Month: January 2021

22Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool’s 68-match unbeaten home league run ended by Burnley

Ashley Barnes of Burnley scores their side's first goal past Alisson Becker of Liverpool from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley at Anfield on January 21, 2021 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool's 68-game unbeaten home run in the Premier League came to an end as Ashley Barnes fired in a late winner from the penalty spot to secure a famous victory for Burnley.Barnes was tripped in the box by goalkeeper Alisson with seven minutes remaining and converted the spot-kick as Burnley won at Anfield for the first time since 1974.Liverpool's last league loss on their own ground came nearly four years ago, against Crystal Palace in April 2017, and they are now six points behind leaders Manchester United at the midway point in the campaign. Jürgen Klopp has off...

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20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Danny Ings reportedly chasing Champions League football

Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton speaks to Danny Ings of Southampton during the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on September 26, 2020 in Burnley, England.RALPH Hasenhuttl issued a message to striker Danny Ings amid reports he is stalling on signing a new contract at Saints in the hope he can play Champions League football, stating: "Score 10-15 goals more for us this season and then we have a chance to go there."Saints have been hoping to tie down their star striker to a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2022.Reports from the Telegraph and The Athletic this week claim Ings is reluctant to commit his long-term future to Saints just yet, in the hope a club competing at Europe's elite level might try to sign him.Totten...

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20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

FA Cup: Southampton to face Arsenal in fourth round after seeing off Shrewsbury 2-0

James Ward-Prowse of Southampton battles for possession with Shaun Whalley of Shrewsbury Town during the FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton and Shrewsbury Town on January 19, 2021 in Southampton, England.Southampton will be at home to holders Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup following a 2-0 win over coronavirus -hit Shrewsbury on Tuesday.Dan N'Lundulu marked his first senior start for the Saints with a maiden goal for the club in the 17th minute at their St Mary's ground before England's James Ward-Prowse put the result beyond doubt a minute from time.The Saints will have little time to enjoy this victory as their tie with Arsenal, a repeat of the 2003 FA Cup final won 1-0 by the Gunners, takes place at St Mary's on Saturday.Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, who made...

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20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Leicester piles more misery on Chelsea to go top of EPL

Christian Pulisic of Chelsea is challenged by Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on January 19, 2021 in Leicester, England.Five years after achieving the unthinkable, Leicester are back atop the Premier League and making another improbable run at the title.For big-spending Chelsea and their under-pressure manager, Frank Lampard, any ambitions of winning the league already appear to be dashed.Leicester beat Chelsea 2-0 on Wednesday (AEDT) to jump above the two Manchester clubs, United and City, and reach the midway stage of its league campaign in first place. Leicester go top of the #PL with victory over Chelsea#LEICHE pic.twitter.com/qDJc1PJ8Ff— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2021 Even i...

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19Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

LaLiga: Lionel Messi to miss two matches after receiving first-ever red card of Barcelona career

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after being presented a red card during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on January 17, 2021.Barcelona: Lionel Messi was banned for two matches on Tuesday following his first ever sending off for Barcelona.The Argentine forward was shown a red card at the end of Sunday's 3-2 extra-time defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final after lashing out at Asier Villalibre.Messi had twice been sent off playing for Argentina, including at the 2019 Copa America, but never in 16 years and 753 matches with Barcelona's first team.The six time Ballon d'Or winner's ban was announced by the Spanish Football Federation with Barca later revealin...

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17Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man United stays top after draw with Liverpool

Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba of Manchester United interact with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on January 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England.LIVERPOOL, England — Manchester United stayed top of the Premier League after drawing 0-0 on Sunday with Liverpool and extending the champion's winless run to four matches.Liverpool hasn't gone as long without a win since 2017, but Jürgen Klopp's team still maintained its unbeaten record at Anfield since the same year thanks to Alisson Becker's late saves from Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.“We had two great chances and two great saves," United captain Harry Maguire said. “It was cagey but it was two good teams matching up. We found it difficult in the first half to get a rhyt...

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17Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern edges Freiburg to return to winning ways in Bundesliga

Lukas Kuebler of SC Freiburg and Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Sport-Club Freiburg at Allianz Arena on January 17, 2021 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich opened up a four-point lead in the Bundesliga on Sunday as the German champion beat Freiburg 2-1 to return to winning ways after two rare defeats.Thomas Muller knocked in the winning goal in the 74th minute on a snowy day in Munich to avoid a third winless game in a row, which would have been a record under coach Hansi Flick. The victory came after a 3-2 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach in the league and elimination from the German Cup on penalties against second-division Holstein Kiel.Even after Bayern slipped up, its title rivals have failed to take advantag...

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17Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman hopeful on Lionel Messi’s fitness for final

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the training session ahead of the Supercopa de Espana Final match against Athletic Club at Estadio de La Cartuja on January 16, 2021 in Seville, Spain.Seville: Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman says he is optimistic Lionel Messi will be fit for Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao after injury forced him to miss the semi-final.The Argentina forward was left out of the squad for Wednesday's penalty shootout victory over Real Sociedad after complaining of discomfort during last week's 4-0 La Liga win over Granada."He trained on his own yesterday (Friday). We have a session this evening, he wants to train, so we'll see how he feels afterwards and if he wants to play or not," Koeman told a news conference on Saturday in Seville."Tomo...

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16Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Fiorentina interested in Alvaro Odriozola -report

Alvaro Odriozola of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Real Valladolid at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium on September 30, 2020 in Madrid Spain.Real Madrid right-back Alvaro Odriozola has received interest to join Serie A side Fiorentina this winter, according to a report from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. Odriozola has lost his spot as Carvajal’s backup and would need as many minutes as he can get, so all parts involved would want a loan deal and not a permanent transfer.Odriozola’s career in Real Madrid has been very disappointing so far. He appeared to have great potential after a great season with Real Sociedad, but he’s failed to showcase that kind of quality ever since Los Blancos secured his signing for €35 million. Odriozola didn’t get qual...

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16Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Fenerbahce announce signing of QPR’s Bright Osayi-Samuel

Queens Park Rangers' Bright Osayi-Samuel (front) and Reading's Lago Tomas Esteves (behind) battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match at Loftus Road, London.Queens Park Rangers winger Bright Osayi-Samuel has agreed a deal to sign for Turkish giants Fenerbahce once his contract expires in the summer. The 23-year-old has agreed on a deal that will keep him at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium until 2025 after leaving Rangers. Rangers have been trying to get the winger to commit his future to the club for over a year, with his contract due to expire at the end of the current campaign.  Bilgilendirme | Kulübümüz Queens Park Rangers forması giyen 23 yaşındaki kanat oyuncusu Bright Osayi-Samuel ile 2021-2022 sezonundan başlamak üzere, 4 sezon için anlaşmaya varmıştır. Transfe...

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16Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Mesut Ozil to leave Arsenal in the coming days with Fenerbahce transfer close

Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on September 22, 2020 in St Albans, England.Arsenal and Mesut Ozil have agreed to terminate the playmaker's contract this month, paving the way for a move to Fenerbahce.The 32-year-old has been left out of the first-team this term, with Mikel Arteta deeming him surplus to requirements.Arsenal have been keen to get Ozil off the wage books for some time due to his £350,000-a-week contract at the Emirates.And the Athletic claim the Gunners have struck a deal with the former Real Madrid man, enabling him to end his seven-and-a-half stay in north London.Ozil is now expected to travel to Turkey over the weekend to finalise his move to Fenerbahce, who have been pursuing the midfielder for a number of months.The exiled star was due t...

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15Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Report: Tottenham are keen on signing RB Leipzig midfielder

Marcel Sabitzer of RasenBallsport Leipzig looks on during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on January 9, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany.Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer. However, a deal in this window looks unlikely, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.Leipzig have ambitions of finishing in the top four to qualify for next season’s Champions League, which means that the Bundesliga side will not consider any offers for the 26-year-old this month.Sabitzer has been impressive this season, as he has scored three goals and contributed one assist in eleven league games.The Austrian has impressed in the Champions League over the past two seasons, and he particularly stood out against Premier League giants Mancheste...

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15Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Pochettino starts to make mark as PSG eye top spot

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain speaks with head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the Champions Trophy match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on January 13, 2021 in Lens, France.Mauricio Pochettino needed less than two weeks to win his first trophy with Paris Saint-Germain but his new team are still doing the chasing in Ligue 1, a point behind leaders Lyon heading into the second half of the season.PSG go to Angers on Saturday fresh from beating Marseille 2-1 in Lens in midweek to win the Champions Trophy, the traditional curtain-raiser to the French season moved to the middle of winter as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic's impact on football.The game conveniently came just 11 days after Pochettino returned to the club where he ...

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15Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich face in-form Freiburg after cup crash

Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich celebrates with Robert Lewandowski and team mates after scoring their sides second goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and FC Bayern Muenchen at Borussia-Park on January 08, 2021 in Moenchengladbach, Germany.Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich host in-form Freiburg on Sunday under pressure to bounce back from consecutive defeats including their shock midweek German Cup exit.Freiburg are on a club record five-game winning streak in the league while Bayern are licking their wounds after crashing out of the German Cup to second-division Holstein Kiel in a penalty shoot-out.It was the first time for 20 years that Bayern have exited the cup in the second round to a club outside the Bundesliga and ends any potential repeat of last year's...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Villa face fixture backlog as virus forces postponement of Everton game

Aston Villa face a Premier League fixture headache after Sunday's game with Everton was postponed because several of their players are still self-isolating after a coronavirus outbreak in the camp.Villa were forced to field a youth team in their FA Cup tie with Liverpool last week after nine players and five staff tested positive for Covid-19.The Everton game had been moved from Saturday to Sunday to give the club extra time but with several players still self-isolating, the Premier League has agreed to reschedule the match."Aston Villa's home match against Everton, scheduled to be played on Sunday, January 17 has been postponed by the Premier League board," said a Premier League statement. Aston Villa’s home match against Everton FC, scheduled to be played on Sunday 17 January at 12pm GMT...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Everton target Isco for sale in summer

Isco of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Osasuna v Real Madrid at the Estadio El Sadar on January 9, 2021 in Pamplona Spain.Real Madrid have confirmed that a number of their players including alleged Everton target Isco will be available in the summer.According to Spanish media reports, Real Madrid are prepared to let a number of high-profile players leave in the summer including Isco, who has long been a reported Everton target.Five or six veteran players are supposedly available in this summer clear-out as the La Liga giants look to find a way to finance a move for PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.The former Spanish international Isco is one of those players. He was being heavily linked with the Toffees a few months ago although the story has gone quiet recently.Isco is an outst...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd’s Ighalo keen on future MLS transfer

Odion Ighalo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Aon Training Complex on December 14, 2020 in Manchester, England.On-loan Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo has told ESPN he would be interested in playing Major League Soccer before he retires.The former Nigeria international, who is contracted to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of this month when his loan deal ends.Asked where he sees himself playing in the future, he said a move to a club in the United States would be of interest."I have been watching MLS and the league is doing well and I would like to play in the MLS," Ighalo told ESPN. "I have to wait for offers and if the opportunity arises, I will take it because the league is doing well a...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

‘Good news’: Zidane on Benzema’s potential return to France squad

Zinedine Zidane head Coach of Real Madrid looks on during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid and RC Celta at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on January 02, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.Madrid: Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said that it will be "good news" if striker Karim Benzema can make a return to France's national squad. Benzema has not represented France since November 2015. The Real Madrid star has been excluded from the national team programme as he faces trial over a blackmail case relating to a sex tape said to involved former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, Goal.com reported.As part of this case, Benzema is also accused of trying to extort money from Valbuena ahead of a friendly match against Armenia five years ago."That Benzema can return to the France team is...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Koeman hails ‘fantastic’ Ter Stegen after Barcelona win

Marc Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona, Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona, Ricard Puig of FC Barcelona, Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona during the Spanish Super Cup match between Real Sociedad v FC Barcelona at the Nuevo Arcangel Stadium on January 13, 2021 in Cordoba Spain.Ronald Koeman was proud of his Barcelona team and in particular goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after seeing his men beat Real Sociedad on penalties in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday.A hard-fought game ended all square after extra-time. Frenkie de Jong headed Barca in front, but a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty levelled it up for La Rea.Barca went on to win 3-2 in the shoot-out and Koeman praised his team’s performance and his goalkeeper’s heroics after the win.“Ter Stegen played ...

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14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier League: Ivan Cavaleiro’s late goal helps Fulham draw at Tottenham; Manchester City beat Brighton

Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Ola Aina of Fulham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 13, 2021 in London, England.It has become a familiar pattern for Tottenham under Jose Mourinho this season: take the lead, retreat, invite opponents on, and eventually concede.The same thing happened again on Wednesday, and it cost the team a place in the Premier League’s top four.Leading through a rarely seen diving header put away emphatically by Harry Kane,Harry Kane, Tottenham couldn’t hold out against a Fulham side playing the game on just two days’ notice — much to the chagrin of its manager.Ivan Cavaleiro scored a header of his own in the 74th minute to earn Fulham a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Ho...

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