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☆ Man United beat Bournemouth to close on Champions League
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - May 20, 2023 Manchester United's Casemiro and teammates celebrate after the match... Read moreBOURNEMOUTH, England, May 20 (Reuters) - Midfielder Casemiro scored a brilliant acrobatic volley to give Manchester United a 1-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday that took them closer to Champions League football next season. Fifth-placed Liverpool, who are on 66 points after a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, face relegated Southampton on the final day. It is not easy scoring goals," United manager Erik ten Hag told the BBC. As Manchester United's game was ending, Liverpool were a goal down to Aston Villa and a defeat there would have guaranteed United's qualification for the Champions League. But even though Roberto Firmino equalised for Liverpool, Ten Hag said he was not interested in that result.

☆ Late MacAllister penalty gives Brighton 1-0 win over Manchester United
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 4, 2023 Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister scores their first goal from the penalty spot Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsBRIGHTON, England, May 4 (Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis MacAllister fired the winner from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 win for his side over Manchester United in a pulsating Premier League clash on Thursday. The victory was some measure of revenge for Brighton, who lost to Manchester United on penalties in their FA Cup semi-final 11 days ago. Brighton continued to press forward looking for a winner, with substitute Solly March and MacAllister both forcing superb saves from De Gea as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes. "Really happy and delighted for the performance and result," Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi told Sky Sports. "There is a God of football - we deserved to win the (FA Cup) semi-final but lost on penalties, but today we won with a penalty."

☆ Turner's late goal earns Man United WSL win over Villa
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

United stay top on 47 points after 19 games of the 22-game season, six ahead of second-placed Manchester City and seven ahead of Chelsea, but the Blues have three games in hand over the leaders. It was a tough defeat for Villa, for whom striker Rachel Daly opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a brilliantly-timed looping header from a corner, but Leah Galton's first-time finish brought United back level six minutes later. The 31-year-old Daly put her side in front again eight minutes before the break, netting her 17th goal of the season to draw level with WSL top scorer Khadija Shaw of Manchester City. She almost completed her hat-trick on the hour mark but her left-foot shot clipped the crossbar, and instead United drew level as Nikita Parris headed home Hannah Blundell's cross. Reporting by Philip O'Connor Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Matip header keeps Liverpool in European hunt after 2-1 win over West Ham
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - A bullet header from Joel Matip gave Liverpool a 2-1 Premier League win over West Ham United that moved them above Tottenham Hotspur and back into the European places after a frenetic end-to-end game at the London Stadium on Wednesday. After having a shot blocked a minute earlier, Matip got the winner in the 67th minute when he powered home a close-range header from Andy Robertson's corner. "When a player lunges in the box, it's different from a slip, it's different from trying to break your fall. When you lunge in the box, your arms out, it was a penalty kick," he told BT Sport. The loss brought an end to a run that saw West Ham take seven points from three games and dropped them one spot to 14th, five points ahead of Leicester City in 18th place.

☆ Aston Villa go fifth in Premier League with 1-0 win over Fulham
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BIRMINGHAM, England, April 25 (Reuters) - Defender Tyrone Mings scored a brilliant header from a set piece as Aston Villa beat Fulham 1-0 at Villa Park on Tuesday to lift them to fifth in the Premier League table, a step closer to ensuring European football next season. Villa are on 54 points after 33 games, one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and five behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Fulham, whose European dreams were derailed by a run of four defeats in March and April, are ninth on 45 points. Fulham suffered a blow when midfielder Willian was injured in the warm-up and was unable to play, with Manor Solomon taking his place. Fulham found their feet in the second half but once again their attack failed to fire and, despite enjoying more possession, they did little to threaten Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal.

☆ Man City go second in WSL after 6-2 thumping of West Ham
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, April 23 (Reuters) - Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly scored two goals in a minute and Khadija Shaw netted her 17th of the season as they beat West Ham United 6-2 to move above Chelsea and into second spot in the FA Women's Super League on Sunday. City made the most of Chelsea and Arsenal both playing in the Champions League semi-finals this weekend to move up to 41 points, three behind leaders Manchester United and one ahead of the Blues. With 17 of their 22 league games played, Arsenal are fourth on 38 points with a game in hand over the two Manchester clubs, while Chelsea have two games in hand over the top two. Kelly set the tone with two quick goals before WSL top scorer Shaw netted in the second half and defender Steph Houghton scored on her birthday as the Hammers were outclassed in the rain in Manchester. Reporting by Philip O'Connor Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Manchester United beat Brighton to reach Women's FA Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANCHESTER, England, April 15 (Reuters) - Manchester United bounced back from conceding a first-half own goal to snatch a thrilling 3-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and book their spot in the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley, where they will face Chelsea or Aston Villa next month. The victory marks the first time United's women's team have made the final of a major tournament, but the Women's Super League (WSL) leaders had to recover from keeper Mary Earps steering the ball into her own net to give Brighton the lead in the 36th minute. Leah Galton put the Red Devils level two minutes after the break and Alessia Russo put them ahead in the 71st minute, but Danielle Carter equalised for Brighton, who are bottom of the WSL, four minutes later to set up a grandstand finish. With Brighton pouring forward, Rachel Williams netted the decisive goal on the break for the home side in the 89th minute, latching on to Katie Zelem's pass and firing home to send United into the final, which will take place on May 14. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ McCabe strikes to earn Arsenal 2-1 WSL win over Man City
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, April 2 (Reuters) - Katie McCabe scored the winner with a powerful strike as Arsenal came from a goal down at home to beat Manchester City 2-1 and keep their Women's Super League title hopes alive after an enthralling game on Sunday. The Gunners climbed into second place on 38 points after 16 games, above City on goal difference and three points behind leaders Manchester United, who beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 on Saturday. Khadija Shaw gave City the lead in the fifth minute, finishing off a flowing passing move by flashing a superb header from Chloe Kelly's cross into the net. Fourth-placed Chelsea, who have two games in hand over United and one over Arsenal, can move into second spot with a win over Aston Villa later on Sunday. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Troubled Jones set to make new bid for UFC greatness
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I'm ready to dominate, but if I don't dominate and the fight goes five rounds, I'm ready to press forward, I'm ready for a dog fight,” Jones told a media conference ahead of his return at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. "I'm ready to bleed and sweat and leave my heart out there. I'm ready for however it goes. Australia's featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski was unsuccessful in his recent bid to add the lightweight crown, but Jones is looking beyond him and all others. "He (Volkanovski) is refreshing, he speaks well, his country loves him, he represents the sport well," Jones said when the comparison was put to him.

☆ Van Dijk, Salah steer Liverpool to 2-0 win over Wolves
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LIVERPOOL, England, March 1 (Reuters) - Virgil van Dijk and forward Mohamed Salah scored second-half goals as Liverpool battled to a 2-0 Premier League home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday to boost their hopes of European football next season. Liverpool climbed into sixth spot in the table on 39 points, ahead of Fulham on goal difference and with a game in hand, but the home side were forced to work hard on a rainy night at Anfield. Van Dijk finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, forcing a save with his initial header from a set-piece, before Jota put the rebound back across the goal for the Dutchman to head home from close range. Four minutes later Salah used his right thigh to steer home a cross from Kostas Tsimikas to double his side's advantage and take the wind out of the visitors' sails as Liverpool made it three wins in their last four Premier League games. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Editing by Toby Davis and Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Tommy Fury defeats Jake Paul in Saudi showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Tonight I made my own legacy, I made my own legacy," Fury said, finally stepping out of the shadow of his illustrious boxing family. "All the way through these two and a half years, I had a dream, a vision, and no-one believed me. A short left hand downed Fury in the eighth and final round to shift the momentum in Paul's favour to set up a grandstand finish in which both men chased a knockout punch that never materialised. "All respect to Tommy, he won, don't judge me by my wins, judge me by my losses. I'll come back, I thought I deserve that rematch, it was a great fight, a close fight," Paul said in the ring as his boxing record slipped to six wins and one loss.

☆ Paul, Fury hit their marks ahead of Saudi celebrity boxing showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RIYADH, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Jake Paul and Tommy Fury made weight on Saturday ahead of their showdown in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, when both men will put their unbeaten records on the line in a long-awaited contest more about celebrity bragging rights than punching prowess. "Tomorrow night his time is up, Jake Paul will no longer be boxing. I'm going to put Jake Paul away inside four rounds," a riled-up Tommy Fury said from the stage. The 23-year-old Fury may have a more traditional boxing background behind his record, but he is more famous for his celebrity sibling and his career in British reality TV than his pugilistic skills. "Like the posters say, the talk is over, we've done all the 'yeah, yeah, yeah', all the hoopla.

☆ Red-hot Rashford nets double as Man United see off Leicester
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford's superb run of form continued as he netted a goal in each half of his side's 3-0 Premier League win over Leicester City on Sunday to extend his scoring streak to five games. Leicester rang the changes in an effort to get back into the game but United continued to have the better chances, with Sancho and Wout Weghorst spurning good opportunities to add a fourth. United moved on to 49 points, three behind second-placed Manchester City after 24 games and five adrift of leaders Arsenal, who have played a game less. Fourth-placed Newcastle United trail Manchester United by eight points. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rashford fires Man Utd to 2-1 win over Palace, Casemiro sees red
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Marcus Rashford won a first-half penalty before scoring himself in the second half as Manchester United survived a straight red card for Casemiro to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday. Manchester United climbed to third in the standings on 42 points, eight behind leaders Arsenal and three behind second-placed Manchester City, while Palace are 12th on 24 points. "The last 20 minutes we showed we can battle, we can fight. It's a big team spirit, they stand (up) for each other and we are happy with that," he added. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Premier League talking points
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Jan 15 (Reuters) - Talking points from the latest round of Premier League games:RAMSDALE PROVES HIS WORTH TO KEEP GUNNERS ON TRACKGoalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has had his critics at Arsenal but the 24-year-old proved his worth in the league leaders' 2-0 victory at rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, making a string of fine saves to keep Spurs at bay. "We showed the other face when we had to dig in, we needed some big moments from Aaron," coach Mikel Arteta said. Manchester United's dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over rivals Manchester City on Saturday was not without its fair share of controversy. Rashford was deemed not to have interfered and the goal stood, before the in-form England forward went on to score the winner. "I understand he (Rashford) doesn't touch the ball but he's running for 30 metres until the last second.

☆ Klopp slams 'worst ever' Liverpool performance after Brighton defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRIGHTON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp blasted his side's effort in a humiliating 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion that he called the worst ever in his reign. We were not good today, I can't remember a good phase or period," an irate Klopp said. Despite losing 3-1 to Brentford in their last Premier League game on Jan 2, Klopp said that he had been confident coming in to Saturday's game that his side could get a much-needed win. "There was no sign for this performance before the game, but that's probably how it is sometimes. Liverpool are eighth in the table on 28 points, seven behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, who currently occupy the last Champions League place.

☆ March double helps Brighton to 3-0 win over sorry Liverpool
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRIGHTON, England, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion winger Solly March netted twice early in the second half and set up another goal in a 3-0 home win over a sluggish Liverpool on Saturday that lifts them above the Reds to seventh in the Premier League standings. The victory was Brighton's first over Liverpool in the top flight and they deserved to take all three points once March helped them convert their dominance in possession into goals. Undeterred, March gave his side the lead in the 47th minute as teenaged striker Evan Ferguson pressured the Liverpool defence into a mistake and Brighton won the ball high up the pitch. The win means Brighton have 30 points from 18 games, two ahead of Liverpool who have struggled with form and injuries, with Reds boss Juergen Klopp blaming a lack of organisation for the result. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Christian Radnedge and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Stronger league could be Qatar World Cup legacy, says Spanish coach
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The level of Qatar that we have seen in the World Cup is not the real level. "(Cristiano) Ronaldo had to work, work, work to make it. You need to develop these players, these Qataris in the right way, but we will see what happens after the World Cup," he said. With that in mind, the Qatar Stars League will start again on Thursday, four days after the World Cup final, with Lerin's Al Shamal in action against Al Wakrah on Friday. "I think it will be difficult for them to play in another World Cup, really difficult, but at the same time now the rules of the World Cup are changing and there are more teams," Lerin explained.

☆ World Cup memorabilia proves a big draw for football fans in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We moved back to Qatar but the love for collecting sports memorabilia stayed with me ever since," Esmael told Reuters, explaining the genesis of the collection. A former player for Qatar's national youth teams, Esmael saw the tournament as a perfect opportunity to share their collections with the world. "Me and my brother Khalid, who is also an avid World Cup memorabilia collector, organised a football collectibles exhibition at the Katara cultural village on the sidelines of the World Cup in Qatar." "I now have 150 match worn shirts and I focus mainly on World Cup shirts and European Championship shirts," Esmael says, adding that his favourite shirt is one from the former Yugoslavia that was worn by striker Davor Suker. Esmael says that the most valuable item they have is a 1978 World Cup winner's medal and that he sources most of his shirts through a company in the United Kingdom.

☆ Analysis: Argentina fans begin to believe as Messi wills them into World Cup semis
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The mercurial 35-year-old did all he could in the 90 minutes to set up a semi-final against Croatia, who beat Brazil on penalties earlier on Friday, but a late collective collapse almost saw him make an embarrassing World Cup exit. Having earlier watched Neymar tearfully exit the Qatar World Cup without taking a penalty for Brazil, Messi took no chances in the shoot-out and stepped up first, setting the tone for what was to come. COMPELLING PLAYERWith Neymar out and Ronaldo benched by Portugal, only France's Kylian Mbappe can rival Messi as the tournament's most compelling player. There was joy, but the overriding emotion etched on Messi's face as his team celebrated with the fans was relief. Croatia await - get past them and maybe the fans that haven't always loved him will put him up there with Diego Maradona, but nothing less than victory in the World Cup final will suffice.

☆ Argentina lead Netherlands 1-0 at halftime in World Cup quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Quarter Final - Netherlands v Argentina - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 9, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul celebrate after Nahuel Molina scores their first goal REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachLUSAIL, Qatar, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi set up Nahuel Molina for the opening goal in the 35th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead over the Netherlands at halftime in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday. With the Argentinian fans far outnumbering their Dutch counterparts, the stadium was bouncing from the start, and Messi thrilled his compatriots with some of his trademark penetrating dribbles. The 35-year-old's rush at the heart of the Dutch defence paid dividends 10 minutes before the break as he slipped a sublime ball through for Molina to clip home from close range. The winner of Friday's clash will meet Croatia, who beat Brazil on penalties, in the semi-finals next Tuesday. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Messi or Ronaldo? Football's hottest debate rages on in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I think he's more versatile than Messi, who has a wonderful left foot, but Ronaldo is the better footballer and athlete," England fan David Barley told Reuters. Both are playing at their fifth World Cup but neither has yet won the trophy. It's probably Messi, but overall I prefer Ronaldo - I'm a Portugal fan, Sporting is my team, so Ronaldo," American fan Melo Barrows said. "Messi, Messi, absolutely Messi," he said. He's a good player, he scores also, he assists -- what a player, he's the best player of all time."

I think alcohol contributes a bit more to hostility, rather than things like catcalling, wolf whistling and sexual harassment," she explained. Alcohol is available in some bars and hotels in Qatar, but there is a conspicuous lack of the kind of consumption usually seen at the world's biggest football tournament. "It's quite a good atmosphere still, even though there's no drink and everyone's being sensible," England fan Emma Smith said. Has the 33-year-old from Sheffield felt safe in Qatar? "Yeah definitely, definitely -- because there's no alcohol involved, it feels really safe," she said.

Dec 6 (Reuters) - The protester who ran onto the field during the World Cup game between Portugal and Uruguay holding a rainbow flag has told Reuters that FIFA president Gianni Infantino intervened to ensure he was set free by Qatari authorities. "Gianni Infantino is intelligent - Falco is free, no problem in Qatar," he explained in a Zoom interview from his home in Italy. "The police from Qatar are very like gentlemen, very friendly, asked me if I wanted water, coffee, a croissant. Ferri said he was in custody for around half an hour when the FIFA president suddenly appeared. "I'm forever trying to fight for a new world, I want no war in the world.

☆ Disappointed Danes won't take success for granted after early Qatar exit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said his side would not take their recent successes for granted following their abrupt exit from the World Cup in Qatar. Denmark came into the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and had enjoyed two wins over France in the recent Nations League campaign. However, things fell apart in Qatar. They had to be activists, (but) there has been a feeling of 'what do we have to do to do the right thing? "I think the debate around Qatar has been extremely difficult, and I think it is extremely difficult.

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