Alejandro Garnacho returns to put seal on Manchester United win over Wolves
Alejandro Garnacho returned from injury with a bang as the Manchester United teenager wrapped up a victory against Wolves that gets their Champions League qualification quest back on track. Back-to-back defeats at Brighton and West Ham allowed rivals Liverpool to move within a point of the Red Devils in fourth, as Erik ten Hag’s side risked allowing a positive season to end badly. United alleviated the pressure somewhat by returning to winning ways thanks to Anthony Martial’s close-range finish and substitute Garnacho’s stoppage-time goal in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Wolves. Antony’s intelligent pass set up the France international to score the opening goal – just his fifth in the Premier League this term – in front of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 1999 treble hero was serenaded by fans as he attended his first match at Old Trafford since being sacked 18 months and received a warm welcome in the directors’ box. United’s 25th home win of the season will not live long in the memory but would have been more comfortable had Dan Bentley not made some impressive saves on his top-flight debut. But the Wolves goalkeeper would be beaten once more in stoppage time as substitute Garnacho scored as he made his first appearance since injury an ankle two months ago. Injured Marcus Rashford was among three players to make way for the hosts on Saturday, when Ten Hag’s side had a glorious chance to take an early lead. Max Kilman’s slip gifted Antony the ball but the winger could only continue to bend a left-footed strike wide. The hosts dominated the early possession and tempo, playing with such comfort that could explain why returning defender Raphael Varane tried a wild, uncharacteristic effort from distance. But for all of United’s control there was not much for Wolves goalkeeper Bentley to do on his Premier League debut. The 29-year-old – in for Jose Sa – caught a Bruno Fernandes free-kick that had been slowly heading towards the top left-hand corner, then watched a hopeful Christian Eriksen attempt bounce wide. Well-placed Antony should have done better than poorly heading over from Luke Shaw’s fine cross when United next attacked, but he soon atoned for that latest miss. Fernandes played the winger behind Wolves’ backline and he smartly cut across to Martial after Bentley raced off his line, allowing the France forward to apply a simple finish. That 32nd-minute opener would have been followed by another had Bentley not been alert to tip over his own bar from a corner. The first half ended with Martial seeing a weak effort comfortably stopped after a roaring Antony run on the counter. The Brazil international had an attempt blocked shortly after the break and Wolves returned in a better shape, albeit failing to test David De Gea. Lively Antony saw a low drive deflect just wide of the near post and Fernandes’ effort from an acute angle was denied as the home side attempted to put the game beyond Wolves. United would have scored a second in the 73rd minute had Bentley not got down exceptionally to get a strong hand on a Jadon Sancho effort that was bound for the bottom corner. The Wolves shot-stopper’s impressive display continued as he turned away a Casemiro attempt. Each missed opportunity increased the nerves and Adama Traore’s driven cross to the near post was blocked by substitute Harry Maguire as Raul Jimenez lurked. Fernandes curled over a free-kick and Bentley denied Antony towards the end of a match that ended with a special moment in front of the Stretford End. Fernandes slipped through Garnacho and the teenager smartly made space under pressure from Nelson Semedo to score off the inside of the post. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Raheem Sterling’s double earns Chelsea draw against Nottingham Forest Aston Villa turn up heat on European rivals Tottenham with vital win Southampton’s relegation confirmed after Aleksandar Mitrovic-inspired Fulham win
2023-05-14 00:20
Alabama football doubters show up to vote for AP Top 25
The preseason AP Top 25 Poll reflected how much the Associated Press is shorting Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide program this season.There were 63 first-place votes cast out in the initial AP Top 25 Poll, but not a single one of them went Alabama's way.This was the first time sin...
2023-08-16 02:17
Minnesota Vikings release star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons, AP source says
The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons
2023-06-10 01:52
Max Verstappen posts fastest time in opening practice for Dutch Grand Prix
Max Verstappen picked up where he left off by posting the fastest time in opening practice for the Dutch Grand Prix. Verstappen, who has won 10 of the 12 rounds so far and will match Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories if he triumphs again on Sunday, finished 0.278 seconds clear of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton took third spot for Mercedes, three tenths adrift of Verstappen, with Sergio Perez fourth in the other Red Bull. Verstappen dominated the opening half of the Formula One season to establish a 125-point championship lead in his pursuit of a third straight world title. On Thursday, Hamilton raised the prospect of the Dutchman winning all of the remaining 10 rounds, and on the evidence of the first running, he will head into the weekend in front of an expectant Zandvoort crowd as the clear favourite to continue his commanding streak. For Hamilton, the seven-time world champion said his goal for the second half of the season is to finish runner-up in the drivers’ standings. The 38-year-old is currently fourth, 41 points behind Perez, who occupies second spot, and he will be relatively pleased with his opening salvo. Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished 11th, the best part of a second down. Haas announced ahead of this weekend’s race that Nico Hulkenberg will be retained for a second term with the American team. But the veteran German crashed out of practice after losing control of his machine through the penultimate corner. With his Haas beached in the gravel, the running was suspended. Over at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc was only 16th, three spots ahead of Robert Shwartzman, a junior driver for the Italian team who stood in for Carlos Sainz for first practice. McLaren driver Lando Norris finished sixth, one place behind Williams’ Alex Albon. Second practice gets under way at 4pm local time (3pm BST). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Haas announce Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg staying for 2024 F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns Max Verstappen posts fastest time in first practice for Dutch Grand Prix
2023-08-25 20:28
Broncos' Simmons defends suspended teammate Jackson, says NFL enforces rules inconsistently
Denver Broncos captain Justin Simmons called on the NFL Wednesday to provide more clarity on how players are supposed to avoid the types of tackles that cost teammate Kareem Jackson a second suspension in as many months
2023-11-23 09:28
Rangers falter in season finale in 1-0 loss to Seattle, allowing Houston to win AL West
George Kirby allowed only three hits in six innings, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 1-0 and allowed Houston to win the American League West title
2023-10-02 11:47
Rasmussen (flexor strain) on 60-day injured list, latest Rays starter to hit IL
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen has been placed on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain, one day after tossing seven scoreless innings in a win over the New York Yankees
2023-05-13 08:25
Finally, A Show About Quarterbacks
Netflix has a new documentary about NFL quarterbacks.
2023-06-14 23:49
What the Phoenix Suns starting lineup looks like after keeping DeAndre Ayton
Despite trade rumors suggesting the opposite, the Suns will keep center DeAndre Ayton.According to Chris Haynes, the Suns are keeping Deandre Ayton. This comes after a Suns insider said that the team is unlikely to trade for Ayton due to the offers being extremely low.The Suns'...
2023-06-26 00:59
Etzebeth out with shoulder injury for up to 10 days
Giant Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is expected to be sidelined for up to 10 days with a shoulder injury, South Africa's director of rugby...
2023-09-11 18:55
Orlando City 1 - 1 Atlanta United: Player ratings as points are shared in Southern showdown
Atlanta United and Orlando City battled for a 1-1 draw Saturday night.
2023-05-28 09:46
Jagaurs sign Evan Engram to big-time extension
Jagaurs sign Evan Engram to big-time extension
2023-07-17 01:30
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