Category: Sport

Antonio Conte has warned that Chelsea will find it difficult to defend the title after their shock defeat by Crystal Palace and questioned whether his squad is strong enough to compete on several fronts. In an echo of his frustration in the summer about the club’s failure to acquire a number of key transfer targets in preparation for their involvement in the Champions League Chelsea’s manager bemoaned his team’s lack of depth after an insipid performance away to the Premier League’s bottom side led to the champions slipping nine points…

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Wimbledon champion Roger Federer beat world number one Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 in the Shanghai Masters final to capture his sixth title of the year. The 36-year-old Swiss, who has lost only four times in 2017, was again in imperious form as he won in 72 minutes. It was his fourth win of the year against Nadal and his fifth in succession over the Spaniard. Federer fired 10 aces, and the 19-time Grand Slam winner’s 94th career title cut his deficit against Nadal to 23-15. It moves him level with…

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Wilfried Zaha scored the winner as Crystal Palace stunned reigning champions Chelsea to pick up their first victory of the Premier League season. Palace had lost all seven of their previous games – including three under new boss Roy Hodgson – and had failed to score. They finally ended their 731 minute wait for a league goal when Yohan Cabaye forced the ball down off his chest, which bounced off David Luiz and into the back of the net off Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta. Palace’s lead lasted only eight minutes…

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FIFA rejects Ghana’s request to replay 2018 World Cup qualifier against Uganda FIFA has said it will not act on Ghana’s complaint about refereeing, in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match at Uganda last weekend. The Ghana federation called for the 0-0 draw to be replayed and also protested about South African referee Daniel Bennett and his assistants from Seychelles. The Black Stars’ failure to win, meant Egypt clinched the sole ticket from the group, after they beat Republic of Congo 2-1 the next day. FIFA says “no proceedings will…

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With Argentina’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in jeopardy, Lionel Messi scored a hat trick when he was needed most, rallying his country to a 3-1 win over Ecuador and a spot in Russia next summer. Argentina started the final night of South American qualifying in sixth place, with only the top four qualifying for the World Cup while the fifth goes to an intercontinental playoff against New Zealand. But the win means Argentina will finish in third, and that books them a place along with Uruguay, Colombia…

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Mikel Obi hints at return to Chelsea 2017/10/10 16:32:09dailypost.ng Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has hinted at a possible return to Chelsea. Mikel Obi spent ten and a half seasons at Stamford Bridge, before he left for Chinese Super League outfit, Tianjin TEDA, in January this year. Although the 31-year-old insists he is enjoying life in Asia, he has refused to rule out a return to the Blues. “I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye on the pitch to the fans who stood by me for over ten…

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Liverpool forward Sadio Mane could be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty with Senegal. Mane, 25, was substituted in the 89th minute of a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Cape Verde on Saturday. He is set to miss Premier League games against Manchester United and Tottenham and both Champions League group fixtures against Maribor. Mane has scored three goals in five league appearances so far this season. Senegal, who are top of their World Cup qualifying group, face two crucial…

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The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Road Race Bronze Label to Access Bank Lagos City Marathon makes the Lagos marathon the first full marathon in West Africa to get an IAAF label. The IAAF accreditation which was announced last week ahead of the 3rd edition of the marathon in February 2018, was the outcome of a successful measurement and certification of the marathon course in line with the Federation’s technical standards. This is a landmark achievement for the city of Lagos and Nigeria at large as it marks the…

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Iceland has qualified for the World Cup for the first time on Monday following a 2-0 win over Kosovo less than 18 months after sensationally knocking England out of Euro 2016. Needing victory to guarantee top spot in European qualifying Group I, goals from Everton star Gylfi Sigurdsson and Johann Gudmundsson ensured Iceland would be on the plane to Russia 2018. “I thought after Euro 2016 that the hardest thing would be to motivate ourselves again,” admitted Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. “The first beer after a party is not the…

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Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been named on the 30-man shortlist for the 2017 Ballon d’Or award given to the world’s best player. Premier League midfielders Philippe Coutinho, Kevin de Bruyne and N’Golo Kante, plus Manchester United keeper David de Gea, have also been selected. Neymar is also among the first 15 players to be revealed by organisers France Football magazine. The other 15 nominees will be announced later on Monday. Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona rival Lionel Messi are both expected to be named on the shortlist.…

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