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Portsmouth will have been very frustrated to come away from Bristol Rovers with a draw, having put themselves 2-0 up in the 70th minute.

Despite the disappointment of conceding twice late on, there can be encouragement taken from the fact they scored twice – having got one in their last three games, as per Transfermarkt – and John Marquis played a big part in this, even though he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself.

The 27-year-old made a nuisance of himself throughout the game and that played an important part in Pompey getting the opener.

With the ball having been played towards the back post, Marquis managed to spin behind at the back post, but just before he could make the header, Luke Leahy pushed him, conceding the penalty that Gareth Evans scored, as shown in the highlights video on the Portsmouth FC YouTube channel.

He then assisted the second, playing in a pinpoint cross for Ronan Curtis to head in at the back post, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

The striker also showed a commendable work rate, as he made three tackles and one clearance during the game, as per WhoScored.

This game did nothing for Marquis’ underwhelming tally of three goals in all competitions this season, but it has indicated that he can be a useful player for the team, even when he isn’t getting the ball into the back of the net.

Who was your hero for Pompey? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Would you take Jose Mourinho back at Manchester United?

It’s been nine months since the Portuguese tactician was relieved of his duties at Old Trafford, and while United experienced a momentary surge of form as the cloud of his now understandable misery lifted, they’ve somewhat faltered in recent months.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Former Cardiff City and Molde manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ed Woodward’s designated replacement for serial winner Mourinho, is now a man under pressure, having guided his side to their worst start to a season in 30 years. United’s defeat to Steve Bruce’s Newcastle side on Sunday only compiled the misery.

With Liverpool on the horizon, and the Red Devils’ teamsheet looking no more appealing than it has in the previous five games, it could be a case of déjà vu for the Old Trafford faithful as the pressure of relieving their 1999 Champions League hero becomes too much.

It’s all hypothetical of course, but would you take Mourinho back at United? ESPN pundits have discussed (between 0:00 and 2:35) …

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Lee Cattermole has spoken of a key failing of David Moyes during his spell as Sunderland manager, and thinks it was critical in the Black Cats’ relegation from the Premier League in 2017.

What did he say?

Sunderland were a disaster under Moyes as they tallied a points total of just 24, and though some may believe their relegation was a long time coming, having struggled in the years previous, Cattermole thinks otherwise.

Under Sam Allardyce, Moyes’ predecessor, the club appeared to be moving in the right direction and had the makings of a good squad, but the former Black Cats captain points to the changing circumstances of four key players as the main factor behind their decline.

Younes Kaboul, Yann M’Vila, Lamine Kone and Wahbi Khazri had performed well under Big Sam and each was instrumental in the club’s success that season.

However, Kaboul and M’Vila didn’t remain at the club, whilst Kone was alienated as a result of a failed move to Everton and Moyes didn’t favour Khazri, which was disastrous according to Cattermole.

Speaking on the Roker Report podcast, as reported by the Sunderland Echo, he said: “Losing Younes Kaboul was huge, he was such a big player for us at the time in terms of helping the French boys.

“For Younes to leave the club was massive and obviously Yann M’Villa. Wahbi Khazri didn’t play much after that and these were all massive players for us the year before.

“Obviously, [Lamine] Kone we had a load of drama with the potential move to Everton. These were tough things going on at the club and unless they’re managed really well, it’s going to affect people.”

Unfortunate circumstances

Cattermole was a leading figure in the dressing room at the time, and although injury prohibited him from playing often, it is fair to assume his knowledge of what contributed to the club’s failings that year is as good as anybody else.

And from what he says, it is fair to say that Moyes didn’t have the rub of the green.

To lose such important players in one way or another is a difficult hurdle to overcome for any manager, and though his management of Khazri was his own doing, he could do little to prevent others departing.

Watch League 1 Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

As a result, his team suddenly lost a commanding figure in Kaboul, and the key to the midfield in M’Vila, who had achieved a pass accuracy of 81% during his spell in the north-east.

Moyes should, therefore, be granted some sympathy, as it wasn’t like he had resources to amend the situation either, instead having to perform under pressure and in trying circumstances.

The former Southampton goalkeeper was clearly pleased with the result, and he seemingly believes that the Scottish champions can build on Thursday’s performance in order to have a successful run in the competition.

Watch Celtic Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It won’t be an easy task though. Alongside Rennes, Celtic have been drawn in a group with CFR Cluj and Lazio, and with the Romanian outfit beating the Italians this week, it seems as if there will be no easy games in this group.

Aston Villa beat Norwich City 5-1 on Saturday, to the amazement of their own fans.

Dean Smith’s men took their fellow promoted outfit apart at Carrow Road – Villa finished fifth in 2018/19 and were promoted via the play-offs, while the Canaries won the division, finishing 18 points clear of Saturday’s opponents.

Nevertheless, Wesley scored twice, with Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and Douglas Luiz also on the scoresheet.

It marks Villa’s second win of the league campaign, having also beaten Everton in 2019/20.

Fans were stunned by the manner of the win, after spending the first few weeks of the season watching their side lose to Tottenham Hotspur, AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

They have also drawn with West Ham United and Burnley.

And supporters took to Twitter to lavish praise on their players as they head into the international break.

They will play Brighton & Hove Albion after the international break prior to a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium to face champions Manchester City.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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According to Correio de Manha via The Mirror, Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes is on Liverpool’s radar as Jurgen Klopp looks to add to his attacking contingent having missed out on signing Lyon’s Nabil Fekir. Could he be the missing piece in the jigsaw?

What’s the word?

Well, The Mirror reports (via Correio de Manha) that the Portuguese is a target for both AC Milan and the Reds as the club look to negotiate his exit amid crushing debt that amounts to around €281m.

The midfielder’s release clause of €100million (£87m) is unlikely to be met by either of the aforementioned suitors and Sporting will surely have to negotiate a lower price in order to get the player off their books.

Having already seen the likes of William Carvalho and Rui Patricio leave over the summer in controversial fashion, the Lisbon-based outfit could be set to lose yet another star at the end of the season. What would be their undoubted loss, though, would be of enormous benefit to Jurgen Klopp and his side.

Finally… a playmaker

Klopp’s tactical flexibility has seen the Reds flirt with a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2, while also frequenting the 4-3-3 that has helped them become masters of Gegenpressing.

The former has required centre-forward Roberto Firmino to be deployed in the number 10 role while Mohamed Salah has been moved up front. Although the famous front three’s linkup is as glorious as ever, there still remains the lack of an out-and-out playmaker.

Bayern Munich were resolute in their defending at Anfield on Tuesday night and it was clear the home side were crying out for a player who could create something out of nothing and unpick the Bavarians’ defence with a special pass, as pinpointed by frustrated Reds fans below…

This has been a weakness of Liverpool’s since the departure of Philippe Coutinho and Klopp surely feels this needs addressing. Fekir was intended to plug this gap but a switch to Merseyside never materialised and so the title challengers remain an incomplete puzzle.

Are fan nerves to blame for Liverpool’s recent form? Pl>ymaker FC’s Tom Skinner discusses in the video below…

If Manchester City prove too good once again this term, the signing of 24-year-old Fernandes, who has chalked up an impressive 21 goals and 11 assists in 2018/19, could be the addition that takes the Reds beyond their title rivals next season.

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After proclaiming he would be giving youngsters a chance at Old Trafford, it appears Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a man of his word.

A number of the Red Devils’ academy prospects impressed during pre-season, but have struggled to get a look-in for the opening few games of the Premier League campaign.

However, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Europa League clash against Astana on Thursday night, Solskjaer confirmed both Mason Greenwood and Axel Tuanzebe will be starting the match.

After hearing the duo would make their first starts of the season in the mid-week game, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on Solskjaer’s announcement.

Many supporters of the Manchester side insisted “Europe ain’t ready” and revealed that the “end is near” for Astana.

Some Red Devils fans hailed Solskjaer for finally giving youth a proper chance, and admitted they are now looking forward to seeing the prospects in action.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

Taking to Twitter, journalist Rudy Galetti of Sportitalia TV has made an interesting claim involving AC Milan star Franck Kessie, Tottenham Hotspur and the Rossoneri’s owner.

The Lowdown: Spurs target Kessie…

As widely reported, Milan’s star midfield man has been a transfer target for the Lilywhites and some sources even claimed that they were weighing an offer to sign him as early as last month.

This was despite Kessie’s soon-to-be free agent status as his deal at the San Siro looks set to expire later this year, but that isn’t due to Milan’s lack of trying to agree an extension.

They’ve apparently offered fresh terms but the Ivory Coast international hasn’t put pen to paper, leaving his long term future with the Serie A giants in major doubt.

Now, Galetti has said that the Milan management are fuming with Kessie as he makes a claim involving Tottenham.

The Latest: Galetti makes Kessie claim…

Taking to Twitter, the Italian reporter says that Milan’s owner, president of Elliot Management and American business tycoon Paul Singer, is angry with Kessie after he ‘refused’ an offer to join Tottenham last month.

Indeed, it is believed that he ‘did not like’ the star’s decision considering his exit to north London would’ve resulted in profit for Milan off his sale.

Following this development it is claimed by Galetti that ‘no further renewal proposals’ are on the table.

The Verdict: Interesting…

While this may seem like Spurs missed out on yet another top target after seeing moves for both Luis Diaz and Adama Traore hijacked, this could eventually come as a boost for the Lilywhites.

As Milan allegedly make the call not to offer any more extensions, he now looks set to leave at the end of this campaign on a free and Spurs would be remiss not to take full advantage.

Bypassing the £43.2 million-valued star’s estimated would-be transfer cost and snapping him up for nothing is a no-brainer, especially considering his brilliant 19-goal haul from midfield since the start of 2019/2020.

In other news: ‘Big’…Sky Sports journalist thrilled as ‘good news’ comes out of Tottenham, find out more here.

Mark Douglas has revealed that Newcastle United will now ‘target three positions’ this summer.

The Lowdown: Busy January

As was expected, the St. James’ Park faithful had a busy January transfer window, in which they brought in Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood.

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They had other ambitious targets as well who they missed out on, including the likes of Darwin Nunez, Sven Botman and Jesse Lingard.

Nonetheless, assuming that they stay in the Premier League, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium will no doubt be ready to splash the cash once more.

The Latest: Three positions targeted

Writing in his latest piece for inews, Northern Football correspondent Douglas has revealed that the Tyneside outfit will now ‘target three positions’ in the summer, which would be a striker, a midfielder and a central defender.

They have been ‘heavily monitoring’ Nunez, and ‘may revisit’ a deal for Botman, while they have also ‘remained in contact’ with Lingard’s camp.

The Verdict: Exciting

The kind of names that the Magpies have been linked with are very exciting, especially the likes of Nunez and Botman, who have played in the UEFA Champions League with Benfica and Lille respectively this season.

As for Lingard, the Toon Army will remember his immaculate loan spell at West Ham United last term, where he managed nine goals and five assists in just 16 games (Transfermarkt).

Described as ‘absolutely phenomenal’ by talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham during his spell there, the Englishman will have a point to prove, and NUFC could well take advantage of that.

In other news, find out what more Newcastle injury news has now been dropped here!

The January transfer window has just under two weeks left to run and Newcastle United have been active in bringing players to the club this month.

They have already signed Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood on permanent deals and have been linked with a number of new additions to further strengthen their squad.

Eddie Howe’s side are 19th in the Premier League table and in desperate need of new signings, given that the current squad has them in such a perilous position as it stands.

Replace Lascelles

One player who could be replaced in the final two weeks of the transfer window is centre-back Jamaal Lascelles, with Joe Rodon recently being linked with a switch to St James’ Park.

Some Newcastle fans took to Twitter over the weekend to criticise the club captain for his performance against Watford, as he lost his aerial duel to allow Joao Pedro to score the equaliser.

The defender has started 16 of the club’s Premier League matches this season and the Magpies have the second-worst defensive record in the division. He has also averaged a modest WhoScored rating of 6.48 for his individual performances, which suggests that he is far from smashing it in recent months.

This indicates that Newcastle need to improve in this area of the pitch, and the prospective signing of Rodon could allow Howe to brutally axe Lascelles from the team.

Ex-Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lavished the £24k-per-week Tottenham centre-back with praise last term. He told Sky Sports, via Wales Online: “He looks like a proper Spurs player, a centre-half, nothing fazes him, he put his head in when needed. You have to be comfortable on the ball because you want to control the game.

“I like that he gets up straight away and gets on with it because that tells me he is hard enough.”

Earlier this year, journalist Ian Mitchelmore hailed Rodon as “flawless” and a “special player” following an excellent showing for Wales at international level. For Spurs last season, he averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.97 in the Premier League as he won a whopping 73% of his duels.

At the age of 24, he also has the majority of his career ahead of him. This means that he would not come in as a short-term fix and could instead be a long-term solution to Newcastle’s problem with Lascelles in the centre-back position, with Howe able to axe his current captain by signing Rodon and helping him develop over time.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano claims Newcastle could seal third January signing by “Thursday”, fans will love it…