Premier League Archives | Page 6 of 8

Blockbuster Man City-Liverpool clash live on Showmax

Fola Badmus7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Manchester City hosts Liverpool on Sunday, in a highly anticipated clash, which kicks off at 5:30 PM, and will be available to stream live on Showmax Premier League mobile. City and Liverpool have been the standard setters in the Premier League for much of the last eight years. While City are ahead in the trophy count, Liverpool have pushed them to the limit in title races, including their 97-point campaign in 2019. The landscape has shifted this season, with Liverpool sitting comfortably at the top of the table. On the other hand, City have already suffered seven league defeats and sit in an unfamiliar fourth place, 17 points adrift. A win for City would disrupt the title race, giving Arsenal and other contenders hope, while a Liverpool victory would reinforce their grip at the summit. City go into this fixture buoyed by a 4-0 win over Newcastle, but reeling from a Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s side has lacked their usual dominance this season, struggling with injuries and defensive lapses. Liverpool, meanwhile, was held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa during the week. Despite their strong league form, inconsistency in key moments has left them vulnerable. A positive result at the Etihad would strengthen their title charge, while a slip-up could open the door for Arsenal, who have quietly built momentum in recent weeks. Beyond the title race, the weekend offers plenty of intrigue across the league. Arsenal host West Ham, as they look to keep the pressure on Liverpool. The Hammers, who have lost their last two games, face a difficult task against an in-form Gunners side. Chelsea, still struggling for consistency, travel to Aston Villa after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Brighton. Meanwhile, Manchester United face Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off, with both teams looking to climb out of mid-table mediocrity. With the season entering a decisive phase, every point matters. Fans can catch all the weekend’s action, including Sunday’s high-stakes clash between City and Liverpool, live on Showmax Premier League mobile. Sign up at www.showmax.com

Man Utd scouts Osimhen

Fola Badmus7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to monitor Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, according to talkSPORT. Osimhen, 26, recently scored twice in Galatasaray’s 2-1 victory over Rizespor, further solidifying their lead at the top of the table. This performance has reportedly intensified United’s interest as they seek to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window. However, securing Osimhen’s signature may prove challenging. The Nigerian international commands a significant wage, reportedly around £200,000 per week, and is keen to play in the Champions League. While United are interested, they face competition from other clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly preparing for the departure of Randal Kolo Muani. Osimhen has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, stating last year, “Future in the Premier League? Of course, I would like to play it one day, for now I have other plans for my career. When the time comes you will know everything.” Since acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United nearly a year ago, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented a cautious approach to spending, including workforce reductions to free up funds for player acquisitions. The club’s ability to make a substantial offer for Osimhen will likely depend on their financial position concerning Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). While sending scouts suggests United are exploring the possibility of a deal with both Napoli and the player, it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe will mandate squad trimming before any major purchases. Osimhen’s prolific 2022/23 season, where he scored 26 goals in 32 games and led Napoli to the Serie A title, earned him the African Player of the Year award for 2023. Napoli subsequently extended his contract, including a £113 million release clause, to protect their asset. Despite this, his goal-scoring form dipped slightly the following season, making European giants hesitant to trigger the release clause. The arrival of Antonio Conte at Napoli further complicated Osimhen’s situation, leading to his season-long loan to Galatasaray. There, he has rediscovered his scoring touch, leading the club to the top of the Turkish league.

EPL: Calvin Bassey seals Fulham victory over Forest

Fola Badmus7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Fulham showed their aerial dominance as two headed goals helped them secure a 2-1 win over Premier League top-four contenders Nottingham Forest. Chris Wood netted his 18th goal of the season at Craven Cottage but it was not enough for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as headers from Emile Smith Rowe and Calvin Bassey allowed Manchester City and Bournemouth to close the gap on Forest in third. It was a third successive victory in all competitions for Fulham following back-to-back wins against Newcastle in the league and Wigan in the FA Cup last Saturday. Marco Silva opted to start Adama Traore on the right and the decision was nearly repaid in the 12th minute when his looped cross to the head of Raul Jimenez went narrowly wide of the bottom left corner as Forest’s poor marking went unpunished. Shortly afterwards, the winger was involved in another move which this time saw Fulham rewarded for their quick start. A series of precise passing saw the hosts beat Forest’s press and, after Traore received the ball out wide, he used the inside of his weaker left foot to curve a cross to the surging Smith Rowe, who nodded past Matz Sels from inside the six-yard area. The opener, which was a team goal that saw goalkeeper Bernd Leno play a part in the build-up, highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides with Forest hardly getting a touch on the ball in the final third. Nuno’s men beat Brighton 7-0 in their last league match, but sloppy passes in the midfield and a willingness to sit deep with their back five invited more pressure as they struggled to replicate that performance. This meant Fulham continued to barrage the goal, with Sels forced to tip Jimenez’s creative outside-of-the-boot shot wide in the 30th minute.

Rashford completes Aston Villa loan move

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old forward had also been linked with moves to AC Milan and Barcelona this month after falling out of favour at his boyhood club. Rashford, who joined United at the age of seven, has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since breaking into the first team in 2016 but has not played since December 12. A statement read: “Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. “The England international, capped 60 times by the Three Lions, joins Villa on a deal until the end of the season.” The PA news agency understands Villa will cover at least 75 per cent of Rashford’s £300,000-plus weekly salary. That figure could reach up to 90 per cent depending on performance-based bonuses and the option to make the move permanent is reported to be £40million. Villa have also secured an option to buy the player in the summer. Rashford’s future has dominated the headlines throughout the transfer window having admitted he was “ready for a new challenge” after being dropped for the derby against Manchester City on December 15. It now seems his appearance against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League three days earlier could turn out to be his last for United. Rashford failed to impress new United manager Ruben Amorim, who said this week the forward “has to change” to have a future at Old Trafford. Rashford said in a statement on Instagram: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen. “I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started. “I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”

Premier Leaague: Onuachu’s late strike seals Southampton win

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

A Paul Onuachu’s 87th minute strike sealed victory for Southampton against Premier League fellow strugglers Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday. Despite entering the game as the Premier League’s lowest scorers, Ivan Juric’s side drew first blood thanks to a volley from another Nigerian international, Joe Aribo. The visitors have consistently demonstrated defensive vulnerabilities this season however, and Ipswich were back on level terms just ten minutes later. Liam Delap exploited the visitors’ high line before sliding his strike beyond Aaron Ramsdale to mark the ninth goal of the season for the England youth international. A point would have seen Ipswich climb out of the relegation zone but they were unable to hang on and were undone when Onuachu netted a winner from close range in the closing stages.

David Moyes returns to Everton

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago05 mins

Everton have confirmed the return of David Moyes as head coach, with the Scot becoming Sean Dyche’s replacement at Goodison Park. Dyche was sacked by the Toffees just hours before the team’s FA Cup third-round contest against Peterborough United on Thursday night, but the team managed to record a 2-0 victory in order to progress to the next stage. There has been widespread speculation surrounding a possible return for Moyes in recent days, and the Scot’s switch back to the Merseyside giants has now been confirmed ahead of Everton’s next Premier League match against Aston Villa on January 15. Moyes was previously in charge of Everton between March 2002 and June 2013, and he has since managed Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham United. The 61-year-old’s second spell at West Ham came to an end in May, but he is now back in the Premier League and will be aiming to guide Everton away from the Premier League relegation zone in the coming weeks. Moyes told Everton’s official website: “It’s great to be back! I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn’t hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club. “I’m excited to be working with The Friedkin Group and I am looking forward to helping them rebuild the club. “Now we need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in getting behind the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team.” Meanwhile, Everton’s executive chairman Marc Watts said: “We are pleased that David is joining us at this pivotal time in Everton’s history. With over a decade of experience at the club, he is the right leader to propel us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium. We look forward to working with David to build the foundation of a new era for Everton.” Moyes was previously Everton manager between March 2002 and June 2013, taking charge of 518 matches, boasting a record of 218 wins, 139 draws and 161 defeats, giving him a win percentage of 42.08. The Toffees made the 2009 FA Cup final under Moyes, while they also enjoyed four European campaigns, with their best Premier League season coming in 2004-05, when they finished fourth. Everton finished 11th in 2005-06, but they then claimed sixth, fifth, fifth, eighth, seventh, seventh and sixth during an impressive period; it has been a struggle for the Merseyside club in recent seasons, though, finishing 16th, 17th and 15th in their last three campaigns. Moyes is taking charge of a Toffees outfit that are currently 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, having picked up only 17 points from their opening 19 matches of the campaign. The Toffees are without a victory in the Premier League since December 4, while they have only won one of their last 11 fixtures in the top flight of English football. Moyes’ first match in his second spell at the helm will come at home to Aston Villa on January 15, before welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to Goodison Park on January 19.

Liverpool joins race for Osimhen

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

Premier League league leaders Liverpool are reportedly the latest club linked with a move for Victor Osimhen. Prior to his move to Galatasaray on loan last summer, a number of clubs including Chelsea tried to complete a swoop but ultimately fell short. Before he joined the Super Lig side, Napoli had reduced his release clause to approximately £63million and a rare break clause had been created. From the Premier League clubs, it is likely Arsenal and Chelsea will have been included considering their positions in the top flight and the Blues’ previous interest. With the Reds still asessing their striker options, they could be guaranteed too. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also possibilities along with Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side already have Erling Haaland and Osimhen would only be keen to join a club where he would be the main man. Outside of England, La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are almost certain to be included in the list. Paris Saint-Germain could also be there considering they would be able to afford Osimhen’s wages following Kylian Mbappe’s summer exit.

Everton sacks manager Sean Dyche

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago04 mins

Premier League strugglers Everton sacked manager Sean Dyche on Thursday, just hours before their FA Cup third-round tie against Peterborough. Speculation about Dyche’s future had intensified with reports suggesting Everton’s new owners, the US-based Friedkin Group, were talking to potential successors since completing a £400 million ($492 million) takeover last month. Everton said in a statement Dyche had been “relieved of his duties as senior men’s first-team manager with immediate effect” after two years in charge, with the process to appoint a new boss under way. The Toffees are once again battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League after winning just one of their past 11 games, with that sole success coming against fellow drop candidates Wolves in December. Everton Under-18s head coach Leighton Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman will take charge against third-tier Peterborough on an interim basis while the Liverpool side seek a permanent replacement for Dyche. Former Manchester United and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, currently in charge of Turkish club Fenerbahce, has recently been linked with Everton. Mourinho has experience of working with the Friedkin Group at Roma, although the Italian club sacked him just under a year ago. David Moyes, who managed Everton between 2002 and 2013, ex-England coach Gareth Southgate, Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola are also among the reported contenders to succeed Dyche. Everton have won only three times in 19 league matches this season and are languishing in 16th place, with only one point separating them from the relegation zone. Asked earlier this week if the club were considering his position, Dyche’s answer suggested he knew the sack could be looming. “To be clear, it should be,” the former Burnley boss said. “At the end of the day, if you’re a business of this size, succession planning should surely be part of their diligence. I’ve got no problem with that at all. “I think the noise has grown very powerful here. It does. But we’ve had it before. “The players haven’t lacked effort but it’s obviously affecting them because you can see it in their performances.” Dyche took charge at Everton in January 2023 and kept them in the top-flight despite numerous issues, including last season’s points deduction for breaching Premier League rules on profit and sustainability. They finished 17th in Dyche’s first season, avoiding the drop with a victory against Bournemouth on the last day, and came 15th last term, extending their streak of being ever-present in English football’s top-flight since 1954. But chief among Everton’s problems under the 53-year-old Englishman were a lack of entertainment and a paucity of goals. Everton’s tally of just 15 this season is the second worst in the Premier League, behind only bottom of the table Southampton’s 12.