jefdr001:
Its my birthday show some love

Happy birthday to you. Wishing you sweet blessed years ahead.

Arsenal strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette produced the perfect pre-north London derby entertainment for supporters by giving their own commentary to the recent 4-2 win over Tottenham.

Watch the hilarious video posted by Arsenal on their official Youtube channel on this link:

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/watch-aubameyang-and-lacazette.html

Manchester United planned to officially confirm Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new interim manager on Wednesday morning but it seems as though someone at the club could not wait that long.

On Tuesday night, less than 12 hours after Jose Mourinho had been sacked, United's website posted a video with the caption:

"Solskjaer becomes our interim manager, 20 seasons after clinching the Treble with THAT goal at Camp Nou..."

The video, which refers to the former striker's winner in the 1999 Champions League final, did not appear on the club's homepage but was posted under the URL "www.manutd.com/en/videos/detail/highlights-of-the-1999-champions-league-final-and-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-winner."

United later removed the content but are expected to republish the video when the Molde boss is unveiled as the man to replace Mourinho for the rest of the season.

Norwegian Prime Minister also jumped the gun by congratulating Solskjaer on Tuesday night.

In a tweet that she later deleted, PM Erna Solberg wrote:

"Great day for Norwegian football. Good luck keeping control of the Red Devils, @ olegs26_ole."


Solskjaer, who scored more than 100 goals in 11 years as a player at Old Trafford, will be assisted by Sir Alex Ferguson's former No 2 Mike Phelan for the rest of the season as United reach out to their glorious past.

But it is understood that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino remains the club's long-term target and United sources have been aware for some time of his desire to take the Old Trafford job.

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/man-united-accidentally-announce.html

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

It was reported earlier that they would sack him over the Christmas season and it was confirmed today.

English football club Manchester United, have sacked their manager Jose Mourinho following Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool, ending tenure that began in May 2016.

A poor start to the English Premier League season has seen United slip 19 points behind the leaders, Liverpool, and fall off the pace in the hunt for a top-four place.

They have won only once in six league matches, drawing during that sequence with struggling Southampton and Crystal Palace.

The English club issued a statement on their official website on Tuesday morning which read:

"Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect.

"The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.

"A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager."

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/man-united-axed-jose-mourinho-after.html

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Arsenal have been reportedly offered a chance to sign Barcelona star Denis Suarez, as they look for a replacement for Aaron Ramsey.
According to a report from the Independent, Arsenal have been offered the opportunity to land Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez in a cut-price £14 million deal, as the Spanish international seeks to leave this January in search of regular playing time.

24-year-old Suarez is in his second stint with the La Liga champions, having first spent a couple of years with the Catalans’ B team between 2013 and 2015, following which he had joined Villarreal.

Having returned to Camp Nou in the summer of 2016, the Spaniard has failed to nail down a spot in Ernesto Valverde’s side.

Keep reading: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/report-arsenal-offered-chance-to-sign.html

[url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Manchester United are prepared to sack Jose Mourinho over the Christmas programme if results nosedive.

The DailyMail says the manner of United's capitulation at Liverpool on Sunday has left Mourinho under huge pressure again following the club's worst start to a top-flight season in 28 years.

United face Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle over Christmas – four winnable games that could also be a potential banana skin for the 55-year-old.

Mourinho has appeared to be in trouble before this season and survived, but he is now odds-on to become the next Premier League boss to be axed.

It's understood that United would have to pay Mourinho one year's salary of £18million to get rid of him, and up to £22.5 million (N10 billion) if he is still in the UEFA Champions League or in contention for a top-four place.

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/man-united-to-sack-mourinho-over.html

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Arsenal will face Belarusian side BATE Borisov in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, while Chelsea have been drawn against Sweden's Malmo.
Inter Milan will play Rapid Vienna after dropping down from the UEFA Champions League, and Celtic take on Valencia having narrowly scraped through the group stage.

Five-time Europa League champions Sevilla head to Italy to face Lazio as their search for a sixth title in 13 years continues, and Napoli face Swiss side Zurich.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 DRAW IN FULL:

Viktoria Plzen VS Dinamo Zagreb

Club Brugge VS FC Salzburg

Rapid Vienna VS Inter Milan

Slavia Prague VS Genk

Krasnodar VS Bayer Leverkusen

Zurich VS Napoli

Malmo VS Chelsea

Shakhtar Donetsk VS Frankfurt

Celtic VS Valencia

Rennes VS Real Betis

Olympiakos VS Dynamo Kyiv

Lazio VS Sevilla

Fenerbache VS Zenit

Sporting CP VS Villarreal

BATE Borisov VS Arsenal

Galatasaray VS Benfica.

The seeded sides, which include the 12 group winners and four best third-ranked teams from the Champions League group stage, will be away for the first legs on Thursday, February 14, before playing their home legs a week later.

Arsenal will play their second leg on Wednesday, February 20 as they cannot play at home on the same night as Chelsea, who have been given priority for the round as they won last season's FA Cup.

Any other fixtures changes are yet to be confirmed by UEFA.

The UEFA Europa League round of 32 draw was held in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday.

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/europa-league-round-of-32-draw-in-full.html

Christian Eriksen's stoppage-time strike broke Burnley's brave resistance, and a Gabriel Jesus brace helped Manchester City return to the top of the English Premier League table.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 0 Burnley

Christian Eriksen‘s stoppage time goal finally gave Tottenham Hotspur an avenue past Joe Hart, as Spurs beat Burnley 1-0 on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.

Tottenham’s 39 points are five behind leaders Man City, while Burnley’s 12 points have them 17th.

Manchester City 3 - 1 Everton

[ See the report here: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/man-city-go-top-after-beating-everton-3.html ]

Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Leicester City

Crystal Palace battled to a 1-0 win against Leicester City at a soggy Selhurst Park, as Roy Hodgson‘s side did the business without their star man Wilfried Zaha.

Luka Milivojevic’s fine strike in the first half was enough to grab all three points for Palace, but Jamie Vardy hit the post in the second half as Leicester battered the Eagles but somehow they couldn’t find an equaliser.

With the win Palace move up to 15th place on 15 points for the season, while Leicester have 22 points and sit in 11th.

Huddersfield Town 0 - 1 Newcastle United

Salomon Rondon scored the lone goal as Newcastle United won its first match in four tries with a 1-0 defeat of Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.

It’s Rondon’s fourth goal in six games, as Rafa Benitez‘s Magpies move 14th. That’s six points ahead of 18th place, occupied by Huddersfield.

Click the link below for more:

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/saturdays-epl-wrap-eriksen-gives-spurs.html

[url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Manchester City beat Everton 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon, with Gabriel Jesus on target twice.

The Brazilian striker scored in each half to put City 2-0 up and although Dominic Calvert-Lewin made it 2-1, Raheem Sterling quickly made it 3-1.

Everton did threaten throughout, as Richarlison missed two glorious chances.

With the win City momentarily jumped ahead of Liverpool and back to the top of the English Premier League with a two point lead, while Everton remain in seventh.

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/man-city-go-top-after-beating-everton-3.html

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has suggested that summer signing Lucas Torreira is overrated after impressing so far in the campaign.
The Uruguayan signed for the Gunners in the summer from Sampdoria and was exactly what Arsenal needed.

They’ve been needing a top quality holding midfielder for many years and may finally have found what they were looking for.

Torreira has earned rave reviews among the Arsenal fans, especially following his goal against Tottenham a couple of weeks back.

Though, one former Arsenal star has suggested that he is overrated and would not get into any other top four squad.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, who is known for making some annoying claims, suggested that if Torreira was playing for Southampton or Burnley, no one would bat an eyelid.

“Liverpool wouldn’t buy him tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t have thought any of the top four would,” claimed Merson, as quoted by the Mirror.

“He can and will get better, but he’s done great.

“They needed it, we all knew that. Arsene Wenger knew it but he was too stubborn to go and get someone.

“He could be playing at Southampton and wouldn’t get a mention, or Burnley. No one would mention it.

“It’s just that Arsenal needed it so badly. He gets around people, closes players down, gets everybody fighting. He’s not a natural passer, but he sets the tempo.”

Is Torreira overrated?

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/really-paul-merson-says-arsenals-lucas.html#more

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Footage has emerged of Tottenham fans being struck with batons by Barcelona security staff as violent scenes unfolded during their Champions League clash at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.

A video uploaded to social media by a Spurs supporter appears to show stadium staff striking fans as the game played out in the Spanish city.

It remains unclear what caused the security team to react with such brutal force but the footage does show fans attempting to get them to stand down.

A fan by the name of Alex, who posted the video, called on Spurs to report the incident to UEFA.

He wrote on Twitter: "I just need to address this issue which happened last night during the game.

"Absolutely disgusting behaviour by Barcelona stewards hitting us with batons for no reason!

"@SpursOfficial please send this to @UEFA @Champions League it's disgusting.

"We were not in our correct seats that were on our ticket but everyone was in a seat and we were minding our own business watching the game and they just kept on moaning and moaning.

"We didn’t want any trouble! They wanted trouble from the start. Just let us watch game in peace."

The video shows the security staff in high visibility clothing looking extremely furious and then hitting fans with their batons. Fans can be heard singing "we've got you on video."

Some of the security team even try to lean over other supporters to lash out and can then be seen striking supporters with aggressive blows.

Fans could not seem to believe what they were seeing as they vented their angry with a number of expletives.

Spurs supporters also clambered other seats to try and protect those at the front of the stand, where the security team were placed.

It is not the first time Barcelona's security staff have been hit by criticism after Chelsea fans also came under attack before their Champions League last-16 second leg in March.

Click this link to see the video: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/barca-security-staff-caught-on-camera.html

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Former Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano says Isco needs to address his clash with fans last night.
During the 3-0 UEFA Champions League home humiliation to CSKA Moscow, Isco openly challenged home fans after he was jeered for missing a good scoring chance.

Valdano said: "I understand Isco, in a sport as emotional as this one, it's easy for you to lose your head at some point.

"What seems bad about Isco is that he did not come out at the end of the match to explain himself and ask for forgiveness.

"Madrid has not finished finding the definitive solutions that allow the fans to go to the Bernabéu with tranquility."

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/isco-needs-to-ask-real-madrid-fans-for.html

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Lyon drew at Shakhtar to complete the round of 16 line-up as the groups ended and Real Madrid suffered a humbling loss.

Ajax 3 - 3 FC Bayern Munich

Ajax were on course for the win needed to pip their fellow qualifiers to top spot when leading 2-1 with three minutes left, only to concede twice – although Nicolas Tagliafico equalised at the death.

Bayern had struck first through Robert Lewandowski on 13 minutes but Dusan Tadic levelled on 61.

The hosts then had Maximilian Wober sent off, swiftly followed by Thomas Muller. With eight minutes remaining, though, Ajax won a penalty converted by Tadic. However, Lewandowski scored an even later spot kick to end the group stage as eight-goal leading scorer, and Kingsley Coman briefly made it 3-2. Before Tagliafico gave the home side a point.

Benfica 1 - 0 AEK Athens

Even before kick-off, Benfica were confirmed in third place ahead of AEK, and Alex Grimaldo secured victory with two minutes left from a free-kick for which Kostas Galanopoulos received a second yellow card – leaving the visitors still point-less.

Manchester City 2 - 1 Hoffenheim

Man City made sure of pole position in the group but only after falling behind to Andrej Kramaric's penalty.

Leroy Sane got both City goals, the first a free-kick.

Shakhtar Donetsk 1 - 1 Lyon

Shakhtar began the day two points behind Lyon and the French team gained the point they required in snowy Kyiv to beat their hosts to the last round of 16 berth.

Junior Moraes struck for Shakhtar midway through the first half but a fine Nabil Fekir finish on 65 minutes gave Lyon the necessary draw.

Real Madrid 0 - 3 CSKA Moscow

Real Madrid had already rubber-stamped top spot despite an earlier loss at CSKA, and the holders' group campaign ended with a record European home defeat – even if the visitors' win was in vain due to Plzeň's victory.

A much-changed home team began brightly but Fyodor Chalov and Georgi Shchennikov netted late in the first half and Arnor Sigurdsson got the third with 17 minutes to go.

It was Madrid's first group home loss since 2009, while CSKA's points tally of seven is the joint most for any bottom finisher in a UEFA Champions League section – and no club had come last after beating any opponent home and away.

Moreover, only three times previously had Madrid been 'doubled' in a group.

Valencia 2 - 1 Manchester United

Already destined for third place, Valencia signed off on a high with victory thanks to a strike from Carlos Soler and an own goal early in the second half by Phil Jones.

Marcus Rashford cut the gap with three minutes left.

Young Boys 2 - 1 Juventus

Man United's defeat meant Juventus topped the group despite their own loss in Berne.

Guillaume Hoarau got both YB goals, the first his 100th for the club, before Paulo Dybala pulled one back.

TEAMS THROUGH ROUND 16:

Group winners: Barcelona, Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Real Madrid

Group runners-up: Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, Lyon, Manchester United, Roma, Schalke, Tottenham Hotspur

Transfer to UEFA Europa League round of 32: Benfica, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Internazionale Milano, Napoli, Shakhtar Donetsk, Valencia, Viktoria Plzen.

Click the link to keep reading about the roundup: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/wednesdays-ucl-roundup-lyon-through.html

Lyon drew at Shakhtar to complete the round of 16 line-up as the groups ended and Real Madrid suffered a humbling loss.

Ajax 3 - 3 FC Bayern Munich

Ajax were on course for the win needed to pip their fellow qualifiers to top spot when leading 2-1 with three minutes left, only to concede twice – although Nicolas Tagliafico equalised at the death.

Bayern had struck first through Robert Lewandowski on 13 minutes but Dusan Tadic levelled on 61.

The hosts then had Maximilian Wober sent off, swiftly followed by Thomas Muller. With eight minutes remaining, though, Ajax won a penalty converted by Tadic. However, Lewandowski scored an even later spot kick to end the group stage as eight-goal leading scorer, and Kingsley Coman briefly made it 3-2. Before Tagliafico gave the home side a point.

Benfica 1 - 0 AEK Athens

Even before kick-off, Benfica were confirmed in third place ahead of AEK, and Alex Grimaldo secured victory with two minutes left from a free-kick for which Kostas Galanopoulos received a second yellow card – leaving the visitors still point-less.

Manchester City 2 - 1 Hoffenheim

Man City made sure of pole position in the group but only after falling behind to Andrej Kramaric's penalty.

Leroy Sane got both City goals, the first a free-kick.

Shakhtar Donetsk 1 - 1 Lyon

Shakhtar began the day two points behind Lyon and the French team gained the point they required in snowy Kyiv to beat their hosts to the last round of 16 berth.

Junior Moraes struck for Shakhtar midway through the first half but a fine Nabil Fekir finish on 65 minutes gave Lyon the necessary draw.

Real Madrid 0 - 3 CSKA Moscow

Real Madrid had already rubber-stamped top spot despite an earlier loss at CSKA, and the holders' group campaign ended with a record European home defeat – even if the visitors' win was in vain due to Plzeň's victory.

A much-changed home team began brightly but Fyodor Chalov and Georgi Shchennikov netted late in the first half and Arnor Sigurdsson got the third with 17 minutes to go.

It was Madrid's first group home loss since 2009, while CSKA's points tally of seven is the joint most for any bottom finisher in a UEFA Champions League section – and no club had come last after beating any opponent home and away.

Moreover, only three times previously had Madrid been 'doubled' in a group.

Valencia 2 - 1 Manchester United

Already destined for third place, Valencia signed off on a high with victory thanks to a strike from Carlos Soler and an own goal early in the second half by Phil Jones.

Marcus Rashford cut the gap with three minutes left.

Young Boys 2 - 1 Juventus

Man United's defeat meant Juventus topped the group despite their own loss in Berne.

Guillaume Hoarau got both YB goals, the first his 100th for the club, before Paulo Dybala pulled one back.

TEAMS THROUGH ROUND 16:

Group winners: Barcelona, Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Real Madrid

Group runners-up: Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, Lyon, Manchester United, Roma, Schalke, Tottenham Hotspur

Transfer to UEFA Europa League round of 32: Benfica, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Internazionale Milano, Napoli, Shakhtar Donetsk, Valencia, Viktoria Plzen.

Click the link to keep reading about the roundup: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/wednesdays-ucl-roundup-lyon-through.html

Chelsea have revealed the Chelsea 'shirtholders kit' designed by a fan and selected after several rounds of competition.

The winning shirt is inspired by Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph, and draws upon Didier Drogba's stats from that game.

It features a gradient orange design - thought to represent Drogba's Ivory Coast heritage - while the blue also varies in shade across the jersey.

The Nike Shirtholder's edition fan shirt celebrates Chelsea's Champions League triumph
The bottom of the shirt also carries the '19/05' logo as a direct reference to the date of Chelsea's Champions League victory.

Drogba's signature can be found on the inside of the collar in further homage to the Blues' talisman. Chelsea fans were able to input their ideas to the shirt designers and collaborate in the creation of the final design.

This Nike special edition fan shirt is set to be available for fans to purchase in 2019.

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Awol1:
You tried

But is it true that Barça v Tottenham was fixed?

I can't tell

English Premier League club Liverpool beat Italian side Napoli to go through with French club Paris Saint-Germain, while another English Tottenham equalised late at Barcelona to make the last 16 above Inter.
Club Brugge 0 - 0 Atletico Madrid

Unbeaten Atletico Madrid had clinched qualification before kick-off and Brugge were already confirmed in third place as they played out a draw in which the hosts had the slight edge.

Monaco 0 - 2 Borussia Dortmund

Likewise, Dortmund's round of 16 spot and Monaco's elimination were sealed on matchday five, but the visitors will go into Monday's draw as seeds, topping the group on head-to-head goal difference following a victory courtesy of two Raphael Guerreiro goals.

Monaco end the campaign with their winless UEFA Champions League run up to 14 games, ever since they beat Dortmund home and away in the 2016/17 quarter-finals, including seven straight home defeats.

Barcelona 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

A much-changed Barcelona team went ahead early following a fine solo effort by Ousmane Dembele.

Spurs, beginning the day above Inter only on head-to-head away goals, knew if they lost, they also needed PSV to win in Milan, and the Dutch side scored not long afterwards.

Inter were to equalise and it seemed Spurs would be unable to emulate them until Harry Kane set up Lucas Moura with five minutes left to send Tottenham into the last 16 behind previously-confirmed group winners Barcelona.

Inter Milan 1 - 1 PSV Eindhoven

News of the Barcelona goal sparked celebrations at San Siro but Hirving Lozano struck just six minutes later for eliminated PSV.

With 17 minutes left, Mauro Icardi levelled on his 200th club appearance, to add to his winner in Eindhoven and late equalisers at home to both Spurs and Barcelona.

However, Tottenham then equalised at Camp Nou, and Inter must settle for UEFA Europa League football.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Napoli

Permutations were plentiful but Liverpool knew they had to win and Mohamed Salah's strike on 34 minutes was enough for a 1-0 victory that takes last season's finalists through ahead of Napoli on head-to-head away goals.

Crvena Zvezda 1 - 4 Paris Saint-Germain

Having stared elimination in the face, Paris are through as group winners, also consigning Crvena zvezda to fourth place.

Edinson Cavani and Neymar, with a brilliant strike, made it 2-0 at half-time, and although Marko Gobeljic pulled one back with a volley, Marquinhos and Kylian Mbappe make sure of the visitors' victory.

CHECK OUT HOW THINGS ARE IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Teams that are through to round of 16: Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Real Madrid, Roma, Schalke, Tottenham Hotspur.

Teams that can still reach round of 16 today: Lyon, Shakhtar Donetsk.

Teams that will be transfered to UEFA Europa League round of 32: Benfica, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Internazionale Milano, Napoli, Valencia.

Team that can still finish third on Wednesday: CSKA Moskva, Hoffenheim, Viktoria Plzen.

Teams that will finish fourth: AEK Athens, Crvena zvezda, Lokomotiv Moskva, Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Young Boys.

Click the link below to see the full roundup:

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/tuesday-ucl-roundup-liverpool-spurs-and.html

[url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Here's the roundup of today's English Premier League action...

Arsenal 1 - 0 Huddersfield Town

Arsenal edged past a stubborn Huddersfield side at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, as Lucas Torreira’s late moment of magic won the game 1-0 for the Gunners.

After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette missed chances in the first half, Torreira scored a sensational bicycle kick to grab the win as they extend their unbeaten run to 21 which began in August.

With the victory Arsenal move on to 34 points, while Huddersfield remain on 10 points.

Bournemouth 0 - 4 Liverpool

Liverpool remain unbeaten after 16 games of the season and beat Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality, with Mohamed Salah back to his clinical best after a midweek rest.

Jurgen Klopp reverted to his strongest possible lineup for the tricky test away at Bournemouth and Salah struck in the first half (although he was offside) and added two more in the second half as Roberto Firmino assisted on two of them.

Salah’s hat trick secured Liverpool’s best-ever start to a top-flight campaign at this point of a season.

Bournemouth’s Steve Cook also scored an amazing own goal, as the Cherries were totally outclassed despite a few calls for penalty kicks in the second half.

With the win Liverpool went top of the table on 42 points, while Bournemouth remain on 23 points.

Chelsea 2 - 0 Manchester City

Manchester City’s unbeaten English Premier League season and 21-match unbeaten league run is over following a 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

N'Golo Kante and David Luiz scored goals to move Chelsea fourth on the table with 34 points.

Liverpool is the new English Premier League leader, a point clear of City.

Manchester United 4 - 1 Fulham

Manchester United, and Old Trafford specifically, needed this.

Four different Red Devils hit the score sheet as Manchester United beat Fulham 4-1 at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, and Ashley Young all scored for United, who moves sixth with 26 points.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off for Fulham, while Aboubakar Kamara won and scored a penalty for the Cottagers.

Fulham remains 20th with nine points and now has a league-worst minus-24 goal differential.

Leicester City 0 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur managed to grind out a straightforward 2-0 victory away to Leicester City with Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen on the bench for 72 and 66 of 90 minutes, respectively.

Son Heung-min and Dele Alli did all the damage and bagged a goal apiece in an otherwise uneventful affair at the King Power Stadium.

The result sees Spurs on 36 points move third place, while Leicester (22) remain ninth in the EPL table.

Click the link to complete the roundup: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/saturdays-epl-wrap-torreira-helps.html

[url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

Jose Mourinho admits he can't give £52million (N24billion) summer signing Fred a run in his team until Manchester United tighten up defensively.
The 25-year-old has started just three of United's last 14 games and was left out of the squad completely against Arsenal in midweek.

Fred has blamed his lack of first-team opportunities for losing his place in the Brazil national team, but Mourinho believes he cannot be risked on a regular basis until there are more defensively-minded players around him.

Asked about the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder's progress, the United boss said:

"Step by step. You have also other players in other clubs that needed their time, and you have some of them that played even less than what Fred is playing.

"When the team is defensively stronger and doesn't need in midfield people that are more worried in giving some balance to the team than being involved in creation and attacking dynamic, the day we are stronger defensively I think the horizons for Fred change completely."

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/mourinho-admits-he-cant-trust-playing.html

Mesut Ozil and a group of Arsenal stars face a grilling from manager Unai Emery today after being caught in a 'hippy crack' controversy.

A video released by The Sun on Thursday night shows Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Matteo Guendouzi using balloons apparently to inhale nitrous oxide — a legal high that can cause potentially dangerous side-effects — at a party in London a few days before the start of the season in August.

On what seems to be CCTV footage Ozil appears to fall semi-conscious after inhaling from a balloon, while Guendouzi appears to lose consciousness altogether during what is claimed to be a private party at the exclusive Tape Club in London’s West End. Aubameyang can be seen sucking from a balloon and laughing.

Ozil appears to offer a balloon to midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 29, who declines to take it and instead sucks on a lollipop.


According to The Sun, Ozil 'looked out of it at one point' and that 'he took a big draw on a balloon then seemed to lose his consciousness and slide down in his seat'. Guendouzi is said to have been 'even worse'.

German defender Shkodran Mustafi was also seen in the footage but was not filmed having any nitrous oxide, while defender Sead Kolasinac, 25, is another among those on camera.

Arsenal have today confirmed they will discuss the matter internally, with Emery set to be involved in the meetings.

Keep reading: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/arsenal-big-stars-in-hippy-crack-storm.html

The second leg of the Copa Libertadores final will take place at Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday, but former Los Blancos star Cristiano Ronaldo won't be in attendance.

Juventus hitman Ronaldo was invited to be a part of proceedings at Sunday's re-scheduled, re-located clash between River Plate and Boca Juniors, and was asked to join dignitaries and longtime rival Lionel Messi in the presidential box for the game.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had hoped to make a statement by showing the two rivals and former La Liga adversaries side by side in the stands.

The RFEF told Spanish outlet AS:

"The presence of Cristiano and Messi would be a wonderful message for football, and it would put both players in a setting where they deserve to be."

But Ronaldo put a halt to those plans when he politely declined the offer, with sources telling AS that "it's still too soon for him to return to the Bernabeu."

Ronaldo's departure from Madrid was an acrimonious one, and it has clearly left the Portuguese striker bitter and upset.

"His relationship with the club has been adversely affected by his departure to Juventus," the source revealed.

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/cristiano-ronaldo-snubs-invite-to-copa.html?m=1

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Lionel Messi “only has one skill”, according to Brazil legend Pele, with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona “much better” than the Barcelona talisman.
Having starred for the La Liga heavyweights for well over a decade now, a mercurial talent of the modern era is considered to have established a standing as an all-time great.

There are many who consider Messi to be the finest player to have ever played the game, with a five-time Ballon d’Or winner boasting countless records and a stunning strike rate.

Pele, though, has suggested that the 31-year-old is one-dimensional and too reliant on his left foot to be compared to other iconic figures at the top of the world game.

A man who netted over 1,000 goals in his career and won the World Cup on three occasions told Folha de Sao Paulo:

“How can you make a comparison between a guy who heads the ball well, shoots with the left, shoots with the right and another who only shoots with one leg, only has one skill and doesn’t head the ball well?

“How can you compare? To compare with Pele, it has to be someone who shoots well with the left, shoots well with the right, and scores headers.”

While placing himself above Messi in the all-time pecking order, Pele has also suggested that a number of other players sit above the Blaugrana star.

Fellow Argentine Maradona is considered to be one of the best ever, while iconic figures from Germany and the Netherlands are also held in the highest regard.

Pele added: “As far as I’m concerned, Maradona was one of the best players ever. If you ask me, ‘Was he better than Messi?’ — yes, he was. Much better. [Franz] Beckenbauer, [Johan] Cruyff were also excellent players.”

Source: [url]QUEENSMAIL.COM[/url]

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/messi-only-has-one-skill-says-pele-as.html

Neymar has opened the door to playing in the English Premier League one day, responding positively when asked by none other than Benjamin Mendy.

The Manchester City defender was one of a number of high profile current and former players to ask Neymar questions on his Youtube channel.

And Mendy went straight to the point, saying:

"Neymar Jnr, answer me in French. Do you think you'll one day play in the [English] Premier League?"

The 26-year-old replied: "It's a big competition, one of the greatest in the world.

"We don't know what will happen tomorrow but I believe that every great player, at least one day, has to play in the Premier League.

"If you're playing there, I hope you can keep enjoying the Premier League, because you deserve only the best."

Having moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for a record-breaking fee of £198million (N91.6billion) in 2017, Neymar is targeting UEFA Champions League success in Paris.

Click the link to see the video: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/neymar-wants-english-premier-league.html?m=1

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Barcelona star Rafinha has been taken to court by sportswear giant Adidas, over an alleged breach of contract.
The German company are demanding that he pays almost £90,000 (N41.8million) for each day he refuses to wear the company's boots.

According to Adidas, the 25-year-old has failed to adhere to the obligations of his contract.

Adidas' lawyer Dolf Segaar said the case is being handled at an Amsterdam court as "the Adidas venture with whom Rafinha signed a contract is based in the Dutch capital".

Rafinha, brother of Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara, agreed a sponsorship deal with the company to only wear Adidas boots during matches and training, and clothing during official media appearances in 2013. That agreement expired on June 30 earlier this year.

However, the German sports giants claim that Rafinha did not respond to any extension requests, thus allowing them to automatically extend it until March 2023.

According to Rafinha, all agreements with Adidas ended on July 1, allowing him to take on a new sponsorship deal.

Click the link to keep reading: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/barcas-rafinha-taken-to-court-by-adidas.html

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expects a difficult test against Arsenal in the English Premier League on Wednesday but he suggested on Tuesday that his opponents may be fresher because they are playing in the Europa League.
Arsenal climbed to fourth after an impressive 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but Mourinho was quick to point out that the Gunners had been able to keep key players fresh for big games by rotating their squad in the Europa League.

“Yes it’s different... and a difficult match for us. We’re going to play a good team in a good moment without accumulation of matches because they’re playing Europa League,” Mourinho told a news conference.

“When you play Europa League, you normally play with second choices and give good rest to the players. We have to play to the max and there is an accumulation of matches,” added Mourinho, whose side have been playing in the Champions League.

“Then you arrive in this moment in December and many teams pay the price of that. That is not the motivation you want as a team but to develop players fresher is a good way to do it.”

“United should never be in seventh place... the investment Everton made was phenomenal and obviously there was a great improvement in that team from last season,” Mourinho added.

Keep reading: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/man-united-boss-mourinho-says-arsenal.html

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Cristiano Ronaldo ’s sisters have reacted with fury after seeing him pipped to the Ballon d’Or by former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.

Elma Aveiro, 39, said the result showed the world was “rotten” and tainted by mafia and money.

A message that appeared on Elma's social media in the aftermath of the announcement Modric had broken Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s dominance of the prized trophy read:

“Unfortunately this is the world we live in, rotten, with mafia and f******g money.

“The power of God is a lot greater than all this rottenness. God takes his time but he doesn’t fail.”

His other sister Katia posted a picture of Ronaldo after he won a previous Ballon d’Or and claimed in a message she posted alongside the photo:

“Best player in the world….for those who understand football of course.”

[ MORE: Mixed Reactions After Real Madrid's Modric Wins Ballon d'Or 2018 ]


There was no immediate response on social media from Cristiano’s doting mum Dolores or his Spanish girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.

Katia, a singer, is known for her staunch defence of her older sibling although on Monday night it was Elma who was making the headlines.

Keep reading: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/cristiano-ronaldos-sisters-furious-with.html

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice and Arsenal scored three-straight second half goals to bury rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Lucas Torreira and Alexandre Lacazette also scored in the North London Derby win, sending Arsenal into the Top Four ahead of Spurs and a point back of Chelsea.

Harry Kane and Eric Dier scored as Spurs took a 2-1 lead after Aubameyang’s opener.


We broke the wings of the enemies, we destroyed their backbones and shut them up without compromise.

I am proud of this new Arsenal.

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/up-gunners-north-london-is-red-arsenal.html

Here's today's English Premier League roundup...

Southampton 2 - 2 Manchester United

Marcus Rashford set up a pair of goals to answer an early Southampton flurry, as Manchester United drew Saints 2-2 at St. Mary’s on Saturday

Manchester United pulled into seventh on goals from Romelu Lukaku and Ander Herrera, and will finish the weekend at least six points back of the Top Four.

Cedric Soares and Stuart Armstrong scored for Southampton, who are a point back of 17th place Huddersfield Town.

Manchester City 3 - 1 Bournemouth

Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Ilkay Gundogan scored as Manchester City broke a halftime deadlock to beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Callum Wilson scored for Bournemouth, which sinks ninth with 20 points.

League-leading City is up to 38 points, with Leroy Sane producing another fine display in the win.

Keep reading to see the completion of today's English Premier League roundup. Just click the link below:

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/saturdays-epl-roundup-man-city-beat.html

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Nigeria have lifted the African cup of nation for the ninth time.

Tochukwu Oluehi was the heroine as Nigeria claimed the African Women Cup of Nations for a record ninth time after defeating South Africa 4-3 on penalties after a keenly contested 120-minute ended in a goalless stalemate in Accra, Ghana.

The Super Falcons goalkeeper was impressive throughout the encounter and saved the decisive penalty to complete a Nigeria comeback.

Onome Ebi had missed Nigeria's first kick of the shootout before Oluehi provided a stunning save to deny Linda Motlhalo, thus, securing victory for Nigeria. And making Banyana Banyana’s dream of winning their first continental title faded into thin air.

The 2018 edition is the thirteenth overall for the competition which started in 1991.

AWCON unlike the AFCON also acts as the African qualifiers to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria, South Africa and Cameroon thereby confirmed their slots at the tournament which will take place in France.

South Africa will be featuring at the World Cup for the first time, while Nigeria have been to every World Cup since 1991.

The third place match between Cameroon and Mali on Friday ended in favour of the Indomitable Lionnesses securing them the third African slot at the Women’s World Cup.

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/2018-awcon-final-nigeria-beat-south.html

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has taken aim at Manchester City over their spending.

Asked why United were unable to match City in terms of spending, despite being the richest club in the world with an estimated value of £3billion (N1.39trillion), Mourinho pointed an accusing finger at the Blues and the way they have gone about their transfer business.

“I cannot say the answer, because one of the answers you had a few weeks ago," said Mourinho, in a clear reference to the allegations that City flouted Financial Fair Play regulations to enable them spend more on their squad.

“But football has changed. It's more difficult to buy players of a high, high, high level.

“Before, the smaller clubs were almost begging the big clubs, 'Get my best players, I need to sell - please, you are powerful, buy my best player'. In this moment, they don't want to sell.

"So it's more difficult to make the team better and stronger with buying, unless you do what some clubs do - and for some reason they can do this and others cannot - which is to say 'I need a right-back and a left-back, send away the ones you have and buy four at the same time'.

“It's difficult. We do what we can. Last season, it was fantastic to finish second and we are fighting hard. I know that we have to do better than what we're doing, absolutely.

“But one thing is to do better, another is to compare ourselves with what Manchester United was in the past, because it's impossible."

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/12/man-united-manager-mourinho-dig-at-man.html

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Tony Pulis'despised' Arsene Wenger and wound his players up to such an extent it contributed to Ryan Shawcross breaking Aaron Ramsey's leg, former Stoke striker Dave Kitson has claimed.

The ugly incident came back in February 27, 2010 when the Stoke defender clattered into the Wales international, who sustained fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

It was a reckless and full-blooded challenge from Shawcross and Kitson, now retired, has shed light on just why the Potters were so fired up for the clash.

"I heard the crack of Ramsey's leg from the bench," Kitson recalled in his Sun column.

"I heard the screaming. And the build-up to the game contributed to this moment.

"Stoke manager Tony Pulis absolutely despised Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, hated the way he played.

"All week I had never seen a manager so desperate to win a game of football, it was bordering on out of control.

"I remember Pulis pacing up and down shouting random things — this bundle of nervous energy blurting random swear words, trying to burn off his own nervous energy.

"And, of course, the upshot of all of that energy was that we went over the top and it cost Ramsey a year of his career...."

Keep reading: https://www.queensmail.com/2018/11/tony-pulis-intense-hatred-of-arsene.html

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Arsenal maintained their three-point lead atop Europa League Group E on Thursday with a 3-0 win against Vorskla.

Unai Emery's heavily rotated squad had a three-goal cushion at the break thanks to first-half goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Joseph Willock goals either side of an Aaron Ramsey penalty.

The match, which had been in doubt due to security concerns in the Ukraine, was moved from Poltava to Kiev after Ukraine imposed martial law in parts of the country.

Arsenal, who have already qualified for the knockout stages, finish group play against Qarabag at the Emirates on Dec. 13, needing only a draw to ensure top spot over Portugal's Sporting CP, who are also into the round of 32.

EUROPA LEAGUE COMPLETE RESULTS:

Group A: Zurich 1-2 AEK Larnaca, Leverkusen 1-1 Ludogorets.


Group B: Salzburg 1-0 Leipzig, Rosenborg 0-1 Celtic.


Group C: Zenit 1-0 København, Bordeaux 2-0 Slavia Praha.


Group D: Anderlecht 0-0 Spartak Trnava, Fenerbahçe 0-0 Dinamo Zagreb.


Group E: Qarabağ 1-6 Sporting CP, Vorskla 0-3 Arsenal.


Group F: Milan 5-2 Dudelange, Real Betis 1-0 Olympiacos.


Group G: Rangers 0-0 Villarreal, Spartak Moskva 1-2 Rapid Wien.


Group H: Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 Marseille, Apollon 2-0 Lazio.


Group I: Sarpsborg 2-3 Besiktas, Malmö 2-2 Genk.


Group J: Standard Liège 1-0 Sevilla, Krasnodar 2-1 Akhisar


Group K: Astana 0-1 Dynamo Kyiv, Jablonec 0-1 Rennes.


Group L: Chelsea 4-0 PAOK, BATE 2-0 Vidi.

https://www.queensmail.com/2018/11/europa-league-complete-reults-arsenal.html


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