Newcastle manager Eddie Howe defends Kieran Trippier after double blunder in Everton loss

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe defends Kieran Trippier after double blunder in Everton loss

England full-back at fault for two goals as Magpies are beaten 3-0 at Goodison Park

Eddie Howe has defended Kieran Trippier after mistakes by the full-back led to two goals in Newcastle United's 3-0 defeat at Everton on Thursday night.

The England defender has been in superb form playing virtually every minute of Newcastle's Premier League and Champions League campaign this season but had a night to forget at Goodison Park.

With the score goalless heading into the final 10 minutes, a poor touch from Trippier gifted possession to Dwight McNeil who then charged forward before firing home in style.

The 33-year-old again lost possession minutes later which ended with Jack Harrison's cross finding Abdoulaye Doucoure who side-footed home.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe defends Kieran Trippier after double blunder in Everton loss

England full-back at fault for two goals as Magpies are beaten 3-0 at Goodison Park

Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier after the defeat against Everton. 

Eddie Howe has defended Kieran Trippier after mistakes by the full-back led to two goals in Newcastle United's 3-0 defeat at Everton on Thursday night.

The England defender has been in superb form playing virtually every minute of Newcastle's Premier League and Champions League campaign this season but had a night to forget at Goodison Park.

With the score goalless heading into the final 10 minutes, a poor touch from Trippier gifted possession to Dwight McNeil who then charged forward before firing home in style.

The 33-year-old again lost possession minutes later which ended with Jack Harrison's cross finding Abdoulaye Doucoure who side-footed home.

The victory dragged Everton – who were dropped into the relegation zone after being deducted 10 points for breaking Premier League financial rules – out of the bottom three.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have now been beaten five times this season, the same number as number of games they lost in the entire 2022-23 campaign.

It also means they have still only won one game away from home this season and sit seventh in the table, with 21 out of their 26 points having been gained at St James' Park.

Newcastle's next game is also away, this time at fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Manager Eddie Howe refused to blame Trippier after their latest defeat, insisting the whole team was off the pace.

“Kieran has been absolutely magnificent since he signed, the catalyst for a lot that happened,” said Howe, whose team are seventh in the table, four points behind Manchester City in fourth. “Collectively we were off our best.

“The game was there for us to win in the second half after an even first half. I don’t think we played particularly well.

“I thought we had them penned in and then conceded the first goal and that changed the momentum. It was a frustrating evening, a missed opportunity.

“It’s a difficult one for us to understand. Last year our away form was very good, we were free-scoring. This year haven’t got going on the road, apart from the Sheffield United game [an 8-0 victory].”

“I am in a difficult position to agree because if I do what is there to stop that happening again and again?”

“There are reasons behind every performance. We have struggled to change our plans and have the attacking options we want. You can potentially do it for a short period of time but the longer it goes the harder it gets.”

As for Everton, it was a memorable night at Goodison Park as fans enjoyed a vital three points against a side containing former winger Anthony Gordon, who was jeered relentlessly all evening.

Manager Sean Dyche was delighted with the team spirit of his side. “The performance level at home has been pleasing all season but you have got win games and you have got to score goals,” he said.

“We did that well. I thought it was another good performance, particularly first half against a good outfit.

“I have spoken about the mentality and I think you could sense there is a connected group. Everyone knew what they were doing, they just said, ‘Let’s get on it, let’s go out and play’.

“That’s when you know you are on to something. It doesn’t guarantee anything but I think we’re on to something.”

Ogun Govt Places N50m Bounty On Finance Director’s Killers

Ogun Govt Places N50m Bounty On Finance Director’s Killers

51-year-old Oyekanmi was killed last Wednesday, November 29 by gunmen at the Kuto Flyover Bridge in Abeokuta.

Ogun State Government has announced a N50m reward for anybody who could provide information leading to the arrest of the killers of Mr Taiwo Oyekanmi, the former Director of Finance and Administration attached to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.

51-year-old Oyekanmi was killed last Wednesday, November 29 by gunmen at the Kuto Flyover Bridge in Abeokuta.

The bounty was announced in a statement on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi in Abeokuta, the state capital.

It read, “Information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality. Such information can be sent to the under-listed telephone numbers: 08037441955, 08033074371, 08081775020, 08034062773, 08032136765.”

Oyekanmi was accosted by the gun-wielding hoodlums, alongside two others, while returning to the Governor’s Office with money said to have been withdrawn from two major commercial banks within the Abeokuta metropolis.

E.SUN Makes a Voice for Taiwanese Banking Industry in COP28

Welcome!!!

E.SUN Makes a Voice for Taiwanese Banking Industry in COP28

The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) is currently taking place in Dubai, UAE. The conference focuses on issues such as the global stocktake (GST), mechanism for loss and damage, whether countries are proposing more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the gradual elimination of fossil fuels. Chairman of E.SUN Financial Holding, Joseph Huang leads E.SUN Sustainability Team to COP28 to gain first-hand insights into the latest international trends and solutions for climate change.

Political leaders, organizations, and advocacy groups gather in the World Climate Summit (WCS). Environmental ministers of many countries attend to express concerns about the negative impacts of climate change on the economy. Chairman Huang is once again invited to deliver a keynote speech on behalf of Taiwan's financial industry with the topic "How Sustainability is Reshaping Taiwan's Financial Market". He shares his view on how the financial industry plays a critical role in the sustainable transformation. The speech receives enthusiastic responses from attendees worldwide.

Huang emphasizes that climate change is a transnational and cross-industry issue. Companies need to do a little more, and go beyond traditional business boundaries. For example, E.SUN Bank has implemented various zero-carbon financial services, from encouraging customers to engage in green consumption, providing green building home loans, to issuing carbon neutral credit cards and installing zero-carbon ATMs. In the future, it will also collect carbon emission information of public transportation to encourage consumers to use public transportation. In corporate banking services, the bank has held ESG Sustainability Initiative three years in-a-row, conducted one-on-one sustainability consultations with over 150 companies, and established a "Sustainable Transformation Platform" in collaboration with 11 cross-industry consultants to provide practical solutions for corporate net-zero transformation. Moreover, E.SUN serves as the rotating chair of the " Coalition of First-movers for Sustainable Finance" in 2024, promoting collaboration rather than competition and driving the overall net-zero transformation progress of Taiwan's financial industry.

E.SUN believes that through international, governmental, industrial, and market collective efforts, everyone can contribute climate-friendly actions in their respective fields, which can be merged into a positive force that changes the environment and accelerates the net-zero transition, assisting Taiwan and the world in moving towards the beautiful vision of net-zero by 2050.

Everton Clip High-Flying Newcastle’s Wings, Move Out Of Relegation

Everton Clip High-Flying Newcastle’s Wings, Move Out Of Relegation

Victory lifts Everton one point clear of the bottom three and they would be in the top half but for the points penalty.

Everton climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone despite a 10-point deduction as goals from Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Beto earned a 3-0 win over Newcastle on Thursday.

The Toffees have been galvanised by the perceived injustice at receiving the toughest sporting sanction dished out in Premier League history for breaches of financial rules.

Newcastle were made to pay for two uncharacteristic errors by England international Kieran Trippier as fatigue hit the injury ravaged Magpies in the closing stages.

McNeil pounced to smash into the top corner 11 minutes from time before Doucoure secured a fifth win in seven games for Everton.

Substitute Beto rounded off victory with his first Premier League goal in stoppage time.

Victory lifts Everton one point clear of the bottom three and they would be in the top half but for the points penalty.

Newcastle remain seventh, four points off the top four.

Everton fans’ fury at the 10-point deduction may have eased from their last home game against Manchester United where they staged mass protests inside and outside the stadium.

However, there was another demonstration in the 10th minute as they held up placards with the Premier League logo alongside the message: “Protecting the few, not the many.”

An upturn in fortunes for Sean Dyche’s men would have been even better but for a consistent failure to make the most of their chances at Goodison.

Bournemouth were the only side Everton had beaten at home in the Premier League since March.

Dyche was left to rue his side’s profligacy in front of a goal as a positive first-half performance went without reward.

McNeil scored the winner in a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but dragged his first big opportunity of the night wide from the edge of the area.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin then somehow blazed over with the goal gaping from close range after Newcastle failed to clear a free-kick into the box.

The Magpies have swept aside Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United at home this season.

But Eddie Howe’s men have won just once away from home all season in the Premier League.

Alexander Isak headed the best of Newcastle’s openings wide in the first half when unmarked at the back post.

Anthony Gordon endured a frosty reception on his return to Goodison, but even the in-form winger was wasteful in front of goal.

Gordon fired straight at Jordan Pickford after robbing James Tarkowski on the edge of the box and then failed to keep his composure when blazing well off target from Isak’s through ball.

Newcastle’s injury woes has meant Trippier has played virtually every minute of their Premier League and Champions League campaign so far.

Tiredness was certainly a factor as he coughed up possession to allow McNeil to surge forward and smash a perfect strike past stand-in goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Moments later, Trippier was again at fault as this time he gifted Jack Harrison possession.

McNeil failed to make contact with Harrison’s cross, but the ball fell kindly to Doucoure to slot home.

Beto rounded off a perfect night for Everton late on as he showed impressive strength and produced a cool finish through Dubravka’s legs for his first goal at Goodison.

Ms. Marvel's Iman Vellani Is Hoping for a Crossover Team-Up With Tom Holland's Spider-Man

Ms. Marvel's Iman Vellani Is Hoping for a Crossover Team-Up With Tom Holland's Spider-Man

Iman Vellani says she would love to have Ms. Marvel team up with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in an MCU crossover movie.

Ms. Marvel star Iman Vellani would have Kamala Khan fighting alongside Miles Morales, Nova, and Tom Holland's Spider-Man if she was allowed to expand her ideal MCU crossover team-ups.

Iman Vellani almost teased the full lineup of Young Avengers short of dropping new names in an interview with The Direct. "I don't know what the rules are for scenes that were cut, like, am I still supposed to keep those secrets?" she expressed. "I'll say, whatever names you can guess are probably right. Like, there's not that many young people in the MCU right now." She revealed she was also open to fantasy team-ups, though, and would like to join forces with superheroes outside the obvious picks if she had her way. Since anything can happen in the Multiverse, a crossover movie with Tom Holland's Spider-Man doesn't seem so far-fetched.

"I would love to see a team-up [with Tom Holland's Spider-Man]," she exclaimed at the possibility of Kamala Khan consulting Peter Parker for advice. "Their team-ups in the comics are honestly one of my favorites. So, that would be cool." Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man first crossed paths in Amazing Spider-Man (2014) #7 during a team effort to stop a rogue Kree super soldier's rampage across Midtown. 

They also joined forces in other pivotal Marvel Comics events, including 2015's All-New, All-Different Avengers, 2016's Worlds Collide, 2019's Marvel Team-up, and 2022's Dark Web series.

Will Ms. Marvel Form the Young Avengers in the MCU?

The Marvels star is evidently excited about the future of her character in the MCU, with Kamala Khan pulling off a Nick Fury by recruiting members for the Young Avengers during the film’s end credits. Vellani hinted that it would be easy enough to guess which superheroes would join the team, given the handful of hopefuls already introduced in the MCU. But she also expressed a desire to realize some of her character's other story arcs as portrayed in the comics. This was somewhat fulfilled through a deep-cut reference in The Marvels, in a scene where Kamala Khan suggested that Monica Rambeau consider adopting Nova as a codename.

Vellani said she wants her character to team up with both of Nova's iterations in the comics, Richard Rider and Sam Alexander, but admitted the latter is her favorite. She would also love to cross paths with Miles Morales, saying "I love Miles. I'm a big fan of The Champions comics, especially the more recent runs. Like Kamala, Miles, and Sam, their chemistry is so sweet. And I want her to have like more of that young energy in her life. So yeah, those two would probably be my top choice. I think." With fan support for the prospect of Miles Morales joining the MCU, there's at least a glimmer of hope Vellani's wish will be granted.

Ms. Marvel Season 1 is now streaming on Disney+. The Marvels is now playing in theaters.

Source: The Direct

Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie, Abiodun Make Final Shortlist For CAF 2023 Awards

Welcome!!!

Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie, Abiodun Make Final Shortlist For CAF 2023 Awards

The African football governing body confirmed the finalists for the CAF awards - billed for Morocco next Monday - in posts on its social media platforms on Thursday.

The African football governing body confirmed the finalists for the CAF awards – billed for Morocco next Monday – in posts on its social media platforms on Thursday.

Osimhen, who plays for Napoli in the Italian Serie, will do battle with Egyptian Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi who was part of Morocco’s historical World Cup run in Qatar late last year.

Despite battling Hakimi who helped Morocco to reach the World Cup semis, a first on the continent, and Salah who was in fine form for Liverpool last year, Osimhen is in pole position to land the coveted prize after becoming the first African to win the highest goalscorer gong in the Italian Serie A.

His goals were instrumental as Napoli scooped their first Scudetto prize title in 33 years. The former Lille man was also the highest-ranked African in the 2023 Ballon d’Or when he finished ninth.

For the Women’s category, Osimhen’s compatriot Oshoala is on the cusp of a record-extending fifth CAF Women’s Player of the Year gong. The Barcelona Femeni star was on the team’s treble-winning side last season. She also scored one goal as the Super Falcons reached the last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup played earlier in the year.

But the Nigerian has stiff competition with  Racing Louisville and South African star Thembi Kgatlana and Zambia’s Barbara Banda.

Super Falcons Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC is also in contention for the Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) and has to contend with Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns).

In the Young Player of the Year (Women), there is also another Nigerian –  Deborah Abiodun. The Pittsburgh Panthers midfielder  – despite playing one of the team’s four games at the World Cup – has been one of the breakout stars on the continent in the last year.  She featured for Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The Super Falcons are also in contention for the Women’s Team of The Year award.

Those Found Culpable For Kaduna Bombing Will Be Punished – Shettima

Those Found Culpable For Kaduna Bombing Will Be Punished – Shettima

The Vice president gave the assurance when he visited the victims of the attack at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in the Kaduna State capital.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has assured that the Federal Government is determined to fully probe the accidental bombing by the Nigerian Army in Tudun Biri village, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and thereafter punish anyone found culpable in the incident.

He also pledged that the victims of the incident would be supported by the Federal Government.

The Vice president gave the assurance when he visited the victims of the attack at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in the Kaduna State capital on Thursday.

“There is no gain in dwelling too much on this incident that has happened. I am here because the President is deeply concerned; he was deeply touched by what happened.

“Let’s not talk about the numbers, one life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in a pogrom. The heart of the President is with the bereaved families. We were at the hospital to sympathise with the victims and be rest assured that the Federal Government stands by the community affected and the government and people of Kaduna State on this unfortunate incident.

“It is already directed by Mr President, an investigation is being conducted with a view to preventing a re-occurrence of the incident and we expect a report to be submitted in the shortest possible time,” Shettima said days after the incident threw the nation into mourning.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital to offer his condolences and support to the victims and families of the recent bomb strikes in Kaduna.

Shettima toured the hospital wards, meeting with injured victims and their loved ones. 

He also assured that the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu is committed to the total eradication of terrorism and banditry in the Northern region and other parts of the country.

Shettima was received on arrival in Kaduna State by Governor Uba Sani who accompanied him to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital where he commiserated with the victims.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Abdullahi Ganduje were among Shettima’s entourage.

 

The Vice President’s condolence visit comes four days after the deadly airstrike that killed over 85 persons and injured several others in the North-Western state.

Sunday’s tragic incident has received condemnation from local and international watchdogs, all calling for investigations and a standardised review of procedural activities.

There was confusion in the wake of the airstrike with many calling out the Nigerian Air Force. However, the agency was quick to absolve itself of responsibility for the incident. The Kaduna State government hours later said the Nigerian Army had claimed responsibility for the accidental bombing in Nigeria’s North-West region.

The Army has since taken responsibility for the accident with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, during his visit apologising to the community over the matter, promising to halt a repeat of such an incident.

“My assessment of that unfortunate incident of Sunday, December 3, 2023, is that it is grave, regrettable. We will do everything possible to prevent such an occurrence from happening again in the conduct of our operations going forward,” he said about one of the country’s deadliest military bombing accidents.

Both the Federal and Kaduna State governments have ordered a full investigation into the incident.

The Kaduna incident happened months after another fatal airstrike on Kwatiri, a Nasarawa village. At least 39 persons were killed and six others injured in the 24 January incident.