Sports
Aston Villa in late comeback draw Liverpool in six-goal thriller
Aston Villa in late comeback draw Liverpool in six-goal thriller
Substitute Jhon Durán struck twice late on as Aston Villa came back from two goals down to earn a 3-3 draw against Liverpool, avoiding back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time this season in the process.
Liverpool wanted to gift Jürgen Klopp a fitting farewell present to commemorate his final away game as the club’s manager and the Reds drew a beaming smile from the German coach in the opening minutes after Emiliano Martínez fumbled Harvey Elliott’s deflected cross into his own net.
But an Aston Villa side chasing a first top-four finish since 1995/96 were not going to submit.
The Villans restored parity 10 minutes later when Ollie Watkins dribbled forward at breakneck speed, cutting back for the lurking Youri Tielemans, who thumped his strike past a crowd of defenders and into the net.
Both sides kept the intensity high and the third goal could have gone either way until Liverpool worked the ball from left to right in the attacking third for the overlapping Joe Gomez, who crossed for Cody Gakpo to tap past Martínez.
A second Reds goal did little to dampen Villa’s hopes as Unai Emery’s side almost clawed back again before halftime.
READ ALSO:
- Rivers: Fubara sets up panel to prove Wike govt
- 2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks
- Naira declines further to N1,520/$ on parallel market
Leon Bailey ran clear of the Liverpool defence before passing across goal for Douglas Luiz to convert, but the sliding Brazilian couldn’t connect effectively, sending his effort agonisingly wide.
Recovering the lead was now a big ask for Villa, considering Liverpool haven’t lost a Premier League game when ahead at halftime since December 2016, and the hosts’ chances of a comeback diminished once Jarell Quansah’s header from Elliott’s free-kick looped over Martínez.
The end-to-end action resumed, however, as Watkins thought he pulled one back for the Villans but his tap-in was ruled out after Bailey strayed offside during the build-up.
A persistent Villa were rewarded with a late lifeline after Calum Chambers seized on Alexis Mac Allister’s poor touch, playing in Durán, who fired an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner past Alisson.
Capping off a whirlwind contest, Durán was more fortunate in the 89th minute, with Moussa Diaby’s wayward shot bouncing off the substitute’s knee and drifting over a helpless Alisson.
The Colombian forward’s late double moved Villa five points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, allowing Emery’s outfit to secure their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League if Spurs lose against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Although Liverpool’s third-place position in the Premier League table was already confirmed, Klopp will ultimately be disappointed with his side’s late capitulation, as the Reds dropped points at Villa Park for the first time since October 2020.
Aston Villa in late comeback draw Liverpool in six-goal thriller
Sports
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Marcus Rashford’s potential exit from Manchester United could open the door to Victor Osimhen making the move to Old Trafford, according to a new report.
The 27-year-old has been dropped from the side in recent weeks by head coach Ruben Amorim. In fact, he has not featured in a minute of football since his side’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest on 7 December.
Reports by Goal.com suggested on Thursday, December 2 that Rashford is keen to see out his career in Europe, having turned down three offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia. He reportedly turned down the chance to secure a contract worth £ 675,000 per week in a bid to reclaim a spot back in the England side.
As such, a move to Napoli has now been mooted according to several media agencies in the UK and Italy. Antonio Conte’s men are currently in second place in the Italian top flight and are looking to bring in another forward to secure the league title, reports The Sun.
READ ALSO:
- US issues new advisory linking alcohol to cancer
- Edo LG chairman, 8 councillors, defect to APC
- Ghana President Akufo-Addo’s address disrupted as ADC collapses (Video)
They are keen on Rashford and it’s thought that this could open the door for the Red Devils to sign Victor Osimhen, as part of a sensational swap deal.
Osimhen was close to making a move to Chelsea during the summer window, but the proposed move collapsed as they could not agree personal terms. During the window, the striker instead made the loan move to Galatasaray for the 2024/25 season. So far in Turkey, he has scored 12 goals and made five assists in 15 outings.
Osimhen netted 76 times for Napoli in 133 appearances, even helping them win a scudetto during the 2022/23 season.
United have scored just 21 league goals this season, with Rasmus Hojlund, particularly Joshua Zirkzee, particularly under-fire. It could be that the Old Trafford club is looking to bring in another forward in the winter window ahead of the second half of the season.
Osimhen reportedly has a £62 million release clause in his contract and any move involving Rashford would see the Manchester-born attacker reunited with former United player Scott McTominay at the Italian city.
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Sports
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has lost his mother to the cold hands of death barely two month after losing his father.
Nwabali took to his X handle on New Year Day to announce the death of his mother.
In a deeply emotional moment, he shared that this has been “the worst year” of his life, a heart-wrenching statement that captures the weight of his grief.
Nwabali‘s words convey the raw pain of navigating through such a devastating period, with a message that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced profound loss.
READ ALSO:
- No plans to address hunger, unemployment in Tinubu’s New Year message – PDP
- ASUU to Tinubu: Vibrant Nigerians running away from lecturing
- Anthony Joshua presents autographed glove to Tinubu during visit
His final post describes the world as “crazy,” encapsulating the bewilderment and despair that often follows such an overwhelming tragedy.
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
Sports
EPL: Arsenal sink Brentford 3-1 to close in on Liverpool
EPL: Arsenal sink Brentford 3-1 to close in on Liverpool
Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points as Gabriel Jesus extended his hot-streak in a 3-1 win at Brentford on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half goal at the Gtech Community Stadium.
But Arsenal refused to be blown away on a wet and windy evening in west London as Jesus equalised before the break.
It was the Brazilian’s sixth goal in his last four games after he scored just once in his first 20 matches this season.
Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli netted in quick succession soon after half-time to ensure Arsenal moved into second place above Nottingham Forest.
READ ALSO:
- Married man arrested for raping 10-year-old girl in Niger State
- NLC insists on withdrawal of Tax Reform Bills
- How Tinubu outsmarted Buhari to become president – Ojudu
Excluding their 5-1 rout of Crystal Palace, the Gunners had spluttered through their last four games with lacklustre draws against Fulham and Everton followed by a narrow win over lowly Ipswich.
But Arsenal’s first Premier League game of 2025 provided compelling evidence that they are ready to compete in the title race with Liverpool, who have a game in hand on the north Londoners.
Runners-up to Manchester City for the last two seasons, Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, a revitalising run that includes four successive wins.
With Bukayo Saka sidelined for several months due to a hamstring injury, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made his first league start for Arsenal.
Kai Havertz was absent after scoring Arsenal’s winner against Ipswich but Jesus ensured the German was not missed.
Arsenal did not lose a single one of their 10 league London derbies in 2024 and they maintained their impressive record in capital clashes after surviving an early blow.
EPL: Arsenal sink Brentford 3-1 to close in on Liverpool
-
metro2 days ago
‘Deepen Shariah knowledge to curb misinformation’
-
metro2 days ago
Ilorin: Retired works controller murdered on New Year’s Day
-
metro1 day ago
Tinubu’s refusal to honour Seyi’s pact with us disappointing – Nnamdi Kanu’s family
-
metro1 day ago
Jealous husband stabs Bishop to death over allege affair with wife
-
Politics3 days ago
How Tinubu outsmarted Buhari to become president – Ojudu
-
metro3 days ago
Horror in Ogun as twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker
-
metro20 hours ago
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
-
metro9 hours ago
Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam on disputed community