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Premier League: Nottingham Forest Chase Champions League Dream As Liverpool Party

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Nottingham Forest’s historic Champions League dream is still alive as they brace for a dramatic showdown against Chelsea, while Liverpool will finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy.

As the English top-flight season comes to an end on Sunday, Forest and Chelsea are among five clubs chasing the three remaining top five spots, along with Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

Unai Emery’s Villa travel to face troubled Manchester United, whose misery was compounded by their Europa League final defeat against Tottenham in midweek.

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AFP Sport picks out the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s action.

Forest dare to dream
Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a remarkable renaissance but they will still end the season with regrets if they fail to reach the Champions League.

The two-time European champions last played in the continent’s top club competition in 1980/81.

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They have been resident in the top five for most of the season but have lost momentum in recent weeks and must now beat rivals Chelsea and hope Villa or Newcastle drop points.

READ ALSO: Transfer Deadline Day: All Major Deals Announced By Premier League Clubs

Even though they may fail to qualify for the Champions League, Forest at least have the comfort of knowing they have secured European football next season.

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They finished just outside the relegation spots last season but have roared back under Nuno Espirito Santo, becoming the first team in Premier League history to double their points tally from one season to the next.

Forest manager Nuno said his team were relishing the challenge against Chelsea despite the intense pressure.

“One thing we are enjoying is preparing for a big match, so why not enjoy it? Everyone is enjoying it here,” he said.

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Liverpool’s players will at last have the chance to lift the Premier League trophy in front of their own fans after their match against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The champions won their first English league title for 30 years in 2020 but were forced to celebrate behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.

READ ALSO: Brighton Make £123m Record Profit After Best Premier League Season

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If the reaction at Anfield to their trophy triumph last month — sealed with a 5-1 win against Tottenham — is anything to go by, Sunday’s party will be one to remember.

One unknown is how the supporters will bid farewell to home-grown defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who appears destined for a move to Real Madrid after announcing his departure earlier this month.

The England international was booed during last week’s 2-2 home draw against Arsenal and did not play in the subsequent 3-2 defeat at Brighton.

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Reds boss Arne Slot says he has not yet made up his mind what role Alexander-Arnold will have but said he “deserved” to be part of the celebrations.

“This should be a day that everybody is going to enjoy,” said Slot. “It’s been 35 years, everybody is waiting for this moment and I think we’ve set the example against Tottenham.”

Manchester United gloom

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It is difficult to predict what the mood will be like at Old Trafford on Sunday, when Manchester United host top five contenders Aston Villa.

READ ALSO: Everton Appeal Against 10-point Premier League Penalty

United, who lost 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday, are destined for their lowest league finish since they were relegated in 1974.

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Ruben Amorim’s men have been desperately poor this season, winning just six league games since the Portuguese took over from the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.

Villa have won just twice at Old Trafford in the Premier League era but will go there with a spring in their step, knowing a win would give them a chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League, depending on results elsewhere.

They have little to fear against a United team who are disjointed, toothless and lacking in motivation, with nothing to play for.

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Fixtures (all 1500 GMT)

Sunday

Bournemouth v Leicester, Fulham v Manchester City, Ipswich v West Ham, Liverpool v Crystal Palace, Manchester United v Aston Villa, Newcastle v Everton, Nottingham Forest v Chelsea, Southampton v Arsenal, Tottenham v Brighton, Wolves v Brentford
(Vanguard)

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EPL: Trossard Strike As Arsenal Beat Fulham 1-0

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Arsenal edged past Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage, climbing three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The result marked another composed and professional display from Mikel Arteta’s side, who continue to show their title credentials.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Leandro Trossard calmly finished after a clever set-piece routine.

Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous corner that was flicked on by Gabriel, setting up Trossard to slot home the winner.

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

Arteta’s side dominated possession throughout, limiting Fulham to very few chances in front of goal.

The hosts struggled to create any real threat, with Arsenal’s defence staying compact and composed.

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With the victory, Arsenal overtake Manchester City to sit three points clear at the summit after another disciplined away performance.

More to follow…

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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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