Premier League
LIVERPOOL CELEBRATE LONG-AWAITED TITLE IN FRONT OF EMPTY STADIUM
Liverpool’s players finally got their hands on the Premier League trophy on Wednesday (July 22) in a muted presentation ceremony in front of an empty Kop after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Chelsea in their last home game of the season.
The club’s first English title for 30 years had been sealed almost a month ago with seven games remaining, following a three-month stoppage because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kenny Dalglish, the last Liverpool manager to deliver the title, presented the medals wearing a red face mask before handing the trophy to captain Jordan Henderson who raised it to the night sky as fireworks and tickertape filled the air.
Sadly, because of the pandemic that interrupted Liverpool’s charge to the title, the fans missed out on what would have been a momentous night at Anfield stadium.
Merseyside police had issued a 48-hour dispersal order to stop fans gathering in large numbers across the city, as they did when the title was won on June 25 when nearest rivals Manchester City were beaten by Chelsea.
Many did gather outside, however, letting off flares and fireworks.
Despite the sanitised ceremony in the 53,000-seater stadium, Liverpool’s players did their best to fill the void, belting out a rendition of the club’s anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” along with manager Jurgen Klopp and his staff.
“If you don’t see that we do it for you I can’t help you,” Klopp said when asked for his message to the fans.
“You made us happy, we all should celebrate at home. Prepare for a party and when this virus has gone we will have a party.”
Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore said the players and fans will “come together to celebrate” when the time is right.
“It’s been an amazing season,” Henderson told former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher at pitchside.
“It’s been a journey, a process, and every single player has been part of it.”
A trophy presentation without fans was always going to feel a little flat, although the real fireworks have been provided over a sensational season by a superb Liverpool side.
Liverpool missed out by a point last year to Manchester City despite losing only one game.
Although they won the Champions League title last June, the English crown is what the red half of Merseyside has craved for three decades.
During that time they have watched arch-rivals Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City dominate the league.
The manner in which Liverpool took it back suggests it will not be a one-off.
“This won’t be the last one for this team,” former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness said. “This club is geared to be a very successful football club, this is Liverpool back to where they were 30 or 40 years ago.
“They will be challenging for this and the Champions League for the next decade.”
-Reuters
Premier League
Maguire handed suspended prison sentence for 2020 brawl

England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Premier League
Timber header earns Arsenal crucial win over Chelsea

Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.

Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Premier League
Manchester United climb to third in Premier League table with come-from-behind win over Palace

Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes inspiring the turnaround that lifted the hosts into third place in the Premier League standings.
Trailing inside four minutes after a dominant start by Palace, United responded through a Fernandes penalty before his pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Benjamin Sesko to seal victory against the 10-man visitors.
The win extended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in mid-January. United now have 51 points from 28 games and are unbeaten since the January 5 dismissal of Ruben Amorim, climbing into third for the first time since May 2023. Palace remain 14th on 35 points.
“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”
Palace, under Oliver Glasner, were electric in the opening half hour, capitalising on sluggish United play. Defender Maxence Lacroix powered home a header from a corner after muscling past Leny Yoro, scoring the earliest goal United have conceded this season.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Munoz latched onto an Ismaila Sarr through ball, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a crucial save.
United gradually found their rhythm before the break. Sesko forced Dean Henderson into action with a header from a Fernandes cross, and the Palace keeper also tipped a Fernandes free kick over the bar.
The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. Following a lengthy VAR review, Lacroix was shown a red card, reducing Palace to 10 men.
Eight minutes later, Fernandes’ delivery again proved decisive as Sesko rose highest to nod home the winning goal.
United pushed for a third, with Casemiro’s volley drawing a diving save from Henderson and substitute Amad Diallo testing the keeper from distance in stoppage time. Joshua Zirkzee saw efforts blocked, while Kobbie Mainoo’s fierce strike drifted narrowly wide.
Carrick praised his team’s resilience. “The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” he said. “Being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and belief… to then come back as we did in the second half is the biggest thing for me today.”
Palace pressed late but could not find an equaliser. Glasner admitted his side had let the game slip. “It feels like there was more possible today. A great first 30 minutes, but the red card changed it completely. The second goal just happened too quickly.”
For United, the victory reinforces growing belief under Carrick that a top-four finish—and a return to Europe’s elite competition—is firmly within reach.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
-
WAFCON4 days agoBREAKING: CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026
-
OBITUARY5 days agoNigerian Sports Journalism Mourns Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu
-
MLS1 week agoTrump to Host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House
-
World Cup5 days ago‘I really don’t care’ if Iran plays in World Cup, Trump tells Politico
-
World Cup4 days agoIraq’s World Cup Playoff in Doubt as War Disrupts Travel and Visa Processing
-
FA Cup2 days agoEze thunderbolt guides Arsenal past Mansfield into FA Cup quarter-finals
-
MLS3 days agoTrump celebrates Messi
-
World Cup3 days agoWorld Cup 2026: U-20 World Cup Winner Ouahbi Takes Charge of Morocco’s Atlas Lions