Soccer Chronicles

On This Day In 2009, eight red cards were shown in the Premier League, a record for a single day in the competition. October 31st is the only specific date in Premier League history to see a hat-trick scored in three consecutive years: Aruna Dindane for Portsmouth vs Wigan 2009 Kevin Nolan for Newcastle vs Sunderland 2010 Demba Ba for Newcastle vs Stoke 2011

A late bloomer, he began his professional career in France with Bordeaux , making his professional debut in February 2012. After struggling to break into the first team, he was loaned out to Championnat National side Orléans and Ligue 2 side Niort in consecutive seasons. He enjoyed prolific spells with both clubs, scoring 39 goals between them, before returning to Bordeaux. His breakthrough came at FC Nantes where he scored 48 in 133 games, finishing as the club's top goalscorer for three consecutive seasons. His form prompted a move to Cardiff City in January 2019, for a club record fee of £15 million (€18 million). He was involved in a plane crash off Alderney on 21 January 2019. He was a passenger aboard a Piper Malibu light aircraft flying from Nantes to Cardiff. An initial three-day search covered 1,700 square miles (4,400 km 2 ) across the English Channel. Two subsequent private searches were launched, resulting in the discovery of the wreckage on 3 February 2019; his ...

He made his professional debut for Manchester United on 25 February 2016, netting twice in a 5-1 win over FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, second leg match. His goals made him Manchester United's youngest ever scorer in European competition, beating a record previously held by George Best before finally being broken by Mason Greenwood in the 2019–20 season.  He made his Premier League debut against Arsenal on 28 February 2016; he again scored twice and provided the assist for the other goal in a 3–2 home victory, making him the third youngest scorer for United in Premier League history after Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck Aged just 18 years and 141 days, he became the youngest ever scorer in a Manchester derby in the Premier League era when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Manchester City on 20 March 2016.  On 6 September 2016, he scored a hat-trick for the England U-21 in a 6-1 rout of Norway. This was his first and only ca...

Shkodran Mustafi is the first Arsenal player to score an own goal in a League Cup match since Calum Chambers in September 2015 against Tottenham Hotspur. #LIVARS(5-5 FT, Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties) Since the start of last season, Lucas Torreira is the only visiting player to score more than once at Anfield against Liverpool in all competitions (two goals). #LIVARS(5-5 FT, Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties) Gabriel Martinelli has scored in all four of his starts for Arsenal in all competitions, netting six goals in total. The 18-year-old Brazilian is the top scoring teenager for a top-five European league club this season, netting seven goals in just seven appearances in all competitions #LIVARS(5-5 FT, Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties) Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in charge on December 22nd, Manchester United have taken more penalties (17) and scored more penalties (12) than any other Premier League team in all competitions. #CHEMUN(1-2 FT) ...

Happy Birthday to former Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys Midfielder/Second striker Diego Armando Maradona who turns 59 today. He started his career with Argentinos Juniors where he scored 116 goals in 166 games. Maradona arrived in Naples and was presented to the world media as a Napoli player on 5 July 1984, where he was welcomed by 75,000 fans at his presentation at the Stadio San Paolo. He is Napoli's third highest goalscorer of all-time with 115 goals in 259 games. In seven years with Gli Azzurri(a nickname for Napoli), he won five trophies, including two Serie A titles. An advanced playmaker who operated in the classic number 10 position , Maradona  was the first player in football history to set the world record transfer fee twice, first when he transferred to Barcelona for a then world record £5 million, and second, when he transferred to Napoli for another record fee £6.9 million. At age 18, Maradona played the 1979 FIFA World ...

This will be the 185th competitive fixture played between Chelsea and Manchester United, with the clubs facing off in the League Cup for the sixth time. Chelsea last faced Manchester United in the League Cup in a fourth-round tie in October 2012, winning a 5-4 thriller in extra-time, with eight different players scoring on that day. The Blues have won 10 of their last 11 League Cup matches at Stamford Bridge, with the only exception being a 0-0 draw with Arsenal in January 2018. The Red Devils have won six of their last seven League Cup matches against Premier League opposition (Lost 1), including a 3-2 victory in the final against Southampton in 2016-17. Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been directly involved in four goals in his last three starts against Chelsea in all competitions (3 goals, 1 assist). #CHEMUN

This will be the 15th League Cup match between Liverpool and Arsenal, making it the most played fixture in the competition's history. The Gunners have won the two most recent League Cup meetings between these sides - 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in 2009-10 and 6-3 at Anfield in 2006-07. The Reds have lost consecutive League Cup matches at Anfield - 0-1 against Southampton in 2016-17 and 1-2 against Chelsea last season; this is their worst ever run in the competition on home soil. Arsenal have been drawn away from home in a single-legged League Cup tie for the first time since September 2016 when they defeated Nottingham Forest 4-0. Roberto Firmino has scored eight goals in nine appearances for Liverpool against Arsenal in all competitions, with seven of those coming across five games at Anfield. #LIVARS

On This Day In 2012, Theo James Walcott scored a hat-trick as Arsenal came from four goals down to beat Reading FC 7-5 in a League Cup fourth round game played at the Madejski Stadium. Jason Roberts, a Laurent Koscielny own goal, Mikele Leigertwood and Noel Hunt put Reading 4-0 up after 35 minutes. Maroune Chamakh got a brace while Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny where also on target for the Gunners. It is not the first time Reading have been beaten 7-5. The Royals, despite four goals from Kerry Dixon, lost by the same scoreline at Third Division opponents Doncaster Rovers in September 1982. Reading versus Arsenal was the first League Cup game to be 4-4 at 90 minutes since Port Vale versus Chester in August 1999. Notably, this was Walcott's second of his five hat-tricks for the Gunners. Walcott's three goals against Reading took him to five League Cup goals for the season, a total which would make him the top scorer in the 2012–13 competition. This is now regarded as...

On This Day In 1996, Manchester United lost their first ever home game in European competition, a 0-1 defeat against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League. Elvir Bolić's 13th minute strike ended the Red Devils 40-year unbeaten European home record.

Leicester City have scored 12 goals across a two-game period in all competitions for the first time since December 1964.  #BRALEI(1-3 FT)  Since his Manchester City debut in August 2011, Sergio Aguero has scored 242 goals in 350 appearances in all competitions, with tonight his 9th goal in the League Cup. Aguero has scored five goals in his last five games against Southampton in all competitions, after scoring just two in his first seven vs Saints. #MCISOU(3-1 FT) Nicolás Otamendi has scored two goals in his last six games for Manchester City across all competitions, as many as in his previous 66 appearances for the Citizens. #MCISOU(3-1 FT) Since his debut in February, Youri Tielemans has provided more assists than any other Leicester City player in all competitions (8). #BRALEI(1-3 FT) Before yesterday, Oxford United haven’t reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup in any of their last 27 seasons in the competition since they were elimin...

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are through to the round of sixteen of the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, after beating Ecuador 3-2 at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico in Goiania. Ibrahim Said scored a hat-trick in a pulsating match to see Nigeria through recording  a dramatic comeback in the process. The Golden Eaglets will play Australia in their final Group B match on Friday.

On This Day In 2002, 18-year-old Andrés Iniesta Luján made his professional debut for FC Barcelona, starting in a 1-0 away win over Club Brugge in the Champions League. Iniesta is the third most capped FC Barcelona player of all-time. INIESTA AT BARCA(2002-2018) 674 Games 57 Goals 66 Assists 32 Trophies

On This Day In 1994, Raúl González Blanco made his professional debut for Real Madrid, starting in a 3-2 away loss to Real Zaragoza. At 17 years and 124 days, he became the youngest player ever to play for the club's senior side, though the record was broken by Alberto Rivera later that same season. He went on to spend 16 years of his club career with Real Madrid, netting 323 goals in 741 games. Raúl is the club's second all-time top goalscorer(behind Cristiano Ronaldo) and he is the most capped player in the history of the club. With Los Blancos , Raúl won six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, scoring in two finals, four Supercopa de España titles, one UEFA Super Cup and two Intercontinental Cups. In 2003, he was appointed captain of the team and retained that position until his departure from the club in 2010.

On This Day In 1997, Gainluigi Buffon made his senior international debut for Italy, coming on as a 32nd minute substitute for injured Gianluca Pagliuca in a 1-1 World Cup qualifier(first-leg) draw against Russia. At the age of 19 years and 9 months (19 years, 274 days), Buffon became the youngest goalkeeper to feature for Italy post- World War II. This record was beaten by Gianluigi Donnarumma on 1 September 2016. With 176 international caps, Buffon is the most capped player in the history of the Italy national team, the fourth-most capped footballer of all time, and the most capped European international player ever; He also holds the record most appearances for Italy as captain(80 games) after he inherited the armband in 2010. He retired from international football in 2017, after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, although he later came out of retirement for the team's friendlies the following year, before officially confirming his international retirementin...

Since making his professional debut for Leicester City in 2006, he has scored 62 goals in 379 games and was a member of the Foxe's side who the 2015/2016 Premier League title. He has only scored twice in 50 caps for Wales, making his international debut in 2009. Altogether, he is Leicester's all-time top scoring midfielder and all-time most capped international. Due to lack of first-team opportunities, on 15 August 2019 he joined Scottish side Rangers on a season long loan. Andrew Philip King is 31 today.

Happy Birthday to former FC Metz, Olympique Marseille, Arsenal, Villarreal, Aston Villa and FC Goa Winger Robert Emmanuel Pires who turns 46 today. He spent a better part of club career with Arsenal where he scored 84 goals in 284 games between 2000 to 2006, also making 45 assists during his time with the club. He won a total of four trophies during his time with the Gunners. Pires was also a member of the Arsenal side who went 49 games unbeaten(May 2003 to October 2004). He played his last game for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions league final against Barcelona, in which he was substituted for replacement goalkeeper Manuel Almunia after starter Jens Lehmann was sent off. A former France international, Pires earned 79 caps between 1996 and 2004 for his country, including winning both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. He also won the 2001 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup titles with Les Bleus. Notably, Pires provided two golden goal assists during his international career, fir...

   Happy Birthday to former Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Manchester United and VV Noordwijk goalkeeper Edwin van der sar who turns 49 today. He spent a better part of his career with Ajax where he scored once(a penalty for Ajax to complete an 8–1 victory over De Graafschap in the 1997/1998 season) in 321 games(1990-1999) and was a member of the Ajax squad who won the 1995 UEFA Champions League title. At Manchester United, Van den sar made 266 appearances, winning 10 trophies, including the 2007/2008 UEFA Champions League title. At international level, van der sar played 130 matches for Netherlands between 1995 to 2008, making him the second most capped player in the country's history. HIS RECORDS: Oldest player to win the Premier League (40 years and 205 days, with Manchester United in 2010/2011 season) Oldest goalkeeper to win the UEFA Champions League (37 years and 205 days, with Manchester United in 2007/2008 season) World record for most minutes without conceding a...

On This Day In 2000, Teddy Sheringham scored a hat-trick as Manchester United spanked Southampton 5-0 in a Premier League played at Old Trafford. At the time, he was the oldest player to score 100 goals in the competition (34 years, 209 days).

On This Day In 2015, at Old Trafford, Middlesbrough shocked Manchester United 3-1 on penalties(regulation time ended 0-0) to reach the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup(now known as the Carabao Cup due to sponsorship reasons). England trio Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young all missed in the shootout, as the Boro players celebrated in front of their jubilant 10,000-strong travelling support. This meant, the Red Devils have been knocked out by lower-league opposition in three of their last four League Cup meetings with sides from outside the top-flight. Before that day, Middlesbrough had been eliminated in five of their last six League Cup meetings against Premier League opposition. Defeat means United have lost two of their last 15 League Cup ties at Old Trafford, both against Championship teams (Crystal Palace, 2011-12).

On This Day In 1998, 18-year-old Defender John George Terry made his professional debut for Chelsea, coming on as an 86th minute substitute for Dan Petrescu in a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in the League Cup third round. He went on to become the most successful captain in Chelsea's history, having led the team for 13 years(he was Chelsea's captain from 2004 until his departure in 2017) and winning several titles. He is one of five players to have made over 500 appearances for Chelsea and is also the club's all-time highest scoring defender. He also has the third most appearances by a Chelsea player. TERRY AT CHELSEA(1998-2017) 717 Games 67 Goals 27 Assists 17 Trophies HIS RECORDS Most Premier League title wins as captain: 5 Most Premier League goals by a defender: 41 goals Most Premier League clean sheets by a defender: 214 clean sheets Most appearances as Chelsea captain: 580 appearances One of four outfield players to have played every minute of a Premi...

On This Day In 2003, Francesc Fàbregas Soler made his professional debut for Arsenal, starting in a League Cup tie against Rotterdam United. In doing so, the midfielder became Arsenal's youngest-ever first team player, aged 16 years and 177 days. The Gunners went on to win 9-8 on penalties(regulation time ended 1-1). Fàbregas made 71(85 in all competitions) English Premier League assists during his eight-year stay with the Gunners, the second highest in Arsenal history (in the competition). In all, Fabregas scored 57 goals in 303 games. He was the Gunners captain from 2008(aged 21, he remains the youngest captain in Arsenal history) until his departure in 2011. 

Happy Birthday to former Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Swindon Town and Chelsea Midfielder Glenn Hoddle who turns 62 today. He scored 110 goals in 490 games for Spurs between 1975 to 1987, winning four trophies, including the 1983/1984 UEFA Cup. At international level, he scored 8 goals in 53 caps for England and also represented the Three Lions at four different tournaments(1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup, 1980 and 1988 European Championship). In June 1993, Hoddle became player-manager of Chelsea (he retired from the playing side in 1995), going on to finished as runners-up at 1993/1994 FA Cup final where Chelsea lost 0-4 to eventual winners Manchester United. As England manager, Hoddle reached the 1998 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 where the Three Lions lost 4-3 on penalties to Argentina(regulation time ended 2-2). He has also managed the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Swindon Town(player/manager). He now works as a television pundit and commentator...