PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: THERE'S A NEW STARBOY IN TOWN

 Another week of Premier League action has passed meaning Christmas and 2024 are slowly creeping ever nearer.

There some great performances and stand out moments but our Player of the Week is…

Mohammed Kudus (West Ham)

Few saw West Ham having much of a chance when Kudus’s name popped up on their transfer wishlist, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea both sniffing around, but the Ghanaian made the switch to the London Stadium and hasn’t looked back.

The Hammers paid a reported £38 million to Dutch giants Ajax for the 23-year-old’s services and it is currently looking like a massive steal.

Kudus has scored eight goals in all competitions this season for West Ham, five of which have come in the Premier League and two having come from their most recent game against Wolves.

Both goals came on the counter attack in which he was set lose by Lucas Paquetá but still had lots of work to do.

On both occasions he drove seamlessly past Wolves’ helpless defenders and produced two strong finishes, the first on his left and the second on his right, to give David Moyes’ side a 2-0 before half-time.

Read more

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/premier-league-player-of-the-week-theres-a-new-starboy-in-town-38749332

MANCHESTER UNITED: SIR JIM RATCLIFFE 'WANTS NEWCASTLE'S DAN ASHWORTH AS NEW SPORTING DIRECTOR'

 Alex Young @alexwsyoung

According to Manchester Evening News, the highly rated Ashworth is INEOS Group's top target to oversee the club's transfer business after success at both Brighton and on Tyneside.

INEOS's 25 per cent stake in United is yet to be ratified, but Ratcliffe is already mulling over his plans once he takes control of the footballing side of the club

United's recruitment has been disasterous at times since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure over a decade ago, spending more than £1billion without ever mounting a serious Premier League title challenge.

Ashworth, meanwhile, has a fine reputation in the game and was key to Newcastle signing stars Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

MEN report that football director John Murtough remains a popular figure at United and any move for Ashworth would not necessarily mean the end of Murtough, who could move to a more administrative role.

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/manchester-united-sir-jim-ratcliffe-wants-newcastles-dan-ashworth-as-new-sporting-director-38747613

CRISTIANO RONALDO NETS 50TH GOAL OF 2023 IN AL-NASSR WIN

 Once again showing that age is just a number, Cristiano Ronaldo hit his 50th goal of 2023 in Al-Nassr’s 5-2 win over Al-Shabab in the Saudi King Cup of Champions.

After a neat one-two, the 38-year-old finished coolly from inside the box to put his side 4-1 in front.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus man has scored 40 goals for Al-Nassr since signing on after the World Cup last year, while he has also extended his international goal record, netting 10 times in nine games for Portugal.

No player has scored more this calendar year, albeit Ronaldo has not been playing in one of the recognised “Big Five” leagues or in the Champions League like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.

Ronaldo will be looking to continue his fine form heading into the new year, as he readies himself to lead his country to his sixth European Championships – another record.

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/cristiano-ronaldo-nets-50th-goal-of-2023-in-al-nassr-win-38709161

IS PAULO DYBALA THE UNLUCKIEST PLAYER IN FOOTBALL?

 Roma welcome Fiorentina to town and star man Paulo Dybala will be full of mixed emotions.

Roma - 01

Fiorentina - 01

The Argentina international pulled off an exquisite cross for Romelu Lukaku’s opener and notched his sixth assist in 11 matches.

But the storyline that routinely haunts Dybala struck again on Sunday.

La Joya limped off the pitch after just 24 minutes of action with an apparent knee issue after turning his right leg in an awkward fashion.

He has already missed 24 games through injury since joining Roma 18 months ago.

Recently named Serie A Player of the Month, injuries have truly curtailed his true potential.

Is he the unluckiest player in football?

Read more

Sources:https://onefootball.com/en/news/is-paulo-dybala-the-unluckiest-player-in-football-38703659

LIONEL MESSI AND LIONEL SCALONI SET FOR KEY ARGENTINA MEETING

 Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is planning a key meeting with Lionel Messi before the end of 2023.

Under his leadership, Argentina won the Copa America title in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022, in the nation’s first respective triumphs in each tournament since 1993 and 1986.

However, he has admitted the strain is beginning to take its toll, claiming he needs time to think in the coming months, as he considers his options with La Albiceleste.

Sources:https://onefootball.com/en/news/lionel-messi-and-lionel-scaloni-set-for-key-argentina-meeting-38703443

Messi remains a key part of Scaloni’s squad, with the pair expected to remain in place for the Copa America in 2024, but the 2026 World Cup is a different situation.

Scaloni’s current deal runs until after that tournament, but he is keen to make changes in his squad, and wants to discuss his plans with captain Messi.

As per reports from ESPN, Scaloni has earmarked certain players he wants to remove from the squad, and will talk to Messi before making any firm decisions, with his desire focused on ensuring the team remains competitive at the highest level.

Sources:https://onefootball.com/en/news/lionel-messi-and-lionel-scaloni-set-for-key-argentina-meeting-38703443

PREMIER LEAGUE WEEKEND: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED

 

Following the latest round of Premier League action we look at five things we learned from the weekend fixtures.

Elliott a game-changer, but Liverpool need anchor

Liverpool escaped from Crystal Palace with a 2-1 win that moved the Reds top of the table, but there was little convincing about the performance of Jurgen Klopp’s side. A controversial red card saw the game turn in Liverpool’s favour, after Jordan Ayew was dismissed for two bookings, with Palace leading.

Harvey Elliott continued his habit of influencing games off the bench, as the 20-year-old fired in a stoppage-time winner. Elliott has started just once in the Premier League this season, but has proven to be an effective option from the bench. After late assists to help Liverpool come from behind to earn results against Wolves and Luton, the England u-21 international fired home his first goal of the season at Selhurst Park to snatch the points.

While Elliott is banging on the door for inclusion in midfield, issues remain in Liverpool’s new look side. Wataru Endo was poor at Palace, filling in for the injured Alexis Mac Allister as the deepest of the midfield three. The Japan international is the only available defensive midfield option in Klopp’s squad, but lacked imagination in possession and struggled with the physicality of Palace.

The 30-year-old was a stop-gap signing after missing out on Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo last summer, and his underwhelming start at Liverpool has heightened the need for an engine room anchor. Finances and availability will dictate whether one arrives in January, but a specialist defensive midfielder could make the difference in Liverpool’s title challenge.

Read more

Source :https://onefootball.com/en/news/premier-league-weekend-five-things-we-learned-38703393

BAYERN'S UNBEATEN RUN ENDS WITH FRANKFURT THRASHING

 Bayern Munich lost for the first time in the Bundesliga this season in stunning fashion, with Eintracht Frankfurt putting the champions to the sword on Saturday.

Eintracht Frankfurt - 05

Bayern Munich _ 01

Scorers: Marmoush 12′, Dina Ebimbe 31′, 50′, Larsson 36′, Knauff 60′; Kimmich 44′

Eintracht had lost four consecutive matches in all competitions heading into this one, but they took the lead after 12 minutes, when an effort from Farès Chaïbi came back off the crossbar, and Omar Marmoush was on hand to score his seventh goal of the season.

The second goal came after 31 minutes and Éric Dina Ebimbe was the scorer, with his shot squirming through Manuel Neuer’s grasp.

Bayern’s afternoon got even worse when they fell three behind a few minutes later. Joshua Kimmich lost possession cheaply and was punished by Hugo Larsson finding the net

Kimmich atoned for that error by pulling a goal back from distance just before half-time, but early in the second half Dina Ebimbe got his second goal to make it 4-1 after Dayot Upamecano had been caught in possession.

It got worse for Thomas Tuchel’s side just after the hour mark too, with Ansgar Knauff lashing past Neuer to rub salt in the wounds.

That result leaves Bayern three points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who travel to face third-placed Stuttgart on Sunday.

While Eintracht are up to seventh.

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/bayerns-unbeaten-run-ends-with-frankfurt-thrashing-38697267

OUR 3️⃣ POINTS AS VILLA MAKE PREMIER LEAGUE STATEMENT AGAINST ARSENAL

 Aston Villa continued their sensational form on Saturday, downing former Premier League leaders Arsenal at Villa Park.

Aston Villa - 01

Arsenal _ 0

Here is what we made of the match.

Aston Villa: The real deal

The chasm between the ‘big six’ and the clubs below them has never been bigger than in recent seasons, but Aston Villa are gatecrashing the party of the Premier League elite.

With a victory against the Gunners just days after beating treble-winners Manchester City, Unai Emery’s men have shown they need to be taken seriously.

The win sees Villa extend their winning streak at home to 15 games in the Premier League, the first time they have accomplished that feat in the club’s 149-year history. In that span, it’s 39 goals, seven conceded and eight clean sheets.

Two years ago they finished 14th in the table and last season seventh. This time around, Villa have earned 35+ points after 16 games of a top-flight campaign for only the fifth time (counting three point per win all-time).

The other four times that happened, they either won it all or finished second.

Now five points clear of title-holders Man City, Villa are certainly a contender with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for the title.

Read more

Sources :https://onefootball.com/en/news/our-3-points-as-villa-make-premier-league-statement-against-arsenal-38698594

WARREN ZAÏRE-EMERY MAKES RETURN FOR PSG AGAINST FC NANTES

 Following an ankle injury against Gibraltar during his senior France international debut, PSG midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery (17) has made his return to on-pitch action for Les Parisiens. The youngster from the Paris suburbs was substituted on during the second half of PSG’s Ligue 1 clash with Nantes, the result finely poised at 1-1 on his entry into action.

For the remainder of the half, he sat in his usual central midfield position – dictating play and linking passes as Les Parisiens sought to find a winner against a resolute Nantes side. Eventually, the winner was ultimately found by Randal Kolo Muani on the 82nd minute via a rebounded Parisian free-kick as Luis Enrique’s side saw off Les Canaris.

Zaïre-Emery has been a key part of Luis Enrique’s midfield this season, featuring in 11 Ligue 1 matches and all four Champions League clashes so far this campaign. The PSG youth product is already on two goals and two assists in domestic action, and three assists in the Champions League.

His return to action with PSG against Nantes comes just before Les Parisiens face a do-or-die trip to Borussia Dortmund next week in the Champions League, with qualification from Group F in the hands of the visitors.

GFFN | George Boxall

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/warren-zaire-emery-makes-return-for-psg-against-fc-nantes-38699050

ÇALHANOĞLU SHINES AS STATISTICS SHOW INTER ARE ONES TO WATCH

 Inter Milan look to be in the form of their life.

Inter - 04

Udinese - 0 

Simone Inzaghi’s side welcomed Udinese to town and showed why they are one of the best squads in Europe.

Inter had an xG of 3.44 in the first half and three goals to show for it from three different scorers in just seven minutes.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu opened the scoring from the penalty spot to become the club’s second midfielder to score more than five goals in the first 14 Serie A matches. The last was Lothar Matthäus 55 years ago (eight goals in 1990/91).

But the Turkey international then turned on the style, winning a ball just outside the box and teed up Federico Dimarco who blasted home a second.

The entire team was then involved for the third, as a move with 21 passes from back-to-front cut Udinese apart.

Marcus Thuram scored his seventh goal in 20 games since signing for Inter, which goes alongside his six assists.

These impressive stats don’t lie! Can anyone challenge them for the Scudetto?

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/calhanoglu-shines-as-statistics-show-inter-are-ones-to-watch-38698835

ARSENAL LEARN TWO VALUABLE TITLE RACE LESSONS IN ASTON VILLA DEFEAT

 Getty Images

@sr_collings

Arsenal's season has been full of late goals but, no matter what the added time was here at Villa Park, it never felt like Mikel Arteta’s side were going to find the net.

Two disallowed goals, a host of missed chances and a waved penalty shout told the story of a match where Arsenal banged on the door, but it never opened.

The frustration for Mikel Arteta was clear to see. Sat in the stands he cut a glum figure as time ticked away and, seconds before the final whistle went, he swiftly headed for the dressing room.

Arsenal may feel grievances about some of the officiating, but they were also guilty of missing several big chances as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat that means they are second in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta was serving a touchline ban

PA

Liverpool had leapfrogged them earlier on Saturday with a late rally against Crystal Palace, but there was none of that here.

Instead, Arteta could only watch from the stands at Villa Park as he served his touchline ban for a third yellow card of the season against Luton on Tuesday.

The hosts, in stark contrast, were jubilant at the full-time whistle as they rounded off a week where they beat both Arsenal and Manchester City. Villa are now just two points off leaders Liverpool and perhaps Pep Guardiola was right that they are title contenders.

Read more

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/arsenal-learn-two-valuable-title-race-lessons-in-aston-villa-defeat-38698568

RB LEIPZIG SCRAPE PAST DORTMUND AWAY FROM HOME

 Borussia Dortmund were unable to hold on after an early Mats Hummels red card, losing at home to RB Leipzig.

Borussia Dortmund - 02

RB Leipzig  - 03

Scorers: Süle 45+6′ ; Bensabaini (OG) 32′, Baumgartner 54′

Dortmund were under the cosh in the early exchanges, as Mats Hummels was sent off after taking down Loïs Openda from behind when the striker got in past the defence.

While Leipzig were initially given a penalty-kick, a VAR review showed the challenge to be outside of the box.

But the visitors took advantage of their numerical superiority some 15 minutes later, snatching the lead through a Ramy Bensebaini own-goal.

The gutsy Dortmund players did not give up there however, as Niklas Süle reclaimed parity in first half stoppage time against the run of play.

The hosts could not hold out forever though, as Christoph Baumgartner fired Leipzig back in front less than 10 minutes after the restart.

Leipzig appeared to put the final nail in the Dortmund coffin in the dying minutes as Yussuf Poulsen fired home on the break, but Niclas Füllkrug cut the lead once again minutes late.

It was too little, too late for Dortmund however, as Leipzig held on to narrowly collect the points.

The win sees Leipzig extend the gap over their opponents on the night to four points, and put more pressure on teams at the summit of the Bundesliga.

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/rb-leipzig-scrape-past-dortmund-away-from-home-38698401