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5 Things We Learned From The EPL This Weekend

Published

6 years ago

May 6, 2019

Manchester City and Liverpool remain locked in a nerve-ending battle for the Premier League title as the season approaches its climax.

However, the fight for Champions League places behind them is effectively settled after the chasing pack dropped more points.

Here’s what we learned this weekend from the English Premier League

Liverpool will fight till the end

Just three days after a demoralizing 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, Jurgen Klopp’s side came through the latest test of their character with a 3-2 win at Newcastle, despite seeing Mohamed Salah carried from the pitch on a stretcher.

The home side twice came from behind before substitute Divock Origi kept Liverpool’s title hopes alive with a late winner, taking them two points above Manchester City – who play Leicester on Monday – and ensuring the title battle will go to the final day of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a major rebuilding task on his hands

Solskjaer won his first eight games in charge after replacing Jose Mourinho, but the wheels have come off since he was handed the job on a permanent basis.

Sunday’s 1-1 draw at relegated Huddersfield means United have failed to win any of their last five matches and cannot qualify for the Champions League next season.

Asked after the game how far behind Manchester City and Liverpool his side are, Solskjaer said: “Many levels at the moment, but that’s the size of the challenge. It’s a great challenge for us and I’m sure we’re going to make it.”

Arsenal have to win the Europa League to salvage season

Arsenal now almost certainly have to win the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton, a result which means they have taken just one point from their last four Premier League games.

Unai Emery’s side are in good shape in the Europa League semi-finals after beating Valencia 3-1 in the first leg and could face London rivals Chelsea in the final.

But to qualify for the Champions League via the Premier League, the Gunners have to beat Burnley next week and hope Tottenham lose at home to Everton, all while making up a goal difference deficit of eight.

Lack of goals costs Cardiff

Cardiff’s relegation was confirmed on Saturday after they lost 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace.

Neil Warnock’s side had numerous decisions go against them on the pitch and were also hit by the death of new striker Emiliano Sala, who was killed when the plane he was aboard crashed in the English channel on January 21.

There is no way of knowing if Sala would have scored the goals required to keep the Bluebirds in the top flight, but there is no doubt that a lack of goals was costly.

Only bottom side Huddersfield scored fewer goals than Cardiff, whose lack of firepower put too much pressure on their defence.

Fulham’s Harvey Elliott becomes the youngest player to score In a Premier League game

Elliott became the Premier League’s youngest ever player when he came on as an 88th-minute substitute in Fulham’s 1-0 defeat at Wolves at the age of 16 years and 30 days.

The previous record was held by another Fulham player, Matthew Briggs, who made his Premier League debut aged 16 years and 68 days against Middlesbrough in May 2007.

Elliott will be sitting his GCSE’s in a few weeks’ time, but Fulham caretaker boss Scott Parker, himself a child prodigy, is predicting a bright future for the teenager.

“He is a special talent, he’s one we are going to look after and nurture and we’re going to try to turn him into a top player,” Parker said.

Related Topics:5 Things We Learned From The EPL This Weekend Things We Learned From The EPL This Weekend

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John McEnroe Says He Can Be The Commissioner Tennis Needs Amid Doping Crisis

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Reporter

John McEnroe says he can be commissioner tennis needs | fab.ng

Recent doping controversies involving top players have not damaged tennis’s reputation, but John McEnroe believes that appointing a single commissioner for the sport would significantly enhance the clarity and transparency surrounding doping cases.

Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner failed two drug tests in March for trace amounts of the anabolic androgenic steroid clostebol, but an independent tribunal cleared him of any wrongdoing by accepting his explanation of unintentional contamination.

Women’s world number two Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban in November after testing positive for the hormone and metabolic modulator trimetazidine, which she attributed to contamination of her sleep medication.

The ITIA, responsible for managing tennis’s anti-doping program, stated that both cases involved “inadvertent breaches of the rules.”

“I don’t think it has done any damage because if you look, it’s way worse in the other sports,”McEnroe, a former world number one turned ESPN broadcaster, told reporters ahead of the Australian Open.

“In my opinion, tennis is cleaner than any other sport. Now that doesn’t mean there are not issues.”

John McEnroe emphasised that the confusion surrounding the timing of information release significantly exacerbates the situation.

The confusion is such as the delayed public disclosure of Sinner’s positive test at the Indian Wells tournament in March until just before the US Open in August.

“That part I really don’t like,”he said.

Rennae Stubbs, a former player, current coach, and ESPN commentator, stated that players undergo frequent testing.

She further emphasised that a commissioner could play a vital role in enhancing transparency when a positive test occurs, particularly when a player’s reputation is at stake.

“We need a commissioner of tennis that actually gets out there and speaks on behalf of players to defend or not defend them,” she said.

“The bottom line is we have no one talking for them.”

McEnroe revealed that he has long advocated for the appointment of a commissioner and expressed his readiness and willingness to assume this role.

“If I wasn’t the commissioner, there still should be a commissioner,” he said.

“It doesn’t look like it’s ever going to happen because people are too busy, these tournaments protect their own interests. They care about themselves, they don’t care enough about the sport.

“So it’s too bad. But nonetheless, if it’s not me, it should be someone else. We’ll see if it happens in the next 10 years.”

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SPORTS

Taiwo Awoniyi’s First Goal Of The Season Seals Nottingham Forest’s Win Over Wolves

Published

8 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Reporter

Taiwo Awoniyi’s Goal Lifts Nottingham Forest Past Wolves | fab.ng

Taiwo Awoniyi made a triumphant return to Premier League action. He scored in stoppage time to help Nottingham Forest crush Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 on Monday evening.

The Super Eagles striker completed his dramatic comeback from injury, finding the net for the first time in the 2024/25 season, precisely 324 days after a devastating setback had forced him to watch from the sidelines.

Forest manager Steve Cooper introduced Awoniyi in the 88th minute, and the Nigerian international seized his opportunity with both hands.

Morgan Gibbs-White orchestrated the decisive moment, threading a precise pass through Wolves’ defensive line.

Awoniyi, demonstrating his predatory instincts, latched onto the ball and dispatched it into the net with clinical precision, sending the City Ground into rapturous celebration.

The emotional weight of the moment overwhelmed Taiwo Awoniyi as he sank to his knees after scoring.

He reached for his shin pads, which carried a deeply personal message – the Bible verse James 1:17.

The passage reads, “Every good and perfect gift is from above,” and pressed them against his face in a poignant display of gratitude and relief.

This victory carried significant implications for Nottingham Forest’s remarkable 2024/25 campaign. The team has now strung together an impressive sequence of six consecutive Premier League victories.

This cemented their position in third place on the table. Forest’s 40-point tally matches Arsenal’s in second position. Meanwhile, Liverpool maintains a six-point advantage at the summit with a game still in hand.

Awoniyi’s goal served as the perfect exclamation point on Forest’s commanding performance, underlining their transformation into genuine title contenders.

The striker’s emotional celebration resonated throughout the stadium. Furthermore, it marks not just a personal milestone in his recovery journey but also symbolises Forest’s remarkable ascent into English football’s top flight.

Don’t miss the inspiring photos of his celebration! Watch the goal video below.

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A post shared by Awoniyi Taiwo (@awoniyi18)

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A post shared by Nottingham Forest (@officialnffc)

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SPORTS

NBA Roundup: Giannis Triple-Double Leads Milwaukee Bucks To Win Over Toronto Raptors

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2025

Reporter

NBA roundup: Giannis triple-double leads Milwaukee Bucks | fab.ng

Giannis Antetokounmpo (30) recorded his fourth triple-double of the season, contributing 11 points, 12 rebounds, and a season-high 13 assists.

Meanwhile, Damian Lillard (34) scored 25 points, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a decisive 128-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.

Antetokounmpo’s exceptional passing, including 10 assists in the first half alone, ignited the Bucks’ offence and propelled them to victory, snapping a two-game losing streak.

The Bucks had recently faced a challenging period, losing four of their last five games, all against teams with losing records.

However, they convincingly overcame the struggling 8-28 Raptors, despite the absence of Khris Middleton due to an ankle injury.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers praised Antetokounmpo’s playmaking abilities, stating, “Giannis’ passing set the whole tone for our team.”

“When your best player does that, it becomes contagious and the ball just moved,” Rivers said.

Bloody good passing from Giannis.

13 AST | 12 REB | 11 PTS pic.twitter.com/6LGIFIIK6h

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 7, 2025

The only downside for the Bucks was a cut Antetokounmpo suffered on his right little finger when he hit the rim on a block attempt late in the first half.

Rivers said it required stitches to stop the bleeding, but Antetokounmpo wanted to stay in a game in which he and Lillard were both able to rest the entire fourth quarter anyway.

Zach LaVine led the Chicago Bulls to a thrilling 114-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Chicago, scoring 35 points while also contributing 10 rebounds and eight assists.

The Bulls staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 19-point deficit in the third quarter.

Coby White played a crucial role in the victory, scoring 23 points. He drove for a go-ahead layup and followed it up with a powerful dunk, giving the Bulls a 113-110 lead with 15.9 seconds remaining. LaVine then sealed the win with a free throw.

The Bulls successfully countered another impressive performance from San Antonio’s star rookie, Victor Wembanyama. He recorded 23 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and an astonishing eight blocked shots.

DRIVE HOME SAFELY. BULLS WIN. pic.twitter.com/KSEoyyzCVs

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 7, 2025

In Detroit, Cade Cunningham orchestrated a remarkable comeback for the Pistons.

They scored 32 points and dished out nine assists as they overcame an early 22-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-115.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ignited the Pistons’ fourth-quarter surge, scoring 11 of his 26 points during the final period. He drained back-to-back three-pointers, giving the Pistons a 109-106 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

The Trail Blazers mounted a late challenge, twice narrowing the deficit to just one point. Anfernee Simons’ three-pointer with 12 seconds left brought the score to 117-115.

However, Malik Beasley sealed the Pistons’ fourth consecutive win by making one of two free throws and securing a crucial steal.

Sealed the dub the Detroit way 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kGkHkHX1o5

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 7, 2025

The Phoenix Suns snapped a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 victory over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia.

Coach Mike Budenholzer’s decision to shake up the starting lineup by moving Bradley Beal to the bench proved successful. Beal ignited the Suns’ offence, scoring 25 points, with 20 of those coming in the second half.

The Suns trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter and entered halftime with a four-point deficit. However, their bench outscored the 76ers’ reserves by a significant margin, 54-7.

Good night, Suns fans! 😁 pic.twitter.com/U1TBskDLYf

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 7, 2025

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 points and 10 assists. And Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds. The 76ers were without Joel Embiid and Kyle Lowry due to injuries.

In New York, the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic upset the struggling Knicks 103-94.

Cole Anthony led the Magic with 24 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. provided a significant spark off the bench, scoring 19 points. The Magic remain without their top four scorers: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Moritz Wagner.

Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 24 points for the Knicks. The Knicks suffered their third consecutive loss after a nine-game winning streak.

In Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. dominated. He scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to a 119-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks, missing key players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, dropped their fifth straight game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves snapped their three-game losing streak with a thrilling 108-106 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Anthony Edwards fuelled the comeback, scoring 37 points for the Timberwolves.

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