In what was a nervy affair from the De Grolsch Veste on Sunday afternoon, Twente punched their Europa Conference League ticket as they clinched a 2-1 aggregate victory against Sparta Rotterdam.
Returning to Enschede after snatching a stunning last-gasp equaliser in Rotterdam earlier in the week, it was eventually Joshua Brenet who completed Ron Jans’ European charge as the 29-year-old produced a second-half winner.
Dominating large spells here and a more than worthy winner over both legs, Twente certainly signed off what has been another eye-catching Eredivisie campaign on Sunday afternoon.
While Sparta might have arrived at the De Grolsch Veste desperate to spring what would have been a real upset, De Kasteelheren will be disappointed by a pair of flat perfor…
Emmanuel Adebayor has claimed that racist abuse from supporters of his former club motivated his infamous celebration for Manchester City against Arsenal.
The Togo international left Emirates Stadium after the 2008-09 season and inspired a 4-2 win for City against Arsene Wenger s side in the early weeks of the following campaign, scoring the third goal before running the full length of the pitch and sliding in front of the Gunners fans with his arms outstretched.
He was later fined £25,000 and given a suspended two-match ban for his actions but has now claimed that chants from the Gunners supporters concerning his parents background led him to celebrate as he did.
I remember getting to the stadium and Arsenal fans were there, he told Sportsmail.
Al…
Bruno Guimaraes, one of Newcastle s most-influential players under Eddie Howe, signed a new contract with the Magpies only three months ago, with a reported £100 million release clause set therein. However, according to , the club would be willing to consider offers for less than that at the end of the season, but only if they come from Real Madrid or Barcelona.
On the other hand, the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, who are all believed to be interested in the 26-year-old Brazilian playmaker, would have to meet the clause in full.
The report claims Guimaraes is keen to play for Barcelona, but the first and foremost of his desires is to play in the Champions League next season, which for Newcastle doesn t look very likely at this point.
Sinc…
Luciano Spalletti is confident Federico Chiesa can fit into his new-look Italy side after they continued their impressive run in the Nations League.
The Azzurri are currently at the top of the standings in Group A2, having followed up their impressive 3-1 win over France last week with a 2-1 victory over Israel.
Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean netted the goals for Italy on Monday, though they were set up for a nervy finish after Mohamed Abu Fani s late strike.
And they managed to do it without a key player in Chiesa, who was not involved in the squad this international break due to his recent move to Liverpool, but Spalletti is adamant he can find a place for the midfielder in his set-up.
I imagine he can play as a support striker, but with more freedom t…
Xisco Munoz apologised to Sheffield Wednesday’s supporters and said he would give it “until my last second” after a 1-0 defeat at West Brom left the Sky Bet Championship’s bottom team with the worst start in their history.
John Swift’s 13th-minute goal left the Owls with an eighth loss from the first 10 games of the Sky Bet Championship season, and they are already seven points adrift of the safety line.
Manager Munoz, 43, who led Watford to the Premier League in 2020-21, has taken just two points all season and none have come outside Yorkshire. Wednesday are also without a goal in 312 minutes of football.
“I understand the fans and I can only say sorry because it’s tough for everybody,” said the Spaniard.
“But as a manager, I can say we…
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…