Izuchukwu OkosiLiverpool on Saturday were held to a 2-2 draw in their Saturday clash against West Ham United which has put a dent on their Premier League aspirations.
The Hammers took the lead through a first half strike by Jarrod Bowen.
Liverpool got back into the game with goals from Andy Robertson and an own goal by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Michail Antonio leapt high to head home a delightful cross to ensure both teams shared the spoils.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation battlers Burnley which has helped the away side in no small way as they seek to retain their topflight status.
Former Ajax forward Antony capped his overall good game with a fine goal in the 79th minute but a moment of indecision in the 87th minute by goalkeeper Andre Onana – who clattered into Zeki Amdouni while trying to punch away the ball undid all the good work previously done by the Cameroonian and his defenders.
Amdouni dusted himself and scored from the penalty spot.
At the James Park, Sheffield United’s relegation was confirmed after a 5-1 thrashing by Newcastle United.
Premier League strugglers Sheffield United have been relegated after Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing in the hands of Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Anel Ahmedhodzic put the visitors ahead with a perfect header at close range from a Gustavo Hamer’s cross.
The Blades saw several chances to double their lead but it was the home side that eventually levelled things when Alexander Isak drilled home a low shot in the 26th minute with an assist from Jacob Murphy.
Sheffield continued to fight for their lives as Ben Brereton Diaz saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Dan Burn while Mason Holgate header came off the woodwork on the half-hour mark.
Man City and Arsenal target, Bruno Guimaraes grabbed the next goal for the Magpies when he steered Lewis Hall’s delivery into the far corner.
Isak scored his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot when Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before Ben Osborn bundled into his own net for Newcastle’s fourth.
Fit-again striker, Callum Wilson came off the bench for the hosts to score his first top-flight goal since October 2023.
Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday after they were thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle United at Saint James Park.
The Blades got ahead in the game through Anel Ahmedhodzic with a textbook header in the first half but Alexander Isak equalised moments later.
Although Ben Bereton Diaz and Mason Holgate threatened to add to Sheffield’s goals, it was the Magpies all the way afterwards.
Buno Guimaraes and Calum Wilson’s goals sandwiched a second of the evening for Isak who helped himself to his 23rd goal in all competitions for his club.
Everton’s Premier League status was assured at the Goodison Park as the Toffes who shocked Liverpool to a 2-0 win on Wednesday defeated Brentford 1-0 through a Gana Gueye goal.
Chelsea came from a goal down to pull a 2-2 draw against fourth-placed Aston Villa at the Villa Park.
Coming from a 5-0 hiding in the hands of Arsenal midweek, another defeat would have meant goodbye to Chelsea’s European qualification ambitions for next season.
Marc Cucurella conceded an early own goal against Chelsea while Nicolas Jackson’s supposed 16th minute goal was overruled by VAR.
Michael Rodgers equalised for the Villains before Nigeria-eligible forward Noni Madueke got on the score sheet for the Blues.
Madueke assisted Conor Gallagher’s goal nine minute to full time while a second Chelsea goal cancelled by the VAR came in added time as Axel Disasi’s strike was not given.
Wolves beat Luton 2-1 in a relegation six-pointer also witnessed on Saturday evening while Fulham and Crystal Palace ended their contest at the Craven Cottage on a 1-1 draw.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
