FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Dec

10

2023

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…

Nov

28

2023

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

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RAMSDALE FAILS TO ANSWER ARTETA DOUBTS ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta refused to get drawn too deeply into Aaron Ramsdale's performance at Brentford on Saturday but the England goalkeeper can hardly be expected to keep David Raya out of the starting lineup after a nervy display. Raya could not play for Brentford, the club from whom the Spaniard is on loan, giving Ramsdale his first start in the Premier League since September but he failed to impress. He got away with two mad moments in the first half and, despite Arteta praising his courage, Raya is likely to be back between…

Nov

26

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa withdraw bid to host 2027 Women’s World Cup

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SOUTH Africa has withdrawn their bid to host the Women's World Cup in 2027, the Football Association (SAFA) said. South Africa was among four bids confirmed by FIFA but the country will instead focus on submitting a bid for the 2031 tournament. "We felt that it was better to present a well-prepared bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and ensure we put our best foot forward, rather than producing a rushed presentation," SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao said on the FA's official website. The remaining candidates are a joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, one from Brazil and another joint…

Nov

25

2023

By The African Mirror

Forest’s Awoniyi facing long spell on sidelines after groin surgery

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NOTTINGHAM Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has had groin surgery that will rule him out of action for months, the Premier League club's manager Steve Cooper said. Awoniyi aggravated a groin injury while playing for Nigeria during this month's international break. The 26-year-old, signed from Union Berlin for a then club-record fee of 17 million pounds ($21.18 million) in 2022, has scored 15 goals in 39 games in all competitions for Forest in the last two seasons. "It's bad news on Taiwo, he's had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months," Cooper told reporters ahead of…