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

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2023

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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Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract

Published

20 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle

Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has reportedly presented a 19-point contract proposal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as part of negotiations to extend his tenure with the national team. The proposal, formally submitted on January 22, 2026, includes a $130,000 monthly salary, provisions for his technical staff, and a wide range of operational and logistical demands aimed at enhancing his working conditions and technical autonomy.

Chelle, a Franco-Malian tactician, who signed a two-year deal with the NFF in January 2025, had previously been linked with European club opportunities, including Olympique de Marseille. The contract extension proposal follows Nigeria’s strong performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Chelle guided the team to a third-place finish.

The proposed 19 conditions go beyond salary. They include the provision of a private SUV with a chauffeur and security, a secure residence with 24-hour electricity, a furnished office with internet access and projector for tactical analysis, and flight tickets for his wife and two children. Chelle also requests GPS tools, customized training equipment, and the authority to choose international friendly matches.

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On the technical side, the proposal seeks full control over player selection and call-ups, authority to travel abroad to monitor Nigerian players, and attendance at local league matches to identify talent for the senior team and age-grade squads (U23, U20, U17). Chelle also asks for official contracts for his staff, on-time salary payments, inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus and allowance structure, and monthly meetings with all national team coaches.

Reports indicate that the proposal reflects Chelle’s aim for greater professional autonomy, operational support, and long-term stability while building a competitive Super Eagles squad for upcoming international fixtures, including 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The NFF has yet to confirm whether it will accept or reject the terms, amid ongoing discussions over budgetary constraints and logistical feasibility.

The submission has sparked debate among football stakeholders, with analysts divided over whether the NFF can meet all the demands, balancing the need for continuity with Chelle against financial realities.

Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract

Sports

Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge

Published

21 hours ago

February 19, 2026

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Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge

Ademola Lookman etched his name into UEFA Champions League history on Wednesday as Ademola Lookman scored for Atletico Madrid in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Club Brugge at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

Lookman, the Nigerian international winger, became the first Nigerian to score for Atletico Madrid in a UEFA Champions League group-stage match, highlighting his growing influence at the Spanish La Liga club. The goal came during a pulsating encounter that saw both sides trade leads in an end-to-end battle.

Atletico Madrid initially surged ahead through early strikes, but Club Brugge responded with quick counterattacks to equalize twice. Lookman’s historic goal temporarily put the hosts in front, only for Club Brugge to equalize late in the game, ensuring a dramatic 3–3 finish.

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The result keeps Atletico in contention for progression from Group D, but it also underscores the challenges facing Diego Simeone’s side in balancing domestic and European commitments. Lookman’s performance, however, has been widely praised by pundits, with analysts noting his pace, vision, and finishing ability as key assets for Atletico Madrid’s attack.

For Lookman, this goal adds to a growing reputation as a breakthrough Nigerian talent in Europe, joining the ranks of compatriots who have made their mark in top-tier European competitions. Fans and media alike celebrated his contribution, highlighting the significance of his milestone in both club and international football history.

Ademola Lookman, who previously played for clubs in the English Premier League, moved to Atletico Madrid in January 2026. Known for his speed, dribbling, and versatility on the wings, Lookman has steadily adapted to the Spanish game, making appearances in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League matches.

This Champions League goal marks a historic first for a Nigerian player at Atletico Madrid, reflecting the increasing presence of Nigerian talent in elite European competitions.

Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge

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Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw

Published

1 day ago

February 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw

Arsenal surrendered a commanding two-goal advantage to settle for a damaging 2–2 draw against last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in a dramatic Premier League encounter at Molineux on Tuesday night.

The Gunners looked firmly in control early on, racing into a 2–0 lead and appearing set to claim all three points. However, a spirited second-half comeback from Wolves denied the title chasers victory and reignited questions over Arsenal’s consistency at a crucial stage of the season.

Arsenal struck first inside the opening minutes through Bukayo Saka, who capitalised on early pressure to put the visitors ahead. The lead was doubled shortly after the break when Piero Hincapié finished clinically following a set-piece situation, seemingly putting the game beyond the struggling hosts.

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But Wolves responded almost immediately. Hugo Bueno reduced the deficit with a long-range effort that shifted momentum and lifted the home crowd. Arsenal, who dominated possession for large spells, failed to regain control as defensive lapses and dropped intensity invited pressure.

Deep into stoppage time, substitute Tom Edozie completed the comeback, firing home a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser that sparked wild celebrations at Molineux. A late deflection off an Arsenal defender wrong-footed the goalkeeper, sealing a point that felt like a win for the league’s bottom side.

The result represents a significant setback for Arsenal’s title hopes, as dropping points against the Premier League’s last-placed team allowed rivals to close the gap at the top of the table. For Wolves, the draw offered a rare positive moment in a difficult campaign, underlining their resilience despite their position.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure after the match, with the failure to protect a two-goal cushion once again proving costly in a high-stakes title race.