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Monaco Shock PSG As Minamino Scores Winner

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Japan’s Takumi Minamino scored the only goal of the game as Monaco shocked reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 on Saturday, winning 1-0 in the principality.

The 30-year-old Japanese international star, once of Liverpool, struck just past the midway point in the second half at the Stade Louis II to inflict a second domestic defeat of the campaign on PSG.

Monaco held on through the closing stages, including seven minutes of stoppage time, after having former Paris defender Thilo Kehrer sent off in the 80th minute.

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It is a surprise result with Monaco ending a run of three consecutive Ligue 1 losses which had seen them lose ground on PSG and the other sides at the top of the table.

READ ALSO:PSG To Play First Intercontinental Cup Final In December

They are now provisionally up to sixth, seven points behind the capital side whose only other reverse in Ligue 1 so far this season came away to Marseille in September.

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PSG remain top of the standings for now with 30 points from 14 games, but last season’s Champions League winners are just two points clear of nearest rivals Marseille and Lens and could lose their place at the summit later on Saturday.

“Usually I prefer to watch matches again and analyse them, but today it is easier. We were not precise enough and we made too many individual and collective mistakes,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique.

Neither team played at a very high level, but they played better than us. It was without any doubt our worst match of the season.”

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Marseille, fresh from winning 2-1 at home to Newcastle United in the Champions League in midweek, can go first with a win against Toulouse later at the Velodrome.

Lens will also have the opportunity to leapfrog PSG by taking three points at Angers on Sunday.

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Minamino controlled an Aleksandr Golovin cross before finishing past Lucas Chevalier to open the scoring and Monaco maintained their advantage even after German centre-back Kehrer saw red following a VAR check for a foul on Ibrahim Mbaye.

Paul Pogba made another brief cameo appearance off the bench for the hosts, a week after coming on for his first competitive appearance in over two years following a doping ban.

READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: PSG Win Best Team Of The Year

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PSG, having beaten Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday, were themselves far from full strength with Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Desire Doue all missing.

In addition, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele only managed just over half an hour as a substitute as he continues to build up fitness in what has been an injury-hit season so far.

The France forward was unable to have a decisive impact on proceedings and PSG have now already suffered as many Ligue 1 defeats as in the whole of each of the last two campaigns.

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UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

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Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Guardiola Reveals Only Chance Man City Will Win Title Ahead Of Arsenal

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

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If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal In Shock Move To Sign Kvaratskhelia From PSG

You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

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“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

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Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

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The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

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His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

READ ALSO:Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

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We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

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READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Be Determined, Enabulele Charges Team Edo, As Screening Commences In A’Ibom

Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

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We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.

 

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EPL: Chelsea Winger, Mudryk Banned For Four Years After Failing Drug Test 

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The Football Association, FA, on Wednesday imposed a four-year ban on Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk over anti-doping violations, the Daily Mail reports.

This is the maximum punishment for the breach.

Mudryk had decided to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Diego Simeone Tipped To Replace Liam Rosenior At Chelsea

The 25-year-old submitted his appeal on February 25. It is understood a hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Mudryk has not featured for the Blues since November 28, 2024.

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The Ukraine international arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £88m move from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023.

He is under contract until 2030.

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