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Monday, May 7, 2018

Neil Etheridge, Cardiff City earn Premier League promotion

Football – Inquirer Sports

Neil Etheridge, Cardiff City earn Premier League promotion

Neil Etheridge is back in the Premier League. The 28-year-old goalkeeper preserved the clean sheet for Cardiff City as it settled for a scoreless draw over Reading early Monday morning (Manila time). Cardiff City placed second in the second-division with 90 points as it, together with 2018 EPL Champion Wolverhampton Wanderers, gained a promotion to […]

The post Neil Etheridge, Cardiff City earn Premier League promotion appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

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Sunday, May 6, 2018

Who is Konstantinos Mavropanos? Arsenal’s Greek defender playing at Man Utd after signing in January transfer window

Football news - transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures | The Sun

Who is Konstantinos Mavropanos? Arsenal’s Greek defender playing at Man Utd after signing in January transfer window

ARSENAL centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos will finally his debut for the club after joining the club in this transfer window.

The Greek defender has been chosen to start for the Gunners in Arsene Wenger’s last ever trip to Old Trafford.

Arsenal new signing Konstantinos Mavropanos takes part in trainingGetty Who is Konstantinos Mavropanos?

Mavropanos is a 20-year-old centre-back from Greece.

The defender was born in Athens, Greece and started his career at youth side Apollon Smyrni.

He then joined Superleague Greece side PAS Giannina in January 2016.

How many games did he play for PAS Giannina?

THE 20 year-old joined the club on a three-and-a-half year deal and made his competitive debut in November 2016.

Mavropanos made a total of 16 league appearances and four Greek Cup appearances for the club.

On January 4 it was announced that he had joined Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.

Mavropanos posing with Gunners boss WengerGetty - Contributor

How did Twitter react when the signing was announced?

Why do I get the vibe Mavropanos is getting thrown in the deep end tomorrow vs Chelsea?

— Luke Millar (@LukeSkywlkrr) January 9, 2018

I have watched Konstantinos Mavropanos a lot this season and he is world class, going to be a star for Arsenal.

— Ben (@AllAboutDatMane) January 3, 2018

Leo Messi on Konstantinos Mavropanos: ‘Toughest defender I’ve ever faced. He reminds me on combination of Fabio Cannavaro and Paolo Maldini at their primes.’#WelcomeKonstantinos pic.twitter.com/MwB7mHgwkP

— Lacazettes (@Lacazettes) January 4, 2018

After watching 5 minutes and 32 seconds of Konstantinos Mavropanos on YouTube compilations I can now confirm he's better than Manolas.

— SaM (@MesutIsMagic) January 3, 2018

Arsenal fans can not criticise the board or wenger for the signing of Konstantinos Mavropanos. What’s the point of appointing a chief scout if they aren’t trusted to sign up and coming talent. Sven knows what he is doing and has a track record of it #AFC

— The Football Mole (@moleyfootball) January 3, 2018

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Saturday, May 5, 2018

Toronto FC alleviates doubt with convincing win over Union

Sportsnet.ca

Toronto FC alleviates doubt with convincing win over Union

• Philadelphia Union 0, Toronto FC 3 (Vazquez 29’, Giovinco 65’, Chapman 89’)
• TFC secures its 2nd win of the MLS campaign
• Giovinco scores his 1st goal of the season

TORONTO – It certainly wasn’t a must-win game, but it was one that Toronto FC needed to win.

A laboured start to the MLS campaign, due in large part to its run to the CONCACAF Champions League final, saw TFC collect just four points and one win through its first six games. Toronto began this week in last place in the Eastern Conference and 16 points adrift of leaders New York City FC, which raised some questions about its ability to repeat as Supporters’ Shield champions.

A convincing 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Friday night probably won’t convince the doubters that TFC can come back to finish in first place for the second straight MLS season. But it should go some way in erasing any doubt that its Champions League hangover is over, and that it is serious about getting down to business in MLS.

“It was important for the team, for everybody because the moment is great, so these points are important,” Toronto forward Sebastian Giovinco said.

Unlike last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home versus the Chicago Fire when TFC faded as the game wore on, the Reds comfortably dictated the pace of the contest with a disciplined and composed performance over the course of the full 90 minutes against Philly.

“We stayed within the flow and rhythm of what it is we wanted to do, and never got hectic or chaotic. It’s nice to see a game just remain controlled from beginning to end,” coach Greg Vanney offered.

TFC was missing several starters due to injuries on Friday, including defenders Chris Mavinga and Drew Moor, left fullback Justin Morrow, and forward Jozy Altidore. Also missing were defenders Eriq Zavaleta and Nick Hagglund.

Due to the rash of injuries on the back end, Vanney used central midfielder Michael Bradley and right fullback Gregory van der Wiel in the middle of defence for the third consecutive match. A first clean sheet of the season for TFC, earned with a makeshift duo in central defence, offers some hope that it can ride out this injury crisis that has decimated the back line.

“A lot of credit should go to the back group, Michael and [Gregory] and their ability to move the line and keep things nice and tight. The back four have done a fantastic job of condensing space, and choosing the right moments of when to step up and when to drop back,” Vanney explained.

“For a group of guys who have now played a few games together … they’ve done a really good job.”

Toronto applied plenty of pressure early on as Giovinco unleashed a shot from distance that forced a save from Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake. Moments later, Philly’s Alejandro Bedoya delivered a powerful header off a corner kick that hit the crossbar.

TFC opened the scoring on a fluid passing play that saw Giovinco release Nicolas Hasler into the penalty box, and the Liechtenstein international cut the ball back for Victor Vazquez to expertly side-foot it inside the far post. It was the Spaniard’s second goal in as many games after a lengthy absence due to a nerve issue in his back.

“I saw Seba getting the ball and I was wide open. I received the ball and Victor tells me always in training to look, look, look back when I get the ball as he’s always there and I’m happy that he was there then and could score,” Hasler explained.

Giovinco doubled the Reds’ advantage in the second half, netting his first goal of the season by beating Blake from in close after shaking off two Philly defenders. Giovinco has now scored six goals in seven career appearances against Philadelphia. It was also the Italian’s franchise-leading 70th career goal in all competitions.

Jay Chapman sealed Toronto’s win late in the game, beating Blake with a cool finish inside the far post after being played in on goal by fellow Canadian Jordan Hamilton.

NOTES: Toronto leads the all-time series against Philadelphia, with eight wins and six draws in 20 meetings… Including the playoffs, Toronto is unbeaten in its last nine matches against the Union, with seven wins… TFC returns to MLS action next Wednesday at home versus the Seattle Sounders. The Reds are then on the road against the New England Revolution on May 12.

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Friday, May 4, 2018

Pressure on Eli as Giants build entire season around aging QB

Football Rss

Pressure on Eli as Giants build entire season around aging QB

There is pressure on Davis Webb to fend off new draft pick Kyle Lauletta for the Giants backup quarterback job, sure.

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Thursday, May 3, 2018

Barcelona and Real Madrid's potential transfers: Griezmann, Martial, Neymar

ESPN FC News

Barcelona and Real Madrid's potential transfers: Griezmann, Martial, Neymar

Real Madrid survived a nervy semifinal against Bayern Munich to book their third straight final appearance. Real Madrid are one match away from lifting the Champions League trophy for a third consecutive year and a fourth time in five years. Real Madrid are one match away from lifting the Champions League trophy for a third consecutive year and a fourth time in five years. While Barcelona celebrate their La Liga and Copa del Rey titles, the FC crew assess whether their Champions League exit makes the season a failure. The ESPN FC crew explain why Barcelona's La Liga title triumph is especially significant, given their 'roller coaster of a season' so far. ESPN FC's Alejandro Moreno reveals his Real Madrid ratings, which reward Karim Benzema for turning in one of his best performances of the season. Thousands of Barcelona fans lined the streets in Catalonia on Monday to celebrate the club's 25th La Liga title and 30th Copa del Rey victory. With the destination of La Liga already decided ahead of Sunday's Clasico at the Camp Nou, minds at Barcelona and Real Madrid are turning towards preparations for next season. Barcelona have won three of the last four La Liga titles and four consecutive Copa del Rey trophies, but the Champions League shambles in Rome offered a reminder that now is certainly not the time to stand still. Conversely, Madrid are on course to win a third-straight European crown having long been out of the picture domestically. There...