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Showing posts from May 4, 2025

Arsenal’s Champions League adventure ends in Paris

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PSG 2 - 1 Arsenal (PSG won 3-1 on aggregate) Arsenal’s hopes of reaching a first Champions League final since 2006 came to an end in Paris Author - DJ Stadium - Parc des Princes Mikel Arteta’s side arrived needing to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg, but once again ran into the formidable presence of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper, outstanding in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium, delivered another superb performance with a series of saves that kept Arsenal at bay during a frenetic opening spell. Donnarumma was alert to block Gabriel Martinelli's close-range effort, then produced an even more impressive stop to push away a low, driven shot from Martin Ødegaard as the visitors looked to strike early. Against the run of play, PSG took the lead on the night after 27 minutes. Fabian Ruiz collected a loose clearance from Thomas Partey and unleashed a speculative effort from 20 yards that deflected past David Raya and into the net. READ MORE: Rea...

Inter and Barca play out another all time classic

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Inter Milan 4 - 3 Barcelona (Inter won 7-6 on aggregate) Inter Milan staged a remarkable late comeback to beat Barcelona in one of the most thrilling Champions League semi-finals in recent memory. Author - Josh T Stadium - San Siro With just two minutes of stoppage time remaining, Inter were trailing 3-2 on the night and facing elimination. But veteran defender Francesco Acerbi powered a cross into the roof of the net to draw the tie level, tearing off his shirt in celebration as the San Siro erupted. Moments of high drama continued into extra time, where substitute Davide Frattesi curled a superb left-footed shot into the bottom corner to win it for the Italian champions. He climbed a security fence to celebrate with Inter’s fans, who had witnessed an astonishing turnaround. Barcelona had appeared set for their first final in a decade, having come from 2-0 down on the night to lead 3-2, echoing their fightback in the first leg. Teenage forward Lamine Yamal came close to forcing pe...

United have eyes on another prize during Brentford defeat

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Brentford 4 - 3 Manchester United Brentford kept their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Manchester United Author - Olivia T Stadium - Gtech Community Stadium Mason Mount opened the scoring for the visitors, netting only his second goal for the club after latching on to an inviting cross from Alejandro Garnacho. The hosts levelled through a stroke of fortune, as Mikkel Damsgaard’s delivery deflected off Luke Shaw and past goalkeeper Altay Bayındır. Shaw, captaining a much-changed United side, was helpless to prevent the own goal. Brentford then edged in front six minutes later in contentious circumstances. Kevin Schade rose above Tyler Fredricson to nod home his tenth of the season with a towering header. United were incensed that play had not been halted moments earlier, when Matthijs de Ligt appeared to go down injured in the build-up. READ MORE:  Premier League: 2024/2025 season READ MORE: Manchester United news and stories Schade struck a...

Idah denies Rangers in Glasgow Derby

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Rangers 1 - 1 Celtic Celtic came from behind to deny Rangers a third consecutive Old Firm win, as Adam Idah’s second-half equaliser earned the visitors a point and preserved a long-standing unbeaten record at Ibrox. Author - Mark Lee Stadium - Ibrox Nicolas Raskin saw an early header ruled out for offside before Cyriel Dessers struck just before half-time with his 25th goal of the season. But Idah levelled shortly after the interval, silencing the home crowd and compounding Rangers’ frustration. The draw means Rangers have failed to win at Ibrox for the seventh straight fixture. This is an unwelcome run for the temporary Rangers boss as he looks to get the job permanently. A closer look at what happened at Ibrox. For Celtic, the point ensures they maintain their 17-point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership, having already secured the title with games to spare. While the league may be settled, the suggestion this match was a dead rubber never quite rang true. Celtic, br...

Arsenal's inconsistent league performances continue

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Arsenal 1 - 2 Bournemouth Arsenal’s bid to gather momentum ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain was dealt a serious blow Author -  DJ Stadium -  Emirates Stadium Bournemouth staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a famous win at the Emirates and bolster their own European aspirations. A closer look at more lost points for Arsenal Mikel Arteta opted against rotating his starting XI, naming a full-strength side despite the looming trip to Paris on Wednesday, where Arsenal must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit to reach their first Champions League final since 2006. But despite that show of intent, his side were left reeling after a spirited Bournemouth performance turned the afternoon on its head. It had all started according to plan for the hosts, with Declan Rice marking his 100th appearance for the club in style, rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga to give Arsenal a deserved lead midway through the first half. Yet Bournemo...

Bradford promoted with virtually the last kick of the season

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Bradford City 1 - 0 Fleetwood Town Bradford City secured a dramatic late victory over Fleetwood Town to confirm their return to League One after six years in the fourth tier. Author - Sophie T Stadium - University of Bradford Stadium The Bantams, who began the day in third place, appeared set for the play-offs until Antoni Sarcevic diverted a mis-hit George Lapslie shot into the bottom corner deep into stoppage time.  The goal sparked jubilant scenes at the stadium as home supporters poured onto the pitch, causing a lengthy delay. Players were temporarily taken off before returning to complete the final moments of the match. Once the final whistle was blown, celebrations began in earnest. Bradford now join Doncaster and Port Vale as the three automatically promoted clubs from League Two. A closer look at how Braford achieved promotion after a dramatic season The West Yorkshire side were 12th on Christmas Day after a 3-0 defeat at Notts County on 21 December. However, a...

Aston Villa boost Champions Lague hopes

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Aston Villa 1 - 0 Fulham Aston Villa recovered from their FA Cup semi-final defeat as they overcame Fulham in the Premier League to boost hopes of a top-five finish. Author - Peter Grainger  Stadium - Villa Park Unai Emery's side were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Wembley last time out but put that disappointment behind them with a hard-fought victory. After such an exciting run in this season's Champions League, they'll be hoping for another run at the competition next season.  A closer look at what happened After a fairly even and balanced start, Villa took the lead in the 12th minute. Youri Tielemans rose to meet John McGinn’s inswinging corner and powered a header beyond Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Ollie Watkins had a chance to double Villa’s advantage early in the second half but was unable to make telling contact with Matty Cash’s driven ball across the face of goal. Fulham thought they had found a way back when Ryan Sessegnon fired home with a low left-footed...

Wrexham finish another memorable season with a win

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Lincoln City 0 - 2 Wrexham Wrexham ended their League One campaign on a high, rounding off their promotion-winning season with a composed and clinical victory away at Lincoln City. Author - Ajay Stadium - LNER Stadium View from the home fans who helped create a party atmosphere Second-half goals from Elliot Lee and Ryan Longman secured a 27th win of a remarkable season, one that has taken the north Wales club back to the second tier for the first time in 43 years. Phil Parkinson’s side finish on 92 points, a tally that also brought Lincoln’s long unbeaten home run, stretching back to February, to a close. Michael Skubala’s team end the season in 11th place, 15 points clear of the relegation zone and 17 adrift of the play-offs. This has ultimately been a decent campaign for a side that was playing in Non League in recent memory.  While the result was of little consequence to the hosts, it once again underlined Wrexham’s credentials as they prepare for Championship football follo...

Leeds win Championship in final minutes

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Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds United Manor Solomon struck in stoppage time to seal the Championship title for Leeds United, as they edged a dramatic 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season.  Author - Oliver W Stadium - Home Park The result also confirmed Argyle’s relegation to League One. With Burnley defeating Millwall 3-1, Leeds finished top on goal difference, having already secured promotion back to the Premier League last month after a two-year absence. A closer look at the conclusion of an amazing season for Leeds The home side struck first when Mustapha Bundu’s shot rebounded off the post and ricocheted in off Sam Byram, shortly after the lively forward had struck the upright. Leeds, who started the day at the summit, struggled to break down a determined Plymouth defence until early in the second half, when Willy Gnonto converted from close range after Solomon’s low delivery from the byline. Joel Piroe thought he had put Leeds ahead with 17 minutes to pla...

Luton Town relegated again

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West Bromwich Albion 5 - 3 Luton Town Luton Town have suffered a second successive relegation and will return to League One next season following a chastening 5-3 defeat at West Bromwich Albion. Author - James P Stadium - The Hawthorns The Hatters needed victory at The Hawthorns to ensure their Championship survival but were convincingly outplayed, sealing their fall into the third tier just a year after their brief stint in the Premier League came to an end. Tom Fellows and Callum Styles each scored twice for the home side, with Daryl Dike also on the scoresheet in what proved a bruising afternoon for Matt Bloomfield’s team. Luton responded with goals from Millenic Alli, who netted twice, and Jordan Clark, but it was not enough to affect the outcome. How Luton Town suffered more heartbreak Luton’s fate was sealed on goal difference after they finished level on 49 points with Hull City, who drew at Portsmouth. Bloomfield’s side had shown late signs of resilience, stringing together...