Alexander Isak scored twice inside nine minutes as Liverpool defeated Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road on Friday, 4 September 2026, giving manager Andoni Iraola his first Premier League victory and moving Liverpool to fifth in the table.

Isak opened the scoring in the sixth minute before doubling Liverpool’s advantage three minutes later. Cody Gakpo provided the assist for both goals.

The quickfire double gave Liverpool a commanding start and ultimately proved enough to secure all three points.

The victory was Liverpool’s first of the Premier League season after the club drew their opening two matches against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

The result also marked an important moment for Iraola, who had begun his Liverpool tenure with two consecutive 2-2 draws.

Isak’s performance offered further encouragement after a difficult first season at Liverpool. The Swedish striker joined the club from Newcastle United in a reported £125 million transfer but managed three league goals during the previous campaign.

The two goals at Portman Road took Isak’s league tally for the new season to three. Gakpo has assisted all three of his goals.

Ipswich improved after Liverpool’s early burst and created opportunities to get back into the match, but Liverpool’s defence held firm to preserve the clean sheet.

The victory leaves Liverpool with five points from their opening three Premier League matches, while Ipswich remain on three points.

For Iraola, the result provides an early boost as he looks to establish his style and build momentum at Liverpool.

The club will now turn its attention to the Champions League, with Atlético Madrid set to visit Anfield on Wednesday, 9 September.

Samuel Oluolamide Adebanjo, a 22-year-old Aerospace Engineering graduate of Lagos State University, emerged as the university’s overall best graduating student for the 2025/2026 academic session with a 4.97 CGPA out of 5.00.

Adebanjo’s achievement came despite financial difficulties during his university years and a health challenge affecting his father.

To support his education and meet some of his expenses, Adebanjo taught tutorials and took on other paid work while pursuing his degree.

His academic journey began with a 4.81 grade point in his first semester. Although the result placed him firmly in the First Class category, Adebanjo said he was determined to improve.

He went on to record a perfect 5.0 grade point in his second semester and continued to maintain a strong academic performance throughout his studies.

Adebanjo said there were periods when financial difficulties made his university experience particularly challenging. He recalled studying without food on some occasions and using streetlights to study during power outages.

Before he had access to his own laptop, he also borrowed devices from colleagues to complete some of his engineering assignments.

Despite the challenges, Adebanjo remained focused on his studies while teaching tutorials and providing other services to earn money.

His final result placed him at the top of LASU’s graduating class. According to reports, he recorded seven perfect semesters out of 10 and finished with a 4.97 CGPA.

The achievement was also reported as the highest CGPA recorded in LASU’s Aerospace Engineering department.

Adebanjo’s academic record was complemented by research work, scholarships and technical training during his time at the university.

Reflecting on his achievement, he credited God, his family, lecturers, mentors, teachers and friends for the support he received throughout his academic journey.

“Where you come from does not determine where you can go,” Adebanjo said.

His story has attracted attention not only because of his near-perfect academic result, but also because of the circumstances surrounding his journey.

For Adebanjo, the 4.97 CGPA represents the result of years of discipline, sacrifice and persistence in the face of financial and family challenges.

African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has warned Nigerians against voting for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, saying doing so could mean continued economic hardship.

Amaechi made the remark while speaking about the political choices Nigerians will face ahead of the 2027 election. He contrasted a vote for Tinubu with support for the opposition, arguing that Nigerians should reject policies he believes have worsened living conditions.

“So you have a choice to either vote for Tinubu and die of poverty or vote Atiku and make money,” Amaechi said.

The former Rivers State governor is running as the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate alongside the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The party formally announced Amaechi as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

His remarks come as political parties and candidates intensify their campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential contest, with the economy expected to remain a central issue for voters.

Tinubu, who is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress, has defended his administration’s economic reforms, while opposition figures have continued to criticise their impact on Nigerians.

Amaechi’s statement reflects the increasingly confrontational tone of the emerging 2027 campaign, with opposition politicians seeking to make the cost of living and economic conditions major issues in their challenge to the incumbent president.

The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature a broad field of contenders, with the ADC coalition positioning itself as a major opposition force seeking to unseat Tinubu.