Football
Racism: Anthony Martial seeks for security protection
Anthony Martial has asked Manchester United to help with security at his house after racist trolls abused him and his wife on social media. Martial was targeted with vile racist abuse following Man United’s shock home defeat to Sheffield United last week. The forward’s wife, Melanie, also received online hate which included death threats to both herself and her husband. The couple, who have a young child, have since approached the club who are believed to be happy to assist with extra security at their house. The Red Devils provided protection for executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward when angry fans attacked his home with flares last year.They beefed up security at his house and launched a review of safety measures. A similar set of actions is expected to take place at Martial’s house. Man ...
Manchester United boss seeks team’s cutting edge after Arsenal stalemate
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United’s forwards need to be more clinical after a 0-0 draw at an under-strength Arsenal dealt a second setback to their Premier League title challenge in four days. United threw away top spot with a shock 2-1 defeat by bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United in midweek and are now three points adrift of league leaders Manchester City having played a game more than their local rivals. The quartet of Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes have now scored just once in United’s last five league games. Cavani was the biggest threat for the visitors with two second-half efforts that flew just wide, but Arsenal were worthy of at least a point despite missing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney. “We come awa...
Nwankwo Kanu reacts to Arsenal vs Manchester United draw
Former Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu has praised both former club Arsenal and Manchester United following their tensed 0-0 draw in Saturday’s Premier League tie at the Emirates. Both teams went into the game on the back of contrasting results with Arsenal beating Southampton 3-1 while United were stunned 2-1 at Old Trafford by relegation threatened Sheffield United in their last fixtures. The result means United have not beaten a ‘Big Six’ rival in the Premier League this season. For Arsenal, they continue their resurgence after a run of poor results. Reacting to the stalemate Kanu stated that both teams played well and stated he is looking forward to Arsenal returning to winning ways in their next fixture. “Both teams did well. Well done Gunners. We look forward to next 3 points,” he...
Alex Iwobi in action as Everton bow to Newcastle United
Alex Iwobi was on parade as Everton lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in Saturday’s Premier League game at Goodison Park. The 24-year-old returned for the Merseyside outfit against Leicester City on Wednesday, making a cameo appearance in the encounter. The Nigeria international missed his side’s outing against Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of the FA Cup on January 24. The forward was then restored to the starting XI against the Magpies to afford him more opportunities to make a meaningful impact for the club. Iwobi gave a good account of himself in the encounter but his effort was not enough to help his side avoid their sixth defeat of the season. The game started with both sides striving to outwit each other but despite their efforts, the first half ended without goals. After the re...
Wilfred Ndidi ruled out of Leeds clash
Brendan Rodgers has provided updates on the fitness of Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi, Jamie Vardy and Jonny Evans ahead of the Premier League visit of Leeds United on Sunday. Speaking inside the King Power Centre at LCFC Training Ground, Rodgers ruled Ndidi out for two matches due to an hamstring. While Nigeria midfielder Ndidi is likely to be absent for just over a week, Northern Ireland centre-back Evans is in contention to tackle Leeds on Filbert Way, Rodgers added. “It’s just a slight tear (for Ndidi),” the 48-year-old explained. “He will be [out for] a week to 10 days, which is unfortunate, but sometimes hamstrings can be much longer than that. Jonny’s fine. It’s been an ongoing issue with him for a little while, but he’ll be fine.” “Jamie’s six days post-operation,” the Norther...
Mikel Arteta: Arsenal, Manchester United electrifying moments no longer exist
Electrifying moments that always followed Arsenal, Manchester United matches are gradually fading away, according to Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta. Arteta spent five years as an Arsenal player and never featured on the winning side against United. But all the old animosities had gone by then and today’s encounter at an empty Emirates is sure to be played out in relative peace. Arteta admits: “It’s not only the Arsenal and Manchester United fixtures which have calmed down. “If you look at the way all the derbies used to get played, it’s not the same right now. “The game is evolving and we are educating the players in a different way. “For sure they are not allowed to get away with some of the things they used to do 20 years ago and with VAR that’s even less. “The game is much more controlled a...
Henry Onyekuru grabs brace as Galatasaray beat Gaziantep away
Henry Onyekuru scored twice as Galatasaray beat Gaziantep 2-1 in their Turkish Super Lig clash at the Gaziantep Stadyumu on Friday. It was Onyekuru’s first appearance for Fathi Terim’s side since he linked up with the club from Monaco. The Nigeria international started the game on the bench and replaced Morocco international Younnes Belhanda after the break. The 23-year-old put Galatasaray ahead in the 51st minute after he was teed up by Dutchman Ryan Babel. He scored his second goal of the game 12 minutes from time. His international teammate Oghenekaro Etebo replaced Emre Kılınç in the 75th minute. Former Flying Eagles defender Valentine Ozornwafor was an unused substitute for Galatasaray in the game. Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looki...
Joan Laporta: PSG have been disrespectful in Leo Messi pursuit
Paris Saint-Germain have been “disrespectful” in their pursuit of Lionel Messi, according to Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta, who has threatened to report the Ligue 1 champions to FIFA. PSG have been strongly linked with Messi ever since his decision to hand in a transfer request at Camp Nou at the end of the 2019-20 campaign. The 33-year-old ultimately decided to see out the final year of his current contract with Barca after opposition from club officials and La Liga, but his long-term future remains up in the air. Parc des Princes has been mooted as the most likely next destination for Messi, and PSG sporting director Leonardo publicly sounded out the six-time Ballon d’Or winner earlier this month. “Great players like Messi will always be on PSG’s list,” said the Brazilian...
Zlatan Ibrahimovic denies using racist language in on-field spat with Romelu Lukaku in derby clash
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has denied all allegations of using racist abuse during his on-field clash with Romelu Lukaku in the Coppa Italia match between Inter and AC Milan on Tuesday evening. The attackers squared up to each other at half-time, trading verbal blows and ultimately being cautioned by referee Paolo Valeri. Lukaku came out on top in the end, scoring the equaliser in a 2-1 win for the Nerazzurri, while Ibrahimovic was shown a second yellow in the second half and was given his marching orders. The dust has far from settled in the wake of the spat, however, as pitch-side microphones picked up the heated conversation between Lukaku and Ibrahimovic, with the latter reportedly calling the former a “donkey” and telling him to go do his “voodoo sh*t”, among other things. The voodoo referenc...
Thomas Tuchel appointed new Chelsea manager
Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the club’s new manager. The Blues moved swiftly to bring in the German following the decision to sack Frank Lampard on Monday. The 47-year-old will be charged with the task of reviving the fortunes of a side sat in ninth in the Premier League table, with Champions League qualification the likely target for the remainder of the season. Tuchel, who was sacked as coach of Paris Saint-Germain in December, has signed an 18-month contract, with the option of a further year in west London. His predecessor, Lampard, had been handed a three-year contract when the Blues legend was appointed Chelsea boss in the summer of 2019 following a season in charge of Championship side Derby County. When will Tuchel take charge of his first game? Tuchel...
Arsenal agree deal with Real Madrid for Martin Ødegaard
Real Madrid playmaker Martin Ødegaard will join Arsenal on loan for the rest of the season after the clubs agreed to terms this evening. That is according to The Athletic, who report that a temporary move has now been given the green light by both parties. The Norwegian will fly to London on Sunday ahead of undergoing a medical with the Gunners on Monday morning, when it is expected the deal will be made official. Given his status as an elite sportsperson, Ødegaard is also exempt from COVID-19 quarantine protocols, meaning he will not have to self isolate, if he returns a negative test. The 22-year-old will be Arsenal’s second signing of the window after the acquisition of Mat Ryan from Brighton. Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for ...
Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil completes Fenerbahce move
Mesut Ozil has finally completed his move to Fenerbahce on a free transfer from Arsenal – and penned an emotional farewell message. The outcast playmaker, 32, sealed his return to homeland Turkey on Sunday and insisted the club’s supporters would ‘forever remain’ in his heart. Ozil said goodbye to his former team-mates at the Emirates last week and has now brought an end to his seven-and-a-half-year stint in the Premier League. In a statement released on Arsenal’s website, Ozil said: ‘I’d like to thank the club for this amazing journey over the past seven and a half years. ‘The support I have felt from the team and fans during my time here has been truly incredible and something I will always be grateful for. ‘Together we won trophies for the first time in years and created memories that w...
