Month: December 2019

Manuel Pellegrini was pleased that West Ham stuck to their philosophy to help them beat Chelsea 1-0.

The former Manchester City manager was coming under increasing pressure due to a winless run that extended back two months, but Aaron Cresswell scored a rare goal to restore some optimism – in turn making it an afternoon to forget for former Hammers midfielder Frank Lampard.

At his post-match press conference, Pellegrini confirmed how pleased he was with the way his side didn’t change their approach.

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Pellegrini said: “Yes [I’m pleased], for the result and not conceding goals. The most difficult thing was not to be worried about the job or the future, it was to keep the players keeping the style.

“I think that we were consistent and solid. We tried to continue doing what this team must do.

“I said to them before not to try to change, not to just to defend but to enjoy the game. The goalkeeper had a couple of the saves. We cannot change our style, we had to believe in that.

“They tried to play, create chances and try to win the game. Chelsea are playing well, but you have to believe you can win.”

 

Jose Mourinho was pleased with Tottenham’s form in front of goal, but admitted his side became tired towards the end of their 3-2 win over Bournemouth.

Spurs claimed their third win out of three since Mourinho took charge, taking a 3-0 lead before Harry Wilson pulled two back for Bournemouth late on.

And while he will be disappointed to have conceded the late goals, Mourinho felt his side could have scored more given the balance of the game.

“I think it was in our best period when we scored the third goal, we were close to score the fourth and then when they scored the first one it was a different game,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.

“I felt the boys felt a bit tired after playing a high intensity game, but we had the chance to score the fourth goals, but then in the Premier League the game is always alive.

“We played well for long period of the games, we had a few scary moments but I think the fans enjoyed. We scored seven goals in four days.”

The protagonist of the win was Dele Alli, who has become reborn under Mourinho and contributed a brace. And his manager described him as ‘phenomenal’.

“He plays in a position where he feels happy and comfortable, we also give him space for his creativity which he always has.

“I think he played three phenomenal matches since I arrived.”

The former Chelsea boss will certainly make an impression on his new fans if he keeps up this run of form, and he was happy with the support he received from the fans.

“The fans love the club, I’m not saying they love me but they accept me as a top professional who wants to give everything for the club.

“People have more reasons to love me if they like my work, but the fans are behind the team and the see us working hard to get to a position in the table that is more suitable to the talent of this squad.”

 

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Steve Bruce has picked out the “excellent” Newcastle duo of Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron as they grabbed a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.

Jetro Willems cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s 15th goal of the season but Kevin De Bruyne thought he had won it with a fine 82nd-minute strike.

But Jonjo Shelvey curled home a brilliant 87th-minute equaliser which, coupled with Martin Dubravka’s stoppage-time save from Sterling, ensured the game finished level.

And Bruce was full of praise for two of his front three, he said: “Allan and Almiron today were excellent in their work. You’ve seen three quality goals and we’ve got two of them.”

Asked about his side’s performance, Bruce added: “When you take on one of the big boys it’s always nice to get something from it.

“Their attitude and effort and endeavour in terms of their workrate and to keep getting after the ball, it’s manful in terms of how they do it.”

When asked if the atmosphere at St James’ Park was a bit flat, Bruce continued: “It would have been nice to get some of the ball to give them something to shout about!

“They’ve witnessed their team rolling up their sleeves and showing a bit of determination. The fans were superb at the end.”

 

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The England international, who is currently on the books at West Ham, expects to play on for many more years but is already planning for retirement

West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere is, at just 27 years of age, already plotting a move into management, with the former Arsenal star working on his coaching badges and looking to follow in the footsteps of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

The England international has endured an injury-ravaged career, with the general consensus being that fitness problems have prevented him from fulfilling the potential he displayed as a youngster.

Wilshere has, however, lost none of his passion for the game and remains determined to get the most out of his career.

He believes he can still spend many years at the top out on the field, but also harbours ambitions of one day stepping into the dugout.

The Jack Wilshere NCF Elites academy has been set up, with the plan being to build on those foundations and emulate the achievements of ex-England team-mates Lampard and Gerrard, who have earned plenty of plaudits in prominent roles at Chelsea and Rangers respectively.

“When I talk about what I want to do after my playing career, what interests me is the development of kids. I like coaching and giving advice to kids,” Wilshere told The Mirror.

“It is rewarding. I know Steven Gerrard started working with Liverpool’s youth team, used that as a stepping stone. Frank Lampard is at the top already. I see myself going into coaching kids, going into an academy and see if I enjoy it.

“When you have a playing career for 15 years, there’s a lot of pressure, travelling away and it would be nice to spend a bit more time at home with my family but I definitely want to do some kind of coaching.

“I look at Lampard and Gerrard and I think: ‘wow – fair play to you.’

“They’ve gone into a pressure situation where they are coaching, they are working but they also have to win games and that’s even more pressure.

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“There’s maybe a little less pressure working with kids where winning is not everything, your goal is to develop players, get them ready for the next step. That’s what interests me first, but then things change.

“Lampard did great at Derby but probably didn’t expect to be at Chelsea this soon and he’s doing unbelievably well. Things change and things come up, you never know.

“I’ve got a few years left playing, but it will be interesting to speak to Steve or Frank and see how young or how early they were thinking about being a coach, they probably were about my age because it takes a while to get your qualifications.

“I want to keep it ticking over with the Elites, getting more experience with your coaching because you’re then ready when you finish.”

Wilshere has been restricted to just eight appearances for West Ham this season, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side struggling for consistency as they sit 17th in the Premier League table.