Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen: Gers secure invincible status
Rangers ended their triumphant Scottish Premiership season undefeated thanks to a thumping 4-0 win over Aberdeen.
A Joe Lewis own goal put Steven Gerrard’s champions ahead at Ibrox, with a Kemar Roofe double and an effort from veteran striker Jermain Defoe completing a dominant victory that took the Glasgow giants up to 102 points.
Gerrard’s side emphatically halted Celtic’s bid for 10 consecutive top-flight crowns and, in going an entire campaign unbeaten, they matched the exploits of Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys in 2016-17.
Rangers’ 55th Scottish title overall has proved to be a record-setting affair, with a miserly 13 goals conceded – one fewer that the previous best by Celtic back in 1913-14.
Despite Aberdeen’s spirited efforts after half-time, Allan McGregor was able to keep a clean sheet – the Gers’ 26th shutout this term to match Celtic’s 107-year-old record.
Victory also meant a perfect return of 19 wins from 19 at Ibrox in 2020-21. That matched the feat achieved by Martin O’Neill’s Celtic, who eventually chalked up 26 in succession at Parkhead between 2002 and 2004.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had the smell of champagne. It’s been so long I’m actually enjoying it,” a sodden Gerrard told Sky Sports during the post-match celebrations.
“I’m so proud of the boys and all the staff around it, but the main thing is the supporters. I was asked to come here at a difficult time, it had been even more difficult before that.
“I have to pay my respects to the people who got it to the point where I took over. After that it was about having a vision, getting the right people in the right places, the right support from the board and fighting for it.
“We’ve fought every day for the last three years to get to this point.”
Celtic concluded an utterly wretched season, that brought about the sacking of manager Neil Lennon, with a 0-0 draw at Hibernian to finish 25 points shy of their bitter rivals.
Freiburg 2-2 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski matches Muller record
Robert Lewandowski equalled Gerd Muller’s record of 40 Bundesliga goals in a single season as Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 draw by a determined Freiburg on Saturday.
With a ninth-straight league title already sewn up, the focus for Bayern was all about Lewandowski’s pursuit of a notable milestone that was set back in the 1971-72 season.
Lewandowski had closed in on the magical number with a hat-trick against Borussia Monchengladbach last time out, helping Hansi Flick’s side celebrate being crowned champions in style with a 6-0 win at the Allianz Arena.
The Poland international matched the legendary Muller’s haul thanks to a first-half penalty awarded following the involvement of the video assistant referee.
On-field official Florian Badstubner deemed Lukas Kubler had pulled down Thomas Muller at a corner after receiving a recommendation to review the incident, allowing Bayern’s number nine to reach 40 from the spot.
The scorer received a guard of honour from Bayern team-mates and staff next to the visiting dugout in the immediate aftermath, though he failed to take two glorious chances late in proceedings that would have seen him move clear in the history books.
Less than three minutes after conceding the opener, Freiburg capitalised on a set-piece situation to draw level. Vincenzo Grifo’s corner into the near post was met by Manuel Gulde, who beat Niklas Sule to the ball and flicked a header beyond Alexander Nubel – handed a first league start as Manuel Neuer watched on from the bench.
While Serge Gnabry had a tap-in finish ruled out for offside early in the second half, Bayern went back in front in the 53rd minute when Muller’s volley across the face of the box was finished off by a sliding Leroy Sane.
However – after Mark Flekken had denied Lewandowski, who also scuffed another opportunity at to the goalkeeper – Freiburg captain Christian Gunter fired in a deserved equaliser to earn his side a point.
What does it mean? Record chase goes down to the wire
Lewandowski has one more game to add to his tally, Bayern rounding out their campaign – and also Flick’s tenure as head coach – at home to Augsburg. His 40 goals so far have included eight penalties, five headers and four converted with his left foot.
In the long term, his target will be to chase down Muller and become the competition’s all-time leading scorer. Lewandowski – who turns 33 in August – is still some way shy of the club icon’s total of 365, though there is little sign of him losing his hunger for goals.
Lewy fluffs his lines
Had he shown just a little more composure, Lewandowski would already be out on his own. His inability to finish from ridiculously close range, stabbing an attempt with his left foot to the appreciative Flekken from almost next to the line, left him in a brief state of shock. Soon after, Freiburg did find the net at the other end to make it 2-2.
Mixed outing for Nubel
Bayern’s back-up keeper had the odd shaky moment – he was fortunate that an offside call negated him potentially handling outside his area – but did make two pivotal saves after the interval, the second of which was similar to what you might expect from Neuer, snaking out a left foot to superbly deny Janik Haberer.
What’s next?
Bayern conclude their season in Munich against Augsburg next Saturday. As for Freiburg, they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt in the final round of Bundesliga fixtures.
Tielemans Leicester’s latest hero to a symphony of Wembley delight
By Dom FarrellStats Perform15/05/202119:14Youri Tielemans fired Leicester to FA Cup glory
The most notable element of a disjointed goalless first half in Saturday’s FA Cup final was the organic soundtrack.
At the Leicester end of the 21,000-strong crowd, there was a throaty collective roar when Kasper Schmeichel completed a routine catch from a right-wing corner. Referee Michael Oliver had plenty of unflattering appraisals of his work and a wildly off-target drive from Chelsea forward Timo Werner drew hearty guffaws.
There aren’t really buttons on a fake crowd noise soundboard for any of that stuff.
The most significant crowd any of these footballers had played in front of for 14 months also seemed to have an impact on some adrenaline levels and resulting performances.
Leicester great Gary Lineker, so poignantly emotional after his boyhood club closed out an unforgettable 1-0 win, has enjoyed an enduring post-career link up with Walkers.
The Foxes’ current main goal threat, Kelechi Iheanacho, played like a punter who’d collected 10 crisp packets and won the chance to try playing at Wembley.
Iheanacho entered the game as the joint top scorer in this season’s FA Cup and with 13 goals in his past 12 outings across all competitions. It counted for nothing, the Nigeria international’s touch as heavy as his legs, while muddled decision making did nothing to lengthen the short leash Antonio Rudiger kept him on.
Werner draws another blank
Werner would give plenty for some of Iheanacho’s prolific form, the type he enjoyed only last season at RB Leipzig. Here, we again witnessed the Chelsea version – tireless probing running to push the opposition defence deep and prescribe Jonny Evans a swift return to the treatment table.
But Werner snatched at his shots, inadvertently touched a goalscoring chance away from captain Cesar Azpilicueta and then saw Wesley Fofana hurl himself into back-to-back blocks. When the ball broke clear, Werner threw himself at Luke Thomas with the same gusto but none of the expertise to be booked.
The occasion was encouraging commitment, anxiety and a dearth of quality, with the notable exception of Mason Mount.
Chelsea’s playmaker pirouetting under a high ball to stun a volleyed pass into Azpilicueta’s path was easily the most beautiful piece of play before the interval. His shot from the return ball was deflected wide by Fofana, who seemed to take any attempt to test Schmeichel as a personal affront.
Azpilicueta found himself forward so often because he featured at wing-back, with the more naturally attacking Reece James on the right of Chelsea’s back three.
The Blues began their run to the final with a victory over Morecambe and, to paraphrase the Lancashire town’s favourite son, it felt like Thomas Tuchel had selected all the correct right-sided defenders but not necessarily in the right order.
In reality, however, the move came to look inspired, at least defensively as James effectively shackled Jamie Vardy’s livewire running.
Youri’s glory
The opening stages of the second half, Leicester finally managed to peg their opponents back. James still dealt with everything in immaculate fashion until, well, he didn’t.
The 21-year-old botched a routine pass, hitting it at Ayoze Perez. Thomas snaffled the loose ball and Youri Tielemans straightened his run towards the Chelsea box.
Like Evans earlier, Thiago Silva’s combination of old head and old legs persuaded him to let his opponent advance towards goal. Unlike Werner, though, Tielemans is a supreme technician at the top of his game.
The Belgium midfielder unleashed an unerring 25-yard firecracker into the top corner. Some thunder to go with the Wembley rain. Behind the goal, bedlam. Limbs. A cup final goal for the ages.
Tuchel decided to act and a pair of double substitutions followed, including former Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell’s introduction. His every touch was booed, until he got his head to a cross from N’Golo Kante – the Foxes’ 2015-16 title-winning hero, who endured no barracking.
That moment was one for a sharp intake of breath but Schmeichel plunged to his right for a stunning save. His later stop from Mount was even better.
Captain Morgan’s VAR cocktail
The dying minutes meant time for another of Claudio Ranieri’s old stagers as Wes Morgan came on for his first action since December, immediately barking instructions. The band, or what remains of it, were back together.
When he hoisted the Premier League trophy aloft five years ago, Morgan or none of the rest of us lived in the altered reality of VAR. But it saved him here after Chilwell tore off in villainous celebration, his attempt having cannoned in off his old captain after Caglar Soyuncu had tried to hack it clear. The replays showed a tight but obvious offside.
Morgan, Schmeichel and Vardy have a first FA Cup to go with their club’s first league title. They are sporting immortals of the east midlands.
The Leicester faithful also have a new trophy-winning hero in Tielemans after his majestic man-of-the-match showing. Following Eden Hazard in 2018 and Kevin De Bruyne in 2019, another Belgium playmaker scored in an FA Cup final victory. A niche and far more palatable new normal.
And that was the best thing about the rash tackles, the blocks, the screamer, the bedlam, the shredded nerves, the drama, the villains and the heroes. The wonderful atmosphere in which it unfolded was all so instantly and beautifully normal.
Leicester’s FA Cup triumph ‘what dreams are made of’ for Schmeichel
By Ben SprattStats Perform15/05/202119:33Kasper Schmeichel and Top Srivaddhanaprabha with the FA Cup
Kasper Schmeichel lauded Leicester City’s “undescribable” FA Cup final triumph as a 1-0 win over Chelsea gave them the trophy for the first time.
Youri Tielemans hit the only goal in the rain at Wembley on Saturday, allowing the Foxes to celebrate with their returning fans under the arch.
That was Leicester’s only shot on target, though, and the rest of the drama was reserved for the opposite end of the pitch in the closing stages.
A Wes Morgan own goal was ruled out by the VAR as Ben Chilwell strayed offside, but Schmeichel had twice brilliantly denied Chelsea before that incident.
The Leicester goalkeeper made only three saves yet crucially lunged after a downward Chilwell header and then denied Mason Mount.
Schmeichel became the first keeper since Arsenal’s David Seaman in 2003 to captain a side to an FA Cup win, Leicester’s first at the fifth time of asking.
“Amazing, undescribable,” he told BBC Sport of the victory. “It’s what dreams are made of. I’ve dreamt of this since I was a child.
“We’ve talked about wanting to win trophies, and the performance today… the determination. I’m so, so proud of everybody.
“Everybody’s contributed. To get to the final, everybody’s played, everybody’s been sensational, all the team behind the team, the medical staff, everybody, all amazing.
“That’s why when you work together, you do things properly, you have an eternal belief, that’s what you can achieve.”
Schmeichel dedicated the win to late Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash following a match in 2018.
“It’s exactly that. None of you will be able to see – on the inside of our shirts, we have a picture of him, so he’s always with us, Khun Vichai,” he said.
“And obviously, for Top [Vichai’s son Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha], this is what we dreamt of, this is what we talked about for so many years.
“Today, for the fans, look at it, it’s amazing.”
This was Leicester’s first FA Cup win over Chelsea in 10 attempts, but they must now quickly rally and defeat the same opposition again in the Premier League on Tuesday.
A win in that match would secure Leicester’s place in the Champions League for next season, potentially at Chelsea’s expense.
“Today is a great day and we’ll enjoy it thoroughly, but we play them again on Tuesday in a massive game again,” Schmeichel added.
“Today we enjoy it, tomorrow we have to dust ourselves down and can’t really think about it again. They’re a top class side, they’re going to want revenge.”
Schmeichel was part of the Foxes team that remarkably won the Premier League in 2015-16, but fellow final hero Tielemans, who created two chances and supplied two tackles as well as scoring, was a subsequent signing.
The Belgium international said: “I think the start was when they won the league. That was when something special started.
“We are just building that up. Hopefully we can continue. We have a very important game on Tuesday. If we win, we are hopefully in the Champions League.
“We just have to go again. Now we will enjoy and celebrate, but we will think about Tuesday later on.”
Rodgers delight at Tielemans’ ‘old school’ FA Cup final winner
Brendan Rodgers hailed Youri Tielemans’ instant FA Cup classic after the midfielder spectacularly gave Leicester glory with a 1-0 final win over Chelsea at Wembley.
The Belgium international took aim from 25 yards in the 63rd minute to spark bedlam among the Leicester supporters in a 21,000 crowd at England’s national stadium – the largest attendance for a sporting event in the UK since the coronavirus lockdown last March.
Leicester needed heroics from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and VAR spared another of the favourites from their Premier League success five years ago.
Substitute Wes Morgan turned a ricocheted shot from Ben Chilwell into his own net to apparently herald extra time, but replays showed the ex-Leicester left-back was offside.
Delirious celebrations, with fans and players as one, greeted the full-time whistle and Tielemens was deservedly named man of the match
“Youri’s goal was like an old school FA Cup-winning goal but also Kasper Schmeichel’s save, those are the special moments you need in games,” Rodgers told BBC Sport.
“Overall I thought we were the better team, we pressed the game really well, super-aggressive tactically. We were always a threat with the ball.
“Chelsea are an amazing team, that’s why they’re in a Champions League final but I thought we deserved it.”
As was the case when Schmeichel, Morgan, Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton starred in Leicester’s 2015-16 Premier League title win, this was a maiden triumph in the FA Cup.
“It’s an amazing feeling, I wasn’t aware before I came to Leicester that they’d never won the FA Cup, they’d lost in four finals previously,” said the former Liverpool boss.
“So, to be able to give that to the supporters and the owners, so special.
“I’m so proud. It’s a real collective effort at Leicester City – the board, the players, staff, supporters, an amazing day for the city. I’m just so proud for everyone.”
Rodgers added: “I’ve been lucky enough to be in six finals [with Celtic] before and lucky enough to win them. Today being the seventh was truly special.
“It’s the FA Cup and as a British coach it means so much to us. I’m so proud, but happier for everyone else.”
Chelsea did enough for FA Cup glory but were unlucky, says Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel claimed Chelsea were unlucky in their 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Leicester City at Wembley.
Youri Tielemans’ stunning 25-yard strike just after the hour proved the difference in a tight contest.
A VAR intervention denied Chelsea a late equaliser, with Ben Chilwell shown to be fractionally offside before his shot ricocheted into the net off Wes Morgan.
Tuchel felt some of Chelsea’s play was too “hectic” during a scrappy first half, but he did not have many words of pointed criticism for a team who will get another shot at silverware in the Champions League final against Manchester City in two weeks’ time.
“Of course we’re disappointed, but we’re not angry with our performance or our boys,” Tuchel said at a post-match news conference.
“I think this performance is enough to win the game. We were simply unlucky.
“We’ve never hidden the fact that you need luck in this game to win at this level. In some moments you need little details, some decisions, referee’s decision-making, sometimes a shot like today.
“I think we defended very, very well. We were very aggressive in counter-pressing, we defended very high up the pitch. We did not allow any counter chances for one of the most dangerous counter-attacking teams in Europe.
“We did not allow any half-chances, any chances. I was absolutely happy with the work rate and intensity.”
Chelsea have been on a sharp upwards trajectory since Tuchel succeeded Frank Lampard in January, but this was their second dispiriting 1-0 defeat in a week after going down to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
That loss left their top-four hopes in the balance and a rematch with Leicester on home turf on Tuesday in the Premier League means there is no time to dwell on Wembley disappointment.
“We will talk about what we did good and what we can do better to be ready for Tuesday,” Tuchel said.
“This is it in sports. There is no team that never loses, no player or no single sports guy. It is about bouncing back, showing mentality and belief again.
“We missed out on a trophy and are very sad about it. But we have another competition with two finals against Leicester and Aston Villa [in the Premier League], then another final [in the Champions League].
“We have enough to do. We cannot regret too long.”
Reece James’ wayward pass that led to Tielemans’ winner struck Leicester’s Ayoze Perez on the thigh and bounced up to hit his arm, but Chelsea cries for handball were waved away by referee Michael Oliver – in line with the present guidance.
“I didn’t see it, the players said straight away that it was handball,” Tuchel added.
“But I’m not an expert on handball anymore. I don’t know when it’s hands or when it’s not.
“You need a bit of luck in these decisions. I cannot comment and give my opinion, but my opinion is not relevant anyway because I don’t know anymore when they need to punish it or when they can play with the hand.”
Arsenal takeover bid rejected, says Spotify supremo Ek
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has claimed an offer for Arsenal was rejected this week, but he insists he is still interested in buying the club.
Amid increased pressure on Kroenke Sports & Entertainment – Arsenal’s owner – following the failed European Super League launch, Ek has announced an interest in purchasing the Premier League side.
Arsenal fan Ek posted on Twitter last month he would “be happy to throw [his] hat in the ring” and attempts to complete a deal have since escalated.
Gunners greats Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp have all backed a £1.8billion bid, although the former told Sky Sports the process would be “long and not easy”.
So it has proven, as Ek again took to social media on Saturday with a statement detailing attempted negotiations.
The potential buyer has been told the club are not for sale, he says, but that will not quash his enthusiasm.
“Inaccurate reports emerged today saying I have not made a bid for Arsenal Football Club,” Ek’s statement read. “I think it’s important to correct the record.
“This week an offer was made to both Josh Kroenke and their bankers that included fan ownership, representation at the board and a golden share for the supporters.
“They replied that they don’t need the money. I respect their decision but remain interested and available should that situation ever change.”
Conte set for face-to-face talks with Inter chief Zhang
Antonio Conte will meet Inter chairman Steven Zhang “as soon as possible” as the Scudetto winners look to keep the coach at San Siro, it was revealed on Saturday.
Worries over Inter’s financial stability have been raised in recent weeks, with the Serie A champions not immune from the money worries that have blighted clubs globally during the COVID-19 crisis.
The club have asked players to accept a pay cut as part of a cost-cutting exercise, while the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez have been linked with moves away.
Giuseppe Marotta, CEO for the sporting side of the club, recently insisted all existing contracts will be respected by Inter should the players reject the club’s request.
But amid such talk there is also concern about whether Conte sees his future with the Nerazzurri, and Marotta hopes the planned talks with Zhang prove beneficial.
“He is a winner and he has shown it here too,” Marotta said of Conte.
“Coaches like this are very ambitious and his cycle has started very well and he will want to improve it.”
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Marotta said: “As soon as possible there will be a meeting with the president, I hope we can continue.”
Marotta was interviewed on the evening Inter lost 3-2 to Juventus, the club at which he and Conte first worked together.
Should Conte seek to leave Inter, where his contract runs to the end of next season, there would likely be several clubs interested in recruiting the 51-year-old.
He was linked in Spanish media on Saturday as a possible successor to Zinedine Zidane, whose time at Real Madrid looks to be coming to an end, although Raul is said to be a favourite for that position, should it come up.
Conte did not hold a news conference before the recent game against Roma, nor ahead of the Juventus clash, with Inter instead putting out match-focused comments from the coach on their website and club television station.
That meant Conte avoided being asked any uncomfortable questions by journalists about his or the club’s future.
Assistant coach Cristian Stellini handled media duties following the Juventus game and was asked about Conte’s well-being, saying: “He’s in a calm frame of mind.”
Vardy targeting more silverware after Leicester end FA Cup wait
Jamie Vardy is looking to add to his growing medal collection with Leicester City after helping the Foxes to win their first FA Cup.
Leicester, who won the Premier League with Vardy in the side in 2015-16, finally got their hands on the cup with a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday.
Youri Tielemans scored the sole goal for Brendan Rodgers’ team at Wembley, with a late own goal from Wes Morgan disallowed following a VAR review.
Vardy has now played in every round in the competition including the preliminary stages, having started his career in non-league football, but had a quiet final.
Neither of the striker’s two shots under the arch hit the target, while he lost possession with five of his 14 touches.
It mattered not, though, as Leicester claimed the FA Cup after four previous final defeats, and that encouraged Vardy to set his sights higher still.
“It’s a brilliant feeling, a really brilliant feeling. We’ve managed to do it,” he said.
“But when the gaffer came in over two years ago, he said he wanted us to keep progressing, how he wanted us to play, he wanted us to be challenging for trophies.
“Now we’ve got one, we’re going to be wanting some more. Now it’s hard work, dedication and keep progressing as much as we can.”
Leicester could cap a stunning stretch by qualifing for the Champions League if they beat Chelsea again at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Such an achievement would firmly establish manager Rodgers’ side among the elite in English football.
“It was the big challenge I wanted to take coming to Leicester,” Rodgers told a news conference.
“Having worked at incredible clubs like [Liverpool] and Celtic, could I go to a club outside of the top six and could we challenge and could we disrupt that hierarchy within the league?
“We’ll always be a way behind in terms of financial perspective, but can we compete, can we perform and can we fight to challenge?
“And then obviously, on days like today, when you have the opportunity to create history, can you do that? Thankfully, we’ve been able to do it.”
But Rodgers, repeatedly emphasising the financial gulf between Leicester and their opponents along with the rest of the ‘big six’, could offer few assurances on the futures of his cup final stars.
Tielemans, who now has nine goals in all competitions this season, would surely interest rivals, it was suggested.
Leicester fans did not have to look far for reminders of past departures on Saturday as N’Golo Kante started for Chelsea and Ben Chilwell almost turned the game on its head from the bench.
Kante had a relatively quiet outing, contesting just six duels, but Chilwell drew a superb save from Peter Schmeichel and forced the own goal that was then disallowed for his offside.
“I know the direction that we’re going in and I know that Leicester in the future, I’m sure, will lose players,” Rodgers said.
“We don’t want to, it’s not something we think about so much, but it’s the nature of the game.
“But it’s not to think about at this stage. You can see the happiness in the players, you can see the ambition we have, and of course you see the level that they play at.
“I don’t think about it so much, I don’t worry about it so much.
“I’ve got a really talented group of young guys that want to get better, and while I’m the coach and manager, until the very last day they’re at the club, I’ll always continue to do that.”
Akichezesha taya na Ijumaa mwanamama huyo ambaye kwa sasa amefanikiwa kupata mtoto wa kiume aliyempa jina la P, alisema kuwa mara nyingi anapokuwa na mtu huwa anajitahidi sana kuwa mwaminifu kwake kwa kutomsaliti na mwanaume yoyote yule, sasa inapotokea mwanaume wake akawa na mwanamke mwingine ndio hubadirika na kuwa Mbogo.
“ Mimi nikiwa kwenye uhusiano wa kimapenzi na mwanaume, huwa siwezi kumsaliti kabisa, mara nyingi nakuwa mwaminifu kwake na kumsikiliza kwa kila hali, lakini inapotokea yeye ananiendea ndivyo sivyo mara sijui naanza kuona ana dalili zote za kunisaliti hapo ndio huwa nakuwa Mbogo kwa sababu sitaki mchezo kabisa,” alisema Wolper.
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
&w=650&quality=100)
Sports Newz 