Goals, assists and still underrated – Firmino's Liverpool career in Opta numbers

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Goals, assists and still underrated – Firmino's Liverpool career in Opta numbers

Underrated and often outshone, forward Roberto Firmino is enjoying his best campaign yet at Liverpool. The Brazil international was rewarded for his performances this season with a long-term extension by the Premier League giants on Sunday. Firmino, 26, has been a fine contributor for Liverpool since his arrival in 2015, but with first Philippe Coutinho and now Mohamed Salah taking centre stage, his displays have sometimes gone under-appreciated. But he is enjoying his best campaign yet at Anfield and has led the way for the Reds since making the move from Hoffenheim. We take a look at the Opta numbers behind Firmino's career at Liverpool so far. "I love the fans. Every time I go into the city centre and see the fans, they always greet me and I feel very well here in the city. The fans are fantastic to me."  pic.twitter.com/fcAsC10y5L — Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 29, 2018 50 – Firmino has scored 50 goals in all competitions for Liverpool – the most of any player since the Brazil star made his debut in August 2015. 32 – He has contributed 32 assists – also a team-high since his arrival. James Milner (29) and Coutinho (24) are the next best. 82 – With 82, he clearly tops the list for goals and assists combined during this period, ahead of Coutinho (62 – 38 goals, 24 assists).  pic.twitter.com/Y3qn6cIcNT — Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 29, 2018 36 – The only Brazilian to score more Premier League goals than Firmino (36) is Coutinho (41), but is seemingly set to surge past his former team-mate. 27 – Firmino has scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, easily bettering his previous two tallies of 11 and 12 for Liverpool. 21.3 – After holding a shot conversion rate of 10.3 per cent in each of his first two campaigns at Anfield, he has improved to 21.3 per cent in 2017-18. 42 – With 27 goals and 15 assists, Firmino's direct involvement in 42 goals for Liverpool this season is more than he managed in his first two campaigns combined (40). 42 - Roberto Firmino has been directly involved in 42 goals for Liverpool this season (27 goals, 15 assists); two more than in his previous two seasons combined. Rewarded. https://t.co/g8pjH8wtd1 — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 29, 2018 8 – He relishes the big occasion, having contributed to eight goals against Manchester City (four goals, four assists) and Arsenal (five goals, three assists) – his best returns against any opponent.

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Iniesta exit deprives Barca of humble star who kept winning

Football – Inquirer Sports

Iniesta exit deprives Barca of humble star who kept winning

BARCELONA, Spain — Andres Iniesta means so much more to Barcelona than the 30-plus titles he helped add to its trophy case. The Spaniard, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, was pure elegance with the ball, and a popular player off the field. As Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu put it, […]

The post Iniesta exit deprives Barca of humble star who kept winning appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

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Derry City drop points at home against Shamrock Rovers

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie

Derry City drop points at home against Shamrock Rovers

Derry City dropped their first points of the season at home in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tonight after playing out a scoreless with Shamrock Rovers.

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FIFA 18: This is what happens if Cristiano Ronaldo played in League One

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FIFA 18: This is what happens if Cristiano Ronaldo played in League One

Cristiano Ronaldo may be used to playing with the best footballers on the planet – but what would happen if he joined League One?

Youtuber BFordLancer48 decided to find out, using FIFA 18’s career mode.

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To start with, he placed the 33-year-old in the Portsmouth team – making him the only player in that squad to have a rating in the 90s.

Everyone else has scores in the 60s – so it’s going to be a challenge for him.

The YouTuber then simmed half of the season to how the team did. Let’s take a look and see how the got on.

Not bad, not bad at all.

At the half-way point, Portsmouth are in sixth place and have scored 31 goals in 25 games. Surely Ronaldo’s the top scorer, right?

Ronaldo’s team are in sixth place

Well, well, well – when we look at the top 25 scorers, Ronaldo’s nowhere to be seen.

On closer inspection it’s Maddison who’s scored the bulk of the goals – with 10. Another Portsmouth player Milan Lalkovič lies in 17th place with a (sort of) respectable 8 goals.

What is going on?

Well this is awkward

Anyway, onwards and upwards – maybe the former Real Madrid star’s just taking time to get used to the pace of League One football.

Portsmouth make it through to the playoffs but sadly don’t do enough to advance to the Championship.

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They end up finishing a respectable fourth – with Ronaldo proving he’s not a one-man team.

In fact, when we look at the end-of-season top scorers, the Portuguese ace only managed 13 – squeezing into the top 10.

Grigg is better than Ronaldo… it just doesn’t sound right

Who came first, I hear you ask?

Step forward Will Grigg, who proved well and truly on fire this season – with a brilliant 22 goals.

Maybe Real Madrid should consider a swap?

NOW WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW.

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Wenger insists he was 'happy' with timing of departure announcement

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Wenger insists he was 'happy' with timing of departure announcement

Arsene Wenger insists the announcement of his decision to leave Arsenal was made at the right time.

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UEFA 'shocked by vile attack' on Liverpool fan

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UEFA 'shocked by vile attack' on Liverpool fan

UEFA is "deeply shocked" by the "vile attack" which left a Liverpool fan in a critical condition before Tuesday's Champions League match with Roma. Reports emerged of violence between the two sets of fans shortly before kick-off at Anfield, as Liverpool went on to win the semi-final first leg 5-2. Merseyside Police confirmed the force was investigating a "serious assault" of a man outside The Albert pub, located close to Anfield on Walton Breck Road. After making a social media appeal for information, Merseyside Police confirmed the arrests of two men from Rome, aged 25 and 26, in connection with the incident. The victim, a 53-year-old man said to be a Liverpool fan, suffered a head injury and was taken to a local hospital in a critical condition. UEFA slammed the attack as "vile", but will wait until "full reports" have been received before deciding to take any action themselves. "UEFA is deeply shocked by the vile attack that occurred ahead of the Liverpool FC v AS Roma match and our thoughts are with the victim and his family," a statement from the governing body read. "The perpetrators of this ignominious attack have no place in and around football and we trust they will be dealt with utmost severity by the authorities. "UEFA is waiting to receive full reports before deciding on potential disciplinary charges."  

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What will happen to Mohamed Salah next season based on the last ten Player of the Year winners?

Dream Team FC

What will happen to Mohamed Salah next season based on the last ten Player of the Year winners?

Is the PFA Player of the Year award cursed?

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the latest star to have his name etched on the prestigious trophy, fighting off serious competition in the form of Kevin De Bruyne.

But how will he follow such an extraordinary season?

‘When you get a bottle of Grey Goose in the club’PA:Press Association

We looked back at how the last ten winners of the award performed the season after being confirmed as the league’s very best…

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2007/08 winner

Ronaldo picked up his second Player of the Year award in 2008 having also won it the year before.

The following season, which would turn out to be his last at Old Trafford, was marred with constant rumours of a move to Madrid.

He finished the campaign with 13 fewer goals than the previous season, despite playing one game more.

Appearances: 33

Goals: 18

Assists: 6

PA:Press Association Player of the Year but also ‘Worst Dressed’[/caption]

Ryan Giggs – 2008/09 winner

Giggs won the award in 2009 despite having started just 12 league games when he received the trophy.

Even though he was one year closer to settling in a retirement home, Giggsy featured heavily for United the following season and his stats actually improved.

The Welshman bettered both his goals and assists tally from his award-winning season.

Appearances: 25

Goals: 5

Assists: 9

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Wayne Rooney – 2009/10 winner

Remember when Rooney was actually really bloody good?

Despite scoring ‘that’ bicycle kick (we all know it was a shin) against City and also becoming the third United player to score 100 Premier League goals, Rooney’s following season was poor in comparison.

He announced that he wanted to leave the club and the dispute with Fergie raged on all season.

Appearances: 28

Goals: 11

Assists: 11

ShinPA:Press Association

Gareth Bale – 2010/11

In 2011, Bale picked up what would turn out to be his first of two Player of the Year awards.

The following season, the Spurs man actually performed significantly better than his previous season, but missed out on the award due to the form of Robin Van Persie.

Appearances: 36

Goals: 9

Assists: 10

PA:Press Association Give us a smile, Gareth[/caption]

Robin Van Persie – 2011/12 winner

The Dutchman had an incredible season in 2011/12 and carried Arsenal into the top four.

He jumped ship at the end of the season and joined long-time rivals Man United.

RVP continued his impressive form the following year and proved crucial as Fergie bowed out of Old Trafford with title success.

Appearances: 38

Goals: 26

Assists: 9

‘Wenger sheds a tear’PA:Empics Sport

Gareth Bale – 2012/2013 winner

Following his remarkable form for Spurs in 2013, Bale got his dream move to Real Madrid in the summer.

The Welshman had an impressive first season in Spain, helping Los Blancos win the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Bale first season at the club is also his second highest scoring season in Spain so far.

Appearances: 27

Goals: 15
Assists: 13

Handball!AFP

Luis Suarez – 2013/14 winner

Just like Bale, Suarez left England the season after winning the award — omens for Salah perhaps?

He finally got his move to Barcelona after a spree of feasting on opponents.

The Uruguay international racked up some big numbers in his first season in La Liga, working wonders alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Appearances: 27

Goals: 16
Assists: 17

What a day this wasAFP

Eden Hazard – 2014/15 winner

Hazard’s decline following his award-winning season is probably the most shocking of the lot.

The Belgian’s woeful form, just one season after helping Chelsea to dominate the league, contributed to the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

Hazard didn’t register a goal in the league until January 2016, he did score the goal which ended Spurs’ title hopes though.

Appearances: 31

Goals: 4
Assists: 3

Terrible handwriting

Riyad Mahrez – 2015/16 winner

The season after being crowned Player of the Year, Mahrez did his best to copy Hazard and performed rather terribly.

The Algerian produced nowhere near the levels he reached during Leicester’s title-winning fairy tale.

Mahrez’s poor performances contributed to Claudio Ranieri’s harsh sacking and left Leicester in a relegation scrap.

Appearances: 36

Goals: 6
Assists: 3

Ranieri had no idea he was about to be snakedPA:Empics Sport

N’Golo Kante – 2016/17 winner

Kante finally got his hands on the personal accolade after he won the league with Chelsea.

The Frenchman has done his best to keep up his form in an otherwise poor Chelsea side this season.

At times it has looked as though Kante is missing Matic alongside him, especially with Bakayoko’s sub-par efforts in the Serbian’s place.

Appearances: 30

Goals: 1
Assists: 1

Vardy resisting the urge to nut KanteReuters

What will next season hold for Salah…

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Why everyone should be excited about the Serie A title race Remembering Stewart Downing’s tragicomedy season for Liverpool in 2011/12 Germany’s left-back will probably be playing in the second division next season

 

 

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Arsenal must appoint Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone to replace Arsene Wenger, urges Gary Neville

Football news - transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures | The Sun

Arsenal must appoint Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone to replace Arsene Wenger, urges Gary Neville

DIEGO SIMEONE is the only man to replace Arsene Wenger, urges Gary Neville.

Simeone faces Wenger on Thursday when he brings Atetico Madrid to the Emirates for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Diego Simeone is Gary Neville’s choice to succeed Arsene WengerAFP or licensors

And Sky Sports pundit Neville says: “Luis Enrique is the favourite and I’m asking the question, looking at it from a football point of view, who is the right person to take over at Arsenal?

“They have to have a manager who can punch above their weight, and the outstanding candidate for me is Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.

“Season after season he has challenged, not just in the Champions League but in La Liga too…

“[And] with a team that has a big budget but nowhere near that of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Neville says Arsenal ‘have to have an outstanding manager and Simeone is that man’AFP or licensors

The Atletico Madrid boss has challenged season after season in the Champions League and La Liga

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“What the new Arsenal manager is taking on with Manchester City and Manchester United, and to a lesser extent Chelsea, is huge financial might. £150m, £200m ploughed into the team each season.

“If you’re going to compete with that, you have to have an outstanding manager to do so, and Simeone is that manager in Europe at this time.

WANTED MAN Arsene Wenger already getting job offers, reveals former Arsenal chief David Dein

“He has continually done it.”

Former England and Manchester United right-back Neville was head coach at Valencia so has first hand experience of Simeone.

Arsene Wenger is bowing out at the end of the seasonAFP or licensors Simeone has twice taken Atletico to the Champions League finalEPA

The 47-year-old won La Liga in 2013-14, the Copa del Ray (2012-13) and the Europa League (2011-12).

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He has also led Atletico two two losing Champions League finals in 2013-14 and 2015-16.

According to the bookies, former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is the favourite to be the next Arsenal manager at 7/2.

Carlo Ancelotti can be backed at 5/1, while Patrick Vieira is priced at 8/1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Zach Johnson and Andrew Landry tied for lead in Texas

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie

Zach Johnson and Andrew Landry tied for lead in Texas

Zach Johnson joined fellow American Andrew Landry to tie for the lead ahead of the final day of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.

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Vieira 'flattered' by Arsenal link

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Vieira 'flattered' by Arsenal link

Patrick Vieira is flattered to be named among the potential candidates to succeed Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but claims he is happy at New York City. The Frenchman was an integral member of Wenger's successful early teams at Highbury, winning three Premier League titles and three FA Cups between 1996 and 2005. He later played for Juventus, Inter and Manchester City, and is now coaching the latter's sister club in Major League Soccer. Arsenal announced Wenger's impending departure on Friday, prompting some to suggest Vieira could take over at Emirates Stadium. The 41-year-old, speaking to New York radio station WNYE, offered a cautious response to the speculation.   "I spent nine years at Arsenal, which makes the club really special for me," he said. "But that is not enough to coach the team. "I am always flattered to hear my name linked with different football clubs. That is good for your ego but at the same time, I am happy here. "We will see what will happen in the next couple of years." Thank you for everything pic.twitter.com/FT5rDt5Hzt — Patrick Vieira (@OfficialVieira) April 20, 2018 Before the news emerged that he is set to quit, Wenger himself had said this week that Vieira could be considered a future Arsenal manager.  "He's a guy who has the potential one day, yes," Wenger said. "I've followed his managerial career. I think he does very well but overall, this Premier League is special. "You have to come in and there are plenty of former players who played here who have potential, the intelligence and knowledge to do it."

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Arsene Wenger's best and worst Arsenal signings

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie

Arsene Wenger's best and worst Arsenal signings

Arsene Wenger has today announced he will leave Arsenal at the end of the season after almost 22 years in charge.

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Arsene Wenger dismisses speculation over Patrick Vieira

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie

Arsene Wenger dismisses speculation over Patrick Vieira

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has played down speculation over his future at the Emirates Stadium amid reports linking Patrick Vieira with the manager's job.

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Critical errors cost TFC in 1st leg of Champions League vs. Chivas

Sportsnet.ca

Critical errors cost TFC in 1st leg of Champions League vs. Chivas

Soccer reporter John Molinaro joined Sportsnet 590 The FAN to help break down the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final in which Toronto FC fell 2-1 at home to Chivas Guadalajara.

[radioclip id=3997359]

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European leagues oppose plan for 48-team 2022 World Cup

Sportsnet.ca

European leagues oppose plan for 48-team 2022 World Cup

GENEVA — Top European leagues are set to oppose FIFA plans for adding more teams and playing days at the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to study a 48-team tournament plan that would add 16 teams, 16 extra games and at least four days to the scheduled 28-day event kicking off in November 2022 in Qatar.

That schedule would likely take another round of weekend fixtures from the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and others which already must shut down in mid-season.

"We are not prepared to make any changes on the calendar for expanding the 2022 World Cup." Lars-Christer Olsson, CEO of the 32-member European Leagues group, said on Monday.

"We have already been flexible to allow the World Cup to be played in the (Qatari) winter and have agreed the dates," Olsson said, adding "we are not prepared for the duration of the World Cup to be any longer."

Infantino’s support last week for a 48-team World Cup ahead of the agreed expansion for the 2026 edition comes more than seven years after Qatar won hosting rights from FIFA’s then-executive committee.

Qatar bid to stage a 32-team, 64-game tournament in June-July 2022 despite the searing desert heat, with a pledge to develop stadium cooling technology.

In 2013, FIFA started consulting soccer officials worldwide in an 18-month process that reached an expected conclusion — to push back the schedule and play in cooler months, with a Nov. 21-Dec. 18 schedule.

That shorter, 28-day program — instead of the typical 32-day tournament — was a concession to Europe where most World Cup players are employed, and leagues wanted the shortest possible forced shutdown.

FIFA’s calendar for national-team games, which mandates when clubs must release players, has a Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 call-up date for World Cup teams.

An extra four days on the 2022 World Cup program would likely mean moving up the World Cup program, and taking the Nov. 12-13 fixture dates away from European leagues.

"FIFA seems to be on an expansion drive," said Olsson, who this year joined UEFA’s executive committee to represent the leagues. "It’s time people thought about the players — they need time to rest. It cannot just be money deciding how football should be organized."

European clubs were the most vocal opponents of a November-December tournament before FIFA agreed on the switch to winter three years ago.

Soon after the accord, FIFA and the European Club Association representing more than 200 members signed a new working deal which guaranteed clubs worldwide a $209 million share of World Cup revenues from each of the 2018 tournament in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The money is distributed on a daily rate for players involved in the tournament to each club which employed him during the two previous years.

The ECA declined to comment last week when the 2022 World Cup expansion idea was announced on Thursday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at a meeting of South American soccer body CONMEBOL which was attended by Infantino.

FIFA does not pay a share of World Cup revenues to the European Leagues group.

The 2022 expansion plan could require Qatar to share hosting duties with some regional neighbours.

The gas-rich emirate is completing eight stadiums for a 64-game tournament, though FIFA’s ideal design for a 48-team, 80-game tournament calls for 12 venues.

Infantino’s suggested feasibility study to look at 2022 tournament expansion could be agreed on at scheduled meetings in Moscow ahead of the World Cup kicking off on June 14.

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Henshaw may return for Champions Cup semi-final

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie

Henshaw may return for Champions Cup semi-final

Robbie Henshaw could make a surprise return for Leinster in Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final against Scarlets.

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MLS takeaways: TFC stay focused on Champions League

Sportsnet.ca

MLS takeaways: TFC stay focused on Champions League

• Toronto FC 0, Colorado Rapids 2 (Price 2’, Gashi 78’) GAME RECAP IN A SENTENCE

With its focus firmly on the CONCACAF Champions League final, Toronto FC not so surprisingly dropped three points on Saturday in MLS play as coach Greg Vanney fielded a reserve side in Denver.

MAIN TALKING POINTS

1. Vanney plays the kids and reserves
Under-strength doesn’t even begin to describe the starting lineup that TFC coach Greg Vanney set out for this MLS regular season contest. Fresh off a historic midweek result against Club America, and with the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final against Chivas Guadalajara scheduled for Tuesday at BMO Field, Vanney made 10 lineup changes from the 1-1 draw at Estadio Azteca, with Drew Moor the only one who retained his place.

Choosing to prioritize the Champions League, Vanney decided to give most of his starters the night off – and, in fact, goalkeeper Alex Bono, defenders Auro and Gregory van der Wiel, midfielders Marky Delgado and Jonathan Osorio, and forwards Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore didn’t even travel to Colorado. Captain Michael Bradley did make the trip, but he was on the bench. Defenders Chris Mavinga and Justin Morrow, and playmaker Victor Vazquez remained unavailable due to injuries.

Vanney’s starting 11 featured seven players who had yet to earn a start in MLS this season, and four who hadn’t even played a single minute, including Jason Hernandez, who re-signed with the Reds on Friday (his previous appearance was Sept. 16, 2017). Two others made their first-team debuts for Toronto on Saturday: Liam Fraser and Ryan Telfer. Telfer was one of three players signed by the Reds from the TFC 2 farm club on Friday. Julian Dunn, a 17-year-old from TFC 2 who also signed in the lead-up this game, debuted as a second-half substitute.

2. Lack of cohesion
Vanney’s reserve side enjoyed 57 per cent possession, and produced 16 totals shots in the game, just one less than the Rapids. There was no lack of individual quality in this TFC lineup, but the lack of communication and cohesion was pretty clear from the start. For all of TFC’s possession, they offered very little going forward and hardly looked threatening in attack.

That was to be expected, considering the makeshift nature of the team that took to the field and that most of the players had never played with each other before Saturday.

On the bright side, some young kids and bench players picked up valuable playing time, while backup goalkeeper Clint Irwin, the Reds’ best player on the day, demonstrated his reflexes haven’t dulled due to the lack of playing time over the last two seasons.

3. Champions League is the priority
Vanney made no secret ahead of this game that he would start a makeshift lineup after the Reds flew straight from Mexico City to Colorado following their draw against Club America on Wednesday. As Saturday’s contest was another to be played at altitude, and with the short turnaround ahead of first leg against Chivas, it was the right call by Vanney to give so many of his starters the day off.

TFC won’t be pleased that they dropped another three points, and that they have just one win through the first four games of the MLS campaign. But there is still plenty of time to make up that ground. Let’s also not forget that the Reds earned just one win and a meagre seven points through their first six games of the 2017 campaign. They went on to win the Supporters’ Shield, set the record for most points in a regular season and won the MLS Cup.

The Champions League is the next step, the final frontier. Moments after beating Seattle in last year’s MLS Cup final, club president Bill Manning told Sportsnet they were already planning for the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League. This team’s ambition knows no bounds, and it goes into the this two-legged affair with Chivas as the favourite. They stand a great chance of being crowned the kings of CONCACAF, and if they manage to do it, this loss is going to be forgotten about rather quickly.

KEY MOMENT

2’ GOAL! Toronto FC 0, Colorado Rapids 1: It took the home side 80 seconds to open the scoring. Some early pressure by the Rapids caught TFC flat footed in the back, and Drew Moor made a horrible clearance down the middle. The ball found its way to the feet of Jack Price who had all kinds of time at the top of the box to tee it up before hitting a swerving shot past goalkeeper Clint Irwin and inside the far post. It was a steep, uphill battle for the Reds from that point.

You think @jacko_8 scored to celebrate @Wolves promotion to the Premier League? pic.twitter.com/yJpKavZ633

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) April 14, 2018

BURNING QUESTION

QUICK TAKE

Vanney’s decision to give Alex Bono the day off was a smart move. Not only did that allow the Reds’ starting goalkeeper to get some rest, but it also gave backup Irwin the chance to earn some valuable reps. Irwin took full advantage of the opportunity, as he made a number of important saves – including a pair of stellar stops on Colorado speedster Dominique Badji in the first half – to keep his team in the game. Irwin put in a man-of-the-match effort for TFC, and showed once again why he could be a starting goalkeeper on most MLS teams. You never know when or if Bono is going to pick up an injury, so it’s important to keep Irwin in the mix and involved this early in the season so that he’ll be ready to go if he is called upon.

Badji vs. @ClintIrwin: part 2#TFCLive | #COLvTOR pic.twitter.com/AVddqo4OzC

— Toronto FC (@torontofc) April 14, 2018

INTERESTING STAT

TFC defender Drew Moor started in his 350th MLS regular season game on Saturday. Moor is only the fifth player (non-goalkeeper) in league history to reach that milestone.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dominique Badji, Colorado Rapids: The Senegalese forward was a handful for TFC’s defenders, as he routinely split the back line with his speedy runs down the channels from deep positions. He forced Irwin to make a pair of solid saves in the first half, and it was his sprint down the left flank that forced Liam Fraser to commit the foul that led to teammate Shkëlzen Gashi converting from the penalty spot to seal the win.

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Neymar ‘about a month’ away from comeback after operation

Football – Inquirer Sports

Neymar ‘about a month’ away from comeback after operation

Neymar has told Brazilian television he still needs around a month to recover from a foot operation, as the Paris Saint-Germain superstar targets a return to full fitness in time for the World Cup. “I need about a month, but it is healing well. Everything is happening normally,” Neymar, who has not played since breaking […]

The post Neymar ‘about a month’ away from comeback after operation appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

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Arsenal overcomes scare to reach Europa League semis

Sportsnet.ca

Arsenal overcomes scare to reach Europa League semis

MOSCOW — Arsenal overcame a scare against CSKA Moscow Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Europa League while Salzburg staged a stunning comeback to oust Lazio with four goals in 20 minutes.

Played at a time of growing political tension between the British and Russian governments, there was no sign of trouble on the streets outside the VEB Arena in Moscow.

CSKA went 2-0 up to put Arsenal under pressure but the London club hit back to draw 2-2 on the night and progress 6-3 on aggregate.

Lazio seemed poised to clinch a place in the last four when Ciro Immobile struck in the 55th minute to give the Italian team a 5-2 advantage.

Salzburg, though, produced a spectacular recovery to become the first Austrian team to reach the semifinals of the competition in its current form.

Marseille also qualified after losing the first leg, beating Leipzig 5-2 to win 5-3 overall, while Atletico Madrid lost 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon but scraped through 2-1 on aggregate.

The semifinal draw will be on Friday.

Here’s a look at the action:

——

ARSENAL THROUGH

Arsenal had to show some second-half grit to help manager Arsene Wenger move within three games of winning his first European trophy.

Wenger’s team initially struggled on a cool spring night in Moscow, going 2-0 down after 50 minutes following goals from Fedor Chalov and Kirill Nababkin.

Danny Welbeck came to the rescue with a 75th minute goal before Aaron Ramsey went charging through the middle of the defence to grab Arsenal’s second goal in stoppage time and extend his team’s unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.

Despite the political tension between Britain and Russia over the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal last month and this week’s developments in Syria, there was no sign of anger outside the sold-out VEB Arena.

The game was the last major European fixture to be played in Russia ahead of the World Cup and highlighted the country’s strategy of flooding city districts with security forces.

There was a heavy police presence outside the ground and in much of the surrounding areas, with officers lining the streets and keeping fans in the open by barring access to alleyways.

With Arsenal sixth in the Premier League, 13 points off fourth place, winning the Europa League is its best chance of a Champions League spot next season.

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SALZBURG ENERGETIC

The UEFA organizers had been faced with the awkward prospect of two Red Bull-branded teams, Salzburg and Leipzig, meeting in the semis and a resulting conflict of interest.

But it was the lesser-known of the two teams that made the semis, with Salzburg taking advantage of a shock Lazio collapse. Stefan Lainer capped a remarkable four-goal burst when he netted with a diving header in the 76th minute.

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MARSEILLE RALLY

In France, Leipzig went into the game against Marseille with a one-goal lead and opened up a 2-0 advantage on aggregate thanks to Bruma’s second-minute goal.

However, Marseille hit back via an own goal from Stefan Ilsanker and strikes by Bouna Sarr and Florian Thauvin.

Leipzig regained the advantage with Jean-Kevin Augustin’s 55th-minute curling shot before Marseille scored again through Dimiti Payet and Hiroki Sakai.

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ATLETICO ON TRACK

Atletico remains on course for a third European final in five seasons after holding off Sporting.

Fredy Montero’s 28th-minute header gave the home crowd hope in Lisbon but Atletico held on with the help of Jan Oblak’s goalkeeping.

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'You have rubbish in place of a heart,' says Gianluigi Buffon of referee after red card

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'You have rubbish in place of a heart,' says Gianluigi Buffon of referee after red card

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon claims referee Michael Oliver "lost the plot" as Real Madrid reached the Champions League semi-finals with a controversial late penalty.

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Toronto FC’s performances putting them at top of CONCACAF heap

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Toronto FC’s performances putting them at top of CONCACAF heap

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Karius wary of Champions League collapse

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Karius wary of Champions League collapse

Loris Karius has warned the Champions League quarter-final tie with Manchester City could turn against Liverpool just as quickly as it swung in their favour. The Reds are in the driving seat following a stunning 31-minute blitz at Anfield that saw them take a commanding 3-0 first-leg advantage. Though they will be without suspended captain Jordan Henderson for Tuesday's trip to the Etihad Stadium, the buffer is expected to be enough for a team who have kept five clean sheets in their last seven competitive matches. Goalkeeper Karius, however, insists Liverpool cannot afford to waiver from the performance-first mentality that laid the platform for last week's victory. "Obviously [it was] a great game from us. You never know what to expect, we were just trying to play our best game," the German told Liverpool's official website. "That's what we did and got a really good result. The fans were great, pushing us on the whole time. "But it's not the time to celebrate yet because, like you could see [at Anfield], it could go in one direction really quickly, so we need to be switched on in the second game to avoid that and go through." In-form forward Mohamed Salah trained on Monday and is considered likely to be available for Jurgen Klopp after sitting out the 0-0 weekend draw with Everton due to a groin problem. 'The other 'keepers are pushing Karius - and it's working.' The competition in #LFC 's goalkeeping ranks has contributed to Karius' excellent form, according to James Milner: https://t.co/TMiEZ5wnQA pic.twitter.com/zfBShHGNIC — Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 8, 2018

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Premier League: West Ham Striker Javier Hernandez Leaves Chelsea's Top-Four Bid In Tatters

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Premier League: West Ham Striker Javier Hernandez Leaves Chelsea's Top-Four Bid In Tatters

Antonio Conte's side went ahead through Cesar Azpilicueta's first-half strike at Stamford Bridge.

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The second-half of the Manchester derby was easily the best football we’ve seen all year

Dream Team FC

The second-half of the Manchester derby was easily the best football we’ve seen all year

It’s time to catch your breath, folks. 

Because the Manchester derby was everything we love about football and more.

Comebacks, great goals, drama, hard-tackles, heroes, villains and Alex Sanchez.

Where do we start?

REUTERS Game of the season? We think so[/caption]

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Well, City went in at half-time 2-0 up and we all thought it’d be plain-sailing to the Premier League title from there.

But Jose Mourinho and his players had something else in mind and we can only imagine what he said in the dressing room at the break.

REUTERS Pogba grabbed United’s first of the second-half to spark the comeback[/caption]

Paul Pogba, whose name made the headlines on Friday when Pep Guardiola admitted his agent Mino Raiola offered him to City in January, grabbed a surprise goal on the 53rd minute.

And he only went and got the equaliser as well, with the Frenchman linking up with Alexis Sanchez who clipped the ball into the box for Pogba to rise high and powerfully head downwards past Ederson.

AFP or licensors The second was lovely[/caption]

But who would’ve expected a three goal turnaround, courtesy of Chris Smalling?

Smalling was undoubtedly at fault for Vincent Kompany’s opener, but full-on redeemed himself when he met with Sanchez’s free-kick into the box with a clean strike on the 69th minute.

Unbelievable scenes.

Someone put the champagne on ice… Man United have crashed the party #ManchesterDerby pic.twitter.com/gKBZVBjCbG

— Dream Team (@dreamteamfc) April 7, 2018

We went into this one thinking Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Man City in January was the game of the season, but this one trumps it thanks to the non-stop minute-to-minute drama.

AFP or licensors Smalling completed the turnaround[/caption]

Pogba and Sanchez each pulled off their best performances in a United shirt to date, while City went into full meltdown as their title win slipped through their fingers.

Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero, Danilo, Gabriel Jesus and Vincent Kompany each received bookings, as tempers flared between the two sets of players.

News Group Newspapers Ltd It all got very heated[/caption]

City will feel rightly aggrieved by some of the decisions by referee Martin Aktinson, especially being denied two clear penalties, which included a nasty challenge by Ashley Young on Aguero.

As if that wasn’t enough, David De Gea did what he does best by pulling off a sensational save in the 89th minute to deny Aguero a late equaliser.

AFP or licensors De Gea’s 89th minute save was world class[/caption]

So what next?

City cannot secure the title next week at Wembley when they face Spurs, with Guardiola’s side now needing two wins to mathematically get their hands on the Premier League trophy.

For what it’s worth, here’s what the best of Twitter had to say about today’s game.

I actually know people that don’t like football.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 7, 2018

The difference between first and second in the Premier League table is being reflected at the Etihad today to be honest

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) April 7, 2018

City quite rightly lauded for how they play but the praise at times has been ludicrous. United and Liverpool have shown they're not unbeatable. And they're a damn long way away from being "The Greatest Premier League Side Ever'

— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) April 7, 2018

There are Man City fans crying in the stands. Your team are still going to wrap up the title with about five games to spare.

— Sam Cunningham (@samcunningham) April 7, 2018

Quite plainly, everything we thought we knew about football this season has been called into question, with Mourinho’s side playing some stunning football while City looked well and truly shell-shocked.

What’s going on with Guardiola’s side?

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