Sports

Chelsea Hit Back To Draw In Blow To Villa’s Top Four Bid

Published

8 months ago

April 28, 2024

Troubled Chelsea finally showed some spirit as they fought back from two goals down to dent Aston Villa’s top four bid in the Premier League with a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side trailed to Marc Cucurella’s early own goal and a Morgan Rogers strike before half-time at Villa Park.

But rather than capitulate as they did in Tuesday’s humiliating 5-0 loss at Arsenal, the Blues dug deep to rescue a gritty point thanks to goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher.

Chelsea thought they had won it deep into stoppage-time when Villa keeper Robin Olsen turned Axel Disasi’s effort into his own net, however, to Pochettino’s fury, the goal was disallowed for a Benoit Badiashile foul.

The draw was a blow to Villa’s hopes of holding off Tottenham in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish.

Villa are seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, who host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday in the first of three games in hand on Unai Emery’s side.

Although Villa, who last finished as high as fourth in 1995-96, remain favourites to clinch the lucrative Champions League berth, they might feel a little nervous if Tottenham win the north London derby.

Villa were well below their best and must recover quickly as they face Olympiakos in the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg on Thursday.

The under-fire Pochettino reportedly retains the backing of Chelsea’s ninth placed squad — which has been assembled for over £1 billion — despite a difficult campaign that included an FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City last weekend.

They proved that point by refusing to surrender against a Villa team that flew at them in a vibrant start.

In the fourth minute, Lucas Digne poked a low cross into the Chelsea six-yard box, where John McGinn’s scuffed shot was deflected into his own net by Cucurella.

It was the first time since 1998 that Chelsea had conceded in the opening four minutes in consecutive league games.

Digne volleyed into the side-netting from an acute angle moments later as Villa scented the chance to punish Chelsea’s early lethargy.

But Villa’s momentum had stalled and they suffered a setback when Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans limped off injured.

Nicolas Jackson was inches away from equalising with a close-range header from Cucurella’s cross that glanced off the post.

The much-maligned Jackson should have buried that chance and Ollie Watkins almost made him pay with a powerful drive that Djordje Petrovic saved at his near post.

It was a warning Chelsea failed to heed as Rogers doubled Villa’s advantage in the 41st minute.

Matty Cash’s pass picked out Rogers and the 21-year-old, given too much time and space on the edge of the area, swept a perfectly-placed strike past Petrovic for his third goal since his January arrival from Middlesbrough.

Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez was forced off with an injury at half-time and his replacement Olsen had to pick the ball out of the net in the 62nd minute.

Pau Torres carelessly lost possession, with Gallagher’s touch reaching Madueke, who slotted a fine finish past the Swedish keeper from 10 yards.

Madueke almost completed Chelsea’s fightback, but his flicked effort was parried by Olsen.

The winger wasn’t left to rue that miss as Gallagher rescued a deserved point for Chelsea in the 81st minute with a superb curler into the far corner from the edge of the area.

AFP

Sports

Former Brazilian Football Star Marries ex-Wife’s Niece

Published

50 minutes ago

January 6, 2025

Naijablitznews

Ex- Brazil international Hulk has tied the knot with Camila Angelo, his ex-wife’s niece, in a religious ceremony on Friday, 3 January, 2025,

The couple had already formalised their union in a civil ceremony in 2020.

An ecstatic Hulk expressed his joy on Instagram as he shared photos from his wedding, writing, “Before God and the promises of our love, we unite in one heart, beginning our eternity together, life! I love you.”

The wedding took place in Hulk’s hometown of Campina Grande at The Diocesan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, which was adorned with a sea of white roses. A grand reception is planned for January 7 at a luxury resort in João Pessoa, involving 500 professionals, including chefs, floral designers, and lighting technicians.

Hulk was previously married to Iran Angelo, Camila’s aunt, for 12 years. Their marriage, which ended in 2019, produced three children: sons Ian and Tiago, and a daughter, Alice.

The relationship between Hulk and Camila became public in December 2019, just months after his split from Iran. The couple married in September 2020, and in 2021, they welcomed their first child, Zaya, followed by their second child, Aisha, in 2023.

The relationship has drawn criticism from Camila’s family and a cross section of people following the scenario. Rayssa, one of Iran’s sisters, condemned the union on social media, writing, “Today is a hard day to swallow, a day that reveals how far betrayal can go when it comes from the people we least expect. If my mother were alive, I am sure she would not be able to bear such monstrosity.”

Sports

Dembele’s last-gasp goal fires PSG to French Super Cup glory

Published

5 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ousmane Dembele netted a last-gasp winenr as Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 1-0 to win the French Super Cup on Sunday.

It is the third consecutive year the Ligue 1 champions have won the trophy.

PSG, who had clinched both the league and the French Cup, have now won the competition for the 11th time in the last 12 years.

In a lively encounter at Doha’s Stadium 974, PSG had 27 chances but failed to break the deadlock.

But Dembélé ensured the game did not go to penalties, when he sealed the win two minutes into injury time.

The Frenchman netted inside the far post after Fabián Ruiz laid on a neat pass across the face of the goal.

PSG return to league action next Sunday when they host St Etienne while Monaco visit lowly Nantes on Friday.

Sports

Manchester United Firm As Liverpool Miss Golden Opportunity

Published

6 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Liverpool and Manchester United played to an exciting 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, sharing the spoils in a fast-paced encounter. Despite Liverpool being the favorites due to United’s recent struggles, the visitors showed resilience and a much-improved performance.

Manchester United started strong, managing to contain the pro-Liverpool crowd early on and creating several chances. Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Højlund were key in getting behind Liverpool’s defense. Amad Diallo missed a great opportunity from Dalot’s cross, and Højlund was denied by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson.

After a goalless first half, Manchester United came out to build momentum against Liverpool in the second. Lisandro Martínez broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish after a clever pass from Bruno Fernandes. However, Liverpool responded quickly, with Cody Gakpo equalizing through a stunning goal that left Matthijs de Ligt behind.

The game took another twist when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Manchester United’s De Ligt’s handball. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot, giving the home team the lead. But United fought back, and Amad Diallo’s cool finish leveled the score once more.

Both teams had chances to win the match in the dying moments. Harry Maguire had an opportunity in injury time, but the game ended in a draw, meaning Liverpool couldn’t take advantage of Arsenal’s draw against Brighton earlier in the weekend.

Player ratings for Liverpool saw Mohamed Salah earn a solid 7.7/10, while Cody Gakpo and Ibrahima Konaté both received 7.7/10 as well. For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes stood out with a performance rating of 8.7/10, followed by Lisandro Martínez with 8.2/10.

In the end, both teams earned a point, with the result being a fair reflection of a match full of excitement and attacking play.