Newcastle United’s four-match winning run in the Premier League came to an end on Monday night when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Everton.

Theo Walcott’s goal decided the match at Goodison Park, and it brought to an end a terrific Newcastle run which had seen them beat Southampton, Huddersfield Town, Leicester City and Arsenal to move clear of the relegation zone.

Magpies captain Jamaal Lascelles spoke openly after the match on Merseyside, with the centre-back insisting that the club had no reason to be disappointed following their recent form.

It would be fair to say that the Newcastle fans are currently much happier with what is happening at St James’ Park, and a number took to Twitter to insist that they were still behind the team despite the one-goal loss at Goodison Park.

And Lascelles, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, will now be looking to lead his team to victory in their home match with West Bromwich Albion this weekend.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Manchester United find themselves in a similar position to the one their bitter rivals Manchester City did last season, needing to jettison aging full-backs and replace them at great expense in order to rejuvenate their efforts to win the Premier League.

Thanks to City’s aggressive pursuit of Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy, prices in that particular market have gone through the roof as Jose Mourinho seeks upgrades on Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young.

That means that the former Real Madrid manager – who also needs reinforcements at centre-half, in central midfield and on the right flank – should be scouring the market for cut-price deals in order to afford all of the summer spending United need.

That makes a potential deal for Ryan Bertrand, valued at just £18m by Transfermarkt, all the more intriguing. Southampton’s potential relegation should lower the price further and the former Chelsea man is a player of international class.

That’s why we’re asking you; should United launch a left-field swoop for Bertrand? Let us know by voting in the poll below and keep your eyes peeled for the results…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

Southampton fans have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions this season as they have spent the majority of the campaign fighting against relegation.

Mauricio Pellegrino failed to make improvements following the departure of Claude Puel.

In fact, the club went backwards as their dull brand of football forced them towards the bottom end of the Premier League table.

By March, a new man was in the dugout as Pellegrino was axed and replaced with Mark Hughes, who had been sacked by Stoke City earlier in the season.

[ad_pod ]

For weeks, the Saints looked destined for Championship football, but a 1-0 victory over Swansea City swung the fortune back in their favour.

The midweek result sent West Bromwich Albion out of the top flight and pushed Swansea into the bottom three, which means that Southampton have all but secured safety ahead of Sunday’s finale against champions Manchester City.

Following the win at the Liberty Stadium, The Telegraph reported that the club intend to open talks with Hughes regarding a three-year contract.

If Southampton stay up, then the experienced coach has certainly done the job he was required to do, but it cannot be ignored that since his arrival, the team have picked up just two wins in seven league games.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

With that in mind, is Hughes the right coach to take Southampton forward?

Let us know by voting below…

Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership title on trophy day at Celtic Park on Sunday, but failed to get a result against Aberdeen, losing 1-0 thanks to an Andrew Considine strike.

It was the Hoops’ first defeat at home in domestic competition since December 2015.

With the Dons needing a win to secure second place in the table, they were the more motivated side throughout the 90 minutes, also hitting the bar from a Greg Stewart free-kick.

Fans are of course delighted that the club has won its seventh consecutive league title, but they know improvement is needed this summer if they are to march towards an eight next season.

One player who drew criticism on Sunday was Scott Sinclair, who came off the bench to replace Kieran Tierney early in the second half.

Despite hitting 18 goals this season there have been question marks about his form in recent months and fans are hoping he can show improvement after the summer.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts after his latest appearance…

[ad_pod ]

Gareth Southgate’s long-awaited England squad was finally announced yesterday and among the names not included in the 23-man party bound for Russia was Liverpool playmaker Adam Lallana.

The 30-year-old, valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, has been included in the five-man standby list in case of injury after a season in which he has struggled for gametime.

Liverpool fans have been split by the decision; some are pleased the former Southampton man will finally get some rest after an injury-hit season while others are keen for their man to be in the plans to add his trademark creativity.

We’ve taken a closer look at the divided reaction to the squad announcement from a Liverpool perspective as Lallana’s fortunes contrasted with that of young Reds star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was a shock inclusion.

The best of the responses to the news as Southgate attempts to bring football home again can be found below…

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United fans are eager to sign Chelsea attacker Willian this summer after being impressed with his performance for Brazil against Croatia on Sunday.

While the club football season may be done and dusted, the summer of action is just beginning with countries warming up for the World Cup in Russia, which starts in less than two weeks time.

Brazil continued their preparations with a friendly against Croatia at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino. Willian was another player who stood out for the South Americans and their attacking front free are set to impress everyone in Russia.

Man United fans were keeping a special close eye on the Chelsea man, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months.

Rated at £28.8m by Transfermarkt, the 29-year-old had a fine 2017/18, scoring 13 goals and assists eight times for the Blues. Is he the kind of player that Jose Mourinho needs to complete his attack?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

Crystal Palace are rumoured to be interested in Marseille right-back Hiroki Sakai, according to the Evening Standard.

According to the report, Palace boss Roy Hodgson was keen on Fulham player Ryan Fredericks before he joined West Ham, and he is looking for a player to replace soon-to-be out of contract Joel Ward.

The 28-year-old Sakai joined Marseille in 2016 and has been a mainstay in their defence ever since, and could be available for £12million.

Equally confident on the right or left of a back four, Sakai is a versatile defender that may not offer the pace of Fredericks but is an assured and calming presence at the back, with the ability to join the attack and grab an assist.

He is definitely more of a classical defensively-minded full-back than the current trend of wing-backs, but this could be ideal for Palace as it would ease the pressure on their pacy wingers who want to join the attack as much as possible.

Popping up with three assists this season in Ligue 1, two more than Ward managed for the Eagles, the World Cup-bound Sakai relies on his strong passing accuracy to cut through defences rather than his ability to beat a man and whip in a cross.

However, Sakai really shines with his defensive statistics, an area Palace clearly need to improve having conceded 55 goals last season.

Averaging two tackles, 2.1 clearances and 1.4 interceptions every game, Sakai is tenacious when breaking down attacks and quickly moving the ball onto a teammate, which he does with an 82 per cent success rate.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Full-backs who want to defend are hard to come by these days, and if Hodgson could negotiate towards a price of £9-10million, Crystal Palace would be making a very sensible signing which would bolster their defence for the coming season.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]

Leeds fans are already in love with Marcelo Bielsa, after the Argentine used his first comments as the new boss to praise the club’s history.

You probably won’t find a prouder set of fans anywhere in England than at Elland Road, and the Leeds faithful have finally got a manager to match their ambitions.

Fans have been excited ever since the links to Bielsa first cropped up, and the club officially unveiled the veteran manager on Friday morning.

As if his reputation wasn’t enough to get fans on side, the 62 year-old has endeared himself to fans even further, using his first comments as Leeds boss to praise the club and its storied past.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255610″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Five England World Cup games you totally forgot happened”]

“When a club with Leeds United’s history made me an offer, it was impossible to turn down,” Bielsa said.

The former Chile and Argentina boss is sure to get Leeds playing some exciting football this season, and the bookmarkers have already slashed odds on promotion.

[ad_pod ]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Bielsa has managed some of Europe’s elite, but his passion to represent Leeds will be appreciated by fans just as much as his tactical expertise.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Mohamed Salah had a stellar season at Liverpool as he ripped defences apart and scored 44 goals in all competitions.

The last couple of months, though, have been far from perfect; starting with the Champions League final.

The 25-year-old dislocated his shoulder inside the first half an hour of the contest and had to be substituted.

Liverpool went on to lose 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kiev following a handful of goalkeeping howlers from Loris Karius.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255848″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Liverpool’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]

Salah left the pitch in tears as the injury also put doubt over his participation at the World Cup in Russia.

The attacker did regain fitness, but he missed the opening defeat to Uruguay, and even though he played against Russia on Tuesday, he was on the losing end of a 3-1 scoreline.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Salah netted Egypt’s only goal of the game from the penalty spot, but it was little consolation as the former Roma star is on the brink of elimination from the tournament at the group stage.

The majority of Liverpool fans feel sorry for their star man, but some are relieved that Salah will now be back early for the pre-season schedule ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Ivan Rakitic was the star of the show during Croatia’s Group D clash against Argentina at the World Cup in Russia on Thursday night.

The midfielder’s display has caught the attention of plenty of fans, including Liverpool supporters who now want their club to make a move for Rakitic in the transfer window.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi carried the hopes of Argentina on his shoulders, but for some reason he struggled to recreate the dazzling form that has been on show at Barcelona all these years.

Rakitic overshadowed his club teammate to help Croatia claim a 3-0 victory and push Argentina closer to elimination.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255848″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Liverpool’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]

As well as play an integral role in the middle of the park, the 30-year-old, who is valued at £45m by Transfermarkt, also got on the scoresheet.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Liverpool have been linked to numerous midfielders this summer, and the speculation may ramp up now that Emre Can has left to join Juventus.

After watching Croatia in action on Thursday night, Reds fans called on the club to swoop for Rakitic, who scored four goals and created five assists in 55 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona last season.