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Jordan Pickford praised for incredible saves against Liverpool

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Everton and Liverpool’s first Merseyside derby of the year ended in a scoreless draw, with Jordan Pickford earning man of the match honours.

Although there were a total of 37 shots between the two teams, the much-anticipated local derby between the two teams fell short of expectations.

Conor Coady, a former Liverpool player, thought he had given Everton the victory, but his goal was cruelly disallowed after a protracted VAR review, which determined that the Everton centre back was marginally offside.

The England international was in top form as he repeatedly stopped Liverpool with some incredible goalkeeping.

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Nunez’s volleyed shot toward the goal was stopped by a stunning acrobatic save from Pickford. Pickford was in no mood to let anything pass him.

Additionally, Firmino had a close-range header expertly blocked before the Everton goalkeeper stopped his follow-up volley.

The 28-year-old saved his best for last when Mohamed Salah, who had been mostly kept in check throughout the contest, arrowed a shot towards the near post. Pickford reacted quickly and crucially got his finger tips on the ball to divert the shot onto the post, securing Everton’s fought-for point.

Pickford discussed his performance after winning man of the match for his performance.

He said on BT Sports: “I thought I had a good game today – I helped the lads and you need lots of leaders on the pitch and I think we’ve got that. We didn’t get three points but we got a draw and we can keep building.

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“They were good – Alisson made some wonderful saves as well but that’s our job, to help the team when we’re needed. It’s my first clean sheet of the season and that’s where we have to keep building and get better and better.”

He added: “Four draws but it’s hard work and commitment – if we keep building and get stronger then we’ll get the wins.”

Everton’s search for their first win of the season continues, up next for Frank Lampard’s side is a trip to face leaders Arsenal.

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Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse

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Eddie Hearn has slammed Francis Ngannou for appearing to suggest that his demolishing defeat by Anthony Joshua was down to his early arrival at the arena.

Joshua knocked down the former UFC heavyweight champion three times in two rounds to secure a dominant victory in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, in a recent interview on the MMA Hour, said that he arrived at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, two hours earlier than Joshua, appearing to suggest that this was a ‘trick’ to tire him out.

Joshua’s promoter Hearn has taken exception with the comments, suggesting the 37-year-old ‘should know better’.

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He told Boxing Social, ‘I was baffled. It is a bit disappointing really.

“He said they got him to the arena (early), who is they? You get given times by the broadcaster.

“He said that he was made to come to the arena early to tire him out for the fight, which is really an inexperienced boxing guy talking here, he should know better.

“You get your time, which is the ideal time that the organiser or the broadcaster would like you there, you make your own mind up.

“Some fighters like to get there three hours before, some like to get there an hour before, it all depends on the fighter.

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“If AJ is told for example that “we want you there at 10 ‘o’clock” and we know that the fight is happening at 1am, then we would come a little bit later, because he doesn’t want to be hanging around that long.’

Hearn also reacted to a social media post which contained Ngannou’s comments, stating: “I’m not sure he has come round yet.”

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Ngannou after the fight confessed that he couldn’t remember being knocked out by Joshua and that from going back to his stool in between the first and second rounds, he ‘wasn’t there anymore’.

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Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag

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After several statements that striker Victor Osimhen was not for sale, Italian publication, Il Mattino, has reported that Napoli were considering reducing their asking price of €130m for their most prized asset.

Osimhen has always been in the news with reports linking him with a move away from Italy and he is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

In January, English Premier League giants, Manchester United, reportedly prepared an offer of €110m as they hope to land the Nigeria international during the next transfer window.

A few days ago, rivals Chelsea and Arsenal were also said to test the waters for the Napoli striker with an offer of €90m.

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Spanish and French giants, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germaine have all been linked with the players.

“The Blues are interested in Napoli star Osimhen and according to Il Mattino they are ready to place a €90m bid at the end of the season,” Football Italia wrote.

“Arsenal and PSG are also interested in the Nigeria international and are willing to match the Blues’ offer. According to Il Mattino, Napoli could sell Osimhen for less than his release clause in the region of €130m.”

Despite missing a large chunk of the 2023/24 season due to injuries and his involvement with Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the striker still boasts 14-goal involvement (11 goals and three assists) in 17 appearances in the Italian topflight league.

The 25-year-old has been in fine form for Napoli, guiding the Serie A club to their first league victory in 33 years with a league-high 26 goals in 32 Serie A games last season, and 31 goals across all competitions.

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For the national team, the Napoli man only managed to score a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast but his involvement in the team played a major role in their journey to the final of the competition, where they lost 2-1 to the hosts in the final.

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Eight Nigerian boxers have advanced to finals in Ghana

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Eight Nigerian boxers have secured spots in the finals of the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, following their impressive performances in the semi-finals.

Zainab Adeshina led the charge when she defeated Grace Fanhbulleh from Liberia by a resounding 5-0 victory to secure her place in the final of the women’s 50kg category.

Joining Adeshina in the finals is Joy Ojo, who delivered a stellar performance against Khouloud Hlimi of Tunisia, to advance to the final of the women’s 57kg event.

In the women’s 75kg, UK-based Patricia Mbata, who recently lost in the final of the World Olympics Qualifiers in Italy, defeated Gramane Adosinda of Mozambique by points to also qualify for the final.

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Meanwhile, in the men’s division, Dolapo Omole, who already qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics last year, defeated Ngulube Albert of Zambia with a commanding 5-0 victory to secure his place in the final of the men’s 57kg event.

Adding to Nigeria’s success, another UK-based boxer Adams Olaore, who has also qualified for the Olympics, delivered a dominant performance by following up his KO win in the quarter-finals with a 5-0 points win in the semis.

Olaore beat Egypt’s Ali Ibrahim to book his place in the final stage of the men’s 92kg category.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore followed this up by defeating Algerian Hadjila Khelif by points 4-1 to advance to the final stage of women’s 60kg event.

In the first KO win of the semi-final, Blessing Oraekwe stopped Tunisia’s Iben Zina Eya in round two via a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) in the women’s 70kg to book her spot in the final.

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Kareem Shukura then continued the train by stopping Kenyan Faki Amina Martha in round one via Referee Stops Contest (RSC) in the women’s 54kg contest, to also book her final place.

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