Loads of fans, players and pundits alike have had their say on the controversy surrounding Sunday’s Old Firm, but Celtic fans can’t quite believe what one journalist tweeted.
The third Old Firm of the season has been and gone and it certainly did not disappoint.
Alfredo Morelos once again fell victim to an opponent player getting in his head, as Bhoys captain Scott Brown helped get the Colombian sent off.
Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…
Odsonne Edouard had just given the home side a deserved lead before Ryan Kent cancelled it out with a wonderfully taken goal, only for James Forrest to pop up with a dramatic late winner.
The entertainment didn’t end there though, as Brown’s celebrations after the final whistle sparked more confrontation, confrontation that led to Andy Halliday receiving a second yellow card.
And Ewan Murray, a writer for The Guardian, has slammed Brown for goading the Rangers fans after full time.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are less than impressed by Murray’s verdict…
Crystal Palace’s miserable couple of weeks continued as they crashed out of the Fa Cup quarter-final, compounding the heartache felt after their loss at the hands of bitter rivals Brighton in the fixture which preceded their trip to Vicarage Road.
Just as they did against the Hornets, the Eagles fought back from one down to level the score before letting it slip in the late stages, with Andre Gray netting in the 79th minute to see the Hornets through to Wembley.
While there was nothing much to be done about the latter strike, Palace will surely feel they should have done better with Gray’s winner.
Luka Milivojevic had spotted the speedster’s run but, in the second he looked away, the Serb lost his man and Gray was allowed to tap home from seven yards out. It was, admittedly, a great ball from Roberto Pereyra but there was nothing else on for the Argentine and Gray’s run should certainly have been followed.
Palace might have been without the influential Wilfried Zaha for this game but it’s difficult to speculate if the outcome would have been any different if the Ivorian was involved.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Crystal Palace v West Ham United – Selhurst Park, London, Britain – February 9, 2019 Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha reacts after a missed chance Action Images via Reuters/Tony O’Brien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your accou
The number 11 has been in great form for Palace in recent weeks, scoring five goals in his last seven games, and he was undoubtedly a big loss to Palace in the Watford clash, which he missed due to injury.
In a fantastic string of displays, Zaha’s performance against Brighton is a stain – the speedster got little joy down the left flank, with Martin Montoya effectively dealing with the enormous threat posed. The Eagles had a full strength front-line in that game and struggled to break down their deep-sat opposition – their defence, though, was not at full health.
Mamadou Sakho has missed the last four games in all competitions through injury and looks set to see out the rest of the season on the sidelines – the Frenchman has been and will continue to be a massive loss for the Croydon outfit.
His spider-like dribbles out from the back might give the Palace faithful heart attacks now and then but there is no doubt that the 29-year-old galvanises the defence and instils a confidence in his teammates that the deputies cannot.
Scott Dann and Martin Kelly have taken turns to step in alongside James Tomkins since Sakho took to the treatment room but neither have the former Liverpool defender’s calming influence.
Palace’s attack – of which Zaha is the key man – has long been perceived their saving grace, but the partnership struck up by Tomkins and Sakho, combined with the ever-improving Aaron Wan-Bissaka and bargain buy van Aanholt, means the Eagles surely have one of, if not the, best defences outside of the top six.
The ‘pride of south London’ kept four clean sheets in a spectacular run of form at the end of last season in which they lost just once in their final eight games and a back line containing Sakho at the core was a huge part of that.
Zaha is widely regarded as Palace’s most important player but, in the last 180 minutes alone, Sakho has laid down a strong claim to take that mantle away – the sooner he returns to action the better.
Manchester United and Spurs are both looking ahead to potentially busy summers as they look to bring in new signings to the club.
The Red Devils and the London club will be looking to bring in players of suitable quality to keep their respective clubs progressing, and there’s a whole host of players who both clubs could be interested in signing.
One man who has emerged as a target for both clubs this weekend is Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon, who despite having a poor first season in the top flight is still seen as one of the most sought after talents in the country.
Sessegnon has plenty of talent, and could well be a victim of the demise of his club, but we here in the Tavern feel that both United and Spurs should be wary of spending too much money on a player who has so far seen little success in the Premier League.
The young winger was brilliant during the Cottager’s promotion season in the Championship, but it has simply not gone to plan for him in the top flight thus far.
And while the talent is clearly there, both at left back and left wing, it remains to be seen whether he can do it in the Premier League and perform to the standard that Champions League chasing clubs require.
Both clubs will be keen on investing in young talent for sure, but at the moment, ready made world class talents could be the order of the day, rather than players with nothing but big potential.
كشفت تقارير صحفية مغربية النقاب عن أسماء لاعبي نادي الرجاء البيضاوي المصابين بفيروس كورونا “كوفيد 19”.
وكانت مسحات كورونا التي أجراها لاعبي الوداد بعد مباراة الزمالك قد كشفت عن إصابة 8 لاعبين بالفيروس.
طالع | تقارير: الرجاء المغربي يخاطب كاف من أجل تأجيل مباراته أمام الزمالك
وكشفت صحيفة “المنتخب المغربية” في تقرير لها أن الـ8 لاعبين هم محمد زريدة، أيوب ناناح، عبد الإله الحافيظي، محسن متولي، أنس جبرون، عمر العرجون، إلياس الحداد، وعبد الرحيم الشاكير.
تجدر الإشارة إلى أن الـ8 لاعبين المصابين كان بينهم 4 شاركوا بشكل أساسي في تشكيل الرجاء في مباراة أمس أمام الزمالك، وهم الحافيظي ومتولي والعرجون والحداد.
ويستعد الرجاء لأن يحل ضيفًا على الزمالك مساء السبت المقبل، في إياب نصف نهائي بطولة دوري أبطال افريقيا، بعد أن خسر ذهابًا في كازبلانكا بهدف دون رد.
Alfredo Morelos was handed his first Colombia start on Tuesday as his national side went head-to-head with South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
It was fitting that, on a landmark day for the young striker, a Rangers hero compared him to a striker who has been considered the world’s best at various points in his career.
What’s the word, then?
Rangers’ star man seldom stays out of the headlines for too long and Tuesday was no exception. Carlos Quieroz handed him his first start for Colombia before he was replaced by James Rodriguez at half-time.
It was the latest achievement in his budding career and one which was thoroughly deserved given his form in Scotland this season.
With 29 goals and 11 assists to his name in all-competitions this season, it’s fair to say that the decision to sign Morelos in 2017 was a cunning masterstroke, but the Gers were not the only side who were aware of his talent during his time at HJK Helsinki.
Indeed, according to Ibrox hero Michael Mols, he actually scouted the attacker for Utrecht before he moved to Glasgow, but the Dutch side were priced out of a potential deal, per Evening Times.
And Mols delivered an eye-catching verdict on the 22-year-old by comparing him to Barcelona’s Luis Suarez.
“He was very dangerous in the box and I compare him to Luis Suarez.
“They are both from South America and you can see the similarities in his temperament and character which shines through in his game.”
Two hot-headed attackers use aggression to mould success
For both Morelos and Suarez, the key to their success lies within their ability to channel a natural aggression into a positive footballing performance.
The Uruguay international has added an entirely new dimension to the role of pantomime villain during his career by embodying the spirit of Dracula before thrusting his fangs into an opponent, but aside from a few moments of lunacy he has been a consistently phenomenal player.
Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique labelled him as “the best No 9 in the world” in April 2017, and rightly so.
On his day Suarez is simply unplayable both on and off the ball, with his power, never-say-die attitude and clinical finishing ability forming the backbone of his achievements in the game.
Morelos will struggle to enjoy a comparable level of success which has seen his fellow South American win three La Liga titles, four Copa Del Rey’s, the Champions League and more, but he could climb high in European football if he uses his temperament effectively.
Morelos’ hotheadedness could actually be a blessing in disguise; Suarez’s scintillating career attests to that.
Nacho Novo has opened up about his friend Alfredo Morelos this week in light of his most recent showing against Kilmarnock, which saw him make the headlines in typically controversial fashion.
What’s the word?
The Colombian goal machine simply cannot stay out of the limelight. Whether he is scoring goals, getting into disputes with the opposition or, as is so often the case, a bit of both, Morelos is a man who is never too far away from the headlines.
Kirk Broadfoot, a former Rangers player, managed to provoke the volatile attacker on Saturday, but the incident did not see either player go into the referee’s book.
In an interview with Evening Times, Novo gave his verdict on the confrontation and suggested that Broadfoot’s decision to trod on Morelos’ heel was premeditated.
“That’s been planned. Kirk knows how to wind people up and that’s what it’s all about.
“Players are going to target strong personalities and wait for a reaction. Everybody wants to win a game and if you can get rid of the other team’s top goalscorer it’s a big help.”
Hot-headed reputation will cause problems – time to cash in?
While Novo is not directly suggesting that the Kilmarnock man’s premeditated attempt to rattle Morelos is part of a wider problem, there is no doubt that every defender in the division will be inclined to rile him up.
Does Steven Gerrard want Rangers to be defined by recurring stories over Morelos and his ability to keep a cool head? The damage has already been done to his reputation and defenders will actively look to exploit his weak spot in any way possible, as Novo has alluded to.
Interest from across Europe is likely to emerge in the summer months and Gerrard will be faced with a huge dilemma if and when it comes around, with the Rangers chief likely to be torn over the 22-year-old’s future.
An acute awareness of how his star striker will be targeted by SPFL defenders may well force him to cash in if a substantial offer arrives.
West Brom may have returned to form under James Shan but supporters of the club have now been given some bad news with Matt Phillips suffering another injury setback.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, fans decided to let rip on the player, throwing a heap of abuse in the Scotland international’s direction.
A couple of supporters claimed that the winger was “made of glass” whilst one fan named him “biscuit legs”.
It was an incredibly damning assessment as a further member of the Hawthorns faithful followed up by saying it was time to cash in on the player, such are the extent of his injury problems.
Phillips has barely played for West Brom in 2019 because of an ongoing tendon problem and has missed 10 of the last 13 matches.
Before then, the 28-year-old had been in outstanding form for the club, becoming one of their most important players.
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In 25 Championship matches, he’s scored five goals and claimed seven assists. But despite that, fans aren’t full of praise for the player.
Well, now it’s “almost” official then. Jimmy Shan’s impressive work with West Bromwich Albion’s convinced the hierarchy to keep him as the interim manager till the end of the season, according to the Daily Mirror. Indeed, while underwhelming, it’s actually a logical decision from the club considering the season ends in two months.
Still, it’s not without risks.
Despite seemingly being a hit among the Baggies players, Shan’s still very inexperienced when it comes to high-pressure situations. So, with a play-off spot almost confirmed, his biggest test will be when they head on a potential path all the way to Wembley.
Obviously, Shan’s changed their style from Moore’s ultra-attacking one earlier this season, bringing more stability with his cautious approach. West Brom have shifted towards a more defensive 4-3-3 formation, with Chris Brunt being reinstated as their engine in the heart of midfield and everything looks pretty solid right now. Furthermore, Shan’s giving opportunities to those who worked hardest for the Baggies, while switching his options very well. While his two victories weren’t the prettiest, it guaranteed six crucial points for Shan.
The Baggies are treading water with their style, inviting pressure and giving opponents chances to score. However, their counter-attacking method’s worked and can actually work to their advantage in the play-offs. If not anything, Shan clearly knows how to see off results.
If he shapes them accordingly in the play-offs, West Brom could edge their way into winning promotion to the Premier League. While he’ll look to bring excitement back into the game, if Shan’s current “negative” method can get the Baggies back where they belong, then so be it.
West Brom fans, are you pleased with Shan’s extension as interim manager? Join the discussion by commenting below…
Loads of Celtic fans have been reacting to a big transfer rumour, as Moussa Dembele could be about to land them another windfall.
According to The Mirror, Manchester United are eyeing a move for Dembele.
The report claims the Red Devils are keeping “close tabs” on the ex-Hoops striker, even going so far as to say the Old Trafford outfit are “desperate” to improve their striking options this summer.
Dembele has scored 17 times and added six assists in all competitions for Lyon since joining from Parkhead last summer in a deal worth £19.7m.
And according to The Daily Record, Celtic will bag a nice windfall from the deal if Dembele returns to the United Kingdom.
The Bhoys agreed a ten per cent sell-on clause as part of Dembele’s departure, something they also did with Virgil van Dijk and they banked a cool £7.5m from his move to Liverpool.
Given that Lyon spent roughly £20m on the striker and he has been superb at such a young age, the Red Devils will have to trump up a mega fee to make this happen, so Celtic should receive some considerable cash once again.
Wolverhampton Wanderers fans on Twitter have been split by transfer speculation linking their striker Diogo Jota with a summer move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Portugal man has been pivotal for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men at times this season, aiding them greatly in their push for seventh position in the Premier League.
His six goals and four assists in the league have been key and the player has also been able to further cement his place as a firm fan favourite at Molineux in 2018/2019.
It’s for these reasons that some supporters have been so apprehensive about Jota’s possible departure on Twitter, one commenting “no chance” and another simply telling Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs that they can “dream on.”
Other members of the wolf pack have shown slightly different attitudes, discounting the rumours as simple paper talk and even eyeing up a swap deal involving Son Heung-min of the Lilywhites.
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Check out those and the rest of the best reactive Tweets from Wolves supporters, below…