Sports

Just in: Man city wobbles after 3-0 lead as Feynoord from behind equalises

Published

2 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Manchester City’s players were booed by their own fans Tuesday after blowing a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League to extend their winless run to six games.

Jeers rang around the Etihad Stadium after the final whistle of a dramatic 3-3 draw.

“They are disappointed. Of course we understand it,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “They are completely right to express what they feel.”

After five-straight losses in all competitions, City looked to be cruising to victory after going three up inside 50 minutes. But Feyenoord mounted an improbable comeback and leveled the game in the 89th to leave the home crowd stunned.

While the worst losing streak of Guardiola’s managerial career was brought to an end, his wait for a first win since Oct. 26 goes on.

Erling Haaland had scored twice, with Ilkay Gundogan also on target to put City in control. But goals from Anis Hadj Moussa in the 75th, Santiago Gimenez in the 82nd and David Hancko in the 89th turned the game on its head.

According to stats supplier Opta, it was the first time in Guardiola’s managerial career that his team had failed to win a game after leading 3-0. It said it was the first time City had failed to win from that position since 1989.

“We lost a lot of games lately, we are fragile and of course we need a victory,” Guardiola said. “The game was good for the confidence, we were playing a good level, but the first time something happened we had problems.”

A win would have moved City up to fifth in the Champions League standings, but the draw left it 15th with three games remaining in the first phase of the competition.

The top eight teams advance to the round of 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th go into a playoff.

City’s players, including Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and Haaland looked visibly frustrated as they left the field to cheers from the delirious traveling Dutch fans in the away section of the stadium.

“If you are 3-0 up at home you can never give it away like this. It is what it is at the moment. The only thing we can do is fight back and stay strong,” City defender Nathan Ake said.

City plays Premier League leader Liverpool on Sunday — defeat would leave it 11 points adrift of its title rival.

“We will learn for the future. It has been and will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it,” said Guardiola, who had a cut on his nose during the game. He said it had been caused when he scratched it with his fingernail.

Sports

UCL: Vinicius slams UEFA as he misses Liverpool vs Real Madrid clash

Published

1 day ago

November 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has hit out at UEFA after picking up an injury that rules him out of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash at Liverpool.

The LaLiga champions have confirmed that Vinicius has a hamstring problem and will miss the next three weeks of action.

The Brazilian has now lashed out at the packed fixture list.

Vinicius took a full part in their 3-0 win against Leganes on Sunday but will not travel to Merseyside due to “an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg.”

In a message on social media, Vinicius pointed the finger of blame at executives behind a hectic fixture schedule that has most notably seen UEFA expand the Champions League by at least two matches, writing: “Crazy calendar. Time to recover.”

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will also be without Lucas Vazquez and Aurelien Tchouameni for the match.

Sports

Mohamed Salah Speaks On Dumping Liverpool Amid Contract Delay

Published

1 day ago

November 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool forward says he is “disappointed” by the club’s failure to offer him a new contract – and looks more likely to leave than stay.

The 32-year-old, Liverpool’s top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions, is out of contract at the end of the season.

Salah scored twice in the 3-2 win against Southampton on Sunday, including the winner from the penalty spot, to take Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Egypt forward, who joined the Reds from Roma in 2017, told reporters, external after the win at St Mary’s: “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club.

“I’m probably more out than in.”

Asked if he was disappointed that he is yet to receive an offer, Salah said: “Of course, yeah.

“I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see.”

Liverpool have not publicly commented on Salah’s remarks.

A club source told BBC Sport that contact between Liverpool and Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, is ongoing and has been positive.

Only Manchester City forward Erling Halaand has scored more Premier League goals than Salah this season, with the Egyptian netting 10 times in the top flight.

According to Opta, Salah’s goals and assists have been worth 17 points to Liverpool this season – the most of any player in the division.

Salah signed a three-year contract extension with the club in 2022, with that deal set to expire in the summer.

“You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this,” said Salah.

“I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands. Let’s wait and see.”

Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and club captain Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the same time as Salah.

Liverpool rejected a £150m offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in September 2023 and multiple sources have reported that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) remains interested in bringing Salah to the Saudi Arabia Pro League.

Following a 3-0 win against Manchester United in September, Salah said he treated the game as if it was the “last time” he would play at Old Trafford.

After scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory against Brighton this month that took Liverpool top of the table, Salah wrote on X: “No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like.”

Sports

NPFL: Rivers United return to summit, Remo Stars fall

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Rivers United reclaimed top position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, after a 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors.

Former Akwa United striker Ndifreke Effiong netted the winning goal for Finidi George’s side in the 58th minute.

Rivers United top the standings with 25 points from 13 points.

Azeez Falolu and Boslam Dawi scored both goals as Katsina United defeated Remo Stars 2-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

Shooting Stars returned to winning ways courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Bayelsa United. Anthony Okachi scored the decisive goal after 16 minutes.

Former champions Plateau United claimed a 2-0 victory over Nasarawa United in Jos. Shina Kumater scored an own goal in the 51st minute to hand Plateau United the lead. Olawale Doyeni doubled the home team’s advantage nine minutes from time.