List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Brentford avoided becoming Newport’s latest cup victims as they won 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade. Adam Lewis hit a post with Newport’s first effort, before Nathan Wood and Bryn Morris both saw theirs saved by Bees debutant Ellery Balcombe, and Keane Lewis-Potter settled the contest in the Premier League side’s favour. Mathias Jensen thought he had won it in the 88th minute but teenage substitute Kiban Rai headed home deep into stoppage time to take the tie to spot-kicks. The Welsh side have earned shock wins over Leeds, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Swansea, Watford and Luton in the last five years but they were denied another scalp as Brentford avoided a repeat of last year’s shoot-out defeat to Gillingham. Exiles boss Graham Coughlan made five changes from Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Sutton. Jonny Maxted made his debut in goal, while Josh Seberry came into the back line, Matty Bondswell and James Waite were drafted into midfield and fit-again Omar Bogle started up front. Brentford made nine changes, with Vitaly Janelt and goalscorer Kevin Schade the only survivors from their weekend draw against Crystal Palace. Thomas Frank handed debuts to goalkeeper Balcombe, Ukrainian midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk and teenage forward Michael Olakigbe. The first opportunity arrived after 18 minutes as the visitors recycled a corner and Lewis-Potter’s header looped over Maxted, but Harry Charsley was in the right place to clear the danger from under his own crossbar. Kristoffer Ajer then saw a side-footed effort from 25 yards comfortably saved by Maxted two minutes later, before Schade’s fierce drive from the edge of the area was deflected behind. That was one of eight corners won by Brentford in the first half but, despite enjoying 76 per cent possession, they could not get the early goal. The home side could have opened the scoring after 34 minutes when Aaron Wildig and Bogle linked up well down the left flank and the striker produced a clever cross to pick out Charsley, who placed his header just wide of Balcombe’s right-hand post. The lively Olakigbe went closest in the opening stages of the second half with a fizzing effort just over the angle of post and bar. But Frank had seen enough after an hour and he introduced experienced trio Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Jensen. Mbeumo forced Maxted into a smart save almost immediately. Jensen made the visitors’ pressure tell two minutes from the end of normal time as he tapped in from close range after Mbeumo’s cross was cut back across goal by Lewis-Potter. But County refused to lie down and Rai’s added-time header ensured the tie went the distance.

Captain Josh Laurent scored twice as Stoke thrashed Rotherham 6-1 to book their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The win extends the Potters’ perfect home record to four victories in all competitions this season – a run that started with a 4-1 triumph over the Millers on the opening day of the new Championship campaign. Stoke took an early lead when Dutchman Wouter Burger, making his full debut having recently signed from FC Basel, drove home from long distance after picking up Cameron Humphreys’ headed clearance. Ryan Mmaee doubled the home side’s advantage in the 18th minute, beautifully bending the ball into the net after Mehdi Leris, also making his full debut having signed from Sampdoria, had pulled a cross back to him. Rotherham skipper Sean Morrison’s header from a Cafu corner swiftly halved the deficit, but Stoke restored their two-goal lead just before the half-hour mark as Laurent arrowed a shot into the bottom corner after picking up possession outside the box. The advantage was further extended as half-time approached, with Tyrese Campbell curling his effort in off the crossbar after toying with defender Jamie McCart in the area. Any slender hopes the visitors had of staging a comeback were dashed in the 55th minute, when Laurent latched onto Campbell’s headed pass and rifled the ball into the net for his second goal of the night. Leris completed the rout with a fine finish 18 minutes from time, scoring a first goal for his new club after being played through by Laurent. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Ryan Christie came off the bench to steer Bournemouth past Swansea and into the third round of the Carabao Cup, just as penalties were looming. The Scotland international turned the ball into the far corner in the first minute of stoppage time after he was fed by fellow replacement Justin Kluivert to seal a 3-2 victory. Swansea had made spot-kicks appear likely when another substitute, Jamie Peterson, drove the ball through a crowd of players to make it 2-2 with 11 minutes remaining, but Christie had other ideas. It was a deserved win for the Cherries, who are still searching for their first Premier league victory of the season. The Swans had taken a first-half lead through a penalty from Matt Grimes, but fell behind in the second half as they suffered at the hands of Wales international David Brooks. It was his well-taken strike that levelled things up at 1-1 in the 55th minute before the same player supplied the cross from which Hamed Traore gave the Cherries a 2-1 lead. Bournemouth reacted to their 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham by making seven changes, including giving a debut to goalkeeper Andrei Radu. The loan signing from Inter Milan had previously sat on the bench for three Premier League matches this season. Wales striker Kieffer Moore, a loan target for Cardiff City among others, was handed his first start of the season. Swansea made five changes from the side that had lost 2-1 away at Preston, a result that left them still searching for a first league victory under new head coach Michael Duff. But they took a deserved lead in the ninth minute through a penalty from their skipper Grimes. A Swansea free-kick on the left was only half-cleared before a rising drive from Liam Cullen was blocked by the arm of Bournemouth’s Wales defender Chris Mepham. Referee Matthew Donohue had no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick from which Grimes scored his first goal of the season. It took the Cherries a while to muster much of a response, but they should have levelled through Traore just before the half hour. The Ivorian was given time to place his shot after being teed up by Brooks, but his effort from 10 yards was dragged beyond the far post. Just before the break, Traore went closer when he struck the outside of the post after he turned sharply near the penalty spot. Cherries boss Andoni Iraola made three changes at half-time – taking off Moore, Lloyd Kelly and Joe Rothwell, who were replaced by Dominic Solanke, Milos Kerkez and Lewis Cook. The improvement was immediate and after sustained pressure the visitors equalised through Brooks in the 55th minute. Traore controlled possession in midfield and struck a beautiful volleyed pass wide out to Brooks on the right who had been given too much space by Swansea. The Cherries captain for the night controlled the ball instantly and then drilled a precise low drive across goalkeeper Carl Rushworth and into the far corner. Brooks then reached the byline and although Solanke’s header struck the bar, Traore was on hand to force the ball home to make it 2-1. Paterson was on target for Swansea from a rare attack to level the scores, but the class of the Premier League club eventually told when Christie scored his winner. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Josh Laurent nets brace as Stoke hit Rotherham for six in Carabao Cup Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy fire Leicester to battling victory over Tranmere Matt Doherty at the double as Wolves east past Blackpool

In-form Leicester were made to work hard for their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup with a battling 2-0 win over Tranmere at Prenton Park. Second-half strikes from Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy proved to be the difference as the Foxes weathered a number of early scares to overcome their League Two opponents. The Foxes enjoyed much of the possession in the early stages and could have taken the lead as early as the seventh minute when Harry Winks’ long-range effort flew narrowly wide. The 2016 Premier League champions continued to dominate with further chances as Cesare Casadei’s header flew narrowly over the Rovers crossbar. The visitors did not have it all their own way, however, and having defended resolutely and frustrating their Championship opponents for large periods of the game, Tranmere almost took the lead themselves when Dan Pike’s 20-yard effort was pushed out by Jakub Stolarczyk in the Leicester goal. But the pressure eventually told after 55 minutes when Ndidi’s effort from the corner of the box ended up in the back of the net via both posts. And just four minutes later Leicester doubled their lead when Vardy was on the spot to force the ball home from close range following an Ndidi cross right in front of the huge travelling support to make the game safe. It is now six wins out of six in all competitions for Enzo Maresca’s side who will be in the hat for the third-round draw having also won their opening four matches of the Championship campaign. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been charged with acting in an improper manner following his red card at Newcastle on Sunday. The Netherlands international was dismissed for a foul on Alexander Isak in the first half of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at St James’ Park but the centre-back initially refused to leave the pitch and then remonstrated with referee John Brooks. That earned him an automatic one-match ban against Aston Villa this weekend but the suspension could be increased, which could see him sit out the trip to Wolves also. “Virgil van Dijk has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following Liverpool’s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Sunday, 27 August,” read a statement from the Football Association. “It’s alleged that the defender acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.” Van Dijk has until Friday to respond to the charge.

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Fulham are in talks with Monaco over the sale of Tosin Adarabioyo, after reluctantly accepting the defender will not sign a new contract. The Ligue 1 club will put a new bid in once a price is agreed, which is expected to be in the next 48 hours. Tosin and his representatives had been telling Fulham over the past few weeks that he would not sign a new contract, and this was reiterated in stronger terms since the 2-2 draw away at Arsenal at the weekend. With Fulham now risking losing the player on a free at the end of the season, they have entered more productive talks with Monaco. Tottenham Hotspur have had interest in Tosin but the French club can offer a more senior role in the team, and he is excited about a move abroad. A deal on personal terms was also some way off with the Spurs hierarchy. Monaco are meanwhile considering a move for Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun before the window closes.

It was, not for the first time in football, a Jose Mourinho call that proved persuasive. The Roma manager last week rang Romelu Lukaku personally to say he was exactly what they were missing. “We have a good team but we are missing a champion,” Mourinho said. The Portuguese also explained to Lukaku exactly how he would work with Paulo Dybala. The hope is that the loan move reignites Roma’s faltering start to the season, and Lukaku’s career. Staying at Chelsea, while something that manager Mauricio Pochettino at least toyed with, was never really on. The club want to go in a new direction based on younger players developing in their career and capable of going to higher levels. That will be a consideration as they look for a forward in the final days of the window, although there is an expectation they will eventually move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney. The entire Lukaku situation says a lot about this summer’s market, and how it was influenced by the chase for forwards and Saudi Pro League money. The Belgian had a huge offer from the newly disruptive league from the off, that would have more than quadrupled his current wages. Lukaku wasn’t prepared to go there, though, and leave the top end of the game. It had long been anticipated that he would stay at Internazionale, where he was on loan last season, but there were already doubts in his mind. Lukaku felt he was back in top physical condition from the spring, with the goals to prove it, which made it all the more surprising that he was so often left on the bench for big games. Edin Dzeko might have been enjoying a late career surge, but the very fact that Inter manager Simone Inzaghi knew the Bosnian was leaving made it surprising that he didn’t seek to use Lukaku more. Lukaku felt it was better to move on, which is where Juventus came in. As with Roma now, a huge attraction in Juventus wasn’t just the status of the club but also the status of the manager. Lukaku was convinced by Max Allegri. There was just one major problem, as it turned out: Juventus first had to sell Dusan Vlahovic before bringing in Lukaku. This is what took the move so long. In talking with Chelsea about Lukaku, Juventus assured them there was a market for Vlahovic, and it was just a matter of time. That didn’t prove to be the case, despite a series of top clubs wanting strikers – including Chelsea themselves. All of them had Vlahovic on their list, but quite far down. It is quite an unexpected development for a player who turned down Arsenal over a year ago, although unfortunate fitness issues haven’t helped. Either way, Bayern Munich were singularly focused on Harry Kane. Paris Saint-Germain are likely to get Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani, and Vlahovic isn’t seen as a good fit for new PSG manager Luis Enrique in any case. Manchester United were never interested, as they pursued Rasmus Hojlund. “There was no place for him on the chessboard,” in the words of one involved figure. It got to the point where Juventus even turned around and offered Vlahovic to Chelsea. It never happened, though, which left the forward frustrated. There was also the complication that Chelsea were at that point insistent on Lukaku moving on a permanent transfer rather than another loan. It was then that Roma and AC Milan came in, and delicate negotiation was required by Roc Nation’s Alan Redmond and Michael Yormark, as well as Belgian lawyer Sebastien Ledure. The former had the benefit of a good relationship with Chelsea, as Roma took the lead by having Mourinho speak to the player and eventually sending a party to London to do the deal over the weekend. The Portuguese was adamant they don’t come back without getting it done. Milan never went so far, although the interest from almost all of the country’s major clubs reflects Lukaku’s reputation in Italy, where has been hailed as “the king of Serie A”. After long negotiations, and a lot of details to be finalised, a deal on a loan fee was eventually struck. Roma and Lukaku will now press ahead seeking to fire their season. Chelsea will press ahead trying to bring in one more forward before the window closes. Another domino in this interconnected forward market has gone, though. Whether that clears the way or makes it harder to navigate remains to be seen. Read More Chelsea’s Academy stars can rise to Carabao Cup challenge – Mauricio Pochettino Roma set to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on season-long loan Roma officials fly to London for talks with Chelsea over Romelu Lukaku loan deal Chelsea transfer news: Balogun, Olise, Lukaku, Chalobah and more Football rumours: Manchester City turn attention to Palace’s Eberechi Eze Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea and Romelu Lukaku must share blame for standoff

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is confident the club’s Academy stars can rise to the challenge when handed a chance to impress in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon. Pochettino is set to fully utilise all the options at his disposal for the visit of the Sky Bet League Two side, looking to manage the workload on a squad which is already depleted by injury. Forward Mason Burstow, midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu and Noni Madueke have all come off the bench in the Premier League this season so could be handed a start, while Diego Moreira and defender Bashir Humphreys may also be involved. Whatever side he selects, Pochettino has no doubt the talented teenagers will have what it takes to make the step up. “We are thinking to start with 11 players that can perform in the way that we want,” Pochettino told a press conference. “(We want to be) right in our assessment, in our risk because you have many injuries and the squad is not big at the moment. “We are going to use four or five young guys from the academy – 17 years old, 16 years old – but Chelsea has always produced good talent, young kids and now is a good opportunity. “It is not because it is our philosophy at the moment, it is because we need to bring young guys to the first team because we have some players that cannot play tomorrow. “But I think it should be good to create the possibility for the young guys to be part of the project, part of producing players for the first team because the Academy and the coaches there are working so hard. “For a club like Chelsea, it is always good to have players from the Academy that can translate the identity of the club.” Pochettino refused to be drawn on continued transfer speculation, with defender Marc Cucurella reportedly subject of interest from Manchester United. “I cannot talk about supposition or rumours. For tomorrow he (Cucurella) is going to be able to play,” the Chelsea boss said. “The club did not communicate (anything else) to me. All of the players that are in our squad are in our plans even if they didn’t play at the moment.” With Chelsea not involved in European football this season, Pochettino intends to focus on just one thing – winning matches, whatever the competition. “I want to win the Carabao Cup, I want to win the FA Cup and I want to win the Premier League, then we will see what happens after,” the former Tottenham boss said. “Even if we are involved in the next few years in the Champions League or different European competitions – every single one is going to be a challenge for us and an opportunity to win.” Chelsea, who beat Luton on Friday night for a first Premier League win of the new season, have agreed a season-long loan deal with Roma for Romelu Lukaku. The Blues have already spent around £350million on new arrivals during the transfer window and have been linked with bringing in at least one more attacking player – with Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe reportedly on the radar. Pochettino said: “I know very well that the club is working very hard to try and finish our business with still a few days, so I think that will happen, maybe yes (another player). “At the moment, we are working to try and deliver what we want, but there is nothing to communicate at the moment.” Pochettino added: “If we had someone who can maybe improve different positions, of course they are welcome, but I am happy with how we are now.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live British athletes and staff left stranded in Budapest after World Championships US Open day one: Djokovic and Swiatek ease through as Brit Lily Miyazaki shines On this day in 2007: Sir Andrew Strauss resigns as England Test captain

Ella Toone has said that England’s Lionesses “all stand behind Jennifer Hermoso” with Luis Rubiales still yet to resign after kissing the Spain midfielder without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final. The president of the Spanish football association (RFEF) has refused to step down from his role after the incident during the medal ceremony that followed Spain’s triumph ver England in Australia. Rubiales, who was also criticised for grabbing his crotch during the final, had been expected to resign last week, but declined to do so at an extraordinary press conference. The saga took another bizarre turn on Monday after the 46-year-old’s mother locked herself inside a church and went on hunger strike, describing the reaction to her son’s behaviour as “an inhuman, bloodthirsty witch hunt”. Manchester United’s Toone, who was part of the Lionesses side beaten in Sydney, believes that Rubiales’s actions and the subsequent outcry have overshadowed Spain’s first Women’s World Cup win. “Spain were unbelievable throughout the tournament and they’ve won the World Cup which should be the main talking point,” Toone said to BBC Breakfast. “Yet it’s overshadowed by something which happened after the game which isn’t acceptable. The Lionesses all stand by Jennifer Hermoso. “A couple of the girls, the leaders in the squad, got together and brought a statement that we all believe in and to show our support and solidarity, to show we’re thinking of Hermoso and show we want the right thing to be done. “It doesn’t just go away with a sorry - which he hasn’t said either. We should be talking about the success of the World Cup and how much we’ve inspired the next generation. Hopefully the right thing is done.” The regional chiefs of the RFEF have now called for the organisation’s president to resign, while Rubiales has been provisionally suspended from all footballing activities for 90 days by Fifa. Read More Luis Rubiales news LIVE: Spanish FA president’s mother’s hunger strike enters second day Luis Rubiales crisis: How Spanish FA president fell from grace Protesters gather in Madrid calling for Spanish football federation president to resign

Ivan Toney looks set to be the big target in the remaining days of what could be the most frantic transfer window yet, as all of the Premier League's old so-called “big six” will be seeking major deals right up to the close of the market on Friday night. The situation has been influenced by the influx of Saudi Pro League money, which has caused every Premier League club to delay and disrupt their plans, right up to Manchester City who usually have all business done by now. They are likely to get a deal done for Wolves’ Matheus Nunes, although the player’s willingness to go on strike – sensing a rare opportunity as City cast around for other attacking players – could make it go very late. Manchester United meanwhile want a midfielder – preferably Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, possibly Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch – and now a temporary left-back due to Luke Shaw’s injury. The Old Trafford hierarchy have been in talks with a series of clubs over potential deals, from Lyon’s Nicolas Tagliafico to Barcelona’s Marcos Alonso. Arsenal are looking for a right-back, and Tottenham Hotspur a full-back, along with a forward player likely to be Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson. Talks over the latter are understood to have been hugely frustrating, though, with very little common ground between negotiation teams led by Spurs’ Daniel Levy and Forest’s Evangelos Marianakis. As one involved source quipped: “Imagine trying to get a deal done between those two”. Forest had initially set a price of £40m for Johnson, which Brentford had met, only for the midlands club to make further demands. They would also prefer not to sell to Brentford as they are seen as a potential rival in the Premier League table. Brentford have not yet given up, though, as there is understood to at least be a £15m difference between Forest and Spurs. Chelsea may yet move for Johnson depending how far they get with bigger targets up front, as Mauricio Pochettino wants a forward who can play across the attack. Toney represents that, and there is an increasing feeling a deal could be struck in the last few days in the window, although Brentford would want £80m. Liverpool are meanwhile investigating whether they can do one more midfield deal. There is still interest in Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace but they have so far been put off by price. Wilfried Ndidi may be considered as relegated Leicester City are willing to do business in the last few days of the window. Read More Man United identify £5m transfer option to cover Luke Shaw’s injury Roma set to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on season-long loan

Manchester United are in talks with Lyon about a permanent move for Argentina World Cup winner Nicolas Tagliafico. While the French Ligue 1 club want €6m (£5.15m) plus bonuses, there is still some way to go in any deal, as United would prefer a loan for a position they didn't anticipate having to sign for until Luke Shaw's injury. The Old Trafford hierarchy could prefer to save any money for a midfielder signing, which is the main priority in the remaining days. Talks are ongoing with Lyon, though, as the player himself wants to move. Ajax wanted the 30-year-old wanted to return to Amsterdam but he did not want to return and United now offer an alternative option. United spent over £150m this summer on Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, but their start to the season has remained unconvincing despite wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest. Defeat to Spurs saw Erik ten Hag criticise his side’s approach. The Red Devils face last season’s runners-up Arsenal at the weekend in their next match, before hosting Brighton after the international break. Read More Luis Rubiales news LIVE: President’s mother hunger ends enters second day ‘I am willing to die:’ Luis Rubiales’ mother continues hunger strike inside church Fan who threw bucket at goalkeeper jailed for three months