Sports

Chelsea, Man Utd Go Goal-Wire In Premiership …Thumps Villa 7-1, Bolton 4-0, Respectively

Published

13 years ago

March 27, 2010

English Premier League title contenders, Chelsea and Manchester United yesterday made it a goal harvest in their respective league matches against Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers.

While Chelsea thumped Aston Villa 7-1 at the Stamford Bridge to go top of the table, United responded in an almost like manner against Bolton, 4-0 away, to reclaim top spot in one of the tightest race to the premier league title in recent time.

Frank Lampard passed the 150 goal mark for Chelsea as they threw the gauntlet down to Premier League pace-setters Manchester United by destroying Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard’s four goals made him the third-highest scorer in the club’s history eclipsing legends Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood with 151 goals.

His efforts, two from the penalty spot, were the centrepiece of an emphatic Chelsea victory as they followed up their 5-0 midweek win at Portsmouth with another goal-laden attacking display.

And as coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted the disappointment of their Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan may yet aid their attempts to regain the title, Chelsea’s embarrassing superiority over a Villa side with sights set on the top four provides the perfect tonic for next Saturday’s visit to Old Trafford.

It was a win made all the more impressive because it was achieved without main marksman Didier Drogba, who was rested on the substitutes’ bench after picking up a knock in the victory at Fratton Park. To say he was not missed is an understatement.

Lampard gave Chelsea an early lead when he converted Florent Malouda’s cross at the far post, but John Carew quickly put Villa level after good work by Ashley Young.

The game took a crucial twist right on half-time when Lampard put Chelsea back in front from the spot after Yuri Zhirkov was brought down by James Collins – and there was no way back for Villa as Ancelotti’s side cut loose after the interval.

Malouda took advantage of more fine work from Zhirkov to beat Friedel, and Lampard completed his hat-trick with another penalty. He made his mark in Chelsea history by slipping his spot-kick comfortably past Villa keeper Brad Friedel after another run from the rampant Zhirkov drew a foul from Dunne.

Villa crumbled and Malouda piled on the agony after he was set up by Lampard and substitute Salomon Kalou made it six when he shot low past Friedel after Nicolas Anelka had been given what seemed like an age to turn in the area.

It was fitting that Lampard rounded off the rout with his fourth goal in the dying seconds, turning home his effort inside the area as Villa gave every impression of a side who simply could not wait for the whistle to sound.

And as if this was not enough to ignite ecstasy around Stamford Bridge, the roars were deafening as news of Birmingham City’s late equaliser against Arsenal filtered through.

Barely one hour later at the Reebok stadium, Dimitar Berbatov scored twice as Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win away to Bolton Wanderers

Jlloyd Samuel opened the scoring with an unfortunate and somewhat absurd own goal on 38 minutes, Berbatov provided two cool finishes after the break and substitute Darron Gibson completed the rout.

United leapfrogged Chelsea to go a point clear, and they are now four ahead of Arsenal who drew at Birmingham. It completed a satisfactory evening for United that began amid injury worries over two of their leading players.

Fears over the state of Wayne Rooney’s knee inflammation appear to be well-founded after the England striker was left out of United’s match squad altogether despite having a week to recover since their last game against Liverpool.

Less surprising was the omission of Rio Ferdinand, following his umpteenth back twinge of the season – both absences will cause major concern for fans of both United and England with the World Cup less than three months away.

The first half initially offered little in the way of excitement before exploding into life late on. Ryan Giggs returned from a broken arm and was deployed through the middle to replace some of Rooney’s spark, but the Welshman failed to assert himself.

United carved out some half-chances, with Berbatov volleying at Jussi Jaaskelainen and Jonny Evans thrashing a left-foot shot over following a corner.

But Bolton came closer, bringing two world class saves from Edwin van der Sar. First Johan Elmander raced onto an exceptional through ball from Jack Wilshere, but saw his shot repelled by the Dutchman’s strong wrist at the near post.

Then Van der Sar had to be at his acrobatic best to leap and tip over a Fabrice Muamba shot that appeared destined for the top-left corner.

But between those two saves came Samuel’s aberration. Giggs sent in a low cross from the left and Samuel met it at the back post, planting the ball back across goal into the far corner, giving Jaaskelainen no chance. A great finish, if only he had meant it.

It was the 11th own goal scored in United’s favour in the Premier League this season – the previous record for any side is six.

Sports

Iheanacho Disappointed Over Leicester Relegation

Published

3 days ago

May 31, 2023

The Tide

Kelechi Iheanacho has said he is disappointed after Leicester City failed to survive the drop to the Championship.
Going into the ultimate day of the league, Southampton were already relegated, leaving Leeds United, Leicester and Everton the remaining teams to battle it out for survival.
Though the Foxes claimed a 2-1 win over West Ham United in the final game of the 2022/23 season, it was not enough to keep them in the topflight as fellow strugglers Everton also managed a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, a vital victory enough to keep the Toffees in the Premier League ahead of the Foxes.
Reacting to their drop, Ihenacho said it was a hard one to take but expressed conviction they will get back up.
“I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m so disappointed. I don’t know what to say. I just need to thank the football club, the fans, everyone who has supported us from the start to now.” he told LCFC “I know it’s a hard one to take but if life kicks you, you just need to stand up and keep going. Whatever it is, we just keep going, stay strong, and hopefully we get back up.
“Nobody’s really happy at this time. It’s a bad time for the club and everyone. We need to take it on the chin and move on. It’s really not what we want but we can’t go back now. We have to move forward.”
Iheanacho also noted the unflagging support of the fans, recalling how they stood by them even at the end when all hopes were bleak.
He said: “The fans were really amazing, even at the end, they were clapping us and showing us support.

Sports

Super Eagles Lack Fighting Spirit-Aghahowa

Published

3 days ago

May 31, 2023

The Tide

Former Super Eagles goal king, Julius Aghahowa, has said that the return of the fighting spirit to the Super Eagles’ attack is imperative if the senior national male football team must return to winning ways.
Speaking with news men in Lagos, at the unveiling of the 12 teams for the maiden Naija Super Eight, Aghahowa stated that the team as presently constituted lacked the fighting spirit that it was known for in the 1990s and 2000s.
“The Super Eagles of today have great players, but something is missing. That fighting spirit in the attack is no longer there, and there is an urgent need for the team to have it back again to return to winning ways,” he said.
Asked if Coach Jose Peseiro has what it takes to return the team to its glory days Aghahowa said: That question should be directed to the Nigeria Football Federation. But for me, I think the Super Eagles need a coach, who will be on the ground in Nigeria. Move around league venues to scout for talented players, who are hungry to win, and who will sharpen the team’s attack.”
Other former internationals at the occasion were Ike Shorunmi, Tijani Babangida, Jonathan Akpoborie, Victor Ezeji, and Mutiu Adepoju.

Sports

National Honour Delights Osimhen

Published

3 days ago

May 31, 2023

The Tide

Napoli and Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has expressed delight at the national honour conferred on him at the weekend by the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari approved the conferment of the 2023 special national awards on 340 Nigerians and friends of the country in various categories.
Osimhen, who was one of the recipients of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) honour thanked the government and Nigerians in general for identifying with his successes.
“Today, I feel so blessed and grateful as I announce that I have been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) award by the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Osimhen wrote in a lengthy post on his Twitter Page.
Incidentally, the National honour conferred on Osimhen coincided with his 100th appearance for Napoli and the 24-year-old also marked the auspicious moment with two goals for the already-crowned Serie A champions.
Osimhen, with 25 league goals, is on course to be crowned the Serie A top scorer this season; a feat never achieved by an African player.
“Today also marked my 100th game for Napoli and I was fortunate to score 2 goals for my club, it is an amazing moment and feeling for me to be able to achieve this feat for this great club,” Osimhen continued.
He added: “This MFR recognition also means a lot to me, as it symbolizes the appreciation and support of the great Nigerian people for the dedication and hard work they have always put into their careers to make Nigeria Proud.
“My deepest gratitude goes to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for recognising me at such a national level, and I am so humbled and grateful. I am proud to be a Nigerian and represent Her.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for their continuous efforts in promoting and developing sports in our country. Their support has contributed to the growth of myself and every other athlete in the country.”
Osimhen also reserved special praise for his family members whom he described as a pillar of support for his career while also thanking his fans for believing in him and propelling him to great heights.
“To my amazing family, who have been my rock and source of inspiration throughout my journey, I am forever indebted to your love and support. I love you all and this award is as much yours as it is mine.
“And to my fans and supporters, both in Nigeria and around the world, you all are super amazing and I am so grateful for all you do for me. Your constant support, well wishes and cheers have uplifted me in moments of triumph and provided solace during challenging times.
“I am immensely honoured to achieve this feat for Napoli and I’m also honoured to receive this MFR award, and I consider it a responsibility to continue striving for excellence, more records and making meaningful contributions to people’s lives with the sport I love.
Thank you, everyone” he concluded.
Apart from Osimhen, a couple of other individuals that are in the sports circles also received various national awards.
They include the immediate past president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR.
Football legend, Austin Okocha, was conferred with the honour of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) while basketballer Ejike Ugboaja like Osimhen was also conferred with the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).