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Futbol

Nervy Forest Must 'bounce Back' In Champions League Hunt

Nottingham Forest were "not comfortable" during their late defeat by Everton and must "bounce back" if they are to qualify for the Champions League next season, says manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Forest's remarkable season means they remain third in the Premier League but they are now nervously looking over their shoulders with six games remaining. Abdoulaye Doucoure's 94th-minute winner at the City Ground made it back-to-back defeats at the wrong time in the campaign as they aim to compete in Europe's elite club competition for the first time in over 40 years. "The performance was not good," Nuno told Match of the Day. "The last minute of the game, from an offensive corner we conceded so we are disappointed but in terms of the game, we were not good. Everton were dominant. "We cannot get away from the decisive moment in the season. We were not comfortable and the fans also saw we were struggling. You cannot get away form that. We want to try and give it a go." When Forest lost at Everton a year ago they were just one point above the drop zone, but managed to stave off relegation. Few could have predicted their achievements this season in reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and challenging for the Champions League but they are now in danger of slipping down the table. Their final six games are tough prospects with the likes of Manchester City, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Chelsea on the final day, all still to come. Former England defender Stephen Warnock said on Final Score: "It would be heartbreaking for Forest to miss out on Champions League football at this point given all the work they have put into the season. "They have to go back into the dressing room now and say, 'Ok, bad day at the office. Let's go again and re-group.' We've seen them bounce back from adversity at times already this season, so it is not the end of the day." Saturday's defeat was just their third at the City Ground all campaign and Doucoure's late strike ended a run of 449 minutes without conceding at home. Everton boss David Moyes added: "Forest have done remarkably well but if you would have given them Europe, they would have snapped your hand off for that. It is incredible what they have done and we have to wait and see if they can get over the line for the Champions League." Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi said to Sky Sports: "It is in our hands to make sure we stay in the position we are in. Football is cruel and it is tough to put into words. We have to move on from it now."

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News_Naija

Stop Relocation Of KWASU Agriculture Faculty, Students Urge Kwara Govt

The National Association of Agricultural Students has called on the Kwara State Government to immediately suspend the proposed relocation of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kwara State University to Ilesha Baruba. The students made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday by the NAAS National President, Bashar Abdulazeez, and co-signed by the NAAS National Director of Welfare, Raji Ridwan. The students expressed deep concern over the safety of students in light of recent violent attacks in the community. “We sympathise with the people of Ilesha Baruba who have suffered from repeated attacks. “However, the relocation of students to a region facing such volatility is highly risky and unacceptable. No educational reform should come at the cost of students’ lives,” Abdulazeez stated. He emphasised that the academic welfare and safety of students must remain a priority, calling on the state government to reconsider its decision and involve stakeholders in any discussions about future changes. “Students deserve to learn in an environment free from fear and danger. “The Faculty of Agriculture must remain in a secure and academically conducive zone. We urge His Excellency, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to engage the leadership of NAAS and other relevant bodies before proceeding with any relocation plan,” he added. The association also encouraged the university management, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Shaykh-Lukman Jimoh, to improve on-campus security measures. While commending the state government’s broader efforts to combat insecurity, Abdulazeez insisted that “more targeted interventions are needed in sensitive regions like Ilesha Baruba, especially where students’ lives are at stake.” On his part, Ridwan reiterated the association’s commitment to advocating for student-friendly policies. “We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that no student is exposed to unnecessary danger in the name of academic restructuring,” Ridwan affirmed.  

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Futbol

'No-one Can Do What Kevin Has' - De Bruyne Shines As Man City Exit Nears

Kevin de Bruyne has three more Manchester City games to play at Etihad Stadium, selection permitting. That means three more opportunities for City's fans to offer him a standing ovation, as they did when he was replaced by Jeremy Doku three minutes from the end of a 5-2 victory against Crystal Palace. Three more opportunities for De Bruyne to acknowledge those supporters and wave from the pitch to his children, who watched him produce a masterclass in the manner of old. A decade of service is coming to an end. In word and deed, De Bruyne is determined his time at City will not close with a whimper. "I want to go away with a Champions League [place] for this team because they deserve it," De Bruyne told BBC Match of the Day. "We've been in the Champions League for the nine or 10 years I've been here, so I hope we can do that for the team next year. I'll just try to play good football like I've always done." The problem is De Bruyne has not played good football this season. It is one of the reasons Guardiola and outgoing technical director Txiki Begiristain decided not to offer the 33-year-old a contract extension when his current deal expires on 30 June. It is still not clear whether De Bruyne will remain at the club for their Club World Cup campaign, which might not finish until mid-July. Sadly for Crystal Palace, he chose them to remind us all what he is capable of. With City trailing 2-0 and seemingly heading for defeat, De Bruyne led the recovery mission. The Belgian hit the woodwork before pulling a goal back by deceiving goalkeeper Dean Henderson with a free-kick that went in off a post. The history books will show Ilkay Gundogan was credited with the assist for Omar Marmoush's equaliser. But it was De Bruyne's nod-back Marmoush buried after Gundogan had failed to get proper contact on it. De Bruyne definitely teed up Mateo Kovacic for City's crucial third goal at the start of the second half, calmly rolling a pass perfectly into the Croat's path on the edge of the area when many, less aware, colleagues might have panicked and made the wrong decision. He should really have had another assist when he set up Marmoush but Henderson repelled the Egyptian's close-range finish. "It is the kind of performance Kevin has done in many games, for many years," said Guardiola. "Unfortunately, for 18 months he could not do it because of the injuries and surgery, but [today] he played fantastic. The gratitude I have for him is huge." Even Palace manager Oliver Glasner appreciated De Bruyne's talent. He just wishes he had not been on the receiving end. "Every manager loves to see a player like him with intelligence," he said. "He moves and always finds the space - it is how he scores and creates chances." De Bruyne is not a shouter or screamer. He is not in the Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira mould of captains, the type who drove their team on through a mixture of intense demands and doing their own job really well. He is not athletic in the way Steven Gerrard used to be. But he can create something from nothing through a combination of awareness and execution. He is a player who sees opportunities others do not. Then he is capable of delivery. It takes him to a level of the game removed from virtually anyone else. It is why, while the debate is futile and there can be no 'winner', he has to be in the conversation about the best player of a Premier League era which is now in its fourth decade. And it is why, when asked if James McAtee, who scored on his first Premier League start, might fill De Bruyne's boots next season, Guardiola's response was dripping with incredulity. "No-one can do what Kevin has done," said the City boss. "Kevin has a unique talent, a vision in the pass. When the players are up front and Kevin has the ball, they know they can run because the ball will be delivered. "He is not a vocal leader. But in nine years, he has been there every three days." Soon, he will not be there. De Bruyne's future is unknown. There have been plenty of rumours around Major League Soccer (MLS) and, most recently, Inter Miami, although in some ways the idea of De Bruyne in the same team as Lionel Messi seems a waste. De Bruyne has no reason to play second fiddle to anyone, not even one of the handful of players widely accepted as being the best ever. He will reach his conclusion in his own quiet way. De Bruyne certainly thinks he still has something to offer. "It's been a hard year but I've been pain-free for the last six weeks and that makes a massive difference," he told TNT Sports. "I don't know how I'm going to feel [in my last game] - I've been here so long, my kids were born in Manchester and lived their whole life here. It's going to be different for them. I think they're a bit scared. "But if I can play football and my family's happy, I'm good. I don't know what will happen next but I want to play on, so let's see where I end up."

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Futbol

Listen to Sportsound Celtic now two points from title – and can be crowned champions on Sunday if Rangers lose to Aberdeen Hatate (2), Maeda & Carter-Vickers put rampant Celtic four up in opening 25 minutes Armstrong pulls one back with looping effort & Maeda has first-half strike disallowed for offside Substitute Ralston nets injury-time fifth for hosts Manager Brendan Rodgers hailed Celtic's "brilliant reaction" to their shock defeat at St Johnstone as they moved to within touching distance of another Scottish Premiership title by ripping Kilmarnock apart with a barnstorming first-half display. Rodgers demanded a response following the loss to the division's bottom side, and within 24 minutes his side were four ahead thanks to a stunning array of goals, with Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate, twice, on target. Danny Armstrong's cross sailed home for some brief respite for Derek McInnes' men, but the champions-elect utterly dominated. The icing on the cake arrived in injury time as substitute Anthony Ralston danced into the box and found the far corner. Celtic's title win will be confirmed if Aberdeen defeat Rangers on Sunday, while well-beaten Kilmarnock now head into a crucial bottom-six run that will determine their fate. "As frustrated as I was last week, that was a brilliant reaction," Rodgers told BBC Scotland. "The first 30 minutes were as good as we've been. "That's more like what we've been for large parts of the season. Winning attitude mixed with talent, you get that performance." Rodgers had questioned the mindset of his squad after defeat last Sunday meant there was no home title party this weekend. With four changes for the home side, two up top and two at the back, the intent and desire was there instantly. Celtic were magnificent and swatted Kilmarnock away with some excellent goals. The first was an individual moment of brilliance as Hatate gathered off a one-two and, without hesitation, fired straight into the top corner with Kieran O'Hara given no hope in goal. Things quickly imploded for the visitors. Arne Engels waited and waited before playing a delightful ball in behind for Alistair Johnston, who squared for Maeda to tap in the easiest of his now 31 goals this season. Celtic's attacking was relentless and Carter-Vickers got in on the act as he strode freely towards the box and smashed a perfect long-range strike into the top corner. The fourth was wonderfully worked with James Forrest again releasing Johnston, who found Hatate with space and time to net his second of the game and 10th of the season. At that stage, Kilmarnock looked in freefall. From nowhere, Armstrong crossed with pace and it soared to the far post and over Viljami Sinisalo into the top corner. Fortunate but gratefully received. Celtic kept at it. Kilmarnock avoided further damage just before half-time when Maeda slammed home but Adam Idah was adjudged just offside. The only solace for the visitors was it didn't get much worse as they changed approach at the break to some effect. The damage was done. Engels was closest to a fifth with a curling effort that clipped the bar before Ralston's late strike as Celtic inflicted a painful, chastening afternoon on their opponents. No title party, just yet, and that clearly irked Rodgers given his comments in the past week. Clearly, his anger had the desired impact on his squad. Jota, Nicolas Kuhn, Auston Trusty and Jeffrey Schlupp all made way and Celtic were on it from minute one. It was a brilliant response as Kilmarnock were battered into submission within the opening quarter of the match. At half-time this really could have been a cricket score. Celtic eased off and a change in approach from Kilmarnock stemmed the flow but this was a convincing and deserved victory. Another Premiership title will arrive, whether on Sunday or later. However, clearly Celtic's manager is already thinking beyond the remainder of this season. He told BBC Scotland pre-match he will "150%" remain Celtic manager next season and his position on the next steps seems crystal clear. This squad needs improved despite yet more success being within their grasp. The fight really begins for Kilmarnock and every side in the bottom six now in the five post-split fixtures. The Rugby Park side have not won away to Celtic since 2012 and ending that run was always unlikely. Within 10 minutes it was a crisis management exercise in damage limitation. Kilmarnock barely had the ball, couldn't get away from their box and very rarely got over halfway. It was the sort of afternoon no footballer wants to experience, never mind fans. Goal difference may prove crucial - second-bottom Dundee are just a point behind before facing Hibernian on Sunday - and the second half game-management may prove helpful. You look at this Kilmarnock squad and think they should have enough to avoid trouble, but they are right in it as things stand. This was an afternoon they'll want to forget, regroup and get on with the job in hand. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I feel much much happier than I was last week. You see the response over a week's work and today. "It puts us in a perfect place going into the Scottish Cup semi-final [next week]. If we put in a performance like that, hopefully we can get to the final." Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "Celtic started like a train and put us to the sword with their movement. When they are like that you think, 'how can they lose games in the Premiership?' "We've got to bounce back into work. Every bottom-six team is in a fight, we've got to make sure we win those fights. Today wasn't a fight we needed to win."