Month: December 2020

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KLOPP RATES WIN OVER AJAX AMONG HIS BEST AT LIVERPOOL.

Liverpool boss, Jurgen KLOPP has labelled Tuesday night win against Ajax as one of his best wins since joining the Merseyside

Anfield was empty, the Liverpool team depleted by injury and it was hardly a vintage performance but the 1-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday still left manager Jurgen Klopp bursting with pride.

Honestly since I was at Liverpool that feels like one of the biggest Champions League nights. Without supporters in, it was the most important, most difficult, most exceptional,” he said.

“With the circumstances, there hasn’t been much to smile about, it’s been tricky, and the boys throw themselves into the game,” said the German after his side secured top spot in Group D.

“Robbo [Andy Robertson] has a proper knock on the ankle and pushes himself through, Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with a sore back, Gini [Georginio Wijnaldum] — I have no words for him. Curtis Jones, what a game, It’s amazing, I’m really proud.”

The 19-year-old Jones got the second-half winner and was one of the brightest players in the midfield battle.

“Curtis is a really good kid, a good player and I am happy to have him around. Sometimes with injuries there is always an opportunity and he has taken it,” he said.

Klopp had another injury headache to contend with before the game, with keeper Alisson Becker ruled out with a hamstring strain, and Irish Under-21 keeper Caoimhin Kelleher was picked ahead of the more experience Adrian.

“I really think Adrian has done a fantastic job for us, he kept a lot of clean sheets, played everywhere. But now we needed the natural football playing ability of Caoimhin Kelleher. He is a good shot stopper as well. We made that decision but you never know how they are going to cope. I am really happy with how calm he was and how good he was,” said Klopp.

Kelleher made a vital save in the closing moments to make sure of the three points.

“That’s what I’m there for, I work every day in training to make sure I am ready and I was able to make a good few saves,” he said.

“It was an amazing one for me, to make my Champions League debut was massive and we got the win and qualified. A great night.”

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I’M NOT QUITTING: ZIDANE VOWS TO REMAIN AT MADRID DESPITE RUN OF POOR FORM.

Zinedine Zidane says he wants to fight on as Real Madrid manager after a 2-0 Champions League loss to Shakhtar Donetsk left the team’s chances of qualifying for the round of 16 in serious doubt.

Second-half goals from substitutes Dentinho and Manor Solomon saw Madrid beaten for the second time by the Ukrainians, after they opened their European campaign with a 3-2 home defeat in October.

The result in Kiev put Shakhtar level on points with Madrid, with both teams nervously eyeing Tuesday’s other Group B match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Inter Milan.

The final matchday on Dec. 9 sees Madrid host group leaders Monchengladbach, and Shakhtar travel to Inter.

“No. Not at all. I won’t resign,” Zidane said in his postmatch news conference, when asked if he was considering his future. “We’ll keep going. … In the first half we were really good. I think we deserved to score first, that would have changed things. Their goals hurt us a lot.”

Madrid have now lost five of their last 10 matches in all competitions, with La Liga defeats to Cadiz, Valencia and Alaves combining with home and away Champions League losses to Shakhtar to leave Zidane under significant pressure.

“We’ve had complicated moments and we always will,” Zidane said. “We’re on a bad run of results. That’s the reality. But we have to keep going. … I think we prepared well, we played a great first half. We have one game left and we have to win and think about going through.”

Madrid now face a testing run of fixtures, as they go away to top-four contenders Sevilla in La Liga, face Monchengladbach in a must-win Champions League clash, and then face Atletico Madrid in the derby, all in a week.

“I feel strong. I’ll give everything, as always, I think the players will too,” Zidane said. “The other day [against Alaves] we didn’t deserve to win. I think today we played a good game, but that’s football. We have to keep our heads up and think about the next game. When you’re on a bad run there’s no alternative … we have to show our character and our pride.”

While Karim Benzema returned to the team Tuesday night, Madrid are still waiting for captain Sergio Ramos to recover from injury, and Eden Hazard was ruled out for three weeks Monday because of a thigh muscle problem.

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PORTO 0-0 MANCITY: PEP GUARDIOLA’S SIDE HELD TO A DRAW AS GABRIEL JESUS LATE GOAL CANCELED OUT BY VAR.

Pep Guardiola has spent the past few days telling his Manchester City squad to forget about the notion of Premier League rotation now they are match sharp.

So with Champions League qualification already sealed, Tuesday night effectively acted as a trial for tasks to come.

Seven of them had watched on as City slapped five past Burnley and the challenge was to force a way into the team for Fulham. Or more pertinently, the one heading for Old Trafford in just over a week’s time.

Ultimately they carved enough chances to maintain their 100 per cent record but those all arrived rather late on a fairly dry night.

It will certainly be interesting to see how many have enhanced their chances following Guardiola’s first goalless draw in Europe since 2015. Despite all that, the City boss appeared happy enough.

‘They showed me today that everybody s fit, everybody is ready,’ he said with bite.

‘So I can trust these players who played today and Burnley. They have competition between them now. That is good news.’

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MON 2-3 INTER: ROMELU LUKAKU BRACE KEEPS INTERMILAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HOPES ALIVE.

Internazionale forward Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the second half to secure a 3-2 win at Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive with Group B still wide open with one round of games left.

The Belgium international has proved a lifesaver for Inter, having also scored twice, including a last-minute equaliser, in their 2-2 draw with the Germans in Italy on the first matchday.

Lukaku fired home for a 2-1 lead in the 64th minute at Borussia Park and tapped in his second goal nine minutes later to make it 3-1, with Inter now needing a win in their last group match against Shakhtar Donetsk to have any chance of advancing.

“You need to be a great group [of players], otherwise you don’t come here and win against this Borussia side in great form,” said Inter coach Antonio Conte.

“We had a great performance, we fully deserved to win. We just could avoid some risks at the end but we are still alive and this is what counts the most.”

Gladbach are top on eight points, one ahead of Shakhtar and Real Madrid after the Ukrainians earlier beat the visiting Spaniards 2-0. Inter are bottom on five. All four teams will battle to reach the last 16 on the final matchday.

Inter were rewarded for their strong start with Matteo Darmian slotting the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 17th minute.

The Germans found their footing after half an hour and, despite frantic shouts of “calma, calma” from Inter coach Antonio Conte echoing across the empty stadium, the Italians lost their grip on the game.

Alassane Plea headed home the equaliser in first-half stoppage time but as the hosts edged closer to a second goal after the break, Lukaku struck with a powerful shot across the area into the far corner.

He then completed a quick move with an easy tap in.

Monchengladbach were not done yet and Plea cut the deficit in the 76th while eight minutes later the Frenchman had an effort disallowed by VAR for an offside in the area.

“We’d have liked to get points from this game. We didn’t manage that and we’re very disappointed,” said Gladbach coach Marco Rose, who was furious over the offside decision.

Asked what he had told the referee in an agitated manner at the end of the game, Rose replied: “Merry Christmas.”

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ATLETICO 1-1 BAYERN: THOMAS MULLER LATE STRIKE EARNS THE GERMAN GIANTS A POINT.

Thomas Müller came off the bench to win and convert a late penalty for Bayern Munich as they held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, preventing the Spanish side from booking their place in the knockout stages.

Bayern were already guaranteed their spot in the Last 16 as Group A winners, meaning coach Hansi Flick had the luxury of rotating his squad at the Wanda Metropolitano: Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka were rested, with Müller, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Benjamin Pavard on the bench.

A much-changed line-up – including teenagers Jamal Musiala and Bright Arrey-Mbi – rather struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages, although Leroy Sane should have done better than blast over the bar after neat work from Douglas Costa.

Atletico soon took control of proceedings and went ahead midway through the half, when Joao Felix stabbed home Marcos Llorente’s cross at the near post. Musiala almost drilled in a world-class effort from outside the area after ghosting past Mario Hermoso, but the home side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the chances, and could have increased their lead by the break.

Diego Simeone’s men picked up where they left off in the second half, with Felix and Yannick Carrasco going close, although Lucas Hernandez almost brought Bayern level against his former club, heading over from a corner.

Flick made a triple substitution just after the hour mark, bringing on Müller, Gnabry and Chris Richards, and the tide soon began to turn in the visitors’ favour. Müller went close on 74 minutes when Gnabry scooped a ball into the Atletico area, but home keeper Jan Oblak was able to clear the danger.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, however, the Bayern No.25 was brought down inside by the area by substitute Felipe and the referee awarded a penalty. Müller dusted himself off and slammed it home, meaning that the reigning European champions remain unbeaten in this competition since a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in March 2019.

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LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX: CURTIS JONES SECOND HALF GOAL SECURES CRUCIAL WIN FOR KLOPP SIDE.

A fine Curtis Jones goal was enough to give Liverpool a 1-0 win over Ajax with the victory confirming the Reds’ progression into the Champions League knockout stages as group winners.

The game got off to a pulsating start with Jones hitting the post five minutes in. Ajax had several chances of their own in the first half with Champions League debutant Caoimhin Kelleher being kept busy in the Liverpool goal.

After the break, the Reds managed to poke their noses in front with two academy graduates combining; Neco Williams swung in a looping cross and a stranded Andre Onana could only watch as Jones provided a cute finish from the angle to put the Reds 1-0 up.

After substitute Roberto Firmino missed a gilt-edged chance, the Reds had Kelleher to thanks late on with the Irishman, making a point-blank save to deny Klaas- Jan Hunteelar’s header.

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GUS POYET RULES SELF OUT OF SUNDERLAND RETURN.

Gus Poyet has reportedly ruled himself out of the reckoning to become the new Sunderland manager.

According to reports, the former Black Cats boss would prefer to not drop down to League One, despite being the bookies favourite.

It is understood that Sunderland have spoken to a number of candidates with a decision set to be made ahead of the weekend clash with Wigan Atheltic.

Victory against Burton Albion tonight would give the Sunderland board more time to go over a decision, but failure to win would heap more pressure on any incoming manager to achieve automatic promotion.

Keith Downie of Sky Sports News tweeted: “Gus Poyet will NOT be making a dramatic return to Sunderland – despite a big shift in the bookies’ odds.

“The Uruguayan was a candidate, but I understand he would prefer not to drop down to League One. Poyet left Sunderland when they were in the Premier League in 2015.

” I understand Sunderland have spoken to a number of candidates in the past 48 hours abs have been inundated with applications.

“Poyet was a candidate but won’t be coming back”

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UEFA ANNOUNCE NOMINEES FOR TEAM OF THE YEAR FEATURING 14 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS.

UEFA have announced the 50 nominees for their Team of the Year – including 14 players from the Premier League.

Fans will determine the final make-up of the side with nominees coming from 21 different clubs and 19 separate national teams.

The contenders have been selected ‘on the basis of their performances in UEFA competitions and domestic competitions within UEFA member associations from January to December 2020’.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been nominated for the 17th successive year, and has featured in the last 13 Teams of the Year.

Great rival Lionel Messi has his 15th nomination and is eyeing a place in the final side for the 11th occasion.

Bayern Munich have the most representatives with 10 players after they won the Champions League earlier this year, while Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have eight each.

Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are the Reds stars on the shortlist.

They are joined by Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz from Chelsea, Harry Kane from Tottenham and Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United.

Nominees in full
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyon), Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid).

Defenders: David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Angelino (RB Leipzig), Juan Bernat (Paris Saint-Germain), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Matthijs de Ligt ( Juventus ), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Hans Hateboer (Atalanta), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Sergio Ramos ( Real Madrid ), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea), Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich/Liverpool), Hossem Aouar (Olympique Lyon), Ever Banega (Sevilla/Al-Shabab), Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Papu Gomez (Atalanta), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen/Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig).

Forwards:Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund), Angel di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona ), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).

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FA CUP DRAW: TOTTENHAM FACE MARINE, ARSENAL MEET NEWCASTLE IN THIRD ROUND FIXTURES.

Defending champions Arsenal welcome Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round, while eighth-tier Marine, the joint lowest-ranked team in the competition, landed a lucrative encounter with Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur in Monday’s draw.

Twelve-times winners Manchester United play host to second-tier Watford, while Premier League champions Liverpool face a tricky trip to Aston Villa as they look to avenge last month’s 7-2 league defeat.

Manchester City are at home to Birmingham City, while Chelsea welcome fourth-tier side Morecambe. Crystal Palace make the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in an all-Premier League showdown.

The third round, to be played across the weekend of Jan 9-10, is when teams from the Premier League and second-tier Championship join the competition.

The FA Cup has scrapped replays for this season to help ease fixture congestion caused by the COVID-19 crisis, amplifying the chances of a few additional upsets en route to the showpiece match at Wembley on May 15, 2021.

Third round draw:

Huddersfield Town vs. Plymouth Argyle

Southampton vs. Shrewsbury Town

Chorley vs. Derby County

Marine vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Crystal Palace

Stockport County vs. West Ham United

Oldham Athletic vs. AFC Bournemouth

Manchester United vs. Watford

Stevenage vs. Swansea City

Everton vs. Rotherham United

Nottingham Forest vs. Cardiff City

Arsenal vs. Newcastle United

Barnsley vs. Tranmere Rovers

Bristol Rovers vs. Sheffield United

Boreham Wood vs. Millwall

Blackburn Rovers vs. Doncaster Rovers

Stoke City vs. Leicester City

Wycombe Wanderers vs. Preston North End

Crawley Town vs. Leeds United

Burnley vs. Milton Keynes Dons

Bristol City vs. Portsmouth

Queens Park Rangers vs. Fulham

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool

Brentford vs. Middlesbrough

Manchester City vs. Birmingham City

Luton Town vs. Reading

Chelsea vs. Morecambe

Exeter City vs. Sheffield Wednesday

Norwich City vs. Coventry City

Blackpool vs. West Bromwich Albion

Newport County vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Cheltenham Town vs. Mansfield Town

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JACK GREALISH WANTS VAR SCRAPPED AFTER ASTON VILLA SUFFER DEFEAT TO WESTHAM.

Jack Grealish has called to ‘get rid’ of VAR after Aston Villa were controversially denied a late equaliser in their dramatic 2-1 defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium.

The Villans attempted to muster a fightback after Jarrod Bowen put the hosts ahead at the start of the second half with a deft header but were unable to score the all-important leveller.

Grealish, 25, had evened the scores in the first half with a fine individual goal after Angelo Ogbonna opened the scoring with a powerful header in just the second minute of the game.

Villa had the Hammers under the cosh in the latter stages, and striker Ollie Watkins had a game to forget having missed from the penalty spot before seeing his late strike ruled out.

The former Brentford striker latched onto a wonderful Matt Targett cross to strike home beyond Lukasz Fabianski in stoppage time, in what Villa thought was the sought-after equaliser.

However, VAR intervened to deem that the Englishman was marginally offside, with the top of his arm just straying beyond the last West Ham defender.

Villa boss Dean Smith, as well as Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, have argued that Watkins’ arm was in that position because he had in fact been fouled by Ogbonna when the ball was played in.

And Grealish, who has already made his thoughts on VAR public following last week’s controversial defeat to Brighton at Villa Park, has once again hit out at the video technology.

‘As for VAR, I’ve shared my views before and it’s now just getting borderline embarrassing with some off the decisions. Ruining the game,’ the Villa captain tweeted to his 388,000 followers on Twitter after the game.

The England international also posted ‘VAR get rid’ to his 1.1million followers on Instagram.

Grealish’s latest comments follow his criticism last week after Villa were denied a late penalty against the Seagulls following a VAR review.

After the game at Villa Park, Grealish tweeted: ‘VAR = LMAO’.

They have given offside for a part of the body that can’t put the ball in the back of the net,’ Villa boss Smith said after the game. ‘The only reason the arm is where it is, is because he is being fouled by someone who had his arms round his neck.’