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

January Transfer Window: See All You Need To Know As Clubs Sign New Players

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The English Premier League transfer window opened officially on Wednesday, allowing clubs to sign and sell players to improve their squads for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The January transfer window is regarded as one of the most highly anticipated events in the football calendar, offering clubs an invaluable chance to strengthen their rosters for the concluding phases of the season.

As intense competitions unfold at both the top and bottom of the league standings and with many notable players expected to pursue new opportunities, the winter transfer period promises to be particularly thrilling.

January Transfer Window Schedules

Clubs can sign players until the January transfer window concludes at 11 p.m. GMT (6 p.m. ET) on February 3, 2025.

According to ESPN, this transfer window applies to all divisions within England’s football league system and is similarly observed in France and Germany. In contrast, the winter transfer window in Spain and Italy opens on January 2.

In LaLiga, the window will close at midnight local time in Spain (11 p.m. GMT, 6 p.m. ET) on February 3.

Clubs in Ligue 1 will have one hour less to finalize their signings, as the window will close at 10 p.m. GMT (5 p.m. ET) on the same date.

In the Bundesliga, all transactions must be completed by 6 p.m. CET (5 p.m. GMT), while Serie A’s window will remain open for an additional two hours.

Sports

Sad! Two months after dad’s demise, Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali announces mum’s death

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Barely two months after losing his father, Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lost his mother.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper shared the heartbreaking news via X on Wednesday.

“Rip mom, worst year of my life already,” the goalkeeper posted with tears and heartbreak emoji on New Year’s Day.

“A very very crazy world indeed,” he posted before sharing the news.

The Nigeria Football Federation sent soothing words to the goalkeeper.

“Our heartfelt condolences to Stanley Nwabali on the loss of his mother. Stay strong, Stanley. Sending you strength and support during this difficult time. You are not alone; we are all with you.”

Nwabali’s father’s passing was announced in November, a few hours after the goalkeeper was in goal for the Super Eagles in their 1-1 draw against the Benin Republic during their penultimate 2025 AFCON qualification match.

Although he did not disclose the cause of his mother’s death, it must have come as a rude shock to him, having shared a 2024 recap video in the wee hours of New Year’s Day.

“2024 was a good year, we’re doubling everything in 2025. Thank you Chippa United FC. Thank you Super Eagles. Thanks to all my fans. Let’s do more!” he wrote.

The player has been receiving condolences messages after announcing the sad news.

“So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family,” journalist Latifat Adebayo-Ohio commented.

A fan, Hillary Remy also wrote, “So sorry for your loss. May God strengthen you and all your family members.”

“Accept my heartfelt condolences chief,” wrote Adewale Damilare.

Sports

Arsenal wallop Brentford 3-1 at home

Published

3 days ago

January 1, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Arsenal came from behind in Wednesday to beat Brentford 3-1.

Having been rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s early goal, Mikel Arteta’s side very nearly went two behind when David Raya let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot squirm through his fingertips.

But the Spanish goalkeeper scrambled superbly to hook the ball off his own line, and barely 60 seconds later, Gabriel Jesus latched on to a rebound to nod home an equaliser.

Brentford came into the game with somewhat of an injury crisis as Thomas Frank had near enough a full Premier League team out on the sidelines.

However, it was the hosts, boosted by the availability of goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike (13).

Frank was asked about potential interest in the forward from Premier League clubs ahead of the game and the Brentford boss laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could leave the club this month. Mbeumo showed once again how crucial he is to this Brentford side, nestling a low strike past David Raya at his near post for his 11th league goal of the season.

It is regularly said football is a game of fine margins. It proved to be the case again in this match as Raya inexplicably let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot slip through his fingers. The ball bounced agonisingly towards goal but Raya reacted quickly and leapt back to claw the ball off the goal line.