Sports

EPL: Palmer Scores Four As Chelsea Smash Everton 6-0

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2024

Cole Palmer scored four goals to put Chelsea close to the Premier League’s top six after a 6-0 win over Everton on Monday.

The England International has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Blues and moved level with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s 20 Premier League goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
Palmer killed the game as a contest as he completed his hat-trick inside 30 minutes before Nicolas Jackson also struck before half-time.

A penalty from Palmer and Alfie Gilchrist’s first goal for his boyhood club rounded off the scoring in the second half.

Despite an eight-game unbeaten Premier League run, Chelsea remain in ninth but are now just three points adrift of sixth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand to come.

And they will head into Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against City, confident they can end the holders’ quest for a second consecutive treble.

A demoralising defeat leaves Everton still perilously placed just two points above the relegation zone.

The Toffees appealed against a two-point penalty for breaking Premier League sustainability rules on Monday, having also been docked a further six points for another charge this season.

Nottingham Forest visit Goodison Park in a huge relegation six-pointer on Sunday and Sean Dyche’s men will need to improve at both ends of the field to prolong their 70-year stay in the top flight.

The visitors were dealt a blow before kick-off as Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed out due to a hamstring injury.

His deputy Beto spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring when he somehow turned over Seamus Coleman’s cross from point-blank range.

– Palmer for player of the year? –

Palmer was not so forgiving at the other end as he made another case to be crowned as the Premier League’s player of the year.

City must regret letting the 21-year-old leave for what now looks like a bargain £40 million ($50 million) in September.

Palmer nutmegged Jarrad Branthwaite before exchanging a neat one-two with Jackson and curling home from the edge of the box to open the scoring.

With Enzo Fernandez absent due to injury, Mauricio Pochettino flanked Palmer and Jackson with Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk for the first time in his starting line-up.

Everton could not live with the sharpness of that front four and Palmer was left with an easy task to head in his second after Jordan Pickford denied Jackson from a Mudryk cross.

The England goalkeeper then had a moment to forget as he gifted possession to Palmer, who nonchalantly chipped his international teammate on his weaker right foot from midway inside the Everton half.

In contrast to Palmer, Jackson has had an inconsistent first season at Chelsea but produced an excellent touch and finish to fire in his 13th goal of the season on the stroke of half-time.

A routine night for Pochettino’s men was still not without drama when they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark.

Both Madueke and Jackson tried to take over penalty duties before they were forcibly removed by captain Conor Gallagher to hand Palmer the ball.

He duly made it nine out of nine successful spot-kicks this season to take his tally for the season in both Chelsea and City colours to 25.

Academy graduate Gilchrist had only been on the field a matter of seconds when he blasted in the sixth after Pickford parried Ben Chilwell’s effort.

AFP

Sports

Ikpoba-Okha Trade Tackles With Ovia N-East As Benin Unity Cup Kicks Off

Published

5 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Ikpoba-Okha LG traded tackles with Ovia North-East LG at the opening match of the maiden edition of the Benin Unity Cup held at the Crescent Sports Club in Irhirhi, Benin City, on Thursday evening.

The seven local government councils in Edo South Senatorial District are expected to participate in the tourney sponsored by Neda Imasuen, the Senator representing the district at the National Assembly.

The match between the two LGs saw the players from both sides showcasing tactical organization, intensity, and individual brilliance, but neither team could find the breakthrough despite promising chances.

The draw sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive and talent-rich tournament, with scouts already keeping close watch on standout performers.

Both sides played out a cagey 0–0 draw, setting the tone for what promises to be a competitive and talents-reach tourney.

‎In his remarks earlier, the tournament sponsor, and vision bearer Senator Imasuen, appreciated participating teams and officials for embracing the initiative.

He explained that the Unity Cup was designed to discover, nurture, and create pathways for grassroots footballers across Edo South, revealing that scouts from other parts of Nigeria — and possibly abroad — will attend live matches during the tournament.

READ ALSO:Senator Imasuen Kicks Off Benin Unity Cup To Foster Unity
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‎Imasuen encouraged all players to give their best, emphasizing discipline, fair play, and sportsmanship as the core values of the competition.

Imasuen, who promised to make the football tournament an annual event, assured to consider other sports including boxing, cycling, tennis ,and basketball in the nearest future.
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‎ Addressing the crowd at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, applauded Senator Imasuen for investing in grassroots football, describing the competition as a timely platform for youth development in Edo State.

‎He appealed to Senator Neda Imasuen, individuals and corporate bodies to extend similar support to other sporting disciplines, stressing that Edo State is home to many gifted athletes outside football who are yet to be discovered.

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Sports

EPL: He Has No Replacement – Alan Smith Names Arsenal’s Most Important Player

Published

6 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Former Arsenal striker, Alan Smith has suggested that Declan Rice is Arsenal’s most important player this season under manager Mikel Arteta.

Smith insisted that Rice has no replacement in Arteta’s squad, adding that it would be a big loss if he got injured.

Asked how Arsenal will cope with any injury blows in their bid to become Premier League champions this season, Smith told Metro UK: “We have seen Arsenal lose a couple of key players, haven’t we?

“Martin Odegaard was perhaps the main one, but [Eberechi] Eze came in and we have not really seen a drop-off.

“Declan Rice would be a big loss if he got injured because you would lose that drive in midfield and his set-piece ability which has become so important. They have not really got anybody to replace Rice.

“The defence has been superb but even at the back, [Cristhian] Mosquera has come in at times and they have got [Piero] Hincapie as well, so Rice would be the biggest loss for me.”

Sports

AFCON 2025: Asamoah Gyan Names Three Favourite Countries To Win Trophy

Published

17 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Ahead of the December 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, former Ghana International, Asamoah Gyan, has named three favourite countries to win the trophy.

He believes that Nigeria, Ivory Coast and the host nation, Morocco are standing out as favourites.

Gyan stated this during the CAF Awards in Morocco on Wednesday night.

The former striker expressed disappointment over his country’s failure to qualify for the continental tournament.

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“We have a lot of giants who are going there. Ghana is out which we are very disappointed but it is okay, we qualify to the World Cup,” he said.

Gyang, who captained the Black Stars for many years, noted that Nigeria was outstanding at the last AFCON Cote d’Ivoire.

“Nigeria did well, they were close the last two years. Ivory Coast did well, we have a lot of teams,” he said.

“Morocco is also a strong contender, who are also doing well. I will say these three countries that I have mentioned, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Morocco,” he added.

Nigeria lost the final of the last AFCON to the host nation, Ivory Coast, in a game that ended 2-1.