Manchester United take WSL title race to the wire with dramatic derby winner
Manchester United scored a stoppage-time winner against 10-woman Manchester City to take the Women’s Super League title fight down to the final day. Chelsea had put the pressure on their rivals as first-half goals from Guro Reiten and skipper Magda Eriksson earned them a 2-0 home win over Arsenal earlier in the day and a five-point advantage. The Blues have reeled in previous leaders United and Marc Skinner’s side knew only a first WSL derby victory against their city rivals would be enough to take the fight to the final day next weekend. Hayley Ladd fired in a long-range shot in only the second minute to give the hosts the lead and City were reduced to 10 players just before half-time when goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck brought down Nikita Parris. But Filippa Angeldahl’s attempted cross flew over Mary Earps for an equaliser in the 68th minute, and City came close to winning it before Lucia Garcia poked in United’s second in the first minute of added time. Earlier, Reiten put Chelsea ahead with a 22nd-minute strike before Eriksson - who earlier in the week had announced she will be leaving the club at the end of the season - added a finish just before the break. Katie McCabe had the chance to pull a goal back with a penalty on the hour but put it wide. Emma Hayes’ side can clinch a fourth successive title with victory over bottom side Reading next Saturday while United - who have clinched Champions League qualification for the first time - face Liverpool. Defeats for Arsenal and fourth-placed City mean the Gunners stay three points clear - with a much better goal difference - in the race for the third Champions League qualifying spot. The relegation fight will go to the final match of the season after Leicester were beaten 2-1 by West Ham. Leicester could have relegated Reading with victory but Sophie Howard’s own goal put the Hammers ahead and Dagny Brynjarsdottir made it two with a spot-kick. Ruby Mace was shown her second yellow card for the Foxes in added time but there was still time for Hannah Cain to pull one back from the penalty spot. Rachel Daly extended her lead over Khadija Shaw in the race for the Golden Boot with another goal in Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool. Kirsty Hanson put Villa ahead in the seventh minute and the sides went into half-time level after Katie Stengel and Natasha Dowie scored in quick succession for Liverpool prior to Daly’s goal. Stengel then put Liverpool ahead again in the 62nd minute but Hanson equalised eight minutes later. Everton, who are assured of finishing above their city rivals in sixth, defeated Brighton 2-1. Hanna Bennison scored an added-time winner after Brighton’s Katie Robinson had cancelled out Katja Snoeijs’ opener. Read More Departing Magdalena Eriksson and era-crowning win show why WSL title heading back to Chelsea ‘Unstoppable’ Manchester City players have the hunger to win more trophies Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble Manchester United vs Manchester City LIVE: Latest Women's Super League updates
2023-05-22 04:51
Stott's pinch homer, Jansen's 399th save lead Phillies over Cubs 2-1
Bryson Stott hit his first career pinch home run, a two-run drive in the seventh inning that led the Philadelphia Phillies over the Chicago Cubs 2-1
2023-05-22 04:49
Real Madrid coach says Vinícius didn't want to continue playing in game after racist chants
Vinícius Júnior has been subjected to racist abuse in the Spanish league yet again and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he considered replacing the Brazil forward after Valencia fans appeared to call him a “monkey.”
2023-05-22 04:29
Atlanta rookie Shuster allows only 1 hit as Braves edge Mariners 3-2 for series win
Rookie Jared Shuster allowed one hit in six innings to earn his first career win and the Atlanta Braves took their first series victory over Seattle in 12 years by beating the Mariners 3-2
2023-05-22 04:24
Rosenqvist paces Indy 500 pole qualifying while Dixon goes for No. 6
Felix Rosenqvist paced the final qualifying session for the Indianapolis 500 and will join Arrow McLaren teammate Pato O'Ward in a six-car shootout for the pole
2023-05-22 03:59
Bader & Torres homer, Yankees sweep Reds as Boone, Bell ejected
Harrison Bader and Gleyber Torres homered to spark a comeback, leading the New York Yankees over the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 for a three-game sweep and their first four-game winning streak this season
2023-05-22 03:56
Pep Guardiola says Arsenal ‘took us to our limits’ and targets Champions League
Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City’s latest Premier League title success should not be demeaned by suggestions Arsenal ‘bottled it’ in the run-in. Yet the City boss conceded his side would need to go on to win the Champions League to be regarded among the greats. City were confirmed as English champions for a fifth time in six years and a third season in succession after Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Gunners had led City by eight points as recently as last month but their form deserted them at a crucial stage. Guardiola, however, paid tribute to his former assistant Mikel Arteta’s team after City celebrated their triumph with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. Guardiola said: “There’s a tendency to underestimate. They are winners. “We pushed Arsenal but they are exceptional. They should be proud of where they have come from. They have to sustain it, that is the reality, but for me they are winners. They should be proud of where they have come from. They have to sustain it, that is the reality, but for me they are winners Pep Guardiola on Arsenal “They made me think a lot what I had to do to beat them, and they did it to us. Our relentlessness and not giving up, and having the feeling that we had to win otherwise it would not be possible, helped us a lot. “With the relationship I have with Mikel – congratulations for what they’ve done. He’s brought them back to what Arsenal was in the past. “Similar to Liverpool in previous seasons, they took us to our limits.” City hope the Premier League will prove the first leg of a glorious treble, with the FA Cup and Champions League finals to follow next month. Guardiola, who won the European competition twice as Barcelona manager, said: “We have the feeling we have done something exceptional in terms of the Premier League, but of course to be considered one of the greatest in Europe we have to win the Champions League. “Otherwise people will say our time here is not complete.” City have now won 12 Premier League games in succession in their charge to the title but Guardiola denied that would make their latest title win more special than the others. Of course to be considered one of the greatest in Europe we have to win the Champions League Pep Guardiola He said: “I’d not say it is more important. The Premier Leagues have been so tight, so this is not more special than the others. Every one is.” Chelsea’s interim manager Frank Lampard, whose side were beaten by an early Julian Alvarez strike, believes his side can learn a lot from the champions. The Stamford Bridge side’s season has been a huge disappointment, with a top-10 finish beyond them, but Lampard admits a huge amount has to change for them to even get close to their rivals. “Man City have not won three in a row through trotting out at half-intensity. To get to this level where you are lifting trophies there is a lot of work,” he said. “Everyone’s personal responsibility is ‘if I want to get to be like (Erling) Haaland and (Kevin) De Bruyne I need to put in the work those boys have put in’. “It is in their hands. I can’t say that how long it will take, it is down to the players, the direction of the club. To get where Manchester City are a lot of things have to align. “There is clearly talent in the squad, young talent, maybe a lack of stability and imbalance and they are maybe club issues.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘Unstoppable’ Manchester City players have the hunger to win more trophies Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble Nottinghamshire up to fourth in Division One after draw against Essex
2023-05-22 03:46
‘Unstoppable’ Manchester City players have the hunger to win more trophies
Manchester City’s stars hailed the club as “unstoppable” and one of the best teams in Premier League history after they clinched their fifth title in six years. Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday ensured City could not be beaten, and they sealed the achievement in style by defeating Chelsea 1-0 for their 12th consecutive league win. Defender Kyle Walker told Sky Sports: “Obviously every one is a very special moment. I think to not be sitting at the top of the league for as long as we were, I think it was 11 points at one stage, so to then come back just needing a victory out of one of the three games, it’s brilliant. “This group of lads are second to none. They’re professionals, they’re winners, and I think that’s how we get across the line more times than not. But we’re not finished. We’ve got the FA Cup against our bitter rivals Manchester United and then we’ve got the Champions League final.” City face United in the FA Cup final on June 3 before meeting Inter Milan a week later as they chase a first Champions League crown. “It would be fantastic but there’s a lot of football to be played before we can start saying about the treble,” said Walker. “We’ve got two massive finals. I think, just for this club and this group of lads that I’ve been involved with for six years, to say we’re up there with one of the greatest Premier League teams of all time, I think we have to go and conquer some of that. “To go and get this, I think we can really stamp our mark on being one of thegreatest teams of all-time in the Premier League.” I think we can really stamp our mark on being one of the greatest teams of all-time in the Premier League Kyle Walker Jack Grealish has been a key player in their recent winning run, and he said of his second Premier League title: “Obviously it’s different. For me personally, I feel this year especially I’ve played much more of a part. “I feel good in myself, I feel confident, back to my normal self and what I knew I could do.” Asked if City feel invincible, the England forward added: “It’s mad because I spoke to some of the lads not long ago and I said, ‘Imagine if someone would have said to you to win the league you’ve got to go and win 12 games in a row?’ “I’m not saying I didn’t think we could do it but it was going to be difficult. We’ve got so much talent in this squad and I think at the moment we feel unstoppable.” We've got so much talent in this squad and I think at the moment we feel unstoppable Jack Grealish It was a first title for goal machine Erling Haaland, who said: “(It’s) a dream. I don’t know what to say. It’s just unreal and I’m so happy. These are memories I will remember for the rest of my life. We’ve been fighting so hard. “Debut season, 36 goals so far, Premier League trophy and two finals left – not a bad start.” Kevin De Bruyne is now an old hand at winning titles with City, and he added: “I know people expect us to win a lot but we work every day for this and a lot of people sacrifice for us so we’re very grateful. “I think sometimes it’s more tough mentally than it is physically because you have to go again, again, again, but the team is hungry. I want to win more and keep going while I still can.” The emotions were a little different for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who finally made his first Premier League start for the club. “Obviously it was a great feeling,” he said. “When I came in this morning the manager told me I was playing and I was just happy, to be honest. “But I was happy because we won the league the night before and I knew there might be a chance I could play. I just went home, relaxed, and I enjoyed every moment out here. “It’s been unbelievably tough, it’s probably been one of the lowest points in myself, confidence-wise, in my career. But, with the guys around me, the leaders that have kept me going, they told me I’d get my chance and luckily today I did. “I’m very lucky that I’ve got the guys around me to keep pushing me and working me as hard as possible.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble Nottinghamshire up to fourth in Division One after draw against Essex Roberto De Zerbi provides warning for next season as Brighton prepare for Europe
2023-05-22 03:23
One win away from NBA Finals, Nuggets credit teamwork for playoff dominance
The Denver Nuggets are on the brink of the first NBA Finals trip in franchise history after winning the first three games of the Western Conference finals over the Los Angeles Lakers
2023-05-22 03:20
Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble
Manchester City celebrated with their fans after being crowned Premier League champions for a fifth time in six seasons. City were presented with the trophy for a third season in succession after comfortably beating Chelsea 1-0 in their final home match of the campaign at a sun-drenched Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Their latest triumph could be the first leg of a treble with City still having the FA Cup and Champions League finals – in which they will face Manchester United and Inter Milan respectively – to come next month. Supporters were in party mood after the title was confirmed on Saturday evening following second-placed Arsenal’s loss at Nottingham Forest. Thousands of fans waited outside the stadium entrance to welcome the team prior to the game. Blue flares were set off and there were chants of ‘champions’ as the players stepped off the bus. The celebrations continued throughout the game and for long after the final whistle. The trophy presentation had to be delayed after thousands of fans poured on to the pitch following the conclusion of the game, which a much-changed City side won courtesy of an early Julian Alvarez strike. After being handed the trophy on a podium set up in the centre circle, manager Pep Guardiola and the players embarked on a lap of honour to acknowledge the supporters. Before kick-off, Chelsea formed a guard of honour to welcome City to the field. The ‘Poznan’ fan dance was seen on a number of occasions during the game as fans made the most of the occasion. The players, who were joined by their families, seemed to enjoy themselves both on the field and, as pictures showed, back in the dressing room afterwards. Kevin De Bruyne, who had been a substitute against Chelsea, was one of number of players to run around the field playfully with his children. Yet, as full-back Kyle Walker said, with two big matches still to come, celebrations would remain modest. “We’re not finished, we’ve got the FA Cup against our bitter rivals and the Champions League final on June 10,” Walker told Sky Sports. “We will enjoy it today, we will have a few glasses of champagne but then we move on to June, which is the big one and hopefully we can create history with this great club.”
2023-05-22 02:46
Roberto De Zerbi provides warning for next season as Brighton prepare for Europe
Roberto De Zerbi told Brighton supporters to get their passports ready but warned the club must continue improving ahead of their maiden European campaign next season. Evan Ferguson netted twice in the first half of Albion’s 3-1 victory over Southampton in front of a sold-out Amex Stadium, where Pascal Gross restored the two-goal advantage following Mohamed Elyounoussi’s header for the relegated Saints. The three points assured De Zerbi’s side would not finish lower than seventh, in the Europa Conference League spot, though a sixth-place finish and a Europa League berth are all but mathematically guaranteed. “Today is difficult for me because with my English I can’t explain my emotion,” said the Italian manger, who succeeded Graham Potter in September. “I think we deserve this. The club, the players, me, my staff, and the fans, they have to organise their passports to travel in Europe next year because we have to grow together.” De Zerbi, who last week was shortlisted for the Premier League’s manager of the season award, was increasingly animated on the touchline throughout Sunday’s contest, which was made more interesting when Elyounoussi nodded past Jason Steele after 58 minutes. It felt everyone in the stands held a single collective breath soon after when Theo Walcott lifted the ball over the Albion keeper but the potential Saints equaliser was chalked off for offside. Relief made way for elation when Gross fired in the hosts’ third from the edge of the area to put the game away. But De Zerbi warned booking tickets to Europe is just the beginning of a new era for Brighton, who now must ensure they have the squad to compete in four competitions next term. He said: “I think the history of the Premier League explains. It can happen, you achieve Europe and the next year you can find yourself at the bottom of the table. “Now is the crucial moment for the club. Not for Roberto, for the players, but for the club, because we have to keep this level. We have to build a squad to improve our level because I think (chairman) Tony (Bloom) and the club they don’t want to lose this level. “And to not lose this level we have to work harder in this transfer market, not only in the transfer market but to organise better and better and better because the victory can be dangerous. “If you celebrate the victory it’s right, it’s normal, but you have to improve. You have to work harder because you can lose the level.” De Zerbi admitted that at one point his high-flying Seagulls had set an internal goal of qualifying for the Champions League, adding: “I always think it is good for the players to fix the big target. “We have improved in mentality, we have improved in confidence, we had a target and we still have a target. We have to get another point to play in Europa League.” Anything below sixth for the Seagulls looks highly unlikely, with Albion enjoying a considerable advantage on goal difference and a game in hand on seventh-placed Villa, their final opponents of the campaign. Southampton were already relegated before Saturday’s contest. Ruben Selles’ contract is set to expire after the season, but he insisted that as far as he was aware reports about the potential appointment of Swansea boss Russell Martin as his successor were unsubstantiated. The Saints boss added: “About my future, again I’m not worried about my future. “I know that my contract expires at the end of the season and what the club decides, it’s going to be the club’s decision. “It’s not my decision, I cannot control it, so I cannot spend time on that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sam Allardyce has no regrets about taking Leeds job after damaging West Ham loss Lee Gregory’s face mask returned following Sheffield Wednesday appeal Ronan O’Gara reveals Ireland ambition after latest Champions Cup success
2023-05-22 02:25
Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund LIVE: Bundesliga result, final score and reaction
Sebastien Haller scored twice as Borussia Dortmund beat 10-man Augsburg 3-0 on Sunday to take control of the Bundesliga title race going into next week’s season finale. Haller, who had missed much of the season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer last year, broke the deadlock in the 58th minute and tapped in his second goal of the afternoon six minutes before the end to seal the win that lifted them above Bayern Munich and into top spot. Julian Brandt completed the win with a stoppage-time goal. Dortmund, whose last title win came in 2012 under then coach Juergen Klopp, are on 70 points, two ahead of Bayern. The Bavarians suffered a shock 3-1 home loss to RB Leipzig on Saturday. Dortmund host Mainz 05 on the last matchday while Bayern, who have won the last 10 league titles, travel to Cologne in their season finale.
2023-05-22 02:24