Sports

Arsenal Maintain Top Spot At Christmas After 1-1 Draw At Liverpool

Published

2 years ago

December 23, 2023

Arsenal ensured they will spent Christmas Day on top of the Premier League as they held title rivals Liverpool to a pulsating 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side took an early lead through Gabriel Magalhaes, but Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool level before the interval.

A draw was arguably the right result after both sides flexed their muscles to show why they have emerged as the leading contenders to win the title.

Chasing a first title since 2004, Arsenal sit one point clear of second placed Liverpool heading into the festive period.

The team that has topped the Premier League at Christmas has gone on to win the title in six of the past 10 seasons, but the draw on Merseyside was also a boost to the chasing pack.

Third placed Aston Villa are level on points with Liverpool, fourth placed Tottenham are three points further back, while champions Manchester City are six points adrift of the leaders with a game in hand.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 11 games against Arsenal at Anfield.

However, coming a week after their goalless stalemate against Manchester United, this was another frustrating result for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Arsenal weren’t completely satisfied either.

Last season they led 2-0 at Liverpool but ended up drawing 2-2, a result that started their collapse in the title race.

Their failure to hold on this time should not have such a damaging impact, but it was still a missed opportunity.

Klopp had urged Liverpool fans to give Arsenal the “proper Anfield experience” after saying he was unhappy with the atmosphere during Wednesday’s 5-1 rout of West Ham in the League Cup.

The German said fans “not in the right shape” should give their ticket “to somebody else”, but Arteta was well aware of the maelstrom lying in wait.

Arteta likened the visceral Anfield experience to being thrown around in a “washing machine”.

– Red wave –

Responding to Klopp, the Liverpool faithful bellowed their ‘You’ll never walk alone’ anthem as loudly as ever before kick-off, but Arsenal took just 30 seconds to show they were unfazed.

A flowing move cut open the Liverpool defence and ended with Gabriel Jesus’s shot deflecting just over.

It was a warning and Arsenal took the lead after only four minutes.

Martin Odegaard delivered a perfect free-kick into the Liverpool area and Gabriel rose to thump his header past Alisson Becker from eight yards.

The Brazilian defender celebrated by cupping his hands to his ears in front of the Kop.

Anfield was stunned but not silenced. Falling behind was nothing new to Liverpool, who had trailed in eight other Premier League games this season and only lost one of them.

Liverpool were controversially denied a penalty by VAR when Odegaard handled in the area after slipping under pressure from Salah.

Salah took it upon himself to ensure Liverpool weren’t left to rue that debatable decision as the Egyptian conjured a superb 29th minute equaliser.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s raking pass picked out Salah down the right flank and he glided away from Oleksandr Zinchenko into the area before smashing a fierce strike past David Raya at his near post.

A thrilling half concluded with Arteta holding his head when Gabriel Martinelli shot wide moments after Saka ran through on goal but failed to finish.

Klopp’s men had the momentum after the break and Joe Gomez rifled inches wide, while Harvey Elliott’s long-range strike deflected onto the post.

They should have been in front in the 73rd minute when a break from an Arsenal corner climaxed with Salah teeing up Alexander-Arnold, but the ball took a slight bobble and his shot cannoned back off the crossbar with just Raya to beat.

As the relentless Red wave kept surging toward the Kop, Gomez’s effort drew a good stop from Raya, but Arsenal held on.

Sports

Sports Commission Boss Commends Team Edo Athletes For Continental Triumph

Published

6 hours ago

August 26, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has congratulated Team Edo athletes who represented Nigeria at recent continental championships and returned home with medals.

He spoke when the athlete led by Team Edo Athletics Head Coach, Mr. Mutiu Oluwa, paid a courtesy visit in his office on Monday.

The athletes had competed at the 3rd CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and the CAA Region II Senior Athletics Championship in Accra, Ghana.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Hon. Enabulele praised the athletes’ performances, describing their achievements as a reflection of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s strategic investment in sports development.

“The results we are witnessing today are a testament to Governor Okpebholo’s deliberate and strategic efforts to make Edo Nigeria’s hub for sporting excellence,” Enabulele said.

“The Governor has consistently mandated us to focus on grassroots sports development — we ‘Catch Them Young.’ Today, we are seeing the fruits of that vision.”

At the Abeokuta championships, Edo athletes shone brightly: Audu Emmanuel (Silver, Shotput), Eze Peace (Bronze, Javelin), Akhalu David (Gold, 4×400m Mixed Relay), Salami Oseiwe (Bronze, 400m), Enaruna Anita (Silver, 400m; Gold, 4×100m, 4×400m, 4×400m Mixed, and 400m Mixed), and Oyibu Success (Silver, 100m; Gold, 200m and 4×100m).

The medal haul continued in Accra, with Treasure Omotsivie winning Gold in High Jump (Women), Anita Enaruna clinching Gold in 200m and 4×400m Relay (Women), Chidera Ezeakor claiming Gold in 100m, 200m, and 4×100m Relay (Men), David Akhalu securing Gold in 4×400m Relay (Men), and Prestina Ochonogor (Paris Olympics finalist) taking Gold in Long Jump (Women).

Enabulele described the athletes as “worthy ambassadors of Edo State” whose discipline, commitment, and patriotism continue to inspire hope for the future of sports in Nigeria.

The athletes had been selected to represent Nigeria in the two major competitions held between July 16–20 in Abeokuta and August 18–19 in Accra, Ghana.

Sports

Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG

Published

6 hours ago

August 26, 2025

Editor

Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has expressed confidence that Team Edo will record an outstanding performance at the 9th National Youth Games (NYG), billed to hold in Asaba, Delta State, from August 26 to September 6, 2025.

Speaking through his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele described the games as a strong platform for nurturing grassroots talent and an opportunity for Edo’s young athletes to shine.

“We are going into this competition with the youngest athletes in the country. For us, it is not about chasing victory at all costs, but ensuring that our young ones use this opportunity as a foundation for development and self-discovery. Edo believes in grassroots identification and talent grooming, and with the full support of our amiable Governor, Monday Okpebholo, we are confident of an impressive outing,” Edoko quoted the Commission Chairman as saying.

Team Edo enters the competition with a boost from its strong showing at the South-South zonal eliminations, where it qualified in several ball games. These include female handball, male and female cricket, male baseball, male and female rugby, female football, male and female beach volleyball, female hockey, and female volleyball. The team will also compete in athletics, swimming, acrobatics, board sports, and other events.

Enabulele further stressed that Edo’s approach to the Games is built on sustainability and youth empowerment rather than quick-fix glory. According to him, “Our initiative is really working. The National Youth Games is more than just winning medals – it is about national unity, exposure for our athletes, and building a strong pipeline for the future. Edo is proud to be leading this charge.”

The 2025 edition of the NYG, themed “We are the Future,” officially kicks off on August 29 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium with a grand opening ceremony featuring top musicians and cultural troupes. The Games will be declared open by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, representing President Bola Tinubu.

Delta State is hosting the Games for the third consecutive time. Over 37 sports will be contested across venues such as the Stephen Keshi Stadium and Indoor Sports Hall, Government House Squash Court, Asaba Sports Club, Anglican Girls Grammar School, and the Commissioners’ Quarters.

Sports

Brazil Names Squad Without Neymar, Vinicius For World Cup Qualifiers [FULL LIST]

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti did not recall Neymar and spared Vinicius Junior for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next month, with Lucas Paqueta returning to the national team.

The 33-year-old Neymar, who returned to Santos in January, has not worn the Brazil jersey for nearly two years due to repeated injuries.

“Neymar had a small problem last week,” Ancelotti told a press conference on Monday, without providing further details.

According to the Brazilian press, Brazil’s leading all-time scorer with 79 goals in 128 matches, has experienced thigh discomfort during training.

His absence from the squad for the final two World Cup qualifying matches was, however, played down by Ancelotti with the five-time champions having already booked their ticket to next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“Neymar, we don’t need to test him. Everyone knows him. Like the others, he must arrive in good physical condition to help the national team give its best at the World Cup,” said the Italian coach.

Neymar had been called up by Ancelotti’s predecessor Dorival Junior for matches in March — a 2-1 victory against Colombia and a 4-1 defeat to Argentina — but was forced to withdraw due to a thigh injury.

In the first two matches under the Italian’s guidance in June, Brazil drew 0-0 in Ecuador before beating Paraguay 1-0, thanks to a goal from Vinicius to seal their place in the 2026 World Cup.

The Real Madrid striker will be absent from the next training camp. Suspended for the match against Chile on September 5 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazil staff preferred to spare him the trip to play at altitude in Bolivia on September 9.

Paqueta, meanwhile, is returning after being cleared of betting charges by an independent commission of the Premier League last month.

The West Ham midfielder had been absent from the national team since November 2024.

Also returning is Joao Pedro, who has been in great form since joining Chelsea in July.

The 23-year-old centre-forward shone in July at the Club World Cup, scoring both goals that eliminated Fluminense, his youth club, in the semi-finals, and the third in the 3-0 victory in the final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Bento (Al-Nassr/KSA), Hugo Souza (Corinthians)

Defenders: Alexsandro (Lille/FRA), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Caio Henrique (Monaco/FRA), Douglas Santos (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/ENG), Marquinhos (PSG/FRA), Vanderson (Monaco/FRA), Wesley (Roma/ITA)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea/ENG), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle/ENG), Casemiro (Manchester United/ENG), Joelinton (Newcastle/ENG), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham/ENG)

Forwards: Estevao (Chelsea/ENG), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG), Joao Pedro (Chelsea/ENG), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro), Luis Henrique (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United/ENG), Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP), Richarlison (Tottenham/ENG)

AFP