Ecstatic ‘Friends of Fulham’ praise their Nigerian international for helping down Brighton
Premier League
Fulham 3 , Brighton & Hove Albion 1 at Full time
Fulham
Venue:Craven Cottage
Attendance:26,368
Image Credit: friendsoffulham.com
By Ed Emeanua
Ecstatic Friends of Fulham are thrilled for midfielder Alexander Iwobi’s two goals heroics that helped the home side bring down Brighton on Thursday in their midweek Premier League fixture.
Forget that the Seagulls can ruffle Fulham’s feathers. Thursday’s 3-1 loss at Craven Cottage to the the Lily Whites is only Brighton Hove Albion’s third loss of the season. But it is the newest in a string of nine winless games in the top flight against nemesis Fulham.
Adoring Fulham fans love their team for its resilience and craft against their higher placed opponent on the Premier league table but love Iwobi more.
In the fans’ reaction after Thursday’s game on the ‘Friends of Fulham’ forum, diehard Cottagers supporters rooted for their team and players, showering both with plenty of love.
Fulham moved into the top six of the Premier League (yes you read that right, the top six) after a superb win over high-flying Brighton at the Cottage. Despite being pegged back in the second half, Fulham turned the tide and closed the game out well to continue our impressive bounce back following our previous home game which saw a humiliating defeat at the hands of struggling Wolves. Arsenal will be the favourites when they visit the Cottage on Sunday, but they’ll be given a hell of a game by Marco Silva’s side, George Rossiter reports for Fulhamish.
Bernd Leno
Had quite a lot to do, especially in the first half as Brighton flexed their quality and fluidity in the final third. A powerful effort from a tight angle early on from Joao Pedro was saved well by Leno to prevent Brighton instantly getting a handle back on a game that Fulham had led early on. Then made an even better save from Adingra 35 minutes in from close range. Of course it was aimed very close to the German, but the positioning and reflexes to parry it away from danger was very impressive. Won’t have liked conceding a fairly slow-moving strike from Baleba, but the accuracy of his effort was enough to find the corner, ultimately. 7/10.
Timothy Castagne
Image credit: Fulhamish
Potentially a surprise inclusion considering Kenny Tete’s recent run of form, but also maybe not considering Tete’s previous injury record. Wasn’t bad or overly rusty, but especially in the first half there was far too much of a Brighton threat coming from his side of the pitch. Time after time Mitoma and especially Estupinan were able to fire in dangerous crosses that Castagne was unable to close down and block. Had quite a quiet second half after that, with little defensive work to do but ultimately also not providing much of an attacking threat. 6/10.
Issa Diop
Solid if not spectacular from Diop. The most important thing to note is that’s yet another game where he’s bought composure and quality to a backline and not produced a complete clanger. That maturity and focus will really give Silva a headache when Andersen returns from injury. Cynics may say he could have done more for the Brighton goal, but realistically he was having to cover for a ball that had gone over another defender’s head. Biggest strength was his ability in the air, often getting the better of Joao Pedro on long balls and defending brilliantly from corners. 6.5/10.
Calvin Bassey
Looked a bit ropey for me in this game, probably summed up by describing his highlight of the game. A double block from two efforts via Estupinan and Pedro was impressive, but came as a result of his own mistake. On numerous occasions in the first half he seemed to be caught ball watching, something that continued into the second half. First he lets Van Hecke go free to head just over from a corner, and moments later a long ball drifts over his head which leaves Fulham outnumbered on the edge of their own box, and Baleba capitalized to score. Not awful by any means, just too many little errors across the 90. 5.5/10.
Antonee Robinson
Really mature performance from Fulham’s captain. With the number of crosses coming in from the left hand side, Robinson was constantly getting to balls first ahead of Adingra and Pedro to prevent opportunities for our opposition. When Fulham attacked, he looked to get involved, when Brighton had the ball he was ready in position, he was just constantly switched on in and out of possession. These are the performances and traits of a player that leads by example, which will be why the armband has been handed to the American twice in the last week. 7/10.
Sander Berge
Considering Berge has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, this was a quieter display from the Norwegian. The box-style midfield put pay to any chances of Berge showing off his ball progressing abilities for a large majority of the game. Furthermore, a poor challenge from behind on Pedro which led to his booking meant that he could not be overly forceful in his challenges going forward, which was frustrating with him being the holding midfielder of the three. Certainly grew into the game as Fulham improved in the second half, but nothing spectacular to report on here. 6/10.
Alex Iwobi
Not just our match winner but also probably our player of the season so far too. Some of the flicks and turns Iwobi is pulling off at the moment are evidence of a man with the full confidence of his manager and full confidence in his own abilities. His first goal was easy enough but was taken calmly and set Fulham away nicely. His second was not simple by any means. The turn was so intricate giving the Brighton defenders around him, the extra touch taken to manipulate the shooting position was exquisite, and the finish into the bottom corner was beautifully placed. Beyond his goals, Iwobi looked bright on the ball across the pitch and put in the leg work in a more central position. What a guy. 8.5/10. – Man of the match.
Emile Smith Rowe
Not as strong a performance as at Tottenham but I’m still seeing enough to be confident that this more advanced ten position is the one that works best for our England international. The pressure he is able to put on a team’s defenders with his pressing is evident even in games like this one where he was quieter overall. Also got to multiple loose balls in Brighton’s half before their defensive players did, showing a sharpness which wasn’t quite there when he first arrived at Fulham. He’s had good and bad days, but right now I’m content he’s growing into the club as a star player and starting to thrive in a position that suits him best. 6/10.
Harry Wilson
Finally got the start he deserved after a number of wonderful cameos from the subs bench. For all the headlines the winger has made with his game-winning goals in recent weeks, these showings in the last week against Tottenham and Brighton have shown so many strengths in his game. This ability he has to beat his man and then spot either Robinson or the winger ahead of him across the pitch and find him so easily is stunning to watch. If this form and confidence can be maintained, he will be one of our biggest goal threats and creative options all in one. 7/10.
Reiss Nelson
Found him so hard to judge for the majority of his 70 minutes on the pitch. So often he was looking to pass back to Robinson rather than take his man on. It’s hard to know whether that’s due to a lack of options in front of him or a lack of confidence to beat his man, which was his biggest attribute in the substitute cameos he made when he first arrived from Arsenal. If it was a lack of confidence, that could have not been more evident as when he went through on goal and despite multiple opportunities, simply denied himself the chance to shoot until eventually the chance was gone. Hopefully his hamstring injury isn’t too bad. 5.5/10.
Rodrigo Muniz
Thought Muniz was absolutely brilliant here. This is not a man that has a spell on the bench and loses his motivation or sharpness, Muniz simply wants to give his all for the team and to improve every day on the training pitch. Had two efforts go close in the first half, one header from a corner glanced wide in the first 15 minutes before another effort just before half time also went close. Early on in the second half, he spun his man on the halfway line and played a long ball across the pitch on the half volley directly to Nelson. That skill and precision, plus his hold up play, show the progression of the man as a player, we just need another purple patch goals wise. 7.5/10.
Substitutes
Andreas Pereira (70’ for Smith Rowe)
Could have been easy to have lost motivation after being booed onto the pitch by pockets of fans (wrongly or rightly), but you can’t fault him for creating the second goal by finally producing a decent set piece delivery. Didn’t do much bar that, but it was an important contribution nonetheless. 6/10.
Adama Traore (70’ for Nelson)
Provided a threat from both wings either side of Harry Wilson being subbed off. Willingly ran the channels in an attempt to chase after long balls when the striker found themselves out of position and helped seeing the game out by pressing the Brighton defence back and tracking back himself. 6/10.
Josh King (80’ for Wilson)
Wonderful to see Josh make his Premier League debut for the club. Considering his stature, it was particularly impressive how willing he was to throw himself into aerial duels, not to mention he was incredibly hard to dispossess on the ball. Had a couple of lovely passes into Iwobi and overall did not look out of place in a high intensity Premier League fixture. 6.5/10.
Raul Jimenez (80’ for Muniz)
Didn’t really offer much of a threat when he came on and often found himself drifting wide and not occupying the box. Took a man with him which gave Iwobi space to get the shot away for our third, if we’re reaching for positives or things of note. 6/10.
Jorge Cuenca (90+1’ for Berge) came on too late to be fairly assessed.
Marco Silva
For almost all of our time in the Premier League under Silva, this nagging issue of starting second halves poorly has persisted over and over again. It was the opposite here. Fulham went into the break in the lead but were the second best side on the pitch. However, despite Baleba’s goal, we were undoubtedly the better side in the second half and played on the front foot from the moment the referee blew his whistle to kick off the second 45. Also worth commenting on a couple of brave decisions selection wise. Muniz played brilliantly and Pereira created a goal off the bench despite his recent controversies. Lots of credit for the boss here. 8/10.
Enraged Manchester City devours determined Forest at the Etihad
Morgan Gibbs-White is challenged by Ilkay Gundogan during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Credit: Nottingham shire
He helped his team beat off an Ipswich lengthy rally even booting off a goal bound ball off the line last weekend, but Ola Aina’s savior heroics eluded his Nottingham Forest side at the Etihad Wednesday night.
Forest’s keenness was no match for an enraged champions on a mission to stem their winless streak at seven as Manchester City steps on the metal to winning ways defeating the visitors 3-0.
With three changes to his Reds that took down Ipswich on Saturday in winger Anthony Elanga, Nicolás Dominguez, and Alexandre Moreno, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo purposed to leapfrog a familiar champion fast losing ground this season.
The trio took the place of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Neco Williams and Elliot Anderson who dropped to the bench.
Erling Haaland had the first opportunity of the night after just five minutes, connecting with captain Kevin De Bruyne’s ball in the box only to watch his shot on target strong armed away by Forest goalie Matz Sels.
It was Forest’s turn to forage for goal on counterattack but the skidding sweep off by Josko Gvardiol denied Elanga from making much inroad.
On the eight minute of play however, Bernardo Silva thrusts home the first goal up close having connected with a flashing past De Bruyne’s header.
Almost immediately, the other Silva on the field, Jota, tried to right the wrong on the visitor’s account but his attempt eluded goalkeeper Stefan Ortega’s near post from a tailored pass from Gibbs-White.
The champions responded down the other end but Gvardiol header went wide from an otherwise pristine chance.
In an effort to outpace each other, the attacks went into an end to end crescendo. Forest’s versatile winger Jota Silva turned the spoiler by denying Gvardiol and in the next moment provided a cross back to Gibbs-White but the Forest attacking midfielder saw his attempt clutched by a strong Ortega diving right arm.
Forest relentless in their intention to score but continued to find themselves a goal down.
City clattered back with two chances of their own screeching beyond both side of Sels’ post. The first of the forays was stretched wide by Gvardiol, only for De Bruyne to direct a low shot on the slippery field beyond the post.
Forest’s clearest opportunity to score came on the 29′ as Chris Wood fleet feet saw him go through on goal following a messy back pass by De Bruyne, only for his effort to miss Ortega’s near post by a whisker.
As if tired of the ding-dong battle, City struck on the 30th minute, to double their lead.
The same De Bruyne, whose goofed almost allowed the visitors into the game, fired home after being freed by his fellow Belgium international Jérémy Doku.
A third City goal in the 59th minute from a counterattack sealed the win for City. Doku was located by a Haaland ball thrust into space, only to cut inside before weaving his shot beyond Sels.
Doku’s goal all but deflated the visitor’s fighting spirit but Forest was able to signal to all that the will live to fight another day.
Manchester United should take heed; Forest will be ready to joust again on Saturday at Old Trafford.
Fulham equal 73-year club feat during Premier League clash against Brighton
Records tumbled at Craven Cottage on Thursday night Image Credit: Getty/TalkSport
Nigeria and Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi’s brace helped Fulham equal a 73-year club feat during the Premier League clash against Brighton Hove Albion as Carlos Baleba’s equaliser at Craven Cottage saw Fulham level a 73-year old club record in their 3-1 win over Brighton, reports Natasha Everitt for TalkSport.
The Cottagers secured an early 1-0 lead as Alex Iwobi pounced on a defensive howler from Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who played a pass too short in his own box.
The Albion netted an equaliser ten minutes after half time, with Joao Pedro beautifully controlling a ball over the top to pass to Baleba, who slotted home past Bernd Leno to make it 1-1.
The strike saw Baleba score his third goal in all competitions for Brighton on his 50th appearance for the club.
But an own goal from Matt O’Riley from an Andreas Pereira free-kick into the box, as well as a second from Iwobi, earned the west Londoners all three points.
In their league history, only in the 1950/51 season have they had a longer such run from the start of a campaign.
Fulham also equalled their club record of scoring in 13 successive top division matches so far.
That’s a feat that’s stayed untouched for 65 years.
Fulham have also maintained their club-record unbeaten streak against the Seagulls in the Premier League.
The west London club are now unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League games against them with five wins and four draws.
Brighton have now edged Norwich for being Fulham’s side they have faced the most without losing in the Premier League.
The Seagulls have won none of their last ten Premier League away games against London clubs, drawing four and losing six.
The last time they had a run of this length without a league win in the capital was between 1961 and 1967.
Baleba’s equaliser secured one of them Image Credit: GETTY/TalkSport
Fulham are the club the Seagulls have faced the most in the Premier League without ever winning in the competition.
Going into the clash, Brighton were unbeaten when conceding first in the Premier League this season, with two wins and two draws coming their way after going behind so far.
And Fulham had won just one of their last five Premier League games in which they’ve scored the opening goal, drawing once and losing three.
But the Cottagers shook off those ominous omens to seal victory.
Marco Silva’s side have jumped from 12th place to sixth in the table.
They are now one space and one point behind Brighton, who sit in fifth.
The Seagulls have won one out of their last five league games.
In line for first Goalkeeper to become Africa Women’s Player of the Year
Image Credit: CAFonline
By Ed Emeanua
Nigeria and Paris FC goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, is on the cusp of becoming the first goalkeeper to be crowned Africa Women’s Player of the Year.
Nnadozie and four other players are the final nominees unveiled by Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) for the coveted best woman player of the continent award.
The others vying with Nnadozie for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year include the sensational Malawian sisters forward Tabitha Chawinga of Lyon and Temwa Chawinga who plays for Kansas City Current, Morocco and AS FAR forward Sanaâ Mssoudy, and Zambia and Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda.
Since its inception in 2001, no goalkeeper has been awarded the eventual nominee of CAF Women’s Player of the Year.
Former Ghanaian midfielder and captain Adjoa Bayor (2003) and versatile South Africa defender and striker Noko Matlou (2008), who currently plays for Spanish Primera Federación side CP Cacereño Femenino as a defender, are past awardees who have broken the mold.
Except the above mentioned duo, all past awards of the category of CAF Women’s Player of the Year have gone to individuals who play for club and country as either strikers or forwards.
According to CAFonline: “Five outstanding players have been shortlisted for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year,
“This year’s nominees reflect the excellence in women’s football across the continent after their impressive performances at club and national team level.
“The CAF Goalkeeper of the Year category includes five exceptional shot-stoppers while the Interclub Player of the Year category highlights five standout performers who shone during continental competitions.
“Emerging talents are celebrated in the CAF Young Player of the Year category featuring top nominees, while the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year category honors the technical brilliance of five coaches.
“The awards also recognize the contributions of national teams and clubs.
“The nominees for CAF Women’s National Team of the Year are Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and the Cameroon Under-20 side, while Club of the Year contenders include TP Mazembe (DR Congo), AS FAR (Morocco), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
“The winners of each category will be determined through votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches and captains of Member Associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of Interclub competitions.
The Nigerian goalkeeper is the reigning CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year awardee. She won the category of the award in 2023 and is also among the final five individuals that have been selected for the award this year.
The others vying for the award with her in the goalkeeping category are: Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe), Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR), and Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns).
The 2024 CAF Awards cover the period from January to October this year. The ceremony is to be staged on 16 December, 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Full List of Nominees (in alphabetical order by Member Association):
Player of the Year (Women)
Credit: CAFonline
1. Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
2. Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)
3. Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
4. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
5. Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)
1. Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
2. Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
3. Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)
4. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
5. Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women)
1. Merveille Nanguji (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
2. Lacho Flora Marta (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
3. Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
4. Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)
5. Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
Young Player of the Year (Women)
1. Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
2. Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
3. Lina Mokhtar Jamai (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
4. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels)
5. Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Coach of the Year (Women)
1. Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
2. Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar)
3. Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR)
4. Chris Danjuma (Nigeria U-20)
5. Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape)
As Sevilla boss assures his bench warmers of more playing time in Del Rey
FRANCISCO JAVIER GARCÍA PIMIENTA Manager Sevilla FC Credit: Sevilla FC
By Ed Emeanua
Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho stands to profit from Sevilla FC boss Xavi García Pimienta’s decision to hand his bench warmers playing time on Thursday to boost their productivity and confidence.
Unió Esportiva Olot plays in Segunda Federación – Group 3 and hosts La Liga giants Sevilla in a Copa del Rey second round fixture with the kick-off time of 21:00 local time.
The Nigerian is perhaps manager Pimienta’s most famous bench warmers this season boasting of just 4 starts and three substituted appearances in Spain’s elite league.
Iheanacho has logged-in 355′ of La Liga action and 90′ in the Copa segment for a total of 455′ all time this season.
Speaking ahead of the cup tie against UE Olot tomorrow Pimienta told Sevilla FC News that: “It is a very difficult game. Yesterday we saw the first surprise of the round with Espanyol being knocked out.
“Apart from Celta who won comfortably, for the others it was not straightforward. They are an opponent from Segunda RFEF (fourth tier) with some players that I know and a coach who is a close friend and is very good.
“They are going to play in front of their fans and it will be very difficult. We need to approach the match with concentration and intensity because if not it will be difficult. It is a knockout tie and there is no room for error.
“There will be players who have not been playing as many minutes and they will play tomorrow because they are ready. We face it with excitement and responsibility, knowing the difficulty.”
Iheanacho has not scored a La Liga goal since debuting against Villareal on August 23 in Spain’s elite championship. His only goals so far in Spanish football was a brace he scored against Las Rozas CF in the Copa on October 30.
Incidentally, the Nigerian is listed as Sevilla’s top scorer in this season’s Copa Del Rey thanks to his brace against Las Rozas in the first round.
‘Senior man’ shares the reputation with defender Joaquin Peñalver of Olot who has scored the opponent’s lone goal in the competition so far.
Both teams’ top goalscorer in the Copa Del Rey are also the featured attraction in posters promoting the game.
Van Nistelrooy survives West Ham’s first-half blizzard of attack to earn The Foxes a victory
Image credit: Sky Sport
By Ed Emeanua
It wasn’t a pretty win for Leicester City’s new boss in the dugout but Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and his mates managed to dig deep to etch out a 3-1 win against hard fighting West Ham United at the King Power Stadium Tuesday. And it was just as well.
Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooij, or Ruud van Nistelrooy for short to many in the football universe, had a raucous start in his first match for one of Premier League’s runty side and somehow managed a victory song when all was said and done.
The hallmark of van Nistelrooy’s victory is his decision to deploy Nigeria’s Ndidi and France’s Boubakary Soumaré in defensive midfield role. The pair managed to stabilize an otherwise highly notorious Leicester City shaky defense line.
Before long, the Foxes defensive line of James Justin, Victor Bernth Kristansen, Conor Coady, and Jannik Vestergaard, who was red carded in the 60th minute, began to play with stellar conviction.
In a first half that his side managed just three paltry shots on goal to his opponent’s 20, the Dutchman somehow still managed to go into half-time the better with a goal up, after his side held on amidst West Ham’s blizzard attacks, to mercurial striker Jamie Vardy’s goal with just 1.38 seconds into play.
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring the first goal of the game Image credit: Sky Sport
Vardy’s strike is his fifth of the season, his first goal since October 25, 2024 against Nottingham Forest, and the fastest goal for the Foxes this term. The 37-year-old’s opening goal against the Hammers was the sixth time he has got a new Leicester manager off the blocks.
The England forward equally accounted for managers Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel, Brendan Rodgers, Steve Cooper’s Leicester stint with their first goals.
With sides with differing fortunes in the ongoing season going up against each other on the first Tuesday of December’s scheduled Premier League milieu at the King Power, the outcome of the rhubarb was always going to be an unpredictable ending.
The home side have managed just a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League games at the King Power, winning 1-0 against Bournemouth in October. The Foxes have also given up the opening goal in 17 of those 19 frays at their home ground.
The visiting Irons triumphed over Newcastle United at St James’ Park to garner a second away victory in 2024/25, and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui was hoping for same tattletale on Tuesday night in certainly his side’s most vital run of schedules as the League starts to shape out before the season’s midway stage.
In contrast, Leicester City have won just two of their 2024/25 13 Premier League games to place 16th in the table, just a point from the relegation zone.
Lopetegui‘s West Ham clearly dominated verse period of this game but failed to bury a run of opportunities and forcing vexed Hammers legions to breakout singing before full-time: “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” at their Spanish boss.
A lucky Van Nistelrooy was thrown into celebration following a second half clincher from Bilal El Khannouss thanks largely to West Ham sub Bobby De Codova-Reid’s phantom ‘third goal’ having been scratched off by a tight VAR offside rule.
Kasey McAteer located El Khannouss in the box allowing the Moroccan a right footer beyond the reach of Hammer’s goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański.
Lopetegui’s luckless outing was completed when Crysencio Summerville touched a Jarrod Bowen cutback beyond the reach of Leicester goalie Mads Harmansen, only to be denied by defender Coady who cleared the ball off the line.
As West Ham cursed their luck, Zambian Patson Daka went clear of the Hammers’ snail-paced defence to boot in the third goal for Leicester.
Niclas Fullkrug’s stoppage time headed goal proved to be West Ham’s only solace at the Foxes den on Tuesday.
Former Inter and Italy star striker Christian Vieri in the list of people searched on Monday
Image credit: ANSA.it English
Police on Monday searched the property of the brother-in-law of AC Milan and Italy great Paolo Maldini in a probe into criminal activities by ultras at Milan and Inter, sources said Tuesday, Ansa.it English reports.
The brothers Aldo and Mauro Russo, the former a brother-in-law of former Milan exec Maldini and the latter a business partner of his and of former Inter and Italy star striker Christian Vieri, appeared in the list of people searched yesterday during the blitz against the Inter and Milan ultra leaders.
Mauro Russo, according to what has been learned, is under investigation, while his brother Aldo is not.
As can be read in the request for precautionary measures by the Milan Prosecutor’s Office, Mauro Russo is said to have bribed, for parking deals near the stadium, Manfredi Palmeri, a member of ‘M.I Stadio srl’ and a regional councilor of Lombardy, now under investigation.
Image credit: IMAGO/ABAC APRESS via Tennis Infinity
The 2024 China Open final is the one fans hoped to see, as Jannik Sinner will face Carlos Alcaraz in what is expected to be one of the matches of the year, Zachary Wimer reports for Tennis Infinity.
Besides just getting two of the best players in a final of an ATP 500 event against each other, the conditions in Beijing also favor an epic match because they’re slow and bouncy, which means that most rallies will develop beyond a few shots.
Both are tremendous shot-makers, but even they can’t easily hit a winner on the court in the Chinese capital. That promises to make this a fantastic match, especially since both have played extremely well.
He also barely lost on hard courts this year, totaling only two losses so far, one of which was against Alcaraz in Indian Wells, a court that resembles the one in Beijing.
Alcaraz wasn’t perfect at this event, but he continued playing as well as he did at the Laver Cup, and he’s inching closer to his peak level. With that in mind, the matchup has yielded some surprising results in the past, so there is always a chance this match might turn out differently than expected.
Head-to-head:
Alcaraz and Sinner have already played nine matches, which is why most tennis fans consider this the rivalry of the future. Some of those matches were utterly spectacular, such as their US Open meeting in 2022, while others yielded surprising results that nobody saw coming.
The Spaniard has been slightly better so far, as he leads the H2H 5-4, but it’s very close. They contested two matches this year, and both were won by Alcaraz.
In Indian Wells, Alcaraz became the first player to beat Sinner in 2024, while at Roland Garros, he beat Sinner in a five-setter to later claim his fourth Grand Slam trophy.
Sinner’s last win over Alcaraz came last year in Beijing when he bested him 7-6(4), 6-1. It wasn’t the best match from the Spaniard, who played bad tennis at this time last year.
He’s been playing far better this year, and it’s why he will be slightly favored to win the trophy this year. He’s looked much sharper in his matches in Beijing so far and generally seems to favor these conditions a little bit more than Sinner.
If this was a quick hard court, then the Italian would likely have an advantage. On top of that, it’s been a full year since Sinner last beat Alcaraz, which is notable as well.
Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner
5
H2H
4
3
Rank
1
21
Age
23
47-9
2024 W/L
59-5
202-52
Career W/L
249-79
Prediction:
Due to how good these two players are, their matchups will always come down to small margins. They can hurt each other in various ways, but considering Alcaraz’s form, it’s safe to say that he should be able to win this match.
“Big” Bronson Reed in a Last Monster Standing Match with Braun Strowman
Broken barricades, busted walls, destroyed cars and an avalanche of Tsunamis have left Raw General Manager Adam Pearce no choice but to let Braun Strowman and “Big” Bronson Reed settle the score in a Last Monster Standing Match.
With the entire arena at their disposal and nothing off the table, how will Strowman and Reed seek to prove that they are the baddest monster on Raw?
Don’t miss this epic clash tonight on RAW!
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre to both speak before Hell in a Cell
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre are just days away from competing inside Hell in a Cell and both Superstars are set to appear on Raw to discuss it.
What will happen when these two bitter enemies hit the ring with a mic? Find out on Monday at 8/7 C on RAW.
New Intercontinental Champion Jey Uso to appear
YEET!
New Intercontinental Champion Jey Uso will be on Monday Night Raw just one week after dethroning the dangerous Bron Breakker.
Don’t miss Uso live on Monday Night Raw at 8/7 C on USA.
The Judgment Day battles The LWO in a Six-Man Tag Team Match
Dragon Lee, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro of the LWO will take on the villainous Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Carlito of The Judgment Day.
Lee defeated Carlito on the Sept. 30 episode of Raw, thanks to a huge assist from WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
Now, Lee will be joined by Wilde and Del Toro to take on Dirty Dom, McDonagh and Carlito, all while the Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan keeps watch at ringside.
Don’t miss this incredible Six-Man Tag Team Match live on Monday Night Raw at 8/7 C on USA.
Kofi Kingston takes on Chad Gable
The New Day are in a rut and can’t seem to get on the same page.
With tensions brewing between Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Kingston will look to right the ship as he takes on American Made’s Chad Gable.
The New Day fell to American Made last week, a fact that Gable wasted no time rubbing in the faces of Kingston and Woods.
Can Kingston put an end to the smugness of Gable?
Find out next week at 8/7 C on USA!
Rey Mysterio battles Xavier Woods in first-time matchup
Next week, Rey Mysterio will take on Xavier Woods for the first time ever.
Woods and Kofi Kingston have not been on the same page, as Woods has grown increasingly irate at his tag team partner as well as The LWO.
Woods blamed Mysterio’s faction for The New Day’s loss in a title match against World Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh two weeks ago and will now take on the leader of The LWO.
Can Woods overcome Mysterio while dealing with his anger issues?
Don’t miss this first-time matchup next week at 8/7 C on USA!
Lyra Valkyria goes one-on-one with Zoey Stark
The Pure Fusion Collective is back to its winning ways after Zoey Stark defeated Natalya on the Sept. 16 episode of Raw, forcing Lyra Valkyria to step up and take on Stark.
Valkyria is coming off of a successful return to NXT and most recently on Raw she paired with Natalya and Zelina Vega to defeat The Pure Fusion Collective.
Which rising Superstar will come out on top in this amazing matchup? Find out on Monday Night Raw at 8/7 C.
Image Credit: Fulhamish
Image credit: Fulhamish
Records tumbled at Craven Cottage on Thursday night Image Credit: Getty/TalkSport
Image Credit: CAFonline
