Premier League | Diouf scores for second match running

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Mame Biram Diouf has been off to a hot start with two goals in his past two pre-season friendlies. His latest was the only goal in the Potters' victory over Ligue 1 newcomers Amiens.

The Potters should have been the favorites against a newly promoted Ligue 1 side and they were the dominant side on the afternoon. In addition to Diouf's goal, Bojan and Xherdan Shaqiri both had solid chances to add to the tally for Mark Hughes side. While pre-season isn't always indicative of much, Stoke City have some openings in attack with Jon Walters and Marko Arnautovic both having departed so far this summer. Given Crouch's age and Berahino's lack of goals last season, Diouf could finally be the man at Stoke City.

Source: StokeCityFC.com

Jul 22 - 9:50 PM

JRod narrowly misses as Palace down Albion

Jay Rodriguez was one of a number of West Brom attackers to narrowly miss scoring as Albion fell 2-0 to a pair of deflected Crystal Palace goals in the Premier League Asia Cup pre-season tournament.

Hopes are high that Jay Rodriguez can shake off a couple of seasons lost to injury and be the prolific forward that West Brom have lacked since Romelu Lukaku left and Saido Berahino failed to capitalize on his early promise. There were some positive signs for both Rodriguez and Albion overall despite the 2-0 loss. Matt Phillips once again played without injuring himself. Rodriguez and Rondon were both dangerous and Nacer Chadli started despite rumblings of discontent earlier in the summer.

Source: WBA.co.uk

Jul 22 - 9:58 PM

Etienne Capoue scores lone goal in win

Etienne Capoue rediscovered his scoring touch as a second half goal proved to be the only tally as the Hornets beat La Liga side Eibar 1-0 in Austria.

Etienne Capoue certainly showed that he loves the early season last year when he started off the Premier League campaign scoring goals like a center forward. While his prolific scoring pace didn't last a season ago he seems to be warming up again with the weather as he netted for Marco Silva's side. Of interest for those tracking potential early-season starters, Silva has been going with Stefano Okaka in Troy Deeney's injury-enforced absence and Steven Berghuis has been playing in a supporting role from the start in the pre-season. Could be nothing but there could be some way under-the-radar value there.

Source: watfordfc.com

Jul 22 - 10:05 PM

West Ham signs Stoke star Arnautovic

West Ham officially announced a move for Stoke City winger Marko Arnautovic for a club-record £24 million fee.

The Austrian international joins on a five-year deal after the Hammers saw their third bid accepted following his transfer request and becomes the third signing of the summer after Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart. The 28-year-old recorded six goals and five assists last season after his breakout 2015/16 season where he scored 11 goals. Said Arnautovic: "Everyone knows that West Ham is a big club, with a big history and I'm happy to be a part of it now. I can't wait to get started...I can only say it is a massive club with a lot of fans. They are crazy for football and this is what I like. The club is still growing, getting better and better and that's why I'm here."

Source: Sky Sports

Jul 22 - 5:46 PM

Arsenal dominated by Chelsea in Beijing

Arsenal were well beaten by Chelsea 3-0 at the Bird's Nest Stadium as they concluded their tour of Australia and China on Saturday.

There really weren't many positives to take from the match other than that the club seemed to be largely recovered from the digestive issues that struck them earlier on tour. The attack never really got going as the defending Premier League champions pressed from the kickoff. The defense was let off on a couple of botched Chelsea breaks in the early going but their luck didn't hold as first Willian and then Batshuayi scored within minutes at the end of the first half. The second half didn't start any better as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain slipped trying to defend Marcos Alonso allowing the Spaniard a clear run at goal that saw him center for Batshuayi who scored his second from distance for the final 3-0 scoreline.

Source: arsenal.com

Jul 22 - 9:45 AM

Arnie closing in on move to West Ham

Marko Arnautovic has passed his medical ahead of his club-record move to West Ham, which is expected to be finalized on Saturday.

Sky Sports News is reporting that Arnautovic has agreed a five-year-deal, worth £26m, and will become West Ham's highest-paid player once his move is completed. Having failed with two previous bids for the winger, the Hammers were able to reach an agreement with Stoke City on their third approach, which could rise to a fee as high as £25m. Arnie, who handed in a transfer request in order to force through a move, will join Javier "Chicarito" Hernandez as the newest players to seal a move to the London Stadium. Arnautovic and Chicarito are expected to compete for spots in Slaven Bilic's starting XI, with the former likely to operate on the wing and the latter partner up front alongside Andy Carroll.

Source: Sky Sports

Jul 21 - 11:20 PM

Brighton's Tomer Hemed attracting interest

Brighton have rejected a bid for striker Tomer Hemed.

The Israeli is one of just three strikers in the current Albion squad, alongside Glenn Murray and the crocked Sam Baldock. Championship contenders Reading reportedly submitted a £4 million bid for Hemed, who scored 11 times in 37 Championship games last season. The 30 year old is in the last year of his current deal at the Amex.

Source: The Argus

Jul 21 - 10:39 PM

Knockaert in race to be fit for GW1

Brighton winger Anthony Knockaert has sustained an ankle injury which will rule him out for the remainder of pre-season.

The Frenchman was forced off the pitch just 10 minutes into the Seagulls' pre-season encounter with Fortuna Dusseldorf in Austria. There were fears initially that long-term damage was done after the player left the stadium in a protective boot, but fortunately that is not the case. Manager Chris Hughton said: "He has got a ligament (injury) but it's slight, which is good. We're very hopeful that he will make the season." Brighton's first ever PL game takes place on August 12 against Manchester City at the AMEX.

Source: The Argus

Jul 21 - 10:48 PM

Virgil Van Dijk looking to force move away

Southampton captain and centre-back Virgil Van Dijk is training away from his teammates and has requested to leave the club, according to his manager.

"He is not involved with the team because psychologically he is not 100%," Pellegrino told the press. The Dutchman was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool earlier in the summer, though The Reds were forced to retract their interest after Southampton threatened to take action against their illegal approach for the player. While Southampton continually stress they will not sell the player, it's clear that Van Dijk sees it differently: "When I was talking with him, the boy said that he is not available to play because he wants to leave," said Mauricio Pellegrino. "I need to work with a player that works at 100% to defend Southampton." The Argentine went on to say that he hopes VVD will "review his feelings."

Source: BBC Sport

Jul 21 - 10:14 PM

Liverpool secure Robertson signing from Hull

Liverpool have completing an agreement with Hull City for the transfer of Scottish full-back Andrew Robertson.

The left-back has signed what the club claims to be "long-term contract" after an initial £8 million transfer fee was agreed with Championship side Hull City. That fee could rise as high as £10 million. Robertson played a major role for The Tigers last season as they were relegated, making 39 PL appearances. Robertson spoke of his excitement to have joined a club of Liverpool's stature, while also admitting his ambition to prove to people he belongs at such a high level. Jurgen Klopp added: "For Andrew, this is another big step on what has been a quite incredible personal journey in a very short space of time... I know our environment will benefit him and help him push himself even more than he has already. This is a player who does not limit his ambition."

Source: BBC Sport

Jul 21 - 10:31 PM

Zouma completes loan switch to Stoke

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has joined Stoke City on a season-long loan deal.

The French international has signed new six-year contract with Chelsea as he joins the Potters on loan for the 2017/18 campaign. Zouma, who joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in January 2014, completes the temporary move to the Bet365 Stadium in search of regular first-team football. The 22-year-old was limited to 13 appearances last season, having recovered from a serious knee injury in 2016, and was not expected to see many starts this term despite the departures of John Terry and Nathan Ake. Stoke City boss Mark Hughes told the club's official website: "Kurt is undoubtedly one of the most talented young defenders in the game, so naturally his arrival will enhance our playing squad for the forthcoming campaign. We have prioritised adding further strength in depth to defensive positions this summer, and we have certainly done that by fending off any number of clubs who were all interested in taking Kurt on loan."

Source: Stoke City Official Website

Jul 21 - 3:39 PM