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Jose Mourinho: We respect all cups

9 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho—one win away from a fifth League Cup win in his career—says the recipe for his success is respect for the competition. Mourinho, 57, could deliver Spurs' first piece of silverware since 2008 if they win the final in April at Wembley. Mourinho became just the third manager to reach the final with three different clubs following the late Ron Saunders and Ron Atkinson after Spurs beat spirited Championship side Brentford 2-0 on Tuesday. They will play the winners of Wednesday's semi-final between holders Manchester City and Manchester United, with whom Mourinho won the trophy in 2017. Jose Mourinho Mourinho's first taste of success in English football came when Chelsea won the 2005 League Cup. "I came to England in 2004 and I remember that in that period I had to learn the meaning of the cups here and I always took it seriously. If there is any secret, it's to take it seriously," he said. Mourinho has fielded strong sides in the League Cup this ..
                 

It's a tough period: Christian Pulisic after Chelsea's EPL defeat to Man City

11 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Christian Pulisic has urged Chelsea to prove they have the "character" to end the dismal run that has plunged their season into turmoil. Frank Lampard's side suffered a fourth defeat in their last six Premier League games on Sunday, going down 1-3 to Manchester City. Chelsea were rocked by City's three-goal blitz in the first half at Stamford Bridge and looked bereft of confidence as they slipped to eighth place. Christian Pulisic Lampard accepted there will be questions about his ability to turn Chelsea into title contenders, with the City defeat coming hot on the heels of dispiriting losses against Everton, Wolves and Arsenal. After their £200 million ($273.5 million) spending spree in the close-season and a strong start to the new campaign, Chelsea were expected to push champions Liverpool, but now they face a battle just to finish in the top four. United States winger Pulisic admitted Chelsea's players must dig deep to resolve their issues before the season implodes completel..
                 

EPL: Arteta delighted with Arsenal's splendid 4-0 win over West Brom

12 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
The Gunners ran out 4-0 winners at the Hawthorns to make it three victories on the bounce. Mikel Arteta feels confidence is running through his Arsenal squad and is one of the keys to their upturn in form. The Gunners have had an excellent festive period, as wins over Chelsea and Brighton eased talk of a relegation battle and they made it three victories on the spin with a 4-0 mauling of West Brom. Kieren Tierney set the Gunners on their way with an excellent solo strike on 23 minutes, with Bukayo Saka doubling the lead five minutes later following an excellent team move. Mikel Arteta Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in quick succession just after the hour mark to secure the win. "It was a convincing win. To win three on the spin over Christmas in the Premier League is not easy," Arteta told BT Sport. Keep scrolling to read more news Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on..
                 

EPL: Red Devils join Reds on top

13 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty has become a very familiar sight for Manchester United. Being among the Premier League frontrunners has not been seen in recent years for the fallen giant. United went level on points with leader Liverpool with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Friday. The win was secured by Fernandes scoring his ninth spotkick since making his debut 11 months ago. While United is still behind Liverpool on goal difference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won one more and has the team looking well-placed to mount a challenge for a first title since 2013. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Alex Ferguson, who produced United's record-extending 20th English title before retiring eight years ago, was among just a few hundred allowed into Old Trafford to witness this New Year's Day game in a city in near-lockdown. A day after his 79th birthday, the Scot saw Anthony Martial head United in front in the 40th minute at the end of a counterattack started by Paul Pogba. And it was Pogba who won the pe..
                 

Bengaluru FC sack head coach Carles Cuadrat

9 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Bengaluru FC head coach Carles Cuadrat was on Wednesday shown the door after a string of poor shows by the club in the ongoing Indian Super League. The former champions had seen three losses on the trot with the last one being against Mumbai City FC on Tuesday and club director Parth Jindal made it known that Cuadrat was not sticking to the "team philosophy" this season. With three wins and equal numbers of draws and losses, Bengaluru FC are currently outside the top four in the ISL table as they slipped down to fifth with 12 points, 10 points adrift of current top position holder Mumbai City FC. In a statement, the club, however, said that Cuadrat leaving Bengaluru FC was a "mutual decision". "After deep deliberation with the management, we feel the club needs to head in a new direction ¿ one where the ethos and philosophy of Bengaluru FC begins reflecting again," Jindal said in the statement. "While we enjoyed success with Carles in the past, we felt there was a departure from..
                 

ISL: Mumbai City edge past Bengaluru FC 3-1

10 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten run in the Hero Indian Super League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Tuesday. Goals from Mourtada Fall (9'), Bipin Singh (15') and Bartholomew Ogbeche (84') helped the Islanders remain unbeaten in their last eight games and climb to the top of the table. Sunil Chhetri (79') scored late but it wasn't enough to rescue BFC, who have now suffered three straight league defeats for the first time ever since they joined the elite tier of Indian football. Bengaluru made just one change from their previous encounter as Deshorn Brown came in to replace Erik Paartalu while Mumbai coach Sergio Lobera named an unchanged XI from the 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters. BFC squandered an early chance when Brown was set through on goal, but with just the keeper at his mercy, the 30-year-old fired over the crossbar. Unlike BFC, Mumbai didn't miss their chance and took the lead in the ninth minute. Bipin's looped corner was headed acr..
                 

Rio Ferdinand's wife Kate nervous about sharing her ups and down on social media

11 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand's wife Kate has revealed that she was nervous about sharing the ups and downs of motherhood on social media. Kate, who welcomed son Cree last month, recently wrote on Instagram: "2021 update so far. Showering and fresh PJs are still happening. Haven't made it into clothes yet hoping at some stage in 2021 I will get dressed...I was overwhelmed by all of your comments on my most recent picture. Sometimes social media can be such a negative place but since sharing this post it has been so positive for me. I was nervous about sharing my reality but so glad I did. So many of you have had similar experiences and share the same feelings and emotions. It's nice to know we are not alone. Thank you for all of your comments. I have read them all." Keep scrolling to read more news Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to j..
                 

Manchester City's Mendy latest to breach virus rules

12 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Manchester City expressed disappointment Sunday that defender Benjamin Mendy became the latest partying Premier League player to breach English coronavirus rules by hosting friends at his house on New Year's Eve. The revelation about Mendy's rule-breaking comes as City deals with the impact of a coronavirus outbreak at the club that led to the postponement of Monday's match at Everton and forced at least five players into self-isolation. Mendy allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his home, a representative for the player was cited as telling "The Sun" newspaper. People from different households are banned from mixing indoors in the northern English area where Mendy lives. "The club is aware of a New Year's Eve COVID-19 breach involving Benjamin Mendy and the subsequent media reporting of it," City said. "While it is understood that elements of this incident have been misinterpreted in the reports, and that the player has publicly apologised for his error, the club is..
                 

ISL: Mumbai City FC reclaim top spot

13 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Mumbai City FC reclaimed the top spot in the Indian Super League (ISL) following a 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC at the GMC Stadium, on Saturday. First-half goals from Adam Le Fondre in the third minute and Hugo Boumous in the 11th minute ensured three points for Mumbai who are now unbeaten in their last seven games. Both teams made a couple of changes to their line-ups, Boumous and Mandar Rao Dessai returned to Sergio Lobera's starting XI while for Kerala, Costa Nhamoinesu and Lalthathanga Khawlhring were named ahead of Abdul Hakku and Rahul KP. Mumbai punished Kerala for an early error which gifted them the first goal in the third minute. Boumous latched on to a Vicente Gomez back-pass and the Frenchman was brought down in the box by Nhamoinesu and won a penalty. Le Fondre netted his sixth goal of the campaign despite Albino Gomes getting a leg to the ball. Mumbai doubled their lead in the 11th minute and this time, Boumous got his name on the scoresheet. Ahmed Jahouh sprayed a lon..
                 

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil nears deal with Fenerbahce

9 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Arsenal's out-of-favour German midfielder Mesut Ozil is in advanced talks to join Istanbul club Fenerbahce, Turkish media reported on Wednesday. Ozil is expected to sign a three-and-a-half year deal with the 19-time Turkish champions, the privately owned DHA news agency reported. The reports came after the 32-year-old, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, fanned speculation by tweeting a photograph of himself in Istanbul with the words: "This city ... #throwback #Istanbul." Sports daily Fanatik reported that Fenerbahce chairman Ali Koc and team director Emre Belozoglu flew to London to persuade the player, who is of Turkish origin, to make the move. A Fenerbahce spokesman did not immediately respond to AFP's query. Other reports on Tuesday said Ozil was in talks with MLS side DC United. The player's agent said his future should become clearer within the next 10 days but his priority was to stay at Arsenal. "Mesut's priority is to stay, but you never know in football, things can cha..
                 

Legal team helped Coleen Rooney post allegations against Rebekah Vardy

10 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Former England football captain Wayne Rooney's wife, Coleen sought assistance while drafting her statement accusing Leicester City star Jamie Vardy's wife, Rebekah of leaking news to the press via social media, according to court papers. The duo are embroiled in a legal battle after Rebekah filed a defamation case against Coleen in 2019 over the allegations. Rebekah's lawyers allege that a team of people—including solicitors—approved Coleen's statement before it was posted on social media. And if the accusations that it was prepared in advance are proved, questions will be asked whether Coleen did a thorough probe into the leak. Lawyers claim Coleen did not properly look into whether the leak could have come from her or her husband's staff and not Rebekah. The documents read: 'The post…appears to have been prepared in advance. It is inferred that the defendant had already reached a [false] conclusion to responsibility on a flawed investigation and rushed to publicati..
                 

ISL: Hyderabad FC hammer Chennaiyin FC 4-1

11 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Hyderabad FC outclassed former champions Chennaiyin FC with a 4-1 win and snapped their three-match losing streak in the Indian Super League here on Monday. It was a royal performance from the Nizams as they raised the level of their game after a goal-less first half to pump in four goals in the second session for a commanding victory. Joel Chianese (50th), Halicharan Narzary (53rd, 79th) and Joao Victor (74th) were on the scoresheet for Hyderabad while Anirudh Thapa (67th) scored the only goal for Chennaiyin, who suffered their first-ever defeat against the Nizams. With their third win, Hyderabad FC moved up to sixth place with 12 points while Chennaiyin slipped to eight place following their third defeat. An exciting first half saw both teams come close to scoring but were unable to break the deadlock. Hyderabad came out of blocks with aggression. They had a plethora of chances with Joel Chianese in the centre of most of moves. For Chennaiyin, custodian Vishal Kaith was at his best i..
                 

Footballer Thomas Muller and wife Lisa set to become horse sperm millionaires

12 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
German football star Thomas Muller and wife Lisa are selling horse semen online. According to German newspaper, Bild, the couple are set to become horse sperm millionaires. World Cup and Champions League winner Muller's wife is a champion dressage rider. According to British tabloid, The Sun, the couple's breeding farm has been named EU Insemination Station for 2021. This means breeders can order semen from their stallions. Two installments that include insemination and pregnancy, and a processing fee will cost in excess of GBP1,700 (approx R1.68 lakh). The Bayern Munich star, 31, shared the news on Instagram: "Lisa and I have taken the next step in our 'horse life'. Gut Wettlkam [name of their farm] is looking forward to the 2021 breeding season with our stallions." Keep scrolling to read more news Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our c..
                 

Mauricio Pochettino returns to PSG as boss

13 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Paris St Germain on Saturday officially announced Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager. The French Ligue 1 club said in a statement that the Argentinian former Tottenham Hotspur manager has signed a contract until June 30, 2022 plus an optional year. This will be Pochettino's second stint at the Parc des Princes, having made 70 competitive appearances for PSG as a defender between 2001 and 2003. "I return to the club today with a lot of ambition and humility, while also being very eager to work with some of the most talented players in the world," said Pochettino in the club's statement. "This team has fantastic potential and I will do everything with my staff to optimize the results of Paris Saint-Germain in all competitions. We will also do our utmost to give our team that combative and offensive playing identity that Parisian supporters have always loved." Pochettino was previously the manager of Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019 and led the team to the final of the Champions ..
                 

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants trophies to prove progress

10 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes winning the League Cup would be a "big step" in Manchester United's development as he prepares for Wednesday's semi-final showdown with Manchester City at Old Trafford. United went out to Pep Guardiola's men in the final four of the competition last season, before losing in the semis of the FA Cup and Europa League. However, the Red Devils had a third-place finish in the Premier League behind City and runaway winners Liverpool to show for Solskjaer's first full season in charge. United have pushed on again this season in the league to find themselves level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table with a game in hand on the champions. "A semi-final is a chance to get to the final, to get your hands on a trophy in the next round and for this team it would be a very, very big step getting your hands on a trophy," said Solskjaer. "We've developed a lot in the last six months, last 12 months since the last semi in the Carabao (League) Cup so of course i..
                 

Georgina Rodriguez sparks engagement rumours with Cristiano Ronaldo. See photo

11 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo's partner Georgina Rodriguez has hinted that she is engaged to the Juventus star. Georgina posted a picture on Instagram for her 22.9 million followers where she is seen flaunting a huge diamond ring. She took a selfie and simply posed with her ring, shining bright!       View this post on Instagram A post shared by Georgina Rodríguez (@georginagio) In a previous post with Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina captioned it: "My destiny. Happy 2021."       View this post on Instagram A post shared by Georgina Rodríguez (@georginagio) This is not the first time that the couple is rumoured to be engaged. Two years ago, there were similar talks about the model and footballer being engaged when she showed off a ring in an Instagram video. Keep scrolling to read more news Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest ..
                 

La Liga: Lionel Messi shines in 750th game for Barcelona, Suarez helps Atletico win

11 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Lionel Messi set up Frenkie de Jong for a goal to help earn a 1-0 win at Huesca in the Argentine great's 750th overall appearance for Barcelona and his 500th in the Spanish league. The 33-year-old Messi trails only Xavi Hernández as the Barcelona player with the most games played. Xavi played 767 games in all competitions, including 505 la Liga matches. Messi's latest milestone came less than two weeks after he surpassed Pelé's all-time club scoring record for Santos by netting his 644th goal for Barcelona. Barcelona dominated last-place Huesca but could only manage De Jong's goal in the 27th minute. Messi lobbed a pass forward to meet De Jong's run behind the defense, with the Netherlands midfielder steering the ball inside the upright. Huesca goalkeeper Álvaro Fernández saved Messi's two chances, preventing him from adding to his league record of 451 goals. He blocked a free kick just before halftime and smothered shot from close range in the 68th. Barcelo..
                 

Boy! Kane and Kate are blessed

13 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
England footballer Harry Kane's wife Kate gave birth to a baby boy on December 29. This is the couple's third child. The Tottenham star and Kate have two daughters, Ivy Jane, three and Vivienne Jane, one. Kane recently Instagrammed this picture for his 10 million followers and captioned it: "Our beautiful boy has arrived. 29/12/2020. Louis Harry Kane. I couldn't be more proud of my wife @katekanex . Special way to finish the year. Happy new year everyone."       View this post on Instagram A post shared by @katekanex Keep scrolling to read more news Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news..
                 

Uruguay language academy defends Edinson Cavani's controversial word

13 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Uruguay's Spanish language academy on Friday joined a racism fray to defend the word that got Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani banned for three matches and fined £100,000 ($137,000). On Thursday, the Football Association in England announced the sanction over the 33-year-old's use of the term "negrito" (small black person) in an Instagram message. The 33-year-old Uruguayan striker swiftly deleted the post after being made aware of the connotations, and issued an apology insisting he was "completely opposed to racism". But the FA found the comment was "insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute." It also said the post constituted "an 'aggravated breach'... as it included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin." Cavani had written "Gracias (thank you) negrito" in response to a message of congratulations on social media. On Friday, Uruguay's Academia Nacional de Letras said the words "negro" or its dimin..