Carlo Ancelotti said his belief that Everton will compete with the Premier League’s top six this season was justified after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s towering header earned their first win over Tottenham since 2012 with a 1-0 victory on Sunday.
Ancelotti has been heavily backed with the signings of James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, and the Toffees looked a much-improved side on the one that finished 12th last season as they were thoroughly deserving winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“We showed we can compete, which is the most important message, that we can compete if the spirit is good, if the attitude is good,” said Ancelotti.
“I said before the game our target was to fight for the European places. The first game was good, we have to see the second game and the third game, so we have to wait a little bit but I have a lot of confidence. I had (confidence) before this game and I have more confidence now, but we have to be focused.”
Spurs are also hoping for an upturn in Jose Mourinho’s first full season as boss, but the hosts looked short on ideas as they slipped to a damaging home defeat for their aspirations of mounting a challenge to get back into the top four this season.
“I didn’t like my team,” said Mourinho, who complained of the free-kick leading to Everton’s goal and his players’ lack of preparation time in a shortened pre-season.
“After their goal we were poor. We were not physically strong, there was no intensity. The team lacks physical condition.”
Mourinho added Spurs’ pre-season had been hit by positive coronavirus tests, but did not reveal the players involved.
Everton looked the fitter and better prepared side with their new midfield trio helping to control possession, but it was on the counter-attack they wasted by far the best chance of the game.
Richarlison intercepted Ben Davies’s wayward pass and accelerated past Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris before skewing high and wide with an open goal to aim at and Calvert-Lewin begging for a cut-back.
Spurs offered little as an attacking threat, but Jordan Pickford did have to make two good saves before half-time to deny Dele Alli and Matt Doherty on his debut.
Everton surrendered meekly to a 1-0 defeat when they visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July without mustering a meaningful shot on goal.
But the difference a few months and fresh faces can make was on show in the second half as they controlled the game to earn a first win over Spurs in 16 games.
The only goal of the game arrived 10 minutes after the break as Calvert-Lewin rose highest to power Lucas Digne’s free-kick into the top corner.
Mourinho said on Friday he hopes to add another striker before the end of the transfer window to add some support to Harry Kane, but any new arrival will need better service to work with as the England captain did not have an opportunity to get his side back on level terms.
Everton and Richarlison continued to enjoy all the chances as twice the Brazilian cut inside on his favoured right foot and curled efforts just beyond Lloris’s far post.
However, one goal was enough for a statement win for the visitors and the worst possible start for Tottenham ahead of a gruelling schedule as they face up to eight games in the Europa League, League Cup and Premier League in the next three weeks.
“On Thursday we have a knockout game (in the Europa League) so there is not much time to cry or complain,” added Mourinho.
The Peoples Democratic Party has berated the presidency for allegedly denigrating the person of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders who spoke out about Nigeria’s dwindling fortunes under the current regime.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the party’s position known in a statement titled “State of the Nation: Listen to Voice of Reason, PDP Cautions Buhari…Berates Presidency For Insulting Obasanjo, Other Leaders”, in Abuja, late on Sunday.
The PDP was responding to a statement signed by Presidential Spokesmen, Mallam Garba Shehu, in which Obasanjo was described as “Divider-in-Chief,” for his criticism of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.).
Ologbondiyan said, “The Peoples Democratic Party has, for the umpteenth time, cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari to come down from his high horse and listen to the advice from eminent Nigerians, who are advising him against allowing our nation to tumble from the cliff under his watch.
“The Buhari Presidency is worsening the sorry state in which it has plunged the nation by choosing to haul insults on Nigerians including former Presidents like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other well-meaning leaders, who are patriotically calling on his administration to end its divisive, suppressive and insensitive style of leadership that has ruined our nation.
“From its reactions to patriotic counsel, it is clear that the Buhari Presidency has become bereft of the fundamentals of governance as well as overwhelmed by its own failures and burden of guilt for the disunity, bloodletting, and anguish that have enveloped our nation in the last five years.
“It is incontrovertible that the Buhari administration is leading Nigeria into a failed state, where citizens are not guaranteed of their safety; cannot afford the basic necessities of life and where governance has been crippled by incompetence, unbridled nepotism, promotion of injustice, executive high handedness, abuse of human right, disobedience to court orders, brazen violation of constitutional provisions, acute corruption and violent muscling of elections.”
The Nigerian Government Sunday said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is a “lowly Divider-in-Chief” after he criticised President Muhammadu Buhari of running the country aground.
“From the lofty heights of Commander-in-Chief, General Obasanjo has descended to the lowly level of Divider-in-Chief,” Buhari’s spokesman Garba Shehu said in a statement.
Obasanjo and Buhari were former allies in the run up to the 2015 general elections when Buhari was the candidate of the then opposition party All Progressives Congress.
But their relationship soured about three years after Buhari was sworn in as president in May 2015, having defeated Goodluck Jonathan at the polls.
In 2018, Obasanjo labelled Buhari incompetent and accused him of nepotism. Obasanjo doubled down on the criticism of his former ally in subsequent statements and open letters.
Weeks before Nigeria’s last general elections, he accused Buhari of desperation to retain power, comparing him to the late Nigerian despot, General Sani Abacha.
In his latest criticism of the Nigerian president, Obasanjo said Nigeria was titling towards failure, describing the country as a “basket case”.
“Nigeria is fast drifting to a failed and badly divided state; economically our country is becoming a basket case and poverty capital of the world, and socially, we are firming up as an unwholesome and insecure country,” he said.
But the Nigerian Government on Sunday said the former leader has become a divisive figure. Buhari spokesman accused Obasanjo of praising “extremist groups,” who have vowed to shun the invitation to the National Assembly to participate in the process of constitutional amendment.
Shehu insisted that Obasanjo’s criticisms of President Buhari were devoid of good intentions, claiming that the former Nigerian leader is jealous of Buhari’s achievements.
“Chief Obasanjo should, in accordance with his mantra as a statesman, get involved with problems solving, when and where they exist instead of helping the mushrooming of a poisonous atmosphere of ethnic and religious nationalism,” Shehu said.
“With so much to show and many more coming, it is little surprise that President Buhari would be the object of envy and harsh unfair challenges by politicians who failed to deliver, but continue to nurse ambitions of delighting the audience long after their curtain has been drawn.”
To check rampant rape cases, the Kaduna State House of Assembly has approved castration, as punishment for anyone found guilty in the state.
The Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said government was ready to rid the state of rape and other social vices.
El-Rufai spoke when a group of women on advocacy paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House.
The governor said the decision to enforce castration law was taken at the House Plenary Session on Thursday.
Besides, El-Rufai had, repeatedly, said the state would review existing laws on rape by introducing capital punishment for offenders.
He said the state had a strong legislation against rape, stressing that his government was already considering an amendment to the law to include the castration of persons convicted of the crime.
Meanwhile, confirming the development in its official Twitter handle-@Kadlegisture, the Assembly said that it had passed castration as punishment for rapists in the state.
It added: ‘This follows the passage of a bill to amend the Kaduna State Penal Code Law (2017).”
According to the tweet, the House said the bill was passed into law on Wednesday.
“The Bill recommends total castration for rapist in the state,” the Assembly tweeted.
Two Nigerian men have been arrested in the Southern Island Province of Thailand for suspected involvement in a ‘romance scam’.
Pol Col Akanit Danpitaksat, the Patong Police chief, identified the two Nigerians as Ugonna, 21, and Malachy, 19.
The arrests came after Patong police were asked by the Songkhla Immigration Police to track down suspects in a romance scam who posted profiles of good-looking men on Facebook to strike up conversations with women in search of foreign partners, deceiving them into believing they really existed and winning their trust. After a while, they exchanged names and addresses.
At this point, the scammers would tell the women they had some valuable items for them and they would send the items. They tricked the women into transferring money to them, Bangkok Post reports.
The police investigated and followed the two Nigerians, who were staying in Patong area. Security camera footage showed the two had frequently withdrawn money from ATM machines.
A subsequent check revealed that the two had overstayed their visas and might have been involved in the romance scam, leading to their arrests at a hotel in Patong area.
They were charged with overstaying their visas and suspected involvement in a romance scam.
A barber, who identified himself as Otighan Sam, has accused a policeman attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Rivers State of breaking into his house on Friday around 12 midnight, destroying his properties, and stealing his N280,000.
The incident happened at No 23 Nnewi Street, Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt, a report by PUNCH said.
Sam said he managed to escape when the policeman first broke into his neighbour’s house demanding to be shown his (Sam’s) apartment as he cocked his gun.
The barber said he saw the SARS officer with two rifles; a pistol and an AK47, adding that he was accompanied by two armed men.
Sam said the policeman was probably after him because he had earlier refused to pay for drinks he (policeman) and some of his friends consumed at a bar.
He said, “A SARS officer armed with a pistol and an AK47, accompanied by two boys with machetes came to my house around 12 midnight, broke into my neighbours’ house and started beating him and asking where my room was.
“Upon seeing what was happening, I managed to run away because the officer was really drunk and was cocking his gun and threatening to shoot if they did not show him my room. When the officer and his boys got to my room, they ransacked the entire house, destroyed my properties, and took away my N280,000.
“The policeman’s name is Usman, my only offence was that I refused to pay for drinks he drank alongside his friends because I did not have money.”
The barber said he had reported the incident to the Mile One Police Division and the indicted cop had been invited for questioning.
When contacted, spokesperson for the police in the state, Nnamdi Omoni, said he was yet to be briefed about the incident.
Popular Broadcaster, Ifedayo Olarinde aka Daddy Freeze, has apologised to the founder of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, David Oyedepo.
Daddy Freeze, while apologising to Oyedepo, said he insulted the cleric two years ago, adding that the video only went viral recently.
The broadcaster, who is the Convener of the Free the Sheeple Movement and Leader of the Free Nation in Christ, said this in a video on Saturday.
Daddy Freeze had come under fire from several reputable clerics, including Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche; the founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, and several others for verbally attacking Oyedepo.
He said, “My attention has been drawn to a video I released circa two years, seven months ago while addressing some pertinent issues that arose back then. I apologise for the delivery of my message and for any insult to Bishop David Oyedepo in that video as I didn’t in any way intend to dishonour, disrespect or disregard the person of the bishop.
“The perceived intention to the contrary is regretted. My methods of addressing doctrinal issues have long since devolved to a more scriptural and less confrontational approach. I was, and still, very passionate in my quest to address what I believe are unresolved doctrinal issues, however, from a more amiable perspective.”
Daddy Freeze expressed his “firm” belief that for the Christian faith to thrive, believers must collectively be open to adopting theological frames of reference.
He said this could be achieved in love only.
The broadcaster has been known to propagate controversial Christian doctrines which include the non-payment of tithes.
He has been feuding with several popular and influential clerics and described those who demand tithe as thieves.
Debutants Gabriel and Willian impressed as Arsenal blew away promoted Fulham in the opening game of the Premier League season.
Former Chelsea winger Willian had a hand in all three goals and Gabriel – a £23m signing from Lille – scored in his first game in English football.
Arsenal were highly impressive, while Fulham caused themselves too many problems at the back.
Both sides have played and won at Wembley – twice for the Gunners – in the 48 days since the last Premier League season finished.
Alexandre Lacazette scored the opener from close range after Willian’s effort was saved.
Centre-back Gabriel then scored from Willian’s corner with his shoulder. Willian, who also hit a post from a free-kick, picked out Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng with a perfect cross-field ball and the captain curled home Arsenal’s third.
Arteta admitted he was surprised at how well Gabriel played on his first game since March when Ligue 1 was curtailed.
“He hadn’t played any football for six months so to come and play a game in the Premier League after training with the team for three or four days is a big task,” he told BBC Sport.
“The boy showed a lot of character and what he can do. He can still improve a lot but he had a really good game.
“Willian knows the league, the country and is very settled here so I knew his performance would settle straight away.”
Fulham created few chances, with last season’s top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic coming on with only 27 minutes to go and forcing Bernd Leno into a save.
Players from both sides took a knee before kick-off in continued support of the Black Lives Matter movement
Slick Arsenal catch the eye
There were signs of improvement under boss Mikel Arteta last season, with Arsenal showing a new defensive solidity and looking confident going forward.
They won the FA Cup final and Community Shield – against Chelsea and Liverpool respectively – at either end of August.
Despite a pre-season break of less than a month, they are in good shape if this performance is anything to go back.
Arteta said: “On the first day you always have butterflies. It’s been a strange pre-season. Yesterday was the first day we had the full squad together training.”
Arsenal substitutes Dani Ceballos and Eddie Nketiah clashed twice in the pre-match warm-up over a training drill, but there was total harmony among the 11 players who started.
Fulham had little answer to Arteta’s tactics. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was nominally a left wing-back but spent a lot of his game in midfield, with central defender Kieran Tierney playing almost as a left-back.
Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka, whose Arsenal careers looked over last season, had solid performances in midfield.
Leno started in goal, with Emiliano Martinez, who ended last season as number one with Leno injured, set to join Aston Villa for £20m.
For the fourth season in a row it took less than 10 minutes for the opening goal of a Premier League season, with Lacazette becoming the first player to score the first goal in two different seasons. He made no mistake from close range after Marek Rodak parried Willian’s shot.
The dominant Gunners should have been further clear at half-time, with Willian striking the base of a post with a fine free-kick.
The second half followed the same pattern and Arsenal made the game safe.
Gabriel became the third Arsenal defender to score on his Premier League debut as he turned home Willian’s corner. He tried to head the ball but it went in via his shoulder. The new laws this season say if the ball hits the area where a T-shirt sleeve would be, that it is not handball.
Aubameyang scored the pick of the goals with a trademark curling effort from another Willian pass.
Willian is the first player to assist two goals on his Premier League debut for Arsenal since Ray Parlour in August 1992 against Liverpool.
Arsenal could have scored more if they needed, but this will be exactly what Arteta, whose job title changed from head coach to manager this week, wanted to see.
Have Fulham learned from past mistakes?
Fulham were relegated in each of their past two Premier League seasons, in 2013-14 and 2018-19 – conceding the most goals in the league both times.
The last time they were promoted they spent more than £100m and played a new-look team in a miserable season.
But this time boss Scott Parker started with 10 of the 11 players who beat Brentford in the Championship play-off final on 4 August, with no new signings getting on to the pitch.
Mitrovic, who was not fully fit for their Wembley win after scoring 26 goals, was on the bench again.
Fulham will hope not many of their games are as tough as playing in-form Arsenal, but there were signs this could be another leaky season at the back.
The opening goal came from their own mistake. Tim Ream blocked a Xhaka shot and should have cleared it, but he let Willian take the ball and shoot, leading to Lacazette’s goal.
One attempt to play out from the back led to Elneny having a shot blocked and Xhaka shooting over.
There was little to get excited about at the other end, with two shots on target and both from outside the box – Denis Odoi after seven minutes and Mitrovic after 67.
There are decisions, then, for Fulham and Parker on whether to stick with the approach that got them promoted.
“The big lesson today is to understand the fine margins in this division mean you can get punished,” he told BBC Match of the Day.
“When you are a team like us that has come from the Championship you can’t let defeat after defeat really cripple you. We are going to lose more than we win but as a team you have to keep learning and developing.
“It has been a quick turnaround for us. We have brought players in that will improve us and hopefully there will be more. We need to get them up to speed quickly.”
Man of the match – Gabriel
Gabriel, 22, had more touches of the ball (121), attempted more passes (113) and completed more passes (107) than anybody else – on his debut in English football
Match stats – Fulham’s poor derby record continues
Fulham have lost their past 11 top-flight London derbies – including 10 defeats in 2018-19 – the longest run by a club in top-flight history.
Arsenal have won their first game in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2009-10.
Fulham have lost their first game in three consecutive league seasons for the first time since 2006-07 to 2008-09, losing to Arsenal in the second of those games in 2007-08.
Eleven Brazilians have now appeared for Arsenal in the Premier League, with only Chelsea and Manchester City boasting more (12 each).
Arsenal have scored the first goal of a Premier League season four times, with only Liverpool doing so more often (5).
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has netted four goals in three Premier League appearances against Fulham, more than against any other side in the competition.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the first player to score on the opening weekend in consecutive Premier League seasons for Arsenal since Robert Pires in 2003-04 and 2004-05.
The Peoples Democratic Party members in the House of Representatives have sued the National Broadcasting Commission and Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, over the recently amended broadcasting code.
Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture; was also named as defendant in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1136/2020, according to PUNCH.
The suit was reportedly filed by one Francis Obalim, who deposed a 15-paragraph affidavit and a written address on behalf of the PDP lawmakers.
The code was launched in Lagos on August 4 despite opposition by stakeholders in the industry.
The PDP also on August 7, 2020, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, faulted the reviewed code especially where violators are liable to a fine of N5m as against the previous fine of N500,000.
Some of the amendments to the code are the restriction of exclusive contents on platforms and broadcast content having 75 per cent input from Nigerians.
In the suit, the opposition lawmakers argued that the amended code was a breach of the constitution because it “unlawfully creates offences of hate speech and fake news and to prescribe penalties for them, whereas the said offences are not prescribed by any written law in force”.
The lawmakers asked the court to determine whether by the provisions of section 36 (12) of the constitution, the amended 6th broadcasting code enacted/issued by the first defendant (Information Minister), which created the purported offences of “hate speech and fake news” and correspondingly purported to have imposed penalties, is not unconstitutional, null and void.
There was jubilation at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt on Saturday as men of the Rivers State Police Command arrested wanted armed robber and kidnapper, popularly known as Bobisky.
Governor Nyesom Wike had earlier placed a N30 million bounty on Bobisky’s head, saying he will reward any member of the public who can provide useful information that will lead to the arrest of the criminal.
Bobisky, whose real name is Honest Digbara, was arrested alive early Saturday at Korokoro in the Tai Local Government Area in a sting operation led by the Divisional Police Officer of Bori, Superintendent Bako Angbashim.
He was said to be attending a funeral when policemen and vigilantes acting on a tip stormed the area but on sighting them, he opened fire leading to a gun battle which, on the spot, claimed the life of his younger brother said to be his driver.
Bobisky, a terror to many residents in the Ogoni area of the state, has been linked to most of the criminal activities recorded in the area.
He was paraded at the headquarters of the command on Mosco Road, Port Harcourt.
He later died on the spot of multiple gunshot injuries and machete wounds sustained during the crossfire.
Addressing journalists, the state Police commissioner, Joseph Mukan, said, “He was arrested through credible information at Korokoro Community in Tai LGA where he was hibernating with his gang of killers.
“On sighting the police, they engaged us and in a return fire, his driver was fatally wounded, while he was arrested alive.”
Mukan warned criminal elements to “repent, relocate or face the full weight of the law”.
