LONELY

Arsenal have been drawn to play Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup but favourites Manchester City and Chelsea have been kept apart. The Gunners booked their place in the last-8 with a narrow 2-1 win over Blackpool on Wednesday night with youngster Emile Smith Rowe scoring what turned out to be the winning goal at the Emirates. Tottenham eased in to the next round of the competition with a 3-1 victory at West Ham thanks largely to a brace from Hueng-min Son and they’ve been rewarded with an exciting trip to north London rivals Arsenal in the quarter finals. Chelsea were made to work by Derby County as they needed two own goals and a Cesc Fabregas winner to beat Frank Lampard’s side 3-2 in a thriller at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. The Blues have now been drawn at home to face Bournemouth in the last-8 after they beat Norwich City 2-1 on Tuesday night while Middlesbrough will host Burton after they edged past Crystal Palace 1-0. Manchester City are most bo

Frank Lampard had a very memorable return to Chelsea stopped just short of perfect by the man who helped replace him at Stamford Bridge. Cesc Fabregas scored to cap a wild first half, and Chelsea knocked off Derby County 3-2 in the League Cup on Wednesday to set up a quarterfinal date with Bournemouth. But Lampard’s Rams put a real scare into his former side, twice equalizing Chelsea goals in the first half hour of play. Along the way, Chelsea supporters unfurled a giant TiFo display of Lampard and serenaded their longtime hero. From the BBC: “I’m so thankful to the Chelsea fans. I left through the back door and it upset me at the time but I have nothing but great memories of this place and they thank me like that. I’m a lucky man to have a night like that and I feel it.” Derby is sixth in the Championship, just four points back of the top and two shy of the second automatic promotion place. Lampard will be a legend at both clubs if he can prod the perennial also-rans over the li

Chelsea ready to welcome a hero, an old friend and a legend of theirs in Frank Lampard when they host Derby County in the EFL Cup round of 16 tie on Wednesday night. Frank Lampard who played for Chelsea FC for over a decade during his glorious career and it will be an emotional homecoming for the 40-year-old derby manager. Chelsea will be aware that Derby knocked Manchester United out in the previous round and cannot afford to take the Rams lightly. Chelsea team news Chelsea’s assistant manager Gianfranco Zola confirmed that Eden Hazard will not be taking part against Derby this week. Ethan Ampadu in back in training but he will take some to get match fit while both Olivier Giroud (fatigue) and Pedro will be assessed before the game. Defence Kepa Arrizabalaga has not been tested as Chelsea have done well at the back. He should keep his place in goal. Maurizio Sarri is expected to reshuffle his entire backline with Davide Zappacosta replacing Cesar Azpilicueta as the right-back

Maurizio Sarri has set a new record as the first Chelsea manager ever to go unbeaten in his opening 10 Premier League games. The former Empoli and Napoli Coach still hasn’t tasted defeat in the tournament since replacing Antonio Conte this season. Today’s 4-0 demolition of Burnley was achieved without star man Eden Hazard, who was left behind due to an injury. Sarri has won seven of his first 10 Premier League games, drawing the other three. Chelsea also won their three Europa League matches and beat Liverpool to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The one and only loss suffered by Sarri on the Blues bench was his first, the 2-0 Charity Shield against Manchester City on August 5.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja, has declared its readiness to deal decisively with Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), over his threat to make Nigeria “hell” when he returns to the country. The DHQ also vowed to stop any person or group planning to cause mayhem in the country. It has, therefore, advised those stockpiling weapons with the intention of causing havoc in the 2019 general election in the country, to have a rethink. Director, Defence Information, Brig-Gen. John Agim, gave the warning at a media briefing on the successes of military operations across the country in Abuja on Thursday. “Operation 777 is on and whoever that is coming to Nigeria with hell, Operation 777 will contend with the person, be it Nnamdi Kanu or any other person,” Agim said. He said Operation 777 was launched to specifically, to tackle those planning to disintegrate the country. According to Agim, Operation 777 which came into existence on October 8, has ki

Ruben Loftus-Cheek fired a hat-trick for his first Chelsea goals in 30 months to seal the Blues’ 3-1 Europa League win over BATE Borisov at Stamford Bridge. England midfielder Loftus-Cheek is yet to start a Premier League match under new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, but handed the taskmaster Italian an acute reminder of his talents with a coolly-taken treble. Chelsea hardly had to shift into third gear to chug past their misfiring visitors and cement top spot in Group L, Aleksei Rios’ late header scant consolation for the Belarusians. Loftus-Cheek pressed his Premier League claims though, with his first Chelsea goals since finding the net in a 4-0 FA Cup win over Aston Villa on April 2, 2016. The 22-year-old’s six-minute brace had Chelsea two goals to the good just eight minutes in — and everything after that proved facile in the extreme. Loftus-Cheek will care not on BATE’s ineptitude however, and can rightly cite this free-scoring turn in future chats with manager Sarri over poli

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has denied reports he is considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mr Ekweremadu, currently out of the country, took to his Facebook page to make clarification on his political future Wednesday morning. The politician said even though his path is in the hand of God, he is still a member of the PDP. He wrote, “I am presently out of the country on a prescheduled engagement. “In the past 24 hours, I have been inundated with calls from friends and political associates seeking clarification on the rumours of my departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has dominated the media. “Let it be known that my path in politics is in the hands of the Almighty God, who has indeed been very faithful and gracious to me. I’m very grateful to God for this. “My vision in politics is a system that works for everybody, a social and political environment where everybody, every section, and every tribe not only counts, but is als

Constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, yesterday warned Ndigbo that boycotting the 2019 general elections would be a suicidal mistake. He gave the warning in a reaction to threat by the exiled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu. The foremost lawyer, a staunch supporter of Kanu, had recently brokered peace between Ohaneze Ndigbo and IPOB members at his Atani home in Ogbaru Local Council Area. The elder statesman said in a terse statement that he had repeatedly advised against such move because of its implication on Ndigbo. He said: “My stand on the boycott of election is that it is a suicidal mistake. For this reason, I am totally opposed to it, and have repeatedly advised against it.” Nwabueze had been in the vanguard of calls for the restructuring of Nigeria, and had recently warned in an interview with a national newspaper, that Igbo presidency will be a mirage without a reform. He urged Ohaneze and IPOB to work together to forge a common front

Eden Hazard is expecting Manchester United to man-mark him on Saturday and thinks he's too quick for Ander Herrera. Click here to Join the whatsapp group for all CHELSEA NEWS

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has insisted that he will not coerce the Blues into selling him and will only leave on "good terms". The 27-year-old forward has consistently flirted with the idea of securing his dream move to Real Madrid while he is yet to extend his contract with the London club with his current deal expiring in 2019.  Click here to Join the whatsapp group for all CHELSEA NEWS A flying start to the new season has seen the Belgian registering eight goals in 10 appearances across all competitions for his club side. The former Lille starlet has, as a result, been labeled by many as arguably the best player in the world at the moment. During the 2018 World Cup, Eden Hazard hinted at leaving Chelsea by claiming that "it might be time to discover something different". The attacking midfielder has, however, revealed that despite the opportunity to move away presenting itself, Blues refused to part ways with him this summer. In contrast to Thibaut Courtoi

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has been attacked by the family of the missing leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. Ikpeazu is under fire over his purported comment concerning the whereabouts of Kanu’s father, Eze Isreal Kanu. Eze Kanu is also a traditional ruler in Isiama-Afaraukwu Umuahia community. The spokesman for Kanu’s family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, warned the governor against playing politics with their father’s whereabouts. Nnamdi Kanu and his parents have been missing since September 14, 2017 after the military raided the palace. Ikpeazu had told some people from Afaraukwu who paid him a visit at the Government House that the state government was making efforts alongside other South-East governors to find the monarch. Ikpeazu also said he had no hand in the military invasion of the community during the operation Python Dance ll. Reacting to the Governor’s comment, Emmanuel urged Ikpeazu to “look for better ways to entertain his

Eden Hazard hasn’t shut up about recently about his desire to play for Real Madrid. Seeing his friend and national teammate Thibaut Courtois make the move from Chelsea will have only served to increase the desire for such a move, but in typical Hazard fashion he’s explained it’s not really the be all and end all. In a brilliant interview with Belgian newspaper HLN, the Chelsea star’s personality has once again come across clearly and Hazard is so laid back it’s a wonder he’s got to the level of the game he’s at. Nothing will faze him, nothing is going to be a worry, and feeling under pressure simply isn’t something which comes into his thinking. First off, Hazard was asked if his wife thinks a Real Madrid move would be good, and the Chelsea player explained: “Natacha doesn’t worry about that either, she just goes where I go.” Then HLN put it to the footballer, in a lighthearted way, that perhaps it’s time to stop talking about Real Madrid, and just go there if it’s such a big deal

Latest report as the possibility of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) settling for a replacement for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo from the Southeast

The Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO) Friday night confirmed that former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, had been picked by the Peoples Democratic Party Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as his running mate. APCO also gave reasons why Obi was picked, explaining that his choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economies as well as being a financial expert, an experience which it said Nigeria was in need of at this point in time. In a statement issued Friday night, the Director General, Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO), Otuba Gbenga Daniels, described Obi as an astute professional who had laid his footprints across the corporate world. Daniels said Obi, born on 19th July, 1961, attended the Christ the King College, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He said Obi was also a graduate of several international and

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has held talks with Peter Obi in Abuja. Mr Obi arrived at Mr Abubakar’s residence in Asokoro neighbourhood around 3:00 p.m. on Friday, and both discussed in camera. The former Anambra governor is widely speculated as a top candidate for Mr Abubakar to pick as running mate. Multiple sources close to Mr Abubakar told MEDIA Mr Obi has been chosen as the vice presidential candidate after the meeting. “He is the one,” a top official in Mr Abubakar’s office told MEDIA. The source said a confirmation statement would be released latest by Saturday morning. The former vice president on Sunday became the presidential candidate of PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition. Several options have been suggested in the public domain, with the candidate being widely expected to choose from either the Igbo-dominated Southeast or a Yoruba choice in the Southwest part of the country. The reported choice of Mr Obi is expected to gal

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar. Obasanjo had in a meeting held with Atiku and some PDP leaders endorsed his presidential ambition. He declared that Atiku will defeat the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. According to him, he believes that Atiku has ‘re-discovered and re-positioned himself’ and is now good enough to enjoy his support in the next election. Obasanjo said, “Let me start by congratulating President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here.” However, Buhari in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Thursday described the meeting as a ‘well rehearsed theatre’, adding that both leaders will fail in 2019. Read the statement below: “The Presidency has received the news of forme

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says he has forgiven his former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, wholeheartedly, describing him as “president-to-be.” Obasanjo said this while addressing journalists after the closed -door meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate. The meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex. Also at the meeting were the Bishop of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), David Oyedepo; Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi; and the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah. They were in the meeting with Atiku and Obasanjo. Obasanjo said that, based on what transpired at the meeting, he believed that Atiku now has “a contrite heart” and has shown remorse. Obasanjo said of Atiku: “From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as

The outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has said he is ready to face the investigation team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. According to a media report, the EFCC had already set up a special team to grill the governor for allegedly receiving over N1.2bn from a former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.) through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. Fayose, who said he had a clear conscience, told the commission to expect him in its office on October 16, a day after the expiration of his tenure. “He who has clear conscience fears no foe. The EFCC should still expect me at 1pm next Tuesday,” he said. Fayose spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of a new school he built in his Afao-Ekiti home country as part of his legacies projects in the state. At the event, he asked workers to collect their outstanding four months’ salaries from the incoming governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. He said the funds he could h

Eden Hazard gives the thumbs up Eden Hazard has admitted Real Madrid is his "dream" move CREDIT: REUTERS Alvaro Morata has said "there would be nothing blocking" Eden Hazard from moving to Real Madrid if both clubs can reach an agreement, but claims his Chelsea team-mate will not force an exit from Stamford Bridge. This week Hazard admitted it remains his "dream" to play for Real and that he wants to "make it happen". However, the 27-year-old midfielder also stressed that he wants to avoid a repeat of the "messy" situation that resulted in goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois' departure to ­Madrid in August. Click here to Join the whatsapp group for all CHELSEA NEWS Like Courtois, who failed to report for training before eventually getting his move to Real, Hazard will be in the final 12 months of his contract next year. "I don't want that," Hazard said. "I want what's good for me, but I want what's good

Arsenal have announced a new long-term kit deal with Adidas, said to be worth £300m over five years. The long-rumoured deal will see the Premier League club kitted out by the German sportswear giant from July 2019 and bring in £60m annually, making it the third most lucrative arrangement in world soccer. Only Manchester United’s £75m-a-year deal with Adidas and Barcelona’s staggering £140m-a-year Nike partnership bring in more. The announcement officially ends the Gunners’ deal with Adidas’ German rivals Puma, offering a significant upgrade on the £150m contract signed in 2014. In terms of Premier League commercial supremacy, it puts Arsenal on a par with Chelsea. The West London club pull in £60m-a-year from their Nike deal, albeit on a longer term contract which tops out at £900m until its expiry in 2032. Manchester City are reportedly set to sign a £50m-a-year deal with Puma, although that has not been officially confirmed. Tottenham’s tie-up with Nike is worth £30m per seaso

In this high stakes game of poker over the future of Eden Hazard, both sides are playing with remarkably open and honest hands. There appears to be very little, if any bluffing going on, which is extraordinary in and of itself already. Chelsea are apparently “pleased” with this aspect of the situation, especially after Thibaut Courtoisssss reneged on his promises. Click here to Join the whatsapp group for all CHELSEA NEWS Hazard laid his cards down on the table this weekend, even as he’s not ready to make a call one way or another. We can see all his aces lined up, the possibility of a royal flush — a “Real” flush, if you will — looming clearly. Don’t worry if this card analogy doesn’t quite add up; the stakes are much more higher than that. It’s his future, his legacy, his dreams, his realities that are at stake. It’s not an easy decision, happy as he may be regardless of the outcome. Chelsea have responded with further intentions of contract negotiations, and immediately so if Ha

Atiku must pick Vice from S/W or… – PDP chieftain Port Harcourt- Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been advised to pick his running mate from the South West geo-political zone or perish the thought of securing the support of its people at the polls. Former Nigerian vice-President Atiku Abubakar raises his hands after winning the presidential ticket of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on October 7, 2018. Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has picked Abubakar to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari who is seeking a second term in presidential polls scheduled for February 2019. / AFP PHOTO / This advice is coming 48 hours after the former Vice President beat eleven others at a special national convention in Port Harcourt, to emerge the party’s flag bearer. A PDP chieftain of South West extraction and

There are indications that Atiku Abubakar will pick his running mate from the South East region of the country, for next year’s general elections. The former vice-president emerged as the flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, during their presidential primary in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital. Atiku polled 1,532 votes out of total of 3,221 votes, representing almost 50% of the entire delegates’ votes. His closest rival, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State scored 693 votes, while Senate President Bukola Saraki came third with 317 votes. Punch reports that Atiku’s search for a vice-president, may have been limited to the South East. However, some states in the five states that made up the zone, might have reportedly been disqualified. For instance, Anambra, where Senator Ben Obi who was a former running mate to Atiku hails from, was said to have been disqualified. The reason being that the state had produced two former Speakers, two former president

Maurizio Sarri has backed Ross Barkley to become an integral part of the England squad after he starred in Chelsea’s 3-0 success at Southampton. Midfielder Barkley celebrated his recall to the national team at St Mary’s by setting up Eden Hazard’s opener and then scoring his first Blues goal. Barkley and in-form team-mate Hazard were the standout performers on the south coast and the latter laid on a stoppage-time third for substitute Alvaro Morata. The former Everton player was left out of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad in the summer following a series of injury issues and won the last of his 22 caps in May 2016. Head coach Sarri has been impressed with Barkley’s desire to make up for lost time and tipped him for a bright future heading into the international break. Related Chelsea’s Ross Barkley confident he can fit bill as England search for new Paul Gascoigne Maurizio Sarri touts ‘genius’ Eden Hazard’s potential to become the best player in the world “Today he has played r