List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Diogo Dalot believes the stunning late turnaround against Brentford can be a watershed moment in Manchester United’s season. Erik ten Hag’s men were staring down the barrel of a third Old Trafford defeat in eight days as Saturday’s Premier League match headed into second-half stoppage time. Mathias Jensen capitalised on a comedy of errors to put Brentford on course for a famous victory that would have ratcheted up the already intense pressure and scrutiny on out-of-sorts United. But, unlike their previous defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, the Red Devils found a way to fight back as super sub Scott McTominay’s brace sealed a remarkable 2-1 triumph. Trailing at 92 minutes 46 seconds, this was United’s latest ever Premier League comeback and Dalot echoed manager Ten Hag’s view that Saturday must be “a turning point” in their season. “I think it means a little bit more than three points for us after these last couple of weeks,” the Portugal right-back said. “I think the way that we won – obviously I didn’t mind scoring a few goals earlier than the 90 minutes – but I think it shows we are here to fight, we are here to suffer together. “I think the fans were behind us every step of the way and I think this can be a turning point for us. We want to look at this as a turning point and we know it’s going to be difficult. “That’s how it’s meant to be to be as a Manchester United player and today I think was proof we can fight until the end.” I think it shows we are here to fight, we are here to suffer together Diogo Dalot United dug deep at Old Trafford, where after the game Ten Hag bemoaned a lack of hunger during their meek, error-strewn start to the season. Those issues were clear in Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Galatasaray, increasing the external focus on Old Trafford that Dalot has previously called a “killing machine”. “We did a lot of things together, everyone getting together,” he said of the build-up. “We focused on what we have to do tactically. “We always do that, but especially coming into the game, feeling like we had to be a proper team. “Obviously we controlled the game, we created chances, we could have scored goals, but the most important thing for me was the way we fought until the end, the way the fans showed the support for us and that shows they are with us. “They have been with us all the way and we have to give (back) like this.” Dalot said it was clear to see the team “gave everything” on Saturday afternoon as McTominay’s 87th-minute introduction sparked a scarcely-believable comeback. The 24-year-old says he sees a lot of himself in the selfless, hardworking midfielder, who was linked with a summer move but stayed to fight for his place at his boyhood club. “When Scott comes in, with all the energy that he has, the mentality, that shows that we are a proper team and I’m very happy with the result,” Dalot said. “I think if you’re a Manchester United fan you know that Scott will always love the club and will always fight for his place. “I don’t know what was in his head (over the summer), but I’m sure that once he decided that he has to stay I think he will give 100 per cent. “Now we just have to help him to get along every day with us and be together as a team.” While United went into the international break on a high, Brentford were left reeling from a last-gasp gut punch and even later knockout blow. Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt said: “We played a very good game and at 90 minutes we were leading at Old Trafford. “Then, in five minutes, they turn around the game and win 2-1. “We have to finish a counter or a set-piece to make it 2-0, that’s the only thing I would say we can do better. “It’s nice to have a good performance but obviously we want the points. “Sometimes I don’t care if we play s***, as long as we get three points. We can turn it around together.” Read More Rookie Jimmy O’Brien ready to take on New Zealand if injuries bite for Ireland Learning how to win ugly a sign of England’s progress – Ben Earl Johnny Sexton: Facing All Blacks out for revenge ‘biggest challenge in rugby’ Jonathan Humphreys: Wales mood took hit following injuries in Georgia victory Sione Tuipulotu left frustrated after Scotland knocked out of World Cup Spurs pay tribute to ‘amazing, outstanding’ Cristian Romero after Luton win

Last week's Sunday Night Football game was a star-studded affair as Taylor Swift, Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and several other A-listers packed i

Mauricio Pochettino believes Saturday’s 4-1 come-from-behind win at Burnley can be worth much more to Chelsea than simply three points. Raheem Sterling, again snubbed by England, starred as Chelsea responded to Wilson Odobert’s surprise early strike for the Clarets, having a hand in all four goals as Pochettino’s side ultimately ran out comfortable winners on a ground where they have still never lost a Premier League match. An own goal from Ameen Al-Dakhil, Cole Palmer’s penalty, Sterling’s strike and a Nicolas Jackson goal made it back-to-back league wins for the first time since March for Chelsea and three straight in all competitions for a side still trying to find their way under Pochettino. Coming into the match, Chelsea had failed to win any of the previous 19 league matches in which they had conceded first, and had not scored four or more goals since thrashing Southampton 6-0 in April 2022, and this win will deliver another injection of confidence. “Always when you concede first and you need to break down the opponent always you feel proud when you achieve that,” Pochettino said. “The team were playing well and with the chances conceded in a situation that was completely unfair, but the team were really good, solid, the whole team.” Given the upturn in Chelsea’s form, the international break is perhaps badly-timed from their perspective, but Pochettino hopes the next fortnight will see Chelsea’s considerable injury worries ease before they return to action with a tough fixture at home to Arsenal on October 21. Although Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku are long-term absentees; Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, and Trevor Chalobah should all come back into the frame for that match, while Pochettino hopes to see Ben Chilwell and Romeo Lavia take strides in their own rehabilitations. “We want to improve players and try to recover the players that were injured,” Pochettino said when asked what he wanted to take from the next fortnight. “The next two weeks we’re going to spend working on the training ground with a different mood from the last months. “After two victories it is much better but I think we will keep pushing, working hard to be better in the next months.” It was another tough afternoon for Burnley, who have now equalled the unwanted record of five consecutive home defeats to start a top-flight season, something only previously suffered by Manchester United in 1930-31, Portsmouth in 2009-10, Bolton Wanderers in 2011-12 and Newcastle United in 2018-19. All but Newcastle went on to suffer relegation, and although Vincent Kompany can point to a brutal fixture list which has already seen both Manchester clubs, Tottenham and Aston Villa visit before Chelsea, he knows it must change fast. “It’s got to be a tough place always,” Kompany said. “To say that at Turf Moor you get the three points against all these teams, I’ve been in the game long enough to know that’s not the case. “I had that feeling against United (a 1-0 defeat) where until the last minute you’re in the game. It’s being close that’s important. The game was put past us in a very short time and that’s something that sets you back in these games massively.” There were positives for Kompany to pick out, however, most obviously the sight of Odobert marking his first Premier League start by becoming Burnley’s youngest scorer in the competition at the age of 18 and 313 days. “He has the advantage of being such a young player,” Kompany said. “He’s 18 so he can almost do nothing wrong… with wingers, sometimes you get away with being a bit younger because speed and the threat one-v-one always gives you something to think about. “That’s what we’ve had with Wilson and (Luca) Koleosho and those are guys who are only going to get better.”

Tottenham defenders Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie hailed “leader” Cristian Romero after they combined to extend Ange Postecoglou’s unbeaten start at the club with a 1-0 win at Luton. Spurs created a plethora of chances early on at Kenilworth Road, but Yves Bissouma received two yellow cards in quick succession in the first half to alter the course of Saturday’s game. While Van de Ven put Tottenham ahead in the 52nd-minute, Luton made the most of their numerical advantage to pile the pressure on, but vice-captain Romero in particular shone with 12 clearances and five aerial duals won during a colossal display over the 90 minutes. “Amazing player, unbelievable player,” centre-back Van de Ven said of Romero to SpursPlay. “Defensively so strong, with the ball so strong, keeps talking, for me an amazing player. “We had to concentrate for the full 90 minutes. We had to keep pushing, keep commanding and holding a strong line. We help each other and have each others back. “Everyone keeps talking the whole time and most of the time no one is losing concentration, but everyone is keeping each other awake and you saw we defended really well to keep the clean sheet.” Left-back Udogie echoed those sentiments, saying: “I think Cuti (Romero) is a real leader. “You can’t feel more safe (than) with Cuti and he shows this every day in training, in the game and he helps us a lot. “As you saw it was really tough and with a man less it was more tough but this is the spirit of our squad. We keep working hard for each other and the result come.” On his maiden Italy call-up, Udogie added: “It is a big dream for me you know. As a young kid I was always dreaming for this moment. “Now it has come and I have to just stay focused, enjoy the time, work hard for the team and give my best.” Spurs have won six of their eight Premier League matches under Postecoglou, which makes this the club’s best start to a top-flight season since the 1960-61 double-winning campaign. The goals have flowed, but the Australian has added a steel to a previously frail defensive unit and this shut-out was Tottenham’s third with new first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Postecoglou said: “They’ve been great all year, both the centre-backs, the whole back four and Vic. “I think a big part of that is Romero because when you look at it, it’s Destiny’s first year in the Premier League, Micky’s first year, Vic’s first year and (Pedro) Porro is just beginning his Premier League career, but they’ve got a World Cup winner beside them. “I think Cuti makes them feel like they belong. They feel really comfortable having him beside them and you can see them flourish. I think Cuti is a real leader. You can't feel more safe (than) with Cuti and he shows this every day in training, in the game and he helps us a lot. Destiny Udogie on Cristian Romero “He is someone you definitely want in your team. Yes he does have that physicality about him, but he’s a good player as well. “His passing range, ability to really position himself well, to stay calm and then just ridiculous bravery to always put his body in there. He’s just an outstanding defender.” Lionel Messi recently labelled Argentina team-mate Romero as the best defender in the world. “He’s a good judge,” Postecoglou smiled. Meanwhile, newly-promoted Luton were left to rue missed chances after suffering a sixth defeat, but could soon call upon the services of free agent Andros Townsend after he played for their under-21s on Friday. “We will see,” Hatters boss Rob Edwards said. “It has to be right for him. We will have a look and see how it goes. “He played on Friday night the full game.”

The visiting Arizona Diamondbacks made a statement Saturday, using a six-run first inning against Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw

Projecting the Week 7 AP Top 25 college football rankings after Oklahoma stunned Texas with a Red River upset, Georgia beat Kentucky into a pulp, Notre Dame couldn't handle Louisville and a chaotic Saturday in CFB.

Alabama overcame mistakes to defeat Texas A&M, while UCLA handed Washington State their first loss. Here's how these results could affect the AP Top 25 rankings.

Football fans are well familiar with the 2-minute warning, but some are wondering if the stoppage at the end of halves is a thing in college football.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has encouraged home-grown midfielder Sean Longstaff to set his sights on an England call-up after shining on the European stage. The 25-year-old’s career, which looked to have stalled under Steve Bruce, has been resurrected since Howe took over in November 2021 and he played a key role in Wednesday night’s 4-1 Champions League victory over Paris St Germain with a tireless display capped with the third goal. Longstaff has been a key figure in the side which has gone six games undefeated and conceded just a single goal ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to West Ham, and while the Magpies’ head coach studiously avoids trying to pick Gareth Southgate’s squad for him, he insists the Academy graduate has what it takes to play international football. Howe said: “I haven’t spoken with Sean in any great detail about the England squad or his dreams and aims, but I’d encourage it for him because I think he is good enough. “I think he’s got everything depending on what system you want to play but for us, he perfectly fits the number eight role that we’re using him in. “I’d love to see him score more goals and get in more goalscoring positions because I think he is a very good finisher – you saw the other night with a really good goal – so hopefully there’s more to come from him. “But he’s certainly done very well at the start of this season.” He enjoys defending, he wants to defend Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe on Dan Burn North Shields-born Longstaff’s re-emergence has ensured a Geordie presence in Howe’s increasingly-cosmopolitan starting XI and he is not alone with Blyth native Dan Burn having made the left-back spot his own since his £13million arrival from Brighton in January last year. At 6ft 6in, the 31-year-old – who also scored against PSG – does not fit the usual profile for a full-back, but having played the role earlier in his career, has adapted admirably to what he has been asked to do. Howe said: “He’s been magnificent. He’s unusual. There are not many Dan Burn-type players playing football. “He’s done so well to adapt to the position, but it’s a position he’s played before, so it’s not new to him. It’s just new to him for us, but technically he’s been very good. “Defensively, he’s got a brilliant mindset to defending. He enjoys defending, he wants to defend. “You can see in the last two games, the amount of good decisions he’s made against very good opponents, whether that’s a fast tricky winger or someone who is good positionally. “He finds a way to react really well in-game to make adjustments to deal with his opponent.” Read More Pep Guardiola says he learned ‘a lot’ from Mikel Arteta ahead of Sunday reunion Steve Cooper hails Nottingham Forest’s ‘upward trajectory’ despite stalemate Owen Farrell relieved his shot clock blunder did not cost England victory Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest play out goalless draw at Selhurst Park Jonathan Taylor ends speculation over his future by committing to the Colts Andoni Iraola admits he has to prove his reputation as Bournemouth struggle

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola distanced himself from Mikel Arteta’s success at Arsenal, insisting he learned just as much from his fellow Spaniard as opposed to the other way around. The narrative of Sunday’s skirmish between two sides tipped to be vying for the Premier League title at the end of the season centres on Guardiola the master going up against Arteta the protege. Arteta was one of Guardiola’s assistants for three years before leaving for Arsenal in December 2019, making gradual strides to the point where they were City’s closest top-flight challengers last season. Any notion Guardiola is indirectly responsible for Arsenal’s resurgence was rubbished by the former Barcelona manager, who believes he had a reciprocal arrangement with Arteta during their time at City. Asked if he sees a lot of his characteristics in Arteta, Guardiola said with a smile: “Zero. He has a completely different father and mother and he has his own personality. “All the success he has belongs absolutely to Mikel and his people at Arsenal, not me. People say ‘he was with Pep and learned a lot’. I learned a lot from him. “People say always I have to teach my assistant coaches; I bring the assistant coaches here to teach me. I am here, the figure in front of the microphone but I learn like the players. “People believe we teach the players but we learn off them to take the decisions many times. All of the good things about Mikel belong to him, his genetics his mum and dad are giving to him. Not me.” All the success he has belongs absolutely to Mikel and his people at Arsenal, not me. People say ‘he was with Pep and learned a lot’. I learned a lot from him Pep Guardiola En route to a historic treble last season, City collected a third successive league title as they finished five points ahead of Arsenal, who claimed a top-four spot for the first time since 2016. Guardiola thinks Arteta can bring back the glory days at Arsenal, who signed England midfielder Declan Rice for a club record £100million, plus £5m in add-ons, in July after City dropped out of the race. Guardiola said: “Everybody knows that we wanted him. In the end, Arsenal pushed more and wanted him more. Maybe Mikel was more convincing than me. We could afford it maybe less, that’s why.” Arsenal, who are unbeaten after seven league games and lie just one point City in the table, also paid more than £60m for Kai Havertz and their spending power suggests they will be challengers for a while. Guardiola added: “Normally when Manchester City spent this amount of money it’s crazy, when it’s the other ones how smart they are. “I’m not denying that everyone can do whatever they want and never judge the other one. We have been judged all the time but it’s fine. “When we were in the middle of the table it never happened (like) that, it was not a problem, we were not under scrutiny from the rest. “At the moment Arsenal’s recruitment is really good. They have a young squad for many, many years. “The perspective for many is the fact that they will be there many times and, of course, Declan Rice is an exceptional, exceptional holding midfielder with the national team. He is an exceptional player.” Read More Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff should push for England call-up – Eddie Howe Steve Cooper hails Nottingham Forest’s ‘upward trajectory’ despite stalemate Owen Farrell relieved his shot clock blunder did not cost England victory Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest play out goalless draw at Selhurst Park Jonathan Taylor ends speculation over his future by committing to the Colts Andoni Iraola admits he has to prove his reputation as Bournemouth struggle

With the Red River win over Texas, many people are calling Oklahoma a College Football Playoff contender going forward. How legit is the Sooners' case now?

Oklahoma defeated Texas in the 2023 edition of the Red River Rivalry 34-30, and Sooners fans took pride in letting the Longhorns know that they're not back.