Sports

Arsenal keeps title hope alive after defeating Tottenham 3-2

Published

11 months ago

April 28, 2024

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Arsenal survived a late scare to battle past fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 and move four points clear at the Premier League (PL) summit. The result extends Mikel Arteta’s side’s impressive record in H2Hs to just one defeat in the last seven meetings (W5, D1).

Fresh from a thumping win over Chelsea in midweek, Arsenal made the short journey to their North London rivals with a slender one-point lead at the top of the PL. The opening stages of the contest were closely fought, as both sides looked to stamp their authority on proceedings in a high-octane start. Clear-cut chances came at a premium, but it was the Gunners who stunned the home crowd with a breakthrough in the 16th minute when Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner was inadvertently headed into his own net by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Determined to find a swift response, Tottenham showed plenty of intent in the final third, as Cristian Romero directed a close-range header against the woodwork and Micky van de Ven saw a well-taken finish ruled out for a marginal offside. Grateful for those reprieves, Arteta’s men doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark, with Kai Havertz lifting an accurate ball over the top for Saka, who cut inside Ben Davies before curling a clinical effort into the far corner. Armed with all the momentum, Arsenal continued to press home their advantage and the Gunners duly added a third before HT, as Havertz rose highest in the six-yard box to convert Declan Rice’s delivery beyond Guglielmo Vicario.

Now faced with a daunting three-goal deficit, Tottenham knew a positive start was needed in the second half, but it was the visitors who soon threatened a fourth when Saka’s close-range effort was superbly thwarted by the legs of Vicario. The hosts looked devoid of ideas in the final third, but they were gifted a route back into the contest with 25 minutes remaining, as David Raya inexplicably passed the ball straight to Romero, who held his nerve to finish confidently into the bottom corner.

Despite that moment of madness from Raya, Arsenal looked to have regained their composure with time ticking into the final half-hour. However, a reckless challenge from Rice on Davies in the box allowed Son Heung-min to fire home from the spot, setting up a fascinating finale. Determined to derail the Gunners’ title charge, the hosts went in pursuit of a dramatic equaliser, but the Arsenal rearguard held firm under pressure to secure a crucial victory and move four points clear at the top of the PL ahead of Manchester City’s match against Nottingham Forest later on Sunday.

Sports

Real Madrid keeping tabs on Victor Osimhen

Published

3 hours ago

April 8, 2025

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Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as they consider potential additions ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old forward, currently enjoying a prolific loan spell at Galatasaray, has been in fine form this season, notching 28 goals and providing five assists in 32 matches across all competitions.

Although Osimhen remains under contract with Serie A side Napoli, his future appears uncertain, and a permanent departure from the Italian club is expected in the coming months.

While Manchester United have long been linked with the Super Eagles star, Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Real Madrid are now exploring the option of bringing him to the Bernabéu. The club reportedly views him as a possible replacement should Vinicius Junior make a surprise move to Saudi Arabia, where he continues to attract interest.

Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 and has since established himself as one of Europe’s top attacking talents, scoring 76 goals and assisting 12 times in 133 games for the Italian side. His blend of pace, power, and finishing ability has earned him admiration across top European leagues.

Real Madrid’s potential bid adds to growing interest from Premier League clubs and teams in Saudi Arabia, as Osimhen’s release clause — reportedly set at €75 million — puts his signature well within reach for Europe’s elite.

As the summer window approaches, the race to land the Nigerian marksman is expected to intensify.

Sports

EPL: Southampton relegated in record time after Tottenham defeat

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2025

Admin

Southampton were relegated from the Premier League in record-setting time after a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday ended their brief stay in the top-flight.

Brennan Johnson struck twice in the first half and Mateus Fernandes’s late reply was too late to stop bottom of the table Southampton crashing back to the Championship.

Beaten for the 25th time in 31 games, Southampton are the first Premier League team to be relegated with seven matches still to play.

Ipswich and Derby were relegated with six games left in 1994-95 and 2007-08, respectively.

Ivan Juric’s side are also still one shy of matching Derby’s 2007-08 record low Premier League total points of 11.

Juric, whose team are without a win in their last seven league matches, admitted this week that avoiding the record low points tally is Southampton’s only target for the rest of their dismal season.

Southampton were pushed to the brink of relegation when fourth-bottom Wolves came from behind to beat Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday, leaving Saints 22 points from safety.

Their slide down to the second tier was confirmed 315 days after they clinched promotion by beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Russell Martin was architect of Southampton’s success in the Championship with an attacking approach, but his insistence on sticking to those tactics backfired badly in the top flight.

Martin was sacked in December after a 5-0 defeat against Tottenham left Southampton bottom of the table with just five points from 16 games.

Former Roma boss Juric was hired to replace Martin on an 18-month contract, but the Croatian was unable to save Southampton from going down with a whimper.

– No reprieve –

Tottenham have been in turmoil themselves for much of the season, with fan protests against chairman Daniel Ley before and during the game underlining the depth of the problems in north London.

But under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou, who was jeered by Tottenham fans during Thursday’s defeat at Chelsea, earned a little breathing space at Southampton’s expense.

Trying to avoid their lowest finish since 1993-94 — when they came 15th — Tottenham’s first win in five league games lifted them to 13th place.

It was a much-needed boost before their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

Postecoglou’s men took the lead in the 13th minute when Johnson fired into the roof of the net from Djed Spence’s cut-back for his 15th goal in all competitions this season.

That spelt doom for Southampton, who haven’t won a single league game this season after conceding the opening goal.

Lucas Bergvall’s close-range finish was disallowed for offside after the kind of protracted VAR check that has driven Postecoglou to claim the system is “killing the game”.

It was only a temporary reprieve as Wales forward Johnson doubled Tottenham’s advantage with a composed finish from James Maddison’s header in the 42nd minute.

Despite their team’s predicament, Southampton fans packed into one corner of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hadn’t lost their sense of humour, chanting “Que sera, sera… we’re going to Coventry” as the clock ticked down on their stay in the top tier.

In a moment of quality at odds with their woeful campaign, Fernandes chested down and fired past Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario in the 90th minute.

There was no late comeback as Wellington fouled Johnson and Mathys Tel converted the penalty to confirm Southampton’s demise.

AFP