2022 – Page 77 – Football Flame

Year: 2022

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Thomas Tuchel arrives in Abu Dhabi ahead of Chelsea’s Club World Cup final

Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea reacts towards the fans during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on January 02, 2022 in London, England. Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of Saturday’s Club World Cup final.Tuchel, 48, tested positive for COVID-19 last Saturday, forcing him to miss the London side’s FA Cup win over Plymouth and the start of their Club World Cup campaign.The German hopes to be back in the dugout for Chelsea’s final against the Brazilian side Palmeiras, providing he returns a negative COVID-19 test ahead of Saturday’s game.Chelsea beat Al-Hilal 1-0 on Wednesday thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s goal. Assistant manager Zsolt Low was in charge of the team, assisted by sporting director Petr Cech and first-team coa...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Lampard delivers more injury news for Everton

Frank Lampard poses for a photo after becoming the new manager of Everton FC on January 31, 2022 at USM Finch Farm in Halewood, England. Frank Lampard has revealed that Everton will be without a handful of their first-team players for their clash with Leeds United on Saturday.The Toffees go into the match at Goodison Park in abysmal form having won just once in their last 15 Premier League games.Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be desperate to take advantage of those struggles as they look to extend their six-point gap to the relegation zone.They will be boosted by the news of Everton’s absentees given a number of the key players at Elland Road are still unavailable themselves through injury.Lampard claimed that Yerry Mina will not feature in the defence while Leeds academy graduate Fabian Delph...
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SERIE A

Juventus, Fiorentina reach Coppa semis

Paulo Dybala of Juventus challenges Maxime Lopez of US Sassuolo during the Coppa Italia match between Juventus and US Sassuolo at Allianz Stadium on February 10, 2022 in Turin, Italy.Holders Juventus have scraped into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 victory over Sassuolo and will face Fiorentina after they also struck late to beat Atalanta 3-2.Juventus took the lead in the third minute on Thursday when Paulo Dybala bounced home a volley.Sassuolo hit back in the 23rd minute with Hamed Traore bending a superb effort past keeper Mattia Perin.Both sides had chances in the second half but Juventus grabbed the winner in the 88th minute when Dusan Vlahovic wriggled through on the left and his shot deflected in off the arm of Ruan Tressoldi.Fiorentina left it even later with Nikola ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta demands ‘explanations’ after seeing Gabriel Martinelli sent off

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal is shown a red card during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 10, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England.Boss Mikel Arteta has demanded an explanation for Gabriel Martinelli's quickfire red card at Wolves and defended Arsenal's disciplinary record.The striker was sent off - the Gunners' fourth red card in 2022 - for two yellow cards in a matter of seconds as Arteta's side hung on to win 1-0 at Molineux.Gabriel Magalhaes' first-half strike moved the Gunners up to fifth in the Premier League table, a point behind West Ham with two games in hand.Martinelli's dismissal was the 15th under Arteta since he took charge in 2019, but the head coach insists they are not dirty and wants to know why they are falling foul of...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Diogo Jota double inspires Liverpool to win over Leicester

Diogo Jota of Liverpool scores their side's second goal with team mates as players of Leicester City look dejected during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on February 10, 2022 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to nine points as Diogo Jota's doubled earned Juergen Klopp's side a 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Thursday.After City's 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday extended their advantage at the top, second-placed Liverpool needed to issue a response, edging in front in the first half at Anfield thanks to Jota's close-range finish.Mohamed Salah came off the bench to rapturous applause to make his first appearance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Egyptian striker curli...
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LALIGA

Barcelona: Xavi ‘could rotate Adama Traore and Ferran Torres for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’

Barcelona's Gabonese midfielder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang runs with the ball during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 6, 2022. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be set to make his first start for Barcelona since his switch from Arsenal in the January window. The forward joined the Catalan side on a free transfer on deadline day after being stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal and frozen out following a breach of discipline by Mikel Arteta. The Gabon international donned the Blaugrana for the first time at the weekend as he came of the bench during Barcelona's 4-2 triumph over LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid. But he could make his first starting debut for Xavi's side when they face E...
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Coppa Italia: Olivier Giroud double leads AC Milan to Lazio rout

Olivier Giroud of AC Milan #9 celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2022 in Milan, Italy. In-form striker Olivier Giroud followed up his double in the Serie A win over Inter Milan with two more goals as AC Milan defeated Lazio 4-0 in the Italian Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.Rafael Leao opened the scoring in the 24th minute and then created Milan's second for French international Giroud after 41 minutes.Giroud made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time with Franck Kessie completing the rout 10 minutes from time.He had started the season very well, but had problems with his back and ankle, so needed time to get back into shape, said Milan coach Stefano Pioli of Giroud.He is a strong c...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton stun Tottenham with comeback win

Southampton's Che Adams (left) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Wednesday February 9, 2022. Southampton twice came from a goal behind to put a huge dent in Tottenham Hotspur's top-four ambitions with a 3-2 away win in a compelling Premier League clash on Wednesday.Son Heung-min appeared to have secured a vital win for a ragged Tottenham with a superb finish 20 minutes from time.But Southampton, who had been the better team throughout, struck twice in the space of three minutes.Mohamed Elyounoussi headed in the equaliser before Che Adams won it for the visitors with another header -- James Ward-Prowse providing the crosses for both goals.As the rain fell in north London there was st...
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Lukaku ends drought as Chelsea reach Club World Cup final

Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Semi Final match between Al Hilal and Chelsea FC at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 9, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Romelu Lukaku scored a much-needed goal as Chelsea beat Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 1-0 on Wednesday to advance to the Club World Cup final against South American champions Palmeiras.Chelsea's club-record signing had failed to score in five games before arriving in Abu Dhabi, and the Blues are looking for the 28-year-old to find his best form in the second half of the season.The Belgium international swept in from close range on 33 minutes after a defensive lapse to send Chelsea through to Saturday's final, the second in three years between English and Brazilian teams.Chelsea can join Manchester Un...
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West Ham fine Kurt Zouma “Maximum amount” for abusing pet cat

 Zouma of West Ham United warms up prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford at London Stadium on February 08, 2022 in London, England. West Ham on Wednesday fined defender Kurt Zouma the "maximum amount possible" for mistreating his pet cat as the RSPCA charity said it had taken two animals belonging to the France international into care. The 27-year-old, who played against Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday, has been widely condemned after a video circulated online of him dropping, kicking and slapping the animal. West Ham issued a fresh statement on Wednesday saying they were supporting an investigation by animal welfare organisation the RSPCA into the case and that Zouma was complying with the process, including delivering his two cats t...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Wasteful Man United slip out of top four after draw at Burnley

Referee Mike Dean reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on February 8, 2022 in Burnley, United Kingdom. A wasteful Manchester United dropped out of the Premier League's top four after they were held to a 1-1 draw at bottom side Burnley on Tuesday.United dominated right from the off and had an early effort ruled out by VAR for offside before Paul Pogba, on his first league start since mid-October, hammered home his first goal of the season to give the visitors a deserved lead.Ralf Rangnick's side should have added to their advantage before the break but Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope kept them at bay with several fine saves, while the hosts did not have a single effort at goal in the opening period.United were made to pay for their prof...
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LALIGA

Report: Xavi desperate for Gavi to sign new Barcelona deal

Xavi Hernandez head coach of Barcelona gives instructions to Gavi during the La Liga Santader match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes on January 8, 2022 in Granada, Spain.Barcelona manager Xavi is reportedly desperate to tie teenage midfielder Gavi down to a new contract at Camp Nou.The Spain international has become a mainstay of the Blaugrana XI at the tender age of 17 but is due to become a free agent in under 18 months' time.Gavi's emergence has supposedly attracted the attention of Liverpool, with the Reds preparing to trigger his €50m (£43m) release clause if Barca cannot agree a new deal with the midfielder.Gavi Paez of FC Barcelona and Stefan Savic of Atletico de Madrid battle for the ball during the La Liga Santader match between FC Barcelona and...
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LALIGA

Athletic beats Espanyol 2-1 to move closer to European spots

Oihan Sancet of Athletic Club duels for the ball with Sergi Gomez of RCD Espanyol during the LaLiga Santander match between Athletic Club and RCD Espanyol at San Mames Stadium on February 07, 2022 in Bilbao, Spain.Athletic Bilbao moved closer to the European qualification places in the Spanish league after beating Espanyol 2-1 on Monday.Oihan Sancet and Iñigo Martínez scored in the first half to lead Athletic to the home victory that left it one point behind seventh-placed Real Sociedad. Athletic was four points behind fourth-placed Barcelona in the final Champions League spot.Oihan Sancet of Athletic Club celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic Club and RCD Espanyol at San Mames Stadium on February 07, 2022 in Bilbao, Spain.It was...
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Nike end their Mason Greenwood deal after Manchester United player’s arrest

Mason Greenwood of Manchester United warms up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on January 22, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Sports giants Nike have axed their sponsorship of Manchester United's Mason Greenwood.Nike has ended the agreement with Greenwood following his arrest last week on suspicion of the rape and assault of a woman.Greenwood has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.The England striker has been suspended by United until further notice and will not train with the team or take part in matches.Now Nike have made it clear to Greenwood they will no longer be sponsoring him moving forward.A Nike statement on the 20-year-old forward said: Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike athlete.Greenwood has b...
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Messi scores as leader PSG wins 5-1 at defending champ Lille

Gabriel Gudmundsson of Lille OSC challenges Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Lille OSC and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Pierre Mauroy on February 6, 2022 in Lille, France.Lionel Messi had one of his best games for Paris Saint-Germain as the runaway leader profited from bad goalkeeping to win 5-1 at defending champion Lille and move 13 points clear in the French league on Sunday.The first two goals were gifted while the third was well taken by the record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in the 37th minute for only his second league goal since joining from Barcelona. Lille caused PSG problems but defended poorly.PSG drew and lost to Lille last season without scoring a goal. Lille conceded only 23 goals during that victorious campaign, but stan...
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Sadio Mane hands Senegal AFCON crown

Senegal's forward Sadio Mane holds the trophy prior to the ceremony after winning after the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 final football match between Senegal and Egypt at Stade d'Olembe in Yaounde on February 6, 2022. Sadio Mane overcame Mohammed Salah in the battle of Liverpool’s superstars to help Senegal to their first African Cup of Nations victory.A penalty shoot-out decided the outcome after a goalless 120 minutes in  Cameroon on a night of fluctuating and extreme emotion for the Anfield strikers.For Mane – already a national hero – there was the ecstasy of converting the winning penalty to end his country’s excruciating wait to be African champions. His moment of glory came after he had earlier missed from the spot during normal time.By contrast, Salah was left in tear...
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SERIE A

Serie A: Victor Osimhen fires Napoli to within point of summit with Venezia winner

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli controls the ball during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on February 6, 2022 in Venice, Italy.Victor Osimhen scored on his first Napoli start since November to help his team to a 2-0 win at Venezia on Sunday which moves them to one point behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.Nigeria striker Osimhen had made two brief substitute appearances since fracturing bones in his face in a sickening head clash at Inter Milan. He rewarded coach Luciano Spalletti's decision to pick him by leaping to head Napoli ahead just before the hour mark at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.Andrea Petagna sealed the points in the 100th minute of a match extended due a clash of heads between the referee and Venezia's Tyronne Ebuehi, as well as that ...
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LALIGA

Adama Traore shines on debut as Barcelona claim huge win over Atletico Madrid

Barcelona's Spanish forward Adama Traore (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's Spanish defender Mario Hermoso during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 6, 2022.Barcelona picked up a huge win in their race to secure a a top four spot, defeating Atletico Madrid.Just one point and one place separated the two sides heading into the Camp Nou clash, but Barca have now leapfrogged their top four rivals, climbing into fourth place.It was a goal-fest at Camp Nou, with Yannick Carrasco kicking off the scoring after just eight minutes.Within three minutes, Barca had equalised thanks to a brilliant Jordi Alba volley from the corner of the box.Debutant Adama Traore, who enjoyed an excellent debut, set up Gavi wit...
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Chelsea to visit Luton Town in FA Cup fifth round

A fan in the stands holds up a foil FA Cup trophy during the Emirates FA Cup third round match at City Ground, Nottingham. Picture date: Sunday January 9, 2022.Chelsea have been drawn away to Championship side Luton Town in the FA Cup fifth round.Manchester City and Tottenham have also been handed away ties to second-tier opposition, visiting Peterborough and Middlesbrough respectively. Middlesbrough qualified for the fifth round after beating Manchester United on penalties on Friday evening.Boreham Wood, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, will travel to Everton if they beat Bournemouth on Sunday evening.There is one definite all-Premier League tie with Southampton hosting West Ham United, while Liverpool host Norwich City should they overcome Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon....
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Uncategorized

Elche continue improved run with key win over relegation rivals Alaves

Pere Milla of Elche CF competes for the ball with Tomas Pina of Deportivo Alaves during the LaLiga Santander match between Elche CF and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on February 05, 2022 in Elche, Spain.Elche continued their climb away from the La Liga drop zone with a crucial comeback win on Saturday afternoon.The Alicante side have been on an improved run of late, defeating Villarreal before drawing with Real Madrid.And they were given a golden opportunity on Saturday to put some distance between themselves and the drop, facing an Alaves side currently who went into the game in 19th position.Mato Joselu of Deportivo Alaves celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Elche CF and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Manuel Martinez ...
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