Matt Miazga earned a second straight start on Tuesday since returning from Covid-19 for Alavés. It was a match he’ll want to forget, committing a shocking mistake to gift Real Betis a goal. The only bright side was Alavés conceded three other goals in a 4-0 defeat, including two beauties I must label Puskás worthy lest I be called out if one actually wins the honor in a year’s time.
A Premier League transfer caught my eye over the weekend, not because of the notoriety of the player, but actually for the exact opposite reason. Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker joined Stoke City on a permanent deal following 17 years with the Blues.
Not familiar with the name? Don't feel too bad. Baker made just two first-team appearances during his time in London — FA Cup cameos during the 13-14 and 21-22 seasons. Instead, the 26-year-old had eight loan spells in four countries after being promoted to the Chelsea senior squad in 2014.
Kylian Mbappé's global takeover continues this week following news of a multi-year partnership with eyewear brand Oakley.
So Érik Lamela has claimed the 2021 Puskás Award for his absurd rabona, meaning it's time to start labelling every gorgeous goal we see over the next 12 months as "Puskás worthy."
We'll start in Germany's third division, where Borussia Dortmund II (the U-23s) defeated SV Waldhof on Monday with one of the greatest lobs/90th-minute winners you'll ever see.
Duros golpes, COVID y hasta una rara tarjeta roja. Los titulares alrededor de Hirving Lozano no venían siendo muy positivos en el último tiempo. Sin embargo, el Chucky algo de la mala racha pudo sacudirse anotando los dos goles con que el Napoli venció al Bologna.
La doppietta de Lozano además llegó justo en un momento en que la crítica en su contraba se estaba volviendo despiadada.
RIYADH - Real Madrid were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions after goals from Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema earned them a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Real took the lead in the 38th minute after Rodrygo sprinted past two defenders before passing to Modrić, who rifled a shot into the back of the net.
Luka Modric, absolute class! pic.twitter.com/twZKO6Y78B
Everton sacked manager Rafa Benítez on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat at Norwich City which left the Merseyside club six points above the Premier League relegation zone in 16th place, after 19 matches.
Appointed six months ago, the former Liverpool manager was a controversial choice for Everton supporters and after a promising start to the season his side slid down the table.
Watching Ricardo Pepi make his first Augsburg start on Sunday against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, I realized that either Pepi's performance was exactly the same as the debuts of Clint Dempsey with Fulham, Christian Pulisic with Borussia Dortmund and Tyler Adams with Leipzig or that I have a tendency to see exactly what I want to see when hugely talented Americans finally grace the field in Europe.
Anthony Martial has denied refusing to be in Manchester United's squad for Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa after interim manager Ralf Rangnick said the Frenchman did not want to be involved.
The 26-year-old forward has started only two league games this season and has not featured since a 3-2 win over Arsenal on Dec. 2. Martial's representative has said he wants to secure a move in January to get more game time.
United are struggling for players due to injuries, COVID-19 and the Africa Cup of Nations but Martial played no part in the 2-2 draw with Villa.
A Spanish Cup clash between rivals Sevilla and Real Betis was abandoned on Saturday after Sevilla player Joan Jordan was struck in the head by an object thrown from the stands.
Video replays showed a pole-shaped object hitting Jordan on the head moments after Nabil Fekir had equalized for hosts Betis to draw the last 16 tie level at 1-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.