The Great World Cup 2018 - memories for a lifetime

Now that three days have passed since the climax of Russia's World Cup, it's time to reflect on a marvelous tournament that maintained the thrills all the way to the end. France beat Croatia 4-2 in the Final, Germany continued the champions curse by crashing out in the group stage and England reached the semi-finals.

The memories will last a lifetime, despite the introduction of VAR. Memories such as:

1) Spain v Portugal classic 2) Nacho’s goal 3) Lopetegui sacked early 4) VAR 5) Argentina 1-1 Iceland 6) Cueva’s still-rising penalty 7) Mexico beat Germany 8) Quintero’s under-the-wall free kick
9) Senegal dancing to DuckTales

https://twitter.com/vonstrenginho/status/1011166046873702401
10) Caballero’s howler v Croatia 11) Neymar’s incredible diving 12) Kroos saves Germany in injury time 13) England 6-1 Panama 14) Iran player’s acrobatic throw-in fail 15) Ally McCoist’s historical references 16) Quaresma’s outrageous trivela
17) Spain snatch 1st in injury time 18) More VAR 19) Lush goal by Messi saves Argentina 20) Germany OUT, 4th in group 21) Japan sneak 2nd due to fair play 22) Batshuayi whacks the ball into post then face


23) France 4-3 Argentina all-time classic 24) Mbappe’s 80-yard sprint
25) Pavard’s amazing goal 26) Maradona being a lunatic in the crowd 27) The huge one-two between Suarez & Cavani 28) Russia eliminate Spain 29) Dramatic late comeback win, Belgium 3-2 Japan 30) England FINALLY win on penalties


31) Lots and lots of VAR
32) Belgium defeat Brazil in a thriller 33) Many Atomic Kitten chants 34) Football’s Coming Home 35) Croatia stopped football coming home 36) Last goal of World Cup being weird Lloris mess-up

It was arguably the greatest World Cup of all time. Let's never forget it.

Mall 1-0 St George's Way: Match Report

Kurt Geiger’s second half winner gave Mall a slender advantage over St George’s Way in a bad-tempered Game at Eldon Square.

The striker, signed from Internacionale last summer, coolly finished from ten yards after Swarovski’s gem of a through ball. Despite Burton’s late sending off for a Latte challenge on Starbucks, Mall held on for a vital victory.

It was a typically British afternoon in Newcastle – Superdry at kick-off, the weather shortly turned to Monsoon season as referee Clinton had his Cards out on display. Early bookings for Austin Reed and Waitrose saw the match descend into a Card Factory.

St George’s Way had the first big chance, as Dixy Chicken’s great wing play set up Greggs, who just couldn’t wrap his foot around the high cross. Decked in their new Orange kits, the away side soon hit the post following a dazzling run and chip from the cheeky Nandos.

It took a while for the New Look hosts to get going, with centre backs Holland and Barrett rarely supplementing their teammates with confidence. Midfielder Charles Clinkard missed an open goal on 35 minutes – you’d not want to be in his shoes at half time!

But whatever manager Fenwick said at the break, it transformed his side for the second half. Fraser Hart and Ernest Jones ran rings around the St George’s defence, with their work down the right flank almost leading to yet another Costa goal. The striker – a bargain buy from Poundland – hit a Lush shot with his left foot, met with an acrobatic save from Argos.

In fact, Argos pulled off a catalogue of stops to deny the reinvigorated Mall. It was again Fraser Hart who became the one to watch, as he hit the post following Clinkard’s corner. Topman was Next with a great chance up the other end as his cousin Topshop sat on the opposing bench, forcing a good save from John Lewis.

Then came the breakthrough. Kurt Geiger has often been criticised for being a bad trainer but his return from injury certainly gave Mall a confidence Boost. And it was Geiger who booted home from close-range after Swarovski dribbled past Schuh and through the aisles of Waitrose before finding him in space.

There was still time for late drama, as Burton gave a bizarre clothesline to Starbucks. A straight red card but Mall held on for the win. Boss Fenwick was relieved at full time, saying: “There was Serendipity involved this afternoon. Mall 1-0 St George’s Way – that’s a good sign, in my opinion. It’s a real lift and will elevate us up the league table.” 

They face a daunting trip to Monument Mall on Wednesday night.

Newcastle United's relegation - who I'd sell & who I'd keep

After another 90 minutes of absolute unprofessionalism from the spineless cowards that call themselves Newcastle United, any faint hopes that they’ll muster some spirit and avoid relegation have been extinguished. Whilst the six-point gap to Norwich is technically catchable, we’ll struggle to get anything close to six points. And I’m warming more to the idea that – if the alternative is survival and another year of this misery – relegation might be worth the risk, as long as the squad gets completely gutted. Of course, the most important transfer to be made will be replacing Rafa Benitez in the dugout.

The lower leagues are scattered with clubs who went down and never came back. Hell, Bolton have just been relegated to League One. So there’s a very strong chance that Newcastle won’t return at the first attempt and it will take years to do so. Yet I’m sort of excited for a shake-up that rids our fan base of the scum that call themselves our players. So here’s a rough guide to what I think we should realistically be aiming for with our Championship squad.

Goalkeepers:

For years, Newcastle have been solid in goal and I think Tim Krul can be sold without impacting the squad. A good man who genuinely seems to love the club, it’d be a shame to lose him but money and ambition talks. The only issue is whether teams will bid for a goalkeeper who has been out since September with an ACL injury. Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow will both be at their level, with young Freddie Woodman very highly regarded nationally.

Defenders:

Quite frankly, nobody will want our defenders. Championship-quality at best, Newcastle are lacking in both quality and quantity. Daryl Janmaat has no back-up, with only a fraction of the £80 million spent this season going on strengthening our biggest weakness. Goals are conceded at an alarming rate and I can only see Janmaat leave – he won’t be missed either. Chancel Mbemba has been one of the rare bright points of a shocking season and I think it’s possible he can be kept. Of the rest, Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles, Kevin Mbabu and Massadio Haidara will stay and hopefully the end of his contract means that Steven Taylor will finally go. Mute club captain Fabricio Coloccini is an unknown but I think clubs will avoid him.

Midfielders:

Without doubt, Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum will go and good riddance to the pair of them. If Sissoko was anywhere near as good as he thinks he is, the club would be top-half, whilst the Dutch midfielder’s nine goals have masked his complete anonymity. The squad won’t be worse without them, just like Cheick Tiote who‘ll finally get his move to China. Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux’s contracts soon expire, whilst the club will hope to con a French club to take Yoan Gouffran and Florian Thauvin.

There’s a chance that Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend will go, just six months after joining. However, I think Townsend will stay and play a big part in carving open Championship defences. Nobody will buy Vurnon Anita or Henri Saivet, with Siem De Jong remaining due to his injury-proneness. He could be a huge dressing room figure. Jack Colback and Sammy Ameobi are Championship-level (at best). The big hope is that it could be a breakout season for Rolando Aarons, so it’s essential that he stays on Tyneside.

Forwards:

Seydou Doumbia’s loan expires, having only played a handful of minutes. Like Tiote, Papiss Cisse will be flogged to Asia and it’s inevitable that Ayoze Perez will get a big money move – he’s one of the few players that both cares and has quality. The huge question that will decide Newcastle’s promotion hopes regards Aleksandar Mitrovic. I like him a lot and think he’ll be amazing in the Championship – can he attract a buyer? His burgeoning reputation has taken a blow and he’s just about crazy enough to willingly stay on Tyneside. Pairing him with Adam Armstrong has great potential. Emmanuel Riviere will stay be default, as nobody wants him.

Squad:

GK:        Elliot, Darlow, Woodman

DEF:      Mbemba, Coloccini, Lascelles, Dummett, Mbabu, Haidara

MID:      Townsend, Anita, Colback, Aarons, S Ameobi, Saivet, De Jong

FOR:      Mitrovic, Armstrong, Riviere, Toney

SELL:      Krul (£6m), Janmaat (£6m), Sissoko (£9m), Wijnaldum (£12m), Shelvey (£12m), Tiote (£3m), Gouffran (£1m), Thauvin (£6m), Cisse (£3m), Perez (£16m)            TOTAL = £74m

RELEASE:              Taylor, Marveaux, Obertan

The squad will be decimated but, of those sold, only Perez will be missed. Possibly Shelvey and Krul. It’s then up to the board to quickly appoint a manager and plan signings, loans and free transfers. I’d personally go for Michael Carrick on a free and make him captain. The base is there for a decent Championship team, but it should never have come to this. On paper, this Newcastle United side should be nowhere near relegation.

Let's just pray this is one step back before three steps forward.

The derby of a lifetime - an unbearably long week for Newcastle and Sunderland fans

As if the Tyne-Wear derby needed any more riding on it, this Sunday’s is the biggest clash for a generation. The derby of a lifetime, one or the other will get relegated – possibly even both – so this one could easily be the last for a while. Expect fireworks.

It’s been an unbearably long week in the North East. Sunderland didn’t play because of Everton’s FA Cup exploits, whilst Newcastle had an encouraging but fruitless defeat at Leicester. Then all focus turned to this. Thanks to recent wins for Swansea and Bournemouth, the relegation fight has seemingly turned into a two-from-three mini-league involving Sunderland, Norwich and Newcastle. 

The Magpies sit in 19^th place, one point behind the others with nine games to go.

As much as it’s must-win for Newcastle, it might be more accurate to call the game ‘must not lose’. A draw isn’t ideal, of course, but it ends the six-in-a-row humiliation and stops Sunderland pulling four points clear. It keeps things tight and escapable. However, the three or four wins required for safety need to come at some point, time is running out.

This game is so big, it’s scary. As well as the normal derby-day hatred, there’s the prospect of relegation and the first home game of Rafa Benitez’s reign at St James’ Park. If Newcastle fans want a good omen, Sam Allardyce, Dick Advocaat, Gus Poyet and Paolo Di Canio all lost their first game as Sunderland manager, before winning the derby in game two. The most recent two even lost 1-0, as did Benitez on Monday night.

It’s about time Newcastle pulled this cheat move, where a new manager bounce leads to a derby win. And it’s still hard to believe that such a world-class manager is dirtying his hands with this situation. Everything sounds so much more encouraging under Rafa, with each quote and comment about him oozing positivity. This man knows what he’s talking about and, after so many sub-par managers in the last decade, it’s refreshing.

Within an hour of signing his contract, Benitez called the players in from a day off and conducted training. Now it’s being reported that he’s cancelled future days off and ordered double sessions: he means business and the players probably admire that. They’ll play for him.

Unlike prehistoric knuckleheads Alan Pardew and John Carver, Benitez doesn’t throw out soundbites talking about ‘passion’ and ‘who wants it more’ winning the derby. He knows that’s not true. Once the initial buzz wears off, derbies are won tactically just like any other match. Now Newcastle’s players have a game plan, there’s reason for cautious optimism.

Reports from the training ground suggest the players are transfixed by Benitez and the turnaround in attitude since Steve McClaren left has been staggering, sending positive vibes for these nine cup finals. On the pitch, Monday night showed plenty of improvements and that’s after only three days of training. Healthier defensive shape, more attacking purpose and an overall better desire to win. What have another six days done?

There are still problems, as shown on Monday. Scoring goals look akin to conquering Everest and it’ll be tough to break the Sunderland backline. That’s why I think it’s pivotal that Newcastle score early on. If they don’t, Sunderland will grow more into the game and nick a goal through the best striker on the pitch – Jermain Defoe.

The Black Cats will be without Adam Johnson, who has scored in four of the six consecutive derby successes. Inevitably, chants relating to his paedophilia will add to the electric atmosphere. Newcastle will be desperate for a good referee, after the shambolic performance of Robert Madley in October’s fixture. In fact, it’s vital that they avoid any red cards, with six red cards in the past 11 derbies having a big say on the outcome. This time it’s Andre Marriner taking charge.

Normally it’d be a positive for Sunderland to have a fortnight of preparation but it’s too early to say what Benitez’s preferred team and style will be with his new players. Defoe returned to training on Friday after calf troubles and it’s unknown whether he’ll be risked for Sunday. Lee Cattermole and Jeremain Lens missed the game at Southampton with a concussion and hernia surgery respectively but both are set to return in time. Only Emmanuel Eboue and Duncan Watmore miss out.

For Newcastle, the physio room is starting to clear out with Chancel Mbemba, Papiss Cisse and Andros Townsend staking their claims to return to the starting 11. Captain Fabricio Coloccini didn’t train on Friday but a decision will be made on him closer to the game. Paul Dummett and Cheick Tiote join Massadio Haidara and Tim Krul on the treatment table.

Tactically, it’s hard to call. Sunderland tend to play with three defensive midfielders – Jan Kirchhoff, Yann M’Vila and either Lee Cattermole or Jack Rodwell – with Wahbi Khazri and Dame N’Doye alongside Defoe. With such a defensive midfield, there’s no need for Newcastle to play Vurnon Anita. It might be worth risking a 4-4-2 formation – although outnumbered in central midfield, it encourages Andros Townsend and Moussa Sissoko to attack their defensively vulnerable full backs. Aleksandar Mitrovic desperately needs a striker alongside him, so let Ayoze Perez do so.

If Benitez starts with 4-2-3-1, maybe play Sissoko centrally so he can physically match Kirchhoff. Either way, I’d risk a Jonjo Shelvey and Georginio Wijnaldum pairing because the onus is on Newcastle to attack. Allardyce will get his team to sit back, so Newcastle need to get at them with attacking intent. At the other end, Defoe just needs one chance. Assisted by the pacy Patrick van Aanholt and the tricky Khazri, he’ll definitely get one. That’s the fear from a Newcastle view – the counter-attacking sucker punch.

Without wanting to sound pessimistic, that’s what I fear will happen. From radio interviews, the Sunderland players seem especially focused this week. They’ll have a plan to go alongside the confidence gained from the six-game streak. Allardyce is smart and he’ll have them playing at their best – at the very least, they won’t lose.

I’m predicting a spine-tingling atmosphere that settles into a 1-1 draw that nobody particularly wants, but both will accept. And many Monday hangovers.

Rafa Benitez coup could indicate shift in Mike Ashley’s philosophy

Incredibly, it’s true. Something we refused to believe because of the continual state of disappointment that goes hand-in-hand with supporting Newcastle United. After a 10-year string of awful, lower-league calibre managers on a pittance, we’ve finally been treated to the other extreme – Rafa Benitez. The deal is reportedly for three years with an option to walk away if the club still get relegated to the Championship. What a coup. There’s a buzz around the city, a flashback to the good times.

Of course, it would be typical Newcastle United to grab this opportunity and go down anyway. Steve McClaren has left Benitez with a very tough job, as the Magpies sit 19^th in the league with just ten games left. Those ten include trips to table-topping Leicester, as well as Southampton and Liverpool. Throw in home games with Man City and Tottenham too. What’s left are five games against relegation rivals, needing a minimum of three wins.

If anyone can do it, Rafa can. He’s absolutely insane to come here, going from managing Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to Jack Colback and Paul Dummett in just two months. Maybe he sees Newcastle for what they truly are – a once great club that’s morphed into a hopeless, soulless branch of Sports Direct. Maybe he likes the challenge of putting the club back where it used to be. Regardless, such an extraordinary appointment shows that the club must still have a huge pull.

What’s really interesting about events on Tyneside is that appointing Benitez is a departure from anything else owner Mike Ashley has ever done. A man who has spent eight years running his football club like his discount sports stores, Ashley has redefined frugality and corner-cutting at Newcastle. Hated by many and a national laughing stock, he stubbornly surrounds himself with non-footballing men and tries to prove that his way is the right way. It hasn’t worked. Relegated in 2009, the Magpies came close to repeating this in both 2013 and 2015. They’re even closer right now.

Perhaps that’s why the penny has eventually dropped. Look around at other clubs – you speculate to accumulate, good managers finish higher up the table and Premier League experience is valuable in transfer targets. Without wanting to give Ashley too much credit, he allowed the club to spend £80 million on players since last summer – one of Europe’s largest net spends. Furthermore, this time he avoided bulk buying from French, Dutch and Belgian clubs. For excessive fees, in came Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend with their Premier League experience, as Ashley panicked about missing out on next season’s TV deal that will make the club eye-wateringly rich.

Spending £80m is uncharacteristic, as is appointing a manager who isn’t a ‘yes man’ simply grateful to have a Premier League job. But hiring Benitez has come from the same mind-set as splashing the cash – fear of relegation. He’s so scared, he’s ceding control to a manager (note, Benitez won’t be classed as ‘head coach’) and giving him final say on transfers. Could Ashley finally be realising that his philosophy is wrong? Or is it a false dawn?

It’s time to get mildly excited about this potential attitude change. Newcastle are used to expensive squads with bargain-basement managers. I’d have thought the opposite would be the ideal Ashley blueprint – spending big on one good manager who can get more from a poorer squad. Surely it’d save him millions and keep the club safely away from relegation battles. Perhaps the hierarchy underrated a manager’s role until now, when looking at Leicester City shows just how important they are.

With the new TV deal, a good manager will earn a club an extra £10-15m in prize money, which dwarves his salary. Without doubt, it’s worth investing in a good manager. It could be a new era for the Ashley regime. First of all the club has to stay up, with the players finally deciding to try. After that, Benitez allegedly sees Newcastle as an enticing project to add to his Champions League-winning CV. He has managed Liverpool, Valencia, Napoli, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Inter Milan but thinks Newcastle has phenomenal potential. When someone eventually gets it right and brings glory to Newcastle, they’ll be a god.

However, there are still signs that it could go wrong at St James’ Park, as always. It’s been a torturous few days since losing at home to Bournemouth – a new low for a club that strives to create new ones. Most clubs would’ve had plans in place or done things quicker, whereas Newcastle have dragged this out for days. The 18-day break that followed a 5-1 humiliation at Chelsea was the perfect time to replace McClaren but they waited until two defeats in four days to start the process.

As for McClaren, it’s hard not to feel sorry for him on a personal level. As bad a manager as he is, he’s been treated shockingly since Saturday. With speculation over his job reaching fever pitch, he apparently hadn’t heard a word from the board between then and Wednesday. Persona non grata. He carried on taking training while the club were publicly finding his replacement, completely oblivious to what was going on. The way managing director Lee Charnley has handled this week is a reminder of who he and Ashley really are.

It could foreshadow a grisly, premature end to the Benitez era. But first of all, let’s win some games.

The 152nd Tyne-Wear derby preview: Six in a row?

To paraphrase former England striker Gary Lineker: “Football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at the end, Sunderland always win the derby.”

Yet it wasn’t always like that. Before Sunderland’s five-game winning streak began in April 2013, Newcastle had lost just once in 16 Tyne-Wear derbies. Now we’ve won one of the last eight. So what changed?

Under the management of Alan Pardew and John Carver, Newcastle suddenly entered derbies with neither passion nor a plan. It used to be Sunderland’s role to get worked up, before Newcastle would turn up, calmly play the game and take the three points. In Pardew’s role as ‘man of the people’, he said the right things and promised much, whilst delivering very little. His motivation tactics were repeatedly shown up, as the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Cheick Tiote turned in uninspired, anonymous shifts when it mattered most.

In their defence, each of Sunderland’s five wins involved an element of luck. The first 0-3 saw a perfectly legal Papiss Cisse goal disallowed with half an hour to go. Rob Elliot replaced the injured Tim Krul, just like present day. That October, an injury crisis saw the young Paul Dummett moved to centre-back, where he was duly beaten in the air by Steven Fletcher for the opening goal. A horrific Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor pairing lined up next time, with third-choice Jak Alnwick in goal for last December’s meeting.

Jermain Defoe’s wonder goal separated the sides in April, where the Magpies lined up with Daryl Janmaat in the centre of defence and Ryan Taylor and Jack Colback at full-back. Further up, Carver deployed Jonas Gutierrez in midfield, with Sammy Ameobi, Remy Cabella and Yoan Gouffran playing off a lone striker. In that scenario, only losing 1-0 was a blessing.

Are things different this time? Unlike before, Newcastle go into this derby on the back of a win, although new manager Sam Allardyce could follow the pattern of Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and Dick Advocaat – lose their first game in charge, win the derby in game two. After defeat at West Brom, Allardyce has had a week to instil a typically tight, organised, set-piece-orientated mentality into his troops.

For Newcastle, four new highly-influential personnel are untainted by derby defeats – Georginio Wijnaldum, Chancel Mbemba, Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Steve McClaren. It’s their role to stop the others from falling into their usual gutless slump. It’s their role to lead by example and emit an infectious energy. If Mitrovic continues to control his aggression and avoid the inevitable provocations, he’ll give John O’Shea and Younes Kaboul nightmares. He and Ayoze Perez have great potential as a front two – Perez is clever and energetic, complemented by the Serbian international’s sheer strength and aerial dominance.

The Magpies’ 6-2 win against Norwich was impressive but unsustainable. As well as calamitous defending that was lucky to concede just two, Newcastle scored from all six shots on target. That ratio can’t be maintained. But what the win has done is give momentum at just the right time, telling the players that they can finally end the hoodoo on Sunday.

Dangerously, it’s gave me hope as a fan. The last two Tyne-Wear derby failures have barely registered, such was the inevitability. I promised myself that, no matter what, we would lose next time and I wouldn’t get sucked into the last-minute nervous optimism. But now I foolishly think we will be energised, we will have a game plan and we will attack. I expect at least a goal this time.

However, as poor as Sunderland are, I can’t foresee a Newcastle clean sheet either. We just can’t defend. Janmaat is great going forward but, when Sissoko neglects his defensive responsibilities, our right hand side is begging to be attacked. Going for an unprecedented six-in-a-row, derby doubles have directly kept Sunderland up for the past two seasons. Yet this time, the threat of relegation to both sides is more urgent. If the Black Cats lose, they’ll be cut adrift from the rest with just three points from 10 games. Newcastle are in trouble too.

This magical game tends to exist in its own bubble, untouched by form or off-field events. Despite last weekend’s results, Sunderland are still favourites to win this fight, with a recent track record of turning up on the day. Newcastle’s recent attitudes have been disgraceful but, if they can avoid injuries and turn up actually wanting to win, this could be the streak-breaker.

It’s a huge game; I’m going for the cliché 1-1 draw. A benefit to nobody but it ends the five-game run. Mitrogol.

VLOG - Fantasy Premier League Bandwagons GW10

Would you like to buy this pencil, sir?

When did you last use a pencil? You probably can’t remember. They’re unremarkable, right? Yet you’ll certainly remember the last time you were caught short, desperately searching for a writing instrument. That’s why it’s imperative that you spare yourself the embarrassment of having to ask someone. Don’t do that. Instead, buy this pencil.

One of mankind’s greatest inventions, the pencil is an everyday tool that is always there for us – through good times and bad. You never notice it until you don’t have one. First impressions are vital in modern life and, without a pencil, you’re displaying a negative image of disorganisation; you don’t pay attention to details. When they say you should ‘dress to impress’, that goes beyond suits and well-coiffed hair. You’re judged on how you look and that applies to pencils too. It will help build contacts and take your business to the next level.

Yes, you could use a pen. That’s what one of my naïve clients used to do, until it smudged one day. You see, our graphite friends are better than pens in many ways. A pencil doesn’t leak, it is smoother and comes with the flexibility of a rubber. Crossing out with a pen portrays uncertainly and fickleness, whilst a pencil hides such slips. When it comes to durability the average pencil lead can write for 35 (THIRTY FIVE!) miles - roughly 45,000 words. It can also write vertically, whereas a pen can’t cope. Next time you’re leaning your pad against a wall, notice how the pen always lets you down.

The only problem with these wondersticks is that you may never know when to put one down! We haven’t invented self-sharpening pencils yet but that’s ok – isn’t there a great satisfaction in watching the wood shavings spiral, guessing how long it can get before gracefully departing for the bin below?

Having clearly established why pencils are the way forward, it’s time to unveil the mouth-watering features of our latest model. Pencil 2.0 is made with state-of-the-art lead and environmentally-friendly wood, showcasing the newest technologies of modern pencilware. With NASA-developed rubber and a stylish grip, it blows free IKEA pencils out of the water!

When cavemen invented the wheel, they used a pencil to draw plans. The Wright brothers used pencils to sketch their planes. And what did Mark Zuckerberg use to draft his vision of Facebook? A pencil. Whether you’re signing contracts or simply making notes, you know what’s needed. To sign memorable events, you need a memorable pencil like this one – Pencil 2.0.

Would you like to give it a try?

Full-time match report: Southampton 2-3 Manchester United

Two more goals for £36m new-signing Anthony Martial fired Manchester United into second place with a 3-2 victory at Southampton.

On his full debut, the right-footed strikes followed last week’s goal against Liverpool, with Juan Mata’s neat finish putting the Red Devils 3-1 up and Graziano Pelle bookending the action with his own double.

It’s the fifth meeting between rival managers Ronald Koeman and Louis Van Gaal, all resulting in away wins. Indeed, it’s Man United’s seventh win from their last eight trips to St Mary’s.

Yet Southampton started the brightest on a sunny south coast Sunday, Dusan Tadic firing wide after ten minutes. Maya Yoshida started ahead of the more attack-minded Cedric Soares, whilst Oriol Romeu and Mane came in for Steven Davis and Jay Rodriguez.

Going into the match, Southampton had produced the league’s highest number of crosses and it was a fantastic ball from James Ward-Prowse which helped open the scoring. Mane, causing trouble in the middle, fed the ball out wide to the England Under-21 international and his eventual poke produced a fine reaction save from David De Gea. The ball landed at Pelle’s feet, who finished tidily for his third strike of the season.

He almost doubled the lead three minutes later, as Romeu pounced on a Chris Smalling mistake and played in the Italian striker. After a great first touch, Pelle’s shot clipped the outside of the post.

The Red Devils lost 2-1 in Eindhoven last Tuesday, in a game overshadowed by the double leg fracture of former Saints left back Luke Shaw. Marcus Rojo replaced him in one of four changes by Louis Van Gaal, with Morgan Schneiderlin making his St Mary’s return in place of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Wayne Rooney came in for Ander Herrera, playing just off Martial.

With their first meaningful attack, Man United equalised ten minutes from half time through former Monaco man Martial. Southampton made a hash of clearing the danger and the ball was headed through to an offside Juan Mata. Tackled by Yoshida, it landed at Martial’s feet, who turned Virgil Van Dijk inside out before a calm right-foot finish.

Back in the game, Van Gaal’s side almost took the lead through a clever corner routine fired wide by Schneiderlin. But the first half ended 1-1.

Both sides made half time substitutions, with the injured Matt Targett replaced by Cuco Martina and Antonio Valencia coming on for Matteo Darmian. And it took just five minutes for Martial to score again after a howler from Yoshida.

He blindly played a backpass from 30 yards, intercepted by the Frenchman before once again rolling a right-footed shot past Maarten Stekelenburg. Although put on a plate for him, Martial showed great anticipation and composure in continuing this superb start to life in Manchester.

An equalling important signing was De Gea’s new contract, following the summer-long saga of being chased by Real Madrid. The Spaniard saved a certain equaliser by clawing away Jose Fonte’s point-blank header from Tadic’s corner.

By now, the previously dangerous Mane was placed on the right wing and Southampton looked completely different from before. In the 68^th minute, Mata sealed the win. It was sub Bastian Schweinsteiger who played in Memphis Depay, before the £25m man turned the defender and struck against the near post. Showing great reactions, Mata quickly swept home the rebound to complete a 44-pass move.

Mane soon got back in the action and thought he’d won a penalty, shortly before providing the cross for Pelle’s second. Rising to head home, it gave late hope to the home fans. A late rally followed, with Tadic’s header almost equalising, as did Victor Wanyama’s 25-yard strike which drew a save from De Gea at full-stretch.

Referee Mark Clattenburg soon drew the action to a close, as Man United held on. They welcome Sunderland to Old Trafford next week, with the 16^th-placed Saints hosting Swansea.

Foxes complete stunning late derby comeback to go second, after beating Villa 3-2

A late Nathan Dyer debut goal completed a thrilling Leicester City comeback, as the Foxes defeated Aston Villa 3-2 in the Midlands derby to go second in the league.

Two wonderful first-touch finishes from Jack Grealish and Carles Gil gave Tim Sherwood’s side a comfortable 2-0 lead which looked set to ended Leicester’s eight-match undefeated streak that stretched into last season.

But Richie De Laet prodded home in the 72^nd minute to give hope, with the help of goal-line technology, before goals for Jamie Vardy and Dyer sealed a remarkable turnaround.

Claudio Ranieri made two changes from the side that drew at Bournemouth before the international break, bringing in Shinji Okazaki for N’golo Kante and handing Gokhan Inler his full debut in place of Andy King. The away side made four changes, with both goal scorers amongst the alterations and Idrissa Gana missing out through a torn hamstring.

Inside a loud King Power Stadium, the match started brightly with chances for both sides. Daniel Drinkwater’s speculative long shot sailed over Brad Guzan’s goal, whilst Scott Sinclair missed from close range after seven minutes. It was Gabriel Agbonlahor who squared it to the back post for the 26-year-old, after being put in behind Leicester’s defence.

The match then died down until mid-way through the half, when Grealish squandered Gil’s brilliant work. The Spaniard, making his first start since Sherwood’s first game in February, wrestled the ball from Jeffrey Schlupp and cut inside, threading it through to Grealish whose poorly-hit shot was comfortable for Schmeichel.

Until the opening goal, events could be summed up by one particular passage of play. Inler showed superb determination to win the ball back, causing a great roar from the home fans, only to be immediately ended by Drinkwater’s aimlessly wasted long ball. It was a frustrating half.

Then came Grealish’s moment. After a week where his international allegiance was once again debated, he made sure both England and the Republic of Ireland continued to clamour for him with a wonderfully calm finish to open the scoring.

A corner was glanced across goal and scrambled away, with the ball eventually finding its way to the edge of Leicester’s box. The newly-turned 20-year-old found the composure to curl the ball first time through a sea of bodies to give Villa the lead. His first goal for the club, Grealish leapt into Tim Sherwood's arms, who lifted him up in celebration.

Leicester had lost just once in nine home Premier League games with Villa and are the league’s fourth highest scoring team of 2015, yet failed to seriously threaten Guzan in the first half.

Ranieri responded by bringing on deadline-day loanee Dyer for the second half, replacing Okazaki. It inspired a strong restart from the home side, with Vardy’s 48^th minute near-post flick going wide and top scorer Riyad Mahrez slowly gaining a bigger influence on the action. He would be the man who turned the game on its head.

Just as Leicester began to dominate proceedings, Villa ruthlessly broke away to score a second in the 64^th minute. Jordan Amavi found Agbonlahor down the left hand side, who burst forward and waited for supported. Suddenly, Gil appeared to deliciously curl a left-footed strike into the top corner from 20 yards, giving Schmeichel no chance.

With all hope lost, Leicester halved the lead thanks to goal-line technology. Mahrez’ corner reached the near post and was prodded over the line by right-back Richie De Laet, despite Grealish’s best attempts to keep it out. Referee Mike Dean received a signal to indicate the ball crossed the line and suddenly there was renewed hope and energy from Leicester fans.

Running high on adrenaline, Leicester maintained momentum and almost equalised through Vardy. Then, in the 82^nd minute, the majestic Mahrez surged through Villa’s defence before pushing the ball right to Drinkwater. The midfielder then centred it for England international Vardy to prod home, prompting scenes of delirium.

Incredibly, the comeback was completed when the 5ft 4in Dyer, on loan from Swansea City, beat two defenders and Guzan to head home Mahrez’s dinked cross. Immediately, physios rushed onto the pitch to treat the unmoved Dyer, as there was both concern for his wellbeing and confusion as to whether the goal stood. However, Dean allowed the header and Dyer was soon back on the field to complete the match.

Whilst Leicester celebrated wildly at the final whistle, Villa fans and players were stunned at what had just happened. Set for a deserved victory, they were blitzed by a team that just would not quit. It’s that spirit that puts the Foxes in lofty second place, four points behind Manchester City, with Villa remaining in 15^th place.

Tim Sherwood’s side have a second consecutive Midlands derby next Saturday, at home to West Brom. He’ll be desperately hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.