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RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-03-2020
[b]Chukwueze: Man United, Leicester & Everton Are All Interested In Nigerian Winger[/b]
Manchester United, Leicester and Everton have joined a growing list of clubs interested in Villarreal and Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze, a player who has already caught the attention of three other Premier League clubs and many more across Europe.
Chukwueze only turned 21 earlier this year but has been part of the Villarreal first-team since 2018 after he was scouted by the Spanish side playing at youth level in his native Nigeria.
Chukwueze is valued at more than £80m by Villarreal
90min has been informed that Chukwueze is considering his future in Spain as he looks to take the next step in his career, with the main interest coming from England.
United, Leicester and Everton are the latest clubs to begin monitoring him, while Chelsea - who were watching prior to the signing of Kai Havertz earlier this summer - remain an interested party because of the uncertainty over Callum Hudson-Odoi’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool have also had eyes on Chukwueze for more than a year, while Wolves are another club who have him on their radar as a potential replacement should Adama Traore move on. 90min understands that Villarreal will expect any suitors to meet a release clause in Chukwueze’s contract that is currently in excess of £80m.
Villarreal are aware of the scale of the talent they have on their hands and have been shrewdly raising the clause through a series of new contracts in keeping with his escalating value.
Chukwueze has signed two new contracts at El Madrigal in the last 16 months alone and his release clause is now more than double what it was at the start of 2019.
In terms of style, he has been likened to Arjen Robben and has previously admitted to watching hours of clips of the former Bayern Munich star on YouTube, even before games, because the Dutchman is his main source of inspiration and is a ‘king’ and the ‘perfect player’ in his eyes.
He was part of the Nigeria squad that finished third in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and was listed as one of UEFA’s 50 young players to watch in 2019/20 alongside the likes of Erling Haaland, Alphonso Davies, Ferran Torres, Sandro Tonali and Rhian Brewster.
https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-leicester-everton-samuel-chukwueze-interest-exclusive
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-03-2020
Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-2 to win FA Youth Cup
![[Image: fa-youth-cup-final-manchester-city-3-2-c...fv7t89.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/fa-youth-cup-final-manchester-city-3-2-chelsea-7-1262fio9y5sxa1usd8pzfv7t89.jpg)
2 November 2020,
Manchester City won the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 12 years after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Chelsea at St George's Park on Monday.
City reached the final four times in the previous five years but had lost on each occasion, including a hat-trick of defeats to Chelsea.
But they finally went one better to lift the trophy for a third time following triumphs in 1986 and 2008.
Chelsea took the lead through Marcel Lewis in the 28th minute when he beat the offside trip, but James McAtee equalised with a low finish for City to ensure the sides headed into the break on level terms.
City applied the pressure early in the second half and took a deserved lead when Morgan Rogers tapped in from close range, before Lewis equalised for Chelsea with his second goal via a deflection.
Cole Palmer won it for City in the 84th minute after good work by Liam Delap and he celebrated by paying tribute to former team-mate Jeremy Wisten, who died last week.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-03-2020
Pochettino ready for managerial return
![[Image: former-tottenham-boss-mauricio-pochettin...rn1l72.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/former-tottenham-boss-mauricio-pochettino-is-ready-to-return-to-management-7-wi22t6jw8xez1f8j3s0rn1l72.jpg)
2 November 2020,
Mauricio Pochettino is missing football management in England and is ready to return to the game.
The Argentinian was sacked by Tottenham and replaced by Jose Mourinho last November.
Pochettino took charge of 293 games for Spurs and left with a win percentage of 54 – Andre Villas-Boas (55 per cent) is the only manager to have overseen at least 50 matches for the club and possess a better win rate.
He was victorious in 113 of his 202 Premier League games for Spurs (D43, L46), earning an average 1.89 points per game.
Pochettino has previously been linked with several top jobs including Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, but more recently he has been touted as a leading candidate to take over at Manchester United should under-pressure boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be disposed of.
When asked if he was looking for a return to management, Pochettino told Sky Sports: "I was always ready to be involved in the game again. I love football. It's my passion, not my job.
"It's not a stress when you are working. It's not a stress to go to the training ground. It's not a stress to prepare for a game. It's not a stress to compete.
"I am looking forward to being involved in the game again, I love the game.
"We are inside, we are working, we are doing things, but it is not the same thing to be involved every day, to share it with your players, your staff and the club. You miss that."
Spurs had managed only two top-four finishes in 22 Premier League seasons before Pochettino's arrival; he achieved the feat in four of his five seasons in charge.
The north London club also reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history in 2019 but lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.
The 48-year-old appears particularly keen to return to the Premier League having managed for six years in England after spells with Southampton and Spurs.
"I discovered an amazing people in this country, an amazing culture. I am in love," he added.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-03-2020
Suarez is getting the most out of Correa and Joao Felix - Simeone
![[Image: luis-suarez-getting-most-out-of-angel-co...55lxt1.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/luis-suarez-getting-most-out-of-angel-correa-joao-felix-says-atletico-madrid-boss-diego-simeone-7-1krisfhk8tk6z1tkka8d55lxt1.jpg)
2 November 2020,
Luis Suarez is helping to get the most out of Atletico Madrid team-mates Angel Correa and Joao Felix, according to head coach Diego Simeone.
The Uruguay international has scored four goals in seven appearances since joining Atleti from LaLiga rivals Barcelona for a nominal fee in September.
He fired a blank in the 3-2 win over Salzburg and was rested for the 3-1 victory over Osasuna last weekend, with Joao Felix stepping up with a brace in both games.
Correa laid on an assist for Joao Felix in each of those fixtures as he staked a claim to be the Portuguese youngster's attack partner.
However, Simeone insisted it is down to Suarez that others in the side are hitting top form and called on his players to help repay the favour.
"I believe that all this is generated from the presence of Suarez," he said at a pre-match news conference ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Lokomotiv Moscow.
"With the likes of [Diego] Costa and [Alvaro] Morata before him, they had a lot of other characteristics, but we have been looking for other qualities.
"Luis has needed more people close to him, close to where he can hurt the opposition, and that is the team's goal.
"We had to adapt to play with [Radamel] Falcao, with Costa and now with Suarez."
Joao Felix scored in both games as Atletico won home and away against Lokomotiv in last season's Champions League.
The Russian side have collected one point from their first two Group A games and have lost nine of their past 11 European games against Spanish opponents, but Simeone is not taking them lightly.
"We are going to face a very competitive team," he said. "The records of the last 14 games speak for themselves.
"Their losses were by the margin of one goal, they are always close and competitive games.
"You have to go back 15 games game to see a 2-0 loss. A team that competes like this is always close to the goal. We will take the game where we think we can hurt them."
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-04-2020
Atalanta 0-5 Liverpool: Jota scores hat-trick in big win
![[Image: atalanta-liverpool-diogo-jota-scores-hat...b7avkv.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/atalanta-liverpool-diogo-jota-scores-hat-trick-in-big-win-7-1fp7kfmi2odt71udi5rob7avkv.jpg)
3 November 2020,
Diogo Jota scored a hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed Atalanta 5-0 in the Champions League.
Picked ahead of the out-of-sorts Roberto Firmino, the Portuguese strengthened his claim to a regular starting berth with three brilliantly taken goals in Bergamo.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane also got on the scoresheet as Jurgen Klopp's men took complete control of Group D with a convincing away win over another of their supposed rivals for top spot.
A clash between two of Europe's most free-scoring sides was always going to produce chances, and the start of the first half did not disappoint in that regard.
Just two minutes had elapsed when Jota danced through the Atalanta defence before drawing a smart stop from Marco Sportiello, an opening that was quickly followed by Luis Muriel forcing Alisson Becker into action at the other end with a deflected strike.
The opportunities continued to come thick and fast from there but, crucially, it was the visitors who took one of theirs first.
Played in behind by a beautifully weighted Trent Alexander-Arnold pass, Jota showed the confidence of a man who had scored three times in in the last three games, shrugging off Jose Luis Palomino and dinking the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
And adding another goal to that impressive haul appeared to have done his self-belief little harm when he latched onto a ball over the top with half an hour gone, touching it around his man and lashing an effort in at the near post to make it 2-0.
Just two minutes into the second half, Salah's sprint in behind a wide-open Atalanta defence was picked out by Curtis Jones, and the Egyptian was customarily ruthless with the subsequent left-footed finish into the top corner.
Having equalled Steven Gerrard's haul of 21 goals in Europe's elite competition, Salah turned provider two minutes later, playing Mane in behind for a beautiful dinked effort that made a mockery of Sportiello's attempt to close the angle.
It was then that Jota capped a remarkable start to the second period, beating the keeper to a Mane pass to round him and coolly finish from distance.
To their credit, Atalanta came close to mustering a response, Duvan Zapata hammering the inside of the post after leaving Joe Gomez for dead before drawing a good save from Alisson after driving through the visitors' defence.
But, as had been the case all evening, Liverpool's supremacy was never in doubt.
What does it mean? Reds in control
With just three games played, Liverpool now boast a handy five-point lead over both Atalanta and Ajax at the top of Group D.
The Reds are now major favourites to not only progress to the knockout stages but to do so as group winners.
Jota keeps up dream start
One of the main question marks over Jota following his move from Wolves was whether he could be transformed from a streaky finisher into a ruthless Liverpool winger.
Three goals from four shots here certainly suggests so, while a pass completion rate of just 68.4 per cent shows there are still plenty of areas for further improvement too.
Toloi sums up difficult night
When Jota skipped past him to get a shot away in just the second minute, it looked like it was going to be a long night for Rafael Toloi.
And so it proved, the defender surrendering possession 15 times, making just two tackles, and completing only 71.1 per cent of his passes.
What's next?
Klopp's men have an equally crucial Premier League away trip up next, as they visit title rivals Manchester City on Sunday. Atalanta, meanwhile, welcome Inter Milan to Bergamo the same day.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-04-2020
Salzburg 2-6 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski nets twice as late flurry keeps champions perfect
![[Image: bayern-munich-salzburg-champions-league-...kir0rd.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/bayern-munich-salzburg-champions-league-match-report-robert-lewandowski-7-x93jkd7dw2w31bcu79skir0rd.jpg)
3 November 2020,
Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich maintained their 100 per cent start in the Champions League with a rollicking 6-2 win at Salzburg despite a scare on Tuesday.
The holders eased to victory over Atletico Madrid in their opening game and then saw off Lokomotiv Moscow but looked as though they might come unstuck in Austria when Masaya Okugawa levelled matters at 2-2 in the 66th minute - just 42 seconds after he was introduced as a substitute.
Jerome Boateng, Leroy Sane, Lewandowski and Lucas Hernandez all scored inside the final 11 minutes to clinch the points, however, with Bayern earlier bouncing back from Mergim Berisha's opener to lead through a Lewandowski penalty and Rasmus Kristensen's own goal.
The late show leaves Bayern sitting pretty at the summit of Group A with nine points, five ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid. Salzburg, meanwhile, are bottom having picked up just one point from their opening three games.
Bayern started slowly and fell behind for the first time in 11 Champions League games when Berisha slotted past Manuel Neuer at his near post after Sekou Koita's shot had deflected into his path.
Gnabry had a superb effort disallowed for offside before Lewandowski scored his first Champions League goal of the campaign, slotting home from 12 yards after Thomas Muller had been tripped by Enock Mwepu, having seen an earlier spot-kick award overturned.
Bayern then forged ahead in the 44th minute when Kristensen headed Muller's cross into his own net from close range.
Kingsley Coman clipped the crossbar from 10 yards shortly after the hour mark, but substitute Okugawa equalised for Salzburg with his first touch after Lewandowski had been caught in possession.
Bayern stormed back in the closing stages, though, Boateng putting the Bundesliga champions back in front with a powerful header from Joshua Kimmich's corner in the 79th minute.
Substitute Sane superbly curled into the top-left corner four minutes later after being teed up by Kimmich, while Lewandowski grabbed his second two minutes from time with a back-post header from Javi Martinez's cross.
The scoreline was then given a final flourish in stoppage time when Hernandez lashed into the roof of the net to cap a third group-stage win in style.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-04-2020
Manchester City 3-0 Olympiacos: Guardiola's men make it three from three
![[Image: man-city-olympiacos-champions-league-rep...rb8ht7.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/man-city-olympiacos-champions-league-report-ferran-torres-gabriel-jesus-joao-cancelo-goals-pep-guardiola-7-a9crvs50j23x1rvnz5srb8ht7.jpg)
3 November 2020,
Ferran Torres became the third-youngest player in Champions League history to score in four consecutive appearances as he helped Manchester City to a third straight win in this season's competition, a 3-0 success over Olympiacos.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the only players to have netted in four games in a row at a younger age than 20-year-old Spain international Torres, who scored in the 12th minute, adding to his strikes against Porto and Marseille for City this term and against Atalanta for Valencia last season.
City went into this game unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions and could have been out of sight by the time the Greek champions began to put them under pressure in the second half.
But substitutes Gabriel Jesus and Joao Cancelo scored late on to clinch a result that extends City's group stage streak to 14 games without defeat, and manager Pep Guardiola will be pleased with their form as he aims to take City beyond the quarter-finals for the first time in his reign.
Torres met a City corner with a sublime backheeled shot that flew narrowly wide after six minutes.
City's recent signing went one better six minutes later, playing a one-two with Kevin De Bruyne before sliding a low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Jose Sa to put the hosts in front.
Guardiola's men continued to create the better chances and Raheem Sterling put the ball in the net, only to have his close-range effort ruled out for offside.
A poor pass by Phil Foden afforded Mathieu Valbuena a shot at goal early in the second half but he fired narrowly wide under pressure from John Stones.
Youssef El-Arabi tested Ederson with a shot from just inside the box as City found themselves pinned back again, and Jose Holebas later blazed wide.
But De Bruyne played in Jesus nine minutes from time and the Brazilian lashed the ball home from an acute angle, before Cancelo's carefully placed shot found the bottom corner from just outside the box to wrap up the win.
What does it mean? Torres filling Aguero's boots
With Sergio Aguero injured, Torres has staked his claim playing as a centre-forward, with three goals in three Champions League appearances for City.
De Bruyne the creator
Only Kylian Mbappe (15) has made more assists than De Bruyne (14) in the Champions League since the start of the 2017-18 season and the Belgium international fed City's forwards from the first whistle here.
Toothless Olympiacos toil again
Olympiacos have just one goal to show for their efforts in three Champions League games this season and wasteful finishing ensured they scored from none of their six shots on goal here.
What's next?
City face Premier League champions Liverpool at home on Sunday, while Olympiacos are away against struggling OFI in the Greek Super League 1 on the same day.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-04-2020
Bayern Munich make Champions League history
![[Image: bayern-munich-champions-league-history-7...teltmy.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/bayern-munich-champions-league-history-7-1g2fsfdbkalvn1nu32fmteltmy.jpg)
4 November 2020,
Bayern Munich became the first team in Champions League history to score four goals in the last 15 minutes of a game after emphatically seeing off Salzburg 6-2.
Champions League holders Bayern made history thanks to goals from Jerome Boateng, Leroy Sane, Robert Lewandowski and Lucas Hernandez during the final 11 minutes on Tuesday.
Bayern bounced back from Mergim Berisha's fourth-minute opener in Salzburg, where the German visitors fell behind for the first time in 11 Champions League matches.
Lewandowski's 21st-minute penalty and Rasmus Kristensen's own goal gave Hansi Flick's Bayern a 2-1 lead on the stroke of half-time.
Austrian champions Salzburg restored parity via Masaya Okugawa in the 66th minute before Bayern finished strongly to maintain their 100 per cent start in Group A.
Bayern – who stretched their unbeaten away streak in the Champions League to 15 games, only Manchester United (16 between 2007 and 2010) having achieved a longer such run – top the group by five points, ahead of Atletico Madrid.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-04-2020
We love him forever – Zidane has 'no doubt' Ramos will stay at Real Madrid
![[Image: zinedine-zidane-no-doubt-sergio-ramos-wi...8fgnpw.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/zinedine-zidane-no-doubt-sergio-ramos-will-stay-at-real-madrid-after-100th-goal-inter-win-7-1s5thxgv6r9y81deq02k8fgnpw.jpg)
4 November 2020,
Zinedine Zidane has "no doubt" Sergio Ramos will stay on at Real Madrid after the long-serving defender reached another milestone figure with his 100th goal for the club.
The Spain international put Madrid two goals up against Inter in their eventual 3-2 win over the Italian side in Tuesday's entertaining Champions League clash.
Ramos' landmark header came on the same day he had been linked with a move to Juventus but Zidane is adamant his captain is going nowhere.
"I have no doubt that he will stay," Zidane said at his post-match news conference. "He is our leader and of course we love him forever."
Ramos joined Madrid from Sevilla in 2005 and made his 500th LaLiga appearances in last weekend's 4-1 win over Huesca.
Of his 100 goals, 55 have come via his head and the skipper admits he took pride in scoring from a set-piece against Inter.
"We knew from what [Samir] Handanovic said that they had been studying our corner deliveries with Toni [Kroos] finding me," he told Movistar after the game.
"But the more we can continue to surprise our rivals, the better. They know what they are doing, they have a very defined philosophy and they made the most of that.
"It's a good result, and three points in a group that had started to look complicated for us."
Asked about his achievement of reaching three figures for goals in Madrid colours, Ramos said: "It's not bad, and it is nice that it is recognised.
"It's not a figure which defenders usually get to. Hopefully there'll be many more."
Ramos' header came eight minutes after Karim Benzema had profited from an Achraf Hakimi error to open the scoring for Madrid at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
Inter recovered through goals from Lautaro Martinez and Ivan Perisic but Rodrygo regained Madrid's lead in the 80th minute after being set up by fellow substitute Vinicius Junior.
Madrid had more of the possession (55 per cent) and managed seven shots on target to Inter's three, and Zidane believes the right team won in the end.
"There was always going to be tension because we were playing a strong rival," he said. "We have suffered but we must congratulate the players because they deserved it.
"We started very well, pressing up as we wanted. We made it 2-0 but then had difficulty keeping up with the ball. Then the second half was very close, but that is normal.
"The team has an impressive character and they want to show that they can do. We are going to have difficulties in all the games because I watch a lot of games and I don't see any of them win the games easily."
Madrid have conceded two or more goals in five consecutive Champions League games for just the second time, having previously done so in 2001, and Zidane admits it is now about finding the right balance between attack and defence.
"It is true – there is always a balance to have," he said. "We played a side who are also good on the counter, but how long ago was it that they said we do not score such goals?
"We have to keep working because it is not easy to do the two things together."
Madrid are third in Group B, behind Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk, after moving onto four points from three games.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-05-2020
Lampard axes Jorginho, confirms new Chelsea penalty taker
on
November 5, 2020
![[Image: lampard-1.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/lampard-1.jpg)
Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has confirmed Jorginho has been removed as the team’s No.1 penalty taker and replaced by Timo Werner.
Werner converted two spot-kicks on Wednesday, as the Blues beat Rennes 3-0 in the Champions League.
After the match, Lampard was asked about why Werner was on penalty duty despite Jorginho also being on the pitch.
“I spoke to Jorginho first because he’s been brilliant at taking penalties,” Lampard replied.
“It’s more missing a couple recently that I felt it was time to change. Jorgi’s answer was as professional as I’d expect. He only wants to score them but he was fine with that.
“If Timo takes them as well as today he’ll be happy. I’m happy he scored. Timo is as it stands now but of course he needs to keep scoring them. Today he did it very well.”
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-07-2020
Real Madrid stars, Eden Hazard and Casemiro test positive for COVID-19
![[Image: 5fa67b48904eb.webp]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5fa67b48904eb.webp)
Real Madrid have announced that Eden Hazard and Casemiro have both tested positive for COVID-19.
The Belgian winger and the Brazilian midfielder were among the group of players and staff who were tested at Valdebebas in the latest round of tests carried out on Friday morning.
Their tests returned positive, while other players and members of the coaching staff of the first team returned negative results on Friday morning as well as from the antigen tests carried out on Saturday morning.
A statement from the club read: "Real Madrid CF announces that our players Casemiro and Hazard have given positive results in the Covid-19 tests carried out on Friday morning.
"All the other players and the coaching staff of the first team, as well as all club employees who work directly with them, gave negative results in that same test carried out yesterday. Likewise, it is confirmed again that all, except for Casemiro and Hazard, have given negative results in the antigen tests carried out this morning."
Casemiro and Hazard join Militao, who tested positive for COVID-19 a week ago.
![[Image: icon_share.png]](https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/images/icon_share.png){kind=icon}
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-08-2020
Chelsea 4-1 Sheffield United: Comeback sees Blues keep pace at top
![[Image: chelsea-4-1-sheffield-united-comeback-se...esx52k.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/chelsea-4-1-sheffield-united-comeback-sees-blues-keep-pace-at-top-7-1r1colvb4b5p21a8xuzeesx52k.jpg)
7 November 2020,
Chelsea kept pace at the top of the Premier League as they came from behind to beat Sheffield United 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues had kept clean sheets in each of their last five matches, but saw their goal breached in the ninth minute by David McGoldrick.
However, Tammy Abraham equalised and Ben Chilwell gave Chelsea a lead they would not relinquish as their defensive solidity returned thereafter.
Thiago Silva's first goal for Chelsea made sure of the victory before Timo Werner made the margin of triumph even more comfortable.
The win means Frank Lampard's men are a point behind leaders Southampton and second-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand. The winless Blades are bottom with one point from eight games.
Chelsea went close to breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute when Chilwell was denied by Aaron Ramsdale at the far post following good work from Abraham.
Five minutes later the hosts were unexpectedly behind, George Baldock and Sander Berge combining excellently from a short corner to tee up David McGoldrick to convert with a stylish flick.
McGoldrick's goal was the first Chelsea have conceded in all competitions for 459 minutes, but they did not need too long to respond, Hakim Ziyech releasing Mateo Kovacic down the right to pull back for Abraham to level matters with a measured finish.
Werner then rattled the underside of the crossbar just after the half-hour mark following a Kovacic free-kick and the turnaround was completed when Chilwell converted at the far post after Ramsdale misjudged Ziyech's excellent cross.
Kovacic shot narrowly wide as Chelsea looked to kill the game off, an aim they achieved when Silva was left unmarked to head home Ziyech's right-wing free-kick.
Werner was just off target with a lofted finish moments later but he made no mistake after a loose ball squirmed into his path in the 80th minute, emphatically applying the final gloss to the scoreline.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-08-2020
Simeone plays down significance of Barcelona clash for LaLiga leaders Atletico
![[Image: diego-simeone-plays-down-barcelona-clash...95ma2r.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/diego-simeone-plays-down-barcelona-clash-laliga-leaders-atletico-madrid-7-1m0fjob0g1ecs1axn8s095ma2r.jpg)
8 November 2020,
Diego Simeone played down the importance of Atletico Madrid's upcoming clash with Barcelona after they moved top of LaLiga.
Atletico extended their unbeaten run in LaLiga to 23 games – the most in their history – with a 4-0 thrashing of Cadiz on Saturday.
Joao Felix scored a brace and goals from Marcos Llorente and Luis Suarez at the Wanda Metropolitano moved Atletico onto 17 points from seven league games.
Simeone's men will host Barca after the international break, but the Atletico coach said it would not be a decisive clash.
"They know us, they know that beyond happiness we do not depend on what is going to happen in the game against Barcelona," he said.
"There are 15 days left, players leave with the national team, we will have to wait for the time we have and we do not move away from that. It is our way of thinking and we live in the next game.
"We will see when the players return in what conditions we see them and we will form the teams accordingly."
Since being humbled 4-0 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last month, Atletico have won four of five games.
Simeone praised the form of his side, who are joined by Real Sociedad – who have played one more game – on 17 points at the top.
"What generates enthusiasm and enthusiasm for me is what has happened since the draw against Huesca or Villarreal or the defeat in Munich," he said.
"I see the team well, with dynamics, enthusiasm, strength, desire to do things and see how we evolve in training. What makes me happy is that those players who had fewer minutes like [Mario] Hermoso, [Hector] Herrera or Llorente last year, today are being very important in the team.
"There is an improvement far beyond today's result. We play with four midfielders who can occupy many places. I think we have a balanced squad.
"Let's wait for the return of those who are out – [Sime] Vrsaljko will replace [Kieran] Trippier, Vitolo, [Diego] Costa, [Yannick] Carrasco."
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-08-2020
Lampard 'not surprised' by Mourinho's attack on Chelsea
![[Image: frank-lampard-not-surprised-jose-mourinh...ibq9mq.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/frank-lampard-not-surprised-jose-mourinho-attack-chelsea-7-pycbtxuarajf1fhty8iibq9mq.jpg)
6 November 2020,
Frank Lampard was "not surprised" by Jose Mourinho's accusation that Chelsea players have attempted to win cheap penalties.
Mourinho alleged that Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have attempted to con officials into awarding a spot-kick in his defence of skipper Harry Kane.
The Portuguese was unhappy with the insinuation that Kane had deliberately backed into Adam Lallana to win a penalty in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
Speaking earlier this week, Mourinho said: "Kane? I think you are confused.
"You could be speaking about some Manchester United players, some Man City players, some Liverpool players, some Chelsea players."
Chelsea have already had eight penalties this season but Lampard insists none of those were awarded for a player diving inside the box.
"I wasn't surprised by those comments," he said. "There have been no incidents of diving at Chelsea this season that I've seen.
"But I wasn't surprised by it, no. I think it's very normal that managers in and around the clubs challenging sometimes mention others with those statements. It didn't affect me."
He added: "I'm not going to tell Jose or any other manager how to do a press conference.
"I think we all know when we watch these penalty decisions, we know what ones are penalties, what ones are dives, ones that are cleverly bought. I don't want to dwell on it."
Timo Werner successfully converted two penalties for Chelsea in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Rennes in the Champions League, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
The Blues have kept a clean sheet in five successive games for the first time since October 2010, with Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma starting together in all but one of those.
Lampard has regularly praised the impact made by experienced defender Silva, who he believes is helping to get the most out of Zouma alongside him.
No player made more clearances than Zouma (4) in the win over Rennes and he also topped the charts for successful passes (84) and touches (99).
"I've been really impressed with Kurt, his form and what he's giving us, scoring and defending from set-pieces, which is a big part of our game," he said.
"I think Thiago can affect people around him. I think of his status in the game and the way he plays it.
"We talk about partnerships in the team. We can all think of great centre-back partnerships. With Thiago's quality it rubs off not only on Kurt but any player he is paired with.
"I think he's helped Kurt and we now need to sustain that level of performance and keep the good run of clean sheets we're on going. He's certainly affecting the others."
Silva was brought in on a free transfer after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired at the end of last season - one of seven first-team players signed during a busy close season.
Lampard is grateful to have been heavily backed by owner Roman Abramovich and hopes the signing of Silva in particular can lead to silverware being won.
"People think we did all our business in five minutes. The first year I spent here I couldn't bring players in so I had a long-term view of what players I could bring in," he said.
"It was all very joined up and I was certainly happy with the input I had. We worked hard and a lot of people deserve credit. The next step is to work with that.
"We've seen good signs of late, players bedding in and getting fit - Thiago among them.
"In terms of the career he's had, he absolutely walks into the bracket of top centre-backs. Teams who achieve stuff have defenders who set those standards.
"The players know the importance of defending well to win trophies and particularly Premier League titles.
"But they also need support around them. When you look at Thiago and the early impact he has had, he can be a big deal for us."
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-08-2020
Premier League Sunday preview: Trio out to claim top spot
![[Image: premier-league-preview-sunday-november-7.jpg]](https://news.livescore.com/newsapi/04/soccer/image/premier-league-preview-sunday-november-7.jpg)
By Matt Hill8 November 2020,
8 November 2020
Three different sides will be hoping to move to the top of the Premier League table throughout what promises to be a mouth-watering day of action.
In-form Tottenham get first crack when they travel to the Midlands to take on struggling West Brom, before high-flying Leicester welcome Wolves to the King Power Stadium.
The Sunday blockbuster sees Manchester City and Liverpool lock horns for the first time this season in a game that could put Jurgen Klopp's champions back in pole position.
And Arsenal and Aston Villa round off the day in an evening kick-off at the Emirates.
West Brom vs Tottenham (midday, Sky Sports Box Office)
Tottenham can reach the summit — at least temporarily — with three points at lowly West Brom.
Jose Mourinho’s men have recovered from a shaky start to rack up 14 points from seven games and the Londoners have a perfect record on the road so far this term.
Slaven Bilic’s Baggies are languishing in the relegation zone and suffered a bitterly disappointing 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Fulham last weekend — leaving them winless after seven outings.
There are no fresh injury concerns for the home side but changes are likely, with Kieran Gibbs and Callum Robinson in contention to start.
Both Serge Aurier and Sergio Reguilon could return from minor knocks for the visitors, while Harry Kane (pictured above) will be licking his lips at this fixture considering he has netted seven times against West Brom in as many career games.
Leicester vs Wolves (2pm, Sky Sports)
Leicester will be hoping they can extend an excellent recent record over Wolves when the two sides clash at the King Power Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes thumped Portuguese side Braga 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday to make it five straight wins in all competitions and they have only lost one of their last 23 home matches against today's visitors.
Wolves have been in a rich vein of form themselves recently, claiming 10 points from their last four games and only conceding a solitary goal.
Nuno Espirito Santo has no fresh injury concerns and could field an unchanged side from the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The same starting XI would mean another start for French full-back Rayan Ait Nouri, who scored on his full debut against the Eagles.
Jonny Evans could return from a back injury but the hosts are still without Timothy Castagne, Ricardo Pereira, Wilfried Ndidi and Caglar Soyuncu.
Manchester City vs Liverpool (4.30pm, Sky Sports)
Two heavyweights clash in a contest that could have huge ramifications in the title race as Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s side have made a slow start in their quest to snatch the title back from the Reds — taking only 11 points from their opening six games — and a defeat today would leave them eight points off the pace already.
Although Jurgen Klopp’s visitors have encountered a few issues themselves this term, they arrive in Manchester with 16 points and on a five-game winning streak across all competitions.
Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Joel Matip are all unavailable, meaning Klopp is likely turn to either Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips in defence.
Sergio Aguero is not yet fit for the hosts but Gabriel Jesus scored on his return to the side in the 3-0 victory over Olympiacos and could be handed a start.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa (7.15pm, Sky Sports Box Office)
Arsenal will look to make it four consecutive wins in all competitions when they host Aston Villa in the weekend’s finale.
The Gunners made it three wins out of three in the Europa League in midweek by beating Molde 4-1 and also claimed a 1-0 victory over old foes Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Dean Smith’s visitors were riding the crest of a wave with four wins from their opening four Premier League matches, but consecutive home defeats to Leeds and Southampton have provided a reality check.
Mikel Arteta’s men have conceded less goals than any side so far this season and could line up unchanged from the win at United.
Smith is likely to start Trezeguet in place of Bertrand Traore, who limped off against Southampton last time out, as he looks to snap his side’s losing streak.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-08-2020
Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong reacts after scoring his first goal for Watford
![[Image: 5fa7e6729993b.jpeg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5fa7e6729993b.jpeg)
Nigeria international defender, William Troost-Ekong, has reacted after scoring his first goal for English club, Watford.
27 year old Ekong scored in his side's 3-2 victory over Coventry City in Saturday night’s Championship game.
![[Image: 5fa7e768970ff.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5fa7e768970ff.jpg)
The centre-back powered a fine header past goalkeeper Marko Marosi from James Garner’s corner making it Watford's sixth win of the season.
Troost speaking to journalists said;
“James Garner put a fantastic ball in and made it easy, I just had to run on to it,” Troost-Ekong told Watford's website.
“It was an important moment and set-pieces are so important in this league, you see how they can change games. It’s been going against us so far this season so to score from a set-piece is massive.
“I’m happy I managed to contribute like that today and hopefully we can get some more during the season.”
“The goals for are really important. We have to do a bit better, we’ve been conceding too many in the last few games but there’s so much we can still improve and I think this team has so much potential,” he continued.
“We just have to keep going and keep working, keep the goalscoring going and hopefully we won’t concede as many goals from set-pieces as we have done.
“The first half we were dominant but just missing a goal. We played well in possession today, we moved the ball better than we did in the previous games and it’s always nice when we score the first goal.
“We lost ourselves for a minute when they got the two goals back, but we showed great character to come out with the three points.”
Watford are now second on the league table, one point behind leaders Reading and Troost-Ekong believes the position will boost their confidence.
“If you’re looking at the target for the rest of the season, we need to stay on course, so it’s important we stay up in the table, but everyone knows how close it is,” he added.
“If we’d lost today we might have dropped five, six or seven places, so I don’t think you can really look at the table yet, but it’s important for the feeling and for the momentum.”
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-09-2020
Quote:[b]Samuel Eto’o Involved In Car Accident In Cameroon, Suffers Head Injury
Former Barcelona and Chelsea star Samuel Eto'o 'in hospital after his car was hit by a bus as he drove back from a wedding in his homeland Cameroon'[/b]
Samuel Eto'o has reportedly insisted that he is fine after his car crash
He was on the way home from a wedding when his car was hit by a public bus
The former striker is in hospital for further examinations over a head injury
Samuel Eto'o is in hospital with a minor head injury after being involved in a car crash in his native Cameroon, according to reports.
France Football claim the former striker will undergo further examinations at the hospital after his car was hit by a bus.
The collision reportedly happened near Nkongsamba as Eto'o was driving home from a wedding.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8927747/amp/Samuel-Etoo-hospital-car-hit-bus-Cameroon.html
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-10-2020
LaLiga: Zidane reacts as Valencia thrash Real Madrid 4-1
on
November 9, 2020
![[Image: Zidane.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Zidane.jpg)
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has said his team has “no excuses” for losing 4-1 to Valencia on Sunday.
Carlos Soler converted a hat-trick of penalties, as the reigning LaLiga champions suffered another setback.
Madrid took the lead through Karim Benzema, but presented their hosts with four gifts, including three spot-kicks and an own-goal scored by Raphael Varane.
This is the first time Madrid have conceded four goals since letting in five against Barcelona in October 2018.
“There is no justification, no excuses. It’s a bad game and a bad day.
“Everything happened to us,” Zidane told his post-match conference.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-10-2020
EPL: Arteta blasts Arsenal players after 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa, reveals who to blame
on
November 9, 2020
![[Image: Arteta.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Arteta.jpg)
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, hit out at his players following a 3-0 loss to Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Gunners were favourites to win their home fixture, after beating Manchester United 1-0 last weekend.
However, they went behind to Bukayo Saka’s own goal, before Ollie Watkins netted a second-half brace at the Emirates.
It was Arsenal’s fourth defeat in eight matches and Arteta made no excuses for his side afterwards, but took full responsibility for the defeat.
He said: “First of all congratulations to Aston Villa for the way they played and the victory.
“After that obviously we perform below our standards and I have to say since I was Arsenal manager it was the first time I’ve seen us play and we were not a team.
“I take full responsibility. We did not start the game well enough. We got away with the situation with VAR because of the offside situation, but straight after that we lost all the races, all the duels, we were sloppy on the ball and when we created the chances to score we didn’t even hit the target.”
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 11-10-2020
EPL: Mourinho names six teams that can win title this season
on
November 9, 2020
![[Image: jose-mourinho-tottenham-2019-20_o191zgk6...no0xm9.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jose-mourinho-tottenham-2019-20_o191zgk69smi1i1qg95no0xm9.jpg)
Tottenham manager, Jose Mourinho, has revealed the six teams that can win the Premier League this season.
Spurs briefly went top of the table on Sunday after their 1-0 victory over West Brom, before they were replaced by Leicester City, who beat Wolves 1-0.
Mourinho’s men have lost just once this term, with many considering them as serious title contenders.
However, the Portuguese appeared to rule his side out of the race, by naming six teams he thinks are the most likely to go all the way.
“The Premier League is the most difficult one to be, because in the Premier League you can do a good season, can have lots of points, but in the end, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Man United, Leicester, Arsenal.
[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/11/09/epl-arteta-blasts-arsenal-players-after-3-0-defeat-to-aston-villa-reveals-who-to-blame/][/url]
“So you can have a good season and not be champion. So what can we do? We go match after match. We try to win, we don’t care about the others,” Mourinho told Sky Sports