
Kepler drives in four to back Maeda's strong start in Twins' 9-2 win over Royals
Max Kepler hit a three-run homer, driving in four runs, while Kenta Maeda continued his strong comeback from the injured list for the Minnesota Twins in a 9-2 win against the Kansas City Royals
2023-07-05 04:51

LAFC 1-3 Inter Miami: Player ratings as the Herons triumph over reigning MLS champions
Inter Miami triumphed 3-1 against the reigning Major League Soccer champions LAFC on Sunday night at BMO Stadium, as goals from Facundo Farias, Leonardo Campana and Jordi Alba propel the Herons one step closer to a playoff slot.
2023-09-04 12:26

USMNT interim manager BJ Callaghan names 23-man Gold Cup roster
Interim coach BJ Callaghan names the 23-man roster for this summer's Gold Cup.
2023-06-13 07:49

Soccer-Spain down England to win Women's World Cup for first time
By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY Captain Olga Carmona scored the winner in the first half as Spain won the
2023-08-20 20:57

‘It is theatre’: Inside the emotional chaos of a final-day Premier League relegation battle
When players talk about the anguish of a final-day relegation battle, one of the main memories that most recall is the unsettling sense of quiet. That isn’t when the final whistle goes, and reality sinks in. It is actually during the chaos, when something happens at another game, and the news seeps through to the crowd. The players realise something big has changed. It affects performance. “The atmosphere and pressure is palpable,” says Gareth Farrelly, who was the decisive figure in one of the Premier League’s most famous final days 25 years ago. This may yet be the decisive factor on Sunday. Because, although there are three clubs vying for one place, the general feeling in the game is that it is only going one way. An Everton win is guaranteed to keep them up, and they probably have the most forgiving fixture in terms of playing a recently safe mid-table in Bournemouth. There is also the argument, put forward from what is being said within all three clubs, that they have the manager in Sean Dyche who is the best fit in terms of both team and situation. Sam Allardyce has yet to fully rally Leeds United, who look fragile. The feeling from within Leicester City is that there isn’t yet that connection between the squad and Dean Smith, and there have been some questions about his tactics. The great disruptor is that, with all of these clubs, it's pretty difficult to predict such wins with any confidence. That's why they're in this position in the first place. There are no guarantees. You can think it’s going to go one way, but the first development - and that first ripple around the stadium - can transform the entire mindset at a stadium and the dynamic of the day. It is why the first goal on Sunday might be so important, and have a chain reaction. It could yet be one of the most manic final days of all at the bottom of the table. It is certainly the one that involves the biggest clubs, as well as the most titles. Everton, Leeds and Leicester have 13 leagues between them, the last of them only further raising the stakes Should Leicester go down a mere six years after the most sensational title win of all - and just two years after an FA Cup win that rightly saw them hailed as a model club - it would bookend a story that somehow became even more incredible. And yet it still wouldn’t be as big a story as Everton enduring their first relegation in 72 years, especially given the potential consequences for the club. The prospective MSP Sports Capital purchase of 25 per cent has at least eased concerns over the future, but this is also about much more than finances. It is about prestige and glory, and what football really comes down to. Everton going down would be a symbolic moment - as well as a profoundly emotional one. It is about that long history but also what next. There is a great persistent pride to this club, that could well be punctured. Leeds know all about that. Their return to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa felt like a restoration of the club’s rightful status, only for it to go wrong so quickly. Not quite as quickly as Leicester, though. No matter who of the three go down, they would all do so with considerable weight. Some of the key factors of the day are naturally similar to the key factors of the campaign. It does not feel a coincidence that all changed manager mid-season, even if it can’t be said any were wrong to make a change. The bigger question might be in who the next appointment was, with clubs’ different policies proving the decisive quality in the entire bottom half. Crystal Palace's appointment of Roy Hodgson changed so much. Bournemouth got it right in bringing in Gary O’Neill, who could yet bring the response that puts Everton in real trouble. West Ham United were vindicated in being a rare club to stick by their manager in David Moyes, and Leicester now have to get around that stability. Leeds offer maybe the greatest contrast to all, and one of the bigger complications, even if they still have a chance. It’s hard not to feel their overall fortunes have been affected by picking a manager respected for rigid defensive organisation to take charge of a squad built for the most frenetic pressing. Little wonder Allardyce - and, before him, Javi Gracia - has found it difficult to get that defensive resilience out of his team. It just isn’t attuned to that. They're built to run. Leeds now have to go in the other direction and attack to get a win. That difficult switch may be from the most forgiving game, though, given how Tottenham Hotspur’s season has drifted. Dyche is at least working with a squad more used to that approach, and there was the recent electric charge of that freakish 5-1 win over Brighton. Dean Smith represents a compromise in terms of style which means he isn’t a total contrast from how Brendan Rodgers set up Leicester, but the greater question there is whether his tactical approach is up to it. There is talk that he hasn’t yet got a connection with the squad. The difference is that Leicester have by far the highest individual quality in this race. That can have a profound difference on any one day, no matter how the rest of the season has gone. If it comes right down to that moment, you want - say - Harvey Barnes striking that ball rather than the vast majority of others involved. At the same time, the extremity of the day can draw excellence from unexpected figures. Farrelly knows that too well. It was his shot out of nothing against Coventry City in 1997-98 that meant everything to Everton, relegating Bolton Wanderers instead. Farrelly says the memories of the day are a medley. “It is theatre, heroes, villains, destiny in your own hands, home fixture, opposition with nothing to play for… there is a unifying sense as all of the protest, anger, mania is overtaken by a greater force. Survival, history, and all that means…” In other words, mayhem. This is one of the elements that makes the survival battle so different from the final day of a title race, while remaining just as engaging. It is sometimes more enthralling because of the depth of emotion. There is obviously far less quality involved, which brings more errors, and only deepens the desperation that drives the afternoon. Panic can take over from very early on, especially depending on that first goal. There are bigger discussions to be had on why this battle means as much as it does. That comes down to the money, and the immense gaps obviously aren't good for the game. Farrelly - who now works as a lawyer and with the Union of European Clubs, who seek to represent continental sides outside the elite - describes it as the “commodification of feelings”. It is undeniably one of the elements that can make the day feel almost intrusive. Neutrals are obviously watching for the drama, but that is heightened by the emotion, that despair, and the images of fans crying. Broadcasters will really be showing images of public grief. They will also be showing celebration and relief, though. On Sunday, it is only one team who will experience that. It just might go down a number of different paths until we get there. Read More Everton stare into the abyss due to a mess of their own making Premier League relegation: What do Leeds, Everton and Leicester need to survive? Premier League 2022/23 season awards: Best player, manager, transfer flop and breakthrough act Roberto De Zerbi preparing for busy summer building competitive Brighton squad Mark Robins vowed to lead Coventry back to the Premier League – Michael Doyle Harry Kane taking inspiration from greats as he eyes another decade at top
2023-05-26 16:25

Rangers' Gray to miss scheduled start vs. Angels on Tuesday because of blister
Texas right-hander Jon Gray will not make his scheduled start Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels while dealing with a blister
2023-06-13 09:21

Everton vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League latest updates as Garnacho scores stunning overhead kick
Everton face Manchester United on Super Sunday in what is their first match since losing 10 points for breaching the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability rules. Sean Dyche says the decision from an independent commission to dock Everton points was “disproportionate” and that he was shocked when he heard the news. The Toffees are now down to 19th in the table and have work to do to get themselves out of the relegation zone. That may not be the hardest task. There are struggling teams in the league this season and Dyche has shaped Everton into a tough team to beat as well as unlocking their attacking threat. They have only lost once, to Liverpool, in their last five league matches but face a Manchester United side in fine form. However, that doesn’t feel like the case. United have won four of their last five matches in the league but each by just one goal. They’re sixth in the table yet have a negative goal difference of -3. If things go wrong for Erik ten Hag’s side they seem to go very wrong. With the boost of Andre Onana and Luke Shaw in the squad can the Red Devils triumph at Goodison Park? Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
2023-11-27 00:50

Heat vs. Celtics prediction and odds for Eastern Conference Finals Game 1
The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics face off for the third time in four seasons in the Eastern Conference Finals, but Boston is a massive favorite (-525) to win the series.https://twitter.com/espn/status/1658119814936666112That’s led to the Celtics and Jayson Tatum being favored by 8.5 p...
2023-05-16 23:58

Spain tame England to win Women's World Cup for first time
Spain won the Women's World Cup for the first time in their history with skipper Olga Carmona sweeping in the only goal for a deserved 1-0 victory...
2023-08-20 20:28

Saints draftees Miller, Saldiveri deemed unfit to practice as camp approaches
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says third-round draft choice Kendre Miller and fourth-round draft choice Nick Saldiveri are among a handful of players the club has placed on injury lists with a week left before the opening of training camp
2023-07-19 06:50

How tall is Michael Jordan? Basketball legend still holds record for highest vertical jump in NBA
With the majority of his illustrious career spent with the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan secured a remarkable record of 6 NBA Championships
2023-08-21 17:49

Colts get trolled for new black helmet, looking like Duke wannabes
The Indianapolis Colts unveiled their new alternate uniforms and helmets. The reception has been less thanpositive.The Indianapolis Colts have arguably the most classic uniforms in football. The simple white and blue (or blue and white) with two stripes on the shoulder and two stripes down the p...
2023-07-22 11:24
You Might Like...

Merrifield and Jansen go deep to help Blue Jays rout Dodgers 8-1, take 2 of 3 from LA

Real Madrid transfer rumours: Mbappe stumbling block; Chelsea & Newcastle make Tchouameni bids

Palou heads fastest Indy 500 field in search of first win

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has suspension cut in half, will sit out 2 games for illegal hits

Fever vs. Sky prediction and odds for Thursday, June 15 (Indiana great underdog bet)

US women DQ'd from 4x400 relay at worlds due to faulty baton exchange

Kharlan lands first blow for Ukrainian athletes after change of policy

Bowers catches 2 of Beck's 3 scoring passes to power No. 1 Georgia past UAB, 49-21