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

CESC FIRST START......

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte ready to recall Cesc Fabregas against Arsenal as captain John Terry is ruled out of London derby

• Antonio Conte has used Cesc Fabregas only from the bench in the league
• The Spaniard's limited recent game-time has led to exit speculation
• Fabregas looks set for his first league start in 'special' clash with Arsenal
• Captain John Terry will miss the derby to continue ankle injury recovery

Antonio Conte has hinted he is ready to hand Cesc Fabregas his first Premier League start of the season against former club Arsenal on Saturday.

The Spain international has made just three substitute appearances in the league since Conte's arrival, leading to speculation that his time at Stamford Bridge is drawing to close.

Fabregas started in the EFL Cup win over Leicester on Tuesday, scoring twice to help his team overturn a 2-0 deficit.

Conte admits the clash against Arsenal will be 'special' for Fabregas given his links to the Emirates.

And the Italian manager says the former Gunner is ready to start his first top-flight game under him.

'For Cesc, that's for sure, it's a special game for him,' said Conte.

'But the most important thing for Cesc is that, now, he's a Chelsea player and playing very well for Chelsea. I'm seeing him very focused, very concentrated, during the training sessions.

'He played a good game in the EFL Cup. It can be the possibility that he can start in the lineup, but I have another day to make a decision.

'For him, sure, it will be a special game.'

Meanwhile, Conte says skipper John Terry will not be fit for the visit to the Emirates on Saturday.

Terry is making good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury and Chelsea were hopeful he would return for the London derby.

But Conte said: 'John didn't recover from his injury. He's working, working, but he didn't recover for the game against Arsenal.

'I don't know (when he will be back). In this case it's important what the player feels, the pain he feels.'

Kurt Zouma, however, is set for a first team return after recovering from a long term knee injury.

The defender has been out since February but Conte is hopeful Zouma will return to Cobham imminently ahead of a return to playing action. 

'Zouma, I hope to see him in the training sessions next week,' he added.

'He's in good shape and I hope to see him next week in training, to start counting on him.

'Possibly, yes. Possibly. Probably, yes. We will wait one week more, yes. Good.'

Courtesy: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3803998/Chelsea-boss-Antonio-Conte-ready-hand-Cesc-Fabregas-lifeline-against-former-club-Arsenal.html

BEN ARFA STILL AWAITS FOR HIS FIRST GAME AT PSG

Hatem Ben Arfa and Marco Verratti again left out of PSG team

Paris Saint-Germain will be without Marco Verratti, Thomas Meunier and Hatem Ben Arfa for their trip to Toulouse on Friday, but Serge Aurier and Layvin Kurzawa have returned to the squad after injury.

Midfielder Verratti again misses out with a calf muscle issue and right-back Meunier has a knee complaint, while coach Unai Emery left out enigmatic attacker Ben Arfa once more as the Spaniard seeks an improved attitude from the France international in training.

Emery welcomes right-back Aurier and left-back Kurzawa into the fold after ankle and thigh injuries respectively. However, there is no space for youth academy graduates Remy Descamps, Christopher Nkunku or Hervin Ongenda.

Despite the absences of those three youngsters, Adrien Rabiot, Alphonse Areola, Presnel Kimpembe and Jean-Kevin Augustin all feature in the 18-man group and Emery revealed his satisfaction at the fertility of the French champions' youth academy.

"PSG have done a great job with the training centre and the players are reaping the rewards," Emery said during his pre-Toulouse news conference at Camp des Loges on Thursday. "If they deserve to play, then they will. It is a good thing for the club."

Emery hit the headlines in France the same day as L'Equipe reported that he told Ben Arfa in training that he is "not Lionel Messi," but when questioned on the subject, the manager stuck with his original standpoint on the issue.

"I say the same thing -- every player is the same to me," Emery said. "After that, I make my decisions concerning the team and the players on who is best prepared to play.

"It was the case on Tuesday and it will be the case again for Toulouse. I will decide [on Ben Arfa] this afternoon."

Verratti's frequent absence through injury over the past week or so has journalists in France concerned, but Emery moved to allay fears that the Italy international could have another long-term problem.

"Verratti started to do some things yesterday but for the moment, I do not know if he will be able to to take part in full training with the squad today," Emery admitted. "We will see if he is ready to play tomorrow."

The team news made clear that he was not ready enough, but the Basque tactician confirmed Verratti remains "important" and his "quality benefits the team" particularly when "on the ball."

"The season is long and there will be a lot of matches," Emery said. "When he started to play a lot of games, with the national team as well, there is a possibility there was some muscle fatigue after being injured for so long.

"Because of that, we must look at how many minutes he played in the past and how many he will play in the future. I believe it is a minor injury though. We will assess when to bring him back, tomorrow or in next week's European match or against Bordeaux."

Courtesy: http://www.espnfc.com/paris-saint-germain/story/2956862/hatem-ben-arfa-and-marco-verratti-again-left-out-of-psg-team

THE HUNTING CONTINUES.......

Savage Bayern line up fresh prey

Carlo Ancelotti's all-conquering German league leaders Bayern Munich face a Hamburg side in turmoil on Saturday with coach Bruno Labbadia under the threat of the axe after three straight defeats.

Hamburg's 1-0 defeat at Freiburg on Tuesday followed their humiliating 4-0 drubbing at home to RB Leipzig last Saturday.

Labbadia has been in charge since April 2015 but another uninspiring performance from his team at the hands of Ancelotti's relentless Bayern could be his last.

It does not help that Hamburg have suffered 5-0, 8-0 and 9-2 thrashings at the hands of the Munich giants in the last three years and another drubbing could see Labbadia shown the door just five games into the new league season.

Hamburg last beat Bayern in 2009 and are winless against the Bavarian giants in their last 13 games.

"I take the main responsibility and I'm the first to do so if we can't decide games for ourselves," said Labbadia after their latest reversal.

Hamburg's defence will need to dramatically improve against Bayern's strike force boasting Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Mueller and Franck Ribery, who netted in Wednesday's 3-0 win at home to Hertha Berlin.

Bayern are the only team with a perfect record in Germany's top flight.

They want an impressive display before next Wednesday's Champions League group stage clash at Atletico Madrid, who knocked them out in the semifinals last year.

With seven wins from his first seven games in all competitions, Ancelotti is enjoying the best start to a season in Bayern's highly successful history.

DORTMUND ON FIRE

Dortmund will be without defender Marc Bartra for Friday's visit of Freiburg after suffering a groin injury in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Wolfsburg and is doubtful for next Tuesday's Champions League home game against Real Madrid.

Back-to-back wins since their shock 1-0 defeat at RB Leipzig catapulted Dortmund up the table into first before Bayern's win over Hertha knocked them down to third.

Dortmund have banged in 17 goals in their last three games, having also trounced Legia Warsaw and Darmstadt 6-0, but Borussia coach Thomas Tuchel has warned about any complacency.

"We're only thinking about the league table, only our next game against Freiburg," said Tuchel.

"There are still a few things we can improve on."

Newly promoted Freiburg have beaten Borussia Moenchengladbach and Hamburg already this season.

Schalke 04 are at Hoffenheim on Saturday with new coach Markus Weinzierl already under intense pressure after four straight defeats, including Wednesday's 3-1 shock loss at home to Cologne, which had been dubbed a must-win game for the Royal Blues.

Gladbach host Barcelona at Borussia Park next Wednesday, but their main priority on Saturday is seeing off Ingolstadt at home after their 1-1 draw at newly promoted RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Bottom side Werder Bremen, who sacked Viktor Skripnik on Monday, are at home to Wolfsburg on Saturday night with caretaker coach Alexander Nouri still looking for their first points after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Mainz.

Courtesy: http://www.supersport.com/football/germany/news/160923/Savage_Bayern_line_up_fresh_prey 

NO MESSI NO PROBLEM?

Barca begin road trip without Messi

A Barcelona side missing injured Lionel Messi face Sporting Gijon in the first of three away games in a week, as they battle to keep pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Saturday.

Messi suffered the recurrence of a groin strain in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid that will keep the five-time World Player of the Year sidelined for the next three weeks.

His absence could have a bigger impact on Argentina than Barca because the two-time world champions will be without their captain for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.

However, Spanish champions Barca have three tricky obstacles to overcome in the next week as they head also to Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League on Wednesday before another away trip to Celta Vigo next Sunday.

"We all wish that he was with us. The team is stronger with him than without him, but these unexpected situations happen," Barca captain Andres Iniesta said on Thursday.

"Squads win titles. Individuals help, but it is the squad as a whole that wins things."

Without Messi, Barca's other two star forwards Luis Suarez and Neymar will be expected to take on extra responsibility – just as they did in scoring 16 goals in the six league games Messi missed during a two-month injury layoff last season.

Sergio Busquets also came off early against Atletico due to the after-effects of a fever, but should be fit to start in Asturias.

Arda Turan is the favourite to replace Messi after deputising ably on the other side of the Barca frontline when Neymar was absent at the start of the season because of his participation in the Rio Olympics.

One familiar face to Barca may not be available for Sporting due to a comical injury –- on-loan Brazilian full-back Douglas injured his hip when sleeping on the team bus back from a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

REAL MISSING DUO

Real Madrid's bid to make La Liga history with a 17th straight win fell short in midweek as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal.

Zinedine Zidane's men still hold a three-point lead over Barca, but face an awkward trip to the Canary Islands to face Las Palmas before a huge Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

Madrid are also depleted by injury: Brazilian duo Marcelo and Casemiro have been ruled out for the next few weeks.

The European champions are short of a natural replacement in either position with Danilo set to deputise at left-back, while Toni Kroos is likely to drop into the deepest-lying midfield role to make way for Luka Modric to return.

Las Palmas's excellent start to the season was undone on Wednesday by a 4-1 thrashing at Real Sociedad. Former AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng will miss Madrid's visit after being sent-off in the first-half in San Sebastian.

Second-placed Sevilla could go top for at least a couple of hours when they travel to face the in-form Athletic Bilbao earlier on Saturday.

Atletico are the only one of Spain's four Champions League representatives not in action till Sunday, when Deportivo la Coruna visit the Vicente Calderon in a grudge match still overshadowed by fan violence.

Two years ago a Deportivo fan was killed in Madrid in pre-match clashes between rival ultra groups near the Calderon.

source: http://www.supersport.com/football/spain/news/160923/Barca_begin_road_trip_without_Messi

VALENCIA FIRST LA LIGA WIN

Late penalty gives Valencia first win

Coach-less Valencia earned their first win and points of the season as Daniel Parejo's late penalty gave them a 2-1 success at home to Alaves on Thursday.

Valencia came into the match bottom of La Liga having sacked coach Pako Ayestaran following four straight defeats to start the season.

But an own goal from Victor Laguardia on 28 minutes gave them the lead before Gaizka Toquero equalised for Alaves on the stroke of half-time.

But when substitute Zakaria Bakkali drove into the box four minutes from time, he was tripped by Marcos Llorente and Parejo sent goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco the wrong way from the spot.

Please visit http://www.supersport.com/football/spain/news/160923/Late_penalty_gives_Valencia_first_win to find out more.

Top 100 manager tenures to mark Arsene Wenger's 20th anniversary as Arsenal boss

Arsene Wenger's first press conference as Arsenal manager took place 20 years ago - but who has managed a European club for longer since 1960?

Wenger has the record active reign at a club, but four other managers have surpassed the Frenchman's two-decade-run as a manager in Europe's top five leagues, according to worldfootball.net data.

We have scanned the tenures of managers across 252 clubs from England's current top four tiers and the top two tiers in Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

Please find out more by visiting http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11662/10587057/top-100-manager-tenures-to-mark-arsene-wengers-20th-anniversary-as-arsenal-boss 

Eric Bailly v Jamie Vardy: Who will win the key battle when Manchester United host Leicester?

Eric Bailly faces Jamie Vardy at Old Trafford on Saturday. We check the stats to see whether the Man Utd man or Leicester striker will come out on top...

Please visit http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11662/10586960/eric-bailly-v-jamie-vardy-who-will-win-the-key-battle-when-manchester-united-host-leicester and find out more about this battle.