2023 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Year: 2023

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Arsenal lose at Fulham and miss chance to go top

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is challenged by Antonee Robinson of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2023 in London, England.Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League at new year after a disappointing defeat at Fulham.Bukayo Saka put the Gunners ahead inside five minutes but Raul Jimenez equalised on his return from suspension, before Bobby Decordova-Reid scrambled home the winner on the hour.The loss left Arsenal fourth and two points behind leaders Liverpool, who host Newcastle on New Year's Day.Fulham are 13th after ending a run of three straight defeats.Arsenal made the perfect start with a fifth-minute opener following a quick break from the back. Gabriel Martinelli's curling shot from the left was palmed...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Spurs see off wasteful Bournemouth

 Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates alongside teammate Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 31, 2023 in London, England.Tottenham finished 2023 on a high with victory over an energetic Bournemouth in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Pape Sarr opened the scoring when Rodrigo Bentancur latched on to Neto's casual pass out from the back and it broke for Sarr, who drilled it into the far corner.Smarting from a 4-2 loss to Brighton in midweek, an injury-hit Spurs watched as Bournemouth enjoyed plenty of chances and looked likely to level.But the visitors lacked a clinical edge in the final third and Son Heung-mi...
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SERIE A

AC Milan pip Sassuolo 1-0 as Pulisic delivers the winner

 Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 30, 2023 in Milan, Italy. AC Milan miraculously close out 2023 with a victory over Sassuolo at the San Siro. The Rossoneri claimed a slim 1-0 victory to end a terrible run of form against the Neroverdi at home where the last win came in 2019. Stefano Pioli’s side managed to gain a small advantage on Napoli and Bologna as well as slightly closed the gap to Inter Milan at the top.Christian Pulisic scored the winner as he made a brilliant run into the box and collected Ismael Bennacer’s sublime line breaking pass before chipping over the keeper. The Rossoneri also scored two offside goals which were chalked ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City ends historic year on high and just two points off EPL lead

 Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interacts with Jack Grealish of Manchester City as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Etihad Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Manchester, England. After the greatest year in Manchester City's history, Pep Guardiola's players look hungry for another.The defending English Premier League champion ended a trophy-laden 2023 with a 2-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday.City moved up to third, just two points behind leader Liverpool. That's not bad considering Guardiola's team has struggled to hit the heights of last season's treble-winning campaign and has been without the talismanic Kevin De Bruyne since August.The Belgium international is on his way back from a hamstri...
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SERIE A

Toothless Napoli draw with Monza, Inter held to draw

 Juan Jesus of SSC Napoli and Lorenzo Colombo of AC Monza compete for the ball during the serie A Tim match between SSC Napoli and AC Monza at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 29, 2023 in Naples, Italy.Napoli have failed to score for the fifth time in their last seven games as the defending Serie A champions laboured at home to a goalless draw with Monza, while leaders Inter Milan were held to a draw.Matteo Pessina missed a penalty for Monza midway through the second half and teammate Mirko Maric was sent off in stoppage time for kicking the ball away. Both coaches also received red cards in a chaotic last few minutes.Monza's lack of goals is a problem for a club already punching above their weight.They have performed admirably in their one and a half seasons in the top tier ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Pedro’s penalties help Brighton beat Tottenham

 Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion scores their team's fourth goal from a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur at American Express Community Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Brighton, England.A superb display saw Brighton overcome Tottenham in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium.Spurs dominated the early possession but the hosts took control when teenager Jack Hinshelwood fired into the roof of the net after Joao Pedro was allowed to drift across the length of the 18-yard line.Pedro doubled the Seagulls' lead from the penalty spot after Dejan Kulusevski had pulled back Danny Welbeck in the area.Brighton continued to press, with James Milner hitting the post and Facundo Buonanotte having a goal disallowed for off...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal miss chance to go top as West Ham win at Emirates

 Tomas Soucek of West Ham United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 28, 2023 in London, England. West Ham stunned Arsenal to record a third successive Premier League victory, denting the Gunners' title challenge in the process.It was a ruthless display by West Ham, who converted two of their three shots on target, while Arsenal squandered a host of opportunities as they missed the chance to move top of the league.Tomas Soucek fired in Jarrod Bowen's cutback and, while the ball had potentially gone out of play in the build-up, there was not enough evidence for the video assistant referee to overturn the goal.That gave West Ham a first-half lead which was doubled when former Arse...
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SERIE A

Bremer agrees new contract with Juventus

 Gleison Bremer of Juventus during a training session at JTC on December 18, 2023 in Turin, Italy. Gleison Bremer has reportedly agreed to extend his contract with Juventus and is now expected to put pen to paper in the coming days.The 26-year-old Brazilian centre back has been a key figure in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad since his arrival from rivals Torino last year. This season, he’s seen over 1500 minutes of action across 17 matches, playing almost every available minute.Juventus, who are still in the early stages of their shift to sustainability, have been working to renew the contracts of various stars in their squad in recent months, negotiating with the agents of players like Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa.As reported by Calciomercato.com, Bremer has agreed to sign a ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool go top after hard-fought win at Burnley

 Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Liverpool FC at Turf Moor on December 26, 2023 in Burnley, England. Liverpool signalled their title ambitions by going top of the Premier League thanks to a hard-fought victory at relegation-threatened Burnley.Jurgen Klopp's side have only been beaten once so far this season and went two points clear of Arsenal at the summit despite some wastefulness in front of goal.The Reds got the perfect start by netting after just six minutes as Darwin Nunez guided in a lovely finish from the edge of the box to end a run of 12 club games without a goal.The impressive James Trafford was kept busy in the Burnley goal and had already smothered Harvey Elliott's low drive before m...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Hojlund fires Man Utd to comeback win over Villa

 Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United celebrates scoring the third and winning goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on December 26, 2023 in Manchester, England. Rasmus Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to record a sensational victory in a thrilling Boxing Day encounter with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.In United's first game since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25% purchase of the club, and with future director and current Ineos head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford in the directors' box, Erik ten Hag's side produced one of those 'back-from-the-dead' endings for which they are so famed.After John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker had given Villa a deserved half-time advantage, Uni...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Wood hat-trick helps Forest to superb win at Newcastle

 Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest celebrates with team mate Morgan Gibbs-White after scoring their sides third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest at St. James Park on December 26, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.Chris Wood's hat-trick was more goals than he managed in 18 Premier League appearances for Newcastle at St James' ParkChris Wood scored a hat-trick on his return to St James' Park as Nottingham Forest ended a seven-game winless run with a stunning Premier League victory at Newcastle.The result moves Forest up to 16th in the table and five points clear of the bottom three prior to Tuesday's other fixtures.Alexander Isak had seemingly put Eddie Howe's side in control when he stroked home a penalty midway through the first half...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Struggling Man Utd seek form against high-flying Villa

 Christian Eriksen and manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on December 23, 2023 in London, England.Manchester United and visiting Aston Villa both will be looking to rebound from weekend setbacks when they meet on Boxing Day at Old Trafford.United (9-8-1, 28 points) were forced to accept a familiar fate on Saturday, losing 2-0 at West Ham United in a game in which they had the majority of the possession and -- in manager Erik ten Hag's view -- the chances.A victory would've taken Man U up to sixth in the table and within three points of crosstown rival Manchester City. Instead, late goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus ensured the Hammers of all three points, and United of a thi...
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BUNDESLIGA

Now at Bayern Munich, Harry Kane eyeing every trophy

 Harry Kane of Munich looks on during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern München at Volkswagen Arena on December 20, 2023 in Wolfsburg, Germany.Harry Kane made his big summer transfer window move to Bayern Munich in search of trophies, which had eluded him in his entire Tottenham Hotspur tenure.But though the Bavarians already fell short in the DFB-Pokal — Kane watching from the bench as an unused substitute as third-division Saarbrücken felled the German giants in the second round — he remains undeterred.“The Bundesliga and Champions League are what we are setting out to win with Bayern and the Euros with England we are setting out to win,” Kane said recently (as captured by Channel 4, via @iMiaSanMia). “The teams I am in have really good chances of winning thos...
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TRANSFERS

PSG superstar could be an option for Barcelona for 2024, but deal seen as ‘impossible’

 Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates his first goal during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Metz (FCM) at Parc des Princes stadium on December 20, 2023 in Paris, France. Barcelona are going through a period of turmoil right now. The club’s economic woes are now coupled with a series of underwhelming performances in La Liga, which has left them in a precarious position heading into 2024.Barcelona’s problems have been further compounded by recent reports of UEFA potentially suspending the club from the Champions League for up to three years.Barcelona are going through a period of turmoil right now. The club’s economic woes are now coupled with a series of underwhelming performances in La Liga, which has left them in a precarious position heading into...
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SERIE A

Leaders Inter keep Juve at bay, Napoli collapse at Roma

 Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad competes for the ball with Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale and Real Sociedad at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 12, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan maintained their four-point lead at the top of Serie A with Saturday´s 2-0 win over Lecce, as Napoli crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Roma which the troubled champions finished with nine men.Yann Bissek´s first goal in Italy just before half-time at the San Siro and a late finish from Nicolo Barella were enough for Inter to bounce back from cup defeat to Bologna midweek and keep closest challengers Juventus at bay.“We came into the game off the back of a result which made us unhappy because we played well in the cup,” said Inzaghi. “It was imp...
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Uncategorized

Wolves inflict Christmas misery on Chelsea

 Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea is challenged by Mario Lemina (L) and Nelson Semedo during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Molineux on December 24, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England.Wolves inflicted a fourth defeat in six matches on Chelsea on Sunday, beating the London side 2-1 in the first Christmas Eve Premier League match since 1995.Mauricio Pochettino´s men dominated possession at Molineux but wasted their chances in a captivating game, littered with careless mistakes by the visiting side. Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty put Wolves 2-0 in front but they were made to sweat when Christopher Nkunku pulled one back on his Premier League debut.The defeat means a miserable Christmas for inconsistent Chelsea, who are stuck in 10th place in the Premier L...
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LALIGA

Llorente earns Atletico win over Sevilla

 Marcos Llorente (Unseen)) of Atletico Madrid celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla FC at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Marcos Llorente’s second-half goal earned Atletico Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday as the hosts reclaimed third spot in the La Liga standings. Diego Simeone’s side are level with fourth-placed Barcelona on 38 points and seven behind leaders Real Madrid. Atletico took the lead seconds after halftime when substitute Llorente’s cross was blocked but he capitalised on Sergio Ramos’s rebound to fire home from close range.“I was lucky enough to get a great pass and score to get the three points,” Llorente said. “We...
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SERIE A

Defender makes his mark to help Inter Milan beat Lecce

 Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale celebrates with Marko Arnautovic after scoring the team's first goal during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 23, 2023 in Milan, Italy. There was an unlikely scoring replacement for Lautaro Martinez when defender Yann Bisseck bagged his first goal for Inter Milan and launched the Serie A leaders to a 2-0 victory over Lecce.Bisseck, who hit the woodwork moments earlier, netted two minutes from the break to help Inter bounce back from a midweek Italian Cup defeat and consolidate top spot in the league on Saturday (local time).He also had a header fingertipped over the bar in the second half.Nicolo Barella sealed the result and Inter moved four points ahead of Juventus, who won ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United falter at West Ham: Pressure mounts on Ten Hag as scoring woes continue

Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United in action during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on December 23, 2023 in London, England. Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus' second-half goals gave West Ham a 2-0 win over Manchester United in the English Premier League's early game on Saturday.Bowen bundled home from close range in the 72nd minute after a lovely one-two with Lucas Paqueta, who played in Kudus six minutes later to settle the game with a sharp finish. West Ham, recovering from a bruising 1-5 defeat to Liverpool in the League Cup in midweek, move up to sixth on 30 points. United, who have not scored in their last four games in all competitions, drop to eighth with 28 points.The first half was low on quality and its best chance fe...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City make history with Club World Cup win

 Julian Alvarez second striker of Manchester City and Argentina lifts the trophy after winning with his team the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 between Manchester City and Fluminense at the King Abdullah Sports City on 22 December 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Julian Alvarez scored twice as Manchester City won the Fifa Club World Cup for the first time by beating Brazilians Fluminense in Saudi Arabia.Pep Guardiola's side, taking part in the tournament after winning last season's Champions League, made the ideal start as Alvarez struck after 40 seconds, chesting in from close range after Nathan Ake's long-range strike hit the post.They added a second in the 27th minute when Nino turned Phil Foden's cross into the back of his own net.England's Foden then got on ...
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