Arsenal cruise into Champions League last 16 after hammering Lens
Arsenal stylishly cruised into the Champions League knockout stages as Group B winners by thrashing French club Lens 6-0 at Emirates Stadium. The Premier League leaders kicked off needing just a point to reach the last 16 of the competition following PSV Eindhoven’s 3-2 comeback win at Sevilla earlier on Wednesday evening. Mikel Arteta’s men duly delivered in devastating fashion thanks to first-half goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. Substitute Jorginho completed the scoring with a late penalty, awarded following VAR intervention for a handball by Abdukodir Khusanov. A one-sided encounter in north London was marred slightly by visiting fans throwing a lit flare at home supporters in the aftermath of Saka’s 23rd-minute strike. With first place in the pool emphatically secured with a game to spare, Gunners boss Arteta now has the luxury of being able to rotate his squad for next month’s visit to Eindhoven amid a hectic December fixture list which could determine the seriousness of his side’s title ambitions. The Spaniard made just two changes from Saturday’s dramatic 1-0 win at Brentford, which moved the Gunners top of the table. Havertz was recalled as reward for his late winner against the Bees, while on-loan goalkeeper David Raya was restored having been cup-tied against his parent club. Arsenal controlled proceedings from the first whistle and quickly blew away last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up. The recalled Havertz, who had already headed narrowly wide, capitalised on static defending to open the scoring in the 13th minute, poking beyond France keeper Brice Samba from close range following Jesus’ nod down. Lens’ vocal travelling support responded by throwing a pyrotechnic device on to the field before quickly seeing the game run away from their outclassed team. Jesus doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 21st minute, calmly sidestepping Kevin Danso and coolly slotting past Samba following strong running from Saka. England forward Saka quickly added to the punishment by finishing with his left thigh on the rebound after Samba poorly parried Martinelli’s initial effort. That unorthodox finish led to unsavoury scenes as an active flare was launched from the away end into home spectators in the tier above. Dominant Arsenal continued to shine brighter on the pitch and Martinelli lit up the contest with a wonderful fourth with only 27 minutes on the clock. The Brazil international raced away down the left flank and then cut inside Przemyslaw Frankowski to curl a sumptuous finish into the far corner. Arsenal’s first defeat of the season came in the reverse fixture in northern France at the start of October. On this evidence, most inside the ground must have been wondering how, albeit Lens’ Facundo Medina rattled the right post from distance during a rare foray forward. That proved to a fleeting moment of positivity for the away side, who went into the break 5-0 down after Odegaard expertly volleyed home Takehiro Tomiyasu’s cross. Arteta used a more subdued second period to rest some of his star names, with Saka and the outstanding Declan Rice among those withdrawn. Substitute Reiss Nelson came close to adding to the visitors’ embarrassment but his deflected effort was repelled by former Nottingham Forest keeper Samba. Lens’ misery was completed four minutes from time when Jorginho calmly sent Samba the wrong way from the spot after substitute Khusanov was punished for handling on review. Read More Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘have to learn’ from Galatasaray draw Man Utd set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite bad weather Judd Trump marches into UK Championship quarter-finals Luke Donald humbled by players’ support for his return as Ryder Cup captain Exeter’s Rob Baxter urges football law-makers to be careful over sin-bins trial Defender Manuel Akanji admits Man City made ‘a lot of mistakes’ against Leipzig
2023-11-30 06:28
Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli: Player ratings as Jude Bellingham stars in entertaining victory
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2023-11-30 06:17
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘have to learn’ from Galatasaray draw
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are conceding too many goals but refused to blame Andre Onana despite the goalkeeper’s errors at Galatasaray severely damaging their chances of Champions League progression. Having lost three of four Group A games, Wednesday’s key clash in Istanbul began in dream fashion as Alejandro Garnacho’s early effort was followed up by a Bruno Fernandes rocket. Hakim Ziyech pulled one back from a free-kick that Onana will be disappointed to have been beaten by and he was guilty of an even worse error after Scott McTominay scored United’s third. The summer signing somehow failed to deal with another Ziyech free-kick and substitute Kerem Akturkoglu soon lasered past him as a mad match ended 3-3. The result leaves United bottom of their pool heading into the final round of fixtures, with the concession of 14 goals in just five Group A games the key issue. “We scored also quickly after each other,” United manager Ten Hag said. “It’s about the point when you are leading, when you are 2-0 up and you have to manage the game. Not so easy. “We give free-kicks away and we have to defend them better twice. I have to say also that is Hakim. He is brilliant, I know that. He is extraordinary. “To give free-kicks, it’s difficult to defend as well. In such areas, we have to be in more control. “It is always about incidents, always about details and some incidents we can manage better. “As a team, we have to learn from it because we are conceding too many goals and it is unnecessary and avoidable. “I am sure our team is experienced enough and capable enough to manage this and we will do better. “What is enjoyable is the progress we have and the way we play football. We dictated the game, we scored so many goals – it was about plan, creativity, being proactive and brave. That makes me happy.” United should have scored more but Onana will be under the spotlight after this draw, having also been guilty of errors in the losses away to Bayern Munich and at home to Galatasaray. While his key stoppage-time penalty save secured a win against Copenhagen, he endured another difficult Champions League night on Wednesday. “I think as a team we played very well,” Ten Hag said when asked about Onana. “We win and lose together. You see the progress in this team. I am disappointed because we should have managed the game better Erik ten Hag “I take many positives from this game. Some mistakes. We played like I want my team to play. “It was enjoyable to watch that proactive, dynamic, brave and we scored great goals. “Even after we had some setbacks, we kept going until the end and we should have won with big chances from Scott McTominay and (Facundo) Pellistri. “Of course, I am disappointed because we should have managed the game better, we will learn from that. Because this team is in development.” Asked how Onana is, he said: “He is OK. As I said, it is not about individuals. “Of course, individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it but it is always about the team. “This team is good, all the players in the squad are good and deserve the best to play for Manchester United because they are brilliant players. “And that counts for the whole squad.” United are now sweating on their place in Europe, let alone the Champions League, heading into their group finale against already-qualified Bayern at Old Trafford. “It would be more frustrating if we play poor,” Ten Hag said. “But the performance is very good, it is enjoyable to watch how we dictate the game, how we create chances, that is actually fantastic. “But now there is more, if you can sort better the management of the game out then you start playing football. “The football is good, the performances are good but now we have to learn better how to manage this game.” Read More Man Utd set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite bad weather Judd Trump marches into UK Championship quarter-finals Luke Donald humbled by players’ support for his return as Ryder Cup captain Exeter’s Rob Baxter urges football law-makers to be careful over sin-bins trial Defender Manuel Akanji admits Man City made ‘a lot of mistakes’ against Leipzig Will Zalatoris back in the swing after enduring ‘golfer’s worst nightmare’
2023-11-30 05:52
Berkshire Says Billionaire Haslam Promised Illicit Payments to Juice Pilot’s Profit
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Mark Cuban’s Mavericks Sale Would Boost His Net Worth by $700 Million
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2023-11-30 04:49
X reacts to 'absolutely bonkers' 3-3 draw between Man Utd & Galatasaray
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2023-11-30 04:25
Manchester United suffer heavy Champions League blow in Galatasaray thriller
Manchester United’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after Erik ten Hag’s men imploded in a chaotic, thrill-a-minute 3-3 draw on an ear-splitting night at Galatasaray. Having lost three of their four Group A fixtures, the Red Devils knew defeat in Istanbul would extinguish their hopes of reaching the knockout phase with a game to spare. United avoided a loss but blew a two-goal lead on in an incredible night in Istanbul, meaning their knockout hopes will be over if Copenhagen beat Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s late fixtures. This was a wild, helter-skelter encounter befitting of a Champions League campaign punctuated by goals, madness and mistakes. A rocking Rams Park witnessed a dream United start to a breathless match, with Alejandro Garnacho completing a fine team move before Bruno Fernandes rocketed the visitors further ahead in the 18th minute. Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick all too easily beat Andre Onana to give Galatasaray hope, which Scott McTominay appeared to extinguish when scoring in the 55th minute. But United, not for the first time in Group A, unravelled as Onana’s howler allowed Ziyech to score another free-kick before substitute Kerem Akturkoglu levelled with a scorcher. Fernandes hit the post from distance and Facundo Pellistri somehow failed to score as the visitors laid siege to Galatasaray’s goal, with the draw leaving them bottom of Group A and facing an early Champions League exit. There had been doubts whether the match would go ahead due to the torrential rain that battered Istanbul throughout the day, but Uefa gave it the green light after numerous checks. ‘Welcome to Hell’ read the giant tifo that greeted the players as they emerged from the tunnel on an evening when United had initially looked unfazed. Rasmus Hojlund was just stopped from meeting a Garnacho cross and the teenager added to Sunday’s wonder goal at Everton in the 11th minute. Great build-up play ended with Fernandes playing across for the 19-year-old to lash past Fernando Muslera at the near post. Garnacho celebrated in front of the home support as he and team-mates were pelted by objects from stands. Galatasaray’s frustration soon grew in a penalty box melee that saw Onana save from a corner, Harry Maguire clear off the line and McTominay survive a handball appeal. United quickly capitalised by going further ahead in style. Fernandes collected a pass inside and was given space to continue forwards, before unleashing a 25-yard piledriver that flew into the top left-hand corner. United sought a third but a Hojlund cutback was just too strong for Luke Shaw and soon their lead was reduced. Fernandes conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Ziyech’s low shot went through the wall and beat Onana, who was punished for gambling where the strike would go. The winger whipped over a strike as he looked to add to his 29th-minute goal and Maguire soon blocked a Wilfried Zaha attempt. United were wobbling and a delayed offside flag denied Mauro Icardi – the hero of Galatasaray’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford – an equaliser having been put behind and beating Onana two minutes before the break. Play continued in a similarly hectic fashion after the interval but, as thunder and lightning filled the sky, McTominay appeared to have stopped a storm brewing on the pitch. Aaron Wan-Bissaka hit a low, first-time cross from the right and the Scotland international turned home at the near post. But United do not do things the easy way. Onana’s positioning for the first goal was questionable and the second was hard to compute as Ziyech’s free-kick somehow beat him in the 62nd minute. The United goalkeeper denied Akturkoglu as Cimbom looked for an equaliser the substitute would provide in the 71st minute. The 25-year-old was played through and held firm under pressure to lash past Onana at his near post in spectacular fashion. A ridiculous back and forth continued to a fervent backdrop. Garnacho bent just wide and McTominay fizzed narrowly off target a minute later. Galatasaray were leaving gaping holes but United were failing to punish them, with Pellistri failing before Zaha wasted a great chance at the other end. Fernandes hit the post from 25 yards and Pellistri somehow failed to turn home after a Diogo Dalot cross fell kindly to him. The inability to capitalise summed up United’s night and this Champions League campaign. Read More Champions League: What do Man United, Arsenal and Newcastle need to reach last 16? Man United’s teen sensation who could offer salvation - and it’s not Garnacho Why Bruno Fernandes is the only choice as Man Utd captain Galatasaray vs Man Utd LIVE: Champions League result and reaction Erik Ten Hag outlines how ‘calm’ Man Utd can negotiate Istanbul atmosphere Bruno Fernandes excited for ‘amazing’ atmosphere at Galatasaray
2023-11-30 04:21
Arsenal vs Lens LIVE: Champions League team news and line-ups as Havertz and Raya start tonight
Arsenal host Lens in the Champions League tonight knowing that a victory would see they secure a place in the next round. Mikel Arteta’s men have nine points and sit top of Group B following consecutive wins over Sevilla. They are four points clear of PSV Eindhoven and Lens who both have five and could still reach the next round. Earlier in the campaign, Lens shocked the London side by beating them 2-1 at home though the Gunner’s performance was disjointed and sluggish that night. Expect them to be more clinical and focused at the Emirates where the French side will be looking to, at the very least, avoid defeat. The Gunners have won their last three fixtures across all competitions and are in good form following Kai Havertz’s late winner against Brentford last time out. Can they go on are reach the Champions League knockout rounds tonight? We’ll have coverage of the action below plus you can get the latest odds and tips for the game right here:
2023-11-30 03:21
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Premier League hit back at Andy Burnham ‘regulatory malpractice’ claim over Everton saga
The Premier League have hit back at Andy Burnham’s claims that they are guilty of “regulatory malpractice” and “abuse of process” by deducting Everton 10 points, insisting that they “entirely refuted his allegations.” Burnham – the mayor of Greater Manchester and an Everton season-ticket holder – last week wrote an open letter to Premier League chair Alison Brittain in which he said there had not been a fair process when enforcing the deduction. Everton were deemed to have breached Profit and Sustainability Rules by an independent commission, which determined they had losses of £124.5m over three years – £19.5m over the permitted threshold. But Burnham, a former Secretary of State for Health, was critical of the Premier League for adopting a sanctions policy in August, after Everton had been charged and before their case was heard. “The fact that the Premier League sought to introduce a new sanctions policy in the middle of this process amounts, in my view, to an abuse of process,” he wrote. “It could be argued that the Premier League handing a new penalty regime to the commission in this way is akin to the Government handing new sentencing guidelines to a judge in the middle of a trial. Any right-minded person would see that as an inappropriate attempt to influence the process.” However, The Telegraph and The Daily Mirror are reporting that Brittain has written a three-page letter in response to Burnham that lays out the organisation’s process around the decision and refutes all allegations of impropriety. She explained that the Premier League do not have a set sanction in place because a fixed penalty would hinder the ability of the independent panel to display any discretion or take mitigating circumstances into consideration. And she claims that having no fixed sanction actually provided a greater threat. Brittain went on to say that a commission hearing a case independently invites submissions from both sides on appropriate sanctions and added that Premier League clubs were asked about the potential introduction of a fixed set of sanctions in 2020 but the consensus feedback among the 20 at the time – Everton included – was not to impose any. The two major offences for which the Premier League does have fixed sanctions are a nine-point deduction for clubs entering administration and a 30-point deduction for clubs seeking to join an unsanctioned competition – a la the European Super League plans in 2021. Brittain also detailed that the Premier League worked closely with Everton during the period of the club’s breach and that they ignored clear warnings over their spending, opting not to stop buying players that put them in breach of profit and sustainability rules. Burnham insisted that his open letter was in his capacity as an Everton season-ticket holder, rather than a politician, while he has also claimed that Sky Sports pulled an interview with him ahead of the Toffees’ clash with Manchester United on Sunday. Sky responded to that complaint by insisting they have presented a balanced view of the situation throughout and the Premier League confirmed they have not requested any interview to be pulled. Everton have announced plans to appeal against the 10-point deduction and wider verdict, which they have called “wholly unjust”. Read More Defender Manuel Akanji admits Man City made ‘a lot of mistakes’ against Leipzig Rodrigo Bentancur set to be out until February after tearing an ankle ligament Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wants aspiring black managers to get ‘a fair chance’ Former Sheffield United and Everton defender Phil Jagielka announces retirement VAR costing ‘livelihoods and reputations’ fumes Wolves boss after latest problems What is VAR, how does it work and what are the biggest problems?
2023-11-30 02:50
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