Sports

By Jonathan Wilson What was striking after Arsenal’s grim 1-0 win at Brighton on Wednesday was less Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler’s attack on the Gunners’ style than the way his criticism seemed to resonate. In England, and perhaps some other parts of the world, it feels as though almost nobody, other than Arsenal supporters or anyone-but-City fans, wants them to win the title. “If I would ask everyone in the room: ‘Did you really enjoy this football game?’ I’m sure maybe one raises his arm because he’s a big Arsenal fan but, besides that, no chance,” Hürzeler said. Successful sides…

*Facility Still Available For Others -Govt *How They Escaped Their Regime Minders *Trump Applauds Aussies Five members of the Iranian women’s football team have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia, with the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, offering assistance to the other players and saying “help is here." The Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, confirmed the humanitarian offer today, hours after the US President, Donald Trump, posted about their plight on social media. Burke said the visas had been granted about the time of Trump’s social media posts, which first criticised, then praised, Australia. The players have been granted temporary humanitarian…

The Iran women’s football team faces the uncertain prospect of returning home after a 2-0 defeat against the Philippines ended their Women’s Asian Cup campaign. The Philippines’ Sara Eggesvik and Chandler McDaniel scored the goals on the Gold Coast last night. Iran finish fourth in Group A and are eliminated despite some heroic saves from the goalkeeper, Raha Yazdani, in their final game. Their third loss came after the players and coaches sang the national anthem, displaying a military salute before the match. It was the second time they sung the anthem in the tournament after they decided not to,…

By David Hytner,at Amex Stadium, & Louise Taylor, at St. James' Park “We’re gonna win the league,” Arsenal's travelling fans chanted Wednesday night and it was hard to disagree. Their advantage over City at the top of the table is seven points, albeit they have played an extra game. City drew 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest,also last night. Arsenal's wobble – two wins in seven – looks over. It is three wins on the bounce; Tottenham, Chelsea and this. Arsenal did not come to see the seaside. There were not at Brighton's Amex Stadium to make friends – which…

*NFF Allegedly Sunk Money Into Issues Surrounding Petition -Sources It is all over for Nigeria's flickering hopes of participating in this year's World Cup. This is because FIFA has ended the Super Eagles’ dreams of playing at the mundial, after confirming the final line-up for this month’s inter-confederation play-off tournament. The world football governing body has picked DR Congo as Africa’s representative. This was contained in an accreditation notice circulated to the media today. In the notice, FIFA provided details of the tournament format and listed the six countries that would be involved. DR Congo’s inclusion leaves no room for…

Martín Satriano’s superb first-half volley earned Getafe a shock 1-0 victory at Real Madrid in La Liga last night, a result that left Barcelona four points clear at the top. Real dominated possession from kick-off and controlled the game but failed to turn pressure into goals, squandering several chances in an ill-tempered contest. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side were left exposed in the 39th minute when a half-cleared cross dropped on the edge of the box and Satriano struck a fierce volley into the top left corner. Frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Franco Mastantuono, on as a substitute, was shown…

By David Hytner, at the Emirates Stadium Three goals were scored in the 2-1 victory on Sunday evening, but all were put in the back of the net by Arsenal. There were 63 minutes on the Emirates Stadium clock and the Arsenal crowd were in a state of extreme agitation. William Saliba had the ball at the back and he was taking his time – largely because there was nothing on for him. The fans screamed at him to hurry up. To do something. Anything. It was all going wrong because Chelsea were not just level at 1-1, they had…

*'What Is Certain Is After This Attack, We Cannot Be Expected To Look Forward To The World Cup With Hope' *Qatar Halts All Football President of Iran’s football federation has said he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the US after the US and Israeli bombardment of the country, which started on Saturday. “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Mehdi Taj said to the sports portal Varzesh3 as Iran traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening…

UEFA today paired the teams to face each other in the round of 16 of this season's Champions League. The draws pitch: *Real Madrid vs. Manchester City*Bodø/Glimt vs. Sporting CP*PSG vs. Chelsea*Newcastle vs. Barcelona*Galatasaray vs. Liverpool*Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur*Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich*Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal Hostilities in the round of 16 kick off on Tuesday, 10 March and Wednesday, 11 March. Unseeded teams will host the first legs on those days. As a reward for sealing automatic qualification, the seeded teams in each tie will get home advantage in the return legs on Tuesday, 17 March and Wednesday, 18…

Super Eagles hotshot Victor Osimhen on Wednesday night scored in the 111th minute to put Turkish giants Galatasaray on the road to UEFA Champions League Round of 16 qualification, after hard-fighting 10-man Juventus had tied the game 5-5 on aggregate within 90 minutes in Turin. Heading for a major comeback, having lost the first leg woefully 2-5 in Turkey, a determined Juve were, however, seemingly pegged back by a straight red card to Lloyd Kelly in the 49th minute at a time the Italian side were just a goal to the good at home. Though the match eventually ended 3-2…