Sports
Man City beat Sevilla after penalty shootout to win first Super Cup
Man City beat Sevilla after penalty shootout to win first Super Cup
Manchester City held their nerve to beat Sevilla 5-4 on penalty kicks and win the UEFA Super Cup for the first time in their history.
This was after the enthralling game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes of play at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, Greece.
The first nine penalty kicks of the shootout were all converted.
But Serbian defender Nemanja Gudelj struck his kick against the crossbar to hand victory to Manchester City, who lost on penalty kicks to Arsenal in England’s Community Shield 10 days ago.
Youssef En-Nesyri had given Europa League winners Sevilla the lead with a towering header in the 25th minute.
But Manchester City equalised through a header from 21-year-old Cole Palmer in the 63rd minute.
It was an exciting match played in scorching heat and humidity as Sevilla caused many problems for a Manchester City defence which was often exposed.
Sevilla made last season’s UEFA Champions League winners uncomfortable with aggressive high pressing and En-Nesyri wasted several opportunities before he scored following a counter-attack.
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Marcos Acuna lifted in a brilliant cross from the left to the Morocco striker who climbed higher than Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol to unleash a powerful header past goalkeeper Ederson.
Erik Lamela wasted another good Sevilla chance before Manchester City started to take control of the match, finishing the first half strongly.
This was as Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic just failed to convert crosses from Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
Sevilla started the second half strongly, however, and En- Nesyri missed a sitter following a brilliant counter-attack led by Lucas Ocampos.
The Morocco striker wasted another glorious opportunity before Rodri found Palmer ghosting in behind the defence.
He produced a clinical header which arched over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and into the net.
Nathan Ake could have won it for Manchester City in added time, but his stooping header from five yards was brilliantly saved by Bounou.
The Sevilla goalkeeper also almost stopped Kyle Walker’s penalty kick in the shootout before Gudelj hit the bar.
“It was always going to be a tough game. The lads put in a good performance. We have to be more clinical, but we got the job done,” Manchester City captain Walker told reporters.
“If anyone played with me they know I don’t like taking penalty kicks, because I don’t like letting people down if I miss.
“Pep put me in at five. (I wanted to) show leadership. Luckily it went in and was the winning one.”
Man City beat Sevilla after penalty shootout to win first Super Cup
Reuters/NAN.
Sports
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Mohamed Salah has hinted that this season will be his last at Liverpool, vowing to end his time at the club on a high by winning the Premier League.
The 32-year-old forward is in exceptional form, with Liverpool six points clear at the top of the Premier League table and holding a game in hand ahead of their upcoming clash with Manchester United. Salah currently leads the league in both goals (17) and assists (13), underscoring his pivotal role in the team’s success.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Salah revealed his primary ambition for the season – to deliver Liverpool’s second Premier League title.
Reflecting on his targets, which he had written down during a summer holiday, he shared, “The first thing on my list was to win the Premier League with Liverpool. For years, I’ve always talked about wanting to win the Champions League, but this time, my focus is on the league. It feels like the right goal for my final season here.”
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When asked why he views this as his last campaign at Anfield, Salah candidly explained, “I can’t really explain it, but something about this year feels different. Maybe it’s because we didn’t get to celebrate the last Premier League win properly due to the pandemic. That title meant so much to the club, the fans, and the city, but the moment wasn’t what we dreamed it would be. I want to leave here having given Liverpool another moment to remember.”
Under previous manager Jürgen Klopp, Salah was instrumental in Liverpool’s golden era, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, European Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Now, with many of his former teammates still in the squad, Salah believes this team has one more triumph in them.
“My motivation this season is clear—to win another trophy, especially the Premier League,” Salah said.
“This team has achieved so much, but winning the league for a second time would solidify our legacy. Players like Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Virgil [van Dijk], Alisson, and Robbo [Andy Robertson] are still here, and we owe it to ourselves and the fans to go out on a high.”
When asked whether he believes a second title is necessary to cement the team’s place among the Premier League greats, he said, “Absolutely. We’ve won almost everything, but one league title isn’t enough for a team of our quality. Winning it twice would make a real statement, and that’s what I’m working toward.”
As Salah enters the final six months of his contract, speculation over his future is certain to intensify. However, for now, the Egyptian forward remains laser-focused on achieving his goals with Liverpool before bidding farewell.
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Sports
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Marcus Rashford’s potential exit from Manchester United could open the door to Victor Osimhen making the move to Old Trafford, according to a new report.
The 27-year-old has been dropped from the side in recent weeks by head coach Ruben Amorim. In fact, he has not featured in a minute of football since his side’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest on 7 December.
Reports by Goal.com suggested on Thursday, December 2 that Rashford is keen to see out his career in Europe, having turned down three offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia. He reportedly turned down the chance to secure a contract worth £ 675,000 per week in a bid to reclaim a spot back in the England side.
As such, a move to Napoli has now been mooted according to several media agencies in the UK and Italy. Antonio Conte’s men are currently in second place in the Italian top flight and are looking to bring in another forward to secure the league title, reports The Sun.
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They are keen on Rashford and it’s thought that this could open the door for the Red Devils to sign Victor Osimhen, as part of a sensational swap deal.
Osimhen was close to making a move to Chelsea during the summer window, but the proposed move collapsed as they could not agree personal terms. During the window, the striker instead made the loan move to Galatasaray for the 2024/25 season. So far in Turkey, he has scored 12 goals and made five assists in 15 outings.
Osimhen netted 76 times for Napoli in 133 appearances, even helping them win a scudetto during the 2022/23 season.
United have scored just 21 league goals this season, with Rasmus Hojlund, particularly Joshua Zirkzee, particularly under-fire. It could be that the Old Trafford club is looking to bring in another forward in the winter window ahead of the second half of the season.
Osimhen reportedly has a £62 million release clause in his contract and any move involving Rashford would see the Manchester-born attacker reunited with former United player Scott McTominay at the Italian city.
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Sports
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has lost his mother to the cold hands of death barely two month after losing his father.
Nwabali took to his X handle on New Year Day to announce the death of his mother.
In a deeply emotional moment, he shared that this has been “the worst year” of his life, a heart-wrenching statement that captures the weight of his grief.
Nwabali‘s words convey the raw pain of navigating through such a devastating period, with a message that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced profound loss.
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His final post describes the world as “crazy,” encapsulating the bewilderment and despair that often follows such an overwhelming tragedy.
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