List of All Articles with Tag 'a'

Oliver Kahn reveals how close Bayern Munich came to signing Erling Haaland, prior to the Norwegian joining Manchester City in a deal worth £55m.

The organizers of a women's running race in Spain have apologized after they were accused of sexism for giving the winner a food processor as a prize.

Hilariously, the certainty came amid the confusion. “What age am I?” Erin Cuthbert asks, turning to Chelsea’s baffled media officer. “Get it on Wikipedia. I actually don’t know.” After a quick check, the answer turned out to be 24. “Aye,” Cuthbert accepted. “I turn 25 this year, in a couple of months.” So, as the question before put, are you coming into your prime? The reply was quick and decisive. “No. I haven’t yet,” Cuthbert says. “I know there’s more to give.” Yet open up Chelsea’s trophy-winning machine under Emma Hayes and at its heart you will likely find the Scotland international, whirring away along with the cogs and gears and various parts. After last season’s FA Cup final win against Manchester City, Hayes declared her wish to have a squad of twenty Erin Cuthberts. The versatile midfielder had been awarded player of the match at Wembley, as much for her relentless drive to push Chelsea on in extra time than her strike to light up the final. “What a moment that was,” Cuthbert grins, and what a goal it was too, “especially when it comes down off the crossbar.” Chelsea return to Wembley on Sunday to face a new opponent in Manchester United - as well as what is expected to be a record crowd of almost 90,000, the highest ever for a women’s club match in England. Often with Cuthbert, the biggest contributions are saved for the biggest moments. “I would love to be the difference-maker,” she says, too humble to add “again”. Chelsea too hope to find themselves in a familiar position. Last year, Hayes’s side won their final 12 games of the season to win the Women’s Super League and FA Cup double. They were perfect over the run-in, and needed to be in order to beat Arsenal to the title and edge City at Wembley. Now Chelsea face the same opponent on both fronts, Manchester United, as well as the same task. With the finish line in sight, the objective is clear: beat United on Sunday and they’ll claim a third FA Cup in a row. Carry that on and win their remaining league games (starting tonight against Leicester) and they will add a fourth consecutive WSL crown. The challenge is both a physical and mental one. With games every three to four days and a squad hit by injuries, including to key players like Fran Kirby and Millie Bright, the demands have been heightened, the stakes too. Yet Chelsea have been here before. “Last year I didn’t sleep a wink in the final weeks of the season,” Cuthbert recalls. “I’m sleeping like a baby this time.” That isn’t to say the pressure is less, though. A requirement of playing under Hayes is fuelling the fire to go again, even as the competition for trophies gets tougher. “It feels like the first time,” Cuthbert adds. ”I’m driven as ever, motivated as ever. If I didn’t have the same drive and determination I wouldn’t be at this football club any more.” Cuthbert helps to set the standard. If Hayes was to create a team in a laboratory you would likely find Cuthbert’s DNA running through the side, but the Scotland international needed to be patient to get her chance - first with a regular run in the team, and now with a regular run in the same position. “I put my head down, worked hard and waited for the opportunities,” Cuthbert says. After spells as a forward and at wing-back, where Cuthbert was praised for her versatility as well as her application, she has nailed down her preferred role in the centre of midfield. It was still relatively new at the end of last season, when Cuthbert produced her standout performance in the FA Cup final, but there is no doubt that it is the area of the pitch where she can excel and exert the greatest influence. It is there where Cuthbert typifies Chelsea. Or perhaps it’s vice versa. After all, they share a number of dogged qualities, which can be traced back to Curthbert’s journey from Crosshouse Boys Club. Cuthbert’s fierce introduction to 11-a-side made it clear that football is as much about having the right attitude than ability. “There are certain players you want in battle and being from Scotland, a young girl from Ayrshire who has had to work for everything, I understand and I get it,” she says. “I want to be on that battlefield fighting for everyone else. We are all good football players, but it’s who wants to win the battle, who has the mentality, who has the mettle to give everything when you can’t give anything more.” Last year’s FA Cup final epitomised Chelsea’s grit - “I think just resilience, we never gave up” - but then came something that was arguably even greater. When Chelsea salvaged a miracle escape to stun Lyon and defeat the Champions League holders on penalties at Stamford Bridge, Cuthbert burst into tears, taking big, sobbing gulps at the drama her team had produced. “Nothing comes close to that feeling,” Cuthbert says. “This dressing room, we always seem to find a way. Even if we don’t have the answers, we go out and find them.” The Lyon victory gave Chelsea a lift. Their season needed one, following defeats to Arsenal in March’s Continental Cup final and then Manchester City in the WSL, but knocking out Lyon in the manner in which they did gave Chelsea a reminder of who they are. Even after their exit to Barcelona, Chelsea’s performance in the Nou Camp offered belief and injected energy ahead of the run-in. “It was a turning point,” Cuthbert said. “We haven’t let the Champions League exit derail our league season, or the Conti Cup. Everyone thought, ‘That’s it, Chelsea are falling apart, here we go’. Everyone wants to see us fail but the greatest thing about this team is we bounce back and show ourselves in big moments.” Cuthbert is increasingly decisive in those situations. The 24-year-old does not score often, but her goal contributions tend to frequently arrive at crucial times. Chelsea’s approach to big games plays into it. Hayes will often ask her side to sit deep and absorb pressure before striking on the counter-attack, where Cuthbert - as a ferocious presser - can help to make the difference. Her stunning assist for Guro Reiten to break the deadlock in Lyon came from such a position, as did last season’s screamer against City at Wembley. Now Chelsea must go again, and against a United team under Mark Skinner who are hungry to lift the club’s first major title. For Chelsea, having the right attitude to match United’s on their historic occasion will be as important as their tactical plans. The holders have a target on their backs. “It’s our job to prove we are still at the top,” Cuthbert says. “Trying to remain there is probably the hardest thing. It requires you to adapt and change the way you play a little bit - because everyone starts to figure you out. It’s hard and requires a lot of training and mental toughness.” And in the middle of the Wembley battlefield on Sunday, it will be Cuthbert who reinforces that message. Read More Chelsea keep pressure on leaders Manchester United with huge win over Everton Emma Hayes feels Chelsea must be perfect in WSL run-in to win the title Manchester City v Real Madrid – The key questions after first leg of semi-final Vincent Kompany planning ‘smart’ recruitment and ‘healthy decisions’ for Burnley Look back at Gothenburg Greats as Aberdeen mark 40th anniversary of European win

Allkem Ltd. will combine with fellow lithium producer Livent Corp. to create a company with a valuation of

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed which former Manchester United colleague could take the manager's job in the future.

The stage is set for the unraveling of the true story behind one of the most historical sporting associations ever

Vincent Kompany insists Burnley must be “smart” in the summer transfer window as they gear up for their return to the Premier League. In his first season in charge, Kompany has guided the Clarets back to the top flight 12 months after relegation, winning the Sky Bet Championship title and reaching 101 points with a 3-0 victory over Cardiff in Monday’s final game of the season. The success came after Kompany oversaw a major overhaul of the squad last summer, when 13 senior players left and 16 arrived to replace them. There will be nothing on that scale this time, but Kompany knows further investment is needed to try to ensure Burnley can re-establish themselves in the Premier League. “We’ve been planning for comfortably six months for this scenario,” Kompany told the PA news agency. “We’re going to have to be smart but, because we’ve been planning for a long time, I feel confident we can improve the squad without losing what has been good for us this season. “At the same time we have to make sure we don’t go and bankrupt the club. It’s about healthy decisions, protecting the club, but at the same time trying to be competitive.” Last week Kompany signed a new five-year Burnley contract, designed to end speculation linking him to Tottenham and Chelsea so that prospective new signings know who they will be playing for. Kompany said the contract reflected how happy he is with his Turf Moor set-up. “I’ve been in football for 20 years and I know how difficult it is to find a healthy environment in football,” the former Manchester City captain said. “We’ve achieved something together now and that will count towards the future. “It’s a good environment with good people and that is special. I hope everyday fans will be proud of the work we do and even when it doesn’t work out they know we work hard, we work our socks off for this club. “I choose not to participate in the speculation. Everything I need to discuss I discuss openly with the chairman (Alan Pace). Other than that it’s business as usual. “Whatever happens needs to be something that makes sense. I speak with the chairman very openly. I protect the working environment more than anything else.” After a season of hard work, Kompany enjoyed the rewards on Tuesday night as the Clarets paraded the Championship trophy through the streets of Burnley. A four-time Premier League champion as a player, Kompany is no stranger to an open-top bus but said it was different as a manager. “I feel like I am more wanting to share this moment with many people, wanting to make sure many people enjoy this moment,” he said. “As a player you feel like it is your moment. As a manager you feel like it is everybody’s moment and you want to make sure everyone enjoys it. “Only a chosen few get to experience what we are experiencing.” Kompany picked out home and away victories over rivals Blackburn as the highlights of the season, particularly the 1-0 victory at Ewood Park on April 25 that sealed the title. But he also said the reaction to the 5-2 loss to promotion rivals Sheffield United in November was vital. “We got spanked, but after that we went on to win every game for 10 games (in the league) and that showed the character of this team,” he said. Kompany was part of the Manchester City side that racked up 100 points in the Premier League in the 2017-18 season, and now he has a triple-digit tally as a manager in the Championship. Such records are often downplayed by managers in the moment, but Kompany said he could appreciate it now. “When it’s achieved you realise what it means,” he said. “I’m happy for everyone we’ve been able to achieve this tremendous amount of points.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Look back at Gothenburg Greats as Aberdeen mark 40th anniversary of European win Arsenal to play five Women’s Super League games at Emirates Stadium next season Sergio Busquets calls time on ‘unforgettable’ Barcelona career

Former NFL star JJ Watt has taken to the bars and drinking establishments of northwest England -- all in the name of "research."

Jack Grealish feels like Kevin De Bruyne was made for the Champions League after the Belgian’s vital semi-final strike for Manchester City at Real Madrid. De Bruyne netted a stunning equaliser as the Premier League leaders claimed a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their last-four tie against the holders at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night. Despite dominating a lot of the early play, City were trailing to an equally brilliant Vinicius Junior goal when De Bruyne rifled home from distance after 67 minutes. His screamer left the tie delicately poised ahead of next Wednesday’s return leg at the Etihad Stadium. Grealish said: “We all know what a guy Kevin is and what a brilliant player he has been for this football club. Nights like this are just made for him and sum him up really. “City fans can’t count how many times he’s scored important goals, got important assists. “It must have meant a lot to him and obviously I’m buzzing for him.” City outplayed Real, who are bidding to win the European Cup for a record-extending 15th time, as they dominated possession in the opening half-hour but they were caught out by Vinicius’ wonder strike after 36 minutes. The Brazilian let fly from from 25 yards after good work by Eduardo Camavinga and City needed to retain their composure in a difficult atmosphere to get back into the game. They were rewarded when De Bruyne replicated Vinicius’ heroics but Real also had their moments of dominance in a hard-fought second half. With both goalkeepers making good saves, the outcome remains very much in the balance. “Everyone knows what the Champions League is like,” Grealish said. “It’s a brilliant competition – brilliant players, brilliant stadiums and brilliant teams. “That was their first attempt, when they scored the goal. It was a great strike, there probably wasn’t much we could do about it, but we hung in there. “It was great mental strength from everyone to carry on playing, carry on trying and in the end Kev came up with an absolute worldie. “We came here to win the game, that’s what we wanted to do, but in the end I think the draw was probably was a fair result.” Treble-chasing City can ill-afford to ease up ahead of the return encounter, with a testing trip to relegation-threatened Everton at the weekend. With the Toffees fighting for survival, it is likely to be a different type of encounter and the Premier League leaders will be determined to pick up points to hold off Arsenal in the title race. It is a challenge Grealish is relishing. “I feel unstoppable at the moment,” the 27-year-old said: “You’re looking around, playing with these guys that are unbelievable. “And the fans are brilliant, every home and away game. I’m sure we’ll need them at Goodison Park at the weekend and, of course, the Etihad next Wednesday, which we’re all buzzing for already.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sergio Busquets calls time on ‘unforgettable’ Barcelona career Manchester United ‘eye double swoop’ for Goncalo Ramos and Declan Rice ‘We feel unstoppable’: Jack Grealish bullish ahead of Champions League ‘final’

Aberdeen celebrate the 40th anniversary of their European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph over Real Madrid on Thursday. The club and city council are honouring the players, who will be awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen in a ceremony on Friday. Here, the PA news agency looks back at the ‘Gothenburg Greats’ – the 12 players who took to the field under Sir Alex Ferguson at the Ullevi Stadium to beat Madrid 2–1 after extra-time in 1983. Jim Leighton – Followed Ferguson to Old Trafford in 1988 before ending his career at Pittodrie in 2000 following spells with Dundee and Hibernian. Scotland’s most-capped goalkeeper with 91 international appearances, he had two spells as Aberdeen goalkeeping coach before leaving football in 2015 to work in the oil and gas sector. Doug Rougvie – The imposing full-back moved to Chelsea in 1984 and spent three years at Stamford Bridge. Rougvie, who won his sole Scotland cap against Northern Ireland in 1983, later played for Brighton, Fulham, Shrewsbury, Dunfermline and Montrose and managed the latter as well as Huntly and Cove Rangers. Rougvie’s departure from Cove in 1998 spelled the end of his football career and he became an engineer. Now retired, he splits his time between Scotland and Spain. Alex McLeish – The centre-back spent all but a handful of games of his playing career with Aberdeen, with whom he won 12 major trophies. He joined Motherwell in 1994 as player-manager and later took charge of Hibernian, Rangers, Scotland twice, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Genk and Egyptian side Zamalek. His final managerial role ended with Scotland in 2019. He won eight major trophies, including the League Cup with Birmingham and two promotions as a manager. The 64-year-old appears as a TV pundit. Willie Miller – The skipper had a long association with Aberdeen, managing them from 1992-95. Miller later joined the Pittodrie board and had a spell as director of football and has been a pundit with BBC Radio Scotland for a number of years. John McMaster – The midfielder, who played left-back in Gothenburg, spent 15 years at Pittodrie before leaving in 1987 to play for home-town team Morton for the final year of his career. McMaster became assistant manager at the Greenock club and later scouted for the likes of Middlesbrough and Swansea. He worked in market research and now delivers corporate talks on leadership. Gordon Strachan – Left for Manchester United in 1984 where he would later be reunited with Ferguson. Was football writers’ player of the year in both Scotland and England and won the league with Leeds before ending his playing days and starting his managerial career at Coventry. Took Southampton to the FA Cup final before a successful spell with Celtic and then managed Middlesbrough and Scotland. Now technical director at Dundee. Neale Cooper – The only one of the team who is not still here for the 40th anniversary celebrations, Cooper died aged 54 in 2018 after a fall at a block of flats in Aberdeen. Just 19 when he won the European trophy, Cooper had made his debut in 1979 and went on to play for the likes of Aston Villa and Rangers before a second spell at Pittodrie. He was a popular manager at the likes of Ross County and Hartlepool. He later took up a corporate position with Aberdeen club sponsors Saltire Energy. Neil Simpson – A key player for the Dons until a series of injuries hampered his progress. He left the Dons in 1990 and had spells at Newcastle and Motherwell but could not recapture his form. The midfielder took up coaching after retiring and returned to Aberdeen in the youth set-up in 2001, where he remains to this day as pathways manager. Peter Weir – Ferguson went back to former club St Mirren to sign the talented winger, who later played for Leicester and then the Paisley club again before finishing his career with Ayr. Weir went into coaching and spent 10 years in charge of Aberdeen’s youth academy centre in Glasgow. Mark McGhee – Another who returned to Pittodrie, as manager in 2009, but the spell was not among his happier times in management. McGhee left the Dons for Hamburg in 1984 and also played for Newcastle, Celtic and Reading, where he made a flying start to his career as a boss. Also took charge of the likes of Wolves, Leicester, Brighton and Motherwell – and was Strachan’s assistant with Scotland – before ending his career with Dundee last year. Eric Black – The striker opened the scoring in the final and went on to play for Metz in France before a back injury forced him to retire at the age of 27. He was John Barnes’ assistant manager at Celtic and had spells in charge of Coventry and Motherwell, the latter ending when the club went into administration. He went back to being a coach under the likes of Steve Bruce with his clubs including Birmingham, Sunderland, Rotherham and Aston Villa. Black turned his back on football after leaving Southampton in 2017 and the 59-year-old now sells furniture with his son in Leamington Spa. John Hewitt – The attacker had already been branded ‘super sub’ for his goals off the bench during Aberdeen’s run to Gothenburg and he lived up to his nickname by heading an extra-time winner after replacing Black. Hewitt left for Celtic in 1989 and spent several years with St Mirren before a short spell in coaching as player/manager of Dundalk and Rougvie’s assistant manager at Cove. The 60-year-old now works in the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen and recovered from a heart attack earlier this year. The unused substitutes were goalkeeper Bryan Gunn, injured full-back Stuart Kennedy and midfielders Andy Watson and Ian Angus. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Arsenal to play five Women’s Super League games at Emirates Stadium next season Sergio Busquets calls time on ‘unforgettable’ Barcelona career Nights like this sum him up – Jack Grealish hails City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne

If you haven’t tried it yet, golf is one of the most exciting sports to bet on!Picking a winner out of a field of dozens of contenders at crazy odds is an exhilarating feeling and DraftKings Sportsbook is guaranteeing that you walk away a winner (with $150 in bonus bets) if you sign up and...

Arsenal will play five Women’s Super League games at the Emirates Stadium next season and are committed to hosting all Champions League fixtures there should they qualify for the group stage. Jonas Eidevall’s side have played three WSL fixtures at the stadium this season, setting a new league attendance record when they beat neighbours Tottenham 4-0 before selling over 86,000 tickets across matches against Manchester United and Chelsea. Five of their Women’s Champions League games were also staged at the Emirates, including the semi-final second-leg sell-out against Wolfsburg, which saw the German side win in extra-time. Arsenal are in a tussle to qualify for next season’s Champions League but, if they do progress, every fixture from the group stage onwards will be hosted in N5 rather than at Meadow Park. The successes of this season have built on a groundswell of support for women’s football following on from England’s Women’s Euro victory last summer. Now, Arsenal are keen to continue the trend of hosting more games at the Emirates, with Eidevall saying recently he believes it would be possible to host all women’s fixtures there at some point in the future. This latest announcement ensures that as many supporters as possible can enjoy the matchday experience with us Vinai Venkatesham “We’re delighted to confirm that our women’s first team will play five WSL games at Emirates Stadium next season,” Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said when the announcement was made on Wednesday morning. “We’ve received fantastic support at Emirates Stadium this year, setting a new record attendance in the WSL and achieving a memorable sell-out for our recent UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg earlier this month. “This latest announcement ensures that as many supporters as possible can enjoy the matchday experience with us, as we continue to support the sustainable growth of women’s football.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live