Sports

EPL: Chelsea Subdues Man Utd, Leads Race For Title

Published

13 years ago

April 4, 2010

Joe Cole and Didier Drogba were on target as Chelsea took the lead in the race for the Premier League title after a 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Cole gave the visitors the lead with a sensational 20th minute flick from close range during a first half entirely dominated by Chelsea before Drogba, who started the match on the bench, swooped to net a contentious second with 11 minutes remaining.

A scrambled Federico Macheda goal two minutes later gave United hope of nicking a point after a much improved second half performance, but it proved too little too late as Chelsea completed the league double over the champions – and went top of the table.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side now hold a two-point advantage over second-placed United with five games remaining this season. Third-placed Arsenal closed the gap on United to a single point with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Wolves.

Chelsea’s last outing came seven days ago in their 7-1 drubbing of Aston Villa, while United were in Champions League action in Germany on Tuesday – and those extra three days of rest were initially evident as Chelsea, by far the fresher side, dominated proceedings while United chased their tails for much of the first half.

The Blues, without Drogba who was not risked from the start, deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes through Cole’s wonderful flick after Florent Malouda had outmuscled Darren Fletcher to get to the by-line and deliver a cross to the near post.

The goal rocked United, whose passing was uncharacteristically wayward and who, without the injured Wayne Rooney, lacked the energy to unsettle their opponents. Chelsea meanwhile were comfortable in possession, enjoying plenty of it as the sting was taken out of the Old Trafford crowd.

But United could, possibly should, have been given a lifeline back into the game on 26 minutes when Park Ji-sung was tripped in the box by Yuri Zhirkov’s outstretched leg. Even though there was contact, the Korean’s tumble to the floor was inelegant and failed to convince referee Mike Dean who waved play on.

The official from the Wirral, who had previously given 16 spot kicks in 24 Premier League matches this season, was again at the centre of attention four minutes later when he turned away more appeals for a penalty, this time from Chelsea. Gary Neville’s barge into Nicolas Anelka at the other end was clumsy at best but Dean’s refusal to award a foul was at least consistent with his earlier decision.

United slowly came back into the game as the first half wore on, culminating with a decent chance for Dimitar Berbatov to level the scores on 44 minutes, but the Bulgarian striker checked back inside as the ball fell kindly for him in the Chelsea box, allowing Frank Lampard to make a crucial challenge.

United built on that slight encouragement after the break, no doubt further inspired by an Alex Ferguson rollicking in the dressing room, giving Chelsea far less time on the ball and finally indicating that they were up for the fight.

That said, it was Chelsea who spurned a glorious opportunity to double their advantage soon after the restart, Paulo Ferreira finding himself in unfamiliar territory and one-on-one with Edwin van der Sar after a neat through pass by Cole. But the Portuguese full-back’s stabbed effort rolled agonisingly wide of the post and inches beyond the outstretched boot of the late-arriving Anelka.

Sports

2022 NPFL: Nasarawa United Unveils New Players

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2023

The Tide

Nasarawa United Football Club, Lafia, has unveiled eight new players for the remainder of the 2022/23 league calendar
The newly acquired players comprise one goalkeeper, four defenders and three attackers.
A release signed by the Media Officer of the Club, Eche Amos and made available to Tidesports yesterday, said Goalkeeper, Mohammed Galadima and central defender, Victor Collins both returned to the club after spells at Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi and Amanat Baghdad FC of Iraq, respectively.
Right full-backs, Samson Vandi Drambi and Nelson Abiam joined from 2nd division side, EFCC FC of Abuja, while Nelson Abiam joined from premier league side Wikki Tourists FC, Bauchi. Full-back, Aminu Yusuf joined from neighbouring Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi.
The trio of centre forwards, Kazeem Abdulrafiu, Isaac James Ogiri and Kolawole Daniel inked the contract papers from Ruqayya Football Academy of Kaduna, ABS FC of Ilorin, and Gombe United FC, Gombe, in that order.
The unveiling ceremony took place last Wednesday in Lafia.
Each of the players is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear as the Solid Miners prepare to overturn their current position on the league standings.
In another development, Nasarawa United yesterday defeated border neighbours, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, in an explosive friendly game decided at the Sports Complex of Federal University, Lafia, to fine-tune both teams ahead of the resumption of the second phase of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League.

Sports

Corruption, Bane of Nigeria Football Dev – Peterside

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2023

The Tide

If not for the high level of corruption in Nigeria football administration, the country would have produced lots of football stars, former Super Eagles goalkeeper Idah Peterside said.
According to him, the country has a bunch of good and talented players like Victor Osimhem, but because of corrupt administration, many young players were deprived to get national call up.
Idah made the assertion last Wednesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after Rivers United FC defeated Rangers FC 1-0 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He revealed that he will come back to Nigeria with the view to promote and develop football, following the experiences gained outside the country.
“If I was elected as the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a lot of things would have changed in the football administration.
“ I have come back to Nigeria, Port Harcourt, my base with all the experiences I had gained around the world to see how one can be involved in the development of the game.
“ Football is my game, I have sacrificed a lot for the development of the game” Idah said.
He congratulates Osimhen for his impressive performances in the Italian League, adding that what he expected Osimhen to do was to win World best or Africa footballer of the year.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

MFN Lauds Rivers Governor- Elect …Wants Holistic Sports Dev

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2023

The Tide

The Muaythai Federation of Nigeria (MFN) has hailed the emergence of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as Rivers State governor-elect and appealled to him to look into sports development holistically in his administration.
The Federation also used the forum to also congratulate him, over his landslide victory at the just concluded governorship elections in the State.
President of MFN, Comrade Paul Egonu, said this in an exclusive interview with Tidesports, yesterday shortly after he came back from Lagos on national assignment of the federation.
According to him, he has confidence that sporting activities will strive more in the next administration.
“We are appealing to the incoming Governor, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara to holistically develop sports in the State. We are aware that the present administration- led by Chief Nyesom Wike but there is need to do more.
‘The Federation and Rivers State Mauythai association join other good people of the State to congratulate Sir. Fubara for his landslide victory at the just concluded governorship elections.
“We are also aware that Governor Nyesom Wike, has invested in sports by building sports facilities in the State, but we urge the incoming Governor to surpass what he will meet on ground”, Comrade Egonu said.
He explained that investing and developing sports is a way of investing in youths because through sports many youths have become wealthy and responsible, besides it will also boost the economy of the State.
“Honestly, the benefits of sports development and promotion is enormous, through sports many people have become wealthy. It will also, to a large extend boost the economy of the State.
“Consequently, I appeal to the incoming Governor to set up a sports commission and appoint professionals. sports administrators to pilot its affairs”, he stated.

By: Tonye Orabere