2024 – Page 100 – Football Flame

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Villa held by Everton in scrappy goalless draw

Alex Moreno of Aston Villa scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on January 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Aston Villa missed the chance to move level on points with Premier League pace-setters Liverpool as they were forced to settle for a draw in a scrappy, low-quality encounter with Everton at Goodison Park.In the first goalless draw in manager Unai Emery's 97 top-flight games with Arsenal and Villa, his side could not produce the decisive moment to enable them to overhaul Manchester City and move into second place.Villa thought they had taken a first-half lead when Alex Moreno rifled a 25-yard finish past Everton keeper Jordan Pickford but the goal was ruled out for offside after a four-minute video assis...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Osimhen nets as Nigeria are held by Equatorial Guinea

Nigeria's forward #9 Victor Osimhen heads the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group A football match between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 14, 2024. Victor Osimhen's quick-fire equaliser spared Nigeria a shock defeat against Equatorial Guinea in their opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.Osimhen nodded in a minute after Iban Salvador's opener for the underdogs.Salvador's classy first-half finish was his side's only attempt on target and briefly threatened a significant upset in the second game of the tournament.Jesus Owono made several second-half saves to deny the Super Eagles, while Osimhen missed after breaking clear.

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Afcon hosts Ivory Coast start campaign with victory

Seko Mohamed Fofana of Ivory Coast during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau at on January 13, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.Hosts Ivory Coast opened their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.Seko Fofana gave the Elephants the perfect start in the Group A clash in Abidjan when he blasted home from just inside the area in the fourth minute.He almost doubled the lead before half-time but another powerful effort was tipped on to the bar by Ouparine Djoco.Jean-Philippe Krasso hooked in the second after the break after some smart control under pressure in the box.The 2023 Afcon finals have been pushed back by six months - into early 2024 - to avoid the rainy season in West Africa, but the...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

‘I’ve missed this’ – De Bruyne revels in Man City win

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on January 13, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne says he has missed playing football and influencing games while he has been out with a hamstring injury.The Belgian came off the bench at Newcastle and equalised for the Blues before an inch-perfect pass set up Oscar Bobb's stoppage-time winner.De Bruyne, 32, was playing in the league for the first time since the opening day of the season on 11 August."I enjoyed myself. It was crazy," De Bruyne told TNT Sports."I missed this. I had a big injury and I needed the time."Of his performance, he added: "I think it was more willpower than anythi...

13Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Palmer penalty gives Chelsea win over Fulham

Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates with team mates after scoring their sides first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge on January 13, 2024 in London, England.Cole Palmer's first-half penalty gave Chelsea a narrow win over West London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.Palmer's reverse pass set up Raheem Sterling, who was caught by Issa Diop inside the penalty area.Palmer dispatched the spot-kick, sending Fulham keeper Bernd Leno the wrong way to net his ninth goal since joining the Blues in August.Conor Gallagher almost added a late second when his sweetly struck effort using the outside of his boot cannoned off the far post.Chelsea kept Fulham at arm's length and held on for their third con...

13Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Wolves and Aston Villa in Women’s FA Cup action

Carla Ward, Manager of Aston Villa shows her appreciation to the fans following the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion at Poundland Bescot Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Walsall, England. Wolves head to struggling Championship outfit Reading tomorrow (2pm) looking for an upset.At the same time Championship-leading Birmingham City a Burnley side chasing the title in the same National League Northern Premier Division as Wolves.But the action starts today with Villa hosting fellow Women’s Super League side Everton at the Bescot (12.30pm)Ahead of the game, Villa boss Carla Ward revealed defender Lucy Parker will undergo surgery for an ankle injury which will likely see her miss the majority of the season in what Ward called a ‘mas...

12Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Everton, Fulham plot raid on London PL club for 26-year-old midfielder

Frank Onyeka of Brentford running during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Aston Villa at Gtech Community Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Brentford, United Kingdom. Everton and Fulham are both keen on acquiring the services of 26-year-old Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka on loan.According to a report by The Guardian, Everton and Fulham want to reinforce their midfield in the ongoing transfer window, and they have their eyes set on Brentford’s Frank Onyeka. The 26-year-old has not had much game time in the ongoing season and is looking to make a move elsewhere.Who is Frank Onyeka?After coming through the ranks at FC Midtjylland, Onyeka joined Brentford in the summer of 2021. He has featured in a total of 65 matches since making the move and has contributed toward...

12Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Joelinton faces six weeks out with thigh injury

Joelinton of Newcastle United is playing in the FA Cup Third Round match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, on January 6, 2024.Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has been ruled out for a minimum of six weeks with a thigh injury.The 27-year-old injured his quad during the Magpies' 3-0 FA Cup win against Sunderland on Saturday.The Brazil international has made 23 appearances this season, scoring three goals and assisting four.Speaking on Friday, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: "We have had to try and pick him up. He is our midfield driving force, it is a big blow."Newcastle face Manchester City in the Premier League at St James' Park at 17:30 GMT on Saturday.Howe's squad has been plagued with injuries so far this season, with Joelinton becoming the 11th player...

12Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Barcelona beat Osasuna to set up final with Real

Robert Lewandowski (9) of Barcelona in action during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Barcelona and Osasuna at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 11, 2024. Barcelona beat Osasuna in Saudi Arabia to set up a Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday with Real Madrid.After a goalless first half, Robert Lewandowski put Barca ahead in the 59th minute when he scored with a low shot after collecting Ilkay Gundogan's pass.Andreas Christensen and Lewandowski had earlier had shots saved by Sergio Herrera, with Ante Budimir missing a good opportunity for Osasuna.Lamine Yamal scored Barca's second goal in the third minute of added time.Barca have won the Spanish Super Cup a record 14 times and take on current La Liga leaders Real as they seek a 15th...

11Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Africa Cup of Nations explainer: What is it, how does it work, who’s won it and more

Francois Albert Amichia, the president of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations Organizing Committee (CCAN) speaks during a press conference at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan on January 10, 2024.The Africa Cup of Nations takes place in the Ivory Coast in January and February 2024, as superstars are on show in what is set to be the best-ever edition of the tournament.From Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, Riyad Mahrez and Achraf Hakimi ripping it up and a solid group of six teams who are all very evenly matched as favorites, this tournament always throws up plenty of surprises and stars of the future too.The competition to crown the African champs will be epic and in 2021 Senegal beat Egypt on penalty kicks to win AFCON for the very first time.Below is everything you need to kn...

11Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Eric Dier closes in on €4m switch to Bayern Munich

Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier inspecting the pitch before the match during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on November 11, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England. Tottenham centre-back Eric Dier will undergo a medical in Germany on Thursday ahead of completing a €4m move to Bayern Munich.Spurs have been willing to listen to offers for Dier since the summer and the defender has started only once under boss Ange Postecoglou this season.Dier, who only had six months left on his current deal, will now leave England and embark on a new challenge alongside former team-mate Harry Kane at Munich.Postecoglou made clear at the beginning of the campaign that Dier could leave Tottenham, but he remained following the summer transfer window a...

11Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

League Cup: Liverpool come from behind to take semi-final lead over Fulham

Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates scoring his side's second goal with team-mate Darwin Nunez (C) and Curtis Jones (L) during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool produced another comeback after conceding first to take a 2-1 lead over Fulham into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Willian fired the visitors in front in their first ever League Cup semi-final at Anfield. But two goals in three second-half minutes from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo gave the Reds a slender advantage ahead of the second leg at Craven Cottage on January 24. Jurgen Klopp’s men have now fallen behind in 14 games this season, but have won seven of those matches and lost just three. “It’s th...

10Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham’s Paqueta out for ‘at least two months’

Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United is substituted due to injury during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Bristol City at London Stadium on January 07, 2024 in London, England. West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta could be sidelined for "at least two months" with a calf injury.The Brazilian suffered a recurrence of the issue in Sunday's FA Cup draw with Bristol City, having initially been injured against Arsenal at the end of December.He missed the goalless draw with Brighton on 2 January and lasted just 14 minutes of the Bristol City tie.Paqueta is set to see a specialist to determine the extent of the problem.His absence would be a major blow for manager David Moyes as Paqueta emerged as a key figure in West Ham's resurgence during 2023.It was his pas...

10Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Hull City sign Liverpool winger Carvalho on loan

Fabio Carvalho of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on May 23, 2023 in Kirkby, England.Championship side Hull City have signed Liverpool winger Fabio Carvalho on loan until the end of the season.The 21-year-old Portuguese spent the first half of the season on loan at RB Leipzig but only started one league game for the Bundesliga side.Carvalho started his career with Fulham and scored 11 goals in 40 league appearances before joining Liverpool for £5m in July 2022.He could make his Tigers debut in Friday's home game against Norwich."Fabio's got the ability to make a real impact on our season and get us to where we want to be," Hull boss Liam Rosenior told the club website.Want to know more about football flame check out our article

10Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ancelotti unhappy to face Atletico in trio of Madrid derbies

Carlo Ancelotti head coach of Real Madrid prior the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 3, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday he was unhappy to be pitted against fierce city rivals Atletico Madrid three times in under a month.Los Blancos take on Diego Simeone’s Atletico today in Riyadh in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, again next week in the Copa del Rey last 16, and also in La Liga in early February.Atletico are the only team to beat Real Madrid this season in all competitions, with the Rojiblancos earning a 3-1 league win in September in the derby at their Metropolitano stadium.“The calendar is what it is, we have to face Atletico Madrid again, we have to play this game,” Ancel...

10Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Radu Dragusin snubs Bayern Munich to join Tottenham – reports

Radu Dragusin of Genoa CFC celebrates after scoring a goal from a header during the Serie A football match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale. The match ended 1-1 tie. Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of signing Radu Dragusin from Genoa after he decided against a move to Bayern Munich, according to multiple reports from across Europe.Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has long been vocal about his desire to bring in a new centre-back during the January transfer window, and he looks set to get his wish with the arrival of Dragusin.Bayern had emerged as Tottenham's top rival for the 21-year-old in recent days after both sides sent offers to Genoa.Dragusin was expected to confirm his decision on Wednesday, and various reports - the first coming from Sky Sports Italy's Gianluc...

9Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen set to seal Borussia Dortmund loan move

Ian Maatsen of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on December 27, 2023 in London, England.Ian Maatsen is set to join Borussia Dortmund on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season. The final details of the deal are being ironed out but it is understood there will be no buy option for the 21-year-old.Maatsen almost left Chelsea last summer, when Burnley had a £31.5m offer accepted on deadline day to sign him after a successful season on loan there, but the Dutchman decided to stay. He has started only one Premier League game under Mauricio Pochettino despite Chelsea’s injury problems.Dortmund have made a left-back and a winger their prime January targets and are close to securing Manchester United’s Jadon...

8Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Martinez expected to miss five weeks with latest injury

Inigo Martinez of FC Barcelona leaves the pitch with an injury during the Copa del Rey Round of 32 match between UD Barbastro and FC Barcelona at Campo Municipal de Deportes on January 07, 2024 in Barbastro, Spain. Barcelona expect Inigo Martinez to miss around five weeks after being injured again on Sunday in the Copa del Rey win at Barbastro.Martinez was back in action after hamstring trouble but had to go off yet again after suffering a fresh injury.Barcelona have confirmed it’s a thigh problem:Diario Sport reckon Martinez will be now sidelined for just over a month.The news means he’ll miss the Spanish Super Cup, the next round of the Copa del Rey and league games against Real Betis, Villarreal, Osasuna and Alaves.Barcelona are hoping he will be fit in time for the return of...

8Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Osimhen would thrive in Premier League – Adebayor

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on December 23, 2023 in Rome, Italy.Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor believes African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen possesses all the attributes required to "thrive" in the Premier League.Nigeria front man Osimhen, who won the prestigious continental award in December, has become one of the hottest properties on the transfer market.This is ostensibly on the strength of his stellar 2022-23 season, when his 26 goals saw him finish as top scorer in Italy's Serie A and helped end a 33-year league title drought for Napoli.Last month the 25-year-old extended his contract with the club until 2026, but that is unlikely to ward off suitors such as Ars...

7Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Wolves’ Kalajdzic joins Eintracht Frankfurt on loan

Sasa Kalajdzic of Wolverhampton Wanderers poses for a portrait in the Wolverhampton Wanderers 2023/24 Third Kit on July 23, 2023 in Faro, Portugal.Wolves striker Sasa Kalajdzic has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan until the end of the season.The Midlands club signed the Austria international for £15m from Stuttgart in August 2022 but he suffered a serious knee injury on his debut.The 26-year-old returned this season and has scored three goals in 13 outings, which included three starts."Sasa has been incredibly unlucky," Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs told the Premier League club's website."He got injured on his debut having come back from a bad injury. He worked hard to get back fit, but the form of our forwards has meant his game time has been limited."After the best part of ...