No homecoming for Messi as Barcelona again fails to do enough to lure him back
Barcelona again couldn’t do enough to entice Lionel Messi
1970-01-01 08:00
West Ham players sing NSFW song about Jarrod Bowen and Dani Dyer after final-winning goal
West Ham players serenaded Jarrod Bowen with a NSFW chant about his girlfriend Dani Dyer after the footballer sealed victory with a last-minute goal. Bowen’s 90th-minute goal against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final saw the English side win 2-1, sealing West Ham’s first major trophy in over 40 years. Speaking to West Ham’s website, Bowen described the moment, saying, “It's the best night of my life, for sure”. Amid the chaotic scenes of celebration, players were filmed singing a chant about Bowen and his girlfriend Dyer, who last month gave birth to the couple’s identical twin girls. The crude chant was sung to the tune of the classic Gala track “Freed From Desire”, with the lyrics changed to: “Bowen’s on fire and he’s sh**ging Dani Dyer.” The clip of the chant has gone viral with over a quarter of a million views after being shared on Twitter. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Dyer, a former Love Island star, is also the daughter of Eastenders actor Danny Dyer, who has previously admitted to being “starstruck” when his daughter brought a West Ham player home as a lifelong fan of the club. He has previously mentioned the chant, writing in an Instagram post last year: “@jarrodbowen is on fire….and he’s….cuddling me daughter or something. So proud. What a f**king night. Love to all the West Ham family.” Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Dyer also said: “There is a chant, which I think is quite sweet... there’s romance to it. When he scores, and he does score a lot, it goes like this, ‘Bowen's on fire and he’s sh**ging Dani Dyer’. “I’ve been over there singing it, jumping around. Is that wrong? I think Dani was a little bit freaked out by it but I said there was something quite sweet about it.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
‘More titles than Spurs’: Young fan in tears as West Ham secure Europa Conference League win
A young West Ham fan was in tears after the Hammers won their first piece of silverware since the 1980 FA Cup with their Europa Conference League victory on Thursday, 8 June. The London side secured their first European trophy since 1965 after Jarred Bowen slotted past Pietro Terracciano to earn the Hammers a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague. “I just can’t believe West Ham have won something, we’ve won more titles than Spurs,” the young Hammers fan said. His reaction won the praise of Twitter users, with one commenting: “What an amazing memory for him to have. Bless him.”
1970-01-01 08:00
West Ham news LIVE: Reaction after Fiorentina final as fans clash with riot police
West Ham United players and staff will be recovering from the joy of winning their first major trophy for 43 years after beating Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in what proved to be a dramatic night on and off the pitch in Prague. Jarrod Bowen’s 89th-minute goal gave the Hammers the most memorable of 2-1 wins, with celebrity supporters such as James Corden and Danny Dyer – whose daughter Dani is Bowen’s partner – celebrating the triumph. However, the match had earlier been marred when West Ham fans pelted Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi with objects as he went to take a corner in the first half and left him bleeding from a gash in the back of his head. Hammers supporters then later clashed with riot police in Prague after setting off flares in celebration of victory, as a scuffle broke out after police officers tried to confiscate a lit flare in the Old Town area of the city. Riot police stormed a group after they lit a second flare, with fans responding by pelting the officers with bottles and missiles. Earlier in the day, Czech police said they had detained at least 16 Fiorentina fans after they attacked West Ham supporters outside a bar, with videos shared on social media showing chairs and fireworks being thrown. Follow all the latest news and reaction from West Ham’s European adventure below: Read More West Ham fans fight riot police in Prague after Europa Conference League win West Ham end trophy drought in most dramatic style as Jarrod Bowen plays the hero West Ham fans leave Fiorentina player bleeding after being hit by objects thrown from crowd
1970-01-01 08:00
Young football fan goes viral for his emotional reaction to West Ham's Fiorentina win
A young fan struggling to hold back his emotions is going viral for his lovely response to West Ham's Europa Conference League victory. The boy, thought to be around nine years old, struggled to get his words out as he explained how much it meant. "Come on you Irons. West Ham are the best club in the world!", he cried, calling it the 'best day of his life'. It's not his first brush with fame either - just months ago, the same boy blew up online for his hilarious review of West Ham's Conference League clash with AZ Alkmaar. Click here to sign up for our newsletters
1970-01-01 08:00
Big wins over Bayern and Real – Man City’s route to the Champions League final
Manchester City take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday. Here, the PA news agency looks at their route to the Ataturk Stadium. Group stage (Manchester City 14pts, Borussia Dortmund 9, Sevilla 5, Copenhagen 3) City dominated Group G to ease into the knockout stages for a 10th consecutive season with two matches to spare. The game that saw them clinch their spot was actually a forgettable goalless draw in Copenhagen in which Sergio Gomez was sent off, but the job had been largely done with victories in their first three games. They opened with a 4-0 victory over Sevilla, came from behind to beat Dortmund 2-1 with Erling Haaland grabbing the late winner against his former club and thrashed the Danes first time round 5-0. They were then held 0-0 in Dortmund but finished off by beating Sevilla 3-1 at home. Last 16: RB Leipzig (won 8-1 on aggregate) Pep Guardiola’s side failed to make their dominance count as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Germans at the Red Bull Arena but any doubts after that game were swiftly put aside in the second leg. City romped to a 7-0 win in the return with the prolific Haaland helping himself to five goals. Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan also got on the scoresheet. Riyad Mahrez scored City’s goal in the first leg before Josko Gvardiol hit back. Quarter-finals: Bayern Munich (won 4-1 on aggregate) Haaland made one of many entries into the record books as City all but wrapped up their place in the last four with an impressive 3-0 win over German giants Bayern in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland netted his 45th goal of the campaign – a record for a Premier League player across all competitions – after an earlier Rodri stunner and Bernardo Silva effort. The Norwegian missed a penalty in the return at the Allianz Arena but bounced back to make it 4-0 on aggregate before Bayern finally registered with a late Joshua Kimmich spot-kick. Semi-finals: Real Madrid (won 5-1 on aggregate) City produced arguably their greatest performance under Guardiola as they ruthlessly dethroned holders and 14-time champions Madrid to avenge their loss at the same stage last year. They dominated the first leg at the Bernabeu Stadium in terms of possession but were caught by a counter-attack and had to settle for a 1-1 draw as superb strikes from Vinicius Junior and De Bruyne cancelled each other out. They moved up a gear in the second leg and completely overran Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Silva struck twice and Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez also scored in a clinical and resounding display.
1970-01-01 08:00
A World Cup-winning striker and mean defence – Inter’s strengths and weaknesses
Manchester City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Italian side. Strengths Dogged defence Inter’s progression to this weekend’s showcase at the Ataturk Stadium owes a lot to a stingy defence. Simone Inzaghi’s combative team emerged from a group containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona. They have also kept a tournament-high eight clean sheets in their 12 matches, including five from six in the knockout stages, with goalkeeper Andre Onana a star performer. Lautaro Martinez Argentinian World Cup winner Martinez has once again been a potent threat up front for Inter this season. The 25-year-old, who is supported by the experienced pair of former City striker Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku, has been prolific over the past four years. Ahead of the semi-final, he urged his club-mates to harness the unity which led to his country triumphing in Qatar and that could again serve them well. Underdog status Inzaghi revealed his remit was to reach the last 16 of the Champions League when he was appointed in the summer of 2021. He satisfied that target last term before exceeding expectations this time around. He knows City will be overwhelming favourites and under greater pressure to deliver, and he has shown he can use such situations to his advantage. Weaknesses Inconsistency Despite their impressive run in Europe, Inter endured a mixed domestic campaign and the Serie A champions of 2021 were unable to keep pace with runaway winners Napoli. Their final position of third place owed a lot to a late-season charge as well as pressure being eased by Juventus’ 10-point penalty. Inzaghi’s men lost a large percentage of their games – 12 of 38 – but benefitted from keeping draws – just three – to a minimum. Unfamiliar territory As three-time winners, most recently in 2010, Inter have historical pedigree in Europe but their recent big-game experience on this stage is limited. Since Jose Mourinho carried them to glory 13 years ago, they have progressed beyond the group stage just four times. That contrasts starkly with City’s record. The English club have reached the knockout stages in each of the past 10 seasons and progressed to at least the semi-finals in the last three. They were also finalists in 2021. Lack of attacking width? Inzaghi has developed a well-balanced side operating in a 3-5-2 system, bucking modern trends by playing with two strikers. The formation allows the 47-year-old to make the most of his four forwards – Martinez, Lukaku, Joaquin Correa and Dzeko. Yet the reliance on wing-backs alone to provide width in attacking areas can lead to play becoming concentrated in the centre of the pitch and makes it difficult to break down opponents.
1970-01-01 08:00
How do the current Man City side compare to Man Utd’s treble winners of 1999?
Manchester City bid for a trophy treble in Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan. Having seen off Manchester United at Wembley to add the FA Cup to their Premier League title, City can match the feat previously only achieved in English football by their cross-city rivals. Here, the PA news agency looks at how this season’s City side compares to United’s celebrated 1998-99 group. Team performance United lost only three games in their treble-winning season but a remarkable 21 draws in 57 games across the three competitions in question sees City overshadow them in most other statistical categories. Excluding the League Cup from both teams’ records and with their 57th and final game still to play, Pep Guardiola’s side have 41 wins (73.2 per cent) to United’s 33 (57.9 per cent), 144 goals to 121 and 25 clean sheets to 20. They have conceded only 39 goals to their predecessors’ 56, scoring an average of 2.57 per game and conceding 0.70 compared to 2.12 against 0.98 for United. City have also scored four goals or more on 16 occasions, 28.6 per cent of their matches and twice as many as that United side – and they have an unsurprising advantage when the two teams’ top scorers are compared… Player stats Erling Haaland’s extraordinary 51-goal contribution to City’s potential treble had no equivalent in a United squad that shared the burden much more equally. Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole formed a potent front two, Yorke edging his strike partner by 18 league goals to 17 and by 29 to 24 in all competitions. Super-sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored 12 league goals despite starting only nine games and 15 in the three competitions with just 14 starts alongside 20 appearances from the bench. Teddy Sheringham was even more sparingly used, but his four goals included the vital equaliser in Barcelona before Solskjaer’s even-later winner. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs also hit double figures, with David Beckham on nine. Haaland won this year’s Premier League Golden Boot with a record 36 goals and will receive the same honour in the Champions League. His 12 goals – including five in a game against RB Leipzig – have him four clear of the pack and no other finalist has more than four. He has been backed up by fellow summer signing Julian Alvarez with 15 goals in the league, FA Cup and Champions League, the same as Phil Foden, plus 13 from Riyad Mahrez and double figures too for cup final hero Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne. Eight of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad featured in 50 or more of the 57 games that led to the treble – goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, defenders Gary Neville and Jaap Stam, midfield trio David Beckham, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, and Cole and Yorke up front. Just Rodri and Bernardo Silva can boast the same figure for City this term as Guardiola’s famed rotation policy and squad depth shows its worth. Haaland and Gundogan have hit 50 in all competitions, as can Jack Grealish if he plays in Saturday’s final. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Caitlin Foord signs new Arsenal contract Man City’s holy grail and Pep’s tactics – Champions League final talking points Chelsea’s owners pledge to improve and say they are optimistic over future
1970-01-01 08:00
Man City’s holy grail and Pep’s tactics – Champions League final talking points
Manchester City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday. Here, the PA news agency looks at some talking points ahead of the game. City’s holy grail Winning the Champions League has been City’s top objective since their takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008 and, after a number of near-misses, it now feels tantalisingly within reach. Beating Inter Milan would complete a mission for the club’s hierarchy, as it would for Pep Guardiola, the man they hired to deliver it. Despite City’s near-dominance of the domestic scene in recent years, and the regularity with which they have reached the Champions League’s latter stages, Guardiola has admitted the club need to win it to truly underline their greatness. On a personal level too, Guardiola has been the greatest coach of his generation but it has now been 12 years since the second of his two triumphs with a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona and it is an itch he needs to scratch. Treble bid Victory would not only fulfil a long-held ambition for City, but complete a glorious treble, earning them a place in the history books alongside arch-rivals Manchester United as only the second side to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season. United achieved the feat in 1999, at a time when City were fighting for promotion from the third tier. How their fans are enjoying the change in circumstances 24 years on. Tactics and form City will head into this game against the side that finished third in Serie A as overwhelming favourites. After an inconsistent spell either side of the World Cup, they hit form in the spring to reel in Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and power into two major finals. Their level of performance has arguably been better than anything they have produced before under Guardiola, with some particularly outstanding displays in key games against the Gunners, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Guardiola has often been accused of overthinking and getting things wrong tactically in the key matches, but there seems little reason to deviate now from what has worked well this season. No injury worries City would appear to have a clean bill of health. There were concerns when Kyle Walker did not appear at an open training session on Tuesday, having been substituted late in the FA Cup final on Saturday, but the player allayed any worries, saying he would not miss the Champions League final “for anything”. Guardiola is therefore unlikely to stray much from the side which started against Arsenal and both legs against Madrid, which was: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodri, Gundogan, Grealish, Silva, De Bruyne, Haaland. Inter’s plan Inter will be determined not to make up the numbers but manager Simone Inzaghi probably recognises City are likely to dominate possession, putting his side’s notably tough defence to the test. The Italians will hope to soak up the pressure and catch City on the counter, looking to the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku to take any chances that come their way. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Caitlin Foord signs new Arsenal contract How do the current Man City side compare to Man Utd’s treble winners of 1999? Chelsea’s owners pledge to improve and say they are optimistic over future
1970-01-01 08:00
Caitlin Foord signs new Arsenal contract
Arsenal have confirmed that forward Caitlin Foord has signed a new contract with the Women’s Super League club. The 28-year-old joined the Gunners from US side Portland Thorns in 2020 and has since made 94 appearances for the club. Foord played a big part for Arsenal this season, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists across 33 appearances. “I couldn’t be happier to extend my stay here at Arsenal,” she said. “I feel like I’m growing and improving being here in this environment so I don’t want to leave that. “I want to continue to get better and to help the team – I enjoy going out and training every day and wanting to be better and being surrounded by world class players. This feels like the right place – the place I want to be.” As well as helping Arsenal secure a third-placed finish in the WSL, Foord was part of the team that won the Continental Cup this year and head coach Jonas Eidevall is looking forward to next season with the Australia international. “Caitlin is an integral part of our team so we’re all delighted by the news that she has signed a new contract,” Eidevall said. “She is one of the best forwards in the world and has performed to a consistently high standard for us during my time here, providing some crucial goals and delivering on the biggest stages. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together next season and Caitlin will play a key role in that.” 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
Chelsea’s owners pledge to improve and say they are optimistic over future
Chelsea’s owners insist they remain committed and optimistic about the future having appointed Mauricio Pochettino to turn things around following a terrible Premier League season. The consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital has endured a torrid first 13 months in charge at Stamford Bridge after sacking Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter and failing to get any improvement from interim manager Frank Lampard in the final 11 matches of the campaign. Chelsea’s 12th-place finish was their worst since 1994 and, after spending more than £600million on transfers in their first two windows, the owners have come in for significant criticism But they are hopeful the appointment of former Tottenham and Paris St Germain boss Pochettino will get things back on track. “It’s been just over a year since we completed our purchase of Chelsea. It was and remains a privilege for us to be custodians of our wonderful club,” said the owners in an open letter. “We remain completely committed to the long term and sustainable success of our club and fulfilling that promise we made to you. “We know the huge potential we must grow to develop Chelsea FC and it is a role we take seriously. Everybody working here is relentlessly focused on driving us forward. “Clearly, for our men’s team, it has been a disappointing season and there is a lot we can and will do better. “For all the challenges of the past year, we are optimistic about the future. We are looking forward to welcoming Mauricio Pochettino as the head coach of our men’s team in July. “We are building a modern scouting, talent identification, and recruiting infrastructure within our sporting department, led by Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, which will help us to identify and transform the squad around elite talent, a squad capable of consistently competing to win the Premier League, raise domestic cups and compete and win at the highest level in European football. “We have also appointed Chris Jurasek as CEO to drive our business forward off the pitch, which in turn will make us more sustainable on the pitch.” While Chelsea men’s team have struggled this season, their women’s team continues to excel and the owners were full of praise for manager Emma Hayes. “Our women’s team has celebrated another astonishing season, winning the double with an unprecedented fourth successive WSL title and third successive FA Cup,” the letter continued. “There are not enough positive things to say about Emma Hayes, her backroom staff, and squad who have dealt with adversity, injury and Emma’s period of absence. “Their character and hunger to win is second to none.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live West Ham hero Jarrod Bowen says last-minute winner ‘best moment of my career’ Tony Cottee: West Ham face big decisions over Declan Rice and David Moyes future Football rumours: Newcastle join Manchester United in bid to sign Kim Min-jae
1970-01-01 08:00
Tony Cottee: West Ham face big decisions over Declan Rice and David Moyes future
Former West Ham striker Tony Cottee admits the club face a summer of big decisions, with the futures of captain Declan Rice and manager David Moyes up in the air. The pair may have guided the Hammers to their first trophy for 43 years with Wednesday night’s Europa Conference League final victory, but Rice has been heavily linked with a move away while Moyes, who has faced criticism for his style of football, could be a contender for the vacant Celtic job. “It’s a big summer for the club. I think everyone will have to take a deep breath and we have to see what happens,” Cottee told talkSPORT. “I want Declan to stay and I think every single supporter wants him to stay but he will be sought after, he can go to any club in the world. “The club will have to make a decision. Give him whatever he wants, a six, seven-year contract. He is up there with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only player to lift a trophy.” Cottee said the person he was most pleased for in Prague was Moyes because of the scrutiny he has had. “He’s come in for a bit of stick from fans for his style of football,” he added. “Of course we want to play good football but do you want to play good football and lose 4-3 or do you want to win? “He’s earned the right to make the decision himself. Celtic will come calling I’m sure. He’s a great manager.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
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