THE Turf Moor house of horrors lived up to its reputation even if this time it was Thomas Frank and his ten men who were left feeling haunted.
For while opposite number Vincent Kompany celebrated only a second victory at home all season Frank now knows his side are in deep, deep trouble.
4
Jacob Bruun Larsen put Burnley in front from the penalty spotCredit: Getty
The Clarets win, boosted by the VAR dismissal of Sergio Reguilon after nine minutes and the Jacom Bruun Larsen penalty strike that followed, almost certainly won’t stop their descent back into the Championship.
But if the Bees aren’t careful they will be following them down.
They have now taken only one point from their last six games and have won just three in 18, scarily lying three places above safety but going down fast.
In what was a madcap clash of howlers and scorned opportunities Frank wasn’t helped by that early dismissal.
Not that the VAR should have even come into the decision – making of referee Darren Bond.
He completely missed Reguilon’s shove in the back of Vitinho after the Burnley midfielder got goal – side of him.
Play continued before Paul Tierney, back at Stockley Park alerted him to the fact that he had got things badly wrong.
Even so it took almost four minutes for Bond in front of the TV monitor to realise his mistake.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
He pointed to the spot, then sent off Reguilon for he had offended as the last man, and Bruun Larsen tucked away the tenth minute spot kick.
The Dane’s fourth of the season, should have settled Kompany’s side.
But the Turf Moor boss oversees the second worst defence and Dara O’Shea almost gifted the Bees a 25th-minute equaliser.
The centre half rolled the ball back towards where he would have been entitled to believe Arijanet Muric would have been standing – somewhere in his six yard box.
Instead for reasons only known to the Kosovo international he was elsewhere, yards away to the left of his goal.
Only his desperate sprint and a hooked clearance with the ball already half – way over the line prevented yet another Clarets calamity.
Ivan Toney responded and fired low, Muric this time fumbling the strike wide of his left hand upright.
Muric, 25, was making his Prem debut as the replacement for No1 James Trafford.
One of last season’s European Championship England under-21 heroes, the young goalkeeper was no doubt considered shell – shocked by Kompany after bending his back to pick the ball out of his net 62 times during his own horror first campaign in the top flight.
But having produced a roar of approval when Muric’s name was announced, the home fans will have been wondering if he should have been playing at all.
By the second minute of first half stoppage time they were, however, convinced that Kompany’s decision to bench Trafford for the first time since his £15m arrival from Manchester City last year was the right one.
Toney flicked the ball through for Yoanne Wissa but Muric this time stayed ice-cool, brilliantly fisting away from the attacker who was through on his own.
4
David Datro Fofana made up for his earlier miss by grabbing a secondCredit: Getty
Burnley should have been two ahead before he proved he was up to the job.
Except that in an increasingly madcap encounter David Datro Fofana somehow missed an open goal.
Eight yards out and completely unmarked as Lorenz Assignon fired over a low cross his attempt was as pathetic as it was embarrassing.
He could have scored again in the fifth minute of first half time added on thanks to the latest of a succession of schoolboy howlers.
Mark Flekken dropped the ball in front of him to kick clear – not realising the Fofana was lurking behind.
The striker on loan from Chelsea darted around the panicked goalkeeper but blew that opportunity too, with Flekken just managing to prod to safety.
Fofana hung his head over that one, just as he had done earlier.
But it wasn’t that long before he was smiling all over his face as he celebrated his fourth goal since moving north after spending the first half of the season on loan at Union Berlin.
4
Fofana scored his fourth goal since joining on loan from ChelseaCredit: Getty
4
Vincent Kompany’s side boosted their survival hopes with victory at Turf MoorCredit: Getty
And finally a moment to savour, not laugh at, in this crazy clash, too.
Vitinho robbed Keane Lewis-Potter on the edge of his own box before starting a move laden, maybe surprisingly, with sophistication.
Five crisp passes later Wilson Odobert slipped the ball into Fofana’s path and this time there was no mistake, the front man leaving Flekken for dead.
Brentford weren’t quite dead and buried, however, Kristoffer Ajer’s diving header sparking a late surge.
Skipper Toney, hoping to celebrate his 28th birthday, even claimed an equaliser seven minutes in yet more time added on.
But referee Bond got this one right for the striker called back into the England squad last week clearly humped into Muric.
Manchester City’sJoão Cancelo is on the brink of completing a transfer to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal in a deal worth €25 million....Read More
According to reports from L’Equipe, the Portuguese full-back is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Riyadh-based club, where he will earn an impressive €15 million per year. Cancelo, who was a key player for City, signed a five-year extension with the Premier League champions in 2022.
However, he found himself struggling to get into Pep Guardiola’s squad, which led to two loan spells, first at Bayern Munich in the latter half of the 2022-2023 season, and then at FC Barcelona the following year.
Joao Cancelo set to join Saudi club Al-Hilal – Getty image
At Al-Hilal, Cancelo will join an already star-studded lineup that includes his fellow countryman Ruben Neves, as well as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Neymar.
The move represents another high-profile signing for Al-Hilal as they continue to strengthen their squad under coach Jorge Jesus.
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen wants to join Arsenal this summer and not Chelsea....Read More
Osimhen has already reached an agreement with Napoli to leave the club this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Super Eagles star has an £86 million asking price to his name, a huge drop from Napoli’s £109 million valuation last summer.
Corriere dello Sport reports that the Emirates is Osimhen’s most favored destination via The Boot Room, and not Stamford Bridge.
Osimhen was said to be moving to PSG with Kylian Mbappe having exited Parc des Princes.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s side are looking for an out-and-out number nine
The Gunners could also turn to their Brazilian frontman, Gabriel Jesus, who lost his starting spot to his German teammate towards the backend of the previous season.
Amid these circumstances, the north Londoners would love to have a big, imposing striker, such as Osimhen.
They will be expected to challenge for the Premier League this year as well after finishing second behind Manchester City two seasons in a row.
...Read More
Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil in their opening match of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in Bordeaux, France, Thursday’s night....Read More
Super Falcons made their long-awaited return to Olympic football after a 16-year absence, but their Paris Games campaign got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 loss to Brazil in their group C opener game.
Despite dominating the first quarter of the game, the Nigerian side could not convert their chances into goals, falling short against a resolute Brazilian defense.
From the start, Nigeria showcased their attacking intent with Rasheedat Ajibade leading the charge. Her dangerous runs kept the Brazilian defense on edge, and she delivered a precise cross to Uchenna Kanu. However, Kanu’s effort was saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper, who was equally quick to deny Christy Ucheibe’s powerful shot from outside the penalty area shortly after.
In the 35th minute, the game seemed poised to swing in Brazil’s favor when legendary forward Marta scored from close range. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR due to an offside call in the build-up. Just moments later, Brazil capitalized on their chance when Gabi Nunes unleashed a powerful strike from outside the penalty area, beating Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and securing a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Nigeria push for an equalizer, with both Christy Ucheibe and Rasheedat Ajibade creating opportunities. Ucheibe’s attempts were thwarted by the Brazilian defense, while Ajibade’s efforts lacked the finishing touch needed to breach the Brazilian goal.
Brazil held on for a hard-fought victory, leaving Nigeria with a challenging path ahead.
The Super Falcons will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next group match against Spain on July 28th, before facing Japan on July 31st.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Mozambican officials to take charge of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles and Mauritania....Read More
Dique Salvador Muxanga will serve as the centre referee, with his compatriots Angelo Almeida Nguenha and Jonas Chochota Chochato as referees 1 and 2, respectively.
Angolan Eliano Domingos Tito Iacala will be the timekeeper, while Adalberto Luis Fonseca Catambi from Sao Tome and Principe will serve as commissioner.
All the match officials arrived in Kaduna on Thursday.
The encounter will hold at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna.
The Supersand Eagles won the first leg 5-4 in Nouakchott last weekend.
A draw or victory on Saturday will send the Nigerian boys to the finals in Egypt.
John Mikel Obi, a former Super Eagles captain, has hit out at footballers with African roots who choose to play for European countries....Read More
Mikel Obi, speaking on his podcast, insisted that their fatherland should not be a second option.
According to the ex-Chelsea midfielder, such players should not consider playing for Nigeria or their African nation if things don’t work out.
He said: “They say they wanna play for England or France or whatever it is, and then they wait. They keep waiting and keep waiting.
“When they get to 25 or 26 and they don’t get a call up from England, then they call Nigeria. We shouldn’t be treated like second options, we are not second options.
“If you decide you want to play for England, stick to it. Sit and wait. If you don’t get a call-up, you don’t get a call-up. But don’t wait until you’re 29 or 30 and then you call the Nigerian FA to tell them you’re ready to play for them. F*ck off mate.”
Super Falcons midfielder, Deborah Abiodun was delighted to meet evergreen Brazil international, Marta, DAILY POST reports....Read More
Abiodun was up against Marta at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium, Bordeaux on Thursday.
Marta provided the assist for Gabi Nunes’ goal as the Samba Girls defeated Nigeria 1-0 at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The midfielder had a goal ruled out for offside in the game.
Abiodun and the 38-year-old had a short discussion after the game.
She shared her memorable experience on social media.
“Last night, I had the honour of chatting with the one and only @martavieiras10, whose legacy has inspired generations. Sharing wisdom, experiences and smiles with such an icon is truly unforgettable. Here’s to chasing dreams and making history” she wrote on X.
Former Arsenal Defender, William Gallas has endorsed manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna....Read More
Gallas believes the Italian defender would be a good signing for the Premier League North London club.
Calafiori is set to join Arteta’s side imminently after a breakthrough in negotiations was made earlier this week.
The 22-year-old is set to undergo a medical with the Gunners.
“My friend played in Italy for several years and watches Serie A every week – he played for Inter Milan and Lazio, he was a great player, but I’m not going to say who – and he told me that Ricardo Calafiori is really, really good,” Gallas told Gambling Zone.
“He’s young. He has good quality, and he can play as a centre-back or as a left-back. I think he would be a good signing for Arsenal because the club doesn’t really have a left-back at the moment. There are doubts about that position.”
Grand Slam record-breakers Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were placed on an Olympics second-round collision course in the draw for the Paris Games on Thursday....Read More
Nadal, a singles gold medallist at the 2008 Olympics, is playing in his final Games having also won doubles gold in Rio in 2016, while Djokovic was a bronze medallist in singles in 2008.
Serbia’s Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and top seed in Paris following the withdrawal of world number one Jannik Sinner, begins his campaign against Australia’s Matthew Ebden.
“I am excited for this duel in the second round, and I will give it my all,” said Djokovic, who has faced Nadal 59 times over the past 18 years.
“I am aware of the importance of the Olympic Games. I represent my country, which is more responsibility and even more pressure.”
Spain’s Nadal, who has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slams on the clay of Roland Garros, faces Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in his opener
French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, tackles 275th-ranked Hady Habib of Lebanon in the opening round of the tournament, which starts on Saturday.
“Roland Garros is the most special place in the world of tennis for me,” said 38-year-old Nadal, who was defeated in the first round of the French Open by Alexander Zverev last month during an injury-hit season.
“This year I was not able to spend a lot of time at Roland Garros, so I am excited to be back here. It’s another opportunity and a chance to enjoy every single moment.”
Defending Olympic champion Zverev, seeded third, takes on Jaume Munar of Spain.
Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, playing in Paris as a neutral following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, will meet Rinky Hijikata of Australia.
Two-time singles gold medallist Andy Murray, who will end his career at the Olympics after almost two decades on tour, will only play doubles.
The 37-year-old former world number one underwent surgery to remove a cyst on his back before Wimbledon, which also sidelined him from singles at the All England Club.
