Vesper

OMG Simon Hooper just absolutely FUCKED SOTON on a clear red card and/or a possible pen

Real Madrid clinch Intercontinental Cup title with comfortable win over Pachuca Having won three trophies in the original Intercontinental Cup, the predecessor to the current format that pitched the European and South American champions against each other, and five Club World Cups, Real have now won a combined total of nine global titles. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41539451.html Real Madrid 3 Pachuca 0 Real Madrid won the Intercontinental Cup after beating Mexico's Pachuca 3-0 in a largely one-sided final on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr all on target. Real did just enough to win comfortably and never looked likely to cede control despite allowing the CONCACAF champions to threaten occasionally from counter-attacks at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. The Champions League winners opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a fine team goal that started with Jude Bellingham passing to Vinicius Jr, who ran past the goalkeeper before putting it on a plate for Mbappe, who tapped it into the empty net. Rodrygo extended their lead with a lovely effort in the 52nd minute when he beat two defenders before cutting back inside and curling a fine strike into the top corner with his right foot. Vinicius Jr wrapped up an easy win for Real from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after Oussama Idrissi fouled captain Lucas Vazquez inside the box. Having won three trophies in the original Intercontinental Cup, the predecessor to the current format that pitched the European and South American champions against each other, and five Club World Cups, Real have now won a combined total of nine global titles. "We are very happy for another title," Rodrygo told Spanish television channel Telecinco. Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal against CF Pachuca. Pic: AP Photo/Hussein Sayed. "I was a bit anxious with the goal because Jude (Bellingham) was in front of the goalkeeper but he doesn't interfere with the play, so I'm happy to help the team. "Vinicius is great, he is playing really well right now and we are pleased to have him with us. We have a great team and we are delighted." Pachuca threatened with early strikes by Oussama Idrissi, Luis Rodriguez and Elias Montiel denied by keeper Thibaut Courtois, yet Real slowly started to take control of proceedings with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo running the channels and Bellingham feeding both with dangerous passes into space. Rodrygo and Bellingham had two great chances to score before Mbappe gave them the lead and Pachuca were lucky to go in at the break not losing by a wider margin as Real piled on the pressure. After Rodrygo curled home Real's second goal seven minutes into the second half, manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes. His side then wasted several opportunities before Vazquez appealed for a foul inside the box that the referee didn't initially spot, but awarded a penalty after checking the VAR replay. Vinicius's spot-kick was low to the right and goalkeeper Carlos Moreno got a hand on it, but it wasn't enough to keep it out from finding the back of the net. Reuters

1 2 Pool SOTON pulls one back

3 2 FT meh

so close to the tying goal

super header

3 2 Nketiah

3 1 Jesus hat trick

1 1 Gabriel Jesus

another great save by Henderson on Sterling

nil 2 Pool game very likely over already SOTON is just horrid

nil 1 Pool (of course, they are playing dire AF SOTON)

2 nil NUFC

Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong signs new long-term contract https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6003115/2024/12/18/Chelsea-josh-acheampong-contract-new/ Chelsea have ended doubts over the future of Josh Acheampong by tying their young talent to a new and improved long-term contract. Acheampong’s previous agreement was set to expire in June 2026 but following an uncertain period, he has signed a fresh four-and-a-half-year deal. It sees the promising defender, 18, commit to Stamford Bridge until 2029 and is a timely development for the west London club — especially given there was strong interest from leading sides in the Premier League and overseas. Chelsea confirmed The Athletic’s story later on Wednesday. Problems during the negotiations impacted Acheampong’s game time at senior and age-group level, but subsequent progress saw the academy graduate earn his full first-team debut in the recent Conference League victory at Astana. Acheampong is now training with head coach Enzo Maresca’s squad on a daily basis and has a good chance to start again when Shamrock Rovers visit in the same competition on Thursday. Maresca is known to be keen on working with such prospects and integrating them into his plans. Retaining the England youth player is also viewed internally as a statement of intent by co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields and academy director Glenn van der Kraan, in conjunction with co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. Having joined Chelsea at Under-8s stage, Acheampong came through their system and turned professional in January before then-coach Mauricio Pochettino gave him a first senior appearance; coming off the bench in a 2-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur last season. Acheampong has so far represented his country from Under-16 to Under-20 level.

NUFC up 1 nil

https://www.vipleague.pm/carabao-cup/southampton-vs-liverpool-1-live-streaming

https://www.vipleague.pm/carabao-cup/newcastle-united-vs-brentford-1-live-streaming

https://statistics.soccerstreams100.io/league/eng-league_cup

Аrsеnаl – Сrystаl Раlасе England. League Cup / 18 December at 20:30 Nеwсаstlе Unіtеd – Brеntfоrd England. League Cup / 18 December at 20:45 Sоuthаmрtоn – Lіvеrрооl England. League Cup / 18 December at 21:00

nil 1 Palace

https://www.vipleague.pm/carabao-cup/arsenal-vs-crystal-palace-1-live-streaming

'Unify League' 🤪

Chelsea ‘support and trust’ Mykhailo Mudryk after positive doping test – Enzo Maresca https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6003439/2024/12/18/mudryk-Chelsea-enzo-maresca/ Enzo Maresca says he believes Mykhailo Murdyk’s protestations of innocence over his positive doping test and does not think the situation will be the end of the Ukrainian’s Chelsea career. Mudryk tested positive for the banned substance meldonium after playing for Ukraine last month and is facing a lengthy ban if the Football Association go on to charge him with an anti-doping rule violation. The 23-year-old released a statement on Tuesday saying he was in “complete shock” and insisted he had never “knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules”. Maresca, who reached out to Mudryk a few days ago on learning about the situation, is standing by his player’s version of events. He said: “We support and we trust Misha. Trust means that we believe Misha, we trust Misha and we support him.” A player found guilty of doping can be banned for up to four years. Maresca is convinced Mudryk, who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2030, can recover from this setback regardless. Pressed on whether this could be the end of his career, Chelsea’s head coach added: “I don’t think so. I don’t think so. I think he’s going to come back. Now the only thing is that we don’t know when. It’s the only doubt we have in this moment but for sure he’s going to come back.” GO DEEPER Explaining Mudryk's drugs ban: What is meldonium - and possible punishments Defender Tosin Adarabioyo revealed what happened to Mudryk has stunned the squad but says it will not disrupt their season. Chelsea have won their last seven matches and sit second in the Premier League. He said: “It was news to all of us, we all found out at the same time as you guys. We still support Misha and hopefully, things will get sorted. There is not much we can do in this situation. It is out of our hands, but Misha is part of our family and we are here to support him. “It is a very unfortunate situation but we are all professionals, we know that once we get on that pitch we have business to do and that is our main focus.” Maresca has not ruled out the possibility of Chelsea finding a replacement for Mudryk in January should the worst-case scenario play out. Tyrique George, 18, has made seven appearances for the senior side and his best position is on the left wing where Mudryk is often selected. Maresca said: “We now have four games before January. We have Everton, Fulham and Ipswich (in the Premier League). So then after these three games we are going to sit and we are going to decide if we need to do something. “For sure, Tyrique is going to get minutes and we are going to try to help him to improve day by day because now he’s working with us every day.” GO DEEPER Mudryk, the Chelsea winger who arrived as a £62m victory - but is now facing failed test

wooooooooot