Palmer and Maresca win PL player and coach of the month awards for September.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Enzo Maresca have been named the Premier League’s Player and Manager of the Month for September. The Blues secured three wins in four league matches, moving up to fourth place, just four points behind leaders Liverpool, whom they will face next Sunday. Among these victories was a remarkable 4-2 win over Brighton, where Palmer made history by scoring four goals before halftime, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in Premier League history. He is also the second Chelsea player, after Frank Lampard, to score four goals in two different matches. Palmer leads the league with 11 goal involvements this season and has created 23 chances. Maresca’s award marks the first time a Chelsea head coach has won Manager of the Month since Thomas Tuchel in October 2021.
Cole Palmer: POTM
Enzo Maresca: MOTMSeptember was Chelsea’s month in the Premier League 🥶 pic.twitter.com/xo08cfzyAg
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 11, 2024
Dele-Bashiru emerges the hero as Nigeria defeats Libya in AFCON qualifiers.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a vital 1-0 victory over Libya in their AFCON 2025 qualifier on Friday evening in Uyo, thanks to a late goal from substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. In a tense match marked by a stubborn Libyan defense, Nigeria struggled to find their rhythm. However, Dele-Bashiru made an immediate impact, scoring the decisive goal in the 86th minute after a rapid counterattack, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Ademola Lookman thought he had added a second goal in the 83rd minute, but it was ruled offside. This victory enhances Nigeria’s chances of qualification for AFCON 2025, with the 23-year-old midfielder emerging as a key player. The Super Eagles will face Libya again in the return match on October 15.
The Super Eagles maintain their place at the top of Group D for AFCON Qualifiers, beating Libya 1:0 in the home match. 🇳🇬🔥
📸: @PulseSportsNG pic.twitter.com/awbfRwCdBx
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) October 11, 2024
Bukayo Saka to return to Arsenal with immediate effect after injury.
England forward, Bukayo Saka has returned to Arsenal for further evaluation of the injury he sustained during England’s loss to Greece on Thursday, as confirmed by the national team on Saturday. Saka, who was substituted early in the second half for Noni Madueke, will not join the squad for their match against Finland in Helsinki on Sunday. This leaves Lee Carsley with a 22-man roster, while Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is also absent due to personal reasons. Saka’s injury is a setback for Arsenal, which is already without captain Martin Ødegaard, who was injured during the last international break. At 23, Saka has been wearing the captain’s armband in Ødegaard’s absence and has contributed 10 goals this season. Arsenal is set to face Bournemouth away in the Premier League next Saturday.
🚨🔴⚪️ England confirm Bukayo Saka returns to Arsenal with immediate effect leaving the camp for further assessment.
His injury will now be assessed by #AFC staff after initial tests with England. pic.twitter.com/52dINUBaIF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 12, 2024
Venezuela holds Argentina to a 1-1 draw in World Cup qualifiers.
The World Cup qualifier between Venezuela and Argentina faced potential postponement due to heavy rainfall, causing significant standing water on the field at Estadio Monumental de Maturín. The kickoff was delayed by 30 minutes to allow for drainage. When the match commenced, the conditions led to a scrappy performance. Nicolás Otamendi scored first for Argentina, but Venezuela’s Salomón Rondón equalized in the second half, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Lionel Messi expressed frustration after the match, attributing the “ugly” performance to the poor pitch conditions. “It was very difficult; it makes for very ugly matches,” Messi stated in a post-match interview. Despite the draw, Argentina remains at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 19 points from nine matches.
FT: Venezuela 1-1 Argentina.
Despite IMPOSSIBLE pitch conditions, Lionel Messi captains Argentina to an important point as they remain on TOP of the group! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/7mYfDbpqIo
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) October 10, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Coco Gauff to reach back-to-back Wuhan Open finals.
Current holder, Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a shaky start to defeat Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open. Gauff, who recently made grip adjustments with coach Matt Daly, struggled with 21 double faults throughout the match, which ultimately cost her. The 20-year-old American dominated the first set, breaking Sabalenka twice to take a commanding 5-0 lead, closing the set with a forehand winner that left Sabalenka unable to respond. However, Sabalenka came back aggressively in the second set, capitalizing on Gauff’s serving woes. “A couple of mistakes from her and I thought maybe I still have a chance,” Sabalenka said after the match. With this victory, the three-time Grand Slam winner advanced to her third consecutive Wuhan Open final, where she will face either Zheng Qinwen or Wang Xinyu.
Holding firm under pressure 💪 @SabalenkaA snaps Coco Gauff's win streak and remains undefeated in Wuhan.#WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/yaxw1Jvx13
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 12, 2024