'Saliba has done enough, but not done too much. Ideally, he wants to punch that with his right hand. He has got far too involved and got lost and made a bit of a mess with it. 'It's not a foul. Bayindir has got to scrap with his left arm to deal with Saliba and jab the ball away with his right.' Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison also criticised 'weak' Bayindir after Arsenal broke the deadlock inside 15 minutes at Old Trafford. Morrison also said United should be looking to sign a new goalkeeper before the summer transfer window closes. The Red Devils were linked with Emiliano Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma earlier in the summer. But Amorim looked set to keep his faith in Andre Onana for this season, although he then dropped him for the opening game against Arsenal. "You get in his face!" Roy Keane says Man United were not aggressive enough in defending the corner that Arsenal scored from 🔊 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025 'Altay Bayindir – weak! He's looking at everyone else to blame,' Morrison said. 'Man United have a problem with their goalkeeping. 'You have to be strong. It is weak goalkeeping. Manchester United need to strengthen their goalkeeper. 'There are top goalkeepers around that are available and you're only as good as your goalkeeper.' Old Trafford legend Gary Neville also suggested his former club needed to invest in a new goalkeeper before the transfer deadline. 'The goalkeeper has got to be stronger,' he said on Sky Sports. 'He will complain that he was fouled. 'He has a player in front of him, there is a lot of pushing and pulling, but he has to be stronger. 'I don't think Saliba has done anything wrong and the ball just goes through Bayindir's hands and Calafiori is there to profit. It's going to keep hurting United.' More Trending Onana's absence against Arsenal was initially thought to be fitness-related but Amorim confirmed the Cameroon international was fit. 'He's not injured, he's recovered… but the other players did well during pre-season, so I have to find a balance,' he said in his pre-match interview. 'Next week, it will be a different story. This week, we chose these players.' Manchester United return to action next weekend with a trip to Fulham, while Mikel Arteta's Arsenal play host to Premier League new-boys Leeds United. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: 'Invisible' – Liverpool legend criticises two Chelsea players after Crystal Palace draw MORE: Man Utd and Liverpool enter transfer race for Republic of Ireland international MORE: Picture of Man Utd star outside Old Trafford vandalised ahead of Arsenal clash
Metro
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Picture of Man Utd star outside Old Trafford vandalised ahead of Arsenal clash
A picture of Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho outside Old Trafford has been vandalised ahead of his likely transfer exit. United boss Ruben Amorim informed Garnacho at the end of last season that he should find a new club this summer. Amorim was frustrated by Garnacho's performances, both on the pitch and in training, and was also shocked by comments he made following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. Having been included in Amorim's bomb squad of unwanted players, Garnacho accepts his Manchester United career is over and wants to join fellow Premier League club Chelsea. The Argentina international has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea and is waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. United are holding out for £50m but Chelsea are reluctant to meet that figure and value Garnacho at more like £30m. More Trending A number of Manchester United fans have been disappointed by Garnacho's attitude over the past 12 months. And ahead of United's Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday, a picture of Garnacho outside Old Trafford was vandalised. More to follow… MORE: Premier League odds: Leeds United may have to settle for a draw with Everton on top-flight return MORE: What does Viktor Gyokeres' goal celebration mean? Story behind Arsenal star's 'mask' MORE: Man Utd vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates
Metro
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Toffees look tasty to take a point off Leeds at Elland Road
Leeds United are planning a huge party to celebrate their return to the Premier League but Everton are ready to gatecrash the Elland Road shindig and spoil the fun. Daniel Farke's team won 18 games in front of their own fans last season, drawing four times and losing just the once as they landed the Championship title with 100 points and a superior goal difference to Burnley. They have spent significantly during the summer with Dominic Calvert-Lewin expected to lead the attack after becoming a free agent following his decision to part company with the Toffees and he is expected to make his debut against his former side. Everton aren't expected to flourish this season but it would be folly to write them off as below-par cannon fodder as they finished last term with a respectable 31 points from 18 matches, with the run started with victories over Tottenham, Brighton and Leicester and bookended by success against Fulham, Southampton and Newcastle as they waved farewell to Goodison Park. Their only defeats were to Liverpool at Anfield, home to Manchester City and away at Chelsea and manager David Moyes has recruited well to strengthen a squad which finished 13th. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. If a few of the draws in the run-in to the campaign can be converted into wins they could easily finish in the top halfand playing at their luxurious new Hill Dickinson home should give Everton an advantage as they seek to return to the distant days when they were a competitive force on the domestic scene. Everton were average away from home, winning six, drawing the same number and losing seven last season and the key additions of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City with a view to a £50million purchase, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who cost £24m from Chelsea, strengthen a midfield where Idrissa Gueye has the skills to shine. Grealish may not start against Leeds and the Toffees are also without injured England international Jarrad Branthwaite in the heart of their defence but should still have enough about them to gain a share of the spoils with the draw 12/5 with bet365 and BetVictor and a 1-1 final score 6/1 with the former firm. More Trending Joel Pirloe led the Championship with 19 goals last term and is 5/2 with Betfred, Bresbet and BetGoodwin to score for Leeds at any time in this Premier League opener, while Dewsbury-Hall can celebrate his Everton debut with a goal at 7/1 with Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet. Graham Potter was our 12/1 selection with StarSports last week to be the next manager to leave his post and following the Hammers' 3-0 shellacking at newly promoted Sunderland on Saturday, the former Brighton and Chelsea boss has been cut to just 2/1 with William Hill and BetVictor. Oval Invincibles men are 8/11 with William Hill, bet365, Betfred and BoyleSports to beat Southern Brave in Hampshire as they steam towards a successful defence of their title in The Hundred. MORE: What does Viktor Gyokeres' goal celebration mean? Story behind Arsenal star's 'mask' MORE: Man Utd vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates MORE: Why Eberechi Eze goal for Crystal Palace against Chelsea was disallowed
