MY ACCOUNT
LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.
Defending De Gea
Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has leapt to the defence of his team-mate David de Gea.
The Spanish keeper was at fault for Said Benrahma’s goal at the London Stadium last night, which earned West Ham a 1-0 win over the Red Devils.
But Danish maestro Eriksen believes both De Gea and the team will bounce back for Saturday’s home game against Wolves.
Eriksen said: “He [De Gea] is one of the reasons why we are where we are.
“He has proven that again and again. Anyone can have a bad game or a little mistake.
“We had the team and we had the qualities. We should have bounced back and we will.
“This season is coming to an end but I still think we’ve got the energy to push and energy to win the games.
“I’m sure for the next five games we’ll have the energy to finish in a strong way.”
‘I would have saved that’
Despite Eriksen’s backing, former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe was damning in his assessment of De Gea’s error.
Defoe scored 162 Premier League goals during his playing career and felt the strike that cost Erik ten Hag’s men in East London was one that should have been saved.
The ex-Spurs hitman said on BBC’s Match of the Day 2: “For someone who has played 540 games, you would like to think there would be fewer mistakes.
“Every time I watch it, it gets worse, to be honest.
“It’s not even a shot really, it is like a back pass. I can’t understand why he dives like that.
“I hate to say it, but I think I would have saved that.”
Irons on fire
While United were left to nurse their wounds, West Ham surged seven points clear of the drop zone thanks to their win.
David Moyes’ side ended a three-match losing run with that result and can now look forward to the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
Former Hammers midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast: “West Ham needed those three points to pretty much guarantee playing Premier League football next year.
“It was a great performance, a big win for them. I thought they were sensational.
“[Lucas] Paqueta, [Declan] Rice and [Tomas] Soucek were sensational in that midfield.
“Michail Antonio is the old Michail Antonio. I haven’t seen him play so well in such a long time.
“They really looked like a team that was up for it. They looked like the West Ham of old under David Moyes.”
Silva’s worth
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard heaped praise on Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva following his performance in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Bournemouth.
The Blues were under pressure for large parts of the contest at the Vitality Stadium, with Silva making a crucial intervention to prevent Cherries striker Dominic Solanke netting in the second half.
Celebrating his first win as caretaker boss, Lampard said: “Thiago is a credit in all aspects. He’s a classy, brilliant player.
“He’s also brilliant at looking after himself to play at this level. He’s 38. I was in MLS by that point.
“He’s also got a great mind and he’s got a winning mentality, so he would have been suffering a bit recently because he feels it and he wears it and he’s a great reference point for the young centre-backs we’ve got in the team around him.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for Thiago in all aspects.”
Superb Salah
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo was quick to salute Mohamed Salah for his strike against Brentford on Saturday.
Salah became the first player in the Reds’ history to score in nine successive games at Anfield in all competitions, with the Egyptian’s goal his 100th at the ground for the Merseysiders.
This is the third campaign in a row that Salah has netted at least 30 times in all competitions.
With the 1-0 victory enough to secure a sixth-straight win for Jurgen Klopp’s side, Gakpo said: “Everybody knows Mo maybe better than I do, a really great player and a really great person as well.
“When he breaks records, because I think he has already broken two since I’ve been here, we are all proud of him and lucky to have him here.
“He helps the team a lot with his goals and assists.
“I’m really happy with the win and looking forward to the next game already.”
