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ARSENAL VS WATFORD: REFEREE IN SHOCK AS VAR OVERULES HIS DECISION FOR PENALTY KICK

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Premier League referee Mike Dean left fans astonished as he appeared unimpressed by a VAR decision to award a penalty to  Arsenal against Watford in the Premier League on Sunday.

Experienced official Dean was caught on camera wearing a mystified frown as a lengthy remote check of replays adjudged Gunners striker Alexadre Lacazette to have been fouled by Watford defender Craig Dawson just two minutes into the final game of the league season at the Emirates Stadium.

The overruled referee was seen looking surprised following the call at the Emirates Stadium

Dean had initially decided not to award a spot kick, but Arsenal top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted the penalty for the first of his two first-half goals after Dean’s view was overturned.

Arsenal fans argued that Dean had been aggrieved by the decision and accused him of bias against Mikel Arteta’s side, with one viewer speculating that he had been ‘disgusted’ at having to oversee a penalty for the hosts.

Others suggested that the technologically-driven intervention had influenced his decision to give Watford a penalty two minutes before the break, which Troy Deeney scored to leave the Hornets 3-1 down at half-time.

Former Arsenal star Danny Welbeck scored their second and the only goal of the second half as they failed to earn the win that would have saved them from Championship football next season.

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Dean has awarded seven penalties to Arsenal in 38 matches involving the club that he has officiated, compared to 12 in 38 for near-neighbours Tottenham and 15 in 40 for London rivals Chelsea.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Away two-goal specialists, Remo Stars win in Kano to stay atop

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Remo Stars continued their good form in the Nigeria domestic league as they snatched another 2-0 away win against one of the traditional strong sides, Kano Pillars on Sunday.

 They had earlier had another 2-0 away win when they defeated Abia Warriors in Umuahia two weeks ago. With Sunday’s win, they remain on top of the log with their nine points and five goals.

They are yet to concede any goal this season. On Sunday, Sodiq Ismail put Remo Stars in front after 26 minutes. Togolese import, Franck Mawuena doubled the lead in the 60th minute.

In another encounter, Niger Tornadoes pulled a major upset, winning 2-1 away from home as they beat former Nigerian champions, Plateau United. Ifeanyi Okechukwu put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute. They doubled theit lead in the fourth minute of added time of the second half through Kufre Ebong.

 A minute later, Pam Samuel scored a consolatory goal for Plateau United. Hearrtland of Owerri continued their winless run as they played a goalless draw at home with visiting Katsina United.

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 Sunshine Stars also played 0-0 with Abia Warriors.

 

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Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead

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Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.

 On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.

 The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.

They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.

The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.

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 On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.

 Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.

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Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

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Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles. 

Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.

 “I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

  According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.

  Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.

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 Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job.  But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.

  He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.

 To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”

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