Paper Talk
Jurgen Klopp will cut short his sabbatical from football if Liverpool make him the right offer.
Yannick Bolasie has agreed a new deal at Crystal Palace - but Alan Pardew does not expect the winger to see out his contract.
Sam Johnstone has been told to forget about a loan switch away from Manchester United.
Ikechi Anya is set to reject a new deal but stay at Watford until the end of the season.
Liverpool plan a second swoop for Croatian starlet Marko Rog.
Chelsea are plotting to beat Manchester United to the signing of young Dutch dazzler Tahith Chong.
Roberto Martinez has ordered his Everton scouts to keep the file open on Burnley centre-half Michael Keane.
Victor Valdes is a shock target for Liverpool.
Spurs have put Jordan Pickford at the top of their wishlist.
Sunderland face financial chaos if Dick Advocaat fails to keep them in the Prem.
Bournemouth striker Yann Kermorgant is a wanted man - with Bolton boss Neil Lennon out in front to land him on loan.
Aston Villa are in the hunt for Mainz keeper Loris Karius.
Emmanuel Adebayor will snub a move to Turkish side Antalyaspor and hold out for a Premier League club.
Everton are ready to open contract talks with Arouna Kone.
Newcastle are on the trail of Newport's young striker Aaron Collins.
Tottenham are keeping track of Port Vale's £2.5million-rated winger Ebo Andoh.
Ron Vlaar has received an offer from Everton to help with his rehab as he fights his way back to full fitness.
James McCarthy could not be happier to have stayed at Everton.
Livewire Yannick Bolasie has singed a new contract at Crystal Palace.
Ikechi Anya is ready to run down his contract at Watford after rejecting new terms on offer at Vicarage Road.
Sir Alex Ferguson is backing Ryan Giggs to become the next boss of Manchester United.
Brendan Rodgers will seek assurances from Liverpool's owners after making the extraordinary claim last night that he is being forced out of Anfield by a conspiracy.
Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has his heart set on a return to the Premier League - as a manager.
Charlton are going to hand defender Morgan Fox, 22, a new deal - as they fear Manchester United will try to sign him.
Manchester City's George Evans is being pursued by a host of Championship clubs in the hope of getting a loan deal.
Former Sunderland boss Alan Durban expects current manager Dick Advocaat to walk away from the struggling club soon.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis has hailed the impact of record buy Salomon Rondon - despite his disappointing goal return.
Bakary Sako says he turned down offers of 'crazy money' to join Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace adventure.
Chelsea will use Tuesday's Champions League trip to manager Jose Mourinho's old club Porto to check out 18-year-old defensive midfielder Ruben Neves.
Leeds are lining up a £1million move for Sunderland winger Will Buckley in the January transfer window.
Former Borussia Dortmund defender Emmanuel Mbende has agreed to sign for Birmingham City.
Stoke, Bournemouth and Southampton are chasing Ajax starlet Anwar El Ghazi.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have identified two of the Premier League's most creative players as key transfer targets with Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho wanted by the Spanish giants.
West Bromwich Albion are ready to block a loan move for teenage forward Jonathan Leko. The 16-year-old became one of the youngest players to appear in the Capital One Cup when he appeared as a late substitute against Norwich City and Swindon Town and QPR are both reportedly keen on taking him on loan.
Shuan Derry is emerging as a leading contender to become the new Doncaster manager.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is chasing Brondby teen Armend Aslani.
Yannick Bolasie has agreed a new three-and-a-half year contract at Crystal Palace - but manager Alan Pardew admits the winger could still leave.
Brendan Rodgers last night rounded on the high-profile critics - many of them former Liverpool players - who want him sacked.
England boss Roy Hodgson has won his tug-of-war with the Republic of Ireland over highly-rated Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.
BBC
Real Madrid have their sights set on signing Chelsea and Belgium winger Eden Hazard, 24, while their Spanish rivals Barcelona are interested in Liverpool and Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho, 23. (Sunday Times - subscription required)
Charlton are going to give Welsh defender Morgan Fox, 22, a new deal because they fear Manchester United will try to sign him as a replacement for the injured Luke Shaw, 20. (Sunday Mirror)
Everton's Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy, 24, says the club's stance on retaining England defender John Stones - a target for Chelsea - was a key factor in him signing a new five-year deal at Goodison Park. (Sunday People)
Liverpool have made contact with representatives of both former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp and ex-AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti with Brendan Rodgers's future at the club looking uncertain. (Sunday Express)
The Reds are also planning a move for Dinamo Zagreb and Croatia midfielder Marko Rog, having delayed a move for the 20-year-old to let him develop more. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required)
Defender John Terry could soon return for Chelsea after the Blues defence conceded two goals against Newcastle on Saturday. (Mail on Sunday)
West Brom boss Tony Pulis has praised the impact of record buy Salomon Rondon - despite the 26-year-old's disappointing goal return, which has seen him score just once since his move from Zenit St Petersburg. (Daily Star Sunday)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says his side must stay grounded after their 4-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday. (Evening Standard)
The Football Association has denied Pochettino's claim that they exhausted forward Harry Kane, 22, by playing him in the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia this summer. (Mail on Sunday)
Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon, 29, believes manager Alan Pardew could be a future manager of England. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required)
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, 20, has opted to play for England rather than the Republic of Ireland because he believes he has a better chance of playing at major tournaments. (Sunday Express)
Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam, 43, is keen to manage a club in England having visited Southampton to see their coach and fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman at work. (Sunday Mirror)
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has dismissed concerns over the goalscoring form of Romelu Lukaku, who has not found the net for a month and is confident the 22-year-old Belgium striker will soon be at his best. (Liverpool Echo)
Watford captain Troy Deeney, 27, has praised his side's spirit after their encouraging start to the Premier League season which has seen them lose just one of their opening six matches and yet to concede a goal at home. (Observer)
Southampton midfielder Steven Davis, 30, believes the current crop of players at St Mary's is the best the club have had in the Premier League since their promotion three seasons ago. (Southern Daily Echo)
Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, 21, believes his side Newcastle United will climb out of the Premier League danger zone after their vastly improved performance against Chelsea. (Chronicle)
Fifa president Sepp Blatter, 79, and Uefa president Michel Platini, 60, could be suspended by world football's governing body, ruling the latter out of the presidential race at the organisation. (Guardian)
Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal believes the intensity of the Premier League is behind the struggles of English clubs in the Champions League. (Daily Star Sunday)
Best of social media
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was a happy man on Twitter after scoring twice for the Reds in their victory over Aston Villa as he continues his comeback from an injury that kept him out for much of last season.
Chelsea goalscorer Ramires dedicated his strike, which started the comeback that earned them a draw against Newcastle, to baby son Bruno who was born on Friday.
Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland might have helped his side beat Bournemouth 2-1 on Saturday but he still had a thought for Cherries striker Callum Wilson who was substituted early on with what looked like a serious knee injury. "Great to finally get that win, hopefully now we can kick on!" he tweeted. "Wishing Callum Wilson a speedy recovery, thinking of you mate!"
And finally...
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has found an unlikely ally as he faces a criminal corruption probe, with his ex-wife Graziella insisting he is innocent and vowing to stand by him. (Sunday Mirror)
Mail
West Ham 2-2 Norwich: Cheikhou Kouyate snatches late point to maintain strong start and top four place for the Hammers
Robbie Brady presented Norwich with the lead after nine minutes courtesy of a strike on the edge of the box
Diafra Sakho drew West Ham level before the break, tapping in Dimitri Payet's cross from the right wing
Hammers striker Andy Carroll returned to Premier League action following a prolonged absence
Nathan Redmond slotted home an effort from long range to send Norwich into the lead after 83 minutes
Cheikhou Kouyate scored from the six yard line in stoppage time to rescue a point for the Hammers
By Sam Cunningham
Cheikhou Kouyate rescued West Ham from a home defeat to Norwich with a stoppage time leveller to keep them third and in touch with the early Barclays Premier League pace setters.
Nathan Redmond came off the bench to score what looked to be an 83rd-minute winner for Norwich, but with a minute remaining a ball was swung into the box by Dimitri Payet, John Ruddy could only punch it into Andy Carroll and Kouyate was there to place the ball in.
‘We’re third in the table,’ West Ham manager Slaven Bilic uttered almost in disbelief afterwards. ‘It’s a fair result I think. We could have won the game, we could've lost the game. I’d like to congratulate both sets of players for a great game of football; very dramatic, chances, set pieces, clashes, physios on the pitch, a typical English game.’
Cheikhou Kouyate leaps into the air having fired in a late equaliser to secure a late draw at Upton Park against Norwich
Kouyate was the first to react in the Norwich penalty area in stoppage time to fire in this late equaliser against Norwich
West Ham goal scorers Sakho (left) and Kouyate celebrate securing a last ditch point for the hosts on Saturday afternoon
It is hard to tell which West Ham are going to turn up for matches this season. Beat Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City one minute, struggle against newly-promoted Norwich at home the next.
Such is their season that starting the match they had potential to go top of the table, but fans don’t know if they will see Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde; Dr Banner or the Incredible Hulk. This was the weaker, feeble West Ham for much of the game.
No more demonstrated than the horror pass Mark Noble gifted to Norwich — described by manager Slaven Bilic as a ‘big mistake’ — for their opener in the ninth minute. West Ham’s captain played a shocking pass to the middle of the pitch, just in front of their own box, which sold James Tomkins short. Robbie Brady nipped in to take the ball, drive towards goal and finish past the hapless Adrian for his Norwich goal.
West Ham centre back Winston Reid makes an acrobatic clearance as the Hammers looked to continue their fine start to the season
Sakho's attack is thwarted by the Norwich defence as Canaries keeper John Ruddy manages to collect the ball
Norwich midfielder Alex Tettey controls the ball under the watchful eye of Kouyate during the Premier League clash on Saturday
Norwich winger Robbie Brady (left) lets fire at Upton Park to put Norwich into the lead on Saturday against West Ham
Until West Ham levelled in the 34th minute, Norwich looked likely to add a second. Graham Dorrans carved open their defence with a ball to the over-lapping Steven Whittaker and Victor Moses had to get back to desperately block.
Jonny Howson then went close, controlling the ball inside the box with his chest, taking a touch with his right foot before drilling it with his left, just over. Cameron Jerome was also free, played in by Brady, to the left of goal but he shot wide of the near post.
But just after the half-hour, the home side equalised. Diafra Sakho scored the goal, but it was Payet who did all the hard work, bursting down the right flank and sending in a low ball that eluded three Norwich defenders for his team-mate to tap in. It drew a previously disjointed side back together.
Early in the second half, Howson had to pick up a pigeon which was unable to take off and carry it from the pitch. But there was no stopping his goalkeeper who was flying about goal to keep Norwich level.
On 56 minutes, Victor Moses crossed from the right and Sakho powered a header from close range, but Ruddy saved with his body. Four minutes later, Sakho ran at four Norwich defenders and passed to Payet, who took a touch to round Brady and shot towards the bottom right corner, only for Ruddy’s out-stretched left hand to push it wide.
‘Jonny’s from Yorkshire, he’s a good boy,’ manager Alex Neil said. ‘He looks after wildlife and that sort of thing. The game was played in good spirit. Someone kicking a pigeon on the pitch isn’t going to help us.’
Robbie Brady leaps into the air in celebration having opened the scoring at Upton Park after just nine minutes of play on Saturday
West Ham midfielder Victor Moses attempts to keep possession under the watch of Norwich's Cameron Jerome (left) and Martin Olsson
Diafra Sakho (right) drew West Ham level before the break, sliding in from close range to turn in a cross from Dimitri Payet
The West Ham squad surround Sakho (left) to congratulate the striker after he scored their equaliser on the half hour mark
Adrian then matched his counterpart at the other end, using his nose — somewhat fortunately — to keep out Jerome’s first-time shot which came at him in a flash. The Spaniard was left sprawled on the ground. ‘I don’t know whether the ball hits him in head or whatever, but it was unbelievable,’ Bilic said. ‘He made a few good saves and did great for us, both goalkeepers did well.’
But Adrian was unable to get anything — be it nose, ear or eyebrow — to Redmond’s late strike. The winger, brought on for Graham Dorrans in the second half, picked the ball up on the left, dribbled inside, beating Noble before burying a shot into the right of goal.
Neil added: ’I told Nathan on Friday I thought he’d win the game for us at the end.’ Neil’s prophecy was almost accurate and that looked to have decided it, until West Ham mustered the monster within and Kouyate struck the late equaliser.'
Dieumerci Mbokani (centre) is tackled by West Ham defender Winston Reid (left) as both sides vie for possession
Nathan Redmond, on as a second half substitute, whipped in this long range strike to put Norwich ahead on 83 minutes
The West Ham players are forced to reflect after Redmond's goal as the Norwich players celebrated with their fans
In form Hammers signing Dimitri Payet competes for the ball with Norwich full back Steven Whittaker during the Premier League contest
West Ham striker Andy Carroll, rising highest in a challenge with Olsson, returned to Premier League action following injury
Kouyate is chased down by West Ham team-mates having secured a dramatic point for the home side on Saturday
The contrast in emotions was stark as the West Ham fans and squad erupted into celebration but Brady couldn't hide his anguish
MATCH FACTS
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Adrian 7; Jenkinson 6, Tomkins 6, Reid 6, Cresswell 6; Kouyate 7.5, Noble 4.5; Lanzini 6 (Carroll 72 6), Payet 8, Moses 6 (Obiang 57 6); Sakho 7.5.
Subs not used: Randolph, Collins, Antonio, Zarate, Jelavic.
Manager: Slaven Bilic 6
Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy 7.5; Whittaker 6, Martin 6, Bassong 6, Olsson 6; Howson 7, Tettey 6, Dorrans 6 (Redmond 69 7.5), Brady 7.5; Hoolahan 6.5 (O’Neil 85); Jerome 5.5 (Mbokani 64 6).
Subs not used: Rudd, Wisdom, R Bennett, Grabban.
Manager: Alex Neil 7
Referee: Mike Dean 7
Attendance: 34,857
MOTM: Payet
Guardian
Cheikhou Kouyaté denies Norwich City with late equaliser for West Ham United
West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyaté wheels away after scoring their late equaliser against Norwich. Photograph: Adam Holt/Reuters
Alan Smith at Upton Park
West Ham United’s curious season continues. They look unbeatable away from home in the league but here their record reads one win, two defeats, and now one draw – even if this point garnered at the death felt like a victory. It was a game that could have gone either way, with a plethora of chances for both sides, but after Nathan Redmond’s 83rd-minute goal had looked like giving the visitors three points Cheikhou Kouyaté responded in the third minute of injury time to ensure a share of the spoils.
For Norwich City it was another decent result on the road, added to last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Though they have won one of their past 15 trips in the top flight, the Canaries have lost once away from Carrow Road since Alex Neil took charge last season. “It was a great game, both teams wanted to attack,” he said. “I was really pleased with the lads but when you concede with a minute and 30 seconds left you’re going to be disappointed. That’s the overwhelming feeling in the dressing room.”
It is increasingly difficult to put your finger on what Slaven Bilic’s West Ham are exactly about. Becoming the fourth team in the Premier League to win away at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the same season brings an inevitable and perhaps uncomfortable level of expectancy. Again they appeared listless for the opening half-hour of a home game before getting their act together.
“It was a fair result,” the former Croatia manager said. “We are never happy when we don’t win at home but this point makes me proud. The players showed character and quality.”
Robbie Brady’s opening goal can be filed under needless concession after Mark Noble passed across his defence instead of clearing from a throw-in. His ball towards James Tomkins was too soft. Brady nipped in and with Tomkins sliding desperately in an attempt to retrieve possession the Norwich player advanced, sending a low finish past Adrián.
West Ham looked sluggish and allowed Norwich to control the tempo but profligacy stopped the visitors from extending their lead. Jonny Howson volleyed narrowly over having wandered into the box unnoticed and Cameron Jerome found the side-netting after Brady cut the defence open.
“They were disappointing [misses] but when you look at the game as a whole, I’m really pleased,” Neil said.
The home supporters were growing restless, but their side levelled after 33 minutes. Diafra Sakho spotted Dimitri Payet free to his right and hooked a pass to the Premier League’s new king of assists. Payet strode down the flank before sending a low cross in. Sakho’s run was timed to perfection and he coolly slotted home.
With their tails up, Manuel Lanzini went inches from putting West Ham in front with a 25-yard free-kick and he had a pot shot that almost deflected in off Russell Martin.
Norwich remained a live danger and Howson was denied from 25 yards by Adrián’s fingertips early in the second-half. Adrián also made a brave save with his face to deny a point-blank strike from Jerome, described by Bilic as “unbelievable”.
At the opposite end Sakho went close with two headers and Payet and Kouyaté missed the target, but with the clock ticking it was time to shuffle the pack. Andy Carroll was flung on in place of Lanzini and joined Sakho up front.
But it was a Norwich substitute who made an instant impact. Redmond’s low effort taking one hop en route to the bottom right corner after Wes Hoolahan’s pass allowed him the chance to dribble into the box and pick his spot.
West Ham went close twice in the final minute of normal time but just as hope began to fade, Kouyaté was on hand to bundle home with his right foot after a scramble following a Payet free-kick where Carroll got in the way of Ruddy.
Telegraph
Cheikhou Kouyate scores late on to salvage a point
West Ham v Norwich - Robbie Brady and Nathan Redmond thought they had won the game for Norwich after Sakho's opener, but Kouyate had other ideas
By Ben Findon, Upton Park
Far from the glories at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, West Ham are finding it increasingly difficult to conjure winning send-offs in their final season at the Boleyn Ground.
There was excitement as Cheikhou Kouyate forced in an added-time equaliser to deny brave Norwich in an entertaining match but the fact remains that West Ham have managed just one win in four home matches this season.
Sakho was in hand to pull West Ham level
Robbie Brady and substitute Nathan Redmond, who squeezed a shot through a populated penalty area seven minutes from time, had taken the East Anglians to the brink of a first Premier League victory at Upton Park.
Diafra Sakho cancelled out Brady’s opener but West Ham appeared destined for another home defeat before Kouyate intervened with a goal that maintains Slaven Bilic’s side in third place.
Bilic said: “We are never happy when we don’t win at home but this point makes me proud of the players. They showed their quality. It was a fair result. I want to congratulate the players. It was a typical English game.
His Norwich counterpart, Alex Neil, agreed. “I thought it was a great match. When you concede with 30 seconds to go you are disappointed but we matched them,” he said.
Norwich stunned the home side with a ninth-minute opener. Mark Noble was the primary culprit, his lax infield ball leaving James Tomkins fully exposed for Brady to run through and stroke confidently beyond Adrian.
West Ham looked subdued but struck back suddenly in the 33rd minute. Dimitri Payet’s low cross from the right was turned in by Sakho for the Senegalese striker’s fifth goal of the season.
Both sides had chances to take the lead - while the visitors’ Jonny Howson won applause from both sets of fans when he went to the assistance of a stranded pigeon - before Norwich set themselves on course for their first Premier League victory in London in 14 attempts.
Redmond collected the ball out wide following a corner and veered into the home penalty area before driving home through a crowd of players.
Deep in added time, Payet dropped a dangerous free-kick in front of John Ruddy.
The Norwich goalkeeper’s punch took a deflection and dropped kindly for Kouyate to crash in.
C&H
Mark Noble and the Alex Song dilemma
It’s hard criticising a player for whom you have much admiration but today wasn’t Mark Noble’s finest 90 minutes.
The captain was definitely responsible for the first Norwich City goal and I would have to argue that he must hold his hands up for his involvement in the second.
A sloppy pass let in the Canaries for their first goal and as he made a rather weak attempt to close down Nathan Redmond for the second he succeeded only into inviting him inside and onto his stronger foot which he duly accepted and hammered home.
What make is all so ironic is that the manager has warned on several occasions that if we are to start winning regularly at the Boleyn we need to cut out the silly mistakes.
So far this season we have lost and drawn to a couple of teams we’d be expected to beat – Bournemouth and now Norwich – as a result of individual mistakes.
As I say, it’s hard to discuss the guy most believe to be Mr West Ham in these terms but if you are going to live by those standards it unfortunately goes with the territory when you cock up.
I’m sure Mark will hold his hands up as Aaron Cresswell when he was responsible – he probably doesn’t see himself through the sort of claret and blue tinted glasses us fans do which is why he has reached this level.
However, there’s going to be a very interesting situation develop when Alex Song is fit again and you have to wonder whether Mark will be the man whose position is under threat.
There were signs today that the Irons are starting to intermittently develop a way of playing other than via the counter attacking style at home.
They looked a much better team when they pressed the ball and squeezed Norwich but as soon as the second half opened we again sat back. We have to press a lot more at Upton Park and not give moderate opposition room to play.
We’re still a work in progress and there are interesting times ahead but the good news is we are already well on our way to the first objective – safety!
Teamtalk
West Ham and Norwich bosses have mixed emotions
Both Slaven Bilic and Alex Neil were disappointed by a draw after West Ham earned a late draw against Norwich City at Upton Park on Saturday.
West Ham, who had won at Manchester City last weekend, were seconds away from another home defeat against one of the promoted sides before Cheikhou Kouyate lashed home after a free-kick caused havoc in the six-yard box.
Robbie Brady had fired the Canaries into the lead, before the Irons levelled through Diafra Sakho.
Substitute Nathan Redmond looked to have given Norwich a first win at the Boleyn Ground in 26 years with a fine late effort, only for Kouyate’s grandstand finale.
“I would like to congratulate both teams for a good dramatic game of football,” Bilic said.
“It was a quality, typically English game, but one where we would both have been happy with some things and not with some other things with spells in the match.
“Their keeper had made a couple of great saves in the second half, then when I thought we were going to score, they started to play very dangerously.
“After they scored, again it was all us, until we equalised.
“In the end, it was fair result, but we are never happy when we don’t win at home. We are trying to win every home game.
“I am proud of the players because with this point, my players have showed their character and their quality.”
Bilic believes sustained workrate for his squad will be the key to progress this season.
“All of the teams at home we have dropped points against play on reaction, are at the second balls and are very disciplined, very energetic, which is how they build their teams,” he said.
“Only when you match them in that part of the game, then you are better than them on the pitch – the question is can you do it for 90 minutes? If you don’t, then you are in trouble.”
Neil pleased with Norwich progress
Norwich have acquitted themselves well since their return to the top flight via the play-offs, also securing a point at Liverpool last Sunday.
While Neil was understandably disappointed his side could not hold on for three points, he believes the Canaries have shown they have what it takes to compete again at this level.
“I was really pleased with the lads, but of course when you concede with just a minute to go you are going to be really disappointed,” Neil said.
“We came here and played against a really good side, where we more than matched them over the 90 minutes.
“When you look at the game as a whole, I am really pleased with the players because this is a difficult place to come, we showed composure and I thought we played some really good stuff.
“The fact we are disappointed not to have come away with the win after taking a point shows our progress.”
