Kombe la Ligi UK: Kolo Toure amuonya Yaya

Kolo Toure

Yaya Toure

Kolo Toure atakabiliana na nduguye Yaya Toure wakati ambapo Liverpool itakutana na Manchester City katika fainali ya kombe la Ligi ya Uingereza siku ya jumapili katika uwanja wa Wembley.

Lakini beki huyo wa Liverpool anasema kuwa atatumia kila njia kuhakikisha kuwa nduguye hapati bao.

''Ananijua mie kwamba naweza kutumia kila njia kumzuia asifunge bao'',alisema Kolo Toure ambaye ni ndugu mkubwa wa Yaya Toure.

BBC Swahili

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Chelsea wapigwa bao 2 ugenini

 Zlatana Ibrahimovic na Edison Cavan  (pichani juu) wakishangilia ushindi baada ya kuifungia timu yao bao la kwanza na la pili

Klabu ya Paris St-Germain ya Ufaransa jana ilijipatia ushindi dhidi ya Chelsea  katika mechi ya moja ya mzunguko wa  Ligi ya Klabu Bingwa Ulaya .

Siku ya jana ilikuwa mbaya kwa Chelsea  na hadi mwisho wa mchezo waliishia kuchezea kichapo cha  mabao 2-1 .

Paris St-Germain walikuwa wa kwanza kuliona goli la Chelsea  katika dakika ya 39 kupitia mshambuliaji hatari  wa Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimovic .

Kupitia Mikel Obi  ndani ya dakika ya 45 Chelsea nao walifanikiwa kusawazisha  lakini furaha yao ilizimwa katika dakika ya 78  baada ya Edison Cavan  kuongeza bao la pili  bao ambalo lilidumu hadi mwisho wa mchezo na kuwafanya PSG wawe washindi kwa mechi ya jana.

Picha : Mirror

Picha zaidi kuhusu mechi hii fungu hapa

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The big debate: who will finish higher in the Premier League - Arsenal or Tottenham?

• Both north London sides secured hugely important wins at the weekend and remain level on points, but which side has the edge?

Sunday saw both sides from north London stake their claims to the Premier League crown.

Arsenal came from behind to beat table-topping Leicester thanks to a 95th-minute Danny Welbeck winner , while Tottenham weathered a late wobble to see off Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad.

The two sides - separated only by goal difference - are just two points off the top and have the momentum to be considered favourites to be browned champions in May.

Have your say in our comments section below

But which side has the edge, and who will finish higher? MirrorFootball's writers have had their say...

John Cross - Tottenham

History tells us that Tottenham will finish behind Arsenal and blow up in the Premier League title race.

But this is the most un-Spursy Tottenham team that I've seen for many, many years.

They look strong, well organised and have a wonderful team spirit. Mauricio Pochettino has got them well drilled, his substitutions are excellent and they've got this wonderful advantage of being the surprise package with less pressure on their shoulders.

I really should know better. But I fancy Tottenham to win the title. They can do it this year. Arsenal wait all this time, buy in big superstars and yet it could be their neighbours with their home grown kids who steal their thunder.

James Nursey - Arsenal

Arsenal. They have more firepower and attacking options than Spurs in my opinion.

I feel Tottenham are light up front and will be badly affected if Harry Kane picks up an injury or suspension.

Daniel Levy could live to regret not coughing up enough money to get Saido Berahino from West Brom, who is a fine finisher and bright English prospect.

Darren Lewis - Tottenham

Tough one this. Tottenham have the momentum, Arsenal have the experience.

Tottenham have the best defence in the Premier League, Arsenal proved yet again yesterday that they have a superb array of attacking talent.

(That said, the Gunners goal difference is still inferior.)

Both clubs have some tough away games to come but Tottenham could have the edge as they remain undefeated away from home since the opening day of the season. Even then Manchester United were very fortunate to beat them.

Arsenal have shown superb mental strength to come through the last two games with wins against Bournemouth and Leicester.

But I think Tottenham's superior consistency on the road could edge it and end the many years of hurt for Spurs at the hands for their north London rivals.

I still think the whole thing is wide open and that Leicester remain very much in the hunt as they are the only side in the top four with no FA Cup or European commitments.

But I've had a well-documented feeling for some time that Tottenham could end this season with Champions League football at least. I've been lucky enough to follow Mauricio Pochettino's team as their challenge has taken shape and gathered pace.

I think it will go to the wire but I can see Spurs edging it.

Hamish Mackay - Arsenal

I've seen this one before, and I know how it ends.

Tottenham go on their best run since 1961 (it's always the best since 1961) but fall down at the final hurdle and are overtaken by, yes, Arsenal.

Granted, this Spurs side has the best defence in the league and - barring any gastronomic sabotage - isn't going to collapse.

But Tottenham still have to face Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as playing West Ham at the Boleyn Ground.

They're also still in the Europa League, and likely will be for a while with Mauricio Pochettino vowing to take it very seriously.

Arsenal's European exploits, meanwhile, are almost certain to be over in a month's time and Arsene Wenger has proven his teams know how to finish a season strongly.

Adrian Kajumba - Tottenham

Arsenal have history on their side – Spurs haven't finished above them since 1995.

But the Gunners also have the tougher run-in fixture list with trips to Manchester United, Spurs, Everton, West Ham and Manchester City among their last 12 games.

Spurs' is slightly more favourable with trips to Liverpool and Chelsea their toughest trips left.

It's tough to go against Arsenal and their greater experience when it comes to challenging at the top of the table at the business end of the season and finishing above Spurs.

But Spurs are the real deal under their brilliant boss Mauricio Pochettino and victories like yesterday's at Manchester City only strengthening that belief.

And with their kinder fixture list and stingy defence – the league's meanest – I think they can finally end their wait to finish higher than Arsenal in the Premier League.

Ben Burrows - Arsenal

If it weren't for Leicester and their rags to riches, ostriches to all-conquerors story then Tottenham would undeniably be the story of the season.

The way Mauricio Pochettino has brutally battered the inherent Spurs-ness out of Spurs has been remarkable to see. They are without doubt the best team in the race and deserve their place at the very heart of the title shake-up.

But will they actually win it? I still can't see it.

Arsenal remain, on paper, and where it matters, on the pitch, the better side. They have more depth, more star power and, crucially, more winning nous to get over the line.

It won't be pretty and there are sure to be plenty more twists and turns before it's all said and done. But when the music stops I think Arsenal will be the last men standing. Just.

Alex Richards - Arsenal

The two north London clubs head into the final throes of the campaign level on points, but while Spurs look the more well-coached of the duo - perhaps the best coached side in the entire league - it’s difficult to bet against Arsenal once more finishing above their rivals.

The Gunners next two away games will likely shape their championship destiny - Manchester United and Spurs are both difficult tasks. Come through them in good shape and Wenger’s side, fresh from the win over Leicester, will be further emboldened.

Danny Welbeck is now back and adds another attacking option while in Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, they have two bona-fide match winners capable of weaving a moment of difference-making magic.

That individualism is something that Spurs perhaps are lacking, someone who can win the game when the team isn't at its best. Additionally, while Mauricio Pochettino’s men continue battling on three fronts and enjoying double training sessions, how long before fatigue becomes too much to contend with?

Spurs' campaign has been remarkable, but I’d still be surprised if they finish above Arsenal come the season’s end.

Vithushan Ehantharajah - Arsenal

Let's get this out of the way early: Sunday showed us that this isn't a very Spursy Spurs side and the second-half Alamo at the Emirates showed a fight and fortitude that wasn't very Arsenal. Of course, there's plenty of time for both sets of players to revert to type. But, for now, let us assume this dreamworld we all entered back in August continues on into May.

Mauricio Pochettino success has been largely down to work ethic that sees Spurs outrun every other Premier League side, but you have to wonder how much their key quartet of Harry Kane, Toby Alderwireld, Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier will have left in the tank for the final third of the season. For Arsenal, Daniel Welbeck's return brings another forward option – something Spurs lack – while Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell, who was an unused substitute on the weekend, can come into the starting XI without distorting the system too much. Ultimately, we could be about to see how Tottenham manage, through injury or otherwise, without one of their four pillars.

It all comes to a head at lunchtime on Saturday March 5 at White Hart Lane. Both teams go into one of the most anticipated north London derbies having played midweek. Arsenal host a Swansea side they should pick apart comfortably, but Tottenham are away to West Ham in a fixture that is normally enough to warrant it's own a big sell and days of preparation. And while both sides will have nine fixtures left after their tussle, you get the feeling that the toll of losing to a bitter rival, and spurning three points on the home straight, will be too much to overcome.

And with that, the title is Arsenal's.

Premier League Title Tussles Fallout

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Arsene Wenger hails Arsenal super-subs Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck for keeping title dream alive

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The Gunners rallied from a goal down at the break to secure a crucial win over the table-toppers in the dying seconds of stoppage time

Arsene Wenger hailed super subs Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck for keeping Arsenal’s title hopes alive.

Arsenal were 20 minutes away from falling eight points behind Leicester until Walcott and Welbeck struck late on to fire the Gunners to a dramatic win against 10-man leaders Leicester.

Walcott cancelled out Jamie Vardy’s penalty opener before Welbeck – on his ahead-of-schedule comeback from 10 months out with a knee injury - headed a dramatic winner five minutes into added time to send the Emirates wild.

Wenger said: “That game shows you, at that level, the bench plays a big part. When you dominate the games, you can bring on strikers like Walcott or Welbeck, it changes completely your opportunities.

“A loss today would have been massive. After losing you get all the negative vibes, the belief goes down, it would have been much more difficult.

READ MORE: 5 things we learned as the Welbeck heads dramatic winner

“We would not have given up, but eight points is three games to come back. We would need to win three, they would need to lose three.”

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri was fuming about Danny Simpson’s dismissal for two yellows in five minutes and also over the timing of Welbeck’s winner.

He said: “I am very angry because maybe I make mistakes but an international referee gives two yellow cards for normal fouls and the match was full of fouls and very difficult fouls.

“When you make one yellow card you have to stay calm, my players but also the referee. In the second half maybe the crowd push a lot and put him under pressure. Also there was four minutes of extra time (signalled) and there was five minutes (played).”

But Ranieri was proud of his players after they finished a daunting run of three games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal with a battling display at the Emirates and tally of six points.

And, with no game for a fortnight, he has handed his players a week off.

He said: “I said to them ‘go home and we will see you next Monday’ because they deserve it. “They will go, I don’t know where, Dubai maybe, wherever they want. I will have one day in London and then I will go to Rome.”

Mirror

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Premier League weekend: 10 things we learned as Leicester prove why they're title favourites

The Foxes' triumph over Manchester City put the 5000/1 pre-season outsiders in the box seat to win a first Premier League crown

What a weekend!

At home and abroad - a series of results shed light on some things, and cast a looming shadow over others.

Leicester City are undoubtedly the team of the weekend in the Premier League, after going to title favourites Manchester City and coming away with a 3-1 win to go five points clear at the summit.

There was less good news for Gary Neville over in Spain, after he watched his Valencia side slip to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis - making it 12 league games without a win for the former England defender.

Here are 11 things we learned from the weekend...

1. Mesut Ozil likes playing Bournemouth

By Neil McLeman

The German has scored twice since November – both times against last season's Championship winners.

His craft is just what the Cherries lacked, though most teams could use a £42m playmaker.

2. Lingard has an outside chance for the Euros

By John Cross

Roy Hodgson was at Stamford Bridge to watch what has traditionally been a top of the table clash.

It’s got a different context these days with Chelsea labouring in the bottom half of the table and Manchester United’s main target is simply top four.

But one player to surely have caught Hodgson’s eye must have been Jesse Lingard.

Lingard has scored three important goals recently, against Newcastle, Stoke and now at Stamford Bridge.

His goal at Chelsea was a peach. He controlled the ball, span and fired it into the top corner.

Hodgson got some stick for calling up Lingard a few months ago. If Lingard keeps playing and progressing then no-one will question his next call-up. He might even be in with a chance of the Euros.

3. Ranieri's spirit a joy to watch

By David McDonnell

Even with his side 3-0 up and heading for a six-point lead at the top, Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri was still in the technical area, cajoling and berating his side, his enthusiasm and spirit refreshing to watch, just like his team.

4. Adebayor can be an asset for Palace

By Andrew Gwilym

A first start in over a year was always going to be a challenge for the Togo international, but he did enough to suggest he will be an asset to Palace even if his full debut did not go his way.

Gave away the free-kick for Sigurdsson’s goal, but will get better as he finds his fitness.

5. Norwich spending spree looks wasted

By James Nursey

Promoted City spent £25million on eight new players in January but they are yet to get any return on their investment.

New right-back Ivo Pinto was dropped for this game and Timm Klose looked unsure at the back. Steven Naismith was a willing runner but looked on a different wavelength to team-mates and was subbed.

6. Barkley must be England regular

By David Anderson

Ross Barkley must be key for England at Euro 2016.

Barkley showed what an instinctive genius he is with his backheel in the build-up to the penalty for Everton's first goal and such players are priceless in big tournaments.

7. Spurs are hot off the press

By Mike Walters

As well as having the youngest team in the Premier League, Tottenham also press with the most urgency.

In areas of the pitch where others are happy to yield possession or territory, Mauricio Pochettino preaches emphasis on closing down space and working feverishly to regain the ball.

Harry Kane may be at his best around the box, but he was not too shy to track back 50 yards at full tilt to rob Nathan Ake.

8. How the absence of a manager affects players

By David Maddock

There was little doubt Liverpool were slow out of the blocks here, and not at their usual game of pressing and closing the opposition high up the pitch.

They weren't helped by first half injuries to Dejan Lovren and Joe Allen, which knocked them off their stride further, but it seemed the urgency of Klopp was missing.

9. So Aleksandar Mitrovic can score

By Simon Bird

The Serb needed that goal, after a blank spell and many a missed chance. Mitrovic collected the ball from Shelvey's wonderful pass and kept his cool to slide home under the advanced Ben Foster.

It was a good job Mitro made amends for being offside when Cheick Tiote lashed in a stunning 30 yarder, which was eventually disallowed.

10. England blessed for goalkeepers

By Adrian Kajumba

With Fraser Forster returning from injury looking as sharp as ever and Jack Butland's emergence this season Joe Hart has some genuine rivals pushing him for the England spot.

Forster was heroic against Arsenal in midweek and produced another important save to keep out Winston Reid's first half header.

He also notched a fifth clean sheet in a row since his return.

Mirror

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Man United waishinda Derby katika FA

Manchester United wamempunguzia shinikizo meneja wao Louis van Gaal kwa kulaza klabu ya Derby 3-1 katika raundi ya nne ya Kombe la FA.

Van Gaal alipuuzilia mbali habari kwamba alikuwa radhi kujiuzulu baada ya klabu yake kushindwa na Southampton Jumamosi, na timu yake ilicheza vyema dhidi ya klabu hiyo ya ligi ya Championship.

Wayne Rooney alifunga kwa kombora alilolitoa akiwa hatua 20 kutoka kwa goli na kuwaweka United mbele dakika ya 16 kabla ya George Thorne kupenya safu ya ulinzi ya vijana hao wa Van Gaal na kusawazisha dakika ya 37.

Kipindi cha pili Daley Blind aliwarejesha mbele baada ya kupokea krosi kutoka kwa Jesse Lingard dakika ya 65.

Juan Mata alikamilisha ushindi wao dakika ya 83.

Derby, ambao hawajashinda mechi yoyote katika ligi yao mwaka 2016 wanashikilia nafari ya tano katika ligi ya Championship, walitatiza United kidogo mwishoni mwa kipindi cha kwanza Thorne alipofikia mpira kutoka kwa Chris Martin.

Lakini kwa jumla, ulikuwa ushindi ambao ulitoa matumaini kwa timu hiyo ya Van Gaal, ambayo baada ya kutoshinda Desemba, imeshindwa mechi moja pekee Januari.

Isitoshe, ilikuwa mara ya kwanza kwa United kushinda mechi kwa kuwa magoli mawili mbele katika mechi 15.

Baada ya mechi, Van Gaal alisema: "Tulicheza vyema wakati uliofaa dhidi ya Derby. Tuliwazawadi goli lakini wakati wa mapumziko nilisema tulicheza vyema, niliwaambia wachezaji washikilie hapo na tungeshinda. Na tulishinda.”

Kwa upande wake, meneja wa Derby Paul Clement alisema: "Daima lazima uingiwe na wasiwasi kuhusu wachezaji nyota kama vile Juan Mata na Anthony Martial. Walikuwa hatari sana.”

Derby watakuwa wenyeji wa Preston Jumanne wakijaribu kufufua kampeni yao ligini, nao Manchester United watawakaribisha Stoke nyumbani Old Trafford jioni hiyo.

BBC Swahili

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Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea: Diego Costa makes Per Mertesacker pay for early dismissal by scoring winner five minutes after red card

• Arsenal centre back Per Mertesacker was sent off in the 18th minute after bringing down Chelsea's Diego Costa
• Mertesacker could have no complaints as he brought down Costa while the Chelsea man was running at goal
• Costa piled further misery on Arsenal by poking a delightful Branislav Ivanovic cross past goalkeeper Petr Cech
• Home defeat means Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal are three points behind leaders Leicester

Chelsea striker Diego Costa celebrates his 23rd-minute goal against Arsenal after poking a Branislav Ivanovic cross into the net

As he made his way, slowly, to the touchline the derision filled the night air. Then the response from blue corner. 'Diego Costa – he’s done it again'. And he had. Drawn the red card, got the goal, got right up Arsenal’s hooter. It was just like old times.

The result was familiar, too. A Chelsea win. These teams have met 27 times competitively in 12 seasons and this was Chelsea’s 16th win, with seven draws. The last 12 goals, in league fixtures, have belonged to Chelsea too. Do Arsenal have the nerve to win the title this season? They certainly don’t have the steel to beat Chelsea.

Not many teams will drop six points to them this season, but Arsenal have. And while they curse bad luck and Costa’s dark side for the defeat at Stamford Bridge, the buck stops with the home team here.  

Per Mertesacker made a dreadful decision leading to his dismissal and Arsenal barely managed a shot at goal. Cesc Fabregas ran the game in midfield, aided as ever by the tireless, Willian and was unfortunate not to win a penalty when bodychecked by Laurent Koscielny after a beautiful run in the second half. That Nemanja Matic gave away a foul, and was booked, for an identical challenge on Alexis Sanchez in midfield soon after shows the inconsistency. 

True, Arsenal were down to 10 for 71 minutes of the match but, even handicapped, they knew what they had to do after half-time and disappointed. Their best chances were scrappy, scrambles with opportunity coming by fortuitous deflection rather than invention. Leicester will have looked at this with quiet satisfaction. Everyone thought they would be the ones that blinked first. 

Petr Cech is the best goalkeeper around these parts since David Seaman. So, knowing that, why didn’t Per Mertesacker trust him to deal with Diego Costa, even one on one? 

When a quite lovely pass put Costa through after 19 minutes, Mertesacker’s lack of pace left him floundering. At that point, he had a choice. Lunge, risk missing his tackle, and play the inevitable game of red card roulette, or chase Costa, applying as much pressure as possible and hope that Cech can do the rest. 

The worst that could happen would be that Arsenal went a goal down, against a team that started the day in 14th place, and with 70 minutes to retrieve the game. Instead, Mertesacker pressed the doomsday button.

As usual, when things happen in a rush, there was the debate about whether Costa was taken out, clipped or merely fell over taking evasive action. It really doesn’t matter. Mertesacker’s tackle was wild and did not allow Costa to continue his run on goal. Of course, the same could be said of a challenge made by Nicolas Otamendi on Michail Antonio during Manchester City’s match with West Ham on Saturday, and that was only judged to be a yellow card. 

This time, Clattenburg did the right thing. Mertesacker was dismissed and the angry reaction of the locals probably had more to do with the involvement of bogeyman Costa than any true sense of injustice. Had it been the other way around, they would have been howling for a straight red. 

It was the seventh time in the Premier League that an Arsenal player had been sent off against Chelsea — not including Gabriel’s red at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, later rescinded. They have a way of getting under red skins and, momentarily, Arsenal lost their way. Arsene Wenger’s reaction to the calamity — removing Olivier Giroud for a centre half, Gabriel, was not well received, and Gabriel’s first involvement was, frankly, calamitous. 

He had been on the pitch barely a minute when Branislav Ivanovic whipped in a cross from the right, which Costa met at the near post, getting across Gabriel, and forcing the ball into the net. He is back to his best, no doubt of that, recording more goals and assists under Guus Hiddink than he did in 16 league games with Jose Mourinho this season. Make of that what you will.

Arsenal rallied, in terms of possession if not chances, but Chelsea could have moved further ahead shortly before half-time. Another beautiful ball from Willian — Chelsea’s player of all the season, not just a fraction of it — found Costa but Cech saved well at the near post. From Willian’s corner, Ivanovic’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Nacho Monreal.

Arsenal had one good chance before being numerically disadvantaged, and one after. In the second minute, a cross by Theo Walcott — honorary captain on the day after 10 years at the club — deserved better than a skewed finish from Joel Campbell. 

Then, with the last attack of the half, a neat chip from Aaron Ramsey was met by Mathieu Flamini, beating the offside trap but not his own nerves before goal, and choosing an ambitious volley which troubled only those departing early for a half-time cup of tea.

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Stoke 0-0 Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey jeered as Gunners return to the top of the table - 5 things we learned

The Gunners struggled to create chances without star man Mesut Ozil, who was injured, and had to settle for a point

Arsenal came through their title test at the Brit to return to the top of the Premier League.

The Britannia has been Arsenal's bogey ground and they still have only won once here in nine visits.

But Arsene Wenger's men showed character to earn a point on an ice-cold evening in the Potteries and were denied all three by Jack Butland.

Butland was outstanding and denied Olivier Giroud twice and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to underline his standing as a serious rival to England No 1 Joe Hart.

Stoke also had chances to win and Petr Cech thwarted Joselu and Bojan.

In form: Petr Cech jumps to make a save

1. True grit from the Gunners

Arsenal can show grit at the Brit. Arsenal had lost five of their last eight visits here and it is Stoke fans' favourite fixture of the season. But Arsene Wenger's side stood up to the challenge manfully and took the sting out of the crowd.

Cold snap: Arsene Wenger and Mark Hughes watch their players

2. Oxlade-Chamberlain can play in the middle

The Ox can play in the middle. This was a big test for Oxlade-Chamberlain playing in the heart of Arsenal's midfield because the Gunners were missing the injured Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez and he performed well against his dad's old team. He was denied a goal by a great save by Jack Butland.

Chance: Olivier Giroud has a shot saved by Jack Butland

3. A day to forget for the referee

Craig Pawson was not at his best today. Pawson got too many decisions wrong and Arsenal will feel they should hve had a penalty for Philipp Wollscheid's challenge on Theo Walcott just inside the area.

Jeers: Aaron Ramsey is booed by Stoke fans

4. Bojan disappointing again

Bojan has gone off the boil. Bojan has been great for Stoke this season and has been one of their main creative forces. But the little Spaniard's form has dipped over the last game or two and he was subbed for the second match running.

Wry smile: Theo Walcott and referee Craig Pawson

5. Stoke fans let themselves down

The Stoke fans should lay off Aaron Ramsey. We all know about his history with Ryan Shawcross and the broken leg he suffered here in 2010, so why should his every touch be jeered by the home supporters who chanted "Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp"?

Their abuse of Arsene Wenger wasn't pleasant either. The Brit crowd is one of the best, but they don't need to do that.

Shot: Marko Arnautovic is closed down by Per Mertesacker

Mirror

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