Gosens joins Union Berlin from Inter Milan
Germany international Robin Gosens has signed for Union Berlin from Inter Milan until 2028, the Bundesliga side...
2023-08-16 04:20
Gators, Mertz looking for back-to-back SEC victories at South Carolina
The Florida Gators are looking to win consecutive Southeastern Conference games for the first time this season when they head to South Carolina this weekend
2023-10-12 23:51
Abdoulaye Doucoure the saviour, Tottenham’s crossroads and 6 Premier League final day talking points
A topsy-turvy final day of the Premier League season saw 33 goals scored across the ten simultaneous matches, with Everton ultimately surviving the three-way relegation battle and Aston Villa beating Tottenham to a place in Europe next season. Here are the five key talking points as the 2022/23 season came to a close: Leicester changes leave Dean Smith wondering what might have been Dean Smith made a bold call in Leicester's penultimate game to drop James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, which paid off after the woodwork smiled on the Foxes. Both players returned as Smith rolled the dice, admittedly with little choice. But the response from Barnes was magnificent. Full of running, sharp turns and intelligence on the ball, the Leicester star's neat finish after an explosive run underlined his class. Barnes was hardly at risk of playing in the Championship next season, given the inevitable interest this summer, but his reputation was enhanced here with his attitude and composure under the utmost pressure of a final day relegation decider. It was not to be enough and now a move and opportunity, perhaps at a club poised to play in Europe, awaits Barnes following Leicester's heartache. Doucoure in from the cold to play the part of saviour Everton needed a hero, enter: Abdoulaye Doucoure. Frozen out by Frank Lampard and destined to depart, the Toffees faithful will be thrilled circumstances enabled an extended stay. A double at Brighton in the 5-1 win inspired one of the shocks of the season and a swing of a leg here shattered the tension engulfing Goodison Park after Harvey Barnes' goal for Leicester had them destined for the Championship. Doucoure, now 30 years of age, and just one year remaining on his deal, might not have much of a future on Merseyside, but his name will be remembered fondly after inspiring the great escape. Arsenal take the handbrake off...after the pressure departs The Gunners certainly took massive strides forward this season and wrapped up their campaign 5-0 against Wolves - though it didn’t matter with the title race long since done. Mikel Arteta’s side have had a habit over the last few years of falling short when the pressure is really cranked up and that’s exactly what they did again this term. The difference being, of course, that this time it was in a top-two battle, rather than trying to finish off the job merely qualifying for European places. With no pressure on them their fantastic football has them a class apart; improving mental resilience has to be job No.1 for next term. Spurs end on bittersweet note with future no more clear than Leeds’ Harry Kane scores twice, Spurs win 4-1, Lucas Moura nets an emotional goodbye goal. It sounds like a fine day for Tottenham, but when the dust settles fans will quickly realise they’re at a massive crossroads. The north London club have no manager, no director of football and no European action for next term - and rumours persist that Kane could depart too. Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce didn’t really come close to keeping Leeds up despite taking the fight to the final day. His side fell apart two minutes into each half after defensive errors and that has been the story of the last two seasons for them, this one proving too costly to recover from. How they rebuild and who they place in charge will determine whether the talent they unquestionably have in their ranks is enough to bounce straight back, or whether Leeds face another long fight to regain a place among the nation’s elite. Villa go from relegation fears to European hopefuls Unai Emery has done it. Mocked for so long in English football, yet the Spaniard has transformed Villa and provided fresh hope for perhaps a sleeping giant of English football. Back in Europe, in the Europa Conference League, having held their nerve here against Brighton to resist Tottenham, who claimed all three points against relegated Leeds, there is fresh vigour to this team. The noise and buzz around Villa Park illustrates the delight at the spectacular job Emery has executed. Jacob Ramsey is one of Europe's most exciting talents and his surge from deep led to Ollie Watkins' 15th goal of the season - enough to resist late Brighton resistance. Now Villans will dare to dream, with Emery, they have a coach with the experience and wisdom to spark a famous European adventure next season. Exactly why Liverpool fell short and Southampton fell down The game of the day in terms of excitement and goalmouth action was also an absolute irrelevance, with neither Southampton nor Liverpool able to go up or down than 20th and fifth respectively. It made for an entertaining encounter and an eventual 4-4 draw - but also showed where both teams have been lacking this season. The Reds led by two early on including a farewell Roberto Firmino goal, but defensive lapses, a lack of midfield power and some poor game management saw Jurgen Klopp’s side concede four without reply to the league’s worst side, before eventually clawing back a draw. That’s a big lesson to be learned from why they are outside the Champions League next term, having had a soft centre all year this time around. Saints, meanwhile, certainly fared better in attack on the day than they generally have this season, but shipping four on home turf to still not win a game points to where their own deficiencies have been. They have to rebuild for life in the second tier, after ending this term on a 13-match winless streak. Read More From Conte and Tuchel’s clash to Kane’s heroics – Premier League best moments Everton fans storm pitch before chants to ‘sack the board’ Easy in the end for Manchester City – same again next season? Leicester relegated despite ending season with victory over West Ham Leicester and Leeds down as Abdoulaye Doucoure stunner is enough to save Everton Granit Xhaka hits brace as Arsenal end season with big win over Wolves
2023-05-29 02:59
S.Y. Noh eagles all 3 par 5s to take the 1st-round lead in the Barracuda Championship
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2023-07-21 10:46
Swiatek fights off Muchova in thriller for third French Open title
Iga Swiatek battled past Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to win her third French Open title on Saturday and become the first woman to successfully defend...
2023-06-11 00:20
Monaco showed mesmeric Max Verstappen only has one obstacle to title – and it’s not Sergio Perez
The rain had been and gone but no abundance of showers could stop Max Verstappen topping up that cake with the sweetest of icing. Cruising to victory out in front as the Monaco Grand Prix reached its crescendo on Sunday, the irrepressible Dutchman did not fancy letting up. So much so that, with six laps to go, the ultimate humiliation very much rained down on his team-mate. Verstappen lapped Sergio Perez. For the second time. Powered with an identical car Perez, quite rightly, was being touted as a genuine title contender a month ago. Off the back of two wins – sprint and race – in Baku, the gap was just six points heading into Miami. He didn’t know it at the time but due to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix’s cancellation, two more street tracks would give the so-called “king of the streets” a perfect opportunity to take the lead. But after failing to hold off Verstappen from ninth on the grid in Florida, Perez had something he can simply not afford this past weekend in Monaco: a nightmare grand prix. A incomprehensible crash early in Q1 into Saint Devote wrecked his chances from the get-go. Slap bang last on the grid, in near-identical circumstances to Australia at the beginning of April. On Sunday, he pitted five times when the majority of the field pitted just once. You can only imagine what was going through Verstappen’s head when he saw Perez for the second time in the distance. Perhaps a wee smile, aware of the boost to his championship hopes. Perez finished 16th and from six, the gap in the standings is now 39 points. Verstappen, for what it’s worth, was mesmeric in the principality, a place he calls home. The 25-year-old won this race on Saturday, after an outlandishly thrilling qualifying concluded with the lap of the season so far. Because Verstappen was in trouble. First, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon shot to the top of the standings with a stunner. Then, Fernando Alonso – “pushing like an animal”, to use his own words – set the new benchmark. Verstappen had one more go. Two-tenths down heading into the final sector, Verstappen pinpointed his RB19 to such perfection that walls had to be kissed. Lighting up the swimming pool complex, seeping every last drop out of the car at Rascasse and a little bump with the barrier through Antony Noghes. Pole was grabbed, by 0.084 seconds, right at the death. And with it Sunday’s win too. Nevertheless, it was a season-best for 41-year-old Alonso, whose highly-craved 33rd grand prix victory does genuinely seem to be just around the corner. After five third-place finishes in six races, he bettered it this time with second spot. So focused, so revitalised, so it seems Alonso may be the only slight obstacle in Verstappen’s title charge. Given a new lease of life at Aston Martin, Formula 1’s elder statesman is relishing the challenge laid down by the Dutchman, 16 years his junior. And while people may jump to state that Verstappen’s third-straight title is nothing more than a formality… who knows? All it takes is a retirement or two for the pendulum to swing. While Mercedes grapple with upgrades – Lewis Hamilton and George Russell did finish a respectable fourth and fifth respectively – and Ferrari continue to be, well, Ferrari, Aston may provide the only credible opposition in the coming races. Alonso’s last victory was a decade ago in Barcelona. If he’s top of the podium again this time next week then, maybe, the wily old fox can launch a season-long attack at Verstappen. An attack which should have – yet seemingly won’t – come from across the garage at Red Bull. Read More Max Verstappen defies rain and Fernando Alonso to win Monaco Grand Prix Fernando Alonso: Aston Martin ‘will not give up’ in push for F1 triumph Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take stunning pole in Monaco Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it?
2023-05-29 16:48
Megan Rapinoe to retire following 2023 NWSL season
Megan Rapinoe announced her plan to retire from professional football following the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season.
2023-07-09 02:20
Edwin van der Sar’s condition ‘stable but still concerning’ after brain bleed
Former Netherlands and Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar’s condition remains stable but “still concerning” after suffering bleeding around his brain. The 52-year-old was admitted to intensive care on Friday and his family have expressed their gratitude for the messages of support they have received. “Edwin van der Sar will remain in intensive care for the time being,” said a statement by Ajax, where the Dutchman was chief executive until the end of last season. “His condition is stable but still concerning. Ajax shares this information on behalf of Annemarie van der Sar, Edwin’s wife. “The Van der Sar family, along with Ajax, is grateful and deeply touched by the many messages of support.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-07-08 19:45
Games-U.S. back racking up gold while Pan Am Games problems mount
By Steve Keating SANTIAGO The United States was back racking up Pan American gold on Sunday while problems
2023-10-30 11:24
Jude Bellingham's 2023 Ballon d'Or ranking revealed
Jude Bellingham has finished 18th in the 2023 Men's Ballon d'Or rankings, ahead of fellow England stars Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane.
2023-10-31 02:25
Metro by T-Mobile Kicks Off Multi-Year Sponsorship of LAFC as Official Wireless Partner
BELLEVUE, Wash--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2023--
2023-05-31 23:56
Joan Laporta hits out at 'campaign against Barcelona'
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed that the Negreira case is part of a 'campaign' against the club. Spanish prosecutors and UEFA are looking into Barça's payments to the former vice-president of Spain's refereeing committee.
2023-06-30 01:53
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