Steve McClaren rejected Swansea boss Garry Monk’s accusation that Newcastle tried to stop Jefferson Montero with a tactic to “basically try and kick him”.
Newcastle went down timidly to a 2-0 defeat after right-back Daryl Janmaat had been sent off four minutes before half-time for two bookable offences, the second for tugging back winger Montero deep inside Swansea’s own half.
McClaren said: “Our team is a football team, not kickers.
“As always, you make your presence known to your opponent but I thought the red card was harsh… Montero was a long way from goal and it was just a little tug.”
Tuchel pleased
Thomas Tuchel was more than satisfied with his debut as Borussia Dortmund coach after his side’s 4-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
“Of course, we didn’t expect a start like this, especially considering we were up against the strongest side in Germany from the second half of last season,” Tuchel said.
“It was a fantastic performance and I’m very happy with it. We were well organised and alert.”
Dortmund’s next challenge comes at Norwegian side Odd in the play-off of the Europa League on Thursday.
Roma now eyeing Chelsea’s Zouma
Roma intend to continue strengthening their squad ahead of the new Serie A season and their latest transfer target is Chel-sea defender Kurt Zouma.
Reports in the media yesterday said Roma are attempting to negotiate the deal with the London club who are rating Zouma’s fee at around €35m.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that sporting director Walter Sabatini is pushing for a loan deal but it seems Chelsea will not let Zouma go unless they get the full amount of the fee they are requesting for a permanent move.
Martinez calls for unity after protest
Everton manager Roberto Martinez called for unity at the club after supporters staged a protest against chairman Bill Kenwright during Saturday’s 3-0 win at Southampton.
A plane displaying a banner reading ‘Kenwright & Co #timeto go NSNO’ flew over the ground while Everton were registering their Premier League victory.
‘NSNO’ is a reference to Everton’s Latin motto ‘Nil satis nisi optimum’ (nothing but the best is good enough).
“We need to be together, help each other and push in the same direction because that makes a difference,” Martinez was quoted as telling the BBC.
“The chairman is an incredible Evertonian who has done a fantastic job over the years. Only he knows the effort he had to put in for the football club.”
Marchetti doubt for Leverkusen match
Lazio will probably have to do without Federico Marchetti for tomorrow’s Champions League play-off first leg at home to Bayer Leverkusen as the regular goalkeeper is recovering from two broken ribs.
Lazio doctor Roberto Bianchini told reporters that Mar-chetti sustained the injury during training in midweek and the player is currently undergoing treatment.
“Federico Marchetti suffered a contusion to his right thorax on Thursday,” he said.
“Our exams revealed a fracture in the two lower ribs. It’s nothing terribly serious, but it limits his availability because of the pain.
“As for his return, we can only find out day after day.”
Keane double lifts LA Galaxy top
Two headers from Robbie Keane just after half-time gave LA Galaxy a 2-1 win over Dallas in a Major League Soccer match, lifting them top of the Western Conference.
Galaxy fell behind in the 33rd minute at the Toyota Stadium when Dallas defender Ryan Hollingshead found Michael Barrios streaking down the left and he got past Omar Gonzales before slotting past goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
Galaxy failed to get a shot on target in the first half but hit the front with two goals in the space of five second-half minutes.
Keane made it 1-1 in the 51st minute and the Irish striker repeated the feat five minutes later when Giovani dos Santos’s shot came his way and he headed home.
Achilles injury sidelines Nastasic
Schalke’s 3-0 win over Werder Bremen on Saturday came at a price with defender Matija Nastasic tearing his Achilles tendon after just 15 minutes.
The Serbia defender underwent surgery in Munster yesterday and will miss around six months after sustaining the injury in a challenge with Werder Bremen’s Levin Oztunali.
Nastasic’s absence – until at least early in the second half of the season – may prompt the Royal Blues into signing a new player before the transfer deadline.
He joined Schalke from Manchester City in January, initially on loan and then on a permanent contract this summer.