List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Manchester City paraded the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup trophies on an open-top bus tour of the city on Monday evening. Despite torrential downpours and the threat of lightning storms, thousands of fans came out to cheer the treble winners as the streets were turned into a sea of blue. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the event’s memorable images.

Sleep-deprived Manchester City winger Jack Grealish admits he has had “the best day and night” as the club celebrated their treble-winning season following the capture of the Champions League title. Even a typical Manchester downpour and passing lightning storm could not dampen spirits as Pep Guardiola and his squad paraded their newly-acquired European Cup alongside the Premier League trophy and FA Cup. City returned from Istanbul on Sunday afternoon and it has been one long party – with celebrations set to continue for a while longer as Grealish was overheard to ask striker Erling Haaland: ‘Are we having it?’ while on their one-mile tour around the city centre. Haaland’s response was to empty a bottle of champagne over the £100million signing, who later told a large crowd assembled in St Peter’s Square: “For the past 24 hours I’ve had the best day and night. To be fair I don’t think I’ve had any sleep.” The players had arrived for their parade via Metrolink tram from the Etihad Stadium but the weather delayed proceedings somewhat. Supporters had expected to be let into the fanzone in front of the stage at 5pm but due to the threat of lighting storms that was pushed back by 90 minutes. Rain started falling shortly after 6pm and, as a result, the start of the proceedings was delayed by 40 minutes but it did not deter the fans who came out in their droves to cheer on City’s squad and manager Guardiola, all wearing matching ‘Treble winners’ T-shirts. Halfway around those now-drenched T-shirts started to be dispensed with as City’s 52-goal striker Haaland threw his into the crowd and, with the rest of the squad, arrived on stage 45 minutes later than expected still topless. “We had to be the best parade with this rain, otherwise it is not Manchester,” Guardiola said to the delight of the waiting crowd. “We don’t want sunshine, we want rain, so it was perfect. They (fans) are used to the rain.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Steve Kerr recently threw shade at some of the Warriors role players. But NBA rumors say everyone will probably be back together next season.Steve Kerr and Draymond Green stirred up some controversy on Draymond Green's podcast after Game 2. After the Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets 111-1...

Everton have begun overhauling their board by announcing a trio of departures led by chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, with the future of chairman Bill Kenwright set to be addressed in the next 48 hours. Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp – who is also the club’s record post-war goalscorer – have left their roles a fortnight after the club escaped relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season. Everton will announce their interim replacements, along with a decision on the future of Kenwright, this week. Along with Kenwright, the three directors had been prevented from attending matches at Goodison Park since mid-January because of fan opposition that entailed “threats to safety and security”. Supporters chanted “sack the board” at every game, including after the club’s Premier League survival was ensured. “The outgoing directors have worked tirelessly over recent months to assist with the preparation for a transition to a new board,” an Everton statement read. “The club is very appreciative of this generous accommodation, which is both characteristic of them and entirely in the spirit of the best values of our club.” Everton have cumulative losses of more than £430m and the exit of the directors was seen as inevitable with American investors MSP Sports Capital in talks about investment to fund the new stadium but the possibility of a full takeover also on the table. “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton,” a statement from the three directors read. “We have worked tirelessly alongside our chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come. “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as directors. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time here. We wish the club we have loved to serve every success in the future.” Read More Everton’s great escape will not automatically solve problems – leading academic Everton fans storm pitch after beating relegation before chants to ‘sack the board’ Everton chairman Bill Kenwright ‘hurt’ by having to stay away from Goodison Park

Matt Rhule is looking to add another quarterback to the mix to rebuild Nebraska football.With Jeff Sims expected to be the starter for the Nebraska football team this season and three-star Daniel Kaelin coming aboard in 2024, Matt Rhule seems to have turned his attention to Stone Saunders for 20...

Everton have begun overhauling their board by announcing a trio of departures led by chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, with the future of chairman Bill Kenwright set to be addressed in the next 48 hours. Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp have left their roles a fortnight after the club escaped relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season. Everton will announce their interim replacements, along with a decision on the future of Kenwright, this week. Along with Kenwright, the three directors had been prevented from attending matches at Goodison Park since mid-January because of fan opposition that entailed “threats to safety and security”. “The outgoing directors have worked tirelessly over recent months to assist with the preparation for a transition to a new board,” an Everton statement read. “The club is very appreciative of this generous accommodation, which is both characteristic of them and entirely in the spirit of the best values of our club.” Everton have cumulative losses of more than £430million and the exit of the directors was seen as inevitable with American investors MSP Sports Capital poised to buy into the club. “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton,” a statement from the three directors read. “We have worked tirelessly alongside our chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come. “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as directors. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time here. We wish the club we have loved to serve every success in the future.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Until Alabama figures out who will be the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback, it will be awfully hard to pencil them into the final four-team College Football Playoff field for this season.Alabama may have upwards of five promising quarterbacks on their roster, but who is going to start ga...

After staring elimination in the face, Tennessee extended its season by rattling off eight unanswered runs to beat Southern Mississippi in Game 2 of the Hattiesburg Super Regionals.Tennessee will look to advance to Omaha, Nebraska as big favorites in Game 3, but can Southern Mississippi's p...

Aaron Ramsey insists his focus is fully on Wales’ Euro 2024 ambitions amid uncertainty over his Nice future. Ramsey has triggered a one-year contract extension at Nice after playing more than 30 games for the Ligue 1 club this season. But it has been reported in the French media that the 32-year-old midfielder wants a longer deal to stay at Nice and that may not be forthcoming. “I’m not sure what my future is at the moment,” Ramsey said ahead of Wales’ Euro 2024 double-header against Armenia and Turkey. “The most important thing is for me to focus on these games. “We will find out in a few weeks’ time, when everything has settled down a bit. “My full focus is on Friday (against Armenia). I’ll have to keep you guys (the press) waiting a bit longer.” Ramsey says his family, who have stayed in Cardiff while he has played in France and travelled to and from Wales, will be instrumental in the decision over his playing future. I'm not sure what my future is at the moment. We will find out in a few weeks' time, when everything has settled down a bit Aaron Ramsey It has led to speculation that Ramsey could return to Cardiff this summer, the Sky Bet Championship club where he began his career before moving to Arsenal in 2008 and spending 11 seasons in north London. That particular rumour mill went into overdrive last week when Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman told supporters to expect an “exciting” signing this summer. Ramsey said: “There’s always rumours going around, isn’t there? There is always that bit of noise. “This season has been a success for me personally, I played a lot of games and some good football. The only thing missing was a few goals, but that will come again. “The most challenging thing is being away from my family. That’s the situation I find myself in. “I’ve been away from my family and seeing the kids growing up, missing out, it’s always difficult. Difficult for anyone to go through, I imagine. “Whatever we do going forward, we will be reunited and back together.” Wales host Armenia in Cardiff on Friday before heading to Turkey three days later, having made a positive start to Euro 2024 qualifying. Rob Page’s side picked up four points from their opening two games in March, drawing away to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia before beating Latvia at home. Ramsey said: “This is a massive camp for us. The World Cup was a huge disappointment for us, and it was important to get off to a good start. “To bounce back straightaway in those two games sets us up nicely. “It’s huge now to back that up against Armenia. It’s a game we need to win and all our attention is on that.” Ramsey missed Nice’s last four games of the season with a calf problem. But he is confident of playing roles against both Armenia and Turkey, saying: “The last couple of weeks I did not play, but before that I had a good run of games. “I got myself in good shape so there’s not too much to be worried about. “I’ve had a good season and we had a bit of a European run as well. I’m 100 per cent ready to play to help us win.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Hugo Salabio facing six-match ban for spear tackle Manchester City’s treble winners arguably greatest ever English team – Joe Royle Brentford turn Kevin Schade loan move into permanent club-record deal

Former Manchester City boss Joe Royle says Pep Guardiola’s current side is “one of, if not the best” English football has seen. City completed the treble on Saturday night with victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final and Royle has no doubts where Guardiola’s class of 2023 ranks in the all-time list. Royle, 74, who led City from the third tier to the Premier League after back-to-back promotions in 1999 and 2000, told the PA news agency: “There’s no doubt about it. They’re one of, if not the best English club side there has been. “They’ve got to be talked of as one of them. They can play off the cuff or play in various systems and they can counter very quickly. “They’ve got world-class individuals, they’ve got the team ethic and they’ve got a very, very strong squad, covering every position.” Manchester United became the first English side to win the treble – league title, FA Cup and Champions League – under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999, the same year City dropped into the third tier for the first time in their history. The debate will now rage among both clubs’ fans over which is the greater achievement and Royle said: “A treble is a treble. “They’re both equally matched when compared to their rivals in their era and both City and United fans will rightfully claim that their side’s treble was the best.” Under Royle, City ended their one season in the old Second Division, now League One, in thrilling fashion by beating Gillingham on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley. Gillingham had led 2-0 in the final minute of normal time before last-gasp goals from City pair Kevin Horlock and Paul Dickov took the tie to extra-time and then penalties, with Royle’s side winning the shoot-out 3-1. “It was an unforgettable way to win promotion,” Royle said. “And when you consider how far City have come since then, there’s no secret. “The current ownership, with their financial support, have changed City from a side that did sink to the third tier. “We got back into the Premier League, but we certainly didn’t have the funding that the side does today in order for us to stay there and we went straight back down again. “But it’s been mostly on the up since then. It can never be too quick for a club to get in the Premier League. “The current side, look where they’ve gone now. They’ve completed the treble and deservedly so. You can never get there too quickly.” Certainly anyone who finishes ahead of them next season, in England or Europe, is going to be doing very well Former City manager Joe Royle Guardiola’s City have been crowned English champions in five of the last six seasons, but, after finally securing the Champions League Royle, is not sure if they will now dominate Europe in a similar manner. “Football is a season-by-season game isn’t it?” he added. “Certainly anyone who finishes ahead of them next season, in England or Europe, is going to be doing very well. “The money has been spent very well. They’ve generally bought very well. It’s one thing having money and another thing using it wisely and City have been very good at that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Brentford turn Kevin Schade loan move into permanent club-record deal Jon Lewis says England are ready for ‘great challenge’ of regaining Ashes Ivan Toney calls FA ‘bit spiteful’ over ban case after missing ‘dream’ World Cup

With the 2022/23 season completed and Premier League clubs now focused on the summer transfer window, WhoScored.com take a look at which players suit each team’s biggest need over the next eight weeks. First up: from Arsenal to Fulham. Arsenal What do they need - central midfielder Who should they sign - Moises Caicedo With Granit Xhaka set for a Bundesliga return, Arsenal need at least two central midfielders this summer. Declan Rice remains the priority for the Gunners, yet the West Ham star can’t be the only middle man that arrives this summer ahead of their return to the Champions League. Moises Caicedo is another linked with Arsenal and would offer an ball-carrying outlet from deep as well as terrific defensive capabilities to help fill the void that will be left once Xhaka departs. Aston Villa What do they need - winger Who should they sign - Harvey Barnes Having secured a return to European football on the final day of the season, Aston Villa are aware they need to add strength in depth in the off-season ahead of Unai Emery’s first full season at the Villa Park helm. A right-back, winger and striker are the priorities for the Villans this summer, with Harvey Barnes one who’ll tick off a problem position. Barnes’ goal exploits were overshadowed by James Maddison’s form, but the 25-year-old still managed an commendable 13 league goals for the relegated Foxes. Bournemouth What do the need - central midfielder Who should they sign - Tyler Adams Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil worked wonders in the Cherries hotseat following his appointment as Scott Parker’s successor, but if they are to avoid a relegation dogfight, they need to strengthen in key areas. One of those will be in the middle of the park, particularly with Jefferson Lerma departing following the culmination of his contract. Bournemouth could do a lot worse than raid relegated Leeds for Tyler Adams, the American having ranked third for tackles per 90 (3.7) in the Premier League last season. Brentford What do they need - striker Who should they sign - Viktor Gyokeres Ivan Toney’s suspension leaves Brentford a little light up top. Granted, while the Bees have performed well in his absence, they can’t head into the new season without the services of their 20-goal frontman until January. While a short-term addition would suit all parties, Brentford may instead seek to bring Viktor Gyokeres up to the Premier League. Coventry’s failure to secure promotion means the Swede is seemingly up for grabs and having scored 21 and provided 12 assists last season, Thomas Frank’s side would certainly benefit from the 25-year-old’s addition. Brighton What do they need - central midfielder Who should they sign - Enzo Le Fee Brighton are set to lose both Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo this summer and while Mahmoud Dahoud and James Milner are tipped to arrive, the Seagulls still look a little light in the middle of the park. Enzo Le Fee was a standout performer for Lorient this season, yet will depart the French side in the coming weeks, and Brighton would be foolish not to consider the 23-year-old. Le Fee ranked third for tackles (108) and seventh for dribbles (68) in the 2022/23 Ligue 1 campaign, while an additional five goals and five assists has helped boost his reputation. Burnley What do they need - central midfielder Who should they sign - Albert Sambi-Lokonga Burnley will need an overhaul in central midfield this summer. They can’t rely on 33-year-old Jack Cork to help beat the drop next season, and so a player who has worked under Vincent Kompany in the past would be a viable option for the Clarets. Albert Sambi-Lokonga spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace, though still struggled for minutes at Selhurst Park. Arsenal are unlikely to rely upon Lokonga next season, noted by their pursuit of high-profile midfielders, so another short-term move would certainly benefit the Belgian. Chelsea What do they need - striker Who should they sign - Victor Osimhen To put it bluntly - Chelsea need a player to put the ball in the back of the net. Christopher Nkunku is set to sign for the Blues, but another striker would certainly aid their quest to launch a sustained title push under Mauricio Pochettino. Victor Osimhen wouldn’t come cheap, the Nigerian having scored more goals (26) than any other player in Serie A this season, yet with Todd Boehly willing to loosen the purse strings, Osimhen could prove the perfect frontman for Chelsea, and one to rid them of the dreaded No.9 curse. Crystal Palace What do they need - right-back Who should they sign - Sacha Boey Crystal Palace were able to muddle through the season with Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, but the pair are now 33 and 32 years of age, respectively, and the Eagles could do with some investment in defence ahead of the new season. While he has been linked with Arsenal, Sacha Boey could prove a shrewd capture for the Eagles. The 22-year-old was key in Galatasaray’s title triumph and has made the second most tackles (86) in the Super Lig this season, so a committed body to shore up the defence would certainly be welcomed at Selhurst Park. Everton What do they need - striker Who should they sign - Alfredo Morelos Everton have been linked with a move for Wout Weghorst, the Dutchman having worked under Sean Dyche during their short time together at Turf Moor, as the Toffees seek to sign another striker. However, Weghorst has a poor record in England having scored just two goals in 37 league appearances, so they may be better off perusing the free market. Alfredo Morelos will leave Rangers this summer upon the culmination of his contract and having scored 11 goals and provided five assists in the Scottish Premiership last season, the hot-headed Colombian could prove a handy pick up. Fulham What do they need - centre-back Who should they sign - Harry Maguire Centre-back is hardly a problem position for Fulham, with Tim Ream, Tosin Adarabioyo and Issa Diop all performing admirably for the Cottagers as they beat the drop last season, but with the former now 35, some fresh blood would benefit Marco Silva’s side. Harry Maguire is unlikely to be a Manchester United player once the summer transfer window closes and with their ongoing pursuit of Kim Min-Jae, the England international is expected to leave sooner rather than later. If his England performances are anything to go by, Maguire could prove a solid addition to the Fulham defence, while a fresh start would certainly benefit the 30-year-old. Coming on Tuesday: the ten Premier League teams from Liverpool to Wolves. Read More Toney compares ban to missing out on World Cup squad Pep’s future and Premier League charges – Where next for Man City after treble? Ward-Prowse, Maddison and 12 transfer targets after relegation Football rumours: Wilfried Zaha eyes move to Paris St Germain Wembley Stadium launches dementia friendly match-day experience Tottenham progressing in bid to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya

While much of the home nations’ focus this week will be on Euro 2024 qualifying, the finals of the 2023 Uefa Nations League are also being held. It means we’ll have a successor to France as champions of the tournament, which this year saw England and Wales both relegated from League A and Scotland promoted from League B. Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland remain in Groups B and C respectively. Here’s everything you need to know about the finals, who is involved and how to watch across the week, including Sunday’s grand final. Who is playing in the Nations League finals? The four nations involved in the finals are Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Croatia . Netherlands are hosts; the games are being played in De Kuip, Rotterdam, and De Grolsche Veste, Enschede. What are the fixtures and when are they? In the semi-finals, Netherlands play Croatia at 7:45pm BST on Wednesday 14 June. One day later at the same time, Spain play Italy. The losers of each semi will play each other in the third-place play-off at 2pm on Sunday 18 June, with the winners meeting in the final on the same day at 7:45pm. Where can I watch? Both the semi-finals will be screened on Viaplay Sports 1, as well as the third-place play-off. The final will be on Viaplay Sport 1 and Channel 4, and can be streamed via the All 4 app. All Viaplay matches can be watched via the website and app. How does the Nations League impact Euro 2024 qualifying? There is no automatic qualification for Euro 2024 by winning the 2023 Nations League. However, with two places available in each group through qualifying it is unlikely any of the quartet will miss out in any case. In the event they do finish outside the top two in their Euro 2024 qualifying groups, the six best-performing nations in the Nations League will be handed play-off spots for a last shot at reaching the Euros. Odds Netherlands 21/20 - Draw 12/5 - Croatia 32/11 Spain 13/10 - Draw 9/4 - Italy 41/17 Overall winner: Netherlands 9/4 Italy 7/2 Croatia 9/2 Spain 11/2 Read More Tottenham progressing in bid to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya Jarrod Bowen: From Hereford and Hull to West Ham’s humble European hero Soccer Aid 2023: England vs World XI result, final score and reaction Soccer Aid 2023: England vs World XI result, final score and reaction Toney compares ban to missing out on World Cup squad How Pep Guardiola can become the undisputed greatest manager