Sports
As Aston Villa thrash Arsenal 3-0 at home, Mikel Arteta says we were not a team
Arsenal boss left frustrated after Aston Villa ran riot with 3-0 win at The Emirates; Ollie Watkins scored twice in a dominant performance from Dean Smith’s side; Arsenal drop to 11th in Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta took full responsibility for Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, saying “we weren’t a team”.
Victory at Old Trafford last weekend was another step in the right direction under Arteta, and the Spaniard would have expected his side to build on that morale-boosting result.
However, they slipped to 11th with this defeat and Arteta wasn’t impressed with what he saw.
“First of all congratulations to Aston Villa for the way they played and the victory,” he told Sky Sports.
“After that, we performed below our standards and I have to say it’s the first time I’ve seen us play and we weren’t a team.
“I take full responsibility. We didn’t start well enough, we got away with VAR for an offside situation but we lost all the races, the duels and we were sloppy on the ball. When we created chances we didn’t hit the target. It’s a really bad combination. We left spaces and on the counter we looked really vulnerable.
“I take full responsibility. I am responsible to make the team perform on the pitch and today we were not a team and it is my job. It is why I am standing here.
“It is a frustration. It takes a lot to build momentum, to build a way of being, living and performing and when something like that comes up it’s a hard one to take but in a hard moment you learn more than in a positive moment and I want to see how we react.”
Speaking in his press conference, he added: “I didn’t see the spirit for the first time – and it’s totally my fault as that’s why I’m here. Today I’ve not managed to get the team to play at the highest level like we need to every three days.
“I’m struggling to find the reason but obviously there was something there today. They wanted it more than us. If you can’t defend your box, it’s a really complicated way to win football matches.
“We need to be more ruthless but today it was about how we went about the job and who we were as a team. I didn’t like it from the first whistle when we got away with the goal and then afterwards. It just wasn’t good enough.”
Smith: Just as good as Liverpool performance
Dean Smith was delighted with his side’s performance in their win over Arsenal, particularly the defensive side of their game.
The fine away victory was a real statement of intent from Dean Smith’s Villa, who have now beaten Liverpool, Leicester and Arsenal this season. It’s a result that lifts them up to sixth in the Premier League – with a game in hand. Win that and they would go level on points with leaders Leicester.
“Personally, I felt it was as good a performance as when we beat Liverpool 7-2,” Smith told Sky Sports.
“Our work without the ball was the most pleasing aspect of it. We worked with the whole 11 to restrict a good Arsenal team.
“We looked so composed and played with such intensity with and without the ball. We were a threat whenever we went forward. It was a really top performance. The players are really excited about the win after the last two results. We were in no doubt we had to be at our best tonight.”
Ollie Watkins, who helped himself to a hat-trick against Liverpool, has adapted quickly at this level – but Smith was never in doubt that the 24-year-old would swiftly make the step-up in class.
“I was always confident that he would hit the ground running,” he added. “The kid’s a young lad but he’s played 250 games. He was a regular at Exeter and at Brentford. When you’ve played that number of games, you understand it. Working with better players helps him, that’s for sure.”
What’s next?
Arsenal travel to face Leeds live on Sky Sports Premier League on Sunday, November 22; kick-off is at 4.30pm, while Aston Villa host Brighton on Saturday, November 21 at 3pm.
Sports
La Liga: Lamine Yamal Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 4‑1 Victory Over Villarreal
La Liga: Lamine Yamal Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 4‑1 Victory Over Villarreal
Villarreal / March 1, 2026
Teen sensation Lamine Yamal produced a historic performance as FC Barcelona cruised to a 4‑1 win over Villarreal CF, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to four points ahead of Real Madrid CF. The 18-year-old’s first career hat-trick not only secured the points but also established him as the youngest player this century to score a La Liga hat-trick at 18 years and 230 days, according to Opta statistics.
Barcelona fell behind early when Pape Gueye scored for Villarreal following a corner in the first half, but Yamal responded with a spectacular brace before halftime, both goals assisted by FermÃn López. In the 28th minute, Yamal tapped home after a midfield turnover from FermÃn, and nine minutes later he scored from a wide angle, beating two defenders and finishing beyond goalkeeper Luiz Júnior to put the hosts in front.
The second half saw Villarreal briefly restore hope, but Barcelona’s dominance soon reasserted itself. Yamal completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, finishing a precise through ball from Pedri. In stoppage time, substitute Robert Lewandowski added a fourth after a brilliant team move involving Jules Koundé, sealing the emphatic victory and underscoring Barcelona’s attacking depth.
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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised Yamal’s maturity and finishing, noting that the youngster’s performance demonstrates his growing importance to the team. Yamal now has 13 La Liga goals this season and a combined total of 101 goals and assists for club and country, further underlining his status as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Despite Villarreal’s spirited effort and opportunities, including a missed chance by Ayoze Pérez, Barcelona’s composure and tactical control prevailed. The win ensures Barcelona remain top of La Liga, four points ahead of Real Madrid, as the league approaches its crucial final stages.
FermÃn López, promoted to the starting XI after scoring a key goal against Levante, orchestrated much of Barcelona’s attacking play and provided the decisive assists for Yamal’s first two goals. Contributions from Pedri, Koundé, and Lewandowski ensured Barcelona’s dominance across the pitch, highlighting the club’s blend of youth talent and experienced stars.
The result gives Barcelona momentum ahead of their upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, with Yamal’s form providing optimism for silverware ambitions in addition to La Liga glory.
La Liga: Lamine Yamal Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 4‑1 Victory Over Villarreal
Sports
Harry Kane Scores Twice as Bayern Munich Come From Behind to Beat Borussia Dortmund 3‑2
Harry Kane Scores Twice as Bayern Munich Come From Behind to Beat Borussia Dortmund 3‑2
Dortmund, Germany — March 1, 2026
Harry Kane delivered a spectacular performance as Bayern Munich staged a dramatic comeback to beat Borussia Dortmund 3‑2 in a thrilling Der Klassiker at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday. The victory extended Bayern’s lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 11 points, leaving Dortmund’s hopes of a first title since 2012 in serious jeopardy.
Dortmund took an early lead in the 26th minute when defender Nico Schlotterbeck rose highest to head home a Daniel Svensson free kick, sending the home crowd into raptures. Despite dominating possession with a front three of Luis DÃaz, Michael Olise, and Kane, Bayern struggled to break through Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel before halftime.
The champions responded in spectacular fashion in the second half. Kane equalized in the 54th minute after a deft build-up involving Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry, slotting a close-range finish past Kobel. Just 16 minutes later, Kane converted a penalty after Schlotterbeck fouled Josip Stanisic, scoring his tenth Bundesliga penalty of the season and completing his brace, marking another milestone in his remarkable season, which now totals 45 goals across all competitions. Kane also celebrated reaching 500 career goals earlier this month, adding extra significance to his performance.
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Dortmund refused to back down, with Daniel Svensson producing a thunderous volley in the 83rd minute, restoring parity and giving the hosts renewed hope. However, Bayern sealed the win with a stunning late strike from Joshua Kimmich in the 87th minute, volleying the ball into the top corner and securing all three points.
The win makes Bayern the first team this season to overcome Dortmund at home in the league, highlighting their resilience and championship-winning mentality. Kane’s clinical finishing, combined with Kimmich’s late heroics, underscores Bayern’s dominance and their readiness to secure another Bundesliga title — their 14th in 15 years.
Bayern’s victory not only boosts their league position but also demonstrates the importance of experience and composure in high-pressure games, as they successfully navigated the intensity of one of Germany’s fiercest rivalries. Meanwhile, Dortmund, despite a strong performance, will need extraordinary results in the remaining fixtures to challenge Bayern’s supremacy.
Harry Kane Scores Twice as Bayern Munich Come From Behind to Beat Borussia Dortmund 3‑2
Sports
Super Eagles Goalkeeper Suspended Over Match-Fixing Allegation
Super Eagles Goalkeeper Suspended Over Match-Fixing Allegation
Super Eagles reserve goalkeeper Amas Obasogie has been suspended for three months by his Tanzanian club, Singida Black Stars, following allegations of match-fixing, the club has confirmed.
The suspension was announced on Friday in a statement issued by Singida Black Stars’ Disciplinary Committee, which said the action was taken to allow for a thorough internal investigation into the claims. The club clarified that the suspension is precautionary, stressing that no formal charges or concrete evidence have so far been presented against the goalkeeper.
The controversy stems from a Tanzanian Premier League encounter between Singida Black Stars and Namungo FC on Thursday. Singida were leading 1–0 in stoppage time when Obasogie failed to cleanly handle what appeared to be a routine free-kick, allowing Fabrice Ngoy to score a dramatic late equaliser for Namungo.
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The incident triggered widespread speculation on social media, prompting the club’s management to move swiftly by suspending the goalkeeper pending the outcome of investigations. Football authorities in Tanzania are yet to issue an official position on the matter.
In the same statement, Singida Black Stars also handed a three-month suspension to Ugandan midfielder Khalid Aucho, citing indiscipline and absenteeism. The club warned that it would no longer tolerate actions that undermine discipline, professionalism and accountability.
Obasogie joined Singida Black Stars in 2025 from Ethiopian side Fasil Kenema and has remained a regular invitee to the Super Eagles camp.
He was included in Nigeria’s squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles won the bronze medal. At the tournament, he served as third-choice goalkeeper behind Stanley Nwabali and Francis Uzoho.
The development makes Obasogie the second Nigerian goalkeeper in recent years to be linked to a match-fixing or betting-related controversy. In 2025, Maduka Okoye was suspended from football activities in Italy following a betting scandal.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasogie has not publicly reacted to the suspension, while Nigerian football authorities are also yet to comment on the situation.
Super Eagles Goalkeeper Suspended Over Match-Fixing Allegation
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