Sports
Rampant Newcastle crush Manchester United to strengthen champions league push
Newcastle United delivered a dominant display to sweep aside Manchester United 4-1 at St James’ Park on Sunday ; securing a historic league double over the Red Devils for the first time since the 1930-31 season.
With manager Eddie Howe absent due to illness and hospitalized on Friday, assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones stepped up – and the Magpies responded with a performance full of intent and precision.
Despite Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim’s decision to drop under-fire goalkeeper Andre Onana after his errors in the Europa League midweek clash against Lyon, stand-in Altay Bayındır endured a nightmare of his own. His 77th-minute blunder ; a misplaced pass straight to Joelinton, who set up Bruno Guimarães for Newcastle’s fourth – sealed a miserable night for the visitors.
Newcastle were in control from the first whistle. Alexander Isak’s lofted ball over the defence was met by Sandro Tonali, who finished calmly to put the hosts in front. Tonali almost doubled the lead with a long-range effort, while Bayındır was called into action to deny Isak shortly before United’s only bright moment.
Against the run of play, Alejandro Garnacho kept his cool to fire past Nick Pope in the 37th minute ; Manchester United’s first Premier League goal in three games.
But the hosts were far from rattled.
Harvey Barnes restored Newcastle’s lead early in the second half, sliding in Jacob Murphy’s low cross to make it 2-1. The former Leicester man struck again on the hour mark, punishing a slip by Noussair Mazraoui with a clinical finish. The rout was capped by Guimarães after Bayındır’s critical mistake.
Manchester United’s evening worsened with the injury of striker Joshua Zirkzee, who limped off with a suspected hamstring problem. Amorim’s side now sit 14th — below Everton on goal difference ; and only three points clear of the relegation zone following a 10th defeat in 21 league matches under the Portuguese boss.
In contrast, Newcastle have climbed to fourth in the Premier League table, just one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest, and continue to strengthen their case for a return to Champions League football.
Source: Citi Sports
Following the events in the Middle East, President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has met with the Black Queens to appeal for calm. He assured the team that the GFA has, over the last 24 to 48 hours, engaged with all stakeholders, including Ghana’s mission in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our Security Advisors, in its quest to find the right solution to the problem.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (Hon.), and Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams (Hon.), have both called to offer the nation’s support to the team during this period.
The GFA respectfully asks everyone to be calm as we monitor the situation. We will keep our stakeholders updated should there be further developments.
The Black Queens have been in the United Arab Emirates for the past week to prepare for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
According to reports kpdonline.com is gathering, the team is likely to redraw from the ongoing Pink Ladies Cup following, Tension in the Middle East.
Credit: Ghana FA Communication
Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has confirmed that Ghana is considering of adding another high profile Friendly game as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We are not going there to just go and participate, our intention is to stay there till the last day, reason why we have augmented the technical team, we are in talks to have another high profile Friendly in the coming weeks, talks are ongoing and it will be confirmed soon” Adams told Citi Sports,
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has added five new faces to the technical team, including French coach Alain Ravera as assistant coach, and performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi.
These appointments aim to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, and will look to break their best World Cup record, reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa 2010.
Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams has scored an equalizer for Athletic Club in their drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de Vallecas, marking his first La Liga goal since October.
The Ghanaian striker controlled a header from Alex Berenguer with his thigh and unleashed a powerful volley into the far corner, rescuing a point for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Rayo Vallecano had taken the lead through Jorge de Frutos, but Williams’ 47th-minute strike leveled the game. The result keeps Athletic Club in 8th place, while Rayo Vallecano moves up to 14th.
The match was marked by intense moments, including a first-half injury to Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, who appeared to have suffered a shoulder luxation.
The 31-year-old midfielder has made 18 appearances, scoring twice and provided two assists in the ongoing Spanish La liga.
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