List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

The Denver Nuggets knew they had all the ingredients for this run to the NBA Finals last summer when Jamal Murry and Michael Porter Jr. were regaining their health, Nikola Jokic was coming off another MVP season and Aaron Gordon was stepping up his game

Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a game-ending single with one out in the 10th inning as the New York Yankees beat the San Diego Padres 3-2

Emma Hayes credited the togetherness of her players as the driving force behind Chelsea’s fourth successive Women’s Super League title following a 3-0 victory over Reading. Chelsea sealed the trophy courtesy of goals from Guro Reiten and a Sam Kerr double. And Hayes admitted the fear of losing galvanised Chelsea, who added to their FA Cup trophy they won against Manchester United earlier this month. “The fear of losing drives me more than the will to win,” Hayes said. “This year we knew we had to grind and dig out results, sometimes when maybe we didn’t create as many chances. It’s just unbelievable character from the players. “This feels like a victory for the team because my staff have carried me in so many ways this season, especially when I was unwell. I think the team has carried each other. When senior players didn’t play as much, other seniors picked them up. “In the second part of the season we saw our newer players start to bear fruit and we found different ways to win, and you have to, it can’t look the same all the time. “When you are always chasing the whole year, it almost felt like the pressure wasn’t on us in so many ways because we were never in the front position for long. We’ve had different experiences being in first and second and to be honest with you we like being in both of them.” Hayes labelled Reiten as one of the world’s best players after the winger set up Kerr to make it 1-0 before getting on the scoresheet herself in the 42nd minute to double Chelsea’s lead. The Norwegian has been instrumental for the Blues this season having picked up 20 league goal contributions and filling the boots of Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder who have had injury-stricken campaigns. “She’s my player of the season,” Hayes added. “She’s grown up, she’s exceptional in this team, she’s got an unbelievable mind, very wise. “She’s funny and witty but most importantly she has an eye for a pass that is second to none. She doesn’t even need to see where Sam (Kerr) moves, she just gets half a yard and is always going to deliver it to her. “Guro Reiten needs to be recognised as one of the best players in the world because she is.” Reading manager Kelly Chambers conceded her side failed to show enough fight throughout the campaign, which resulted in their relegation. She said: “The frustrating thing for me was we hadn’t done enough of that this season, having that fight, spirit and that work ethic, intensity. We were able to do that today but if we were able to that in other games it might have looked completely different. “We can’t use any excuses, at the end of the day we haven’t been good enough in moments this season that potentially would have kept us up.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic sacked by Bayern hours after Bundesliga win Premiership title just the start for Saracens – Owen Farrell Chelsea make it four in a row as Reading’s relegation is confirmed

Luton completed their fairytale rise from non-league to Premier League with a dramatic, sudden-death penalty shoot-out victory against Coventry in the Championship play-off final. Just nine years on from ending their five-season stretch in the Conference Premier, the Hatters are celebrating returning to the top-flight for the first time since 1992. Previous point deductions and disappointments were left in the rear-view mirror at Wembley, where Jordan Clark’s opener was cancelled out by Coventry favourite Gustavo Hamer. The match finished 1-1 after extra-time and Fankaty Dabo’s penalty miss meant a famous 6-5 sudden-death shoot-out victory for jubilant Luton. It was a cruel way for the season to end – a £170m clash between clubs that have both gone through the mill during their decades away from the big time. These teams were promoted from League Two together in 2018 and the latter went into half-time ahead, with Clark scoring a deserved opener for the dominant Hatters. Rob Edwards’ side rallied impressively after captain Tom Lockyer’s concerning early collapse, but Coventry improved after the break. Hamer, City’s semi-final hero against Middlesbrough, impressively levelled as the match went to extra-time. Luton thought they had won it in the 116th minute through Joe Taylor, only for the VAR to find the youngster had handled when dispossessing Jonathan Panzo. Promotion went down to penalties and Coventry substitute Dabo was first to miss, securing Luton’s promotion to the Premier League. The players held up Lockyer’s shirt as they celebrated in front of their fans. Both managers stuck with the players that sealed their ticket to Wembley, where Gabriel Osho thought he had put his side into an early lead. The Luton defender bundled home following a Lockyer header, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Frustration quickly turned to concern as the Luton skipper fell to the floor when running back. A hush fell upon Wembley as Lockyer underwent treatment before leaving on a stretcher and being replaced by Reece Burke. Luton later confirmed their captain had been taken to hospital for further tests, saying “he is responsive and talking to his family, who are with him”. Town stood up in their captain’s absence and heaped pressure on Coventry, with top scorer Carlton Morris hooking wide and seeing another attempt blocked. Coventry were struggling to get out of their own half and were caught out in the 23rd minute on one of the few occasions they did. A long ball down the left flank was held up superbly by Elijah Adebayo, who played in Clark to lash home at the near post. Luton fans thought the net would bulge again six minutes later but Adebayo lifted wide as he attempted to beat goalkeeper Ben Wilson. Shell-shocked Coventry could not get going and Adebayo had no arguments after seeing a goal ruled out for turning in Callum Doyle’s clearance with his arm. City’s only shot of the opening period followed as Hamer hammered over, but boss Mark Robins had them revived after the break. Luton’s hearts were in their mouths when Ethan Horvath’s clearance ballooned off a team-mate and out of harm’s way, before Liam Kelly and Luke McNally had attempts. Coventry’s increased attacking intent brought about a 66th-minute leveller in front of their travelling hordes. Viktor Gyokeres was put through down the left and the frontman cut back for Hamer to level with a low first-time strike. Substitute Matt Godden took a touch and lifted over as Coventry searched for a quick-fire second but play soon became broken up as tension ratcheted up. Hamer went off injured and both sides seemed more intent to not lose than to win it. Clark missed a free-kick and Godden volleyed wide as the match went to extra-time. Gyokeres got away a fierce effort that Horvath eventually got hold of in the first period, before Luton’s Clark was booked for diving in the box. Replays appeared to show goalkeeper Wilson caught him, if only just. Exhausted players continued to require treatment or replacement as the second half of extra-time came and went. Luton thought they had won it in the most dramatic fashion in the 116th minute, but the VAR saw Taylor had handled when dispossessing Panzo before firing home. The final whistle saw all eyes focused on the Luton end of the stadium for the shoot-out, where Dabo missed after the first 11 spot-kicks were coolly converted. Read More How much do Championship play-off final winners earn? Of course the play-off final is about money – but Coventry and Luton also represent something greater A tiny ground and a squad costing less than a Man City sub. How are Luton one game from the Premier League? How much is winning the Championship play-off final worth? Luton vs Coventry LIVE: Result and reaction from Championship play-off final Coventry and Luton are proof the play-off final means more than just money

A person familiar with the situation says the Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to make Adrian Griffin their head coach

Luton completed their fairy-tale rise from non-league to Premier League with a dramatic, sudden-death penalty shoot-out victory against Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final. Just nine years on from ending their five-season stretch in the Conference Premier, the Hatters are celebrating returning to the top-flight for the first time since 1992. Previous point deductions and disappointments were left in the rear-view mirror at Wembley, where Jordan Clark’s opener was cancelled out by Coventry favourite Gustavo Hamer. The match finished 1-1 after extra-time and Fankaty Dabo’s penalty miss meant a famous 6-5 sudden-death shoot-out victory for jubilant Luton. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Rodrygo has scored twice to give Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Sevilla in the Spanish league

Jimmie Johnson says he’s never felt more ill-prepared for a race heading into Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600

Bayern Munich won the German league title for the 11th year in a row

Forte, the early Kentucky Derby favorite who was scratched on the day of the race, has worked out in preparation for a possible start in the Belmont Stakes on June 10

Two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Elina Svitolina has won her first WTA title in nearly two years and her first since becoming a mother

Novak Djokovic has made his long-term goal clear