Man City win in League Cup two days after feisty Arsenal match. Nkunku hat trick for Chelsea

Man City win in League Cup two days after feisty Arsenal match. Nkunku hat trick for Chelsea
Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes scores the team's second goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Manchester City and Watford at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, northwest England on Sept. 24, 2024. (AFP)
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Man City win in League Cup two days after feisty Arsenal match. Nkunku hat trick for Chelsea

Man City win in League Cup two days after feisty Arsenal match. Nkunku hat trick for Chelsea
  • Villa won 2-1 at third-tier Wycombe and Leicester triumphed 3-0 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw at fourth-tier Walsall
  • The last 32 of the competition is being spread over two midweeks to accommodate the expanded Champions League and Europa League

MANCHESTER: Playing just two days after a feisty Premier League match against Arsenal, Manchester City fielded a heavily rotated team and still had too much for second-tier Watford in the English League Cup.

City won 2-1 thanks to first-half goals by Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes at Etihad Stadium as the third round continued Tuesday with fellow top-flight teams Chelsea, Aston Villa and Leicester also advancing.

Chelsea thrashed fourth-division Barrow 5-0, with Christopher Nkunku scoring a hat trick and celebrating by inflating a blue balloon and holding it between his lips. Villa won 2-1 at third-tier Wycombe and Leicester triumphed 3-0 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw at fourth-tier Walsall.

The last 32 of the competition is being spread over two midweeks to accommodate the expanded Champions League and Europa League. Manchester United and Tottenham were among those to advance last week, while Liverpool and Arsenal play their games on Wednesday.

City manager Pep Guardiola won the League Cup four straight years with City from 2018, but said he isn’t going to take it seriously this season and will use the matches to give rhythm to some fringe players.

“We are not going to waste energy on this competition, for sure,” he said.

Doku was one of just two Man City players — along with Kyle Walker — to start both the dramatic 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday and against Watford. The Belgium winger put his team ahead in the fifth minute by shooting home from just inside the area after City seized on a misplaced back-pass.

Nunes added the second in 38th with a low, left-footed shot for the Portugal midfielder’s first goal since joining from Wolverhampton in the offseason on 2023.

Tom Ince — the son of former England midfielder Paul Ince — scored for Watford in the 86th.

Chelsea also rotated their lineup, making 11 changes from the team that started the 3-0 win at West Ham on Saturday.

Nkunku scored the opening two goals by the 15th minute and rounded off the scoring in the 75th. In between was an own-goal and a tap-in by Pedro Neto for his first goal for Chelsea.

Colombia forward Jhon Duran continued his brilliant start to the season for Villa by scoring the team’s second goal — from the penalty spot in the 85th — to add to Emi Buendia’s opener in the 55th.

The 20-year-old Duran has netted four times in five league matches so far this season, all off the bench.

Wycombe’s consolation came in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Walsall was unable to complete an upset over Leicester after taking their Premier League opponent to spot kicks at home.

Leicester converted all three of its penalties, while Walsall failed with their first three attempts to bring the shootout to its earliest possible conclusion.


Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel
Updated 25 September 2024
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Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel
  • Head of General Entertainment Authority says channel, due to launch by end of year, will include exclusive programming including interviews, daily reports and match coverage
  • It will expand Al-Hilal’s international reach in 200 countries served by streaming platform DAZN and ‘generate significant revenue’ for the club, adds Turki Alalshikh

RIYADH: Riyadh Season is sponsoring Al-Hilal’s soon-to-launch TV channel on the global sports and entertainment streaming platform DAZN, the chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, has revealed.

As part of the agreement, Riyadh Season will oversee content on the new channel, to help deliver a unique experience for fans and enhance the club’s profile in the international media landscape.

Alalshikh said the channel will feature exclusive programming, including interviews, daily reports on training sessions and coverage of friendly matches.

“In addition to this channel expanding Al-Hilal’s reach, from Japan to the United States, through DAZN’s presence in 200 countries around the world, it will also generate significant revenue for Al-Hilal through commercial advertising on the channel or direct contracts,” he added.

“DAZN is now also looking into sponsoring Al-Hilal, which is no surprise given Fahad bin Nafel’s success as one of the most accomplished club presidents globally. Riyadh Season seeks success and has become a strategic partner in this sports channel, which is something Riyadh Season takes pride in.”

Saudis living abroad, as well as the club’s wider Arab and global fanbase, will greatly benefit from the partnership agreement, Alalshikh continued.

“We don’t have specialized channels similar to international club channels, so this is a great opportunity to achieve that, especially with a global partner focused on success,” he said.

“This comes at a time when we have achieved great success in boxing and other events, and I am confident that Al-Hilal’s fanbase subscribing to the platform could reach up to 2 million people.”

He added out that similar opportunities are available to all Saudi teams: “Any club interested in collaborating with DAZN through Riyadh Season is more than welcome.”

The agreement was signed in London by bin Nafel and Kacy Grine, the president of DAZN for the Middle East and North Africa.

Grine said: “We are proud to work with Al-Hilal, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and with Riyadh Season, which has become a global symbol of entertainment and sports.

“This partnership offers Al-Hilal fans a unique experience and will allow us to tell inspiring stories about a club that continues to make history.”

The channel is expected to launch before the end of the year. Al-Hilal are the reigning Saudi Pro League champions and the most decorated club in the country.


Newcastle pledge thousands to help fourth-tier cup opponents fix storm-damaged pitch

Newcastle pledge thousands to help fourth-tier cup opponents fix storm-damaged pitch
Updated 24 September 2024
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Newcastle pledge thousands to help fourth-tier cup opponents fix storm-damaged pitch

Newcastle pledge thousands to help fourth-tier cup opponents fix storm-damaged pitch
  • Newcastle were due to play Wimbledon in the third round of the competition on Tuesday night

LONDON: Saudi-backed Newcastle United on Tuesday pledged £15,000 ($20,100) to help their Carabao Cup opponents AFC Wimbledon after storms damaged the fourth-tier club’s Plough Lane pitch over the weekend.

Heavy rains have battered the UK since Friday, leading to a waterlogged pitch and significant damage to the playing surface at the south London club, with images of a sinkhole near one of the goalmouths circulating on social media.

Newcastle were due to play Wimbledon in the third round of the competition on Tuesday night but have agreed to reverse the fixture and play the match at their own St. James’ Park stadium on Oct. 1.

“We regret to inform fans that due to extensive overnight flooding of the River Wandle, Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Newcastle United has been postponed.”, an AFC Wimbledon statement said.

Graham Stacey, a Wimbledon fan, set up a JustGiving page in an attempt to raise £50,000 to fix the flood damage, a target which had surpassed £75,000 by Tuesday in large part thanks to the Premier League club’s donation.

He told the Press Association he had been absolutely “flabbergasted” at the support the League Two club had received and praised Newcastle’s “incredible” gesture, but said his side would not return the favor on the the pitch, joking the Dons would beat Newcastle next week. 

“They’ve been nothing but supportive. Obviously, we had a big game lined up against them at home that’s now been switched to St. James’ Park, which is a fantastic event,” he said. 

“For the two sides to play at one of the biggest grounds in the country with one of the best supports in the country is going to be a thrill. Even better when we beat them.

“I should apologize because they’ve been so generous, and if we do [win] I’d almost feel bad… but it’s incredibly generous of them.”

James Woodroof, AFC Wimbledon club director, told the BBC on Tuesday that 100,000 liters of water had been pumped out of the stadium.

“I woke up to images from my stadium team. I thought it was artificial intelligence,” he said.

“The entire stadium, the concourse and ground floor, was under water. It was horrendous. The pitch has significant damage.

“We filled four tankers, which house 27,000 liters each – over 100,000 liters.”


Ten Hag says expanded schedules make injuries ‘almost unavoidable’

Ten Hag says expanded schedules make injuries ‘almost unavoidable’
Updated 24 September 2024
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Ten Hag says expanded schedules make injuries ‘almost unavoidable’

Ten Hag says expanded schedules make injuries ‘almost unavoidable’
  • United begin their European campaign at home to Twente on Wednesday in a 36-team Europa League league phase which sees each club play eight matches

MANCHESTER: Erik ten Hag has warned the increasing number of fixtures will leave top players facing an “almost unavoidable” risk of injury, as Manchester United head into their opening game of the new-look Europa League.

Expanded European events and next summer’s extended Club World Cup have led to growing concerns about players’ workloads.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested it was possible players could go on strike in protest at the growing fixture congestion, just days before the Spain star reportedly suffered a season-ending knee injury.

United begin their European campaign at home to Twente on Wednesday in a 36-team Europa League league phase which sees each club play eight matches.

“The format I think we have to take this experience and then judge,” Ten Hag told a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“There are too many games. It’s clear. Too many competitions,” he added.

“For the top players, they are overloaded and this is not good for football.

“In the end of the day it’s maybe good for commercial but there is a limit. It’s almost unavoidable that players get injured because of the overload from so many games.”

Asked what can be done to improve the situation, the Dutchman said: “I think as a club alone you can’t change this. It’s more about the total industry...

“At the end of the day, it’s financial. Also we are professional, so revenues have to come, but we have to balance this out.”

United failed to take their chances in Saturday’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace which left them on just seven points from five Premier League games and outside the top 10.

That stalemate, however, followed a 3-0 win at Southampton and 7-0 League Cup defeat of Barnsley.

“Concerned? We create a lot of chances in the first games of the season,” said Ten Hag. “Last week we scored seven against Barnsley, so we are capable of scoring many goals.”

“But it’s a part of the game we have to be better in, we have to improve and kill more in the box.”

Ten Hag will face Twente, a club where he came through the youth ranks and had three spells as a player before moving into coaching with the Eredivisie side.

“Of all the teams, Twente is the team that I follow the most,” said Ten Hag. “I watch them as a fan, as a supporter, not as an analyst. It’s a different way of watching their games...

“I would have preferred to have played against somebody else. It’s not nice to have to hurt something you love.”


Liverpool sets target for Alisson’s return from hamstring injury

Liverpool sets target for Alisson’s return from hamstring injury
Updated 24 September 2024
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Liverpool sets target for Alisson’s return from hamstring injury

Liverpool sets target for Alisson’s return from hamstring injury
  • Liverpool manager Arne Slot says goalkeeper Alisson is aiming to return to action this weekend
  • Backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher replaced Alisson for the 3-0 win against Bournemouth on Saturday and is set to retain his place against West Ham

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is aiming to return to action this weekend, manager Arne Slot said on Tuesday.
The Brazil international is recovering from a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of Liverpool’s English League Cup third round match against West Ham on Wednesday.
Backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher replaced Alisson for the 3-0 win against Bournemouth on Saturday and is set to retain his place against West Ham.
“Alisson is getting there but I think this game is coming just a bit too early and we are looking at the weekend against Wolves, but it’s going to be tight,” Slot said. “But he will not be there tomorrow so Caoimh will be in goal.”
Italian forward Federico Chiesa could make his first start for Liverpool against West Ham. Slot said the offseason signing is still working his way to full fitness.
“I don’t think he’s able to play 90 minutes, he only played 25 now as a maximum in the last three, four, five months,” he said. “But he is able to start, in our opinion.”


PCB says lack of unity within Pakistan team discussed in ‘Connection Camp’

PCB says lack of unity within Pakistan team discussed in ‘Connection Camp’
Updated 24 September 2024
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PCB says lack of unity within Pakistan team discussed in ‘Connection Camp’

PCB says lack of unity within Pakistan team discussed in ‘Connection Camp’
  • Pakistani media has reported on rifts among players and PCB management over captaincy changes, overseas cricket leagues
  • “Connection Camp” led by PCB chairman featured Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Pakistan’s white and red-ball coaches 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer this week acknowledged that the board’s officials and cricketers discussed the lack of unity in the national team and PCB management during the recently held “Connection Camp,” vowing that fans will see positive results both in the short and long term. 

The Connection Camp was a series of day-long discussions led by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi featuring prominent cricketers including Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan as well as the national men’s coaching staff. The camp focused on reviving Pakistan cricket’s glorious past amid a string of humiliating losses.

Pakistan’s local media has extensively reported on an alleged rift between Azam and Afridi. The Pakistani batter was replaced with Afridi as skipper of the T20 squad last year but was reappointed once after Pakistan suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to New Zealand. Afridi reportedly did not take his sacking well as cricket commentators claimed rifts between Azam and Afridi led to two opposing camps in the Pakistan team, leading to the national team’s lackluster performance in the T20 World Cup in June and the Bangladesh series at home this month. 

When asked whether lack of unity among players was discussed during the camp, PCB’s chief operating officer said at a news conference:

“The session was about this (lack of unity) that we openly and candidly accept and identify (issues) and ask for a commitment from each other, demand it, on how we can improve our performances and how we work together as a team.

“Our unanimous view was that we need to resolve this going forward and need to identify how we do it.”

Media reports have also cited tensions between the PCB and some Pakistani cricketers after they were denied no-objection certificates to participate in overseas cricket leagues over the summer. Afridi, Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah were all prevented from playing in leagues before the start of Pakistan’s home season, with workload management the primary reason cited by the board.

“Where the talk is of unity, it wasn’t only about the team,” Naseer said. “It was between the team and management and how we can work together to do things more successfully. These were part of the discussions. We talked about planning, we talked about workload management.”

Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, who was also part of the camp, said he was encouraged by the quality of the players he had witnessed during the ongoing Champions Cup tournament and enjoyed the competitive tournament. 

“Been great to see a lot of young players showcasing what they are capable of,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s red-ball coach Jason Gillespie maintained that the discussions would continue, citing the players cared about their performances and were “desperate” to do well. 

“Because we’re new to the job, our job is to listen and learn and look to implement ways where we can be more effective as players, as a team, and as coaches,” he said. “What was really clear today was the pride the Pakistan players have in playing for Pakistan and how they want to inspire the country. We’re on this journey together and we’ll do everything we can to help.”

Pakistan is set to host England for a three-match Test series next month from October 7 to 28 and play three Tests. The first and second matches will be played in Multan from October 7-19 while the third Test will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24-28.