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West Ham United will attempt to record their first Premier League win of the season when they travel to Everton on Sunday afternoon.

The Hammers have lost to Liverpool, Bournemouth, Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this term, with new head coach Manuel Pellegrini not exactly making the most ideal of starts.

Everton are unbeaten in the league this term, but have drawn three of their four matches, and might well struggle to put a team out this weekend.

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Indeed, the Toffees face being without the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gueye, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane, James McCarthy, Theo Walcott and Richarlison.

That is some list of absentees, and should be seen as a huge boost to West Ham.

The London club’s supporters are still pessimistic when it comes to the clash at Goodison Park, however, with many still expecting to lose despite Everton’s issues.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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While Rangers are averaging over a goal a game so far this season, having found the net six times in their opening four matches of the Scottish Premier League campaign, Steven Gerrard’s side are four points behind rivals Celtic and seven points adrift of league leaders Hearts.

What’s gone wrong at the Ibrox?

Whilst the legendary Liverpool midfielder turned manager has guided the Gers to qualification for the group stage of the Europa League, Rangers have had their worst league start since 1989.

Currently sitting in seventh place in the Scottish Premier League table, and having already lost the first Old Firm game of the season courtesy of Olivier Ntcham’s second-half strike, Steven Gerrard is in desperate need of victories.

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Despite bringing in 15 new arrivals throughout the summer transfer window, if matches don’t start going Rangers’ way, Gerrard may turn to the transfer market in January to solve their issues.

With mistakes occurring at both ends of the pitch, perhaps the loan acquisition of Middlesbrough back-up striker Ashley Fletcher could improve Rangers’ attacking arsenal for the remainder of the season.

What’s the appeal of Ashley Fletcher?

Middlesbrough have started the 2018/19 Championship season without defeat in their opening six matches of the campaign under the reign of Tony Pulis, with striker Ashley Fletcher featuring four times off the bench.

Competing for a place in the Boro starting XI against the likes of Martin Braithwaite, Britt Assombalonga and Rudy Gestede, the 22-year-old, who joined the ranks at the Riverside in July 2017, is yet to find the back of the net this season in his four substitute appearances.

Fletcher, who started his career in the youth set up at Manchester United, spent the latter stages of last season on loan at Sunderland, where he scored two goals in 16 Championship appearances.

Despite the lack of goals last season, with a consistent run of games in a first team and Ashley Fletcher could be a top class centre forward.

With height, pace, power and precision, Fletcher could provide goals for Steven Gerrard’s side, and help them out of the rut they currently find themselves in. But, of course, they will have to wait until January to make a move for the youngster.

It’d been a tough start to the season for West Ham as they lost their first four league games this season but now have now beaten Everton, while also holding Chelsea to a draw this weekend. 

The Hammers spent heavily over the summer as they broke their transfer record twice on Issa Diop and then Felipe Anderson, while also bringing in former Machester City boss Manuel Pellegrini. With so many changes over the summer, it was always going to take time for the team to adapt and gel together and it seems as though they are finally beginning to hit some form.

Following the game, Declan Rice admitted that not only were the players confident following the win against Everton but are also looking to take another three points against Man U this weekend.

The Breakdown

Obviously holding a Chelsea side that had been so impressive this season to a draw, was a great result for the Hammers but the fans need to be careful about getting too carried away. Only in the last two weeks have West Ham picked up any points and go into a run of fixtures where they play Man U, Tottenham, Leicester City and Man City.

While it does seem that Pellegrini has finally discovered which formation to play, the Hammers still have a tough run of fixtures to play and if Mark Arnautovic continues to struggle with injuries, they could find it very hard to win games.

West Ham fans, what do you think?

In what came as surprising news, reports emerged yesterday that talks between Aaron Ramsey and Arsenal had broken down and it now looks likely that the Welshman will either leave in January or on a free next summer. 

According to David Ornstein, Arsenal had agreed a deal with Aaron Ramsey but have now pulled the plug on the deal. The Daily Mail is now reporting that the midfielder will not be forced out in January despite Arsenal putting him up for transfer.

The Breakdown

Despite having a fairly strong year last season, Ramsey doesn’t hold the sway that the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez had as their contract negotiations rumbled on. In truth, Arsenal are in a much stronger position with Ramsey and shouldn’t be held to ransom.

Over his Arsenal career, Ramsey had lived off his one exceptional season in 2013/14 where he scored 10 goals to go along with nine assists. Since then, his stats have been solid but not spectacular enough for him to command a wage anywhere close to that of Ozil.

At this point in the season, Arsenal are just starting to build some momentum after a fairly tough start and have won their last six games. With that air of positivity starting to permeate through the team, the Gunners can ill afford to have yet another contract saga derail their season.

With that in mind, Arsenal should do all they can to sell Ramsey in January and get some financial return.

What do you think Arsenal fans? 

Leicester City saw progression into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after beating Wolves 3-1 on penalties at Molineux on Tuesday night. 

And at the heart of the Foxes’ penalty heroics was deputy goalkeeper Danny Ward, who is now looking to become his side’s first-choice No.1 ahead of Kasper Schmeichel.

The Breakdown

Speaking after Leicester’s recent win, Ward told Sky Sports: “No one is content with sitting on the bench, but that’s the way it is.

“It’s a challenge [to become No.1], you have to aspire to play. Kasper has been brilliant for a number of years and being recognised with his nomination for FIFA Best the other day. It’s a great task for me to try to move him, but it’s one I’m definitely relishing.”

Ward’s performance against Wolves was definitely promising but, given how consistent Schmeichel has been for the club since arriving back in 2011 and his exploits at the World Cup, it will take much more for his spot between the posts to come under threat.

In fact, the competition that £9m-rated (via Transfermarkt) Ward is providing could even see the Denmark international reach a new level, making the 25-year-old’s task an even more difficult one.

Ward arrived at the King Power from Liverpool during the summer in search of more minutes — something he will definitely see more of now compared to his time at Anfield.

However, there is a long way to go before the Welshman becomes manager Claude Puel’s No.1.

[ad_pod ]Loads of Everton fans have been giving their verdict on Tuesday’s Carabao Cup exit, and they’re fuming at Morgan Schneiderlin.Schneiderlin was one of the main scapegoats when Everton were so poor under Sam Allardyce last season, and deservedly so.The former Manchester United midfielder didn’t put in nearly enough effort to justify wearing the famous blue, and fans were desperate to sell him this summer.[brid autoplay=”true” video=”302265″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts The Icelandic Coutinho & The Scottish Ronaldo”]He has improved slightly this season though, putting in some good performances before losing his place in the last couple of weeks.The 28-year-old was handed another chance on Tuesday night against Southampton, and to say it went poorly would be an understatement.The Frenchman’s passing was slow and negative, and he wasn’t quick enough to charge down Danny Ings for the Saints’ opening goal.Fans are absolutely crucifying his apparent lack of effort on Twitter, and you can find some of the best reactions down below…

West Bromwich Albion should try to sign Wigan Athletic attacker Nick Powell if Harvey Barnes leaves the club in January.

What’s the word?

Barnes moved to The Hawthorns from Leicester City in the summer on a season-long loan, and he has become a crucial part of Darren Moore’s team.

The 20-year-old is predominantly a winger, but he has been playing the number 10 role at The Hawthorns.

So far, Barnes has scored five goals and created two assists in 14 matches in all competitions.

However, it looks as though the Baggies could lose the talented player in January, as PA Sports journalist Nick Mashiter reports that Leicester intend to trigger a clause that allows them to recall Barnes when the transfer window reopens.

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How should West Brom respond?

If Barnes ends up leaving The Hawthorns, then the club should dip into the market to recruit a replacement.

Wigan Athletic’s Nick Powell could be an option as his contract at the DW Stadium is due to expire at the end of the season, which means that he could be bought for a cut-price deal.

The 24-year-old failed to make the cut at Manchester United after various loan spells and officially joined Wigan in 2016.

This season, Powell has scored four goals and registered four assists in 12 Championship matches.

The attack-minded ace can play as a number 10 or further up as a striker if needs be.

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Liverpool are considering a move for Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay, according to Turkish-Football.

What’s the word?

Jurgen Klopp’s assault for the Premier League title has gone fairly well so far as the Reds sit joint-top of the standings alongside Chelsea and Manchester City after eight matches, although there is still a lot more work to be done.

The Merseyside giants have shown their financial strength in 2018 by sealing mega-money deals for Virgil van Dijk and Alisson – and there is the possibility of further deals in January as Klopp eyes further movement to bolster his squad.

According to Turkish-Football, Hoffenheim midfielder Kerim Demirbay is on the agenda as Liverpool look to utilise the links with the player that they have through Naby Keita and Sadio Mane, who share an agent with the 25-year-old.

Where would he fit?

After signing Fabinho and Naby Keita in the summer, it is difficult to see where exactly Demirbay would fit into a midfield that also boasts the likes of Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.

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Demirbay is a more creative player than the options the Reds currently have at their disposal but questions would be asked about the club’s plans in the market as Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho and Keita were all purchased in the past year.

The former in particular will hope to be a regular in the starting XI when he returns from injury, and the arrival of Demirbay would undoubtedly jeopardise that.

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Newcastle grabbed themselves a hard-fought point at Southampton on Saturday, but the performance of Yoshinori Muto left a lot to be desired.

Newcastle’s transfer business this summer was truly bizarre, as they shipped out two players who have proven they can score goals for the club and replaced them with two players who are already proving they can’t.

Salomon Rondon’s move to Tyneside has been plagued by injuries, but excluding his impressive display at Manchester City the Venezuelan hasn’t exactly been impressive when he has been fit.

Muto had to wait for his opportunity, and after a brilliantly taken goal at Old Trafford the 25-cap Japanese international has lost his way.

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He has now started three matches in a row, and the performances both against Brighton and Southampton are a huge concern.

The 26-year-old completed just 61 per cent of his passes at St Mary’s, the third worst rate of the 20 outfield starters.

He also took three unsuccessful touches, which was the most of any Newcastle player, and committed three fouls.

The crafty forward did manage to complete two dribbles but he made no key passes and managed just one shot, which failed to hit the target.

Whether Muto was Rafael Benitez’s first choice in the summer or not, the gamble to play him up front simply did not work.

The summer signing has to be in behind as the number ten if he’s going to play, potentially sending Ayoze Perez to the bench for one of Rondon or Joselu to play up front.

Either way, Benitez has to find a way to get one of his front men firing, and current form suggests it won’t be Muto.

So, Newcastle fans, where are the goals going to come from? Have you been impressed by Muto so far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

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Newcastle fans are desperate for 19-year-old Elias Sorensen to get the nod ahead of Joselu, Yoshinori Muto and Salomon Rondon for what may be a potential relegation six pointer already in October.

Both Newcastle and Southampton have had a poor start to life in their current Premier League campaigns, with the north east side rooted to the bottom of the table without a win and this weekend’s hosts not doing much better in 16th.

Goals have particularly been hard for either side to come by, with only Huddersfield and Crystal Palace netting fewer than the pair.

Amazingly, only one player has netted more than once for Newcastle with Joselu firing home twice in his nine appearances, keeping his tally above positional rivals Yoshinori Muto (one goal in eight) and Salomon Rondon (four games, no goals).

The story is vastly different in the club’s youth ranks, however, with wonderkid Elias Sorensen recently scoring a hat-trick against Aston Villa on Monday night to bring his tally for the season up to eleven.

Despite a tough start to life in Tyneside, the talent acquired from HB Koge in 2016 has the attention of the Toon Army, with a staggering 76% of fans voting in a recent Football FanCast poll that they want the 19-year-old to lead the line up at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday for what would be his Premier League debut.

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