NPFL Day 6 Round Up: Giwa hold on to top spot after draw in Makurdi

The Jos Elephant are still league leaders after another impressive display in Makurdi while Enyimba, Sunshine, Pillars and Rangers secured home wins

ENYIMBA FC 3-2 SHARKS FC

The People's Elephant got another vital home win against troublesome neighbours, Sharks in Aba on Sunday after they ran away with a 3-2 victory.

Chinonso Okonkwo and Mfon Udoh’s double in the 15th, 23rd and 68th minutes put the Aba side on the ascendancy but Jackson Daniel’s brace in the 60th and 85th minutes for the Blue Angels ensured that the game ended with the Enyimba’s fans sitting at the edge of their seats.

Enyimba move to 11 points from six matches on the log same as leaders, Giwa FC of Jos who are atop on superior goals difference while Sharks are on six points from six matches.

SUNSHINE STARS 3-2 WIKKI TOURISTS FC

The Akure Gunners needed another injury time winner from Adebayo Adigun to beat hard fighting Wikki Tourists 3-2 at home on Sunday. Sunshine have won all their home matches thus far with dying minute goals against Gabros International FC and Dolphins before the latest against the Bauchi side.

Wikki’s Mubarak Umar had stunned the home fans with the curtain raiser in the 37th minute but Paul Onobi leveled for Sunshine in the 45th minute. Nafiu Bala raced the visitors into another lead in the 60th minute but the home team restored parity in the 75th minute through Tamen Medrano before the late back breaker from Adigun.

Sunshine are on 10 points from six matches while Wikki are also on the same number of points from as many matches.

AKWA UNITED FC 2-0 DOLPHINS FC

Former Akwa United FC captain, Ini Akpan and Aniekpeno Udoh goals in the 34th and 88th minutes sent the Promise Keepers to a 2-0 home win over Dolphins at the Uyo Township Stadium to bounce back from their 4-0 embarrassing loss to Giwa FC in Jos in one of the mid week actions.

Dolphins came to Uyo on the euphoria of their first league win of the season against Enugu Rangers but they met difficult opponents in Akwa United who were desperate to make amends for their heavy loss in Jos last Wednesday.

Akwa United are on seven points from six matches while Dolphins remain on four points from five games.

ENUGU RANGERS FC 3-0 EL KANEMI WARRIORS FC

The Flying Antelopes woke up from their slumber from their early season off form to thrash visiting El Kanemi Warriors 3-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium barely a week after their surprise home loss to Giwa FC.

Goals from Odah Marshall, Chisom Egbuchulam and Pape Ousmane in the fifth, 50th and 75th minutes were enough to hand the Coal City side valuable three points in Enugu. It was there second win of the season from six matches while El Kanemi Warriors are on nine points from five games.

ABIA WARRIORS FC 1-0 3SC

The Umuahia side pinned the Oluyole Warriors 1-0 at home to secure their second consecutive win after their home loss to Wikki Tourists last weekend.

Chisom Chikatara scored the only goal of the match in the 13th minute for the home team after the visitors lost crucial chances that came their way.

Abia Warriors are on 10 points from six matches while 3SC mini revival has been punctured. They are on four points from five games.

LOBI STARS FC 1-1 GIWA FC

The Makurdi side have become draw specialists after they got their fifth draw of the season from six matches. They were forced to another draw by Giwa FC in a tough league clash played at the Aper Aku Stadium on Sunday.

Nanen Imenger Jnr got the equalizer for the home team in the second half after the Jos Elephant silenced the Makurdi fans with the opening goal in the 25th minute.

The draw kept Giwa FC’s place at the top on goals difference as they are on 11 points from six matches while Lobi are on five points from six matches.

KANO PILLARS 2-1 FC TARABA

Sai Masu Gida returned to winning ways on Sunday in Kano after they labored to a 2-1 home win over FC Taraba.

Pillars were beaten 2-1 by Nasarawa United on Wednesday to move to nine points from four matches while FC Taraba’s recent slide continued after another defeat in Kano. They remain on seven points from six matches. They are yet to secure a point since they played the opening three games of the season without a loss.

KWARA UNITED FC 1-0 NASARAWA UNITED FC

The Harmony Warriors beat the Solid Miners 1-0 in a tough league duel at the Kwara State Sports Complex, Ilorin.

It was the club’s first league win in three games after they had lost their last two encounters to Heartland FC and 3SC of Ibadan.

Kwara United FC are on eight points from six matches while Nasarawa United have seven points from six games.

BAYELSA UNITED FC 0-0 GABROS INTERNATIONAL FC

The Restoration Boys were unable to penetrate through the wall of defence of the Ifeanyi Uba’s sponsored team at their adoptive stadium in Oghara on Sunday.

Bayelsa United FC wasted many scoring chances that came their way and they could only add a point to their tally on the log. They have six points from as many matches while Gabros International FC have succeeded in getting their first road point of the season. They have 10 points from six games.

Arsenal v Chelsea: See Wenger And Mourinho's Funny Press Conference Argument Here

DISCLAIMER: Like Wenger's record against Mourinho, don't take this video seriously.

It’s Arsenal v Chelsea this Sunday and ahead of the games we got access to a heavily edited press conference between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho.

The duo discussed everything from the match at the Emirates to their FA Cup records, before the insults began to fly between the rival bosses.

But will the ‘specialist in failure’ finally get one over the ‘Special One’? We’ll find out this afternoon…

Borussia Dortmund Plot Summer Move For Manchester City Star

Borussia Dortmund are ready to make a move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.

The Bosnian has found regular first-team football hard to come by at the Etihad this season with manager Manuel Pellegrini often rotating his forwards.

Dortmund spent big to bring in Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile and Colombia international Adrian Ramos last summer, but neither have hit the heights the German club would have hoped.

And now, according to Bild, Dortmund are ready to test Manchester City's resolve over the future of Dzeko.

The 29-year-old has three years to run on his contract at the Etihad but the Bundesliga side are hopeful City could be ready to cash in.

Transfer rumours and paper review – Monday, April 27

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Monday's newspapers...

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to reshape his squad this summer and is plotting deals for PSV Eindhoven's Dutch winger Memphis Depay, Aston Villa's Belgian forward Christian Benteke and Burnley's English striker Danny Ings. (Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea are eyeing a £20million deal for French midfield sensation Giannelli Imbula. (The Sun)

Tottenham are ready to move for Marseille midfielder Florian Thauvin this summer. The French club rejected an enquiry from the north Londoners for their 22-year-old back in January but Spurs have continued to track the winger, who can also play behind the striker. (Daily Mirror)

Southampton’s hopes of completing a transfer deal for Manchester United’s Javier Hernández have taken a substantial step forward after Louis van Gaal admitted he is intending to sell the Mexican this summer. (Metro)

Queens Park Rangers winger Matt Phillips is at the centre of a tug of war between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton. The Premier League rivals are gearing up to go head to head in the summer to land the Scotland international. (Daily Mirror)

Twitter reacts after Jose Mourinho ridicules Arsenal fans for 'boring' jibes

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho fuelled further animosity amongst Arsenal fans after mocking him for a series of chants during his side's 0-0 draw at the Emirates.

When asked in his post-match press conference about his side's stoic performance, he replied: 'Boring? I think 10 years without the title. That's boring!'

Chelsea produced a professional display at the Emirates, frustrating their title rivals to remain 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League with just five games left in the season.

Mourinho was centre of attention following the encounter

Sanchez: I'm very happy at Arsenal - but I want to win titles

Alexis Sanchez admits he is “very comfortable” at Arsenal and insists his team-mates want to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

The 26-year-old has been a pivotal part of Arsene Wenger’s side following his €48 million arrival from Barcelona last summer, scoring 21 goals in all competitions so far this term.

Sanchez has the chance to win silverware in his debut campaign in England after Arsenal reached next month’s FA Cup final but the Chile international is keen for the club to compete for trophies on all fronts.

"I like London, I quickly adapted. I'm very comfortable with Arsenal. In every day life, too, the city is wonderful and it helps me be a better player. I am very happy to be at Arsenal,” Sanchez told beIN Sports.

"All my team-mates want to win titles. Honouring the colours of our club.

"I have started my adventure here. Now I have to keep learning from football and from my team-mates. I must also better know the club and the league. I love English football. Here we invented football, right?”

Odion Ighalo’s Watford gain promotion to Premier League

Odion Ighalo’s Watford have secured a return to the Premier League, eight years after they were relegated.

The club got a 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday with Ighalo playing while their close rivals faltered and they thus earned their place with the big boys in the EPL.

Fourth-placed Norwich drew 1-1 with Rotherham while third-placed Middlesbrough, Kenneth Omeruo’s club, fell to a 4-3 defeat to Fulham.

The Championship leaders could secure the title if second-placed Bournemouth lose to Bolton on Monday.

Ighalo has had a very successful season with Watford where he has scored 20 goals so far.

His hot form with the Championship side earned him a call up to the Super Eagles during the two friendly matches in March against Uganda and South Africa.

Van Gaal: Manchester United will win title within two years

Louis van Gaal is confident he will guide Manchester United to the Premier League title before his contract expires in 2017.

The 63-year-old penned a three-year deal at Old Trafford last summer, revealing in March that the job will be his last in football, and adding that he expects assistant Ryan Giggs to succeed him when he retires.

Despite being knocked out of both domestic cups early and failing to mount a realistic title challenge in his debut campaign, Van Gaal is confident his methods will take United back to the top of English football.

"I have a period of three years and I am sure I will win a championship or a title within the three years. Maybe we can do that next year," Van Gaal told reporters.

"The process hasn't worked quickly here because when I was with other teams I had already won titles by now.

"Normally, our philosophy shall win titles. But we have had to make big changes here, not just in the philosophy but in the accommodation and structure of the club."

Ref sent me off for asking 'why always me?' - Alba

Jordi Alba has claimed he was sent off in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday just for saying "why does this always happen to me?".

The full-back was sent off in bizarre circumstances early in the second half at the Cornella El Prat - Alba expressed his unhappiness when a goal kick was awarded to Espanyol rather than a corner, to which referee Mateu Lahoz produced a surprising booking.

A few Barca players protested around the official, including Alba who is claimed to have asked why he was being yellow carded, but that just made Lahoz pull out another card for the defender and Luis Enrique's side were down to 10 men.

"The first card was for protesting to the referee because I thought it was a corner," Alba told Canal Plus. "So far, I see why he reacted that way.

"But then I turn away from him and said 'why does this always happen to me?' but not in a derogatory way. It could have harmed the result but fortunately the team worked well.

"I'm a player with a strong character, I know sometimes I'm wrong, but today I do not think I deserved my red card."

After first-half goals from Neymar and Lionel Messi ensured victory for the Liga leaders, Luis Enrique also questioned why Alba was sent off before praising his players for what he thought was a brilliant first 45 minutes against their city rivals.

"Jordi Alba only says 'why always me' to the referee and, unless it was a scary film title or something, I don't see how that was a red card," the coach said.

"Iniesta was the best he's been since the start of the season today. In the first half we dominated all the factors of the game. It was one of best first halves of the campaign.

"In the second half it would have been better if that red card hadn't generated as much controversy. We have five more crucial Liga games to go.

"It was a difficult tie, but that's a derby for you. However, we have to continue with our current attitude in the next few matches."

Getafe are Barca's next opponents on Tuesday at Camp Nou.

Man City 3-2 Aston Villa: Late Fernandinho volley rescues lacklustre Blues

Manchester City survived a late scare to reclaim second spot in the Premier League with a laboured 3-2 home victory over Aston Villa, all thanks to Fernandinho 88th minute winner.

An early howler from goalkeeper Brad Guzan gifted the hosts an early goal as Sergio Aguero tapped in after just three minutes, with Aleksandar Kolarov’s fine free-kick doubling their lead in the second half.

The hosts’ two-goal cushion lasted just two minutes, however, as on-loan midfielder Tom Cleverley pulled a goal back with a long range half-volley and the confident Villa - who saw off Liverpool to seal an FA Cup final spot last week - looked to have rescued a vital point when Carlos Sanchez turned the ball in late on.

But it was the defending champions who had the final word, with Villa punished for sloppy defending from a corner which allowed Brazil international Fernandinho to volley home from close-range.

A nervy three points sees City leapfrog rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, who both play on Sunday, into second. Tim Sherwood's VIlla, meanwhile, are now just two points clear of safety following a hectic afternoon of bottom-of-the-table action.

The teams barely had time to settle before an absolute clanger from Guzan handed City a third minute lead, Sergio Aguero taking advantage of the American’s miss-kicked clearance to tap into an empty net.

Aston Villa recovered from their shocking start, though, and – after a shaken Guzan threatened to gift City a second only for Fernando to head wide of an open goal – they went close through in-form Christian Benteke.

The Belgian scrapped through with the ball and survived a potential offside call before being denied by a brilliant save from the onrushing Joe Hart, with the striker sending a free header just wide moments later.

City looked asleep as the half time break approached, with Villa suddenly appearing the more likely team to score, but a moment of brilliance from Kolarov gave Manuel Pellegrini’s side a comfortable lead, the Serbian beating the wall to find the bottom corner from 22 yards.

However, at times this season the defending champions have looked a shadow of the side which lifted the Premier League trophy last term, and, in a dramatic final 30 minutes of play, they threatened to blow their two-goal lead as Sherwood’s stubborn Villa hit back.

The two-goal cushion lasted mere minutes as Hart was caught out and punished for a sloppy punched clearance, the England number one rushing off his line but not getting enough on the ball, with Cleverley pounding a half-volley through a crowded box and in the net.

Villa suddenly had City on the ropes as the visitors piled forward in search of an equaliser, and there was a sense of déjà vu when it eventually came, Hart rushing off his line but again only getting a slight touch on his punch, with Sanchez flicking the ball past the stranded keeper.

Sherwood’s men went for the jugular in the closing stages and were denied the chance for a shock winner when Benteke was wrongly flagged for offside when clean through on goal.

And City took advantage just 60 seconds later, the hosts profiting from a penalty area scramble after a corner with Fernandinho firing home to spare the big boys another embarrassing defeat.