Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has denied claims that his side’s 4-0 loss to Barca is the worst run of form in his career. A hat-trick by Lionel Messi and a Neymar strike saw Barca triumph over Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
He told AS, “The worst defeat of my career was with Bayern against Madrid. It was the whole situation and the mistakes I made with the starting line-up.”
The Spaniard added that his team had a lot of opportunities but just couldn’t find the net.
“Last time with Bayern in 2014 we didn’t create chances but today we did, we created chances to score one or two goals,” he said.
“But Barca can punish you, they have a lot of quality. We controlled, except the goal.”
Didier Drogba refuses to play for Montreal Impact
Didier Drogba refused to play for Montreal Impact after learning he will
be left out of the team’s starting XI against Toronto. The Chelsea legend wasn’t happy with the idea that he would
start from the bench and so opted not to turn up for the game which later ended
2-2.
be left out of the team’s starting XI against Toronto. The Chelsea legend wasn’t happy with the idea that he would
start from the bench and so opted not to turn up for the game which later ended
2-2.
Montreal initially thought his omission was due to a back injury but
later learnt he could actually feature in the game play but just didn’t show up…he
probably felt slighted.
later learnt he could actually feature in the game play but just didn’t show up…he
probably felt slighted.
‘I spoke with him on Saturday and he didn’t accept the fact that
he would come off the bench and, in the end, he didn’t want to be in the 18. He
decided not to play.’ There was tightness in his back, yes, but he was capable of
playing. The organisation will have to handle this .” coach Mauro
Biello said
John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho make 30-man shortlist for African Player of the Year award
 |
| Iheanacho and Iwobi |
Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho have been shortlisted for the 2016 CAF African Player of the Year Award. Other African footballers eyeing the prize include Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, Andre Ayew of Ghana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon.
The award ceremony will hold on January 5, 2017 in Abuja.
Alex Iwobi flattered by Mesut Ozil's comments
Arsenal starlet, Alex Iwobi has described
his team mate, Mesut Ozil’s recent comment about him flattering. The winger who
has become a regular at the Emirates was compared to Edgar Davids and
Jay-Jay Okocha by the Germany international, a remark which he has found surprising
and motivating.
his team mate, Mesut Ozil’s recent comment about him flattering. The winger who
has become a regular at the Emirates was compared to Edgar Davids and
Jay-Jay Okocha by the Germany international, a remark which he has found surprising
and motivating.
“Alex
reminds me of a mixture of him (Okocha) and Edgar Davids. The manager knows
exactly how good he is and I wish him all the best.” The former Real
Madrid player had said
reminds me of a mixture of him (Okocha) and Edgar Davids. The manager knows
exactly how good he is and I wish him all the best.” The former Real
Madrid player had said
Reacting to the comment, the 19 year-old
said “Mesut
just tells me that I’m young and need to express myself on the pitch. Obviously
I need to listen to other people’s advice as well, but he tells me to always
play with a smile on my face and enjoy the game. When I saw his comments
comparing me to Okocha and Edgar Davids I was like, ‘Wow is he serious?’ because
he never really says that much to me.
said “Mesut
just tells me that I’m young and need to express myself on the pitch. Obviously
I need to listen to other people’s advice as well, but he tells me to always
play with a smile on my face and enjoy the game. When I saw his comments
comparing me to Okocha and Edgar Davids I was like, ‘Wow is he serious?’ because
he never really says that much to me.
He continued. “I’m the same kid I used to be,
the same kid who used to work hard. There’s a bit of luck as well. For me to
get that chance and take it like I did, I’m just fortunate and happy to have
taken them. I guess it’s luck at the end of the day.”
the same kid who used to work hard. There’s a bit of luck as well. For me to
get that chance and take it like I did, I’m just fortunate and happy to have
taken them. I guess it’s luck at the end of the day.”
Iheanacho's goal named CNN goal of the week
Manchester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho’s wonder goal at the 42nd minute of the Super Eagles’ 2-1 clash against Zambia in last Sunday’s Russia 2018
World Cup qualifying fixture has been adjudged CNN goal of the week.
World Cup qualifying fixture has been adjudged CNN goal of the week.
The 20 year-old garnered 75% of the total votes
cast. Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo
came second with 20% of the votes while Alfred Effiong and Ivan Aguilar came
third and fourth respectively in the poll.
cast. Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo
came second with 20% of the votes while Alfred Effiong and Ivan Aguilar came
third and fourth respectively in the poll.
Paul Pogba tops PL shirt sales charts.
Paul Pogba has topped the list of shirt
sales for a Premier League club, with Ibrahimovic coming second and Sanchez and
Ozil, claiming the third and 4th spots respectively. The France
international joined The Red Devils this summer in a whooping £89 million move
from Juventus.
sales for a Premier League club, with Ibrahimovic coming second and Sanchez and
Ozil, claiming the third and 4th spots respectively. The France
international joined The Red Devils this summer in a whooping £89 million move
from Juventus.
Top 20 player shirt sales
1. Paul Pogba
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
3. Alexis Sanchez
4. Mesut Ozil
5. Phillipe Coutinho
6. David De Gea
7. Sadlo Mane
8. Dimitri Payet
9. Eden Hazard
10. Marcus Rashford
11. Anthony Martial
12. Sergio Aguero
13. Wayne Rooney
14. Harry Kane
15. Granit Xhaka
16. Kevin De Bruyne
17. N’golo Kante
18. Roberto Firmino
19. Henrikh Mkhitaryan
20. Aaron Ramsey
Chelsea announce £60m Nike kit deal
Chelsea have confirmed a
new kit deal with Nike; the largest in the club’s history. The deal which is
worth £60m a season will see the leading sportswear company supply The Blues
kits for the next 15 season starting from the 2017/2018 campaign.
new kit deal with Nike; the largest in the club’s history. The deal which is
worth £60m a season will see the leading sportswear company supply The Blues
kits for the next 15 season starting from the 2017/2018 campaign.
Confirming the news, Chelsea
director Marina Granovskaia said: “This is an incredibly exciting and
important deal for the club. Like Chelsea, Nike is known around the world for
its excellence and innovation and we look forward to working together in what
is sure to be a successful partnership”
director Marina Granovskaia said: “This is an incredibly exciting and
important deal for the club. Like Chelsea, Nike is known around the world for
its excellence and innovation and we look forward to working together in what
is sure to be a successful partnership”
Trevor Edwards, President of the Nike Brand, also
added: “Chelsea is a world-class club with a rich tradition and passionate
fans across the globe.”
added: “Chelsea is a world-class club with a rich tradition and passionate
fans across the globe.”
Chamakh launches attack on Wenger
Morocco international, Marouane Chamakh is still
harbouring a grudge against his former boss, Arsene Wenger. The 32 year-old
forward who signed for Cardiff City earlier this week revealed that the French
manager did not give him much chance to prove himself at Arsenal, adding that
he showed him a lack of respect.
harbouring a grudge against his former boss, Arsene Wenger. The 32 year-old
forward who signed for Cardiff City earlier this week revealed that the French
manager did not give him much chance to prove himself at Arsenal, adding that
he showed him a lack of respect.
The former Crystal Palace player who joined the
Gunners in 2010 scored a total of 8 goals in 40 appearances before leaving
three years after. Chamakh revealed he counted on Wenger’s promises to him but
left after the coach overlooked him.
Gunners in 2010 scored a total of 8 goals in 40 appearances before leaving
three years after. Chamakh revealed he counted on Wenger’s promises to him but
left after the coach overlooked him.
He told RMC, “When I started, it went really well. I
took advantage of Van Persie’s injuries, which cleared my path. I played for
six months, I scored goals, I contributed. In January, Robin came back from
injury and overnight I found myself on the bench without any explanation.
took advantage of Van Persie’s injuries, which cleared my path. I played for
six months, I scored goals, I contributed. In January, Robin came back from
injury and overnight I found myself on the bench without any explanation.
“Yes,
obviously I’m a little bit annoyed with [Wenger], because I think I deserved
more playing time than he gave and promised me. The year passed and at the
start of the next season, he told me that the tactical system would perhaps
change and that I would maybe start with Robin. It was only promises. There was
nothing at the end of them.
obviously I’m a little bit annoyed with [Wenger], because I think I deserved
more playing time than he gave and promised me. The year passed and at the
start of the next season, he told me that the tactical system would perhaps
change and that I would maybe start with Robin. It was only promises. There was
nothing at the end of them.
He continued, “That year, Robin was incredible, he
was player of the year. I couldn’t say anything, and I wasn’t going to go and
see Wenger and tell him that I should be playing instead. Robin was a lot
better than me.
was player of the year. I couldn’t say anything, and I wasn’t going to go and
see Wenger and tell him that I should be playing instead. Robin was a lot
better than me.
“For
the ambitions I had, I think it was a little bit of a lack of respect. I had
started well, and overnight he forgot about me just like that.
the ambitions I had, I think it was a little bit of a lack of respect. I had
started well, and overnight he forgot about me just like that.
“He
asked me to be patient, told me that Robin wouldn’t play more than 10 matches
in a row, that he would get injured, but it lasted the whole year. There came a
time when I had to make a decision and I left the club.”
asked me to be patient, told me that Robin wouldn’t play more than 10 matches
in a row, that he would get injured, but it lasted the whole year. There came a
time when I had to make a decision and I left the club.”
Ronaldo, Gareth Barry pick Guinness World Records
Like Petr Cech who was recently honoured
for having the most number of clean sheets in Premier League history at 181 and
for being the first goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove with two different clubs
in the English top-flight – Arsenal and Chelsea, some notable sportsmen were
also included in the Guinness Book of World Records 2017
for having the most number of clean sheets in Premier League history at 181 and
for being the first goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove with two different clubs
in the English top-flight – Arsenal and Chelsea, some notable sportsmen were
also included in the Guinness Book of World Records 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo earned a spot for
having the most followers on Twitter by any athlete, with a following of 47.4m.
Everton’s Gareth Barry also holds the record for most Premier League starts by
any player- pegged at 580.
having the most followers on Twitter by any athlete, with a following of 47.4m.
Everton’s Gareth Barry also holds the record for most Premier League starts by
any player- pegged at 580.
El Clasico won't be televised live in Britain
The single most watched and most expensive game in
the world, El Clasico will not be televised live for UK audiences, no thanks to
a new regulation by La Liga. The kick off time of the first clasico of the
season which has been put at 3:15pm on Saturday, December 3rd, 2016
has clashed with Premier League. The match would be watched all around the
world except Britain.
A rule agreed upon by the FA, Premier League and Football
League, prohibits football from being televised live between 2:45pm and 5:15pm
on a Saturday anywhere in the United Kingdom.
League, prohibits football from being televised live between 2:45pm and 5:15pm
on a Saturday anywhere in the United Kingdom.
“With these
kick-off times we have more than doubled income,”
La Liga president Javier Tebas revealed
kick-off times we have more than doubled income,”
La Liga president Javier Tebas revealed
According to
mirror.co.uk, “La Liga’s recent penchant for scheduling Madrid or Barca games during
England’s 3pm window is part of a concerted global development drive that is
also intended to eat into the Premier League’s worldwide audience.”
mirror.co.uk, “La Liga’s recent penchant for scheduling Madrid or Barca games during
England’s 3pm window is part of a concerted global development drive that is
also intended to eat into the Premier League’s worldwide audience.”