Sports

Salah stars again as Liverpool move closer to Premier League title

Published

1 year ago

April 13, 2025

Salah stars again as Liverpool move closer to Premier League title

Mohamed Salah celebrated his new contract with another Premier League record as Liverpool moved to within two wins of clinching the title despite a lacklustre 2-1 victory over West Ham.

Two days after top-flight defenders had to come to terms with the prospect of another two years of torment from the Egypt international, the Hammers’ 19-year-old wing-back Ollie Scarles found himself in the firing line.

Scarles was turned inside and out by Salah, whose cross for Luis Diaz’s 18th-minute effort was his 45th Premier League goal involvement (27 goals, 18 assists) and the most in a 38-game season.

Salah, favourite for a fourth Golden Boot in eight seasons, is now only two away from the all-time assist record jointly held by fellow Premier League greats Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Anfield came to celebrate their ‘Egyptian King’ but in reality other than that and Diaz’s 15th goal of the campaign there was little else to cheer until a late flurry prompted by Andy Robertson’s 86th-minute own goal.

It was Virgil van Dijk’s attempted clearance of Aaron Wan Bissaka’s cross which cannoned off his team-mate but the captain, set to join Salah in soon signing a new contract, made amends by powering home a late header and wheeling away to kiss the badge on his shirt.

Conor Bradley’s start at right-back after last week’s substitute appearance following injury had made a major improvement to the side, as did Alisson Becker’s return as he found himself the busier goalkeeper in the second half as West Ham seized on their hosts’ lethargy.

Salah is on his worst goalscoring drought since February 2023 with no goals in five games but his value to the team was evident in a first half in which Scarles was given a real education.

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The 57 minutes he faced Salah will have felt like an eternity and his second-half substitution will have come as something of a relief.

His wily opponent’s movement was a major concern for Scarles, who let his man escape for the goal.

Salah had already left him trailing in his wake when cutting inside to curl a shot wide of the far post but when he turned him again on the touchline seconds later the result was more devastating.

His curling pass with the outside of his left foot was intended for Diogo Jota but Max Kilman cancelled him out and it ran through for Diaz to convert.

Salah’s clever clip saw Alexis Mac Allister volley at Alphonse Areola, having just seen his Liverpool counterpart tip Mohammed Kudus’ shot onto the crossbar after being caught out of position.

West Ham centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos headed over at a corner in added time but after Mac Allister crashed a free-kick against the crossbar and forced a scrambling Areola to waft behind his cross-shot, Liverpool retreated into their shell and the visitors should probably have won as a result.

Carlos Soler diverted over a cross from Jarrod Bowen, who was denied by a charging Alisson before Kudus flashed a shot across goal.

Salah’s influence had waned by this point and he cut a frustrated figure when he was substituted five minutes from the end, showing little interest in receiving the accolades.

Within a minute West Ham equalised as Liverpool paid for their lethargy and it needed a towering header from Salah’s main rival for Player of the Year to finally kick-start a party.

Even then they were not safe with substitute Niclas Fullkrug heading against the crossbar.

Salah stars again as Liverpool move closer to Premier League title

Related Topics:Liverpool premier league Salah

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Cristiano Ronaldo ranked 10th among Manchester United’s greatest players

Published

15 hours ago

July 30, 2026

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo ranked 10th among Manchester United’s greatest players

Cristiano Ronaldo has been ranked 10th among the greatest players in Manchester United history, placing the Portuguese football icon alongside some of the most influential figures to have represented the English club.

The ranking reflects Ronaldo’s achievements, performances and impact during his two spells at Manchester United, while also highlighting the depth of the club’s history and the number of legendary players who made long-term contributions at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Sporting CP in 2003 as an 18-year-old and quickly developed into one of the most exciting young players in world football.

Under the guidance of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo transformed from a highly skilful winger into one of football’s most complete and dangerous attacking players.

During his first spell between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo helped Manchester United win several major trophies, including three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

His performances during the 2007/08 season remain among the most remarkable individual campaigns in Manchester United’s history.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions as Manchester United won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

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His outstanding form earned him the 2008 Ballon d’Or, making him the first Manchester United player to win the prestigious individual award since George Best in 1968.

Ronaldo left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in 2009 in what was then a world-record transfer. He later became Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer and won multiple domestic and European honours.

The Portuguese forward returned to Manchester United in 2021, nearly 12 years after his first departure.

During his second spell, Ronaldo became the club’s leading goalscorer in the 2021/22 season and produced several important performances in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

However, his return ended in November 2022 after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement following a public disagreement with the club.

Across his two spells, Ronaldo made 346 appearances for Manchester United and scored 145 goals, cementing his place among the club’s most successful and recognisable players.

His ranking at number 10 has generated debate among supporters, with some arguing that his individual ability, goalscoring record and achievements should have placed him higher.

Others believe the ranking reflects the contributions of Manchester United legends who spent longer periods at the club and played central roles in its success across multiple generations.

Players such as Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Denis Law, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson are regularly included in discussions about the club’s greatest-ever players.

The debate also highlights the difference between identifying the best footballer to have played for Manchester United and ranking the greatest players based on their achievements and overall contribution to the club.

While Ronaldo went on to establish himself as one of the greatest players in football history, his ranking is based primarily on his legacy and accomplishments during his time at Manchester United.

Despite being placed 10th, Ronaldo remains one of the most influential players of the modern era and one of the most successful footballers to have worn the Manchester United shirt.

Cristiano Ronaldo ranked 10th among Manchester United’s greatest players

Sports

Super Falcons Stunned by Debutants Malawi in Historic WAFCON Upset

Published

2 days ago

July 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Falcons Stunned by Debutants Malawi in Historic WAFCON Upset

Nigeria’s quest for a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title suffered a devastating blow on Tuesday night as the Super Falcons fell 3-2 to tournament debutants Malawi in their Group C opener at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The result ranks among the biggest upsets in the history of the competition, with Malawi, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at No. 153, defeating Africa’s highest-ranked women’s national team, Nigeria at No. 36, in what many are calling a seismic shock for African women’s football. The defeat also ended Nigeria’s remarkable 17-match unbeaten record against WAFCON debutants, having won 16 and drawn one since the competition began in 1998, making the loss even more significant for the 10-time champions who had never previously lost to a tournament newcomer.

After a goalless first half in which the Super Falcons dominated possession but failed to register a shot on target, the match exploded into life in the final quarter, exposing Nigeria’s defensive vulnerabilities in stunning fashion. Temwa Chawinga, the two-time National Women’s Soccer League MVP and Kansas City Current striker, opened the scoring in the 73rd minute, calmly finishing after beating goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who had come off her line too early and was left stranded by the perfectly weighted lob. Just six minutes later, her elder sister and Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga doubled the lead with another clinical finish, leaving the 10-time African champions in a state of panic as their carefully laid plans unravelled in spectacular fashion.

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Nigeria refused to surrender, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty in the 90th minute to spark hopes of a dramatic comeback, giving the Super Falcons a glimmer of hope after a largely frustrating evening. However, Temwa Chawinga struck again deep in stoppage time, lobbing Nnadozie after spotting the goalkeeper off her line once more, to restore Malawi’s two-goal cushion and effectively seal the victory for the debutants. Substitute Uchenna Kanu pulled another goal back in the ninth minute of added time, showcasing the team’s fighting spirit, but there was no time left for Nigeria to salvage a result as Malawi held on for a historic victory, sparking wild celebrations among their players and coaching staff.

The result leaves Zambia top of Group C on goal difference after a 6-0 thrashing of Egypt, with Malawi second on three points, while Nigeria and Egypt are yet to get off the mark, placing the defending champions in an unfamiliar and precarious position. The Super Falcons will now face a must-win encounter against Zambia on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. WAT, followed by a final group match against Egypt on Wednesday, August 5, leaving them with no room for further slip-ups if they hope to defend their continental crown. Zambia head coach Nora Häuptle has already emphasized her team’s readiness to overcome Nigeria, while the Super Falcons must strengthen their defence after conceding three goals and seize every offensive opportunity against a clinical Zambian side that scored six in their opener. With six points still available, Nigeria’s dream of an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title remains alive, but their campaign now hangs in the balance, requiring an immediate response from a team that has historically thrived under pressure.

Super Falcons Stunned by Debutants Malawi in Historic WAFCON Upset

Entertainment

Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

Published

4 days ago

July 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Global pop icon Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy

‘I Was Obsessed’: Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

Global pop icon Shakira has opened up about her decision to collaborate with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she was determined to have him on the track and that his powerful voice made him the ideal collaborator.

Global music icon Shakira has disclosed why she chose Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she wanted a strong masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound. Speaking in an interview that aired on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that the song’s energy and musical direction made Burna Boy the perfect choice for the collaboration.

According to Shakira, the tournament naturally carries a strong masculine identity, making Burna Boy the ideal fit for the collaboration. She explained that once she had completed the song, she felt she really needed a male vocal presence in the track because the World Cup carries a big male energy, and she wanted someone who could bring that powerful masculine voice into an Afrobeat setting. The Grammy-winning singer disclosed that although “Dai Dai” blends Afrobeat with Caribbean influences and elements of R&B, Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant musical identity. She added that Burna Boy’s artistry perfectly aligned with the creative direction she envisioned, noting that the song is very Afrobeat-inspired, although it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of R&B, but it is mostly Afrobeat.

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Shakira also admitted she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and had long hoped to work with the Nigerian singer on a major international project. She said she contacted him personally after completing the song and was delighted when he accepted the invitation. She confessed that she always loved Burna and always wanted to do something with him, adding that she was so obsessed about having Burna on this track and was incredibly glad that she got him. Despite waiting almost three weeks for Burna Boy to submit his verse, Shakira said she remained hopeful the collaboration would materialise. She recalled that she called him and asked if he was down to do it, and he responded positively. However, it took a while, and she waited for 20 days for him to send something, during which she began to wonder if he might not do it. The singer praised Burna Boy’s vocal performance, saying his contribution elevated the record beyond her expectations. She stated that when he finally sent his magic, it was absolutely perfect, and she could not imagine anybody else on the track because his voice worked so well on the song.

“Dai Dai” served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Shakira and Burna Boy delivering its debut performance during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The pair reunited for another performance during the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, joined by a star-studded lineup including Madonna, BTS, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. Additionally, 100 percent of the song’s royalties will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which provides education and soccer resources to children around the world.

Since its release on May 14, “Dai Dai” has enjoyed global success, breaking several music records. The song became the first to top Spotify’s newly launched Global Music Video Chart and also helped Burna Boy become the first African artiste to reach No. 1 on the Apple Music Global Top Songs chart. The collaboration also saw the Nigerian star set a new record for the highest monthly listeners by an African artiste, reaching 53 million on Spotify and 600 million on YouTube Music. “Dai Dai” also made history as the first official World Cup anthem to top the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. The song drew 41.5 million streams worldwide between July 3-9, 2026, and has amassed over 800 million combined streams across Spotify and YouTube Music, with the music video surpassing 500 million views on YouTube.

Burna Boy also made history as the first African artiste to perform at the newly introduced FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. The collaboration marked another successful World Cup project for Shakira, whose “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became one of football’s most iconic tournament songs after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For Burna Boy, the collaboration further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global stage, with “Dai Dai” emerging as one of the standout musical successes of the 2026 tournament.