
Leicester’s unexpected twist provides reminder of football’s new reality
One of the most remarkable stories in football now has another twist. Leicester City are relegated a mere seven years after winning this competition’s greatest title of all, their fate sealed by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s 57th-minute release at Everton. Dean Smith’s side had already done their job by going 2-0 up against West Ham United, which ensured this drastic fall for the club became one long wait. The pained anxiety of that manifested in three separate celebrations for Bournemouth goals at Goodison Park that hadn’t actually happened, their cheers quickly disrupted by frenzied checks of the phone. There was then the way the Everton game went on 10 minutes longer after a lengthy period of stoppage time. It just prolonged that hope, and made it even worse when confirmation finally came. As defeated-looking Leicester players checked their phones and then saluted the fans, West Ham United supporters celebrated that and their own forthcoming trip to Prague. It laid bare the cruelty of days like this, as memories of better days surrounded the whole stadium. Andrea Bocelli had famously sung “time to say goodbye” on that glorious evening back in May 2016, and while it presents a fitting line here, the goading West Ham fans were in no mood to be so poetic. “Going down” was the obvious one regularly sung, before the doubly cutting: “Say hello to Millwall! Say hello to Millwall!” It was in itself a reminder of the rarefied and glossy world that Leicester are leaving, so quickly going from the Premier League’s “model club” to an ultimate example of how quickly it can all fall apart in the game’s current economic landscape. The global economic landscape has played its part in that, with the Covid pandemic greatly affecting the owners’ duty-free business. That fed into a wider frustration within the club, that Brendan Rodgers made clear he was feeling from the very start of the season. It never really picked up. But none of that obscures the fact that Leicester have so many players that really shouldn’t have been in this situation at all. The line-up that has ultimately gone down - club legend Jamie Vardy symbolically starting on the bench - is one that should easily have been mid-table, and will now boost the squads of other Premier League teams. That, brutally, is no longer what Leicester are. And that despite having a better team than the one David Moyes started here to keep fresh for their Europa Conference final. It shouldn’t have gone this wrong. That was reflected in how there were a few boos when the final whistle went, even if they were drowned out by proud applause. It’s also more history in its own way. Leicester are the club to have the fifth-fastest relegation after winning a title since the second world war. In the Premier League, only Blackburn Rovers had it worse, at four years. It is quite a turn, that will now get more focus, but one of the issues was that there weren’t enough twists on this day itself. Leicester left themselves in too perilous a situation. The only real moment of drama was on 34 minutes, duly supplied by one of the players who is already most in demand. Harvey Barnes ran straight at the box to play a one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho, and then slide the ball past Lukasz Fabianski. It was a brilliant goal, and naturally produced a roar reminiscent of the day the Premier League trophy was presented here. It did put Leicester in a welcome if slightly strange position, though. They’d done their job, and just needed to hold firm, with all onus now on Everton. Even Leicester fans were watching the wrong game. There was a danger there as they lost urgency, until Wout Faes headed in a Youri Tielemans’s free-kick. By then, however, Everton had already scored. All of this was immaterial, including Pablo Fornals’s late goal. It was all dependent on one sudden twist. That is instead what this season has represented for Leicester. Nobody would have imagined it when they won the FA Cup just two years ago. They can still look to their dreams being fulfilled in 2016. They have had quite a run, beyond what many supporters get in a club’s entire history. It’s just that nobody expected it to be as brief as this. Leicester make history in another way. Their sensational story has a twist, albeit after no drama. Read More Why is BT Sport being rebranded to TNT Sports? Eurosport merger explained James Ward-Prowse, James Maddison and 16 Premier League transfer targets after relegation ‘It is theatre’: Inside the emotional chaos of a final-day Premier League relegation battle How the final day played out with Everton surviving relegation fight Relegation chances: What do Leeds, Everton and Leicester need to survive? Premier League relegation battle LIVE: Results and reaction as Everton survive
2023-05-29 02:25

I can’t wait to get started – Mason Greenwood trains with Getafe for first time
Mason Greenwood has trained with Getafe for the first time and been welcomed by fans following his loan move from Manchester United. United announced last month that the 21-year-old, who will be officially presented as a Getafe player on Tuesday evening, would be continuing his career away from the club. Greenwood was suspended by the Old Trafford club on January 30, 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online. Greenwood faced charges including attempted rape and assault, but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February that the case had been discontinued. Reports that United were planning to retain him following an internal investigation were met by a public outcry and on September 1 it was confirmed he would head to Spain for the season. Getafe have been promoting Greenwood’s arrival heavily on social media and, in a video message on X, formerly known as Twitter, the once-capped England forward said: “Hi Getafe fans, it’s Mason here. I’m so happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.” Other posts showed Greenwood, who last played a competitive match back in January 2022, coming out of the tunnel to applause from fans in the stadium before taking part in an open training session. Speaking at a press conference following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid – a match Greenwood was not involved in – Getafe boss Jose Bordalas said of the allegations against the forward: “It is a very delicate situation to trivialise that issue. “Everyone knows what happened and appropriate measures were taken. Everyone knows how it ended, with a non-convictory sentence. “He is a footballer of a very high level and arrives at Getafe with enormous enthusiasm. Surely he wants to recover his professional status and Getafe can help him in that sense.” Asked if signing Greenwood might prompt an unfavourable reaction, Bordalas added: “I can only speak at a footballing level. “We all know the potential he has. He is a very young boy and we hope that he adapts to a very different League. Surely he wants to recover his professional status and Getafe can help him in that sense.” A product of United’s academy, Greenwood scored 35 goals in 129 matches for the Red Devils. Greenwood is contracted at Old Trafford until June 2025, with the deal including an option to extend by a further year. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Leeds release prop Zane Tetevano to return to New Zealand after heart surgery Chris Dobey keen to bring major darts trophy to St James’ Park Artificial intelligence could replace referees within 30 years – expert
2023-09-05 17:52

LIV Golf star Koepka among captain's picks for US Ryder Cup team
LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka was among US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson's six picks for the biennial match play showdown...
2023-08-29 23:19

James Harden is gone, Sixers fans rejoice, and once again, they have Tyrese Maxey to thank
After four months , James Harden was finally traded by General Manager Daryl Morey to the Los Angeles Clippers. Many factors played a role in the conclusion, particularly Tyrese Maxey's development as a lead guard.
2023-11-01 22:55

Kieran Trippier confronted by angry Newcastle fans after defeat at Bournemouth
Kieran Trippier confronted angry Newcastle fans following their 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth. The injury-hit Magpies were downed by Dominic Solanke’s second-half double on the south coast. As the players went to applaud the travelling fans after the final whistle, England full-back Trippier was filmed on social media responding to a supporter by saying: “Are the lads not giving everything? How many injuries have we got?” Afterwards, Trippier played down the incident. He told Sky Sports: “The fans are emotional, they have travelled a long way. “I had a chat with one of them, saying we are giving everything and there’s no need to panic. “We got beat and we apologise for that result, but the lads are giving everything.” Manager Eddie Howe admitted he understood the fans’ frustrations. “Kieran is fine. Emotions run high,” he said. “We all feel a bit emotional after that from our perspective. We value all our away support, we value them greatly. We thank them for their support.” It was a nightmare return to Bournemouth for Howe, who saw his side’s seven-match unbeaten Premier League run end and their injury crisis deepen. The Magpies were already missing 11 players through injury and suspension after Callum Wilson injured a hamstring in the midweek defeat at Borussia Dortmund. Howe revealed Wilson will withdraw from the England squad and faces a spell on the sidelines. They then lost Miguel Almiron to another hamstring problem midway through the first half. The long casualty list meant a first Premier League start for 17-year-old Lewis Miley in central midfield. Such are Newcastle’s lack of options they ended the match with Ben Parkinson, an 18-year-old who had never previously made a first-team appearance, playing alone in attack. “It was a game where we couldn’t be where we needed to be for it and it was a tough watch. We were unrecognisable today,” added Howe, who was the Cherries manager the last time they beat Newcastle in 2017. I think we really deserved this win Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola “It was a real off day. There are reasons, but I don’t want to sit here and make excuses. I want to support the players.” The only surprise was that it took dominant Bournemouth an hour before they made the breakthrough. Joe Willock challenged Antoine Semenyo, the ball rolled off him into the path of Solanke who raced into the area and lashed his shot inside Nick Pope’s near post. Bournemouth doubled the lead from a corner, Solanke flicking the rebound home with his heel after Luis Sinisterra’s header hit a post. It secured only a second win of the season for Bournemouth and lifted them out of the bottom three. Boss Andoni Iraola said: “I think we really deserved this win. We played well and had good chances. Luckily we finished the job in the second half. “Dom has been very good for us. On the ball and off the ball, he helps his team-mates. He missed chances in the first half, but cleared his mind and continued playing the same way.” Read More She’s a tough cookie – Jodie Burrage backed to bounce back from nightmare debut Sean Dyche: Everton are starting to show belief on the road after latest win Mikel Arteta: ‘I’m completely with referees’ Jack Draper has grand ambitions for 2024 after falling short in Sofia Open final Matthew Mott admits some ageing England players face ‘line in the sand moment’ Ben Stokes and Joe Root give England hope of ending World Cup on a high
2023-11-12 05:17

Manchester City vs Inter: Complete head-to-head record
The complete head-to-head record of Manchester City and Inter.
2023-05-19 01:20

2023 FIBA World Cup Semifinals Recap: No gold for Team USA, Germany will face Serbia in an all-European final
The gold medal game for the 2023 FIBA World Cup is set. Dennis Schroder and Germany eliminated Anthony Edwards and Team USA, and Bogdan Bogdanovic and Serbia eliminated Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Canada. Germany will face Serbia for the gold medal.
2023-09-09 06:49

McLaren gives F1 rookie Oscar Piastri multi-year contract extension
McLaren has signed Oscar Piastri to a multi-year contract extension just 15 races into his rookie season
2023-09-21 00:57

England's Van Poortvliet to miss Rugby World Cup with ankle injury
England scrum-half Jack Van Poortvliet has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after...
2023-08-14 19:20

Beckham says youthful England can win Euro 2024
David Beckham says England's young stars have a "real opportunity" to end the nation's decades-long wait for a major trophy at next year's...
2023-11-16 00:17

Aston Villa make second offer for Moussa Diaby
Aston Villa have made an improved offer to sign Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby after a first bid was rejected.
2023-07-18 02:57

First Nations soccer advisers threaten to quit if the Women's World Cup doesn't free more funding
Before every Women's World Cup game in Australia and New Zealand, the rhythmic tones of ancient songs rumble across the stadium to give thanks to the lands' traditional owners.
2023-08-19 06:15
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