The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SUNDERLAND

  • Man United waltz past Sunderland, Mikhitaryan nets cracker

    Man United waltz past Sunderland, Mikhitaryan nets cracker

    Manchester United  surged past Sunderland 3-1 in a Boxing Day English Premier League (EPL) clash, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan netting a superb goal.

    Blind combined with Ibrahimovic in the first half to net the opener, charging into the box and finishing low into the bottom corner, Goal reports.

    Ibrahimovic sealed all three points after being teed up by Paul Pogba to score a deserved goal as the clock ticked down.

    Jordan Pickford had been instrumental in keeping the scoreline respectable for David Moyes’ side but was powerless to prevent Mkhitaryan’s sublime back-heel flick in the 86th minute.

  • Anichebe happy with Moyes reunion

    Anichebe happy with Moyes reunion

    Nigeria striker Victor Anichebe has said he is delighted to reunite with his former manager at Everton, David Moyes, at Sunderland.

    Anichebe, 28, has joined Sunderland on a one year deal after his contract at West Bromwich Albion was not renewed.

    The Super Eagles attacker played under Moyes between 2006 and 2013.

    “I’m really happy to be here at a great club,” africanFootball.com quoted Anichebe as saying on his new English Premier League (EPL) club.

    “I have a lot of good friends here and everyone knows that I know the manager really well.

    “He brought me through as a young player and was a big factor in me coming here.

    “I had a few options in England and Europe but the manager was a huge pull for me. He knows me inside out and I feel like he can get the best out of me.”

  • Moyes appointed Sunderland manager

    Moyes appointed Sunderland manager

    Sunderland has confirmed the appointment of David Moyes as the club’s new manager after Sam Allardyce’s departure to take the England job.

    Moyes has signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light, with the role his first in the Premier League since being sacked by Manchester United in April 2014.

    “We are absolutely delighted to welcome David Moyes to Sunderland, who was by far and away our first choice,” Goal quoted chairman Ellis Short as saying on Saturday.

    “He is a man whose football pedigree speaks for itself and is someone I have long admired. I have spoken with him on many occasions and I have always been hugely impressed.

    “He was my number one managerial target for the last five appointments, but his desire to honour existing contracts meant we were not able to bring him to Sunderland previously. To be able to finally welcome him as our manager is fantastic news for the club.

    “The fact that David has committed to a four-year deal is a clear demonstration of his belief in what he can achieve here.

    “It is our aim to become a better, stronger and more stable football club and with a manager of David’s calibre and experience at the helm, we have a fantastic opportunity to begin looking upwards, rather than downwards every season.”

  • Moses linked with Sunderland

    Moses linked with Sunderland

    Nigeria forward, Victor Moses, has been linked with a move to English Premier League (EPL) side, Sunderland, who barely escaped relegation last season.

    Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce, according to reports, could snap up Moses on a permanent basis to strengthen an attack spearheaded by former England striker, Jermain Defoe.

    The 25-year-old Moses pace and skills in the wide areas  will be priceless in the Sunderland attack, africanFootball.com reports.

     

  • Sunderland to decide Obasi fate

    Sunderland to decide Obasi fate

    SUNDERLAND manager Sam Allardyce has said he will decide whether or not to give Nigeria forward Chinedu Obasi a contract in the new week.

    Obasi, who is currently a free agent after being released by German Bundesliga side Schalke in the summer, has spent time training with ‘The Black Cats’ first-team squad in an attempt to persuade Allardyce to sign him.

    “He’s been injured with a broken shin, and that had taken a long time for him to recover, and he spent some rehab time in America,” said Allardyce.

    “His agent got hold of me and said he was worth looking at based on his CV, which looked pretty good, so we’ll make a judgement early next week.”

    Allardyce outlined a desire to improve his squad when he agreed to replace Dick Advocaat at the struggling EPL club

    With 24 of their 25 Premier League squad places filled, Sunderland have space to accommodate one free agent before the January transfer window opens.

  • Ideye confirmed for Sunderland game

    Ideye confirmed for Sunderland game

    Super Eagles forward Brown Ideye’s fitness has impressed West Brom manager Alan Irvine and he confirmed Ideye is in his thoughts for today’s game with Sunderland.

    The Nigerian arrived in England just a week ago and he has shown his intent to get things started in the English Premier League.

    “Brown’s in our thoughts for the weekend, without any question,” said Irvine.

    “He’s been here less than week, so it will be a big ask if we do decide to put him in.But I’ve been really pleased with the level of his fitness.

    “Because he hasn’t had a full pre-season,he isn’t where I’d expect him to get to.

    “But he has certainly come in good condition and has looked after himself.”

    Irvine,on the other hand,is a little careful at throwing the club record signing, Ideye into action but noted that it’s important to know the right time to introduce him at this stage.

    “I’m sure the fans will look forward to seeing him and it’s important we pick the right moments to put him in and look after him in these first few weeks,” added Irvine.

    “There is a danger of asking him to do too much too soon and then risking him getting injured.”

    The former Ocean Boys striker,Ideye got an hour early in the week and scored twice in a behind closed door U-21 friendly with Nottingham Forest.

    Irvine shared his observation about Ideye.

    “In terms of match fitness he’s not where we’d like him to be. He’s looking fitter by the day. He’s a good athlete anyway,” he said.

    “He’s not somebody I think who has great difficulties getting fit. He’s just not had that much time.

    “So I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen considering how late Brown came in.”

  • Mikel listed for Sunderland test

    Mikel listed for Sunderland test

    Super Eagles forward, John Obi Mikel has been listed in Chelsea’s provisional squad for today’s Capital One Cup tie against Sunderland.

    The Nigeria international, who was not listed in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, returns to the squad along with Branislav Ivanovic as the Blues travel to Sunderland for the Capital One Cup quarter-final.

    Cesar Azpilicueta will switch to right-back, with Ashley Cole at left-back, while Gary Cahill may return in central defence after being rested for the Barclays Premier League defeat of Crystal Palace, with John Terry possibly given the night off.

    Manager Jose Mourinho is likely to make a number of further changes, with the December 23 Premier League clash at Arsenal in mind, while left-back Ryan Bertrand (knee) and midfielder Marco van Ginkel (knee) are out.

    Provisional squad: Cech, Cole, Luiz, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Mata, Oscar, Mikel, Schurrle, De Bruyne, Hazard, Ba, Willian, Schwarzer, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Eto’o, Blackman.

  • Fulham, Sunderland, Hull chase Osaze

    Fulham, Sunderland, Hull chase Osaze

    Sky Sports understands four Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie.

    The 31-year-old forward has been looking for a route out of The Hawthorns for some time, with a deadline day fiasco in January seeing him fail to secure a switch to Queens Park Rangers.

    With there being little chance of him being offered a clean slate with the Baggies, it is expected that the Nigeria international will be on the move this summer.

    As a proven goalscorer at the highest level, it comes as no surprise to find that numerous clubs are readying an approach for his services.

    It is understood that West Ham United, Hull City, Sunderland and Fulham would all welcome Odemwingie into their ranks – joining Crystal Palace in the chase for his services.

    He still has a year left to run on his contract at West Brom, but reports suggest that a bid of around £1.5million could be enough to lure the Baggies to the negotiating table.

     

  • Sunderland sacks manager O’Neill

    Sunderland sacks manager O’Neill

    Relegation-threatened Sunderland has sacked manager Martin O’Neill following a poor run of results.

    BBC reports that the Black Cats sit one point above the Premier League relegation zone with seven games left after a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday.

    Sunderland is without a win in eight league matches, during which the club had picked up only three points.

    The club said a decision on O’Neill’s successor would “be made in the coming days.”

    A statement reads: “Sunderland AFC has announced that it has parted company with manager Martin O’Neill.

    “The club would like to place on record its thanks to Martin and wishes him well for the future.”

    There was no hint of an exit for the 61-year-old in chairman Ellis Short’s programme notes before the game against the league leaders, with the American instead calling for a united front.

    “Of course, there is nobody that is happy with our current position and the way our season is going,” he wrote. “The reality is that we have a fight on our hands.

     

  • Sunderland keep N1.5bn for Efe Ambrose

    Sunderland keep N1.5bn for Efe Ambrose

    English Premiership side Sunderland are set to offer around N1.5 billion (six million pounds) for Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose.

    Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is eyeing the Celtic star to boost his defensive options.

    Ambrose is O’Neill’s idea of a centre-half in that he is strong, quick, good in the air and a price tag of around £6million would suit his budget, reports The Journal.

    Ambrose who was named in the team of the tournament for the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa is believed to be also attracting interest from Swansea and Liverpool, who all want his signature.

    He won the 2013 AFCON with the Super Eagles on February 10, where they defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.

    Ambrose continued his goal scoring form for his Scottish side Celtic FC when he netted his second goal in two matches in the Hoops 1-1 away draw with St Johnstone at the McDiarmid Park on Tuesday February 19, 2013.

    The Nigerian defender met Emilio Izaguirre’s cross from the left and sent a glancing header bulleting into the back of the net. And with the goal came his trademark somersaults in celebration.