NIGHTMARE RETURN FOR THE SPECIAL ONE

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte denies 'humiliating' Jose Mourinho

Antonio Conte has denied he tried to humiliate Jose Mourinho by whipping-up the crowd following Chelsea's fourth goal against Manchester United.

Mourinho angrily told Conte in Italian at full-time that he thought Conte's wild gesturing was "humiliating" at 4-0 down.

Italian media claim Mourinho said: "You don't celebrate like that at 4-0. You can do it at 1-0, otherwise it's humiliating for us."

But Conte insists he was simply trying to motivate a flat home crowd at Stamford Bridge that was quieter than the away support despite the scoreline.

"I was a football player, so I know how to behave on the pitch. I have great respect for everyone," Conte said.

"There were United fans who kept singing, while ours were in silence after a great performance from my team. I wanted to call the crowd to applaud the players, which seems normal enough to me.

"Nothing happened with Jose, especially as my behaviour seemed normal. I didn't make fun of anyone, as I always demand respect.

Mourinho angrily accused Conte of 'humiliating' him with the score at 4-0

"If you want to cut the emotions, we can stay at home and I will change jobs. I did something absolutely normal. I didn't do anything to humiliate Mourinho."

Pedro, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante completed Mourinho's heaviest Premier League defeat - and Conte insists the performance was a reflection of his 'hard-work' philosophy.

"I am delighted for the performance because we played very well with good intensity, good positions and we moved the ball very quickly and created many chances to score goals," he added.

"This is the third game we haven't conceded a goal and that is very important. This type of game, against a very strong team like Manchester United, increases our confidence about our work.

"We are working very hard, I see my players every day with the right commitment and work rate and they deserve this type of win and performance.

"When you work very hard it's important to win because then you trust the work."

Conte was thrilled with the pace with which his side started the game but was quick to resign the performance to the past, setting his sights on Wednesday's EFL Cup clash at West Ham.

Pedro celebrates his early goal with his Chelsea team-mates

"I asked my players to start the game strongly and to show our desire to win the game, not just to our fans but to our opponent," he added.

"We scored after 30 seconds. The most important thing is that we continued to play and to try to score the second goal, it happened and I'm very happy.

"Now we must continue because this is the right way but for me United is in the past.

"We must concentrate on Wednesday when we have another tough game against West Ham and its important to recover and prepare for that game."

source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/10630069/chelsea-boss-antonio-conte-coy-on-jose-mourinho-conversation

100% NEYMAR

Neymar approaches 100 La Liga games with Barcelona, but how does he compare?

As Neymar approaches 100 La Liga games at Barcelona, we look at how his goalscoring record compares to other greats.

The Brazilian, who will be making his 100th La Liga appearance at Valencia on Saturday, arrived from Santos in the summer of 2013, and has netted 59 times in his 99 league appearances for the club.

Some said it would be a case of "two captains on the same ship" when Neymar, then 21, joined up with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp, and though his goalscoring rate in 2013/14 was his lowest in five years, he was back in the goals when Luis Suarez arrived the next summer.

Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have formed a formidable trio in La Liga

The formidable trio hit 137 goals in 2015 as Barcelona broke the Spanish record for most goals in a calendar year with 180, Neymar scoring 41 of those, and when comparing the 24-year-old's first 100 league games with other modern La Liga greats, his impact at the Nou Camp is even more impressive.

Messi himself managed 48 goals in his first 100 La Liga appearances, before going on to break umpteen Spanish records, including all-time top La Liga goalscorer. 

Former Barcelona striker David Villa burst onto the scene with Sporting Gijon in 2001, netting 18 goals in his first senior season, and registered an impressive 48 goals in his first 100 La Liga appearances.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit 111 goals in his first 100 La Liga games, and was the fastest to 100 goals

Samuel Eto'o hit 35 goals in his first 100 games in the Spanish top flight, while Real Madrid's Karim Benzema scored 45 goals following his move from Lyon in 2009. 

Real Madrid legend Raul's first 100 league games yielded 44 goals, whileGareth Bale, who has appeared in 88 La Liga games, has 50 goals. 

But Neymar, Messi and co's impact on La Liga falls well short of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and his Brazilian namesake. 

Ronaldo scored 82 goals in his first 100 La Liga games, split between Barcelona and Real Madrid

Portuguese forward Ronaldo hit 111 goals in his first 100 La Liga games after his arrival from Manchester United in 2009, and is still the fastest player to 100 goals in the Spanish top flight.

Brazilian striker Ronaldo's first 100 games were split between rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid in over two separate decades, and he registered 82 goals.

There is time yet for Suarez to break the Brazilian's record, having scored 62 goals in his first 70 La Liga games.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11827/10623818/neymar-approaches-100-la-liga-games-with-barcelona-but-how-does-he-compare

MOURINHO BACK TO THE BRIDGE

Jose Mourinho says Stamford Bridge is no longer lucky for him ahead of Chelsea clash

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admits he no longer views Stamford Bridge as a lucky ground after his struggles there in his final season at Chelsea.

Mourinho went unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in the league during a sensational first spell at Chelsea from 2004 to 2007 which yielded twoPremier League titles, an FA Cup and two league cups.

It was not until Mourinho's 78th league game, during the first season of his second spell with the club, that the 'Special One' was finally beaten by lowly Sunderland.

During his final as Chelsea boss, Mourinho's supremacy at Stamford Bridge deserted him. Crystal Palace won in west London last August and the Blues were blown away by Southampton just four days later.

They suffered a third home Premier League defeat to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at the end of October.

When newly-promoted Bournemouth won at the Bridge on December 5, it proved a critical blow for Mourinho who was sacked just one game later.

Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti pictured at Stamford Bridge in 2010

On the previous occasion Mourinho returned to the ground as a visiting he manager, with Inter Milan in 2010, he declared "Mourinho is lucky at Stamford Bridge".

He was successful in dumping Chelsea out of the Champions League as Samuel Eto'o secured a 1-0 victory but he is far less bullish ahead of Sunday's trip with Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports 1 HD. 

Chelsea vs Man Utd

October 23, 2016, 3:30pm

Live on 

Mourinho said: "When I played there with Inter, before that, I never lost a match at Stamford Bridge because I had that home record.

"Now I have lost a few matches at the Bridge. Last season I lost two or three matches at the Bridge, so I cannot use the same words because now I have lost there.

"I knew that, working in England and staying in the Premier League, I knew that sooner or later, I had to play against Chelsea and go to Stamford Bridge.

"The computer has decided it is to go now. And here we go."

Chelsea, who are fifth in the table, sit two places and two points above United heading into the game but Mourinho says he has not been paying special attention to how his old side have developed under Antonio Conte.

Mourinho said: "I don't have to analyse their start to the season. But you look to the table and you see where they are. They are in a good position.

"So the start of the season cannot be bad if they are where they are."

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/10625973/jose-mourinho-says-stamford-bridge-is-no-longer-lucky-for-him-ahead-of-chelsea-clash

YES!!!!! POGBATTACK

Paul Pogba should play in a more advanced role for Manchester United, says Paul Ince

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince believes Paul Pogba would benefit from playing in a more advanced role for Jose Mourinho's side.

Pogba has endured a mixed start to the season following his world-record £89m move back to United from Juventus earlier this summer.

However, the France international has recently shown signs of returning to form after scoring twice against Fenerbahce in a 4-1 Europa League victory on Thursday evening.

The France international has struggled to adapt to life back in the Premier League

Ince, who made 281 appearances for the Old Trafford club, says Pogba is "not disciplined enough" to play as a defensive midfielder and instead should be given free licence to roam the pitch.

"I think he has to play more advanced," Ince said. "When you look at how he played at Juventus, he played in a 3-5-2 system which allowed him to go and play where he wanted to. Most of his play was on the left-hand side.

"But in this team, as long as he's got the protection behind with a Herrera or a Fellaini, then I think he should be able to wander anywhere he wants, around Ibrahimovic. Not just in a central position.

"It was great to see him score the other day. He's still learning - potentially he could be a great, great player. That's why they spent so much money for him.

However, he scored twice in United's 4-1 win over Fenerbahce on Thursday evening

"I don't think you can play him in a sitting role, he's not disciplined enough as a midfield player. Someone like me, who was a defensive midfield player, I don't think Pogba can do that. He wants to go forward, make things happen and score goals. When he does that he's a fantastic player."

Ince also believes Pogba is yet to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, having spent the last four seasons with Italian champions Juventus.

"The pace of the Premier League has got quicker and quicker over the years since I played," said Ince, who spent two seasons with Inter Milan in the mid-nineties.

Ince believes Pogba is not disciplined enough to play a defensive role for the Red Devils

"In Italy it was very slow and methodical until the final third. That's how it's always been.

"He's also been in a side that's cruised through a lot of games. Every game will have been easy for him, he's won the title four years on the bounce.

"Coming over here, he's under a bit of pressure. But you can see he's starting to find his feet."

Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge on Sunday as Manchester United take on Chelse

Pogba will be hoping to continue his upturn in form when Manchester United travel to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked by the Blues following a poor run of results last season.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/10626010/paul-pogba-should-play-in-a-more-advanced-role-for-manchester-united-says-paul-ince

THE BEST CAPTIONS OF MATCH WEEK 6

Best photos of Matchweek 6

Cast an eye over a selection of the best images from the weekend's Premier League action

Man Utd 4-1 Leicester City

Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts to a missed chance at Old Trafford

Man Utd 4-1 Leicester City

Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring his first Premier League goal

Arsenal 3-0 ChelseaArsenal's Shkodran Mustafi and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic battle for the ball

Arsenal 3-0 ChelseaMesut Ozil volleys in Arsenal's third goal


AFC Bournemouth 1-0 EvertonJunior Stanislas was on hand to score this opener at Vitality Stadium



Liverpool 5-1 Hull CityPhilippe Coutinho added his name to the scoresheet with a stunning long-range strike


Liverpool 5-1 Hull CityJames Milner takes aim with this penalty at Anfield



Middlesbrough 1-2 SpursSon Heung-min celebrates scoring his fourth goal of the season

Stoke City 1-1 West Bromwich AlbionStoke City manager Mark Hughes instructs Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri

West Ham 0-3 SouthamptonCedric Soares makes an acrobatic clearance

Swansea City 1-3 Manchester CityManchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates his brace against Swansea City

Courtesy: https://www.premierleague.com/gallery/109586

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH WEEK 6: WINNERS AND LOSERS

Match week 6: What we have learned

Find out a key fact from each of the weekend's Premier League matches

Man Utd 4-1 Leicester City

Man Utd led by a four-goal margin at half-time in a PL match for the first time since February 2001 v Arsenal (5-1 at half-time, 6-1 at full-time)

AFC Bournemouth 1-0 EvertonThis was only the second time that the Cherries have won back-to-back PL home matches (also v Southampton and Swansea in March 2016)

Liverpool 5-1 Hull CitySince Jurgen Klopp’s first match in charge Liverpool have scored 71 goals in the Premier League; more than any other side

Middlesbrough 1-2 SpursSon Heung-min has had a hand in seven goals (six goals, one assist) in his last six PL appearances for Spurs. He has already equalled last season's goal tally after only three matches

Sunderland 2-3 Crystal PalaceThis was only the second time that Crystal Palace have come from two goals down to win a match in PL history (Burnley 2-3 Palace in Jan 2015, the other)

Swansea City 1-3 Man CityMan City have won their first 10 matches in all comps this season – the only previous top-flight side to have more from the start of a campaign are Tottenham Hostpur (first 11 matches in 1960/61)

Arsenal 3-0 ChelseaAfter six Premier League matches without scoring against Chelsea, Arsenal found the net twice in the opening 14 minutes

West Ham 0-3 SouthamptonVirgil Van Dijk made 15 headed clearances against West Ham; the most of any player in a PL match this season
Courtesy: https://www.premierleague.com/gallery/109532

MOURINHO: "NOT HIM AGAIN"

Manchester United to face Manchester City in EFL Cup fourth round

Jose Mourinho has already booked his second clash with Pep Guardiola in as many months, as the Manchester derby plus Liverpool's clash with Tottenham loom

Manchester United have been drawn to take on Manchester City at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on October 24.

It will be the second meeting between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in as many months, with the latter edging the first clash when City beat United 2-1 at Old Trafford in September.

Both Manchester sides won on the road on Wednesday, City seeing off Swansea 2-1 at Liberty Stadium while Marcus Rashford inspired a 3-1 Red Devils' win at Northampton Town.

The City-United showdown is one of four all-Premier League ties that include a London derby between West Ham and Chelsea at London Stadium.

Antonio Conte's men enjoyed a spectacular 4-2 win at Leicester City in the third round, while in contrast, the Hammers limped past League Two Accrington Stanley courtesy of a stoppage-time free-kick from Dimitri Payet.

Elsewhere, Tottenham will visit eight-time winners Liverpool – both the Reds and Spurs ran rampant in their EFL Cup openers against Derby and Gillingham this week.

Mauricio Pochettino's men looking particularly impressive in a 5-0 result at White Hart Lane.

Arsenal take on Reading at the Emirates Stadium, four years on from their quarter-final thriller in which the Gunners came back from 4-0 down to win 7-5.

Southampton will take on Sunderland afterClaude Puel's side followed up their first league victory of the season last weekend by beating Crystal Palace 2-0.

Meanwhile, two goals from defender Paddy McNair helped Sunderland fight back to beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1.

Courtesy: http://www.goal.com/en-tz/news/5802/english-league-cup/2016/09/22/27760302/manchester-united-to-face-manchester-city-in-efl-cup-fourth?ICID=SP_HN_HP_RI_1_3