Kane eyes goals and silverware with Spurs
It was only a year ago that the new Tottenam Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo left an unhappy Harry Kane out of his starting line-up for the opening game of the season against Manchester City – the team he was pushing for a move to. The England captain was desperately unhappy at the club's failure to win a Champions League spot with his hopes of securing silverware seemingly as far away as ever.
Fast forward 12 months and a very different picture has emerged for player and club. Nuno has long since been replaced with the ferociously ambitious Antonio Conte and a focused Kane is back firmly on the goals and trophy trail with a Spurs side set for top-tier European football this season.
His headed winner against Wolves on Saturday was goal No 250 for Tottenham and his 185th in the Premier League that saw him beat Sergio Aguero’s post-1992 record for the most at one club. Kane is also now just two goals behind third-place Andrew Cole (187) in the all-time Premier League scorers chart, with Wayne Rooney's 208 next in his sights.
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Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates scoring the only goal in the 1-0 Premier League victory against Wolves at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 20, 2022. CameraSport -
Harry Kane heads past Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa. AFP -
Harry Kane celebrates scoring. Getty -
Harry Kane of Tottenham reacts. EPA -
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte during the match. PA -
Harry Kane celebrates scoring with Ivan Perisic. Reuters -
Harry Kane after his goal against Wolves. AFP -
Antonio Conte on the sidelines. Getty
Not so jolly Rodgers at Leicester
These are tricky times for Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City. The 2016 champions and 2021 FA Cup winners were beaten at home to Southampton on Saturday, leaving the Foxes without a win from their first three games.
Key defender Wesley Fofana was deemed not “in the right frame of mind” to play against the Saints, midfielder Youri Tielemans - linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium all summer – started on the bench, while the likes of Harvery Barnes and James Maddison have also been attracting admiring glances from Premier League rivals.
“There have been a few offers in for some players – nowhere near the valuation the club would want to sell,” said Rodgers. “None of them are for sale but I know how the game works. There are a few weeks to go, I don't know what's going to happen.”
Chelsea summer signings suffer at Leeds
In what will be their first full season post Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's new owners have forked out more than £170 million ($199.8m) on players and the London club are looking to strengthen further with Everton forward Anthony Gordon seemingly next on their wish list.
Manager Thomas Tuchel saw his team fall to a largely self-inflicted defeat at Leeds United on Sunday that began with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy gifting Brenden Aaronson the opening goal when he miscontrolled a back-pass.
But it was Chelsea's new boys that really suffered on a day to forget for the Blues at Elland Road. Attacker Raheem Sterling – their £50m signing from Manchester City – missed a great chance in the first minute, had a goal disallowed not long after and gave away the free-kick that led to Leeds' second. Full-back Marc Cucurella (£62m) missed two good chances to score, while £32m centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a second yellow with six minutes to go.
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LEEDS UNITED RATINGS: Illan Meslier – 8 Impressive. Vital save to plunge to his left and paw away Mount’s effort at a key stage in the first period, which proved to be a pivotal moment in the afternoon. Flawless thereon and held tight to register his first clean sheet since April. Reuters -
Rasmus Kristensen – 6 An up-and-down display by the Whites’ starting right-back, who struggled with Sterling in the opening exchanges and his area looked the visitors’ likeliest source of success. Shored things up in the second period. AFP -
Robin Koch – 7 Tremendous reading of the game. Always put himself in the right place, whether it was intercepting crosses or hassling Chelsea’s forwards out of possession. Made an important block from Mount’s shot shortly after the restart. Getty -
Diego Llorente – 7 Worked superbly alongside Koch to completely nullify Havertz. Had to defend one-on-one at times before the break but was always on the front foot to anticipate threats before they could become real dangers. PA -
Pascal Struijk – 8 By no means a natural left-back, but turned in an impressively solid display throughout. His best performance in the role to date, giving rise to the possibility that Leeds can cope without signing cover for the injured Junior Firpo. CameraSport -
Marc Roca – 7 Quietly effective work from the Spaniard, who worked well in tandem with Adams at the base of midfield, nipping countless Chelsea attacks in the bud and showcasing the way to affect play without much ball time. Subbed on the hour for a well-earned rest. Reuters -
Tyler Adams – 9 Superb. Dictated play for both teams in the middle of the park. The American was omnipresent and demonstrated seemingly limitless energy levels. An inspired signing who looks born for the Premier League. Provided the platform for a magnificent win. Getty -
Daniel James – 7 Made his first start of the season in place of Patrick Bamford and poured every ounce of energy into a breathless pressing game. Set the tone for the hosts’ dominant first period and was withdrawn shortly after a key role in Leeds’ third goal. Reuters -
Brenden Aaronson – 8 Brilliantly turned Koulibaly early on, drawing a yellow card for the Blues defender. Hounded Mendy into a catastrophic error and tapped in to open the scoring and notch his first goal for the club. Fast becoming emblematic for Jesse Marsch’s side. CameraSport -
Jack Harrison – 8 A constant hub of industry and a deadly set-piece supply line. Slung in a fabulous cross for Rodrigo’s header, carried out his job to the letter and further bolstered his contribution with the hosts’ killer third goal with 20 minutes remaining. Reuters -
Rodrigo – 8 Continued his new-season excellence. Flashed a left-footed shot past the far post midway through the first half, then glanced in Leeds’ second with a fine header to move atop the Premier League’s scoring charts. Also bagged an assist for Harrison’s clincher. AFP -
SUBS: Adam Forshaw (Marc Roca, 61) – 7 Introduced to maintain Leeds’ control of midfield and executed his role without fuss. EPA -
Luis Sinisterra (Daniel James, 70) – 6 Came on moments after the contest had been killed and proceeded to help run down the clock by drawing fouls and providing an out-ball. AFP -
Sam Greenwood (Jack Harrison, 82) – N/A Immediately got stuck in and proceeded to doggedly hound an already long-beaten Chelsea side. Reuters -
Joe Gelhardt (Rodrigo, 83) – N/A Typically energetic from the second he set foot on the pitch, best displayed by his role in Koulibaly’s second yellow card. EPA -
Mateusz Klich (Brendan Aaronson, 83) – N/A Helped see out the victory by running down the clock in expert fashion. Getty -
CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 4 Looked sharp early on, but his afternoon came crumbling down just after the half-hour when Aaronson called his bluff and caught him in possession. Nothing he could do about the second or third goals, but his blunder for the opener gave Leeds the crucial scent of blood. Getty -
Reece James - 4 Clearly uncomfortable for long periods on the right side of Chelsea’s central defensive trio, not least when he lost Rodrigo for Leeds’ second goal. Got forward more after half-time but was repeatedly caught offside. EPA -
Thiago Silva – 5 The Brazilian titan is beginning to show his age when fronted with all-action opposition like Leeds. Looked sturdier than most of his team-mates, but his overall game is looking duller as the years pass by. AFP -
Kalidou Koulibaly – 4 Picked up a ninth-minute booking for cynically halting Aaronson’s run and was always in danger of being caught out a second time. Turned in a so-so display overall, but capped Chelsea’s misery when needlessly hauling back Gelhardt with full-time closing in. PA -
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5 Struggled at right wing-back as he, like his team-mates, was constantly swarmed by the hosts in the first half. Added more going forward in the second period but also maintained his defensive work with an important curtailment of a Harrison counter-attack. Getty -
Conor Gallagher – 5 A huge personal landmark, making his full debut in the absence of the injured Kante, but won’t enjoy reliving the occasion after being overrun during the first half. Frustration neatly summarised when Meslier stopped him in a one-on-one, which was subsequently flagged offside. Replaced by Pulisic. Getty -
Jorginho – 5 Struggled in the face of Leeds’ incessant press, too often made to look off-the-pace during the first half in particular. Was able to pull more attacking strings after the break, but only as the hosts allowed him more room. Not his finest hour. Getty -
Marc Cucurella – 6 Some neat touches but little cohesion with those around him as he continues to bed in. Blazed off-target early in the second period but was a willing runner throughout and gave Kristensen a 90-minute headache. AFP -
Raheem Sterling – 6 Started the game like he was going to decide it. Superb run after just 30 seconds, but curled just wide, then netted brilliantly after 15 minutes only to be correctly called offside. Thereafter, however, heads dropped around him and his influence soon vanished. Harshly booked. AFP -
Mason Mount – 5 A quiet afternoon by his standards, but put in a typically energetic shift. His clever effort was superbly thwarted by Meslier while the game was still goalless, in what proved to be Chelsea’s best attacking thrust of the day. PA -
Kai Havertz – 4 The German’s out-of-sorts form continues. Little impact in any goalscoring scenarios and found it difficult to join the dots in attack for the visitors as Koch and Llorente bossed him around. His most telling contribution in the second period was inadvertently blocking Ziyech’s powerful effort. Reuters -
SUBS: Christian Pulisic (Conor Gallagher, 64) 5 Tuchel put the American into the fray to turn the tide, but the killer third goal came soon after his introduction, limiting his ability to have an impact. EPA -
Hakim Ziyech (Jorginho, 64) 5 Like Pulisic, his chances of a rescue job were almost immediately curtailed. Seemed lively and had a thunderous effort blocked by Havertz. Reuters -
Ben Chilwell (Mason Mount, 77) N/A The game was already decided when he came on, but heartening to see him clock up playing time in just his third outing in 2022. Action Images -
Cesar Azpilicueta (Raheem Sterling, 87) N/A Thrown on as an extra defensive body after Koulibaly’s late dismissal. Action Images
Newcastle no longer parking bus for Big Six
Judging by the thrilling draw with Manchester City on Sunday, the days of Newcastle United simply setting up their team not to lose against 'Big Six' opposition are seemingly now firmly in the past. Manager Eddie Howe stuck by his attacking 4-3-3 line-up against the reigning champions in a breathless six-goal rollercoaster of a game on Tyneside.
Both had kept clean sheets in their opening two games, only for Newcastle to concede after just five minutes at St James' Park and City before the half-hour mark. Winger Allan Saint-Maximin was virtually unplayable for the Magpies while City striker Erling Haaland scored one, hit the post and could easily have had a hat-trick.
Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier scored a brilliant 25-yard free-kick to put his team 3-1 up but also saw a straight red card for a foul on Kevin de Bruyne reduced to yellow after a VAR check. In the end, a draw was a fair result in what will certainly be one of the games of the season.
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Manchester City players celebrate after Bernardo Silva scores their third goal in the 3-3 draw against Newcastle at St James' Park on August 21, 2022. PA -
Newcastle United's Fabian Schar and Allan Saint-Maximin react after the 3-3 draw with Manchester City. Action Images -
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after the match. Action Images -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola watches the drama unfold. AFP -
City's Ilkay Gundogan celebrates after scoring the opening goal. EPA -
Ilkay Gundogan celebrates with teammate Erling Haaland. EPA -
Newcastle's Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron celebrates after levelling the scores. AFP -
Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes waves to the crowd. EPA -
Miguel Almiron after his goal. Getty -
Callum Wilson after Newcastle's second goal. Getty -
Wilson scores Toon's second goal.PA -
Newcastle's Kieran Trippier celebrates scoring their third goal. PA -
Kieran Trippier celebrates making it 3-1 to Newcastle. EPA -
City's Erling Haaland pulls a goal back to make it 3-2. Reuters -
Erling Haaland after his goal. Getty -
Bernardo Silva levels the scores at 3-3. Getty -
Bernardo Silva, left, celebrates with teammates. AP -
Referee Jarred Gillett shows a red card to Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier after he tripped Kevin de Bruyne. AFP -
The referee consults the pitch-side monitor before reversing his red card decision. AFP
Dropping Maguire and Ronaldo pays off for Ten Hag
Manchester United manager Eric ten Hag showed he was not afraid of making the big calls ahead of his team's impressive win over Liverpool on Monday night.
United had endured a torrid start to the new campaign following defeats against Brighton and Brentford and their new Dutch coach decided captain Harry Maguire and attacker Cristiano Ronaldo would pay the price and start on the bench at Old Trafford.
It proved a bold decision as United fought from the first minute to the last as goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford secured victory against their old rivals, despite a late wobble after Mohamed Salah's scrambled header.
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 8. His defenders saved him in the first half. Got down to save from Fabinho after 66. Fine one handed save after 80. Fuming a minute later when Salah scored. AP -
Diogo Dalot 7. Strong at right-back. A little too strong when he was booked for a yellow card on 45.A positive night for the Portuguese. Reuters -
Raphael Varane 9. Started ahead of captain Harry Maguire. Booked after 27, but the sight of him juggling the ball in the Liverpool box before setting up Rashford caught the mood with United at 2-0. The Varane Manchester United hoped they were buying. Won everything in the air. AP -
Lisandro Martinez 9. Brilliant sliding block from Salah after 40 and then saved the ball on the line from what was going to be a Fernandes own goal 30 seconds later. Positioning was flawless. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia 8. Positive start. Two key clearances as Liverpool pushed for a late equaliser. Got in front of Firmino – and in the faces of almost every Liverpool player - to break another attack up in those final tense minutes for his side. Fantastic debut. Offside -
Christian Eriksen 7. Curled a 24th minute free-kick towards goal and the fingers of Becker. Always had attacking intent. Worthy performance. EPA -
Scott McTominay 7. A surprise starter and he came out flying. Which he needed to do after performances this season. Scooped the ball away as Liverpool tried to get a goal back after 56, then blocked a 74th minute attack. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 8. Put his side ahead on 16 – controlling a ball, taking five neat touches and placing it along the floor past Alisson. His best moment since signing. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 7. Captain and set up Elanga who hit the post. Almost scored his first goal of the season – at the Stretford End in his own goal after 40. Martinez saved him. Took one poor touch as United went for a third after 73. Booked on 74. Told off by his manager for trying to play a through ball near the end. Getty -
Anthony Elanga 7. Played on the left of a front three and hit the post when he should have scored, then assisted Sancho to put United in the lead. The Stretford End sang his name. Off at half time. Getty -
Marcus Rashford 8. Played centre-forward and put United 2-0 up with a sweet finish, his first in the Premier League since January, then shot wide after 55 after being set up by Varane. Will have been delighted to hear the Stretford End sing his name. Offside -
SUBS: Anthony Martial 7. On for Elanga at half time. Looked confident. Set Rashford up for the second. Beautiful twist, turn and control to play the ball away from danger on 79. At the sharp end of a 91st minute attack. Reuters -
Fred 7. On for Sancho after 70. Defensive role to stop Liverpool breaking through. PA -
Donny van de Beek NA. On for Eriksen after 85. Steady in seeing out the game. PA -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka NA. On for Dalot after 86. Cleared a 91st minute attack and another a minute later and another a minute after that – and that was enough as United held on. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo NA. On for Rashford after 85. Spooned a shot over on 90. Getty -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian was let down by his defence for the goals. He made a fine save from Eriksen and kept the score down. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 3. When the 23-year-old is good, he is very, very good. This was one of his bad nights. It was ugly. Getty -
Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old was the best of a poor defensive bunch. He made a couple of timely blocks and was less ruffled than his colleagues. PA -
Virgil van Dijk – 4. The Dutchman was unusually static, particularly on the opening goal. He showed his class by cutting out Rashford on the counter but overall he was way below his normal standards, as Milner pointed out. PA -
Andrew Robertson – 5. The Scot did not produce much going forward although he was solid when defending. He was withdrawn for Tsimikas with five minutes to go. Getty -
Harvey Elliott – 5. The 19-year-old was anonymous for long spells and did not help his defenders enough. He was better in the closing stages when his passing hinted at better things. Getty -
Jordan Henderson – 4. The captain pressed hard with limited success and was too often left stranded by the opposition’s pace and crisp passing. He made way for Fabinho in the 59th minute. Offside -
James Milner – 4. The 36-year-old produced more bluster than brilliance. His frustration showed in some questionable challenges and a running row with Van Dijk. He made way for Carvalho in the 73rd minute. AFP -
Mohamed Salah – 6. The Egyptian was isolated and the defence doubled up on him. Even so, he caused chaos when he got the ball and he pulled a goal back with a sharp finish. Getty -
Roberto Firmino – 3. The Brazilian swung his foot and missed the ball completely in the area in the second half and it summed up an unhappy night. He sat way too deep for much of the game and when he got forward he was ineffective. Reuters -
Luis Diaz – 6. The Colombian showed plenty of ambition and was the most direct of the Liverpool strikers. His relationship with Robertson needs serious work, though. Getty -
SUBS: Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian replaced Henderson in the 59th minute and settled things down in the midfield. He forced De Gea into a save with a back-post header. Getty -
Fabio Carvalho – 6. The Portuguese came on for Milner in the 73rd minute and produced a bright cameo. His shot created the chance for Salah to score. Getty -
Kostas Tsimikas – 5. The Greek joined the action with five minutes to go in place of Robertson. He was almost embarrassed by Martial. Reuters
