Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Moises Caicedo’s crisp volley gave Chelsea a deserved point in a 1-1 English Premier League draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. United’s interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, in charge while the Red Devils await the arrival of newly-appointed Ruben Amorim, looked on course for a second successive victory when Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock from the spot in the 70th minute after Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez brought down Rasmus Hojlund. Van Nistelrooy celebrated wildly on the touchline but United’s elation lasted only four minutes until Caicedo expertly struck a superb shot past Andre Onana from the edge…
The Chairman of the Tournament Working Committee of the Edo State Secondary Schools Football Cup, Colonel Charles Asowata (retd), has expressed the forum’s gratitude to the Ministry of Education who made the children available for the competition. He also thanked the Edo State Sports Commission, under the leadership of Yusuf Alli, for granting them access to the stadium for the final stages of the competition. He said that they were happy that in 2022/2023 they were able to produce some professionals among the participating schools, adding that five have moved to Edo Queens; two to Fortress Ladies Football Club, while…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was Atalanta’s hero on Sunday as they swept aside Serie A leaders Napoli 3-0 at the Stadio Diego Maradona. Lookman struck twice in the first half and substitute Mateo Retegui scored Atalanta’s third in stoppage time to end Antonio Conte’s side’s nine-game unbeaten streak, which included five straight victories. Starting as the centre forward in Gian Piero Gasperini’s 3-4-3 formation, Lookman gave visiting Atalanta the lead in the 10th minute off a Charles De Ketelaere assist. The two combined again for Atalanta’s second 21 minutes later, the Belgian taking on three Napoli…
By Kayode John Super Eagles defender Ola Aina says his superb strike in Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 victory over West Ham in the English Premier League on Saturday would have surprised everyone, including his teammates. Starting his 10th consecutive league game of the season, Aina sealed the emphatic win for his side in the 78th minute when he bulldozed his way through before firing a left-footed shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area at the City Ground. “Sometimes it comes out. I like to surprise everyone, just bounced up right and then I was knackered anyway…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that his side were second best in their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James Park on Saturday. The Gunners fell to their second loss in three English Premier League fixtures as Alexander Isak’s early goal sealed their fate. “We started the game really well. I think we were on top of it, we looked sharp, we looked alive and then in one action, direct play, second ball which they are really good at,” Arteta said during his post-match press conference. “They put the ball in behind with an unbelievable cross and finish.…
By Nurudeen Obalola Bournemouth stunned Manchester City 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday to end the English Premier League champions’ 32-match unbeaten run in the competition. The result opened the way for Liverpool to go to the top of the table as they defeated Brighton 2-1 at Anfield, while Super Eagles defender Ola Aina scored a screamer to help Nottingham Forest to a 3-0 home win over West Ham. Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo’s early strike and Evanilson’s goal with 26 minutes left on the clock earned Bournemouth the shock victory, with Josko Gvardiol pulling one back for City late…
Alexander Isak scored the only goal as Arsenal dropped points in the English Premier League against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday. The Swede’s 12th-minute header gave Newcastle United a 1-0 victory after the Gunners failed to clear their lines and Anthony Gordon sent a sumptuous ball into the area. Arsenal had started the game well but once Isak found the net they struggled to get a handle on proceedings and lacked creativity in the final third. Mikel Arteta made changes in the second half to try to break down Newcastle’s resolute defence but his side registered just…
UEFA has fined FC Twente €83,125 and given them a partial stadium closure, following their fans’ racist and discriminatory behaviour towards Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and his teammate, Loum Tchaouna, during last month’s UEFA Europa League clash. The sanctions followed investigations into alleged racist chants directed at Dele-Bashiru and Tchaouna at the De Grolsch Veste Stadium during matchday 3 fixture of the competition, which Lazio won 2-0. Consequently, the European football governing body’s hammer has fallen on the Dutch club after being found guilty. The body wrote: “The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has taken the following…
Ruben Amorim says he wanted to take the Manchester United job at the end of the season but accepted a mid-season appointment after being told it was “now or never”. Amorim, 39, was confirmed as Manchester United’s new head coach on Friday and will complete his move to Old Trafford from Lisbon club Sporting on 11 November. Speaking after Sporting’s first match since that announcement – Friday’s 5-1 league victory over Estrela which maintained their perfect start after 10 games – Amorim explained his only request following United’s approach was to see out the current campaign, which he had already informed…
There has been plenty of reaction to the Ballon d’Or result from Monday, which saw Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri edge out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior for the 2024 award. The latest person within football to have their say on the matter is Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez, who has been an international teammate of Rodri’s in recent years. Speaking to Sport, Martinez took a diplomatic approach, although he admitted that he was very happy to see Rodri crowned as the winner. “In the end, everyone has their own way of thinking. There are 100 journalists who vote and if they…