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Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Havertz, Salah ensure points are shared in tense affair

Players of Chelsea and Liverpool clash as Reece James of Chelsea is sent off, leading to a penalty and the first goal for Liverpool scored by Mohamed...

Liverpool and Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the new Premier League season continued on Saturday night with a 1-1 draw at Anfield, but this latest meeting wasn’t without controversy and tempers flaring on both sides after Reece James’ contentious dismissal in first-half stoppage-time, changing the complexion of an entertaining clash between two title hopefuls.
Continue reading “Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Havertz, Salah ensure points are shared in tense affair”

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Tottenham’s City triumph felt inevitable, even as Harry Kane saga rumbles on

Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur is congratulated by team mates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between...

Tottenham players had their backs to the wall, the world watching intently as their talisman was absent against the team he wants to join… but still found a way to start the new Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s men on Sunday. Surprised? Not quite. Continue reading “Tottenham’s City triumph felt inevitable, even as Harry Kane saga rumbles on”

Archives, Specials

Meticulous planning, irreparable damage and cruel irony: Lionel Messi at PSG

Lionel Messi poses with the Paris Saint-Germain jersey after signing a 2 year contract at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2021 in Paris, France.

Lionel Messi’s 21-year association with Barcelona, where he became the greatest player of his generation, ended yesterday. The Argentine joins a stacked PSG side whose pursuit of an elusive Champions League triumph has become clearer in recent months with their summer business. But while the seeds had been sown for a decade, even they wouldn’t have expected this…
Continue reading “Meticulous planning, irreparable damage and cruel irony: Lionel Messi at PSG”

Specials

PSG move caps a summer Gianluigi Donnarumma will never forget

Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and teammates celebrate after winning the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at...

After saving two penalties to help Italy clinch Euro 2020 on Sunday, highly-rated goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is a free agent no longer: having agreed terms on a five-year deal to join Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. Unveiled as their fifth summer acquisition yesterday, the 22-year-old made a bold but brave move likely to age well in a few years’ time. Continue reading “PSG move caps a summer Gianluigi Donnarumma will never forget”

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Report: Tottenham in advanced talks with Gladbach forward Marcus Thuram

Marcus Thuram of France during Team France training session at INF Clairefontaine on May 27, 2021 in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France.

Per today’s reports, Tottenham are leading the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram – currently in Didier Deschamps’ Euro 2020 squad with France. The versatile 23-year-old, who has two successful Bundesliga seasons under his belt, has admirers aplenty. Continue reading “Report: Tottenham in advanced talks with Gladbach forward Marcus Thuram”

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Kai Havertz seizes big moment as Chelsea seal second Champions League triumph

After an eventful first campaign in England packed with trials and tribulations, Chelsea creative midfielder Kai Havertz scored the Champions League-sealing winner overnight in the biggest game of his blossoming career to date – sinking Premier League champions Manchester City. Continue reading “Kai Havertz seizes big moment as Chelsea seal second Champions League triumph”

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Brentford 2-0 Swansea City: Toney, Marcondes goals end Bees’ Premier League wait

Brentford players celebrate with the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Final trophy after victory in the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Final between...

Ivan Toney’s penalty and Emiliano Marcondes’ finish on the counter-attack ten minutes later, helped Brentford race to a two-goal cushion after 20 minutes – one they wouldn’t relinquish against a frustrating Swansea display, as the Bees finally banished their playoff hoodoo at the tenth time of asking – earning a top-flight berth for the first time since the 1946-1947 season. Continue reading “Brentford 2-0 Swansea City: Toney, Marcondes goals end Bees’ Premier League wait”

Archives, Specials

Rúben Dias and Timo Werner, the tale of contrasting summer signings

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Timo Werner of Chelsea runs with the ball under pressure from Sergio Ramos (L) and Vinicius Junior (R) of Real Madrid  during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images )

Considering what has proved an arduous campaign for all involved this term, it feels fitting two big-money summer signings – Manchester City centre-back Rúben Dias and Chelsea forward Timo Werner – helped their respective sides to earn a Champions League Final berth on May 29.

Continue reading “Rúben Dias and Timo Werner, the tale of contrasting summer signings”

Archives

That was quick: Jose Mourinho agrees Roma deal, replacing Paulo Fonseca in July

Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected following their side's defeat in the Premier...

15 days after Tottenham dismissed him just before their first domestic Cup final since 2014-15, Jose Mourinho has emerged as Paulo Fonseca’s successor at Serie A side Roma, announcing hours earlier that his compatriot’s existing deal would not be renewed beyond this summer.
Continue reading “That was quick: Jose Mourinho agrees Roma deal, replacing Paulo Fonseca in July”

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Bayern’s German monopoly continues, but don’t begrudge Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann, Head Coach of RB Leipzig reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on December...

Football’s worst kept secret is out: the Bundesliga’s perennial champions Bayern Munich have announced RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann will succeed Hansi Flick as their new manager this summer, agreeing terms for a lucrative five-year deal. However, sceptics shouldn’t be so quick to begrudge a highly-rated boss joining his fiercest competitors, being Bavarian-born after all.
Continue reading “Bayern’s German monopoly continues, but don’t begrudge Julian Nagelsmann”

Archives

Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves

Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City signs a new contract extension at the club at Manchester City Football Academy on April 07, 2021 in Manchester,...

Less than 12 hours removed from his decisive display to help Manchester City overcome a relentless Borussia Dortmund effort in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, the news was finally announced: the Premier League leaders had agreed a two-year contract extension with their creator-in-chief to keep him at Eastlands until the summer of 2025. Continue reading “Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves”

Archives, Specials

After Sunday’s abrupt address, Sergio Aguero’s long City goodbye begins

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Manchester City and Borussia...

Turning 33 this summer with a statue on the way in his honour, Sergio Aguero will end a decade-long association with Premier League leaders Manchester City at the end of this current campaign, after they failed to agree terms on a new contract extension beyond June 30. Despite his disruptive troubles with injury, the Citizens’ record goalscorer is rightly in high demand.
Continue reading “After Sunday’s abrupt address, Sergio Aguero’s long City goodbye begins”