Champions League | Premier League | La Liga | Serie A

October 18, 2020October 17, 2020 David

Guardiola Defends Aguero Over Touching Lineswoman

Pep Guardiola has defended Sergio Aguero after the striker was criticized for touching lineswoman Sian Massey-Ellis during Saturday’s win over Arsenal.

Aguero found himself at the centre of controversy just before half-time at the Etihad Stadium after he took exception to Massey-Ellis signalling a throw-in for Arsenal, when the striker believed it should have been City’s ball.

The striker confronted Massey-Ellis and grabbed her by the shoulder near her neck, before his arm brushed across her back. Massey-Ellis reacted by swatting Aguero’s arm away from her.

The incident caused plenty of strong reactions, with many believing the veteran striker had touched Massey-Ellis in an inappropriate fashion. Read more... (374 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

October 18, 2020October 30, 2020 David

Solskjaer Delighted After “Emphatic” Newcastle Win

Manchester United scored three late goals at Newcastle to earn victory and help ease the misery inflicted by the heavy defeat against Tottenham.

It was an incredible final few minutes for a team who looked as if they had blown their chance of three points following Bruno Fernandes’ failure from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.

United needed a positive reaction following that 6-1 thumping by Spurs before the international break, but their hopes suffered a blow when Emil Krafth’s cross came off defender Luke Shaw and beat keeper David de Gea. Read more... (317 words, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)

October 17, 2020 David

Serie A, Juventus

Piro Pleads For Patience At Juventus

Andrea Pirlo described Federico Chiesa as “naive” after he was sent off on his debut in Saturday’s 1-1 Serie A draw against Crotone.

Chiesa, who joined the champions on loan from Fiorentina on transfer deadline day, saw red on the hour mark for a late challenge on Luca Cigarini.

He had earlier set up Alvaro Morata for Juve’s leveller after Simy had given Crotone the lead from the penalty spot.

Adrien Rabiot was dismissed in the 2-2 draw with Roma on September 27, Juve’s last competitive game after they were handed a 3-0 win for Napoli’s no-show last time out, and Pirlo accepts his fledgling side’s over-enthusiasm might come back to haunt them on occasion. Read more... (392 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

October 17, 2020October 17, 2020 David

AC Milan, Inter Milan, Rivalries, Serie A, Tickets

Ibrahimovic Stars In Milan Derby

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice in three minutes as in-form AC Milan beat rivals Inter Milan to maintain their winning start to the Serie A season.

The 39-year-old tapped in to open the scoring after Samir Handanovic saved his penalty and made it two moments later from Rafael Leao’s smart cross.

Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for Inter before the half-hour mark and was denied a penalty in the second half.

AC Milan held on to make it four wins from four and stay top of the table. Read more... (423 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Klopp Concerned As Virgil van Dijk Has A Suspected ACL Injury

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk’s knee injury is “not good”, says the champions’ manager Jurgen Klopp. Initial scans suggest that the Liverpool defender has suffered an ACL injury in today’s Merseyside derby and will need surgery. He is expected to be out a minimum 7-8 months

Van Dijk was hurt in a rash challenge by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford in the first half of Saturday’s 2-2 draw.

The Netherlands defender, who is arguably the best center half in world football at the moment. could not continue and will have a scan, along with Thiago Alcantara, who also suffered a knee injury. Read more... (373 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

October 17, 2020October 30, 2020 David

Liverpool, Premier League, Rivalries, Tickets

Controversy As Merseyside Derby Finishes All Square

Everton came from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League in a Merseyside derby thriller as Liverpool were denied a stoppage-time winner by the video assistant referee.

Sadio Mane put the visitors ahead in the third minute but they were furious soon afterwards when a wild challenge by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford on Virgil van Dijk, committed after an offside decision, saw the defender having to go off injured with VAR failing to review the tackle.

Everton, who had won their previous seven games in all competitions, equalised swiftly at Goodison Park when Michael Keane headed in a corner from the outstanding James Rodriguez. Read more... (430 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Scotland Just One Game Away From Euro 2020

Scotland are one game away from their first major finals since 1998 after a nerve-shredding win on penalties against Israel at Hampden.

Kenny McLean scored the pivotal spot-kick in the depleted Scots’ first ever shootout, with only a victory in Serbia on 12 November now separating Steve Clarke’s men from Euro 2020.

How ironic would it be that and a 23-year wait that Scotland reach the finals of a major competition and the Tartan Army could not attend because of COVID! Read more... (654 words, estimated 2:37 mins reading time)

Transfer Window Winners And Losers

In a transfer window where COVID-19 really impacted player sales, who won the window in the Premier League. And what teams did not buy well?

Transfer Window Winners

Aston Villa
Aston Villa only secured their Premier League status on the final day of last season – now the club’s owners have backed manager Dean Smith in ambitious fashion to make the most of that escape.

The biggest signing was record buy Ollie Watkins, brought in from Brentford for £28m potentially rising to £33m, the 24-year-old well known to Smith from his time in charge at Griffin Park. Read more... (1134 words, estimated 4:32 mins reading time)

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October 6, 2020October 6, 2020 David

Premier League, Arsenal

Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Complete £45m Deal For Midfielder

Arsenal have signed Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid on a long-term deal after paying his 50m euros (£45.3m) release clause. Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira, 24, has moved in the opposite direction and joined the La Liga side on loan.

The 27-year-old Ghana midfielder made 35 league appearances and scored three goals for Diego Simeone’s side as they finished third in La Liga last season.

Arsenal have been linked with Partey, who has 29 international caps, throughout the summer transfer window.

Partey won the 2017-18 Europa League and 2018 Super Cup with Atletico and signed a new deal at the Wanda Metropolitano in 2018, until the end of June 2023. Read more... (345 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

October 3, 2020October 30, 2020 David

Barcelona, Champions League, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, La Liga, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd., Real Madrid, Tickets

Champions League Draw: Messi v Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to face each other after Juventus and Barcelona were drawn in Group G, while holders Bayern Munich will face Atletico Madrid in Group A.

The draw, which also saw Real Madrid and Inter Milan paired in Group B, took place without club officials present because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

And it was a particularly tough draw for Manchester United, who will play last season’s beaten finalists PSG, as well as 2020 semi-finalists RB Leipzig.

Elsewhere, Premier League champions Liverpool will have to negotiate a group containing Ajax, Atalanta and Danish side Midtjylland. Read more... (347 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

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