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La Liga: Teenage stars deliver as Barcelona tighten title grip

Barcelona extended their strong run in La Liga with a 3-0 victory over Mallorca at the Spotify Camp Nou, tightening their grip at the top of the table.

Hansi Flick’s side were under pressure for long spells in the first half, struggling to cope with Mallorca’s direct attacking play.

Vedat Muriqi went closest for the visitors but failed to make clean contact with Jan Virgili’s cutback, a miss that would later prove decisive.

Lewandowski breaks the deadlock

Barcelona capitalised on Mallorca’s wastefulness when Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring.

Marcus Rashford’s blocked effort fell kindly to the Polish striker, who took a touch before finishing calmly to put the hosts ahead against the run of play.

The goal shifted the balance of the contest, with Barcelona growing in control and limiting Mallorca’s threat as the game progressed.

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Yamal scored and was also named the man of the match – Getty image

Yamal and Bernal seal the points

Barcelona doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark through Lamine Yamal. A short corner routine involving Dani Olmo allowed the teenager space on the edge of the area, and he responded with a fine finish to make it five La Liga goals in as many matches.

Yamal was later substituted ahead of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg away to Atletico Madrid, but the hosts continued to push forward.

The third goal arrived on 83 minutes when Fermín López threaded a pass through to Marc Bernal, who skipped past a challenge and slotted home at the near post for his first senior goal.

Barcelona closed out the match comfortably, overcoming a shaky start to secure another important win.

The result moves the defending champions four points clear of Real Madrid, who have the chance to reduce the gap when they face Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday.

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EPL: Gyokeres double sends Arsenal nine points clear

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points with a controlled 3-0 win over Sunderland, as substitute Viktor Gyokeres scored twice to cap a comfortable home performance.

The hosts broke down a stubborn Sunderland side through Martin Zubimendi’s opener before Gyokeres struck late to seal the result.

The victory increased pressure on title rivals after Aston Villa dropped points and Manchester City were yet to play.

Sunderland showed resilience early, with Brian Brobbey troubling Arsenal’s defence and seeing a shot cleared off the line by Kai Havertz after David Raya spilled a long ball.

Declan Rice and Havertz both tested Robin Roefs with curling efforts as Arsenal pushed for a breakthrough.

EPL: Gyokeres double sends Arsenal nine points clear
Viktor Gyokeres double boosts Arsenal title case against Sunderland – Getty image

Zubimendi sets the platform

Arsenal finally found a way through when Zubimendi struck from range, his effort beating Roefs after crashing off the post.

It was the midfielder’s fifth league goal of the season and a reward for his consistent presence, having played more minutes than any other Arsenal outfield player this campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side maintained control despite missing Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard, limit Sunderland’s attacking threat.

Gyokeres impact off the bench

Gyokeres made the decisive impact after coming on, finishing clinically in the 66th minute after Havertz set him up inside the box.

The Swedish striker added his second in stoppage time, tapping into an empty net after Gabriel Martinelli squared the ball across goal.

Six of Gyokeres’ eight league goals this season have come against newly promoted sides, and his recent run – six goals in his last eight appearances in all competitions, suggests he is growing into Arteta’s system after a slow start.

Arsenal’s defensive record at home remains a cornerstone of their title push, with only eight goals conceded and 29 points collected at the Emirates.

The win marked their ninth home victory from 12 league matches.

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EPL: Arokodare’s goal insufficient as Palmer hits first-half hat-trick in Chelsea win against Wolves

Cole Palmer scored a 37-minute first-half hat-trick as Chelsea secured a 3-1 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, with two penalties and a close-range finish putting the visitors in full control before the break.

The 23-year-old forward converted twice from the spot before adding a third from open play to give Chelsea a 3-0 lead, continuing his strong start under head coach Liam Rosenior.

The goals also ended Palmer’s nine-game run without scoring from open play.

Penalties set the tone

Chelsea were awarded their first penalty when Matt Doherty caught Joao Pedro as the forward was moving away from goal inside the area. Palmer sent goalkeeper Jose Sa the wrong way, placing his effort calmly to the left.

A second spot-kick followed soon after when Yerson Mosquera pushed Pedro to the ground as he attempted to chase a loose ball into the box. Palmer again stepped up, this time finishing to Sa’s right to double Chelsea’s advantage.

Arokodare's goal insufficient as Palmer hits first-half hat-trick in Chelsea win against Wolves
Palmer hat-trick won Chelsea the game – Getty image

The England international completed his hat-trick shortly before half-time, arriving in the area to finish from close range after a driving run and cut-back from Marc Cucurella.

Records and response

The treble marked Palmer’s fourth Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea, the most by any player for the club in the competition. He also became the first English player to score a first-half hat-trick in three separate Premier League matches.

The goals took Palmer’s total tally for Chelsea to 51 across all competitions, moving him ahead of former players Gus Poyet and Tore Andre Flo despite featuring in significantly fewer matches.

Wolves managed a response in the second half through Tolu Arokodare, who pulled a goal back to reduce the deficit. However, Chelsea maintained control and saw out the game without major difficulty.

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Fernandes, Mbeumo score as Man United win 10-man Tottenham

Manchester United continued their perfect start under Michael Carrick with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, extending the interim head coach’s record to four wins from four matches.

Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes ensured United capitalised on Tottenham being reduced to 10 men, while the result further lifted confidence around Carrick’s short-term tenure following Ruben Amorim’s departure.

United started with energy and control, moving the ball fluently in midfield and pressing Spurs high up the pitch. Tottenham initially settled into the contest, but their task became significantly harder after Cristian Romero was dismissed midway through the first half.

Romero dismissal turns the game

The decisive moment arrived in the 29th minute when Romero received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Casemiro.

The Argentine defender caught the Brazilian on the ankle while attempting to dribble out of pressure, leaving referee Michael Oliver with little hesitation.

Fernandes, Mbeumo score as Man United win 10-man Tottenham
Mbeumo scored the opening goal for Manchester United – Getty image

The sending-off shifted the game in United’s favour. With the numerical advantage, Carrick’s side increased the tempo and began to pin Spurs back inside their own half.

United made the breakthrough in the 38th minute from a well-worked corner. Fernandes played a low delivery to Kobbie Mainoo, who intelligently flicked the ball into the path of Mbeumo. The winger kept his composure to stroke the ball home for his 10th goal of the season.

Fernandes caps dominant display

United remained on the front foot after the interval, although two further goals were ruled out for offside as Spurs attempted to limit the damage. Fernandes, operating with freedom across midfield, dictated play and repeatedly tested Tottenham’s defensive structure.

The Portuguese captain sealed the win nine minutes from time, finishing from close range after connecting with a Diogo Dalot cross to make it 2-0.

The goal underlined United’s control and removed any lingering doubt about the outcome.

Meanwhile, Tottenham struggled to mount a response with 10 men and offered little attacking threat in the closing stages.

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EPL: Fernandez credits Rosenior for Chelsea attacking freedom

Enzo Fernandez has praised Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior for instilling greater attacking freedom in the squad following his appointment, saying the players now feel more confident expressing themselves in the final third.

Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League, one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United, after a run of improved performances since Rosenior replaced Enzo Maresca.

The Blues scored three goals in three consecutive matches across domestic and European competitions before their midweek Carabao Cup semi-final exit to Arsenal.

Continuity with subtle tactical shift

Fernandez acknowledged Maresca’s influence while highlighting Rosenior’s tweaks, stressing that the transition has been evolutionary rather than disruptive.

“Maresca gave us an identity, he was good for all of us,” Fernandez told ESPN Argentina. “With the arrival of the new coach there were changes, he gave each of us a lot of confidence and we’re doing well.

EPL: Fernandez credits Rosenior for Chelsea attacking freedom
Enzo Fernandez – Getty image

“Things haven’t changed much, he just works differently and we feel very good about achieving results and raising the level of play.”

The Argentine midfielder added that Rosenior’s approach allows players more autonomy in advanced areas.

“The game plan didn’t change that much. Liam gives us a bit more freedom in the final third… he gives us the freedom to express ourselves.”

Player contentment amid transfer noise

Despite speculation linking him with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, Fernandez played down talk of a move away from Stamford Bridge, insisting he is settled in west London.

“On a personal level, I feel great, I’m happy,” he said. “I felt I grew both athletically and personally… feeling good off the field has an impact on the pitch.”

Rosenior, for his part, dismissed concerns over Fernandez’s future. “It means nothing to me,” he said. “When you’re a world-class player, there’s always going to be speculation… He’s a Chelsea player. He’s very important to me.”

Momentum and targets ahead

Fernandez, who joined Chelsea in January 2023, has already lifted the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with the club and is targeting Champions League success.

He currently has 11 goals and four assists in 36 appearances this season.

Chelsea face Wolves this weekend as they continue their push for a top-four finish, with victory potentially lifting them into the Champions League qualification places.

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2026 World Cup: Super Eagles Are Waiting For FIFA’s Decision – Alex Iwobi Says (Video)

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi says the team is still waiting to know if they will feature at the 2026 World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?

The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.

“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.

“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been.

“They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”

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Giants’ battles in EPL and Le Classique in Paris:fire up the football weekend with 1xBet!

The top European leagues delight fans with spectacular matches in non-stop mode. The best sports betting site 1xBet will help fuel the excitement ahead of this week’s biggest games, turning watching football into a thrilling show. Follow this link, bet on your favorites and be at the heart of the incredible atmosphere of the epic battles. But remember: responsible gambling is your main trump card in the game of chance!

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur, February 7

The Red Devils have won three Premier League games in a row, which means that all Manchester barbers are charging their trimmers and preparing their straight razors. Very soon, the Man United fan who went viral on social media with the challenge “I won’t get my hair cut until my team wins five matches in a row” could turn from Marouane Fellaini into Jaap Stam.

With Michael Carrick taking over as head coach, Alex Ferguson started smiling again, and the Old Trafford stands got a taste of long-awaited victories. All it took was a change from a 3-center-back formation to a classic 4-5-1 with Bruno Fernandes as the number 10, and the Manchester machine not only restarted, but took off.

However, ahead lies a home clash with Tottenham, who are far from their best form but know how to put up a fight in big games, as they showed in their match against Manchester City. The statistics suggest that a high-scoring affair is inevitable. Therefore, fans of the Total Over 2.5 market should definitely consider this battle.

W1 – 1.697, X – 4.57, W2 – 4.825

Liverpool vs Manchester City, February 8

These teams’ last encounter in the Premier League ended in a crushing defeat for the Reds at the Etihad, and now they are determined to take revenge. Liverpool have a big gap at the right-back position, but the duo of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz is working perfectly together and is increasingly being compared to the Steven Gerrard-Fernando Torres tandem.

Arne Slot’s position as manager is still shaky, so a victory over Manchester City would be a good opportunity to silence the sceptics and return to the Premier League top 4. However, Pep Guardiola’s team is clearly not an opponent that can be taken on with bare hands. The Citizens keep chasing Arsenal and don’t want to miss the chance to take advantage of their misstep to heat up the intrigue in the title race to the limit.

W1 – 2.43, X – 3.86, W2 – 2.898

Paris Saint-Germain vs Olympique de Marseille, February 8

Le Classique at the Parc des Princes is one of the main events in Ligue 1 that you definitely won’t want to miss. Paris Saint-Germain tamed Lens’s audacity and regained the top spot in the league, but this weekend, the Parisians face a real test in the form of a home clash with Marseille, who also want to join the fight for the title.

Roberto De Zerbi’s team lost its place in the Champions League play-offs at the last moment due to Benfica’s phenomenal goal against Real Madrid in the final minutes of the match, so the Olympians are angry and hungry for victory.

In the first half of the season, Mason Greenwood and his teammates managed to beat the Red-and-Blues – can they pull off the same trick a second time? We’ll find out on Sunday.

W1 – 1.443, X – 5.33, W2 – 7.41

Battles between football giants are always breathtaking and give fans a rush of emotions. Follow this link, place your bets and enjoy a celebration of excitement and thrills with the best sports betting site 1xBet. Bet responsibly, and luck is sure to be on your side!

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It Was More Than A Family – Stanley Nwabali Reacts After Leaving Chippa United

Stanley Nwabali, the Nigerian goalkeeper, has spoken out following his departure from Chippa United on Thursday, which came after he submitted a transfer request.

In a message shared on his X account, the 29-year-old expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, fans, and the club’s chairman.

He wrote, “It was more than a family. To my lovely teammates, dear coaches, amazing fans and great chairman.

“As I stand here to say farewell, a part of me will always remain with this club. I wish you success and happiness in the seasons ahead. Thank you and farewell. Until we meet again.”

It is yet to be seen if Nwabali will join a new club in the coming days, as he is now a free agent.

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Mikel Obi Reveals How Premier League Rule Prevented Manchester United From Signing Him (Video)

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed that a Premier League regulation prevented Manchester United from finalizing his signing, even though a pre-contract agreement had been agreed.

Mikel had been expected to join the Red Devils after turning 18, but the move failed to materialise due to a league rule requiring foreign players to have featured in at least 75 per cent of their country’s senior national team matches.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Chelsea midfielder said then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson was fully committed to bringing him to Old Trafford.

“Fergie loved me. He would always pair me with Roy Keane because he thought Keane would protect me from the likes of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who were always tackling people in training,” Mikel said.

He explained that the Premier League rule ultimately blocked the transfer.

“At the time, the rule required players to have represented their national team in at least 75 per cent of matches before being eligible to sign,” he stated.

Mikel added that United explored alternative strategies to secure his services before his 18th birthday, but those plans failed.

“The strategy was to get me in and out before I turned 18, but that wasn’t possible in my case,” he explained.

The midfielder eventually joined Chelsea in 2006 at the age of 19, where he went on to enjoy a highly successful spell at Stamford Bridge. During nearly 11 years with the Blues, Mikel made 372 appearances and scored six goals, becoming one of the club’s most dependable midfielders.

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Ademola Lookman Names Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, His Favourite Artists

Ademola Lookman, the Nigeria international, has revealed his top three favourite artists of all time.

Responding to a question at his new club, Atletico Madrid, the winger listed Afrobeats front trio Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido as his greatest artists of all time.

“My Top 3 Favorite artistes of all time are Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido,” he said.

Recall that Lookman joined Atletico Madrid on a permanent transfer from Serie A club, Atalanta, on Monday.

Aside from Lookman, many of members of the current Super Eagles squad have listed Nigerian artists among their favourites musicians.

Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Calvin Bassey, and Victor Osimhen often mention Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Rema and Olamide in their lists.

Osimhen previously revealed that he listens to Olamide songs for motivation before going to the pitch.

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