Chelsea records their first preseason win against St Patrick

Chelsea picked up their first win of the summer in Ireland as goals from Mason Mount, Emerson and Giroud ensured the win for the blues.


 It was Chelsea's second game of the preseason following a midweek run out with Bohemians and the win goes down as the first of Frank Lampard's managerial reign.


20-year-old midfielder Mason Mount broke the deadlock after 15 minutes through Mateo Kovacic's perfectly placed through ball.

Emerson doubled the lead with half hour on the clock as the defender's beat the keeper from distance.

Olivier Giroud converted Kenedy's cross from close range midway through the second half and added the fourth with a beautiful single-handed run.

The result makes it a winning conclusion to the blues' first tour of the summer and the team will now return home before flying out to Japan on Monday.

Barcelona officially signs Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid's forward, Antoine Griezmann officially agreed terms with rival club and Spanish football giant, FC Barcelona.


The former Real Sociedad forward and 2018 World Cup winner, has signed at the Camp Nou for the next five seasons through to 2024 in a £107m deal.



The move caused quite a stir, as Atleti recently hit out at both Griezmann and Barça for their conduct after it was revealed that the two parties had been in negotiations and had reached an agreement in March- a time during which Diego Simeone's side were still fighting in the La Liga and the Champions League.


The French superstar becomes Barcelona's third most expensive signings in the Club's history behind Philippe Coutinho and Osumane Dembele.

Griezmann will look to form a lethal trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Frank Lampard's first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a draw.

Frank Lampard unfortunately kicked off his reign with a draw against Bohemians. The Chelsea legend was in charge of the Chelsea team tonight for the first time in the Irish capital.



The blues were held to 1-1 draw at a rain-soaked Dalymount park as Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi first half opener was cancelled by the host's Erik Molloy's strike a minute from time.

Lampard fielded a squad of 22 players most of which are youngsters in the first preseason game of the blues, with two different XIs playing in each half.


Chelsea were particularly dominant in the first half as they took an early lead on the 8th minute when Batshuayi latched home from eight yards.


The blues continued to dominant till the end of the first half, then at the break Lampard made 11 changes as more players were given opportunities to express themselves on the pitch.


The likes of Kurt Zouma, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Lewis Baker, Billy Glamour all featured in the second  XI.



The new fresh legs controlled the start of the second half and they looked as though they will add to their lead, but Bohemians grabbed an 89th minute equaliser through Molloy to keep the final score a tie.

Late Ekong's strike sent Nigeria Super Eagles in to 2019 Afcon semifinals

The super Eagles of Nigeria are through to the semifinals of the 2019 Afcon courtesy of a 2-1 win over South Africa.


In a thrilling encounter between the two African giants. Nigeria's rising star, and later announced man of the match winner, Samuel chukwueze opened the scoreline in the 28th minute of the game. He latched in a decent strike from Arsenal's play maker, Alex Iwobi, skillfully placed cross into the box,ensuring the super eagles getting on the score sheet before half time in Cairo.

South Africa equalised through Bongani Zungu's header with 19 minutes remaining of normal game time making the match seem to be heading for extra time.


Bafana bafana were actually moments away from extra time when a goalkeeping error from Ronwen Williams gave Nigeria a late winner in Cairo.


William Troost-Ekong made no mistake as he headed home Nigeria's second goal of the night, a goal which proved to be the match winner for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria will face the winner of the match between Algeria and Ivory Coast in the Semifinals.

Jade Bailey departs Chelsea

The 23-year-old versatile player joined Liverpool today after representing the blues for 3 seasons.

The England international playing time at Chelsea was limited sadly due to an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury. She therefore spent most of her playing time with the blues on loan at Reading FC. 

 

Bailey decided to join Liverpool as it was officially announced by both parties today. 

Brazil wins 2019 Copa America

Gabriel Jesus scored and assisted on goals before being sent off in Brazil's 3-0 win over Peru in the Copa America final on Sunday.


The hosts opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Gabriel Jesus slipped past two defenders and crossed the ball to Everton to finish first time past Peru keeper Pedro Gallese.

Peru equalised from Paolo Guerrero perfectly converted spot kick, after Thiago Silva was whistled for hand ball. Brazil then took the lead again with Jesus cool finish from the top of the penalty area to put the scoreline at 2-1 before the break.

Jesus was controversialy sent off in the 70th minute for a foul on Carlos Zambrano with the Man City striker being shown a second yellow card




Despite being down a man, Brazil were on the score sheet again as substitute Richarlison converted a penalty to give Brazil their ninth Copa America title.

USA wins 2019 Women's World Cup

Dominating yet another opponent in yet another final, the United States women's soccer team wins the women's world cup for the fourth time on Sunday, beating the Netherlands, 2-0, in Lyon, France ,to repeat as World Champions.


Rapinoe, opened the deadlock which ran till the end of the first half, seeing the Dutch team as the only team to ever deny the champions on the score sheet before half time. It was a penalty, which came after Morgan was kicked in the shoulder by Netherlands defender Stefanie Van der Gragt. Rapinoe, later announced player of the match winner, stepped up and buried her attempt to the right of goalkeeper, Sari van Veenendaal, who barely moved as the ball rippled the back of the net.

The second goal came from Lavelle's hard, low shot after turning a backpedalling defender, and the goal later seem to seal the fourth title for the dreaded defending champions.

The scoreline ended 2-0 with the Dutch team failing  to get on the score sheet.

PSG signs Herrera

Paris Saint-German have confirmed the signing of former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera on a five year contract.

This was made known via the club's twitter handle on Thursday evening.



Herrera, aged 29, joined the France giant on a free transfer and will receive a staggering amount of £300,000 a week as reported by Mirror Football.

This is surely a heartbreak for the Manchester United fans who had wanted the Spanish midfielder to remain at the club.

Buffon back at Juventus

At 41 years of age, and after just one season in France with Paris St Germain, he is back at his old club again.



Buffon, although, approaching the end of his glittering playing career has been returned to a familiar surrounding to fill back-up duties behind the first choice keeper, Wojciech Szczesny.



Buffon will be hoping for a champions league crown with a Juve side led by the enigmatic talents of football genius Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester City signs Rodrigo

Rodrigo has signed for Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in a club record €70M (£62.8) transfer.

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder signed a five year deal with the back to back Premier League Champions.



Rodrigo's arrival at City as the successor to Fernadinho as the holding player means Guadiorla can focus on landing the second of his two major targets.

Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard, appointed as the Club's new coach

English giant, Chelsea, have just appointed Club's legend and all-time goalscorer, Frank Lampard, as the new manager in a sensational return to Stamford Bridge.



The 41-year-old had been the front-runner for the job since their former manager, Maurizio Sarri, left for Juventus last month.



Lamapard's first coaching experience was with championship side Derby County, having guided them to a sixth-place finish and subsequently the play-off final.



Lampard's first two competitive matches in charge will be the Premier League opener away to Manchester United on August 11, and the UEFA Super Cup final clash with Liverpool in Istanbul three days later.

Argentina are out of the 2019 Copa America after a 2-0 loss to Brazil.

Brazil is through to the 2019 Copa America final after beating rival Argentina 2-0 on Tuesday in the Semifinals with a convincing display against their uninspired rivals. 

It was an intense match as expected, seeing both teams having flurry of chances.

But the goal did came for Brazil when Gabriel Jesus kept up with Roberto Firminho's low ball into the box as the Manchester City man finished past Franco Armani.

The second goal came from Firminho himself. The ball was made through to him by the goalscorer, Jesus in a fast counter attack, which he made no mistake by putting the ball at the back of the net.

It was a quality display from Brazil and a poor one from Argentina, as Messi still looks for his first senior title with the national team. 

Brazil will face either Chile or Peru in the final.

2019 FIFA Women's World Cup: USA beats England in a dramatic encounter to reach final for three consecutive times.

The first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals went down yesterday night in a mouth watering encounter between two female football giants. It was England against the dreaded defending champions US.


USA, known for scoring early goals in their matches, definitely did it again against England. Inside the first five minutes Rose Lavelle nutmegged England defender Millie Bright along the right end line, cut inside and blasted a shot at Carly Telford in the England goal which she palmed away.


The goal finally came in the tenth minute, when Kelly O'Hara whipping cross flew over England defender Lucy Bronze and straight to Press, who powered a header past Telford into the upper left corner for her first goal of the World Cup and the 1-0 lead.

It was a fast response from England though, when Ellen White deftly redirected in Beath Mead's cross after sneaking behind the U.S defense.

There were quite a lot of chances between both teams after the equaliser from White, one of which Lavelle forced Telford into a strong save in the 25th minute.


Just after the half-hour mark, later announced player of the match winner and birthday girl, Alex Morgan, scored what proved to be the game-winner, heading home Horan's cross for her tournament leading sixth goal.

England nearly equalised again in the 78th minute when Nikita Paris centered for White and referee awarded a penalty kick after a controversial VAR check revealed that goalscorer, Ellen White had been inadvertently tripped in the U.S. box. England captain Stephanie Houghton took the courage to take the spot kick, but Naeher was up to the task as she got down to her right for the massive and perhaps historic save.



They were quite a flurry of chances from both sides in the closing minutes, and the U.S. pressure got the better side of England center back Millie Bright as she was sent-off for taking up a second yellow- the first against Morgan and the second against her as well.


The referee blew the final whistle after the 7 minutes of added time and it was U.S. reaching the Women's World Cup final for three consecutive times.

Arsenal complete first summer signing as Gabriel Martinelli joins the Gunners from Ituano

Arsenal have completed the signing of Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano Futebol Clube.


The 18-year-old scored 10 goals in 34 appearances for the Sao Paulo-based club before signing a long-term deal with the Gunners.


Arsenal have not yet confirmed whether Gabriel will be loaned out ahead of the new season. So it is possible the young-ster could be part of the Gunners' pre-season plans and could feature during their tour of the United States this summer.


Gabriel is a big fan of football legend and icon, Christiano Ronaldo, as he told Arsenal's official website he models his game on the big football star.

Tottenham made their first summer signing

Though this might be a surprising football news, but you just have to believe this is official.

For the first time since Lucas Moura was bought on January 31, 2018. Tottenham Hotspur are in the transfer market again as they officially signed England international and Leeds United winger on a four year deal for a fee reported to be around £10 million plus add-ons.

Though the youngster will rejoin Leeds on loan for a year before coming back to his new club, spurs after next season.

Clarke is only 18-years-old, but he showed flashes of brilliant potential at times last season in the championship, scored two goals in 25 appearances across all competitions, despite not having played for the first team before 2018/2019.

Clarke was also tipped by football legend, Gary Lineker, as a future star for England.

Now all that remains for the youngster is how he'll fare when he does make the big step up to Tottenham Hotspur.

Kovacic sign permanent deal with Chelsea

Former Real Madrid and Croatian midfielder, Mateo Kovacic, has made his move to the English giant, Chelsea, permanent.


The Croatian World Cup finalist moved to Stamford Bridge on loan last summer and was a regular in the Chelsea midfield under the reign of former Chelsea coach, Maurizio Sarri, he was also among the squad who won the Europa League in the 2018/2019 season.


Kovacic made 51 appearances for Chelsea last season, 36 of them starts, playing primarily in the left of midfield in Maurizio Sarri 4-3-3 formation where he was an important supplier of passes to Chelsea last season top goalscorer Eden Hazard.

Watford confirm signing of West-Brom centre back Craig Dawson on a four-year deal.

Watford have confirmed the signing of West Bromwich Albion defender Craig Dawson who joins the Hornets on a four-year deal.


The versatile defender was a fixture of the side who made it to the play-off semi-finals last season, narrowly losing out to Derby County in a thrilling encounter, but has earned himself another crack at Premier League football after two seasons in the Championship as he joins Javi Gracia's side for an undisclosed fee.


This was made official through the Club's twitter page on Monday afternoon.


The 29-year-old becomes the Hornets' first signing ahead of the 2019/2020 Premier League season.

Marcus Rashford signs new deal with Manchester United

Manchester United and England international forward has committed his long-term future to the Red Devils and vowed to return the club to "where it belongs ".


Marcus Rashford has agreed a new contract at Manchester United through to 2023, with the deal including the option for a further 12 months beyond that point.


Rashford, who burst into the scene during Louis Van Gaal's reign at United in 2016, has taken in 170 appearances for the Red Devils to date.


He has recorded 45 goals across those outings, while earning 32 caps for his country.


United are delighted to have got him tied down with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking forward to seeing an exciting frontman unlock further potential.

Adrien Rabiot set to join Juventus from Paris St- Germain

Juventus are expected to complete the signing of France midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the next 48 hours.


The 24-year-old contract with the French giant, Paris St- Germain expired on 30 June, leaving him a free agent to sign for rival club.


PSG coach Thomas Tuchel refused to pick Rabiot from December last year after it became clear he was not willing to extend his stay at the club.


In 2018, Rabiot refused to be named on France's standby list for the World Cup after not being picked in the squad.


On Sunday, the Italian champions tweeted a series of pictures of Rabiot arriving in Turin by plane.


He will become Juventus' second free transfer signing of the summer, following Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who ended his 11-year stay at Arsenal to move to Turin.