English Premier League result

English Premier League result on Wednesday:
Southampton 1 (van Dikj 2) Tottenham 4 (Alli 19, 87, Kane 52, Son Heung-min 85)

Tuesday

Liverpool 4 (Lallana 35, Firmino 44, Imbula 59-og, Sturridge 70) Stoke City 1 (Walters 12)

Monday

Arsenal 1 (Giroud 86) West Brom 0

Burnley 1 (Gray 81) Middlesbrough 0

Chelsea 3 (Pedro 24, 90+3, Hazard 49-pen) Bournemouth 0

Hull 0 Manchester City 3 (Toure 72-pen, Iheanacho 78, Davies 90+4-og)

Leicester 0 Everton 2 (Mirallas 51, Lukaku 90+1)

Manchester United 3 (Blind 39, Ibrahimovic 82, Mkhitaryan 86) Sunderland 1 (Borini 90+1)

Swansea 1 (Llorente 89) West Ham 4 (Ayew 13, Reid 50, Antonio 78, Carroll 90)

Watford 1 (Deeney 71-pen) Crystal Palace 1 (Cabaye 26)

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

EPL: Alli double sees Spurs past Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) celebrates scoring their second goal with Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (C) and Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Eric Dier (L) during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. Photo: AFP

Dele Alli scored twice as Tottenham came back from behind to win emphatically, 4-1, at Southampton on Wednesday.

Harry Kane, who missed a penalty, and substitute Son Heung-min were also on the score-sheet in a game that saw Virgil van Dijk give Southampton an early lead.

Nathan Redmond was sent off soon after Kane had made it 2-1 and although the England striker failed to convert the resulting penalty Southampton tried in vain to prevent a hefty defeat that moved Tottenham to within a point of fourth-place Arsenal in the Premier League table.

It took Southampton all of 69 seconds to take the lead, through van Dijk.

The Netherlands defender, coveted by a number of Premier League rivals and valued in the £30million bracket, rose to meet James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick to send a downward header beyond Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.

The home side were full of energy and aggression – the brand of football Pochettino brought with him to the St Mary’s Stadium before leaving for Tottenham in May 2014.

The Argentinian could not have enjoyed the way his players were being put under constant pressure and there were a number of nervy moments as they attempted to stem the tide of Saints attacks.

Former Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama had given away the free-kick for the goal on his first return to his old club and Mousa Dembele was booked for chopping Nathan Redmond down to end another attack.

Fraser Forster had little to do in the Southampton goal but found himself picking the ball out of the net in the 19th minute when Moussa Sissoko saw his cross from the left deflected upwards off Redmond.

That allowed Alli to out-jump van Dijk and plant a header past Forster that went in off a post.

Parity perhaps flattered Tottenham but they made good use of their good fortune to fashion a number of chances.

Christian Eriksen twice failed to hit the target after getting himself into promising shooting positions before Wanyama, having burst into the box and got the better of van Dijk, saw his shot blocked by Saints skipper Jose Fonte.

Tottenham made a much better start to the second half and took the lead in the 52nd minute through the previously-dormant Kane from a corner won by Kyle Walker and delivered by Eriksen. Southampton’s marking was poor to say the least as the England striker rose unchallenged to head into the top corner.

Jose Fonte headed over from a free-kick at the other end before the home side found themselves a man down when Redmond was sent off for impeding Alli from behind in the act of shooting.

Referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty and sent Redmond packing before Kane stepped up to send the spot-kick soaring over the bar in the style of a rugby conversion.

The extra man was proving useful to Tottenham and Southampton were relieved when Eriksen’s effort bounced back off the crossbar.

Danny Rose poked another effort wide after Saints made a triple substitution, with Dusan Tadic, Shane Long and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg coming on to pep up their depleted ranks with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Lloris had been a spectator for a while but almost gifted Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, one of three 72nd-minute Saints subs, a comedy equaliser.

The Frenchman kicked the ball straight to Højbjerg, who was so surprised he sent the ball straight back instead of locating an empty net.

Son Heung-min, Tottenham’s first substitute, wrapped up victory in the 85th minute, with a cool finish across Forster after Saints had been caught on the break.

Southampton couldn’t wait for the final whistle, especially after Alli strode through to slot in a fourth after the hosts were caught out at the back once again.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Earns Man Utd Third Win In A Row

Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his fine form with two goals for Manchester United that were enough to beat West Bromwich Albion.

United took a fifth-minute lead at The Hawthorns as Jesse Lingard’s first-time cross was headed in by Ibrahimovic.

Wayne Rooney almost doubled the score but his fierce shot was tipped on to the bar by Ben Foster, while Salomon Rondon’s first-half header went narrowly wide for West Brom.

Ibrahimovic produced his 11th Premier League goal of the season when he received Rooney’s pass, turned and saw his deflected shot go in.

The win, United’s third in a row, put them seven points above their opponents, and level with Tottenham Hotspur, who play Burnley on Sunday.

Another big performer on the day was Alvaro Negredo, who’s brace helped Middlesbrough return to winning ways as they beat Swansea City at the Riverside.

The striker broke the deadlock on 18 minutes, expertly finishing Adam Clayton’s cross past Lukasz Fabianski.

Negredo doubled the lead from the penalty spot 11 minutes later after Jordi Amat’s foul on Adam Forshaw.

Earlier in the day, Chelsea extended their lead on the Premier League table with a narrow 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, courtesy Diego Costa.

Saturday’s Results:

Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Chelsea

Middlesbrough 3 – 0 Swansea City

Stoke City 2 – 2 Leicester City

Sunderland 1 – 0 Watford

West Ham United 1 – 0 Hull City

West Bromwich Albion 0 – 2 Manchester United

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Nigeria Beat Morocco 6-1 To Reach AFCON Beach Soccer Final

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles have qualified for the World Beach Soccer Championship to be held in Bahamas in 2017 after beating Morocco 6-1 in the semifinal of the African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in Lagos

Goals from Abu Azeez, Suleiman Ogodo, Emeka Ogbona, Emmanuel Owhoferia gave Nigeria victory in what was seen by many as a one-sided game.

Coach Adamu Ejo’s boys will now face Senegal in the final of the tournament later today.

Senegal defeated Egypt 5-2 in the first semifinal and have also qualified for the World Beach Soccer Championship.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

The Stoke boss is baffled by Leicester City's furious protests after Jamie Vardy was sent off during their draw at the bet365 Stadium

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says Leicester City are wrong to complain about a "clear" red card for Jamie Vardy.

Vardy was controversially sent off after 28 minutes of the 2-2 draw at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Leicester fans react to Vardy challenge

The striker initially left the ground as he slid in to challenge Mame Biram Diouf, but then appeared to win the ball cleanly and was stunned when referee Craig Pawson brandished a red card. 

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri was furious with Pawson at half-time, but Hughes cannot understand why.

"I have seen it and it was a two-footed challenge," Hughes said.

"The lad left the floor and I don't know what they are complaining about. From my point of view it was clear."

Stoke quickly raced into a two-goal lead following Vardy's dismissal, but 10-man champions Leicester fought back with goals in the last 16 minutes from Leonardo Ulloa and Daniel Amartey.

That left Stoke without a win in three Premier League matches after a collapse that replicated last season's home game against Leicester, where they also lost a two-goal advantage.

Hughes continued: "Leading 2-0 it was well deserved, we were good value for that lead and were in good shape. You have to get the job done and we didn't do that.

"They came at us and that is why they were champions last year. In the end we were lacking that spark and energy and they took advantage of that.

"You think it should be a straightforward second half, but we made it difficult and allowed them to get back into the game.

"We are in decent shape, but this game should have been won. We have big games ahead of us but you have to test yourself against them at some stage of the season."

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

RUMOURS: Alexis contract talks set to drag on until the summer

The Chile international is hoping for a deal worth £250,000 a week to stay at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners are yet to make a satisfactory counter-offer.

Alexis Sanchez remains a long way away from extending his Arsenal contract after the club's offer fell well short of expectations, according to the Mirror.

The Chilean was reportedly offered a deal worth £180,000 a week, a substantial improvement on his current contract which expires in 2018.

Alexis, however, is determined to hold out for £250,000, and with talks stuck at an impasse, a resolution is not expected until the coming summer.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Neymar: I wouldn't trade any of my teammates for Ronaldo

The Brazil international would not alter the Blaugrana's attacking trio, even if he had the choice of any player from Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo may have just pipped Barcelona's Lionel Messi to claim his fourth Ballon d'Or but Neymar insists he would not replace any of his team-mates with the Portuguese.

Neymar also says he wouldn't have Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema in his side, if he had the choice, but would like to play alongside close friend Marcelo.

Asked by CNN if he could pinch one name from his arch-rivals, Neymar replied: "I would pick Marcelo.

"Why? Because he is my friend! Not even Cristiano? No, I would pick Marcelo.

The Brazil international would not alter the Blaugrana's attacking trio, even if he had the choice of any player from Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo may have just pipped Barcelona's Lionel Messi to claim his fourth Ballon d'Or but Neymar insists he would not replace any of his team-mates with the Portuguese.

Neymar also says he wouldn't have Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema in his side, if he had the choice, but would like to play alongside close friend Marcelo.

Asked by CNN if he could pinch one name from his arch-rivals, Neymar replied: "I would pick Marcelo.

"Why? Because he is my friend! Not even Cristiano? No, I would pick Marcelo.

"I wouldn't say which the best trio was because I don't like to. I never like to say that I am better than anybody else, but this trio [Barcelona's MSN] has made history and will continue to do so.

"Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or four times and Bale is having a great season. Benzema is a great striker who I think is a superstar.

"They are star footballers who are respected.

"It is a good battle, a healthy battle which we have in the Clasico."

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

BREAKING: Plane carrying Brazilian football team crashes in Columbia

At least six people are believed to have survived after a plane carrying 81 passengers, including members of a top flight Brazillian football team, crashed in Colombia, officials said.

The Jose Maria Cordova de Rionegro airport, which serves Medellin, said in a statement that “all possible aid was being mobilized because six survivors are being reported.”

Details later

--Roluyo Hammed and Rabiu Wasiu contributed reporting.

Golf: Tiger Woods relaxed ahead of comeback in Bahamas

Tiger Woods / AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

Tiger Woods delivered a strong indication he is ready for his comeback after a 16-month layoff when out-driving Olympic champion Justin Rose at Nassau’s Albany Club in the Bahamas on Monday.

The 14-time Major winner makes his long awaited return in the Hero World Challenge starting Thursday, where he will play with American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed.

He teamed up with Rose, who has been a resident on the exclusive Albany estate for two and a half years, former New York Yankees baseball legend Derek Jeter and fellow World Series winner Tino Martinez.

Woods, who has ‘parked’ his luxury yacht ‘Privacy’ close to Rose’s palatial home on the island, was clearly very relaxed in the company of the three and aside from an errant drive down the left side of the 13th he was in play for much of the nine holes in the sunny but windy conditions.

There were no official scores recorded but it’s understood Woods, wearing shorts, shot a comfortable one-over-par 37 for the nine holes that included two bogeys and a birdie.

Highlight of his nine holes was a 350-yard downwind drive at the par-four 15th that was easily 40 yards further than Rose.

Rose is returning after a seven-week injury absence and looked a lot more rusty than Woods who will tee-up in the 18-man $3 million event in his first appearance since sharing 10th in the Wyndham Championship 465 days ago.

“I was really pleased the way I was striking the ball as I hit it pretty well but then the wind today is expected to come from a different direction on Thursday,” said Woods.

“The greens, and how they’ve set them up at the moment, are a little too quick for this wind and with talk of a storm also coming in on Thursday, they should be perfect.”

It was Woods’ second nine holes on the Ernie Els designed course having played the front nine on Saturday and spending Sunday working on the range.

But if his golf and his positive demeanour is any sign then Woods could surprise many come Thursday’s start to the event.
Woods seems to have gained further strength in chatting at length over the nine holes with both Jeter and Martinez, with Jeter competing in the later stages of his own career with a broken ankle he sustained in October 2012.

– Surgeries –

“That’s one of the things I was talking to Derek and Tino about and that his how long did it take them at the start of each match to get ready to go out and play in each game,” disclosed Woods.

“We all know Derek broke his ankle and in coming back from that he said it used to take him three to four hours just to get prepared for a game.

“I also was discussing that today with ‘Rosey’ (Justin Rose) and he also says he needs to spend upwards of an hour and a half in the gym before he tees-up each day of a tournament given he’s now 36 years of age.

“It’s been the same deal with me and long before I was out injured for this long period.

“We all agreed we missed the times early in our careers when you could just turn up, grab your equipment and just go out and hit a 300-yard drive.

“I can’t do that anymore as I’m at an age where it takes time to prepare as I’ve had like three knee surgeries and also the operations on my back.”

--Roluyo Hammed and Rabiu Wasiu contributed reporting.

50,000 athletes to participate in 2017 Lagos City Marathon

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday said no fewer than 50,000 athletes from across the world would participate in the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon holding on Feb. 11, 2017.

Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said necessary logistics had been put in place to make the event successful and promote the tourism potentials of the state.

Its said, “No fewer than 33, 753 runners, including 65 elite marathoners from different parts of the world and over 100 local elite runners participated in the 2016 edition held on Feb. 6.”

The statement said that as a result of the success of the maiden edition, several individuals and corporate organisations contacted the organisers to partner towards ensuring a successful tourney.

It said that the 2017 edition would feature the top 10 men and women marathoners in the world, who would also be joined by many gold, silver and bronze label marathoners from different parts of the world.

The statement said that the appearance fees for gold, silver and bronze label runners will be 50,000, 20,000 and 10,000 U.S dollars respectively.

It said “Invited local and foreign elite runners will be paid 50 per cent of their appearance fees now and balanced up when they arrive Lagos for the tourney.

“Winner will also go home with a cash prize of 50,000 U.S dollars, while second and third place winners will smile home with 40,000 and 30,000 U.S dollars respectively.

“The Lagos City Marathon is presently ranked 68th in the world, but our desire is to make it the top ten in the world and that is what we are working on with the next episode of the event.

“Unlike the one held on February 6 this year, with over 30,000 athletes, we are targeting a minimum of 50,000 runners who will take the city of Lagos by storm and put the city on the world map for coming up with such a huge event.”

The statement said that the Governor also expressed optimism that the success of the first edition and efforts to make next edition bigger would earn the Lagos City Marathon Creative Artists Agency label.

It said that the State Government was working with other partners to address the challenges recorded in the first edition.

It said, “Route education plan will be released early so that residents can plan their movement on race day.

“There will also be live transmission for the local and global audience. There will be clearer and bolder kilometre marking along the route.”

The statement said that the Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the major partners of the Marathon, expressed optimism that the 2017 edition of the race would be bigger and better.

It said, “We are glad to partner with Lagos State, because the success of the first edition did not only showcase Lagos to be an avenue for sports development, but also for the growth of tourism and youth development.”

--Roluyo Hammed and Rabiu Wasiu contributed reporting.