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KELECHI IHEANACHO SIGNS NEW LEICESTER CONTRACT UNTIL 2024

Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a new deal running to 2024, the club have announced.

The 24-year-old Nigeria international, who joined from Manchester City in 2017, has been in sparkling recent form for the Foxes, scoring nine times in his last nine appearances in all competitions.

That included netting five goals in three Premier League matches in March, and he was named the division’s player of the month.

Iheanacho told Leicester’s official website: “I can’t express how I’m feeling. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m overwhelmed! It’s a great moment and I’m happy that Leicester City gave me a new contract.

“It’s been a great time here. It’s not been easy, but there’s a lot of people here that are good people, great people to work with. They are nice people and they make me feel comfortable and welcome since I came in.

“It’s been really great being here. It’s like a family. I’m happy being here and hopefully I can stay here many more years.”

Iheanacho’s tally this season of 12 is among a total of 32 goals he has registered for Leicester in 117 games in all competitions.

He previously scored 12 goals in 46 league appearances for Manchester City, who Leicester face at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said of Iheanacho ahead of the fixture: “I think you see a young player playing at the top of his game.

“When he was at Manchester City he was a young developing player who hadn’t played much. He came here for a big fee (reported to be £25million) and then of course coming into a team with one of the league’s best strikers (Jamie Vardy) has needed some adapting from him.

“I can only speak for the two years I’ve been here but his work, his ambition to become a better player was always there.

“He’s a wonderful character within the squad, constantly smiling, and whatever role he’s been asked to play he’s played it very well.

“The combination between him and Jamie is very good and at 24 there’s a lot of improvement in him.”

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LEEDS DEDICATE WIN OVER SHEFFIELD UNITED TO OUSTSTANDING PETER LORIMER

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was delighted his side delivered a Yorkshire derby win on the day the club remembered their record goalscorer Peter Lorimer.

Bielsa’s side climbed back into the Premier League’s top 10 after Jack Harrison’s opener and Phil Jagielka’s own goal secured them a 2-1 win against Sheffield United, who had equalised through Ben Osborn.

Lorimer, who scored a record 238 goals for Leeds in 705 appearances, died last month aged 74 following a long-term illness and the club paid tribute via a minute’s applause before kick-off.

Leeds fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were killed in Turkey before a UEFA Cup tie against Galatasaray in April 2000, were also remembered.

“Victories always generate happiness and optimism,” Bielsa said. “When we lose someone it always generates sadness and memories.

“It’s very difficult for happiness or victory to compensate for the loss of someone, (but) it’s better to have one to say goodbye to such an extraordinary player.”

Leeds passed the 40-point mark by registering their 13th win in their first season back in the top flight.

But despite dominating for long periods, Leeds missed plenty of chances and were pushed all the way by their rock-bottom rivals.

“We won only by one goal,” Bielsa said. “When the opponent sees there’s only a one-goal difference they insist on arriving at the opponent’s goal.

“We had a sufficient amount of chances to have scored more goals. Many dangerous situations that didn’t end in shots that would have increased the options we would have had to score more goals.

“It’s very difficult in the Premier League to imagine a comfortable victory, at least for us.”

Blades caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom made his first return to Elland Road since being sacked as Leeds manager after just four months in the role in 2018.

Heckingbottom, who was replaced by Bielsa, has now lost all three games in charge of the Blades after stepping in for Chris Wilder, while defeat to Leeds was their 24th in the Premier League this season.

“It’s been a tough year for everyone but we can either sit back and moan about that or start looking forward. And we want to look forward and start preparing for next season, whatever that brings,” Heckingbottom said.

“That is the focus. There were moments today that were very good but we didn’t capitalise on enough opportunities.

“When we did lose the ball and where we lost it was frustrating for us because it meant we missed opportunities to build pressure, but it also gave Leeds their best opportunities, which were on the counter.

“Those little moments where we were cheap in possession was the difference today.”

Heckingbottom confirmed both George Baldock and Jayden Bogle were being monitored after both were forced off due to head injuries.

“They are with the doctors getting assessed,” Heckingbottom added.

“George was a concussion substitution. He went through the test and appeared fine but reported some blurred vision so we brought him off.

“And Jayden took a bang and did not feel great so no risk, just brought him off.”

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REAL MADRID KEEP PRESSURE ON AT THE TOP FOUR WITH 2-0 WIN OVER EIBAR

Real Madrid kept their LaLiga title challenge on track with a 2-0 home win over Eibar.

Goals in each half from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema saw Real go above Barcelona into second, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

Lowly Eibar had the first opportunity when Pape Diop’s shot from outside the box was saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Moments later Benzema’s effort was kept out by Eibar goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

Real, without injured defender Sergio Ramos, soon began to dominate and Benzema put a header wide from an Isco corner.

Asensio was inches away from giving them the lead when his free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The Spain forward also had a goal disallowed for offside, but he made the breakthrough four minutes before half-time, taking Casemiro’s pass and slotting past Dmitrovic from the 18-yard line.

Asensio was denied by Dmitrovic and Benzema planted a header over before Real doubled their lead in the 73rd minute.

Vinicius Junior was the provider with the cross for Benzema to head home his ninth goal in his last seven appearances.

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DIOGO JOTA SCORES BRACE AS LIVERPOOL OUTCLASS ARSENAL TO BOOST TOP FOUR HOPES

Substitute Diogo Jota scored twice as Liverpool showed they remain one of the best sides in the Premier League by completely outclassing Arsenal to win 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Manchester City’s win at Leicester earlier in the day meant Liverpool’s hopes of retaining their title are now mathematically over after a season of mixed performances, poor results and terrible injury problems.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side were at their scintillating best, dominating an Arsenal side missing a number of their own key players to secure victory courtesy of a brace from Jota either side of a Mohamed Salah strike.

This was Mikel Arteta’s 50th Premier League fixture in charge of Arsenal and before the game he called for the Gunners to take the game to Liverpool, having won the corresponding fixture last year with a mixture of guile, guts and luck.

But Liverpool were on top from the get-go as the visitors showed their class – specifically in midfield where Thiago and Fabinho were at their best.

Arsenal sorely missed their injured quartet of David Luiz, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – who would have all been likely starters on what would prove to be a galling night for the FA Cup holders.

James Milner came into the Liverpool side and dragged an early shot wide, as did Fabinho.

Sadio Mane then saw a header saved before fit-again Roberto Firmino shot just off target, with the home side unable to keep hold of the ball for any meaningful length of time.

Milner should have scored when picked out free on the edge of the penalty area but sent his effort wide, while Arsenal’s evening was summed up when Kieran Tierney limped off injured just before the break.

The second half would begin in a similar vein with Liverpool again the dominant force. Arteta reacted by introducing Mohamed Elneny in place of the ineffectual Dani Ceballos.

But it would be Liverpool’s first alteration which would prove inspired as Jota replaced Andrew Robertson just after the hour and broke the deadlock with his first chance.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – who had been in the news since failing to make the cut for Gareth Southgate’s England squad – delivered a pinpoint cross that was headed home by Jota as the Reds finally made their dominance pay.

The lead would be doubled soon after, Salah coolly slotting home through the legs of Bernd Leno after proving too strong for Gabriel Magalhaes.

Salah almost had a second as he latched on to a defence-splitting pass from Thiago, with Leno this time staying big and blocking the strike.

Jota turned home the third after Gabriel had gifted Liverpool possession with an errant pass from inside his own box.

A simple win for Klopp’s men saw them move to within two points of the top four, while Arsenal’s dwindling hopes of securing European qualification through their league position suffered yet another blow.

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JAGIELKA OWN GOAL HANDS LEICESTER YORK SHIRE DERBY VICTORY

Phil Jagielka’s second-half own goal helped Leeds United to a Yorkshire derby victory over Sheffield United at Elland Road.

Leeds made a fast start and forced Aaron Ramsdale into early saves from Kalvin Phillips and Stuart Dallas.

The Sheff Utd goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Jack Harrison’s tap-in on 12 minutes from Raphinha’s cross.

But Ramsdale saved impressively again from Harrison on the half-hour and it allowed the sides to go in level at the break after Ben Osborn equalised, following up Oli McBurnie’s blocked shot.

Leeds went back in front on 49 minutes when Harrison’s cross was diverted into his own net by Jagielka.

Ramsdale was on hand once more to deny Patrick Bamford while Oliver Burke went close to a second equaliser.

But Leeds closed out their win to rise to 10th with 42 points. Sheff Utd remain bottom on 14 points.

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GABRIEL JESUS ON TARGET AS LEADERS MANCHESTER CITY EASE PAST LEICESTER WITH 2-0 VICTORY

Birthday boy Gabriel Jesus continued in-form Manchester City’s march to the Premier League title after a classy victory at Leicester.

The striker, who turned 24 on Saturday, wrapped up a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s men made it 15 straight away wins in all competitions.

Benjamin Mendy’s second-half opener sent them on their way and City are 17 points clear at the top with seven games left after a 26th win in their last 27 games.

Fernandinho had a goal ruled out while Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick hit the crossbar.

Jamie Vardy also had a goal disallowed for offside but the third-placed Foxes missed the chance to climb above Manchester United into second after being outclassed.

They thumped City 5-2 at the Etihad in September but there was to be no repeat this time.

The leaders dominated the ball early and thought they had a breakthrough after five minutes.

Fernandinho cracked a first-time half volley into the bottom corner from 30 yards only for it to be disallowed because Sergio Aguero was offside and in Kasper Schmeichel’s eyeline.

The visitors pinned the Foxes in their own half and, while Leicester still looked to pass their way out of any trouble, they never had the ball long enough to make a dent going forward.

Aguero volleyed over after Timothy Castagne’s clearance was charged down but the Foxes had kept any City chances to a minimum.

De Bruyne, though, came close to an opener after 23 minutes. The midfielder was fortunate to earn a free-kick after minimal contact from Wilfred Ndidi and stepped up to smash the bar from 25 yards.

The warning signs were there but Leicester’s concentration levels in the face of City pressure were excellent.

A goal would have capped a first-half masterclass from Guardiola’s side but Schmeichel denied Riyad Mahrez with his legs four minutes before the break and De Bruyne curled wide seconds later.

Jesus also fired over but City escaped in first-half stoppage time.

Ndidi beat De Bruyne to the ball and Ayoze Perez fed Vardy to round Ederson and score, although his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

It at least gave the Foxes encouragement and they began the second half with more intent, Youri Tielemans shooting at Ederson before Ruben Dias blocked Vardy’s drive.

But City got the opener their display deserved after 58 minutes from an unlikely source.

Schmeichel parried Mahrez’s effort and City regained control of the ball to cross for Jesus, who could not get a shot away. It fell for Mendy and he cut inside Marc Albrighton to curl in just his second Premier League goal from 10 yards.

Leicester had no response and Jesus grabbed a second with 16 minutes left.

De Bruyne’s sumptuous throughball sent the striker clear and he passed to Raheem Sterling, who held the ball up and squared for Jesus to stab in his fifth goal in six top-flight games against the Foxes.

Former Leicester winger Mahrez should have made it 3-0 soon after but curled wide, while James Maddison shot at Ederson as the Foxes chased a late consolation.

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CALLUM ROBINSON SUBJECTED TO RACIAL ABUSE AFTER CHELSEA WIN

Republic of Ireland striker Callum Robinson has been subjected to racial abuse online following his starring role in West Brom’s victory at Chelsea on Saturday.

West Brom have confirmed the matter has been reported to police.

Robinson posted a screenshot of the offensive messages he received on Instagram after the Baggies’ Premier League success at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old had scored twice as relegation-threatened West Brom pulled off a stunning 5-2 win over the fourth-placed Londoners.

A statement from the club read: “West Bromwich Albion have contacted West Midlands Police to report racist social media posts directed at Callum Robinson following Saturday’s 5-2 win over Chelsea.

“The despicable Instagram posts were sent in reply to the Republic of Ireland international after he scored twice in a memorable team performance at Stamford Bridge.

“The club is appalled by the messages and will offer Callum the help and support he may require in response to the incident.

“Albion will continue to confront all forms of discrimination and will assist the authorities with their inquiries, seeking the toughest available legal punishment.

“It is deeply disturbing that scoring two goals in a football match can provoke a reaction of this kind. There is No Room For Racism. Anywhere. Challenge it, report it, change it.”

Robinson is the latest in a long line of footballers to be abused on social media, including Marcus Rashford, Reece James and Baggies team-mate Romaine Sawyers.

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PERREIRA, ROBINSON SCORE BRACE AS WESTBROM STUN 10-MAN CHELSEA IN 7 GOAL DRAMA

Matheus Pereira’s fine brace sparked West Brom’s stunning 5-2 Premier League rout of 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Thiago Silva was sent off for two yellow cards after just 29 minutes as Thomas Tuchel’s 14-match unbeaten start at the Chelsea helm came to a startling end.

Brazilian forward Pereira took his two goals in first-class fashion before Callum Robinson’s double and a smart finish from Mbaye Diagne sealed relegation-battling West Brom’s first win in four league games.

Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount hit the net for Chelsea but the Blues tasted defeat for the first time since January 19.

West Brom’s comprehensive victory proved their first win at Stamford Bridge since 1978.

Tuchel predicted before kick-off that veteran centre-back Silva would not last the course on his first match since February 4 due to a thigh injury.

But the Blues’ German boss could never have predicted the manner of Silva’s premature exit, a first red card since 2013.

West Brom manager Sam Allardyce admitted in midweek he was “jealous” of Tuchel’s array of top talent at Chelsea.

But the Stamford Bridge chief could be forgiven, on the day at least, for envying the Baggies’ superior finishing power, especially from the hugely-impressive Pereira.

As much as the international break cursed Chelsea, so it blessed the Baggies.

Tuchel had just one full training session with his senior squad to prepare for this Saturday lunchtime kick-off while Allardyce quite clearly capitalised on an extended run without a fixture to drill his West Brom charges.

Silva’s red card undoubtedly changed the course of this match but West Brom deserve huge plaudits for both their tactical discipline and clinical attacking play.

Chelsea’s slow start was eased by Pulisic’s smart reaction to rush first to the loose ball and tap home after Marcos Alonso’s free-kick.

Alonso’s curling effort struck the post but Pulisic stormed in and slotted into the net to put the Blues ahead.

Spain full-back Alonso could so easily have put Chelsea ahead moments earlier when Darnell Furlong headed clear under pressure as he lurked behind him ready to pounce at the far post.

Just as Chelsea looked to cement their control, however, their situation crumbled.

Silva’s big return was over inside half an hour as he was sent off for a second yellow card.

In a near carbon copy of his first booking, Silva was dismissed when battling to recover from a loose Jorginho pass.

Both times the Brazil veteran had too much to do and wound up sliding in late – but the second yellow for his challenge on Okay Yokuslu certainly appeared harsh.

Hakim Ziyech was the luckless fall guy for the red card, sacrificed and subbed off to bring defender Andreas Christensen into the action.

Chelsea switched to a 4-4-1 with Reece James on the wing, Pulisic on the left and Timo Werner up front on his own.

While Chelsea were caught up with recalibrating, though, the Baggies busied themselves with turning the tables.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone’s raking pass bisected the new-look Blues defence and Pereira raced through, controlled and then lobbed the stranded Edouard Mendy to put the visitors level.

In a flash Pereira was on the scoresheet again, keeping his cool and sorting out his feet in the area before sliding home another smart finish.

The half-time whistle handed Chelsea a chance to draw breath and further tweak their new set-up, with the visitors leading 2-1.

Mason Mount replaced Pulisic at the break, with the dependable academy graduate having only been on the bench after three straight matches with England during a draining international break.

Alonso’s low effort was deflected onto the post to open the second half after Johnstone had flapped at James’ hoisted cross.

Mateo Kovacic saw a drive deflected over the bar, then Kurt Zouma hooked high and wide from a corner.

Chelsea’s designs on restoring parity evaporated when Furlong capped a fine West Brom move with a dangerous cross which Robinson turned home in style in the 63rd minute.

Five minutes later, Diagne drilled home a fourth as the 10-men hosts started to unravel but then all of a sudden Mount slotted home to make it 4-2.

Werner could – and should – have taken on Johnstone and scored but opted instead to play in Mount, who made no mistake.

The last word belong to West Brom, however, with Robinson on target again, lifting over Mendy for his second of the day in stoppage time.

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DETECTIVES FIND CAUSE OF TIGER WOODS’ BUT WILL NOT REVEAL DETAILS

The Los Angeles County sheriff says detectives have determined what caused Tiger Woods to crash his car last month in Southern California but would not release details, citing unspecified privacy concerns for the golf star.

Woods suffered serious injuries in the February 23rd crash when he struck a raised median around 7am in Rolling Hills Estates, just outside Los Angeles.

The Genesis SUV he was driving crossed through two oncoming lanes and uprooted a tree on a downhill stretch that police said is known for wrecks.

Woods is in Florida recovering from multiple surgeries.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva has been criticised for his comments about the crash, calling it “purely an accident” and saying there was no evidence of impairment.

Woods told deputies he did not know how the crash occurred and did not remember driving.

Investigators did not seek a search warrant for Woods’ blood samples, which could be screened for drugs and alcohol.

In 2017, Woods checked himself into a clinic for help in dealing with prescription drug medication after a DUI charge in his home state of Florida.

Detectives, however, did obtain a search warrant for the data recorder of the 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV, known as a black box.

Mr Villanueva would not say what data had been found in the black box.

“A cause has been determined, the investigation has concluded,” Mr Villanueva said during a live social media event on Wednesday in response to a question posed by The Associated Press.

But Mr Villanueva claimed investigators need permission from Woods — who previously named his yacht “Privacy” — to release information about the crash.

“We have reached out to Tiger Woods and his personnel,” Mr Villanueva said.

“There’s some privacy issues on releasing information on the investigation so we’re going to ask them if they waive the privacy and then we will be able to do a full release on all the information regarding the accident.”

Mr Villanueva’s statement about privacy issues did not make sense to Joseph Giacalone, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a retired New York City Police Department sergeant, who has criticised the sheriff’s response to the Woods incident from the start.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a department ever ask for permission like that,” he said. “What happens if his lawyers say ‘no, you can’t send it out now.’ And then where does that leave us?”

Mr Giacalone said it is unlikely that deputies would have sought the permission of non-celebrity victims in similar crashes to release information.

If the sheriff’s hesitancy stemmed from a potential medical episode behind the wheel, Mr Giacalone said authorities could simply say it was a medical emergency without giving additional details.

“I don’t think they would have asked any family member of us if they can come out with it,” he said.

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GERMANY STUNNED BY NORTH MACEDONIA IN FIRST WORLD CUP QUALIFYING LOSS SINCE 2001

Germany suffered a first World Cup qualifying defeat since being thrashed 5-1 by England 20 years ago following a shock 2-1 home loss to North Macedonia.

Eljif Elmas struck five minutes from time to secure a major upset in Duisburg and move the visitors level on six points with Joachim Low’s side in Group J.

The four-time world champions had been unbeaten in 31 successive World Cup qualifiers – dating back to the visit of Sven Goran Eriksson’s England to Munich in September 2001 – and looked to have salvaged a point after Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty cancelled out Goran Pandev’s opener.

Armenia are the surprise early front runners in that group after maintaining their 100 per cent start by mounting a late comeback to stun 10-man Romania with a 3-2 win.

A second-half double from Alexandru Cicaldau overturned Eduard Spertsyan’s debut goal to give the visitors the lead in Yerevan but, after George Puscas was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Andre Calisir, Varazdat Haroyan levelled four minutes from time before Tigran Barseghyan won it with an 89th-minute penalty.