Lineker, others praise Chelsea’s Mason after 2-0 win over Porto

 

England legends, Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Glenn Hoddle have singled out Chelsea midfielder, Mason Mount for special praises following the Blues’ 2-0 away win over Porto in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Wednesday.

The football legends cannot also believe the criticism being faced by the England star as the Chelsea midfielder once again proved his quality against Porto

The former England U21 midfielder opened scoring for the Blues after an impeccable turn on the edge of the 18-yard box before firing a shot across Porto goalkeeper Marchesin.

The England international has been a regular since Thomas Tuchel took over at Stamford Bridge but has often received criticism with his spot in the team for both club and country questioned by critics.

Lineker hit back at Mount critics on BT Sport saying, “You still see it don’t you on social media.

“Social media as we know is full of people who know everything about football

“But the Mount misunderstanding is weird. He’s really good isn’t he? It was brilliant.”

Ex-Chelsea manager, Hoddle, added, “He’s a top player, a top, top player and that turn was sensational.

“But it was a great ball as you say, Jorginho, protected side, you’re being marked on one side and the pass actually beat him but the skill was excellent.”

And Manchester United legend, Ferdinand also spoke about the player, describing his goal as “An exquisite finish.

“They were patient, this was one of the main times they pinned back the Porto team.

“This ball here, but the turn was just immaculate, the finish may be a bit of fortune from the goalkeeper just sticking his leg out. But a fantastic finish in the end.”

Chelsea now has a huge advantage going into the second leg next week at the neutral venue in Sevilla, Spain.

Police exhume body of CDC Chairman buried alive

 

The Rivers State Police Command has exhumed the decomposing body of the Community Development Chairman of Kereken-Boue community in Khana Local government of the State.

The CDC Chairman, Prince Deeka was said to have been buried alive by certain criminals for some unknown reasons.

The DPO of Bori Police Station, SP Bako Angbashim led his team to a thick forest between Andoni and Bonny local government areas of the state, where Deeka, was buried.

The 10-year son of the murdered community leader was among the team who visited the forest so he could identify his father.

While the State Police Command is yet to issue a statement to that effect,  reports that a few weeks ago, some youths broke into the home of the CDC Chairman and took him away to an unknown location

Ondo community as assailants attack, raze 15 houses

 

Asere community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State has been thrown into turmoil following an attack on the riverine village by gunmen.

The assailants who also appeared to be arsonists had in their numbers attacked the community and set ablaze 15 houses.

It was gathered that the arsonists who were known to the residents of the community attacked the community after the locals allegedly tipped off security agencies about their activities and movement.

Angered by the move of the arsonists, women in the community who protested the attack and destruction of the community, called on security agencies to arrest the gang members.

According to the protesting women who identified the suspected gang members as Kutu Mone aka MK; July Mone; Best Oniwei; Iyemiyelawei Mone; Mathew Suku Polobubou; Dedewei Mone and Bado Ogbudugbudu said the gang have been operating in the riverine area for a while until security operatives started clamping down on them.

One of the protesters, who simply called herself Faith said the ringleader of the gang, Kutu Mone, who hails from Asere, invaded the community alongside his gang members because he felt his people were giving security men tip-offs about their activities.

On his part, the Paramount ruler of Agadagba Kingdom, Oba Zachueus Doubra said he received a report that one of his subjects, who he described as a ‘recalcitrant boy’ invaded Asere to burn down the community.

Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Tee-Leo Ikoro, said the Police is on top of the situation, urging the people to back to their normal businesses.

“Our men have taken over the area and with no time, MK and his gang would be arrested and be prosecuted as well.”

 

Morrison tells Tuchel Chelsea player that shouldn’t make starting XI again after 2-0 over Porto

 

Former Premier League star, Clinton Morrison, has told Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel to keep Timo Werner out of the team.

Morrison said the Germany International ‘needs time out’ of the Chelsea team after the striker struggled again in the game against Porto in Sevilla last night.

Werner has endured a difficult season at Chelsea, scoring just eight goals in 38 appearances for the Blues in all competitions.

The 25-year-old was subbed off by Tuchel in the second-half of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Porto on Wednesday.

“Chelsea have got other attacking options – it just depends on how long Tuchel wants to stick with Timo Werner,’ Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Listen, Werner is not a bad player. You don’t become a bad player overnight. It’s just at the moment, he’s getting into positions and not being clinical.

“Maybe he needs a bit of time out of the team and he can make an impact coming off the bench.”

The Blues have one foot in the semi-finals of the competition after an impressive 2-0 victory over the Portuguese champions.

Two goals, one each from Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell (their first Champions League goals) gave the Blues the needed confidence going into the second leg at the same venue (Sevilla) next week.

Draxler names best player in the world following PSG’s 3-2 win over Bayern Munich

 

Julian Draxler has said that his Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappe has ‘quality like no-one else in the world.’

Draxler said this after Mbappe netted twice to help the French champions to a memorable 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.

Mbappe opened the scoring for the visitors and Marquinhos made it 2-0, but Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Thomas Muller had equalised for Bayern before Mbappe netted again.

PSG now have a huge advantage going into the second leg in France with three away goals and Draxler had no doubts who they had to thank for the fine win.

He said the prolific Frenchman possesses quality that no other player in the world can match.

“That’s what [Mbappé] is there for because he has quality like no-one else in the world,” Draxler told reporters after the game.

“We need his speed. At the moment, he has chances and he scores. That’s really important for us, especially against this Bayern side.”

The Germans had 31 shots at goal and Draxler praised the efforts of the entire team as they miraculously kept Bayern down to just two goals.

Why I’m scared of checking my phone – Arsenal’s Willian

 

Arsenal forward, Willian has said that he is too scared to look at his phone at times for fear of racial abuse on social media.

The Brazilian said this following the racial attacks on Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane..

The Liverpool stars were sent racist emojis on Instagram ahead of their Champions League quarter-finals first leg clash with the Real Madrid game on Tuesday.

Willian is calling for the handlers of the social media platforms to take more responsibility for their output.

“Does it frighten me to look at my phone? Yes, sometimes, to be honest,” Willian said, according to Express.

“We are human. I want to understand who these people think they are to come to speak like that to us.

“It really affects me when they talk about my family. If they want to criticise me, it’s no problem, I always accept that.

“But when they come to attack your family with those words that I cannot say here, that hurts.

“I think we have to find a way to change the profile of social media. I think people want to have Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, they need to put their ID, passport or whatever.”

Willian will file out with his Arsenal side on Thursday as they face Slavia Prague in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-finals.

And Slavia Prague will be without their Finnish midfielder Ondrej Kudela after being suspended for one match by UEFA for racially abusing Rangers’ Glen Kamara in the last 16.

Joe Cole hails one Chelsea player after 2-0 win at Porto

 

Former England midfielder, Joe Cole, was full of praise for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, after his superb performance during their 2-0 Champions League win away at Porto on Wednesday.

Mount scored his first goal in the competition, with a fantastic piece of skill and finish from Jorginho’s pass.

Ben Chilwell made it 2-0 in the second half, giving the Blues a big advantage ahead of the second leg at home.

But Cole was most impressed by Mount and said on BT Sport: “He’s a manager’s dream, he has the natural ability to impact a game.

“He does the tactics to a ‘T’ off the ball, in the difficult spell just before Tuchel came in, he stood up, he is a leader.”