FOOTBALL

EPL: Leicester shock Liverpool

Published

2 years ago

December 29, 2021

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‘’We knew that the headlines were probably already written. But you write your own story in football.’’

Brendan Rodgers’ post-match comments perfectly sum up the backdrop of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Leicester City.

Leicester start on the back foot

Liverpool entered the fray as clear favourites, having lost only once in the league over the last nine months.

Leicester City, on the contrary, were licking their wounds following a 6-3 hammering at Etihad.

Most football fans put their money on Liverpool leaving the King Power Stadium with all three points.

But, as Rodgers rightfully pointed out, football does not follow a defined script.

As a reminder of that undeniable fact, the Foxes picked up a remarkable 1-0 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s title chasers.

Huge saves, top performance @kschmeichel1 🧤

Your #LeiLiv 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵! pic.twitter.com/Yt9NUDzEPD
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 28, 2021

Earlier proceedings of the match, however, were indicative of a comfortable road trip for Liverpool.

The Reds pushed the already depleted Leicester City backline to the back foot from the word go.

With covid and injuries limiting his options, Brendan Rodgers was without his first-choice centre-back options.

But, the former Liverpool manager took a bold decision in not starting a specialized defender in Jannik Vestergaard and handing the keys to the defence to Wilfred Ndidi, asking the midfielder to play a makeshift centre-back role.

Ndidi fouls, Salah misses

The decision appeared to be a costly one as Ndidi recklessly brought down Mohamed Salah inside the penalty box and conceded an early penalty to Liverpool, before Jordan Henderson squandered a golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead, firing the ball well over the crossbar.

But, Salah, who did not miss a penalty in the Premier League since Huddersfield shot-stopper Jonas Lossl denied him four years ago, could not find his way past Kasper Schmeichel.

The ball did make its way back to Salah, but the Egyptian hit the post with rebound effort and could not make proper contact with the ball as it rolled back to him again.

A win built on the clean sheet. Kasper Schmeichel's penalty save set the tone 🚫 pic.twitter.com/z8qimlP0Lx
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 29, 2021

It was the first of a series of top-class saves Schmeichel made in the remainder of the game, but Leicester are also indebted to Lady Luck for getting away in some tumultuous moments.

For example, Sadio Mane could not believe his own eyes when he saw his shot flying over the crossbar.

Diogo Jota had found the Senegal international in acres of space inside the Leicester box, but much to the awe of the Liverpool faithful, Mane could not pounce it in.

Vardy a constant menace

Jamie Vardy was the most consistent source of threat from the home side as the veteran made some menacing runs past the Liverpool defence.

He almost set up James Maddison for the opener, but Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a stunning goal line clearance to frustrate the 25-year-old.

But, the Reds could not stop the hosts from getting the lead as Ademola Lookman started and finished off a brilliant counter attack move just before the hour mark.

What an introduction 💫

Watch the Ademola Lookman moment that clinched our #LeiLiv win 🎞️ pic.twitter.com/HMnHXh7GV5
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 29, 2021

Lookman got the ball around the half-line and made some interchanges with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to breach the Liverpool defence and defeat Alisson Becker at the Liverpool goal.

Despite Liverpool’s desperate attempts to salvage an equalizer, the make-do Leicester defence held on and brought the home side a much needed victory.

FOOTBALL

WATCH: Georgina Rodriguez makes huge claim on Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement in Football

Published

1 month ago

March 3, 2024

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Georgina Rodriguez made a huge claim on the future of her husband and star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in Football. In a brief interaction with a host recently, Rodriguez was asked about the time left for Cristiano to make an impact at the highest level. Georgina looked honest in her approach to the question of the host and claimed something the fans would not love to hear.

Georgina claimed that the Portugal star has maybe one year more from him at the highest level. She felt that Ronaldo might play two more years before retiring and not more than that. She was however not sure if he would play for just one or two years and added that the Al Nassr star could also play more than that.

Watch the video of Georgina Rodriguez here –

🚨🎙️| Georgina Rodriguez on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Paris Fashion Week yesterday:

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”

(via @ArobaseGiovanny)pic.twitter.com/4dxw2j5DuC

— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) March 3, 2024

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know,” said Rodriguez in the little chat she had with the host. The video has gone viral on X and the fans have started sharing it on different platforms. Some of the fans feel that Georgina might be right, while others feel that she could be wrong, given the fitness and longevity of the star player.

Legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo

On the 5th of February, Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday. He is currently one of the oldest players in the world. In the past, players at this age would have retired way back. But the fitness and consistency of Ronaldo make him play the sport as long as he wishes. In his career so far, Ronaldo has won many major leagues for Portugal and league teams like Real Madrid, Al Nassr, and Manchester United.

With United, Portugal won some major leagues like the FA Cup and the Champions League. With Real Madrid, the 39-year-old won the leagues like the UCL, Copa Del Rey and La Liga. He won it three consecutive times for Real Madrid. For Portugal, Cristiano had a huge contribution to Portugal. He has the most number of appearances and goals for an international team and won the Euro 2016 with Portugal.

FOOTBALL

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham slapped with Red Card as he argued with referee

Published

1 month ago

March 3, 2024

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Jude Bellingham shown Red Card (Image Credit: Twitter)

England and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham was slapped with a Red Card during the La Liga game against Valencia. In the game, the home team, Valencia was leading by 2-0 after 30 minutes before Madrid scored in the injury time of the first half. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Madrid while Hugo Duro (27′) and Roman Yaremchuk (30′) scored a goal each.

In the 76th minute, Junior scored an equalizer to keep the team in the game. However, in the injury time of the second half, Bellingham was given a red card as he argued with the referee against calling it a full-time before he could score. In reply, the match official decided to slap the England international with a Red Card. The team coach Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t happy with the verdict as the Three Lions player was making a pass at the time.

Jude Bellingham verbally abusing officials and other footballers at the slightest provocation needs to be talked about more. It’s embarrassing he gets applauded by Real Madrid Fans.

Mason Greenwood should’ve allowed La Liga to deal with this simp. pic.twitter.com/ixYSw6YxaC

— Herman Facundo© (@hermanfacundo_7) March 3, 2024

“I think what’s just happened is unprecedented. It’s never happened to me,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“We had possession of the ball and the match should have been finished when Valencia had the ball.

“What bothers us is the red card for Bellingham because he didn’t say anything insulting. He was frustrated of course,” said Ancelotti, adding that Bellingham had used a common English swearword when telling the referee it was a goal.

We are annoyed with Jude Bellingham’s Red Card: Carlo Ancelotti

“We were annoyed with Bellingham’s red card. He didn’t say any insults. He said in English ‘it’s a f—ing goal,’ but he was just saying what we were all thinking … [The referee] allowed play to continue. I think he made a mistake.”

“[Bellingham] was clear in what he said,” Ancelotti added. “He was quite vehement [in his reaction] but that’s normal, after what happened. It wasn’t an insult, not at all.”

FOOTBALL

PL 2023-24: MCFC vs MUFC Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Fantasy League Today’s Captain, Vice-Captain, and more for Manchester derby

Published

1 month ago

March 2, 2024

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Super Sunday is set to witness the Manchester Derby in the Premier League 2023-24. The match between Manchester City (MCFC) and Manchester United (MUFC) is set to take place in Etihad Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City. The two teams have had a contrasting journey in the league till now. The fortunes of City changed ever since Pep Guardiola took over the club as the manager.

While the home side are placed in the second position in the points table currently, United are in the sixth place in the points table. In their previous encounter, City hammered Luton Town by 6-2 in the FA Cup. United have shown massive improvements in the last few weeks after not having a good start to their campaign. United were involved in a thrilling game where they beat Nottingham Forrest by 1-0 in their last game.

Both teams feature some of the best players in the world. The likes of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and others would be taking part in the match. Manchester City will start the match as the favourites, given their record in the ongoing league so far and the match taking place in their home. United with their improved record can challenge the home side.

MCFC vs MUFC – Match Details

Match – Manchester City (MCFC) vs Manchester United (MUFC), Premier League 2023-24

Venue – Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Date and Time – 3^rd March 2024, 21:00 IST

Live Coverage – Star Sports Network and Disney plus Hot Star

MCFC vs MUFC – Head-to-Head

Both the teams from Manchester have a rich history in the sport. they have been up against each other in 191 instances. In as many games, Manchester United have been historically the better side with 78 wins to their name. City have managed to win 60 wins, as 53 games ended in a draw. In the last five games between the two sides in the Premier League, City have won four of the five games.