Newcastle manager Eddie Howe believes his side have built momentum for their Champions League second leg tie against Barcelona, as Newcastle beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
MATCH REPORT: Premier League – Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenoir says his team’s huddle in the centre circle of the pitch is a “show of respect” to each other rather than to annoy the opposition, after referee Paul Tierney disrupts the pre-match ritual in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
MATCH REPORT: Premier League – Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon has expressed strong confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the administration’s ability to handle national affairs across multiple fronts.
Gowon spoke during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
“I came to see him and to thank him for all the good work that he is doing for the country. We looked at the progress Nigeria is making economically and otherwise. He is doing the best he can all around—politically, economically, and socially,” Gowon said.
READ ALSO: [VIDEO] Tinubu Asks Media To Hold LGs, States Accountable
Two weeks after General TY Danjuma paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Villa, another elder statesman, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the former Head of State from 1966-1975, also came calling. Photo: State House pic.twitter.com/1FAZApSqdQ
On the issue of security, which remains one of the nation’s most pressing challenges, Gowon noted that the government is doing its best to address the situation for the good of all Nigerians.
“Regarding the major problem we have today, which is security, he is doing everything to deal with those issues. He has to look after the interests of Nigeria in all areas,” he said.
“The challenges happening today can only be dealt with by the current government, and the president is dealing with them the best he can without creating further problems for the country.”
Gowon described the meeting as an opportunity to personally commend the president for his efforts.
See more photos from the visit below:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Max Dowman “is not fazed” by any occasion as the 16-year old comes off the bench to become the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton.
MATCH REPORT: Premier League: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Premier League clubs offered hope of Eduardo Camavinga deal, Arsenal in talks for Castello Lukeba, and Adam Wharton wanted by Premier League trio.
Real Madrid will listen to offers for France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 23, this summer with a number of Premier League clubs expressing interest in his signature. (Marca – in Spanish)
Arsenal have opened discussions with RB Leipzig for their 23-year-old France centre-back Castello Lukeba. (L’Equipe – in French)
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all set to battle it out for the services of Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 22. (Football Insider)
And Chelsea and Manchester United also find themselves in another tug-of-war, with the two sides among the main suitors for Cologne’s 19-year-old German forward Said el Mala. (Caughtoffside)
Aston Villa are competing with several clubs across Europe for the signature of 29-year-old Germany and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt, who will be out of contract this summer. (Fichajes – in Spanish)
Newcastle could reunite with academy graduate Elliot Anderson, 23, in the summer, with the Nottingham Forest and England midfielder seen as a perfect replacement if Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 28, or Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, 25, depart. (Teamtalk)
Liverpool and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, 33, has emerged as a major summer target for Juventus. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)
Manchester United and Liverpool are the leading contenders for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, 19, after Bayern Munich pulled out of the race for the Ivory Coast winger. (Christian Falk)
Manchester City want to ensure England midfielder Phil Foden, 25, remains beyond his current deal, which expires in 2027, and are keen to speed up the process of finalising a new contract. (Football Insider)
Manchester United are willing pay around 100m euros (£86.7m) to meet 23-year-old Spain winger Nico Williams’ release clause with Athletic Club. (Fichajes – in Spanish)
If Celtic manage to come through what has been a tumultuous season and lift the Scottish Premiership trophy again in May, they may well look back on the hard-fought 3-1 win over Motherwell as a big moment in a remarkable story.
While the comeback after Elijah Just’s goal for the visitors was notable as another example of the attitude Martin O’Neill has instilled in his side, the identity of the key man in the victory is another surprise in a season that’s defied predictions.
If everything had gone to plan, Hyun-jun Yang would have been playing a part in Birmingham City’s Championship campaign after being deemed surplus to requirements last summer.
That move fell through and the player looked destined to remain as a bit-part player in Brendan Rodgers’ side, making only a few appearances before the Northern Irishman’s shock departure in October.
Instead, Yang has scored six times in the league since Christmas, chipping in with goals as Celtic have kept in the title race.
Only three players: Tawanda Maswanhise, Youssef Chermiti and Yang’s team-mate Benjamin Nygren have more.
As Motherwell’s Maswanhise drew a blank in the showdown at Celtic Park, Yang struck twice, perfectly placed to coolly stroke in the leveller, and then racing through the middle to smack in Celtic’s third and ensure three points, effectively ending the Fir Park side’s slim title hopes.
“He was sensational,” Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said. “Sensational in every aspect of the game.
“Going forward, with the goals he scored, the energy and the willingness to work back, it was a monumental performance by him.”
O’Neill said that the 23-year-old was “on a high” in the dressing room after the final whistle, and Yang might feel entitled to celebrate after a spell that’s shown why the club lured him from Gangwon FC almost three years ago.
The winger’s contribution has been far more than just a couple of eye-catching finishes at the right moment, with the stats showing how he has developed into a consistent threat.
Only Nygren has over performed his expected goals (xG) by more than he has with six goals from 3.82 xG.
And, perhaps surprisingly, Yang has the best conversion rate of any player in the league with 20+ shots, better than Nygren, Chermiti, Aberdeen’s Kevin Nisbet and Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, an argument that Celtic would be better off if they had played him more than they have.
There seems little doubt that O’Neill will continue to call on the attacker for what looks like a nail-biting run-in as they continue to hunt down leaders Hearts.
The manager has options to weigh up in every game as he looks to find the right blend up front but after a performance he described as “wonderful” he’ll be finding a way to keep Yang in his side, and in form.
The summer transfer collapse was a sliding doors moment for a player who has struggled to convince up to that point.
