Haaland Double Fires Manchester City Past Bournemouth To Extend Home Dominance

Manchester City returned to winning ways with an emphatic performance at the Etihad, easing past Bournemouth to continue their climb back into title contention. Pep Guardiola’s side, who had suffered a disappointing defeat at Aston Villa in their last league outing, have now strung together two consecutive victories — first cruising past Swansea in the Carabao Cup, and now overpowering a Bournemouth team that has been in fine form this season. City were in complete control throughout, extending their perfect Premier League home record against Bournemouth to nine wins in nine meetings. Erling Haaland was once again the difference-maker, netting twice to take his league tally to 13 goals this season. The Norwegian striker finished both chances with trademark composure after being set up by two brilliant passes from Rayan Cherki, who ran the show in midfield. Haaland’s double saw him join Robbie Fowler and Luis Suárez as only the third player to score two or more goals in four consecutive Premier League home appearances. He could have had a hat-trick but missed further opportunities before being substituted for Omar Marmoush late in the game. Young defender Nico O’Reilly added a third goal to put the result beyond doubt, driving home a precise pass from Phil Foden — who was making his 200th league appearance for the club. Rodri returned to action after a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while substitute Tijjani Reijnders also threatened with a late strike that forced a fine save from Djordje Petrovic. With Arsenal currently setting the pace in the title race, Manchester City’s sharp response after their Villa defeat suggests the champions are rediscovering the form that made them the dominant force in English football.

Read More

Flying Eagles Coach Lands Egyptian Club Deal

The Head Coach of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria Aliyu Zubair, has joined Telecom Egypt SC as the Coach of the Egyptian second division league side. The coach, who recently led the Nigerian team to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, was unveiled by the Egyptian side in a two-year deal.   Zubair was unveiled by the club leadership at their headquarters in Cairo, the capital of Egypt.   The appointment comes off solid coaching credentials and his track records from leading the Kwara United youth team in his home town of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to handling the National U20 team.   He is reputed for the promotion of two different teams: Gombe United in 2021 and Elkanemi Warriors in 2024, to the top-flight league in Nigeria from the second division.   Zubair also led Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri to win Nigeria’s most prestigious and oldest tournament, President Federation Cup, in 2024, an achievement he had earlier recorded as an Assistant Coach when Akwa United won the FA Cup trophy.  

Read More

Wolves Sack Vitor Pereira After Winless Run Leaves Club Bottom Of EPL

Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked head coach Vitor Pereira after a woeful run of results left the club bottom of the Premier League table and without a single win this season. Pereira’s final game in charge was Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham — a performance he admitted was Wolves’ “worst” since his arrival. The loss extended their winless streak to 10 league matches, with only two points collected so far. The 57-year-old Portuguese coach signed a contract extension in September, keeping him at Molineux until 2028, but growing frustration among fans and a lack of progress made his position untenable. Wolves also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last week, crashing out at the round of 16. Pereira joined the club in December 2024 after the dismissal of Gary O’Neil, when Wolves sat 19th in the Premier League with just six points from their first 19 matches. He initially revived their fortunes, leading them to safety with a 16th-place finish thanks to ten wins in their final 22 games. That momentum soon faded. Following a six-game winning streak in April, Wolves have now gone 14 league matches without victory — losing 11 of those fixtures, including back-to-back defeats to Burnley and Fulham. Tensions between Pereira and the supporters boiled over last weekend when he appeared to argue with fans after the late loss to Burnley, amid chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning.” The same chants echoed at Craven Cottage a week later. “Two months ago they sang my name because of what we did last season,” Pereira said after the Burnley match. “Now, without results, they sing my name maybe to sack me. But if I were a supporter, I would still feel proud of my team because they worked and showed mentality.” Wolves’ problems deepened over the summer when key players Rayan Aït-Nouri and Matheus Cunha departed for Manchester City and Manchester United respectively. Despite adding seven new signings, Pereira failed to steady the team’s decline, leading to his dismissal.

Read More

Liverpool End Losing Streak as Van Dijk Slams Ridiculous Takes, Outside Noise After Win Over Aston Villa

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has criticised what he called “absolutely ridiculous takes” and negative “outside noise” following the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield — a win that ended their four-game Premier League losing streak. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Van Dijk admitted the recent run of poor form had been difficult but praised his teammates for sticking together amid intense public and media criticism. “There is a lot of noise that you have no control over,” Van Dijk said. “Some of those takes are absolutely ridiculous. It’s about sticking together. We’re not going out there to lose games or disappoint fans — we work our socks off to win. But there’s no guarantee in this league. You have to stay calm and keep working.” The Dutch defender also reflected on how quickly the narrative around the team has shifted compared to last season. “Last season everything was sunshine and rainbows. Now, from the outside world, it sounds like we’re in a relegation battle — that’s how it works in football,” he added. Liverpool manager Arne Slot also acknowledged the crucial role played by the home fans, saying their backing lifted the players during a difficult spell. “The support means a lot, especially when things are tough,” Slot said. “It shows what makes this club special — the fans stand by the team even when we’re struggling.” The win provides much-needed relief for Liverpool after a run of six defeats in seven games across all competitions, restoring confidence as they aim to climb back up the Premier League table.

Read More

Joao Pedro Ends Goal Drought As Chelsea Beat Tottenham 1-0

Chelsea secured a vital 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s Premier League showdown, with Brazilian striker Joao Pedro ending his goal drought to hand the Blues another memorable victory over their London rivals. Coming off a shock defeat to Sunderland last weekend, Enzo Maresca’s side showed intent from the start, pressing high and controlling the tempo throughout the match. Tottenham struggled to keep up with Chelsea’s intensity, rarely finding a way through a disciplined backline. The breakthrough arrived in the 34th minute when Moises Caicedo dispossessed Micky van de Ven near the edge of the Spurs box and quickly squared the ball to Joao Pedro, who calmly slotted past Guglielmo Vicario from eight metres out. Pedro looked sharp and hungry for more, but Vicario stood firm, denying him on three separate occasions. The Tottenham keeper also made key saves from Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho, preventing the scoreline from becoming more embarrassing for the hosts. At the other end, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had a quiet evening, making only one save all match. Despite creating several clear-cut chances, Chelsea couldn’t extend their lead, though Maresca was satisfied with the result. “I am happy with the 1-0, with the three points, especially because we kept the clean sheet,” he said. “We know we’re a team that will always create chances, but it’s also important to be strong defensively.” Tottenham’s performance drew frustration from their supporters, with loud boos ringing around the stadium after the final whistle. Manager Thomas Frank admitted his side were outplayed. “It’s extremely painful,” Frank said. “Chelsea were good, and we were definitely second best. We performed badly, and the frustration is understandable.” The result lifted Chelsea to fourth place in the Premier League table with 17 points from 10 games, one spot below Spurs on goal difference. It also extended their impressive record against Tottenham, having now won 13 of their last 14 league meetings. As the game ended, the travelling Chelsea fans mocked their hosts with the familiar chant, “Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happened again,” a reminder of the Blues’ long-standing dominance in this London rivalry.

Read More

Gyokeres And Rice Seal Arsenal’s 2-0 Victory Over Burnley To Extend Premier League Lead

Arsenal extended their Premier League lead with a convincing 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, thanks to first-half goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice. Mikel Arteta’s side took control early on when Gyokeres rose highest to head home his fourth league goal of the season from a superbly executed set piece, giving the Gunners a deserved lead. Declan Rice, heavily involved in the opener, doubled Arsenal’s advantage 10 minutes before halftime. The England midfielder finished off a swift counterattack with a powerful header that left the Burnley goalkeeper with no chance. The second half saw fewer chances as Arsenal managed the game with composure, limiting Burnley’s attacking opportunities. The hosts came close late on, striking the woodwork in stoppage time, but never truly threatened to turn the tide. The result marked Arsenal’s fifth consecutive league win, keeping them seven points clear at the top of the table. Burnley, meanwhile, remain in 17th place, just four points above the relegation zone.

Read More

Amad Diallo’s Brilliant Volley Earns Manchester United 2-2 Draw Against Nottingham Forest

Amad Diallo struck a sensational 81st-minute volley to secure Manchester United a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in a pulsating Premier League clash at the City Ground. United had taken control in the first half when Casemiro rose highest to head home from a corner, though Forest players protested the decision, insisting the ball should not have gone out for a corner in the first place. The goal seemed to set Ruben Amorim’s men on course for a fourth consecutive victory and a move up to second in the table. But the home side flipped the script early in the second half. Morgan Gibbs-White powered his way past Amad to connect with Ryan Yates’ deep cross, heading Forest level. Just two minutes later, more trouble came for United when another cross from the right caused confusion in the box. Igor Jesus’ header deflected into a crowd of players, and Nicolo Savona reacted quickest to slot calmly past Sanne Lammens, putting Forest 2-1 ahead. United refused to collapse. Bruno Fernandes came agonizingly close when his low drive struck the base of the post. Moments later, Amad pounced on a looping clearance outside the area and unleashed a thunderous first-time volley that flew past Matz Sels to bring United level again. The Ivorian winger almost turned hero deep into stoppage time, but his close-range effort was dramatically cleared off the line by Murillo, denying United what would have been a stunning comeback win. Despite missing out on victory, the performance showed United’s growing resilience under Amorim, with Amad’s late brilliance ensuring they left Nottingham with a valuable point.

Read More

Nigerian Singer to Drop FIFA U-17 World Cup Official Song

By BUNMi OGUNYALE A Nigerian singer and songwriter, Okereke Blessed Jordan, professionally known as Yarden is billed to drop the official song for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Yarden is known for his single Wetin which went viral on TikTok, earning him a debut on the TurnTable charts NXT Emerging Top Artistes at 9 for a total of 17 weeks. Lagos-raised artist Yarden is shaping the future of Afrobeats with a sound that fuses soul, rhythm, and global energy. Having burst onto the scene in 2023 with his viral hit Wetin, he is considered one of Nigeria’s most exciting up-and-coming voices, with music that embodies the fearless and borderless spirit of a generation of African artists shaping global sound. “TMRW’S GOAT is all about celebrating the energy, dreams, and spirit of young players who are writing their own stories,” shared Yarden. “The FIFA U-17 World Cup is where future legends are born, and this song is a reminder that greatness starts today. Working with Nour from Egypt made it even more special, it shows how music, just like football, can unite us across cultures and inspire the next generation.” The spirit of unity and competitiveness fostered by the track will be on full display as an exciting new chapter of FIFA U-17 World Cup history gets under way next Monday This year’s edition of the tournament is the first ever 48-team FIFA competition and will once again provide a priceless opportunity for the next generation of world football’s superstars to announce themselves on the global stage.

Read More