November 2015 – Bbc-football.com

Manchester United Striker, Wayne Rooney Ends Goal Drought

Nov 042015

Wayne rooney scores against CSKA

Manchester United and England captain, Wayne Rooney ended the teams goal drought which was about to extend to four matches with a powerful header against CSKA Moscow to give his team a deserved three points and send them top of group B. The 30 years old latch into a Jesse Lingard’s cross from the right.

United started the game quite well, dominating most of the first half with some decent play but couldn’t break down the CSKA Moscow team. Although United did have a couple of chances but were unable to score any goals and it seemed the Russian side’s game plan was working out well until late in the second half. A Marcos Rojo tackle saw him win the ball on the sideline from his opponent which he squared out for Michael Carrick. The England international did well to throw a long pass onto young winger, Jesse Lingard, which he crossed for his captain to head clear into the net.

It was a goal that got Old Trafford to its feet as the fans could not contain their excitement for the team’s first goal in four matches. And the fact that it was coming from Wayne Rooney made it all the more glorious. Rooney almost doubled the lead later but could not seem to hit the target. The victory sends Manchester United top of their group with seven points from four games, all they need to qualify is a win from one of the remaining two matches. Team coach Louis van Gaal would hope his team would continue scoring as they go up against West Bromwich in the Premier League on Saturday.

Tuesday Champions League Round-Up

Atletico Madrid, Champions league, Juventus, La Liga, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier league, PSG, Real Madrid No Responses »

Nov 032015

Tuesday night was the first night of match day 4 in the UEFA Champions League. The night started out with Astana hosting Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid. After thrashing them an astounding 4-0 in Madrid two weeks back, Diego Simeone’s men just couldn’t cracking down a rather spirit Astana side and that saw the match end in goalless draw. Manchester City displayed a first class first half performance to qualify for the knock out stages of the competition with a 3-1 victory over Sevilla. The Premier League club had to wait till the dying minutes to grab a winner the last time the two met but the case was different this time as the tie was decided in the first half with goals from Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Wilfred Bony was enough to give them a deserved win.

Wayne Rooney ended what could have been a third straight goalless draw for the red devils with a header in the 79 minute at Old Trafford. The coach’s trust in his captain finally paid off when the England international nodded in from close range to give Manchester United a 1-0 victory over a rather defensive CSKA Moscow. The game between Real Madrid and French champions PSG was also decided in the first half. The only goal came from the substitute Nacho Fernández who had come on to replace Marcelo as the later could not seem to shake off the injury he picked up. PSG playmaker Marco Veratti was also taken off in the early minutes of the game due to an injury.

The biggest winners of the night were Shaktar Donetsk who thrashed Malton an astounding 4-0. The first came in the first half with the remaining three coming in the second half. Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw against Borrusia M’Gladbach while PSV pulled a surprised 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg. Benfica also got a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray on the night. The events of match day 4 continues tomorrow and some of the teams would join City and Madrid in qualifying for the next round.

English FA bans Jose Mourinho

Arsenal, Champions league, Chelsea, Premier league, Southampton, West Ham No Responses »

Nov 022015

The fact that his team is not performing well seems not to be the only problem Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho is facing. The Portuguese coach has been handed a one match stadium ban by the English FA for his misconduct during their 2-1 loss against West Ham 2 weeks back. Mourinho was provoked by the dismissal of his player, Nemanja Matic and his first team assistant coach Louro. During the half time break, the Portuguese approach the official in his changing room and refused to leave when asked to. He even made reference to the fact that Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger had referred to the referee John Moss as being weak.

This would be the second ban that the Chelsea boss would be facing. The first which is also a stadium ban and a £50,000 fine is still being appealed and has not even been settled. This ban comes at a very wrong time for the Chelsea boss. Team doctor Eva Caneiro who was dismissed last two months after her rift with the coach, has taken the matter to court and the Chelsea boss is supposed to appear before an employment tribunal later this week. Chelsea currently seat at third position in their Champions League group and would host Dynamo in Wednesday. The match and Saturday’s match which Mourinho’s is supposed to miss following his ban are two important matches that could either buy him more time or lead to his sack.

Barcelona Players in Halloween Prank

Barcelona, Premier league No Responses »

Nov 012015

A number of FC Barcelona players were in a prank on Saturday after their 2-0 win over Getafe. Quite a number of them dressed up in costumes hoping to maybe run into their own coach in a press conference or the media but instead they opened the wrong down as described by one of the players when they were being ushered out of the room. They ran into a press conference where Getafe’s Victor Rodriguez was talking to the media. On realising this, they were ushered out of the room and one of them apologised saying they were in the wrong room. A lot of Getafe’s fans have reacted to the incident calling it a wrongful way of celebrating victory over there opponents. Following the incident FC Barcelona’s first team players released the statement below on Sunday;

“In light of the reaction provoked by our actions, which were carried out with the purpose of celebrating a good win and the team’s good form, while also coinciding with Halloween, FC Barcelona’s first team squad would like to manifest that:

“1. – In no case was it our intention to offend or annoy any of our colleagues from Getafe.

“2. – The invasion in the mixed zone coincided with Victor Rodriguez’s press conference and was an unfortunate coincidence, for which we personally apologised and expressed our respect. The images captured at that moment demonstrate that a player clearly said: “Where are we going? We have made a mistake [entering the press conference].”

“3. – The squad is aware of the responsibility that comes with being an FC Barcelona player and wants to apologise to anyone who feels offended, especially members of Getafe’s team and their fans. Our behaviour is also un-waiverable with the members and supporters of FC Barcelona, who should be proud of this team off the pitch, as well as on it.”