Friday, 28 February 2025
WASIM AKRAM BREAKS SILENCE ON WHY HE NEVER TOOK JEAD COACH ROLE FOR PAKISTAN
Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has explained why he has not considered taking up the role of head coach or chief selector of the national team.
While speaking during a sports show, Wasim Akram addressed a fan’s inquiry about why he is hesitant to take on a coaching role.
He cited the unfavorable treatment of former players, particularly Waqar Younis, during his coaching stints as a key reason for his decision.
“Honestly, many people still criticize me or make sarcastic comments, saying, ‘Just let him talk; he doesn’t do anything himself,'” Akram explained.
“When I see how some people treat Pakistani coaches, including Waqar, who has coached several times, I know I couldn’t handle that level of disrespect directed at me.”
Despite his choice to step back, the cricket legend expressed his willingness to contribute to Pakistan cricket without expecting payment.
“I want to support Pakistan cricket. There’s no need to pay me; I’m available for free. Whenever you invite me to a camp, I’ll be there. If you want me involved in any tournament, I’m happy to spend time with the players,” he stated.
The 58-year-old also shared his personal priorities, emphasizing his wish to spend quality time with his family.
I’m 58. I have a family, including a 10-year-old daughter and two sons. I want to be around them. Still, I am always available, even at no cost, to help set up camps for kids whenever possible,” he said.
“I will participate whenever the Pakistan team has a tournament and organizes a camp. I can do this; however, at my age, I cannot accept such humiliation. After all, you often disrespect us, as if we are the rude ones,” he added.
For the unversed, Pakistan has previously appointed former players like Javed Miandad, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Waqar Younis as head coaches.
Currently, Aqib Javed is serving as the interim head coach for the Pakistan team. Under his leadership, the team struggled to defend their title and was eliminated from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, despite being the host nation.
- A Sports
🕊️ IN MEMORIUM: BORIS VASILIEVICH SPASSKY | 1937-2025
It is with profound sadness that the European Chess Union announces the passing of Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion and one of the greatest players in chess history.
A legend who shaped modern chess, Spassky's elegant style and sporting spirit made him one of the most respected figures in our community. His historic World Championship match against Bobby Fischer in 1972 transcended chess, capturing the world's imagination.
Today, we not only mourn a champion but celebrate a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of chess players.
Rest in peace, dear Boris. Your moves will be studied and your games will be played for generations to come. ♟️
https://www.europechess.org/boris-spassky-1937-2025-chess-world-champion-and-legendary-grandmaster/
#ChessLegend #BorisSpassky #Chess #ECU #ChessHistory
BIZZARE RED FLAGS HAMPER F1 TESTING AS MERCEDES EMERGES ON TOP
George Russell left Mercedes on top of the timesheets as Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain concluded.
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| George Russell left Mercedes atop the timesheets as Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain concluded. Image: XPB Images |
Russell banked the fastest lap of the test in a day punctuated by two bizarre red flags.
The first came when a glass panel on the starter’s gantry fell onto the front straight, where it shattered.
The second interruption came when a bus entered the run-off area while cars were on track at full speed.
The FIA confirmed to Speedcafe that both incidents will be reviewed as is standard practice.
Russell’s test-topping lap came in the latter stages of the day as the focus switched towards qualifying simulations.
Little can therefore be taken from the lap time itself, which was only 0.02s faster than Max Verstappen for Red Bull, and scarcely a tenth up on Alex Albon’s Williams.
More meaningful were the long runs earlier in the day as teams worked through race simulations.
That painted an encouraging picture for McLaren despite the car proving something of a handful; both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris having to deal with a lively rear end.
Ferrari, too, was far from settled, though understeer appeared more of an issue for the Scuderia, especially with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel.
Red Bull tested several new elements, including a nose, with Verstappen in the car throughout the day’s running.
The Dutchman was rapid, second fastest to Russell, but logged only 81 laps across the day.
A lack of mileage is either a sign of supreme confidence out of Milton Keynes, or an indicator of issues in the car – exactly which is unclear.
There is no doubt about Williams, which again impressed.
Albon was third fastest as the team built on the impressive pace displayed earlier in the week – a performance that has prompted some to thrust it into contention with the leading four team.
Less impressive was Aston Martin, which Fernando Alonso doing the bulk of the work on the final day after Lance Stroll came down unwell overnight.
The Canadian did manage 34 laps after lunch but ultimately had to hand the car back to Alonso.
That process took time and cost the team important laps; it managed 116 across its driver pairings on Friday.
Unlike the opening two days, conditions were warmer, a point that was both good and bad news for engineers.
On the one hand, it offered a more consistent and representative track on which to test, while at the same time being so much warmer than the previous days that it made data difficult to correlate.
What was clear is that the F1 circus leaves Bahrain with McLaren favourites ahead of Mercedes and Red Bull, while Ferrari looks to have slipped to fourth best – though it’s an incredibly close-run thing.
So too is the rest of the pecking order, with Williams appearing to have made a jump, though Alpine also had its time in the sun courtesy of Pierre Gasly.
The Frenchman was fastest for much of the afternoon and ultimately only slipped to fifth fastest – his best lap coming much earlier than his rivals’ and still within half a second of the pace.
With testing complete, F1 now heads to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix on March 13-16.
- Mat Coch
ARSENAL SUBMIT OFFER TO SIGN WORLD CLASS BAYERN MÜNCHEN STAR
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| Bayern Munich stars Harry Kane and Joshua Kimmich |
Arsenal have made their move for an elite Bayern Munich star, with two reports in Germany providing full details on the proposed move.
The need for a potent new striker is hoovering up many of the headlines regarding Arsenal and their transfer plans for the summer. However, additions in other areas are being sought by the club ahead of potential exits.
Midfielders Jorginho (33) and Thomas Partey (31) are both out of contract at season’s end. According to the latest out of Germany, Arsenal want Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich to replace Jorginho specifically.
Kimmich is in his tenth season in Munich and despite being 30 years of age, is a world class operator in two positions. Indeed, the versatile German is equally at home playing at right-back or in central midfield.
Kimmich has lifted 20 major honours during his time with Bayern including eight league titles and a Champions League, though his storied spell with the Bundesliga’s biggest club looks to be coming to an end.
Kimmich is out of contract in the summer and had been engaged in talks over an extension with Bayern. But per BILD chief Christian Falk, Bayern recently rescinded the offer they’d put to Kimmich.
Falk wrote on X: ‘FC Bayern has withdrawn its offer for a new contract for Joshua Kimmich.’
A subsequent update from Sky Germany has shed light on precisely why talks between Bayern and Kimmich broke down.
They revealed Kimmich informed Bayern he had received two ‘official and written offers’ from clubs outside of Germany.
With those offers in his mind, Kimmich continued to stall on penning fresh terms in Munich, much to the club’s annoyance.
Arsenal are claimed to be one of the two clubs who’ve made a move, with the report stating they’ve ‘intensified its efforts to sign Joshua Kimmich in recent days and has held concrete talks.’
What will Joshua Kimmich decide?
It’s important to note that while Bayern have withdrawn the offer they had made, Sky Germany insisted Bayern could still attempt to forge an extension.
The final offer Bayern made contained a gross salary offer of €20m per season that would run until the end of the 2027/28 season (three-year deal). €20m per year equates to a pre-tax weekly wage of around £315,000.
Bayern officials are said to have become ‘astonished and angry’ that this sizeable offer was not enough to convince Kimmich to sign.
As such, any new offer they put on the table will either be at that same amount or even lower.
With relations between the parties appearing to be souring, the door is ajar for rival clubs like Arsenal to strike.
And given Kimmich has thus far resisted the temptation to re-sign with Bayern despite their sizeable offer, there appears to be a willingness to explore a move away.
The identity of the other team to put an official contract offer to Kimmich is believed to be PSG.
- Steve Pearson
CHRIS EUBANK JR ISSUES VIOLENT THREAT TO CONOR BENN'S DAD NIGEL IN HEATED EXCHANGE
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn went face-to-face once again on Thursday night ahead of their fight, with Eubank Jr issuing a threat to Benn's father Nigel
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| Chris Eubank Jr and Nigel Benn clashed (Image: Getty) |
Chris Eubank Jr issued a stark warning to Conor Benn's father, Nigel, following a fiery encounter last night. The British boxing stars were once again in close quarters on Thursday, two days after their tumultuous press conference in Manchester.
They are poised to clash in a middleweight bout on April 26 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Chaos erupted during their initial press conference on Tuesday when Eubank Jr hit his arch-rival with an egg during the face-offs, prompting security to step in and separate the entourages.
Footage later showed Benn Sr quickly approaching and grabbing Eubank Jr by the throat. Security was heightened for last night's press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to fears of another altercation. A scheduled face-off on Wednesday had been scrapped over safety worries. Eubank Jr didn't hesitate to reference the scuffle with Nigel before delivering a menacing threat.
"I understand the frustration and the heat you were experiencing after I egged Conor," Eubank Jr remarked. "But you did put your hand around my neck, so I'm going to give you a pass. "But I'm just letting you know, if my hand ever touches you again you won't get it back." In an intense exchange during the press conference, Conor leapt to his father's defence with a fiery outburst, demanding: "Shut your f****** mouth. Oi silly b******s, shut your f****** mouth. Silly b*****s, threaten my dad again see what happens. "
His father Nigel then interjected with an apology, stating: "Listen Con, I can handle this. I'm old school. I'm really sorry I done that but you put your hand on my son." The exchange became even more personal when Conor brought up Eubank Jr's relationship with his own father, retorting: "Your dad doesn't like you, shut your mouth. You're just jealous.
"The altercation had escalated from when Eubank Jr landed an egg on his rival earlier in the week, an act he later admitted he felt no remorse about. Reflecting on the high-tension scenario, Eubank Jr held nothing back, claiming: "I'm sitting up here on a stage with two of the scummiest characters in boxing in my opinion; a drug cheat and a man who did everything in his power to help him get away with it. " He justified throwing the egg by saying: "Me throwing an egg at someone who absurdly claims that's why he failed two drug tests, I think that's light; he deserved the embarrassment.
If I had the opportunity to do it again I would. Unfortunately I came unarmed today, I've been thoroughly searched multiple times, I couldn't sneak anything in. This is going to be a real fight, this is going to be a bloodbath."
- JAMES EVANS
JOSÉ MOURINHO BANNED FOR FOUR MATCHES, FINED AFTER TURKISH REFEREES COMMENT
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been given a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray on Monday
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| Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters |
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho was given a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray.
- The Hindu Times
Thursday, 27 February 2025
ARE NIHAD DEDOVIC & ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC RELATED? 😲😁
The Bosnian basketball player Nihad Đedović and Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimović look very similar, even to the point where they almost share the same height.
Since both are of Bosnian origin, let's remember when a journalist asked Nihad Đedović if there was any family relation between them. Nihad jokingly replied, "I don't know, but what I do know is that my father never traveled to Sweden (meaning he never met Zlatan's mother)." When Ibrahimović heard this, he responded: "It's true that Dedović's father never traveled to Sweden, but what's also true is that my father traveled to Bosnia many times." Do u understand... 😆😆😆
I'M THE TRAILBLAZING FORMER WORLD'S FASTEST MAN AND USAIN BOLT'S 100M RECORD ISN'T IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT
Former Olympic champion Maurice Greene claimed Usain Bolt’s 100m record can be beaten.
In 1999, Greene cemented himself as sprinting royalty, breaking the 100m world record with a time of 9.79 seconds.
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| Greene was the first man to run 100m under 9.80 secondsCredit: AFP |
He beat the previous record of 9.84 held by fellow American Donovan Bailey and became the first person ever to run under 9.8 seconds.
Greene is also a five-time World Champion, winning the 100m three times, the 200m and and 4x100m relay once each.
The American watched his teammate Tim Montgomery run a time of 9.78 three years later, but the record was expunged from the record books after he was found guilty of doping.
In 2005 his record was eventually bested when Jamaican Asafa Powell legitimately ran a new world record time of 9.77.
A time equalled by American Justin Gatlin 10 months later before Powell returned 30 days later and ran 9.74.
But Bolt ran a time of 9.72, then 9.69 and finally 9.58 at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
Speaking on whether the 16-year standing record can be broken Greene said: “I never say anything is impossible, even when I was competing I was like it's always about breaking barriers.
“They said we wouldn’t be able to run 9.7, and then I was able to run 9.7. It’s about believing that you can do something impossible or beliving in yourself that you are capable of doing something.”
Greene called Bolt an ‘anomaly’ because of his ability to accelerate despite his height of six foot five.
He was able to do things at his height a lot of tall people can’t do,” he said.
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| 2024 Olympic Champion Noah Lyles ran a time of 9.79, 0.21 seconds off Bolt's record |
“As time progresses man progresses and as man progresses technology progresses. We will have faster tracks, we will have better shoe quality. With all those things coming into play people will get faster.”
However, Greene previously doubted whether Bolt had the ability to claim gold at the London 2012 Olympics.
He commented: “The race in London is going to be a lot closer than a lot of people think. It’s going to be a really exciting race.”
A prediction that ended up being wrong as Bolt dominated with a new Olympic record of 9.63, 0.12 seconds ahead of second place Yohan Blake.
And depending how you look at it Greene was right when he said Bolt wouldn’t break any records in London.
Bolt did not set any world records in his individual races, but the 4x100m Jamaican team recorded the fastest time ever of 36.84.
- Layton Ryan-Parson
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
F1 TESTING HIT WITH FIRST RED FLAG FOR BIZZARE ISSUE
The first F1 red flag of the season has been deployed for a bizarre reason.
A power cut has halted F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, triggering the first red flag of the season.
Shortly after the two-hour mark of the afternoon session in Sakhir, a circuit-wide power cut was reported with drivers forced to make their way back to the pits as red flags were flown.
The issue affected the high-intensity floodlights around the circuit, leading to the first stoppage of the day after a relatively trouble-free day of running with only brief yellow flags for spins for Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar.
Teams were forced to use torches in the garages to inspect their cars after the failure, with the lights finally coming back on with 1:30:00 left on the clock in the garages, much to the amusement of the engineers, but the circuit floodlights did not immediately come back on.
Charles Leclerc was top of the times for Ferrari, from George Russell and Lando Norris at the time of the red flag.
- Jake Nichol
MAVS HAD ISSUE WITH LAZY' LUKA DONCIC"S DRINKING AND SMOKING HABITS, PREDICT HE'S HEADING TO 'CATASTROPHE" IN NEXT 5 YEARS
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| GARY A. VASQUEZ-IMAGN IMAGES |
The reasons that the Dallas Mavericks decided to trade All-Star forward Luka Doncic are beginning to come to light, with reports indicating his condition and social habits played a factor in the Mavs’ decision to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
While questions about Luka Doncic’s weight and conditioning have been persistent since he entered the NBA in 2018, the Mavericks have reportedly become so concerned over his dietary and health habits that they predict he’s heading towards “catastrophe” in the next five years.
The reasons that the Dallas Mavericks decided to trade All-Star forward Luka Doncic are beginning to come to light, with reports indicating his condition and social habits played a factor in the Mavs’ decision to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
While questions about Luka Doncic’s weight and conditioning have been persistent since he entered the NBA in 2018, the Mavericks have reportedly become so concerned over his dietary and health habits that they predict he’s heading towards “catastrophe” in the next five years.
“The people who witnessed Dončić’s last days in Dallas do not paint a flattering portrait of the 25-year-old’s professionalism. They call him lazy. They talk about the weight issues that were such a frequent frustration within their walls,” The Athletic reported the morning after Doncic took on the Mavs as a member of the Lakers for the first time.
“They mention the social habits — such as a taste for beer and hookah — which have been a point of concern for NBA types since he was a 19-year-old star for Real Madrid who was entering the NBA Draft. They predict his basketball demise, highlighting a health history that, as some see it, will likely lead to catastrophe in the next five years or so.”
Doncic certainly had a point to prove on Tuesday night, as he was doing push-ups on the floor in the pregame warm-ups. In the Lakers’ 107-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic put up a triple-double as he posted 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists and leered over to the Mavericks’ bench a handful of times.
In his first five games with the Los Angeles Lakers (they are 7-2 since the trade happened as of February 26), Doncic has averaged 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. The Lakers are currently thr #4 seed in the Western Conference have the sixth best betting odds to win the NBA title behind the Celtics, Thunder, Cavalivers, Nuggets, and Knicks.
- ERIC ITALIANO
JOSÉ MOURINHO ROW WITH TURKISH FA EXPLAINED AMID RACISM ALLEGATIONS AND STRONG DROGBA STATEMENT
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| Galatasaray have accused Jose Mourinho of racism (Image: Getty Images) |
Former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba has defended Jose Mourinho after Galatasaray accused the Fenerbahce head coach of making "racist statements" against Turkish people.
Galatasaray said they intended to launch criminal proceedings against Mourinho and would also submit complaints to governing bodies UEFA and FIFA over the "derogatory" remarks, which they say were made in the aftermath of Monday's feisty 0-0 draw against Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
What was said?
In his post-match press conference, ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mourinho said that the Galatasaray bench were "jumping around like monkeys" following an early tackle.
The 62-year-old also lauded the decision to bring in Slovenian Slavko Vincic to officiate the game and claimed it would have been a disaster if the match would have been refereed by a Turkish official.
Vincic, who refereed last season's Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, was drafted in by the Turkish football federation after recent controversies involving Turkish referees.
A statement from Galatasaray read: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.
"We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.
"Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce - an institution professing to uphold 'exemplary moral values' - in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager."
The statement was posted on the Galatasaray club website under the headline: "Say no to racism."
Didier Drogba statement
Less than 48 hours since the controversy struck, Drogba, who worked with Mourinho during their time at Chelsea, has jumped the defence of his former manager and claimed he is not racist.
In a passionate statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Drogba said: "Dear @GalatasaraySK. You know how proud I was to wear the yellow and red jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!! We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I've been lucky enough to experience it.
"I've seen the recent comments about Jose Mourinho. Trust me when I tell you I have known Jose for 25 years and he is not a racist and history (past and recent) is there to prove it. Let's focus on our games, support our brilliant lions and let's win the league to get close to our 5 [star emoji].
"How can my "Dad" be a racist [man tipping two hands emoji]. Come on guys [red and yellow love heart emoji, and three star emoji]."
- Kieran King
REGGAE LEGEND BOB MARLEY WITH SOCCER LEGEND PELÉ
Did you know Bob Marley’s life story is as powerful and inspiring as his music? Raised in the poverty-stricken slums of Kingston, Jamaica, Marley faced discrimination and hardship—but he used music as a weapon for change. His blend of reggae, soul, and revolutionary lyrics made him an international icon, but here’s something even more jaw-dropping: Bob Marley’s hit *No Woman, No Cry* was actually inspired by the struggles of his own childhood in Trenchtown, where he watched his mother raise him through poverty.
Bob didn’t just change music—he changed the world. His fusion of Rastafarian spirituality, social justice, and cultural pride made him a voice for the oppressed. Songs like *Redemption Song* and *Get Up, Stand Up* weren’t just about revolution—they were anthems of hope, resilience, and human rights. And get this—despite being diagnosed with cancer in 1977, Marley continued to tour and perform with relentless energy until his death in 1981 at just **36 years old**.
Even after his passing, Bob Marley’s influence only grew. He became not just a musical legend, but a symbol of unity, peace, and love. To this day, his music continues to inspire millions around the globe, reminding us to *stand up for our rights* and *love one another*. 🌍✌️🎶
EX- PGMOL KEITH HACKETT DELIVERS SHOCKING VERDICT FOLLOWING ASHLEY YOUNG CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY
“It will lead to a sanction for Manchester United” - Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett delivers SHOCKING verdict following the Ashley Young penalty controversy in Everton - Man Utd clash.
COPA DEL REY: BARCELONA, ATLÉTICO MADRID PLAY OUT THRILLING 4-4 DRAW IN FIRST LEG OF SEMI- FINAL
Barcelona surged to a 4-2 lead against Atletico after conceding two goals in the opening six minutes, only for Diego Simeone’s side to fight back in the closing minutes of the pulsating encounter in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Atletico Madrid conceded a two-goal lead then fought back from two down in a wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg thriller on Tuesday.
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| Barcelona's Gavi (centre) fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, left, and Marcos Llorente. AP |
After Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes through Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, Barca raced through the gears in a high-octane performance.
The superb Pedri Gonzalez pulled one back with Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski going on to score.
Marcos Llorente netted for Atletico before Alexander Sorloth struck in the 93rd minute.
- Agence France-Presse
CHELSEA THRASH SOUTHAMPTON, ASTON VILLA BEATEN BY CRYSTAL PALACE IN RACE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Chelsea duly delivered with three first-half goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill for just a third league win 11 games.
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| Chelsea moved into the Premier League's top four with a 4-0 demolition of Southampton. |
Chelsea moved into the Premier League's top four with a 4-0 demolition of hapless Southampton, but Aston Villa's hopes of Champions League football next season diminished after a 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace. After a run of three consecutive defeats, Chelsea badly needed a response against bottom-of-the-table Saints, who are set for an immediate return to the Championship. The Blues duly delivered with three first-half goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill for just a third league win 11 games.
Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, a small band of Chelsea fans gathered to protest against the club's owners over the club's form and discontent over ticket prices.
Once the action got underway, it was a much-needed comfortable evening for Enzo Maresca's men which the Italian will hope can restore confidence among his squad.
Nkunku took his tally for the season to 14 but only three of those have come in the Premier League as he has often had to play reserve to the injured Nicolas Jackson.
The Frenchman stooped to head in a corner at the back post before teeing up Neto to blast home a second.
Colwill headed in Neto's free-kick to make the points safe before the break.
Marc Cucurella rounded off the scoring with a calm finish from teenager Tyrique George's cross.
"We needed that, the fans needed that and the club needed that so we are happy," said Maresca.
"The priority is to bring this club to where this club should be - the Champions League. It will be like this until the end of the season - we will be up and down and we need to be ready."
Victory takes Chelsea two points above Manchester City into fourth.
Thanks to English clubs' strong performance in European competition this season, a top-five finish is likely to be enough for a place in next season's Champions League.
Eagles soaring
Villa had rejuvenated their hopes of a second consecutive season in Europe's elite competition after beating Chelsea on Saturday.
But Unai Emery's men have won just one of their last seven league games after a capitulation at Selhurst Park.
"After today, with a loss, it is difficult to try to explain everything," said Emery.
"We have to move on and be motivated in the competitions - FA Cup and Champions League and get the balance in the Premier League."
Ismaila Sarr's first-half opener was cancelled out early in the second period by Morgan Rogers.
Jean-Philippe Mateta quickly restored Palace's advantage before Sarr and Eddie Nketiah maintained the Eagles fine form.
Oliver Glasner's side have won seven of their last nine games to rise to 12th, just six points behind Villa in 10th.
Brighton won the battle of the south coast clubs with ambitions of European football next season, over Bournemouth 2-1.
Joao Pedro won and converted a penalty on 12 minutes to give the Seagulls the lead.
A wonder strike from Justin Kluivert levelled for the Cherries, but Danny Welbeck's winner moved the sides level on points.
Bournemouth sit seventh on goal difference with Brighton in eighth, but now just one point behind fifth-placed City.
Wolves missed the chance to pull further clear of the relegation zone after a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham.
A fast start to both halves saw the visitors take the points as Ryan Sessegnon struck inside the first minute and Rodrigo Muniz got the winner two minutes into the second period.
Wolves remain five points above the bottom three.
League leaders Liverpool can take another step towards just their second title in 35 years when they host Newcastle on Wednesday.
Second faces third as Arsenal visit Nottingham Forest, while Tottenham host City.
- Agence France-Presse
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
FENERBAHCE ISSUE STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO JOSE MOURINHO 'RACIST COMMENTS'
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| Jose Mourinho has been accused of making ‘racist statements’ by Galatasaray (Picture: Getty) |
Fenerbahce have issued a strong statement in response to accusations that Jose Mourinho made ‘racist statements’ following Monday’s 0-0 draw against Galatasaray.
Galatasaray said the club planned to launch criminal proceedings against the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager after it was claimed he made ‘derogatory statements’ about Turkish people.
The Turkish league leaders also confirmed their intention to submit complaints to governing bodies UEFA and FIFA after the comments made by Mourinho in the aftermath of last night’s stalemate.
Fenerbahce, who Mourinho joined in the summer, have come out fighting and issues a passionate defence of the 62-year-old.
A statement read: ‘A statement made by our Technical Director Jose Mourinho after the match was completely taken out of context and an attempt was made to deliberately distort it.
‘As every sensible person can see and understand; these statements used by Jose Mourinho to describe the excessive reaction of the opposing team’s technical staff to the referee decisions during the match can in no way be associated with racism.
‘Trying to portray this statement as racist is a completely malicious approach. We would like to inform the public that we will use our legal rights regarding this pathetic slander that was made in order to take the competition off the field, change the agenda and manipulate it.’
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| Jose Mourinho’s side drew 0-0 with Galatasaray (Picture: Getty) |
Mourinho had made comments about the Galatasaray bench ‘jumping like monkeys’ after an early challenge and the match being better because it was not officiated by a Turkish referee. Slovenian Slavko Vincic refereed the contest.
A statement from Galatasaray said Mourinho ‘has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people’ since taking over at Fenerbahce in June 2024.
‘Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric,’ the statement said.
‘We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.’
Describing Mourinho’s conduct as ‘reprehensible’, it said rivals Fenerbahce professed ‘to uphold ‘exemplary moral values”.
The statement was posted on the club website under the headline: ‘Say no to racism.’
Mourinho was defended by Fenerbahce vice-president Acun Ilicali, who told Sky Sports News: ‘Jose Mourinho is just describing the emotion of the bench by using the word monkey, that’s all.
‘When I say you are running like a rabbit, I don’t say that you are a rabbit. So when I say you are jumping like a monkey, it doesn’t mean you are a monkey.
‘You can clearly understand that Jose Mourinho had no intention to be racist, in the words or behind the words or around the words. That’s a very clear situation that is trying to be manipulated by Galatasaray’s board, and we are used to it in Turkey.
- James Goldman
BREAKING: GREG POPOVICH 'NOT EXPECTED TO RETURN THIS SEASON. .'
BREAKING: Gregg Popovich is “not expected to return this season, and his future is uncertain” as he recovers from a mild stroke per Shams.
His incredible career:
🔸All-Time leader in NBA Wins
🔸5x NBA Champion
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🔸3x Coach of the Year
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Monday, 24 February 2025
'MYSTERY WOMAN' SPOTTED WITH JACK GREALISH HAS BEEN IDENTITY REVEALED AFTERR MAN CITY STAR MADE 'SHE'S NOT WITH ME' CLAIM AT LONDON HOTSPOT
The 'mystery woman' seen leaving a London hotspot behind Manchester City star Jack Grealish has had her identity revealed as ex-model Emma Silverton.
WHAT HAPPENED?
England international Grealish was followed out of the Chiltern Firehouse – a popular celebrity hangout – by Silverton during a night on the town. The 29-year-old forward made of point of telling onlookers that the blonde behind him was "not with me".
DID YOU KNOW?
Grealish, having been caught on camera, doubled back into the venue before re-emerging and stepping into a chauffeur-driven car. Silverton was seen asking "are you guys coming?" out of the window of a different vehicle before everyone went on their way.
THE GOSSIP
Silverton is a former model that spent six years on the books of an agency in New York, allowing her to work with designers such as Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Sonia Rykiel and Burberry. She is now, according to The Sun, a freelance photographer that has worked on "film and music video projects".
- Chris Burton
CHELSEA SET TO SACK ENZO MARESCA IF BLUES DON'T BEAT SOUTHAMPTON AND LEICESTER AS ARSENAL LEGEND PAUL MERSEN EXPLAINS 'SUFFOCATED' COLE PALMER'S RECENT STRUGGLES
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| Getty |
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Chelsea will sack Enzo Maresca if the Blues fail to beat relegation-threatened Southampton and Leicester City.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Merson believes that if Chelsea are unable to beat Southampton and Leicester, who are 20th and 19th respectively in the English top-flight, in their next two Premier League games, the Italian will lose his job. The ex-England international also theorised that Palmer's drop-off in form is down to not having Nicolas Jackson playing alongside him, with the striker currently out injured
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| Getty |
.WHAT PAUL MERSON SAID
He said on Sky Sports: "If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there. They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester. So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job. Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition. They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is."
Merson added: "Even Palmer has struggled now, Palmer needs Nicolas Jackson, and Jackson needs Palmer. Without Jackson's movement, Palmer gets suffocated out of the game. He hasn't got any movement in front of him. People give Jackson stick but you can see how good he is now he's not in the team. Now, all of a sudden, they've got nothing up front, so no one's making the runs and Palmer's got no space. So he's getting deeper and deeper. Jackson's a massive miss."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Indeed, Chelsea have taken just nine points from their last 10 league matches and Palmer has failed to register a single goal or assist across his last five games. They are just one point outside the Champions League qualification spots, with fifth likely to secure a berth into next season's competition. But it is very tight in the fight for Europe and if the Blues' poor run continues, they could slide down the table quickly.
- Richie Mills
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