Sports

Man City Truise Towards Champions League Quarters In Copenhagen

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2024

Manchester City closed in on the Champions League quarter-finals with a dominant display to beat FC Copenhagen 3-1 in the Danish capital on Tuesday.

Kevin De Bruyne’s early opener was cancelled out against the run of play by Magnus Mattsson.

Bernardo Silva restored City’s lead before half-time, but they had to wait until stoppage time to add further punishment for the hosts as Phil Foden turned home De Bruyne’s cut-back.

The English champions have now won 11 consecutive games in all competitions as they remain on course to repeat last season’s treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

Copenhagen had not played a competitive game for two months since sealing their place in the last 16 by dumping out Manchester United and Galatasaray in the group stages.

That lack of match sharpness from the Danish champions showed in the early stages as City stormed out of the blocks.

De Bruyne headed a glorious chance wide and Kamil Grabara denied Ruben Dias with a fine save inside six minutes.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper had no chance when De Bruyne broke the deadlock on 10 minutes with a clinical low finish from Foden’s pass.

Jack Grealish had been surprisingly handed just his second start of the year by Guardiola, but the England international lasted just 15 minutes before he pulled up with a suspected groin injury.

The visitors barely skipped a beat with the enforced change as Jeremy Doku replaced Grealish and nearly set up a spectacular goal for Erling Haaland.

Doku cushioned Rodri’s pass into the path of the Norwegian, who contorted his giant frame to meet the cross acrobatically on the volley but the ball flew wide.

City had enjoyed nearly 80 per cent possession and barely let Copenhagen inside their half for the first 35 minutes, yet were made to pay for one moment of sloppiness.

Ederson’s poor clearance was straight into the path of Mohamed Elyounoussi and his blocked shot fell to Mattson to mark his debut with a stunning strike from outside the box.

City regained their composure and the lead before half-time.

Mattson was unfortunate as his attempted clearance ricocheted off De Bruyne and perfectly into the path of Silva to flick beyond Grabara.

The Copenhagen goalkeeper kept his side in the tie in the early stages of the second period with spectacular stops to deny De Bruyne and Doku.

Grabara then twice won a head-to-head battle with Haaland in stoppage time.

City were keen to build up a comfortable advantage with the second leg falling between crucial Premier League games against Manchester United and Liverpool next month.

And they finally got the third goal that should have killed off the tie when the in-form Foden slammed home his 15th goal of the season as City extended their unbeaten run in European competitions to 21 games.

AFP

Sports

Former Manchester United Striker, Carlos Tevez Rushed To Hospital

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2024

Editor

Former Argentina international Carlos Tevez has been admitted to hospital after suffering chest pains.

The former Manchester United and Manchester City striker reportedly spent the night at a clinic in the upmarket Buenos Aires neighbourhood of San Isidro after seeking medical help.

He was due to undergo more tests today at another nearby hospital.

The club he manages, top-flight Argentinian side Independiente, confirmed his hospital admission overnight as it said the initial results had been ‘satisfactory.’

Local reports have linked the problems to stress. Tevez has yet to make any official comment.

Independente said in an overnight statement on X, formerly Twitter after initially denying the father-of-three had been admitted to the hospital: ‘Our coach, Carlos Tevez, went to the La Trinidad Hospital in San Isidro with chest pain.

‘They carried out the corresponding tests and they were satisfactory.

‘Today he will continue with a series of tests scheduled in advance as part of a general check-up.’

It added in a subsequent message: ‘Carlos Tevez will be hospitalised as a precaution until the corresponding tests are completed.’

It was not immediately clear whether he would be able to attend a club training session scheduled for later today.

The hospital where he is set to undergo further tests has been named the Finochietto Hospital in Buenos Aires.

Tevez is understood to suffer from high blood pressure and regularly undergoes medical checks.

Sports

Two Premier League Stars Arrested In R@pe Probe, Suspended By Cub’

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2024

Editor

Two Premier League stars who were both arrested in a police rape probe have now reportedly been suspended by their football club.

The two unnamed footballers, both 19, are from the same club and were arrested over the weekend after the alleged victim made a report to police.

One player, 19, was reportedly spoken to by police on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape at the club stadium before he was formally arrested after leaving the grounds.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

Both players have since been released on bail pending further enquiries, police have said.

The alleged rape reportedly took place on Friday night, with the alleged victim contacting police and filing a formal complaint hours later.

The force said: ‘Officers have arrested two men following a report of a rape.

‘A 19-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (20 April) on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape. A second 19-year-old man was arrested on Sunday (21 April) on suspicion of rape.

‘Both men have since been released on police bail.’

A club spokesman told The Sun yesterday: ‘As the matter is now in the hands of the police, the Football Club will not be making further comment at this stage.’

Police officers arrived at the stadium to speak to the footballer and spoke with him in a private room, a source told the paper.

They said the player left with another person and was arrested that night.

It is not the first time the Premier League has been at the centre of a police investigation over an alleged rape.

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, 22, was charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour in October 2022.

The case against him was subsequently dropped in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew. Greenwood denied all the allegations against him.

After an internal club investigation, the decision was taken to send Greenwood out on loan to Spanish club Getafe.

Sports

20-year-old English Midfielder, Bellingham Wins 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough Award

Published

4 days ago

April 23, 2024

Editor

Jude Bellingham has been awarded the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year prize in recognition of his startling season for Real Madrid and England.

The 20-year-old English midfielder established himself as the Spanish giants’ main man since moving to the club from Borussia Dortmund last summer,

Bellingham, who has a tally of 21 goals produced another starring role in Sunday’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona.

He scored the late winner that secured a 3-2 win over Barcelona.

Jude Bellingham wins 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic and Aitana Bonmati were the other big winners at the ceremony held in the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid on Monday night.

Djokovic was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time after winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open to lead the way with 24 grand slam men’s singles titles.

‘I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award,’ said Djokovic.

‘I think back to 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.

‘It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months.

‘I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.’

The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards took place on Monday 22 April in Madrid, celebrating the leading names in sport from across the globe.