Raul Jimenez made his long-awaited return from injury as Wolves fell to a 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat at League One side Crewe Alexandra.
The Mexican striker, 30, had not played since he suffered a fractured skull at Arsenal on 29 November.
Wearing protective headgear, Jimenez struck the bar with a free-kick before being replaced by Patrick Cutrone.
Chris Long scored the winner at Gresty Road as Bruno Lage’s reign as Wolves boss began in disappointing fashion.
Jimenez was cleared to return in May, but Wolves decided not to risk him for the final game of the season against Manchester United.It was also decided he would miss the Olympic Games even though Mexico were keen to choose the former Benfica forward as an overage player.
Elsewhere, Patrick Vieira enjoyed a winning start as Crystal Palace manager as Wilfried Zaha scored the only goal in their friendly at League Two Walsall.
Former Arsenal midfielder Vieira, who previously managed Nice in France, replaced Roy Hodgson as Palace boss on a three-year contract.
Neither of his two new signings, Michael Olise and Remi Matthews, were involved at the Banks’s Stadium, although Nathaniel Clyne did feature for the first 45 minutes despite not yet signing an extension to his contract, which expired in the summer.
Zaha was the stand-out performer for Palace, finding the net four minutes before the interval with a first-time finish after a neat turn and exchanging passes with striker Rob Street.
There was no debut success for new Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, however, as Leyton Orient held the Premier League club to a 1-1 draw at The Breyer Group Stadium.
Striker Dane Scarlett, 17, fired Spurs into the lead just before half time with a left-footed finish from a Lucas Moura pass.
However, Ruel Sotiriou levelled for the League Two side with a fine solo effort, just four minutes after replacing Paul Smyth.
New Arsenal signing Nuno Tavares was on target in his first appearance as the Gunners played out a 2-2 draw with Rangers in front of 2,000 fans at Ibrox.
The Portuguese left-back, signed from Benfica, cancelled out Leon Balogun’s opener for the Scottish champions with a clinical right-footed finish from a tight angle in the 23rd minute.
Substitute Cedric Itten’s header restored Rangers’ lead with 15 minutes left, but Eddie Nketiah struck seven minutes from time to earn Mikel Arteta’s outfit a draw.
Before the game, both clubs offered a message of support to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who received racist abuse on social media after his penalty was saved during England’s Euro 2020 final shootout defeat by Italy.
Rangers captain James Tavernier presented the Scottish champions’ shirt – bearing Saka’s name and favoured number seven and signed by players from Steven Gerrard’s team – to Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Hakim Ziyech bagged a second-half hat-trick as Chelsea recorded a resounding 6-1 win over Peterborough at the Blues’ Cobham training base.
Siriki Dembele opened the scoring for the Championship side with a penalty before Tammy Abraham’s equalised. Christian Pulisic’s spot-kick then nudged the Champions League winners ahead before the break.
Ziyech, introduced at the break, netted three times before striker Armando Broja, 19, completed the rout for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Brentford warmed up for their first top-flight season since 1946-47 by beating Wimbledon 1-0, with Joel Valencia’s first-half header enough to earn Thomas Frank’s side a narrow victory at Plough Lane.
And while Manchester United were not in action, midfielder Bruno Fernandes stepped up his preparations for the new campaign as the Portugal international stopped by boyhood club Boavista for a training session.
Fernandes had been on holiday after his national team’s exit at the last-16 stage of the European Championship.
The 26-year-old, who scored 28 goals for United last season, came through Boavista’s academy before joining Italian club Novara in 2012.
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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