Leicester City made an impressive debut to their Champions League campaign with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice as they thumped Belgian side Club Brugge 3-0 in a devastating fashion. Marc Albrighton, one of their star man in the Premier League winning campaign last season, scored their first ever Champions League goal and first since 2000 inside five minutes, moments after the hosts nearly got in front. Riyad Mahrez continued to shine for Leicester as he crashed in a brilliant free-kick before adding another from the spot shortly before the hour mark making it 3-0 as the away side dominated at the Jan Breydel Stadium, top of Group G after Porto and Copenhagen drew 1-1. Record signing Islam Slimani was handed his Leicester debut for the Champions League … [Read more...]
Tottenham struggle at Wembley as visitors take the spoils
Tottenham's return to Champions League football after a five-year absence ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss as an English club-record home crowd of 85,011 watched French side Monaco take all three points at Wembley. Spurs were dealt a blow in their return back to Europe as goals from Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar were enough to give the French side an opening victory in Group E. Toby Alderweireld header gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side some hope on the stroke of half-time but they were frustrated in the second half as the away side defended stoutly to register their fourth win in eight attempts against English opposition. Pochettino opted for an attacking line-up with Dele Alli dropped in alongside Eric Dier ahead of Victor Wanyama, who came in … [Read more...]
Wenger full of praise for David Ospina
Arsene Wenger insists goalkeeper David Ospina has proved his critics wrong following a top class display in Arsenal’s Champions League opener at Paris Saint-Germain. Wenger surprised many when he opted to bench Petr Cech despite a big blunder by Ospina in the Champions League last season. But the Colombian repaid his faith by making a string of crucial saves in order go see Arsenal share the spoils against PSG. The Colombian was not expected to start at the Parc des Princes but was drafted in and performed admirably, eventually denying PSG striker Edinson Cavani, who had headed the Ligue 1 Champions ahead inside a minute. Ospina made a number of crucial stops to prevent Unai Emery’s side extending their lead before Alexis Sanchez struck with 12 minutes … [Read more...]
City’s UCL clash against Monchengladbach moved to Wednessday
Manchester City's clash against German side Borussia Monchengladbach has been rescheduled for Wednesday evening following an adverse rain on Tuesday. Heavy rain covered the pitch in the two hours before the scheduled 7.45pm Tuesday kick-off, forcing an abandonment, but UEFA have moved quickly to reschedule the tie. Referee Bjorn Kuipers and officials inspected the surface at about 6.55pm and a decision to postpone was communicated around 30 minutes later. A decision to call off the game was taken at around 7.25pm based on safety concerns around the ground. The German club later confirmed a rearranged time of 7.45pm Wednesday. According to UEFA competition regulations - article 26.03 - a decision on a rearranged date should have been announced … [Read more...]
UCL: Manchester City v Mochengladbach clash postponed
Tuesday's night UEFA Champions League fixture between Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach has been postponed because of adverse weather. Heavy rain, and lighting hit Manchester on Tuesday evening and 15 minutes before kick-off it was announced the match was abandoned. The game will now be rescheduled ny UEFA and the Club will announce a new date in due course. According to the European governing body's rules, a rescheduled date must be agreed on between the two clubs, and the associations concerned, within two hours of the postponement. Uefa's rules state the match must be played either the next day or "on a reserve date or other date set by the Uefa administration" … [Read more...]
Sanchez scores as Arsenal rescues point from a wasteful PSG
Alexis Sanchez scored in the second half to rescue a point for Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League opener. It took less than a minute (42 seconds) for Edinson Cavani to head PSG in front, but the Uruguayan missed three more clear opportunities before Sanchez drew Wenger's men level in the 77th minute. Arsene Wenger dropped goalkeeper Petr Cech for back-up David Ospina, but the Colombian shot-stopper could do nothing about PSG's opener as Cavani stole in to finish from a Serge Aurier cross. Arsenal were outplayed by Paris Saint Germain for the most part of the first half, as Wenger left Olivier Giroud and Granit Xhaka on the bench. Arsenal were lucky not to have conceded more, after Edinson Cavani put PSG ahead in the first … [Read more...]
Reports on Manchester Derby
Manchester City delivered their first win in a rivalry with Manchester United that will eventually become a topic amongst football lovers as Manchester City won against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain's La Liga was the last time both managers clashed, this being their first ever Premier League meeting since in control on either side of Manchester. And when the action started, it was Man City who brought down and put Manchester United in their place with a fantastic 100% start this season. Guardiola wins battle with Mourinho This was a match between Guardiola and Mourinho - this was a match about Mourinho against Guardiola in this season Premier League, fighting for respect and supremacy in Manchester. Mourinho … [Read more...]