OptiNews - Friday 02 to Thursday 08 February 2018

Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Atletico Madrid ‘set to bid for Barcelona star’ in summer window

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Atletico Madrid are set to make a move for Barcelona’s Aleix Vidal when the summer transfer window opens.

Vidal has struggled to hold down a place in Ernesto Valverde’s side this season and had been expected to leave last month.

But a loan move to Sevilla fell through and Atletico are ready to step in at the end of the current campaign, according to Sport.

Vidal could join Diego Simeone’s side as part of the deal that could see Antoine Griezmann move in the opposite direction.

Barcelona have long been keen on signing the Frenchman and are favourites ahead of Manchester United.

Raheem Sterling claims Manchester City are being “butchered” by the Premier League’s hatchet men

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has finally admitted he made a £60m mistake not selling striker Alexis Sanchez last summer

Javier Hernandez admits asking West Ham for a January transfer but says he’ll give everything to their relegation battle now he is staying

Antonio Conte is “still a candidate” for the Italy job, despite claiming he will finish the remaining 18 months on his contract as Chelsea manager

Former Everton and Southampton manager, Ronald Koeman, will be named the new coach of the Netherlands next Friday (De Telegraaf)

Roma and Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan, 29, says he could spend his entire career at the club and reject overtures from Chelsea (Sky Sports Italia)

French striker Karim Benezema is house hunting in London as he looks to tie up a move to Arsenal (Daily Star)

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Thank you all for your incredible support today! :clap: #saintsfc

Retweets: 21

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

| West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Southampton - Player Ratings and Reports | If you were at the game and fancy rating the players or even just want to vent your spleen using our “Our report” … 03-02-2018 |

Older content…

| Saints At West Brom The Preview2 days ago |
| Saints Fans Can Honour Cyrille Regis2 days ago |
| Time For Accountability At St Mary’s2 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside TV ! Brighton Game Fans Reaction2 days ago |
| Saints V Brighton The Verdict2 days ago |
| Southampton 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion - Player Ratings and Reports3 days ago |
| Saints V Brighton The Preview3 days ago |
| Spurs Star Linked As Alternative To Promes3 days ago |
| Promes Deal Unlikely3 days ago |
| Day 31 ! Day Of Destiny3 days ago |

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Sourced from Daily Star article

West Brom vs Southampton LIVE: Updates from Premier League clash at the Hawthorns

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West Brom host Southampton looking for three vital points in the scrap for Premier League survival.

Baggies boss Alan Pardew admits his side are feeling the heat.

He said: "There’s a lot of pressure on this game. We have to keep the pressure up on the teams above us.

"Winning on Saturday would create more momentum for us. It’s all very tight. All the clubs down the bottom will be looking at our game.

“We have to try and win the game in Cyrille’s (Regis) honour on Saturday.”

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino said: "Obviously the most difficult thing in modern football is how you can create more action to convert.

"This is the most difficult thing in modern football. Why? Because the level of organisation is really high and the information that every single opponent has got about you, it’s really high.

“I’ve never seen a league like right now where from the bottom to the middle are five, six points. It’s nice but it’s difficult at the same time.”

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Sourced from A tweet by LeminaM_13 tweet

@LeminaM_13 - Mario Lemina

Very important win today, congratulation to all the team ! So proud to score my first goal for @SouthamptonFC :white_circle::red_circle:https://twitter.com/i/web/status/959838076192329729

Retweets: 98

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Sourced from A tweet by PLinUSA tweet

@PLinUSA - Premier League USA

:notes: Oh when the Saints…

#SaintsFC :innocent:

Retweets: 16

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

U18 Report: Spurs 1-1 Saints

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A courageous display, the draw takes Saints’ unbeaten league run to seven games - winning six of those - having climbed steadily up the league since November.

For all its quality, Ramsay’s acrobatic finish perhaps deserved to be the decisive goal, but the home side emerged the stronger in the second period, and Saints were forced to battle their way to a share of the points.

Southampton conceded most of the possession first half, but were tactically more astute than their Tottenham counterparts - absorbing pressure, while playing on the counter.

The opening chance fell the way of Saints’ trialist striker, who latched on to Jonathan Afolabi’s driven cross, flicking goalward, without enough purchase on the ball to trouble Jonathan de Bie.

Involved again in the 12th minute, Afolabi cut inside, before striking from distance, but again de Bie saved comfortably, as the effort skidded awkwardly off the wet surface.

Sean Brennan tried his luck from range moments later, striking the ball centrally with power, as it stung the gloves of de Bie - who was by far the busier of the two 'keepers - before the resulting corner was nodded wide by Harry Hamblin.

Arguably against the run of play, but capitalising on a brief spell of pressure, the visitors took the lead in especially impressive fashion. Jake Vokins’s in-swinging corner was curled in to a crowded box, where Ramsay’s improvisation prompted the finest of finishes.

The full-back, sensing an opportunity as the ball bounced favourably, swivelled and acrobatically found the far corner in one swift movement to give his side a 19th minute advantage. But, conceding the lead sparked an increase in tempo from the hosts, who continued to move the ball with pace, without managing to penetrate the Saints backline.

Paris Maghoma lashed a shot narrowly wide on the half-hour mark, before target man Griffiths flashed an effort across the face of goal, which had a fretful Adam Parkes scrambling.

A characteristic Saints counter attack was the last action of a lively half, initiated by the energetic Vokins. Driving with purpose and endeavour over the half-way line, the full-back found Brennan inside, who in turn delivered a searching ball towards Hansen. The finish was disappointing, but was indicative of the visitor’s threat on the break.

One lapse in concentration after the restart cost Saints dearly. Griffiths had the ball with his back to goal, before Christoph Klarer clumsily attempted to stab it clear. The defender made more contact with the player than ball, manhandling Griffiths as he predictably went to ground.

Penalty awarded, and cooly dispatched by the young England international, who has been likened to first-team sensation Harry Kane after his recent goalscoring exploits, and who remained a danger throughout.

Relative stalemate reduced Spurs to half chances thereafter, mainly from set-pieces, as Maghoma fired a 20-yard free-kick over the bar on the hour mark. Shoring up defences, Saints were organised and systematic in their approach, remaining compact and restricting the space in midfield.

A final chance to seal it fell the way of the visitors five minutes from time. Vokins charged forwards, tenacious as ever, before crossing, where Max Stathom inadvertently headed the ball off his own crossbar. Spurs survived the ensuing melee, with substitute Enzo Robise forcing yet another good save from 'keeper de Bie - the Frenchman’s introduction gave Saints a useful outlet in the closing stages.

A draw, upon reflection, was perhaps the fair result, though Saints’ plucky youngsters conceivably had the clearer chances of an entertaining 90 minutes.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:speaking_head: “We dug in deep, we dug in together, and we got the vital three points!” #saintsfc http://sfcne.ws/ProwseWBA

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:clap: @wesleyhoedt making one young #SaintsFC fan’s day…

Retweets: 40

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/02/2018 18:22:13

| | Cyrille Regis: West Brom and Southampton fans say their goodbyes to the talismanic striker - VIDEOEVESTAR |
| | This is the West Brom team to face SouthamptonBIRMINGHAMMAIL |

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Sourced from A tweet by wesleyhoedt tweet

@wesleyhoedt - Wesley Hoedt

We got what we needed: 3 big points. Incredible support from the away fans today. We’re in this together! :facepunch:t2:https://twitter.com/i/web/status/959848183844175874

Retweets: 47

Favourites: 447

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:movie_camera:

Mauricio Pellegrino delivers his verdict on a dramatic victory for his #SaintsFC side at #WBA:

Retweets: 4

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/02/2018 19:22:27

| | VIDEO: Mario Lemina scores amazing goalNBCSPORTS |
| | TOTHOTFC |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:speaking_head: “I was disappointed with #WBA’s opening goal – he was my man – so it was nice to make up for it.” #saintsfc http://sfcne.ws/JSPostWBA

Retweets: 3

Favourites: 32

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

West Brom pay tribute to Cyrille Regis with legends in attendance

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West Brom paid tribute to their former striker Cyrille Regis before Saturday’s home clash with Southampton as football legends joined forces to remember the late trailblazer.

The Southampton match was the first home game West Brom have played since Regis passed away and fans produced a moving tribute to their legendary former player to mark the occasion.

Supporters wore special commemorative scarves and sung Regis’ name while the big screen at the Hawthorns displayed images of him with a series of tributes from people around the game.

The likes of Ian Wright, Dion Dublin and Bryan Robson were also in attendance while former Baggies striker Jason Roberts addressed the Hawthorns crowd before kick-off.

West Brom players wore special shirts for the Southampton game inscribed with a Regis motif in between the kit manufacturer adidas and the club’s badge.

Regis died suddenly of a heart attack aged 59 on the evening of January 14 just a month before he was set to take his wife Julia on a Caribbean cruise for his 60th birthday.

He is widely regarded as a pioneer for black footballers in the modern game and played his football in an era when racism was rife, paving the way for future generations along with fellow West Brom players Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson.

Regis became just the third black player to win a full England cap - the first of five - when he lined up for the Three Lions against Northern Ireland back in February 1982.

West Brom signed Regis from non-league side Molesey in 1977 and he went on to spend seven years at the club, scoring 81 goals before joining Coventry in 1984.

Regis would go on to play for fellow west midlands’ sides Aston Villa and Wolves before joining Wycombe and finally Chester, where he retired from football in 1996.

The Premier League had marked Regis’ death with a minute’s applause before each game on the first weekend since he passed away after initially neglecting to organise a nationwide tribute for the trailblazer.

West Brom have played three away matches since Regis’ passing - at Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City.

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

REPORT: Ward-Prowse free kick secures first league win since November

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Relief for Mauricio Pellegrino as Southampton won for a first Premier League game since November. Disaster for Alan Pardew as West Bromwich Albion suffered a defeat that cuts them further adrift at the bottom of the table.

West Brom had wished this match would prove fitting tribute to Cyrille Regis, who was remembered movingly before kick-off in the first game at the Hawthorns since his death, but as the final whistle sounded the desperate stares by Pardew’s players told a story.

West Brom are now four points behind their nearest rival and Pardew is dealing with an injury list that features seven first-teamers. Those absences led to a subdued performance, which drains away the positivity that had accumulated in wins over Liverpool and Brighton.

Instead it is Southampton jubilant, finally ending a deeply concerning winless run that stretched back 12 games. It was a first away victory since September. Pellegrino’s job might have been at risk with defeat here but his side are now up to 14th.

‘I think it’s a really important win for us in many respects,’ said Pellegrino. 'For the belief and confidence in what we can do on the pitch and to reinforce our identity.

‘When you don’t have good results, everyone is under criticism. But I try to persuade my players that our identity is to play with the ball on the floor and to create space. Today was really difficult, we suffered until the end. But we deserved to win.’

Pardew was without some major players including Jonny Evans and Grzegorz Krychowiak, while he rested Jay Rodriguez after Wednesday’s efforts at Manchester City. Daniel Sturridge was given his full debut but the move didn’t come off.

‘They looked fresher than us,’ said Pardew. ‘We were a little bit off the pace.’ He dismissed the idea the emotion of the day affected his players. ‘I don’t think we’re going to lean on that at all,’ he said. 'I saw Cyrille’s family beforehand and it was a tremendous honour.

‘The lads said it was a little bit quiet but that didn’t really affect us. The early goal affected us more — it made us defend it at times.’

West Brom scored after three minutes when Ahmed Hegazi lost Dale Stephens to head in a terrific corner by Chris Brunt, but then failed to build on the platform and Southampton led by the half-time.

Their first came from a corner after Ben Foster had reacted superbly to tip round the post Guido Carrillo’s volley. Sofiane Boufal took it short and passed to Mario Lamina, who took advantage of West Brom’s sluggish attempts to close him down by unleashing a rocket of a shot that flew into the top corner.

Two minutes before the interval Pellegrino’s side went ahead. This time James Ward-Prowse sent his corner into the middle where Stephens guided a brilliant glancing header into the far corner.

Ward-Prowse then stepped up himself to effectively seal the win with a good free-kick. He had done well to earn the right to take it in the first place, wrestling the ball off a determined Boufal.

When Ward-Prowse hit his effort low and past Foster, Boufal gave a conciliatory smile and ran to celebrate.

Pardew sent on Rodriguez and Oliver Burke and his side gained hope when Salomon Rondon closed the gap with 18 minutes to play. Brunt delivered another excellent cross from out wide and Rondon made connection with his shoulder to divert the ball in. But the fightback ended there.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/02/2018 20:23:13

| | West Brom 2 Southampton 3 - Report and picturesEVESTAR |
| | Lemina’s rocket sparks comeback as Southampton win five-goal thrillerTHEOBSERVER |
| | West Bromwich Albion v Southampton Match Report, 03/02/2018, Premier League | Goal.comGOALDOTCOM |
| | West Brom 2-3 Southampton: Relegation scrap delivers dramaNBCSPORTS |
| | Result: Southampton hold on to defeat West BromSPORTSMOLE |
| | West Brom 2 Southampton 3: Saints hold on to worsen Pardew’s woesFOURFOURTWO |

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Manchester Utd vs Huddersfield, LIVE: Plus rest of the Premier League

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Manchester United will look to get back to winning ways when they host Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford in one of five Premier League matches kicking off from 3pm.

Elsewhere two sides in the bottom three collide when West Bromwich Albion take on Southampton, while second from bottom Swansea City visit Leicester City.

Also in action are West Ham United as they visit Brighton, while Bournemouth host Stoke City at the Vitality Stadium. Follow all the action as it happens.

If you are using the app, please click here to view today’s live blog

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Saints edge five-goal thriller

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Mario Lemina’s stunning drive and Jack Stephens’ third goal in seven days turned the game on its head midway through the first half after Ahmed Hegazi’s header had given the Baggies the lead inside five minutes.

James Ward-Prowse added a third moments after the interval to put Saints in control only for Salomon Rondon’s flicked header to threaten a grandstand finish in the West Midlands.

The day however belonged to Saints who never looked like relinquishing their lead and deserve credit for their response to falling behind early on.

The memory of West Brom legend Cyrille Regis was honoured with a rousing ceremony before kick-off and the emotion of the home crowd was transferred onto the pitch as the Baggies took the lead inside four minutes.

A roar welcomed Daniel Sturridge’s endeavour down the left-hand side to win a corner and it was doubled as Hegazi rose highest in the box to power Chris Brunt’s delivery past Alex McCarthy.

Wesley Hoedt squared for Sofiane Boufal to drive inches wide of the target when well-placed before full debutant Guido Carrillo flashed past the post following a neat exchange with Dušan Tadić.

With the returning Lemina becoming ever more influential in the centre, the visitors were firmly on top as the tie approached the half-hour mark and their persistence was soon rewarded with two quick-fire strikes before the interval.

Carrillo’s near-post volley was expertly saved by Ben Foster after strong work from Ryan Bertrand down the left but there was nothing the keeper could do about the follow up.

The resulting corner was cleared as far as Lemina on the edge of the box who clinically drilled into the top corner to deservedly restore parity.

Saints had a second within a matter of minutes. Stephens had never scored for the club before netting the winner against Watford in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend but glanced James Ward-Prowse’s corner past Foster on 42 minutes for his third in as many games.

McCarthy plunged to his right to beat away Brunt’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time but the first half firmly belonged to Mauricio Pellegrino’s men.

The second began in much the same fashion with Saints threatening to take the game beyond the Baggies.

Tadić lifted the ball over Foster only to see his route to goal blocked before Sofiane Boufal turned Craig Dawson inside out and shot wide via a deflection.

So when Hoedt surged forward and drew a foul on the edge of the penalty area there was air of inevitability as to what was coming next.

Ward-Prowse’s set-piece precision set up the second goal and emphatically added a third, the midfielder thumping around the wall and into the far corner in front of 2,000 joyous travelling supporters.

A sliding McCauley prevented Carrillo from tapping in Tadić’s cross and Ward-Prowse whipped another free-kick over Foster’s goal as Saints threatened to conjure a fourth but instead were hit on the counter-attack.

Brunt delivered accurately from the left once more, this time finding the head of Rondon, the Venezuelan flicking beyond McCarthy to set up what looked to be a nervy final 15 minutes.

There were to be no further sights of goal however for Alan Pardew’s side. Driven on by the excellent Lemina, the visitors kept their composure admirably in the closing stages to see out an invaluable three points on the road.

Next up, Liverpool.

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

West Brom 2-3 Southampton: Saints end winless run in five-goal thriller

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Southampton came from behind to beat West Brom 3-2 at The Hawthorns and earn their first Premier League win in 13 matches.

Ahmed Hegazi headed West Brom in front (4) but Saints scored two goals in three minutes before the break to take control.

Mario Lemina’s stunning 25-yard strike brought them level (40) before Jack Stephens headed in his third goal in eight days (43).

James Ward-Prowse extended Southampton’s lead with a low free-kick (55) before Salomon Rondon reduced the arrears with 18 minutes remaining, but the visitors held on to secure a vital three points and ease the pressure on Mauricio Pellegrino.

Southampton’s first league win since November moves them out of the relegation zone and up to 14th while West Brom remain rooted to the bottom, four points adrift of safety.

The Baggies wore special shirts to commemorate Cyrille Regis and the club honoured one their greatest players prior to kick-off with a 45-minute tribute inside the ground and the home side made the perfect start.

Stephens failed to clear Chris Brunt’s inviting corner, and Hegazi rose highest to plant a firm header beyond Alex McCarthy for his second goal of the season. But Southampton recovered from the early set-back to come close to equalising through Dusan Tadic.

Tadic pounced on a mistake by Brunt to cut inside and shoot onto the roof of the net via a deflection, before Guido Carrillo met Ryan Bertrand’s low cross to force Ben Foster into a smart save around the near post.

But West Brom were pegged back from the following corner as Sofiane Boufal picked out Lemina 25 yards out and the former Juventus midfielder fired a venomous shot into the top corner beyond the dive of Foster.

The hosts had barely gathered themselves before Saints completed the turnaround as, from the next corner, Ward-Prowse’s cross was flicked into the net by Stephens at the near post.

Ward-Prowse heaped further misery on the hosts with a well-struck free-kick 10 minutes after the restart that flashed beyond Foster. Rondon then rose to meet Brunt’s cross to halve the deficit and give West Brom hope.

Jay Rodriguez appeared to be barged in the back by Bertrand with 10 minutes remaining but referee Michael Oliver waved away the protests.

Alan Pardew: "It was a tough game for us. Their midfield were technically better than us. It was a good start but we couldn’t build on it.

“We’ve conceded from two set pieces today which is not like us. We just couldn’t find the energy. We were just a yard off the pace.”

Mauricio Pellegrino: "It’s massive for us the three points, especially for belief and confidence. Most of my players now are fit and physically ready.

“I think we showed a good level and we played with our natural strength to dominate them. But it’s just one game, we still have to do a lot of things.”

Paul Merson: "West Brom next play Chelsea and that’s the Monday night game so they could be seven points adrift. When it went 3-2, they never had another opportunity. They never got a head of steam.

“Alan Pardew will come out and say they should’ve had two penalties, and one of them is stonewall - Bertrand on Rodriguez. But you’ve got to ask questions of the performance They just weren’t good enough.”

A recent win over Brighton remains West Brom’s solitary Premier League victory in their last 24 games, and the chief conspirator behind their latest downfall was Ward-Prowse.

The midfielder has been Southampton’s stand-out performer during a disappointing season, and he will hope to grab the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate in the coming months.

Ward-Prowse has been directly involved in four goals in his last two away Premier League appearances (three goals, one assist), as many as in his previous 28 combined. His second-half free-kick proved decisive.

West Brom are next in action on Monday Night Football when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on February 12, while Southampton host Liverpool on Super Sunday next weekend.

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