October 2020 - Dunda Football

Exciting Merseyside Derby: Ancellotti still unbeaten as Everton draw against Liverpool

Ancelloti Effect!

Ancellotti’s Everton drew against Liverpool, in today’s edition of the Merseyside derby at Goodison park, in what was a fairly contested match. The Toffee’s came into this game having won all their previous four league games. You would suppose they have faced weak opponents. However, that is not the case. Before this match, Everton were top of the table with twelve points and scoring twelve goals. Following their draw against Liverpool, they are still top of the table with 13 points and scoring 14 goals. It` s notable that this is quite a good start as compared to previous season. Ancellotti effect!

No sooner had the match started than Mane found the back of the net. Two minutes and a few seconds into the game, the Senegalese forward converted a pass from Robertson to hand the Reds the lead. Liverpool were having a good start to the game.

However, just a few minutes following the goal, Virgil Van Dijk was taken to the ground by Pickford. In what surprisingly was not deemed as a foul. Joe Gomez was subbed following Van Dijk`s injury. Michael Keane headed the ball right past Adrian to even the scores.

1:1 was the Merseyside derby score at the end of the first half. Mohamed Salah later on added his goal tally to make it 6 goals in five appearances. His goal was an unexpected swish right past Pickford. Yerry Mina made a poor clearance which landed just in front of the Egyptian goal scorer. At this moment Liverpool seemed to have won the game against Everton. In the 81^st minute, Dominic Calvert Lewin headed the ball past Adrian ensuring the scores were level.

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A draw again

Later on, Richarlison landed a red card following his two-footed tackle on Thiago Alcantra. Fortunately, no injuries. In added time, Henderson found the back of the net. The celebration was short lived thanks to VAR. This ensured that the Merseyside derby ended level at Goodison Park. The last three Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have all ended level, this was the fourth.

Ancellotti extended his unbeaten run this season in charge of the Toffee’s. Not even Mourinho’s Tottenham could get a win against them. How many more matches before Everton losses a Premier league match? Klopp yet again remains unbeaten vs Everton since he made his arrival to EPL. More records counting up, and new been made. A great match, great coaches and equally amazing players. Looking forward to the reverse fixture at Anfield.

Europe/Main Stories/UEFA Champions League

October 1, 2020

A Ballon d’Or consolation for Lewandowski as he bags UEFA awards

by marina

UEFA Men’s Player of the Year

Robert Lewandowski bagged two UEFA awards, a consolation following the cancellation of the Balon d’Or. Following a remarkable season at Bayern, Lewandowski was the fans’ favorite to win the award. The Polish striker scored 34 goals in 31 appearances in Bundesliga for the Bavarians and made four assists. Moreover, he netted 15 goals in the Champions League. He made five assists also. Haaland followed him with ten goals in his name.

The 32-year-olds performance in the Champions League helped Bayern Munich bag a sixth Champions League Trophy. It is worth noting that this is an exemplary performance indeed. As a result of the excellent performance, Lewandowski won the UEFA award for best striker in the league. He beat the likes of Erling Haaland, Christiano Ronaldo and Mbappe to the award. To crown it all, he was awarded the UEFA Men’s player of the year award.

Other UEFA awards were also made.

Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season

The fantastic German shot-stopper, Manuel Neuer, was also awarded. He was awarded the Champions League Goalkeeper of the season award. This man made several saves in the final against Paris Saint Germain in the final. Moreover, he kept six clean sheets in eleven starts for the Bavarians in the Champions League. A well deserved one.

Manuel Neuer wins the UEFA Men's Best Goalkeeper Award — Manuel Neuer wins the UEFA Men’s Best Goalkeeper Award

The versatile full back

Joshua Kimmich won the Champions League defender of the season award. This versatile German player has been prolific in all positions that he has started in. Joshua Kimmich scored two goals in the Champions League. Furthermore, he made four assists, creating four big chances. Kimmich had a 88% pass accuracy in the Champions League. His presence, together with Thiago Alcantra in the team, ensured Bayern Munich made the right moves with the ball. The 25-year-old has been a site to watch.

Joshua Kimmich wins UEFA Men's Best defender award — Joshua Kimmich wins UEFA Men’s Best defender award

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Champions League Midfielder of the Season

At the heart of Manchester City’s midfield, you will find Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian has been pivotal in Manchester City’s victories and team cohesion. Pep Guardiola has continuously praised him for his brilliance. De’Bruyne scored two goals in seven appearances in the Champions League. As expected, his stats are never complete without him making an assist: two assists and innumerable chance creations.

Kevin De Bruyne wins UEFA Men's best midfielder award — Kevin De Bruyne wins UEFA Men’s best midfielder award

Indeed, Bayern Munich dominated the UEFA awards. The Bavarians coach, Hansi Flick won the award for UEFA Men’s coach of the year. He led his team to win the Champions League. Moreso, a remarkable win against Barcelona. Bayern beat the Bavarians 8:2.

England

October 1, 2020

Mourinho’s Tottenham Fixture Cancelled

by Lawrence Juma

On Tuesday September 22nd Tottenham Hotspur’s League Cup tie at Leyton Orient was called off . This was after several of Leyton’s players tested positive for Corona Virus. Spurs are placed Sixth on the Premier League table standing.

English Football League postponed the fixture. However, the match was later called of. This is because of the spread of the novel COVID-19. The news came two hours before Jose Mourinho’s side played the third round match at the Breyer Group Stadium.

The EFL and relevant authorities conducted a thorough review of the club’s Covid-19 secure procedures. Orient had earlier shut down their training ground since a majority of their squad tested positive of the virus. They were advised to self-isolate.

Called off

On Thursday, the fixture was finally called off. As a result, Tottenham was awarded a bye into the fourth round against Chelsea or Barnsley under League Cup rules.

Spurs played on Sunday against Southampton in the Premier League. They will travel to Macedonia for their Europa League third qualifying round tie against Shkendija on Thursday. Jose Mourinho made a complain to Uefa about the size of the goalposts before Tottenham’s Europa League play-off victory.

Mourinho talking to players during a past match

Football League clubs are no longer obliged to conduct mandatory tests on their players and staff for Covid-19 on a weekly basis this season. However, it is still the case in the Premier League.

Leyton Orient club had revealed the positive cases on Monday. Reports claimed Tottenham paid for their opponents’ testing after Orient’s game against Mansfield last Saturday.

Tottenham may not be disappointed that the match was called off. It could as well fit in the midst of a hectic spell of five games in 10 days. Jose Mourinho had previously branded this as “crazy”.

Zero ticket sales

The Corona Virus pandemic has had a huge toll on English Premiere League teams. Billions of pounds have been lost on zero ticket sales thus far. The empty stands have negative implications on the teams and their communities.

However, the British government is eager to roll out several pilot programs aimed at bringing back fans to the stands. A set of regulations has however to be followed to the book as to manage the situation well. Tottenham Hotspurs are among teams with possible chances to be on the pilot program.

Read this and more stories here: (https://dundafootball.com/2020/09/marcus-rashford-social-activist/)

Calvert-Lewin the goal Machine, Pogba laser and Torres’ debut goal

by marina

It was an exciting football night in EFL as Calvert-Lewin bagged a hat-trick, Pogba pulled a master class, and Manchester City got a victory vs Burnley.

Ancelloti’s squad

Following the new additions of players, Everton seem a formidable opponent to all Premier League teams. Everton has won all six games they have played, both in EPL and EFL. Of the six games that Everton has played, the Calvert-Lewin has started in five. He has scored in four of the games, eight goals. The English striker now averages 1.6 goals per game. He bagged a hat-trick helping his side beat Westham 4:1. Allan and Richarlison were subbed out following injuries they got. The severity of the injuries is yet to be clarified. Everton will now proceed to the quarter final round of EFL.

Everton has won all six games they have played, both in EPL and EFL. Ancellotti's new signings have been pivotal to Everton's success. — Carlo Ancelloti. Photo Credit opta

Manchester City vs Burnley

Manchester City was away to Burnley. However, they managed to win the game 0:3. Since 2016, Manchester City is yet to lose to Burnley in all competitions. During this time, they have drawn only once and won the rest of the matches. Pep Guardiola made three changes to the team that lost to Leicester. Sterling started upfront again since the Cityzen’s are without their natural strikers, Aguero and Jesus. Ferran Torres made his debut for the Cityzens.

Torres celebrating debut goal with teammate Rodri. Manchester City won the match 3:0 to progress to the quarter finals of EFL, Carabao cup — Torres celebrating debut goal with teammate Rodri. Photo Credit: Manchester City

Moreover, he netted the winning goal for Manchester City. Raheem Sterling made a through ball that found Torres. The 20-year-old Spanish winger found the top corner of the goal. Pep Guardiola fielded Sterling as a striker, and he scored a brace. Moreover, he made an assist. Indeed, a superb performance from him.

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The lost rematch vs Manchester United

On Saturday, Manchester United won against Brighton. Brighton had An excellent performance in this game but were not able to outscore the Red devils. Like Arsenal or Liverpool, United were to play the same team in the EFL as they did in the weekend.

Pogba celebrating freekick goal vs Brighton in Carabao. Manchester Unite won 3:0 — Pogba celebrating freekick goal vs Brighton in Carabao. Photo Credit: Manchester United

Van De Beek started for United. Moreover, Diogo Dalot made an appearance for United at the fullbacks position. Precisely, his first appearance for United this season. Scott McTominay found the back of the net in the first half, following a freekick by Juan Mata. Later on, Juan Mata found the back of the net from open play. A splendid connection with the new signing from Ajax, Van de Beek. In the 80^th minute, Pogba scored. Indeed, it was a magnificent shot past the Brighton wall. Jason Steele, Brighton’s keeper, did not move a muscle as he watched the ball get into the net. Above all, Dean Henderson’s performance was a 10 over 10. The English keeper made two superb saves. It was a well-deserved win for United.

Manchester United, Everton, Manchester City, and Newcastle have all proceeded to the quarter-finals of the Carabao cup.