Everton manager Roberto Martinez is hoping to prove his doubters wrong in the final weeks of the season.
The Spaniard has been in charge at Goodison Park since June 2013, managing a club-record Premier League points tally in his first campaign, finishing fifth, before falling to 11th in the table in 2014-15.
Another inconsistent Premier League season leaves Everton 12th, although they have made the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where Manchester United or West Ham await.
And Martinez is determined to show his naysayers that he is the right man for the job.
I need to show that, he said. I m not someone who is going to come up with excuses.
I am very, very aware of what it means to be Everton manager. I am the first one to embrace expectations.
…
Brazil head coach Tite revealed the team asked for the Copa America not to be staged on home soil amid ongoing controversy regarding the showpiece South American tournament.
Defending champions Brazil will host coronavirus-hit Venezuela in the opening game of the Copa America on Sunday following initial concerns the Selecao would boycott the event.
Postponed from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Copa America had been due to be shared between Colombia and Argentina, though both countries were removed as co-hosts following respective political and coronavirus issues.
Brazil was awarded hosting rights, despite being one of the countries worst hit by the COVID-19 crisis.
Captain Casemiro and the squad have already criticised CONMEBOL s decision to m…
The battle for a Europa League spot next season will take centre stage at St James Park when Newcastle host Bolton on Saturday.
The two English Premier League clubs have had seasons that have exceeded expectations and sit in eighth (Bolton) and ninth spot respectively, with Newcastle two points shy of a European spot, and Bolton just one.
However, there is more than just a coveted Europa League spot on the line for Newcastle on Saturday, with redemption on the cards after Owen Coyle s side thrashed United 5-1 at the Reebok Stadium earlier this season.
Much has changed since, with United s lone scorer that day Andy Carroll now a Liverpool player and manager Chris Hughton no longer in the technical area after being replaced by Alan Pardew just two league games aft…
Hector Moreno believes Mexico can go into the FIFA World Cup in Brazil without the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Mexico struggled in the CONCACAF section of qualifying, finishing fourth in a group of six, which was good enough to earn Miguel Herrera s men an intercontinental play-off against New Zealand.
A 9-3 aggregate success sealed an ultimately comfortable passage, and Moreno thinks he and his team-mates can begin the tournament against Cameroon on Friday without worry.
We re arriving under a lot less pressure than on past occasions, when people expected great things from the team, he told FIFA.com.
The general feeling is that we don t have anything to lose, and that s how we’re approaching it.
I think that we ll pleasantly surprise a lot …
Real Madrid attacker Isco insisted he is happy in the Spanish capital amid rumours linking him with a move to Juventus.
Spain international Isco is reportedly a target for the Serie A champions, along with Paris Saint-Germain s Edinson Cavani.
However, with two seasons remaining on his contract, Isco said he has no intention of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu anytime soon.
Will I go to Juve? I am very happy at Madrid, the 24-year-old told Cadena Cope.
I want to see out the two years left on my contract.
Madrid face La Liga leaders Barcelona at Camp Nou on Saturday as they look to win their first away Clasico in the league since April 2012.
We have to reclaim ourselves on Saturday against Barcelona after the bad image we gave ourse…
Flick on the television now, cycle through to your favourite sports channel and pick a sport that you have no interest in. Whoever’s playing, the chances are you’ll want the underdog to win. It’s something implicit in human nature, we love to see someone win against all odds.
The beautiful thing about sport is that underdogs can occasionally win, after all it would be boring if they couldn’t. That’s why the world rejoiced when Leicester City lifted the Premier League trophy in 2016.
How do they do it though? That’s the million dollar question. Some say hard work, organisation and dedication are the only ways of success when you’re the underdog. Others seek different ways to level the playing field. Mind games and trash talking are a perfect exa…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer conceded Saturday s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City highlighted how far United have fallen off the pace, but insisted he had no fears over his future.
The United boss cut a disconsolate figure on touchline at Old Trafford, where Eric Bailly netted an own goal before slack defending and goalkeeping allowed Bernardo Silva to double the visitors advantage in the first half.
United, beaten 5-0 by Liverpool in their previous home game, offered scant threat after the break as the pressure mounted on Solskjaer.
And the Norwegian admitted the stark disparity between the two sides was evident, with the forthcoming international break offering some respite for the embattled boss.
He told Sky Sports: At the moment, yes we are [a long way behind t…
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has signed a contract extension which will keep him at Craven Cottage until at least 2013.
The 39-year-old has expressed his eagerness to represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with the stopper s playing career now likely to extend into his 40s.
Despite Schwarzer s current injury woes, with the ex-Middlesbrough missing from action since December, Martin Jol and the Fulham board were keen to wrap up the Australian s services for a further year.
Schwarzer said: I love playing and want to continue for as long as possible as long as the performances are there.
I like to set myself targets and the 2014 World Cup is my goal without a doubt.
I’m enjoying my football as much as ever and I try to maximi…
Manchester United will be looking to move on after back-to-back defeats when they play Manchester City in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Holders City will be without the Toure brothers, Yaya and Kolo, as they join the Ivory Coast team in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will also be missing players, with the Red Devils still without the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Ashley Young and Jonny Evans.
But the injury crisis looks to be improving and Ferguson believes they have a good enough squad to take to Etihad Stadium.
There s enough experienced players there anyway in this squad to cope with a really difficult tie on Sunday, Ferguson said.
I always say about the FA Cup, a home draw I would always take anyone in a home…
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