Manchester City’s match programme delivered a temptation impossible for fate to resist when it described Luis Suarez as “the dogsbody in this trio of artful dodgers” in comparison to Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar. . The Uruguayan striker known for his bite as well as his bark demonstrated he is much more than a mongrel among pedigree champions with both goals in a 2-1 win that leaves City contemplating an identical Champions League fate to last season, when they fell to Barcelona in the last 16. . This was Suarez’s first game in England since his farewell to Liverpool…
Author: David F.
Yaya Toure’s agent has revealed the midfielder wants to end his career at Manchester City. . The Ivorian’s agent, Dimitry Seluk, told the Sunday Mirror that he’s expressed a desire to ‘stay for life’ at the Etihad. . Seluk said: “Yaya loves Manchester City and, despite what is sometimes said, he is happy at the club. . “In fact, he would like to stay for life. He would love nothing better than to finish his playing career with City and then work for the club after that. . “That’s why I want City to give Yaya a new contract, to…
Juventus’ Paul Pogba would cost any potential suitors €100 million, says the player’s agent Mino Raiola. . Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola claims it would cost €100 million to prise the midfielder him away from Juventus. . Pogba moved to the Serie A champions from Manchester United in 2012 and quickly established himself as a first-team regular. . In October, the France international extended his deal at the club until 2019, but that has not stopped speculation in the media about a possible move, with Real Madrid touted as potential suitors. . “If Real Madrid want him, then they can…
Players of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Warri Wolves have began a warning strike to press for their unpaid wages, supersport.com has been informed. . The angry players boycotted training on Tuesday evening after honouring the morning session, it was learned. . Wolves have failed to pay their players salaries for the month of January, and the players fear that could extend to February. . The players also claimed they are still owed 30 percent of their signing-on fees for last season despite an agreement by clubs with the League Management Company (LMC) to abolish such fees and put…
Dortmund are confident their away goal will be enough to carry them past Juventus despite defensive blunders that saw them lose 2-1 in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg in Turin in Tuesday. . Dortmund have only themselves to blame for leaving the Italian city with a defeat, with both of Juve’s goals exposing a napping defence in an otherwise solid performance by the Germans, especially in a strong first half. . The Germans, title winners in 1997 against Juve and finalists in 2013, are gradually recovering from a dismal domestic first half of the season, and the…
If Barcelona fail to secure their eighth consecutive Champions League quarter-final appearance, Lionel Messi’s failed penalty at Manchester City on Tuesday could well prove their “what if” moment. . Barca were leading 2-1 in the last 16, first leg at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a Luis Suarez brace when Messi stepped up to take an added-time spot kick. . City goalkeeper Joe Hart denied the Argentina captain and gave the Premier League side a much better chance of overturning the deficit in the second leg at the Nou Camp on March 18. . Messi has a penalty record any…
Manchester City suffered from deja vu as Luis Suarez’s double gave Barcelona a 2-1 first leg lead in a Champions League last 16 tie at the Etihad although Lionel Messi’s late penalty miss left the door ajar on Tuesday. . In a repeat of last season’s round of 16 first leg at the Etihad, Barcelona were too slick for the hosts in a mesmerising opening period with Uruguay forward Suarez firing them in front in the 16th minute and doubling the lead after half an hour. . Sergio Aguero rewarded City for a vastly improved second half showing with a…
Manchester United could make a move for Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia this summer, according to the Mirror. . The report has suggested that the Red Devils attempted to land the 29-year-old in the January market, however a move failed to materialise. . It appears, though, that the Old Trafford outfit could yet make another move for the player’s services, with the report claiming that they could land him for around £8 million. . The Argentine international, who previously starred at Belgian outfit Anderlecht, has also attracted interest from French moneybags Paris Saint- Germain, so it looks set to be an…
Super Eagles striker Victor Moses has declared that he remains a Chelsea player despite being on loan at Stoke City. . Speaking after scoring the winner for Stoke at the weekend, the Nigeria international who returned to action recently after a long lay- off due to injury said he is only at Stoke to do a professional job as he looks forward to return to the Stamford Bridge any moment from now. . “I’m comfortable. They’re great lads, friendly, and I’m enjoying my football,” he said. . “To be honest, I’m just enjoying my football at the moment. I’m still…
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is eyeing up a summer move for Newcastle United’s Sammy Ameobi. . Bolasie, 25, has been in superb form for Palace this season and his performances on the wing for Pardew’s side has seen links to Liverpool and the former Newcastle United boss commented saying that it would take an ‘extraordinary’ bid from the Reds to sign Bolasie. . Sammy Ameobi – Shola’s brother – came through the youth academy and into the first-team under Pardew and the Palace manager would now like to sign the winger. . Sammy Ameobi has created 14 chances in…
Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike will hope to score his fifth league goal of the season when Fenerbache host Akhisar Belediyespor at the Sükrü Saracoglu stadium tonight. Emenike who was on target in the Yellow Canaries 5-0 whitewash of Gaziantepspor last weekend has so far played 17 times this season for the Turkish champions. . If they win tonight Ismail Kartal’s side will move one point above Galatasaray who currently lead the log with 48 points from 21 games. . In Italy, Joel Obi has been included in Inter Milan’s 25 man squad to face Cagliari at the Sant’Elia stadium. Obi…
With remarkable spirit and resilience, Dundee United fought back from losing a goal and a man to earn a draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. An exciting game was bookended by the dismissals of United goalkeeper Michal Szromnik and Inverness’s Gary Warren. . In between, Caley’s Greg Tansey scored from the spot-kick earned by Szromnik’s indiscipline and Ryan McGowan levelled. Inverness ought to have extended their lead, but United were irrepressible after the break and got their reward. . Referee Calum Murray soon had several decisions to make. In the opening 10 seconds, Inverness defender David Raven clattered recklessly into United’s…
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes goalkeeper Joe Hart’s injury-time penalty save from Lionel Messi has kept their Champions League hopes alive. . Luis Suarez’s two first half goals gave Barcelona a 2-0 lead before Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back. Hart then denied Messi with virtually the final kick of the last-16 first-leg match. . “It gives us more chance to win in Barcelona,” said Pellegrini. . “It was a very important save, firstly because it was not a necessary penalty as we must control our emotions in the box, but also it would have been very difficult at…
Cardiff deepened Wigan’s relegation worries with a 1-0 win at the DW Stadium as manager Malky Mackay lost to his former club. . Aron Gunnarsson scored the game’s only goal after 20 minutes when he slotted in following Kenwyne Jones’s assist. . The result is another setback for Mackay, who was sacked as Cardiff boss in December 2013. . Cardiff board members did not witness the win, boycotting the match in protest at alleged racism at Wigan. . Wigan owner Dave Whelan was fined £50,000 last year for making racist comments about Jewish and Chinese people and served a six-week…
Middlesbrough kept pace with Derby at the top of the Championship as Albert Adomah’s first-half goal earned a 1-0 victory over visitors Bolton. The Ghanaian midfielder fired in his fourth goal of the season from Lee Tomlin’s cross. Liam Feeney could have equalised late on for Neil Lennon’s side but directed his header wide from six yards out. . The result extends Bolton’s losing streak to three matches and leaves them 19th in the table. It was a stuttering performance from Boro, though they did go close to a late equaliser when Tomlin struck the crossbar with a free-kick. .…
Derby County maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Championship with a 2-0 win over Charlton. . The Rams took the lead after nine minutes when Jeff Hendrick turned in Darren Bent’s cross from close range. . Hendrick turned provider as Derby doubled their advantage soon after, with Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard converting his through ball for his first Derby goal. Charlton had won their last two games but could not muster a fightback. . Derby’s win takes them five points clear of third place, strengthening their grip on an automatic promotion place. . Steve McClaren’s side…
Juventus had to settle for a narrow first-leg lead after missing a several good chances against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League last-16 tie. Carlos Tevez put the Italians ahead after Roman Weidenfeller spilled at his feet, but Dortmund soon struck back. . Marco Reus exploited Giorgio Chiellini’s slip to scamper in and shoot home just three minutes later. Alvaro Morata’s careful finish put Juve back in front and the hosts could have stretched away in the second half. . After the break, Tevez went close on three occasions, Chiellini rose unmarked to head over the top and Roberto Pereyra…
The black Frenchman who was the victim of racist abuse by Chelsea football fans on the Paris Metro has received a personal message from President Francois Hollande. . The president took the unusual step of speaking to Souleymane S. on the telephone on Friday to express his sympathy over his ordeal. . “President @fhollande spoke to Souleymane S and offered his support over the odious racial attack he suffered,” the Elysee announced on its Twitter account. . Souleymane S, a French-Mauritanian, was blocked from boarding a train by fans travelling to the Parc des Princes for the 1-1 draw against…
Chelsea captain John Terry on Saturday added his voice to condemnation of a racist incident involving the club’s supporters in Paris earlier this week, describing it as “unacceptable”. . Chelsea have banned five people from their Stamford Bridge ground after footage emerged showing fans preventing a black man from boarding a Paris metro train on Tuesday and chanting racist songs. . Writing in the match programme for Chelsea’s Premier League home game with Burnley, Terry – who was himself banned and fined for racially abusing an opponent in 2012 – said: “Football is a sport for everyone. . “That is…
Manchester City have been on a steep learning curve in the Champions League but Tuesday’s last 16 first-leg clash with four-times European kings Barcelona offers a chance to show they are now serious contenders. . Last season’s exit at the identical stage also against Barca, 4-1 on aggregate, revealed City’s shortcomings in a squad good enough to win the Premier League but still lacking authority and discipline against Europe’s very best. . A year later, however, and City are approaching the tie with growing optimism, even if they will be missing midfield talisman Yaya Toure at the Etihad on Tuesday…