Referee Mark Clattenburg has quit the Premier League and will take up a job in Saudi Arabia.
Unarguable one of the top referees in the English premier League, The 41-year-old was reportedly frustrated by a lack of support: “[Clattenburg] is unhappy with the PGMOL management, the way it is run, the management style of Mike Riley as well as the lack of support and quality coaching on offer.” A source hinted.
Clattenburg who has kicked off his career at the age of 25 in year 2000, was promoted to the Premier League in 2004 took charge of the Euro 2016 final, the Champions League final and the FA Cup final last season. He is expected to quit before the next round of Premier League fixtures which starts on 25 February.
Arsene Wenger is trending for familiar reasons. See our best tweets!
When you see Arsene Wenger’s name on the Twitter trend list, it is usually for a not-too-pleasant reason which we are all familiar with. The message has always been loud and clear. Arsene Wenger needs to exit the stage.
The fans are miserable.
Arsenal’s Champions League dreams were left in tatters following their 5-1 loss to Bayern today and their fans are currently spitting venom on social media. A broken record will let them have a field day. Check out some of our best tweets.
A team with no fear of their manager, who both expect and accept failure. Arsenal are not realistically aiming for success under Wenger.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) February 15, 2017
Wenger's biggest mistake was not leaving in 2014. Would've went out on the high he deserves. 3 years with no progress.
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) February 15, 2017
Wenger must go, that will get me legitimately excited for Arsenal’s future, time will start moving again after years of mediocrity.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) February 15, 2017
Wenger raised the bar but sadly, he can no longer reach it himself. It's time to hand over the reins. #afc
— AFCAMDEN (@AFCAMDEN) February 15, 2017
FT: 5-1
It's not even Deja Vu anymore.
Different years, same tears.
— The Arsenal (@DareToWenger) February 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/831984063808491525
You are an Arsenal fan and you defend Arsene Wenger? Well done, you are part of the problem.
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) February 15, 2017
Wenger, please just… be a man… do the right thing and walk away. It is time.
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) February 15, 2017
We all know Arsenal board loves the profits and will never fire Wenger. Just do the right thing, Baba, walk away; put us out of our misery
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) February 15, 2017
How can any person want Wenger to still be the manager, I don't get it. 10 years of exactly the same results.
— PB (@OliPriceBates) February 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/SJftbl/status/831978661544878093
Lose 4-1/more, win @ home & bow out, then go on a win streak to secure 4th
Go away Wenger, don't tarnish your legacy more than it already is— Fouad (@FouadAFC) February 15, 2017
So many players are not at the level and yet Wenger keeps on giving them unlimited game time. No tactics, no organization, nothing.
— 🇮🇹 Tomas Klion (Berger) 🇮🇹 (@DeRayKJustice) February 15, 2017
Where's your shame, Wenger?
Resign. #afc— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/LondonGoona/status/831981547314094081
The best thing Wenger has done is brain washed the hysterical moronic fans that 4th is an achievement and Preffered over 🏆. 😂😂
— Lez (@tomkelly21) February 15, 2017
Arsenal Fans "Please resign Wenger!"
What he hears "Please re-sign Wenger!" pic.twitter.com/DE3zHw8DIL
— TheArseneView (@TheArseneView) February 15, 2017
Our best tweets from PSG's humiliation of Barcelona
So Spanish giants, Barcelona got walloped by Paris Saint Germain (PSG) last night at the Parc des Princes leaving them to face a last 16- exit. Their performance was Barcelona’s worst in recent years and little wonder they were messily dragged on social media. Check out some of our best tweets from the game.
Barca dominated possession against PSG but there's nothing to show 4 it.
Same way APC have been recovering loots but nothing to show 4 it
— Adeeko Kehinde (@Adeekehinde) February 14, 2017
Good night lads, make sure to annoy all your Barca friends tomorrow at school,work, park, hospital, mental asylum or in my case, everywhere.
— Ali (@NaboAli23) February 14, 2017
Barca fans quitting twitter due to tonight? Utd fans sat through endless 0-0's, 1 shot a game, making likes of MK Dons look WC. Suck it up.
— Hayles (@Hayles_101) February 14, 2017
My fellow Barca fans, Pls don't let anyone deceive you into believing we can actually make it
There's hope and then there's stupidity.
— Sarki. (@Waspapping_) February 14, 2017
If you think being single on Valentine's Day is bad enough,imagine being a Barca fan.What's worse,imagine being a Single-Barca-Fan.
— IG: ibnoe alwan (@AjaAluwan) February 15, 2017
Barca fans will come out with all sorts of excuses soon.
"Messi's girlfriend had pimples so Messi couldn't dribble"
😂😂😂 sia laidat— 고비 K W A H B Z🇬🇭 (@kobi_kwahbz) February 14, 2017
Barca fans searching for Messi, Suarez and Neymar like #UCL pic.twitter.com/3YLL2IFKjx
— Chucksz Nwachukwu (@Campusser) February 14, 2017
How did Barca go from "one of the best sides in Europe", "UCL favourites", "unplayable attack" to "worst Barca side in years" in 24 hours?
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) February 15, 2017
Shallouts to all Barca fans who ignored their women for last night's match…
You are 4-given
😂 — feeling silly— תּוֹדָה (@elah_bee) February 15, 2017
Pedro and Cesc sending their condolences to the Barca team tonight😂
— Brian (11-1) (@BRlANFC) February 15, 2017
For all PSG's brilliance tonight, I've never seen Barça play as poorly. And I've never seen Messi play as badly. Ever.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 14, 2017
Every one saying Messi is missing Vs PSG…Nobody is taking abt Barca's midfield & coach they r missing frm the beginning of the season.#UCL
— Chay (@chaithuforu) February 15, 2017
You can't even say that today's game was an accident. Barça have been outplayed MANY times. Only have played GREAT 30 mins at Man City
— migeru (@migerucb) February 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/rj_odimz/status/831647260341579776
https://twitter.com/TrollFootball/status/831647011350966272
Gabriel Jesus ruled out for 3 months
Manchester United have been dealt a severe blow with their hitman, Gabriel Jesus ruled out of action for 3 months following an ankle injury. The 19 year-old forward suffered the injury on Monday night during their Premier League clash with Bournemouth and had to be replaced by Aguero who netted the second goal in the game. The Brazilian has however opted for surgery on his broken metatarsal.
Aleix vidal's injury is the creepiest thing you'll see all day.
Barcelona left back, Aleix Vidal who had his ankle dislocated in his team’s game with Alaves on Saturday won’t be returning until the next season. The tackle, which was done by Alaves’s Theo Hernandez at the 87th minute of the game saw him clutching his leg in serious pain, he was stretchered off and rushed to hospital in Vitoria for treatment and he is expected to recover in five months.
“We knew from the outset that he really hurt himself, It’s a shame for the player, the team and for Barca. Hopefully he will recover well, that I am sure he will. It is something serious but we have to wait for the analysis of the doctors. Aleix’s exit troubled us. It is not nice to see a serious injury to a footballer, but he is in very good hands.” Coach Luis Enrique said after the game.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni joins Coventry City
Talk about a Nigerian footballer who is relentlessly optimistic, Yakubu Aiyegbeni comes to mind.
English side, Coventry have announced the signing of the former Nigeria international until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old who made 482 appearances and scpred 220 goals in his club career will wear the number 22 jersey at his new club.
“We’re pleased to have secured the signing of Yakubu, who brings vast experience and a terrific goal record,” the coach
“His professional career speaks for itself, having scored consistently at the highest level of English football, and will act as a superb role model for the younger players.
“He is astute on the ball, has clear quality and presence, and we’ll continue to work on his match fitness as we prepare for the final 16 games of this season.” Coventry coach, Russell Slade told Coventry’s official website.
The Yak, as fondly called has had spells in Everton, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and recently at Turkey outfit, Kayserispor.
Drogba changed attacking football in England – Michael Owen
Former Liverpool forward, Michael Owen has claimed that Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba changed changed football for every striker following his move to England in 2004. The former Real Madrid player made the declaration during a documentary by FourFourTwo named The Art of Goalscoring documentary .
The Ivorian who scored 101 leagues goals in eight seasons won 3 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups, 4 FA Cups and 1 Champions League trophy during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
“When I was growing up it was always two centre forwards. And it was always about how you could work together, how you could link together as a big man and little man. And I think the introduction, in my eyes anyway, of Didier Drogba at Chelsea, when Jose Mourinho played him upfront on his own, got a lot of people thinking, ‘We can get one big man to do a bit of everything.” Owen noted
Source
Manchester United reach new landmark
Manchester United have become the first team to reach 2,000 Premier League points in the competition’s history following their comfortable 2-0 victory against Watford at the Old Trafford. Goals from Mata and Martial sealed win for the hosts and also extended their Premier League unbeaten record to 16 games.
However, they are still clinging to the 6th position on the log.
Top 10 reactions from Zlatan's performance against Watford.
So Zlatan had one of those bad days.
He wasted a couple of clear cut chances and painfully, did not get on the score sheet (albeit made an assist). He made it to the Twitter trend list and here’s our top 10 reactions from his performance against Watford.
https://twitter.com/vinny_wa/status/830442088382787584
Liking the understanding between Pogba and Ibrahimovic. Can someone make Zlatan five years younger?
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) February 11, 2017
If Zlatan can just stay inside the box, Martial will have more assists today but baba want to do kungfu from midfield
— o1a (@aistheGreat) February 11, 2017
Zlatan definitely has a clause in his contract that states he can't be taken off EVER
— Kay-D MusiQ (@KayDMusiQ) February 11, 2017
Can't understand some of our fans.. Zlatan has scored 20 goals, RVP the last to score 20+,One bad game and you guys lose it. #mufc #zlatan
— Aditya Rathod (@aditya_reds) February 11, 2017
Is it in Zlatan's contract that every 2nd touch has to be made with a high foot? So frustrating
— James (@writtenoff_mufc) February 11, 2017
Weird, Zlatan. Has scored a sackful of goals this season and generally been excellent, but finishing has been suspect too. Should be on 30+
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) February 11, 2017
Liking the understanding between Pogba and Ibrahimovic. Can someone make Zlatan five years younger?
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) February 11, 2017
Zlatan's targeting system is off today. Probably needs new batteries. Pls,energizer Bunny, loan him some.#manutd #MUNWAT
— napstar2 (@napstar2) February 11, 2017
Zlatan kinda had an off day but that's understandable given how much he contributes to our goal tally. Will be back.
— ARYAN (@unitedaryan) February 11, 2017
Jay-Jay Okocha named in top 100 best foreign EPL players list
Former Super Eagles captain, Jay-jay Okocha has been named in the top 100 best foreign players to feature in the English Premier League list, created by football magazine, FourFourTwo.
The former Bolton player was described by the magazine thus, “Okocha almost single-handedly rescued Bolton from relegation trouble in his first season, netting crucial long-range goals and dazzling the Premier League with a string of outrageous skills and showboats that embarrassed a host of opponents. For half a season, he wasn’t far from being the best player in the league – even at Bolton.”
Okocha who won the BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2003 and 2004, and the Premier League Player of the Month in November 2003 represented Nigeria 75 times with 14 goals to his name. In March 2004, he was named one of the top 125 living footballers by Pelé and hung his boots for the Super Eagles in 2006