Author: admin

If Daniel James was wondering what he had to do to work his way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans, he now has his answer.

After a long spell out of the starting lineup, the Welsh winger delivered a performance during the week that Solskjaer conceded made him impossible to drop.

It was evident in his celebration that the goal against Real Sociedad was a weight off his shoulders, and he went into Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle looking to build on his newfound momentum.

What’s the best way to do that? Well, another goal would do, wouldn’t it?.

After months of seeming as though he would fade into the background at Old Trafford, James is once again showing the short of goalscoring form that made him an immediate favourite after his move from Swansea.

His goal against Newcastle, peeling off at the back post, anticipating the mistake from Jamal Lewis, and absolutely hammering the ball into the bottom corner, was his sixth goal this season for club and country.

It was his sixth goal in his last nine matches, and his sixth in 505 minutes of football. He has netted a goal for every 84 minutes he has played since November.

Critics of James’ game have labelled him something of a one-trick pony, and a player who only scores one type of goal: the type that utilises his pace to get away from a defender down the flank.

Solskjaer has hinted that he has been working hard to add more dimensions to his play, though, and if his impressive goalscoring numbers aren’t enough to convince you of that, then his overall performance against Newcastle should have.

Even before his goal he was seen getting into the right positions to score. You can see it in his movement off the ball ahead of Marcus Rashford’s opening goal: rather than following the shot in, he pulls off into space in anticipation of a rebound, displaying an awareness that he didn’t appear to have in his locker just a few months ago.

When his goal did arrive it came from a similar situation. Lewis gets drawn in, James senses that Bruno Fernandes is about to nudge it past him, and there is no note of surprise in his body language when he takes a touch and calmly hammers the ball into the corner.

His recent improvement has perhaps flown under the radar at a time when United seem to be scoring goals for fun, but as the season ticks on, this is an aspect of James’ game that looks set to win them points.

They may have Rashford and Fernandes in the form of their respective lives, but another attacker with a nose for the back of the net could go a long way as they look to finish this season as strongly as possible.

James’ cheesy grin has been the prevailing image from United’s wins over Sociedad and Newcastle, and with no sign that the goals are about to dry up for the free-scoring Welshman, it’s a picture we may become very familiar with in the second half of the season.

Real Madrid closed the gap on Atletico Madrid to three points at the top of La Liga, battling to beat Real Valladolid 1-0 on Saturday evening.

Los Blancos almost fell behind early on, and had to rely on Thibaut Courtois to produce a stunning double save to deny Saidy Janko’s deflected strike at goal. Madrid recovered and took a hold of the game, although they failed to find a first-half breakthrough.

Mariano Diaz came closest for the champions, twice seeing his goal ruled out for offside, as the two teams entered the dressing rooms even at the break. Courtois was the hero at the start of the second half too, repelling a vicious volley after Ferland Mendy inadvertently crossed the ball into his own box.

And the Belgian’s heroics were rewarded at the other end of the pitch, when Casemiro rose highest to nod home Toni Kroos’ wicked free-kick. Madrid saw out the match to claim three massive points and take another step in their pursuit of league leaders Atleti.

Let’s check out the player ratings from a tense evening in La Liga.

Thibaut Courtois (GK) – 8/10 – Pulled off an insane double stop in the opening minutes to keep Madrid on level terms. Palmed away another shot from distance soon after. Stopped a powerful volley in the second half. A well earned clean sheet.

Lucas Vazquez (RB) – 7/10 – Always ran to the byline to try and clip a cross in from the right flank. Deployed as an attacking full-back with far less defending to do than usual.

Raphael Varane (CB) – 8/10 – Rocked by the initial chances which fell to the hosts, but grabbed a foothold as Madrid took control of the game.

Nacho Fernandez (CB) – 7/10 – Relatively assured at the back, and growing in his extended run at the heart of the side. Ran the risk of giving away a penalty, but escaped punishment for a flimsy tackle.

Ferland Mendy (LB) – 6/10 – Galloped up and down the left side, but did play a disastrous pass across his own box to almost hand Valladolid an equaliser.

Luka Modric (CM) – 6/10 – Offered some neat footwork and popped up in different areas of the pitch, trying to get Madrid moving. Couldn’t influence the game with his usual class and intelligence.

Casemiro (CM) – 8/10 – One of the best attackers of a set piece in Spain. Leapt brilliantly to power Madrid ahead. When they need a hero, Casemiro is so often there.

Toni Kroos (CM) – 8/10 – The pass master. Kept it simple when needed and then switched it up to bamboozle the Valladolid defence. Dangerous on set pieces as always, helping to break the deadlock.

Marco Asensio (RW) – 6/10 – Fancied his chances from range, curling over the bar from the corner of the penalty area. Didn’t run at the defence or ask enough questions. Subbed.

Mariano Diaz (ST) – 6/10 – Thought he had opened the scoring, but he strayed just offside in the buildup. Found the net a second time, but suffered the same fate.

Vinicius Junior (LW) – 6/10 – Saw very little of the ball in the first half, as Madrid looked to threaten down the right wing, rather than his left. Ineffective and subbed.

Sergio Arribas (RW) – 6/10

Isco (LW) – 7/10

Hugo Duro (ST) – 6/10