Month: December 2022

5:20 PM ET LEEDS, England — Erling Haaland became the first player to score 20 Premier League goals in a season before January by hitting two against his hometown team Leeds on Wednesday as Manchester City won 3-1 at Elland Road. With league leaders Arsenal beating West Ham on Monday, it was crucial that City

4:05 PM ET Liverpool have signed forward Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday. ESPN reported that the transfer fee is around £37 million ($45m). PSV did not disclose the value of the deal, but general manager Marcel Brands said it will be a “record transfer” for the club. –

11:03 AM ET As Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty that made Argentina World Cup champions over France, Emiliano Martínez fell to his knees. Part of it was exhaustion. Part of it was disbelief. All of it was existential joy. Martínez’s emotions swam in a sea of self-reflection. He couldn’t quite believe it. Their goalkeeper,

9:19 AM ET England right-back Reece James described 2022 as the “toughest year to date” on Wednesday after he picked up a fresh injury during Chelsea‘s 2-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League. Chelsea confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that James would be out “for up to a month.” – Stream on ESPN+:

11:27 AM ET Chelsea have agreed a deal with Norwegian club Molde FK for the transfer of 20-year-old striker David Datro Fofana, the Premier League side announced on Wednesday. Graham Potter has been looking to bolster his attacking ranks with a shortage of forward options available to him. Armando Broja is set for a spell

9:00 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Christian Eriksen has admitted he is “sad” Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer part of the squad at Manchester United but insists it’s time to move on following the striker’s departure. Ronaldo agreed a mutual termination of his contract at Old Trafford during the World Cup to end his second spell

8:03 AM ET Leah Williamson said endometriosis threatened her Euro 2022 campaign. Naomi Baker/Getty Images England women’s captain Leah Williamson said she feared missing games during the European Championship-winning campaign due to suffering from endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the womb lining grows in other places, usually within the pelvic cavity. – Stream on

7:16 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has told the club he is frustrated they could not secure the signing of Cody Gakpo but remains hopeful a short-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo can still be found in January, sources have told ESPN. Gakpo’s imminent transfer to Liverpool did not come as

4:42 AM ET Alex Kirkland Sam Marsden With the World Cup over, all of Europe’s major leagues are gearing up to restart the 2022-23 season. In Spain, LaLiga will be back on Thursday (matches, replays, highlights on ESPN/ESPN+) and, as often is the case, Barcelona and Real Madrid will be battling for the top spot.

6:43 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said any swoop for a striker in January will have to be in line with “financial criteria” set by the club. Ten Hag has seen one target, Cody Gakpo, move to Liverpool in a deal which could rise to €50 million. And while the

5:53 PM ET Chelsea returned to winning ways in their first appearance after the World Cup break, but delight at their 2-0 home victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday was tamped down by a new injury concern for Reece James. The England right-back lasted only 53 minutes on his return from the knee injury that ruled

4:55 PM ET Marcus Rashford found the net again as Manchester United eased past Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Tuesday, with the England international scoring in consecutive games since returning from World Cup duty in Qatar. First-half goals from Rashford and Anthony Martial and a late third from Fred at a rain-soaked Old Trafford were all

2:23 PM ET Chelsea marked their return to Premier League action in style with a convincing 2-0 win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Graham Potter’s side, who had not won in the league at home since Oct. 8, struck twice in quick succession early in the first half through Kai Havertz and Mason

3:00 PM ET Danny Lewis Having previously gone without a win in their last five Premier League matches, Chelsea enjoyed a 2-0 victory against AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the Blues’ return from the World Cup break. Chelsea got on the front foot in the 16th minute when a sweeping move culminated

12:11 PM ET Shakhtar Donetsk have rejected Arsenal‘s €65 million offer for Mykhailo Mudryk, sources have told ESPN, with the Ukrainian team holding out for their original €100m asking price for the winger. Shakhtar’s refusal of the Premier League team’s initial bid — — €40m up front with €25m in add ons — is a

9:15 AM ET Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier denied suggestions of a rift between Lionel Messi and teammate Kylian Mbappe after they faced off in the World Cup final. Messi won his maiden World Cup title with Argentina after they beat France 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga,