Five things we learned in the Premier League

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Tottenham Hotspur closed to within seven points of leaders Chelsea and Manchester City stayed in touch after defeating basement club Sunderland but Arsenal lost ground in the race for a top-four finish with a defeat by Champions League place rivals Liverpool.

Here are five things we learned in the Premier League this weekend:

Wenger’s football faith tested

Arsene Wenger compared being a manager to being a priest and on Saturday many Gunners fans felt he had committed the sin of omission. The decision to leave his two leading scorers, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, on the bench against Liverpool backfired spectacularly in the first-half as a limp display saw the visitors 2-0 down at the break. Sanchez’s introduction at half-time sparked a revival but that was not enough to salvage even a point in an eventual 3-1 loss and merely led to further questions as to why he had not been in the team from the kick-off at Anfield. Wenger rebutted any criticism but to some observers it was merely further evidence the 67-year-old French manager has lost his way and is unlikely to help persuade Sanchez, one of the few world-class players at Arsenal, to sign a new contract.

Kane no flash in pan

As Tottenham’s fans celebrated Harry Kane’s second goal in their team’s 3-2 win over Everton on Sunday, it was easy to hear the defiant edge to their songs. Their chorus of “he’s just a one-season wonder” was a sarcastic reminder to all those who wrote off Kane before he embarked on a prolific run of three successive seasons with at least 20 goals. With 24 goals in 28 games this season, Kane is well established as one of Europe’s most deadly strikers.

Shakespeare’s tale of intrigue

Just 10 days after Claudio Ranieri’s shock sacking, Leicester have been transformed from an abject rabble in severe danger of relegation into a cohesive, focused group that closely resembles the side who won the Premier League last season. A come from behind 3-1 win against Hull on Saturday lifted the Foxes clear of the relegation zone and increased caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare’s chances of landing the job on a permanent basis. Despite their very public denials, it is surely no coincidence Leicester have won their first two matches since former manager Ranieri departed amid strong reports of player unrest over the Italian’s tactical tinkering and confusing team selections. Shakespeare, who served as Ranieri’s assistant, has gone back to basics with a 4-4-2 formation and direct approach that served Leicester so well last season. Crucially, Shakespeare’s presence in the dug out — or Ranieri’s absence from it — has revitalised Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.

England sees other side of Zlatan

He has charmed English football since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic now finds himself in the dock following a volatile display in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. The 35-year-old Swedish striker appeared to deliberately elbow Tyrone Mings late in the first half and although he was acting in retaliation after the Bournemouth defender seemed to stamp on his head, a violent conduct charge from the Football Association seems inevitable. Ibrahimovic also saw a second-half penalty saved by Artur Boruc, preventing him from registering a 27th goal of the season. United’s next-highest scorer is Juan Mata, with nine. With a three-match suspension likely to be heading Ibrahimovic’s way, Jose Mourinho’s other forwards will need to step up to the plate in the weeks ahead if their top-four challenge is to remain alive.

Sane shows need for speed

Amid all the tactical sophistication of the modern game with its various formations and talk of ‘gegenpressing’, it is sometimes re-assuring to be reminded that certain things are a constant. One of these is that a player running with the ball at pace — still one of the best sights on a football field — remains a defender’s worst nightmare as was shown when the extremely rapid Leroy Sane beat the otherwise assured Billy Jones on his way to scoring Manchester City’s second goal in a 2-0 win away to bottom-of-the-table Sunderland.

The post Five things we learned in the Premier League appeared first on Vanguard News.

Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2mIhTqZ

My emergence as Governor a miracle, says Akeredolu

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has described his emergence as governor of the state as “a miracle”.

The governor said this at a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the All Saint’s Church, Jericho, Ibadan, on Sunday.

Akeredolu, the APC candidate, defeated Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the opposition PDP and Dr Olusola Oke of the AD to emerge winner in the November 2016 governorship election in the state.

He said his victory was a manifestation of the peoples trust and love for God.

“I can tell you that our success and victory in the election was a miracle. I contested once and I told the Lord that if I win, I will build a place of worship for you.

“I was not too sure that the victory will come but I said to the Lord that whether win, lose or draw I will build a place of worship for you.

“It is because I have that strong faith in God and we did it. And now that same Lord gave us the victory. So, my people you don’t have to wait until he answers your prayers before you do things for God.

“Do it may be that is where success will come. May be God remembered what we did and that was why he gave us victory, ” he said.

Akeredolu promised to lead a purposeful government in the state, adding that he was indebted to the church because he had found all that he wanted in the church.

According to him, “It was in this church that I became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and now a governor.”

Earlier, Ven. Godwin Daramola in his sermon, urged the governor to make thanksgiving his lifestyle in order to experience the blessings of God on a daily basis.

“When you acknowledge the blessings of God, he will be committed to preserving all that he has done for you,” he said.

He charged Akeredolu to emulate the exemplary life of Jesus Christ, to strive for integrity and to be wary of sycophants.

Mrs Mojisola Ojo, Chairperson, Oyo State Branch of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, described Akeredolu as a staunch and committed member of the society.

 

The post My emergence as Governor a miracle, says Akeredolu appeared first on Vanguard News.

Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2mUaoKw

CBN orders banks to process retail forex demand within 24 hours

Trump moves to probe Obama for phone tapping

Hausa movie ‘Gudun Tsira’ to hit market soon

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

A Hausa film entitled ‘Gudun Tsira’ with the aim of sensitising the general public on the dangers associated with the violation of traffic rules and regulations will soon hit the market.

A Kano-based popular Hausa Film Producer, Alhaji Nuhu Abdullahi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Sunday.

“Preparations are in top gear to produce a Hausa movie entitled – Gudun Tsira, which is expected to cost N10 million.

“The aim of the movie is to enlighten the general public on the dangers of violating traffic rules and regulations,”Abdullahi said.

He said the decision to produce `Gudun Tsira’ was borne out of his concern about the flagrant manner road users were violating traffic rules.

He said the movie would hit the market through modern channels of communication including the internet, Yu Tube and the websites for customers to access it easily.

“I feel it is necessary to produce the film in view of its significance to the society especially motorists and commuters plying the roads with many of them beating traffic.

“The movie will keep them abreast of the dangers of the ugly trend and the need for them to always be cautious for the safety of their lives and property on the highways,”the producer said.

 

The post Hausa movie ‘Gudun Tsira’ to hit market soon appeared first on Vanguard News.

Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2n3bzq8

Subsidy fund: Senate to probe alleged irregularities by NNPC, marketers

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Senate said it had concluded arrangements to probe the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Independent Marketers over alleged irregularities in the subsidy fund.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Sen. Kabiru Marafa, said this on Sunday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

According to Marafa, the NNPC has failed to justify to satisfaction the near N5.2 trillion spent on subsidy importation of petroleum products from 2006 to 2016.

“This sum is in addition to the 445,000 barrels of crude oil for domestic consumption. This is more than the annual budget of Nigeria,” he said.

“We note allegations already brought to our attention concerning the importation of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) under various import contracts wherein hundreds of millions of litres of AGO have been imported and allocated to choice marketers at discounted values,” he said.

The Chairman added that the committee had also established the disappearance of 100 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMC) worth N14 billion kept in the custody of two companies.

He said the committee would invite NNPC past and present executives, Heads of Operations and Planning and Desk Management Officers responsible for purchasing of products sold to Nigeria.

“It is pertinent to stress that where invitees failed to cooperate with us, then adequate sanctions shall be carried out ranging from publishing of names of industry news providers.

“Where relevant reward and incentives will be available to support the courage of members of the public who come forward,” he said.

Marafa said that the committee would also implement its own Whistle Blower platform to enable it get information on corrupt practices.

He said that the committee would conduct a three-day public hearing on the matter.

Also speaking, Chairman, Senate Committee on Upstream, Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, said it was very important that the License Inspection Agency also appeared before the committee.

“This is because they were hired by the Federal Government to ensure that Nigeria was not cheated in any way on items imported into the country.

“If we had introduced little efficiency, we will not be having these irregularities,” he said.

He said that everybody involved should be ready to give account of what had been put in his care.

“People who have been taking this country for granted will be brought to book,” he said.

Similarly, Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas Resources, Sen. Albert Bassey, said that the investigation would be very exhaustive.

“We understand the failure of past investigations. We assure Nigerians that we are working to protect the collective interest of all Nigerians.

“We are not out to witch-hunt anybody but to hold people accountable,” he said.

 

The post Subsidy fund: Senate to probe alleged irregularities by NNPC, marketers appeared first on Vanguard News.

Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2mqvRNo

Erdogan likens Germany’s blocking rallies to Nazis…Read full details

http://ift.tt/2m8M1Zs

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) throws flowers to supporters as he arrives on stage, on March 5, 2017, in Istanbul during a pro-government women meeting. Some 12,000 women filled on March 5 an Istanbul arena in support of a "Yes" vote in an April referendum whether to boost Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.<br />OZAN KOSE / AFP

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Germany on Sunday for blocking rallies in support of him ahead of an April vote on boosting his powers, likening it to Nazi practices.

The attack came a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim to try to defuse the row, which has put a major new strain on already bruised ties between the NATO allies.

Local authorities in Germany have banned several rallies by Turkish ministers ahead of an April 16 referendum on whether to approve changes to the constitution, citing security concerns.

“Germany, you are not even close to democracy,” Erdogan told a women’s rally in Istanbul. “Your practices are not different from the Nazi practices of the past.”

He added: “I thought it’s been a long time since Germany left (Nazi practices). We are mistaken.”

The cancellations have infuriated the Turkish government, which accused Berlin of working against the “Yes” campaign in the referendum and summoned the German ambassador to the foreign ministry in protest.

In a bid to defuse the row, Merkel called the Turkish premier on Saturday. The two countries’ foreign ministers are set to meet later this week.

Germany is home to the largest population of Turks outside Turkey with around three million in the country of Turkish origin, the legacy of a massive “guest worker” programme in the 1960s-70s.

– ‘Undesirable’? –
Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) says the changes would bring political stability.

But the vote is widely seen as a referendum on Erdogan himself because the proposed plan could see him stay in power until 2029.

Opponents however say the changes that would grant sweeping new powers to the head of state would make parliament dysfunctional and promote a one-man rule model.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said Sunday that Turkish politicians should be banned from political campaigning across the European Union.

“A collective EU response to prevent such campaign events would make sense so that individual countries like Germany where appearances are forbidden don’t end up being pressured by Turkey,” Kern told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

Turkish rallies have also come under scrutiny in the Netherlands where Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said a planned pro-Erdogan rally in Rotterdam on March 11 would be “undesirable”.

Erdogan on Sunday said other EU member states with significant Turkish communities were likely to follow suit.

“The Netherlands acted similarly and maybe others will follow,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from. If you talk about democracy, you must live up to it.” But he reserved his strongest rhetoric for Germany.

“You will lecture us about democracy and then you will not let this country’s ministers speak there,” he said. “We no longer want to see the Nazi world. We don’t want to see the practices of those fascist regimes.”

– Months of tension –
Tensions with Germany, a European Union heavyweight, have simmered for months, especially since the failed bid in July to unseat Erdogan.

Ankara has launched a vast crackdown in the aftermath of the failed putsch, which has seen more than 100,000 people arrested, dismissed or sacked for alleged links to the plotters or to Kurdish militants.

Berlin has criticised the arrest of Deniz Yucel, 43-year-old Turkish-German dual national correspondent for Germany’s Die Welt newspaper charged by an Istanbul court with spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting hatred.

“That man is a terrorist, not a journalist,” Erdogan told another Istanbul rally, as he accused Berlin of “putting my ministers on the same scale” with him.

Erdogan also said that, if he wanted to, he would go to Germany himself, but warned: “If you don’t let me in, or if you don’t let me speak, I will make the whole world rise up.”

On Friday, the president said the journalist had been sheltered at the German consulate for a month before his detention, claiming that he was a “German agent.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mt23A7

Mrs Buhari advises patients on nutrition, regular medication

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has advised patients in  Kano Hospitals to eat nutritious food and take their medication regularly to care for  their health situation.

A statement issued by the Head of Information to the wife of the President, Mr Suleiman Haruna, on Sunday in Abuja,quoted Mrs Buhari as giving the advice during the distribution of nutritious food items to three different Hospitals in Kano.

It said that Mrs Buhari, who was represented by the wife of the  Kano State Governor, Mrs Hafsat Ganduje, stressed the importance of  health of every Nigerian, especially women and children.

Haruna said the Hospitals visited include, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Sir Sanusi Hospital and Waziri Gidado General Hospital, Kano.

Mrs Buhari called for strong partnership between Government and the private sector in order to address some of the health challenges confronting the citizens.

She appealed to well-meaning citizens to continue to show compassion to the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Mrs Buhari made similar distribution to some Hospitals across the country including donations to victims of insurgency in the North-East as well as the less privileged .

The post Mrs Buhari advises patients on nutrition, regular medication appeared first on Vanguard News.

Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2n39qL7

Former Haiti president Preval dead at 74…Read full details

http://ift.tt/2mV7l3U

Rene Preval

Haiti’s former president Rene Preval, an agronomist and champion of the poor who served two terms as the country’s leader, has died after suffering cardiac arrest, local media reported Friday, citing his sister. He was 74.

With a reputation as an honest and efficient administrator, Preval served as president from 1996-2001 and again in 2006-2011.

Preval first served as prime minister to Jean-Bertrand Aristide but later distanced himself from his one-time ally, who fled Haiti under pressure before returning in 2011 following seven years in exile.

Born on January 17, 1943 in Port-au-Prince, Preval studied agronomy in Belgium. He lived for five years in New York in the 1970s.

After he returned to Haiti in 1975, he got a job with the National Institute for Mineral Resources.

He later became active in humanitarian work, including at an orphanage in Port-au-Prince run by Aristide, who was then a Roman Catholic priest.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mn6rjV

No allocation for new VP’s residence in 2016, 2017 budget (Read full details)

http://ift.tt/2kBZoUB

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo

The Vice Presidential Spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, has again clarified that there is no budgetary allocation for the completion of the proposed new residence for the Vice President in either the 2016 or 2017 budget.

Akande, who made the clarification in a news release on Sunday in Abuja said that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had not failed to express his distaste for the new project.

According to him, Osinbajo has expressed his preference for the existing residence, called Aguda House, to the new complex.

“The incumbent vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, has said publicly that he considers Aguda House, which he currently occupies, a befitting official residence for the Vice President and sufficient for his needs,’’ Akande said.

Akande said that the new project which started in 2010, was initiated and funded by the immediate past administration.

The spokeman said “the project has never featured in the two budget proposals of the Buhari administration, neither in the 2016 nor the 2017 spending plan”.

“We like to clarify that the proposed plan of the immediate past administration to build a new official residence for the occupant of the Office of the Vice President, including the controversial gatehouse preceded this administration.

“Any suggestion, therefore, that this project benefits our administration or that it reflects our spending style or preferences is not only misleading but blatantly false,’’ he explained.

Akande noted that while the project was about 85 per cent complete, the Federal Government, in the circumstances, would decide at the appropriate time, the best use for the 14 buildings already on the project site.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kX5Cdw

Ecuador in key vote for Latin American left…Read full details

http://ift.tt/2kX1ESc

Ecuadorean presidential candidate for the CREO party, Guillermo Lasso (C) greets supporters after accompanying his running mate Andres Paez (behind Lasso) to vote in Quito on February 19, 2017 during general election. Ecuador's elections will decide who succeeds leftist President Rafael Correa after a decade in power.<br />Juan CEVALLOS / AFP

Ecuador voted Sunday in general elections that could see a pillar of the Latin American left swing to the right — and potentially deprive WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of his place of refuge in London.

President Rafael Correa, who is not running, expressed confidence that his party’s candidate, Lenin Moreno, would win in the first round.

“They want to give the impression it’s going to a second round. The polls clearly say the contrary,” he said after casting his ballot at an elementary school in Quito.

“Let’s await the results and, in a democratic spirit, accept the will of the Ecuadoran people expressed at the polls.”

The vote puts Correa’s legacy into question. He is marking the end of 10 years in power during three terms as one of Latin America’s leading leftists and an outspoken critic of the United States.

It could also alter the fate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The two leading conservative candidates have said that if they win, they will evict him from Ecuador’s London embassy, where he has taken refuge for fear of extradition to the United States.

– Continuity or change –
An economist, Correa, 53, initially oversaw a boom in his oil-rich country of 16 million people.

A decade on, “what is at stake are two visions of society, two visions of development, two visions of the state,” he said of Sunday’s election.

Voters must decide whether to continue his socialist agenda by electing his ally Moreno or follow Argentina, Brazil and Peru in switching to a conservative government.

Moreno, who leads in opinion polls, promises to continue Correa’s tax-and-spend social policies.

“The Ecuadoran people have affection (for us) and are determined to continue with this process,” the 63-year-old told AFP.

To win in the first round, he needs to receive at least 40 percent of the vote and outpoll his nearest rival by 10 percent.

If he wins, Correa said, Ecuador will remain “on the same path but with different leadership, which I think in the end is very desirable for the country.”

– Trump –
But in an uncertain contest, Moreno faces a challenge from conservative ex-banker Guillermo Lasso, 61, second in the opinion polls.

He has vowed to cut spending and taxes, lure foreign investment and create a million jobs.

He has also slammed Correa’s allies over alleged links to a corruption scandal.

“We have to vote for change to fight against corruption,” Lasso said at a campaign rally on Wednesday.

The third-placed candidate is conservative former lawmaker Cynthia Viteri, 51.

Correa says Latin America needs a strong leftist movement to resist US President Donald Trump’s hard line on immigration and trade.

But Lasso and Viteri have shown more willingness to work with Washington since Trump’s election victory in November.

– Boom, bust –
Franco Sandoval, a student in Quito, said he will vote “for a change.”

“The ones who are in power have been there for a long time. They have done their job,” he said. “But at some point, they go off the rails.”

Ecuador exports half-a-million barrels of oil a day. Correa used the wealth to fund social welfare schemes and public works.

He called it “21st-century socialism.”

But oil prices have plunged over the past three years, helping shrink Ecuador’s economy by 1.7 percent last year.

Correa is accused of failing to save any petrodollars for a rainy day and of hampering businesses with high taxes and duties.

“Whoever becomes president will have to dig the grave of ’21st century socialism,’” said Alberto Acosta-Burneo, an economist at the Spurrier Group consultancy.

“It is no longer viable in the current economic situation.”

– Close contest –
Although opinion polls indicate Moreno will probably win Sunday’s first-round vote, his lead may not be big enough to avoid a runoff in April against one of his conservative rivals, most likely Lasso.

Analysts say voters fed up with Correa may rally behind any conservative candidate who gets through to the second round.

Polls show a high ratio of undecided voters.

“Any party could beat the governing one in the second round because there is major resistance to and rejection of the government,” said political scientist Paolo Moncagatta of Quito’s San Francisco University.

But Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue think-tank in Washington was more cautious.

“It is a mistake to underestimate the strength of support for Correa’s side,” he said.

Polling stations opened at 1200 GMT and were due to close at 2200 GMT.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lYebsN

Police releases Audu Maikori (Read full details)

http://ift.tt/2luqLPI

Audu Maikori

The founder and president of Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori, has been released by the Nigerian police after his arrest in Lagos on Friday.

His release was confirmed by Chocolate City’s chief operations officer, Paul Okeugo. “Audu [has been] released and unharmed,” he said on Saturday evening.

Maikori was arrested by of policemen attached to the inspector-general’s monitoring and intelligence team over ‘inciting comments’ he made on social media on Southern Kaduna killings. He was moved to Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he was kept till Saturday.

In a series of tweets on January 23, Maikori alleged that five students of Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, Kafanchan, were murdered by Fulani herdsmen.

“My driver’s younger brother and five others students of college of education Gidan Waya were ambushed and killed by herdsmen yesterday #SouthernKaduna,” he said in one of the tweets.

But the school’s management denied that any of its students was killed. Kaduna State also condemned the misinformation and vowed to prosecute rumour peddlers.

Before his arrest, however, Maikori apologised for the wrong information contained in his tweets, claiming that he was misled by his driver, who himself was an indigene of Southern Kaduna. The driver, he said, was handed over to the police after he (Maikori) decided to further investigate the story to “ensure that all the facts of the case and evidence were presented to the authorities.”

“I hereby tender an unreserved and sincere apology to the Management of the College of Education, Gidan Waya, His Excellency the Governor of Kaduna State and the Kaduna State Government, and also to the people of Southern Kaduna and the Fulani community and also VANGUARD newspapers whose source was my driver for the false statement by my driver which I also publicized believing same to be true,” Maikori said in a statement on February 5.

“This action is made even more imperative because I understand that as a leader in my community, my statements are taken seriously and shapes the narrative. But nothing is more important in leadership than owning up to mistakes honestly and with integrity regardless of the repercussions or circumstances.”

Southern Kaduna, for a few weeks, was a scene of bloody conflicts between suspected Fulani herdsmen and indigenes of the area with scores of the residents killed. The conflicts forced the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on Zangon Kataf which was only relaxed on February 4 to “6 pm and 6 am”.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lw5Zzy

Mane stuns Spurs to get Liverpool back on track…See full details

http://ift.tt/2kf6duQ

Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane shoots to scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 11, 2017.<br />Oli SCARFF / AFP

Sadio Mane announced his return to Premier League football in emphatic fashion with both goals in Liverpool’s brilliant 2-0 victory over top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The Senegal forward provided one of several outstanding displays from a Liverpool side who had not previously won a league game in 2017, their worst start to a calendar year since 1954.

Liverpool effectively wrapped up the points, and ended their miserable start to the year, with two goals in three minutes from Mane early in the game.

They were the highlights of a sensational start by Liverpool, which made a mockery of the troubles that have plagued Jurgen Klopp’s side since the turn of the year.

The return of Mane from duty at the Africa Cup of Nations was also key to that dramatic improvement as the forward started a home game for the first time since New Year’s Eve.

Liverpool had already launched a number of lightning-fast counter-attacks when they finally took the lead after 16 minutes through exactly that tactic.

Georginio Wijnaldum played a magnificent through-ball down the middle of the park and Mane easily outpaced Ben Davies before beating Hugo Lloris with a confident 12-yard strike.

Anfield was electrified and the din from the goal celebrations had barely died down before the home supporters had another one to appreciate.

This time England international Eric Dier was at fault, caught in possession by Mane deep inside his own half, with the forward launching another devastating counter.

Mane slipped the ball square to Adam Lallana, whose first shot was parried by Lloris.

The Spurs goalkeeper recovered well to keep out Roberto Firmino’s follow-up attempt, but he could do nothing as Mane showed great technique to hook a shot into the roof of the goal from eight yards.

– Kane frustrated –

The only wonder as Tottenham reached the half-time whistle with only two goals against them was that the London side, who had gone nine games without defeat, were not in even deeper trouble.

A poor touch from Firmino spared Spurs on 13 minutes, although it still required a brave block by Toby Alderweireld to keep out Philippe Coutinho’s shot from the rebound.

Mane might have completed a six-minute hat-trick after 22 minutes, but saw his shot deflected wide before his blistering shot from the resulting corner was saved magnificently by Lloris’s left hand.

Tottenham responded briefly, Simon Mignolet denying Son Heung-Min with his outstretched legs and Lucas Leiva defending magnificently, on his goal-line, to put a Dele Alli header over the bar.

But the first half ended with Liverpool firmly in control.

Firmino charged down a Lloris clearance and might have capitalised, Coutinho rolled a tame shot at the goalkeeper and full-back Nathaniel Clyne produced a sweet shot that Lloris gathered.

Tottenham looked steadier after the restart, not quite so vulnerable to Liverpool counter-attacks, and Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip both picked up early bookings for fouls as the visitors made forays into the home half.

Harry Kane, totally anonymous in the first half, even hit the post from a Christian Eriksen free-kick, although the move was flagged for a clear offside.

Kane’s frustrations spilled over after 66 minutes when he was cautioned by referee Anthony Taylor for a late and nasty trip on Clyne — one of five Spurs players, and eight in total, to be booked.

Liverpool looked the only team liable to add to the scoreline.

Matip’s header was caught by Lloris and then Lallana set Coutinho up on the edge of the area, the Brazilian’s low shot flying just wide of the goal.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lAVpnf