Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing possible points deductions over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
The league issued a statement on Monday afternoon which claimed the clubs had confirmed to it that they had breached profitability and sustainability rules after incurring losses above the permitted threshold for the assessment period up to and including the 2022-23 season.
Both cases have now been referred to the chair of the independent judicial panel, who will appoint separate commissions to determine the appropriate sanction, the league said.
The clubs could face points penalties, with Everton having been docked 10 points last November over an earlier PSR breach. That sanction is the subject of an appeal.
The league’s statement, which came shortly after each club had released their own statements acknowledging a referral, read: “Everton FC and Nottingham Forest FC have each confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
“This is as a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending season 2022-23.
“In accordance with Premier League rules, both cases have now been referred to the chair of the judicial panel, who will appoint separate commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.
“Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The proceedings are heard in private with the commissions’ final decisions made public on the Premier League’s website. The league will make no further comment until that time.”
Everton issued a statement which read: “Everton Football Club acknowledges the Premier League’s decision to refer a breach of Profit & Sustainability rules (PSR) for the assessment period ending with the 2022-23 season to an independent Premier League commission.
“This relates to a period which covers seasons 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. It therefore includes financial periods (201920, 2020/21 and 2021/22) for which the Club has already received a 10-point sanction. The Club is currently appealing that sanction.
“The Premier League does not have guidelines which prevent a club being sanctioned for alleged breaches in financial periods which have already been subject to punishment, unlike other governing bodies, including the EFL.
“As a result – and because of the Premier League’s new commitment to deal with such matters “in-season” – the club is in a position where it has had no option but to submit a PSR calculation which remains subject to change, pending the outcome of the appeal.
“The club must now defend another Premier League complaint which includes the very same financial periods for which it has already been sanctioned, before that appeal has even been heard. The club takes the view that this results from a clear deficiency in the Premier League’s rules.
“Everton can assure its fans that it will continue to defend its position during the ongoing appeal and, should it be required to do so, at any future commission – and that the impact on supporters will be reflected as part of that process.”
Forest’s statement read: “Nottingham Forest acknowledges the statement from the Premier League confirming that the club has today been charged with a breach of the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
“The club intends to continue to co-operate fully with the Premier League on this matter and are confident of a speedy and fair resolution.”
The clubs have been contacted by the PA news agency over the Premier League’s assertion that they have confirmed they are in breach of the rules.
Eastleigh boss Richard Hill has challenged his players to write their names in the history books and set up an “absolutely massive” FA Cup clash at home to Manchester United.
A visit from the Premier League giants is the mouth-watering reward on offer for the non-league Spitfires when they host Newport in Tuesday’s third-round replay at the Silverlake Stadium.
Eastleigh have never made it to the fourth round before and beating the League Two outfit to secure a glamour tie against United would hugely boost exposure and revenue.
“The prize is absolutely massive,” said boss Hill, whose side fought from back from a man and then a goal down to draw the first meeting 1-1 in south Wales.
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“Forget what it could lead to financially – I don’t know, I don’t get involved in that.
“The financial side could be good, but just to get Manchester United to the Silverlake would just be… I keep saying it’s going to be massive, but it’s massive.”
Eastleigh beat Dover, fellow National League side Boreham Wood and stunned League One strugglers Reading en route to just their third ever appearance in the FA Cup third round.
Progress on Tuesday would secure at least an additional £105,000 in prize money and a £110,000 broadcast fee after the BBC selected United’s fourth-round tie for TV coverage.
“If the players want to dream, let them dream,” Hill said of the prospect of facing the 12-time FA Cup winners.
“My message to the players has been, today it might mean nothing that you got to the fourth round of the FA Cup personally.
“But in another 15, 20 years’ time, when there is a little snippet in the programme, local paper, that filters its way back through, it will mean something.”
Hill recalled the excitement of his son and grandson recently when they read about one of his goals in the programme at Oxford, where he played alongside United assistant Steve McClaren.
“I had a message (from) Steve McClaren,” he said. “He’s a very good mate of mine. We played together at Oxford back in the 80s. He sent me a message of good wishes, so I appreciate that.”
United’s visit to the 5,192-capacity Silverlake Stadium would comfortably be the biggest match in Eastleigh’s history.
The Hampshire side are exploring the possibility of temporary seating and say the game will be played at their home “unless our Safety Advisory Group feels the club cannot stage the match safely, which we feel is extremely unlikely”.
On the prospect of United coming to the Silverlake Stadium, a ground that welcomed just 360 fans for his first game in charge in 2012, Hill said: “It would be unbelievable, wouldn’t it? But I don’t make those decisions.
“If we are successful tomorrow, if it’s decided that the game should be moved, then I have to accept that.
“But I’m sure, knowing (owner) Stewart (Donald), that any remote chance that it can be played here… you’ve got to remember that’d be a massive legacy for him to leave as well.
“The chairman of Eastleigh Football Club, in the fourth round of the FA Cup and got Manchester United to the Silverlake. (Even) Manchester United in a pre-season friendly would be massive at the Silverlake.”
South Africa boss Hugo Broos has emphasised his desire to win the Africa Cup of Nations for a second time as his side prepare to open their campaign in the Ivory Coast against Mali.
Broos was in charge of Cameroon when they lifted the trophy in Gabon in 2017.
The Belgian is now overseeing a Bafana Bafana outfit making an AFCON return with Tuesday’s Group E clash with Mali in Korhogo, having failed to qualify for the last tournament two years ago, hosted by Cameroon, under Molefi Ntseki.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Broos said: “When you won it once, you want to win it twice.
“It’s a fantastic feeling winning an AFCON. I’m a European but the intensity and joy, everything around winning an AFCON is unique, it’s really unique.
“It was a fantastic experience, and you can be sure that I dream of it, to do it a second time.
“But saying it is much easier than doing it, let’s start tomorrow and do our best and see where we arrive.”
The team are currently 66th in FIFA’s world rankings, 15 places below Mali, who were knocked out in the round of 16 in 2022.
The Eagles, managed by Eric Chelle, have been making checks on midfielder Mohamed Camara.
A statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, by the Malian football federation read: “Mohamed Camara travelled this afternoon to Abidjan where he will undergo an MRI for a final check following the injury contracted with his club, Monaco, a few weeks ago.”
Head coach Amir Abdou hopes Mauritania can be “spoilsports” at the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of their opener against Burkina Faso in Bouake.
Ahead of Tuesday’s contest, Abdou recognises their opponents, who have reached the semi-finals in two of the last three editions, and 2019 champions Algeria are favourites to progress from Group D.
While Mauritania have yet to record a win in their past two appearances in the competition, Abdou senses his side and Angola have nothing to lose as they seek to upset the odds.
“As an outsider, the favourite is Algeria, there’s no contest,” Abdou told reporters. “Burkina Faso have always been there in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
“These are teams that are always present at the competition. We’ll be the outsiders along with Angola, so we’ll be trying to be the spoilsports.
“We want to have an interesting tournament, and avoid the troubles Mauritania had in the last two editions. That’s our aim: to go and take on the big boys and why not reach the last 16?”
Despite Burkina Faso’s excellent recent record in reaching the latter stages of this competition, the 2013 finalists have never won their opening match with five draws and seven defeats.
His team might be favourites to beat Mauritania but Burkina Faso boss Hubert Velud is taking nothing for granted.
“We will have to be careful, the slightest mistake will be fatal,” he said. “We will make sure to apply ourselves as much as possible to achieve a result.”
Everton and Nottingham Forest have confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the competition’s financial rules, the league has said.
The league issued a statement on Monday afternoon which stated the clubs had confirmed to it that they had breached profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) after sustaining losses above the permitted threshold for the assessment period up to and including the 2022-23 season.
Both cases have now been referred to the chair of the independent judicial panel, who will appoint separate commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.
The clubs could face points penalties, with Everton having been docked 10 points last November over an earlier PSR breach. That sanction is the subject of an appeal.
The league’s statement, which came shortly after each club had released their own statements confirming a referral, read: “Everton FC and Nottingham Forest FC have each confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
“This is as a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending season 2022-23.
“In accordance with Premier League rules, both cases have now been referred to the chair of the judicial panel, who will appoint separate commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.
“Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The proceedings are heard in private with the commissions’ final decisions made public on the Premier League’s website. The league will make no further comment until that time.”
Everton and Nottingham Forest have confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the competition’s financial rules, the league has said.
The league issued a statement on Monday afternoon which stated the clubs had confirmed to it that they had breached profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) after sustaining losses above the permitted threshold for the assessment period up to and including the 2022-23 season.
Both cases have now been referred to the chair of the independent judicial panel, who will appoint separate commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.
The clubs could face points penalties, with Everton having been docked 10 points last November over an earlier PSR breach. That sanction is the subject of an appeal.
The league’s statement, which came shortly after each club had released their own statements confirming a referral, read: “Everton FC and Nottingham Forest FC have each confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
“This is as a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending season 2022-23.
“In accordance with Premier League rules, both cases have now been referred to the chair of the judicial panel, who will appoint separate commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.
“Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The proceedings are heard in private with the commissions’ final decisions made public on the Premier League’s website. The league will make no further comment until that time.”
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri insists he is planning for the longer term as well as focusing on the present and is not concerned about silencing his critics.
Allegri’s in-form side can cut the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan back to two points with victory at home against Sassuolo on Tuesday night.
Juve have gone three seasons without mounting a sustained challenge for the Serie A title since being crowned champions for the ninth consecutive time in 2019-20.
But Allegri does not share some fans’ obsession with reclaiming the crown this season, pointing out there is still much work to do just to secure a top-four finish.
He told a press conference: “We spoke as a team and we know that we’re still missing a lot of things to reach our goal of Champions League qualification, we’re taking things one step at a time, so tomorrow we have Sassuolo and then we’ll think about Lecce.
“We need to avoid making long-term predictions and it’s better to stay focused on the short-term.
“I’m not thinking about whether or not I’ve won the fans back on side, we’re doing well because of the guys who go out onto the pitch and win matches.
“Everybody around the team does our best to put the team in the best place to go out and do just that.
“There are two big differences between ourselves and Inter. The first is that they are a team built to win the Scudetto.
“We started off on a different path and we have to keep working without the obsession of winning the Scudetto.
“We are Juventus and we have to do our very best, but football doesn’t end on May 25. We also have to think ahead to the seasons to come for this group of players.”
Juve will be without suspended defender Federico Gatti, but Allegri confirmed both Adrien Rabiot and Federico Chiesa are back in contention after injury.
Italy striker Moise Kean has not featured since early December and is continuing to work his way back from a leg injury.
The Bianconeri are bidding to extend their unbeaten league run to 15 matches – 17 in all competitions – but lost for the only time in the league this season at Tuesday night’s opponents in September.
Allegri added: “The group has worked well, as always, in the last few days and we know the importance of tomorrow’s game.
“We had a bad night in the first game against Sassuolo and we know we’re coming up against a good team.
“The three points up for grabs tomorrow are important and we’ll have to be very careful tactically.
“Sassuolo are dangerous if you make mistakes against them, so we’ll have to be switched on.”
Lamine Camara’s double helped Senegal get their Africa Cup of Nations title defence off to a winning start as they recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory over 10-man Gambia.
Pape Gueye put the 2021 champions ahead just four minutes in, while Gambia were reduced to 10 men when Cardiff midfielder Ebou Adams was sent off on the stroke of half-time.
Camara doubled their lead – seven minutes after the break – and wrapped up victory in style with a stunning curling strike in the closing stages.
Senegal took the lead in the fourth minute when Camara’s cross was cleared as far as Sadio Mane and the former Liverpool forward laid the ball off to Gueye on the edge of the box, who smashed it first time into the bottom corner.
Musa Barrow fired a free-kick from a tight angle into the side-netting for Gambia and compatriot Ali Sowe had a great chance from a corner, but the cross was slightly too high as his header flashed wide.
Gambia were handed a blow when – just before the break – Adams was shown a red card, eight minutes into first-half stoppage-time.
The Teranga Lions took advantage of their extra player seven minutes into the second-half when Ismaila Sarr played Camara through and he tucked the ball into the bottom corner to extend their lead.
They were nearly gifted a third when Yankuba Minteh found Habib Diallo in the six-yard box, but goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye managed to smother the attempt.
Gambia had two half-chances from Omar Colley, but Senegal remained in control with Gaye being called into action again to deny Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson from close range.
Camara capped off the afternoon as he completed his brace in the 86th minute when Iliman Ndiaye weaved past the Gambia defence to find the Metz midfielder, who curled the ball first time into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards out to seal victory.
Reggae Boyz striker Shamar Nicholson produced an excellent display to help Clermont Foot get a 2-1 win over Nantes in Ligue 1 action at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday.
Nicholson first opened the scoring by capitalizing on a mistake from Nantes keeper Alban Lafont to slot home from just inside the box in the 29th minute for his second goal in as many games.
Just after the second half resumption, Florent Mollet got the equalizer for Nantes before, in the 89th minute, Nicholson provided the assist for the match-winning goal by Jim Allevinah.
Clermont are currently 17th in the 18-team Ligue 1 table with 14 points from 18 games while Nantes are 13th with 18 points from as many games.
Newport manager Graham Coughlan hopes to land a glamorous FA Cup tie against Manchester United – 45 years after the Red Devils reduced him to tears by losing the so-called “Five-minute final” to Arsenal.
County stand to make £400,000 if they win their third-round replay at non-league Eastleigh on Tuesday after 12-time cup winners United were drawn to visit the winners on January 28.
Coughlan, a Manchester United supporter growing up in his native Dublin, was only four years old when Arsenal led the 1979 final at Wembley 2-0 and had one hand on the trophy.
Goals from Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy in the final five minutes almost handed United a reprieve, but Arsenal won the cup at the death when Alan Sunderland turned in Graham Rix’s cross and the final went into FA Cup folklore.
“I actually shed a few tears when we got beat in the 1979 FA Cup final,” said Coughlan.
“I was only a little nipper and my dad would tell me. I had to wait until ’83 for the replay against Brighton to see United lift a trophy for the first time.
“Then ’85 and the Norman Whiteside goal against Everton. All those memories, the cup runs and the success they’ve had. That was growing up as a kid.”
Coughlan began his career in England at Blackburn – “I played against the Nevilles, Giggs and Beckham in the reserves when they were coming through the system” – and by his own admission was “not good enough to play in the Premier League”.
The tough-tackling defender played over 500 games for clubs including Plymouth, Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury, and arrived at Newport following managerial spells at Bristol Rovers and Mansfield.
With Newport on the brink of being bought by former Swansea owner Huw Jenkins, Coughlan is aware of the massive financial boost that the Sky Bet League Two club will receive from a United tie that will be televised live to the nation.
“Both clubs will want to go on and push on and get into the next round, obviously the prize and finances and the day out that it is,” said Coughlan.
“But let’s concentrate on the game, let’s not start having this pantomime of Man United, finances and all sorts of nonsense.
“It’s a game of football, let’s get our heads around the game of football. It’s 90 minutes, possibly 120, club v club, team v team that is where we are at. Nothing more, nothing less.”
The original tie at Rodney Parade was drawn 1-1 after James Clarke had fired the Exiles ahead against opponents who had been reduced to 10 men.
But Chris Maguire’s late penalty earned Eastleigh, 11th in the National League and 18 places below Newport in the football pyramid, the chance of a crack at Erik ten Hag’s United.
Coughlan said: “I don’t think there is a favourite. You can turn around and say ‘they rested players on Saturday and were able to take their eye off the ball’.
“We didn’t have that luxury, but I didn’t think there were any favourites in the first game.
“Both clubs are similar. Eastleigh might be in a better place squad-wise and wages-wise than ourselves.
“But I’ve got a great group of lads that will hopefully do themselves justice.”
Oscar Bobb’s brilliant finish clinched Manchester City a crucial win at Newcastle on Saturday and was the 20-year-old’s first Premier League goal.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at 10 other memorable first Premier League goals.
Alan Shearer (Blackburn) – 1992
Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals and his first, scored on the opening weekend of the new era, was a typical block-buster, lashed into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area in Blackburn’s 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace.
Paulo Wanchope (Derby) – 1997
Nine days after Derby had signed Wanchope, the little-known Costa Rican announced himself on his debut in style, collecting the ball deep in his own half and galloping past four Manchester United defenders before side-footing a low finish into the bottom corner in a 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) – 1999
Gerrard did not score his first Liverpool goal until his 25th appearance, but it was worth the wait. He burst to the edge of the penalty area after receiving a pass 50 yards from goal and brilliantly stepped round two defenders before firing into the bottom corner in a 4-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday.
Wayne Rooney (Everton) – 2002
Rooney became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the time, five days before his 17th birthday, when stepping off the bench to halt Arsenal’s 30-game unbeaten run with a stunning last-minute 25-yard strike in Everton’s 2-1 home win.
James Milner (Leeds) – 2002
Less than two months later, Milner replaced Rooney as the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer. Aged 16 years and 356 days, the Leeds substitute evaded two tacklers on the edge of the box and unleashed a brilliant finish inside the far post to seal his hometown club a 2-0 win against Chelsea.
Neil Mellor (Liverpool) – 2004
In his second Premier League start, Mellor lashed home a dipping 30-yard volley with virtually the last kick of the game in front of the Anfield Kop to snatch a 2-1 victory for Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool against defending champions Arsenal.
James Vaughan (Everton) – 2005
Vaughan’s predatory strike from Kevin Kilbane’s cross sealed a dream debut for Everton in a 4-0 home win against Crystal Palace and made him the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer at the age of 16 years, eight months and 27 days.
Danny Welbeck (Man Utd) – 2008
Welbeck marked his Premier League debut for Manchester United, 11 days shy of his 18th birthday, by rifling home a curling 30-yard shot into the top corner after replacing Park Ji-sung in the second half of a 5-0 win against Stoke at Old Trafford.
Danny Rose (Tottenham) – 2010
The then teenage left-back enjoyed an unforgettable Premier League debut for Tottenham after scoring a wonder goal in a 2-1 win against derby rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane, crashing home a swerving 30-yard volley after Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia had punched clear a corner.
Anthony Martial (Man Utd) – 2015
Ten days after signing from Monaco for £36million to become the world’s most expensive teenager, Martial scored a stunning solo effort on his debut in a 3-1 win against Liverpool, cutting inside from the left wing and beating three defenders before finishing with aplomb into the bottom corner.
Tunisia head coach Jalel Kadri has warned his players the opening matches of the Africa Cup of Nations have already shown they can take nothing for granted in the tournament.
Tunisia are strong favourites for their Group E opener against Namibia, but Kadri pointed to Ghana’s shock defeat to Cape Verde and Mozambique’s draw against Egypt on Sunday when saying that upsets are always possible.
“Namibia is a serious opponent, and we don’t have any easy team,” Kadri said. “The results in the opening rounds have shown that there is no small team in Africa as we saw, so we need to show them respect and play to our best ability. The opening matches have shown that.”
While Tunisia are taking part in their 21st edition of the tournament, Namibia have qualified for only the fourth time in their history. On each of their previous appearances they finished bottom of their group, and they have lost seven of their nine matches.
Tunisia cruised through qualifying, conceding only one goal in six games, but have reason to be wary having failed to win any of their last four opening fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The goal for the 2004 winners is to improve on last time out, when they reached the quarter-finals, but Kadri must prove wrong a number of doubters back home, and will be without the retired Wahbi Khazri and young midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, who has made himself unavailable to sort out his club future.
“We will try to go as far as possible,” he said. “We have teams that are good quality so we will try to win each match and go as far as possible. We must be respectful to all opponents.
“There are Africa’s best teams that are present, so ours is to do our best in every match and take it game by game.”
Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery has been ruled out for the season after suffering a serious knee injury in training.
Slattery has been a regular feature in Motherwell’s midfield and joins Lennon Miller on the sidelines.
“First off, I want to wish Callum the very best in his recovery,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said on the club’s website.
“Losing him is a massive blow for the team and the nature (of how) he has picked up this injury only makes the situation worse for the player.
“We’ve not had our problems to seek with regards to injuries this season and this is another hurdle we have to deal with.”
Former Southampton player Slattery’s three-year contract expires in the summer. The 24-year-old has made 93 appearances for Motherwell.
Kettlewell said: “Callum will now begin his recovery and the staff here will look after him every step of the way and I have no doubts, with the Callum’s attitude and strong mentality, he will come back stronger and ready to go.”
Manchester City snatched a last-gasp win over Newcastle on Saturday as they look to kick-start their traditional title charge in the second half of the Premier League season.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won five of the last six titles and here, the PA news agency looks at their formidable record in the run-in.
Strong in the home stretch
City have won at least 14 of their final 19 games in each of the last six seasons, with a minimum of 45 points in that stretch (2.37 per game) in their five title-winning campaigns and 43 in 2019-20 when they finished second to Liverpool.
That includes the Premier League’s only 100-point tally in 2017-18 and the memorable battle the following season in which Liverpool set another record by finishing second with 97 points.
That season required City’s best run-in of all, winning 18 of their last 19 games and the last 14 in succession to stay a point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side, who themselves finished with nine straight wins.
City won 14 of their last 19 games in 2019-20 but lost four – to Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Southampton – as they finished 18 points behind the Reds, who had built up a dominant lead by winning 18 and drawing one before the halfway point.
Guardiola’s side have won 15, 14 and 15 of their 19 games in the second half of the three seasons since, winning the title on each occasion. That includes another one-point winning margin in 2021-22, when Liverpool won 16 and drew three in the run-in.
In the six completed seasons going back to 2017-18, City won 90 out of 114 games in the second half of the campaign to earn 280 points. Oscar Bobb’s late goal at St James’ Park on Saturday provided just the start required for another strong finish to the campaign this year.
Liverpool rank second with 254 points in the equivalent games, with Manchester United the only other team over 200 at a distant 208. City do also have 267 points in the first halves of those seasons, 18 more than Liverpool with the established ‘big six’ all above 200.
Let battle recommence
Liverpool are again the main rivals for this season’s title, currently top of the league and two points ahead of City having lost only one game.
Aston Villa are alongside City on 43 points but have played a game more and won only one of their last four, with Arsenal slipping three points further back in fourth after a run of one win in five. Spurs also have 40 points but, like Villa, have played 21 games.
With City and Liverpool’s goal difference also level on plus-25, the stage is set for another memorable fight over the second half of the season.
City’s experience and winning record in those battles will aid their bid, as is the keenly awaited return of Erling Haaland – still joint-top of the Golden Boot standings with 14 goals despite missing the last five games.
He is alongside Mohamed Salah, who was ever-present for Liverpool’s first 20 games but now faces his own absence of potentially up to four matches while away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah also leads the league in assists, alongside Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with eight.
Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner believes he can make a big impact under Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham without being “the main man” scoring goals.
Much was expected of the Germany international when he completed a £53million switch to Stamford Bridge in 2020 after scoring goals aplenty at RB Leipzig.
But the pacy forward failed to transfer his German scoring feats into the Premier League and returned to his former club for just £25m after two seasons in west London.
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The 27-year-old is back in English football after joining Spurs on loan – with Son Heung-min at the Asian Cup – and provided an assist on his debut in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United.
“We wanted to win the three points, that’s the only not-so-good thing but we did a very good game,” Werner, whose six-month loan includes an option to make the deal permanent, said.
“It’s not easy to win at Old Trafford and yeah I’m very pleased with my game.
“I enjoyed it out there and with the assist, it was a very good debut for Spurs.”
Asked whether supporters saw the best of him at Chelsea, the Germany international said: “That’s hard to say. There was always criticism of my game there.
“At the beginning I also started like I did here, from the left side.
“I think a lot of people wanted to see me scoring more goals, but at Spurs, with the tactics we have and the way the manager wants me to play, I can bring a lot to the group, also with my assists and maybe (by) not being the main man who scores the goals.
“To make deep runs to create space for the others and like today, to create an assist.”
Werner’s work on the left allowed Rodrigo Bentancur to make it 2-2 at Old Trafford, where Spurs twice came from behind and should perhaps have left with more than a point.
It was a promising debut from a player that scored 23 goals in 89 appearances for Chelsea and helped win the Champions League in 2021.
“Maybe sometimes it’s not about the fans or the manager,” Werner said when asked if criticism of his time at Stamford Bridge was unfair.
“Sometimes it’s about you, how you are getting things together, how you look at your stats and think, ‘I wanted to score more goals’.
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“I think now I’m a bit older, I see how important assists and deep runs are for the team.
“I also want to score goals but it’s not the main part of my game anymore. I can bring so much more especially in this kind of tactic for the group.”
Richarlison and Bentancur were the goalscorers for Postecoglou’s side on Sunday, cancelling out goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford.
Hojlund’s thumping opener got United off to a dream start inside three minutes, but Erik ten Hag’s side lost their way in what will be their only Premier League match this month.
“We were talking in the break about switching off, so it was a little bit annoying (to concede so quickly),” Hojlund said, referring to Bentancur’s strike within a minute of the second half getting under way.
“We need to take the positives with us, again we need to be disappointed, as two times we were ahead.
“It can happen but again I think we played a great game.”
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