Новости за 28.02.2019

Real Madrid out for revengeBarcelona had two shots on target on Wednesday, yet thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Bernabeu. It's easy to understand why Los Blancosmight feel a bit miffed after managing to take Leo Messi out of the game.However,the superstar didn'tstart in the previous two Clasico fixtures this season, and didn't play at all when Real were thrashed5-1 at the Camp Nou in October. The psychological blow is significant, but on Saturday... Читать дальше...

Hibernian head coach Paul Heckingbottom believes it will be stranger for Neil Lennon returning to Easter Road than for him facing his predecessor.Lennon makes a swifter return to Leith than anyone could have anticipated a few days ago after taking charge of Celtic in the wake of Brendan Rodgers sudden departure to Leicester.After leading Celtic to victory at Hearts before he had even taken a training session, Lennon now faces another trip to Edinburgh to face Hibs in the William Hill Scottish Cup... Читать дальше...

Peter Schmeichel cannot see beyond Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the Manchester United job after he came up “smelling of roses” when faced with even the most unusual circumstances during his striking caretaker stint.If eyebrows were raised when United turned to the 1999 treble hero in December, that sense of surprise has only continued given the way the 46-year-old has improved style and substance since replacing Jose Mourinho.Solskjaer’s temporary role is due to end in the summer but few expect him to return to Norwegian club Molde as planned... Читать дальше...

The 29-year-old was sent to Championship side Aston Villa on loan at the start of the season, but the deal was cut short in January before he agreed to join Belgium outfit Anderlecht until the end of the campaign.Bolasie has made a strong start to life in the Jupiler League, scoring three goals in four games, and he was quizzed by Belgian media about the possibility of extending his stay in Brussels.“No idea, I still have a two-year contract with Everton,” he told Het Nieuwsblad.“But if I’m honest... Читать дальше...

Claudio Ranieri’s future as Fulham manager appeared uncertain on Thursday amid reports he was set to be dismissed.The Cottagers were beaten 2-0 at relegation rivals Southampton on Wednesday night.The fourth straight Premier League defeat leaves the west London club in 19th place, 10 points from safety with 10 games left.FT: Not a fun night at St Mary's.[2-0] #SOUFUL pic.twitter.com/sZs2FGCI1y— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 27, 2019Reports on Thursday suggested the Italian, appointed in November... Читать дальше...

Manchester United have pledged to pay more than £500 to charity after making a copyright claim against a couple who draw “wonky” versions of football stickers.Self-described “artistically challenged duo” Alex and Sian Pratchett have earned a loyal following online as Panini Cheapskates since they drew every sticker from the World Cup 2014 book five years ago, something they repeated at Euro 2016 and last year’s World Cup.30 days.800 Euro2016 Panini stickers.Hand drawn.For charity.RTs very welcome!Read... Читать дальше...

The current Italy coach led City between 2009 and 2013, and secured the club’s first league title for 44 years during his time in England.However, he revealed one regret from his spell in the Premier League, when Giallorossi captain De Rossi left him in a rage after pulling out of a move to Eastlands.“We spent one whole night in Rome talking,” Mancini told Il Messaggero.“It was all done, but he pulled out at the last minute. He called me and told me: ‘I can’t go through with it.’“I was hurt and angry. Читать дальше...

There are 10 games remaining in the Premier League season, but do you really need to pay attention to them all? We’ve gone through each fixture remaining and predicted the outcome, thus saving you the trouble of watching them.You’re welcome.20. Huddersfield – 16 pointsHuddersfield have been hurtling towards relegation for most of the season, and there isn’t an awful lot of hope for reclamation of dignity in the final weeks. They can’t play Wolves every week.Our game-by-game predictions have them drawing two more matches and losing the rest... Читать дальше...

Peter Schmeichel always felt Sir Alex Ferguson retired too soon so cannot wait to see the Manchester United great back where he belongs, managing at Old Trafford in May’s Treble Reunion against Bayern Munich.Exactly 20 years to the day since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last-gasp winner sealed the Champions League at the Nou Camp, so many of that great side will come together in what is sure to be a memorable occasion on May 26.Schmeichel and United’s defence have now been confirmed for an anniversary... Читать дальше...

Steven Gerrard believes Jermain Defoe is a dream come true for his Rangers midfield.The Ibrox boss introduced the former England striker with 24 minutes remaining of Wednesday’s clash with Dundee, and watched as he put the seal on a 4-0 thumping.The Light Blues had dazzled with three goals in the opening 24 minutes against Jim McIntyre’s strugglers but they failed to light up Ibrox quite as brightly after the break as they allowed their tempo to drop.That all changed in the final minute, however... Читать дальше...

Not since Bayern Munich in 2013 have a club from outside La Liga been crowned champions of Europe; Real Madrid have lifted the trophy on four occasions, while Barcelona triumphed in 2015.Only once before in history has one league dominated for longer – English clubs lifted the European Cup for six years in succession between 1977 and 1982, thanks to Liverpool’s three victories, Nottingham Forest’s double glory and Aston Villa’s shock win over Bayern Munich.That record could be equalled if Real Madrid... Читать дальше...

In 2016/17, aged 18 and 19, Sean Longstaff did not play for Newcastle United. He was loaned to Kilmarnock, where he played well but hardly improved his standing at St James’ Park.In 2017/18, aged 19 and 20, Sean Longstaff did not play for Newcastle United. He was loaned to Blackpool in League One and earned high praise for his form, but not enough to force a way through at his parent club.In 2018/19, aged 20 and 21, Sean Longstaff was not really meant to play for Newcastle. He started against Nottingham Forest in an EFL Cup defeat in August... Читать дальше...

Gylfi Sigurdsson put away two goals against Cardiff on Tuesday to extend an impressive season at Goodison, despite Everton’s other problems.He’s far from the first Nordic player to enjoy success in the top flight, though – some of the first imports to flourish in the early days of the Premier League were from the lands of thick-knit jumpers and moody crime dramas.In fact, since 1992, 34 players from Nordic countries – that’s Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Iceland – have netted at least 10 Premier League goals. Читать дальше...

Manchester City have announced a new long-term kit deal with German manufacturer Puma.Press Association Sport understands the agreement to be worth £65 million a year for 10 years, making it the second biggest in the Premier League.Only Manchester United, whose present deal with adidas is reportedly worth £75 million per year, eclipses it in the English top flight.The deal, which will come into effect from July and also covers City’s sister clubs in Australia, Spain, Uruguay and China, is worth more... Читать дальше...

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes his side’s record of reaching six successive Copa del Rey finals will never be matched.Barca secured a 3-0 win in the second leg of their semi-final against El Clasico rivals Real Madrid to win 4-1 on aggregate after two second-half efforts from Luis Suarez and Raphael Varane’s own goal.Real were the better side for long periods at the Bernabeu Stadium as they looked to build on the advantage of their away goal following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.How do... Читать дальше...

What the papers sayRomelu Lukaku is keen to join Juventus in the summer if he is forced to leave Manchester United, according to The Sun. It's understood that the Red Devils could look to offload the 25-year-old when the transfer window opens, with the Belgium forward willing to join Juventus and link up with Cristiano Ronaldo, the paper says.New Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is targeting Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson for a summer transfer, The Sun claims. The 27-year-old has also attracted the attention of West Ham and Chelsea... Читать дальше...

Claudio Ranieri does not know if his job is under threat after a damaging 2-0 defeat at Southampton pushed Fulham closer to Premier League relegation.The Cottagers slipped a perilous 10 points adrift of safety at St Mary’s, with under-pressure manager Ranieri subject to protests from the travelling fans.First-half goals from Saints duo Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse inflicted the London club’s seventh defeat from eight top-flight games.Asked about his future, Ranieri replied: “My job? I don’t know. Читать дальше...

Maurizio Sarri’s decision to drop goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was vindicated by Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Tottenham which strengthens his position as head coach.Heavy defeats to Bournemouth and Arsenal, coupled with the Blues fans’ vitriolic abuse of Sarri’s methods, put the 60-year-old in a precarious predicament prior to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with Manchester City.The 4-3 penalty shootout loss was overshadowed by Kepa’s refusal to be substituted, resulting in the world’s most expensive goalkeeper... Читать дальше...

Neil Lennon was “ecstatic” after he began his second stint as Celtic boss with a dramatic last-gasp 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Hearts at Tynecastle.The former Hoops captain and manager was put back in charge until the end of the season following the shock departure of Brendan Rodgers on Tuesday, and his tenure started positively when winger James Forrest got the visitors off to a fine start with a goal after 36 minutes.Jambos defender Jamie Brandon was shown a straight red by referee Steven... Читать дальше...

He’s the man with a thousand lines and a smile like a New York office block at night. The chilled-out entertainer with a dedicated parody Twitter account. An inspiration to meme creators everywhere.But at his core, there’s something far more meaningful in the man who brought us such classics as “I’ve always said that you can live without water for many days, but you can’t live for a second without hope”; something much more visceral than that boombox-touting bravado he brings to his press conferences... Читать дальше...

Maurizio Sarri will live to fight another day after Chelsea produced an impressive performance to beat Tottenham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.Pedro put them ahead before a comical Kieran Trippier own goal kept their top-four hopes alive while also delivering a terminal blow to Spurs title challenge.Here, Press Association Sport picks out five talking points from the Stamford Bridge clash.An expensive misunderstanding for KepaChelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero was selected ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga (Nick... Читать дальше...

Maurizio Sarris position as Chelsea head coach was strengthened by a 2-0 win which featured a Willy Caballero clean sheet and a Tottenham defensive howler.Under-fire Sarri belatedly exerted his authority by dropping Kepa Arrizabalaga for his refusal to be substituted in Sundays Carabao Cup final penalty shootout loss to Manchester City.The worlds most expensive goalkeeper was replaced by Caballero as Pedros 57th-minute strike was followed by an embarrassing Kieran Trippier own goal.Kieran Trippier... Читать дальше...

Ten-man Hibernian strengthened their grip on sixth place thanks to a second-half double from Marc McNulty in a comeback victory over St Johnstone.The on-loan Reading striker made it six goals in four matches following his brace in Fridays 4-2 win over Dundee.McNulty calmly drilled in a 65th-minute penalty to cancel out Chris Kanes 15th-minute opener for the home side, before Hibs midfielder Vykintas Slivka was sent off for a second bookable offence just three minutes later.And the 26-year-old slotted... Читать дальше...