MLB Insider: 3 potential replacements for Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras
The St. Louis Cardinals have a Willson Contreras problem. Now, they are tasked with figuring out if he's their long-term answer at catcher.The St. Louis Cardinals' decision to remove Willson Contreras as the team's catcher only 32 games after signing him to a five-year, $87.5 mill...
2023-05-09 06:57
NBA gets things right on Nikola Jokic suspension decision
The NBA avoided a grave misstep in the Suns-Nuggets playoff series with their decision on a Nikola Jokic suspension, opting for a fine alone.After the Suns beat the Nuggest in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, the talk wasn't about the series being evened up and heading for a thr...
2023-05-09 06:52
Ruben Selles unsure of future with Southampton on brink of relegation
Southampton boss Ruben Selles does not know what the future holds after a 4-3 defeat at Nottingham Forest left them on the brink of Premier League relegation. Saints were on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller at the City Ground and they will lose their top-tier status at the weekend if they fail to beat Fulham or results go against them elsewhere. In contrast, Forest climbed out of the bottom three with a vital win which came courtesy of Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace, Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty and Danilo’s brilliant team goal to give realistic hope that they can avoid the drop in their first season back in the top tier for 23 years. Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse goals ensured the Saints were always in the game, but they are now staring the drop to the Championship in the face. Selles, who took over from Nathan Jones on a deal until the end of the season, would like to stay at the club, but says that is not for him to decide. “I try to do my best and as I said before I expected to win more football matches,” he said. “It’s a decision that the club needs to make. I would be happy to be here for the next 10 years as I have said many times. It's a decision that the club needs to make. I would be happy to be here for the next 10 years as I have said many times Ruben Selles “But it is not for me to make that decision. I can only work every day and of course, in the situation we are in right now, it’s so much uncertainty for everybody. “We just need to handle it in the best way possible, whatever happens, and then continue facing forward whatever it is. “And if it is facing forward – if it’s together then it’s better. “The club will present an agenda for the coming days or weeks on how it is going to deal with that if it happens. That is for the club to respond. “I can tell you what we are going to do for the next weeks, we are going to just keep working as much as we can and keep the situations for the future for the people that need to be responsible for that.” Forest took full advantage of defeats for Leeds and Leicester to move up to 16th, three points above the drop zone with three games to play. Boss Steve Cooper says the fight against the drop is not over, but that this could be a huge moment. “We feel like we are playing OK and we have won two games in three,” he said. “You always want consecutive wins and where we are that is not easy to do, so to win two in three is a real positive thing. “It just gives us a little bit more confidence and momentum to just go into the next one. For sure we are going to need more points and more positive results. “It is a massive win tonight and an important one, but it will be even bigger if we build on it. “That has to be the plan from now. We will start the cycle of putting one game to bed and preparing for the next one. “No days off and the work ethic has to be at its maximum in giving the players everything they need to be ready for the next game.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sampdoria suffer relegation for first time in over a decade after Udinese loss Alex Sanderson confirms interest in bringing Luke Cowan-Dickie to Sale Sharks Lionel Messi cherishes ‘special honour’ after winning Laureus award in Paris
2023-05-09 06:49
3 times Aaron Boone could've been fired this season and 1 reason he shouldn’t be
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is in hot water in the 2023 season.Recently, Yankee fans have been hard on manager Aaron Boone. Are the boos and the "fire Boone" chants warranted?It isn’t surprising that fans are frustrated with the Yankees being in last place in the Ame...
2023-05-09 06:26
Keon Coleman transfer rumors: 5 teams where former MSU receiver would shine
Former Michigan State receiver Keon Coleman is arguably the biggest fish to catch in the transfer portal, but where would the WR thrive if he landed?The spring transfer portal window in college football was just about to close when Michigan State star wide receiver Keon Coleman announced his dec...
2023-05-09 06:25
Everton stun Brighton to boost survival hopes as Southampton on the brink
Everton stunned Brighton with a 5-1 win on the south coast that moved the Toffees out of the relegation zone on a day that left Southampton in deep trouble and edged Leicester closer to the drop. Just three matches, all with big implications at the bottom, produced 21 goals as sorry Leicester went down 5-3 at Fulham, dropping into the relegation zone along with Leeds as Nottingham Forest climbed out with a 4-3 win over basement boys Southampton. The biggest smiles were on Everton faces as fans celebrated only their second league away win of the season, and one of the more unlikely results of the campaign, as they took out some of their considerable frustrations on Europe-chasing Brighton. A quick break saw Abdoulaye Doucoure poke Everton in front after just 34 seconds, and the Mali midfielder made it 2-0 just before the break as he met Dwight McNeil’s cross with a stunning strike. Alex Iwobi was trying to set up Doucoure for a hat-trick six minutes later but when he over-hit his pass, McNeil picked up the loose ball and struck a cross which went in off Jason Steele for an own goal. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made four changes at the break and his side were much improved, but Everton hit them on the break in the 76th minute when McNeil rounded Steele, celebrating the fourth goal before he even applied the finish. Although Alexis Mac Allister got one back soon after, finally beating the superb Jordan Pickford, there would be no denying Everton a huge win as McNeil added an emphatic strike in stoppage time. That puts the Toffees 17th, two points clear of the bottom three but still one behind Forest, who took a step away from the trapdoor by pushing Southampton all but through it. Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice in four minutes midway through the first half to put Forest in control, first sweeping home Brennan Johnson’s low cross, then rifling in a volley when Southampton failed to clear. The visitors were back in it soon after when Carlos Alcaraz slotted home but the two-goal Forest lead was restored from the penalty spot by Morgan Gibbs-White after Ainsley Maitland-Niles caught Johnson. Lyanco’s 51st minute header restored Southampton belief and the visitors were on top until Forest broke away with 17 minutes left and Danilo lifted the ball over Alex McCarthy. James Ward-Prowse converted a stoppage-time penalty but there was no avoiding a defeat that leaves the Saints eight points adrift with three to play. The goal rush had started earlier in the day at Craven Cottage, where Fulham tore into Leicester to end their three-game unbeaten run and leave them second from bottom. Leicester, who started the day outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone, were ripped apart in the first half as Willian, Carlos Vinicius and Tom Cairney gave Fulham a commanding 3-0 lead before the break. Cairney then got his second early in the second half before Leicester finally woke up, too late to change the outcome. Harvey Barnes pulled one back but Willian’s second made it 5-1 before Barnes scored again and James Maddison added a late penalty to at least limit the damage to Leicester’s goal difference. Read More Everton have never doubted themselves in battle against relegation says Sean Dyche Dwight McNeil’s brace boosts Everton’s chances of Premier League survival Roberto De Zerbi believes Brighton deserve a European place Ruben Neves: It would need a catastrophe for Wolves to go down now James Tarkowski: I don’t regret joining Everton Erik ten Hag a big fan of David Moyes ahead of United’s trip to West Ham
2023-05-09 05:52
Nottingham Forest edge thriller with Southampton to move out of relegation zone
Nottingham Forest took a huge step towards Premier League safety with a dramatic 4-3 win over Southampton, whose impending relegation to the Championship could be confirmed at the weekend. Forest climbed out of the bottom three thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace, Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty and Danilo’s brilliant team goal to give realistic hope that they can avoid the drop on their first season back in the top tier for 23 years. They took full advantage of defeats for Leeds and Leicester to move up to 16th, three points above the drop zone with three games to play. Southampton’s situation is far bleaker and, despite goals from Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse to keep them in the game, their 10-year stay in the top flight will end if they fail to beat Fulham on Saturday, while results elsewhere could also send them down even if they do win. It was a thrilling end-to-end encounter at the City Ground that completed a bumper Bank Holiday goals bonanza as the 21 goals scored on Monday are a Premier League record for a three-game matchday. This clash was always going to have a massive say on who goes down and the Forest fans received the memo, delivering a spine-tingling atmosphere before kick-off. And after an edgy start in the driving rain, where Southampton were the better team, two goals in three minutes from Awoniyi lifted the roof off the City Ground. The first came in the 18th minute after a devastating attack at speed, where after a quick free-kick, Danilo’s long ball set Brennan Johnson free on the right and his first-time cross was perfect for Awoniyi to fire home from 10 yards out. The Nigeria international soon doubled his tally, and in some style too, as he hit an instinctive volley on the turn after Danilo’s improvised pass in the area. Southampton had folded and were in danger of being blown away but gave themselves a lifeline in the 25th minute as Gibbs-White’s loose ball allowed a quick break that saw Stuart Armstrong play in Alcaraz and the Argentinian converted from close range. There were a few dicey moments as Saints pushed for a leveller, but Forest crucially restored their two-goal lead just before the break. Johnson nipped in to take the ball away from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and was on the end of a kick, with referee Michael Oliver taking his time to deliberate before pointing to the spot. Gibbs-White made no mistake from the penalty, sending his effort down the middle to give Forest a big half-time advantage. Southampton knew they were in the last-chance saloon and came out firing, reducing the arrears in the 51st minute. Lyanco climbed highest from Ward-Prowse’s corner to power a header that was too hot for Keylor Navas to handle. That totally changed the complexion of the game and Forest were suddenly hanging on as Saints chased an unlikely equaliser. Another Lyanco header from a corner caused chaos in the Forest six-yard box as Navas came under a barrage of dangerous set-pieces. But the hosts eased their nerves in the 73rd minute with a brilliant team goal converted by Danilo. Johnson surged down the right, centred for Gibbs-White, whose delightful deft flick teed the Brazilian up and he made no mistake for his third goal in three games. Felipe had another goal chalked off in stoppage time and then Saints were given a lifeline as Sam Surridge fouled Romeo Lavia, with Ward-Prowse sending the late penalty straight down the middle. But Forest held on to leave Southampton staring into the abyss of the second tier. Read More Dean Smith dismayed by Leicester’s heavy loss at Fulham Everton have never doubted themselves in battle against relegation says Sean Dyche Dwight McNeil’s brace boosts chances of Premier League survival as Everton hammer Brighton Everton stun Brighton to boost survival hopes as Southampton on the brink Frank Lampard insists Chelsea need to develop a ruthless streak in attack Ryan Mason more concerned with Tottenham than other clubs
2023-05-09 05:48
Everton have never doubted themselves in battle against relegation says Sean Dyche
Everton boss Sean Dyche insisted his side never doubted themselves after a thumping 5-1 Premier League victory over Brighton lifted the Toffees two points clear of the relegation zone. It was Everton’s first away league win in 14 attempts and could not have come at a more opportune time, with just three matches now remaining to secure their top-flight safety. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s strike after 33 seconds laid down what retrospectively ultimately felt like an emphatic opening statement as both he and Dwight McNeil went on to scores braces on either side of the half. Dyche said: “People will be out there thinking right, OK, there’s life in that team but we’ve never lost sight of that. “It just reminds the players that their work ethic, their commitment to the cause, their commitment to the group is really important because I know there’s quality. “I’ve always believed there’s quality. I’ve said it many times, but talking about it doesn’t win you a game. It’s the collective mentality to go and deliver everything you’ve got. “We were very frustrated not to come away with all three points (against Leicester) but we got a reward for carrying on that mentality in their performances tonight.” Doucoure netted his second when he volleyed the ball home after 29 minutes before McNeil’s cross further buried Brighton, with it deflecting off Jordan Steele, who had stooped to save but instead felt the ball bounce off the back of his leg and in. Alexis Mac Allister clawed one back before McNeil’s first but the Brighton burial was not complete until McNeil fired home the visitors’ fifth in the embers of second-half stoppage-time. Victory meant Dyche’s side are safe for the time being, with league leaders Manchester City up next followed by encounters with Wolves and Bournemouth. “They’re very high feeling the feel-good factor,” he added. “But it’s only another step. I said that after Arsenal, and sometimes people forget that. There’s three more big steps we’ve got to take.” Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile, suggested his side’s performance revealed they were not yet ready to go toe-to-toe with the best in the business, though he was unspecific about whether he was looking at England’s top four or more broadly to the other side of the Channel. It could still be possible for Brighton to secure European football with a seventh-place finish, but De Zerbi’s men would feel more satisfied with a higher position. He said: “Of course we can lose the game. We can lose against Everton, but I’m disappointed for the first half because it was tough. “We showed we are not ready yet to compete and to achieve the big target but I am speaking about mentality, not other things, not other parts of football. “It’s not easy because playing in the last period, three games in a week is difficult if you are not used to playing so many games but if we want to improve, if we want to fix our target higher, we have to improve very fast.” Read More Dwight McNeil’s brace boosts Everton’s chances of Premier League survival Dwight McNeil bags brace as Everton ease past Brighton in battle against PL drop James Tarkowski: I don’t regret joining Everton Everton showed character needed to avoid drop in Leicester draw – Idrissa Gueye Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi believes Moises Caicedo can play anywhere Alexis Mac Allister: Brighton’s aim should be to fight for a European place
2023-05-09 05:29
Bob Huggins Uses Homophobic Slur During Radio Interview
Bob Huggins dropped a homophobic slur during an interview on Bill Cunningham's show.
2023-05-09 04:49
SEC Football: 5 incredibly early bold predictions for the 2023 season
It's early and I'm bored, so here are five way-too-early predictions for the upcoming SEC football season, aight.I've been to the future and seen what's up. And now, I'm not going to help you navigate the stock market, bro...About four months from now, the only colle...
2023-05-09 04:48
Ex-England boss Fabio Capello labels Manchester City ‘the best team in world’
Fabio Capello reckons Manchester City are “the best team in the world” as Pep Guardiola’s side prepare for their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. The tie is a rematch of last year’s last-four clash, where City were knocked out in dramatic circumstances at the Bernabeu as Real mounted a stunning comeback to win after extra time. A Champions League trophy is the one piece of silverware that has so far evaded Guardiola during his nearly seven years with City. Speaking at the Laureus Awards on Monday, former England boss Capello highlighted the difference prolific striker Erling Haaland has made to City and his belief they are now the finest team on the planet. He said: “I think City is the best team in the world. This year makes the difference. “Last year, (they) missed the forward and this year you have a really important forward. Not only this – you have 24 players. “When you make the substitution, always a fantastic player is entering. Real Madrid, I think (have) 14, 15 players. “They probably will be a little bit tired (after winning the Copa del Rey on Saturday evening), but they have the best coach in the world, Carlo Ancelotti.” Two-time former Real Madrid boss Capello added: “Carlo knows everything about the openings, and we prepare the games really, really well. I hope, Carlo, we will win.” Ex-Inter Milan and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo echoed Capello’s sentiments about City’s improvement, but warned that they had their work cut out against the 14-time European Cup winners. “I think (Manchester City) are one of the best teams in the world now,” the former Portugal star said. “They are playing very good football, and in the last years, they are always in the competition, they have the experience already, they know already what to do so they don’t lose like last year. “But they play against the best club in the history of the Champions League. “Sometimes I think the history of the competition, that helps you in different kinds of moments and important moments in this competition, and everyone, I think they think that Manchester City is now a favourite for the games against Real Madrid. “But you have to count the history and count that Real Madrid is always alive until the last second of the game. “It will be nice to see, but I think for sure they are more than ready to win this beautiful competition.” Figo is hoping another of his former clubs, Inter Milan, can get the better of rivals AC Milan in the other semi-final. He said: “I expect that Inter can win, and probably that will happen, I hope! “I think Italy have to be proud this year that they have two teams in the semi-final. Fantastic performance in the Champions League. “You know anything can happen, but it’s beautiful in the same time that you have the chance to see two big games of the best club competition in the world in the same city.” :: Fabio Capello and Luis Figo were speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Find out more at www.laureus.com
2023-05-09 04:45
Early college football bowl projections have Texas being incredibly back
These early college football bowl game projections have Texas football so incredibly back!One day, Texas will be back and we will have to talk about it when, and if, that day ever comes.It's not the rapture, but it sure as hell feels like it sometimes. The good news for the Longhorns is...
2023-05-09 04:28