Tottenham out of English League Cup in second round after losing penalty shootout to Fulham

Fulham's Slovakian goalkeeper Marek Rodak saves the penalty shot by Tottenham Hotspur's Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez during the English League Cup match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage stadium, in London, on Tuesday. (AFP)
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Updated 30 August 2023
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Tottenham out of English League Cup in second round after losing penalty shootout to Fulham

  • It’s the first time Tottenham have lost in the second round since an embarrassing defeat to lower-league Grimsby in 2005
  • Five Premier League teams avoided upsets against lower-league opponents elsewhere Tuesday, with Brentford only getting past Newport County by winning a shootout 3-0

LONDON: Without a trophy since 2008, Tottenham have seen one of their two realistic shots at silverware this season disappear already.

Davinson Sanchez was the only player who failed to score in a penalty shootout as Tottenham lost 5-3 to Fulham on spot kicks to get eliminated in the second round after a 1-1 draw in regulation on Tuesday.

Spurs have been knocked out before England’s top teams have even entered the competition. The Premier League clubs competing in Europe this season don’t play in the League Cup until the third round.

It’s the first time Tottenham have lost in the second round since an embarrassing defeat to lower-league Grimsby in 2005.

Micky van de Ven’s own-goal in the 19th minute put Fulham ahead before Brazil striker Richarlison headed in an equalizer in the 56th.

In the shootout, Sanchez — the Colombia center back who was the subject of criticism from some Tottenham fans last season — had his attempt saved by Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak off his team’s third penalty.

Kenny Tete converted the clinching spot kick for Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Tottenham, getting accustomed to life without Harry Kane following his move to Bayern Munich, now just have the Premier League and FA Cup to compete in this season, and the league looks a massive long shot for a team with a new manager in Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou might face some criticism, then, for fielding a weakened lineup against Fulham — Richarlison and Van de Ven were the only two players retained after Saturday’s 2-0 win against Bournemouth — despite the League Cup being one of the few opportunities for a trophy.

Five Premier League teams avoided upsets against lower-league opponents elsewhere Tuesday, with Brentford only getting past Newport County by winning a shootout 3-0. The game finished 1-1, with Newport equalizing in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Crystal Palace came from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at second-tier Plymouth, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring a 22-minute hat trick. Palace scored three goals in a five-minute span from the 58th to take the lead.

Bournemouth recovered from conceding an early goal to beat second-tier Swansea 3-2 away, Luton won 3-2 at home to fourth-tier Gillingham and Wolves routed third-tier Blackpool 5-0.

Wrexham, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, lost 4-3 on penalties to Bradford while Salford City, owned by Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and other members of Manchester United’s Class of ‘92, beat Leeds 9-8 in a shootout to reach the third round for the first time in its 83-year history.

The rest of the second-round games are played on Wednesday, including Chelsea hosting fourth-tier AFC Wimbledon and an all-Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Burnley.


Mbappe double as Real Madrid wave goodbye to Ancelotti, Modric

Updated 9 sec ago
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Mbappe double as Real Madrid wave goodbye to Ancelotti, Modric

  • “It has been an honor and a pleasure to coach this club, this team,” Ancelotti told fans
  • Modric will play at the Club World Cup for Madrid but this was his final game at the Santiago Bernabeu

MADRID: Kylian Mbappe virtually wrapped up the European Golden Shoe award with a brace as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-0 on Saturday, on an emotional home farewell to Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric.

The Italian is leaving to coach the Brazilian national team, drawing a curtain on his second spell at the club where he won a 15 trophies during a total of six years in charge.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to coach this club, this team,” Ancelotti told fans at the end of game. “I want to thank, first of all, my dear president Florentino (Perez). It has been fantastic to coach this group of footballers of extraordinary quality. It has been fantastic to share all these moments with you.”

“I also can’t forget every day I’ve spent here,” he added. “I love you very much.”

Madrid fans displayed banners showing their affection for Ancelotti and Modric and sang both names.

Modric will play at the Club World Cup for Madrid but this was his final game at the Santiago Bernabeu. He was given a guard of honor when he replaced late on.

The Croatian midfielder also returned to the pitch to address fans after the game.

“The moment I never wanted to come has arrived,” he said. “It has been a long journey, but a wonderful one.”

“I have won many trophies, but the biggest one is the love and affection you have given me over all these years. There are no words to thank you for everything you’ve given me over the years. I want to say a phrase that I like a lot: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’.”

He then set out with his family on a lap of honor to end an emotional afternoon for Los Blancos.

It was a profitable one for Mbappe, who scored twice to take the lead in the Golden Shoe standings from Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah could yet claim the prize, if he scores four goals against Crystal Palace on Sunday in the final round of Premier League matches.

Mbappe was denied early on by Unai Marrero and then fired another decent opportunity over.

Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a good save from Sergio Gomez, who should have scored as he ran clean through but his effort was tame.

Pablo Marin handled as Arda Guler tried to flick the ball past him and Madrid were awarded a penalty after a VAR review.

Mbappe’s poor penalty was saved by Marrero but the French superstar turned home the rebound for his 30th league goal.

Ancelotti brought on Vinicius Junior after an injury to Brahim Diaz, who picked up a knock as Madrid looked to sign off a disappointing season, without winning a major trophy, in style ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States.

Madrid wide man Lucas Vazquez, out of contract this summer after spending his whole career at the club, bar one season on loan at Espanyol, was given an ovation as he was substituted.

Mbappe netted his second after Vinicius teed him up to move six goals clear of Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the battle to be La Liga top scorer.

Many at the Bernabeu were in tears when Modric departed late on, embraced by former Madrid midfield partner Toni Kroos on the touchline.

Madrid finish the season second in La Liga, behind champions Barcelona, who also beat them in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals. The champions face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in their last La Liga game.


Aberdeen end 35-year wait for Scottish Cup by upsetting Celtic in shootout

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Aberdeen end 35-year wait for Scottish Cup by upsetting Celtic in shootout

  • Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov starred by saving two penalties in a 4-3 shootout victory
  • The triumph also ensured Jimmy Thelin’s first season as Aberdeen boss

GLASGOW: Aberdeen denied Celtic a treble and secured their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years after an extra-time final at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov starred by saving two penalties in a 4-3 shootout victory after a 1-1 draw.

Mitov saved the first spot kick from Callum McGregor and denied Alistair Johnston while Aberdeen’s players produced a perfect set of penalties.

Celtic goalie Kasper Schmeichel’s 83rd-minute blunder canceled an earlier own goal from Alfie Dorrington. Dorrington’s unfortunate own goal gave Celtic the lead six minutes before the end of a scrappy first half but Schmeichel made a mess of dealing with a cross and gave Aberdeen life in the game.

Celtic hit the woodwork twice but could not find a winner and McGregor was in tears after the shootout prevented Celtic from clinching a sixth treble in nine seasons.

Aberdeen’s fourth Scottish Cup final win over Celtic emulated the 1990 side which beat the Hoops in an epic shootout.

The triumph also ensured Jimmy Thelin’s first season as Aberdeen boss was a major success despite recent disappointments. The Dons matched Celtic in the first 11 games of the league but their form collapsed in spectacular fashion and they ultimately finished fifth after losing their final five matches.

They also conceded 19 goals in five meetings with Celtic and Thelin, who did not have Jamie McGrath or Jeppe Okkers in his squad, lined up with five at the back in a bid to keep things tight.


Watson’s late strike lifts Sunderland into Premier League

Updated 24 May 2025
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Watson’s late strike lifts Sunderland into Premier League

  • Regis Le Bris’ side trailed to Tyrese Campbell’s first-half goal at Wembley
  • Eliezer Mayenda equalized in the closing stages before Watson delivered the priceless last-gasp winner

LONDON: Sunderland clinched promotion to the Premier League after eight years away as Tommy Watson’s stoppage-time strike sealed a 2-1 win against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.

Regis Le Bris’ side trailed to Tyrese Campbell’s first-half goal at Wembley, but Eliezer Mayenda equalized in the closing stages before Watson delivered the priceless last-gasp winner.

It was an astonishing twist to the single richest match in world football as Sunderland recovered from a sluggish start to hit the jackpot with a promotion worth an estimated £200 million ($270 million) in increased revenue.

Watson’s moment ensured Sunderland fans can look forward to renewing hostilities with bitter rivals Newcastle next season.

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 comes after a dark period that included a four-season spell in the third tier.

The Black Cats suffered five successive defeats coming into the play-offs, but they dug deep to reach the top-flight in the most remarkable style.

With a penalty shoot-out just seconds away, Dan Ballard’s last-gasp extra-time header sealed a 3-2 aggregate success in the semifinal second leg against Coventry.

They looked down and out with only 14 minutes left at Wembley before the stunning denouement.

Promotion completed an impressive rise for Le Bris, a 49-year-old Frenchman who arrived at the Stadium of Light last year after suffering relegation from Ligue 1 with Lorient

United are still without a win at Wembley in 100 years and have now endured four Championship final defeats among 10 failed attempts to win promotion via the play-offs.

United had finished in third place in the table, 14 points clear of fourth-placed Sunderland in the regular season, but that gap proved irrelevant.

Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson made a brilliant save in the second minute, diving to his left to claw Kieffer Moore’s header off the line.

Patterson’s stop conjured memories of Jim Montgomery’s incredible save to help Sunderland shock Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup final.

Injured trying to stop Moore’s header, Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien was forced off with a dislocated shoulder that left him writhing in pain.

United deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute.

Ben Hamer showed why he was voted Championship Player of the Year with a perfectly weighted pass to Campbell, who guided a composed finish over Patterson from 12 yards.

It was a poignant moment for the 25-year-old approaching the first anniversary of the death of his father — former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell.

Harrison Burrows thought he had doubled United’s lead nine minutes later, but his strike was disallowed for offside against Vini Souza after a VAR check.

United substitute Andre Brooks barged through on goal after the interval, but Patterson stuck out his foot to make a superb save.

It proved a costly miss, as Mayenda hauled Sunderland level with only their second shot on target in the 76th minute.

Patrick Roberts’ pin-point pass reached Mayenda just inside the area and he punished United’s sloppy marking with a fierce finish into the roof of the net.

O’Nien, his shoulder in a sling, sprinted off the bench to embrace Mayenda, waving his one healthy arm in jubilation.

That celebration was only the precursor to the ecstatic scenes sparked by Watson five minutes into stoppage-time.

Seizing on Moore’s loose pass, Watson drove toward the edge of the United area and curled a low shot into the bottom corner past Michael Cooper’s fatally slow dive.

Watson is due to join Brighton in the close-season and his thrilling winner was the perfect farewell gift, ensuring Sunderland will join the 19-year-old among English football’s elite.


FIFA president cites ‘discussions’ for Ronaldo to play in Club World Cup

Updated 24 May 2025
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FIFA president cites ‘discussions’ for Ronaldo to play in Club World Cup

  • Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr did not qualify for the tournament
  • Infantino suggested that the Portugal star could switch to one of the 32 teams playing in the competition

GENEVA: FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup because of a unique transfer window.

Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr did not qualify for the tournament, but Infantino suggested that the Portugal star could switch to one of the 32 teams playing in the competition in the United States starting next month.

“Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup,” Infantino told online streamer IShowSpeed, whose YouTube channel has more than 39 million subscribers. “There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club are watching and are interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup, who knows. Still a few weeks time, will be fun.”

FIFA confirmed Wednesday that last-minute transfer signings are open to all teams going to tournament, which fueled more speculation that one of them will try to sign the 40-year-old Ronaldo on a short-term deal, potentially a loan.

Such a move would be unprecedented in modern soccer though could appeal to FIFA by boosting the profile and ticket sales of an inaugural tournament being played in 11 US cities.

A transfer for Ronaldo also would reunite him and Lionel Messi in the same competition for the first time since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Last October, FIFA invited Messi’s Inter Miami to enter the tournament in the slot that was expected to be reserved for the host nation’s champion. Inter Miami were eliminated in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Speculative reports have linked Ronaldo to the one Saudi club that qualified, Al Hilal, the Brazilian club Palmeiras and Wydad of Morocco, even though that club are currently banned by FIFA from registering new signings.

Transfers can be made from June 1-10 and again June 27-July 3 according to exceptional rules FIFA approved in October.

“The objective is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation,” FIFA said in Wednesday’s statement.


Liverpool’s Salah named Premier League player of the season, Gravenberch best youngster

Updated 24 May 2025
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Liverpool’s Salah named Premier League player of the season, Gravenberch best youngster

  • Having also earned the award in 2017-18, Salah became only the fifth player to win it twice
  • The 32-year-old Egyptian is on course to win another Golden Boot

LONDON: Mohamed Salah was named the Premier League player of the season on Saturday after a stellar individual campaign as Liverpool cruised to their second Premier League title while his team mate Ryan Gravenberch was named the young player of the season.

Salah scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists to guide the Anfield club to the title, with Arne Slot’s side winning it with four games to spare.

Having also earned the award in 2017-18, Salah became only the fifth player to win it twice after Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic and Kevin De Bruyne.


The 32-year-old Egyptian is on course to win another Golden Boot for most goals in a season and is five strikes ahead of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak going into the final day of the season on Sunday.

No player before has had 46 goal involvements in a 38-game season and Salah could even break the record of 47 held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, who achieved the feat in a 42-game campaign, when Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield.

With six more assists than any other player, Salah can become the first footballer to win the Golden Boot, Golden Playmaker and player of the season awards.

Salah also won the Football Writers’ Association men’s player of the year for the third time earlier this month.

Gravenberch became one of the first names on the team sheet under Slot, who deployed the Dutchman as a deep-lying midfielder, and the 23-year-old has become a crucial part of Liverpool’s spine, making 36 appearances this season.

His versatility to shield Liverpool’s back line has come to the fore this season while his ability to quickly initiate attacks, cutting out passing lanes and winning back possession, has made him indispensable.

No midfielder has made more interceptions this season than Gravenberch (59).

Gravenberch was also nominated for the Player of the Season award along with Virgil Van Dijk — the three Liverpool players who have clocked the most minutes in the team in the Premier League this season.

He is also the second Liverpool player to win the youngsters’ award after Trent Alexander-Arnold won it in 2019-20, the season it was introduced.