West Ham United Under-23s recorded a 4-0 win over Everton Under-23s on Monday night, and Marcus Browne grabbed all four goals for the Hammers.
The 20-year-old has been with West Ham since the age of eight, and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2015.
Browne made his senior debut for the Hammers in a Europa League clash in August 2016, but that remains his only first-team appearance for the capital outfit.
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This season, the attacking midfielder has been in excellent form for West Ham Under-23s, and it is understood that first-team boss David Moyes has been closely monitoring his performances.
Browne’s four goals are bound to have caught the attention of Moyes, who might well fancy throwing the youngster in at some point before the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
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The West Ham fans are absolutely desperate for the Englishman to be given some senior football, with a selection of the Twitter reaction to Browne’s performance available to view below:
Liverpool and Manchester United may have whisked away their aura of invincibility momentarily, but Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, less than 24 hours before West Bromwich Albion unexpectedly had the final say on this season’s Premier League title, reminded us all how relentlessly dominant Pep Guardiola’s side has been this season – indiscriminate of the quality of the opposition in front of them.
There’s something uniquely special about this City side. The fact they could break a succession of Premier League records before this season’s finished is evidence enough, but Guardiola has achieved something unprecedented this season. City are the first Premier League champions without that typically English powerful central core, and the first to clinch the crown without any dose of defensive pragmatism throughout the whole campaign.
Even Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to spoil important games for the sake of the right result and even Arsenal’s Invincibles drew 12 times en route to their undefeated title. Guardiola’s faith in his own philosophy though, has never waned; City either win their way, or they don’t win at all. The thing is, their way has been so brilliantly executed they’ve won all of but five of their 33 Premier League outings so far this season. This was meant to be the only top flight in Europe where that kind of idealism could never truly triumph.
Perhaps then, the process of placing this City team amongst the Premier League’s greatest sides of all time is an inevitable one. After all, they’re on course to become the first Premier League team to breach the 100-point mark, to set a new record for goals scored and to average the most possession. But how exactly does this City team compare to the Premier League and Guardiola’s most formidable outfits? Are we all falling victim to recency bias, or is this team arguably the Catalan’s greatest manifestations yet?
The statistics say no Premier League team can hold a candle to what City have done this season. Their closest competitor in terms of points, City’s being projected based on their averages from the campaign thus far, is Jose Mourinho’s 2004/05 Chelsea team who finished that season with 95.
While Portuguese fashioned the Blues into a relentless winning machine though, a sensational achievement during his first ever season at the club, they inevitably lacked City’s aesthetic qualities – in fact, they represent the exact opposite of the spectrum, building their campaign on an exceptional defensive record (still the fewest conceded in a single Premier League season) that inevitably limited their capacity for goals.
After that, the Invincibles come into play, far closer aligned to City in ideological terms yet amassing only 90 points during 2003/04. And there is a real blotch with that Gunners team, in that so many of their games finished in draws – by the end of the season, it was more a case of preservation than the bullish approach City are set to take into their final five games. Perhaps it would be different if City hadn’t lost to Liverpool in January, ending the chance of mimicking the north London outfit’s undefeated season, but it remains a point of poignant division.
Manchester United, meanwhile, rank considerably lower in terms of both points and goals – but that uncovers a crucial caveat the statistics can never quite represent. City have pulled off the most dominant title win we’ve ever seen in the Premier League, but how truly competitive is England’s top flight at this moment in time?
ARSENAL POSE WITH REPLICA TROPHY AFTER DRAW WITH TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR GAVE THEM LEAGUE TITLE IN THEIR ENGLISH SOCCER MATCH. Arsenal pose with a replica trophy after the side drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur giving them the league title in their English premier league soccer match at White Hart Lane, London, April 25, 2004. Arsenal were crowned English champions for the 13th time on Sunday after their 2-2 draw at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur gave them an unassailable 10-point lead at the top of t
At the division’s summit, the quality and ambition is as great as it’s ever been – this is the era of the Big Six, after all – but at the same time, the gap between those top clubs and the rest of the division also feels as wide as its ever been as well.
There are still exceptions to the rule – West Brom provided one at Old Trafford only last weekend – but there has been a growing trend of clubs rolling over upon visiting the Big Six and settling for damage limitation. Those games were essentially won before a ball was kicked, and even Chelsea – the reigning champions at the time – were guilty of taking that mentality to the Etihad Stadium back in March, losing 1-0 without managing a shot on target.
Is that because this City side are so exceptional that even their closest rivals have been forced to accept the realities of playing them at home? Manchester United’s 3-2 comeback and Liverpool’s three wins over City this season suggests some teams could have at least posed Guardiola with a far more considerable challenge at times.
And compare this season to Chelsea in 2004/05, for example. They won the title with a record number of points the year after Arsenal had lifted it undefeated, when Manchester United were just coming to the end of the absolute height of their dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson. Likewise, when United beat Chelsea to the crown in 2007/08 it was by a single point, and they turned out to be the best teams in Europe that season as well, facing each other in Moscow’s Champions League final.
Manchester United spray champagne as they celebrate winning the FA Premiership May 16. Manchester United won the English Premier League title for the fifth time in seven seasons when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Old Trafford. United finished with 79 points from 38 matches one point clear of deposed champions Arsenal who finished with 78 points after beating Aston Villa 1-0 at Highbury.DC/PS/ME
There just hasn’t been a consistent competitor to put pressure on City this season in quite the same way, at least not since during the opening few months of the campaign. Even Chelsea, last season’s champions, won the title more due to a change in formation than the actual quality of their play of personnel – they’re now on course to finish fifth. \
Furthermore, compared to a period in which English teams were consistently reaching the final stages of the Champions League, Liverpool’s run to this season’s semi-finals is a glaring exception to recent campaigns.
So there’s no denying that City have pulled off an impeccably dominant Premier League campaign, perhaps the greatest Premier League campaign of all time, but that’s not the same thing as being the greatest team. In addition to that absence of a true competitor, Chelsea and United particularly sustained their success over two or three years, and that’s probably where this City team falls short of Guardiola’s most iconic Bayern Munich and Barcelona sides as well.
Barcelona’s 2008/09 team remains the archetype that Guardiola’s Bayern and City teams could only hope to replicate, and that’s because they were as dominant in the Champions League as City have been domestically this season. They swept away United in Rome in that season’s final, with Yaya Toure playing at centre-half, to complete a stunning treble alongside the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey.
Likewise, although some of the success was in fact owed to predecessor Jupp Heynckes, Guardiola’s first season at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern win the title by a greater margin than what City are expected to achieve this season, despite their season consisting of four less games, while clinching the domestic cup, the Club World Cup and the DFB Pokal. They also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, which they would manage during each of Guardiola’s three campaigns at the club.
Football – Manchester United v FC Barcelona 2009 Champions League Final – Olympic Stadium, Rome, Italy – 27/5/09 Barcelona’s Carles Puyol, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi celebrate victory with the trophy Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith Livepic
For all of City’s incredible dominance and relentlessness this season, they only have two trophies to show for it, one of which doesn’t actually qualify as the national cup – winning the League Cup rather than the FA Cup. That competition saw them eliminated at the hands of third-tier Wigan.
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Perhaps their Champions League campaign would have panned out differently had they not encountered English opposition and the only team to have previously beat them in the Premier League, but the fact remains that this City team has never exceeded the quarter-finals under Guardiola. Plenty of have matched that in recent years, with far less resources.
That’s the key with judging this City side, and making sure we don’t all get a little overexcited. Yes, it’s the most dominant single Premier League campaign we’ve ever seen; but great teams are about so much more than one platform and one competition. To move onto parity with United’s treble winners, Chelsea’s ruthless winning machine under Mourinho or Guardiola’s Barcelona and Bayern Munich sides, this team still has some way to go.
But next season could be the real litmus test, should City achieve something that hasn’t been managed for a decade. The last team to successfully defend the Premier League title was Manchester United in 2008/09; with so many talented teams at the top of the Premier League and so much incredible financial muscle, that feat is worth so much more than it was ten years ago.
If City conquer that challenge, maintaining the dominance they’ve shown this season, it will be something truly special – not quite comparable with a Champions League winning treble, but nonetheless a formidable achievement in the context of modern English football.
BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton has rubbished the suggestion that Celtic attacking midfielder Tom Rogic would leave the club to join Southampton, despite reports linking the Australian with a move to St Mary’s.
What’s the story?
As reported by the BBC, Rogic is one of Southampton’s top targets in this summer’s transfer window, with the flamboyant 25-year-old having just over a year left on his contract at Celtic Park.
One former Hoops star is having none of it though and took to Twitter this week to call such a move a downgrade for the star, who is on his way to World Cup with Australia.
He clearly believes it isn’t going to happen, but will a move away from Celtic be enticing for Rogic as he nears the end of his current deal at the club?
The value of moving
Rogic has spent over five years at Celtic and has achieved just about everything there is to at the Scottish giants. From playing in the UEFA Champions League to scoring massive derby goals against Rangers to being part of last season’s phenomenal and invincible treble-winning side.
As footballing careers in a player’s early-20s go, Rogic has achieved a lot in comparison to most.
Still just 25 years of age, a new challenge could be good for his development and his career, despite obviously having it good at Celtic Park under the management of Brendan Rodgers.
The idea of Premier League football with Southampton, or even being part of single-season promotion bid in the Championship could be enticing and it’s clear that the Saints have lacked an attacking edge this season.
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Birmingham-born forward Rushian Hepburn-Murphy made three appearances for Aston Villa during the 2017-18 Championship campaign.
He also appeared in two cup fixtures for Steve Bruce’s side, and there is no question that the 19-year-old is highly regarded at the club.
It is his performances in Premier League 2 that have made the biggest impression, however, and he landed the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for April following some extremely impressive form, which is detailed in the tweet below.
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Hepburn-Murphy is unlikely to be involved in Villa’s Championship playoff semi-final, but the teenager is surely in the plans of head coach Bruce moving forward.
The club’s supporters, who have also recently commented on centre-back James Chester, have been reacting to Hepburn-Murphy’s recent form, and it would be fair to say that a number are very excited about his future at Villa Park.
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A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Abdoulaye Doucoure has become the latest Tottenham transfer target to be branded with the Moussa Sissoko comparison, as fans are adamant they don’t want the Watford man.
According to reports, the North Londoners are “monitoring” Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure ahead of the summer window.
The towering French midfielder was the standout performer for Watford this season, and Mauricio Pochettino is on the hunt for some fresh midfield talent, with Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama both likely to leave the club this summer.
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Doucoure will likely be the subject of interest from several clubs after his incredible season, but Tottenham fans don’t seem too happy about the links.
Fans are desperate for the club to show some ambition and replace the likes of Dembele with equal or better talents, and Doucoure just isn’t that.
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The 25 year-old has had a fabulous season, grabbing seven goals and three assists from midfield, while also averaging 2.1 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.5 clearances per game.
That isn’t stopping the comparisons to regular scapegoat Moussa Sissoko though, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Everton fans were not impressed by Tuesday’s links to Marco Silva, and they’re convinced there are better candidates out there.
Everton fans shared a collective sigh of relief when Sam Allardyce was sacked on Wednesday, but reports earlier in the week suggested Marco Silva would be his replacement, and fans were not happy about it.
Silva impressed when he first moved to England with Hull, but his new manager bounce quickly wore off and the Tigers were relegated.
The charismatic manager’s impressive start with the club yielded a new job offer though, and he started last season in charge of Watford.
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Some impressive early results helped by the incredible breakout of Richarlison quickly faded away, and the Portuguese boss was sacked after a run of terrible form.
Fans are concerned over the defensive frailties in both English teams Silva has managed, and they’re desperate for a more proven winner.
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Arsene Wenger is a possible short-term fix, while plenty of fans are convinced Paulo Fonseca and former PSG man Unai Emery should be the front-runners. Finally, there are more than a few shouts for a shock swoop for former Liverpool man Rafael Benitez.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
There is a debate to be had over whether Jesse Lingard does his best work out wide or through the middle but England’s 5-3-2 formation only allows him to operate centrally.
It is not quite clear what exactly Gareth Southgate will demand from his midfield trio at this summer’s World Cup in Russia, as he has taken options that offer a variety of attributes and playing styles.
However, Lingard will be hoping to force his way into the starting plans in the engine room and will get the opportunity to prove his worth in the Three Lions’ last match at Wembley before the tournament when they welcome Nigeria to the national stadium.
It looks as if Lingard, who got the nod in both of March’s friendlies and scored in the 1-0 away win over the Netherlands – his first international goal – will be in competition with Dele Alli of Tottenham for the most advanced of the midfield roles.
We’ve taken a closer look at the mixed reaction to the news that Lingard will be on from the start against the Super Eagles…
Newcastle fans are starting to wonder if it’s a mistake to let Aleksandar Mitrovic leave, after the striker scored a hat trick on international duty with Serbia.
It seems to have been abundantly clear since January that Newcastle’s Mitrovic has no future on Tyneside, but that’s starting to look like a big mistake from Rafael Benitez.
The feisty striker is undoubtedly the most natural number nine in the Magpies’ current squad, but his work rate and attitude have been questioned on plenty of occasions, and he has seemingly been at odds with Benitez for quite some time.
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The Spanish magician hasn’t done much wrong since taking over on Tyneside, but his January decision to send the striker on loan and bring in an injured Islam Slimani is starting to look more and more bizarre.
After grabbing 12 Championship goals with Fulham, Mitrovic scored a wonderful hat trick in his country’s 5-1 win over Bolivia on Saturday, and the third strike was really special.
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That is now 24 goals in his last 26 games for club and country, and fans are starting to feel they could save a lot of money this summer by giving “Mitro” another chance.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Jack Wilshere’s 17-year spell at Arsenal will soon be coming to an end after the midfielder decided to seek pastures new.
The 26-year-old has been with the Gunners for his entire career so far, but a lack of game time has led to his departure.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the England international confirmed that he had agreed to take a pay cut in order to stay at the club, but a talks with new manager Unai Emery made up his mind.
Wilshere revealed that the coach was happy for him to sign a new contract, but informed the midfielder that he would not be a regular feature in the team this season.
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The Englishman will be a free agent from next month when his current deal expires, which could spark a scramble for his signature.
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Liverpool are not a club that have been regularly linked with Wilshere and they are already flush with midfielders, but some fans want the ex-Arsenal man.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup has just passed the halfway mark, and we are already starting to get a good idea of the teams that will be involved in the latter stages. There is huge Premier League representation at the tournament with 107 players from the English top division taking part in Russia. In this article we take a look at some of the best performing Premier League players at the World Cup.
1. Harry Kane, England & Tottenham Hotspur
England are the only squad in Russia this summer with a squad made up entirely of players playing in their home nation. Leading those players is Captain Harry Kane, who at time of writing leads the goal-scoring charts with 5 goals in 2 games.
The impressive 24-year-old has notched 108 times in 153 Premier League games for Tottenham and has finally captured that form for the national team. If Kane continues his rich-vein of goal-scoring form, there’s every chance that England could win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
2. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium & Manchester United
Chasing Kane for the Golden Boot is Manchester United’s blustering forward Lukaku, who scored a brace in Belgium’s opening two group games. Since moving to Old Trafford, Lukaku has fit in well and hit 16 league goals in his first with United.
Question marks remain over Lukaku’s ability to score in important games against the best opposition. Despite his good start to the tournament, it remains to be seen whether he can perform when Belgium face sterner opposition.
3. David Ospina, Arsenal & Colombia
Arsenal’s stand-in goalkeeper suffers from what is affectionately known as David Healy syndrome. When playing for his club side, he has often flattered to deceive and Gunners’ fans have never had complete confidence in his abilities.
However, for Colombia he has been a rock in recent tournaments. In the 2015 Copa America, Ospina made a string of stunning saves to hold Argentina to a stalemate, one of which was an incredible double save from Lionel Messi.
Following Los Cafeteros 3-0 victory over Poland, they look well-set to reach the knockout stages and Ospina’s performances could be vital to their ambitions.
4. Olivier Giroud, France & Chelsea
After scoring 4 goals in 8 qualifying matches the towering Frenchman has established himself as a prominent feature in Didier Deschamp’s sides. Giroud brings something different to an otherwise fast but small attack.
Giroud has never been a truly prolific striker, but in spells at Arsenal and Chelsea he has scored 76 goals and provided 24 assists. Which is an overall contribution of 100 goals in 193 Premier League appearances.
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5. Dejan Lovren, Croatia & Liverpool
Since his high-profile move from St. Mary’s to Anfield, Lovren has been a figure of derision amongst rival fans and pundits. Several lapses in concentration have been punished during his time with Liverpool yet his game has improved remarkably since the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk.
Lovren was part of the Liverpool side that reached last season’s Champions League final and he has played solidly so far for Croatia. After an opening win against Nigeria, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic inspired the Croatians to a 3-0 win over Argentina.
Keeping a firm defence will be key for Croatia as they look to progress through the knockout phases, will Dejan Lovren help them to an unlikely World Cup win?