David

I am a long time soccer fan who grew up in England traveling the country watching Coventry City in the 70's. Now living in the U.S. I am still as passionate about soccer as I was when I was a kid.

October 8, 2021October 7, 2021 David

The Pressure Is On Ole Once Again

Many tipped Manchester United to mount a Premier League title challenge this season following a big summer outlay that saw them recruit Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho.

But a stuttering start to their domestic league and cup campaigns as well as a mixed Champions League group stage to date has piled the pressure on boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and not for the first time since he took permanent charge in March 2019.

United have failed to win four of their last six games in all competitions following their stalemate against Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday. Read more... (1077 words, estimated 4:18 mins reading time)

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021 David

Premier League, Tickets

Saudi-Led Takeover Of Newcastle United Has Been Completed

On Thursday, English Premier League club Newcastle was sold by Mike Ashley to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

The people behind the £300m deal were asked to prove that the gulf state itself would not have control over the club. In a statement, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan said:

“We are extremely proud to become the new owners of Newcastle United, one of the most famous clubs in English football. We thank the Newcastle fans for their tremendously loyal support over the years and we are excited to work together with them.” Read more... (1051 words, estimated 4:12 mins reading time)

Luis Enrique Hails Spain’s ‘Almost Perfect Performance’

Luis Enrique hailed Spain’s ‘almost perfect performance’ in their Nations League semi-final win over Italy.

And midfielder Gavi showed why Enrique had the faith to throw him into the side at 17 years and 62 days old.

Up against the likes of Marco Verratti and Jorginho, Gavi showed no signs of being overawed, producing a debut of rare confidence in the 2-1 win that set up a final against Belgium or France on Sunday.

Composed on the ball, confident throughout and always looking to bring Spain’s attacking players into the game, Gavi’s performance left his coach purring. Read more... (394 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

3 Comments

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021 David

Europe, Serie A, Tickets, World Cup

Chiellini Insists Italy’s Defeat by Spain Will Help Them ‘Grow’

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini said he was ‘proud’ of their record 37-match unbeaten run and believed the UEFA Nations League semi-final defeat to Spain was ‘a necessary stage in the growth process’ for the European champions.

Italy were 1-0 down when captain Leonardo Bonucci was sent off for two bookings in the first-half, the second for an elbow on Sergio Busquets.

Manchester City’s Ferran Torres doubled Spain’s advantage just before the break. Lorenzo Pellegrini scored a late consolation for the Azzurri.

‘It’s a pity the defeat came in Milan, but there is proud for this extraordinary run of results,’ Chiellini told RAI Sport, according to football-italia.net Read more... (315 words, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)

4 Comments

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021 David

Tickets, World Cup

Premier League And FIFA Dispute Rumbles On

Brazil have followed Argentina by confirming their Premier League players will not return to England from international duty early, dealing a blow to a host of top-flight clubs.

Brazil have nine top-flight players in their squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela, Colombia and Uruguay after adding Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz to Manchester City’s Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, Liverpool’s Allison and Fabinho, Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, Manchester United’s Fred, Tottenham’s Emerson Royal and Leeds’ Raphinha.

Premier League clubs were hoping their stars could be withdrawn prematurely from this fortnight’s games in order to return in time for the season’s resumption. Read more... (421 words, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

18 Comments

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021 David

Tickets, World Cup

Premier League Stars Will NOT Be Released Early By Argentina

Tottenham and Aston Villa’s fears have been confirmed with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni insisting his Premier League players will remain with his squad for all three World Cup qualifiers.

Clubs were hoping their stars could be withdrawn early from this fortnight’s South American matches in order to return in time for the Premier League’s resumption.

Media sites are reporting the growing concerns among some of the impacted sides that they were losing the battle.

And Scaloni, whose squad includes Spurs pair Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso plus Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, said: Read more... (475 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

13 Comments

September 18, 2021 David

Arsenal, Premier League

Back To Back Wins For The Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has gone back to the 90’s as the Arsenal win their second consecutive game 1-0. In the 90’s Arsenal were famous for their 1-0 victories, and it looks like Arteta is rebuilding the Gunners with that blueprint of a strong defence and opportunistic scoring.

Against Burnley, Martin Odegaard’s first-half free-kick gave Arsenal their first away win of the season after Ashley Westwood had clipped Bukayo Saka on the edge of the area.

It was Odegaard’s first goal since joining the Gunners on a permanent basis from Real Madrid in a £30m deal last month. Read more... (338 words, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

September 18, 2021 David

Premier League, Liverpool

Mane Stars As Liverpool Go Top

Liverpool remains unbeaten in the Premier League this season after Sadio Mane scored his 100th goal for the club in a victory against Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp’s side created numerous chances against a resilient Palace before Mane pounced on a rebound at the back post in the first half.

Mohamed Salah doubled their lead with just over 10 minutes remaining when he smashed home a flick-on from a corner, before Naby Keita’s late curling strike made it 3-0.

Liverpool were wasteful in the first half as Diogo Jota fired over the bar from a few yards out in a glorious position, while Thiago and Jordan Henderson were also denied by keeper Vicente Guaita. Read more... (355 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

September 17, 2021September 18, 2021 David

Europa League, Europe, Tickets

Europa League Matchday Two Review

The Europa League kicked off this week as Real Betis and Napoli mounted memorable comebacks from two goals down while there were winning starts for Galatasaray, West Ham and Lyon.

The big match was in England where Leicester City hosted Napoli. Ayoze Pérez finished a superb team move to put Leicester ahead and Harvey Barnes added a second. However, Victor Osimhen scored a brilliant first before thumping in a header from Matteo Politano’s cross to earn his side a point, Leicester losing Wilfred Ndidi to a second yellow card in stoppage time. Read more... (921 words, estimated 3:41 mins reading time)

5 Comments

September 16, 2021October 4, 2021 David

Barcelona, Champions League, Chelsea, Juventus, La Liga, Liverpool, Man City, Real Madrid, Tickets

Champions League Matchday One Review

The best club competition in the world returned last week as the new Champions League season got underway with some high-profile matches.

The top teams like Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City all showed that they are true contenders to win the Champions League this season. Meanwhile, other potential contenders like Manchester United, Barcelona and PSG failed to live up to expectations on matchday 1.

Player of the round was undoubtedly Ajax striker Sebastien Haller who scored four goals in Ajax’s 5-1 hammering of Sporting Lisbon. Read more... (838 words, estimated 3:21 mins reading time)

2 Comments