REAL MADRID WIN 2-0 TO LIFT LA LIGA

Spanish side Real Madrid have lifted the La Liga for the first time in five years after seeing off Malaga 2-0 on Sunday.


Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 14 goals for Madrid in the last nine matches, scored within two minutes to start the celebrations early.

The Portuguese forward combined with Isco to score the opener in the final game of the season. French star Karim Benzema scored the second goal after keeper Carlos Kameni stopped Sergio Ramos’ effort in the second half.

Real Madrid had three points ahead of the game so they needed just a draw to seal the title over Barcelona. The Camp Nou match was dramatic as Barca fell 2-0 down to their guest Eibar in the first 61 minutes. After the second goal went in, they responded immediately courtesy of an own goal by David Junca.

Takashi Inui had scored two power strikes for the away side to add pressure on the defending champs. Luis Suarez, after losing two to three clear chances earlier, grabbed the equalizer in the 73rd minute before Lionel Messi – who lost a penalty kick – scored a brace to seal a 4-2 victory. Continue reading “REAL MADRID WIN 2-0 TO LIFT LA LIGA” →

ARSENAL INTERESTED IN PICKFORD?

There are rumours making the rounds that Arsenal have joined the race to sign Jordan Pickford.


The goalkeeper of the struggling Premier League side Sunderland has largely helped in limiting the damage inflicted on them this term with Pickford being the regular man in front of goal. Despite the poor form of the club, he has managed to have a decent season that has attracted a lot of clubs.

Manchester City, Everton and now Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing him as Sunderland are set to drop to the second tier. There are rumours that Arsenal are looking at having a long term plan for a goalkeeper and Pickford fits the bill.

Yes, there is Petr Cech and David Ospina but the club wants a long term interest. Scouts are allegedly monitoring the player, with some seeing the game against Watford over the weekend. If Arsenal decide to make a move on the player, they will not have it easy as City and Everton are keen on getting the 23-year old.

In other news, Arsenal seem to have convinced troubled playmaker Alexis Sanchez to stay another year despite the heavy links with Chelsea. The Chilean reportedly told the club that he would remain at the Emirates but walk a free agent if the club does not match his ambitions. Continue reading “ARSENAL INTERESTED IN PICKFORD?” →

GERRAD TO GET FREEDOM OF CITY OF LIVERPOOL

Former Liverpool legend, Steven Gerard has received the Freedom of the city of Liverpool, an honour he considered a “surprise.”


The former Red and England captain is being honoured for “his contribution to national and international football” and his charity activities in helping disadvantaged children.

Gerard, who first played for Liverpool in 1999, later went on to make more than 500 appearances for the Merseyside club. He lifted the Champions League trophy after the famous Instanbul final in 2005.

Being named the best Liverpool player of the English Premier League era last December his name came out in the nomination list for the Freedom of the city honour by the Mayor of the City.

Reacting to the news of his nomination, Gerard said, “Liverpool is my home city and so to be acknowledged in this way leaves me speechless. To even think about getting such an award makes me feel very humble and of course immensely proud.” Continue reading “GERRAD TO GET FREEDOM OF CITY OF LIVERPOOL” →

Diego Costa’s Commitment Displayed against Hull City, Claims Pedro

Chelsea winger Pedro says that is striker Diego Costa is clearly happy to be playing for the West London outfit amongst a lot of rumours that he is seriously considering an offer from China.


The 28-year-old was surprisingly left out of the 3-0 win over Leicester City with Antonio Conte claiming that a back problem prevented the player from playing. However, there have been widespread reports of a bust up in the training ground involving one of first-team coaches and Costa. The striker is believed to have had his head turned by offers from the Chinese Super League.

Chinese clubs have already secured a big-money Premier League signings for huge wages. It is believed that the offer on Costa’s table was around £30 million per year in wages alone. The former ended any speculation about his future by coming up with the opening goal in the 2-0 win over Hull City.

This re-established his lead as the top scorer in the Premier league alongside Alexis Sanchez. Pedro believes that the goal from Costa shows that the former Atletico Madrid is ready to be an integral part of the club’s title challenge this season. Since arriving from Spain in a £ 32 million deal back in 2014, Costa has been one of the deadliest strikers in European football.

“He is a very good striker. I have played with important people, important players like Ibrahimovic. Costa is a very good striker too, a very good runner, strong physically and he scores more goals for the team. He is perfect for this team. With the team, he [Costa] has been training very well, with his team-mates. He is very happy to be here in the club, this is the most important thing. His focus is on the team, the game, this season, to fight for this title,” said Pedro.

ATLETICO MADRID TRAIN BEFORE RUSSIA TRIP

Spanish side Atletico Madrid trained for the final time on Monday before making their trip to Russia to face Rostov in a Champions League clash on Wednesday.


The Spanish club were pictured engaging in a number of drills supervised by manager Diego Simeone at the Cerro del Espino Sport complex.

Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, star play maker Koke, and French talented striker Antoine Griezmann were in action, training intensely for the potentially difficult tie abroad. Atletico Madrid are arguably the most difficult side to defeat in the whole of Europe at the moment. They sit atop their groups in the European and domestic division. The trip to Russia is a crucial one as a slip will give the advantage to their arch opponents – Bayern Munich.

Yannick Carrasco put up a superb performance as Atletico disgraced Granada 7-1 to stay atop the La Liga. The Belgium international got an hat trick and two assists in the game played on Saturday. Aside his form, as a key member of the squad, he is set to play a major role in Russia.

“I am very happy for [Carrasco]. It is a daily struggle, to get him to what you saw in this game. He is a very complete player, with great potential, he wants to improve and he listens, he scores goals, beats people with the ball,” Simeone said after the Granada game, praising the Belgian winger for his efforts.

Los Rojibalncos are poised to get the victory in Russia even though it is expected not to come easy. Carlo Ancelotti has promised that his Bayern Munich side will bounce back after a few slips. Atletico will want to force a victory out of their visit so they can maintain dominance in Group D.

Bendtner to fight for national team call-up

Former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has been told to prove himself with Nottingham Forest to earn national team call-up.


The national team coach of Denmark Age Hareide said Bendtner stood a chance of featuring for his country but said he must get his priorities right at club level. Bendtner played his first game for Forest earlier this month. He left German club Wolfsburg on a terrible note last term, and has not played competitive football since February this year.

Bendtner has featured four times for Nottingham this season, but it is evident that he is still match rusty. This is the reason he missed out on national team games, and would not be included in upcoming international games. However, Hareide said he could still get invited sometime in the national team set-up if he can prove himself at his club.
On the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro, and Poland, Hareide said he has no plans of inviting the former Gunner. “No, he has not been. He has played a few games and has been away from football a long time.” Continue reading “Bendtner to fight for national team call-up” →

Does Borussia Dortmund have a chance to win the league?

Borussia Dortmund has recently sustained a heavy defeat after facing off with Bayern Munich and losing 0-2. This match decided which club was going to emerge as the champions of the 2016-17 season of the German Cup.


Despite losing against their rivals, Borussia Dortmund made a dominant performance as they had 56% of possession and launched a total of 20 shots while Bayern Munich could only muster 10.

If it wasn’t for some spectacular saves from Manuel Neuer, the scoreboard would have been much more different. The German shot-stopper continues to prove why he is widely regarded as the best goal-keeper in the world.

The goal-keeper of Borussia Dortmund, Roman Burki also had an astounding match as both shot-stoppers from each side were at their best with continuous saves as they tried to keep their respective teams in the game.

Not too long ago, Thomas Tuchel talked about Mats Hummels decision to join Bayern Munich as the veteran defender made his way from Borussia Dortmund to their rivals Munich in a transfer that was officially completed on July 1st. Continue reading “Does Borussia Dortmund have a chance to win the league?” →

Ranieri tells Kante to decide on his future

Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri has reportedly told N’GoloKante to make a decision about his future. He has told the midfielder that he is free to leave if he wants to but he must let the club know.


Indeed, Ranieri will want to know whether he can count on the French midfielder for next season.

There has been news that Chelsea is interested in the player and had offered the club £30million for the French international. At the moment Leicester City has denied the offer and is still negotiating with the player for a new deal. They will be hoping that they can convince the player to stay with them like they did with Jamie Vardy.

However, it is believed that N’GoloKante wants to play for a bigger club and might consider moving abroad. It is reported that there is a Chinese club Shanghai SIPG that is also prepared to pay around £35m for the player. At the moment the French midfielder has not said anything about his decision and is still considering all options.
Continue reading “Ranieri tells Kante to decide on his future” →

3 key stadiums for the 2022 Qatar World Cup

Despite much controversy over the climate in Qatar, the strict rules on drinking, homophobic laws and the unlawful conditions in which the stadiums are being built there is no doubting how impressive these stadiums will look.


They are truly state of the art and possibly the most modern football stadiums built thus far. The stadiums are set to feature zero-carbon emitting technologies as well as climate control systems – to help players and fans bear the 40-degree peak heat in the summer, which some claim will be unplayable. Here is a look at the 3 most impressive stadiums that will host the latter, and most important of the World Cup games.

Lusail Iconic Stadium

The stadium that is planned to hold the final is still in construction however we can still get a rendered image of how the final product will look. The stadium will hold a huge 86,000 people making it well deserving of an opening and final match. The behemoth will be surrounded by a moat in which fans will cross through grass bridges to enter the stadium. Continue reading “3 key stadiums for the 2022 Qatar World Cup” →

TIM HOWARD SET TO LEAVE EVERTON

Tim Howard, 37, former Everton first choice goal keeper is set to leave the club after a long spell with The Toffees.

The talented goal keeper says he is excited at returning home after 13 years in England. The goal stopper agreed to a deal with MLS team, the Colorado Rapids.


Howards spent a complete decade at Everton, helping the team achieve success but has dropped down in the pecking order at the club. He lost the first team choice position to Joel Robles in recent weeks before agreeing to a three-and a-half-year deal at the MLS.

Joel Robles was favored due to his recent decent performance for The Blues. The 25 year old goal keeper joined Everton in 2013 but practically had no game under his belt as Howard was in great shape. However, in the 2014/2015 season, Tim Howard was injured at some point and Joel stepped him. This season, he has been given the opportunity to stay at the post ahead of Tim Howard who seems to be struggling with top flight fitness.

Robles told ECHO: “Of course, I am very happy to be playing because I waited for my moment but I am happy to be able to help the team. The goal keeping position is very difficult in a team because there is only one so you need to keep working and keep your passion.”

Howard claims he has no bad blood with the team and would remain an “Evertonian” for life. He said: “I’ve had a fantastic career in England and in particular at Everton, but as football clubs move forward and players have careers to think about you always have to make decisions. This one crept up on me. I had two more years at Everton which I planned on seeing out, but when I spoke to my family, Roberto Martinez and the chairman I thought the decision and the timing. Just seemed to be the right move.” Continue reading “TIM HOWARD SET TO LEAVE EVERTON” →