International Football Thread

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Man United edge Arsenal in thrilling FA Cup shootout victory​

Joshua Zirkzee's winning penalty seals FA Cup win for 10-man Man United after 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates.


Reuters
January 12, 2025

PHOTO: REUTERS

Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning penalty for 10-man Manchester United against Arsenal after their hectic FA Cup third round tie finished 1-1 after extra time at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsenal's Kai Havertz was the only one of the first four penalty takers to miss, denied by a brilliant stop from Altay Bayindir, before Zirkzee – booed off in a defeat by Newcastle United last month – stepped up to win the shootout 5-3.

After an underwhelming first half, United took the lead in the 52nd minute through Bruno Fernandes' curling effort from just inside the box after a great run by Alejandro Garnacho.

The game turned on its head 10 minutes later though, as United's Diogo Dalot – already booked for a wild challenge on Myles Lewis-Skelly – received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Mikel Merino.

Two minutes later, Bayindir's poor attempted punch fell at the feet of Gabriel, whose shot took a wicked deflection off Matthijs de Ligt and in to put the Gunners in charge of the tie.

Arsenal could have completed the comeback when they were awarded a questionable penalty after Havertz went down under minimal contact from Harry Maguire.

But Bayindir produced a superb save from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, before the Gunners spurned several chances to score a winner.

 

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Man United booed off after 3-1 loss to Brighton​

The match was marred by a series of defensive errors, with goalkeeper Onana’s costly blunder adding to United’s woes.

News Desk
January 19, 2025

Brighton & Hove Albion's Bart Verbruggen in action with Manchester United's Antony Photo: Reuters

Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, further compounding their miserable Premier League season. The match was marred by a series of defensive errors, with goalkeeper Andre Onana’s costly blunder adding to United’s woes.

Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh played a pivotal role, scoring once and assisting on another, while Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter also found the net in the second half for the visitors.

 

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United’s struggles against Brighton, having now lost six of their last seven meetings with the south coast club, continue to raise concerns about their direction this season.

The performance was a far cry from the club's legendary teams of the past, with supporters voicing their frustration after another disappointing outing.

The game also served as a somber occasion, with United paying tribute to their late former centre-forward Denis Law, who passed away on Friday at the age of 84.

 

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Man City storm into top four with 6-0 demolition of Ipswich​

City's emphatic win moved them into the top four with 38 points, but they're still 12 behind leaders Liverpool.

News Desk
January 20, 2025

Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester City's Phil Foden. Photo: Reuters

Manchester City's Phil Foden delivered a sensational first-half performance, scoring twice and setting up another goal as they thrashed Ipswich Town 6-0 at Portman Road on Sunday, reclaiming a spot in the Premier League's top four.

The emphatic win lifted City to 38 points, moving them into fourth place on goal difference ahead of Newcastle United. However, they remain 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and six points behind Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.


Ipswich, stuck in 18th place with 16 points, started brightly and had a couple of early chances. But City shrugged off their recent poor form with a brilliant display of attacking football, and once they scored, there was no way back for the hosts.

The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Jeremy Doku combined with Kevin De Bruyne, who set up Foden to drill the ball home.

That attacking trio proved too much for Ipswich as Mateo Kovacic doubled the lead just three minutes later. Doku, instrumental again, fed Foden, who laid it off for Kovacic to score from the edge of the box.

 

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Moyes celebrates first win as Everton beat Tottenham 3-2​

This marked the first time in seven games that Everton had scored more than one goal in a match.

News Desk
January 19, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison in action with Everton's Jordan Pickford and Jake O'Brien. Photo: Reuters

Everton secured a vital 3-2 victory over a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side on Sunday, with a blistering first-half performance.

The win marked David Moyes' first victory since his return as manager at Goodison Park, providing much-needed relief for the club, who had struggled with form.

Everton took control early, racing into a two-goal lead within the first 30 minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin broke his 16-match goal drought with a fine finish, giving Everton their first league goal since Boxing Day.

Iliman Ndiaye doubled the advantage with another fine finish, compounding Spurs' misery.

In first-half stoppage time, young Archie Gray inadvertently put the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a James Tarkowski header, making it 3-0.

his marked the first time in seven games that Everton had scored more than one goal in a match, highlighting their improved attacking play.

Spurs attempted a second-half comeback, with Dejan Kulusevski scoring a brilliant lofted finish and Richarlison, playing against his former club, sliding home in stoppage time.

However, the late goals were not enough, as Everton held on for the win.

The victory moves Everton up to 16th place, four points clear of the relegation zone, while Tottenham remains in 15th place, just one point ahead.

Tottenham’s poor season continues as they face their 12th Premier League loss, marking only the sixth time in club history they’ve lost as many as 12 games in their first 22 matches of the league season.

 

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Fernandes seals United victory, Son shines for Spurs​

United climb to fourth in the standings on 15 points going into the last round of matches.

 

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Inter sweep Lecce aside to keep pace at top​

However, all is not well at Milan as Conceicao almost comes to blows with deposed captain Davide Calabria on the pitch.

 

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Man City will embrace Brugge ‘challenge’ in must-win Champions League clash: Guardiola​

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola says Manchester City will embrace the “challenge” of Wednesday’s must-win Champions League

 

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Luke Shaw returns to training for Manchester United ahead of Europa League match​

Sports Desk



Luke Shaw returns to training ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League fixture against FCSB on Thursday.

 

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Arsenal smash Manchester City 5-1, move within six points of top spot​

The victory extended Arsenal's unbeaten league run to 14 matches, and they now sit on 50 points from 24 games.

News Desk
February 03, 2025

Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their fourth goal. Photo: Reuters

Arsenal delivered a dominant statement in the Premier League title race with a commanding 5-1 victory over reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday, reducing the gap to just six points at the top of the table.

The Gunners took an early lead in the second minute, with captain Martin Ødegaard capitalizing on poor City defending.

However, City responded after the break, with Erling Haaland scoring an equalizer. But Arsenal quickly regained control, with Thomas Partey’s deflected effort restoring their lead less than a minute after Haaland's strike.

Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly then marked his first-ever goal for Arsenal, adding to their advantage. The hosts' lead was further extended when Kai Havertz slotted home a well-executed finish following a counter-attack.

Substitute Ethan Nwaneri sealed the emphatic win, curling in a stunning goal with the last kick of the game.

The victory extended Arsenal's unbeaten league run to 14 matches, and they now sit on 50 points from 24 games.

 

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Crystal Palace dominate Manchester United with 2-0 win​

Palace's Mateta scored in the 64th and 89th minutes as Manchester United’s disastrous home form continued.

News Desk
February 02, 2025

Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta scores their second goal past Manchester United's Andre Onana. Photo: Reuters

Manchester United’s disastrous home form continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

Despite chasing a fourth consecutive win across all competitions, United were outplayed in the first half by a superior Palace side. The visitors had several chances to take the lead but were unable to capitalize on their dominance.

The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta reacted quickest to a rebound after the ball came off the crossbar, putting Palace ahead. United, desperate for an equaliser, lacked creativity and failed to break down Palace’s defence.

Mateta sealed the victory with a second goal in the 89th minute, condemning United to their seventh home league loss of the season and sending Palace above them into 12th place in the standings.

 

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Van Nistelrooy, Keown reunite before Leicester City vs Arsenal​

Van Nistelrooy and Keown recall their fierce Premier League rivalry before Arsenal’s match against Leicester City.

Sports Desk
February 15, 2025

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Martin Keown reunited on ahead of Arsenal’s match against Leicester City, revisiting their intense rivalry from two decades ago.

The former Manchester United and Arsenal players shared memories of their fierce battles for Premier League supremacy.

Keown and Van Nistelrooy were central figures in one of the league’s most heated rivalries, with Keown famously celebrating in the Dutchman’s face after a missed penalty in 2003.

Now Leicester's manager, Van Nistelrooy was once again facing Arsenal, though in a different role.

Keown, known for his aggressive defending, acknowledged his past actions and apologized to Van Nistelrooy.


"Apologies for all the shenanigans back in the day," he said. The former striker took it in stride, responding, "What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch."

Reflecting on their battles, Keown admitted he had to apologize to many strikers after retiring, adding, "Maybe a little extra spice for him because he was a clever player."

He recalled Van Nistelrooy’s movement and tactical awareness, describing him as "very clever" in exploiting defensive gaps.

Speaking with Joe Cole, Keown discussed how footballers adopt a different mentality on the pitch.

"You don't always like the person you become, but you have to be competitive," he said.

 

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Leicester City vs Arsenal 0-2: Merino double sees off resilient Foxes​

Mikel Merino’s late double secured Arsenal’s win over Leicester, cutting Liverpool’s Premier League lead to 4 points.

Sports Desk
February 15, 2025

Arsenal moved within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool as Mikel Merino struck twice late to seal a 2-0 win over Leicester City.

The Gunners struggled to break down Leicester’s defence and lacked cutting edge in attack, with Raheem Sterling failing to make an impact before being replaced.

It was substitute Merino who provided the breakthrough in the 81st minute, arriving at the far post to convert a cross from 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal’s most dangerous player throughout.

Nwaneri had earlier struck the woodwork twice, but his persistence paid off when his delivery set up Merino’s opener.

The Spanish midfielder then doubled Arsenal’s lead three minutes from time, once again finishing at the back post to secure a vital victory.

Leicester, battling relegation, fought hard and nearly took the lead when Myles Lewis-Skelly made a crucial touch to prevent Bobby de Cordova-Reid from finishing Jordan Ayew’s cross.