Premier League Archives | Page 2 of 2

Iwobi charges Fulham on consistency

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi has urged Fulham find the consistency to deliver impressive victories like Saturday’s win over Newcastle United regularly. Iwobi shone as Marco Silva’s side inflicted the Magpies’ first defeat of the campaign in an outstanding 3-1 win. Iwobi revealed to FFCTV after the final whistle that the squad were desperate to respond to the midweek League Cup exit at Preston in a positive fashion. “We wanted to bounce back from the Cup defeat that we had and we thought let’s start on the front foot against a team that’s been unbeaten before this match. “We aimed to do that and I thought we did, especially in the first half. We work on our link up play in training all the time; me, Antonee Robinson and Emile [Smith Rowe]. “We try to make that triangle all the time, so when it’s coming off in games, it’s a plus for us. A big shout out to Antonee Robinson – even though he didn’t get on the ball, he took a couple of defenders [away] and made it easy for me to spot Emile, who made the run in behind.” The midfielder felt Fulham let their standards slip at the start of the second half as Harvey Barnes reduced Newcastle’s arrears within thirty seconds of the restart, but praised the squad’s resilience as they ground out a big victory. “We knew that they were going to come out fast in the second half, but we have to deal with it better. There was probably a touch of offside [about the goal] but we have to defend better and deal with it ourselves. “We were able to bounce back and get another goal. We weren’t able to keep a clean sheet, but we’ll take the three points regardless. “We knew how hard we worked [in the] previous games. Staying mentally focused for the 95 minutes was the aim and we were able to do that for the rest of the game. We had people like Reiss, Reedy and Sander Berge came on and gave us that extra focus and energy that we needed. “We were able to defend, but also able to get another goal that killed them game off. We talked about staying focused before the game and we made sure we did that today. Remaining consistent is the aim.” Iwobi identified the psychological message behind the importance of beating Newcastle at the Cottage – as Fulham hope to continue the fine form that has underpinned their successful return to the top flight over the past two seasons. “Our performances have been very good – I’d say apart from Ipswich – but it’s getting the results is the most important thing. It was a great performance and a great result. If we remain consistent, we’ll definitely finish better than we did last season. “It sends a message to any other team that we can compete with anyone, teams who are going for the top four or the Champions’ League, that no one can come to our fortress and take any points from us.”

Ola Aina makes history with Forests over Liverpool

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Nigerian defender Ola Aina starred for 90 minutes in Nottingham Forest win over Liverpool on Saturday. His compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi was on the bench for the entire duration of the tie. Liverpool dropped points for the first time this season after a second-half stunner from Callum Hudson-Odoi earned Forest their first victory at Anfield in 55 years. Arne Slot’s side were yet to concede a league goal this term, before the introduction of Hudson-Odoi from the Forest bench, with Nuno Espirito Santo masterminding the unlikely 1-0 win. The substitute scored the winner in the 72nd minute after Liverpool’s retreating backline offered him the time and space to measure a shot from 20 yards. He obliged, bending a perfectly precise strike beyond Alisson at full stretch into the far corner. Ryan Yates was a workhorse in the Nottingham Forest midfield Liverpool, with lofty ambitions in Slot’s first season in charge, created plenty but lacked any cutting edge as every final pass or attempted finish failed to hit the mark. Their 14 shots at goal – five on target – were a sign of the home side’s obvious dominance, but unlike the opening three weeks of the campaign where they scored seven times, they were unable to convert such superiority into goals.

Haaland nets Premier League player award for August

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Erling Haaland has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August following his electric start to the season for Manchester City, while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has snared the Manager of the Month gong.Haaland, after a summer of rest, roared into life at the outset of the domestic league season, banging in consecutive hat-tricks to sit on seven goals after just three games.The Norwegian – if he can stay fit – already appears the early favourite to win the Premier League Golden Boot with his nearest current challengers – Mo Salah, Noni Madueke, Bryan Mbeumo and Luis Diaz – already four back, on three goals each.Haaland – as part of a City team that have made an ominous, 100% start to their 2024/25 Premier League campaign – scored in the opening-day win over Chelsea, before grabbing trebles against first Ipswich, and then West Ham.While on Norway duty in the recent UEFA Nations League international break, Haaland added another strike to his already bulging season tally against Austria.The other nominees on the list had been Salah, Mbeumo, Amadou Onana, Cole Palmer, David Raya, Bukayo Saka and Danny Welbeck.City’s next test is a home meeting with Brentford on Saturday, before they host Inter in their opening UEFA Champions League tie of the season, a mouthwatering repeat of the 2023 final, which City memorably won in Istanbul.The Citizens then play Arsenal at the Etihad on September 22 in a match that could already hold big implications for the title race.

Ikorodu City captures new Centre back

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Ikorodu City Football Club of Lagos has announced the signing of new centre back Somto Nnoli. Somto joins from Royal Trust Football Club and will look to help shore up the defense of the side in the new football season. The centre back, who can also feature as a defensive midfielder, joined the Premier League new entrant on a two year deal till 2026.

Man Utd made Olise attempt before Bayern swoop

Prince Odutola4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

Manchester United made an enquiry for Michael Olise this summer but could not sign him. The Red Devils did go after the former Crystal Palace winger, but only after Bayern Munich had moved ahead in the race. Per The Mail, Olise had already committed to Bayern and was not going to change his mind. United were even looking to use Sir Alex Ferguson to try and persuade the winger to join. However, Olise believes that he can get good game time at Bayern and can develop his game. Whether he comes back to the Premier League is unclear, but United will be monitoring his progress.

Zidane hints at Man Utd job

Prince Odutola4 months ago4 months ago04 mins

Zinedine Zidane has admitted he is open to a long-awaited return to management after speculation linking him to Manchester United resurfaced. Zidane has been without a job since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in May 2021. The 52-year-old Frenchman has been linked with several roles in the past three years, including United, Bayern Munich and the national team jobs at United States, Brazil and Algeria, but is still biding his time. He sparked rumours that he could be preparing for a return to the dugout this week when he was spotted attending a training session at Real Betis. It comes amid pressure on Erik ten Hag at United following a poor start to the season, just months after the club’s new leadership team openly courted other managers. Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate were among those considered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his advisors, while L’Equipe stated that Zidane was also interested in taking over from Ten Hag. In the end, Ten Hag was given a stay of execution, but the Dutchman remains on shaky ground after the 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool at Old Trafford. At the premiere of a film about his former Juventus manager Marcelo Lippi in February, Zidane was asked if he would return to coaching. He replied: “Why not, anything can happen. Now I’m doing other things, but we’ll see. I’d certainly like to return to the bench.” Zidane has only ever managed at Real Madrid so far in his coaching career, but was incredibly successful over his two spells at the club. The former midfielder won two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles before walking away at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He has taken an unusually long time out since then, but his ethos is clear: he will only return for the right opportunity. “Never say never,” Zidane told L’Equipe in 2022. “Especially when you are a coach today. If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty. That’s why I can’t just go anywhere. “For other reasons, too. Certain conditions make things more difficult. When someone says to me, ‘Do you want to go to Manchester [United]?’ I understand English but I don’t fully master it. “I know there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work differently. To win, many elements come into play. It’s a global context. I know what I need to win. Of course, I might not always win, but I know that you need to have this, this and this. And I want to do everything on my side to optimise my chances of victory.”