Football: One year on, Sanchez returns as a faded star

Football: One year on, Sanchez returns as a faded star

It was the inauspicious anniversary. Tuesday marked a year to the day since Alexis Sanchez swopped Arsenal for Manchester United and when his current club, desperately trying to be ubiquitous on social media, tweeted about it, the Gunners deluged them with mocking replies.As Sanchez makes his first return to the Emirates Stadium, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinting a man displaced from the Premier League side will be granted just his second start for him, it is a move that benefited no one - except, perhaps, Manchester City who sense missing out on the Chilean amounted to a lucky escape.
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Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday.Cardiff, in 17th place, did not manage a shot on target and Huddersfield were left fuming over a decision from referee Lee Mason.
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Karim Benzema scored his sixth goal in four games as Real Madrid beat Alaves 3-0 on Sunday for a fourth successive La Liga victory. The win took the European champions to within eight points of leaders FC Barcelona. The French striker knocked a cross from Spanish left back Sergio Reguilon into the
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Late strikes from Godin and Griezmann keep Atletico in title

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Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's trip to Manchester United this weekend is a 'must not lose' fixture. Fourth-placed Chelsea travel to Old Trafford to face sixth-placed United on Sunday, in a clash which could have a huge say on who secures Champions League football for next season.
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LIVERPOOL (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to give "every fibre of their bodies" in the battle for the Premier League title.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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Singapore international striker Ikhsan Fandi moved to Europe with Raufoss IL earlier this year and the 20-year-old has now scored his first goal in the Norwegian First Division in stunning fashion!
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worldsportstale.com/soccer/football-ikhsan-fandi-scores-in-third-successive-match-for-raufoss/
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Football: Trophy hunter Guardiola happy to miss out on winter getaway

Football: Trophy hunter Guardiola happy to miss out on winter getaway

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola insisted on Friday (Jan 11) he will be happy if Manchester City have no time for a mid-season break, because it will mean they are still competing for every trophy.
City's rivals Manchester United took the opportunity this week for a warm-weather training trip to Dubai, allowing boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer time to work on his squad's fitness.
Guardiola did take his players to Abu Dhabi last March, after their surprise FA Cup fifth round defeat at Wigan left them with a free week.
The City boss will consider a similar trip this time round if an early FA Cup exit leaves a gap in their match schedule.
But he acknowledges that it may be difficult to fit in such a break if City remain in the hunt for all four major prizes.
"Hopefully not, because that means we continue in the FA Cup and especially in the Champions League. We will see. If not, then we will have this time in summer time," Guardiola told a press conference.
"Last season, it was quite similar. But then after Wigan beat us in the FA Cup, we went there."
City are still in contention for a quadruple of Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup titles, something that has never been achieved in the English game.
They took a significant step towards winning one of those trophies on Wednesday, thrashing third tier Burton Albion 9-0 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
It means that, barring something extraordinary in the second leg on January 23, City will feature in the final at Wembley on Feb 24.
That creates another barrier to a potential winter vacation as their league fixture at Everton, scheduled for the previous day, would have to be rearranged.
"Did you see the schedule this morning? I saw the schedule, and the Everton game will be fixed for another week, so we don't have many (spaces in the schedule for a warm-weather break), so we'll see," Guardiola said.

TITLE RACE

City, having taken a step towards a cup final, resume their attempt to catch leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race on Monday, when they host Wolves.
Guardiola's side, in second place, are four points behind Liverpool after beating them 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Jan 3.
It was Liverpool's first league defeat of the season, and may have increased the pressure on a team trying to become champions of England for the first time since 1990.
But Guardiola rejected the suggestion that he is happier chasing than leading.
"I prefer to be in Liverpool's position," he said.
Guardiola hopes to have Sergio Aguero back for the Wolves match, with the striker having missed City's past two matches because of illness, while Vincent Kompany is close to recovering from a muscle problem.
City have found it tough keeping pace with Liverpool, despite collecting 50 points from 21 games, a better average this season than Barcelona, who are top of La Liga.
Barcelona have collected 40 points from 18 games, an average of 2.22 per match, while City's average of 2.38 is currently only good enough for second place.
"The Premier League is incredibly tough," he said. You don't realise how tough it is until you are here for the amount of games, the weather, the time needed for players to recover."

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Enrique praises Ramos as 'unique' player's penalty secures win for Spain Ramos scored the winning penalty after Josh King had cancelled out Rodrigo's opener.

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Football: Reds can be 'Invincibles' this season, says Unai Emery

Football: Reds can be 'Invincibles' this season, says Unai Emery

LONDON • Unai Emery feels Liverpool can match the achievement of Arsenal's "Invincibles" by going unbeaten in the Premier League this season.
His predecessor Arsene Wenger won 26 matches in the 2003-04 term to become the second side, after Preston North End in 1889, not to lose a league game in a season.
Manchester City lost twice last season and Chelsea once in the 2004-05 term despite both clubs' considerable wealth and abundance of star players, illustrating how difficult it has been for teams to replicate Wenger's feat.
But Liverpool, who are on an eight-game winning streak, have racked up 16 league victories with just three draws and have a six-point lead at the top of the table as they host the Gunners today.
Emery believes the development they have shown from flirting with Europe to top-four contenders to current league front-runners - Jurgen Klopp's men were installed as title favourites by British bookmakers on Thursday - makes the Reds "an example" for his team.
He said: "Liverpool are doing it and they can do it (by remaining undefeated until the end of the season). The progression is clear.
"They were out of the Champions League, we need to be demanding of ourselves, but time and patience are very important."
However, the Spaniard will not only have to prepare for the "very big test" amid rumours surrounding the futures of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, and doubts over defenders Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal, but also a looming Football Association (FA) charge over his head.
The FA on Thursday charged Emery with "improper conduct" after he kicked a water bottle at a Brighton fan during their 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.
Arsenal were also hit by the death of their former chairman Peter Hill-Wood, who stepped down in 2013 after 31 years, yesterday.
The 82-year-old, the third member of his family to fill the role, had been responsible for the hiring of Wenger and the club issued a statement expressing their "deep regret".
It read: "As we celebrate the unique achievement of 100 consecutive years in the top flight this season, the Hill-Wood family were at the helm for the lion's share of this special century... Peter and his family's influence on the club cannot be understated."
But Klopp still feels Arsenal, despite their issues and having dropped seven points since Dec 2, remain "a really good team".
Brushing off Emery's "Invincibles" comments as mind games, he said at his pre-match press conference yesterday: "That is not the Unai Emery I know. This is not them waving the white flag.
"It will be a really tough game. (Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang and (Alexandre) Lacazette are a good strike two. They are strong with the ball, lively, counter-attacks are crazy-quick. (But) we are focused on ourselves."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE TIMES, LONDON
LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL
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Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Jurgen Klopp's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield, a result that moved the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
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Klopp's Liverpool can be the new 'Invincibles', says Arsenal boss Emery December 27, 2018 by Football Paradise Staff Reporter 0 Arsenal head coach Unai Emery believes Liverpool can match Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' and go through the Premier League season unbeaten.
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Arsenal head coach Unai Emery believes Liverpool can match Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' and go through the Premier League season unbeaten. The Gunners travel to Anfield on Saturday evening
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Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Liverpool can be Invincibles, says Emery. a result that
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Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Liverpool v Arsenal: Reds can be Invincible says Unai Emery | Goal.com
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Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery.. Jurgen Klopp's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield, a result that moved the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
Liverpool v Arsenal: Reds can be Invincible says Unai Emery

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Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Jurgen Klopp's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield, a result that moved the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
Liverpool v Arsenal: Reds can be Invincible says Unai Emery

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Unai Emery thinks it is possible for Liverpool to emulate Arsenal's 'Invincibles' team from the 2003-04 Premier League season. The Gunners, under the management of Arsene Wenger, retained

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Football: Reds can be 'Invincibles' this season, says Unai Emery Unai Emery believes the development they have shown from flirting with Europe to top-four contenders to current league front
Liverpool v Arsenal: Reds can be Invincible says Unai Emery

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Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Jurgen Klopp's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield, a result that moved the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
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Football: Reds can be 'Invincibles' this season, says Unai

Lions hungry for post-raya victory

Lions hungry for post-raya victory

Singapore Under-22 striker Ikhsan Fandi is jet-lagged, having arrived from Norway on Tuesday and spending the following day celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with his family.
But he will again shoulder much of the scoring burden when the side take on the Philippines in the Merlion Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight.
His father, Fandi Ahmad, who is also the national U-22 coach, has promised to stick to the usual attacking ethos.
"I'm confident in tomorrow's game but the main problem is scoring goals," the 57-year-old said at a media conference at the Copthorne King's Hotel yesterday.
"We need composure in front of goal. I hope he (Ikhsan) carries on his form but he has just arrived, he hasn't had a session with us before and he's jet-lagged.
"Yesterday there were celebrations the entire day until the evening and I think I saw him collapse at the end of the day, so he needs a good rest. We have some restrictions on him but we will manage.
"I'm sure we will attack and my style is that I like to attack. We always play good high-pressing games.
"I think the boys are ready and hopefully, they will do another good showing like in the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers. We're looking forward to this."
Singapore were undefeated and scored five goals in their three qualifying matches in March, although they failed to make the tournament proper.
Ikhsan, who has netted four goals in 11 games for Norwegian second-tier club Raufoss this season, told The Straits Times that he will try to replicate his club form for the national side, but "everybody has to play their part" if they are to earn a place in Sunday's final against either Thailand or Indonesia.
The 20-year-old is expecting new team members like Balestier Khalsa's Daniel Goh and Zikos Chua from Geylang International to step up in the tournament.
Ikhsan said: "We have new players now so I think they will bring something new to the team... some new players who might show themselves during this tournament.
"Who knows, they might play a very big part for us."
Zikos, 17, having made his competitive debut for Geylang last year, is eager to make an impression in his first U-22 outing.
"I think they've selected us (youngsters) for a reason and we hope we can try and replicate the good things we've showcased for our clubs and hopefully bring it to the team and try to give our 100 per cent," said Zikos, who has impressed with his aerial presence and link-up play.
"I'm definitely looking forward to the tournament, I think it's going to be a good experience."
While Fandi acknowledged that Thailand and Indonesia have brought under-strength teams for the tournament, he believes the matches will benefit his side's preparations for the Nov 30-Dec 11 SEA Games in the Philippines.
"At the end of the day, the SEA Games is our target and we want to do well. This tournament is the stepping stone for the boys to push the level higher," he said.
While he joked that most of his players may be "3kg up" after the Aidilfitri festivities, he added: "We'll be fine. We'll give a good fight and a good show. I just hope the fans will come, put their celebrations aside to come and support the U-22 boys, give them more motivation and confidence.
"Hopefully, the real lions (the fans) will come and roar for us."
 • Merlion Cup tickets are available at the stadium or online via fas.org.sg/tickets

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SINGAPORE V PHILIPPINES

Singtel TV Ch111, 7.30pm

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ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) After getting a rare victory, the Detroit Lions are eager to celebrate some more success. Lions hungry to keep winning after earning rare victory | Fox News Fox News
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Lions hungry for post-raya victory, Football News & Top

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Lions dominate Patriots to earn first victory of season, 26-10. becoming the first player to reach the mark for the Lions since Reggie Bush ran for 117 yards against Green Bay on Nov. 28, 2013
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Lions hungry to keep winning after earning rare victory Until Sunday's 18-16 victory at Green Bay, the Lions had not won one game on the road against the Packers since 1991.
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Lions hungry for victory in Afcon final That belongs to the past because on Sunday the Indomitable Lions will contest the final against seven-time champions Egypt without eight players who
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Lions hungry for post-raya victory. The Fandi brothers are back in town to play in this weekend's Merlion Cup. The Straits Times caught up with them on their experience playing overseas, what it's
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Football: Sterling captains England as Kane, Henderson left out

Football: Sterling captains England as Kane, Henderson left out

GUIMARAES, Portugal (REUTERS) - Harry Kane was left on the bench for England's Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on Thursday (June 6) with none of the players from Champions League finalists Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur starting for Gareth Southgate's side.
In Kane's absence, Manchester City's Raheem Sterling was named captain in what will be his 50th appearance for the national team.
Southgate selected an attacking trio of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Sterling while West Ham United's 20-year-old Declan Rice starts in midfield.
Netherland's manager Ronald Koeman in contrast picked two members of Liverpool's Champions League winning team with Virgil van Dijk in central defence and Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield.
Memphis Depay leads the line with Ryan Babel on the left and Steven Bergwijn on the right of the attack.
The winner of the match at the Estadio Afonso Henriques will face hosts Portugal in the final in Porto on Sunday.
 

Teams:

Netherlands:
1-Jasper Cillessen; 22-Denzel Dumfries, 3-Matthijs De Ligt, 4-Virgil Van Dijk, 17-Daley Blind; 15-Marten De Roon, 21-Frenkie de Jong, 8-Georginio Wijnaldum; 7-Steven Bergwijn,10-Memphis Depay 9-Ryan Babel.
England:
1-Jordan Pickford; 2-Kyle Walker, 5-John Stones, 6-Harry Maguire, 14-Ben Chilwell; 18-Ross Barkley, 16-Declan Rice, 17-Fabian Delph; 11-Jadon Sancho, 19-Marcus Rashford, 10-Raheem Sterling.

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Ex-Dutch youth international Maguire seeks soaring start with Geylang The smaller crowds and stadiums of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) are a world away from the bright lights of elite football in Europe, but Barry Maguire sees his stint with Geylang International as a time to rebuild a career that is almost wrecked by injury.
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Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli Injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli will not derail Tottenham's Premier League title challenge, insists Davinson Sanchez.
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PARIS • Paris Saint-Germain may have clinched their long-expected sixth Ligue 1 title in the past seven seasons, but that triumph cannot mask the French club's shortcomings on the European stage where results have failed to match their huge investments.
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Football: Messi back for Argentina for first time since World Cup

Football: Messi back for Argentina for first time since World Cup

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Lionel Messi was named in the Argentina squad on Thursday (March 7) for the first time since the World Cup, ending a self-imposed eight month exile.
Interim coach Lionel Scaloni named the five-time world player of the year in his squad for this month's friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco.
The 31-year-old Barcelona star hasn't pulled on the light blue and white national team jersey since Argentina were dumped out of the World Cup last June by eventual winners France.
Another long-term absentee, PSG's Angel Di Maria, also makes the squad, but there is no place for other veterans Sergio Aguero - despite his sparkling form for Manchester City - Chelsea's Gonzalo Higuain or Mauro Icardi of Inter.
"The World Cup was a big disappointment for everyone, for him even more so," Scaloni told reporters at Argentina's Ezeiza training center outside Buenos Aires.
"And then in the friendlies he saw us play, he liked it, and he wants to try again, and he's welcome."
Scaloni said "Messi prefers to come than to rest," despite the demands of a heavy fixture list for his club.
"Leo is being called up now, and then we'll see if he plays a match or two - or none. I don't know. That's a decision I'll take."
In all, Messi has missed six friendlies since the World Cup in Russia but many believe he will be an essential part of the team that travels to Brazil for the Copa America, which kicks off June 14.
Whilst he's built up an almost unprecedented collection of trophies with his club, Messi is running out of time to taste major international success with Argentina.
He was on the losing side in major finals three years running from 2014-16, first to Germany in the World Cup in Brazil, then twice to Chile on penalties in the Copa America, including the one-off Centenary edition of the competition.
With 65 goals in 128 appearances, Messi is Argentina's all-time top goalscorer. He's also Barca's top marksman ever with more than twice the number of goals as the next best.
But he's never managed to match his club form when operating on the international stage.
Argentina play Venezuela in Madrid on March 22 and then travel to Tangier four days later to tackle hosts Morocco.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Agustin Marchesin (Club America/MEX), Juan Musso (Udinese/ITA), Franco Armani (River Plate), Esteban Andrada (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: German Pezzella (Fiorentina/ITA), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla/ESP), Juan Foyth (Tottenham/ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG), Walter Kannemann (Gremio/BRA), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/NED), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Renzo Saravia (Racing Club), Lisandro Martinez (Defensa y Justicia)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guido Rodriguez (Club America/MEX), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis/ESP), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham/ENG), Roberto Pereyra (Watford/ENG), Matias Zaracho (Racing Club), Ivan Marcone (Boca Juniors), Domingo Blanco (Defensa y Justicia), Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese/ITA)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Gonzalo Martinez (Atlanta United/USA), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Dario Benedetto (Boca Juniors), Matias Suarez (River Plate)

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Paul Pogba scores his second penalty to help Manchester United to victory over West Ham - AFP "We were lucky to get away with three points and even a draw I would have taken at one point
Pogba spotkicks fire Man United past Hammers - NewZimbabwe.com

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The quarter finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup kick off tonight! Evra, van Persie & Fellaini and Januzaj are still in the hunt! We've felt a void the past two days with no football - well now it's finally back with an action-packed evening of quarter-final action: France vs. Germany and Brazil vs. Columbia.
Liverpool and FIFA Club World Cup - Confusion after Reds

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'We can score at Barca', Football News & Top Stories - The

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Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in FA Cup. takes a shot but fails to score during the English FA Cup third round match against Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup

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United, Spurs, Juve and Inter ready to heat up ICC S'pore Now into its third year in Singapore, the International Champions Cup (ICC) is set for its most exciting edition yet with Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan, and English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur confirming their participation yesterday.
Spurs Fan Club Singapore - Best Fan ImageForms.Co

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Maranzhe Hungry Lions are still celebrating after being crowned the 2017 Petrus Madzuhe champions at the Maranzhe grounds last Sunday. They beat Tshivhilidulu Hungry Lions 3-1 in the final. Although no goal was scored during regulation time, the teams managed to display entertaining football
Lions dominate Patriots to earn first victory of season, 26

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Ikhsan goes for trial in Norway, Football News & Top Stories

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Football: Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to

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Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10-man Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second Euro 2020 qualifier on Tuesday. Quagliarella, 36, netted two first-half penalties, while 19-year-old Moise Kean scored his second goal in his third appearance. Stefano Sensi, Marco
Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash Liechtenstein

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Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says he will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Monday's 2-2 draw against Burnley. Hudson-Odoi limped off helped by two members of
Chelsea Winger Hudson-Odoi Will Miss Rest of the Season With

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 23, 2019, with the headline 'Ronaldo fined, not jailed for tax fraud'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo fined for tax fraud, avoids jail term

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