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James Justin Is the 'One Size Fits All' Hero Leicester Need

The teenager passed away on Sunday with many of the club's players quick to pay tribute

Manchester City have confirmed the death of former academy player Jeremy Wisten, who passed away at the age of just 18. 

Wisten, a promising defender born in Malawi but raised in the United Kingdom, joined City's elite development squad in 2016 before recently leaving the club. 

While the cause of death is yet to be confirmed, City posted a brief statement in tribute to Wisten on Sunday night. 

"The Manchester City family are saddened to learn of the passing of former Academy player Jeremy Wisten," a statement on Twitter read. "We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time." 

A number of City's senior players also paid tribute on social media with Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte among those to send their support. 

Cole Palmer, who has been in Manchester City's academy since 2010, knew Wisten well and posted an emotional farewell on Instagram

"You Will Be Forever Missed. Fly High My Brother. Rest In Paradise!" Palmer wrote in a post accompanied with pictures and videos of the two together. 

Former City academy product Tyrhys Dolan, who now plays for Blackburn Rovers, has started raising money to ensure the best send off for Wisten. 

"We are raising money to help Jeremy’s family to give him the best send of my brother deserves," Dolan posted on Instagram

"No words can describe the pain I am feeling right now I am forever heartbroken. From the first day I met you, you kept it real with me and always had my back and was always there to help me whenever I needed it.

"I’m just so sad that I couldn’t be there to help you brother. Thank you for giving me the best times of my life. I’m so privileged to have called you my brother and no matter where I go in life I know you will always be by my side watching over me like you always have done.

"Earth has lost a king but heaven has gained the most perfect angel. We just celebrated your 18th birthday and what a night it was! Please watch over me bro and guide me everything I do will be for you and your family." 

Original author: Goal
  328 Hits

Manchester United need '30 per cent more' to compete for Premier League title, claims Matic

Several Malaysian players were in action for their overseas club over the weekend, with one newcomer not needing long to make history.

Several Malaysian players were in action for their overseas club over the weekend, with one newcomer not needing long to make history.

In Thailand:

Malaysia forward Norshahrul Idlan Talaha came on for BG Pathum in their 3-2 away win over Sukhothai FC in Thai League 1 match. He replaced Siroch Chatthong in the 78th minute in the match that was held on Sunday, to help the Rabbits stay at the top of the with a six point-lead. It was his first ever appearance as a substitute for the club that he joined early in the season, with his three previous appearances this season coming as a starter.

Norshahrul Idlan. Photo from BG Pathum

But things were underwhelming for defender Dominic Tan and forward Mohamadou Sumareh, both at Police Tero. While the latter was not even on the bench for their match at home against Muangthong United also on Sunday, the former came on as a replacement at the hour mark, when the score was tied at 1-1. But just two minutes after his introduction, Picha Autra restored the visitors' lead, before Willian Popp sealed the win in the 68th minute. Tero are currently in eighth place after the defeat. It was Dominic's eighth appearance this season, his sixth as a substitution, while Sumareh has yet to make his competitive debut for the club he joined just last month.

In Europe:

Malaysia star Safawi Rasid too is yet to make his first team competitive debut for Portuguese Primeira Liga side Portimonense SC. On Sunday they lost 1-0 playing away to CD Tondela, with Safawi not selected for their matchday squad, and they are currently just one spot above the relegation zone, in 16th place.

But the attention grabber is surely teenage star Luqman Hakim Shamsudin's first team competitive debut for KV Kortrijk on early Saturday morning. The youngster came on in the 74th minute of their home match against RSC Anderlecht, when they were trailing 3-0, and was later involved in a movement that resulted in an 87th-minute penalty for the home team. The spot kick was converted by Ilombe Mboyo, to end the match 3-1. The result perhaps was not what the Guys wanted, but for the 18-year old, he etched his name in the Malaysian football history book as the first ever Malaysian to play in a top European league.

Luqman Hakim making his debut. Photo from KV Kortrijk

Original author: Zulhilmi Zainal
  212 Hits

Arsenal's Kroenke: No intention of selling club

The accomplished tactician lauded Masandawana as the best team in the league after losing to the treble winners

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt has set his sights on their upcoming match against Chippa United which will be played on Tuesday.

Amakhosi are wounded after being thrashed 3-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium in their opening match of the 2020/21 PSL season on Saturday afternoon.

It was Hunt's first defeat as Amakhosi coach having started his tenure at the Naturena-based giants with a 2-1 win over Maritzburg United in the MTN8 quarter-final match last weekend. 

Hunt is confident that his side will improve as the season progresses with the four-time PSL champions set to travel to Port Elizabeth where they will face the Chilli Boys. 

“We committed crucial mistakes against a quality side. They were a stronger opposition," Hunt told the club's official website on Sunday.

“Obviously with more games intelligence, we will improve. It is not the results we were looking for but now we have to focus on the next opposition."

The Chilli Boys started their league campaign with a 1-1 draw against Cape Town City in a match which was played in the Mother City on Saturday.

Hunt expects a different challenge against Chippa after losing to the best team in the league, Sundowns, who are the reigning PSL champions. 

“I watched Chippa, in their match on Saturday night. Chippa is totally a different side compared to Sundowns. They will be a different challenge," he added. 

"To me, there is no first game. I read a lot from any game. We have lots of work to do going forward. But don’t forget we played against the best team in the league in Sundowns.”

Peter Shalulile, Kermit Erasmus and Themba Zwane all scored for Sundowns as they embarrassed Chiefs, who are now licking their wounds.  

Amakhosi will be looking to continue their dominance against Chippa, having secured back-to-back victories over the Eastern Cape-based side in the league last season.

They secured a 2-0 win over the Chilli Boys in the first round clash in Port Elizabeth, before emerging 1-0 winners in the second round encounter in Johannesburg.

The Chilli Boys will play host to Chiefs at the 2010 Fifa World Cup quarter-final venue, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 

 

 

 

Original author: Austin Ditlhobolo
  109 Hits

11 police injured, eight arrests in Leicester clashes

The director has said discussions were impacted when the club was forced into isolation earlier this month due to coronavirus cases

Juventus are in talks to renew Paulo Dybala's contract, but managing director Fabio Paratici revealed the club's coronavirus scare made negotiations difficult.

Dybala has two years remaining on his existing deal in Turin but an extension has long been mooted, with the Bianconeri said to be discussing an agreement until 2025.

But no clarity has been forthcoming in the opening weeks of the 2020-21 season.

Paratici is not overly concerned, though, explaining the reason for the delay.

"We're in talks to extend Paulo's contract," he told Sky Sport Italia . "He wants to stay and we want to keep him - he's part of our future.

"It has been a tricky period because we were locked in the hotel for two weeks due to the Covid scare and not allowed to meet anyone.

"But we'll continue the negotiations to find an agreement."

Juve were forced into "fiduciary isolation" earlier this month after two staff members tested positive for Covid-19.

Cristiano Ronaldo has also been missing in recent weeks having contracted the virus on international duty.

The absence of the Juve number seven allowed Dybala to come into the team against Hellas Verona on Sunday for his first start and just second overall appearance of the new campaign.

Dybala made his return off the bench against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League, and Paratici said ahead of Sunday's game: "Paulo is in better shape physically now.

"Let's not forget he was out for two months with a muscular injury, then had a gastrointestinal infection in Argentina.

"It's right that he now has the opportunity to start after a few run-outs."

As for Ronaldo, Juve head coach Andrea Pirlo has said Saturday that the club is still awaiting results from the Portugal star's most recent tests.

“As far as Cristiano Ronaldo is concerned, there has been no news. We await the results of the swabs,” Pirlo told reporters on Saturday.

“We did them this morning. He underwent the test at his home and if there is new news it will be communicated.”

There is still hope Ronaldo may return for Juventus in time to play against Barcelona and Lionel Messi in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Agent questions if Real Madrid can afford Eduardo Camavinga

The 21-year old made her bow in the Spanish division, but it was only good enough for a stalemate against Friol

Princella Adubea made her first Reto Iberdrola appearance for Racing Santander in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Friol at Reigosa Municipal Stadium.

The Ghanaian striker joined Pablo Bolado's team in August after she parted ways with Spanish Primera Iberdrola side Sporting Huelva.

She was, however, unable to inspire her ambitious side to an away victory against Abraham Garcia's team in Lugo, playing for the entire 90 minutes for the visitors.

Both sides had created several chances to score as they were desperate to earn a winning start but none converted, with the two teams eventually settling for a stalemate.

Adubea will be hoping to have a new lease on life with the Cantabrians, having fallen out of favour at Sporting, since arriving from Ghanaian club Ampem Darkoa in June 2019.

Despite scoring once for Sporting, she enjoyed a fine spell with Antonio Toledo's team, featuring in 21 matches before the Spanish league cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic in May. 

With the result, Racing now has one point from their opening match of the season and will next tackle Madrid II on November 1.

Original author: Samuel Ahmadu
  57 Hits

Klopp: Liverpool sealing top-four finish would be one of the biggest achievements of all time

The Frenchman’s dismissal against Southampton saw him combine with the Brazilian to equal an undesirable feat achieved by the former Toffees stars

Richarlison and Lucas Digne have equalled an unwanted Everton record held by Joseph Yobo and David Unsworth in the Premier League.

Brazil’s Richarlison was given his marching orders in the 90th minute as the Toffees played out a 2-2 against Liverpool their last time out.

However, Digne’s dismissal in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Southampton at St Mary's Stadium ensured that the pair matched an 18-year feat attained by the retired centre-backs who starred for the Goodison Park giants last decade.

It was the first time since December 2002 that Everton have received straight red cards in back-to-back English elite division games.

On December 1, 2002, Yobo was shown the way out in the 21st minute by referee Mark Halsey as David Moyes’ Toffees bowed 2-1 to a Newcastle United side inspired by Shola Ameobi and Alan Shearer at St. James’ Park.

The Nigerian legend tugged Craig Bellamy’s back after the Welsh forward scampered in front of him. Although it was far from violent, Yobo was the last defender so Halsey did not hesitate before showing him a red card.

In the following game against Chelsea, it was Unsworth’s turn to see red for violent conduct after tangling with Jesper Gronkjaer in the 3-1 defeat.

Sunday’s defeat to the Saints saw Carlo Ancelotti’s men surrender their unbeaten run in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign.

This is the first English top-flight season since 1967-68 in which no sides are unbeaten through the first six matches.

Even at that, they remain at the summit of the log with 13 points, albeit, on superior goals difference ahead of reigning champions Liverpool.

Everton would be hoping to return to winning ways when they travel to Newcastle United on November 1.

Before heading to Fenerbahce where he won two Turkish Cups as well as one Super Lig title, Yobo became the second player in the Toffees’ history to feature in all 38 Premier League games without missing a single minute, during the 2006-07 season under manager Moyes.

He is currently the assistant coach of Nigeria’s senior national team.

Original author: Shina Oludare
  46 Hits

Source: USMNT's Long out with Achilles injury

The France striker has yet to lift European football's biggest club competition - but doing so in Paris could also spark his departure

Kylian Mbappe plans on winning the Champions League at Paris Saint-Germain before moving on to a “big club”, according to former PSG midfielder and current club ambassador Youri Djorkaeff.

The 21-year-old has been the subject of frenzied speculation in recent months, with rumours suggesting some of the game’s biggest clubs are readying a sizeable offer to lure him away from the Parc des Princes.

La Liga giants Real Madrid and Premier League champions Liverpool are among those to be linked with a blockbuster move for the World Cup winner, who is out of contract in Paris at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Now in his fourth season at PSG, Mbappe has won every domestic club trophy in France, though the Champions League continues to elude him.

He came agonisingly close to lifting the famous trophy last summer, but saw his side fall at the final hurdle courtesy of a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Former France international Djorkaeff believes Mbappe plans on lifting the Champions League before moving on in a quest to win silverware in other major leagues across the globe.

"I think that Mbappe will always have the right opportunity," he told Parisfans. “Now he's on a project. He is entering his fourth year in Paris, he's a young player. I don't see him staying at PSG for 10 years.

"His future is to win titles on all continents, something few French people have done.

“Last year he had a great opportunity to win the Champions League. Unfortunately, he didn't. This year he will still have the opportunity. The ideal [scenario] is that he wins it and then after he signs in a big club. Everyone will be happy.”

Djorkaeff also foresees a scenario in which Mbappe leaves PSG without capturing European football’s greatest prize.

He says it would be “tough” if that proved to be the case, but would not blame the striker if he did move on before lifting the Champions League with PSG.

“It will be a regret for him, but you can't blame the failure of a club on a single player,” added the former Monaco and Inter midfielder.

“Mbappe represents the club, but there are too many things that come into play. But it would be a regret for him."

Original author: Goal
  59 Hits

Columbus adds 'Crew' back to official team name

On Sunday, the Super Eagles left-back made it two goals in his last two league appearances for the Red-Blacks

Brian Idowu scored his second goal in the Russian Premier League on Sunday to secure Khimki a 2-0 triumph over Rostov.

The 28-year-old who was in action from start to finish, and sealed a late win for the visitors at Rostov Arena. His strike came three minutes after Reziuan Mirzov opened the scoring in stoppage time.

The Nigeria international has now scored back-to-back goals for Igor Cherevchenko's side, after he opened his goal account for Khimki against Victor Moses' Spartak Moscow last Saturday.

Idowu is currently enjoying his best goalscoring season in his professional career after playing just 11 league matches for the Red-Blacks, whom he joined on a season-long loan from Lokomotiv Moscow in August.

Apart from his defensive contributions as a left-back, the former Amkar Perm and Sochi defender has also proved his qualities in front of goal and he stands as the second-highest goalscorer for Khimki so far this season with two goals, after Arshak Koryan (3).

After losing their last two league matches, Sunday's result brought the Red-Blacks back to winning ways. They rose to 14th in the Russian Premier League table with nine points after 12 matches.

Khimki welcome second-placed Zenit St Petersburg to Khimki Arena for their next league outing on November 1.

Original author: Taiye Taiwo
  58 Hits

Zimbabwe's Mucherera makes scoring Champions League debut for Gintra Universitetas

Leicester City pulled off a smash-and-grab victory in Sunday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal through a late Jamie Vardy header.

Substitute Jamie Vardy headed home late on to earn Leicester City a 1-0 win at Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta's side had won their previous four home league games and were unbeaten in 11 on their own patch this calendar year but that run was ended by Vardy.

The striker was not fit enough to start but was brought on with an hour played and steered in a header 10 minutes from time through City's first attempt on target of the match.

Vardy's 11th goal in 12 league games against Arsenal also ended Leicester's 28-game wait for an away win against Arsenal in all competitions as they moved up to fourth.

The game may have turned out differently had Alexandre Lacazette's fourth-minute header not been ruled out for an offside infringement by Granit Xhaka in front of goal.

Lacazette then missed a couple of good opportunities in a first half dominated by Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also wayward with a header as his scoreless streak stretched to a fifth league game.

Arsenal lost David Luiz to injury early in the second half and had to contend with a different type of threat when Leicester turned to Vardy.

That led to a slight shift in momentum, but Arsenal initially continued to look the livelier side in the final third, with Hector Bellerin's cleanly-struck first-time shot forcing Kasper Schmeichel into a rare save.

However, it took just once chance for Vardy to prove the difference between the sides as he headed into the gaping net after being picked out by fellow substitute Cengiz Under.

Bernd Leno denied Vardy in a one-on-one during added time but it did not matter from Leicester's perspective as they held on for the rarest of victories in this fixture.

 

What does it mean? Vardy the difference

Not for the first time in a Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester, Vardy had the final say with his header inside the box following a nice Leicester move.

That was one of only two attempts on target for the visitors - the other coming from Vardy in stoppage time - whereas Arsenal managed 12 shots and tested Schmeichel four times.

City had previously been without a point and a goal in two league games, but this win should help revive their campaign. As for Arsenal, they are proving as inconsistent as ever.

Lacazette lacks finishing touch

The forward was perhaps a little unfortunate to have his early header ruled out through no fault of his own, but he should have taken one of his other chances.

He failed to make proper contact with Kieran Tierney's cross when picked out in the six-yard box and ended the match with fewer touches (31) than any other outfield starter for Arsenal.

Subs combine for Leicester

Harvey Barnes was used through the middle for Leicester in a tactical tweak that did not pay off for Brendan Rodgers, the attacking midfielder managing just one touch of the ball in the opposition box during his 75 minutes on the field.

The introduction of Vardy and Under from the bench gave the visitors a completely different approach and so it proved late on when the latter made a run in behind, collected the ball and spotted his team-mate in the middle to win the game.

Key Opta stats:

- Leicester picked up their first away win at Arsenal since September 1973, ending a run of 27 games without an away victory against them in all competitions.
- Arsenal suffered their first Premier League home defeat of 2020, with this their first loss at Emirates Stadium in the competition since Mikel Arteta's first home game in charge (2-1 v Chelsea in December 2019).
- This was Leicester's fourth victory in the Premier League this season; their joint-most after six games of a top-flight campaign, having also won four of their opening six in 2000-01.
- Arsenal have scored just eight goals in six Premier League games this season - they have only netted fewer at this stage in one of the previous 20 top-flight campaigns (five goals in 2015-16).
- Jamie Vardy has scored five goals at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League - the most of any visiting player (overtaking Harry Kane on four).

What's next?

Arsenal and Leicester are back in Europa League action on Thursday, taking on Dundalk and AEK Athens, respectively.

  68 Hits

Perth Glory playing for pride against Shanghai Shenhua in the Asian Champions League

The French defender admits there were talks of a Camp Nou exit over the summer with a reunion at his former club on the cards

Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti has revealed he did consider leaving the club in recent months but is determined to secure a departure on better terms. 

After failing to win a trophy last season, it was a summer of upheaval at Camp Nou with Ronald Koeman coming in as coach and Lionel Messi sensationally requesting to leave

While Messi ultimately stayed put, Umtiti himself contemplated an exit with his former club Lyon circling. 

The 26-year-old spent 14 years at Lyon before moving to Barcelona in 2016 and has found the past few seasons in Spain particularly hard as he's battled injuries and poor form. 

Yet to feature for Koeman's side this season, Umtiti revealed his brief temptation to leave the club over the summer, only to realise his desire to stay.

"Everything was possible during the transfer window. Lyon is my club and my city. They gave me the opportunity to be seen," Umtiti told Canal +.

"There were discussions, but it was quick, nothing concrete. I had to be able to speak with a club. I'll be honest: Barcelona is Barcelona. I don't want to leave Barcelona and even less like that.

"The last two years have been the most complicated of my career. Sometimes I got really sick of it. I relapsed each time, and with different injuries because I was trying to compensate. It wasn't a knee problem, it was that I had a total imbalance. I had to start over.

"I stopped eating meat, fish and milk. I feel better, I sleep better. I have never felt so good physically. My body has also changed. I have lost three kilos. I have recovered. I have never worked so hard. And I'm happy about it." 

On Messi's own request to leave Barcelona, Umtiti added: "It has been an eventful summer. For me and the club. It made me feel weird to read this: Leo wanted to leave. He has his reasons. But to imagine Barca without Messi is impossible."

Umtiti has formed a strong connection with French team-mates Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele at Camp Nou, with the trio able to find the lighter side of the criticism they have all been subject to at times.

"With Antoine and Ousmane, we are often together. We have all lived through complicated times," Umtiti said.

"Everyone puts knives behind our backs and wants to kill us. But, between us, we try to laugh to help make us smile again." 

Original author: Josh Thomas
  74 Hits

The Best Travelling Fans in the World - Ranked

The Egyptian centre-back has left Slaven Bilic's team for regular first-team opportunities in the Saudi top-flight club

Saudi Professional League club Al Ittihad have signed Ahmed Hegazi on an initial loan deal from West Bromwich Albion, with the option to buy at the end of the season.

Goal has learned the Egypt international will earn about £70,000 weekly in the Middle East while Al Ittihad will need to pay the Baggies £3.5 million for a two-year permanent deal, at the end of the temporary stint.

Hegazi's switch to Saudi Arabia might guarantee him regular playing time after he found it difficult to play for the Baggies in the Premier League this season.

His only appearance in the English top-flight this season came in their goalless draw against Burnley on Monday where he played the entire duration.

The 29-year-old joins Ivory Coast's Wilfried Bony, Tunisia's Anice Badri, Morocco's El Ahmadi and Mali's Ahmed Eldin in Fabio Carille's team for the 2020-21 Saudi Pro League campaign.

Hegazi started his career at Egyptian Premier League club Ismaily before he secured his first move abroad to join Serie A outfit Fiorentina in 2012. During his three-year spell in Italy, the Pharaohs centre-back was sent out on loan to Perugia in the second division.

He returned to Egypt in 2015 to play for Al Ahly where he was loaned to West Brom in 2017 before his stay at the Hawthorns was made permanent a year later.

Al Ittihad are yet to win a game in the Saudi top-flight this season and they have picked up just a point from two matches so far.

Hegazi could be in contention to make his debut when the Tigers host Al Ahli for their next league fixture at the King Abdullah Sports City on October 31.

Original author: Taiye Taiwo
  112 Hits

James Rodriguez ruled out of Everton's Chelsea showdown

The Oranje star sent the touching message to his national team-mate, who faces a long road to recovery

Memphis Depay has shown his support for injured Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk with a touching gesture while playing for Lyon on Sunday.

After scoring the opening goal in the 4-1 Ligue 1 win against Monaco, Depay lifted his shirt to reveal a message for his Netherlands international team-mate: "Virgil stay strong my brother."

Van Dijk suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee after a clash with Everton's Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside derby earlier this month.

The Reds central defender will undergo surgery on the issue and is likely to miss the rest of the season, with six to nine months the usual absence for this type of injury.

Speaking to Telefoot after the match, Depay reiterated his support for Van Dijk and insisted he was focussed on Lyon despite rumours of a move to Barcelona during the last transfer window.

"I am very sad for Virgil," he said. He is our [Netherlands] captain. Losing him now is difficult, especially for him. But he's going to be even stronger when he comes back. Because he has a great mentality.

"I think it was a good first half. We started well, and after scoring, we controlled the game well. But we have to do a lot better than we did in the second half. We stopped playing, it was a poor 2nd act. But it was a great victory in the end.

"I have always been focused on OL, even in the transfer window. My future is no excuse for not doing my job. As a player, I always want to be my best and add something to the team."

Liverpool were forced to field midfielder Fabinho at centre-back alongside Joe Gomez in their recent Premier League clash against Sheffield United, with the Brazilian conceding a penalty in a 2-1 victory.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson thinks the Reds should target Wolves defender Conor Coady as a replacement for Van Dijk in January, with the England international having plenty of English top-flight experience.

"I would think Virgil will be out for the season," Lawrenson told The Argus. "I think it’s a write-off because you’ve got to get match fit and that’s almost impossible nowadays because they don’t play reserve team football.

"If Liverpool are going to pay big money for somebody in January, they want absolutely ready-made. Conor Coady has had loads of shouts and he is a very good organiser who has played lots of games in the Premier League."

Following the diagnosis for his injury, Van Dijk used social media to promise that he would return from his injury 'better, fitter and stronger'.

"This afternoon I met with a leading consultant to start the process of planning the finer details of my rehabilitation following the incident yesterday," Van Dijk wrote on Twitter.

"I'm now fully focused on my recovery and will do everything I can to be back as quickly as possible.

"Despite the obvious disappointment, I'm a firm believer that within difficulty lies opportunity and with God's help I'm going to make sure I return better, fitter and stronger than ever before.

"In football, as in life, I believe everything happens for a reason and it's important to try and keep level-headed whether going through the highs or the lows. With the support of my wife, kids, family and everyone at Liverpool, I'm ready for the challenge ahead.

"I'd like to thank everyone for the messages of support. It's meant a huge amount to me and my family, and now I'll be doing everything possible to support my teammates in any way I can ahead of a big few weeks ahead as I take my own recovery day by day. I'll be back."

Original author: Kieran Francis
  85 Hits

Juventus 1-1 Hellas Verona: Kulusevski salvages a point for below-par Bianconeri

Juventus have now gone two Serie A games without a win as they were held at home by a spirited Hellas Verona side.

Dejan Kulusevski spared Juventus from their first Serie A defeat of the season as his late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Andrea Pirlo's side were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Crotone last time out and looked like they would be on the end of an even worse result when Andrea Favilli put the visitors ahead after an hour.

Substitute Kulusevski had other ideas, though, cutting in from the right to score his second goal for the club following his arrival from Atalanta during the off-season 13 minutes from time.

The result moves Juve up to fifth - three points behind leaders Milan, who have played a game fewer - while Verona remain in eighth.

Juve were sluggish in the early stages and had to wait until the 20th minute for their first attempt on goal, Marco Silvestri getting down well to deny Federico Bernardeschi after a swift counter-attacking move had carved the Verona defence apart.

Juan Cuadrado was presented with a glorious opportunity to open the scoring shortly before the interval, but he thundered a 10-yard effort against the crossbar after another impressive move.

Alvaro Morata then thought he had given Juve the lead on the stroke of half-time, but his sublime scooped finish was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Juve failed to spark at the start of the second period and were duly punished on the hour mark when Favilli stroked home from the middle of the penalty area after being teed up by Mattia Zaccagni.

Paulo Dybala - making his first Serie A appearance of the season - crashed a deflected effort from distance against the crossbar 15 minutes from time, but Kulusevski drew the hosts level a few moments later after bamboozling Marco Faraoni and curling into Silvestri's bottom-right corner.

Adrien Rabiot flashed a powerful drive agonisingly wide soon after as Juventus created a flurry of late opportunities, but they ultimately fell short of expectations and Verona held on.

 

What does it mean? Juve missing talismanic Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with Portugal, has now missed three games for the Serie A champions and his absence was felt on Sunday.

His team-mates had 22 shots - many of which came in the frantic closing stages - but only six were on target. It is not hard to imagine that number would have been significantly higher if the former Real Madrid superstar had been on the pitch. 

Impressive Morata in industrious form

After three goals in his previous two games, Morata was once again Juve's brightest spark. He made three key passes - a team high alongside Dybala - and can claim an assist for Kulusevski's leveller.

Dybala experiences a mixed return

The Argentina international was full of enthusiasm on his return to first-team action, but his finishing left a lot to be desired. He had just one shot on target from a whopping nine shots, while he lost possession 19 times - more than any other Juve player.

Key Opta facts

- Favilli is the first player to be subbed on, score and then taken on in less than 10 minutes during a Serie A match in the three-points era (since 1994-95).
- Juventus are winless in two consecutive Serie A games against Verona for the first time since 1989 (four).
- Morata claimed his first Serie A assist since May 2016 (for a Leonardo Bonucci goal against Sampdoria).
- Kulusevski's equaliser was just the second from 12 Serie A goals scored as a substitute.
- Verona are unbeaten in two consecutive Serie A games against the defending champions for the first time since 2000 (four, against Milan and Lazio).

What's next?

Juve host Barcelona in a mouth-watering Champions League clash on Wednesday before travelling to Spezia in Serie A on Sunday. Verona, meanwhile, face Venezia in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday and Benevento in the league five days later.

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'How the hell?' - Arteta baffled by disallowed goal in Arsenal's defeat to Leicester

The Gunners boss believes his side should have been rewarded for a dominant first-half performance

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his confusion at the decision to disallow a goal for his side in a 1-0 defeat to Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Alexandre Lacazette thought he had headed the Gunners in front after just four minutes at Emirates, only for the linesman to flag for an infringement. 

While the France international was onside from the corner, Granit Xhaka was ruled to have impeded Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel from an offside position. 

That ruling would prove decisive as Leicester scored the winner via Jamie Vardy in the 80th minute as Arteta's side failed to make the most of their statistical dominance. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: "I’m really disappointed, we had it in our hands in the first half and I don’t know how the hell the goal was disallowed.

"They caught us with space at the back and in that moment we lost the game. It is difficult to create spaces with 10 men behind the ball, but we should have finished the game better. When it comes to those moments you can’t give away chances at the back.

"We still had some moments after the goal but gave away too many free kicks. The effort that the boys put in, and the pressure the Leicester team put you under, it’s not an easy thing to do but we have to improve."

The result sees Arsenal drop to 10th in the Premier League, while Leicester have risen to fourth after six games of the new season. 

"The game the way it went, I felt we had total control in the first half and restricted them to nothing. We were winning every ball, created a few chances and scored a goal I don't know how it got disallowed," Arteta added to BBC Sport.

"They defended deeper in the second half, waiting for the mistake and in one moment they did it. Against this block, against so well organised teams, when you open them up you have to put the ball in the back of the net. They were similar against Manchester City, they scored with two set pieces and credit to them for what they have done but our players responded and I feel sorry for them.

"We have so many alternatives in the team and can have fluidity. It worked in some moments and there are options we can manage."

 

Original author: Josh Thomas
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Caf Confederation Cup: Antwi's Pyramids bow to Berkane in final 

There was no joy for the Ghana striker and his Egyptian side in Sunday's final loss against the Moroccan side

It was a disappointing day for Ghana striker John Antwi and his Egyptian club Pyramids as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Moroccan outfit RS Berkane in the 2020 Caf Confederation Cup final on Sunday.

Issoufou Dayo's first-half effort in the single-legged fixture at the Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Morocco was enough to hand The Orange Boys their first title in the competition.

There final was originally scheduled for May this year but had to be rescheduled to October due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It was redemption of sorts for Berkane, who lost in the final of the 2019 Confed Cup to Egyptian giants Zamalek. Their win also highlights Morocco's dominance in the competition, the 2020 success becoming the fifth title won by a club from the north African country. No country has produced more winners than Morocco and Tunisia (also five).

For Pyramids, however, making the Confederation Cup final just six years after becoming an elite division club and two years after taking on their current identity from being formerly named Al Assiouty Sport will certainly remain a mark of pride despite Sunday's defeat.

Berkane came into the final on the back of a 2-1 triumph over national rivals Hassania Agadir, while Pyramids accounted for Guinean side Horoya 2-0 in the semi-final to snatch a historic first ever final berth.

In the end, Burkina Faso defender Dayo emerged hero of the match as his scrappy 15th-minute goal decided the fixture.

Although there would be no more goals, there was certainly drama towards the end of the tie as Berkane's Bakre El Helali was sent off for a rough tackle after a video assistant review.

Ghana international Antwi was a second half substitute in the game, coming on in the 66th minute for Ahmed Tawfik.

It was a big disappointment for the Ghanaian, who was hoping to build on his recent exploits of becoming the all-time foreign top scorer in the history of the Egyptian top league and earning a Ghana recall for the first time since 2017.

Original author: Prince Narkortu Teye
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Lampard insists Werner and Havertz are least of his concerns as Chelsea aim to find balance between defence & attack

The Blues duo have yet to hit the ground running despite a few bright moments in the first few games of their career in west London

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea have little cause for concern after failing to score in their last two games, insisting he has total faith that Timo Werner and Kai Havertz will hit their groove soon.

Chelsea managed just one shot on target in a 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Saturday, the same scoreline of the midweek stalemate with Sevilla in the Champions League.

The Blues have moved to a more defensive approach this week after starting the season in a more open style, but have yet to find balance or get the best out of their attack. 

Still, head coach Lampard is backing his Germany internationals along with the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic to make the difference over the course of the season.

"I am very happy with Timo," Lampard told reporters via a Zoom video press conference. "If you go back to the game before that, he scored two goals and Kai Havertz scores a goal. I am least worried about the front end of the pitch with the players that we have there.

"It is normal that it will take some time for relationships [to build]. For when we have got to put the ball in behind, the ball into feet, clearly these things are going to take time to build. The reason we brought Timo and Kai into the club is to add to the quality we already have here.

"Hakim Ziyech is looking like he is getting close to starting a game with his fitness. I have no worries about that. The last bit didn’t happen for us today. It is normal, that happens in football but I am very happy with the players."

Under Lampard, Chelsea have typically been a proactive pressing team that likes to keep possession, but they have sat back to defend deeper in the last week and have looked to play longer passes.

Lampard has admitted that the Blues are still looking to get the balance right between defence and attack, while praising the recent impact of his 36-year-old defender Thiago Silva.

"Where we have conceded more goals in certain games than we would have liked this season, it is important to address those problems," Lampard added. "You obviously address them at the back and I thought we defended the box very well today.

"Defending for me, at this level, is about concentration. Concentration is what will define defending in top players generally. What you saw in Thiago Silva today is a defender who concentrates at every moment of the game in every minute, to not just affect things for himself but affects those around him. I think that was a big plus today.

"The balance of the team is something we are constantly trying to work on. We got into some nice areas in the final third but didn’t have the usual spark that we have seen already from Timo, from Kai already or what Christian can do. That is normal.

"I will make a big positive of the fact that we defended very well today, at times we had good control, but we did not have that penetration that we normally have."

Elsewhere, Manchester City drew away at West Ham and Liverpool picked up all three points against Sheffield United but weren't comfortable in their 2-1 win.

Those big clubs, alongside the likes of Chelsea, United, Arsenal and Tottenham have all dropped points early on in the season.

Lampard pointed to a lack of pre-season and fans as part of the issues facing the "big six", which has been caused by the overall challenges of playing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"I think it is a hard one to pinpoint as there can be a number of factors," he concluded. "The fans are a factor, but I don’t know why it certainly feels like a factor. My feeling is from talking about ourselves is we went to play to Arsenal in the cup final a week after the season ended.

"A lot of the other teams finished their season when we played Wolves, so I couldn’t give the lads a few days [before the final]. Then we went to Munich one week later, so I couldn’t give the lads a few days there. Then the lads had shy of two weeks off.

"Then we come back in and we had double figures of isolation for two weeks. So it is not easy, I hate excuses because you only want to move forward but from our point of view, and we had new players coming into the team.

"Football is all about relationships on the pitch. It is always about the timing of the pass one forward wants, whether you go inside, or you come on the outside. Those sorts of things are what you work on the training pitch.

"We are now working on them in game to try and get a lot of improvement in the team. It is normal for results to be affected when you are talking about teams you expect to be at the top.

"We just need to keep our head on and improve, because we have a lot of faith in the squad. Today shows the basis of being able to keep a clean sheet and show resilience. I am less worried [about] relationships at the top of the pitch as that will be down to individual quality and we certainly have that."

Original author: Nizaar Kinsella
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Man Utd boss Solskjaer backs James after poor Chelsea performance

The forward was brought off before the hour mark and replaced by Edinson Cavani after failing to make an impact in the goalless draw at Old Trafford

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Daniel James after another poor performance from the Manchester United forward saw him brought off in the 57th minute against Chelsea.

James was a surprise name in the starting XI as the Blues held United to a scoreless draw at home on Saturday, as Solskjaer decided to stick with the same side that had beaten Newcastle in the league the weekend before.

While the Welshman impressed at St James’ Park last weekend, he struggled to make any impact at all down the left wing and didn’t manage a single shot on goal before he was replaced by Edinson Cavani shortly before the hour mark.

The 22-year-old was thrown in at the deep end at the start of last season having arrived from Swansea, and plans to slowly integrate him to the first-team squad were pushed aside after he scored three goals in his first four appearances. But, with his form dwindling, he started just one league game after the coronavirus lockdown and has struggled to force his way back into the starting XI this season.

But despite his disappointing display Solskjaer is backing the Wales international.

“Dan's confidence is high, of course, because he's starting games with the quality of players he's in the team with,” Solskjaer said. “Against Chelsea was one of those days where he played against some good players as well, he had some moments, and we keep on working./

"Dan's had a really good impact at the club and we're looking forward to developing him more.”

James isn't the only United player who has been struggling for form. The team have not managed to win at Old Trafford yet this season having registered two defeats and a draw in the league. Up next is the visit or RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday before Arsenal in the league next weekend.

“We have difficult opponents, that's true, but we have RB Leipzig in the Champions League and then Arsenal, so another two big games, difficult games, but we'll make sure we're ready for them,” Solskjaer explained. “Good preparation, as we always do, and let's see where we get.”

Original author: Charlotte Duncker
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Arsenal star Aubameyang suffering worst league goal drought in six years

The Gunners skipper's failure to hit the back of the net has produced a run of form not seen since his Dortmund days

Arsenal talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has continued his struggles as he has now gone five league games without a goal for the first time since 2014.

The Gunners captain's failure to find the back of the net was punctuated by his team losing 1-0 to Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Substitute Jamie Vardy scored the Foxes' winner in the 80th minute after heading into an empty net when Cengiz Under's cross had taken Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno out of the game.

His opposite number Aubameyang went into the Leicester match with only six shots in his five previous Premier League games - but did score the winner mid-week against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

The 31-year-old only managed two shots against the Foxes with the most notable a wayward header during a first half in which a dominant Arsenal failed to capitalise.

It's the first time Aubameyang has failed to score a goal in five consecutive league games since he didn't hit the back of the net for Dortmund during the same amount of matches in 2014.

Aubameyang's profligacy in front of goal has contributed a team tally of only eight goals in six Premier League games, which is Arsenal's second-lowest amount in the last 20 top-flight seasons (five goals in 2015-16).

The defeat to Leicester was Arsenal's first at home in 2020 and their first loss at the Emirates since Mikel Arteta's first home game in charge against Chelsea in December 2019.

Leicester have risen to fourth in the Premier League table with the smash-and-grab victory, which was their first away win at Arsenal since September 1973, ending a run of 27 matches with an away victory against the Gunners in all competitions.

The Foxes have had a better start to the season than their title-winning campaign in 2014-15, with their fourth victory in six games emulating their best start to a Premier League campaign in 2000-01.

Despite coming into the match under an injury cloud, Vardy entered in the 60th minute and scored his 11th goal in 12 Premier League games against Arsenal, with only Wayne Rooney (12) scoring more.

His strike was also his fifth goal at the Emirates Stadium, meaning he overtakes Harry Kane (four) as the most prolific opposition striker at the Gunners home ground.

Original author: Kieran Francis
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Toko Ekambi at the double as Lyon outclass Monaco

The Cameroonian forward grabbed his second straight brace in the French top-flight on Sunday

Karl Toko Ekambi scored a first-half brace as Lyon hammered Monaco 4-1 in a Ligue 1 encounter on Sunday.

The Indomitable Lions striker doubled the hosts' lead at the Groupama Stadium, 22 minutes after Memphis Depay opened the scoring.

Toko Ekambi was played through on goal by Zimbabwe's Tino Kadewere and he later sealed Lyon's win with another goal just before the break.

Houssem Aouar made it 3-0 from 12 yards in the 41st minute before the Cameroon international hit the target again three minutes.

The two goals were Toko Ekambi's second brace in his last two games in the French top-flight, after he grabbed a double against Strasbourg last Sunday.

Three minutes after the restart, Wissam Ben Yedder pulled a goal back for Monaco but it was not enough to inspire a comeback as Niko Kovac's side conceded their third Ligue 1 defeat of the season.

Nigeria winger Henry Onyekuru did not make Monaco's travelling squad for the game as he awaits his fifth league appearance this campaign.

Toko Ekambi who has scored four goals in seven league games so far, was in action for 90 minutes for Lyon while Ivory Coast's Maxwel Cornet and Kadewere saw 81 minutes of action before they were substituted.

Sunday's victory propelled Lyon to sixth in the Ligue 1 table with 13 points after eight matches while Monaco are placed 12th with two points behind Rudi Garcia's side.

Original author: Taiye Taiwo
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Mame Diouf double not enough as Hatayspor lose against Nwobodo’s Goztepe

The Old Lady needed a late leveller from Dejan Kulusevski and the boss was not impressed by his side's display

Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo was frustrated his Juventus side only started playing with intensity after they had fallen behind in their 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona on Sunday. 

Having had just one shot on target in an insipid first half, Serie A champions Juve fell behind on the hour-mark when Verona's Andrea Favilli slotted home from 15 yards. 

Juve - winless in two consecutive Serie A games against Verona for the first time since 1989 - stormed back through substitute Dejan Kulusevski's equaliser 13 minutes from time and created a number of excellent opportunities in the closing stages without converting.

Pirlo's Juve ended the game having had 22 shots but the Italian boss was not impressed that the hosts needed a 'slap in the face' to start carving out chances - as the Old Lady crashed to their second consecutive 1-1 league draw after finishing with the same scoreline against Crotone last weekend.

"Our first half wasn't aggressive enough. We waited for them and yet we created the best chances," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We reacted well after they took the lead, but we shouldn't need a slap in the face to wake up and play with intensity. When you play against Verona or Atalanta, it's difficult because they take you one-on-one all over the field and create many duels. 

"We worked to avoid their high press and that worked better in the second half. It's tough against them, but we could've done better."

With Cristiano Ronaldo still absent from the team after his Covid-19 diagnosis, Juventus face another injury worry with Leonardo Bonucci appearing to suffer a leg injury.

The 33-year-old limped from the field in the 75th minute to be replaced by Gianluca Frabotta, with Pirlo revealing Bonucci actually suffered a fitness issue againsy Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League last week.

"He had already something during Kiev's match", Pirlo told reporters post-game. "We'll evaluate."

The result moves Juve up to fifth - three points behind leaders AC Milan, who have played a game fewer - while Verona remain in eighth position.

Juve host La Liga giants Barcelona in a mouth-watering Champions League clash on Wednesday before travelling to Spezia in Serie A on Sunday.

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