Valerien Ismael explained he dropped key midfielder Imran Louza for disciplinary reasons ahead of Watford’s 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn.The Morocco midfielder is understood to have been punished for poor time-keeping, arriving late for a training session.Louza was introduced as a half-time substitute but it was from his error that Ryan Hedges went on to score the game’s only goal...Full Story »

Valerien Ismael shrugged off Watford’s wastefulness in front of goal in the goalless draw against Plymouth at Vicarage Road and accentuated the positives from their performance.His side managed just three efforts on target from 20 attempts on goals, with striker Vakoun Bayo especially profligate.Bayo struck shots wide in both halves as Watford dominated a Plymouth side that were always dan...Full Story »

Watford boss Valerien Ismael hailed his players as they got his Vicarage Road reign off to a rip-roaring start with a 4-0 win against a hapless QPR side.All of the goals came in a scintillating first-half display that saw the Hornets take the lead after just 33 seconds through Tom Dele-Bashiru.The impressive Imran Louza, Matthias Martins and Vakoun Bayo also profited from some dismal defending f...Full Story »

Ismael Bennacer’s first-half goal helped AC Milan win 1-0 against 10-man Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.Although the visitors had plenty of chances in the opening stages, Bennacer put Milan in front just before the break and a frustrating night for Napoli – who were without injured striker Victor Osimhen – was capped when Andre-Frank Zambo Angui...Full Story »

Ange Postecoglou claims there was nothing fortuitous about Daizen Maeda’s unusual goal in Celtic’s convincing 3-0 cinch Premiership win over Livingston at Parkhead.Left-back Greg Taylor eventually breached a resolute Livi defence in the 29th minute with a fine drive and three minutes later Japan attacker Maeda added a second when Livingston defender Ayo Obileye’s clearance came...Full Story »

Goals from Daizen Maeda and Giorgos Giakoumakis took Celtic into the Viaplay Cup final with a 2-0 victory over valiant Kilmarnock at Hampden Park.Japan international Maeda knew little about it when the ball bounced off his chest a few yards from goal in the 18th minute following an Aaron Mooy free-kick.The holders had two goals chalked off by VAR for offside after the break which kept Derek McIn...Full Story »

Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today.     Man City transfer plans to signing Saka & Bellingham     Thank you and Goodbye, MaestroSinisa Mihajlovic   Sergio Ramos wore The Captain's Armband for the first time in a while since Leaving Real Madrid   Let's be a part of this Historical moment - irrespective of who you like or support!   PSG fans o...Full Story »

Goals from Japanese forwards Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda maintained Celtic’s seven-point lead in the cinch Premiership thanks to a 2-1 win at Motherwell.Furuhashi struck early on but Motherwell made a game of it against the champions and had chances themselves before substitute Maeda scored with six minutes left.Ross Tierney hit back two minutes later to continue the excitement but Mo...Full Story »

West Brom boss Valerien Ismael insisted he has no intention of succumbing to pressure after Millwall downed his side 2-0 at The Den.Mason Bennett broke the deadlock in the second half before Benik Afobe doubled the Lions’ lead, and a strong performance by Bartosz Bialkowski in goal secured a well-deserved three points.It was another blow to the struggling Baggies, who have now won jus...Full Story »

West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael revealed England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone missed the 2-0 home defeat to Preston through disciplinary issues on a night when supporters turned on the Frenchman.Johnstone failed to make the squad after a three-match ban and was replaced by David Button.“We had a matter, an issue in the squad and have solved the problem,” said Ismael.“He was no...Full Story »

Valerien Ismael paid tribute to the match-clinching impact of his substitutes as West Brom ran out 3-0 winners against Championship strugglers Peterborough at The Hawthorns.Cedric Kipre, Karlan Grant and Grady Diangana all scored in the final 11 minutes of normal time to seal a convincing score-line which Posh boss Darren Ferguson felt flattered the hosts.Diangana and Callum Robinson were introd...Full Story »

Daizen Maeda scored less than four minutes into his Celtic debut as Ange Postecoglou’s side returned to action with a 2-0 victory over Hibernian.Josip Juranovic was also on target in the first half from the penalty spot as Celtic moved three points behind cinch Premiership leaders Rangers ahead of the champions’ visit to Aberdeen on Tuesday.Celtic’s three Japanese January signi...Full Story »

West Brom manager Valerien Ismael insisted his side were denied a “clear” penalty in their 1-0 defeat at QPR.Shortly before Charlie Austin headed in a last-minute winner against his former club, Conor Townsend went down under a challenge from Stefan Johansen.Referee Simon Hooper waved away Albion’s appeals for a spot-kick and Rangers made the most of the let-off.“I think ...Full Story »

Rival managers Valerien Ismael and Steve Morison criticised referee Thomas Bramall after tempers boiled over at the end of the 1-1 draw between West Brom and Cardiff at The Hawthorns.Ismael stormed on to the pitch and West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and Cardiff defender Aden Flint were sent off after a melee was sparked by Bramall’s refusal to award a penalty for what both managers agre...Full Story »

West Brom boss Valerien Ismael could opt for changes for Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Cardiff.Ismael was critical of his side in the wake of Monday’s 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Derby.Midfielder Alex Mowatt and forward Karlan Grant missed that game due to Covid-related absences and may return.Academy graduates Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Tom Fellows are among ...Full Story »

West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael urged his players to show a “lion mentality” after losing 1-0 at bottom club Derby.A bizarre goal by Colin Kazim-Richards in the 58th minute following a mistake from visiting goalkeeper Sam Johnstone made it back-to-back wins for Wayne Rooney’s side for the first time since February.But for Ismael, missing the chance to climb into the Sky Be...Full Story »

West Brom boss Valerien Ismael admitted bolstering his strikeforce will be his biggest priority in the January transfer window following a 0-0 draw at Barnsley.The Baggies have the Championship’s best defensive record this season but failed to find the net for a fourth time in their last six contests during a wasteful night at Oakwell.Striker Jordan Hugill, who has only netted once this te...Full Story »

Former Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael could not inspire West Brom to their first win at Oakwell for 74 years on his return to the club.Albion, currently positioned 18 places above Ismael’s old employers, were forced to settle for a goalless Championship draw at his old stomping ground, extending the club’s winless run in the South Yorkshire town to a 19th visit.The sorry record &ndash...Full Story »

West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael revealed the club had asked for their game against Reading to be postponed because of a Covid-19 outbreak before beating the Royals 1-0 at The Hawthorns.Callum Robinson’s 61st-minute goal separated the sides but getting a team onto the pitch was the initial success for Ismael after Albion were without four players who tested positive for the virus.Defen...Full Story »

Valerien Ismael believes his West Brom side are “back on track” after ending their four-match winless run with a 2-1 success over Coventry at the Coventry Building Society Arena.Kyle McFadzean’s controversial own goal shortly before the interval proved decisive after Karlan Grant had put the Baggies ahead in the 20th minute.McFadzean then scored again at the right end this time...Full Story »