Liverpool: Luis Suarez's feud with Brendan Rodgers was ended with Steven Gerrard's help

Laurence Griffiths

Steven Gerrard brokered the peace deal which is expected to see Luis Suarez stay at Liverpool.

It is Gerrard’s part in healing the rift between Arsenal target Suarez and manager Brendan Rodgers, that could have the biggest impact on season.

With Liverpool insisting Suarez will not be sold, either to or any other club this summer, the wantaway striker has had no choice but to swallow his pride and apologise.

Suarez, however, was unsure about the way in which he would be received by Rodgers and, it is understood, Gerrard accompanied the Uruguay international when he went to see the boss.

Gerrard’s intervention is thought to be a signal that Suarez has been accepted back into the fold by this team-mates.

It is also likely to sound the death knell for under-pressure Arsene Wenger’s – who scored 30 goals last season – for Arsenal before the end of the summer window.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure said: “Luis Suarez was defending what he wanted, the club was defending what they wanted.

“The club know that by keeping him we are going to be really strong because he’s one of the best strikers in the world.

“I believe what the club did is right. We all wanted him to stay. You never want one of your best players leaving to go to another team.

“It’s no problem having Luis back. We love him. We all just wanted him to resolve his problem with the manager, come back and score our goals

“The manager is very clever and has sorted it out with him. We are all really happy that Luis is back training with us.”

 

Everton: It's Barkley's Premier League says Jagielka after Ross' superb goal

Jamie McDonald

Make a note of the date – Saturday, August 17, 2013 was the day that two stars of the future took their bow on the Premier League stage.

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley  and Norwich striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel both scored their first goals for their clubs.

And the pair look certain to light up the league with plenty more polished performances in the years to come.

All the goals in came in a hectic 20-minute spell in the second half, with Scotland full-back Steven Whittaker firing Norwich in front after 51 minutes.

But Barkley and right-back Seamus Coleman, Everton’s standout performers, brought their side back into the game before Van ­Wolfswinkel had the final word.

Barkley, just 19, has already been compared to Wayne Rooney and his first-ever Toffees goal showed why – an unstoppable 20-yard screamer into the top corner.

England defender Phil Jagielka, the Everton skipper, said: “Ross went on loan last season and he’s come back much more grown up.

“He’s more of a man now. Before he was perhaps playing too much like a boy and enjoying himself a bit too much.

“But he’s really come on. He’s played well for the England Under-21s, scored a good goal for them and scored another one here.

“Ross has always been fearless but sometimes the edge of your own box is not the best place to be fearless!

“But he’s thinking more like a professional now instead of just being a kid having a good time.

“If he keeps going like this then we will have quite a player on our hands.”

Dutch international Van Wolfswinkel, Norwich’s club-record £8.5million buy from Sporting Lisbon, ­celebrated his debut with a cracking 71st-minute header to claim a point.

Van Wolfswinkel, 24, said: “People ask me, ‘Why Norwich?’ But why not? For me, it’s a great club. Norwich did everything in their power to get me and that gives me a good feeling.

“And I’ve no problem with the big transfer fee. In a way it gives me more motivation because I want to do my best for the team.”

Van Wolfswinkel also confirmed that he had signed for the Canaries after chatting with close friend Robin van Persie:

“I spoke to Robin when we were both with the Dutch national team and he said Norwich had made a good impression on him.

“He said they were always a difficult team to play against and that their crowd really got behind them.

“I obviously want to do well with the national team. But if I focus on my club and do well, then everything else will just follow.”

The man they call ‘The Wolf’ is going to have to work hard on his fitness, though, if he wants to realise his massive potential.

“It was very hard, a big difference to the other competitions I have played in”, he added. “It was much more physical and the tempo was much higher.

“But that’s just something I am going to have to get used to. I’ve got through my first game and now I’ve got that 90 minutes in my pocket.”

West Ham: Stewart Downing an absolute bargain says James Collins

James Collins reckons West Ham have got “an absolute bargain” in Stewart Downing – and the new competition in their squad will drive them up the table.

Sam Allardyce saw his Hammers coast to without starting any of his five summer signings.

Andy Carroll will return in a fortnight, while England winger Downing gave a sprightly cameo performance from the bench four days after .

And Collins believed his former Villa team-mate is seriously under-priced at only £6million.

“He looked very sharp,” said Wales defender. “He’s got loads of England caps so we’ve got a great signing there. I think we have got an absolute bargain. A couple of years ago at Villa he was tearing defences to pieces.

“Obviously it didn’t go well at Liverpool but hopefully we can get him firing.

“He and Andy Carroll played together at Liverpool and they get on well off the pitch. I think they are both from the North East so they have that certain understanding.”

This strength and depth means goal-scorer Joe Cole and the outstanding Matt Jarvis are now no longer certain of their places.

Modibo Maiga worked tirelessly up front, while Romanian Razvan Rat is ready to come into the defence.

“The competition is a good thing – that is where we have moved on from last year,” Collins insisted. “You have always got someone right up behind you wanting to take your place. If you don’t play well, you are going to be out of the team. It keeps you on the ball knowing there is competition behind you.”

West Ham finished 10th on 46 points on their Premier League return last season – and Allardyce has set a target of “about 50 points” this time.

“That would be brilliant for us,” he said. “We’re improving the side by spending money so, for the second year in, it’s as good a side as I’ve had.”

Cardiff will need to defend better to emulate West Ham’s achievement of staying up as a newly-promoted side last season.

Joe Cole was given room in the box to turn and shoot for the 13th-minute opener while the Hammers retained the ball too easily before unmarked Kevin Nolan swept home after 76 minutes.

Collins, who played in the Third Division during his seven years at Cardiff, reckoned his former club were overawed by the atmosphere at Upton Park.

“I haven’t heard our fans like that before a game for years and I am sure they put the frighteners up a few of them,” he added.

 

Arsenal: Arsene Wenger warns of dangerous negativity after nightmare first match of the season

Clive Mason

Arsene Wenger has admitted ‘dangerous negativity’ could destroy Arsenal’s season.

He is facing the wrath of fed-up fans, a full-scale injury crisis and a trip to Turkey on Wednesday to play Fenerbahce in the first leg of a Champions League qualifier which will define the campaign.

If Wenger wants sympathy, he cannot expect much from the supporters, who with their boos and chants to “spend some f***ing money” at the final whistle of Saturday’s 3-1 .

Hardly surprising, as it was Wenger who allowed the squad to slowly decay, who has had big money but not spent it and so is already running out of players.

But Wenger is now calling for those fans not to allow their anger, frustration and ­resentment to overwhelm them.

“There’s always a lot of dangers in a team as it’s a human activity multiplied by 25,” he said. “That means negativity can arrive quickly and spread quickly.”

“But it’s the first game of the season and we want to bounce back. I believe our season will depend on how we respond to this defeat.

“What is important is to rebuild the confidence of the team before Wednesday night. That’s a massive game for us.

“But we’ll bounce back, because the spirit is good. We are short but we can only play with the players we have.

“Even if you go on the Eiffel Tower and you throw the money away, you have to play with the players you have.”

Far too many fans could see it coming.

The other side to the story of ­Arsenal’s transfer dealings this window has been the raft of departures.

Gervinho, Andrey Arshavin, Johan Djourou, Sebastien ­Squillaci, Vito Mannone went, along with a host of youngsters and fringe players.

Add to that injuries to Mikel Arteta, Thomas Vermaelen and Nacho Monreal, and the Gunners had to put Emmanuel Frimpong on the bench.

Arsenal are desperately short of players let alone top-class players.

The mismanagement and lack of investment is appalling.

Fans who pay big money for their season tickets are investing their faith in a set-up which has allowed a terrible state of decline to creep into the playing staff.

On top of that, Wenger now , and Bacary Sagna almost certain to miss Wednesday after THIS.

 

There are also doubts over Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey.

That is what you get from putting all your faith in a small set of players.

Too many games makes them susceptible to injury, which is why Arsenal get more than their fair share.

The club handed out sticker albums on Saturday, but parents need not worry – there are not many players to collect.

So why is Wenger not spending the money the club says is available?

And at what point is there a need for change?

If fans are this angry after one game, how bad can it get?

Wenger concedes he needs players, but that they cannot be signed in time for Wednesday.

Perhaps they should have been signed in the three months since the end of last season?

He will hope none of his prospective ­targets looked too closely at this defeat…

Olivier Giroud’s only contribution was the sixth-minute opener while too many others ­disappeared.

You can blame referee Anthony Taylor for wrongly giving a spot-kick for Laurent Koscielny’s challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor. Koscielny was booked, then later sent off for a second yellow.

But Arsenal were poor ­defensively, in midfield and wasteful up front.

Christian Benteke scored one penalty, headed in the rebound from the other and Antonio Luna completed the ­embarrassment.

Tottenham insist 'No Gareth Bale, no problem' as record-transfer Soldado scores on debut

Jamie McDonald

Andre Villas-Boas backed Roberto Soldado to replace Gareth Bale as Tottenham’s 20-goals-a-season man.

The Spurs boss insisted his side did not miss Bale as his £26m Spanish signing netted a second-half penalty to condemn Crystal Palace to a losing .

, who scored a club-record 21 Premier League goals last season, missed the season opener at Selhurst Park with what is claimed to be a foot injury while his transfer saga continues.

But AVB reckoned former Valencia star Soldado can fill the gap and hit in his first season in English football.

“Of course – his career speaks for him,” said the Portuguese coach. “To see him so confidently step up and score on the same side as he did against Espanyol was important for us. It was good to see him out there. He created some chances. Not only that, but we celebrate our first official penalty after (getting none) last season – and even more.”

AVB would not comment directly on the Bale situation.

“The player is injured and is not available for selection and is not likely to start either the Tbilisi [in the Europa League on Thursday] or Swansea [next Sunday] games,” he said.

But the Spurs boss was happy to talk about a Spurs performance where new boys Nacer Chadli and Paulinho also started and Etienne Capoue came off the bench.

“I am very happy,” he said. “It was a good performance. We had good chances throughout the whole 90 minutes and

And stayed strong in the final few minutes to take it to the final whistle. But overall, it is a deserved win.

“Bearing in mind that the PL is a different proposition from the leagues they have played in in terms of intensity and passion, I think the new players did extremely well. I am pleased for them.”

AVB refused to answer whether this was the first game of the post-Bale era at Spurs – but he insisted his side will not need to alter their style.

“I don’t think we need a change of system because we will keep on doing what we did last season.” he said.

“We have very, very quick and creative players. All of the options we have out wide with Gareth, Lennon, Chadli are all explosive players, players who can come out of one-on-ones so I would suppose we should have no problems.”

AVB said he was unhappy Paulinho played a full game for Brazil in a midweek friendly – but delighted his £19m midfielder was able to complete the game.

“It is a great, great effort for a player who has hardly had any pre-season,” he said.

 

Southampton's Rickie Lambert: I didn’t get England match-ball but everything else that was on offer, I took

Michael Regan

Rickie Lambert admits he snaffled all the England souvenirs he could and just wants more goals to clinch a World Cup spot.

The Southampton striker completed a fairy-tale week with .

It capped a whirlwind seven days following the birth of his daughter and on his debut with his first touch after coming on as a 67th-minute ­substitute.

Now the 31-year-old is focusing on scoring more for his club after coming away from his first taste of ­international duty with all the mementoes he could carry.

The Kirkby-born Liverpudlian said: “It’s been the best week of my life and of my career.

“I’m getting my shirt framed.

“I didn’t get the ball but everything else that was on offer, I’ve had – training kit, polo shirts, you name it, I’ve had it.

“Typical Scouser, eh? I’m only joking, but I’ve been on cloud nine all week.

“First and foremost the birth of my little girl, Bella Rose. She’s all healthy and I can’t wait to spend some time with her. I can’t wait to hold her, give her a kiss.

“It has been the perfect week – to top it off like that to get three points away to West Brom is perfect.”

Lambert’s spot-kick settled a tight contest at Albion where the hosts got gradually better after a poor start.

Adam Lallana had a first-half goal ruled out but neither side created many clear-cut chances.

And when West Brom’s Youssouf Mulumbu rashly dived in on Luke Shaw, Lambert converted the spot-kick in front of the away fans.

Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino now believes the forward has a great chance of going to the World Cup next summer in Brazil.

And the former Argentina defender hopes that is the case, even if that means Lambert could end up playing against Pochettino’s countrymen.

Pochettino smiled: “I am not the manager of Argentina.

“I think these last few days he’s shown he can be in the national side.”

 

Lambert’s penalty means he has a 100 per cent record for Saints and has only missed two in his entire career – for Bristol Rovers and ­Rochdale.

Baggies keeper Foster claimed he knew Lambert would put the ball to his right after studying his spot-kick technique, but was still unable to stop it.

Foster said: “We looked at a few of his penalties and agreed that going that way was probably the best option.

“He hit it that well it went in like a hurricane.

“You know it’s coming but there’s so little you can do about it. I’ve gone early as well but he has knocked it in the bottom corner.”

Albion coach Steve Clarke added: “I didn’t think Lambert would miss for a minute.

“It has been Rickie Lambert’s week.”

Sunderland's Di Canio wants another FIVE new players after already signing 10 this summer

Chris Brunskill

Like youngsters in the playground, Paolo Di Canio and Martin Jol talked about footballers like they were swapping Panini stickers after Fulham’s smash-and-grab win, writes Martin Walker.

Jol claimed , after two previous visits with the Cottagers and two with Spurs, then talked about “collecting” top-drawer players on loan.

Di Canio, on the other hand, bemoaned his side’s failure to turn their dominance into goals,

Then, after persuading his boss Ellis Short to buy a 10-pack this summer, the Italian said he needs another FIVE new players to add to his sticker book.

Di Canio threw half of new boys into the opening game after spending £16million since the end of last season.

Forward Jozy Altidore, a £6.5million buy from AZ Alkmaar, looked menacing in the first half, but faded.

Czech right-back Ondrej Celustka, on loan from Turkish side Trabzonspor, looked a class act, and Cape Verde-born Swiss international Cabral also has potential.

But Emanuele Giaccherini, a midfielder who cost £6.5m from Juventus, was largely ineffective and French defender Valentin Roberge, signed from Portuguese side Maritimo, was at fault for the goal.

Chris Brunskill 

Sunderland’s new-look squad may have had five stars for fitness and athleticism, but for firepower in front of goal: zero.

Jol also shuffled his pack and gave three debuts, to keeper Maarten Stekelenburg and midfielders Derek Boateng and Adel Taarabt.

His new additions brought one star for possession, but ability to score from crucial set-pieces: five.

“It is nice to collect these players,” grinned the Dutchman. “If you are a team like we are it is always nice to be able to get players like Adel Taarabt.

“Eighteen months ago he was valued at £15m to go to PSG, to get him on a free is really good. Darren Bent was £15m when we bought him for Spurs and £23m when he went to Aston Villa, so to get him on loan is great.”

Di Canio was quick to remind Sunderland owner Short that his financial outlay on players has been less than the club has spent in previous years.

“We have brought in 10 players, but there have been exits,” said the Black Cats boss.

“We have done very well, and have brought in players with much less money spent.

“But it would be perfect to have a left-back, two central midfield players, one winger and another striker. Five players.

“But we have to be realistic and there is no chance of that.”

Di Canio’s side looked like a well-oiled machine in the first half and completely dominated.

Altidore forced an early corner, while Cabral had two decent chances and Celustka forced a fine save from Stekelenburg.

But Dimitar Berbatov forced a 53rd-minute corner, and Pajtim Kasami out-jumped Roberge to score Fulham’s winner.

Di Canio added: “The only team that tried to play football today, and create clear chances, was Sunderland.”

Aston Villa: Gabriel Agbonlahor has an England World Cup chance says Lambert

Clive Mason

Paul Lambert has become Aston Villa’s sharp-dressed man – and claims Gabriel Agbonlahor is a perfect fit for the World Cup.

Lambert gained a reputation last season for his touchline histrionics in his familiar Villa tracksuit.

But he is trying to go a bit upmarket these days, wearing a suit and tie in the dug-out. He ditched the jacket before half time but his change of clobber brought some well-deserved luck.

thanks in part to a brilliant display by Agbonlahor, who ran the home side ragged.

“I’m probably trying to get ­sponsorship for a new jumper,” said Lambert of his new look. “It’s just something I decided.

“I’m 44, young at this level, I thought I’d see what it’s like. It doesn’t stop you jumping up and down – I’m my own person.”

The Scot kept Villa up last season and gained a reputation for being one of the Premier League’s brightest young managers. Now he is hoping the team can go from strength to strength.

Agbonlahor has enjoyed a ­renaissance under Lambert – and the forward is hoping to play his way back into the England reckoning.

Lambert added: “I remember when Martin O’Neill was at this football club and Agbonlahor was outstanding.

“I don’t know what happened during the couple of managers after but it’s just been a matter of picking him up and getting him going.

“From the last four to five months of last season to now he’s been outstanding.

“If he plays like that and keeps that form I don’t see why he can’t go to the World Cup.

“That was just a fabulous ­performance. His speed when he gets on a run means nobody can catch him.

“For the first one he maybe had no right to get that, when he knocks it by the defender and still gets ahead of the goal keeper.

“It shows you how quick he is. He’s been excellent for us.”

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger MUST spend to galvanise not only the fans but the players he already has – Oliver Holt

Clive Mason

It has reached the point now where Arsene Wenger needs saving from himself.

If they are truly loyal to him, those with influence at Arsenal need to speak up.

It is time they told him a few home truths, time they urged him to put things right before it is too late.

Wenger seems to have reached a point in his career where he considers spending big money on established stars a sign of failure.

He sees it as a betrayal of the young players he has worked so painstakingly to develop.

Maybe he sees no challenge in working with a Gonzalo Higuain or an Edinson Cavani. Maybe it’s not what he’s in the game for.

If that is the case, he must accept he needs to change.

All the evidence is there now that he has money to spend. Lots of it.

So start spending it.

Not for the sake of spending – the idea he accuses the press of promoting – but because this is an Arsenal if another season without honours is not to slide by.

Refereeing decisions are not the reason .

They lost because they had no answer to the ability of Gabriel Agbonlahor.

They lost because they had no one displaying the same ­confidence and verve as ­Christian Benteke.

Wojciech Szczesny is a good goalkeeper, but he is not good enough.

Arsenal won’t win a title with him. He costs them points and he did it so on Saturday.

Wenger should have fixed that by now. He should have bought Asmir Begovic from Stoke.

He still can.

And he needs to buy a top-line centre-forward.

He needs to inject a bit of star quality into the side.

He needs to galvanise the fans.

And just as importantly, he needs to galvanise players who have seen a summer pass without new arrivals.

What does the club’s inactivity say about its ambition?

It says finishing fourth is about the limit of it.

It says they didn’t go the extra mile to get Higuain.

It says it appears they have allowed themselves to be baulked in their attempts to sign Luis Suarez.

They probably could have signed Marouane Fellaini, too.

He may not be as technically gifted as some Arsenal players but his physical presence would have been the perfect complement to Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla.

Now it looks like it is too late.

Sure, the season is only one game old, but Arsenal are already in a mess.

The fans are disillusioned, the team’s psyche is fragile, the injury list is mounting, Wenger looks down and dismayed.

Arsenal need a decent result against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, because without the Champions League which top player will want to join them?

Wenger is a great manager and his bleak situation at the modern club his successes have built is far from irreversible.

But great managers are pragmatic men.

Great managers make compromises. Wenger has lost that art.

He needs to rediscover it.

Arsenal star Oxlade-Chamberlain's knee injury may keep him out until February

Getty

Crisis-hit Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s troubles are mounting, with fears Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain faces SIX months on the sidelines.

Sunday tests confirmed damage to the left knee of the 20-year-old England midfielder, who in shock season-opening home loss to Aston Villa.

He will have a further scan on Monday, when his worst fears could be confirmed.

It leaves Arsenal desperately short of players ahead of their Champions League qualifier at Fenerbahce on Wednesday.

Bacary Sagna is also almost certainly out, while Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rocisky are doubts.

Thomas Vermaelen, Mikel Arteta and Nacho Monreal are already missing from for the first leg of a tie to decide who will advance to the Champions League’s group stage.

Wenger, subjected to touchline during the Villa match, said: “He (Oxlade-Chamberlain) is definitely out. A knee problem. We don’t know how deep the problem is, but it’s a bad injury.”

It heightens the pressure on Wenger to respond to the fed-up fans by spending big to strengthen his squad.

There is a deal in place .

It just needs Wenger’s say-so to get it over the line.

Arsenal are still in the market for a big-name striker.

They refuse to give up , but have now switched focus .

Swansea’s Spanish forward .

Wenger, whose only signing this summer was youngster Yaya Sanogo on a free, is under increasing pressure from the Arsenal board to spend.

and the supporters made it clear that they want big signings.

Frustrated fans chanted “spend some f***ing money” during Saturday’s defeat, and it is understood comments aimed towards Wenger also became particularly nasty and personal.

Supporters shouted foul-mouthed abuse, branded the Frenchman selfish and vented their anger so loudly the Arsenal manager could not have failed to have heard it.

Arsenal were booed at half-time and at the end of , but it was the personal abuse that shocked regular observers of the club.

The situation is unlikely to improve until Wenger dips into the transfer market.

Gunners supporters have reacted angrily in the wake of the Villa defeat, questioning whether the manager should get a new contract.

Wenger is in the final season of his £7.5m-a-year agreement and there have already been preliminary talks about a new deal, although those have now been put on the back burner until after the transfer window closes on September 2.

Glyn Taylor, chairman of the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, said: “In recent weeks Ivan Gazidis has spoken of the club’s intent to offer Arsene Wenger a new contract.

“The AST believes this is inappropriate.

“For now, the club’s entire focus must be on using the remaining days of the transfer window to strengthen the team significantly.

“A decision on whether to offer an extension to the manager’s contract which ends in May 2014 should only be taken following the closing of the transfer window and assessment of the team’s performances in the weeks ahead.

“Considerable improvement must be shown for us to be convinced this should happen, and we believe that other senior football appointments must come first.”