FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Dec

13

2023

One in five players at 2023 Women’s World Cup got abusive messages – FIFA

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ONE in five players were the target of online abuse during the 2023 Women's World Cup, FIFA said as a package of social media protection tools hid nearly 117,000 comments. The Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), developed by the world governing body with the players' union FIFPRO and launched at the 2022 men's World Cup, was offered to teams at the women's finals in Australia and New Zealand, FIFA said in June. The tool, which has been used at eight FIFA tournaments in the last 12 months, monitors and moderates hate speech on social media, hiding harmful content from the players. Players…

Dec

11

2023

By MARTYN HERMAN

Tottenham end winless run as Richarlison hits two in Newcastle rout

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TOTTENHAM Hotspur secured its first Premier League win since October as Brazilian striker Richarlison also returned to form with two goals in a 4-1 drubbing of a jaded-looking Newcastle United. Ange Postecoglou's side earned the dubious distinction of being the first Premier League team to lead 1-0 in five successive games without winning any of them in midweek as they went down at home to West Ham United. But this time, after Destiny Udogie tapped in his first goal for the club from captain Son Heung-min's cutback after 26 minutes, they never looked back. Richarlison was also fed by the…

Dec

11

2023

By The African Mirror

Alisson praises Liverpool’s ‘passion and intensity’ after win over Palace

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LIVERPOOL'S fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude helped them claim their comeback 2-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace, goalkeeper Alisson said. Mohamed Salah netted his 200th goal for Liverpool to cancel out Jean-Philippe Mateta's spot-kick, before Harvey Elliott scored a stoppage-time winner to seal the three points. Liverpool, who top the standings with 37 points from 16 games, have made a habit of scoring late goals in recent weeks, with strikes from Trent Alexander-Arnold earning a draw against champions Manchester City and a 4-3 win over Fulham. "We plan before the games for that – to start well, to stay well and to finish well,"…

Dec

10

2023

By MARTYN HERMAN

Liverpool hit the top, Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth

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LIVERPOOL climbed to the top of the Premier League as Mo Salah scored his 200th goal for the club in a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday but storm clouds returned to Manchester United as they lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth. Bottom club Sheffield United beat visiting Brentford 1-0 for only their second victory of the season while fellow strugglers Burnley and Nottingham Forest both drew. Arsenal can return to the top if they win later at third-placed Aston Villa who are bidding for a 15th successive home win in the Premier League. Liverpool was fully extended by…

Dec

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: NETHERLANDS IT'S NOT OVER BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION Victory for PSV Eindhoven away at Dutch champions Feyenoord on Sunday extended their 100% start to the season to 14 games and increased their lead to 10 points. But for those pundits, supporters and even players who think the title race is close to being settled, PSV coach Peter Bosz issued a rebuttal: “Nonsense. We’ve played 14 games but there are another 20 to come. We’re not even halfway. You can lose three games in a row and suddenly your lead…

Dec

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Liverpool score two late goals in 4-3 thriller against Fulham

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LIVERPOOL scored two late goals a minute apart including Trent Alexander-Arnold's winner in the 88th minute in their breathless 4-3 victory over Fulham in the Premier League. Wataru Endo scored in the 87th minute, while a debut strike from Alexis Mac Allister and an own goal by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Alexander-Arnold's spectacular free kick lifted Juergen Klopp's team into second in the standings on 31 points. "It's mental to be honest," Trent-Alexander told Sky Sports. "A game of massive ups and downs. Leading, then getting clawed back twice, then obviously losing with about five minutes to go, getting…

Dec

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Gordon strikes as Newcastle overpower Man United

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ANTHONY Gordon scored the winner as Newcastle held off a frenzied late push by Manchester United in a deserved 1-0 Premier League victory over their top-four rivals at a chilly St James' Park. Eddie Howe's team climbed above Manchester United into fifth in the table on 26 points after 14 games as Erik ten Hag's side dropped to seventh on 24. "I couldn't be happier with the players tonight," Howe told TNT Sports. "The performances we put in against three top teams were brilliant so that will give confidence, and when we get some players back we can push on…

Nov

30

2023

By The African Mirror

Napoli’s Osimhen still in doubt for Champions League, says Mazzarri

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KEY striker Victor Osimhen is not guaranteed to start Napoli's Champions League match against Real Madrid, despite his return to Serie A at the weekend, new coach Walter Mazzarri said. Osimhen made his comeback in Saturday's 2-1 win at Atalanta after a month out with a thigh injury but Mazzarri, who returned to the club for his second spell in charge this month, replacing Rudi Garcia, said he was still concerned about the Nigerian. "Tomorrow I will talk to the doctors and Osimhen," Mazzarri told a press conference. "We will see if he will be able to do a quarter…

Nov

29

2023

By The African Mirror

Ronaldo tells ref to overturn penalty he won in Asian Champions League match

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AL-NASSR said their forward Cristiano Ronaldo "showed a great deal of sportsmanship" after he urged the referee in the Asian Champions League game against Persepolis to reverse a penalty decision given in his favour. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward went down under Sorous Rafiei's challenge early in the Group E tie in Riyadh, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot. Persepolis players protested the decision immediately and were joined by Ronaldo, who told the official the tackle was not worthy of a penalty. The referee reviewed the incident on a pitchside monitor and rescinded the…

Nov

28

2023

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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ITALY NAPOLI'S MAZZARRI FACES DEFENSIVE CHALLENGES Walter Mazzarri's spell as Napoli manager got off to a fine start with a 2-1 win at Atalanta on Sunday but he must now address defensive issues ahead of crucial matches. Defender Mathias Olivera was taken off on a stretcher after slipping and is set for an extended period on the sidelines. The injury to the Uruguay international has put Mazzarri in a difficult position as the Napoli squad currently lacks any available left-backs, with Mario Rui also sidelined. First-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret could bring some relief as his recovery from a calf injury…