Nigeria vs Zambia: We made Super Eagles sweat – Chipolopolo goalkeeper, Mweene
The Zambia shot stoper, Kennedy Mweene, has claimed that he is proud of his team, despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
Nigeria vs Zambia
The captain full of prase for his side despite the loss in Uyo.
Nigeria vs Zambia
The young Chipolopolo side pushed the Super Eagles all the way, before finally succumbing to a late goal by substitute Alex Iwobi.
The win sealed Nigeria’s passage to their third straight World Cup and left Zambia falling short.
“We have lots of young players in our team and we are rebuilding.
“Games like this one give young players great experience and we’re happy with our performance.
“We’re happy with the game, it was not easy for us but it was not easy for Nigeria too
“Nigeria had to sweat to beat us and I think this is our best game in the qualifiers,” the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper said after the game. Nigeria vs Zambia
Arsenal 3-1 Cologne:- 5 Things We Learned from the Gunners Europa League opener
Arsenal put off-field chaos behind them to come from behind and claim victory in their Europa League opener against Cologne.
Crowd trouble outside the Emirates meant kick-off was delayed by an hour with 20,000 German supporters having descended on London.
And when Jhon Cordoba fired the visitors ahead early in the piece, it looked like being a nightmare evening for the hosts.
But Arsene Wenger's side rallied in the second half with Sead Kolasinac levelling shortly after the break.
Alexis Sanchez's stunner made it 2-1, before Hector Bellerin sealed the deal nine minutes from time.
Here are five talking points from the Emirates:
1. Off-field chaos delays kick-off
Around 20,000 Cologne fans arrived in London to support their team, despite the away allocation being just under 3,000.
Stewards and police were forced to hold spectators outside the stadium amid safety fears, before turnstiles were eventually opened with a one-hour delay to kick-off announced.
Thousands of Cologne fans had managed to attain tickets in home sections of the Emirates, with some trying to gain access to the away end from inside the ground.
Four arrests were made, and it's unlikely we've heard the last of it.
2. Wenger wins game with tactical adjustment
Arsene Wenger made plenty of changes with Chelsea in mind and it was evident from the start that the 3-4-3 was not working.
At 0-1, Wenger switched it up to a 4-2-3-1 and it worked: substitute Sead Kolasinac used the ball well in deeper areas and Alexis Sanchez was able to run at Cologne from the left channel.
Will the Gunners boss be brave enough to not match up the Blues on Sunday? Or will he fall into the trap of mimicking Antonio Conte with a system that still may not entirely suit his squad.
3. All is forgiven with Sanchez
It was only a few weeks ago the Chilean was looking to move to Manchester City, with the Citizens launching a Deadline Day bid for the forward.
Arsenal were unable to sign Thomas Lemar as a replacement, meaning the 28-year-old was forced to stay put in north London.
He's since returned for the Gunners, and featured in their 4-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool in the Premier League. His body language during the game only added to the idea he no longer wants to be at the Emirates.
But against Cologne is seems everything was suddenly forgiven.
Sanchez showed exactly why Arsene Wenger was so keen to keep hold of him with a stunning long-range strike to ensure Arsenal took all three points from the fixture. Football is a fickle game.
4. Kolasinac can become match-winner for Gunners
Whether Wenger was saving Kolasinac for Sunday or not remains to be seen, but the former Schalke star has proven to be decisive in the final third.
His strength also helps the Gunners defend better from set-pieces and his composure on the ball offers a better outlet down the left flank.
The Gunners may look for Kolasinac's quality on the ball as a mainstay of their attack and should he link up with Alexis Sanchez on a regular basis, Wenger may have the luxury of one of the best left sides in the Premier League.
5. Cologne's struggles continue
After three games of the Bundesliga season, Cologne are bottom having lost all three matches, scoring just one goal and shipping seven.
They will have seen the Europa League as a welcome distraction and a chance to turn their season around, and will have been buoyed by the early goal.
But old frailties were exploited by the Gunners after the break, and there would be no joyous return to European competition after 25 years away.
Arsenal team news: Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and David Opsina in line to start
Arsenal have confirmed their Europa League squad, with wantaway forward Alexis Sanchez included as expected.
Arsene Wenger has submitted 42 names, with include 14 under the age of 21, for the six group games against BATE Borisov, Koln and Red Star Belgrade.
The Gunners, entering the competition at this stage for the first time in history, are widely expected to give youth prospects a chance to shine.
Sanchez, who was close to joining Manchester City on deadline day, will not be cup-tied for the Champions League should he depart the club in January for the Eithad Stadium or elsewhere.
Gazidis appointed to Uefa’s executive committee
Uefa rules state: "One player from the above quota of three [of new additions before knockout rounds] who has been fielded in a UEFA club competition group stage match for another club in the current season may exceptionally be registered, provided that the player has not been fielded: a. in the same competition for another club; or b. for another club that is currently in the same competition."
The sole first-team squad member of note missing is Santi Cazorla, who was also omitted from the club's Premier League squad as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.
Goalkeepers
David Ospina, Petr Cech, Deyan Iliev, Matt Macey, Ryan Huddart, Hugo Keto
Defenders
Mathieu Debuchy, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Rob Holding, Nacho Monreal, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin, Sead Kolasinac, Toljai Bola, Chiori Johnson, Tafari Moore
Midfielders
Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Granit Xhaka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Krystian Bielik, Charlie Gilmour, Marcus McGuane, Reiss Nelson, Ben Sheaf
Forwards
Alexis Sanchez, Alexandre Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Chuba Akpom, Pelenda Da Silva, Aaron Eyoma, Edward Nketiah, Joseph Willock
Batshuayi strikes as Cold-blooded Chelsea cruise to six against Qarabag
Michy Batshuayi scored late in the second half as Chelsea made a sweet return to Champions League football on Tuesday; beating Qarabag 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro Rodriguez set the tone for the day as he got the opening goal in the 5th minute.
The Blues did not look back from then on as new boy Davide Zappacosta doubled Chelsea's lead on the half-hour mark.
Chelsea commenced brightly at Stamford Bridge, and were ahead within five minutes. After a series of corners, a short Willian pass to the edge of the box was met by Pedro, who was on hand to curl in emphatically.
Afforded time and space to play, with passes flowing from N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas, and both Chelsea wing-backs roaming forward at pace, chances came thick and expeditious for 'The Blues'. Willian was benefitting from the space in front of the box left by a Qarabag team penned back, engendering an aperture for Michy Batshuayi who could only hit the side netting.
Further spells of possession followed, afore Davide Zappacosta distributed a second for the Blues on 30 minutes. An energetic burst down the right flank optically discerned the Italian tee himself up to whip the ball in for Chelsea's forwards to assail in the box. The ball would fly in from 30 yards out on the right touchline, and despite Zappacosta celebrating proudly on his full debut, it seemed to be an unintentional goal on his component.
Chelsea commenced off the second half where they left the first, with Spanish international Cesar Azpilicueta heading a third for Chelsea after a flurry of corners.
It was an impeccable opportunity for Conte to build the fitness of Hazard and Bakayoko, both working their way back from surgeries and given half an hour with the game as good as victoriously triumphed. The latter was on hand to net his first goal in front of the Chelsea fans, scoring from a corner after optically discerning his shot deflect over Qarabag keeper Sehic.
Willian, perhaps Chelsea's most hazardous assailant throughout the match, rattled the bar midway through the second a moiety. Chelsea would find their fifth through the industrious Batshuayi, driving a low effort towards the near post from the edge of the box. Batshuayi later celebrated what he cerebrated was his second of the night, though replays seem to corroborate the official decision to mark the goal as a Medvedev own goal after Zappacosta's fierce cross into the six yard area was bundled in for Chelsea's sixth.
Reveealed: Pochettino, the man who silenced Arsenal
Tottenham are on the verge of a brilliant new era and they are spearheaded by an astute, youthful manager that could win silverware at the club
Tottenham are entering into a new era of prosperity. The farewell has been done, the goodbyes have been said, and now Spurs stand on the threshold of a new era.
The bulldozers are on the pitch at White Hart Lane, ripping up the turf, tearing down the seats. A glorious swansong was played on Sunday, Spurs’ youthful side tearing through Manchester United and signing off from their famous old ground unbeaten for the 2016-17 season, courtesy of goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane in a 2-1 win.
Afterwards came a fitting, poignant farewell. Legends young and old – from Glenn Hoddle and Osvaldo Ardiles to Ledley King – came out onto the pitch, waving at their adoring masses. And then came the class of 2017.
They were welcomed onto the pitch with a similar cacophony of noise reserved for a legend that has won trophies and earned a space in a fan’s heart. Mauricio Pochettino led his team out, stood on the pitch and, while the camera lingered, fought back the tears that were clearly beginning to swell.
As Spurs prepare to play at Wembley next season, and then at the “new” White Hart Lane – that may not be its name, given the rights package that is currently on sale, but, spiritually, it will always be known as such – much has been made of how chairman Daniel Levy must pay his players what they deserve, and show ambition in the transfer market this summer.
Those soundbites are all well and good but they miss a critical point. Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld, among many others, are coveted by numerous clubs and it is of little surprise. They have played exceptionally well throughout a campaign that very nearly saw Tottenham become champions.
But they have played that way under the tutelage of Pochettino, who remains the most important man at the football club, and who has been nominated for the Manager of the Season award for 2016-17.
Prior to his shrewd appointment of the Argentine in 2014, Levy had seen the back of nine managers. Only Martin Jol – still loved by many at White Hart Lane, such was his swashbuckling style and personable attitude – and Harry Redknapp can really be considered successes, despite Juande Ramos lifting the League Cup in 2008.
Now, however, there is a manager at the helm who understands what it is to manage a club like Tottenham. Spurs have always stood on the precipice of something truly outstanding. This is a club in one of the most attractive cities in the world, bankrolled by a wealthy, if unseen, owner in Joe Lewis, and who have often flirted with breaking through the Premier League’s glass ceiling.
Yet it is about more than finishing fourth, now. Qualification for the Champions League was, once, the be all and end all. Redknapp, after all, believed that one run in Europe’s elite competition – where he could rest upon the crutch of Gareth Bale – should qualify him for the England job.
Pochettino is about more than all of that. Pochettino believes in promoting from within and sanctioning youth to thrive. Pochettino believes in fostering undying adhesion – and it must be verbalized that playing under him is a massive carrot for most players in world football, especially those under 25. Pochettino believes in buying players that fit his system, rather than purchasing on star power alone – one need only observe the development of both Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies this season to optically discern his methods work. More importantly, Pochettino believes in acquiring victory.
Pochettino has turned Tottenham into winners. They dare not lose him.
Conclusively, Spurs have an authentic chance to become the champions of England. For two seasons in succession Tottenham have been the best footballing team in the country. Last season their progress was marred by a tardy collapse, but they have gone above and beyond this season to prove that they genuinely do deserve to commence next season as one of the true contenders for the designation.
Pochettino has taken Spurs to such a point where even Arsenal are irrelevant – St Totteringham’s Day is dead, after all – and he must now be kept at all costs.
Spurs have previously been a selling club, allowing the likes of Bale, Dimitar Berbatov and Luka Modric to depart when too good of an offer is presented. Now, it is the man in the dugout that they surely must retain.
More News On Spurs
Giggs wants Sanchez at Manchester United
The Manchester United legend believes Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez would be a great addition for the Old Trafford side.
Ryan Giggs has urged Manchester United to make a move for Arsenal assailer Alexis Sanchez ahead of the 2017-18 Premier League season.
The Chile international's future at Emirates Stadium is in doubt after contract verbalizes were put on hold earlier this campaign, with his subsisting deal due to expire in June 2018.
Manchester City and Chelsea have since been credited with an interest in signing the 28-year-old, but Giggs feels he would be an ideal suit for United.
"Sanchez is a brilliant player," Giggs told The Express.
"His work rate, the effect he has on his team-mates, a winner. He just looks how South Americans are, tough aren't they.
"Jose Mourinho bought [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic because he is a winner.
"He had won everywhere he'd gone. Not only the effect on the pitch but off the pitch as well.
"You can just feel that Sanchez would give his team-mates a lift as well."
Sanchez has netted 26 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions this term.
See Wo gave chelsea the league
Ex-Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has sly dig at Tottenham fans after White Hart Lane farewell.
Spurs said goodbye to their home on Sunday, and it reminded the former Gunner of his own memories there.
Lukas Podolski spent three years with Arsenal afore eventually leaving in 2015, having scored 31 goals for the Gunners.
And in light of Tottenham's departure from the stadium they had occupied for 118 years, the German forward – currently of Galatasaray – posted up a montage of some of Arsenal's great moments at their fierce rivals' home.
It featured three photos: one of when the former Germany international jumped into the away end following a crucial 1-0 away win in 2014, with the other two emanating from Arsenal's invincibles season. Arsene Wenger's side sealed the designation there in 2004 to cap their unbeaten league campaign.
TOP-FOUR:- Stoke City 1 Arsenal 4: Ozil, Sanchez key to crucial win in top-four race
According to rumors, It remains to be seen whether Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will remain at Arsenal for the long term, but they proved their worth at Stoke.
The Arsenal futures of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez remain in doubt but the duo proved key to avoiding a potential slip-up in their Premier League top-four ambitions at a historic bogey ground with a 4-1 win over Stoke City.
Ozil and Sanchez will be out of contract at Arsenal at the end of next season and negotiations over extensions have been stalling, but they proved their worth with a goal each to send the Gunners one point behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who take on West Ham on Sunday.
After Olivier Giroud's 42nd-minute opener, the pair combined for a sensational second - Sanchez's pinpoint pass finding Ozil in the box and the German obliged with a lovely dink beyond Jack Butland.
Stoke pulled a goal back in controversial fashion as substitute Peter Crouch steered Marko Arnautovic's cross into the back of the net with his hand, but Sanchez eased Arsenal's nerves when his deflected strike found the bottom-left corner with 14 minutes remaining.
Prior to scoring his 50th Premier League goal the Chilean signalled to the bench that he was experiencing discomfort in his left thigh and he was swiftly substituted, and his replacement Aaron Ramsey set up Giroud for his second - the Frenchman justifying his selection ahead of Danny Welbeck.
The result means that should Liverpool fail to pick up maximum points at London Stadium, Arsenal will qualify for next season's Champions League by winning their final two home games against Sunderland and Everton.
Shkodran Mustafi came close to putting Arsenal ahead in the ninth minute but his looping header from Ozil's corner was tipped over by Butland.
Arsenal continued to press and a cross from the returning Hector Bellerin could only be helped towards the back post by Ryan Shawcross, though Nacho Monreal saw his header come back off the upright.
Stoke began to see more of possession but were unable to test Petr Cech on his 400th Premier League appearance and were dealt a blow three minutes before the interval when Bellerin's low delivery from the right was turned in by Giroud.
Arsenal doubled their advantage in fine fashion 10 minutes after the break. Ozil offloaded to Sanchez and darted towards the box, with the Chilean biding his time before sliding an excellent throughball to the German's feet for a fine finish.
After Mame Biram Diouf spurned an opportunity in the six-yard box, Stoke looked to have set up a tense finale when Crouch illegally diverted Arnautovic's cross into the net without the officials noticing.
The game quickly descended into a scrappy affair but Sanchez reasserted Arsenal's dominance with a cross-goal finish from the edge of the box, a touch off Shawcross helping it on its way.
The Chilean made way for Ramsey and, after being denied by Butland, the Welshman latched onto Ozil's pass in behind the Stoke defence and teed up Giroud for his second.
It was a goal that ended any hope Stoke had of mounting a comeback, though the injury to Sanchez will provide Arsenal with cause for concern ahead of their run-in and the FA Cup final.
Top-four race will run until the final day, says Guardiola
Little did hhe know that it will be reduced to a Four points gap, and after seeing his Manchester City side move seven points clear of Arsenal, Pep Guardiola says the top-four race will run until the final day.
The city manager Pep Guardiola believes the race for the Premier League top four will run until the final game of the season, after his Manchester City side moved seven points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
City never looked likely to slip-up against relegation-threatened Hull City and, despite Claudio Bravo's late error, strikes from Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph - combined with Ahmed Elmohamady's earlier own goal - secured a convincing 3-1 win.
But, after seeing his side bring up their 100th goal in all competitions this term, Guardiola insisted that there are still no guarantees of Champions League football next term.
"It was important for us to win after many days without a win. We started well and created chances and we had the right attitude," Guardiola told BBC Sport.
"We could have scored many more goals. It is frustrating not go get a clean sheet but we defended poorly at set-pieces.
"The fight for the top four will definitely go to the last day."
Raheem Sterling was on fine form for City on Saturday, turning provider for both Aguero and Delph's goals, but the England winger was full of praise for team-mate David Silva.
Former Valencia playmaker Silva wore the captain's armband on his 300th City appearance, and Sterling reiterated just how important the Spaniard is to City's play.
"We needed a win. We've dropped a few points and we needed to get back to winning ways," Sterling said.
"[Silva] was brilliant. We know what he can do in the final third and all over the pitch. He's brilliant and he never shies away from wanting the ball.
"I've learnt so much off him over the past few years and hopefully that can continue."
Meanwhile, Hull boss Marco Silva - whose side remain two points above the relegation zone thanks to Swansea City's defeat to West Ham, still has confidence that the Tigers will beat the drop.
"The second goal was the key but they deserved to win the game," Silva conceded.
"It is in our hands, we have six games to go and we will work hard. Since I came here I was confident and I have passed that on to our players."
HOW DID CONTE GET HERE? TO BE LIKENED TO AS A GUARDIOLA-MOURINHO HYBRID
The Italian’s incredible first season in England and his road to the top of the Premier League has been a constant battle as shown in this our post.
For Maurizio Crozza, it was a stand-up sketch just waiting to happen. Imagine a slightly less imposing and slightly more Italian version of Dara O Briain. During his new Friday night show, the comic launched into a parody of the agghiacciante diatribe. Mimicking Conte’s nasal Salento accent, Crozza-Conte is besieged by lawyers. They continue to pop up in every corner – even when he’s in bed with his wife. The whole sketch is rounded off as Crozza doffs his lavish wig in homage to the manager’s artificially augmented barnet.
Conte later admitted that even his other half was a huge fan of Crozza’s impersonation. Whenever he got angry, she would chant, “Agghiacciante! Agghiacciante!” back at him. All of the stress, he joked, “was making my hair transplants fall out”.
DEMANDING CONTROL
“Our only option is to win,” he told the press. “A draw, at this stage of the season, is just the same as a defeat. And to win we have to attack.”
As Conte writes in his autobiography, Head, heart and legs: “It was there that I brought ‘my’ 4-2-4 into being – very high wingers, mobile strikers, two midfielders and a solid back four.”
Several weeks of quasi-military training passed by without result. Sporting director Pieroni, writes Conte, “started to grumble again. During the week he would always wear that irritating expression of someone who, if it was up to him, would do things differently.”
Antonio asked a couple of his staff to drive him over to the club.
WINNING: THE OBSESSION
The Italian press has likened Conte to a Guardiola-Mourinho hybrid, with the Spaniard’s vision of football and the Special One’s cunning. However, Conte is also a great educator. Pirlo played for him during the Indian summer of a golden career, yet declared him “absolutely the coach who’s taught me the most”. At the start of Conte’s tenure as Italy manager, he held a two-hour session in Coverciano’s main lecture theatre to school journalists about his philosophy of football.
It is said that away from the game Conte is great company – both kind and fascinating. Although that’s a bit like saying that away from megalomania, Donald Trump’s an unassuming chap. When he was at Juventus, Conte was once asked how much of his day he devoted to football.
“Do the maths,” he replied. “There are 24 hours in a day, I sleep for five, I spend three with my family, that leaves 16.” He forgot to mention he tends not to sleep well.
