Derby needed a late free-kick strike courtesy of captain Wayne Rooney to help them snatch their first Championship win of the new campaign away at Norwich on October 3, despite being outplayed for large periods. On their return from international duty, can the Rams string together successive league victories as they look to kickstart the season here? Continue reading
Tag: Wayne Rooney
Championship Previews: West Brom host Derby, Millwall and Swansea among sides in action
There’s a packed fixture schedule midweek as the Championship season intensifies, with title challengers West Brom set to face promotion hopefuls Derby County. Elsewhere, Millwall and Swansea are among the sides in action on Wednesday. Continue reading
History revisited: Who are the youngest goalscorers in Premier League history?
As England’s top-flight prepares to resume the 2019-20 season next month, I take a look at the division’s youngest goalscorer in history. They include Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney – who have since achieved legendary Premier League status… Continue reading
Rewind: Ranking Cristiano Ronaldo’s top 5 teammates during his career
Spoiler alert: no Juventus players feature in this list, but it’s one where Cristiano Ronaldo’s former teammates – both at Real Madrid and one from Manchester – make their name and deservedly so, having helped him become the world’s best. Continue reading
Wayne Rooney says it’s a disgrace to target players during coronavirus crisis
Derby County captain and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has described the current situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic a disgrace, with players facing public pressure to accept a pay cut.
Huddersfield 1-2 Derby County: Lawrence’s stunning brace kickstarts Cocu era
Tom Lawrence’s impressive brace – two goals in three minutes – was pivotal as Derby kicked off the new campaign with a 2-1 away win under new boss Phillip Cocu at the John Smith Stadium. Continue reading
How Angel di Maria went from Manchester United flop to key PSG man
How did Angel di Maria – Manchester United’s club-record £60m signing back in 2014 – go from an expensive flop to a key man at PSG? Here’s how… Continue reading
Everton 1-3 Manchester City: 5 Talking Points
First-half goals from Leroy Sané, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling helped seal a comfortable away victory for Manchester City – who can now secure this season’s Premier League title with a win over local rivals United next weekend. Continue reading
Chelsea move complete, it’s time for Ross Barkley to flourish
Ross Barkley’s £15m move to Chelsea was officially confirmed on Friday, with the 24-year-old signing a five-and-a-half year contract with the defending champions. It’s been a difficult few months for the Englishman, whose proposed £35m deal fell through on deadline day in August.
Ronald Koeman reveals disappointment following Everton sacking
Ronald Koeman has revealed his disappointment at being dismissed, a day after Everton relieved him of his managerial duties on Merseyside.
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Why this is Walcott’s perfect opportunity to shine – for club and country
With another goal for England during their 2-0 home victory against minnows Estonia on Friday night, Theo Walcott has now scored seven goals in his last nine appearances for both club and country.
Wayne Rooney’s absence (ankle) from the final Euro 2016 qualifiers is a notable one, especially given the fact that the Manchester United man has been a mainstay within the Three Lions’ set-up since he burst onto the scene over a decade ago.
However, his injury is a blessing in disguise from an Arsenal perspective. After a slow start to proceedings this term, Walcott has used his goal-scoring form as a benchmark, as he hopes to assert his credentials in order to become Arsène Wenger’s preferred forward choice on a regular basis.
Olivier Giroud – who has received a lot of criticism lately – is the other option for the Frenchman to ponder, and with matches coming thick and fast, he’d hope to have both players fit to choose from.
For all of his strengths, Giroud’s most frustrating tendency includes the fact that if he doesn’t receive service, he’s largely ineffective during a game. Walcott’s completely different in that respect as he creates opportunities out of seemingly nothing. His pace is an asset but there’s still plenty more to his craft than that.
Walcott has flirted with the idea of becoming a recognised centre-forward over the past three years, but until recently, hasn’t had a sustained period in which to try out the role itself. Injuries have hurt his development within the first-team, but his displays in-front of goal for England have been eyecatching to say the least.
Against Estonia, Theo was a constant threat going forward. On the counter attack, he’s a fearsome threat, and his sharp bursts of acceleration were key to pulling Estonia’s backline out of position to create gaps in-and-around the area itself.
His attacking movement has continued to improve as he’s matured, meaning he’s less likely to find himself offside and knows when to time his run before the ball is played, giving him enough of an advantage to strike at goal.
His effort on the stroke of half-time was the epitome of this – waiting patiently as his teammates eased their way towards goal. Some quick passes saw Ross Barkley on the ball, and his inch-perfect spot found Theo’s run with style as the defenders were caught chasing shadows in his wake.
Although he only scored once, he could have had a hat-trick on another day. Naturally, it’s exciting to see Theo in his preferred role, where he’s enjoying his football and is proving his worth.
With the unconvincing form of Harry Kane and Rooney in-front of goal this term, this could be Walcott’s biggest chance to force himself into another dimension – as England’s frontman, as well as Arsenal’s.