Levante stunned Barcelona on Sunday with a 5-4 defeat, ending the Catalans unbeaten run in the season despite Philippe Coutinhos hat trick.

Ernesto Valverde rested Lionel Messi for his teams penultimate match of the campaign but it was a defensive horror-show that allowed Emmanuel Boateng to score a hat trick of his own and Enis Bardhi a brace at the City of Valencia Stadium.

The La Liga and Copa del Rey champions trailed 5-1 after an hour and still came within a whisker of a sensational comeback as Coutinhos second and third goals, and a Luis Suarez penalty, set up a grandstand finish.

But Levante held on for a thrilling victory, which ended their opponents hopes of becoming the first ever club to finish a 38-game La Liga season as invincibles.

After drawing at home to Real Madrid last weekend, despite playing the second half with 10 men, and thrashing Villarreal, Barcelona sat just two games away from the historical feat.

It was 1932 when the last side, Real Madrid, went unbeaten in the top-flight but even that was across only 18 matches, in a 10-team division.

This was Barcelonas first league loss since slipping up against Malaga on April 8 last year and while it has minimal impact on the table, Valverde will have questions to answer, not least with regards to leaving out Messi.

This defensive collapse was reminiscent of their Champions League meltdown against Roma, which has soured an otherwise successful campaign. The unbeaten record was supposed to help atone for the European failure.

For Levante, this is their eighth win in 10 matches under new coach Paco Lopez, who took charge with the club in danger of relegation but has overseen a remarkable transformation. They move up to 15th.

Pacos players exploded out of the blocks and pulled ahead in the ninth minute when Boateng nipped in at the near post after Jose Luis Morales weaving run down the left.

Bardhi hit the woodwork with a lifted finish over Marc-Andre ter Stegen but Barca failed to heed the warnings and Boateng made it two after half an hour, latching on to Sasa Lukics threaded ball through.

Coutinho pulled one back with a rasping shot before half-time but three Levante goals in 10 minutes after the interval sent the home fans into delirium.

Bardhis blistering shot restored the two-goal advantage before Boateng completed his hat-trick as Barcas defence was ripped apart again on the break.

Another counter just before the hour ended with another crisp Bardhi finish, as Barca were now staring at a four-goal deficit.

The game looked dead but Coutinho scored twice in six minutes, the first a close-range finish after Ousmane Dembeles shot spilled loose, the second an instinctive shot from the edge of the area.

When Boateng brought down Sergio Busquets in the area and Suarez drove the penalty down the middle with 20 minutes left, it felt inevitable Barca would find a fifth.

But without Messi even to bring on, Levante withstood the late onslaught and should even have scored a sixth only for Ruben Rochina to shoot wide after a dreadful backpass by Busquets. It was the final mistake of an error-strewn display.

Source: NAN

Dominic Thiem lost to Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Masters final on Sunday and then said the German is now the best player in the world beneath Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Zverev has long been marked out as a future star of the mens game and his 6-4, 6-4 victory over Thiem suggests the German can be a major threat at the French Open later this month.

Thiem had ousted Nadal in the quarter-finals on Friday and he too will be among the small group capable of preventing the Spaniard from claiming an 11th Roland Garros crown.

But the Austrian was outplayed, and over-powered, by Zverev, who collects his third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, the most prestigious tier of knock-out tournament beneath the four Grand Slams.

Zverev is now one of five active players to have won three, the others being Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Those four are all aged 30 or older, while Zverev is 21, with Djokovic and Murray both attempting recovery missions after injury.

I would say probably now, besides Roger and Rafa, hes the best, Thiem said. You just need to look at his results.

Ranked third in the world, Zverev is yet to transfer his talent and success in Masters events to Grand Slams, however, where his best result remains reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon last year.

On this evidence, that breakthrough is surely close, with the crowd on Manolo Santana court treated to an impressive display of aggressive baseline hitting. Thiems 21 errors to Zverevs 12 were also key.

Rafa is the favourite, no matter where he plays, on a clay court, Zverev said. Hes going to be the favourite in Rome, hes going to be the favourite in Paris. Hes still the guy to beat.

The players in Madrid this week have remarked on the quickness of the courts and that has suited Zverev, whose demon serve was almost untouchable in the opening set.

After conceding an early break for 2-0, Thiems only sniff came at 5-4 when he opened up 0-30 on the Zverev serve. But his opponent did not waver, letting out a roar of relief after clinching the frame.

Another break in the first game of the second meant Thiem was again playing catch-up and Zverev could have moved 3-0 clear had Thiem not saved two more break points.

Instead, Thiem stayed in touch to make Zverev serve out. A sumptuous half-volley opened up two match points and Zverev took the first when a final Thiem forehand floated long.

Its a great feeling, Zverev said. Hopefully this will not be my last, hopefully I can continue to improve, and win a few more.

Source: NAN

Juventus sealed a seventh straight Serie A title on Sunday and their 34th, after a goalless draw against ten-man Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Turin giants had needed just a point to officially seal another title and become the first team to complete the league and Cup double for four consecutive seasons.

Roma played the final twenty minutes a man down after Radja Nainggolan was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Argentina striker Paulo Dybala.

It is the 34th Scudetto in Juventuss history.

Massimiliano Allegris side also won the Italian Cup in the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday with a 4-0 win over AC Milan.

With one game left to play Juventus cannot be caught by second-placed Napoli who are four points behind after winning 2-0 at Sampdoria on Sunday.

Eusebio Di Francescos Roma team had already sealed their Champions League place next season after Inter Milans 2-1 loss against Sassuolo.

Juventus had early chances with Edin Dzeko firing over, a Lorenzo Pellegrini right footer flying wide and Aleksandar Kolarovs free-kick hitting the side netting.

Paulo Dybala threatened early and broke through early in the second half after an Alex Sandro cross but the goal was disallowed because the Argentina striker was offside.

Nainggolan received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes and left Roma down to 10 men for the final 20 minutes.

But Juventus did not take advantage of their advantage although Dybala did have penalty appeals.

Source: NAN

Final results for some of the local councils in the election held in Kaduna state yesterday showed the ruling All Progressives Congress, cruising to victory.

According to results announced by returning officers, the APC won in Soba, Zaria, Lere, Ikara, Makarfi,Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kagarko, Kudan, Igabi and Kajuru.

The APC also won in Sabon Gari.The returning officer of the local government, Dr Micah Victor announced Mohammed Ibrahim Usman of the APC as winner with 20, 576 votes against PDPs Suleiman Ibrahim Gambo who got 9,580 votes.

Similarly, Prof. Ahmed Babajo Kofa , returning officer for Igabi local government announced that, Jabir Khamis of the APC was returned as elected chairman of the local government with 47,630, against Abubakar Abubakar of the PDP Who got 2,449 votes.

The results in other councils are still being awaited.

Kudan is the local council of Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, who is at loggerheads with Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Makarfi is the council of former PDP chairman and governor, Ahmad Makarfi. Governor El-Rufais candidates also won handily in Senator Shehu Sanis constituency of Kajuru LG.

ZARIA LG CHAIRMANSHIP:

APC 42859

PDP16033

Soba LG chairmanship

APC-40903

PDP-13835

Kudan LG Chairmanship:

APC : 76,131

PDP: 3,394

GIWA LG (KADUNA CENTRAL)

APC 57,005

PDP 2,636

KAGARKO LG CHAIRMANSHIP:

APC= 63,262

PDP= 14,658

In El-Rufais polling unit, the PDP gave the APC some scares. But the APC still won the Unguwar Sarki ward with overwhelming majority.

Councillor 68 APC, 45 pdp

Unguwar Sarki ward result:

APC 14863

PDP 706

*Updated with the result of Sabon Gari LGA

Source: NAN

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the Chairmanship and Councillorship election in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Returning Officer for the election, Mr Danjuma Baye-Luka, announced the results on Sunday morning in Zonkwa.

He said that Mr Elias Maza of the PDP scored 55,643 votes to defeat APCs John Hassan who polled 31,514 votes.

The All Progressives Congress, however, won Soba, Zaria, Lere, Ikara, Makarfi,Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kagarko, Kudan, Igabi and Kajuru local councils.

The results in other councils are still being awaited. (Also Read:

Kudan is the local council of Senator Sule Hunkuyi, who is at loggerheads with Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Makarfi is the council of former PDP chairman and governor, Ahmad Makarfi.

Governor El-Rufais candidates also won handily in Senator Shehu Sanis constituency of Kajuru LG.

In Zaria, APC polled 42859 votes, while PDP got 16033. In Soba, APC got 40903, while PDP scored 13835.

The council elections were conducted using electronic voting machines in the area.

This is the first time a state has adopted the use of electronic machines to conduct elections in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won Kaduna North local government, Governor Nasir El-Rufais council with a landslide.

Mr Saleh Shuaibu, APC chairmanship candidate, is the beneficiary of the resounding vote of confidence the voters passed in the governor.

Announcing the results of the polls, the local government election returning officer, Umar Hayatu said the APC has won with total of 168,572 votes, more than 10 times the votes won by his closest opponent.

Shuaibu beat Muhammad Sabo Babayaro of the Peoples Democratic Party who got 12,467 votes, while the PRP 4,956 votes.

So far, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won only the Chairmanship and Councillorship election in Zangon Kataf Local Government area, with its chairmanship candidate, `Elias Maza getting 55,643 votes, against the APC candidate, John Hassan who got 31.514 votes.

The All Progressives Congress, however, has won Soba, Zaria, Lere, Ikara, Makarfi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kagarko, Kudan, Igabi and Kajuru local councils.

The results in other councils are still being awaited.

Kudan is the local council of Senator Sule Hunkuyi, who is at loggerheads with Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Makarfi is the council of former PDP chairman and governor, Ahmad Makarfi.

Governor El-Rufais candidates also won handily in Senator Shehu Sanis constituency of Kajuru LG.

In Zaria, APC polled 42859 votes, while PDP got 16033. In Soba, APC got 40903, while PDP scored 13835.

The council elections were conducted using electronic voting machines in the area.

This is the first time a state has adopted the use of electronic machines to conduct elections in Nigeria

Source: NAN

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose on Sunday told his predecessor and current Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr.Kayode Fayemi not to celebrate yet, describing Fayemis victory, at the rescheduled governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress held on Saturday, pyrrhic.

Fayose thanked the APC delegates that picked Fayemi for doing him great favour, saying they had made his task and pain of defeating an APC candidate much easier with the choice of Fayemi as their candidate for the July 14 gubernatorial poll.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said the former Ekiti state governors victory has only positioned him to suffer a worse and more debilitating defeat than the one he dealt him in 2014.

In 2014 when he was the sitting governor and I was not in power, I trounced him mercilessly. I gave him 16 0, defeating him in all the 16 local governments, including in his home town, Isan Ekiti, he did not win a single local government

Now, I have been in power for more than three years and have served the people of Ekiti well. My legacy projects are there to speak for me, and for my party the PDP, as well as for our candidate in the July 14 governorship election, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka

I promise that Fayemi will suffer the worst defeat of his political career. after the July 14 election, he will not only suffer embarrassing defeat, he will go into political oblivion afterwards

He has nothing to celebrate because of the electoral disaster awaiting him. The manner of his so-called victory also leaves much to be desired as it has turned many of their party leaders and followers against him

To those who may not know, Fayemis victory has made the condition of APC worse in Ekiti. The party leaders and members know that Fayemi has no use for any of them beyond the July 14 election, Fayose said.

He appealed to those he claimed were trampled by Fayemi, especially those of them who were members of PDP, to return home.

PDP is your natural habitat. This is the time for you to escape from the APCs sinking boat and return home to a rousing welcome. We also invite other politicians not satisfied with the parlous state of affairs of our nation to join hands with PDP to rescue our nation

APC is falling apart everywhere, the party, which was dead before in Ekiti, has now been buried with Fayemis victory.

Fayemi is the final nail on APCs coffin in Ekiti. He may deceive them in Abuja but he is a paper weight at home. His arrogance alienates Ekiti people and any serious politician from him. He will meet his political waterloo on July 14, Fayose boasted.

As if second guessing the reaction of Fayose to his candidacy, Fayemi too last night issued a quit notice to Fayose and his candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, saying that APC is about to purge the state of the bad reputation it has earned under Fayoses stewardship.

We have seen a cynical approach to politics that exploits the penury of the poor and the vulnerability of the marginalised. We have seen the entrenchment of the disdain for elders, traditional institutions, and all forms of constituted authorities.

Instead of continuing the quest for freedom from ignorance, disease and want, what we have seen is a paradigm that deepens captivity to these ills. In short, the last four years has called into question all that we stand for as a people. The timeless values of honour, dignity, nobility and civility encapsulated in the Omoluabi ethos have been eroded.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on his victory in the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.

The President extended his goodwill message to the minister in a series of tweets on his personal Twitter handle on Sunday.

He was also optimistic that having won the partys ticket, the former governor would leverage his track record as a reformist who has a passion for education, health and welfare, to reclaim the governorship seat when the state goes to poll on July 14.

President Buhari further applauded other aspirants who took part in the keenly-contested primary.

He urged them to uphold the values and philosophy of the ruling party by coming together to support Dr Fayemi in the forthcoming election, in a bid to ensure the APC emerge victoriously.

The President noted that the ruling party values internal democracy, describing the success of the primary election as another testament to the APCs democratic credentials.

He also assured members of the party and Nigeria that the party would continue to work hard to lead the country to the next level of its development journey.

Congratulations to @kfayemi on winning the APC ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship elections in Ekiti State. I have no doubt that Dr Fayemis track record as a reformistwith a passion for education, health and welfarewill stand him in good stead in the elections.

Congratulations to on winning the APC ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship elections in Ekiti State. I have no doubt that Dr Fayemis track record as a reformistwith a passion for education, health and welfarewill stand him in good stead in the elections.

Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari)

I would also like to commend all the participants in the keenly-contested Primary. I would like them to uphold the values and philosophy of the APC by joining hands to support Dr. Fayemi in the forthcoming elections.

He said that APC has taken internal democracy seriously, and the success of the Ekiti Primary, with more than 30 aspirants, further validates our partys democratic credentials.

Let me assure that we will continue to work hard to lead Nigeria to the next level of its development journey.

He was also optimistic that having won the partys ticket, the former governor would leverage his track record as a reformist who has a passion for education, health and welfare, to reclaim the governorship seat when the state goes to poll on July 14.

President Buhari further applauded other aspirants who took part in the keenly-contested primary.

He urged them to uphold the values and philosophy of the ruling party by coming together to support Dr Fayemi in the forthcoming election, in a bid to ensure the APC emerge victoriously.

Fayemi Reaches Out To Oni, Aluko, Bamisile, 12 Other Co-contestants

Kayode Fayemi 2018 (@VoteFayemi)

The President noted that the ruling party values internal democracy, describing the success of the primary election as another testament to the APCs democratic credentials.

He also assured members of the party and Nigeria that the party would continue to work hard to lead the country to the next level of its development journey.

Also in his reaction, outgoing Ekiti governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, expressed happiness that APC has chosen a candidate that the people would reject.

In his tweet, he said: I thank the APC for giving Ekiti people a candidate they love to vote against at all times. Fayemi should not celebrate this pyrrhic victory yet because it is nothing but a flame that will be quenched on July 14. He should expect to suffer worse defeat compared to that of 2014.

I thank the APC for giving Ekiti people a candidate they love to vote against at all times. Fayemi should not celebrate this pyrrhic victory yet because it is nothing but a flame that will be quenched on July 14. He should expect to suffer worse defeat compared to that of 2014.

Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose)

Source: NAN

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State on Sunday rejected the results of local government council elections, saying it would go to court to challenge the outcome of the polls.

The party announced its plans just as its chairmanship candidate in Kachia local council was declared the winner.

Mr Nuhu Garba, SIECOMs returning officer for the council, said Mr Peter Agite of the PDP won the chairmanship seat with 42,242 votes beating his APC counterpart, Peter Dan-Baki, who got 33, 817 votes in the polls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) had through its local government returning officers, released some of the results with the ruling APC winning in most of the local government areas released so far.

So far, the APC has won 17 local councils, while PDP has won two. The election in two local councils, Jaba and Kauru was postponed, while tallying has not been concluded for Chikun local council.

There are 23 local councils in Kaduna state.

The Chairman of PDP, Mr Felix Hassan Hyet, who addressed a news conference in his office on Sunday, however, alleged that his party had been shortchanged going by the results released in 13 local government areas of the state.

He said the party would soon release its field results of the just concluded local polls.

According to him, the PDP agents have submitted their reports which, he claimed, were at variance with the results announced by the local government returning officers.

Hyet further claimed that most of the results announced so far were through radio stations rather than the returning officers, whom he alleged disappeared after the conclusion of the election.

The Chairman, however, appealed to the party supporters to remain calm, assuring that the party would follow legal means to address the injustice.

He said the commission should have requested some of the manufacturers of the Electronic Voting Machines stay behind to monitor the machines to avoid malfunction experienced in some polling units.

Hyet alleged that some machines were snatched to unknown destinations and results were later released by the returning officers.

We call you to brief you on the update of the local election results of 13 local government so far released.

Some local government results were not announced by the returning officers but by radio stations. At the moment we have some local government areas like, Kaduna South,Chikun,Kajuru,Jemaa,Kagarko,Sanga, still awaiting to be announced.

The returning officers have disappeared completely. Even some of the wards returning officers also disappeared.

We are waiting for the returning officers to come out and announce the results in local government areas yet to be announced.

Our agents have submitted the results to us and we will take necessary legal steps to address the injustices, Hyet said.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on his victory in the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.

The President extended his goodwill message to the minister in a series of tweets on his personal Twitter handle on Sunday.

He was also optimistic that having won the partys ticket, the former governor would leverage his track record as a reformist who has a passion for education, health and welfare, to reclaim the governorship seat when the state goes to poll on July 14.

President Buhari further applauded other aspirants who took part in the keenly-contested primary.

He urged them to uphold the values and philosophy of the ruling party by coming together to support Dr Fayemi in the forthcoming election, in a bid to ensure the APC emerge victoriously.

The President noted that the ruling party values internal democracy, describing the success of the primary election as another testament to the APCs democratic credentials.

He also assured members of the party and Nigeria that the party would continue to work hard to lead the country to the next level of its development journey.

Congratulations to @kfayemi on winning the APC ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship elections in Ekiti State. I have no doubt that Dr Fayemis track record as a reformistwith a passion for education, health and welfarewill stand him in good stead in the elections.

Congratulations to on winning the APC ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship elections in Ekiti State. I have no doubt that Dr Fayemis track record as a reformistwith a passion for education, health and welfarewill stand him in good stead in the elections.

Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari)

I would also like to commend all the participants in the keenly-contested Primary. I would like them to uphold the values and philosophy of the APC by joining hands to support Dr. Fayemi in the forthcoming elections.

He said that APC has taken internal democracy seriously, and the success of the Ekiti Primary, with more than 30 aspirants, further validates our partys democratic credentials.

Let me assure that we will continue to work hard to lead Nigeria to the next level of its development journey.

He was also optimistic that having won the partys ticket, the former governor would leverage his track record as a reformist who has a passion for education, health and welfare, to reclaim the governorship seat when the state goes to poll on July 14.

President Buhari further applauded other aspirants who took part in the keenly-contested primary.

He urged them to uphold the values and philosophy of the ruling party by coming together to support Dr Fayemi in the forthcoming election, in a bid to ensure the APC emerge victoriously.

Fayemi Reaches Out To Oni, Aluko, Bamisile, 12 Other Co-contestants

Kayode Fayemi 2018 (@VoteFayemi)

The President noted that the ruling party values internal democracy, describing the success of the primary election as another testament to the APCs democratic credentials.

He also assured members of the party and Nigeria that the party would continue to work hard to lead the country to the next level of its development journey.

Also in his reaction, outgoing Ekiti governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, expressed happiness that APC has chosen a candidate that the people would reject.

In his tweet, he said: I thank the APC for giving Ekiti people a candidate they love to vote against at all times. Fayemi should not celebrate this pyrrhic victory yet because it is nothing but a flame that will be quenched on July 14. He should expect to suffer worse defeat compared to that of 2014.

I thank the APC for giving Ekiti people a candidate they love to vote against at all times. Fayemi should not celebrate this pyrrhic victory yet because it is nothing but a flame that will be quenched on July 14. He should expect to suffer worse defeat compared to that of 2014.

Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose)

Source: NAN