The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gary Cahill

  • Nigeria fall to England in Wembley

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued preparations to the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 loss to  England at the Wembley Stadium, London, in an international friendly match.

    Two first half goals from Gary Cahill at the seventh minute and Harry Kane after 39 minutes sealed the victory for the Three Lions, and a 47th minute consolation from Alex Iwobi was insufficient for Nigeria to leave London avoiding a defeat.

    Kieran Trippier had a chance six minutes into the match when he stepped up and curled the ball around the wall but goalkeeper Francis Uzoho to palmed it away for a corner. The resulting corner became the first goal, Gary Cahill converting the corner kick.

    Gernot Rohr’s men almost got the leveler 26 minutes into the match, as they sneak in past the Three Lions backline. Unfortunately, Odion Ighalo could not get to a twisting pass before 24- year old Jordan Pickford.

    Harry Kane doubled the lead after Shehu Abdullahi carelessly lost possession and the Tottenham Hotspur took advantage, finding space on the edge of the box before smashing it into the bottom corner.

    The Super Eagles began the second half with four substitutes that saw the introduction ofd Tyrone Ebuehi, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo and Kelechi Iheanacho, and that brought a lot of spark to the Nigerian side.

    Read Also: Full-Time: England 2 – 1 Nigeria: Fans Boo Dele Alli

    Nigeria halved the deficit just as the second half began courtesy of Alex Iwobi’s cool finish after Odion Ighalo had struck the upright. This made Iwobi the first Nigerian to score in an international match against England.  All attempts to find the equalizer proved abortive.

    Speaking at the end of the match, England Manager, Gareth Southgate said “I think we played really well than in recent games. We were deservedly two goals up in the first half. The period leading up to their goal, they changed their system and we took some time to adjust. But after that we dealt with it well. It was a decent exercise for us to adjust to that.

    The Super Eagles have thus had four international friendly matches ahead of the World Cup, recording a slim victory over Poland in Wrowclaw, a draw against DR Congo and two losses against Serbia and England. They take a final trip to Austria where they face Czech Republic on Wednesday.

    Nigeria, grouped in Group D alongside Croatia, Argentina and Iceland, begins their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 16th, 2018.

  • Meet the game changers in Chelsea’s squad

    Meet the game changers in Chelsea’s squad

    Chelsea needs just three points from their last 3 League games to secure their sixth EPL title in history; Chelsea has had an astonishing season.

    The club manager Antonio Conte has transfigure the fortunes of the blues who ended 10th in 2015/16 season to put them at the top of the pile in the English top flight.

    Chelsea have been competing with local rivals and a resilient opponent – Tottenham, however, they now look almost assured and confident of becoming champions once again.

    Players like David Luiz, Gary Chaill, Diego Costa, Marcos Alonso, Victor Moses, Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro have all been very necessary condiment in the impressive Chelsea’s potpourri.

    N’Golo Kante, France international, has been Chelsea’s best player this season and he is the Premier League’s best transfer of the season, having made the £32 million move from Leicester City in the summer.

    He has picked up both of this season’s PFA Player of the Year and the FWA Player of the Year awards, despite his defensive role in the team.

    He made 289 tackles since he moved to England at the start of last season more than any other player. He is the most defensive player to with the PFA’s award since Terry and his impact has been huge in allowing his side to control games in a title winning season.

    Kante scored only two goals this season; both goals came against Manchester United, but goals aren’t what he is measured by. Nonetheless, he ranks among the highest in the league for tackles and interceptions.

    Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s most exciting player and has produced several moments that have been vital to his side’s resurgent season. His 19 goals match his haul from the 2014-15 season in which Chelsea claimed the title. He earned individual glory by being awarded the PFA Player of the Year award.

    Conte has got the best out of the Chelsea team especially the Belgian playmaker, Eden Hazard, in the 3-4-3 formation. Hazard plays an integral part in the new formation the blues. The Belgium, being a gold fish have become the darling and envy of most top ranked clubs in Europe.

    Real Madrid have made the blues ‘play maker’ their number one target and are willing to lure him to the santiago bernabeu making him part of los blancos dressing room.

    He is the second most fouled against player in the league this season having been brought down 89 times as he attempts, on average, four dribbles-per-game.

    Lastly, it is important to beam our light on Azpilicueta, who has also shown impressive leadership on the field of play. Ever since John Terry stepped back from his almost default starting role, and Gary Cahill assumed the role of captain, the Chelsea defender has consistently played and defended for his team in a way that is nothing short of commitment and leadership.

    The versatile defender has been utilised in five different positions this season and has excelled in almost every one. He has played as both a wing back and full back on both sides, as well as adapting brilliantly to being a right sided centre-back in Conte’s three man defence.

    He is the only Chelsea player to have played in every single minute of their league campaign and he has produced more passes than any other player in the Premier League, so far, this season.

    Conte and his coaching staff have improved greatly improved on their teamwork especially when it comes to ball possession; Conte currently ranks seventh for completed balls this year.

  • Chelsea sweep past Everton to edge closer to EPL title

    Chelsea sweep past Everton to edge closer to EPL title

    Three goals in the second half of the game was enough for the blues to secure all three points at Goodison park stadium.

    A wonderful stunner from Pedro followed by Gary Cahill scoring from Eden Hazard set piece before Fabregas setting up an assist for Willian is enough for Antonio Conte side against Everton and it has boost their hope of securing the premier league title come May with just four games remaining to the end of the season.

    Chelsea are now leading the English premier league standing by seven points gap between them and second place Tottenham who is going to welcome Arsenal at white hart lane this evening.

     

     

  • Cahill praises new Chelsea mentality

    Cahill praises new Chelsea mentality

    Gary Cahill believes Chelsea have discovered a new, tougher mentality after battling to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Saturday.

    The Premier League leaders were made to work hard for a point at the Stadium of Light, with Gus Poyet’s men threatening the Chelsea goal on several occasions in a late flurry from the hosts.

    However, Jose Mourinho’s side survived to preserve their unbeaten start to the league season, something which centre-back Cahill credits to the west London club’s mental strength.

    He told Chelsea TV: “I think we are a different side to last year, not just personnel, but mentally I think we are different.

    “They made it a scrap, but we matched that and managed to play our football as well. When teams sit back and get back in that shape, it’s very tough. We saw that last year and this was no different.

    “But in these sorts of games, if you don’t get the breakthrough, it’s important we don’t lose the game, and it’s a point away from home.”

    Chelsea will attempt to get back to winning ways when they host Tottenham on Wednesday before returning to the north-east three days later to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park, a venue where Mourinho has never tasted victory.