Blog – Page 390 – Football Flame

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Lampard on Kante’s fitness, Pulisic’s improvement and Man United’s threat

Manager Frank Lampard of Chelsea during a virtual press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on July 17, 2020 in Cobham, England. N’Golo Kante will not be available for selection for this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final after failing to recover in time from a troublesome hamstring injury. The news was delivered by Frank Lampard at the manager’s pre-match press conference, broadcast via video link from the media room at Cobham, in which the boss also updated on the fitness of the rest of his players. “The squad is okay but N’Golo Kante won’t be fit for the match,” revealed Lampard. “He’s still not right so he’s out. “Other than that, we have a few people with a few little niggles which we’ll monitor over the next 24 hours and then we will be ready to go.” Manchester United stand i...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford, Martial lead Man United to win at Palace

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on July 16, 2020 in London, England. Marcus Rashford scored one goal and set up another for Anthony Martial as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in the Premier League on Thursday to keep pace with Chelsea and Leicester in the race for Champions League qualification. United is now unbeaten in 19 games in all competitions, a run that has coincided with the signing of playmaker Bruno Fernandes in January. For once, he was overshadowed, though. Rashford was the stand-out against Palace, producing a feint to take out two defenders before delivering a composed finish to put United ahead in first-half injury...
LALIGA

Real Madrid wins La Liga title as Benzema net twice to defeat Villarreal

Real Madrid's players celebrate winning the Liga title after the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on July 16, 2020. Real Madrid were crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time on Thursday after Karim Benzema scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Villarreal, winning the title with one game to spare. Benzema's double included a second-half penalty at the empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium as Madrid moved seven points clear to end Barcelona's two-year hold on the trophy. Barca had to prevail against Osasuna at home and hope Madrid slipped up but their fading challenge ended with a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou, despite a brilliant Lionel Messi free-kick. It means Madrid claim thei...
SERIE A

Kessie inspires Milan comeback as Napoli held at Bologna

Hakan Calhanoglu of AC Milan celebrates 3-1 with Franck Kessie of AC Milan, Davide Calabria of AC Milan, Alessio Romagnoli of AC Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan during the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan v Parma on July 15, 2020. Franck Kessie scored for the third consecutive Serie A game as AC Milan boosted their Europa League hopes with a 3-1 comeback win over Parma on Wednesday to move equal on points with sixth-placed Napoli who were held 1-1 at Bologna. Stefano Pioli's Milan are unbeaten in seven league games since Serie A returned after the coronavirus pandemic. And goals from Kessie, Alessio Romagnoli and Hakan Calhanoglu sealed the three points against 12th-placed Parma who had taken the lead thanks to a Jasmin Kurtic goal just before the break in the San Siro. ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

David Silva shines as Man City push Bournemouth closer to relegation

David Silva of Manchester City scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on July 15, 2020 in Manchester, England. Manchester City celebrated their European reprieve with a 2-1 win that pushed Bournemouth closer to relegation as David Silva and Gabriel Jesus produced eye-catching goals on Wednesday. Silva opened the scoring with a superb free-kick and set up Jesus's solo effort at the Etihad Stadium to leave Bournemouth three points from safety despite David Brooks' late goal. Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said "nothing is impossible" after his side secured their first victory in 10 games against Leicester on Sunday. But a ninth successive away defeat means Bournemouth go into their final matches agai...
SERIE A

Atalanta beat Bresica 6-2 to go second in Serie A

Mario Pasalic of Atalanta Bergamo celebrates 1-0 during the Italian Serie A match between Atalanta Bergamo v Brescia at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d Italia on July 14, 2020 in Bergamo Italy. Atalanta thrashed troubled Brescia 6-2 with Mario Pasalic scoring a hat-trick of goal as the hosts jumped up to second in the Italian Serie A. The Bergamaschi have now scored a whopping 93 goals in 33 league games this season - 25 more than any other team. They trail leaders Juventus by six points and are two points above third-placed Inter Milan and fourth-placed Lazio - who all have a game in hand. Brescia remain second-last in the three-team drop zone and appear doomed - nine points adrift of safety. Pasalic met no telling opposition when he entered Brescia's box to fire the ball into th...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea win to boost Champions League chances

Olivier Giroud of Chelsea scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on July 14, 2020 in London, England. An underwhelming Chelsea boosted their chances of a spot in next season’s Champions League, overcoming a slow start to beat relegated Norwich City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Olivier Giroud scored with virtually the last touch of the first half as Chelsea consolidated third place in the Premier League and moved four points above Leicester City and Manchester United in the battle for a top-four finish. It was an eighth successive league defeat for Norwich, who were already condemned to relegation after losing to West Ham United on Saturday. Chelsea struggled to convert their overwhelming possession ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United blow chance to move third

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on July 13, 2020 in Manchester, England. Manchester United missed the chance to move up to third in the Premier League on Monday after Michael Obafemi’s 96th minute equaliser earned Southampton a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the latest twist in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were unable to take advantage of weekend defeats for Chelsea and Leicester to remain in fifth. United had become the first side in Premier League history to win four consecutive games by a three-goal margin, but there was no cruise for the Red Devils this time even after they responded to Stuart Armstrong’s ea...
LALIGA

Real Madrid one win from La Liga crown after beating Grenada

Sergio Ramos of Real Madird gestures after a tackle against Darwin Machís of Granada during the Liga match between Granada CF and Real Madrid CF at on July 13, 2020 in Granada, Spain. Real Madrid need one victory to secure La Liga after they held off a second-half comeback from Granada on Monday to win 2-1 and move four points clear of Barcelona. With two games left, Madrid will be crowned champions if they beat Villarreal at home on Thursday (tomorrow) regardless of how Barca fare at the Camp Nou against Osasuna.  But they were made to sweat by a Granada team that are gunning for Europe and have been arguably the division’s surprise of the season after being promoted from second tier last year. Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema looked to have set Madrid on course for a comfo...
UCL

Manchester City’s two-year Champions League ban overturned

Illustration picture Manchester City logo during the Champions League. The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland announced Monday that it has overturned Manchester City's two-year European competition ban over violations of UEFA's Financial Fair Play policy.  CAS also reduced the fine the English Premier League team must pay from approximately $34 million to around $11 million. Manchester City is second in the Premier League standings and now will qualify for next season's Champions League, a financially lucrative competition that will generate millions in revenue for the club.  Manchester United, which currently sits fifth in the table, now must work its way into the top four with four matches remaining to qualify. UEFA, European soccer's governing body, han...
SERIE A

Napoli held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo

Matteo Politano of SSC Napoli competes for the ball with Theo Hernandez of AC Milan ,during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on July 12, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Napoli were held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan at the Stadio San Paolo to remain sixth and seventh respectively in the table. Theo Hernandez put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute, Napoli turned things around with goals from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Dries Mertens and Franck Kessie then levelled with a penalty in the 73rd minute, before Milan substitute Alexis Saelemaekers was sent off late on. Genoa rose out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 home win against rock-bottom SPAL. Goran Pandev (24) and Lasse Schone (54) scored either side of Iago Falque having a penalty saved by SPAL goalkeeper K...
LALIGA

Sevilla beat Real Mallorca to move closer to Champions League

Lucas Ocampos of Sevilla celebrates with Munir El Haddadi and Sergio Reguilon after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between Sevilla FC and RCD Mallorca at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on July 12, 2020 in Seville, Spain. Sevilla closed in on Champions League qualification as they won 2-0 against Real Mallorca at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Lucas Ocampos opened the scoring with a 41st-minute penalty that was awarded, via VAR, for a handball by Alejandro Pozo, and Youssef En-Nesyri added a second in the 84th minute. A fourth successive LaLiga win for Julen Lopetegui's fourth-placed men leaves them level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and nine clear of Villarreal in fifth, who host Real Sociedad on Monday. Mallorca, meanwhile, have dropped ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Wolverhampton down Everton 3-0 to keep faint Champions League hopes alive

Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers scores a goal to make it 3-0 during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on July 12, 2020 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. Wolverhampton beat an uninspired Everton 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday to keep its faint hopes of a Champions League place alive. After a slow start at Molineux, Wolves slowly took control and went in to the break 1-0 ahead after scoring in first-half injury time through Raul Jimenez. The home side doubled its lead 46 seconds into the second half when Leander Dendoncker glanced in. Diogo Jota made it 3-0 with 16 minutes remaining when he latched onto a brilliant pass and rifled low past a helpless Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal. The win moves Wolves up to sixth...
LALIGA

Antoine Griezmann set to miss rest of La Liga season with injury

Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona warms up prior to the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on July 11, 2020 in Valladolid, Spain. Antoine Griezmann could miss the rest of the Spanish league because of a muscle injury. Barcelona said tests conducted on Sunday showed that Griezmann has a right thigh injury that will keep him sidelined. The club did not say how long the Frenchman is expected to be out, but he is not expected to fully recover for Barcelona's last two league matches. It also remains unclear if he will be fit for the team's Champions League game against Napoli in August. Barcelona is one point behind Spanish league leader Real Madrid, which visits midtable Granada on Monday. Griezmann was substitu...
TRANSFERS

Chelsea open talks to sign Lille forward Jonathan Ikone

Jonathan Ikone of Lille during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon, OL) at Stade Pierre Mauroy on March 8, 2020 in Villeneuve d'Ascq near Lille, France. Chelsea have reportedly approached Lille to discuss a possible move for Jonathan Ikone during this summer's transfer window. The 22-year-old enjoyed a productive 2019-20 campaign for his French club, scoring four times and providing seven assists in 36 appearances in all competitions. Ikone still has three years left to run on his contract with Les Douges, but the France international could allegedly seek pastures new ahead of the 2020-21 season. According to Le 10 Sport, Chelsea have held talks with Lille over a potential move, and the Ligue 1 club are taking the interest from Frank Lampard's ...
SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo Converts Penalties to Salvage 2-2 Draw for Juventus against Atalanta

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus scores the second goal to make it 1-1 during the Italian Serie A match between Juventus v Atalanta Bergamo at the Allianz Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Turin Italy. Cristiano Ronaldo converted two penalties in the game against Atalanta on Saturday, drawing at 2-2, denying the visitors 10th straight win. Juventus is now eight points clear at the top of Serie A. Atalanta went ahead twice when Duvan Zapata gave Atlanta the lead in the 16th minute and Ruslan Malinovskyi fired Atalanta back in front in the 81st minute. Ronaldo, however, scored twice from penalties awarded for handballs at the 55th and the last minute, bringing his personal tally to 28 goals in 28 Serie A games this season, moving within one score of Lazio's Ciro Immobile atop the league scorin...
LALIGA

Barcelona beat Real Valladolid 1-0 to keep LaLiga title race alive

Arturo Vidal of Barcelona scores his team's first goal during the Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Jose Zorrilla on July 11, 2020 in Valladolid, Spain. Arturo Vidal scored for Barcelona to beat a feisty Valladolid 1-0 on Saturday and keep the pressure on leader Real Madrid as the Spanish league approaches its climax. Barcelona closed to within one point of Madrid, which has a game in hand, as it tries to defend a title it has won for two consecutive years. Vidal scored in the 15th minute after being set up by Lionel Messi, who, like most of his teammates, had a discreet outing at Valladolid’s Jose Zorilla Stadium empty of fans for health precautions for the pandemic. Madrid plays at Granada on Monday. Its final two matches are against a Villarreal fightin...
PREMIER LEAGUE

McGoldrick scores twice as Sheffield United stun Chelsea

David McGoldrick of Sheffield United scores his team's first goal past Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea FC at Bramall Lane on July 11, 2020 in Sheffield, England. David McGoldrick struck twice as Sheffield United secured their most impressive win of the season with a fully-deserved 3-0 defeat of Chelsea. McGoldrick scored his first Premier League goal and pounced again to seal a stunning victory in the second period after Oli McBurnie's fine header had given the Blades a 2-0 half-time lead. This season keeps getting better for Chris Wilder's side, who climbed up to sixth place, four points behind Manchester United, to give their Europa League hopes another big boost. The manner of the Blades' victory was even more i...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Norwich City relegated from the Premier League

Michail Antonio of West Ham United scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Norwich City and West Ham United at Carrow Road on July 11, 2020 in Norwich, England. Ipswich Town’s East Anglian rivals Norwich City were relegated from the Premier League today after they were thrashed 4-0 by West Ham at Carrow Road. The Hammers romped to a 4-0 win behind closed doors thanks to four goals from Michail Antonio, as the Canaries equalled a club record of seven consecutive league defeats. The Canaries longest-serving player Alex Tettey admitted the manner of City’s relegation-sealing loss emphasised the problems Daniel Farke’s team have had in the Premier League this season. “It’s very hard for me to talk but that was a tough game for us,” Tettey admitted after ...
LALIGA

Sevilla fight back for 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao

Ever Banega of Sevilla celebrates 1-1 with Munir El Haddadi of Sevilla during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic de Bilbao v Sevilla at the Estadio San Mames on July 9, 2020 in Bilbao Spain. Sevilla beats Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the Spanish first division on Thursday, moving closer to a Champions League berth. The come-from-behind victory in Bilbao left Sevilla tied on points with third-place Atletico Madrid and increased its gap to fifth-place Villarreal to six points with three rounds to go. Only the top four qualify for next season's Champions League. It was the third league win in a row for Sevilla. It had drawn four straight before that. Ninth-place Athletic, which lost ground in the fight for a Europa League spot, opened the scoring through Ander Capa in the 29th b...
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