Sports
Lookman has been named Player of the Match after his hat-trick won the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin for Atalanta
- Lookman has been named Hankook Player of the Match after his hat-trick won the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin for Atalanta
Super Eagles’ Lookman Ademola scored an hat trick on Wednesday evening to win Atlanta FC the Europa cup against the hitherto unbeaten Bayern Leverkusen side.
Ademola scored a brace in the first half of the pulsating final before grabbing a hat trick in the second half to win the Italian side the first major trophy in its history.
As soon as the final whistle was blown, players and technical crew members of the Atlanta side ran to lift the Nigerian-born super star afloat in a dramatic frenetic victory dance.
The UEFA Technical Observer panel’s assessment of the Nigerian’s performance said it all: “For obvious reasons and his all-round enthusiasm and energy. Really sharp and his execution was spot on.”

“I’ve always had the confidence in my ability to create, to score goals, to help my team-mates,” the 26-year-old said in the post-match press conference. “In the past two years I’ve been able to take my game to a whole new level. Maybe [my best form] could have come earlier, but it’s come now. This is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this and to just keep getting better and better.”
Lookman is only the third Nigerian player to find the net in a UEFA Cup or Europa League final, after Alex Iwobi in Arsenal’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea in 2019 and Joe Aribo, who scored Rangers’ goal as they lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt two years ago. He is also only the third Nigerian to appear in a final win in the competition, after Taribo West (Inter Milan, 1998) and Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moskva, 2005).
After the game, he said that playing international football for Nigeria had helped him to raise his game. “It’s incredible [to play for Nigeria],” he explained. “The support and the love I get back home from the people is unbelievable. It gives me the motivation to evolve in different areas – as a person, not just in my game.”
Sports
West Ham 1-1 Man United: Sesko’s 96th-Minute Strike Breaks Hammers’ Hearts in Survival Race
Benjamin Sesko struck in the 96th minute to snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw for Manchester United against West Ham at the London Stadium, denying the Hammers a crucial win in their Premier League survival battle.
Tomas Soucek’s second-half opener looked set to hand West Ham three priceless points. But Sesko came off the bench to deliver yet another late rescue act his second stoppage-time goal in three substitute appearances.
The result keeps Manchester United fourth in the table, while West Ham miss the chance to move level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Soucek Strikes as West Ham Dominate
Michael Carrick’s United arrived chasing a fifth straight win, but they struggled to break down a disciplined and energetic West Ham side.
The Hammers allowed United most of the possession but defended smartly and countered with intent.
United nearly struck first when Luke Shaw met a clever corner routine, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka facing his former club to clear off the line in a crucial first-half moment.
After the break, West Ham stepped up.
Five minutes into the second half, Jarrod Bowen outmuscled Shaw and delivered a dangerous ball into the box. Soucek was on hand to tap home and send the home crowd into celebration with England boss Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands.
VAR Drama and Late Chaos
Manchester United thought they had equalised in the 62nd minute when Casemiro headed home.
But after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside one of the tightest calls of the night.
West Ham then had chances to kill the game but failed to capitalize.
That proved costly.
Deep into stoppage time, United launched one final push. The ball fell kindly to Benjamin Sesko, who calmly slotted home in the 96th minute to stun the London Stadium.
Another late goal. Another dramatic twist.
What It Means
West Ham remain locked in the relegation fight and now face the possibility of Nottingham Forest pulling further clear when they host Wolves on Wednesday.
For Manchester United, it wasn’t their best performance but their fighting spirit continues to shine under Carrick.
Nuno Espirito Santo (West Ham) Reaction
Nuno admitted frustration at conceding so late.
“We should have put the game to bed,” he said.
“Disappointed, of course. The players and fans are disappointed to concede in the final moments. We competed really well and defended strongly. But in the final moments, we had opportunities and didn’t take them.”
Michael Carrick (Manchester United) Reaction
Carrick described the result as “mixed feelings.”
“We weren’t at our best, credit to West Ham. But finishing with a late goal shows character,” he said.
“To have just one draw in a five-game period is a big positive.”
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Sports
Chelsea Blow 2-0 Lead as Leeds Force Dramatic 2-2 Draw at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea dropped their first Premier League points under new manager Liam Rosenior after surrendering a two-goal lead in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on February 10, 2026.
The Blues looked in total control after goals from João Pedro and Cole Palmer put them 2-0 ahead. But a second-half collapse allowed Leeds to stage a stunning comeback and silence the home crowd in West London.
It was a night of frustration for Chelsea — capped by a shocking late miss from Cole Palmer that could have sealed all three points.
Match Summary
Final Score: Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Competition: Premier League (Matchweek 26, 2025/26 Season)
Date: February 10, 2026
Goalscorers:
- Chelsea: João Pedro (24′), Cole Palmer (58′ pen)
- Leeds United: Lukas Nmecha (67′ pen), Noah Okafor (73′)
Chelsea started brightly and took control after surviving early pressure from Leeds. João Pedro opened the scoring in the 24th minute after a clever move involving Palmer, calmly finishing to give the hosts the lead.
The Blues doubled their advantage shortly after halftime when Palmer confidently converted from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.
At 2-0, the game looked done.
But Leeds had other plans.
Leeds Fight Back
The momentum shifted in the 67th minute when Lukas Nmecha converted a penalty to pull one back. Suddenly, Chelsea looked nervous.
Just six minutes later, chaos in the Chelsea defense allowed Noah Okafor to roll the ball into an empty net for the equalizer.
Stamford Bridge fell silent.
In stoppage time, Chelsea pushed for a winner. João Pedro hit the crossbar with a powerful header. Moments later came the defining miss — Cole Palmer blazing over from just two yards out with the goal wide open.
It was a miss that summed up Chelsea’s night.
Tactical Breakdown
Under Liam Rosenior, Chelsea had been flying, winning consistently since his appointment in early January. Their structure, ball control, and attacking sharpness were evident again in the first hour.
However, defensive lapses and a drop in concentration proved costly.
Leeds, managed by Daniel Farke, showed resilience and smart game management in the second half. Their direct approach and pressure unsettled Chelsea’s backline, earning them a valuable point in their relegation fight.
Impact on the Table
Chelsea missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their push for Champions League qualification.
Leeds, meanwhile, gained a crucial point that moves them four points clear of the relegation zone a massive psychological boost in the survival race.
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Sports
Editors Raise Concern Over Senate Stance on Election Result Transmission
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Assembly’s position on the transmission of election results, warning that it could erode public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the Editors said the Senate’s decision to adopt provisions in the proposed Electoral Act amendment that allow, but do not mandate, immediate electronic transmission of election results has already created doubt and mistrust among Nigerians.
According to the Guild, the uncertainty arising from the Senate’s position runs contrary to the widely held views of many Nigerians and some lawmakers who have consistently called for mandatory and real-time transmission of results from polling units.
The Editors warned that the growing public outrage over the issue has pitched citizens against the Senate and could potentially discourage voter participation in future elections.
“At a time when Nigerians are demanding mandatory and immediate transmission of election results and as countries around the world adopt electronic transmission to enhance transparency the Senate’s position leaves much to be desired,” the statement said.
The Guild described the development as a missed opportunity to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process, noting that it undermines efforts to deepen democratic governance and ensure credible elections.
It added that mandatory electronic transmission of results has become a global standard for improving electoral credibility and efficiency, stressing that Nigeria should not lag behind international best practices.
As the Senate prepares to reconvene on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to harmonise its position with that of the House of Representatives, the Editors urged the National Assembly to seize the opportunity to approve mandatory and immediate transmission of election results from polling units to the INEC central server and collation centres.
The statement noted that real-time digital transmission would enhance transparency, accuracy, efficiency, and voter confidence, while also reducing disputes, minimising controversies, and significantly curbing electoral fraud.
“The digitalisation of elections, anchored on real-time transmission of results, is critical to achieving credible elections in Nigeria,” the Editors said, adding that Nigerians are watching the National Assembly closely.
The Guild warned that anything short of mandatory and immediate transmission would be out of step with contemporary and progressive electoral practices, insisting that such reforms are essential to ensuring that votes truly count.
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Sports
Seahawks Crush Patriots 29-13 to Win Super Bowl LX
The Seattle Seahawks delivered a dominant performance to defeat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, claiming their second championship and avenging their heartbreaking loss to New England in Super Bowl XLIX.
Seattle controlled the contest from start to finish, powered by a punishing ground attack led by Kenneth Walker III and a relentless defense that shut out the Patriots through the first three quarters.
Walker III racked up a monster rushing display, consistently breaking tackles and chewing up yards, while the Seahawks’ defense overwhelmed Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, forcing multiple turnovers and registering several sacks to derail New England’s offense.
Quarterback Sam Darnold delivered a composed, mistake-free performance, guiding Seattle efficiently and becoming the first quarterback from the celebrated 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl. The former New York Jets No. 3 overall pick, now on his fifth NFL team, completed a remarkable career turnaround on the sport’s biggest stage.
The win marks Seattle’s second Super Bowl title, reinforcing the franchise’s return to the NFL elite after years of rebuilding.
Despite the celebrations, the Seahawks will face immediate change on the coaching front. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak confirmed after the game that he is leaving Seattle to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, ending his tenure on a championship high.
For the Patriots, the loss caps a challenging season, though the performance of rookie quarterback Drake Maye offered glimpses of promise despite the heavy pressure he faced.
Seattle’s emphatic victory will be remembered not only as redemption against New England, but as a statement win that crowned a dominant postseason run.
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Sports
Real Madrid Edge Valencia 2-0 in Tense Mestalla Victory
Real Madrid continued their strong La Liga title push with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Valencia at Mestalla, ending a 13-year wait for a clean sheet at the historic stadium.
After soaking up early pressure from the hosts, Madrid finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute through Álvaro Carreras, who capped a brilliant solo run with a composed finish to silence the home crowd.
Valencia pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Madrid remained disciplined, with Thibaut Courtois producing a calm and commanding display in goal to preserve the lead. The visitors sealed the victory deep into stoppage time when Kylian Mbappé struck in the 90+1st minute, scoring his sixth goal in six games for the club.
The result stretched Madrid’s La Liga winning streak to seven matches and moved them to within one point of league leaders Barcelona, intensifying the title race.
Under interim head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, Madrid showed patience and control, particularly in midfield where Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde dictated the tempo and limited Valencia’s attacking threat.
While the overall performance drew praise, there was visible frustration from Dani Carvajal, who remained on the bench throughout the encounter and appeared unhappy after the final whistle.
The win further underlined Madrid’s resilience on the road and their growing momentum as the La Liga season reaches a critical phase.
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