Erik ten Hag saluted ketchup bottle Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward ended his goal drought in their victory at Southampton.
Rashford doubled United s lead at St Mary s when he curled a 20-yard effort past Aaron Ramsdale, while Matthijs de Ligt and Alejandro Garnacho were also on target for the visitors.
It was the 26-year-old s 132nd goal for the club, but first since he found the net in the Red Devils FA Cup victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Rashford was the subject of criticism for his performance in United s 3-0 defeat against the Reds prior to the international break.
However, Ten Hag felt that negativity was unjustified and is backing his forward to build momentum, referencing an analogy once utilised by Cristiano Ronaldo. <…
West Ham are interested in signing Conor Gallagher of Chelsea following the big-money sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal, but according to numerous sources, the Blues have rejected their opening offer for the 23-year-old midfielder. The offer is believed to have stood at £40 million, add-ons included, while Chelsea value the player at no less than £50m.
The Hammers interest remains, and the two London clubs are likely to continue negotiating in the coming days.
Gallagher had a very successful loan spell with Crystal Palace in 2021/22, but back at his parent club last season, he wasn t exactly a regular member of the lineup, starting no more than 18 Premier League matches less than half of the campaign. Keen to play on a regular basis, he would likely be willing to leave S…
Liverpool will become only the third Premier League side to go unbeaten for more than a year after Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane inspired Thursday s 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Anfield.
The Reds last suffered defeat on January 3 last year in a 2-1 loss to Manchester City and, on the day before the first anniversary of that reverse, they had little difficulty dispatching the Blades to ensure they pass that marker.
Jurgen Klopp was forced into a pre-match change when Naby Keita suffered a groin injury, though it seemingly had little impact as Liverpool were ahead by the fourth minute thanks to Salah.
The solid performance of Manchester United-owned goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who was also aided by the post in the second half – helped keep the score down, …
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya secured his side a hard-earned point with a sensational double save from a penalty as they drew 0-0 at Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday.
Spaniard Raya dived low to his right to beat away Mateo Retegui s spot-kick in the 51st minute then sprang across his goal to claw away the forward s follow-up header.
That was the most dramatic moment of an otherwise tepid affair in Bergamo, as Mikel Arteta s team produced a gritty away performance against the Europa League holders.
The closest Arsenal came to scoring was a first-half free-kick by Bukayo Saka that was saved well by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, while Gabriel Martinelli blasted over the crossbar to cap a rare Gunners attack after the break.
La Dea, mean…
Xabi Alonso says Real Madrid s ability to grind out results when not at their best has been key to their success this season, as Los Blancos eye a 35th LaLiga title.
Alonso, who now coaches Real Sociedad s B team, made 236 appearances during a five-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, helping Carlo Ancelotti s team lift the Champions League trophy in 2014.
With Ancelotti back at the helm, Madrid hold a 15-point lead over Barcelona at the top of LaLiga, and the Italian looks set to celebrate his first Spanish title triumph after already winning league titles in Italy, England, France, and Germany.
After beating Sevilla 3-2 with a late Karim Benzema goal last time out, Los Blancos have won 17 points from losing positions this season, the most in LaLiga, and Alo…
John Hackworth believes St. Louis City s derby with Sporting Kansas City is key to MLS as they resume their rivalry on Saturday.
The last two meetings between the sides have finished level, with both ending in dramatic fashion.
St. Louis City come into the latest edition having lost just one of their last six outings, though that was their last home match.
They sit 13th in the Eastern Conference, level on points with Sporting above them, and Hackworth is now keen to build on the momentum from their win over San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday.
We talked about trying to finish these last five games with a lot of momentum, showing our fans what we were capable of, Hackworth said.
We knew we had to go on the road in one of these three games and be s…
Best odds: 23/10
Bookmaker:
Benfica will be looking to extend their winning streak to five games across all competitions when they host Atletico Madrid at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Since making a managerial change last month, the Eagles have found their form, while Atletico Madrid continue their journey under long-serving coach Diego Simeone, aiming to maintain their competitive edge in Europe s top competition.
Benfica
After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Moreirense on August 30, Benfica parted ways with Roger Schmidt. Since then, the team has flourished under new coach Bruno Lage, winning all four of their matches across the Primeira Liga and Champions League.
Most recently, Benfica deliver…
Fran Alonso declared himself a Celtic fan for life after leaving his role as the Parkhead club’s women’s team manager.
The Spaniard, who joined the Hoops in January, 2020 from Lewes FC women, will join Houston Dash FC in the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League, as head coach.
Alonso told Celtic’s official website: “I was not born a Celtic supporter but I will definitely die as one and I will support Celtic for the rest of my life.
“The club, the team, the people and the Celtic community has been everything to me during the past four years and has lit up my life. It has been a wonderful adventure.
“The values, the spirit and the ethos of the club has been everything to me and I am so proud to have held the position of Celtic manager.
…
Real Madrid eye Italian job, Man City put winning run on the line – Champions League in Opta numbers
The Champions League s round-of-16 first legs conclude on Wednesday with the competition s most decorated club in action.
Real Madrid, who have been crowned champions of Europe 13 times, face an eye-catching Atalanta side in Italy.
With their LaLiga title hopes boosted by rivals Atletico Madrid s recent blip, Zinedine Zidane s men go into the match on a four-game winning streak.
That pales next to Manchester City s stunning 18-game winning run, with Pep Guardiola s charges facing a trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Using Opta data, we take a closer look at both matches.
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)
Atalanta v Real Madrid: Another Italian job for Los Blancos?
Real Madrid head to Atalanta with fond mem…
Real Sociedad have won their first Copa del Rey since 1987 after Mikel Oyarzabal s second-half penalty secured a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in what was the first ever final between the two great rivals in their current guises.
Played 350 days later than initially scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic, La Cartuja in Seville played host to one of the most significant finals in the competition s history and La Real came out on top in the long-awaited encounter.
In what was the first all-Basque Copa del Rey showpiece since 1927, it was perhaps fitting that someone who has played for both teams was central to the match s major moment of contention, as Inigo Martinez was sent off for the concession of a penalty, only to be hauled back on following a VAR check.
<…