Marseille, if first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try……….
Ah, so this is why Marseille have brought Steven Fletcher in!
Below is a video capturing Marseille going through a training drill to sharpen their finishing skills. And, judging by the clip, their tools are looking pretty blunt at the moment.
Hat tip to Steve Mandanda who was the only one out of 10 to score, and he’s a keeper.
On vous le garantit personne n'a marqué pendant cette séquence… 0/9 #OM (Heureusement qu'il y a @SteveMandanda) pic.twitter.com/QkjE5gbBzY
— Le Phocéen (@lephoceen) 14 March 2016
Dimitri Payet’s gorgeous 30-yard free kick vs Man United
What a strike.
Dimitri Payet whipped home a superb trademark free kick as West Ham earned a replay against Manchester United after the FA Cup quarter final ended 1-1 at Old Trafford.
And to think, this guy can’t get into the French national team.
After the game, former Man United man Paul Scholes was critical of David de Gea. “I think de Gea should save Payet’s free kick.” Sure Paul, sure.
Watch Payet’s goal below and decide for yourself if Scholes is talking utter bollocks. Hint, he is.
West Ham have got Payet! An inch-perfect free-kick from @dimpayet17 fires @whufc_official ahead. #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/TwCWbcGdum
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) 13 March 2016
Adlène Guedioura’s rocket sends Watford to Wembley
Watford are on their way to Wembley after a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon thanks to an unstoppable strike from Adlène Guedioura.
With Watford already a goal up, Guedioura doubled his sides lead by hitting a ball harder than a ball has ever been hit before. Even in slow motion the ball doesn’t slow down as it flies into the top corner.
A late Arsenal rally lead by Danny Welbeck threatened to take the tie into extra time but Watford just about hung on.
Watch Guedioura’s rocket below.
An absolute rocket from @AdleneGUEDIOURA ? #EmiratesFACup #AFCvWFC https://t.co/3UtvM7CYSL
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) 13 March 2016
Romelu Lukaku scores stunning solo goal after blitzing Chelsea defence
Everton are on their way to a Wembley semi-final after Romelu Lukaku scored a magnificent brace
to seal a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.
Both of Lukaku’s strikes were superbly taken, but it was the first goal that really caught the eye. After running down the left channel, Lukaku first shrugged off the challenge of two Chelsea defenders, before turning a bamboozled Gary Cahill completely inside out. From a tight angle, Lukaku then fired home to complete what has to be a goal of the season contender.
Chelsea’s response was to go another goal down to their former employer Lukaku, before Diego Costa was sent off for what can best be described as as love bite on Gareth Barry.
Watch Lukaku cutting Chelsea’s defence to ribbons below.
Contender for #EmiratesFACup goal of the season?@RomeluLukaku9 https://t.co/2lXZ1hcCaT
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) 12 March 2016
Diego Costa sees red after giving Gareth Barry a love bite
Well, finally, after much perseverance Diego Costa has managed to get himself sent off in English football.
After Romelu Lukaku had ended all hope of any cheer this season for Chelsea with two superbly taken goals, it all got a bit too much for a typically combative Diego Costa. Having already clashed with Gareth Barry several times throughout the FA Cup tie, Costa reacted to a robust challenge from the Everton midfielder by squaring up to him and planting a love bit on his neck before embracing in a cuddle. The love bite must have worked as Gareth Barry was soon searching out Costa in the changing rooms after getting his second book of the day moments later.
All rather sweet really, and not how you might imagine Costa’s first red card would pan out. It must have been the “romance of the cup.”
Watch Costa’s love bite below.
Diego Cannibal Costa trying to make love to Barry and give him a hickey pic.twitter.com/iJ5U33hVBH
— SemperFiUnited (@SemperFiUnited) 12 March 2016
“I’ll need time with the Geordie accent!” Rafa Benitez gives first Newcastle interview
https://youtu.be/3BbIxUFpttk
Speaking for the first time since his surprise announcement as Newcastle United manager, Rafa Benitez has said that he and his coaching staff will need time to get use to the Geordie accent.
How much time? Well Benitez was handed a 3-year deal after Steve McClaren was given the boot following a dismal run of form that sees the Magpies languishing in 19th position in the league. However, it is over the next 10 games that will likely determine Benitez’ longer term future as I can’t see the former Real Madrid manager sticking around to scrap it out in the Championship next year.
As for Newcastle United fans, they are said to be “pinching themselves” after the appointment. “He’s got a good track record. Why not? Someone’s got to do it,” honked one fan with a rousing endorsement.
https://youtu.be/rP0EsP4OOJY
Edwin van der Sar comes out of retirement, saves penalty for boyhood club
Presumably life after football is proving to be far too boring for former Manchester United stopper Edwin van der Sar, who, at the age of 45, laced up for his former amateur side Noordwijk vs Jodan Boys on Saturday.
In the one-off game, van der Sar proved their is still some spring in his legs after he repelled a penalty drilled down low to his left. There was a healthy show of arrogance as well from the Dutchman, as he used one of the oldest tricks in the book, after pointing in the direction the penalty taker should place his shot.
As you can in the video, the trick did enough to put the penalty taker off.
De Champions League-finale herbeleefd bij @vvnoordwijk: Van der Sar stopt een strafschop tegen @jodanboys #noojod pic.twitter.com/9GCXf0Rkyz
— Haniff Harharah (@haniff1986) 12 March 2016