Sports Updates

[Edoman]

La Liga confirm the first Clasico of the season between Real Madrid and Barcelona will take place on Saturday, October 24









The first El Clasico of the 2020-21 season between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be taking place on October 25 at the Camp Nou, officials of the La Liga have confirmed. 

The clash between the two Spanish giants will kick-off at 4 PM. 

According to the La Liga officials, the return leg of this fixture will then be held in April 2021, with Barcelona visiting the Santiago Bernabeu.

Last season, Real Madrid won the second leg of the El Clasico with 2 - 0 over Barcelona in Santiago Bernabeu after their first leg in Camp Nou ended in a 0 - 0 draw. 
 

[Edoman]

Cristiano Ronaldo Tests Positive For Coronavirus

RONALDO TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

Juventus and Portugual striker Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Portugal Football Federation.

He was expected to play for Portugal on Wednesday against Sweden in the Nations League but will now self-isolate, and is currently showing no symptoms.

He will also miss games for Juventus until he returns a negative test for the virus.

The 35-year-old forward's international teammates have all returned negative tests.

Italy now requires 10 days of quarantine, and Juventus are due to play Barcelona in the Champions League in 15 days.

https://www.eurosport.com/football/cristiano-ronaldo-tests-positive-for-coronavirus_sto7947934/story.shtml



 

[Edoman]

Arsenal unveil new signing Thomas Partey after his £45m move from Atletico Madrid (photos)










Thomas Partey has finally been unveiled as a new Arsenal player after joining the club in a £45m deal.
 
Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta signed the Ghanaian midfielder on deadline day after the club paid Atletico Madrid his release clause to seal the deal. 
 
After the signing, Arteta said : "We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we're now delighted to add such a high-quality player to our squad.
 

 
"He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy. He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years.
 
"We're very impressed with his attitude and his approach to the game. He's an intelligent footballer and we're looking forward to him integrating into our system and contributing to the progress we're building at the moment at the club."
 
On Tuesday, October 13, Thomas was pictured posing in the club's jerseys for his first Arsenal photoshoot with the midfielder in line to make his Premier League debut against Manchester City this weekend.
 
He will wear the No 18 shirt for the club.
 

 
The 27-year-old midfielder who joined Atletico in 2011, made 188 appearances for the Spanish club and won the Europa League as well as the Super Cup in 2018.
 

[Edoman]

Messi is always complaining – Aguero


 
on
 October 14, 2020




Sergio Aguero has joked that he and Lionel Messi are “like an old married couple”, when they hook up on Argentina duty.


Messi made his debut for his country in 2005, a year before Aguero joined the Argentina senior set-up.
The duo have played together at three World Cups, four Copa Americas and won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.


Although both players always share a room, Aguero has revealed that he was always leaves Messi complaining.

“He always complains, we are like an old married couple.

“I always fall asleep with the TV on and when I wake up the next morning he is always complaining to me.
“He arrives at the hotel and instantly takes a shower while I’m just sitting talking on my mobile phone. 


Then he will remind me that we need to go down to dinner and we do not have time,” Aguero said on the Santo Sabado programme.

[Edoman]

Neymar surpasses Ronaldo in Brazil's all-time goalscoring charts after scoring hat-trick against Peru









Paris Saint-Germain striker, Neymar has surpassed Ronaldo and moved into second place behind Pele on Brazil's all-time goalscoring list after scoring a hat-trick in a 4-2 World Cup qualifying victory againt Peru. 
 
The 28-year old achieved the record with two penalties and an injury-time goal on his 103rd appearance for Brazil at Lima's National Stadium last night.
 
He celebrated the third goal by holding up the No 9 with his hands in what appeared to be a tribute to Ronaldo, the former Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Corinthians legend. 
 

 
He now has 64 goals, two more than Ronaldo and 13 behind Pele, who heads the list with 77, according to the count by the world governing body FIFA.
 
Brazil coach, Tite said after the game: 'What I can say is Neymar has this unpredictability. He is the bow and the arrow, he's a player who both makes and takes chances. And he gets better and better, and more mature.'
 
See Brazil's all-time goalscoring charts below. 
 
1 - Pele - 77 goals, 92 games
2 - Neymar - 64 goals, 103 games
3 - Ronaldo - 62 goals, 98 games
4 - Romario - 55 goals, 70 games
5 - Zico - 48 goals, 71 games 
 
 

[Edoman]

'Every single day it shocks me' - Man Utd star Marcus Rashford speaks on his fight to end childhood hunger







Manchester United and England striker, Marcus Rashford has opened up on his fight against childhood hunger, days after the Queen of England awarded him an MBE  for his work to help feed underprivileged children across the UK.
 
During the coronavirus pandemic, Rashford started a campaign to help feed vulnerable children and his work made the UK government to make a U-turn and continue free school meals for around 1.3 million disadvantaged children.
 
Rashford 22, also recently formed a task force with England's food brand giants to stop child poverty across the country and has now revealed that he is shocked every day by what he's seen in the UK.
 

 
Rashford, who found it hard to eat as a child until he was signed at the age of 10 by Manchester United, says that it is "mind-blowing" to see the amount of child suffering in the UK, vowing that he will not relent in his efforts.


"Every single day it shocks me," Rashford said.
 "It’s not until people see the numbers and I’ve had the chance to visit some of the families I’ve managed to help and hear how it’s affected them and changed their lives.
"It’s just mind-blowing the amount of people who are suffering and the amount of people who don’t know where to get the help.


"There’s a lot of things that would shock a lot of people if they knew the facts about the issue. For me not enough people do know the facts, as I was one of them.


"For me, personally, it's just sad to know it's still going on, and I obviously was in that position when I was younger, and some of the families are in much worse positions than what I was in, so I can only imagine what it feels like for the parents and the children who just want the best for one another, so it's difficult to really say one thing that somebody said to me that sticks out, because for me they're all as important as each other."

Rashford who made his professional debut at 18 for Manchester United has also revealed he has become comfortable with the limelight.


"I think playing for United and England at a young age, it helped me mature a lot quicker than I would’ve expected to," Rashford said.


"I’m grateful for those opportunities and very happy I was put in those positions. I do feel like I’ve matured a lot. I feel like I’m free to speak on things I feel strongly about. It’s because of those experiences in the past that make me feel so comfortable doing that."

[Edoman]

Super Eagles retains position in Africa, among 100 most valuable team globally


 
on
 October 14, 2020



Nigeria’s Super Eagles have retained their position as the second Most Valuable National Team in Africa with a valuation of €230.68m, according to Transfermarkt.


The 2019 AFCON bronze winners have also been ranked among the 100 Most Valuable National Teams in the world with Gernot Rohr’s side making the top 21 positions.


The Super Eagles are the second most valuable team in Africa behind the Teranga Lions of Senegal, who occupies the number one position.

Senegal is in the 12th spot on the global stage with a valuation of €344.43m.


Behind Nigeria is Morocco (third in Africa and 23rd in the world) with a valuation of €189.83m.

Meanwhile, The Three Lions of England are still rated as the Most Valuable National Team in the world with a stunning market value of €1.38bn ahead of second position France with a valuation of €1.23bn.

[Edoman]

West Ham fan who called Mohamed Salah 'F****** Muslim c***' is banned from attending football matches








A West Ham United supporter has been banned from attending matches for three years after he pleaded guilty to racially abusing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

Bradley Thumwood, 48, was handed the ban after appearing at Thames Magistrates' Court on Tuesday following an incident during West Ham's 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at the London Stadium on January 29.

In a video that was captured during the Premier League encounter, a male voice can be heard shouting: “Salah you f****** Muslim. F****** Muslim c***. F*** off.”

Thumwood pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated Section 5 public order, and he was also fined £400 on top of the football stadium ban. He was also told to pay a victim surcharge and costs of £215.

'Thumwood was issued with a three-year Football Banning Order and fined £400. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and costs amounting to £125,' the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

West Ham vowed to take a 'zero-tolerance approach' to any future incidents of a similar nature but also said they will look to educate Thumwood to reform his views.
'The club works closely with Kick It Out and our fan group BAME Hammers,' a club spokesperson said.
'In conjunction with those parties, the club will offer educational sessions to the individual in question in an effort to reform their views, whilst reserving the right to uphold their indefinite bans, should those efforts prove unsuccessful.'

Dedicated Football officer PC Andy Sheldon urged other football fans to report any future instances of discrimination when supporters are allowed back into the stadium. 

“We do not, and will not tolerate hate crime of any kind at football matches and will take action against those who are found to have committed these kinds of crimes during games,” PC Sheldon said.

“We are committed to working closely with football clubs to identify anyone behaving inappropriately and breaking the law. We are grateful for the support of West Ham United Football Club and for their commitment to eradicating this type of behaviour.
 

[Edoman]

WWE star, John Cena marries girlfriend Shay Shariatzadeh in private ceremony







WWE superstar John Cena has married his girlfriend Shay Shariatzadeh, months after they went public with their romance. 
 
John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh got married in a private ceremony on October 12 in Tampa, Florida. While no other details about the ceremony are available, Cena and Shariatzadeh's marriage has already been confirmed by TMZ and Cydney Contreras of E! Online.
 
Marriage rumours between the two started in February 2020 when Shariatzadeh was spotted wearing a ring after being seen at a park in San Diego. The couple began dating back in early 2019, following Cena's high profile split with ex-fiancee Nikki Bella in 2018.
 
They had a low-key engagement ceremony and reportedly filed for a marriage certificate in Florida in early October.
 

 
Though born in Iran, Shay is a Canadian citizen. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of British Columbia in electrical and electronics engineering, and currently works as a product manager for Aviglon, a Motorola Solutions Company performing "a wide variety of duties that include overseeing product launches and working with external third parties."
 

This is Cena's second wedding, he was previously married to Elizabeth Huberdeau from 2009 to 2012. The WWE star dated Bella for roughly 6 years but they split because he didn't want children at the time and Nikki wanted to start a family.

[Edoman]

Chelsea winger, Victor Moses set to join Spartak Moscow on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent for £8million








Chelsea and Nigerian winger, Victor Moses is set to complete his loan move to Spartak Moscow with an option to make the deal permanent for £8million. 
 
The 29-year-old who spent the second half of the 2019-20 season at Inter Milan is expected to seal the deal in few days with the Russian transfer window closing in a week time. 

According to Russian site, Championat, the deal could see Moses earn over 50,000 pounds per week.

The move will be his sixth spell away from Stamford Bridge after joining the club in 2012. 

Moses who enjoyed a successful season in a Chelsea shirt during Conte's reign with the manager converting him to a right wing-back, made his last appearance in a Blue shirt in September 2018. 

[Edoman]

EPL: Antonio Rudiger sends message to Chelsea over future at Stamford Bridge


 
on
 October 16, 2020



Chelsea star, Antonio Rudiger, has sent a clear message to the club over his future at Stamford Bridge.


Rudiger, 27, has not made a single appearance for Chelsea this season.


The defender, who has fallen out of favour under manager Frank Lampard, was heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea in the summer transfer window.


Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s home Premier League clash with Southampton on Saturday, Rudiger said he doesn’t want to leave the West London club, declaring his desire to keep fighting for a spot in the Blues’ squad.

“The club did not tell me that it was absolutely necessary for me to find a new club and that they definitely did not have me in their plans for the next few months,” Rudiger told The Athletic.


“I also turned down one or two options myself. I was not prepared to pack it all in simply because I had been left out a few times. I enjoy living in London and like being at Chelsea.”

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He added: “Naturally, I looked at a couple of options in the two weeks before the end of the transfer window.


“There was a possibility of a loan deal, in order for me to get more game time. Due to many different reasons and the shortage of time, nothing materialised in the end.”

[Edoman]

Newcastle vs Man Utd: Solskjaer gives team news update ahead of EPL match


 
on
 October 16, 2020



Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, on Friday provided the latest team news update ahead of his side’s away Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Saturday night.



Solskjaer said Harry Maguire is a doubt for Newcastle clash after he sustained a knock during England’s UEFA Nations League’s 1-0 defeat to Denmark on Wednesday.


According to him, Alex Telles is resting following a flight back from South America, after his participation in the World Cup qualifiers, while Facundo Pellistri will not play against Newcastle because he is a player for the future.

Solskjaer’s men were defeated 6-1 against Tottenham Hotspurs in their previous Premier League encounter at Old Trafford before the international break.


“Harry seemed to pick up a little knock just before he got sent off,” Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference as quoted by Man United’s official website. 


“So we’re having a look at him today to see how he is.
“You never know [how players are injury wise] until they get back, and we have had a look at them. I think, and we hope everyone has come through, okay. Of course, Alex has travelled all around the world. He flew overnight and got here on Thursday.”

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/10/15/arteta-gives-reasons-ozil-was-dropped-from-arsenals-europa-league-squad/][/url]

“Pellistri is a young boy coming from Uruguay,” he added. “It’s the tradition we have here where we want to bring young players in and let them grow and develop and become the player they can be.
“Of course we will give him time. 


He’s more one for the future than now, but he’s exciting, and he’s shown some things in training that we don’t really have here. I’m looking forward to helping him develop and helping him settle.”

[Edoman]

Chelsea vs Southampton: Lampard gives injury updates on Mendy, Pulisic, Ziyech


 
on
 October 16, 2020



Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has given injury updates on some of his key players ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton.


The Blues host the Saints at Stamford Bridge, looking to build on their 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace before the international break.


Eduoard Mendy, who arrived at the club from Rennes this summer, started the match ahead of Willy Caballero and Kepa Arrizabalaga.


Lampard has ruled out Mendy from the game, after he picked up a knock while on international duty with Senegal.

Thiago Silva has been ruled out, having arrived late from Brazil. Christian Pulisic is fit to start, while Ziyech might be on the bench.
“Mendy won’t be fit for the match tomorrow. We hope it won’t be long.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/10/16/epl-antonio-rudiger-sends-message-to-chelsea-over-future-at-stamford-bridge/][/url]
“Thiago Silva won’t be in the squad because of the travel. Ben Chilwell will be in the squad.


“Pulisic fit. Ziyech fit, but not to start. Ziyech looks good with his fitness in training and I am excited to get him in and around it to get him doing what we brought him to the club for,” Lampard said.

[Edoman]

#EndSARS: Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen holds up a shirt saying "End Police Brutality In Nigeria" after scoring his first goal for Napoli (photos)







Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen celebrated his first goal for Napoli by holding up a white shirt with the inscription "#End Police Brutality In Nigeria" during his team 4 - 1 win against Atlanta on Saturday, October 17.

Recall the 21-year-old became Nigeria's most expensive player after completing a €50m move to Napoli from Lille in July 2020. 

Today, he scored his first goal for the club and celebrated with a message, calling for an end to police brutality in Nigeria amid the ongoing #EndSARS protests. 
 
See more photos below.
 

[Edoman]

Werner warns Chelsea players after 3-3 draw with Southampton


 
on
 October 17, 2020



Chelsea striker, Timo Werner, has warned his new team-mates that they will not win any trophies, if they continue to leak goals.


Werner was speaking to the media following a 3-3 draw with Southampton on Saturday.


The German international opened his account for the Blues with a brace, before Danny Ings and Adams Che made it 2-2.


Kai Havertz put Chelsea in front ahead, but they conceded another equalizer deep into stoppage time and the visitors earned a point through Jannik Vestergaard’s goal.

When asked if they have a problem in defence, Werner told Premier League productions: “I don’t know if we have a problem but in the end the last three games we concede six goals and that’s not where we want to be.

“I think we are Chelsea, we want to battle for titles.


“In the end think it’s not the offence that wins titles. In Germany we always say defence wins titles. I think that’s true.”

[Edoman]

Chelsea vs Southampton: Lampard reacts to Kepa’s mistake during 3-3 draw


 
on
 October 17, 2020




Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has insisted he will continue to support Kepa Arrizabalaga, after his latest mistake in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.


The Blues raced into a two-goal lead thanks to Timo Werner’s brace.


However, the Saints levelled following goals from Danny Ings and Che Adams.


Kai Havertz restored Chelsea’s lead almost immediately, but they conceded a late equalizer to drop points.


Kepa made several good saves but was at fault for Southampton’s second goal. Kurt Zouma under-hit his pass back to the keeper, who made a meal of his attempted tackle and allowed Adams to rifle home.

Chelsea has now shipped nine goals in five games this season.
“He made two really good saves in the match today, but of course people’s eyes will be drawn to the second goal and I understand that.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/10/17/everton-vs-liverpool-how-klopp-men-could-file-out-against-everton-in-mersey-side/][/url]
“But it wasn’t just Kepa who was involved in that goal. So that’s the unfortunate world of being a goalkeeper.


“And it’s clear that Mendy at the moment is injured and will probably be fit in the next week or two weeks, and then that will be the decision for me to make about who plays,” Lampard told his post-match press conference.

[Edoman]

EPL: What Arteta told Arsenal players after 1-0 defeat at Man City


 
on
 October 17, 2020



Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has told his players not to be upset despite a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.


Raheem Sterling netted the only goal of the game in the first half after goalkeeper Bernd Leno spilt a shot into his path.


Leno, speaking to reporters after the game, said: “It was a short distance, it [rebound] was straight to Sterling. I slipped a little bit and it was a little bit unlucky for a goalkeeper.”

The Germans stopper also revealed what Arteta told the squad after the match at The Etihad.


“The manager said we have to be upset because it was more possible today, but on the other side. When we analyse the game, there were a lot of positive things.

“We have nothing in our hands to bring home but I think we are on the right way. We still have a lot to improve,” he added.

[Edoman]

Nigerian striker, Simeon Nwankwo shows solidarity with #EndSARS protesters after scoring against Juventus







A Nigerian striker, Simeon Nwankwo showed solidarity with the #EndSARS protesters after scoring against Juventus. 
 
The 28-year-old Crotone striker who scored against Juventus on Saturday October 16,  celebrated by raising a T-shirt to show his support for the #EndSARS protest which is ongoing in Nigeria and aimed at ending police brutality. 
 
The match which Cristiano Ronaldo didn't feature in ended in a draw. 
 

 
 

[Edoman]

Mourinho reveals why Tottenham threw away three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with West Ham

 
on
 October 18, 2020



Mourinho reveals why Tottenham threw away three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with West Ham


Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, has said his side’s inability to deal with set-pieces cost them three points against West Ham.


Spurs raced into a three-goal lead in the opening 20 minutes of their Premier League clash on Sunday.
Harry Kane scored twice and provided an assist for Heung-Min Son.


However, even with the introduction of Gareth Bale, Tottenham failed to extend their hand.

Fabian Balbuena, a Davinson Sanchez own goal and a stunner from Manuel Lanzini ensured the Hammers drew 3-3.


Mourinho told Sky Sports: “Of course I have to analyse the second half and have to do it internally, but for you I prefer to say football happened, and praise West Ham’s belief.


“It is not easy to be losing 3-0 and be dominated, to keep the belief. I knew they are a different team to last season, but to lose an advantage of three goals is a big punishment and eventually deserved.


“I found already by analysing from touchline, some things are completely out of the context, once more an indirect free-kick, the own goal, the third is a free-kick and second ball, a rebound.


“The game was under control, we had Harry Kane to score the fourth when he hit the post, Gareth Bale to kill the game. The game was more to the fourth goal, but that’s football.”

[Edoman]

Newcastle vs Man Utd: Why I didn’t start Pogba in EPL’s 4-1 win – Solskjaer

 
on
 October 18, 2020



Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has explained why he didn’t start midfielder, Paul Pogba, in his side’s Premier League 4-1 victory against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Man United defeated Newcastle at St James’ Park, thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford.


Pogba had started Man United’s three previous Premier League matches, but he was only handed a place among the substitutes against Newcastle.
The France international came on for Fred in the 69th minute, with the scoreline at 1-1.

But Solskjaer is now saying that Pogba was only fit enough for a spot on the Red Devils bench, adding that the 27-year-old returned from international duty with a number of complaints which meant he was not able to start the match.


Explaining his decision to start Pogba from the bench after the game, Solskjaer told post-match: “Paul had hip and back problems when he was away with France, so it wasn’t right to start him.”



“We have got big games coming up,” He added. “Everyone has to perform when they come on. I am delighted for him.”


Man United’s next game is against PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday.