Sadiq Umar scored a brace as Nigeria held off a late Honduras fightback to win Olympic bronze on Saturday at Mineirao Stadium. The 3-2 victory made sure of Nigeria's third Olympic medal in men's football after winning gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, while they claimed silver in 2008 after a final defeat to Argentina in 2008. The medal was a reward for an Olympic tournament that got off to a rocky start. Nigeria's arrival in Brazil was delayed until just hours before the team's opening match because of a flight mix-up in … [Read more...]
Laurent Koscielny vows Arsenal will compete for the Premier League title
Laurent Koscielny has vowed Arsenal will challenge for the title despite their rivals’ “unbelievable” spending this summer. The Gunners drew 0-0 at champions Leicester on Saturday and remain winless after the opening two Premier League games. Travelling fans again turned on Arsene Wenger and urged him to spend as the toothless visitors struggled to create clear chances. But defender Koscielny insisted the Gunners, runners-up to Leicester last season, will battle for the Premier League crown as they hunt their first title since … [Read more...]
Valencia one of world’s best right-backs- Herrera
Ander Herrera thinks his Manchester United team-mate Antonio Valencia is currently the best right-back in the world. Valencia, 31 has started both of United’s Premier League games at right-back this season after maintaining the fine form he showed in pre-season. Valencia, who was brought to United by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009 from Wigan for a fee of around £16million, was switched from his original role as a winger to full-back by Louis van Gaal. He started 14 Premier League games last season, most of which were in defence, but this … [Read more...]
Sporting Lisbon sign Arsenal forward Joel Campbell on loan
Joel Campbell has joined Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon on loan after failing to secure a regular place in the Arsenal side. The Gunners announced the season-long deal on Sunday and said the Costa Rica forward "will be hoping he can help the Portugese side win the Primeira and gain further Champions League experience." Sporting Lisbon tweeted a picture of Campbell posing in club colours after he had tweeted them to suggest that they sign him. .@joel_campbell12 challenge accepted! Welcome to Sporting CP! #BemvindoCampbell … [Read more...]
Conte pleased with players’ impact from the bench
Manager Antonio conte praised the impact of his substitutes as Chelsea again left it late to strike for victory. The Blues had beaten West Ham on Monday with a late Diego Costa strike, and the Spain international produced the goods three minutes from time against Watford as Conte's side came from behind to win 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Etienne Capoue fired the hosts ahead 10 minutes into the second half before Conte reacted, introducing Victor Moses, Michy Batshuayi and Cesc Fabregas from the bench, with summer recruit Batshuayi levelling with … [Read more...]
Koeman happy with Lukaku’s Everton commitment
Romelu Lukaku has promised to stay at Everton and could even sign a new contract, manager Ronald Koeman has said. The 23-year-old has been a transfer target for his former club Chelsea this summer but the Londoners have been reluctant to meet Everton's valuation of the striker -- reported to be £75 million. Lukaku has expressed a desire to play European football and was frustrated by Everton's 11th-placed finish last season in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez, but the Toffees were determined to keep hold of their biggest … [Read more...]
Claudio Ranieri refuses to criticise Mark Clattenburg over penalty
Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri praised his team's display in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal and had no complaints over the referee. Claudio Ranieri refused to criticise referee Mark Clattenburg after Leicester City had two penalty appeals waved away during their 0-0 draw against Arsenal. The Premier League champions are still searching for the first win of their title defence, following last weekend's 2-1 loss at Hull City, and they could not find a way through in a game of few chances at the King Power Stadium. Danny Drinkwater went … [Read more...]
Barcelona confirm agreement with Manchester City for Bravo
Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has confirmed a deal is in place with manchester city for the transfer of Claudio Bravo. During the week it emerged the Premier League club were closing in on a €25 million move for the Barcelona goalkeeper, whom Pep Guardiola wants to replace Joe Hart. Despite those reports, Bravo started Saturday's La Liga opener against Real Betis, but it looks set to prove to be his last game for the Catalan club. "We have the beginning of an agreement in principle with Manchester City for Claudio … [Read more...]
Arsenal, Leicester play out a goalless draw
It ended goalless between defending champions Leicester City and last season's runners-up Arsenal at the King Power Stadium. Arsenal had the better of the opening period, looking dangerous in attack , testing the reigning Premier League champions’ defence. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came close in the 26th minute, unleashing a curling effort from 20 yards having beaten Riyad Mahrez, with ease, on the left flank. His effort had Foxes stopper Kasper Schmeichel beaten, but sailed wide of the far post. There was late controversy in the first … [Read more...]
Liverpool brought back down to earth by Burnley
Burnley burst Liverpool’s early-season bubble with a 2-0 victory which proved you do not have to have much of the ball to be effective. The Clarets converted two of their three shots on target, with Sam Vokes grabbing his first Premier League goal inside two minutes and Andre Gray doubling the lead before half-time. There was no rousing comeback from Liverpool like the one they produced last weekend at Arsenal to win 4-3 after going behind and, despite dominating possession, they never looked like scoring. That was partly down to their … [Read more...]
Costa strikes late as Chelsea defeat Watford
Diego Costa struck another late winner for Chelsea as they came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 in their Premier League clash at Vicarage Road. Etienne Capoue thrashed the hosts in front 10 minutes after the interval, only for Michy Batshuayi to come off the bench and capitalise on a poor piece of goalkeeping from Heurelho Gomes to draw Chelsea level with his first goal for the club. And it was a superb through-ball from another substitute in Cesc Fabregas which set Costa away in the closing stages, with the striker making no mistake as he … [Read more...]