Sports Update

[Edoman]

Borrusia Dortmund have confirmed that Christian Pulisic has joined Chelsea in a £58m deal.

The USA International will move to the Stamford Bridge in the summer after an agreement to stay with Dortmund until the end of the season.

MySportDab report Pulisic's contract in Dortmund was due to expire in the summer, although the club would have been entitled to a hefty compensation package.

However, the Blues have swooped to secure the forward's services.

Borrusia Dortmund Sporting Director Michael Zorc said: "It was always Christian's dream to play in the Premier League. That certainly has to do with his American background, and as a result we were unable to extend his contract.

"Against this background, we have decided to accept an extremely lucrative bid by Chelsea, given the low contract maturity.

"Christian Pulisic is a character perfect player. I am sure that in the coming months he will do everything in his power to bring his high quality to the team and to achieve his sporting goals with his team-mates Borussia Dortmund." 

In a statementon the club's website on Wednesday morning, Dortmund wrote: 

"Borussia Dortmund has agreed with the English Premier League club Chelsea on a transfer of the Dortmund offensive player Christian Pulisic with immediate effect. The British in turn lend the player until the end of the current season to BVB."

See more;https://www.mysportdab.com/2019/01/official-chelsea-sign-christian-pulisic.html

[Edoman]

Manchester City blew the Premier League title race open again, following a 2-1 win over leaders Liverpool on Thursday night.

The defeat at The Etihad was the Reds’ first loss of the season, as they had gone unbeaten in their opening 20 fixtures.

Sergio Aguero opened scoring in the first half, powering a shot past Alisson Becker from an acute angle.

Roberto Firmino equalized for Liverpool after the break, before Leroy Sane fired in the winner 18 minutes from time.

City now trail Jurgen Klopp’s men by just four points.

A run of nine straight league wins had given Liverpool a commanding lead at the top of the table, as they edged towards a first top-flight title since 1989/90, particularly after City suffered back-to-back shock defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester to begin the festive season.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/04/premier-league-table-man-city-end-liverpools-unbeaten-run-close-gap-4-points/

[Edoman]

AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of Striker Dominic Solanke from Liverpool in a £19m deal.

The 21-year-old was close to signing for Crystal Palace earlier this week but the loan switch collapsed.

"It's a good club to be at, especially for someone of my age," said Solanke.

“I think the club is going somewhere. Over the past few years, they have been really good in the Premier League and had some good positional finishes as well.

“I spoke with the manager this morning [Friday]. He is a really nice guy. From playing and watching the Premier League, I know the sort of manager he is. I was excited to meet him and am really looking forward to working with him and seeing what he’s about.

“My main target is to score goals and, beinga striker, hopefully I can get a few for the team and help the team get wins. Playing in the Premier League, every game is tough and together we can try to do as well as we can.”

MySportDab report Solanke was named as the Player of the Tournament as England won the Under 20 World Cup in 2017 and has one England cap at the senior level.

See more;https://www.mysportdab.com/2019/01/official-bournemouth-sign-dominic.html

[Edoman]

Klopp defends changes as Wolves dump Liverpool out of FA Cup
Tuesday, January 08, 2019  SPORT

                         
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes an early injury to defender Dejan Lovren highlighted why he chose to name a second-string side in bowing out of the FA Cup 2-1 to Wolves on Monday.

Klopp made nine changes to the side that lost narrowly for the first time in the Premier League this season to Manchester City on Thursday, with Lovren one of only two players to retain their place.

However, the Croatian pulled up with a hamstring injury after just six minutes and was replaced by 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever.


“Hamstring, is what I heard – without any signs before,” said Klopp on what forced Lovren off. “I asked everybody, no signs, nothing, just out of the blue, so that’s the decision you have to make.

“I am not sure what you all would have said if immediately from the beginning if our centre-half situation was Fabinho and Ki-Jana; then probably a few very smart people would tell me that I don’t respect the competition or whatever.”

Goals from Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves either side of half-time sent the hosts into round four, where they will face Shrewsbury or Stoke City, despite Divock Origi’s fine strike briefly bringing Liverpool level after the break.

Hoever’s introduction meant Liverpool fielded three teenagers for the majority of the match with Rafael Camacho and Curtis Jones also handed debuts.

However it was the visitors’ most experienced player, Milner, who was at fault for the opening goal when Diogo Jota caught the former England international in possession in midfield and put Jimenez clean through for the Mexican to score his seventh goal of the season.

Without Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Liverpool were struggling to get any momentum going forward.

But the visitors were level out of nothing when Origi collected a loose ball on the edge of the area six minutes into the second period and smashed the ball high past John Ruddy.

Wolves, though, have made a habit of upsetting the Premier League’s established top six in their first season back in the top flight.

After beating Chelsea and Tottenham and holding City, Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League, Liverpool can now be added to the list of scalps for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side thanks to a wonder strike from Neves.

“He has talent, he has done it before and we encourage him to shoot from range,” said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “It was a good strike.”

Only a brilliant save from Ruddy denied Xherdan Shaqiri a stunning equaliser and Liverpool a replay as the Swiss’s free-kick was touched onto the inside of the post by the Wolves goalkeeper.

Klopp had a final roll of the dice by throwing on Salah and Firmino for the final 20 minutes, but even their firepower failed to spark a fightback and Klopp’s team selection will now be seriously questioned as he is still to deliver a trophy in his four seasons in charge.

However, with Liverpool still in pole position to deliver a first league title in 29 years, the German coach defended his selection to minimise the chance of his stars suffering injuries.

“We played a similar line-up and had three tough games in the last couple of weeks, so it was clear we had to change,” Klopp added after a run of four Premier League games in 13 days over the festive period.

“The intensity of the last few games gave me the information it was not possible to start with these three up front. Only Dejan played a lot of games in the last three or four weeks, pretty much all the games…He played today and was injured.”

[Edoman]

Kane spot on as Spurs down Chelsea
Wednesday, January 09, 2019  SPORT

                         
Harry Kane fired Tottenham a step closer to the League Cup final as his penalty sealed a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the semi-final first leg on Tuesday. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are chasing their first trophy since winning the 2008 League Cup at the expense of Chelsea.

Kane’s first-half spot-kick, awarded via VAR, settled a hard-fought encounter to keep Tottenham on course for a first League Cup final appearance since their 2015 defeat against the Blues.

That loss was one of several missed opportunities for Pochettino to win the first silverware of his promising managerial career.This was an important step towards ending that drought.


It was also the first time Tottenham have won three consecutive matches against Chelsea in all competitions since a run of five between March 1961 and September 1963.However, that statistical flourish will count for nothing if Tottenham don’t finish the job in the second leg at Stamford Bridge on January 24.

Once again, a meeting between these fierce London rivals was marred by ugly chants in the stands, with one 17-year-old fan arrested for allegedly singing an anti-Semitic song.

It was another frustrating night for Chelsea, who recovered from a sluggish start to dominate the second half without turning their possession into goals a familiar tale of woe for Maurizio Sarri’s men.

Early on, Son Heung-min accelerated onto Dele Alli’s long pass and was tugged over by Blues defender Andreas Christensen, only for referee Michael Olivier to wave play on as Tottenham appealed for a red card.

Kane was making his first League Cup start in 1204 days, dating back to 2015.

And he almost announced his return to the competition in spectacular fashion when his overhead kick from Kieran Trippier’s cross forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into action.

Tottenham were the more vibrant and cohesive force and their impactful start was rewarded with Kane’s 27th-minute opener.

Clattered 
Kane’s well-timed run beat the Chelsea offside trap and Kepa came hurtling off his line and clattered into the striker.

After a delay while VAR confirmed Kane was onside, Oliver awarded a spot-kick and the England captain stepped up to smash his shot past Kepa for his 20th club goal this season.

Kane’s seventh goal in his last six appearances made him Tottenham’s fourth all-time highest scorer with 160.

Chelsea went close to levelling when Marcos Alonso’s cross reached N’Golo Kante, who volleyed against the near post from an acute angle.

Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi started for the second successive game as Sarri tries to convince the 18-year-old English winger to commit to the Blues amid reports of a bid from Bayern Munich.

Hudson-Odoi, who has 18 months remaining on his current contract, showed a flash of his potential on the right flank, cutting inside for a cross that deflected off Danny Rose and had to be tipped onto the woodwork by home goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

With Alvaro Morata struggling with an injury and Olivier Giroud also not fully fit, Sarri had resumed his experiment of playing Eden Hazard as his central striker.

But Hazard, so influential on the flanks, has expressed some doubts about his suitability for the ‘false nine’ role and at times he was rendered impotent by Chelsea’s failure to get him the ball in dangerous areas.

Kane, a natural centre forward, was far more at home as the focal point of Tottenham’s attacks and he almost doubled their lead soon after half-time with a fierce long-range drive that Kepa pushed away.

Kante responded with a powerful effort of his own, but Gazzaniga was equal to the France midfielder’s threatening strike.Showing more poise as Hazard’s influence finally grew, Chelsea had the better of the second half.

Christensen should have equalised from Ross Barkley’s flick, yet the Danish defender somehow prodded wide from close-range.Hazard conjured Chelsea’s last chance when Gazzaniga spilled his cross, but Alonso’s shot was scrambled clear.

[Edoman]

27th edition of CAF Awards holds in Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday


The annual CAF Awards enters its 27th edition this year and the Awards Gala will take place for the first time in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

On Tuesday, 8 January 2019; the King of African football will be crowned at the Centre International de conférences Abdou Diouf (CICAD) in Dakar, amongst the trio of last year’s winner, Mohamed Salah of Egypt, 2015 winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Senegalese Sadio Mane.

From 1992 to 2017, from Ghana’s Abedi Pele to Salah, 17 players have laid claim to the most prestigious individual honour in African football.

Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o was the first to be crowned on four occasions – 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010; a record since equalled by Ivorian Yaya Toure, who made it four wins on the trot (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Former Senegal forward, El Hadji Diouf also won the award twice in a row; 2001 and 2002.

However, the first player to have been named CAF African Player of the Year on two occasions was ex-Nigeria captain, Nwankwo Kanu, in 1996 and 1999. The feat was replicated by Ivorian icon Didier Drogba in 2006 and 2009.

https://tvcnews.tv/2019/01/27th-edition-of-caf-awards-holds-in-dakar-senegal-on-tuesday/


1) Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

2) Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Thembi Kgatlana

3) Mane, Oshoala, Salah, Aubameyang

4) The emcees will be Isha Sesay and Aboubacry Ba.

Africa: CAF Launches Legends Game in Honour of Jules Bocande.

CAF has launched an annual legends game that will coincide with the continent's yearly flagship awards event.

The concept was launched in Dakar on Sunday as part of the 2018 AITEO CAF Awards programme to be held in the Senegalese capital on Tuesday night.

Some of Africa's former top players like Senegal's El-Hadji Diouf and Habib Beye, Mark Fish of South Africa, Nigerian superstar Kanu Nwakwo and Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o attended the unveiling.

CAF Deputy General Secretary, Anthony Baffoe, revealed that the game is in line with the vision of the leadership to get more former players involved in the affairs of African football at the highest level and celebrate them for their efforts.

He revealed that the match will be organized annually in the host country of the awards ceremony with CAF using the opportunity to engage directly with the former players on issues affecting the game.


"This match to be played annually is part of the promise by CAF President Ahmad to get more of former footballers involved in the affairs of CAF.

"The legends must be celebrated and CAF is taking the lead with such matches for us to celebrate the role their have played in making Africa football better.

"This will also give CAF the chance to directly connect with the former players as their experience and expertise will be sought to improve the game in Africa."

The maiden CAF Legends Match is being held in memory of former Senegal captain and coach Jules Bocande, who died six years ago aged 53.

Bocande is regarded as one of Africa's finest footballers having won the top scorer award in the French top-flight in the 1985/86 league season with 23 goals for Metz.

The match will see some of Africa finest former footballers like Mohammed Aboutrika, Victor Ikpeba, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Sammy Kuffuor joining Eto'o, Kanu and Fish to form the CAF Select side to play the match.

They will play against the history making Senegal 2002 World Cup that reached the quarter-final of the tournament in Japan/South Korea with players like Diouf, Tony Sylva, Aliou Cisse, Papa Bouba Diop, Khalilou Fadiga, Salif Diao featuring in the game at the Léopold Senghor Stadium at 7:30pm GMT.

CAF Legends

Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria); George Weah (Liberia); Joseph-Antoine Bell, Geremi Njitap, Samuel Eto'o, Patrick Mboma (Cameroon); Alain Gouamene, Cyril Domoraud, Didier Drogba (Cote d'Ivoire); Boubacar Sarr, Diomansy Kamara, Roger Mendy (Senegal); Frederic Kanoute (Mali); Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt); Nourredine Naybet (Morocco); Shabani Nonda (Burundi); Jean-Marc Adjovi-Boco (Benin); Gilberto Amaral (Angola); Titi Kamara (Guinea) and Florent Malouda (France)

Senegal 2002 Legends

Tony Sylva, Kalidou Cissokho, Khalilou Fadiga, Omar Diallo, El Hadji Diouf, Habib Beye, Aliou Cisse, Lamine Diatta, Pape Malick Diop, Alasssane N'Dour, Salif Diao, Amdi Faye, Makthar N'Diaye, Moussa N'Diaye, Henri Camara, Pape Thiaw, Amara Traoré, Thierno Youme, Pape Fall, Joseph Koto, Lamine Ndiaye, Ibrahim Ba Eusebio

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https://allafrica.com/stories/201901070083.html


Ghanaian legend and CAF deputy secretary general Anthony Baffoe, Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu, Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto'o, South African legend Mark Fish and Egyptian legend Mohammad Aboutrika.













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[Edoman]

Forget Higuain! Agent tells Chelsea
Thursday, January 10, 2019  SPORT
                     
Chelsea target Mauro Icardi’s agent Wanda Nara has suggested the forward could be on his way to England, having yet to sign a new deal with Inter Milan.

Despite having some very creative midfielders in the side, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has seen his two main strikers struggle in front of goal this season, as both Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud have less than the 13-goals Icardi has managed in Serie A this season.

That has led to alot of speculation that Chelsea could make a move for the Argentine striker thsis January, but were reportedly put off by the news that Inter have offered Icardi a big contract that he is keen to sign.

However, that does not seen to be the case, as his waife and agent Wanda has suggested that he could be on his way to the Premier League, as a new contract is far off from being signed.

She told Spanish outlet AS: “Icardi’s renewal with Inter is a long way off as things stand today. There are very important clubs that are interested in signing Mauro and we are very far from reaching an agreement [with Inter].

“‘We have a very good relationship with the two biggest clubs in Spain who are very interested in Mauro, as well as one in France and one in England.


Would Icardi be the ideal Chelsea signing?

Chelsea have been linked with a whole host of strikers over the past few months and Chelsea fans will have their favourites, but if the Blues are looking to sign a striker that can score goals for fun on a regular basis for more than a few seasons, then Icardi is the man.

He is a world class finisher than still hasnt hit his prime yet, Chelsea would so well to seal this deal.

[Edoman]

Zola help push through £45million transfer
Thursday, January 10, 2019  SPORT
                     
Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola could reportedly have a big role to play in helping the club seal the transfer of Nicolo Barella.

The Italian has both played and managed Barella’s club Cagliari, and is said to know the player well as he has made a number of phone calls in an attempt to persuade him to move to Stamford Bridge, according to Il Matino, as translated by the Metro.

The report states Barella can leave for around £45million, but it seems that it is the player’s indecision that is holding the deal up at the moment.

Chelsea could do with more options in midfield and Barella is one of the brightest young prospects in Serie A at the moment.

The 21-year-old looks to have a big future in the game and seems an ideal fit for the Blues under current manager Maurizio Sarri.

[Edoman]

AS Monaco have announced the signing of midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea.

The 31-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the French club until 2021.

Fabregas told Monaco’s official website: “It is a great pleasure to join AS Monaco, a new project for me.

“The group is of quality with young players and a young coach.

“I’m here to help the team, I'm looking forward to starting, we have a great match to play in Marseille on Sunday. I am very excited."

In a Farewell statement, Chelsea wrote: "We thank Cesc for his wonderful service and wish him the very best of luck for the next chapter in what has been a fantastic career.

"There is no doubt Fabregas’s place in the Chelsea history books is assured given his achievements over the past four-and-a-half seasons. 

"Big goals and outstanding moments of quality, all backed up by the ultimate aim, which is to be part of a successful, trophy-winning team.

"Fabregas, who scored 22 goals for the club in total, departs having helped the club achieve great success, as well as providing our supporters with some wonderful memories.

"He leaves with the very best wishes of everybody at Chelsea Football Club. Gracias, Cesc!"

MySportDab report Fabregas won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup in 501 appearances in English football.

See more;https://www.mysportdab.com/2019/01/official-as-monaco-sign-cesc-fabregas.html

[Edoman]

Andy Murray has announced he’s retiring from tennis after Wimbledon, due to an hip injury that has plagued him since 2017.

The 31-year-old made this known during an emotional press conference where he made it known that he still plans to take on the Australian Open but could walk away from tennis this month if his condition doesn’t improve.

At the press conference ahead of the Grand Slam, he started crying after telling everyone he wasn’t feeling great. He had to leave the room for several minutes so that he could calm down. He said;

“Obviously I have been struggling a long time and I have been in pain for about twenty months now.

“I’ve pretty much done everything that I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn’t helped loads. I’m in a better place than I was six months ago but still in a lot of pain. It’s been tough.

“I’m going to play here. I can still play to a certain level, not a level I’m happy playing at. It’s not just that. The pain is too much really, I don’t want to continue playing that way.

“I’ve tried pretty much everything I could do but it hasn’t worked. In the middle of December I spoke to my team and told them I can’t keep doing this. I thought I needed to have an end point, because I was playing with no idea of when the pain was going to stop.

“I said to them maybe I could get through this until Wimbledon, that is where I would like to stop playing but I am also not certain I am able to do that.”

He said he’s in so much pain that he’s not enjoying the sport he loves. But not only is he afflicted with physical pain, but also the mental drain that comes with it. He added:

“Everyone I bump into that’s all they want to talk about [his health], it’s pretty draining. I have spoken to psychologists about it. It’s not fun or enjoyable.”

Murray walk away from tennis with two Wimbledon wins, a US Open title and two Olympic gold medals.

Source: https://www.gistkit.com/entertainment/andy-murray-announces-retirement-from-tennis/

[Edoman]

Vincent Enyeama: Nigeria keeper wants to play again

By Oluwashina Okeleji

Football Writer, Nigeria


Former Nigeria keeper and captain Vincent Enyeama is determined to carry on playing

Former Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama is keen on a return to football almost two years after making his last competitive appearance for French club Lille.

The 36-year old last played for Lille in April 2017 and he was released by the 2011 French champions in August 2018. 

"I have put the past behind me as I continue to train and hoping to make a positive return," Enyeama told BBC Sport, denying reports he was about to quit the game.




"I've received some offers in Israel and Turkey. But at this stage in life I want to make family a priority when I need to make a move, because they are very settled here in France.

"The way I play football is with a smile and I would love to do that knowing my family is happy and settled."

Despite his age and his time away from the game Enyeama says he his not ready to stop playing yet.

"Goalkeepers have a long lifespan in football and I believe I still have so much to offer," he insisted.

"I'd be the first to stop when I know I cannot give my best. I continue to train at home hoping for the best."

The former Enyimba goalkeeper joined Lille from Isreali side Hapoel Tel Aviv in June 2011 and made 164 appearances, but he and 10 other players were told to look for a new club by former boss Marcelo Bielsa at the start of the 2017/18 season. 

"The way things ended at Lille was disappointing, it was sad to leave the club alongside others who gave everything; without the chance to say a proper goodbye to the fans," he added.

"You are recovering (from an injury) after giving so much to the club and suddenly everything ended like that, respectful football decisions are made - with a new manager and project on the table.

"I quite understand and respect that, yet it was not the kind of end you would want for a beautiful story but this is football.

"I always share positive energy every time I get a chance to see some of our fans, it is a good bond that will always live with me."

Enyeama, who played 101 times for the Super Eagles, helped the club to the 2016 French League cup final where they were edged by giants Paris St-Germain 2-1.

With 17 clean sheets from 35 league games in the 2013/14 season, he emerged as the first goalkeeper to be named French Ligue 1 African Player of the Season. 

Enyeama made his international debut against Kenya in May 2002 in Lagos and during his international career he helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, where he emerged as the tournament's best goalkeeper.

He played in five Nations Cup tournaments - in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013 - and was part of the Nigeria squad at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments.

The former Maccabi Tel Aviv stopper, who won two African Champions League titles with Enyimba, retired from international football in October 2015. 

Enyeama's honours: 


Club success:

◾3 Nigerian league titles
◾2 Caf Champions League titles
◾1 Caf Super Cup
◾2 Israeli League titles
◾2 Israeli FA Cup


International success:

◾1 Nations Cup
◾3 Nations Cup third-place medals


Personal honours:

◾2004 Caf Champions League player of the year
◾2009 Israeli Footballer of the year
◾2013 French Ligue 1 player of the month for October and November
◾2014 French Ligue 1 African Player of the Season
◾3 Nigerian player of the year honours

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46836788

[Edoman]

Former Watford striker Odion Ighalo has revealed he wants to leave Chanchung Yatai and return to the English Premier League this month.

However, Chinese club Changchun Yatai, are willing to sell him unless they recoup the £20m they spent to sign him from Watford in January 2017.

Ighalo has scored 36 goals in 55 games for Chanchung Yatai.

Shortly after he signed with the Chinese club, Ighalo stated that his preference was with EPL.

Speaking to Skysports, he said at the time Crystal Palace and West Brom were interested, but the demands from Watford were too high.

The Nigerian is expected in the UK this week to discuss his future.

The Nigerian joined Watford in 2014 and scored 16 goals in 55 appearances in the Premier League for the Hornets, forming a successful partnership with Troy Deeney.

Source: https://www.gistkit.com/sport/nigerian-striker-odion-ighalo-wants-english-premier-league-return/

[Edoman]

Hazard matches Messi’s goals, assists record
Sunday, January 13, 2019  SPORT

                       
Chelsea forward, Eden Hazard, is the only player to have matched Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, in terms of reaching double figures for goals and assists this season.


Hazard has netted 12 times for Chelsea and Belgium across as many appearances.

Eight of those efforts came in club competition, with 10 strikes registered in the Premier League.


The 28-year-old has also contributed 10 assists for his Blues team-mates, following his pass to set up Willian’s winner against Newcastle on Saturday.

Messi’s numbers are however better, as the Argentine has 16 goals and 10 assists so far, with the LaLiga champions set to take on Eibar on Sunday.

[Edoman]

Pochettino Vs Ole ends in good note for interim manager as Man U defeat Tottenham 0-1 (As it happened)



 







Marcus Rashford’s awesome strike from a sleeky Paul Pogba pass on Sunday night at Wembley was the difference as Manchester United defeated Tottenham, making it 7 wins for new Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

It was a game of two halves as Manchester United's goal came at the cusp of halftime with Man U dominating the first half while Tottenham controlled majority of the second half.

Gunnar Solksjaer, back from a warm weather training trip to Dubai, started with his trusted front three- Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial leaving out Romelu Lukaku on the bench while Tottenham coach, Mauricio Pochettino, the favorite to become next manager of Manchester United, started surprisingly with Sissoko in midfield and a front three of Harry Kane, Son and Dele Alli.



Legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was at the stadium to watch his former charges, after reportedly inspiring the players in the training ground during the year.

Matic and Herrera stood in front of the back four and shielded Man U from the runs of Winks, Alli and Son. Whenever the Manchester United defense was broken, David De Gea, courted by Europe's biggest teams, came to the rescue of the team. 



 

In the second half, Pochettino introduced Llorente and Lamela to bail out his already losing team, but time and time again, whenever the Manchester United defense was broken, De Gea, came to the rescue- with his hands, legs and whatever he could use to galvanize his leaky defense- a defense that truly needs a new commander.

Over and over again, social media has been awash with statements like 'De Gea is so good he can save your marriage', going by today's performances, one in which he made 11 saves,  those social media statements are clearly an understatement.



Harry Kane, who toiled and prodded continuously, with De Gea refusing to budge limped at the end of the match, with what could possibly be a groin or hamstring problem.



With this win, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has eclipsed Sir Matt Busby’s record of winning his first five league games in charge by making it six on the bounce.  While it's Tottenham's sixth league defeat of the season.

What are your thoughts about the match?


by Linda Ikeji at 13/01/2019 8:47 PM

[Edoman]

Chelsea tell Real Madrid Hazard’s price
Tuesday, January 15, 2019  SPORT

                           
Chelsea have warned Real Madrid they will have to smash their transfer record, to sign Eden Hazard this summer, according to the UK Telegraph.


Hazard has 18 months to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge and is mulling over a move to the Bernabeu.

The LaLiga giants were keen on signing Hazard last summer, but manager Maurizio Sarri convinced him to stay in west London.


Hazard has admitted he will wait until the end of the season before making a decision on his future, by which point he will only have a year remaining on his deal.

Real are likely to heavily invest this summer, after a difficult season following the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.

The club’s record move remains the £87.5million they shelled out for Gareth Bale from 

[Edoman]

Mourinho banned from talking about Manchester United sack
Tuesday, January 15, 2019  SPORT

                        
Jose Mourinho will not be able to discuss the terms of his departure from Manchester United, due to a clause in his severance package.


The former United boss will be a pundit on beIN SPORTS on Thursday and Saturday, but he will be restricted to what he can say, due to him agreeing to a confidentiality clause in his £15million leaving package.

Mourinho will also earn a lot less from the broadcast network because of the constraints put on him.


According to the Times, the Portuguese manager will earn £60,000 whilst working for beIN SPORTS, compared to the £1m he earned for being a World Cup pundit on Russia Today in the summer.

United lawyers have warned that they will be watching the 55-year-old closely to ensure he sticks to the guidelines.

Mourinho was sacked on December 18 after two and a half seasons in charge with the club and the Red Devils 19 points behind leaders Liverpool at the time.

[Edoman]

Arsenal Goalkeeper Petr Cech has announced that he will retire from playing at the end of the season.

The veteran shot-stopper revealed his decision on social media on Tuesday, declaring that after 20 years as a professional, he had elected to call time on a trophy-laden career.

"This is my 20th season as a professional player and it has been 20 years since I signed my first professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of the season.

"Having played 15 years in the Premier League, and won every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve.

"I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season, then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch."

Cech, who has 124 caps for his country, arrived in the Premier League in 2004, after Chelsea spent £7million to take him from Rennes.

In his debut season, under Jose Mourinho, he kept 24 clean sheets in 38 matches - the most in a single season - as the club strolled to a first Premier League title, conceding just 15 times in the process.

MySportDab report He spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge, winning four Premier League crowns, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

Since leaving Chelsea, Cech has made 129 appearances for Arsenal, winning the FA Cup in 2017.

See more;https://www.mysportdab.com/2019/01/official-peter-cech-to-retire-at-end-of.html

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Football Legend Pele has backed PSG Star Kylian Mbappe to match his stunning career achievements.

Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever football players having burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old at the 1968 World Cup, helping Brazil win the tournament for the first time.

He then won the World Cup again in 1962 and 1970, becoming the first player to win the tournament three times.

Pele is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games.

There are already some similarities with his achievements so far and Pele’s early career.

Like Pele, Mbappe is a teenage World Cup winner and already has a clutch of domestic titles to his name.

However, the 78-year-old has said comparisons between himself and the young forward are not unwarranted.

"He won the World Cup at nineteen, I was only seventeen,” Pele told France Football.

“I teased him saying he had almost equalized.

“I think he can become the new Pele! Many people think I said that to laugh, but no, it's not a joke."

Mbappe became Monaco's youngest-ever first-team player aged 16 years 347 days when he came on as a substitute againstCaenin December 2015.

The Paris-born forward then became a regular in the Monaco side the following season, helping the club win the 2016-17 Ligue 1title aged just 18.

MySportDab report Mbappe scored four goals as France won the 2018 World Cup for the second time as well as winning the tournament's Best Young Player award.

He has scored 17 goals in 23 games so far to help PSG build up a 13-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 as well as progressing through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

See more;https://www.mysportdab.com/2019/01/mbappe-can-become-new-pele-brazil.html

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Chelsea in pole position €30m-rated English goal machine Callum Wilson
Wednesday, January 16, 2019  SPORT

                         
Chelsea in pole position to sign Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson and preparing to make an offer during this January. London club have problems in the front-line as Alvaro Morata is in terrible form, Olivier Giroud already up to 30 and their replacement is necessary. England international is an excellent option in this situation as he started this season amazingly and paid big clubs attention.


Italian manager set to pay big money for the footballer during this winter transfer window. Wilson joined the Cherries from Coventry in 2014 with a £4m deal. He became an unchanged figure for the club and scored many important goals since joining. In this campaign. Callum already made 23 appearances, scored 10 goals and made 6 assists in all competition.


This is an impressive result and he can improve his consequences with high-class teammates. The 26-year-old striker is contracted with the English club until 2022 and his release clause is nearly £50m. His price could increase during this season and become much more. English centre-forward also named in Three Lions squad for the international break which is already a big achievement for the footballer. Blues will do everything to add him during this winter.

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Real Madrid Star Absent From Training As He Closes On Transfer
Wednesday, January 16, 2019  SPORT

                             
Santiago Solari has had to call up a number of players from the club’s Castilla ranks to make up the numbers in training amid in injury crisis. Real Madrid were without a host of senior players as they prepared for Wednesday night’s Copa del Rey meeting with Leganes.

Santiago Solari’s side lead 3-0 from the first leg, but the Argentine won’t be taking risks with a number of struggling stars ahead of Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Sevilla.

At Valdebedas on Tuesday morning, Los Blancos were without Mariano, Jesus Vallejo, Marcos Llorente, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio, Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benezema and Gareth Bale.


All are currently undergoing their own respective rehabilitation programmes.

They were also without third choice goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, ahead of his transfer to Leeds United.