Sports
Eze shines as Arsenal claim shock victory over Palace at Emirates
Eberechi Eze’s first-half finish inflicted a damaging defeat on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, as Crystal Palace pulled off a smash-and-grab victory that halts the league leaders’ momentum.
The England international produced the match’s only moment of clinical finishing in the 39th minute, steering his effort from inside the box into the right side of the net to stun the home crowd and hand Palace all three points against the run of play.
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Arsenal had looked the more threatening side throughout, with Leandro Trossard forcing Dean Henderson into action on 33 minutes before Eze’s sucker punch.
The Gunners continued to press after the interval, with Declan Rice testing the Palace goalkeeper six minutes into the second half, while Gabriel Magalhães saw two headed efforts from set pieces drift off target as Arsenal sought an equalizer that never came.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the territorial battle, edging the corner count 4-3 and registering three shots on target, but found Palace’s defensive organization impenetrable. Despite controlling possession and creating the better chances, Arsenal couldn’t translate their superiority into goals on an increasingly frustrating afternoon.
Crystal Palace, by contrast, defended resolutely but offered little attacking threat beyond Eze’s decisive strike. Oliver Glasner’s side failed to register a single shot on target across the 90 minutes, with Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton both missing the target in the first half.
Late opportunities for Jean-Philippe Mateta (whose effort was deflected), Marc Guéhi (header over), and Maxence Lacroix (over) never troubled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Palace’s substitutions—Eddie Nketiah on 59 minutes and Will Hughes on 74—couldn’t alter the pattern of Arsenal pressure, while the hosts’ own changes, including a half-time introduction of Cristhian Mosquera for William Saliba and late additions Piero Hincapié and Mikel Merino, proved insufficient to break the deadlock. Remarkably, the match was played without a single booking.
The result is particularly damaging for Arsenal given their league-leading defensive record—just three goals conceded in their opening eight matches. While they add another clean sheet in a losing cause, the failure to capitalize on home advantage and extended periods of dominance will concern Arteta as rivals close in.
For Palace, this narrow, backs-to-the-wall triumph stands in stark contrast to recent high-scoring encounters between these sides (3-2, 5-1, 2-2) and represents a vital three points that could prove pivotal in their season. Glasner will care little about the performance statistics—his side came, defended with discipline, took their chance, and left with maximum points.
Godswill Akpabio, Nigerian Senate President on Sunday hailed the Super Eagles for securing bronze at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, saying the efforts put in securing the victory reflected the Nigerian spirit.
Conveying his excitement through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman, Akpabio said in a statement, hours after the team secured a place on the medals list, after beating their Egyptian counterparts of penalties that the feat would be an inspiration to other Nigerians.
Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, quoted his boss as saying: “On behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Super Eagles on their outstanding achievement in securing the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
“The match against the Pharaohs of Egypt was a testament to your skills and determination, and I commend you for your exceptional performance. Your victory is a reflection of the talent and resilience that Nigeria is known for, and we are proud to have you represent our country on the international stage.
“I urge you to celebrate this achievement with pride and use it as a motivation to strive for even greater heights in your future endeavours. Your achievement is a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians, and we look forward to seeing your continued success.
“Once again, congratulations to the Super Eagles on this remarkable achievement. May your bronze medal serve as a reminder of your capabilities and the heights you can reach with hard work and determination.”
Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President, spared no words in eulogising the strong statement the Super Eagles of Nigeria, has been making since the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off on December 21 Morocco, one of them the decisive trouncing of the Desert Foxes of Algeria on Saturday.
Conveying his sentiments through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman, the Senate President, who described the Super Eagles as the pride of the nation, expressed great delight that by the victory, Nigeria had secured a spot in the Semi-Finals, urging the team to go for the top prize, which is the gold trophy itself.
Hear him: “I heartily congratulate the Super Eagles on their impressive 2-0 victory over Algeria, securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Akpabio said while reacting to the outcome of the match played Saturday in Marrakech.
“I must say, you’re the pride of the nation. This achievement is a testament to the team’s unwavering dedication, resilience, and teamwork,” the Senate President told the high-flying Super Eagles.
Urging the players to maintain their focus and momentum as they face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday, he added: “We are proud of you; the 10th Senate and all Nigerians are behind you, cheering you on to bring home the trophy.”
In a surprising move that sent a buzz within the Nigerian sports circle, William Troost-Ekong, Super Eagles Captain, who led the team to win the silver medal two years ago, has just announced that he is quitting the team and international football, meaning Eric Chelle, Coach of the senior national team will now have to look for another leader.
In an outing titled: Honoured, Grateful, Forever a Super Eagle, he wrote: “Today, I’m announcing my retirement from international football. In 2015, a late call from the late Stephen Keshi changed my life. A month later, the Big Boss gave me my debut. His belief in me ignited the desire to follow his footsteps.
“Every single time I put on the iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch I have thought about that exact moment. Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams. I’m grateful to my fans, coaches, and teammates. Wearing the Super Eagles armband and representing more than 230 million Nigerians was an honour I will forever cherish.
“Nigeria took me in and trust me to lead and represent a nation of +230 million. From a boy born and raised in the Netherlands, to the Oyinbo Wall, and eventually skippo is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.
“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, three medals, and broken a few records, I really lived my dreams. A bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, followed by playing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and three incredible AFCON tournaments, with a bronze and recently a silver medal, will remain unforgettable.”
“To every coach, member of staff,and most importantly my teammates and now brothers past and present, who has been part of my international journey, thank you.”
Recalling the emotions that went into the 2023 AFCON tournament, where he captained Nigeria to the final, scored in the decisive match, and was named Player of the Tournament, he added: “Being able to lead Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON, scoring in the final, and being named Player of the Tournament, was something so special.
“Till this day I still wish for a different ending. Becoming the highest scoring defender in AFCON history is a honour I share with every teammate who was part of those moments. I am at peace knowing that throughout all these milestones, I gave everything I had, not just for myself but to try and inspire the next generations, the same way I was inspired by the legends I looked up to.”
To the younger generation, he said he had the pleasure to fight shoulder to shoulder with them, adding: “It’s been so much fun to play alongside my Nigerian teammates. Watching them grow into leaders, time has come to pass on the responsibilities, to pass on the opportunity, and to pass on the captaincy.
“I am so proud to be part of a group that fully showed it is possible to come home, to play and represent our beloved nation. None of this will be possible without the people around me.
“To the Nigerian fans, the heartbeat of Nigerian football, your support has carried me through every high and every challenge. This isn’t a final goodbye, my work within Nigerian communities continues, just as my love and passion for the team will never fade.
“The last decade has been filed with commitment, pride and unforgotable memories. Wearing the Super Eagles shirt, has been more than playing football, has been a duty, a privilege, and an honour.”
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