Sports
Chelsea Stage Fightback To Beat West Ham, Climb To Fourth Place
Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner capped Chelsea’s thrilling fightback from two goals down to beat West Ham 3-2 in a dramatic London derby on Saturday.
Liam Rosenior’s side trailed to first-half goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville at Stamford Bridge.
But Chelsea ignored the half-time jeers from their angry fans, staging a brilliant revival after the break.
Joao Pedro reduced the deficit before Marc Cucurella headed the equaliser.
For the first time in the Premier League era, Chelsea came from two down at half-time to win thanks to their captain, as Fernandez netted in stoppage-time.
West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo was sent off for violent conduct after tempers boiled over in the final seconds.
Rosenior Continues Impressive Start
In what Rosenior had labelled Chelsea’s “biggest match of the season,” the Blues showed their character in memorable fashion.
They climbed to fourth in the Premier League as Rosenior became only the fourth English manager to win his first three Premier League games after Bobby Gould, Sam Allardyce, and Craig Shakespeare.
Rosenior has overseen six wins from seven games in all competitions since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca.
The highlight of Rosenior’s impressive start had come on Wednesday when the Blues fought back from 2-1 down to beat Napoli 3-2 in Italy, securing a place in the Champions League last 16.
But this was arguably even more eye-catching than that success, given how Rosenior turned the tide after Chelsea’s wretched first half.
Rosenior will bid to work another miracle on Tuesday when Chelsea look to overturn a 3-2 deficit in the League Cup semi-final second leg at Premier League leaders Arsenal.
From Boos To Bedlam
He made seven changes after the victory in Naples, with Cole Palmer back in the starting line-up after starring from the bench in midweek.
Chelsea looked out of sync following the reshuffle, and West Ham took advantage to go ahead in the seventh minute.
Bowen wriggled into space on the edge of the penalty area before curling in a cross that eluded the outstretched boot of West Ham striker Pablo and caught Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez flat-footed as it drifted into the far corner.
Rosenior suffered another blow when winger Jamie Gittens limped off injured after a challenge with Summerville.
Summerville inflicted more pain on Chelsea in the 36th minute.
In a flowing move from West Ham, Bowen picked out Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and his cross was perfectly weighted for Summerville to thump a superb finish past Sanchez from 12 yards.
Alejandro Garnacho’s dismal display drew the ire of angry Chelsea fans, and the Argentine winger was put out of his misery as Rosenior took him off at half-time.
Rosenior also removed Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato, but Sanchez had to save a fierce blast from Mateus Fernandes after the restart.
Sanchez saved again to repel Bowen’s snap-shot, yet just as Chelsea looked down and out, Rosenior’s changes finally paid dividends.
Wesley Fofana’s buccaneering run climaxed with a precise cross towards Joao Pedro, who rose highest to head past Alphonse Areola from close-range.
The Brazilian’s fifth goal in his last five games was followed by Chelsea’s 70th-minute leveller.
Malo Gusto nodded Enzo Fernandez’s cross to Liam Delap for a chance that bounced down off the bar towards Cucurella, whose diving header beat Areola from close-range.
Chelsea were rampant, and Fernandez bagged the winner two minutes into stoppage-time.
Joao Pedro pulled his pass across goal, and Fernandez thumped past Areola to celebrate his 150th Chelsea appearance in memorable fashion.
Todibo couldn’t handle West Ham’s collapse and he saw red after grabbing Joao Pedro around the throat.
Nigeria overturned a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat the Philippines 101–84 in a Group A game of the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France, on Saturday.
The Philippines led for more than 22 minutes and built a 10-point cushion in the first half. Nigeria responded strongly after the break, eventually pulling away in the final quarter.
Midway into the third quarter, Nigeria wiped out a five-point deficit with a 17–12 run. A turnaround jumper by Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah tied the score at 67–67.
Guards Ifunanya Okoro and Elizabeth Balogun scored nine points in the run. Promise Amukamara also grabbed four rebounds and added two points to steady the team.
Three-pointers from Janine Pontejos and Louna Ozar briefly kept the Philippines competitive. However, Nigeria’s inside scoring helped them take a 70–67 lead into the fourth quarter.
Centre Victoria Macaulay powered Nigeria’s comeback with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks in just over 21 minutes of play.
Murjanatu Musa contributed 10 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Nicole Enabosi recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds after an early scoring burst.
For the Philippines, Janine Pontejos led with 16 points, including an eight-point surge late in the second quarter to keep her side in contention.
Nigeria’s decisive moment came with a 9–0 run in the final quarter, stretching an 81–80 lead to 90–80 and effectively sealing the contest.
Balogun scored five points during the run with perfect shooting, while Nigeria’s defence limited the Philippines’ scoring options late in the game.
The Philippines earlier enjoyed a 7–0 run late in the first quarter, turning a 21–19 deficit into a 26–21 lead with Kacey Dela Rosa scoring five points.
The match featured 12 lead changes from early in the first quarter until midway in the third, when Nigeria seized the lead permanently.
Nigeria’s biggest lead reached 17 points in the closing seconds at 101–84. The Philippines’ largest advantage was 10 points in the second quarter.
Nigeria led for 15 minutes and eight seconds overall, while the Philippines held the advantage for 22 minutes and one second. The score was tied for two minutes and 51 seconds.
Nigeria’s most effective lineup of Ezinne Kalu, Amukamara, Macaulay, Balogun and Musa played nearly 16 minutes together and posted a plus-12 performance.
The victory highlighted Nigeria’s resilience and depth, as strong rebounding and balanced scoring helped secure a convincing second-half comeback in the tournament.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has mourned the demise of ex- Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu.
He died in a Lagos hospital on Saturday morning.
The 62-year-old’s passing came a few days after the death of former NFF Technical Director and two-time Super Eagles head coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.
NFF’s Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi, said the entire football community cannot forget Nwosu’s immense contributions to the growth of the game in the country.
“This is another very sad news, even as we are still mourning the demise of Chief Onigbinde. Nigeria football can never forget the enormous contributions of Henry Nwosu both as a player and a coach. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest, and also grant the family he has left behind, as well as friends and relations, the fortitude to bear the loss,” Sanusi told thenff.com.
Nwosu was a member of the Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) side that won the title at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
Arsenal have approached Declan Rice over a new long-term contract.
Rice’s existing deal still has two years left to run, while there is also an option to extend that term by a further 12 months.
But the Premier League leaders are looking for the England international to commit his prime years to the club.
Renewal talks are underway, and the offer will include a pay increase to solidify his position as one of Arsenal’s best earners.
Bukayo Saka recently signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract worth a minimum of £300,000 per week. Rice’s current deal is worth a reported £240,000 per week.
Discussions are described as being at an early stage, and no timeline has been set for their completion.
But the process of ensuring Rice stays in north London for the foreseeable future is underway.
Since joining Arsenal from West Ham in a deal worth £105m in 2023, the 27-year-old has established a reputation as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
He has made 102 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, while he has also established himself as a key player for England, having already won 72 caps.
Arsenal have moved to lock in the futures of their top stars, with Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ethan Nwaneri signing extensions over the past 12 months.
The club has also opened talks with Jurrien Timber over an improved deal.
David Raya and Leandro Trossard have also been awarded with improved contracts in recent months, although those deals did not include additional time on their deals.
Arsenal lead the race for the Premier League title by seven points from Manchester City, who have a game in hand, heading into the weekend.
They host Everton, while City go to West Ham, with both games on Saturday.
The Gunners last won the English league title in 2004, during Arsene Wenger’s reign as manager.
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