SPORT : EPL, Brendan Rodgers reacts as Iheanacho misses penalty in Leicester’s 1-1 draw with Palace

 Leicester City boss, Brendan Rodgers, has reacted to the penalty miss by Nigerian international, Kenechi Iheanacho, during the Foxes 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday.

Leicester failed to pick up all the three points against Palace as Iheanacho fired a first half spot kick into the hands of goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

The Super Eagles star, who has not scored for Leicester since July 2020, wasted the chance to put the Foxes 1-0 ahead in the 18th minute.

Ivorian Wilfried Zaha scored for the home side in the 58th minute through a counter attack before Harvey Barnes restored parity seven minutes from time.

Rodgers, however, defended the Nigerian forward, insisting that Iheanacho had done very well during training before the trip to the game.

“I said at half time, it was one you have to let go of,” Rodgers told Amazon Prime

“He practised yesterday and hit five out of five, so he was confident, but it is just one of those things.”

SPORT : Why I fight with my son – Cristiano Ronaldo

 

Juventus superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he always fights with his 10-year-old son over what he, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. eats

Ronaldo said he would allow his son do whatever he decides to do in future and will never force him to pursue a career as a footballer.

The Portuguese star, however, said that it irks him when his son drinks Coca-Cola!

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates with his family at the Globe Soccer Awards.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was awarded the ‘Player of the Century’ at the event for his outstanding performance in the last 20 years.

“I’m hard with him sometimes because he drinks Coca-Cola and Fanta sometimes and I’m pissed with him,” Ronaldo said in an interview after picking up the award in Dubai.

“I fight with him when he eats chips and fries and everything, he knows I don’t like it. I tell him every time, it takes a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work.

“I’m not gonna push nothing for him to be a football player….”

SPORT : Man Utd vs Man City, Why Guardiola’s men will not be thrown out of Carabao Cup

 Manchester City will not be thrown out of the Carabao Cup if their COVID-19 crisis prevents them from playing Manchester United on Wednesday.

City’s Premier League clash with Everton on Monday was postponed four hours before kick-off, after they recorded three new positive cases.

The former champions are wary the virus has infiltrated their squad bubble, with Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker among five already isolating.

But Manchester United will not be handed a bye into the Wembley final, despite Leyton Orient leaving the competition at the third-round under the same circumstances.

Orient had 17 positive tests back in September when they were scheduled to face Spurs, who have reached their own semi-final against Brentford, after being ushered through to the fourth-round.

City will not receive the same treatment, with the EFL’s rules for the semi-final stating their committee will use its “reasonable endeavours” to rearrange the match as early as possible.

Responding to a tweet suggesting City should forfeit the fixture, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville commented: “Not sure they will but I think Leyton Orient will be watching closely.”

There is a small chance the fixture could still be abandoned though, only if the EFL committee decides it cannot be rearranged.

SPORT : EPL, Lampard reveals why Chelsea lost to Arsenal, drew with Aston Villa

 

Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has admitted his team has been missing the creativity of Hakim Ziyech.

Ziyech who is currently injured, might make his return in the Blues’ next scheduled game against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Moroccan went off with a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s win over Leeds United on December 5.

Ever since, Lampard’s men have won only one of their five league fixtures since then, losing three and drawing 1-1 on Monday with Aston Villa.

“I think with Hakim, the way he was playing, he was being very effective for us in terms of assists, goal creation, chance creation and some goals,” Lampard said.

“We were very fluid at the time. You’re going to miss players at that level when they drop out and we want him back.”

Lampard said he is optimistic Ziyech might feature on Sunday if the game goes ahead – Manchester City’s game against Everton on Monday was called off due to new COVID-19 cases reported at City.

SPORT : Chelsea vs Aston Villa, What Lampard said about John Terry after EPL 1-1 draw

 Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, has lauded Aston Villa’s assistant manager, John Terry, as one of the greatest centre-backs to have played in the Premier League.

Lampard said this following Chelsea’s Premier League 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Monday,

According to him, Terry had an influence in Aston Villa’s draw against Chelsea as goals from Olivier Giroud and Anwar El Ghazi gave both teams a point each.

The Blues’ boss and Terry were former teammates during their time at Chelsea and also with the England national team.

“I am sure John has an influence because he is, in my opinion, one of the greatest centre-backs to have played in the Premier League and for England, and in the world for a long period of time,” Lampard said as quoted by Chelsea’s official website after the game.

“He has an absolute wealth of knowledge of the game, so his input will be invaluable to Dean Smith and all the staff.

“Their team is working hard, and you have seen a real big uplift in them, and I am sure there is a lot of work behind the scenes through John and all the staff there.”

SPORT : EPL, Tim Sherwood reveals player who cost Chelsea three points against Aston Villa

 Former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Tim Sherwood, has identified defender, Andreas Christensen, as the player who cost Chelsea three points against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday.

Sherwood blamed Christensen for Aston Villa’s equalizer against Chelsea, stating that the centre-back laid down on the floor like a baby instead of getting back in position to defend against the host.

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Anwar El Ghazi ensured both Chelsea and Aston Villa played a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

“When you look at Villa, when I see their team sheet come out I can pretty much guess apart from one or two players, it’s a settled team,” Sherwood told Premier League Productions.

“It’s a complete contrast to Chelsea, you don’t know who’s going to play.

“He tried to mix it up at the back no Silva, no Zouma today and it cost him. “Because Christiansen, that is not good enough.

“I would be saying to Christiansen after the game, why were you lying on the floor? Why did you not get up and prevent that goal from being scored? You weren’t hurt, what are you laying down there for trying to feign injury to come off, you have cost us the game today.

“You have cost us three points’. ‘Yes, Villa pushed on, and they deservedly got their point. ‘But that is crucial, that’s not good enough, you are a big, strong centre-back, don’t lay down on the floor like a baby, get up and get on with it for your team. Not good enough,” he added.

SPORT : Transfer, Arteta takes final decision on signing Aouar for Arsenal

 Arsenal will not renew their interest in Lyon midfielder, Houssem Aouar, in the January window.

The Athletic reports that the Gunners will instead pursue other targets.

Mikel Arteta’s side is short of creativity after Mesut Ozil was frozen out, with a new playmaker now top priority when the window reopens.

They had been expected to make another move for Aouar, having held extensive negotiations with Lyon over the summer.

But the Frenchman has fallen down their wishlist since then.

It is understood Arsenal will not rekindle their interest in the 22-year-old and are “prioritising other targets”.

In addition to the fee Lyon would demand, Arsenal also have some “reservations” about Aouar, while the player himself has publicly committed to remaining with the club until the end of the season at least.

The Premier League have been linked with the likes of Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt and Barcelona’s Riqui Puig as alternatives.