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The Bianconeri boss feels his side are yet to hit their stride following the coronavirus pandemic

Maurizio Sarri believes Cristiano Ronaldo and his other Juventus stars are lacking sharpness after their Coppa Italia final loss to Napoli on Wednesday.

Napoli recorded a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Juve after a goalless draw in the decider in Rome.

In two games since returning to action following the coronavirus-enforced break, Juve have been held goalless.

Sarri said Ronaldo and his other attackers are lacking the level of fitness required after not playing competitive matches for more than three months.

"He's in the same shape as the others, like Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa, he is lacking the sharpness to do what works best for him," he told RAI.

"I didn't say much to the players after the game. I was angry and disappointed just like them, so at these moments it's best to stay silent. We'll talk better tomorrow morning."

Paulo Dybala and Danilo missed penalties for Juventus, who are a point clear atop Serie A ahead of resuming their league campaign against Bologna on Monday.

Sarri lamented his side's defeat and believes they are lacking some "brilliance", with Juve failing to score in back-to-back games for the first time since October 2015.

"There is disappointment for the boys, for the club, for the fans, but this is a particular moment, both for the physical condition and for some important absence," he said.

"We made different choices than usual, pressing less high to have a better grip at a distance and we played the game with good levels of application.

"Right now, however, we lack brilliance to make the amount of game produced dangerous and without that brilliance it becomes more difficult to beat the man, which our players are usually used to doing easily, and finding other solutions.

"Two 0-0s are an unprecedented fact and I think it is characteristic of this period."

Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso meanwhile felt Napoli's hard work was rewarded by a "God of football" as he claimed his first major piece of silverware as a manager. 

The Italian coach is now keen to see Napoli kick on in the closing weeks of the season in Serie A, in which they sit sixth, nine points behind fourth-placed Atalanta.

Original author: Dejan Kalinic
  140 Hits

NPFL: Rivers United coach Eguma kidnapped by unknown gunmen

The Senegalese centre-back was on parade from start to finish while his Algerian teammate watched on as an unused substitute

Kalidou Koulibaly and Faouzi Ghoulam have taken to social media to celebrate Napoli’s Coppa Italia triumph over Juventus on Wednesday.

Gennaro Gattuso’s men defeated the Old Lady 4-2 on penalties after playing a goalless draw at the end of 90 minutes.

Koulibaly was in action for the entire duration of the encounter and he played a crucial role in neutralising the attacking threats of Maurizio Sarri’s side at the Stadio Olimpico.

Meanwhile, Ghoulam was an unused substitute as he continues the wait for his first competitive match since October 2019.

During the penalty shoot-out, Lorenzo Insigne, Matteo Politano, Nikola Maksimovic and Arkadiusz Milik all converted their chances for Napoli but Paulo Dybala and Danilo missed their efforts for Juventus while Leonardo Bonucci and Aaron Ramsey scored the last two.

The victory was Koulibaly's first Coppa Italia title while Ghoulam made it his second success after the 2012-13 campaign.

“The finals are played to be won. Lots of excitement: I'm happy. Napoli deserved a great win like this,” Koulibaly tweeted.

“It is such an immense joy. For us and for the fantastic Neapolitan people,” Ghoulam tweeted.

Original author: Taiye Taiwo
  163 Hits

FKF Elections: Appeals Board starts hearing disputes on club register

The manager explained that the Nigeria international forward was excused from the Mastiffs’ squad on compassionate ground

Lille boss Christophe Galtier has explained that Victor Osimhen’s absence from the Mastiffs’ pre-season camp is due to compassionate leave.

The young forward is currently in Nigeria to spend time with his family following the passing of his father.

Osimhen could yet re-join the French outfit for their preparatory schedules before the end of June but it is yet unclear when that would be.

With the French football season cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lille are left with no option than to prepare for next term  - as they would be campaigning in the Europa League.

Speaking to the club’s website, manager Galtier gave an update about his team as well as the whereabouts of the Super Eagles star.

“Everyone is here. Timothy Weah, who returns from injury, has a week of tests, as does Yusuf Yazici who is in an evaluation phase following his return,” he said.

“The only person missing the call is Victor Osimhen, who had the misfortune of losing his father during this terrible period and who has not been able to be close to his family.

“So we decided, with the club, to leave him with his family for the funeral. He is therefore absent for a few days.

“I send to him, like all of LOSC, my full support in this difficult period.”

The 21-year-old was announced as the club’s Player of the season, following his startling displays for the French side in the 2019-20 campaign. 

Osimhen was recruited as a replacement for Cote d’Ivoire international Nicolas Pepe who joined Arsenal in a club-record fee of £72 million.

In his debut season at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, he finished as Ligue 1 top scorer in Christophe Galtier’s team, contributing 13 goals and four assists in 27 games as they finished fourth in the league table.

The in-demand Nigerian striker has been linked to Serie A outfit Napoli as well as Premier League outfits Tottenham and Liverpool.

Meanwhile his agent Ariyo Igbayilola has insisted that the striker will not be joining Spurs unless Harry Kane leaves the club.

“We told Mourinho that if he wants Victor, will Harry Kane be leaving? If Harry Kane is still playing for Tottenham will Victor play? Because he will always be benched for him,” he told The Cable.

“Kane is their number one striker and he is the captain of England, all these will always work for him in the club but at Victor’s detriment. He needs a club where he will always play full games week in, week out. Not to be kept on the bench.”

Original author: Shina Oludare
  137 Hits

Napoli Rival Arsenal With Late Improved Contract Offer to Gabriel Magalhaes

The Slovenian shot-stopper reached an impressive milestone on Wednesday as his side shined in attack

Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak became the fastest goalkeeper to reach a century of La Liga clean sheets after the team's 5-0 demolition of Osasuna.

Osasuna were put to the sword on Wednesday as Atletico star Oblak made history by keeping his 100th clean sheet from just 182 league appearances.

Slovenia international Oblak shattered the record set by Miguel Reina, who managed the same feat after 222 matches.

Speaking after reaching his milestone, Oblak declared he's feeling sharp despite the recent break from football and is eager to improve his number of clean sheets. 

"I'm feeling very good. It doesn't feel like we had a three-month break," he said

"I'm feeling good in goal and I think the team is too. Maybe you could tell after the first game, but now we're improving and I hope we attack the upcoming matches like we did today. 

"To be honest, I don't pay much attention to stats. I hear what people say. It's a nice milestone to reach but I hope it doesn't stay there!" 

Oblak has established himself as one of the world's best keepers since joining Atletico from Benfica in 2014.

The 27-year-old has tasted Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana success with Atletico, while he was a Champions League runner-up in 2015-16.

The Slovenian has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in Atletico history and is also the first foreigner to to bring up 100 La Liga clean sheets.

Oblak has won the Zamora Trophy, given to the La Liga keeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio each campaign, for the past four seasons but recently stressed his focus remains on achieving Champions League glory with Atleti and not winning the individual award once again. 

"This season has been strange, one like no other, and it will not be the same when we play behind closed doors as our fans are like an extra player, but who knows how this season will end?" he told Marca

"Regarding the Zamora Award, I never think about it. This year it isn't just Thibaut Courtois, as there are two or three goalkeepers that are having a great season.

"But I don't care about the Zamora Award, I just want to reach the Champions League."

Atletico are fourth in the La Liga standings through 29 matches following their midweek rout of Osasuna.

Diego Simeone's men are two points clear in the fourth and final Champions League spot, though Real Sociedad are scheduled to face Deportivo Alaves on Thursday.

Original author: Sacha Pisani
  153 Hits

Man City 1-0 Sheffield United: Player ratings as Gabriel Jesus extends winning run

Thanks for joining our commentary this evening. Until next time, goodbye.

Both teams return to Serie A action next week. Napoli are on the road against Hellas Verona on Tuesday, while Juventus are away against Bologna on Monday.

Napoli claim the Coppa Italia crown for the sixth time in their history and the first since 2014. Gennaro Gattuso's men were the better side this evening and should have wrapped up the game within 90 minutes. However, they were ice cool from the spot, converting all four of their penalties to win the competition, notching a second-straight win over Juventus in the process.

FULL-TIME: NAPOLI 0-0 JUVENTUS (NAPOLI WIN 4-2 ON PENALTIES)

Juventus are first up in the shootout with Dybala to kick things off.

The Coppa Italia final will be decided by a penalty shootout, although Napoli will be kicking themselves for failing to secure the win in normal time. Nikola Maksimovic was denied at the death by Gianluigi Buffon, whie Eljif Elmas struck the post with the rebound. Arkadiusz Milik also missed a great opportunity, failing to convert from 12 yards. Juve were quiet in the second half and will be grateful for penalties.

90' + 4' END OF 90 MINUTES: NAPOLI 0-0 JUVENTUS

90' + 3' SAVE & OFF THE POST! Buffon pulls on a miraculous save to deny Napoli at the death. Maksimovic rises to head Politano's cross at goal. Buffon gets down low to his left to make the stop, but the rebound falls for Elmas. He hammers a strike towards goal, only to see his effort deflect off the Juve keeper and on to the post before the Bianconeri clear the danger.

90' + 2' Bernardeschi needlessly concedes a corner on the left flank. Can Napoli punish Juve late on here?

90' There will be three minutes of added time.

88' Alex Sandro raids down the left flank and cuts a cross back for Dybala to strike, but he sees his effort deflected wide of the target by Maksimovic.

86' Both sides are trying to up the ante, but quality has been the issue this evening in the final third.

84' Politano scoops an offload towards Insigne in the left inside channel. The forward takes a good first touch, but with his second he slices his strike over the bar.

82' CHANCE! Zielinski swings a dangerous cross into the box from the left flank towards Politano. He glances a header towards goal, but it's straight at Buffon, who makes a simple stop.

80' The game is slowly meandering towards the prospect of a penalty shootout. Both managers may be turning to their benches to get their best penalty takers on the pitch.

78' Alex Sandro bursts into space down the left inside channel. He has options in the middle, but Di Lorenzo diverts his cross behind for a corner.

75' Ronaldo tries to force a strike at goal through a crowd of Napoli defenders, but Koulibaly takes the pace off the strike and Meret gathers.

72' CHANCE! Milik spurns a huge opening to break the deadlock. He latches on to a cutback from Politano in space in the box. The Pole pulls the trigger on a right-footed strike, only to lift his effort over the bar.

70' Juve win a free-kick down the right flank as Koulibaly fouls Ronaldo. Dybala swings a dangerous ball towards the back post, but Meret is there to punch it clear.

68' SAVE! Di Lorenzo offloads to Politano in space on the edge of the box and he lets fly with a low drive towards the bottom-right corner. Buffon gets down sharply to produce a comfortable save.

67' The Coppa Italia crown still hangs in the balance. Not much has changed since the break. It may take a moment of magic or a mistake to break the deadlock.

65' Space opens up for Bonucci to have a strike at goal from distance. He powers an effort towards the net, but Meret watches it all the way to make the save.

63' OVER! Dybala collects 25 yards from goal and he shifts the ball on to his left foot for an attempt. He connects well with his effort, but it sails comfortably over the bar.

61' WIDE! Zielinski has space down the left flank and he cuts the ball back to the edge of the box. Ruiz lines up a first time effort at goal on his left foot, but he sends it wide of the left post.

58' Juve have not been slick with their passing during the second half and it's allowing Napoli to gain possession in decent positions.

56' It has been a tentative start to the half from both sides. Neither are looking to force the issue yet.

54' Ronaldo picks up steam down the left wing and he runs at the Napoli defence with menace. He cuts back on to his right foot on the edge of the box to tee up Bentancur. However, the Uruguayan scoops a harmless strike over the bar on his left foot.

52' WIDE! Callejon has space and time on the left flank following a slip by Cuadrado. He lines up a strike at goal, but he sends his effort comfortably wide of the right post.

49' Douglas Costa raids down the right flank and sends a deep cross to the back post, but the deliveryis once again lacking from the Bianconeri, failing to find a team-mate.

47' Napoli work the ball down the right and Insigne goes for goal from inside the box. He just clips his effort over the bar, although he was offside anyway.

46' We're back underway at the Stadio Olimpico.

Napoli were on the back foot in the early stages of the contest, but grew into the game and have come the closest to breaking the deadlock. Juve have been dangerous on the counter and capitalising on the mistakes of Gennaro Gattuso's men. It promises to be an interesting second half in Rome.

It's goalless at the break in the Coppa Italia final between Napoli and Juventus. Both teams have had good chances as Cristiano Ronaldo has been twice denied by Alex Meret, while Lorenzo Insigne has struck the post and Diego Demme saw his effort saved by Gianluigi Buffon. It has been a fairly even contest thus far, but it seems that a mistake could well decide the fate of the crown.

45' + 2' HALF-TIME: NAPOLI 0-0 JUVENTUS

45' + 1' Dybala takes on Mario Rui and goes down under pressure from the full-back. However, the referee is not interested in his appeal for a penalty.

45' There will be one minute of added time.

45' Alex Sandro charges down the left flank and hangs a deep cross to the back post, which just evades the leap of Ronaldo before Mario Rui clears.

43' Cuadrado takes a knock as Callejon tries to latch on to a loose ball, catching the Juventus full-back on the ankle. He requires treatment on the sideline.

42' CHANCE! Juve clear the resulting corner as far as Insigne 25 yards from goal. He strikes a curling effort towards the top-left corner that Buffon has to turn behind for another set-piece.

41' SAVE! Demme charges through the Juve defence after a spell of Napoli pressure. The midfielder goes for a low drive from the right inside channel, but Buffon makes a fine stop with his legs to divert it behind for a corner.

39' CLOSE! Koulibaly gives the ball away and Bentancur releases Dybala into space. The Argentine tees up Ronaldo unmarked in the middle, but Meret times his sprint off his line to perfection to smother the ball ahead of the Portuguese.

38' Pjanic lifts the cross into the box, but Alex Sandro rises and glances his header well wide of the target.

37' Koulibaly jumps into Ronaldo and gives away a free-kick 40 yards from the Napoli goal. Pjanic will line up a cross from deep.

36' Douglas Costa slides a pass to Ronaldo down the right flank and the Portuguese tries to beat the challenge of Koulibaly. He goes down, but the referee is unmoved as the ball trickles out for a goal-kick.

35' Di Lorenzo makes a burst down the right and tries to work an offload into the middle, only to pick out Bonucci, who clears with ease.

33' Cuadrado lines up a cross from deep towards Ronaldo, but Maksimovic reads the danger and rises to clear ahead of the Portuguese.

30' Juve make good progress down the right, but once again the delivery is not quite on the mark as Bentancur's cross evades his team-mates in the middle.

28' Alex Sandro sends a long ball over the top for the run of Dybala, but it runs through into the hands of Meret amid a slight shove from Koulibaly on the Juve forward.

26' Juve win a corner down the left flank and Dybala sends a hanging cross into the box that evades everyone and travels to safety for Napoli.

24' OFF THE POST! Insigne bends his effort over the wall towards the top-left corner. Buffon scrambles to get across, only for the ball to strike the post and bounce to safety.

22' Bentancur brings down Zielinski in the final third and the referee awards Napoli a free-kick in a dangerous position. Insigne stands over the ball.

20' SAVE! Callejon loses out down the right flank and the ball is played to Bentancur to strike on the edge of the box. He lines up a powerful drive, but Meret is behind it all the way to make the save.

19' Matuidi and Alex Sandro combine down the left flank, but the presence of Di Lorenzo is there to break up the attack.

17' Alex Sandro robs Callejon in the final third and offloads to Ronaldo. However, the Portuguese is crowded out before he can pull the trigger.

14' Ronaldo leads the counterattack up field for Juve, but he fails to send his cross past Di Lorenzo covering back.

13' Mario Rui goes down in the box under pressure from Alex Sandro following a corner on the right flank, but the referee is not interested in his appeal for a penalty.

11' Juve try to work their way through the line of blue shirts on the edge of the box. Bentancur makes a run, but he overstretches and catches Koulibaly, resulting in a foul and a free-kick.

9' The Bianconeri are applying a high press, which is preventing Napoli from pushing out from the back. It has been a good start from Sarri's men to keep their opponents contained.

7' Juve have dominated the early stages of the contest and Napoli are in a battle to break out of their own half.

5' SAVE! Meret denies Ronaldo with a fine stop. Callejon gives the ball away on the edge of his own box to Dybala and the Argentine tees up Ronaldo for the strike. The Portuguese connects well with his effort, but the Napoli keeper gets down to make the save.

3' Napoli clear the danger from the corner before Matuidi sends a second ball into the box that is gathered by Meret.

3' Ronaldo has a surge down the left flank and goes for a cross. Di Lorenzo holds firm and deflects it behind for a corner.

2' Mario Rui drifts down the left flank and he tries to pick out the run of Insigne, but Pjanic is on hand to break up the attack.

1' We're underway at the Stadio Olimpico.

Napoli will become the joint-fifth most successful Coppa Italia side of all time with a victory tonight - joining Fiorentina with six triumphs.

Juventus have made only one change to their side from their draw last time out against AC Milan. Danilo drops to the bench in favour of Cuadrado, who comes into the side at right-back. 

Napoli have made four changes to their side that drew 1-1 last time out against Inter. David Ospina is suspended and is replaced between the sticks by Meret. Hysaj, Elmas and Politano drop to the bench as Mario Rui, Ruiz and Callejon come into the fold.

JUVENTUS SUBS: Wojciech Szczesny, Mattia De Sciglio, Aaron Ramsey, Danilo, Daniele Rugani, Adrien Rabiot, Carlo Pinsoglio, Federico Bernardeschi, Marco Olivieri, Simone Muratore, Giacomo Vrioni, Luca Zanimacchia.

JUVENTUS (4-3-3): Gianluigi Buffon; Juan Cuadrado, Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs de Ligt, Alex Sandro; Rodrigo Bentancur, Miralem Pjanic, Blaise Matuidi; Paulo Dybala, Cristiano Ronaldo, Douglas Costa.

NAPOLI SUBS: Allan, Fernando Llorente, Hirving Lozano, Eljif Elmas, Sebastiano Luperto, Matteo Politano, Elseid Hysaj, Orestis Karnezis, Fazio Ghoulam, Amin Younes, Kostas Manolas, Arkadiusz Milik.

NAPOLI (4-3-3): Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Nikola Maksimovic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Fabian Ruiz, Diego Demme, Piotr Zielinski; Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens, Jose Callejon.

Juve have won the Coppa Italia on 13 occasions, although their run of four-straight triumphs was ended in last season's competition. Maurizio Sarri's men advanced from the semi-finals against Milan courtesy of the away goals rule. Cristiano Ronaldo's late strike at the San Siro in the first leg was all important as the two sides played out a goalless draw in the second. Juventus can extend their record for most Coppa Italia wins to five ahead of the next outfit - Roma - with another victory tonight.

Napoli are aiming to win the crown for the sixth time and the first since 2014. They overcame Inter Milan in the semi-finals, beating the Nerazzurri 1-0 in the first leg before playing out a 1-1 draw in the second to advance. Gennaro Gattuso's men will have to produce their best to overcome Juve tonight, although they did beat them in their last contest in January in Serie A.

Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Coppa Italia final between Napoli and Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico.

  111 Hits

Liverpool Champions League game in doubt

Sheffield United were denied a clear goal against Aston Villa in the top-flight's first fixture since March

Premier League stars and supporters have jokingly called for the swift return of VAR after seeing goal-line technology take centre-stage in Wednesday's Premier League restart.

Aston Villa and Sheffield United got the top-flight back underway at an empty Villa Park after a three-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium during a tentative first half of action, but Sheffield United thought they'd found the breakthrough when Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to carry a Billy Sharp free-kick over his own line.

Replays showed that the Norwegian shot-stopper had indeed let the ball creep in, but Villa were granted a reprieve as goal-line technology failed to review the incident, forcing referee Michael Oliver to allow play to continue after Sharp's effort.

Oliver's watch should have buzzed once the ball crossed the line, but 'Hawk-Eye' had reportedly not been switched on and he decided against checking the footage pitchside with VAR.

Reactions to the decision quickly began to pour in on Twitter, with Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor taking to Twitter to express his bemusement.

The 35-year-old wrote: "Goal-line technology not turned on. Bring back VAR."

Sheffield United's admin account echoed Taylor's shock, while Villa released the following message to their followers: "We don't really know what to say about that."

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp addressed the technology-gaffe during half-time for Sky Sports, stating: "We talk about goal-line technology being perfect but not here, it went missing.

"Why have they not done that? It's the same passage of play. Normally goal-line technology is perfect, but not this time."

  86 Hits

Liverpool, Everton condemn racist mural defacing

That's all for today's live coverage. Thanks for joining!

Guardiola's side have closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to 22 points with nine games remaining. Next up for City is a home match against Burnley on Monday, while Arsenal - five points off the top five - travel to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Man City mark their return to Premier League action with a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Arsenal. David Luiz's error gifted Sterling the opening goal late in the first half and the centre-back, brought on for the injured Mari, then saw red for giving away a penalty that De Bruyne converted. Foden added a third in stoppage time after fellow substitute Aguero's shot had come back off the post.

90' + 11' FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 3-0 ARSENAL

90' + 9' Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has more goal involvements this season in all competitions - four goals and seven assists - than his previous two campaigns (10).

90' + 7' SIDE-NETTING! Foden plays the ball into the feet of Aguero and the striker has only Leno to beat. He takes the shot slightly early and slices it somewhat, only managing to pick out the side-netting.

90' + 6' WIDE! Bernardo skews a shot wide of the target after being picked out by Gundogan, who has had a good game today.

90' + 5' The hosts are knocking the ball around with the swagger of a side three goals to the good. They look as though they have a fourth goal in them before the end of the game.

90' + 3' There was an impressive deep pass from Fernandinho in the build-up to that third City goal, showing just why Guardiola is so keen to use him at centre-back. If Arsenal were not already out of the contest, they certainly are now.

90' + 1' Eleven minutes have been added on at the end of the game.

89' CITY DOWN TO 10 MEN! Garcia is taken down the tunnel on a stretcher - fingers crossed he is okay after that nasty collision with Ederson. Guardiola has already used all five substitutions, so it is 10 against 10 for the remainder of the game.

88' City defender Garcia is still being treated on the field - the physios understandably cannot take any risks given it is a head injury. There could well be more than 10 minutes added on here when factoring in all the subs.

86' There are some worried looks on the faces of City's players after seeing one of their team-mates possibly knocked unconscious. This injury has taken up about six minutes now, which will no doubt be added on at the end.

84' Garcia may well have been knocked out by Ederson. The physios will take all the time they need to ensure the young defender is safely placed on the stretcher.

82' Ederson races out of his box and, in an attempt to win the ball, takes out team-mate Garcia. It looks a nasty one, with Ederson seemingly catching Garcia in the face. The City physios are on the pitch and the stretcher is also brought on.

78' NEARLY A THIRD! Sterling catches out the opposition by passing the free-kick to Gundogan, rather than taking on the shot as expected. Gundogan is unable to beat Leno, though, with the Arsenal keeper - undoubtedly their best player today - making a low save.

74' Play picks up from where it left off before the water break as City continue to pass the ball around Arsenal. It has been far too easy for the hosts ever since they opened the scoring late in the first half.

73' It is time for another water break at the Etihad Stadium. Arteta and Guardiola have a chance to speak to their players.

71' There is absolutely no pressure on the ball now from City's perspective as they continue to play it around Arsenal. The 10-man visitors seem happy to settle for just a two-goal defeat.

69' SAVE! De Bruyne makes a smart run into the box and is spotted by Sterling. His drilled shot is kept out by Leno in a fairly routine manner.

64' Arsenal are not out of this game yet given there are only two goals in it, but they are offering absolutely nothing at the moment. City are cruising through the match, with their latest attacking move culminating in Leno getting down to cut out a cross.

62' City's players are simply knocking the ball around between them now. Arteta is holding off from making his third change for the time being.

61' Arsenal defender David Luiz has conceded four penalties in the Premier League this season, double the amount of any other player.

60' SHOT! Guendouzi does not close down Jesus quickly enough and the City striker takes range from 25 yards. The shot is central and Leno has a straightforward save to make.

58' David Luiz is the first player to be sent-off, concede a penalty and commit an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League match since Carl Jenkinson for West Ham v Bournemouth in August 2015.

56' Tierney cuts out Mahrez's right-sided cross before Jesus can pounce. Guardiola may well be tempted to make a change or two of his own as we approach the hour mark in Manchester.

54' Arteta is trying to work out what to do next. Mustafi is limping along following that challenge from Sterling, so a bad day may be about to get even worse for the visitors.

53' Sterling lunges in on Mustafi with a scissor-type challenge. Arsenal's players want the City forward sent off, but the referee does not even reach into his pocket.

49' PENALTY TO MAN CITY!  Mahrez chests down the ball and gets the wrong side of Luiz. The Arsenal centre-back brings down his opponent inside the box and the hosts have a penalty.

49' Arsenal hit City on the counter. Saka plays it down the line to Willock, but his back-heeled pass inside the box does not come off.

48' Ederson goes long and Mahrez looks to be in, only for a bad first touch to let him down and Leno to gather.

47' The home side are in no rush to get the ball forward in the early stages of the second half. Arsenal are unable to get their foot on it at the moment.

46' RESTART! Man City, leading 1-0 thanks to Sterling's strike, get us back up and running at the Etihad Stadium. Neither coach made any changes at the interval, so it is as you were.

Arsenal lost Xhaka and Mari to injury in the opening 24 minutes of the match, but Arteta still has three substitutions available and may well choose to use one at the break. Pepe, Lacazette and Martinelli are all among the visitors' subs, while City can call upon the likes of Aguero, Sane and Bernardo.

City take a 1-0 lead into half-time thanks to Sterling's strike right at the end of the first half, with the England international profiting from some terrible David Luiz defending. It is a deserved advantage for Guardiola's men, having tested opposition goalkeeper Leno five times before Sterling's breakthrough goal.

45' + 4' HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 ARSENAL

45' + 3' Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances for Manchester City against Arsenal (four goals and two assists).

45' Three minutes have been added on at the end of the so-far goalless first half at the Etihad Stadium.

44' Walker backs into Tierney and Arsenal have a rare chance to test City from a deep free-kick. Saka's delivery is brilliant, but it drops just in front of Mustafi and the centre-back fails to make any contact.

42' Arteta could do with half-time because City are knocking on the door for a breakthrough goal. If not for Leno's heroics, the reigning champions would be a goal or two ahead as we approach the interval.

40' CHANCE FOR STERLING! Arsenal are seriously holding on now. De Bruyne plays a simple pass through for Sterling, who attempts to dink the ball over Leno with just the goalkeeper to beat. He gets too much on it and the ball spins over the crossbar.

38' LENO DENIES MAHREZ! Leno is keeping Arsenal in this game. He makes a third save in pretty much the same number of minutes, this time denying Mahrez from close range after the winger was played in by De Bruyne.

37' That was a well-worked move from City. They are now bossing things in terms of possession and are starting to create some good opportunities.

36' ANOTHER LENO STOP! City are definitely growing more and more into this game. Silva gets in behind the Arsenal defence and fires a low shot across goal, which Leno is again equal to. Ceballos is first to the loose ball.

35' GOOD SAVE! Sterling cuts inside Bellerin and bends a shot towards the bottom-right corner. Leno does well to get down and push the ball behind for a corner - that is as close as City have come today.

34' Garcia is all over Nketiah as he sends his opponent crashing to the ground just outside the City box, but the referee Anthony Taylor waves play on.

33' City are slowly starting to find their groove. De Bruyne exchanges passes with Gundogan 25 yards from goal and pulls the trigger, though his shot is blocked by an Arsenal player.

31' David Luiz intercepts the ball and plays it to Ceballos, who drifts into a central position from the left. A cross eventually comes in from the right but Walker is able to chest it back to Ederson.

30' Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven away league games, with each of their last five in a row ending level. The north London club have never drawn six consecutive away league games.

28' De Bruyne turns down the chance to shoot from the edge of the box and instead attempts to slip in Mahrez. The Algeria winger cannot bring it under control, however, and a promising attack for City fizzles out.

26' Saka's early cross from the right is aimed too close to Ederson. De Bruyne gives away possession as City attempt to play it out from the back, but Aubameyang's shot from the edge of the box is off target.

24' Experienced centre-back David Luiz is stripping down ready to come on. It is a second injury blow for Arteta with less than a quarter of the game played.

23' Walker powers away from Mari down the right-hand side and cuts the ball back, but nobody in a sky blue shirt can get on the end of it. Worryingly for Arteta, Mari pulled up with a possible calf injury.

22' City are patiently probing away, with Arsenal dropping off - perhaps a tad too deep. Bellerin gets to the ball ahead of Walker down the left, but any hope of a quick break is thwarted by Garcia.

20' With 20 minutes played, possession is split exactly down the middle. There has been very little between the teams so far, with both sides still trying to feel their way into the contest.

18' Walker gets across to cut out a cross at the expense of a corner. The set-piece is headed away by Jesus at the front post.

17' Nketiah has looked very sharp in the opening 17 minutes or so. The former Leeds United loanee has got in behind Garcia a couple of times - City cannot afford to give him too many sights of goal.

15' WIDE! Saka sends in a cross towards Nketiah. The Arsenal striker gets in front of a wrong-footed Garcia but is unable to direct the ball on target.

14' It is very compact in midfield at the moment. Arsenal are enjoying a spell on the ball but - like City - are not doing a lot with it, other than recycling it between their defenders and midfielders.

12' City are seeing plenty of the ball at the moment, without doing a great deal with it. Jesus tries to chase down a pass in behind but it has too much on it and goes out for a goal-kick.

10' City win another corner, which De Bruyne swings towards the six-yard box. Mari heads it as far as Mahrez, whose shot takes a touch on its way behind for a goal-kick.

7' It does not look good for Xhaka. The stretcher is now on the field, so it is fair to say his match - and possibly even his season - is over just seven minutes into the restart.

6' Xhaka collides with team-mate Guendouzi and is in need of some treatment. The Arsenal midfielder appears to have injured his right ankle and may well have to make way early on.

4' SAVE! De Bruyne whips the free-kick around the wall. Leno watches it all the way and palms the ball over the crossbar.

3' Mari catches Sterling when attempting to clear the ball a yard or so outside his own penalty area. City have a free-kick in shooting range, with De Bruyne one of two players stood over the ball...

2' Nketiah gets between City's two centre-backs and chases down Leno's long pass. He is through on goal, but his shot is pretty terrible and the offside would have denied him anyway.

1' As was the case in the Aston Villa versus Sheffield United match a little earlier, every Man City and Arsenal player took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before the first ball was kicked.

1' KICK-OFF! Following a minute's silence to remember all those who have lost their lives to coronavirus, Arsenal get us underway at the Etihad Stadium. 

The teams are coming out onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium, with kick-off just moments away. This match will be played behind closed doors, as will every other Premier League game between now and the end of the season.

Manchester City have won their last six matches against Arsenal in all competitions - their best-ever run against the Londoners - with five of those victories coming in the Premier League.

Arsenal show five changes from their slender win over West Ham in early March. The big news is that Mesut Ozil is left out of the matchday squad, despite Arteta confirming pre-match that the German midfielder is not injured. Sokratis also misses out entirely, while Pepe, Ceballos and David Luiz drop down to the bench. Bellerin, Mustafi, Guendouzi, Willock and Saka are all recalled to a youthful XI.

Guardiola has made eight changes to City's starting line-up following their Manchester derby defeat a little over three months ago. Gundogan, Sterling and Ederson, who will make his 100th Premier League appearance, are the only three players to retain their place in the side. Elsewhere, Jesus is selected over Aguero up top, Garcia starts in defence and Sane is named in the matchday squad for the first time in 10 months.

Subs: Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, David Luiz, Sead Kolasinac, Emiliano Martinez, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Dani Ceballos, Gabriel Martinelli.

ARSENAL XI (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, Pablo Mari, Shkodran Mustafi, Kieran Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi; Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (c).

Subs: Bernardo Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Sergio Aguero, Rodrigo, Scott Carson, Fernandinho, Leroy Sane, Phil Foden, Oleksandr Zinchenko.

MAN CITY XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Kyle Walker, Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy; David Silva (c), Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling.

Arsenal, managed by former City assistant Mikel Arteta, won three league games in a row before football was brought to a halt in March. Their most recent match on March 7 ended in a 1-0 victory over London rivals West Ham, leaving them ninth in the table and five points adrift of fifth-place Manchester United, who have played a game more.

More than 100 days on from their most recent match, a 2-0 loss to bitter rivals Manchester United, reigning champions City resume their campaign with a tasty home fixture against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola's side lost two of their last four matches before the coronavirus-enforced hiatus and are 25 points adrift of leaders Liverpool with this game in hand to play.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

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The winner of the PFA Vertu Motors League Two Fans' Player of the Month - November

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United: Smith's men claim precious point after Nyland let-off

Orjan Nyland looked to have made a costly mistake during Aston Villa's match with Sheffield United but technology spared him.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was spared by malfunctioning goal-line technology as Dean Smith's side played out a 0-0 draw with Sheffield United at Villa Park.

Three minutes before half-time in the Premier League's first game back from the coronavirus shutdown, Nyland collided with team-mate Keinan Davis after catching Oliver Norwood's free-kick and tumbled inside the side-netting – appearing to carry the ball over the line.

But referee Michael Oliver was not given the signal on his watch to award the goal.

That apparent mishap could prove crucial for second-bottom Villa, who are a point behind Bournemouth, Watford and West Ham immediately above them with nine matches remaining in the 2019-20 campaign.

Villa were largely the better side, although not to the extent that they merited such a stroke of fortune, with Nyland's opposite number Dean Henderson making fine saves from Conor Hourihane, Davis and the returning John McGinn in a contrastingly accomplished showing.

United's John Lundstram had a shot blocked by Douglas Luiz with 20 minutes to play but Chris Wilder's side were unable to secure a win that would have overhauled Manchester United in fifth place.

Players from both teams took a knee for the first 10 seconds of the match in a show of support to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Original author: Dom Farrell
  88 Hits

Vlahovic, Mbappe among top January transfer targets

The former Barcelona forward is set to depart Stamford Bridge on a free transfer before the Blues' 2019-20 campaign has been completed

Pedro is set to join Roma after agreeing to a pre-contract with the Serie A club, leaving Chelsea frustrated and potentially at risk of losing an important squad member for the remainder of the Premier League season.

The 32-year-old has accepted a two-year contract, which includes an option for an extra year at Stadio Olimpico, which would see him turn down approaches from Real Betis, Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami.

The former Barcelona star has spoken with Giallorossi manager Paulo Fonseca on a number of occasions regarding the move, and he is now set to move to the Italian capital in the coming weeks.

Several sources have told Goal that Pedro may or may not remain at Chelsea until the end of the season, with talks still ongoing.

Similarly, Willian is still locked in talks over completing the season, and it is understood that it could go down to the Premier League deadline on Tuesday before a clear decision is communicated.

Chelsea's players remain unsure whether they will be playing with the duo beyond the first game of the season's resumption, which sees them face Aston Villa on Sunday.

They would be contractually obliged to face Villa, Manchester City and Leicester City, if selected, before the end of June, but from July 1 they would be free to leave.

Lampard is keen to keep both players on with nine games to go in the Premier League and a possible further three games in the FA Cup also on the agenda.

There are fears that players could opt out of matches with future moves on the horizon, after Ryan Fraser indicated his unwillingness to play on at Bournemouth beyond June 30 when his contract expires.

The risk of injury ahead of potential transfers has led to increased doubts among players, despite FIFA advising clubs and players to complete the season.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are awaiting confirmation on the signing of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, with some logistical arrangements to resolve relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 24-year-old has told Leipzig that he does not want to play in his club's remaining Champions League matches, which will be playeed in Lisbon in August.

However, Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann continues to deny the notion that Werner could leave before playing those matches after reaching the quarter-final stage with a 4-0 aggregate win over Tottenham.

"He is currently, as usual, in my plans to play the Champions League. He is our player and has not signed for anyone else," said Nagelsmann. "His importance to RB Leipzig is extraordinary. He has an incredibly good goalscoring rate, which you always hope for from a striker."

Lampard now faces similar uncertainty to his counterpart in Germany, and he will be questioned on how he is handling it with a virtual press conference scheduled on Friday.

The manager has other options available on the wings should he lose Pedro and Willian, with Callum Hudson-Odoi having recently returned to fitness along with Christian Pulisic.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to the fold to score twice against QPR in a recent friendly victory and can play on the wings despite predominantly being a central midfielder. Similarly, Mason Mount is capable of adding to options in wide areas.

Chelsea had two other players, Olivier Giroud and Willy Caballero, in similar situations to Willian and Pedro, but they were able to utilise contract clauses to keep the duo at the club for another season.

Original author: Nizaar Kinsella
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Transfer Talk: Bayern plotting move for Tottenham's Kane

The Super Eagles midfielder evidenced his taste for luxury with his new residence in the exclusive area of Lagos State

Nigeria international Ogenyi Onazi has acquired a multi-million naira residence in Lekki, Lagos.

The midfielder put aside the disillusionment of Denizlispor’s 1-0 defeat to Sivasspor with a state-of-the-art edifice.

Goal gathered that the new acquisition was procured in celebration of the ex-Lazio star’s fourth wedding anniversary.

This property joins the lists of assets owned by Onazi, who is a key member of Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles.

Reacting to this development, the president of Authentic Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Prince Abayomi Ogunjimi lauded the 27-year-old's latest achievement.

“This is a very great development for Onazi and on behalf of my team, I want to say a big congratulations to him,” Ogunjimi told Goal.

“I have been a staunch fan of the youngster – not because of his performance or charisma on the field of play, but because of his ability to make responsible choices.

“With a place where he can call home, I think that will spur him in putting up more impressive performances for his Turkish based team.”

Onazi joins Manchester United’s Odion Ighalo in the hallowed list of Nigerian footballers past and present who own a mansion in the comfy part of south-west Nigeria.

In an attempt to secure regular playing time, he left Trabzonspor for a one-and-a-half-year deal with the Denizli Ataturk Stadium giants.

The game against Sivasspor, where he replaced Oscar Estupinan, was his seventh game in the Turkish elite division.

Denizlispor are currently in the 11th position with 31 points from 27 games as they continue preparation for Saturday’s game against Besiktas.

On the international scene, he was part of John Obuh’s Nigeria team to the 2009 U17 World Cup where the Golden Eaglets bowed 1-0 to Switzerland in the final.

His impressive outing fast-tracked his transition to the senior national team, and in 2013, he played a key role in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa.

Later that year, he was part of the country’s Confederation Cup squad as well as the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. However, injury ruled him out of Rohr’s squad for the 2019 Afcon where the three-time Africa kings finished third.

Original author: Shina Oludare
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WSL: City salvage draw with United in derby

61' Atletico aren't done, they want more goals tonight. This time, Lodi is denied by the offside flag as he once again looked to get in down the left.

60' Felix now has four goals in his last four league appearances, having previously gone 11 league games without scoring.

55' The first 10 minutes of the second half have passed largely without incident. Perhaps some fresh legs might offer some new impetus?

53' A ball is fizzed into the area from the Osasuna right but it has too much on it for Arnaiz to control and do anything with it. He takes it down, but is immediately pressed off it.

51' Atletico win a corner in a good position for a deep cross from the right. Koke swings the ball in but his delivery floats slowly toward the back post and a defender has plenty of time to react and nod it clear.

50' Gimenez calmly shepherds the ball out for a goal kick, under pressure from Gallego.

48' Oblak has conceded in each of his last five league games for Atletico, an unsually porous spell for the visiting goalkeeper. He has never conceded six in a row in La Liga.

46' Within seconds of the restart, Gallego is crushed to the floor as Savic goes over the top of him to win a header. Start as you mean to go on.

45' We're back underway for the second half.

Looking to the second half, both coaches have plenty of options on the bench if they want to change things up. It does seem like Atletico are the more likely side to grab a second goal if things go on as they are, and that might just kill the game off as a contest.

There are some disagreements between the players as they head off for the interval, and it has been a hotly-contested affair. Atletico deserve their lead, which came midway through the half as Felix seized on a loose ball in the area and fired it into the top corner. It has been mostly half-chances apart from that but both sides have had opportunities, with Costa and Torres both denied.

45' + 4' HALF-TIME: OSASUNA 0-1 ATLETICO MADRID

45' + 1' There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half. Atletico look like they're going for a two-goal lead rather than sitting on what they have.

44' Another chance for Felix, well saved by Martinez this time! Again Atletico exploit the space in hehind down the left. Lodi just manages to keep a raking ball forward and pull it back to Felix, who hits a powerful first-time effort with his left foot. It's a good effort, but Martinez reacts well to keep it out.

43' Almost a chance for Atletico as Felix gets to the byline inside the penalty area, but he can't find a team-mate with his cut-back. He did well to get around Garcia to make the space, but the Osasuna defence recovered well.

41' Garcia slips as he looks to retrieve an overhit pass from Hernandez, which dribbles out of play. It looked for a moment as if Garcia might have overstretched himself, but he looks fine to carry on.

40' Lodi is penalised for an arm across the neck of Torres as the pair grappled for a loose ball in midfield.

39' A throw-in from the right is flicked on twice inside the Atletico penalty area, but it just won't drop for Arnaiz to turn it home at the back post. It comes back out to the edge of the area where Brasanac tries his luck, but he sends his shot wide to the left of goal.

38' With 37 minutes played, Osasuna have had their best spell of the game since the drinks break, but they are yet to register a shot on target. Atletico have had two.

37' Osasuna want a corner as Savic hoofs a cross over his crossbar, but Gallego is adjudged to have been offside and interfering with play as the ball went in.

35' Osasuna go close! They put together a nice move down the left, Arnaiz opening up space with a lovely flicked pass. Torres' effort is hacked clear but the ball sits up perfectly for Moncayola to hit it first-time at the edge of the area. He fires a fizzing effort toward the bottom-left corner, but it flashes wide of the post.

33' The players retake their positions as the drinks break ends. Osasuna restart play with a throw-in on the halfway line.

31' We're ready for the first drinks break of the evening. Simeone will be reasonably happy with what he has seen from his side so far.

29' Atletico are pretty good value for their lead. They've had most of the ball and have put together some nice moves at times.

25' Lodi's low cross from the left is cleared for a throw-in by Moncayola.

23' It's been a pretty entertaining opening quarter to this game. Costa's shot at Martinez has been the only clear-cut opportunity so far, but it's been very competitive.

21' There's a short break in play as another Osasuna defender goes down, this time Garcia dropping to the turf after a light skirmish with Correa. Costa is furious about something, but that is essentially his default setting.

19' That was a real chance for Atletico. There's a slip in the home defence and Koke pokes the ball through to Costa, who opts to shoot first-time from the edge of the area. It's a powerful low shot, but Martinez does well to get down to his right and beat it away. Costa perhaps should have taken the ball on, as Atleti had men forward.

18' Herrera looks to chip a ball in behind down the right channel for Felix to chase, but the pitch is slick and it spins away from the youngster, into the gloves of Martinez.

16' The first real chance of the match falls to Osasuna. A ball comes in from the right and Perez tries to meet it on the half-volley, but he doesn't get a solid connection. It wasn't easy, but he might have had time to take a touch and shoot.

15' The away side are building up a bit of a head of steam now. No real chances as of yet, but the ball is mostly moving around the Osasuna penalty area.

13' Garcia goes down holding his forehead after taking a shoulder from a leaping Correa. Atletico are looking just as physical as usual already tonight.

11' Koke's free-kick from the left is met by the head of Costa, but he can't get a clean connection. The ball flies harmlessly over the bar.

10' Atletico win a free-kick by the left touchline as Moncayola swipes Felix' feet from beneath him.

9' Koke finds Lodi in space on the left. He angles a decent-looking ball towards the edge of the six-yard box where Costa attacks, but goalkeeper Martinez is alive to the situation and gets to the ball first.

8' Costa has scored nine goals against Osasuna, more than against any other side in La Liga. Among those nine are the three from his only hat-trick in the competition, back in 2011.

5' Herrera gets into some space on the right and looks to cross towards Costa from deep, but his delivery is underhit and easily cut out.

3' Torres and Brasanac combine down the right as Osasuna make their first foray forward, but the latter takes a tumble at the byline and knocks the ball behind for a goal kick.

1' We're off and running, as the home side get the ball rolling. 

The players are on their way out onto the heavily watered pitch, and we're nearly ready for kick-off.

Atletico have won the last seven league meetings between these sides, a run stretching back to a 3-0 Osasuna win in February 2014.

Osasuna drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad last time out but goalscorer Adrian drops to the bench. Atletico make a few changes from their 1-1 draw at Athletic Club, with Correa coming in to partner Costa up front. Partey, linked with a move away, is on the bench.

SUBS: Thomas Lemar, Ivan Saponjic, Manuel Sanchez, Mario Hermoso, Toni Moya, Thomas Partey, Alvaro Morata, Kieran Trippier, Yannick Carrasco, Vitolo, Marcos Llorente, Antonio Adan.

ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Renan Lodi, Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez, Santiago Arias; Hector Herrera, Saul Niguez, Koke, Joao Felix; Diego Costa, Angel Correa.

SUBS: Adrian Lopez, Juan Perez, Aimar Oroz, Javi Martinez, Raul Navas, Oier Sanjurjo, Sergio Herrera, Ruben Garcia, Fran Merida, Nacho Vidal, Pervis Estupinan, Marc Cardona.

OSASUNA (4-4-2): Ruben Martinez; Toni Lato, David Garcia, Aridane Hernandez, Unai Garcia; Inigo Perez, Darko Brasanac, Jon Moncayola, Roberto Torres; Jose Arnaiz, Enric Gallego.

Osasuna start the game in 11th place in the Spanish table, with Atletico sixth and hoping to move into the top four with a win tonight.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this Wednesday night fixture from La Liga, as Jagoba Arrasete’s Osasuna host Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at El Sadar Stadium.

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Xavi must tread carefully to break Barcelona's defeatist mentality

The Gunners duo's night was cut short by injury as Mikel Arteta's side visited Manchester City for their first match in three months

Arsenal lost Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari to injuries within the first 25 minutes of their Premier League return against Manchester City.

After Sheffield United earned a draw at Aston Villa in Wednesday's early kickoff, the Gunners and City met behind closed doors at a wet and rainy Etihad Stadium.

Xhaka was injured just seven minutes into the second match marking the resumption of the top-flight amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The midfielder went over on his ankle as he chased back in midfield, and after being assessed by Arsenal's medical team, he was deemed unfit to continue.

Xhaka's injury forced Mikel Arteta into a change just moments into the club's first match in three months, with the Spanish manager turning to Dani Ceballos to replace his injured midfielder.

With 21 minutes on the clock, the away side were dealt another major blow as Pablo Mari pulled up after being beaten by Kyle Walker, whose marauding run ended when his cut-back failed to find any of his City team-mates.

The 25-year-old centre-back, who is currently on loan at Emirates Stadium from Flamengo, was unable to shake off the issue and had to be substituted for David Luiz, leaving Arteta's game plan in tatters.

The Gunners were billed as underdogs heading into the contest, having slipped to ninth in the Premier League standings before play was stopped due to the coronavirus outbreak in March.

Arteta's men are 17 points behind the reigning Premier League champions at the moment, but they have yet to suffer a single top-flight defeat in 2020.

Arsenal will need to finish the season strongly to have any hope of securing a top-four finish, with Chelsea currently occupying the final Champions League spot.

City, meanwhile, look set to relinquish their domestic crown to runaway leaders Liverpool, having fallen 25 points off the pace with only ten fixtures left to play.

Pep Guardiola's men may also have a fight on their hands for the coveted runners-up position, with Leicester City hanging from their coattails in third after a brilliant first full campaign under Brendan Rodgers.

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'Siebatcheau, we love you!' - USMNT newcomer leads the way with winner against Honduras

The Witbank-born player has reflected on his time with Amakhosi where he enjoyed a lot of success

AmaZulu FC defender Tsepo Masilela says he represented all the teams he’s played for with pride.

The veteran left-back is an accomplished player having had a successful spell with Maccabi Haifa in Israel, before returning home to join Kaizer Chiefs in 2012.

Masilela was one of Amakhosi's key players when they clinched two PSL titles, a Nedbank Cup and MTN8 crown between 2013 and 2015 under then-Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter.

“I’m just a player. I play to see the team and the supporters happy. I feel that’s my duty. I remember that at Chiefs I once won the players’ player of the season award, but those things they don’t matter,” Masilela told IOL.

“We won the league at the time and that gave me joy. The players’ player of the season, or the player of the season - that doesn’t matter. I want the big one - that we won the league.”

Masilela recalled the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals, where he was part of the Bafana Bafana team which failed to reach the knockout phase.

This was after the hosts, South Africa recorded a 1-1 draw with Mexico and a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay, before securing a 2-1 win over France in their final Group A match.

“It was very disappointing because we conceded three goals. I think that if we had at least lost by one goal we could have actually recovered in the other game against France,” he said.

The 35-year-old made his professional debut at Hellenic in 2003, before playing for Thanda Royal Zulu - known as Benoni Premier United at the time - between 2005 and 2007.

Masilela was then snapped up by Maccabi Haifa in 2007 and he helped the team clinch two Israeli Premier League titles and the Israel State Cup.

“For me to be playing abroad at the time wasn’t pressure at all. It all came down to the coaches, because they had to make the final decision. So, whether you are playing in Botswana or wherever, it doesn’t matter,” he added.

“For me, whenever we were in the national team camp we were all South Africans and we were representing our country. So, all in all there was no pressure. If you remember in the [Fifa] Confederation Cup, I played in all four matches [for Bafana Bafana].”

Masilela, who also represented Maccabi Haifa in the Uefa Champions League, spent the 2011/12 season on loan at Getafe, where he was able to face the likes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga.

The well-travelled player made eight appearances in the PSL for AmaZulu this term, before the season was suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Original author: Austin Ditlhobolo
  105 Hits

LIVE: Pulisic returns for U.S. Nations League match vs. Honduras

The Arsenal coach spent three years as assistant manager at Manchester City before leaving for north London in December

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta says it is "very emotional" for him to come up against Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in the Gunners' first match back following the coronavirus outbreak.

The Spaniard spent three years at City as Guardiola's assistant before taking up the head coach role at his former team Arsenal in December.

The ex-midfielder was supposed to face his previous employers for the first time in March, but he was diagnosed with Covid-19 and the English top-flight was subsequently suspended.

After waiting more than three months, Arteta has finally come up against Guardiola's reigning league champions and he admits it is a big deal for him.

"It's a very emotional game for me obviously but I am very excited. It's been a tough few months for everybody," he told  Sky Sports.

The Gunners' form had been improving in the build-up to the coronavirus-enforced hiatus, having won six and drawn three of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

But the 38-year-old feels believes it will be difficult for players to adapt to the new situation as they play their first game without fans in the stadium

"Everything, every protocol, is different, so we have to adapt and find the right motivation. Let's find out how it goes," Arteta said.

"There are a few things that have happened in the last few weeks so I have to pick the team that I think will do well."

Meanwhile, Guardiola was excited about coming up against Arteta and expressed his admiration for his colleague-turned-rival.

"Of course a little bit, we were rivals as football players and now as managers," he said.

"We were together for an incredible three and a half years. I learned a lot from him. He is an exceptional person and I wish him all the best.

"We want to win of course. The best players will win. I cannot play unfortunately and he [Arteta] cannot play either, fortunately!"

Arsenal are ninth in the English top-flight after 28 matches, five points behind the Europa League qualification spot - occupied by Manchester United - and five adrift of Chelsea, who are in the fourth and final Champions League place.

City, meanwhile, are in second and 25 points behind leaders Liverpool.

  99 Hits

Manchester United to Make 'Final' Jadon Sancho Bid Next Week

The Morocco international is among the seven players shortlisted for the ultimate individual award in the German top-flight this campaign

Schalke 04 star Amine Harit has been nominated for the 2019-20 Bundesliga Player of the Season award.

The 22-year-old, who was named the Player of the Month for September, battles previous monthly winners including Bayern Munich duo Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry, RB Leipzig's Timo Werner, Borussia Dortmund duo Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland, and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz for the grand prize.

Harit enjoyed a bright start to the 2019-20 campaign, and he has scored six goals with four assists in 24 league appearances for David Wagner's side this season.

The Moroccan playmaker is currently battling an ankle ligament injury and he is yet to feature for Schalke 04 since he limped off in their 4-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund on May 16.

Back in September, he scored in each of his three Bundesliga appearances that month, against Paderborn, Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig.

Harit's pace and dribbling skills distinguish him in David Wagner's squad and he is enjoying his best season yet in Germany in terms of goal ratio.

Despite their 14-game winless run in the Bundesliga, with their last victory coming against Borussia Monchengladbach in January, Schalke 04 are ranked 10th on the league table with 39 points after 32 matches.

They will be hoping to have Harit back for their final two games of the season when they host Wolfsburg on Saturday and their trip to Freiburg on June 27.

The Morocco international joined the Royal Blues from Ligue 1 outfit Nantes in 2017 and he made an instant impact in his debut season by winning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award for the 2017-18 season, after helping his team to a second-place finish on the league standings.

As a reward for his fine performances, he was handed a new three-year contract that will keep him at the Veltins-Arena until at least 2024.

Harit was born in France to Moroccan parents and he played for the European country across various youth levels before switching his international allegiance to Morocco in 2017.

The 22-year-old has played 10 games for the Atlas Lions so far and he was a member of their 23-man squad to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

Original author: Taiye Taiwo
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The former Black Stars boss is unhappy by prolonged delay in payment of outstanding salaries

Former Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah believes his status as a "local" coach has contributed to his struggles in retrieving outstanding salaries for his coaching spell with the Black Stars.

The 59-year-old led the West African nation from 2017 until December last year when a new Ghana Football Association (GFA) administration decided against renewing his expired contract.

He has since been at war with the football governing body and the Ghana Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) over five months' outstanding salary and bonus for his last match while at the helm of affairs.

"I was owed money since August 2019 when there was no Covid-19," Appiah told BBC Sport Africa.

"Would they owe a white coach for 11 months?

"[My predecessor] Avram Grant was not owed [for] more than a month when his contract ended.

"It's not right and should not be encouraged - irrespective of whether [the coach is] local or foreign.

"I gave the GFA a three-month deadline [earlier this year] but neither the GFA nor the Sports ministry have met with me."

Appiah has threatened to haul the GFA before Fifa should the situation persist.

"The salary of the head coach of the Black Stars has always been paid through a sponsorship package, and it is unfortunate this has now dragged into the period of the coronavirus pandemic," MoYS spokesperson Kofi Asare Brako explained their side of the story to BBC Sport Africa.

"We have paid him for the two-year contract period of 24 months. What is left is the extended contract period of eight months, of which we have already paid three months."

"We are still in touch with the former coach and in no time we will pay him. Soon, all money will be paid to Appiah.

"I can say categorically that the chief accountant of the Ministry of Youth and Sports has been in constant communication with Appiah.

"We are still in talks with him. If we have to structure a payment plan, we will do that but if he insists we have to pay all at once we have no choice but to do it."

The recent spell was Appiah's second stint in charge of the Black Stars.

He first coached the side between 2012 and 2014, when a disastrous World Cup campaign in Brazil led to his sacking.

More recently, he guided Ghana to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where the team suffered a Round of 16 elimination.
 

Original author: Prince Narkortu Teye
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The Super Falcons star will aim to secure her maiden European diadem with the Catalans this summer

Asisat Oshoala will aim to help Barcelona to a maiden European title as Spanish city San Sebastian will host this season's Uefa Women's Champions League final on August 30.

On Wednesday, Uefa announced the Champions League for the 2019-20 season will be completed as a mini-competition from the quarter-final onward since its suspension due to Covid-19 outbreak.

Uefa also disclosed that two Spanish cities - Bilbao's San Mames Stadium in Bilbao and San Sebastian's Anoeta Stadium - will be used as the host venues for the final stages from August 21-30.

"Teams will be allowed to register three new players on their List A for the remainder of the 2019/20 season, provided such players were already registered and eligible for the club since the last registration deadline (18 March 2020)," Uefa also revealed. 

"List A will still only be able to contain a maximum of 25 players. It will not be possible for clubs to register newly-transferred players.

"Five substitutions will be allowed in all the remaining matches in season 2019/20, in accordance with the temporary change to the Laws of the Game, whereas the number of substitutions for season 2020/21 will remain at three."

The development will come as positive news for Oshoala and Barcelona as they chase their maiden European crown after missing out on the title in 2019 following a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Lyon in the final

Despite the defeat, Oshoala made history as she became the first African to score in a Uefa Women's Champions League final after she came on late to net a consolation goal for the Catalans. 

The Nigeria international, who won her fourth African Women's Player of the Year crown in January, continued her excellent form for Barcelona as she celebrated her first league title this season.
 
So far, the 25-year-old has scored 26 goals in 25 matches in all competitions this season to help Luis Cortes' side secure their first league title in five years, without recording a defeat in 21 matches.

Having won two titles this season, the Super Falcons captain will shift focus on inspiring Barcelona to a continental success as they face Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final in August.

Beside Atletico facing off against Barcelona, Lyon are due to battle Bayern Munich, and Glasgow City are scheduled to tackle Wolfsburg, while Arsenal will go up against Paris Saint-Germain.

The quarter-final matches will be completed on August 21 and 22, the semi-finals on August 25 and 26 before the final on August 30.

The draw to determine the order of matches and the final match schedule will take place at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon on 26 June.

Original author: Samuel Ahmadu
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Borussia Dortmund 0-2 Mainz: Shock loss has Favre's men looking over their shoulder

Mainz claimed a stunning 2-0 win at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, boosting their survival chances.

Borussia Dortmund's grip on second in the Bundesliga has loosened slightly after they suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to struggling Mainz, who took a huge step towards safety.

Dortmund had seen Bayern Munich clinch an eighth successive Bundesliga crown on Tuesday, and perhaps the disappointment combined with the realisation of their title hopes being over was to blame for a lacklustre performance at Signal Iduna Park.

For all of their monopolisation of the ball, Dortmund struggled to supply Erling Haaland with adequate service and Mainz took a shock lead into the break thanks to Jonathan Burkardt's header at the end of a slick counter.

Complacency was then the root of their issues just after half-time as Lukasz Piszczek conceded a penalty, and Jean-Philippe Mateta converted the resulting kick.

Lucien Favre's men made desperate attempts to get back on level terms, but they were given too much to do by a Mainz side who move five points clear of the bottom three with two games left.

Dortmund were dominant for the majority of the first half, but clear-cut chances were difficult to craft against Mainz's packed defence – Axel Witsel and Raphael Guerreiro having efforts at presentable opportunities blocked.

The visitors then edged ahead against the run of play just past the half-hour mark, as Mateta fed Bote Baku on the right-flank and his first-time cross was expertly headed in by Burkardt to round off a clinical move.

That lead was almost wiped out just three minutes later, but Emre Can's header from a Dortmund corner was tame and straight at Florian Muller in the Mainz goal.

Mainz elevated their game to another level at the start of the second half.

The lively Mateta saw a ferocious effort parried by Roman Burki, who then also blocked a long-range effort courtesy of Karim Onisiwo, but the rebound fell to Danny Latza and the switched-off Piszczek tripped the midfielder to concede a penalty.

After Mateta coolly swept home his spot-kick, Mainz unsurprisingly sat back again, inviting Dortmund on to them.

But BVB fared no better than before, their best chances coming from distance, as Achraf Hakimi drew a couple of necessary saves from Muller.

 

What does it mean? Dortmund looking over their shoulder, Mainz almost safe

This result combined with RB Leipzig's draw with Fortuna Dusseldorf could have serious ramifications at the end of the season.

Leipzig are three points behind Dortmund, whom they host at the weekend, while Mainz are left five points clear of Fortuna in the relegation play-off place and six ahead of Werder Bremen in 17th. Their vastly superior goal difference puts Mainz on the brink of safety.

Mateta makes his mark

It has not been an easy season for Mateta, who has struggled for goal-scoring form since returning from a serious knee injury in December. But the 22-year-old Frenchman, who netted 14 times last term, was a real livewire here, regularly showing classy touches. He scored Mainz's second and had a pivotal role in their first – a very promising display.

Haaland anonymous

There is no doubt Haaland's difficulties were partly down to poor service, but similarly we have grown used to him taking games by the scruff of the neck and deciding them on his own. Not this time – he failed to muster a single shot and his 19 touches were the fewest of all Dortmund players who started.

What's next?

Dortmund's final position in the table will surely heavily influenced by the result in their next game, as they go to third-placed Leipzig on Saturday. Mainz can secure survival against fellow strugglers Werder Bremen on the same day.

Original author: Ryan Benson
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PSG's Gueye quizzed on rainbow-jersey absence

The Brazilian defender's nightmare performance against the Premier League champions was compounded as he impeded Riyad Mahrez in the box

Arsenal centre-back David Luiz was sent off in a one-man horror show at Manchester City after giving away the first goal of the game shortly after being introduced to the action as a substitute.

Luiz replaced the injured Pablo Mari in the Gunners defence 24 minutes into the first half, and his error gifted City the lead just before the interval.

Raheem Sterling got in behind the Brazilian after he made a hash of controlling a through ball, with the Manchester City star finishing expertly past Bernd Leno to fire the home side in front.

Luiz's night got worse when he was dismissed shortly after the restart, as he was punished for bringing down Riyad Mahrez when he raced through on goal.

The referee also awarded a penalty for the 33-year-old's clumsy challenge, which Kevin de Bruyne stepped up to dispatch to double Pep Guardiola's side's advantage.

At the interval, Gunners legend Ian Wright criticised Luiz for failing to deal with De Bruyne's pass through to Sterling, telling DAZN : "Arsenal had done well to try to hold off a City side that once they got in their groove, they looked dangerous, it was ominous, you could see that something was going to happen.

"When you consider where this has come from, how far [the De Bruyne pass] has come from, it is poor from David Luiz.

"It's unfortunate because to go in 0-0 would've been really good, it would've given them a little bit of confidence.

"But that, for me, you've got to attack that, we know that it's raining, it might be a little bit wet.

"But a player of his experience should go and meet that, kick that out, he's got himself in all sorts of problems and got punished for it."

Luiz has now committed more errors leading to goals than any other player this year (three), and he is the first player to be red-carded, concede a penalty and make a mistake leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League fixture since Carl Jenkinson for West Ham against Bournemouth in August 2015.

He is also the first player to have given away four penalties in a single top-flight season since Jose Fonte at Southampton in 2016-17, living up to his reputation as one of the most erratic defenders in European football.

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