Premier League
Saka sends Arsenal closer to Champions League return
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was thrilled with a “very big win” as Bukayo Saka’s strike saw off Aston Villa 1-0 yesterday to open up a four-point gap in fourth place in the Premier League.
The Gunners could increase that margin further with a game in hand over fifth-placed Manchester United (50) and were well worthy of the three points against a toothless Villa at Villa Park, despite the narrow scoreline.
“It’s a very big win for us. I thought we played fantastically well, but we didn’t put the game to bed when we had the chances. But we showed the resilience to win,” Arteta said on BBC Sport.
“Villa are a very good team and to come here is always extremely difficult. We managed to do the things we wanted to do in the match and I think we deserved to win the game.
“There’s still 10 games to go and you can see how small the margins are. The key is that we are there (in the top four) and that we believe we can do it.”
The Spaniard had complained about the tight turnaround his side faced after Wednesday’s 2-0 home loss to Liverpool, which ended a five-game winning run.
But he would have been pleased there was no sign of tiredness from his players in the early stages.
Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey dominated the midfield and a nice move between the two deserved a better finish from the latter as he fired straight at Emiliano Martinez.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper then denied his old club the opener with a stunning save low to his left to prevent Ezri Konsa turning the ball into his own net from Saka’s dangerous cross.
Saka was a constant threat and fittingly got the only goal on 30 minutes when Villa failed to clear a free kick and he fired low past Martinez from the edge of the box.
Arsenal’s fine, flowing first-half football deserved more than just Saka’s goal – the Gunners’ 2,000th Premier League strike.
But the England forward was, nonetheless, happy with his ninth league goal of the season.
“It’s very, very, very satisfying. I thought we created a lot. We started very well,” he told the BBC.
“The early goal helped us get into the game, but we need to start finishing games to prevent things from getting too nervy…
“The top four is definitely possible.”
Arsenal players surrounded referee Andy Madley moments later begging for a red card after Tyrone Mings caught Saka, but the Villa defender got away with a booking.
Villa, who did not have a single shot, on or off target, in the first half, improved after the break but lacked the creativity to break Arsenal down as Philippe Coutinho failed to hit the heights of his best form since joining on loan from Barcelona.
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno, deputising for the injured Aaron Ramsdale, was not forced into a save until the final kick of the game when he parried Coutinho’s free kick to safety and was mobbed by his teammates at full-time.
The Gunners did not hold back celebrating a big three points in their quest to end a five-year exile from the Champions League.
A second straight loss for Villa means they stay ninth.
“We were indecisive in the things we tried to do. I think our performance lacked belief,” said manager Steven Gerrard.
“It wasn’t until after half-time that we showed we can be better.
“We deserved to be behind in the first half. We set up to be aggressive but lacked belief in what we were doing. I’m emotional.”
-Reuters/AFP
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
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
- WAFCON1 week ago
BREAKING: CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026
- DIPLOMACY3 days ago
Trump calls on Australia to give asylum to Iranian women’s soccer players
- DIPLOMACY3 days ago
Morocco Backs Gulf Security, Condemns Iranian Attacks Against Brotherly Arab States
- OBITUARY3 days ago
Breaking! Former Super Eagles Coach Adegboye Onigbinde Dies Four Days After Clocking 88
- World Cup3 days ago
Iraq coach calls for delay to World Cup playoff amid travel shutdown
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Nigeria’s Sports Community Mourns Adegboye Onigbinde, A Life Devoted to Football
- OBITUARY1 week ago
Nigerian Sports Journalism Mourns Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu
- World Cup3 days ago
1990 World Cup Winner Riedle Backs Spain, France, Brazil for 2026 Glory