It took only four matches for English Premier League clubs to start changes on the bench. The club that had the unlikely honor to open the season was Watford, with the club deciding to fire their manager Javi Garcia after just four games.

Garcia leaves Watford after starting the season with three losses and one draw, which was enough for one point and last place in Premier League. Despite the team’s bad form, it was expected that the 49-year-old Spaniard will get a chance to try and turn things around.

Under Garcia, Watford managed to get to 11^th place in the league while also reaching FA Cup finals.

“After the unexpected announcement about the termination of my contract … I want to express my surprise after completing the best season in Watford’s history,” – said Gracia in a statement. “I’m grateful to this club for allowing me to manage this great club in the Premier League, it has been an incredible experience, with very special moments like the FA Cup final I had the privilege to enjoy.”

Watford didn’t wait for too long to find a replacement for Garcia. The club hired another Spaniard, Quique Sánchez Flores, to coach the club until the end of the season.

This will be Flores’ second stint with Watford, as he was the club’s manager between 2015 and 2016.

The post Watford Surprisingly Fires Manager Javi Gracia appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Manchester City and Watford have punched their tickets to the FA Cup final after triumphing in the semi-finals over the weekend.

Man City was the first team to qualify after a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night at Wembley.

City didn’t turn in one of its best performances, but a 4th minute Gabriel Jesus goal was enough to propel them to the next round. Brighton came close on a few occasions to knotting up the score in the second half, but they were unable to break through.

Manchester City will look to win its first FA Cup final since 2011 against Watford, which won a thriller against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Wolves started off strong in their matchup against Watford, taking a 0-1 lead with a 36th-minute goal. They doubled their lead when Raul Jiménez scored in the 62nd minute.

However, Watford orchestrated an incredible comeback.

Gerard Deulofeu scored in the 79th minute to bring Watford within a goal, and then a penalty was whistled against Wolves in stoppage time. Troy Deeney converted to send the game to extra time, where Deulofeu scored again to send Watford to the final.

Watford will attempt to make history and win their first FA Cup in the final against Man City on May 18th.

The post Man City, Watford Advance to FA Cup Final appeared first on SportzBonanza.

A new manager is keen to stamp his authority on a new club. To make his mark, and mold the team into his vision of a successful future.

Player trading is an integral part of this process and every transfer carries an inherent risk. Will a player bought be as good as before? Will one sold be a star of the future elsewhere?

Everton, with more money than most clubs in the Premier League, knows those risks all too well. Last season, they lacked astuteness in the transfer market. Today, many fans question whether the club has taken further leave of its senses as the announced the capture of Richarlison, a 21-year-old Brasilian striker, from Watford in a $55m deal.

Richarlison joined Watford at the start of the 2017-18 from Fluminense in a $15m deal. He started brightly; enthusiastic and energetic, he grabbed three goals in his first seven appearances, as well as an assist. Watford appeared to have dug out a gem.

He carried on in a similar vein of form, scoring his fifth goal in 12 appearances against West Ham in November 2017.  An assist a month later was his last telling contribution to the season and by May, he registered five goals in forty appearances, with four assists.

Yet Everton chose to spend $55m on a player whose statistics barely justify a fifth of that total. It’s a huge vote of confidence from Marco Silva, the Everton coach appointed in May. He managed Richarlison at Watford and got the best form of the season of the striker. If he doesn’t get a similar response, the Portuguese may once again find himself terminated before Christmas.

The post The Riskiest $55m Transfer in Premier League History appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It took only four matches for English Premier League clubs to start changes on the bench. The club that had the unlikely honor to open the season was Watford, with the club deciding to fire their manager Javi Garcia after just four games.

Garcia leaves Watford after starting the season with three losses and one draw, which was enough for one point and last place in Premier League. Despite the team’s bad form, it was expected that the 49-year-old Spaniard will get a chance to try and turn things around.

Under Garcia, Watford managed to get to 11^th place in the league while also reaching FA Cup finals.

“After the unexpected announcement about the termination of my contract … I want to express my surprise after completing the best season in Watford’s history,” – said Gracia in a statement. “I’m grateful to this club for allowing me to manage this great club in the Premier League, it has been an incredible experience, with very special moments like the FA Cup final I had the privilege to enjoy.”

Watford didn’t wait for too long to find a replacement for Garcia. The club hired another Spaniard, Quique Sánchez Flores, to coach the club until the end of the season.

This will be Flores’ second stint with Watford, as he was the club’s manager between 2015 and 2016.

The post Watford Surprisingly Fires Manager Javi Gracia appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Manchester City and Watford have punched their tickets to the FA Cup final after triumphing in the semi-finals over the weekend.

Man City was the first team to qualify after a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night at Wembley.

City didn’t turn in one of its best performances, but a 4th minute Gabriel Jesus goal was enough to propel them to the next round. Brighton came close on a few occasions to knotting up the score in the second half, but they were unable to break through.

Manchester City will look to win its first FA Cup final since 2011 against Watford, which won a thriller against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Wolves started off strong in their matchup against Watford, taking a 0-1 lead with a 36th-minute goal. They doubled their lead when Raul Jiménez scored in the 62nd minute.

However, Watford orchestrated an incredible comeback.

Gerard Deulofeu scored in the 79th minute to bring Watford within a goal, and then a penalty was whistled against Wolves in stoppage time. Troy Deeney converted to send the game to extra time, where Deulofeu scored again to send Watford to the final.

Watford will attempt to make history and win their first FA Cup in the final against Man City on May 18th.

The post Man City, Watford Advance to FA Cup Final appeared first on SportzBonanza.

A new manager is keen to stamp his authority on a new club. To make his mark, and mold the team into his vision of a successful future.

Player trading is an integral part of this process and every transfer carries an inherent risk. Will a player bought be as good as before? Will one sold be a star of the future elsewhere?

Everton, with more money than most clubs in the Premier League, knows those risks all too well. Last season, they lacked astuteness in the transfer market. Today, many fans question whether the club has taken further leave of its senses as the announced the capture of Richarlison, a 21-year-old Brasilian striker, from Watford in a $55m deal.

Richarlison joined Watford at the start of the 2017-18 from Fluminense in a $15m deal. He started brightly; enthusiastic and energetic, he grabbed three goals in his first seven appearances, as well as an assist. Watford appeared to have dug out a gem.

He carried on in a similar vein of form, scoring his fifth goal in 12 appearances against West Ham in November 2017.  An assist a month later was his last telling contribution to the season and by May, he registered five goals in forty appearances, with four assists.

Yet Everton chose to spend $55m on a player whose statistics barely justify a fifth of that total. It’s a huge vote of confidence from Marco Silva, the Everton coach appointed in May. He managed Richarlison at Watford and got the best form of the season of the striker. If he doesn’t get a similar response, the Portuguese may once again find himself terminated before Christmas.

The post The Riskiest $55m Transfer in Premier League History appeared first on SportzBonanza.