Sports update

[Edoman]

Saint-Etienne 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain: Pochettino unable to start with a win



6 January 2021,

Paris Saint-Germain failed to get off to a winning start under Mauricio Pochettino as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.


Thomas Tuchel oversaw a 4-0 defeat of Strasbourg in PSG's final game of 2020, although it was not enough for the German to keep his job as the defending champions sat third.


And Pochettino was unable to mastermind a victory to kickstart his reign as a rather lethargic PSG struggled to build on Moise Kean's 22nd-minute equaliser.


That goal cancelled out Romain Hamouma's opener, but PSG were ultimately fortunate Saint-Etienne did not snatch a first win over the capital club since 2012, their point enough to move second but three points behind Lyon.


Both goalkeepers were called into action inside the opening 10 minutes as Keylor Navas denied Harold Moukoudi at one end before Moise Kean tested Jessy Moulin at the other.


Yet Pochettino's tenure had its first setback 19 minutes in when PSG played themselves into trouble, Idrissa Gueye's slip pounced on by Denis Bouanga, with Hamouma supplying a neat finish over Navas.


PSG hit back inside three minutes, however, as Marco Verratti played in Kean to slam in the first goal of the Pochettino era on the turn.
Mathieu Debuchy's low strike forced Navas into a smart stop before half-time, and PSG's goalkeeper came to their rescue again in the second period, blocking Bouanga's path to goal.


Navas was beaten with 20 minutes remaining, but the crossbar kept out Bouanga's header.
Kean snatched at a good chance as PSG sparked back into life, yet Angel Di Maria's low strike – well saved by Moulin – was the only shot on target the visitors managed in the second half as Pochettino was forced to settle for a point.

[Edoman]

Manchester United complete £37m signing of Diallo from Atalanta







Manchester United have finalised the signing of Amad Diallo from Atalanta for a fee which could rise to £37 million ($50m) with add-ons.

The deal was agreed back in October on the final day of the summer transfer window, but remained on hold as the club had to secure a work permit and agree personal terms with the winger.

This week, Manchester United obtained a Governing Body Exemption for Diallo and he becomes the first player to be signed and registered under the new FA rules which have been implemented post-Brexit.

He has now signed a deal which will keep him at United until June 2025, with the option for a further year.

He has now flown to Rome to obtain his Visa after which he will fly to Manchester to join up with his new team-mates.

Diallo has made two appearances for Atalanta’s first team this season.
 
Speaking of his arrival, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game.
 
“Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here.
 
“It will take time for him to adapt but his speed, vision and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition. He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come.”

Diallo said: “After waiting since the summer, it is finally a dream come true to complete my move to Manchester United. I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game; when I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club.

“This is a really exciting squad with so many great players, I can promise that I will work hard every day to learn from them and give everything to develop my game. The coaches have been fantastic since I signed, we have been in touch regularly and they have already given me a lot of great advice.
 
“I have had time to prepare for this move, both physically and mentally, and I have worked really hard to be ready to make the step up to this amazing club.”

[Edoman]

‘

I Didn’t Throw A Birthday Party - Osimhen Reacts To Breaching COVID-19 Protocol

 I Didn’t Throw A Party’- Osimhen Reacts To Breaching Coronavirus Protocol

Victor Osimhen says he didn’t know anything about the controversial birthday party he attended in Nigeria during the christmas holiday, reports Completesports.com.

Osimhen tested positive for coronavirus upon his return to Naples.

He had taken part in the surprise party without wearing a protective mask and Napoli have fined the striker

“Before I went to Nigeria, I told my sister that I wouldn’t celebrate my birthday,” Osimhen said in an interview with Omasports.

“I was not in the right mood because of my injury.

“On that particular day, I had been asleep for about six hours. When I woke up, my sister asked me to go downstairs.

“If you check what I put on, I was wearing the training jersey. I wouldn’t wear that for my birthday party. I wouldn’t dress so casual.

“I could celebrate my birthday in other ways too, but I wasn’t in a good mood. I went downstairs and they were playing music, gospel.

“I was down there for about 10 minutes before my older brother called me back upstairs. I didn’t throw a party.

“After I tested positive for COVID-19, I called my family and told them to get tested. All of them have done it and they tested negative.”

https://www.completesports.com/i-didnt-throw-a-party-osimhen-reacts-to-breaching-coronavirus-protocol/

[Edoman]

Mauricio Pochettino Wants Wilfred Ndidi At PSG 

Mauricio Pochettino, the newly appointed coach of PSG ( Paris Saint German) has requested for the signing of Leicester City and Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, reports searchsport.org

Pochettino has asked the club owners to make the acquisition of Wilfred Ndidi a top priority in the summer because his club, Leicester City would not be willing to let him go this winter transfer window.

The PSG (Paris Saint German) coach has a lot of variety to select from but he prefers Ndidi, one of the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League.

He has the likes of Idrissa Gueye, Marco Verratti, Ander Herrera, Danilo Pereira and Leandro Paredes to choose from but the former Tottenham Hotspot gaffer admires the work rate and the dirty works Ndidi put on display when he plays.

Poch wanted the Super Eagles midfielder to join PSG (Paris Saint German) this winter but knows Leicester City would not accept any offer for Ndidi this January transfer window.

Ndidi is currently helping Leicester City fight for a spot in the Champions League and will love to see his side achieve such mission. They were close to achieving it last season but Manchester United did not give them the chance on the last day of the season.

Report has it that Leicester City would not let Ndidi go unless a fee of €80m is paid for the 24 years old for any club coming for him.

https://searchsport.org/pochettino-wants-wilfred-ndidi-at-psg/

[Edoman]

FA Cup: Mourinho threatens Tottenham could refuse to play if games are postponed


on
 January 8, 2021



Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, has warned footballing authorities that his side will refuse to play two-midweek games again amid a potential fixture pile-up.


Spurs’ Premier League fixture against Fulham was recently postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their opponents’ squad.


And their match on Wednesday against Aston villa could be at risk too for the same reason.


With Spurs still involved in the Europa League and kicking off their FA Cup campaign against Marine this weekend, Mourinho’s men could be set for a hectic few months of action.

But speaking ahead of the match against Marine, Mourinho warned that he and his team would not be bullied with regards to the rearranged fixtures.
“It is a completely impossible position for a club to have three matches postponed, especially if that club plays in Europe,” he said.


“We thought we might be having to play a game if we had only 14 players available from the whole squad, including the academy. We were prepared for that.

“We had positive cases. We cannot deny it. Players, coaches, other staff. We have had problems.”


Mourinho added: “The only thing we can say is that what we did in the beginning of the season is impossible to repeat and we refuse to repeat. We would never accept to play seven matches in three weeks like we did before.”

[Edoman]

EPL introduces new rules amid COVID-19 second wave
on
 January 8, 2021




The Premier League is trying to curb the spread of COVID-19 among players and staff, by introducing an “enhanced” set of measures.


In a letter sent out on Friday, the 20 clubs were warned to adhere or risk the possibility of punishment.


First of all, players have been instructed not to hug or shake hands. Swapping of shirts has also been banned.


However, the measures will not be officially brought in until the next Premier League shareholders’ meeting, but clubs have been instructed to start following them straight away.

Players must now wear face masks always unless they are playing during the match, warming up or giving interviews.


Guests in matchday directors’ boxes are now also limited to 10-per-team.


Travel restrictions have become stricter, too, with clubs needing to use three coaches to travel anywhere, to ensure social distancing is respected.


In the latest week of testing in the Premier League, there was a season-high return of 40 positive coronavirus tests.

[Edoman]

Transfer: Real Madrid confirms deal for 19-year-old winger


on
 January 8, 2021


Real Madrid on Friday confirmed that its winger, Takefusa Kubo, has left the club to join Getafe on loan.
Kubo, 19, will now remain at Getafe until the end of the 2020/21 season.


Real Madrid made the announcement in a statement ahead of their away La Liga clash with Osasuna on Saturday night.


The statement read: “Real Madrid CF and Getafe CF have agreed to loan player Takefusa Kubo until the end of this season.”

Kubo joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2019.
The Japanese star was loaned out to Mallorca and Villarreal by Zinedine Zidane’s side in the past.


He made his full Japan international debut on the 9th of June, 2019 against El Salvador.

[Edoman]

Chelsea vs Morecambe: Lampard names players to miss FA Cup clash

on
 January 8, 2021



Chelsea head coach, Frank Lampard, has named three key players that will miss his side’s FA Cup third-round tie with Morecambe on Sunday afternoon.


The players are Reece James, Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante.


According to Lampard, James, Christensen and Kante are currently injured.


The Blues boss said this on Friday during his pre-match press conference.


Chelsea head to the game after losing to 3-1 to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League last Sunday.

“I am not going to talk about the starting line-up for Morecambe but Reece James is out of the game although he will be training with us tomorrow but the game comes too early,” Lampard reported.


“The same as Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante, who is out also with a minor hamstring injury so he misses this game and he is suspended for Fulham next Friday anyway. So we will get him right.”

[Edoman]

I want killers in my Chelsea team – Lampard

on
 January 11, 2021



Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has said his squad lacks a ruthless streak and he doesn’t have enough “killers” despite their 4-0 home win over Morecambe in the FA Cup.


The victory was needed as a confidence booster, with Lampard selecting a strong XI against the League Two side on Sunday.


Timo Werner ended a 13-game goal drought and Kai Havertz also scored for the first time in 15 matches.
It also came after a poor run of form that has seen the Blues win just one of their last six league games.

Lampard, speaking afterwards to the media, identified a lack of killer instinct.
“What we can’t ask the youth of this squad sometimes is to be absolutely consistent and be killers, like other players in the league are in terms of the numbers they produce and consistently produce.


“That will come for our lads but at the moment their contributions are good.


“I mean killers in the best possible terms and I hope people know what I mean,” he said.

[Edoman]

SPORT

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s joint highest-ever goalscorer

on
 January 11, 2021


Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has become the joint-highest goalscorer in football history following his late strike against Sassuolo on Sunday.


Ronaldo drilled home to give the Italian champions a 3-1 win.
It takes his career tally to a stunning 759 for club and country.


That meant the Portugal captain joins Josef Bican at the top of the game’s all-time scoring records.


There is no doubt now that Ronaldo will overtake Bican as the game’s most prolific marksman.

Although Pele’s Instagram bio proclaims him as ‘Leading Goal Scorer of All Time (1,283)’, there is still debate over whether all of the Brazil legend’s strikes were in official matches.


Bican played for clubs including Rapid Vienna, Slavia Prague and Dynamo Prague in the 

[Edoman]

Rumour Has It: Man City hoping to beat Man Utd to Haaland, doubts over PSG's Messi pursuit



11 January 2021, 



Where will Erling Haaland be playing in 2021-22?
The Borussia Dortmund forward has a long list of admirers, particularly in England.
Both Manchester clubs want Haaland, though City fancy their chances.


TOP STORY – CITY BELIEVE THEY HOLD HAALAND EDGE OVER UTD
Manchester City are hoping to use their Jadon Sancho sell-on clause to beat neighbours Manchester United to the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, according to The Sun.


Haaland is a player in demand, linked to the likes of City, United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Liverpool following his exploits for Dortmund.
City have a 15 per cent sell-on clause following Sancho's move to Dortmund in 2017 and they believe it could help in their Haaland pursuit, with the Premier League giants open to waiving or renegotiating the clause.

Sancho was tipped to join United ahead of the 2020-21 season.


ROUND-UP

- French journalist Julien Laurens doubts Paris Saint-Germain will be able to afford Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has been linked to PSG, City and Inter but Laurens feels the Ligue 1 champions will not be able to financially accommodate Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.


- Atletico Madrid are poised to prise Moussa Dembele from Lyon, reports Fabrizio Romano. After Diego Costa's exit, Atletico are set to complete a loan deal with the option to buy.
- Le10Sport claims Manchester United are set to rival PSG for the signing of Brest midfielder Romain Faivre.


- The Telegraph says Napoli are keen on signing Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney. The Serie A side were keen on the Scotland international before he swapped Celtic for Arsenal in 2019.

[Edoman]

Mourinho preparing for Aston Villa clash to go ahead



11 January 2021,




Jose Mourinho is preparing for Tottenham's Premier League clash against Aston Villa to go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday.


After a significant coronavirus outbreak, Villa used youth players in a 4-1 FA Cup loss to Liverpool on Friday.


The outbreak has put their hosting of Spurs at risk, but a postponement would create more fixture chaos for Tottenham.


After a 5-0 FA Cup win over Marine on Sunday, Mourinho was asked when Tottenham's next game would be and the Spurs head coach responded: "Wednesday."


"No-one has told me any different that I am not going to play so tomorrow morning we'll start preparing that game," he added.


"The same Tuesday, unless we're told different."
Spurs are fourth in the Premier League table, four points behind Liverpool and Manchester United.

[Edoman]

'Come on, Ibra!' – Kulusevski urges Zlatan to make Sweden return for Euros



11 January 2021, 


Dejan Kulusevski urged evergreen Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic to come out of retirement and play for Sweden at this year's rearranged Euro 2020.


Ibrahimovic has not represented Sweden in more than four years after retiring from international football following Euro 2016.


The 39-year-old forward – Sweden's all-time leading scorer with 62 goals in 116 appearances – has hinted he is ready to end his international retirement ahead of the European Championship as he continues to light up Serie A with Milan.


Sweden international and Juventus attacker Kulusevski talked up an Ibrahimovic comeback following Sunday's 3-1 win over 10-man Sassuolo.


"We write to each other. He is an idol for me, as hardly anyone in the world can do what he does," Kulusevski told Sky Sport Italia of Ibrahimovic, who has scored 10 league goals this season and 11 across all competitions for Serie A-leading Milan.


"When he speaks highly of me, it makes me work even harder the next day in training, because I am so proud.


"I really hope he returns for international duty with Sweden at the Euros. It would be wonderful for me and all of Sweden. Come on, Ibra!"


Juventus recorded their third consecutive league win for the first time since July after overcoming visiting Sassuolo in Turin.


Goals from Danilo, Aaron Ramsey and Cristiano Ronaldo kept fourth-placed Juve in touch with Milan, after Sassuolo's Pedro Obiang was sent off prior to half-time – the defending champions are seven points adrift.

Ronaldo completed the scoring at the death as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner made it 15-plus goals in 15 different seasons in the top five European leagues.


Juve also conceded a goal in a Serie A home game while playing with a numerical advantage for the first time since October 2013 against Milan after Gregoire Defrel cancelled out Danilo's 50th-minute opener 13 minutes into the second half.


Kulusevski came off the bench to replace the injured Paulo Dybala before the interval and he added: "I had just one thing in my mind when I came on, which was to win the game. I could've done much better, but I am glad we got the points.


"I see myself at Juventus for many years. I see myself closer to the goal, where I can do a quick one-two with my team-mates. I enjoyed where I played this evening."

[Edoman]

Hudson-Odoi impresses again as Chelsea consider Tomori exit



10 January 2021, 


Callum Hudson-Odoi once again impressed Frank Lampard as the winger pushed his case to play more regularly with a starring role in Chelsea's FA Cup triumph over Morecambe.


The arrival of high-profile signings Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech during the previous transfer window increased competition for places in Chelsea's attack - and Hudson-Odoi has often found himself stuck on the fringes

However, Lampard made room for all four players in his starting XI for Sunday's third-round tie at Stamford Bridge, with the hosts running out comfortable 4-0 winners.


Hudson-Odoi certainly seized his opportunity, scoring a goal and creating three chances. The England international completed 85.5 per cent of his passes and sent in seven crosses, four of which were rated as 'good' by Opta.


He has started just two Premier League games this season so far, though Lampard acknowledges the 20-year-old is doing everything right in his push to get consistent minutes.


"Callum is playing well. He's improving, he has improved and there is much more to come," the Chelsea boss told the media after the tie.


"For the goal today, it was a fantastic example of running and breaking the lines and ending up in the area like a striker, because that is what the modern winger does.


"He's making it [his case to get a run of games] now. Probably when fit, we have three natural wingers, maybe one or two others who can play in that position.


"There is always going to be times when I have to make decisions over selection, which means Callum might be in, or someone else may be in.


"But the way he is playing now absolutely at this minute means he's assisting, he scoring goals, he's a threat every time he plays. It makes me really happy, because today was definitely an uplift from Callum, there are more gears he can go through.


"He is another young player [at Chelsea] with a lot to come and we shouldn't expect too much, but when he's playing like he's playing now, it's good to expect more from him because he's showing a lot."
While Hudson-Odoi is pressing to feature for the first team, Fikayo Tomori could be on his way out of Chelsea.


The centre-back came on as a second-half substitute against Morecambe but Lampard confirmed afterwards that a loan move could happen in January - provided it is right for all parties.


On Tomori potentially leaving, Lampard said: "The situation is kind of open at the moment. There's a possibility he could go on loan to get games somewhere else.


"That would have to be the right solution for him and the club. It was part of my thinking in not starting him today, but giving him some minutes at the end. While we are looking at that, I want to make sure it's the right thing for him and the club.


"His attitude, while not playing so much recently with five or six centre-backs at the club, has been fantastic, in terms of working in training every day and how he is."

[Edoman]

FA Cup fourth round draw completed [Full fixtures]


on
 January 11, 2021


The draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup have been conducted on Monday night.


The pick of the bunch is Manchester United hosting fierce rivals Liverpool.
Holders Arsenal will face the winner between Southampton and Shrewsbury.


Chelsea welcome Luton Town and Manchester City are away to Cheltenham.

FA Cup fourth round draw in full:


Cheltenham vs Man City
Bournemouth vs Crawley Town
Swansea vs Nottingham Forest
Man Utd vs Liverpool

Southampton or Shrewsbury vs Arsenal
Barnsley vs Norwich
Chorley vs Wolves
Millwall vs Bristol City
Brighton vs Blackpool
Wycombe vs Tottenham
Fulham vs Burnley
Sheffield Utd vs Plymouth


Chelsea vs Luton Town
Stockport or West Ham vs Doncaster
Brentford vs Leicester
Everton vs Sheffield Wednesday


FA Cup third round draw: Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea discover opponents [Full fixtures]
FA Cup fourth round draw: Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd get ball numbers
Carabao Cup: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd discover opponents [Full fixtures]

[Edoman]

I'll never regret my decision to join Arsenal' - Arsenal outcast, Mesut Ozil says







Arsenal's highest paid player, Mesut Ozil has stated that he doesn't regret joining the club,  even if the last several months have been difficult.

The ex-Germany internation is close to the exit door at the Emirates as his role has diminished to the point where he has been removed altogether from the team by manager Mikel Arteta.

Ozil joined Arsenal in 2013, making the move in a reported £42.5 million ($57.5m) move, to much fanfare and adulation by the fans.

He helped the club to three FA Cups and a Community Shield while also earning the club's player of the season award in 2015-16.

But this season, Arsenal manager Arteta left him out of Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads even though he earns a staggering £300,000 per week at the club.

However, despite the frustrations of having to train with the junior team this season and staying home to watch the senior team play football matches , Ozil says he looks at his time in London fondly, adding that he will never be ashamed of his Arsenal career.

"Of course," he replied on Twitter when asked if he's enjoyed his time with the club. 
"There have been many ups and downs so far, but all in all I’ll never regret my decision to join Arsenal. And to be honest, the last couple of games before the corona break in February & March 2020 made [it] really a lot [of] fun.

"I’ve enjoyed that time a lot and I’ve thought we’re really on a very positive way. But after the break things unfortunately changed..."
 

Ozil also reflected on his time with Arsene Wenger, who managed the midfielder from 2013-18 before stepping down and being replaced by Unai Emery.

"Arsene Wenger is a special coach in my career, one that I have total respect for," Ozil said. 
"He is a great coach with numerous titles. Most of all, he's a great, sincere person.
"I associate him with my greatest Arsenal successes. I will always remember that time with him positively."

 
Ozil could join Turkish club, Fenerbahce in January or an American club but he ruled out joining eternal rivals of the Gunners', Tottenham.

When asked to choose between Tottenham or no club at all, Ozil replied: "Easy question. Retire!"
?????
 
 

[Edoman]

Lionel Messi Named Best Playmaker Of The Last Decade By IFFHS

According to The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), Leo Messi is the best playmaker of the last decade.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1348985585550184448

[Edoman]

Solskjaer feels Man United are 'getting better and better' after climbing into top spot



13 January 2021, 




Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels Manchester United are "getting better and better" after edging past Burnley 1-0 on Tuesday to move top of the Premier League.


Paul Pogba made the breakthrough at Turf Moor 19 minutes from time to move United three points clear of Liverpool ahead of Sunday's showdown between the bitter rivals.


It is the first time the Red Devils have occupied top spot this deep into the season since December 2012 in Sir Alex Ferguson's final campaign in charge.


United head to Anfield as the division's only unbeaten side on their travels this term, winning seven out of eight, while going further back they are 15 without defeat away from home in the league.


And after seeing his side win for a ninth time in 11 unbeaten matches overall in the top flight, Solskjaer wants his side to take on the reigning champions with no fear.


"We are getting better and better. We're almost halfway through the season but nobody will remember the league table on January 12," he told BBC Sport.


"We feel very confident going into games. Away from home we have really done well. We have to believe in ourselves and we do.


"We've done a great job - it's good times for us. It's going to be a test against the champions, who have been fantastic, That's a great test for us."
Speaking to Sky Sports, Solskjaer added: "They've had an unbelievable three seasons so we're ready for it.


"But we're ready and we're excited, we're hungry for it and it's a test of character and quality again. We're in a good position going into it."


Despite their impressive away form, the clean sheet against Burnley was United's first on their travels this season in the league, conceding 11 in their previous seven outings.


The visitors dominated a game in which their opponents failed to register a single attempt on target, though it looked as though it may be a frustrating day until Pogba converted Marcus Rashford's cross.


A couple of controversial VAR calls went against United in the first half, including Harry Maguire's header being disallowed for a perceived challenge on Erik Pieters.


That made the eventual victory all the more pleasing for Solskjaer, even if the scoreline was tighter than he would have liked.


"Frustrations were there for everyone to see - it affected our performance," he said. "We can't let that happen. Harry's goal was a perfectly good one. Half-time helped us. We came out second half really well and deserved the win.


"I'd rather win 4-0 - it's so much more comfortable. At 1-0 you have to see out one or two big moments. They pegged us back, you expect that. But we put our body on the line, of course the mentality is getting better. I'm very pleased with the spirit."


Pogba's last seven Premier League goals have all come away from home, this latest strike taking his tally for the season to four in all competitions.


"I've always said Paul is a big player for us," Solskjaer said. "He's a good character in the dressing room, someone the lads look to, a world champion.


"We're seeing the best of Paul at the moment - he's been injured and he's had COVID so it's natural to need to get back to fitness after that."

[Edoman]

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Sevilla: Clinical and impenetrable hosts go four points clear in LaLiga



12 January 2021, 


Atletico Madrid extended their lead at LaLiga's summit to four points as they saw off Sevilla 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.


Sevilla could have become the first team to draw three successive away games at the Wanda, but Atletico produced a vintage display of clinical finishing and resolute defending as they improved their position at the top of the table.


Atletico edged an even first half and went ahead through Angel Correa's clinical finish with just over quarter of an hour played, though Sevilla did trouble Jan Oblak through Ivan Rakitic and Youssef En-Nesyri.

The visitors dominated proceedings in the second period but struggled to find a way through Atletico's famously shrewd defence, who ultimately claimed an 11th clean sheet in LaLiga this term as Saul Niguez put the game beyond Sevilla in the latter stages.


Sevilla looked bright in the opening exchanges as Rakitic tested Oblak early on, but they found themselves trailing in the 17th minute – Correa picking out the bottom-right corner with a snapshot on the swivel that caught Yassine Bounou unsighted in goal.


Atletico were fortunate at the other end soon after.
Oblak initially rushed out to thwart En-Nesyri and the ball fell kindly to Marcos Acuna, but the left-back shot wide of the empty net with the hosts' goalkeeper stranded.


Luis Suarez then threatened before the half-hour mark, but his close-range volley was well blocked by Bounou.


En-Nesyri tried his luck from a tight angle early in the second half, but Oblak had little issue making the save.


But while Sevilla saw much of the ball, that En-Nesyri effort was hardly the start of an onslaught and Atletico picked them off 14 minutes from time.
Marcos Llorente found space behind Acuna and Oscar Rodriguez failed to intercept his cutback, which came to Saul and he swept in from 20 yards to seal the points.

What does it mean? Atletico pass another test
Sevilla may not be the most functional team in attack, but Diego Simeone knew exactly how to beat them and Atletico did just that, confident the visitors would not have the creativity to break through.


Julen Lopetegui's visitors had a whopping 75 per cent of the possession in the second half, yet they managed just one shot on target.

On this form, it is difficult to see how anyone stops Atletico winning the title this season – they are four points clear and still have two games in hand on second-placed Real Madrid.


Gimenez stands firm
Of course, Sevilla's struggles in attack were not just because of their own creative issues, they were also up against some seriously impressive defenders. Jose Gimenez was arguably the pick of the bunch, with the Uruguayan dominant in his realm. He made a couple of tackles, but more importantly was in the right place and the right time to clear his lines six times, more than anyone else on the pitch.


Sevilla midfielders fail in their duty
While wingers Suso and Lucas Ocampos were not much more effective, central midfielders Joan Jordan and Rakitic were very disappointing. Neither made a single key pass despite being among the most-involved players on the pitch in terms of the number of passes made.


What's next?
As a result of their shock Copa del Rey elimination, Atletico now have nine days without a game before they go to Eibar in their next league outing. Sevilla are still in the cup and face a trip to second-tier Leganes this weekend.

[Edoman]

It was my fault - Guardiola explains Man City's slow start to the season



12 January 2021, 







Pep Guardiola believes he should shoulder the blame for Manchester City's struggles earlier this season.


City can move to within a point of Liverpool if they beat Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday - the first of two games they have in hand on the reigning champions.
Guardiola's side have been bolstered by a 13-match unbeaten run, spanning four competitions, and the sort of consistency that appeared beyond them as they spluttered through the opening weeks of 2020-21.


Still nursing the hangover from a humbling 3-1 Champions League quarter-final defeat at the hands of Lyon in August, they won only three of their opening eight Premier League games this term.


Recent victories over Chelsea in the top flight and Manchester United in the EFL Cup semi-finals have seen City look something far more like their old selves.


Manager Guardiola feels this is in part because the team are back in tune with his principles - something that suffered as last season bled into this in the absence of normal preparations.


"From day one [we had these principles]. We lost it a bit this season, that was my fault - the message was not clear but we came back a little bit [to] the principles," he said.


"Especially the reason [for poor form] was because the players need time to get the best condition after no pre-season.


"It’s normal that, after good results and performances, the people visualise again that we can do it again in the way we did it in the past. And that is the way we have to continue."


Guardiola also feels City's improvement is down to them doing their work more smartly during games than they were earlier in the campaign.


"The only difference is that we run less, we were playing running too much," Guardiola said.
"When you play football you have to walk – or run much, much less.


"Without the ball you have to run. But with the ball you stay more in the position and let the ball run, not you. And we improved in these games, in these terms."


Tracking data collected from this season's Premier League games does not exactly bear out Guardiola's point but might align with the greater discipline he alludes to.


In the 3-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge earlier this month, the 116.7 kilometres City covered collectively was their most in any league match this term, with their 163 sprints second only to 166 in the 1-0 victory at Southampton in mid-December that launched an ongoing winning run of six matches on three fronts.


A feature common to both those games was each of Guardiola's recognised strikers, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, being sidelined.


A rotating cast of attacking midfielders have taken turns to lead the line and City's shots per game (15.4 with Aguero and/or Jesus, 15.8 without) and goals per game (1.6 with Aguero and/or Jesus, 1.7 without) remain consistent.


Guardiola's team were striker-less at the beginning of the humiliating 5-2 home defeat to Leicester City in September, although youth team centre-forward Liam Delap came on when the score was 1-1.


A draw at Leeds United followed and in the four games since when neither Aguero nor Jesus has been available - versus Sheffield United, Southampton, Newcastle United and Chelsea - City have won each time.

"We have to adapt the quality we have, unfortunately it's a long time without Sergio," Guardiola added.


"Gabriel has been good but had COVID. But we have enough players with the quality playing wide and in the middle so we adapt with the players we have right now."


Jesus is in contention to face Brighton but Aguero continues to self-isolate after coming into close contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.