Category: Sports

Umar Sadiq netted for the second consecutive game as Valencia recorded a crucial 2-1 win over Girona at the Mestalla on Saturday.

Sadiq also scored the equalising goal in Valencia’s 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca in midweek

Valencia and Girona failed to register a goal in the first half.

Largie Ramazani gave the hosts the lead five minutes after the break.

Sadiq nodded home José Gayà’s brilliant cross nine minutes later for Valencia’s second goal of the game.

The 29-year-old, who joined Valencia on a permanent transfer from Real Sociedad in January has registered three goals, and two assists in 15 league appearances for Los Che.

Carlos Corberán’s side moved to 11th position on the table following the win.

LaLiga: Sadiq scores for second consecutive game as Valencia overcome Girona

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed that both Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze picked up “small niggles” in the 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.

Havertz had set up Eze to score the only goal of the match in the ninth minute.

But the German went off first after needing treatment on his knee from medical staff.

Havertz was replaced by Viktor Gyokeres, before Eze was substituted in the second half.

“Both of them had to come off, I think it was small niggles,” Arteta told reporters.

“We don’t know the extent of that. Probably tomorrow we will know more.”

It remains to be seen if both Havertz and Eze will recover in time to travel to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

EPL: Arteta gives injury updates on Havertz, Eze after Newcastle win

Manchester City on Saturday made history after beating Southampton 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final encounter.

Two second-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Nicolas Gonzalez ensured Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Southampton at Wembley Stadium to qualify for the FA Cup final.

The first half had ended in a 0-0 draw before Finn Azaz scored in the 79th minute for Southampton.

However, according to OptaJoe, the win over Southampton means Man City are the first ever team to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals in the history of the competition.

The Cityzens will now face the winner between Chelsea and Leeds United in the FA Cup final.

Chelsea will face Leeds in the other FA Cup semi-final encounter on Sunday.

FA Cup: Man City make history after beating Southampton to qualify for final

Arsenal are back to the top of the Premier League table, thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Gunners’ 200-day stay at the summit was ended with Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Burnley in midweek.

Mikel Arteta’s men came into the match in second place, level on points and goal difference.

And they got off to a great start at the Emirates, with Eberechi Eze sweeping home Kai Havertz’s layoff into the top corner.

There were no goals in the game as Arsenal withstood an onslaught from Newcastle in the second half.

Arsenal now have 73 points, three more than City, who have a game in hand.

EPL table: Arsenal return to top with win over Newcastle

Manchester City have qualified for the FA Cup final, thanks to a 2-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.

This means Pep Guardiola’s men are still in the hunt for a domestic Treble, having already won the Carabao Cup.

City dominated the semi-final at Wembley, but failed to take the many chances they created.

It was the Saints who took a shock lead through Finn Azaz.

But City fought back and netted twice through Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez to break Southampton hearts.

They will now face the winner between Chelsea and Leeds for the trophy.

FA Cup: Man City beat Southampton, qualify for final

Former Chelsea youth player and Charlton Athletic star, Miles Leaburn has claimed that Rayan Cherki, who joined Manchester City this summer, previously declined a transfer to Chelsea.

Cherki, 22, had garnered admiration from both fans and analysts since leaving his childhood club, Olympique Lyonnais in a potential £34 million transfer last summer.

He scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 matches across all competitions for his team, securing the EFL Cup this season.

However, Cherki reportedly turned down an opportunity to join Chelsea’s youth academy at the age of 12 in 2015.

The 22-year-old EFL Championship striker also mentioned that training alongside the France international was one of the highlights of his early career at Cobham.

The Charlton Athletic player recently shared with The Sun, “He came over from France and was rainbow-flicking guys in training. I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, this is incredible’.

“He genuinely rejected the chance to play for Chelsea because he likely found it too easy. He was far superior to everyone else… absolute quality. That was one of the standout moments of the eight years or so I spent at Chelsea.”

Cherki, who made his senior debut for Lyon at the age of 16 in October 2019, was also pursued by Manchester United, according to talkSPORT.

However, the player declined the Red Devils’ offer in early 2019, as he was eager to commence his senior career at Lyon.

The two-footed play-maker is expected to next feature for Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final against Southampton this Saturday (April 25).

EPL: ‘Far superior to everyone else’ – Leaburn reveals why Rayan Cherki rejected Chelsea

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has addressed his contract situation with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Chelle is under contract with the NFF until January 2027.

The 48-year-old was linked with a number of top clubs and countries after guiding the Super Eagles to third position at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Malian told Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana that his agent is currently discussing details of a new contract with the NFF.

“Yes, there are financial issues to be discussed and resolved. But I leave them to my agent to handle with the Federation. I want to concentrate on the job and the task at hand,” Chelle said.

Chelle will lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 Unity Cup next month.

The former Mali international is expected to scout for players in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, that will make his squad in the coming weeks.

The Super Eagles will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the semi-final of the Unity Cup at the Valley on Tuesday, 26 May.

Nigeria won the 2025 edition of the friendly invitational tournament last year.

The Super Eagles will also come up against Poland and Portugal in international friendlies in June.

Super Eagles: Chelle opens up on NFF contract talks, focuses on Unity Cup

Former Chelsea star, Chris Sutton, has offered his prediction for the FA Cup semi-final matches.

Manchester City will face Southampton on Saturday evening, and Chelsea are set to battle Leeds United on Sunday at Wembley Stadium for a spot in the final.

According to Sutton, City will beat Southampton, provided they are more clinical in front of goal.

He also expects a “3-0” victory for Pep Guardiola’s side, saying he doesn’t anticipate a “shock result” in that tie.

As for Chelsea, Sutton is backing Leeds to come out on top.

He predicted a 2-1 win for Daniel Farke’s side, explaining via BBC Sport, “I’m going for Leeds United to beat Chelsea at Wembley too. Chelsea 1-2 Leeds United.”

FA Cup: Sutton predicts Chelsea vs Leeds, Man City vs Southampton

The stage is set for the Premier League match of the weekend when Arsenal will host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

Both teams head to the game after losing their last Premier League matches.

Arsenal lost 2-1 against Manchester City, while Newcastle also lost 2-1 against Bournemouth.

The last time both teams met in the reverse fixture last September, the Gunners won 2-1 against the Magpies at St. James’ Park.

Arsenal currently sit in the second position on the Premier League table and will go top ahead of Man City if they beat Newcastle, who sit in 14th position, today.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has already said in his pre-match press conference that Bukayo Saka will be in the squad for the game after recovering from an Achilles injury that has kept him out of our last five games, while Riccardo Calafiori could also be back in contention.

However, Arteta will be without Jurrien Timber, who is still recovering from a groin problem he sustained against Everton last month, while Mikel Merino is out with the foot injury he sustained back in January.

For Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, he will be without his star player, Anthony Gordon, who has been ruled out with a hip injury, while Tino Livramento’s season could be over after damaging a hamstring against Bournemouth last weekend.

Joelinton is suspended after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season against Bournemouth, while Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth remain out long-term with knee injuries.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes trained all week and could be in action for How’s side against the hosts.

EPL: Arsenal eye top spot as Newcastle seek to avoid back-to-back defeats

Victor Osimhen has been cleared for Sunday’s intercontinental derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.

Osimhen played with a protective arm brace in Galatasaray’s Turkish Cup defeat to Gençlerbirliği on Wednesday.

Fenerbahçe however filed a formal complaint to the Turkish FA, protesting that the protective gear could be dangerous to opponents.

Their request was however turned down as the brace was medically acquired, and approved after consultations with football authorities.

Galatasaray, and Fenerbahçe battled to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting this season.

Sunday’s clash could decide the Turkish Lig title.

Leaders Galatasaray hold a four-point advantage over nearest rivals Fenerbahçe.

Turkey: Osimhen cleared to face Fenerbahçe in Istanbul derby