Liverpool orchestrated another comeback, securing a 2-1 victory away at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. The match, overseen by referee Allan Gunn, known for the 1990 FA Cup final, was marked by controversial officiating decisions, diverting attention from the game itself. Despite a lackluster performance for much of the match, Liverpool claimed the top spot in the table with Harvey Elliott’s decisive 91st-minute goal. In the first half, Selhurst Park echoed with disapproval as the officiating team faced criticism. A VAR review led referee Andy Madley to overturn a Palace penalty, with Will Hughes involved in a similar incident to…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Arsenal, fresh from their emotional victory at Luton on Tuesday, experienced a reality check at Villa Park as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa, causing them to slip from the top of the Premier League table. Aston Villa captain John McGinn secured the victory with the lone goal of the game after just six minutes, displaying a superb finish on the turn following a well-executed move down the Arsenal left. Unai Emery’s team, riding on the momentum of their 15th successive home triumph, had previously defeated Manchester City at the same venue three days earlier, maintaining their…
Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, has suggested that the team suffered the consequences of underestimating the challenge posed by Bournemouth in Saturday’s match, leading to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford. In a post-match interview, Fernandes highlighted several shortcomings that contributed to the disappointing result. “We lacked many things, and that’s why we didn’t get the result today,” Fernandes remarked. He pointed out a decline in various aspects compared to the previous game, emphasizing that facing an aggressive and pressing team like Bournemouth required a higher level of performance. Fernandes identified a drop in creativity, movement, and the…
Former Nigerian football legends, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, John Mikel Obi, and Perpetua Nkwocha, are set to bring elegance and prestige to the 2023 CAF Awards. This distinguished event aims to celebrate excellence and notable accomplishments in African football. Alongside other esteemed personalities, Okocha, Mikel, and Nkwocha will contribute to the grandeur of the occasion, enhancing the overall memorability of this edition of the CAF Awards. Additionally, the trio will participate in a charity football match dedicated to honoring earthquake victims. The match is scheduled to take place at the Marrakech Stadium on Sunday. The CAF Awards serve as a…
Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, clarified that he didn’t exchange handshakes with any members of the Arsenal coaching team following their 1-0 victory on Saturday night. Emery attributed this to the absence of Mikel Arteta, who was serving a touchline ban during the match. Despite the lack of handshakes and Arteta’s early departure from the stands, Emery emphasized that there were no issues or animosity between the two clubs. Having spent 18 months as the Arsenal manager before being dismissed in November 2019, Emery expressed respect for Arsenal and Arteta. He explained that he greeted the workers inside the stadium,…
Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi showcased his goal-scoring prowess as Leicester City secured their most significant victory of the season, defeating Plymouth Argyle 4-0 at King Power Stadium. This commanding win allowed them to maintain their position at the top of the EFL Championship table on Saturday. The momentum for victory was set in motion by Stephy Mavididi’s 14th-minute penalty, guiding City toward success. Despite facing a brief challenge at the close of the first half, Enzo Maresca’s team managed to maintain a clean sheet on Filbert Way. Zambia’s Patson Daka, making his first league start of the 2023-24 season, contributed with…
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to set new milestones almost weekly in 2023, showing no signs of slowing down. The Al-Nassr star achieved a remarkable landmark by starting for Al-Nassr in their match against Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League. Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Riyadh Derby, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are eager to bounce back. Despite being stifled in the previous match, the 38-year-old remains at the top of the goalscoring charts in the SPL. In the current season, Ronaldo has netted 18 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, with 15 of those goals in the SPL.…
Erik ten Hag acknowledges the positive transformation in the attitude of Manchester United’s emerging winger, Alejandro Garnacho, attributing it to overcoming some behavioral challenges. The 19-year-old showcased his prowess with a goal of the season contender against Everton, executing a spectacular overhead kick reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s famous strike against Manchester City. Garnacho continued to impress by providing an assist in the recent victory against Chelsea, reinforcing Ten Hag’s decision to place trust in him on the left flank over Marcus Rashford. Reflecting on Garnacho’s development, Ten Hag shared with the media on Friday, “There were some issues (with his…
Wednesday delivered another disappointingly predictable defeat for Chelsea in the Premier League. Despite facing a seemingly troubled Manchester United side, Chelsea suffered a disjointed 2-1 loss at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag’s management. This setback followed a hard-fought but somewhat fortunate win against Brighton, attempting to recover from a 4-1 thrashing by Newcastle United. In the wake of this disheartening defeat, Chelsea faces Everton on Sunday, and to overcome their recent struggles, they must address the following key aspects: 1. Maintain Discipline: Goodison Park, buoyed by Everton’s recent 3-0 victory over Newcastle, will present a charged atmosphere. Chelsea’s foremost…
Vinicius Junior is making significant strides in his recovery from a hamstring injury, raising hopes for an earlier return to Real Madrid’s lineup than initially anticipated. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Colombia, initially raising concerns about a three-month absence until February. However, The Athletic reports that Vinicius is progressing rapidly, and there is reluctance among club sources to dismiss the possibility of his participation in the Spanish Super Cup. Scheduled to commence on January 10 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this year’s Spanish Super Cup features Barcelona, Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid due…
Heartland’s head coach, Kennedy Boboye, has emphasized that his team is a project in development. Taking the reins of the Naze Millionaires just last month after the dismissal of former coach Christian Obi, Boboye led the team to their first victory of the season against Bendel Insurance in the midweek fixture. As the Owerri club gears up for a match against Gombe United at the Pantami Township Stadium, Boboye expressed his commitment to building a formidable team. “Heartland is still a work in progress, and we will continue working until we achieve the desired team,” he stated in an interview…
Paul Pogba’s legal team is set to contest the proposed four-year ban he faces for a failed drug test earlier this year. Italian prosecutors recommended the lengthy suspension following Pogba’s positive test for the banned substance DHEA after a match against Udinese in August. The French midfielder, now with Juventus, is currently under provisional suspension pending the final verdict. Romeo Agresti, a correspondent for Juventus, reported that Pogba’s representatives aim to reduce the four-year ban to two years during a hearing in early 2024. The hearing, scheduled for the second half of January, will likely involve efforts to demonstrate Pogba’s…
Following an impressive streak, Manchester United is on the verge of reigniting their title race, trailing English champions Manchester City by just 3 points. With 6 victories in their last 8 Premier League fixtures, the Red Devils are riding a wave of momentum, and December holds the key to their aspirations. December Fixtures for Manchester United’s Pursuit: December 9: Manchester United vs Bournemouth (EPL) Old Trafford is poised to be the battleground as United faces Bournemouth. The iconic stadium, renowned for its electric atmosphere, may serve as the launchpad for United’s ascent to the top. December 12: Manchester United vs…
Chelsea is set to resume action in the English Premier League on Sunday as they face an in-form Everton side at Stamford Bridge Stadium. Coming off a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Manchester United midweek, Mauricio Pochettino’s team may find added motivation to return to winning ways. In contrast, Everton is currently in good form, striving to avoid relegation. Their impressive 3-0 victory over Newcastle United showcased their class and suggests they have the capability to overcome Chelsea. In this article, we’ll explore two reasons why Chelsea might suffer a setback against Everton. 1. Everton’s Home Advantage. Everton consistently delivers peak…
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, issued an apology for his handling of midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Despite being part of the champions, Phillips has only made four Premier League appearances, none of which were as a starter. With the January transfer window approaching, there are speculations about Phillips potentially leaving the Etihad. Guardiola expressed regret, stating, “I deeply regret my decisions regarding him. I apologize for the limited playing time I’ve afforded him. It’s a result of my vision for the team, where I struggled to envision his role. I genuinely apologize. However, I must acknowledge the necessity of being ruthless…
In November, Harry Maguire and Erik ten Hag secured the Premier League Player of the Month and Manager of the Month accolades, respectively. Despite Manchester United facing challenges and inconsistency in the ongoing season, November marked a significant turnaround for the Red Devils. Winning all three of their matches against Fulham, Luton Town, and Everton, they emerged as the only team in the league to secure maximum points during that period. A noteworthy aspect of United’s success in November was their defensive resilience, as they did not concede a single goal throughout the month. This positive defensive streak coincided with…
Arsenal’s return to the Champions League has been a tumultuous journey, yet their adept navigation through Group B signals readiness to contend with Europe’s top teams once again. While more formidable challenges than PSV Eindhoven, Lens, and Sevilla lie ahead in the premier club competition, Mikel Arteta’s squad appears prepared for a deep run after securing group victory ahead of schedule. As they head into the Round of 16, let’s explore the potential adversaries they could encounter. Teams Arsenal cannot face in the Champions League Round of 16: – Fellow Premier League clubs until the quarter-final stage – Fellow Group…
Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has issued a challenge to Marcus Rashford to reclaim his spot in the team, following the forward’s benching in the midweek victory over Chelsea. Despite Rashford’s impressive tally of 30 goals in all competitions last season, his recent form has dipped, with only two goals in the current 2023/24 season. During a press conference, Ten Hag acknowledged Rashford’s talent but emphasized the need for squad rotation, stating that no player can feature in every game. He expressed confidence in Rashford’s ability to bounce back to his previous form. Ten Hag cited examples of other…
Ahead of the January transfer window, Manchester United seems poised for a revamp, with reports suggesting that three key players could be departing Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s tenure has faced challenges both on and off the field, with recent speculation hinting at discontent within the squad and a rocky start to the 2023/24 campaign. The Red Devils’ recent 1-0 defeat to Newcastle compounded their Premier League struggles, marking their sixth loss in 14 matches this season. Tensions escalated when several journalists were excluded from Ten Hag’s pre-match press conference before the Chelsea clash. Allegedly, this move was in response…
Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, and Achraf Hakimi find themselves in contention for the prestigious CAF Player of the Year award, according to the announcement made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, the revelation of the final three nominees has ignited discontent and frustration among football enthusiasts across the continent. CAF unveiled the shortlist on Thursday, showcasing the trio of Osimhen, Salah, and Hakimi. The announcement was made through CAF’s social media platforms, where they labeled the nominees as “the best of the best” for the Player of the Year (MEN) award. Despite this accolade, the selection has prompted…