Month: February 2023

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo described Ousmane Dembele as a “great player” after the French forward’s second-half strike gave the Catalans a 1-0 win over 10-man Real Sociedad in their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday.

Real Sociedad came into the match on the back of nine consecutive wins in all competitions and almost scored in the 29th minute when Japanese youngster Take Kubo’s strike hit the bar.

But their hopes of inflicting a surprise defeat on Barca at the Camp Nou were hit when forward Brais Mendez was shown a straight red card in the 40th minute for a wild challenge on Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona were the better side for most of the match after that but only scored once thanks to a brilliant counter-attack by man-of-the-match Dembele in the 52nd minute.

The electric winger ran through the right channel after receiving a perfectly placed long pass from his France teammate Jules Kounde and lashed an unstoppable right-foot strike into the top corner.

“[Dembele] had a great game, we know what a great player he is,” Araujo told Movistar.

“He helps us with goals, he’s taking good decisions, that’s the most important thing, something that maybe was tricky for him at the beginning.”

Sociedad should have equalised seven minutes later but Alexander Sorloth missed a sitter, skying a shot from inside the six-yard box from a Kubo cross.

Barca were again indebted to the goalkeeping heroics of Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the German stopper produced a string of saves to secure the win and stretch Barca’s unbeaten streak to 12 games.

“It was a struggle for us after they were one-man down because they closed down well and defended relentlessly,” added Araujo.

“I’m sure [coach] Xavi will give us a slap on the wrist, we probably should have closed out the game earlier. Now we need to correct the mistakes and move forward. I’m happy because we won at home and we continue on a good run.”

Osasuna joined Barcelona in the semi-finals after they beat Sevilla 2-1 later on Wednesday thanks to an extra-time goal by Abde Ezzalzouli.

Chimy Avila opened the scoring for the hosts in the 71st minute but Youssef En Nesyri equalised in the 94th minute, taking the match to extra time.

Substitute Ezzalzouli scored the winner nine minutes into extra time on a counter-attack, slotting a right-foot shot inside the right post.

Newcastle United star Joelinton has been fined less than a week’s wages after admitting drink driving.

The 26-year-old Premier League midfielder was stopped by police who spotted his 2022-plate Mercedes G wagon on Ponteland Road, Newcastle, at around 1.20am on January 12th.

The Brazilian failed a breath test which showed he had 43mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35mg.

District Judge Paul Currer fined him £29,000 (€33,000) and banned him from driving for 12 months, which will be reduced to nine months if he completes a rehabilitation course.

The judge calculated the fine based on documents showing his weekly wage was £43,000.

The player must also pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 costs.

Jonathan Stirland, prosecuting, said officers spotted his car driving at speed near the football ground and requested the driver to stop.

Joelinton was compliant with officers and told them he had drunk two glasses of wine earlier in the evening.

His roadside breath test recorded 50mg per 100ml which reduced to 43mg in one of two subsequent tests at Forth Banks police station, the court heard.

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: “He will be subject of disciplinary proceedings within the club once this process has concluded.”

District Judge Currer said he took into account Joelinton’s early guilty plea and compliance with officers, and he was convinced of the footballer’s remorse.

But he warned Joelinton that drink driving was a serious offence.

He told the player: “What is clear to me is you accept you have made a grave mistake and a significant error of judgment.

“You placed yourself in real jeopardy and it could have had disastrous consequences for the lives of others.

“I sincerely hope you have learned from this mistake and we don’t see you in this court again.”

After the case, Joelinton apologised on Instagram, saying: “Hi everyone, I wanted to acknowledge that I made a mistake and to publicly apologise to all the fans of Newcastle and all the people in this city.

“My actions unintentionally put other people in danger.

“For that, I am truly sorry.

“I will learn the lessons from this incident and will do everything I can to be a role model for my family, for football and for society.”

His appearance at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court came less than 48 hours after he scored the only goal in the Magpies’ 1-0 over Southampton in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Charged as Joelinton Cassio, and living in Ponteland, Northumberland, he wore a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, with shiny leather shoes, and was accompanied to court by a club security official.

Nine reporters were in court to follow proceedings.

Manager Eddie Howe kept faith with the player and did not drop him after police announced he had been charged with drink driving.

The Brazilian has been a key part of the team’s success and they stand third in the table and are unbeaten in 15 Premier League games.

Southampton fans turned on Nathan Jones after seeing their side slump to another limp defeat, 3-0 at Brentford.

Saints could have climbed off the bottom of the Premier League with a victory at the Gtech Stadium, but instead goals from Ben Mee, Bryan Mbeumo and Mathias Jensen condemned them to an eighth loss in their last nine matches.

The away supporters have evidently run out of patience with manager Jones, greeting one substitution with a chorus of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’.

When Jensen headed the third with 10 minutes left, the mood worsened with ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ and ‘Nathan Jones, get out of our club’ ringing out from one angry corner of the ground.

Brentford, by contrast, are now in the top seven and the top dogs in west London after neighbours Chelsea and Fulham drew on Friday night.

They are unbeaten in nine Premier League games stretching back to October and, brimming with confidence. their fluid front four of Josh Dasilva, Ivan Toney, Yoane Wissa and Mbeumo simply tormented the Southampton defence.

The Bees were inches from taking an early lead when Wissa knocked the ball around Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu and crashed an angled drive against the crossbar.

Toney had a shot blocked in front of goal by some desperate defending after a slick move between Mbeumo and Dasilva, before Mbeumo fired a another presentable chance across goal and wide.

Southampton had at least battled gamely for 40 minutes, but then they capitulated.

The goal the hosts had been threatening arrived when Mbeumo spun out of trouble on the left wing and swung in a cross which Mee met with a powerful header.

It was a painful goal for Saints in more ways than one, as Mee crashed heads with defender Mohammed Salisu leaving both needing prolonged treatment.

But no sooner did play restart when the Bees doubled their lead with another clinical, sweeping attack.

Using the outside of his left boot like a pitching wedge, Dasilva spread the ball out wide to Wissa who cut inside and provided a low cross for Mbeumo to tap in.

Jones went all in at the break by sending on new signings Kamaldeen Sulemana, the Ghanaian winger, and 6ft 7in Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu.

The pair combined brightly when Onuachu played the ball out wide to Sulemana, who came inside on his right foot and forced a first save of the afternoon from David Raya.

But Jones’ decision to send on Theo Walcott in place of Samuel Edozie was met by derision from the away end, and Brentford piled on the misery when Rico Henry’s cross was headed in by Jensen to wrap up another impressive win.

Liverpool suffered a Molineux nightmare as Jurgen Klopp’s side were outclassed by Wolves.

Joel Matip’s own goal, Craig Dawson’s debut strike and Ruben Neves’ effort sealed a stunning 3-0 win for the hosts as the shambolic Reds continued to sink.

Liverpool are floundering in 10th after a third straight Premier League away defeat and – aside from a spell after the break – were embarrassed by fired-up Wolves.

Next up they welcome a reinvigorated Everton before a trip to Newcastle serves as a stark reminder of the change in fortunes at Anfield and St James’ Park.

With the Reds already out of title contention, only the most optimistic supporter would back them not to be knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in March.

There is a direction to Wolves which is missing at Liverpool. Julen Lopetegui has been backed with six new recruits in January and it is hard to ignore the sense Molineux is steeled for the survival fight.

They had been plunged back into the relegation zone by Everton’s early win over Arsenal but responded in style, ahead of potential season-defining games with Southampton and Bournemouth.

Performances have steadily improved since Lopetegui’s arrival but, having scored in just half of their previous 20 top-flight matches, it has always been obvious what needed to change. It is the first time Wolves have scored three goals or more in a game in 11 months.

Liverpool were there for the taking, on the cusp of losing three straight Premier League away games for the first time in 11 years after the chastening defeats at Brentford and Brighton.

Confidence was clearly low and it plummeted during a shocking start as Wolves raced into a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes.

The seeds of doubt were sown in the Liverpool defence when Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia threatened before the hosts grabbed a fifth-minute lead.

Hwang Hee-chan’s clever run was spotted by Sarabia and the forward kept his composure to cut the ball back for Matip to deflect into his own net.

Wolves had started like a train and were coasting just seven minutes later.

Again Liverpool’s defending left a lot to be desired as Cunha got ahead of Andy Robertson before Joe Gomez’s header took the ball away from Alisson Becker.

Max Kilman’s header was then blocked but debutant Dawson slammed in the rebound from 10 yards.

The hosts were fuelled by the injustice they felt after Toti Gomes’ legitimate winner was ruled out in their FA Cup tie at Anfield last month and, having lost the replay, were not about to let Liverpool escape a third time.

Jose Sa denied Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, on his 200th Premier League appearance for Liverpool, shot over during the visitors’ tepid response.

But they were being outplayed and only Alisson stopped Matheus Nunes making it 3-0 after a dithering Matip was caught out again.

Wolves were the antithesis of Liverpool; snappy, combative, energetic and inventive and the first half summed up the visitors’ current plight.

Dawson’s goal meant they have already conceded more this season than last term and the Reds desperately needed a second-half response.

They emerged with more purpose – though it was hard to have any less – and wanted a penalty when Naby Keita’s shot deflected off Robertson and hit Kilman on the arm.

Salah curled wide and Sa thwarted Nunez as Liverpool camped inside the hosts’ half without finding a breakthrough – which proved crucial with 20 minutes left.

Wolves had battened down the hatches but they seized on more shoddy Liverpool play to wrap the game up.

Gomez and Stefan Bajcetic lost possession in midfield for Sarabia to send Adama Traore sprinting down the right and, with Liverpool caught on the break, he found Neves to slot in from six yards.

Leicester eased their Premier League relegation concerns as they twice came from behind to secure a pulsating victory in a six-goal thriller at Aston Villa.

Brendan Rodgers’ side were only outside of the bottom three on goal difference before kick-off in a Midlands derby that ended 4-2 in favour of the Foxes.

An Ollie Watkins strike and an own goal from Harry Souttar, on his Leicester debut, twice had Unai Emery’s Villa ahead – but they were pegged back by James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Tete, also making his Leicester bow, put the visitors in front at the break before substitute Dennis Praet wrapped up the win – all four goals coming from poor Villa defending.

Emery’s men started the brighter of the two sides and duly took the lead with just nine minutes on the clock.

Emiliano Buendia had time and space to curl in a shot from outside the box and, after it smacked against the crossbar, Watkins reacted quickest to flick the ball home.

Leicester reacted well to the early set-back and were level soon after – although it was a goal of Villa’s own making, setting the theme for the afternoon.

Emiliano Martinez rolled a goal-kick into Boubacar Kamara, who had the ball stolen off him by Iheanacho, his pass then coolly converted by Maddison on his first league start since the World Cup.

In an end-to-end first-half, Watkins missed a fine chance to put the hosts back in front, failing to tap a Buendia cross into an open goal.

The busy Buendia hit the woodwork for a second time as he flicked a header against the crossbar from a near-post corner.

Villa’s second would come about in unfortunate circumstances for Foxes new-boy Souttar, who inadvertently deflected a low Watkins cross into his own goal.

Souttar’s blushes would be spared as the fourth goal of a thrilling contest came before the interval as Harvey Barnes crossed to the back post for Iheanacho to bring Leicester level.

Even better for the visitors, they would hit the front for the first time in the game just moments before the break, Kamara again losing possession as Iheanacho fed Tete – who marked his Leicester debut with a well-taken goal.

Emery responded by making a double change for the second half as Alex Moreno and Philippe Coutinho were introduced.

But it was Leicester who should have struck, moments after the restart. This time Iheanacho unable to hit the target having been played through one-on-one with Martinez.

Tete, too, came close to a brace as Leicester started the second half in the same manner they ended the first.

Villa began to come back into the game and thought they had drawn level through Coutinho, although the offside flag ruled out the Brazilian’s close-range finish.

Leicester gave themselves some breathing space as Moreno failed to clear a ball through the middle, allowing Praet a simple finish past Martinez.

For Rodgers, who got the better of Emery in both games between the pair when the Spaniard was at Arsenal, it was a vital three points as Leicester moved up to 13th place in the table.

Southampton have signed defender James Bree from Luton on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Bree, 25, becomes Southampton’s third January addition after the signings of Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcaraz and is reunited with former Luton boss Nathan Jones at St Mary’s.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” Bree told the official Saints website.

“As soon as I had the chance to come to this huge club, a Premier League opportunity for myself as well, and obviously get to work with my old gaffer, I knew it was the right decision straight away and I didn’t have to think twice about it.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid, making my Premier League debut and obviously for a team as big as Southampton.

“It’s something you dare to dream about.”

Jones said: “James is obviously someone who I know well from our time together at Luton, and he has the qualities both on the pitch and also in terms of his character to help us here.

“While we have really talented players in the full-back positions, we have been lighter on numbers than we would have liked, so the addition of James to the squad really helps us to address that.

“He’s also comfortable playing at centre-back too, so that versatility helps give us another good option in a number of areas.”

Bree played for Barnsley, Aston Villa and Ipswich before joining Luton in 2019.

He made 143 appearances for the Hatters in total, 27 of them this season for the Sky Bet Championship club.

Wigan have sacked manager Kolo Toure after less than two months with the Latics failing to win any of his nine games in charge.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender signed a three-and-a-half year deal when he took the job on November 29, but picked up only two points from seven league games and also suffered defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of Luton following a replay.

Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to the same opposition in the league left Wigan bottom of the table, four points from safety.

The job was Toure’s first as a manager following coaching roles with his native Ivory Coast as well as Celtic and Leicester.

Backroom staff Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal have also left the DW Stadium.

Wigan chief executive Malachy Brannigan said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank Kolo, along with Kevin and Ash, for their efforts during their time at the football club.

“Unfortunately, the results on the field have not been as we would have liked and as tough a decision as this was, the board felt it necessary to give us the best possible chance of remaining a Championship club next season.

“We know that this time of year is a key period for any football club, ourselves included.

“Therefore, we will now work swiftly and effectively to ensure the right person is appointed as the next permanent manager of Wigan Athletic, with the immediate objective of remaining in the second tier for next season.”

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior’s extra-time strikes earned Real Madrid a 3-1 win over rivals Atletico Madrid on Thursday to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

The Brazilian winger’s goal was a particularly sweet one for him after a crude effigy with his shirt on was hung from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground before the game.

The spiky, gripping derby clash turned against Diego Simeone’s side in the additional period when defender Stefan Savic was sent off.
Atletico took the lead through Alvaro Morata after 19 minutes but Rodrygo’s sensational slalom run past three defenders and slick finish pulled Madrid level with 11 minutes remaining.
After Savic’s 99th-minute red card, Benzema tucked home from Marco Asensio’s pass and Vinicius netted at the death to send Los Blancos through to the final four for the first time since 2019.
“Today we had a very difficult game but with the character and the players that we have, we were able to turn it around,” Benzema told Teledeporte.
“Suffering is not good — we have to score the goals earlier.”
The build-up to the derby was tainted by the Vinicius effigy being strung up overnight, which the club described as “a disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred.”
“(Vinicius) really wanted to play and he had a very good game,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference.
“I think the goal was his reward for his great work. What happened is very regrettable.”
Madrid fans had planned to sing Vinicius’ name in support in the 20th minute, matching his shirt number, but were stunned into silence by Morata’s goal moments before.
Atletico, hitting their best form of the season, conjured a brilliant move to break the deadlock, with Morata tapping home after Koke’s dink allowed Nahuel Molina to stroke a first-time cross to the back post.
Madrid added another name to a long injury list when Ferland Mendy had to be replaced before half-time, with Eduardo Camavinga slotting in at left-back and Dani Ceballos coming on.
Madrid improved significantly after the break and Rodrygo levelled with 11 minutes to go with his jinking solo effort and subtle near-post finish, taking the clash to extra time.
‘Convenient for everybody’
Atletico defender Savic foolishly handed Madrid the edge when he was sent off for two yellow cards in two minutes.
Atletico players claimed that Ceballos should have been sent off earlier when he fouled Geoffrey Kondogbia while on a yellow card.

“I think it was a red (for Savic), but they should have had one too when we were 1-0 up,” complained Atletico goalkeeper Oblak.
“They could have had a second yellow but (the referee) decided it how he decided, we are used to that, and it’s complicated, but the team fought to the end, we did everything to score.”
With an extra man Madrid capitalised, Benzema striking lethally after 104 minutes when Vinicius miskicked Marco Asensio’s cross and the ball travelled through to the striker.
Madrid, who last won the Copa del Rey in 2014, kept Atletico at bay in the final 15 minutes before Vinicius dribbled through and fired home to clinch the victory — celebrating with a now customary dance routine.
Despite their improving performances, the rest of Atletico’s season is looking barren, given they were eliminated from European football and are 13 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, having played a game more.
“We are out of Europe and now the cup, the team has the second half of the season ahead of them to try and qualify for the Champions League, that’s the objective the club needs,” said Simeone, who cast some doubt on his future.
The Argentine coach has been at the club since 2011 and has a contract until 2024.
“After that, calmly, we will look at what is convenient for everyone,” he continued.
“Being at Atletico gives me enormous joy, I will give 1000 percent until the day that I leave.”
Earlier Athletic Bilbao won 3-1 at Valencia to join record 31-time winners Barcelona and Osasuna in Monday’s semi-final draw.

Ajax have sacked Alfred Schreuder, who replaced Erik ten Hag as manager of the Dutch giants, after their winless run in the Eredivisie was extended to seven games.

Schreuder only joined Ajax in the summer, coming in after Ten Hag left the Johan Cruyff Arena to take up his post at Manchester United. But the United boss has proved to be too tough an act to follow for Schreuder, who leaves with Ajax fifth in the table.

The final straw for the Ajax board came on Thursday night when they saw Schreuder’s men held to a draw by relegation threatened Volendam. Ajax even fell behind in that game, with the club deciding that Schreuder is not the man to turn their form around

The reigning Eredivisie champions announced the move late on Thursday night, admitting they had ‘no confidence’ in Schreuder. He had signed a contract until the summer of 2024, but that will now be terminated.

“Ajax has immediately suspended Alfred Schreuder. The trainer’s contract was valid until June 30, 2024, but will now be terminated immediately. The many points lost and the team’s lack of development are the main reasons for this decision,” Ajax’s statement read.

“The club management no longer has confidence in further cooperation. The collaboration with assistant coach Matthias Kaltenbach will also be terminated.”

Chief executive, and United legend, Edwin van der Sar admitted that the decision to sack Schreuder was a “painful” one to make. But he insisted that it was needed, with the club in freefall

“It is a painful decision, but also a necessary one. After a good start to the season, we then lost an unnecessary number of points. The game was also volatile,” Van der Sar added.

“The World Cup meant an early and long winter break, time and kept us confident to change things and improve. In recent weeks it became increasingly clear that he could not turn the tide, while we believe that despite the many transfers he had a strong and championship worthy squad at his disposal.

“We have also lost a lot of points in recent weeks and unfortunately we did not see any progress.”

Schreuder had previously been Ten Hag’s assistant match for 18 months and led Club Brugge to the Belgian title last season. But he was unable to replicate that success back at Ajax, with the Dutch giants now having equalled their worst ever winless run in the Eredivisie.

The draw with Volendam means they have now gone seven games without a victory for the first time since 1965. Substitute Mohamed Kudus was forced to rescue a point with 10 minutes to go after Damon Mirani put the visitors ahead.

Ajax are next in action on Sunday when they travel to lowly Excelsior, but it is currently unclear who will take charge of the team following the departures of Schreuder and his assistant Kaltenbach.

Burnley have completed the signing of striker Michael Obafemi on loan from Swansea with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

The 22-year-old has scored 15 goals in 52 appearances for the Swans since joining from Southampton 18 months ago, and should boost Burnley’s promotion charge as Vincent Kompany’s side sit top of the Sky Bet Championship.

Burnley have been linked with the Republic of Ireland international for several months and finally have their man – announcing the move a day after Kompany all but confirmed it was done in his post-match press conference following their goalless draw at Ipswich in the FA Cup.

Obafemi becomes Burnley’s fourth signing of the January window following the arrivals of Ameen Al-Dakhil, Hjalmar Ekdal and fellow forward Lyle Foster.

“I’m glad to be here,” Obafemi said. “It’s been a busy few days, but I am just glad that it’s finally done now.

“When I first heard of Burnley’s interest in the summer I was adamant to come here, obviously it didn’t happen then but now I’m here and I just can’t wait to play in the Claret and Blue.”