BEB Weekend Sports: News!

Five-star start for Solskjaer's Utd Football PL

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got off to a perfect start as Manchester United's interim manager with a 5-1 thrashing of his former club Cardiff.

The former United striker succeeded Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in midweek, and got his first win courtesy of a performance that will encourage United fans as some of their more marginalised talent came to the fore in a performance full of attacking intent.

Marcus Rashford's stunning free-kick, a deflected effort from Ander Herrera and a fabulous team goal by Anthony Martial effectively won the contest before half-time for a United side inspired by the recalled Paul Pogba, who had a hand in all three first-half goals.

Victor Camarasa's penalty briefly gave Cardiff hope as they reduced the arrears to 2-1, but Jesse Lingard won and scored a contentious second-half penalty and then rounded Neil Etheridge to tap into an empty net at the death to make the result safe.

It is the first time United have scored five goals in a Premier League game since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in charge - a 5-5 draw with West Brom in May 2013.

Real Madrid ease to record fourth Club World Cup title

Spain's Real Madrid won the Club World Cup for a third consecutive year, and record fourth in total, by beating Abu Dhabi side Al Ain in the final.

Luka Modric curled home the opening goal from the edge of the area after Karim Benzema's lay-off.
Marcos Llorente hit a stunning 25-yard half-volley - his first professional goal - and Sergio Ramos headed in the third from Modric's corner.

Real could have won by more. Lucas Vazquez hit the post early on and Gareth Bale - who scored a semi-final hat-trick against Kashima Antlers - went close with a spectacular bicycle kick which went just over the bar.

Al Ain had shocked River Plate on penalties in the semi-final but never looked like following that up with a famous win at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Real now hold the record for most victories in the competition, which was first held in 2000, moving one clear of Spanish rivals Barcelona.

Warrington beats Frampton in thrilling fight to retain world title

Josh Warrington retained his IBF featherweight world title as a blistering start set up a unanimous points win over Carl Frampton in a fight-of-the-year contender in Manchester.

Captivating from start to finish, the Englishman's staggering work-rate laid the platform for a hugely impressive win - his 28th in succession.

Having narrowly avoided being dropped in the opening round, Frampton fought gallantly with wonderful shot selection to tighten up the contest in the middle rounds.

However, the Northern Irishman could not reverse the damage sufficiently as he slid to defeat in a world title fight for the second time.

Warrington now looks set for a unification bout against one of the division's other belt holders, with WBO champion Oscar Valdez his most likely opponent.

Edo State to host 2020 National Sports Festival

Edo State has been declared as host of the 20th National Sports Festival in 2020, thus knocking out other contenders that include Delta, Imo and Cross River states.

Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung made the announcement at the close of the 19th edition held in Abuja.

“Despite the short preparation, adequate arrangements were made to ensure the success of the festival,” Dalung said.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, who received the festival flag signifying the next host of the national unity games that began in 1973 in Lagos, said Edo is capable and has the capacity to host the nation come 2020.

The state, however, finished third on the over all medals table with 47 gold, 41 silver and 53 bronze medals totalling 141, behind champion, Delta and Rivers states.

Delta State retained her top position with 352 medals that included 163 gold, 88 silver and 101 bronze followed by Rivers State in the second position with 69 gold 58 silver and 67 bronze medals.

from Bola Esho's Blog