Sunday, December 31, 2017

Football’s big clash of nations not only at World Cup in 2018

Football’s big clash of nations not only at World Cup in 2018
Football – Inquirer Sports
Football’s big clash of nations not only at World Cup in 2018
Football's big clash of nations not only at World Cup in 2018

Footballing supremacy between nations will be determined in 2018, just maybe not in the way expected. The World Cup remains the ultimate prize in sport, and a Russia buffeted by doping scandals and geopolitical rifts will open up like never before to welcome thousands of fans. When the tournament reaches its climax in Moscow on […]

The post Football’s big clash of nations not only at World Cup in 2018 appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Friday, December 29, 2017

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Kane sets Premier League mark with 39 goals in calendar year

Kane sets Premier League mark with 39 goals in calendar year
Football – Inquirer Sports
Kane sets Premier League mark with 39 goals in calendar year
Kane sets Premier League mark with 39 goals in calendar year

LONDON — Harry Kane set the English Premier League record for goals in a calendar year, raising his total to 39 with a hat trick Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) that led Tottenham over Southampton 5-2. Kane headed in Christian Eriksen’s free kick in the 22nd minute, breaking the Premier League’s previous record of 36 set […]

The post Kane sets Premier League mark with 39 goals in calendar year appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa

Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa
Sport – The Standard
Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa

SUNDAY “Mhofu” Chidzambwa is by far Zimbabwe’s most successful coach, but the one-year performance-based contract he has been handed on his return to the Warriors hints at the persisting doubts […]

The post Jury still out for returning Sunday Chidzambwa appeared first on The Standard.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Arsenal pull off EXTRAORDINARY comeback against Liverpool

Arsenal pull off EXTRAORDINARY comeback against Liverpool
Dream Team FC
Arsenal pull off EXTRAORDINARY comeback against Liverpool

It’s amazing what can change in just five minutes, eh?

Because after 52 minutes in Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Liverpool this evening, the Gunners were virtually dead and buried at 2-0 down.

EPA “I’ll go stick the kettle on, shall I?”[/caption]

Goals from Philippe Coutinho (in the first-half) and Mohamed Salah had given the Reds a deserved lead.

But Arsene Wenger’s side fought back, with the out-of-form Alexis Sanchez heading home almost straight away from the restart.

Game on?

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Minutes later, Granit Xhaka hit an ab-so-lute beauty from distance to equalise, before Mesut Ozil slotted home soon after to give them a completely unexpected lead.

That’s right.

Within five minutes, the Gunners went from 2-0 down to lead 3-2.

388 – There were just 388 seconds between Liverpool going 2-0 ahead and Arsenal taking the lead to make it 3-2. Rapid. #ARSLIV

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2017

Sanchez starts Arsenal’s fightback Xhaka then hits one from range And Ozil makes it three

PA:Press Association He raised the roof with that one[/caption]

Football, eh?

But you mustn’t write Liverpool off, as the Reds grabbed an equaliser on the 70th minute thanks to Roberto Firmino’s strike over the top of Petr Cech.

So Jurgen Klopp probably won’t murder his team, after all.

But he won’t be happy.

AFP or licensors If you look closely, you can actually pinpoint the exact moment his heart breaks in two.[/caption]

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win 10k!

You know what, this game really reminded us of something. 

Ah, yes.

One of the best Premier League games we’ve ever freakin’ seen was between these two back in 2009.

Getty How many was it?[/caption]

Liverpool – fighting for the title at the time – were hosting Arsenal at Anfield in a game that ended 4-4, with Andriy Arshavin netting all four of Arsenal’s goals.

Back then, it was a result that effectively ended the Reds’ title hopes that season, and made Arshavin a cult-hero in this fixture.

The game we saw tonight is certainly up there. 

Friday, December 22, 2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Wayne Rooney serves 100 hours of community service for overspeeding

Wayne Rooney serves 100 hours of community service for overspeeding
Football – Inquirer Sports
Wayne Rooney serves 100 hours of community service for overspeeding
Wayne Rooney serves 100 hours of community service for overspeeding

Wayne Rooney is halfway through serving 100 hours of unpaid work after driving three times over the speed limit in September.

The post Wayne Rooney serves 100 hours of community service for overspeeding appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

FIFA 18 Icons: 9 players who desperately need to become Icons

FIFA 18 Icons: 9 players who desperately need to become Icons
Dream Team FC
FIFA 18 Icons: 9 players who desperately need to become Icons

FIFA 18 may have its fair share of ICONS but in our view there could be a lot more.

We’ve picked out nine players we feel have been ignored or neglected so far, in the hope that EA Sports adds them to the game.

Let’s kick off.

1 Xabi Alonso

alonso-fifa

The Liverpool and Real Madrid great announced his retirement at the end of last season, and EA should really do the honour of creating his Icons card straight away.

Alonso will go down as one of the finest passers in history and is every manager’s dream player.

2 Nemanja Vidic

vidic-fifa2

The former Manchester United rock has so far been overlooked for a Icons card but after retiring last year, he has to be a candidate in the future.

Established a formidable centre-back partnership with Rio Ferdinand at United as they went onto win practically everything possible in the club game.

3 Antonio Di Natale

dinatale-fifa

One of the most iconic players in Serie A history, Di Natale regularly turned down advances from Europe’s biggest clubs to continue an exceptional career at Udinese.

Scored exactly 300 club goals in 686 appearances before retiring at the end of the 2017/17 season.

4 Raul

raul-fifa2

The ultimate poacher.

Raul held Real Madrid’s goalscoring record until Cristiano Ronaldo blew it out of the water back in 2015, but he remains Madrid’s prodigal son.

5 Pablo Aimar aimar-fifa

The creative hub behind Valencia’s extraordinary development in the early 00s.

Aimar arguably never fulfilled his true potential but, on his day, was one of the most pleasing players to watch in world football.

6 Guti

guti-fifa

Like Aimar, his undisputed talent was let down by a lack of application but Guti remained a hugely popular figure in Madrid.

Seen as Spain’s answer to David Beckham, he’ll be remembered for one of the most memorable assists of all time when he set up Karim Benzema with an audacious backheel.

7 Steven Gerrard gerrard-fifa2

Liverpool’s captain fantastic is the most recent in our selection to hang up his boots and will almost certainly be recognised by EA Sports.

Gerrard has been one of the finest players ever to grace FIFA games down the years, alongside the likes of Ronaldinho and Francesco Totti.

8 Francesco Totti

The ‘King of Rome’ finally hung up his boots in May after 25 remarkable years of service in Italy’s capital and deserves special EA recognition for his one-club loyalty.

Totti’s enduring nature saw him thrive into his 40s and at his peak was one of the best players to play with on the game.

9 Philipp Lahm

Lahm, like Totti, brought an extraordinary career to an end last season that saw him win eight Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, the Champions League and the World Cup.

The man nicknamed ‘Magic Dwarf’ is one of the most reliable players ever to play with on any version of FIFA.

READ MORE:

FIFA 18 deals: The cheapest places to buy EA Sports’ brilliant new game FIFA 18: Meet the alternative to Harry Kane that every player should sign FIFA 18 or PES 2018: Which game should you buy this year?

WATCH: Aimar’s Valencia were a far cry from the current side

Monday, December 18, 2017

John Terry says Virgil van Dijk could walk into any team – Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool – but not Chelsea

John Terry says Virgil van Dijk could walk into any team – Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool – but not Chelsea
The Independent - Football
John Terry says Virgil van Dijk could walk into any team – Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool – but not Chelsea
John Terry says Virgil van Dijk could walk into any team – Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool – but not Chelsea
The former Chelsea captain also said he would have a decision to make should Aston Villa be promoted from the Championship this season

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Friday, December 15, 2017

Picking the Best Potential Southampton Lineup to Face Chelsea on Saturday

Picking the Best Potential Southampton Lineup to Face Chelsea on Saturday
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Picking the Best Potential Southampton Lineup to Face Chelsea on Saturday
​Southampton make the trip to west London on Saturday looking to bounce back from Wednesday night's humiliating defeat at home to Leicester. The Saints currently lie 11th in the Premier League, having accumulated 18 points so far this season. Mauricio Pellegrino will be keen for his side to put in an improved performance, and may look to alter the makeup of his side in order to do so. Here is how Southampton could lineup at kick off.... ​Fraser Forster has started every Premier League game...

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Fantasy football: How Mohamed Salah’s special goal won this man Dream Team Weekender

Fantasy football: How Mohamed Salah’s special goal won this man Dream Team Weekender
Dream Team FC
Fantasy football: How Mohamed Salah’s special goal won this man Dream Team Weekender

Dream Team Weekender is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way to get your fantasy football fix.

Pick seven players, with no budget and no limit to the number of players you can pick from a singe club from the Saturday and Sunday games every weekend.

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It really is that simple.

And as we all know fantasy football is a game of fine margins – just ask Tom Winning.

Reuters Salah has been a huge fantasy football favourite[/caption]

Tom’s surname is extremely fitting when you come to think of it, particularly after his brilliant effort in Dream Team Weekender last weekend earned him a share of the £10k prizepot.

But how do you go about pocketing that cool £5k? We spoke to him about his side, aptly named ‘Winning formula’ did the business…

 

Q: What is the best thing about Weekender?

Tom: “I try to play Weekender every week. I think the best thing about it for me is the thrill of trying to compete against others around the country with your football knowledge.

“It also makes the weekend football a lot more interesting as you’re not just looking out for results but who scored and assisted too.”

Q: Who are your go to players this season?

Tom: “My one consistent is player is Mo Salah. His goal and Star Man against Everton basically won me the prizepot.

“I had been picking Kevin De Bruyne almost every week but I thought it was too much of a risk with the Manchester derby.”

PA:Press Association Salah curls home a beauty against Everton[/caption]

AFP or licensors Tom decided not to pick De Bruyne… and it worked[/caption]

Q: When did you realise you’d won this weekend?

Tom: “I realised on Sunday after the Salah goal I was top so it was just a case of nervously waiting until after the Manchester derby.”

Q: What are you going to do with the winnings?

Tom: “Well with it being Christmas the winnings will go on some wonderful presents that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford for my two little boys and my girlfriend.”

So there you go.

Tom, interestingly, is also a Swansea fan, so putting faith in his boys Lukasz Fabianski and Wilfried Bony also paid off handsomely.

PA:Press Association Bony’s goal bagged 13 points[/caption]

Fancy following in Tom’s footsteps? Enter Dream Team Weekender now!

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win 10k!

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Monday, December 11, 2017

5 of Jose Mourinho’s most ‘respectful’ celebrations

5 of Jose Mourinho’s most ‘respectful’ celebrations
Dream Team FC
5 of Jose Mourinho’s most ‘respectful’ celebrations

Jose Mourinho has to have a little dig when his side lose.

After the 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby he complained about Man City’s locker room celebrations.

The confetti was a bit much I have to admit.

Seeing as Pep Guardiola and his team had just won the biggest game of the season, and basically wrapped up the title in December, a bit of music and chanting in the dressing room was a reasonable way to toast the game.

The noisy cheers near the dressing room angered the United players and manager so much it led do a bust-up in the tunnel, leaving Mikel Arteta with blood streaming from his face and someone reportedly squirting milk at Mourinho.

It was also alleged that the United manager screamed “you f****** show respect. Who are you?” at City’s goalkeeper Ederson Moraes.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets are offering this great offer when you sign up and bet a fiver NARRATOR: Jose was not smiling after the gameAFP or licensors

Then again, Mourinho has never been one to calmly nod his head and enjoy muted celebrations.

He really makes the most of the moment when his side triumph so his criticism feels rather ironic.

Here are five of Mourinho’s most ‘respectful’ celebrations…

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win 10k! Man United v Porto, Champions League (2004) The first touchline gallopTimes Newspapers Ltd

This was the original and possibly best.

An amazing underdog story saw Porto win the Champions League under Mourinho in 2004, but a last-minute equaliser at Old Trafford to win a quarter final against Man United brought the worst out of Mou.

He flew out of his seat in the dug out and galloped down the touchline pumping his fists to celebrate with his jubilant team.

Fergie was not impressed.

Respect rating: 3/5 – emotions got the better of him in a huge match, understandable.

Barcelona v Inter, Champions League 2010

Mourinho had no thoughts whatsoever for how the opposition might have been feeling in this one.

After his Inter side knocked a beautiful Barcelona out in the Champions League semi-final he charged onto the pitch with a raised finger and ran around the players.

This lasted until Victor Valdes confronted him and forcibly tried to make him stop… There was no stopping him.

He also hated Barcelona and couldn’t resist a gloat after defending them off the park.

Respect rating: 0/5 – a fine example of how to rub it into your opponents face after scraping a win against them.

Real Madrid v Villarreal, La Liga 2011 Eyes on that bottleHandout

Another case of Mourinho’s humility on the big stage.

When Real Madrid went 4-2 up against Villarreal, their manager walked over to the opposing bench and raised his fist to celebrate with the fans just behind them.

Of course, this taunting was a red rag to a bull and one of the Villarreal staff actually threw a bottle at Mourinho.

Respect rating: 1/5 – Absolutely no need.  They were already in front and he was clearly trying to antagonise his opponents.

Real Madrid v Man City, Champions League 2013

via GIPHY

Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal to make it 3-2 brought out a classic demonstration of how not to show respect to your opponents from Mourinho.

He ran forward from the bench and pulled out his favoured knee slide onto the Bernabeu pitch before sitting back and giving it a double fist pump.

Respect rating: 4/5 – No one should encroach the pitch but a last-minute winner can do strange things to people.

Chelsea v PSG, Champions League 2014 That is the corner flag yesTimes Newspapers Ltd

Another Champions League campaign, another example of how to win with humility.

Demba Ba scored an 87th minute goal to put Chelsea through against moneybags PSG on away goals.

The team were celebrating the goal in the corner so Mourinho, obviously, ran down the touchline to get involved with the dog pile, congratulate his players and then pull them out and dish out individual instructions for the last three minutes.

Respect rating: 3/5 – The game hadn’t actually finished but you have to love Mourinho getting some sneaky tactical instructions in during the wild celebrations.