West Brom boss Tony Pulis has highlighted the importance of goalkeeper Ben Foster in the Baggies’ success so far this season.
Pulis’s team continue to exceed all expectations and remain surprise contenders for European football after beating Bournemouth 2-1 on Saturday.
However, it was only possible thanks to a couple of superb injury-time saves from Foster for West Brom to get all three points and reached the 40-point mark – something the club did not achieve until April last season.
“Ben’s made two great saves in injury time,” joked Pulis.
“We’re pleased with him, he’s been fantastic for us. This season his performance levels have been absolutely fantastic.”
Perfect Bayern
Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed his team’s “perfect” performance following a crushing defeat of Hamburg in the Italian’s landmark managerial match last weekend.
The 8-0 demolition was Ancelotti’s 1,000th competitive match in club management.
Ancelotti said: “It was a perfect match. We played well with a good attitude. I told my players before the game to make my anniversary a good game.
“I did not expect it to work so well, we did it very well.”
Carroll in line to make return
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is hopeful Andy Carroll will be fit to face Chelsea in their next match today week.
The injury-hit striker missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Watford with a groin problem but Bilic expects him back in full training by Wednesday at the latest.
“The guys from the medical department have told me he’s going to start training soon,” said the Hammers manager.
“He ran on Friday and Saturday morning with no negative reaction. My medical department say Wednesday, I say Tuesday (tomorrow).
“Then hopefully four or five days of training, that is always enough for Andy to shine in the next game.”
O’Neill rules out Leicester return
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has ruled out leaving his job to return to Leicester City.
The Foxes are without a manager after sacking Claudio Ranieri as various names have been mentioned as possible candidates to come in as the Italian’s permanent successor.
Among them is O’Neill, who won the League Cup in 1997 and 2000 with Leicester. But when asked about what would happen if Leicester were to contact him, the 64-year-old said: “I wouldn’t be going.
“I’m enjoying the job here (with the Republic of Ireland) at this moment and we have some big games ahead.”
‘King Kazu’ extends playing record
Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura (picture) extended his record as the oldest player to play in the J.League second division yesterday when he celebrated his 50th birthday by starting in Yokohama FC’s first game of the season against Matsumoto Yamaga.
Miura, who scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan prior to his international retirement in 2000, lasted 65 minutes before being replaced by Tomohiro Tsuda.
Yokohama won the match 1-0.
Fondly dubbed ‘King Kazu’, Miura, who scored in 20 league appearances last year as he set a record for the league’s oldest scorer, has played for several clubs in Japan and also enjoyed a spell with Brazil’s Santos.
Koeman urging team for late run
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has not ruled out making a late run for Champions League qualification as his side’s momentum continues to grow.
The 2-0 win over Sunderland extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches, during which they have taken 21 points.
Although they remain in seventh, Arsenal, in fourth, are only six points ahead and Koeman has urged his players to set themselves the target of catching them.
“The worst situation for a football player is you play for nothing,” said the Dutchman.
“Yeah, (we want) the highest position but I like to play for something. Above us is still a gap but five or six points so it is still possible to reach them.”
Vardy denies role in Ranieri sacking
Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy has denied he was involved in the sacking of manager Claudio Ranieri nine months after the Italian led his team to the Premier League title.
“There is speculation I was involved in his dismissal and this completely untrue, unfounded and is extremely hurtful!” Vardy wrote in an Instagram post alongside a photo of Ranieri.
“The only thing we are guilty of as a team is under-achieving which we all acknowledge both in the dressing-room and publicly and will do our best to rectify,” he added.
Vardy’s post came after goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel also denied reports that players led a revolt against Ranieri, 65.