Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Old Firm gallery: A selection of past Celtic-Rangers showdowns in pictures
Brendan Rodgers will take on his former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the first Old Firm derby of the season on Sunday.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Former England manager Sam Allardyce threatens legal action against FA
The Independent - Football
Former England manager Sam Allardyce threatens legal action against FA
The 63-year-old left his England post by mutual consent after just 67 days in September 2016 following a Daily Telegraph investigation into corruption in football
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Whitecaps’ Kamara, Ghazal and Waston to play with national teams
Sportsnet.ca
Whitecaps’ Kamara, Ghazal and Waston to play with national teams
VANCOUVER — A trio of Vancouver Whitecaps players are set to don the colours of their national teams next month.
Striker Kei Kamara has been named to Sierra Leone’s team and midfielder Aly Ghazal has been called up to play for Egypt.
Both countries are playing in qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations in early September, during the MLS international break.
Whitecaps captain Kendall Waston will also be on international assignment over the break, playing for Costa Rica in a pair of friendlies against South Korea and Japan.
It will be the second time in 2018 that the 30-year-old defender dresses for the Ticos, following the team’s World Cup run in June. Waston netted a goal for Costa Rica in its last match of the tournament, a 2-2 draw with Switzerland.
Suiting up for your country is a lot of fun, said Kamara, who was born in Kenema, Sierra Leone.
"For me, every time I’ve been called up to represent Sierra Leone, it’s an honour," he said. "And I can’t wait to join the guys, be out there. It’s a good laugh, good everything. But just to put on your country’s colour, your country’s flag, it’s such a special thing."
The 33-year-old has five goals in 26 appearances for the national team.
Kamara has also been Vancouver’s top scorer this season, putting up 11 goals in league play, plus another three in Canadian Championship appearances.
He’s itching to score in next month’s match in Ethiopia, too, and help Sierra Leone get a step closer to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, set to be held in Cameroon.
Playing in the tournament is something Kamara said he’s always dreamt of and he feels that his opportunities are running out.
"I won’t have another chance to play in the African Cup. We have three (qualifying) games left and hopefully we give ourselves good results and I can play in one," he said.
Dressing for Sierra Leone feels different than putting on a Whitecaps uniform, Kamara said. But both the West Africa nation and Vancouver are home, he said, and playing for each is special.
"So it’s the best of both worlds. And I just enjoy it," he said.
For Ghazal, playing for both teams is somewhat symbiotic.
"You have to be ready here (in Vancouver) so that when you’re there, you’re ready to help," said the Cairo native.
The 26-year-old hasn’t played for Egypt’s men’s team since September 2014.
The Pharaohs are known as a dominant force in African soccer, but suffered a disappointing show at this year’s World Cup where they were swept from the tournament with three losses.
When Ghazal joins the team playing against Niger next month, he’ll be part of a star-studded lineup that includes Orlando City SC defender Amro Tarek and Liverpool FC forward Mohamed Salah.
Ghazal has played alongside Salah before, starting when they trained with Egypt’s under-17 team, and said he’s looking forward to hitting the field with him again.
Most of all, though, he’s looking forward to wearing Egypt’s colours.
"It’s pride. It’s something you look forward to, to represent your country. Just being there and wearing the T-shirt from the national team is something big. It’s a great feeling," he said.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Everyone is convinced it’s the end of the world after Saido Berahino scores his first goal in over two years
Dream Team FC
Everyone is convinced it’s the end of the world after Saido Berahino scores his first goal in over two years
We never thought we would see the day.
Ladies and gentleman, call your family and friends, tell them that you love them.
The end is nigh.
Reuters MY EYES[/caption]
Saido Berahino has scored. He’s scored an actual goal.
This is not a drill, the Stoke City man has finally netted after 913 days without a goal.
The 25-year-old has broken his hoodoo that has plagued him since February 2016.
Getty Images - Getty So many beers in Stoke tonight[/caption]
He scored the only goal in Stoke’s Carabao cup victory over Huddersfield.
How sh*t must Huddersfield be.
Since Berahino had previously last scored a goal, Kylian Mbappe had only scored seventy seven, won back-to-back league titles and also won a World Cup.
Getty Images - Getty Berahinho >[/caption]
Mbappe has never scored against Huddersfield though, has he?
That’s the real quiz.
Could this goal just be the beginning of Berahino rising to world domination?
Reuters Dat technique[/caption]
Bloody hell, first Trump gets elected, now this.
What a time to be alive.
Twitter is convinced the end of the world is upon us…
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Monday, August 27, 2018
Jose Mourinho press conference transcript: Every word the Manchester United manager said after Spurs loss
The Independent - Football
Jose Mourinho press conference transcript: Every word the Manchester United manager said after Spurs loss
Read every single word the United manager said in a bizarre post-match press conference
How Jose Mourinho's non-press conference has put more pressure on Manchester United, not less
The Independent - Football
How Jose Mourinho's non-press conference has put more pressure on Manchester United, not less
If Mourinho is so reluctant to give answers is it because he now has none?
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Newcastle vs Chelsea – LIVE: Prediction, kick-off time, what TV channel, how to watch online, team news, line-ups, head-to-head, odds and more
The Independent - Football
Newcastle vs Chelsea – LIVE: Prediction, kick-off time, what TV channel, how to watch online, team news, line-ups, head-to-head, odds and more
All the latest from St James' Park
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool 'have a lot more to do' after Brighton win
The Independent - Football
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool 'have a lot more to do' after Brighton win
Mohamed Salah's 29th goal in 29 appearances at Anfield secured a 1-0 win over Brighton in a game when the Reds failed to reach the levels which is now expected of them
Friday, August 24, 2018
PM O'SULLIVAN: If things can change for the good, they can change for the bad
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
PM O'SULLIVAN: If things can change for the good, they can change for the bad
"You talk about complacency" — $1
Our passions often become braided, with hurling and music a case in personal point.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Arsenal come up against West Ham's new protagonist Jack Wilshere, but for how long will the respect last?
The Independent - Football
Arsenal come up against West Ham's new protagonist Jack Wilshere, but for how long will the respect last?
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} Wilshere's significance to Arsenal extended so far beyond the numbers. He was fêted by fans not necessarily by how he played but for what he represented
'Devastated' Carnacon to appeal expulsion from Mayo Ladies Football championship
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
'Devastated' Carnacon to appeal expulsion from Mayo Ladies Football championship
All-Ireland ladies club football champions Carnacon say they are "devastated" to be thrown out of the Mayo senior championship.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Ronaldo says decision easy to join Juventus to win Champions League
Football – Inquirer Sports
Ronaldo says decision easy to join Juventus to win Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo said it had been an easy decision to leave Real Madrid for Juventus as he bids to become just the second player to win the Champions League with three different clubs. “I want to win the Champions League with Juventus and we will do everything to win it,” the 33-year-old Portuguese superstar said […]
The post Ronaldo says decision easy to join Juventus to win Champions League appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Richie McCarthy: New mindset the secret to new Limerick
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Richie McCarthy: New mindset the secret to new Limerick
Experienced Limerick defender Richie McCarthy has revealed how an inspirational team-talk from Shane Dowling gave them the belief to dethrone All-Ireland holders Galway.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Jurgen Klopp reserves praise for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Jurgen Klopp reserves praise for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk helped the Reds keep a clean sheet at Selhurst Park.
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Chievo 'keeper Stefano Sorrentino in hospital after nasty collision on Juventus debut
The Independent - Football
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Chievo 'keeper Stefano Sorrentino in hospital after nasty collision on Juventus debut
Sorrentino was left with a broken nose and whiplash after his head collided with Ronaldo's thigh during Juventus' 3-2 victory at the weekend
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Bordeaux falls to Toulouse for 2nd straight loss, Saint-Etienne draws
Sportsnet.ca
Bordeaux falls to Toulouse for 2nd straight loss, Saint-Etienne draws
PARIS — Bordeaux’s miserable start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat at Toulouse on Sunday for a second straight loss.
Two days after coach Gus Poyet was suspended for vehemently accusing the club of selling a player without telling him, Bordeaux lost to midfielder Matthieu Dossevi’s winner midway through the second half.
Striker Aaron Leya Iseka put Toulouse in front on the stroke of halftime, before Guinea forward Francois Kamano’s 50th-minute goal gave Bordeaux hope.
Also, Senegalese striker Makhtar Gueye’s debut goal earned 10-man Saint-Etienne a 1-1 draw at Strasbourg.
Gueye netted in the 88th, four minutes after coming on, with Saint-Etienne trailing to a 55th-minute goal from midfielder Anthony Goncalves.
Saint-Etienne had centre half Neven Subotic sent off after 18 minutes.
Strasbourg and Saint-Etienne have four points, while Toulouse has three.
Later Sunday, promoted Nimes take on Marseille 25 years after their last meeting in the top flight.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Messi scores Barcelona’s 6,000th league goal in win vs. Alaves
Sportsnet.ca
Messi scores Barcelona’s 6,000th league goal in win vs. Alaves
MADRID — Barcelona scored its 6,000th goal in the Spanish league after another ingenious strike by Lionel Messi got its title defence off to a winning start.
Messi cleverly sent his free kick underneath Alaves’ wall to open the scoring in the 64th minute of Barcelona’s 3-0 win at Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday. He also closed the scoring in injury time after substitute Philippe Coutinho had added to the lead in the 83rd.
Messi’s low free kick fooled Alaves’ players, who jumped to intercept an expected high shot. Goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco couldn’t get to the ball in time after it suddenly appeared underneath the barrier.
"Messi never fails to surprise you," Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said.
Messi, the league’s top scorer last season, had struck the crossbar with a free kick — this time over the wall — in the first half. He also hit the post from inside the area a few minutes after his opening goal.
Messi also scored Barcelona’s 5,000th league goal back in 2009, and the Argentine provided 338 of the goals taking the total from 5,000 to 6,000.
Barcelona’s first-ever league goal was scored by Manuel Parera against Racing Santander on Feb. 12, 1929.
Barcelona opened its league campaign with a win for the 10thstraight season.
Messi’s second goal came in the second minute of injury time, an easy shot from close range after a breakaway.
Barcelona had missed chance after chance in its league debut at Camp Nou, which was far from packed with around 52,000 fans for the 10:15 p.m. start local time.
Ousmane Dembele, who started up front with Messi and Luis Suarez, squandered a series of chances, including a one-on-one with goalkeeper Pacheco in the first half.
Valverde brought Coutinho off the bench in the second half and the Brazil playmaker added the team’s second goal after a nice play that culminated with an easy strike from inside the area.
Alaves had stunned Barcelona at Camp Nou in 2016, winning 2-1.
FRUSTRATING START
Villarreal entered the new season with high hopes after a solid fifth-place finish in 2017-18, but its disappointing home opener dampened fans’ expectations.
Villarreal couldn’t hold on to an early lead at its Ceramica Stadium, losing 2-1 to Real Sociedad.
Gerard Moreno, Villarreal’s biggest off-season signing, put the hosts ahead in the 16th before Sociedad came back with goals by Willian Jose in the 40th and Juanmi in the 71st.
Villarreal just missed a Champions League berth last season, finishing behind Valencia, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
DISAPPOINTING DEBUTS
Celta Vigo and Espanyol gave their new coaches a frustrating start in the Spanish league with a 1-1 draw.
Celta began its campaign in Vigo with Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed, and Espanyol kicked off its season with newcomer Joan Francesc Ferrer "Rubi."
The clubs hired new managers after disappointing campaigns last season, when Espanyol finished 11th and Celta was only 13th, far from qualification for the European competitions.
Mario Hermoso put Espanyol ahead at Balaidos Stadium with a shot from inside the area after a corner just before halftime.
Celta equalized early in the second half with an own-goal by David Lopez, who tried to intercept a cross and ended up redirecting the ball into his own net.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Real Madrid hosts Getafe in a Madrid derby on Sunday, when it’s also Eibar vs. Huesca and Rayo Vallecano against Sevilla.
Atletico Madrid — last season’s runner-up — visits Valencia on Monday.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Six new signings to watch in Serie A
Football – Inquirer Sports
Six new signings to watch in Serie A
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus has injected an air of expectation into the Italian championship not felt in decades while spending has smashed the one billion euro mark with more than a day still to go before the transfer window closes. Champions Juventus top the spree with 235 million euros ($265 million) invested in new […]
The post Six new signings to watch in Serie A appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
With Ronaldo gone, only Griezmann can hope to stop Messi
Football – Inquirer Sports
With Ronaldo gone, only Griezmann can hope to stop Messi
BARCELONA, Spain — Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid has left a gaping hole at Real Madrid and in the Spanish league. How will Madrid ever replace the forward who scored an average of 50 goals per season for nine straight years? The answer, of course, is that it won’t. The only player capable of […]
The post With Ronaldo gone, only Griezmann can hope to stop Messi appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Sean Silke: 4am wake-up, gearbag missing, and happy Limerick fans at the door
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Sean Silke: 4am wake-up, gearbag missing, and happy Limerick fans at the door
It was sometime around 4am on the Sunday morning of the 1980 All-Ireland final when Sean Silke was jolted from his sleep.
Monday, August 13, 2018
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Arsenal’s attempt to play out from the back sees Petr Cech nearly score an own-goal
Dream Team FC
Arsenal’s attempt to play out from the back sees Petr Cech nearly score an own-goal
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss?
Well, not exactly, but Unai Emery is having about as much luck getting the better of Pep Guardiola’s Man City as Arsene Wenger did last season.
In the first-half of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against the champions, Emery showed us all just how hard his job will be this season, despite making a host of new signings combined with a certain lack of expectations from the Emirates crowd.
Welcome to Emirates Stadium, @UnaiEmery_ 
#ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/pHdaW2eLfy
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 12, 2018
One of those signings was new goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who started the game on the bench as Petr Cech took his regular place in goal, much to the annoyance of Arsenal fans.
Still, to be fair, there wasn’t much he could do about City’s opener, with Raheem Sterling curling home through a gap in the Arsenal back-line early on.
But he was definitely at fault moments later, when he somehow nearly passed the ball into the corner of his own net, believe it or not.
On the 21st minute, with Arsenal attempting (and failing) to play out from the back (in an almost cringe-worthy imitation of City’s effortless style), the veteran shot-stopped seemed overwhelmed when new boy Matteo Guendouzi passed back to him from a goal-kick.
In a moment of panic, or perhaps just a lapse of concentration, the former Chelsea man then miss-hit his short pass to his opposite full-back and was left helpless as the ball teased his goal post as it went out for a corner.
Cech passes the ball short to his full-back
New signing Guendouzi comes under pressure when he receives the ball
He passes back to his goalkeeper, who’s under some pressure from Sergio Aguero
Attempting to pass first-time, he scuffs the ball and it sails back towards the goal
Luckily, it goes clear of the goal-post by a matter of inches
Heart in mouth moment, right?
It’s fair to say that, at the age of 36, Cech is unlikely to suddenly turn into the type of stylish, ball-playing goalkeeper that’s all the rage at the moment.
But seriously, imagine the memes if that had gone in?
DREAM TEAM 2018/19 Sign up for the best fantasy football game around hereSaturday, August 11, 2018
PH’s Etheridge braces for historic Premier League debut
Football – Inquirer Sports
PH’s Etheridge braces for historic Premier League debut
When Neil Etheridge steps into the field for Cardiff City at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Saturday night, the Filipino-British goalkeeper will not only make history as the first Southeast Asian to play in the English Premier League but also live his dream of seeing action in one of the world’s most prestigious and lucrative […]
The post PH’s Etheridge braces for historic Premier League debut appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
Small steps enable Guardiola to see the bigger picture
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Small steps enable Guardiola to see the bigger picture
Pep Guardiola claims simply winning matches, not more titles, is his chief motivation as champions Manchester City begin their title defence.
Friday, August 10, 2018
Jamie Vardy ends transfer speculation and commits long-term future to Leicester City
The Independent - Football
Jamie Vardy ends transfer speculation and commits long-term future to Leicester City
Leicester City ended their summer window by announcing that Jamie Vardy has committed his future to the club
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Fulham leads final day of transfer spending frenzy
Sportsnet.ca
Fulham leads final day of transfer spending frenzy
LONDON — Fulham signalled its determination to stay in the Premier League by becoming the first promoted team to spend over 100 million pounds ($128 million) in the summer transfer window.
In an abbreviated trading period when English top-flight clubs collectively spent more than 1.2 billion pounds, there was one anomaly by the close of business on Thursday. For the first time since the summer transfer window was introduced 15 years ago, one team spent nothing: Tottenham.
The only addition to the north London club in the new season is a new stadium and even that won’t be ready for the first month — at least.
"It’s not about adding because it’s fashionable to sign players," Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said Thursday.
Pochettino decided keeping players was the priority after a third successive top-three finish. Harry Kane committed his future to Tottenham before heading to the World Cup and finishing as the top-scorer as England reached the semifinals.
Tottenham did provide the most players to the World Cup semifinalists. But strong performances in Russia weren’t a necessity when it came to Premier League clubs deciding whether to spend the fruits of soccer’s biggest television contracts.
Kepa Arrizabalaga never made it on the pitch for Spain in Russia but Chelsea broke the transfer record for a goalkeeper by meeting Kepa Arrizabalaga’s 80 million euro ($93 million) buyout clause from Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday as a replacement for Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid was already pursuing the Belgium goalkeeper before striking the 35 million euro fee with Chelsea. The west London club did snap up a player from Madrid on loan for the season: Midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who helped Croatia reach the World Cup final where it lost to France.
Last season’s top-two teams spent nothing on Thursday. Champion Manchester City had already signed winger Riyad Mahrez for a club-record 60 million pounds from Leicester. Manchester United signed midfielder Fred, defender Diogo Dalot and goalkeeper Lee Grant last month, but manager Jose Mourinho was left frustrated in his efforts to further strengthen.
FULHAM
Preparing for its first Premier League campaign in four years, Fulham added five players on Thursday, including signing midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa from Marseille, goalkeeper Sergio Rico from Sevilla and forward Luciano Vietto on loan from Atletico Madrid. American owner Shahid Khan has funded the recruitment of 12 players for the west London club.
EVERTON
Everton completed the treble-signing of Brazil winger Bernard from Shakhtar Donetsk, along with Barcelona duo Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes. The 23-year-old Mina, a Colombia defender, cost 31 million euros ($36 million), while 25-year-old Portugal midfielder Gomes moved to Goodison Park on a season-long loan. Everton has already broken its transfer record in the off-season by paying Watford 40 million pounds for Richarlison, a forward who didn’t even make Brazil’s World Cup squad.
BRIGHTON
Brighton engaged in a flurry of deadline-day activity, including signing Martin Montoya from Valencia. The former Barcelona and Inter Milan right back has committed to a four-year contract with Brighton, with the move subject to international clearance.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself after signing Ghana striker Jordan Ayew on a season-long loan from Swansea. The 26-year-old Ayew has been relegated from the Premier League twice in the last three seasons — with Aston Villa in 2015-16 and Swansea last season. Ayew, who has 11 goals in 49 appearances for Ghana, scored 11 times for Swansea last season as he impressed in a struggling side.
LEICESTER
Leicester has signed three central defenders in the transfer window, with Jonny Evans, Filip Benkovic and Caglar Soyuncu giving Claude Puel a number of options in the position. Preventing England World Cup star defender Harry Maguire joining Manchester United was a triumph for Leicester. It also secured another England international, striker Jamie Vardy, to a new contract through 2022 on Thursday.
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle signed Argentine defender Federico Fernandez from Swansea, reuniting with manager Rafa Benitez after playing for him at Napoli.
WOLVERHAMPTON
The promoted team signed Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht on an initial season-long loan. The central midfielder has made six appearances for Belgium, including in the group-stage win over England at the World Cup.
CARDIFF
Back in the Premier League after a four-year absence, Cardiff signed midfielder Victor Camarasa on a season-long loan from Real Betis before the opening weekend.
WEST HAM
Lucas Perez joined West Ham after the striker struggled to make an impact at Arsenal.
SOUTHAMPTON
Liverpool striker Danny Ings secured a return to hometown club Southampton, initially on loan ahead of an 18 million pound permanent transfer next year.
