Sunday Says...

     'Sunday Says...' is a new feature coming to you every Sunday (obviously), were we take a look at the weekend papers and social networks! Who's going where? Will your manager get sacked? What's going down on social media? Total Football has it all in one place!

Transfer Rumours

Manchester United are looking to bring in £60 million rated Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman in January. (Sunday Mirror).

Red Devils midfield starlet Adnan Januzaj could be heading to Serie A on loan in January, with Fiorentina and Juventus hunting for his signiture. (Metro).

And United full-back Rafael has stated his intent to stay at the club for the remainder of his career. (Sunday Express).

Brendan Rodgers still has his eye on free agent Victor Valdes to add more competition for Simon Mignolet. (Daily Star).

Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis could be on his way back to Fulham after manager Felix Magath's departure. (Independent).

Both North London clubs, Arsenal and Spurs, are in the running for Basel defender Fabian Schar in January. (Daily Star).

Under-fire Newcastle manager is looking to bring back West Ham's Any Carroll in January. (Sunday People).


Social Media Buzz

John Terry posted a video of his table tennis straight sets victory against former Liverpool man Jamie Redknapp on Instagram. The Chelsea defender won 21-16, 21-17.

Premier League Round-Up

     The Premier League returned with a bang off the back of the first international break of the season and what a weekend it was. Rio returned to Old Trafford, there was a battle of the 100% records at Stamford Bridge and a early season grudge match at the Emirates. But how did your team fare - it's the Total Football Premier League Round-Up!

Saturday

Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City

It was a share of the points in North London, in another early season grudge match, which was pulsating to say the least. Arsenal dominated the early stages of the game, debutante Danny Welbeck clipped the post. But a quick City counter ended with Sergio Aguero strike to ensure the champions led at the break. Jack Wilshere, who received heaps of criticism throughout the week, managed to claw the Gunners level after the hour before Alexis Sanchez looked to have buried the winner with an exquisite volley. But it wasn't to be, Martin Demichelis found the target with a free header to ensure all was even.

Chelsea 4-2 Swansea City
Chelsea maintained their 100% record against previously unbeaten side Swansea, with Diego Costa once again the centre of attention. The Blues went behind early however, skipper John Terry bundling Neil Taylor's cross into his own net. But it was Costa with the 'Get out of Jail' card as he scored the equalizer on the stroke of half time. And it was the Spaniard, an injury doubt before the game, who delivered the goods a further two times after the break to complete the first Premier League hat-trick of the season. Debutante Loic Remy bagged himself a goal off the bench, before Jonjo Shelvey scored a mere consolation for the visitors.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley
Burnley moved off the foot of the table with a hard earned point away to Crystal Palace. Neil Warnock saw his side get off to a good start, Scott Dann headed against the bar early on. But it wasn't until the dying embers that the match came alive. With just five minutes left on the clock, Burnley striker Lukas Jutkiewicz went down in the area, penalty the obvious decision. But Julian Speroni was the hero for Palace as he parried away Scott Arfield's effort.

Southampton 4-0 Newcastle United
More pressure was heaped on Magpies manager Alan Pardew as he witnessed his side slump to defeat at Southampton. The Saints blitzed Newcastle early on, with Graziano Pelle twice converting from close range following some shocking defending. More suicidal play gifted another goal to Southampton when Jack Cork rounded Krul to roll into the empty net. But the Saints definitely saved the best until last, want away midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin curling in from 18 yards.

Stoke City 0-1 Leicester City
Stoke failed to replicate their win against Manchester City before the international break after falling to defeat against Leicester. Shock Foxes signing Estban Cambiasso entered the fray at half time, but it was in form man Leonardo Ulloa that scored his third goal of the season after the hour mark to put the visitors ahead. Ben Hamer made a number of fine stops on his Foxes debut, with regular keeper Kasper Schmeichel out injured. Leicester will be hoping to add to their good start to the season.

Sunderland 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs were left frustrated as Sunderland twice came from behind at the Stadium of Light. It looked as though the Londoners would go on for a comfortable victory after Nacer Chadli opened the scoring after just two minutes, only for Adam Johnson to pull one back moments later. Tottenham had their chances and finally took one just minutes after the restart, Christian Eriksen pounced on some poor defending. Spurs continued to dominate in all areas of the field but failed to deliver in the dying moments, Jordi Gomez's cross found itself at the feet of Harry Kane who bundled into his own net.

West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Everton
Everton helped themselves to their first win of the season away at the Hawthorns. The Toffees started well and capitalized on some shaky West Brom defending, with Romelu Lukaku curling home. It was the first time the Belgian had scored in the Premier League for a club that owned him, his previous 32 coming during loan spells. Steven Naismith should have added a second when he blazed over the bar, but replays showed him offside anyway. But it was Lukaku's fellow countryman, Kevin Mirallas, that doubled Everton's advantage, his strike from the edge of the area squirming under Ben Foster. The Toffees held on for their first clean sheet of the season.

Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa
Liverpool's mixed start to the season continued against bogey team Aston Villa at Anfield. The Red's failed to clear a corner less than ten minutes in and Villa's longest serving player Gabriel Agbonlahor pounced at the back post. Liverpool dominated in possession but failed to convert into goals, possibly missing the creativity of Raheem Sterling, dropped to the bench to prevent burnout. Adam Lallana showed signs of what is to come in his Reds career, but lacked the match sharpness to effect the game and Liverpool failed to win for the fourth time in a row at home against Villa.


Sunday

Manchester United 4-0 Queens Park Rangers
Manchester United picked up their first three points of the season in a convincing home display against QPR. R's defender Rio Ferdinand endured a miserable return to Old Trafford, his side conceding three times in the first half. The first came from United's new midfield maestro, Angel Di Maria, whose curling free kick found its way in. Two more came before half time, a lovely drilled strike from another new man in Ander Herrera and skipper Wayne Rooney earning his 175th Premier League goal. New striker Radamel Falcao came on to replace United's forth goalscorer Juan Mata, but the Colombian failed to score on his debut for the first time in his career.

Monday

Hull City 2-2 West Ham United

West Ham showed great determination after twice coming from behind at the KC Stadium. Hull led at the break through a lovely guided header from record signing Abel Hernandez. But soon after the break the teams were level once more thanks to a thumping effort from Enner Valencia, who showed glimpses of his World Cup form. The Hammers learnt to keep tabs on their exes, after Mohammed Diame's placed finish before his strike was quickly cancelled out by a deflected Diafra Sakho shot. Valencia had a header deflected onto the bar in the dying moments, but it wasn't enough to secure all three points.


This Week's Champion - Enner Valencia
The Ecuador international gave us an early contender for goal of the season, after rifling home from 25 yards against Hull!

This Week's Loser - Alan Pardew
His side slumped to a heavy defeat at the hands of Southampton, the crowd began to get on his back - and not for the first time...


1) Chelsea
2) Aston Villa
3) Swansea City
4) Southampton
5) Manchester City
6) Tottenham Hotspur
7) Arsenal
8) Liverpool
9) Manchester United
10) Hull City
11) Everton
12) Leicester City
13) West Ham United
14) Stoke City
15) Sunderland
16) Queens Park Rangers
17) Crystal Palace
18) Burnley
19) West Bromwich Albion
20) Newcastle United

Non-League Day

     Saturday - the day of the week that people up and down the country associate with the Beautiful Game. There may be no top flight action this weekend, but there is still plenty of football to be seen up and down the country!

Backed by professional clubs, MPs and celebrities, Non-League Day is all about getting behind your local team, whether it be Blyth or Bath the country comes together to celebrate the postmen, the mechanics and the PE teachers who never quite made it to the professional level. Non-League Day was set up in 2010 and has been annual event every year since and always coincides with an international break - so that means that if you're not watching the Toon Army this weekend, why not go down to Gateshead to watch some proper football! The people who attend non-league games are proper fans, die hards and you will meet lots of new friendly people and what's even better is the ticket prices are still affordable.

Better still is that Non-League Day have joined forces with Prostate Cancer UK. This means that if a total of 50,000 people attend a non-league game this weekend, Conference sponsors Vanarama will donate £10,000 to the charity! Just because you attended a non-league game! Imagine how many lives could be changed...

I'm backing Non-League Day - are you...?

Premier League Round-Up

     We've all come back off our holidays now (including myself, so apologies for no recent posts), so that only means one thing. The football's back! New faces including Super Mario and Di Maria were on show at the weekend, but what happened in week two? Total Football will give you all the news!

Saturday

Burnley 0-0 Manchester United
The Red Devils are still undergoing a transitional period under new manager Louis Van Gaal, but there were no excuses as newly promoted Burnley dominated the game in large parts at Turf Moor. Dave Jones' early free kick hit the bar early on for the hosts and the United fans saw signs of promise from £60 million Angel Di Maria. No amount of money, however, will compensate for their midweek loss to MK Dons in the League Cup, 4-0 was the score at stadium:mk.

Manchester City 0-1 Stoke City
It wasn't any better for fans on the blue side of Manchester either as the champions were shocked 1-0 at home to Stoke. City, although dominating the game with 16 shots, failed to convert any of them with only two on target. And on 58 minutes were punished by a fine solo effort from ex-Man United player Mame Biram Diouf, his shot squirming under Joe Hart after an excellent run. Yaya Toure was booked late on for diving, but replays show there was contact.

Newcastle United 3-3 Crystal Palace
The game got off to a flyer with Dwight Gayle on target after 30 seconds for the visitors, but Daryl Janmaat leveled before half-time. Palace were back in front soon after the break, a deflected Puncheon volley found it's way in before Rolando Aarons put the hosts back on terms again. With just two minutes of regular time remaining Mike Williamson bundled home for his first Newcastle goal after the ball came back off the bar. But it wasn't to be for the Toon, Wilfried Zaha on loan from Manchester United and making his second debut for Palace, rifled home from 12 yards in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Swansea City 3-0 West Bromwich Albion
Swansea maintained their 100% start to 2014-15 with a comfortable victory over West Brom. Nathan Dyer got on the scoresheet after two minutes, round Ben Foster before slotting into the empty net. The Swans pressed hard throughout and reaped the rewards when they doubled there advantage after 25 minutes, Wayne Routledge volleying home from 18 yards. The scoring was complete midway through the second period, Nathan Dyer punishing some weak Baggies defending.

West Ham United 1-3 Southampton
Morgan Schneiderlin put questions about his loyalty to bed, scoring twice against West Ham. The Hammers looked to have taken control of the game, Mark Noble's deflected strike midway through the first half finding its way in. But on the stroke of half-time, Schneiderlin collected the ball in the box and curled into the corner at the second attempt. The Saints created throughout the second half and had a goal disallowed, until their persistence finally paid off from a sloppily defended short corner, Schneiderlin with his second. And with time running out, Graziano Pelle blasted home from close range with his first Southampton goal.

Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Sunderland
Pre-match happenings didn't stop QPR as they beat Sunderland at home. The hosts accepted a bid from Chelsea for striker Loic Remy, who was subsequently removed from the match day squad. Charlie Austin came in for the Frenchman and nearly scored only for Vito Mannone to be quick off his line. But the Rs' kept pushing and in first half stoppage time, Joey Barton's corner was knocked by new signing Leroy Fer before being smacked in by Austin. The Londoners didn't have to wait long for their first Premier League victory, the last time they were in the top flight they had to wait until December.

Everton 3-6 Chelsea
The most pulsating game so far this season took place at Goodison Park on Saturday. Diego Costa put Chelsea ahead after less than a minute putting through the legs of Tim Howard before Branislav Ivanovic spun and shot moments later to extend their lead. However, Ivanovic's trailing leg appeared offside. Everton's American goalkeeper should have been sent off after less than ten minutes, catching the ball clearly outside of his area. Lukaku rattled against the bar against his former team before Sylvain Distin turned home - the flag was raised. Costa was caught offside himself before the hosts leveled through a beautiful Kevin Mirallas header, just the boost Everton needed before half-time. But Eden Hazard went on exquisite run before his cross was deflected in by Seamus Coleman. But the Toffees didn't lie down and found themselves in contention again, a McGeady pass converted well by Naismith. But just as hope was restored a brilliant passing move was finished off Nemanja Matic with a slight deflection, 4-2 the score. But the Everton determination was still their and the ex-Chelsea man score with his first touch for his new club with a well guided header and suddenly Everton were right back in it, it isn't over until the fat lady sings! The Everton defence was unlocked once more though, another good passing move found Ramires who finished with ease. And with time running out, Kevin Mirallas thought he'd scored, only to be denied by the post. However, Chelsea proved to have the last laugh in this game, a woeful touch from Muhamed Besic was latched onto by Didier Drogba and Diego Costa finished how he started. This is going to be some season...


Sunday

Aston Villa 2-1 Hull City
Steve Bruce labelled Hull's first half as pathetic as they were defeated at Villa Park. The home side opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour, Gabriel Agbonlahor swiveling and neatly finishing. And ten minutes before the break, Michael Dawson gave away possession cheaply before Kieran Richardson put it on a plate for Andreas Weimann. Nikica Jelavic headed home midway through the first half, but it wasn't enough to stop Villa's unbeaten record this season.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Liverpool
Tottenham failed to continue their impressive start as Liverpool showed the form that made them title contenders last season. The Reds took the lead early on, Jordan Henderson squaring the ball to Raheem Sterling who easily finished. Spurs could have equalized almost immediately, but Adebayor couldn't get the ball down past Mignolet quick enough. Mario Balotelli should have opened his Liverpool account, but his shot from distance went woefully wide. But the Reds doubled their advantage soon after the break, Joe Allen softly brought down, Steven Gerrard converted from the spot. Tottenham had chances to get back into the game but Liverpool pulled further away, Alberto Moreno robbed Andros Towsend before running around 70 yards before putting the ball into the corner. Liverpool now have 15 goals in their last 4 four games against Spurs.

Leicester City 1-1 Arsenal
Leicester's tricky start continued as they faced Arsenal, who moved into the Champions League group stages in the week. The visitors were dealt a blow early on, Laurent Koscielny colliding with Schlupp, but the Frenchman was deemed fit to continue. The Gunners continued to push and got there rewards after twenty minutes, an indecision saw Yaya Sanogo put the ball past Kasper Schmeichel for Alexis Sanchez to roll the ball into the empty net. The Chilean's second goal in as many games. But Leicester didn't lie down and equalized soon afterwards, Laurent Koscielny didn't spot Ulloa behind him and the Argentinian scored with a well guided header. Leicester pushed for a winner in the second half but weren't clinical enough. Arsenal on the other hand are still waiting for their first away win this season.

This Week's Champion - Burnley 
The Clarets did well to keep £60 million Angel Di Maria at bay - the Lancashire side have only ever spent £45 million in their history!

This Week's Loser - Raheem Sterling
Although Raheem scored a goal early on against Spurs, he should have scored later on, dancing past four Tottenham defenders, before passing the ball to Hugo Lloris!

1)   Chelsea

2)   Swansea City

3)   Aston Villa

4)   Manchester City

5)   Liverpool

6)   Tottenham Hotspur

7)   Arsenal

8)   Southampton

9)   Hull City

10) Stoke City

11)

West Ham United

12) Queens Park Rangers

13) Sunderland

14) Manchester United

15) Leicester City

16) Newcastle United

17) Everton

18) West Bromwich Albion

19) Crystal Palace

20) Burnley