Sports

Haaland shines as Man City trash Luton in eight-goal thriller

Published

5 months ago

February 28, 2024

Erling Haaland

Haaland shines as Man City trash Luton in eight-goal thriller

Erling Haaland scored five in a stunning display of finishing as holders Manchester City thrashed Luton to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

It was the Norwegian’s eighth hat-trick for City and he also became the first player to score five in a game twice for the club.

City opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Kevin de Bruyne, who assisted the first four goals, was allowed time and space to cut the ball back for Haaland to convert.

The pair combined again 15 minutes later, with Haaland running on to a through ball before powering it past Luton goalkeeper Tim Krul and it was a similar move that brought the third, only this time with a delicate dink to finish.

Jordan Clark pulled one back for Luton with a stunning strike, curled beautifully into the top corner from 25 yards on the stroke of half-time and gave Rob Edwards’ side hope of a memorable comeback with a thumping finish seven minutes into the second half.

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However, Pep Guardiola’s team soon dashed those hopes when De Bruyne squared for Haaland to tap into an empty net after a superb pass from Kyle Walker had sent the Belgium midfielder clear.

Haaland got his fifth – matching his effort against RB Leipzig in last season’s Champions League last 16 – when he low shot went straight through Krul, who then saw a long-range strike from Mateo Kovacic flash past him for the visitors’ sixth.

Luton had opportunities in the second half with Stefan Ortega, starting in place of Ederson for City, forced into action a number of times. City might easily have added to their lead at the other end but once Haaland was replaced with 15 minutes to go, there was not the same ruthlessness and the hosts were spared any further punishment.

The one sour note for City was an injury to Jack Grealish, who was forced off late in the first half, but they are now unbeaten in 18 games and remain in pursuit a second consecutive treble.

Haaland shines as Man City trash Luton in eight-goal thriller

Sports

PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price

Published

13 mins ago

July 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price

Paris Saint-Germain is still negotiating a lower transfer fee for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as they pursue the Nigeria international this summer.

According to transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, PSG are poised to retake the lead in their pursuit of the Napoli striker.

In contrast, Italian sports news outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the French champions are still dissatisfied with Napoli’s reduced asking price of £100 million.

“The Parisian club would in fact have decided to take a step back. President Al-Khelaifi considers the 100 million euros excessive, believing that with De Laurentiis he is making the same mistake as last summer,” the report stated.

Napoli had initially demanded the full payment of Osimhen’s £130m release clause, a figure that has deterred many potential suitors. PSG, however, have refused to meet this valuation and are hoping for a further reduction in the price.

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The prolonged negotiations have reportedly left Osimhen frustrated, with Italian publication Tutto Napoli suggesting that the striker is now open to considering offers from Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal.

“Osimhen is fed up, a prisoner of his golden contract. De Laurentiis will probably grant discounts on the clause but not sales,” Tutto Napoli wrote.

As the transfer saga continues, PSG may need to offload either Goncalo Ramos or Randal Kolo-Muani to make room for Osimhen.

Interestingly, Chelsea have reportedly been offered the chance to sign these two PSG forwards, potentially holding the key to Osimhen’s move to the French capital.

Osimhen, who joined Napoli in 2020 for a club-record fee, has been in impressive form, scoring 41 league goals in the past two seasons and helping the club secure their first Scudetto in over three decades.

PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price

Sports

Two Saudi clubs eye Osimhen amid PSG stalled deal

Published

19 mins ago

July 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

Two Saudi clubs eye Osimhen amid PSG stalled deal

With options fast drying up for Victor Osimhen, it has now been reported that top Saudi Arabian clubs Al Ahli and Al Hilal are now pulling all the stops to sign the Napoli striker.

Osimhen continues the pre-season with Napoli and will join the team in Castel Di Sangro for the second part of preparation while waiting for a move to PSG.

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Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta claimed that a move to the French capital is now a priority for Osimhen. Tuttosport reported last week that the striker has already agreed personal terms with the club.

However, the French giants must sell Gonçalo Ramos or Randal Kolo Muani before sending an official offer to Napoli. PSG are unlikely to pay the entire €130m clause, but Napoli will look for at least €100m.

Two clubs who can surely match Napoli’s demands are Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. According to Il Corriere dello Sport, both sides are waiting for the developments of PSG talks with Osimhen before making a formal bid.

Two Saudi clubs eye Osimhen amid PSG stalled deal

Sports

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

Published

17 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Kylian Mbappe

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

A former Liverpool striker, Stan Collymore, has issued a warning to Kylian Mbappe as the French star joins Real Madrid.

Drawing from his own experience as a high-profile signing at Liverpool, Collymore advised Mbappe to approach his new role with humility.

Collymore, who was once a British record transfer to Liverpool, shared his insights with CaughtOffside on Thursday.

He stressed the importance of Mbappe navigating the dressing room dynamics carefully, stating, “They (Real Madrid players) won’t really care that he (Mbappe) was a Real Madrid fan as a kid or that he had Cristiano Ronaldo posters on his wall.”

The former striker recalled his experiences at Liverpool, where he faced challenges integrating with the team.

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“When I went to Liverpool, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that within two or three weeks of signing and after all the happy, clapping, ‘hey, how you doing, do you want to come out with us for a beer and be our friend?’ kind of thing, that my team-mates thought I was some big-time Charlie,” Collymore revealed.

He warned Mbappe about the potential pitfalls of being perceived as arrogant or entitled.

“Kylian Mbappe, who has been top dog and massively overindulged for so long, will have to fall in line fairly quickly, be humble and say the right things. If he doesn’t, there’ll only be problems down the road,” Collymore said.

Collymore highlighted the challenges faced by high-profile signings in adapting to new team environments. He suggested that despite Mbappe’s status as a World Cup winner and global superstar, he need to earn respect within the Real Madrid squad.

“Players like Dani Carvajal have been there, seen it, got the t-shirt, and so there’ll be two or three that will be looking at him and seeing how he is in the dressing room,” Collymore said.