Onana at fault twice as Man United draws 2-2 at Lyon, Tottenham held at home, Chelsea stays perfect

Andre Onana celebrates United’s second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Updated 11 April 2025
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Onana at fault twice as Man United draws 2-2 at Lyon, Tottenham held at home, Chelsea stays perfect

Andre Onana, described by Nemanja Matic as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history”, was at fault for both goals as his side drew 2-2 at Lyon in a Europa League quarterfinal first leg on Thursday.
Former United midfielder Matic, now a player with Lyon, made the less than flattering comments about Onana in a pre-game press conference.
Then, in the match itself, United went 1-0 down after 25 minutes when Onana failed to stop a curling free-kick from out wide by Thiago Almada.
Leny Yoro equalized for the visiting team in first-half stoppage time, with a header after goalkeeper Lucas Perri had cleared a Bruno Fernandes free-kick.
Fernandes then sent a precise cross for substitute Joshua Zirkzee to head what seemed to be the winner in the 88th minute.
But Rayan Cherki hit back for Lyon when he pounced on the rebound after Cameroon international Onana had spilled an effort from Georges Mikautadze.
“I think this is the worst moment to concede a goal like that,” Yoro told TNT Sports. “We were winning 2-1. I think away this was a good score, but we go with a draw and we try to win the game at home.”
United remains the only side unbeaten in the competition this season.
Winning the Europa League, as United did in 2017, is rewarded with a spot in the Champions League, something the club is highly unlikely to achieve through its current 13th-place position in the Premier League.
Tottenham, also bidding to rescue a dismal Premier League campaign, hit back to salvage a 1-1 home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tottenham went 1-0 down when Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké scored following a fast counterattack in the sixth minute.
The hosts then drew level with a goal from Pedro Porro in the 26th after he met a cross from James Maddison.
“I can’t ask any more of the lads,” said Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou. “It was disappointing to concede the way we did.”
Ulrik Saltnes struck twice as Bodø/Glimt stunned Lazio 2-0 in tough conditions just inside the Arctic Circle.
Earlier, heavy snowfall in Bodø put the game in doubt between the Norwegian champion and the side that had finished top in the league phase.
In a game played on an artificial pitch, Saltnes scored early in the second half with a low shot after Ole Didrik Blomberg fed him inside the area.
The midfielder then added his second goal by lobbing the ball over Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, with Alessio Romagnoli’s clearance coming after it crossed the line.
Ten-man Rangers and Athletic Bilbao shared a goalless draw in Glasgow, after the home side was reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when defender Robin Pröpper brought down Iñaki Williams and was dismissed.
Alex Berenguer also missed a late penalty for Athletic.
All the second legs are next Thursday.

Chelsea stays perfect in Conference League
Chelsea is still cruising in the Europa Conference League after keeping its perfect record with a 3-0 win at Legia Warsaw.
Following a dull first half, Chelsea struck twice early in the second period and then added another goal.
Tyrique George netted the first in the 49th on a rebound, his first goal for the club, while second-half substitute Noni Madueke scored with a left-foot shot eight minutes later. It could have been three but Christopher Nkunku had his spot kick saved.
Madueke made it 3-0 from close range in the 74th.
In the other quarterfinal, first-leg games, Fiorentina won 2-1 at Celje, Real Betis beat Jagiellonia 2-0 and Rapid Vienna downed Djurgården 1-0.
All the second legs are next Thursday.


Desert Vipers hold nerve to edge Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20 thriller

Updated 56 min 13 sec ago
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Desert Vipers hold nerve to edge Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20 thriller

  • Key contributions from Shimron Hetmyer and Khuzaima Tanveer prove decisive as the Vipers weather tense finish to overhaul target of 171
  • Knight Riders start well, reaching 87 in 10 overs, but momentum shifts in second half of their inning as the Vipers’ spinners struck back

SHARJAH: Desert Vipers made it two wins out of two in the DP World International League T20, as they held their nerve to secure a dramatic two-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Shimron Hetmyer’s counterattacking 48 off 25 balls, and a late-order cameo from Khuzaima Tanveer, who hit 31 off just 12 deliveries, proved decisive as the Vipers weathered a tense finish to overhaul a target of 171.

Sent in to bat, the Knight Riders made a confident start through Phil Salt and Alex Hales, with the latter anchoring the inning to top-score with 53 off 37 balls.

Despite reaching 87 in 10 overs, however, the momentum shifted in the second half of the inning as the Vipers’ spinners began to strike regularly. Qais Ahmad and Noor Ahmad led the middle-overs fightback, dismissing Hales and triggering a collapse as the Knight Riders lost five wickets.

Andre Russell’s unbeaten 36, and useful contributions from Alishan Sharafu and Unmukt Chand, at least helped Abu Dhabi reach a competitive total, but they were unable to fully capitalize on the side’s strong opening.

The Vipers began explosively in reply, smashing a tournament-record 19 runs from the first over. However, early wickets then left them wobbling on 44/3. Sam Curran and Dan Lawrence rebuilt the attack before the latter combined with Hetmyer for a crucial 68-run stand that swung the contest back in the their favor.

Late strikes from Ajay Kumar and Russell, the latter dismissing Hetmyer for his 500th T20 wicket, set up a tense finish, but Tanveer delivered under pressure. Needing eight runs off the final over, he sealed victory with a six and a boundary.

“It was, in many ways, a fortunate escape but an outstanding result for us,” said Curran, the Vipers’ stand-in captain.

“ADKR possess a very powerful batting lineup, and I believe our bowlers performed exceptionally well throughout the innings. The dismissals of Hetmyer and Dan introduced an unexpected twist but the team showed commendable composure in the crucial moments.”

Knight Riders’ stand-in skipper Sunil Narine felt his side had been lacking with the bat: “We were 15-20 runs short. We began well in the powerplay and that phase was crucial for us.

“The conditions eventually worked in their favor and the dew made it challenging for our spinners. But at the end of the day that’s part of the game.”

The result leaves the Vipers well placed at this early stage of the tournament, while the Knight Riders were left to reflect on missed opportunities after such a strong start.