Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Enzo Maresca has said his Chelsea side have exceeded expectations but are not in the English Premier League title race. The Italian added cheekily that he does not expect Chelsea’s rivals to slip up in the title race “like Marc Cucurella”. The Blues fought back from 2-0 down on Sunday to beat Tottenham 4-3 at the Tottenham HotspurStadium, with both of Spurs’ early goals coming after Cucurella slipped and lost his footing. Maresca became Chelsea manager in the summer after his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino steered the club to a sixth-placed finish. Now they are second, just four points off leaders…
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has announced the sacking of English Premier League referee David Coote, citing a ‘serious breach” of his contract. Coote became the subject of an investigation after a leaked video showed him in an expletive-laden rant about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp. He is also under investigation from UEFA after a video published by The Sun allegedly showed him snorting a white powder while on duty at Euro 2024. “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect,” PGMOL said in a statement on Monday.…
Napoli will have to sell Victor Osimhen before they can strengthen their squad in January, according to reports in Italy. There are claims that the Serie A title contenders are already considering new reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window, but will only be able to put in formal offers for some of their favoured targets if the club can find a buyer for Galatasaray loanee Osimhen within the next few weeks. Super Eagles striker Osimhen is currently out on loan in the Turkish Super Lig, where he has scored seven goals and provided three assists from his first nine…
Star outfielder Juan Soto and the New York Mets agreed on Sunday to a record $765 million, 15-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press, a deal that could escalate to $805 million and is believed to be the largest pact in team sports history. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, first reported by the New York Post, was subject to a successful physical. While there are no definitive records in sports beyond the United States, Soto’s deal is thought to eclipse those in all other team sports. The deal, spurning the…
By Nurudeen Obalola Remo Stars returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over visiting El-Kanemi Warriors, after previous leaders Rivers United lost 1-0 at champions Enugu Rangers. In the CAF Confederation Cup, Enyimba came back from 2-0 down in Uyo to draw 2-2 with Zamalek of Egypt in their group stage clash. Peter Onuoha and Franck Mawuena struck in the first half to give Remo Stars the win, which took then back to the top of the table with 29 points from 16 matches. Finidi George’s Rivers United fell to…
Cole Palmer scored twice from the penalty spot as Chelsea roared back from two goals down after 11 minutes to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 away in a frenzied London derby and close the gap with English Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Two comical slips by Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella led to Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski giving the hosts a dream start but their joy turned to despair as the visitors showed why they should be considered title contenders. Jadon Sancho rifled in a shot after 17 minutes to give Chelsea momentum and Palmer equalised from the spot just…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi put up a strong performance for Fulham on Sunday as they secured a 1-1 draw with his former club Arsenal at Craven Cottage in the English Premier League. Also on Sunday, Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was as usual in the starting line-up as Leicester City came from 2-0 down at home to draw 2-2 with Brighton. Iwobi, along with his international teammate Calvin Bassey, was impressive against the title-chasing Gunners as Fulham took the lead before Arsenal fought back in the second half and even missed victory by inches. Raul Jimenez shot…
By Nurudeen Obalola Ademola Lookman will not be sold by Atalanta in January despite growing interest in the Nigeria international. Atalanta President Antonio Percassi stressed over the weekend that the club were not open to letting the Super Eagles star leave, at least not until the summer. “Our plan is not to change anything in the January window,” Percassi said when asked about Lookman’s future. Lookman has been the standout player for Atalanta as they have got themselves involded in the early Serie A title race. The 27-year-old was on target on Friday night as Atalanta defeated AC Milan 2-1…
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was in superb form on Saturday as Nottingham Forest beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford, handing Ruben Amorim a second consecutive English Premier League defeat. Forest capitalised on Manchester United’s defensive errors to secure their first win at Old Trafford in almost 30 years, with Nikola Milenkovic, Morgan Gibbs-White and the in-form Chris Wood scoring for the visitors, while Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes netted for the flailing hosts. Hojlund replied to Milenkovic’s early opener, but Amorim’s home side were unable to equalise for a second time after they conceded twice in seven minutes…
West Ham have confirmed Michail Antonio has been involved in a car accident as images have emerged of a smashed Ferrari. The English Premier League club issued a statement on Saturday confirming the forward, 34, had been involved in an accident. “West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident,” a West Ham statement read. “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Club are with Michail, his family and friends at this time. “The Club will issue an update in due course.” Pictures have emerged on social media following the crash, which showed extensive damage to…