MANCHESTER CITY TASTE FIRST DEFEAT, UNBEATEN IS NOT A CHILD PLAY

The result lifted Spurs to second, a point below City, and means the north London club, third last term, have made their best start to a season since their fabled 1960-61 title-winning campaign.

Pochettino was left to celebrate only a second league win over Guardiola in 10 matches, and the first since Espanyol beat Barcelona in their first such encounter in February 2009. It was Guardiola’s first defeat in 12 games as City manager and following their mid-week 3-3 draw at Celtic in the Champions League, his side have now gone successive games without victory. City had won their first six league matches, but the last unbeaten record in the division now belongs to Tottenham. tottenham-mancity Spurs were caught cold by Liverpool, the last high-pressing team to visit White Hart Lane, in August’s 1-1 draw between the sides, but Pochettino’s men did not make the same mistake against City. They were at it from the off, Son Heung-Min lashing a shot over the bar with barely 30 seconds on the clock, and in the ninth minute they scored.

Danny Rose hoisted a cross into the box from the left and Kolarov made a complete hash of his attempted clearance, the ball ballooning up off his left thigh and floating into the top-right corner. The white-shirted onslaught continued, City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo blocking at his near post from Son and fielding a mishit Rose volley that threatened to dip beneath his crossbar. Nicolas Otamendi was booked for lunging in on the jinking Alli and from the ensuing free-kick, Christian Eriksen curled inches wide. – Aguero hits post – Not until the middle of the first half did City begin to pick their way through the Spurs press.

Sergio Aguero might have had a penalty after being caught by Jan Vertonghen as they vied for Kolarov’s cross and the Argentine also worked Hugo Lloris with a curling free-kick. But with Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko policing the midfield, City could not settle and eight minutes before half-time they found themselves two goals down. After stopping a City counter-attack in its tracks, Spurs broke themselves, Son slipping a pass through to Alli, who swept a first-time shot low past Bravo’s outstretched right hand. Spurs came out of the traps fastest in the second half as well, with Son and Wanyama going close from range.

Aguero almost embarrassed Lloris at the other end with a low shot that the Frenchman inadvertently deflected against his near post. But it was an isolated opportunity for the visitors, prompting Guardiola to inject some guile into his midfield by sending on Ilkay Gundogan for Fernando.

Spurs should have put the game to bed in the 65th minute when referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot after Fernandinho had caught Alli from behind. But Bravo plunged to his left to push Lamela’s penalty away. Guardiola also introduced Kelechi Iheanacho in place of Jesus Navas, but there was just one clear opportunity for his side in the closing stages, Lloris saving sharply from Aguero’s deflected effort

DEPUTY CP DIED IN NASARAWA

Gov. Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State has commiserated with police authority over the death of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the state, Mr Usman Sabo-Longlong. In a condolence message signed on his behalf by his Special Assistant, Media, Tukur Ahmed, the governor described the death of the officer as ‘tragic’. “The death of the late DCP, Operations, is a great loss, not only to the police family, but the people of the state and the country in general.

“Late police officer was a vibrant, committed and dedicated man, who has contributed immensely in ensuring the security and peaceful development of the state. commissioning and handing over of Patrol Vehicles, Motorcycles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Gunboats, Patrol Helicopters to the Nigerian Police and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday, November 27, 2015.

“The deceased also sacrificed all his time in ensuring adequate protection of lives and property of people of the state”, Al-makura said. The governor prayed God to grant every member of Sabo-Longlong’s family and the entire Police Force, the fortitude to bear the pains of his demise.

 A statement signed in Lafia on Sunday by the Nasarawa Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Idirisu John-Kennedy, indicated that Sabo-Longlong, 56, died on Oct 1. At about 7p.m. at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, after a brief illness. The statement quoted John-Kennedy as saying that “until his death, Sabo-Longlong was DCP in charge of Department of Operations, Nasarawa State police commands headquarter, Lafia.’’ John-Kenndy said that the deceased, an indigene of Sokoto State, joined the service of the police on Sept.1, 1982, and had served in various places.
He added that the late police officer had been buried in accordance with Islamic injunction in Lafia, Nasarawa state.
 

RANGER IS CHAMPION OF NIGERIANS LEAGUE AFTER 32 YEARS

Rangers International were on Sunday crowned champions of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League.
The Enugu-based club demolished El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 4-0 in their last match of the season to seal the title.
Chisom Egbuchulam scored a hat trick while Osas Okoro scored one to help Rangers win their first league title in 32 years.

FOOTBALL NEWS

Manchester United have launched a raid on rivals City for four of their key UK-based scouting team.
Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld are set to join the long list of players to commit their futures to Tottenham.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has urged the club to hand a new deal to key man Fernandinho.
Pablo Zabaleta insists he always knew former team-mate Mauricio Pochettino would become a great manager.

Francesco Guidolin is on the brink at Swansea and is set for showdown talks with the club's owners on Sunday after the defeat to Liverpool
Bruno Martins Indi says Jose Mourinho has benefited from Louis van Gaal's decision to field Manchester United's youngsters
Gareth Southgate is mulling over a shock England call-up for Burnley defender Michael Keane.

Everton are weighing up a bid for Sevilla's former Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi.

England are exploring the possibility of Celtic hitman Moussa Dembele's eligibility.

Jesse Lingard is set to be named in Gareth Southgate's first England squad.
Quinton Fortune says the 13-year-old Marcus Rashford played like Ronaldinho.
Right-back Matteo Darmian will leave Manchester United in the January transfer window.

Arsene Wenger was sounded out by Manchester United about the prospect of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea and Borussia Monchengladbach are contesting Thorgan Hazard's contract. The winger left Stamford Bridge last year, with the Blues claiming the deal included a buy-back option.

Juventus have joined the race to sign Liverpool target Alexander Isak from AIK.

Manchester United are lining up a January swoop for Monaco defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been offered a way out of his Manchester United nightmare by FC Dallas.