NBA Draft rumors: Damian Lillard trade package, Scoot Henderson falling, a surprise promise
NBA Draft rumors: Potential Damian Lillard trade to MagicThe Portland Trail Blazers are widely expected to build around Damian Lillard this summer, but life can change in an instant in the NBA. Lillard is 32 years old; Portland's other core pieces, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, are 23 a...
1970-01-01 08:00
Pep Guardiola urges Man City to cement greatness by winning Champions League
Pep Guardiola urged his Manchester City team to cement their greatness by winning the Champions League following their latest FA Cup success. City completed the domestic double for a second time under Guardiola as they overpowered rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday. Ilkay Gundogan scored both goals, including a stunning volley after just 12 seconds – the fastest goal in FA Cup final history – as City proved far too strong for their neighbours. Yet, for all their success in recent years, which also includes five Premier League titles and four Carabao Cups, Champions League glory has eluded them. They will have the chance to put that right and secure a glorious treble when they face Inter Milan in next week’s final in Istanbul. City manager Guardiola said: “Everybody knows it. We have done incredible seasons – five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, Carabao Cups, but we have to win the Champions League to be recognised like the team deserves to be recognised. “We have to admit it, without the Champions League – it has been amazing, it has been fun – but we are missing (something). We have to do it. “We are one game away. I would say it is incredible, remarkable, that in three years we have had two finals and one semi-final of the Champions League. “But in the end we have to win it. I know how it works. I said to the players, ‘You have to put the pressure on yourself. To be recognised as something good you have to win in Europe’.” Before they fully switch focus to Inter, City can reflect on another superb trophy-winning performance. We have to admit it, without the Champions League – it has been amazing, it has been fun – but we are missing (something). We have to do it Pep Guardiola Things did not all go their way. United pegged them back after Gundogan’s rapid opener with a Bruno Fernandes penalty after Jack Grealish was controversially adjudged to have handled following a VAR review. Yet they responded early in the second half as Kevin De Bruyne picked out Gundogan on the edge of the area from a free-kick and the German volleyed in his second. From then on, Guardiola’s side kept a tight grip on the contest and duly closed out the club’s seventh FA Cup triumph. Guardiola said: “It was the best way to start a final. There was still more than 90 minutes left but it was important. “In general we played a really good game. We played with a lot of risk because the threat they have up front is so big, especially with (Marcus) Rashford, but we controlled it really well. “A final against United is always, for many reasons, difficult but the better team won. We are humble enough to accept how good they are and we did it. We’re really pleased. “Winning the FA Cup, the emotions are so, so special and to celebrate with our people, it is really great.” Gundogan has enjoyed a fine end to the season and can now add an FA Cup final-winning double to the two goals he scored to clinch the Premier League title in the closing game of last season. The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and his latest superb display will increase the club’s desire to tie him to new terms. Guardiola said: “He knows what I think. He’s a neighbour of mine. We’ve lived on the same floor for many years and he’s a close friend of mine. “He’s an exceptional player and hopefully we can finish it (contract talks) in a good way. The season he has done is exceptional. He is very important for many reasons.” Read More Man City cement domestic dominance with FA Cup victory which provides no clues on how to stop them Ilkay Gundogan, Man City’s master of timing, sets up chance for perfect goodbye Supporter arrested at FA Cup final for wearing offensive Hillsborough T-shirt Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost performs 'Misery Business' on stage with Paramore
If politics doesn't work out, US Rep. Maxwell Frost might just have a backup career as a rock star.
1970-01-01 08:00
Stephen Strasburg's grim injury outlook just got worse for the Nationals
If the injury outlook for Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg could get any worse, it's safe to say it has.The Washington Nationals were all-in to win the World Series in 2019, and as they did Stephen Strasburg was a key cog. After winning 18 games and pitching 209 innings during...
1970-01-01 08:00
Barcelona banishes past disappointments with dramatic Women's Champions League victory
Barcelona Femení overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Wolfsburg 3-2 in a dramatic Women's Champions League final and banish its disappointment from last year.
1970-01-01 08:00
5-star running back with the absolute perfect name commits to Alabama
A 5-star running back named Turbo has committed to Nick Saban and Alabama football. You've all been warned.The Alabama Crimson Tide football program is frequently listed near the top of every recruiting database, but of late they've had to deal with threats within their own conference,...
1970-01-01 08:00
Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must use the pain of their narrow FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City to improve and eventually catch their dominant neighbours. The eyes of the footballing world were on Wembley as these rivals went toe-to-toe in a major cup final for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring with a stunning volley after 12 seconds, with Bruno Fernandes’ penalty cancelling out the quickest goal in FA Cup final history. But City regained the lead through another Gundogan volley to seal a 2-1 win, giving them a chance to emulate United’s 1999 treble heroes in next weekend’s Champions League final. Many United fans had started the long, train strike-impacted journey home when their rivals lifted the trophy, but Ten Hag and his team watched those celebrations. “First of all, show respect always,” the Dutchman said. “But, yeah, of course, it’s a motivation. “You have to feel it in your stomach. This hurts and it has to be fuel. You have to feel it in your stomach. This hurts and it has to be fuel Erik ten Hag “We want to be there and our team, my players, deserved it, but you have to grab it and that is the next step we have to make.” It was a galling end to a promising first season under Ten Hag, who is proud to have overseen a third-placed finish, Carabao Cup win and narrow FA Cup final loss. “I want to congratulate City for winning the FA Cup, but I think it was very narrow, it was head to head,” he said. “We played very competitive out of a very good organisation. “We didn’t allow them out from open play against probably the best team in the world in this moment. “We fought back after going a quick goal down and I think we are the only team in the world who is capable of fighting back against this team from City. “So, yeah, I was happy with the performance of my team.” David De Gea’s role has been debated all season and his part in City’s second goal has been called into question, leading Ten Hag to be asked whether he was comfortable having him going into next season. “In this moment, I don’t want to talk about such issues, about criticism because we played all a great season, including David De Gea,” he said of the goalkeeper, who has yet to extend his contract beyond the summer. “He played a fantastic season. If you consider that City and us before today both had 42 wins. “Now they have one win more, so the difference was made today. Then you can tell we played a fantastic season and it’s more than we could have expected before. “We were third in the league, we are qualified for the Champions League, and we won a trophy and we were in another final. “So, yeah, I’m really happy with the performance from my team all over.” Ten Hag bemoaned “soft goals” after a loss and season where the lack of quality and depth compared to treble-chasing City has been clear. United have work to do in the summer but the interminable takeover process continues to hang over the club as the Glazer family drag the process out. Co-owner Avram Glazer was at Wembley for the final and ignored questions about the takeover as he left through the interview area. “I think in this moment I don’t want to discuss that,” Ten Hag said when asked about the takeover and summer improvements. “It’s about finalising the season. We have to be quiet, analyse the season, go into the depth, then set the right conclusions and then take action. It’s about that. “Of course, during the season you continually make your considerations and already some actions are into process. “But, yeah, now the season is finished and the conclusion all over is we played a brilliant season.” Asked if he has different plans for whether there is a takeover or not, Ten Hag said: “I have only one plan and that is to improve this club and to improve this team. “I will fight for (that). I have my ideas and I already talked with the club about what we have to do for that. “But also what I said, yeah, I have to work with my staff, with my players to be better in next season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mirra Andreeva feared French Open disqualification for ‘really stupid move’ Casper Ruud and Holger Rune close on French Open rematch after third-round wins Hugo Lloris contemplating Tottenham exit as he has ‘desire for other things’
1970-01-01 08:00
Lewis Hamilton accuses George Russell of ‘dangerous’ driving after collision
Lewis Hamilton accused George Russell of “dangerous” driving after the Mercedes team-mates collided at 200mph in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s race from pole position ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz with British driver Lando Norris an impressive third for McLaren. Hamilton lines up in fourth, despite a bizarre coming together with Russell, who qualified 12th, on the main straight at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. As both Mercedes men started their hot laps in the closing moments of Q2, Hamilton moved to his left and out of Russell’s tow to assume the racing line for the first right-hander corner. But the seven-time world champion was forced to take to the grass after Russell, pre-occupied with Sainz ahead of him, closed the door. Hamilton kicked up dirt from the grass, while his right front-wing endplate flew off following contact with Russell. “George just backed off,” said Hamilton over the radio. “That is really dangerous. He pulled over to the left. I might have some damage on the car.” Although Hamilton’s time was good enough to progress to Q3, and limp back to the pits for repairs, Russell was eliminated. “You didn’t tell me there was a car behind,” said Russell. “I don’t know what the hell was going on in that session. The car was bouncing. I couldn’t get my tyres working.” Both Mercedes drivers were summoned to see the stewards to explain their version of events. Russell was let off the hook with a formal warning after he was adjudged not to have checked his mirrors. Hamilton, 38, revealed he cleared the air with Russell, 25, after he moved to draw a line under their first coming together as team-mates. “It was just a misunderstanding,” said Hamilton, who qualified fifth but moved up a place after Pierre Gasly was penalised for blocking in qualifying. “I have spoken to George. I went and shook his hand and that was it.” The Mercedes drivers were closer on track than desired after Russell aborted his previous lap. “Lewis was not aware that I was starting a quick lap,” said Russell. “I was looking ahead to get the slipstream from Sainz. “It was not something that either driver necessarily did wrong, but within the team it shouldn’t happen and the communication should have been better towards us.” Hamilton and Nico Rosberg – in the paddock on Saturday as a pundit for Sky Sports – collided on the opening lap here at the peak of their acrimonious relationship in 2016. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff threatened Hamilton and Rosberg with a ban if they collided again. And the Austrian was asked if Saturday’s qualifying collision between his current drivers evoked memories of that race in Spain seven years ago. “No, it wasn’t shades of 2016,” he said, with a wry smile. “I wish we were in the situation of 2016 where we’re so quick. “But it shouldn’t happen. Team-mates should never collide – and even with another car, you should never collide in qualifying. “Lewis saw it as his last opportunity and didn’t think that George was on that line. It looks silly, but it wasn’t, it was just a miscommunication. “This is a team effort and we need to review our communications to avoid it in the future.” With Mercedes tripping over one another, Verstappen, who finished four tenths clear of Sainz, will be favourite to convert pole into his fifth victory from seven rounds this year. Verstappen heads Sergio Perez by 39 points in the standings, but his Red Bull team-mate starts only 11th after he fell off the road. It was a qualifying session to forget for Charles Leclerc, too, as he could manage only 19th of the 20 runners. Home favourite Fernando Alonso lines up ninth on the grid. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen tops rain-hit final practice for Spanish Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton toils in 12th as Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominate in Spain Fernando Alonso: Hamilton can win eighth title but Verstappen can break records
1970-01-01 08:00
NFL Rumors: Cowboys could lose out on Zeke replacement before even bidding
The Dallas Cowboys running back depth chart is looking a little weak at the moment, with Malik Davis and rookie Deuce Vaughn behind Tony Pollard. What about Dalvin Cook?The Minnesota Vikings are expected to finally release Dalvin Cook sometime soon, as any trade talk around the veteran running b...
1970-01-01 08:00
Yankees catcher has heartwarming response to viral HS baseball gaff
New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino reached out to a heartbroken high school team to offer words of encouragement after a viral mistake.Jose Trevino and the New York Yankees are rolling right now. New York is the hottest team in baseball, chipping away at Baltimore and Tampa Bay's lead in...
1970-01-01 08:00
Coco Gauff defeats Mirra Andreeva in the battle of the teenagers at French Open and reaches fourth round
It wasn't too long ago that Coco Gauff exploded onto the scene as a 15-year-old, defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019.
1970-01-01 08:00
Bruno Fernandes highlights 'right steps' Man Utd have taken after FA Cup final defeat
Bruno Fernandes reflected on Manchester United's defeat to Manchester City in the 2023 FA Cup final.
1970-01-01 08:00
