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JUST IN: Crystal Palace Sack Manager, Patrick Viera

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Crystal Palace have confirmed that Patrick Vieira has been sacked as the club’s first-team manager.

The Arsenal FC legend was hired by the club on July 4, 2021, in a three-year contract following the departure of their previous manager, Roy Hodgson, who served the club since 2017.

Following his recent poor performance in about 12 successive matches since the beginning of 2023, taking the Eagles teetering above the Premier League relegation zone, with a three-point gap separating them from 18th-placed Bournemouth.

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In a statement from the club’s chairman, Steve Parish, on Friday which was obtained from their website by The PUNCH, it partly read, “It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made.

“Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Man United Face Sevilla In Europa League Quarter-finals

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“That said, Patrick’s impact since joining us in the summer of 2021 has been significant, and he is held in the highest regard by myself, and all of his colleagues.

“He led the team to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final and a respectable 12th placed finish last season playing some exciting football, which was a challenging and crucial campaign for the club given the changes we made to the squad prior to his arrival.

“Patrick has given his all to the club, and we all thank him and his team for their service.

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“We also wish Patrick, Osian, Kristian and Saïd the very best for their futures.”

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EPL: Nottingham Forest Sacks Postecoglou After 3-0 Defeat To Chelsea

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Nottingham Forest have sacked Ange Postecoglou barely minutes after their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

A statement from the Premier league club, released 20 minutes after full-time at the City Ground, reads: “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect.

“The club will make no further comment at this time.”

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READ ALSO: EPL: Paul Merson Predicts Chelsea vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Other Fixtures

Postecoglou was in charge for eight games and six of those ended in defeat.

It included an early Carabao Cup exit at Championship club Swansea City, when Forest led 2-1 in the 92nd minute before conceding two in four minutes to lose 3-2.

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The other two games – away at Burnley (Premier League) and Real Betis (Europa League) ended in draws.

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Edo Sports Commission Boss Charges New Armwrestling Board To Prioritize Accessibility, Sponsorship

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Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has charged members of the newly inaugurated Edo State Armwrestling Association board to embrace openness, accessibility, and proactive engagement with athletes and stakeholders.

Enabulele gave the charge during the board’s inauguration held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

The event had in attendance Executive Directors, the Permanent Secretary, and other top officials of the Commission.

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In a statement signed by his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, the sports commission boss described the inauguration as “a new dawn in our collective journey to strengthen and elevate the standard of sports development in Edo State.”

READ ALSO:Enabulele Lauds Okpehbolo For Creating Enabling Environment For Football To Thrive

He urged the new executives to pursue sponsorships and partnerships that would drive growth and sustain the association’s programmes.

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“Financial support is the lifeblood of sports,” Enabulele said.

Through partnerships and sponsorships, we can provide the resources needed to nurture our athletes and expand our programmes.”

The Chairman also called for approachable leadership, encouraging the board to remain open to athletes, coaches, and stakeholders.

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Your guidance and presence will foster unity, strengthen teamwork, and create a culture of accountability and progress,” he added.

READ ALSO:Enabulele Hails Edo-born Athletes’ International Feats

Enabulele further announced plans to introduce quarterly appraisal sessions between the Commission and sports associations to ensure proper monitoring and measurable progress.

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These sessions will allow us to review achievements, address challenges, and design strategies for continued success,” he explained.

He urged the new board members to carry out their duties with dedication and vision, stressing that their collective efforts would transform Edo sports and inspire the next generation of champions.

In his response, the new Chairman of the Edo Armwrestling Association, Mr. Eromosele Albert, pledged to organize both national and international armwrestling competitions to boost the sport’s visibility and give Edo athletes more exposure.

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READ ALSO:Priotize Okpebholo’s ‘Catch Them Young’ Initiative, Enabulele Charges Sports Association Chairmen

Albert noted that armwrestling is gaining rapid popularity in the United States and Canada and promised to leverage global trends to enhance the sport’s profile and financial sustainability in Edo State.

He also expressed confidence that Team Edo would perform strongly at the next National Sports Festival, where the sport offers 34 gold medals.

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The inauguration ceremony ended with exhibition matches featuring male and female athletes competing in both left and right-hand categories.

Those inaugurated into the board include: Mr. Eromosele Albert (Chairman), Divine Rosemary (Acting Secretary/Coach), Hon. Frank Ilaboya, Mr. Johnson Femi, Mr. Johnny Summers, Mr. Osagie Oghuma Peter, Dr. Benson Ogala, and Mr. Iraoya Olarenwaju.

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FULL LIST: Highest Goal Scorers In Europe’s Top Five Leagues

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As the 2025–26 football season gathers momentum, some of Europe’s most lethal forwards are already making their mark.

From La Liga to the Premier League, the race for the Golden Boot is heating up with familiar names and rising stars topping the charts.

The PUNCH takes a look at players across Europe’s top five leagues and the goals they have scored thus far.

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1. La Liga: Mbappé (Nine goals)

READ ALSO:[FULL LIST] EPL: From Jesus To Madison, Other Key Players Sidelined By Injury

Real Madrid’s marquee signing Kylian Mbappé has wasted no time in asserting his dominance in Spain. The French superstar leads La Liga with 9 goals, showcasing his trademark speed and clinical finishing.

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His arrival has electrified Spanish football, and he’s proving why he’s one of the most feared forwards in the world.

2. Ligue 1: Ansu Fati and Joaquín Panichelli (Five goals each)

Ligue 1 is currently led by Ansu Fati (AS Monaco) and Joaquín Panichelli (Strasbourg), each with five goals. While not as prolific as other leagues yet, these young talents are making headlines with their flair and finishing in what is shaping up to be a wide-open race in France.

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READ ALSO:PCN Seals 471 Pharmaceutical, Patent Medicine Stores In Edo

3. Bundesliga: Harry Kane (11 goals)

Top scorer Harry Kane has been in scintillating form, having bagged 11 in the league already, and the England captain also scored twice on Tuesday in a 5-0 win over Latvia that sealed their spot at the 2026 World Cup.

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4. EPL: Erling Haaland (Eight goals)

Manchester City’s prolific striker, Erling Haaland, leads the early-season race with 8 goals in just 6 matches. He also scored a hat-trick for Norway against Israel.

5. Serie A: Riccardo Orsolini, Bologna, and Christian Pulisic, AC Milan (4 goals each)

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Bologna winger Riccardo Orsolini and A C Milan’s Christian Pulisic, who was recently named Serie A player of the season, have both hit the ground running, leading the goal scorers’ chart in Italy.

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