Supersub strikes again as Sesko gives Man United win at Everton

Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko celebrates after scoring during the Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Everton in Liverpool, England, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP)
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Updated 24 February 2026
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Supersub strikes again as Sesko gives Man United win at Everton

  • The defeat was a blow to Everton’s hopes of a place in next year’s European competitions and left it languishing in ninth, behind Brentford and Bournemouth

LIVERPOOL, England: Manchester United supersub Benjamin Sesko scored 13 minutes after entering the field to give his side a 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
It was the third time in four games that Sesko has scored after coming off the bench and secured points for United.
“I believe in me and so do the other players as well,” Sesko told Sky Sports. “They know what they are going to get when I arrive in the game. It’s up to me to deliver of course.”
His goal with 19 minutes remaining finished off the slickest move of an otherwise stodgy game.
Bryan Mbeumo controlled Matheus Cunha’s superb long ball and played a perfectly weighted pass to the feet of Sesko, who steered the ball past Jordan Pickford with aplomb.
“It was a great finish,” United interim coach Michael Carrick said. “It was a ruthless finish. I liked the way he put it away with real confidence. It was great play from Cunha and Mbeumo to set it up and we are dangerous on the break.”
Until then defenses had been on top and the lack of attacking fluency was not helped by a heavy pitch that appeared to slow down both teams.
The result took fourth-placed United three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool. United was three behind Aston Villa.
It also extended Carrick’s unbeaten run to six games since he replaced Ruben Amorim on Jan. 13.
The defeat was a blow to Everton’s hopes of a place in next year’s European competitions and left it languishing in ninth, behind Brentford and Bournemouth and eight points adrift of Chelsea and Liverpool.
David Moyes’ men have gone seven games without a win at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“Generally we did very well in lots of bits,” Moyes said. “We got done on the counterattack and they ran away and got the goal that was there. We put in a great effort to get the goal but lacked the quality to make it count.”


’Flag can fly’ as Russia wins first Paralympic medals in 12 years

Updated 07 March 2026
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’Flag can fly’ as Russia wins first Paralympic medals in 12 years

  • IPC has allowed six Russian athletes and four from their allies Belarus to represent their countries
  • Voronchikhina said: “For us it’s been a really long time when we were without a flag

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy: Russia won its first Winter Paralympic medals since 2014 on Saturday as Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev claimed bronze in the women’s and men’s downhill standing events in Cortina.
Despite Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has allowed six Russian athletes and four from their allies Belarus to represent their countries, accompanied by their national flags, rather than competing as neutrals.
The move sparked a backlash with Friday’s opening ceremony being boycotted by seven countries, including Ukraine, and the Russian delegation was booed by some spectators in the Verona Arena during the athletes parade.
Speaking after winning her nation’s first medal since the 2014 Games in Sochi, 23-year-old Voronchikhina said: “For us it’s been a really long time when we were without a flag.
“I’m really glad and all my country and all my teammates also.
“I’m very happy because it’s the first medal for me.”
Russia was banned from the 2018 Games due to a doping scandal, although some athletes were permitted to compete under neutral colors.
Russia and Belarus were then banned from the 2022 Paralympics following the invasion of Ukraine, although they were permitted to compete as neutral athletes in the Paris Summer Paralympics two years later.
Four years ago,
Voronchikhina said that four years ago in Beijing, she was ready to compete before Russia was suspended by the IPC.
“In Beijing we were there,” the Paralympics debutant said. “I had third training in downhill and after we (had to) go back home.
“For me it was really, really sad and I hope in these Games I will be better and it will be.”
Later on Saturday, three-time gold medallist Bugaev picked up the eighth medal of his Paralympic career as he finished third in the men’s downhill standing.
“It was a difficult medal, I would say, even one of the most difficult of my career,” he said. “But I am very happy that I can represent my country again.”
The 28-year-old added: “It’s nice when you’re not deprived of anything, not restricted, not forced to not reveal yourself, like it was in Korea (2018) for example, when they combined the two colors of our flag.
“We’re just happy that we can compete here on equal terms. And even more so to bring home a medal so that the flag can fly.”
Both Voronchikhina and Bugaev received a polite smattering of applause from the crowd at the bottom of the Olympia delle Tofane piste as their medals were placed around their necks during the podium ceremonies.
At least one Russian flag was held aloft in the stands to greet their success.