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Manchester City’s Super Cup victory shows that Cole Palmer is a gem to be treasured
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 05:50
Man Utd confirm outcast defender's move to Al Nassr
Man Utd confirm outcast defender's move to Al Nassr
Alex Telles has left Manchester United to jojn Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo's club in the Saudi Pro League.
2023-07-23 16:43
Chelsea confirm squad number changes including Mykhailo Mudryk & Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea confirm squad number changes including Mykhailo Mudryk & Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea confirm raft of shirt number changes for 2023/23 season, plus jerseys for new signings.
2023-08-08 20:00
US asks Supreme Court to delay Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement
US asks Supreme Court to delay Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement
By Dietrich Knauth NEW YORK The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to
2023-07-29 05:48
Gore, Candelario lead the Nationals to an 8-3 rout of the staggering Padres
Gore, Candelario lead the Nationals to an 8-3 rout of the staggering Padres
Left-hander MacKenzie Gore pitched five strong innings against his former team, Jeimer Candelario homered and drove in three runs and the Washington Nationals took advantage of San Diego’s bullpen meltdown to beat the staggering Padres 8-3 to take two of three
2023-06-26 07:24
Henry Cavill refused to use a stunt double for Netflix's 'The Witcher': 'They must believe that it is me'
Henry Cavill refused to use a stunt double for Netflix's 'The Witcher': 'They must believe that it is me'
The former Superman Henry Cavill took part in all the swordfights in the fantasy series 'The Witcher'
2023-06-26 13:00
The Best Desktop Workstations for 2023
The Best Desktop Workstations for 2023
Workstations are the sharpest tools in the desktop PC world, purpose-built for everything from professional
2023-08-15 05:04
Russia moves to revoke nuclear test ban treaty
Russia moves to revoke nuclear test ban treaty
Russian lawmakers voted on Tuesday to revoke Moscow's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, moving closer to abandoning a landmark agreement that outlaws...
2023-10-17 20:24
Brentford end Chelsea’s mini-revival and continue Stamford Bridge success story
Brentford end Chelsea’s mini-revival and continue Stamford Bridge success story
Chelsea fell to a third home defeat of the season as Brentford maintained their 100% winning record at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League with a deserved 2-0 victory. Ethan Pinnock took advantage of non-existent marking to head the visitors in front shortly before the half-hour mark after Mauricio Pochettino’s side had failed to take advantage of a first half in which they dominated. Thereafter there was little genuine attacking threat nor hope of salvation, as the hosts took a worrying backwards step towards the goal-shy, hesitant play that characterised the manager’s early games. Robert Sanchez was embarrassed in added time after joining his team’s attack for a corner, failing to catch Neal Maupay in a foot race as he broke with the ball, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to score in an empty net to compound home fans’ woes. Chelsea’s dire form at Stamford Bridge now stands at one win in their last 13 games in the league, with August’s victory over Luton their only success here in seven months. They were without Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk, key components in their recent uptick in form, with neither player risked after picking up knocks in training on Friday. In place of Mudryk came Noni Madueke, in for his first start under Pochettino, and he wasted little time in staking a case to his manager, standing up Vitaly Janelt on the right of the penalty area and opening his body to unleash a wicked, bending effort that thumped the crossbar. It was a busy start from Chelsea. Conor Gallagher, captain again with Reece James fit only for the bench, stung the palms of Mark Flekken when he shot low at goal from 30 yards. Marc Cucurella found space from a wonderful ball into the box from Cole Palmer, but the defender could summon neither power not placement with his right foot. Raheem Sterling looked in electric mood. His dazzling burst through the middle saw the ball break to Madueke, who shepherded it inside for Palmer to return for Sterling who had continued his run. The move deserved a goal; instead the England forward ballooned his shot into the Matthew Harding Stand. As the half wore on Chelsea became increasingly camped in the visitors’ half, shifting focus from probing for the critical pass in central positions in favour of balls down the channels, where Madueke and Sterling would not allow Brentford peace. But there was a feeling of old habits creeping into Chelsea’s play, with the creative fluency of recent weeks not so forthcoming. The period ended with Pochettino remonstrating with a fan who questioned Nicolas Jackson’s lack of involvement, the manager of a mind that only supportive voices were welcome, but doubtless aware privately of his team’s shortcomings. There was almost a goal within minutes of the restart, Janelt left to rue profligate finishing after he was left free 12 yards out but fired straight at Sanchez. It was a stark warning, but one Chelsea’s defence would not heed. On 58 minutes, their generous marking struck again and this time Pinnock readily accepted the gift. It was a smart link-up between Kristoffer Ajer and Mbeumo from a throw-in on the right that began the move, with Mbeumo given space to run the ball to the byline and hoist a cross. The delivery hung high in the air, finally dropping into the six yard box where Axel Disasi did little more than observe as Pinnock powered beyond him and beat Thiago Silva to the ball to thump his header home. The shock jolted Chelsea from whatever rhythm they had inherited from the first half. Still they hogged the ball, but rarely was Flekken tested as they toiled in vain for an equaliser. Substitute Yehor Yarmolyuk should have made it 2-0 on the break in the final minutes, he was denied point-blank by Sanchez, before Mbeumo lashed millimetres wide of the post. Pochettino’s assistant Jesus Perez was sent off with frustrations between the two benches boiling over, and it got even worse for the home side with Mbeumo’s tap-in and the end of Chelsea’s mini-revival. Read More Steve Borthwick’s plans for England’s Six Nations campaign well under way England ‘feeling the heat’ of World Cup implosion – Marcus Trescothick Erik ten Hag admits Man Utd ‘have a way to go’ as they prepare for derby day Son Heung-min hails Guglielmo Vicario for ‘unbelievable saves’ in win at Palace Luka Doncic scores 49 with four straight three-pointers to beat Brooklyn Texas Rangers win World Series opener in extra innings
2023-10-28 21:48
Hurricanes score 4 goals in a 5:31 span in the 1st period, beat Oilers 6-3
Hurricanes score 4 goals in a 5:31 span in the 1st period, beat Oilers 6-3
Teuvo Teravainen and Seth Jarvis each had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes scored four goals in a 5:31 span in the first period in a 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night
2023-11-23 11:01
Charter Communications says Disney declined distribution proposal
Charter Communications says Disney declined distribution proposal
Charter Communications said on Friday Walt Disney Co declined its proposal for a distribution agreement and pulled video
2023-09-01 19:56
Who is Robert Bowers? Pittsburgh synagogue shooter sentenced to death in 2018 antisemitic attack
Who is Robert Bowers? Pittsburgh synagogue shooter sentenced to death in 2018 antisemitic attack
The authorities in court documents said that Robert Bowers possessed three handguns and an AR-15 assault rifle when he entered the premises
2023-08-03 07:48