May 2023 – Page 2 – Football Flame

Month: May 2023

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton close to appointing Martin as Selles exits

 Russell Martin Head Coach of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Huddersfield Town at Liberty Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Swansea, Wales.Southampton are close to announcing the appointment of Swansea City head coach Russell Martin as their new boss. Saints have turned to Martin as they rebuild following Premier League relegation, with the 37-year-old set to replace the departing Ruben Selles. They have confirmed the Spaniard’s contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season. Former Scotland defender Martin will be joined at Southampton by some members of his Swansea backroom team. Southampton will pay compensation for Martin and his staff, whose Swansea contracts run until 2024. Martin had been due to travel to the USA la...
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LALIGA

Barcelona’s Raphinha sends message of support for Vinicius Jr after racist abuse

 Raphinha of FC Barcelona with shirt supporting Vinicius Junior during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on May 23, 2023 in Valladolid, Spain.Barcelona winger Raphinha showed his support for Vinicius Jr by wearing a vest emblazoned with an anti-racist message. The Real Madrid forward was the subject of a racist attack during Real’s 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Valencia on Sunday. Valencia say police have identified a fan who made racist gestures at Vincius and that individual faces a lifetime stadium ban from the Mestalla after Real filed a race crime complaint. The game was paused after the break as Vinicius pointed out to the referee those who were abusing him in the stands – and he later took to social media to say LaL...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Lopetegui’s Wolves future ‘in doubt’ – Balague

 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui before the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers at City Ground on January 11, 2023 in Nottingham, England.Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui’s future “is in doubt” because of the club’s financial situation, says Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. Lopetegui, 56, said last week that it would be “difficult to compete” in the Premier League without investment. The Spaniard added he had only recently been made aware of the club’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) “problems”. “Talks this week between the club and Lopetegui will give us a clearer picture,” Balague said. “With the club unable to get the signings or investment they promised him and instead having to sell to keep up with FFP, his fut...
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TRANSFERS

Neymar could make transfer Liverpool should embrace as Spurs set to name interesting manager

 Neymar Jr is seen during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France. This summer will be a busy one for Liverpool but the same can be said for a lot of its rivals across the Premier League and beyond, with records likely to be broken in the transfer market. Arsenal, quietly having spent a lot under Mikel Arteta, will be hoping to push on and make sure that this season’s title charge was not a one-off. Newcastle, meanwhile, another side that has overachieved this season, must consolidate itself as a top-four member. Manchester United is likely to spend big again under Erik ten Hag, while Chelsea and Manchester City will make some big purchases again and Spurs could have some Harry Kane money to reinvest. In ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton trigger one-year Doucoure deal extension

 Jack Grealish of Manchester City clashes with Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton after the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester City at Goodison Park on May 14, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Everton have triggered a one-year option to keep midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure at the club until the end of the 2023-24 campaign. The 30-year-old was out of contract this summer but the Toffees have exercised the choice of a further year. Doucoure has made 94 appearances and scored nine goals since joining from Watford for £20m in 2020. The Mali international will be aiming to help Everton remain in the Premier League in Sunday’s final game. Sean Dyche’s side are currently two points above the relegation zone and host Bournemouth at Goodison Park. Doucoure fell out of favour under forme...
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Ligue 1

Mbappe goals see PSG all but secure Ligue 1 title

 Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates his second goal with Hugo Ekitike (left) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between AJ Auxerre (AJA) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps on May 21, 2023 in Auxerre, France.Paris Saint-Germain all but secured the Ligue 1 title on Sunday as a Kylian Mbappe brace gave them a 2-1 win away to Auxerre that left the Qatar-owned club six points clear at the top of the table with two games remaining. PSG had hoped to officially confirm a second straight championship triumph, and a ninth in the last 11 seasons, but they needed closest rivals Lens to slip up earlier in the day. Lens won 3-1 at Lorient, and so PSG still require one point from their final two matches to secure a French record 11th title overall. However, a goal difference adv...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle in Champions League after 20-year wait with Leicester draw

 Nick Pope, Sven Botman (obscured), Dan Burn, Fabian Schaer and Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United celebrate after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on May 22, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.Newcastle secured Champions League football for the first time in 20 years with a goalless draw against relegation-threatened Leicester, whose fate is now out of their hands. Eddie Howe’s side failed to break the deadlock in a match they dominated, striking the post three times, but the result was sufficient for the Magpies to make a long-awaited return to Europe’s elite competition next season. Newcastle are four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool heading into Sunday’s final day of t...
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SERIE A

Juve suffer Empoli humbling after points deduction

 Francesco Caputo of Empoli FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on May 22, 2023 in Empoli, Italy.Juventus lost 4-1 at Empoli on Monday hours after their points reduction for illicit transfer activity was revised in a blow to their Champions League hopes. The Turin giants are a point below sixth-placed Roma in the Europa League Conference qualification spot. Earlier, the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) appeals court announced Juve’s 10-point deduction. The decision came following a revision of their initial 15-point penalty inflicted on the club over illicit transfer activity. It caps a difficult few days for the two-time European champions as they were knocked out of the Europa League semi-finals af...
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SERIE A

Juve docked 10 points over transfer dealings

 General view of the Allianz Stadium during the Serie A match between Juventus and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on May 14, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Juventus have been docked 10 points following a new investigation into the club’s past transfer dealings. Juve were initially handed a 15-point penalty in January but Italy’s highest sporting court overturned that decision in April and ordered the case to be re-examined. The new ruling was announced on Monday, before the team’s game away to Empoli. The penalty drops Juve to seventh place in Serie A, outside the European qualification spots. Napoli have already secured the Serie A title and, before Monday’s ruling, were 17 points ahead of second-placed Juve. In April, Italy’s Sports Guarantee Board revoked Juve’s 15-point penalty from the It...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. and manager condemn La Liga for racism following Valencia clash

 Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Mestalla on May 21, 2023 in Valencia, Spain. In the wake of a distasteful incident during a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Valencia on Sunday evening, Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid’s star forward, and manager Carlo Ancelotti have accused the Spanish league of failing to adequately address racism. Hostile scenes unfolded at the Mestalla stadium, where Valencia’s home crowd, rather than solely supporting their team, openly subjected visiting player Vinicius Jr. to racial slurs. Racist taunts could be distinctly heard from the crowd within the first 20 minutes of the match, and the harassment continued throughout the game. The incident escalated when Vinici...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton reach exclusivity agreement with MSP

 Dwight McNeil (L) and Nathan Patterson of Everton during the Premier League match.Everton have reached an exclusivity agreement with New York-based company MSP Sports Capital for investment in the club. Sources have said the deal is not yet done but talks are progressing between the two parties over future funding. MSP look to have jumped ahead of 777 Partners, who have been in talks over a takeover from owner Farhad Moshiri. Everton are currently two points above the Premier League’s relegation zone with one game remaining this season. However, the Toffees will drop into the bottom three if Leicester win at Newcastle on Monday (20:00 BST). MSP are believed to be looking for a 25% stake with a preferential share structure, not equity in the club, so would be paid back in interest. 77...
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LALIGA

Barcelona announce squad for the match against Real Valladolid CF

 Xavi Hernandez during the press conference prior to the Liga Santander match against Real Sociedad, in Barcelona, on 19th May 2023.FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has called up 20 players for the upcoming league game against Paulo Pezzolano’s Real Valladolid CF. The Catalan kings and La Liga champions will travel to Valladolid to face Pucelanos on Wednesday night at José Zorrilla Stadium. La Blaugranes will miss the services of Pedri, Araujo, and kounde while Gavi will be available for selection after missing the last league game as he was serving one match suspension because of the accumulation of five yellow cards. Match Details: Date: Sunday, 23rd May 2023 Competition: La Liga Santander Matchday: 36 Venue: José Zorrilla Stadium Time: 10:00 pm Central European Time Official ...
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SERIE A

Giroud nets hat-trick as AC Milan saunter past Sampdoria in style

 Olivier Giroud of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 2-1 lead during the Serie A match between AC MIlan and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 20, 2023 in Milan, Italy.AC Milan cruised to victory against an already relegated Sampdoria side 5-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to keep their top-four hopes alive in Serie A. The Rossoneri went into an early lead as Rafael Leao finished coolly in the opening 10 minutes. Oliver Giroud then scored twice, a sublime header and a penalty after Leao was fouled when through on goal. Brahim Diaz impressed throughout and tapped in a fourth before Giroud bundled in for his hat-trick in untidy fashion. The win takes Milan a point behind Lazio in fourth and two short of Inter in third, who both play tomorrow. Want to know m...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City celebrate title with win over Chelsea

Ilkay Guendogan of Manchester City lifts the Premier League trophy following the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Etihad Stadium on May 21, 2023 in Manchester, England.Manchester City celebrated a third successive Premier League title triumph with victory over Chelsea in a relaxed party atmosphere at Etihad Stadium. City were confirmed as champions without even playing after Nottingham Forest’s win against Arsenal on Saturday, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to make nine changes from the side that thrashed Real Madrid to reach the Champions League final. Erling Haaland was rested but Julian Alvarez provided the cutting edge in his absence with a clinical finish to put City ahead after 12 minutes, as their jubilant fans basked in warm sunshine waiting for the tr...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ferguson hits double as Brighton seal European spot

 Evan Ferguson of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates with teammate Alexis Mac Allister after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on May 21, 2023 in Brighton, England.Evan Ferguson scored twice in the first half as Brighton beat Southampton in the Premier League to secure European football for the first time in their history. The 18-year-old forward opened the scoring with a powerful low shot past Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy before doubling the Seagulls’ advantage with a first-time finish from inside the area. Mohamed Elyounoussi’s glancing header offered the visitors brief hope of a comeback but Pascal Gross fired in a third to seal victory for the hosts. Bright...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Leeds rooted in relegation zone after West Ham defeat

 West Ham United's Declan Rice celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on May 21, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Leeds United missed the chance to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone as West Ham United fought back to claim a comfortable win at London Stadium. The Whites could have leapfrogged 17th-placed Everton with a win but are instead guaranteed to go into the final weekend of the Premier League in the bottom three. They made the perfect start when Rodrigo put them in front with a thumping volley from Weston McKennie’s long throw. But Declan Rice levelled for West Ham before half-time and goals after the break from Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini sealed the points.
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BUNDESLIGA

Hertha Berlin relegated from Bundesliga after conceding in injury time

 Keven Schlotterbeck of VfL Bochum equalises the score at 1:1 during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and VfL Bochum 1848 at Olympiastadion on May 20, 2023 in Berlin, Germany.Hertha Berlin was relegated from the Bundesliga after conceding in the fourth minute of injury time to draw with Bochum 1-1 on Saturday. Former Union Berlin defender Keven Schlotterbeck headed the goal that sent Hertha down to the second division. It’s Hertha’s seventh relegation from the Bundesliga. Only Nuremberg (nine) and Arminia Bielefeld (eight) have been demoted more times. Hertha needed a win to postpone the relegation decisions to the final day of the season and it was looking good for the home team after Lucas Tousart finally made the breakthrough with a header to Marco Richter’s corner in the 64...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Casemiro stunner leaves Man Utd on brink of top four

 Casemiro of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on May 20, 2023 in Bournemouth, England. Casemiro’s stunning overhead kick edged Manchester United a step closer to a top-four finish as they secured a narrow Premier League victory over Bournemouth. The Red Devils need just one point from their final two games against Chelsea and Fulham to secure Champions League football at Old Trafford next season. In a game lacking in clear-cut opportunities a piece of magic from Casemiro proved the difference at the Vitality Stadium. The Brazilian midfielder picked up a beautifully weighted pass from Christian Eriksen and turned away from Marcos Senesi to acrobatically hammer home. Without their top goal score...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton keep survival hopes alive with 99th-minute leveller

 Yerry Mina of Everton scores his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on May 20, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England.Everton’s fight to avoid the drop into the Championship will go down to the final day of the season despite Yerry Mina snatching a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time at Wolves. The Toffees looked on course for a damaging defeat until Mina pounced in a goalmouth scramble in the final seconds of nine minutes of additional time to give Sean Dyche’s side what might prove to be a priceless point. Everton must now anxiously await how other results pan out to discover the full extent of their task when they face Bournemouth at Goodison Park. Wolves went ahead in a scrappy encounter after 34 minutes whe...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Firmino equaliser keeps Reds’ top-four hopes alive

 Roberto Firmino of Liverpool competing with Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa at Anfield on May 20, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Roberto Firmino scored an 89th-minute equaliser to salvage a draw against Aston Villa and keep alive Liverpool’s faint hopes of a top-four Premier League finish. Jurgen Klopp’s side are three points behind Newcastle United and Manchester United with one game remaining, meaning their two rivals need just one point from their final two games to secure Champions League qualification for next season. The fact it remains mathematically possible, if perhaps unlikely, is down to the departing Firmino sneaking in at the near post to convert Mohamed Salah’s low cross. The visitors will be disappointed n...
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