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Tottenham beat Manchester United to clinch second spot in White Hart Lane finale

Tottenham Hotspur signed off their final game at White Hart Lane in winning style, beating Manchester United 2-1 thanks to goals from Victor Wanyama and a first against the Red Devils for Harry Kane.

Spurs’ victory means they haven’t lost a game at white Hart Lane and will finish the season in second place in their final season at their historic home for the first time in 54 years.

A party atmosphere pervaded the stadium and the fans were treated to the best possible start, Wanyama heading home Ben Davies’ cross after just six minutes as Spurs dominated the opening exchanges.

It got even better just after the break, Kane extending his right leg to flick home Christian Eriksen’s excellent free kick.

United were not without chances of their own, however, and it was left for Wayne Rooney to set up a grandstand finish, flicking home Anthony Martial’s cutback via the leg of Jan Vertonghen. But the day belonged to Spurs, legends of past and present on hand to say a fond farewell to a special venue with a special closing ceremony after the match.

For United, defeat now means that they must now win the Europa League final against Ajax to land the prize of Champions League football next season.

View image on Twitter

TALKING POINT

Signing off in style. Thankfully the match remained controversy free and Spurs let their football do the talking on the pitch. A fitting way to bid farewell.

General view inside the stadium Eurosport

MAN OF THE MATCH

Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) His excellent delivery hurt United all afternoon. Possesses a passing quality to match the likes of Glenn Hoddle and legends of White Hart Lane’s historic past.

MATCHCAST: FULL STATS, TWEETS AND COMMENTARY

KEY MOMENTS

6’ – GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United: Alli wins an opening corner off Bailly. Short from Eriksen and swung in from Davies and flicked home from Wanyama. WHAT A START!!

18’ – CHANCE! Martial opens up his body and tries to steer it inside the far post and it’s only just wide!

20’ – DE GEA SAVE! Son walks through the United defence but shoots straight at De Gea. Should have been 2-0.

23’ – CROSSBAR! Another fantastic cross from Eriksen and Kane should score instead of clipping the bar.

31’ – SAVE! A fantastic drilled effort from distance from Alli is tipped over the bar by de Gea!

45’ – CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS! Kane’s low drilled effort is saved by De Gea’s legs before Bailly opts to square the ball instead of shoot on goal when one on one.

48’ – GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester United: it’s a first against United for Harry Kane, flicking home Eriksen’s wicked free kick with an outstretched boot after Bailly had brought down Alli.

71’ – GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester United: Martial skips past Trippier and Rooney is there to tap home at the near post. Didn’t see that coming!

83’ – OFF THE LINE! Good work from Jones to block Alli’s shot with De Gea beaten.

90+3’ – RASHFORD CLOSE! Danger for Spurs as Rashford gets in between the central defenders but flicks it just over the bar!

Tottenham Hotspur’s Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama (R) celebrates Getty Images

KEY STATS

Spurs remain unbeaten in all top flight home fixtures in a single season for the second time, after 1964/65 (W18-D3). They finished sixth that campaign after winning only one of their 21 away matches (D4-L16).

Spurs equal the club league record of 14 consecutive home wins, set from January to October 1987 in the old Division One.

Manchester United are now winless in their last five PL away matches against Spurs. They have only had longer PL away winless runs versus Chelsea (10, 2002-2012) and Blackburn Rovers (6, 1999-2006).

Wayne Rooney (7) becomes the outright leading PL away scorer at White Hart Lane. He was previously level with Dion Dublin (6).

Harry Kane scores his first PL goal against Manchester United, in his seventh PL appearance versus the Red Devils. He is the fifth player to net a PL goal against 19 of the current 20 PL clubs, after Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Sergio Agüero and Alexis Sánchez (no player has netted versus all 20).

Christian Eriksen provided his 13th assist of the season, as many as Swansea‘s Gylfi Sigurdsson. Only Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne (15) has more.

May 14, 2017
Is Anthony Joshua a Man United fan?

Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua dropped in on Manchester United’s players ahead of their Premier League game at Tottenham on Sunday.

Two weeks on from his memorable Wembley win over Wladimir Klitschko on April 29, the 27-year-old went live on Instagram to show himself training with United’s players at their Carrington base.

The likes of captain Wayne Rooney and England internationals Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard were visible in the video, which showed Joshua taking part in passing drills with the players.

Anthony Joshua dropped in on Man United training and received a shirt from Jose Mourinho

The heavyweight champion and the United squad appeared to be in high spirits on Saturday

Joshua posed for a photo with England internationals Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford

United boss Jose Mourinho, who has previously attended Joshua’s fights at the O2, then presented Joshua with a shirt carrying his name and the number one.

The IBF and WBA champion also posed for pictures with members of the first-team squad.

United have several high-profile fans, most notably Usain Bolt, while grime artist Stormzy recently visited a training session.

The United squad appeared to be in high spirits during training on Saturday following their Europa League semi-final triumph over Celta Vigo.

Joshua’s team were given the opportunity to take penalties with Rashford in goal (left)

Joshua went live on Instagram on Saturday to let his fans know that he was at United’s training

Following their European exertions, Mourinho has confirmed that United will play a changed team for all three of their final Premier League fixtures with the club eyeing Europa League glory.

‘I have to give some minutes to everyone because we have only 15 players, so I have to play them,’ he said. ‘But I have to play them mixed. I have to play them by periods. And I don’t have another solution.

‘In the Premier League we can only finish fifth or sixth, I think. I don’t think we can finish seventh and I don’t think we can finish fourth. So fifth or sixth.

‘We can win a trophy and by winning that trophy we can play Champions League next season. So that’s the game.’

Mourinho is set to play a changed team for all of United’s remaining league matche

May 13, 2017
Beckham makes acting debut in ‘King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword’

Former footballer and England national team captain, David Beckham has made acting debut in a new classical movie “King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword.”

The ex-international made cameo appearance in the trailer of the highly awaited blockbuster released on Tuesday ahead of the film’s premiere on May 19.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Beckham, who also played for Manchester United , having conquered the world of football, now appears to be turning his attention to acting.

The film — King Arthur: Legend of the Sword — is a 2017 fantasy film directed by Guy Ritchie and written by Ritchie, Joby Harold and Lionel Wigram.

It stars Charlie Hunnam as the title character, with Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, ant others in supporting roles.

The plot follows a young ‘Arthur’ who runs the back streets of ‘Londinium’ with his crew, unaware of his royal lineage until he draws the sword ‘Excalibur’ from the stone.

Instantly confronted by the sword’s influence, Arthur is forced to decide when to become involved with his power.

Arthur, however, had to learn to master the sword, face down his demons, unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern – who murdered his parents and stole his crown – to become king.

May 11, 2017
Manchester United seal James Rodriguez deal – Report

… De Gea moves in opposite direction

Colombian superstar, James Rodriguez, will be donning the famous red and white stripes of English Premier League (EPL) giants, Manchester United, next season, Spanish media reported on Monday.

Rodriguez has been a bit-part player for European champions Real Madrid since French legend Zinedine Zidane took over at the Spanish giants last season.

The report claimed that Spanish international, David De Gea, would move in the opposite direction.

It added that Real Madrid and Manchester United have agreed on deals for the midfielder who won the golden boot at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the Spanish shot stopper.

However, the final transfer fee for the duo will decided in the coming weeks with both clubs valuing the players differently.

May 1, 2017
Sigurdsson equaliser damages Manchester united top four hope

Manchester United suffered a big blow to their top-four hopes as Swansea City held them to yet another draw at Old Trafford.

Gylfi Sigurdsson free kick cancelled out Wayne Rooney penalty to secure a 1-1 draw for Swansea City at Old Trafford that damages Manchester United’s top-four ambitions.

Rooney swept home from the spot moments before half-time after Marcus Rashford had gone to ground which was a little bit controversial with the replay showing that there was no contact from Lukasz Fabianski, but Swansea’s set-piece maestro stole a point that could wreck the hosts’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through domestic competition.

Swansea, who are now just two points adrift of safety in 18th place, looked the brighter of the teams for much of the first half but chances were limited before the penalty incident towards the end of the half time.

April 30, 2017
Man United remain unbeaten, hold City despite Fellaini red

Manchester City 0 Manchester United 0

Manchester City missed the chance to move up to third as they were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Manchester United in a disappointing derby at the Etihad Stadium.

The Citizens were on the front foot for much of the contest with Sergio Aguero hitting the post and going close on several occasions.

United had looked dangerous on the counter attack in the early stages through Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, but were forced into a rearguard action throughout the second period as they extended their unbeaten run in the league to 24 games.

The contest struggled to live up to the hype but exploded into life late on as Marouane Fellaini was sent off for headbutting Aguero, before substitute Gabriel Jesus saw a header ruled out for offside on his return from injury.

The point ensures both sides can leapfrog top four rivals Liverpool should they win their respective games in hand. Fourth-placed City are one point adrift of Jurgen Klopp’s side, with United one point further back.

TALKING POINT

A frustrating night for City, but it was typical Mourinho. Given the balance of play, City will be disappointed they didn’t put some distance between themselves and United in the race for the top four. The Citizens will still be confident they can achieve their target of securing Champions League football next season, while United avoided the defeat that would have handed the advantage back to Liverpool.

Mourinho has his eyes firmly on winning the Europa League, but this was just the type of result the Portuguese masterminds away from home in the big matches. He has built a career on nullifying opponents, and while they didn’t get a winner on the counter attack, he’ll be delighted they have their destiny in their own hands with just five league matches to play.

David De Gea applauds away fansGetty Images

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eric Bailly (Man United). A rock at the back as City threw the kitchen sink at United.

PLAYER RATINGS

City: Bravo 6, Zabaleta 7, Kompany 7, Otamendi 5, Kolarov 7, Fernandinho 6, Yaya Toure 6, Sterling 6, De Bruyne 7, Sane 6, Aguero 7. Subs: Caballero 5, Navas n/a, Jesus n/a.

United: De Gea 8, Valencia 7, Darmian 7, Bailly 8, Blind 8, Carrick 7, Herrera 7, Fellaini 4, Mkhitaryan 6, Martial 6, Rashford 7. Subs: Lingard n/a, Fonsu-Mensah n/a, Young n/a.

Vincent Kompany is closed down by Daley Blind and Marouane FellainiGetty Images

KEY MOMENTS

9′ – POST! De Bruyne’s driven, low cross from the right is met by Aguero who can only guide onto the outside of the post from close range.

25′ – UNITED CHANCE! Henrikh Mkhitaryan sees a 10-yard shot well blocked by Bravo after the keeper had bizarrely flapped a deflected cross into the midfielder’s path.

45′ – SHOULD HAVE SCORED! Herrera is left all alone at the far post but can only guide his free header well wide from Rashford’s deep free kick from the left.

59′ – CITY CHANCE! De Bruyne jinks in from the left and rasps a deflected shot into the side netting from 20 yards.

68′ – CITY CHANCE! Otamendi meets the left-wing corner but sees his firm header hit the back of Bailly and fly just over. Let off for the visitors.

85′ – RED CARD! Fellaini picks up a straight red just seconds after a booking for a head butt on Aguero. Crazy from the Belgian.

90+1′ – DRAMA! Jesus has the ball in the net – but it’s offside! The Brazilian nodded in Aguero’s cross, but was ahead of the play.

Gabriel Jesus thinks he’s scored…Getty Images

90+6′ – CHANCE AT THE DEATH! Aguero stretches to meet De Bruyne’s deep cross but can’t guide the attempt on target.

KEY STATS

Manchester United are now unbeaten in 24 successive league matches and equal their longest-ever unbeaten run in the top-flight within a single season (24 games in 2010-11).

Seven of the eight red cards in Premier League Manchester derby matches have been given to Manchester United.

There were just 19 seconds between Marouane Fellaini’s first & second cards.

Fellaini was given his third red card in his Premier League career & his first in the competition since May 2015.

April 27, 2017
Manchester derby may be better without referee – Yaya Toure

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure will prefer to play without a referee in Thursday’s derby with Manchester United in the English Premier League.

The Ivorian said this on Monday while criticising the standard of officiating in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that referee Craig Pawson had ruled out Sergio Aguero’s first-half strike at Wembley.

Replays suggested the goal should have stood and Manchester City went on to lose the game 1-2 after extra time.

“I think the referees have to stop this,” said Toure.

“I am very disappointed. It is not the first time, there have been a couple of times.

“Maybe on Thursday we are going to have a better referee or maybe play without a referee, I would prefer that.”

Officials ruled that Leroy Sane’s cross had gone out of play before reaching Aguero.

The Argentina striker later did score to put Manchester City ahead but goals from Nacho Monreal and Alexis Sanchez sent Arsenal into May’s FA Cup final, where they will meet Chelsea.

Defeat means Manchester City’s focus switches to the Premier League, where they are currently fourth.

But Manchester United will leapfrog them if they win on Thursday.

“It is a very big game, an important game,” added Toure.

“We have to do that job and we will see what can happen. We hope to have a good referee.”

April 24, 2017
Manchester United, British High Commission offer condolences over death of Nigerian fans

Manchester United and the British High Commission have sent their sympathies after Nigerian football fans were electrocuted while watching Manchester United play on Thursday night.

The police confirmed that  seven  fans were killed while watching the Europa League game between United and Anderlecht in Calabar.

United sent their condolences, tweeting: “Our thoughts go out to the United fans, their friends and families affected by the tragedy in Calabar, Nigeria, yesterday (Thursday).”

Police said a cable had fallen on the crowd at a viewing centre, after a problem with the centre’s electrical transformer.

“Around 10 pm, we were called that an incident had happened, so immediately, our men went there,” the police said in a statement.

“Until this morning, we have about seven persons dead. We have 10 that have been admitted in hospital and another one in intensive care.

“According to the information we gathered, the high tension electric cable that was very close to the viewing centre fell on the building.”

A witness said  he had been one of the first to escape after realising there was a problem.

He said: “I was sitting at the front seats when I saw the reflection from the transformer.

“I was the first person to run outside. Everybody was running to go out from the door.”

The British High Commission in Nigeria said: “Our deepest sympathy for the loss of lives in Calabar during a Europa League football match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.”

Electricity firm probes incident

The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) yesterday  commiserated with families and friends of the victims of Thursday’s electrocution  at a football viewing centre in Calabar.

Mr Kingsley Achife, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, sympathised with those who sustained injuries during the incident.

He expressed regret  over the incident, saying the affected feeder had been isolated to ensure that lives and property are secured in the area.

An investigation team, according to him, has been constituted with a view to finding out the remote and immediate causes of the accident.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families. May God give the families the courage to bear the loss,” he said in a statement signed by the Head, Corporate communications of PHEDC,Mr. John Onyi.

He asked  residents of the area to remain calm, law abiding and accord the investigation team the necessary support.

Achife commended the law enforcement agencies that responded quickly and ensured that that the victims were taken to the hospital.

He urged electricity consumers to always adhere to safety rules by not erecting any structure under high tension lines.

April 22, 2017
Man Utd mourns dead Calabar fans

Manchester United FC of England has sent condolences to the families of football fans who died while watching Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League match against Anderlecht.

No fewer than 30 people died in Calabar after an electricity pole fell on the roof of the viewing centre where they were watching Manchester United versus Anderlecht on Thursday.

“Our thoughts go out to the Manchester United fans, their friends and families affected by the tragedy yesterday in Calabar, Nigeria,’’ the club wrote on its Twitter handle on Friday.

It is common practice in Nigeria for fans to watch football matches at viewing centres for a fee, as most either cannot afford the high cable television subscription fees or prefer to watch with other fans.

April 21, 2017
Viewing Center Tragedy: C/River to foot bills of hospitalised victims

The Cross River Government said it would foot the medical bills of hospitalised victims of Thursday’s electrocution some football fans in Calabar.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, announced the gesture when he visited some of the victims at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) on Friday.

In the incident, which occurred while the fans were watching a Europa Championship match between Manchester United and Anderlecth of Belgium, at a private viewing centre, some persons reportedly died and many injured.

The viewing centre is pm at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar Municipal Council Area, and the tragedy occurred at about 9.30 p.m.

Esu stated that seven persons died in the incident, which happened when electric cables from a high tension installation fell on the make-shift beer parlour used a viewing centres during football matches.

He said that the dead were among 18 injured who were taken to the teaching hospital, adding that 10 of them were responding to treatment while one was in the intensive care unit.

He described the incident as `painful’, but said that there had been misinformation about the casualty figure.

According to him, from what I have been briefed by the hospital management, seven persons died here in UCTH.

“Some persons said that some of the victims were taken to private hospitals and native homes for treatment, but what we can confirm from UCTH is that seven persons died out of the tragedy.

“The government is going to take full responsibility for their treatment,’’ he said.

The deputy governor said that the state would set up a commission of inquiry to ascertain the real cause of the problem.

“The Commissioner for Lands and Housing has been mandated to investigate why the building was erected directly under the high tension.

“ We are still trying to trace where the other victims were taken to; what we can account for now are those in UCTH,’’ he said.

The Head of Emergency Response Team in UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, told newsmen that the victims were in stable condition and responding to treatment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the victims in the hospital sustained injuries on their legs, hands and head region.

One of them, Mr Douglas Ibok, told NAN that the he went into the viewing centre at about the 80th minute of the match and immediately the explosion which was like a bomb occurred.

“As soon as I stepped into the viewing centre, paid and sat down, I heard a very loud sound in form of a bomb.

“As soon as the cable sparked, all the persons inside the viewing centre were unable to move or speak because of the electrocution. I only woke up to realize that I am in a hospital,’’ he said.

Another victim, Mr Benedict Okon, said that the viewing centre had been his regular centre for watching foreign and local matches for a long time.

Okon, a motor mechanic, said “I am very happy that the state government has promised to pay our medical bills because it would have been difficult for me at this point.’’Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), told NAN that the company had enlightened people that for safety, they should give tolerance of 5.5 metres away from the high tension cable while erecting structures.

“The place in question has been isolated; light has been tripped off in that area with a view to ensure that the affected cable is replaced,’’ he said.

April 21, 2017