Sports
You can’t have it all – Pundit slams Iwobi’s Fulham teammate for Man City failure
Alex Iwobi’s colleague has been blamed for the Cottagers’ loss at the Etihad Stadium.
Alex Iwobi played commendably in Fulham’s 3-2 defeat by Manchester City on Saturday, but his colleague has been on the receiving end of fierce criticism from ESPN’s Alejandro Moreno.
Despite scoring twice — and having gone ahead — through Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz, a Mameo Kovacic brace and Jeremy Doku strike sealed a nervy victory for Pep Guardiola’s men, who returned to winning ways after consecutive Premier League draws against Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Success for City means they stay level with Arsenal on 17 points with Liverpool one clear atop the standings.
However, Saturday’s match could have gone differently had Adama Traore converted his multiple chances, failing to put away three opportunities categorised as clear-cut.
According to FBref, Marco Silva’s men edged the Expected Goals (xG) 2-4-1.5 and Traore failed to take opportunities adding up to xG of 1.0.
This prompted Moreno’s remarks about the Spain international’s showing in Manchester, with the former striker focusing on the 28-year-old’s lack of composure in front of goal.
“Adama Traore is proof to the rest of the world that you just can’t have it all,” said Moreno on ESPN. “You can have the pace and you can have the strength, but when it comes to finishing…that’s the story of his career and it’s not just today (Saturday).
“This is something we have seen from Adama Traore that the final product is just not there. His ceiling is so much lower than it should be.
“If you just take the physical aspects of the game, Adama Traore is at the top of the world but when it comes to that final product, he goes all the way down to the very bottom.”
Sports
Alex Iwobi opens shop to donate free Chrismas food to poor families in London
Alex Iwobi, the Super Eagles midfielder, has opened a temporary shop where poor families can get free food for Christmas celebrations.
The shop, named ‘Alexpress’, is situated in Canning Town in East London, the community where the footballer was raised.
The pop-up stall is loaded with various food items stacked neatly in rows, and all offerings have a price tag of £0.
In a chat with the BBC, Iwobi cited his parents as his “role models,” who have inspired him to be altruistic since he was younger.
“This is where I was raised for my primary school education. People, families are going come in. They select a drink and the stuff for the house. There are different foods that they can take, and by the end of it, there is a turkey,” the 28-year-old said.
“‘Alexpress’ is a minimart to try to give out food to families that are not able to get food for Christmas. If I can help them celebrate Christmas, why not?
“Just seeing how my parents are, I have always seen them give back. And with that as my role models, I fill like when I am in a position I am today, or if I was in less position, I would try my best to give back and help the less fortunate and people who are not able to eat.”
Sports
Arsenal’s Saka out for many weeks with hamstring injury
Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for “many weeks” after suffering a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace, manager Mikel Arteta said Monday.
Asked at a press conference about the 23-year-old England international’s condition, Arteta said: “It is not looking good. He will be out for many weeks.”
Saka was filmed leaving Selhurst Park on crutches on Saturday, souring what had been a comprehensive second win over the Eagles in four days.
Arteta said after the match: “He felt something in his hamstring. He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.”
He also revealed on Monday that Raheem Sterling had injured his knee and would be out for many weeks.
Arteta was asked if there was a fear Saka would not return before the end of the season.
“No (there’s no fear),” he said. “I’m very optimistic he’ll be back before the end of the season.”
The Spaniard said it was part of the “development of a player”.
“It could have been much worse. It could have been something else that can take you out for a year,” he said.
“It’s how you react to that, how you overcome that situation and it’s a great learning process for him as well.
“It is what it is. He’s injured, we cannot change it. We’re going to use this time now to help him.”
Sports
Australian tennis star, Max Purcell, suspended for doping
The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today that a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, Max Purcell has been voluntarily suspended for breaking anti-doping rules.
The Australian, who is ranked 12th in the world for doubles, admitted to a breach of the regulations relating to the use of a “prohibited method” and had “requested to enter into a provisional suspension on December 10.”
No other details were divulged.
“Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction,” the ITIA said, with the ban coming into effect on December 12.
Under the suspension, the 26-year-old is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised by any of the sport’s governing bodies or national associations.
It means he will currently not be able to play in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park in January.
Purcell won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title alongside fellow Australian Matt Ebden and the United States Open crown this year, partnered by Jordan Thompson.
Tennis Australia stressed that the breach related to a prohibited method, rather than a prohibited substance.
“The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the breach relates to the use of a prohibited method, rather than the presence of a prohibited substance.
“As the matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it said in a statement carried by Australian media.
The ITIA is the same organisation that charged top-ranked Jannik Sinner and world number two Iga Swiatek over breaches of its anti-doping programme.
Italy’s Sinner was exonerated after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.
He is currently awaiting the outcome of a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against the decision.
Swiatek tested positive for a banned heart medication in August.
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