Month: September 2021

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CARABAO CUP: AARON CONNOLLY AT THE DOUBLE AS BRIGHTON SINK SWANSEA

Aaron Connolly struck twice to ensure Brighton’s place in the Carabao Cup fourth round after a 2-0 win over Swansea.

The Republic of Ireland international had only one goal to his name in the calendar year before his 33rd-minute deflected strike broke the deadlock at the Amex.

Connolly’s second then followed five minutes later in almost identical fashion as he placed the ball in the far corner beyond Swansea goalkeeper Steven Benda.

Swansea hit the woodwork twice in the second half but were unable to force a comeback, unlike their 3-3 draw against Luton at the weekend when they were three goals behind.

Brighton kept their impressive run of form going into the cup despite boss Graham Potter naming an entirely different starting XI from his side’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Leicester at the weekend.

Neither side had any clear-cut chances in the opening stages, with both managers making a significant number of changes to their line-ups.

Swansea had the first opportunity of the game when the ball was played in to Korey Smith, who headed wide of the target from a Jake Bidwell cross.

The game had been without any opportunities or clear-cut chances when Connolly broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute.

The Seagulls number seven was played in by Alexis Mac Allister down the left and made his way into the box before taking a shot which deflected past the goalkeeper off a defender who was trying to make the block.

It was the Ireland international’s first goal of the season on only his second club appearance.

Connolly added his and Brighton’s second just five minutes later.

He was played in again by Mac Allister but had more to do, running past a defender before expertly placing the ball into the far corner and out of reach of Benda.

Swansea had a good opportunity to pull one back at the start of the second half when Morgan Whittaker found Liam Cullen but his header bounced off the woodwork and Joel Latibeaudiere’s follow-up attempt looped over the bar.

Whittaker then had a strike of his own deflected wide after being set up by Smith.

Jakub Moder had a chance to secure Brighton’s place in the next round when he was fed in behind the backline but the ball was just ahead of him and Benda was able to gather.

On the hour mark, Swansea hit the woodwork for the second time as Smith’s strike rebounded off the crossbar.

Just before the final whistle, Brighton almost added a third when Pascal Gross’ free-kick from just outside the area hit the bar.

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MORE TOURNAMENTS MEAN GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN TEAMS

Women’s football and FIFA’s desire to see more African teams qualify for the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, were the focus of a working visit by a FIFA delegation to Nigeria. 

Led by FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and including FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman, the delegation attended the inaugural Aisha Buhari Cup, a women’s football tournament featuring six African National teams, in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Aisha Buhari Cup was conceived by the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency Dr. Ms. Aisha Buhari, and aims to highlight the theme of ‘playing for good’ while also inspiring and empowering the women who compete in it, and the multitude who follow it on social media and television.

The delegation was joined at the competition by FIFA Council member Isha Johansen and CAF Vice President Kanizat Ibrahim. To simultaneously show support for the teams competing, and to underline the shared belief among senior female leaders in football that women’s teams in Africa must now focus on capacity building and develop pathways towards senior national teams.

The presence of the FIFA delegation followed the attendance of the FIFA and CAF Presidents for its opening. Discussions were also held with the tournament organizers, the Nigerian Football Association and its President and FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick on the future of the female game in Nigeria, and strategies that could be put in place to see the Super Falcons qualify in 2023.

It also provided an opportunity for discussions between FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman and Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Aisha Falode on how FIFA can best support the Federation.

The FIFA delegation also attended the annual NFF Awards during their mission to Lagos and were delighted to see women’s football not only in the spotlight at the event but feted with great enthusiasm.

Speaking at the conclusion of the mission, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “Nigeria is a country full of passion and I’m so pleased to see this passion being channeled into women’s football. The Aisha Buhari Cup is extremely important, as it allowed African teams the chance to have more competitive experience. The more we expand the opportunities for our girls to gain experience though tournaments on a continental level, the greater the chances of seeing more African teams qualify to the expanded FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman added: “The skill and natural talent in African women’s football is simply outstanding and this tournament has provided a great window to view this. FIFA will work closely with our MAs throughout the continent, like the NFF and its dedicated women’s football team, to build clear strategies and roadmaps for African teams.”

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WESTHAM ELIMINATE MANCHESTER UNITED FROM CARABAO CUP

Manuel Lanzini fired West Ham to their first win at Old Trafford since 2007 as underwhelming Manchester United bowed out of the Carabao Cup in the third round.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were beaten semi-finalists in the last two editions and came into this match fresh from sealing a thrilling 2-1 Premier League win at the London Stadium when the sides met on Sunday.

But three days on it was David Moyes’ men celebrating as Lanzini secured West Ham a rare Old Trafford triumph and Carabao Cup progress as the hosts failed to turn a gamut of shots into a goal in a 1-0 loss.

The Hammers had failed to win on their previous 17 trips to Old Trafford, with Carlos Tevez the last player to score a winner there back in May 2007.

This time Argentinian compatriot Lanzini did the damage, sweeping home after Ryan Fredericks roared past rusty Alex Telles on a night when the sides made a combined 21 changes.

Juan Mata hit the crossbar as the Red Devils looked to level in the first half and West Ham debutant Alphonse Areola helped keep Man United at bay in the second period as an avenue to a first trophy since 2017 closed.

The hosts had 27 shots but could not find a way through, with Andriy Yarmolenko hitting the post in a stretched end to the third-round clash.

It was a disappointing evening for the majority of the 72,468 at Old Trafford, where Solskjaer made 11 changes and Jarrod Bowen was the only survivor from Sunday’s meeting in east London.

Dean Henderson made his first appearance of the campaign having struggled with prolonged fatigue after contracting Covid-19 and Telles was another making his first start of the campaign.

The Man United left-back looked rusty on his return from an ankle injury and was breathing a sigh of relief after Bowen missed the target following his poor attempted challenge in the build-up.

West Ham debutant Alex Kral saw a close-range shot blocked by Eric Bailly as the Hammers continued brightly, with Moyes’ men capitalising on out-of-sorts Telles in the ninth minute.

Fredericks’ burst beyond the left-back and his deflected cutback from the byline was struck beyond Henderson by Lanzini in front of the Stretford End.

It appeared to act as a wake-up call for the hosts and Sunday’s match-winning goalscorer Jesse Lingard was furious referee Jon Moss did not award a penalty.

The former West Ham loanee went down in the box under pressure from Mark Noble, who was being teased by home fans after David De Gea saved the substitute’s late penalty on Sunday.

Jadon Sancho saw a shot blocked and Anthony Martial sent a deft touch bobbling wide after Mata’s cross-shot rattled the crossbar as the home side launched wave after wave of attack.

But, despite being under the cosh and forced to replace injured Fredericks with Vladimir Coufal, West Ham retained their lead heading into the break as Areola denied Lingard before Telles and Martial failed with attempts.

Solskjaer’s side returned from the break strongly and Mata delightfully clipped over for Sancho to hit an audacious volley from an acute angle off target, before Diogo Dalot rifled a low effort just wide.

Yarmolenko struck wide from 20 yards as West Ham threatened to extend their lead, with Solskjaer turning to substitute Mason Greenwood – a move that almost paid immediate dividends as he forced Areola into a smart stop.

The West Ham shot-stopper denied Lingard before Solskjaer introduced Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes as the hosts attempted to turn the screw.

The latter bent wide from 25 yards and Areola blocked Martial as the match entered the final 10 minutes, with Man United leaving gaps at the back as they searched for a leveller.

Yarmolenko somehow hit the post having rounded Henderson in the 86th minute and two minutes later Noble was played in by Bowen, only for his first-time strike to be stopped by Henderson.

The Man United goalkeeper denied Bowen soon after but those missed chances did not prove costly as West Ham celebrated.

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CARABAO CUP: ARSENAL THRASH BATTLING AFC WIMBLEDON TO PROGRESS TO NEXT PHASE

Arsenal eased into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable victory over spirited League One side AFC Wimbledon.

The Gunners have returned to winning ways of late and Mikel Arteta would have been pleased to see his side add goals to their recently-discovered guile with this 3-0 victory.

It took them until the latter stages to do so, however, with Alexandre Lacazette’s early penalty not built on until the final 13 minutes when substitute Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah wrapped up Arsenal’s place in the next round.

This was a chance to give much-needed game time to the likes of Lacazette, Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli and, in the main, Arteta’s fringe players did well.

Arteta insists Lacazette can play a key role for Arsenal this season despite limited opportunities and his contract expiring next summer.

The Frenchman captained the side and was the man to make the breakthrough in the 11th minute, coolly slotting home from the penalty spot after Martinelli had been felled by Nesta Guinness-Walker.

If those inside the Emirates Stadium expected the floodgates to open at that point they would have been disappointed, Nik Tzanev in the Wimbledon goal going largely untroubled for the remainder of the first-half.

The visitors held their own without truly testing Bernd Leno, back in the Arsenal side having lost the gloves to summer signing Aaron Ramsdale.

The former Wimbledon goalkeeper was not even among the substitutes as Arteta made 10 changes, only Thomas Partey retained from the weekend win at Burnley as he continues to build up fitness ahead of the north London derby.

The Ghana midfielder came close to doubling Arsenal’s lead with a drive from the edge of the box which Tzanev pushed behind on the hour, with Partey making way shortly after.

Nuno Tavares saw a back-post header kept out by Tzanev as the hosts pushed for the goal to kill off the tie but Wimbledon were defending resolutely in numbers – repelling most balls in and around their box.

They could not set up a grandstand finish, however, Arteta throwing on Bukayo Saka for Martinelli with the England man immediately involved in the attack which saw Smith Rowe double the lead.

The result was put beyond doubt just three minutes later, Saka again involved as he worked the ball wide for Cedric Soares to cross and Nketiah to flick in with aplomb.

Ethan Chislett headed wide when he should have done better as the visitors chased a consolation before Saka arrowed a shot inches wide and drew a late save out of Tzanev as Arsenal progressed.

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LIVERPOOL TO EXTEND ANFIELD CAPACITY TO 61,000

Liverpool will formally start work next week on a project to increase the capacity of their Anfield home to more than 61,000.

The expansion, which was granted planning permission in June and has been undergoing enabling works throughout the off-season, is looking to add 7,000 seats to the Anfield Road Stand and is expected to be completed in time for the 2023-24 campaign.

The club said on Wednesday morning that work “will begin in earnest with an official ground-breaking ceremony planned for next week”.

Jurgen Klopp’s men will continue to play at the stadium while the building work, which will involve a re-route of Anfield Road itself, takes place.

Managing director Andy Hughes told the Reds’ website: “We have been clear from the beginning that in order for this expansion to go ahead we needed the co-operation of local residents and the community, to successfully navigate the complex planning landscape, and to ensure the project is financially viable.

“We needed certainty for this project to progress and are now in a position to be able to move forward. We began this journey in 2014 and are grateful to everyone for the contributions they have made to bring the project to this stage.”

The newly designed Anfield Road Stand will see the lower tier retained and refurbished, with a new upper tier built above

Buckingham Group Contracting Limited has been appointed principal contractor and will work closely with the Red Neighbours initiative and also local employment groups having entered into a commitment to offer work experience, apprenticeships, graduate placements and jobs to local people.

The expanded structure, which will be similar in design to the Main Stand and will include improved concourses and sports-bar lounge hospitality facilities, is expected to support around 400 matchday roles in addition to the 2,200 which currently exist.

It will also feature additional pedestrian routes into Stanley Park and “include historical design references”.

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KAMARA SIGNS NEW CONTRACT TO STAY AT RANGERS TILL 2025

Glen Kamara has signed a new contract at Rangers until the summer of 2025.

The Scottish champions confirmed the deal and added: “Kamara, 25, has been outstanding for the Light Blues both domestically and in Europe since his arrival from Dundee in the January 2019 transfer window.

“He has established himself as a key member not only of Steven Gerrard’s first-team squad, but also of the Finland national team, where he played a major role in helping them qualify for their first-ever major tournament – Euro 2020.

“A hugely popular figure with his team-mates and the Rangers support, Kamara now has the opportunity to add to his 115 appearances and Scottish Premiership winners’ medal for the club thus far.”

Kamara said: “I am delighted to have committed my long-term future to Rangers.

“I have absolutely loved my time here and being a part of the title-winning team last season has given me the hunger to try to win even more in the seasons ahead.
“It was an easy decision for me to sign and I want to thank the manager, Ross Wilson and the board for the faith they have shown in me.”

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EFL RELEASES STATEMENT CONFIRMING DERBY COUNTY POINT DEDUCTION

After speculation the EFL have now confirmed Derby County’s formal points deduction after the club announced it intended to go into administration on Friday.

In a statement the EFL stated they had “already held initial constructive discussions with the Administrators and will remain in regular dialogue with them as they seek to find the appropriate solutions required to assist the club as it navigates its way out of insolvency.”

The 12-point deduction will be “immediately applied to Derby County Football Club’s 2021/22 season total” meaning a fighting start to the season leaves them on -2 but still six points from second-bottom Nottingham Forest and nine points from safety.

Wayne Rooney’s side were in turmoil over the summer as transfer sanctions forced them to release players and struggle to recruit.

Their season opened with a draw against Huddersfield Town and the defeat to Peterborough United, but since they had managed a respectable total of ten points including wins over Hull City and Stoke. They were in twelfth position before the sanction took effect.

EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch went on the record to state that he appreciated “that this is a challenging and concerning period for everyone associated with the Club, particularly the staff and supporters, and it is our intention to work proactively with the Administrators and all relevant parties with the objective of securing a long-term and viable future for Derby County.

“We will endeavour to provide timely and relevant updates as appropriate and as and when events unfold over the coming weeks.”

In Derby’s own statement about moving into administration they had said they would now “appeal to the EFL to now assist the Club and the Administrators in any way they can in the effort to find a purchaser.”

In today’s comment the EFL have said they are “contacting representatives of Rams Trust (the Derby County Official Supporters Trust), DCMS, MPs from the Derby area and other relevant stakeholders inviting them to meet the League to discuss the club’s position.”

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JAMES RODRIGUEZ LEAVES EVERTON FOR QATAR CLUB AL RAYYAN

Qatari club Al Rayyan have confirmed the signing of James Rodriguez from Everton.

The Toffees say the Colombian has left for an undisclosed fee, having joined on a free transfer last season and with just one year left on his deal.

He leaves almost exactly a year since he joined Everton to great fanfare and much excitement.

The playmaker sparkled in his early performances, scoring three goals in his first five appearances, the kind of Rolls-Royce player Evertonians have been starved of for years.

But sadly those performances tailed off as time went on, with a series of niggling injuries meaning he was frequently absent from the side.

He made 26 appearances during the 2020-21 season, scoring six goals, but Evertonians were hopeful for more with a full pre-season behind him.

Sadly his fate was sealed the moment Carlo Ancelotti left for Real Madrid. James openly admitted he only joined Everton because of the Italian, so his departure made an exit almost inevitable.

Rafa Benitez’s appointment as Ancelotti’s successor further pushed him towards the exit door, with the Spaniard having endured a difficult relationship with James during their time at Real Madrid.

But with a reported wage of £200,000 a week there were predictably few takers in a market still reeling from the financial devastation of Covid.

James quickly became a huge drain on resources and an awkward topic of conversation in press conferences, with Benitez blaming Covid isolation then lack of fitness for his exclusion from the first team so far this season.

Moves to Portugal and Turkey collapsed before the August transfer deadline, raising the prospect of James staying here until at least January. But the Qatar window was still open – and he is now finally on his way.

The overriding feeling for me is one of huge disappointment. James is a genuine world-class talent who would ordinarily come nowhere near our club. His fitness record plays a part in that of course, but Ancelotti’s willingness to indulge him made it look a risk worth taking.

Sadly it was a fragile relationship that collapsed as soon as Ancelotti left. James then suddenly became a financial burden at a time where the club was scrambling to keep in line with profit and sustainability rules.

With Benitez wanting to build a team prepared to scrap for every point, James quickly became a luxury we didn’t need or could afford.

The Colombian didn’t help himself at times either, saying he didn’t even know who Everton were playing before last month’s trip to Leeds was revealing.

We don’t know the exact details and likely never will, but it is clear a move away is the best for all concerned.

The cruel irony is that James departs without having ever played in front of a Goodison crowd.

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AC Milan players targeted with racism in consecutive games

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who is Black, used his Instagram account to raise awareness after being showered with discriminatory insults by Juventus fans during a 1-1 draw Sunday.

For the second consecutive game, an AC Milan player was the target of racist chants.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who is Black, used his Instagram account to raise awareness after being showered with discriminatory insults by Juventus fans during a 1-1 draw Sunday.

“Do the people who take decisions know what it feels to hear insults that portray us as animals?” Maignan said.

“Do they know what it does to our family, to our relatives who just can’t understand why these things keep happening in 2021?

“I am not a victim’ of racism. I am Mike, standing up, black and proud. As long as we will be able to raise our voice and make a difference, we’ll do it.”

Tiemoue Bakayoko and fellow Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, both of whom are Black, were the targets of derogatory chants from Lazio supporters in the Rossoneri’s previous match.

The Italian football federation prosecutor has opened an inquiry into the incident involving Lazio fans.

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CARABAO CUP: LATE GOALS GIVE STOKE VICTORY AT WATFORD

Stoke struck twice late on to see off Watford and reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup for a third season in succession.

Ashley Fletcher had equalised for the Hornets following Nick Powell’s opener but the Sky Bet Championship side would leave Vicarage Road victorious as Sam Clucas and Josh Tymon struck from distance to seal a 3-1 win.

Watford head coach Xisco Munoz changed his entire starting XI from the weekend win at Norwich but the majority of his fringe players failed to impress, while Stoke – showing eight alterations of their own – recovered from their loss at beleaguered Derby last time out.

With two unfamiliar line-ups the game started slowly before bursting into life just after the midway point of the first half.

Watford right-back Jeremy Ngakia was caught in possession by his own corner flag as Alfie Doughty stole the ball before crossing low for captain Powell to turn home from close range.

The goal seemed to wake the Premier League side from their slumber as both Adam Masina and Dan Gosling drew smart saves out of Adam Davies in quick succession shortly after Powell’s opener.

Masina was guilty of missing a fine opportunity to level, spooning over in front of goal from a Christian Kabasele knockdown.

The Watford left-back was the one popping up unmarked in and around the Stoke box but again fired off target as the ball broke to him on the edge of the penalty area.

Davies was again called into action shortly after the restart, shovelling away Fletcher’s header after the forward had been picked out by Cucho Hernandez.

Debutant Ozan Tufan was the next to be thwarted by Davies, with Watford now dominant and Stoke’s counter-attacks becoming a rarity.

Gosling fired badly wide after the visitors had gifted possession in midfield – but they were finally level soon after.

A shot from Hernandez was saved by Davies but this time the ball spun up and into the path of Fletcher, who finished from point-blank range.

They somehow failed to take the lead 10 minutes later, Hernandez hitting the post and Fletcher’s follow-up deflecting behind for a corner.

Those close calls would come back to haunt Munoz’s men as it would be Stoke who would hit the front once more.

Clucas had come on shortly after Fletcher’s equaliser and steered home from the edge of the box, a slight deflection taking the ball past debutant Rob Elliot in the Watford goal.

The winger would crack the crossbar with a fine long-range effort shortly after before the tie was wrapped up in more fortuitous circumstances.

Tymon broke clear down the left and seemed to miscue a cross which caught Elliot off his line, drifting in over his head to establish a two-goal cushion for the visitors, who saw out stoppage time to reach round four.