Sports

Arsenal sink palace to extend perfect start despite Takehiro Tomiyasu red card

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2023

Arsenal shrugged off Takehiro Tomiyasu’s red card to extend their perfect start to the Premier League season as Martin Odegaard sealed a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Monday. Odegaard’s second-half penalty at Selhurst Park put Arsenal on course for their second successive win. But Mikel Arteta’s side had to dig deep to preserve the points after Japan defender Tomiyasu was controversially sent off for a second yellow card midway through the second half. Tomiyasu had been booked for taking too long over a throw-in before his dismissal for making minimal contact on Jordan Ayew.

Arteta was delighted with the way Arsenal refused to surrender their lead as they moved up to third place, behind leaders Brighton and second-placed Manchester City on goal difference.

“Great win. I’m so happy. To play 30 minutes away from home with 10 men is extremely difficult,” Arteta said.

“Some players were suffering physically. The subs were magnificent, they knew what they had to do.

“Today we had a difficult one, we overcame it and it will make us better.”

Frustrated by Tomiyasu’s first booking for time-wasting, Arteta added: “This is the standard. I think it was eight seconds. We might have to play with a stop watch.”

Expected to mount a sustained title challenge following last season’s late collapse that gifted the trophy to City, the north Londoners look up for the fight after building on their opening weekend win against Nottingham Forest.

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While they haven’t played their most fluent football yet, this could prove a significant building block in their bid for a first title since 2004.

Arsenal had the best away record in the top flight last season and registered a division-best 10 clean sheets on their travels.

Arteta’s men looked like road warriors again as they repelled Palace’s late flurry of pressure.

With new goalkeeper David Raya among the Arsenal substitutes after his loan move from Brentford, the spotlight was on Aaron Ramsdale as the England international fights to hold onto his place.

Ramsdale rose to the challenge with a confident display from the moment he turned away Eberechi Eze’s long-range strike in the early stages.

Emulating City boss Pep Guardiola’s tactic of instructing a defender to advance forward whenever they have possession, Arteta deployed Thomas Partey at right-back with a license to link up play from his preferred midfield role.

That allowed Arsenal to dominate possession but Eddie Nketiah, deputising for the injured Gabriel Jesus, failed to make their first-half pressure pay off.

The 24-year-old wasted a good chance when he nimbly turned away Joachim Andersen, only to scuff his shot against the far post with just Sam Johnstone to beat.

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Palace were denied a penalty after William Saliba’s sliding tackle on Ayew was ignored by VAR.

Nketiah was profligate again when he chipped over from just six yards after Declan Rice picked out the unmarked forward.

Arsenal kept their composure and Odegaard’s fierce 25-yard strike forced a superb tip over from Johnstone.

Odegaard wouldn’t be denied again as the Norwegian netted from the spot in the 54th minute to reward Arsenal’s dominant display.

Gabriel Martinelli’s quick free-kick caught Palace dozing and Nketiah rounded Johnstone before being upended by the keeper, who was sent the wrong way by Odegaard’s ice-cool penalty.

When Partey’s blast from the edge of the area was slapped over by Johnstone, it looked like Arsenal would cruise to victory.

But Palace were given a glimmer of hope in the 67th minute as Tomiyasu was harshly dismissed for a slight push on Ayew that was not reviewed by VAR under rules governing second yellow cards.

Palace’s frustration mounted when Eze went down under contact from Partey but saw his penalty claim rejected.

In a tense finale, Odsonne Edouard had Palace’s best chance to equalise when he headed wide from Tyrick Mitchell’s cross.

Mitchell also squandered an opportunity, blazing over from six yards as Arsenal held firm.

Related Topics:Arsenal Takehiro Tomiyasu win

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AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

Published

1 hour ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has praised Victor Osimhen for his outstanding leadership and all-round performance as Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeated Uganda’s Cranes 3–1 in their final Group C match at the ongoing AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Osimhen, who was named vice-captain of the Super Eagles to Wilfred Ndidi ahead of the tournament, captained the side on Tuesday in Fes, a day after celebrating his 27th birthday. Although the Galatasaray striker did not score in the encounter, he played a decisive role in Nigeria’s emphatic victory.

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Speaking as a colour commentator during the live broadcast, Oliseh—who captained Nigeria at the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations—said he was impressed by Osimhen’s rare leadership qualities and selfless approach to the game.

“I’m really impressed with Osimhen; he’s really playing as a captain and I’m really loving it,” Oliseh said, while offering tactical insights and expert analysis during the match.

The former midfielder further commended the striker’s attitude on the pitch, noting: “Despite being the top striker and captain, he has been so unselfish in this match.”

Osimhen, who previously featured for Nigeria at the 2019 and 2023 AFCON tournaments, opened his goal account at the 2025 AFCON in Saturday’s thrilling 3–2 victory over Tunisia’s Eagles of Carthage, further underlining his importance to the Super Eagles’ campaign.

AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

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Anthony Joshua’s Family Speak on Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

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2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Anthony Joshua accident scene

Anthony Joshua’s Family Speak on Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

The Sagamu community in Ogun State and the family of former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, have been thrown into deep shock following a fatal road accident involving the boxing star on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, reportedly claimed two lives, while Anthony Joshua escaped with minor injuries. The accident involved a Lexus SUV conveying the boxer, with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary truck along the busy highway.

According to findings, Joshua, who was seated at the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and was subsequently taken to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where he is currently receiving treatment.

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Joshua, an indigene of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, hails from the Ijokun area of Sagamu. Speaking with journalists on Tuesday at the family residence, his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, described the incident as a “rude shock” that has left both the family and the wider Sagamu community devastated.

“The whole community is still in shock. Nobody ever imagined that something this terrible could happen to our son, especially during this festive period when families are meant to come together and rejoice,” he said.

While expressing gratitude to God for sparing the life of Anthony Joshua and the driver, the family mourned the tragic death of two close friends and trainers of the boxer who lost their lives in the crash.

Anthony Joshua’s Family Speak on Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

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[BREAKING] AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Finish Group Stage Perfect After 3–1 Victory Over Uganda

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15 hours ago

December 30, 2025

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Super Eagles End Group Stage Unbeaten with Convincing Uganda Win

[BREAKING] AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Finish Group Stage Perfect After 3–1 Victory Over Uganda

Nigeria completed a flawless 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group-stage campaign with a commanding 3–1 win over Uganda on Monday at the Stade de Fes, extending the Super Eagles’ unbeaten run and sealing top spot in Group B.

The Super Eagles took the lead in the 28th minute when Paul Onuachu capitalised on a rebound, calmly slotting home after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s precise delivery had forced a save from Uganda goalkeeper Ismail Onyango.

Uganda started brightly but their resistance weakened after the interval. In the 56th minute, substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola was shown a red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity, leaving the Cranes with 10 men.

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Nigeria wasted no time in asserting control, as Raphael Onyedika struck twice in five minutes. The midfielder found the net in the 62nd and 67th minutes, both goals created by Samuel Chukwueze, effectively putting the match beyond Uganda’s reach.

The Cranes of Uganda managed a late consolation in the 75th minute through Rogers Mato, who finished confidently over goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, but Nigeria remained dominant until the final whistle.

Coach Eric Chelle rotated his squad late in the game, introducing Zaidu Sanusi, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Akor Adams, as Nigeria closed out the match with authority.

Elsewhere in Group B, Tunisia and Tanzania shared a 1–1 draw, a result that leaves the two sides battling for qualification, while Nigeria advance to the AFCON knockout stage with a perfect nine points from three matches.