News

Liverpool Face Wounded Man City As Premier League Title Race Heats Up

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2025

Editor

Liverpool’s charge towards the Premier League title has slowed ahead of a trip to Manchester City on Sunday, giving Arsenal hope of closing in on the leaders.

The Gunners can move to within five points of the Reds should they see off lowly West Ham at the Emirates.

Behind the top two, the race is on for a place in next season’s Champions League.

Only six points separate third-placed Nottingham Forest from Newcastle in seventh before they face off at St James’ Park.

AFP Sports looks ahead to the pick of Premier League action this weekend:

Liverpool’s title test

Arne Slot’s men appeared to be cruising towards a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

However, two 2-2 draws at Everton and Aston Villa in the past 10 days have brought the title race alive again.

But Manchester City, the dominant force in English football during the last decade, were outclassed by Real Madrid in midweek as they crashed out of the Champions League before the last 16 stage for the first time since the 2012/13 season.

The English champions may also be without Erling Haaland, who did not get off the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu due to injury.

But Pep Guardiola’s men showed what they are still capable of in a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle last week and are in need of points themselves in the top-four race.

“They’ve had maybe one or two months in the seven or eight years he’s (Guardiola) there now that weren’t the best, maybe partly because of injuries as well,” said Slot.

“Injuries come back, they’ve signed three or four players, I can see them coming back already if you look at the result against Newcastle.”

Arsenal have the chance to up the pressure when they face West Ham 24 hours earlier.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be without a recognised striker for the rest of the season but have won 23 points from a possible 27 to remain in the race.

“If we constantly look at Arsenal or what other teams are doing, that would not help us,” added Slot.

“We already know how difficult it is to go to the Etihad, so we don’t need Arsenal to get involved in that even more.”

Chelsea crisis

Chelsea need to bounce back quickly if they are to retain hope of Champions League football next season.

The Blues flirted with a title challenge towards the end of 2024 but have won just twice in their last nine league games and crashed out of the FA Cup.

Manager Enzo Maresca said his side’s meek 3-0 defeat by Brighton last weekend was the worst performance of his tenure to date, amid concerns star man Cole Palmer could leave without the lure of the Champions League.

Chelsea travel to Aston Villa on Saturday, whose own hopes of a top-four finish are starting to fade.

Unai Emery’s men pushed Liverpool all the way in a four-goal thriller on Wednesday but find themselves down in ninth, five points off the top four, due to an inconsistent season.

Nottingham Forest’s acid test
Not in their wildest dreams could Nottingham Forest fans have imagined sitting third in the table with just 13 games to go.

However, they face a stern test of their credentials to make it back to European football’s elite competition for the first time in 45 years.

Forest visit Newcastle on Sunday before hosting Arsenal and Manchester City in their next two home league games.

Newcastle have suffered back-to-back league defeats either side of their League Cup semi-final heroics against Arsenal, with Magpies manager Eddie Howe annoyed by his side’s see-saw form.

“I think we have days where we can look far from the team that we are when we’re on it,” said Howe. “It’s a real frustration for us because to be an elite team, you’ve got to be consistent.”

Fixtures (all times 1500 GMT unless stated)

Friday

Leicester v Brentford (2000)

Saturday

Everton v Manchester United (1230), Fulham v Crystal Palace, Ipswich v Tottenham, Southampton v Brighton, Bournemouth v Wolves, Arsenal v West Ham, Aston Villa v Chelsea (1730)

Sunday

Newcastle v Nottingham Forest (1400), Man City v Liverpool (1630)

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.