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‘I will show why they bought me’: Everton’s forgotten man vows to prove a point
Everton’s forgotten man Jean-Philippe Gbamin has vowed to show why the Toffees signed him, with a potential full return on the cards next week. Gbamin has missed the best part of two years due to injury, with the Ivorian suffering a hamstring problem back in 2019. The midfielder then suffered an Achilles tendon rupture, delaying his comeback even further. Despite all of his problems, Gbamin returned to the pitch on Monday evening when Everton faced off against Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old was introduced in the 79th minute, and while he did look slightly uncomfortable, he was able to get some minutes under his belt. With Andre Gomes going off injured during that game, Gbamin could start the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday. Ahead of that game, Gbamin has vowed to...
Juventus hold on for crucial win against Napoli in the race for top four
Juventus held on to secure a crucial 2-1 win against Napoli in Turin after Lorenzo Insigne’s 90th-minute penalty threatened to stir a late fightback. Cristiano Ronaldo 25th league goal of the season put his side ahead with 13 minutes on the clock before the returning Paulo Dybala added a second shortly after coming on in the second half. Insigne calmly dispatched his penalty as the match entered injury time after Giorgio Chiellini had collided with Victor Osimhen. However, there was no further drama as Juventus held on to secure all three points. The Bianconeri headed into Wednesday evenings showdown winless in their last two Serie A outings after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Torino. Andrea Pirlo made two changes from his Derby della Mole side with Gianluigi Buffon and Adrien Rabiot,...
‘Big game player’, ‘Top class’: Some Chelsea fans praise 22-year-old’s display vs Porto
A selection of Chelsea fans on Twitter heaped praise on Mason Mount following his impressive display against Porto in the Champions League last night. The Blues made the trip to Seville for the away leg of their quarter-final tie and secured a 2-0 triumph thanks to goals from Mason and Ben Chilwell. The game was not straightforward despite the scoreline, and the west London giants had to work hard for the victory with only three shots on target in 90 minutes. Mount opened the scoring for the Blues in the 32nd minute of the contest. He took control of Jorginho pass with a terrific turn to outwit Chancel Mbemba. The England international thereafter unleashed a first-time shot for the bottom left corner, which beat the diving goalkeeper. The Blues doubled their advantage five minutes from tim...
‘Pretty impressive’: Thomas Tuchel reacts to performance of 24-year-old Chelsea star
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was impressed with Ben Chilwell, who bagged the second goal in the club’s 2-0 Champions League triumph over Porto last night. The Blues faced Porto in Seville during the first leg of the quarter-final tie, and they managed to find the back of the net with two of their three shots on target. Mount opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a terrific turn and first-time shot to beat the goalkeeper. Chilwell bagged the club’s second five minutes from time. The 24-year-old pounced on a poor first touch from Jesus Corona before rounding the goalkeeper to register his maiden Champions League goal. The 2-0 win has handed the Blues an excellent chance of making it to the last four of the competition, and Tuchel was delighted for Chilwell. He told Chelseafc.com: “I wa...
‘What a player’: Gary Lineker raves about ‘Magnificent’ Chelsea star in Porto win
Gary Lineker heaped praise on Mason Mount after he opened the scoring for Chelsea during their Champions League clash against Porto last night. The 22-year-old has been one of the Blues’ standout players, and he has particularly excelled since Thomas Tuchel took charge as manager in January. He scored a consolation goal in the 5-2 humbling by West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, where he was only a second-half substitute. The attacking midfielder continued his good form with a splendid goal against Porto, where he unleashed a first-time shot after a clever turn. Former England star turned popular pundit Lineker was full of praise for the Blues star. Here is what he posted on his official Twitter account. He’s done it again. Magnificent from @masonmount_10. What a player. — Gary Lineker &#x...
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Man United forward unlikely to play again this season
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he would be ‘very surprised’ if Anthony Martial plays again this season. The Frenchman suffered an injury during the international break and missed United’s last game against Brighton & Hove Albion. Martial has scored seven goals and assisted eight this season, with Edinson Cavani pushing him for his spot. Speaking ahead of the match against Granada this week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that it is unlikely United fans will see Martial again this season. “Anthony has started his recovery and, if we see him before the end of the season, I will be very surprised,” Solskjaer explained to Man United’s official website. “But, of course, he is determined to come back as quickly as he can. There are import...
“We have to perform”: Arsenal boss reacts to Neville criticism
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta has spoken out on Gary Neville’s ‘little mafia’ comment, relating to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette. Neville was one of many pundits to criticise Arsenal’s performance against Liverpool on Saturday, where the Gunners were comfortably beaten by Jurgen Klopp’s side. Arsenal also failed to dribble past a single Liverpool defender during the game, leading to Gary Neville’s criticism of Aubameyang, Pepe and Lacazette. Arteta has now replied to those comments ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Slavia Prague in the Europa League. “No, no response,” Arteta explained, as quoted by the Metro. “I think we have to respect every opinion, and when there is criticism coming after the way we played against Liverpool, we have to take it on the chin. ...
Chelsea ‘ready to take concrete action’ with bid of over £86m for prolific striker
Chelsea have been tipped to step up their interest in Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku. According to CalcioMercato, the Blues are ‘ready to take concrete action’ by bidding more than £86 million for the Belgian international. Lukaku has enjoyed a hugely prolific spell with Inter, bagging 61 goals in 87 appearances for the Serie A club. SL View Inter are believed to want more than £100m for Lukaku – a figure that his suitors may consider too expensive. Manchester City and Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in the Belgian following his stunning performances for Inter this term. The Italian club are reluctant to part company with Lukaku, but they need to raise funds to make up a significant financial deficit caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The 28-year-old previously had a...
Advantage PSG as Les Parisiens defeat Bayern Munich in thrilling quarter-final
A clinical Paris Saint-Germain came away from the Allianz Arena with a one-goal advantage in an enthralling Champions League quarter-final first leg. It was an electrifying start to game. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, standing in for the injured Robert Lewandowski, saw his second-minute header strike the crossbar from Joshua Kimmich’s corner. It was a miss that proved costly, as the visitors took the lead just a minute later. Neymar picked up the ball in the middle, drove forward, and slipped it through to Kylian Mbappe. The young Frenchman slammed into the back of the net, although goalkeeper Manuel Neuer would have been disappointed to let it go through him. Bayern Munich responded well to the goal, and really should’ve equalised on the tenth minute, but Thomas Muller struck straight at Keyl...
Mikel Arteta to make five changes | Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Slavia Prague
Arsenal will aim to bounce back from the embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Liverpool when they host Slavia Prague in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tomorrow. The Gunners are favourites for the European tie, but they can’t underestimate their opponents, who have beaten Leicester City and Rangers in the previous rounds. Ahead of the game, they have been boosted by the availability of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Granit Xhaka after their respective fitness concerns. However, Kieran Tierney is out for several weeks with a knee ligament injury, while Martin Odegaard is doubtful with an ankle problem sustained on international duty. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Bernd Leno remains the Gunners’ regular choice in goal, but his performances have been questionable over t...
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to make two changes | Expected Man United line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Granada
Manchester United are scheduled to face Granada on the road in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday night. The Red Devils returned from the international break with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. Marcus Rashford picked up a knock during the backend of the game, and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that he has yet to decide whether to start him. Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that Anthony Martial is set to miss the rest of the campaign after the knee injury sustained on France duty last month. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Dean Henderson appears to have established himself as the regular goalkeeper in the Premier League ahead of David de Gea. De Gea has not featured in the last seven games (three...
Celtic could look to appoint 63-yr-old if the move for Eddie Howe falls through
Celtic are keeping tabs on former Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre as a potential alternative option if their move for Eddie Howe falls through. The former Bournemouth manager is believed to be the top target as per Football Insider. The Scottish outfit have already presented the manager with a lucrative offer and are hoping that he agrees to sign the contract. Meanwhile, 63-year-old Favre is currently out of a job after being dismissed by the German club in December. The former Dortmund manager could prove to be an excellent appointment after proving his quality in Germany, France and Switzerland. Celtic need to appoint a manager who can oversee a major rebuild of their playing squad and add a distinct playing style. Both Favre and Howe could be a good fit for the Scottish outfit. F...
