Category: Soccer Players

Bayern, Arsenal seek to lift domestic gloom

Berlin: Bayern Munich and Arsenal meet in their big-name Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday, both hoping European success will help lift mid-season gloom on their domestic fronts. Bayern are on track for a record-extending fifth consecutive title with a seven-point lead thanks to their 2-0 win over Ingolstadt on Saturday.

Jesus out with broken foot

Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring Manchester City’s winner against Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on February 5. Photo: AFP Manchester City’s Brazilian goal-scoring sensation Gabriel Jesus has broken a foot, the club said Tuesday, sparking fears he may miss the rest of the season. The 19-year-old striker, who has scored three goals in five games since joining City in January, suffered a “fractured metatarsal” bone against Bournemouth on Monday.

Gabriel Jesus sidelined for Man City

The 19-year-old Brazil striker limped out of City’s Premier League win at Bournemouth on Monday after just 15 minutes and underwent tests on Tuesday morning. The club are unsure how long the player will be sidelined but there are fears he could be out for up to three months.

Gabriel Jesus sidelined for Man City

The 19-year-old Brazil striker limped out of City’s Premier League win at Bournemouth on Monday after just 15 minutes and underwent tests on Tuesday morning. The club are unsure how long the player will be sidelined but there are fears he could be out for up to three months.

Ronaldo to carry the load for Madrid against Napoli

With Gareth Bale not fully fit and Karim Benzema still struggling, it will be Cristiano Ronaldo again carrying the load for Real Madrid in the Champions League. And that shouldn’t be a problem for the defending champions – Ronaldo has scored in every last 16 game he has played with Madrid the last five seasons, with 14 goals in total.

Ronaldo to carry the load for Madrid against Napoli

With Gareth Bale not fully fit and Karim Benzema still struggling, it will be Cristiano Ronaldo again carrying the load for Real Madrid in the Champions League. And that shouldn’t be a problem for the defending champions – Ronaldo has scored in every last 16 game he has played with Madrid the last five seasons, with 14 goals in total.

Ex-Arsenal man: I’m worried about these two players against Ba…

The Gunners play Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the last-16 of the Champions League looking to reach the quarter-final for the first time in seven years. IT’s the hottest topic among Arsenal fans – should Arsene Wenger stay or go at the end of the season? Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal are likely to start in the Allianz Arena and Clarke reckons their recent performances are a cause for concern for Arsene Wenger.

Ex-Arsenal man: I’m worried about these two players against Ba…

The Gunners play Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the last-16 of the Champions League looking to reach the quarter-final for the first time in seven years. IT’s the hottest topic among Arsenal fans – should Arsene Wenger stay or go at the end of the season? Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal are likely to start in the Allianz Arena and Clarke reckons their recent performances are a cause for concern for Arsene Wenger.

United and Spurs resume Europa League with renewed interest

The Europa League is often viewed as an unwanted distraction by English Premier League managers as they chase a more prestigious Champions League place. But while finishing in the top four still remains the priority, the incentive of a ticket into the Champions League for the Europa League winner, introduced in 2015, has changed perceptions.

What The Papers Say – 14 February

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton. Tuesday’s Liverpool Echo reports the news that striker Romelu Lukaku has not travelled to Everton’s training camp in Dubai due to a calf injury.

Football: Pogba unfazed by price tag, brother says ahead of showdown

London: Paul Pogba has no concerns over the huge transfer fee paid for his move to Manchester United but he does get angry when he loses, according to his brother Florentin, who will face his younger sibling in the Europa League this week. The French midfielder returned to United from Juventus for a world record fee of A 89 million in August and Florentin believes the hype surrounding the transfer does not concern his brother in the slightest.

Sport24.co.za | Sterling rises to occasion, keeps City in title mix

Goals from Raheem Sterling and an own goal from Tyrone Mings gave Manchester City a 2-0 win against Bournemouth and lifted them from sixth to second place in the Premier League on a blustery Monday night at the Vitality Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side closed the gap on Chelsea to eight points and kept alive their hopes of the title, despite their Spanish manager ruling out the possibility following his team’s 4-0 defeat at Everton last month.

Pep Guardiola targets Premier League leaders Chelsea as Man City climb to second

Pep Guardiola refused to rule out the prospect of Manchester City catching Chelsea after they moved up to second and within eight points of the Premier League leaders with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth. The Spaniard’s team impressed throughout at the Vitality Stadium with their intensity, ball retention and creativity as Raheem Sterling’s first-half finish and an own goal from Tyrone Mings secured victory.

PSG must cope without key defender Silva against Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain will face Barcelona’s mighty strike force without its best defender and talismanic captain, after Thiago Silva was ruled out of the first leg of their Champions League knockout match on Tuesday. The center half sat out training and was not included when the squad was announced on Monday.

Expert reveals all on Real Madrid transfer plans… it could b…

Dele Alli – The exciting young Tottenham midfielder has been linked with both Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain but Mauricio Pochettino has warned potential suitors that he will not be sold He’s wanted by Antonio Conte as Diego Costa’s replacement if the Spain striker heads off in the summer. “Benzema is the little darling of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, so I think they want to renew his contract,” he told Sky Sports .

LIVE: Lazio vs AC Milan

Lucas Ocampos makes his first start for Milan this evening as Montella opts to leave Carlos Bacca and Gianluca Lapadula on the bench. Gabriel Paletta misses out due to suspension, while Alessandro Romagnoli is also absent.

Big test for Emery as his jinx club Barca travel to Paris

FC Barcelona head to Paris on Monday ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Paris Saint Germain. It is a vital game for both sides as one of the reasons that Paris’ Spanish coach Unai Emery signed by the French side was to help them get over the hurdle of the last 16 to establish themselves among the Champions League elite.

Petr Cech will not leave Arsenal in the summer

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech will not be leaving the north London outfit in the summer transfer window, according to his agent. Cech has come under scrutiny for his performances recently and was at fault for gifting Cesc Fabregas a goal at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea ran out comfortable 3-1 winners on February 4. Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford and Guillaume Hubert have been linked with a move to Arsene Wenger’s side, while Wojciech Szczesny is expected back at Arsenal in the summer after his loan deal with Roma finishes.

Ronaldinho on Gabriel Jesus

Ronaldinho has backed Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus to succeed Lionel Messi and Neymar as the world’s best player. Jesus, 19, has already usurped Sergio Aguero in the City pecking order under Pep Guardiola, scoring three goals in three starts since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in January, and looks set to keep his place for the Monday Night Football clash with Bournemouth .

Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United: Preseason Match Preview

The Rose City Invitational continues today as the Vancouver Whitecaps take on Real Salt Lake and then the Portland Timbers host MLS newcomers Minnesota United in the main event of the night. After a draw in Thursday’s match against RSL, including a red card to Diego Chara prompted by the use of video assists review, the Timbers will be hoping to start to build some momentum today with some strong play from their second unit.

Nice fight back to draw at Rennes but title ambitions fade

Valentin Eysseric scored a late equaliser for OGC Nice as they battled back from two down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Rennes on Sunday but it was not enough to prevent the title hopefuls losing ground on Ligue 1 leaders Monaco. Eysseric broke past the home side’s defence in the 81st minute and sped away before finishing calmly past Benoit Costil to rescue a point.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic tries – and fails – to score for Manchester United against Watford

The 35-year-old arrived to much fanfare in the summer and has lived up to the hype, having already become the first United player to score 20 goals in a season since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. There will be plenty of opportunities to add to that tally as United are fighting on four fronts, with the EFL Cup final against Southampton awaiting after matches in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Kieran Gibbs sees plenty of hard work ahead for Arsenal

Kieran Gibbs was pleased to see Arsenal return to winning ways against Hull on Saturday but insists there is still plenty more to come from the Gunners. The England left-back was recalled to the starting line-up as Alexis Sanchez scored a brace to see off the spirited Tigers at the Emirates Stadium as Arsene Wenger’s side picked up three vital points following two successive defeats.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic eyeing further Manchester United glory

There will be plenty of opportunities to add to that tally as United are fighting on four fronts, with the EFL Cup final against Southampton awaiting after matches in the FA Cup and Europa League. Chelsea’s indomitable form means the Premier League title is likely beyond reach, but Ibrahimovic is determined to add to August’s Community Shield triumph.

Ben Foster – West Brom eyeing record total after West Ham draw

Gareth McAuley’s late equalising goal – after Nacer Chadli had given them the lead – left them eighth with a total of 37 points from 25 league fixtures, and on course to surpass the 47 and 49 they respectively earned in 2012 and 2013. There had been speculation surrounding Tony Pulis’ future at the start of the season after their takeover by a Chinese investment group but they have since impressed, and Foster told West Brom’s official website: “The target now for us is 50 points and a top-half finish.

Henry: ‘Not real’ Kante should win Player of the Year

The former Arsenal star, who won the award twice, says the France international deserves to be recognised after a stunning campaign for the Blues Thierry Henry is backing Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante to win this year’s PFA Player of the Year award after impressing in his debut season for the Blues. The France international, who helped Leicester to a stunning title campaign last season, swapped the King Power Stadium for Stamford Bridge in the summer.