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Showing posts with label Sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sport. Show all posts

Sunday, 14 January 2018

Kane becomes a Spurs legend

 
The Spurs star is now on 98 Premier League goals, surpassing Teddy Sheringham, but both he and manager Mauricio Pochettino say there’s much more to come.
"He's so talented, so professional, I am very happy," Pochettino BT Sport. "I congratulate him, he deserves the credit.
"In this way he's going to break all the records in the Premier League and England. I'm so happy, it's fantastic because he helps for the win."
Kane had a similar response to the feat, and to the comfortable win over the Toffees in which Son Heung-Min and Christian Eriksen also found the net.
But he is not focusing on future milestones, telling BT Sport: "Four-nil in any game is a great result, Everton are a good side and we played well, we created space and took our chances.
"It's something I'm very proud of but it's on to the next one, just keep going and these boys are great at setting me up. We've got to just keep winning games as a team and hopefully I'll keep scoring."
The win takes Spurs level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand against undefeated league leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
"It's so important to be there, fighting very close," Pochettino added. "Three points is the gap to Chelsea and United, and Liverpool.
"Of course, [Liverpool and United] play tomorrow and Monday. But there's a long way to go until the end of the season. We need consistency until then to show we're fighting for the top four."

City defeated at last as Reds win

 
 
The goals were flowing at Anfield this Sunday, where Manchester City had their first taste of defeat all season as Liverpool earned a thrilling 4-3 win. Liverpool 4 Manchester City 3 Ox finds the bottom corner Sane pulls City level Firmino and Mane strike in quick succession Salah catches out Ederson Bernardo Silva and Gundogan score late
Match Summary
The Reds were ahead in the ninth minute when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked out the bottom corner, but ended the half back on level terms after Leroy Sane thumped in an equaliser five minutes before the break.
Roberto Firmino showed great strength and composure to put the Reds back into the lead on the hour mark, before Sadio Mane doubled that advantage with an equally spectacular strike just two minutes later.
Mohamed Salah made a fool of Ederson, catching the goalkeeper off his line to extend Liverpool’s advantage, before Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan pulled two goals back for City late on.
Full Report
The first heart-in-mouth moment arrived as early as the fourth minute when Roberto Firmino flicked the ball over the top for Sadio Mane to run onto, but his first touch wash terrible to allow the defence back into position, and the chance fizzled away after Mohamed Salah’s shot was deflected away from danger.
At the other end, a positive drive forward from Kevin De Bruyne resulted in a half-chance that Raheem Sterling was not able to take under his control, and his subsequent appeals to the referee were greeted with boos from the Anfield crowd, or whom he is still very much a persona non grata.
The first goal arrived early, and from a somewhat unlikely source in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Arsenal man picked up possession in midfield after a scrappy exchange and unleashed a low, fizzing shot across Ederson in goal and into the bottom corner.
The Reds were threatening for a second, with Sadio Mane causing problems for the City defence, holding up the ball and then back-heeling to find Salah, who was unable to thread the needle before City could clear. At the other end, Sergio Aguero was unable to get a toe to De Bruyne’s cross, despite throwing himself at the ball as it fizzed across the Liverpool goal.
City were not at their best in the first half and some of their midfield play was bordering on sloppy, but they were level with five minutes left of the first half thanks to some terrific play from Leroy Sane. The German controlled a long, cross-field pass on his chest, taking him past Joe Gomez in the process, before unleashing a thumping shot in at the near post.
10 minutes into the second half and Oxlade-Chamberlain came close to his second of the match with a bit of skill and a shot just wide at the near post, just a few seconds after Salah’s fierce volley was palmed away by Ederson.
The Reds were back in the lead on the hour mark when Firmino chased down a through-pass and shouldered John Stones off the ball before curling a lovely effort past Ederson and into the top corner.
Mane had clipped the outside of the post ahead of Firmino's goal, and the Senegal international scored their third not long afterwards. Salah put pressure on Otamendi to pick the ball off him, and played it square for Mane, who took a touch to control it before unleashing a firecracker into the top corner with his left foot.
Salah added a fourth in the 68th minute, and possibly the best of the bunch. Ederson had come off his line to clear the danger, but his clearance was low and straight into Salah, who saw the Brazilian goalkeeper off his line and lifted the ball over him and into the empty net.
There was some late consolation or City and a goal under his belt for Bernardo Silva, who came on in place of Raheem Sterling in the second half. The ball fell nicely to the Portugal international just inside the box, and he supplied an emphatic finish to pull it back to 4-2 with six minutes left to play.
As the match entered four minutes of stoppage time Sane was still running at the Liverpool defence, and his probing saw the ball fall towards Ilkay Gundogan in the box, who took a touch on his chest before scrambling it past Karius to make it an uneasy finish for the home side.

Marcelo: We are sinking

 
A late breakaway goal from Pablo Fornals, who chipped the ball over Keylor Navas after he had saved from Enes Unal, was the difference between the two sides and  ramped up the pressure on coach Zinedine Zidane.
"It is one of the worst situations I've experienced here," said Marcelo.
"We're trying to play good football, to move the ball around and score goals but it's not coming off."
Real are currently in fourth spot on 32 points, eight points behind Valencia and 10 points behind, while Villarreal moved up to fifth place on 31 points.
"It is how it looks from the outside - we are sad, angry and we feel like we are sinking," added the Brazilian fullback.
Real dominated and fired in 28 shots, more than any other side in a La Liga game this season, but they couldn’t find a way past Villarreal keeper Asenjo.
The under-pressure Zidane, who led Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League titles last year, insisted that his side can still "turn this around".
"We don't deserve this, we think we played well but the ball just didn't want to go in for us. I cannot explain why," he said.
"Today was a hammer blow but we are going to turn things around on Thursday [at Leganes in the Copa del Rey]."
"It might be a mental aspect that is stopping us from winning," Zidane added. "When we are on a bad run there are always negatives to pick up on.
"We shot on target but didn't score, when there were rebounds we were not on the end of them. This can wear you down mentally.
"We did everything possible to win and I honestly cannot reproach my players for their actions. I am not happy but nor do I feel beaten."

Mourinho want Alex Sanchez to red devil

 

 
Jose Mourinho has further fuelled speculations he will do business this transfer window even as Alexis Sanchez appears closer to a move to the Red Devils.
United are yet to make any signings this January transfer window, but have been strongly linked with Sanchez, whose contract at Arsenal runs out at the end of the season and Mourinho has now suggested they will make a move for the Chilean.
“Our squad was not (built) to have new players in January,' he said.
“We build a squad with this idea, with this philosophy that I share with Mr (Ed) Woodward and the owners. Normally the investment is to be made in the summer. The balance of the squad is made in the summer.
“But sometimes, it (a transfer) can happen. Okay, if on the table is a fantastic opportunity, you fight for that fantastic opportunity. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. But I like my squad and I like my players.
“I think normally next summer we will try again to improve our squad in the different departments and try to make every department stronger. That's the normal situation with us.
“If in the winter market you do something, you have to do something that stops you to do it again in the summer. So you are not going to buy a goalkeeper now and buy another goalkeeper in the summer. So if you decide to improve the goalkeeper group now, you are not going to improve it again in the summer.
“Let's say in the summer we have three targets - a defender, a midfielder and an attacking player - if in the winter you do one of the three, then in the summer you are going to do three minus one.”

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Immobile agent hits out at Napolip

 
Immobile, 27, has been subject of interest from Europe's elite due to his incredible record of 52 goals and 15 assists in 65 games for Biancocelesti since his €8.75 million transfer from Dortmund.
With Simone Inzaghi's side now slapping a €70m price-tag on the former Torino marksman, his agent Alessandro Moggi revealed he was offered at a bargain price to the Serie A title chasers.
"Immobile? De Laurentiis could've signed him for €8m, but he didn't want him. That's the great De Laurentiis for you," Moggi told Il Processo di Biscardi about the Napoli president.
Moggi went on to advise Simone Verdi to remain at Bologna after reports surfaced Napoli are keen to triple his wages in order to take him to the Stadio San Paolo.
"Verdi? He's right not to join Napoli. He wouldn't play regularly like he's doing at Bologna. He must end the season [with Bologna] and then weigh things up properly."
Thanks

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

WAFU Women’s Cup 2018 : Super Falcons drawn with Senegal, Togo

 
Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons, have been in Group B of this year’s WAFU Women’s Cup.
They will face Senegal, Benin Republic and Togo in the preliminary rounds.
The Super Falcons will have to win the group or come second, in order to book a ticket to the semi-finals of the maiden edition of WAFU.
Hosts Ivory Coast are drawn in Group A alongside Ghana, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso.
The draw for the eight-team tournament was held in Abidjan.
The WAFU Women’s Cup 2018 will run from February 14 to 24.

Carabao Cup: Conte reveals team selection for Arsenal vs Chelsea

 
Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte, has hinted he will revert to his first-choice line-up, when they face Arsenal in a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Conte made nine changes for Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Norwich in the FA Cup on Saturday, from the team that drew 2-2 at Arsenal in the Premier League last week.
That FA Cup result means the Blues will be forced to play a third-round replay, which will take place in between the first and second legs of their Carabao Cup semi.
“When you play every three days and you have to play many games, it means you are facing every competition.
“Now on Wednesday we have to play a semifinal against Arsenal. I think we deserved to reach this target.
“It’s very important in this moment of the season to have all the squad in the best physical form, because you have to play a lot of games and everyone must be ready,” Conte told Chelsea TV.
The second leg of the semifinal is on January 24

Conte Chelsea manager changes Mourinho

 
Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has said he will not forget the words his Manchester United counterpart, Jose Mourinho, said to him during their public spat.
Conte however insists he has no regrets about responding to Mourinho’s barbs and believes their exchange did not damage the reputations of the clubs they coach.
Tensions escalated further following Chelsea’s goalless draw with Norwich City on Saturday, with Conte calling Mourinho a “little man” with a “very low profile” as well as a “fake”.
Mourinho had mocked the Italian over his ban for match-fixing.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup game against Arsenal, Conte was asked if he would take back any of the things he has said about Mourinho.
“Do I have the look of a person who regrets? I don’t think so. We both said these things and we’ll see what happens in the future,” he replied.
“I think it is not important for the LMA to understand, it is not important.
“He said serious words, using serious words. I won’t forget this.
“This is not a problem for the clubs. It’s a problem between me and him. I stop.”

LaLiga: Real Madrid manager, Zidane confirms clear-the-air talks

 
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has confirmed he held a clear-the-air meeting with his squad after training on Tuesday.
He however insisted that the LaLiga champions are in crisis or need changes.
Zidane’s men are 16 points behind league leaders Barcelona and local media is already reporting that there are disagreements with club president Florentino Perez over the need to strengthen the squad this month.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round-of-16 second leg at home to Numancia, the Frenchman said: “I am not going to say what we talked about.
“These are talks that can happen in the team.
“You can analyse it as you like, say it is a ‘crisis moment,’ but we are here to look for solutions, to talk, and try to do things better. The chat was a bit longer than others, but this happens when we think it necessary, to get something out of it. When things are not going as we want, the answer is hard work.
“That is what I believe in, and the players think the same. We will work harder than ever now, in all senses. It is not about physical or mental, it is a bit of everything, and continuing stronger. There is nothing else to do but that.”

Wenger: No fresh approaches for Sanchez

 
According to reports surfacing on Monday night, Premier League leaders Manchester City are aiming to bid £30m to sign the Chile international in the current transfer window.
However, Wenger has stated that there has been no contact with clubs regarding a move for the player this month. He told a press conference, as quoted by Sky Sports: "I expect nothing, I am focused on tomorrow's game. When solicitations happen you respond, at the moment it's very quiet."
Sanchez's current deal at Arsenal will expire at the end of the season when he will be able to sign for a new club as a free agent.
The 29-year-old, who was signed from Barcelona in 2014, has made 19 Premier League appearances this campaign, scoring seven goals and providing three assists.

Iwobi to be fined for pre-FA Cup partying

 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says that Alex Iwobi can expect a fine for attending a party less than 48 hours before their FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The 21-year-old winger played the entire game at the City Ground as the defending champions were knocked out of the competition at the first hurdle following a 4-2 defeat in the third round.
Iwobi had been pictured at a social gathering in London over the weekend, with reports claiming he been out until the early hours of Sunday morning.
Wenger, however, quashed the rumours by insisting that the matchday squad had been at a hotel on Saturday, although he labelled the Nigeria international's actions as 'unacceptable'.
"He will be fined," the Frenchman declared. "It was not the night before the game, it was 48 hours before the game.
"The night before the game we were in a hotel, but it's not acceptable, I will have to speak to him about that.
"First of all you have to be cautious with all the news coming out. When you read what is reported it is like he has taken drugs. I don't think he is involved in that at all.
"He has been out at a party, how long has he stayed? That is of course very important. After that, I will decide what happens.
"If your neighbour takes drugs what can you do about it? You are not responsible for the behaviour of your neighbour."

Sunday, 7 January 2018

Transfer news: Hazard rejects record contract offer; Suarez in possible shock return to EPL

 
Chelsea ace, Eden Hazard has rejected his club’s second offer of a new contract, according to Radio Monte Carlo (RMC).
Hazard’s current deal runs through 2020, but the Blues are offering fresh terms to prevent Spanish giants, Real Madrid from swooping for the Belgium International.
According to RMC, the Blues manager, Antonio Conte is reportedly furious with Hazard’s refusal to sign a new deal, which would have made the 26-year-old the highest-paid player in Chelsea’s history.
Meanwhile, LaLiga leader, Barcelona may be nearing a move for Philippe Coutinho, but Liverpool could use some of the funds from the Brazilian’s sale to make a move for Luis Suarez, according to Don Balon.
According to the report, The Reds are set to net around €160 million from Coutinho’s move to Barcelona.
The English club could be tempted to turn around and spend some of those funds on their former striker.
A potential summer move for Antoine Griezmann could push the Uruguayan out of the line-up.

Super Eagles striker, Henry Onyekuru returns to Everton

 
Super Eagles striker, Henry Onyekuru, has returned to Everton to continue his recovery.
Onyekuru suffered a knee injury while on loan at Anderlecht.
The Belgian side released a statement last month, confirming that surgery was “inevitable” and the Nigerian would be out for “several months in order to be able to recover optimally”.
Onyekuru joined Everton in the summer, before being sent out on loan to Anderlecht, where he has scored nine goals in 19 appearances in the Jupiler Pro league.
The 20-year-old shared a picture of his return to Goodison Park on social media and wrote: “Back at @Everton a little earlier than expected, I am so grateful for the facilities and the medical team working hard to get me back playing ASAP! The Lord is my strength.”

EPL: Stoke City sack Mark Hughes after FA Cup exit

 
English Premier League side, Stoke City has announced the sack of its manager, Mark Hughes.
Hughes was sacked just hours after his struggling side was shocked in FA Cup third round defeat at minnows Coventry on Saturday.
The 54-year-old gaffer was already on the brink of being dismissed prior to the 2-1 loss at fourth-tier Coventry following a miserable run that left the team languishing in the EPL relegation zone.
“Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect,” a statement on the club’s Twitter account read.
The limp nature of Stoke’s FA Cup exit proved the final straw as Hughes was axed three hours after the final whistle at the Ricoh Arena.

Transfer news: Mahrez to replace Coutinho at Liverpool, Mourinho keen to sign Arsenal star

 
Liverpool are closing in on a £49 million deal for Leicester City star, Riyad Mahrez, according to beIN Sports.
The Reds on Saturday agreed with Barcelona a £142m transfer fee for playmaker, Philippe Coutinho, who has now travelled to Spain to finalize his move.
Liverpool are in the process of signing Mahrez and will pay €55m (£49m) for the 26-year-old.
The Algerian International will undergo a medical on Sunday.
According to the report, Mahrez agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Jurgen Klopp‘s side.
Meanwhile, Manchester United has cleared manager, Jose Mourinho to sign Arsenal midfielder, Mesut Ozil, for £35m, Sunday Mirror reports.
The Red Devils have given Mourinho the green light to sign German International from the Gunners during the January transfer window.
Ozil is out of contract at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer this summer.
United have told the Portuguese gaffer that he can bid up to £35 million in order to land the 29-year-old.
The report also claimed Mourinho would prefer to sign the midfielder on a free transfer but he is aware of interest from French giants, Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich.

LaLiga: Costa sent off after scoring Atletico winner, Sevilla missed chance to move above Real Madrid

 
Atletico Madrid striker, Diego Costa, was sent off after scoring the winner on his league return for his club 2-0 home win over Getafe on Saturday, while Sevilla missed the chance to move above Real Madrid after losing 5-3 to local rivals, Real Betis.
Costa, playing his first La Liga game since rejoining Atletico from Chelsea following the end last week of the Spanish club’s transfer ban, had already been booked for a foul in the 62nd minute with the hosts 1-0 up through Angel Correa when six minutes later he met a low cross to double his side’s lead and spark wild celebrations.
The Spaniard jumped into the stands to embrace the fans was shown a red card after celebrating the goal during the Spanish league match against Getafa.
Atletico’s win moved them up the table, just 6 points behind league leaders, Barcelona, who host Levante on Sunday, and kept them two points clear of third-placed Valencia, who are on 37 points.
Atletico coach, Diego Simeone, however, said Costa deserved to be sent off.
“The referee was unable to consider the emotional aspect (of Costa’s behaviour), the rules are the rules,” Simeone said after the game.
“If you go and celebrate with the fans, the yellow is deserved. We must accept that.”
“Costa’s presence gives us speed and directness. And he frightens opponents too,” added Simeone. “You can feel that and see that.”
Meanwhile, Sevilla stay fifth on 30 points after the defeat in a fiery derby clash that saw nine yellow cards dished out.
The both teams hit the woodwork, one point behind Real, who travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Betis jump six places up to eighth on 27 points after just their second win since October, thanks to goals from Fabian, Zuohair Feddal, Riza Durmisi, Sergio Leon and Cristian Tello.

EPL: Ameachi signs contract with Arsenal

 
Nigeria-born winger, Xavier Amaechi has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal FC on his 17th birthday.
Amaechi, who joined the Gunners in August 2013, at the age of 12, progressed to become a key figure in the club’s youth setup.
The contract came as a reward for the left-footed winger who has also featured for the U23 side in Premier League 2 this season.
“Talented winger Xavier Amaechi has signed his first professional contract with the club,” a statement read on the club website.
“Xavier, who turned 17 today, has featured for both our under-23s and under-18s this season.
“He has been at the club since the age of 12, having joined us in August 2013.
“We would like to congratulate Xavier on his new contract and look forward to his continued progress at the club.”
The youngster has scored five goals in four appearances for the Gunners’ U-18 side this campaign.
He is on course to follow in the steps of Nigeria international, Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom both of whom have progressed to the Gunners’ first-team fold.

Pochettino admits Harry Kane could quit Spurs for Real Madrid

 
Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has admitted that he might be powerless from stopping Harry Kane’s move to Real Madrid, if he decides to leave.
Pochettino pointed to Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona, as an example of the lure of Spain’s top clubs.
Barca and Madrid have a history of forcing even the biggest European clubs to sell their best players and Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Spurs pair Luka Modric and Gareth Bale have all moved from England to Spain in the past decade.
Kane has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid this season.
“I think it is a massive example or massive point to show how this business is, how difficult it is for the clubs to keep their best players,” Pochettino said of the Coutinho transfer.
“Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the world and look when Coutinho wants to leave how difficult it is to keep your best player. Liverpool wanted to keep [him] but it was difficult to keep him – and look what happened with Cristiano Ronaldo and Man United and [Zinedine] Zidane at Juventus, [Luis] Figo in Barcelona.
“It is a lot of examples that it is so, so tough to keep your best player if the player says he wants to leave.
“That is why it is so important how you care for your players – it is why you need to anticipate things. It is so important to work with the human side and then to provide the player the club and the team an exciting moment and try and build a project that they feel comfortable with and they are happy to be with you.
“Look, that is a good point to assess and talk. Today when a player decides to leave, look what happens. If another club pays the type of money they pay – like Barcelona with Liverpool – how do you stop it? I hear what clubs say. It is so difficult, our job.”

LaLiga: Coutinho finally opens up on why he left Liverpool for Barcelona

 
Philippe Coutinho has spoken for the first time, since he sealed his big money move to Barcelona on Saturday.
Coutinho will be officially unveiled at the Nou Camp on Monday, but was at the stadium to grant his first interview.
The 25-year-old’s move to Spain is the second-most expensive transfer in football history, just behind Neymar’s transfer from Barca to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazilian leaves Liverpool for a package totalling £142million.
He will put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal at Camp Nou.
“I’m living the dream.
“I want to play with great players like Messi, Busquets, Iniesta, Piqué, and Suárez. I hope to play with joy and I want to win titles for the fans. I want to learn a lot.
“I’m happy. I’m very happy. I want to make the fans happy,” he said.

In this Fa:arsenal dumped out by Nottingham forest

 
Arsenal have been eliminated from the competition in the third round
by FA Cup holders, after a 4-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Gunners were heavily rotated by manager, Arsene Wenger, who began his three-man ban.
They found themselves behind in the 20th minute, after Eric Lichaj headed in Kieran Dowell’s free-kick from close range.
Captain Per Mertesacker levelled after only three minutes, stabbing in a loose in the area, after Theo Walcott’s free-kick was not properly cleared.
However, the hosts restored their advantage before the break, thanks to Lichaj’s superb volley from the edge of the area. Ben Brereton smashed in a penalty to make it 3-1, before Danny Welbeck pulled one back for Arsenal.
Forest restored their two-goal lead with five minutes left through Dowell’s penalty.

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