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Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has expressed his emotion after helping Union Berlin get a point in their first Bundesliga game of the season during the 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

After failing to get a work permit at Liverpool, the 24-year-old opted for a permanent switch to the Bundesliga outfit where he played on loan the previous season, scoring five goals in 21 matches.

Against Leverkusen, at An der Alten Forsterei in Berlin, the West African drew first blood after seven minutes, when 33-year-old Max Kruse passed the ball to the Super Eagle who did not hesitate to find the back of the net.

However, the lead lasted for five minutes as Jeremie Frimpong provided the assist from which Frenchman Moussa Diaby scored.

Chances were created in the remainder of the game, but neither of the two teams could get a second goal.

After the match, the forward was elated after starting his permanent career at the club with a vital goal.

"For me, I think it is what I have waited for, for many years," Awoniyi told Bundesliga's official portal.

"I am really happy I can achieve it this year and I am back again in Berlin."

Meanwhile, another Super Eagle Kevin Akpoguma was involved as his team Hoffenheim hammered Augsburg 4-0. Jacob Bruun Larsen, Sebastian Rudy, Sargis Adamyan, and Georginio Rutter were on target for their team. 

However, Akpoguma was substituted with 17 minutes to go, and another African, Mali international Diadie Samassekou took his place.

Nigeria prospect Dickson Abiama and his counterpart from Ghana Hans Nunoo Sarpei came on as substitutes, but could not help their team, Greuther Furth, from losing 5-1 away to Stuttgart.

Soweto heavyweights Orlando Pirates fell 2-1 to Swallows FC in the MTN8 quarter-finals to crash out of the competition they won last season at the first hurdle.

Bucs were undone by Ruzaigh Gamildien's brace in the first half which was enough to earn the Beautiful Birds a massive win and a place in the semi-final.

Pirates had reduced the deficit through Kabelo Dlamini after 30 minutes were unable to get back into the game thereafter.

It is a result that has not gone down well with the supporters who had anticipated an improved performance from Josef Zinnbauer's men, after inconsistencies experienced in last season.

They have now taken to their social media accounts to express their dissatisfaction with the loss at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening. 

Romelu Lukaku has sent a heartfelt thank you message to Inter fans while explaining why he couldn't turn down a £98 million ($136m) move to Chelsea.

Lukaku joined Inter from Manchester United for £74m ($103m) in the summer of 2019 and went on to enhance his reputation as one of the most deadly strikers in Europe at San Siro.

The 28-year-old also helped the Nerazzurri bring their 11-year wait for a Serie A title to an end, but ultimately decided against seeing out his contract through to 2024 after receiving word of interest from Chelsea.

What's been said?

The Blues have spent big money to re-sign Lukaku , who took in his first spell with the club between 2011 and 2014, with Inter left with no choice but to part with a prized asset amid an ongoing financial crisis.

The Belgium international has taken to social media to say his final goodbyes to Nerazzurri supporters while reflecting on a "beautiful" two-year chapter in Italy, but has also admitted that he is fulfilling a long-held dream by returning to Stamford Bridge.

"Dear Inter fans, thank you. Thank you for loving me as one of your own. Thank you for making me and my family feel at home in Milano," Lukaku wrote on Twitter.

"Thank you for the unconditional support and love on a daily basis. Thank you for motivating me even more after the first season. When I came to Inter, I immediately felt that I would do well for this club.

"The live and reception that I first received at Malpensa airport was the start of a beautiful story. I made it my mission to never let you down every time I wore the Inter shirt.

"I gave 100 per cent in every training session and every game so that I could make you proud. Our first season ended in the toughest possible way, but you guys gave me the strength to continue to keep pushing and we did as a team.

"That's why we became champions together. I hope you guys understand my decision to move on to Chelsea. It's the chance of a lifetime for me and I think at this time of my career it is a chance I always dreamed of.

"One thing is for sure and that is that I will always remain an Interisa, because without you I wouldn't be the player or man that I am today. 

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Romelu."

Lukaku's impact at Inter

Lukaku instantly nailed down a role in Antonio Conte's starting XI upon his arrival at San Siro, and scored 34 goals in 51 appearances to help Inter finish second in Serie A and reach the Europa League final in his first season with the club.

The former United striker added another 30 to his tally in 2020-21, including 24 in Serie A as the Nerazzurri stormed to the Scudetto, with only Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo scoring more (29) in the league.

When will Lukaku make his Chelsea debut?

Lukaku was officially unveiled as a Chelsea player on August 12, but was not included in Thomas Tuchel's line-up for their 3-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace two days later.

The Belgian has had a short pre-season due to his exploits with his country at Euro 2020 but  he will be in contention to make his Blues debut when they take on Arsenal in their second game of the 2021-22 campaign on August 22.

Further reading

The 24-year-old, who has heavily been linked with a transfer to Premier League side Burnley, missed the first game of the season against Brest last week, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

However, Lyon coach Peter Bosz has given the player a starting role in the middle of the park and he will play alongside another African player, Karl Toko Ekambi of Cameroon.

Ahead of the game, Bosz confirmed Cornet was doubtful for the fixture as he was yet to regain full fitness.

“To face Angers, Lucas Paqueta is not yet fully ready. Maxwel [Cornet] is still getting back to full fitness, but the return of Bruno Guimarães gives me one more option in midfield,” Bosz told the club’s official website.

“Jason is also getting better and better - he is a player with a lot of experience. He is a very important lad. We hope that the club can extend his contract. Playing a high line, Marcelo compensates for his lack of speed with his positional intelligence.”

On what to expect from the game, Bosz said: “We have to defend as a team. In my philosophy, defending starts with pressing and it starts with the forwards. I want to play the same, both away and at home.

“Moussa Dembele has proven he can score many goals. We are not yet physically and tactically ready. After each match, I ask myself questions and reflect on possible changes for the next match.”

Recent reports indicated Burnley had submitted a €16m bid for the Ivorian while Hertha Berlin are also interested in his services.

Meanwhile, Algeria’s attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki will start from the bench for Lyon.

Elsewhere, Morroco winger Sofiane Boufal has also been given a starting berth for Angers alongside captain and Ivorian Ismael Traore and his countryman Souleyman Doumbia.

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnabuer has conceded their response in trying to claw their way back into the game against Swallows FC was not the perfect reaction as they bowed out of the MTN8 at the quarter-finals stage.

The Soweto giants lost 2-1, succumbing to Ruzaigh Gamildien’s brace scored in the opening 23 minutes of the match before they hit back through Kabelo Dlamini’s penalty on the 30-minute mark.

Zinnbauer says their attempts to change “positions and structure” did little to help them get back into the game.

“Bad result, bad start in the first half. Not a good solution against a high pressing Swallows,” Zinnbauer told the media.

“[We made] a lot of mistakes. We gave Swallows a chance. We tried to get a little bit of some confidence back after their two goals.

"Second half we changed some positions, changed the structure a little bit in terms of build-up and we were much better then. But it was not enough. 

“In the final third we had a lot of opportunities to score. Normally you have to score two or three times but we lost the game and it was a very bad day for us especially in this derby, the MTN8. Last season was a good MTN8 season for us but now we are out and we are very disappointed.”

At the beginning of the second half, Zinnbauer pulled out his wing-backs Bongani Sam and Wayde Jooste, and captain Happy Jele and new signing Bandile Shandu were then introduced.

“It was more tactical. Sam plays in this position,” added Zinnbauer.

“[Innocent] Maela was out and [Paseka] Mako was also out so Sam was the first option for us but he was not in the game and we decided to change and bring some freshness in. Wayde made some mistakes and we gained a little bit of self-confidence in other players.

“You see, Happy was in and he organised the defence very well. In the second half, we were going forward and we tried what we could. We had chances to score but we didn't score.”

Zinnbauer had some criticism directed towards him for starting the match without a natural number nine as he opted for Deon Hotto to spearhead their attack while Frank Mhango was a late introduction.

With Tshegofatso Mabasa and Zakhele Lepasa not available, the German admitted that signing a striker is now a priority although he hinted that his forwards are not following his instructions.

“It is always the best thing for a coach [signing a striker]. We have strikers but we have to work with the guys we have,” Zinnbauer continued.

“The strikers have to understand the discipline and the rules in the squad. But if they don't follow the rules, sometimes it is the reason we have to discuss. But today we didn’t have Lepasa and Mabasa. 

“They are strikers who can help us but today Hooto and Fortune [Makaringe] had opportunities. The time is coming and the players will come back. For the moment we have to work with these players who are available.”

Gor Mahia forward Clifton Miheso has turned down an offer to extend his contract with the club and is pushing for a move to Tusker FC, Goal can reveal.

Miheso had given an ultimatum that he would only pen a new deal with the local giants if his outstanding arrears in salaries and allowances are settled.

According to a source close to the player, the forward is now keen on a move and is no longer interested in talks with Gor Mahia.

"He had tabled his demands and Gor Mahia seem reluctant to meet them and that is why he is in initial talks with Tusker," the source told Goal.

"Miheso is putting his interests first and that is why he is willing to sign for a club that will do all that is possible to meet the demands."

The former Police FC star could be the next player to leave K'Ogalo after Kenneth Muguna joined Tanzanian top-flight Azam FC. Charles Momanyi, Goal understands, is also on his way to Tusker after he ran down his contract with the 19-time Premier League champions.

Should Momanyi and Miheso finally join the Ruaraka club, they could be the latest players to switch loyalties from Gor Mahia to the Brewers. Other players who have made the same moves are George Odhiambo, Wellington Ochieng and Humphrey Mieno.

According to a Tusker official who spoke anonymously with Goal, the club's scouts are spread all over the country to identify players that are shining for their respective clubs to negotiate transfer talks.

"We are spread all over looking for local players that we feel will bring something different, up competition and help us be stronger even more," the official said.

"You know the kind of tasks that we will have next season and that demands not only a wide squad but one with players who have got the necessary experience. 

"We are keen on defending the league next season should we emerge as winners of the ongoing season, and that means only a broad, well-balanced squad will do us the job.

"We are not keen on overhauling the squad, but we need to strengthen it."

Tusker and KCB - separated only by three points at the top - are engaged in a close title race.

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham will undergo a medical at Roma on Sunday ahead of completing a €40 million (£34m/$47m) transfer to the Italian club, Goal can confirm.

Abraham will fly to Italy to complete the permanent switch to Stadio Olimpico after being deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge by Thomas Tuchel.

Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea from Inter would have seen the 23-year-old's playing time significantly reduced, and the club have ultimately decided to cash in on a player who only has two years left to run on his contract.

What are the terms of the deal?

Abraham will reportedly commit his future to Roma until 2026, and is set to earn around €5m per annum in wages with the Serie A giants.

Goal can confirm that the terms of the deal with the Giallorossi includes an €80m (£68m/$94m) buy-back clause.

Chelsea would be able to trigger that option once the England international has completed two full seasons at Stadio Olimpico, where he will play under former Blues head coach Jose Mourinho.

Abraham's Chelsea record

Abraham initially began his Chelsea career back in 2016, having spent the previous 12 years in the club's youth system.

The forward went on to score 30 goals in 82 games for the Blues, and helped the club win their second Champions League crown last season.

Abraham added a UEFA Super Cup winners' medal to his CV last week, but he spent most of his time on Chelsea's books out on loan, with spells taken in at Bristol City, Swansea City and Aston Villa.

Why have Roma moved for Abraham?

Roma are looking to finalise a deal for Abraham so that he can fill the boots of outgoing frontman Edin Dzeko, who has joined reigning Italian champions Inter.

Mourinho contacted Abraham personally to convince him to link up with his squad at Stadio Olimpico, having been impressed with his performances for Chelsea in 2020-21.

He could be in line to make his debut for Roma in their opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on August 22 if everything goes smoothly, and will be expected to help the club fight for European qualification this term.

Further reading 

Nigeria international Victor Osimhen was on target as Napoli beat Pescara 4-0 in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The 22-year-old continued with his fine form in pre-season after he scored the opener in the ninth minute before Lorenzo Insigne made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after the Super Eagle was fouled.

Adam Ounas then came on in the second half for Mario Rui to make it 3-0 in the 48th minute before Karim Zedadka added the fourth in the 77th minute in the match at Castel di Sangro.

Osimhen was quick off the blocks in the fixture as he scored the opener after being set up by Insigne and he was involved in the second goal which was converted by the Italian forward.

The Super Eagle managed eight goals throughout pre-season, scoring four against Anaunia, one against Pro Vercelli, two against Bayern Munich, and now one against Pescara.

In a recent interview, Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, who has led his side to six wins in pre-season, revealed the crucial roles Osimhen and Kalidou Koulibaly will play in his team this season.

"Osimhen is a striker who has the ability to transform every ball that comes his way into chances," Spalletti said.

"He is a generous player who runs a lot and every now and then this intense race can cause him some mistakes, but he is an important player, complete and we aim a lot on him."

On Senegal captain Koulibaly, the Italian coach said: "I like this team here and I am willing to chain myself for everyone because I have respect for the squad. I have never coached a player as strong as Koulibaly, both as a player and as a man.

"He is one who tells the story of this team even when he passes in front of the fans."

Osimhen will hope to transfer his good form in pre-season to the league when they open their campaign against newly-promoted Venezia on August 22.

Ivory Coast international Daouda Bamba notched a brace as Altay SK cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Kayserispor in a Turkish Super Lig match on Saturday.

It took only eight minutes for the 26-year-old to hit the back of the net after combining well with Gabon midfielder Andre Boko, and he added his second in the 45th minute before Thaciano Mickael da Silva sealed the game in the 86th minute at Bornova Stadium.

The towering Bamba opened his account in the eighth minute after his combination with Boko saw the latter square a pass, and he slotted it home past the advancing Kayserispor goalkeeper Dogan Alemdar.

The home team grew in confidence after taking the lead but they had to wait until just before half-time when Bamba doubled their lead, and his second of the day, after heading past Alemdar following a corner delivered by Lionel Carole.

In the second half, Altay kept pushing for a third goal and it arrived in the closing stages when Brazilian Thaciano beat his markers to score with a left-footed effort.

It was the first game for Altay, who earned promotion to the top-flight after 18 years in the cold, and coach Mustafa Denizli was impressed with the outcome.

“I am very happy with the result Altay achieved in the first match of the Super League after many years,” Denizli told the club’s official website.

“More important than the score is that the team is very enthusiastic. The pressure we applied to the opponent all over the field and the balls he won as a result of this pressure forced the opponent to make a mistake.

“Together with the new friends who joined us, we made a team image in a shorter time than I expected. This is extremely gratifying for us.”

On the impact of new signings, Denizli said: “The choices made me very happy as of today. This team won the championship on May 26. I've been watching all of the players who joined our squad today since 27 May.

“It is very difficult for us to transfer players with names known to the football market, therefore, for about two months, we tried to choose football players from these teams.

"We have tried to bring both of these features together.”

Altay will next take on Alanyaspor at Bahcesehir Okullarn Arena on Saturday.

Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa has signed for Atletico Mineiro on a free transfer.

The 32-year-old has reportedly committed to a contract that will see him remain with the Brazilian outfit until December 2022.

Costa spent the last eight months without a club, having decided to cut ties with Atletico Madrid midway through the 2020-21 campaign, and has opted to return to his country of birth after a 16-year career in European football.

What's been said?

Atletico Mineiro have confirmed the striker's arrival in an official statement on their website, which reads: "Diego Costa is a Galo player.

"The athletic board and the player reached an agreement today. Galo will be his first club as a professional athlete in Brazil."

Why did Costa leave Atletico Madrid?

Costa rejoined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea on a permanent three-and-a-half-year contract in January 2018, but left Wanda Metropolitano six months before the end of the agreement.

The Spain international, who switched international allegiance from Brazil in 2014, cited personal reasons for wanting to leave Atletico after a turbulent second spell at the club that included him being handed an eight-match ban for insulting a referee.

Costa's career achievements

Costa won five trophies in his first stint on Atletico's books, including the Liga title and Copa del Rey, before being snapped up by Chelsea for £32 million ($44m) in 2014.

The experienced frontman went on to help the Blues secure two Premier League titles in four years, scoring 58 goals in 120 appearances, but had a well-documented falling out with then-head coach Antonio Conte towards the end of his time at Stamford Bridge.

Costa claimed Europa League and UEFA Super Cup honours after returning to Atletico, and received a Liga winners' medal for scoring twice in seven appearances for the club last term.

He will now be tasked with helping Atletico Mineiro fight for Copa Libertadores success in their ongoing 2021 campaign, and will link up with ex-Brazil team-mate Hulk at the Arena MRV.

Further reading

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter has come out to explain why Percy Tau did not make the matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Burnley on Saturday.

The South African international was left out as Brighton came from a goal down to beat Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor.

The home team took a deserved lead courtesy of James Tarkowski in the second minute but an improved second half saw Brighton score two goals in the space of five minutes courtesy of Neal Maupay in the 73rd minute and Alexis Mac Allister in the 78th minute, to carry home maximum points.

The absence of Tau, who has been heavily linked with a transfer to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, dominated the press conference after the game with Potter stating he had missed the game because of “personal reasons.”

What did Potter say?

Explaining why Tau, Aaron Connolly, and Joel Veltman had missed the game, Potter said as quoted by Sussex Live: “Joel [Veltman] was in close contact [with someone who had Covid-19], so he missed the game and the other two are just personal reasons.”

His statement contradicts the one he made ahead of the game, where he stated despite receiving interest from overseas for the services of Tau, 27-year-old was in contention to face Burnley.

“Percy has been training with us this morning; there has been interest from overseas but nothing new to report,” Potter said.

“He is available for the game on Saturday.”

Mosimane cannot hide Tau interest

In a recent interview, Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane did not hide his interest in the player likening him to Lionel Messi, and further stating the Bafana Bafana star deserves a move to the Cairo giants.

“Percy is a strong man, he is like Messi. He has so much to show you every week. So let’s give him a chance to show,” said Mosimane.

“So yes I would like to sign Percy if Brighton agrees to sell Percy and we can pay him. Firstly we must pay Percy. If we can pay him, he must come and show that he is the king of the jungle. So let him come. 

“If Al Ahly can be the third-biggest team in the world and beat the South Americans [Palmeiras] that represents the whole of South America, then Al Ahly is a good team.

“Percy is 27 now. You want him to retire without playing football? Then we have the tag of him playing in the EPL. He is not playing in the EPL. They keep loaning him out. They have a pre-season now and they are playing friendly games.”

Tau will hope to make the squad when Brighton return to action with a home game against Watford on Saturday.

Nigeria international Emmanuel Dennis will never forget the moment he scored his first goal for Watford in a 3-2 win against Aston Villa on Saturday.

In the game that saw three Nigerians - Dennis, Oghenekaro Etebo, and William Troost-Ekong - make their debuts for the Hornets in the top flight, it was Dennis who celebrated most as he put the home team ahead in the 10th minute after a clever pass from Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr.

Dennis, who joined Watford from Club Brugge in Belgium, then set up Sarr for the second goal in the 42nd minute before Cucho Hernandez made it 3-0 in the 67th minute.

Villa tried a comeback with goals from John McGinn and new signing Danny Ings but Watford held on to bag their first win on opening day.

Dennis has explained his happiness at opening his goal account for Watford and further shed light on his deadly combination with Sarr, which put Villa to the sword.

“I will remember this for all my life, I am really happy, I am really, really happy, I am speechless, I don’t know what to say, I am just really happy,” Dennis told Watford TV after the game.

On his combination with Sarr, Dennis said: “I think we will do wonders together [me and Sarr], we train together in training, we always train together and I know the combination will be very important for me if I am going to be the no.9 for the team, so I am really happy with the combination.

“As I said before, it is a process and I am very happy we started in a good way.”

On the team’s opening win, Dennis explained: “If you look at our squad, we are full of energy and I am very happy for the win because we have been working hard together in pre-season, so I am happy we gave the fans a good performance and they have gone home smiling.”

The combination of Dennis and Sarr also caught the eye of manager Xisco Munoz, who said: “The most important thing is the team understands each other.

“We tried to create space for Dennis and Sarr. It was a brilliant game as we could’ve scored more.

“We know how well he [Sarr] can play, and we know he is a top player. If he has space, he can beat anyone. I think Sarr, Dennis, and [Ken] Sema understand how to attack the space, especially today [Saturday].”

Kaizer Chiefs will be keen for a first trophy since 2015 while Mamelodi Sundowns are bidding to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2007 when the two sides clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

Following the elimination of Orlando Pirates from this competition on Saturday, Sundowns and Chiefs are the only traditional giants left in the MTN8.

The Gauteng giants are up against each other with a lot at stake.

While Sundowns have dominated domestic football since the turn of the century, sweeping most trophies on offer in recent years, they have struggled to lay their hands on the MTN8 which they last won 14 years ago when it was still referred to as the SAA Super Eight Cup.

As for Chiefs, they last claimed major silverware in 2015 when they were crowned Premier Soccer League champions but have not won the MTN8 since 2014.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

Sundowns have not confirmed any injuries in their camp ahead of this big fixture.

This match could see new signings striker Pavol Safranko, Divine Lunga, Grant Kekana. Neo Maema, Sifiso Ngobeni and Thabiso Kutumela making their Sundowns debuts.

At least three Kaizer Chiefs players will not take part in Sunday’s match.

Late last week, coach Stuart Baxter said Leonardo Castro and Dumisani Zuma have long-term injuries and have been ruled out.
 
The coach also said striker Lebogang Manyama started training last week and is not yet fully fit to play.

There is also doubt on the availability of Reeve Frosler and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, who were at the Olympics with the South Africa national Under-23 team.

But the good news for Chiefs is the fitness of Khama Billiat, who was an injury concern.

Match Preview

Sunday’s encounter could be a difficult one to predict for fans judging from last season’s events.

After Sundowns beat Chiefs 3-0 in the opening match of the PSL last campaign, Masandawana went on to dominate the domestic league while Amakhosi struggled.

But when the Brazilians were expected to walk over Chiefs in the return fixture of the league, the Soweto giants stunned Sundowns 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld in April.

That makes Sunday’s match a highly anticipated fixture to see who will prevail and proceed to the next round.

Amakhosi will go into this match high in confidence after beating bitter rivals Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup two weeks ago as they face a Sundowns side which were last involved in competitive action in early June.

The current Sundowns technical team will be starting their second season since the departure of Pitso Mosimane while Baxter's return to Chiefs will be scrutinised if he doesn't land any silverware. 

Chiefs are the most successful club in the MTN8 with 15 titles, followed by Pirates who have 10.

Sundowns are tied in third with Swallows FC, SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits with three MTN8 trophies each.

After Sunday’s clash, Chiefs and Sundowns will meet exactly a month later for a PSL match.

Paul Scholes has expressed his belief that Paul Pogba will sign a new contract now that Manchester United have a team capable of winning trophies.

Pogba only has 11 months left to run on his current deal, and it has been suggested that the Red Devils could cash in on the World Cup winner before the transfer window closes.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have both been strongly linked with Pogba, while a potential return to Juventus has also been mooted, but Scholes is confident that he will opt to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

What's been said?

Pogba produced a stellar display in United's 5-1 rout of Leeds on the opening weekend of the new season, with Scholes of the opinion that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now has enough strength in depth at his disposal to bring a four-year trophy drought to an end.

"I think he’ll stay," Scholes told Premier League Productions when quizzed on the Frenchman's future. "I think he will.

"When he was playing a couple of years ago in a team that wasn’t quite functioning as well as this one looks like it might do, and with the amount of attacking players he’s got, the ability he’s got, I think he’ll add a lot to this team.

"I think he’ll end up signing a new contract. If this team carries on in this manner, progressing like it is – I don’t want to get too excited – but it’s a team that can go on and win trophies and that’s what he wants to do."

Pogba's masterclass against Leeds

Pogba provided four assists during the Red Devils' win over Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday, including two for hat-trick hero Bruno Fernandes.

Mason Greenwood and Fred also benefitted from Pogba's superb passing range, with the France international already bettering his total of three assists in 2020-21 while becoming only the seventh man in Premier League history to set up four goals in a single game.

Pogba's overall United record

Pogba has appeared in over 200 games across all competitions for the Red Devils since being re-signed from Juventus for a club-record fee of £89 million ($123m) in the summer of 2016.

The playmaker has also recorded 38 goals but hasn't claimed any silverware since helping the club to a Europa League and League Cup double in his first season back in Manchester.

Further reading

Watford coach Xisco Munoz was delighted to see how Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis worked together to hand his team a 3-2 win in their Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday.

It was Dennis who opened the scoring in the 10th minute after combining well with Sarr, before the Senegal winger added the second in the 42nd minute after receiving a pass from the Nigeria international.

Watford then raced into a 3-0 lead when Cucho Hernandez scored in the 67th minute and despite a late rally by Villa, with goals from John McGinn in the 70th minute and new signing Danny Ings from the penalty spot in stoppage time, Watford held on to bag maximum points.

After the win, what caught the eye of the Spanish tactician is how Dennis and Sarr combined neatly during the game and insists his side should have scored more goals.

“The most important thing is the team understands each other,” Munoz told the club’s official website.

“We tried to create space for (Emmanuel) Dennis and [Ismaila] Sarr. It was a brilliant game as we could’ve scored more.

“We know how well he [Sarr] can play, and we know he is a top player. If he has space, he can beat anyone. I think Sarr, Dennis, and [Ken] Sema understand how to attack the space, especially today [Saturday].”

His sentiments come after Nigeria midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo praised the qualities of Sarr and Dennis after the win.

Etebo, who was making his debut for the Hornets alongside compatriots William Troost-Ekong and Dennis said: “It’s very important as a team to score first and when you get an early goal it motivates everyone, keeps the positive vibes going and everyone keeps pushing.

“I’m happy for my Nigerian brother [Dennis] and Sarr as well. They did well, you can see they’ve got good pace, they run forward and are direct players.

“This is the start of the season. I’m happy that we got the win, congratulations to my teammates, but it’s a long season so step-by-step we have to keep going.”

Etebo, who signed for Watford from Stoke City continued: "This is just the beginning. Like the gaffer said, we need everyone. Everyone needs to stay together, be positive. It’s teamwork and there are lots of games to be played. This is just one game and there are a lot of games to go.

“It’s a thing of joy because we have gone nearly two years with no fans, but when they are in the stadium they lift up the team. It’s amazing.”

Watford will next face Brighton & Hove Albion on August 21.

Kenya international Victor Wanyama scored a late penalty to enable CF Montreal to pick up a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls at Saputo Stadium on Saturday night.

There was a dramatic end to the game when goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel saved two penalties in stoppage time, but a VAR review saw Wanyama's side given the chance to take the penalty three times as the Brazilian had stepped off his line during the process.

Boran Johansen's run in stoppage time resulted in a penalty for Montreal and the first spot-kick was taken by the Norwegian, only to be stopped by Coronel.

Mason Toye took the penalty after the first VAR review, but the goalkeeper saved it again, only for his save to be ruled out after a second video review.

Wanyama took the third attempt and beat Coronel as he buried the ball into the upper left-hand corner in the 98th minute as Montreal Impact snapped their five-game winless.

This was after Patryk Klimala had given the visitors the lead on the stroke of half-time with a penalty of his own, before Nigeria's Sunusi Ibrahim levelled the score midway through the second half.

Elsewhere, Zimbabwe's Lingani Hadebe featured for the Houston Dynamo, who were defeated 3-1 by Colorado Rapids in Texas.

Ghana's Alhassan Aboubakar scored in the fifth minute for Colorado Rapids before Fafa Picault's penalty in the 45th minute brought the scoreline level.

Michael Barrios scored the Rapids' second at the hour mark before they grabbed the third through Braian Galvan in the 80th minute.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's Ifunanyachi Achara was part of the action as his Toronto side fell to a 2-1 defeat in the hands of New England in Ontario.

Tajon Buchanan opened the score for New England in the 19th minute before Jonathan Osorio equalised for Toronto in the 79th minute. Gustavo Bou scored an 83rd-minute penalty that gave the away side the win.

At Venue Allianz Field, Mali's Bakaye Dibassy played as Minnesota United fell 1-0 to LA Galaxy. Kevin Cabral scored the only goal of the game to give the visitors the slim win where three players - including Cabral - were yellow-carded.
 
Finally, Ghana's Emmanuel Twumasi was yellow-carded in the 89th minute as his Dallas side was defeated 2-0 by Sporting KC in Texas.

Allan Izaguirre scored the first goal of the game in the 13th minute before Daniel Salloi added the second three minutes after the hour mark. Apart from Twumasi's yellow card, another five of his teammates were cautioned, while only one player from Sporting KC received a warning.

Adana Demirspor forward Babajide Akintola is relishing the chance to link up with Mario Balotelli ahead of his debut against Fenerbahce on Sunday.

After completing his loan move to Hatayspor – where he scored six times in 35 Super Lig outings – the 25-year-old was transferred to the Blue Lightnings from Midtjylland for an undisclosed fee.

He will make his Adana bow when they take on Fenerbahce at the New Adana Stadium as the Turkish elite division gets underway.

While hoping for a positive outing against a "powerful" Yellow Canaries side that boasts Bright Osayi-Samuel, Mbwana Samatta, Marcel Tisserand and Nabil Dirarin in their ranks, the Nigerian is hoping to partner the former Manchester City and Inter Milan star in the attack.

"We have the quality to get a result against Fenerbahce and I'm looking forward to the game," Akintola told Goal.

"Adana are keen on a positive campaign and our impressive run in pre-season gives us good confidence ahead of the game against Fenerbahce.

“I also hope for a positive debut playing alongside Mario Balotelli. He has been a great guy since I joined, and I can't wait to help the team get a win in front of our home fans.”

Akintola’s experience is expected to prove pivotal for Samet Aybaba’s men, who were promoted to the Turkish elite division in the 2020-21 campaign.

Born in Oyo state, Nigeria, the winger began his career at Nigerian lower division side FC Ebedei. His impressive displays in Churchill Oliseh’s team caught the attention of Danish top-flight side Midtjylland.

In this maiden season in 2015, Akintola featured prominently for Midtjylland U19s, where they won the league, scoring nine goals.

Nonetheless, his inability to tie down a regular place in the club’s senior team saw him loaned to Thisted. The following season, he was sent to FK Jerv to garner more experience.

Before leaving the MCH Arena, he had represented Haugesund, Rosenborg, Omonia and Hatayspor, all on loan spells.

Blessed with blistering pace and dribbling ability, the youngster is eligible to represent three-time African champions Nigeria at international level.

Liverpool have denounced the homophobic chants led by some of their travelling supporters during their 3-0 win over Norwich City as "offensive and inappropriate".

The Reds' LGBT+ fan group Kopp Outs initially released a statement condemning the chants, which were aimed at Norwich midfielder Billy Gilmour.

The Scotland international, who is on loan from Chelsea, was targeted with homophobic 'rent boy' chants during the match, with Kick It Out having previously called for more action from the FA and the police.

Liverpool quote-tweeted their LGBT+ fan group about the issue after their 3-0 victory at Carrow Road, urging supporters to stop the homophobic chant.

"If I was a Chelsea male player, walking out onto the pitch and all I hear is that, I wouldn’t want to come out," Tracy Brown, co-chair of Chelsea Pride, told us in an exclusive interview. "Right now, I wouldn’t feel safe."

Other instances of homophobia in football have occurred this year, with supporters of the Mexico national team having been condemned for chants that caused their Gold Cup semi-final clash with Canada to be halted.

In June 2021, meanwhile, FIFA issued Mexico with a $65,000 fine and forced them to play two official home matches behind closed doors following homophobic chants during an Olympic qualifier.