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Following their latest defeat in the London derby, which saw Chelsea suffer a first defeat to Tottenham in nine league games, the pressure on Graham Potter, which seems to have no ending continually grows. Three consecutive defeats. Winless in six. One win in eleven games. Four goals in eleven games since the turn of the year. None of his predecessors at Chelsea would have been pardoned for this but understandably, the approach of the new owner is different in this respect. Speaking in an interview after the defeat in North London, Graham Potter said: “We were talking before the game about watching the Arsenal All or Nothing [documentary]. Two years into Mikel Arteta's reign he was close to getting the sack and people wanted him out. It was seen as a disaster but things have now changed a bit.” However, as much as it is easy to conclude that the Chelsea's project under Potter is like that of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, one can not just neglect the vast difference in their setup

Nigeria striker, Victor Osimhen has become one of the highly prophesied properties in world football and these days, Aurelio de Laurentis and the management of Napoli will look to heavens with gratitude for the €70 million spent on him less than three years ago. Not once has he failed to impress since his arrival in Naples but injuries had limited his level of consistency and how much the manager could trust him given the unreliability caused by the injuries. In a team with lots of club veterans to compete for places with as well as other infield chances, it was not easy for Osimhen to fully express himself and could have been limited by the presence of the likes of Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne. However, he was still able to give a good account of himself. The 23year old scored 28 goals in his first two seasons at the club, when he had featured in 62 games but started 50 times. This season, he is much more involved and good for him, the past injuries haven't really resurfaced

Elche were not outright favourite to beat Real Betis when both lockhorns in the curtain raiser of the LaLiga round 23 on Friday night at the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium, their home ground. However, fortune shone on them in the opening ten minutes and they found themselves 2-0 up thanks to a penalty converted by Fidel Chaves and Lucas Boye shot from outside the area. It was the first time they've gone two up (before conceding) in a LaLiga match this season and they were able to keep Manuel Pellegrini’s minions at bay until the half-time break. Elche were so good at sustaining pressure in the first half that Betis could not get a reward for their nine shots attempted in the half. All two big chances Betis had in the game all came in the first half and all were thwarted by Elche Goalkeeper, Edgar Badia. However, after the players made their way back to the pitch for the second half, it was a very different story for the host, one that says much as to why they are bottom in the stan

Has it ever occured in the history of Chelsea to let a manager continue despite persistent poor results week in and out, which has left the most successful London club (in Europe), languishing in tenth place on the Premier League log. It is only February and that speaks how long we are into the league season, and how short we are into domestic competition like the FA Cup, where they've already been eliminated following defeat to Manchester City in the third round. It was the same in the EFL Cup as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side at the Ethiad in the round three. Albeit City are a very good side but former Chelsea managers have found a way to better them, mostly in the Cup matches. It hasn't been the same with Potter. They will also kickoff the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 in London next month against Dortmund, with a goal deficit and to cap the misfortunes under the current manager, they've only scored three goals since the turn of the

For the second season running, Barcelona have been eliminated from the Champions League group stage and followed it up with another elimination from the Europa League. Last season also appeared better than this season albeit the club has invested millions just to see their manager thrive in the competition with other heavyweights in Europe but again and again, their legendary midfielder has come short. Inability to better Inter Milan over two legs costed them a place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League and to make matters worse, he achieved another low of becoming the first Barcelona manager to lose a game to Manchester United since 2008. 25 per cent winning rate in 16 European games is not good enough for a top manager and to think the wins have come against teams like Viktoria Plzen twice, Napoli of last season and Galatasaray. It is obvious that Xavi still has a lot to put right to have this team compete in Europe as much as they've been doing in the league, where the

Sometimes, the level a player will reach in their career depends on the kind of manager they play under. Some play in a top club but not an environment that appreciates their game. Once there, they may be played regularly or seldomly. The former is better but at the same time, it draws them more criticism while the latter is worse but can also be good as these kind of players can make instant impact, making them being considered a super sub. At times, they deliver masterclass but most of the time, people view them as average and not consistent enough to be relied on, because the demands in the system they play restrict them from being consistent. Such players may achieve a lot of collective awards but it will forever be clouded how good they actually are or could be if they had played in a club or a system, which allows them to maximize their potential. A lot of factors determine why players choose to remain in such unfavourable environments. As humans, it much depends on the objective

Apparently not the biggest tip for glory in Europe’s most prestigious club competition but surely, not even the biggest tips want to come up against Gli Azzurri this time and not even at any moment since the start of the season. They have been that good and consistent. Their only defeat in the Champions League this season has come when their status as group winner has literally been secured and never did they look blown away in Anfield even as Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners. The scoreline did not tell the tale of the game as Leo Ostigard could have opened the scoring for Napoli if not for the intervention of the VAR while Luciano Spalletti also decided to rotate the squad with little to nothing to play for. In the league, their only loss has come upon restart following the World Cup break and Inter can count themselves very lucky to have come up against this side at that time, to take advantage of the group just coming back together. For Napoli, there is no more domestic cup commitment

Smart FC have become the winner of the second edition of the Exquisite Soccer Gala following a shoot-out win over The Expendables FC in Monday’s final. Smart FC - Champions of the second edition of the Exquisite Soccer Gala. The anticipated final, between the two sides did not produce a goal in open play as both goalkeepers, whose contributions have been vital in earning their sides a place in the match repelled all thrown at them. Smart FC dominated proceedings in the first half but were unable to carve out any clear cut chance, while their opponent, Expendables FC enjoyed wrecking havocs on the counter. Hay Jay had a chance to test Smart FC goalkeeper, Emmzy midway through the first half but dragged his shot wide, while Taiwo in the opposing goal dealt with all set-piece delivered into his box expertly. In the end, neither of the side was able to find a breakthrough and the referee ended the contest, to be settled by penalty shootout. Akinbobo and Villa missed first two penalties for

Defending Champions, Hydro FC will not retain their crown following semi final loss to Expendables FC, who reached the final of the Exquisite Soccer Gala for the first time ever. Officials and captains before kickoff of A-Team vs. Smart FC The game, which did not present too many clear cut chances finished goalless and Jacob, who is the designated penalty taker for Hydro FC was denied in the shoot-outs by Taiwo in the first penalty of the shootout. The was the only missed penalty of the shootout as all nine other players scored, as Expendables FC wins 5-4 and progresses to the final, where they will face Smart FC. Smart FC bettered A-Team by a lone goal scored in the closing moments of the game by substitute, Villa. The striker, who notched in four goals in the last edition was yet to register a goal having missed a penalty in their first match. With his side struggling for goals lately, his introduction by Coach Josh was worth it in the end, a moment of individual brilliance from the

Hydro FC eases to an easy win in their quarter final meeting with the group winner of group B, Ball Boys to become the only runner-up from the group stages to reach the last four. Hydro FC team photo The defending Champions took a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a Jacob penalty after Doyin was penalized for a foul on Deja Vu following a Jacob delivery from a corner. The lead was doubled by Chuks moments later, due to a poor game reading of Ball Boys goalkeeper, Raphael, and his indecision was punished by the winger, who just nicked the ball past him from a Warri flicked header. Mustapha spurned multiple clearcut chances to fire Ball Boys back into that game midway through the second half and they were eventually punished late on by Jay Kay, who made a great run from midfield to get on the end of Chuks pass, slotting past the Goalkeeper. A 3-0 win means they've now scored more goals in this competition after their fourth game, eleven, already more than they did in the last edit

Smart FC has been joined by Expendables FC, Hydro FC, Ball Boys, Yhung Titans, Samba FC, A-Team and Opulent FC in the quarter finals of the second edition of the Exquisite Soccer Gala. Hydro FC Comrade FC surprisingly exit the competition after falling to defeat in their final group game, and result in the other group maybe between Yhung Titans and Dream Team did not go their way. Group A Expendables FC qualify as group winner after recording two wins and a draw from their three group games. Their latest win came thanks to Saha’s only goal, which sealed a 1-0 win over Peter Obi FC and subsequently stamping their status as group winner. The result of the match, which was played on Tuesday meant Hydro FC needs only a draw to seal progress, while Javelin Boys will need all three points against the defending Champions. But on Wednesday when the two went head to head, Hydro FC were just too good and eased to a 3-1 win thanks to a Warri hat-trick. Aliu scored the only goal for Javelin Boys,

On Tuesday, the Champions League will return as the round of 16 fixtures will be played with many top teams set to lock horns will another in order to establish an advantage ahead of the second leg in weeks time. The group campaign saw a lot of upset as Benfica finished top of the same group where PSG only finished runner-up, while Juventus were dumped out and go down to the Europa League. Elsewhere in another group, Barcelona were dragged out of competition having failed to get a win over two legs against Inter, and Bayern Munich continued to torture them as they always do, beating them both in the Camp Nou and Allianz Arena. Xavi Hernandez’s side bowed out from the group stage of the competition for the second year running while their LaLiga counterparts, both Atletico and Sevilla were also dumped out in the group stage. Sevilla at least make Europa League place but Diego Simeone’s Atletico were completely sent packing from any European club competition this season in a group of Club

Smart FC becomes the first side to book a ticket into the last eight of the Exquisite Soccer Gala, 2023 following wins in their first two games and in the round two of games while Hydro FC showed what champions do as they put four unreplied past Peter Obi FC. Hydro FC team photo The round two of games saw a lot of exciting times and as some teams sealed progress into the quarters, some did their chances of reaching the stage a world of good, while some others have been left on the brink. Here is how it played out on Sunday and Monday games: Group A Hydro FC 4-0 Peter Obi FC After losing their first game, defending Champions, Hydro FC needed a win to lift spirits and get their campaign back on track while for their opponent, a win could have seen Peter Obi FC almost through to the quarters. However, Hydro FC were always favourite heading into the game and immediately after the kickoff whistle, they began to exert their dominance on the came and fashioned a lot of Goalscoring chances but