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Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: Controversial VAR Decision Disallows Josh King’s Goal as Hosts Win at Stamford Bridge

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Stamford Bridge, London – Chelsea triumphed 2-0 over Fulham in a Premier League clash marred by a controversial VAR decision that saw Josh King’s first-half goal ruled out, sparking outrage from the Fulham camp. VAR Controversy Strikes Early The drama unfolded in the 21st minute when Josh King thought he had given Fulham the lead, curling a shot into the bottom corner after a skilful run into the box. However, referee Rob Jones was instructed by VAR official Michael Salisbury to review the goal due to an alleged foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up. The incident in question occurred just moments before King’s strike, when Muniz appeared to step on Chalobah’s foot while shielding the ball. After reviewing the footage at the pitchside monitor, Jones disallowed the goal, citing Muniz’s “careless challenge” on Chalobah. Fulham manager Marco Silva was incensed by the decision, calling it “unbelievable” and claiming it was a harsh call. “I don’t know where else the attacker can put his foot. It should stand,” Silva said post-match. Despite the controversy, Chelsea responded well. Just before halftime, João Pedro headed in a brilliant cross to put the Blues ahead. Enzo Fernandez then sealed the victory in the second half, scoring from the penalty spot after Ryan Sessegnon was penalized for handling the ball in the area. Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, labeled the VAR decision “shocking,” criticizing the intervention as “neither clear nor obvious” and suggesting that referee Jones should have trusted his initial call.

Manchester United 3-2 Burnley: Bruno Fernandes Nets 96th-Minute Winner in Thrilling Old Trafford Victory

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Old Trafford, Manchester – In a match that Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim described as a “must-win,” Bruno Fernandes delivered a dramatic 96th-minute penalty to secure a 3-2 victory over Burnley in the Premier League. The win, which came after a nervy and chaotic encounter, will provide a much-needed boost for United, who had been under immense pressure following their disappointing Carabao Cup exit earlier in the week. The match started with promise for United as Josh Cullen’s own goal gave them the lead in the first half, but a Lyle Foster equalizer and a second equalizer from Jaidon Anthony in the second half left the game on a knife-edge. The hosts had twice taken the lead, only for Burnley to respond each time, much to the frustration of manager Ruben Amorim. Burnley’s resilience was rewarded after Bryan Mbeumo – who had missed the crucial penalty in United’s midweek shootout loss to Grimsby – restored United’s lead almost immediately after Foster’s equalizer, scoring his first league goal for the club in just 15 seconds. However, Burnley were far from done, and Anthony’s scrappy finish after poor defending by United ensured the game would not be settled easily. The Decisive Moment: Fernandes’ Penalty Drama With the match approaching its dying moments, VAR intervened to award Manchester United a penalty after a shirt pull on Amad Diallo. Despite the growing tension and pressure, Bruno Fernandes stepped up and confidently converted the penalty in the 96th minute, ensuring a dramatic win for his team.

NPFL Matchday 2 Preview: Big Tests Await Old Guards & Newcomers

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago015 mins

By George Akpayen After mixed outings in the opening matchweek of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), not much separates all of the 20 clubs so far in the standings and they will go again this Saturday, Sunday and Monday in mouthwatering fixtures that pits the old guards against the newbies. Last weekend, there was a lean spell of goals in the 10 matches that opened the campaign. Only nine goals were scored which represented less than a goal per game and turned to be a good day for the defenders and goalkeepers who shut out the strikers. The fixtures for Matchday 2 looks finely balanced and a number of the matches have the trappings to produce goals aplenty considering previous head-to-head meetings. OLD FOES START MATCHWEEK AS BOTTOM-TWO When Alfa Sadiq signals for the start of this matchweek’s first fixture in Benin City, two traditional rivals, Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), will be battling as 20th and 19th placed teams. Both sides began the season on losing note – 3SC fell 0-1 at home to Bayelsa United while Bendel Insurance lost 0-2 at El-Kanemi Warriors. Last season in this corresponding fixture, Insurance edged past 3SC 1-0 through Michael Enaruna’s late goal. Enaruna, like a number of Insurance players from last season, has moved on to newcomers, Barau FC, but this does not take away the advantage that Insurance have posted over their rivals especially when they play hosts in this fixture. Head coach of 3SC, Nurudeen Aweroro, will have to work on the psyche of his players to banish the club’s poor recent trips to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. In their last five trips to Benin City, 3SC have avoided defeat just once (D1 L4) since the turn of the millennium. The other times, 3SC avoided defeat in Benin City was in February 1998 and July 1999 when they played out 2-2 and 1-1 draws respectively. Bendel Insurance head coach, Greg Ikhenoba and Aweroro, will hope their teams can put points on the board and score goals as well after watching their sides fire blanks on the opening day. CHAMPIONS IN TRICKY TRIP TO ABA WITHOUT MBAOMA The champions, Remo Stars, will also be looking to claim their first win of the season after the 1-1 draw at home to Rivers United in the first game of the season. The titleholders will have to face newcomers, Kun Khalifat FC at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, which they have adopted as home ground owing to renovation at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri without Victor Mbaoma. The striker returned to Remo Stars in the off-season transfer window and immediately got off the mark in the opening game before leaving the pitch early with a rib injury which his head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede told npfl.ng has ruled him out of the trip for Monday’s match. Ogunmodede’s explanation borders on taking precautionary measures on the striker since they have subsequent league games and CAF Champions League coming up in September. “Victor will not be available for the match (against Kun Khalifat FC),” Ogunmodede also known as Ijaball revealed to npfl.ng. “The extent of the (rib) injury has not be fully ascertained and we are still monitoring his situation which rules him out of the game entirely.” Mbaoma’s absence could pave way for Remo Stars’ Malian striker, Adama Goita, to earn his first start of the season. It is the first time both teams will meet in the topflight and the odds are in favour of the champions though Obinna Uzoho and his men will hope they can hold off another big team like they did in the opening matchday at Rangers where they got a point off a 0-0 draw. SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IN LAGOS Talk of holding off for a point, Ikorodu City started their season with a 0-0 draw at Kwara United despite featuring nine NPFL debutants and a new head coach in Ali Kandil after the departure of Aweroro to Shooting Stars. Ikorodu City will now shape up for their first home game against El-Kanemi Warriors in this season’s first Sunday night fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos. El-Kanemi, on the other hand, started with a 2-0 win over Insurance at home. Last season, which was City’s debut campaign in the NPFL, they scored 48 goals at home, 15 more than champions Remo Stars who netted the second highest number of goals at home. So, NPFL followers will expect this game to flow with goals considering Kandil was part of City’s coaching setup under Aweroro’s management and will want to continue with the same team ethos. Both teams have met just twice in the NPFL and City are unbeaten on both occasions (W1 D1). The Oga Boys saw off El-Kanemi 2-0 in this same fixture with Ayomide Cole and Shola Adelani scoring second half goals. Both players were missing in City’s game at Kwara United but it is likely Adelani should be back in the team for El-Kanemi’s visit. Kabiru Dogo should have a full El-Kanemi squad including his opening matchweek goalscorers, Al’amin Umar and Daddy Abdulrahman, for the trip to Lagos except for suspended midfielder Zayyad Musa who got a straight red card against Bendel Insurance. This first night game could be turn out to be a test for Kandil’s side, now full of newcomers in the top division. BIG GUNS AIM TO FIND COMFORT AT HOME On the opening round of the season, the big boys found it difficult to eke out results and this time will have to do so in front of their supporters or else the pressure begins to pile up from here on. Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Plateau United and Rivers United all play on Sunday against Niger Tornadoes, Wikki Tourists, Katsina United and Cup holders, Kwara United, respectively. All four clubs will hope to make playing at home count in order to get their first wins of the season. Enyimba under Stanley Eguma will be keen to…

Villarreal Confirms Swoop for Nigerian-Born Minnesota striker

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago01 mins

Villarreal coach Marcelino has confirmed they’re signing Minnesota United striker Tani Oluwaseyi. The Nigerian-born Canada international is moving to Villarreal for €8m. He has settled on personal terms over a five-year contract to 2030. The Minnesota forward arrives after scoring 10 goals in his last 24 matches. Key to the deal has been Taj Buchanan, who has talked up Villarreal to his Canada teammate Oluwaseyi. “We lost a key player like (Everton striker Thierno) Barry, and we were looking for a player with similar abilities,” said Marcelino. “They’re different players, but he can give us depth, speed, and finishing. He comes from a smaller but competitive league. Knowing Tajon will help him adapt.”

Saka Out for ‘Couple of Weeks’

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says it is a “concern” Bukayo Saka has suffered two hamstring injuries in eight months. The winger missed three-and-a-half months of last season following surgery on his right hamstring in December. Saka has now been sidelined for “a couple of weeks” with another problem – this time in his left leg – during his side’s win against Leeds on Saturday. Arteta confirmed the 23-year-old will not require surgery as it is “not as bad as the previous one”. “He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks,” said the Gunners boss on Friday. “But it is obviously a concern, a big one, especially when we talk about a sprinter and a player that gets into that zone very often in a football match, who needs that burst, that change of rhythm of pace to be as threatening as possible.” On Thursday, the club confirmed Germany forward Kai Havertz will undergo knee surgery, but will not be out for a significant amount of time. Arteta said it was “very unfortunate” for Havertz, but surgery was “the right thing to do”. “The doctors advised and he was very convinced at the end that it was the quickest and the best way to resolve that issue,” he explained. Arsenal’s injury troubles mean they are currently without Saka, Havertz, midfielders Martin Odegaard and Christian Norgaard, defender Ben White and forward Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners, who have finished runners-up in each of the past three Premier League seasons, visit defending champions Liverpool on Sunday (4:30pm), with both sides having started the new campaign with successive wins.

Besiktas Part Ways With Ole Gunnar Solskjær

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago02 mins

Besiktas have parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjær following their defeat by Swiss side Lausanne in the Conference League play-offs on Thursday night. The former Manchester United player and manager took charge of the Turkish club in January and steered them to a fourth place finished last season. In a shock statement following the game, the club said “Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been terminated following a decision made at a board meeting. “Following the meeting, our chairman, Serdal Adalı, thanked Solskjaer for his services to date.” Besiktas were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers by Shakhtar Donetsk. Besiktas played St Patrick’s Athletic in their third round tie and were whilst they took a 4-1 lead in the first leg Stephen Kenny’s side gave them a scare in the second leg going 2-0 up before Besiktas found their feet and claimed the win 7-3 on aggregate. Former Borussia Dortmund player and manager Nuri Sahin has been linked with the role.

Chelle Picks Ekong, Osimhen, 21 Others For 2026 W/Cup Qualifiers

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Captain William Ekong, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have been included in Nigeria’s final list of 23 players for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers. Greece-based goalie Adeleye Adebayo returns to the group, alongside Unity Cup sensations Felix Agu and Benjamin Fredericks, and forwards Christantus Uche and Tolu Arokodare, who both impressed in the friendly with Russia in Moscow on 6th June this year. The Super Eagles confront the Amavubi of Rwanda in a Matchday 7 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 6th September before flying to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a Matchday 8 fixture on Tuesday, 9th September. FINAL LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium) Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain) Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)

Mourinho sacked by Fenerbahce after Champions League exit

Jose Mourinho Sacked by Fenerbahçe Following Champions League Exit

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago02 mins

Fenerbahçe have parted ways with head coach José Mourinho, just over a year after his high-profile arrival in Istanbul, the Turkish club confirmed on Friday. The dismissal comes two days after the team’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League playoff round by Portuguese side Benfica. In an official statement, the club said: “We have parted ways with José Mourinho, who served as head coach of our professional A team since the 2024–2025 season. We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career.” Mourinho, 62, joined Fenerbahçe in June 2024 amid great fanfare, bringing with him a résumé that includes stints at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Roma. However, his tenure in Turkey fell short of expectations. He guided the Yellow Canaries to a second-place finish in the Süper Lig last season, behind arch-rivals Galatasaray, extending the club’s long-running title drought. His time at the club was also marked by controversy and disciplinary issues. In April, Mourinho made headlines after grabbing the face of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in a heated Turkish Cup quarterfinal clash. He also faced a fine for post-match comments criticizing officiating in another fiery derby, with authorities deeming his remarks “contrary to sporting ethics.” Mourinho’s final game in charge was Tuesday’s defeat to Benfica, ending the club’s hopes of returning to the Champions League group stage. The club has not yet announced a successor.