Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Chelsea’s troubling pattern of dropping points from winning positions has intensified scrutiny on manager Enzo Maresca, raising the question: is it down to his tactical decisions or the inexperience of his substitutes? The Blues have surrendered 11 points from leading positions at Stamford Bridge this season, more than any other Premier League club. Including away matches, Chelsea have lost 13 points from winning positions – exactly the gap separating them from league leaders Arsenal. The latest setback came in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, where substitute Ollie Watkins scored twice to snatch victory, leaving Chelsea 10 points behind third-place…

Manchester United head coach . has insisted his decision to alter the club’s tactical approach was driven by timing and necessity rather than pressure, as he seeks to guide his injury-hit squad through a demanding period of the season. Amorim abandoned his trademark back three with wing-backs for the first time in United’s recent win over Newcastle United, instead opting for a more traditional back four supported by two holding midfielders. The shift paid immediate dividends, delivering only the club’s second clean sheet of the campaign, even if the system effectively became a back six in the closing stages as…

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has undergone a minor heart operation after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, the Italian club has confirmed. The 66-year-old is expected to return to his regular duties within the next few days, easing concerns over the health of one of European football’s most distinctive coaching figures. Italian media reported the procedure was routine and precautionary, aimed at correcting an irregular heart rhythm rather than addressing a life-threatening condition. Lazio said Sarri is recovering well and remains in close contact with his coaching staff as preparations continue for Sunday’s Serie A clash at home to Napoli. Sarri…

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared he will not retire from football until he reaches the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals, underlining his enduring ambition as he continues to defy age and expectation. The Portugal captain, now 40, reaffirmed his determination after scoring twice in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win over Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. Those goals took his combined tally for club and country to 956, leaving him just 44 short of a figure few once thought possible in the modern era. Speaking in Dubai after being named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards,…

Manchester United are bracing themselves for life without Bruno Fernandes after head coach Ruben Amorim admitted it is “impossible” to replace his captain, who could be sidelined for up to a month with a hamstring injury. Fernandes was forced off during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, a moment that instantly raised alarm bells at Old Trafford. Amorim confirmed shortly after the match that the Portugal international would miss Friday night’s clash with Newcastle, and while he stopped short of placing a firm timeline on the midfielder’s recovery, the expectation inside the club is that Fernandes will return for the…

DR Congo began their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benin in Group D, as Theo Bongonda’s early strike proved enough to secure three valuable points in Rabat. In a tense encounter at the compact Stade El Barid, the Leopards showed flashes of their pedigree as recent semi-finalists, but also revealed familiar wastefulness in front of goal that could yet haunt them against stronger opposition. The decisive moment arrived in the 16th minute. Arthur Masuaku launched a long ball forward from the left, and a moment of hesitation in the Benin defence proved costly.…

A high-stakes Hollywood power struggle could soon change the way millions of fans watch live sport, with Premier League executives among those monitoring developments closely. At the centre of the storm is Warner Bros Discovery, the media giant that owns blockbuster entertainment brands such as Harry Potter, Barbie and Game of Thrones. Less glamorous, but just as valuable, is TNT Sports – a key player in the UK sports broadcasting market and a crucial subplot in a multi-billion dollar takeover battle involving Netflix and Paramount Skydance. Whoever ultimately controls Warner Bros Discovery will inherit TNT Sports, and that decision could…

FIFA is testing a new wave of officiating technology designed to reduce some of football’s most contentious moments, with innovations aimed at determining whether the ball has gone out of play and clarifying complex offside decisions. The developments were trialled during three Intercontinental Cup matches in Qatar this month and form part of FIFA’s continued effort to improve accuracy, speed and transparency in decision-making, particularly for video assistant referees (VAR). Central to the trials is a system known as “Out of Bounds” technology. Using advanced tracking data similar to that employed in semi-automated offside, the innovation can determine with far…

Kylian Mbappé marked his 27th birthday with a historic milestone as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu to maintain pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona. The French forward converted a late penalty to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid, a landmark first achieved by the Portuguese great in 2013. Earlier, Jude Bellingham’s first-half header had given Carlo Ancelotti’s side a deserved lead in a match that proved more testing than the scoreline suggests. Real dominated possession from the outset, probing Sevilla’s defensive shape with patience and control. The breakthrough…

Nigerian football has been rocked by controversy following confirmation that Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga has been charged over an alleged case of sexual conduct without consent in Norway. The 18-year-old, who plays his club football with Molde, is facing formal charges after an incident that was reported to Norwegian authorities in April. The development has cast a shadow over what had been a promising rise for the midfielder, regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest young talents abroad. In a statement, Molde confirmed that the case had progressed to the charging stage and outlined the steps taken by the club…