Sports
Wazupnaija – Naija Entertainment blogs & Forums – Sports
‘We will challenge for all titles’: Chelsea manager’s claim under the spotlight
Thomas Tuchel’s claim that Chelsea will challenge for silverware on all fronts next season raised plenty of eyebrows across the Sportslens team. In his press conference ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Liverpool in the Premier League on Thursday, Tuchel was adamant that the Blues will be a force to be reckoned in the future. The club last won the title in 2017, but they have dropped significantly behind Manchester City and Liverpool since then. “Sometimes, it’s good to look at the reality and have the ambition to close (the gap) as fast as possible,” he said. “The point is, will we close the gap to Man City this season? No, we will not – this is impossible. “But from next season, all of us start with zero points – City were in trouble this season, and nobody took advantage of it. It’s proven in...
How 50y/o reportedly feels about story claiming NUFC players want him to replace Bruce
The Daily Mail claimed last night that several Newcastle United players want assistant head coach Graeme Jones to immediately take over from boss Steve Bruce until the end of the season, believing he represents their best chance of avoiding the drop. It was reported that there is growing resentment towards the Magpies head coach in the dressing room, and that the players no longer trust and like him, with a training ground bust-up between him and Matt Ritchie on Tuesday fuelling the fire. However, the latest reports coming from The Telegraph have poured cold water on those claims, and Newcastle players are said to have contacted club officials to deny they wanted Bruce to be sacked. Some have also contacted the Newcastle boss directly, and they have dismissed the idea that they all want Jo...
10 VAR decisions that show Arsenal, Liverpool & other PL clubs are right in asking for better refereeing
The introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in 2019 was heralded as a massive step forward for the Premier League. The days where controversial decisions were made were supposed to become a thing of the past, and football would be a better place for it. However, the reality has proved to be much different, with barely a week going by without some VAR-related nonsense occurring in England’s top flight. Whether it’s diving going unpunished or penalties not being given, VAR has not cleaned up the mistakes many thought it would have upon introduction. We’ve waded our way through the list of VAR decisions in the Premier League to pick out 10 of the most contentious since it was introduced. Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool – October 2019 Liverpool were unstoppable during the 2019...
Owen’s late-late goal, that overhead kick and more: best Manchester derby highlights
The Manchester derby is widely viewed as one of the biggest football rivalries in the world. Meetings between City and United often produce memorable moments, and that has certainly been the case over the past few years. Ahead of the Premier League clash between the two sides on Sunday, we look at 10 recent defining moments of the rivalry. Benjani shows United no mercy United staged a memorial for the 50-year anniversary of the Munich air disaster ahead of their game against City in February 2008. The City fans and players showed their class by playing a respectful part in proceedings, but the gloves came off when the action got underway. Goals from Darius Vassell and Benjani secured a 2-1 victory for City – the first time they had won at Old Trafford in the league since 1974. Owen the unl...
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Chelsea: Klopp to make two changes, 27-year-old returns
Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the Premier League clash at Anfield on Thursday night. After losing three games in a row at Anfield, Liverpool will be determined to bring the fear factor back at their spiritual home that saw them remaining undefeated in 68 games in the first place. Thomas Tuchel’s side are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, and the match promises to be a cracker with both teams fighting for a place in the top-four. After Manchester United drew 0-0 against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, Liverpool will fancy their chances to close the gap with them with three points here. Liverpool will be without their talisman skipper Jordan Henderson for this game, but the likes of Fabinho and Allison are expected to return. Klopp suggested yesterday that Fabinho c...
‘He was furious & livid with me’ – Journalist shares how NUFC chief reacted to recent leak
Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow was dropped from the starting line-up for last weekend’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the news leaked last Tuesday – four days before the game – and it got the Englishman angry. According to Sportsmail, his teammates were disgusted when news of Darlow being dropped appeared in the press last week. The Newcastle goalkeeper had not been informed, and they believe it was head coach Steve Bruce who leaked it. The Magpies boss told Darlow that he was not playing on Friday, and the keeper challenged him on the press report, but Bruce denied leaking it. The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards – a close friend of the Newcastle boss – who reported the story has revealed that Bruce was not his source, claiming that he was furious and livid with him for writing...
‘Absolutely woeful’, ‘Comical’ – Some Aston Villa fans react to 74-cap international’s display tonight
Aston Villa crashed to a 1-0 defeat against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane earlier tonight. Dean Smith’s men came into this game on the back of an impressive win over Leeds United, and they were expected to build on that result. David McGoldrick scored a vital first-half goal to hand his side a priceless win. The Blades managed to defend the final half-hour with ten men after Phil Jagielka was sent off around the 57th minute. The likes of John McGinn and Ollie Watkins spurned decent chances to score for the visitors. The fans will be particularly disappointed with the defensive performance of experienced full-back Ahmed Elmohamady. The 74-cap Egyptian international made a slow start to the game, and he put the midfield under constant pressure with his poor passing. Villa missed the quali...
Graham Roberts shares his six word reaction to Rangers’s 1-0 win over Livingston
Rangers picked up a late win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership earlier tonight. Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos scored the only goal of the game in the 87th minute, and Steven Gerrard’s side are now on the verge of the title. The Ibrox outfit are currently 18 points clear at the top of the table and can win the title on Sunday if they manage to beat St Mirren and Celtic drop points at Dundee United. Gerrard was unhappy with the officiating throughout the game, and he confronted referee John Beaton at half-time. His side could have easily had a penalty tonight. However, he will be relieved to have picked up all three points here. Meanwhile, former Rangers star Graham Roberts has shared his reaction to the win on social media. Get innnnnnn 55 here we come!!! — Graham Roberts...
‘Horrific’, ‘Knackered’, ‘Burned out’ – Some Man Utd fans tear into 23-yr-old after goalless draw
Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League earlier tonight. It was a good opportunity for the Old Trafford outfit to close the gap with Manchester City ahead of the derby game this weekend. Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer will be frustrated with the attacking performance of his side tonight. The likes of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford were quite wasteful with their chances, and both players could have given United the lead early in the game. Rashford has had a mixed season, and he has often been criticised for his lack of sharpness in front of goal. There is no doubt that the 23-year-old is a top-class talent, but he needs to work on his finishing if he wants to continue to lead the line for a club like United. The Red Devils may decide to invest in a ...
Report shares what will happen with Newcastle takeover if they get relegated
According to Independent, sources close to the Newcastle United takeover situation maintain that all parties in the consortium would still be interested even if the team are relegated to the Championship at the end of the season. The Magpies are currently just three points and a place above the drop zone after 26 Premier League games and fans are scared that they could go down. The attacking trio of Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron are currently injured and not expected to return until after this month’s international break. According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Justin Barnes – the advisor of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley – has put takeover conversations on hold, and the club is not for sale right now. This was influenced by the injuries Saint-Maximin and Almiron su...
‘I can’t explain’: Paul Merson makes big claim on ‘unthinkable’ situation for Liverpool
Paul Merson has suggested to Sky Sports that it would be simply “unthinkable” for Liverpool to drop out of the top four this season. Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp has already admitted defeat in the title race, and his team have a tough fight on their hands to book their place in next season’s Champions League. Manchester City are currently playing on another level and showing no signs of weakness. Manchester United are likely to chase them, but it is an open race for the top four after that pair. Leicester City, West Ham United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are all in the mix with 12 rounds left to play. Merson claims that the team under Klopp has been “unbelievable” for the last couple of seasons but is concerned about what may happen if they fail to claw their...
‘Dip from Jose Mourinho’s side’: Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Fulham vs Tottenham
Popular football pundit Mark Lawrenson has predicted a win for Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday. Spurs will travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the Premier League, and Lawrenson has backed a 2-0 win for Jose Mourinho’s side. The north Londoners returned to winning ways last weekend after thrashing Burnley 4-0, with Gareth Bale netting a brace. It was arguably Bale’s best performance since rejoining Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in the summer as Spurs picked up all three points. It was also the first time Mourinho unleashed the front three of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Bale, and it paid off. Spurs are six points off fourth-placed West Ham United with a game in hand, and they will be looking to close the gap on other rivals. Lawrenson told BBC Sport: “Tottenham were very impressive a...
