Giroud fires Milan to Champions League qualification

29May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Giroud fires Milan to Champions League qualification

Olivier Giroud of AC Milan celebrates the win at the end of the Serie A match between Juventus and AC MIlan at Allianz Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Olivier Giroud secured Champions League qualification for AC Milan with the only goal in Sunday’s 1-0 win at troubled Juventus. Giroud guided home a brilliant header from Davide Calabria’s cross in the 40th minute to guarantee Milan at least fourth place and complete Italy’s line-up in Europe’s top club competition next season. It was the one moment of quality in an otherwise drab match in Turin in which little of consequence happened apart from Giroud’s 12th league goal of the season. Stefano Pioli’s side, who were knocked out of this year’s Champions League in the semi-finals by Inter Milan, join their local rivals, Lazio and...

29May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barca win, Valencia draw sends Espanyol down in La Liga

Ansu Fati of FC Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca at Spotify Camp Nou on May 28, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Playing their first home game with a section of Mestalla Stadium closed as punishment for the racist abuse against Vinicius Junior, Valencia moved closer to avoiding relegation from the Spain’s La Liga thanks to an added-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Espanyol. Valencia had the first of their three matches with a small section of Mestalla closed behind one of the goals where the abuse targeting Vinicius took place in a match against Real Madrid a week ago. Valencia were initially ordered to close the section for five games but the punishment was reduced on appeal. ...

28May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea hold Newcastle to close tough season

Carney Chukwuemeka of Chelsea is challenged by Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on May 28, 2023 in London, England. Newcastle United and Chelsea played out an entertaining draw to bring down a contrasting season for both sides at Stamford Bridge. Anthony Gordon opened his account for the Magpies before Kieran Trippier put through his own net to level it up. The result means Champions League-bound Newcastle finish fourth, while Chelsea end up in 12th and in the bottom half for the first time since 1995-96. Newcastle took the lead inside nine minutes. Allan Saint-Maximin found Elliot Anderson on the overlap, and he crossed for Gordon to force home his first goal since a January move from E...

28May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Leeds relegated after heavy home loss to Spurs

Leeds United's Adam Forshaw (centre) battles for the ball with Tottenham Hotspur's Clement Lenglet and Pedro Porro during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday May 28, 2023. Leeds United have been relegated from the Premier League as they lost their final game of the season to Tottenham Hotspur. The Whites’ fans turned on both their team and the club’s owners as the West Yorkshire side’s three-year top-flight stay came to a meek and pitiful end at Elland Road. Needing to win to stand any chance of preserving their Premier League status, Leeds trailed inside the opening two minutes through Harry Kane’s excellent finish. Pedro Porro then doubled Tottenham’s lead when he fired in from a tight angle early in the second half. Jack Harrison made it 2-1 t...

28May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Leicester relegated despite win over West Ham

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City looks dejected after their sides defeat, resulting in their relegation to the Championship during the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Leicester, England. Leicester City’s nine-year stay in the Premier League came to an end as they were relegated in agonising fashion despite beating West Ham on the final day of the season. The Foxes’ fate was out of their hands heading into the last round of fixtures, and Everton’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth meant the 2015-16 winners slipped into the Championship by two points. While Toffees fans were in ecstasy at Goodison Park, Leicester supporters at the King Power were left to rue a miserable campaign in which they won only nine league...

27May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich wins record-extending 11th consecutive Bundesliga title

Players of FC Bayern Munich pose for a photo with the Bundesliga Meisterschale trophy after the team's victory in the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Köln and FC Bayern München at RheinEnergieStadion on May 27, 2023 in Cologne, Germany.Jamal Musiala scored in the 89th minute to fire Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title with a 2-1 victory in Cologne after Borussia Dortmund could only draw on the final day of the season. Dortmund, which was leading by two points before the last round, was held 2-2 at home by Mainz on Saturday, allowing Bayern to finish in first place because of its better goal difference. Dortmund needed to win to be sure of ending Bayern’s 10-year reign as champion. It’s just the third time Bayern managed to jump to first place on the last day of the season after it e...

27May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Haaland wins player and young player awards

Erling Haaland centre-forward of Manchester City and Norway during the warm-up before the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 9, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has become the first player to win the Premier League player and young player of the year awards in the same season. The 22-year-old striker’s 36 goals have seen him break the Premier League record for most goals in a season. Overall, he has scored 52 goals during the campaign. “I am honoured to have become the first player to win both awards in the same season – thank you to everyone who voted for me,” said Haaland. Haaland, who received the most combined votes from the public and a Premier League panel, joined ...

27May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Marco Asensio set to leave Real Madrid for PSG

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid in action during the LaLiga Santander match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Mestalla on May 21, 2023 in Valencia, Spain.Marco Asensio, the Spanish winger who has won 17 trophies with Real Madrid, is set to leave the club this summer. The 27-year-old has rejected a contract extension offer from Real Madrid and is in negotiations with multiple clubs, including PSG, who have a good rapport with his agent Jorge Mendes. ESPN reported today that Asensio and PSG are in ‘advanced negotiations’. Asensio joined Real Madrid in 2014 from Mallorca and spent two seasons on loan at Mallorca and Espanyol before becoming a regular in the first team. He made his debut in the 2016 UEFA Super Cup, scoring a stunning goal in a 3-2 win over Sevilla. He went o...

27May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Relegated Sampdoria hold Sassuolo to draw in Serie A

Henrique Matheus of Sassuolo (L) celebrates with his team-mate Emil Ceide after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between UC Sampdoria and US Sassuolo at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 26, 2023 in Genoa, Italy.Already-relegated Sampdoria have fought back to force a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo 2-2 in Serie A. Sassuolo, who can’t secure a place in a UEFA competition next season, missed out on a first road win since mid-March on Friday. The match had a terrific start with Manolo Gabbiadini scoring first for Samp but Domenico Berardi equalised a minute later. Matheus Henrique’s header then put Sassuolo ahead just two minutes after that. Sassuolo looked headed for the win until defender Martin Erlic scored an own goal in the 78th minute after Fabio Quagliarella, who in his final home game ...

26May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd fear Antony has recurrence of ankle injury

Antony of Manchester United reacts as they appear to be injured during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2023 in Manchester, England. Manchester United fear winger Antony has suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury that kept him out of the final two months of last season with Ajax. The Brazil forward was taken off on a stretcher in tears after an innocuous challenge in the win against Chelsea. The 23-year-old missed the last eight games of Ajax’s 2021-22 campaign after suffering the initial injury in a World Cup qualifier for Brazil in March 2022. He has scored eight goals since joining United in September for £81m. Victory against Chelsea secured Erik ten Hag’s side a place in next season’s Champions League and they face Ma...

25May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd secure Champions League spot with Chelsea win

Casemiro of Manchester United scores the team's first goal past Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2023 in Manchester, England. Manchester United secured Champions League football for next season with a 4-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford. Casemiro headed the hosts in front, with Anthony Martial sweeping in Jadon Sancho’s pass from close range to double their advantage. Bruno Fernandes added United’s third from the penalty spot after being fouled by Wesley Fofana. And another Fofana error saw Marcus Rashford score a fourth before Joao Felix’s late consolation for the Blues.

25May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Iniesta to leave Vissel Kobe but vows to play on

Spanish footballer Andres Iniesta, former Barcelona star and a present midfielder with Japanese club Vissel Kobe, leaves at the end of a press conference in Kobe on May 25, 2023. Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta will leave Vissel Kobe after five years at the Japanese club. The 39-year-old will play his final match for the side on 1 July, midway through the J-League season. Iniesta, who has made just three substitute appearances so far this season for league leaders Vissel, has no plans to retire immediately. “I want to finish my time here properly and then see what options are available to me,” he said. “I want to keep playing and then retire while I’m still active. That’s difficult for me to do here, so I want to find a place where I can eventually retire.” ...

25May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Brighton seal Europa League place with Man City draw

Julio Enciso of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates with team mates after scoring his side's equalising goal to make the score 1-1 during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on May 24, 2023 in Brighton, England. Brighton’s Julio Enciso scored a fantastic equaliser as the Seagulls confirmed Europa League qualification with an entertaining draw against champions Manchester City. Phil Foden opened the scoring for Treble-chasing City, squeezing the ball beyond Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke on the goalline after Erling Haaland’s assist left goalkeeper Jason Steele stranded. Brighton deservedly levelled through 19-year-old Enciso’s stunning strike, which arrowed into the top corner from 25...

25May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Coppa Italia

Inter beat Fiorentina to win Coppa Italia

FC Internazionale players celebrate with the trophy following the 2-1 victory in the Coppa Italia Final between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 24, 2023 in Rome, Italy.Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Champions League finalists Inter Milan came from behind to beat Fiorentina and win their second consecutive Coppa Italia title. Fiorentina opened the scoring at Stadio Olimpico after just three minutes when Nico Gonzales drilled in a cross. Martinez equalised from a tight angle in the 29th minute. The striker got the winner eight minutes later with a volley. Fiorentina face West Ham in the Europa Conference League final on 7 June, while Inter play Manchester City in the Champions League final on 10 June.

24May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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...

24May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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...

24May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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...

23May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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 ...

23May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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...

23May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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...