Paris Saint-Germain will have to wait at least a few more days to try to clinch the French league title. Kylian Mbappe scored twice and provided an assist in a 4-1 win over Lorient on Wednesday, but there were no celebrations because second-place Monaco beat Lille 1-0 later in the evening. Also Read: Xavi to remain Barca coach The lead atop the standings is 11 points with four games remaining. Defending champion PSG can clinch its record-extending 12th French league title at home on Saturday against Le Havre. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 April,2024 07:45 AM IST | France | AP | PTIXavi Hernandez said on Thursday he has decided to stay on as Barcelona coach for a “cocktail of reasons”, including support from key figures at the club and supporters. Also Read: ‘I can only apologise’ “It was a not a simple decision, in January I said [I would leave] because I thought it was best for the club,” Xavi told a news conference. “I am full of hope, these three months have made me change, the players believe in it, and wise people are willing to rectify, here I am,” he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 April,2024 07:40 AM IST | Barcelona | AFPJurgen Klopp’s hopes of a dream send-off were left in tatters after a 0-2 loss at Everton dealt a major blow to Liverpool’s Premier League title bid on Wednesday. Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park meant Klopp tasted a bitter defeat in his last Merseyside derby before standing down at the end of the season. “I can only apologise for today to the people. We should have done better and we didn’t and that’s why we lost,” Klopp said. Jurgen Klopp The loss keeps Liverpool three points behind league leader Arsenal in second place and one ahead of defending champion Manchester City, which is in third and has two games in hand on both of its rivals. Klopp had spoken last week of needing perfection to win his second title at the club. But this was the latest setback for his team, which has lost two of its last three games in the league. Also Read: French Open organisers’ ‘fingers crossed’ over Rafa’s participation While the result hurt Liverpool’s title chances, it delivered a boost to Everton’s survival bid, with the win moving Sean Dyche’s team eight points above the relegation zone. That fact seemed to be of less concern to the home fans, who were too busy revelling in the damage caused to Liverpool’s season. “You lost the league at Goodison Park,” they chanted as the final whistle approached and the majority of the 39,000 crowd remained inside the stadium to drink in the atmosphere as the players celebrated on the field. Jarrad Branthwaite (right) celebrates Everton’s opening goal “I’m very disappointed. We let it happen exactly the game that Everton wanted,” Klopp said. Klopp had dominated this fixture since taking over at Anfield in 2015, winning nine of the past 16 derbies before Wednesday’s match. Other results>> Wolves 0-1 Bournemouth >> Palace 2-0 Newcastle This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 April,2024 07:35 AM IST | Liverpool | AP | PTIBruno Fernandes eased the pressure on under-fire Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag as his double inspired a nervous 4-2 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday. Ten Hag’s side twice trailed to the Premier League’s bottom club at Old Trafford before Fernandes came to his beleaguered manager’s aid in the second half. Jayden Bogle put the Blades ahead and although Harry Maguire equalised before half-time, Ben Brereton Diaz restored the visitors’ advantage soon after the interval. Fernandes bailed out Ten Hag with a penalty equaliser before the Portugal midfielder’s long-range rocket put United in front with nine minutes left. Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024 | "This guy can get 100 in 60 balls": Manjrekar backs Pant's inclusion Erik ten Hag Rasmus Hojlund got United’s fourth to ensure they could finally enjoy a first league win in five games since beating Everton on March 9. “I think we played quite well, also creating many more chances. Many positives. But also negatives. Conceding two goals from give-aways. It’s unacceptable,” Ten Hag said. “I’m happy with the win overall. Have you seen some panic? No, not at all. We were very composed. We have to learn from this.” It was a temporary reprieve for Ten Hag, who hopes to salvage sixth-placed United’s dismal season by winning the FA Cup and finishing high enough to qualify for the Europa League. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 April,2024 07:25 AM IST | Manchester | AFPParis Saint-Germain could be confirmed as French Ligue 1 champions once again later on Wednesday after Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe both scored twice in a 4-1 win at Lorient. The French Ligue 1 result leaves PSG 14 points ahead of second-placed Monaco, who have five games remaining including Wednesday's home meeting with Lille. If Monaco fail to win that, PSG will be able to celebrate a record-extending 12th French league championship triumph, and a 10th in the last 12 campaigns. Luis Enrique's side have a potential treble in their sights, with an upcoming Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund and the French Cup final against Lyon to look forward to next month. They made short work of relegation-threatened Lorient in Brittany despite making a host of changes, with captain Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha among the players rested. "We did our job. We were serious and we got all three points, despite making numerous changes," Luis Enrique said. "As long as the school year is not finished we cannot get our final grade," he added when asked about the prospect of clinching the title with four games still to play. "What is happening is exciting. We are close, but we still have a month of the season to go, with other things to accomplish. "There are seven or eight matches left, and to get to the eighth we will need to remain fully focused," added the Spaniard in reference to the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1. Also Read: ‘Still a lot of work to do’ Dembele gave PSG the lead at the Stade du Moustoir on 19 minutes, collecting a Senny Mayulu pass and coming in from the right flank before sending a shot low into the bottom-left corner. Nuno Mendes then cut the ball back for Mbappe to double their lead midway through the first half. PSG were looking to extend their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to 25 games going back to September and their only loss of the campaign so far, at home to Nice. Lorient, in contrast, were aiming to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat and climb out of the automatic relegation places. Mbappe produced a brilliant piece of skill to get away from Nathaniel Adjei on the touchline to the left of the box before squaring low for Dembele to tap in the third goal on the hour mark. That took Dembele's tally of goals for the season to five, after he also netted in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final win against Barcelona. Lorient pulled one back on 73 minutes when Benjamin Mendy crossed for Ivorian striker Mohamed Bamba to head in. However, Mbappe completed the scoring for PSG in the 90th minute with a trademark strike across the goalkeeper from the left-hand side of the box. That took Mbappe to 43 goals for the campaign in all competitions in 43 appearances, with 26 of his goals coming in Ligue 1. (With agency inputs)
25 April,2024 05:52 PM IST | Paris | mid-day online correspondentKai Havertz and Ben White scored twice as Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday to surge ahead in the Premier League title race and ramp up the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City. Leandro Trossard was also on target in a record win over Chelsea for the Gunners, who move three points clear of Liverpool and four of Manchester City. The destiny of the title remains in City’s hands as the defending champions have two games in hand. Mikel Arteta Goal difference is key Liverpool have also played one fewer game than Arsenal. However, Mikel Arteta’s men’s goal difference advantage now looks unassailable should it become decisive in the title race. “We have made our people very proud, it is a big derby for us and I know what it means,” said Arteta. “We started the game really well but didn’t convert all our chances—we were a bit sloppy in certain areas of the pitch. In the second-half, we were much more disciplined and created chances and were ruthless in front of goal.” Chelsea and Arsenal’s title rivals were dealt a huge blow before kick-off as the Blues’ danger man Cole Palmer was ruled out due to illness. Palmer has scored or assisted nearly 50 percent of Chelsea’s Premier League goals this season and his presence was badly missed by the visitors. Despite enduring a disappointing first season under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea had been unbeaten in eight consecutive league games prior to their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday. Blues blown away But they were blown away by an Arsenal side keen to reaffirm their title credentials after losing their last home game to Aston Villa. “So difficult [a] result and performance [to accept] because it is not nice to see your team playing like this from the beginning of the game,” said Pochettino. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2024 06:16 AM IST | London | AFPManchester City's Premier League title bid has suffered a blow after Norway striker Erling Haaland was ruled out of Thursday's crucial clash at Brighton. Haaland missed City's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday due to a muscle injury sustained in the Champions League quarter-final exit against Real Madrid last week. Haaland was substituted before the start of extra time in City's Champions League quarter-final second leg defeat against Real Madrid on Wednesday. Guardiola said after the penalty shoot-out loss that the Norway striker asked to be withdrawn but did not give a reason why. The City boss has now confirmed Haaland suffered an injury against Real and suggested it was not certain his leading scorer would recover in time for the FA Cup holders' clash with Chelsea. "We will see. It was a tough game, a lot of action, high intensity for both sides," Guardiola told reporters on Friday. "Erling felt something, a muscular issue. That's why he told me he could not continue. "The doctor said he had a little bit of niggles, a little problem, we will see how his evolution is in the next hours." City's leading scorer, who has 20 Premier League goals this season, is yet to recover and will not make the trip to the Amex Stadium as the champions look to close the gap on leaders Arsenal. Also Read: 'Exceptional' Erling! City boss Pep Guardiola insisted Haaland's injury was not serious and he could come back into contention in time for Sunday's game against Nottingham Forest. While Haaland is sidelined, Guardiola was boosted by England internationals Phil Foden and John Stones getting the green light to face Brighton after their own fitness concerns. "Erling is not ready for tomorrow, the other two, they are ready," Guardiola told reporters on Wednesday. "I know it is not a big issue, but he is not allowed for this game." As a gripping title race approaches the final furlong, third placed City are four points behind leaders Arsenal, who thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday. Guardiola's men have two games in hand on Arsenal and have played one match less than second placed Liverpool, who face Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday. (With agency inputs)
24 April,2024 06:38 PM IST | Manchester | mid-day online correspondentOdisha FC rallied to secure a 2-1 victory against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the first-leg semifinal of the ISL on Tuesday, fighting back after conceding a goal as early as in the third minute. The Juggernauts thus registered their first-ever ISL win over the Mariners after nine attempts, as a game of close margins kicked off amid frenetic circumstances with all three goals being netted in the first half at the Kalinga Stadium. Manvir Singh handed the Antonio Lopez Habas-coached side an early lead, but Carlos Delgado (11') and Roy Krishna (39') scored once each for Odisha to help the team maintain their unbeaten streak at home this season (13 matches). The second leg of this last-four clash will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. Eventually, both teams brought an end to this tightly contested clash with 10 men on either side, as goal-scorer Delgado and Mohun Bagan striker Armando Sadiku were sent off in the 74th and 67th minutes respectively after picking up a couple of yellow cards each. Both these teams are renowned for their expansive, free-flowing footballing styles. However, they were naturally tightly organised in this match, leaving no gaps exposed in their backlines, compelling each other out of their comfort zones and making them look for unique ways to find the back of the net. Manvir, who has been a dazzling presence on the flank for the Mariners, at 2:21 minutes, netted the second fastest goal in the ISL playoffs, behind Lalrindika Ralte's goal at 2:08 minutes for ATK against Mumbai City FC on December 10, 2016. The ball was delivered to him from a corner by striker Dimitrios Petratos. He carried a rich vein of form into this match, providing a razor sharp cross that Manvir, positioned at the centre of the box, headed home to break the deadlock. Also Read: Odisha FC continue their surge Odisha FC were not left too far behind though, replying in similar fashion courtesy, the duo of Ahmed Jahouh and Delgado nine minutes later. The Moroccan was accurate with his corner delivery, and Delgado made his way through a crowded 18-yard box to deposit the ball into the back of the net. A rather tense back-and-forth passage of play ensued thereafter, before Roy Krishna finally broke through with the winner before the half-time break. As the Mariners looked to press high from an Odisha FC goal-kick, custodian Amrinder Singh sensed a unique opportunity and put in a long ball straight towards Krishna inside the Bagan half. Krishna brought the ball down with his head, before sprinting past Hector Yuste and putting the ball beyond Vishal Kaith to become the highest-ever goal-scorer for Odisha in a single ISL season with his 13th strike of the campaign. (With agency inputs)
24 April,2024 08:34 AM IST | Bhubaneswar | mid-day online correspondentSimone Inzaghi claimed his place at football management’s top table after sealing the first Serie A title of his coaching career in spectacular fashion in the Milan derby on Monday. Inter Milan’s Scudetto is easily Inzaghi’s biggest honour since winning it as a player with Lazio 24 years ago, and comes after three years of off-field turbulence and serious financial problems which he has navigated with aplomb. Inzaghi, 48, had a lower-key playing career than his elder sibling Filippo, who was a prolific goalscorer for AC Milan and Juventus and World Cup winner. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 April,2024 06:44 AM IST | Milan | AFPErik ten Hag says the media reaction to Manchester United’s performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry was “a disgrace,” robustly defending his side’s achievement in reaching a second straight final. United surrendered a 3-0 lead at Wembley on Sunday and were saved from a humiliating exit in extra time only by a VAR intervention, which ruled out a goal for offside in the final moments. They eventually scraped through against the Championship side on penalties to set up a re-match of last year’s final against City. Ten Hag admitted after the match his team had “got away with it” but played down any notion of embarrassment. Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said the performance would “cement his sacking.” But Ten Hag was in defiant mood on the eve of United’s Premier League match against bottom side Sheffield United on Wednesday. “You asked the question: ‘Is it embarrassing?’ No, the reaction from you is embarrassing. The comments are a disgrace,” he told reporters. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 April,2024 06:42 AM IST | London | AFPWestern Railway produced a good combined performance to hand Income Tax a 0-3 defeat in a Premier Division (Corporate) encounter of the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) League at St Pius College ground, Goregaon, on Tuesday. Leading WR charge was striker Somit PT, who showed good finishing skills, scoring two goals—one in each half. Mervin Stephen scored the third goal for WR. Also Read: State beach boys shimmer in silver Meanwhile, in a First Division match, South Mumbai United snatched a fighting 2-1 win over Boxer FC at the Neville D’Souza Ground, Bandra. South Mumbai scored through forwards Rajveer Kesari and Ranvir Malik, while Boxer FC reduced the deficit through Manav Salvi. In a Second Division contest, Jupiter SC eked out a narrow 1-0 win against Carmelites SC. Striker Pradnesh Kadam scored the winner.
24 April,2024 06:30 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
