Welcome To Dipo Liadi's blog: August 2014

31 August 2014

TOTTENHAM O LIVERPOOL 3: Watch All The Goals & Highlights

You will never work alone........

REAL SOCIEDAD 4 REAL MADRID 2: Watch The Goals & Highlights

What a comeback from the host......

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal are seeking further reinforcements as the transfer deadline edges ever closer. There is pressure on Wenger to bolster his forward line with Olivier Giroud's long-term absence having further depleted his sparse options. Calls for a new recruit will only grow, too, following a disappointing 1-1 Premier League draw at Leicester City on Sunday. And with the clock ticking on the transfer window, which closes on Monday evening, Wenger is hoping to bolster his squad.

Real Madrid are leaving the Basque Country with their tails between their legs after getting blitzed 4-2 by Real Sociedad on Sunday night at Anoeta. Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale scored early goals to put Los Blancos ahead 2-0, only for the home sides to respond with four unanswered scores in what was a back-and-forth encounter between the two sides.

With Ángel di María and Xabi Alonso both departing the Bernabéu during the midweek and Cristiano Ronaldo out injured, Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI took on a different shape with James, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in attack, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco in the midfield and a back four of Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Marcelona in front of goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

EVERTON 3 CHELSEA 6: Watch All The Goals & Highlights Here

Goal Maniaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Liverpool Can Compete For Four Trophies - Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool's nine new signings this summer have sufficiently strengthened Brendan Rodgers' squad for battling in four different competitions this season. The Reds must navigate the additional demands of the Champions League in 2014-15, including a much-anticipated double-header against Spanish giants Real Madrid later this year.

Participation in Europe's elite club competition supplements domestic commitments in the Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup, making for a packed schedule. But the skipper is confident that the manager's transfer business has added the necessary depth for Liverpool to continue an upward trajectory that inspired a title challenge last year.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he has told Mario Balotelli a few home truths on his arrival at Anfield. The Italy international often brings with him character and controversy, the 24-year-old creating headlines for setting fire to his house with fireworks and throwing darts at youth team players while at Manchester City.

However, with his antics come goals Balotelli scoring 26 Serie A goals in 43 appearances for Milan, having put 20 balls in the back of the net for City in 54 league matches. Rodgers said he has had to curb Balotelli's ego informing him that Steven Gerrard will be taking penalties ahead of the Italian, and also denying him a chance to announce himself on Merseyside with a press conference.

Novak Djokovic made one little girl's day and left others touched as she sang during his US Open press conference at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic dismissed American Sam Querrey 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in a routine win, but it was the press conference that followed that will be more fondly remembered.

Djokovic talked of music and poetry when he was asked if there were any particular classroom experiences that impacted his childhood development. What then ensued was simply wonderful, and very surprising.

The future of Radamel Falcao has become the centre of attention in the lead-up to the transfer deadline, with both Manchester City and Real Madrid bidding for his services. The striker, who sat out Monaco’s weekend draw with Lille, had tweeted early on Sunday morning (EST) that he was about to join Real - but the tweet was deleted a short time later.

Any deal with Real is only going to be on loan and Falcao’s representatives are shopping around to se if they can get a permanent deal. City then entered the fray and there are reports that talks are well advanced. To complicate matters even more, there are also rumours that City are about to offload Alvaro Negredo to either Real or Valencia. A move looks highly likely before Tuesday morning’s deadline (EST), it’s just a matter of whether he can get the permanent deal he is looking for.

EVERTON vs CHELSEA PREVIEW: All The Facts & Statistics You Need To Know

Fernando Torres Can Leave Chelsea - Jose Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out a summer exit from Stamford Bridge for Fernando Torres and suggested that the striker can leave if he wants. The Spain international is closing in on a move to AC Milan with both clubs currently working to secure a deal ahead of deadline day. Mourinho insists Torres has not asked to leave the Blues but admits that anything is possible ahead of the close of the transfer window on Monday.

Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg has apologised for colliding with team mate Lewis Hamilton during Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix and has been disciplined, his Mercedes team said on Friday.
German Rosberg hit Hamilton on the second lap at Spa and the Briton later retired from the race with a damaged floor after picking up a puncture.

"Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton met today in the boardroom of Mercedes Amg Petronas headquarters in Brackley to discuss the events of the Belgian Grand Prix," the team said in a statement.

See more pictures of his visit to the glass house in Abuja after the cut.....

Arsene Wenger plans to be "on alert until the last minute" of transfer deadline day, but has refused to be drawn on Arsenal's targets. Wenger has been linked with moves for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao and Paris Saint-Germain's teenage midfielder Adrien Rabiot ahead of Monday's deadline. The Frenchman had said that he will not sign a striker after Olivier Giroud suffered a broken tibia that is set to rule him out until next year.

However, the Arsenal boss hinted on Friday that he is ready to move into the transfer market, but was coy over potential new additions.

Xabi Alonso insists his departure for Bayern Munich has nothing to do with Toni Kroos' close-season arrival at Real Madrid. Kroos moved to the Santiago Bernabeu for an undisclosed fee in July, increasing Carlo Ancelotti's midfield options, and Alonso's exit was then confirmed on Friday, with the player signing a two-year contract at the Allianz Arena.

However, asked whether the added competition was a factor in his decision, Alonso said: "Not at all. He's a great player.

Man United In Late Push For Vidal

Manchester United are making a concerted effort to sign Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal before the transfer window closes on Monday, Goal has learned.

The Premier League side have been monitoring Vidal all summer but have been put off by the Turin club's strong, public stance that the Chilean would not be sold. With Vidal not willing to force a move and jeapordise his relationship with the Juve fans, and the club's reluctance to be seen to offload one of their star men, United were left in limbo.

Louis van Gaal had been willing to wait until January to make a move for Roma's Kevin Strootman if United could not land his top targets this summer.

Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Neil Warnock as the club's new manager.The veteran boss, who parted company with Leeds United last year, spent almost three seasons at Selhurst Park between 2007 and 2010 before moving to QPR.

As reported by Goal, he beat off competition from Steve Clarke to land the position, with chairman Steve Parish having finally found a successor to Tony Pulis after the former Stoke City manager's abrupt exit.

Just like recent elections in Nigeria where the opposition have been crying against the militarization of elections a similar process has occurred at the NFF election. Elections were held, after some NFF chieftains were arrested by men from the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and detained.

If you know a bit about politics and election in Nigeria then the sudden arrest of some officials before the election will tell you who the anointed FG candidate is. Its surely the old way of playing politics and making election victories count to the party in power. Take for example several APC chieftains were arrested hours before the elections in Ekiti and Osun State which could only imply that the ruling power was doing everything possible to win the election at all cost using the federal might. The super cry of the APC against militarization of elections is not basically based on intimidation but on the use of this uniformed men in rigging election votes for favouring the PDP.

Sam Allardyce cited Sheffield United goalkeeper Mark Howard as the thorn in West Ham's side following their League Cup loss. West Ham were stunned by their League One visitors as the Yorkshire club prevailed on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Upton Park on Tuesday.

Allardyce's men led through Diafra Sakho before Winston Reid's own goal levelled matters, with Howard saving Enner Valencia's spot-kick to allow Michael Doyle to convert the winner in the shoot-out. It offered Sheffield United a small taste of revenge after a Carlos Tevez-inspired West Ham controversially secured Premier League safety at their expense in 2007. And Allardyce was in no doubt as to who had inspired the upset.

In his first season back at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho knew what he wanted. He didn't quite have the squad he knew he needed (and wasn't slow to remind us of that fact) but he knew exactly what was needed to transform the Blues back into the trophy-chomping juggernaut they were during his first spell in charge.

Mourinho knew what he wanted and he went out and got it. With the help of Roman Abramovich, naturally, Chelsea's summer dealings were quick and decisive. No faffing around, no politicking, no hard bargaining or settling for second best. Just speedy, decisive action. And, on the evidence shown in the opening two weeks of this Premier League season, that assertiveness has already made Chelsea the standout candidate for the title.

Chairman of Nigeria Professional League side Giwa Football Club, Christopher Giwa, has been elected as the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). One question finding an answer within me is why did the DSS arrest some members of the NFF before the election?

"Radamel Falcao is available for a £20 million season-long loan, with sources in France claiming that the Colombian would be prepared to move to the Emirates Stadium until the end of the season.” – Matt Law, Daily Telegraph.

Tucked third paragraph in a report that Olivier Giroud is out until 2015, is a big claim from a reliable newspaper and Gooners will be very excited. Giroud’s injury means Arsene Wenger will surely bring in a front line striker before the end of the summer transfer window. Apparently its between QPR’s Loic Remy and Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck so Falcao should excite Arsenal fans.

Manchester United sank to new depths on Tuesday when they crashed out of the League Cup in the second round following a 4-0 defeat at third-division Milton Keynes Dons. United had announced the signing of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid in a British-record $A109m deal shortly before kick-off, but they were brought down to earth with a painful bump as a second-string team fell apart at Stadium MK.

Will Grigg scored either side of half-time for the League One side before Benik Afobe added a brace of his own to leave a shell-shocked Louis van Gaal still searching for his first competitive win as United manager. United’s defeat mirrored what had happened on their last appearance in the second round in 1995, when they fell to third-tier York City, and means a potential path to silverware has been shut off before the end of August.

Reigning NBA most valuable player Kevin Durant has been offered one of the biggest sporting contracts ever. Under Armour reportedly tabled a monstrous $265-$285 million, 10-year shoe deal to the Oklahoma City star an estimated 10 per cent of the sporting apparel company’s annual marketing budget. An expert in the basketball shoe market, SportsOneSource analyst Matt Powell, described the offer as unprecedented.

“We haven’t seen an athlete get that kind of money in a long time for a shoe contract,” Powell told USA Today.

Roy Hodgson Pays Tribute To Frank Lampard

England manager Roy Hodgson has paid tribute to midfielder Frank Lampard, who retired from international football on Tuesday. Former Chelsea man Lampard - currently on loan at Manchester City from newly formed MLS franchise New York City brought the curtain down on a 15-year England career that saw him score 29 goals in 106 appearances. And Hodgson was quick to hail the contribution of the 36-year-old, who made his debut against Belgium in 1999.

"Frank Lampard has been a superb representative of the English game - both as a player on the pitch and an ambassador off it," he said. "To reach in excess of 100 international caps is something very few professionals achieve and he is in exalted company.

Gary Cahill believes Chelsea's perfect start to the Premier League season proves they have learned lessons from last term. The west London club have won both their opening two top-flight fixtures of the campaign, beating newly promoted duo Burnley and Leicester City.

Chelsea finished third in the Premier League last season despite taking maximum points from their four fixtures against the two teams who ended above them - Manchester City and Liverpool. Jose Mourinho's side were uncharacteristically wasteful in several so called lesser games in 2013-14, with dropped points against teams from the lower reaches of the division costing them dear.

Angel Di Maria has arrived at Carrington and is set to complete his British transfer record €81 million move to Manchester United. The Real Madrid midfielder arrived in the north west of England late on Monday night and was shown around United's training ground and facilities.

Medical officers have been on site since early on Tuesday morning and Di Maria will now be put through his paces before finalising the biggest deal in British football history. The Argentine will be the club's new No.7 and a replica jersey with his name and new number has been prepared for photo opportunities following the conclusion of the medical.

Steven Pienaar has been ruled out of Everton's clash with Chelsea on Saturday but Romelu Lukaku could be fit to face his former club. Both players limped off in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Goodison Park, as Pienaar was replaced by Leon Osman after just 10 minutes with a groin complaint while Lukaku lasted 76 minutes before coming off with a toe problem.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea visit Merseyside next weekend and Everton manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that midfielder Pienaar will definitely sit out, but the Spaniard was more hopeful on striker Lukaku who joined from Chelsea in a £28million deal in the close-season.

Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike was unable to achieve his target of scoring in the fierce Istanbul derby against Galatasary on Monday night but that nonetheless, the Nigeria forward is happy with his club’s 3-2 victory in the Turkish Super Cup. Emenike was yellow carded in the 58th minute of what many concluded was a derby below-par and even missed a glorious opportunity to seal victory for his team late in the second half.

After failing to break the deadlock, the Super Cup which serves as the curtain raiser for Turkish Super Lig spilled into extra time and then into penalty kicks in which Emenike was not amongst the takers.

Recently some fans were surprised to know that Collin Udoh had been married to female football legend Mercy Akide whom is a Nigerian Ex football player. She was the first African woman footballer of the year (2002) and was a 1999 and 2004 FIFA World all stars. They’ve being married for some time now, and their love is still waxing stronger.Mercy Akide-Udoh is one of the greatest female players ever produced in the women league. She is a former Super Falcons(of Nigeria) striker and former African Player of the Year. Udoh could not just hold his joy seeing is legend wife turn a year older. In the early hours of this morning he tweeted the above message to her. Mercy was born on the 26th of August 1975.

Embattled leaderAlhaji Aminu Maigari has officially resigned as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with effect from August 26, 2014. His Resignation might probably be based on various legal advices who can already foresee that is enemies will definately succeed in removing him. A move of resignation will most likely give him opportunity to claim his entitlements and benefits as a former NFF President.

He may not be every Arsenal fans favourite player, but all Gunners supporters will be gutted to hear that striker Olivier Giroud has been ruled out for three months with a broken foot on Tuesday. Giroud picked up his injury in the final moments of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Everton last weekend, and following rumours of the Frenchman’s suspected injury on Monday night, leading French daily L’Equipe have confirmed the worse fears this morning.

Just one day before the vital Champions League match against Besiktas at the Emirates, Giroud has been rendered unavailable for at least 12 weeks. L’Equipe call the injury “serious”.

La Liga is more a marathon than a sprint. Spain's Primera Divison will be won by the team that can consistently churn out the best results over the course of a 38-game, nine-month campaign. But Barcelona came flying out of the blocks on Saturday to impress the most on the first weekend of action. Pipped at the post by Atletico last term, the Blaugrana began a new era under Luis Enrique on Sunday and kicked off in some style with a superb 3-0 win at home to Elche, a victory which saw Lionel Messi back to his brilliant best and the emergence of young striker Munir El Haddadi as an exciting talent for the future - as well as the present, after netting in between the Argentine's two strikes.

"It was a nice night for everyone," Luis Enrique said afterwards. "The fans have gone home happy."

Samuel Eto’o appears to have found himself a new Premier League club after being let go by Chelsea this summer. Reliable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claimed Samuel Eto’o will be an Everton man tomorrow, signing a two year deal at Goodison Park. This looks like a great move for Eto who remains keen on staying in the limelight in Enlish football. Eto made is impact for Chelsea last season by scoring some home valuable goals for the Blues including an hat-trick against Man United. This should be a minimum guarantee of 10 goals for Everton and addition of a wealth of experience.

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic shrugged off his mediocre run-up to the U.S. Open by outclassing Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 6-1 6-2 6-4 to close the first day of the U.S. Open on Monday. The Wimbledon champion, who won only two matches on the North American hard courts after getting married days after his All England Club triumph last month, sprinted to victory in 97 minutes.

"I'm very pleased," Djokovic told the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd after the one-sided win. "It's never easy to start a U.S. Open smoothly."

REAL MADRID 2 CORDOBA 0: Watch The Goals & Highlights

Benzema & Ronaldo......

AC Milan Close To Loan Move For Fernando Torres

AC Milan are close to striking a loan deal for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres after selling Mario Balotelli to Liverpool. The Spaniard has been tipped to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to impress since joining in 2011 for a British record £50million.

Jose Mourinho has grown frustrated with the Spaniard since returning to Chelsea after stints with Inter Milan and Real Madrid, and has wasted no time in recruiting former Blue Didier Drogba and Atletico Madrid hitman Diego Costa. Torres' future looks bleak after he was dropped for the 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge over Leicester at the weekend, and numerous reports claim the Spain international is demanding a staggering £16million to leave London.

Esteban Cambiasso has admitted that he is bitter over the way in which he found out that he was surplus to requirements at Inter. The former Argentina international parted company with the Serie A side during the summer, bringing the curtain down on a 10-year stay at San Siro, but had thus far refused to publicly speak about the manner of his exit.

However, Cambiasso, who played a key role in Inter's treble triumph in 2010, has now revealed that while he had no issue with the decision to let him go, he remains upset that he was only told he would not be offered a new deal just before the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

Luis Enrique lavished praise on Leo Messi after his brace against Elche. "He's the best player in the world. He could even be the best defender if he wanted. We see him do incredible things day in, day out. He'll be the best for as long as he wants to be; he scores goals, sets them up and presses the opposition. He's been working magic for many years now".

Munir: "He's progressing at a dizzying rate. He gives us lots of options; he's a natural goalscorer and is a fierce competitor".

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been handed an eight-match ban for his conduct during the second leg of the Supercopa de Espana. The Argentine was sent from the touchline due to his over-exuberant protests in the 25th minute of the match against Real Madrid on Friday, and was seen to tap the fourth official on the back of the head twice in the aftermath.

Atletico went on to win the two-legged encounter 2-1 on aggregate, but Simeone's behaviour was expected to land him in hot water.After eventually making his way down the tunnel, Simeone continued to flout the rules by making his way into the stands to watch the remainder of the encounter.

Liverpool have sensationally agreed a deal to bring Milan striker Mario Balotelli back to the Premier League on a long-term deal. Serie A giants Milan announced on Thursday that Liverpool have an agreement in place to sign former Manchester City striker Balotelli, subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers categorically ruled out the possibility of purchasing Balotelli before his side played Milan in the International Champions Cup in the United States earlier this month.

However, the Northern Irishman who has been on the hunt for a top-class forward to replace the departed Luis Suarez - has now had a change of heart after rumoured moves for the likes of Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani came to nothing. The Merseyside club finalised the deal, for an undisclosed fee and subject to registration, on Monday and the Italy international is relishing the opportunity to play in England for a second time.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have finally agreed a fee for Angel Di Maria's pending move to Old Trafford, sources in Spain have told ESPN FC. The English side will pay 75 million euros upfront, with up to 15 million euros of add-ons and incentives attached, split into three potential payments of five million euros.

ESPN FC was informed by the Spanish sources that, with the way the deal would be structured, United will most likely end up paying 80 million euros for the 26-year-old. It remains to be seen whether that figure will tally with the figures publicly released by United, given recent disputes over exact money paid in deals between English clubs and the Spanish giants, most notably those for Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale.

Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz claims he would have been as happy had he joined Barcelona instead of the French champions. The Brazil international moved to Parc des Prince from Chelsea this summer as the Spanish giants began pursuing a number of high-profile defensive targets.

While a potential move to Camp Nou never materialised, with Barca focusing their efforts on the signing of Luis Suarez before later turning to centre-backs Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen, the 27-year-old claims he will enjoy his football far more in Paris than he would in Catalunya or in Germany.

Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has admitted the search for Tony Pulis successor has been a struggle. Pulis left Selhurst Park on the eve of the Premier League season amid reports of a disagreement over the club's transfer policy.

Malky Mackay had looked set to take over, but Palace pulled out of the deal after allegations of distasteful text messages sent by the Scot emerged. Tim Sherwood claimed not to have been offered the job after an interview, and former Celtic boss Neil Lennon is currently the bookmakers' favourite to be installed.

31 August 2014

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