
This big-money matchup with Canelo Álvarez is no mismatch, says 'little brother' Jermell Charlo
Jermell Charlo looms at least 3 inches above Canelo Álvarez when they stand face to face and Charlo clearly has longer arms
2023-08-17 05:56

Manchester City’s Super Cup victory shows that Cole Palmer is a gem to be treasured
First Istanbul, then Athens. Manchester City have bookended their summer by going from east Manchester to eastern Europe and returning with continental trophies. They added the Super Cup to the Champions League, their fourth piece of silverware of 2023, when Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj became the only player to miss in a penalty shootout. Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker – the captain, a particularly rare penalty taker, breathed a sigh of relief when his effort squeezed under Bono – found the net in an increasingly tense shootout. There was outstanding goalkeeping in the preceding 90 minutes but neither Ederson nor Bono made a save thereafter and when Gudelj’s spot kick was a fraction high, the City celebrations began. If Ederson was one who starred for a depleted City side, so did Cole Palmer, the youngster developing a taste for the big occasion. In two August finals, Palmer has scored two excellent goals, a Community Shield strike and a Super Cup equaliser; only Michael Owen had previously done the double of scoring in each in the same season. Each goal may have been a blow to the clubs hoping to take Palmer on loan: he is staking a case to be involved at the Etihad Stadium more often. Scorer of the Champions League final winner, Rodri, added a Super Cup assist with a deep cross. Palmer stole in at the far post to head back across goal and, buoyed by his goal, he sought a winner with a shot Bono parried, one which followed an audacious drag-back. It was a display to suggest he can take over seamlessly from Riyad Mahrez as the goalscoring left-footed, right winger. The Algerian tweeted approvingly about the young pretender’s performance. It was nevertheless notable that City’s contingent of high-class passers was depleted since the Champions League final, with the Barcelona-bound Ilkay Gundogan, ill Bernardo Silva and injured Kevin De Bruyne all absent. It may have been reflected in a lack of creativity which, in turn, may prompt another bid for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta. And yet City still had the opportunity to score rather more. But they encountered wonderful resistance by the defiant Bono, who made a series of excellent saves, bookended by early and late stops from Nathan Ake, who perhaps ought to have scored with each header. City ended up with 22 shots though, from their perspective, too few from Haaland, who is still yet to score for them in a final. They had to come from behind against underdogs. Sevilla had ensured the Super Cup would not be an all-Mancunian affair, eliminating Manchester United from the Europa League. Sevilla have lost their influential director of football, Monchi, in the summer and some players could follow but they retain a spirit that has rendered them fearsome competitors on the European stage. The energetic Lucas Ocampos was excellent, in the age when the classic No. 9 has started to look an endangered species, Sevilla got a trademark goal for a true centre-forward. It was a bullet header from Youssef En-Nesyri, rising above Ake to meet Marcos Acuna’s cross. Yet he and Sevilla could rue an inability to score a second when they broke at speed and with menace. En-Nesyri ought to have had a second brace against a Manchester side in 2023, spurning two chances. First, Lucas Ocampos released him on a counter-attack but Ederson saved his shot, then the Brazilian made another stop. It amounted to a difficult full debut for Josko Gvardiol. The £77 million defender’s previous appearance in European club competition was a 7-0 defeat for Leipzig, against City. If this was less painful, City missed Ruben Dias and John Stones, who were both only on the bench after missing the win at Burnley. For much of the match, though, City were attacking. Jose Luis Mendilibar has been billed as the Spanish Tony Pulis, a veteran relegation firefighter who is unafraid to adopt direct tactics. Sevilla were content not to have the ball; Mendilibar does not burden his side with a passing philosophy. As City had around three-quarters of possession, Sevilla were increasingly penned in. Pressure eventually told and history was made. Guardiola had won this trophy with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the latter courtesy of Jupp Heynckes’ treble-winning feats. He became the first manager to win the Super Cup with three different clubs. His determination was apparent: whereas in the Community Shield, he removed Haaland, in Athens, he kept 10 of the starters on for the full 90 minutes, substituting only Palmer, and three days before a clash with Newcastle. Yet winning the Champions League brought other prizes, the chance for more silverware, and City already have their first trophy of the season. Read More Kevin De Bruyne facing up to four months out and may require surgery Man City fears grow after Kevin De Bruyne hamstrung by the same old problem Man Utd confirm Mason Greenwood investigation is over - but no decision on future made
2023-08-17 05:54

Northwestern coach says he's 'really confident' Wildcats will be cheered at home despite scandal
Northwestern interim coach David Braun says he’s “really confident” the Wildcats will hear more cheers than jeers, at least at home
2023-08-17 05:52

Juan Martín del Potro says he isn't healthy enough to return and play at the US Open
Juan Martín del Potro decided his body wasn’t ready for a comeback at the U.S. Open
2023-08-17 05:47

Dalvin Cook signs his deal with the Jets and looks forward to being 'part of something special'
Dalvin Cook has officially joined the New York Jets’ backfield
2023-08-17 05:27

Dominican investigation of Rays' Wander Franco is being led by gender violence and minors division
A prosecutor in the Dominican Republic says the investigation into Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco’s alleged relationship with a minor is being handled by a division specializing in minors and gender violence in the province of Peravia
2023-08-17 05:26

The cup that matters to some Americans at BMW Championship has nothing to do with money
The BMW Championship is the final event that decides who reaches the FedEx Cup finale
2023-08-17 05:22

Torkelson homers twice against the Twins again, leading the Tigers to an 8-7 victory
Spencer Torkelson homered twice against Minnesota for the second time in a week, and the Detroit Tigers survived a late scare for an 8-7 victory over the Twins
2023-08-17 05:16

Titans hope Treylon Burks isn't seriously hurt after left leg injury in practice vs. Vikings
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks was injured during practice with the Minnesota Vikings and unable to put weight on his left leg
2023-08-17 04:50

Okoye's journey: Chargers defensive lineman from Nigeria records a sack in his first football game
A 21-year-old defensive lineman from Nigeria recorded a sack in his first football game during the Los Angeles Chargers’ 34-17 victory over the Rams
2023-08-17 04:47

Stewart homers twice to lift the Mets to an 8-3 victory over the Pirates
DJ Stewart had his first multihomer game in two years, leading the New York Mets to an 8-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates
2023-08-17 04:46

Liverpool submit bid for 30-year-old midfielder after missing out on first choice targets
Liverpool have made a bid for Wataru Endo in an attempt to end their search for a defensive midfielder after missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. They are in talks with Stuttgart about the 30-year-old Japan international, who is thought to be keen on a move to Merseyside. Liverpool have been looking for a holding midfielder since Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moved to Saudi Pro-League clubs Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad for a combined £52 million. They submitted three offers to Southampton for Lavia and a British record £111m bid to Brighton for Caicedo, but both preferred to join Chelsea, while summer signing Alexis Mac Allister had to anchor the midfield in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Manager Jurgen Klopp and new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke have returned to the Bundesliga for Endo, who captains both Stuttgart and his country. Endo impressed in the World Cup, when Japan beat Germany and reached the last 16, and his high-energy approach should make him a good fit for Klopp’s style of play. If a deal is completed, he will become Liverpool’s third summer signing, after Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Read More Liverpool identify new midfield target after missing out on Caicedo and Lavia Chelsea negotiating for Lavia transfer to take Boehly past £900m mark Chelsea and Liverpool trial football without defensive midfielders
2023-08-17 04:20