Oct 212015
 

Arsenal succeeded in showing the world that Bayern Munich can be defeated after they can crashing to a two goals defeat at the hands of the Premier League team. Both Goals which came late on in the second half of the game just showed how good the team tactics had worked. The first half of the game saw Arsenal miss some chances with Manuel Neuer pulling a wonderful save to deny Theo Walcott. The Arsenal striker look goal bound after running into a rebound but having saved the first attempt, Neuer was again on hand to save this one. That save kept Bayern in the game as the Gunners seemed to be lying in wait for their opponents to make any slight mistake. The first half ended in a stalemate as both teams were unable to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes.

Enter the second half and Oliver Giroud heads home the first from a quite intelligent pass from Santi Carzola. Having earlier kept Bayern in the game through his heroics, the German shot stopper totally undid all that with his wrong read of the pass. In a bid for an equaliser, Bayern threw their all forward in the dying minutes of the game only to be hit again by Arsenal on the quick break. Manuel Neuer thought he had denied fellow German Mesut Ozil only to be told other wise by the goal official. Despite the victory Arsenal remain at the bottom of their group with just three points but this win just gives the team a reason to smile for better days ahead.

Oct 202015
 

bbc vs msnReal Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo who make up the clubs attacking trio known as “the BBC” together with Barcelona’s fearsome MSN which consist of Lionel Messi, Lius Suarez and Neymar Santos Jr would battle other players in world football for the FIFA Ballon D’Or. The 23 man shortlist which was announced by FIFA is dominated by Barcelona players and that of course is because of the team’s success last term. Exceptional players like Alexis Sanchez who has been a sensation since his move to arsenal also made the 23 man shortlist. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard also made the cut along side Manchester City stars; Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.

Current holder Cristiano Ronaldo recently became Real Madrid’s all time highest goal scorer eclipsing club legend Raul Gonzalez. Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a treble last season and Alexis Sanchez was instrumental in winning a trophy each for his club Arsenal and Chile in the Copa America. the full 23 man shortlist is listed below;

Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain), Andres Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia/FC Barcelona), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Colombia/Real Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire/Manchester City), Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich).

 

Oct 192015
 

imagesArsenal coach, Arsene Wenger is hoping that his team would continue their good form as they welcome FC Bayern to the Emirates stadium tomorrow. A win against Bayern is also vital if they are to move forward from the group stage. They have so far lost their last two matches meaning they are in the knife edge and anything less than a win tomorrow might be the end of their Champions League campaign this season. Arsenal have been in good form in the Premier League this season. Their last three scores have been 5-3 against Leicester City, 3-0 against Manchester United and 3-0 against Watford last weekend. Arsenal fans would be hoping their star player Alexis Sanchez would lead the pack to a victory.

On the other hand, Bayern Munich have kept a 100% win record this season. Last weekend they set a new Bundesliga after winning 9 out 9 matches since the start of the season. Lewandowski has been on great scoring form for both club and country. Bayern in the process have knocked aside the likes of Borrusia Dortmund and Wolfsburg who their only Bundesliga contenteders.

Both Wenger and guardiola would have to go back to the drawing table as this game looks like one that would be won by the books.

Oct 182015
 

premier leagueA lot was expected as all the leagues returned to action following the long international break but the Premier League just had so much going on for it. Chelsea were expected to have gotten the break needed to get them back to winning ways, Liverpool fans couldn’t wait to see the effects of their new coach, Arsenal longed to see their good run continue and Manchester United just wanted to be over their heavy lose at the Emirates.

Chelsea seemed to have found their rhythm in the absence of their main talisman Eden Hazard as they capitalised on Aston Villa’s defensive errors to win the game by 2 goals to nil. Manchester City were on fire, thrashing AC Bournemouth 5-1 with Raheem Sterling scoring three of those goals. Meanwhile United got the better of the game at Goodison park by winning 3-0, captain Wayne Rooney rounded off the scoring when he picked up a superb pass from Ander Herrera and lifted the ball over the on rushing keeper. Liverpool played harder, faster and with more enthusiasm but ended up sharing the spoils at White Hart Lane.

Southampton gave away a two goal lead as Vardy lead Leicester City to a great comeback to draw level with the second goal coming-in in the 90th minute. Late goals from Lazzini and Payet helped West Ham secure a vital win over Crystal Palace. Hot sensation Alexis Sanchez lead the rout as Arsenal came in strong in the second half to win newly promoted side Watford. Berahino was the man to burst Sunderland’s bubble as faced West Bromwich later in the day.

Earlier today, Wijnaldum scored a staggering four goals as Newcastle trashed Norwich City at St James Park. The Netherlands international scored twice in both halves of the game. And that leaves us with the last match of this round, which is Swansea vs Stoke City and that would be played tomorrow night.

Oct 172015
 

IMG_20151017_195758Neymar Jr was the star man as Barcelona came from behind to record a comfortable win against Rayo Vallecano. The Brazilian striker scored two from the spot and two later on in the second as Barcelona overturned the deficit to remain on equal points with Real Madrid. Rayo Vallecano had initially taken the lead through Javi Guerra who made the most of a slack defending from Barcelona just 15 minutes into the game. The goal silenced Camp Nou but that was not to be the case at the end of the game.

Neymar proved too hot for Rayo Vallecano’s defenders as he forced them into fouling him. He converted both spot kicks to take his tally for the season to six goals. He continued to cause problems in the opposition area and added two more goals to take his goal tally to eight goals from seven appearances. Neymar rounded the game up by assisting Lius Suarez who had been a constant threat as Barcelona got their fifth goal of the game which ended 5-2.

Neymar’s performance gave Camp Nou a rejuvenated feeling considering the fact that they had been struggling since they lost their talisman Lionel Messi to injury. The Argentine star was on hand to watch the game from the stands and would be happy to see that his team is coping in his absence. Lionel Messi is due to return from injury very soon but the club can only hope that his financial issues doesn’t cause more distractions for the player.

Oct 162015
 
Anthony Martial made player of the month

Anthony Martial made player of the month

New Manchester United signing, Anthony Martial has been named as the Barclays player of the month for September. The French striker joined United from Monaco for a staggering £36 million but has since proven himself to be the real deal for United. On his debut for the club, Anthony Martial came off the bench and scored a wonderful goal at the strentford end against arch rivals Liverpool and since then he has continued his good form for the club. He also scored a brace against South Hampton overturning the deficit for the club before fellow United player Juan Mata rounded off the scoring in that match. The young striker beat fellow united team mate Daley Blind, Hugo Lloris and a host of other players to the award

Martial deserves this award following his stellar performance which he has further extended to country football. He always looked likely to score whenever he was on the ball in France’s euro qualification match against Denmark during the midweek. Martial was virtually unknown before his big money move to old trafford. The United board were even criticised by the media for spending such an amount for a player who was bring nothing but potential to the team but the french player quickly proved that he was worth every penny with his two performances.

Although Martial did win the Barclays player of the month, Juan Matt was the one who was voted by United fans for the club’s player of the month. He returns to action tomorrow as United travel to goodisoon park to face Everton.

Oct 152015
 

imagesChelsea manager, Jose Mourinho has lashed out at the English FA for the ban on him. Mourinho was handed a one match ban and £50,000 fine for his comments following his teams loss to South Hampton. He said during his post match conference that referees were now afraid of taking decisions in favour of his team, stating that Chelsea should have been awarded at least two spot kicks in the game. The Portuguese coach feels he is being singled out by the FA and doesn’t see it as being right.

He went on to remind the press that he was shoved by arch rival Arsene Webber at the technical area during their clash last season but the French man went unpunished. He also stated that the French man also made a bad comment after their clash in September where he referred to the Mike Dean as being naive and weak but also got away without any punishment from the FA

The fact that the French man was not punished by the FA for these two actions has led the Chelsea boss to say that he is being singled out for punishment. It is very unlikely that Chelsea would try to appeal the ban although they are still waiting for the FA’s written document on why they served Mourinho the stadium ban.

Chelsea currently sits in the 16th position, taking just 8 points from all their premier league matches this season. After the teams loss to South Hampton it was suggested that Mourinho’s job might be under threat but the clubs owner passed a vote of confidence on the Portuguese coach.

Oct 142015
 

alex-ferguson_2339779kFormer Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Fergus on has revealed the announcing that he would retire at the end of the season in 2001 was his biggest mistake. Sir Alex Ferguson had planned to retire from coaching at the end of the 2001/2002 season, a decision which he made public. He has claimed that the announcement had drastic effects on his coaching staff and players. According to him, he changed his mind in January after seeing that the club still needed him very much. Sir Alex Ferguson later went on to become Manchester United’s longest serving coach And later retired in the 2013.

During his 26 years reign at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson won a staggering 38 trophies including trebles at some point in his career. After his departure there was a lot of debate about who was going to fill the shoes and the plan. Then came David Moyes, who left Everton to take over United. David Moyes came to the club with a good plan lasted only 10 months as United lost out on a Champions league spot that season because they finished seventh on the table.

After the 2014 world cup, Manchester United hire former Netherlands, Barcelona and Ajax manager Louis van Gaal. He helped the club back to wining ways and secured a place in the champions league. But that’s not enough as the club has spent so much during the transfer market to have a squad like what they currently have.

Oct 132015
 

Liverpool fans have been very expectant after the appointment of Jurgen Klopp to replace Brendan Rodgers. Their first test under their new manger would be when Liverpool visit Tottenham at White Hart Lane this October 17. The match is one in which Klopp would have to prove his worth.

Commenting on that match, Tottenham forward, Harry Kane, has come out to say that Tottenham can outrun Liverpool just as they have outrun other teams.

Harry Kane After England’s 3-0 win over Lithuania said: “In the first couple of games after a managerial appointment everybody tries to impress so they will probably have that little five per cent extra than usual. We expect that. The Liverpool players at England could not wait to get back to start working under him.

“But we have out-run every team we have played so far this season and that’s a sign we’re playing the manager’s tactics right and are fit enough to do it. And that’s what we have to do again on Saturday. Obviously Liverpool, with a new manager, will be up for it. But we know what we have to do.”

Although Kane is talking tough, Tottenham’s statistics against Liverpool tell a different story. Tottenham has not won a single game in their last five games against Liverpool. They have also conceded a total of 18 goals in these encounters. However, Tottenham has had a good start to this season. They haven’t lost a game except from the first match of the season which they lost to United.

Obviously, the match at White Hart Lane this weekend will be one that would be a very decisive one for both teams.

Oct 132015
 

A former Liverpool star, Djibril Cisse has been implicated in a blackmail case. He has been released from police custody after he was arrested along with three others around 6am this morning. The blackmail case is one in which involves Malthieu Valbuena, Cisse’s former teammate at Marseille and fellow French player.

Cisse was involved in a plot to collect a sum of money from Valbuena in order for them not to publish a sex tape in which Valbuena was involved in. This act by Cisse could turn out badly for him. He could end up getting a five year jail term for his actions in this case of blackmail against the present Lyon midfielder.

This imbroglio involving the two players has come out as shocking to the outside world. The two players are considered friends. They are both French players and they played together at Marseille between 2006 and 2008.

Djibril Cisse has played for Liverpool, Sunderland and QPR in the English Premier League. He joined Liverpool in 2004. He was able to net about 24 goals in 74 appearances for Liverpool. He left the Premier League and Liverpool in the year 2007.

He returned to the English Premier League on a season long loan for Sunderland in 2008.  He scored 11 goals for Sunderland that season. He subsequently joined QPR in the Premier league in 2012 and scored 12 goals for them during the 18 months period in which he was with them.

Cisse was released by Ligue 1 club Bastia this summer. Thus, he is currently without a club. It would be interesting to how all this played out.