SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Transfer: Chelsea midfielder set to join Premier League rivals

 December 31




Aston Villa are keen on signing Danny Drinkwater on loan from Chelsea when his Burnley deal expires, according to Sky Sports.

Drinkwater has struggled to make an impact during two years at Stamford Bridge and was loaned out to Burnley.

However, he only made his debut against Manchester City in December, after getting injured outside a nightclub in September.

Drinkwater has not featured since and his loan deal is set to expire January 6.


Aston Villa have identified the midfielder as potential cover for John McGinn, who has been ruled out for several months with a fractured ankle.


Villa assistant manager, John Terry, is banking on his good relationship with former teammate and current Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, to persuade the Blues to lend them Drinkwater until the end of the season.

[Edoman]

EPL: Referee Craig Pawson dropped after failing to send Jorginho off against Arsenal

 December 31, 2019





Craig Pawson will not take charge of any Premier League game in Matchweek 21.

According to the schedule of match officials published on Monday, Pawson will be at the Emirates Stadium as a fourth official.

Pawson will be returning to Arsenal’s home ground for the second time in three days, after failing to send Jorginho off as the Gunners lost 2-1 to Chelsea.



Jorginho who had already been booked, clearly pulled back Matteo Guendouzi as the midfielder broke away, but Alexandre Lacazette instead received a yellow card.

Arsenal will play Manchester United on New Year Day, hoping to climb out of the bottom half of the table.
New boss, Mikel Arteta, is also looking for his first win.

[Edoman]

SEARCHArsenal vs Manchester United: Livescore from EPL clash at The Emirates

 January 1, 2020





Arsenal begin 2020 with a home fixture against Manchester United in the Premier League.

The Gunners ended 2019 with a crushing 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates and will be looking to bounce back.

United on the other hand, are now four points behind the top four places and will seek to compound Arsenal’s woes.

Kick off is 9pm West African time.


Wednesday, January 1
First half:
Half time.

Second half:
Full time:

[Edoman]

EPL: Guardiola names best Premier League team of decade, gives reason

 January 1, 2020





Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has named his side as the best Premier League team of the last decade.

According to Guardiola, in terms of points, goals, titles and everything, Man City are the best club in the English top-flight league.

“I think this club, in the last decade, was the best team,” Guardiola was quoted by Goal as saying on Tuesday ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Everton on Wednesday evening.



“In terms of points, in terms of goals, titles and everything. So I congratulate Manchester City for that.
“So when we analyse every single day here, what happens day by day, we analyse that, but we have a perspective of what’s happened in 10 seasons.

“Especially when the people from Abu Dhabi took over the club and bought good players, interesting managers and bigger staff. I think we did it incredibly well.



“Because fighting with huge elephants here in England, the big clubs with the biggest history, with us in the last decade, we were a part of them, that is amazing.


“Hopefully, in the next decade this club can be here for more time.”
Guardiola’s side won four Premier League titles in the last ten years.

[Edoman]

EPL: Chelsea suffer double injury blow ahead of Brighton clash

 January 1, 2020




Chelsea will be without defenders, Marcos Alonso and Reece James, when they take on Brighton in today’s Premier League fixture at the Falmer Stadium due to injuries.

Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, confirmed this during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Lampard’s men head to the game following a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in their last Premier League encounter.

Lampard was quoted by Football London as saying that: “Hopefully a week or ten days James will be back.


“He’s had a bit of a niggle around his ankle injury which he had surgery on in pre-season so that was a bit of a worry. The doctors are saying it will be a week or so.”
Lampard added: “Alonso is similar, it is a back – top of the glute – kind of muscle injury. They are both in a similar boat, not terrible injuries but missing at a pretty crucial time.”





The kick-off time for the match is 1:30pm

[Edoman]

EPL: Arteta singles out player he wants to build Arsenal team around

 January 1, 2020





Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, has admitted he is looking to build his side around Mesut Ozil.

Arteta said he was not surprised by Ozil’s energetic display against Chelsea, having been impressed by the German’s “willing” performances in training.

The Spaniard has now said he wants to structure his team, to bring out the best from Ozil.

“That’s what I’m hoping, that he can sustain that level every three or four days,” Arteta told reporters ahead of a New Year’s Day meeting with Manchester United.


“He’s putting in everything he has to try to do that.
“His numbers, physically, have improved so much, and he’s willing. That’s what I can tell you from every day what I see in training.

“I’m not surprised. I know the ability, I know the player we have there. The structure has to help him for him to take everything that he has inside.


“On his own, he cannot do it. He needs the collective structure, organisation and his team-mates. There are only one or two players in the world who can do something on their own.


“He needs help and he needs the team to play in a certain way to facilitate his strengths more and more every time in the game. That’s what we are trying to do.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Wenger speaks on Liverpool going unbeaten, winning title this season





Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has disclosed that Liverpool are on course to go unbeaten and win the Premier League title this season.
Liverpool wrapped up their 17th win of the campaign with a 4-0 win over second-placed Leicester City on Boxing Day.

The Reds have only dropped points against Manchester United so far this season.

But Wenger now believes that Jurgen Klopp’s men are on the right track to repeat Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ feat of 2003/2004 this term.


Asked whether Liverpool can pull off an ‘Invincibles’ season, Wenger told beIN SPORTS: “They were close last year and they are still on course to do it.

“But I think what Liverpool is expecting at the moment is just to win the Premier League and that is the first target for such a football city.

“To stay for 30 years without winning the Premier League… nobody would have predicted that.


“That is their main target and I think they are on a good run and on a good course to achieving that this season because their main opponent is quite far away already.”


Liverpool will face Sheffield United on Thursday night in their next Premier League fixture at Anfield.

[Edoman]

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi rings in the New Year with beautiful family photo







Super Eagles of Nigeria and Everton star, Alex Iwobi took to Instagram to share this cute family photo to ring in the Year 2020. 
 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Diego Alonso beats Patrick Vieira to become new coach of David Beckham's new franchise club, Inter Miami



          


Two months before David Beckham's new franchise football club Inter Miami makes it debut in America's Major League Soccer (MLS), the club has appointed Diego Alonso as it's new coach, after he beat off stiff competition from Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo to clinch the job.
 
Beckham who owns major stakes in the club and is projected as the face of the club, was impressed by Diego's CV and intelligence and chose to offer him the role.
                                  
 
"In Diego we found a manager that fits our culture and has a strong desire to build a winning club for our fans," said Inter Miami CF Sporting Director Paul McDonough.
"He brings a lot of experience and championship-winning mentality as we begin our drive to be among the best clubs in the Americas. We have big aspirations for our club and believe Diego has the right drive, passion and leadership to accomplish our goals."
 

Starting from March, Inter Miami will play home games at the 18,000-capacity Fort Lauderdale Stadium before moving to its permanent home, the 25,000-capacity Miami Freedom Park, in 2022.

[Edoman]

Amazing Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0, handing Mikel Arteta his first win as manager (Match round-up photos)



                    


Arsenal were simply unplayable! The effortless swagger,  acute temerity and tactical audacity displayed by the London club on Wednesday night was too much for a spine-less Manchester United team to bear.
 
              
 
Arsenal's new coach Mikel Arteta was handed his first win as a manager after his game plan against Manchester United was executed to plan.
Arteta's tactics was simple;
1- Shut down United's wing-men, therefore stopping any potential counter attacks.
2. Dominate the midfield and win all the second balls
3. Attack through United's wing back positions.
....... And it all worked out well.
             
 
 Arsenal started pretty well and youngster Pepe broke the deadlock as he turned in after good work from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sead Kolasinac.
 
Pepe then again hit the post after making a mockery of Luke Shaw as Manchester United failed to get going before Sokratis made it two at the interval from close range.
 
United were better in the second half but failed to test goalkeeper Bernd Leno, granting Arteta a well deserved New Year's gift.
 
More photos below.
 

      

[Edoman]

Jose Mourinho Get's a yellow Card For Looking At Southampton's Tactics Sheet


Jose Mouinho at it again, got booked by the ref for going over to Southampton's coach' stand and looking at their tactic sheet.

https://twitter.com/farouq_yahaya/status/1212421862313119744?s=19

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Pepe reveals what Arteta told him before 2-0 win over Man Utd

 January 2, 


Arsenal winger, Nicolas Pepe, has revealed his chat with head coach, Mikel Arteta, before their 2-0 win over Manchester United on Wednesday.


Arteta did not pick Pepe in his starting XI since he replaced Unai Emery, but the Ivorian got his chance against United.

The former Lille man responded with the opening goal and was also involved in the second scored by Sokratis.



Pepe left the pitch to ovation from the fans and spoke about Arteta has helped him settle in.

“We are doing a lot, a lot of video during training in order to perform well during the match.

“I had a discussion with the coach this morning and he told me I was going to start. He asked if I felt ready and stuff like that.

[Edoman]

EPL: What Arteta did to Mesut Ozil after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Man United

 January 2, 2020



Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, on Wednesday night, walked straight to playmaker, Mesut Ozil to congratulate the ex-Germany international after his side defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier League, Mirror UK reports.


Arteta was keen to praise Ozil and gave the midfielder a huge hug on the pitch immediately after the game at Emirates Stadium.

The former Manchester City assistant coach was picked up by microphones at the Stadium telling Ozil: “Well done. Well played!” as he was left clearly delighted by the 31-year-old’s performance against the Red Devils.



The Spaniard also embraced other Gunners stars, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Granit Xhaka.
The win over Man United means Arteta’s men are now in 10 tenth position on the Premier League table with 27 points from 21 games.

Arsenal will face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon in their next Premier League fixture.

[Edoman]

Former Cardiff defender Chris Barker found dead on New Year's Day






Former English professional footballer, Chris Barker who played as a defender for Cardiff and Southend has died at the age of 39. 
 
World in Motion, the agency that represented Barker when he was a player, confirmed his 'untimely and tragic passing' on Twitter on Thursday morning.
 
Their statement read: 'It is with great sadness that we learn of the untimely and tragic passing at the age of 39 of Chris Barker. 
 
'Chris was a client throughout his outstanding playing career of over 500 League games for clubs including Barnsley, Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle. Moreover, Chris was a wonderful person, an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to work for.'
 
The South Wales Police confirmed in a statement that Barker was found dead at his home on New Year's Day. But the cause is yet unknown and they said his death was not being treated as suspicious. 
 
Cardiff Football Club have released a statement to offer their condolences to Barker's friends and family.
 
'Cardiff City Football Club has been deeply shocked and saddened at the passing of our former defender, Chris Barker.
 
'Chris was an extremely popular player both on and off the field, serving the club with distinction between 2002 and 2007. He was awarded the Cardiff City FC Player of the Season award for his efforts during our 2004/05 campaign.
 
'We offer our deepest condolences to Chris' family, friends, former team-mates and colleagues. He will be greatly missed by us all.
 
'Details of a Club tribute to Chris will follow in the coming days. On behalf of Chris' family, we'd ask for them to be afforded privacy at this very difficult time.
 
His former team-mates are mourning his shocking death on social media. 
 
SEE CHRIS BARKER FACTFILE BELOW.
 
Born: March 2 1980, Sheffield 
Position: Defender
Clubs: Alfreton Town, Barnsley, Cardiff, Stoke (loan), Colchester (loan), QPR, Plymouth, Southend, Aldershot, Hereford, Weston Super-Mare
Total appearances: 675
Total goals: 4
Honours: Won promotion to First Division with Cardiff in 2003  
 

[Edoman]

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes a swipe at Manchester United fans after Arsenal's 2 - 0 win







Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has finally had the last laugh after Arsenal defeated Manchester United on New Year's Day.
 
Arsenal thrashed Manchester United 2 - 0 on Wednesday, January 1, with goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis Papastathopoulos to hand Mikel Arteta his first win since replacing Unai Emery as head coach.
 

 
Before the game, Aubameyang was filmed by a United supporter who taunted him, saying: 
 
You're getting no goals tomorrow innit,' the United fan @98DALLA told Aubameyang in a video posted to Twitter.
'No goals, no goals! Absolutely no chance. Phil Jones' pocket, how about that!' 
 
After the match, an Arsenal fan left a comment on Aubameyang's Instagram post saying: "Your work rate again today was insane. Where’s that Man United fan who was filming you last night? What a great start to the year."
 
Aubameyang replied saying: "They are sleeping already," followed by laughing emojis.
 

 

[Edoman]

FIFA VAR' Introduced in Village Football Competition in Imo State (Photos)

A video assistant referee(VAR) was introduced in a village football competition in Imo State.

In the pictures shared to Igbere TV, the referee can be seen watching a television stationed close to the field.

Igbere TV learnt that the television used as FIFA VAR was just to spice up the game and entertain fans.

The video assistant referee is a match official in association football who reviews decisions made by the head referee. Following extensive trialling in a number of major competitions, VAR was first written into the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board in 2018.


Source : http://igberetvnews.com/1222051/fifa-var-introduced-village-football-competition-akwa-ibom-photos/

[Edoman]

Transfer: Man City set to sign Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham

 January 2, 2020



Manchester City are preparing a shock move for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, according Le 10Sport


Abraham’s new contract talks with Chelsea have reportedly stalled because of his wage demands.
The Sports outlet reports that City are ready to swoop for the 22-year-old.



Pep Guardiola’s side, according to the report, are looking to open discussions with the Nigerian born England international in the coming months.


The 22-year-old who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, is under contract with Lampard’s side until June 2022.


The Blues are keen on given him a new long-term deal following his impressive spell of form.



Abraham has scored 14 goals and made four assists in all competitions for Chelsea this term.


The report added that the youngster is after the same £180,000-a-week salary as team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi.


Lampard’s side have already committed Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Billy Gilmour to long term deals.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Chelsea battle Barcelona, Tottenham for 21-year-old midfielder

 January 2, 2020



Chelsea are ready to rival Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Dinamo Zagreb midfielder, Dani Olmo, according to the L’Esportiu.


The Catalan newspaper reports that the Blues are monitoring the 21-year-old’s situation and have submitted a proposal to Dinamo in a bid to sign the Spain youngster this January’s transfer window.

Apart from Chelsea, the Croatian club have also received proposals from Barcelona and Tottenham for Olmo.



Olmo has been impressive for Dinamo since joining the club in 2014.

He has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in twenty-two appearances for the club.

Olmo recently admitted that he would like to move to Europe this month to continue his career.



“I am at the best of in short career and I feel great,” Olmo said.

“Maybe the ideal time to leave the Dinamo would have been last summer, but no offers came.

“But if there is an understanding between the clubs, I think the best thing for everyone is to leave Zagreb now [ in January].”



“I want to take a step forward. And not only to go to the Euro, but also to keep improving.”

[Edoman]

Transfer: Semedo in shock move to Man United

 January 2, 2020



Barcelona defender, Nelson Semedo could reportedly leave the club in this January’s transfer window to Manchester United.


According to Spanish newspaper, Sport, Barcelona are ready to sell Semedo for €50million and Man United are a likely destination for the 26-year-old despite the fact the Red Devils have signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka last summer.

The report claimed that Barca’s Sporting Director, Eric Abidal has met Semedo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, in Dubai to discuss the Portugal international’s future at the club.



DAILY POST had reported that Semedo was among the ten players Barcelona wanted to sell last summer.

The right-back has not really lived up to expectations at the Camp Nou since joining the club from Benfica in 2017.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Boateng set to join Arsenal for £12.75m
 January 3, 2020



Bayern Munich defender, Jerome Boateng is set to join Arsenal in this January’s transfer window.


According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have opened talks with the Bundesliga champions in a bid to sign the Germany international this month.

The newspaper reports that Bayern are demanding £12.75million fee for the centre-back.



Boateng has made just 15 appearances for Bayern this season.

The 31-year-old’s position at the club is currently under threat from Benjamin Pavard and David Alaba.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta recently admitted after his side’s Premier League 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday that the Gunners are keen to bolster their defensive options this January following defender, Calum Chambers’ long-term injury.



Arteta said: “My obligation is to give my opinion on the things we can improve.
“Obviously we have a bad injury with Calum a few days ago that will change our plans at the back.

“The reality is we will not be able to do much. I’m more concerned about getting players back from injury and try to improve the players I have here, get everybody on board and understanding what we’re trying to do.



“And if something extra comes up and we think it is the right opportunity to improve what we have, then let’s do it.”
Arsenal are currently in the 10th position on the Premier League table with 21 points from 27 games.