Focue Provides the Latest and Most Up-to-Date News, What You Focus On is What You Get.
⎯ 《 Focue • Com 》
Nottingham Forest rewarded for Steve Cooper faith as Arsenal wave white flag
Nottingham Forest rewarded for Steve Cooper faith as Arsenal wave white flag
Nobody thought Arsenal would be here at this stage of the season, but that doesn’t make missing out on a first Premier League crown in 19 years, having exceeded all manner of expectations, any easier to take. Brighton had played their part in finishing Arsenal’s title aspirations off last weekend, but it is Manchester City who ultimately ensured the Gunners finally raised the white flag at the City Ground on Saturday, by doing what they do best – crushing the dreams of teams who dare to even attempt to go toe-to-toe with a force never seen before on our shores. Knowing even victory at Nottingham Forest would surely only delay the inevitable, Arsenal slumped to another defeat with a whimper, gifting City a third title in a row, a fifth in six years, without needing to kick a ball. The fact Arsenal got so close should be a real badge of honour. It just won’t feel like that right now. There were contrasting emotions among home supporters, however, as the win secured Forest’s Premier League survival with one game to spare, proving that holding your nerve and sticking with a manager you believe in, even when results are not going your way, can pay dividends in the end. The walk to the City Ground pre-match was more akin to a red-themed royal regatta than a football match, with supporters lining the River Trent as if waiting for their favourite crew to come rowing past. But a city expected. One more win would do. Home form has been crucial to giving Forest any hope of survival this season and supporters were going to make sure they did all they could to inspire an eighth home league victory – two more than Chelsea – on the waterfront. There were tifos that would have made the Yellow Wall blush and a rendition of Mull of Kintyre from deep within their souls to rouse the troops – the fans were ready. And, crucially, so were the players. It helped that Arsenal were a shadow of the high-octane force that threatened to end City’s stranglehold of the English top flight. Other than a Keylor Navas save at the feet of Gabriel Jesus and efforts from distance, the visitors did not really threaten to drag the title race out for another day in the first half, with motivation ostensibly in short supply. Win, the Labrador, had not worked his magic yet it seemed. The goal that eventually settled the contest, one that nearly lifted the roof of the rickety old stadium, was created by a familiar source, as the ever-excellent Morgan Gibbs-White slid the ball into the path of Taiwo Awoniyi, who benefitted from a poor slide-tackle attempt from Gabriel to divert the ball past Aaron Ramsdale and into the net. The Forest hitman has now scored five goals in his last three Premier League appearances, one more than he had in his first 23 games in the competition combined. There was still hope for the travelling Gunners faithful going into the second half, given their side had previously won three league matches this season when trailing at the break – a division high – but they remained shorn of ideas and belief. A smart save from Navas to deny Bukayo Saka after the interval threatened to raise hopes of another rousing recovery, but although the home nerves were jangling, Forest could see out the win that secured another top-flight campaign in relative comfort. Any other era and Liverpool would have three titles in the last five seasons, and Arsenal’s 19-year wait for another Premier League crown could well have been sealed at the City Ground in the Saturday sun. Instead, despite holding an eight-point lead over City as recently as the morning of April 8, with the Gunners having been top of the Premier League table for 248 days this season – the most days at the summit of the English top flight without having won it – Arsenal have nothing to show for a season of incredible progress. The fact of the matter is, City in beast mode with their inhumane hunger for glory simply cannot be tamed. The foundations have been well set by Mikel Arteta. But even given all they have done this term, Arsenal now have a summer to somehow take their game to another level, and some. The master, Pep Guardiola, will be waiting for his apprentice. Read More Nottingham Forest upset Arsenal to clinch safety and hand Manchester City title Manchester City win fifth Premier League in six seasons after Arsenal falter No celebrations planned if Man City win title without playing, Guardiola says Nottingham Forest upset Arsenal to clinch safety and hand Manchester City title Manchester City win Premier League after Arsenal lose at Nottingham Forest Roy Hodgson humbled by response of Fulham and Crystal Palace supporters
2023-05-21 03:11
Pakistan's Supreme Court rejects Imran Khan's request to halt his concealing assets trial
Pakistan's Supreme Court rejects Imran Khan's request to halt his concealing assets trial
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has rejected a petition from former Prime Minister Imran Khan about halting his trial in a lingering case involving the concealing of assets after selling state gifts
2023-07-26 19:39
Manchester City win treble as Rodri fires superb winner against Inter Milan
Manchester City win treble as Rodri fires superb winner against Inter Milan
Rodri fired the winning goal as Manchester City finally claimed Champions League glory and completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan. The midfielder rifled home in the 68th minute as the Premier League winners City wore down the Italians in a draining final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on Saturday. The contest was a tight one, with City suffering a serious blow in pursuit of the prize that has eluded them for so long when they lost Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the first half. The prolific Erling Haaland was also kept quiet by a stubborn Inter side but Rodri eventually made the breakthrough with a firm strike after a Bernardo Silva pass was deflected into his path. It capped a momentous season for City having also won the FA Cup as well as a fifth Premier League title in six years. Their success means they also join rivals Manchester United as the only side to have won all three of those trophies in the same season. It meant mission accomplished for owner Sheikh Mansour, who was present in Istanbul at only his second match since purchasing the club in 2008 and subsequently propelling them to the game’s top table. Manager Pep Guardiola could also celebrate Champions League success again 12 years after the second of his two wins as Barcelona boss. City had gone into the match as strong favourites but Inter proved more than a match, setting out with a determination to soak up pressure. It made for a slow start and City lacked their usual sparkle. That gave Inter confidence and Federico Dimarco sparked a threatening attack after seizing possession but Marcelo Brozovic’s shot was deflected wide. Ederson also seemed nervous and misplaced a pass that handed Nicolo Barella a long-range sight of goal. Fortunately for the Brazilian, Barella’s effort was nowhere near the target. Haaland had his first attempt after being played in by De Bruyne but Andre Onana blocked his first-time shot. De Bruyne tried his luck himself from distance but his effort lacked power and his final was, once again, to end in frustration soon after. The Belgian went down clutching his hamstring 10 minutes before the interval and, despite attempts to run off the problem, was forced to admit defeat soon after and was replaced by Phil Foden. It meant further Champions League final woe for De Bruyne after he left the field with a facial injury during City’s loss to Chelsea two years ago. The opening stages of the second half followed a similar pattern but Inter eventually started to assert themselves more and they began to look dangerous. City had a let-off just before the hour when Manuel Akanji reacted slowly to a Silva pass and Lautaro Martinez charged into the box. Former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku was well placed in the centre but Martinez opted to shoot and Ederson smothered his effort. City made the most of that reprieve and took the lead moments after a John Stones cross was deflected close to his own goal by Alessandro Bastoni. Akanji played the key pass as he picked out Silva and his cutback eventually fell to Rodri, who thumped the ball into the net from the edge of the area. City fans greeted the strike with a mixture of celebration and relief but they were given a scare minutes later when Dimarco hit the bar with a looping header and then headed against Lukaku on the rebound. Foden had a chance to put City in firm control when he burst through a gap into the area but Onana got down well to save. City survived a late scare when a Lukaku header hit Ederson’s legs and was put behind by Ruben Dias and the final whistle was greeted by jubilant celebrations. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live The key games that brought Manchester City a treble The key performers in Manchester City’s trophy treble I’ll never doubt my strength again – French Open champion Iga Swiatek
2023-06-11 05:21
Kenny Pickett injury update: Brutal Matt Canada play call dooms Steelers QB
Kenny Pickett injury update: Brutal Matt Canada play call dooms Steelers QB
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett suffered what appeared to be a knee injury against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
2023-10-02 03:40
Tennessee State to become first HBCU to add ice hockey
Tennessee State to become first HBCU to add ice hockey
Tennessee State University announced it will become the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to introduce ice hockey
2023-06-28 23:37
Sean Payton about to force Russell Wilson to do something Pete Carroll could never get him to
Sean Payton about to force Russell Wilson to do something Pete Carroll could never get him to
Sean Payton already wants to make a massive change that proves he thinks Russell Wilson has lost his instinctual touch.
2023-09-19 01:13
Twitter isn't letting users view the site without logging in
Twitter isn't letting users view the site without logging in
Twitter appears to be restricting access to its platform for anyone not logged into an account.
2023-07-01 01:55
Andre Onana – Do the numbers back up the criticism?
Andre Onana – Do the numbers back up the criticism?
Andre Onana failed to deal with two Hakim Ziyech free-kicks as Manchester United threw away a two-goal lead against Galatasaray on Wednesday night. It was the latest Champions League drama for the much-scrutinised goalkeeper and here, the PA news agency looks at his United record. Champions League roller coaster The 3-3 draw in Istanbul followed a 3-2 defeat in the first meeting with Gala and 4-3 losses to Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen as United, top scorers in Champions League Group A, prop up the standings. That contributes to Onana’s record of 33 goals conceded in 20 games since Erik ten Hag signed him from Inter Milan this summer to replace long-serving keeper David De Gea. He has conceded only 16 in 13 Premier League appearances – a slight improvement on De Gea’s record under Ten Hag at the same stage of last season, when he had conceded 18 – but remarkably has topped that in only seven appearances in other competitions, which also include a 3-0 Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle. By this date last season, United had conceded 25 goals in 21 games in all competitions – De Gea accounting for 23 in 20, albeit with his European appearances coming in the Europa League. Martin Dubravka was in goal for the 4-2 League Cup win over Aston Villa. One extreme or the other Onana has seven clean sheets with United, including a stoppage-time penalty save in the 1-0 home win over Copenhagen, but has conceded three or more on eight occasions – De Gea did so only six times the whole of last season, though they included losing 6-3 to Manchester City and 7-0 to Liverpool. United have this season lost league games 3-1 to Arsenal and Brighton and 3-0 to City, in addition to the Newcastle tie and the four Champions League games. Eight games represent 40 per cent of Onana’s United appearances to date, while De Gea conceded three or more in less than 10 per cent of games over his 12 years at Old Trafford. That ‘one extreme or the other’ approach this season leaves only five exceptions in which United have conceded either once or twice. They have four clean sheets and have conceded three or four in their other four games since beating Sheffield United 2-1 on October 21. How Onana compares De Gea won last season’s Premier League Golden Glove with 17 clean sheets and conceded 43 goals in 38 games, an average of 1.13 per game. Onana’s current rate of 1.23 would equate to 46.77 goals over the full league season – only twice have United conceded 47 or more, 54 in 2018-19 and 57 in 2021-22. De Gea was ever-present in the league for both of those seasons, comfortably United’s worst in the Premier League era. In 2018-19 they conceded 72 in 51 games in all competitions, an average of 1.41 per game. Last season, Ten Hag’s first in charge, United conceded 63 goals in 62 games overall – 1.02 per game. De Gea was ever-present apart from four Carabao Cup games shared between Dubravka and Tom Heaton. In mitigation for Onana, United have allowed more shots on target this season while dealing with injuries in defence. The Cameroon international has made 51 saves in 13 league games, already halfway to De Gea’s tally of 101 in 38 last term and averaging 3.9 per game, up from 2.7. Read More Lancashire sign Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon for 2024 season We have to own it – Scott McTominay urges Man Utd to atone for Galatasaray draw Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games He’s amazing – Martin Odegaard hails ‘brilliant’ Declan Rice impact at Arsenal On This Day in 2004 – Sir Matthew Pinsent announces retirement from rowing Arsenal through to last 16 as Manchester United squander lead again
2023-11-30 19:26
Charlie Puth asks concertgoers to stop throwing things at performers: 'It's so disrespectful and very dangerous'
Charlie Puth asks concertgoers to stop throwing things at performers: 'It's so disrespectful and very dangerous'
From wheels of cheese to black eyes, lately performers are getting a lot more from concertgoers than they asked for.
2023-07-01 01:15
MLB Rumors: Solution to Cardinals pitching woes isn't in MLB
MLB Rumors: Solution to Cardinals pitching woes isn't in MLB
The St. Louis Cardinals have pitching problems. Their team ERA ranks 25th in the majors so far this season. Changes must be made, but likely not one you would expect, per the latest MLB Rumors.John Mozeliak has long expressed patience with the starting rotation. First, the blame was deflected to...
2023-06-26 01:33
US EPA proposes tighter rules for lead exposure in residential buildings
US EPA proposes tighter rules for lead exposure in residential buildings
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday proposed stricter regulations for lead exposure
2023-07-13 03:39
Lyft forecasts strong earnings as it banks on competitive pricing to chase down Uber
Lyft forecasts strong earnings as it banks on competitive pricing to chase down Uber
Lyft forecast third-quarter revenue and adjusted core profit above estimates on Tuesday, as it bets on cost cuts
2023-08-09 04:12