Tag: Swansea

  • Mikel in full Acton as Boro records 6th defeat in a row

     

    These certainly are not the best of times for super Eagles captain and his Middlesbrough teammates as they recorded their 6th defeat in a row on Saturday.

    The Nigerian international and former Chelsea midfielder was in action for the entire duration of the match providing impressive passes that were however blocked by homers Swansea who began by converting a penalty goal in the 34th minute thanks to Matt Grimes.

    The score line stood at 2-0 at half time after Wayne Routledge increased the tally for Swansea in the 38th minute. Boro came out more determined in the second half with intent to remedy the situation but that did not immediately materialise rather it was Connor Roberts who grabbed the 3rd goal for Swansea after enjoying an assist from Bersant Celina who  had also provided an assist for second goal hero Routledge.

    What turned out to be the consolation goal for Boro came in the 81st minute through George Saville.  Despite the series of loses Mikel has told his teammates not to give up but fight on. Prior to Saturday’s defeat, Boro had lost Bristol City, Norwich City, Aston Villa Preston North End and Brentford, conceding 9 goals and scoring two. Middlesbrough are 8th on the Championship log with 58 points in 40 matches played, 26 points below table toppers Norwich.

  • Former Saint-Etienne defender shot dead in France

    French football club, Saint-Etienne have confirmed the death of their former defender William Gomis after he was ‘shot dead with an AK47′ at the age of 19.

    According to reports in France, the defender was killed in a shooting alongside a 14-year-old boy with police finding 24 Kalashnikov cases at the scene in La Seyne-sur-Mer, Cote d’Azur, on Sunday night.

    The circumstances surrounding Gomis’ sudden death are yet unknown but the Sun UK reported that Gomis’ brother also died from gunshot wounds only a few weeks ago before his death.

    Gomis who was related to former Swansea and Saint-Etienne striker Bafetimbi, left Saint-Etienne this summer after five years, having made 18 appearances for their reserve team in the fifth tier of French football last season but never made his first-team debut.

    Read Also: Ibra treble downs Saint-Etienne in Europa League

    The Ligue 1 side said in a statement: “AS Saint-Etienne had the immense sadness to learn of the tragic death of William Gomis, which occurred last night.

    “The strong and slender defender contributed, during the 2017-2018 season, to the promotion of the reserve team to the National Championship 2.

    “The club’s leaders, coaches, players and employees are deeply affected by William’s sudden death and offer their deepest sympathies to his family.”

  • Breaking: Swansea Manager Paul Clement Sacked

    Breaking: Swansea Manager Paul Clement Sacked

    Swansea Manager, Paul Clement has been sacked.

    Clement, 45, took charge in January with Swansea in the relegation zone and guided them to a 15th-place finish.

    Chairman Huw Jenkins said that changing the manager halfway through a season “was the last thing we wanted to do”.

    He said: “We felt we couldn’t leave it any longer and needed to make a change to give the best chance of an uplift.”

    Swansea announced that assistant managers Nigel Gibbs and Karl Halabi have also left the club.

    The Welsh club says it will give a further update on replacement coaching staff “within the next 24 hours”.

    Before joining Swansea, Clement had worked as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant manager at Chelsea, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid.

    He had one, short-lived managerial stint at Derby County which ended in 2016 and he was then reunited with Ancelotti at Bayern Munich.

    Clement joined Swansea on a two-and-a-half-year deal in January, becoming the club’s third boss of the 2016-17 season following the departures of Bob Bradley and Francesco Guidolin.

    “We had three different manager last season and as a result we all wanted to give Paul as much time as possible to turn things around,” Jenkins added.

    “Paul has been at the club for 12 months and what he achieved in the second half of last season to keep us in the top flight was a tremendous feat.

    “For that, and his effort and commitment this season, it goes without saying that the club thanks him for his work, together with Nigel and Karl.”

    The Swans were bottom of the table when Clement took charge but he oversaw a remarkable escape from relegation after a strong end to the campaign.

    However, a summer of poor dealings in the transfer market sowed the seeds for a dreadful start to the current term.

    Last season’s leading scorer Fernando Llorente and player of the year Gylfi Sigurdsson were sold but not adequately replaced.

    ‘Swansea’s crisis runs deep’

    Analysis by BBC Sport Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips

    Paul Clement’s departure is a damning indictment of those who run Swansea City.

    If you include club legend Alan Curtis’ spells at the helm, the Swans have gone through six bosses in just two years.

    Curtis has taken caretaker-charge of his beloved Swans for the last two Decembers.

    As head coach, Clement must take some of the blame, just as he deservedly received plenty of praise for steering the club away from relegation last season.

    But the problems run far deeper than the coach. Poor recruitment for the last few years has resulted in a squad which is inadequate by Premier League standards.

    Swansea made a stand over Gylfi Sigurdsson’s fee to Everton in August, but that led to a month of transfer inactivity during the protracted negotiations. Was there no spare cash at hand?

    Clement was promised money in January, but did not survive to spend it.

    The so-called ‘Swansea Way’ – which disappeared when Michael Laudrup was shown the door – used to be about an attractive and successful brand of passing and movement.

    Now the ‘Swansea Way’ is to announce a departure in December to make way for a New Year miracle worker.

    The revival could happen again, just as it has done following managerial changes elsewhere.

    But the crisis runs so deep – characterised by a disconnect between fans and those in charge, chairman Huw Jenkins and American owners Steven Kaplan and Jason Levien – it is difficult to see any other outcome but relegation.

    The Swans have dodged this bullet for the last two seasons – this time their luck may have run out.

  • Makelele takes over Onyekuru’s former club

    Makelele takes over Onyekuru’s former club

     

    Swansea assistant coach Claude Makelele has accepted the job of head coach of Belgium side Eupen. Nigerian international Henry Onyekuru currently with Anderlecht, was a major hit for Eupen where he scored over 28 goals.On 30 June 2017, Onyekuru joined joined Everton in June this year in £7 million deal but was immediatly loaned to Anderlecht where has also become an instant hit.

    Makelele joined Paul Clement at the Liberty Stadium in January and helped the Swans boss keep them in the Premier League last season.

    But Swansea have continued to struggle in the 2017-18 campaign and are second bottom after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion – a result that saw boos from the home faithful.

    It proved to be Makelele’s last game on the Swansea bench, though, after he accepted a head coach role in the Belgian top tier.

    He faces another tough challenge with Eupen, having arrived with the club bottom of the table after 14 matches.

    Makelele took charge of Bastia on 24 May 2014. After less than six months in charge, however, he was sacked on 3 November 2014 following a 1–0 defeat to Guingamp on 1 November, due to his inability to make an impact on the club as coach. Prior to Bastia, Makélélé was an assistant coach at Paris Saint-Germain alongside Paul Clement.

    In January 2016, Monaco appointed Makélélé as technical director. Makélélé joined Clement as his assistant coach at Premier League club Swansea City in January 2017 but has thought it wise to move again.

    As a player Makelele who was a defender made about 607 appearances for six clubs scoring 17 goals in the bargain.

  • Abraham focusing on B/Hove Albion clash

    Abraham focusing on B/Hove Albion clash

     

    With the invitation of current man in the news Tammy Abraham into the Three Lions camp ahead of England’s forthcoming friendly against Germany and Brazil, it will be safe to say that the debate over whether he will eventually play for England or Nigeria has been rested.

    Analyst looking at the pros and cons of his decision however will have to put that aside this weekend as Swansea host premier league new comers Brighton and Hove Albion. The 20 year old who is on loan from

    Chelsea is sure to be thrown against the visitors as Swansea seek to climb above the relegation zone.

    With only a victory in the last five matches Abraham and his teammates are likely to turn workaholics as the attempt to increase victory tally but that may not come cheap considering that their opponents only few weeks shocked West Ham at home with a three goal defeat. Will they attempt to do that against Swansea Saturday at the Liberty Stadium?  With six matches lined up  all eyes will however be on Liverpool who visit West Ham. With two consecutive wins at home Liverpool will be hoping to avoid a reminder to the visit to Spurs which ended in a 4-1 defeat. And with Sadio Mane tipped to make a surprise return for Liverpool, the sky might as well be looking red.

    Mane suffered a grade two hamstring tear playing for Senegal against the Cape Verde Islands in October and it was initially feared he would miss two months – and 10 matches – of Liverpool’s campaign.

    But early response to treatment encouraged Klopp to include him in Thursday’s Melwood workout and his performance at training looks like one who is good to go boosting the possibility of featuring at some point at the London Stadium.

    Fresh from a draw against Crystal Palace away and a victory against Tottenham Hotspur away West Ham will be hoping to have a good outing.

  • Chelsea go 11 points clear after beating Swansea

    Chelsea stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 11 points after victory over battling Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

    Cesc Fabregas marked his 300th Premier League appearance by firing the Blues ahead, poking the ball through the legs of Jack Cork and into the net.

    The hosts were stunned when Swansea equalised from their first serious attempt on target on the stroke of half-time — Fernando Llorente heading in Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick.

    Fabregas hit the bar before Pedro’s curling effort restored the lead and Diego Costa netted the third from close range.

    Swansea were denied a penalty kick when Cesar Azpilicueta handled inside the area at 1-1, but referee Neil Swarbrick felt otherwise.

    The match was far from straightforward for Antonio Conte’s side and the story could have been different had Swarbrick awarded Swansea the penalty kick shortly before Pedro made it 2-1.

    However, in the end Chelsea’s sweeping forward play earned them a 10th straight home Premier League win as they took another significant step towards a second title in three seasons.

    On a weekend when the first major silverware of the season — the EFL Cup — is handed out at Wembley, the Blues look unstoppable.

    They have 63 points from 26 games —- three more than at the same stage in 2014/2015 when last crowned champions of England.

    Fabregas could have ended the game with four goals on his return to the side.

    The Spain midfielder had a goal-bound shot deflected behind shortly before he opened the scoring, was denied by former Arsenal team-mate Lukasz Fabianski and also rattled the bar.

    With former Blues midfielder Frank Lampard watching on, Chelsea turned on the style.

    While it required an error from Fabianski to restore the lead, Eden Hazard’s exquisite timing and pass for Costa to make it 3-1 was a delight.(NAN)

  • Iwobi shines in Arsenal goal feast

    Iwobi shines in Arsenal goal feast

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi was a delight to watch Saturday as he contributed in no small measure to Arsenals 0-4 away demolition of Swansea. Iwobi who was in action for the entire duration of the match appeared to have a finger in every pie as his goal bound efforts were effectively deflected and sealed as own goals to the Gunners advantage.

    Of particular delight was his ball into the box that was sealed by former Tottenham full-back Kyle Naughton in the 67th minute. He had earlier in the 54th minute mounted pressure with his shot loop up off Jack Cork, over Fabianki and into the net to hand Gunners the third goal

    The opener in the 34th minute and the 73rd minutes goals were grabbed by Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez respectively.

    The Gunners had struggled during the early stages but two own goals – as well as strikes from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez – ensured that they eased to three points at the Liberty Stadium.

    Swansea have conceded  plenty of goals this season and  appeared to begin the match with the intent of avoiding any early slip-ups and it took 14 minutes for either side to get a shot on goal.

    That chance fell to Gylfi Sigurdsson on the edge of the penalty area, but the Swansea playmaker was unable to keep his shot down from 20 yards.

  • Swansea sack Bob Bradley

    Swansea sack Bob Bradley

    Swansea City Football Club on Tuesday sacked American manager Bob Bradley after only 85 days in charge of the Premier League club.

    Monday’s 1-4 home defeat by West Ham was Swans’ seventh in 11 games since Bradley took over on October 3 and leaves the club on 12 points, above bottom club Hull on goal difference.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bradley was the first American to manage a Premier League club.

    In a statement, the club’s chairman, Huw Jenkins, said: “We felt we had to make the change with half the Premier League season remaining.’’

    “With the club going through such a tough time, we have to try and find the answers to get ourselves out of trouble.

    “I have nothing but praise for Bob. He is a good man; a good person who gave everything to the job. His work-rate is phenomenal and we wish him well for the future.’’

    Bradley managed the United States, Egypt and Stabaek in Norway before leaving French second division club Le Havre to succeed Francesco Guidolin, who had himself only been appointed in January.

  • Swansea are Iheanacho’s favourite EPL opponents

    Swansea are Iheanacho’s favourite EPL opponents

    Swansea City  are Kelechi Iheanacho’s favourite opponents in the English Premier League, ahead of their meeting with Manchester City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

    Last weekend, the Nigeria international notched his 10th goal since his debut in the English top-flight when he hit target in the 25th minute against Bournemouth.

    Iheanacho has managed to find the back of the net against seven Premier League teams : Bournemouth, Manchester United, Swansea City, Southampton, Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.

    The attacker claimed two goals each against Stoke City (April 23) and Southampton (May 1), and was on target at the Etihad and Liberty Stadium against Swansea City last season.

    Teams in England and Europe have conceded 17 goals from the Nigerian wonderkid in competitive fixtures alone.

  • Ayew seals West Ham deal

    Ayew seals West Ham deal

    The West Ham united football club has completed the signing of the Swansea city player Andre Ayew for the club record fee of $20.5m.

    The Ghanian player scored total number of 12 goals for Swansea during last season.

    He signed a four-year contract and told the club website; “I am very proud and happy to be at this magnificent club.

    “I am happy to be playing for these fans and I hope to make the people very happy here.

    “The club have a lot of ambition and have a great manager. They want to become a bigger club every year and with the new stadium and a new training ground, you can feel they are moving onto another level and I want to be part of this project.

    “I want to train hard, do my job and show that I deserve to play for West Ham United. I want to give back to the manager and the fans the confidence they are showing me, Ayew reiterated.

    The transfer was also confirmed by the Hammers’ co-chairman David Gold  on Twitter, “Andre Morgan Ayew, also known as Dede Ayew is a Ghanaian international, joins West Ham on a four year deal.”