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MADRID: Atletico Madrid have been sitting comfortably as Spain's third power for the best part of a decade but that status is under threat ahead of the new La Liga campaign by a Sevilla side on the rise and an ambitious Villarreal. Atletico began last season as title contenders after a superb pre-season and making some eye-catching signings. However, that early promise soon faded as the new arrivals struggled to bed in and they had to pull together an impressive late charge to finish in the top four. Hopes for this campaign have been tempered following their Champions League defeat by unfancied RB Leipzig and little prospect of new signings due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With few arrivals on the horizon, there will be increased pressure on last year's recruits, particularly 126-million-euro (US$149.47 million) forward Joao Felix, who showed only flashes of brilliance in a campaign in which he scored nine goals in all competitions. "We had a lot of new … [Read more...] about Sevilla take aim at Atletico as La Liga’s third force

MADRID: Real Betis beat Alaves 1-0 on Sunday in their first game of the La Liga season courtesy of an injury-time goal from Cristian Tello, giving coach Manuel Pellegrini a winning start in his first game in charge of the Seville club. Also on Sunday, Real Sociedad earned a 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid with the help of a goalkeeping howler from Jordi Masip. Tello collected a pass following a short corner and cut inside on the edge of the area to unleash a left-footed strike which crept inside the near post. Veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made an impressive debut for Betis on his return to Spain after four years with Manchester City and did well to keep out a header from Alaves' Rodrigo Battaglia early in the second half. Sergio Canales had come closest for Betis with a powerful free kick which hit the crossbar before teeing up Tello for the decisive late goal, which got former Real Madrid, Malaga and Villarreal coach Pellegrini off to an ideal start on his return to Spain … [Read more...] about Pellegrini gets opening win with Betis, keeper error saves Sociedad

LONDON: Everton's impressive 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (Sep 13) was their first against them for eight years but of greater significance was the impact of their new signings. Optimism was hardly high at the end of the last campaign as Everton finished down in 12th place. But it has returned in waves after Carlo Ancelotti signed a midfield trio that look capable of turning Everton into genuine contenders for a place in the top six. Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez, who burst into the limelight at the 2014 World Cup before signing for Real Madrid, was a major coup for Everton when he signed this week. His stock may have fallen in recent seasons but against Tottenham he looked a class act, pulling the strings and giving Everton the creativity they have been so badly lacking. French powerhouse midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, signed from Watford this week, was a dominant presence in the middle of the pitch while Allan, a technical Brazilian, provided calm … [Read more...] about Football: Everton’s trio of signings make instant impact

LONDON: Everton justified the pre-season optimism as Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header earned them an impressive 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League opener on Sunday (Sep 13) - the Merseyside club's first win over Spurs since 2012. Carlo Ancelotti's side arrived buoyed by the midweek signings of Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez and French powerhouse midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. They both made outstanding debuts, as did fellow new Brazilian midfielder Allan, but it was Sheffield-born Calvert-Lewin who gave Everton a thoroughly deserved victory against an unimaginative Tottenham side. After an even first half in which Richarlison wasted a great chance for Everton and keeper Jordan Pickford denied Tottenham's debutant Matt Doherty, Everton bossed the second period. Once Calvert-Lewin sent an unstoppable header past Hugo Lloris in the 55th minute, meeting Lucas Digne's free kick to perfection, Tottenham huffed and puffed but offered little. And while the … [Read more...] about Football: Everton break Tottenham jinx as Calvert-Lewin heads winner

LONDON: Jose Mourinho accused some his players of laziness and bad fitness after his lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur side's 1-0 home defeat by Everton in their Premier League opener on Sunday (Sep 13). Dominic Calvert-Lewin's 55th-minute header settled the issue and Tottenham's display, especially in the second half, led to some harsh words from manager Mourinho. "Against good teams like Everton if you let them play from the back they are comfortable with very good technical players. If you don't press them you give them ammunition," he said. "We were lazy in our pressing. That is a consequence of bad fitness, bad pre-season. Some players didn't even have a pre-season. Some players had a wrong state of mind. I don't want to speak about it - I'm not sure about it." Tottenham have been the subject of a candid documentary chronicling Mourinho's arrival at the club to replace former manager Mauricio Pochettino last November. It might be just as well the behind-the scenes cameras … [Read more...] about Football: Lazy pressing, bad fitness, says Mourinho after Spurs defeat