Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Jadon Sancho’s return to Chelsea’s starting lineup was nothing short of spectacular, as the England winger played a pivotal role in their 2-0 victory over Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League. This result extended Chelsea’s perfect record in the competition, maintaining their flawless start with four wins out of four. Sancho, making his first start since October 20 due to illness and injury, provided assists for both goals. His first set up Christopher Nkunku, who netted his fifth goal in four group phase games, while the second was a perfect ball for Mykhailo Mudryk to seal the win with just…

Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and Rodri have earned nominations for the 2024 FIFA Best Men’s Player Award, marking the Premier League’s sole representation. The duo’s inclusion follows City’s historic achievement of winning four consecutive league titles, a first in English football. Rodri, who claimed the 2023 Ballon d’Or, is considered a leading contender for the prestigious award, alongside Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., the runner-up in October’s Ballon d’Or voting. Jude Bellingham, the third-place finisher, is also a strong contender and could become the first Englishman to win the FIFA Best award. Other notable nominees for the prize include Kylian…

Ruben Amorim marked his Old Trafford debut as Manchester United manager with a pulsating 3-2 Europa League victory over Bodo/Glimt. While the triumph brought joy to United fans, the 39-year-old Portuguese admitted to grappling with anxiety as he attempts to embed his footballing philosophy into a squad still adapting to his demands. United’s dramatic win was secured thanks to a brace from Rasmus Højlund and an early goal by Alejandro Garnacho, allaying fears after Bodo/Glimt stunned the home crowd with two first-half goals in quick succession. The sight of Amorim roaring with relief as Højlund netted his first goal epitomized…

Manchester City faces a defining moment in their season as they prepare to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. With Pep Guardiola’s side enduring their worst form in years, the stakes could not be higher. Winless in their last five games across all competitions, City sits eight points behind Liverpool in the title race. A defeat could widen the gap to a daunting 11 points, leaving Guardiola’s treble-winning side at risk of falling out of contention for the Premier League crown. City’s Unprecedented Struggles For a club accustomed to dominance, the current downturn is unfamiliar territory.…

Rangers delivered a scintillating performance in Nice, securing a commanding 4-1 victory that manager Philippe Clement hailed as “close to perfection.” The result not only boosts their Europa League progression hopes but also underlines the Scottish side’s ability to thrive on the European stage. First-Half Blitz Stuns Hosts Despite an early scare, Rangers raced to a stunning three-goal lead by half-time. Vaclav Cerny’s deflected strike opened the scoring, followed swiftly by a brilliant flick from Mohamed Diomande. A calamitous back-pass from Nice gifted Hamza Igamane the third, sending the traveling fans into raptures. Nice, sitting fifth in Ligue 1, struggled…

Veteran defender Mats Hummels rescued a point for Claudio Ranieri’s Roma in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the Europa League. The 35-year-old Germany international, returning to European action for the first time since July, endured a mixed evening. He conceded an early penalty—converted by Son Heung-min—but redeemed himself with a stoppage-time equalizer, tapping in Angelino’s pinpoint cross. Spurs dominated the first half, with Brennan Johnson doubling their lead after Evan N’Dicka had briefly leveled for Roma. However, the London side missed several chances to extend their advantage, with Son, Johnson, and Dominic Solanke all spurning opportunities. Roma, despite…

Manchester United reported a £6.9 million operating loss for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, largely attributed to their absence from the Champions League and costs tied to a significant redundancy programme. The club’s eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season—their worst-ever placement—meant they missed out on the lucrative European competition, competing instead in the Europa League. This absence contributed to a 20.4% drop in broadcasting revenue, decreasing from £39.3m in the same quarter last year to £31.3m. Commercial revenue also declined by 5.6%, from £90.4m to £85.3m, while matchday revenue saw a 3.3% drop, from £27.4m…

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is determined to reclaim his title by the end of 2025, following his July loss to Belal Muhammad. The 33-year-old fighter from Birmingham, who held the belt for nearly a year and defended it twice, is now focused on his path back to the top of the division. “My goal right now is to get the belt back,” Edwards shared on Instagram. “For me, it’s more about what’s next and how to get back to where you want to be. My goal is to be a two-time world champion.” If successful, Edwards would make…

Thiago Messi, son of legendary footballer Lionel Messi, is starting to carve his own path in football. The 12-year-old wore his father’s iconic number 10 shirt as he represented Inter Miami’s under-13 team at the Newell’s Cup in Rosario, Argentina. The tournament, now in its 10th edition, features youth teams from eight clubs across North and South America competing over five days. Monday’s match saw Thiago and his teammates face Newell’s Old Boys, Lionel Messi’s boyhood club, where he spent five formative years before his move to Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy at the same age as his son is…

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has undergone surgery following a remarkable display against Manchester City in which he played 60 minutes with a broken ankle. Despite the injury, the 28-year-old Italian completed the game, helping Spurs secure a stunning 4-0 victory over the reigning Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium. A Selfless Performance The incident occurred in the first half when Vicario collided with City winger Savinho. After receiving medical attention, the keeper chose to continue playing, a decision that underscored his commitment but ultimately revealed the severity of his injury. In a heartfelt message posted on social media,…