Antonio Conte revealed that he always planned for Eden Hazard to make a decisive impact off the bench after the Belgium star’s inspired second-half cameo secured Chelsea a 4-2 win over Tottenham in a thrilling FA Cup semifinal at Wembley. Hazard and Diego Costa were surprisingly omitted from Chelsea’s starting XI to take on their bitter London rivals, but both were introduced in the 61st minute with the score level at 2-2 after strikes from Harry Kane and Dele Alli had cancelled out Willian’s first-half free kick and penalty. The match tilted in Chelsea’s favour in the 75th minute, when…
Author: David Folami
Barcelona hit back at Spain’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) on Saturday as they continue to press for Neymar to be allowed to play in this weekend’s Clasico against Real Madrid. The Catalan club lodged an appeal against Neymar’s three-game ban — he’s already served one game — with TAD on Friday and their understanding is that until a resolution has been reached, the suspension is on hold. Sources have said that Neymar will travel to Madrid as Barca ramp up the pressure on TAD. TAD had planned to hold an extraordinary meeting to deal with the case at…
Deep inside stoppage time of this FA Cup semifinal, Harry Kane saw his free kick squirm beneath the body of Thibaut Courtois, roll towards the line and then hold up long enough for the Chelsea goalkeeper to grasp the ball and deny Tottenham a late goal. If anything summed up this current Spurs team, it was that moment. The free kick was eye-catching, powerful and destined for the back of the net, but it could not get over the line. Under Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham are looking good and full of promise, but they are becoming worryingly short on delivery. They…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has condoled with the families of the dead Manchester United fans. The Speaker also described the incident as sad and unfortunate while sympathising with the Cross-River state government. Dogara said “My heart goes out to the families of football fans who died in the incident at the viewing centre. At this moment, my thoughts and prayers are with the affected families, survivors, and the government and good people of Cross River state following this sad incident. “It is my ardent hope that survivors are receiving adequate care, and that the state…
The Brazil international, 22, linked up with the Ligue 1 giants from Roma back in 2013. And he’s since established his place as one of the world’s top defensive prospects. Goal claim Marquinhos’ performances at the Parc Des Princes have caught Jose Mourinho’s eye. And they suggest he is readying a mega £58m bid to to take the centre-back to Manchester United. However, Goal believe PSG are likely to rebuff any bids for Marquinhos, even if they reach the £84m mark. Should the French side relent and allow him to head to Old Trafford in a world-record move, he’ll be…
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN defender Serge Aurier has reportedly told Jose Mourinho he wants to play for Manchester United. The £16million full-back, 24, has been tracked by the Portuguese chief as he tries to improve his defence. And according to L’Equipe, Aurier is close to becoming the first of many new arrivals at Old Trafford this summer. Operating at right-back, the Ivory Coast star – also a target for Manchester City – arguably plays in the last position United need to strengthen. Antonio Valencia has continued his development under Mourinho and no longer looks a converted winger. Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, and…
The 22-year-old is seen as one of the brightest stars in Portugal and he has been a key figure for Monaco so far this season with four goals and four assists, helping the French club to the top of Ligue 1. And Jose Mourinho has reportedly made his fellow countryman a key priority in the summer transfer window, so here’s all you need to know about the midfielder ahead of a potential switch to Old Trafford… A product of Benfica’s academy, Silva progressed quickly through the ranks of the Portuguese club after joining as an eight-year-old. He earned his first…
It’s been 7 years since Dagrin died after an auto crash on April 22, 2010. His death came as a shock to many. His fans were distraught at the thought that someone they cared about had tragically left earth. Now, Nigerian celebrities have paid their homage to the rapper who passed on at the age of 26. Lil Kesh shared a video of himself rapping to one of Dagrin’s hit songs with the words, “REST IN PEACE. #DAGRIN.” OAP Dotun took to Twitter in remembrance of the iconic singer.
Olumide Bakare is dead following a prolonged ailment. The Nollywood actor died in the early hours of Saturday, April 22, 2017, according to his personal assistant who was with him at the time of his passing. Tribune Online reports that Bakare who has been sick for over a year was discharged from the University College Hospital (UCH) in 2016 after he was diagnosed with a respiratory disorder. According to the reports, the actor was yet to fully recover from the sickness that has kept him out of the movies scene and the eye of the public. Bakare’s health reportedly got…
Mel B’s former nanny, Lorraine Gilles, is filing a lawsuit against the singer. Gilles claims Mel B told lies about her in the divorce case against Stephen Belafonte. TMZ reports the lawsuit centres on declarations Mel B filed in which she claims Belafonte and Lorraine Gilles told her they had an affair. According to her, Gilles was pregnant with his child then later had an abortion. Mel B then accuses Gilles and Belafonte of stealing money from her. In another declaration, Mel B claims Gilles has control over her sex tapes and might disseminate them. There are numerous exhibits and…
Hundreds of women on Saturday staged a peaceful protest in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government of Kogi, over the reported attempt to kill Sen. Dino Melaye, on April 15, 2017. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 gunmen stormed the senator’s house at Aiyetoro-Gbede, in the early hours of the said date, and opened fire from various directions. NAN reports that the entire house was riddled with bullets, while two vehicles parked in the estate were damaged by the hoodlums. Melaye, who was at home for the Easter holidays, however escaped unhurt. The women, who were armed with placards…
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the lessons he learnt from the Bangladesh National Defence while on course had been very useful in the counter insurgency operations in the North-East. Buratai made this known in Lagos, on Saturday when he received the Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Abu Shafiul Huq. According to him, the lessons are partly responsible for the success being recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists. “The Bangladesh experience in counter insurgency is something that I brought to bear in the efforts to rid Nigeria of Boko Haram since my appointment…
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family, Government and people of Kano State on the passing away of one of their illustrious community leader, Alhaji Audu Adahama. Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja, said the President’s condolence message was delivered by the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), to the Adahama’s family in Kano, on Saturday. President Buhari described as a painful loss, the death of the prominent Kano businessman and community leader, saying the deceased had lived a worthy life. He added that late…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to treat suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal the same way its members are treated when accused of corruption. Lawal was suspended on Wednesday, April 19, over allegations that he misused funds meant for Internally Displaced Persons in the Northeast. The PDP made the call via a statement released by the spokesman of the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye on Thursday, April 20. The statement reads: “In this context, we are alarmed at the Suspension of the SGF at a time that…
It’s no news that popular comedian, musician, and actor, Koffi Ayinde Idowu Nuel also known as Koffi, is sounding his displeasure with G-Worldwide Music over the management of its rave act Kiss Daniel. The Nigerian entertainer had some time back written an open letter berating the Woju crooner, Kiss Daniel and his record label. This time, Koffi, in an interview with HipTV called out Kiss Daniel saying he is in a “dead zone”. In his words; A big artiste that is practically not on any show. The management is killing the artiste and you expect me a fellow artiste not…
Timothy Fosu-Mensah has revealed he’s been carefully observing Michael Carrick as he looks to continue his development at Manchester United. The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season under Louis van Gaal in 2015/16 but has struggled to make an impact under Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese’s first campaign at the club. While United fans may have seen less of the Dutchman on the pitch, Fosu-Mensah has been looking to his team-mates to improve. And he explained he’s desperate to add Carrick’s composure and reading of the game to his arsenal. When asked if he’d seen a player do something that he’d…
When Selena Gomez and The Weeknd took to Coachella last weekend in consciously coordinated colored sunglasses, they cemented their current status as pop’s most stylish couple. Of course, when it came to Gomez, just as many eyes were trained on the outfit she paired them with. Gomez, who works with celebrity stylist Christian Classen to develop her wardrobe, reimagined traditional festival style in a pretty blue HVN sundress covered in a cheerful flower print. She even tied on a matching scarf, which pulled the look together in a Western-inspired way that felt ideal for a romp through the desert. This…
Kylie apparently split from long-term beau Tyga a few weeks ago after two years together, although it hasn’t been confirmed by either of them. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star fueled the break up rumours after sharing a snap of her and another 24-year-old rapper online Kylie and Tyga’s romance has been marked by brief splits followed by passionate reconciliations, but this time, it seems Kylie’s break-up with Tyga might be serious. In pictures set to break the young reality star’s heart, her man was seen with his arm around another woman on Thursday. Far from pining for Kylie,…
Bill O’Reilly has been dominating headlines lately, namely for his racist commentary (such as the recent inexcusable example of comparing Rep. Maxine Waters’s hair to a “James Brown wig”) and, most recently, due to several women stepping forward with allegations of sexual harassment against him. As reported, Fox News has since taken emergency action and has chosen to fire the political commentator after employing him for 21 years. His removal from the company comes after it was revealed that the network paid five different women a total of $13 million in settlements following claims of sexual harassment. As the news…
All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said that President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term in office. Odigie-Oyegun also said that Nigeria needs people like Buhari to continue in office even after the president’s tenure. He made the comments during an interview with journalists Benin City, Edo State. Excerpts, according to The Nation, below: Many Nigerians have criticized you for saying you will beg President Buhari to seek re-election in the 2019 general election. Given his state of health, don’t you think it is best to advise the president to rest so as to attend to his…