City finally champions, Arsenal, United lose, PSG,GHPL, more

City Crowned Champions After Neighbours Slip.

Manchester City’s title win was finally confirmed on Sunday after West Brom’s shocking 1-0 win at Old Trafford. This meant United’s highest possible tally for the season is 86, a point behind City, who are currently on 87. They took a bit of time to get things kicking off as they struggled to break Brighton down in the first game before having Raheem Sterling’s late goals win them 4 points in the next two games. However, it was the game week 4 fixture against Liverpool where City really announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with. A 5-0 win in that game (Sadio Mane’s red card cannot be overlooked) that really set city on the tone to set a record of the longest winning streak ever in the history of the Premier league. At the end of that streak, they were 13 points clear attacking the top and making it almost impossible for any team to catch them. It has been a season that has been characterised by the manner of wins being almost as important as the wins itself. The football on display , the tactical brilliance being exhibited by the manager and some individual brilliant displays by certain players- Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane, Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero – is what as characterised a few to even compare them to be amongst the greatest sides ever seen in the league. Understandably so ,considering they are very well on course to beat the record number of wins(30) , points(95) and goals(102) in a single season, all three records currently being held by former champions Chelsea.

Arsenal lose Away From Home…..Again.

Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle at the St. James Park meant that the Gunners have not won an away match in 2018 and that is a scary stat for a team like Arsenal. Ayoze Perez cancelled out Lacazette’s expertly placed sliding finish with another beauty of his own before a combination of lack of concentration and poor defensive play allowed Matt Ritchie to score past Petr Cech and that seemed to have been the hammer blow for the Gunners. For Raphael Benitez, keeping an unchanged starting IX kept his side’s rythm and thoroughly deserved the win after evidence of their brilliant second half period. For Arsenal, the away disappointment continues and Wenger named a less stronger IX in midfield and defense with 19-year old Joe Willock given a starting berth in the number 10 role as Wenger also named both Aubameyang and Lacazzette in the same starting IX. After the loss, Arsene Wenger seemed to confirm that he will be putting all his eggs in one basket by confirming that his major priority will be the Europa League in the coming weeks and was quick to point out the fixture congestion as a reason for his player selection on the day. Arsenal would need to improve on their away form in the remaining fixtures in the league as they still have Old Trafford and King Power to visit before the close of the league.

PSG Confirmed Champions of Ligue 1 In Ruthless Fashion

Nasser Al-Khelaifi would yesterday have a broad smile on his face because he invested so much into this team for nights like this ( despite the disappointment of dropping out of the Champions League). It’s probably not the clinching of the league that is the most surprising part but the manner in which they tore apart the defense of defending Champions, Monaco in an absolutely scintillating style. Nearest Rivals and defending champions Monaco- even though the title winning team of last year is nowhere to be found this season- endured a hugely embarassing night as nearest rivals, PSG rubbed seven goals into their faces to claim the title before their own eyes. After holding on for the first 10 miutes, Monaco let in four goals in the space of fourteen first half minutes. Geovanni Lo Celso and Angel Di Maria scored braces on the night with Cavani and Draxler getting on the score sheet for the hosts who celebrated wildly after the match. Monaco chiefs decided to refund tickets of the travelling fans after the match in what seemed to be an appeasing gesture for the fans

Juventus Widen the Gap

Juventus went six points clear at the top of Serie A as they bounced back from their controversial Champions League exit to Real Madrid with victory over Sampdoria.Douglas Costa, a 43rd-minute substitute, assisted all three goals.Mario Mandzukic slammed home Costa’s cross at the end of the first half and Benedikt Howedes headed in his first Juve goal from another centre.Costa then found Sami Khedira to guide home a third goal. Juventus head to former leaders and second placed Napoli next week(who themselves played out a very interesting draw against AC Milan which allowed Juventus to open the gap at the top) and a win in that game will all but seal a historic title triumph for the old lady of Italian football.

Dani Alves

PSG’s Dani Alves wins 36th major club trophy, drawing level at the top of incredible all-time list.After PSG won Ligue 1 on Sunday night, beating Monaco 7-1 no less, the Brazilian right-back now has lifted THIRTY SIX different top level CLUB trophies. In a remarkable career that saw Alves play in the top leagues in Spain with Sevilla and Barcelona, Juventus in Italy and now PSG in France, Alves has amassed an amazing haul of trophies that leaves him topping the group of elite footballers level with Ryan Giggs to become the most decorated footballer of all time.

Weekend Of Shocks in The Ghana Premier League

Heavyweights Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko both lost over the weekend in the premier league as they lost to Elmina Sharks and Dreams FC respectively. League leaders Ashanti Gold and defending champions Aduana Stars had their match( which would have been the match of the week given CK Akunnor’s side display in the early weeks of the Ghana Premier League). Karela also continued to impress with a win against WA All stars by a lone goal.

The Results for the Ghana Premier League Week are;

Hearts of Oak 1-2 Elmina Sharks

Medeama 1-0 Inter Allies.

Ashanti Gold POSTP Aduana Stars

Eleven Wonders 2-1 WAFA

Berekum Chelsea 1-0 Bechem United

WA All Stars 0-1 Karela

Ebusua Dwarfs 2-1 Liberty Professionals

Dreams 1-0 Kotoko.