
We have to be better – Brendan Rodgers says Celtic’s penalty record must improve
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is still looking for answers to their penalty problem after Luis Palma missed from 12 yards in a 1-1 draw with Motherwell. The Hoops missed three penalties last season and Palma followed David Turnbull and Reo Hatate in missing from the spot since Rodgers returned. Turnbull did convert a penalty in the 86th minute after Palma went off, but Jonathan Obika headed a last-minute equaliser. Palma scored from the spot against Aberdeen last time out, but Liam Kelly dived to his right to parry in the 66th minute and deny Celtic a platform to look for further goals. Rodgers said: “I was looking before I came in here that there have been a number of penalties missed. “These are decisive moments in games and you have to be ready to take them. You are never always going to be three, four, five up in games. You get that opportunity, you have to take it. “It is something that the players who are going to be the penalty takers are working on every day. “We have to stay focused on that because it is a skill. You can’t replicate the pressure, but penalties are a skill and a skill we have to be better at. “The keeper’s made a decent save. It’s all about variety with penalty takers. I know he practised (on Friday), he didn’t go that side, he was working on the keeper’s left. “But that is the choice he made. He is brave enough to take them.” Rodgers felt the cinch Premiership leaders were missing “that little bit of freshness and zip in the final third” as they moved nine points ahead of Rangers, who have two games in hand. He added: “We should win the game. Obviously we had enough of the ball. We got into a lot of good areas and obviously (had) chances to be more comfortable. It is always a danger when you are not. “But credit to Motherwell, they defended really well and we never had enough to break them down. “But when we did get the opportunity to go in front then every moment after that is a decisive one. I think it was probably their only effort in the second half and we never defended it, which was a surprise because we have been defending set-pieces well.” Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell did not feel Celtic should have had a second penalty after Calum Butcher was penalised for holding Mikey Johnston. Kettlewell attended a meeting with the Scottish Football Association’s referees department on Thursday where it was explained that such incidents would only be punished if the attacking player has a chance of getting on the ball. He said: “If the officials are telling me something when I go and sit for two-and-a-half hours with chief executives and managers when that exact incident came up in one of the clips and there were conversations around whether the player was going to get on the end of it and whether every contact in the box is a penalty. “From the angle I’ve seen Calum Butcher is adamant he didn’t pull the jersey. His palm is resting on the waist. “The guys from Celtic will maybe think it’s justified, but I think it’s incredibly soft.” It was only Motherwell’s third point from 10 games and Kettlewell said: “It indicates to everyone how together we are as a football club and a group of players. They gave us absolutely everything out there. “A lot of people will say we should be looking to be more progressive and to create more chances in the game. Well, that was everything that I asked of the players. “Of course we want to try to win games, but to concede that second penalty and go behind we showed brilliant personality and character to get ourselves back into the game.” Read More Mauricio Pochettino angry as ‘soft’ Chelsea fall apart at Newcastle Brighton boss explains ‘big, big celebration’ and says no disrespect was meant Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola full of praise for two-goal Marcus Tavernier Joe Root joins England captain Ben Stokes in skipping next Indian Premier League Ding Junhui defies illness to defeat defending champion Mark Allen in York No cause for a party, Rob Edwards warns Luton after victory over Palace
1970-01-01 08:00

Rep. George Santos says he expects to be kicked out of Congress as expulsion vote looms
Rep. George Santos has said he expected to be expelled from Congress following a scathing report by the House Ethics Committee that found substantial evidence of lawbreaking by the New York Republican
1970-01-01 08:00

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola full of praise for two-goal Marcus Tavernier
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said Marcus Tavernier’s double in his side’s 3-1 win at Sheffield United was just reward for his recent performances. Tavernier struck early in both halves, either side of Justin Kluivert’s effort, as the Cherries notched their first Premier League away win of the season to maintain their climb away from relegation danger. Oli McBurnie headed the Blades’ late consolation as Bournemouth cruised to their third win in four top-flight matches. After seeing his side sweep the Blades aside, Iraola was delighted with 24-year-old Tavernier’s contribution. Iraola said: “He was playing really well in the last games but he had some chances he didn’t finish, against Burnley and Newcastle. “But it was a matter of time because he has the quality. It’s good he gets the reward because he is contributing in such different ways to the team. I’m really happy for him.” Tavernier, who missed the first month of the campaign through injury, scored five Premier League goals last season. With Dominic Solanke scoring six times this season and Kluivert – son of former Netherlands striker Patrick – notching his first goal for the club, Iraola saluted his side’s all-round offensive threat. “Today also we added Justin scoring in the league and Tav scoring two goals,” the Spaniard added. “I think we have talent there, I think we have goals there, behind Dom. We were having the chances. “They were not scoring the goals before and I think it is good for them confidence-wise to come here and to score in such an important game.” After Tavernier had given the Cherries a 12th-minute lead, the Blades gifted the visitors a second in first-half stoppage time. Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham was dispossessed on the edge of the box by Kluivert, who then steered the ball into an empty net and manager Paul Heckingbottom acknowledged his side’s performance levels had dropped. “Yeah that’s been the topic of conversation in there,” he said. “If we give goals away like that we’re not going to win games in this league, we know that. “We started poorly and never really recovered. We can’t hide behind mistakes, though, we need to play better than that and get it out of our heads before the next game.” The Blades face another relegation rival in bottom club Burnley at Turf Moor next Saturday and Heckingbottom added: “We’re going to have moments in this league, we are not stupid enough to know we will be at our best every week. “But we have to try. We have to quickly get this out of our heads for Burnley next week.” Read More Brighton boss explains ‘big, big celebration’ and says no disrespect was meant Joe Root joins England captain Ben Stokes in skipping next Indian Premier League Ding Junhui defies illness to defeat defending champion Mark Allen in York No cause for a party, Rob Edwards warns Luton after victory over Palace West Ham defeat is toughest one to take yet – Burnley boss Vincent Kompany Jonathan Obika’s last-gasp equaliser earns Motherwell point at Celtic
1970-01-01 08:00

Brighton boss explains ‘big, big celebration’ and says no disrespect was meant
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made no apology for celebrating his side’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest like they had won the Champions League final. De Zerbi sprinted straight to the away fans at the City Ground, without shaking counterpart Steve Cooper’s hand, after his side ended a six-game winless run in a drama-filled Premier League encounter. The Seagulls looked primed for an easy three points after a tidy finish from Evan Ferguson and Joao Pedro’s double, the second from the penalty spot, put them 3-1 up after Anthony Elanga’s early goal for Forest. But the complexion of the game changed when VAR advised referee Anthony Taylor to give Forest a penalty, with Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk seeing red for his over-zealous protest. Morgan Gibbs-White scored from the spot but Forest could not find a leveller and Brighton held on for a much-needed win, which moves them into the top seven. “I want to explain our celebration, it wasn’t disrespectful to the opponent because I am used to living inside of football, but we are suffering a lot with injuries, we lost two players in the first half, we suffered a red card, we lost two points in the last games against Sheffield United and Fulham, the last win in the Premier League was at the end of September. “We are suffering a lot because it is one of the toughest times in my career. It was a big, big celebration. “We are very happy and I am very proud of the character and attitude we showed in a very tough moment. Without 10 players if Brighton can compete in two competitions, seventh in the league, and in the Europa League with Ajax, AEK Athens and Marseille, it is difficult. “We celebrated it like the final in the Champions League, it was not the Champions League, but the way we won the game with 10 players without the captain was excellent.” Dunk received a straight red card for foul and abusive language following Taylor’s decision to award Forest a penalty, which came 21 seconds after he was booked for encroaching while Taylor checked the VAR monitor. De Zerbi admitted Dunk apologised to his team-mates but will not face any internal disciplinary action. “I have not spoken yet with Lewis, he is a good guy, maybe he made a mistake,” De Zerbi added. “For me the situation is not clear. We have to accept the referee’s decision. “I always accept the referee’s decision. Dunky is a fan of Brighton, he is not a simple player. We can understand his emotion and his mistakes. “I don’t like rules. I am not a policeman, I am coach. He said sorry to everyone, he has understood his mistake.” Forest boss Cooper said would have liked the opportunity to shake De Zerbi’s hand at full-time. “I have not seen him. I don’t want to get into that, to be fair,” he said. “If you ask me I am a British coach, I have been brought up in always shaking hands after games and showing respect and trying to win and lose with dignity. “I am not saying he has not done that, you’ll have to ask him. If you ask me about what I will do, I will always shake hands. “But I understand that elsewhere it is a bit different. That is how it is.” Read More Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola full of praise for two-goal Marcus Tavernier Joe Root joins England captain Ben Stokes in skipping next Indian Premier League Ding Junhui defies illness to defeat defending champion Mark Allen in York No cause for a party, Rob Edwards warns Luton after victory over Palace West Ham defeat is toughest one to take yet – Burnley boss Vincent Kompany Jonathan Obika’s last-gasp equaliser earns Motherwell point at Celtic
1970-01-01 08:00

No cause for a party, Rob Edwards warns Luton after victory over Palace
Rob Edwards insists his Luton players have achieved nothing yet after a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Kenilworth Road saw them pull clear of the Premier League relegation zone. It was a first home victory on their top-flight return for Edwards’ side and it came courtesy of late drama, culminating in a winning goal prodded in by substitute Jacob Brown seven minutes from time. The game looked to be petering towards a drab goalless draw until defender Teden Mengi struck with 18 minutes to go, blasting a shot across goal and beyond Sam Johnstone from a corner to put Luton in sight of victory. The lead was wiped out in seconds as virtually from kick-off Michael Oliseh collected the ball wide on the left, stepped inside and curled beautifully into the corner for a fine solo goal. Yet Luton would have the final say, Brown getting in between defender Joachim Andersen and his goalkeeper to turn the ball home and propel his side to an historic win. Edwards admitted his relief at seeing his side survive 12 minutes of stoppage time to finally get off the mark at home at the sixth attempt but emphasised the size of the task that still lies ahead. “(It feels) really good,” he said. “Relief, I feel drained now, it was the longest game I’ve ever been a part of. Pleased for the supporters, pleased for everyone connected to the club. “It’s been a long time coming here at home. I think we deserved a bit more than what we’ve got here in some of the games. We were close against Liverpool, close against Wolves, Burnley could have gone another way. But it’s taken until today. “I don’t want the players having a party. We’ve done nothing (yet). We’ve got nine points. I don’t think that’s anything to be going out to the nightclub and having a flipping disco or a party. “Enjoy it, but we’ve got to go again. Brentford’s really difficult next week, then we’ve got Arsenal and Man City to look forward to. We’ve got to keep improving and getting better. “So enjoy the moment, enjoy the feeling, it’s nice. The players can enjoy their weekend. But it’s back to work quickly.” The win was notable for a fine display by Ross Barkley in midfield, with the summer signing having played an increasingly influential role in recent matches. “He allows us to play differently, allows us to be a different team,” said Edwards. “Ross is a really good player and he does help us, gives us more control. “He has a 360 view of the pitch, he knows where the space is, he can calm things down for us. It was another big performance from him. He’s getting better every week.” Palace boss Roy Hodgson reflected on a game that got away from his side as it hung in the balance at 1-1. “A good goal from Luton’s point of view but a bad one from our point of view, especially at a time when we were playing well,” said Hodgson. “We got the equaliser and should have been looking at consolidating and maybe going on to win the game. “Congratulations to Luton for holding on and for a spirited performance.” Read More Ding Junhui defies illness to defeat defending champion Mark Allen in York West Ham defeat is toughest one to take yet – Burnley boss Vincent Kompany Jonathan Obika’s last-gasp equaliser earns Motherwell point at Celtic Opposing managers happy with a point as Manchester City and Liverpool draw Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Man Utd have reached ‘turning point’ ahead of crucial week – Erik ten Hag
1970-01-01 08:00

Jay A Rotter: Former Texas deputy sentenced to several years for killing his special-needs girlfriend
Rotter called the emergency services in August 2020 and reported that Hartman suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound
1970-01-01 08:00

WarGames match history and results in WWE and WCW
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1970-01-01 08:00

Jurgen Klopp breaks up Darwin Nunez and Pep Guardiola post-match spat
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola play down the significance of a post-match argument between Darwin Nunez and the Manchester City manager.
1970-01-01 08:00

A stampede during a music festival in southern India university has killed at least 4 students
News reports in India say that at least four students have died and 60 others have been injured in a stampede during a music festival at a university in southern India
1970-01-01 08:00

West Ham defeat is toughest one to take yet – Burnley boss Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany admitted Burnley’s 2-1 home defeat to West Ham was the toughest one to take yet in what has been a miserable start to life back in the Premier League. The Hammers, poor by David Moyes’ own admission for most of the afternoon, scored twice in the space of five minutes to snatch victory away, with Tomas Soucek hitting a superb volley to win it in the first minute of stoppage-time. It was a seventh-straight home defeat for Burnley to start the season and leaves them bottom of the table with just four points from 13 games. “You can say that,” Kompany said with a rueful laugh when asked if this was the hardest one yet of Burnley’s 11 defeats. “It’s what makes this game beautiful but also what makes this game hard. “There’s no other way to say it. Today was a tough one to take but I’ve mentioned it before, it’s still a universal recipe, you’ve got to get back up and keep going.” Burnley had led through Jay Rodriguez’s 49th-minute penalty after Luca Koleosho had been tripped by Mohammed Kudus and West Ham, without the injured Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, rarely threatened to get back into the game. But that all changed in a frantic finish as Kudus atoned for conceding the penalty by setting up the equaliser, with his cross deflected in by Dara O’Shea for an own goal and then picking out Soucek to strike the winner. “You have to play until the end but in minute 86, probably what I would have said was how outstanding the performance was, on the ball, off the ball, disciplined, mature,” Kompany said. “But as it is in football, it is shaped fairly by the result and every minute of the game is as important as the first one and in this case it’s tough… “When you go home, if your children fall down what do you tell them? ‘Get back up and go again’. But you also have to really believe in that. I always have. “What happens in the last five minutes is we throw everything away. It’s not good enough but it’s not supposed to be easy to get up to this level.” Moyes recognised his side were lucky to escape Turf Moor with the points. “I certainly didn’t see it (coming) at half-time with the way we started the game,” he said. “To get in at 0-0 was as good as it could get. “We hadn’t played well in the first half at all, we were too slow, we never affected Burnley…The climax was great, it shows a lot of the things we’ve got about the team. “A bit of resilience, we stuck at it, never wilted and had to find a way of getting a goal. “We didn’t play at our best today. A lot of players were nowhere near their levels but ultimately we got three points in the Premier league.” Soucek was the matchwinner in the 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest before the international break, then scored two in two for the Czech Republic, before his sixth club goal of the season and ninth overall broke Burnley hearts here. “Tomas scored for the Czech Republic in midweek, he’s scored today, he scored against Forest so really he’s in a bit of goalscoring form,” Moyes said. “He took it really well and he took it as someone who’s got a bit more confidence in his finishing. “When he first came in he got 10 goals in his first season, last year not so much but this year, I think he is up to six already so that’s great.” Read More Jonathan Obika’s last-gasp equaliser earns Motherwell point at Celtic Opposing managers happy with a point as Manchester City and Liverpool draw Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Man Utd have reached ‘turning point’ ahead of crucial week – Erik ten Hag On This Day in 2020: Gunners welcome their fans back in style Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in 21-point win
1970-01-01 08:00

Michigan State hires Jonathan Smith away from Oregon State, hoping he turn around another program
Michigan State has hired coach Jonathan Smith away from No. 15 Oregon State
1970-01-01 08:00

Mauricio Pochettino cancels Chelsea time off after Newcastle mauling
Mauricio Pochettino reacts to Chelsea's heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League.
1970-01-01 08:00