Real Madrid show support for Vinicius Junior ahead of win over Rayo Vallecano
Rodrygo’s 89th-minute goal saw Real Madrid return to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over mid-table Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu. Vinicius Junior was absent with a knee problem but his team-mates put on a united show of support for the winger after he was racially abused at Valencia on Sunday, all emerging wearing his shirt and holding up a “racists, out of football” banner. Karim Benzema put the hosts ahead in the 31st minute but Rayo thought they had snatched a draw when Raul de Tomas equalised six minutes from time, only for Rodrygo to come inside on his right foot and stroke a shot past Stole Dimitrievski from the edge of the area. Victory moved them back into second place in LaLiga as city rivals Atletico squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with second-bottom Espanyol. Goals from Cesar Montes, Joselu and Vinicius Souza cancelled out strikes from Saul Niguez, Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco and left Espanyol three points from safety with two matches remaining and still in danger of suffering a second top-flight relegation in four seasons. Two goals from Nicolas Jackson secured a 2-0 win over Cadiz which guaranteed Villarreal fifth place, after Real Betis lost 1-0 to struggling Getafe who in turn boosted their survival chances, while already-relegated Elche drew 1-1 at home to Sevilla. Inter Milan warmed up for their Champions League final with Manchester City by retaining the Coppa Italia courtesy of two goals from Lautaro Martinez. Nicolas Gonzalez had given Fiorentina a third-minute lead but Inter’s Argentina international struck twice before half-time to secure the club’s ninth victory in the competition. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-05-25 06:18
Charles Schwab Challenge DraftKings picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
Breaking down Charles Schwab Challenge DraftKings picks for the week at Colonial with top plays, top fades and building a PGA DFS golf lineup.Even with the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge being the week after the PGA Championship and not being a designated event, there's still quite a nice fi...
2023-05-25 05:58
Erik ten Hag knows from Chelsea’s woes that money does not always bring success
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Chelsea’s struggles this season are a warning sign of how difficult life can be after a takeover. As the Glazers continue to consider a full or partial sale of United, a process which has been rumbling on since November, Chelsea will visit Old Trafford on Thursday limping to the end of a hugely disappointing first campaign since a group headed by Todd Boehly bought the club last summer. There has been no lack of funding as the London club have spent almost £600million in the last two transfer windows, but the investment is yet to pay off with one of the Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’ stuck down in 12th place, a top-half finish now beyond them. Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s third manager this term following the early-season dismissal of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter’s ill-fated seven-month spell at the helm, has taken only four points from nine games in interim charge. Chelsea have been criticised for a scattergun approach in the market, at one point signing so many players they could not all fit in the changing room of their Cobham training ground, and Ten Hag said their experience showed money is not the answer if not spent wisely. “In this moment a centralisation of good players, of the best managers, also the money is all here in the UK, that makes a great competition but also a tough and a hard competition,” he said. “You have to do the right things, you can have money but you have to do it and spend it in a smart way and you need to have a strategy behind it, otherwise the money doesn’t work.” United have hardly been stingy themselves in recent transfer windows. Ed Woodward, who spent nine years as executive vice-chairman before stepping down early last year, tore through £1billion in signings, but United only twice finished runners-up in the Premier League during that time. Woodward is long gone, replaced by Richard Arnold in January 2022. Although United are yet to shift all of the surplus players that date from Woodward’s time, Ten Hag believes the club is now operating much more smartly – something that would need to continue if new ownership arrives. “I think we are in a good direction but also we can also learn from this season,” he said. “We have to evaluate that after the season, make the right conclusions for the future and that is what we will definitely do that after the season.” United will be sure of a Champions League place with a match to spare if they take at least a point against Chelsea. With the League Cup already in the trophy cabinet and the FA Cup final against Manchester City still to come, Ten Hag can point to progress in his first season but these are only markers on the road to where United want to be. You can have money but you have to do it and spend it in a smart way and you need to have a strategy behind it, otherwise the money doesn’t work Erik ten Hag Since United were last top of the tree fresh challenges to the old order have emerged. Newcastle will be in the Champions League next season for the first time in 20 years, while Brighton have qualified for Europe for the first time in their history. The notion of a ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League feels increasingly outdated. “I think there are many more teams in the Premier League who are really strong,” Ten Hag added. “Talking about Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford, I think there are many more teams who are really strong and tough and it is not only those top six clubs.” Asked if the top-four battle would be even harder next term, he said: “It could be, but there is a summer in between so in the summer a lot of things can happen. In this moment, we know the balance in the league but over the summer things can change.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Frank Lampard not surprised contract talks with Mason Mount are taking time Craig Overton stars as Somerset begin Blast by thrashing Hampshire Cameron Norrie starts Lyon Open title defence with win over David Goffin
2023-05-25 05:57
Gareth Southgate adamant Raheem Sterling has the mental toughness to bounce back
Gareth Southgate backed Raheem Sterling to recover from his nightmare season – after leaving him out of his latest England squad. The Chelsea forward will miss the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia next month. Southgate spoke with Sterling last week with the 28-year-old battling a hamstring problem and admitting he had not hit top form. But, despite his omission, Southgate expects one of his star players to rediscover his spark. “I will always back him to respond strongly and have the resilience and tenacity to prove himself,” he said. “He said himself he’s not been happy with how it’s been but that will be a temporary thing. “He really wasn’t in consideration. We didn’t get to the point of whether he should be in or out. He doesn’t think he’s operating on the level he needs. “He’s an important part of our group and that remains the same. But he is in an area of the pitch where players are playing well for their clubs and playing well when they are playing for us. “The dynamic is different from maybe two-to-three years ago. We had four or five players who were almost guaranteed to be in the team. Now we’ve got competition pretty much everywhere. “But he has shown time and again for us that he has been an important player. His mental toughness stands out in why I would expect him to come up at a good level.” Sterling has struggled for form and fitness since a £47.5million move from Manchester City last summer. He has scored nine goals in 37 appearances in Chelsea’s chaotic season which has seen them sack Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter with Frank Lampard in interim charge since April. He has shown time and again for us that he has been an important player. His mental toughness stands out in why I would expect him to come up at a good level Gareth Southgate on Raheem Sterling They travel to Manchester United on Thursday and host Newcastle in Sunday’s final game of the season. Chelsea will finish in the bottom half of the Premier League despite owner Todd Boehly spending almost £600million. “I found him (Sterling) positive, strong and understanding with what’s gone on. It’s been difficult for everyone with all the changes this year. Three different managers, three different ways of training, three different ways of playing,” said Southgate. “There was a lot of upheaval. Clubs have these moments. There have been a couple of clubs who haven’t been where they want to be this year. “That will be even more intense next year. They won’t have any European football so will have a game a week. I think they’ll be really strong next season and certainly he’ll be a big part of it. “I can’t see a scenario where Chelsea aren’t in the top six next year. It has been really difficult for all the managers this year but that will calm down over the summer and they have an outstanding squad. They are going to have a good season and he’ll be fundamental to that.” Meanwhile, Southgate remains hopeful Jude Bellingham will be fit for the game in Malta on June 16 and against North Macedonia in Manchester on June 19. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder missed Sunday’s 3-0 victory at Augsburg with a knee problem he suffered in the 5-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach and is a doubt for Saturday’s final game against Mainz. Dortmund are two points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga, hunting their first title since 2012. Southgate added: “He will be doing everything he can to be available for this weekend. Whether he will win that race we don’t know yet but I would have thought there is enough time for our games but we don’t know for sure.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Frank Lampard not surprised contract talks with Mason Mount are taking time Craig Overton stars as Somerset begin Blast by thrashing Hampshire Cameron Norrie starts Lyon Open title defence with win over David Goffin
2023-05-25 05:55
NHL Playoffs Conference Finals injury updates: Barkov, Howden, and Dadonov
The Florida Panthers’ captain will play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final while the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights may each be down a forward in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.The best-of-7 Conference Finals of the NHL's Stanley Cup P...
2023-05-25 04:51
Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes puts 1 thing above all else, and it isn't his contract
Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has his own definition of success, and his latest quote on his future contract status should make every Chiefs fan jump for joy.Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes prioritizes one thing before everything else, and that's... his family.Just kid...
2023-05-25 04:51
Brian Snitker and Braves come to Marcell Ozuna's defense in Will Smith beef
The Braves have taken a firm stance in the Marcell Ozuna-Will Smith beef, and to no surprise, they're defending their own.Bullpens cleared on Monday night when the Atlanta Braves faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first game of the series.In the fourth inning, Braves designated hitter...
2023-05-25 03:59
Sean Payton sending a massive message to Russell Wilson on first days of OTAs
New Denver Broncos head coach SeanPaytonmade sure to send a message to his team -- and his quarterback -- on the first days of OTAs.The Denver Broncos hired Sean Payton to right the ship after a disastrous season. The Broncos traded three players and five picks to acquire Pro Bowl quarterback Ru...
2023-05-25 03:51
MLB standings ordered by run differential: Rays no longer on top
How would the MLB standings, both American League and National League, look if ordered by run differential instead of wins and losses?The MLB season is heating up, with several contenders starting to separate themselves from the pack. The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers are kings of the N...
2023-05-25 03:50
Eric Dier to miss Spurs’ final match of season after undergoing groin surgery
Tottenham will be without Eric Dier for their final match of the season at Leeds after the defender underwent groin surgery this week. Centre-back Dier has not started Spurs’ last three fixtures, having virtually been an ever-present during a difficult campaign for the club. Dier was also left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad on Wednesday for next month’s internationals and it has now been revealed he has had surgery. “We can confirm that Eric Dier has undergone groin surgery this week and will, therefore, be unavailable for our final game of the season, away to Leeds United on Sunday afternoon,” a club statement read. “The defender will commence rehabilitation with our medical staff before joining up with the squad ahead of the start of pre-season.” Dier has made 42 appearances for Spurs this campaign but been playing with the groin issue for a number of months before deciding to have surgery, the PA news agency understands. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-05-25 03:47
Brighton vs Man City LIVE: Premier League score and latest updates as Erling Haaland starts
Brighton will give the newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City a guard of honour ahead of thie clash tonight in what their penultimate game of the season. The Seagulls are hoping to finish the season strongly after earning a place in European competition and are still in with an outside chance of nicking fifth place off Liverpool. Victory over Southampton last weekend means Brighton have won a spot in the Europa League and will finish no lower than sixth yet if they win their final two matches and Liverpool lose on Sunday they will leap above the Reds into fifth. The possibility of doing so may not be that far-fetched either. After securing yet another Premier League title, Pep Guardiola is expected to rest key personnel ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals meaning Roberto De Zerbi’s side could take advantage of a weakened City line-up. However, despite this encounter being a low-stakes affair, City have not lost in 24 matches across all competitions and will likely show why they are so difficult to beat. Follow all the action as Brighton host Man City in the Premier League: Read More Man City’s quest for legitimacy is a battle they may never win What next for treble-chasing Man City after sealing Premier League title? Roberto De Zerbi provides warning for next season as Brighton prepare for Europe
2023-05-25 03:18
Saints player's 'miraculous' cancer diagnosis already inspiring team in OTAs
Saints tight end Foster Moreau is writing the comeback story of the offseason, giving his teammates the motivation they need for a strong start in 2023.Foster Moreau joining the New Orleans Saints might have saved his life -- literally.The former Las Vegas Raiders tight end flew to New Orlea...
2023-05-25 02:47