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EPL: Man City Shocked By Wolves, Man Utd Beaten By Crystal Palace

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Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season came undone in a shock 2-1 loss to Wolves, as Manchester United slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Arsenal closed to within a point of the lead by cruising to a 4-0 win at Bournemouth, while Aston Villa thrashed Brighton 6-1 to move into the top four.

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City had won the opening six games of their title defence as they aim to become the first side to ever claim four consecutive English top-flight titles.

By contrast, Wolves had taken just four points from their first six games but stunned the champions at Molineux.

READ ALSO: EPL: Man United Lose Injured Shaw For Forest, Arsenal Games

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Ruben Dias’ own goal put the home side in front, but City responded after the break through Julian Alvarez’s free-kick.

Wolves, though, were a constant threat on the counter-attack and got their reward when Hwang Hee-Chan swept home at the second attempt 25 minutes from time.

City’s defeat means Liverpool can go top should they end Tottenham’s unbeaten Premier League start under Ange Postecoglou in the 1615GMT kick off.

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United have now lost four of their opening seven league games of the season to pile more pressure on Erik ten Hag.

Joachim Andersen’s stunning first-half volley separated the sides at Old Trafford.

READ ALSO: Coup: Why President Tinubu Can’t Deploy Troops To Niger – SANs

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United had won a League Cup meeting between the sides 3-0 in midweek.

But with Palace restored to full strength, the Red Devils suffered from a familiar lack of cutting edge up front as they laboured to get back into the game.

The Defeat sees United slip to 10th in the table.

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– Arsenal up to second –

Arsenal moved up to second as Mikel Arteta’s men eased to victory at Bournemouth.

Bukayo Saka had been an injury doubt, but headed into an empty net to open the scoring on his 87th consecutive Premier League appearance.

Saka could have had more had he not then handed over penalty duties.

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READ ALSO: EPL: Wenger Backs Arsenal To Win 23/24 Title After Last Season’s Failure

Martin Odegaard has shared responsibility from the spot with Saka this season and the Norwegian slotted home Arsenal’s second before the break.

Both Saka and Odegaard then stood aside to give Kai Havertz the confidence boost of his first goal for the club when the Gunners were awarded a second spot-kick on 53 minutes.

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Ben White rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

Newcastle’s recovery from a slow start to the season continues as the Magpies overcame Burnley 2-0.

Miguel Almiron fired into the top corner to open the scoring and Alexander Isak’s penalty secured the points 14 minutes from time.

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Ollie Watkins bagged a hat-trick in Villa’s stunning demolition of Brighton.

READ ALSO: EPL: Arteta Picks Arsenal Player To Replace Gabriel Jesus

Two goals from the England striker and a Pervis Estupinan own goal put Villa 3-0 up inside 26 minutes.

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Ansu Fati reduced the deficit with his first Brighton goal.

But the day belonged to Watkins and he became the first Villa player in 47 years to score two hat-tricks in one season.

Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz piled on the pain for Brighton in the closing stages and did enough to edge Villa ahead of the Seagulls on goal difference.

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“We are feeling strong here with the supporters, we are connected with them,” said Villa boss Unai Emery after a 10th consecutive home Premier League win.

Luton secured their first ever Premier League win with a 2-1 victory at Everton.

Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris were on target for the Hatters, who climb out of the relegation zone.

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Sheffield United remain bottom after the Blades were beaten 2-0 at West Ham with Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio getting the goals for David Moyes’ men.

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Super Falcons Begin WAFCON Campaign With 3-0 Win Over Tunisia

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Nigeria began their pursuit of a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title with an emphatic 3-0 win over Tunisia in Casablanca.

Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring in the fourth minute, capitalizing on a low, in-swinging free-kick from Rinsola Babajide. The former Barcelona star bundled the ball into the net during a scramble in the Tunisian penalty area.

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READ ALSO:Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

Babajide, who switched allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2023, doubled Nigeria’s lead just before halftime. The winger fired past Tunisia goalkeeper Soulaima Jobrani in first-half stoppage time to register her first-ever goal at a senior international tournament.

Chinwendu Ihezuo sealed the win late in the match, finishing off a precise cross from Ashleigh Plumptre in the 84th minute.

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The victory puts Nigeria at the top of Group B, ahead of the group’s other fixture between Algeria and Botswana later on Sunday (19:00 GMT).

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Arsenal Sign Spain Midfielder Zubimendi

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Arsenal on Sunday announced the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a deal reportedly worth around £55 million ($75 million).

Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid.

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This is a huge moment in my career,” said the defensive midfielder, who is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

“It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.

“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”

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READ ALSO:UK Police Charge Ex-Arsenal Midfielder Thomas Partey With Rape

The Athletic reported that Arsenal paid above Zubimendi’s 60 million euro ($71 million, £51 million) buyout clause in order to spread the cost of the fee over a number of installments.

Zubimendi, 26, made 236 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad after graduating from the club’s academy and has played 19 times for Spain.

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He will reinforce manager Mikel Arteta’s midfield options after the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

Zubimendi’s arrival paves the way for Arsenal’s record signing Declan Rice to play a more attacking midfield role alongside captain Martin Odegaard.

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Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,” said Arteta.

He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.”

Zubimendi is Arsenal’s second signing of the summer transfer window after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Chelsea.

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The Gunners are also expected to complete the signing of midfielder Christian Norgaard from Brentford.

Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season for a third straight year and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League but ultimately ended up without a trophy for a fifth consecutive season.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Arsenal Eliminate Real Madrid From Champions League, Advance To Semi-final

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Attention will now turn to the forward line as the Gunners try to see off champions Liverpool and Manchester City and claim a first league title since 2003/04.

Arteta’s men had to cope without a natural striker for much of last season due to long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Reports on Sunday suggest a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is on the verge of being sealed to fill the need for a new number nine.

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Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.

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WAFCON 2024: Nigeria Vs Tunisia – Date, Time And Where To Watch

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will begin their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a Group A showdown against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Nigeria eyeing record 10th title against Tunisia

The Super Falcons, nine-time champions, are aiming to extend their dominance in African women’s football with a 10th WAFCON title. Their last win came in 2018. Despite their pedigree, Nigeria has stumbled in recent tournament openers, losing their first games in the past two editions—making a strong start this time essential.

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READ ALSO:Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

Strong preparations under Coach Madugu

Head coach Justine Madugu’s team arrives in Morocco in good form, with a 3-1 victory over Ghana’s Black Queens and a goalless draw against Portugal bolstering confidence. The squad also carries a positive mindset, with winger Rinsola Babajide expressing belief in their preparation and focus.

Adding to the excitement, key players Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade recently unveiled the newly designed WAFCON trophy, symbolizing the team’s hunger to reclaim continental glory.

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READ ALSO:Super Falcons To Face Portugal Ahead Of WAFCON 2025

Tunisia hoping to spring a surprise

Ranked 89th in the world, Tunisia enter the tournament as underdogs but are determined to prove themselves. Recent results, including friendly losses to Kenya (1-0) and Morocco (4-2), suggest inconsistency, but the North African side remains ambitious. They will be hoping to upset the Super Falcons and gain early momentum in a group that also features Algeria and Botswana.

Where to Watch

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The Nigeria vs Tunisia match will be broadcast live on AfroSport and SuperSport via DSTV. The match kicks off at 5:00 pm Nigeria time at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.

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