2023 – Page 53 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Year: 2023

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Harry Kane, PREMIER LEAGUE, Tottenham Hotspur

Kane scores double as Spurs ease pressure on Conte

 Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 11, 2023 in London, England.Harry Kane scored twice in a comfortable victory over Nottingham Forest as Tottenham consolidated their place in the Premier League’s top four and relieved some immediate pressure on manager Antonio Conte. Liverpool’s surprise defeat at Bournemouth earlier on Saturday means Spurs are six points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side in fourth and seven points above Newcastle, who have played three games fewer. Kane broke the deadlock with a trademark header from Pedro Porro’s delivery before netting his 20th league goal of the season from the penalty spot following Joe ...
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CHELSEA FC, Kai Havertz, PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea win again as Leicester concerns increase

 Havertz of Chelsea celebrates after scoring to make it 1-2 during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at King Power Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Leicester, United Kingdom.Chelsea’s mini-revival continued with a third victory in a row as they consigned struggling Leicester City to a fifth consecutive defeat. Buoyed by their Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea started brightly and Ben Chilwell volleyed in from a tight angle against his old club. Chelsea’s Joao Felix and Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hit the woodwork in the space of two minutes, then Felix had a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside. Patson Daka rifled home an excellent equaliser after Ricardo Pereira won the ball off the dawdling Felix outside the box....
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LALIGA, Marco Asensio, Real Madrid

Real Madrid beat Espanyol before El Clasico

 Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's third goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Espanyol at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid secured their first La Liga win in three matches as they came from behind to beat Espanyol. Espanyol started positively as Joselu put the Catalan strugglers ahead after eight minutes. But goals from Vinicius Jr and Eder Militao turned Real’s fortunes around, and they saw out victory with a late Marco Asensio strike. Real, who are six points off the top with an extra game played, face leaders Barcelona in El Clasico next weekend. Carlo Ancelotti’s usage of Eduardo Camavinga as a makeshift left-back proved unwise as he was beaten on the wing by Rube...
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Bournemouth, Liverpool FC, Mohamed Salah, PREMIER LEAGUE

Salah misses penalty as Bournemouth beat Liverpool

 Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts after missing a penalty kick during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Bournemouth, England. Mohamed Salah’s glaring penalty miss helped ensure Bournemouth climbed out of the relegation zone after an excellent win which damaged Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. The Reds were brought back down to earth after last week’s 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United as the Cherries, who started the weekend bottom, did their survival chances a power of good. Liverpool were punished for poor defending when the unmarked Philip Billing struck from eight yards for his sixth Premier League goal of the season after fine work by Dango Ouattara. Virgil van Dijk had ...
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Daniel Maldini, Inter Milan, SERIE A, Spezia

Inter Milan stunned by relegation threatened Spezia

 Daniel Maldini of Spezia Calcio scores a goal during the Serie A match between Spezia Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Alberto Picco on March 11, 2023 in La Spezia, Italy.Inter Milan missed the chance to cut Napoli’s huge lead at the top of Serie A lead on Friday after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Spezia. Goals from Daniel Maldini and M’Bala Nzola either side of a Romelu Lukaku penalty handed fourth-from-bottom Spezia a crucial victory in their bid to avoid the drop. But the defeat was another bodyblow to Inter’s faint hopes of overhauling Napoli at the top of the table. Napoli are now 15 points clear of second-placed Inter at the top of the table and have played one game less. Inter paid the price for failing to take the chances which came their way, w...
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Cadiz FC, Enes Unal, Getafe, LALIGA

Unal converts two penalties as 10-man Getafe earn draw

 Enes Unal of Getafe CF (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal from the penalty spot during the LaLiga Santander match between Cadiz CF and Getafe CF at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on March 10, 2023 in Cadiz, Spain.Enes Unal scored his second penalty in the final kick of the match to snatch 10-man Getafe a 2-2 draw with Cadiz in the Spanish league. Cadiz were eyeing a win that would have lifted them to 12th until a final long ball by the undermanned Getafe ended up landing on the arm of Cadiz defender Luis Espino. After a video review, the referee sent Unal to the spot where he converted to split the points. The Turkish striker has achieved back-to-back braces and 12 goals in the league this season. Ruben Sobrino headed Cadiz in front in the 39th minute. Unal ...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Ronald Araujo

Miserly Barca face Athletic without key defender Araujo

 Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 05, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.Xavi Hernandez’s return to Barcelona as coach indicated a return to the club’s flowing possession game he thrived in as a player, but his team has instead relied on a watertight defence as they close in on the Spanish title. Barcelona visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday as they bid to preserve or even extend their nine point lead on Real Madrid, who host Espanyol Saturday – in their last league matches before the Clasico at Camp Nou on March 19. The Catalans last lifted La Liga in 2019 and after heavy investment last summer, a need to produce instant results has influenced their approach. Barcelona have conceded ...
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Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford Beats Iheanacho to Player of the Month Award

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match between Manchester United and Real Betis at Old Trafford on March 09, 2023 in Manchester, England.Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho has missed out on the Premier League Player of the Month. The Leicester City center forward had been nominated for the prestigious accolade alongside Berd Leno (Fulham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Emerson Royal (Tottenham Hotspur), Manor Soloman (Fulham) and Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). EA SPORTS in conjunction with the English Premier League announced yesterday that Rashford has won February’s Player of the Month award, earning the prize for the second successive month, and the third time this season. The Manchester United number 10 has ...
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Liverpool FC, PREMIER LEAGUE, Roberto Firmino

Klopp ‘bit surprised’ by Firmino’s choice to leave

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on March 09, 2023 in Kirkby, England.Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he was “surprised” by Roberto Firmino’s decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season. The Brazil forward will end an eight-year stay at Anfield when his contract expires in June. Firmino, 31, had been in talks over a new contract but has chosen to leave. “Surprised? Yes, a little bit – it could go two ways and it went one. And I respect that a lot,” Klopp said on Friday. “But it’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club.” Firmino scored seven goals in 13 Premier League games prior to the break for the World Cup but suffered a calf injury that kept him out for two months following the do...
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Napoli, SERIE A, Spalletti

Napoli aiming for quick bounce back in title march

 Napoli during the Serie A match between Ssc Napoli and Ss Lazio on March 3, 2023 stadium ''Armando Maradona'' in Napoli, Italy.After their march to glory was stalled last weekend Napoli can get their Serie A title bid back on track in Saturday when they host Champions League-chasing Atalanta. Defeat to Lazio meant Napoli’s massive league lead over Inter Milan was cut to 15 points with 13 matches remaining. Inter will have the chance to put a little more pressure on Napoli as they open the weekend’s fixtures at relegation-threatened Spezia on Friday night. There is little chance of Napoli not winning their first Scudetto since 1990 as even if Inter were to win all of their fixtures another 25 points would secure triumph for southern Italy’s biggest club. But another wobble against one...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Marcus Rashford, NEWS

Man Utd bounce back to beat Betis, Arsenal held by Sporting

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United (L) celebrating his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match between Manchester United and Real Betis at Old Trafford on March 9, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester United bounced back from a historic thrashing by Liverpool to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, while a 2-2 draw away to Sporting Lisbon gave Arsenal work to do to reach the quarterfinals. United equaled their heaviest ever defeat and worst since 1931 in losing 7-0 at Anfield on March 5. Erik ten Hag responded by naming the same starting line-up and was rewarded with a return to form. “You see how a team reacts after a setback,” said Ten Hag. “This is not the first time this season, I t...
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVERTON FC, Sean Dyche

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is showing ‘positive signs’ in training, insists Everton boss Sean Dyche

 Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on February 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Everton manager Sean Dyche insists there are ‘positive signs’ from striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has rejoined the squad for training. The England international has not played for over a month due to a persistent hamstring injury which has dogged him all season and restricted him to just 12 appearances. But he is edging closer to a return and while Brentford at home may come too soon, Dyche is hopeful he will be available soon. ‘Dom is around it again with us training but it is still making a decision on when he is truly right to come back in and that will be in the next couple of days,’ he s...
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ARSENAL FC, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Arteta

Arteta won’t rush Jesus back for Arsenal ahead of Sporting clash

 Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus (second left) during a training session at the Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney. Picture date: Wednesday March 8, 2023. Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus will not be rushed back into action, manager Mikel Arteta said on Thursday, after the striker returned to training with the team.Jesus, who has scored five goals and chipped in seven assists for Arsenal following his 45 million pounds ($53.30 million) move from Manchester City in July, has been sidelined since he sustained a knee injury at the World Cup with Brazil, having surgery in early December.“We will try not to rush him back, we will try to make a fair assessment between what he needs and when is comfortable,” Arteta told reporters on Wednesday, ahead of their match at Sporting in the Europa League ro...
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AC Milan, Champions League, Divock Origi, Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs out of Champions League after Milan shutout

 Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur in between Malick Thiaw of AC Milan and Divock Origi of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 8, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League campaign ended in bitterly disappointing fashion as they failed to overturn a first-leg deficit in the last 16 against AC Milan. Spurs paid the price for another passive start that allowed Milan to settle into their task – the misery complete when defender Cristian Romero was sent off late on after receiving a second yellow card for a wild challenge on Theo Hernandez. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg tested AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan with a powerful second-half shot and Harry Kane headed wide, ...
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BAYERN MUNICH, Champions League, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Bayern cruise past PSG to reach quarter-finals

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks on as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting & Thomas Muller of Bayern Munich celebrate during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they condemned Paris St-Germain to another last-16 exit. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting swept home just after the hour mark for the hosts against his former club, with substitute Serge Gnabry adding the gloss to a professional display late on. PSG have now been eliminated from the competition at this stage in five of their previous seven campaigns and this represented another dismal failure for the Ligue 1 leaders and their under-pressure h...
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BUNDESLIGA, Christian Streich, Freiburg

Freiburg coach blasts Juventus European Super League plans

 Goalkeeper Mark Flekken of SC Freiburg and head coach Christian Streich of SC Freiburg gestures during the Friendly match between SC Freiburg and FC Basel at Estadio Municipalon January 7, 2023 in San Pedro De Alcantara, Spain. FREIBURG coach Christian Streich sees all the pressure piled on Juventus in the Europa League and hits out at their European Super League plans. ‘Big clubs ought to look after their current finances better.’ The first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin on Thursday at 20.00 GMT. “Juventus are the favourites, so people in Italy and in Turin expect Juve to go forward in the competition, but nothing is to be taken for granted in football,” said Streich in his press conference. “We are coming here to get...
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Champions League, Neymar, PSG

Neymar will ‘come back stronger’ from ankle surgery

 Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar uses crutches as he takes a seat in the stand during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Nantes at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on March 4, 2023.Neymar promised to “come back stronger” after Paris Saint-Germain said on Monday the forward requires ankle surgery and will be out of action for three to four months. The Brazilian, who injured his ankle on February 19 against Lille in Ligue 1, “has had several episodes of instability in his right ankle in recent years,” said the club, adding that its medical staff “recommended a ligament repair operation to avoid a major risk of recurrence”. Neymar tweeted he would not be discouraged by his latest injury. “I’ll come back stronger,” he wrote with a pra...
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Benfica, Champions League, Goncalo Ramos

Benfica thrash Club Bruges to cruise into last eight

 Goncalo Ramos of Benfica celebrates 3-0 with Alejandro Grimaldo of Benfica, Rafa Silva of Benfica, Antonio Silva of Benfica during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v Club Brugge at the Estadio Da Luz on March 7, 2023 in Porto Portugal.Goncalo Ramos scored twice as Benfica emphatically beat Club Bruges to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The hosts, who won the first leg 2-0, opened the scoring in the first half with a smart finish from Rafa Silva. Ramos then showed great footwork to make it 4-0 on aggregate, before stabbing home from close range. Joao Mario’s penalty and David Neres’ finish wrapped up the win before Bjorn Meijer scored a stunning consolation. It is the second successive season Benfica have reached the Champions League quarter-f...
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Champions League, CHELSEA FC

Chelsea reach Champions League quarter-finals

Raheem Sterling of Chelsea FC celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Chelsea FC and Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge on March 7, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Graham Potter enjoyed his finest night as Chelsea manager as they overcame a first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Potter was under huge pressure after a dismal run of results following Chelsea’s huge outlay in the transfer market, but he will hope the manner of this performance and the advance into the latter stages of Europe’s elite competition will deliver a measure of calm and stability to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fully deserved their win, although they squandered several big opportuni...
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Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, PREMIER LEAGUE

Fernandes should not captain Man Utd again – Sutton

 A dejected Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United with Alisson Becker of Liverpool after losing 7-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on March 5, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.Bruno Fernandes should not captain Manchester United again following Sunday’s humiliating 7-0 defeat by Liverpool, says Chris Sutton. The Portuguese, who deputises in the absence of club captain Harry Maguire, was criticised for his behaviour and attitude in the game. “There are people that are far better qualified to be captain,” Sutton said. “Fernandes is not their best leader. There are more suitable candidates than him, Casemiro being one.” Speaking on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Sutton, who also suggested Raphael Varane...
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