Sports
‘Man City, Now Favourite For EPL Title’
Former Manchester City boss Peter Reid believes the current team can beat Manchester United to the Premier League title after thrashing their rivals 6-1.
City’s win extended their lead at the top of the table to five points and Reid believes the strength of the City squad has overtaken United’s.
“You don’t win anything in October but they are hard to beat and they have strength in depth,” said Reid.
But ex-United midfielder Lee Sharpe said there had not been a power shift.
He said, “Manchester United are still vastly experienced when it comes to winning leagues and winning games.
“It’s maybe a wake-up call to work on a few things, but they will come back from this and they will still be challenging for the league.
“When it comes to the last six games of the season when the pressure really starts to mount, that is when United have the experience of being in that position before whereas City haven’t, so nothing is won or lost just yet, it was just a bit of a shock result.”
Manchester City have not won the top-flight title since 1968, during which time Manchester United have won 12 league titles.
But Sunday’s defeat was the heaviest suffered by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the worst loss at Old Trafford since 1955.
Reid, who managed City between 1990 and 1993, believes the manner in which City won the game showed there is an added swagger to the side.
“David Silva is possibly the best player in the Premier League this year, that has helped them,” he said. “Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero have come in and they are attacking-minded players.
“There is a belief and a confidence from the manager [Roberto Mancini] and I think the players have got that as well.
“There was a real confidence about the way he went about it at Old Trafford, but don’t write off the red half of Manchester.
“They’ve been there before and, knowing Sir Alex Ferguson as I do, it wouldn’t surprise me if he went into the transfer market in January and bought a couple of midfield players but that result for City will be massive for their confidence.”
Sharpe, who played for United between 1988 and 1996, agrees that City have a chance to win the Premier League this season but states that experience favours Chelsea and his former club.
But he thinks Ferguson’s side, which have conceded the most number of shots in the Premier League this season, need to be better organised and have more consistency in defence.
“United need a bit of organisation and a bit of leadership,” he added. “Rio Ferdinand has been out for quite long periods, Nemanja Vidic was not playing on Sunday.
“I know Wayne Rooney is there with a bit of experience who can grab people by the scruff of the neck, but they maybe need for a midfielder who can be a leader and tighten things up when things are going bad for them during the game. A bit of consistency in the back four would also help.
“Newcastle have conceded six goals and they have had the same back four and the same keeper in every game and United have not done that.”
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
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