Erling Haaland scored four as Manchester City closed to within three games of an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title by thrashing Wolves 5-1 at the Etihad. Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth earlier on Saturday had opened up a four-point lead for the Gunners. But City showed no signs of feeling the pressure as they cut the gap back to one point and have three matches remaining to Arsenal’s two. Also Read: Barca have a lot to change next season, says Xavi Haaland has faced criticism for not matching the standards of his stunning first season in Manchester, when he scored 52 goals as City won the treble. However, the Norwegian took his tally for this season to 36 goals in 41 appearances with a devastating display of finishing. “Erling is back to business,” said City boss Pep Guardiola. “Penalties are a guarantee but the second and fourth [goals] were unbelievable.” And Guardiola insisted they will need to win all three matches, despite Arsenal facing a tricky trip away to Manchester United next weekend. “One week, three games. Nine points we will be champions, six or seven points, Arsenal will be champions.” Wolves had inflicted one of City’s just three Premier League defeats this season. Haaland was restored to Guardiola’s starting line-up after coming off the bench to score against Nottingham Forest last weekend on his return from injury. Other key results>> Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa>> Chelsea 5-0 West Ham 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
06 May,2024 08:15 AM IST | Manchester | AFPBarcelona coach Xavi Hernandez (below) said his team had a “a huge amount” to change next season after Real Madrid claimed their La Liga crown on Saturday. Los Blancos beat Cadiz 3-0 and after Barcelona were hammered 4-2 by Girona, sealed their title triumph with four games to spare. Also Read: Verstappen takes pole in Miami Barcelona, who won the league last season, are third after the defeat and collapsed in the second half in a pulsating derby clash. “We have to continue with the project, the first few minutes were brilliant. We will keep fighting and next season we have to change a huge amount of things,” Xavi told DAZN after the Girona defeat. 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
06 May,2024 08:13 AM IST | Spain | AFPMCFC coach Petr Kratky admits Indian Super League Cup win over Mohun Bagan in Kolkata comes as a relief in a season full of obstacles Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky praised the club for being on a path of progress after they were crowned Indian Super League (ISL) Cup winners following their 3-1 win over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in final at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday. The Islanders capped off a tumultuous year on a high, a season where they faced departures of former tactician Des Buckingham and multiple key international stars such as Greg Stewart, Rostyn Griffiths, and Abdenasser El Khayati in December and January. Kratky hails team Kratky appreciated his squad for showing tremendous competitiveness in overcoming those issues after they sparked a comeback from being a goal down to win by a resounding margin at the home of the Mariners. “The club is on the right path. We have overcome a lot of obstacles. During the season, there were many hard times, but we were privileged to get the team to the final in front of a fantastic crowd. Also Read: Sunny fumes over Kohli’s rant We lost on April 15, but got a second chance tonight and we took it with both hands. Sometimes in football, we get lows and highs, but it’s important to handle it well. You don’t get such opportunities every time. We are grateful. We need to continue the good work and be consistent all the time,” a relieved Kratky said. Striker Jason Cummings handed Mohun Bagan the lead. However, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh, and Jakub Vojtus netted a goal each to ensure that the Islanders didn’t finish the season without a trophy. “I believe we were the better team even in the first half when they scored. They are a quality team, with Dimitrios Petratos threatening from distance and Jason Cummings being there to bury the goal. A tight match “Our approach here changed and the boys executed the plans very well. The match was very tight and we were behind in the first-half. We kept positivity and as soon as we scored the first goal, the path was laid for the comeback,” said Kratky. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan head coach Antonio Lopez Habas said: “We were winning the match, but we were not superior to the opponent. Because I think that Mumbai City FC were better than us in the first 45 minutes and we took the lead, 1-0, but it was not the correct score. Congratulations to Mumbai City FC.” As per the new norm, Mohun Bagan are the ISL Champions for winning the league stages, whereas Mumbai City FC are the ISL Cup winners for triumphing in the playoffs. 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
06 May,2024 08:03 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesCristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth hat trick of the Saudi Pro League season as Al-Nassr thrashed Al-Wehda 6-0. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner now has 32 league goals this season, two short of Abderrazak Hamdallah's record tally of 34 back in the 2018-19 campaign, with four games still to play. Also Read: IPL 2024, CSK vs PBKS: Jadeja's 43 helps Chennai post 167 against Punjab Ronaldo opened the scoring in Riyadh in the fifth minute after intercepting a poor clearance from goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi. Seven minutes later, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star grabbed his second, heading home a cross from Marcelo Brozovic. Early in the second half, Ronaldo's shot from just inside the area secured his hat trick in Al-Nassr's seventh successive win. His fellow Portuguese star Otavio also scored as did Senegal forward Sadio Mane and Mohammed Al-Fatil. The win moves nine-time Saudi Arabian champion Al-Nassr to nine points behind leader Al-Hilal. 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.
05 May,2024 06:24 PM IST | Riyadh | APReal Madrid clinched the Spanish title on Saturday for the fourth time in 12 years, beating Cadiz 3-0 before previous champions Barcelona lost 4-2 at Girona. Carlo Ancelotti's side romped clear of last season's winners and shock challengers Girona to clinch their record-extending 36th La Liga trophy. Mid-Day breaks down the keys to Los Blancos' domestic success this season. Brilliant Bellingham Nobody expected Jude Bellingham to have such an instant impact in Spain after his move from Borussia Dortmund last summer. The England international quickly established himself as a key player in attacking areas for Madrid with ten goals in his first ten league matches, replacing the departed Karim Benzema. Although his numbers have dipped in the second half of the campaign, Bellingham remains Los Blancos' top scorer with 18 in La Liga, and Ancelotti also regularly exalts his strong work ethic. Catalan capitulation Barcelona looked revitalised last season under Xavi Hernandez, but the champions struggled badly in the first half of the season. Their previously rock-solid defence gave way with alarming regularity and Madrid's consistency, falling to just one defeat in the whole campaign to date, made their march to the title feel an inevitability. Barcelona found new life after January but it was too little, too late for Madrid's arch-rivals. Mentality matters Real Madrid are admired for their never-say-die attitude and assuredness in big matches. In their key La Liga battles against Girona and Barcelona, they triumphed on every occasion. Ancelotti's side hammered Girona 3-0 in September in a show of strength and then crushed the Catalan minnows 4-0 in February to completely deflate their title bid. Against Barcelona, Bellingham delivered stoppage-time winners in both league match-ups, firing Madrid to a 2-1 away triumph in October and a 3-2 victory in April at the Santiago Bernabeu. And when Madrid were not playing well in some of the lower-key matches, they managed at least to draw. "To win a league, the games you can't win, you can't lose either," noted Ancelotti. Also Read: That’s Real good! Durable defence Real Madrid were dealt multiple set-backs this season in defence with Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba all sidelined with long-term injuries. Despite that, they boast the strongest record at the back in La Liga. Antonio Rudiger has raised his level to marshal the defence, while right-back Dani Carvajal is in arguably the best form of his career. Defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has dropped into the back line without fuss when required and always looked solid despite playing out of position. Madrid's squad players have also contributed in key moments, with Lucas Vazquez shining at right-back in the recent Clasico. Carlo's calls Madrid coach Ancelotti has got his biggest decisions right this season. The coach's first call was to deploy Bellingham as part of a three-pronged attack with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, a role which his previous bosses had not envisioned for him. The Italian managed Rodrygo's issues in front of goal well, keeping faith in the Brazilian, who made a point of celebrating with his coach after ending his drought in November. Ancelotti has slowly phased out ageing great Luka Modric while still calling on him at the right times. He kept squad players including Brahim Diaz and Joselu involved and hungry and both scored against Cadiz on the day Madrid won La Liga. (With AFP inputs)
05 May,2024 04:09 PM IST | Madrid | mid-day online correspondentElijah Adebayo kept Luton in the hunt to avoid relegation from the Premier League as his equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw against Everton on Friday. Rob Edwards’ side trailed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty but Adebayo scored the crucial leveller before half-time at Kenilworth Road. Despite earning just one win in their past 15 league games, third-bottom Luton are still in contention to beat the drop. They are behind fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest on goal difference, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team facing already-relegated Sheffield United on Saturday. Also Read: Mumbai City FC are ISL Cup champs A Forest win at Bramall Lane would move them three points ahead of Luton, who have two games left against West Ham and Fulham to avoid an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s fairytale promotion. “We are still in this fight as we speak. I’m proud of the performance but it would have been huge to win tonight. Almost but we’ve had a lot of them this year,” Edwards said. Luton’s survival bid is further complicated by the wait for a verdict on Forest’s appeal against their four-point deduction for financial breaches, with a Premier League announcement expected before the end of the season. “There’s a long way to go and it’s over to them [Forest] tomorrow. There’s a situation that’s going on that’s out of our control that isn’t ideal,” Edwards said in reference to Forest’s appeal. “I don’t really understand it. Everyone would just like to know where they stand. I think we’d all like that.” Despite losing eight points as punishment for financial breaches of their own, Everton had already secured their Premier League status with three games to spare. 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
05 May,2024 07:59 AM IST | Luton | AFPMumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) 3-1 in the final at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to become Indian Super League (ISL) Cup winners by wresting the honour from them on Saturday. A first-half strike by Jason Cummings of the Mariners was neutralised by a goal each from Jorge Pererya Diaz, Bipin Singh and Jakub Vojtus for the Islanders in the second essay of the game. Also Read: It’s Thrice as nice for Gunners The Islanders seemed to have taken insightful takeaways from their defeat in the championship-winning clash against the same opponent last month on this ground, adopting newer styles of offence to crack open the Mohun Bagan Super Giant defence. While Diaz equalised in the 53rd minute, it was his injury and the subsequent introduction of Vojtus in play that prevented the game from heading into the extra-time.Vojtus set up Bipin’s goal in the 81st minute with a squared up pass inside the box before netting his side’s third strike of the night in the 97th minute of the summit clash. Dimitrios Petratos of the home side was honoured with the Player of the Season award, whereas Mumbai City FC’s Vikram Partap Singh was named the Emerging Player of the league.
05 May,2024 07:57 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentArsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard inspired a 3-0 win against Bournemouth on Saturday. The Gunners’ fourth successive victory ensured second placed Manchester City will not be able to knock them out of pole position this weekend even if they beat Wolves in Saturday’s late game. Saka’s penalty put Mikel Arteta’s side ahead on the stroke of half-time at the Emirates Stadium. Trossard and Declan Rice struck in the closing stages to secure a vital three points. Also Read: KKR eye quick recovery Chasing first title since 2004 Chasing their first title since 2004, the Gunners will pray for a shock City stumble against Wolves at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s team, who have two games in hand on Arsenal, can clinch an unprecedented fourth successive English title if they win their last four matches. Arsenal’s 26th Premier League victory this season equalled the club’s top-flight record for a single campaign. Arteta’s men gifted the title to City last season after a blowing an eight-point lead in the closing weeks. But the north Londoners have learned from that meltdown, winning 14 of their 16 league games in 2024 to stay firmly in the hunt. Arsenal travel to Manchester United in their penultimate game next weekend before hosting Everton in what they hope will be a potential title clincher on May 19. Arteta was a childhood friend of Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola back home in Spain, but there was no room for sentimentality with the title on the line. Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers was destined for a busy afternoon and it wasn’t long before he made his first save to deny Kai Havertz from a tight angle. Ipswich earn promotion Meanwhile, Ipswich returned to EPL for the first time in 22 years after beating Huddersfield 2-0 to secure promotion from the Championship on Saturday. 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.
05 May,2024 07:54 AM IST | London | AFPChildren of the late football star Diego Maradona have asked a court in Argentina to authorise the transfer of his body from the private cemetery where he is buried to a mausoleum under construction in Buenos Aires to allow fans from around the world to pay tribute to him. Also Read: Tuchel leaves door ajar on Bayern stay They made the request to a court in San Isidro in a letter quoted on Thursday by local media in which they indicated that it comes from “all the heirs” of the football star, who died in 2020. Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986, is buried in the Jardin de Bella Vista, a private cemetery in the town of San Miguel about 50kms northwest of Buenos Aires. 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
04 May,2024 08:34 AM IST | Buenos Aires | AP | PTIBayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday hinted he may be open to staying in the post beyond the season, as the German giants’ coaching search continues. On Thursday, latest Bayern target Ralf Rangnick said he would stay on as Austria boss. Rangnick joins reported other candidates including Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann to have reportedly rebuffed Bayern’s interest. Also Read: Red Bull-exited Newey will be great for Ferrari, says Hamilton Tuchel agreed to part ways with Bayern at the end of the season in February, although said at the time he would have preferred to stay on at the club. Bayern surrendered the Bundesliga title for the first time in 11 years this season, with Alonso’s unbeaten Leverkusen wrapping it up in April. Tuchel, who won the Champions League as Chelsea boss in 2021, has Bayern through to the semi-finals of the competition this season. Bayern need to win at Real Madrid on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Munich. “Everything is possible,” Tuchel said on Friday before Saturday’s match at third-placed Stuttgart, but added “the agreement [to leave in summer] still stands.” 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
04 May,2024 08:31 AM IST | Berlin | AFPPep Guardiola has played down suggestions that Manchester City’s greater experience will be pivotal as his side go head to head with Arsenal for the Premier League title, saying his side must be perfect to come out on top. Defending champions City, chasing an unprecedented fourth straight English top-flight crown, are second in the table, one point behind the Gunners but with a game in hand. Gunners can put pressure Arsenal, on 80 points with three games to play, have a chance to put pressure on City as they host Bournemouth in the early kick-off on Saturday. City host Wolves at the Etihad later in the day, desperate to avoid a repeat of the 2-1 defeat they suffered at Molineux earlier this season. Also Read: Man Utd tried to sign Kane: Ten Hag Pep Guardiola Guardiola’s men, unbeaten in 31 matches in all competitions, are hot favourites to win the Premier League for the sixth time in seven seasons but the City manager is taking nothing for granted. He was asked at Friday’s press conference whether his team’s title-winning nous would prove pivotal. “I would love to think ‘yes’ but we have to prove it tomorrow against Wolves and in the next games. We know that we have to win all 12 points, otherwise it will be difficult because Arsenal are so strong, so consistent and it’s difficult to see them dropping points.” Guardiola said top-scorer Erling Haaland was fit enough to start after coming on as a substitute against Nottingham Forest last weekend and scoring in a 2-0 win. “When everybody is fit they have to be ready. Of course I have little doubts for one or two players, but the rest the game-plan, what I want to do, I had time to think about it and see the last games from Wolves, but he’s ready,” he said. Dias, Foden available Guardiola confirmed that Ruben Dias and Phil Foden, who both missed the Forest match through illness, would be available, along with goalkeeper Ederson. Liverpool’s Klopp says ‘pressure is off’ after collapse Jurgen Klopp said the “pressure is off” after his Liverpool team dropped out of the Premier League title race, urging his men to rediscover their best form in the final few games of his Anfield reign. Liverpool have won just one of their past five league games and it would now take a miracle for them to catch Arsenal and Manchester City. The German, 56, said he wanted his team to play with freedom in his last three matches, starting with Sunday’s home game against fifth-placed Tottenham. “The pressure is off now. That’s done. It would be really cool if we could play really, really good football again. That would be absolutely nice because obviously we have been very tense in the last weeks,” he said. 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
04 May,2024 08:26 AM IST | London | AFPADVERTISEMENT
