List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer, but are we sure he doesn't wish he played for the Knicks?Donovan Mitchell's debut season with the Cleveland Cavaliers couldn't have gone much better. He averaged 28.3 points on 48.4 percent shooting -- both career...

Celtic clinched the domestic treble with a 3-1 Scottish Cup final win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park. The showpiece occasion was played against the backdrop of mounting speculation around Tottenham’s interest in Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, who again had Kyogo Furuhashi to thank for his contribution. The Japan striker struck for the 34th times this season in the 38th minute of an otherwise nondescript first half to undo the good early work of Billy Dodds’ rank outsiders. The Championship outfit, who had not played a competitive game for a month, fell further behind when Hoops’ half-time substitute Liel Abada slid in a second in the 65th minute. Caley substitute Dan MacKay pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining, only for Portuguese winger Jota to restore Celtic’s two-goal advantage as the game slipped into six minutes of added time. It is the eighth time Celtic had completed the clean sweep of League, League Cup and Scottish Cup - a world record - and now eyes turn to see what the future holds for Postecoglou, who is the fifth Parkhead manager to win the treble. Postecoglou has been heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur and wouldn’t be drawn by questions about him possibly leaving. “I think I deserve to enjoy this moment just like everyone else. I worked really hard for this moment,” Postecoglou told the BBC. “There will be a time to come for those kinds of questions but for now, we’ve grasped a small chunk of history for ourselves and I’m not going to pass that by by being sidetracked.” Joe Hart said: “When you are around amazing footballers and top managers, the noise is always there - but that is all it is. “We are privileged to be on the inside and today was the focus all week, the manager made that very clear. “Whatever happens now will (happen) - it is the world of football, full of speculation and rumour, but the facts today were we had a treble to focus on and we did it.” Celtic defender Greg Taylor reflected on the "historic" day for the Glasgow club following another domestic treble. "The manager's motto is he wants us to improve every day, not to waste a training session, never mind a game. That is the reason why we have had this success," Taylor said. "Some players go through their career not winning one trophy, so to win three in a season is really special. "It says everything about the group of players, the staff and fans. It has been a collective effort." Celtic captain Callum McGregor paid tribute to the work of Postecoglou in turning the club's fortunes around. "You have got to bounce back when you suffer, you have to pick yourself up and get the lads to rally around each other, and that is what we did," McGregor said. "The manager came in and the group of boys that were left, we felt like we had something to prove. "It has taken us two years to get our trophies back, and the boys have worked ever so hard. We just have to enjoy the day." Read More How Ange Postecoglou restored Celtic’s dominance and became Tottenham’s first choice ‘We never stop’: How Ange Postecoglou became Tottenham’s first choice Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation Man City vs Manchester United LIVE: Latest FA Cup final updates

The New England Patriots will be prompted to make difficult choices in regard to roster cuts, which may threaten these three on-the-bubble players.As the New England Patriots make their way through OTA offseason workouts, the team does so with a loaded roster. By the end of the summer, the Patri...

The Boston Red Sox signed outfielder Rob Refsnyder to a team-friendly deal.The art of right-handed hitting can be lost on some in Boston, where the Green Monster looms over left field. Not for the Red Sox, however. Veteran outfielder and right-handed specialist Rob Refsnyder has been one of Bost...

The Atlanta Braves have a lot of work to do at the MLB Trade Deadline, which is just under two months away. There are some trades they should make, and other they should avoid like the plague.The Braves are among the best teams in the National League for a reason, but if they are to represent th...

NBA Draft rumors: Potential Damian Lillard trade to MagicThe Portland Trail Blazers are widely expected to build around Damian Lillard this summer, but life can change in an instant in the NBA. Lillard is 32 years old; Portland's other core pieces, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, are 23 a...

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must use the pain of their narrow FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City to improve and eventually catch their dominant neighbours. The eyes of the footballing world were on Wembley as these rivals went toe-to-toe in a major cup final for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring with a stunning volley after 12 seconds, with Bruno Fernandes’ penalty cancelling out the quickest goal in FA Cup final history. But City regained the lead through another Gundogan volley to seal a 2-1 win, giving them a chance to emulate United’s 1999 treble heroes in next weekend’s Champions League final. Many United fans had started the long, train strike-impacted journey home when their rivals lifted the trophy, but Ten Hag and his team watched those celebrations. “First of all, show respect always,” the Dutchman said. “But, yeah, of course, it’s a motivation. “You have to feel it in your stomach. This hurts and it has to be fuel. You have to feel it in your stomach. This hurts and it has to be fuel Erik ten Hag “We want to be there and our team, my players, deserved it, but you have to grab it and that is the next step we have to make.” It was a galling end to a promising first season under Ten Hag, who is proud to have overseen a third-placed finish, Carabao Cup win and narrow FA Cup final loss. “I want to congratulate City for winning the FA Cup, but I think it was very narrow, it was head to head,” he said. “We played very competitive out of a very good organisation. “We didn’t allow them out from open play against probably the best team in the world in this moment. “We fought back after going a quick goal down and I think we are the only team in the world who is capable of fighting back against this team from City. “So, yeah, I was happy with the performance of my team.” David De Gea’s role has been debated all season and his part in City’s second goal has been called into question, leading Ten Hag to be asked whether he was comfortable having him going into next season. “In this moment, I don’t want to talk about such issues, about criticism because we played all a great season, including David De Gea,” he said of the goalkeeper, who has yet to extend his contract beyond the summer. “He played a fantastic season. If you consider that City and us before today both had 42 wins. “Now they have one win more, so the difference was made today. Then you can tell we played a fantastic season and it’s more than we could have expected before. “We were third in the league, we are qualified for the Champions League, and we won a trophy and we were in another final. “So, yeah, I’m really happy with the performance from my team all over.” Ten Hag bemoaned “soft goals” after a loss and season where the lack of quality and depth compared to treble-chasing City has been clear. United have work to do in the summer but the interminable takeover process continues to hang over the club as the Glazer family drag the process out. Co-owner Avram Glazer was at Wembley for the final and ignored questions about the takeover as he left through the interview area. “I think in this moment I don’t want to discuss that,” Ten Hag said when asked about the takeover and summer improvements. “It’s about finalising the season. We have to be quiet, analyse the season, go into the depth, then set the right conclusions and then take action. It’s about that. “Of course, during the season you continually make your considerations and already some actions are into process. “But, yeah, now the season is finished and the conclusion all over is we played a brilliant season.” Asked if he has different plans for whether there is a takeover or not, Ten Hag said: “I have only one plan and that is to improve this club and to improve this team. “I will fight for (that). I have my ideas and I already talked with the club about what we have to do for that. “But also what I said, yeah, I have to work with my staff, with my players to be better in next season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mirra Andreeva feared French Open disqualification for ‘really stupid move’ Casper Ruud and Holger Rune close on French Open rematch after third-round wins Hugo Lloris contemplating Tottenham exit as he has ‘desire for other things’

Pep Guardiola urged his Manchester City team to cement their greatness by winning the Champions League following their latest FA Cup success. City completed the domestic double for a second time under Guardiola as they overpowered rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday. Ilkay Gundogan scored both goals, including a stunning volley after just 12 seconds – the fastest goal in FA Cup final history – as City proved far too strong for their neighbours. Yet, for all their success in recent years, which also includes five Premier League titles and four Carabao Cups, Champions League glory has eluded them. They will have the chance to put that right and secure a glorious treble when they face Inter Milan in next week’s final in Istanbul. City manager Guardiola said: “Everybody knows it. We have done incredible seasons – five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, Carabao Cups, but we have to win the Champions League to be recognised like the team deserves to be recognised. “We have to admit it, without the Champions League – it has been amazing, it has been fun – but we are missing (something). We have to do it. “We are one game away. I would say it is incredible, remarkable, that in three years we have had two finals and one semi-final of the Champions League. “But in the end we have to win it. I know how it works. I said to the players, ‘You have to put the pressure on yourself. To be recognised as something good you have to win in Europe’.” Before they fully switch focus to Inter, City can reflect on another superb trophy-winning performance. We have to admit it, without the Champions League – it has been amazing, it has been fun – but we are missing (something). We have to do it Pep Guardiola Things did not all go their way. United pegged them back after Gundogan’s rapid opener with a Bruno Fernandes penalty after Jack Grealish was controversially adjudged to have handled following a VAR review. Yet they responded early in the second half as Kevin De Bruyne picked out Gundogan on the edge of the area from a free-kick and the German volleyed in his second. From then on, Guardiola’s side kept a tight grip on the contest and duly closed out the club’s seventh FA Cup triumph. Guardiola said: “It was the best way to start a final. There was still more than 90 minutes left but it was important. “In general we played a really good game. We played with a lot of risk because the threat they have up front is so big, especially with (Marcus) Rashford, but we controlled it really well. “A final against United is always, for many reasons, difficult but the better team won. We are humble enough to accept how good they are and we did it. We’re really pleased. “Winning the FA Cup, the emotions are so, so special and to celebrate with our people, it is really great.” Gundogan has enjoyed a fine end to the season and can now add an FA Cup final-winning double to the two goals he scored to clinch the Premier League title in the closing game of last season. The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and his latest superb display will increase the club’s desire to tie him to new terms. Guardiola said: “He knows what I think. He’s a neighbour of mine. We’ve lived on the same floor for many years and he’s a close friend of mine. “He’s an exceptional player and hopefully we can finish it (contract talks) in a good way. The season he has done is exceptional. He is very important for many reasons.” Read More Man City cement domestic dominance with FA Cup victory which provides no clues on how to stop them Ilkay Gundogan, Man City’s master of timing, sets up chance for perfect goodbye Supporter arrested at FA Cup final for wearing offensive Hillsborough T-shirt Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

England midfielder Keira Walsh outlined her ambitions to stay at serial winners Barcelona for the long haul after they sealed a stunning 3-2 comeback against Wolfsburg to lift the Champions League trophy for the second time in three years. Saturday’s sold-out Eindhoven showpiece was the first time Walsh was part of a title-winning side in the European competition, while club and country team-mate Lucy Bronze is now a four-time champion following a trio of victories with Lyon. Walsh, 26, joined Liga F champions Barcelona on a three-season deal last September, less than two months after winning the Euros with England, and admitted she is loving the look of her trophy cabinet. She told DAZN: “It’s been a pretty good year. The Euros, the Champions League, I think if someone was to tell me this was going to happen I wouldn’t believe them. “To play for Barcelona, for these fans, it’s a special, special feeling,” adding of her future at the club: “Yeah. I think you want to be playing in these games and winning Champions Leagues and this is the club that does that.” Walsh’s side beat Chelsea to reach their fourth final in five seasons, and had redemption on their minds after a crushing 3-1 loss to Lyon in Turin last year. Despite being heavy favourites there was a sense of deja vu for Barca, who conceded their fastest-ever opener in the competition when Ewa Pajor netted on just two minutes and 57 seconds. That brought back memories of Turin, where Barcelona fell behind after just six minutes and conceded twice more before the break. This time it was just a two-goal deficit at the restart after Alexandra Popp headed home on 37 minutes, but the shock nonetheless forced Walsh and her team-mates to dig deep. They did so in spectacular style through Patricia Guijarro, who netted twice in two minutes to ensure it was all square after just five minutes of the second period, and Fridolina Rolfo sealed the result with a 70th-minute winner. Walsh said: “First half, not great for us. I think we kept the ball but didn’t score on our chances, so to score three goals in the second half was incredible. “We just came in at half-time and Alexia [Putellas] said that if there’s any team that can overturn a two-nil it’s this team and that’s what we did. Patri Guijarro, she’s a special, special player and I think today it’s about time that people recognised that. “For me the best player in the world.” Bronze, meanwhile, made history by becoming the first English player to win the Women’s Champions League with two different clubs in her first game back since recovering from an April knee injury. It was enough to require surgery, which some feared might see her added to the list of Lionesses set to miss the World Cup, but the defender played the full final and looks fit to start England’s opener against Haiti in exactly seven weeks. Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman was on trophy-presenting duty at Saturday’s final, which got off to a shaky start for Bronze after her error led to Wolfsburg’s opener. Bronze, who played the full match, said: “Once there was two goals we shut up shop, we made it really difficult defensively, created loads of chances in attack. “It was difficult for myself and Frido, we both haven’t played for five weeks, obviously I’ve had surgery – I’ve only trained a couple of times. It was definitely difficult but I’m so happy to have played my part for the team.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Pep Guardiola urges Man City to cement greatness by winning Champions League Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation Mirra Andreeva feared French Open disqualification for ‘really stupid move’

If the injury outlook for Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg could get any worse, it's safe to say it has.The Washington Nationals were all-in to win the World Series in 2019, and as they did Stephen Strasburg was a key cog. After winning 18 games and pitching 209 innings during...

Eden Hazard has agreed to the mutual termination of his Real Madrid contract.

A 5-star running back named Turbo has committed to Nick Saban and Alabama football. You've all been warned.The Alabama Crimson Tide football program is frequently listed near the top of every recruiting database, but of late they've had to deal with threats within their own conference,...