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Leicester beats Preston North End, returns to top of the Championship

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1 year ago

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Leicester beats Preston North End, returns to top of the Championship

KIERNAN Dewsbury-Hall scored twice as Leicester City made it nine wins in 10 Championship games by beating Preston North End to return to the top of the Championship.

Pushed down to second by Ipswich’s victory over Hull on Tuesday, they overcame third-placed Preston’s resistance with Dewsbury-Hall netting either side of Kelechi Iheanacho’s side-footed effort from six yards.

The midfielder slotted past Freddie Woodman with his left foot to break the deadlock after Ali McCann slid in to intercept a Wilfred Ndidi pass across the box but diverted it into his path.

And Dewsbury-Hall sealed only the second home victory in the last 13 league meetings between the two sides by firing into the roof of the net after Woodman kept out Iheanacho’s initial effort.

Foxes boss Enzo Maresca gave Conor Coady his league debut in place of the suspended Jannik Vestergaard, but the England defender had a comfortable introduction as Preston were content to soak up pressure and try to hit the home side on the break.

Stephy Mavididi fed a superb ball through to Dewsbury-Hall in the box, but he was foiled by a superb block from Liam Lindsay and that was as close as Leicester came before the break, despite enjoying 75% of the possession.

Ndidi headed over the angle early in the second half before Dewsbury-Hall curled a 25-yarder just the wrong side of the post from Ricardo Pereira’s pass.

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Preston went close when Duane Holmes fired in a 25-yard shot that Mads Hermansen pushed past the post, but that was their only effort on target.

And after Dewsbury-Hall opened the scoring, he and Ndidi combined to give Iheanacho – sent on to replace Jamie Vardy – an easy finish from six yards.

It left Preston staring at a second successive defeat following Saturday’s 4-0 home loss to West Bromwich Albion and any hopes of a fightback were snuffed out when Dewsbury-Hall finished off another fine Leicester move in style.

They are two points clear of Ipswich with another home game against Stoke City on Saturday.

“We knew what sort of game it was going to be, they’re doing well in the league and have a style of play they’re pretty good at.

“In the first half they frustrated us a bit, we didn’t get many chances with their two banks of four but then at half-time we changed formation.

“Once we got the first goal it opened up a bit more and then we could show more of what we’re like.

“It was a really rewarding win and a great game for us to get a bit of daylight between us and third [place]. There’s a certain way of playing against that sort of team, you have to be patient.”

“It was definitely harsh. I thought we were fantastic for 50-odd minutes until they scored the first goal, which was disappointing on our behalf – we go to ground when we could probably have intercepted it.

“We didn’t have much possession but I can’t fault the effort. Late on we were out on our feet a little bit, which was expected.

“They have got a player in Dewsbury-Hall who shouldn’t be playing at this level. But we didn’t fear them, we respected them.

“They are normal human beings but they have got different qualities to most in the Championship.”

Leicester beats Preston North End, returns to top of the Championship

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Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen

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10 hours ago

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January 3, 2025

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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.
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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

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This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing

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2 days ago

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January 2, 2025

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Stanley Nwabali

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.

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His final post describes the world as “crazy,” encapsulating the bewilderment and despair that often follows such an overwhelming tragedy.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) extended heartfelt condolences to Nwabali following the devastating loss of his mother.
In a message shared on social media, the NFF expressed solidarity with Nwabali during this extremely difficult time, offering strength and support.
“Stay strong, Stanley. You are not alone; we are all with you,” the NFF wrote, demonstrating the collective support of the football community as he navigates through his grief.

This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing

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EPL: Arsenal sink Brentford 3-1 to close in on Liverpool

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2 days ago

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January 2, 2025

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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.

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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

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