List of All Articles with Tag 'ot'

What the papers say Christian Pulisic, 24, is one of the stars likely to be offloaded by Chelsea this summer with the Daily Mail saying he could be used to lure another big name to Stamford Bridge. The United States forward could be used as part of a deal to persuade Napoli to sell Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen. Paris St Germain are poised to make a bid for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, 21. The Daily Mail reports that the Ligue 1 giants will make a summer swoop for the France Under-21 international. Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, 30, is a target for Bayer Leverkusen, according to the Daily Mirror. The German club tried to sign the Switzerland international last summer and The Sun reports the Gunners are keen on a potential deal involving Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, 23. Blackburn’s teenage star Adam Wharton is attracting the attention of Newcastle, reports the Daily Mail. Senior officials from the Premier League club have been to watch the 18-year-old midfielder. Social media round-up Players to watch Moussa Dembele: Aston Villa, Leeds and West Ham have been linked with a move for the French forward, 26, from Lyon. Matteo Guendouzi: Marseille’s former Arsenal midfielder, 24, has emerged as a possible replacement for Declan Rice at West Ham. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

In the days before Manchester City’s most important match of the season, Pep Guardiola has been trying to strike a difficult balance. Surprisingly, his focus is not on how to play against Vinicius Junior, despite the way the forward scorched the Catalan’s side last season. Instead, Guardiola wants to make sure his players do not dwell on how last season’s semi-final ended, for fear of it inhibiting their performance, but he also doesn’t want to suppress their desire for revenge either. With the Premier League champions in unprecedented form, some within the team want to subject Real Madrid to the heartbreak that City endured last May. Madrid, meanwhile, are intent on reasserting why they are the greatest. Carlo Ancelotti has been seeking to nurture their talent in that understated way of his. It’s just about the only thing with this Champions League semi-final rematch that’s understated. All around the Bernabeu, there is the sense of the game building up to the be-all and end-all of the season. It is little wonder it is being described as the “real final”. After all, this is by far the more difficult side of the draw, with arguably the two best sides in Europe. It has the high stakes that lend it the grandeur of previous “real finals”: Internazionale-Barcelona 2010, Barcelona-Bayern Munich 2015, Liverpool-Barcelona 2019 and perhaps Bayern Munich-Madrid 2001. It’s also what many think, and psychology is a key part of this. Those within Madrid firmly believe City are the best team in Europe – other than them – and overtures are already being made to try and bring Erling Haaland to the Bernabeu at some point in the future. Some of the Real hierarchy have been left gobsmacked by Haaland. Ancelotti has been discussing with his staff how to limit the striker’s impact. But Haaland still doesn’t dominate their mindset as much as state-owned clubs like City influence the thinking of Florentino Perez. The driving force for the Madrid president in the last half-decade has been ensuring his club can compete with such political projects. On the flip side, Madrid are the kind of grand football institution City feel they must overcome. To win the Champions League by beating three of the competition’s most historically successful clubs – Bayern Munich, Madrid and AC Milan – would be a highly symbolic moment. But there is still something deeper to the Spanish giants, though. Madrid were Guardiola’s great rivals at Barcelona. They so often won the top European competition that eluded the Catalans, and are the club that subjected Guardiola to some of his worst evenings. What happened last season between City and Real Madrid was, for Guardiola, an extension of his history at the Camp Nou. In addition, there was the semi-final in 2014 when Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale eviscerated Pep’s Bayern. All of this is firing up everyone involved. And yet it is that very shared history which means we are long past the point where we can cast this as the football establishment against new money, a grand old institution against a modern state project. Both, after all, came together for the Super League project two years ago. There’s a familiarity on a few levels. This is the third time City and Madrid have met in four seasons. Two have been in the semi-finals. It’s what happens when the pool of teams at the continent’s top end shrinks, as both of these clubs have played their part in ensuring. It is another reason this is seen as “the real final”. This season has made it feel like the only potential champions are English sides, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain (at a stretch) and Madrid. As these names have fallen, it has looked more and more like it will be City’s year. Such is their strength in depth that they are always in contention – this year, last year, next year – in a way rarely seen in football history. Haaland’s goals epitomise this. They also point to how some new elements will decide a tie with increasingly familiar themes – or, at least, new spins on familiar themes. In seeking to maximise the force of Haaland, while marrying the player’s singular goalscoring brilliance with his own obsession with collective control, Guardiola has gone back to his roots. He has reconfigured Johan Cruyff’s “box” from Barcelona’s 1992 season, which also happened to be the first Champions League the club had ever won. It has at once released Haaland while keeping him a key part of a coherent collective. That is going to be very hard for Madrid to undo in the way they managed last season, although Bayern showed one vulnerability is pace on the flanks that Ancelotti has in abundance. This is where Vinicius is so dangerous, and would require more compromises within Guardiola’s system. City may have to double up on the Brazilian. Vinicius has gone up another level after winning last season’s Champions League. Many within the game believe he is the most effective footballer in Europe right now. Others, of course, believe it is Haaland. And Madrid certainly can’t afford to forget about him. It wasn’t like City struggled to create chances against Madrid last season, they just didn’t have anyone to finish them. It let Madrid back in, for the mother of all of those comebacks. There is little surer than Haaland, though. There is little surer than the idea these are the two best teams in Europe right now. It is why this is being cast as the true final. Since both are so much better than the Milan clubs, the showpiece will feel a fait accompli. That is often the danger with such games, though. You forget what is to come, and put so much into the grand showdown before. This semi-final is after all built on countless recent memories, that could play a part in deciding it. Read More Pep Guardiola ready to stare down his managerial nemesis once again Is Real Madrid vs Manchester City on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Champions League semi-final Ex-England boss Fabio Capello labels Manchester City ‘the best team in world’ Man City not motivated by revenge against Real Madrid says Guardiola The sporting weekend in pictures

Manchester United announced Everton manager David Moyes as the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson on this day in 2013. Following a couple of days of intense speculation and false starts, United confirmed Moyes was to leave the Toffees at the end of the 2012-13 season after signing a six-year contract at Old Trafford. The Scot edged out Jose Mourinho to the coveted post and had the support of Ferguson, who had just spent almost 27 years in the United hotseat and remained on the board as a non-executive director. Outgoing chief executive David Gill claimed it was a “dream job” and Moyes, far from viewing it as the poisoned chalice some claimed, felt it represented an opportunity he simply could not turn down. “I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something that comes around very often,” said Moyes. “I am really looking forward to taking up the post next season.” As it was obvious Moyes would get the job by lunchtime the day before, there was no surprise in the announcement but there was a frenzy beforehand which even included two messages posted on United’s official Facebook page that needed to be hastily taken down. “It is a great honour to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United,” added Moyes, who officially took up his post at United on July 1 after 11 seasons at Everton. “I am delighted Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done.” Moyes was sacked after just 10 months in charge with United seventh in the Premier League and having been eliminated from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Hubert Davis has done a phenomenal job scrambling to reshape the UNC basketball roster but could a pair of star recruits really change the calculus?UNC basketball didn't appear to be a great spot coming off of the highly disappointing 2022-23 campaign. The Tar Heels not only had a 2023 recr...

AT&T Byron Nelson picks and best bets at TPC Craig Ranch this week as we have an outright, Top 10 and more PGA Tour expert picks for golf.On the heels of Wyndham Clark's runaway win at Quail Hollow and a week before the second major of the year at the PGA Championship, we're he...

Southampton boss Ruben Selles does not know what the future holds after a 4-3 defeat at Nottingham Forest left them on the brink of Premier League relegation. Saints were on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller at the City Ground and they will lose their top-tier status at the weekend if they fail to beat Fulham or results go against them elsewhere. In contrast, Forest climbed out of the bottom three with a vital win which came courtesy of Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace, Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty and Danilo’s brilliant team goal to give realistic hope that they can avoid the drop in their first season back in the top tier for 23 years. Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse goals ensured the Saints were always in the game, but they are now staring the drop to the Championship in the face. Selles, who took over from Nathan Jones on a deal until the end of the season, would like to stay at the club, but says that is not for him to decide. “I try to do my best and as I said before I expected to win more football matches,” he said. “It’s a decision that the club needs to make. I would be happy to be here for the next 10 years as I have said many times. It's a decision that the club needs to make. I would be happy to be here for the next 10 years as I have said many times Ruben Selles “But it is not for me to make that decision. I can only work every day and of course, in the situation we are in right now, it’s so much uncertainty for everybody. “We just need to handle it in the best way possible, whatever happens, and then continue facing forward whatever it is. “And if it is facing forward – if it’s together then it’s better. “The club will present an agenda for the coming days or weeks on how it is going to deal with that if it happens. That is for the club to respond. “I can tell you what we are going to do for the next weeks, we are going to just keep working as much as we can and keep the situations for the future for the people that need to be responsible for that.” Forest took full advantage of defeats for Leeds and Leicester to move up to 16th, three points above the drop zone with three games to play. Boss Steve Cooper says the fight against the drop is not over, but that this could be a huge moment. “We feel like we are playing OK and we have won two games in three,” he said. “You always want consecutive wins and where we are that is not easy to do, so to win two in three is a real positive thing. “It just gives us a little bit more confidence and momentum to just go into the next one. For sure we are going to need more points and more positive results. “It is a massive win tonight and an important one, but it will be even bigger if we build on it. “That has to be the plan from now. We will start the cycle of putting one game to bed and preparing for the next one. “No days off and the work ethic has to be at its maximum in giving the players everything they need to be ready for the next game.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sampdoria suffer relegation for first time in over a decade after Udinese loss Alex Sanderson confirms interest in bringing Luke Cowan-Dickie to Sale Sharks Lionel Messi cherishes ‘special honour’ after winning Laureus award in Paris

How the Premier League form table looks after an incredible day of action which saw Nottingham Forest, Everton and Fulham pick up huge victories.

Former Michigan State receiver Keon Coleman is arguably the biggest fish to catch in the transfer portal, but where would the WR thrive if he landed?The spring transfer portal window in college football was just about to close when Michigan State star wide receiver Keon Coleman announced his dec...

Players of the MLS match day week 11 ranked.

Nottingham Forest took a huge step towards Premier League safety with a dramatic 4-3 win over Southampton, whose impending relegation to the Championship could be confirmed at the weekend. Forest climbed out of the bottom three thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace, Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty and Danilo’s brilliant team goal to give realistic hope that they can avoid the drop on their first season back in the top tier for 23 years. They took full advantage of defeats for Leeds and Leicester to move up to 16th, three points above the drop zone with three games to play. Southampton’s situation is far bleaker and, despite goals from Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse to keep them in the game, their 10-year stay in the top flight will end if they fail to beat Fulham on Saturday, while results elsewhere could also send them down even if they do win. It was a thrilling end-to-end encounter at the City Ground that completed a bumper Bank Holiday goals bonanza as the 21 goals scored on Monday are a Premier League record for a three-game matchday. This clash was always going to have a massive say on who goes down and the Forest fans received the memo, delivering a spine-tingling atmosphere before kick-off. And after an edgy start in the driving rain, where Southampton were the better team, two goals in three minutes from Awoniyi lifted the roof off the City Ground. The first came in the 18th minute after a devastating attack at speed, where after a quick free-kick, Danilo’s long ball set Brennan Johnson free on the right and his first-time cross was perfect for Awoniyi to fire home from 10 yards out. The Nigeria international soon doubled his tally, and in some style too, as he hit an instinctive volley on the turn after Danilo’s improvised pass in the area. Southampton had folded and were in danger of being blown away but gave themselves a lifeline in the 25th minute as Gibbs-White’s loose ball allowed a quick break that saw Stuart Armstrong play in Alcaraz and the Argentinian converted from close range. There were a few dicey moments as Saints pushed for a leveller, but Forest crucially restored their two-goal lead just before the break. Johnson nipped in to take the ball away from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and was on the end of a kick, with referee Michael Oliver taking his time to deliberate before pointing to the spot. Gibbs-White made no mistake from the penalty, sending his effort down the middle to give Forest a big half-time advantage. Southampton knew they were in the last-chance saloon and came out firing, reducing the arrears in the 51st minute. Lyanco climbed highest from Ward-Prowse’s corner to power a header that was too hot for Keylor Navas to handle. That totally changed the complexion of the game and Forest were suddenly hanging on as Saints chased an unlikely equaliser. Another Lyanco header from a corner caused chaos in the Forest six-yard box as Navas came under a barrage of dangerous set-pieces. But the hosts eased their nerves in the 73rd minute with a brilliant team goal converted by Danilo. Johnson surged down the right, centred for Gibbs-White, whose delightful deft flick teed the Brazilian up and he made no mistake for his third goal in three games. Felipe had another goal chalked off in stoppage time and then Saints were given a lifeline as Sam Surridge fouled Romeo Lavia, with Ward-Prowse sending the late penalty straight down the middle. But Forest held on to leave Southampton staring into the abyss of the second tier. Read More Dean Smith dismayed by Leicester’s heavy loss at Fulham Everton have never doubted themselves in battle against relegation says Sean Dyche Dwight McNeil’s brace boosts chances of Premier League survival as Everton hammer Brighton Everton stun Brighton to boost survival hopes as Southampton on the brink Frank Lampard insists Chelsea need to develop a ruthless streak in attack Ryan Mason more concerned with Tottenham than other clubs

Everton stunned Brighton with a 5-1 win on the south coast that moved the Toffees out of the relegation zone on a day that left Southampton in deep trouble and edged Leicester closer to the drop. Just three matches, all with big implications at the bottom, produced 21 goals as sorry Leicester went down 5-3 at Fulham, dropping into the relegation zone along with Leeds as Nottingham Forest climbed out with a 4-3 win over basement boys Southampton. The biggest smiles were on Everton faces as fans celebrated only their second league away win of the season, and one of the more unlikely results of the campaign, as they took out some of their considerable frustrations on Europe-chasing Brighton. A quick break saw Abdoulaye Doucoure poke Everton in front after just 34 seconds, and the Mali midfielder made it 2-0 just before the break as he met Dwight McNeil’s cross with a stunning strike. Alex Iwobi was trying to set up Doucoure for a hat-trick six minutes later but when he over-hit his pass, McNeil picked up the loose ball and struck a cross which went in off Jason Steele for an own goal. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made four changes at the break and his side were much improved, but Everton hit them on the break in the 76th minute when McNeil rounded Steele, celebrating the fourth goal before he even applied the finish. Although Alexis Mac Allister got one back soon after, finally beating the superb Jordan Pickford, there would be no denying Everton a huge win as McNeil added an emphatic strike in stoppage time. That puts the Toffees 17th, two points clear of the bottom three but still one behind Forest, who took a step away from the trapdoor by pushing Southampton all but through it. Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice in four minutes midway through the first half to put Forest in control, first sweeping home Brennan Johnson’s low cross, then rifling in a volley when Southampton failed to clear. The visitors were back in it soon after when Carlos Alcaraz slotted home but the two-goal Forest lead was restored from the penalty spot by Morgan Gibbs-White after Ainsley Maitland-Niles caught Johnson. Lyanco’s 51st minute header restored Southampton belief and the visitors were on top until Forest broke away with 17 minutes left and Danilo lifted the ball over Alex McCarthy. James Ward-Prowse converted a stoppage-time penalty but there was no avoiding a defeat that leaves the Saints eight points adrift with three to play. The goal rush had started earlier in the day at Craven Cottage, where Fulham tore into Leicester to end their three-game unbeaten run and leave them second from bottom. Leicester, who started the day outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone, were ripped apart in the first half as Willian, Carlos Vinicius and Tom Cairney gave Fulham a commanding 3-0 lead before the break. Cairney then got his second early in the second half before Leicester finally woke up, too late to change the outcome. Harvey Barnes pulled one back but Willian’s second made it 5-1 before Barnes scored again and James Maddison added a late penalty to at least limit the damage to Leicester’s goal difference. Read More Everton have never doubted themselves in battle against relegation says Sean Dyche Dwight McNeil’s brace boosts Everton’s chances of Premier League survival Roberto De Zerbi believes Brighton deserve a European place Ruben Neves: It would need a catastrophe for Wolves to go down now James Tarkowski: I don’t regret joining Everton Erik ten Hag a big fan of David Moyes ahead of United’s trip to West Ham

Player ratings from the Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Southampton on Monday night. Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice early on but the Saints dragged themselves back into the game on three separate occasions.