Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton deserve to be playing in Europe next season
Roberto De Zerbi insists Brighton deserve to qualify for European football next season as a result of their efforts over the current campaign. The Seagulls will head into Sunday’s Premier League clash with relegated Southampton at the Amex Stadium knowing two wins from their final three games – they host champions elect Manchester City next Wednesday before bringing the curtain down with a testing final-day trip to Aston Villa – would secure a Europa League berth. It would be a first qualification for continental football for the south coast outfit and De Zerbi wants his players to write themselves into the club’s history. Asked if he would regard this season as a success whatever happens over the next week or so, the Italian said: “Good question, but I prefer to answer you at the end of the season. “ I am really proud for this season, but we want to write our own history of our club for our fans, for ourselves. “I think we deserve to qualify for the Europa League. We won against Chelsea two times, we won against Manchester United two times, we won at Arsenal’s stadium, beat Liverpool and I think we are deserving to qualify for Europe. I think we deserve to qualify for the Europa League Roberto De Zerbi “It is very difficult. The games are not one per week, they are very close, but we have to adapt, to react with motivation, with energy, with the head.” Brighton head into the weekend sixth in the table, a point clear of Tottenham and Aston Villa with a game in hand on both. Their outside hopes of threatening the top four were dealt a blow on Thursday evening when they were beaten 4-1 at Newcastle, who cemented themselves in third place as a result. It was a second defeat in three games – they were surprisingly trounced 5-1 at home by Everton in between victories over Manchester United and Arsenal – but with Levi Colwill expected to return to the squad after being rested on Tyneside and Alexis Mac Allister, Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson having been used only as substitutes, De Zerbi is expecting a response. He said: “I think it will another tough game, but the characteristics, the quality of Newcastle are different. We will play in our stadium with our fans and we are able to win.” Read More 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
Sam Allardyce says West Ham game is ‘do or die’ in Leeds’ survival fight
Leeds boss Sam Allardyce said it is “do or die” for his relegation battlers in Sunday’s Premier League game at West Ham. The Yorkshire club, third from bottom and one point from safety, have just two fixtures left in their bid to retain their top-flight status. Allardyce, halfway through his salvage mission after replacing former boss Javi Gracia with four games remaining, agreed Sunday’s trip to the capital was effectively a ‘cup final’. The former England manager said: “That’s it. Do or die lads. Fight. Fight to the end. “But fight with the right temperament and have the right amount of control and don’t lose control. And certainly don’t lose the game-plan.” Victories for relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and Everton on Saturday, against Arsenal and at Wolves respectively, would leave Leeds under severe pressure to collect all three points at the London Stadium. Allardyce said only time will tell if his players will cope with the pressure. “I think that it is a difficult situation if you find that the teams down there on the Saturday have picked up three points and it’s almost a near certainty that you have to get three points to stay in the race,” he said. “So when it comes around and whatever the situation is when we get to Sunday afternoon, we have to deal with it, we have to accept it and we have to make it spur us on to the best performance we can give. “No matter what happens on Saturday we have to deliver a three-point scenario at West Ham to try and save our Premier League status and handling the pressure that comes with that is a big question of ‘can you?'” Leeds sacked Gracia, who had only replaced Jesse Marsch in February, after a series of damaging, heavy defeats. Performances have improved sufficiently in the two games under Allardyce – a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City and last week’s 2-2 home draw against Newcastle – to leave fans with some sense of hope. Allardyce, who refused to be drawn on whether he will stay at Elland Road beyond the end of the season, said he could not fault his players for effort and has challenged them now to show more quality on the ball. “I think confidence has grown, I think application has been applied. I think that possession could get better,” he added. “I think we’ve been so up for it and so frantic to try and do well, and close the opposition down and make life difficult, that when we’ve actually won the ball back we’ve still been so hyper that we haven’t been able to calm down and control ourselves to play the right ball and the right pass more often. “So the difference between those two is something we’ve talked about, about being calmer when we’re on the ball.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton deserve to be playing in Europe next season On this day in 2019: Vincent Kompany says goodbye to Manchester City Former Australia Test captain Brian Booth dies aged 89
1970-01-01 08:00
Reese Witherspoon desperately tried to get out of 'Walk the Line' for which she won her first Oscar
Reese Witherspoon was reportedly terrified that she could not pull-off the role of June Cash in the acclaimed James Mangold movie
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Did Jason Oppenheim and Marie-Lou get married? 'Selling Sunset' stars' latest pics spark wedding speculations
Fans were left baffled after Jason Oppenheim and Marie-Lou shared some stunning photos which seemed as if they got married
1970-01-01 08:00
Frank Lampard doubles down on Chelsea's Erling Haaland transfer interest
Frank Lampard has reiterated that he asked Chelsea to look at the possibility of signing Erling Haaland in 2019 after playing against him in a pre-season friendly.
1970-01-01 08:00
'Iconic behavior!' Fans in frenzy as Beyonce drops 'America Has a Problem' remix with Kendrick Lamar
The cover art for the 'America Has a Problem' remix features what appears to be an American flag made of red, white, and blue bullets
1970-01-01 08:00
Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin’s troops redeployed to Bakhmut as Kyiv makes ‘tactical gains’
Russia has “high likely” redeployed troops to the key battle town of Bakhmut after Ukraine forces made tactical gains there, Britain’s Ministry of Defence has said. It comes amid doubts about the commitment of fighters in Bakhmut belonging to the Russian mercenary group Wagner, whose leader has become increasingly critical of the Kremlin. Elsewhere, Volodymyr Zelensky is en route to Japan for the Hiroshima G7 summit aboard a French government plane as he marks his first high-level visit to Asia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. It is not immediately clear when the Ukrainian war-time president will arrive in Hiroshima but he is expected to arrive today, according to a statement by the Japanese government. His visit comes after a massive boost for Ukraine’s ammunition plan against the Russian invasion as US President Joe Biden told G7 leaders that Washington supports joint allied training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, in a significant endorsement as Kyiv seeks to boost its air power against Russia. Read More Ukraine repels Russian forces in Bakhmut after overnight strikes on Kyiv Pentagon accounting error could give Ukraine extra $3bn in US weapons Russia extends detention of US consular worker by 3 months
1970-01-01 08:00
Japan's G7 menu: Leaders have plenty on their plates
World leaders attending the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima have been treated to a belt-expanding tour of local gastronomical delights with a host of menus showcasing the best of Japanese fine dining.
1970-01-01 08:00
7 tips and tricks for hay fever relief
Incessant sneezing, runny, red hot nose, dry itchy eyes and a banging head from wheezing all the time, it’s exhausting! So far it’s really proving to be far from a summer of fun for hay fever sufferers. While we love verdant trees, green grasses (grass pollen being the most common cause of hay fever coming into July) and flower beds to delight our bees and boost our picnic plans, the pollen plants release cause any number of allergic reactions. According to Allergy Ireland, about 25 per cent of all Europeans suffer some type of nose/sinus/chest allergy and this is set to rise to 50 per cent within the next decade Hay fever sufferers should have antihistamines handy and should visit their GP if things get really bad, but in the meantime, here’s how to help ease any irritation, at least a little… 1. Be prepared with an app My Pollen Forecast Pro UK is cited as one of the best apps for tracking the pollen count and your allergens. With a five day forecast, a diary feature to track your allergies and a live pollen map, at least it can help you prep for the great outdoors. Available on the App Store. The Asthma Society of Ireland offers a similar app with a pollen tracker for daily updates on pollen levels around Ireland, including a forecast and predictions for the following day. Plus it’s free. 2. Keep the windows closed Sunshine and blue skies? It’s only natural to want to throw open the windows. Unfortunately, this can let all those nasties in, so try to avoid opening them during peak pollen hours of late morning and late afternoon; and close them at night when there’s a high pollen count too. 3. Vaseline can help in various ways A godsend when you have dry lips, eyelids or cracked skin, Vaseline can also help soothe and protect your nose. Try smearing it inside each nostril to ease any soreness and catch pollen entering the nasal passages. 4. Take a cool shower If your eyes are streaming and you can’t stop sneezing, take refuge under the coolness of cold running water. Not only will it help ease symptoms, but you should wash your hair and change your clothing if you’ve been spending any length of time sitting or working outside. If a shower isn’t practical, put a cold facecloth on your face and lie down for a few minutes. 5. Used tea bags can help ease puffy eyes Make the most of your morning cuppa by putting used tea bags in the fridge and use them as a cold compress to help relieve any swelling and soothe sore, itchy eyes. Cucumber slices can work too. 6. Keep your face mask on Face masks have become so much the norm, you may as well use them to filter out particles of pollen. Especially with summer socials in full swing, if you’re going on a picnic, it’s windy or you have to mow the lawn… eek! 7. Wear wraparound sunglasses Fashionable, sporty and with a fair chance of slightly increased protection against pollen getting in your eyes, a cool pair of wraparound sunnies is your best summer investment – an A-list accessory with benefits. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 7 tips and tricks for hay fever relief Top Films: w/c Saturday, May 27 Soap Guide: w/c Saturday, May 27
1970-01-01 08:00
Taylor Frankie Paul: 5 unknown facts about TikToker who got arrested amid divorce
Here are some less known facts about TikToker who is facing charges of assault
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With Zelensky invite, Saudi seeks star turn on world stage
One man is revered in Western capitals for standing up to Russia's full-scale invasion...
1970-01-01 08:00
'I'd jam this': Fans hail AI cover of Beyonce’s ‘America has got a problem’ with Rihanna and Nicki Minaj
Beyonce, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj did not collaborate for the song but fans could not get over how great the AI-generated version sounded
1970-01-01 08:00
