UNTOUCHABLE Golden boy Coutinho’s not for sale
ZLATAN’S DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR TONY
PAUL HETHERINGTON West Brom 0 Man United 2 ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC was feeling “beautiful” last night after firing Manchester United to a 2-0 win over Tony Pulis’ West Brom.
Ibra’s double took his total for what has been an impressive first season in England to 16.
And the cool Swede, 35, then said: “For me, it was a beautiful game. I’m feeling good – a bit tired but still confident.
“It was a difficult game but we were prepared for it. The team did a tremendous job.
“But when things are going as well as they are it’s easier.”
United’s victory extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions and means they are level on points with fifth-placed Tottenham – who host Burnley today.
ZLAT’S WHAT HE’S ALL ABOUT:
RESULT! P2-3 TONY STENSON C Palace 0 Chelsea 1 IRRESISTIBLE Chelsea made it 11 straight wins as their domination of the Premier League goes on.
Diego Costa headed home the only goal of the game at Selhurst Park as they moved NINE points clear at the top.
Boss Antonio Conte once explained that a good manager needs to be a tailor – and he already seems to be sewing up the title.
“The run is fantastic,” said the sharp-dressing Italian.
“Congratulations to my players, not me. I am pleased for them because they deserve this.”
In an ominous warning to their title rivals, Conte added: “We can improve. It is important to understand we are only at the 17th game in the season.”
Gary Cahill believes Chelsea are currently operating at the peak of their powers.
The defender said: “We feel very confident. We’re in good shape and we’ve got some fantastic players in top form.
“It’s a record we should be very proud of.”
NUMBERS GAME: RESULT! P4-5 PHILIPPE COUTINHO will return to the Liverpool side after his injury as the most wanted player in the world. But the Anfield club regard the samba superstar as untouchable and will offer him a new contract – even though he signed a deal only 18 months ago that will run until 2020. Coutinho, 24, is wanted by Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The little Brazilian cost Liverpool just £8.5million when he joined from Inter Milan in 2013 and he has become their prized asset since his arrival. The Daily Star Sunday has also been told that he is being discussed at Manchester City as a potential successor to Spanish maestro David Silva. But they realise prising Coutinho from PAUL HETHERINGTON Merseyside would be extremely difficult, even though they managed to sign England international Raheem Sterling from Liverpool for £49m in the summer of 2015.
In Coutinho’s case, it could take a world record fee of £90m, eclipsing the £89.2m that Manchester United forked out to re-sign Paul Pogba in the summer.
Liverpool, though, are not interested in selling the Brazilian, who hopes to return from his ankle ligament injury against City on New Year’s Eve.
They are looking instead at making him their highest-paid player on around £150k-a-week.
Coutinho is on the mend after injuring his ankle against Sunderland last month but his recovery will not come quick enough for tomorrow night’s Mersey derby at Everton.