Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Luka Doncic had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 32 minutes of action and the Dallas Mavericks cruised to a 108-85 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday. Daniel Gafford scored a season-high 18 points, Kyrie Irving added 17 and Dereck Lively II had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas, which led 65-40 at the break after outscoring the Magic 35-18 in the second quarter. Dallas carried its momentum into the second half and stretched its lead to 82-52 on Doncic’s free throw with 6:05 left in the third quarter. Orlando lost its third straight game…
Bruno Fernandes has taken some of the responsibility for the sacking of Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager. The Dutchman was fired last Monday after over two years in charge following a poor start to the season which left the club 14th in the English Premier League, with only three victories in nine games. Speaking on Sunday after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford, Fernandes, appointed captain by Ten Hag, said: “It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players. I spoke to the manager and apologised to him. “I was disappointed he has…
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…