Sports

UCL: Chelsea cruise to win at 10-man AC Milan

Published

2 years ago

October 12, 2022

Chelsea end an 18-year wait for a victory in Italy by recording a 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The Blues went into the contest at San Siro level on points with their hosts and facing the possibility of dropping to the bottom of Group E with two games remaining if results went against them.

However, after Milan were reduced to 10 men when a foul from Fikayo Tomori led to a penalty, Jorginho converted from the spot before a smart finish from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled Chelsea’s advantage ahead of half time.

While Chelsea were always in full control after the restart, the Premier League giants were dealt a blow when Reece James needed to be withdrawn with a knee injury.

With Red Bull Salzburg being held to a 1-1 draw by Dinamo Zagreb, Chelsea now top Group E, but just three points separate first and fourth place with two matches remaining.

On the back of the 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge last week, Chelsea were full of confidence ahead of the reverse fixture, and that belief only increased when their former defender Tomori was handed a straight red card just after the quarter-hour mark.

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After Mason Mount had got in behind the England international inside the penalty area, Tomori tugged the shirt of his ex-club teammate as he went to shoot, denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the eyes of VAR.

Although the decision felt harsh, Tomori could also have few complaints, and Jorginho took full advantage from 12 yards as he sent goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu the wrong way.

Olivier Giroud – another former Chelsea player in the Milan side – should have put the home side level soon afterwards, only to direct a free header from 10 yards wide of the target.

That ultimately proved costly as Chelsea went further in front in the 34th minute, Mount providing the assist for Aubameyang who made a smart run to fire clinically inside the near post from 10 yards out.

With his side able to take their foot off the gas during the second half, Potter would have experienced the perfect night at San Siro had it not been for an injury to James.

The England international was unable to continue after sustaining an issue with his knee, eventually needing to hobble off just after the hour mark.

While James will naturally have concerns about his participation at the World Cup, Potter will be worried about losing another key player for the ongoing hectic schedule after Wesley Fofana also suffered a knee problem last week.

On a more positive note, Chelsea will book their place in the last 16 if they can defeat Red Bull Salzburg in Austria on October 25.

Eagle

Sports

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo and Odion Ighalo

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Ex-Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has disclosed that the decision of Cristiano Ronaldo and other top footballers to ply their trade in Saudi Arabia was informed by pecuniary motives.

Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr last year in a stunning three-year deal that would see him earn €210.704 million in total.

Other top footballers, who have made names for themselves in Europe, have also moved to Saudi Arabia as the the oil-rich middle east nation injected massive cash into league in order to make it a football powerhouse.

Reacting to the move of Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and the influx of big players to the Saudi league, Ighalo said the motivation behind these moves was money and not passion.

Ighalo made this known during an interview with sport journalist, Oma Akatugba.

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He said. “See people that are going to Saudi Arabia, big players. Is Ronaldo still playing for passion? He has made more than 100 times what I have in my life, but he still went to Saudi. You want to tell me that is passion? No, it’s for money.

“It’s only when we Africans say it they will say we like money. But these people don’t care, some of them want to be highest paid and all that,”

Ighalo left mainstream Europe for Chang Chung Yatai in 2017 after playing for Lyn, Udinese, Granada, Cesena, and Watford.

At Yatai, he earned a reported €200,000 weekly salary, before moving to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua where he also commanded a similar wage.

Ighalo spent one year in Shanghai before moving to Manchester United on a six-month loan deal.

After that, the 34-year-old joined Al Shabbab, where he started earning €170,000.

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Sports

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Lionel Messi

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance with a double and an assist for Sergio Busquets as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, keeping them at the summit of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.

Despite a shaky start that saw Franco Negri inadvertently deflect a corner into Miami’s net within two minutes, Messi swiftly equalized in the 11th minute after Luis Suarez redirected a rebounded shot from the Argentine.

Messi continued to menace Nashville’s defense, narrowly missing another goal before providing an exquisite cross for Diego Gomez, whose header was denied by Nashville keeper Elliot Panicco.

Miami capitalized on their momentum as Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, nodded in a corner just before halftime, giving Miami a well-deserved lead.

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However, Miami suffered a setback as Gomez was stretchered off with an ankle injury, adding to their injury woes.

Although Nashville dominated possession in the second half, Miami remained resolute defensively. In the 81st minute, Messi sealed the win by converting a penalty after Leonardo Afonso was fouled in the box.

With this victory, Messi extended his impressive goal-scoring record to nine goals in as many games across all competitions for Miami.

Reflecting on Miami’s performance, manager Gerardo Martino praised his team’s resilience, particularly considering their depleted squad due to injuries.

Despite Miami’s success, Columbus Crew faced a tough battle, twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati clinched a 2-1 win over Atlanta United, with Luciano Acosta playing a pivotal role in their comeback victory. This highlights an eventful day in Major League Soccer.

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Sports

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly in the past by beating Wolves at Molineux and moving back to the top of the Premier League.

Having blown their chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side six days ago by losing at home to Aston Villa and then being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it was a welcome triumph for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Leandro Trossard’s strike in the last minute of the opening period may not have been the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s career, but it was perfectly timed.

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It came at the end of a half where Arsenal seemed to have gotten stuck after a bright start and nearly fell behind to Gary O’Neil’s injury-ravaged side.

The visitors dominated the second half too, but were unable to carve out the clear chances that would have allowed them to take the game out of reach.

Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, turning in from a tight angle after his initial cross had been blocked.

The result means Arsenal are now a point clear of City, with a better goal difference but having played a game more.

They have the chance to apply some significant pressure to the defending champions when they entertain beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.