Premier League on course for record-breaking season after incident-packed start

Paolo Guerrero silenced his critics with a hat-trick as Peru overcame Bolivia 3-1 for a spot in the final four of the Copa America.

Peru coach Ricardo Gareca was forced to defend Guerrero s goalscoring record pre-match, after the striker went goalless in all three group games in Chile, leaving him with just two international goals since 2012.

Guerrero, however, proved his worth with his second Copa America hat-trick at Estadio Municipal German Becker on Thursday as Peru earned back-to-back semi-final appearances, having reached the final four in Argentina in 2011, and a showdown with host nation Chile.

The Flamengo recruit, who claimed a three-goal haul against Venezuela four years ago, broke the deadlock with his head in the 20th minute, before doubling his tall…

Leicester City have handed winger Harvey Barnes a new four-year contract.

The 23-year-old has signed improved terms and is now tied to the Premier League club until June 2025, one year longer than his previous deal.

Barnes joined Leicester as a nine-year-old and has become a key first-team player since returning from loan spells with MK Dons, Barnsley and West Brom over recent years.

He made his England debut last year but a knee injury in February ended his season early and dashed his hopes of appearing at Euro 2020.

I ve been here for so many years now, it feels like home, said Barnes, who has played 101 times for the Foxes and scored 21 goals.

For me, it was a no-brainer. Of course, I wanted to extend my stay here.

It s been somethi…

What the papers say

Manchester City have identified Rennes forward Jeremy Doku as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who left the club to Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli, the Telegraph reports.

Harry Maguire’s personal terms are now the only issue standing in the way of a move a West Ham after the Hammers agreed to a deal worth £30million with Manchester United for the former captain, the Daily Mail says. Maguire now faces a decision over whether he wants to move to the club and agree to their terms.

The Times reports David De Gea could be set for a move home with Real Madrid interested in a move for the Spanish goalkeeper, who is now a free agent after 12 years with Manchester United. Madrid’s first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be out for a long period after…

Australian striker Sean Rooney has been impressed with new club Salgaocar FC, hailing the Indian outfit s professionalism.

Having joined the Goan side in August, former Newcastle Jets forward Rooney believes that Salgaocar have the right mindset to challenge for top honours in the I-League.

It s been a great experience so far. They are thoroughly professional, have got a good management, good infrastructure, a good squad and they ve taken care of me, Rooney told Goal.com.

I expect us to win trophies this season. We ve had a good pre-season and will be playing in the Federation Cup soon. So I expect us to pick up silverware. I am raring to go and score as many goals to help the team win.

On being asked as to what prompted him to join the two-time I-Lea…

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta has dropped a strong hint that he would like to return to either of his former clubs Inter or Atletico Madrid.

The Italy international joined PSG from Inter in January 2012, and has won the Ligue 1 title in each of his three full seasons in the French capital.

Last season saw him win the domestic treble of league, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, and the 32-year-old believes now could be a good time to move on.

I get the impression that a cycle is coming to an end for me, Motta, who won the treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League with Inter in 2010, told Gazzetta dello Sport.

I have given and received so much. It would be more comfortable to stay, but I wouldn t be honest with myself…

West Ham United are closing in on a permanent deal for Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, .

The Cameroon international spent last season on loan at the Boleyn Ground, racking up thirty-one appearances for the club in all competitions.

New Hammers manager Slaven Bilic has been keen to sign the former Arsenal man though an injury has delayed proceedings.

However, he is now set for a medical and could finalise a switch before the transfer deadline passes on September 1st.

Before moving to Spain in 2012, Song spent seven years with the Gunners, where he played two hundred and twenty-seven times, scoring ten times while he also had a brief loan spell with Charlton Athletic in 2007.

He has been capped forty-nine times for Cameroon, and was part of th…

Michy Batshuayi has criticised UEFA after European football s governing body dropped racism charges against Atalanta.

The Borussia Dortmund striker, on loan at the club from Chelsea, accused Atalanta fans of racially abusing him during last month s Europa League tie.

Batshuayi tweeted after the game: 2018 and still racists monkey noises in the stands…really?! Hope you have fun watching the rest of the Europa League on TV while we are through. #SayNoToRacism #GoWatchBlackPanther .

UEFA subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against Atalanta, but they confirmed on Thursday no punishment will be levied against the Serie A side.

Atalanta were fined €34,000 for other charges from the game including the throwing of fireworks and stairways being blocke…

Arsenal have reportedly been given a boost in their pursuit of Club Brugge s Noah Lang.

The Gunners have been linked with the 22-year-old for a while now, and they ve apparently made his potential signing one of their priorities for the January transfer window. According to the , the Belgian side would like to keep the winger for the rest of the season, but head coach Philippe Clement says they need to be realistic about the situation.

Lang, who has two senior international caps with Netherlands to his name to date, came through the ranks at Ajax and had a loan spell with FC Twente, before joining Brugge on an initial loan on the last day of the summer window in 2020. The move was made permanent this year for a reported fee of £5 million.

Arsenal are believed t…

Bolton manager Dougie Freedman has ruled out a permanent move for Liverpool’s Jay Spearing, claiming his price tag is too high.

The 24-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan at the Reebok Stadium, making 39 appearances in total as Bolton narrowly missed out on a play-off place in the Championship.

Spearing has been linked with a return to Bolton but Freedman distanced himself from that speculation when answering questions from fans on the club’s official Twitter account on Tuesday.

When quizzed on Spearing, Freedman tweeted: We spoke to Liverpool and their valuation was too high. Please do not believe the price that some journalist makes up.

Newspaper reports have suggested that Bolton’s rivals Blackburn are keen on Spearing, who has also spent time…

Stephen Warnock is eager to make up for lost time and produce an FA Cup upset when Derby County take on Manchester United in the fourth round on Friday.

Despite being named in England’s squad for the 2010 World Cup, the 34-year-old left-back’s career came to a stuttering halt six months later when then Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier deemed him unworthy of a first-team place.

Warnock has been unable to reproduce the form that enabled him to win two international caps but feels he has the opportunity to rebuild his reputation with a shock win in the cup.

I had a difficult time at Villa when Gerard Houllier came in,  the former Liverpool defender said.

I thought I was playing well at the time, but all of a sudden I was left out of the squad and …